compiled by Susan Drinkard
DEAR READERS, (wo)MAN on the street
What kind of museum would you prefer to visit: an art museum, an historical museum or a science museum?
“Probably a science museum because I like science; I used to teach life science at the middle school.”
Erin Roos Teacher
Sandpoint High School
Sandpoint
“I would like to go to a science museum to learn more about climate change and to see exhibits about planetary orbits and to see how the Earth moves around the sun.”
Brady Patterson
8th grade home school
Sandpoint
“I think history, especially world history — learning lessons from our past to create our best future.”
Katherine Funk-Adlard
High performance mindset coach and certified fitness trainer
Sandpoint
One of my favorite things in the whole wide world is when I wake up in the middle of the night for one reason or another, peer out the window and see a night sky full of snow blanketing the streets. That happened Wednesday morning.
Speaking of a good winter activity, we are offering our annual media survey for the fifth year, which helps us track which media you use. For a chance to win $100 in dining bucks, take the survey here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/BS36NJX. It only takes a couple minutes!
-Ben Olson, Publisher
“I’d like to visit our local museum because I am interested in local and regional history.”
Richard Rawson
Burlington Northern Sandpoint
“A science museum because the exhibits would be changing all the time as discoveries of our natural world increase and as technology advances into the future.”
Whitney Taitano
Library technician
Sandpoint
READER
111 Cedar Street, Suite 9 Sandpoint, ID 83864 (208)265-9724
www.sandpointreader.com
Publisher: Ben Olson ben@sandpointreader.com
Editor: Cameron Rasmusson cameron@sandpointreader.com
Zach Hagadone (emeritus) John Reuter (emeritus)
Advertising: Jodi Berge Jodi@sandpointreader.com
Contributing Artists:
Racheal Baker Photography (cover), Ben Olson, Bill Borders, Susan Drinkard.
Contributing Writers: Cameron Rasmusson, Ben Olson, Lyndsie Kiebert, Brenden Bobby, Nancy Gerth, Chantilly Higbee, Sen. Maryanne Jordan, Mayor Shelby Rognstad, Gabrielle Deubendorfer, Susan Drumheller.
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The Sandpoint Reader is a weekly publication owned and operated by Ben Olson and Keokee. It is devoted to the arts, entertainment, politics and lifestyle in and around Sandpoint, Idaho. We hope to provide a quality alternative by offering honest, in-depth reporting that reflects the intelligence and interests of our diverse and growing community. The Reader is printed on recycled paper using soy-based ink. Leftover copies are collected and recycled weekly, or burned in massive bonfires to appease the gods of journalism. Free to all, limit two copies per person.
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About the Cover
This week’s cover photo was taken by Racheal Baker Photography, featuring Greasy Fingers’ Brian Anderson out on his fat bike. Thanks for the great shot, Racheal.
BOCC hears EMS concerns, suggestions
By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff
The Bonner County Commissioners hosted a public meeting Friday to hear questions and concerns over the possible shift of the county’s Emergency Management Services from government operated to a private, nonprofit model.
The meeting was prompted by news that the county is considering North Valley EMS, which Commissioner Dan McDonald said “was created to potentially do business with Bonner County” by interim EMS director Jeff Lindsey.
Friday’s meeting saw several proposals for what local EMS and fire officials saw as viable options for improving Bonner County EMS, as well as requests that forthcoming decisions be made more transparent.
“What I don’t understand is all the meetings behind closed doors where none of us were invited, and my first clue about this was from what I read in the paper,” said County Treasurer Cheryl Piehl. “I am truly disappointed in that process. I think we should move forward, and we need to include all the players.”
Many argued a major way to improve transparency would be to re-establish the EMS advisory committee, which is mandated under county code. The board went ad-hoc in 2016 when members stopped going to meetings, said McDonald.
“‘Ad-hoc’ means ‘as needed,’ so it seems like with this kind of response there must be something needed,” said Dave VanNatter with the West Pend Oreille Fire District, gesturing toward the room full of people.
Mark Sauter, president of the Bonner County Fire Chiefs’ Association, read from
a letter submitted by his organization. He said that because they have little information directly from the BOCC regarding the possible future of EMS, it was hard to provide input. Sauter said members of the association do believe the EMS system can be improved, and they “applaud the board” for looking into solutions.
“However, with the information we have now, we don’t have confidence that the current process will address our concerns,” Sauter said. “We insist that the EMS system planning process be restarted so that our fire districts are involved and provide their insight. We believe our combined efforts will be worth the time spent.”
Several attendees advocated for a fire-based EMS system, including Bonner County Commissioner Steven Bradshaw, who joined the BOCC after initial talks about an EMS shift to a nonprofit model took place. Bradshaw characterized the nonprofit model as “a map to 100-percent failure.”
“Fire-based EMS is probably the most successful nationwide, (but) there’s 100 options out there,” he said.
Sheriff Daryl Wheeler emphasized the need to keep EMS within county government, and proposed the system be moved under the umbrella of the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office. He said one successful model is Alger County, Mich. Wheeler said he spoke with the Alger County sheriff, who said the sheriff office-based EMS model has been better than any other model they’ve tried. He urged the BOCC to make a “faster-than-normal” decision.
McDonald said the county is anywhere from six months to a year away from making any changes.
“We don’t walk into this
lightly,” McDonald said. “It seems to be the attitude (of the public) that somehow we willy-nilly woke up one day and said, ‘Hey, I know what we can do today — let’s screw with EMS.’ We’ve been looking at this for quite some time.”
Commissioner Jeff Connol-
ly emphasized that no decisions have been made regarding the future of county EMS.
“This isn’t about saving money,” Connolly said. “Nobody here wants to risk life to save money. This is about trying to offer the absolute best response and service to the
people of Bonner County for the money that you are already paying.”
Toddler killed in Ponderay car crash
By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff
A car collision near Ponderay on Monday morning killed a 2-year-old girl.
According to Idaho State Police, Keanu M Dooley, 22, was turning left onto Sunnyside Road in his 1998 Subaru Forester when he was hit on the
passenger side by Wesley Free, 29, in his 2017 Ford truck. While neither man was wearing a seatbelt, the 2-year-old girl in Dooley’s car was properly secured in a child’s seat.
By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff
Are you a furloughed government employee or just having a rough time? Call Sandpoint Curry for a free meal to help get through the
The Monarch Market in Clark Fork is accepting donations for the Dooley family, as well as hosting a bake sale and difficult period.
According to a Sandpoint Curry Facebook post, customers have begun donating meals for random individuals in need.
In addition, the restaurant is contributing two meals a week
pizza fundraiser this Saturday and Sunday. Those unable to donate in person can still contribute by mailing a check to Monarch Market, P.O. Box 100, Clark Fork, ID, 83811. Make checks payable to Keanu Dooley. There is also an option to donate through PayPal at paypal.me/quinndooley.
out of its own pocket. The business is open Thursdays and Fridays.
To reserve a donated meal, message Sandpoint Curry on Facebook or call 404-5653131.
Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler addressees the BOCC regarding changes to EMS at a Jan. 18 public meeting. Photo by Lyndsie Kiebert.
Scott, Green partner on bill targeting abortion
By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff
District 1 Rep. Heather Scott is aiming to go toe-totoe with the federal government in defining the legality of abortion in Idaho.
Scott, R-Blanchard, and John Green, R-Post Falls, are partnering on legislation that would counter the federal legal precedent set by Roe v. Wade. The bill instructs the Idaho Attorney General to enforce state law irrespective of conflicting federal law and denies the federal government’s ability to override state law.
“Idaho Code defines a fetus as a human and says killing a human is murder, abortion is in contradiction to the inalienable rights recognized in the Idaho Constitution, and the State of Idaho has the authority to nullify federal laws that
would allow abortions,” the bill reads.
In a press release, Scott and Green said they do not intend to set in motion a test case that would challenge the legality of abortion at the federal level. Instead, they maintain that Idaho has the right to make its own laws on abortion regardless of what the federal government rules.
“We simply recognize that the courts render opinions which are sometimes unconstitutional and that the State of Idaho and its officers are bound by oath to original interpretation of the constitutions, both state and federal,” Green said in a press release.
Indeed, the bill’s language opens the door for Idaho to simply ignore any court challenges by the federal government should
it become law.
“The state of Idaho and its political subdivisions, and agents thereof, may not enter an appearance, special or otherwise, in any federal suit challenging this act,” the language reads.
The bill puts teeth on its proposed changes to Idaho law by repealing the prohibition of prosecution for abortion. That opens the door for the state to introduce punishments against women who obtain abortions.
“Courts don’t make laws, the legislature does, and we are bound by our oath of office, to protect the fundamental human rights of all Idahoans,” Scott said in a press release.
Past attempts by the Idaho Legislature to restrict abortion have resulted in lengthy court battles over
their legality. The Idaho State Journal reports that Planned Parenthood is fighting two laws introducing new requirements and restrictions related to
abortion, while another law prohibiting video-based health consultations related to abortion was repealed after the state suffered a defeat in court.
Pend Oreille Hospital District trustee alleges misuse of tax dollars
By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff
A member of the Pend Oreille Hospital District is challenging the board and Bonner General Health over their use of taxpayer dollars.
Dan Rose, who was elected a trustee of the taxing district in 2017, is leading the challenge against the board with representation by attorney Sean. P Smith. He alleges that since 1996, more than $16,800,000 has been mishandled by the board and that trustees have charted a pattern of Idaho Open Meeting Law violations in the process.
Rose and Smith back their allegations with an Oct. 16 letter from the Idaho Attorney General’s Office to Dr. Thomas Lawrence, chairman of the Pend Oreille Hospital District, which expresses concern about the handling of tax dollars.
“(Idaho Code) limits the District’s purpose to acquiring, constructing, improving and maintaining a public hospital or medical clinic within its district for the necessary care and treatment of persons requiring medical services,” the letter, signed by Deputy Attorney General Brett DeLange,
reads. “Idaho’s applicable statutes, in our view, do not authorize the District to simply fund a private nonprofit entity.”
“In summary, the District’s funding of Bonner Hospital, in our view, fails to comply with Idaho’s applicable constitutional and statutory provisions,” the letter concludes.
