Reader May7 2015

READER

May 7, 2015 / free / Vol. 12 issue 16

Is medicinal Weed in Idaho’s Future?

Ideology & Politics: The two personalities of Bonner County Republicans

Holly McGarry

“Live @ The Offce”

SCOTT BORTZ

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(wo)MAN

Susan Drinkard on the street compiled by

Do you think marijuana should be legalized for medicinal use in Idaho?

“Yes. They had a bill up for medicinal usage of marijuana for children with epilepsy and it passed in our legislature, but our governor vetoed it. I think that’s criminal.”

Wil Beasley Retired Bonners Ferry

DEAR READERS, This Sunday is Mother’s Day, and what better way to use this space than to give a shout out to my mom Valerie.

She and my father moved to North Idaho in the late 1970s, intending to raise their family in a quiet, healthy location. After working at Bonner General Health for 25+ years, she recently retired and has kept busy traveling, hiking in the outdoors, and making pond and garden art.

I appreciate her vitality and passion for life, and her ability to see the bright side in every situation. Happy Mother’s Day, mom! I love you.

“Yes, I think it should be regulated like alcohol and tobacco.”

Shawna Prummer Winter Ridge co-owner Sandpoint

“No, I think it would be easily abused and opens the door to other legalities that I don’t agree with.”

Gil Robison Retired Sandpoint

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“Yes, I’m definitely for it for medicinal uses.”

Mike Pardick Hardware Manager Sagle

$10 Lunch special mon-fri 11-4

pur“Yes, if it is for medicinal pur poses and truly helps someone with their condition.”

Susie Sorentino Housekeeper Sandpoint

www.sandpointreader.com Publisher: Ben Olson ben@sandpointreader.com Editor: Cameron Rasmusson cameron@sandpointreader.com Zach Hagadone (emeritus) Contributing Artists: Daniel Cape (Cover), Ben Olson, New Approach Idaho, Susan Drinkard, Aric Spence

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Contributing Writers: Cameron Rasmusson, Ben Olson, Nick Gier, Scarlette Quille, Dan Eskelson, Vicki Reich Submit stories to: stories@sandpointreader.com Printed weekly at: Griffin Publishing Spokane, Wash.

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

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

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.

“Yes. People use it anyway. It should be legalized so there is managed usage.”

Shawna Heath Restaurant manager Cocolalla

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

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

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About the Cover This week’s cover by Daniel Cape, our prolific caricaturist who has provided us with so many quality illustrations since our first issue in January. Daniel is currently living in Belize while finishing up his degree, probably drinking a beer on the beach right now as we grow pale in the office.

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COMMENTARY Blue Bellies and Personality Plus: A Tribute to My Mom

By Nick Gier For SPR My mother was a remarkable woman. “Lots of spunk” would be a good way to describe her. She was a fiery redhead, and she was just as feisty as Lucille Ball.

When my mom praised other people for having “personality plus,” she was also including herself. She always complained about why her vivacity did not “rub off” on her two sons, but she did not realize how difficult it was to develop any personality at all in her presence.

She had a quick wit and peppered her speech with colorful phrases. Now that I’m older and appreciate my deceased mom more than ever, I find myself repeating many of those phrases. Growing up, I thought they were original with her, but I’ve learned that many of them were current in her day.

When I get an invitation, I cannot resist the temptation to say, “I’ll be there with bells on,

LETTERS Dear Editor,

First of all I want to express my thanks to the Reader for being back in business.

It’s been such a joy to get to enjoy journalistic excellence like Zach Hagadone’s article about the two people involved in U.S. torture, Cameron’s article about the Sharia law and child support controversy as well as Nick Gier’s and Scarlette Quille’s articles and all the other tidbits about what’s happening around our community I just want to address Christine Holbert’s letter raising concerns about possible censorship relating to Panida’s cancellation of showings of the film “Wild Canaries.” I agree that any director or board of the Panida should not exercise arbitrary 4 /

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as my mom would always say.”

At the sight of something beautiful or a nice piece of craftwork (usually her own), she would say, “Feast your eyes on this.” At an intersection, she would declare, “The coast is clear.” An uninvited guest would “barge right in.”

There was one phrase that induces puzzled looks on everyone’s faces. When anyone had failed at a task, my mother would not hesitate to say: “You’ll just have to lick your calf over again.”

When my dad wanted to take his sons to an elk hunting camp in the Wallowas, my mom would always object. Her dear boys would be subjected to crude language and rude behavior. The delicious irony, however, was that she was the dirty joke-teller in the family. My dad would turn beet red when she told one of her stories.

My mother’s family were tight-fisted Scots-Irish from Missouri, and my brother and I never understood one of most

her provocative statements: “Did you know that people from Missouri have blue bellies?!”

We were startled and puzzled by this, but we were too afraid to ask about these strange stomachs. We certainly didn’t want her to show us either, even though I later learned that Missouri was the “Show Me” state. I would now like to ask any agreeable Missourian to show me her belly.

Even after much Internet searching, I am none the wiser about my mom’s amazing pronouncement. Because of their blue uniforms and their alleged penchant for cowardice, Union troops were known to crawl on blue bellies. Missourians, however, supported both sides in the war, so many of them would have gray stomachs instead.

My mom was certainly not comparing Missourians to blue-bellied lizards, nor would she have known that today some women who fail to reach orgasm complain of a

“blue belly.” I really regret that I never had the courage to ask her about this—that is, about blue-bellied Missourians.

My mother was a very enterprising woman. She helped her own mother run a boarding house in Evanston, Wyo., and she always boasted about running her own hot dog stand in the city.

She also bragged about the fact that she overruled her mother about not having a room for a handsome man who showed up in the middle of the night. She gave up her own room, slept on the couch and married that man after a twoweek courtship.

My mother was a creative craftswoman. She would make beautiful artificial corsages and sell them at local taverns.

While my father drank at the bar, my teetotalling mother— all tarted up—would convince men (she didn’t take “no” for an answer) to buy a corsage for their wives. She could easily make $50 in a night.

censorship but I don’t think that was the intent here since Patricia announced that the movie will be shown next week to whomever will choose to attend.

However, the deeper problem behind this particular situation is the selection of movies. Since Karen retired there has been a recurring problem regarding movie selections at the Panida that simply has a lot to do with knowledge about movies, taste and what fits and works with the Panida audience. First there were hardly any movies at all, and lately there were movies that did not necessarily appeal to the regular established Panida movie audience. Having looked up “Wild Canaries” I did not think it was even good enough of a movie to be shown at the Panida, especially considering what else is available. It’s an obscure

film and the fact that it was unrated raised a red flag in itself.

In the last several months I have recommended a variety of movies to the Panida, but have yet to see any of them appearing on the marquee.

The Panida movie audience is shrinking and so is the income from movies that as recently as two years ago used to constitute about 35 percent of Panida’s income. That is in itself a reason for concern. After having been in the movie business for almost 60 years I think I have a good sense, as well as does Karen, of what constitutes good movies that the Panida audience would enjoy and appreciate. We have hardly seen any of those movies lately, like for example “Still Alice,” “The Theory of Everything,” “Selma” or “Timbuktu”.

Besides presenting good in-

dependent and foreign movies that normally are not shown in a small town like ours, the Panida has always been a social center where people would meet, visit and chat. If the movies are inferior, people might be more inclined to just watch Netflix at home. I have heard from several people who have quit going to Panida movies because of disenchantment with the selection of those movies.

It is my opinion that the showing of tasteful, mature and good movies about important subjects will always draw an audience, but if you lose an audience by showing inferior movies it is doubly hard to bring them back.

Erik Daarstad Sandpoint

My mother was featured in the local newspaper for her pheasant feather hats, and in her senior years she recycled and redecorated greeting cards. After reading one of my columns about speaking at a faculty meeting, she created a masterpiece. It is a driftwood collage with carefully chosen gnarled pieces, which actually look like craggy, old professors.

I like to say that I am a hybrid of my mother and father. In person I’m very much like my calm and gentle father, but my mom comes out in my political activities and my writing.

Thank you, Mother, for giving me that special spirit (albeit sometimes impolitic) and drive that have made me what I am.

