January 2016 Bonners Ferry Living Local

JAN F E B 2016

LIVING LOCAL

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PUBLISHER Make it Different This Year We Set the Standard!

IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE WE ARE welcoming in 2016. It does not seem that long ago when people were stocking their shelves, fearful of what the year 2000 would bring. Here we are 16 years later, and while a lot has changed much has remained the same.

One thing that never seems to change is the traditional New Year’s resolution. The statistics of those who actually stick with theirs is astounding – only 8 percent. So why not make a goal this year to do something attainable and fun.

There are countless civic organizations in our community. Why not plan to attend one each month? It is a great way to connect with others in town and find out about local events.

Like most communities, ours too is full of nonprofits who are in need of help. Volunteering can not only be fun but has many intrinsic rewards itself.

If you are someone who likes adventure, make a resolution to visit five new places this year.

They can be a day trip away or a fun weekend getaway. It does not have to be expensive and can add some excitement to life.

We at Living Local want to share with you our New Year’s resolution – to continue to grow our relationships with all in the communities we serve and work with our clients to be the best marketing partner they have. Thank you for putting your trust in us!

Creating. Connecting. Living Local.

Steve Russo

Steve Russo | steve@livinglocal360.com

ABOUT THE COVER JAN FEB 2016

LOCAL

LIVING

ers xCraft Garn e Attention

6425 South Main Street Bonners Ferry, Idaho

208.267.4000

Nationwid

CUS IN FO ulture of BEER

The Agric

L LOCA LIVING ing in the Tree Farm Kootenai

South Hill

.2411

• 208.267

& J.B.’s TIRE E AUTOMOTIV

d Internet Broadban & Service les & Phone-Sa ice Sales & Serv ID 83805 Computer s Ferry, • Bonner 397 Meadow

Creek Road

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BonnersFerryLivingLocal.com

y River Valle

IN THIS COVER photo by Renee Lund, she captures the beauty of a clear blue sky on a crisp snowy day in North Idaho. This winter had given us the opportunity to enjoy the winter sports offered to us. So whether it is snowshoeing, cross country skiing, downhill skiing or skating on a frozen pond, get out and enjoy the wonder of winter time in North Idaho.

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MARKETING

Marketing Manager | Rachel Figgins 208.661.1597 | rachel@livinglocal360.com

EDITORIAL

Managing Editor | Patty Hutchens patty@livinglocal360.com

DESIGN

Creative Director | Whitney Lebsock Senior Designer | Jessica Herbig

SOCIAL MEDIA/EVENTS

Media Manager/Events | Melody Vanhorn melody@livinglocal360.com Media Intern | Maddie Russo

ACCOUNTING/OPERATIONS Managing Partner | Kim Russo Executive Director | Steve Russo

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Photographer | Renee Lund

BONNERS FERRY LIVING LOCAL MAGAZINE

is brought to you by www.livinglocal360.com. If you would like to advertise with us please call 208.661.1597 or email info@livinglocal360.com. To submit articles, photos, nominations and events, email us at events@livinglocal360.com.

Living Local Magazine is published monthly and distributed freely throughout Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint, Dover Bay, Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, Post Falls, Rathdrum and the Spokane Valley. Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher.

Living Local Magazine is not responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine.

Living Local Magazine is produced and published by Living Local 360 and no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without the permission of the publisher.

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Contents CONTRIBUTORS: Jani Gonzalez • Dwayne Parsons • Teresa Pesce • Susan Moore • Annie Nye • Renee Lund

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Good News

North Idaho cinematographer shares his life story.

12 Life & Community Great local events and stories.

13 Best of Bonners Bonners Ferry’s best businesses.

16 Business Spotlight Tax season is upon us.

18 Bonners Ferry In Focus The agriculture of beer.

22 Feature Story

Drone manufacturer, xCraft, surpasses its goals with Kickstarter and wows Shark Tank judges.

28 Arts & Entertainment Your source for local events.

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32 Cover Story

Soil and climate provide the opportunity for successful tree farming.

36 Health & Lifestyle Tips and tricks to live your best life.

41 Dining Guide

Bonners Ferry’s tastiest dining destinations.

42 Travel & Leisure Combining travel with education provides in-depth experience.

42 BonnersFerryLivingLocal.com

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GOOD NEWS

THROUGH THE LENS NORTH IDAHO CINEMATOGRAPHER SHARES HIS LIFE STORY

CINEMATOGRAPHERS give us sight.

Without them, the film would be a blind soundtrack. What kind of eyes must one have to mentally envision what a director can only describe with words, and then create that vision for movie-goers in a way that draws them into the narrative and immerses them in the story’s emotions?

In this case, they are the clear blue eyes of a little boy who still smiles from within, world-class cinematographer and North Idaho resident Erik Daarstad.

His academy-award winning career in documentary films has enriched the world, given him a life immersed in an art form chosen in his teens, and imparted youthfulness to his mind and heart that only passion faithfully pursued can sustain. He is world-renowned, yet is the quietest man at any table. He is a listener, an observer, sparing with words, and yet a flawlessly eloquent translator and expresser of

themes, stories, chronicles, facts, passions and directorial visions.

Arriving at the interview, he sits down, crosses his legs and wordlessly removes an imposingly-thick book from the plastic bag protecting it from the rain. “This is the book,” he says simply. And he hands me his life’s work – 586 pages. Over 300 photographs. And he says nothing else until the questions begin, to which he responds with an exact memory, fond reminiscences and a serene sense of joy.

Is there any better way to fall in love with movies than to go see them when one is young?

Daarstad went three or four times every week to the one and only movie theater in his hometown on the southwest coast of Norway.

An early interest in becoming a pilot faded in light of his interest in films. And then one pivotal day while visiting the capital of Oslo, as he recalls it, “I ran across a crew making a movie.” A freeze-frame of that moment

BY TERESA PESCE // BonnersFerryLivingLocal.com

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would show a young man standing very still and watching an intensely-connected team of film-makers working together. “That made up my mind on what I would try to do,” he says simply. Only one so young could have decided so suddenly and fearlessly. One small question remained. “Coming from a small country, the question was, how do I go about it?”

The answer manifested when he happened to listen to a radio program featuring another Norwegian who had attended a film school in Los Angeles, and he decided he would do the same. “So I applied and they accepted me and that was it,” he concludes, as though it were unremarkable. Even the golden glow of an Oscar has never warmed the seeds of ego into bloom within Daarstad; he is a humble man.

Although his original aim was to do narrativetype films, a USC professor introduced his students to an intriguing assortment of documentaries. And according to Daarstad,

PHOTOS COURTESY ERIK DAARSTAD

“I thought it would be a very interesting way of making a living. It was the magic of the process, and the fact that it was an opportunity to work with a team of people and tell stories of various kinds. Then it just sort of happened that when I finished college and a few years in the army and started working, those were the opportunities that first presented themselves to me, and I found I really enjoyed documentaries.”

Again glossing over the giftedness necessary for the result, he said, “The more you work, the more you gain a reputation and that just kept on going. Documentaries became my life’s work. And I don’t regret that because it’s been a fascinating life. With documentaries,” he elaborates, “you get to be in situations you wouldn’t normally be in and meet people you wouldn’t ordinarily meet and travel to places you otherwise wouldn’t travel to.”

The relationships made possible in the creative process remained a strong reason for his love of the profession “You work with a fairly small, compact group of five to six people on the crew,” he explains. “You become like a family, in a way. And you work a lot with the same people from project to project, and you establish a rapport and form relationships. And the same thing happens with the people you’re doing the documentary on. They become like a family, and in the end when you finish, you may part and never see each other again but for that moment in time, it’s special.”

Although technically retired, Daarstad is still working. His expertise was recently called into play by Sandpoint Film Festival’s Janice Jarzabek, whose success with the event resulted in over 400 entries! Daarstad assisted with the screening process. “Most of my contemporaries have retired or gone to that great soundstage in the sky,” he gently jokes, “but producer-director Terry Sanders and I just finished a project that has been entered in several film festivals.”

One of Daarstad’s documentaries, entitled, “Men Who Made the Movies” featured an interview with the iconic Frank Capra, who recalled the thrill he felt the first time he looked through the viewfinder. Capra said, “It’s kind of like a magic square and you see magic in that square.” Daarstad knew exactly what he meant. He still does. Finding the magic has been Daarstad’s life. It still is.

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HOME & ESSENTIALS

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In Need of an Update?