DeLange compares the situation to a case that unfolded against the Pocatello-Chubbuck Auditorium District, which operates under similar statutory authority as the hospital district. The Idaho Supreme Court determined that the
district exceeded the authority granted it by transferring public funds to private persons.
The Idaho Attorney General’s Office declined to comment further on the matter, as it is ongoing.
Rose alleges that in spite of the letter, the Pend Oreille Hospital District has continued to make questionable money transfers to Bonner General Health. He also notes that six of the seven trustees are also hospital board members. According to Rose, his goal is to “expose the conduct of the POHD and to secure a return of the millions of
misappropriated taxpayer money.”
“The Bonner County Sheriff, the Bonner County Prosecuting Attorney and the Office of the Idaho Attorney General have all been made aware of the unlawful activity of the POHD,” reads a release issued by Smith. “What actions these offices will take to investigate and prosecute the wrongdoers, or secure a return of the misappropriated funds, remains to be seen.”
At the recommendation of legal counsel, Bonner General Health officials are not commenting on the allegations.
Rep. Heather Scott
Bouquets:
• Count me as one of those who were pleasantly surprised when new Idaho Governor Brad Little announced last week that “climate change was real.” Little acknowledged that the “climate’s changing, there’s no question about it.” Little’s comments on Jan. 16 at the Idaho Environmental Forum break from the national members of his party, including President Trump, who believes climate change is a “hoax.” Way to go, Gov. Little. Idaho state House Speaker Scott Bedke, who was also in attendance, acknowledged the comments were groundbreaking when he said to the audience, “I think that — well, you saw the earth move earlier.”
Barbs
• Now that it’s winter and we’re dealing with snow removal downtown, it’s important for us all to park correctly. One thing I notice quite often is when people park their long-bed pickup trucks two or three feet away from the curb on Cedar Street, traffic gets bunched up because both lanes can’t pass at the same time since the rear bumper of the truck hangs out into the street. This also happens when they park near the bulbout sections (which aren’t real parking spots, but when it snows we can’t see the curb). When I park downtown, I always quickly glance at my rig to make sure I’m not parked like a jackass. I encourage you all to do the same. I’d rather be known as a jackass for other reasons.
• A Barb goes out to the dude who slid on the ice while turning onto Church Street and slammed into the side of a Subaru parked there. I watched incredulously as he hesitated while thinking about it, then gunned it and took off. Who does this? It wasn’t a ton of damage, but come on — who wants to get off after working hard all day and see their car was wrecked by some inconsiderate driver? I wrote down your license plate number.
By Reader Staff
The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce welcomed Sandpoint Play & Learn with a ribboncutting ceremony on Thursday, Jan. 17.
After an extensive renovation, The Sandpoint Play & Learn Center opened its doors in November. They are a brandnew Children’s Daycare facility in the heart of Sandpoint, run by a professional, highly qualified, experienced and caring staff, to cater to the needs of working
parents in the Sandpoint Area.
Located at the corner of Division and Pine, they are open 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday. They accept children from 3 months
Chamber welcomes Sandpoint Play and Learn Journey Pediatric
Therapy
opens new
clinic
By Reader Staff
Journey Pediatric Therapy, an occupation therapy practice children and adolescents in Sandpoint, has opened a new clinic location at 1009 Highway 2, Suite B. Until now, the therapists have been seeing clients only in their homes. The new clinic offers the convenience of an in-town location and includes a gym which increases therapy options.
Journey has three occupational therapists who work with chil-
dren with diverse developmental needs in Bonner and Boundary counties. They assist children experiencing developmental delays, physical disability, sensory processing or emotional regulation difficulties to master developmental tasks and achieve greater independence, and more fully integrate into their communities.
For more information contact Maresa Black, 208-627-8615, or therapy@journeypediatrics.com.
through 5 years old. They also offer school age children a daycare service on days when the schools are closed and on snow days.
Owner Kelley Wendle said, “The daycare has been a dream of mine for many years.” With extensive experience in childhood development, Wendle also owns Latchkey Kids, an after-school program at Sagle Elementary. “We look forward to serving the community with this amazing new Daycare and Learning Center.”
While their Toddler and Infant Programs are filling up quickly, they still have spaces available for preschoolers age three to five.
Please join the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce in welcoming Sandpoint Play & Learn. We wish them success in our community. For more information call (208) 597-4889 or visit their website www.sandpointdaycare.org.
THE READER IN PARADISE
Sandpoint’s Gil Beyer brought the Reader along to Telchac Puerto, a fishing village about 30 miles from Merida on the north coast of the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico. Photo taken by Sherry Beyer.
L to R: Lynn Jennings-Dawson, Alyse Ruggles, Ricci Witte, Tyler Aronson, Andrew Sampson, Kelley Wendle, Patty Murphy, Monica Bennett, Vicky Jacobson, Steve Sanchez and kids of the center.
PERSPECTIVES
Emily Articulated
A column by and about Millennials
Don’t read this
By Emily Erickson Reader Columnist
There are two reasons you shouldn’t read this article. If you are either of these things, I encourage you to simply flip the page, pressing the picture of my face flat against the words opposite me, continuing through the rest of this publication in undisturbed Reader bliss.
The first of the reasons is if you are hungry. The contents below are going to describe, in great detail, a meal. It will be my goal to place you in the middle of a dinner, and if your hunger pangs are going to drown out the rest of my words, you may as well just come back at another time.
at the table straightens up and cranes their neck in anticipation. You join them in trying to get a glimpse at the meal to come.
Suddenly, like a parade, the service staff enters through the doorway, the black of their aprons like backdrops for the platters resting on their fingertips.
Your stomach leaps as you take in the scene.
Large, golden-brown birds are followed by heaping piles of mashed potatoes, boats of smooth, thick gravy and deep basins of roasted carrots, parsnips and corn.
eryone wants food.”
You look back perplexed, now turning to your neighbor. “They’ve skipped me. I haven’t gotten any dinner, and I’m so hungry,” you relay, pointing at your empty plate.
And sputtering through a mouthful of chicken, they retort, “Of course, everybody wants dinner. We are all hungry. We all deserve food. You are no different from the rest of us.”
You are in disbelief. Of course everyone deserves food. That’s not the point. Your plate is empty while everyone around you has heaping plates. You are not requesting special treatment, but rather, you just want the same portions everyone else has.
Only when we are all served the same portions, can we say we’ve achieved equality.
This exercise can be applied to many movements throughout our country and our community. Whether it’s Black Lives Matter, women’s rights or other minority movements, when people are merely asking for their portions, our only response should be to listen, making sure we aren’t too focused on our own helpings to notice the empty plates of our neighbors.
In gratitude and respect to Martin Luther King Jr. and all of his work toward inclusivity and equality.
The second of the reasons is if you are uncomfortable with thinking about one of the most contentious issues we face as a human society, and especially as a Sandpoint community. It’s my hope to approach this issue singularly, and from a place of contemplation, without the constraints of partisanship. But again, if you are uncomfortable experimenting with perspective, please — smoosh my face, flip the page.
Made it this far? Well, then let’s begin.
You are sitting in a broad chair with large armrests and a cushion beneath you. This chair is tucked up against a sturdy wooden table, stretching nearly completely to each end of the dining room. The space is warmly lit, with the smells of a feast hanging thickly in the air, and wafts of steam from the kitchen quarters bounce playfully off the flickers of the candlelight.
You are sitting alongside a group of people, each in their own chairs, with their own hunger pangs echoing the grumbles inside of your stomach. There are excited whispers about the impending meal, each person describing the aromas in erratic and tantalizing detail.
“I bet it’s going to be roasted chickens and potatoes,” your neighbor surmises.
“I smell freshly baking biscuits and pies,” you reply eagerly, the saliva in your mouth gathering in the pockets of your cheeks.
Finally, a loud bell rings, it’s chimes reverberating around the room. Each person
At the end of the line, pitchers of wine, beer and cider are carried in the trained hands of the staff.
The servers begin plating at the opposite end of the table from you, each adding large helpings of the dishes they are carrying to the plates of your table-mates. Your stomach growls ferociously as you watch a large dollop of potatoes slip off the silver spoon onto the man’s platter next to you.
Your neighbors’ plates slowly fill up with each passing server; large, flaky biscuits sitting atop savory stacks of stuffing, with scoops of butter dribbling over the edges of the cobs of corn.
As your turn approaches, you can barely contain the excitement that’s been building in your gut, your hands nearly shaking in anticipation.
But then, something strange happens. You look around, with each of the plates of your table-mates piled high with food and cups brimming with liquids, and watch as the servers begin filling silently out of the room.
They are leaving without filling your plate. You haven’t received any food or drink, and they are walking away.
As your stomach screams in protest, you raise your hand, trying to get their attention.
“Excuse me, you seem to have forgotten me,” you say trying to keep your voice steady and polite. “I haven’t gotten any food.”
A server replies, “Well, obviously, ev-
This is how it feels to be discriminated against. When we reply to groups of people’s requests for equal rights with, “We all deserve rights,” we are missing the point.
Emily Erickson is a freelance writer and bartender originally from Wisconsin, with a degree in sociology and an affinity for playing in the mountains.
Emily Erickson.
Science: Mad about
snailpocalypse
By Brenden Bobby Reader Columnist
Most of us have fun memories of cute little snails from kindergarten. We knew they were slow, patient and harmless creatures that carried their home on their back and were eager to make your day great.
Well, let’s just go ahead and throw that into this handy dumpster and set that on fire, because I’m about to ruin everyone’s childhood.
The snail in everyone’s mind’s eye is Helix pomatia, sometimes called the Roman snail or escargot by the adventurous eater. They’re cute, slow little molluscs with tiny eyestalks and tentacle feelers to sense their surroundings. They also have a slow, inefficient method of moving by contracting the foot muscle that is most of their lower body and relaxing it to pull themselves along, while leaving a slimy trail of mucus in their wake that helps reduce friction and lets them stick to things. Helix pomatia is hermaphroditic, which means each snail contains both set of reproductive organs. They’re primarily herbivores, but they’ve been known to commit to cannibalism under unfavorable conditions.
