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(wo)MAN compiled by

Susan Drinkard

on the street

Where do you like to hike in the area?

“I just hiked Gold Hill yesterday. It’s a hard hike, but the payoff, the breathtaking view, is worth it.”

Ricci Witte Membership specialist at the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce Sandpoint

“We just moved here four weeks ago from Oregon. I recently hiked up a mountain near Gresham, Ore. It was crazy steep, crazy tall—three miles up. We took snacks and water and I played with my tablet all the way home.”

Asher Cork Fourth grade Spirit Lake

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: Cynthia Mason and Kristina Orton (cover), Ben Olson, Bill Borders, Lyndsie Kiebert, Marsha Burns, Racheal Baker Contributing Writers: Zach Hagadone, Ben Olson, Lyndsie Kiebert, Cameron Rasmusson, Shelby Rognstad, Emily Erickson, Brenden Bobby, Cody Lyman Submit stories to: stories@sandpointreader.com Printed weekly at: Griffin Publishing Spokane, Wash.

Subscription Price: $115 per year

“We like to hike Dover Trail, Round Lake and the Pend Oreille Trail because they are user-friendly for people with health issues.”

Rose Anne and Tom Wheatley Retired Ohio teachers Sandpoint “Gold Hill because we live in Sagle; it’s convenient and close by. It starts out steep and diminishes as you ascend. We also like Mickinnick Trail but there are tighter places there so our four dogs’ leashes get tangled.”

Bret Johnson Teacher at LPOHS Sagle “My favorite is Trail 69 because it’s a spectacular view of Lake Pend Oreille, a very different aspect of the lake.”

Gina Woodruff Nurse Sandpoint Health Care Sandpoint

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 features a photograph of a mandala made by local women Cynthia Mason and Kristina Orton in Orton’s “magical” garden. Great job, ladies!

September 19, 2019 /

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NEWS

City Council roundup: Train bridges and trash bills

Plus a public meeting will address potential changes to Bonner County EMS

By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff

The Sandpoint City Council took up a number of old business items Sept. 18, chief among them pushback to a recent decision by the U.S. Coast Guard regarding the second rail bridge proposed

by BNSF, and two amendments to the city’s solid waste contract that could affect both commercial and residential customers.

Before all that, however, Mark Sauter, of the Bonner County Fire Chiefs Association, provided an update on discussions surrounding county emergency medical services. Sauter told the City Council that area chiefs have been talking about a pilot program that could result in dedicating one ambulance to Sandoint and another to Ponderay, provided Bonner County EMS vacates its facility at Bonner General Health.

“The chiefs believe it would be a good step forward to move some of those assets,” Sauter said, adding that such a move would save money by eliminating the BGH lease in favor of housing ambulances in area fire stations.

Offering a presentation on this and other county EMS-related topics, the Fire Chiefs Association will host a public meeting 6 p.m.9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24 in the main downstairs auditorium at the county administration building.

Representing the Idaho Conservation League, Mark Nykiel then spoke to the Council, asking that members consider submitting a letter asking the U.S. Coast Guard to reconsider requiring BNSF to undertake an EIS before proceeding with a second rail bridge. Time is of the essence, Nykiel said, as such a letter must be submitted within 30 days of the decision. While news of the Coast Guard’s decision went public Sept. 5, Nykiel said it was actually struck on Aug. 29.

What’s more, he reminded the Council that it approved an ordinance and associated letter in 4 /

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May 2018 that “strongly requests” BNSF produce an EIS “analyzing the full scope of direct, indirect and cumulative impacts” of the proposed 2.2-mile bridge.

City Council President Shannon Williamson, who also serves as Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper, asked Nykiel “how thoroughly or not thoroughly” the Coast Guard addressed issues raised by the city in its request for an EIS, to which he responded that more evidence is needed to prove that the project would reduce wait times and assess how raising rail speeds through town from 25 miles per hour to 35 mph would affect the likelihood and magnitude of a derailment. He also soil analysis of the BNSF right-of-way could reveal lake bed contaminants.

“I think an EIS would be a helpful thing this case,” Nykiel said, adding that the process would also open the project to more public input.

Council members agreed to look further at the proposal, asking staff to draft a letter asking the Coast Guard to reconsider its EIS decision, which will be considered at the Council’s special meeting Thursday, Sept. 26.

Finally, City Administrator Jennifer Stapleton briefed the Council on two amendments to the Waste Management contract — the first, decreasing the franchise fee it charges the Spokane-based garbage collection firm to offset the wear-and-tear on city streets resulting from heavy-duty vehicle traffic. Those franchise fees are passed onto commercial customers, who would see a commensurate 4% decrease in the City Solid Waste Fee, from 29% to 25%.

In part, she credited the “smart” garbage cans installed this summer throughout the downtown core and in city parks with helping bring down the franchise fee. The higher-capacity trash bins, combined with an overall reduction in the number of bins, means Waste Management

crews are making fewer trips.

“They’re able to roll and pick up at the cans when needed,” Stapleton said.

Commercial customers will see the fee reduction effective Tuesday, Oct. 1.

The other contract amendment focused on a new program geared toward cleaning up the city’s recycling stream. As it is, too many contaminated or inappropriate

items are making their way into Sandpoint’s recycling bins.

One proposal to fix the problem is a $25 fee for users who dispose of dirty or un-recyclable material in the blue bins. Under the previous contract, approved in April, that fee would have gone into effect Oct. 1, but upon further discussion planners thought it prudent to push back implementation to March 1, 2020 in order to

A still from a promotional video on the second rail bridge on YouTube by BNSF. provide for more public outreach and education.

After a lengthy discussion, Council members voted to approve the contract amendments, though added language stipulating that Waste Management return and present its outreach findings prior to final implementation of the recycling fee.

Solar Roadways unveils a new model

By Reader Staff Sandpoint has hosted the first-ever public demonstration of Solar Roadways at Jeff Jones Town Square since Oct. 1, 2016.

Encompassing 150 square feet, the demonstration first featured the Solar Roadways SR3.1 panel as a proof-of-concept in a pedestrian and bicycle setting. Three years later, Solar Roadways is updating the demo with its SR4 model, which is designed to produce 50 watts, compared to the previous 36 watts.

Crews removed the concrete that served as the base for the original system panels on Sept. 17. The new panels will rest on a recycled, rubber base. The revamp is expected to be completed in two weeks.

The initial $60,000 installation was funded primarily through a

GEM Grant from the Idaho Department of Commerce and a grant by the Sandpoint Urban Renewal Agency. The update is being paid for by Solar Roadways.

For more info contact Sandpoint City Administrator Jennifer Staple-

Crowds greeted the Solar Roadways installation project in October 2016. ton at 208-304-2462 or jstapleton@ sandpointidaho.gov. For more on Solar Roadways contact julie@ solarroadways.com.

NEWS

Forest Service outlines preferred fuelwood collection sites

By Reader Staff

The USDA Forest Service has opened 10 “preferred” fuelwood cutting areas on the Sandpoint Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, allowing for public, personal use firewood gathering through Wednesday, Oct. 9.

These areas are located on National Forest System lands within the Sagle area (including Ponderosa Terrace and Cocolalla), 278 South (East of Athol) and in the Clark Fork area.

Each designated area provides access to multiple preferred fuelwood cutting sites.

Maps and driving instructions for these areas are available online at go.usa.gov/xVnbn in

the “Where Can I Cut?” section.

Hard copies are available at the Sandpoint District office,1602 Ontario St. in Sandpoint.

A Personal Use Firewood Permit is required to cut firewood on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. At $5 per cord, permits can be purchased for no less than four cords and no more than 12. A permit is good for gathering firewood from the time of purchase through March 31, 2020. Permits are sold at any of the Forest Service offices, except for the Coeur d’Alene Forest Nursery.

Call 208-263-5111 for more information about preferred fuelwood cutting areas on the Sandpoint Ranger District.

By Reader Staff

Boise gun activist group comes to Sandpoint

By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff

Hot on the heels of its successful legal fund-drive in early September, the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance is headed to Sandpoint as part of its so-called Freedom Tour, which kicks off Tuesday, Sept. 24 in Grangeville and Orofino.

Not only did Boise-based ISAA meet its desired fundraising goal of $10,000 to retain a lawyer in pursuit of legal action against the city of Sandpoint over the Festival at Sandpoint’s firearms ban on leased public property, but exceeded it after less than a week of appeals on its Facebook page.

Yet, there is still no official word on whether an actual lawsuit has been served, though ISAA President Greg Pruett has repeatedly underscored both his intention to file suit and reiterated his organization’s argument that the city violates Idaho law and the U.S. Constitution by allowing the Festival to prohibit firearms at the publicly-owned War Memorial Field, which the

nonprofit leases for its annual summer concert series.

Meanwhile, ISAA will gather Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Sandpoint City Beach Pavilion beginning at 7 p.m.

According to the Facebook event page, Pruett, “and possibly others,” will talk about “how gun owners can protect Idaho from radical leftists turning our state into the next California, Oregon, and Washington.”

In a video posted Sept. 9 on Facebook, Pruett suggested that some “political training” may

2019 election: Nine candidates vie for four Sandpoint city offices, including mayor

ISAA President Greg Pruett. Screen capture, YouTube

also take place in Sandpoint.

“They must love that we’re going to be there,” Pruett joked in the Sept. 9 video, apparently referring to Sandpoint city officials.

ISAA will also make stops Thursday, Sept. 26 in Athol

and Friday, Sept. 27 in Bonners Ferry.

“Learn how gun rights are already under attack in Idaho, and how it is about to get much worse. Idaho will fall if you don’t stand!” event organizers promised on Facebook.

In case you missed it, we’re facing down an election on Tuesday, Nov. 5, and the slate of 2019 candidates for office in Sandpoint has been confirmed.

By way of a reminder, there are four hopefuls running for mayor: Billy Guinan, Ken Lawrence, incumbent Mayor Shelby Rognstad and current Sandpoint City Council President Shannon Williamson. Mayoral terms run for four years.

Meanwhile, five candidates are seeking three seats on the Sandpoint City Council currently held by Bill Aitken, Thomas Eddy and Deb Ruehle.

Council candidates include: Andy Groat, Jacque Guinan, current Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kate McAlister, Shannon Kaye Mitchell and incumbent Councilmember Ruehle.

Council positions are established in four-year terms, which are staggered every two years in order to maintain continuity and ensure not every seat is open simultaneously.

Look for more area election coverage in the Reader as we get closer to the big day in November.

Auxor Road 489 closed for reconstruction and improvements

By Reader Staff

Crews will close Auxor Road 489, located northeast of Hope on the Sandpoint Ranger District, for public health and safety reasons during road reconstruction from midnight Sunday until midnight Friday each week. The road will be open to traffic on Saturday and Sunday only.

The closure is located ap-

proximately 13 miles up Lightning Creek at the intersection of Lightning Creek Road 419 and Wellington Creek Road 489.

The project includes reconstructing approximately 8.25 miles of Auxor Road to improve the road surface and drainage, widen turnouts, construct new turnouts and remove roadside vegetation to increase visibility.

Work also includes clean-

ing ditches, culverts and catch basins, as well as improving turnaround spots at the end of the road.

The project is scheduled to occur through October, and officials say it will restore safe and improved access for a diverse range of recreational experiences in the upper Lightning Creek drainage.

Auxor Road was built more

than 50 years ago for mining and timber access. Today, recreationists regularly use the road to access the national forest to camp, hunt, pick huckleberries or simply to take in the scenery.

For questions on the project or road closure, contact the Sandpoint Ranger Station at 208-263-5111.

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NEWS

County to add turn lane at Dufort and US-95

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff

Those hoping to pull onto U.S. 95 from Dufort Road are used to a lengthy wait at the Dufort stop sign. The Bonner County Road and Bridge Department plans to smooth out the troublesome intersection by adding a turn lane for those hoping to turn right off of Dufort and head south — a plan approved Sept. 17

by Bonner County commissioners.

“Right now there’s just the one lane, and anybody trying to turn left holds up a long queue for anybody who might want

The intersection between U.S. Highway 95 and Dufort Road. Screen capture, Google Maps. to turn right,” said Road and Bridge Staff Engineer Matt Mulder. “There’s a history of impatient drivers who drive down the shoulder and out through the field around the stop sign, and then jump onto the highway. It’s created unsafe conditions.”

Mulder said the project, which was awarded to Earthworks Northwest for $81,863, is slated for this fall.

“Adding this turn lane there will greatly alleviate some of that traffic queuing ... and increase safety,” he said.

Forest Service hiring for 2020 season

By Reader Staff

The USDA Forest Service will be accepting applications starting on Sept. 16 for more than 200 seasonal jobs on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests for the 2020 summer season.

Positions are available in multiple fields including fire, recreation, natural resources, timber, engineering, visitor services and archaeology.