TIPS FOR MAKING THAT YELLOWED OAK NEW AGAIN

BY ANNIE NYE, INTERIOR DECORATOR AT PONDERAY DESIGN CENTER WHO’S WITH ME WHEN I say I am tired of seeing the yellowed oak look from the 90s?

I get asked a lot about how to update that look.

And typically, if there’s one area of oak in a house, there’s more… trim, doors, cabinetry, flooring, bookshelves, and of course furniture.

Oak was used quite often because not only is it a plentiful wood species, it is a solid hardwood, and not as expensive as some other species.

Because oak is such a durable wood, even if it’s 20-plus years old, it’s probably still in great shape. Oak holds up well. What doesn’t last is the polyurethane finish that yellows over time.

This yellow tone does not follow current color trends, so when asked about how to get rid of it, I can offer a few suggestions. Instead of replacing everything, you can choose which areas are a priority, commit to what you want to change about it, and develop a plan on how to make it happen.

There’s not really a product out there that allows you to cover up that aged yellow tone without also hiding the wood grain. Therefore, you can either paint it or refinish it. If you choose to refinish, it will still allow the wood grain to show off that solid wood product when you’re done.

So, how do you update one area without updating all?

If it’s the flooring that you want to change, it may just be in need of refinishing. If you have a narrow plank floor and it’s more than 10 to 15 years old, chances are it is solid wood, not like the engineered pre-finished options now available. This type of flooring can be sanded down and refinished.

Cabinets are also a tough thing to update if you don’t have the money to replace them.

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The doors can be removed, sanded down and stained, but you will also need to do the faceframes, toekick, and finished end panels, which will need to be done in place.

Refinishing your cabinets is a process – if done correctly it can look nice. However, I have been to customers’ houses that have chosen to refinish floors and then applied their budgeted money towards new cabinets and haven’t been sorry.

Trim is another common area to find lots of oak. Where most people get hung up on painting trim is knowing where to stop. If you start by painting the baseboards, that usually runs into the door trim, door jambs, and window trim. Just know when you start this process, it is a commitment and most of the time means your whole house, not just one or two rooms. If you choose to refinish trim, it’s hard work to sand the old finish off if there’s any kind of decorative profile. The easy part is re-applying stain or clear coat finishing it.

Unless you plan on doing this yourself, it may be cheaper to purchase new trim to stain and finish with top coat. The other option is to paint over it.

Quite a few people mix and match wood tones with paint. It’s perfectly acceptable to paint the doors and leave the trim wood tone or paint the trim and leave the doors wood tone.

There are a lot of remodeled homes that have both paint and stain. And actually, there are quite a few new homes as well being built with both paint and stain trim/door/cabinet combinations.

Using both paint and wood tones provides flexibility for future changes. Finding that good balance of color can be accomplished without sacrificing what you have and being smart about the commitment you’re undertaking.

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LIFE & COMMUNITY

PHOTO COURTESY BOUNDARY COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Joy of Giving BONNERS FERRY YOUTH EXEMPLIFY GIVING SPIRIT

BY PATTY HUTCHENS

NOW THAT THE Christmas season has passed, we typically look ahead to our goals and resolutions for 2016. As we hear some of the heartwarming stories of the holiday season – stories of charity, love and spreading of God’s word – we can take that same Christmas spirit and make it last all year long. Just ask Doug Reoch of Bonners Ferry. He experiences the joy of giving each week.

kids and makes it fun for them.

Doug has driven a school bus for Boundary County School District for nearly a decade.

He is the one who many entrust to take their children to and from school. It is a big responsibility, especially given the climate in our area, and it can be a thankless job, but not for Doug. He has a great relationship with the

According to Bill Irwin of Boundary County School District, Doug has been driving a bus since 2007, his route consisting of mostly Mount Hall Elementary School students. Prior to Christmas, the kids on Doug’s route had an unexpected surprise. Each one of them had a brand new one-dollar bill taped to his or her

BonnersFerryLivingLocal.com

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Each Thursday Doug has what he calls “Lucky Thursday.” He tapes a one-dollar bill to the bottom of one of the seats on the bus. All the seats are numbered, and those numbers are placed into a hat. Each Thursday he pulls the winning number out of the hat to see who is the lucky winner of the dollar bill that day.

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seat. It was a heartfelt gesture that thrilled all of the kids.

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“I think maybe some of his kids think he’s the real Santa,” joked Irwin. Doug’s respect and love for the kids has surely made an impact on the students.

“I drove a route a year or so ago and asked one of the girls who her favorite driver was,” shared Irwin. “She looked at me and smiled and said (it was) Doug. Doug hadn’t driven that route for three years!”

That admiration the kids have for Doug was shown to him this past Christmas as his “kids” showered him with Christmas gifts of appreciation. It was an unexpected surprise, but very deserving according to Boundary County School District Superintendent Gary Pflueger.

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“I love the saying, ‘It takes a whole village to raise a child.’ The students are taught by all of us: their parents, the teachers, paraprofessionals, coaches, bus drivers, custodian and even the superintendent,” said Pflueger. “Transportation to and from school is part of the educational day. The students need to maintain an environment of respect and responsibility on the bus so they can enter the school ready to perform. Driving the bus is not an easy task. The driver’s priority is the safe passage on the roads. The bus is very noisy; it is hard to hear what is being said and done when the bus is in motion. Successful teaching occurs when we form a relationship with the kids. Apparently, Doug has a system that works. We thank him for that!”

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The joy of giving to others is contagious. The generosity of youth was further demonstrated during the holiday season by the students at Bonners Ferry High School who went above and beyond to help raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Project, a 501(c)(3) organization formed to raise awareness and raise funds for the needs of severely injured service members. The money raised goes to providing unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of any service member who has incurred a physical or mental injury, illness or wound as a result of their service on or following September 11, 2001.

The students’ fundraising efforts were in conjunction with the annual Moose Madness competition against Sandpoint High School and is just one aspect of the competition. This year, the students raised over $4,000 to help make a difference in the lives of those who have served our country.

Whether it is a bus driver who gives away a one-dollar bill once a week or a business making a donation to a nonprofit, the act of giving not only benefits the recipient but the one who gives as well.

These are just a couple of stories of how people are making a difference in our community and beyond. Let’s keep it going not just at the holidays, but all year long.

PHOTO COURTESY JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY

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Kindness and Compassion BOUNDARY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL AND NIC PARTNER TO OFFER CNA CLASSES

BY PATTY HUTCHENS

Many times indirect care like housekeeping and running errands are part of the CNA’s job. On the other end of the age spectrum, children with long-term problems and needs can receive good care in the comfort of their homes with assistance from a CNA.

ABOVE Photo courtesy Boundary Community Hospital.

“When you’re a nurse, you know that every day you will touch a life or a life will touch yours.” - Unknown FOR ANYONE WHO has ever been under the care of a nurse, you know how special of a profession it is. They see people at their worst, yet provide hope and comfort on a daily basis.

Fortunately for people living in our community who want to pursue such a profession, there is an opportunity to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) without traveling out of town.

Boundary Community Hospital, in conjunction with North Idaho College (NIC), offers classes four times each year. In addition to a desire to help others, becoming a CNA requires 120 hours of instruction – 80 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of clinical experience.

According to Lauren Kuczka, Director of Marketing and Community Relations at Boundary Community Hospital, at the end of the 120 hours of training candidates take a certification examination at the North Idaho Workforce Training Center in Post Falls. Once certified, the Nursing Assistant can work anywhere throughout Idaho and states with which Idaho has reciprocity.

from a CNA,” said Maas.

For many CNAs this is also an opportunity to see if they would like to further their education in the healthcare field, many becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse.

“A CNA certification is an educational requirement for becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse in many nursing programs,” said Maas.

Boundary Community Hospital employs nearly 40 CNAs as full-time, part-time and per diem employees. Some have worked in our community hospital for many years while others are recent graduates of the CNA class.

If you are interested in pursuing the education to become a CNA, class meets at the Fry Healthcare Education Center across from the hospital, from 8am to 4:30pm on Tuesday and Thursday of each week. The schedule for 2016 is below: • Winter Semester - January 18 through March 10

One can begin CNA training as early as 16 years of age, and a high school or college diploma is not a prerequisite. Once certified, the candidate is ready to join the work force.

• Spring Semester - March 22 through May 12

Tracey Maas, RN teaches the Certified Nursing Assistant program and explains the advantages of becoming a CNA. “They (CNAs) are the backbone of the healthcare system,” said Maas.

