Reader_Nov7_2019

Arts, e tertai ment, b uster a d some, ne s

Nov 7, 2019

I FREE I

Vol. I& lss e 45

THA K YOU, VETER NS

ELECTION RESULTS, GOV. INSLEE PRODS SMELTER, THE HISTORY OF MEMORIAL FIELD, POETRY FOR THE PEOPLE, RADIOl=LASH FILMED IN NORTH IDAHO, WARRIN MILLIR. JANIS JOPL N AND MOREi

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(wo)MAN compiled by

Susan Drinkard

on the street

‘How is hunting season going?’

“If I was at hunting camp right now with my friends, I’d be camping at the Clark Fork Delta where they are hunting the islands. The water gets low enough and the deer swim back and forth.”

Tracy Dexter Tool-and-die-maker Former active duty Marine Sandpoint “So far it has been pretty good.

Deer are entering their breeding season, so there’s a higher likelihood of getting one because they are out looking for a partner to breed with. My father and I saw two does last weekend and we will be going out for bucks and does this weekend. I’ve gotten two deer in my five years of hunting.”

Arianna Nicholson Production assoc., Lead Lok, Inc. Sandpoint “I think it’s going well this year. I’ve seen a lot more elk and deer in the fields around where I live in Laclede. Sometimes I have to run from the elk because they chase me when they are with their young.”

Isaac Bittick 9th grade hunter Laclede

“I don’t hunt, but it seems pretty cool. Basically everyone I know is hunting for deer and elk, and even for squirrels.“ Cougar Shorman 9th SHS Kootenai

“It has gone well. We’ve gotten two deer and no elk; we’re waiting for a B tag for elk.“ Grant Glidden 9th Home school Bonners Ferry

DEAR READERS,

The election season is over for the year! Congratulations to the candidates who won their races as well as those who didn’t – it’s takes guts to put yourself out there.

Voting percentages were fair to middling, with around 57% of eligible voters casting ballots in Sandpoint, just over 42% for the school district and almost 39% for Ponderay. For those who believe their votes “don’t count,” just look at how close some of those races came. The Ponderay local option tax, for example, squeaked past its 60% majority by as little as one vote.

On our cover this week we are honoring Veterans Day, which falls on Monday, Nov. 11. Thank you to all the men and women who have served our country. Please, if you see a vet, thank them, buy them a beer, give them a smile. They’ve earned it.

Before I go, don’t forget the SARS Ski Swap is Saturday, Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bonner County Fairgrounds. Why not head over to the last Sandpoint Farmers’ Market of the year for their special Holiday Market the same day at the Bonner Mall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.? Sounds good to me!

-Ben Olson, Publisher

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

www.sandpointreader.com Publisher: Ben Olson ben@sandpointreader.com Editorial: Zach Hagadone zach@sandpointreader.com Lyndsie Kiebert lyndsie@sandpointreader.com Cameron Rasmusson (editor-at-large) John Reuter (emeritus) Advertising: Jodi Berge Jodi@sandpointreader.com Contributing Artists: Ben Olson (cover), Bill Borders, Susan Drinkard, BCHS, Robert Wnuk Contributing Writers: Zach Hagadone, Ben Olson, Lyndsie Kiebert, Philip Deutchman Scott Taylor, Robin Lantrip, Tim Bearly, Brenden Bobby, Jim Mitsui Tom Woodward, Marcia Pilgeram, Katie Bradish.

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

Subscription Price: $115 per year Web Content: Keokee The Sandpoint Reader is a weekly publication owned and operated by Ben Olson and Keokee. It is devoted to the arts, entertainment, politics and lifestyle in and around Sandpoint, Idaho.

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

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

Free to all, limit two copies per person.

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

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

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

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

About the Cover

This week’s cover honors veterans for Veterans Day Nov. 11.

Please, thank a vet today.

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NEWS

Sandpoint mayor and LPOSD levy votes drew the most heat in 2019 local elections

By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff Bonner County Elections officials reported a comparatively early night Nov. 5, posting preliminary results by 11:17 p.m. and turning off the lights by 11:30 p.m. — a significant improvement from years past, when counts could often continue into the wee hours.

“It went very well,” said Bonner County Elections Coordinator T.J. Eigler, crediting new equipment that helped streamline the count.

That said, it was a local election containing many moving parts. Not only were there countywide municipal contests — including no small amount of contention and controversy swirling around the Sandpoint mayoral and council races — but a permanent school levy and 1% local option sales tax in Ponderay on the ballot.

“Most people seemed interested in the city of Sandpoint,” Eigler said, citing turnout in some

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precincts rose as high as 71.6%.

Some races were nail-biters — with one ending in a tie — while others were characterized by robust social media activity that both propelled and, frequently, muddied discussion of the issues and personalities vying for voters’ approval at the ballot box.

In keeping with Eigler’s observation that the Sandpoint city races threw off a lot of heat, turnout was notably higher in this Sandpoint mayoral race than the previous one in 2015, with 2,503 ballots cast of 4,744 registered voters, amounting to 52.7% participation. By comparison, the 2015 election, which delivered incumbent Mayor Shelby Rognstad his first term, drew 1,747 ballots from 4,516 registered voters, or 38.6%. That said, Rognstad’s vote totals remained fairly consistent: pulling 1,116 votes in 2015 to 1,234 votes in this cycle — a differ difference of only 118 ballots.

That means Rognstad took the 2019 mayoral race with 49.3% of the vote, compared to 63.8% in 2015. The difference is likely attributable in part to votes being siphoned away by Sandpoint City Council Pres President Shannon Williamson, but also the simple arithmetic that shows challenger Ken Lawrence outperformed both Rognstand’s chief competitor in 2015, Mose Dunkel, and Williamson in 2019.

Though city races are non nonpartisan, Rognstad’s and Wil Williamson’s campaigns were seen by many voters as similarly progressive, thus

presenting the dilemma of a potentially split vote. On top of that, the mayoral contest between Rognstad and Williamson was uncharacteristically riven by acrimony, with both candidates throughout the race aiming barbs at one another via social media.

Williamson was at the center of an 11th-hour furor when the Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper board of directors voted Oct. 30 to terminate her from her position as executive director of the nonprofit, citing a lack of communication over her decision to run and the impacts of her potential victory on the organization.

Williamson pushed back, claiming she was fired in retribution for running against Rognstad, whom she said the board supported for personal and political reasons.

“To say that I’m confused as to what recently transpired is the understatement of the century and makes me seriously question [the LPOW board’s] political motivations, especially since they authored a Board document where they express support for my main opponent,” she wrote in a social media post Nov. 1, referring to an Oct. 8 LPOW board agenda that included the discussion item “tacit support of opposing mayoral candidate.”

“It’s obvious that the Board supports Shelby,” Williamson wrote in a follow-up post Nov. 3.

Both the board and Rognstad dismissed that claim, telling the Reader in separate statements Nov. 4 that the 501(c)3 organization is legally prohibited from endorsing candidates. “[T] herefore, we have not supported Shelby or any other political candidate,” the board wrote.

“The insinuation that the LPOW Board of Directors aligned itself with Shelby to terminate Shannon has no merit.”

Rognstad wrote: “Any individual board member is free

to support whichever candidate they want. ... I don’t know why any board member would have any reason not to support me.”

Though the tensions between Rognstad and Williamson’s campaigns ran deep — including claims and counterclaims of lack of communication leading up to their declarations of candidacy — Rognstad also faced stiffer than perhaps expected competition from the conservative bloc of Sandpoint voters, who turned out in greater numbers than years past to deliver more votes for their candidate in precincts where progressive-style candidates typically enjoy wider margins.

Overall, Lawrence pulled 771 votes — 153 more than Dunkel in 2015 and 273 more than Williamson in this contest, accounting for 30.8% of registered voters. Williamson, meanwhile, drew 498 votes, or 19.8% of the total. Not only did Lawrence, a 78-year-old retired pastor and self-described “conservative Christian,” win the Airport precinct, as Dunkel did in 2015, he came within striking distance of the incumbent in two others.

Lawrence won the Airport precinct with 126 of ballots cast, or 51%, besting Rognstad by 44 votes. That echoed 2015, when Dunkel won the traditionally conservative-leaning precinct with 73 votes to Rognstad’s 52.

Things were more unusual in the Baldy precinct, where Rognstad and Lawrence were practically even: the former won with 155 of 395 ballots cast, or 39.2%, while the latter pulled 151, or 38.2% — a difference of only four votes.

By comparison, the breakdown in 2015 was much starker: 164 votes for Rognstad compared to 97 for Dunkel.

Rognstad took the Humbird precinct with 263 of 534 ballots cast, or 49.2%. Lawrence again had a strong showing, with 174

votes, or 32.5%. Those were also narrower margins than in 2015, when Rogsntad took the precinct with 58.8% of the total.

As in 2015, Rognstad took the Beach precinct handily, with 315 of 544 ballots cast, or 57.9%. Lawrence and Williamson ended up neck-and-neck, with 129 to 100, respectively.

That said, this was a much less secure victory for Rognstad than in 2015, when he took 71.6% of the precinct vote.

Finally, in the Washington precinct, Rognstad had the clear victory with 419 of 784 ballots cast, or 53.4%, while Lawrence and Williamson again trailed with similar vote totals: 191 to 174. By comparison, the south Sandpoint precinct delivered Rognstad a 67.7% victory in 2015.

Williamson failed to win a plurality in any of the five city of Sandpoint precincts and underperformed in both the Beach and Washington districts, which delivered the majority of her reelection votes in 2017.

Williamson was down 118 votes from her 2017 total in the Beach precinct and down 76 votes from 2017 in the Washington precinct.

Rognstad supporters had feared a Williamson candidacy would deliver a split-vote victory to Lawrence, but the precinct totals illustrate perhaps an overestimation of support for the former and an underestimation of the latter.

Regardless of the outcome, Williamson still has another two years left in her term on the City Council, and sounded a conciliatory note to Rognstad following his Nov. 5 election victory.

“Congratulations on your victory Shelby! I look forward to working with you, the rest of the council and our amazing staff over the next two years in a collaborative and productive way to achieve great outcomes for the city together starting tonight at our council meeting,”

NEWS

Some winners in the Nov. 5 election (from left to right): Mayor Shelby Rognstad, Kate McAlister, Deb Reuhle, Andy Groat, Mayor Steve Geiger (Ponderay).

Courtesy photos.

Williamson wrote in a Nov. 6 social media post. “Let’s get to work on behalf of our residents, business owners and visitors.”

Lawrence meanwhile struck a more belligerent tone with his post-election message, thanking his supporters, whose “effort was a blessing to see!” and issuing a rallying cry: “We lost a battle, but let’s redouble our resolve to make sure we win the war against the poison of godlessness and liberalism!”

Rognstad gathered with supporters at Eichardt’s Pub ahead of the preliminary results on election night to thank his campaign and ground team for their work and financial contributions, saying that “we absolutely dominated this race” with door knocking, letters to the editor, calls and texts.

He also noted the ferocity of the social media commentary surrounding the contest: “I know how much courage this campaign took, it was ugly, it was dirty, it was nasty ... even for North Idaho I think it went above and beyond what we have seen in the past.”

Rognstad closed his remarks by expressing his excitement to continue work on the city’s ongoing master planning efforts, saying, “We’re going to accomplish some big work in four years. … Let’s keep it going.”

By comparison, the Sandpoint City Council races were more subdued. Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kate McAlister came away the biggest winner, with 1,644 votes. She was joined in victory by incumbent Councilwoman Deb Ruehle, who garnered 1,418 votes and

newcomer Andy Groat, who took the third open council seat with 1,257 votes.

Challengers Shannon Mitchell and Jacque Guinan trailed with 960 and 801 votes, respectively, but totals for all five candidates reflected a higher turnout than the 2017 council contest.

While that race drew 2,692 votes, the 2019 council race saw 6,080 ballots cast.

The biggest furor among council candidates centered on Guinan, whose Sandpoint residency was called into question in early October when a constituent filed a complaint with the city clerk alleging inconsistencies between her Sandpoint and Ponderay addresses that suggested she was ineligible to run for Sandpoint office.

After a thorough investigation by Sandpoint police, who took on the case after it was forwarded by the clerk, Guinan’s status as a Sandpoint resident since 2018 was established, but not before a separate allegation surfaced that she had voted improperly with a Ponderay address in the 2018 election.

That assertion was dismissed by local officials, including Bonner County Elections staff and Ponderay Mayor Steve Geiger, though both claims generated a fair amount of discussion on social media, which Guinan told the Reader in a pre-election email amounted to “a slew of additional false and very public accusations against me which are 100% unfounded.”

The winners of the Nov. 5 council races kept their statements thanking supporters short and sweet, with McAlister writing, “THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I am overwhelmed by your votes and belief in me. I cannot thank you enough. I promise to always do my best for all of us. But I need your help as well. I will reach out through my Kate for Sandpoint Facebook to keep you all apprised of what is happening and when I need your involvement. This is OUR community and together we will be even stronger. I am honored to serve you. Here we go!”

On her campaign Facebook page, Ruehle wrote, “THANKS TO ALL MY SUPPORTERS AND FRIENDS! I look forward to serving all that live in Sandpoint.”

