READER MAY 11, 2017
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VOL. 14 ISSUE 19
net neutrality: How the ‘‘rst amendment of the internet’ is coming under attack
SPOT Bus: Turf vs. Grass: New Bonners Ferry route ooered
The big debate over the playing surface at Memorial Field
‘no one dies’: Raul Labrador’s comments go viral... then he announces his candidacy for governor in 2018
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When people tell me I'm turning into my mother, I take it as a compliment.
(wo)MAN compiled by
Susan Drinkard
on the street
Regarding Memorial Field, do you prefer turf or real grass? Why?
“Real grass because that’s the win-win solution where everyone gets to use a much improved field. The Festival cannot exist on artificial turf due to the inability to anchor tents and due to the heat of the surface.” Dyno Wahl Executive Director Festival at Sandpoint Sandpoint “I think it should be grass. Rubber from the turf gets in your face and in your cleats, and it gets too hot to play on.” Matthew Cometto Freshman baseball and football player Sandpoint
READER
DEAR READERS, Howdy folks. Welcome to another week of irreverence, bluster and small town mayhem, Sandpoint Reader style. First, I’d like to give a shout out to my mom Val Olson, who has put up with her fair share of nonsense from me over the years. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! I love you and wish you a happy day. Next, I want to remind everyone that there is an important election coming up. The Lake Pend Oreille School District is electing new school board trustees on Tuesday, May 16. If you think this is a humdrum stay-at-home-instead-ofvote election, you’re wrong. It’s up to you, the voter, to make sure we are adequately taking care of our next generation, and these school board trustees are on the front lines of policy moving forward. I’m not going to tell anyone who to vote for, but I will say that I will always support our students finding their full potential in life. It’s amazing how one small connection with a good teacher or a well-placed class, or a conversation with a guidance counselor can start a chain reaction ending up with a student achieving more than we could ever have dreamed to achieve for ourselves. So please vote Tuesday, May 16, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at various polling places. Check the Bonner County election site if you don’t know where to vote. Finally, if I’m allowed to butt my opinion in regarding the artificial turf-versus-natural grass debate for Memorial Field, I’m strongly on the side of natural grass. Memorial Field is such an iconic Sandpoint landmark. To install artificial turf there is almost sacrilege, in my opinion. Imagine if the Panida Theater wanted to get rid of their famous marquee and install an LCD screen in its place. That’s what turf feels like to me. There are pros and cons to both sides, but taking into account the character of this community and the location in which we live, there is only one clear choice, and that’s natural grass. -Ben Olson, Publisher OPEN 11:30 am
“I prefer grass for sports. It’s softer to fall on.”
GAME ROOM UPSTAIRS
Becky Tifft In-home health Priest River
“I think artificial turf would work better than grass because our weather is so bad up here. Late in the season the field gets lumpy and torn up, especially when soccer and football play on it. Turf is best for consistency, but grass is actually preferable for traction.” Alexander Christensen Varsity football/11th grade Sandpoint “Grass is best because we are used to playing on it and turf is hot and hurts when you fall on it.” Cohen Clark Football player/9th grade Sagle
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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: Drake Dormand (cover), Ben Olson, Susan Drinkard. Contributing Writers: Cameron Rasmusson, Ben Olson, Brenden Bobby, Jim Ramsey, L.S. Jones, Jeanette Schandelmeir, Beth Weber, Amy Craven, Laurie Brown, Marcia Pilgeram, Jules Fox. Submit stories to: stories@sandpointreader.com Printed weekly at: Griffin Publishing Spokane, Wash. 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 in 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
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Check us out on the web at: www.sandpointreader.com Like us on Facebook. About the Cover This week’s cover features a painting by Sandpoint artist Drake Dorman called “Magical Mates.” Thanks Drake!
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LETTERS Mr. Trump - Nerds Matter... Dear Editor, Our tweeter-in-chief is conducting a war on science. This seemingly delusional narcissist has said that climate change was a hoax perpetrated by China. When scientists come up with conclusions he doesn’t like, he attacks science. Mr. Trump has proposed budget cuts for all scientific research in government. Examples include cuts near 20 percent in the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, 18 percent in the National Institutes of Health and 17 percent in the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration’s research programs and satellite systems used to monitor weather and climate change. In particular, he has put a gag order on the Environmental Protection Agency to remove all pages from their website concerning climate change. My colleagues in the sciences work very hard to find the truths in nature. Scientific works are run through a strict peer-review process before any publication. It doesn’t end there because the scientific community continues to argue and criticize ideas to make sure that claims are solidly supported by evidence. This sets a high bar for obtaining the truth. Mr. Trump and his administration is dragging us back to the Dark Ages, and we will lose our nation’s leadership in science and technology, as well as putting our planet in peril. Global warming has the overwhelming consensus of environmental scientists, and world-wide data points to the fact that man-made climate change is occurring. We need to mitigate its effects. I for one do not want to wait for Mr. Trump’s Mar-A-Lago compound to become inundated with six feet of water before he realizes that something is wrong. If you are concerned, call your representatives in the Senate and House and urge them to not vote for any bill that cuts scientific research. Philip A. Deutchman Sandpoint
Rudeness at March... Dear Editor, I attended the climate march on Saturday, the 29th of April. I loved 4 /
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the diversity, and the amount of people there astonished me. Even so, not everyone shared my opinion. A man riding a bicycle and carrying a dog in his backpack was one person that stood out to me. As he forcefully pushed through the crowd of marchers who were waiting to cross First Ave., a man directing traffic asked him where he needed to go. “I just want these f---ing freaks to get out of my way!” he responded angrily. “Excuse me?” the traffic director asked politely. “You heard me!” the man with the bike called over his shoulder as he walked away, dog and all. As a sixth grade girl, I wonder ... If we can’t come together as people and set aside our differences to save the planet, then what does our future hold? Dinah Rawson Northside Elementary student
Enough is Enough... Dear Editor, Ben, Ben, Ben... I just can’t take it anymore!, almost every week you or one of your contributing writers like Nick Gier ridicule and chastise President Trump. Enough is enough! Get over that your girl lost and give the president a chance. In regard to your last weeks’ Barbs about President Trump and history, the POTUS stated he knew Jackson was dead before the Civil War but saw it coming and was angry. President Trump stated “had Jackson been a little later you wouldn’t have had the Civil War, he was really angry that he saw with regard to the Civil War.” You stated that you were embarassed by our president, however did you voice your embarassment when your guy President Obama made the following statements: You have to give a kid with asthma a breathalyzer; We honor Navy “corpse man” Rachard; I’ve been to all 57 states; Welcome to Cinco De Quatro; You can keep your health plan; You can keep your doctor. The list goes on. Just like I turned off CNN, SNL, and Colbert because of their extreme bias I also have to turn you off. Maybe someday this publication will attempt to be a little bit balanced, and I’m sad to say that I
too am embarrassed that this small town publication has only one political agenda. SAD. Cliff Kattner Sandpoint
Cliff, perhaps these words from president Theodore Roosevelt will put things into perspective for you: “The President is merely the most important among a large number of public servants. He should be supported or opposed exactly to the degree which is warranted by his good conduct or bad conduct, his efficiency or inefficiency in rendering loyal, able, and disinterested service to the Nation as a whole. Therefore it is absolutely necessary that there should be full liberty to tell the truth about his acts, and this means that it is exactly necessary to blame him when he does wrong as to praise him when he does right. Any other attitude in an American citizen is both base and servile. To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or anyone else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else.” Theodore Roosevelt May 7, 1918 -Ben Olson
To Bonner County Voters... To Lake Pend Oreille School District voters, On May 16 the Lake Pend Oreille School District will hold an election for new trustees. Normally this would be a small, inconsequential election that not many voters notice. However, this year it has a much more serious bent. For the last 10 or 15 years, this district has had very good school superintendents as well as supportive and progressive school boards of trustees. This combination has turned what was a less-than-stellar school district into one of the best in the state; we’re proud of this, and we want it to continue. Unfortunately, there are some people running for school board of trustees who belong to or align with far right groups (tea party/redoubt movement)
that do not support funding public education at levels that produce the success we’ve had in this school district. Both Victoria Zeischegg and Anita Perry wrote letters to the editor opposing the recent school levies [Daily Bee 8/16/16, 8/26/16, 11/10/16, 3/10/17 ]. Pay attention to what they say in print! They may think they can do a better job with less money but they haven’t said how. Underfunding and eventually defunding public education is not a viable option (unless you want to declare the system broken so it can then be privatized). We urge supporters of public education to vote for trustees who will perpetuate the excellence we take pride in, and not to vote for those who want to take down what we have worked long and hard to accomplish. We support the following candidates for LPOSD Board of Trustees: zone 2: Gary Suppiger; zone 3: Lonnie Williams; zone 5: Cary Kelly. Our kids’ futures and our future business climate both require excellence in education. Support our great schools, get out and vote May 16 for Suppiger, Williams or Kelly! Marty Stitsel, Sandpoint Don Douglas, Sandpoint Krista Eberle, Sandpoint Erik Daarstad, Sandpoint Marlene Petersen, Sandpoint Debra Douglas, Sandpoint Louie Baribeau, Sandpoint Foster Hepperly, Sandpoint Emily Faulkner, Sandpoint
Health Care... Dear Editor, The Republican health care plan was hurried through the House of Representatives without consulting voters. Before the Senate rushes it through, let us look at the winners and losers in this plan. These numbers come from the Congressional Budget Office, CBO. The winners are rich people and corporations who won a $592 billion tax break over 10 years. The federal government wins; They don’t have to connect actual costs with what they pay. They can give a fraction of the cost and the working poor or states must supply the rest. The next winners are young city folks. There is no requirement to buy insurance, and the cost of insurance is much more than the
$2,000 tax break, so many young people won’t get insurance and spend the money elsewhere. Additionally, cities have more medical service than rural areas so their insurance rates are cheaper. Rural people pay more for health care and insurance so the tax break doesn’t help much. Some more losers are the older people. Under this law insurance companies can charge an older person five times more than a young person. If you are 55 years old that is a $5,000 a year increase over Obamacare. A 64-year-old making $26,500 a year paid $1,700 under Obamacare, under Trumpcare the cost is $14,600. Medicare recipients lose help with drug costs increasing their out of pocket costs. Hospitals and doctors lose money as millions of uninsured people flood emergency rooms. States lose as they are faced with the draconian choice of raising taxes to cover Medicaid patients or dropping care. People with pre-existing conditions in Idaho will lose a lot more than money. Raul Labrador wants to be our next governor, and he demanded the amendment allowing states to ask for a waiver from covering pre-existing condition. This allows insurance companies to dump sick people in an extremely high-cost plan, or drop them all together. Raul Labrador will implement this Republican death panel in Idaho. If insurance companies can take your money for decades and then drop you if you get sick, your insurance isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. By 2026 the number of uninsured will rise to at least 56 million, more if states ask for waivers. There is no way to put a polish on this turd called the American Health Care Act. Time to call our Senators. Mary Haley Sandpoint
Thank You Justin Henney... Dear Editor, Thank you Justin Henney for your sensitive and inspiring story: “Maintaining the Balance.” You should be writing books! Evie Leucht Sandpoint
OPINION
Second rail bridge over lake should require public comment
By Shannon Williamson, Ph.D and Matt Nykiel Reader Contributors
Recent news that BNSF plans to move forward with a second railroad bridge over Lake Pend Oreille has sparked a lot of conversation. The proposal, initially floated in 2014, is back and could be here to stay. The current rail bridge experiences 50-60 trains per day, with traffic swelling up to 70 trains per day during the peak traffic season. BNSF rationalizes that a second bridge will help alleviate long wait times at blocked crossings. Yet, shorter wait times could very well be offset by an increased number of trains facilitated by the addition of another bridge. BNSF’s assurance of smoother flowing rail traffic sounds promising. However, their proposal, which could theoretically double the number of trains passing through Sandpoint and the region, also carries with it unintended impacts on daily life
Letters to the Editor Killing Fields... Dear Editor, Referring to Nick Gier’s commentary about Cambodia’s “Killing Fields” (May 4, 2017), I add my own story. I was in Vietnam in 1966. As I landed in Bangkok for R&R, I was holding the military newspaper, Stars and Stripes. The headline quoted President Johnson that the United States was not operating in Laos. While walking into the terminal, I started chatting with two fighter pilots in flight suits, who had just landed. I asked where they had been. Laos. This was when the Administration and General Westmorland, the one who lied repeatedly about success in Vietnam, were conducting secret incursions into Laos and Cambodia. Apparently it was not a well-kept secret, but they still felt the need to play the public. Those lies came back to haunt them as protests against the war were gearing up. I was green enough at that age to be shocked that my president would so boldly lie to me. The pilots met me for beers several times.