“A CNA has a wide range of employment options. Employers hire CNAs to work in hospitals, assisted living homes, nursing homes, home care agencies, rehabilitation centers, doctor’s offices, outpatient medical and surgical offices, hospices, respite care, group homes and in schools. Choices available to CNAs include working with children, with the elderly, and with any age in-between.”

• Fall Semester - September through November

For those who are elderly and who prefer to stay in their own home, a CNA can provide some of the assistance with daily living. “Many times indirect care like housekeeping and running errands are part of the CNA’s job. On the other end of the age spectrum, children with longterm problems and needs can receive good care in the comfort of their homes with assistance

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• Summer Semester - June through July

For more information, contact Tracey Maas at 208.267.3141 ext 4312 or email her at tracey.m@bcch.org.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

TAX SEASON IS UPON US IT IS THE TIME OF YEAR when many are looking for a professional to help guide them through the ever changing tax laws and to help them maximize their deductions when it comes to filing their tax returns. For many in Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry, those seeking such professional advice have the benefit of Jim Hutchens, a Certified Public Accountant with 35 years of experience.

Since moving to Sandpoint from Spokane in 1998, Hutchens has earned a reputation for providing sound tax and financial guidance as well as delivering superior customer service. Over the years, his clients have included everyone from individuals and small businesses to large multi-million dollar corporations. In addition to tax preparation, Hutchens also prepares financial statements and advises businesses and individuals in all areas of tax planning. He takes pride in providing personalized service for all his clients.

Hutchens has a staff of experienced, knowledgeable and professional individuals to whom he credits much of his success. Office manager and bookkeeper, Mary-Claude Margairaz, started with Hutchens when he first moved to Sandpoint in 1998. After a brief time away, she rejoined the firm a few years ago. Also on staff to help with many of the services the firm provides is bookkeeper Shannon Randall-Dunton. Shannon provides payroll services as well as bookkeeping for many of Hutchens’ small business clients.

James Hutchens, PA also employs two accountants, Aubrey Winjum and Zach Spohn. Aubrey joined the firm in January of 2015. She is a Bonners Ferry resident and graduated from Boise State University in January 2012 with a Bachelors of Science degree in accounting.

Spohn joined James Hutchens, PA in May 2013. He grew up in Sandpoint, attended Northside Elementary and Sandpoint High School, and graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Accounting in 2009 from the University of Montana. Spohn has been actively studying for the CPA exam. He looks forward to obtaining his CPA license so he can assist clients in an even greater capacity.

Lou MacAfee is an enrolled agent who has over 30 years of accounting experience. Enrolled agents must first pass a comprehensive IRS test and participate in continuing education thereby earning them the privilege of representing clients before the Internal Revenue Service. MacAfee is also a QuickBooks ProAdvisor and has taught QuickBooks classes for many years, an expertise that many of Hutchens’ clients have found beneficial. She also has a large client base of nonprofit organizations with whom she works.

Also on staff are administrative assistants Melissa Colin and Jennifer Lamb, both of whom are long time employees. In addition to assisting with scheduling and keeping everything flowing in the office, they also perform some bookkeeping duties, all while providing excellent customer service.

BY COLIN ANDERSON // PHOTOS BY MELODY VANHORN

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Jim and his wife Patty are active members of the Sandpoint community and believe in giving back to the community that has supported them throughout the years.

They have two sons, Kevin, a senior at the University of Idaho is majoring in Business and Marketing Education. He is student teaching this semester at Sandpoint High School. Their younger son Brett is a senior at Sandpoint High School and will attend either Boise State or University of Idaho in the fall.

Jim and his staff look forward to helping you with all your accounting needs.

James Hutchens, PA Certified Public Accountant Sandpoint: 208.265.2500 1211 Michigan Street Bonners Ferry: 208.267.1655 6769 Main Street www.hutchenscpa.com

Financial Focus WHAT EXPENSES WILL YOU INCUR WHEN INVESTING?

THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN BY EDWARD JONES FOR USE BY YOUR LOCAL EDWARD JONES FINANCIAL ADVISOR, KEVIN CALLOS

YOU INVEST SO THAT YOU can achieve a variety of goals, such as a secure retirement.

It’s inevitable, though, that you will incur some costs when investing, ranging from payments to a financial professional to costs of educational materials. So it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with these expenses.

If you work with a financial professional – and you should, because the investment world is complex – you will need to compensate this individual for his or her expertise and guidance. Financial advisors get paid in different ways, including the following methods: Fee only — Fee-based accounts may charge a fee as a percentage of your total portfolio. For example, if an account charges 1.5 percent per year, and your original account balance was $100,000, you’d pay a $1,500 fee. The next year, if your account value goes up to $110,000, you’d pay $1,650. This arrangement could function in different ways. For example, a financial advisor could work with you to create an overall strategy, consult with you on individual transactions and then carry out those transactions. Alternatively, the account could be a discretionary one, in which you grant the advisor the right to make all the decisions on your behalf.

A second fee-based arrangement is the perhour charge, in which an advisor will charge you an agreed-upon amount per hour, then leave it up to you to implement his or her recommendations.

Commission only — Under this model, the financial advisor’s compensation consists of the commission he or she gets from the products you purchase. Some commissionbased advisors may suggest trades to help you follow an overall financial strategy, while

others may simply make the transactions that you’ve decided upon after consulting with them.

Which of these payment methods is best?

There’s no one right answer for everyone.

Your choice may ultimately depend on several factors, such as how involved you want to be in choosing your own investments, how frequently you plan to trade, how often you’d like to consult with an advisor, and so on. In any case, before you start working with a financial advisor, make sure you clearly understand how he or she is paid.

Apart from whatever costs are connected to working with a financial advisor, you may incur other expenses while investing.

Some types of investments carry fees and expenses, which may or may not be included in the compensation your financial advisor receives. Your advisor should clearly explain the costs associated with all investments and investment programs.

One other area in which you may tack on expenses is through investment-related educational materials. For example, you might subscribe to an investment newsletter or purchase books or magazines related to investing. Even if you work with a financial advisor, there’s certainly nothing wrong with educating yourself as broadly as possible about investment issues. Keep in mind, though, that any recommendations you read about are only intended for a general audience and may not apply to your individual situation.

As you invest through the years, always be aware of expenses and from where they originate. After all, you want to make educated decisions about every aspect of investing – including its costs.

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www.edwardjones.com

You’ve Spent a Lifetime Preparing for Retirement.

Now What?

If you’re recently retired or planning to retire, you’re probably concerned about making the right financial decisions. Together, we can find the answers.

We’ll sit down, face to face, to develop a strategy designed to help your finances meet your needs over the long haul.

To develop a retirement income strategy that works for you, call or visit today.

Kevin R Callos, AAMS® Financial Advisor

6797 Eisenhower St Bonners Ferry, ID 83805 208.267.5664

IRT-4513A-A

Member SIPC

BONNERS FERRY

IN FOCUS The Agriculture of Beer.

Elk Mountain Farms stimulates Boundary County economy.

B Y D WAY N E PA R S O N S

WHO WOULD BELIEVE that a relatively small farm production started 29 years ago at the tip of the Panhandle would today become one of the significant producers of a valuable crop in an industry utilized and loved by most of America?

That’s exactly what has occurred with Elk Mountain Farms, now a 1700-acre spread located just shy of the Canadian border at Port Hill in the wonderful silt loam of the Kootenai River Valley.

The crop is that of hops, which grow vertically on bines (not vines) as high as 11 feet on average. Though they look like little green pine cones clustered as thick as grapes, they are the flowers of this plant that are used to enhance or flavor the bitterness or the distinguishing taste of gourmet beers.

Hops from the Elk Mountain Farms are used

by Anheuser-Busch (AB) in beer as common as Budweiser and Bud Lite and as unique as those crafted by breweries such as Goose Island Brewery and InBev, both of which are owned by AB. The labor-intensive harvest of hops is a year-round process. Though the actual harvest takes place in a relatively short five-day window of time, the after-harvest processing and handling of silage (that part of the plant not utilized in beer making), the storage and chipping of hops, the grooming and care of the land for next year, fertilizing with composted silage from the current year for the following, all play into a never ending but critically important process necessary for the smooth taste, bitter taste, flowery or hoppy taste that distinguish one beer brand from another.