Groat, a well-known UPS driver whose campaign featured the catchy slogan “Vote for Groat,” was typified by the candidate’s affability and enthusiasm for learning the ropes of city government. His statement, posted Nov. 6 on Facebook, simply read: “It’s a good day to be a BULLDOG!!”

The other big result of the night turned on voters’ approval of a ballot measure making permanent the $12.7 million Lake Pend Oreille School District No. 84 supplemental levy. A total of 4,256 residents cast ballots in favor of the permanent levy, while 4,034 were against — a margin of only 222 votes in a contest that drew 8,290 ballots, or 41.7% of registered voters.

With ballots cast 51.3% in favor and 48.6% against, the vote to continue the levy on a permanent basis was tighter than in March 2019, when the supplemental levy passed with 56.2% in favor and 43.8% against in a contest that drew 30.9% of regis-

tered voters.

As has become typical, the “yes” votes were drawn primarily from the higher-density precincts in the immediate vicinity of Sandpoint, combined with the Airport-, Baldy- and Dover-Unincorporated precincts west of town and the Hope-Unincorporated precinct to the east. The Beach-City of Ponderay, Kootenai-Unincorporated and SelleLPO 84-4 precincts all went for the levy, but the margins grew narrower as the vote extended north into more rural areas.

No precinct south of the Long Bridge voted in favor of the permanent levy, nor did any from Clark Fork to the southern end of the lake. Both Oden precincts, Selle-Unincorporated, Grouse Creek and Colburn all rejected the measure as well. Voters in Wrenco, both Sandpoint and Ponderay Airport precincts, and Kootenai joined in voting “no.”

Considering the narrowness of the preliminary result, the fate of the permanent levy measure was uncertain for a fair portion of election night. While early returns had the measure ahead by 41 votes, that number flipped 180 degrees with almost half the precincts reporting. The margins again reversed and started to widen around 10:30 p.m., resulting in the final preliminary count at 11:17 p.m.

In a statement Nov. 6, LPOSD No. 84 Superintendent Tom Albertson thanked voters “for stabilizing educational funding for the future.”

“Through trust, a common vision and a collaborative effort we can continue providing opportunities for students, guiding them to be prepared for the fu-

ture,” he wrote. “I look forward to leading this work.”

Other notable results included voters’ approval 109 to 72 of Ponderay’s 1% local option sales tax, with revenue generated over five years intended to support the Field of Dreams sports complex on McGhee Road and lake access via a railroad underpass connecting the city of Ponderay to the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail.

While incumbent Ponderay Mayor Steve Geiger comfortably retained his seat against challenger Tara Tribbett, 137 to 35 — Tribbett also lost her contest for LPOSD Trustee Zone 4 to incumbent Geraldine Lewis by an even wider margin of 1,088 to 339 — the Ponderay City Council race included a tie. While Brenda Thompson scored the most votes with 102, Brad Mitton and Gary Kunzeman, competing for one of two open seats, each drew 83 votes.

According to Idaho law, a tie in such cases is resolved by the city clerk, who gives official notice of the draw to the candidates.

They then must appear at a city council meeting within six days of the notice, at which time the clerk flips a coin to determine the winner.

All 2019 election results remain preliminary until official canvassing, which Bonner County Elections staff said is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 9 a.m.

To view all Bonner County election results for Nov. 5, 2019, visit bonnercountyid.gov/departments/Elections.

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NEWS

WA governor seeks answers from PacWest Gov. Inslee asks for update on smelter, company’s ‘future plans’ in letter

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff Washington Governor Jay Inslee is looking for answers from PacWest Silicon, according to a letter sent Oct. 30 to company CEO Jayson Tymko.

PacWest is responsible for the proposed silicon smelter in Newport, which is drawing pushback from throughout the region. The company has been quiet as of late — something Inslee noted in his letter to Tymko.

“I take seriously the community opposition to your proposed silicon smelter project in Pend Oreille County, especially concerns raised by the Kalispel Tribe,” the letter reads. “As that opposition grows, it appears PacWest is communicating less with the community, tribal and local governments, and state regulators.”

Inslee said that media coverage and talks with residents of northeast Washington have led him to think PacWest may be reconsidering whether to move forward with the project.

“But I, like those who live near the proposed smelter, are left to wonder what the future holds,” he wrote.

Inslee also noted a Strategic Reserve Fund grant the state awarded PacWest “with an understanding” that the company would “create 200 jobs and make $200 million in capitial investments” into Washington, as well as supply materials to the solar panel industry. The Pend Oreille County Economic Development Commission administered the grant, worth $300,000, to the company in July 2017.

Despite receiving the grant and hosting

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Washington Governor Jay Inslee. Courtesy photo. initial presentations to surrounding communities about how PacWest would go about building and operating the smelter, the company has yet to begin the environmental review process with the Washington Department of Ecology.

WDOE spokesperson Brooke Beehler told the Newport Miner in May that PacWest had rejected a $2 million bid in February from a contractor lined up to produce an Environmental Impact Statement for the smelter project. Beehler told the Miner that PacWest changed the scope of the EIS and that they would go out for bid again soon. Inslee said in his letter that the process with DOE is still “on hold,” at PacWest’s request.

“Given these apparent changes, the requirements of the Strategic Reserve Fund contract, and the strong community concerns, I would like PacWest to provide me with an update on the current state of this project and your future plans in Washington State,” Inslee wrote.

Bits ’n’ Pieces From east, west and beyond

East, west or beyond, sooner or later events elsewhere may have a local impact. A recent sampling: The Smithsonian has looked at the ways in which people meet their mates today versus how it was done in the 1940s, when most couples met through friends or acquaintances. Today, one out of four couples first meet online, with 46% having the first encounter in spring or summer. Other data: 15% today are in a mixed political relationship and, in this decade, 24% of couples are in an interracial relationship.

The Guardian reports Amazon made $11.2 billion in profits in 2018, but will pay nothing in income taxes. Amazon explained that “our profits remain modest” in light of various retail factors and “our continued heavy investment.”

According to a VA audit, some 17,400 veterans needing emergency health care have had their claims improperly rejected. That amounted to $53.3 million in 2017. The VA’s Office of Inspector General faulted an agency-wide priority for quantity of work over quality of work when processing claims.

Calculations indicate there will be 15 million electric vehicles in the U.S. by 2030. More preparation is needed for more EV charging stations, says Environment America.

For many Americans, electric vehicles are less expensive: their power costs less than gas, and they are cheaper to maintain. Now, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, they are also becoming less expensive to purchase. Find the report at ucsusa.org/EV-savings .

The Family Breakfast Project recommends sharing the first meal of the day if sharing dinner is rarely accomplished. Studies say the advantages of eating together include lower risk for childhood obesity, drug and alcohol use, eating disorders, teen pregnancy and depression. If early morning seems too early, Time magazine says getting to bed earlier, not eating three hours before bedtime and curtailing use of electronic devices before bed can make early wakeup hours more agreeable.

Kids are better off eating fruit rather than its juice, says a report in Time. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no juice for babies and only occasional servings, rather than daily servings

By Lorraine H. Marie Reader Columnist

of juice, since juice sends a surge of sugar to the bloodstream and can be tied to weight gain. Meanwhile, juice in a bottle or sippy cup can cause cavities.

A White House ethics lawyer for the George W. Bush administration says that by giving fundraising cash to members of Congress prior to his impeachment trial, President Donald Trump may be committing “felony bribery.”

Richard Painter, Newsweek reported, says those who Congress members who accept the financial support should face criminal charges.

A segment of the Keystone pipeline in North Dakota recently leaked 383,000 gallons of crude oil, covering a half acre of wetland near the Canadian border, according to state environmental regulators.

Since 2011, there have been a total of 439,000 gallons spilled in the region.

Amid another rash of wildfires in California, the Trump has threatened to cut wildfire aid to the state, claiming California officials have been negligent in their forestry practices. According to University of California research, more than half of the state’s forests are under federal authority. Trump did offer wildfire aid to Russia three months ago, according to the Kremlin’s website.

Blast from the past: One hundred years ago, a year after the end of WWI, President Woodrow Wilson marked the first Armistice Day with this address to the nation: “With splendid forgetfulness of mere personal concerns, we remodeled our industries, concentrated our financial resources, increased our agricultural output, and assembled a great army, so that at the last our power was a decisive factor in the victory. We were able to bring the vast resources, material and moral, of a great and free people to the assistance of our associates in Europe who had suffered and sacrificed without limit in the cause for which we fought. Out of this victory there arose new possibilities of political freedom and economic concert.

The war showed us the strength of great nations acting together for high purposes, and the victory of arms foretells the enduring conquests which can be made in peace when nations act justly and in furtherance of the common interests of men.” Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954, and dedicated as a day for honoring all U.S. veterans.

PERSPECTIVES

Language

Observations from a crotchety, grumpety, old physics prof

W

ould you think that language has anything at all to do with sound, rhythm or musicality? Take English, for example. It has been my empirical observation over the years that the English language has been regressing, either by a deadening repetitiveness, misuse or battering of words, and a falling into vagueness as well as aural dissonance.

It started for me a while ago when I first heard some administrators, corporate leaders and CEOs say: “We are excited to ‘grow’ our business.” Excuse me. This is a misuse of the word “grow” and is rather vague.

Having lived in an agricultural state for some time, what we do grow is hay, wheat, corn, lentils, soybeans, potatoes and trees. What does “grow our business” mean? What kind of fertilizer would you use? Do you mean to expand or improve your business or both?

Please be more specific. To me, this word seems to be part of a linguistic takeover of the family farm by large, corporate interests.

Next comes the following demeaning, journalistic, abomination-sounding acronyms: POTUS (president of the United States) and worse, SCOTUS (Supreme Court of The United States). The first acronym sounds and reads like a handcut sign hanging on an outdoor privy in the countryside. The second one has the same function, except it would be found in Scotland. What could possibly be next? — SCROTUS (special counsel for the rectus of the United States)?

Oh! Let’s not forget the political strategists who try to make what they do sound sophisticated and complicated — a choreography of nuance. They like to say: “When we do the political calculus for …” Calculus? It’s not calculus! It’s neither differentiation nor integration.

It’s not even algebra. It’s just arithmetic.

The polls go up or go down and you simply add or subtract. At a stretch, one might refer to the process as a political “calculation.” Incidentally, the Latin root for calculation is calx or limestone.

By Philip A. Deutchman Reader Contributor So, these strategists are simply moving little calcium pebbles around, piling them up in little heaps on the ground, making some heaps bigger and some heaps smaller.

We proceed now toward greater violations of language musicality via the process of taking a noun, such as “task,” and twisting it into the tortured verb, “tasked.” For example: “He was tasked to clean up behind the parade of circus elephants.” Isn’t it bad enough that we already have the clattering words “asked,” “masked” and “basked”? With “tasked,” not only are you beginning to choke but your teeth clamp together, preventing the blockage from coming out.

My suggestion is that instead of the word “tasked,” how about the already existing and pleasant-sounding word “assigned.”

For example: “She was assigned to lead the parade of circus elephants.”

OK, OK, I know it sounds French, but, perhaps one of the silver linings that might be found in the Norman conquest of 1066 was the infusion into English of softer, French sounds. If we must regress, could we at least return to Chaucerian English, which is most decidedly poetic and musical?

Continuing on, in the reverse direction, pundits will take the adjective “demographic” and blatantly convert it into a noun, with not even a change in its spelling, as in: “I don’t understand this demographic.” Help! I’m left hanging in space. It needs a noun.

Does it mean demographic sector or demographic change? I get this same feeling when watching Wile E. Coyote race out beyond a vertical cliff, pursuing the Road Runner, who then simply sidesteps his pursuer. We know that it will all go down from here on in. Also, I include for derision the pluralized adjective, “hypotheticals.” Because of its plural nature, one gets the feeling of falling over a series of vertical cliffs.

Almost lastly, there is the repetitive — did I say repetitive? — use of the word, “like.” Like, he was like, she was like and I was like. Consider:

“Like I don’t, like, know, like, what they were, like, saying.”

I know this is supposed to be a “hip-valley-talkfiller” with no content, but, like, really? As a theoretical physicist, I’d also gently caution that if the number density of the likewords gets high enough and reaches criticality, the sentence itself could suddenly and implosively collapse into a grammatical black hole!

If I may, then, I wish to paraphrase freely from the classic, cult-movie Repo Man. There’s a clip in which, beneath an overpass while burning material in a rusty 55-gallon oil drum for warmth, the transcendental mechanic Miller (Tracey Walter) explains to Otto (Emilio Esteves) why he doesn’t want to learn how to drive: “The more you drive, the less intelligent you are.”

So, paraphrasing, I would say: “It seems

Photo courtesy Unsplash. like the more we speak, the less melodious we become.”

In summary, patient reader, I will end this treatise on an up-note. Be glad it wasn’t written by a crotchety, grumpety, old English prof.

Philip A. Deutchman is a Sandpoint resident and retired professor of physics.

Laughing Matter

By Bill Borders

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Buy a concert DVD, it lasts longer...

Bouquets: GUEST SUBMISSION: • Last Friday, I attended a concert at The Hive for the first time. It was absolutely awesome! I am a die-hard Prince fan and the Purple Xperience was the next best thing to real live Prince (whom I have seen live).