Note, that’s unfavorable, not extreme. We’re not talking Donner Party here, we’re talking: “Dave from accounting ate my yogurt for lunch, so I guess I’m going to have to kill and eat Jonathan.”
Maybe it’s a good thing molluscs didn’t achieve sentience on Earth, or I’d be writing this article with tentacles while slurping on a Bret sandwich right now.
If you think this is the worst of how I’m going to ruin all of our
childhoods, avert your eyes now. This was the warm-up round.
Let’s start off easy.
The Giant African Land Snail is exactly what it sounds like: A giant terrestrial snail from Africa. This beast gets up to almost 8 inches long. If you think the Serengeti is the only place you’re going to encounter this Lovecraftian nightmare, I’ve got news for you: They’ve invaded southern Florida. Thanks to the illegal exotic pet trade and produce like bananas and coffee shipped from Africa, these beasts have found a home in the land of gators and snakes and have a propensity for eating rat poop and stucco siding, spreading all manner of parasitic diseases in their slimy wake.
Ick.
If that’s not bad enough for you, Australia strikes again to bring insomnia-inducing nightmare fuel to your pillow at night. Home to not one, not two, but a bare minimum of FIVE carnivorous snails, Australia further establishes its dominance as the land down under natural hell. I mean, I love Australia, but I’m pretty sure I couldn’t sleep there soundly on a vacation. Some of these terrifying snails have specially modified radula, prehensile tongues, that eviscerate and suck bits of insects, worms or anything else made of delicious flesh they can trap with their sticky goop.
Perhaps the most ruthless of all snails is the moon snail. This thing slides around the ocean floor looking for clams. The clams, so smug with their thick shells, get mounted by the moon snail, which uses its radula to drill through the clam’s shell, then sprays acid inside and sucks the remains out. If this brutal
tactic isn’t completely unsettling to you, perhaps it’s time to reconsider career paths to become an evil genius.
So far, much of this has been restricted to atrocities against smaller animals. So long as you’re not a clam or an earthworm, you don’t have a whole lot to worry about. That’s about to change. Multitudes of species of freshwater snails inhabit our waterways. Given their status as bottom feeders, they eat the literal crap that other animals don’t touch. Much of this refuse is loaded with all manner of parasites and diseases that find safe refuge for replication in the digestive tracts of these snails, which go on to poop out even more of it. When they switch between being terrestrial and aquatic, this further complicates the problem and brings disease where it normally wouldn’t reside.
Because of that, freshwater snails are the primary contributor to the second-most infectious parasitic disease in the world: schistosomiasis. (The number-one spot goes to malaria.) Schistosomiasis causes a host of ailments from joint aches to bladder cancer and painful urination, and it afflicts more than 200 million people around the world, mostly in poorer tropical countries without access to reasonable (or any) healthcare.
Before you put this issue down to start smashing every snail you see with a bat, I should let you know about some really awesome snails.
The spiny murex is a deep sea snail that creates a shell right out of an “Iron Maiden” music video, covered in curved spikes that protect it from fish. Ironically, its defense seems to be its ultimate undoing, as the spikes get caught in fishing nets that pull them to the surface en masse and drop
them into gift shops up and down the coast.
Hinea brasiliana is an awesome tiny snail you’d think is in Brazil, but is really near Australia and New Zealand. It’s one of just a handful of snails around the world capable of bioluminescence, and will flash a bright green when it’s threatened. Its shell is slightly translucent and will diffuse the color to appear much bigger than it really is, like a warning light.
Liguus virgineus is a snail
aptly dubbed the “candy cane snail.” It has a very colorful, conical shell reminiscent of the banding on candy canes. It makes its home in the Caribbean, and is struggling against human-caused extinction. It’s actually illegal to harvest these for their shells now because of that.
Now that I’ve confused and ruined your childhood, I’m going to go make sure Dave doesn’t steal that yogurt...
Random Corner
Don’t know much about gold? We can help!
• The world’s largest gold bar weighs 551 pounds. At $1,250 per ounce (today’s gold price), this bar is worth $11,020,000.
• More gold is recoverable from a ton of personal computers than from 17 tons of gold ore.
• Our bodies contain about 0.2 milligrams of gold, most of it in our blood. Don’t try to harvest it either. That’s only worth about a penny.
• Three Olympic swimming pools can hold all the gold ever mined in the world.
• The world’s oceans contain nearly 20 million tons of gold.
• Nearly all of the gold on Earth came from meteorites that bombarded the planet over 200 million years after it formed.
• Nearly half the gold ever mined has come from one place: Witwatersrand, South Africa.
• There is enough gold in Earth’s core to coat its entire surface to a depth of 1.5 feet.
• Indian housewives hold 11 percent of the world’s gold. That is more than the reserves of the U.S., IMF, Switzerland and Germany put together.
• Alchemist Hennig Brand believed that he could distill gold from human urine. After stockpiling 1,500 gallons of urine and boiling it, he discovered phosphorus.
The liguus virgineus, or “candy cane snail.”
50 ways to hurt yourself
The joy of growing old
By Nancy Gerth Reader Contributor
Something nobody mentions about growing old is that suddenly you can — and do — hurt yourself in new and imaginative ways. This has been going on ever since I turned about 60. After eight years, this morning I made some progress. I found a new way to hurt myself, but I avoided it just in the so-called “nick” of time.
You see, in the last years I have found a new way to hurt myself every day. By “new” I mean that I have never before hurt myself in this way, and frankly, did not think it possible. By “every day” I mean every day.
I don’t count running into walls and doors, which I occasionally did in my middle decades, especially when menstruating. That stopped for a decade, and when I turned 60, I guess I felt that the old ways of hurting myself were becoming old hat. So I invented some new ones. As a warm-up I started with the less inventive ones.
First, I sliced open a finger or two while cooking. When I’m lucky, it’s limited it to slicing off a finger nail. When unlucky, I have to stop making dinner and go get bandages. As I become more circumspect, I don’t cut myself as often. (Somewhere along the line I picked up the erroneous wisdom that keeping knives sharp was better than having dull ones laying around. It has not been my experience that sharp knives cause less damage than unsharpened ones. Just the opposite. This must be advice for young people only.)
Next, I stood up quickly and hit my head on:
a) a shelf that has been there for 15 years
b) a cabinet door I have just opened, and of which I may still have my hand on the handle
c) my husband’s chin, since he must so carefully oversee even the most simple household tasks
d) the roosting boxes in the hen-
house. The chickens like to lay their eggs below the boxes close to the wall. I did this once so hard I near knocked myself out.
Narrowing in on more unconventional territory, I stabbed my finger with the little tongue of the buckle on the dog collar.
Now when I awake in the morning I am excited by curiosity: What will it be today?
Maybe I’ll simply fall down for no reason or trip on something that doesn’t exist (some people would say “my feet,” but I believe in things that don’t exist and might as well blame them). I did this in the garden once and cracked a rib.
Not long ago I ran into the bottom of one of those rain chains you use instead of gutters. This one was made out of rocks and caught me on the forehead. Ouch.
I’ve opened the hatch on the back of the car and hit myself in the face. This has already happened twice.
My husband didn’t get the back massage he requires and deserves each morning after I jammed my finger while washing windows.
I am covered with blood blisters. One of my favorites so far, and one I would enter in the most-inventive-newway-to-hurt-yourself contest was this: While screwing a nozzle on a garden hose, I caught the loose skin on the palm between my thumb and pointer finger in the threads and gave it a good tweak.
I’ve learned is that it is futile to try to guard against these accidents. They might as well be hallucinations, except that they leave very real blood and bruises. Luckily, sticks and stones have remained the loyal sources of injuries they have always been. I take some comfort in that. They are so easy to predict, I can usually avoid the injury. And names do not hurt now at all, the way they once did. Hallelujah. Not even a twinge. I suppose getting old has some few advantages you don’t hear about often.
“Was it worth it, honey?”
Laughing Matter
By Bill Borders
Thank You From the Lions... Quit Voting a Straight Republican Ticket...
Dear Editor,
The Sandpoint Lions Club wishes to thank all of the people, organizations and businesses that donated money, time, toys or services to the 2018 Toys for Tots campaign. All of this was made possible by the exceptional generosity of this community. Your generosity coupled with the work of the club members and many volunteers ensured that:
Over 700 children received Christmas gifts, including not only new toys and gift certificates, but gloves, hats and scarves to help ward off winter’s chill.
Over 1,200 people received a box of food to prepare a hearty holiday meal.
The Sandpoint Lions Club has run the Toys for Tots program for over 50 years. The program provides new toys for children that reside in the Lake Pend Oreille School District. In addition, a food box is provided to the family.
Fundraising begins with Turkey Bingo at Bonner Mall in November and continues throughout the holiday season with local folks stepping up to contribute to our goal of $50,000. The Hoot Owl spaghetti feed was a huge success raising $1,800. A silent and live auction at the A&P bar raised over $2,600.
We wish to thank all the cash donors. Your contributions, large and small, are all very much appreciated. The program continues to be successful because of these donations. Also, the many individuals, organizations and businesses that donated toys. In addition, a big thank you to the ladies that spent many hours knitting gloves, hats and scarves. Thanks to the businesses that donated service including Waste Management and Sandpoint Property Management.
There were also a number of volunteers that pitched in to provide the labor to unload the food truck, prepare the food boxes and haul the toys and food boxes for the recipients. Among these volunteers were the Marine Corps League and Ponderay Police Department.
A special “THANKS” to the students of Sandpoint High School that made Toys for Tots their ‘Battle for the Paddle” charity. They raised sufficient funds (and donated toys) to put us over the top in our fund raising efforts.
Finally, we wish to thank Caroline Lobsinger and the Bonner County Daily Bee for daily coverage of our fundraising activities. Their generous coverage, including the “fund thermometer” and the listing of donors, is a key factor in raising the monies necessary to purchase the toys, gift certificates and food boxes. THANK YOU Caroline.
To all of the contributors and volunteers: Thank you for demonstrating, once again, that Sandpoint area residents are among the most caring and generous people in the entire U.S.! Thanks again, from the Sandpoint Lions Club.
