READER
Sen. Risch introduces scotchman wilderness bill
Kaniksu Land Trust launches ‘Pine Street Woods’ campaign
‘Christmas Carole’ musical hits panida with a festive bang
Sandpoint PFLAG’s meet-and-greet a success
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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) Advertising: Jodi Taylor Jodi@sandpointreader.com Contributing Artists: Ben Olson (cover), Susan Drinkard, Cort Gifford, NASA, Jules Fox, Sandpoint PFLAG, Alan Barber. Contributing Writers: Cameron Rasmusson, Ben Olson, Nick Gier, Erik Daarstad, PollyAnna, Nancy Gerth, Brenden Bobby, Jim Mitsui, L.S. Jones, Beth Weber, Heather McElwain, Amy Craven, Jules Fox, Drake, Suzen Fiskin. Submit stories to: stories@sandpointreader.com Printed weekly at: Griffin Publishing Spokane, Wash.
(wo)MAN compiled by
Susan Drinkard
on the street
If you had unlimited resources, what gift would you bestow on our community? “I would provide financial resources for educational and housing opportunities for our area’s homeless and mentally ill.” Nicole Goodyear Student at NIC Ponderay
“We would buy the Gardenia Center, renovate it as an ongoing community service building and bring inspiring spiritual speakers and teachers to Sandpoint and its environs.” Caren Reiner Prof. pianist and teacher Sandpoint
Subscription Price: $95 per year 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.
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 is meant to warm you up, dear readers. I’d like to jump into that hot cup of coffee and swim around a bit. -BO
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“I would provide free housing and job training for families in need until they could get back on their feet and then cycle in more families.” Richard Villelli Property management Selle Valley
“A huge, heated arena building with an indoor playground where kids and parents can be together, especially during the rainy season.” Nikki Mulder Stay-at-home mom Upper Pack River
“Solar power for everyone so they can save on their heating bills. Also, we need a buffet (restaurant).” Dave Mulder Retired Marine House-building dad Upper Pack River
DEAR READERS,
Brrrrrrr! I love having an office in a historic building in Sandpoint. Except on cold snaps like we’ve been having, when you realize that insulation has come a long way in over 100 years. If there are any typos this week, it’s because I can barely feel my fingers. One thing I love about this time of year is the fact that people have an easy excuse to be kinder to one another. I’m trying to show more kindness, myself. We’re looming up on two years since we’ve brought this little independent newspaper back to life, and things are continually improving. When we first started, we were printing 16 pages and distributing 3,000 copies in Sandpoint and Ponderay. Now, we’re fluctuating between 24 and 28 pages and printing nearly 5,000 copies that are delivered to Sandpoint, Ponderay, Hope, Clark Fork, Bonners Ferry, Sagle, Priest River, Newport and many out-of-the-way spots in between. We’re paying our bills and ourselves, and the heat is staying on. No bricks have come crashing through the window. Life is good. I want to say thanks to all of our advertisers for keeping us going. We truly couldn’t do it without all of you. Please, if you still have shopping to do, consider purchasing some of your holiday items at a local business. I did 98 percent of my Christmas shopping in downtown Sandpoint this year (damn that one item I couldn’t find!) and it made me feel amazing to help give back to our small business owners. Even if it’s just one item, or a handful of stocking stuffers, don’t spend your money at a box store when it can do so much more for your community if you keep it local. I promise, I’ll stop badgering you after the holidays, dear readers, but it’s that important. Thanks for picking us up.
-Ben Olson, Publisher
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COMMENTARY
Alt-right supporters dredge up long-forgotten dark memories By Erik Daarstad For the Reader In 1940 I was a young boy in Norway when the Nazis invaded the country. In the next five years we would endure the hardships of living in an occupied and oppressed country ruled by the Nazis without the freedoms that we were used to. I witnessed my father being killed, responded to air raid sirens as we shuffled into basements or bomb shelters, walked to school in the early morning darkness through numerous Gestapo check points, lived in fear of being discovered by the same Gestapo that found a friend who had hid a prohibited radio from the Germans and arrived each evening to read the forbidden BBC news of the war to my blind grandfather, This was long ago and many of these dark and unpleasant memories have since receded into the deep recesses of my mind, alive but not forgotten—until now. Last week I watched a
widely distributed news video of a meeting in Washington, DC, of the alt-right organization. The speaker of the group spoke of white supremacy and shouted out “Hail, Trump,” praising the result of the election. Many members of the audience, giving what I well remember as the Nazi or Hitler salute, joined him. The Trump campaign has only offered a rather tepid denial of their connection to this group even though Steve Bannon was named as a chief strategist to Trump. These images reminds me of events 70 years ago and is a scary indication of what might happen in the next few years. I am personally approaching the end of my life on this earth, but it makes me wonder what my children’s and grandchildren’s lives will be like. Are they going to live in a racist society driven by intolerance and hate? Will freedom of the press be seriously curtailed? Will many of the freedoms that we have enjoyed be a
thing of the past? Does it mark the end of Social Security, Medicare and other healthcare programs that many people depend on for their survival? So many questions, and yet no answers. It brings to mind a famous statement and provocative poem written by Pastor Martin Niemoller in response to the cowardice of Germen intellectuals following the Nazi’s rise to power:
If not for this Electoral College candidates would only campaign in the states with the highest number of electors like California, New York, Florida and Illinois, thus leaving the majority of the country abandoned. Its so refreshing to see PE Trump creating a cabinet with people who have actually had a job and have very successful histories, not picking “talking heads” because of paybacks. Not even sworn in yet, the stock market has broken records after he was elected, mainly because of economic confidence in PE Trump. Now, the Carrier company is to stay in America. Masayoshi Son from Japan states that because PE Trump won the election he will invest $50 billion, and that will bring 50,000 jobs to the U.S. PE Trump has said he will lower taxes, eliminate many unneeded federal regulations, completely overhaul the failed Obamacare and spend billions of dollars to repair and upgrade our country’s failing infrastruc-
ture. The list goes on of these positive changes. Yeah, I’m excited about the future of this country because I’m confident America will be great again.
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me And there was no one left to speak for me. -Pastor Martin Niemoller I can certainly understand
Letters to the Editor I’m Excited for my Country... Dear Editor, Yea, Hillary won the popular vote by about 2 million votes, those votes coming mainly from several large far- left cities with the highest welfare rolls like New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Detroit, etc. PE Trump won 2,626 counties, essentially America’s bread basket, compared to 487 counties won by Hillary. As for the “sour grapes” recounts supported by the Hillary campaign, PE Trump is actually gaining votes in most of these recounts. It’s also been said that millions of people were not able to vote because of strict photo ID requirements (unproven). However, California and at least 18 other states require NO identification to vote, and many other states only require you to sign an affidavit to vote. Thank goodness our founding fathers had the wisdom and thought ahead enough to put in place the Electoral College.
Cliff Kattner Sandpoint
Trump’s Claims False... Dear Editor, Donald Trump recently challenged our intelligence community, in his rebuttal of Russian hacking, that they have in the past, been the source of inaccurate information. He ended that tweet by asserting that he had won the election by “...one of the biggest electoral victories in history.” There have been 58 presidential elections in the United States. Of those, relative to the Clinton-Trump election, 46 elections were won by greater margins than were won by Trump in this election. Eleven
why so many people are frustrated, angry, scared and feel left out by the system. However, I think they are going to be sorely disappointed if they think Trump will or can fix that. The world has drastically changed over the last 50 years. The world population has more than doubled and globalization and especially automation has taken a severe toll on the work force that used to be a prosperous middle class of this country in the ‘50s. These jobs will not come back - in fact, automation will probably make the loss of certain jobs even worse in the years to come. Climate change caused by man will increasingly affect us all. Stephen Hawking, the famous British physicist, recently predicted the end of humanity on this planet in another 1,000 years. So far Donald Trump and his appointments of billionaires, generals and right-wing conservatives for his cabinet and closest staff does not inspire confidence that things
will change. Tax cuts for the wealthy, more government debt and the dismantling of corporate and Wall Street regulations will continue to be dominant while the average working man or woman will continue to struggle. Trump’s campaign promises were about turning the clock back to a time when you didn’t think the economy was leaving you behind, when women were subservient, immigrants hadn’t come to your town and whites were not threatened with becoming a minority. The Republicans will continue to dismantle environmental regulations, healthcare and destroy the labor unions that had been responsible for the high wages, good benefits and job security that people enjoyed decades ago. Was this election all a scam perpetrated by one man’s intent on promoting his greed for more wealth as well as his own ego? The near future will certainly provide the answer.
Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper to hold annual meeting By Reader Staff Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper (LPOW) will hold its annual meeting on Monday, Dec. 19 from 5-7 p.m. at its downtown office location on First Ave. in Sandpoint. LPOW executive director Shannon Williamson invites the public to attend and learn more were won by fewer electors. During the past 100 years there have been 25 presidential elections. Of those, only three were won by lessor margins than were won by Trump. Trump won the election by 74 electoral votes. The average margin of victory of the other 21 elections has been by 309 electoral votes. Bert Russell Sandpoint
about LPOW’s efforts to keep Lake Pend Oreille and its associated waterways swimmable, fishable and drinkable for future generations. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with LPOW Board Members and have their questions about water quality issues answered. LPOW is a member organization of the international Waterkeeper Alliance and is one of over 300 Waterkeepers protecting rivers, lakes and coastal waterways on six continents. Refreshments will be provided by Eichardt’s Pub. Event Details: Date – Monday, Dec. 19 Time – 5-7 p.m. Location – 109 First Ave., Suite B, Sandpoint Phone – 208-597-7188 December 15, 2016 /
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PERSPECTIVES
s t n a p r e d n u By PollyAnna Reader Columnist Late fall through early winter, when the snow is thin and the wind is cold, I watch the birds migrating through the gray overhead, and my thoughts turn to travel. Maybe a trip to see my gypsy grandma in Dallas, or a hop over to Omaha to visit my boyfriend Dan’s chaotic herd of nieces and nephews. Fall mud season is the worst season of waiting there is, and so I often plan my getaways for this time of year. Fact is, much as I love Sandpoint, we’re spoiled here. I need travel to remind myself of the big world full of strange people that lies “just out there.” So, like it or not, I budget carefully for a few months, book a plane ticket, and push myself out the door for some edumafication. Much of my childhood education revolved around travel. My parents had this magical ability to combine work, family or other necessary voyaging into these enormous, intercontinental trips on a shoestring budget. It helped that my parents’ work kept us overseas most of the time… but, when I say shoestring, I mean shoestring. We were rarely far above poverty level, so no matter what country we trekked through, the scenery was usually enjoyed from a tent and fueled on car lunches of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. There’s no better way to learn about people, cultures or animals without getting up-close and personal. This is how, in the sixth grade, I wound up face-to-face with an angry rhino child. It was my dad’s fault, of course. Dads always get the blame for this sort of thing. We were at a rural African wildlife park, and one of my parents’ friends had told them, “Make sure the kids don’t miss the chance to pet the baby rhinos.” “They’re kept under guard near the camping area,” John had said, “and there’s usually a couple of guys there with guns making sure they don’t get picked off by lions.” Sounds idyllic, doesn’t it? So, 6 /
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Vacations Are Like Vitamins
off we went on a short walk from our campground to give the little wrinkly buggers a friendly scratch. If I was ever asked to make a list of preparations for your first face-to-face with a baby rhino, it would look something like this: When you are carefully choosing your rhino-meeting clothes from your backpack inside your family’s tent, do not put on a red T-shirt. Red is not a calming color. Red is a good “come-to-Jesus” color. Do not trust your friends, family, or whomever it was that connived to get you to this place. They are out to get you. Proof of this will be shortly staring you in the face ... through beady little rhino eyes, glaring up at you from hip-height, in front of 1000 pounds of stocky rhino flesh. Do not trust the man with the bloodshot eyes who’s reclining half-conscious against a nearby tree trunk with an AK-47 in his lap: “Oh, yeah, you can pet them. Go ahead.” For one thing, that AK-47 is to keep lions from snacking on baby rhinos, which begs the question—why are we here? (And also, please note that this semi-conscious man seems more concerned about the piece of grass he’s chewing on than your well-being.) “So… who’s going first?”
