Reader march17 2016

READER Read about the alleged CDA pastor shooter’s strange ‘humanoid amphibian’ conspiracy

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(wo)MAN

Susan Drinkard on the street compiled by

Do you have a family tradition for Easter?

How important is Easter?

DEAR READERS,

While workers were restoring the old Truby’s building on Main Street and Second Avenue, they uncovered a cool old sign for Sandpoint Cleaners. Instead of ranting or raving about something, I thought I’d share this image. Enjoy folks!

www.sandpointreader.com

Editor: Cameron Rasmusson cameron@sandpointreader.com

Emily Pruitt Eighth grade Naples

Zach Hagadone (emeritus) John Reuter (emeritus) Contributing Artists: Ben Olson (cover), Zach Hagadone,

“They (parents) hide Easter eggs around the house with random candy in them. When we lived in California we would go my grandparents’ house. To me, Easter means the start of spring.”

-Ben Olson, Publisher

Printed weekly at: Griffin Publishing Spokane, Wash.

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

“Easter has been important to my family. Over the years we would gather with 23 nieces and nephews for Easter egg hunting and good food—ham, homemade potato salad, Boston brown bread, and baked beans. Our tradition is to have tea ring and boiled eggs for breakfast on Easter.”

Rose James Optician’s assistant Sandpoint

“Some years we go to my grandma’s house and the whole family is there. The best Easter was the one when our relatives who live in France came over. We hunt for our own dyed eggs that we made the night before, and then eat them.

That’s the best part.”

Devin Fredericks Tenth grade home school Bonners Ferry

“Easter is very important. We always celebrate by going to church together and having an Easter brunch afterward.”

Angela Reese Co-owner of Kokanee Coffee Sandpoint

Contributing Writers: Cameron Rasmusson, Ben Olson, Louie de Palma, Zach Hagadone, Marcia Pilgeram, Suzen Fiskin.

Submit stories to: stories@sandpointreader.com

Kodiak Ellis “My age says I am in second grade, but my mind says I am in third grade.”

Sagle

Honesty Christofferson 5 year old Kootenai Elementary kindergarten “America”

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

Publisher: Ben Olson ben@sandpointreader.com

“Sometimes we go to the First Christian Church and then we usually go to my grandma’s in Dover for dinner.”

“We do a scavenger hunt with clues that lead to finding candy in the (plastic) eggs. I have a brother and sister who are older than me, but they like it too.”

READER

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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.

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COMMENTARY

St. Paddy’s Day Miracles:

By Louie de Palma Reader Road Warrior As we anticipate St. Patrick’s Day, we’re faced with an unusual question: Between the old-timey saints and modern miracle workers, whose stunt was better?

Sure, Justin Timberlake brought sexy back (and not a moment too soon).

But St. Patrick brought 33 dead people back. To life. From the grave. Beyond his record as the saint with the most resurrections, he also had 967 other miracles. Why this doesn’t make him a necromancer instead of saint, I’ll never know. It’s similar in the way Jesus can

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Who did it best? •••LETTERS••• How to caucus for Bernie...

come back from the dead and somehow not be a zombie.

The faith side of me totally gets all of that. Zombies bad, resurrected dude good. Necromancers bad, saints who resurrect dead people good. But the more logical side of me sometimes wonders if these religious figures and holidays were tactical ways to merge a people’s culture with older but similar pagan or Celtic traditions. For instance, St. P was key in converting Celts and the only saint to perform off-the-charts resurrections. However, the Celts happened to believe that the veil between death and life was very thin. In addition, remaining in contact with deceased ancestors was encouraged and revered.

Resurrection makes conversing pretty easy, making St. Patrick a badass. Long story short, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day is like celebrating the Mexican Day of the Dead, and St. Patrick and Jesus might have been Haitians into voodoo.

Not that it matters.

What matters is a simple case of who does it better. Having read about St. Patrick’s resurrection miracles, I found I might just be competitive in the resurrection department. I’ve selected just three examples to support my bid for best saintly necromancer—that is, if I’m not outclassed by Michael Jackson.

I understand he resurrected a lot more than 33 people for the music video “Thriller.”

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Let’s start with the time St. P resurrected a dead horse. He did so only to prove to a man he didn’t kill it. Then after resurrecting the horse, he cured the man of illness for good measure.

That strikes me as a little flippant and show-boaty. Furthermore, it points a suspicious finger at the saint. I mean, if you’re so good at resurrecting things, what’s to stop you from killing them?

As a matter of fact, I’m surprised they haven’t petitioned this miracle already.

It’s important to remember a horse is a symbol of transportation. And since my colleagues and I have taken over our taxi company, we’ve resurrected it from a dead business into a thriving and trustworthy transportation option. In addition, no one suspects us of killing the cab first. I’d call that a win, but it’s so obvious it would feel like beating a dead horse (no animals were actually hurt in the making of this resurrection).

The giant

St. P once resurrected a prince’s grandfather so he could baptize him, thus freeing him from an eternity in hell. Nice guy. Even more impressive, this guy happened to be a giant.

Even so, I think I’ve topped this. If I had a gold piece for every dead-to-theworld giant grandpa I’ve crammed into my taxi only to bring him back to life at his resting place, I’d have more money than a leprechaun. One giant man in particular I resurrect multiple times a week. The last thing he says before he passes out is, “It’s just us. Don’t worry,” which is comforting. You never really know how many spirits are in them, or how many they’ve swallowed that day.

Resurrection of two women

There were two women buried in a hill. Ol’ St. P resurrected them from the dead, and they admitted their idols were false and vain.

I can match Pat in this category, too.

The other day I drove two women who were over the hill. They worshiped their cats, and they had varicose veins. Without me driving them to the store, they and their cats would surely be dead.

Have a great St. Patrick’s Day. Just remember what you’re celebrating: Patrick, the necromancer and saint! Be safe out there, and expect miracles. Try not to die. But if you’re in need of a resurrection just give us a call. Don’t forget, we did it better.

Dear Editor, We are in the middle of selecting candidates for the November general election for President of the U.S. If you are an independent or a Democrat, you may be choosing between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton.

If you feel strongly for one of these candidates you MUST attend the caucus on March 22 to cast your vote.

A caucus is unique in that it is a group activity. People are allowed to try to sway other voters during the process. Then people physically stand in a group and get counted.

The process can take from one to three hours and can be chaotic at times. Many people will be intimidated and will not show up.

I am here to encourage everyone to make this a priority and go anyway. Anyone can participate except those who have already voted in the Republican primary on March 8. You do not even have to be a registered voter. You do NOT have to be registered as a Democrat. You may participate if you are 17 but will be 18 by Nov. 8. There are no absentee ballets. You must physically show up and stay until the final count for your vote to count.

Bonner county will hold one caucus on March 22 at the county fairgrounds. The doors open at 4:30 p.m. and will close at 6:00 p.m.

You must be inside the fairgrounds by 6:00 p.m. Bring a folding chair if you can not stand for long periods of time. Snacks and water might be helpful to have with you.

This is a very important election in which we are being asked to choose between two different visions of where we as a country want to go. Bernie Sanders has a vision where we end campaign contribution corruption. His vision tells us that government should be run by the people, for the people and needs to work for all of us. His policy ideas include a Medicare for all health care system and a plan to move us to 100-percent renewable energy in a massive WWII-type of effort.

Please caucus for Bernie on March 22 at the fairgrounds at 4:30p.m. Pre-register to save time at the door at www.eventbrite. com and search for Idaho State Democratic Party County Caucus. The caucus is far from perfect, but let’s not let that get in our way of voting for the future of our choice.

Linda F. Larson Sandpoint

An American voter

A slippery slope...

Dear Editor, I see a very slippery slope to losing religious and philosophical medical exemptions for children whose parents have nothing to do with “faith healing.”

