Sometimes, there's no place like home

When news broke Sunday about the violence and unrest in Mexico’s Puerto Vallarta region, my first thought was of several friends from Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene who are currently vacationing there. Thankfully, they were all safe and secure, sheltering in place in hotels, resorts and rental homes. 

As I file this column, the two airports serving the area have yet to re-open fully for return flights. 

For many local people, Mexico is the perfect destination to escape the cold North Idaho winter months. I also know quite a few people who, in recent years, have traveled south of the border for medical and dental procedures. 

I do love sunshine and beaches and have traveled to Mexico, primarily Cabo San Lucas, but no matter the wonderful hospitality and beautiful beaches I’m always aware I’m not in America. Different rules, customs and laws apply in a foreign country. 

I’m sending prayers for those hoping to return home and for those citizens there whose beautiful communities are being terrorized by drug cartels. 

We’ll be choosing Hawaii, USA, for our upcoming beach vacation, though. 

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March is coming in more like a lamb than a lion … a lamb wearing sunglasses, a coat and mittens and carrying an umbrella, though. I’m not sure what that sneaky lion of winter has planned for the rest of the season, but I’d wager it’s too early to put the snow shovels away. 

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Happy Main Street birthdays today to Ella Allred (21!), Nathan McLeod, Peter Braunlich, Rosalie True and Jimmy Conrow. Tomorrow, Jeremy McComb, Brad Medlock, Tina Hough, Lauren McShea, Carolyn Peterson, Clara Hester, Sherry Wallis, Sunny Day and Ron Gonzales sing the birthday song. On Friday, John Darlas, Karen Cocoran, Tawny Brown, Steve Lux, Hailey Pierce and Mary Herrick (60!) are celebrating. Don Pischner (88!), Bridgette Lowry, Dave Brubaker, Gary Dagastine, Bob Flowers, Bill Reese, Al Telles, Maurie Bruce, Allison Gerzina and Robin Gerzina take another trip around the sun on Saturday. There’s no 29th day of February in 2026, so Nancy DiGiammarco, Boston Smock, Kris Helstrom, Dean Walsmith, Dr. Jim Anderson and Lana Johnson Fensky celebrate whenever they choose! First day of March birthdays will be marked by Faye Griffiths, Preston Hill, Marina Otter, Lisa Tucker, Connie Chalich, Bud Kobs, Megan Aker, Karen Weltz and John  Billetz. On Monday, LeeAnn Cheeley, Conrad Nelson, Sharon Menti, Rhonda Shippey, Ginny Easterly, Alexander Endo, Randy Hurt and Nickolas Aker blow out their candles. Sari Walt, Rebecca Kilmer, Rich Hennig, Jessica Coleman and Gail Kinloch start the week with Tuesday birthdays. 

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Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and a former publisher/editor in the Hagadone Newspaper division. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press. Kerri can be reached on Facebook or via email at [email protected].