someone asked, staring at the baby rhinos, staring at us. “Go for it, Anna!” my dad said, taking an enthusiastic step backwards. I have this reputation in my family for doing dumb things at a moment’s notice. Being the firstborn of my crazy parents, and a gullible, optimistic, trusting child at that… Well, you know. It’s not my fault I’m a slow learner. So, yes, I trusted my dad and stepped forward. So did the rhino. Multiple steps actually. Very quickly. With his head and stubby little horn lowered. And that’s how I wound up on the ground, with noticeable pain in an area that would have rendered a boy infertile, with suddenly-agile AK-47 Guy waving his arms and herding a rhino away from me. My mom was understandably concerned. The guard’s cohort tried to be reassuring — “Oh, they do that sometimes.” This did not decrease her concern. I think my mom only relaxed after I reported back from an exploratory bathroom trip that my piss was a normal color. As with many things in Africa (and in middle school as a whole),
if you’re not peeing blood, you’ll probably pull through just fine. And I was fine, of course, other than being sore you-know-where for the rest of the day. My parents’ friend John probably fared worse than me, because when they were listening to the trip report from my parents a few weeks later, his wife was there, and she spun on her heel, hands on her hips, glaring at him. “What?? You didn’t tell them the same thing happened to my sister when we were there?” John grinned sheepishly and muttered something about in-laws and fled the room before her glare could materialize into a noisy slap. Recently, my vacations haven’t been as dramatic due to financial and work constraints, but I try to tuck a bit of nonsense into each trip I do make. For instance, my brother Phil now lives in Alaska with his growing family. Rather than visit him in the summer, like the sane members of my family do, I dragged Dan to the edge of the Arctic Circle in the first week of December last year. My logic went like this: “It’s only going
to be -20 degrees. If we went in two weeks, around equinox, it’d be -55 degrees. And I want to see the northern lights. Don’t you want to see the northern lights?” By the end of the trip, we had indeed seen the northern lights, and soaked in one of the coolest hot springs I’d ever seen; and pretended my niece was a kitten to her heart’s content; and ogled dinosaur fossils in Fairbanks; and frozen ourselves so utterly that the Inland Northwest felt downright balmy as we hit the curbside at GEG. Travel is like vitamins. It keeps us healthy, partly because we learn stuff, and partly because even the best vacations make us grateful for home. So, when you do have to leave Sandpoint, take an open mind and a playful heart. (But never, ever pet the rhinos.) PollyAnna lives, loves, and writes from Sandpoint, where she’s petted fish, tree frogs, a turtle, a finch, a crawdad, a newt and multiple snakes, but has yet to corral a single squirrel.
OPINION
Betsy DeVos: the worst possible choice for Education Secretary By Nick Gier Reader Columnist “Largely as a result of the DeVos’ lobbying, Michigan tolerates more low-performing charter schools than just about any other state. —Stephen Henderson, Detroit Free Press Billionaire Betsy DeVos, Trump’s pick for secretary of education, is the principal financial supporter of Detroit’s unregulated charter schools. Tulane University’s Douglas Harris calls her efforts there “the biggest school reform disaster in the country.” According to a recent state survey, “eight in 10 of Michigan’s charters have academic achievement below the state average in reading and math.” These schools—80 percent managed by for-profit companies— take $1 billion annually from Michigan’s education budget. Traditional public schools can be shut down for poor performance, but, thanks to legislation DeVos introduced, charters do not have to answer for their dismal results. Charter schools in New Orleans, Chicago and Washington, DC, are doing much better. (Moscow’s are superb.) Writing for the Washington Post (9/20/16) Richard Whitmire reports that the D.C. charters “were allowed enough flexibility to succeed and enough accountability to weed out the worst schools.” All of Michigan’s charters continue to operate regardless of performance, but 20 in DC have been closed over the past five years. (Underperforming traditional schools have been shut as well.) Non-profit companies DC Prep and Knowledge is Power (KIPP) administer the most successful DC charters, which make up 40 percent of the district’s schools. Surveys of charter schools over the last 20 years have shown that, just as with public schools, there are those that excel that those that fail. The lowest performing charters are found in Ohio and Nevada. As education expert Diane Ravitch reports: “From 2010 to 2015, more than 1,200 charters closed due to academic or financial difficulties.” That number is a full 30 percent of the nation’s 4,000 charter schools. The first charter schools were established in Minnesota 25 years ago. My union, the American Federation of Teachers, insisted that they be accessible to all students, be thoroughly transparent in their finances, be fully accountable about their results, cooperate with local school districts, and allow their teachers to bargain collectively. AFT leaders, along with those in the National Education Association, made it clear that if these conditions were not met, they would oppose charter schools. As the charter school movement evolved, the unions’ worst fears were confirmed.
The intentions of the for-profit education companies were clear: The charters were to compete with and eventually replace public schools, and their teachers would not be allowed to form unions. Overall, the effects of the charter school revolution have been negative. An Economic Policy Institute study shows that the existence of charter schools has increased inequality in our schools. In general the charters have increased “segregation among school children by economic status, race, language and disabilities.” Betsy DeVos, who sends her children to a Christian school, is also a strong supporter of vouchers, which would shift even more public school funds to private schools. Studies have been done on the effects of vouchers in Louisiana and Ohio, and Louisiana showed a decline in student achievement of 8 to 16 percentile points. Education professors Christopher and Sarah Lubienski have sent their children to public, charter and Christian schools. They have also sat on the boards of Christian schools. The title of their 2014 book shows succinctly their conclusions: “The Public School Advantage: Why Public Schools Outperform Private Schools.” The Lubienskis were motivated to do their comprehension study when one of them discovered that students in public schools do better in mathematics. They also found that, contrary to common opinion, public schools generally were more innovative while many private schools suffered from curricular stagnation. DeVos’ plan to privatize education through vouchers is bound to fail, because, fortunately, our public schools are controlled by 16,000 local school boards. Less than 9 percent of the $600 billion that is spent on K-12 education comes from the federal government. Kevin Carey of the New York Times (11/23/16) reminds DeVos that “there are no existing federal funds that can easily be turned into vouchers large enough to pay for private school tuition” across the nation. I conclude with this warning from Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers: “In nominating DeVos, Trump makes it loud and clear that his education policy will focus on privatizing, defunding and destroying public education in America.” I urge readers to write to their senators and demand that they not confirm DeVos. The last thing we need for our children is a Secretary of Private Education. Nick Gier is President of the Idaho Federation of Teachers, AFT/AFL-CIO. Read the full version at sandpointreader.com.
And the winner is... Last week, we held a caption contest for the photo below. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of hilarious captions that were sent. Who knew we were such a witty bunch of fools here in North Idaho? Below is the winning caption, sent in by Barb Oler, followed by a handful of honorable mentions. Barb receives a $20 gift certificate to MickDuff’s for her winning caption! Thanks for playing, everyone. Be sure to check out this week’s contest on page 4.
“...and the Republicans take back control of the country...” -Barb Oler
honorable mentions: “That’s nothing; you should see what comes out the other end.” -Richard Sevenich “I’ll give up my gun when they pry it from my cold, dead trunk.” -Laura Phillips “Ivory poachers will be shot on site.” “Pachy-ing big guns.”
-Joel Ross -John Bagwell Jr.
“My grandfather fought in the Elephantry... Operation Gunbo.” -Dinah Jane “Opposite of camo.”
-Shannon Mitchell
“Who would have known, millions of lives later, that moment would spark the Great Elephant Revolt? HAIL PACHYDERMS!” -Kristi Harrison “It went downhill from there.”
-Carrie Malakowsky
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NEWS
Sen. Risch introduces Scotchman wilderness bill By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff
After years of work, local conservation activists are celebrating a newly-introduced federal bill to enshrine the Scotchman Peaks as wilderness. Introduced last week by U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, the bill calls for the protection of 13,900 acres of mountainous land throughout North Idaho. The legislation is designed to preserve the hiking trails, mountaintop vistas and other recreational features of the area for the public, as well as protect the varied wildlife species and old-growth forest. Of course, there’s always the mountain goat herd—the de facto wilderness mascots and occasional people-biters—to think of, too. “It’s very gratifying [to have a bill introduced], and it’s validating of the process we put together to build community support,” said Phil Hough, executive director of the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness. “We appreciate Sen. Risch’s leadership and vision. It’s a bold step forward.” The push for wilderness designation is a decade-long effort by the Friends of
Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, which formed in 2005 as advocacy group for the proposal. Over the course of several years, the organization’s staff and volunteers have accumulated a broad base of support, including a key endorsement from Idaho Forest Group, North Idaho’s largest timber company. “There are some parts of the national forest that should be managed for timber production and some parts of the forest that should be managed for wilderness,” IFG spokesperson Bob Boeh said in a statement. “The Scotchman Peaks Wilderness proposal is a collaborative process that involved diverse stakeholders.” Also among the supporters are 6,700 individuals, 80 percent of whom live within two hours of the Scotchman Peaks. Several newspaper editorial boards and local politicians endorsed the measure as well, with the Bonner County Board of Commissioners signing on last year. “This is an opportunity to say that while we’re conservative, we do support environmental issues when it’s appropriate,” said Commissioner Chairman Cary Kelly.
The north side of Scotchman Peak, as seen from the air. Photo by Ben Olson. With Hough, Kelly and Boeh offering active support, the wilderness proposal achieved a three-pillar foundation that Kelly said made it a much easier sell to Risch. “Between the three of us, I think it was important to cover the political aspect, the economic aspect and the local support aspect,” he added. With the bill introduced, it remains to be seen how it will proceed through Congress. Ac-
cording to Hough, Risch will likely need to reintroduce the bill some time early next year. Hough is hoping the proposal will come up for a committee hearing in January after Risch takes the steps he feels are necessary to build support. “We hope that the introduction [this month] results in a hearing sooner rather than later,” Hough said. While there’s always the potential for unexpected
obstacles as the bill proceeds through Congress, supporters are hopeful that the wilderness proposal will be relatively uncontroversial. In the history of the Wilderness Act, only one bill has been vetoed—a Montana proposal shut down President Ronald Reagan in 1988. “The passage [of the Scotchman bill] shouldn’t engender a lot of controversy,” Hough said.
