Participants had to brave the cool, mountain-fed waters of Lake Coeur d’Alene to finish the swim course of 2.4 miles. They also had to endure false-flats, descents, climbs and technical turns on the bike course throughout the middle of Coeur d’Alene, as well as the shores of Hayden Lake then back to City Park to start the run course. The last course took the already exhausted athletes around Centennial Trail and some hills for more false flats and gradual ups and downs. The race finished between 1st and 2nd Streets on Sherman Avenue.

A total of 2100 athletes participated in this event, but the winners of the top prizes in the men’s and women’s categories are Francisco Pontano and Tyler Stewart, respectively. Francisco Pontano, who also came out 1st in the 2008 Ford Ironman Lake Placcid was the third person to come out of the water, but took the lead during the early stages of the 2nd round and held his place to emerge the winner of the men’s category clocking 8:32:12. TJ Tollakson, who has had two previous top three finishes capitalized on his superior bike strength to earn 2nd place with the time of 8:42:03 and German Maximilian Longrée who won last year’s Ford Ironman Louisville finished third at 8:50:19 because of his quickness on his feet.

On the other hand, Tyler Stewart won her first title after making new bike and overall course records in the Ford Ironman Coeur d’Alene Women’s Category. She had two top 3 finishes on her 1st year competing as a tri-athlete, but has struggled because of health issues recently. Stewart was not part of the top 10 swimmers, but after dominating the bike and run courses, she ended the race with a new overall course record of 9:32:21. Defending Ford Ironman Coeur d’Alene Women’s Champion Heather Wurtele finished 3rd with the time of 9:34:24 after Australian Kate Major passed her during the 2nd half of the run course. Kate Major finished the race with the time of 9:32:10.

The 2009 Ford Ironman Coeur d’Alene kicked off the 2009 Ford Ironman season and the top tri-athletes from around the world went all the way to Coeur d’Alene to compete for the top prizes totaling $50,000 and 72 qualifying spots for the 2009 Ford Ironman World Championship to be held in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii in October.

Are you sick of feeling depressed over listening to the media talk about the economy, doom & gloom? Are you ready to hear some hope? Come listen to Dave Ramsey at the Town Hall for Hope as he talks about how we got to where we are and where we are going. If you are ready to STOP participating in this recession, you will want to join this hopeful event. The local Town Hall for Hope will be held at Real Life Ministries. For a cool, informative video, check out RLM’s website here: http://reallifeministries.com/townhall

This is a FREE Event.

Thursday, April 23rd – 5:00 PM PDT
Doors open at 4:30
Town Hall for Hope with Dave Ramsey
1866 Cecil Road
Post Falls, ID 83854

Event will be between 3-5PM.

For more information go to: http://taxdayteaparty.com/

Discuss this event on our forum by Clicking Here

Grab Your Friends. This is a fun event – a shopping experience. Spend the day with your friends and enjoy the neighborly merchants around Hayden. Gifts and refreshments will be available at each store.

Win the Big Prize. Pick up your passport at any of the seven participating stores. Have your passport punched or stamped at each store. Enter your passport in the drawing for a $500+ Gift Basket. Prizes that will wow you and make the day even more exciting.

Don’t Go Hungry. Drop by Daanen’s Delicatessen or Ciao Mambo’s Italian restaurant. They will be offering terrific food with special lunch menus and wine tasting for Desperate Housewives participants.

Here is the Lineup:
Saturday, March 14th from 9am to 6pm.

• The Picket Fence and Just Because are located in the Hayden Creek Plaza (Government Way and Prairie Avenue).
• Unique Motif is located in the Prairie Shopping Center (Hwy 95 and Prairie Avenue).
• A Touch of Romance, Creative Floral Touch and The Gourmet Way are located in the Silver Lake Square (on Government Way, north of Hanley Ave).
• Handmade in Idaho Country Gift Store is located south of the Silver Lake Mall on Government Way.

Break out of your Winter Blues and celebrate with seven very special, locally owned stores. We are looking forward to meeting you and making your day fun! You don’t want to miss it.