The list of positions and duty stations, along with information on how to apply, is available at fs.usda.gov/ipnf. All positions will be advertised on usajobs. gov and applications must be submitted no later than Monday, Sept. 30. Interested applicants are encouraged to create a profile on USAJOBS in advance to save time once the hiring process begins.

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The Idaho Panhandle National Forests encompass 2.5 million acres within the Northern Region of the Forest Service.

“We’re looking for interested applicants to help us manage more than 25 million acres of incredible public lands across the northern Rocky Mountains and the Dakota prairie,” Northern Regional Forester Leanne Marten said. “If you’re interested in caring for our nation’s forests and grasslands and serving local communities, I encourage you to apply.”

The mission of the Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.

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: Data on being a sibling: According to The Atlantic, when sibling interactions are positive during adolescence, the outcome is likely to be a healthy development of empathy, pro-social behaviors and academic success. However, among large groups of siblings there is less school success (except for Mormons). If sibling relationships are poor, results can be self-harm, anxiety, substance abuse and even the chance of becoming psychotic by age 18.

A new study in Science Advances looks at the impact on streams and lakes from 100 years of pumping groundwater. In some areas water flows fell 50% and some streams dried up. As water tables dropped, pumping became more costly and difficult, with greater impact on wetlands and trees. Meanwhile, seawater contamination can result from pumping in coastal areas.

A top concern: refilling aquifers.

A study from Sweden, shared in PLOS One, finds that infants exposed to pets typically have fewer allergies — and the more pets, the better the outcome. A Microbiome study shows those born into pet homes are likely to have two gut microbes linked to a lower risk of both allergies and obesity.

California legislators have signed into law a bill requiring presidential and gubernatorial candidates to release five years of tax returns in order to appear on the ballot. Republicans are suing the state in opposition, according to Huffington Post.

New research, printed in the International Journal of Drug Policy, shows a link between marijuana use and reduced workplace fatalities. In states with legalized marijuana, workplace fatalities among 25- to 44-year-olds fell by 19.5%. Where legalization was active for over five years, fatalities fell by 33.7%. Researchers speculate that may be due to marijuana replacing alcohol, noting that a separate study shows THC-influenced drivers appear to take fewer risks. Such risk aversion might translate to the workplace.

One out of four Americans has chemical sensitivity and almost half have had it medically diagnosed, according to research from the University of Melbourne, published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Those diagnoses have increased 300% in the past decade.

An estimated 55 million U.S. sufferers said they had either missed work days or lost

By Lorraine H. Marie Reader Columnist

jobs due to their illness. One study author described chemical sensitivity as a “serious and potentially disabling disease.”

The latest UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report says exploitation of land and water is proceeding at a rate that could create a crisis for food growers: 500 million people now live in desertifying areas, soil is being lost up to 100 times faster than it naturally regenerates and months of extreme weather, like floods and wildfires, are impacting crops and livestock.

A recent Cuban asylum-seeker is one of many seriously ill immigrants who have been deported. The man was described by more than 100 doctors as being too fragile to travel; nonetheless, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials ordered him placed on a plane bound for Cuba.

Acupuncture combined with standard medical care is more effective than standard medical care by itself for treating back and neck pain, according to new data from the UC-Berkeley School of Public Health.

The strongest-ever hurricane to hit the Bahamas, in early September, caused an estimated $7 billion in damages, with winds up to 185 miles per hour. Homeless numbers are about 70,000, with 45% of homes either destroyed or damaged.

Blast from the past: In a 1957 article in the journal Tellus, oceanographer Roger Revelle and chemist Hans Suess warned readers the rapid pace of releasing CO2 and other gases into the air amounted to an alarming experiment with the environment.

Those releases increased dramatically as populations grew and more soil was cultivated (further releasing CO2) to feed more people. Revelle’s work led the USDA and the EPA to begin examining the issue in the 1980s; the agencies wanted to determine how much soil carbon was already lost, and how to recapture it. The topic has gained momentum worldwide with scientists and farmers. One such scientist, Rattan Lal, who went from poor farm boy in rural India to a scholarship at Ohio State University and a Ph.D. in soil sciences, is working on test plots worldwide to determine the best agricultural practices for removing CO2 from the air and getting it back into the soil. That, along with other efforts to shrink society’s CO2 footprint, has the potential to reverse climate change.

Read more about it in The Soil Will Save Us, by Kristin Ohlson.

PERSPECTIVES

WEIRD NEWS

Mayor’s Roundtable: An honor to serve

By Mayor Shelby Rognstad Reader Contributor It has been an incredible honor and privilege to serve as mayor of Sandpoint.

This is a particularly important time as the city is carrying out its 2017 strategic plan and is in the middle of an unprecedented master planning effort affecting every division within the city.

The plans we develop over this next year will determine how we prioritize spending over the next 10-20 years and beyond. Good planning will ensure we remain focused on our priorities and are efficient with taxpayer dollars for decades to come.

When I was first elected, voters made it clear they wanted more transparent government. I responded by making city government as accessible, transparent and responsive to citizen concerns as ever before. All of our public meetings are available for streaming online. We have a new online platform to increase participation and make it easier for voters to give us feedback on issues from public parks and amenities to customer satisfaction with city services.

We created the first municipal mobile app in Idaho and the Inland Northwest, called Engage Sandpoint, putting all of our online services in the palm of your hand. If you haven’t yet, you can download the app in the Appstore.

We’ve initiated a Community Resource Officer Division within the police department, bringing parking enforcement back under the city’s management and increasing efficiency and effectiveness of code enforcement.

We’ve taken input to change our approach for the final phase of downtown street project and dramatically reduced the impact on downtown businesses.

I’ve also worked hard to ensure that Sandpoint continues to have the high quality of life that has come to define our community. This means affordability, environmental health, access to public amenities, abundant recreational opportunities, public safety, health, arts and culture, and quality public services and facilities.

Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad.

One success I’m very proud of is securing a $250,000 grant from Blue Cross Foundation that supported community health by providing our youth easy access to nutritious foods and increased their opportunities for physical exercise.

This grant helped to attract the YMCA to town and to build the Outdoor Education Center at the new Pine Street Woods.

I’ve also led environmental initiatives like opposing the Silicon Smelter project in Newport. I’m proud to report the Smelter as yet hasn’t moved forward.

Our work to protect our air and water quality is making a difference.

I’ve also focused my efforts to ensure that we have a vibrant economy that creates jobs and is resilient in the face of a changing regional and global economy.

Sandpoint is filled with entrepreneurs and innovators. We need to continue to find creative ways to support our small businesses and job creators. In such an effort, we completed the high-speed fiber network that has brought affordable high speed internet to Sandpoint. Planning is now under way to bring the network to the downtown business community.

Combined with new streets, parking and public spaces, downtown will be a more attractive place to do business than ever before.

Moving forward, I have a number of exciting priorities. I will continue to work with regional partners to make Sandpoint employers more successful, attract new jobs to the area and foster innovation that is the hallmark of the lo-

cal economy. Combined with workforce development and education initiatives we can raise wages.

I will continue to work with regional partners to develop innovative solutions to address the growing housing crisis in our city and our region.

I will implement the vision of the community-driven Parks Master Plan, further establishing Sandpoint as a premier recreation destination.

I will continue to make this government more efficient and responsive to your concerns. I will work hard to make sure Sandpoint continues to be one of the best small towns in America.

I invite you reach out to me to share your thoughts on important issues and ways that we can make Sandpoint a better place to live.

Please join me Friday, Sept. 20 at the Mayor’s Roundtable, 8 a.m., at Cedar St. Bistro in the Cedar Street Bridge where we will discuss issues important to Sandpoint.

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

COMPANY OFFERS $1,300 TO WATCH 13 STEPHEN KING HORROR FILMS I’ve heard of easy money, but this is kind of ridiculous.

USDish.com is celebrating the impending arrival of Halloween by offering to pay one lucky soul $1,300 for watching 13 separate movies based on the books and stories by famed horror author Stephen King.

The catch? The winner has to document the experience.

The Utah-based company is accepting applications on their website through Tuesday, Oct. 15. Winners must watch all 13 films before Halloween, monitor their heart rate during scary scenes and write about their feelings on each film.

The required list of movies includes Carrie, Children of the Corn, Christine, Creepshow, Cujo, Dreamcatcher, It, The Mist, Pet Sematary, Salem’s Lot, The Shining and Thinner. It’s up to the winner whether to watch the original or remake version of each film.

The winner will be paid $1,300, as well as receive a flashlight, blanket, popcorn, candy and a Stephen King prize package.

Laughing Matter

By Bill Borders

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COMMUNITY

A brew with a view Seventh annual Hope Oktoberfest rolls out the barrel Bouquets: • I love it when readers contact me with tips for fun stories, like last week’s “Wentworth, master thief” about the sandal-stealing cat who has been pilfering flip-flops from South Sandpoint. Thanks to Jimy Black for the tip on this one.

If you ever come across a fun story you think only the Reader could tell, don’t ever hesitate to call or email us. In these trying times, it’s always beneficial to laugh a bit.

Barbs: • Am I crazy, or does it seem like nobody ever answers their phone anymore? Since text messaging has apparently taken over the world, it has become more and more difficult to actually reach someone on the telephone, which can be problematic for a journalist. Remember the days when you would just show up to someone’s house to see if they were home, instead of texting “ten minutes away” then “five minutes away,” then “five seconds from your door.” I totally get it — whenever my phone rings, I always think it’s going to be some angry reader who wants to give me a piece of their mind (often it is). But I still try to answer the damn thing, because I don’t want to be that guy.

• In last week’s “(wo)Man on the Street” column, Susan Drinkard asked our readers what their pet peeves were. Little did we know we would be tapping into such a rich vein of material. It was such a motherlode, in fact, I’ll be publishing an article dedicated to pet peeves in next week’s edition.

To share some of my own: — When I’m on a bicycle and a car stops for me to cross when it’s not my right-of-way (also, when drivers yell at you for following the bike laws).

— Gaslighting and lying.

— When people show blatant disregard for their fellow man.

— Ignorance. It’s just too easy to obtain correct information. Anyone who is ignorant is just lazy.

— Trolls, people who belittle others, bullies, corrupt politicians and people who call me “Benji.”

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By Ben Olson Reader Staff Mark the entrance of fall by dusting off those lederhosen and attending the seventh annual Oktoberfest celebration in Hope. The yearly beer fest takes place Saturday, Sept. 21 from 5-9 p.m. at the Hope Memorial Community Center, 415 Wellington Place in East Hope.

The event includes a homemade bratwurst dinner for $15 or two for $25, which includes bratwurst from the Hess family, delicious sauerkraut, Sweet Lou’s baked beans, potato salad from The Floating Restaurant, scrumptious cake from Davis Grocery & Mercantile and a drink. Kids’ meals are also available for $5. Dinner starts at 5 p.m., so don’t be late.

Since this is an Oktoberfest, it wouldn’t be complete without a great list of craft brews on tap, as well as wine and soft drinks.

Live music begins at 6 p.m. with the Ponderay Paradox Band.

Bring your dancing shoes or just kick back and listen with good

Photo by Lyndsie Kiebert. friends around the fire pit.

A raffle includes prizes like two cords of cut and split red fir firewood, a weekend at the Seasons at Sandpoint, a two-hour consultation from The Planet Artist Cindy Gauthier for the 2020 season as well as an Oktoberfest basket full of goodies. There is a little something for everyone.

The Hope Memorial Community Center has become the hub for many local groups and clubs and is also the home of the only preschool program in the rural areas of Trestle Creek, Hope and Clark Fork.

For more information, call Carolyn Speelmon at 208-2645481.

SUPPORTING DOWNTOWN

Time for common sense...

Dear editor, The only thing that will be accomplished by forcing the Festival to allow open and concealed carry is to, in all likelihood, put an end to the Festival.

As a Marine Corps veteran who holds multiple CCPs and who has hunted and engaged in sport shooting all my life, I think it is time to pass some common-sense gun laws in an attempt to reduce the carnage in our public spaces. Sandy Hook was the turning point for me.

Without even seeing the crime scene photos I still had vivid images of those mutilated and torn children haunting my dreams. I knew it was time to rethink our gun laws.

Two years and 23 mass shootings later, a Utah teacher who had taken a 45-minute class and passed an inadequate written test injured herself when she inadvertently fired her weapon while using the toilet at school, shattering the porcelain. It is too easy for the criminally inclined, the mentally ill and the incompetent to buy and carry deadly weapons.

We should seriously consider requiring extensive training, including combat arms courses and mental health exams for all carry permits and purchases. Liability insurance should also be required to purchase or carry. Universal background checks need to be implemented.

We either accept some common-sense changes or we risk a backlash that will repeal the Second Amendment.

Dan Creamer Sandpoint

Stealing sandals, stealing hearts...

Dear editor, We love Wentworth! Thanks for the story and good laughs.