and an increased risk of potentially devastating accidents. The recent derailments of two trains in Bonner County exemplify the risks to public safety and the environment that adding another bridge could exacerbate. Although the coal train that derailed in Ponderay was empty and the train that derailed in Cocolalla was carrying corn, these trains could just as easily been carrying hazardous materials like volatile Bakken crude oil, anhydrous ammonia, or liquefied chlorine gas. A derailment of trains carrying any of these materials near our rail-side communities could threaten lives. Moreover, a derailment of this sort along the shores of Lake Pend Oreille or over it would have devastating impacts on the quality of our drinking water, recreation and wildlife habitat. Loss of these critical resources and amenities along with increased safety concerns would threaten the resiliency of our local economy, which relies in part on tourism, and our region’s ability to recruit new
businesses to the area. While the construction of a second bridge does not guarantee any of these outcomes, the added infrastructure is likely to increase the probability. Whether our rail-side communities want to assume the added risk is a question that should be vetted through a robust public debate and comment process, but BNSF may qualify for certain permits that would not require public input. The construction of a second bridge, as proposed by BNSF, will require permitting from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), among other permits. In some cases, necessary permits from the USACE can be obtained through a general permitting process that does not require public comment. However, the USACE has discretionary authority to require an individual permitting process that mandates public comment when a proposed project has the potential to result in significant impacts on the public and the environment.
They were quite casual and unruffled about the whole affair. I haven’t been green for a long God**** time.
administrative assistant, and the mayor. One of these people was actually able to talk to a live being at UP. This person said that the locomotive could not be turned off because the cars needed constant air pressure. Quite interesting since half of the train sat disconnected from all source of compresed air for its brake system south of the Bonner Mall crossing for the entire period of March 14 to 19. For the further edification of the people of Ponderay, this is not the first time that UP has done this. They have taken to parking cars full of dangerous materials; petroleum gas, anhydrous ammonia, molten sulphate, hydrochloric acid, and other substances. I sure love UP’s concern for living breathing human beings. I wonder what our worth in dollars is to the UP corporate lawyers if they have a deadly accident. Bet you not much! If any of this bothers or seriously concerns you, I suggest you start writing to your newspapers, federal, state, county and local offices, especially our US senators, state DEQ, county commissioners, mayors and city councils of both Ponderay and Sandpoint. If enough of you join me perhaps we can embarrass UP into
Lawrence Blakey Sandpoint
Union Pacific Not Good Neighbors... Dear Editor, I would like to extend my wholehearted thanks to the Union Pacific Railroad for being exceptionally good corporate neighbors to the citizens of Ponderay, especially those who live along the right of way between the Bonner Mall grade crossing and just north of the Kootenai Cutoff road grade crossing. For between 120 and 144 hours, March 14 to 19, you provided us with a noisy obnoxious symphony of locomotive noises. After 48 hours of this discord music I started calling Union Pacific RR phone numbers, requesting that they either move the locomotives or shut them off. No one from corporate bothered to return my calls. Thanks so much for your promise to return my call as soon as possible. I am still waiting over a month later. Next I enlisted the help of the city of Ponderay, the city clerk,
A train passes over Lake Pend Oreille. Courtesy photo. A proposal of this scale should have the benefit of the local communities’ opinions and concerns. The best way to ensure the public can weigh in on this proposal is to request that the USACE require BNSF to apply for an individual permit that mandates a public comment period. Requests to the USACE can be directed to: Deputy District Engineer, Alan W. Feistner USACE, Walla Walla District 201 North Third Avenue Walla Walla, WA 99362-1876 For a template letter, please becoming a better corporate citizen. I know, “How naive of me.” Paul Felter Ponderay
Weather Manipulation... Dear Editor, I read with equal parts horror and hilarity “A Market-Driven Approach to Fight Climate Change” Sandpoint Reader, April 27. Hilarity at the pigs-can-fly nonsense contained in the article, and horror at the realization of how many people have been taken in by one of the greatest misdirects of all time. For decades, the military/industrial complex has been manipulating the weather on a global scale. This is accomplished by a program of high-altitude aerosol spraying. The second assault on the planet is the various world-wide installations which beam powerful radio waves into the ionosphere, called “ionospheric heaters,” also known as HAARP - High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program. Many have eagerly jumped on the well-funded bandwagon of man-made-warming/climate change, thought to be caused by greenhouse
visit www.lpow.org If you believe that ensuring the integrity of our current rail infrastructure, including tracks and the existing bridge, should take precedent over creating new infrastructure that could result in additional accidents, threats to water quality and overall quality of life, please take the time to contact the USACE. Shannon Williamson is the executive director of Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper and a Sandpoint city councilperson. Matt Nykiel is a conversation associate with Idaho Conservation League. gasses, and the evil demon carbon. If the left-wing, socialist dream of instituting a tax on carbon ever becomes a reality in the U.S., you can kiss this already sputtering economy and your freedom, goodbye. I urge anyone who wishes to know the truth about weather manipulation and control to visit any of these websites: www.geoengineeringwatch.org www.chemtrailsplanet.net www.aircrap.org. Cort Gifford Sandpoint
Trump Don’t Care... Dear Editor, When the Affordable Health Care Act was signed into law by the last administration, it was almost universally referred to as Obamacare. If the current president axes “Obamacare” as he has promised and does not replace it with a health care plan that makes good health care affordable and available to all citizens of the United States, it should be referred to as “Trump Don’t Care”. Allan Bopp Sandpoint May 11, 2017 /
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SilverWing awarded legal costs in court case
By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff A state court ordered Bonner County to pay $752,907.82 in legal fees to SilverWing last week, another setback in its longstanding legal dispute with the company. The award follows SilverWing’s victory in court last November, when a jury awarded the company $250,000. The source of the dispute dates back almost a decade, when SilverWing, a planned fly-in residential development near Sandpoint Airport, alleged that the county backed out of a through-thefence agreement. “We are pleased with the results of this award as well as the previous jury award in this trial,” said Michael Mileski, a developer in the SilverWing project. “SilverWing remains optimistic that we can work with the airport sponsor to complete our project as already approved by the governing municipalities and previously supported by Bonner County representatives.” While Bonner County won a judgment early last year granting $750,000 in legal fees, the dispute with SilverWing has proven an expensive one. According to a public records request filed in February, the county had spent a minimum of $3,775,682 in legal fees and other expenditures related to the case as of Feb. 10. The Bonner County Board of Commissioners did not respond by press time to an emailed request for comment. We’ll update this story should we receive one. 6 /
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NEWS
Labrador enters gubernatorial race By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador filed candidacy paperwork for the 2018 Idaho gubernatorial race this week, joining an already-crowded field for the 2018 Republican primary election. The four-term Congressman joins Idaho Lt. Gov. Brad Little, former state Sen. Russ Fulcher and Boise businessman Tommy Ahlquist in the race for the governor’s office. Labrador’s candidacy comes just days after making national news for controversially stating at a town hall meeting that no one dies from lack of access to health care. Labrador’s entry into the gubernatorial race will make it even more necessary for candidates to distinguish themselves from the rest of the pack in the run-up to the 2018 Republican primary election. Both Labrador and candidate Russ Fulcher have received support from Tea Party-aligned Republicans, with Labrador endorsing Fulcher for governor over Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter in the 2014 primary election.
“[Labrador] said that I would ‘work to reduce our dependence on Washington, D.C., make the tax code more competitive, reduce regulation, and give Idaho the chance to fulfill its promise,’” Fulcher said in a news release. “I suspect he still believes that.” Last week, Labrador made national headlines for telling an antagonistic town hall crowd that “nobody dies because they don’t have access to health care.” The Congressman received widespread criticism for the remark, with PolitiFact awarding the remark a “Pants on Fire” rating for inaccuracy. Labrador later clarified that he was referring to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, which requires emergency rooms to treat anyone regardless of ability to pay. Critics of Labrador’s statement countered that emergency rooms don’t treat chronic conditions that require long-term medical care. The town hall meeting’s contentious tone stemmed from Labrador’s support for the Republican health care replacement bill, which passed the GOP-controlled House last week and dismantles
City announces meeting to determine fate of BID By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff If you have an opinion about the Sandpoint Business Improvement District, the time to share it is coming up soon. The city announced last week that it will hold several listening sessions to gather public opinion about the BID. Roger Woodworth of Mindset Matters, an independent consulting firm, will engage business owners to assess the current situation and establish consensus on a direction for the future. The feedback will inform the Sandpoint City Council’s decision on the fate of the BID, which is expected in July or August. “It is critical that all of the businesses in the BID participate in this effort so we can get to the end result that reflects the desires and needs of the majority of
Raul Labrador. key aspects of the Affordable Care Act. The bill is expected to undergo major changes or a complete overhaul in the Senate.
Judd to create Festival poster By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff
the businesses within the district. It is clear that the current model and structure is not working,” said City Administrator Jennifer Stapleton. The listening sessions are scheduled for 2-4 p.m., May 15, at the Little Panida Theater; 7-9 p.m., May 15, at Pend d’Oreille Winery; 7-9 a.m., May 16, at Cedar Street Bistro; 11 a.m.-1p.m., May 16, at Jalapeno’s banquet room; 2-4 p.m., May 22, at the Little Panida Theater; 7-8 p.m., May 22, at the Pend d’Oreille Winery; and 7-9 a.m., May 23, at Cedar Street Bistro. A limited number of individual interviews will also occur. To participate in one, call Melissa Ward at the city at 208.263.3317 or mward@sandpointidaho.gov.