If there is anything funny in this column, it came directly from her.

Nick Gier of Moscow still has a soft spot in his heart for Oregon, but he has enjoyed the beauty of North Idaho for 42plus years.

Hello Reader,

I was surprised to see that “Breaking Away” wasn’t included in your list of biking themed movies. I hadn’t thought of that movie in years.

An Oscar winner, that movie from 1979 (yeah, I was alive back then) had all the ingredients of a classic.

The Little 500, us versus them, love, pursuit of a dream, teenage angst, friendship, family, loss and redemption.

Quintessentially American storylines!

Your issue (and that movie) helped get me on my bike today—instead of commuting to work by car.

Glad you’re back!

John O’Hara Sandpoint

Illustration by Angela Euliarte The sun is shining. The birds are singing (unless they are one of my chickens, and in that case they routinely commit chick-a-cide. Seriously, they hate me ). The grass is green and the wind is warm … mostly. It’s that time of year.

Mammals become desperate to find a mate, or maybe just to have offspring. I am not entirely sure. Either way, everyone around me is getting married.

I went through that stage years ago. Now, let me say up

Dear Editor,

Recently an English newspaper (The Guardian) ran an article titled: “A tale of two killings: what happened when Idaho police shot a dog and a pregnant woman in one day.”

The article compared the respective communities’ reaction to the two police killings.

In Coeur d’Alene, where the dog Arfee was shot to death by a police officer, there was a huge public outcry.

By contrast, Sandpoint’s citizens were either apathetic or indifferent about the unnecessary killing of a pregnant Jeanetta Riley by two Sandpoint police officers.

What is it about Sandpoint that causes it to be so heartless in this case? Sandpoint’s lack

front I am not anti-marriage.

I think whoever wants to get married should have the right to get married, and they should be able to marry any willing adult regardless of their genital situation. I do not care what goes on between two consenting adults in their homes, and quite frankly I don’t think our government should care either.

In fact, we should just throw away the whole tax break and incentives package for married people and treat everyone the same. There is no such thing as a majority vote when it comes to sexual identity.

Marriage is on my mind because this year, two of my long-standing single relatives have decided to tie the knot.

They have both spent over 35 years as single individuals, and I believe this and the earthquake last week are a sign that the “end” is near.

However, singleness is a curse that has been cast upon the 15 grandchildren on my paternal side of the family. Only a paltry seven have gotten married, five have stayed married and (even more disturbing to the elders of our tribe) only one out of the seven men in

the family have produced offspring. They are all well into their 30s and beyond. The final five (one has sadly passed away) have enjoyed a long and prolific bachelorhood.

This has been the topic of many discussions between my father and uncle. Both men tried to make sense of it: “Why on earth don’t these young bucks get a woman already? We need someone to carry on the family name. I blame smartphones.”

After much discussion, they came to the conclusion that their five heirs have made some kind of pact just to spite them. Truly some “Game of Thrones” shit.

I found this absolutely hilarious until a month after they made this hypothesis. Something strange occurred. One of the bachelors (I am not saying who, because, well, all family members haven’t been notified) suddenly got engaged. Did he draw the short straw? Did they all get together and say, “The elders have figured out the pact. We must refer to the original contract. Ahhh yes, here it is: In case our bachelor pact is in danger of being revealed, the party with the longest standing ‘relationship’ must immediate-

ly propose.”

If this is the case, he got off pretty easy. His girlfriend is smoking hot and nice. In fact, many have wondered when he would propose—he’s no longer a spring chicken after all.

I like to think of my father and uncle sitting in their LaZ-Boys sipping a cocktail and smiling. They may not be able to outrun the boys, but they can certainly outsmart them.

The other betrothed family member is my cousin, and she has at least produced grandchildren. Her consistent single status despite bearing children is not discussed with me. This is most likely because I have several children and a pair of ex-husbands. My family is keenly aware that I have always been jealous of her ex-husband-free existence. Kids are a blessing, a little bit of heaven on earth. The gift of watching them grow up far exceeds any bizarre childhood fantasy one may have had about how they end up a parent.

That being said, she is now getting married because she is in love. There is no other reason for it that I can see. She supports herself, doesn’t own a

single cat and her family gave up on the idea of marrying her off a long time ago. It’s love without an ulterior motive. She loves this man, even finds his “Dungeons and Dragons” pastime sexy. I don’t pretend to know everything about love, but damn, that is some real shit.

I am not going to look at this as the end of an era or the breaking of a curse. Instead, I am going to gladly pass the marriage baton onto the next legs of the marriage medley relay. I have always been more of a sprinter. I feel these two have been training for the longer stretches. I will happily sit on the sidelines, watching them cross the finish line, ready to pop the champagne.

What does this mean for me?

Basically, I am going to have to stop eating, and join the CrossFit cult. I have dreams too. And my dream is that I am going to wear a dress so thin and tight to her bachelorette party that it looks like I borrowed it from Satan himself after he wore it on a hot day.

Cheers to love! And all other indoor sports.

of outcry is saying the life of a dog means more than the life of a pregnant Native American woman.

It should be noted that the Guardian article has brought worldwide ridicule and shame on Sandpoint and its citizens.

In case you would like to put a face with the story, the Guardian article also has photos of Jeanetta.

advertisers and was looking forward to some regular riding now that I live close to town, until an unrelated injury grounded me.

So I’m on foot for now.

Which is why I was stepping out on the sidewalk on Saturday morning to go to the first Farmers Market of the season.

I had parked behind a building on Church Street across from the post office to take advantage of a shady parking spot, so I accessed the sidewalk a ways from the crosswalk alongside the building. I never imagined I should look both ways first!

Because I was nearly mowed down by a serious biker—all decked out in spandex and helmet, and riding a spiffy expensive bike—but pedaling

about 20 mph down the sidewalk going the wrong direction for that one-way street.

One more step forward and this older woman would have been seriously injured. It took him a good 40-50 feet to even come to a stop because of his momentum. Fortunately, only his handlebar grazed my left hand that was swinging forward, and thankfully it wasn’t broken, but only needed ice, arnica gel and a wrap. But the incident really shook me up.

I told the young man in his late teens / early 20s that he needed to stay on the streets going with the traffic flow, and leave the sidewalks for pedestrians. I told him I could have filed a police report, but instead I made him promise me that he’d

never, ever ride on sidewalks again in town, especially during Market days when so many people are afoot. He was shook up as well, I think, and hopefully is now a smarter pedaler.

It wasn’t until the next day that I read your story about Urban Biking and especially the Rules of the Road. This latter sidebar deserves repeating every issue during the month of May, if not all summer long.

Educating young people in schools and at bike stores is definitely a good priority for the Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee. Please bikers, remember to “Walk Your Wheels!”

Lee Santa Sandpoint

Dear Editor,

I was so happy to see an issue dedicated to bikes and human-powered transportation in the latest Reader. I had recently picked up my tuned-up old Schwinn from one of your

Scarlette Quille

Jane Fritz Sandpoint May 7, 2015 /

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NEWS

Qualls selected as planning director

By Cameron Rasmusson For SPR

The Sandpoint City Council can rest easy again—the key position of planning and economic development director is once again occupied.

Council members approved Mayor Carrie Logan’s appointment of Aaron Qualls on Wednesday, finally filling the position vacated when former director Jeremy Grimm resigned in January. One of the most influential positions within the city, the

Aaron Qualls

planning director’s many responsibilities include seeking grants, developing economic programs, advising the council, handling zoning regulations and more.

“I’ve been doing the job for the past couple months, and I’ve been enjoying it,” he said.

Qualls already has plenty of experience as a planner for the city. He originally took a job working under Grimm after finishing his education in planning. After Grimm left, he took over most of the executive responsibilities. Over the

last several months, he handled projects like rebranding the city, developing a new city website and persuading an annual professional conference to relocate into town.

“That’s great, because [the conference] takes place during our shoulder season,” he said.

Qualls’ first priority in the new job is the support and grow the existing businesses within Sandpoint. A close second priority is encouraging outside businesses to relocate to Sandpoint, expanding the local eco-

nomic base.

