Reader_November12_2026

2 / R / November 12, 2026

DEAR READERS,

The week in random review By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff

Want to honor veterans? Fire Hegseth

The recent observance of Veterans Day on Nov. 11 came at a particularly interesting time in contemporary U.S. political life — most of it swirling around President Donald Trump and his administration. A week and day following the midterm elections, in which the Republican Party was shellacked from coast to coast, commentators and analysts on Nov. 11 were still laying the blame for the GOP’s nationwide drubbing in large part on the war in Iran. Since Trump launched the conflict in February under the absurd name Operation Epic Fury, a reported 23 U.S. service members have died and hundreds more have been wounded — to say nothing of the untold thousands of Iranians who have been killed or likewise wounded. Despite those sacrifices, Iran still has its enriched nuclear material, it remains in control of the Strait of Hormuz and the resulting supply chain disruptions — specifically related to fuel oil — have made Americans’ economic lives, already strapped by tariff-related price inflation, even more unaffordable. At home, Trump’s proposed 250-foot-tall “Triumphal Arch” in Washington, D.C. continues to cause outrage, specifically related to its disruption of the Arlington National Cemetery. Most recently, on Nov. 10, the family of late-President John F. Kennedy filed a lawsuit blocking its construction as it obstructs “the memorials of hundreds of thousands of American heroes” — including the late-president’s. Since the beginning of his second term, Trump has repeatedly misused and abused the U.S. military, enlisting it to participate in his farcical parade in June 2025 — ostensibly to honor its 250th anniversary, but conveniently also coinciding with his 79th birthday. That year, he also authorized renaming the Department of Defense as the “Department of War” and establishing Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth as the “secretary of war.” Since then, Hegseth has been on a warpath of his own, firing or accepting the resignations of as many as two dozen generals, admirals and civilian military leaders in a purge of up to 20% of top military officials, whose experience many defense observers have said will take a generation to replace. That’s to say nothing of Hegseth’s consistent chest-thumping over ridding the armed forces of “wokeness,” issuing a lunatic string of statements ranging from musings over soldiers’ testosterone levels to “lethalitymaxxing”; banning trans people from serving; ranting about “fatties,” “beardos” and “weirdos” in uniform; and constant references to “warfighters” and “cowboys.” Hegseth’s mounting absurdities — combined with the abject failure of the Iran war, a series of strikes against alleged drug boats in the Caribbean that have been called “murder” at best and “war crimes” at worst, and the Democrats’ sweep of the 2026 midterms — resulted with the reintroduction of articles of impeachment against him in Congress on Nov. 9, but which House Republicans effectively blocked on Nov. 10. Suffice it to say, on Veterans Day 2026 the U.S. military’s operations and management probably haven’t been so widely disordered and controversial since the Vietnam era. To borrow from HBO Last Week Tonight host John Oliver’s Nov. 9 episode, the best way to truly honor veterans this year would be to kick Hegseth to the curb and, for even better measure, his boss with him.

As I write this on deadline, it’s still Veterans Day (Nov. 11), a time to honor those who have served our country in the military. My thoughts inevitably drift to my father around this time of year, both because of his birthday in October and Veterans Day in November. He fought in the Korean War and carried scars from combat on his body as well as in his mind. I have seen and done a lot in my time on Earth, but I will never know what it feels like to fight in a war. While I may not necessarily agree with many of the reasons we go to war, I have nothing but respect for all of those who serve. Even though Veterans Day has passed by the time you’re reading this, don’t hesitate to reach out to the vets in your family and friend circle and tell them how much their service means to you. From us here at the Reader, we appreciate you.

– Ben Olson, publisher

READER 111 Cedar Street, Suite 9 Sandpoint, ID 83864 208-946-4368 sandpointreader.com

Publisher: Ben Olson ben@sandpointreader.com Editorial: Zach Hagadone (Editor) zach@sandpointreader.com Soncirey Mitchell (Senior Writer) soncirey@sandpointreader.com Editors Emeriti: Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey Cameron Rasmusson John Reuter Advertising: Ben Olson ben@sandpointreader.com Contributing Artists: Ron Bedford (cover), Ben Olson, Desire Aguirre, Gina Woodruff, Brooke Deccio, John Hansen, Jane Holzer, Willie Wittezehler, Eddie Peña, Bill Borders Contributing Writers: Zach Hagadone, Ben Olson, Soncirey Mitchell, Lorraine H. Marie, Brenden Bobby, Lauren Necochea, InvestigateWest, Jim Jones, Jen Heller, Marcia Pilgeram Submit Stories To: stories@sandpointreader.com Printed Weekly At: Tribune Publishing Co. Lewiston, ID Subscription Price: $200 per year Website Designed By: Keokee The Sandpoint Reader is a weekly publication owned by Ben Olson, Zach Hagadone and Soncirey Mitchell. It is devoted to the arts, entertainment, bluster, politics and lifestyle in and around Sandpoint, Idaho. We do not accept AI-written submissions. 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 bonfires to appease the gods of journalism. For back issues, contact the publisher. Free to all, limit two per person, please. Letter to the Editor Policy: We welcome letters to the editor on all relevant topics. Please, no more than 200 words, no excessive profanity or libelous statements and no trolls. Please elevate the discussion and stay on topic. Letters will be edited to comply with the above requirements. Opinons expressed in these pages are those of the writers, not necessarily the publisher. Send to: letters@sandpointreader.com About the Cover: This week’s cover photo was taken by Ron Bedford.

November 12, 2026 / R / 3

NEWS

Council OKs pursuing final concept design for Euclid Ave. waterfront access

By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff Sandpoint residents could have a new way to access the waterfront if City Council members vote to improve a sliver of publicly owned property stretching from the southern terminus of Euclid Avenue to the edge of the Pend Oreille River. Councilors unanimously agreed Nov. 4 to advance conceptual design to full completion on a project creating a maintained waterfront or water access point on the approximately 7,000-square-foot site, which measures 60 feet wide and extends from the intersection of Euclid and Lakeview Boulevard to about 20 feet below the high water mark. “Is this a park? Not necessarily,” said Planning and Community Development Director Jason Welker. “This is an existing waterfront access point that we may or 4 / R / November 12, 2026

may not choose to improve and assume maintenance responsibilities of.” Sandpoint has owned the property since 1907, when it served as the right of way connecting Euclid to Riverside Drive — a street that once ran east-west along the shoreline but was submerged after Albeni Falls Dam operations began in 1953 and vacated to adjacent property owners in 1968. The right of way then reverted to an undeveloped grassy area flanked by trees and used primarily by the South Sandpoint neighborhood residents, who added their own improvements such as a small patio and fire pit. The Parks and Recreation Commission began exploring the possibility of formalizing the Euclid waterfront property more than a year ago, and allocated $250,000 from the Parks Capital Improvement Fund for its improvement in the 2027 budget. After seeking input from neighbors, the

city contracted with Spokane-based Place Landscape Architecture in July to create three concepts, which councilors reviewed on Nov. 4. All three include a pathway from the street leading to steps into the water, along with trash receptacles. Two concepts feature an open-air patio with bench or picnic table seating, and one includes a covered shelter. The first concept was described as the most simplistic, while the second included a dry streambed feature to assist with stormwater runoff. The third concept, with a covered structure, drew the most pushback, with some neighbors worrying that it might encourage loitering. Councilors were united in preferring the simplest possible design. “Minimalist is best. I could picture just a sign, maybe a bench on that existing platform,” said Councilor Kyle Schreiber. “If we are going to

Top: Renderings of three different options for the Euclid Ave. waterfront access project. Right: Generated images that show the potential look of each option, with A at the top, B in the center and C on the bottom right. Images courtesy of the city of Sandpoint

do landscaping, I imagine it’s probably best for the Parks Department if they’re native plants that don’t require any maintenance.” It remains to be seen if the Idaho Department of Lands will allow the city to acquire the permit needed to install steps into the water. If not, the site would be limited to shore-based uses, such as a viewpoint or picnic area. “I believe we all need water access. A lot of us aren’t lucky enough to live on the water,” said Councilor Pam Duquette. “Whether it’s access to get in the water or not, or just sit by the water.” “What I see is people will still enter the water unless we have something to stop them,

because if you’re sitting there and you’re looking out, you’re like, ‘Oh, maybe I want to go put my feet in the water,’ and they’re going to go through that roughage or whatever is going to be there,” said Councilor Joshua Torrez. The Nov. 4 vote was to authorize the completion of the conceptual design, with questions such as water access to be answered before the final version goes before councilors in December. Welker emphasized that whatever happens at the property, “this wouldn’t be a destination park. This should be a water access point for primarily neighbors to enjoy.” View the project at bit.ly/ EuclidAccess.