It was tragic Swan lost her child, such as with any parents who loses a child. Meningitis is horrible. However, there are no guarantees, whether hospitalized or not. Fortunately, it’s a rare disease, and a couple varieties might be protected by vaccine. However, no guarantees.

It appears to me to be more prevalent since the introduction of the live virus vaccine which is known to shed, causing the disease itself.

Dr. Offit was mentioned (a board member of Swan’s organization “Children’s Healthcare Is a Legal Duty”) and is known in many circles as Offit for Profit. Radical in his own thinking, he thinks all children should be completely vaccinated and has lined his pockets nicely. In his latest interview on PBS, he feels vitamins and supplements do not help the human body and stated federal intervention in this market.

Idaho does have one of the highest unvaccinated populations in the country and for good reason. Parents have researched for endless hours and are choosing not to vaccinate or limit vaccinations. Several ingredients are aluminum, formaldehyde, aborted fetal

cells (human), animal RNA/DNA (i.e. monkey kidney, mouse brain, bovine) and some contain mercury. Per CDC and FDA, these ingredients are known causes of neurological and autoimmune disorders, cancers and death, all of which are spiking among the young in our country. Most parents question vaccines after experiencing mild to serious side effects. Idaho would be a great place for CDC to study the “health of vaccinated children compared to unvaccinated,” which to date has never been studied in our country, and CDC refuses to do so.

When parents are forced to concede to a choice of exemption they want, religious and philosophical are the choices medical institutions offer. A far cry from faith-based religion of no medical intervention for whatever reasons.

California passed SB-277, eliminating religious and philosophical exemptions for all children entering school by age five. To date this includes 63 injections, many which contain live viruses and may escalate the diseases itself. The pharmaceutical industry sees children as an easy target (by the way, this is where Offit for Profit made his first million).

As a child, I had two. My children had 10.

Now 63!

How often have pharmaceutical meds caused damage or been recalled? Most of us have dealt with our broken medical system, even with all its miracle technology. Everyone

is bright enough to know the billions in profit this industry has lined their pockets with. As the pharmaceutical lobbyist enters Idaho’s government arena, how many of our elected representatives will be strong enough to resist money temptation or kickbacks of the pharmaceutical industry in favor of our medical choice?

Science is not settled in this arena. A very slippery slope to medical tyranny.

Michelle Manday Sandpoint, ID Of the many questionable fact claims here, there’s just one detail I want to clarify. The proposal before the Idaho Legislature is to remove religious exemptions for child neglect in the case of imminent death—not make vaccinations mandatory. If you think avoiding this perceived “slippery slope” justifies the needless death of children, we aren’t going to find much common ground on this issue.

Cameron Rasmusson

Bay Trail not a party spot...

Dear Editor, It’s beginning to be very busy at the Pend Oreille Bay Trail. Please be good neighbors and remind people who use the trail to park at City Beach or the former Windbag Marina and enjoy the walk to the trail. The small parking lot at the trail head is best suited for drop off and handicapped parking.

Parking along the red painted fire lanes is illegal. In the event that someone needs medical help on the trail, it becomes impossible for the emergency personnel to reach the person quickly. This could become a liability issue.

Also, the late-night partying on the trail has become excessive. One girl even wrote in the Reader that bum jungle was her favorite place to party. The cars speeding down Sandpoint Avenue nearly hit me and my dog. The police do not patrol the trail, and the partyers know it. As with the city parks, a dusk-todawn usage hours and a chain to lock the parking lot would alleviate much of the problem and it would be safer to walk after dark.

If you would address these two things— illegal parking and late night partying—that would be wonderful. And I will continue to do my part picking up beer bottles, used condoms, trash and dog poop.

Debra Moy Sandpoint, ID March 17, 2016 /

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NEWS

Democrats hold March 22 caucus

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff While local and state candidates prepare for their May primary election, the presidential primary continues at full speed.

Idaho Democrats’ turn at selecting a presidential candidate comes Tuesday, March 22.

Bonner County residents can contribute at Bonner County Fairgrounds. The doors close at 6 p.m. for a final vote, but party officials recommend arriving one or two hours earlier to participate in the debate and secure a seat.

Expect an energetic time while considering the candidates’ merits. According to the Idaho Democratic Party, caucuses are “a lively event

with people speaking on behalf of their candidate and actual debate and discussion amongst friends and neighbors before the final vote is held.”

You do not need to bring any registration, ID, proof of address or party affiliation to participate in the Democratic caucus. In fact, you don’t even have to be a registered Democrat. The only requirements are that you will be eligible to vote by the Nov. 8 election, and you did not participate in the March 8 GOP primary election.

The final vote will begin 6 p.m., with participants choosing between Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Rocky De La Fuente or remaining uncommitted. Delegates will be awarded on a proportional sys-

tem. A coin toss will be used to break a tie. Candidates who do not receive at least 15 percent of the vote will not receive any delegates.

If you’re interested in participating, IDP officials

recommend you reserve a seat beforehand at idahodems.org/ caucus. Check out the site to learn more information about caucusing and the Democratic system.

Top: Bernie Sanders (left) and Hillary Clinton (right) vie for Idaho’s nomination on March 22.

File photos.

Candidates emerge for May primary

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff

A lineup is set for the May 17 state and local primary elections in Bonner County.

Democrat Ken Meyers announced his candidacy for the Idaho Senate following the March 11 deadline to file paperwork. Meyers is unopposed in the Democratic primary election for the seat occupied

by Sheryl Nuxoll, R-Cottonwood.

“I think the things that are happening in Boise with the state legislature—and particularly with Sheryl Nuxoll—has an idealogical basis,” Meyers said. “They’re not focused on making Idaho better.”

A former Washington State University veterinary physiology professor and associate dean, Meyers said he’ll focus on economic issues, providing more opportunities for the working poor while improving conditions for the middle class. Meyers also emphasizes 6 /

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conservation, the protection of natural resources and the importance of Idaho’s public lands. He promises not to “waste time and taxpayers’ money on inconsequential issues or issues already decided by the Supreme Court.”

Nuxoll, meanwhile, faces a primary challenge from Carl G. Crabtree. As for representative races, incumbent Shannon McMillan, R-Silverton, will run against Priscilla Giddings for the Republican nomination. In the race for seat B, Kris Steneck challenges incumbent Rep. Paul Shepherd, R-Riggins.

In the Democratic primary for the Idaho House, Jessica Chilcott is the only District 7 candidate, running for representative seat A. Legislative District 1 and Bonner County races are also heating up for an eventful primary. In local elections, Bonner County Sheriff incumbent Daryl Wheeler will run against challenger Terry Ford, a retired state trooper, for the Republican nomination. The Bonner County Board of Commissioners races see incumbent

Todd Sudick matched against Jeff Connolly in District 2 and Dan McDonald and Lewis Rich vying for the District 3 seat vacated by Cary Kelly.

Incumbent Louis Marshall runs unopposed as Bonner County prosecutor.

In state races, longtime Senate incumbent Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, runs against Glenn Rohrer, a candidate emphasizing conservative positions. No primary election challengers have emerged for representatives Heather Scott and Sage Dixon, making them the presumptive nominees for the general election.

Things are a bit more complicated on the Democratic primary election, with some candidates having withdrawn from the race. But as it stands, Kate McAlister runs unopposed to challenge Heather Scott for a representative seat in the general election.

Steve Tanner is the only candidate seeking the Democratic nomination to run against Keough, and Bob Vickaryous has filed in the representa-

Ken Meyers will be taking on incumbent Sen. Sheryl Nuxoll for Idaho Senate District 7

tive race against Dixon. Both perennial Democratic primary candidates, Tanner and Vickaryous have presented themselves as conservatives in past elections and have not been endorsed by local party leaders.

According to Chilcott, the party is fielding Stephen Howlett to challenge Vickaryous as a write-in. A to-be-determined candidate will likely do the same against Tanner.

‘Edward III’ comes to Sandpoint Theater lovers rejoice: Shakespeare in the Park returns for another season this summer.