The task of creating each year’s Festival at Sandpoint poster art is a coveted gig, and this year, the honor goes to Leata Judd. Primarily known for her work in paper mache and clay, Judd is also accomplished in many other mediums. Her work on this year’s poster will be shown to the public at the Festival’s annual unveiling ceremony, held this year on July 13. As always, the poster art will be included on Festival memorabilia and marketing materials. The original piece will also be auctioned off to support the Festival’s philanthropic programs.
NEWS
Tunnel at Hanford Turf vs. grass: the debate for the playing surface at Memorial Field nuclear plant collapses By Cameron Rasmusson and Ben Olson Reader Staff
A debate over whether to use natural or artificial turf in the Memorial Field renovation project is forcing people to question the park’s place in the community. For those emphasizing the park’s athletic uses, artificial turf is the preferred option for its resilience and its year-round usability. But for neighbors and event organizations like the Festival at Sandpoint, natural grass is favored for its aesthetic value and comfort. The debate over turf options is expected to be the centerpiece of Memorial Field workshop set for 5:30 p.m. today—Thursday, May 11—at Sandpoint City Hall. According to Tom Sherry of SPVV Landscape Architects, there are three turf options on the table for Memorial Field: artificial turf, natural turf or a hybrid option, where the infield and dirt areas of the baseball field would use artificial landscaping while the rest of the field would be natural. One thing is clear in the debate: Memorial Field needs a new approach. According to Sherry, the existing field is based in heavy, dark soil that does not drain water well, which often leads to soggy conditions that are either unplayable or prone to damage. It only allows for between 750 to 1,000 hours of annual playtime, even though much higher demand exists for the field. “I don’t have a dog in this fight,” Sherry said. “Either one of these options is going to be way better than what you have now.” The natural turf option replaces the heavy soil, instead using a sand matrix that drains much more quickly. That, at a minimum, doubles the effective amount of play hours on the field while still maintaining the look and feel of natural grass. The option is less expensive than artificial turf up front at about $1 million in total, but it requires regular maintenance and more complex draining to keep fertilizer from affecting water quality. The Festival at Sandpoint vastly prefers the natural grass option to ensure the event continues to take place at Memorial Field. Natural grass stays cooler than artificial grass—about 26 degrees cooler, according to Sherry—which impacts the comfort for the hundreds sitting on the field during the Festival. Artificial turf also allows for tent pegs to be hammered in at designated points alone, which Festival director Dyno Wahl said is fine for the
By Ben Olson Reader Staff
The new grandstands are taking shape from the grass level. Photo by Ben Olson. main tent. Smaller vendor tents, however, move around the field from year to year— flexibility that only the natural or hybrid options would allow. “That’s the only really win-win solution: natural turf,” Wahl said. Likewise, the consensus among neighbors of Memorial Field seems to favor natural grass for its appearance, based on the responses of those interviewed for this story. “I prefer grass,” said Alice Coldsnow, who lives across the street from the field. “It’s so much better to look at real grass and real water instead of fake grass. Most of the neighbors prefer grass, too.” For athletic events, artificial turf brings its own advantages. There’s virtually no limit to the playable hours on artificial turf, and with the appropriate snow removal equipment, it can also be used in the winter. The expanded versatility is an
enticing option for sports teams longing for spring or fall practice schedules. While artificial turf is more expensive at about $1.3 million in cost, it also requires relatively little regular maintenance. However, it needs to be replaced every 10-12 years, which Sherry said mostly negates the savings in maintenance. “The climate and condition of most facilities in Sandpoint make it very hard to consistently schedule events in the spring and late fall,” said Mose Dunkel, who is involved in several student athletics programs. “Having a facility available that guarantees nearly year-around usability is ideal for all users of Memorial Field.” “The city has the money to do it right for the best possible choice thanks to voters’ approval,” added Dunkel. “I feel like it’s a no-brainer to choose the artificial surface option.”
A tunnel collapsed at the mostly decommissioned nuclear production site in Hanford, Wash. on Tuesday, according to King 5 TV news. Hundreds of workers were ordered into the “take cover” position after the tunnel full of contaminated materials such as hot radioactive trains that transport fuel rods collapsed. A source said that road work crews nearby may have contributed enough vibration to cause the collapse, said King 5. A manager sent a message to all Hanford personnel telling them to “secure ventilation in your building” and “refrain from eating or drinking.” Hanford is considered by many to be one of the most contaminated nuclear sites in the U.S., and was the location where plutonium for the Nagasaki atomic bomb was produced during World War II. The site was mostly decommissioned after the Cold War, and is the focus of a large environmental clean-up project. The nuclear plant is located between Tri-Cities and Moses Lake in Washington. There have been no reports of injuries or radiation leaks at this time.
Candidates talk shop at final forum By Reader Staff
More than 60 people showed up for the KRFY, Sandpoint Online and Sandpoint Reader school board candidate’s forum, the final forum prior to the May 16 election. The two-hour event gave residents a final chance to weigh the differences between the six candidates: Richard Miller and Gary Suppiger for Zone 2, Victoria Zeischegg and Lonnie Williams for Zone 3 and Anita Perry and Cary Kelly for Zone 5. The forum covered far more topics than we have space for here, but voters can watch the entire forum at Sandpoint Online’s Facebook page: www. facebook.com/sandpointonline.
The candidates showed near unanimous support for increasing post-high school vocational and technical training in North Idaho. They also largely agreed that more money does not necessarily translate to better schools, although they differed on how to utilize the money available to the district. On the other hand, the question of whether or not candidates supported the $17 million March levy was a dividing topic, with Suppiger, Williams and Kelly saying they supported it and Miller, Zeischegg and Perry saying they did not vote for it due to the increase from the previous $15.8 million levy. On the subject of class sizes, Zeischegg agreed that younger students
should have access to small classrooms, but larger class sizes could work for older students in certain subjects. Williams said his goal was to strive for small class sizes, a goal Suppiger said he shared. Miller said small class sizes were important for young students, but ultimately, teachers had the best understanding of manageable classroom environments. Kelly largely agreed with keeping class sizes small, while Perry said that there were many variables to consider, with small sizes being the rule of thumb for young children and larger class sizes working for older kids, especially those bound for college and its large-scale lectures.
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SPOT Bus eyes expansion to Bonners Ferry By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff Bouquets: •Because we don’t have much money here at the Reader, I’m having to deposit checks almost every day at our bank over at Washington Trust so we keep cash flowing. One of my favorite days to go in is Friday, when Jenny has her homemade baked goods on display for customers. Even if it’s not Friday, it’s always nice to enjoy the company of your bankers. The whole crew at Washington Trust is great (except Nate, who is a terrible fisherman I’ve heard). Barbs: •Idaho Rep. Raul Labrador gets the big Barb of the week for his asinine comments during a town hall meeting in Lewiston last week. Labrador was booed loudly after his response to an audience member interrupting his speech by telling the Idaho representative that he is “mandating people on Medicaid to accept dying.” Labrador replied, “No one wants anyone to die. That line is so indefensible ... nobody dies because they don’t have access to health care.” Boo. Hiss. •It seems every year there are fewer and fewer places to camp primitively and free on the lake. Last weekend, Cadie and I went to an old favorite spot of ours for our first camp-out of the year and saw that signs had been put up restricting overnight use. A neighbor informed us it was closed to camping because people were partying, shooting guns, driving their trucks in the mud and generally being idiots. So, sadly, we packed up camp and drove to Montana to camp in national forest land. Thank God we have public land available for all to use. I’m just bummed that we can’t figure out how to treat places with respect and dignity. Think about that next time you’re at Green Bay or another popular spot. Can you imagine if you pull up one day, set up camp and realize that it has been closed because people are morons? 8 /
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For the better part of a decade, SPOT has been linking together the communities of Dover, Sandpoint, Ponderay and Kootenai. Thanks to an experimental route currently under way, Bonners Ferry could well join that list. Launched in April, the SPOT gold route is a once-aweek link to Bonners Ferry that opens access to the Boundary County neighbor to the north. Like all SPOT rides, it is a free service to the public and will run until June 24. “We’re hoping this will be the start of more connections between the two cities,” said Marion Johnson, manager of SPOT. An acronym for Selkirks-Pend Oreille Transit, SPOT launched in 2011 and quickly gained a reputation as a model small community transportation system. From the beginning, SPOT’s goal was to provide increased connectivity between North Idaho communities, and the gold route is yet another application of that philosophy. This time, the idea is to ensure that residents of Sandpoint have the access to the benefits of Bonners Ferry and vice versa. That includes access to the Bonners Ferry downtown and a new farmer’s market, as well as the Kootenai River Inn Spa and Casino, which partially funds the route and serves as its primary stop. “While it wasn’t our primary goal, one of the big benefits is for people wanting to go to the casino,” Johnson said. It’s just the latest successful partnership between SPOT and a private business, a trail first blazed when the bus system teamed up with Schweitzer Mountain Resort. The bus service has long maintained a winter route linking riders to the Schweitzer Red Barn at the base of the mountain, where
they can grab a shuttle to the resort village. For Johnson, the experience provided a model for a successful partnership with private business. “The more people you can partner with in the private sector, the more successful you often are,” said Johnson. However, the gold route is also the fruition of long conversations with Boundary County local governments. Both the city of Bonners Ferry and Boundary County have been in talks to bring more elements of SPOT service farther north, and the gold route experiment is the first dipped toe into those waters.
“We were going to do it a few months ago and it never got off the ground,” Johnson said. “This just seemed like the time to do it.” There’s no word yet whether the gold route will transition into a permanent service. After the completion of the trial, Johnson said she and the route partners will evaluate the next steps. It could become a seasonal service that runs from fall to spring and breaks for summer. Or it could potentially become a year-round service. Nothing is set in stone until the team has time to evaluate its performance after the trial wraps.
“We’re doing three month trial to see if there’s enough ridership to make it be a permanent thing,” Johnson said. It’s very possible [that the service will continue,]” Johnson said. “To me it looks good, but that’s something we’ll have to talk about with the partners. The SPOT gold route will run each Saturday until June 24. Stops include Third and Oak at 9:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 1:45 p.m., 3:45 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.; Walmart at 9:55 a.m., 11:55 a.m., 1:55 p.m., 3:55 p.m. and 5:55 p.m.; and Kootenai River Inn at 10:35 a.m., 12:35 p.m., 2:35 p.m., 4:35 p.m. and 6:35 p.m.
