Naccarato having a blast with PRE space program

A lot of attention has been paid to Barbara Morgan, Idaho's astronaut and the first teacher in space.

I recently wrote about a local connection she had with two retired Sandpoint educators — Serve Wilson and John Wall.

But there's another local teacher that has made his mark in the world of outerspace and he has done it from the innerspace of his classroom at Priest River Elementary.

That person is fourth-grade teacher Chris Naccarato.

Chris, who was named NASA's Outstanding Educator in Idaho in 2007, has been covered extensively in the Priest River Times.

Since 1995 he has hosted astronauts, cosmonauts, pilots and has turned his classroom into Mission Control.

His highly successful and ingenious program was recently featured in the St. Anthony Messenger, a magazine for Catholics, in its August edition.

The article discusses his faith, the fact that his students excel in the Four Rs because he is passionate about what he teaches.

Chris also shared the story about how he dealt with his young students when three of the astronauts they had corresponded with perished in the 2003 Columbia accident.

He wrote a poem to all of the families of the astronauts who died.

Chris also wept in front of his class when he touched the hand of astronaut Charlie Duke, who had walked on the moon.

Chris couldn't help but be a successful teacher because his role models were his dad, Nick, who was a long-time Sandpoint principal, and his mom, who was an elementary school teacher.

Chris is making plans for another successful launch this year.

Chances are you won't see Sandpoint City Councilman Michael Boge around for a few days.

On Monday he started out on an "Iron Butt Rally" quest. For 11 days, he and 93 other motorcyclists will criss-cross the United States in an attempt to ride 11,000 miles.

Boge is no stranger to interesting riding feats. He has raced from the Canada/U.S. border to the U.S. border with Mexico before. He has also raced or ridden a motorbike in most regions of the world.

The Iron Butt is really a scavenger hunt with extra points to be garnered by those competitors who go to the top of Pike's Peak, the Los Angeles County morgue to purchase a toe tag or the remains of the Branch Dividian Compound.

The race is held every other year and the starting line is moved each time.

Finishers have to cross the finish line within a two-hour window to qualify.

I'll keep you informed if I hear of any updates from the "Iron Butt Boge" team.

From the Bonner County Dispatch:

? On Aug. 1, Bonner County Sheriff's deputies received a complaint about children selling lemonade from a stand at Schweitzer Mountain Road and Boyer Avenue at 5:03 p.m. It appeared to be a case of sour lemons …

? Sandpoint Police at 3:55 p.m. June 20 were called to the 1300 block of Oak Street to remove a bat from the home.

? On Aug. 7 Bonner County Sheriff's Office was advised about a goat eating knick-knacks from porches at 910 Clagstone Road in Blanchard at 11:20 a.m.

E-mail of the week:

Did I read that sign right?

Toilet out of order. Please use floor below

In a Laundromat: Automatic washing machines: Please remove all your clothes when the light goes out.

In a London department store: Bargain basement upstairs.

In an office: Would the person who took the step ladder yesterday please bring it back or further steps will be taken.

In an office: After tea break staff should empty the teapot and stand upside down on the draining board.

Outside a secondhand shop: We exchange anything — bicycles, washing machines, etc. Why not bring your wife along and get a wonderful bargain?

Notice in health food shop window: Closed due to illness.

Spotted in a safari park: Elephants please stay in your car.

Seen during a conference: For anyone who has children and doesn't know it, there is a day care on the first floor.

Notice in a farmer's field: The farmer allows walkers to cross the field for free, but the bull charges.

Message on a leaflet: If you cannot read, this leaflet will tell you how to get lessons.

On a repair shop door: We can repair anything. (Please knock hard on the door — the bell doesn't work.)

? David Keyes is publisher of the Daily Bee.