NEWS

Sandpoint receives $20M grant to improve RR crossing safety By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff Sandpoint City Hall announced a grant award of more than $20.2 million to address railroad crossings along Great Northern Road. The funding is from the Federal Railroad Administration’s Railroad Crossing Elimination Program, and will go toward safety and connection improvements at three major crossings at Gooby Road, Woodland Drive and Mountain View Drive. “The award represents the largest grant in the city’s history and a major milestone in addressing longstanding transportation and infrastructure needs in northwest Sandpoint,” the city stated in a news release. Specifically, the grant will fund work to realign the road and crossing at Gooby Road to improve its layout and install more robust warning gates, lights and other safety signage; install and upgrade warning systems at Woodland Drive, as well as alter the intersection to further separate the intersection and tracks while lowering their height profile to smooth the crossing; and altogether eliminate the Mountain View Drive crossing. Once completed, the removal of the Mountain View crossing will redirect traffic

to the improved crossings at Gooby Road and Woodland Drive. “Together, these improvements will create a safer and more reliable transportation network for residents, businesses, emergency responders and the traveling public,” the city stated. Speaking at the Nov. 4 meeting of the Sandpoint City Council, Mayor Jeremy Grimm called the award “extraordinary,” and noted that the city and Sandpoint Urban Renewal Agency have spent several years and about $1 million to get the project to 60% design. He also described the closure of the Mountain View Crossing as a central goal of the project, which will result in traffic moving through Goodman Drive, affecting residents of the Timberline Estate subdivision. However, the city plans to work with neighbors to install speed bumps or other traffic calming measures to reduce the impact of increased travel through the area. “On the upside, it’s going to eliminate that whistleblowing there,” Grimm said. “What I’m most excited about ... [is] stormwater drainage on that west side of the airport, which has always been a challenge for both the existing railroad tracks and pedestrian and bike facility

there,” he added. The overall GN Road Corridor project is estimated to cost about $30 million, and “has long been identified as a major infrastructure priority for Sandpoint,” the city stated, adding that it is the No. 1 project for the Northern Sandpoint Urban Renewal Area and is identified in the Sandpoint Multimodal Transportation Master Plan. Beyond its overall scope, the RN Road project has been made more complicated given that railroad crossings are regulated under state statute, which dictates the processes that railroad companies and public entities must follow in

order to close crossings. With the federal award, Sandpoint and SURA have expanded opportunities to leverage past planning into construction, which “would otherwise be difficult to accomplish using local funding alone,” the city stated. Still the project needs a 20% non-federal funding contribution, which will be supported locally through SURA in addition to dollars from Sandpoint’s water and sewer enterprise funds. “Final project costs, funding commitments and grant conditions will be addressed as the city advances toward formal grant acceptance and

The railroad crossing at the intersection of Great Northern Road and Mountain View Drive will be closed as part of the safety and connection improvements planned using the $20 million grant received by the city of Sandpoint. Photo by Ben Olson project implementation,” Sandpoint officials added. The federal money will specifically support final design, right-of-way acquisition and construction — though all depending on the terms of the final agreement. Project updates will be posted to the city’s Great Northern Road project webpage at bit.ly/GNRoadProject, including further info, answers to frequently asked questions and more.

Annual citywide leaf pickup scheduled for Nov. 16-20 By Reader Staff Sandpoint’s annual citywide leaf pickup is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 16-Friday, Nov. 20, when municipal crews will make a single full pass through each neighborhood to collect leaves placed along the curb line. According to an announcement from the city, residents should place unbagged leaves

in the street next to the curb by Nov. 16 at 7 a.m., when crews will begin their passes through each area one time only — and will not return to areas already served. To make the collection effort more efficient, the city asks that residents consolidate small piles into one large pile when possible, and place leaves near the curb on the edge of the roadway in a visi-

ble, accessible location — that is, not behind or blocked by cars, fences or landscaping. In addition, don’t place leaves on lawns, sidewalks or planter strips and expect them to be taken away; and keep piles clear of mailboxes, sidewalks, curb ramps, travel lanes, catch basins and areas directly under trees. The city emphasized that the leaf pickup is for leaves only —

no yard waste (including grass, clippings, tree branches or other debris) will be collected, nor will bagged leaves be taken. Piles containing branches or other material, and/or that are blocked or not visible from the street, will be skipped by crews. As residents are raking leaves, they are also asked to make sure sidewalks are cleared of leaves as much as possible and trees are trimmed

to provide at least seven feet of clearance. Those looking for yard waste alternatives are encouraged to use the Colburn and Dufort solid waste facilities, or research at-home composting, with information available at epa.gov/recycle/composting-home. For more information or to ask questions about the pickup, call 208-263-3407. November 12, 2026 / R / 5

NEWS

BOCC continues Long Bridge Marina hearing for fourth time By Soncirey Mitchell Reader Staff After a two-and-a-half-hour discussion Nov. 5, the Bonner County Board of Commissioners once again continued its public hearing on the proposed Long Bridge Marina expansion to Monday, Dec. 21, at 10 a.m. to await new information. The continuation gives developers an opportunity to revise their site plan based on BOCC input, and planning staff time to prepare a written opinion on whether Bonner County code justifies the application’s proposed variances. The county will publish the revised site plans at bonnercountyid.gov/ departments/Planning by Tuesday, Nov. 17, and the commissioners will accept written public comment on the revisions and variances until Monday, Dec. 14. Located at the intersection of Lakeshore and U.S. Highway 95, the 45-slip marina sits on an approximately two-acre parcel zoned Recreation. Developers Long Bridge Land Holding Company, LLC, represented by HMH Engineering, filed for a conditional use permit that would add 47 slips to the marina and reorganize its parking lot and rental shack location. The current iteration leaves the lot’s single-family residence and two rental cabins as they are. The Idaho Department of Lands further granted an encroachment permit to expand the marina to 268 slips, which would require an additional CUP and lot modifications. Developers have “no current plan” to expand the marina to that extent, according to HMH Engineer Dan Tadic. Public opposition has centered on increased traffic at the already dangerous intersection; however, IDL, Bonner County Road and Bridge, and the BOCC have all agreed that the current infrastructure supports the expanded use at this stage, though the proximity of the marina’s driveway to the intersection makes the area “problematic.” Commissioner Brian Domke, who had been absent from previous hearings due to illness, led the Nov. 5 discussion, focusing on several requested deviations regarding the property’s landscape buffer and impervious 6 / R / November 12, 2026

surfaces, including its parking lot and driveway. Bonner County Revised Code 12465 requires that parking lots must include a 25-foot landscape buffer separating them from any adjacent highway. The applicants requested a reduction to 10 feet in certain areas, citing “steep slopes” and the parking lot’s existing encroachment. Domke disagreed with their reasons, arguing that the landscape supports a 25-foot buffer, but “the scope of the project is too large for the size of the site to be able to comply with our code.” “A significant portion ... of that intended 25-foot buffer zone is actually shown for stormwater mitigation, which is necessary for the parking lot, but it’s not existing conditions — [such as] slopes and adverse site conditions — that prevent a 25-foot landscape buffer,” said Domke. “It’s the fact that the parking lot and the stormwater mitigation systems are within that 25-foot space.” Further, in an effort to reduce the adverse effects of runoff, BCRC 12-713 states that impervious surfaces cannot cover more than 35% of any given lot adjacent to a body of water. Impervious surfaces currently take up 62% of the property, but proposed changes would reduce that by 4%. While technically a reduction, Domke argued that the increased parking lot use added additional “contaminants” to the site that offset the benefit and increased nonconformity. “Ultimately, this project and parcel with its existing impervious surface area, with its driveway, is an existing nonconformance, and existing nonconformances are not supposed to be expanded per our code,” said Domke. When asked for additional information, Deputy Planning Director Alex Feyen said that the staff report did “not provide an opinion of whether or not” the deviations — especially regarding the buffer zone — were “consistent with code.” Commissioners then voted unanimously to continue the meeting and instructed staff to prepare a written opinion before they could make a final decision. The public can attend the Dec. 21 meeting either in person at the Bonner County Administration Building (1500 U.S. 2, in Sandpoint) or online via Zoom at bonnercountyid.gov/meetings.

Bits ’n’ Pieces From east, west and beyond Preliminary figures show 49.42% of eligible voters cast a ballot in the elections, according to the Brennan Center. Of the 435 members of the U.S. House, 254 will be Democrats, as of Nov. 10, with 16 races still undecided at that time, the Council on Foreign Relations reported. While a Democrat-controlled Congress will be able to pass laws, President Donald Trump — who promised to work with Democrats — simultaneously plans to resist them with his veto power. The Trump administration posted on X: “PSA: Trump is still your president.” The Associated Press examined how Democrats will use their majority status when sworn in on Jan. 3, 2027. The focus initially will be on health care and ending the Iran war. Other agenda items: boosting Medicaid and lowering the cost of Affordable Care Act plans; reversing some Trump trade tariffs; lowering costs for housing, energy, groceries and caregiving; and passing “reasonable” guardrails for AI and data centers. Congressional Democrats have also vowed to launch legal probes into Trump’s “tentacles of corruption,” AP reported. Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine told the AP the election shows people want more stability and “they want people to be nice.” Longtime rightwing commentator Tucker Carlson said it was “the end of the Trump era.” Outgoing Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis called the midterm results “close to an extinction-level event” for his party, Politico reported. Post-election Republican House leader Mike Johnson announced he will step aside. His replacement will be selected via a secret-ballot vote. Various media reported that Trump said Republicans would have won in a “LANDSLIDE” if he’d been on the ballot, though he repeatedly called on GOP voters to vote as if he was. Newly elected Texas Democratic Sen. James Talarico said “a politics of division is no match for a politics of love,” as he prepares to take his seat in Congress after voters in historically “red” Texas elected a Democrat to every major seat, including governor. Kansans elected their first Democrat to a Senate seat in close to 100 years, with the victory of megachurch pastor Adam Hamilton. Trump recently told 60 Minutes that his deportation policy may have been