According to Qualls, Logan considered some out-of-town candidates for the position, but ultimately felt Qualls’ many years in Sandpoint gave him the edge. In addition to his experience in planning, Qualls served on the City Council and was involved in developing the Sandpoint Comprehensive Plan, a guide for 20 years of Sandpoint development.

“I’m excited to serve my city,” Qualls said. “This is a place worth caring about.”

Council approves balloted tax measure

By Cameron Rasmusson For SPR

How much do you love Memorial Field?

Consider that question carefully, because it could determine whether or not you vote for a new local tax this November. The City Council approved ballot language Wednesday on a measure that, if approved, will add a 1-percent sales tax to purchases within city limits.

The revenue generated from the tax will be used primarily to fund the reconstruction of Memorial Field grandstands.

The grandstands have long been under close watch for structural integrity, with inspectors saying they only have another couple years before they’re condemned for use.

In response, local fundraising group the Friends of Memorial

BRIEFS Sandpoint earns pedestrian friendliness award Have you heard that Sandpoint is a walking town? Well, now the city has the award to prove it.

The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center announced Wednesday it has designated Sandpoint a Silver Walk Friendly Community. A na6 /

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Field formed to raise money for grandstand reconstruction.

While the lights at Memorial Field have since been replaced, the grandstands are another matter. City officials believe the local option tax may be the only sure-fire way to secure funding for grandstand reconstruction before the existing stands are condemned.

It’s a proposal that has the support of several key community members, including Festival at Sandpoint director Dyno Wahl.

“I’m thankful to speak in favor of this,” she said at the Wednesday meeting. “This is a great thing not only for the Festival but also for the community as a whole.”

While the tax revenue will be primarily for the Memorial Field grandstand project and replacement of the field drain-

tional program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration and FedEx, the award honors cities with several pedestrian-friendly programs.

Sandpoint earned program officials’ attention for 15 years of policies and programs that promote safe and enjoyable walking. The city joins a total of 50 communities so far that have been officially designated as walk-friendly. [CR]

An artist’s rendition of the Memorial Field grandstand. Courtesy of the Friends of Memorial Field. age system and surface, the measure also identifies several other uses. These include park infrastructure and maintenance,

as well as any costs involved in collecting and administering the tax.

If voters approve the mea-

CdA officer passes away

of duty.

Moore was allegedly shot early Tuesday morning by Jonathan Daniel Renfro, 26, a man with a long history of criminal activity. Renfro allegedly shot Moore then stole his police vehicle to attempt a get-away.

He was later arrested by Coeur d’Alene police and now faces multiple charges. [CR]

We at the Reader join the rest of the Sandpoint community in expressing deepest condolences to the friends and family of Coeur d’Alene Police Sgt. Greg Moore. A much-loved family man and community figure, Moore passed away Tuesday after being shot in the line

sure, the tax will run for five years between Jan. 1, 2016 and Dec. 31, 2020.

Coeur d’Alene Police Department Photo

NEWS FEATURE Ideology & Politics The Two Personalities of Bonner County Republicans

By Cameron Rasmusson For SPR

Forget Juliet’s famous query, “What’s in a name?” in Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy. For some, names make all the difference.

Count the National Federation of Republican Women among them. The organization of Republican women’s groups is turning its eyes to North Idaho following Bonner County Republican Women’s decision early this year to part ways. According to Kitty Kunz, director of Idaho Federation of Republican Women, the national organization is investigating whether or not they’ll ask the Bonner County group to change its name following the split.

“The national organization is looking into what recourse it has,” said Kunz.

On the surface, this is a matter of protocol—a NFRW policy for groups that disassociate from the national structure. But it’s not a stretch to see the episode as the latest development in the fracturing of local and state Republicans into two distinct fac-

tions: The establishment Republicans that have dominated Idaho politics for decades and a more conservative, Tea Party- and libertarian-influenced off-shoot.

This distinction prompted sharp disagreements and hardfought primary elections in recent years over state rights issues like state acquisition of federally owned land, the implementation of the Idaho health care exchange and the adoption of Common Core education standards.

The parting of ways reaches back to the beginning of the year. According to Bonner County Republican Women president Victoria Zeischegg, group board members voted in February to disassociate with the state and national organizations. While the organization’s decision to withdraw was nearly unanimous, she said it’s still a fundamentally Republican organization that is growing by the month.

“We are welcoming new Republican members monthly and

continue in our mission of education and community service,” Zeischegg said.

Official justifications for the decision are difficult to come by, with many involved individuals and organizations declining to comment or speculate. According to Kunz, the announcement to cut ties came abruptly and with little explanation.

“They claimed we weren’t following our own bylaws,” she said.

As Bonner County Republican Central Committee chairperson and a former primary candidate for state senate, Danielle Ahrens is more than familiar with the two emerging personalities of the Republican Party. As an active member of the new Republican wave herself, she believes Bonner County Republican Women made the right decision to distinguish its political values more clearly. She’s also aware of concerns that the ideological split could damage Republican interests in the long term, but she doesn’t see any

danger to local party unity in this case.

“As [party] chairperson, I wouldn’t allow it,” she said.

On the contrary, she believes the separation into two ideologically distinct women’s groups is a better system to attract new people into political activism.

Prior to the split, Bonner County Republican Women was hobbled by acrimony, she said. With more clearly delineated ideological differences between Bonner County Republican Women and fellow local group North Idaho Federated Republican Women, locals can more easily find groups that match their political identities.

“Just like in any family, you get a lot of different viewpoints,” she said.

The separation also allows a freer choice of guest speakers, a reality that hit home in April with the highly publicized speaking engagement by anti-Islam pastor Shahram Hadian. A highly controversial personality who proclaims Islam a “culture of

death” with an agenda of global dominance, Hadian is linked to the failure to pass legislation bringing Idaho child support in line with international treaties.

For Ahrens, the speaking engagement was a perfect example of the freedom the separation affords Bonner County Republican Women. She said the organization won’t shy away from speakers with unpopular or suppressed perspectives.

“To me, there isn’t a subject too dangerous to discuss,” she said. “I want to hear everyone’s opinion.”

There’s no telling yet whether NFRW will formally request that Bonner County Republican Women to change its name, according to Kunz. And Ahrens can’t predict what the group’s response will be if that happens, although she said it would probably not change names unless it was a legal issue. Either way, Ahrens said the group provides greater clarity for a political voice previously muffled, and that voice is getting louder.

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A New Approach for legalizing medicinal weed in Idaho

By Ben Olson For SPR For Serra Frank, cannabis is more than just medicine; it’s the reason she has been able to live a functional life.

Diagnosed with an incurable bladder condition which causes uncontrollable bleeding and the inability for the walls of the bladder to expand, Frank found herself bed-ridden. After resisting many of her doctor’s prescribed drugs like morphine, she found relief in marijuana. “[My condition] had made me immobile,” she said. “When I started using cannabis, I was able to get out of my bed and not be a zombie on the drugs anymore.”

Frank is the president and co-founder of New Approach Idaho, a grass-roots organization aiming to change the way Idaho views medicinal marijuana.

The organization has over 800 volunteers in Idaho, and is collecting signatures on a petition that would put a measure on the November 2016 ballot to legalize the use of medicinal marijuana, decriminalize possession of three ounces or less and establish an industrial hemp program.

“I would like to see medical marijuana legalized,” said volunteer Sandra Erickson, who has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis for over 23 years.

“I’m in severe pain every day.

There isn’t any movement I can make that won’t cause pain. My doctor told me that if he was in as much pain as I am in every day, he would shoot himself.”

Erickson, at one time an avid skier and lover of the outdoors, found that using cannabis for medicinal reasons was the only effective way to relieve her pain.

“I’ve tried all the narcotics that doctors have prescribed,” said Erickson, “and nothing has touched the pain except for cannabis.”

Erickson prefers to use cannabis at night, because it makes her tired, and says she doesn’t enjoy getting high. She is primarily interested in the medicinal properties.

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Marchers gather on May 2, and obtain over 1,000 signatures for the petition to include legalization of medicinal marijuana on Nov. 2016’s ballot. Photos courtesy of New Approach.