Chamber welcomes Idaho Club with ribbon cutting
By Ben Olson Reader Staff The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce welcomed the Idaho Club golf resort with a ribbon cutting on Monday, May 8. The Idaho Club invited members of the media, area developers and elected officials to play an informal scramble on what turned out to be a beautiful day on the links. “We want everyone to know
that we’re doing our best to get the Idaho Club back and healthy again,” said Bill Haberman, co-owner of the Idaho Club. Renderings were also on display, depicting what could be a future clubhouse to replace the iconic clubhouse that was destroyed in a fire in 2008. Idaho Club golf professional Randy Fischer also reminded those in attendance that the Idaho Club was semi-private, meaning that member play only takes place in the morning be-
From left to right: Clem Hackworthy, Vicky Jacobson, Head Pro Randi Fischer, Steve Sanchez, Kate McAlister, Bob Witte, Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad and Idaho Club co-owner Bill Haberman. Photo by Ben Olson. fore 10:30 a.m. After this time, the course is open to public play and is open for another great year of golf. The course was in great shape for early May, thanks to the diligent work from longtime superintendent Tim Heeney and his wife Nancy.
COMMUNITY
LPO Waterkeeper lists upcoming events and programs By Ben Olson Reader Staff Love the lake? There are some great ways to show it and Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper wants you to know about them. The 2017 Sand Creek Cleanup will take place on Saturday, May 20 from 10 a.m.12 p.m. This is a great annual event aiming to spruce up our local waterways as we move into the busy summer season on Lake Pend Oreille. Interested parties should meet at the City Beach Pavilillion to help collect littler, debris and micro-trash from City Beach and along the Sand Creek corridor. The event is co-sponsored by City of Sand-
point and Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper. LPOW will provide trash bags, gloves and refreshments. May is also the kickoff to the annual Water Quality Monitoring Program (WQMP) from LPOW. The 6th annual citizen scientist driven WQMP is our watershed’s first consistent long-term monitoring effort to measure water quality. Since 2012, the WQMP has tracked changes to water quality conditions at designated sites across Lake Pend Oreille and the Pend Oreille River, gathering critical water quality information from June through October each year. By collating yearly data, the WQMP is helping to build a solid under-
Sustainability Committee meeting upcoming By Ben Olson Reader Staff The Sustainability Committee monthly meeting is coming up Thursday, May 18. The committee meets the third Thursday every month in the City Council chambers at City Hall at 4 p.m. The Sustainability Committee is a group of devoted local citizens aiming to help the city meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability to meet the needs of future generations. They act in an advisory capacity to the mayor and city council to aid in the process of effective, responsible and efficient government, with the goal of enhancing connectivity, promoting good stewardship, ensuring resilience and fostering socioeconomic health. Discussions from last month’s meeting include amending a proposed farm bill initiative, a search for methods to reduce, reuse and recycle waste at the Festival at Sandpoint and other local events, organizing “ditch days” roadside
clean up with Koch Recycling and looking into the possibility of establishing school gardens. The monthly meetings are open to the public. Each month, following the Sustainability Committee’s meeting, the Reader will feature the highlights of what was covered, as well as offering a community information exchange with calls to action. For example, do you know anyone who would be willing to accept and process compost? What options are available for cooking grease pick up? Are there any bio-fuel producers in the area? To learn more about the Sustainability Committee, find them on the City of Sandpoint website at www.cityofsandpoint.com or email suscomsandpoint@idaho.gov.
standing of local waterways, documenting current water quality conditions and creating a reference point for any future changes that may occur. For those interested in volunteering as citizen scientists, there will be an orientation on Tuesday, May 30 at the LPOW office located in their new location at 100A Cedar St. at 5:30 p.m. There is no prior experience necessary, just a passion for our local waterways and the means to get out on the lake and river with water collection gear. Water conveyances can be anything from kayaks to canoes to powerboats. All volunteers that sign up for the program are required to attend one of the mandatory
Bruce and Judy Butler participate in the WQMP. Photo by Becky Reynolds.
WQMP training sessions in early June. The field season kicks off June 20 with the first sampling day on the water. For any questions about the Sand Creek Cleanup or the
WQMP, please contact LPOW executive director Shannon Williamson at 208-597-7188 or shannon@lakependoreillewaterkeeper.org.
Spring is blooming at LPO High School
By Ben Olson Reader Staff The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and the flowers are blooming. It’s safe to say that spring has sprung. What better way to honor Mom on Mother’s Day than giving her a beautiful flower basket while also benefiting our
community’s students? The annual Mother’s Day flower baskets are now available at Lake Pend Oreille High School, 1005 N. Boyer. Baskets are available for purchase any weekday between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. for $20 each.
LPOHS students from left to right: Amoreena Crawford, Caitlin Yarber, Zeya Martin, Hunter Hendrix, Ashlynn Di Giulio, Jesse Thomas, Izzi Peterson and Mason Deal. Courtesy photo.
The money raised by the flower basket program will go toward students or needed classroom supplies at LPO High School. May 11, 2017 /
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Mad about Science: By Brenden Bobby Reader Columnist I don’t know about you, but I was captivated by swords from a young age. They are unique symbols of power, righteousness, justice, strength and courage. At the same time, they are tools of tyranny and oppression, and on rare occasion, something people swallow at fairs. While simply a weapon, they carry with them imagery that other weapons just don’t possess. Contrast the imagery between swords and guns. Imagining a sword, you likely first envision a gallant knight, or perhaps an Arthurian figure holding his blade aloft as he is bathed in divine light. Seeing a guy holding a gun, your human instinct is probably that of cautionary interest. Less interest and more fear if the gun is pointed at you. Chances are, you can outrun a guy wielding a German zweihander, but you definitely can’t outrun the bullet from an AK-47 pointed at you. Now I’m not taking a dig at gun owners. There’s a reason that most of us own a gun instead of a sword for hunting or home defense. Swords are obsolete for either, and they serve no purpose in warfare anymore, so why do they still captivate our imaginations? Obi-Wan Kenobi probably said it best: “Not as clumsy or random as a blaster. An elegant weapon, for a more civilized age.” We as a species lived alongside swords and other bladed weapons for a lot longer than we’ve lived around guns. We see them now as a tool of mystique, something that, while obsolete, requires a unique level of skill and precision to properly use. They have that whole mythological appeal to them. How often do you hear about a guy gunning down a dragon? No, he took that beast down with a SWORD! The mythology affixed to swords transcends the West. For 10 /
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swords
hundreds, perhaps thousands of years, the katana, the Japanese samurai sword, was revered as a status symbol. It wasn’t just a sharp stick you could swing at your problems to make them go away. If you weren’t extremely skilled, someone that spent a lot more time with their weapon could cut you down in a singing blue flash. Skill with a blade in Japan, even today, is revered because it shows tenacity, duty, determination and strength. Granted, since World War II, the handling of these blades in Japan is highly monitored through licensing and bureaucracy. The weapons are treated similarly to how cars are here, with the added bonus that they are considered cultural artifacts. Great care is taken in crafting these, as it’s a part of Japanese history, not just a cool thing you can buy at a flea market to carve up a tree stump. Did you know most prolific westerns were inspired by Japanese samurai cinema during the 1950s? “The Magnificent Seven” was an American adaptation of one of director Akira Kurosawa’s greatest samurai movies: “Seven Samurai.” If you haven’t seen either, we carry both at the library! Brenden, this isn’t very scientific! You’re giving me a cinema lesson. I know, I know, let’s get down to what Mad About Science does best: Describing things in a random order! A sword is pretty basic at first glance: Essentially it’s just a sharp metal stick that you hit things with. That’s where the concept started sometime around 1600 B.C. Warriors used slings, shields, spears and clubs in combat before the invention of the sword, so after a while someone must have figured out:”Hey, when we’re shield-to-shield, so close to the enemy that I can smell the goat he ate for lunch, my spear is too
unwieldy to finish him with. If only the spear were shorter and easy to draw.”. The first swords were basically just the tip of a spear and a stubby handle, something you could stab a guy with when he got too close. The oldest sword you can probably think of, if you are not entertained, is the Roman gladius. Sharp, pointy, with a handle and a pommel. What’s a pommel? It’s the bulky bit of metal that rests below the handle, or hilt, of the sword. It’s used to counterbalance the weapon and make it easier to control while swinging, while also adding a little oomph to each whack. Any time anyone mentions a sword, you probably envision Excalibur, the blade of King Arthur, with its magnificent crossshape being pulled from the stone. (Actually, Caliburn was pulled from the stone, and Excalibur was gifted to Arthur by the Lady of the Lake when he lost Caliburn.) That bar of metal at the top of the hilt is called a crossguard or quillon, and it was designed to protect a user’s hands from an enemy’s strike during a parry (collision of swords, which, worth noting, is a darn good way to ruin a sword). The legend of King Arthur was believed to have taken place during the 5th century, while crossguards wouldn’t historically appear on European swords until almost 500 years later, during the Crusades. That’s longer than America’s been around by double. Ever heard the story about why swords have a ridge at the center? Supposedly, this was to break surface tension when cutting or stabbing, allowing a warrior to pull his blade back out of his foe. After some digging, I found this wasn’t really the case. This ridge is called a Fuller, and it’s designed to strengthen the blade in the middle during cutting and keep it from breaking while twisting. It’s
named after the tool used when smithing the weapon to create that ridge. Before I use up all of the Reader’s ink, I thought I’d point out some cool swords throughout history: The zweihander: a Germanic sword that literally means “Twohander”. There was a grip above the crossguard so that warriors could use it in close-quarters, swinging it like a kayak paddle. The kukri: Curved like a boomerang, it was one of the rare swords that, like the machete, was used as a tool as well as a military weapon. From Nepal. The jian: A Chinese straight sword that is very nimble, light, and has been used for at least 2,500 years with relatively little modification. Its primary use was to cripple opponents or disarm them without killing them. Watch some of the modern practitioners use this online. Seriously, your
mind will be blown. (Don’t worry, parents, it’s bloodless sparring.) The scimitar: An Arabic sword with an unusual curve, designed exclusively for slashing. Most think of those wide swords from Disney’s “Aladdin,” but actual Scimitars were slim to keep the weight down and allow for faster cutting. The wide swords everyone thinks of are more akin to the falchion, which has been mistakenly attributed to Caribbean pirates of the 1700s, who likely used the saber or the cutlass. Take it from this nerd: If you’ve learned anything today, it’s that swords don’t make for effective cutlery. Carving a ham with a greatsword might make you go viral, but is that really what you want to be remembered for? Uhh… yeah!
Random Corner murai?help!
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• While “samurai” is a strictly masculine term, the Japanese bushi class (the social class samurai came from) did feature women who received similar training in martial arts and strategy. These women were called “Onna-Bugeisha,” and they were known to participate in combat along with their male counterparts. • The samurai armor, unlike the clunky armor worn by European knights, was always designed for mobility. The most famous feature of the helmet was its Darth Vader–like neck guard (Darth Vader’s design was actually influenced by samurai helmets). It defended the wearer from arrows and swords coming from all angles. • Much like the Spartans, another warrior culture, the samurai not only accepted the presence of same-sex relations in their culture—they actively encouraged them. • Samurai were the rock stars of their time, and their style of clothing massively influenced the fashion of the era.
