Sgt. Greg Moore wore the uniform of the Coeur d'Alene Police Department for 16 years. He was a husband and a father who, like all of those who make a career of public safety, protected and served his community. Like most of us one year ago, I was home sleeping while Sgt. Moore and his fellow officers throughout the county were patrolling neighborhoods with a watchful eye. But one year ago a senseless act of violence took Sgt. Moore’s life and future.

That life will be honored Thursday at 3 p.m. at the Fallen Heroes Memorial Ceremony at Cherry Hill Park. Throughout the community, blue porch lights will burn in memory of Sgt. Moore. Perhaps we should leave those blue lights burning indefinitely, as long as there are officers who take the oath to keep the peace and know that on any day, any shift, in any community such a senseless act of violence can happen, but they put on the uniform despite that knowledge.

Matthew 5:9 — Blessed are the peacemakers.

• • •

On Monday the community turned out to celebrate the new location of Newby-Ginnings in Riverbend Commerce Park. The 3-year-old nonprofit has been a labor of love by Gold Star mother Theresa Hart to honor the life and sacrifice of her son, Nick Newby, KIA in Iraq on July 7, 2011. She turned her profound grief into a uplifting organization that serves the most basic needs of veterans in our community. Her team of volunteers is passionate and hardworking. They are doers and the community has responded in kind.

So on Monday, a sunshiny 80-degree day, as the generosity of so many was recognized before the ribbon was officially cut, Theresa came to the microphone. Just then a beautiful hawk circled several times overhead, swooping and tipping its wing. The rest of the story is that in 1996 when Theresa and her family moved from Alaska to North Idaho she and her then 5-year-old Nick were fascinated by seeing hawks over the prairie. It became a favorite shared mother-son pastime to watch hawks. After Nick was killed in Iraq and Theresa was formulating what would become Newby-Ginnings, quite by chance she heard a TV host talking about hawks being a bird of war. If a hawk passes your line of sight left to right it signifies victory, right to left signifies defeat. So the logo of Newby-Ginnings features a beautiful hawk facing to the right in victory.

You will never convince Theresa or any of us who witnessed the appearance of the hawk at that exact moment on Monday that it was mere coincidence.

• • •

Thursday at The Village at Orchard Ridge (formerly Coeur d’Alene Homes) the Idaho Gives! Start Strong Breakfast will feature Mayors Steve Widmyer, Ron Jacobson, Steve Griffitts and Steve Roberge taking a turn in the money machine. They will choose a charity to receive the Idaho Central Credit Union Idaho Gives donation. 8-9 a.m., open to the public.

Also on Thursday, from 5-7 p.m. the Post Falls Food Bank will hold a ribbon cutting and open house for its new market concept remodel.

On Friday it’s Bras on Dudes at the Coeur d’Alene Inn to support North Idaho cancer patients. Doors open at 6 p.m., fashion show starts at 7 p.m. Must be 21 to attend.

The annual North Idaho Veterans Stand Down is Saturday at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds and will celebrate all veterans and their families. From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m there will be service providers, employers and games for the kids. For more information on the Stand Down or veteran assistance call Eric Swanbeck, St. Vincent de Paul veteran services coordinator, at (208) 704-0548.

The Distinguished Young Woman of Post Falls program is Saturday at 7 p.m. at Westridge Elementary School with 16 incredible young women participating.

Sunday is Mother’s Day and the Post Falls Lions Club will host its annual Mother’s Day Breakfast at the Post Falls Senior Center from 7 to 11 a.m. Moms are treated to breakfast, others are $5. American Legion Post 143 on Poleline and Syringa will also treat mothers to breakfast on Sunday from 8-11 a.m., others $7. The Coeur d’Alene Eagles are treating mothers to breakfast on Sunday, 9 to 11 a.m., others $7. All of these Sunday breakfasts are open to the public.

• • •

In my world, Tuesdays are always an uphill climb. Wouldn't it be great if when we walked in the door at the end of a challenging day there would be a roaring crowd giving high fives and an announcer with a loudspeaker, "Kerri Thoreson YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!" Okay, maybe it's not so much like an Ironman but every day should have a finish line moment.

• • •

Happy birthday today to Kenley Link, Kay Poland, Jeanette Bangs, Garrett Brown, Scott Hayden, Rand Wichman, Brittany Smith and Scott Jacobson.

Happy Cinco de Mayo birthdays to Robert Cliff, Ben Miller, Joni McCroury, Carol Toomy, Lisa Peterson, Teri Farr, Angela Erickson and Andy Fischbacher.

On Friday, Dusty Flamand, Tamatha Dougal, Kristi Pope, Connie Clark, Steve Eachon, Jeff Rhodes, Meagan Guerreo (30!), Dave Tester, Jerry Shriner, Karen Ouren and Kathy Sims celebrate another year.

Chris Moore, Randy Williams, Pete Shepperd, Kathie Brack, Lisa Aitken, Rob Rinard, Jr., Rena Pruitt, Ramona Kaiser, David Dasher and Phil Pyseky blow out the candles on May 7.

Wish Olivia Backs, Matt Barkley, Julie Adamchak, Tiffany Teal, Dave Walker, Lindsey Sales, Nic Riorden, Jared Raynor and Mary Rednour a happy birthday on Mother’s Day.

On Monday, Tara Dagastine, Carrie Holdren, Valerie Emery, Bonnie Clark, George Larsen and Carla Noonan are putting on their party hats.

Coltan and Cadan Virgil, Shelly Servick, Don Smock, Shelly Matthews, Pearl Bouchard, David Dickinson, Margie Adams, Zena Baltzell, Bonnie McDowell and Ginger Cutler take another trip around the sun on Tuesday.

• • •

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 mainstreet@cdapress.com. Follow her on Twitter @kerrithoreson.