Memorial Field bleacher update
Festival annual meeting tonight By Reader Staff
The Festival at Sandpoint’s annual meeting is set for tonight, Thursday, Dec. 15, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. at Pend d’Oreille Winery with a Sip ‘n Shop event where 10 percent of all purchases that evening will benefit the non-profit festival. Festival organizers will re-cap the organization’s 34th annual season and highlight their plans for 2017. Early Bird Season Passes are now on sale for the Festival’s 35th annual summer concert series, Aug. 3 - 13, for $249 (plus sales tax and city parks fee) for all eight nights of music at Memorial Field. The line-up will be announced on April 28. There are less than 200 left of the 700 8 /
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season passes annually available for the popular summer music festival, and they typically sell out well before the announcement of the line-up is made. The Festival also reminds supporters that if they make an annual contribution to the non-profit organization by Dec. 31, they will receive a tax deduction for 2016. “We hope people will come out to Pend d’Oreille Winery on December 15th to sip, shop and support The Festival,” said Festival Executive Director Dyno Wahl. To order your Early Bird passes or to make a contribution online at www.FestivalatSandpoint.com or call 208-265-4554.
The Snow Arrives: North Idaho weather finally arrives at the job site for the new bleachers at the War Memorial Field in Sandpoint. After a mild November, snow and cold temperatures were a challenge to the team from Monster Concrete. Pictured above, the foundations for the grandstands begin to emerge. Photo by Cort Gifford.
NEWS
Kaniksu Land Trust launches ‘Pine Street Woods’ campaign 160 acre property near Sandpoint would become a community forest
By Reader Staff For a town that is surrounded by outlying national forests and public lands, Sandpoint has only a few undeveloped natural areas that are close by and available to city residents without a lengthy car ride. That could be about to change, with the announcement by the Kaniksu Land Trust of a new campaign to acquire 160 acres for a community forest, just a little more than a mile from the town centers of Sandpoint and Dover. The property, located at the top of the Pine Street hill, is owned by the Weisz family and has been dubbed the “Pine Street Woods” – an area of rolling hills blanketed with evergreens, with open meadows and beautiful vistas. The land trust envisions that the property will become a place where the public can come to recreate, unwind, explore, or attend myriad programs pertaining to ecological and community health and education. In announcing the campaign this week, KLT Executive Director Eric Grace said the effort to create the community forest will ultimately require strong public support to succeed. KLT has negotiated a purchase price of $1.8 million, but with other project-related costs must raise $2.1 million to pull off the acquisition. There’s good news at the outset: KLT has already secured cash and commitments of $1.1 million. “Although half way there, we still need to raise a considerable amount of money to purchase the land,” said Grace. Other large funders are likely to contribute, but for the campaign to succeed community residents and likely users of the property will need to contribute as well. Under the terms negotiated with the Weisz family, KLT has two years to raise the necessary funds to close the deal. More information about the Pine Street Woods project is available at the KLT website, www.kaniksu.org, which can also accept donations; alternatively, call Kaniksu Land Trust at 208-263-9471. The property has been in the Weisz family since 1970, when Joe and his late brother bought it. Since then, Joe has used it to raise cattle and for timber harvest. “It’s a special place for sure,” said Joe Weisz. “I’m happy to see that the land trust can take over ownership. I’d like to see it remain open for all the deer, elk, moose and other wildlife up there.” Grace said KLT intends to manage the land to highlight its benefits to wildlife, clean water, and community recreation and education. Educational programming on the land will include ParkRx, Story-
Walk, and unlimited access for schools and community groups. “People are starting to fully realize the health, recreation and educational benefits of access to trails and open spaces,” he said “There is mounting evidence that amenities like the Pine Street Woods provide significant benefits to community health and vitality, in addition to impacting economic drivers and attracting employers to the region.” The varied habitats and terrain on the property offer unique education and research opportunities. KLT proposes to continue to manage the land for timber production, as has been done for decades, but with the addition of learning opportunities for local students and family forest owners. Grace said it will be managed with input from users, and the public will be invited to participate in the development of a master plan for the property over the coming months. The property is situated adjacent to the popular “Sherwood Forest” trails, a mecca for area hikers and mountain bikers, but the Pine Street Woods will provide an enhanced experience by dispersing people onto new trail networks and offering gentler, more accessible terrain. There will be trails for users of all ability and fitness levels, in addition to road access and a parking lot and trailhead on the property. “We envision multi-use trails for walking, running, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and picnicking, as well as places to just find solitude in nature,” says Grace. KLT’s purchase of the Pine Street Woods has already received support from
A map of the proposed new community forest. Courtesy image. the Dover City Council, and other user groups involved with trails and outdoor opportunities. These include the Bonner County Trail Mix Committee, Friends of the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail, Pend Oreille Pedalers and Idaho Trails Association. The Pine Street Woods project builds on a growing number of trail initiatives in
Bonner County in recent years, including the Water Passage Trail from Newport to Dover, the Watershed Crest Trail that will link Schweitzer Mountain Resort to the Mickinnick Trail, and the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail that connects the communities of Sandpoint and Ponderay along Lake Pend Oreille’s shoreline.
Quest CEO announces retirement By Ben Olson Reader Staff Quest Aircraft Company has announced Samuel Hill is planning to retire as CEO after Jan. 1, 2017. Skies Magazine reported that the transition has been long planned as part of Quest’s overall strategic plan. A search for a successor is currently underway. “This is a good time for me to step aside,” Hill said. “The company is in good shape financially and demand for the Kodiak has grown significantly since 2013. We have a strong leadership team and a solid dealer network that represents us around the world.” Hill joined Quest in late 2012, replacing then chairman of the board, Dave Vander Griend, who was serving as interim CEO. Hill originally planned to transition out of the company at the end of 2014, but as Quest continued to grow and demand for the Kodiak increased, the board asked him to stay on.
During his tenure, Hill oversaw key product enhancements and certifications, a steady increase in production, operational improvements and other initiatives, all contributing to the financial stability of the Sandpoint-based company. In June, Quest completed Phase I of the expansion to their headquarters, adding 27,000 sq. ft. and bringing the current building size to 110,000 sq. ft. Phase II sees the addition of a 5,000 sq. ft. research and development hangar facility, which includes new office space and upgraded hangar work space. The expansions were a result of new developments after Quest Aircraft Company was purchased by the Japanese conglomerate Setouchi Holdings in Feb. 2015. They produce the Kodiak aircraft, a versatile airplane designed for single pilot operation. Kodiaks are in service around the globe with charter and corporate operators, personal owners, skydiving operations, governments and humanitarian organizations. December 15, 2016 /
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Veterans, public invited to Storywalk dedication By Reader Staff
Bouquets: •It’s official, I have a new favorite restaurant in town. If you haven’t tried Curry in a Hurry yet, you don’t know what you’re missing. I’d been meaning to give them a shot for weeks, but finally ordered last week and was completely blown away with the quality of the food. This little hole-inthe-wall curry palace is hard to find, and they’re only open one day a week, but do yourselves a favor folks - seek them out. The dishes are all authentic Indian specialties, and the menu changes every week. You can order throughout the week and pick up your food Monday from 3-6 p.m. Amazing food! •I love our readers so much. While I won’t name names (to avoid embarassment), I have to say thanks to a special reader who came in and dropped off a couple of great books, as well as a thoughtful card and a donation to the Reader. We really appreciate you, dear readers, and are forever thankful for the compliments and gifts you give to us. Someday, when we generate enough money to propel us past the interminable “start up” phase, we hope to give back to the community financially as well as intellectually. Barbs: •Last week, during the coldest, windiest day this month, I saw something that really irked me. An elderly woman was crossing Fifth Ave. and a passing motorist who wasn’t paying attention came to an abrupt halt, narrowly missing her. Instead of waving humbly and saying “Sorry,” the motorist leaned out of the window and yelled “Use the F-ing crosswalk flag next time!” Yes, using the crosswalk flag makes you more noticeable, but there’s no law in place that says we have to carry the flag. Perhaps we all need to slow down and take a breath instead of flying off the handle and yelling at a kindly old woman. 10 /
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Organizations Partner for a Special Christmas Event
Kaniksu Land Trust (KLT), East Bonner County Library District and the City of Dover are pleased to announce that a permanent StoryWalk location has been established at the Dover City Park. Since December 2015 KLT and the library have been piloting “StoryWalk” projects around the greater Sandpoint region. The intent has been to provide young readers and their parents an opportunity to read a children’s book in its entirety as they walk from page to page, thus realizing health benefits while having a great time. “Over the past year we have done eight different StoryWalk locations which hosted 10 unique children’s books. The response from our community was so exciting that we pursued a grant from the Land Trust Alliance to build permanent kiosks in our most popular locations,” said Suzanne Tugman, KLT outreach and communications director. On Monday, Dec. 19, KLT, the library and the city of Dover
will celebrate their gift to the community with a ribbon-cutting event and a true story of joy and giving. More than just a public grand opening of the new StoryWalk location, the event is an opportunity to acknowledge the gift that veterans have given to our country and celebrate a positive message of joy. Veterans are invited to lead a special Christmas StoryWalk with children from Farmin and Washington Elementary Schools while experiencing the seasonal magic of “The Night Santa Got Lost… How Norad Saved Christmas,” by Michael Keane. The event begins at 9 a.m. at Dover City Hall on Lakeshore Avenue with a dedication and snacks with warm drinks donated by Safeway, Starbucks and Winter Ridge. Students will also enjoy making a special holiday craft to honor our local veterans. “Roughly 20 veterans lose their battle with mental health each day. Bonner County wants
to help stop the loss by providing free services and helping with events that will bring community members together to show veterans they are honored and valued. By helping to bring events to Bonner County, we, as a community can now serve those that served us,” said Bryan Hult, veteran service officer. While the Dover City Park StoryWalk location will be permanent, the stories and activities will continue to be updated by East Bonner County Library’s Children’s Services Librarian Suzanne Davis. The updated books will be posted on www. eBonnerLibrary.org, www. kaniksulandtrust.org and www. cityofdover.id.gov. Library Director Ann Nichols shared her enthusiasm for the project in a recent statement: “Introducing people to reading as they explore the outdoors allows a deeper understanding of nature and the written word. StoryWalk programs provide simple books that ask questions and
suggest exploration of the natural landscapes that surrounding the printed pages. Many people benefit by reading and discussing the same book with others who have walked the same trail. Not only does this program allow people to read, it also gets them physically active and engaged with their natural surroundings.” The public is invited to attend the event that is expected to run until about noon. Attendees are encouraged to dress for cold weather. “We at the Kaniksu Land Trust office could not think of a better way to celebrate the Dover 2016 Christmas StoryWalk than to bring together our nation’s veterans to walk with our community school children,” said Tugman. Individuals, families and groups are invited and encouraged to take advantage of this permanent StoryWalk all year long. For more information, contact Suzanne Tugman at Kaniksu Land Trust, (208) 263-9471.