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Special thanks to the following for your generous support: 219 Lounge All About Weddings Bright Moments Trio Clearwater Gear Curt Hagan Encoder Products Company Festival at Sandpoint Jacob Aanes Jennifer Leo KRFY Community Radio Lone Tree Creative Nannette Hientzelman Sandpoint Friends of the Library Schweitzer Mountain Resort STCU Tango Cafe Trinity at City Beach Willow Run Crafts - Karen Benedict
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Dollar Beers! 8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Good until the keg’s dry Live Music w/ Brian Jacobs 9pm @ 219 Lounge
War Memorial Field Replacement Workshop 5:30-7:30pm @ City Council Chambers (City Hall) The City of Sandpoint hosts its second community workshop to discuss the replacement field options at War Memorial and receive public input. Field options, including natural, hybrid and artificial turf will be discussed
Live Music w/ Ron Greene 6:30-9:30pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall A dynamic musician with an intimate stage presence Live Music w/ Chris Lynch & Meg Turner 5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Live Music w/ Brian Jacobs 5:30-8:30pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery
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O 6Op an ov Li 9p
Chill Night at the Niner @ 219 Lounge No live music, just a great time for chilling o
Friday Night Music on the Bridge 6-8pm @ The Wine Bar on Cedar St. Bridge Live Music w/ Bright Moments Jazz 7-10pm @ Eichardt’s Pub
Live Music w/ Brian Jacobs & Chris Lynch 7-10pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall A guitar/piano duo playing acoustic rock favs Live Music w/ Truck Mills 5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Truck is one of the best guitar players in Sandpoint, and knows how to work a crowd Live Music w/ Still Tipsy and the Hangovers 9pm @ 219 Lounge Swing, jazz and rockabilly from a great group Hope Elementary Spring Fling 8am -1pm @ Hope Elementary School A fundraiser for Hope Elementary featuring a yard sale, bake sale, plant sale, carwash, BBQ lunch and more! Sandpoint Chess Club 9am @ Evans Brothers Coffee Game Night at the Niner 9pm @ 219 Lounge
Queen B. Drag Show 9:30pm @ Sandpoint Eagles Lodge Don’t miss this chance to take your mama night for some extravagant entertainment! Q B. teams up with jewelry consultant Stacey bles” Sams to throw extra glitter on this one Pie & Whiskey & Mothers 1pm @ Sandpoint Library Lost Horse Press presents a reading, pie e whiskey drinking book signing event fea writers Kate Lebo and Sam Ligon Safezone Workshop 1-3pm @ Sandpoint Community Hall A workshop to explore ways of creating safe es for all youth to express themselves Mother’s Day Concert - Two Boys Sopranos 5pm @ First Presbyterian Church Cody Moore and Andrew Lapadat, accompanied b Saint Saens, Pergolesi and others as a special treat fo
Monday Night Blues Jam w/ Truck Mills 7:30pm @ Eichardt’s Pub LPOSD and EBCLD Trustees Election 8am-8pm @ various polling places Get out and vote for school board and library trustees. This is an important election, so don’t miss it!
National Craft Beer Week Celebration (M @ 219 Lounge Come in to the 219 for $2 craft beer specia
Night Out Karaoke 9pm-12am @ 219 Lounge 350Sandpoint.org meeting 5-7pm @ Spt. Library
Hiawatha Drum Circle! Unite the Tribes! Viking Fest @ SKåL Taproom 6:30-8pm @ Memorial Community Center (Hope) Vikings biking through Ponderay, scavenger hunt and back to SKåL for grub and gruel an award ceremony. Costumes are encouraged but not required. Catered by Pack River General Store Dollar Beers! 8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Ballast Point Tap Takeover @ 219 Lounge Reps will be on hand with free stuff. Music by DJ Josh Adams
Girls Pint Night Out 5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Cool chicks! Great beer! No dudes! Join Vicki at the back table for an evening of tasting German-style beers!
NAMI Far No 5:30pm @ Old Featured speak mond. Free and
Five Minutes of Fam 6:30pm @ Cafe Bod Writers, musicians, l welcome all. Meets Wednesday of every
Rock ‘n’ Roll Heaven This popular show sell Lost in the ‘50s celebra thony as Richie Valens ented band called The L
ful
May 11 - 18, 2017
l) workr Meuding
Open Mic with Doug and Kevin 6-9pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Open mic hosted by Doug Bond and Kevin Dorin. All local artists over 21 are welcome! Live Music w/ Brian Jacobs 9pm @ 219 Lounge
chilling out
e St. Bridge
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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
Live Music w/ The Cole Show 6pm @ Arlo’s Ristorante Live Music w/ Jake Robin 6-8pm @ The Wine Bar at Cedar St. Bistro
Intuitive Reading Show 6:30-8pm @ Inquire Within, 516 Oak St. Be inspired as Intuitive Medium Bonnie Whiting brings through positive, accurate messages for audience members. Cost is $15. 255-7903 ‘Vaxxed’ documentary film 7pm @ Little Panida Theater Free screening of this anti-vax documentary
Sandpoint Contra Dance 7pm @ Sandpoint Community Hall All dances are taught and called with live music. $5 donation Teen Writers Club 3:30pm @ Sandpoint Library Teens who write ... unite! Enjoy collaboration, peer reviews, and more
May Story Walk (May 13 & 14) Basic Computer Class ge @ Balto Dog Park in Dover 8:15am @ Sandpoint Library ur mama out all Preregistration is required 208-263-6930 Take a walk with Mom for Mother’s Day! ainment! Queen Finally Home! Homebuyer Ed. Class Sandpoint Farmers’ Market nt Stacey “Bub9am-2pm @ Bonner Community 9am @ Farmin Park on this one! 21+ Housing Agency, 819 Highway 2 #204 The Farmers’ Market is back! Head down to Learn how to navigate the home-buying Farmin Park for fresh produce, garden starts as process, find the right lender, avoid costly well as live music and fun for the whole family ing, pie eating, mistakes, get a better interest rate, and pos- Cedar St. Bridge Public Market event featuring sibly qualify for down payment assistance. 10am-2pm @ Cedar St. Bridge $20; pre-registration required at FinallyHo- Come enjoy indoor shopping on the bridge meIdaho.com. 208-263-5720 spanning Sand Creek Hall Live Music w/ Ken Mayginnes Live Music w/ The Cole Show eating safe spac6-8pm @ The Wine Bar at Cedar St. Bistro 6pm @ Arlo’s Ristorante ves ranos Mother’s Day Pancake Breakfast Happy Mother’s Day! 7am-1pm @ Elks Lodge mpanied by Tom Rodda, will be performing pieces by Moms eat free at the Boy Scouts Troop 111 Pancial treat for this Mother’s Day Concert Free admission cake Breakfast. Kids 12 and under, $4. Adults $8 Malt Shop Memories and More: Music from the doo wap era bration (May 15 - 21) 6pm @ 1400 -1450 AM - 105.3 FM Doo wop radio show hosted by Bill Litsinger eer specials throughout the week
MI Far North monthly meeting m @ Old BGH Classroom red speaker will be Brenda Hamd. Free and open to all
CHAFE 150 Fondo Fundraiser Party 5-8pm @ Idaho Pour Authority All are welcome! Enjoy complimentary appetizers and raffle prizes
May 19 Lost in the ‘50s Vintage Car Pates of Fame First Day of Women’s Golf Course Farmers’ Market Cafe Bodega 3pm @ Farmin Park rade and Street League Play usicians, listeners, 9am @ Elk’s Golf Course The afternoon market Dance @ Do wnll. Meets the third Breakfast $10. We welcome new golf- on Wednesdays for all town Sandpoint y of every month ers to join the League. Info 610-5914 your produce needs! May 20 l Heaven • 7pm @ Bonner County Fairgrounds Lost in the ‘50s show sells out almost every year, and is the opening event for the 32nd annual Vintage Car 0s celebration. This year’s performers are Ryan Pelton as Elvis, Sting Ray AnSh ow @ Downhie Valens, and Lance Lipinsky as Jerry Lee Lewis. Plus a young new crazy-tallled The Lovers will be rockin’ the house over the top. For ticket info 263-9321 town Sandpoint
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Area women honored as ‘Women of Wisdom’ By Jim Ramsey Reader Contributor This Saturday, five Bonner County women will be honored for their community service and leadership with the cherished “Women of Wisdom” award bringing to 100 the total of women so honored in the program’s 18 years. The recipients to be honored on May 13 are: Patti Clemons, Janel Holm, Donna Hutter, Myra Lewis and Georgia Simmons. They were selected by the 22-member Women Honoring Women (WHW) committee “from many nominations, which is no easy task,” says committee member Kathy Chambers. WOW selection calls for “a candidate to be 65 years or older, demonstrate vision, collaboration, leadership, grace, courage, integrity and a love of learning through the pursuit of knowledge. She shows a commitment to and has had a positive impact on the Bonner County community. She is an inspiration to others and an example for future generations of women.” “Women of Wisdom” was the creation of Marsha Ogilvie in 1999 “who realized there were so many outstanding women, unnoticed in our community, who deserved recognition for a lifetime of service,” Chambers says. Ten women were honored that year in what was supposed to be a one-time event, “but it was so successful that it has been an annual event ever since,” she adds. Patti Clemons is an original member of the WHW committee and the board of directors of Kinderhaven. “She was on hand for the original Kinderhaven ‘Festival of Trees’ and has continued helping with and donating to that event,” wrote Barb Merritt in her nomination letter. Clemons has also been active in Panhandle Animal Shelter events.
Patti Clemons.
Janel Holm.
Janel Holm’s activities have included the library’s Bookmobile, quilting for World Relief, and the local food truck. “Janel’s contributions to this world and our community have made a genuinely positive difference in the countless lives she has touched,” wrote Marianne Love and Helen Newton. Donna Hutter “exemplifies what it means to ‘give back’ to all those organizations that make this community so very special,” according to Barbara Eacret. Donna is a member of Angels Over Sandpoint, sponsor and volunteer of the School Backpack Program and is a Kinderhaven Ambassador. Myra Lewis moved to Clark Fork with her husband to build the Diamond T Guest Ranch. She also taught business and physical education and coached volleyball. Marianne Love, her teacher friend, wrote, “It took no time for everyone on staff to develop a great respect for her as she loved her students and provided a positive force in our schools.“ Georgia Simmons’ special gift of collaboration and teamwork is mentioned in her nominating letters. Marcia Wilson explains that Simmons’ “ ideas for fundraising and commitment to their success have resulted
Donna Hutter.
in more than $1.5 million to be invested in Panhandle Alliance for Education’s classroom grant and endowment fund.” She also has been affiliated with Kinderhaven, Holly Eve and Bonner General Health’s Heart Ball. WHW started awarding scholarships to area young women in 2002, according to Julie Jurenka, WHW scholarship committee. The awards encourage young women to become future Women of Wisdom by assisting them in their quest for higher education. To date, 34 scholarships have been awarded. This year’s $750 scholarship winners are: high school senior Lauren Sfier
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Georgia Simmons.