Gail and Michael Harmelin Sandpoint

Susan Bates-Harbuck sent a photo from her Trivia Night excursion downtown with John Harbuck (right). Thanks for supporting downtown during the construction, Susan! To thank her for the support, We rewarded Susan with a gift certificate for their next trip to MickDuff’s. If you snap a photo of yourself supporting a downtown business during the construction, you could be rewared by the Reader! Send photos to ben@sandpointreader.com.

Editor’s note: For those who might have missed the Sept. 12 edition of the Reader, Wentworth is a sneaky South Sandpoint feline who neighbors recently discovered was the culprit behind a spate of summertime sandal thefts. Read more about his exploits at sandpointreader.com.

Gun bullies all bark and no bite...

Dear editor, I owe Dan McDonald an apology. He was apparently not the one

who sent a ringer to the Festival at Sandpoint. Turns out it was Greg Pruett, head of the so-called Second Amendment Alliance based in Boise, of all places. What horse he has in Sandpoint’s race is beyond me.

This person has apparently joined forces with Scott Herndon, your unfriendly neighborhood radical right-wing, pro-birther, bloody-poster-waving individual. You know the one, his group terrorized area events where families with children go to enjoy life, but then he made it so they couldn’t enjoy life because of his perverted protests.

He now champions guns, which are the instruments of taking life?

Apparently the hypocritical radical right says you must be born, but don’t give a “D---” about you once you’re in the world.

Of course these radical-right individuals so far, according to last week’s Reader, seem to be all bark and no bite, just like most bullies.

Then there is Mr. Baldree [Perspectives, “Some thoughts on guns at the Festival,” Sept. 12, 2019]. My takeaway from his opinion is that while all of us should calm down, it’s those of us in the majority advocating reasonable gun regulations who are at fault in this controversy. If we just acquiesce to their demands, all will be well.

Mr. Baldree, as for us “anti-gunners,” we may not know the technical specifics, but we do know what kills and what kills the most efficiently. We know which ones are for self defense, which are for hunting/ sport and which are simply meant to indiscriminately kill as many people or animals as quickly as possible — especially those with large capacity magazines and bump stocks.

If you need one of those to hunt and kill Bambi, you’re a pretty poor shot and hunter.

Finally, Mr. Baldree needs to do a little analytical thinking — an area many radical right-wingers are weak on. His comparing the death toll attributed to cars may be right, but it’s like comparing apples to TV sets.

Cars were invented to transport people from one place to another.

Unfortunately, as with most things, humans are fallible and have, the operative word here, accidents.

Guns, on the other hand, were invented for one purpose and one purpose only: to kill people and animals, period. And with the very rare exception, death by gun is not an accident, but an intentional act.

Lawrence Fury Sandpoint

PERSPECTIVES

Emily Articulated

A column by and about Millennials

Beer, tacos and Millennial engagement

By Emily Erickson Reader Columnist

Upon beginning this column, several things started happening to me that I didn’t anticipate. The first was the curious looks from passersby trying to place how they know me — their squinted eyes and tilted heads prompting me to search for leftover food on my face or dirt on my nose.

Just as my cheeks began to flush with an embarrassment I hadn’t quite deciphered, they would ask, “Don’t you write for the Reader?”

After a sense of relief and pride-filled “yes,” they would invariably follow up with, “The ‘Single in Sandpoint’ column, right? I love Scarlett Quille!” Me too, Sandpoint. Me too. But, sadly, I cannot take credit for all that wonder, wit and crassy-sass.

Instead, I’m “Emily Articulated,” tasked with the other thing I didn’t anticipate: Being Sandpoint’s Millennial voice, asked single-bristle questions requiring the broadest of brushes to paint in answers.

As a supposed Millennial-whisperer, I’m consulted on topics such as generational laziness: “Emily, why doesn’t my Millennial niece think she has to work?” or self-centeredness: “Emily, why are young people so entitled? The kid next door always parks on my grass.”

To these questions I reply with my tried-and-true, “Well, I think that every generation has its entitled and lazy members.

But as the products of our environment — just like you — we Millennials just have unique circumstances with the society-wide side effect of seeming lazy and

Emily Erickson. smartphones to document it all.”

There is one question I get asked that isn’t quite so narrow, to which there may be a nuanced answer to offer: “Emily, why don’t young people turn out to community events?”

Whether it be fundraisers, awareness campaigns or town decision-making affairs, young people are rarely anywhere to be seen.

Drawing from my own experiences, without claiming undue authority to speak on behalf of my fellow Sandpoint Millennials, I do have some ideas that might increase the engagement of young people at community events: Advertise your event online.

With the exception of the content and calendar in this wonderful publication, I build my social life from the Sandpoint Online events page or from Facebook event recommendations. You know those smartphones we’re constantly staring into? They allow you to market your event, literally, in the palms of our hands. And because we often travel in packs, once you interest a few of us, you’ll likely attract the masses.

Make your event memorable.

We Millennials are suckers for the unique and the free. If you’re trying to generate awareness for your cause, ramp up the memorability quotient by making it a mustache and mimosa party, a pumpkin smashing competition or a footie-pajama bike ride (you get the idea). Better yet? Offer something free, especially beer or tacos. Bring a keg and a taco bar to your next roundtable discussion and watch the Millennials flock.

Another benefit of your memorable, quirky themes is your event becoming “shareable.”

With a hashtag, a photobooth and some choice slogan-adorned props, you’ll have more marketing material than you could possibly use.

graphic design a way to volunteer. Want someone to donate content for your cause’s Instagram? We’d love to give you photos and captions. Need help setting up a Facebook ad for your big fundraiser? Your engaged Millennial will happily assist.

If funds are all you really need, let us choose from a few different ways our dollars can be used. This simultaneously eases our skeptical minds and capitalizes on our desire for multiple choices. Attach specifics to how our money is actually help-

ing, with clear messaging and mapped-out dollar pathways.

Ultimately, there is no secret key to getting the Millennial population engaged in community events. We, like everyone else, are fickle creatures absorbed in our own lives. We care about the people close to us and the world around us, but we struggle to make time to get involved.

That said, if you take away anything from this Millennial-whisperer, let it be: free beer and tacos.

Retroactive

By BO

Have clear, concise messaging and specific calls to action.

Believe it or not, we Millenials do care about the world around us. A lot, actually. But, without easy-to-consume messaging and a practical way to get involved, your cause will flit from our awareness faster than coffee shop customers without good Wi-Fi. At your event, get us fired up about your cause by giving us the facts, boiled down into takeaways we can remember.

Additionally, much more than other generations, we would rather get involved through actions than by donating funds without knowing where our dollars are going. Having specific ways for us to get involved increases the chances we will interact with your cause: “Bring an X poster at Y time because of Z reason.”

Even better? Let us get involved in ways that connect with our skills. Need eye-catching imagery for your cause? Make September 19, 2019 /

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Mad about Science:

Brought to you by:

ultraviolet radiation

By Brenden Bobby Reader Columnist

Typical Brenden: late to the party. Summer is practically over, and only now is he riding in on his science pony to warn us all of the dangers of ultraviolet radiation.

Ultraviolet radiation, or UV radiation, is a unique type of radiation, sitting somewhere between low-frequency radio waves and high-frequency X-rays and gamma radiation.

It’s what makes some of us golden-brown after a tropical vacation, and also what makes people like me turn beet red and peel like I’m molting an exoskeleton. At least the library lets me escape those pesky invisible death-rays.

If you’ve ever wondered why you can’t tan, I’ve got some news for you: Your ability to tan was decided before you were even born. It’s all genetic. A sun tan is the body’s way of producing excess melanin in the top layer of your epidermis (a.k.a., your skin).

Melanin is a brown pigment that helps absorb UV radiation and protect the lower levels of your skin from cancer-causing rays. Some of us produce far less melanin, which leads to faster burning. A sunburn is when your skin becomes damaged by the radiation, which causes it to redden and swell, then horrendously itch and peel as your body begins to replace the damaged cells.

UV radiation, like most midto-high radiation types, does damage to organic cells by a process called ionization. Ionization is what happens when 10 /

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something rips the electrons from individual atoms, which can cause serious damage to DNA structures in cells that leads to mutations and breakdown. We talked a little bit about this in the “Mad About Science” column of Sept. 12, when we talked about cool bacteria in Hanford and other nuclear waste repositories.

UV rays come in three distinct flavors, the first being UVA, which has the lowest energy of all UV radiation.

UVA is what helps us tan, but can also cause us to get skin cancer if we spend too much time in the sun or in a tanning bed. The second type is called UVB, which has more energy and is the type of radiation that gives us sunburns. The third is called UVC, and it’s a high-energy radiation that is absorbed by ozone in the Earth’s atmosphere, so it’s something we don’t have to worry about unless we’re trying to tan on the surface of the moon — which, for the record, is not advisable as the surface of the moon can reach up to 260 degrees Fahrenheit in direct sunlight.

Since UV radiation is dangerous to organic cells, how does that affect plants? We were all taught in school that plants generate energy from the sun using chlorophyll in their leaves, which utilizes sunlight to break down carbon dioxide, to pull the carbon out and use as building blocks for the plant while spitting out oxygen as waste. Plants use photons — light particles from the sun — for this process, but UV radiation is different altogether and it has been shown by

researchers that UVB radiation damages plants in the same way it damages our skin cells.

Unfortunately for the plants, they can’t slather on sunblock, so plants have adapted to exist with UVB rays and thrive despite them. Most plants are capable of regenerating damaged growth quickly, while others like trees can shield their sensitive trunks with the very leaves and needles that give them energy to grow. After 3.5 billion years of evolution and lifespans of several hundred years, plants learned some cool tricks to survive.

We’ve established that UV rays are a lethal source of power, so what good are they?

Sometimes, destroying cells is a great thing for humans. We actually use artificial lights that barrage our water lines with UV radiation to kill bacteria in our drinking water that could otherwise make us sick. We also use it in sensitive laboratory settings where surfaces and tools must be meticulously sterilized. Surgeons have even used UVC radiation to sterilize an operation site to kill MRSA bacteria.

Phototherapy is another use of UV radiation, in which a patient will take a medication that’s absorbed into their skin, making the skin more sensitive to radiation to help with conditions like psoriasis. Doctors have also used UV rays to bolster peoples’ immune systems when suffering from certain blood afflictions and infections in a process called ultraviolet blood irradiation.

The sun isn’t the only source of UV radiation. Hu-

mans have discovered a lot of wild ways to create UV rays on Earth. Mercury-vapor lamps utilize an electrical arc passing through vaporized mercury to create light and UV radiation.

Before the advent of light-emitting diodes, mercury-vapor lamps were used to light large, open commercial spaces.

Xenon gas used in plasma welding also creates UV radiation. The blacklight from your favorite episodes of “CSI:

Crime Scene Investigation” also utilize UV rays, which is why the investigators have to wear protective eyewear when using the lamps. Bodily fluids glow because they absorb the UV light and then re-emit light in the visible spectrum.

Now that our demisphere of the Earth is tilting away from the sun and our UV exposure declines, it can mean only one thing and the great Sean Bean said it best: Winter is coming.

Random Corner da?

Don’t know much about cana • Canada is the world’s most educated country: over half its residents have college degrees.

• Canada’s lowest recorded temperature was -81.4 degrees Fahrenheit in 1947.

• Canada has more lakes than the rest of the world combined.

• Canada consumes more Kraft macaroni and cheese than any other nation in the world.

• Residents of Churchill, Canada, leave their cars unlocked to offer an escape for pedestrians who might encounter polar bears.

• Prostitution is legal in Canada. Paying for the services of a prostitute is not.

• In 2010, a Canadian man rescued a newborn baby from a Dumpster, only to find out he was the father.

• Canada has the longest coastline in the world: 151,019 miles.

• In Newfoundland, Canada, the Atlantic Ocean sometimes freezes so

We can help!

people play hockey on it.

• The U.S.-Canada border is the longest international border in the world and it lacks military defense.

• Canada has officially retained no weapons of mass destruction since 1984 and has signed treaties repudiating their possession.

• Canada declared war on Japan within hours of the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor — preceding declarations of war from the United States and United Kingdom by one day.

•“Canada” is a Huron-Iroquoian word meaning “village.”

• Police departments in Canada give out “positive tickets” when they see people doing good deeds or otherwise behaving well.

• Canada has a lower population than the Tokyo metro area.

• During WWII, Canada gave out buttons to people who tried to enlist but were refused due to medical reasons to show their willingness to fight.

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COMMUNITY

RFK, Jr. to speak All Things Senior aims to help upcoming grads at Water Summit

Event celebrates Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper’s 10th anniversary

By Reader Staff School has just started, but it’s already time for high-school seniors to think of their next steps. Sandpoint High School is offering the All Things Senior event Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the high school, offering guidance for seniors and their parents.

“It is an evening dedicated to seniors and their parents to get a glimpse of the next steps to take during and after senior year,” said Kendall Lang, the college and career mentor at SHS. The two-hour presentation will feature a college fair and numerous breakout sessions

with topics such as FAFSA, scholarship applications, college applications and more.