The event was pretty well attended but could have been even more fun with a bigger crowd.

These events are so expensive to pull off (airfare from Minneapolis for seven, hotel rooms, tech costs and more), even without the amazing Halloween decorations, etc. I look forward to many more concerts at The Hive and I want to urge all music lovers to support this venue. We in Sandpoint are so lucky to have it and we need to be sure to lend our support by buying tickets!

—Submitted by Ranel Hansen.

Barbs: • Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg recently described his social media behemoth as akin to a “fifth estate” while testifying before Congress. (Media is sometimes referred to as a “fourth estate” because of its important independent role in disseminating information to people). I almost choked on my indignation when I read that quote. What a complete joke. For Zuckerberg to refer to the cesspool that is Facebook as any sort of American institution is absurd. We at the Reader seem to spend more of our time correcting false claims that originate on Facebook than we do anything else around here.

Also, as members of the “fourth estate,” we would never willingly publish false information, as Facebook said it will with regard to political ads. In other words, politicians can deliberately mislead people in ads on Facebook because of “free speech,” but if you’re not a politician or running for office just to test its policy, the company will censor your ads. Seem messed up? It is.

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Dear Editor, In response to how to behave at a live music show [Music, “How to listen to live music,” Oct. 17, 2019], here’s another gentle nudge to fellow concertgoers: Stop filming live performances on your phone. If you think the light of your device is obscured by your big, fat head, it’s not. In a sea of darkness, it sticks out like a waving, glowing orb no matter how dim you set it. Your attempts at amateur videography are a major distraction to the average person’s peripheral vision of 170 degrees, and you are collectively ruining the experience for the dozens or hundreds of people behind you there to see the show. Why are you even there, if not to enjoy the moment for what it is: LIVE. (Yes, that word has two definitions.)

I bet you a buck you might flip through your footage for a recap once or twice after the show, and then off it goes into the tomb of things you’ll never watch again. Trust me, your friends do not want to see your shaky, blurry video with a bunch of people’s heads and arms in the way, all filmed in portrait orientation.

If you love a performer’s work that much, then support them by purchasing a concert DVD from the merch booth or on their website. Then everybody wins.

Evan Brown Sagle

Topple our twittering dictator...

Dear editor, Humpy Trumpy sat on a WALL. Humpy Trumpy had a great fall.

All the King’s horses and All the King’s men Couldn’t put Humpy Trumpy Back Together Again.

DUMP THE TRUMP! Topple our Twittering Dictator!

C’mon CONGRESS! C’mon.

C’mon, C’mon CONGRESS! Barbara Lewis Sagle

Paint a rainbow?...

Dear editor, On a recent stroll downtown to check out the wrath of destruction along First Avenue, I noticed some new emblems applied to our city sidewalks directing folks to walk their bicycles. They were painted in white, and I thought they would be much more visible if painted in bright colors. Then, SHAZAM! It hit me: Why don’t we have colorful crosswalks like those in Victoria and Vancouver, B.C.?

I think our neighbors to the north are onto something, because walking

across them brought a bounce to the step and a smile to this old man’s face.

Since our roadways will be freshly painted next spring, I propose the addition of a few “rainbow” crosswalks to uplift our city. Such a sight will invoke thoughts of good cheer and diversity tolerance, and provide a positive welcome to all who enter our town.

The crosswalk to the Cedar Street Bridge could be recolored from time to time to celebrate various events, holidays and social awareness. Our youth can take part as they did in the alley between First and Second avenues.

Let’s get Sandpoint on the map as a bright spot amid all the dark “hate” that plagues our community. Show our town leaders you support this idea by decorating the temporary construction signs with rainbows. Sandpoint, Idaho: “Love Lives at the End of the Rainbow”.

George Mooney North Bonner County

No time to stay silent…

Dear editor, What do the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Mother Emanuel AME church in Charleston and Christchurch mosque in New Zealand have in common?

In each, a white supremacist used a semi-automatic weapon to murder people in their house of worship.

The Tree of Life massacre, one year ago, was the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history. The following night, 30 faith leaders representing different religions attended a vigil at the synagogue. Mother Emanuel parishioners traveled from Charleston to comfort survivors. Muslim worshipers from the local Islamic Center stood in support.

Pittsburgh residents posted numerous signs expressing love over hate.

After the mosque shooting in New Zealand killed 51 people, the Jewish community in Pittsburgh stood outside the Islamic Center with signs expressing support of their Muslim neighbors.

Wouldn’t it be great to express ecumenical love over hate before hateful violence occurs? Maybe that way white supremacists will realize mass murder won’t bring support for their cause.

On October 15, 2019, the Morning Star Baptist Church, in Spokane, was littered with fliers from a neo-Nazi group calling for a race war, promoting terrorist attacks against Jews and people of color and stating “It’s OK to genocide subhumans.”

The recent spike in violent hate crimes by white supremacists is cause for serious concern — mass shootings can occur anywhere. The Boundary County Human Rights Task Force stands in solidarity with the Morning Star congregation and with all who

speak against hate. This is no time to remain silent.

Barbara Russell Boundary County Human Rights Task Force Bonners Ferry

Was Memorial turf a foregone conclusion?…

Dear editor, I have to say I was surprised to read that Mayor Shelby broke the tie for artificial turf when I understood he’d previously supported continuing with natural turf. I was even more surprised at Jennifer Stapleton’s comment as reported here in the Reader: “This design is based on artificial turf. It’s the only way this design works,” she said.

“This would have to be redesigned.”

One would think that any responsible, diligent design would have been been pursued knowing a choice would have to be made between artificial and natural turf. Ms. Stapleton’s comment suggests that GreenPlay was engaged with the instruction that artificial turf was a foregone conclusion. Which in turn suggests that the public meetings and “votes” were merely lip service to quiet the masses.

How is it that Ms. Stapleton, a non-elected person, is empowered to push such an agenda without any appar-

ent repercussions? Why isn’t this being questioned by the administration?

David Phillips Sandpoint

An open letter to the BoCo commissioners...

Dear county commissioners, The Second Amendment was not intended to promote any weapon in any location. Our nation’s founding fathers would never support wasting precious local taxes on a frivolous fight such as yours. Most of the famous artists (who have fueled our economy for the last few decades through the Festival at Sandpoint) will NOT perform to an armed crowd.

Your vision of winning is only at the expense of thousands of community members. You would be known as victorious party-poopers — and what next? Do you then plan to sue the Bonner County Court when your “Second Amendment rights” are revoked at the entrance to this absurd hearing?

Please cut our losses, county commissioners, and stop wasting our money on lawyers.

Jodi Rawson Bonner County

READER GOES NOR’EAST

Sandpoint locals Forrest Schuck and Mary Jo Godec brought the Reader all the way to Maine on a recent trip. In this photo, they stand at a welcome sign at Kennebunkport. Lookin’ good guys!

PERSPECTIVES The

Late Night Buddhist

Zen and the art of chainsaw maintenance

Touched by the change

OPEN 11:30 am

GAME ROOM UPSTAIRS

By Scott Taylor Reader Columnist As I write this, it’s late September and the season has come (probably long ago for those overachievers who aren’t into procrastination) for filling the shed with firewood. Despite the amount of work, dirt and sore muscles involved in cutting a winter’s supply of wood, it’s one of my favorite chores.

There’s a certain zen to woodcutting — just the snarl of a two-cycle engine echoing through the woods and the smell of fresh wood chips to fill your senses. (Yes, I know they’re not eco-friendly, but I’ve always loved the smell of a two-cycle: a chainsaw, a dirt bike, a little outboard motor buzzing across a morning lake. I get nostalgic just thinking about it.)

Of course, your chainsaw only throws wood chips if your chain is sharp, otherwise it’ll just grind out sawdust. Herein lies another zen moment of woodcutting: sharpening your chain. A fresh, sharp-asnew chain is a joy to use, and methodically filing away — feeling the proper angle and number of strokes — is about as zen as it gets.

I have friends who are experts at chain sharpening (Joe, the horse-logger/ timber framer; Mac, the wilderness surveyor; Mix, the quintessential country-boy/ mountain-man; Perry, my old-school-logger/talks-likea-pirate neighbor), but I suck.

Back in southern-almost-Kentucky-Illinois, I met a guy who invited me to cut all the downed hickory, oak and ash out of his woods. I showed up one day with my little Stihl and proceeded to chew my way through a couple small limbs when Billy Ray (honestly, his name was Billy Ray, but not

The Psounbality with Per Cyrus; he looked more like Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon, complete with beer belly) came out of his trailer carrying a much larger saw with a bar as long as my leg.

He said, “You’ll never get anywhere with that little thing.

Here, use this one. It’s brand new — the biggest they make!”

Using that saw was like the difference between driving an old Volkswagen and top-fuel dragster. I was in woodcutting ecstasy. I sliced through 20-inch oak like Walter Payton through the Packers’ defensive line. I cut more wood than I could load just for the joy of it.

I had wood chips in my shirt, in my boots, in my hair, in the neighbor’s hair...

And now all that was left was to split and stack (another zen moment) and look forward to luxuriating in the soul-satisfying (and free!) warmth of a wood fire on a cold winter day.

It may sound counterintuitive to what we think of as “zen,” but using a well-designed, well-maintained piece of machinery can bring about that same feeling of satisfaction, enjoyment and contentment that sitting quietly or making a perfect brush stroke can.

Whether on a cushion, on a mountain or at the controls of a loud piece of machinery, happiness is where you find it.

Choose happy!

FRESH FOOD LIVE MUSIC THE BEST NW BREWS

212 Cedar Street Downtown Sandpoint

By Robin Lantrip Reader Contributor

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t started with a brisk chill in the morning air. The meadow began dressing in longer birch and fir shadows. The evening scent held a wisp of tamarack smoke from hillside chimneys. Tree sap began to flow slower, and life took on a new pace. I felt the annual jolt of sadness as autumn announced the end of summer joy and free spirits. For a brief while, I was gripped by regrets — wishes that I had somehow honored it more, enjoyed more of its adventures, basked in more of its warm sun, threw more cares to the long-day breezes.

I fought against the bonds and, then, the trees began their redress into vibrant colors. The garden offered up its harvest bounty. Windows closed against the chill and held in fragrances of apple cinnamon cake and fennel-laced stew.

The summer toys were stored.

The lake remembered exactly

Leaves floating on a still lake. Photo by Robert Wnuk.

208.263.4005 A SandPint Tradition Since 1994

how to transform the narrowed angles of sunlight into diamonds and exclaim, “Look how beautiful I am!”

I love autumn. It is quiet and peaceful. It is a time of reflection.

It is the season to give thanks and be grateful.

The early gusts of north wind arrive and are less about mischief than mission. The leaves will have to go and the first sting of sideways ice crystals will have to be felt against the skin, so that we know that autumn has its time, but will not last.

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Mad about Science:

Brought to you by:

evolutionary behavior

By Brenden Bobby Reader Columnist In the grand scheme of things, we’re all basically just apes with awesome tools. Just about all of our daily rituals, from brushing our teeth to how we act at work, originate from a time when our ancestors called the African jungles home.

Before we continue, it’s important to note the typical dismissive response used by those who don’t understand evolution:”You really believe we came from chimpanzees?” No, I don’t. The fossil record shows that humans and chimpanzees share a common ancestor.

Chimpanzees aren’t our great grandparents, they’re more like our funny cousin who bears a greater resemblance to grandma and grandpa than to us.

The most evident and complicated remnant of our evolutionary past is our social structure.

While evolution has given us an edge at working as huge, collaborative societies, many of our social behaviors echo great ape behavior as far up as the offices of presidents, dictators and kings. Most primate behavior is fairly isolated and territorial, where encroaching groups whip one community into a violent frenzy and create a war over local resources and land. Chimpanzees seem to be an exception, having been observed coming together peacefully and even swapping mates — a behavior expressed in a surprising number of American suburbs.

A common practice among many great apes is polygyny, or one male collecting a harem of females. What’s interesting is that the male picks one and sometimes two females he 10 /

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decides to rear children with, instead of trying to sire as many babies as possible. This might sound weird and alien, but it’s been accepted in several cultures around the world, from some Native American tribes to conservative societies in the Middle East. It’s also a close mirror to how a cheating spouse acts.

Another very common form of primate social grouping is multimale-multifemale. Social hierarchy is very important in these kinds of groups, where dominant members of both sexes are chosen to rule essentially as aristocrats. The lower members must defer to the respected group leaders before taking a variety of actions or they feel the wrath of the group. If you’re smirking and saying, “That sounds like high school,” you’re right. It’s an exact replication of a primate’s multimale-multifemale hierarchy. Unlike apes, we only need to endure this social organization for a few years. After that, most of our brains tend to grow past the primal surge of hormonal development to a more stable, rational form.

Laughter may be another trait we inherited from our primate ancestors — luckily for me, or I wouldn’t get to write this article every week. Expressions of joy are a rare thing in the animal kingdom and laughter is even rarer. We have observed chimpanzees, orangutans and other great apes making a sound similar to human laughter when tickled. Dogs have even been observed making a specialized panting noise when they’re excited, which seems to achieve the intent of laughter: expressing joy. This behavior in domesticated dogs is likely a form of mimicry to impress humans, as when

Husky dogs “talk.” In primates, it’s a genuine expression.