“I know there are strains that you can take during the day,” she said. “If we had a medical marijuana dispensary, I could get those strains, but I don’t have access to that.”

Another concern involves breaking the law, which she does not want to do.

“I’m in fear every day,” she said. “I’ve always been a law abiding citizen. We’ve lost our moral compass when the state of Idaho won’t allow people to alleviate their pain. Cannabis should not be illegal.”

One alternative option that many had hoped for was the cannabidiol oil (CBD), which is one of over 60 compounds found in cannabis that is non psychoactive. Unlike THC, CBD oil does not produce a high, which is ideal for patients who intend to use the substance for medicinal use.

Senate Bill 1146a would provide a legal defense for the use of non-psychotropic CBD oil to treat intractable epilepsy and other seizure disorders.

Ten-year-old Alexis Carey, whom the bill had been named for, has a rare form of epilepsy called Dravet Syndrome, which often leaves parents wondering if each seizure will turn fatal.

Proponents for CBD oil have said its use helps with symp-

toms and to alleviate seizures.

The bill was passed by the Senate on March 24 but stalled in the House State Affairs Committee on a tie vote March 30. In a surprising move, the committee chose to revisit the legislation April 2, when several lawmakers switched their votes and passed the bill onto the Governor’s office.

On April 9, the bill was received by Gov. Otter and vetoed April 16.

“Of course I sympathize with the heartbreaking dilemma facing some families trying to cope with the debilitating impacts of disease,” wrote Gov. Otter in a veto message. “From the purposefully incorrect fiscal impact statement to the claims of patient outcomes that are more speculative than scientific ... [this bill] asks us to legalize the limited use of cannabidiol oil, contrary to federal law.”

Citing feedback he’d received from his administration’s Office of Drug Policy and members of law enforcement, Otter said there were too many questions and problems involved with the bill to let it become law.

“It was a bad bill,” said Rep. Luke Malek, R-Coeur d’Alene.

“It purported to do a lot of things, but didn’t provide any protections. It was supposed to

be a low THC oil, but there was really no way to enforce that level, and there is no scientific evidence to back up the bill.

It was trying to put emotion in front of good policy.”

Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, was one of the 22 senators who voted in favor of the bill, and was disappointed when it was vetoed.

“I voted for the bill because I continue to believe that the THC content in the cannabidiol oil was very low,” said Keough, “and that particular bill built in safeguards that law enforcement and others were looking for.”

Keough said that the Senate passed the bill with an “affirmative defense,” which didn’t guarantee that users of CBD oil wouldn’t be charged or arrested.

“It didn’t really make it legal,” she said, “but if you get arrested for this oil, then you can use as a defense for yourself the fact that you have a child or family member that suffers from this intractable epilepsy.”

Paraphrasing Sen. Curt McKenzie, R-Nampa, Keough said, “If law enforcement cannot tell the difference between a drug dealer and a parent trying to help their child, then it’s shameful, and I believe that.”

At New Approach, Frank was also disappointed by the

outcome of the bill, as she believes there are legitimate medicinal uses for cannabis, and that many other fully legal substances are much worse.

“It’s safer than alcohol and caffeine,” she said. “Those substances are readily available and promoted all over.”

“You can die if you drink too much caffeine or alcohol,” said Erickson. “I’m a very logical person, and there is no logical sense for how alcohol can be legal and marijuana isn’t. There are no known deaths from the primary cause of marijuana.”

The road to legalization has been a long one. California became the first state to legalize medicinal use of marijuana in 1996. Almost 20 years later, there are a total of 23 states in the union that have legalized the use of cannabis with a doctor’s prescription. Alaska recently joined the list of states that have made it legal to use marijuana recreationally, including Oregon, Washington, Colorado and Washington D.C. In Washington state, where recreational use of marijuana was legalized in 2012, projected tax revenues are expected to add up to tens of millions of dollars.

According to Steve Lerch, executive director of the Washington State Economic and Rev-

See WEED, page 9

WEED, con’t from page 8

Broadcasting in Sandpoint on 106.7 FM and in Digital HD

Over 1,000 people gathered in front of the Boise State Capitol on May 2 in support of New Approach’s proposed measure, which needs over 47,000 signatures to make it on the Nov. 2016 ballot. enue Forecast Council, taxes generated for recreational marijuana sales from mid-2014 to mid-2015 will add an estimated $43 million to the state’s coffers.

“Certain pieces of [tax revenues] are dedicated to drug education, drug treatment, low income health care,” said Lerch. “About 18 percent of the revenue ends up in the general fund.”

A more likely aspect of New Approach’s proposed measure would be to establish an industrial hemp program.

One of the most powerful Republican leaders in the Senate, U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, recently banded with U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, and U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, to remove the less-potent member of the cannabis family from the federal list of controlled substances, allowing its return to America’s farmland after more than 40 years.

Congress banned growing hemp because of larger concerns about cannabis through the Controlled Substances Act in the early 1970s.

Hemp and marijuana are both members of the cannabis family, but hemp is not bred for its THC content—which is much lower and doesn’t alter the mind— but for its fiber production.

According to Erickson, the uses for hemp are virtually limitless.

“The seeds and oil have high nutritional value,” she said. “Hemp can be used as a fiber crop for clothing. It can be formulated into bio-diesel. It can be used to clean up nuclear accidents; as hemp grows, it pulls out toxins. It sequesters carbon dioxide. They are even making concrete blocks out of it.”

Kentucky is one of 22 states to have passed legislation to allow cultivation of the crop, though without federal legaliza-

tion, the state laws are largely symbolic.

Although public opinion of weed has softened in the past decade, the federal government still classifies the drug as a Schedule 1 narcotic, which states that there is a high potential for abuse and no accepted medicinal value derived from its use. Other Schedule 1 drugs include heroin, LSD, mescaline, ecstasy and bath salts.

Erickson would like to see marijuana re-classified to something more appropriate.

“You can’t do research unless it’s in Schedule 2,” she said. “There are so many restrictions. It’s pretty much impossible.”

Drugs listed as Schedule 2 are also considered having a high potential for abuse, but have been listed as having an accepted medical use. Some examples of Schedule 2 drugs include cocaine, opium, morphine and methamphetamine.

According to a recent Boise State University study, over 74 percent of those surveyed supported changing Idaho law to allow terminally and seriously ill patients to use and purchase marijuana for medicinal purposes.

“The people want it,” said Frank.

“People need the ability to choose their right medicine. Idaho patients need to be able to have safe access to it. We’re not criminals.”

For now, New Approach Idaho is gathering signatures. They’ll need over 47,000 to bring the measure onto the 2016 ballot. In just two weekends, they have gathered over 3,000 signatures, including more than 1,000 at a March to the Capital in Boise last weekend.

“If everybody 35 and under would register and vote,” said Erickson, “this would be over tomorrow.”

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Talk to our advertising director Jen Landis today for rate information 208.627.9661 jen@sandpointreader.com

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Idaho Gives Spaghetti Feed and Open House 4pm - 7pm @ Hope Memorial Community Center Enjoy a fabulous home-cooked meal and great conversation with your community! Cost is $3 per person, $10 per family, or $5 for a to-go meal “Woman in Gold” film 7:30pm @ Panida Theater Live Music w/ Marty Perron & Doug Bond 5pm - 7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority End your long work week with a couple of Sandpoint’s favorite musicians... and beer Bike to Work Day - Free Pancake Breakfast 6:30am - 10am @ Outdoor Experience Ride your bike to the store for a delicious stack of flapjacks, sausages, juice, coffee and more

Spring for the Garden Plant Sale 8am - 2pm @ BGH Healing Garden Shop for starts, glass totems, annuals and perennials, plus great geranium, petunia and begonia baskets Spring Plant Sale 9am- 4pm @ Sears (Bonner Mall)

Sandpoint Farmers Market 9am - 1pm @ Farmin Park Treat yourself and family to locally grown fresh produce, baked goods and handcrafted arts and crafts Spring for the Garden Plant Sale 8am - 2pm @ BGH Healing Garden Shop for starts, glass totems, annuals and perennials, plus great geranium, petunia and begonia baskets Spring Plant Sale 9am- 4pm @ Sears (Bonner Mall)