Howard Shay Chairman Sandpoint
Lions Club 2018 Toys for Tots
Dear Editor, “Psst; Margia Corcoran: This is just between us, so the rest of you can turn the page to the next article.”
Okay Margia, they’re gone. This is an observation of your letter concerning the county commission’s meeting for Interstate’s proposed asphalt plant on the Linscott property.
I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Neither McDonald nor Bailey could give a: rodent’s posterior about you, your lifestyle or its quality, the environment, pollution or anything else. All they care about are special interests, companies, the well off, well connected, etc. and “their” property rights so they can do whatever, whenever, however they want on or with their property no matter how it affects their neighbors as long as it brings them profits.
Your description of the interruptions and outright heckling is why I don’t bother attending commission meetings. The outcome is a foregone conclusion. Public testimony is just to placate the law and general population. Their behavior also re-enforces what I’ve said in the past. People of their mentality were the schoolyard bullies who have carried that character trait, or flaw as it were, over into adulthood.
You just watch, their next focus of attention will be to change the Selle area to a highdensity development.
Here is one piece of advice for what it’s worth. QUIT AUTOMATICALLY VOTING A STRAIGHT REPUBLICAN TICKET! I know, I know, I live in a very red state. But this is what you get with single-party rule and its direct effect, people. If Steve Lockwood had been elected, things might have come out different. This isn’t a liberal-versus-conservative issue. A more balanced commission would take all interests into account. If you or any of the other private citizens who got only three minutes each to speak voted for this rogues gallery, then you either got what you voted for or didn’t know what or who you were voting for. So stop the bellyaching and change your voting habits in the next election.
Lawrence Fury Sandpoint
Got something to say? Write a letter to the editor. We accept letters that are under 400 words and free from libelous statements or profanity. Please elevate the conversation.
Waldorf Students honor MLK with a Day of Service at the Panhandle Animal Shelter
By Reader Staff
The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., teaches service, leadership, love and elevating ones fellows. On MLK Day students from the Sandpoint Waldorf School gave back to their community by volunteering. The shelter was lucky enough to be selected as a place to spend their day of service. Students came to the Panhandle Animal Shelter to help animals waiting for new families and to tidy up the thrift store.
The Waldorf students eagerly jumped into the tasks at hand; washing nose prints from windows, mopping paw prints off floors, washing and folding bedding and tidying up the thrift store.
As a fun and relaxing element of their volunteer duties students used the new Little Library outside of the cat rooms. This library is part of the shel-
ter ’s Book Buddy program which offers young readers a relaxed non-judgmental environment to practice their reading skills. While the Waldorf students read well above the level of the of books provided, they enjoyed the unique experience of sharing a story out loud with an attentive loving cat.
Mandy Evans, Panhandle Animal Shelter’s executive director, was pleased to see the kids quickly get to work. She said, “Our goal is to be a community resource. The obvious way we serve our community is through our animal assistance programs. We get a kick out of seeing the animals help the students learn the benefits of giving back. We are proud to support the Waldorf School in their efforts to teach kids the benefit of helping others. Plus, it’s especially fun to volunteer at the shelter because it usually it comes with a lick, purr or snuggle in gratitude.”
Benefits of a second rail bridge are unclear
By Chantilly Higbee Reader Contributor
Optimization is important to the sustainability of any industry. Transportation by rail is no exception. However, the benefits gained by working efficiently should be balanced against the costs and risks imposed by implementing new methods.
It is unclear whether the benefits of the proposed BNSF second rail bridge will outweigh the costs and risks to the health of people, the economy, and the environment in Bonner County. For this reason, the U.S. Coast Guard should require an Environmental Impact Statement as its NEPA-required environmental review so that concerns brought up by our community can be assessed. A sufficient cost-benefit analysis cannot be
performed until we have a complete understanding of the risks associated with a project of this magnitude and scope.
Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper believes this is a reasonable ask of the permitting agency and some of our concerns include the following:
response times may not improve.
Consider also the increased risk of a derailment, especially one carrying hazardous materials, given the projected increase in transportation by rail as noted above. Local agencies are doing what they can to acknowledge this risk by developing a Geographic Response Plan to respond to a derailment. But as useful a tool as the GRP is, it does nothing to outright prevent a derailment. Thus, the risk and consequences of a spill remain.
the risk of a second rail bridge is worth the reward. Indeed, what is the reward? It is unclear whether Bonner County has anything to gain, directly, given BNSF’s reticence to provide specific evidence or an independent report substantiating any of the benefits it claims a second bridge would bring our community.
It’s time to ‘Add the Words’
By Sen. Maryanne Jordan Reader Contributor
I am often asked why I serve in the Idaho Senate. Why, as a Democrat in Idaho, would I choose the Idaho legislature? There are easier ways to be involved. There are ways to see much faster progress on issues. So why do I serve?
In January of 2015, after years of requests, the Idaho House State Affairs committee finally conducted a public hearing on a bill to add the words “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the Idaho Human Rights Act. This hearing had been sought for eight years by a broad coalition across the state on behalf of the only people in Idaho without protections under the Act. Race is protected, gender is protected, religion is protected, age is protected, disability is protected. Everyone in Idaho enjoys protections except our LGBTQ family members, friends and neighbors.
I listened to story after story of
BNSF alleges the project will reduce rail congestion. In theory, this should also reduce the wait time for vehicles sitting at crossings. However, BNSF has not yet provided evidence to support this claim, especially given the lack of underpasses or overpasses in this area. Rather, considering that freight movement is projected to increase over the next 25 years (U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics), nearly doubling by 2035 (Feb. 26, 2018, Spokesman Review) wait times and emergency people who had been fired, lost housing or had been denied service not because of inability, unpaid rent or disruption in places of business, but simply because of who they are or who they love. I was awed by the courage it took for people without these protections to testify.
While BNSF claims that it institutes an unrelenting focus on safety, such a claim is burdened under the two derailments that occurred in Bonner County since 2017. Many people in our community are concerned by unaddressed deficiencies in the rail system in north Idaho, like the absence of state track inspectors and a lingering uncertainty about whether or not BNSF can contain an oil spill during challenging times of the year.
Despite all this, BNSF has yet to convince Bonner County residents that
They were literally risking their jobs, homes, and well-being in order to convey the importance of equal treatment under the law.
I heard business leaders talk about the harm this lack of protection does to companies’ ability to attract talent, and how it harms Idaho’s national reputation. I listened to parents and grandparents speak of their love for their children, and their hopes for them to be treated equally under the law. I am one of those grandparents, full of love and admiration for a strength that I can only aspire to one day.
After days of listening to this compelling, sometimes heart-wrenching, testimony only the four Democratic members of the committee voted to move the bill forward. All 13 of the other committee members voted against it. So now, four years after the hearing and 12 years after the subject was first broached, there are still no protections.
In delivering the majority opinion in Obergefell v. Hodges, Justice Antho-
When USCG publishes the public notice regarding its decision on whether to perform an Environmental Assessment or an EIS and how/when to comment, LPOW will be present at every opportunity to encourage an EIS is performed. We encourage readers to also submit comments and attend any public hearings when the comment period is announced.
Chantilly Higbee works to protect our local waterways as the Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper.
ny Kennedy wrote “The Constitution promises liberty to all within its reach, a liberty that includes certain specific rights that allow persons, within a lawful realm, to define and express their identity.” ALL Idahoans have the right to liberty under the constitution. It is unlawful for Idaho lawmakers to ignore necessary protections that would offer relief to those who are suffering.
That is why I introduced Senate Bill 1015, to add the words. With the co-sponsorship of many of my Democratic caucus colleagues, I hope to right the wrongs of the past. It is long past time to offer equal protections to all Idahoans. The progress has been slow. But awareness is being raised. Polls have shown 78 percent of Idahoans favor protections. Our positions offer us the ability to keep these issues front and center, to continue the fight for equality until it is attained. And that is why I serve.
Add the Words, Idaho.
Chantilly Higbee.
Sen. Maryanne Jordan
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Trivia Takeover Live
6-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery
Family friendly interactive trivia
Dollar Beers!
8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub
Good until the keg’s dry
Live Music w/ Harold’s IGA
6:30-9:30pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall
Sandpoint’s indie rock trio with originals, covers and everything between
Live Music w/ Samuel Richardson
6-8pm @ Cedar St. Bistro Wine Bar
Live Music w/ Bright Moments Jazz
9pm @ 219 Lounge
Live Music w/ Truck Mills
5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority
One of the Sandpoint blues greats
Live Music w/ Larry Mooney
6-8pm @ Cedar St. Bistro Wine Bar
Live Music w/ Harold’s IGA
3-6pm @ Taps at Schweitzer
Come party with Harold’s IGA on the mountain at Taps!
Sandpoint Chess Club 9am @ Evans Brothers Coffee Meets every Sunday at 9am
Kootenai PTA fundraiser
4:30-8pm @ Skål Taproom
Raise funds for Kootenai
Elementary PTA with guest bartender Ken Wood
Live Music w/ Ron Kieper Jazz Trio
5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority
Beer and jazz, a timeless combo
Live Music w/ Scott Taylor
5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery
Thursday 6-8pm @ Plus, food
Live Music
6-8pm @ Arlo’s Enjoy dinner
Live Music
Sing along with some of your favorites
8-10pm @ Fusion blues hardest working
Mugs and Music w/ Jake Robin
6-8pm @ Laughing Dog Taproom
Free live music at the Taproom!
Karaoke
8-close @ Tervan
Live Music w/ Mike Wagoner and Utah John 5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Americana, folk, blues, and popular songs
Live Music w/ Ken Mayginnes 4-6:30pm @ Matchwood Brewing
Piano Sunday with Annie Welle 2-4pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery
Everything from hymns to contemporary
Monday Night Blues Jam w/ Truck Mills
7:30pm @ Eichardt’s Pub
Karaoke
8-close @ Tervan
Best song selection in Sandpoint
Night-Out Karaoke 9pm @ 219 Lounge
Join DJ Pat for a night of singing, or just come to drink and listen
Wind Down Wednesday 5-8pm @ 219 Lounge
With live music by blues man Truck Mills and guest musician Bruce Bishop
Dollar Beers!