By Lorraine H. Marie Reader Contributor

“too tough,” and swept up more than “the rough ones.” Other immigrants need “a deal” for staying, he said. Taking an opposite stance, he then replaced Chief of Staff Suzie Wiles with Stephen Miller, who helped orchestrate thousands of family separations at the border, then charged masked agents with arresting thousands of people a day for deportation, which led to a number of deaths. As Trump’s policy advisor and former-deputy chief of staff, Miller has been key in using “emergency” declarations to ignore the law, worked to undermine disability rights and has supported Russia’s stance in its war against Ukraine. He’s called for ruthless “hard power” in the Western Hemisphere. One Trump advisor cautioned, “It’s Miller Time. Buckle up.” Critics within the party see the potential for Miller’s policies to alienate independent and moderate voters during the 2028 election cycle. Trump learned nothing from the midterm rejection of his policies, Democratic critics pointed out. House Republicans have swung from shock to fury after the biggest midterm Democratic “wave” in 50 years, Axios reported, with blame for the sweeping electoral defeats leveled at the Iran war, ICE excesses, inflation, fuel prices and Trump’s costly vanity projects. Others said corruption was a top factor. The AP reported that Trump has signed a proclamation designating the Oval Office a national monument, intended to prevent future presidents from changing his redecoration of both the office and cabinet room. However, AP added, it does not bar future redecoration and the proclamation itself could be reversed by a successor. Tech billionaire and Trump supporter Elon Musk gambled $445 million to boost Republicans in the midterms and came up short, with nearly every candidate he supported failing at the polls, various media reported. Rolling Stone reported on Musk’s announcement that production of the Tesla Cybertruck will end in 2027, calling the vehicle “The Chariot of the Dumbest Gods.” Blast from the past: “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” — James Madison (1751-1836), known as the “Father of the Constitution” and fourth U.S. president (1809-1817)

NEWS

ID judge orders release of police employment records to InvestigateWest, Invisible Institute By InvestigateWest Idaho State Police and the Idaho Department of Correction improperly withheld police employment records and other information from two news organizations, according to a state court ruling ordering the information be released. InvestigateWest and the Invisible Institute sued the state agencies on June 16 for allegedly concealing information about officers’ employment histories that were previously disclosed to the news outlets. InvestigateWest used officer employment records to expose alleged sexual misconduct by dozens of Idaho prison guards in an October 2025 series (investigatewest.org/guarded-by-predators), and to show how many were allowed to resign without facing other disciplinary action or criminal prosecution. The reporting prompted Idaho lawmakers to remove a loophole in a sexual abuse law that made it more difficult for prosecutors to charge prison staff, and to order an independent review of how the women’s prison system handles reports of sexual abuse. After those stories were published, reporters from InvestigateWest and the Invisible Institute sought updated officer employment records, but the Department of Correction and state police denied those requests, stating that they would no longer disclose whether an officer retired, resigned or was fired. A records clerk also told the Invisible Institute that Idaho State Police leadership decided to “disable” a tool that allowed them to search an internal employment database. In a Nov. 5 ruling, Ada County District Judge Patrick J. Miller ordered the state agencies to release information about officers’ employment history, including the dates of their employment and the reason for their separation. That includes information about two former prison guards accused of sexually assaulting an inmate, who described the assaults and the mental toll it took on her to an InvestigateWest reporter. “This ruling is a win for government transparency — and accountability — in Idaho,” said Jacob Fries, InvestigateWest’s executive director. “These public records had been essential to our reporter’s work, which

led directly to a new state law helping protect incarcerated people from abuses of power.” State law broadly defines “employment history” to include the entire course of a person’s employment, from when it started to the nature of how it ended, Judge Miller wrote, concluding that whether someone was terminated, retired or resigned is public information. The agencies argued that disclosing an officer was terminated, for example, would suggest potential disciplinary action against the individual, and that legislators specifically exempted disciplinary details from disclosure. Idaho State Police also claimed the requested employment history information was contained in confidential decertification files that it said are exempt. Judge Miller said disclosing the reason for separation doesn’t amount to revealing the underlying details behind an employee’s departure. And just because an officer’s employment history and dates of service are in the same file as confidential details doesn’t mean they “lose their character” as disclosable records, the judge wrote. The Idaho Public Records Act “does not categorically shield every piece of information contained within an otherwise exempt file. To hold otherwise would permit an agency to withhold nonexempt employment-history information based solely upon the location in which it is maintained,” according to the ruling. The judge also ordered the prison system and state police to go back and search for database records requested by the news organizations. The Invisible Institute had previously obtained a database of all officers who had been certified in Idaho to date, and later requested updated information. The nonprofit public accountability journalism organization, which is based in Chicago, uses the data for its National Police Index, a searchable database of certified police and correctional officers by state and where they’ve worked (national.cpdp.co). Idaho State Police responded that the tool it used to generate those reports was no longer in use because it was unreliable and was generating different results for the same queries. The agency said it had no records in response to the public records request. The state’s Public Records Act

doesn’t require agencies create new records when one doesn’t already exist. But Miller said Idaho State Police’s decision to deactivate a tool doesn’t eliminate those records or “transform them into nonexistent information.” A public-facing search tool on the state Peace Officer Standards and Training website that allows people to search and retrieve similar information about officers is also “inconsistent” with ISP’s claim that it doesn’t have records, Miller said. “An agency may not defeat the public’s statutory right of access by choosing to maintain public records in a system from which the agency claims it cannot retrieve them, by disabling a retrieval function, or by shifting to the requester the burden of identifying each responsive record by a name or identifier already contained within the agency’s records,” according to the ruling.

Illustration by InvestigateWest The court said Idaho State Police hasn’t shown that it properly searched for records and ordered it to go back and look for the information. Miller also ordered the disclosure of the names of several state employees accused of misconduct, finding they were improperly redacted from records. This litigation was supported by the National Freedom of Information Coalition through a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, by the Society of Professional Journalists through a grant from the SPJ Legal Defense Fund and a grant from the Idaho Press Club. InvestigateWest is an independent news nonprofit dedicated to investigative journalism in the Pacific Northwest. Visit investigatewest.org/newsletters to sign up for weekly updates.

November 12, 2026 / R / 7

Bouquets: • In the post-election Nov. 5 edition, I forgot to give a Bouquet to all the poll workers who volunteered on Election Day. These wonderful people show up early, help set up the polling places, welcome voters, answer important questions and ensure everyone receives the assistance they need at the polls to help provide for a smooth voting experience. I’m thankful for all the many volunteers who came out on Nov. 3, as well as Bonner County Clerk Michael Rosedale, who completed his final election before retiring at the end of the year. Thanks for all the great work, Mike. Barbs: • I often receive emails from readers challenging me to engage in a debate about a particular subject. The format is usually the same: the emailer introduces a topic on which they’ve already decided my opinion and throws in some snarky personal digs and links to articles from dubious sources that back up their stance. Then they demand that I immediately engage and answer their numerous points. Sometimes I take the bait and spend an hour crafting a response, only to receive a flippant reply that shows they didn’t even read what I wrote. Other times, I email back to tell them I don’t have time to debate, only to get a response calling me names. Lately, I’ve decided to start ignoring the bait altogether. I have a full-time job. Just putting this paper out every week is a stressful, all-consuming activity. I don’t have the time, nor the desire, to spend my rare free time arguing with random people via email. If someone really wants to have a goodfaith debate, they should find me at the bar where I can at least drink beer while listening to their blathering. 8 / R / November 12, 2026

Economizing…

‘Diversity vs. unity’…

Dear editor, This is a small ripple effect of the Trump administration that made itself apparent to me: My wife and I are retired career teachers living on a fixed income. We are altruistic by nature, and whenever Yoke’s offers bags to buy for the food bank, we buy a couple. But food is expensive. We’ve supported the Clark Fork Food Bank as well. Clark Fork is the home of a lot of Trump/MAGA flags and bumper stickers. And I see the bumper stickers on the vehicles at the food bank. I have to economize. And suddenly I asked myself, “Why are you providing food for those who have made your purchases so much fewer and less economical?” I’ve had to cut back. So I don’t buy the food bank bags any more. They and I will have to do with less.

Dear editor, I’d love to see us be the United States — in mind, body and spirit — not “America.” I believe as long as we keep celebrating diversity vs. unity we will miss the mark. “Unity” is the quality and “uniting” the verb and identifier I wish to be. For me, unity is energetic whereas diversity is more an enhancement of experience, which does not often lead to unity because by nature it focuses on the friction and segregates the experience vs acknowledging its commonality. In contrast, MLK’s “I have a dream” wasn’t just for Black citizens, it was for the good for all of us to create that same dream. Are we really doing ourselves justice when we keep slicing and dicing ourselves into different categories and (worse) as labels? It can become less multidimensional and thus less human honoring in the whole.