Attendees will have opportunities to meet with more than 30 college and military representatives, as well as learn about employment options.

This is a free event and open to the public. Seniors throughout the school district — including those from Bonners Ferry and Priest River — are encouraged to attend and bring their parents.

All Things Senior is sponsored by North Idaho Higher Education. Call 208-292-2684 or see your high-school counselor for more information.

Local rally part of Global Climate Strike

By Reader Staff The week of Friday, Sept.

20-Friday, Sept.

27 has been dubbed the Global Climate Strike, during which participants around the world will walk out of their workplaces and

homes to join demonstrators in demanding an end to the age of fossil fuels.

Sandpoint will host its own rally and march as part of the global movement on Saturday, Sept. 21 at the east end of Farmin Park in Sandpoint. There will be a rally at 1 p.m., to which organizers ask participants bring signs. Students welcome.

The rally will be followed by a #No2ndBridge march at 2 p.m., led by Wild Idaho Rising Tide.

FROM THE BLUES TO THE KIDS

Panhandle Bluesfest organizer Billy Mullaley, right, presents Priest River schools music director Alex Woodies with the $668 Mullaley earned for the community’s music programs through bluesfest. The annual event, held on Prater Mountain, took place Sept. 7 this year. Learn more about Panhandle Bluesfest on Facebook by searching for the page “Panhandle Bluesfest at Priest River, Idaho.” Courtesy photo.

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By Ben Olson Reader Staff Ask anyone who lives in North Idaho what the most important environmental asset is and nine out of 10 will likely say Lake Pend Oreille. Watching out for our favorite body of water is the Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper, which for 10 years has promoted a science-based, data-driven approach to improving water quality.

To celebrate a decade of service to the community, LPOW presents the Water Summit: “Discovering the Unseen — Exploring Our Waters’ Tiniest Organisms and Biggest Influencers” on Friday, Sept.

20 from 6-9 p.m. at the Panida Theater in Sandpoint. The event features five speakers who will discuss innovative technology and scientific breakthroughs that influence water quality, as well as keynote speaker Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. The environmental attorney, author, activist, clean technology entrepreneur and president of Waterkeeper Alliance is also the son of late-Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of late-U.S. President John F. Kennedy.

Often credited with the birth of the virtual reality field, speaker Tom Zimmerman has more than 60 patents on everything from wireless communications to biometrics devices. Zimmerman will speak about his current project developing AI-powered microscopes to monitor plankton in their natural environment.

Jonathon Eisen is a professor at U.C. Davis who will be speaking about his research focusing on mechanisms underlying the origin of novelty (how new processes and functions originate). Eisen will also explain what microbes are and why scientists study them.

Researcher Orianna Bretschger focuses on understanding the metabolism and electron transfer mechanisms within mixed microbial communities, with the goal of applying this knowledge to biotechnology development. Bretschager’s talk will focus on an exciting new wastewater treatment system that could eliminate methane production.

Lisa Zeigler Allen is an assistant professor in the Microbial and Environmental Genomics Department at the J. Craig Venter Institute in San Diego. Allen’s research is directed toward understanding microbial and viral interactions in the marine environment through large-scale metagenomic, single cell/virion genomic and cultivation based approaches.

Johnny Mojica is research lead at Earth Economics, as well as an adventurer whose

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. in 2017.

Photo courtesy Wikipedia. drive has led him to travel the world with a backpack from northern volcanoes to scuba diving in the Red Sea. Mojica will focus on the process of how to calculate a monetary value to natural resources to show what economic impact they have on a particular region.

Finally, Kennedy’s keynote address will be “inspiring and educational,” according to LPOW Executive Director Shannon Williamson.

“He gives a hell of a talk,” Williamson said. “We reached out with an invitation with no expectations that he would accept — he’s busy and doesn’t do these types of things very often — but I was blown away when he accepted.”

Tickets to the event are $35 per person and available at the Panida Theater or online at lakependoreillewaterkeeper.org.

In addition to the Water Summit, LPOW will host two other events giving more exclusive access to the speakers. On Friday, Sept. 20 from 3:30-5 p.m. there will be a meet and greet with the five speakers and Kennedy. Tickets for this event will be limited to 30 people, and beverages and light appetizers will be provided. Tickets are $100 per person while seats are available.

On Sat. Sept. 21 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., there will be a panel discussion with the five speakers over brunch at The Heartwood Center in Sandpoint, allowing for the opportunity for attendees to ask questions about their presentations. Tickets are $30 per person, with seating limited to 60 people. All three events are available for $150 per person, limited to 30 people. Anyone interested in volunteering, please email chantilly@lpow.org.

News Feature

Lost and found

Stolen goods pile up following burglary arrest

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Contributor

Over the past several months, the Sagle community was rocked by a string of burglaries that left homeowners nervous and frustrated.

Those unsettled neighborhoods are ushering in the fall with some welcome progress into that criminal investigation.

In August, the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office arrested a suspect connected to the burglaries.

And in turn, they recovered mountains of stolen guns, chainsaws, electronics and other loot.

Amounting to thousands of dollars in value, the goods are piled up in a warehouse at the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office, waiting for rightful owners to claim them.

“The people in [the Sagle community] were tremendously helpful to us in being able to investigate this and getting us to the point where we were able to make an arrest,” said Bonner County Sheriff’s Captain Tim Hemphill. “A lot of the things that enabled us to locate these stolen items and put a case together came from citizens in that neighborhood.”

Chainsaws and firearms are among the most common items recovered by law enforcement. But in total, the spread is a regular smorgasbord of North Idaho lifestyle goods.

Present in the pile are power tools, camping gear, fishing poles and tackle boxes, electronics, power tools, gardening equipment and even a drone.

From the beginning, the burglary investigation presented its share of difficulties. The targeted neighborhoods were low in population density, with long country roads and thick nighttime darkness separating houses. Only a handful of houses had security cameras equipped. What’s more, outside the summer months, many stood empty while “snowbird” owners spent their time at winter residences.

With dozens of houses burglarized over the months, residents gathered July 27 for a tense community meeting

with BCSO representatives. Attendees were anxious and suspicious. But they were also ready to organize neighborhood watch programs and assist officers with investigations.

“When we looked into it, those things turned out to be leads for us that were extremely valuable,” said Hemphill. “It’s a really good example of how the entire community benefits by having communication back and forth with us.”

According to Hemphill and Bonner County Sheriff’s Detective Matthew Wallace, residents’ help proved vital in moving the investigation forward.

Homeowners shared details that, while seemingly insignificant in isolation, wove together a narrative that pointed officers in the right direction.

The case culminated in the Aug. 4 arrest of Spencer James, who was found at a squatters’ campsite. Information stemming from the arrest resulted in the gradual recovery of stolen items, though investigators say James most likely wasn’t the only alleged thief operating in the area.

Bonner County Prosecutor Louis Marshall said the first priority is ensuring that burglary victims are made whole.

“We are working with the defense to recover all the stolen property and close out the other unsolved burglaries,” he said. “Both sides are working to get these issues resolved and will deal with resolving the charges once those issues are addressed.”

A look at some of the stolen items recovered by the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office.

Photo courtesy Cameron Rasmusson As of mid-September, only 30 percent of the recovered items have been reclaimed. The Bonner County Sheriff’s Office asks that affected homeowners check in with them and file a victim’s report with the Bonner County Prosecutor’s Office. That will help authorities get them on track to potentially recover their items.

“This morning I talked to a man who had a burglary and just didn’t bother to

report it,” said Wallace. “But his neighbor did, and his neighbor got the majority of their lost items back. So that inspired him to say, ‘Well, this is what I lost.’”

There are also useful measures citizens can take to protect themselves in the event they are burglarized. An extremely useful tool for investigators is a record compiled by homeowners with serial numbers of their most valuable possessions. It’s the easiest way to match valuables with the appropriate owner.

Discouraging would-be burglars from acting in the first place is another key preventative measure. Lately, Sagle homeowners have been taking those steps. That means forming neighborhood watch programs, installing security or game cameras, ensuring properties are well-lit, maintaining strong connections with neighbors and reporting any suspicious activity. Seasonal residents should take special care to ensure their homes are watched while they are away.

“A lot of people who have lived in this community for a long time, we’re used to keeping our doors unlocked and our cars unlocked with the keys in them. And sadly, we’re not that community any more,” said Hemphill. “So we need to change our ways and do what it takes to secure our valuables.”

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OPEN 11:30 am

GAME ROOM UPSTAIRS

event t h u r s d a y

The Psounbality with Per FRESH FOOD LIVE MUSIC THE BEST NW BREWS

212 Cedar Street Downtown Sandpoint

208.263.4005 A SandPint Tradition Since 1994

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SoupTember: Battle for the Golden Ladle 5-8pm @ Farmin Park Sample soups from your favorite local restaurants Live Music w/ Paul and Ieva Cataldo and vote for your favorite. Raffle prizes, auction and 8-11pm @ 219 Lounge live music by Browne Salmon Truck. $10. Funds Wilderness-inspired Americana benefit Sandpoint Community Resource Center Dollar Beers!

8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub

Live Music w/ Devon Wade Duo & Pamela Live Music w/ Bright Moments Jazz 5-10pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall 5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Live Music w/ Monarch Mountain Band Pamela Jean’s open set 5-7pm, Devon and 6-9pm @ Matchwood Brewing Co. play their independent country 7-10pm Water Sum Good ol’ strings and harmonies Live Music w/ Echo Elysium Live Music w/ B Radicals 6pm @ Pan 5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery 9pm-12am @ 219 Lounge Celebrate th Dynamic electric guitar set Improvisational pieces and metaphysically Kennedy, Jr described as “ethereal” inspired lyrics with danceable beats sciences. In Mugs and Music w/ Oak St. Connection Live Music w/ the Donnie Em- Grand Openi 4-6pm @ Laughing Dog Brewery erson and Nancy Sophia Band 7am-7pm @ P Live Music w/ Bright Moments Jazz Daylong even 9pm-12am @ 219 Lounge 7-10pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Emerson’s music has been heard mountain bike Live Music w/ John Firshi worldwide, including in multi- ting at 4:30 p.m 5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority ple films. Jimmy Fallon called Pend Oreille Excellent use of the guitar looper one of his songs “a great jam.” 10am-8pm @ Live Music w/ Justin Lantrip Live Music w/ Brian Jacobs Forest (1802 I 5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Food, drinks, 8-10pm @ The Back Door Originals and indie/alt covers Sandpoint Chess Club 9am @ Evans Brothers Coffee Live Music w/ Ken Mayginnes 4-6:30pm @ Matchwood Brewing

Service Industry Night 8-10pm @ Matchwood Brewing Co. DJ Back of House - a special two-hour event honoring Spt’s service workers

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

Piano Sunday 3-5pm @ Pend A favorite loca jazz, blues, cla

Lifetree Cafe 2pm @ Jalepeño’s Mexican Restaurant An hour of conversation and stories. This week’s topic: “Stem Cells”

Ou 6p A tio

Geezer Forum Robotics at the Library Night-Out Karaoke Trivia Night 2:30-4pm @ Clark F 3-5pm @ Clark Fork Library 9pm @ 219 Lounge 7pm @ MickDuff’s Hosted by Paul Gra Explore STEAM with Lego Join DJ Webrix for a Show off that big, from a summer bre Mindstorm robotics night of singing, or beautiful brain of Djembe class just come to drink yours 5:45-7:30pm @ Music Conservatory of Sandpoi and listen Join Ali Thomas for this djembe (drum) class Wind Down Wednesday 5-8pm @ 219 Lounge With live music by blues man Truck Mills and guest musician Tom Deubendorfer

Wednesdays with Benny Wino Wednesdays 6:30-9:30pm @ Connie’s Lounge with Sam Carston Join Benny Baker and guest Kyle 6:30-8:30pm @ Swaffard for this weekly music The Back Door jam on the patio

Dollar Beers!

Wet Hop Beer Release and Hoptoberfest Kickoff Party 8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub 5-8pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Good until the keg’s dry A fun evening featuring Hoptoberfest glassware, a new beer release and fall taster tray. The big game will be on and Second Ave. Pizza will have food available!

San 3-5: Loc start mus

Live 6-8p Crea solo ing.

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Sept. 19-26, 2019

Women’s Trivia night 5-9pm @ The Back Door Bar estaurants A special edition of the monthuction and ly Women’s Trivia, with guest 10. Funds speaker Katie Begalke of the Center nonprofit Return Retreats

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

Girls Pint Out 5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Cool Chicks! Great Beer! No Dudes! Join Vicki at the big table for an evening tasting and talking about Fall Beer.