Elk Mountain also raises experimental varieties, and with the surge or trend in gourmet microbreweries across the country, distinguishing characteristics are an important commodity. Brewers are very particular about their hops.

Why So Labor Intensive?

Unlike the harvest of barley and other grains also used in brewing beer, hops require a lot of hands-on activity

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especially during the critically important five-day time of harvest.

Where grains are harvested in bulk by highly specialized machinery using one or two people, the timely harvest and processing of hops requires many skilled hands through an important sequence of production.

The biggest challenge is weather.

The short window of harvest time is there because the flowers have reached their maximum aromatic attribute, depending on the variety and ultimate use of that particular hop variety. That critical window determines the flavor and quality of the variety being harvested. If the farm fails to complete harvest in the right timing, it stands to lose a major portion of that year’s crop. Though extended periods of rain and mud may inhibit harvest, such inclement weather cannot be allowed to stop the process.

When the hop flowers are separated for processing, the leftover silage is composted for fertilizer. The compost is turned back into the soil to replenish and rebuild for next year’s crop. This organic return to the soil is in itself a technically important process to hop farming which utilizes land directly connected to the Kootenai River flow.

As I stated above, hops grow on a helix-shaped bine, which is a woody shoot or very strong stem that spiral vertically. That’s why it is not classified as a vine. To facilitate faster growth, hops farmers have learned to help support the plants with trellis construction that helps lift the long stems straight up into the sun and air. As the bine grows, however, it has to be manually encouraged to grow around the trellis.

The farm does every aspect of production from greenhouse production of female rhizomes on-site and planting to harvesting the flowers at the right time and then kiln drying them at the farm so

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Bonners Ferry by the Numbers 45 The percentage of people who typically make New Year’s resolutions.

34

The percentage of people whose resolutions are financial in nature.

31

The percentage of people who make resolutions related to relationships.

that the hops survive shipment to the breweries.

It’s of interest to some that hops harvested for beer are all from female rhizomes in that the males, which carry the pollen, in turn cause the females to produce seeds. That in turn inhibits the production of hops as a flower because the seeds must be separated from the flower before the whole batch enters the kiln for drying. So hops agriculturists have learned to “weed” out the male side to limit the production of seeds in the hops growing up the trellis plantation.

If you plan on growing your own hops, try to remember this last tidbit, because the pollen from your kept male versions of the plant not only will seed your own hops, but will likely and can certainly drift in air currents until they find a happy receiving female on the Elk Mountain Farm. Uh huh! That’s the nature of the birds and the bees in the botanical world.

At various periods of time each year, the farm employs upwards of a hundred plus migrant workers, some of whom have come every year for the last 27 years. These workers live in work barracks on the farm with their families and send their kids to school in Bonners Ferry.

Benefits to Bonners Ferry and the Kootenai Valley Fourth generation Boundary County resident and cattle-rancher turned hops farmer, Ed

Atkins, is the current manager of Elk Mountain Farms. He’s been with the production of hops in the Kootenai Valley for 29 years and knows it thoroughly.

Mountain will need to double to keep up with demand. That’s a bright future for the Panhandle, for those who work the land and especially Elk Mountain Farm.

At times they had to resort to wheat and canola to sustain the farm. Location was a factor that made Elk Farm hops a luxury rather than a strategically well-placed source. It was the full-on acquisition of Goose Island Brewery in Chicago, which needed a revamp and upgrade, which it received from the Anheuser-Busch buyout, that things turned around and sailed toward a productive horizon of profitable farming. The AB purchase of Goose Island was the kicker for Elk Mountain that escalated them into the number three producer of hops.

It’s noteworthy to say that the hops and tree farms of Idaho’s Panhandle contribute in mighty ways not only to the local economies of the communities near them and to their respective counties, but also bring a great deal of positive media awareness to our area. Every one of these farmers has experienced the tight times; the struggles and the risks associated with agriculture and the seeming isolation from mainstream trucking.

Elk Mountain produces 40 to 50 different varieties of hops every year including some that are experimental. For Boundary County and Bonners Ferry this success brings good revenue into the area, supports a number of families and adds to the scenic beauty and social awareness of North Idaho across any sector that brews and drinks American beer.

Though Elk Mountain manages only a percentage of the total acreage devoted to hops farming, the Brewer’s Association predicts craft beers to double their market shares by the year 2020. If that happens, the acreage now devoted to hops farming such as that so well managed at Elk

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But because they contribute to the scenic beauty and health of our part of the world, they all deserve the recognition and accolades of a job well-done and the hearty appreciation of those who are blessed enough to drive by or visit for touring these innovative practices that have brought a high degree of sustainability to North Idaho.

Dwayne Parsons is a Realtor with Century 21 Beutler and Associates in Coeur d’Alene. He can be reached by calling his mobile at 208.290.2300.

Untitled-1 1

6127 Main Street - Bonners Ferry

208.267.1900

3/24/09 2:07:12 PM

www.cartercountryfeed.com

$10 OFF PER BAG OF NATURAL BALANCE DOG FOOD, 25LB OR LARGER. *Must bring in coupon.

Expires February 29, 2016.

L A C !

LO S W BRE WINTER HOURS

U S I N G LO C A L H O P S , G R A I N S & M Y RT L E C R E E K WAT E R 6424 Riverside Street in Downtown Bonners Ferry | 208.267.HOPS | www.kootbrew.com Tap Room • Family Dining • WiFi • Brewery Tours

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TAPROOM Mon, Tues, Wed 3 – 7pm Thurs – Sunday 11am – 8pm RESTAURANT Mon, Tues, Wed CLOSED Thurs – Sunday 11am – 8pm

FEATURE STORY

Startup Garners Nationwide Attention Drone manufacturer, xCraft, surpasses its goals with Kickstarter and wows Shark Tank judges

By Jani Gonzalez Photos courtesy of xCraft

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A Brief History of Drones Some of the earliest drones date back to the 1850s here in the United States and not surprisingly, were used in military operations.

1849: Balloons mounted with bombs were used during the U.S. Civil War. 1898: A camera mounted to a kite was used for reconnaissance during the Spanish-American Wars.

1900s: Target drones were used to test and train combat pilots.

1916: Remotely piloted planes are developed.

1920s: Remotely controlled ships are used and interest grows in vehicles that can be controlled from a distance.

1946: Pilotless Aircraft Branch established.

1950s: The U.S. Marine Corps used drone to protect surface warships.

1964: Drones are used for spying missions 1968: Lightning Bug drones used for surveillance during the Vietnam War.

F

or JD Claridge, the past year has been nothing short of success for his company, xCraft, with two Kickstarter campaigns that went far beyond their funding targets and an historic deal on the hit inventor show, Shark Tank.

Claridge, CEO of xCraft, is the inventor of the X PlusOne and the PhoneDrone Ethos.

Originally from Spokane, the Sandpoint aerospace engineer and licensed pilot says he’s been designing aircraft since he could fly a paper airplane.

“Flying has been a fascination of mine for as long as I can remember,” Claridge said.

He came to Sandpoint initially to work for Quest Aircraft and later began his own consulting firm, Aero Designworks. His

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drone, the X PlusOne, began as a side project and went through five prototypes, currently hanging in his office, before finding the one that worked.

“It started as a hobby – it was an idea I had and wanted to see if I could develop a working prototype,” he said of the innovative drone design. “The first time we flew it, it was flawless.”

The drone’s uniqueness is its ability to “become an airplane” and transition to forward flight after a vertical lift off. With traditional quadcopters (drones with four motors), the device has to pitch forward to go faster, but there’s a limit because it uses the motor’s forward thrust for lift.

“I thought if we could tilt (the drone) 90 degrees and turn the wings, we’d be using

the motor’s power for thrust and just use the battery for power,” he explained.

With the support of Charles Manning, CEO of Kochava and also in Sandpoint, they began xCraft in 2014 focusing solely on the design and manufacturing of drones. The two met informally and later Claridge asked Manning for advice on the X PlusOne. “I thought it was a cool idea and really well timed,” Manning said. “I told him to go after it, but he wanted me involved.” Manning said he mainly works at promoting the company as an aside to heading Kochava. “I love it,” he said.

From Kickstarter Phenomena to Shark Tank Spotlight To raise funds and market the X PlusOne, Claridge went to Kickstarter. He initially had a goal of $50,000, which more than doubled to $143,400 before the campaign ended. That success inevitably lead to another.