8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub
Good until the keg’s dry
Oscar Shorts (Jan. 31 - Feb. 3)
See website @ Panida Theater
See Panida.org for showtimes
David Raitt and 7pm @ Panida Theater With special guest are $20 at the door.
Live Music w/ 9pm @ 219 Lounge Blues and rock
Live Music w/ 6:30-9:30pm @ Sandpoint trio with
Live Music w/
6-8pm @ Arlo’s Enjoy dinner
Lifetree Cafe
2pm @ Jalepeño’s Mexican Restaurant
An hour of conversation and stories. This week’s topic: “Hard to be Healthy”
Triva Night
7pm @ MickDuff’s
Show off that big, beautiful brain of yours
Magic Wednesday 6-8pm @ Jalapeño’s Enjoy close-up magic shows by Star Alexander right at your table
Djembe class 5:45-7:30pm of Sandpoint
Join Ali Maverick djembe (drum)
Bike Movie 6pm @ Greasy Always Wednesdays snacks and
Trivia Takeover Live
6-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery
Bring friends and family for a friendly, competitive game
Thursday Night Solo 6-8pm @ MickDuff’s As seen in the band
Reader Reels presents 7:30pm @ Panida Theater Movies from off the
ful
January 24 - 31, 2019
A weekly entertainment guide to keep you on your toes. To list your event free, please send an email to calendar@sandpointreader.com.
Reader recommended
Student Art Exhibit
Thursday Night Solo Series w/ Benny Baker
6-8pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall
Plus, food by Sandpoint Curry
Live Music w/ Chris Lynch
6-8pm @ Arlo’s Ristorante
Enjoy dinner music on the piano
Live Music w/ Kevin Dorin
8-10pm @ The Back Door Bar
Fusion blues by one of Sandpoint’s hardest working musicians
Raitt and the Baja Boogie Band Panida Theater
special guest Peter Rivera. Tickets at the door. Panida.org
Music w/ Moneypenny @ 219 Lounge and rock quartet from Missoula
Music w/ Mostly Harmless
6:30-9:30pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall
Paint and Sip
6pm @ The Pottery Bug
Celebrate the new year by painting a fun winter picture called “Winter’s Magic.” Bring something to sip or snack. $35 includes painting materials and canvas. RSVP @ 208-263-0232
Winter Trails Day @ Schweitzer Mountain Resort
Enjoy free access to snowshoe and Nordic ski trails at Schweitzer Mountain Resort, plus there are multiple hosted snowshoe hikes throughout the day
Sandpoint trio with Jeff Poole, Kelly McTavish and Ali Maverick Thomas
Music w/ Oak St. Connection
6-8pm @ Arlo’s Ristorante
Enjoy dinner music at Arlo’s
Restaurant
stories. This
Djembe class
5:30-7:30pm @ Columbia Bank Plaza
Students from Priest River’s Lamanna High School and Bonners Ferry High School come together to showcase their hard work in the arts in this exhibit
Mayor’s Rountable
8-9am @ Cedar St. Bistro
Have coffee with Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad and discuss issues of the day. Free and open to all to attend
Anniversary Dance
7-10pm @ Sandpoint Community Hall
Following a nightclub two-step lesson from will be general dancing, refreshments, mixers, door prizes and a drawing for free dance lessons. (208) 699-0421
Live Music w/ The Red Blend
8-10pm @ The Back Door
Join Chris, Meg and Brian for a night of fun and music
Brews for Benefits Fundraiser
5-8pm @ Laughing Dog Brewery
$1 from every beer/wine purchase goes to support Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness. Featuring live music by John Hastings
SFN Movie Night
Fatty Flurry Fest
10am @ Round Lake St. Park
If you’ve never tried a fat bike and always wanted to, here’s your chance, for free! Demos from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., group ride at 1 p.m. 208-255-4496
Feb. 2-3
5:45-7:30pm @ Music Conservatory of Sandpoint
Join Ali Maverick Thomas for this djembe (drum) class
Bike Movie Night
6pm @ Greasy Fingers Bikes n’ Repair
Always free, and always fun. Held Wednesdays in January. Bring a chair, snacks and beverages if you wish
Thursday Night Solo Series w/ Kyle Swafford MickDuff’s Beer Hall in the band The Other White Meat
7pm @ Little Panida Theater
Join Sandpoint Filmmakers Network for a screening of the acclaimed documentary “Pina”
Reels presents “The Favourite” Panida Theater from off the beaten track, presented by the Sandpoint Reader and the Panida Theater
Inland Empire Sled Dog Races @ Priest Lake
Feb. 2
Hempire Genius @ The Hive
Feb. 2
Groundhog Day pre-Follies Party @ 219 Lounge
Feb. 2
Cirque Zuma uma @ Panida
OUTDOORS
Fatty Flurry Fest
For the fifth year, enjoy free fat bike demos, group rides, and fun
By Reader Staff
Have you always wanted to try one of those fat bikes, but you’ve never had the chance yet? Have no fear, the fifth annual Fatty Flurry Fest is here!
Biking enthusiasts of all kinds will have the opportunity to demo fat bikes during the Fatty Flurry Fest Saturday, Jan. 26, at Round Lake State Park. There will be fat bike demos, group rides, hot drinks, refreshments and lots of fun.
In case you’ve been in a cave the last few winters, fat bikes are heavy-duty bikes with 4- to 5-inch wide tires, which allow them to go where most road and mountain bikes can’t. The oversized tires’ extra surface area gives the bike traction on mud, snow, sand and other slippery surfaces, and the inflation can be adjusted to absorb impact from uneven surfaces without overly jostling the rider.
“You can ride one anywhere, over anything,” said Brian Anderson, owner of Greasy Fingers Bikes n’ Repair, which founded the bike demo day. “Fatty Flurry Fest is an opportunity for others to try the bikes.”
Now in its fifth year, Fatty Flurry Fest is a celebration of fat bikes in North Idaho. If you have never tried one and always wanted
to, this is your chance for free. And if you already have a fat bike, come and ride some fun trails with fellow bikers. Fat bikes have tires with at least 3.8-inch wide tires. Please do not bring bicycles that do not have 3.8inch wide tires to the group ride.
Free fat bike demos featuring Salsa Beargreases will be from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (sorry, no kids bikes or riders under 18). A group ride will begin at 1 p.m. Rental bikes are available, but reservations are required.
The staff has been working hard to clear and pack the trails around the park. There will be a variety of different trails and difficulty levels for the group rides.
After the ride, Greasy Fingers will provide hot drinks and refreshments on site to keep you warm. All events will be held at the parking lot and pavilion at Round Lake State Park. A state park pass is required and can be purchased the day of the event.
To reserve a fat bike or for any questions about the event, call (208) 255-4496.
Climate scientist addresses climate change concerns
By Gabrielle Duebendorfer Reader Contributor
Fifty Sandpoint High School students had the chance to interact personally with internationally renowned climate scientist Dr. Steve Ghan last week. They competed for cash prizes for best research posters at The Big Carbon Fix event that was attended by close to 300 people. Science teacher John Hastings said that the vast majority of his students are very concerned about climate change and want action. The winning posters will be displayed at the Little Panida in the near future.
While the students focused more on local solutions, Dr. Steve Ghan, Citizens Climate Lobby’s featured speaker, asserted that “there is a necessity for bipartisan legislation rather than a president’s order as the latter just won’t last”. He explained the bipartisan Energy Innovation and Dividend Act, which will be re-introduced in Congress again soon. It is supported by economists and scientists, is revenue neutral, and is projected to reduce U. S. CO2 emissions
by 40 percent within 12 years and by 90 percent by 2050. Dr. Ghan explained that, “While this will not be enough to prevent all climate change, it is a simple and effective solution that reins in the most important drivers of climate change.”
Dr. Ghan emphasized that, “Climate change is happening, we are causing it, it is serious, and we can stop it.” He subscribed a large part of resistance to climate action to the oil industry’s misinformation campaign, as, “They have a lot of worth bound up in fossil fuel reserves. Oil companies are calling themselves energy companies now. They are seeing the writing on the wall and are solid investors in solar energy.” There are currently lawsuits under way to counter this misinformation campaign.
“We don’t need coal as it is not competitive with natural gas, solar and wind. … If the social cost of natural gas would be applied it would not be competitive either. The cost of batteries is holding us back.” While Canada has adopted a similar policy, they are still transporting fossil fuel via pipelines to the USA, because, “It is driven by the USA
market and natural gas still being competitive.” A gas tax is generally used for roads. “A general carbon fee on coal usage for electricity would not be appropriate for roads – a broader price on carbon is needed.”
He explained that, “Ice ages are not driven by the changes of cycles of sun, but rather are triggered by the changes of earth’s orbit and amplified by changes in greenhouse gases. … If there were no fossil fuels with resulting CO2 emissions into the atmosphere, we would actually be entering an ice age now. We are just going a little over board.”
In closing he responded to the concern of it being too late: “The economic and environmental damage is increasing as the climate warms. …It is not a sudden cliff. … If we give up it will get worse; the sooner we take action the better.” For more information please go to www.cclsandpoint.com.
Dr. Gabrielle Duebendorfer is the founder of the Sandpoint Chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby and is very concerned about the health impacts of climate change.
Mayor’s Roundtable: State of the City 2019
By Mayor Shelby Rognstad Reader Contributor
I wish everyone a happy New Year. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. I want to take this opportunity to usher in 2019 with a brief State of the City address. The City of Sandpoint has accomplished so much in 2018 that I’m truly proud of, and I want to focus on a few of the highlights. I also want to give a you a glimpse into 2019 and what to look forward to.
The city completed the first phase of the downtown revitalization project on Cedar Street creating a more pedestrian-friendly, attractive streetscape with storm-water management features and better parking. The project was completed under budget and on time. The second phase, slated for next fall, will prove to be even better. We’ve reached out to downtown business owners and stakeholders and together we have come up with a number of improvements from phase one that will minimize impact to business, traffic and improve the overall experience for everyone.
