Brush with kindness is always welcome

Most people are familiar with the Habitat for Humanity projects of building homes, but another program under its umbrella is A Brush with Kindness.

Katrina Boyer, volunteer coordinator said, "Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho began this program in 2011 to help local homeowners tackle simple exterior home repair and preservation measures such as exterior paint, deck repair, weatherization, yard cleanup and handicap accessibility."

The organization is accepting applications and also seeking skilled and unskilled volunteers to help with home repairs. The first National A Brush with Kindness event is Sept. 24, when local volunteer groups will join other affiliates throughout the country in painting and repairing homes in their neighborhoods.

Through Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho this past year, more than 250 volunteers donated more than 1,500 hours of labor to complete 29 home preservation projects. ABWK helps low-income homeowners impacted by age, disability and family circumstances who struggle to maintain their homes to reclaim their homes with pride and dignity. As long as this program exists, no qualifying homeowner should have to choose between caring for their home and caring for their family.

Pass the word - to apply, volunteer or donate, call (208) 762-4663 ext 2.

This summer I've had the opportunity to tour a couple of construction projects in Post Falls, the Greensferry Overpass and Avista's South Channel Dam. It was a fascinating up-close (and up high) look at construction the public has mostly viewed from afar. Both of the projects are in the home stretch of completion and there are slideshows and time-lapse video that are worth a look.

Thanks to Alan Soderling, project director for Wadsworth Construction (Greensferry) and Rick Woodworth, project manager for Strata (Avista) for being my tour guides. See for yourself at www.pfura.com, select Greensferry Overpass Project, time-lapse video and July 2015 construction photos. For the dam, go to www.avistautilities.com, search Post Falls South Channel Dam updates for the time-lapse video.

It will give you a new appreciation of the size and scope of these projects and for the construction crews who have been hard at it for months, including on all of those scorching 100 degree days!

On Monday, local veteran Chris Moore, a Prosthetist Orthotist at Adapt Prosthetics and Orthotics in Coeur d'Alene, will make a second appearance on American Ninja Warrior's special military edition. He's one of 30 finalists vying for the 15 spots in the nationals in Las Vegas.

Chris is already winning big for the Shriners Hospital. He's pledged all winnings to the charity - which, if he makes it to the end, could be a million dollars. Chris has also set up a funding site that's already collected more than $9,000 at www.americanninja4kids.com.

The show airs at 8 p.m on KHQ and Chris will attend a viewing party open to the public on Monday from 6 to 10 p.m. at Nate's New York Pizza in Post Falls, where 20 percent of sales will be donated to Chris' American Ninja 4 Kids. We'll have to wait until then to find out if he's moving on to the nationals but if you want your kids to meet a real hero, bring them out on Monday night!

Happy birthday today to Joe Paisley, Jennifer Pitts, Ed Collins, Claudia Hurt, Deena Krobath, Roger Satefiel, Ronda Nash, Mariah Silva, Julie Hunt, Jennifer James and Nevaeh Witherspoon.

Tomorrow Mike Laverdure, Mike O'Brien, Tery Garras (50!), Michelle Coppess, Donna Flom and Bryan DeKeles are putting on their party hats.

On Friday Dr. Erin Elliott, Lisa Hutcheson, Peter Faletto, Erin Reasor, Melinda Engel, Marla Lewis, Kevin Flaa, Elaine Damschen, Melinda Frost and Gene Mann will blow out their candles.

Saturday Tracy Christopherson, Wayne Longo, Rick Currie, Mary Richter, Anne Couser and Thomas Sorci mark another year.

On Sunday wish a happy birthday to Brian Kirk (70!), Debra Berlin (60!), Andrea Fulks (50!), Susan Selle (50!), Jennifer Ross, Brandia Young, Leah Anton, Cindy Wagner, Kim Brown, Serena Carlson, Sarah McCool, Scotty Steele and Paul Sullivan.

Sharing Aug. 17 birthdates are Derek Garcia, Terri Seymour, J.R. Conrow, Kristin Largent, Amber Malloy, Jennifer Klos, Aubrey Howlett, Cynthia Raynor, Jessica Zimmerman, John Gertenbach, Lugene Broadsword, Linda Mannschreck and Brandee Peacock.

Taking another trip around the sun on Tuesday are Jenna Morrison (1!), Jake Medlock, Jim Hail, III, Brandi Meeks, Jaqueline Dickinson, Toni Prince, Marissa Davenport, Jasmine Preckel, Keva Wolfe, Julie Pierce, Wilma Darby and Alethea Carpenter.

Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @kerrithoreson.