Reader april28 2016

READER April 28, 2016 / FREE / Vol. 13 Issue 17

FlikLe Ya girl

n e m o w g n i fly h g i h s ' t n page 7 Sandpoi

Bonners Ferry church fire still under investigation for arson

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(wo)MAN compiled by

Dion Nizzi

on the street

“What can we be doing to make our community better?”

“Identify what you’re passionate about, and get involved as a volunteer. Children, the environment; the choices are endless.”

Suzy Prez Sandpoint

DEAR READERS,

We thought it was just a fluke, but it appears the Reader will now be 24 pages every week, which is both good and bad.

The good: you get more content, more stories, more features.

The bad: Cameron and I now have to work about 20 percent harder every week.

Which brings me to my next point. We’d like to have a few more writers help us out from time to time. One of my favorite parts of this publication is that it is a voice of the community, not just one or two people. To keep this going, we need you, dear readers. If you’re interested in writing for us from time to time, please drop me a line at ben@sandpointreader.com and tell me what subjects interest you. We always need people to write about music, art, community events and whatever else comes up at the last minute. It’s a great way to get better at your craft.

Also, we’re still looking for a great Lost in the ‘50s cover, so all of you artists out there, please send me your ideas or finished pieces. The winner gets a cover on May 19, plus $50 in dining certificates to MickDuff’s. We’ll entertain photos, illustrations, paintings and anything else that catches the eye.

-Ben Olson, Publisher

READER 111 Cedar Street, Suite 9 Sandpoint, ID 83864 (208)265-9724

www.sandpointreader.com Publisher: Ben Olson ben@sandpointreader.com Editor: Cameron Rasmusson cameron@sandpointreader.com Zach Hagadone (emeritus) John Reuter (emeritus) Contributing Artists: Jacquie Ward (cover), Ben Olson Amer Zbitnoff, Marcia Pilgeram.

Contributing Writers: Cameron Rasmusson, Ben Olson, Louie de Palma, Rick Price, Brenden Bobby, Marcia Pilgeram, Laurie Brown, Sandy Compton.

Submit stories to: stories@sandpointreader.com Printed weekly at: Griffin Publishing Spokane, Wash.

“Be a decent person to the people around you. Utilize every chance you have to make things run more smoothly for everyone.”

Subscription Price: $95 per year Advertising: Dion Nizzi dion@sandpointreader.com Clint Nicholson clint@keokee.com

Paz Rainbow Sandpoint

Web Content: Keokee

The Sandpoint Reader is a weekly publication owned and operated by Ben Olson and Keokee. It is devoted to the arts, entertainment, politics and lifestyle in and around Sandpoint, Idaho.

We hope to provide a quality alternative by offering honest, in-depth reporting that reflects the intelligence and interests of our diverse and growing community.

The Reader is printed on recycled paper using soy-based ink. Leftover copies are collected and recycled weekly, or burned in massive bonfires to appease the gods of journalism. Free to all, limit two copies per person.

“Focus on children. They are our future. Lead by example.”

Liz Murphy Sandpoint

LIVE MUSIC

“Create more public art and support your local arts organizations to enrich the educational art experiences in Sandpoint.”

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turday Friday & Sa Beer Hall N ight @ t he

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Sandpoint Reader letter policy: The Sandpoint Reader welcomes letters to the editor on all topics.

Requirements: –No more than 400 words –Letters may not contain excessive profanity or libelous material. Please elevate the discussion.

Letters will be edited to comply with the above requirements. Opinions expressed in these pages are those of the writers, not necessarily the publishers.

Email letters to: letters@sandpointreader.com Check us out on the web at: www.sandpointreader.com Like us on Facebook.

About the Cover This week’s cover photo is unique.

Jacquie “Baby” Warda stuck a GoPro on the edge of her wing and took let it roll, capturing some unique points of view. Thanks for the shot, Jacquie!

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COMMENTARY Strange times in the

Panhandle Part II

By Louie de Palma Reader Road Warrior It’s nigh 2 a.m., and Starsky and Hutch are cautiously peeling off their latex inspection gloves, the wrinkles of their nose raised in disappointment and disgust.

One would think they had just cavity searched a crow for Bruce Lee—a chore just as fruitful, it turns out, as searching a taxi glove compartment for illegal border-hopping Fundamentalist Cult Mormons. For one thing, if they can shrink that much, I don’t think they need a taxi to sneak across the border (if I could shrink like that, I would commandeer a crow and name it Bruce Lee). For another, that means their magic underwear is way, way, more magical than anticipated. Sign me up.

Wrapping up the whole process, the cops explained themselves and told me about the FLDS people in Canada. I listened with all the attentiveness of a toddler at the end of a long

Vote for Keough...

Dear Editor, We are approaching a very important May primary. A skilled and experienced legislator is up for re-election—Senator Shawn Keough. Throughout Bonner and Boundary counties, we have Senator Keough to thank for projects that we use daily.

In Sandpoint, there’s the Byway and the Schweitzer Cut-Off Bridge. In Hope and Clark Fork, there’s the bridge work that was done, while in Dover there’s the bridge replacement—all thanks to her efforts and experience.

Priest River can thank her for the upcoming work on Hwys 57 and 2 and the new tax money 4 /

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time out. I was already miles away mentally. I had cracked the case and knew what weirdness was going on here.

One theory: There is an elaborate smuggling coyote guide system to smuggle fundamental Mormons over the border. This is so the Canadians can buy fabrics. Canadian fabrics, obviously, cost too much because the nation literally cuts corners in its bacon industry to make it round.

The only way to recoup the cost is to jack up fabric costs.

Another theory: The FLDS groups are actually Grey Aliens living as normal (or semi-normal) people among us. They go back and forth for secret meetings, and the federal government tries to put the kibosh on it via border patrol. That’s because the local government enforcement is all Grey Alien affiliated. The Native American peoples are aware of this because their culture is older and wiser and used to dealing with aliens. They act as border guides and guardians of the area.

To sum it up, it’s basically

like a hidden war in this area between the Grey Aliens and the government. It’s basically “Twilight,” but instead of Forks, Ore., it’s Sandpoint, and instead of werewolves and vampires, it’s aliens and and humans. Or perhaps the whole time, that’s really what “Twilight” was about. It was written by a Grey—I mean an LDS—lady, after all.

That night I believe wholeheartedly that those border agents were actually undercover Greys trying to intercept a smuggler, but my Native American passenger had already finished the job, hiding shrunkdown aliens in his backpack.

My dog knew the border agents were aliens, and that’s why she barked insistently, never letting them out of sight.

Spotting undercover aliens isn’t the only time my dog’s intuition has come in handy. She can also sense when people have no intention of paying. And she can smell the onset of Alzheimer’s. Both feats I find extremely useful.

Another slow spring night, I got a call from the Niner to drive a man to Clark Fork. The dog knew immediately something was askew, greeting him with a low growl. The man insisted he could pay upon arrival. But Dog and I had our doubts, Dog being the more vocal between us. Of course, once we pulled into the four-foot drive, the wonky man admitted he had no cash. Instead, he ushered me in to show me his blacksmith setup and offered to barter for payment.

I got out of the car and followed the man in, mimicking his sloppy stumble just in case the cobblestones were booby-trapped.

As I disappeared into the house with this weird guy, possibly never to return, I hear in the very near distance my dog completely lose her shit.

As it turned out, I think she was just telling me to barter for some biscuits. Although I preferred cash, I didn’t come out half bad. I wandered around the guy’s house with him picking up this and that for payment. He

wouldn’t give me anything cool, but I scored three tall Coors cans filled not with Banquet beer, but with .22 long rifle ammo.

Not bad. I also grabbed some hand-blacksmithed shish kebab sticks and some biscuits for the pooch. Heck, the guy even taught me a bit about blacksmithing.

The lesson here is to make sure you have a dog in case things get strange. Drive softly and carry a big bark, as they say.

If you need smuggling, give us a call at 208-267-2734 (that’s a number for border patrol. They know my number, so they’ll patch you through). Keep it on the DL, though. We wouldn’t want Trump to get wind of all this and try to build a wall to keep these aliens out as well.

Just remember, we don’t take looneys or tooneys—only U.S. dollars. Keep the Canadian currency for Walmart, and if you’re thinking of trading with fabric, I’m already stocked up.

that will complete projects on Hwy 41 in Blanchard. The expanded Bonners Ferry South Hill project to the south bridge will move forward.

Additionally, she has been a champion for our schools and the education of our children.

I will be giving my thanks and vote to Senator Shawn Keough.

Democrats.

To vote for “real” Democrats cast your votes for: Ken Meyers, District 7 State Senator.

Kate McAlister, District 1 State Representative Position A Stephen F. Howlett, WRITE-IN, District 1 State Representative Position B. Let’s elect “real” Democrats and not imposters!

days I’ve received two mailing from the Idaho Freedom Foundation castigating Senator Keough and exalting the LD 1 House incumbents as pillars of conservatism. My first reaction was, “How did I get on this list?” After talking with several people my question changed to, “How can they afford to put out these mailings?” That last question caused me to do a little Googling.

I quickly found out that the IFF is affiliated with dark money conservative Super PACs, and it is rumored that much of that money comes from Frank Vandersloot and the Koch brothers. This “educational” non-profit organization, headed up by Wayne Hoffman, appears

to have essentially bottomless pockets. No wonder they can afford to blanket the district with their totally unfounded propaganda.

It is the duty and responsibility of every voter to question every candidate on the real issues. Any candidate that will not act in the best interests of the majority of LD 1 residents does not deserve to be elected.

Currently only about 17 percent of the age eligible voters participate in our democracy. If we are ever to have a real viable democracy we must stand up and get involved. Register and vote on May 17!

Carrie Logan Sandpoint

Carrie and Dan Logan Sandpoint

‘Real’ Democrats... Idaho Freedom Dear Editor, The Democratic primary is Foundation... fast approaching. The ballot contains the names of some who are in fact not actually

Dear Editor, Within the past week or 10

Gil Beyer Sandpoint

PERSPECTIVES A message to Bonner County: Just Vote

By Rick Price Reader Contributor If you don’t vote the Republican ballot in the upcoming primary, you’re missing a chance to pick your leaders.

Two weeks ago, Alan Millar wrote about the importance of voting, particularly voting the Republican ballot this coming May 17 to help pick our state legislators.