Event organizers announced last week that Shakespeare’s “Edward III” will be the next performance in the much-loved cultural series. The play is scheduled for Aug. 21, so be sure to mark those calendars.

[CR]

FEATURE ‘Amphibian-Humanoid’ paranoia has a long tradition

By Zach Hagadone Reader Contributor Originally published in Boise Weekly Northern Idaho residents were appalled when news broke March 6 that popular local pastor Tim Remington, 55, had been shot 12 times in the parking lot of his church, less than 24 hours after speaking at a rally for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and even praying with the presidential hopeful.

Coeur d’Alene residents were relieved on March 7, when it was announced Remington, who serves The Altar Church, would survive. But they were thereafter shocked the next day when they learned that the suspect, Kyle Odom, 30, of Coeur d’Alene, was arrested by Secret Service agents outside the White House, where he was found throwing written materials over a fence.

On March 9, neighbors were baffled, when the contents of a series of documents reputedly authored by Odom and mailed to regional media—as well as his family—were revealed.

In the documents, Odom— an honorably discharged U.S. Marine, magna cum laude graduate of University of Idaho and former student at Baylor College of Medicine, where he was pursuing a doctorate in human genetics—describes a nightmare descent into paranoia, including an experience of metaphysical transcendence that opened him to mental assaults by what he called “a species of amphibian-humanoid from Mars” whose members were masquerading as “wild humans,” everywhere from the classrooms of North Idaho College to airline flights to, eventually and tragically, The Altar.

While Odom’s writings are bizarre, and he has been said to have suffered mental health problems, they tap into a rich vein of conspiracy thinking that

The belief in a ‘reptilian’ conspiracy is more widespread than would be expected

is shared—to varying extents— by perhaps millions of people around the world.

A race of reptilian creatures secretly controlling all aspects of society is an idea that has been widely circulated since at least the early 1990s and popularized by British New Age figure David Icke. It is unclear whether Odom was directly influenced by Icke’s ideas, but the similarities between what Odom described and what Icke promotes via well-attended public speaking events are unmistakable.

In an all-day 2014 presentation to a purported 6,000 audience members at Wembley Arena in London, Icke laid out what he believes is the global—if not multi-dimensional— oppression facing humanity. In his philosophy, which he bases on a mix of quantum physics, energy-field theory, geopolitics, and both ancient and modern mysticism, Icke suggests inter-dimensional beings have for millennia altered humans’ perception of reality by first manipulating energy frequencies coming from space, then human genetics.

These beings—who Icke claims are the true forces behind all religious deities—use reptilian-human hybrids to do their bidding, using everything from psychic manipulation to the banking industry to turn humanity into a collection of slaves.

In his manifesto, Odom echoed similar fears, claiming he was systematically attacked mentally by people who were not what they seemed. For instance, he described an encounter with an “older gentlemen” on a flight from Houston to Spokane.

“As he kept looking back, my head began to hurt and tingle,” Odom wrote. “The moment my head began to hurt, his lips curled up into this evil looking smile. … About halfway through the flight,

someone else in front of me held up a newspaper that said ‘Psychic Reading’ for like 5 minutes. It was blatantly obvious they were doing something to me, but I didn’t know what.”

According to Odom’s account, about a month after his experience on the plane, he was contacted by pastor John Padula, who invited him to attend The Altar.

Odom wrote that when he arrived at the church, “Something felt very wrong. I felt as if my life was in danger and I became so uncomfortable I had to leave.”

Later communication with Remington increased Odom’s misgivings. After receiving a text message from Remington that read “angels,” Odom wrote, “Helicopters started flying around my house all day and all night.”

Following that, Odom wrote about experiencing a series of “hypersexual” occurrences, including “unnatural erections” and a sexually charged song that wouldn’t stop playing in his head. He also wrote of having intense religious ideas

Top: Kyle Odom sketched what he believed to be pastor Tim Remington’s “true face, included in the materials he mailed to area media and his family.”

Right: Kyle Odom, 30, of Coeur d’Alene, was a former Marine, magna cum laude graduate of University of Idaho and had studied at Baylor College of Medicine seeking a doctorate in genetics.

that threw him into a panic. He fled to Albuquerque, N.M., to be with his family, but wrote of being pursued even there by strange people who communicated telepathically and “sniffed” him.

“This sniff is something

they do all the time,” Odom wrote. “I think it has something to do with dominance.”

In Icke’s view, the reptilians, in part, draw their power from the enlargement of the See ODOM, page 13 March 17, 2016 /

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Ales and Trails celebrates the great outdoors

By Reader Staff

Bouquets: •I’d like to say a special thank you for the Bonner County History Museum and Historical Society, whose staff and volunteers have been a vital asset for the Reader since day one.

I rely on the Museum to provide me with historical photos for the weekly “Then & Now” feature on page 18, but I have also utilized their archives and great knowledge of local history over the past two decades while writing my own freelance features. It’s really cool to have a musuem filled with staff and volunteers who have a love for local history like ours does.

Keep up the good work!

Barbs: •OK, I’ve griped about Trump before in this column, but I can’t seem to vent this frustration adequately enough.

I’m aware there are fundamental differences in our presidential choices. I’m aware that some cater to certain issues that are important to us all. Trump is not about the issues. The issues rarely come up in his speeches.

Trump’s outright falsehoods have reached a new level of surreality. When asked on “Good Morning America” if offering to pay legal fees of supporters who are charged with violence at his rallies condones and supports this violence, Trump wavered completely and denied ever saying that. I don’t know who he thinks he’s fooling. The entire world hangs on every sentence he utters. At a February rally he said, “Knock the crap out of them, would you?

Seriously. OK? Just knock the hell — I promise you, I will pay for the legal fees. I promise, I promise.” I can’t take a candidate for the most important office in the free world seriously when he says things like this.

This is not presidential behavior. And don’t even get me started on his comments about women.

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Trails are an essential part of daily life in Bonner County.

This is from a recent study on area trails conducted by Headwaters Economics in partnership with the cities of Sandpoint and Ponderay, Bonner County and the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce.

Most trail goers in Bonner County do not need a study to confirm the fact that trails are an important part of their lives.

The research conducted will however be beneficial in outlining the desired improvements and expansions to the trail network.

Learn more about the study and Bonner County Trails at “Ales and Trails – an Idaho Conservation League After Hours Event” March 24 at MickDuff’s Beer Hall, 220 Cedar Street in Sandpoint. The event takes place from 5 to 8 pm, with presentations starting at 5:30 pm.

Megan Lawson from Headwaters Economics will present the research findings derived from a survey of over three thousand county residents.

The survey was conducted to collect public feedback on the Bonner County trail system and the findings will help stakeholders prioritize improvements for the trail network based on resident usage, satisfaction, reasons for living in the area and suggestions for improvement.

Headwaters Economics is an independent nonprofit research group that works to improve community development and land management decisions in the West. Funding for the research came from the LOR Foundation whose goal is to enhance livability in the Intermountain West.

Findings from the survey included the public’s desire for more detailed information about trails and their locations, as well as the need for easier

Being drug free in 7B

By Reader Staff

Over 47,000 Americans lost their lives to drug overdoses in 2013 (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). Heroin use, prescription drug misuse and the use of other illicit drugs continue to rise at alarming rates. More people are dying in our nation from drug overdoses every day than from car accidents. Looking at these numbers is scary, but what’s even more worrisome is that these numbers are on the rise locally, too. Large numbers of our local youth report drinking alcohol and using prescription drugs at least semiregularly according to a local youth survey on substance abuse.

What can be done about this growing trend? Parents, educators and concerned community trails, increased access to trails and better trail connectivity.

A group of community stakeholders known as the Trail Mix Committee will use these findings in the coordination of trail planning and development.

The Trail Mix committee, now in it’s second year of formation, has been instrumental in helping finalize Bonner County’s Conceptual Trail Plan. Idaho Conservation League staffer, Susan Drumheller will share information about the Plan and the Trail Mix Committee’s current and future work.