By Nancy Gerth Reader Contributor
bon economy • Pressure governments into limiting carbon emissions (“350” refers to parts per million of carbon in the atmosphere. Human civilization grew during a time when the level was 275ppm. Now we are over 400ppm). At 350Sandpoint.org’s Community Action Meeting on Dec. 6, we heard from local people who have visited Standing Rock. Then, over 30 citizens broke into five committees to plan activities and deadlines to address education, economic justice, public actions, working with state and local politicians and protecting vulnerable populations. We are planning a local action ifor the April 29 People’s Climate March. “We are also coordinating with several other local groups and activists, including the Idaho Conservation League, Friends of Sunnyside Cedars and Judy Meyers who is leading a grassroots women’s march in Sandpoint on Saturday, Jan. 21,” said 350.org leader Bill McKibben. McKibben is recommending that, because of the election, we
act first to protect vulnerable populations. 350Sandpoint also unites with BCHRT because vulnerable populations are those whose voices arenot heard and who suffer the impacts of climate change and government policy most severely—witness Standing Rock. Here in Bonner County, the Human Rights Task Force has not experienced an increase in calls from people who are being threatened since the election, with the exception of incidents of verbal harassment at local schools. There have been, however, an increase in calls from people who are feeling anxious, uncertain, and concerned about the safety of others in vulnerable groups. Most calls are from people who want to join the Task Force and learn how they can stand up for others. Idaho has laws governing human rights violations: the Human Rights Act and the Malicious Harrassment law.And Sandpoint was the first city in Idaho to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity and was followed by 12 others.
Local ordinances can pave the way for state-wide laws. But there is talk of introducing a state law that makes it illegal for local governments to pass laws that differ from state laws. That could over-ride the protections afforded to people in Sandpoint. It is important to monitor this issue in the upcoming legislative session and to engage our representatives should such a bill be proposed. Join and support the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force. Call them at 208-2902732, or go to their website at www.bchrtf.org. Idaho is too great to hate. Action based on accurate information is the key. Many local groups are now organizing to stand together on issues of justice. Join, stay informed and act. www.350Sandpoint.org has information on allied organizations. We meet again on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Sandpoint Community Hall. It’s a potluck, so bring some finger food!
One if by land and two if by CEO
Many citizens in Bonner County are uneasy with the recent election and what the future holds for our county, our state and our country. Of particular concern are human rights and progress towards slowing the pace of climate change, particularly the Paris Climate Agreement. How can we participate in the big changes now starting? What is happening in Bonner County? What could happen? Will the federal government lessen protection of citizens and the climate? It is up to us to pick up the gauntlet. Community action is the order of the day. Two of the many organizations who are acting now are 350Sandpoint.org and the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force. They are also two of the many organization who are supporting each other. 350.org is a world-wide climate organization whose goals are to: • Keep carbon in the ground • Build an equitable low-car-
Gift ideas For those lacking the force There’s another “Star Wars” movie out this weekend, the latest play by Disney to make so much money it can build its own Death Star. Considering that “Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens” raked in $2 billion worldwide, it’s fairly likely that you have a few “Star Wars” fanatics hanging out somewhere in your family. Sure, that means putting up with eggnog-fueled chatter about their Episode VIII fan theories or their insistence that Han shot first, but at least it makes gift-hunting that much easier. Here are a few of the stranger gift options out there in the nearly-endless world of “Star Wars” merchandising.
By Cameron Rasmusson, Reader Staff
Self-stirring Darth vader mug An irresistible option for the would-be Jedi in your life, this coffee mug allows its owners to stir their coffee to perfection using nothing more than the Force. … Well, the Force, a automated stirring mechanism and two AAA batteries, anyway. The mug even features Darth Vader looking on in approval and musing, “The Force is strong with this one.” It’s enough to go to a person’s head, so make sure the gift recipient doesn’t try to get out of a speeding ticket by
telling the officer, “This is not the car you’re looking for.”
Millennium Falcon drone
If you know someone who has fantasized about flying Han Solo’s iconic Millennium Falcon, it’s time to turn their dream into reality. Thanks to the recreational drone craze sweeping the nation, “Star Wars” fans can now own their own miniature, operational Falcon to fly both indoors and outdoors. Alright, so maybe flying a
tiny drone powered by a few batteries and four small rotors isn’t the same as making the jump to light speed. But it’s probably a great way to drive the family pets crazy, and let’s face it: They’re likely agents for the Sith anyway.
Darth vader head toaster
If you’re looking for an exceptionally nerdy way to start the day—or just something to pair with your Force-powered coffee mug—it’s hard to top the Darth Vader toaster. It even brands your morning toast with the film series logo. Those who wish to take their “Star Wars” breakfast obsession even further can find a host of other kitschy kitchen items, from Death Star waffle makers to R2-D2 salt shakers. Personally, I find the imagery of strange foreign objects bursting out of popular sci-fi characters more in line
with the “Alien” franchise than “Star Wars.” But if Darth Vader-crisped toast is your idea
of a good time, then have at it, Hoss.
Chewbacca sleeping bag Given the number of outdoor lovers here in North Idaho, there’s almost certainly some overlap in the Venn diagram of local campers and Star Wars fans. There’s perhaps no better option for bringing a little of the galaxy far, far away to your next woodland adventure than the Chewbacca sleeping bag. Temperature rated for 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the Chewbacca Onesie sleeping bag is form-fitted to allow for easy movement even after bundling in for the night. Need to take a leak at 2 a.m.? Simply pop right up without even getting out of
bed. Just be aware of the possibility you’ll be featured on a Bigfoot reality TV show, a likelihood even product manufacturer Selk’bag cautions in the product description. “As long as you’re okay with that, give ‘em a good Wookiee roar for the camera,” company personnel say.
Little-known facts about the Star Wars franchise 1. Harrison Ford was cast as Han Solo by accident. Ford was brought in to help feed lines to auditioning actors and ended up getting the part. It could’ve been Kurt Russell.
effects. The opening sequence was achieved by placing twofoot-wide yellow letters on a black background, with a camera making a slow pass overhead.
2. Orson Welles was almost cast as the voice of Darth Vader, but director George Lucas decided to cast James Earl Jones instead because he thought Welles’ baritone voice would be too recognizable.
4. Most theaters didn’t want to show the original “Star Wars.” Fewer than 40 theaters agreed to show “Star Wars” after its release date was moved to Memorial Day weekend (it was moved from a summer release because the studio thought it would bomb in a crowded
3. The iconic opening crawl was done with practical
summer movie slate). 5. Yoda initially had a first name: Buffy. It was later changed to Minch Yoda, then shortened to just Yoda. 6. Sir Alec Guinness (“ObiWan Kenobi”) originally didn’t want to be a part of the “Star Wars” franchise, calling the first film “fairy tale rubbish.” He only agreed to appear as a ghostly version of Obi-Wan in “Return of the Jedi” after studio executives agreed to limit his work for one day and
sign off one fourth of a percent of the movie’s total gross. He worked 4.5 hours that day, netting him millions of dollars. 7. Han Solo’s best line was an ad lib. When Princess Leia told him, “I love you,” Solo was originally supposed to return the term of affection, but Ford ad-libbed the now famous line, “I know.” (Solo was also the only non-Force user to wield a lightsaber when he cut open a tauntaun to keep Luke warm in “The Empire Strikes Back”—
at least until Finn’s saber duels in Episode VII.) 8. It took seven puppeteers to operate Jabba the Hutt: three inside controlling the right arm and jaw, the left hand and jaw, tongue, and head and body movements; a fourth person was in the tail. Outside, there were one or two people on radio controllers for the eyes, someone under the stage to blow cigar smoke up a tube and another working bellows for the lungs. December 15, 2016 /
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Donations Doubled in December!
-CLONE YOUR CONTRIBUTIONSandpoint Friends of the Library’s Donation Match Program Dollar for Dollar match on donation up to $4,000
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Dollar Beers! Girls Pint Out 8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub 5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Good until the keg’s dry Cool chicks, great beer, no dudes! We’ll discuss winter seasonal beers Festival at Sandpoint Sip & Shop 4-7pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery 10% of proceeds go to Festival at Sandpoint
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Christmas Around the World 3pm @ Sandpoint Library Bring the family for a fun tim ing about Christmas traditions the world. The program star p.m. Contact Suzanne for mor mation at 263-6930 ext. 1211
Live Music w/ Devon Wade 2nd Annual Ugly Sweater Party 7-10pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall 5:30-8:30pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Celebrate Third Fridays with Wear your ugly sweater and receive $1 off glasses of country singer Devon Wade wine. Plus, enjoy live music with the Wagoner Band Live Music w/ Bright Moments Jazz ‘Christmas Carole’ - The Musical 5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority 8pm @ Panida Theater The Panida presents Dickens’ age Live Music w/ Chris Lynch old story with a twist and a kick! 6pm @ Arlo’s Ristorante
‘Christmas Carole’ - The Musical Evans Brothers 4th Live Music w/ Ben & Cadie 10am-1pm @ Evans 7-10pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall 8pm @ Panida Theater Get all your last minu The Panida presents Dickens’ age Check out a stripped down duo ers offering unique, old story with a twist and a kick! from Harold’s IGA Jazz. 10% of all vend Live Music w/ Mike Wagoner and Sadie Sicilia 7:30pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Bella Note Performance and Class Father Daughter duo with a great following 10am @ Sandpoint Library Join Bella Note teachers for a holiday perfor Live Music w/ John Firshi participation class for young children, star 5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority a.m. in the Sandpoint Library. 208-263-6930 Live Music w/ High Treason Ammunition 8pm @ 219 Lounge Live Music w/ Huckleberry and Fri Great punk fringe from this Montana trio. 7:30-10pm @ Eichardt’s Pub With special guests Serf Kings, playing surf Featuring originals and B.D. (Before D music with a hard edge
StoryTelling Company Christmas Sh 6pm @ Di Luna’s Cafe Enjoy Christmas stories and music wi John Hastings. $12. Dinner begins at 5
Sandpoint Chess Club 9am @ Evans Brothers Coffee 22nd Annual Charity Blues Jam w/ Truck Mills 7:30pm @ Eichardt’s Pub
Karaoke Night at the Niner 8-11pm @ 219 Lounge
Winter Solstice Party 6pm @ Hope Market Celebrate the Winter Solstice with Chris O’murchu’ and Lorenzo Guldberg playing an eclectic blend of Latin/Jazz /Blues
Five Minutes of Fame - Annual Holiday Party 6:30pm @ Cafe Bodega (inside Foster’s Crossing) Writers, musicians, listeners... welcome all! There will be a potluck dessert party after readings, so bring a dessert to share Dollar Beers! 8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Good until the keg’s dry Live Music w/ Holly McGarry 7-10pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Smoky-voiced songwriter Holly McGarry returns from Boston!