The Republican ballot is the place to be at the county level as well. This May we have elections for Bonner County Sheriff and two of three county commissioners that have multiple Republican candidates, but, sadly, no Democratic opponents. As Alan pointed out in his piece, this leaves the Idaho Democratic voter, and more importantly, the proud and majority group in Idaho, the independent voter, thinking there is little they can do.

Luckily this is not the case. Anyone who has not registered for another party can register as a Republican now at the courthouse or at the polls on election day. This is essential to have a say in who our sheriff is and who will be running Bonner County.

If you are one of those people who gets hives thinking about voting Republican, I can sympathize. But it’s really not as bad as it sounds, and when it’s the only way to have a voice in an important election, I believe you have a moral imperative to do so. Remember, it is our tax dollars that pay for this election. Despite Republican attempts to limit who votes in the primary, it is a public election, and we are citizens.

I’ve been doing it the past two years.

It’s easy, and I get the same satisfying feeling of civic pride when I leave the voting booth that I always have in the past.

Our present sheriff, Daryl Wheeler, has aligned himself with a group known as the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association. Like our state Representative Sage Dixon, who has a “little Supreme Court in my head,” these folks think it’s OK to decide which laws to enforce, therefore acting more like judges than law enforcement officers. The other candidate is Terry Ford. He is a retired state trooper who has come to realize he retired too soon.

Everyone who has known Terry speaks

highly of him, and he understands the sheriff’s job is to enforce the laws as written.

Commissioners: Our current county commissioner, Todd Sudick, is going to end up costing us a lot of money.

There are at least two solid lawsuits by former employees of the planning and zoning office against the commissioners because he thinks his role as a commissioner includes yelling at the planning staff and telling them they need to illegally change their decisions. Our county cannot afford his bullying behavior. His opponent, Jeff Connolly, is a 15-year veteran of the Priest River City Council.

Instead of just talking to Republicans, “Being inclusive with all the constituents is something I take very seriously,” Connolly says. He thinks planning and zoning are an important part of county government.

The other commissioner race will be decided in the primary as well. Dan

Short Film casting call

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

Have you ever wanted to act in a film? Now is your chance.

The Sandpoint Filmmakers Network is holding a series of casting calls for two upcoming films.

“Hamartia” is a film about a covert agent, worn and fragmented from active duty, who quits and returns home only to find that her mind cannot release her from her former orders and choices.

The casting call for “Hamartia” will take place Saturday, April 30, at 10 a.m. at 301 N. First Ave. in Suite 207.

“Mist Underwater,” is a film set in a world where nothing is as it seems. A news reporter and her cameraman travel to a remote lake whilte investigating declining fish species only to uncover a mermaid and a loss of their sanity.

The casting call for “Mist Underwater” will happen from 4-8 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, May 2 and 3, at the Panida Little Theater.

For more information on these and other casting calls, check out www. sandpointfilmmakers.net.

Devastation in BF...

McDonald is taking on former commissioner Lewis Rich for an open seat.

While both of these fellows are quite conservative, they understand that their job is to keep the county running and not to dismantle it.

In Idaho, it’s an old axiom: The most conservative person wins the Republican primary, and the Republican wins the election in November. The Coeur d’ Alene Press recently said, “The Republican primary is essentially rigged to favor the most conservative candidates.”

If you’re having trouble thinking about voting Republican, here are a few ideas: Get a clothespin to put on your nose.

Ask someone to join you at the polls for moral support. Vote early (now!) at the courthouse so your neighbors won’t see you. Remember, the winner of this May 17 election will be the office holder.

Help make the change to a better Bonner County. Just vote.

Dear Editor, All of us who call Bonners Ferry our home have gone through an emotional week. Just to think one person could cause such such physical destruction is unsettling.

We all trust in our faith in God and the power, love and healing from the celestial realms provided us.

We all agree it was a blessing noone was hurt. A building can be rebuilt.

If this was a hateful attack or a demonstration of someone’s desperation, either way it’s mental illness and we pray for peace for all of us Anyone who wants to help can send donations to St. Ann’s Catholic Church.

Also Chris and I send love to all our friends with autism in the community during Autism Awareness Month. Hi to Luke and Jordon!

Margaret and Chris Smith Bonners Ferry

On May 17th Vote to make Idaho better!

On the Democratic Primary Election Ballot Vote for Legislative District 1 State Senator

Brian E. Orr ( write-in )

Legislative District 1 State Representative Position B

Stephen F. Howlett ( write-in )

Paid for by The Committee to elect Brian Orr, treasurer – Gil Beyer & The Committee to elect Stephen F Howlett, treasurer – Stephen F Howlett April 28, 2016 /

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NEWS

Church fire unites Bonners Ferry

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff The loss of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Bonners Ferry last week was a blow to the town. Even so, the community response demonstrated a solidarity that impressed city staff and officials.

Residents turned out Thursday morning to console the Bonners Ferry Catholic community. Other church leaders offered up their facilities to the congregation. Local businesses donated food and beverages to the emergency workers and bystanders as clean-up continued throughout the day. For Bonners Ferry Mayor David Sims, it was a demonstration of small town strength.

“That’s what Bonners Ferry is great for—that resiliency and that willingness to help one another out,” he said.

According to Bonners Ferry Fire Chief Pat Warkentin, the fire ignited about 1 a.m. Thursday morning. First responders arrived almost immediately to

ensure the safety of Father Carlos Perez in the nearby parsonage. When firefighters determined the fire would bring down the church, they brought in an excavator to limit its spread. In addition to 23 Bonners Ferry volunteer firefighters, emergency response workers turned out from all over the county to fight the fire.

“We had a couple of guys from every other department in county to help out,” Warkentin said.

After confirming the fire was an act of arson, local law enforcement announced they had a person of interest in custody on unrelated charges. The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have since come in to investigate whether or not the arson was motivated by religious or racial hatred.

“Federal agencies are doing

The St. Ann’s Church aftermath. Photo courtesy of Facebook.

the investigation, which I think is good because they will bring more resources to the table than local law enforcement,” Sims said.

As for St. Ann’s Catholic Church leaders and congregants, they are determined to rebuild. They are in the process of sorting out insurance claims and are already working with the city on plans for a new church, Sims said.

“I think some people were a little afraid that the church wouldn’t be rebuilt,” he added.

Undersheriff Hale resigns Attorney General investigating case

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff Bonner County Undersheriff David Hale, Sheriff Daryl Wheeler’s second-in-command, resigned last week under fire from accusations of improper electioneering.

Hale took heat earlier this month after he admitted to creating a website masquerading as a campaign site for Terry Ford, Wheeler’s challenger in May’s primary election. After a week of scrutiny and a promised review of misconduct from Wheeler, the sheriff’s office announced Hale’s resignation in a terse, one-sentence press release.

“I have accepted the resignation of David Hale as Under6 /

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sheriff of Bonner County,” the press release read.

According to county prosecutor Louis Marshall, his office is in communication with the Idaho Attorney General’s Office to determine whether Hale broke any election laws in creating the website. Marshall confirmed Wednesday that the attorney general’s staff agreed to conduct an investigation.

“The [attorney general’s office] has agreed to take the case, and they haven’t set a timetable on when the investigation will be completed,” Marshall said.

Ford’s supporters discovered the website early this month, tracing it back to servers operated by Hale. After questioning, Hale told the

Bonners Ferry firefighters win dance contest

Bonner County Daily Bee that he did create the site, but his intent was merely to provide voters with information about Ford.

However, Ford’s supporters contend that the site was designed to make the sheriff candidate look unpolished and inept. They cited the sloppy website design, blurry photos and website copy with less-than-flattering descriptions of Ford’s service record. Supporters also decried the claim that the site was “paid for by Friends of Terry Ford for Sheriff.” In addition, they said the website had been back-linked in Wheeler’s personal website to improve its Google search results.

Ken Baker, a captain with the Bonners Ferry Fire Dept. accepts an award for over $50k worth of gear for winning the “Viking Shake Off Challenge.” Photo courtesy of Viking Turnout Gear Facebook page. grant’s sister, Ilona Rosengrant,

By Cameron Rasmusson offered to shoot and choreoReader Staff graph the video. Before long, It wasn’t all tragic news for the Bonners Ferry Fire Depart- Bonners Ferry firefighters were pulling off dance moves— ment last week. The departincluding Warkentin, who ment scored about $50,000 donned a kilt for the occasion. worth of turnout gear after winning a dance video contest. After they completed the video shoot, Andre Rosengrant took What started as a half-jokthe footage and edited it into a ing side project turned into gold after Viking Turnout Gear video just under two minutes.

Department members completofficials selected the volunteer department as the winner of the ed the submission paperwork 2016 Shake Off Challenge. The and uploaded the video to YouTube with just a couple hours challenge asked departments to spare. to submit dance videos set to “The two of them together, the popular Taylor Swift song Ilona and Andre, without them “Shake It Off.” this thing wouldn’t have gone “It was kind of a spur-ofanywhere,” said Warkentin. the-moment thing, but it turned The upshot is enough out to be a big boost to departturnout gear to outfit around 10 ment budget,” said Bonners firefighters, and at a $50,000 Ferry Fire Chief Pat Warkentin. value, it’s a big haul for a According to Warkentin, volunteer department with the department learned about the video after its gear supplier an annual budget of just over $200,000. The gear is a statefrom Spokane mentioned it to of-the-art design, Warkentin them on April 1. After detersaid, offering superior protecmining that it was not, in fact, tion against flames and harmful an elaborate April Fool’s Day prank, they decided to give it a particles while being relatively light-weight. shot. There was just one prob“It’s really a superior lem: The deadline for submisproduct is what it amounts sion was the next day. to,” said Warkentin. “A lot of “That didn’t leave a lot of departments have gone with time,” said Warkentin. this gear.”

Fortunately, they had a secret weapon. After wrangling together about half the volunteers, firefighter Andre Rosen-

FEATURE

Fly Like a Girl

By Ken Larson Reader Contributor

If you want to compliment a pilot around here, you could do a lot worse than saying, “You fly like a girl.”

For a small airport community, we have a large number of women pilots and mechanics. Common among all of these women is not only the skill and love of flying, but a willingness to share with others and to pass along what they have learned. As someone who has trained with several of our women pilots and watched them excel, I am impressed and delighted to be a small part of this community.