The city also created a community resource officer di-
vision within the police department in 2018. This provided needed relief for patrol officers, improved code enforcement, community relations and brought parking enforcement back under city control.
Last June the city launched “Engage Sandpoint,” the first municipal app in the inland northwest and in Idaho. It gives citizens greater ability to participate in government, stay informed and helps improve city services. Download it on your smart phone and register your business, your bike, see the city council agenda, or report a pothole. These are just a few of the many tools available at your fingertips.
Last February we launched the OpenTownHall platform
(which you can also find on Engage Sandpoint) that also aides civic participation and gives the City a powerful tool for collecting data and making informed decisions based on public input. All future surveys and invitations for public input will be posted on this platform. Coming soon you will be invited to complete a citizen survey through OpenTownHall where we will be able to assess how well we are meeting public demand and expectations for city services. Combined with our OpenGov platform that was launched in 2017, these tools are an important part of the city council’s initiative to make city government more transparent and improve public engagement. They also demonstrate the city’s commitment toward data driven decision making, another council priority. Both of which were made explicit in our Strategic Plan which was completed in 2018.
One exciting project for 2019 is a parks master plan revision. The city is currently seeking a consultant to guide the effort which will include significant public outreach, a review of our current pro-
grams, asset inventory, needs assessment and identify opportunities for improved services and efficiencies. After an initial overview and inventory, the plan will focus on specific areas such as City Beach, Sandcreek Parking Lot, and our athletic fields. The plan will also consider future recreation in the Little Sandcreek Watershed. Phase 1 of the Watershed Crest Trail was just completed this fall and represents the first recreational use within the Watershed. This planning process will guide the city in planning future trails in the Watershed and help council determine what level of recreational, non-motorized use is appropriate.
The Baldyfoot Disc Golf Course will also be under consideration. The City Council determined that the city-owned parcel on which it is located will no longer be needed for a future wastewater treatment plant. The future wastewater plant expansion will occur at the existing Lakeview site. Therefore, the city’s wastewater utility will have to consider disposing of the property. Advocates for the course, including the City, Kaniksu Land
Trust and others have begun to search for means to retain the course at that site. My hope is that the importance of the course is clearly expressed by the public through the master planning process. With considerable public support, there will be political will to find a solution and save the course.
There will be many opportunities to participate in the Parks Master Plan through the course of 2019. There will be surveys conducted through OpenTownHall and there will be in-person public workshops. Updates will be posted as they arise. 2019 will be an exciting year for Sandpoint. By participating in your government you can have a significant role in building its future. I encourage all of you to get involved and stay engaged. Download Engage Sandpoint or check out our website for regular updates and opportunities to participate. To discuss this and more, please join me this Friday (Jan. 25) at Mayor’s Roundtable.
Mayor’s Roundtable is held on the last Friday of the month from 8-9 a.m. at the Cedar Street Bistro in the Cedar Street Bridge. I hope to see you there!
Mayor Shelby Rognstad
Pleased to be a plant person
Kendall Wishnick Adams is bringing her passion to the people through Crafted Botanicals
By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff
When Kendall Wishnick Adams recalls what brought her to opening her own perfumery and aromatherapy business in Sandpoint, she is first drawn to say attending natural perfumery school inspired her.
But no, the real inspiration came when she went to nursery professional school.
Well, maybe it was before that, when she worked at All Seasons Garden & Floral for 10 years.
Finally, Adams has to admit she is ultimately inspired to share her passion for fragrances with people because of a very simple fact: She is, and has always been, a plant person.
She didn’t get to fully realize her passion until she moved to California for college and had a yard — something the New York City native had never experienced.
“As soon as I got to actually plant something in dirt I fell in love instantly,” she said. “If I’m passionate about something I need to know everything about it.”
Now Adams has been distilling her own home-grown plants on 12 acres in north Sandpoint for about five years. Distilling is the practice of heating up plant matter and extracting essences to create beneficial substances from specific plants.
Adams specializes in hydrosols, which are water-based extractions from fresh plant material. Hydrosols are light, whereas essential oils are the more concentrated extractions requiring larger amounts of dry plant material.
Adams said the practice of distillation brought together her interests in plants and the effects of scent.
“When I found this, it was so awesome — it was such a bridge between everything I loved,” she said.
Now, Adams is sharing her experience in distillation and aromatherapy to create custom perfume blends and other plant-based products through her business Crafted Botanicals, established in 2014.
“I’m trying to (give) people an experience through aroma, and I’m educating them at the same time on how these aromas got from the ground into the bottle,” she said about her personal consultation sessions.
Adams said the formula to create a perfume includes three elements: a base, middle and top note.
“(Clients and I) go through all the notes, and I feel that they pick what their body needs emotionally and physically, even though they’re not aware of it,” she said. “You’ll naturally gravitate to what you need. It’s a nice, beautiful way to connect people to plants, essences and
fragrances.”
One five-star review on the Crafted Botanicals Facebook page highlights just how personal the process is.
“Kendall made a custom perfume for our wedding,” wrote Megan Atwood Cherry. “We got to collaborate during the process, which was amazing. This was one of the most unique and magical aspects of our wedding, and we still love wearing our custom perfume to this day!”
The emotional power of scent is part of what keeps Adams interested in her work.
other plant-based products — like a salve she’s made to treat eczema — can help treat conditions like anxiety, digestion issues, insomnia or even grief.
“If you have serious problems, I’m not a doctor,” she said. “But, I think aromatherapy and herbalism can be a great addition to general health ... It puts the healing in the patient’s hands and makes them responsible and part of their own healing.”
ams said, because every distillation is different based on what soil the plant grew in, what it grew next to, during which season it was harvested and a number of other factors.
As Adams delves deeper into her passion for plants, she’s sure to make helping people part of her overall mission.
“If I can help someone emotionally or even physically with something I’ve made, then at the end of the day I feel good,” she said.
“The thing I love most about it is it keeps me in the present moment of connecting to the plants … where my mind normally tends to wander,” she said. “The emotional component of it is super powerful.”
Adams said aromatherapy and
As a small-scale farmer, Adams said she wants anyone interested in essential oils to be sure the products they buy are made from ethically harvested plants. One way to make sure distillers are legitimate is to check out Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) reports to be sure they are different for each batch of oils. No two GC-MS reports will ever be the same, Ad-
Contact Adams at (208) 6101063 or craftedbotanicals@gmail. com to set up an appointment at her Sandpoint perfumery. Learn more about Crafted Botanicals at www.craftedbotanicals.com or on Facebook.
Laughing Dog hosts Friends of Scotchman Peaks
By Reader Staff
Laughing Dog Brewing will host a Brews For Benefits on Monday, Jan. 28, featuring Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness. A dollar from every beer or wine purchase between 5 and 8 p.m. will go to FSPW for their efforts to save the wild Scotchmans.
Laughing Dog offers delicious, locally brewed beer and tasty wine, as well as great food, non-alcoholic beverages and a cozy atmosphere. Friends under 21 are welcome to come enjoy everything but the adult beverages. Bob Missed the Bus (aka John
Hastings and Sandy Compton) will be also on hand with music to liven up Monday evening.
Friends and Laughing Dog-lovers Jacob Styer and Lindsey Larson recently hauled Laughing Dog beer to the top of Scotchman Peak for a cold brew with a winter view. They also hauled their empties back out ala leave no trace.
“We need wild places like the Scotchman Peaks as a retreat from our sometimes-hectic daily lives,” Lindsey said. “Join us at Laughing Dog Brewery to save the wild Scotchmans — one Laughing Dog at a time.”
More information and the ability to RSVP is available on the
Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Lindsey Larson and Jacob Styer toast the world from the top of Scotchman with a Laughing Dog IPA.
Kendall Adams working in her Sandpoint perfumery. Photo by Lyndsie Kiebert.
Learning by doing: Clark Fork High School’s
By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff
When Clark Fork Junior/Senior High School struggled with enrollment in the notso-distant past, Lake Pend Oreille School District Superintendent Shawn Woodward gave the school’s teachers the green light to try something different.
Last Friday, the results of that change were on display at the school’s third annual Experiential Learning Showcase, where students show off what they’ve learned in their experiential learning track programs like Parks and Recreation, Tech, Art and more during select “Track Days” throughout the school year.
“So much of the learning is actually in the context of the real world,” Woodward said Friday between asking students about their projects. “One of the things that I think about often is — and one of the tricks is — if we can get all of these kids thinking, ‘OK, I’m learning something I’m interested in and passionate about. Maybe I can actually go out and work in this field and make
money doing it.’”
While the aforementioned tracks are done in large groups of multi-age students, those in Senior English are required to take part in the Independent Track, where they find a mentor in the community to job shadow and then they base their Senior Project off what they learned. Those projects were also presented Friday for a panel of judges.
English teacher and Independent Track Coordinator Becca Palmer said she strives to invite judges who are “business leaders” from organizations like Idaho Fish and Game or Thorne Research, and who don’t know the kids.
“It allows (students) to experience the ‘real-life’ scenario of speaking professionally to strangers, and it ups the ante quite a bit,” she said. “I really work with kids on exploring their passions, acting professionally both with their mentors and myself, and building community. So many mentors love the program and have taken on different students over multiple years. It’s been awesome.”
Sophie McMahon spent her time in
Experiential Learning Showcase highlights community involvement, progress
Independent Track shadowing at Green Mountain Medicine, an acupuncture and holistic health care provider, and said she learned “a huge amount about naturopathic and Chinese medicine, as well as the importance of patient-doctor relationships.”
McMahon said she often feels “pretty lost” when it comes to considering a future career, but the school’s use of experiential learning has helped her find her way.
“The Independent Track, and other learning tracks, have helped me so much to figure out what fits me and has given me the opportunity to try careers and experiences that I’m curious about,” she said.
Government teacher and Parks and Recreation Track Coordinator KC MacDonald kept a close eye on students Friday to be sure they were making eye contact with visitors, shaking hands and representing CFHS well. He said that the showcase has been a work in progress, but the students are starting to take ownership.
“It’s getting better every time,” he said.
Any businesses interested in mentoring an Independent Track student can reach Palmer at (208) 255-7177 ext. 4353 or rebecca.palmer@lposd.org.