Additionally, champions of specific trails in the area—including the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail, the Pend Oreille River Passage Trail and the Watershed Crest Trail—will be on hand to discuss future plans and expansions of these trails.

The evening includes great locally crafted beer and wine and complimentary pizza as it lasts.

The event is hosted by the Idaho Conservation League and Headwaters Economics and is free and open to the public.

For more information go to www.idahoconservation.org or call 208-265-9565.

members must become involved in prevention. In 2014, the Community Coalition for Substance Abuse Prevention (7B Drug Free) was formed with help from the Idaho Office of Drug Policy. Since that time the coalition has grown to encompass members from law enforcement, the health care system, juvenile justice, the education system and others. This coalition focuses on preventing underage drinking and prescription drug misuse in Bonner County.

The coalition is dedicated to educating the community on ways to prevent these statistics from seeping deeper into one of our most vulnerable and important populations: our youth. The coalition provides community education, leadership events, and valuable

training throughout our community. The coalition also meets monthly to discuss new programs, events and ideas to combat substance abuse. Funding is provided from a 4-year grant through the Idaho Office of Drug Policy and provides the resources to the coalition to continue to grow and provide these training and continued community education.

There will be a free, catered dinner presentation led by teens to encourage dialogue and real communication with parents on Wednesday, March 23 at the Ponderay Events Center behind Sandpoint Furniture. The dinner starts at 5:30 p.m., and those interested in attending must RSVP to Erika McCall at 263-4759 or at Erika.mccall@ lposd.org

SASi Crafts Fair, Tour de Thrift make it a shopping weekend

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

Yearning to spend some money for a good cause this weekend? Have no fear, dear readers.

The annual Tour de Thrift promotion is back, encouraging local shoppers to buy secondhand and save money.

The event takes place Sat., March 19. It’s simple; visit any one of the nine participating thrift stores to obtain your map and passport and collect stamps at each spot (you don’t have to purchase anything for a stamp).

If you get three or more stamps on your passport, you’ll be entered into a drawing for gift certificates. If you collect six or more stamps, you’ll be entered to win the grand prize for $150 worth of groceries!

Shoppers can also bring their passport to The Brim Coffeestand on March 19 for a free drop coffee.

Participating stores include: Panhandle Animal Shelter Thrift Store, Bizarre Bazaar, Goodwill Ponderay, Now and Then, Sanctuary Seconds, Treasure Cove, Once Again,

Re-Store and The Cottage.

Please call 265-7297 for more information.

The Sandpoint Area Seniors Inc. are joining in the fun as well. The Sandpoint Senior Center will be hosting their annual Spring Crafts Fair this weekend. The fair will take place Friday, March 18 from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, March 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fifteen craft vendors will be offering everything from handmade cards to sewn and appliqued items. Les Campbell will be offering unique wood crafts, and Carla Kirby will be returning with her TidyTops Stylish Dinish Clothing Protectors and donating half the proceeds to SASi. There will also be a special section dedicated to Easter items, including cards, baskets, resin bunnies and plants. All Easter item proceeds will be donated to SASi. The SASi café will be offering hot chili and snacks.

Please call 263-6860 for more information. Now go spend some money!

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Dollar Beers!

Monarch Open Mic Night 8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub 6-8pm @ Monarch Mountain Coffee Good until the keg’s dry Held on the first and third Thursday of every month. All are welcome to attend!

Irish Dinner 6-10pm @ Twin Lakes Catering Enjoy an evening of delicious outside-the-box Irish fare, plus bring your own wine/beer. RSVP @ 509-557-7293

Live Music w/ Ron Greene 5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Groovy, soulful mix of rock music Live Music w/ Devon Wade 6:30-9:30pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Sandpoint country artist is back in the Beer Hall for Third Fridays. Free and open to all those 21 and over

f

“The Lady i 7:30pm @ P Starring Gold inated actress

PFLAG Meetin 6-7:30pm @ G

‘Alice in Wonderland’ play 7pm @ SHS Auditorium Presented by Growing Dreams Productions.

Tickets $15, available at Eve’s Leaves SASi’s 2nd annual Spring Crafts Fair 5-9pm @ Sandpoint Senior Center Amazing hand crafts from woodworking to jewelry to bath salts to cards to fabric items!

Irish Din 6-10pm @ Enjoy an e side-the-b your own only. $55 ity. Bring your dinn

Live Music w/ Bridges Home 5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery These local favorites will be hitting the stage with multiple insturments, including guitars, ukuelele, octave mandolin, claw hammer banjo, Celtic harp, Irish whistles, bass and percussion Palettes Uncorked 5pm @ DiLuna’s Cafe Have you ever wanted to learn to paint? Here’s your chance at this fun night in a relaxed environment with wine, food, and a little creativity. instructor Randy Wilhelm will guide painters through the process of creating their own acrylic masterpiece to take home! $35 263-0846

Irish Dinner 6-10pm @ Two Lakes Catering Live Musi Enjoy an evening of delicious 5:30-7:30p outside-the-box Irish fare, plus Singer/son bring your own wine/beer. By RSVP only. (509) 557-7293 Native H 12:30 & “Broken Surfaces” Art Show 4-7pm @ Studio 524 (Evans Bros.) The fina ing the l John Tru Metal in March at Roxy’s Liv 7pm @ Roxy’s Bar 6p No cover, featuring four local metal bands to get your head banging

Sandpoint Chess Club 9am @ Evans Brothers Coffee Meets every Sunday at 9am. All are welcome

Foosball Tournament 1pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Draw Your Partner Doubles Tournament is $10 with double elimination. Register at noon, gam

Monday Night Blues Jam w/ Truck Mills 7:30pm @ Eichardt’s Pub

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Trivia Night 7pm - 9pm @ MickDuff’s Mother Goose 10:15am @ Sandpoint Library Story/singing program every Tuesday for children ages 0 to 3

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Tell It To Me Straight Dinner 5:30-8pm @ Ponderay Events Center A free, catered dinner presentation led by teens to encourage dialogue and real communication with parents about drugs. RSVP at 263-4759

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Reinvent Your Reality 5:30pm @ Sandpoint Library With Patricia Geesaman. What do you dream of doing with your life? You’ll leave this workshop with tools to get clear on what you want and how to take action! Free and open to the public

Game Night at the Niner 9pm @ 219 Lounge Come down and take part in game night with

Democratic Caucus 5pm @ Bonner County Fairgrounds The Democratic Caucus will be held in the Bonner County Fairgrounds. Doors open at 5 p.m. for checkin, and will close promptly at 6 p.m. for the Caucus to begin. For questions: bcdgoudems@gmail.com

Bonne Bridg 1:30-3 Please crew f celebr

Wrangling Words Writers Program - FREE! 5-6pm @ Sandpoint Library Meet other writers, explore the writing craft, and learn how to develop your own path as a writer. Always a fun flash fiction activity and monthly theme.

March’s theme is Blogging for Fun or Platform

Live Concert w/ Alex DeGrassi and Andrew Y 7:30pm @ Bing Crosby Theater (Spokane) Friends of the Guitar Hour present two criticall claimed guitarists, Alex DeGrassi and Grammy ner Andrew York at the Bing. Tickets $30. Call 325-SEAT for more info

ful

March 17 - 24, 2015

he Lady in the Van” film 0pm @ Panida Theater rring Golden Globe nomted actress Maggie Smith

AG Meeting 0pm @ Gardenia Center

Irish Dinner 6-10pm @ Two Lakes Catering Enjoy an evening of delicious outside-the-box Irish fare, plus bring your own wine/beer. By RSVP only. $55/pp plus tax and gratuity. Bring a friend and get $10 off your dinner. (509) 557-7293

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

St. Patty’s Day Party All Night @ 219 Lounge Celebrate all things Irish, with live music, tons of giveaways, drink specials on Jameson, green beer and more!