“We launched that product (X PlusOne), and we got noticed by Shark Tank. They asked if we were interested. They had been looking for a drone company, and we got selected to tape and got aired. Not everyone gets aired,” Claridge said. “That was pretty exciting and a big deal.”

The Shark Tank episode, which aired at the end of October, was distinct from previous ones in that the judges were visibly impressed from the start with the X PlusOne. Having such a huge success with their initial Kickstarter campaign, was also a big advantage to have in their favor.

Claridge also used the opportunity to introduce his newest product, the PhoneDrone Ethos, which converts most smartphones into a drone by inserting it into a protective exoskeleton.

Claridge and Manning initially asked for $500,000 for 20 percent equity; half to expand the X PlusOne and the remainder to develop the PhoneDrone Ethos. Right away, the offers were for more than their request, which is unusual for the show. Kevin O’Leary, “Mr. Wonderful,” offered $750,000 for 25 percent; Lori Greiner, the QVC queen, offered $1 million for 20 percent; and Daymond John offered the same for 25 percent.

Smelling a “shark war” the judges asked for time to discuss a deal amongst themselves, which is unprecedented on the show. The five sharks each bought into the company at $300,000 each for 5 percent equity – for a total of $1.5 million at 25 percent equity in addition to other investors that xCraft already has. More than 10 million people watched the show, and the interest generated from it is showing.

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“Since the episode, we’ve been channeling a lot of inbound inquiries for job applications and orders. This will take the company to the next level. We are hiring, and we’ve gotten a lot of good applications,” Claridge said.

The drone’s uniqueness is its ability to “become an airplane” and transition to forward flight after a vertical lift off.

Although it’s still early in the partnership with the Shark Tank entrepreneurs, Manning said that they had been in contact with some of them in moving forward.

“We have had contact with their teams and have spoken to Daymond (John). Things are happening already but not a whole lot yet. It was a big thing to share with them – selling $300,000 a month after the deal – that’s not too shabby,” he said.

The Shark Tank episode also helped additionally fund the PhoneDrone Ethos, where users can program their smartphone and

“Our vision is to be in the top three in the drone industry in the next three years. It’s ambitious but possible.” insert it into the drone’s structure. The episode coincided with its Kickstarter campaign, and to date, more than 1,000 backers have funded the Kickstarter goal to $283,902 – far beyond the $100,000 target that had been set at the beginning of December.

“We ended up selling 1,256 units which totaled $326,000 or 320 percent of our goal. It’s just something that customers are clearly excited in,” Manning said.

The Stars of xCraft: X PlusOne and PhoneDrone Ethos Most drones, unmanned aviation vehicles, are multi-rotor aircraft that can hover but can’t travel as fast; the X PlusOne is fast, stable and lightweight, weighing 2.9 lbs. It’s also more affordable than traditional drones at $1,800 and has a Go Pro mount. It’s similar to other drones in that it can hover and land like a traditional multi-rotor drone. What distinguishes it is its upward-facing wing, which allows it to fly vertical at a 90-degree angle and can fly twice

as fast than other drones, up to 60 mph for up to 20 minutes.

“What we have accomplished is amazing. It’s a VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) design – it can hover like a helicopter for take-off and landing, but then go fly like an airplane,” Manning said.

The PhoneDrone Ethos allows users to program the drone’s flight path with an app before placing their smartphone into the drone’s structure.

“It can be fully autonomous.

You draw the flight path, and it automatically draws a path back on its own,” Claridge explained. This way, the drone can perform its “mission” and return back to its user. There is also a mode where the user can control the drone from another device.

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“It can also follow you at a selected altitude, which is useful for some sports, and take photos,” he said.

While drones are not new, they are creating a

buzz as technology allows more people to use one. The military has used variations of drones to collect data or surveillance at least since the 1850s when balloons mounted with bombs were used during the U.S. Civil War. “(xCraft has) received a tremendous amount of exposure because of Shark Tank and Kickstarter. Drone space as a whole is a really big growth market,” Manning said.

The xCraft drones are meant for a variety of activities from entertainment to commercial applications. To date, most of the orders are for personal use. Users need to comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, fly no higher than 400 feet and avoid airports.

Privacy laws still apply in regards to airspace over private property and government spaces.

The current general rule is to “fly within the line of sight.” In mid December, the FAA issued a requirement that drone users register any unmanned aircraft weighing from 1 to 55 pounds on their website.

But the X PlusOne’s capabilities can go far beyond the allowances given to consumers.

It can cruise at heights up to 10,000 feet, applicable for activities ranging from aerial photography and mapping to search and rescue. Commercial entities can request FAA permission to use drones at those distances

though this market is still relatively untapped.

Manning gave an example of its potential use as an agricultural tool.

“What if you used a color spectrum camera where you could see where you were underwater (and) it would give you feedback,” he said.

The military might be an obvious market for drones, but Claridge doesn’t want to see his drones used as weapons.

“We don’t want to be weaponized but (have the drones) used more as a level of surveillance,” he said.

New Market in Drones – Bright Future for xCraft For this young company, the general interest and excitement over the production of the X PlusOne and the PhoneDrone Ethos is just the beginning of a long line of inventive drones with an abundance of possibilities. Currently, xCraft is considering the demand for larger, faster drones that can fly for longer and with heavier payloads. The xCraft drones could collect data for industries that helicopters provide but at much more reasonable cost.

“We want to get a larger version on the market

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for industries such as oil rigs and mines. This is a utility-driven business and not just a fancy product,” Manning said. He also noted that Amazon’s recent announcement on a future drone delivery service shows the fast, growing interest companies have in using drones to facilitate their business needs.

But for now, xCraft is manufacturing to fill their Kickstarter orders for shipment and distribution this summer. The versatility of the products allow for it to be applicable to a number of industries and consumers from the hobbyist to the unmanned vehicle (UV) specialist, securing the long-term viability of the products.

“I’m excited to have this in Sandpoint – it’s exciting and there’s nothing but goodness,” Manning said of the company.

Claridge is looking beyond xCraft’s two products and has goals to grow the company and make it an industry leader.

“Our vision is to be in the top three in the drone industry in the next three years. It’s ambitious but possible,” Claridge said.

For more information about xCraft, visit the website xcraft.io.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

A Love Story Set To Music BRIDGES HOME

BY PATTY HUTCHENS

MARK YOUR CALENDAR, as you won’t want to miss an evening at the Pearl Theater on January 29 where you will be entertained by the fabulous duo, Bridges Home, celebrating Burns Night – a traditional Scottish celebration of Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet.

Bridges Home is made up of husband and wife team Dave and Tami Gunter whose love of entertaining is evident as they perform.

“Music was the catalyst for our love story,” said Tami. “We met through musical theater and began singing together on a semi-regular basis in various groups, including the Singers Dozen and the Swing Shift Vocal Quartet, which was a featured group with the Swing Street Big Band for about eight to nine years.”

The husband and wife have been a fixture in North Idaho, performing in various local

venues and sharing their talent to the delight of many and performing as the popular duo Bridges Home for the past seven years.

just two summers ago Bridges Home played approximately 40 concerts in these types of venues in Idaho, Montana and Washington.

While Tami and Dave are both vocalists, they also play a variety of musical instruments.

Attend one of their performances and you will be treated to everything from guitar and tenor ukulele to banjo, accordion, octave mandolin, slide guitar, Celtic harp and even the washboard. “Our style ranges between Americana and Celtic, with stops in the Blues, Cajun and Bluegrass music along the way,” describes the couple, who originally performed music originated by other artists, but now performs their own original music.

Watching them perform, their love of music and one another is evident. “There is an element of sharing that takes place between performer and audience that is like no other experience I’ve had. Whether in front of a large festival crowd or an intimate small theater audience, it’s magic to be part of that interaction,” said Dave.

The duo’s focus on composing and performing original music has helped open the door to several new opportunities when it comes to festival shows and theater concerts. In fact,

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As for Tami, she said that while her whole life is based on music, there is nothing that brings her more joy than singing and performing live.

“Being on stage is pure joy for me,” she said.

Don’t miss Bridges Home at the Pearl Theater on January 29. For more information call 208.610.2846 or visit www.pearltheater.org.

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MORE EVENTS AT WWW.BONNERSFERRYLIVINGLOCAL.COM

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JANUARY 22 PERFORMER’S CIRCLE

The Pearl Theater proudly presents Performer’s Circle, ametuer or pro this is a relaxed, fun place to share your talent.

Free admission, all are welcome. Cafe doors open at 6pm and performances to begin at 7pm. For more information call 208.610.2846 or visit www.pearltheater.org.