Open Mic Night w/ KC Carter 9pm-midnight @ A&P’s Dine Around the Lake Tour 5-9pm @ Feelin’ Groovy Tours Enjoy spectacular sunsets with a progressive dining experience around Lake Pend Oreille, featuring stops at three of North Idaho’s most iconic lakeside dining establishments. 833-247-6689 to book

& Pamela Jean Live Music w/ Kevin Dorin 8-10pm @ The Back Door evon and Mac Kevin’s got the blues, man pm Summer in the City Tour DJ Skwish Water Summit with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 9am-12p @ Feelin’ Groovy Tours 9pm-cl @ A&P’s pm @ Panida Theater Experience Sandpoint’s local elebrate the LPOW’s 10th anniversary with keynote speaker Robert F. ennedy, Jr. and 5 featured speakers involved in high tech, emerging water landmarks, historic buildings and hidden gems. 833-247-6689 iences. Informative, entertaining and educational. $35/door Global Climate Strike and march Yoga on Tap nd Opening of Pine Street Woods 1-3pm @ Farmin Park 10:45am @ Laughing Dog Brewery -7pm @ Pine St. Woods A demonstration conveying the criong events include guided hikes, Karaoke DJ Exodus ntain bike rides and more. Ribbon cut- sis of climate change. Public rally at 8-close @ Tervan 9pm-cl @ A&P’s Farmin Park at 1 p.m, followed by a at 4:30 p.m. 208-263-9471for info Sandpoint Farmers’ Market march at 2 p.m. wildidahorisingtide. d Oreille Harvest Festival 9am-1pm @ Farmin Park m-8pm @ Indian Creek Community org for more information Produce, starts, crafts and st (1802 Indian Creek Rd. Newport Panhandle Preparedness Expo more! Live music by Kathy d, drinks, live music, family fun!

9am-5pm @ Bonner Co. Fairgrounds Colton and the Reluctants

o Sunday w/ Peter Lucht m @ Pend d’Oreille Winery vorite local pianist playing blues, classical and more

Boobs ‘n’ Beer 5k Fun Run 11am @ Matchwood Brewing Co. Registration at 9am run at 11am, live music w/ The Powers from 12-3pm

7th Annual Oktoberfest 5pm @ Memorial Community Center Live music w/ Ponderay Paradox and a bratwurst dinner. Admission free.

Outdoor Experience Monday Night Run rant 6pm @ Outdoor Experience . This A chill, three-mile(ish) group run with optional beverages to follow

orum Idaho Commission on Aging town hall @ Clark Fork Library 10:30am-2:30pm @ Sandpoint Senior Center y Paul Graves. Back ICOA plans and oversees services designed to keep seniors livmmer break ing independently. Citizens have the opportunity to comment on Idaho’s four-year Senior Services State Plan, which includes services like home-delivered meals, respite care, senior transf Sandpoint portation, minor home modification, legal assistance and more ) class

Sandpoint Farmers’ Market unge 3-5:30pm @ Farmin Park Kyle Locally grown produce, music starts, crafts and more! Live music by Desiree Aguirre

Citizens’ Climate Lobby presentation 6:30-8pm @ First Presbyterian Church Dr. Gabrielle Duebendorfer will be speaking about climate change, its causes and some potential ways to control it. Q&A will follow

rty Live Trivia 6-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery new Create a team with friends and family or play on solo! Questions are always fun and challenging. Prizes awarded for winning teams

Yappy Hour 4-7pm @ Trinity at City Beach Bring your pooch to live music, beverages and fun to support Panhandle Animal Shelter

Sept. 26-29 Manhattan Short Film Festival @ Panida Theater Sept. 27-29 Head of the Pend Oreille Regatta @ The Mudhole Sept. 28 5th annual Hoptoberfest @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall

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COMMUNITY

KLT hosting grand opening for Pine St. Woods

By Reader Staff

Kaniksu Land Trust invites one and all to attend the Saturday, Sept. 21 public opening of Pine Street Woods. A full slate of outdoor activities are planned, including mountain bike rides with Pend Oreille Pedalers; walks and hikes on new trails with doctors, forestry experts and local naturalists; yoga with teachers from We Yoga; tours of cross country trails with Sandpoint Nordic Club; and children’s crafts and games. The Burger Dock will also be on hand, serving lunch from its mobile catering trailer.

The ribbon cutting will take place at 4:30 p.m., with KLT thanking its many partners and inviting Sandpoint area residents to become acquainted with their new, 180-acre community forest.

KLT initially purchased 160 acres of forested hills and rolling meadows west of Sandpoint, but a neighbor subsequently donated an additional 20 acres. Since March, KLT has been working with a broad network of community stakeholders and volunteers to develop and imple-

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ment plans for forest management, trail construction and use, road improvements and site planning. The goal is to create an inspiring, safe and thoughtfully managed natural space where community members can learn and play in the forest. Members of Sandpoint Nordic Club, Pend Oreille Pedalers and Monday Hikers, as well as KLT volunteers, deserve special recognition for hundreds of hours dedicated to the construction of new multi-use trails at Pine Street Woods.

The purchase, which was accomplished with more than $2.1 million raised from a variety of community sources, ensures that the property, which boasts scenic views of the greater Sandpoint area, will forever be preserved as open space to be enjoyed free of charge to visitors. A myriad of supporters stepped forward to bring the project to fruition, including Equinox Foundation, LOR Foundation, U.S. Forest Service Community Forest Program, Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Idaho Forest

An aerial view of the Pine Street Woods property. Photo courtesy Kaniksu Land Trust.

Group, Middle Fork River Tours and hundreds of individuals.

Pine Street Woods is unique in that it will be used for year-round recreation and education, but is also a working forest.

The forest resources will continue to be carefully stewarded, while also serving as an ideal outdoor classroom for teaching forestry concepts to students of all ages.

Kaniksu Land Trust is a not-for-profit organization that promotes healthy communities and healthy lands in North Idaho and northwest Montana by supporting voluntary land conservation and connecting communities with nature.

For more information, including a full schedule of Pine Street Woods grand opening events and directions to the property, visit kaniksu.org. For more information visit the KLT office at 1215 Michigan St., call 208-263-9471 or go to the website.

FEATURE

Boar-barians at the gate

Feral hogs are bearing down on the Montana-Canada border, but Idaho has (so far) remained swine-free

By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff As Winston Churchill reportedly once said, “Dogs look up to you, cats look down on you. Give me a pig! He looks you in the eye and treats you as an equal.” Bitter wisdom, but are we really equal to pigs? That’s a question confronting wildlife managers in Montana, where huge populations of feral hogs are reportedly wreaking havoc as they near the United States border with Canada.

The story broke for U.S. readers after the Kalispell, Mont.-based Daily Inter Lake published a lengthy piece on the porcine pillagers, which cited “multiple reports … of groups of feral hogs being spotted ‘very close’ to the border.” Should they cross into the States from neighboring Saskatchewan and Alberta, “it would be an invasive species the likes of which the state has never seen,” the paper reported, threatening the destruction of farmland, damage to delicate ecosystems and the spread of disease.

Of more potential concern to North Idahoans, the Daily Inter Lake pointed to eight mature feral swine spotted earlier in the summer north of Lincoln County, which borders Bonner County to the east.

Media outlets far and wide picked up on the story, with Newsweek characterizing the animals in a Sept. 11 headline as “ecological train wrecks” and the U.K.-based Guardian leading its Sept. 12 story with “Crisis at the boar-der: panic as Canadian feral hogs approach the US.” But wild pigs stripping bare the countryside has been a concern for our neighbors to the north for some time. According to a 2014 report from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the pigs were imported from Europe in the 1980s and ’90s in an ill-fated effort to “diversify meat production with wild boars” — either as livestock or game for hunters.

Wiley creatures that they can be, the wild Eurasian boars slipped their pens and did as pigs do, rapidly reproducing with domestic porkers and spurring a decades-long population boom that only recently received its first systematic study, with the University of Saskatchewan releasing its findings in May. The study, which made headlines of its own, found that pig numbers had risen to dire proportions on the Canadian prairie, leading study co-author, associate professor and wildlife specialist Ryan Brook to speculate to the CBC in September that feral hogs will in the coming decades outnumber people in the province of Saskatchewan.

Though focused on regions east of the

Continental Divide, data collected in the Saskatchewan study shows isolated pockets of wild boars in British Columbia — including a population identified between 2011 and 2017 smack on the border just west of the Idaho Panhandle.

Recognizing the potential for problem pigs, B.C. officials in 2014 instituted an open season on feral hogs “anywhere and anytime in the province, as long as it is done lawfully by following all other hunting regulations including observing motor vehicle prohibitions, no shooting areas, no hunting areas, and hunting during allowed hours,” a representative of the Ministry of Forest, Lands and Natural Resources Operations Wildlife and Habitat Branch wrote in an email to the Reader.

As such, the province has managed to keep a handle on its hog situation, though the Ministry’s Wildlife and Habitat Branch did note that feral pigs, specifically razorbacks or wild boars, “can survive in virtually all environmental conditions in B.C.; however, it is estimated there are only a few in B.C., based on the lack of sightings (one to two per year). There isn’t an estimate of how many feral pigs are in B.C.” Five years ago, the CBC reported wild swine were seen in the Lower Mainland, Kamloops, Okanagan, Peace and Kootenay regions — the latter location being the long valley immediately to the north the Idaho-Canada border.

Despite the paucity of sightings immediately west of the Divide, Idaho wildlife managers are aware of the issue and keeping an eye on it.

Micah Ellstrom, who serves as regional wildlife manager for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game Panhandle Regional Office, said that his office is interested to hear of any porcine reports in the area, but because feral hogs aren’t classified as “wildlife” in Idaho, their management falls to the Idaho Department of Agriculture.

Still, Ellstrom recognized that it would be difficult to assess how many hogs might be present in the rugged territory of the North Idaho and southeast B.C. “[Pigs] revert to their secretive nature [when they go feral], and with these dense forests and difficult terrain, it would be hard to know where they are,” he told the Reader.

What’s more, he added, also by nature their numbers can rapidly grow. That’s a concern with any invasive species — just because their numbers might start small doesn’t mean they’re going to stay that way.

“Often the first kinds of things you do with any invasive is you kind of model it;

you want to go out and find out, ‘What’s the problem, what’s the geographic location, how might they invade? What geographic corridors might they follow?’” said Professor James Nagler, who serves as chair of the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Idaho.

While Nagler wasn’t aware that feral pigs had been spotted in British Columbia, he has followed the larger issue — pointing to the widespread damage caused by rogue rooters in the American South.

The USDA estimates that wild swine are responsible for $1.5 billion in expenses nationwide each year related to direct damage to crops and livestock, as well as control efforts. According to the Daily Inter Lake, quoting Dale Nolte, who directs the USDA’s National Feral Swine Program, that number could rise to $2.5 billion if their numbers and range grow unabated.

In an effort to slow the destruction, USDA in June announced $75 million in funding for swine eradication and control efforts focused on the southern states. Idaho isn’t on the agency’s radar, primarily because the Gem State has already dealt once before with a breakout of wild swine in the southern part of the state about 10 years ago, when wild pigs were released in the Bruneau Valley area southeast of Boise. Hunting and trapping eliminated that population, leading USDA to consider Idaho pig-free.

Keeping it that way is of primary concern to invasive species experts like Nagler, who specializes in issues related to northern pike. Though still awaiting official university approval, Nagler said he is helping establish a new research center at UI specifically focused on the study of invasive species.

“We’re hoping to do the whole range,”

Courtesy illustration. he said, listing everything from rangeland plants like cheatgrass to insect pests destroying forests and crops to animals such as fish and, yes, potentially hogs.

“Here you’ve got a pretty large mammal that we may have to turn our attention to,” he said. “We’ll be looking for new problems in the Pacific Northwest, and there will be no other center like this in the region.”

In the meantime, wildlife managers on both sides of the border ask anyone who sees a pig in the bush to report it to the appropriate authorities. In B.C., where there is no official feral swine monitoring program, those who encounter the animals are encouraged to report sightings to the Report All Poachers and Polluters line at 1-877-952-7277. In Idaho, contact either the Idaho Department of Ag of IDFG Panhandle Regional Office in Coeur d’Alene, which can then relay time, date and location information to Ag. Ultimately — as with any invasive species — it’s all about early detection.

“The big thing with invasives is you need to jump on them early, because once they get going…,” said Nagler, trailing off.

“That’s the thing with the zebra mussel, they let it go too late and now it’s a huge problem.”

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FEATURE

The artists in repose World-renowned artists Ed and Nancy Kienholz laid to rest side-by-side on Howe Mountain

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff Edward Kienholz has been waiting 25 years for his driver.

The world-renowned artist was buried in his 1940 Packard Coupe on Howe Mountain in Hope after his death in 1994. Embalmed, seated in an upright position in the passenger seat with a dollar bill and a deck of cards in his shirt pocket, Ed rests. In the car with him is a bottle of Chianti and the ashes of his beloved dog.

Ed’s burial was his final art installation, though incomplete until now.

His wife, Nancy Reddin Kienholz, drove Ed into his grave — literally, in the driver’s seat — in 1994, then went on to continue their joint artistic legacy until her death last month.