Reader recommended

Live Music w/ Mobius Riff 6-9pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Come celebrate the one day a year everyone is Irish! Mobius Riff plays an eclectic mix of jazz, rock, Celtic, classical, Middle Eastern, and originals

Live Music w/ Ben Baker Brewery Open House 7pm @ La Rosa Club 3-6pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Come by, grab a pint, talk beer, check out our growth, and celebrate 10 years in business with us! Our production brewery will be open to the public and you can come see where almost all of our beer is made, view our expansion efforts, and talk with Mickey and Duffy! Free!

DJ Night at the Niner 9pm @ 219 Lounge Featuring DJ Josh Adams

Live Music w/ Justin Lantrip :30-7:30pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Singer/songwriter from Sandpoint Native Heritage Film Series: Trudell 12:30 & 2:30pm @ Sandpoint Library The final film of the season celebrating the life of Native American activist John Trudell. A must see!

Live Music w/ Chris Lynch 6pm - 9pm @ Arlo’s Ristorante

Live Music w/ Chris Lynch 5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority The piano man goes well with beer

Live Music w/ Harold’s IGA and Little Wing @ 10th Anniversary 5-10pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall MickDuff’s is celebrating a decade of fun with a 10th Anniversary party! Harold’s IGA will be playing with Little Wing (featuring Josh Hedlund and Justin Landis). Buy a pint glass to take home, and get half off your first beer!

Comedy (live!) night at the Panida 8pm @ Panida Theater Phillip Kopczynski, two time winner of the Blue Door Theater Improv cage match, opens the night of laughs ent is $10 per person, for Spokane sensation Harry J. Riley. Tickets just $10 noon, games at 1pm SASi’s 2nd annual Spring Crafts Fair 9am-3pm @ Sandpoint Senior Center Amazing hand crafts from woodworking to jewelry to bath salts to cards to fabric items! night with Racheal Make It Bonner County Road and Bridge District 1 shop opening 3-5pm @ Sandpoint Library ner 1:30-3pm @ 636 Ivy Dr. Sagle This program for teens/tweens ck- Please join the road and bridge includes Legos, robotics, neeus crew for a grand opening party dlework and other projects Karaoke Night m celebrating their new digs 10pm - Midnight @ 219 Lounge

E!

‘Alice in Wonderland’ play 3pm @ SHS Auditorium Presented by Growing Dreams Productions. Tickets $15, available at Eve’s Leaves

Mar. 25 Truck Mills @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Mar. 25-26, April 1-

2

American Laboratory Theater presents “16 Hours” @ Monarch Mountain Coffee Mar. 26 Climbing Social @ Sandpoint Rock Gym

Rob & Amy: Out From Under the Covers Dollar Beers!

7pm @ Downtown Yoga 8pm @ Eich, and Mar. 26 An evening of songs, poetry and essays. Please ardt’s Pub r. Aljoin us for a refreshing evening of fun and Good until the Hillary Scott in co neme. edgy original writing. Free to all, but dona- keg’s dry ce rt @ Di Lu na ’s Cafe m tions to cover the room rental are appreciated Andrew York Sandpoint Poetry Open Mic Ales and Trails: ICL After Hours ane) 6pm @ Monarch Mtn. Coffee 5-7pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall o critically ac- Welcome all poets, spoken Come talk trails at another great Idaho Conservation Grammy-win- word artists, flash fiction writ- League After Hours event. Free and open to the pub$30. Call 800- ers, travelers, babblers, scrib- lic. For more info, call 265-9565 Throwback Thursdays at the 219 blers and scrawlers. It’s an 7-11pm @ 219 Lounge unscripted supportive enironFeaturing live music with Brian Jacobs and friends ment to share your creations

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To submit your own pet photos, please send a photograph and a little bit of information about your special friend to ben@sandpointreader.com.

Please put “PET PHOTOS� in the subject line.

-Drake & Mika While the Mister and Missus are away the four-footed kids will play and sit in front of the fireplace. Drake the Dog you may recognize as the famous Reader pet columnist from The Straight Poop. His feline friend is named Mika.

Phyllis Foro Sandpoint

In Sandpoint listen to KPND at 106.7 FM and HD

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ODOM, con’t from page 7 so-called “reptilian” part of the human brain, which he says controls territoriality and causes “a desire to control; an obsession with hierarchical structures of power. Aggression; might is right, winner take all.”

In his “Q&A,” sent among the other materials he mailed, Odom outlined similar traits for reptilians, as well as claimed the creatures were responsible for “the God myth.”

Eventually, Odom came to believe the reptilians were threatening his family, “which caused me to give in to them,” he wrote. Their demand: “‘Go to church.’”

After returning to Coeur d’Alene from New Mexico, Odom wrote he attended The Altar, where “people acted very strange. It was unhuman.”

“As I walked into the sermon room, everyone stared at me and began sniffing emphatically. Needless to say, I was scared as hell, but I took a seat,” he wrote, later describing a man who sat beside him.

“After he sat down, I began smelling something. It was a smell I had never smelt before.

The only thing I can compare it to is a reptile and vinegar.”

After experiencing an escalating series of what he described as telepathic sexual and physical assaults, Odom wrote that he attempted to commit suicide by lighting a charcoal grill in his car and inhaling the fumes. Waking up in a panic, he sought help from the VA but wrote that none of the treatments he received there helped.

Upon leaving the VA, he wrote, he returned to The Altar for a meeting with Remington, who Odom claimed revealed himself to be a reptilian.

“I have no clue how he did it, but it looked as if his human face became his real face,” Odom wrote. “It happened for only 1-2 seconds, but I was able to draw a sketch of what I saw.”

In the sketch, which accompanied the materials Odom mailed following his shooting of Remington, he recorded his description as “huge and bulging” eyes with dark green eyelids.

“The irises were yellow/brown with slit pupils,” he wrote.

Odom’s reptilian sketch

Far left: Pastor Tim Remington, 55, of Coeur d’Alene, has served more than 20 years at The Altar Church in Coeur d’Alene, and is much respected for his work with drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Photo courtesy of Christian Character Builders.

Left: David Icke in 2013. Photo by Tyler Merbler, CC. features a cone-shaped head and “projecting muzzle with 45-degree angled nostrils.” It is a description that matches both Icke’s visual aids and the physical characteristics of “reptoids” from the website reptoids.com, which includes “a slightly large, slightly back sloping cranium (sometimes appearing conical).”

Another common thread between Odom’s and Icke’s descriptions of reptilian domination comes from the belief that the moon is a hollowed out base, used by the creatures to amplify their powers. While Icke believes their headquarters is on Saturn, Odom wrote that they come from Mars.

In concluding his narrative, Odom claimed he had been targeted because “I was too smart for my own good.”

“They were worried I might change the way people think, which could lead to problems.

Problems in the form of scientific revolutions,” he wrote. “If we get much smarter as a species, we are going to become a threat to their existence.”

Likewise, Icke told his Wembley audience in 2014 that—according to a supposed communication with an otherworldly entity—“a reptilian race was holding back humans so they couldn’t ‘grow.’”

Odom found he could not continue his schooling at NIC, distracted and harassed as he was by the “absolute torture” he felt he was experiencing from his attackers. At that point, he wrote, “My last resort

was to take actions to bring this to the public’s attention.”

That action was to attempt the murder of Remington, who he had come to believe was not a human.

Icke has faced widespread criticism and even legal action based on his reptilian theories, which many have challenged not only as nonsense but linked to antisemitism, as Icke has spoken of reptilian “bloodlines” extending out from the ancient Near East and manifested today in the international banking elite and state of Israel—Odom, like Icke, suggested a wide range of Israeli politicians are secretly reptilians.

Icke was successfully sued for libel by Canadian human rights lawyer Richard Warman after Icke accused of him of being a Satanic child murderer.