Library Storytim 10:15am @ Sand Mother Goose Sto children ages 0 to time at 11 a.m. fo
Art on the go with Jules 4-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Join Julie Ellis for a few fun hou creating art from recycled materia
Passholder’s special at the Niner All day @ 219 Lounge Every Thursday, all day, we will serve all season pass holders, daily lift ticket holders and employee ID holders of any mountain in the US or Canada a 219 Pilsner or a PBR bottle, draft or can as well as a shot of any well liquor for only 4 bucks!
ful
the World brary a fun time learntraditions around gram starts at 3 ne for more inforext. 1211
December 15 - 22, 2016
A weekly entertainment guide to keep you on your toes. To list your event free, please send an email to calendar@sandpointreader.com. Reader recommended
MCS Youth Orchestra & Choir Holiday Concert 6pm @ First Lutheran Church Watch our talented MCS Youth Orchestras and Choirs showcase their skills in this holiday performance. Also performing will be our LPOHS Choir. Concert begins at 5:00 pm with a cookie and cider reception to follow
MarchFourth in Concert 8pm @ The Hive asses of This band combines funk, rock, jazz, Band Afro-beat, Gypsy brass, and Big Band, with a visual kaleidoscope of stilt walkers, acrobats, and Vaudeville-style performers. $20 in advance, $25 at door. Doors @ 7, show at 8
Holiday Concert 5pm @ First Presbyterian Church A holiday concert showcasing the Festival at Sandpoint’s Youth Orchestra and the Sandpoint Junior Fiddlers directed by Beth Weber. Free concert w/ refreshments
KPND Ugly Christmas sweater party 8pm @ 219 Lounge Bust out that ugly sweater, head to the Niner and free stuff. DJ Josh Adams will be spinning reggae and hip hop POAC Artist of the Year reception 5:30-7pm @ POAC Gallery (302 N. First Ave.) Watercolor and oil painter Ed Robinson was named the POAC’s first annual Artist of the Year. Free entry!
Santa visits at Creations 11am-3pm @ Creations Santa Claus visits Creations every Saturday in December inside the Cedar St. Bridge. Free to all! ss Computer Class: Basic Microsoft Word Cedar Street Bridge Public Market 10am-2pm @ Cedar St. Bridge 8:15am @ Sandpoint Library day performance and Learn the basics of Microsoft Word, in- Vendors will be offering their artisan wares dren, starting at 10 cluding toolbars, formatting and highlight- every Saturday at the Public Market. A great warm place to shop for the holidays! 263-6930 ext. 1211 ing. Held every 3rd Saturday of month
thers 4th Annual Holiday Procrastinators Sale @ Evans Brothers Coffee r last minute holiday shopping done with local artisans and craftg unique, handcrafted goods. Live music by Bright Moments of all vendor proceeds to benefit Food For Our Children
y and Friends b (Before Disco) covers
stmas Show
music with Sandy Compton and egins at 5 p.m.
y Storytimes m @ Sandpoint Library Goose Storytime at 10:15 a.m. for ages 0 to 3; and Preschool Story11 a.m. for children ages 2 to 5
es uthority w fun hours ed materials
ve all holdmouner or a a shot
Game Night at the Niner Amahl and the Night Visitor 9pm @ 219 Lounge 2pm & 5pm @ First Lutheran Church Come and enjoy MCS’s first children’s opera production, performed by our Young Classical Singers Troupe. Watch the story of a poor shepherd boy’s encounter with three kings. Matinee at 2 p.m., evening show at 5 p.m. ‘Christmas Carole’ - The Musical 3:30pm @ Panida Theater Matinee showing
Soul Motion: Winter Solstice Conscious Dance Practice 10-11:30pm @ Embody (823 Main St.) All Are Welcome! Men attend free
Dec. 26 Twilight Ski and Snowboarding @ Schweitzer Dec. 23 Men’s Shopping Night @ Downtown Sandpoint Dec. 23-24 Santa visits Schweitzer! Dec. 25 Christmas Day
Dec. 31 David Raitt and Baja Boogie Band New Year’s Eve Concert @ Di Luna’s Café Dec. 31 3rd Annual Hive New Year’s Eve Ball @ The Hive Jan 1, 2017 Polar Bear Plunge @ City Beach
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$5 anoff 8-person lasagna $10 off a 20-person lasagna
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Check us out at www.IvanosRestaurant.com or on Must present coupon • One lasagna per coupon • Expires 1/15/17
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Hourly rates • Day rates • Image packages •Portraiture: business/school/ holiday/family/pure enjoyment •Commercial Photography: lifestyle/brands/architecture •Stock imagery for sale: business/website/branding Woods Wheatcroft • 208.255.9412 • www.woodswheatcroft.com
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-Eli & AlmaThese two cuties have different owners, but don’t try to tell them they’re not family! Last holiday season, 5-year-old Eli (on the left) put on his tux and bowtie for three-month-old Alma, his favorite gal pal. Eli and Alma like to remind us what true friendship looks like. She forgives him for not being a purebred (he’s a Lab/treeing walker coonhound mix from the Libby shelter), and he forgives her incessant wiggling and face-licking. The moment Eli sees Alma’s car pull up, he drops what he’s doing and “loads up” as soon as a door is opened... whether he was supposed to or not! Jen Heller Sandpoint
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Mad about Science: By Brenden Bobby Reader Columnist This article is going to contain a couple of firsts. First and foremost, this is the first Mad About Science article dedicated to a single person. Yep, believe it or not, we haven’t had an article about a single person before. Next, it’ll be a bit more somber than our usual articles. You know and love us because we’re so lighthearted and goofy; don’t worry, I’ll do my best to deliver that, given the circumstances. So, what are we talking about? John Glenn. You’ve heard his name in the news quite often lately, and for good reason. He was the first American to orbit the Earth aboard Friendship 7 on Feb. 20, 1962—seven years before Apollo 11 would become the first artificial body to touch down on the face of the moon. An important distinction here is that John Glenn was the first American to orbit the Earth, but not the first man in space. That honor goes to Yuri Gagarin, a Russian cosmonaut that went to space and back on April 12, 1961. Today, orbiting Earth seems like no big deal; we have a space station floating up there orbiting the Earth about 16 times a day. It’s still a big deal, but it was an even bigger deal in 1962. The first time you do anything is a colossal moment. Remember prom? Your first beer? The first time you were in a tin can with a rocket strapped to the back and a computer about as powerful as a solar calculator at your fingertips? Yeah, it was a big deal. Consider this: Fewer than 59 years passed between us building the first airplane that traveled 120 feet at less than 7 miles per hour to us hurling a man into space. 18 /
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Brought to you by:
john glenn
It’s possible, and even likely, that you are related to someone who read about both of these events happening in their lifetime. John Glenn was a lot more than an astronaut, though. He served as a fighter pilot during World War II and flew 59 missions in the South Pacific. Ever feel nervous when the plane takes off and lands on your way to or out of Spokane International? Imagine that 59 times over two years. Oh yeah, and other planes and guys on the ground are shooting at you for your midflight entertainment. Every time. Apparently that wasn’t enough for him, because he flew during the Korean War, too. He even got to fly one of our first jet fighters: The F9F Panther interceptor. Not once, not twice, but 63 times. He apparently was such a target for enemy flak that he earned a nickname that my bosses would scold me for printing. He once landed with over 250 holes in his aircraft. You can bet there was no stewardess handing out orange juice and cookies. He also claims the record for being the first man to complete a supersonic transcontinental flight, from California to New York in three hours and 23 minutes. It takes a 747 between 4.5 and 6 hours to make that same flight. My level of amazement upon reading that can’t be quantified. Can you imagine flying that fast for that long? I get tired driving to Spokane! If my math is right, if you were traveling at his speed (about 768 mph), you’d reach Spokane in about five and a half minutes after departing from our little airport here in Sandpoint.
On the fateful day that John Glenn made history, the entire mission almost became a memorial. He orbited the Earth three times in a flight with a total time lasting over five hours, and when it was time to descend, an indicator lit up notifying him that the heat shield was compromised. That’s pretty huge. That’s like driving without a windshield. Or a front end of your car. Through a volcanic eruption and a hurricane at the same time. With the engineers’ help, he was able to achieve splashdown without incident, making history as he did so. He left the planet with the weight of our entire country on his shoulders and succeeded. He claimed it was the best day of his life, and with good reason. It was a major push to get Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins to the moon with Apollo 11. He would later go on to become a U.S. Senator for 25 years. That’s almost my entire life! He even took a few runs at a Vice Presidential position, but managed to get eked out every time. Politics is a rough game, especially for people that value their integrity. He got to return to space one last time and claim yet another record as oldest person to go to space. He was 77 at the time—October 29, 1998—and he was aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery for a nine-day mission as a payload specialist. You’ve probably heard all of this from the news in the past few days. A lifetime of accolades, the kind that even our most creative authors couldn’t realistically pen. But he achieved them and so much more. One thing I haven’t read or heard in the news was that he
Formal portrait of John Glenn smiling while wearing his spacesuit as a crew member on the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1998. Photo courtesy of NASA.
was married for 73 years. Seventy-three years! His marriage was 14 years longer than the span of time between our first aerial flight as a species and the first time he orbited the Earth. He was a huge advocate for the advancement of science, especially space science and rocketry, and he didn’t just talk about it. He proved it. He proved that we, not just as Americans but as human beings, could push the very
limits of what we believed was possible, dust ourselves off and ask, “Well, what’s next?” John Glenn had the right stuff, all right. He was an inspiration throughout his life, and I hope the press from his death helps inspire a whole new generation of dreamers, thinkers and doers. I just wanted to do my small part and help spread the story of one of the most heroic men to ever walk the Earth. Rest in peace, John Glenn.
Random Corner ace? Don’t know much about spWe can help! 1. The Photon Sphere is a spherical region of space where gravity is strong enough that photons are forced to travel in orbits. If you were to stand in this region and look straight ahead you would see the back of your head. 2. In 1993 there was proposal to build a giant advertising billboard in outer space that would appear roughly the same size and brightness as the moon. The project didn’t meet funding and inspired a bill to ban all advertisement in outer space. 3. There are more trees on Earth than there are stars in the Milky Way Galaxy. 4. The light of galaxies greater than 14.7 billion light years away will never reach us, because those parts of the universe are receding away from us faster than the light’s speed. 5. Around 10,000 light years away from Earth, there is a huge cloud of alcohol. It is 1000 times larger than the diameter of our solar system and contains enough alcohol to fill 400 trillion trillion pints. To drink all of it, everyone on Earth would have to drink 300,000 pints each day for 1 billion years. 6. Black holes are so dense that a black hole with the mass of Earth would be the size of a marble.
LITERATURE
This open Window
Vol. 1 No. 14
poetry and prose by local writers
edited by Jim mitsui
the long bridge by L.S. Jones
We travel over Lake Pend Oreille under a dome of ever changing
and into the revolving night sky. Stars spin by every phase of moon
sky and cloud reflected on water. Like the twist of a kaleidoscope
and change of season. We come and go past distraction of sunrise
each crossing of the Long Bridge becomes a new pattern
and sunset on mirrored water. A horizon of tree-covered mountains
of texture and color, shadow and light. From dawn to dusk
zigzags the surface, a nebulous border between heaven and earth.
