West Bonner County abounds with activities

On the trail of David Thompson

PRIEST RIVER — The community is invited to join the Priest River Library on a search for explorer, cartographer and fur trader, David Thompson.

The slide show presentation, led by local artist and historian Shaun Deller, will be held Thursday, April 4, at 5:30 p.m. at the Priest River Library, 118 Main ST.

In the presentation, Deller will take participants along the trail of the famed explorer. Deller visited several historic sites last summer that were part of Thompson’s early 19th-century explorations between Lake Superior and Lake Pend Oreille. Some of those sites included historic fur trading posts and a horse packing trip up to Howse Pass, where Thomson crossed the Rockies in 1807 to establish trade with the Kootenai Tribe.

Library hosting important first aid class

PRIEST RIVER — Panhandle Health District's Makenna Hunziker and Morgan Walker will present an important class for West County residents Saturday, April 6.

The class, which will begin at 11 a.m. at the Priest River Library, will discuss "stopping the bleed" and the administration of Narcan.

Hunziker and  Walker will discuss two very important topics — how to recognize life-threatening bleeding and intervene effectively, and how to recognize and reverse a possible opioid overdose using Narcan. 

Library officials invited the community to learn how to respond. "When confronted with either of these scenarios it’s too late to wish you had taken the class, so become informed now … it could save a life," they said.

Music abounds at Create Art Center

NEWPORT — Music abounds this spring at Create with a number of not-to-be-missed concerts.

First up is Patrice Webb, Lyle Morse, and Brad Keeler, who will perform April 13 at 6 p.m. at Create Art Center, 900 W. Fourth, Newport.

These songwriting, solo, and group performing friends bring decades of performance to take the audience on a journey of American music.  

On April 13, Webb brings her award-winning songwriting talent in blues, jazz, folk, and bluegrass along with the vibrant tapestry of what is known as Americana music. 

Prolific performing Lyle Morse presents soulful renditions of the blues, folk, and jazz. Festivals, clubs, stages, and radio in the NW are treated to his talents on acoustic guitar. 

Brad Keeler, an award-winning multi-instrumentalist has played with a wide variety of bands in the blues, swing, bluegrass, and folk style. His original music can be filled with humor and stories. 

Next up at the center:

• Saturday, April 20, 10:30-11 a.m. "Trash-n-Fashion" Parade

• Saturday, April 20, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., second annual Earth Day ArtWalk

• Saturday, April 27, 1 p.m., Terry Robb guitar workshop

• Saturday, April 27, 6 p.m., Terry Robb guitar concert

Tickets are available at Create Art Center, 900 W. Fourth, Newport; or online at create@createarts.org. Tickets for students are free; adults, $12 in advance or $15 at the door.

Info.: Create Art Center, createarts.org

Earth Day artwalk, fashion parade set

NEWPORT — Saturday, April 20, is the date of the second annual Newport Earth Day ArtWalk.  The theme is art made from recycled items, natural materials or simply inspired by nature.

The day starts with a "Trash-n-Fashion" parade at 10:30 a.m. with everyone invited to walk in the parade wearing their costumes made from recycled or trash items.  Participants will meet at 10:15 a.m. in the parking lot of the Pend Oreille Playhouse.  The parade will start at 10:30 a.m., walk south on Union Street to Kelly's, turn right to Seeber's, and then head north on Washington Avenue to TJ Kelly Park.  

The artwalk kicks off at 11 a.m. following the parade.  There are 14 stops along the walk featuring art exhibits: the Pend Oreille Playhouse, Kelly's, the visitor center, the museum, Owen's, Vessel Gallery and Clay Studio, Farmer's Insurance, Newport Pizza, My Sidewalk Cafe, the Hospitality House, Shanty, the Roxy, the Library, and TJ Kelly Park.  Participants are invited to pick up a passport at Kelly's or the park and visit all 14 sites, which will earn them eligibility for prize drawings.

In addition, there will also be art activities for kids, music, dancing, and craft booths at the park.  Join in on a collaborative community art project which will later be displayed in a storefront window.  The art walk ends at 3 p.m. 

The artwalk is co-sponsored by the Evergreen Art Association and Newport Creative District, with support from the Washington State Arts Commission.