F. Gene Merica Hope

Time for a ‘rebirth of democracy and repudiation of the oligarchy’… Dear editor, Our president asked that we pretend that he was on the ballot for the midterm election. We voters did so, leading to a strong repudiation of Trump’s policies and actions. So we are back where we were — two political parties that are owned by the oligarchs with some few exceptions. Both parties are corrupt, although Trump has taken corruption to new, unforeseen levels. We don’t need things to be the way they were. We desperately need a rebirth of democracy and repudiation of the oligarchy. Remove money from the political process, tax the obscenely wealthy (who took their wealth while riding on the backs of the working class), etc. I have lived in countries (Austria in particular) with mild elements of socialism for the common folk (e.g. universal health care, free higher education), but way less socialism for the wealthy. Richard Sevenich Sandpoint

By BO

Angela Cochran Sandpoint

Idaho’s GOP congressmen will be even more useless now… Dear editor, I was very upset that the voters returned almost all GOP candidates. Then I realized that Risch, Crapo, Simpson and Fulcher had lost chairmanships and the majorities in their respective chambers of Congress. It put a twinkle in my eye to see their loss of grift and power — quite likely forever. They can sit there, voting “no” on every Democrat proposal, revealing to us all just how useless they are to bettering the lives of Idahoans. Gil Beyer Sandpoint We accept letters to the editor up to 200 words long that are free of libelous statements and excessive profanity. Please elevate the conversation. Send submissions to: letters@sandpointreader.com

“I probably cannot do that, no, because I do hate some of my enemies and I always will.”

COMMUNITY

Jack Frost Fest to return with Cedar St. party By Reader Staff Jack Frost Fest is returning to help usher in the winter season, but this year will bring a lot of changes — including a new venue. Founded in 2017 by Mattox Farm Productions’ Robb Talbott, the free community event went on hiatus in 2023 and will return this year on Saturday, Nov. 21, moving from its previous home in the Granary District to take over Cedar Street between Second and Third avenues in downtown Sandpoint. “Think K-9 Keg Pull but with bands, not breeds — and probably more beer,” said Eichardt’s Publican Jeff Nizzoli, who is spearheading the event along with Mattox Farm and support from surrounding Cedar Street businesses The Fat Pig, Pend d’Oreille Winery, MickDuff’s Beer Hall, Di Luna’s Cafe, IPA and Baxter’s on Cedar.

In addition to the participating bars and restaurants, presenting sponsor Hayden Beverage will be on hand with cider and beer, which will be available alongside eats from Mountain Food Co. and Cajun Kettle, fire pits and a free, family-friendly atmosphere. The party kicks off at noon and runs until 7 p.m., with two bands on the mainstage: RCA and the Radicals at 1 p.m. and Night Mayors at 4 p.m. Bands will also perform at participating businesses, with Oak Street Connection at the Winery, Smucker Punch at the Beer Hall, John Firshi and Friends at Eichardt’s and a TBD group at IPA and Scott Stover at Baxter’s. While the top event sponsor spots are taken, smaller local sponsorship opportunities are still available. Contact Mattox Farm at mattoxfarm. com for more info.

Sandpoint Youth Center shares November activities By Reader Staff The Sandpoint Youth Center — formerly known as the Teen Center — is hosting a monthlong pizza fundraiser to raise money for the nonprofit organization and support local teens. The online order period for the “Take and Bake Pizza” fundraiser is open until Tuesday, Nov. 24 for 12-inch cheese, pepperoni, vegetarian, meat lovers or supreme pizzas. Pizzas can be picked up

Monday, Nov. 30 through Friday, Dec. 4 from 3:30-5:45 p.m. at the Youth Center, 526 S. Olive Ave., in Sandpoint. The center will also host a gourmet cake decorating class with Chef Michael on Tuesday, Nov. 17 and a spoon rings class on Monday, Nov. 30. To donate or find more information about the Sandpoint Youth Center, visit sandpointteencenter.com, email sandpointyouthcenter@gmail.com or call 208-603-0802.

— President Donald Trump on 60 Minutes, answering a question from reporter Ross Douthat that dealt with death and where Trump believes he’ll go when he dies. Douthat asked Trump: “... Let’s say you pass away, you’re entering the next life, and all you have to do to enter paradise is feel love and forgiveness for James Comey, Nancy Pelosi, anyone who you have expressed hate for over the years. Do you think you can do it? ... Mr. President, you have had the most charmed and remarkable life of any American in my entire lifetime, and you are telling me you couldn’t find it in your heart to forgive some of your enemies? After all that’s been given to you?”

PERSPECTIVES

Idaho Democrats gain ground in big election flips By Lauren Necochea Reader Contributor

ending tax giveaways to the wealthy, corporations and data centers. We reaffirmed our commitment to protectHow do you beat ing public lands, supporting billionaire-funded PACs, LAUNCH scholarships that Republican incumbents lead to good jobs and makbacked by corporate donors ing health care accessible and misleading attack Lauren Necochea. File photo across Idaho. ads? Idaho Democrats just While we talked about showed how. solutions to real challenges, RepubDemocratic candidates flipped six lican politicians dusted off their tired legislative seats in Idaho’s most hotly playbook of attacking LGBTQ+ contested districts and came close to Idahoans and bragging about lopsided winning four more. We made history tax policies that do little for working in Ada County, where Kelceymarie families. Culture wars don’t put food Warner flipped a county commissioner on the table, and those stale Repubseat and Dotti Owens won her race for lican talking points are wearing thin coroner. These were our first counwith voters. ty-level wins since 2018, making IdaWe still faced steep odds. Demoho’s largest county competitive again. cratic candidates pounded the paveBeyond the races we won, Demoment to raise money from people who crats gained ground across the ballot, believed in them, while Republicans outperforming previous results in every counted on corporate PACs, lobbyists statewide race, both congressional racand other special interests. Out-ofes and 67 contested legislative races. state billionaire-funded PACs poured In Idaho Falls, our candidate earned huge sums into misleading attacks 48% against a longtime Republican against our candidates. incumbent, putting a once-safe seat Nevertheless, our ground game within reach. That progress matters in districts Republicans have long taken for granted. Our candidates didn’t show up in October and expect to earn voters’ trust. We’ve been talking to Idahoans since mid-2025, asking questions and listening. Those conversations helped us focus on voters’ concerns: high grocery bills, unaffordable housing, lost health coverage, underfunded schools and threats to public lands. We let voters know Democrats support removing the sales tax on groceries, restoring the child tax credit Republicans ended, updating the homeowners’ property tax exemption to reflect rising home prices, and

met voters where they were. Over the election cycle, we knocked on doors and made phone calls more than 470,000 times. The result? When the Legislature convenes in January, there will be 40% more Democrats. They’ll be ready to cast the kind of deciding votes we have in the past: protecting Medicaid expansion; continuing LAUNCH scholarships that only became law because of Democrats; and preventing more public funds from flowing to private and religious schools while neighborhood schools are underfunded, children with disabilities face limits on therapies and road projects are canceled because of self-inflicted budget shortfalls. This is a win for every Idahoan, however they voted. Lauren Necochea is chair of the Idaho Democratic Party and a former District 19 legislator. Necochea spent a decade leading nonprofit programs dedicated to research and advocacy in tax policy, health care and children’s issues.

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Mad about Science: By Brenden Bobby Reader Columnist Last month, I visited a convention in Spokane. It was pretty cool! I got to pose next to the Mystery Machine and got a hug from Scooby Doo. I also got an extremely potent strain of COVID-19. What followed was 10 days of recovery followed by weeks of getting through long-COVID symptoms that are honestly still hanging on. I’ll spare you the vivid details of the past month of my life, but the whole ordeal did make me curious about what a fever is, why we have it, and why it will sometimes fade and come back while we’re sick. Beyond colored mucus, a scratchy throat, and sneezing or coughing, a fever is the key identifier that we have become infected with something and are now sick. It’s often the indicator that we need to stop moving around, infecting others, and instead see a doctor. The doctor prescribes bed rest or medication to reduce your fever and get you back on your feet. What if the fever isn’t a symptom, and instead it’s something intentional that your body is doing to drive out the infection? What if a fever is a good thing? A fever is a sign that your body has been compromised. The presence of the fever isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it’s a symptom that your body may need help. Actively attempting to subdue the fever may do your body more harm than good. Instead, it’s good to give the body more of what it needs during an intense fever. Often, antibiotics are given during a bacterial infection when a fever is present. This doesn’t treat the fever directly 10 / R / November 12, 2026

fever

but instead aids in what your body is trying to accomplish with the fever. Taking medication with the specific intention to suppress your fever and get back on your feet faster actively undoes critical work your body needs to undertake while you’re sick. You can envision your body at the cellular level as a warzone. Many cells in your body are civilians, just going about their day, while immune cells act as law enforcement making patrols, cleaning up the streets and establishing order. Then you visit a convention, and you have tangos rolling in by the millions. Suddenly, the invading cells or viruses are taking hostages. A full-body invasion has occurred, and the enemy is reproducing too fast for your body to recruit and train new immune cells. It needs time. Enter scorched earth: a fever. Your body recognizes the threat has grown beyond something your immune cells can handle, so it turns up the heat. Your muscles repeatedly contract and generate heat. Your blood vessels constrict to retain it. The inside of your body is becoming a pressure cooker, and it’s by design. Bacteria and viruses require specific parameters to flourish. These parameters often align perfectly with our body’s natural temperature. When that temperature rises, the heat starts to do things to bacteria: vital cell functions break down, cell membranes burst open. The same thing happens to your healthy cells, which is why viruses are not immune from the fever either. The real trick here is your body has to cook out enough of the invader before it deals irreparable damage to itself.