Emotional expression, language skills and the use of tools are the reasons that humans have been able to create a global civilization. Yet, all of these traits are directly linked to our primate ancestors, starting with language. Several types of apes have been seen shaking their head “no” to dissuade others from performing a foolish act.

Though one might assume it’s just the flailing motion of a wild animal, it has been witnessed in this context time and time again, particularly with mothers trying to educate their infants. Many apes have also been observed naturally conveying things like landmarks or directions with repeated hand signing, which may indicate that sign language preceded verbal language in humans by a considerable span of time.

One of the more curious ancestral holdovers of primate behavior is social grooming, particularly among human females. Getting your hair done or going to the salon for a manicure/pedicure, is closely tied to social grooming in great apes. It’s a form of social care, in which members of a group can bond with one another while elevating their social status, either within that group or another.

Japanese macaques are famous for performing this ritual in the volcanic hot springs of Japan.

Before I get called out for being sexist here, it’s safe to say that men share some primordial ape behaviors, too. Have you ever been at a bar and witnessed two guys about to get into a fight and noticed the way they push up against each other and start barking insults within an inch of

each other’s faces? This behavior is often seen in apes that are trying to challenge another they perceive as a threat to their social status without having to come to blows. It’s in our instinctual behaviors to preserve our health, but also to challenge authority to better our position in life. That’s right: You can thank early hominids for aggressive Dudebros.

There are a lot of other inter-

esting behaviors I was hoping to include, but it appears I’ve run out of space. If you’re curious about what other cool stuff we’ve inherited from our ancestors, you should stop by the library and ask the first person you see with a lanyard where you can find books on monkeys and apes. Just don’t fling your waste while you’re there.

Random Corner ht Don’t know much about daylig • While most refer to it as “Daylight Savings Time,” the correct term is actually “Daylight Saving Time.” In some parts of the world, it’s referred to as “Summer Time.”

• Benjamin Franklin suggested the idea of DST in a satirical essay published in 1784, more than a century before it was adopted by any major country. Franklin wrote that the amount of sunlight that goes wasted each morning would likely come as a shock to readers who “have never seen any signs of sunshine before noon.”

• A bug collector is officially responsible for the idea of DST. Because he often hunted for bugs at night — after his day job at the post office — he grew annoyed at how early the sun set during the summer months. He opined that if we sprung the clocks forward, it would allow more daylight for bug collecting, along with other evening activities. When the idea was proposed to a scientific soci-

saving time?

We can help!

ety in New Zealand in 1895 it was rejected for being “pointless” and “overcomplicated.”

• In 1916, Germany became the first country to officially adopt DST. It was introduced to help conserve coal during World War I. Britain, along with other European nations, was quick to follow the Germans’ lead. The idea spread to the United States in 1918.

• Folks love to complain about DST, but there are some notable benefits, including a decrease in crime. One study published in 2015 noted that daily incidents of robbery dropped by 7% following the start of DST in the spring.

• DST is not mandated by federal law, so some states don’t recognize it. Arizona doesn’t observe DST but the Navajo Nation, located within the state, does, which means it’s one hour ahead of the rest of the state for half the year.

PERSPECTIVES

I

mages of an Orwellian dystopia are often evoked when we hear the term “big government.” The mere uttering of the phrase can function as a negative stimulus — boiling our blood and striking fear and anger into our hearts. The concept of “small government,” by contrast, is typically associated with more positive sentiments — words like “freedom,” “liberty” and “individualism” come to mind. Consequently, with a small government vs. big government dichotomy, many people naturally assume that reducing the size and scope of the federal government or, in layman’s terms, “getting the government off our backs,” is the most viable solution to the social and economic problems we face.

Notwithstanding the importance of the small government vs. big government debate, we must also consider the many other equally relevant questions: What type of government do we want? What kind of society do we want to live in?

Indeed, the matter in question isn’t simply an issue about the size of the government; it involves a discourse concerning whose interests the government is and/or should be serving. Moreover, we must also be mindful of how the political framing of these issues can affect our logical reasoning and ultimately determine how we choose to answer such questions.

Like the capitalism vs. socialism debate, the big government vs. small government narrative is often presented by disingenuous political pundits and politicians as a false dilemma (e.g., “You’re either for small government and free enterprise or you’re for big government and socialism.”)

This framing has been demonstrated to be an effective way to convince people to vote against their own interests. By comparing something the voters may want with something that scares the bejesus out of them, they can be effectively manipulated into opposing legislation which would actually benefit them. It’s sort of like a red-baiting version of the transitive property: if A = B and B = C then A must also equal C, right? If one can equate, say, universal health care with socialism, and socialism with communism, then wanting universal health care would be tantamount to wanting Stalinism or Maoism.

Just as cunning as their conservative counterparts, there are some on the political left who have a diametrically opposed version of this type of rhetoric; conjuring up a stateless “Mad Max” kind of world that we’ll all be living in if conservatives have their way.

There are, of course, some honest actors in the political arena who are making a legitimate case against the threat of big government and overregulation (all large institutions, be they public or private, must be questioned and challenged); however, in other cases, the politician who cries “big government” — like the boy who cried “wolf” — does not, in fact, observe any real threat, she or he is merely attempting to use fear mongering to deceive and manipulate the rabble.

Think of it as trickle-down propaganda: the sophistry begins at the top, eventually trickles down to the poor and middle class, and culminates with a destitute and indignant senior citizen holding up a sign reading, “Get your government hands off of my Medicare!”

Pull back the curtain from the notorious “B.I.G. government” stage show and what will you often find? A big corporation, or maybe two or three big corporations — “campaign contributors” who employ our senators and congressmen to lull us to sleep with laissez-fairy tales and red-scary ghost stories.

Governments can, no doubt, have a detrimental effect on individual liberty so we must remain “eternally vigilant.” Our vigilance is impotent, however, unless we are willing to assail all manifestations of power and corruption. An unchecked corporation with unlimited power and control over our lives can become just as big a threat to our individual freedom as an unchecked government.

In an ideal world, perhaps one that is governed by our better angels, the free market economy would be a self-regulating entity and there would be no cause for so-called “red tape.” Unfortunately, history has shown us, time and time again, that we do not live in such a world. It was not the invisible hand of the marketplace, nor was it “voting with our dollars,” that put an end to child labor — it was legislation like the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. Furthermore, it will not be the free market that will help to bring down the cost of health care

or resolve the planetary crises we face. The solution to some problems can only come from the public sector. The free market may produce goods and services more efficiently than any other system; however, when it comes to issues like health care, the environment and the justice system, the free enterprise system falls woefully short.

Government is the only mechanism that we currently have that can offset the forces to which unbridled capitalism inevitably gives rise: concentrated wealth, the exploitation of workers and the destruction of our environment.

When regulated, those who profit from the aforementioned will, as expected, cry, “big government.” But, to put it simply, one man’s “big government” is another man’s life-saving medical care; one man’s “tyranny” is another

woman’s right to not be sexually harassed at work; and one corporation’s “government overreach” is an entire planet’s salvation.

But what about the economy?

When corporations, along with the politicians they fund, tell us that government regulations are bad for business, it’s a bit like a cat burglar telling us that “deadbolts” and “sirens” are bad for business. Perhaps it may be bad for their business; nevertheless, it’s still a good idea for us to have locks and alarm systems in place.

As we extend our outlook beyond the narrow scope of short-term profits and economic growth, we will discover another phenomenon that’s bad for business: destroying ourselves, wholesale, as we foolishly kneel in acquiescence before the marketplace and recklessly pursue money and power.

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COMMUNITY

Supporting veterans, the YMCA way

By Reader Staff

Veterans receive free two-week guest pass in November

November is Military Family Month, providing Americans the opportunity to recognize the dedication, sacrifice and service of military personnel and their families. The YMCA of the Inland Northwest has pledged to support military families this November and all year round through programs and initiatives that improve their well-being and provide opportunities to connect with other families waiting at home.

Military personnel and veterans can visit any YMCA facility, including Litehouse YMCA in Sandpoint, for a free guest pass through Saturday, Nov. 16. Join fees will be waived with membership initiation.

“Military families have many needs when a loved one is away from home,” said Steve Tammaro, president/CEO of YMCA of the Inland Northwest. “Whether it’s proving a place where kids can make friends and have a sense of belonging or providing a place for adults to meet health goals, the Y

has a number of options to help here in the Spokane area.”

An example of how the YMCA supports our local military: George Wagner, a supervisor for the U.S. Navy Recruiting in the Inland Northwest. Originally from Texas, he and his wife Jacinta along with their seven children have moved several times around the country but have always been able to join a YMCA thanks to the Military Outreach Program.

Being able to take the kids to the Y during Wagner’s two deployments was vitally important to his wife. The YMCA has provided the perfect place for the family to spend time together having fun and the whole family has been able to stay healthy and participate in a variety of programs for all ages.

For Wagner, as a serviceman of the U.S. Navy, that meant being able to stay in shape to pass his fitness tests. For the rest of the family, it meant swim lessons, pool-time,

playing on basketball teams and enjoying all the Y has to offer.

“The YMCA Military Outreach Program has been a blessing to me and my family for many years,” Wagner said.

Since 2008, the YMCA Military Outreach Initiative has provided more than 75,000 YMCA memberships to military members nationwide. In addition, YMCA provides a corporate membership discount for military and their families with status: active duty, reserves and National Guard.

Currently, more than 190 families benefit from this program locally. In addition, YMCA provides discounts for veterans — more than 340 families are being served.

To learn more about the YMCA and programming that supports military families, contact Carrie Clanton, corporate relations director, 509-777-9622, ext. 444, ymcainw.org.

By Reader Staff

Now in its fourth year, the Little Black Dress event features an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, dessert, live and silent auctions, and the chance to learn more about how the homeless women and families of North Idaho are becoming productive members of the community through the services BHT offers.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the door or online at eventbrite.com — just search for “Little Black Dress Fundraiser.”

Attendees can also opt to purchase a special donor table for $1,200 or $500, which includes seating for eight people and “lots of goodies and recognition,” according to event coordinators.

BHT currently serves 14 children and 12 adults, and is the only transitional housing program in Idaho north of Lewiston. With facilities in Sandpoint and Hope capable of housing several families or single women, BHT expects its clients to be working within 30 days and pay a program fee of 30% of their monthly income. BHT also helps point homeless families toward resources for employment, food, clothing and life skills classes.

Those with questions about BHT or the Little Black Dress event should contact Program Manager Joanne Barlow at 208265-2952.

Little Black Dress fundraiser to benefit Bonner Homeless Transitions For the homeless population in Bonner and Boundary counties, a helping hand can be the difference between remaining homeless and finding stability.

Since 1994, Bonner Homeless Transitions has offered that helping hand, and is able to continue doing so thanks to funding from donations and benefit events such as the upcoming Little Black Dress fundraiser, slated for Saturday, Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. at the Ponderay Events Center.

Ting sponsors coding competition for students

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

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No matter how connected you are with the rest of the world, it’s impossible to deny the importance that coding has on our daily lives. Without it, computers would just be hunks of plastic and metal that collect dust.

Just about everything in the modern era involves coding: from typing into the search bar of Google to streaming films on Netflix to sending an email. There are also services that rely on coding that affect our daily lives, such as airlines using software to monitor subsystems, scientists using coding to conduct research, or medical professionals using software to help in diagnosis and treatment.

To help promote this important language of the present and future, Ting is sponsoring / November 7, 2019

MAGIC, a capture-the-flag-style cyber security coding competition Saturday, Nov. 9 at 9:30 a.m. in the Matchwood Brewing Co. community room. This entry-level event is geared toward students interested in cool and upcoming technology, who would like to learn more about new skills and potentially a career in technology.

Students will use hacking tools to solve puzzles and earn points. The team with the most points when the bell rings wins.

No prior experience is necessary. Students may enter as an individual or as a team, with a maximum of four per team. All individual team members must register. Even cooler, students will participate with others.

To register for the free competition, visit magicinc.org/events. There will be multiple

Courtesy photo. satellite locations participating across the world, so all participants must sign a media release as this will potentially be live-streamed and televised on public access channels.

For information, call Autumn Whitley at Ting: 208-627-5060 or autumn@ting.com.

COMMUNITY

‘Play in peace forever’

North Idaho’s fallen veterans served as inspiration for War Memorial Field

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff After months of activity, War Memorial Field is looking particularly tranquil this time of year.

A November weekday morning bears no resemblance to a Saturday night in early August, as the Festival at Sandpoint fills the park to its seams, or the boisterous community camaraderie of a September football or soccer game. With the nights of live music and athletic contests behind it, War Memorial Field is preparing for the long winter beside the lake, shaking off the leaves and soaking in the sun.

What persists, no matter the weather or event, is the facility’s original intent, displayed proudly at its east entrance: a memorial, with a plaque declaring its dedication to “the memory of the gallant men who made the supreme sacrifice for their country in World War I and II,” also displaying the names of about 100 lost servicemen.

Newspaper articles and other historical documents trace the memorial’s inception back to about 1947, when Bonner County Commissioner M.D. Hart received a letter from the Sterling Memorial Company of Ogden, Utah, in response to an apparent inquiry about purchasing a bronze plaque to honor North Idaho veterans. The Sandpoint News Bulletin reported the creation of a Bonner County War Memorial Commission in June 1950 — the group responsible for designing and building the structure.