Several of Sandpoint’s female aviators have taken the time to share their experiences with the community.

Tonya Rutan

I flew with my husband, Burt Rutan, for nearly 30 years without actually learning to fly. Why? Three reasons: Burt is an ace pilot; his airplanes are complex; and I have an intense fear of math.

It was my dear friend, the late Pamela Riddle-Bird of Sagle, who inspired me to finally slip into the left seat and take the controls three years ago. She introduced me to the largest village of fliers that I’ve ever met—men, women, children and household pets—who love to soar the skies of the Pacific Northwest. They are like ants, there are so many of them.

Thanks to them, all within the

Sandpoint’s highflying women pilots

sister cities of Coeur d’Alene, Sandpoint and Spokane, I now have a private pilot’s license to fly seaplanes. I’m currently learning to fly land planes. I’ve learned to embrace the math.

Meriah D’Attilio

From the time I was very young, I had a passion for working with my hands and learning.

These things play a vital role in the aviation industry and have helped me achieve what I have thus far. I started spending a lot of time working with my husband at Air-1 Sandpoint Helicopters and Maintenance, and it was there that I determined that this is what I am meant to do. I earned my airframe license in December 2014 and my powerplant license in June 2015.

With a lot of help from the Sandpoint aviation community, I have had the opportunity to expand my knowledge and deepen my love of aviation. With three years of maintenance experience, I look forward to learning all the things I have yet to throughout my career as a mechanic.

Sara Williams

After arriving home from my last trip overseas I came back puzzled on what my next move was, I kept coming back to the idea of travel, but didn’t know how I could possibly incorporate that into a successful career. That summer I was flying down to Arizona to visit family when I sat

Tanya Rutan laying on a float plane owned by Glenn Smith. Photo by Glenn Smith. next to a corporate pilot. I ran off the plane with the idea of becoming a pilot.

From the first lesson I felt excited to study. I moved to Sandpoint, where I found a flight instructor finish up my private license. You should never let a day go by where you feel like you didn’t learn something, so the right instructor is very important.

When I got my job working at a composite float manufacturing company called Aerocet a little over a year ago, people wondered why I put myself into an assembly line at a factory. I kept telling my friends and family that “it was a foot in the door.” Shortly after my dreams came true, and I was recognized as a licensed pilot at the company. They offered me more flying opportunities in the aviation community. I think it’s safe to say, don’t ever be too cool to start from the bottom. Instead realize you have to start somewhere.

Anna Nystrom

I got my start in aviation earning a glider pilot license as a teenager. After high school, I became a commercial pilot and a got a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering. Since than I have flown either as a commercial pilot (airline, air taxi, flight instructor) or worked as an aeronautical engineer, mainly a flight test

Sara Williams (right) with a friend flying down in Florida. Courtesy photo.

Jennifer Brandenberg looks like she is having absolutely no fun at all. Courtesy photo. engineer for, among others, Saab, a career. Luckily, as a junior Quest and Boeing. at Sandpoint High School, I I still work with airplanes. I job-shadowed Ken Larson at the like everything about them. I like local airport. Before I knew it, I figuring out how they work. I like was taking lessons and earned my pushing them around, climbing in private license the summer after and out of them and flying them. high school.

I like the high standards of work I am now flight instructing at and conduct they require and the Cochise College in Arizona and people they attract. loving being able to help students achieve their goals, just like so many people like Ken who helped Maggie Kirscher me achieve mine. I cannot wait to Ever since co-piloting an airplane in middle school, I’ve See FLYGIRLS, page 8 known what I wanted to do for April 28, 2016 /

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FLYGIRLS, con’t from page 7 give back the city that helped me find my wings.

My ultimate dream is to be an aerobatic or missionary pilot.

Hopefully I end up doing them both and so much more. The freedom of flight is something that I hope everyone is able to experience someday, and I am so thankful that it has gifted me the ability to live a life full of adventure and expanding horizons.

Paula Lee

I got into flying from my dad, who worked as a commercial pilot for a small company in Minnesota, and I started ground school in high school. But after my dad passed away, I started a career and didn’t get my private pilot license until I was in my 50s.

My dad had an Ercoupe, white with burgundy wings and “Snoopy the Red Baron” painted on the side. My husband, Jan, and I finished the restoration of a similar plane, a1965 Aircoupe Alon A-2. Jan plans to fly the coupe to Oshkosh, Wis., with me as support crew carrying the camping gear in my plane. If all goes as planned, Sara Williams will fly with me as co-pilot in my 1966 Cessna 182J, called GG in honor of Glacier Girl.

Amber Phillips

“Why should the birds have all the fun?” That’s my motto. I have my private pilot certificate in airplane single engine land and sea and am working towards my tail wheel endorsement. A Federal Aviation Administration-certified air frame mechanic, I work full-time at Quest Aircraft leading a great team of 18 people who build over 500 various assemblies for the Kodiak aircraft. I’m also pursuing my powerplant (engine) rating certification, developing an aerospace program for local 4H clubs and an active member of the International Organization of Women Pilots called the Ninety-Nines.

I work with the North Idaho High School Aerospace Program to teach young people about aviation mechanics. It’s a way to give back and pay tribute to those who have taught me. I take pride in teaching students the importance of building an aircraft the correct way, how to use tools safely and to work cooperatively as a team.

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My flying started when my son was learning to fly. I was at the airport a lot, and one day I found myself in the cockpit of an airplane. That day set me on this path that I’m on now. I’ve been lucky to have excellent instructors who inspired me to continue to set new aviation goals. I love the challenge and precision of flying, and learning about aviation is pure fun for me. Some days I think I’m flying to master the next skill, and other days I think I’m flying just for the joy of it.

I got licensed as a private pilot last October and recently completed instrument ground school. I’m currently working on my instrument rating, hopefully with the commercial license to follow. I’m looking forward to the aviation opportunities that might come my way after that.

Jacquie “Baby” Warda

I am honored to say I’ve played a very small roll in the success of these wonderful women of North Idaho. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some of them, have taken a few of them flying in my Extra 300 and best of all, watched them soar to new levels of their aviation careers!

Ken Larson and friends have done an outstanding job getting these women the opportunities they need in order to succeed at their aviation careers.

Judith Kirkwood

It was 1970 when a charter pilot asked me, a 13-year-old, if I would like a right seat for a flight from Ft. Lauderdale to the Bahamas. Enjoying the flight and scenery, it occurred to me that this man was being paid to do this for a living. My mind was made up. It never crossed my mind that women weren’t being hired by the airlines or that it was then considered a man’s occupation.

I began flying lessons in 1986, an 8-year-old daughter in tow. Since then, I’ve worked as a certified flight instructor, chief flight instructor, designated pilot examiner and FAA aviation safety inspector. It’s been a fulfilling career of helping pilots achieve their goals, all the while smiling inside as we call this work.

Carly Orr

Is it possible for a person to be genetically coded to fly? My great-grandmother was a WASP in World War II, and I remember

her stories and her encouragement for me to be whatever I want.

She reminded me to not let any barriers stand in my way, and she somehow passed on to me the pilot gene. For that, I am indebted to her. Her son, my grandfather, who was an aircraft mechanic in the air force, recently gave me his mom’s first logbook. Looking through those entries brings to mind nearly unbelievable images of her flying a huge variety of military planes, doing her part during the war. Fantastic!

Since I was 8 years old, standing at my great-grandmother’s knee, I have had one burning desire – to fly helicopters. I am currently a senior in our high school aerospace program, taking all of the classes offered. I have earned my private pilot license in fixed-wing aircraft and now want to move on to aviation college and a career as a pilot.

Shanysa Cardarelli

As I looked at the faces of the men around me in the helicopter on one of my early flights, I knew I was the only who was in total awe and amazement. Wind knocked at the helicopter, and the Atlantic brooded beneath us, yet instead of fear, I felt only this calm assurance that I was right where I was supposed to be.

I have been working in aviation for the past couple years and have held various positions at several different fixed base operators and flight schools. My journey in aviation has led me to Northern Air, Inc., in Bonners Ferry, where I am the office manager and nearly halfway through my private pilot certificate. The knowledge and experience I have gained through managing fixed base operations has prepared me well for flight training and everyday my intrigue with aviation and its incredible history grows.

Amber Phillips takes a high-flying selfie. factory tour, I met a great mentor who changed my whole perspective and launched me into a successful pilot’s life. I now hold an instrument license and commercial multi-engine license, with a commercial single license well on its way.

I want young women (because we are all young at heart) to know that flying is completely within your reach. If you do not know where to start, talk to a pilot you know or call your local airport. If you want you can even call me.

I’d love to chat! Please know that all pilots, men or women, are here to support you in your journey!

Alesia Coulson

I am a helicopter air ambulance pilot with Life Flight Network in Sandpoint. I earned my private pilot airplane license when I was 20, but after taking an intro flight in a Robinson R-22 helicopter, I was

instantly hooked.

Over the last 13 years of my flying career, I have been a flight instructor, a tour pilot, a captain flying offshore and an air ambulance pilot. I have flown over mountains, oceans, deserts and cities and have loved all of it. I have also loved meeting some amazing and inspiring women along the way. No matter where I am, if I am with aviators, there is always a sense of camaraderie, connected by a love of flight.

Learn more about local aviation education by visiting the Columbia Bank Building from May2-6, where you can view the airplane students are building. Be sure to support the North Idaho High School Aerospace Program during Idaho Gives, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Thursday, May 5. Visit idahogives.razoo.com for more information.

Emma Carter

When I was young, I called them “payplanes.” Now I can pronounce the word correctly, but my infatuation is just as strong.

My love of airplanes started after receiving an F-16 fighter jet bookmarker as a child, but I didn’t start flying until I was 19 years old. I waited because I wanted to join the United States Air Force. When I got medically disqualified, however, I was heartbroken and almost gave up completely. Then, on a Quest

Carly Orr on her first solo flight. Courtesy photo.

FEATURE

Backwoods Solar:

The brightest Sandpoint company you may have never heard of

By Ben Olson Reader Staff Sequoya Cross may just own—quite literally—the hottest company in North Idaho, but a lot of people still have no idea “I’ll wear a shirt that says ‘Backwoods Solar, Sandpoint, Idaho’ and people will say ‘Where’s that? I didn’t know we had a solar company here in town,” said Cross.