• Calypsos Coffee Co. – 116 E. Lakeside Ave. Coeur d’Alene, ID – This coffee shop has free wi-fi offered.
• Hard Back Coffee Cafe @ Hastings – 101 Best Ave. Coeur d’Alene – Ths provider has free wi-fi.
• Various Starbucks Coffee locations – 2360 N. old Mill Loop, 3500 Government Way, 121 W. Prairie Ave 540 W. Prairie Ave, & 212 W. Ironwood Dr. – With a $5.00 registered starbucks card, you are allowed 2 free hours. Over that, there is a fee for the wi-fi in these various locations.
• Moondollar Coffee House – 609 N. Syringa St. Post Falls - free wifi.
• Kootenai Coffee – 5417 N. Government Way – Free Wi-Fi present.
• City Perk Cafe – 108 N. 4th St. – Free Wi-fi. – Quite enviroment.
• 2b Cafe – 9265 N. Government Way, Hayden Lake – Free Wi-fi.
• Java on Sherman – 324 E. Sherman Ave – several strong connections, with a free service provided.
• Thomas Hammer Coffee – 3904 E. Mullan Ave. Post Falls – Off of High 41, with several businesses close by, also with unsecured wi-fi.
• Borders Books – 450 W. Wilbur Ave Hayden Lake – Free wi-fi.
• Coeur d’Alene Resort – 115 S. 2nd St. – Free Wi-fi offered in all parts of the hotel. This is a quick service provided as well.
• Kootenai Library Branches – Hayden & Cd’A – Free Wi-fi unlimited.
• Best Western Coeur d’Alene Inn – 411 W. Appleway Ave – Free unlimited wi-fi.
• North Idaho Collage Campus – 1000 W. Garden Ave. – Free wi-fi all over campus.
• Bella Rose Coffee House – 213 E. Sherman Ave. – Free Wi-fi present.

Borders For Christ (BFC), is a mission thats focus is the skater generation, both locally and internationally.

In 1997, Chris Lauri had a dream in mind to reach the kids that were both outcasts, and desirable. So, lets hold the thought there, you say outcasts and desirable? What does that exactly mean?

Well, with the inspiration of Lauri’s personal savior, he found his focus, and area to reach. The Skating Industry, taking salvation from the heart and taking it the streets.

First based in Coeur d’Alene, BFC has over the last 12 years been building chapters in several cities. Their touring skate team, tours around the U.S. six months out of the year. The insight of Chris Lauri, has inspired many that fall in contact with this ministry. “We do not have time to sit on our faith,” Lauri states.

BFC’s goal for reaching the World with the Love of Christ, is bringing to knowledge the gifts, & talents that the many skaters have. Whether it be art, photography, skating, music, or really whatever. They feel as though they are to help nuture those searching, find the area and field they feel called to pursue. They believe its about relationship, versus attendance in a local congregation.

This 8 year strong touring team, having the heart Chris Lauri has, is now looking more internationally this new year. This last December, the team went to Egypt to do some demos and outreaches there. In May the team is planning to go to China. If anyone is wondering about trip info, or would like to go with BFC, check out there webpage at Boardersforchrist.com.

Once in a video presentation about the hungry, lost and hurting. You know the kind, the ones that are ever so moving, seeking partnership. During this particular film, Chris saw a vision of those skater kids in the place of the faces of these faces on the clip. The inspiration led to taking the love of Christ not only to the underprivledged, but those that are as well.

One of the battlecries that this ministry goes by is that… they are not building a team, they are building an army. Bringing the light to the other wise dismal surroundings, is what they are commissioned to strive towards.

If you feel as though you have a simular heart, desire to assist wherever posssible, or would like to donate to this ministry. Contact Boarders For Christ at:
107 N. 2nd St.
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814
877.304.6849
contact@boardersforchrist.com,

Bfcstudios.com, Bfcsupply.com, Bfcpodcast.com, Ethosskateboards.com, or Youtube.com/boardersforchrist.

One of the many events organized by BFC, is the Rail Jam Tour. A local competition that is open to all. Unique in the way, that all the points earned in each contest, in kept on file. At the end of the series of tourneys, you are able to have those points and work towards the grand prize($200.00 cash prize), which is in March of this year. For registration and location information see the links listed above.

Three year owner Janna Kender, has always had a passion for making burgers for the community. Kender, who once owned The Trophy Supper Club located up in Hayden Lake, moved onto her true vision.

Years prior, Janna and her family, grew quite tired driving hundreds of miles to the all time famous In & Out Burgers in California. So, they put there heads together, and decided to bring that taste to the North Idaho region.

Because of the increase of popularity of this community, Kender has decided with her manager to extend operating hours to nights. So, she can continuely grow her customer basis. The future hope for this year is to open another store in the Hayden Lake region, to provide that area with the flavor of their fabulous burgers.

The customers that come into this gas station heading to Longboard, come mainly for the Double-Double Combo Burger. The most popular burger on the menu, has made them famous in the local area.

This dine-in, drive-thru burger hot spot, can be reached by telephone at (208)666-1952.

Everything sold in this local company, is homegrown in Idaho state. Products mainly regarding gourmet oils, vinegars, and dips. For a full list of the products list and more information visit, www.cdaoliveoil.com.

The entire line of all natural dry olives, have a delightful taste, that rings true for North Idaho’s homegrown products.  One of the most popular sellers, is the Blood Orange oil. Its orange tenge, displays an elegant imiating display.

Many olive oils have I tried, and all fall short when you have some Cd’A’s own olive oil. I have had the italian finest oils, and they are not even able to simulate the comparison, of how unreal these fine gourmet oils taste.

A Coeur d’Alene must visit spot, is just around from the Sum of 6, studio art gallery. Which provides a unrivaled art selection not seen since Seattle art galleries.