“Nancy was always going to be the driver,” Ed’s son Noah Kienholz told the Reader, “so he’s been waiting for 25 years.”

Nancy died Aug. 7 in Houston at age 75. Because she died so far from North Idaho, her family opted for cremation rather than embalming. Still, Noah confirmed that Nancy’s ashes will make it to the front seat of the Packard, poised to drive Ed and herself the rest of the way into the afterlife.

As Nancy’s obituary appeared in national news outlets last month, most all made passing mention of her and Ed’s home and studio in Hope. Many North Idahoans knew the Kienholz’s as neighbors, though their international fame in the art world preceded them. Ed was making a name for himself as a provocative installation artist in Los Angeles in the 1950s and ’60s when he met then-29-year-old Nancy — a photojournalist at the time — at a party her mother hosted in 1972.

“I knew who he was,” Nancy told the Guardian in 2009. “You could not not have known who Ed Kienholz was.”

Ed’s work was making major waves, most notably his installation “Back Seat Dodge ’38” when it showed at the L.A. County Art Museum in 1964. The piece depicted a couple being intimate in the back seat of a car. It was the first of many times an Ed Kienholz original would create conversation, and according to a 18 /

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statement following his iconic installation “Five Car Stud” — which depicted six white men castrating a black man in a scene lit by five surrounding vehicles — that was the point.

“I should probably add that in my mind my work has always taken on a kind of life and identity of its own and as I push one way it seems to push back another. In this continuing internal dialogue I understand things better and do hopefully grow,” Ed wrote. “The conversation with ‘Five Car Stud’ is still very painful and slow, but one thing has been established for sure: if six to one is unfair odds in my tableau, then 170 million to 20 million is sure as hell unfair odds in my country.”

Nancy became Ed’s fifth wife, and ultimately, his artistic partner. Though an accomplished photographer in her own right, she “claimed to have attended the School of Kienholz throughout their partnership,” according to the Los Angeles Times.

Ed purchased property in Hope in 1959 and the Kienholz family — comprised of the couple and their three children from other relationships — moved to Hope full time in 1976. Locals recall Ed playing a Civil War-era bugle when the

Clark Fork High School football team, on which Noah played, scored. Noah, who said his father was a classically trained French horn player, remembers the bugle in another context.

“When we were kids here in the summer on the [Hope] Peninsula, when it was time to eat he’d blow the bugle,” Noah said. “He’d blow it once and you had five minutes to get there. If he blew it twice, you better show up winded. If he had to blow it a third time, he’d play ‘Taps.’”

After Ed died, Nancy continued her own artistic endeavors in collage, sculpture and holographics. She also kept very busy restoring older installments of Ed’s to be shown in galleries across the world.

In the fall of 2009, as she prepared “The Hoerengracht (Whores’ Canal)” — a lifesize installation of a 1980s Amsterdam brothel district — for a showing at the National Gallery in London, Guardian reporter Kate Connolly visited Nancy in Hope. During the interview, Nancy expressed her annoyance that construction on her art studio was not yet completed.

“They’ve gone off to hunt elk for two weeks, leaving me with a building site,” she said. As she and her husband’s art

Top left: Edward and Nancy Kienholz. Photo by Marsha Burns. Courtesy L.A. Louver, Venice, CA. Top right: “The Merry-Go-World or Begat By Chance and the Wonder Horse Trigger,” 1988-1992. Mixed media tableau. 115 x 184 in (292.1 x 467.4 cm).

Courtesy L.A. Louver, Venice, CA. drew commentary on the world at large, the world turned as usual in Hope, Idaho.

In 1981, Ed issued an official statement crediting all of his work from 1972 onward in both his and Nancy’s names.

Colin Wiggins, a retired curator at the National Gallery in London, told the Los Angeles Times what he saw as the difference between the work Ed completed alone and the work he did with Nancy by his side.

“Ed’s work as a solo artist is grotesque, angry and macho,” Wiggins said.

“His subjects were often things that angered him. His work yells out its rage to the spectator. This didn’t change when Nancy came along. The rage continued, but now the work gently added another feature that I would define as empathy.”

Like the team they were in life, Ed and Nancy Kienholz remain side-by-side in death — riding in the old Packard.

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OUTDOORS

(F)all aboard

Scenic Pend Oreille River Train offers September and October rides

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff

As the Newport/Priest River Rotary Club launches its season of fall rides aboard the Scenic Pend Oreille River Train (SPORT), many riders will seize the chance to see North Idaho from the seat of a historic passenger train. While gorgeous riverside views and wildlife are likely sights along the way, SPORT committee co-chair Scott Roberts said the leaves lining the tracks are quite the spectacle this time of year.

“They’re just now starting to change, but by the time we really get into it — especially into October — [the colors] will just be fantastic,” he said.

The SPORT will make its inaugural fall 2019 voyage this weekend. Rides are scheduled for 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 21-Sunday, Sept. 22, then every Saturday and Sunday in October at the same daily times. Rides, which run north from Newport to Dalkena, Wash. and back, last about 90 minutes. Organizers suggest that all riders arrive at the Newport Train Depot at least a half an hour before the train is scheduled to leave the station.

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Roberts said the three finale rides Sunday, Oct. 27 will be Halloween rides, complete with costumes and goodies.

“We’re going to encourage our riders — especially kids — to dress up for that,” he said.

“We’ll be giving out treats.”

The seven-car train features three open-air cars, which Roberts highly suggested for getting the full experience on fall rides — as long as riders dress warmly.

“If the weather is good, I believe it’s the best way to ride,” Roberts said of the open cars. “You really get to experience the outdoors.”

The SPORT also features three enclosed cars, an ever-popular caboose and a new

speaker system that ensures all riders can hear narrator Brian Orr as he details the history of the land alongside the tracks.

“He does a phenomenal job,” Roberts said. “As we hit different areas, Brian will tell the story of the specific area that we’re going through.”

Riders should also beware the legendary Dalkena Wild Bunch Gang — train robbers who might just pay the SPORT a visit. However, the robbery is all fun and games, as the nefarious crew is often made up of local 4-H kids or similar groups simply looking for a good-hearted donation during the pretend stick-up.

Tickets to ride the SPORT can be bought ahead of time at

sporttrainrides.com or by calling 1-877-525-5226 between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Buy tickets the day of your chosen ride at the Newport Train Depot. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for children ages 3-12 and senior citizens, and children under 3 ride for free.

Profits from ticket sales go directly to the Newport/ Priest River Rotary chapter, which then distributes it though secondary education scholarships, athletics and robotics programs, and other local and international causes. Roberts said last year Rotary spent between $4,000 and $5,000 and collaborated with local electricians to make sure downtown

Left: Conductor Brad Mingay waves to passersby. Right: the SPORT Train chugging along the tracks. Courtesy photos.

Newport would have Christmas lights for years to come.

Among the many missions of the Newport/Priest River Rotary Club — and one of particular importance right now — is replenishing membership with young locals eager about civic involvement.

“We need new, young Rotarians,” Roberts said. “We have an old guard that’s running things, and we need some new blood.”

For more information on the fall SPORT rides, visit sporttrainrides.com.

OUTDOORS

Local program scales snow sports for tight family budgets

By Reader Staff People come from all over to enjoy North Idaho’s world-class outdoor activities. However, while tourists and those involved in the local ski industry clearly understand the joy that snow sports offer, many in the shadows of the mountain have no idea.

A large percentage of the children growing up with Schweitzer Mountain Resort in their backyard never experience what the slopes provide. These kids, whose families are the hard-working backbone of the community, never get to enjoy what many of us take for granted because the expenses that go along with skiing and snowboarding are simply too high for their household budget.

This was illustrated by a fourth-grade student, who after being given a free day of skiing and lessons, wrote a thank-you note saying: “Thank you for the best day of my life. I probably

won’t see any of you ever again.

So goodbye.”

Enter the North Idaho Mountain Sports Education Fund, Inc., otherwise known as NIMSEF — a nonprofit founded to provide children with more than just one day on the mountain. It is governed by a volunteer board of directors that receives zero compensation. Expenses are minimal, allowing the majority of donations to directly benefit the children they sponsor.

NIMSEF exists to provide all the children of our community an opportunity to participate in skiing or snowboarding.

“We believe this not only provides the child with a lifelong activity, but it gives the child a sense of belonging, accomplishment and pride — all of which can help children do better in school, stay off drugs and have a good work ethic,” the organization stated in a news release.

The NIMSEF program not only teaches skiing and snow-

boarding, but engages kids, allowing them to work for a portion of their tuition and participate in fundraising.

Schweitzer has agreed to work with NIMSEF and set up a program — at greatly reduced tuition — that will enroll scholarship students in an eightweek, all-day lessons program.

All children ages 7 to 17 who qualify based on economic need and live in Bonner and Boundary

‘Eat in For Ethan’ supports NAMI

By Reader Staff The third Thursday of each month is all about mental health at Uptown Bagel Co. The bagel shop has pledged to donate a portion of the proceeds from each sandwich sold that day to the North Idaho chapter of the National Association for Mental Illness, known as NAMI Far North.

Uptown owners Angelina Henry and Marcy Timblin, both locals, realized that despite the natural beauty and friendly people here, the incidence of depression and mental illness is high compared to other parts of the country. In fact, Idaho ranks seventh in the country for suicide. Nearly everyone is touched by some form of mental illness.

Timblin herself has a grown child who suffers from schizophrenia.

Uptown’s “Eat in For Ethan” is dedicated to Ethan Murray, the son of local shop owner Justine

Murray, who recently lost his life due to his ongoing battle with mental illness. Ethan had suffered from schizophrenia and was unable to get help for his condition despite exhaustive efforts by his mother. Justine is using her story to bring attention to the stigma and challenges of establishing proper care for those with mental illness.

Uptown owners and staff hope that this initiative will encourage people to talk openly about mental illness and learn more about it through NAMI Far North.

“Eat In For Ethan” takes place at Uptown Bagel Co., 313 N. Third Ave. in downtown Sandpoint on Thursday, Sept.

counties can receive a season pass, bus pass and equipment rental and the lesson program via Schweitzer and NIMSEF. The program created by Schweitzer puts the children in groups of similar age and ability, and the group stays with the same coach for the entire program (all coaches are certified instructors).

This all-day program takes place on either Saturday or Sunday, but the pass and equipment rental are

Local schoolchildren skiing at Schweitzer with the help of NIMSEF. Courtesy photo. valid all season.

Any donations received are greatly appreciated and will help North Idaho children realize the dream of being a part of something special. Send donations to: North Idaho Mountain Sports Education Fund, Inc. (NIMSEF), P.O. Box 170, Ponderay, ID, 83852.

Celebrate the fall season at the Pend Oreille Harvest Fest developing projects to benefit the community. Guided tours are Sharing the bounty of another also available over the weekend.

This is a free, easy-to-find, year’s harvest is one of the many family-friendly entertainment joys of being a farmer in North option for an early fall weekend.

Idaho. Celebrate the season by attending the fourth annual Pend There will be warm food for sale, as well as desserts. Enjoy the vaOreille Harvest Festival. riety of performances and dance The two-day festival, located six miles north of Newport, Wash., to the musical talent on stage under the skies and beneath the offers one-of-a-kind arts and crafts, locally-grown produce, live stars of the rolling countryside.

The event is intended to music and other performances, support and showcase the local as well as demonstrations to help cottage industries of the Pend usher in the fall season.

Oreille Valley region.

As a result, Join the outdoor festival Sateach vendor must have had a urday, Sept. 21 from 10 a.m.-8 hand in making or inventing the p.m. and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22 in the Indian Creek products or produce they offer for sale at the festival.

Community Forest, 1802 Indian For more Creek Road in Pend Oreille Harvest Fest information, Newport. or for a vendor A former horse Saturday, Sept. 21, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday.

Sept.

22, 10 a.m.-4 registration form, ranch, the forest p.m.; FREE. Indian Creek Commuemail info@ now houses the nity Forest, 1802 Indian Creek porta.us.

Kalispel Tribe Road (six miles north of Newport, native tree nursery Wash.), info@porta.us. and several other

By Reader Staff

Ethan and Justine Murray.

Courtesy photo.

19 from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information email marcy@ uptownbagels.com or call 208263-9276.

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STAGE & SCREEN

Finding power in story

Panida features emPOWERed — a documentary on Native American student filmmakers

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff

Few things empower a person like being given the tools and confidence to tell their story.

The Johnson-O’Malley film program strives to do just that by teaming up with Holt Hamilton Films to help Native American students from the Jicarilla Apache Nation in New Mexico become bonafide writers, directors and producers of their very own films.

The film program, which has been in place for four years, is the focus of the recently released Holt Hamilton Films documentary emPOWERed, which will screen Thursday, Sept. 19-Sunday, Sept.

22 at the Panida Theater.