JANUARY 23 COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE Come down to the main entrance of Safeway, 6519 Main Street, Bonners Ferry, from 10am to 1:30pm and help save a life! To schedule an appointment visit www.inbcsaves.org or call 1.800.423.0151.

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JANUARY 31 KEY OF SHE The Pearl Theater presents Key of She circle of song. It is better by far to stand in a circle of friends and blend my breath, my voice, and my soul with all of theirs until we are singing the same song. To begin at 3pm.

For more information call 208.610.2846 or visit www.pearltheater.org.

Come join the Kootenai Valley Sportsman Association as they present the annual Gun and Horn Show at the Boundary County Fairgrounds, Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Horn contest, guns, knives, hides, taxidermy, sporting equipment and so much more.

Friday from 12pm-6pm, Saturday 9am6pm and Sunday 9am-3pm. For more information please call 208.267.2108.

Come join the Boundary County Museum as they present a special program to show appreciation for those who have served as County Commissioners over the past 100 years. The program will begin at 3pm and include cake! Everyone is invited and admission is free. For more information please call 208.267.7720.

FEBRUARY 3 AND 17 STORY TIME

Looking to entertain the kids this winter? Join us at the Boundary County Library 6370 Kootenai Street 10:30am or 1:30pm for story time, crafts and much more! For more information please visit www.boundarycountylibrary.com or call 208.267.3750.

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FEBRUARY 5-7 GUN AND HORN SHOW

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JANUARY 23 BOUNDARY COUNTY, IDAHO CENTENNIAL YEAR

FEBRUARY 12-21 WINTER CARNIVAL

S a n d p o i n t celebrates its 42nd annual celebration February 12th through the 21st with a great lineup of events. Enjoy the downtown Parade of Lights, Sandpoint Skijoring competitions at the fairgrounds, the Taste of Sandpoint, the K-9 Keg Pull, plus an entire week’s worth of events at Schweitzer Mountain Resort capped off with the Winter Carnival Finale. Learn more at SandpointWinterCarnival.com

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FEBRUARY 4 OPEN MIC NIGHT Come share your talent or join the audience on the first Thursday of every month at the Pearl Theater, 7160 Ash Street, Bonners Ferry. Cafe doors open at 6pm, performances start at 7pm. No cover charge. For more information call 208.610.2846 or visit www.pearltheater.org.

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FEBRUARY 14 VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER

Enjoy a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner at the Western Pleasure Guest Ranch. Your favorite soft jazz classics will be performed by Maria Larson throughout the evening. Make the evening complete by scheduling a sleigh ride for two in a one horse open sleigh. Make it an overnight getaway by reserving a log cabin or a Bed and Breakfast stay in one of the lodge’s six guest rooms. Call for more information or to make reservations 208.263.9066.

MORE FEATURE EVENTS AT WWW.BONNERSFERRYLIVINGLOCAL.COM JANUARY 29 BRIDGES HOME Bridges Home celebrates Burns Night at The Pearl Theater at 7pm. Come enjoy a traditional Scottish celebration of Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet and his “Address to Haggis,” a standard Scottish dish. For more information call 208.610.2846 or visit www.pearltheater.org.

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FEBRUARY 4-6 HEAL THEIR LAND

Is climate change predicted in the Bible? Why is Islam so dedicated to destroying Western society? Can we turn things around and return to a better time with peace on earth? Join us for a three-part series to unearth the connection between climate change, Islam, and America and learn how we can deal with the crisis at hand. This FREE event will be held at the Ponderay Event Center and includes a complimentary meal. Thursday and Friday at 5:30pm. Saturday doors open at 9:30am; seminar starts promptly at 10am.

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JANUARY 29 TOYOTA FREE SKI FRIDAY

Drive your Toyota, Scion, or Lexus to Schweitzer Mountain Resort and receive a free lift ticket. Simple as that! To receive your free ticket look for the Toyota and Schweitzer representatives stationed at the Red Barn Park & Ride lot at the bottom of the mountain, or at the on-mountain parking lots. One free lift ticket will be given for each Toyota family vehicle driven to the resort. For more information, visit www.schweitzer.com.

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FEBRUARY 19-20 BLACKBEARD THE PIRATE Missoula Children’s Theater presents Blackbeard the Pirate at The Pearl Theater. Showtimes are Friday, February 19 from 6:30pm to 9pm and Saturday, February 20 from 1pm to 3pm.

For more information call 208.610.2846 or visit www.pearltheater.org.

FEBRUARY 19-20 WOMEN’S CONFERENCE Come join the Women’s Conference to be held at the Mountain Springs Church 6789 Main Street, Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

Cost is $20 per person with lunch provided on Saturday. Our guest speaker is Karen Alexander Doyel.

Please call Mountain Springs Church at 208.267.7777 for more details. We hope to see you there!

FEBRUARY 15 BLACKBEARD THE PIRATE AUDITIONS

FEBRUARY 21 GET THE GIRLS OUT

Missoula Children’s Theater - Blackbeard the Pirate auditions to be held at the Becker Auditorium beginning at 4pm.

Rehearsals to take place all week from 4:15pm to 8:45pm, depending on age. For more information call 208.610.2846 or visit www.pearltheater.org.

Get the Girls Out comes to Schweitzer!

A national campaign to unite women as they support, challenge, mentor and inspire each other in the outdoor sports world. These events cultivate communities for women to have fun

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JANUARY 30 SNOWSHOE RACES Western Pleasure Guest Ranch presents 5k and 10k distances for ages 13 and up and a Buckaroo Race, short distance race for kids 12 and under. A limited number of running snowshoes will be available free of charge for use by anyone that does not have them but would like to join in the fun. No experience necessary. For more information or to register go to www.westernpleasureguestranch.com. and connect with friends – new and old. SheJumps is excited to bring this event back to Schweitzer Mountain again for an amazing day on the slopes!

The event is retro-themed and a prize will be awarded to the most creative costume so please ladies, go all out! For more information and to register, visit the Eventbrite page!

Upcoming Events FEBRUARY 27 RUMPELSTILTSKIN

MARCH 12 RANDY MCALLISTER RETURNS MARCH 19 PENGUIN PLUNGE

LIVING LOCAL

The Gift Of The Kootenai River Valley Soil and climate provide the opportunity for successful tree farming SHORTLY AFTER RECEIVING his degree in Forestry from the University of Idaho, Clifty View Nursery founder, Lonnie Merrifield, began to plant seedling tree crops on a small portion of his family’s farm east and north a bit of Bonners Ferry. Experiencing early success, he incorporated Clifty View Nursery in 1979 contracting grown seedlings for the forest industry at large.

Today, some 36 years hence, Lonnie and son Kevin have more than 600 acres in seedlings that produce more than 120 different species of trees. Kevin Merrifield is this year’s president of the Idaho Nursery and Landscape Association (INLA).

A large portion of the Clifty View annual crop goes out to other growers as well as to commercial landscapers throughout the Pacific Northwest, including Colorado and Canada.

Basically, the Clifty View trees and shrubs being “northern grown” are cold-hardy.

The quality of the soil is a factor in the valley’s horticultural industry, but climate, according to Kevin, is the number one reason for such abundant success. The Kootenai River drainage experiences warm to hot summers and cold winters down to -10 degrees Fahrenheit on average. That’s the perfect range for growing seed stock suitable for nearly anywhere in the Rocky Mountains and other western mountain belts. Add to that the abundance of mountain water and good labor and you have the four primary reasons for a strong industry.

The Clifty View seedling crops include a wide variety of deciduous trees, shrubs and conifers as well as a newly patented, now trademarked aspen variety, called Dancing Flame. Lonnie

BY DWAYNE PARSONS |

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PHOTOS COURTESY CLIFTY VIEW NURSERY

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was one of the first growers in America to successfully reproduce aspen. Dancing Flame is a patented cross between Swedish aspen and the western quaking aspen. Its beautiful fall colors remind even the casual observer of a flame fanning in the wind, hence the name and popularity of this Clifty View original. As a prized ornamental tree, Dancing Flame has shown itself resistant to Shepherd’s Crook, a disease common to quaking aspen.

Lonnie and Kevin are meticulous farmers; employing 70 to 80 skill workers in peak seasons and maintaining 10 to 15 in the off seasons. Between trade shows, planting, watering, weeding, digging of seedlings, sorting, shipping and on the long term, pruning and disease control, they are always busy.