-L.S. Jones | October 2016
from philipsburg to home by Heather McElwain
Leaving sapphire country in Granite County, we overlap the Clark Fork, crisscrossing esses and sidewinding oxbows as it drifts onward. A few drafted lines of verse tucked into a bottle and given to currents for review and circulation might wash up on shore at home before us, already revised. Here, the river trickles, winds through red willow skeletons and swells toward the Pacific. South-facing January hillsides are buck suede and rock-strewn; snow patches daub shadowed slopes like Bev Doolittle camouflage. My mind tumbles small stones, polishing ideas as they eddy—grit chipped away to reveal any gems. At the Continental Divide, rounded rock spires swagger on the pass, weathered cairns like Stonehenge sentries sitting at smooth tabletops, guarding glacial-spill Jenga pieces fitted to uphold the hillside. I don’t send a bottle downriver as we chase sun on a dim highway, but instead leave behind raw poetry chips to add to the inlay of the West. -Heather McElwain
INSTRUCTIONS: Here’s an old poem that I wrote and sent to one of my good friends. At this time of writing Christmas letters to include with your Christmas card to friends & family I thought I’d throw in my 2 cents. Instead of making a list of accomplishments and places you visited, how about including something personal. A story, an experience, someone or something that stuck with you this last year. Stay away from politics. Don’t write your letter like the ones you were taught to write in your English class. Personalize it. Update it, send someone an email. Maybe a person you haven’t talked to in a while. Writing poetry can be practical; poets don’t live in ivory towers out of the main flow of life. Write an email poem or a real letter and send it. Don’t worry about format, line-breaks, just write out to the end of a line and continue. Do me a favor, though, stay away from end-rhyme. Just jot down your thoughts & feelings. Be natural, not artificial. Don’t be afraid to “ramble”. And have some fun.
email poem to ransom in cedar city by James Masao Mitsui
schoolyard
by Beth Weber I was uncomfortable precarious on the upper rung I thought I’d climbed to.
eyes and I you in mine. We wave our hand-held whirligigs,
You looked so small. after you dropped your hankie
one more colorful than the other. Together we dizzy the merry-go-round.
behind what I saw as the filthiest person in the circle. I thought less of you. At least you stayed and played the game.
I view you differently now and you me. But that happens all the time.
So I slid down. And here you are dear reflecting me in your
We wander toward home. Jingling the strangest change in our pockets.
Hey Bill, spent some days last week near Sisters, the Central Oregon country that William Stafford loved. Understand a little now why. Lilly kept remarking after each local encounter that these people were too nice, too friendly, for our own good. -Beth Weber | November 2016 They belonged in that old Stepford Wives movie, but Stafford certainly didn’t—so I guess these people are real Beth is a regular contributor to this column. Amazingly she and out-of-towners get to leave their doors unlocked continues to write steadily while playing the violin for the Coeur and trust the climate. By the way, I had another first-time d’Alene orchestra, teaching music and refurbishing a house. experience. Lilly got me on a dogsled, behind her and a dozen hybrid Alaskan huskies. Some of them had run the Iditirod, and were now retired. It was a cliché the way it was so silent that once when the musher stopped to rest the dogs I could hear the fine grains of ice sculpting a 20-foot snowbank that would have hidden your old trailer on Discovery Bay. The cedars were draped with snow and the whiteness shocked my eyes, even through the yellow lens of the goggles I borrowed from the driver. It was one of those hold-your-breath moments that stops a person inside his memory. My father would have loved this landscape; it belonged on one of those calendars he used to pick up free at the Trading Company in Odessa. The price of life was different then—my parents paid the Ladies’ Aid Society $15 a month rent for our house in Lamona. Now, instead of writing a letter I send you a poem over the internet. I click on send and the words probably get to Utah before I can stand up. I dislike what technology has done to my life—I talk more to call-waiting than I do to real people. And sometimes I worry that Fahrenheit 451 might come true, but I’m also guilty of SportsCenter and Mariner boxscores on AOL. People keep replaying history, and we try to see it differently. So what we have is probably what we had and will have, and it’s still important to be out here on a trail without Gore-Tex, a little cold, and feeling snowflakes touch our face as we hear the punctuated barking of the sled dogs when they know they get to start running again. Best, Jim 25 Feb ‘97
baltimore play grounds by Amy Craven
Remember hanging upside down from the monkey bars? We wore dresses and clenched our legs together so the boys wouldn’t see our underpants We called dibs on the swings and wished we had wax paper for the big slide. Our jacks clinked against the black top as our knuckles skimmed over the ground sometimes suffering bloody scrapes Remember our hopscotch games? Did you ever ask the old shoe repairman on York Road for his castaway heels? So much better than rocks that careened erratically off our targets How about our 6th Grade Graduation ceremony? Sweet Betsy From Pike, The Erie Canal, and Irving Berlin’s Pledge Of Allegiance I wore a dropped-waist dress in yellow dotted swiss My mother made it Maybe you wore a store bought outfit from Hutzler’s, Stewart’s or Hochschild Kohn’s — Department stores of such unattainable beauty and mystery Xylophone-like bells and mannequins standing guard — sentries to another world Later, I secretly wished to be a saleswoman at one of those upscale cosmetic counters Surrounded by potions, perfumes and creams Showing off lipsticks with inviting names like Orange Crush, Pussycat Pink, and Five Alarm Red A modern day sorceress in league with the Coco Chanels and Estee Lauders of the world Not just a little girl from Govans hanging awkwardly from monkey bars in the schoolyard -Amy Craven | November 2016 Amy is a singer, songwriter, voice teacher and poet from Sandpoint.
Send poems to: jim3wells@aol.com December 15, 2016 /
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IVANO’s Ristorante By Jules Fox Reader Food Reviewer
Ivano’s Ristorante Italiano has been around forever, or since 1984, whichever is most recent. There’s a reason that Sandpoint has been able to come enjoy romantic date nights, family dinners or just a nice solo treat on the town. It’s because of the food, right? I mean, the food is so good, who cares about what else they offer. But maybe there are many reasons to love Ivano’s. I had the pleasure of living in Sandpoint 10 years ago, a time when business was booming in Sandpoint and plenty of fine dining opportunities came and left. Ivano’s held its own on the corner of Pine Street and First Avenue and boasted the best wait staff in town. I returned with my new family to find a new Ivano’s. I was nervous because I had said so many good things about Ivano’s and I didn’t want to disappoint. They still had the same heart-centered feel, but now they offered gluten-free dishes. Has Ivano’s always been this good, or does it just get better with age? The Details The aroma of in-house baked breads and brownies mingles with slow simmered garlic and basil, offering the perfect greeting as you enter. Yes, you will get very good food here. Start off with what my L.A. foodie wife says is “the best minestrone I have ever had.” The Formaggio Milanese brings a special salty, savory grilled twist to feta cheese. You may just order appetizers and leave happy. But don’t do that! There’s so much more. A host of pastas in various succulent sauces meet your favorite animals like fish, shrimp, duck, chicken, beef and pork as they drag themselves through a garden of tomatoes, mushrooms, basil, garlic, eggplant, capers and cheese, cheese, cheese! Don’t fill up on pasta though. The main course awaits. Curb your inner carnivore with lamb, steak, prawns, calamari or cheese filled roast chickens. Fortunately they all 20 /
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come with vegetables and side salads so you can sleep guilt-free tonight. You have done good to your body. I was full before the warm brownie with ice cream arrived. But it just came out of the oven and it would have been a disservice to not at least take a bite of it. And then another and another until it was gone. It’s probably time to say you’re going to go, but order another bottle of fine wine or craft beer as you lounge around in indulgent conversation, laughter and good times. Continuing Ivano Lippi’s authentic Italian tradition of excellence, Ivano’s doesn’t just bring Italian to your family. They take the extra effort to ensure your happiness, and bring family to the Italian. Myth 1: Italian Food Is Just Spaghetti Spaghetti shows up only once on Ivano’s four-page menu. There is also pappardelle, lasagna, linguini, tortellini, ravioli, penne and a host of non-noodle dishes.
Top: Papardelle con Pesto with gluten-free rice Penne noodles. Bottom: Ivano’s iconic patio in warmer months. Photos by Jules Fox.
Myth 2: Italian Food Will Make You Feel Bloated It’s true that Ivano’s has huge family style portions and pasta can make you feel very satiated. This is the part where self-control comes into play. Don’t eat to the point of being uncomfortable. Ask for a to-go box and enjoy the leftovers another time. Myth 3: You Can’t Afford To Go To Fancy Restaurants You can’t afford not to go to fancy restaurants. You get one life, so treat yourself because you are worth it. Spend some money on yourself and other people, because money won’t make you happy, but Ivano’s will.
Options For Restricted Diets: •Gluten-Free? Yes •Vegetarian? Yes •Family Friendly? Yes Additional Notes: They cater and do special events! Ivano’s (208) 263-0211 102 S. 1st Avenue Sandpoint, Idaho
A Safe Place: By Ben Olson Reader Staff
Last week, on an otherwise quiet Monday night, more than 40 people filed into the Gardenia Center to support a new nonprofit organization in Sandpoint: PFLAG. The Sandpoint chapter of PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians And Gays) is one of over 500 chapters across the U.S. with an estimated 200,000 members and supporters. PFLAG’s main goal is support, education and advocacy for LGBTQ communities. While it began as an organization primarily for parents and friends wanting to learn how to support their lesbian or gay loved ones, PFLAG has broadened in recent years to offer information and acceptance for those who identify as LGBTQ. President Jeff Bohnhof first became involved with PFLAG after moving to Sandpoint six years ago: “I had been keeping a pretty low profile, not sure how the town would react to the fact that I am gay,” said Bohnhof. Bohnhof found that there was a Sandpoint PFLAG chapter that had disbanded. He began attending monthly meetings at the Coeur d’Alene chapter. “I realized that I had finally found a group of like-minded people, and a place where I fit in and could finally be myself without the fear of judgment,” he said. It was at these Coeur d’Alene meetings that Bohnhof became acquainted with some Sandpointians who were also in attendance. They talked about starting up a Sandpoint chapter again, and in January 2016, the national PFLAG office sent the official paperwork. Sandpoint PFLAG was born. “Three years ago if someone would have told me I’d be the head of a nonprofit organization, I probably would have laughed at them,” said Bohnhof. At Monday’s meeting, Eric Ridgway served as the official master of ceremonies for the evening, keeping the mood light with jokes and a round of fun games. Bohnhof said the turnout was an unexpected success: “I owe a huge thank you to Mr. Eric Ridgway, who volunteered to facilitate the evening. With the things he has done in this com-
munity—from the Long Bridge Swim, to the contacts in the community he has—the evening was a huge success.” Bohnhof said his “heart filled with excitement, pride and gratitude that so many people were willing to stand up and say that I want to support PFLAG and what it stands for.” Sandpoint PFLAG plans to hold monthly meetings and plan special events such as family game night and LGBTQ-themed movie screenings at the Panida Theater. One event that has already gained support is the Drag Bingo fundraiser, a 13-round bingo game with performances in between each round from various drag queens and kings. “If all goes well, in June 2017,
Sandpoint PFLAG chapter gains steam
Attendees gather before last week’s PFLAG meet and greet at the Gardenia Center. Photo courtesy of Sandpoint PFLAG. we will be co-hosting Sandpoint’s very first Pride Event,” said Bohnhof. “PFLAG has a bright future, and we are always looking for new faces and fresh ideas. Everyone is welcome. Come and help us
make PFLAG your organization.” The next Sandpoint PFLAG meeting will take place Thursday, Dec. 15, at 6 p.m. at the Gardenia Center in Sandpoint.