Dine Out For A Cause 5pm - 9pm @ Jalapeños Restaurant Come out to this great event benefittin ing Dog in its quest to compete in t America (RAAM), raising awarenes 24 Hours for Hank. Buy some swe glasses, and enjoy your first beer on

Live Music w/ Bigger Boat 5pm - 7pm @ Idaho Pour Authori A Moscow Idaho based group s English, Scottish and Nova Scotia Songs of the Sea. Shiver me timbe

Sandpoint EggFest 10am - 3pm @ North Idaho Spas Big Green Egg enthusiasts showcase their BBQ talents. Free and open to the public, with live music by Devon Wade and special guest Sierra Lee

King of the C Noon @ Mic Who will cr will spill the defeated, yet Maybe you w

CycloFemme de Sandpoint — 2pm @ Greasy Fingers Bikes N’ Repair A global Women’s Cycling Day created to honor and encourage women to ride their bik Learn the Cha Cha! 7pm @ SWAC (but you don’t have to be a member) Call Diane at 610-1770 to sign up or for more information

Monday Night Blues Jam w/ Truck Mills 7:30pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Weekly infusion of blues and rock from the Man

Karaoke Night 9pm - Midnight @ 219 Lounge Trivia Night 7pm - 9pm @ MickDuff’s Just because you’re a know-it-all doesn’t mean you know it all Bingo Night 6:30 @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Crafternoon 2pm - 3:30pm @ East BoCo Library A whimsical windchime crafts program

Rebel Without a Cause 7:30pm @ Panida Theater James Dean in his most famous role

Coal 5pm Free citize Idaho Oreil

“Live @ The Office” w/ Holly McGarry 6pm @ Sandpoint Reader Office (111 Ceda Local favorite Holly McGarry will be app Honeysuckle for a night to remember. Spac ly. Holly’s songwriting has touched many beautiful voice reminds us of a modern-day at the Reader office starting Monday, May Sandpoint Farmers Market 3pm - 5:30pm @ Farmin Park Treat yourself and family to locally grown fresh produce, baked goods and handcrafted arts and crafts.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Heaven XI 7pm @ Panida Theater This popular shows sells out almost every year, a for the 30th annual Lost in the ‘50s celebration ers include Justin Shandor, Lance Lipinsky and These boys are the “Best of the Best” when it co

ful

May 7 - 14, 2015

ng Team Laughthe Race Across ss and funds for eet bicycle pint the house!

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

Idaho Gives fundraiser 3pm - 8pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Support your local nonprofit!

Clark Fork Delta Restoration 9am - 3pm @ Clark Fork River Delta Driftyard Registration required at www.clarkforkdelta.org.

Come out and be part of this worthy effort!

The Wishing Boot Country Concert 7pm @ Panida Theater Enjoy Devon Wade’s country music during this event to raise money for local community members in need, including Sandpoint resident Tammy Davis

Live Music w/ Kosh 6pm - 9pm @ Neighborhood Pub Great 90s covers from Alice in Chains and the like Open Mic with Scott Reid 6pm - 9pm @ Monarch Mountain Come one, come all!

Live Music w/ Josh Harty 7:30pm @ Di Luna’s Acoustic Americana music. Tickets are $10 in advance, and $12 on the day of the show. Come at 5:30 for dinner service!

Sandpoint Contra Dance 7pm - 10pm @ Spt. Comm. Hall All dances taught and called!

The Platinum Review 7pm (MST) @ Heron Comm. Center Presented by the Heron Players, a dinner theater evening. $20 per person, reserve at 1-855-806-7328.

Italian Night Out Fundraiser Boundless: 5pm - 9pm @ Ponderay Events Center Love Makes the World Go Round Enjoy a pasta dinner, no-host bar, followed by a 7pm @ Pearl Theater (Bonners) live dessert auction with Jojo Baker, plus a silent Vocal octet Boundless brings Broadauction. All benefits The Selkirk School. $20 per way to Bonners Ferry. Featuring the ticket, call 208-290-8460 for more information beloved music of George and Ira Gershwin, Rodgers and HammerCornhole Tournament Hope Springs Fundraiser stein, and Stephen Schwartz. $12 ckDuff’s Beer Hall 5pm @ Heartwood Center adult, $6 student, $30 family, and rown themselves king? Who LifeSkills NW hosts their annual free for children under age 5. eir beer? Who will walk away fundraiser. Live music from Ruff t oddly giddy? Come find out. Shodd and Patricia Webb, food by The Platinum Review will be the next king (or queen) Winter Ridge. Don’t miss it!

7pm (MST) @ Heron Comm. Center Presented by the Heron Players, a dinner theater evening. $20 per perkes son, reserve at 1-855-806-7328. l Road to China - 7pm @ Sandpoint Community Hall admission for this film screening and May 15 - Car Parade @ 6pm in Sandpoint followed en hearing on coal transport. Hosted by o Conservation League and Lake Pend

by Street Dance, then The Crests featuring lle Waterkeeper. A must see documentary.

Tommy Mara and guest Johnny Contardo

ity specializing in an Shanties and ers!

Upcoming Events

y ar St. Suite 9) pearing with her Boston-based band ce is limited, so buy your tickets earpeople in Sandpoint, and her smoky y Billie Holiday. $5 tickets available y 11. Don’t miss this one, folks!

DITCH THE FLAME

PONDERAY, ID 110 TIBBETS DR. #3

(former singer of the Sha-Na-Na’s) @ Bonner County Fairgrounds, 7:30pm May 16 - Car Show @ Downtown Sandpoint Frankie Avalon! 7:30pm at BoCo Fairgrounds May 16 - Aspirin Rally Run @ Second Ave. Pizza 10am

Unplug and Be Outside — 208-263-3613 for more information - May 12, 13 & 14 Sponsored by Sandpoint Parks and Recreation, this program features fun outdoor activities during after-school hours, and it’s fun for the whole family! Activities to choose from include a golf clinic, bouldering at the rock gym, a challenge course, an informative bike ride, a lacrosse clinic, tennis clinics, an arboretum tour and ultimate Frisbee

Roadkill and Rebellion Tour 9pm @ Eichardt’s Pub and is the opening event With Lorin Walker Madsen and the Hustlers along with special n. This year’s perform- guest Randall Conrad Olinger d Bobby Brooks Wilson. Live Music w/ Patrice Webb and Tom D’Orazi omes to impersonators. 6pm @ Monarch Mountain Coffee An evening of original songwriting

263-1972

•VAPING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERY BUDGET •THE LARGEST SELECTION FOR THE BEGINNER TO THE MOST ADVANCED

The sun is out!

Isn’t it time for more sunglasses and sun readers?

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We’ve gotten a great response to our call for your pet photographs.

Instead of putting them in just one issue, we’ve decided to feature one or two every issue as long as we have the space. To submit your own pet photos, please send a photograph and a little bit of information about your special friend to ben@sandpointreader.com.

-Kitty Gato-

This cat recently showed up at our house. We think she’s from some border town ranchero deep in the desert south west.

Obviously she’s used to warmer temperatures as she arrived wearing a sweater. She has a distinctive western twang and swagger about her, much different then local cats. She likes spicy food and enjoys tabasco on her mice. She’s made herself quite at home with us, but stealthily sneaks off everyday only to return after dark when we’ve put out her bowl of kibbles with chilis.

Where? We don’t know. Perhaps she’s on a mission to bring a dangerous purr-petrator home to face justice? It’s all quite a mystery. Meanwhile, we’ve named her Kitty Gato.

Chris and Lizbeth Park Yoder Mountain

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The Power of Community

By Ben Olson For SPR

There are times in life when I cannot help but sit back in awe of what a community can truly accomplish. Last weekend’s benefit show for Charley Packard was one of those rare moments for me.

Charley is a man who has touched a lot of people in this town. He is a humble and grateful man, and his body of songwriting continues to strike a chord with us here in Sandpoint, as I’m sure it will for many years to come.

Community doesn’t just mean getting along with your neighbors, or sharing interests with one another. It goes way beyond that.