A trustworthy supply of abundant water is one of the keys to their success. Clifty View’s 600 acres of nursery land are fed by two year-round surface streams and backed up by two deep wells. Water is certainly important, especially in a drought year like 2015. Merrifields have acquired a number of water rights (and more land) to ensure that Clifty View would never run dry.

One key, Kevin said, to conserving water is their use of dust mulching between rows of seedlings, through all stages of growth. Dust mulching is essentially the continual raking of the surface to keep weeds down. Weeds of course compete for nutrients and water.

Weeds, infiltrating the dense seedlings rows, are also hand-pulled by skilled staff. But the dust mulching creates a broken surface of soil which helps prevent undue water loss as the sun-dried, broken surface inhibits water evaporation into the air.

Farms like Clifty View can produce up to 4,000 trees per acre if managed correctly, depending of course on soil conditions and water supply.

The glacial-silt, sandy loam of the Kootenai River Valley seems designed handily for tree growers by the Purcell Trench glaciers of old, in part due to the lack of rock in the soil, perfect for tree and seedling growth. Add to that the belt of seasonal

sunshine created for the valley when the Selkirk mountains pull the majority of rain and snow from the clouds before they can dump on the Kootenai, much in the same manner that the Rockies absorb most of the moisture-laden weather before it gets to the Great Plains.

Certainly there are other quality arborists in the Bonners Ferry area who are both meticulous and prideful about the quality

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of the seedlings. Two prominent growers of this ilk, both growing their products north of 3-Mile, are Trees R Us (Tad & Sheila Hansen) and Panhandle Nursery Inc., (Rod & Barbara Lepoidevin).

How Much Land Do I Need for a Tree Nursery?

Even a small acreage of one to five or 10 acres can produce a handsome seedling stock, but the larger growers pretty much dominate the market and are better suited to profitable marketing and supplying of the demand. So there are other, better ways to make a living on a lesser amount of ground.

The University of Idaho has a wonderful educational program now available to Panhandle residents called Starting Your Sustainable Small Farm in Idaho. This is truly worth checking into.

You can contact the Extension Agents through amsnyder@uidaho.edu or call 509.339.5894.

You missed the spring session startup, but they will be delighted to send you information for the next round and plug you into all the necessary educational programs they provide.

The farming of trees in the Kootenai Valley is only one of the many possibilities rural landowners have for utilizing their land.

Recreational use, such as a hunting cabin in the woods, or a fishing camp by a stream or river (or even near one) are popular. But wood lots and wood lot management are another. And

of course, agricultural use includes the raising of farm animals for food and for sale. Many landowners with cleared ground choose hay as a primary crop and they never lack a place to sell it, especially in this last very dry season where most hay growers harvested only one round due to the lack of moisture.

The quality of the soil is a factor in the valley’s horticultural industry, but climate, according to Kevin, is the number one reason for such abundant success.

If you take anything away from this article, aside from a little more knowledge of how, why and what all those tree plantations are all about, take this: North Idaho is a rich land, bountiful in resources with lots of open-space and publicly accessible mountains. The water is clean, the air is pure and the opportunities for are abundant for the innovative, the creative and the willing.

PAGE 32 - LEFT Picea Pungens Glauca Kaibab, growing at Clifty View Nursery, Inc.

Dwayne Parsons is a Realtor for Century 21 Beutler & Associates in Coeur d’Alene working primarily Boundary and Bonner counties. He can be contacted at dparsons@21goldchoice.com.

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PAGE 32 - RIGHT Lonnie and Donna Merrifield of Clifty View Nursery, Inc.

ABOVE “These fall aspen trees are heeled in sawdust awaiting to be shipped in the spring. Heeling in sawdust protects the bare root trees from freezing.

These aspen will not be shipped in burlap.” - Derek Blumenschein, HR and IT Manager at Clifty View Nursery, Inc.

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

Getting Back to Basics...

AND OTHER SIMPLISTIC TRUTHS

BY SUSAN MOORE, OWNER OF BETTER GYM, GIG HARBOR, WA

IF YOU CAN SEE IT, you can be it. Abs are made in the kitchen. Getting back to basics.

We’ve all heard these sayings and thought them to be nonsense. No one wants to go back to the beginning of a path to get further down the road. But what if these are necessary mindsets to ensure success? As of this point in our society’s wellness research we know one thing for sure, and that is that no one seems to agree on anything when it comes to how to be healthy. Most every concept has been proven and disproven through every conceivable study. But what if we just do what we’ve always known to be true?

Losing weight is easy. That’s right, I said it. It’s

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not complicated, and all it takes is consistency.

It goes back to abs are made in the kitchen. Are you currently at a weight that you are happy with? If you can say yes to that question, feel free to skip to the next paragraph. Still reading, aren’t you? Abs really are made or destroyed in the kitchen. I have a number of rules about eating. I like rules because they are boundaries, and in my experience all humans function better when they have boundaries to work within. Even if they periodically go outside said boundaries, they did it because they wanted to and not because they didn’t know any better.

Saying I “don’t” do things is empowering; saying I “can’t” do something is demoralizing.

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DENTURES Marshall A. Arbo, d.d.s Complete & Partial Dentures Denture Repairs & Relines Work Done by Dr. Arbo, General Dentist

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Boundaries. Don’t eat anything that can’t nourish your body in some way. Before you eat something, look at it and make sure you are eating it mindfully, no matter what it is. If it’s a candy bar, then you aren’t actively trying to lose weight. If it’s fast food, your goal isn’t to be healthy. You can give all the reasons, also known as excuses, you want but every bite, lick and taste you put in your mouth has a purpose. It’s either fuel or fuel for later (fat).

Make your choice.

What kind of fuel is just as important. We tend to take better care of our cars than our bodies. If you were to buy a new expensive German vehicle, would you put regular unleaded gasoline in your tank? You can always buy a new car, but we only get one body. We need to treat it at least as well as we do our vehicles. If you treat your car like a garbage can, it’s because it’s not important to you. If you knew that it was your forever car would you change how you treat it? Think about that for a minute. Look at yourself in the mirror for a second. This is your forever body.

Getting stronger takes practice. It also takes visualization. “If you can see it, you can be it”. Our bodies don’t speak English. When I am coaching people, I have to find words to cue people to get them to move the way I want them to. If more than one person in my session isn’t getting the movement I am coaching, it isn’t their fault it’s mine. All I have to do to get someone to move better is say something in a way that causes a visual response. So if there is something you really want to do, visualize it. Take your time and don’t just visualize the outcome but also what it realistically took to get there. Now make a plan based on the visualization drill. It works.

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Every time.

The last truth I gave an example of was “getting back to basics”. It could be my favorite. We’ve all heard it, but how often have you actually thought about it and done it. You should and can get back to basics in every part of your life. Want to lose weight?

Get back to the basics of food. Good basic forms of proteins, carbs and fats. Want to move better? Start on the ground learning to roll around and crawl before load-bearing movements. The basics you learned as a toddler. It’s the same with health and fitness as it is with finance, studying, or even just trying to be a better person in general. Most common, time tested sayings or cliches came from somewhere. Most everything we need to have a better life has already been found, invented or discovered. Sometimes, all we need is simplicity.

Reduce Your Risk of Falls WARM WATER THERAPY CAN HELP!

BY JENNY JONES, PT, CORNERSTONE PHYSICAL THERAPY IN THIS WINTER SEASON, it is easy for anyone to fall and possibly get injured; but our elder population has an increased risk of falling anywhere. The elderly have a nine times greater risk of dying from a fall than a 20-year-old driver does in an auto accident.

Loss of balance, however, does not have to be an inevitable and “unfixable” part of the aging process.

Decreased balance is not always apparent.

Many folks can walk upright in a straight path without aid of a cane and seem fine, but the trick comes when they may have to turn around, raise their arms, or step over an object. Reaching out to touch furniture or walls while walking is known as “cruising” and a sure sign that they need the extra stability of a cane or possibly even a walker.

Canes, walkers, furniture and a friend’s arm can all add security and decrease the chance of a fall but will not stop the progression of loss of balance. Our vision, vestibular (inner ear), posture, muscle strength and feeling in our lower limbs all affect posture and some of these can be corrected.