Meetings are free and open to all. For more information about Sandpoint PFLAG, reach them on Facebook at ‘PFLAG Sandpoint’ or call 208-718-2388.
The origins of Sandpoint PFLAG By Ben Olson Reader Staff
The establishment of Sandpoint PFLAG isn’t the first time locals have worked with the organization. Eighteen years ago, a handful of progressive-thinking individuals started a Sandpoint PFLAG chapter to help educate parents and friends of lesbians and gays. One of the founders was Barbara Hansen, who moved to Sandpoint with her late husband Jim two decades ago. After spending a career in Illinois fighting against ageism, Hansen and her husband came face-to-face with the prejudice against homosexuality when they suspected one of their daughters might be a lesbian. “We came from a strict Catholic home,” said Hansen. “I couldn’t even say the word ‘lesbian.’” After some miscommunication, the Hansens finally had “the talk” with their daughter and, after finding that she was correct, Hansen said she was motivated to find out as much as she could about the LGBTQ community. “She’s my kid, and by golly I love her,” she said. “When she said, ‘I’m gay,’ I saw this footthick glass window just shatter. I could reach her now. We could talk now. It improved our relationship.” The Hansens began attending PFLAG meetings in Chicago, where they were overwhelmed with love and support. When they
retired and decided to move west to Sandpoint, the Hansens met other members of the community that expressed interest in human rights, notably Dick Sandall and his partner, Jim Shirrell. “We first met Barbara and Jim Hansen when we saw they were wearing a pin that said ‘I’m proud of my lesbian daughter,’” said Shirrell. “We struck up a conversation with them and, with Barbara’s help, we found there was enough interest in this area to start a group.” The first iteration of Sandpoint PFLAG served Bonner County and extended areas, with around 30 members attending regular meetings. Shirrell said the highlight of the chapter was when they organized a showing of “The Laramie Project,” a play about the killing of gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard. “We had 21 people in the cast, which was unheard of,” said Shirrell. “We put on the production at the Panida Little Theater for three nights, and we saw a lot of support in the community.” The chapter grew from there, hosting picnics and pride events. While Shirrell said the feedback from the community has overwhelmingly been positive, there have always been detractors: “During a Fourth of July parade one year we had some people booing along the sidelines and giving us thumbs down, calling us derogatory names, but most were supportive. It helped bring awareness to the community.” Shirrell said that kind of
Barbara and her late husband Jim Hansen during a Sandpoint PFLAG event in the late 1990s. Courtesy photo. opposition is why PFLAG aims to educate and spread awareness: “People just don’t understand that we are who we are, that it’s a biological thing. It’s not a choice. If it were a choice, Dick and I would have probably chosen to stay married to our wives.” Sandall said the biggest factor for the disbanding of Sandpoint’s PFLAG wasn’t a lack of community support, but support from actual members: “We reached a point where the same people were doing the same duties year after year and they needed a break. There was nobody to replace them. That’s why the original chapter faded.” “We were really pleased to see the development of Jeff Bohnhof, who is president of the local group now,” added Shirrell. “We’ve gone by the wayside to let them find their own direction. I believe the Sandpoint chapter
will do very well.” When Barbara Hansen walked into the meeting last Monday, she was greeted with a warm round of applause. Several referred to her as the “PFLAG Momma.” Though just recently turning 87 years old, Hansen talks and acts like someone half her age. “It’s exciting but humbling to have been one of those who helped plant a seed here,” said Hansen. “I am not the star of this show. The heroes are all those gay and straight allies who faced their fears and rejections and came out to support the fledgling Sandpoint PFLAG chapter as it struggled to become a vibrant entity in this community 18 years ago. Our motto was, ‘You always have a home in PFLAG.’ I truly believe that we provided a safe place when there was no other place to go.” December 15, 2016 /
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This week’s RLW by Jen Heller
READ
There is a corner of my heart that delights at the sight of well-executed graffiti. My fall booklist included “Banksy: The Man Behind the Wall” — an exploration of the strange rise and even stranger peak of one of the world’s most famous graffiti artists. When fame and recognition brought wealth to Banksy (an anonymous, anti-institution street artist), the growing need to certify and preserve his works transformed his art into an institution in and of itself. The book is an intriguing read, dispatched from the ever-baffling intersection of art, politics, and money.
LISTEN
The University of Alaska’s Museum of the North has a gallery known as The Place Where You Go to Listen, and some of the “sounds of the earth” they produce are now available as short MP3 downloads on their website. Pulitzer-winning composer John Luther Adams collaborated with the museum to create a “sound and light environment” that “gives voice to the rhythms of daylight and darkness, the phases of the moon, the seismic vibrations of the earth, and the dance of the aurora borealis, in real time.” The MP3 clips don’t give the full experience, but it’s still an intriguing listening experience.
WATCH
“Ernest & Celestine” won a lot of attention last year when it first hit the big screen. It’s appropriate for all age levels, delightfully rendered, and optimistic about people who are “different” from each other. (Plus, who doesn’t enjoy watching Forest Whitaker reconfigured as a candy-scarfing, cantankerous cartoon bear?)
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The Straight Poop:
The quest for dog-friendly businesses in North Idaho
By Drake the Dog Reader Pet Columnist Where am I taking my humans today? The holidays will soon be here, and it’s time to get all duded up—which means cleaning up. According to the Missus, this trip today is not an option. Black Beauty, the new ride, is spiffed up, ready for boarding, and we are off to The Pooch Parlor located at 210 Triangle Dr., Ste. D, in Ponderay. On the way, I borrowed the Mister’s cell and called my BFF, Grady (a 9-year-old chocolate Lab). He said, “Drake, dude, I’ve been going to the Pooch Parlor for years. You will love this doggie spa day more than going to see Dr. ZaBarko.” Then, I Googled a few things about fur baby clean up: •Dogs need regular baths every one to three months. Different breeds, coats and lifestyles require various degrees of K-9 coiffing. •If the last time I enjoyed a bath in was in a kiddie pool this summer, it has been too long. •Unlike my kitty sister, Mika, I can’t do my own maintenance. •When the Missus detects eau d’canine because the Mister has allowed me play in my favorite swimming hole at the lake, and as I waft through the door smelling of unidentifiable substances, it’s bath time! •Freezing hose water showers are only appreciated by pooches
The Pooch Parlor team: Top (left to right): Kem Tonseth, Crystal McLeish, Julia Baillod, Julia Baillod. Bottom: DuAnn Chambers, Santa Claus and Drake.
on warm sunny days. •Time for the annual spring bath? Right! However, if your furry babe has been dirty since October, it’s time. Remember: Pig Pen needed a bath every season! So now that the factoids are out of the way, it’s knick-knack-paddywack, givethis-guy-a-bath time! We arrived at the Pooch Parlor, a full service salon for pampered pets. These guys are the only grooming school which is licensed and bonded through the Board of Education in the state of Idaho. Barkin’ good credentials, right? The Pooch Parlor is owned and operated by DuAnn and Mike Chambers, who have been married for 22 years, share the love of dogs and have been in business since 2000. Mike has a construction company on the side. However, he does not build doggie digs. Go figure! They have no human children at home—
Crossword Solution
only a mini Schnauzer, Greta; a standard poodle, Monte and a 7-year-old Rottweiler cross. They are in business “to provide a clean, safe, fun family environment for dogs and their humans, where integrity, customer service and professionalism are held to the highest possible standard.” We were greeted with hugs and love from the dogs and humans. What a cool family relaxing atmosphere! LuAnn told us “that the love of family is the tool for the basis of what we do here,” and she invited the family to get in the act! Taking advantage of this self-service activity, the Mister and Missus donned their rubber aprons and gloves and held my leash as I stepped into one of the bathing stations. I felt like a rock star! They showered me with love and warm water—ohhhhh, it felt so relaxing! Then they massaged me with shampoo and a really cool scrubber. Let the shedding begin! (The Mister was chanting, “Bye-bye, Dyson”). The next step was a conditioning massage and rinse. The duo brushed my teeth, cleaned my ears and dried me with warm towels. Spahhhhhhhhhhh! Here’s the good news: The staff cleans everything up! Now I know the psychology of successful dog bathing! My
energy and personality traits are a mirror of my humans. Hmm, I wonder if the Mister liked baths when he was a kid? I know the Missus loves to spa! Did you know that there is a doggie drive-through window for dogs under 20 pounds here? (I didn’t qualify; too many holiday treats). Also, they offer nail grooming, teeth scaling and brushing, in addition to a K-9 day care and a pet boutique. After you’re all beautified, you can pose for complimentary portraits with your peeps or Santa. So, go get spiffed up for the holidays; it feels so good. Then you will be ready to do the rub-a-dub-tub gymnastics routine on your favorite carpet, and if allowed, run outside and breakdance in the snow (or dirt). Catch me if you can, or I’ll pose with Santa! The Missus told the Mister, “There’s no better smell to me than that of a freshly bathed dog—except, perhaps a freshly bathed infant. Remember those days?” One piece of advice: Don’t let me near the hair care aisle in my favorite pet store. Once I start highlighting, there’s no stopping me! Happy holidays, hugs, slobbery dog kisses … and SPAHHHHHHH days!