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This is a function that animals developed more than 600 million years ago. How is it that bacteria and viruses haven’t adapted to circumvent fevers entirely? This is actually a very interesting point, and it’s the body using the rapid evolution of diseases against themselves. Let’s say that you catch the common cold. Individual virions (the particles of a virus) survive the increased heat and reproduce with adaptations to survive and even thrive in an elevated body temperature. Then you sneeze on somebody at a convention who doesn’t have a fever, and the virus is now competing with another strain that is better adapted to surviving in people without a fever. The two viruses square off against each other, and inevitably the more prevalent one adapted for the present environment beats the other. This doesn’t always work to perfection, but the immunological arms race is ultimately a numbers game, and the body being able to change its core temperature as needed has worked wonders to suppress the ability of diseases to adapt to this central defense mechanism. Fevers do even more than this for our bodies. During a fever, we have a higher energy requirement while we are often too sick and tired to eat and consume fresh nutrients. This sucks, but it’s intentional. It’s our body limiting fresh intake of nutrients so that it burns out existing reserves to starve out invading disease. It creates a hot food desert in which the invaders are fighting each other for food while our immune cells tighten the noose and wipe out the threat while it’s desperate and distracted.

One of the most interesting things about our bodies is that we don’t have to be completely free of a virus or bacteria to be unaffected by it. In fact, immune cells are capable of retaining bits of viruses to use as reference for attacking future infections for a set amount of time. All our bodies need is to control the population of an invader just enough to keep it from doing really detrimental things to the

rest of our body. In the case of COVID-19, it seems that much of what affects us in the long term is actually the aftereffects of an aggressive immune response to a rapidly evolving virus. It’s almost unimaginable how we would have survived the pandemic without our body’s ability to crank up the heat and cook out the bad stuff. Stay curious, 7B.

Random Corner Don’t know much about rainWe?can help! • The Atacama Desert in northern Chile and southern Peru is known as the driest spot on the planet. It averages only 0.019 inches of rain annually. However, scientists claim the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica are even drier because some areas have never recorded a single drop of rain.

geosmin present on the ground is released in aerosol form.

• The rainiest place on Earth is Mawsynram, India, which averaged 467.4 inches of rain every year (just shy of 39 feet).

• Raindrops fall to the ground at about 14 miles per hour.

• When raindrops fall from the clouds but evaporate before reaching the ground, it’s called “virga.” • There is a definite “earthy” smell when rain first starts to fall. This phenomenon is called “petrichor,” which is largely the result of tiny microorganisms found in rural and urban areas called actinobacteria. They decompose dead or decaying organic matter into simple chemical compounds, and a byproduct of this interaction is geosmin — an organic compound that contributes to the smell of rain. When raindrops hit the surface, tiny aerosols are ejected and the

• Contrary to popular belief, raindrops aren’t shaped like teardrops, but actually more resemble a hamburger bun. • A drop of rain weighs less than a single eyelash.

• It rains water on Earth, but on other planets in the solar system, the precipitation is quite different. Both Uranus and Neptune contain carbon. The carbon can be crushed by the immense pressures present on those planets, and diamonds can form and accumulate, ultimately raining from the skies. On Venus, sulphuric acid rain showers evaporate before reaching the surface. Away from our solar system, the blue exoplanet HD 189733b — located about 64.5 light-years from Earth — rains glass sideways in winds blowing up to 5,400 miles per. Its blue color, in fact, comes from the blowtorched atmosphere filled with silicate particle-laced clouds.

PERSPECTIVES

Arlington Cemetery is a national treasure. It should not be debased By Jim Jones Reader Contributor Arlington National Cemetery, the nation’s largest resting place for America’s heroes, is sacred ground for our veterans. As we commemorate Veterans Day this year, we should turn our thoughts and pay our respects to the many Idahoans who have been laid to rest in that hallowed ground. They include two Congressional Medal of Honor winners: Col. Reginald Rodney Myers, who was born in Boise, earned the MOH for valor in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in Korea in November 1950; First Lt. Vernon J. Baker was born in Wyoming, but lived his last 15 years in Idaho, and received the MOH for conspicuous valor near Viareggio, Italy, in April 1945. His award came 52 years later, because of his black skin. A number of Idahoans who served in Vietnam and subsequent wars are interred in the peaceful environs of Arlington. In July 2012, the remains of Chief Master Sgt. Larry Thornton, of Idaho Falls, were buried at Arlington, 45 years after his AC-47D took off from Vietnam on Christmas Eve 1965 and disappeared over Laos. I’ve been to Arlington many times since my Vietnam service. Every time I saw the grave marker of a Vietnam comrade, I was flooded with profound grief and anger for the 58,220 American lives taken by that ill-fated war, including 251 with Idaho connections. Those emotions were always somewhat assuaged by the quiet, dignified atmo-

sphere of the cemetery. That calming atmosphere is currently facing a serious threat from another Donald Trump vanity project. Trump’s 250-foot-tall triumphal arch will sit smack dab in front of Arlington Cemetery, destroying its peace and tranquility, as well as the symmetry and symbolism of its location. The National Park Service dared to report that the arch “would break alignment between the Lincoln Memorial, Memorial Bridge and Arlington House that was Robert E. Lee’s home.” It continued: “The bridge alignment and associated ceremonial landscape were intended to physically and symbolically unite North and South through a coordinated monumental composition extending across the Potomac River.” It has also been noted that the arch requires an Act of Congress. It does not have congressional approval, but that has never stopped Trump from bullying ahead. Trump is not the first president to propose construction that would have severely interfered with that alignment, as well as the pastoral atmosphere of the cemetery. President Franklin D. Roosevelt proposed building the Pentagon in that location. He changed his mind after being convinced that it would obliterate the backdrop of tiered headstones and Arlington House. But why build an arch in the first place? The Romans were among the first of the ancients to construct triumphal arches. They made an art of building

arches to recognize victorious generals returning from battle. It is not clear why Trump would be entitled to an arch on that basis, because his Iran War has been an unmitigated disaster for our country. The Iranians have kept what remains of their nuclear material. The war has caused skyrocketing prices for gas, diesel, fertilizer and most consumer goods that need to be transported. The explanation for the arch must lie elsewhere. Trump admitted last October that the monument was intended to honor “me” but later claimed it was to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary. As he has continued to take flak for the project, Trump and his lackeys now contend it is required for the national defense. We already have a national defense project in the grand ballroom adjacent to the White House, but that does not seem to be sufficient in the president’s mind. In a shameful attempt to get around building restrictions, he now claims the arch will be laden with drones, snipers and machine guns so as to protect Washington from attack. If he had the slightest understanding of military tactics, he would understand that his arch would make an indefensible sitting-duck target. Not everyone is keen for Trump’s vanity arch. Three Vietnam War veterans have filed suit in federal court to

stop construction. One of the veterans said his opposition is an act of loyalty to the country and our fallen service members. Another stated the arch is disrespectful to those who did not return and those buried at Arlington. Well said, brothers! The District of Columbia and Virginia have also brought suit against the arch. [Editor’s note: At the request of D.C. and Virginia officials, a federal judge ruled Nov. 6 to block the start of construction on the “triumphal arch” for 14 days, citing “threatened harms” to surrounding communities, including (in part) traffic disruptions.] The courts will likely rule against this vanity project, but that may not be enough. Citizens and veterans must raise their voices and demand that the Cemetery not be debased just to satisfy the vanity of a failed president. Perhaps the House and Senate members still standing after the midterm elections will find the courage to speak out against this slap in the face to the nation’s veterans who we honor on Nov. 11. Jim Jones is a Vietnam combat veteran who served eight years as Idaho attorney general (1983-1991) and 12 years as justice of the Idaho Supreme Court (2005-2017). He also publishes at substack.com/@jjcommontater.

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FEATURE

Flying high in North Idaho

By Jen Heller Reader Contributor Summer in North Idaho is always so hectic. It’s hard to pack in all the adventures, gatherings, foods, and fun. But, as the light leaves us with a sigh of relief, it’s good and healthy to come up with projects for the winter months. Last winter, my self-assigned project was learning to fly — and it sure turned out to be a timely goal, since the snow never showed up! I didn’t mourn the dearth of skiing nearly as bad when I was up in the sky, admiring our whole landscape from above. (Let’s be honest — it was less time sightseeing, and more of me sweating heavily through various drills, lessons and confusing rituals.) Operating any aircraft is expensive, so, like a lot of student pilots, part of my pregame research involved locating an aircraft I could rent on a budget. This past spring, I lucked out when one of Bonner County’s newest nonprofits launched from the modest little airport 12 / R / November 12, 2026

in Priest River (Airport Code 1S6). The 1S6 Flying Club is a gift to the local flying community, as the flying club at the Sandpoint airport is often full, with a waitlist to boot. Flying clubs are one of the easiest ways for new or experienced pilots to fly as affordably as possible. Upkeep expenses are covered by monthly fees, and the stress of organizing maintenance and other tasks are shared by several rather than shouldered by one. Joining a young club meant an extra bonus, for me: the plane was available to check out any time I wanted it. I commute to Priest River two days per week, so the location was decently convenient for me already; but, even if I wasn’t working there, it’s a relatively short and beautiful drive, compared to the distances some people drive for the privilege of flying. On the days I wanted to fly, I could often just pull up the scheduling app an hour beforehand, plunk in my reservation and head for the heavens. While the 1S6 Flying Club has boldly gone where no flying clubs have

been before, it should be noted that the Priest River airport was already a great little hub of passionate aviators. I’ve found all of them to be friendly and welcoming toward the little bit of extra traffic on their side of the Bonner divide. Plus, the airstrip feels even more welcoming now that the runway was repaved and repainted this summer. For those seasoned pilots who have already racked up flight hours in the past, 1S6 airport is a fantastic home base. It’s close to some more adventurous airstrips at Priest Lake and beyond, quiet enough that you don’t have to wait for traffic and easy to access off Highway 57. While many flying clubs have strict limitations in how long you can check out a plane, the 1S6 Flying Club recognizes the appeal of our Idaho “backcountry” access, and members can check out the plane for a limited number of overnights or full weekends over the course of a membership year. The folks who run the club are approachable and enthusiastic about