An article from the News Bulletin on May 24, 1951 described the memorial as a “uniform sized tall, peeling larch poles … used for the background … they were made 30 or more feet in height. A concrete pillar was placed in the foreground bearing a bronze plaque upon which are inscribed the 90 names of Bonner County’s honored war dead.” The memorial was officially dedicated with a parade and service May 30, 1951.

A printed program from the event shows a parade of local veteran’s organizations at 10 a.m., followed by a performance from the Sandpoint High School band at the field. The dedication began with an invocation from Reverend Frank Lowther, followed by the introduction of the Memorial Commission: Veterans Ted Huetter and Walt Roos, along with County Commissioners Hart, Glenn Reed

and Calvin Huff. The dedication also featured words from memorial designer Russell Kotschevar, Hardy Lyons giving the Memorial Day address, Admiral Harold Bye placing the memorial wreath and a benediction from Reverend P.J. Ahren.

A firing squad salute, taps and the high school band wrapped up the ceremony.

In the years following, the Memorial Commission worked with local people like Cotton Barlow — longtime Sandpoint football coach for whom the stadium portion of the facility is named — to turn the memorial into a full-blown athletic destination.

Through a combination of state and local funding, largely through donations of money and labor, War Memorial Field saw substantial changes over the years.

Throughout the 1950s, the commission completed one piece of the facility at a time. The Sandpoint News Bulletin reported on Sept. 6, 1956 that “bleachers of the permanent type were built to hold 1,000 people. The field also received new temporary and moveable seating to handle nearly another 1,000 people. And electric clock and scoreboard have been

put up. What will be next remains to be seen.”

What came next were decades of football games and Memorial Day ceremonies, and the field receiving a major facelift in 1976. What began as an idea to honor fallen soldiers is now an active, state-of-the-art, 4.5-acre sports complex complete with a 2,700-square-foot field house and a recently renovated covered grandstand capable of accommodating nearly 900 spectators.

More than 70 years since its inception, War Memorial Field is still living up to its intention, as described by a plaque at the east entrance: “Dedicated by the people of Bonner County in honor of the fallen men of the past, with the hope and prayer that this field shall be for sport and games without the cloud of conflict and the threat of war. That the future participants shall play in peace forever.”

A special thanks to the Bonner Co. Historical Society and Museum for providing the newspaper articles and documents used to research and write this article.

Top: The wall at the northeast side of War Memorial Field states “Honoring All Who Served.” Photo

by Lyndsie Kiebert.

Bottom left: The cover of an antique program showing the former memorial at the so-called “Bonner County Memorial Field.” Photo courtesy Bonner Co. Historial Society.

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Dollar Beers!

8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Good until the keg’s dry Open Mic Night w/ KC Carter 9pm-cl @ A&P’s Bar

Sandpoint Nordic Club Season Kickoff 5-7:30pm @ The Heartwood Center All are invited to help kickoff the nordic ski season. Learn about the club’s exciting plans and updates for the new Recreation Center and new ski trails at the Pine St. Woods

Ukulele Jam at Fiddlin’ Red’s Live Music w/ The Other White Meat 6-8pm @ Fiddlin’ Red’s 6:30-9:30pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Live Music w/ Harold’s IGA Classic rock from Sandpoint 9pm-12am @ 219 Lounge Live Music w/ Ron Keiper Duo Indie rock originals and covers 5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Live Music w/ Kevin Dorin Groovy jazz and wine are a perfect pair 8-10pm @ The Back Door One of the sweetest voices in town

f

Bonner Coun 8am-6pm @ U Join 100+ bus networking, l panels on ou ment. entrepre ter at bonnerc

Live Music 5-7pm @ Ida Also there w tion for the L from 5-7pm

MAGIC C Live Music w/ A Perfect Mess Live Music w/ John Firshi 8am-2pm 5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery 5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Great guitar playing and use of looper Trio playing country, pop, rock and funk Ting-spon Little Blac Three Grass Night concert Live Music w/ Steven Wayne 5pm @ Po 7:30pm @ The Hive 8-10pm @ The Back Door Hors d’oeu Live Music w/ Brendan Kelty Trio Join the Dodgy Mountain Men, Moonshine Mountain and local favorites Bare- Warren M 8-11pm @ Eichardt’s Pub 7pm @ Pa Grass for a foot-stomping good time Live Music w/ P.B. & Jam The annua 9pm-12am @ 219 Lounge skiers and Five piece playing not just jazz Ecstatic Dance Piano Sandpoint Chess Club 10am-12pm @ Embody, 823 Main St. 3-5pm 9am @ Evans Brothers Coffee Free-form all ages silent dance meditation where An inc Meets every Sunday at 9am music is your teacher. $8-15 sliding scale fee. presen Every second and fourth Sunday of every month Karaoke 8-close @ Tervan Best song selection in Sandpoint

Monday Night Blues Jam w/ Truck Mills 7:30pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Night-Out Karaoke 9pm @ 219 Lounge Join DJ Webrix for a night of singing, or just come to drink and listen

Trivia Night 7pm @ MickDuff’s Show off that big, beautiful brain of yours

Wind Down Wednesday 5-8pm @ 219 Lounge With live music by blues man Truck Mills and guest musician Mike Thompson Dollar Beers!

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

Craft and Wine w/ PNW Macrame 5:45-7:30pm @ The Back Door Join PNW Macrame owner Nicki Husfloen for a night of craft and wine

Li 2p An we

Yoga a 6-7pm Donati gets 1 wine! A

Djembe class 5:45-7:30pm @ Music Conservatory of Sandp Join Ali Thomas for this djembe (drum) class

Magic Wednesday 6-8pm @ Jalapeño’s Enjoy close-up magic shows by Star Alexander right at your table

Songwriters’ Night w/ Isabelle Stillman 6-8pm @ Di Luna’s Cafe Denver-based singer-songwriter Isabelle St sound combined with Rocky Mtn. American of her first full-length album “Middle Siste Wolf (Josh Hedlund and Justin Landis) and

CASA Purse Party 4-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Back by popular demand. $5 admission buys a glass of wine and a chance to buy, bid and win designer handbags.

A perfect girls night out. Supports CASA in our community

ful

Nov. 7-14, 2019

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

nner County Economic Development Summit m-6pm @ UI Sandpoint Organic Agriculture Center 100+ business and community leaders for a day of working, learning, and strategic discussion featuring els on our economy, housing, workforce developnt. entrepreneurship and more. Attendees must regisat bonnercountyedc.com. Limited tickets remaining.

ve Music w/ The Locals pm @ Idaho Pour Authority o there will be an opening recepn for the Local Sandpoint Weavers m 5-7pm along with music

Sip and Shop for SHS Grad Night 4-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery A portion of sales will benefit the Sandpoint H.S. Grad Night fund Kootenai Elementary PTA Fundraiser 4:30-8pm @ Skal Taproom Support the Kootenai kids. Lights snacks provided

Hope Harvest Dinner 5-9pm @ Memorial Community Center Join your friends at MCC in Hope for the annual Harvest Dinner fundraiser. Entertainment by Robert Crader. $25 Bring non-perishable food donations, too!

DJ Night Contra Dance 7-10:30pm @ Sandpoint Community Hall 9pm-close @ A&P’s

A Night with Janis Joplin 7:30pm @ Panida Theater A musical journey celebrating one of rock ‘n’ roll’s greatest legends who died too soon. $12

MAGIC Capture-the-Flag kids’ coding competition 8am-2pm @ Matchwood Brewing Co. Ting-sponsored entry-level coding competition for kids. Free!

Little Black Dress fundraiser (Bonner Homeless Transitions) 5pm @ Ponderay Events Center Hors d’oeuvres, no-host bar and auctions. Supports BHT! Warren Miller’s Timeless ski and ride film 7pm @ Panida Theater The annual kick-off to winter! Watch some of world’s best kiers and riders caught on film in the best locations!

Piano Sunday w/ Bob Beadling 3-5pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery An incredibly talented pianist who always presents a memorable performance

oint

Sunday Brewery Brunch 10am-7pm @ Matchwood Brewing All day brunch, beer specials, DIY mimosas

A Night with Janis Joplin 3:30pm @ Panida From Broadway to the silver screen

Lifetree Cafe 2pm @ Jalepeño’s Mexican Restaurant An hour of conversation and stories. This week’s topic: “Getting a Good Night’s Sleep”

e Yoga and Wine 6-7pm @ The Longshot yoga i Donation-based e gets 1/2 off glass of wine! All levels welcome

y of Sandpoint um) class

Stillman

Open Mic Night w/ Kevin Dorin 6-9pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall A positive environment to share your passion or just come to listen! Kevin Dorin will record your set live and artists will have access to the audio. Free and open to the public 21+

sabelle Stillman captures a Midwestern country Americana. She is touring the country in support ddle Sister” released July 2019. Openers Little ndis) and BOCA (Ben Olson and Cadie Archer)

ass of dbags. munity

Karaoke DJ Night 8-close @ Tervan 9pm-close @ A&P’s SARS Ski Swap 9am-2pm @ Bonner Co. Fairgrounds The best deals on ski and snowboard gear! An annual winter kickoff tradition. $2 admission Sandpoint Farmers’ Holiday Market 10am-2pm @ Bonner Mall Produce, art, storage crops, baked goods, holiday gifts, live music. Final market of the year!

Live Music w/ Matt Mitchell 7-10pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Pend Oreille Arts Council Fundraiser at IPA 5-8pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Come out and support POAC with Fremont Brewing on tap, live music by Marty and Doug, free appetizers, raffles and more!

Nov. 15 Comedy for a Cause @ Panida Theater Nov. 16-17 Bonner County Christmas Fair @ BoCo Fairgrounds Nov. 16 Celebrity roast of Jeff Nizzoli @ Panida Theater

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LITERATURE

This open Window

Vol. 4 No.14 poetry and prose by local writers edited by Jim mitsui

being in balance The rain fell like diamonds on the sea and then it was over, my dream and I was in prison, the prison of my mind Merging with the ocean is not as easy as it seems and it rained, and then it really rained — damp and soggy and so here I lie ready to dry With the heart-in-mind of a sea lion surfacing — With the sleepy eye of a sea lion contrasting with the bounding energy of the mink who is holding the unfortunate starfish And there we are, 8 kayaks, afloat and waiting for the sea to abate: the rains persist, as do we With the glistening diamonds cast down on the water— being in balance can be taught on a kayak.

— Nelson Gray, Audrey Hansen, Richard and Eli Sevenich, Karen Hempstead-Smith and Steven Smith, Ben Drimmelen and Anna Nystrom At the end of a recent kayak trip of Quadra Island in British Columbia, the eight of us — five from Sandpoint — gathered on the last evening. As a group we composed this poem, hoping to submit it to the Reader.

Discovery Lodge, Quadra Island Sept. 14, 2019 Editor’s Note: I decided to include this group poem in my column because the idea behind it is unique. Not crazy about the rhyme but the opportunity to recognize eight people in one poem is rare. — Jim Mitsui

jimmy wynn and the idaho hemp caper - part 1 The darkened room shuddered with the sound of the first ring. Three more followed before a hand the size of a bear paw reached over and smacked the receiver off the hook. The hand, only partially prehensile and festooned with calluses, reached for the phone. Its fingers crippled with arthritis and thick as breakfast sausages tried mightily to wrap themselves around the receiver.

The old man could hear muffling sounds and deep breathing coming from the other end.

Through the east portal of the darkened room the blackened night stood still. The plaintive yelp of a coyote, the muted rattle of mulberry leaves and the mystic void of the universe was all that stirred in the world of Lloyd Greely.

He finally drew the phone to his ear and out came a bumbling mass of hysteria.

“Pa, Pa this is Roy calling.”

“Goddamn it Roy, I know who’s calling, what I want to know is why the hell you’re calling me at this hour of the day.”

“Well Pa I thought I’d let you know and head it off at the pass before you hear from someone else.”

“Let me know what Roy?” “Well Pa it seems as though Jimmy Wynn has got himself in a little bit of a mess.”

“What do ya mean by a mess? I sent Jimmy over to Oregon yesterday to pick up enough fodder for 30 head of cattle. He’s been doing this since he was 14.

“Pa, Jimmy Wynn has been arrested and is now sitting over in the county jail.”

Roy could hear the old man’s breath come out in a loud hiss before he sucked it back through his teeth, dragging a low agitated sh-ee-iit with it.

The boy steeled himself, clutching the phone and bracing for the blowback.

“Arrested? What do ya mean by arrested?

You can’t be talking about the same Jimmy Wynn Greely that graduated at the top of his class and is fixin’ to go on to one of those Eastern Ivy League schools now are ya?

“That’s right Pa, the very same Jimmy Wynn we all know. Seems as though Jimmy was doing his homework as usual and came back over the state line with 30 tons of hemp piled in the back of the hay wagon. Jimmy’s research taught him all about the amazing properties it has. Hemp meal is full of fat and protein for hogs and cattle. They even make anything from oil to butter with it.”

“Hemp? ain’t that related to marijuana.”

“That’s right Pa, sort of a red-headed stepchild

to the narcotic pot plant. But you could smoke every last ton of Jimmy’s hemp and not feel a thing.”