One of the body’s first lines of defense for maintaining standing balance comes from our ankle muscles’ ability to continuously adjust how our body is positioned over our

feet to maintain balance. Hips next come into play to keep us upright. The ability to recover our balance once it is challenged involves the ability to quickly take a step, shift our trunk or outstretch an arm. All these factors can be relearned through physical therapy, as well as correcting postural problems such as tight or weak muscles, especially the back muscles, which begin to succumb to gravity in the elderly population.

Balance improves consistently for the majority of patients who participate in warm water pool therapy. Muscles can be stretched and strengthened in the buoyant environment. Balance can be challenged and worked on without the fear of falling. Balance tasks can be progressed at different depths with the greatest risk being getting a hairdo wet!

If balance has become as issue for you or a loved one, your doctor can refer you to a physical therapist for evaluation and set up a treatment program. A walker does not always have to become necessary if balance loss can be corrected. Stay safe and be careful on that ice!

Jenny Jones, PT has been a licensed physical therapist since 1980 and is passionate about her vocation.

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YOURLOCAL

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The Badger’s Den Cafe & Latte

Badgers Den Cafe & Latte

Pizza Factory

Fresh hand-tossed pizzas, salads, sandwiches and more are a specialty at the Pizza Factory. “We Toss ‘Em, They’re Awesome!” Open Sun-Thur 11am-9pm and Fri-Sat 11am-10pm. They also deliver!

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Badgers Den Cafe & Latte is a family style restaurant serving breakfast, sandwiches, burgers – including buffalo burgers, huckleberry milk shakes and other American favorites. Open 6am-2pm daily or drive through for your morning latte starting at 5:30am. WiFi friendly!

6551 Main Street - Bonners Ferry 208.267.1486

Forty-One South

A beautiful waterfront, fine-dining restaurant in a romantic lodge setting overlooking Lake Pend Oreille. Whether it is summer on the patio or cozying up to the fireplace in the winter, FortyOne South’s spectacular sunsets, innovative cuisine, full bar and extensive wine list are sure to make it a memorable night out. Our bar and restaurant menu changes with the season offering a variety of delicious food year round. Reservations recommended.

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Kootenai River Brewing Company

The brewery is a family style restaurant that serves lunch and dinner. Taproom is open Mon-Wed 3-7pm, Thurs-Sun 11am-8pm.

Restaurant is open Thurs-Sun 11am-8pm.

Always on tap are eight flavorful beers, with rotating seasonals. All of our beer is brewed with locally grown North Idaho Hops. We cater! Inquire for pricing.

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TRAVEL & LEISURE

AN INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

Combining travel with education provides in-depth experience

By Patty Hutchens. Photos by Joanne Heaviland Photography.

TRAVEL. It is something that most of us love to do or, at the very least, dream about.

Whether it is to lands far away that we have only read about in history books or a place right in our country, travel is filled with adventure and new discoveries. And when you combine that adventure with an opportunity to learn new things, the experience is that much more exciting.

From Tourist to Tour Guide Such is the case with Joanne Heaviland,

a professional photographer who lives in Southern California. Heaviland has taken her passion for travel and photography and shared it with others in her photography workshops all over the world. It is a chance to explore, learn and create in some of the most beautiful places on Earth.

As an employee for United Airlines when she was just 21, Heaviland had the opportunity to travel all over the world to places such as China, Thailand, Greece, Mexico, Canada, Peru and many places throughout Europe. That

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experience, combined with her own heritage, gave her a taste of places she would like to explore further.

Growing up with an Italian grandmother, Heaviland developed a passion for Italy and Italian food early in life. Her work as a professional photographer and passion for travel are what inspired her to conduct travel photography workshops.

“I named my first one in 2013 to Tuscany, Italy ‘Wine, Food & Photography,’” said Heaviland.

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“My 2011 trip is what inspired me to do a tour to Peru and also Machu Picchu in June of 2015 that was titled ‘Experience Peru: A Culinary, Cultural and Photography Journey through the land of the Incas.’”

The 2011 trip to which Heaviland refers was with a nonprofit group, International Children’s Network, that assists at-risk and orphaned children in countries all around the world.

Heaviland traveled to Peru in 2011 as part of the group that was there to choose children for the World Orphan Choir.

As she traveled to orphanages in the Andes Mountains, at an altitude of 17,000 feet, Heaviland saw young children who had been abandoned, neglected and abused. The children were living in an orphanage so they could attend school – an option that would not be available to them if they lived with their parents.

Heaviland shares how, as the children auditioned for the choir, they were singing for their lives. It was their ticket out of poverty to be

able to travel throughout the U.S. performing at schools, churches and community events to bring awareness to the plight of poverty in other parts of the world.

Heaviland knew she wanted to be involved. She used her talent as a photographer and as she traveled to the orphanages in Peru, she took photographs of all the orphaned children – one avenue by which potential sponsors could connect with the children. Heaviland sponsors three of those children.

But her trip not only changed the lives of the children, it changed hers as well. She fell in love with the country of Peru and vowed to return.

She did just that this past year with her Peru tour.

“My tours are unique in the sense that I always include wine – or in the case of Peru, their traditional drink of Pisco Sours – food and photography. We also have a cooking class of the traditional food from each particular country, and then I hold photography classes for any of the participants that are interested

Courtesy Nichole Pagano

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in photography,” said Heaviland. “I would say that usually half the people on my tours are interested in learning how to improve their photos. The tours also include cultural and historical tours as well.”

Heaviland shares that given the world as it is today, it is often preferable for many to travel as part of a tour. “I think especially women who are traveling alone prefer to travel in a group.

They feel safer, but they also enjoy other women who like to travel as well,” said Heaviland.

One of those who went on the tour is Chrys Wallen who traveled with her daughter-in-law to Peru this past June.

“We had a tour through the local market place in Lima led by our chef at the Sky Kitchen Cooking School,” said Wallen. “It was very fun and informative.”

As a novice photographer, Wallen said she appreciated Heaviland’s patience with teaching photography on the trip. “She taught me a lot,” said Wallen who adds that the accommodations

She used her talent as a photographer and as she traveled to the orphanages in Peru, she took photographs of all the orphaned children – one avenue by which potential sponsors could connect with the children.

were wonderful and the local guides were very informative. “I am ready to go on another tour with Joanne, whenever and wherever she plans to go, I’m ready.”

In addition to returning to Peru and Italy for tours in 2016, Heaviland is currently planning a tour to Ireland for this year, a new place for her. She will announce exact dates in February on her website, www.joanneheavilandphotography.com.

Beyond Studying Abroad While many equate such travel with the life of the retired or the wealthy, there are college students who are also choosing to not only study abroad but to also immerse themselves into the culture by taking part in classes that give them a broader understanding of the country in which they choose to temporarily call home.

Nichole Pagano is a senior at the University of Idaho where she is majoring in marketing in the College of Business and Economics.

She has spent this fall exploring the country of Italy. It’s been exhausting and exhilarating and, given the chance, she would do it all over again. In addition to Italian 1 and Italian 2, her courses include Italian Cuisine and Intercultural Communications. “These classes

in particular have definitely enhanced my experience in Italy,” said Pagano. She shares how her Intercultural Communications class has brought to light many of the cultural barriers between the cultures. “From language to religion to norms and beliefs,” the differences are many.

Pagano said that her full Italian experience was definitely enhanced by enrolling in the Italian language classes, as difficult as they have been.

“I feel more competent and confident living in Torino being able to carry a basic conversation with locals,” said Pagano.

And Pagano was determined to leave Italy in December with an ability to communicate effectively in Italian.

“I feel like I know a lot of Italian, but at the same time I know there is so much more out there,” said Pagano. “But every time an Italian can tell I’m American and speaks to me in English and I reply in Italian, I feel extra victorious!”

The Italian Cuisine class has taught her far more

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than learning how to cook authentic Italian dishes; it has given her a glimpse into where the Italian culture’s passion lies. “Implementing the Italian Cuisine class to my studies has given me an appreciation of what it truly means to be Italian. When you visit an area and eat the food, you don’t fully understand the time and effort and generations of recipes that it takes to bring that food to your table,” said Pagano.

“Learning different techniques and recipes and prep courses to make a full Italian meal has not only helped me understand the culture, but has made me fall in love with Italy even more.”

As she comes to the end of her four-month adventure, Pagano said she would do it again in a heartbeat. Not only was it a chance to learn about another culture, but the experience has changed her in ways difficult to describe.

“If you told me I could start again tomorrow, I would without a second thought. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I can tell how much I’ve grown and changed, and I’m excited to get back home and implement what I’ve learned into my daily life in America.”

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