Backwoods Solar was started in Sandpoint—or rather, waaaay up Rapid Lightning Road—in 1978 by Steve and Elizabeth Willey. The couple were en route to British Columbia, got “stuck” in Sandpoint and decided it was as good a place as any to live, so they began building their home.

“They started having neighbors drop by and ask why they didn’t run a generator,” said Cross. “So Steve and Elizabeth started helping them out with their own solar systems, and it just grew from there.”

Aptly named, Backwoods Solar began as a home-based business that provided complete solar systems, wind or micro-hydro to people interested in living off-grid. Now, almost 40 years later, Backwoods Solar still maintains their home base on Rapid Lightning Road, but also has offices in Ashland, Ore.; Eureka, Calif.; and Meadow Creek, B.C. To date, they have sold anywhere from 30,000 to 40,000 systems across the world and designed twice that many. They currently employ 12 people, eight of which are based here in Bonner County.

“The majority of our employees live off-grid,” she said, “So they know what it’s all about.”

Cross now owns Backwoods Solar with business partner David Katz. She runs the company primarily out of her Eureka, Calif. office, though she travels back and forth from Sandpoint regularly.

Solar power has become more accessible in recent years, according to Cross, mainly due

to customers understanding the industry better, but mostly because the costs have become less expensive.

Innovations to battery technology and solar panels have helped to reduce the costs, but Cross said the public perception is still out there that solar power is expensive.

“When I started 10 years ago, solar panels were going for about $4 a watt,” said Cross.

“Now it’s around $1 per watt.

That’s quite a difference.”

When they have a new customer, Backwoods handles everything except the installation.

“We’ll sit with our customers and custom design each system to meet their needs,” said Cross.

“A lot of companies sell kits, but it varies depending on the environment. We’ll recommend all the equipment people will need, any people can call us anytime to ask what’s next.”

This free troubleshooting service is what sets Backwoods apart from their competitors, and it truly emphasizes the “mom and pop” nature of the business.

“These systems last for over 25 years,” said Cross, “And they’ll get free troubleshooting the whole time.”

Proponents often cite the environmental reasons for switching to solar, but according to Cross, that’s actually only a small portion of why people make the switch.

“The sun is a universal resource,” she said. “Wind is variable. The same goes for hydroelectric. You’d need a stream that flows year round past your house, which if you have one it really is the best resource as it generates 24/7. With solar, everyone has the sun.”

It’s a common misconception that you need to live in a predominantly sunny place to utilize solar power.

“Even on a cloudy day, the sunshine comes through,” said

Backwoods Solar owner Sequoya Cross. Photo by Ben Olson.

Cross. “The off-grid systems are built to accommodate three days without sun, so you can live through the days without sun. And, of course, we always recommend that people have backup generators when living off-grid. For gridded systems you are designing for an annual reduction on your electric bill, using averages.”

While most of Cross’ customers are interested in offgrid systems, there is a grid-tie system that is a hybrid for those with grid access and back up power from batteries. Most grid-tie systems don’t require batteries at all. Anytime the sun is shining, the meter runs backwards.

On top of the environmental benefits, there are also lots of tax incentives that make solar power more enticing to business and residential customers.

“When you buy a solar system, you can reduce your income tax liability by 30 percent of the cost of the system,” said Cross. Also, each state has further incentives. For a complete state-by-state listing of tax incentives, visit dsireusa.org.

Idaho is currently featuring 59

programs that offer tax breaks to proponents of solar energy.

Cross believes the general public is becoming more aware of the need to rely on clean, sustainable energy. The biggest demand actually comes from third world countries, who have little access to power grids.

Currently, Backwoods Solar is involved with many projects in Africa, Central America and South America.

But the intrigue of solar energy is that it is universal.

“We just won an international award in Great Britain for

Solar Modules. Courtesy photo.

powering 220 remote villages in Africa so they could vote for the first time,” said Cross. “We have a very wide customer base.

It’s not just those seeking green electricity. We have people doing tiny homes, we have preppers, sustainable living people.

We get everyone from the very conservative to the very liberal and all points between.”

To learn more about Backwoods Solar, visit their website at www.backwoodssolar.com or give them a shout at 208-2634290.

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Mad about Science: Bouquets: •A bouquet to my former coworker, Keith Kinnaird of the Daily Bee, for his reporting on Bonner County Undersheriff David Hale. The story he broke about the undersheriff creating a phony Terry Ford campaign website resulted in Hale resigning last week.

We entrust our public servants with significant authority, and this is a great example of why we need community journalism to expose potential abuses of that power.

-Cameron Rasmusson •I’d like to give a bouquet to each of the three families that allowed us a glimpse into their lives for our “Profile on Autism” series this month. Thank you to the Barths, the Corcorans and the Dyes for sharing your lives with our readers. And thanks to all those who helped us celebrate autism awareness this month. We appreciate your dedication. -BO Barbs: •The other day, I watched as two cars damn near came to a standoff as they tried to fit between the extremely narrow intersections on Sixth Ave. Neither wanted to back up and allow the other through. My issue is; why is it so hard for two vehicles to fit down a city street?

Many of those who live on Sixth Avenue applauded the narrowing of their street because it has limited traffic flow, but I think someone overdid it a little bit.

When two cars can barely fit on a city street, something is wrong. It’s especially bad when both sides have cars parked at the curbs. I hope the city doesn’t imitate these parameters while doing further work on residential streets. I like the bio-boxes that help filter stormwater, but it always perplexes me to see how narrow they made the street.

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Brought to you by:

May the Fourth be with you!

By Brenden Bobby Reader Columnist

Ever since you first saw Obi-Wan and Darth Vader cross lightsabers, you knew you wanted one, but you’ve been told your entire life that we just don’t have the technology for it, and by the time we do, melee weapons would be long obsolete anyway. So why worry about it?

Because it’s an elegant weapon for a more civilized age.

What exactly is a lightsaber?

Does my cat’s laser pointer work the same way? Not even close! Lightsabers have a misleading name. They aren’t actually lasers, which is just a beam of focused light. A lightsaber is actually a plasma, or a superheated set of atoms that have been injected with so much thermal energy that their electrons have been stripped away. In this respect, the blade of a lightsaber is more like a weaponized sun.

Weaponizing plasma brings about another unique challenge.

How do you unleash it without chaos and devastation spraying in all directions like some sort of demonic fire hose? The handle would have to create intense magnetic fields that stabilize the plasma into the classic sword shape.

This would require a remarkable amount of energy to power it long enough for melee combat, the kind of power we can’t pack into a handheld battery yet.

As you can imagine, the plasma would have to be extremely hot to cut through matter. Wielding that in your hand probably isn’t the safest thing you could be doing when caught in a duel to the death, as it would also be discharging immense amounts of heat and wreaking havoc on the air surrounding it for up to several meters. You know how hot your entire kitchen can get when cooking a meal at 350 degrees?

The blade of the lightsaber would be close to a balmy 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Unfortunately, until we learn to safely wield the sun in a manner that will murder our enemies without incinerating us in the process, we won’t be buttering our toast with lightcutlery, though I would love to toast my bread with one swift stroke.

In the meanwhile, why don’t we look into the past and learn a little more about the origins of the lightsaber?

As we all know, the lightsaber is modeled after a sword, something we’ve used for at least 5,000 years for protection and war, but the origins of this science fiction staple are rooted in familiar legend: The Tale of King Arthur. A blade wielded by only the select few with enough experience and honor that will undoubtedly go on to achieve a fantastic destiny. This is a direct reflection of King Arthur’s fabled blade: Excalibur. According to legend, all other blades would yield to Excalibur. That doesn’t mean that they would stop and wait for Excalibur to make a left turn, that means when Excalibur got tired of other swords, it would cut straight through them, as well as their owners, in a single stroke.

Kind of like a lightsaber.

Though we established that the “light” portion of its name isn’t the weapon, just a byproduct of the plasma’s awesomeness, I’d like to cover another instance in which light was used in ancient war to create fire and destroy an enemy ship.

It was called Archimedes’ Mirror, and it’s a highly controversial piece of history. Essentially,

the renowned Greek mathematician, Archimedes, had several panels of polished glass set up during the Roman siege of Syracuse in 212 BC. He then proceeded to point them at the enemy fleet and begin lighting the ships aflame, effectively using the light from the sun Luke starts his day slicing/toasting his bread with his trusty lightsaber. as a weapon against the defenseless Romans. ants into oblivion. There are This probably looked a lot like even YouTube videos of a guy the space portion of the Battle that found an old TV screen that for Endor, when the Death Star he rigged to a custom woodwas like “Pew pew pew!” and en frame. He used it to focus Admiral Ackbar was all like sunlight into rays capable of “It’s a trap!” melting copper (1,984 degrees Several prolific scientists F), which is intensely fun to over the past thousand years watch. have tried to replicate the reWhile we wait for science sults, though to no avail, at least or dead Bothans to deliver the at that scale. plans for functional lightsabers The idea of using a polished to us, we’re just going to have glass to focus light to burn to settle for buttering our toast, things has become synonymous opening our letters and cutting with acts of mischief and cruelour salami with far less interestty, when small children would ing utensils. Until then, may the use magnifying glasses to sear Force be with you!

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s u n d a y m o n d a y t u e s d a y w e d n e s d a y t h u r s d a y

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Throwback Thurs Goat Hop Ale Redux and Winter Tracks Volunteer Celebration 7-11pm @ 219 Lou 6-8pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall It’s Spring! To celebrate, come hoist a pint of the by-now-famous Goat Featuring live m Hop Ale. Toast the season and toast the volunteers who made our Winter Brian Jacobs and fr Tracks Program so successful. Come one, come all. Bring a snack to share! Yappy Hour 4-7pm @ Laughing D Dollar Beers!