— awarded the Marsha Ogilvie award; and currently enrolled college students Logan Hastings (University of Utah) and Madison Sleyster (University of Colorado Denver.) The 2017 WHW committee members are: Kari Saccomanno, Diane Arrants, Kathy Chambers, Kathy Conger, Barbara Eacret, Deanna Harris, Alana Hatcher, Bette Heffner, Julie Jurenka, Pat Lewis, Sally Lowry, Maribeth Lynch, Laurie Mattila, Jeralyn Mire, Marlene Rorke, Sandy Ross, Patty Schwartz, Joyce Smith, Diane Stockton, Kendall Stratton, Sally Transue and Linda Van Dellen.
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Myra Lewis.
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LITERATURE
This open Window
Vol. 2 No. 9
poetry and prose by local writers edited by Jim mitsui
writing about not writing titles by L.S. Jones
I write at random times, when words cruise by in my head and need a port to deboard in. It’s not scheduled every morning at 6 a.m. or waiting for me after midnight in a quiet house with night noise that eats itself as I drift into a timeless void. One of life’s pleasures is the completion of a poem. The release of breath I didn’t know I was holding, a calming sense of self-satisfaction, a soothing serenity that soon dissipates with the impending necessity of coming up with another arrangement of words, at the top. “Oh yes,” the reader will say, ”we can tell there’s something worth reading here at first glance.”
barbie and her doll society by Amy Craven
Their faces often looked insipid and their limbs were frozen in inhuman posture They could stand for days like that and not give anything away I used to gather acorn tops so they would have bowls and cups Tiny flowers became showy bouquets and lacy handkerchiefs, table cloths I made pillows for their two-storied house and arranged each play time as if the set up was as momentous as Jackie’s televised White House Tour They were dressed for adventures that took me far and away from my insular life as a school girl in the city of Baltimore They populated the movies of my mind and glowed in technicolor, shifting sullen afternoons into light They knew things that I might know someday I could try an array of lives on them — One day, married in a wedding of royal proportions and the next, an Army nurse, on a foreign battlefield They were almost indestructible and didn’t demand much except a fabulous wardrobe To others who weren’t touched by their magic, they were frivolous or downright eerie But to those of us who lived with them and through them, they were highly adored — Sometimes I felt as if they loved me in return
no, amusing, use of alliteration. Any minute now it will stop like a slot machine, lining up its cherries, bells and dollar -Amy Craven signs Amy, a retired voice teacher, lives in Sandpoint with her husCHING! CHING! CHING! Detracting words that tell not band Rob and Hazel, a 14-year-old Labradog. She hopes that you, too, will fall under the spell of poetry. show must be shown to the door. Muddled misunderstandings must be made clear as reason, riding the rainbow nothing too obtuse by Jeanette Schandelmeier for the common humanity. I could place an ad in the newspaper: 42 lines in search of intro for purposes of clarity and/or enticement to read But I’d better focus on the work at hand and finish what I’m writing first.
I can feel my brain whirling, searching for the perfect combination as logic rearranges confusing content perfecting line breaks and appealing, -L.S. Jones L.S. Jones lives on Fry Creek, often finding the writing of titles a challenge, but knows the importance of drawing a reader in.
On the way into town Wednesday evening my eyes follow a rainbow off to the east through misty rain—then I’m instantly in it. Its reflections dance over the trees alongside the road and through water splashing up from cars, a mirrored window. Transparent colors of the spectrum bronze into metallic veils flowing over my car as I move through multiple shimmering copper curtains—and I become surrounded by rainbow—realize this is the pot of gold. -Jeanette Schandelmeier Jeanette, a regular in this column, lives on Talache Road but remembers her Alaskan roots.
Want to see your poetry in the Reader?
last day of winter by Beth Weber
Bursting the gray cocoon yet bundled in woolen layers I slide in my kayak from a slouching snow mound to Pack River’s foaming latte waters. Easy breach from my dense snowpack sequester. Fast ride on floodwaters with ice floes, and woodsy flotsam. North Idaho tingles, through polarized lenses impetuous blue sky, regal green mosses, steady evergreens, winter’s old neutrals, all but these flash in shades of ochre. Red osiers wade among orange willows who lift little silver kittens high above runoff as if oblation to naked cottonwoods. Brisk, the breeze swings alder’s year-old catkins, fringing a resistance of tiny rigid cones. In cedar shade a whitetail doe sulks despondent from long winter, likely a yearling who doesn’t know after a river explodes, so will the greening. The river holds a high bankside cabin by the ankles, floods the wellhead, rips fences. Already paired, nervous mallards, panicky Canada geese scout out nest sites. On fluffed-out cattail a single redwing blackbird flashes epaulettes, twiddles hollow calls. From dead brown sedges, a yellow-rumped warbler sends territorial cries skipping over water. A persistent swallow swirls and dips, hunts for mudbanks that aren’t yet there. My hands and face ruddy up, conduct a composition of vitamin D. My arms, my lungs perk up their rhythm to the cadence of outdoor vigor. -Beth Weber Beth lives in Cocolalla, is a talented musician and teacher, as well as being an expert kayaker. This poem takes us on an excursion on the Pack River, not during a warm summer day but in early April during our unpredicatable weather.
Send poems to: jim3wells@aol.com May 11, 2017 /
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LPOSD School Board Trustee election
Meet the candidates We highlighted information about each of the LPOSD school board trustee candidates in last week’s issue (May 4, 2017). Candidate Lonnie Williams sent in his information, but it came in after our deadline for layout, so we are presenting his information here. For all of the candidates’ information, check the SandpointOnline.com election page. --ZONE 3--
Lonnie Williams
Age: 32 Years of residence in Bonner County and Idaho: 26 years Marital status/family. Are, or were, you a parent of a child in the school district? I am married to Katie Murdock (Sandpoint native) and have been for almost 7 years. We do not have any children, we do have a black lab Bella, and a cat named Tink. How can the public contact you? Website: VoteforWilliams.com Facebook Page: Lonnie Williams for LPOSD Trustee Qualifications Education: I graduated from SHS in 2003, I went to NIC for two years, and ended up graduating from Gonzaga University in 2009 with a degree in Business Administration. Recent or pertinent employment history: I am the Vice President of Sandpoint Title Insurance; I have worked here for the last 8 years. I also worked for the U.S. Forest Service on a fire crew before coming to Sandpoint Title. Any public offices held: Not since high school. I was involved in student government all through school. Nonprofit and service groups or relevant professional organizations to which you belong: I belong to the Selkirk Association 16 /
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of Realtors, and we are involved in the many Philanthropic endeavors associated with the board. •We are active supporters of Habitat for Humanities •We are active supporters of the Bonner County Food Bank •We are active supporters of Panhandle Alliance for Education What particular experiences or skills qualify you to serve on the school board? I have a diverse skill set of leadership and management that I have honed over my years of team sports, coaching and my working life. I take the approach that there is a solution to every problem, and through open dialogue any task can be conquered.
Q&A 1. Why are you running for trustee? How much time can you devote to board service? LW: I am running for trustee because I am passionate about our school district and the success of our students. I feel that we have come a long way in the last 20 years as a district and I want to build on that success. I believe that all the hard work and success that has been built over that time span is in jeopardy, and I know that with continued smart investment we can continue our success, and build on improving our weak points. I can dedicate as much time as is needed to the school board. For years I coached soccer which is multiple hours a day of time and energy investment, so I know that I can dedicate the time needed to be a good member of the school board.
2. How many school board meetings have you attended this past year? How many schools in our district have you
visited? Are you involved in other school activities? LW: In the last year I have physically attended 1 school board meeting, but I have gone through the online archives of previous meetings including the levy proposals. The only school in the district that I have not visited is Southside Elementary. I am involved in the fundraising aspect of our school district through, Bulldog Bench & Panhandle Alliance for Education.
3. Do you believe the district is doing a good job or poor job in educating students? Why? LW: Yes I do believe that the district is doing a good job in educating our students. There is always room for improvement, but on the whole we are doing very well as a district. One can see from the headlines that we receive for our High School being ranked #2 in the state, our very high SAT score ranking in the state among similar size schools and our clubs and sports constantly achieving high marks. Also our Elementary schools continually rank very high in the state for achievement. I would love to see continued investment in vocational and technical courses and career paths for our students. We need to offer a wide range of choices to our students including those that are not on the traditional college track. All of this is success is made possible by the hard work and investment of our dedicated teachers and staff. Without their dedication to the success of this district and our students, we would not be where we are today.
in order to fund our education system. Our levy makes up about 1/3 of our budget, and to cut that funding would have immediate detrimental effects to our district. There were over 100 full time jobs that were in jeopardy if the levy didn’t pass, as well as 100% of the extracurricular activities throughout the district. I firmly believe that one cannot say that they are a true supporter of our school district, our teachers and staff and our continued success, yet vote against a levy that funds 1/3 of the budget. A strong high achieving school district helps build a strong growing community, to risk erasing the hard work of our predecessors, and the success of this district, would be an immediate roadblock to future growth and success of our entire community.
Happy Mother’s Day! 15% off all spa services
4. The recent $17 million supplemental instructional levy passed March 14, with 64% voting in favor. Did you vote for or against this levy, and why? LW: I voted in favor of the recent supplemental levy, and I was a very strong supporter for it the whole way through the process. Supplemental levies are the unfortunate reality that we (as well as 88% of the state) have to live with in this state
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Gardening with Laurie: K&K Spring Derby 2017 Final Standings Making sense of seed packs Part 1
Derek Blanchard from Kalispell, Mont. and his 22.90 lb. 37” Mackinaw. Courtesy photo. Rainbow Division Vali Moore - 17.36 lbs. 34.5” Rodney Vandever - 15.90 lbs. 31.5” Jeff Baugh - 14.48 lbs. 33.5” Brad Sturgis - 14.28 lbs. 33” Calvin Nolan - 14.00 lbs. 31.25” Mackinaw Division Scott Plue - 23.34 lbs. 36” Derek Blanchard – 22.90 lbs. 37” Harvey Rutherford - 20.26 lbs. 37 Randy Mikels – 19.92 lbs. 35.5 lbs. Becky Morrison - 19.72 lbs. 38”
By Laurie Brown Reader Columnist A seed packet or a seed catalog entry can give you a lot of information on a plant. In a few symbols, you can see where, when, and how to plant a seed. Depending on the catalog/packet and the type of plant you’re looking at, it can also tell you a lot about the characteristics of the plant. For vegetables and flowers, the first thing you learn is whether the plant is a hybrid (F1 or F2) or open pollinated (OP). Unless you are saving seeds from these plants, this is usually not a concern (F1 and F2 hybrids are NOT GMO- they contain no DNA that isn’t natural to the species). If you are saving seed, stick with OP plants. If you’re not saving seed, consider hybrids; hybrids typically produce more flowers/fruit and are more uniform, so many gardeners prefer them. Vegetable seed descriptions will typically tell you the days to harvest. This is a rather imprecise piece of information. For plants that are mostly started indoors and transplanted, like tomatoes, this number is the days from transplanting out to the garden. For plants typically direct seeded in the garden, like spinach, this is number of days from seeding. Remember that this number was taken in the place where the seed was grown and tested—for Johnny’s, that’s Maine. For other companies, that can be further south, in an area where the summer nights are warm. So if you buy from a company in a warmer area, it will take that seed more days to produce ripe
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produce up in Bonner county, where the summer nights dip into the low 50s. You will typically be told the germination time, and what temperature to start the seeds at. If you try starting the seeds at a cooler temp than recommended, they will take longer to sprout or possibly rot before sprouting. If you try starting at too high of a temperature, they may never sprout. Some catalogs, like Johnny’s, will tell you what temperature to keep the seedlings at after sprouting- typically cooler than the starting temperature. The light requirements are usually given, sometimes just as a sun symbol for full sun, a darkened circle for shade, and a sun symbol half darkened for part sun/ shade. Planting depth for seeds, and the spacing to put seeds in or to thin sprouted seedlings to, will typically be included. If you are lucky, you’ll be told how many seeds are in the pack, and what the germination rate is. Johnny’s gives you the germination rate and the date when they were tested. The germination rate tells you how many seeds you’ll need to get the amount of plants you need, and thus whether you’ll need more than one pack. Older seed does not germinate as well as new seed does, so pay attention to the test date. Next time: soil type, plant growth habits, when to plant, more plant characteristics.
