Colorful, clean, sweet-smelling products and friendly people all positively describe the Fruit Basket now open in Silver Lake Square at 6848 Government Way.

"Quality produce for less money" is the theme of owners Donna Long and Vicki Laititi (mother and daughter). They offer a wide variety of fruits and veggies and gift baskets of the products.

Most of their products now come from California, but soon they'll come from the Northwest. They also look for local products.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 to 5 Saturdays. Phone 661-1093. Check www.thefruitbasket.com.

Silver Creek Signs retroactive

The "Welcome to Coeur d'Alene" sign on Northwest Boulevard and "Coeur d'Alene High School" sign on Fourth Street are familiar to most of us.

And these are just a couple created by Silver Creek Signs. After being open from 1988 to 2005 and then closing its commercial shop, the company has reopened at 140 Spruce Ave.

Owner Jeff Connaway temporarily had moved the shop to his home, but orders came for big jobs and he needed a big space so he moved back to Spruce Avenue when the building became available. He originally started the business in 1970 in Sedona, Ariz.

"I started the business before graphic design programs and computers existed, and we still offer hand-lettering and gold-leaf work," he said. "You can spot our signs from any commercial street corner in town."

Phone 765-3635. Check www.silvercreeksigns.com.

Flagship also moves commercially

After operating five years from the owners' home, Flagship Property Management has opened in Suite 104 of The Promenade at 3591 E. 3rd Ave., Post Falls.

The full-service property management company offers professionals for all kinds of repairs, cleaning, landscaping, plumbing, HVAC and electrical needs. They fully screen clients to find good tenants for rentals.

"We take pride in our excellent care so owners and tenants can relax with confidence," said Flagship owner Monte Maltebarger. He has 30 years in the business. Sandy Phillips is office manager.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays. Phone 777-8054.

Hang on for these Tidbits

- A deck for outdoor seating and burgers and beverages for dinner have been added to Michael D's Restaurant at 203 E. Lake Coeur d'Alene Drive. Breakfast and lunch are there as always, and the burger-beverage time is 5-10 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Phone 676-9049.

- We should have the BIG car dealership news next week.

- A handicapped reader wants to know if any commercial car wash also offers an interior cleaning service.

- An addendum to last week: When writing, the titles to regularly produced publications and entertainment (such as newspapers, magazines and TV/radio) shows) are capitalized but not in quote marks. However, the individual articles and episodes are written with quote marks.

- The city of Coeur d'Alene may post $20 fines for each election sign not removed more than five days after the election. The same ought to be true for yard/garage/estate sale signs. It is littering.

- The print in phone books is too little for many people to read.

- Contact Nils Rosdahl at [email protected].