Holt Hamilton Films, best known for the cult classic More Than Frybread, is committed to sharing “great indigenous stories that Hollywood will never tell, by casting young and old, undiscovered and discovered, Native American actors,” said director Travis Holt Hamilton.

Holt Hamilton partnered with teachers in Jicarilla Apache schools to teach students to use camera, sound and editing equipment in order to make a film from start to finish. Those original stories were then

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Native American students from Jicarilla Apache Nation on set during a film shoot. Photo courtesy Holt Hamilton Films. showcased in a student film festival — a process chronicled in emPOWERed. “It turned those youth around.

The ones that are real quiet — soon they’re outgoing, and pretty soon it’s making a difference in their lives,” said program director Lynn Roanhorse in the official documentary trailer. “It makes them feel like they’re a part of something — something

very powerful.”

Patricia Walker, executive director of the Panida, said film programs like the one utilized by Jicarilla Apache Nation schools and highlighted in emPOWERed help young people “find a voice.”

“Empowering our youth benefits us all, and it’s great to be able to show a film highlighting this in our Native American youth,” she said.

event at which the kids origiThe documentary culminates by showing a few of the films nally shared their films with the the students in the broader comemPOWERed at the Johnson-O’Malmunity. “Native Panida Theater ley program communities that created.

Thursday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m.; Friday, want to do this “The kids — you can do it.

Sept. 20, 6 p.m.; Saturday, Sept.

21, 7 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 22, 3 were so proud.

We have to invest They were beam- p.m; $6 online or at the door. in them and this Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., ing,” Roanhorse is a good way to said in the trailer, 208-263-9191, panida.org. do it.” referring to the

EATS & DRINKS

Home away from home

Inside Sandpoint’s newest hangout The Longshot

its rattan chairs or cozied in a burgundy-hued leather lounger, it’s easy to forget you’re at the corner of Pine and Boyer.

Stepping into The Longshot Meticulously and lovingly cafe feels a bit like stepping curated as the interior is, the outside of Sandpoint — in a same could be said for the food good way. Though located and drink. in the former Wrenco Arms Open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Monbuildings on the busy corner of day, Wednesday and Thursday; Pine Street and Boyer Avenue, 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Sunday; a stone’s throw from the bustle and closed on Tuesdays, The of Highway 2, the interior is a Longshot calls itself an “all world apart: huge old-school day cafe” with breakfast fare roll maps of the United States, on order until 3 p.m. followed Europe and Australia hang from by lunch and dinner snacks, the walls, interspersed with vinincluding hot and cold sandtage mountain scenes that look wiches, salads, and “little” taken the pages of a mid-centuand “big” charcuterie options, ry outdoors magazine. alongside natural wine, beer The overall decor hews something deeply pleasing to be both robust and delicate The exterior sign and interior layout of and a range of non-alcoholic closely to that mid-century The Longshot. Photos by Racheal Baker. without succumbing to the beverages, many about a perfectly crisped slab theme, with of bread piled with a schmear sickly sweetness suffered by of them handmismatched The Longshot the market with a dedicated of zesty pesto, supple avocado, so many other cuppas of the crafted. period chairs and corps of customers who come punchy arugula and a boiled type. Most pleasing was the Open 7 a.m.-9 p.m., MonOn a rainy tables arranged day, Wednesday and for the pleasing vibe and stay egg sliced and seasoned with lingering lavender aftertaste, recent Wednesartfully through- Thursday; 7 a.m.-11 p.m. for the top-notch vittles — a salt, pepper and paprika. A enriched with the nutty depth day morning we out the airy, Friday-Sunday; closed toast to this toast: It maintains of Understory’s beans. Full dis- combination that another patron ordered the pesopen space — Tuesday. 102 S. Boyer Ave., to, avocado and its structural integrity despite closure: We are not latte drink- characterized as something more brightened with longshotsandpoint.com. ers by nature, but the notion of than a mere coffee shop, “I’d call egg toast ($8.50) the generosity of its toppings. white-painted What’s more, it’s a perfectly a lavender latte lured us in. We it a day lounge,” he said. and lavender brick, whiteWe concur, and would add filling mid-morning snack. were not disappointed. latte ($4.25). Though toast as washed beams and ceiling, a any day spent at this home away As for the latte, we were Opened in late August, The a dish is sometimes derided as long blonde wood bar topped from home is a day well spent. surprised by how it managed Longshot has already cornered haute-hipster cuisine, there’s with breezy taupe and periwinkle clay squares, and globe lights emitting a gentle glow.

High industrial windows let in Boobs ’n’ Beer turns Oktoberfest into a party in support of local cancer services ample natural light, culminating in what one diner called Registration begins at 9 a.m. will be on

By Ben Olson “the most aesthetically pleason race day. Costumes are highly hand playing Reader Staff ing space in Sandpoint.” encouraged — sport head-to-toe live music, Long story short: The pink to support breast cancer and there will awareness month, or go for the be a kids’ Longshot, which features Benefit local cancer support Oktoberfest theme and bust out zone with Understory coffee and tea, services while having a blast with the lederhosen. face painting 7B Women’s Boobs ’n’ Beer 5k would fit nicely on Alberta After the race, join fellow runand bounce Fun Run and Oktoberfest.

Street in Portland or Fremont ners for an Oktoberfest celebration houses.

The fourth annual event will in Seattle. (Bonus: you can at Matchwood.

Registratake place Saturshop for flannel shirts, trendy Registration tion is $45 day, Sept. 21 at Boobs ‘n’ Beer 5k Fun winter coats and assorted hats, includes a beer for adults 11 a.m. at MatchAttendees at a previous Boobs ’n’ Beer event Run and Oktoberfest and bratwurst, mugs, branded koozies, bowls, (includes race, beer, brat and a wood Brewing in colorful regalia. Courtesy photo. chairs, even a vintage mod T-shirt) and $10 for kids 12 and Co., and will raise Saturday, Sept. 21, late registra- with a portion of fireplace — many gleaned by tion at 9 a.m., run start at 11 a.m.; beer sales going to under. Late registration is $55 funds to support picked up Friday, Sept. 20 from support the cause. for adults and $15 for kids, so be the owners at estate sales — at Celebrate Life $10-$55. Matchwood Brewing Co., 513 Oak St. 7bwomen.com 3-6 p.m. at Matchwood Brewing Coeur d’Alene sure to register before 10 p.m. on the end of the bar). and Community for more information. band The Powers Thursday, Sept. 19. Packets can be or the morning of the race.

Cancer Services.

Again: Sitting in one of

By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff

‘Support the boobs, drink the beer’

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EATS & DRINKS

More than craft beer

Utara Brewing Co. pairs fast, casual Indian food with craft beer

By Ben Olson Reader Staff Indecision can sometimes be fortuitous.

Early in the planning process for what would become Utara Brewing Co., husband-and-wife owners Dave Kosiba and Christina Stecher were split on what direction they wanted to take their new business.

With his work in the craft beer industry, Kosiba wanted to go the brewery route, but his Stecher wanted a fast-casual Indian eatery.

“We said, ‘What are we doing? Let’s just do this,’ and we combined the two,” Kosiba said. “It’s actually common in England to have a curry ale house.”

The result of the pairing is a thoughtful, unique venture in Sandpoint. Evidence of the Indian theme can be seen everywhere, from the menu to the elephants on the logo to the very name Utara, which means “of the north” in Sanskrit.

“I lived in Indonesia for 10 years post-college and my wife interned in India as a hospitality specialist,” Kosiba said. “She really saw a need in this community for a certain type of food that hadn’t been offered.”

Stetcher and Kosiba first learned their flavor profiles and developed a menu while studying under a native-born Indian cooking instructor in Seattle 10 years ago.

“Unlike most Indian cuisine that’s been Americanized with lots of clarified butter, fat and salt flavors, we chose to migrate more towards how one might cook at home,” Kosiba said.

The brewery opened in the old Lightning Lube building at 214 Pine St. in Sandpoint in June 2018 and rolled out slowly, hoping to build momentum in the competitive world of craft brewing through word of mouth.

The large bay doors through which cars used to exit and enter the former-oil change station now offer the brewery-eatery an open, breezy feel. There is still a garage feel to the building, with the original stained concrete floor and old signage offering “10-minute service.” Outdoor seating is available next to a hop garden along Pine Street and behind the building, providing a comfortable atmosphere for a casual pint and a bite.

Utara’s core beers — which range from Czech lagers to IPAs to porters and stouts — are usually named after something distinctly North Idaho: Two Mouths Pale Ale, Mineral Point New England IPA, Maiden Rock IPA, Pine Street Porter and more.

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/ September 19, 2019

Monday.

One recent Monday release was the Tangerine Lager, a light, not-too-fruity brew with a crisp finish. We also ordered the Ginland Northwest IPA, which boasts a unique tinge of gin flavor owing to its brewing process, which includes chips of gin barrel staves.

As for food, the chips vindaloo is one of four types of chips (or fries, as we call them on this side of the pond) tossed with traditional Indian flavors. It’s a simple dish easy to share with friends for only $6.50, and the zesty vindaloo sauce brings it to a higher plane.

The pakora roll was one of our favorites.

The fried snack is best described as an Indian gyro, containing tikka masala, fontina cheese, cabbage, pickled onions, yogurt and cilantro-serrano chutney wrapped in savory naan.

At only $7, this could easily be a meal for one.

We also ordered samosas, the traditional Indian pastry pocket with savory filling. These came in a close second, thanks to from-scratch pastry and two delicious dipping sauces.

Finally, we ordered the curry sampler, which included small portions of dal makhani, saag and tikka masala. Patrons can order rice, or do as we did and just get an extra order of naan to dip into the curry.

The sampler is also a bargain at $8.

We left after spending only $40 on two pints and four dishes — way too much food for only two diners, but that’s what the doggy bag is for, right? Chefs Cory Lobdell and Amanda Wion deserve much praise for their dishes. Utara also offers a multitude of

The Curry Sampler at Utara Brewing Co. Photo by Ben Olson

gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options.

As if the food and drink offerings weren’t enough, music lovers have enjoyed Utara’s intimate After Hours concerts this summer.

Kosiba said Mike Nunke from Full Circle Productions has taken charge of the music booking.

“Mike and I have been in the music industry in the past and we know how tough it is to find a ‘listening room’ in Sandpoint with people paying attention to the music,” Kosiba said. “We just want to offer a different vibe than the bar thing. People don’t walk in and get rowdy. You pay your money to come in and support the music.”

For a small cover — usually $10, which goes directly to the musicians — listeners can check out some excellent artists performing under the broad Americana musical genre. The next show on the schedule is duo When Particles Collide on Sunday, Sept. 29 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Find Utara on Facebook for a full lineup of shows.

Utara Brewing Co. is open Monday-Thursday from 12-8 p.m., Friday-Saturday from 12-9 p.m. and closed Sundays (except when an After Hours music show is planned). Learn more at utaraidaho.com or call 208-627-5070.

Car crash sets back Clark Fork Food Bank

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff

Many people’s lives were thrown into turmoil when several vehicles collided Sept.

6 on U.S. 95 north of Sandpoint.

The pileup also created complications for the Clark Fork Food Bank, which lost 300 pounds of meat due to damage and spoilage. One vehicle involved in the crash belonged to a food bank volunteer hauling meat from three pigs and a lamb back to Clark Fork from Wood’s Meat Processing.

The meat was purchased and donated by several community members.

The Clark Fork Food Bank, which serves between 35 and 50 people each week, relies heavily on donations such as the lost meat in order to provide weekly goods and more hefty monthly boxes. The

food bank also provides fixings for holiday meals in November and December.

With the setback weighing on the food bank’s reserves, volunteer Kaelene Bare emphasized that now is a good time to support the food bank by donating non-perishable goods, money or volunteer time to ensure the service remains available to the community.

Bare said that while people often assume everything a food bank receives from organizations like Second Harvest is free, it’s actually not.

The food bank, located at the Seventh Day Adventist Church on Pine Street in Clark Fork, is open every Wednesday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Those with questions should call 208-266-0321 between those hours.

Clark Fork Food Bank volunteer Kaelene Bare sorts through a monthly food box. Photo by Lyndsie Kiebert

MUSIC

Sounds from outside

219 closes out the last weekend of summer with a trio of out-of-town bands

By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff Summer is typically tour season for traveling bands, and a handful of out-of-towners are swinging through the 219 Lounge in the days immediately before the calendar flips to fall.

First up is Paul and Ieva Cataldo, a husband-and-wife duo who are about as “out-of-town” as you can get. Living in their Ford Explorer and Scamp trailer home while they play an average of more than 200 shows every year, Paul and Ieva hail from Massachusetts and Lithuania, respectively. Though a New Englander by birth and upbringing, Paul lived for a spell in Asheville, N.C., where he evolved an Appalachian-infused style of backwoods Americana. Today, the Cataldos are inveterate wanderers, putting on shows from Florida to Alaska and Lithuania to Portugal.