Don’t pull dandelions at this time of year; pollinating insects can use these early blooming sources of food. Wait until other flowers are blooming before going after them (and don’t worry; more dandelions will be back next spring).
Junior Division - 14 to 18 years old Zac Kohal - 15.96 lbs. 37” Luke Stebbins - 10.78 lbs. 28” Patrick Elmore - 10.60 lbs. 23 Youth A Division 9 to 13 years old Carson Laybourne - 15.56 lbs. 32.5” Jenny Elliott - 14.40 lbs. 31” Londyn Steckman - 10.34 lbs. 29.5”
Youth B Division 0 to 8 years old Jackson Sifford - 15.90 lbs. 33.25” Jace Chapman - 12.46 lbs. 29” Mason Nett - 11.72 lbs. 29 German Brown Division Scott Plue - 4.52 lbs. 26.75 Mac of the Day 4/29 - Becky Morrison - sponsored by Mirror Lake Golf Course 4/30 - Derek Blanchard - sponsored by Sandpoint Marine and Motorsports 5/1 - Jim Carothers - sponsored by Pacific Steel and Recycling 5/2 - Joseph Eicher - Dr. Benjamin Hull DDS 5/3 - Scott Plue - Trolling Solutions 5/4 - Raleigh Turley - Pierce Auto Center 5/5 - Gale Belgarde Sr. - 16.52 - R&R Logging 5/6 - Harvey Rutherford - Pend Oreille Charters 5/7 - Dennis Pringle - Unique Tire & Suspension
So many ways to say THANK YOU...
At Petal Talk we have fabulous fresh blooms, unique indoor and outdoor plants and clever gifts to delight your Mother or Grandmother!
GAMING
‘NieR: Automata’ finds humanity in its machines By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff It’s a shame that many people will play “NieR: Automata” without glimpsing its true brilliance. Some will stop after reaching the end credits, perhaps slightly baffled by the several hours of Japanese sci-fi weirdness they just witnessed. Following the post-credits suggestion to play the game again, a smaller number will find an entirely different gameplay scenario awaiting them. But only those who play the game a third time will experience the full scope of the story and its themes. And among that relatively small group of players, even fewer will follow the branching choices to the game’s true ending: a moral decision of perfect poignancy, crystallizing everything that came before it. It’s an undeniably strange structure for a game, but it serves a purpose. “NieR: Automata” is ultimately about self-destructive cycles, and it uses both its script and game design to explore that idea. The game wastes no time throwing you into the action. In the distant future, a war with aliens has driven humanity to the moon. With Earth abandoned, the aliens’ self-replicating network of robots and machines takes over the planet. Nature slowly reclaims humanity’s ruined cities and highways. But the powers that be aren’t giving up the planet without a fight. From the safety of a satellite military base, human-made androids stage regular attacks on the machines in a never-ending cycle of war. At first blush, it seems like an entirely derivative sci-fi story. But it quickly becomes clear that “NieR: Automata” is more interested in the nature of consciousness and identity than a humans-versus-machines “Terminator” rehash. Not long after taking control of the main character, the absurdly stylish combat android 2B, the player finds that the machines are behaving strangely. They’re forming families and emotional relationships. They’re setting up communities. One contingent has created a bizarre religion in mimicry of human history. Right about the time you encounter a village of pacifist machines who would rather study philosophy than
fight, you may feel a twinge of regret at the hundreds of robots you’ve destroyed without a second thought. Better than any other title in recent memory, “NieR: Automata” uses gameplay to inform its story. Even as it builds its themes of identity, it defies setting one for itself. In one moment, you’re carving through robots using a well-crafted combat system of dodges, attacks and counter attacks. In the next, you’re flying over a ruined city in a ship-based scrolling shooter reminiscent of “Galaga” or similar arcade titles. And don’t be surprised when the full 3D environments seamlessly transition to a side-scrolling action-platformer ala ‘Castlevania.” Despite having generally fun and defiantly unique gameplay, “NieR: Automata” suffers from some rough design edges and pacing issues. Its artistic vision, on the other hand, is almost peerless in the medium for its ambition. Director Yoko Taro, one of gaming’s few auteurs, has developed a unique storytelling vocabulary unifying game design and writing toward a single purpose. Taro wants to capture something essential about the human experience in his work, and he uses player agency to drive his point home. It’s no mistake to say that “NieR: Automata” could only exist as a game. It’s difficult to talk about what makes “NieR: Automata” so special without spoiling its true ending. Suffice it to say that while “NieR” is never an especially happy game, its final moments threaten an ending of pure fatalism. Then, in the 11th hour, the game provides a glimmer of hope—a hope contingent upon overcoming a nearly insurmountable challenge. What follows is perhaps the most profoundly humanistic moment I’ve experienced in a game, one that binds each “NieR” player together in a network of selfless kinship. What makes the moment all the more staggering is the revelation that it was made possible through a real sacrifice, one that some stranger somewhere in the world made willingly to help you complete your journey. Late in “NieR: Automata,” a character wonders if there’s any hope of ending the civilizational cycle of self-destruction. By offering the player a chance to break that cycle for a stranger at substantial personal cost, the game seems to answer that question with a question: It’s impos-
sible to say for sure, but what are you going to do about it? “NieR: Automata” is available for Playstation 4 and PC.
“NieR: Automata” portrays a machine-ruled world slowly being reclaimed by nature. Image courtesy Square Enix.
friday, may 12 @ 7pm
full draw film festival little r theate
friday, may 12 @ 7pm
“vaxxed’ film
may 11 @ 7:30pm | May 13 @ 3:30 & 7:30pm may 14 @ 3:30pm
“after the storm” may 16 @ 7pm
the sisterhood of shred Friday may 19 @ 3:30pm
The original 1955 “The Fast and the Furious” Saturday, May 20 @ 1:30pm
“American Graffiti”
may 26 @ 7:30pm | May 27 @ 3:30 & 7:30pm may 28 @ 3:30 & 7:30pm | may 29 @ 7:30pm
“colossal”
May 11, 2017 /
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FOOD
The Sandpoint Eater Kitchen Wisdom
By Marcia Pilgeram Reader Food Columnist
Ever since I can remember, I was the queen of elaborate tea parties, both real and imagined. I’ve entertained dolls, dignitaries, dogs (stuffed and real), friends, children and finally, my favorite guests: my own adoring grandchildren. So it’s no wonder that preparing for the Angels Over Sandpoint’s Annual High Tea is my favorite philanthropic event. I start planning the threecourse menu months in advance, and once I’ve made a test run or ten (eliminating the major fails), I share the proposed menu with the team. “Here, taste this,” becomes my mantra. Last week we wrapped up our most successful tea to date. I don’t measure success by revenues generated; I leave that to the board. My measure of success comes from the time shared with my kitchen comrades. For a week leading up to the tea, surrounded by a like-minded sisterhood, we chop and whip (and sip), sharing wisdom, a few secrets and lots and lots of laughter, and I am reminded that I am happiest in my kitchen. Many of these culinary assistants say time in my kitchen is like free cooking classes. Oldest child Ryanne spent many long days by my side in the kitchen and once wrote a paper for a sociology class entitled, “The World’s Longest-Running Cooking Class,” so maybe there’s some truth to that. Ryanne relates that she just instinctively knows how to cook, from years of observation. 20 /
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I too grew up perched high on a kitchen stool, watching my apron-clad mother’s every move as I waited for the sweet bits and dough scraps clinging to the beaters and mixing bowls. Sometimes, when her patience allowed, I sifted a little flour or cranked the handle of her small, red lidded nut grinder. Much later, I learned there was a greater reward to be had than the simple chores or the treats I sampled throughout my childhood: kitchen wisdom. Inherently, I know that the creamiest potato salad comes from potatoes cooked in their jackets and, while still warm, skinned, diced and tossed with the dressing. My mother never wasted a cooking session with an unexpected trip to the grocery store. She made do with
what was in her cupboard (and her mind, where she kept a running reference list of ingredient substitutions). I know that a little vinegar will curdle milk when there’s no buttermilk in my refrigerator, and I can make my own baking powder with baking soda and corn starch. Along with food tips, sensible advice was sprinkled as liberally as salt, and to this day I still have a penchant for creating petite versions of food, prompted I’m sure by her practical observation, “children want a cookie for each hand and men will always take a double portion of meat, so make everything small.” With Mother’s Day on the horizon, she’s been at the top of my mind, and I’ve spent the last few days reminiscing about the
practical wisdom of my mother. Many of these memories revolve around the varied kitchens we shared. At some point our roles began reversing, and it was Mom’s turn to perch on the stool while I did the cooking, though she never shied away from jumping in to help. Well into her seventies, and with the precision of a surgeon, she would measure, level and cut my multitiered desserts. To this day I can’t get a wedding cake “just right,” and my edible creations lack the structural integrity she provided to these elaborate projects. I owe most of the “oohs and aahs” to my mother, her ruler and her very sharp bread knife (I often fear I didn’t share those accolades with her nearly enough). Last Friday evening I made
little rose shaped meringues as one of desserts for the Angels’ Tea and the first batch failed miserably. As I began to whip up the second batch, my mother’s words rang in my ears, you can’t make fluffy meringue with fresh eggs, or on a rainy day. My recipe file is filled with cards in my mom’s distinctive hand writing (sadly though, in fading pencil), that include her perfect meringue recipe. Her secret was a teaspoon of ice cold water for each egg white. My mom’s meringue was whipped high for pies and coconut macaroons. She never made a Pavlova, though I am sure she would have loved it. I hope you will too. Here’s to a happy “oohs and aahs” filled Mother’s Day.
