NEWS
Festival at Sandpoint announces 2019 lineup Bouquets: • A big Bouquet for Gov. Brad
Little for issuing a veto last week for SB1159, the “voter initiative” bill. If passed, this bill would have been an embarrassment for our great state. Also, Bouquets to Rep. Heather Scott, Rep. Priscilla Giddings, Sen. Jim Woodward, and Sen. Carl Crabtree for representing North Idaho by opposing this damaging bill.
Barbs • Rep. Sage Dixon, R-Ponderay,
gets a Barb again this week. Gov. Little vetoed the “voter initiative” bill last week after over 6,000 people contacted the governor’s office, 99.3% of which were opposed to toughening up signature requirements for initiatives to reach the state ballot. But Rep. Dixon apparently didn’t get the message. Instead he introduced four new bills, breaking the original one into separate parts to try a hail Mary for something — anything — to pass. Three of those bills will probably be held in committee until the legislative session ends, but one, the least controversial one seeking financial disclosures and limiting initiatives to a single issue, has passed the House as of press time Wednesday night. Shame on Rep. Dixon for trying to circumvent the veto override process. Shame on him for insulting Idaho voters’ intelligence. Shame on him for disregarding the overwhelming public opposition that has come in statewide. And shame on him for trying to stifle public participation in our state government when we need it most. It’s “we the people,” not “they the people.” Remember this at election time, readers: Rep. Dixon was the only lawmaker from North Idaho who supported this effort. I will give credit where it’s due, though: Rep. Dixon agreed to speak with me Wednesday afternoon for a story we will run next week exploring some of the reasons why he chose to sponsor this bill. Check back in the April 18 issue for the story. 6 /
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/ April 11, 2019
By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff
It’s going to be another blockbuster year at the Festival at Sandpoint. In a new approach to its much-anticipated lineup reveal, Festival at Sandpoint officials trickled out the booked acts for this year’s two-week music extravaganza. With all the acts finally announced, locals and visitors alike can begin planning their Festival weekends. Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats open the Festival Thursday, Aug. 1, with their “special brand of folk, Americana and vintage rhythm and blues.” Four-piece indie pop band Lucius, based out of Los Angeles, opens the show. Next up is YouTube sensation Walk Off The Earth on Friday, Aug. 2. Described as “one part folk-pop, one part sketch group, and one part quirky musical experimenters,” Walk Off The Earth will be supported by local favorites the Shook Twins. Saturday, Aug. 3, brings Rock and Roll and Songwriting Hall of Fame legend Jackson Browne. With songs like “These Days”, “The Pretender”, “Running on
Empty”, “Lawyers in Love”, “Doctor My Eyes”, “Take It Easy”, “For a Rocker” and “Somebody’s Baby” under his belt, the audience is sure to hear some favorites. Lake Street Dive returns to the Festival Thursday, Aug. 8. The band says its music sounds like “the Beatles and Motown had a party together.” Boston-based indie folk band Darlingside is along for the ride to open the show. Another Festival veteran, The Avett Brothers, is back Friday, Aug. 9, after an acclaimed first performance. Drawing from multiple influences, the band creates a new sound that makes for an unforgettable show. Che Apalache opens with their Latingrass, a mix of South American music and bluegrass. Grammy-award winning Kool and the Gang rounds out Saturday, Aug. 10, with a funk-rock dance show. Leroy Bell and His Only Friends open the show. As always, catch the Family Concert Sunday, Aug. 4, and the Grand Finale with the Spokane Symphony and Sybarite5 Sunday, Aug. 11.
City branch Art scholarship pickup scheduled auction date set for Sandpoint By Reader Staff By Reader Staff The city of Sandpoint has scheduled the regular brand pickup dates for April 15-19. All branches must be piled lengthwise in the street along the curb by April 14. Please do not place any branches on lawns or they will not be picked up. No leaves and no bagged leaves, please. City of Sandpoint workers will not come back through a second time, so make sure all branches are piled on the street by April 14. Contact the city of Sandpoint with any questions: (208) 263-3158.
Support a budding young artist by participating in Artworks Gallery’s fourth annual “Share the Love” silent auction and reception. Bidding on original art pieces donated by member artists opens at the Artworks Gallery, 242 N. First Ave., at 11 a.m. Sunday, April 28. Bidding closes Saturday, May 4 in conjunction with a reception celebration from 4:30-7:30 p.m. All proceeds will be awarded as a scholarship to a local area graduating senior planning on a post secondary program in the arts. For more information call (208) 263-2642.
Receive a poem for ‘Poem in Your Pocket’ day By Ben Olson Reader Staff
The Academy of American Poets officially launched “Poem in Your Pocket Day” in 2002 by the office of the New York mayor as part of the city’s National Poetry Month Celebration. The premise of this day is to honor poetry by selecting a poem and carrying it with you, sharing it with others at schools, bookstores, libraries, parks, workplaces, street corners and anywhere else poetry can be read. The Sandpoint Friends of the Library have celebrated Poem in Your Pocket day since 2015. Last year, Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad proclaimed Sanpdoint a participating city in Poem in Your Pocket day. This year, the Friends of the
Library are honoring the day on Thursday, April 18. Circle the date on your calendar! The Friends of the Library will be out and about ail day sharing and giving poems away. Poems are being delivered to all the assisted living homes, local coffee shops and restaurants, as well as participating downtown merchants. The Friends of the Library have outlined some ideas for sharing poems: add a poem to your email footer, send a poem to a friend, post lines from your favorite poem on your social media feeds, memorize a poem, post a poem in your break room at work, write a poem, listen to a favorite song. If all else fails, recite a nursery rhyme! Sign up to receive a Poem a Day at poets.org.
READER GOES TO GLACIER NAT’L PARK
Sandpoint’s Marjolein Groot Nibbelink crossed avalanche-prone slopes to the Apgar lookout over Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park in March. Of course, she brought a Reader along. The view looks amazing, Marjolein.
Utara Brewing Co. makes beer to honor downtown fire By Ben Olson Reader Staff
Sandpoint’s Utara Brewing Co. is collaborating with fellow Idaho brewer Slate Creek Brewing Co. to offer a shared IPA using donated materials and efforts from Slate Creek, Proximity Malt, Westwood and Utara Brewing companies. The resulting brew is a 6.3% IPA with a light, hay-like malt coupled with
crisp, traditional hops. Proceeds from the sale of this beer are being designated for assignment to out-of-work employees impacted by the Bridge St. fire, according to Utara’s Dave Kosiba. “Thank you to all the contributors to this project,” said Kosiba. “It’s amazing to be part of such a supportive community.” Find out more at www.utaraidaho.com.