COEUR d'ALENE - Happy Birthday, Coeur d'Alene.

The Lake City turns 125 years old today, and to celebrate, um, well, was that the sound crickets?

Sorry, Cd'A ... no party, no gifts, no balloons, and nobody's blowing into a confetti horn to make those funny noises for your big day. And this isn't playing innocent to set you up for the surprise bash; nobody's doing anything.

"I just sort of snuck up on everyone," said Robert Singletary, local historian, on how the quasquicentennial tip-toed into town somewhat under the radar.

A bummer, officials admitted, but what are you going to do?

Coeur d'Alene partied hearty for the city's 100th birthday party 25 years ago, and not every year calls for rolling out the red carpet. And the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce is turning 100 this year. Centennials are cool, while turning 125 might not have that same flair. A little like having a birthday near Christmas, it may just be overshadowed this year.

"Maybe when we turn 125, we'll low-key it too," said Steve Wilson, chamber CEO, on preparing for the chamber's centennial this fall, but not the one 25 years later apparently.

Paltry party plans aside, today is Cd'A's big day.

So what would make a good gift?

Resident Ann Brueggemann said she would like to see the town continue to grow in diversity, which is something that has happened in recent years. Local Brent Weisbaum said it would be cool to have an event for all the locals to come together, kind of like, well ...

"Like a birthday party," he said. "You don't really need gifts and presents and stuff like that ... The people make the town, they really do."

Mayor Sandi Bloem's wish wouldn't be bad, either.

An end to the recession, a ton of new jobs "and fabulous community spirit," she said.

And at 125, Coeur d'Alene is three years older than the state, as Idaho became the 43rd state on July 3, 1890.

A copy of the Articles of Incorporation lists 36 reasons why Coeur d'Alene wanted to become a city, according to a copy of the articles provided by Water Superintendent Jim Markely.

"To prevent, restrain and suppress bawdy houses, gambling houses, opium dens, and other disorderly houses, within the limits," reason No. 3 states.

No. 4 says to regulate gambling, while reason No. 5 follows similar lines.

"To provide for licensing and regulating dram shops, tippling houses, salons, gambling houses, traveling shows, circuses and other exhibitions," it states.

Oh boy.

Happy birthday, anyway, Coeur d'Alene.