Accusations of antisemitism also led to Icke’s detention in Canada by immigration authorities.

Despite the tragedy in Coeur d’Alene and the controversies surrounding Icke, the reptilian conspiracy theory is more mainstream than might be expected. According to a 2013 survey of conspiracy theories

by Public Policy Polling, 12.4 million Americans (about 4 percent), believe reptilians or “lizard people” control politics.

Icke and other believers in the reptilian domination theory have been guests on the radio program Coast to Coast, and similar ideas can be found in so-called “ancient alien” literature and television series.

“It’s a bamboozle,” Icke

said at Wembley in 2014. “It’s a mind program.”

Random Corner St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day is the one day a year where everyone is a little bit Irish.

Here are some fun facts about your favorite day to drink yourself stupid.

• St. Patrick was not Irish. He was either born in what is now England, Scotland or Wales—interpretations vary widely. Patrick lived in a villa with servants and helped in the fields until the age of seven when he was sent to school. He was abducted and forced into slavery for six years as a teenager.

• The shamrock was originally a teaching tool. St. Patrick is said to have used the three-leaved plant to explain the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) to the pagan Irish.

• The first St. Patrick’s Day parade wasn’t in Ireland. The first parade actually took place in New York in the 1760s.

•Blue is the old green. For many years, blue was the color most often associated with St. Patrick. Green was considered unlucky. St. Patrick’s blue was considered symbolic of Ireland for many centuries, and the Irish Presidential Standard is still blue.

• Irish flee the country. In Ireland on March 17 you’ll find many public figures, musicians and dancers have traveled abroad to work on lucrative gigs elsewhere. Politicians also travel to drum up trade.

• Green River. In Chicago every year, the Plumbers Local 110 union dyes the river “Kelly” green. The dye lasts for about five hours.

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FOOD The Sandpoint Eater

By Marcia Pilgeram Reader Food Columnist I’m at 30,000 feet right now, on my way back from Tampa, Fla. Last week I left home with a suitcase full of pickle making supplies and a lengthy note to the TSA baggage inspectors.

Wherever I go, you can nearly always find an array of foodmaking supplies (coming and going), accompanied by the omnipresent note to TSA, in my luggage. It may be overkill, but I feel like full disclosure will ensure better handling of my products. The notes, carefully penned, go something like this: Dear TSA, the white substance in the baggie that’s inside the large bubble wrapped canning jar is sea-salt. I know it may seem odd, but I am on my way to Florida to make pickles.

The green organic material in the other small baggie is pickling spice. The large root inside the big baggie, covered with the damp paper towels and wrapped in tin foil is horseradish, which I add to the pickles to make them crisp. Thank you in advance for carefully rewrapping all these items. Yours truly, Chef Marcia.

I find nothing odd about hauling pickle making supplies all the way to Florida. I have a family member there who really loves my dill pickles, and since the last batch cost more than $50 to ship, it seemed logical to make them for him while I was there.

Lacto-fermented foods are the ultimate of comfort/cure-alls, and pickles prepared this way are not only delicious but offer a plethora of health benefits.

It was also a great excuse to venture out in the sunshine to local farmers markets, filled with the ripe fruits and colorful vegetables that we’re only 14 /

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dreaming of this time of year in North Idaho. It turns out I could have left the horseradish home because I discovered bigger, fresher and firmer roots at many of the stalls in the Florida markets. Satisfied with my finds, I departed the last market, armed with dozens of small, firm cucumbers and fresh garlic and headed to my host’s home, where I immediately launched into my pickle-making project.

Most people think about beer or wine when they hear the term fermentation. While certain yeasts are used to convert the sugars in grape juice or grains into alcohol, it is bacteria that are responsible for lacto-fermentation. The “lacto” portion of the term refers to a specific species of bacteria, namely Lactobacillus. Various strains of these bacteria are present on the surface of all plants, especially those growing close to the ground, like cucumbers.

Beyond preservation advantages, lacto-fermentation also increases or preserves the vitamin and enzyme levels,

as well as digestibility, of the fermented food. In addition, lactobacillus organisms provide probiotics that will naturally contribute to your good health.

The diets of every traditional society have included some kind of lacto-fermented food.

Europeans consume lacto-fermented dairy, sauerkraut, grape leaves, herbs and root vegetables. The Alaskan Inuit ferment fish, and many Asian cuisines are known for pickled vegetables, sauces and kimchi.

Farming societies in central Africa are known for lacto-fermented porridges made from soured grains.

Pickles and relishes have always been an American food tradition. At one time they were mostly processed the old fashioned way, but with the advent of industrialization, most commercial products were soon prepared with heat and vinegar, offering none of the health benefits provided with lactic acid.

Besides pickles, I ferment all kinds of vegetables, like cabbage (sauerkraut), carrot

I

s e l k Pic sticks, radishes, asparagus and garlic. And recently, while I was south, I discovered a bonus. Don’t throw away the brine—save it for the cocktail hour.

That’s right, folks, the cocktail hour. Be the first on your block to serve a Pickleback, a type of shot in which a shot of whiskey is chased by a shot of pickle brine. Alternatively, the shot of whiskey can be chased by a bite of a pickle or even a whole pickle. The pickle (or brine) works to neutralize both the taste of the whiskey and the burn from the alcohol. Appar-

ently in some areas the Pickleback has become so popular that bars can’t keep up with the demand for brine. Some devotees swear the brine not only prevents hangovers, but will also cure a cold. Who knew a jar of homemade pickles would just keep on giving?

As soon as I get home, unpack the Florida cukes (carefully packed in bubble wrap with obligatory TSA note) and catch a few hours of sleep, I’ll be making pickles. Hopefully I’ll have some brine ready for next week-end.

cucumbers as they ferment to see how sour you want them.

days, or they may take a week or more.

Half-Sour Pickles

Makes 4 pounds of pickles

You can use grape leaves (or other leaves with tannin) or horseradish to produce crisper pickles. Shorter fermentation period also produces crisper pickles

INGREDIENTS: •4 pounds small pickling cucumbers (about 4 inches long).

Trim the blossom end off.

Stir together to dissolve the salt: •½ gallon distilled water •5 tablespoons kosher salt Place in the bottom of each of two clean, ½-gallon mason jars: •Peeled cloves from 1 head garlic (2 heads of garlic total) •4 to 5 grape leaves (8 to 10 total) or 4 or 5 strips fresh horseradish root, washed and peeled •4 to 5 dill sprigs (8 to 10 total) •2 teaspoons pickling spice

DIRECTIONS: •Wedge the cucumbers into the jars tightly, starting with larger cucumbers and filling in with smaller ones. Wedge small cucumbers in at the top so that the curve of the jars will hold them under the brine.

•Fill the jars with enough brine to cover the cucumbers completely, then cover the jar with a loose lid.

•Check the progress of the fermentation daily. Make sure the cucumbers are completely immersed, they cannot be exposed to air or they will mold (I use clean lids from cottage cheese cartons and cut them a bit larger than the mouth of the jar, and press them past the neck to force the cucumbers below the liquid line). The brine will start to get cloudy and smell slightly sour, and the cucumbers will begin to soften. Taste the

•In warmer weather fermentation tends to happen faster than in cooler weather. Half sour pickles may be done in as few as 5

•When fermentation is complete, tighten the lids, and transfer the jars to the refrigerator.

After you eat the pickles, remember to save the brine!

Changing Your Mind

By Suzen Fiskin Reader Columnist

Have you ever been midstream in an important conversation and had that horrible sinking feeling that it’s not going your way? It could be a meeting about a job or a sale you really need, with a banker who holds the key to your future or with a hottie you want to get lucky with on Saturday night.

Situations like these are never pretty, but there’s hope on the horizon if you read on!

If you’ve been following my column, you’ll know by now that over 90 percent of our thinking is below our conscious level of awareness. By getting more savvy about what’s going on beneath the surface, you can get a lot better at this communications and people stuff.