Bring your pooch an 8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub

Live Music w/ Justin Lantrip Live Music w/ Jake Robin “P 6:30-9:30pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall 5p 5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Local acoustic rocker with a smooth vocal style Souful singer/songwriter T The Wine Festival at Sandpoint Live Music w/ Ken Mayginnes in 5:30pm @ Bonner County Fairgrounds 7pm @ La Rosa Club in Annual fundraiser for the Festival at Sandpoint. Unlimited tasting of Live Music w/ Ch over 150 wines, 5-star steak and lobster dinner, raffle and silent auctions, 5-7pm @ Idaho Po and the 2016 Festival lineup will be announced! 265-4554 for tickets Long live the piano

Spring Live Music w/ Ben and Cadie Washington Elementary Craft Fair All day 5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority 9am-1pm @ Washington Elementary School Sandpoint duo with multi-instru- A fundraiser for art classes in the Washington Shop a mentation and a lot of fun origi- Elementary school gym. Enjoy local craft ven- downto nals and covers dors and baked goods to support Washington’s support art “explore” classes provided by Creations. $1 Live Music w/ Kevin Dorin 6:30pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall The Great Gatsby - A Grand Night Out Used Book Sale 10am-2pm @ B 5pm @ Ponderay Events Center Great covers and originals A pasta dinner fundraiser for the Selkirk Buy ‘em cheap, Live Music w/ Harold’s IGA School. Live music by Truck Mills, a no- Palettes Uncor 9-12pm @ 219 Lounge Sandpoint based indie rock band, host bar, plus live dessert auction and si- 5pm @ DiLuna Wine, food and on the patio weather permitting lent auction. $25/person. 263-4931 Gordon Rowland in Concert instructor Randy Live Music w/ Chris Lynch 7pm @ The Pearl Theater (Bonners) 6pm - 9pm @ Arlo’s Ristorante Live Music w/ Kris Orlowski and Sandpoint Chess Club 7:30pm @ Evans Brothers Coffee R 9am @ Evans Brothers Coffee A great “house show” in Evans Broth Game Night at the Niner attle-based Kris Orlowski and Sand 9pm @ 219 Lounge Josh Hedlund. $10 gets you in Learn to dance the Swing – 7pm @ SWAC Monday Night Blues Jam w/ Truck Mills Learn the Triple Time East Coast Swing fro 7:30pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Diane Peters. 610-1770 for info

Seniors Day First Tuesday at Eichardt’s 9am-12pm @ B 7pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Held the first Tu Monthly live music event hosted by Karaoke Night Walk the mall 10pm - Midnight @ 219 Lounge Jake Robin learn health tips bingo and enjoy

Trivia Night 7pm - 9pm @ MickDuff’s

Blooming for Health Spring Fundraiser 6pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery an evening of live music, wine and appetizers in support of Bonner Partners in Care Clinic. $15/person. 255-9099 Open Mic Night 6-8pm @ Monarch Mtn. Coffee Hosted by Scott Reid Herbal Infused Oils 6pm @ Winter Ridge Learn how to make therapeutic herbal infused oils. $10

Bonner County Republican Candidate Foru 6-8pm @ Priest River Junior High School Hosted by the Bonner County Republican Cen Committee. Free and open to the public

Dollar Beers!

8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Good until the keg’s dry

Throwback Thursdays 7-11pm @ 219 Lounge Featuring live music with Br an Jacobs and friends

Idaho Gives at IPA 4-8pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Join SOLE for this great fundraising opportunity

ful

April 28 - May 5, 2016

A weekly entertainment guide to keep you on your toes. To list your event free, please send an email to calendar@sandpointreader.com.

ack Thursdays Poetry Open Mic Night @ 219 Lounge 6pm @ Monarch Mtn. Coffee live music with No censorship, no rules, no obs and friends judgement and no damned ur golf-claps! Free and open to all aughing Dog Brewery pooch and enjoy some brew

Reader recommended

Children Performing for Children 6-7pm @ Panida Theater A very special evening performance by the Community Programs Orchestra & Choir, sponsored in part by the Idaho Community Foundation. This one hour concert is an exploration of music by Beethoven. Admission $5, children 12 & under free

Live Music w/ Miah Kohal Band “Papa: Hemingway in Cuba” premier r Hall 5pm @ Panida Theater 9pm @ 219 Lounge The Panida is one of 300 theaters in America that will be premier- Come jam out to some great covers s ing this great film about one of the best known and revered writers with the Miah Kohal Band, scheduled for the patio weather permitting in American history; Ernest Hemingway. Rated-R. sic w/ Chris Lynch ‘Healing Voices’ documentary film Idaho Pour Authority 7pm @ Little Panida Theater e the piano man The Bonner County Human Rights Task Force and NAMI Far North invite you to be a part of a grass roots, non-theatrical release of “Healing Voices”, a social Spring for Sandpoint action documentary that asks the question, “What are we talking about when we All day @ Downtown talk about mental illness?” Screening will be followed by a community dialogue n Shop at 24 of your favorite - downtown retailers and help “Papa: Hemingway in Cuba” 7:30pm @ Panida Theater s support local charities Greasy Fingers Birthday Celebration Book Sale 2-6pm @ Greasy Fingers Bikes n’ Repair 2pm @ Bonner Mall BBQ, refreshments, raffles, discounts and em cheap, sell ‘em free! good ol’ times! es Uncorked Quilt Show and raffle @ DiLuna’s Cafe 10am - 5:30pm @ Bernd Building food and painting with A variety of quilts will be on display ctor Randy Wilhelm. $35 Short Film Casting Call wski and Josh Hedlund 10am @ 310 N. 1st Ave. #207 s Coffee Roasters Ever wanted to act in a film? vans Brothers featuring Se- Sandpoint Filmmakers Netand Sandpoint songwriter work is holding a casting u in call for their upcoming film m @ SWAC “Hamartia.”

Swing from ‘Healing Voices’ documentary film 3:30pm @ Little Panida Theater

rs Day 2pm @ Bonner Mall he first Tuesday of every month. the mall, listen to speakers, health tips, enter drawings, play and enjoy free refreshments

Make It 3-5pm @ Sandpoint Library Held every Tuesday. This program for teens/tweens includes Legos, robotics, needlework and other projects

date Forum ‘Healing Voices’ documentary film 6pm @ Bonner General Health classroom chool blican Central A social action documentary about mental illness lic

days Cinco de Mayo @ City Beach nge c with Bri- 4:30pm @ Trinity at City Beach The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce ds Leadership group is hosting their annual Cincode-Mayo celebration at Trininty at City Beach.

Proceeds from the event go to benefit the Sandpoint Teen Center. Raffles, prizes and games!

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COMMUNITY

Leadership Spt helps Teen Center Spring, Mountain Mafia style

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff

Part of Leadership Sandpoint is learning how to take charge in community crises, a lesson the 2016 class is tackling head-on.

Fresh off successful events supporting Panhandle Special Needs, Inc., Bonner Partners in Care, Community Cancer Services and Bonner Community Food Center, the class members are focusing their attention on Sandpoint Teen Center.

With the longtime youth service organization facing the possible loss of its facility, the class is lending their assistance with a Cinco De Mayo fundraiser set for 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 5, at Trinity at City Beach.

A Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce program that builds leadership skills for key community members, Leadership Sandpoint class participants select a handful of local organizations to support during their training. According to Leadership class president Tommy Groff, the Sandpoint Teen Center became their latest beneficiary when they learned its rented facility had been put up for sale.

“We knew we wanted to help out the teen center, which provides a safe haven for teens and offers enjoyable things for them to do,” Groff said.

The teen center offers a secure, entertaining space for kids to meet up with friends and have a good time. That comes in the form of games like foosball or other activities, but local youth can also participate in skill-building classes and programs. Groff highlighted the cooking program, where participants cook meals for other visiting teens.

In the effort to help Sandpoint Teen Center purchase its facility, Leadership Sandpoint is organizing a Cinco De Mayo fundraiser. Starting at 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 5, at Trinity, the evening will feature food, drinks and fun for all ages. Musicians Marty Perron and Doug Bond will be on hand to provide music on the lawn, while attendees can entertain themselves with games like cornhole and a photo booth. A raffle includes items like a four-hour Kodiak airplane ride from Quest and a cruiser bike from Bonner County Bicycles, while an auction includes a Schweitzer season pass, vacation rentals and much more.

By Ben Olson Reader Staff If you like to drive big trucks through mud holes at crazy speeds and angles, well, spring is a good time to be alive.

The Mountain Mafia is holding their PTR Spring Fling April 29 – May 1 at the Purcell Trench Ranch off-road park north of Bonners Ferry.

There will be a side-by-side straight track race for the National Mud Racing Association, as well as the last chance for drivers to qualify for the Mountain Havoc event in June.

“The Mountain Havoc is our Super Bowl of events,” said co-owner Mac Miltz. “Trucks come from all over Canada and the U.S., and these are some of the best professional drivers in the world.”

There’s also a $1,000 cash prize bounty hole event that is essentially an endless mud pit with little to no hope of making it through.

“We try to make it completely impassible,” said Miltz. “The person who gets the farthest, or if more than one actually makes it through, the fastest time, will win $1,000 cash.”

As always, the Purcell Trench Ranch offers a wide variety of fun options for

Houston, we have a problem.

off-road enthusiasts and spectators. The park is family friendly and offers free camping, food vendors and an variety of events and challenges.

For those who would like to drive on the property but do not want to compete in the events, there is an Open Wheeling category. Participants can pay the entry fee and bring their own trucks and have free rein on the more than 90 acres of trails on the property and not worry about rubbing elbows with the professional drivers.

The event entry fee is $30 for the entire weekend. There are also day rates available. Kids from 6 to 12 get in for $10, and kids five and under enter free.

“You should definitely come out and camp for the whole weekend,” said Miltz. “But if you’re just looking to come out for one day, make sure you make it out on Saturday. We’ll have events going from morning until night, it’ll be a blast.”

For more information, check out their new website www.mountain-mafia.com.

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Loaf and Ladle: a fresh world bistro in Sandpoint

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

Michael and Sarah Williams are no stranger to the restaurant life. Between the two of them, they have decades of experience in the service industry. On April 29, however, the husband-and-wife duo will open the doors to their very own venture—a new restaurant in Sandpoint called Loaf and Ladle.

When Mike’s brother, Joe, saw that the Neighborhood Pub building was up for sale this winter, he shared the information with Mike. Four months later, they are poised to begin what both hope will be a successful business with Mike and Sarah as owner-operators, teaming with Joe and his wife, Laurie, as co-owners.

“It’s such an awesome building,” said Mike. “People have joked with us that a lot of restaurants have failed here, but I actually think a lot of restaurants have done really well here.”