Community means helping those in need when the trials and tribulations of life have handed them a rough situation.

Community means sacrificing

your own immediate needs for the needs of others. Community means stepping outside oneself and looking at the larger picture.

As we saw last weekend, with more than 500 tickets sold and a packed house standing in tribute to Charley Packard and his band of performers, Sandpoint has no problem rallying for a cause. We should all be proud of ourselves. The money spent per person was small—$15 for a ticket—but when you multiply that by 500, you’ll quickly see how it can add up.

Think of how much a group of people can accomplish if everyone gives just a little of their time, energy and money. That is real power.

Life is messy. Sometimes we’re on top, sometimes we’re struggling to make ends meet.

Nobody is immune from calamity, and everybody needs a little helping hand from time to time.

The power of a community is something beautiful and heart-warming that just feels good to be a part of. I am honored to have shared a stage with

all those performers at Charley’s show, and honored to be a member of this community.

Thank you, Sandpoint.

Charley Packard, back in the saddle again at the Panida Theater last weekend. The sellout crowd couldn’t have been more supportive. Photo by Ben Olson.

Idaho Gives aims to help nonprofits statewide

By Cameron Rasmusson For SPR

For Idaho nonprofits, Thursday, May 7 is a little like Christmas.

After all, it’s not every day the whole family of Idaho nonprofits gets together for a full day of fund raising and promotion. Now in its third year, Idaho Gives promises to chart another huge response as Idahoans by the thousands attend community events and support their favorite nonprofits online.

“We take this day very seriously,” said Nancy Dooley of Idaho Conservation League. “A lot of preparation goes into it.”

If you’re planning on supporting a nonprofit this year, there’s perhaps no better time to do it than during Idaho Gives. For every donation made online at www.idahogives.org, participating nonprofits earn additional cash. Even better, both nonprofits and supporters have the chance to earn prizes with each donation. Nonprofits are also finding ways to sweeten the deal. For instance, Idaho Conservation League is offering a oneyear membership for Idaho Gives donations, according to Dooley.

This year, more than a dozen Bonner County nonprofits are joining forces to

make nonprofit Christmas a day to remember. Nonprofit associates will be manning a variety of locations throughout the day to distribute information and help people donate online. The schedule includes stops at Evans Brothers Coffee from 7-10 a.m., Sandpoint Senior Center from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Idaho Pour Authority from 3-8 p.m., Hope Memorial Community Center from 5-8 p.m. and Yokes, Super 1 Foods and Winter Ridge from 3-6:30 p.m.

The hope is to make this year the most successful yet—Dooley anticipates that Idaho Conservation League activities across the state should pull in around $25,000 altogether. Still, there’s a high bar to clear. Last year, the statewide nonprofit campaign raised a total of $782,862 from 7,566 individuals who gave to more than 660 nonprofit causes. No matter the outcome, however, nonprofit Christmas is sure to be a merry one.

“It’s been a great experience,” Dooley said. “It’s been really helpful in other states and we’re really glad it’s working in Idaho, too.”

Local Idaho Gives acitivities are coordinated by several regional nonprofits. These include Community Cancer Services, Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, Selkirk Outdoor Leadership and Education, Rock Creek Alliance, KRFY 88.5 FM, Daybreak Center, Idaho Conservation League, Sandpoint Area Seniors, Inc., Panhandle Animal Shelter, Pend Oreille Arts Council, Bonner Community Food Center, American Heritage Wildlife Foundation, Memorial Community Center and Sandpoint Community Resource Center.

In addition, there are hundreds of other regional and state nonprofits participating in Idaho Gives. Head online to www.idahogives.org to see if your favorite nonprofit is in the mix.

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Asparagus

An Early Season Delight

For SPR

For our family, eating the first cutting of asparagus from our garden in late April ranks right near the top of all culinary experience. In addition to early greenhouse salad greens, this wonderful vegetable awakens all the possibilities of the spring season.

In addition to the unique, earthy flavor, cooked asparagus provides very important nutritional benefits, including significant amounts of vitamins K, B1, B2, C, E, folate, copper, selenium, manganese, fiber and more (the list goes on and on!).

Well documented health benefits of asparagus include anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, digestive support, heart health and blood sugar regulation. We love our asparagus for its flavor and ver-

satility, but the health benefits certainly add to its value.

Though we eat a lot of fresh asparagus, the yield produced by our three-by-40-foot bed necessitates preserving the excess. Freezing is fairly easy; the spears are cut into one- or twoinch pieces, briefly blanched and then cooled promptly in ice water. We lay the pieces out on a towel to dry and then place them on cookie sheets in the freezer for a day or so, then into freezer bags.

Asparagus can also be made into soup and preserved by freezing and also can be dehydrated for future use in soups or other dishes. A bowl of hot asparagus soup on a cold winter day is an experience that warms both the body and spirit.

The yield of an asparagus

planting is determined largely by the variety chosen and the planting method. Proper planting, though somewhat labor intensive, is rewarded by 20 years or more of spring harvests. We cut ours every other day for the first few weeks and recently brought in a 12-pound harvest. This volume will taper off slowly over the six-week harvest, but total food production per square foot surpasses most other vegetables.

The rewards for good planting technique and proper maintenance are substantial. Here are the recommended procedures.

Soil should be well drained; clay soils will benefit from generous additions of organic matter (actually all local soils will benefit). Raised or mounded beds will help the soil warm earlier in the spring. Soil pH of 6 to 7.5 is ideal, though we have harvested wild asparagus in soils with even higher pH. Purchase one-year-old asparagus “crowns” from a reputable dealer; Jersey Knight and Jersey Giant are two predominately male plants that will be more productive than female plants. Just before planting soak them in compost or manure tea for 30 minutes.

Dig a shovel-wide trench 10 to 12 inches deep, add back a

few inches of soil and then mix your amend-ments in the bottom of the trench. For many of our local acidic soils, a generous sprinkling of dolomite lime will bring up the pH. Also include lots of organic matter; well rotted manure, compost and a bit of leaf mold will increase fertility, moisture retention and drainage.

Then mound your mix slightly at the bottom of the trench, place the crowns on the mound and cover with a few inches of soil. Water deeply. After a few weeks add a few more inches of soil around the emerging spears and continue to do so over the next few weeks until your trench has filled to the original soil level or slightly higher.

Don’t harvest your asparagus for two years … I know, that’s a bummer, but the plants need to conserve their resources for many years of harvest.

Your patience will be well-rewarded.

We fertilize our planting

just once a year, shortly har after harvest with a balanced or natural orfer ganic fertilizer. The resulting beautiful, fo tall ferny foliage graces the garden and stores energy for sea next season’s crop.

In the fall we regularly add an additional couple of inches of shredded leaves as a mulch and cut the plants to the ground after they have turned yellow.

Once planted and established, asparagus is a fairly low-maintenance perennial plant. Take good care planting, and you will have delicious, highly nutritional food for many years.

Questions? Visit http:// clearwaterlandscapes.com/ questions.

Asparagus chicken roll-ups with basil, prosciutto and mozzarella

By Reader Staff For SPR

Looking for a good recipe to cook all that early season asparagus? Try this chicken roll-up recipe, with prosciutto, basil and gooey mozzarella cheese.

Ingredients:

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts 12 skinny asparagus spears (about half if your spears are normal size - also if they are normal size I’d recommend blanching them first) 2 slices prosciutto 1/3 cup fresh mozzarella, shredded 6 fresh basil leaves salt pepper olive oil Italian seasoning 14 /

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Instructions: •Pound out the chicken breasts extremely thin using a ziploc bag and mallet.

•Heat up some olive oil (just enough to coat the pan) in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.

•Lay out your two chicken breasts on a clean surface. On top of each one, layer one slice of prosciutto on each, followed by basil leaves, followed by the mozzarella, then finally place the asparagus spears in the middle.

•Roll up the chicken breasts around the asparagus.

•Season the outside of the breasts with salt (go very lightly on this since the prosciutto is salty), pepper, and Italian seasonings.

•Place the roll-ups into the pan, seam side down. Let cook on each side (turning 4 times each) cooking about 5 minutes on each side. This should cook your

breasts through, but depending on how thin you were able to get them—check for doneness. If not done, stick a lid on your pan and cook until done.