Let’s look at the flip side of that first conversation from hell. Have you ever met someone and loved them immediately? You can’t explain it, but they instantly feel like someone you’ve known all your life. What’s up with that?

If you analyze your reaction, you’ll probably discover that you’re focused on your similarities. They have two brothers, and you have two brothers.

They went to Washington State, and you did, too. They sang in the choir, and . . . you catch the gist.

It’s human nature to feel most comfortable with what’s familiar, and not so much with what’s foreign. In that first uneasy dialog, odds are neither of you felt too familiar.

I’ve taught the techniques I’m about to share with you to salespeople, CEOs, teachers, kids, and Army generals on how to communicate better with others.

Here’s the deal – people like people like themselves. So the key to turning around an uneasy conversation is to get out of yourself and pay more attention to them to learn how they think. Then do what you can to be more like them.

If you’ve ever watched a smitten couple in a restaurant, you’ll notice that they mirror one another’s body language. When one leans forward, so does the other. When one takes a bite of food, their partner does, too. They’re in a state of alignment.

So, mirroring the other person’s body language is a good place to start.

playing well with others If they’re sitting back with their arms folded, do the same. If they take a sip of water, go for it.

The other major way you can create a bridge is with your words. People often use catch phrases that have meaning to them.

It could be as trite as “The early bird gets the worm,” or as odd as one an old business associate of mine used that made me cringe: “You’ve got to walk on broken glass to be a great salesperson.” Whatever phrase they use, include it in your response.

Most folks use three primary forms of verbs – visual (looks good, picture this, shed some light); auditory (sounds right, rings true, listen to me); and kinesthetic (have a warm feeling, got a gut reaction, wrap my hands around it). Their words may be different from yours. Learn how to be flexible enough to say what you want to say in their sensory language.

It may seem contrived at first, but remember that you’ll be reaching out to them on an unconscious level and they won’t realize what’s going on. When you’re learning this stuff it can feel awkward, but it works! After a while it becomes part of your unconscious skill set.

I did a presentation on this to a large group of business managers when a gentleman asked a question in a heavy East Indian accent. When I answered him, I mirrored his accent and high pitched tonality. The audience laughed at my audacity, but the man had no idea why they were laughing. He never heard my accent because, on an unconscious level, it sounded perfectly natural to him.

I’ve gotten glowing reports for decades from people who aced job interviews, closed major deals, and gotten closer with friends and family from practicing these techniques. You can, too! It’s a good idea to practice before you really need it.

So the next time you want to turn

around a conversation or make a good impression, give one or more of these ideas a go and let me know how it went.

Suzen Fiskin began her photography career as a personal photographer for Hugh Hefner at the Playboy Mansion.

She currently focuses on clients doing boudoir, portraits, event and real estate photography. She had an ad agency for 10 years, and is a graphic artist, web designer and professional speaker.

Suzen is also the author of “Playboy Mansion Memoirs.” SuzenFiskin@ gmail.com (208)572-0009

March 17–18 @ 7:30pm, March 19–20 @ 3:30pm

“The Lady in the van” film Saturday, March 19 @ 8:00pm

KPND - live comedy night

featuring Phillip Kopczynski opening for Spokane sensation Harry J. Riley

March 24 @ 7:30pm and March 26 @ 3:30pm

“Embrace of the Serpent ” film March 25 & 26 @ 7:30pm

“Forsaken” film

featuring donald and kiefer sutherland playing father and son

Wednesday, March 30 @ 7:00pm Little r Theate “This changes everything” docu film April 1 & 2 @ 7:30pm, April 3 @ 3:30pm

“Eddie the eagle” film

April 7 @ 6:30pm, April 9 @ 3:30pm

“Peanuts movie” film

the revenant -- love thy nature -- Cartel land March 17, 2016 /

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Behavioral health grants available

By Reader Staff The Idaho Community Foundation (ICF) is introducing a new grant cycle to support organizations and projects working to improve the accessibility and quality of behavioral health programs in Bonner and Boundary Counties. The North Idaho Action Fund is a series of grants in amounts from $5,000 to $30,000.

Organizations that include the following fields of study should apply; psychiatric or psychotherapy treatment, substance abuse treatment, suicide prevention and education, group or individual therapy or counseling, inpatient or outpatient treatment and ancillary programs designed to support those in behavioral health treatment such as transportation, housing assistance, food security and child care.

ICF is accepting applications until Mar. 31. For guidelines or to apply, please visit www.idcomfdn.org/DA_Grants or contact ICF Donor Relations Officer Charlie Miller at cmiller@idcomfdn.org or (208) 699-4249.

r e n r o C t n a Gr

e g a p l ia c e p s a ’s e . Her h t n o m is h t g s t in n h e c id a s o r e r p p y t a n s u e o n C li ary ead d d n t u n o a r B g d t n a lo r a e e n r n a o e B to Ther le b a il a v a s t n a r g y n a dedicated to the m

Angels offer grant and scholarship opportunities

By Reader Staff

The Angels Over Sandpoint are delighted to offer multiple scholarship and grant opportunities to Bonner County students and citizens. This is just one of many ways the funds raised by this local all-volunteer organization go back into the community.

Interested high school students should use the common scholarship application (available at http://sh.lposd.org/counseling-career-center/scholarship/ local-scholarships) for the three scholarships listed below.

Community Service Scholarship Provides yearly scholarship assistance to students in recognition of their achievements in community service. The Community Service Scholarship is presented

during School Scholarship Awards Night. Deadline for application is April 10 at 9 a.m.

Lippi Family Scholarship The Ivano’s Italian Open Golf Scramble has provided financial help for several years to Bonner County graduating seniors who choose to pursue college or trade school. This scholarship is awarded annually to students who exhibit determination, courage, and a desire to continue their education in the face of less than perfect conditions. Deadline for application is April 10 at 9 a.m.

Arts Scholarship This scholarship is open to any high school student

Task Force grant deadline approaching

By Reader Staff

Each year the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force (BCHRTF) seeks to fund projects and programs that support its stated mission: affirming the American principles and ideals of the inviolable dignity and worth of each human being and recognizing that everyone is equal under our state and federal laws and constitutions.

BCHRTF was founded in 1992 to support human rights through community education and advocacy. In December 2012 the major portion of BCHRTF’s assets were placed in a fund administered by the 16 /

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Idaho Community Foundation (ICF).

Grants are limited to those organizations or entities who do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. The BCHRTF hopes to sponsor programs and projects that enhance human rights, focus on community education and celebrate the fact that it is the racial, social, and cultural diversity of our people that makes Bonner County a rich and worthwhile place to live.

Applications may be submitted on line directly to the

Idaho Community Foundation under Donor Advised Competitive Grants. Go to the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force Fund for more detailed guidelines and information.

The deadline for this year is March 31, 2016.

Eligible applicants must be organizations with a 501 © 3 tax exempt status, a public educational institution or a governmental entity including local governments or libraries.

Grants up to $8,000 will be accepted with the total amount available this grant cycle approximately $18,000.

in Bonner County, including home-schooled students. Each year, the focus changes to cover all aspects of the arts.

This year’s focus is theatre/ dance. Deadline for application is April 10 at 9 a.m.

Please visit angelsoversandpoint.org for additional information and applications for the two grants listed below. These grants support Bonner County adults and charitable or educational institutions.

grant cycles in March and September. Deadline for the current cycle is March 15.

New Direction Grant A New Direction Grant is offered in honor of Amber Coffman Campbell for adults looking to make a change in their life/vocation to better their opportunities and improve their circumstances. Applications accepted throughout the year.

Community Grants Program Supports charitable and educational institutions.

Primary consideration given to non-profit organizations involved in health, education and youth-oriented projects and services. This program offers

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MUSIC

This week’s RLW by Ben Olson

Music, poetry offerings by husband wife duo

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

Rob and Amy Kincaid are musicians and writers whose desire is to imbue a bit of fun and thoughtfulness into their creative output. They have chosen a unique location for their upcoming music / spoken word show in Sandpoint; the Downtown Yoga Studio at 301 Cedar Street, behind the old Belwoods Building.