The location, on the corner of Lake St. and Second Ave. is indeed hallowed ground for Sandpoint restaurants. Ivano’s Ristorante began there, as well as the Red Martin, the Blue Moon Café, and later Little Olive and the Neighborhood Pub. The building features two large patios that are graced by the sun, as well as large, bright

dining rooms with picture windows looking out on the residential neighborhood of South Sandpoint.

The fare is dubbed “fresh world bistro” according to Mike: “In summer, we both prefer to eat meals out of our garden. We want to carry that tradition on with quality, accessible food from scratch.”

Mike and Sarah plan to use locally sourced food and ingredients, both to bolster the local economy and to highlight the great ingredients our region has to offer.

“For me, the more money we keep in our community, the better,” said Mike. “We want to try to promote that as much as possible and support those who are making a living here.”

I was lucky enough to get a sneak peak at the new menu, which was designed 100 percent from scratch. Several items jumped right off the page. There is a nice variety of everything from light, healthy fare to savory guilty pleasures.

The appetizers menu lists some mouth-watering choices such as bacon cheddar russet wedges, cedar plank sockeye salmon nicoise and tofu spring rolls. Lunch entrees include a burger with pineapple jalapeno marmalade or a flank steak sandwich with caramelized onion and gorgonzola.

The main entrees include Jamaican twice-cooked tofu,

Sunday Celebration

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

It’s hard to beat a Sunday.

For most, it’s a day of rest and relaxation or to kick back and enjoy friends, family and the great place we all call home.

Join Sandpoint Parks and Recreation at Farmin Park on Sunday, May 1, from 1-5 p.m. for a special inaugural event called “Sunday Celebration,” celebrating Sandpoint’s artistic community.

There will be live music by Brother Music and Creations for Sandpoint will be on hand 16 /

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for an afternoon of family friendly activities.

There will also be local groups and churches on hand, poetry readings, live portraits and other artistic ventures.

This is a free event open to everyone, and will take place every Sunday afternoon at Farmin Park from May 1 through September.

For more information on the Sunday Celebration, contact the Sandpoint Parks and Recreation Department at 263-3613.

spaghetti and meatballs, chicken and waffles, cioppino, steak and fries and many more.

They will also emphasize daily specials.

“Sarah’s special sourdough bread will also be on the menu,” said Mike, “and let me tell you, it’s really good.”

Also, they will be featuring breakfast and an ala carte brunch every Saturday and Sunday starting at 8 a.m.

Mike and Sarah, who are the parents of Oscar, 7, and Briar, 10, also wanted to point out that they fully intend Loaf and Ladle to be a family-friendly establishment.

“Our kids will be here working, helping us out,” said Mike.

“This is a family business.”

Mike and Sarah met at Schweitzer, when Mike was working as the food and beverage manager. Sarah tended bar at Taps and was a supervisor at Bottle Bay Marina.

“We both fully quit our jobs to start this up,” said Sarah.

“It was a bittersweet feeling leaving Schweitzer.”

Mike and Sarah Williams sharing a laugh on the deck at Loaf and Ladle. Photo by Ben Olson.

“Schweitzer has been really good to us,” said Mike. “It was a great place to work, and we’ll miss all the people we love a lot. Our kids were born and raised on the mountain.”

In the whirlwind of quitting their jobs, setting up in a new building, designing the menu, planning the operations and being ready for any contingency, Mike said the hardest part is the unknown.

“We don’t know what to expect,” he said. “Where do all

the water glasses go? Where will we keep the silverware?

Are we ordering enough wine and beer? Will we find a great staff? Once we get our feet under us, it’ll be a lot of fun.”

Check out Loaf and Ladle at 124 South Second Ave. They will be open starting Friday, April 29. Posted hours are Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. with breakfast and brunch.

Pirate Ship sets sail downtown

By Ben Olson Reader Staff Avast, me hearties, there’s a pirate ship on the horizon!

This weekend, children of all ages are welcome aboard the “Wind Spirit,” a scaled down replica of a 17th century three-masted frigate.

Captained by Dan “Jack Sparrow” Mimmack, this ship has brought joy to all little pirates over the years, no matter where she has docked.

Look for scallywags manning the ship at the Park Plaza in front of the Cedar Street Bridge from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Each child is escorted aboard the ship and issued a pirate hat and foam sword to play with while on the boat.

The ship’s cannon, bell and steering wheel are all available to entertain the little ones.

When they are finished playing, they are rewarded for turning in their hats and swords by getting a chance to plunder

Captain Dan “Jack Sparrow” Mimmack will be

the ship’s treasure chest so that on hand Sat. April 30 while he looks for crew they may take home a keepsake members to join the “Wind Spirit.” from their visit aboard.

This scurvy dog of an experience is provided free of Captain Dan Mimmack and charge as part of the Spring for Creations of Sandpoint. Come Sandpoint event on Saturday, out and fly your pirate flag, April 30. It is sponsored by Sandpoint.

COMMUNITY

Profile on Autism: The Dye Family

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

Editor’s Note: This is the third and final piece in a series of articles we’ve done during April to highlight families in our community living with autism.

When Henry Dye was born eight years ago, his parents Karl and Tiffany Dye knew there was something special about him.

“He screamed for the first seven months of his life,” said Tiffany. “I’m not kidding, it was constant. And he never slept. The first time I actually put him to sleep after giving him a little Benadryl I literally cried. I had never put my baby to bed before.”

When they brought Henry into their pediatrician, Dr. Joyce Gilbert, they were told he had a sensory process disorder. The Dyes were now dealing with the reality that their second child was in the process of being diagnosed with autism.

Henry, now 8 years old, and his older sister Hattie, 10, aren’t your typical kids on the autism spectrum. But then again, nothing is typical when it comes to autism.

“Both of them are very intelligent,” said Tiffany. “They both taught themselves to read when they were two years old.”

Hattie, though only in fourth grade, now reads at an 11th

grade level. She enjoys recycling materials and making unique creations out of them.

For example, she took a doll without a left leg and fashioned a wheelchair for her out of cardboard. She even memorized every president at one time, citing obscure facts about each.

“Calvin Coolidge had two raccoons,” she told me. “One of them wore a hat.”

Henry is also whip-smart and high functioning. He likes to cook and bake and enjoys making lists.

“Lists are so important to Henry,” said Tiffany. “If it’s not on the list, it’s not going to happen.”

The Dyes are also used to receiving phone calls from time to time asking for “Mr. Henry Dye.” “Henry came up with a new video game concept, and sent an email to Nintendo of America,” said Tiffany. “They called up one night said they don’t consider outside ideas, but they would love to have him come to their school since they loved his idea. It’s this private college that specializes in game and coding. I don’t think they understood that he was only 8 years old.”

Though Karl and Tiffany consider themselves blessed to have two very high functioning children on the autism spectrum, they realize it has been a long

Hattie (left) and Henry (right) share a few laughs. Photo by Ben Olson.

road filled with twists and turns, and a core group of people in the community have helped them along.

“We are amazed and blessed that Sandpoint has so many great people and caregivers,” said Karl. “It feels like a big family for us.”

“We have the most amazing group of therapists,” said Tiffany. “I don’t know where we’d be without [speech language pathologist] Heather Penske and Dr. Gilbert.”

The Dyes said that Dr. Gilbert was the “point of the spear” for them.

“We’d reach out and she would refer us to people,” said Karl. “She helped us access the state Medicaid, which isn’t income-based, but on needs of the child. We consider her a friend now.”

The Katie Beckett Medicaid program enables children with special health care needs to be cared for at home instead of in an institution. The program was named for Katie Beckett, who was an advocate all of her life for reforming health care to allow children with severe disabilities to live normal lives at home.

“Medicaid gets bantered around as a giveaway program for the poor,” said Karl. “But our experience with it has been great. It’s the best use of our tax dollars, and we’re big believers of the program. If there weren’t programs like [the Katie Beckett program], we wouldn’t be in as good of a position.”

Though programs like these are invaluable, Tiffany also credits being present equally as vital.

“The key is early intervention and parental involvement,” she said. “I would

Karl and Tiffany Dye (back row) with Hattie (left) and Henry (right). Photo by Ben Olson.

always go to their therapy sessions. I look at it this way; if you had kids in soccer, you’d go watch them play, right? It’s the same with therapy.”

The Dyes also credit members of the community that are going through the same experience as guiding lights: “Lisa Barth helped us navigate the system. I think Team Autism 24/7 is a really great resource for people like us. And Henry began behavioral therapy with Aarow Ellis. She’s great. She’s like an autism whisperer.”

Tiffany also mentioned occupational therapist Mary QuinnHurst from All About Kids: “She had been paramount in navigating our sensory world.”

When asked to give some advice to parents questioning whether their own children may be on the autism spectrum, Tiffany said, “There’s this huge stigma about autism, like if you don’t get the diagnosis, it’s not real. It’s not the end of the world.

All you can do is be the best par-

ents you can to your kids. If you think something is wrong, reach out. Get a diagnosis.”

With both children looming closer to adolescence, each parent has been preparing in their own ways for the potential cruelty of teenagers.

“I worry about everything, Karl worries about nothing,” said Tiffany. “Somewhere between, we make it work.

Henry is charming and has good friends that protect him and look out for each other. Hattie is trusting and impulsive and gullible. It’s a mom’s nightmare, but with so much awareness and acceptance, it’s getting easier.

Like Henry said the other day to one of his friends, ‘It’s not contagious, you can’t catch it.’”

“I feel like we were pulling a rope through a snowstorm,” said Karl, referring to the years leading up to the present. “We just have to keep moving. One foot in front of the other. The snow is lifting now.”

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FOOD

The Sandpoint Eater Imen & Me

By Marcia Pilgeram Reader Food Columnist My myriad of food projects occasionally includes testing recipes for food blogs and cookbooks. Last year I had the pleasure of testing recipes for an upcoming Irish cookbook

by Imen McDonnell, whose food blog, “I Married an Irish Farmer” (now called Farmette), had quite naturally caught my attention a few years back.

Imen is a bright American who worked in broadcast production and lived the fast paced life in Minneapolis, New York and Los Angeles. She met and married an Irish farmer who took her to the countryside of his multi-generational farm in the lush countryside of Limerick, where he raises dairy cows and free range chickens.