Photos taken by Jen Heller while flying high over North Idaho. providing flying opportunities to the oft-neglected western side of the county. The Cessna 172L that we fly (Tail No. N9894G) is also in great shape for a gal in her 50s. She’s soon to get an upgrade as well: the club recently received a donation of avionics equipment that, once installed, will allow for instrument flying. Those gray winter skies will soon be even more accessible. Finally, a piece of good news as we head into an El Niño year for the record books. Keep up those snow dances, everyone. But if crossing all our fingers and toes fails us once again, I’ll be spending my spare pennies up above the mountains, instead of on the rocky slopes. When she’s not wandering or working, you’re most likely to find Jen Heller pinned down under a heavy orange cat and her laptop in central Sandpoint. Find her monthly posts about African memories and North Idaho adventures at jenstify.substack.com.

To submit a photo for a future edition, please send to ben@sandpointreader.com.

Top right: “Greetings from Copper Canyon, Mexico,” wrote Desire Aguirre, left, who traveled with the Reader and friend Vicki Fuller, right. Top left: Kim Bond, left, and Gina Woodruff, right, brought the Reader to Berat, Albania, “The City of a Thousand Windows.” Bottom left: “Lucille, our kitty, loves the Reader,” wrote Brooke Deccio. We love her, too! Bottom center: “I recently took the Reader to Georgetown, Texas to visit my mom, longtime Sandpoint resident Barbara Hansen,” wrote John Hansen. “Barbara says ‘Hi y’all’ to all of her friends in Sandpoint.” Bottom right: Jim Holzer, left, and Jane Holzer, center, with grandson Tom Olson (no relation to Reader publisher Ben Olson). “Tom came to visit on my 82nd birthday, and I’m not sure if he continues to grow or I’m shrinking,” wrote Jane.

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COMMUNITY SARS Ski Swap slaloms back into town By Reader Staff Every year, the Schweitzer Alpine Racing School’s Ski Swap marks the beginning of the winter sports season, setting new and returning powder hounds up with all the gear they could ever need. This year’s swap will take place on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bonner County Fairgrounds (4203 N. Boyer Road, in Sandpoint). Those wishing to drop off gear to sell are asked to do so Friday, Nov. 13 from noon-7 p.m. The annual SARS Ski Swap will feature thousands of new and used items sold by both local users and sports vendors, including bindings, boots, goggles, helmets, poles, skis, snowboards and winter clothes — all priced cheaper than at conventional retailers. Individuals can sell their used gear for 50 cents per item, and 20% of profits benefit the SARS competitive skiing and boarding programs. Admission to the swap is $5 per

person or $10 per family in cash only. Retailers will accept cash, credit or debit. Sellers must pick up checks and unsold items by Nov. 14 from 5-6 p.m. — all unclaimed items will be donated to SARS and the North Idaho Mountain Sports Education Fund. Learn more at sars.snowproportal. com.

November 12, 2026 / R / 15

COMMUNITY

Historical society auctions off maps, posters

Borrow a ‘living book’ with Curious Conversations

By Reader Staff

By Reader Staff

The Bonner County Historical Society and Museum is deaccessioning 20 maps and several posters from its collection, placing them up for silent auction from Thursday, Nov. 19 through Friday, Dec. 4. View and bid on the items online at bit.ly/4zDXOD3. Deaccessioning occurs when BCHSM determines that an item in its collection does not have a specific connection to Bonner County, has no provenance, is not authentic, is damaged beyond repair, is a duplicate, or is not useful for research or education. Locals can view each item online through Friday, Nov. 13, and may contest the deaccession if they believe it holds historical significance or they have additional information regarding the item’s provenance. Submit additional information to info@bonnercountyhistory.org using the subject line “Deaccession Object [Object ID Number]” or by mail to 611 S. Ella

This week, the Sandpoint branch of the East Bonner County Library is expanding its collection to include “living books” — community members who have volunteered to talk one-on-one about their life experiences. Curious Conversations runs from 5:30-9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, and will include complimentary hors d’oeuvres, desserts and mocktails while attendees mingle and check out different “books” at the Sandpoint Center (414 Church St.). Attendees can chat with 13 different community members, each of whom come with a title indicating what stories they would like to tell. Living book titles including Rich, Famous And Happy? Lessons I learned at the Playboy Mansion; Where The Butterflies Bloom: Living Wild Six Months

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The Bonner County Historical Society and Museum. Courtesy photo

Ave., Sandpoint. Barring any objections, the maps and posters will go up for auction with a starting bid of anywhere from $5-$25. Items include maps of Sandpoint; Kaniksu National Forest; Idaho Panhandle National Forests; Lake Chelan; and areas of Washington, Rhode Island and South Carolina. The rarest item is a 1972 printing depicting the kings and queens of Denmark. All funds will benefit the historical society and museum’s collection, building maintenance and community educational programs. Learn more at bonnercountyhistory. org.

Under an Open Sky; From Street Gang to Summer of Love; and many more that address travel, grief, spirituality and other important topics. Halfway through the evening, everyone will have the opportunity to hear a presentation titled “My Life as a Listener: What Happens When the Person Everyone Underestimates Gets the Mic.” “Our vision is to strengthen our community through unique, oneon-one conversations. Our intention is to cultivate awareness of and access to our neighbors by exploring a chapter of their lives, also known as a ‘living book,’” stated organizers. “We accomplish this through dialogue to better understand and inspire each other, therefore learning more about ourselves and our impact on each other and our communities.” Find out more at ebonnerlibrary. org/events.

COMMUNITY ‘Get Plowed’ to support Pine Street Woods By Reader Staff With winter fast approaching, Kaniksu Land Trust is looking forward to snowy days — and preparing for the road maintenance that comes with them. The nonprofit will hold its annual fundraiser, Get Plowed, on Thursday, Nov. 12 to raise money to keep Pine Street Woods open and accessible throughout the cold months for skiing, snowshoeing, hiking and biking. Sponsored by the Pend Oreille Pedalers and the Sandpoint Nordic Club, the free party will take place from 5-7 p.m. with food, music, raffles and more at Matchwood Brewing Compa-

ny (513 Oak St., in Sandpoint). Enter to win a variety of prizes donated by the community, guess the date of the first plowing to win 50% of contest the entry fees or just drop a few dollars in the donation box. New this year, the Bonner Community Food Bank will be on site accepting donations of nonperishable food items and frozen turkeys for the holiday season — with a goal of collecting 200 turkeys for local families. The Better Together Animals Alliance will also bring its new Kitten Cuddle Booth — a place to play with (and adopt) the shelter’s kittens. Learn more at kaniksu.org.

Support child advocacy at the CASA Purse Party By Reader Staff North Idaho CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, works year-round to support and advocate for victims of child neglect and abuse in Idaho’s five northern counties. To fund the training and programs needed to protect at-risk youth, CASA will hold its annual Purse Party on Thursday, Nov. 19 4-8 p.m. at the Pend d’Oreille Winery (301 Cedar St., Suite 101, in Sandpoint).

The upscale evening gives attendees the option to purchase dozens of donated purses and handbags in a range of styles, brands and prices, all while enjoying the winery’s drinks and appetizers. The proceeds from each purchase will go towards CASA’s advocacy efforts, supporting children in foster care and going through the court system with trusted adults, camps, tutoring, therapy and more. Learn more about the organization by visiting northidahocasa.org.

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events

Send event listings to calendar@sandpointreader.com THURSDAY, november 12 Live Bluegrass Jam w/ Jim Get Plowed annual fundraiser 5:30pm @ Connie’s Lounge 5-7pm @ Matchwood Brewing Co. Come together to raise funds to keep the Weekly Pool Tournament road to Pine St. Woods safely plowed 6pm @ Connie’s Lounge Live Music w/ Liam McCoy and Friends 7pm @ Eichardt’s Pub

Live Music w/ Mason Van Stone 6-9pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Live Music w/ Natalie Hughes 5-7pm @ Connie’s Lounge Live Music w/ Chris Lynch, Rachel Diane 5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Live Music w/ Tim G. 5:30-8:30pm @ Barrel 33 Live Music w/ The McBakerwoods 5:30-7:30pm @ Smokesmith BBQ

Live Music w/ Double Shot Band 6-8pm @ Connie’s Lounge Live Music w/ Delta G 5:30-7:30pm @ Smokesmith BBQ Live Music w/ Brian Jacobs 6-8pm @ Baxters on Cedar Sandpoint Chess Club 9am @ Evans Brothers Coffee

Live Music w/ Devon Wade Band 7pm @ The Hive Music w/ DJ Rimm 9pm-midnight @ 219 Lounge Live Music w/ Brian Jacobs 6-8pm @ Baxters on Cedar

