Ali & Callie Artcast

Join Ellen Travolta, Mary Sanderson and Ruth Pratt as we reminisce about our friend and long time art supporter, Roberta Larsen, who just won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 CDA Mayor's Awards in the Arts. Roberta, who passed away just after her 87th birthday in early August, was loved by many for her passion for arts, education and the environment, and her quick, dry wit. Roberta Larsen was a person who clearly understood that art is everywhere…not just confined to galleries or museums. She knew that supporting and encouraging the arts leads to a healthy, vibrant and thoughtful community. As an educator herself, she also realized that the arts (in all forms) matter because they build culture and understanding through stretching and challenging us…bringing enlightenment in important ways. Roberta has been and always will be a true gem in the crown of our arts community. Her impact will be felt and remembered for many years to come. A lovely tribute to a great lady through fun stories about her life.

Bill Bozly is a singer & songwriter from the Pacific Northwest with over 25 years of musical entertainment experience under his belt. He has performed in thousands of concerts across Europe and North America with various musical acts in nearly every genre of American popular music. Bill’s musical journey began with the guitar. From the first time he picked it up, he knew it was his destiny to make his mark on the world with it. His first gig, a wedding, came after only six months of practice and he hasn’t let up since. He now plays over 200 concerts a year in the Northwest area as a solo artist or as a member of various local bands. When he isn’t on a stage, Bill spends his time writing and recording original material at his home studio. He has some great stories about what it takes to become a musician, and his ultimate dream of performing on stage with Eddie Vedder. For more information about Bill Bozly, visit his website at billbozly.com.

Jaime Rome Crain is a fine artist based in the Inland Northwest. Jaime works primarily in oil paint, and her work explores the beauty and power of the human mind through themes such as the human condition, memory, emotional sensitivity, and contemporary social issues. She combines figures with nonobjective environments and embraces heightened, often unexpected color. Jaime graduated summa cum laude from Whitworth University in the spring of 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in fine art and graphic design. She has been granted numerous awards and talent scholarships from organizations such as the Northwest Watercolor Society and the Spokane Valley Arts Council. Jaime’s work has been included in several group exhibitions through organizations such as Terrain and Emerge. One of the most notable group shows Jaime participates in is Garage Sale Exhibition, a recurring community project which she co-founded and curates. In 2024, Jaime will be an Artist-In-Residence at The Hive. Find Jaime online at jaimerome.com or on instagram @jaimeromeart

Heidi Acuff has trained under some of the best artists in the industry. She continues studying art, taking workshops and classes with known artists to excel in the art of oil painting. Some of her instructors of workshops and classes include Stan Miller, Joe Kronenberg, Tina Garrett, William Suys, Charles Dayton and Kyle Paliotto. She is influenced by many, developing a style of her own. Heidi is one of the featured artists in the Arts & Culture Alliance fundraiser, Under Western Skies on Saturday, Sept 23 at the Rockin' B Ranch at Stateline in Liberty Lake. For more on Heidi's work visit heidiacuff.com. For tickets to the fundraiser visit artsandculturecda.org/westernskies.

What a fun conversation with long time musicians, legendary almost for this area, Bones Kasun, Pat Coast and Tom Kuntz who are part of the band called What About Bob. All three of them started playing in their early teens, and the passion about music is clear with each of them. We really enjoyed reminiscing about the old bands they were part of over the years, and the local influences that shaped their music careers.  Check them out on Facebook @whataboutbob.

Caution, this episode might make you hungry for a great sausage! Ben Drake and his wife, Jennifer, own and operate the Crown & Thistle pub in downtown Coeur d'Alene, known not only for their amazing pub environment, but also for their bangers. There is a lot of creativity in sausage making, and Ben has outdone himself with his new business, Gentleman's Sausages, just across the street from the pub. And every sausage has a unique name, and many are local favorites. This is a fun episode, with guest host, Kristin Kilmer. You can find Gentleman's Sausages at gentlemansausages.com, or on Facebook or Instagram. Or if you are in town, stop by and see them at 112 N 4th Street in Coeur d'Alene.

Rose Backs, along with her husband, Matt, is elevating fundraisers to new levels... not just because they are expert auctioneers, but because they care. Their reputation in town is impeccable, and most people know that if they are handling the auction, it is for a good cause, and be prepared to spend some money. Find out how Rose came to be an auctioneer, and how her company, Elite Auction came about, what it takes to build that business, and what are some of her favorite events. Sitting in for Callie this week is the A&C Board Chair, Janie Roth. For more information about Rose's company, visit EliteAuctionInc.com. For more information and tickets to our Under Western Skies event, visit artsandculturecda.org/westernskies.

Laurie Moe grew up in the theater world with her father, Bob Moe, founder of the Carrousel Players (which became CDA Summer Theatre). After years living around the country, she has just recently returned to her roots, is a wellness coach, and is writing a book. We talk about her adventures in growing up surrounded by the arts, share some funny stories, and talk about her path with wellness.  

Art on the Green has been a local community fixture for over half a century, and today the 55th Art on the Green begins on the campus of North Idaho College. Founded by Sue Flammia along with five others, Sue's sister, Anne Solomon and sister-in-law Diane Solomon, talk to us about the history of this long-standing tradition of immersing the community in the arts that encourages the love of creating in the young and old and in-between. This weekend promises fun, interactive workshops, great entertainment, delicious food, great art, and the best part... community. For more information, visit artonthegreen.com. 

Enjoy listening to Marlo's great stories about the start of the CDA Arts & Culture Alliance, tales of early Coeur d'Alene, and some of her amazing adventures. And her highlight is being the Grand Marshall of the Fourth of July parade this year. We are really looking forward to her book(s).