“Our music isn’t the kind that does well in a bar setting,” said Rob. “We like to think our music is more thoughtful, and requires a more unique setting.”

The free show will take place on Thursday, March 24 at 7 p.m. and will feature a smattering of everything from music to poetry to tongue-in-cheek short essays.

“Some people call them rants,” said Rob. “I have one on bliss, one on hugging—I don’t like casual hugging. I guess I have a weird sense of humor.”

The Kincaids have been playing around Sandpoint for about five years.

Rob grew up in Sandpoint and is a classically-trained musician. He has also conducted with the Festival at Sandpoint’s choir. He plays the guitar in their duo.

Amy didn’t grow up in Sandpoint, but Rob traveled to the east coast to bring her to the town they both love.

She said she was seduced into writing, which she began a few years ago. A trained opera singer, she has performed at the Festival at Sandpoint’s finale.

“Growing up, I learned about the piano,” said Amy. “I learned fakebooks at an early age. My teacher didn’t know what to make of that, since I started as a piano major.”

Amy rounds out the duo with the

Rob and Amy Kincaid. Always with big smiles on their faces. Photo by Ben Olson. keyboard, and also contributes a lot of written work for the non-musical portion of the show.

“I was seduced into writing poetry,” she said with a laugh. “It’s narrative, and my use of metaphor is limited.”

The Kincaids say audiences should

By Ben Olson expect serious music blended with fun Reader Staff writing Though any musician hates to Classical guitarists Alex de Grassi and pigeonhole themselves into a certain Andrew York are joining forces Thursday, style, Rob said their style swings anyMarch 24, at Spokane’s Bing Crosby Theater where from pop to indie folk. for a special show presented by Friends of the “We’re going to start a new genre,” Guitar Hour. he said. “It’s very indie, as in indepenBoth York and de Grassi have left their dent. We use a lot of folk basics and go mark on the world of music, each with his from there.” own unique playing style that has captivated The show is free and will take place audiences throughout the world.

Thursday, March 24 at Downtown York received a Grammy as a member of Yoga. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet during his sixthere will be plenty of chairs. People teen years with the cutting-edge ensemble. can also sit on yoga mats. As always, De Grassi was nominated for a Grammy for donations are appreciated. his 1998 album “The Water Garden.”

“You can even do yoga poses while Tickets are $30 and available through you listen,” said Amy. “We don’t Tickets West. You can call (800) 325-SEAT or mind.” purchase them online at www.ticketswest.com.

Guitar duo set to play the Bing

Crossword Solution

READ

In concert with our strange, alienesque feature story this week, let’s talk about aliens.

One of my favorite in the genre is the incredible true story that formed the basis for John Keel’s “The Mothman Propecies.”

In 1966, the town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia underwent a series of sightings of a “mothman” creature, widely speculated to be a cryptid with supernatural powers. The sightings culminated with the collapse of the Silver Bridge, killing 46 people who were traveling over it. To this day, the phenomenon is still unexplained.

LISTEN

When I was in high school, I thought there was no better album to listen to while cruising the City Beach (does anyone ever cruise the Beach anymore?) than Outkast’s 1996 release “ATLiens.”

I was one of those dorks who had a really loud stereo system in my car. My neighbors hated me. My rear-view mirror was essentially ineffective because of the heavy bass vibrating it back and forth.

Track 10 on “ATLiens” featured this rolling, deep bass line that probably left a few dogs sterile when I passed. Fortunately, I grew out of this phase when I left for college.

WATCH

When I saw the 1993 release “Fire in the Sky” for the first time, I couldn’t sleep for a week.

The creepy film was based on an alleged extraterrestrial encounter, and stemmed from Travis Walton’s book “The Walton Experience.”

A group of loggers were driving home from work when they spotted a UFO in the sky. One of them (Walton) exited the truck and was struck by a bright beam of light from the object and is sent flying several feet backwards as if pushed by an unseen force. What follows is an eerie account of what happened from Walton’s point of view. The probing scenes were especially vivid.

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w o N & Then compiled by

Ben Olson

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

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

This is a photo of the first basketball game played in the new Sandpoint High School gym in 1953 (currently the Sandpoint Middle School gym). Sandpoint played West Valley. Band director Adair Hilligoss leads “The Star Spangled Banner.” Note the very narrow key on the court. It has widened in modern times.

1953

Copyright www.mirroreyes.com

CROSSWORD ACROSS

The same gym today, now serving Sandpoint Middle School. Athletic Director Dave DeMers stepped in to play band director for the photograph. Go Bullpups!

2016

catawampus

/kat-uh-WOM-puh s/

1. Central points 5. Skin irritation 9. A musical pause 13. Weightlifters pump this 14. Style of neckties 16. Reflected sound 17. Gave temporarily 18. Scallion 19. Gruesome 20. Motor hotel 22. Large retail stores 24. Twin sister of Ares 26. Flower 27. Ash 30. Materialize 33. Old-fashioned 35. Provide 37. Genus of macaws 69. Trade 38. Escargot 70. T T T T 41. Central 71. Terminates 42. Giver DOWN 45. Conceding 1. Movie 48. Exert vigorously 2. Chocolate cookie 51. Reciprocal 52. Kuwaiti monetary unit 3. Competitor 4. Temporary 54. Opera star 5. Nigerian tribesman 55. Corroborates 6. Anagram of “Note” 59. Scintillas 7. Ascend 62. Distinctive flair 8. Hype 63. Manicurist’s concern 65. Former Italian currency 9. A systematic plan for therapy 66. Exploded star 10. Beige 67. Boredom 68. Voice Over Internet Protocol 11. Leveling wedge

[adjective] 1. Askew; awry.

2. Postioned diagonally; cater-cornered.

“The room had a catawampus feel to it after the awkward silence.”

Woorf tdhe Week

Corrections: In last week’s ad for Babs’ Pizzeria, we listed the wrong area code.

You know what that means... FREE AD! Sorry Babs’. Your pizza still rocks.

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Solution on page 17 12. Male turkeys 15. Meddle 21. Adriatic resort 23. Lasso 25. Lather 27. Street 28. European currency 29. Poetic dusk 31. Esteem 32. Wreckage 34. 24 hours 36. Border 39. 3 in Roman numerals 40. Extend credit 43. Denoting a numerical order

44. Police action 46. 57 in Roman numerals 47. Deteriorate 49. Absurd 50. Floating in water 53. French for “Queen” 55. Sell 56. Maguey 57. Magma 58. Swing around 60. Dry 61. Exhausts 64. Female sib

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READER 265-9724

e d r u To rift Th

9 1 h c r a ,M y a d r u t a S $150

in prizes!

Grab a friend and a Tour de Thrift map and start your passport to savings on clothing, furniture, books and more!

Get three or more stamps on your Tour de Thrift map and be entered into drawing for gift certificates. Gain six or more stamps and enter to win a variety of prizes, plus the grand prize for a $130 grocery shopping trip at Super 1 and $20 from Yoke’s!

For more information call, Panhandle Animal Shelter Thrift Store at 265-7297.

Bring your passport to The Brim Coffeestand on March 19 and receive a free drip coffee!

Participating Thrift Stores: •Panhandle Animal Shelter Thrift Store •Bizarre Bazaar •Goodwill Ponderay •Now and Then •Sanctuary Seconds •Treasure Cove •Re-Store •Once Again •The Cottage

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Hillary Scott Concert in

Sat. March 26th 7:30pm

Soulful Indie-Americana singer-songwriter 201 Cedar St. dilunas.com

263-0846

featuring fresh local ingredients

$12 adv. tickets / $15 day of show Show @ 7:30pm Doors open @ 5:30pm w/ dinner served before the show March 17, 2016 /

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