“Then why is it against the law?”

“That’s a good question Pa. It’s perfectly legal where Jimmy got the stuff over in Oregon. In fact it’s legal to grow hemp in 35 of the contiguous states. I heard tell the authorities think it serves as a cover crop for the real thing. But even in Oregon the real thing is legal as well as in six or seven other states. Get this Pa, we ain’t nothin’ but a desert island in a sea of green. One of them legislators over in Boise was even talking about how it could get in the cow’s milk and the thought of school kids slopping up their morning cereal with it sent the whole mess of them over at the statehouse into a frothing rage.”

“I don’t understand it Roy. I best be going over to the jailhouse and see what I can do for the boy.”

“Don’t bother Pa, they’re taking him away.

A place down in Mississippi called Parchman’s.

They’ve got a unit down there especially for subversives. They charged Jimmy with subversion among other things. It’s pretty serious Pa. They’re throwing the book at him. Want to make him an example. Why they even got him for driving without a seat belt. Me and Billy Whitcomb, Jimmy’s best friend, are heading down to Mississippi shortly.

We’re bringing a pile of peanut butter and honey sandwiches. It’s Jimmy’s favorite. Parchman’s is a tough place, Pa, and Jimmy being so frail and all.

He won’t last long. I’ll let you know how it goes.”

The old man dropped the receiver to the floor and sank deep into his bed. From the photo above he could feel his dead wife’s eyes bore through his skull. That poor woman, he thought how she suffered so. Especially those last few months. Well, it’s probably for the better. She’d a suffered double knowing her dear son Jimmy was fighting for his life in some gulag down in Mississippi. I suppose it’s all my fault lamented the old man. I never should have sent him over for that damn fodder. What’s become of this state? Whatever happened to the Frank Churches and Cecil Andruses? Good men with backbone. Now all we got are spineless dupes beholden to big money. I suppose I should go down and see that pip squeak over at the bank and secure a loan to get Jimmy out. In the meantime there’s beets to pick and cattle to fatten, if only I had something to fatten ’em with.

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HEALTH

The quest for balance

Embodied Virtue Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine opens on Church Street

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff Jeff Pufnock was several years into a career in immunology — specifically, searching for a cancer vaccine — when he realized Western medicine wasn’t approaching healing in a way he found effective.

“I figured out, through my own healing processes as well as through seeing the Western medical treatment paradigm, that we weren’t really addressing what was the underlying cause of people’s disease,” Pufnock said. “[We were] basically just treating what they had.”

Pufnock’s partner Jessica Youngs also started her path in medicine on a more Western route, studying biochemistry before switching gears to study and teach yoga. When a shoulder injury led her to try acupuncture, the physical and emotional release she experienced inspired her to pursue more holistic practices.

“I think that’s why we both came to Chinese medicine — it’s really about body, mind and spirit,” Youngs said. “That’s the main principle of what we do — integrating those.”

The couple met at the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Ore., and ultimately decided to take their training in Chinese medicine to a new, smaller city. They embarked on a two-week road trip a couple of years ago, stopping in Sandpoint in August to find downtown alive with the Arts and Crafts Fair, desirable local amenities like good coffee and a co-op grocery store, plenty of opportunity for outdoor recreation, and even one of Pufnock’s favorite bluegrass bands slated to play the Festival at Sandpoint during their visit. It appeared the pair had found a new home.

“I’m like, ‘What is this town and why is my favorite band playing?‘“ Pufnock said with a laugh. “We had this checklist of all the things that we wanted, and this place had everything on the checklist.”

After a few more visits and finally stumbling upon the perfect

place for their business on Church Street, Youngs and Pufnock opened Embodied Virtue Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine. Though acupuncture is often associated with helping people through injuries and other chronic pain, Youngs said she and Pufnock deploy several modalities of Chinese medicine to help people with digestion, sleep, respiratory issues, stress, migraines, aging, women’s health and more.

“Acupuncture can treat pain, but that is the most physical manifestation of what we do,” she said.

“That’s just one level. We can address so many aspects of each person’s individual being.”

In order to address what a person needs, Youngs and Pufnock first suggest anyone with inhibitions about how Chinese medicine could help them should schedule a free, 20-minute consultation. Once a course of treatment is discussed, either practitioner will use a series of diagnostic tools to take stock of what the patient needs, including gauging the qualities of the pulse, analyzing the tongue and asking a series of detailed questions.

According to Youngs, it’s not just about what the patient answers, but how they answer as well.

Pufnock said the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland is the last Chinese medicine school in the country to train classical practices, whereas many schools have moved toward more modernized approaches. Youngs and Pufnock studied translated texts from over 2,000 years ago as they went through acupuncture and herbal training. Despite the age of the material, both agreed classical Chinese medicine has stood the test of time.

“I thought no one would ever come in and say they feel like they have a cold washcloth on their back, but that was written in a text book thousands of years ago, and I had a patient come in and say, ‘It’s like I have a cold washcloth on my back.’ It’s so crazy,” Pufnock said. ”Energetics have changed slightly, but your body is still the same body. [The Chinese] took meticulous notes for thousands of years

and documented everything. So people passed down what worked for thousands of years, and that’s where the whole system of acupuncture points come from.”

While the body’s energy system can be a hard concept to grasp, Youngs said it helps to view the body as a system of roads.

“There’s highways, there are smaller roads, there are your backcountry winding roads. They all have a purpose, and there is energy — or cars — traveling to different parts of the body,” she said. “Sometimes there are car accidents and there are traffic jams, and things get stuck in the wrong places. Over

time, that narrow corner always causes a problem. That one part is a weaker part of the body. There are also places on those backcountry roads that people forget about, and they don’t drive to see anymore.

That’s a place that might be weak and totally deficient. Through herbs and through acupuncture, we redirect the traffic. The real goal is to have smooth flowing traffic without any congestion or stagnation and without any places that are empty. That’s what overall balance looks like.”

Those interested in finding that balance through Chinese medicine have a chance to meet

Jessica Youngs and Jeff Pufnock of Embodied Virtue Acupeuncture and Herbal Medicine. Photo

by Lyndsie Kiebert. with Youngs and Pufnock at an open house 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8. at Embodied Virtue, 307 Church St. Anyone who signs up for their first appointment at the open house will receive a complimentary customized herbal formula after the appointment.

“We wanted to find a community that we could come and serve and bring our offerings to,” Youngs said, “and hopefully provide healing for people.”

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COMMUNITY

Matthew MacNeill Agency joins Chamber

By Reader Staff The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce welcomed Matthew MacNeill Agency, LLC to its membership Oct. 8 with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Matthew MacNeill opened the Agency on May 1, after taking over for retiring Sandpoint native and insurance agent of 39 years, Stephen Smith of Stephen Smith Agency. Matthew previously worked for a large corporation as a sales manager, selling contracts and underwriting services. When the opportunity came up to work locally and invest in Sandpoint, he jumped on it.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to serve Stephen Smith’s customers as he developed a successful, thriving business in Sandpoint over many years,” MacNeill said. “I hope to continue, as well as bring many years of ex-

perience to ensuring our customers receive unmatched service, support and attention for their insurance needs.”

MacNeill lives in south Sandpoint with his wife Joni, and their two daughters, Elise and Mya. “We ski hard in the winter and enjoy the lake in summer,” MacNeill said. “We’re proud to call Sandpoint our home and look forward to serving as Sandpoint’s go to insurance company.”

Matthew MacNeill Agency, LLC provides insurance services for life, auto, home, umbrella, commercial, business, boat, recreational, builders and even pet.

Find MacNeill and his team at their offices at 112 N. Fourth Ave. in Sandpoint, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Also find them on Facebook and by calling 208-2654562.

Photo courtesy Sandpoint Chamber.

Chamber welcomes REturn REtreats

By Reader Staff

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce welcomed REturn REtreats to its membership on Oct. 10.

Recently receiving its nonprofit 501(c)3 status, REturn REtreats offers quality experiences to women affected by trauma.

After experiencing her own traumatic experience, founder Katie Begalke wanted to give back to a community that took her in and allowed her to heal. REturn REtreats will provide guests with an inspiring environment located in Sandpoint, encouraging women to engage in activities, conversation and community bringing renewal, re-imagination and rejuvenation to the mind, body and soul.

Retreat offerings will revolve around four pillars: yoga and meditation, outdoor adventures, spiritual renewal and workshops. A percentage of all retreat proceeds

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will be donated to Priest River Ministries, Life Choices Pregnancy Center and Panhandle Animal Shelter. The nonprofit will also have opportunities for those interested to create a retreat sponsorship, which sponsors someone who may not have the financing to come to a retreat.

On the REturn REtreats property, organizers envision a private suite that will serve as housing for a local woman in need of respite. This suite will serve as a safe place for women escaping domestic abuse as well as for women and/or girls who find themselves in difficult circumstances after unplanned pregnancies.

REturn is currently building out its board of directors, looking for an ideal retreat location and raising funds. The nonprofit aims to be an operational retreat center by 2022.

To learn more, visit returnretreats.org.

Photo courtesy Sandpoint Chamber.

STAGE & SCREEN

Home on the big screen

Apocalypse flick Radioflash features scenes in Sandpoint and beyond

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff For the average person, an initial thought upon clicking “play” to watch the trailer for Radioflash might be, “An apocalyptic thriller? Cool.”

For a North Idaho resident, that first thought is more likely, “Wait, isn’t that the Gas N Go on Fifth Avenue?”

Inland Northwest locales are recognizable throughout the trailer, starting with a blackout over Spokane. Radioflash follows teenager Reese as she and her father fight to survive after a nuclear strike leaves the western United States without water, power or means of communication. The film depicts “a perilous trek through a world gone mad where every encounter with a stranger could be your last” — a trek that includes scenes on the boat basin bridge in

Hope, hiking over Kootenai Falls and, yes, even the main characters pulling up to Gas N Go. In all, the movie’s IMDb entry lists Spokane; Sandpoint; Hope; Clark Fork; Heron, Mont.; and Kootenai Falls, Mont., under filming locations for the movie.

Filming in Bonner County took place largely in the fall of 2017, when an apparent car wreck scene being filmed on the bridge above the Hope boat basin caught the attention of locals and got them asking, “What is this movie?

When is it coming out?”

The answer, according to IMDb, is Friday, Nov. 15 — though where the movie will show is not so readily advertised.

Radioflash features Brighton Sharbino — known for her recurring role on The Walking Dead — as lead character Reese, and Dominic Monaghan — Merry from the Lord of the Rings trilogy — as her

In one scene in Radioflash, a car accident clogs up the bridge leading into Hope, Idaho. Courtesy image. father, Chris. Other cast members include Will Patton, Fionnula Flanagan and Miles Anderson.

Radioflash is written and directed by Ben McPherson, a

American fine art painter turned filmmaker. The movie, credited to IFC Films, is McPherson’s first feature-length film.

To view the trailer, search

“Radioflash - Official Trailer” on YouTube or go to youtube.com/ watch?v=ILUTmGY7BV4.

The timeless thrill of winter stoke Warren Miller’s Timeless marks 70 years of ski and snowboard films

to the Colorado Rockies to the Swiss and Austrian Alps.

As Miller famously stated, “If you don’t do it this year, you will Warren Miller’s name is be one year older when you do.” practically synonymous with “ski Don’t wait to be a year older before movie,” and rightly so — it’s an you see Timeless, which comes to association cemented by 70 years Sandpoint with a screening Saturof ski and snowboard films, and day, Nov. 9 at the Panida Theater. a legacy that will live on long The feature-length documentaafter the eponymous director and ry turns the lens on both veterans adventurer’s death last year at 93 and budding athletes including years of age. legendary U.S. National Ski Hall Warren Miller’s Timeless, of Famer Glen Plake; newcomer released in October, takes audiencCaite Zeliff, who thrilled snow es on the kind of trip that Warren sports aficionados when she won Miller fans have come to anticithe title of Queen of Corbet’s in her pate, bringing together stunning first attempt on the world-famous mountain and snowscapes alongCorbet’s Couloir side retro footage Warren Miller’s run in Jackson interspersed with Timeless (NR) Hole; Olympic feats by today’s elite snow riders.

Saturday, Nov. 9; doors at 6 p.m., mogul skier Jaelin show at 7 p.m.; $16.09 general Kauf; and CanaThose admission, get tickets at panida. dian World Cup jaw-dropping org, at the door or the Alpine ski racer Erin stunts play out in Shop, 213 Church St. Panida Mielzynski. breathtaking loTheater, 300 N. First Ave., 208While much cales ranging from 263-9191, panida.org. See a trailer on the Warren Miller Enter- has changed since British Columbia tainment YouTube channel.

By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff

Miller pioneered the ski movie back in 1949 — and this year’s entry marks the second film since his passing in January 2018 — Timeless seeks to underscore the changeless thrill of taking to the mountains and the passionate pursuit of winter stoke.

As much about travel and experience as it is the skill, culture and camaraderie of snowsports, Timeless brings viewers to some of the most incredible ski destina-

tions in the world and celebrates inspiring athleticism from some of the world’s finest downhill skiers, snowboards and cross-country skiers.