—IN REVIEW— Keanu Reeves returns to action in ‘John Wick’

By Cameron Rasmusson For SPR It’s a truth acknowledged by all creeds and cultures: You do not screw with a man’s dog. That’s doubly true when the man happens to be a retired contract killer, and his dog happens to be a final gift from his recently deceased wife.

Apparently, the villains of “John Wick” didn’t get the memo. Led by the spoiled son of a Russian mob boss (Alfie Allen of “Game of Thrones” fame), they assault the titular John Wick (Keanu Reeves in a fine return to action-thriller form), steal his car and kill his dog.

There are few plot devices more nakedly manipulative than killing an adorable puppy. Then again, “John Wick” director Chad Stahelski is more interested in breaking bad guy noggins than new ground in nuanced storytelling.

In that respect, “John Wick” is a success. True to genre tropes, Wick is an unstoppable one-man army who blasts and bashes his way to vengeance. The action and gunplay are shot in a coherent, slick style that owes a creative debt to recent

South Korean action-thrillers like “The Man From Nowhere.” The deliberate editing and superb stunt work are a refreshing change from the rapid cuts and CGI of most modern action movies.

Not to say the movie offers nothing but artful muzzle flashes—there’s also an impressive cast chewing scenery like so much bubble gum. Brilliant actors like Ian McShane and Willem Dafoe turn in memorable supporting performances, while Allen is about as infuriating as you’d expect from an unrepentant puppy killer. Reeves, meanwhile, is solid as a widower simmering with equal measures of rage and grief.

“John Wick” doesn’t bring anything new to the table, but it delivers a stylish jolt to well-worn cliches. Genre fans weary of “Transformers” and its ilk should find plenty to love here.

“John Wick” is a recent release on home video and video-on-demand.

A book by Allan Bopp “There’s thinking inside the box and then there is thinking outside the box.

And then there's the world of Bopp, no box. Or more appropriately, what if there was no box? This book takes you on a journey of how consciousness, which never dies, actually creates the universe not the other crea way around.”

-Grant Darrow, Amazon Review “Unexpectedly cool and insightful.”

-Richard Lane, Amazon Review “Do not rush through this book.”

-John B. Moss, Amazon Review Now available at Vanderford’s, Common Knowledge, Bonner’s Books and Amazon May 7, 2015 /

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Wishing Boot Fund helping those in need

By Cameron Rasmusson For SPR There are few more devastating diagnoses than cancer—a reality Tammy Davis knows all too well.

It’s not just the fear that the illness inspires, either. It’s also the knowledge that no matter your health insurance situation, you’re almost certainly going to incur crippling out-of-pocket expenses.

That certainly turned out to be Davis’ case. When she discovered a lump on her breast that was later confirmed as cancerous, she knew she had a long battle ahead of her. With four out of six rounds of chemo complete months later, she estimates she has more than $10,000 in outstanding debt.

While cancer is difficult in the best of circumstances, Davis said the Sandpoint community has rallied around her to get her and her family through a tough time. The latest evidence of that support is the Wishing Boot Fund, a benefit concert organized by country music artist Devon Wade and Renee Tibbetts.

“It’s really been humbling,”

Davis said. “That’s the only word for it.”

While Davis has decent health insurance, any cancer treatment invariably means some costs of treatment will be out-of-pocket. That expense comes on top of frequent stretches where Davis can’t work, either because she’s too sick or because of doctor visits. As the only full-time wage-earner in a household of six, that seriously cuts down on the family income.

Davis anticipates the end of her chemotherapy treatments coming soon, followed by a double mastectomy and reconstructive procedure in July.

Afterward comes a year of antibody treatment.

With the help of her friends, family and the community, Davis is confident about the road ahead. In the meantime, there are several ways to support her.

Later this summer, the family is planning a dinner and auction. You can also contribute to her GoFundMe page, located at www.gofundme.com/TammysTatas.

Life Skills NW

Do you enjoy great food? How about great music? Is supporting a good cause in your wheelhouse? If you answered yes to any or all of these, you’ll probably want to check out the Hope Springs Fundraiser set to begin 5 p.m. Saturday, May 9, at the Heartwood Center (615 Oak St.).

An annual fundraiser for LifeSkills NW, the Hope Springs fundraiser combines food from Winter Ridge, music by Ruff Shod and Patrice Webb and a silent and live auction. With Mother’s Day just around the corner, there’s no doubt you’ll find that perfect gift just waiting for a bid.

It’s one of the primary sources of revenue for LifeSkills NW, which helps teens and adults build interpersonal skills and healthy relationships through therapeutic groups.

The doors open at 5 p.m., and dinner is served at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $25 each, or two are available for $40. They’re available at the door. You can also purchase advance tickets or learn more about the event and organization at www.lifeskillsnw.org

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Tammy Davis On the other hand, there may be no more entertaining way to support Davis than by attending the Wishing Boot concert. Set for 7 p.m. Friday, May 8, at the Panida Theater, the evening will feature country music favorite Devon Wade. Tickets cost $12 and are available at Eve’s Leaves, Pend Oreille Arts Council, www.panida.org and at the door. For more information, email CalmTigerMedia@gmail.com

Local businessman travels to Nepal for Quake relief

Local business owner and volunteer firefighter, Andrew Moskovitz, is leaving on a medical search and rescue mission in the next 10 days to offer immediate assistance in the Langtang region of Nepal. The eight-person team he’ll be joining is a direct response to a Nepalian incident commander’s request for medical support.

Working with the Nepalese government and the U.S. Army Reserve, Moskovitz’s U.S.-based team will focus on immediate medical support and children’s safety.

“Due to the lack of supplies, hospital space and qualified assistance, there are people dying daily,” says Moskovitz. “It’s crucial we step in.”

Moskovitz is asking members of the community to come together and offer supply or financial donations toward the setup of a remote clinic.

“We are asking the community to come together and offer the Nepalese much-needed support,” says Moskovitz.

“Whether it’s trekking supplies, $10 or $1000, no donation is too small. Everything helps.”

To donate, please write a check payable to Andrew Moskovitz with “Nepal Trip 2015” in the memo.

You can send checks to: Venture Transitions Attn: Andrew Moskovitz 780 Wrenco Road Sandpoint, ID 83864

It’s all for me grog: sea shanty group appearing at Idaho Pour Authority

By Vicki Reich For SPR When was the last time you spent a few hours singing and listening to Sea Shanties? If it’s been too long or if you have no idea what a Sea Shanty is, you won’t want to miss Bigger Boat from 5-7 p.m. at Idaho Pour Authority on Saturday May 9.

Bigger Boat is a four person (Benjamin James, Dylan Champagne, Rochelle Smith and Rob Ely) mostly a cappella group that performs traditional English, Scottish and Nova Scotian shanties and sea songs, as well as music by contemporary songwriters like Stan Rogers and the Bills.

This Moscow-based group has been singing together since the fall of 2013.

This will be their Sandpoint debut.

The Bigger Boat crew, who we think have the perfect name for a sea shanty-singing band

MUSIC

This week’s RLW by Ben Olson

Holly McGarry andThree band Honeysuckle homeward bound piece folk band scheduled to play the Reader’s “Live @ The Office” Tues. May 11

By Cameron Rasmusson For SPR

A little collaboration can go a long way, even for someone like Holly McGarry.

The Sandpoint singer, songwriter and musician has been impressing audiences with her musical talent since she was a young girl, and many local residents have watched both her and her skills mature over the years. But even the brightest minds are locked into a single perspective, and over the past three years at Berklee College of Music in Boston, McGarry has found similarly talented peers that have expanded her music in unexpected ways.

Her new band, Honeysuckle, is in many ways the culmination of that education. Not long after moving to Boston, McGarry met Ben Burns and Chris Bloniarz, and the trio soon formed a close connection over jam sessions and songwriting. McGarry’s vast catalog of songs written over the years provided the foundation for new arrangements by Burns.

For McGarry, the alterations brought entirely new angles to long-familiar tunes.

