The U.S. Government is using competition to get America's youth interested in math and science.

Several middle school students from around our area are participating in a regional competition for the 23rd Annual National Science Bowl, put on by the Department of Energy.

In the regional competitions, teams of four are asked "tough mathematical problems and tested on their knowledge of a vast number of areas including astronomy, biology, Earth science and physics."

Middle school students from Centennial, Chase, All Saints, Kettle Falls, Creston, Lincoln and Moscow will all be part of the competition.

For the past 23 years, more than 225,000 students have participated in what has become one of the nation's largest science competitions. For 2013, about 9,500 more high school students and 4,500 middle school students are expected to participate.

How did you spend your New Year's Day? Napping away a hangover on the couch, pretending to watch football?

That kind of afternoon sounds foolish to the group of rafters who floated the Spokane River on Tuesday. The Northwest Whitewater Association celebrated the 20th Annual Only Fools Float the River on the First the only way they knew how – by eschewing a day at home and getting onto the water despite the air being only 22 degrees when they launched.

“If you're a boater, you take every chance to get on the water,” Bruce Bernhardt said.

More than 30 people attended the event with more than 20 boats on the water.

“This is more exciting” than watching football, said Pat Keegan before launching.

When it starts snowing in Spokane, some people use that as a sign to hightail it to somewhere warm and sunny. But other people flock to places with good powder, looking for an adventure in the snow.

Our gem of a city just made the top ten list of best winter vacation destinations on Livability.com. According to the site, ideal winter hot spots have a "cold climate and the right conditions for skiing, sledding and ice skating, as well as great entertainment options such as restaurants, pubs, performance venues and recreation facilities. A city's overall appearance and accessibility were also factors." The site also looked for cities that don't cost a fortune to visit.

Spokane rolled in at number two on the list. Skiers, boarders, skaters and sledders can all find something to do. With five ski nearby mountains, an ice palace in the heart of the city and dozens of sledding hills filled with kids (and adults!), Spokane is one of America's Hottest Cold Cities.