Freshman Katelyn Matteson demonstrates her Parks and Recreation project for English teacher Becca Palmer. Photo by Lyndsie Kiebert.
El Nino winter doesn’t stop Sandpoint youth from cross country skiing
By Reader Staff
The winter in town this year seems to be a rollercoaster of snow followed by rain, and while this weather pattern doesn’t set up for the best XC (cross country) skiing in town, Sandpoint kids, who want to XC ski, seem to find a way.
Last year we had awesome XC skiing in town for most of the winter and had a record number of kids join the Sandpoint Nordic Club Youth XC ski program. This winter we thought, with the rain and warm temps in the forecast, our numbers would be down, but I guess kids who want to ski don’t pay attention to the forecast. Our recreation and race development team numbers are right up to where we were last
winter. We always get a lot of return skiers, but there are generally at least 30 percent of kids each season who put on XC skis for the first time. The first few sessions can be challenging, but by the third week, all we see on the trails are smiles and hear lots of “whoop whoops!”.
The Sandpoint Nordic Youth Ski Team has a recreation program that
meets one or two days a week and a race development program that trains four times a week and competes in some area races. Kids learn how to classic ski, skate ski or both. This year we have a terrific staff of coaches who work tirelessly with the kids every week. This program couldn’t happen without them. Practices are usually run at the Sandpoint Nordic Club trails on the U of I property on Boyer. When the snow doesn’t cooperate, we move our Recreation program skiers up to the Roundabout, off Schweitzer Mountain road. Schweitzer grooms this short, beginner friendly trail, three times a week. We sure do appreciate that trail during winters like the one we are having now. Our race team frequently trains on the Schweitzer Nordic trails, but those trails are too advanced for most of our new skiers.
The team still hopes to get some skiing in at the SNC groomed trails in town this season, but more exciting will be our venue next season when we hope to move up to the Pine Street Woods trails. Pine Street Woods, a forested parcel near Sandpoint that is being purchased by Kaniksu Land Trust, is higher elevation but still in close proximity to town. This land will provide an excellent venue for beginner and intermediate skiers and the youth ski program. For more information on the Youth XC ski programs and the Sandpoint Nordic Club, visit www.sandpointnordic.com. Information on Pine Street Woods can be found at kaniksulandtrust.org.
Photo courtesy Sandpoint Nordic Club.
By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff
‘Green Book’ heads to the Panida with Oscar buzz SFN Movie Night screens ‘Pina’
The announcement of the 2019 Oscar nominations brought some welcome news for the cast and crew of “Green Book.”
In total, the comedy-drama about a friendship between an African-American pianist and his Italian-American bodyguard garnered five Academy Award nominations. Co-stars Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali received nominations for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, respectively. The film also snagged nominations for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing.
Locals can get up to speed on their Oscar nominees over the coming weeks when “Green Book” screens at the Panida Theater Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m., Jan. 25 at 5:30 p.m., Jan. 26 at 11:30 a.m. and Jan. 27 at 3:30 p.m.
Yet another Oscar nominee comes the following week when “The Favourite,” nominated for 10 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and multiple acting categories, hits the Panida Theater. The latest in the Reader Reels film series collaboration between the Reader and Panida, the movie screens Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 1 at 5:30 p.m. and Feb. 3 at 3:30 p.m.
“Green Book” stars Viggo Mortensen as Frank “Tony Lip” Vallenlonga, a blue-collar New York City bouncer who takes a job working as a bodyguard and chauffeur for the masterful jazz and classical pianist, “Doc” Don Shirley. With the musician preparing to embark on an eight-week tour through the 1962 Deep South, he brings Lip on to ensure the two months go by without incident. Before they embark, Lip receives a copy of “The Negro Motorist Green Book,” a guide identifying hotels, service stations and restaurants friendly to African-American travelers.
The film focuses primarily on the growing friendship between Lip and Shirley as they experience the dangers and racism of the 1960s South. That story is anchored by acclaimed performances by Mortensen and Ali, whose characters grow to depend on and support each other as their trip progresses and their friendship deepens.
“The two performances at the center of ‘Green Book’ are undeniably charming and effective,” wrote critic Brian Tallerico for RogerEbert.com. “Mortensen hasn’t been this playful in years, but the movie really belongs to Ali, who perfectly captures a man who feels trapped by society. He is not only the wrong color for most of the places he’s going in the South, but he is also
clearly smarter and more talented than most of the people he meets.”
Regional audiences will likely need little convincing to see a movie starring Mortensen, who is considered a local favorite due to his many Sandpoint connections. In fact, Mortensen has hosted local screenings and Q&A sessions for several of his movies, which served as fundraisers for KRFY Community Radio and the Panida Theater.
“I’ve always loved seeing movies and concerts at the Panida,” Mortensen told the Reader in 2017. “It is a great performance space, and one of Sandpoint’s true historical gems. I’m glad that its programming is of such a high standard, and that it continues to receive such strong support from the community.”
By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff
Join the Sandpoint Filmmakers Network for a movie-night screening of “Pina.”
Considered to be one of the greatest documentaries of the 21st century, “Pina” covers the life of contemporary dance choreographer Pina Bausch, who died unexpectedly while filming the movie. Critics called the film a marvel that captures the beauty and elegance of dance as well as an exceptional life.
SFN Movie Night takes place 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, at the Little Panida Theater. It is free to attend, but a suggested $5 donation is recommended to help cover the cost of the theater rental. Beer and wine is offered for sale by the Panida Theater. Although a private event, it’s simple and free to join SFN: simply go to http://www. sandpointfilmmakers.net/join or sign up at the screening.
Viggo Mortensen, right, and Mahershala Ali, left, from ‘Green Book.’ Courtesy image.
The Women’s March in photos
All photos taken by Racheal Baker Photography.
Voices in the crowd at the North Idaho Women’s March
By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff
Betsy Boyles attended the North Idaho Women’s March with a baby strapped to her chest, a fluorescent pink sign in her hand and a red ball cap on her head embroidered with white lettering: “Make America Great Again.”
Boyles said that though she hadn’t been at the event for long, so far everyone had been welcoming. Her pink sign donned the names of several women she was there to represent — Paula Jones, Juanita Broaddrick, Kathleen Willey and many more — all women who have accused Bill Clinton of rape and other sexual misconduct. All women who Boyles said are being silenced.
“Their voices deserve to be heard, too,” she said. “I want to bring that side into the equation as well. We don’t need to ignore what’s happening on the other side — whatever side you’re on, all these voices should be heard, and I think that’s something that a lot of women here would agree with.”
sign reading “I’m With Her.”
The horizontal line across the “H” in “Her” created an arrow, mimicking Hillary Clinton’s campaign logo, and the arrow pointed to a drawing of a female womb. Inside the womb, a fetus with a pink bow completed the message.
Bauer said she attended Saturday’s march to “put another opinion in the mix.”
“From what I’ve seen on the national scale, I don’t see that all opinions are represented, and especially unborn women, unborn children in general — I’m here to represent the unborn,” she said.
She pointed to a portion of the march’s program, handed out as soon as people entered the gym, which read, “This march is dedicated to all women whose voices are not being heard.”
“There are people who can’t speak for themselves,” Bauer said. “I think it’s especially important that we speak up for those women.”
By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff
Hundreds turned out Saturday afternoon for the third annual Sandpoint Women’s March, which saw speakers insisting that government authorities address their concerns.
The latest local iteration of the mass protest movement that has taken millions to the streets, the Women’s March was a celebration of 2018’s historic number of wins for female candidates. Even so, speakers acknowledged that there’s still plenty of work to be done.
Rebecca Cleveland-Schroeder, a health care advocate and 2018 candidate for the Idaho Legislature, spoke about the state passing Medicaid expansion by a significant 60-percent threshold of support. She said it is now
the Legislature’s responsibility to fund the expansion without hurdles, because ultimately, calls for more equitable health care, education and worker compensation are not radical requests.
“We cultivated an overwhelming majority of support for (Medicaid expansion),” she said. “We ventured into that territory because it was worth it for what was at stake.”
Next, Sandpoint High School student and Cedar Post editor Corinne Capodagli focused her message on the importance of inclusion and acceptance. She said a society is only healthy when all are allowed to contribute their voices.
“I think it’s important to assess the meaning of this rally ... and our incentive should be to empower all voices,” she said.
Dr. Ryanne Pilgeram, the 1999 SHS valedictorian and associate professor at the University of Idaho, wrapped up the rally before the march as the keynote speaker. She acknowledged how Idaho’s history is defined by oppression, first against the native peoples and then against the working class by timber and railroad barons. In response to brutal circumstances, these marginalized groups forged the modern Idaho through radical, progressive values, Pilgeram said. For that reason, she believes that residents of all political stripes belong in the state.
“One of my pet peeves is when people say that if you’re a progressive or you’re a liberal, you don’t belong in Idaho,” Pilgeram said. “That is baloney.”
In its third year, the North Idaho Women’s March played host to a small handful of attendees like Boyles, looking to insert another perspective into the sea of pink hats. While more vocal opposition made itself known in years past, Saturday’s event took on a more mild tone.
Jim Healey stood at the back of the Sandpoint Middle School gymnasium, taking in the growing crowd. He sported a T-shirt with a rainbow design reading: “Super-callous-fragile-racistsexist-not-my-POTUS.”
“I think it’s important to be visible, and to — in this case — support women,” Healey said. “I think women are underrepresented in (several) aspects of the government, and this is my way of showing support.”
Grace Bauer carried a white
Makayla Sundquist, 22, held a sign with only a few simple words written in black, inspired by when Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was asked how many women on the Supreme Court will be enough. Ginsburg said: “When there are nine.”
“If I want something to change, I have to be involved,” she said. “I hope that having younger people here, and being a young person here involved, that will move forward so future generations can come up believing that if they want change, they can make change.”
Sundquist said she believes there’s room for change in rural women’s access to healthcare, as well as in how women and men are judged differently in social situations.
“(I’m here) to celebrate women’s power and women’s strength,” she said. “I’m so excited to see all of these women here who believe in themselves and are using their voice.”