Presented by Volkswagen, Timeless has been and continues to be on tour worldwide, with showings in Australia, Central Europe, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. The Sandpoint show is one of only three in Idaho, with screenings Nov. 14 in

A still frame from Warren Miller’s Timeless. Courtesy photo.

McCall and Nov. 21 in Boise.

To borrow another quote from the late, great Miller, “We snowriders are the most fortunate people on this planet earth.” Same goes for lovers of a good ski and snowboard film — especially if they’re lucky enough to live in a ski town like Sandpoint and have plans to see Timeless at the Panida.

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FOOD

The Sandpoint Eater A day with Darina

By Marcia Pilgeram Reader Columnist I’ve circled this island so many times, anxiously peering out the window as the airplane dips and banks, offering me a glimpse of the variegated green landscape of my beloved ancestral homeland: Ireland.

This trip is a bit different, as I am on a mission and tight schedule, scouting out potential spots for tour groups I’ll be accompanying here next year. Honestly, I’m a wee bit anxious — it’s a bit like bringing home a boyfriend. Will my friends and clients love Ireland as much as I do? Have I oversold it? I have a lot of work to do this week.

One common misnomer I’ve often heard repeated is the lack of quality of Irish food, and at the risk of sounding like I work for the Culinary Tourism Board of Ireland, I am here (literally) to tell you that the days of plain, overcooked meat and potatoes are gone. The past couple of decades have seen a rise in new chefs, fusing traditional Irish fare, with fresh local flair.

In Cork City, you’ll encounter the Old English Market, and it lives up to its name. This covered market was established in 1788 and is home to generations of venerable butchers and bakers — and yes, candlestick makers.

The family-run stalls are filled with a mix of young learner/old teacher proprietors, and some of my favorite shops are those of the meat, fish and cheese mongers. I look forward to these visits and I’ve come to love the lively, back and forth banter that accompanies every purchase. The foods you’ll encounter there are fresh and local, and anything but bland or boring.

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for its fresh and innovative Irish cuisine. I’ll be taking the ladies there next April, so I stopped by this week to introduce myself.

The dining manager, Lindsay, as well as the general manager, Peter, joined me in the drawing room and over coffee and biscuits we first talked U.S. politics (everyone’s favorite subject over here), the travel industry and, finally, discussed the menu for my groups.

I was there a couple years ago and was blown away by the best food experience I have ever had — anywhere. I never stop thinking about it and can’t wait to share it with all the others.

Their award-winning Trolley (dessert cart) remains the most over-the-top showcase of sweets that you’ll ever encounter. Last year, I arranged a reservation for our own Kate McAlister — a surprise anniversary trip from her hubby — and when Kate couldn’t decide what to choose, the server suggested she simply sample

everything on the trolley.

Not far down the road is the world-famous Ballymaloe Cookery School, founded in 1983 by Darina Allen, the daughter-in-law of the Ballymaloe House proprietors.

Allen is known as the “Julia Child” of Ireland, and is well known throughout the culinary world for her works in the Farmers Market and Slow Food movements. The cookery school has turned out many noted international chefs and remains one of the most highly regarded culinary schools in the world. I have admired Allen since a visiting Irish friend gave me her first cookbook, more than 25 years ago. This week, I was thrilled to meet her, tour the kitchens and, then, honored to be invited to stay on for lunch, which is prepared daily for staff and guests.

The kitchens were a flurry of activity, operated with military-like precision. The handson instructors (in green aprons)

supervised and critiqued serious students (in black aprons) who prepared a buffet of breads, salad, two or three entrées and a sideboard laden with desserts. I’m not sure if every Monday is seafood day or if it was just Irish luck, but I was treated to fresh oysters, local mussels and platters teeming with sweet, young shrimp served with a light and creamy lemon mayonnaise. Besides the seafood, there were fragrant meat pies, topped with flaky pastry, and a huge bowl of salad greens and squash blossoms, picked just before serving.

Then, we were on to that

Marcia Pilgeram, left, with Darina Allen, right.

Courtesy photo. sideboard of cakes, sweet breads, Carrageen Moss pudding and heavenly scented, saffron-poached pears.

I’m not cooking this week, but as I continue to eat my way through Ireland, I’m collecting a few recipes for my files and I’m starting with Darina Allen’s recipe for the pears, which she says are perfect for our winter holiday table. I hope you will like them as much as I did.

Darina Allen’s Saffron-Poached Pears

(Serves 4)

INGREDIENTS: • 1 cup granulated sugar • 1 ¾ cups water • 6 whole cardamom pods, lightly crushed • ¼ tsp good quality saffron threads • 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice • 4 firm pears

DIRECTIONS: Step 1: Put the sugar, water, cardamom pods, saffron and lemon juice into a shallow, wide pan (we use a stainless-steel sauté pan).

Stir to dissolve the sugar and bring to a simmer. Meanwhile, peel the pears, cut them in half and remove the cores. As you prepare each pear, drop it straight into the simmering syrup, cut-side up.

Step 2: Cover the pan with a circle of grease-proof paper and put the lid on top. Simmer away gently until the pears are tender, approximately 2030 minutes, spooning the syrup over them every now and then.

Step 3: Once the pears are cooked, carefully lift them out of

the pan and arrange them in a single layer, cut-side down, in a serving dish. Pour the syrup over the top.

The syrup may be reduced a little after the pears have been removed

to a serving dish. Be careful not to cook it for too long or the syrup will caramelise. Serve chilled. This compote keeps for several weeks, covered, in the fridge.

OUTDOORS

Spending time on skinny skis Sandpoint Nordic Club grows programs with help from KTL and Pine Street Woods

By Katie Bradish Reader Contributor Cold snaps with temperatures in the teens hit Bonner County sooner than usual this fall. A select group of locals see the early, frosty temps as a good omen for the upcoming ski season. As snow fast approaches, the Sandpoint Nordic Club in partnership with Kaniksu Land Trust are planning for a banner year.

The Pine Street Woods complex is owned by Kaniksu Land Trust and will offer six kilometers of groomed ski trails and unlimited snowshoeing opportunities, especially for those looking to wander off trail.

“This year the Sandpoint Nordic Club is grooming trails up at Pine Street Woods where we have more and a greater variety of trails. We are in a good position for growth in our after-school ski program,” said Sandpoint Nordic Club Youth Program Director Vicki Longhini. “The trails offer something for everyone, from the little skiers trying XC skiing for the first time to more experienced skiers who are thinking about learning how to ski race or just skiing to improve their fitness through the winter.

“We are so fortunate to have such depth of knowledge and talent in our coaches,” she added. “The kids that take part in our program will be mentored by adults who coach because they love the sport. Not many programs get to say that they have an Olympian and a biathlete champion on the coaching staff.”

The Sandpoint Nordic Club offers three different youth team options.

The Recreation Team is aimed at beginners to more advanced skiers who want a casual, two-day per week commitment. The Rec Team will focus on getting skiers comfortable with the Nordic equipment and increasing fitness through drills, games and snowy fun.

The Development Team is a new addition this season and will be coached by former Team USA athlete and Nordic Olympian Rebecca Dussualt. The Development Team will train three times per week. The focus will be on increasing technical skill, endurance and speed with an eye toward transitioning skiers to the race team.

“We are developing our athletes in this valley in a really healthy and well-rounded manner. That means training hard, but also enjoying all that this area boasts. Bonner County has a vast variety of enticing terrain — smooth roads, great trails and cross training options,” said Dussault. “These are the skiers of the future: Life-long endurance athletes, using movement as good medicine in all four seasons. We, as a community, get to watch these athletes come up the pathway of development, doing incredible things, on and off skis.”

The Race Team trains together year-round and is for skiers who are ready to compete in regional Nordic events. The Sandpoint Nordic Race Team has several athletes that have their sights set on making it to junior nationals.

“The Nordic Club has shown me that, with focus, anything can be accomplished and has given me the courage and confidence to work hard no matter what obstacles I face,” said Kasten Grimm, a team member of the SNC race team. “I have made great friends and had the opportunity to strive to be the best I can be.”

In addition to the ski teams, SNC will introduce the new School Program. Any elementary or middle school class can

Holiday Market marks final Farmers’ Market of the season

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

A couple of nordic skiers glide down the UI Extension property. Courtesy photo. reserve a time slot to come up to the Pine Street Woods to Nordic ski or snowshoe for free. Guides are available upon request.

According to the Sandpoint Youth Needs Assessment Research Report conducted by the city of Sandpoint, perceived expense of activities and lack of convenient programing near home and school are key factors preventing parents and students from engaging in physical activities, particularly in the winter months. The same research report showed that few students in Bonner County participate in regular outdoor activity in the winter months.

To address the financial concerns and barriers to access highlighted by this report, the Sandpoint Nordic Club offers scholarships — applied for at the SNC’s website — for its eight week after-school ski teams, as well as the new School Program.

“The Sandpoint Nordic Club Youth Program has been such a positive thing for our family. We enrolled a few years ago with no knowledge of how to classic or skate ski. The coaches have taken newbies and turned us into life-long Nordic skiers. Our boys can’t wait for ‘Nordic training days’ and always come home saying they had a blast,” said Amy Longanecker, resource development director at Panhandle Alliance for Education. “As a parent, you want your kids surrounded by positive mentors and coaches. That is certainly the case for SNC Youth Programs — all the coaches bring such willingness to invest in our youth in such a positive way. My husband Jameson and I appreciate the additional opportunity to enjoy the winter season that Nordic skiing provides. We love spending time as a family on skinny skis.”

For more information about the Sandpoint Nordic Club’s programs, visit sandpointnordic.com.

Like hot days and wearing flip-flops to the grocery store, all good things must bow to the looming North Idaho winter. So must the Sandpoint Farmers’ Market, which concludes its 32nd season in grand style with the Holiday Market on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. inside the Bonner Mall.

At this final market of the season, shoppers can obtain all their favorites from the vendors they know and love.

“There will be much of the same mix, as far as getting fresh produce, fresh greens, fresh carrots and storage vegetables,” said Market Manager Kelli Burt.

“But, it being the last Farmers’ Market of the season, this will be the last opportunity to get those last fresh-grown vegetables of season, unless you’re part of a CSA.” Burt said shoppers can sign up for a community supported agriculture membership — or CSA — with vendors, who share a variety of seasonal crops and offerings with customers.

Crafters and holiday shoppers will benefit from some vendors gearing their offerings toward holiday items like gift baskets and items that will hold over until the holiday season or Thanksgiving.

Truck Mills will perform live music and attendees are invited to come together and enjoy the day as they would at the market’s warm-weather home in Farmin Park.

As far as winter plans, Burt said the farmers’ market organizers are working on long-term ideas, such as organizing a farm-to-table dinner for next season that will fund their SNAP and Double-Up Food Bucks program, in which the market matches up to $10 of SNAP dollars during market hours.

Burt said Saturday will be a perfect market day, thanks to the ever-popular Schweitzer Alpine Racing School Ski Swap, which takes place the same day, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Bonner County Fairgrounds.

“You can go to the SARS Ski Swap and head right over to the mall afterwards,” she said.

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WEIRD NEWS

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

MAN STICKS CANNABIS IN HIS NOSE, FORGETS ABOUT IT FOR 18 YEARS An Australian man suffered multiple sinus infections over an 18-year period before doctors finally smoked out the cause: sticky icky weed.

Thanks to a study published in BMJ Case Reports (beautifully titled, “A Nose out of Joint”), the general public now knows the story of the Aussie who stuck a packet of dope up his nose just before going to prison, then forgot all about it for nearly two decades.

The olfactory contraband created a calcified lesion in the nasal passage, which surgeons who operated ended up removing, describing it as “a rubber capsule containing degenerate vegetable/plant matter.”

After doctors removed the smuggler’s surprise, they engaged the patient in what they called “specific questioning,” whereby the man finally remembered an incident in which he was about to go to prison and his girlfriend gave him a parting gift of some weed in a rubber balloon (just what I’ve always wanted!).

The man stuck the balloon up his nose but ended up inhaling it a lot further than he expected, to the point where he thought he’d swallowed it.

Despite his numerous sinus problems over the years, and perhaps due to short-term memory loss from smoking the reefer, the patient forgot all about the nostril-stuffing episode.

He’s reportedly breathing easier these days, with no more sinus issues after the weed was removed from his dome.

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MUSIC

In good company

Isabelle Stillman brings her poignant, wellhoned sound to Songwriter’s Night at Di Luna’s

By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff

Shakey Graves, among others, and if it’s true you can judge someone by the company they keep, then we judge Stillman as someone Isabelle Stillman’s sound is worth listening to. described as “a tapestry of her Sandpoint will have the chance love of family, the confusion of to do just that when Stillman takes growing up, the reality of being the stage for Songwriter’s Night a woman in our society and her at Di Luna’s Cafe on Wednesday, captivation with words.”

Nov. 13.

There, she’ll be joined True that. In addition to by Sandpoint favorites Ben Olson meticulous instrumentation and and Cadie Archer (BOCA) and intricately constructed composiJosh Hedlund — a complimentary tional structures, the beating heart lineup that in itself would make of her work is lyrical — each song is a mini-essay mingled with this a go-to event.

