GOP lawmaker takes a knee for Alice Rankin

It isn’t every day that you see an Idaho legislator paying homage to one of the grand dames of North Idaho Republicanism. But there they were at the Women in Red luncheon Thursday – Alice Rankin and state Rep. Bob Nonini, R-Post Falls. Alice, the 70-something widow of the late ex-county commish Ron Rankin, was sitting. Baby Boomer Bob was down on a knee. They were eyeball to eyeball. Meanwhile, Bob’s wife, Cathyanne, was across the way looking at the odd couple. Quipped she: “He didn’t get down on one knee to propose to me!” Later, she told Bob and Alice not to expect a “lingerie party” from her for their engagement. That busted ‘em up.

“ State Sen. John Goedde, R-Coeur d’Alene, couldn’t catch a break last week. First, he stumbled at a candidates forum while making light of the two NIC Senate wannabes who posed for campaign posters naked, except for a strategically placed leaf. Goedde said there wasn’t a leaf big enough for him. Then, at the Women In Red luncheon, he was introduced by emcee Venita Morris as John “Gotti.” In the space of two days, “Gotti” shed his leaf and became a mob boss.

“ “Walking past an unoccupied bike rack, one (North Idaho College) Sentinel editor spotted a small note taped to the top. Upon closer examination, she discovered that it read, ‘Hey, I stole my bike back.’ ” – Editor-in-Chief Alison Atwell/NIC Sentinel Chokecherries column.

“ Bumpersnicker (on a black VW at Coeur d’Alene Skate Park last Tuesday morning): “Don’t assume I share your prejudices.”