POAC PRESENTS:
It’snot every day that a Top 10 act from “America’s Got Talent” makes it to Sandpoint, so when Cirque Zuma Zuma graces the Panida stage on Feb. 2 as part of the Pend Oreille Arts Council Performing Arts Series, locals are in for an internationally-renowned treat.
POAC Arts Administrator Hannah Combs said when the group’s representative reached out to her about including a Sandpoint date in their latest tour, she knew that a group of their size and popularity would be worth a pretty penny.
“We said, ‘Sure, but your show looks a lot bigger than we can afford,’ and they worked with us on the price,” Combs said. “(The show) is perfect for our series, so it was really exciting for us.”
Thanks to that teamwork, Cirque Zuma Zuma will bring its signature blend of circus-style acrobatics, traditional African dance, music and high-energy fun to those of us in the Idaho Panhandle — a place pretty far from the kind of venue that regularly hosts such high-flying, culturally-diverse acts.
“POAC wants to bring programs to Sandpoint that the people here would not be able to see otherwise without traveling a good distance, and especially in the winter when travel is more difficult,” Combs said. “I value the cultural diversity we’re able to bring into town.”
Combs said POAC is sure to incorporate a student-based event when groups like Cirque Zuma Zuma visit Sandpoint.
“I always find it magical,” she said. “Students are super excited and eager to go out and research more about different countries and cultural aspects.”
Cirque Zuma Zuma Manager Wendy Kay said the group is the only original African acrobat show directly out of Africa, and that a Top 10 finish on “America’s Got Talent” in 2011 pushed the performers into the U.S. spotlight. Cirque Zuma Zuma now books over 100 dates a year with an emphasis on working with schools to bring African culture to students, she said.
African acrobats roll into Sandpoint
By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff
Kay emphasized that Cirque Zuma Zuma aims to provide family-friendly shows, and that the ultimate goal is to spread “entertainment and love.”
“I love spreading (the performers’) love to all the schools, the kids and the families,” Kay said. “It’s exactly what people need right now — to understand there are cultural differences, but we are all the same.”
Experience Cirque Zuma Zuma on Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Panida Theater. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for students. Buy them at Eve’s Leaves, Eichardt’s, Winteridge Natural Foods, the POAC office or online at panida.org or artinsandpoint.org.
This week’s RLW by Ben
READ
I was one of those kids whose first 10 years of life was dominated by baseball. I quit the game after a terrible coach ruined it for me, but I still love the game in my own way.
While perusing the thrift stores recently, I stumbled upon “Shoeless Joe” by Canadian author W.P. Kinsella, which became better known after the film adaptation called “Field of Dreams.”
There’s a band I listen to on Spotify from time to time called the American Analog Set that I’d like to recommend.
Hailing from Austin, Texas, AmAnSet (as they’re known) plays a distinctive lo-fi type of indie rock that is really easy to get into. They have six studio albums, but my favorite is their 2005 release “Set Free.” The best part is, you haven’t heard their songs a million times before, because hardly anybody knows who they are.
LISTEN WATCH
Fans of nature documentaries are in luck. “Blue Planet II,” the sequel to BBC Earth’s original docu-series exploring life in our planet’s oceans, is now showing on Netflix.
I don’t ever tire of watching the BBC’s amazing nature documentaries. From the variety of species they cover to the quality of cinematography, to the timeless narration by Sir David Attenborough, I’ll keep watching everything they film.
Olson
Top: Cirque Zuma Zuma drummers in mid-stroke. Bottom: Cirque Zuma Zuma blends circus-style acrobatics with traditional African dance and music. Courtesy photos.
From Northern Idaho News, Nov. 14, 1922
DRUNKEN FINLANDER BREAKS CAR WINDOWS
OUTDOORS
Introducing Trail Mix
Carl Saade, a Findlander who has been working in one of the lumber camps, was brought to the county jail Saturday afternoon on complaint of the Northern Pacific railway employees that he had broken some of the windows in train No. 1.
Shortly after No. 1 left the Sandpoint depot a message came to the sheriff that a man had thrown rocks into the windows of the train as it was passing Lignite. Sheriff Kirkpatrick investigated the story and found that the man had refused to produce a ticket when the conductor was collecting the fares, and also refused to pay any fare, but wanted to fight.
The conductor put the man off the train at Lignite, and as the train passed him he threw several rocks, two of them crashing through the windows but not striking anyone. The sheriff immediately took a car to Lignite and, walking up the track, found the man. It required some physical force to subdue the man and get the handcuffs on him.
At the jail he was searched and $23 in money was found on him and a ticket to Spokane which he had purchased before leaving the depot. He had evidently taken too much moonshine aboard and had forgotten all about his ticket.
Yesterday Saade was arraigned before Judge G.H. Martin and plead guilty. On his agreement to pay the damage done he was let off with a 90day term in the jail. The offense is a felony.
By Susan Drumheller Reader Staff
About four years ago, locals who work on building and maintaining trails, and those who love to hike, bike, commute and ski on those trails, starting meeting regularly to discuss how to grow, connect and support a trails system in Bonner County.
The group called itself Trail Mix, adopting the name of a similar committee in Moab, Utah, that’s expanding a world-class trail system there.
Here, the group is a mash-up of nonprofit and user groups — like the Backcountry Horsemen, Panhandle Riders and Sandpoint Nordic Club — the cities of Sandpoint and Ponderay, the county, and state and federal agencies that are all collaborating on how to improve our trail system. While the mission and focus of the members of Trail Mix differ, everyone who participates considers trail development a worthwhile endeavor.
And why not? Trails contribute to public health, improve the quality of life for people who live near them and boost the local economy. Trails in cities give residents an alternative to jumping in their car to run an errand or visit a friend — so they can help relieve traffic and improve air quality, too.
Trails also are good for business, according to a study published in August 2018 by Headwaters Economics. The research group found that recreation opportunities in Bonner County help recruit and retain employees, and that expanding the county’s trail system could significantly increase spending by visitors to the county and bring anywhere from 12 to 72 new jobs to the area.
With the help of a technical geographic information systems team from the Trust for Public Land, Trail Mix spent many months developing a plan for the county, called the Bonner County Trails Plan, which was completed in 2016.
The plan envisions an expanded and diverse trail network that connects the urban to the rural areas and connects us to recreational opportunities and natural landscapes “from waterways to wilderness.” This trail network ideally would be cherished and well-cared for by the users and communities.
The plan includes maps of existing trails
and a wish list of priority projects, some small and some large, such as the Watershed Crest Trail, the Pend Oreille River Passage Trail, and connecting the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail to the neighborhoods of Ponderay.
The plan, while never formally adopted by the county, has provided a framework for trail development connecting the cities in the urban core and expanding the recreational trail systems in the county.
Since the plan was published, Trail Mix has continued to meet and discuss trail projects every other month, sharing information and ideas for funding, occasionally resulting in new projects. A subset of the group is working with the Forest Service on a new non-motorized trail for Packsaddle Mountain, for instance.
Trail Mix also is collaborating on a trails website that will feature existing trails with trail maps and also share information about the trails plan and organizations that are helping to implement it. This is partly to address a need identified in the plan — to better share information about existing trails in the area for visitors and residents alike.
As part of that outreach effort, Trail Mix is also launching this “Trail Dispatches” column, which will be written by various Trail Mix members. The idea is to feature different trails and trail projects to foster appreciation for what’s already available and learn about what’s in the works.
Now that it’s been almost three years since the plan was created, Trail Mix is updating it. The Pine Street Woods property was not considered a possibility at the time, the proposed Watershed Crest Trail route has changed, and other paths have taken new turns, too.
Stay tuned for more news and information about your trails here. Trail Mix meetings are open to the public and are typically held at 1 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of every other month —beginning in January
— in the Bonner County Administration Building. To read the Bonner County Trails Plan, visit www.tpl.org/bonner-county-trails.
Susan Drumheller is president of the Friends of the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail and is self-employed as a grant writer. She serves as secretary for Trail Mix.
What is it about a beautiful sunny afternoon, with the birds singing and the wind rustling through the leaves, that makes you want to go get drunk. And after you’re real drunk, maybe go down to the public park and stagger around and ask people for money, and then lay down and go to sleep.
the Uleda work party. photo by Jeff thompson.
Week of the
[adjective]
1. Performed merely as a routine duty; hasty and superficial.
“The corrupt agent gave the woman’s bags a perfunctory search.”
Corrections: I placed the wrong image next to the monkey’s fist knot in last week’s issue. Here’s the correct file (or just Google “monkey’s fist” if this is too small to read. Sorry about the mistake. -BO
CROSSWORD
ACROSS
1. Tropical nut
6. Plate
10. Exposed
14. Fall color
15. Moving within
16. Mimics
17. A garment
18. Cozy
19. Apprehends
20. Advisor
22. To endure (archaic)
23. Happy cat sound
24. Highest goals
26. Grumble
30. Muck
31. Hearing organ
32. Curved molding
33. To be, in old Rome
35. Clocked
39. A piece of jewelry
41. Anagram of “Irately”
43. Fruity-smelling compound
44. Stigma
46. An escape of water
47. Bro or sis
49. Citrus drink
50. Pot
51. Ambrosia
54. Clock sound
56. Smell
57. Powered by electricity
63. Short skirt
Solution on page 22
65. Ancient Greek marketplace
66. Seaweed
67. Thin strip
68. Strips of potato
69. Prefect
70. Melody
71. Breviloquent
DOWN
64. Emanation 1. Pear variety
Reflected sound 3. Not fat 4. Makes a mistake 5. Abatement 6. Suspicions
7. Viscera
8. Render unconscious
9. Immobilize
10. A decorated dart
11. 3-banded armadillo
12. Renegade
13. S S S S
21. Unit of luminous flux
25. Facts
26. Make do
27. Anagram of “Sage”
28. Lease
29. Walker
34. Destroy completely
36. Bearing
37. French for “State”
38. Dam
40. Diva’s solo
42. Construct
45. Scottish Highland robber
48. Bosom
51. Bedouin
52. Ancient Roman magistrate
53. Line dance
55. Wrapping paper
58. Humdinger
59. Brute
60. French for “Black”
61. Angers
62. Carryall