Imen’s blog was intoxicating, and I was drawn not only to her recipes but the stories as well. I could relate to the isolation of rural life that I’d once experienced myself, and I could appreciate how it felt to move to a working family farmstead. She writes with earnest and heartfelt honesty as she maneuvers her life in the rural countryside. While her life in Ireland sounds romantic and idyllic, it can be a lonely existence, waiting for your farmer, whose work is never done.

Just before my last trip to Ireland, Imen’s book, “The Farmette Cookbook, Recipes and Adventures from My Life on an Irish Farm” was released, and I received my long awaited copy. After an email exchange 18 /

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with Imen, I was delighted to discover I would be in Dublin during her book launch at Hodges Figgis, the oldest bookstore in Ireland.

I made my way from Wynn’s Hotel on Lower Abbey to Hodges Figgis on Dawson Street, about a 20-minute walk that took me past the Irish Yeast Company (sadly the shop recently shuttered for good).

Once at the bookshop, it was easy to spot Imen, surrounded by country friends, a few expats and fellow cooks, writers and epicureans. Her affable husband, Richard, helped play host while charming and precocious son Geoffrey served up large portions of charm and small slices of Lavonda’s buttermilk pie (you’ll find the recipe in Farmette).

It was easy to love this assemblage of high-energy young women, who came to support their friend, and I was struck by the deep friendships and collaborative efforts within the group. When I mentioned

to Imen that I was going to use one of her recipes in this column, she was quick to introduce me to her author friend, Nessa Robins, and keen to recommend that I should mention Nessa’s cookbook, “Apron Strings.”

Imen may not yet speak with a brogue, but I can assure you, her heart is pure Irish.

If you fancy Ireland and her foods, you’ll want to purchase “Farmette,” available on Amazon.

Another great cookbook author on the Emerald Isle is Darina Allen, who’s the “Alice Waters” of Ireland. She’s the founder of Ballymaloe Cookery School in Shanagarry, County Cork, and the driving force behind the Farmers Markets in County Cork. I was lucky enough to visit the school, tour the beautiful and abundant gardens and, naturally, purchase a few bits and pieces for my kitchen.

These women are all working collectively to bring aware-

ness to the abundance of natural foods that Ireland has to offer and the emergence of an exploding artisan food culture.

My previous visit to Ireland in 2013 coincided with the year of the Iman McDonnell (left) with Marcia Pilgeram (right).

“Gathering,” an initiative encouraging website: http://www.irishreciall of Irish ancestry to “come pes.ie/ home” and bring their friends As per my norm, I passed and family along too. To introup the gift shops and headed to duce real Irish food during the the markets. Before I left Iregathering, Darina Allen created land, I had to purchase an extra a fantastic website with tradisuitcase in Killarney. With a tional Irish recipes. If you want steadfast “nothing to declare,” to try your hand at turning out I’m home and happy with my Treacle, then have a look at the Irish treasures.

Apple Jack Fritters INGREDIENTS:

•3 granny smith apples or any semisweet variety •Juice of 1 lemon, plus 1 tsp zest

DIRECTIONS:

•Remove cores from the apples, peel and slice ½ inch thick. Put in a bowl and macerate with the lemon, zest, vanilla sugar and brandy for at least an hour.

•2 Tbs vanilla sugar or caster sugar •1 tsp vanilla extract •2 Tbs Longueville House apple brandy (Calvados or apple jack in USA) •1 cup plain flour •1 cup apple cider •2 Tbs olive oil •4 cups vegetable oil for frying

•In a separate bowl, add the flour and whisk in the cider, followed by the olive oil. Whisk until completely smooth. Let sit for one hour.

•Heat 4 cups of oil in a large saucepan to 350ºF. Dip the apple slices into the batter and then into the oil, frying in small batches. When golden, remove, with a slotted spoon, and place onto paper towels to absorb excess oil.

Serves 4

Reprinted from “The Farmette Cookbook” •When finished, pile on a serving platter and sprinkle liberally with powdered sugar.

Serve hot with or without whipped cream if you like Scullery Notes: This batter is best made in advance and allowed to sit for at least an hour. Omit brandy and cider for children’s version..

Thursday, April 28 @ 6pm

Children performing for children

A very special evening performance by the Community Programs Orchestra & Choir

Little Theater

April 29 @ 7:00pm, April 30 @ 3:30pm

“Healing voices” film and discussion What we are talking about when we talk about mental illness

April 29 @ 5:00pm / April 30 @ 7:30pm May 1 @ 3:30pm / May 3 @ 6:30pm / May 4 @ 1:30pm

“Papa: HEMINGWAY IN CUBA” FILM SPECIAL LIMITED RELEASE, OPENING NIGHT PREMIER

April 29 @ 7:30pm, April 30 @ 3:30pm May 1 @ 1:30pm

“April and the extraordinary world” film April 29 - in french. April 30 & May 1 - in english

Little Theater

May 5 & 6 @ 7pm

“where to invade next?”

Michael Moore’s latest documentary film

Friday, May 6 @ 7:30pm

the Lil’ smokies - krfy benefit concert winners of 2016 telluride bluegrass band competition

NORTH IDAHO HIGH SCHOOL AEROSPACE PROGRAM Providing an experience-oriented “head start” for local students aspiring to launch careers in our region’s growing aerospace industry

Shop at Pedro’s on First and Main From 10 to 6 Saturday, April 30th

May 2nd - 6th Learn about our exciting program Sandpoint Center Columbia Bank Building, 414 S. Church St.

Proceeds benefit local students who are building an airplane and learning to fly.

lous u b fa a in w o t r te En seaplane tour reille!

Lake Pend O $5 Tickets only 20 or 5 for $

Giving Back to Our Community

Find out how you can participate, donate and volunteer www.HighSchoolAerospace.org April 28, 2016 /

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OUTDOORS

Gardening with Laurie:

By Laurie Brown Reader Columnist Before young plants grown indoors can be put outside permanently, they must be hardened off.

There are multiple reasons for this.

Everyone knows that the plants grown in the 70ºF house aren’t adapted for cold nights, but cold is only one thing they need to be inured to. They also need to adapt to the bright sunlight; plants grown inside tend to be a paler green than those outside. To withstand the strong UV light outside, they must build up more chlorophyll, just like a human, pale after a winter indoors, needs to build up a tan to withstand summer sunlight. If put out in the sun too long at first, they burn just like a human.

Hardening off and planting out The third thing they toughen up for is wind and dry air; leaves on indoor plants are thinner than ones outside. Put out in the wind, they will dry out almost immediately. Don’t put them out on a windy day for the first few days; ease them into it. Having a fan running gently on them while they are growing inside helps prepare for this.

Place the plants outside, in partial shade, for 20 minutes a day for a couple of days. Increase time to an hour for a couple of days, gradually increasing time and exposure until they can be out full time. As you do this, reduce the amount of water you give the plants, but do not allow them to wilt.

Transplant outside on a calm,

cloudy day. This will minimize moisture loss. Water well. If strong winds start in their first few days out and the leaves start to look dry, give them some sort of windbreak, whether it be a folding chair on its side or cardboard.

Plants should be transplanted before the roots touch the walls of the container or before their roots tangle if you are growing multiple plants in one container. If you see roots coming out of the drainage hole, the plants need transplanting.

Do not apply fast-acting fertilizer for the first two weeks after planting; let the plants get over transplant shock.

The average frost-free date in our county is May 15, but this varies a great deal- that’s the date

Toilet paper tubes can be used as plant starters. Just cut them in half and fold the bottom closed (leaving a drainage hole). Voila! tering than the ground does- every day in hot weather and, on those 90ºF-plus days, twice. Because of the extra watering, they also need to be fertilized more frequently because a lot washes through the soil.

While greens don’t need root heat, we still grow them in containers. In a large container, I put a couple of kinds of lettuce, some arugula, an endive, mache—and scatter some organic slug bait because every slug in Sandpoint will show up—and we have mixed salads right by the door. A month later, I start another one. Doing this, it’s possible to have convenient salads all summer.

in town, but out on Rapid Lightning it’s later. In Hope, on the rocky slope above the lake, it’s earlier. The higher you are and the further from the lake, the later the frost- free date. Keep your own records for a few years and you can get an average for your own microclimate.

Many vegetable crops do best in the ground—corn, crucifers like cabbage and cauliflower, and peas, for example—but some do well in containers. These days we grow our tomatoes and peppers in large black plastic pots because our soil is heavy and stays cold. The pots heat up quickly, giving these tropical plants the root heat they need to produce fruit. Of course, containers need more frequent wa-

Bordering on Complete Sanity:

From somewhat pissed to really angry in two dozen pages or less

By Sandy Compton Reader Columnist Today is Earth Day, and I’m reading about Earth; Bill Bryson’s “A Short History of Nearly Everything,” published in the dark ages of 2003, during the reign of George The Second. The paperback edition runs 558 pages. It’s a weighty book; and in content, also. Bryson begins at the Big Bang and brings us forward to now, “now” being 14 years ago.

A lot has happened since, but I’m not sure we have learned much.

The species homo sapiens sapiens seems to be in more trouble now than then.

The first half of the book concerns mostly the evolution of the sciences chemistry, geology and physics. Newton’s revelations, the invention of the Periodic Table; the ages of the universe and Earth (13.7 and 4.55 billion years, respectively, at last estimate); electrons, quarks and the strong and weak forces of gravity; the general theory of relativity; and Marie Curie’s death from leukemia (radiation poisoning); and many other things—not necessarily in that order.

This morning, I chewed through two dozen pages, trying not to get 20 /

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cream cheese on them from my breakfast bagel. In the middle of the bagel, I went from “Getting The Lead Out” to “Muster Mark’s Quarks.” I also went from somewhat pissed to really angry.

Bryson’s chapter, “Getting The Lead Out,” tells the tale of Thomas Midgely, Jr., who worked in General Motors’ research department in the 1920s. He found that adding lead to gasoline kept engines from “knocking.” In 1923, and in spite of the fact that lead was well known to be toxic, General Motors, Du Pont and Standard Oil embraced his discovery, formed Ethyl Corporation, and began poisoning the planet.

Everything living on Earth today contains 600 times more lead than anything living before leaded gasoline. Early production workers for Ethyl routinely took ill or died from effects of their product.

