The third week of October each year is dedicated to the recognition of school bus drivers throughout the country. If any group is deserving of our appreciation, it’s those who transport such precious cargo as our kids.

Rain, snow, sleet, hail to school and back home, to games and events with better on-time stats than any major airline. Driving a school bus is not for the faint of heart ... maneuvering mountain roads and highways and tight corners and straightaways while maintaining order and civility of young humans who are not predisposed to quiet contemplation.

And then there are those with whom the big yellow buses share the road, motorists who ignore the stop arm and flashing lights and school zone speed limits. The responsibility and skill involved to drive a school bus are both significant. The best way to thank a bus driver just may be to obey traffic laws, prepare your children to be courteous passengers and behind the wheel of your car be patient and watchful when they’re loading and discharging their precious cargo.

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“It doesn’t seem Molly is capable of being on camera without the grimacing facial expressions and exaggerated hand gestures, it is too much. Maybe she should try some botox, and a straight jacket.”

A viewer sent this email to Molly Trotter, KREM 2 reporter, this week. While through the years I’ve had my share of readers make negative comments about something I’ve written or a position taken, I think local newscasters may endure more unsolicited personal critiques about wardrobe, hair styles, makeup, facial expressions, etc. than anyone in a public position.

I met Molly earlier this year when we both participated in the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre Dancing with the Celebrities event and enjoyed her company and her enthusiasm. When she posted this email to her Facebook page it caused me to wonder why it seems to be human nature to allow critics to occupy more space in our heads than when a compliment is received.

Many years ago I began what I refer to as my Warm Fuzzy file. It’s a now-worn file folder in my desk drawer that contains random cards and notes from readers or citizens. Whenever a negative comment or action is directed my way I’m able to remind myself that somewhere out there someone appreciates what I contribute to the human race. It might seem silly but maybe not. Shouldn’t we give the same amount of space in our heads to the positive as to the negative?

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Saturday is Make a Difference Day and a number of organizations and businesses will be out in force throughout our communities doing volunteer projects. But the best thing about where we live it that the other 364 days of the year, people are making a difference, too.

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Christmas is just two months away. Summer arrives in eight months. I love both but it’s the five months between Christmas and the start of summer that are a challenge.

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Things to Do Highlights: Safe Passage benefit, A Martini Affair tonight at Seasons Fresh Grill and Bar in Coeur d’Alene, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Info: 664-9303.

Aspire Community Theatre Little Shop of Horrors opens Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and runs through Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Eagles Lodge downtown Coeur d’Alene. www.aspirecda.com

VFW Auxiliary 3603 is holding a yard/bake sale on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at their post on East Third Avenue, next to the Post Falls Senior Center.

Halloween Tire Scream on Saturday, noon to 10 p.m. at the Greyhound Park, will feature a car show, competitions including burn outs, vendors, beer garden. The event benefits Newby-ginnings. Info: (208) 449-2876

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Happy birthday today to Dan Gookin, Tom Hamilton, Bobbi Koep, Louise Jackson, Linda Chapman and Holly Hall.

Oct. 20 is the date Mary Lou Reed, Luke Malek, Barbara Templin, Mary Willeford, Jodie Krieg, Nick Peacock, Brooke Litalien, Kara Powers, Chantell Bond (40!) and Jerry Lee came into the world.

Carly Goodlander, Mike Threadgill, Monika Krapfl, Stefan Smith and Paul Mikel celebrate on Friday.

Sara Fetters, Kristin Childers, Thomas Henderson, Chastin Jaeger, Whitney Brown and Jazmine Brown put on their party hats on Oct. 22.

Blowing out the birthday candles Sunday are Sholeh Patrick, Greg Helbling, Leroy Pope, Debbie Bales, Nathan Tull, Amy Hewel, Tim Snyder, Margaret VanLeuven, Matt Morgan, Christopher Adamson and my grandson Connor Huft becomes a teenager!

Come Monday Rocky Banks, Jeff Turk, Melissa Hjeltness, Adam Slobodow, Randy Millsap, Frank Orzell and David Ingalls celebrate the anniversary of their birth.

Oct. 25 birthdays belong to Mary Foeller, Kyley Greer, Kathryn Arrand, Jack Price and Damon Darakjy.

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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.