Pavlova Recipe
This lovely dessert was first created in New Zealand and named to honor the visiting Russian ballerina, Pavlova. It is simple, yet elegant and the meringue, which is sweet and crispy and light can be baked ahead. Meringue will keep in a tightly sealed container at room temperature, or individually wrapped, for up to a week if your house is not humid.
INGREDIENTS: Meringue: •1 1⁄2 tsp pure vanilla extract •3 tsp cold water •2 tsp white wine vinegar •1 1⁄2 Tbsp cornstarch •1 1⁄2 cups superfine granulated sugar •6 large eggs whites, room temperature •Pinch salt Topping: •2 pints fresh berries •Lemon curd •Freshly whipped cream
DIRECTIONS: Place rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 275°. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat. Pour the vanilla and vinegar into a small cup. In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch into the superfine sugar. In the large bowl of standup mixer, using whisk attachment, whip egg whites, cold water and salt, starting on low, increase to medium speed until soft peaks form, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Increase speed to medium-high, slowly and gradually sprinkling in the sugar-cornstarch mixture a spoonful at a time. Continue whipping for 2-3 minutes, then slowly pour in the vanilla and vinegar. Increase speed a bit and whip until meringue is glossy, and stiff peaks form when the whisk is lifted, 4 to 5 minutes. Spoon the meringue into 6-8 large round mounds that are 3 inches wide on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or Silpat. With the back of the spoon, create a well in the middle of the mound to hold the filling once meringue is baked. Place baking sheet in the oven. Reduce oven temperature to 250°F. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until
the meringues are crisp, dry to the touch on the outside, and white -- not tan-colored or cracked. The interiors should have a marshmallow-like consistency. Check on meringues at least once during the baking time. If they appear to be taking on color or cracking, reduce temperature 25 degrees,
and turn pan around. Gently lift from the baking sheet and cool on a wire rack. Served topped with your favorite berries, lemon curd and freshly whipped cream. Garnish with fresh mint and lemon zest.
TECHNOLOGY
Net HowNeutrality: the ‘first amendment of the internet' is coming under attack By Ben Olson Reader Staff
Last week, the Trump administration intimated that its next move to deregulate broadband internet service companies would be to abandon net neutrality rules established under the Obama administration. The rules were established under President Obama to preserve an open internet and ensure it couldn’t be divided into “payto-play” fast lanes for media companies that can afford it. The converse is that those who couldn’t afford it would be relegated to the “slow lanes.” What exactly is net neutrality and why is it important? In a nutshell, net neutrality is the idea that internet service providers (ISPs) treat everyone’s data equally. This means a work email is transmitted at the same speed as your streaming on Netflix, or transferring money to your bank account online. It also means that ISPs don’t get to choose which data is sent more quickly than others, and which sites get blocked or throttled down because the company didn’t pay extra. Many describe net neutrality as the “First Amendment of the internet.” So why is this important? In this era of “any regulation is bad regulation,” the issue of net neutrality is going to impact you more than you think. President Trump’s new FCC chairman Ajit Pai has announced plans to overturn the 2015 order, effectively gutting net neutrality. A vote on his proposal is due to take place Thursday, May 18. Supporters of net neutrality include content providers such as Netflix, Apple and Google, who argue that people are already paying for connectivity and deserve access to a quality experience. More than 800 startups, investors and other
This week’s RLW by Ben Olson
READ
In this Mother’s Day edition of RLW, I’m reminded of one of my favorite fictional mothers; Ma Ingalls in the “Little House on the Prairie” series of books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. While Pa is the tough, yet tender one who could build a house by hand, Ma Ingalls was the true pioneer wife who instilled in her children the necessity to treat all with respect and care. The lessons learned in these books are priceless. I am so thankful my own mother read them to us when we were children.
LISTEN
organizations sent a letter to Pai stating: “Without net neutrality the incumbents who provide access to the internet would be able to pick winners or losers in the market. They could impede traffic from our services in order to favor their own services or established competitors. Or they could impose new tolls on us, inhibiting consumer choice.” Big broadband companies such as AT&T, Comcast, Verizon and Cox don’t support net neutrality, because they argue the rules are too heavy-handed and will stifle innovation and investment in infrastructure. The companies have filed a series of lawsuits challenging the FCC’s authority to impose net neutrality rules. What’s a real world example of how the abolition of net neutrality might affect you, the viewing public? Let’s say Comcast decides to establish its own streaming television site. To ensure viewer satisfaction, they could throttle Netflix down unless they pay higher premiums to enter the “fast lane” of browsing. Why does this matter? Have you ever been streaming and had the episode fail repeatedly? Do you continue watching or move onto
something else? Think this is just a hypothetical? Wrong. In late 2014, Comcast throttled down the speed to Netflix until the latter agreed to pay Comcast to fully open the spigot of data. “Last Week Tonight” host John Oliver referred to this as the “mob shakedown” aspect of a post-net neutrality internet. President Trump and the GOP have made it known that they are friendly to big corporations, even if it leads to the unfettered accumulation of corporate power. In March, Congress voted to allow ISPs to sell the browsing habits of their customers to advertisers; a move that critics charge will fundamentally undermine consumer privacy in the U.S. Without the rules that were once in place, ISPs can sell people’s data without consent. If President Trump follows through on abolishing net neutrality, the only people that get rich are the behemoth service providers like Comcast, AT&T, Cox and Verizon, who, incidentally, FCC Chairman Pai once worked for. Are you getting the picture yet? So what can you do? If there’s anything about the internet it’s that a big enough
response can really make a splash. In Sunday’s “Last Week Tonight” host John Oliver urged his viewers to write to the FCC to advocate for the support of net neutrality. In classic governmental bureaucratic nonsense, the FCC hid the public comment behind a long URL, confusing forms and hard to access pages and reference codes needed to continue. Public comment should not be this difficult, Oliver stated, which is why the late night talk show host decided to make it easy on the internet at large. Oliver bought the website www.gofccyourself.com which bypasses all the governmental red tape and takes you directly to the form where you can leave a comment on net neutrality. If you would like to comment on the issue, please click the link above and then click +EXPRESS. You will then be able to comment on this important issue which could redefine the internet as we know it. I urge you all to go online to the website www.gofccyourself. com and tell the FCC to preserve net neutrality rules backed by Title II. Support an open internet, not sped up or slowed down at the whim of a dollar.
In honor of my mom, here are a few of her favorite albums and artists that we grew up listening to. She always liked The Turtles, the Mamas and the Papas, the Beatles, Cat Stevens and much more. They always sound best on vinyl. Love you mom!
WATCH
There are lots of great mother characters on film, but two of my favorites are Peg in “Edward Scissorhands” (played by Dianne Weist) and Leigh Anne Tuohy in “The Blind Side” (played by Sandra Bullock). Peg’s heart is pure gold as she opens her home and family to the odd Edward. She loves him when everyone else is afraid, and sees beyond his scissorhands to the real person inside. Leigh Ann is based on a real-life mom who took in a high school boy in need of a safe place and a little love. She pushes him to be his best, and eventually helps him earn a football scholarship to University of Mississippi. Go moms! May 11, 2017 /
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By Jules Fox Reader Food Reviewer
Editor’s Note: We originally ran this review in October, 2016, but Soul Picnic had already closed for the season. We are now republishing it so that you may give them a shot. I heart Soul Picnic. When you come home and your mom cooks you a nutritious and delicious dinner to counter all the poor choices you have made in life—that is Soul Picnic. The only difference is you can go get it on your lunch break, and they won’t criticize you for not calling often enough. In an unassuming food truck outside Evans Brothers Coffee lies an organic and gluten-free treat mine serving up fresh smoothies and mint lemonade while you pick out nutrient-dense foods that will enrich you. Good luck choosing from bagels, tacos, burritos, sandwiches and eggs (not to mention specials like spaghetti squash noodles topped with Wood’s beef, marinara and three cheeses!) Good ideas: Bring an appetite and share with friends! If you enjoyed the café at Common Knowledge then you’re in luck—this is a similar menu offered up by Soul Picnic owner Charlotte Wright, who had been running it for six and half years. The Details
Surrounded by indoor and outdoor eating areas, you can get it to go, or laze away your day at the coffee shop next door. My family opted to share dishes though I literally wanted to order everything on the menu. The Southwest Bowl was filled with beans, cheese, salsa and rice, and covered in organic greens and avocado. It was topped with a creamy seed sauce that might be addictive. I could probably order a side of it and drink it as a smoothie. The huevos rancheros were not authentic, and I mean this in the best way. While traditionally the ingredients would be fried in sun-baked lard, these 22 /
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are golden yolked organic eggs over a cozy tortilla and topped with avocado, shredded carrots and greens. The squash noodles should not be thought of as pasta, but as their own unique and flavorful base to launch the delicious sauce and beef that bolsters it to the bowl. Melted cheeses pile up a hearty delight for any wayfarer. I totally agreed with my daughter as she proclaimed “omm nom nomm,” trying to keep her mouth closed. My wife and I nodded and smiled, choosing to save the talking with your mouth full lesson for another time as we watched out little girl devour organic greens. Yes, this!
It’s time for a SOUL PICNIC
Myth 1: Healthy Food Tastes Bad
I think this is why most people shirk vegetables and anything they deem to be too healthy. Just as most meat wouldn’t taste good raw, you need to cook it and add spices. Same here, the veggies are sauced, sautéed, and served up as an accessory to good flavor. Myth 2: Organic and Gluten Free Food Is Just Vegetables
Some people ask me if I am a vegetarian as they watch me eat a chicken salad. Vegetables don’t turn meat into not-meat. Soul Picnic offers plenty of hearty meats including local Wood’s beef. Myth 3: You Have to Wear Spandex to Drink Smoothies
Totally false. I was able to sport my board shorts and button down while sharing a smoothie with my family. The
Crossword Solution
To quote Jules’ daughter: “Omm nom nomm.” Photo by Jules Fox. girls sipped them in their jeans jackets. It turns out that this one was filled with yummy fruit and coconut! Options For Restricted Diets Gluten-Free? Yes Organic? Yes Vegetarian? Yes Paleo? Yes
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Additional Notes: Soul Picnic is open Monday through Friday for breakfast and lunch. They have recently moved from their former location directly across from Evans Brothers to around the corner in the former location of Beet & Basil. Just follow the smell of great food!
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minatory
Woorf tdhe Week
/MIN-uh-tawr-ee/
[adjective] 1. menacing; threatening.
“The minatory glare coming from the old man scared her.” Corrections: I wrote “Wednesday, May 11” last week in the ‘Dear Readers’ section when I meant “Wednesday, May 10.” Also, we referred to Justin Henney as “Reader Staff” last week, but he is actually a “contributor.” Considering the fact that staff members around here make so little money, we would never wish that fate on anyone who didn’t ask for it. -BO
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Published on May 11, 2017
In this issue: Net Neutrality, How the ‘‘First amendment of the internet’ is coming under attack; ‘no one dies’: Raul Labrador’s comments go...
