It's always been an interesting building, and it's cool that it's being restored so that many of the original, special features will be accented and utilized.

The brick and stone place on the northwest corner of Third and Lakeside in downtown Coeur d'Alene was built in 1910 as the depot for the Northern Pacific Railroad. It began in 1896 as a wooden structure.

Trains were the major portion of transportation then in the Lake City. And they brought passengers and freight to the second-most-utilized transportation method - ferries, which connected Coeur d'Alene to the other lakeside communities. The major train lines were close to the Spokane River to the west and along what is now Appleway and Fourth and Third streets to the north. Of course, they didn't have to cross Interstate 90 as it didn't exist. The north-south line angled behind the existing Kinko's building at Appleway and Government Way.

The N.P. building has served many uses through the years, including a beer distribution center and several restaurants, the latest being Third Street Cantina and Las Palmitas.

This time, with major renovations and restorations under way, it will become an office building serving the Timberline Drilling company. Timberline provides underground and surface drilling for mining companies. Johnson Construction of Hayden is the contractor.

Timberline owners are local resident John Swallow with Martin Lanphere and Lew Walde. Moving from 2775 N. Howard St., they'll have seven people in the new offices directing 140 employees, with many in their shop and yard in Elko, Nev.

"We are looking for experienced drillers," Swallow said. "It is good pay and hard work, and a lot of that money comes back to our community. Check our website, www.timberline-drilling.com."

Allwest expands ownership

Three Inland Northwest men have joined the ownership group of Allwest Testing & Engineering. With offices in Hayden, Post Falls, Lewiston and Spokane Valley, the company has provided environmental consulting, geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing throughout the Inland Northwest since 1999.

Scott Neumann, office manager in the Lewiston office, has more than 16 years experience in the construction materials testing industry specializing in heavy highway paving and transportation. Michael Pereira, office manager in the Hayden office, graduated from the University of Idaho and has more than 12 years' experience in the consulting industry and environmental sciences. Andy Eliason graduated from Montana Tech University and has geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing experience in Denver and Spokane Valley, where he is the office manager.

With approximately 60 employees company wide, office hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Check out Allwest at www.allwesttesting.com.

Preschool to include gardening

Gardening and drama classes will be part of Keet Sweet Preschool when it opens in April at 1402 N. Third St., Coeur d'Alene.

Designed for ages 3 and up and homeschool children, Keet Sweet will be "a hands-on learning preschool," according to owner Meredith Mitchell. "We'll have an organic-gardening-based curriculum and geography and drama classes."

Originally from Houston, Mitchell has a master's degree in education from Pepperdine University. She joined relatives in North Idaho three years ago. Information: 660-1109.

Hang on for these Tidbits

• As they get closer to opening, you'll get details on the new Cafe Rio Mexican eatery in the Fred Meyer complex and the Fu-Ki Asian restaurant in the former Arby's building in east Post Falls.

• And watch for three changes in the southwest wing of the Ironwood Square (Albertson's) complex. And two with new eateries coming to the Fairway minimall at Ramsey Road and Kathleen.

• The Kootenai Farmers' Market informational meeting will be 1 p.m. March 10 at Pilgrim's Market in Coeur d'Alene. Anyone interested and potential vendors are invited. Phone 772-2290. Check www.kootenaifarmersmarket.org.

• Alternate meaning: Balderdash - a rapidly receding hairline.

• Style note: The pronoun for a team or group is "it" rather than "they" such as "The team lost its game." A frustrating exception is "couple" for which the pronoun is "they."

• Contact Nils Rosdahl at [email protected]