But don’t take our word for it. poetry and studded with evocative For evidence, lend your ear to Stillword-pictures, sly wordplay, and man’s debut album Middle Sister, well turned juxtapositions of literreleased in August 2019. Among the al and metaphorical imagery. highlight tracks, If that sounds “Kid” illustrates like a recommenSongwriter’s Night: how Stillman’s dation, it is. The Isabelle Stillman warm vocals can Denver-based, St. With Ben Olson and Cadie alternate between a Louis-born singArcher (BOCA) and Josh er-songwriter tips Hedlund; Wednesday, Nov. 13; tender tremolo and 7-9 p.m.; FREE. Di Luna’s Cafe, strident, soaring her hat to artists 207 Cedar St., 208-263-0846, delivery that aptly including Brandi dilunas.com. Listen at isabelles- echoes her stated Carlile, Lee Ann tillman.com, haroldsiga.com and foundational influWomack and joshhedlund.bandcamp.com.

Reliving Janis

ence The Dixie Chicks.

Meanwhile, “Driving Alone” proceeds with decidedly more indie-pop gusto — underpinned by a gentle but insistently forward-moving rhythm that subtly yet expertly supports the sweetly melancholic lyrics, replete with lonely motel rooms and a lost-yet-hoping-tofound sense of wanderlust.

With “That Salinger Novel,” Stillman opens her instrumentation to include deep, pensive string

Isabelle Stillman will play at Di Luna’s Oct. 13. Courtesy photo. lines punctuated by methodical bass plucking that brings to mind the motion of solitary pacing. It’s a lyrical piece especially sunk in thought — apropos of its evocation of author J.D. Salinger — made all the more beguiling by her slinky delivery that slips effortlessly up and down register and in and out of major and minor signatures. This one is a bona fide earworm.

A Night With Janis Joplin comes to the Panida

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff

or who never got the chance to experience the real thing, can get (re)acquainted with the legendary artist by catching A Night With Janis Joplin came onto the Janis Joplin at the Panida Theater, national music scene like a flash screening Friday, Nov. 8 and Sunin a pan, making an everlasting day, Nov. 10. impact on rock music in what The movie is a filmed version amounted to fewer than five years of the Broadway play of the same of her life. From the occasional name, in which various actresses gig in the mid-’60s to becoming play Joplin and her many influenca headliner at the Monterey Pop es — Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Festival and Woodstock, Joplin Odetta and more — and reenact shifted expectations for female some of the iconic performances rockers and blazed an undeniable that comprise Joplin’s legacy. trail with sheer authenticity until Mary Bridget Davies, a her death from a heroin overdose self-proclaimed “interpreter” of in 1970.

Joplin’s infectious performanc- Joplin’s work, plays the lead in the es and emotional vocals cemented show and has toured extensively with the psycheher place in rock A Night Janis Joplin (NR) delic pop star’s ’n’ roll history, original band, Big and her death at Friday, Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m.; Brother & The age 27 left a void Sunday, Nov. 10 at 3:30 p.m.; Holding Compathat tribute bands doors open 30 minutes before showtime; $12. Panida Theater, ny. For her role and reenactors as Joplin, Davies crave to fill. Those 300 N. First Ave., 208-2639191, panida.org. Learn more received a Tony wishing to relive at anightwithjanisjoplin.com.

Award nomination Joplin’s heyday,

in 2014.

Davies does as authentic a job as one can imagine portraying the raw, unique power of Joplin, complete with the frizzy hair and playful banter between songs.

“I decided to create a night with Janis Joplin where audiences would be taken on a journey by Janis herself through her mind, through her life, through her

A moment on stage from A Night with Janis Joplin, playing at the Panida Theater Nov. 8 and 10. Courtesy photo. heart,” said A Night With Janis Joplin writer and director Randy Johnson. “I wouldn’t say she was ahead of her time. She was right on time — and I think she’s still right on time.”

MUSIC

Festival at Sandpoint presents Canna Corda Trio Event part of the Festival’s Chamber Music Series

By Reader Staff The Festival at Sandpoint Chamber Music Series presents the Canna Corda Trio featuring Mika Hood on cello, Dr. Michael Keepe on saxophone and David Brewster on piano in a recital celebrating their debut performance. The trio will play at the Heartwood Center at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16.

Canna Corda (which roughly translates from Italian as “reed and string”) formed in the spring of 2019 with each member an accomplished soloist in their own right. Together, Hood, Keepe and Brewster form an ensemble with breathtaking beauty of tonal colors. Working with composers from across the globe, their programs feature an eclectic mix of music from passionate tangos to cutting edge contemporary.

This concert will feature the members as soloists, duos and together as a trio. They will offer their insights into the music, the composers and the group’s relationship with both, providing a personal and memorable concert experience for all ages and backgrounds.

The program begins with

throughout the United States as a soloist and chamber musician. His goal is to promote and perpetuate the rich and diverse heritage of concert saxophone repertoire.

Keepe is also the owner of Keepe Publishing House, promoting jazz and classical saxophone compositions from Pulitzer Prize-winning composers to some of today’s rising talents. He has received multiple degrees from the University of Arizona, including a doctorate in The Canna Corda Trio from left to right: Mika Hood (cello), Dr. Michael Keepe (saxosaxophone performance and music phone) and David Brewster (piano). Courtesy photos. business.

Brewster enjoys an active career as a pianist, music director Hood has been performing the world premiere of “Primeira and accompanist in the greater most of her life on either the piano Neo-Valsa” (“First New Waltz”) Spokane area.

He holds a Master or cello. She received a master’s for tenor saxophone, cello and of Arts in music from Washington degree in cello performance from piano by Brazilian composer State University and a Bachelor the Jacobs School of Music at Andersen Vianna. This beautiful of Arts in music from Whitworth piece blends the tenor sax and cel- Indiana University and a bachelo voices to create an intimate feel lor’s degree from the University of University. Brewster has toured nationally and internationally as a Oklahoma. Hood and sound that dance together as pianist with Irish is currently the one. Other highlights include two Festival at Sandpoint tenor Michael principal cellist of tangos composed and arranged Chamber Music Series: Londra as part the Coeur d’Alene Canna Corda Trio for the group by British composer of his Celtic Fire Symphony and a Graham Lynch and the powerful Saturday, Nov. 16; 6:30 p.m.; tour. Brewster also section player in trio “Out of this World,” by the $15 adults, $10 youth and served as accomthe Yakima Symlate-Missoula, Mont., composer seniors. The Heartwood Center, panist for the phony.

David Maslanka. Each member 615 Oak St., 208-263-8699, Crescendo ComKeepe has will also perform solo works from heartwoodcenter.com. For more munity Chorus Ravel’s “Habanera” to the vaudeperformed in info call Eve’s Leaves at 208of Spokane from ville saxophone classic “Valse Australia, Cana263-0712.

2008-2013.

Vanité,” by Rudy Wiedoeft. da, Mexico and

A snapshot of notable live music coming up in Sandpoint Three Grass Night, Nov. 9, The Hive As they say in North Idaho, three is better than one, especially when it comes to bluegrass bands.

When local favorite Baregrass joins forces with northwest Montana bands Moonshine Mountain and Dodgy Mountain Men, some of the most energetic and in-demand music in the region will be under one roof as The Hive hosts its first Three Grass Night.

After three individual sets, the trifecta of bands will then join forces for a bluegrass jam finale sure to bring down the house. Wear comfortable shoes, best for stomping.

— Lyndsie Kiebert Doors at 7 p.m., show starts at 7:30 p.m.; $10 in advance online, $15 at the door; 21+. The Hive, 207 N First Ave., 208-457-2392, beeswaxsystems.com/thehive.

Perfect Mess, Nov. 9, Pend d’Oreille Winery “Versatile” is the perfect way to describe Perfect Mess, the Coeur d’Alene-based trio of Jenny Munday, Nick Wiebe and Sarah Jean, a.k.a. SJ. With Munday on vocals; Wiebe on rhythm guitar, live recorded loops and vocals; and SJ on fiddle, the band reels out a voluminous catalog of tunes running the gamut from classic standbys to contemporary radio hits, and incorporating genres ranging from rock, reggae and R&B to pop, funk and beyond.

That’s not to say Perfect Mess is anyone’s tribute band — rather, they bring their own thoughtful spin to every number, supported by uncommonly tight instrumentation and innovative flourishes that put the “perfect” in Perfect Mess.

This week’s RLW by Lyndsie Kiebert

READ

I found great joy in reading Hate That Cat by Newbery Medal winner Sharon Creech. I remember reading Creech’s various coming-of-age novels in elementary school, but was unfamiliar with her books written entirely in poetry form. Styled as a child’s daily poetry journal, the book follows Jack, a budding writer, dog lover and hater of felines. Hate That Cat was a quick read that pulled at my heartstrings as Jack grows more and more with each poem, making sense of his world with alliteration and onomatopoeia.

LISTEN

I found a true gem in Songs from the Valley, an early-2019 release from rising singer-songwriter John Vincent III. With the simplicity of a single electric guitar and a voice that moves seamlessly from a soft warble to a strident crow, Vincent is everything I’m looking for in an indie artist — a little sad, a little happy, but mostly just combining the two feelings to sum up how I feel 99% of the time. My choice tracks are “Next to You” (so damn pretty) and “Lover of Mine” (so damn sad).

WATCH

Kesha has dropped a trailer for her upcoming album, High Road, and, no, I am not OK. Combining vintage TV footage with new shots of Kesha being the gilttery, wild person she’s known to be, the trailer uses snippets of the new album behind an interview of Kesha herself explaining that on High Road she’s revisiting her “roots of pure and utter debaucherous joy.”

Thank goodness, because she’s been through enough drama over the past couple years and deserves some fun. Bless her for sharing it with us all.

—Zach Hagadone 5-8 p.m., FREE. Pend d’Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar St., Ste. 101, 208265-8545, powine.com. Listen at perfectmessmusic.com.

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HOROSCOPE

The Real Folk Horoscope Musings of a mad astrologist

From Northern Idaho News, Nov. .6, 1903

IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MADE BY THE HUMBIRDS That Sandpoint has a great future before it none who are in a position to speak advisedly will deny. The natural resources are here and the city is populated with a progressive and energetic class of citizens.

Business firms interested are making plans along this line and the next few months will see many decided improvements.

In addition to the water works which will be installed during the coming six months, the Humbird Lumber Company will have erected one of the largest business houses yet in the city. This same company will also enlarge their mill in the north part of the city so as to increase the capacity 50 per cent.

The Humbird company has also purchased the Kootenai Lumber company’s mill at Kootenai Bay, as well as their lumber interests and timber holdings in this part of the state.

The Kootenai Bay Lumber company was owned by the Ellersick Brothers who during the past week have formally turned over the property to the Humbird Lumber company.

Works on the new store buildingn and offices of the company has already been commenced.

Ground was broken this week for the basement of the main building, which will be two stories in height in addition to the basement. This main building will have 55 by 100 feet and have a store room on the side and shed in the rear which will make the building cover a ground space of 76 by 130 feet.

From present indications next spring will see many new business structures erected in addition to those referred to above and the outlook for the coming year is most assuring.

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By Cody Lyman Reader Columnist

Scorpio

Life sucks, but you’re good. Or you suck, but life’s good. Or maybe some other vice versa-able combination where it’s extremely difficult to tell the difference between the two.

Sagittarius

People live like they drive. And cars were meant to go until they brake.

Capricorn

When you get depressed this month, unbeknownst to you, everyone around you will hear this almost imperceptible hiss, like the air letting out of a punctured tire.

Aquarius

Backwards behaviors in the backcountry are rather straightforward. Thus I propose, the city is your backcountry. Survival tip: Moss grows on the backside of satellite dishes.

Pisces

About a third of your friends on social

media are only half two-faced. That’s the best I got for trying to make you feel less lonely.

Aries

You can’t change the weather. But you could close that damn window.

Taurus

You’ll be in the zone to (contrary to earlier readings) fix Stupid this month, and perhaps even have the kindness in your heart to fix Mean. But if you come across Mean and Stupid together in one person, don’t bother.

It is irreparable and an invitation to Sad.

Gemini

Somebody will tell you their sign this month and, when they do, you’ll tell them yours.

Virgo

Some people construe it as “pickiness.”

You call it, “having standards.” Well, I guess you would know.

Libra

Tired of digging that particular hole?

Imagine: One day you’ll pop out the other end. Then you’ll have a cool tunnel — and not a pit, dismal and painful at all — to look back on.

Crossword Solution

Cancer

There’s no right way, just a lot of wrong ways.

Leo

Someday they will find you caught beneath a landslide, in a champagne supernova in the sky... whatever the hell that means.

When this girl at the museum asked me whom I liked better, Monet or Manet, I said, “I like mayonnaise.” She just stared at me, so I said it again, louder. Then she left. I guess she went to try to find some mayonnaise for me.

Copyright www.mirroreyes.com

CROSSWORD ACROSS

Woorf tdhe Week

Lilliputian

/lil-i-PYOO-shuhn/

[adjective] 1. extremely small; tiny; diminutive.

“Little Suzie was lost in her Lilliputian world of dollhouses for hours.”

Corrections: We mistakenly identified the Friends of the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail as the BUILD grant applicant on the proposed Ponderay railroad underpass (Oct. 31). While the Friends assisted, the applicant was actually the city of Ponderay, which would receive the award if successful. Sorry for the mix up. -ZH

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