Nick Jaina (film/music performance) 7pm @ Panida Little Theater A multimedia performance from Portland musician and author combining electric guitar, poetry and film projections inspired by his new book Abrazo Eagles Bingo 2:30pm @ Eagles, 1511 John Hudon Ln. Live Music w/ Ian Newbill 5:30-8:30pm @ Ice House Pizzeria (Hope)

SunDAY, november 15

MCS Fall Serenade • 7-9pm @ Little Carnegie, MCS Music Conservatory of Sandpoint’s faculty musicians perform the work of the great masters

monDAY, november 16

Lake Pend Oreille Toastmasters meeting 5:45-7pm @ Sandpoint Library

Live piano w/ Jennifer Stoehner 5-7pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery

Beginner Argentine tango class 6pm @ Embody Center, 823 Main St. No partner needed. $20 entry. With a guest instructor from Seattle

Live Music w/ Liam McCoy 7pm @ Eichardt’s Pub

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FriDAY, november 13

Outdoor Experience group run 6pm @ Outdoor Experience 3-5 miles, all levels welcome

Live Irish Jam w/ Seamus 5:30pm @ Connie’s Lounge Weekly Pool Tournament 6pm @ Connie’s Lounge

Tapped In (trivia game played on your phone) 5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority

Stand-Up Comedy: Myq Kaplan 7pm @ Panida Little Theater Rapid-fire wordplay and clever, high-concept humor. Panida.org

Monday Night Blues Jam w/ John Firshi 7pm @ Eichardt’s Pub

Live piano w/ Dwayne Parsons 4-7pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery

Artist reception: Bailey Miller 5-7pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery The Winery’s November artist of the month

SATURDAY, november 14

Live Music w/ Justyn Priest 9pm-midnight @ 219 Lounge Live Music w/ Tom Catmull 5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Live Music w/ Picked Up Pieces 6-9pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall

November 12 - 19, 2026

tuesDAY, november 17

wednesDAY, november 18

Free community Thanksgiving Dinner 3:30-7pm @ Sandpoint Elks Lodge Enjoy turkey, jam and all the fixins. Dine in or take out. 208-263-3811

ThursDAY, november 19

Duende Libre in concert 7pm @ The Heartwood Center Award-winning jazz trio playing rhythms of Cuba, Brazil and the Med. Presented by POAC. $25/$10 Sandpoint Contra Dance 7-10pm @ Sandpoint Community Hall Live music, lively caller. New dancers and singles welcome. $5-$10 entry Ladies night and food drive (see Page 14) 4-7pm @ Sunshine Goldmine Truck Mills and Carl Rey in concert 2pm @ Create Arts Center, Newport Blues, jazz and American music on harmonicas and guitars. createarts.org Curious Conversations: ‘Living Books’ 5:30-9pm @ The Sandpoint Center Participants can sign up to borrow a “living book” for a 15-minute one-onone conversation. Free mocktails and apps. Free to attend

Live Music w/ Fiddlin’ Red 1-4pm @ Barrel 33 Celtic Folk Jam 3-6pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Trivia w/ Ricci and Willie 6-8pm @ Idaho Pour Authority

Open mic / open jam 5-8pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Palouse Jazz Project 7pm @ Panida Theater A dynamic jazz sextet made up of faculty members from U of I’s Lionel Hampton School of Music performing jazz standards and originals. panida.org

CASA Purse Party Sand-Point Break (play) (Nov. 19-21) 4-7pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery 7pm @ Panida Little Theater Paint and Sip w/ Nicole Black A live comedy play inspired by the film Point Break, 5:30-7:30pm @ Barrel 33 reimagined in Sandpoint. Written/directed by WilVFW Turkey Shoot lie Wittezehler and starring locals, this is going to 3-6pm @ Shoot North Idaho Range be a romp. Rated-R. Don’t miss it! Tapped In (trivia game played on your phone) 5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority

STAGE & SCREEN

‘A little moment of shared silliness’

Point Break parody is a ‘love letter’ to the film and Sandpoint

By Soncirey Mitchell Reader Staff It’s hard to top the ’90s cult classic Point Break — starring Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze as surfing cops and robbers — but the great minds of local sibling duo Willie Wittezehler and Ricci Witte are giving it a shot with their North Idaho parody, Sand-Point Break. The play takes the stage every night from Thursday, Nov. 19 to Saturday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Panida Little Theater (300 N. First Ave., in Sandpoint). Wittezehler calls the production a “love letter” to his hometown and one of his “alltime favorite” movies, combining local inside jokes with the over-the-top drama of the action-thriller to make something outrageous and delightful all at once. “We have been completely cracking ourselves up at every rehearsal,” said writer-director-producer Wittezehler. “It is

literally difficult to get through scenes because of how much the cast and crew are laughing just trying to deliver these ridiculous lines.” Sand-Point Break follows Johnny Idaho, a former-Sandpoint Bulldog quarterback turned FBI rookie, who’s attempting to infiltrate a gang of bank-robbing wakeboarders. The adaptation keeps much of the movie’s dialogue and an abridged version of the story; however, that doesn’t mean you need to be a Point Break diehard to follow along. “If you know and love the film, you will especially appreciate all the references, but ... absolutely no prior knowledge is required,” said Wittezehler. “The show is going to start with a quick supercut of the film, so all the important lines and story beats will be fresh in peoples’ minds and everyone will have that context. I honestly think the show will be totally enjoyable even if someone has never seen Point Break.”

Cast members include Cadie Archer, Alex Cope, Joe Heil, Geoff Klein, Lindsey Klein, Reader Publisher Ben Olson and Andew Sorg, along with musician Justin Landis, who will provide the surf rock and ’90s metal that’s vital to the ambiance. Each night will feature a different Johnny Idaho plucked from the audience and fed their lines — the more awkward the performance, the better. According to Wittezehler — whose sister, Ricci, also serves as producer — the chaos and joy created by the cast had been the greatest part of Sand-Point Break. “It has all felt like being a kid again, just playing with friends,” said Wittezehler. “And overall, just getting to celebrate this town we all love by creating a little moment of shared silliness.” Tickets are $25 at panida. org. Get a taste of the action by visiting the Instagram page @ sand_point_break.

Acclaimed multimedia artist Nick Jaina coming to Panida Theater By Reader Staff Various descriptions of Portland, Ore.-based Nick Jaina include “a writer of memoir and novels,” “a musician and writer” and “an alt-folk bandleader.” According to the PDX Book Fest, his work “bridges music, literature and performance,” which is perhaps the most apt. A finalist for the Oregon Book Award in 2015 for his memoir Get It While You Can, he’s also written for The Atlantic, McSweeney’s and the journal Oregon Humanities; published three other books; and released 12 albums since 2005. Along the way, he was co-founder and music director for a New York ballet company and composed scores for feature films and documentaries. Now, as he tours in support of his newest book Abrazo, described as a “poetic photo essay,” Jaina is coming to Sandpoint on Saturday, Nov. 14 for an evening of music, poetry reading and film at the Panida Theater (300 N.

First Ave., in downtown Sandpoint). The performance merges electric guitar soundscapes that are then sampled to serve as the backdrop for his readings, which are further blended into song accompanying film scenes from the streets of Mexico City, which were the subject of Abrazo. According to Jaina’s website, the book is “an exploration of the limits of affection,” while also serving as a tour of Mexico City, a wartime meditation and “testimony from the other side.” Grief, meaning, beauty and ugliness are all entwined in the five-act poem that runs through the piece, which is available for purchase at nickjaina. com/abrazo. “It is a uniquely hopeful experience of soul and body,” event promoters stated. Jaina’s performance in Sandpoint begins at 7 p.m., with doors open an hour before the show. Tickets are $25 and available at the door or panida. org. For more information, visit nickjaina.com.

An illustration created for Sand-Point Break by Willie Wittezehler and Eddie Peña

Celebrated comic Myq Kaplan comes to Sandpoint That makes sense, because Kaplan seemingly never stops. To be a standup coIn addition to packmedian — at least a good ing theaters around the one — you need a certain nation, he’s also created amount of self-reflection, several comedy specials, wit and ability to laugh two podcasts, a book of at yourself. Some peoillustrated jokes and had ple have it, some people his recorded routines land don’t. Myq Kaplan, a as one of iTunes’ top 10 distinguished comic with comedy albums. The New myriad TV appearances Myq Kaplan. Courtesy photo York Times even called under his belt, has it in his most recent comedy spades. album, A.K.A., “invigoratingly funny.” Continuing an impressive tour that He shares the stage with Missoula spans two coasts, Kaplan will bring Mont.-based comedian Aubrey Juden, his standup routine to Sandpoint on whose scalding, nonchalant comedy Friday, Nov. 13 with an 7 p.m. show has endeared her to audiences across at the Panida Little Theater (300 N. the Inland Northwest. First Ave.). Catch a glimpse of their comedy Kaplan’s fast, punny comedy rooted styles at myqkaplan.com or on Juden’s in his everyday experiences has landYouTube page — or better yet, buy a ed him on the Tonight Show, Comedy ticket and wait to be surprised. Tickets Central, Last Comic Standing, America’s are $25 online at panida.org. Got Talent and on the stage next to the likes of Conan O’Brien, David Letterman, James Corden and Seth Meyers. By Reader Staff

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FOOD

The Sandpoint Eater

This spud’s for you!