Catch Paul and Ieva on Thursday, Sept. 19 from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. In the meantime, check out their newest album Wild & Free, which dropped in 2018, on iTunes, Spotify, Pandora and Amazon.

Follow the couple’s travel video travel diary Free, Wild & Restless

on YouTube. For even more, go to paulcataldo.com to read Paul’s voluminous and entertaining blog, filled with musings, travelogues and the occasional righteous rant.

On Saturday, Sept. 20, Spokane-based rockers the B Radicals come to the 219, bringing their distinctive brand of psychedelia-tinged “existential experimental rock-funk,” which takes audiences “on a polyrhythmic trip through ethereal realms.”

Far from word salad, the B Radicals’ self-applied descriptors are radically apt. Songs like “Strange Travels” and “Galactic Circles” traffick in a trippy sensibility that conjures King Crimson and David Bowie crossed with the ever-expanding universe of riffs typified by spacier cuts from the Grateful Dead. Far from a mind-spiralling electro jam band, the B Radicals turn out some truly unique sounds — look no further than “Go Go Gadget Funk,” which launches listeners through a sonic wormhole of funk bordered on both sides with didgeridoo.

Be ready to get all kinds of spacey, groovy and funky at the 219 from 9 p.m.-midnight.

Finally, on Sunday, Sept. 21,

BAND WAGON

the Donnie Emerson and Nancy Sophia Band comes to the 219 with its blend of pop, R&B, classic rock, funk, blues, disco, jazz and country. If that felt like a list of darn near every musical genre there is, you’d be picking up on something fundamental about the band: It can do and does a little bit of everything. A fan of KD Lane?

Check. Marvin Gaye? Check.

Johnny Cash? You get the picture.

Frontman Emerson is also a bit of an underground rock legend.

The song “Baby,” which he wrote and recorded in the late 1970s with his brother when they were teenage farm boys in Fruitland, Wash., was rediscovered in 2012 and covered

by Ariel Pink. From there, “Baby,” off the Emerson brothers’ album Dreamin’ Wild, became a sleeper hit — drawing awe-toned praise

Paul and Ieva Cataldo. Courtesy photo. from no less than late-night talk show host Jimmy Fallon, who in response to a question in 2015 about what he’s been jamming out to, responded, “the song is so cool … it’s a great jam.”

It’s unlikely that “Baby” will make into the set list at the 219 — husband-and-wife team Emerson and Sophia’s band tends toward groovier, sax-inflected fare — but based on the enormous range of genres in their repertoire, there’ll be something for everyone.

All shows are 21+ and FREE. 219 Lounge, 219 N. First Ave., 208-263-5673, 219.bar. Food will be available at the 219 patio from Shilla Korean BBQ, 208-8375488, facebook.com/tanyagere.

A snapshot of notable live music coming up in Sandpoint

Echo Elysium, Sept. 20, Pend d’Oreille Winery

Wednesdays with Benny, Sept. 25, Connie’s

The Prince vibes are strong with this one, but Echo Elysium never fails to bring confident finesse and a unique groove to his brand of guitar-heavy rhythm and blues.

Elysium is a Spokane-based guitarist who has mastered the instrument in its many sonic forms. From heavy electric to softened acoustic, the musician’s Pink Floyd-meets-gospel sound is hard to categorize. Constants throughout Elysium’s work are his passionate vocals and ability to transport the listener with smooth layers of beats, jiving guitar and compelling story.

On his own musical philosophy, Elysium said: “My main goal as a performer is to inspire and bring people together in the Spirit of Love.”

—Lyndsie Kiebert

Benny Baker has been making music for a long time. His classic rock band The Other White Meat has opened for such acts as George Thorogood, Styx, REO Speedwagon, the Doobie Brothers and more.

During the temperate months, Baker hosts a weekly music show on the patio at Connie’s Lounge called Wednesdays with Benny.

At each show, Baker invites a fellow musician to play a set and jam with him on stage. The next act will be Kyle Swaffard from Coeur d’Alene. Baker has played music with Swaffard in different capacities for the past 28 years, so the duo should have a handful of gems to share.

— Ben Olson

5-8 p.m., FREE. Pend d’Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar St., 208-2658545, powine.com. Listen at echoelysium.com.

This week’s RLW by Zach Hagadone

READ

We’re moving into harvest and hunting season, which makes food and the act of preparing it top of mind. Though we lost him in 2016, sometimes-Montana resident and iconic American writer Jim Harrison penned some of the best words on fishing, shooting, harvesting and eating that you’re likely to read. Bring your appetite to his posthumously published anthology of food columns, A Really Big Lunch, and you’ll be treated to a feast.

LISTEN

The rap battle is enshrined in the history of hip-hop as both an arena for epic disses and a showcase for lyrical brilliance. Hidden in that observation is the sneakily subversive premise behind hit YouTube series Epic Rap Battles of History. The channel, run

by Lloyd “EpicLLOYD” Ahlquist and Peter “Nice Peter” Shukoff since 2010, pits real and imagined characters in musical beatdowns that are as witty as they are surprisingly historically sound. From William Wallace vs. George Washington to Mr. Rogers vs. Mr. T, these are battles in which the listener always wins.

WATCH

We don’t really know why critics seem so averse to Amazon’s new streaming show Carnival Row. The Metascore at Metacritic puts the first season at 58 out of 100, while the Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score is a sickly 55%. Audiences are much more positive, giving it 8/10 and 87% on the respective review sites. Set in an alternate steampunk-ish/Victorianesque version of London amid political unrest between humans and magical creatures, it’s beautiful, brutal, sexy, complex and well acted. Trust your gut on this one, not the critics.

6:30-9:30 p.m., FREE, 21+. Connie’s Lounge patio, 323 Cedar St., 208-255-2227.

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HOROSCOPE

The Real Folk Horoscope

Little reminders for re-realizing who you may or may not be

From Pend Oreille Review, Oct. 24, 1929

THREE TAKE SWIM WHEN BOAT FLOPS Three young men who went fishing in the south fork of the Clarksfork river Monday escaped with a cold bath when their boat swamped after the motor quit and drifted against a log. The three were thrown into the water but two got to shore by hanging on to the boat and the other, missing the boat had to swim for it, but made shore despite the fact that he was weighed down with heavy clothing.

The three young men were LaVance Weskil and his two guests, Robert Grady and Norman Minch of Colfax. They left their cottage at Talache early Monday morning and arrived at the south fork about 7 o’clock.

The current was swift in the river and it was all the motor could do to push the boat upstream.

About a half mile from the mouth the motor quit and the boat rapidly drifted downstream, striking a log before the oars could be used. The current pressed the boat against the log and filled it with water. One of the oars was broken in trying to get the boat loose from the drift. As it filled the boat rolled over and floated free. Weskil and Minch hung on to the boat but Grady missed it as it floated away. He was encumbered with a heavy coat and other outing clothing which made it hard for him to swim in the swift water.

However, after struggling he made shallow water and waded ashore. Young Weskil and Minch hung on to the boat until it neared shore and then jumped off. The boat went around a bend in the river and that is the last they saw of it.

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/ September 19, 2019

By Cody Lyman Reader Columnist

Virgo The stars think now would be a good time to ask yourself what perpetual loops play out in your own life — besides those obvious ones. Like maybe it’s time to wonder, really wonder why you’re so preoccupied with money.

Libra

Every time I sit in my study after sacrificing the chosen virgin on the fourth full moon of the year, consulting esoteric maps by the light of my sacred moose-fat candle and stroking my beard with a belly full of magical fruit, one thing always becomes very clear to me, which is that beans make me gassier than the stars.

I bet you have an equally discomforting reality check this month. Try ignoring it, see where that gets you.

Scorpio

You know, being the master astrologist that beyond any doubt I am, and things moving in cycles as they invariably do, I often find myself feeling the need to repeat myself — not unlike any old layman. So, lately, I’ve been trying out something new: channeling extraterrestrials. It’s a different degree of celestial interpreting. Which brings us to you. An intergalactic council of alien races advises that our species must develop a new language in which to view the world around and within ourselves if we are to survive. Special as you aren’t, you fall under the umbrella of all that is human. Thus, you should probably take up a new language or revitalize an ancient one. Might the council suggest Esperanto, or Latin.

Sagittarius

The celestiapeds of Antares-2 have no concept of eating or breathing. To them, there is only laughter. It is the sole sustenance that sustains them. The cosmos they inhabit has an Eternal Sense of Humor, an often dark and twisted sense of humor, though it is. The only thing they have resembling worship is based on the idea that life is a joke. It could be a good joke. It could be a bad joke. It is, most definitely, an inside joke. Their only spiritual practice, if

you can call it that, is to not let the punchlines go over their four heads or between their hundred legs. Punchlines are furry little one-legged creatures with large teeth, and the celestiapeds’ only natural predator.

Capricorn

If you find yourself constantly in disagreement with this horoscope, it probably isn’t that you’ve evolved beyond your zodiac so much as it is you were simply born under the wrong sign.

Aquarius

The great swallows of Fumalsamakah drop their eggs in the plasmic sea where they are consumed, like a humpback eats krill, by the selahw, which is a volcanic whale-sort-of-thing. The selahw’s digestive tract allows for the gestation of the eggs into little winged tadpole-like beings that are then shot out of creature’s blowholes.

Once at altitude, the young Fumalsamakah take flight in the metal-laden air among other great swallows, which are cannibalistic much of the time. So you see, nothing is impossible, but some things require crawling into the belly of a beast for a while, which is where you find yourself now. A piece of advice: Don’t leave until you’re ready to be born out of it.

Gemini

Inhabitants of the star Nunki have a rather interesting economy. The only currency is intercourse — yes, the kind your gutter mind is thinking of. The Nunkians relay that the hippies got it all wrong. Love is never free.

Cancer

You can’t fix stupid. You’ll just have to work around it.

Leo

If you haven’t found the advice in the horoscope helpful by now, you might be beyond help.

Crossword Solution

Pisces

You’ve been feeling lazy. Why not get out of your house and try something advertised as DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME, huh?

Aries

The Democratoreans of Democratia, the fourth planet of Zubeneschamali, want you to know: Even though your vote doesn’t matter, it still makes a difference who you root for.

Taurus

I would never do anything to degrade you, but I certainly wouldn’t want to be you this month, or any other month, for that matter. Of course, I don’t want to be me most of the time, either.

Somebody told me how frightening it was how much topsoil we are losing each year, but I told that story around the campfire and nobody got scared.

Copyright www.mirroreyes.com

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Mix together 6. Sea eagle 10. Website addresses 14. Heavenly hunter 15. Clairvoyant 16. Midday 17. Investigate 18. Monster 19. Bezel 20. Appraisal 22. Therefore 23. Anagram of “Lyme” 24. Compensate for 26. Physiques 30. Anger 31. Tiny 32. Modify 33. Containers 35. Most dogs have them 39. Pertaining to vivid recall 41. Knickknack 43. Snow-covered 44. District /ih-PIS-tl-er-ee/ 46. Behold, in old Rome 47. Biblical boat [adjective] 1. contained in or carried on by letters.

49. Altitude (abbrev.) of the 50. Sailing ship 51. Supporter “His epistolary novel covered the trial page by page.”

54. A ball of yarn Corrections: In the Sept. 12 issue of the Reader, we mistakenly left Shannon 56. Quaint outburst Kaye Mitchell off the list of Sandpoint City Council candidates. Apologies for 57. Not oriental the error. We published a news story re-listing the candidates to make up for 63. Backside the error, as well as this corrections box. Color us corrected. -ZH 64. Godsend

Word Week

epistolary

Solution on page 26 65. Depart 66. Permits 67. On-line journal 68. Cassettes 69. Views 70. Cravings 71. Boxes lightly

DOWN 1. Brood 2. Makes a mistake 3. Violent disturbance 4. Mongolian desert 5. Foe 6. Secret 7. A systematic plan for therapy

8. Infamous Roman emperor 9. Heretofore 10. Unvanquished 11. Lion sounds 12. Hostel 13. Snob 21. Refuge 25. Greek cheese 26. Honey insects 27. Norse god 28. Prank 29. Flight attendant 34. Bumps 36. 12 in a foot 37. Mentally irregular (slang)

38. Goulash 40. Apprentice 42. Despised 45. Omnivorous nocturnal mammal 48. Lumpy 51. Knells 52. Yield 53. Flavor 55. Weals 58. ___ slaw 59. Half-moon tide 60. The thin fibrous bark 61. Affirm 62. Not more

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Sanitas Facial Peel Special

Uncover your most radiant self with this Peel Package. You and your esthetician will design an 8-week skin care path ----- tailored to meet your specific goals.

$399

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Hours (starting Oct. 1): 7 days a week from 10am - 5pm Wildflower Spa at Seasons 208.263.1103 424 Sandpoint Ave. I Sandpoint, ID 83864 www.thewildflowerdayspa.com

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We will be closed Sept. 24-26 for spa cleaning.