STAGE & SCREEN
‘Christmas Carole’ both classic and original By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff Chances are good you’ve seen Charles Dickens’ holiday staple “A Christmas Carol” adapted dozens of times over the years. But you’ve never seen it like this before. A mix of classic and original elements, “Christmas Carole” hits the Panida Theater stage this weekend. A riff on the well-known Dickens story featuring a script by Becky Revak and original music by John Maio, the play brings energetic and heartfelt spectacle to the holiday season. According to Panida Theater Director Patricia Walker, Revak and Maio’s production is one branch of an effort to bring more original plays to the historic venue. When Revak and Maio agreed to take on the project with only a few short months of lead time, they knew they had their work cut out for them. “We sat down and thought of what we could do,” Revak said. “That’s when we got the idea of turning ‘A Christmas Carol’ into a musical.” Both individuals have talents well-suited to the task. Revak is a veteran of Hollywood film and TV productions, having spent years in sound and camera technical work. Her team received an Emmy nomination for their work in the TV show “Northern Exposure.” John Maio has a similarly varied creative career under his belt, having composed music for projects like Discovery documentaries. “John Maio is one of those hidden gems who chooses to live in Sandpoint because he enjoys it here,” Walker said. For this latest project, Maio focused his talents onto the classic story of Scrooge, albeit one with some major creative license. Once the cast was finalized, Maio customized his songs to each individual actor, making revisions for different vocal ranges and levels. The result is original music that takes the audience through an emotional journey of laughter and tears. “He’s been working nonstop since we started this and has written a total of nine songs, although not of all them will be in [the play],” Revak said. “Like a true artist, not all of them were up to snuff for him.” Using “A Christmas Carol” as a jumping-off point, Revak shaped the narrative around the traditional structure of discovering the holiday spirit through a haunting by spirits of Christmases past,
present and future. Outside of that basic format, however, the play is strikingly original, drawing from Revak’s own experiences. For instance, the Tiny Tim character is reshaped by Revak’s relationship with her nephew, who died at a young age from a brain tumor. “The most surprising part of the experience is the melding of the words and musical together,” said Revak. “Seeing that come to life on stage is pretty phenomenal.” “Christmas Carole” is also a valuable educational opportunity for the cast and crew. Following up on the Panida administration’s goal of being a center for artistic training and skill-building, the play’s creative team brought in some top-tier technical minds. Chief among them is Linda Hardy, a make-up artist who has worked with the likes of Ben Affleck and Jane Seymour. She instructed the crew on the art of make-up design and helped shape the look of the cast, especially the three ghosts. “I just gave her photographs of how I wanted everyone to look, and she was able to help me go through the cast, take notes and instruct all the actors,” Revak said. With “Christmas Carole” set to premiere this weekend, the stage is set for a holiday celebration. Gather up the family and enjoy the Christmas spirit together, because there’s nothing quite like the holiday cheer of live theater. “For me the greatest part is the magic when the lights go down and the audience is there,” Revak said. “There’s a palatable magic that you feel. Whether you’re watching the play or in it, that never gets old.” Catch “Christmas Carole” 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Panida Theater. A second weekend of shows is scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, and Saturday, Dec. 23. There will also be a 3:30 p.m. Sunday matinée on Dec. 18. Buy tickets online at www.panida.org or at the door on show nights. Online ticket prices are $16.09 for adults or $10.83 for youth.
Courtesy photo.
Dec. 16, 17, 22, 23 @ 8 pm | dec. 18 @ 3:30pm
“Christmas Carole: a musical for the whole family” An original play based on the Charles Dickens Classic tale ‘A Christmas Carol,’ December date to be announced:
“Certain Women” film
Three strong-willed women (Kristen Stewart, Laura Dern, Michelle Williams) strive to forge their own paths amidst the wide-open plains of the American Northwest
mark your calendars for a classic New Year’s Eve at the Panida with
“An Affair to Remember”
12/31 @ 8:00 includes a champagne toast – dress to have a great time little theater
Jan. 6 & 7 @ 7pm
“SEED: The Untold Story” Jan. 13 & 14 @ 7:30pm
A film and evening with viggo mortensen A special appearance by Viggo Mortensen, who will answer questions from the audience after the showing of his latest film, “Captain Fantastic.”
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OPINION
Opening hearts and minds By Suzen Fiskin Reader Columnist
Before moving to Sandpoint nearly 10 years ago, I was a dyed-in-the-wool city girl. I was born in New York City, grew up in L.A., built an ad agency in San Francisco, lived in Phoenix, moved back to California, then spent a two-year stint speaking and coaching in Seattle. When I considered moving to our fair town, I was really worried that I would feel city deprivation. I’d miss the endless ways to occupy my time—live music, plays, meet-ups, shopping, a rainbow of multicultural restaurants, museums, the beach, coaching organizations, and on and on. And let me not forget the diversity of humanity that I enjoy in the land of LA. Yet I felt lonely much of the time in the big city. It’s kind of weird to feel the most isolated in big crowds, yet I did, and still do. It’s almost as if you have to insulate and isolate yourself more when there’s too little personal space. I’m writing this in L.A., and am here for a second two-week trip in the last two months. I’ve had a chance to notice a few
City Girl or Country Girl?
things that call my former city girl status into question. I’ve done a whole lot of walking in the city of Glitz and have made an informal study about making eye contact with people on the street. The City of the Angels has a lot of people on the sidewalks, but few ever connect with one another. I’d say that maybe 10 percent of the time the person would look back when I tried to catch their eye. Then there is the information overload here. Yes, there are a wealth of things to do, but there are so many, how the heck do you choose? And when you do find something interesting, there are the transportation challenges that come with moving around town that have to be considered. I often found myself giving up and plopping myself in front of the tube or a book instead of sifting through all of the local papers to find just the right thing to do. Now we all know that L.A. is all about automobiles. If you haven’t been here, or haven’t been here in a number of years, you, too, may be as surprised as I about how ridiculously true this is. There’s traffic EVERYWHERE at all hours, and parking is a constant source of stress. I walked by a hotel in Santa Monica, close to where I
MarchFourth returns to Sandpoint By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff
If you didn’t catch MarchFourth when they stopped by Sandpoint last year, you won’t want to miss their return when they play The Hive this Friday. Any quick listen to MarchFourth’s songs will tell you that the band sounds great. Mixing funk, rock, jazz, Afro-beat, Gypsy brass, and big band styles into one explosive whole, they bring a high-energy sound perfect for The Hive’s dance-friendly venue. But you haven’t truly experienced MarchFourth until you see their spectacular live performances bursting with colorful costumes, stilt walkers, acrobats, Vaudeville-style shenanigans and more. It all happens Friday, Dec. 16, at The Hive. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. 24 /
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Courtesy photo.
was staying, and the parking rate was $18 an hour. Yes, they do cap it at $54 so that you were home free for the day, in a manner of speaking, after 3 hours. Holy cow! I don’t know how people make and keep appointments. That 10-mile trip to keep a date may take 12 minutes or three hours, depending on the luck of the draw of traffic. It used to be that there were safe hours to travel, but no more. L.A. has been built up beyond belief. It was around 7 million in 1970, and is now around 10 million—and it shows! And let’s not forget about the cost of living here . . . the prices for everything are absurd! It’s like a whole other world and I don’t know how people make ends meet. I’ve had fun being here, but must admit that I’m missing home – even though it’s 68 degrees in California, and more than 40 degrees colder in our fair town, I’m longing for the sense of community I feel in Sandpoint. I can go out just about anywhere and connect with people I know from many different facets of my life – there are the Angels Over Sandpoint sisters, my Happiness Coaching mates, my Broads Behaving Badly babes, folks from marketing clients like Pneumex, Sandpoint Transition peeps, singers-actors-and-artists I hang out with,
Gardenia Center humans, and a plethora of other circles I rotate in and out of. It gives me a warm fuzzy feeling to be so connected. I may not have the variety of choices for entertainment, shopping or food that I have in the city, but I have enough variety to keep it interesting in my new home town, and it’s really easy to pick what to do and with whom I’d like to do it! Here, the only escape I can find from the inexorable buzz of the city that never sleeps is the beach which has it’s own special tumult! I remember trying to keep my sanity as a teenager in L.A. from the relentless noise by hopping the fence at the Botanical Gardens at UCLA and sitting in a tree. It was as close to nature as I could get. And so, as I pack to get back on a big bird to come home, even though it is colder than cold and I’m not a skier, I’m so looking forward to the warmth and caring of the community that has my heart. Suzen Fiskin is a happiness coach, multi-media marketing wiz, and inspirational speaker. She’s also the author of the book, Playboy Mansion Memoirs. If you have any questions or comments, email her at: suzenfiskin@yahoo.com
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.
The J.C. Penney store on Cedar St. at the corner of First Ave., looking north. The woman second from the right is Nellie Powell.
1920
ACROSS
1. Liabilities 6. Footnote note 10. Jump up and down 14. Panache 15. Connecting point 16. Utilized 17. French school 18. Swill 19. Peel 20. Indiscretion 22. Rind 23. Spanish lady The same view today. The building was formerly occupied by Snow River and has 24. Flashy the unique caribou mural on the west side of the wall. Storm Sports consignment 26. Copied 30. Pelt store is just to the right. 31. Dawn goddess 32. Thorny flower 33. Disappear gradually 35. Relaxes 39. Dispute 41. Aluminum foil 43. Piece of paper 44. Reflected sound 46. Forearm bone 47. Unhappy 49. Ancient unit of measure 50. In order to prevent 51. Cave 54. Corrosive 56. Emanation 57. Fastidious 63. Flaccid body fat 64. Midmonth date /SHLOK-mahy-ster/ 65. Medical professional [noun] of the 1. Slang. a person who deals in or sells inferior or worthless goods; junk dealer. “The schlockmeisters were up early, eager to fleece the tourists.”
2016
Word
Week
Corrections: Nyet.
Copyright www.mirroreyes.com
CROSSWORD
schlockmeister
Solution on page 22 66. Tumbled 67. Tidy 68. Master of ceremonies 69. Being 70. Burden 71. Flash
DOWN 1. Very intense 2. Behold, in old Rome 3. Coalition 4. After-bath powder 5. Place 6. Suggest 7. A strong post
8. False god 9. Force out 10. Meaningful 11. Willow 12. Agile Old World viverrine 13. Strangely 21. Takes off 25. Smut 26. Circle fragments 27. Milne bear 28. Feudal worker 29. Abhorrent 34. Philosophers 36. Only 37. Cans
38. Thin strip 40. French for “State” 42. Classical Greek 45. Impressive country house 48. Mask 51. Blooper 52. Governs 53. Not written exams 55. Ridges of sand 58. Biblical garden 59. Chunk 60. Killer whale 61. End ___ 62. Search
If your kid makes one of those little homemade guitars out of a cigar box and rubber bands, don’t let him just play it once or twice and then throw it away. Make him practice on it, every day, for about three hours a day. Later, he’ll thank you. December 15, 2016 /
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208.263.1444
•Philly Cheesesteaks
•Hoagies •Burgers •Hot Dogs
102 Church Street •Sandpoint, ID •Root Beer Floats 26 /
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/ December 15, 2016
Photos of the Week: Dec. 1 - 14
From top right, moving clockwise: The Lake Pend Oreille High School choir sings to members of the Great Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce at their monthly luncheon last week. Photo by Ben Olson. Brent Carr, Litehouse Foods senior vice president of sales and marketing, takes a whack on a wall at the company’s Ella Ave. production facility, kicking off its expansion project. The expansion is a $6.2 million project that will increase the facility’s size by 26,000 square feet. Dozens of onlookers watched as Reno and Clay Hutchison unloaded a 1920 carousel that had been locked away for decades. Photo by Ben Olson. “A rare sunny afternoon [in late November] sent me scurrying to City Beach to try for a unique angle on Lady Liberty. To my good fortune a beautiful woman happened by and agreed to model for me.’ -Alan Barber. Construction crewmen work in the bitter cold at War Memorial Field. They had used the tarp in the foreground to cover the newly-laid foundation to the grandstands so that the concrete could cure properly. Photo by Cort Gifford.
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