And nobody did a thing about it for a long time. It took 43 years to get the lead out of gasoline; until 1986, when leaded gasoline was (finally) banned. And then, the industry had the chutzpa call it “unleaded,” like they had come up with a new product to save Earth.

The imperiously predatory nature of certain corporations

doesn’t surprise me any more, but I’m not completely inured to it.

So, I’m somewhat pissed.

I enter the chapter “Muster Mark’s Quarks,” discussing quantum physics and cosmology, lines of work inhabited by big thinkers thinking big thoughts about tiny things and how they fit into the huge expanse of the universe; things so tiny that sometimes there is no proof that they even exist, just the thought that they might.

Researchers uses “colliders”— huge machines using thousands of megawatts of electricity—to accelerate subatomic particles to great speeds, finally to collide with an atom so they can “see” what results when the atom breaks apart into even tinier particles.

These particles might exist for a millionth of a nanosecond before they disappear, so the window of opportunity for observation is even tinier than the particles themselves. Given the cost of construction and operation, a single observation costs millions of dollars. A 52-mile long accelerator once to be built in Texas to the tune of $12 billion (taxpayer) dollars was somewhat sensibly cancelled by Congress—after $2 billion had been spent.

And now, I’m angry. I slam the book closed and go off to work.

Sometimes, it takes me a while to figure out why I’m angry, but today, I am not having such a problem. Why do we allow corporations like Ethyl and their parent companies to profit from poisoning the world? What good is spending billions learning about the tiniest particles in the universe when there’s a kid starving to death in Rwanda who might discover an AIDs vaccine if she gets to live and go to school?

I have to admit, particle physics is interesting as hell, or I wouldn’t be reading Bryson’s book, but what’s the point?

Why are we spending billions to learn what the tiniest building blocks of the universe are? It quite realistically seems that we never really will know—every tiny thing seems to break into even tinier things—but we keep looking anyway. To what end?

This means nothing at all to most people living on this rock, and we could use the money to mitigate homelessness, global warming, ignorance, disease, overpopulation and world hunger, to name a few small projects.

I also have to admit that I have

a couple of GM products sitting in my driveway. They make good cars. And an engine that “knocks” is annoying as hell, but so is suffering from lead poisoning. Which we all seem to be, thanks to Ethyl Corporation.

Where do we go from here?

Into the future, whether we like it or not. And, in that future, we might be well served to change direction. If corporate law didn’t protect so well the boards of directors of companies like Ethyl from being liable for the actions of their companies, unleaded gasoline might not have spent 43 years on the market. And, if Congress and other governments would focus their funding priorities on social, economic and environmental cataclysms instead of finding out how far it is to the edge of the universe—or better and more efficient ways to wage war—we might stand a chance as a species.

MUSIC

This week’s RLW by Ben Olson

Evans Bros concert features Seattle band

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff The past year has been a good one for Seattle-based musician Kris Orlowski.

Since making the jump to full-time music in February of last year, Orlowski has undertaken a whirlwind of touring, recording music and playing shows. The experience has been an expansive one for Orlowski, an opportunity to show a unique voice in a region of the country jam-packed with great music.

“There’s so many talented people out there it’s hard to set yourself apart,” Orlowski said.

Even so, Orlowski has managed to do just that since moving to Seattle from the comparatively small Bellingham 12 years ago. Together with his band—Greg Garcia on drums and percussion; Torry Anderson on vocals, keys and percussion; Matt Strutynski on bass and Jonathan Warman on bass guitar and keys—Orlowski has carved out his own space in the Seattle music scene.

Starting from the indie folk base that has defined the sound of many a band over the past decade, he steered toward a rock sensibility. Orlowski aims to keep his music accessible with just the right amount of pop sensibility, utilizing hooks and catchy song arrangements to quickly engage audiences. But the true core of his songwriting comes from a deeply personal place, a reflective approach that has only grown since embarking into a full-time musical career.

“If I’m going to sing about something, I need to be able to feel it, to have experienced it personally,” Orlowski said. “Audiences can tell the difference.”

The step into a full-time musical career was a bold one. Formerly a marketing consultant, Orlowski’s divided attentions between work and music were initially a blessing. It allowed him to build a following without over-saturating his shows. However, the opportunity to pursue music full-time opened up entirely new doors for Orlowski, a tantalizing enough prospect to leave behind the security of a steady paycheck, a health care plan and a retirement package.

With his new-found freedom, Orlowski harnessed a flurry of creative energy. He wrote and recorded a full 28 songs, which he and his band members pared down to 12 for his forthcoming album, “Often in the Pause.”

The album also marked an increase in collaboration with other writers, which broadened and deepened the

Crossword Solution

READ

I’ve always enjoyed reading letters and correspondence from writers and notable figures I admire.

When I read Hunter S. Thompson’s entire body of work (a truly bizarre experience), one nonfiction work of his that stood out was “Fear and Loathing in America: The Brutal Odyssey of an Outlaw Journalist.”

The book is actually a second volume in a two-part compilation of his letters (he wrote a ton of them). More than anything, reading these letters gives you a backstage pass into one of the most original minds on the planet.

Kris Orlowski (front) with band members. Photo by Amber Zbitnoff. final result.

“I had a good month or two to work on this record, and I think it really shows,” he said.

Sandpoint residents have the chance to hear the new music live when he plays Studio 524 in Evans Brothers Coffee, 524 Church St., on Saturday, April 30.

Orlowski added Sandpoint to his album release tour after being contacted by lo-

cal musician Justin Landis, who suggested the potential for collaboration.

Local favorite singer-songwriter Josh Hedlund will be joining Orlowski and company for the show, which begins 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 7 p.m. There is a $10 cover charge, and attendees are welcome to bring their own drinks.

LISTEN

Salt Lake City-based indie band Uzi & Ari packed a lot into their short run as a band. Now defunct, the contemplative band is often compared to artists such as Thom Yorke and the Postal Service.

My favorite album of their half a dozen releases is “It Is Freezing Out,” which features a softer, ambient quality. The electronic beats are buried beneath the surface.

There are so many quiet, beautiful moments in this album. Great for a rainy day.

And yes, they named themselves after characters from the Wes Anderson film “The Royal Tenenbaums.”

WATCH

The latest film by Jared Hess (known for his awkward, hilarious style with such films as “Napoleon Dynamite” and “Gentlemen Broncos”) has done it again.

His latest film, “Don Verdean,” carries on the tradition of his weird sense of humor. Sam Rockwell plays the eponymous character, who is a biblical archeologist for hire who unearths relics to prove the Bible is true. Except he is a charlatan, though a well-meaning one.

With great roles

by Jemaine Clemente, Will Forte and Danny McBride, “Don Verdean” is not for everyone, but for those of you who enjoy his humor, have at it!

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w o N & Then compiled by

Ben Olson

Each week, we feature a new photograph taken from the same vantage point as one taken long ago. See how we’ve changed, and how we’ve stayed the same.

Historical information provided and verified by Bonner County Museum staff and volunteers. The Museum is located at 611 S. Ella — (208) 263-2344.

Remember Packages Plus? The packing and shipping store located next to Monarch Mountain Coffee closed in 2009. I can still remember owner Jeane Fontaine in his shorts, walking around town with a big smile on his face.

CROSSWORD

Copyright www.mirroreyes.com

2009

ACROSS

Monarch Mountain Coffee expanded to take over the entire building after Packages Plus closed. Currently the stage is located where the counter used to be.

2016

Woorf tdhe Week

gimcrack

/JIM-krak/

[adjective] & [noun] 1. Showy but useless. A trifle.

“The shop was filled from floor to ceiling with gimcracks and baubles.”

Corrections:

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1. Cummerbund 5. Appearance 10. Petty quarrel 14. Ancient Peruvian 15. To deceive or cheat 16. Roman emperor 17. Audience of a newspaper 19. Mining finds 20. L 21. Quotes 22. Exploded stars 23. Sewing tools 25. Take by force 27. Long-haired wild ox 28. Designs 31. Sacred song 34. Therefore 35. 2,000 pounds 36. Nile bird 37. A tough, durable wood 38. Gambling game 39. Russian fighter 40. Creepy 41. Moisten 42. Gossamer 44. Neither ___ 45. Russian emperors 46. Oversupply 50. Consecrate 52. Foam 54. Citrus drink 55. Alley 56. Famous 58. Portent

Solution on page 21 59. Wear away 60. Deceased 61. Walk in water 62. Fruity-smelling compound 63. Unique

DOWN 1. Femme fatale 2. Anoint (archaic) 3. Climb 4. Possessed 5. Utter a shrill cry 6. Legions 7. Dull pain 8. Power 9. Clairvoyant’s gift

10. Short sleep 11. Depraved 12. Region 13. Throw 18. Panache 22. Anagram of “Tine” 24. Colors 26. Carve in stone 28. Risk 29. Not a single one 30. Winter precipitation 31. Marcel Marceau was one 32. Death notice 33. Restricted 34. Harriers

37. Lascivious look 38. Notch 40. Historical periods 41. Driller 43. Ancient ascetic 44. Digit 46. Soft leather 47. Consumed 48. Something to shoot for 49. Woman’s undergarment 50. Hard punch 51. Tibetan monk 53. Conspiracy 56. C 57. Fuss

What are all these “other dimensions” I keep hearing about? To me, there’s only one dimension worth anything, and that’s the good ol’ U.S. of A.

Saturday, April 30th 24 merchants. 24 charities.

Petal Talk has partnered with POAC for “Spring for Sandpoint,” a fun-filled day to support our local community. We will be donating a portion of the day's earnings to POAC’s program "Education Kaleidoscope" POAC’s “Education Kaleidoscope” provides once-a-month art instruction for elementary school students in the Lake Pend Oreille School District. POAC partners with Community Assistance League and the Panhandle Alli Alliance for Education, to provide

lessons in the 3rd to 6th grade classrooms throughout our region.

This art education program utilizes 10+ artists and over 60 volunteers working in 10 elementary schools , serving approxi mately 1,500 students annually.

Wildernesstsate E Lake ,5 49,000 $2

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Available at:

25% off any photochromic lens purchase

*Limited to one set of lenses, Rx or plano; discount also applies to accompanying frame.

Valid only with coupon. Expires 6/21/2016.

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