Tuesday Twitterdeedum

I wasn't expecting slop this morning, but we have it. My arm sleeve is still wet from the big plop of wet snow that fell on me while I was up on the ladder, mopping off the satellite dish. That was two hours ago, so you can imagine the consistency of the precipitation.

It's warm outside, though, and maybe most of the slop will melt by afternoon. I can handle it because we have another ZAGS game this evening. Any day the ZAGS play is a good day.

They played yesterday in Maui (that's another reason I can stand the slop; they showed postcard-style photos of Maui during station breaks, and I'll be there late next week away from the slop). The ZAGS gave everyone their money's worth during their Maui Tournament opener against Colorado.

The Spokesman sportswriter nailed it this morning when he suggested that the game resembled last week's Michigan State-ZAGS game. Only in this case, the ZAGS spent the first half acting like Michigan State did when the ZAGS almost beat the No. 2-ranked Spartans.

"Shell-shocked" might be the term for describe the Bulldogs for most of the first half after losing the lead. Colorado beat up on them with 3-pointers, and the ZAGS beat up on themselves with turnover after turnover. They came alive during the second half of the second half, though, and turned the game into a nail-biting ZAG victory.

I think there was some tremendous coaching going on to secure that victory. The ZAGS have talent, but they haven't quite gotten the team machine well-oiled yet. The coaches took up the slack and guided them to a great escape from what looked for a while like a miserable defeat.

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I read a couple of letters to the editor this morning, regarding Anthony, the pedestrian who died last week after being hit in the intersection of Fifth and Cedar. Both had powerful messages. Bonnie Eng (whom I highly respect) wrote about what she watches out her La Quinta office window every day at that intersection.

She suggested that everyone do their part, in honor of Anthony, to see that this does not happen again in our "Walking Town." Personally, in the past couple of decades, I've never viewed Sandpoint as a user-friendly walking town. Moreover, it's also not a user-friendly driving town.

I would submit that drivers, bikers and pedestrians all have reason to be move in fear while passing through some key areas around town. Bikers often have scared the living daylights out of me when suddenly one appears in the midst of traffic darting from lane to lane and pedaling my direction.

With all the vehicle traffic of varying sizes going at different speeds down First, Cedar, Fifth and Pine, visibility is often hampered, thus leading to white-knuckle driving and praying that someone doesn't suddenly appear out of nowhere.

Overall, it's just not an ideal situation for anyone utilizing any form of mobility. So, as Bonnie says, efforts should be made to make every high congestion area in our town as safe as possible.

Along with that, individuals behind the wheel, on foot and sitting on bicycles need to take extra, extra care when making any move in areas where a variety of travelers are using the same space.

Bill, Willie and I were walking on the north sidewalk on Cedar a couple of weeks ago, headed for Mick Duffs. As we neared the stores on North First, several semis were rolling through town.

I was struck "mentally" with how easily a tragic accident could happen if a pedestrian walking too close to the sidewalk edge, tripped and fell into the street. Those semis are pretty intimidating as they whirl around that corner, to say the least.

I thought that evening about what a difference there could be in safety once the Byway eliminates the need for those huge trucks to round those corners in such limited space. Until then, I think we need to put away the "Sandpoint is a Walking Town" signs and replace them with signs outlining safety reminders and general rules for drivers, pedestrians and bikers.

The other letter about Anthony reflected how he touched so many people of all walks of life in this community. They called him "T-bone" at the Dish Restaurant. He always sat in a certain spot at the end of the bar and kept the staff entertained with his dry humor. In his memory, the staff put a candle and an empty place setting in that spot.

I'm aware of other stories about Anthony and, in each case, his friendship and caring about others reigns supreme. I can't help think with his passing that we had an angel among us, but we didn't realize it until he was gone.

This event makes us stop and think once more about how it's the little things---the smiles, the unselfish gift of time to brighten others' day, the consistency of how we treat others every single day---it all adds up in how we'll be remembered. In Anthony's case, I think he unwittingly amassed a legion of admirers who will not forget him.

And, in Anthony's behalf, I second Bonnie's motion for everyone to work a little harder at making our community a safer place for pedestrians, bikers and drivers to reach their destinations.

Plus, following Anthony's example of nonjudgmental and universal friendship and respect toward others would make a difference and would serve as a great tribute to his memory.