“A lot of those old songs took on a new life with his arrangements,” McGarry said.

Their experiments eventually evolved into several shows,

Holly McGarry (center) with Honeysuckle bandmates Chris Bloniarz (left) and Benjamin Burns (right). including a particularly fateful one in New York. The audience response was so positive, McGarry, Burns and Bloniarz decided to pursue the project in a more serious way. That commitment was only reinforced when a music producer asked them to record an EP in his studio. With an album due to come out, the trio needed a name, and they decided to stick with the tentative moniker they’d been using: Honeysuckle.

At the moment, Honeysuckle relies primarily on McGarry’s songwriting fleshed out by the musicianship of Bloniarz and Burns. As the band anticipates a second EP they envision releasing in the fall, McGarry said she believes they’ll move

toward balancing songwriting duties between her and Burns.

Right now, however, their focus is entirely fixed on their recently released debut EP, the five-track album “Arrows.” Local fans who’ve been following McGarry for years will recognize some of the songs, but what might surprise them is the new texture and depth Burns and Bloniarz lend to the instrumentation.

“I think that the essence of the songs is pretty similar, but the arrangements are more thought-out and developed,” McGarry said.

Sandpoint residents will have a chance to experience the new work at the upcoming Live @ the Office show here at

Reader headquarters (111 Cedar St., Ste. 9). The Tuesday, May 12, show starts 6 p.m., and the doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Space is very limited, so we recommend picking up tickets in advance starting Monday.

Just drop by the office and we’ll get you squared away.

The office show doubles as Honeysuckle’s official EP release show for Sandpoint. This will be your best chance to pick up the album, so bring a little extra cash with you to scoop up a copy.

“I hope everyone likes the EP,” McGarry said. “I’m excited about it for sure.”

READ

There are very few writers who are renowned for their short story skills. One of the absolute best is Raymond Carver, whose body of work is limited but worth devouring. When I discovered Carver years ago, I couldn’t get enough of his work, which is minimalist, mysterious and absolutely cathartic.

Carver, who died of lung cancertoo early at 50 years old, lived in Port Angeles, Wash. and captured the enigmatic qualities of short stories better than any other American writer.

I suggest reading everything of his, but my favorite collection is “Cathedral.”

LISTEN

Last week, Sandpoint turned out for Charley Packard’s benefit concert at the Panida Theater.

More than two dozen performers gathered on stage to play their favorite of Charley’s songs. It was a show that will forever be remembered.

Charley’s songs have a quality about them that appeal to a wide demographic. Sometimes lonely, sometimes funny as hell, his songwriting is only equaled by his tender, deep and sonorous voice.

You can listen to some of Charley’s albums online and purchase them if you like. Visit charleypackard.bandcamp.com.

Sufjan Stevens’ new album ‘Carrie & Lowell’ a must listen

By Cameron Rasmusson For SPR It’s difficult for me to look objectively at “Carrie & Lowell” by Sufjan Stevens.

Nearly every thematic element of his new album tangles up in my own experiences and struggles. It’s been years since I’ve identified so completely or been affected so profoundly by an album.

One thing is certain: Don’t go into the album expecting a collection of light, hummable pop hits like “Chicago,” one of the songs from Stevens’ near-perfect “Illinois” that launched him to stardom in 2005. “Carrie & Lowell” explores the personal despair and crisis of faith Stevens encountered after the death of his mother, the titular Carrie, in 2012. Each

song reveals a new layer of their troubled relationship and the deep depression that took Stevens after her passing.

“Carrie & Lowell” marks a return for Stevens from the electronic compositions of his last album, “Age of Adz,” to the whispery folk that defined his most popular work. But the effect is hardly intended for accessibility. Most songs feature instrumentation stripped down to bare essentials. For some, the sound may be too simple, but I find it highlights the beauty inherent in the writing.

It’s also tonally appropriate as Stevens sings from beginning to end of struggle. As he reflects on his loss, he battles with memories, with relationships and with a deity that too often seems silent. And ultimately, he finds a measure of comfort in all of them.

Crossword Solution

WATCH

I’m a sucker for anything involving the universe, or post-apocalyptia or a new way of looking at the future.

Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar” has it all. The epic film follows former NASA astronaut Cooper (played by Matthew McConaughey) as he travels through a wormhole in search of a new home for humanity.

The film is long, but moves along quickly, and kept me guessing all throughout.

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w o N & Then compiled by

Ben Olson

Each week, we feature a new photograph taken from the same vantage point as one taken long ago. See how we’ve changed, and how we’ve stayed the same. Special thanks to Aric Spence for this week’s feature.

The parking lot at the train depot, looking south. The row of trees used to grow along Sand Creek all the way to Bridge Street. Note the fire hydrant lower left. Photo by Aric Spence.

2008

The same view today. A lot has changed in just a few years. The Byway can be seen to the right, where the row of trees has been taken out. The only thing that seems to have remained is the fire hydrant, lower left. Photo by Aric Spence.

2015

In last week’s article about the train depot, I had misinterpreted a quote from Aric Spence, insinuating that he had been removed from the Historic Preservation Commission. In fact, Spence was referring to the “Depot Negotiating Team” in his quote. My apologies for the mistake. -BO 18 /

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CROSSWORD

Copyright www.mirroreyes.com

Historical information provided and verified by Bonner County Museum staff and volunteers (special thanks to Olivia Morlean, Will Valentine, and Allen Robertson). If you have any scrapbooks or old photographs taken in Bonner County that you would like to see Then & Now’ed, please submit them to the Museum so they can digitize and return the photographs to you. The Museum is located at 611 S. Ella — (208) 263-2344.

ACROSS 1. A 2-masted sailing ship 6. Sexual assault 10. Rapscallions 14. Potato state 15. L L L L 16. Principal 17. Adult female 18. Flying saucers 19. Not stereo 20. Make pregnant 22. Chocolate cookie 23. Dirt 24. Naturist 26. Shoestring 30. Not on 31. East southeast 32. Dash 33. Found on rotary phones 35. Grain disease 39. Pike (fish) 41. Set up 43. To yield or submit 44. A few 46. Container weight 47. Unhappy 49. Zero 50. Female sheep (plural) 51. A poor city district 54. Hissy fit 56. 500 sheets 57. A supplementary part 63. Lack of difficulty 64. Ship 65. Audio communications 66. Not odd 67. Balcony section

Solution on page 17 68. Pieces 69. Exam 70. Anagram of “Seek” 71. Dishes out

DOWN 1. Flightless bird 2. Biblical kingdom 3. Pack down 4. Blacken 5. Sharpens 6. Brings together again

7. Forage plant 8. Conspiracy 9. Ancient ascetic 10. Intemperate 11. New Zealand native 12. Yearns 13. Snob 21. Treat 25. End ___ 26. Bawdy 27. Wings 28. Serene 29. Tour of duty 34. Bonding sheets of material 36. Chew

37. Monster 38. T T T T 40. French for “State” 42.

Museum piece 45. Performing 48. Achievable 51. Welcome 52. Throw with effort 53. Relieves 55. A monotonous hum 58. Swiped 59. Head of hair 60. Modify 61. Anagram of “Tine” 62. Throw

If they ever build a statue of me, I hope they don’t have me with my mouth wide open and holding a sign that says “I love rotten eggs.”

Friday, May 8th

Josh Harty

FREE DRIP COFFEE AND $1 OFF ESPRESSO FOR ALL MOMS ON MOTHER’S DAY

201 Cedar St. dilunas.com

Touring across continents, Josh Harty's unique blend of American music has become a must-hear for those who keep the tradition of country, blues and folk close to their hearts. Born and raised on the plains of North Dakota, Josh has continued the old family tradition of playing guitar. His father, both a preacher, preache and the Police Chief of their small town, was also Harty's music mentor.

featuring fresh local ingredients

Tickets $10/adv, $12 day of show Show @ 7:30pm Doors open @ 5:30pm w/ dinner served before the show

263-0846

p.s. I bet Mom would love Coffee and a new Keep Cup

Mon-Fri 7-5 • Sat 8-4 • Sun 9-2 524 CHURCH STREET SANDPOINT, ID 208-304-5665

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