By Marcia Pilgeram Reader Columnist On my recent travels through Greece, Italy and Turkey, one thing became clear: The humble spud speaks every language. It may be one of the most modest ingredients in the kitchen, but nearly every country has found a way to turn this simple little tuber into something special. In Greece, I savored lemon potatoes, roasted with olive oil, garlic, oregano and plenty of fresh lemon. They appear alongside everything from lamb to chicken, and I never tire of them. In Italy, the potato takes on a more delicate personality in the form of gnocchi, tender little pillows of potato and flour that are especially delicious tossed with butter and sage. In Turkey, it’s kumpir — a loaded baked potato, and I mean loaded! Split open and mixed with butter and cheese, it’s piled high with toppings that can include olives, corn, pickles and even sausages. In my kitchen, Irish colcannon has long been a favorite: mashed potatoes, cabbage, scallions and lots of butter. Comfort food at its finest! But the potato’s journey to our dinner tables began thousands of miles away, originating in the Andes of South America, around present-day Peru and Bolivia, where Indigenous farmers began domesticating it approximately 8,000 years ago. Long before Europeans ever saw a potato, Andean farmers were cultivating hundreds of varieties in an array of colors, shapes and sizes. (My personal favorite is the papa púrpura, or “purple potato.”) Spanish explorers carried potatoes to Europe in the 16th century, and their arrival was 20 / R / November 12, 2026

not an overnight success. Europeans were suspicious of this strange underground vegetable, and it took time for the potato to find its place at the table. Eventually, however, it came to serve as an essential food throughout much of Europe. My beloved Ireland became particularly dependent on the potato. It provided substantial nourishment from relatively small plots of land, making it an important staple for families. That dependence also made the country terribly vulnerable when potato blight devastated successive harvests in the 1840s. Today, the potato is one of the world’s most important food crops. Here in the U.S., USDA estimates indicate that about 118 pounds of potatoes were available per person in 2023. And we aren’t eating all of those fresh from the garden. Frozen potatoes, particularly french fries, account for a substantial share of our

consumption, along with dehydrated potatoes and the myriad flavors of potato chips. So, what is the rest of the world doing with this versatile vegetable? Quite a lot! In the past 12 years of writing this column, I’ve offered a plethora of international potato recipes, including Swiss rösti, a golden, crispy cake of grated potatoes, and Spanish tortilla de patatas, a thick, tender omelet made with potatoes, onions and eggs, served in wedges. I’ve also shared recipes for papas arrugadas (“wrinkled potatoes”) from the Canary Islands and Syracuse salt potatoes from New York. Both feature small potatoes boiled in very salty water until their skins wrinkle, leaving them coated with a delicate layer of salt. They’re delicious and remain among my favorite ways to eat a potato. In France, potatoes become pommes Anna, an ele-

gant dish of thin slices layered with butter and baked until golden and crisp. The British have perfected shepherd’s pie, with its comforting blanket of mashed potatoes. Canadians lay claim to poutine, a wonderfully indulgent combination of french fries, cheese curds and hot gravy. Lucky for us, this calorie-laden potato dish lives nearby, just north of the border. Farther away, India has aloo gobhi (“potato and cauliflower”), a fragrant mixture of potatoes and cauliflower seasoned with spices. And in Eastern European Jewish kitchens, crispy potato latkes have long been part of Hanukkah celebrations. After all my travels, I still believe there is something awfully special about a bowl of good mashed potatoes, prepared with lots of warm cream, Irish butter, salt and white pepper. There will always be a place at my table

for mashed potatoes. I’ll be stopping in Munich next month, so I thought Germany deserves a place at this international potato table, too. I’ve saved one of its most charming dishes for last. Himmel und Erde translates to “Heaven and Earth.” The name refers to the two principal ingredients: potatoes growing beneath the earth and apples growing on trees toward the heavens. This dish brings together mashed potatoes and soft, cooked apples, topped with sweet, caramelized onions. Perhaps that is the real magic of the potato. It can be rustic or elegant, inexpensive or dressed up, served at a family supper or in a fine restaurant. It has crossed oceans, survived centuries and famines, and found a home in kitchens around the world. Maybe Heaven and Earth will find a home at your table, too!

Himmel und Erde (Heaven and Earth) This dish is fabulous alongside pork or duck. When serving with duck, I often use some of the duck fat and a little butter to sauté the onions. You can also garnish with some crumbled bacon. Yields 6 servings.

INGREDIENTS: • 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cubed • 3 tart apples, peeled, cored and sliced • 1 tbs lemon juice • 6 tbs butter (or most of a stick) • ½ cup warm cream • 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced • 1 tbs brown sugar • Salt • White pepper • Pinch of freshly ground nutmeg

DIRECTIONS: Boil potatoes in salted water until fork-tender. Drain. In a separate small saucepan, cook apples with lemon juice and a splash of water until soft, about 10 minutes. Mash lightly, leaving some texture. Mash potatoes with 4 tbs butter and warm cream. Season with salt, white pepper and nutmeg. Combine the potatoes with the apples. Melt remaining butter in a skillet. Slowly cook onions for 20-25 minutes until golden and caramelized. Add brown sugar if desired. Don’t burn! Top with caramelized onions and serve — garnish with crumbled cooked bacon, if desired. Refrigerate the leftovers.

MUSIC

MCS presents 16th annual Fall Serenade By Reader Staff The Music Conservatory of Sandpoint will present its 16th annual Fall Serenade at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15 at MCS’ Little Carnegie performance hall (110 Main St.). The concert showcases MCS’ talented faculty musicians with a captivating program that spans classical masterpieces to contemporary favorites — with a few surprises along the way. The evening will include a mix of solo performances, duets and ensemble collaborations. Alongside pianist Caren Reiner is the crowd favorite Silver Curls ensemble, featuring MCS faculty member Denis Zwang on saxophone and flute, Sal DiRaffaele on

(L-R) Silver Curls, the Turnlund Trio, Caren Reiner. Courtesy photos drums, MCS Board Member Curt Hagen on the Hammond B organ and with MCS Board President Frank Geisler on guitar. Silver Curls will offer a free sneak peak from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6 at the Little Carnegie. The Turnlund Trio includes MCS students Charity (flute), Eliana (piano) and Hosanna Turnlund (violin).

“This concert is a cherished conservatory tradition, made possible year after year by the extraordinary generosity of our faculty musicians, who donate their time and talents to support student scholarships,” said Kathi Samuels, director of Development and Administration. “Their commitment reflects the heart of our conservatory community — a shared belief that every

student deserves the opportunity to experience the joy and transformative power of music education.” Tickets are available for purchase at sandpointconservatory.org/events, with adults paying $25 and students paying $10. There will be a no-host wine bar available and table seating is on a firstcome, first-served basis.

Palouse Jazz Project comes to Panida By Reader Staff Now in its 20th year, the Palouse Jazz Project is a dynamic jazz sextet composed of faculty members from the Lionel Hampton School of Music at the University of Idaho in Moscow. The sextet performs jazz standards as well as original arrangements and compositions written especially for the ensemble.

Current members include Vern Sielert (trumpet), Vanessa Sielert (alto sax), Jenny Kellogg (trombone), Will St. Peter (guitar), Dave Bjur (bass) and Dan Bukvich (drums). As educators, the Palouse Jazz Project welcomes working with students of all ages, developing skills in rhythm, melodic playing, historical context, ensemble playing and instrumental technique. Tickets are $25 plus taxes

and fees for adults or $10 for students. Tickets can be pur-

The Palouse Jazz Project. Courtesy photo chased at panida.org.

Tom Catmull, Pend d’Oreille Winery, Nov. 14

Delta G, Smokesmith BBQ, Nov. 14

Despite his decades as a Missoula, Mont.-based troubadour, Tom Catmull is really a wordsmith. By his own admission, “The acoustic guitar, harmonica and hat are just cheap ploys to get the words out in front of you.” True enough, his mix of soulful folk and Americana is infused with artful storytelling, but that’s not to downplay the music. Catmull’s melodious finger-picking style and

Bass guitars — and guitars in general — don’t get as much love as they should anymore. Gone are the days of the two-minute guitar solo, but still, Delta G finds a way to make the instruments shine without feeling like they bog down the song. Together, singer and guitarist Marty Ytreberg, bassist Bob Garcia and drummer Tom Garrett produce well-balanced, original songs that keep you

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

READ

A kind reader dropped off some books on my front porch recently and I’ve been thumbing through them in my spare time. One that caught my eye is The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy by Gil Durán. I’ve only read the first few chapters, but I’m already intrigued by the author’s overview of the tech-authoritarian movement from its origins to present day, when technocrats are actively trying to replace elected governments with corporate rule. I’m happy to pass this on if someone wants to read after I’m finished, or you can find it at the library.

LISTEN

My partner and I often match our music choices with whatever particular dinner we’re cooking. When we’re cooking Mexican food, one of my favorite playlists is “Old-timey Mexican love songs (Boleros)” on Spotify. Featuring a romantic mix of 1920s-’50s love songs by greats such as Pedro Infante, Vicente Fernandez, Rocio Durcal and others, this playlist always makes our tapas taste that much better.

WATCH

A snapshot of notable live music coming up in Sandpoint always thoughtful arrangements — both of covers and originals — have resulted in seven full-length albums and appearances from TV to stages throughout the region. That includes the Pend d’Oreille Winery, whose intimate space suits his sound to a T. — Zach Hagadone

This week’s RLW by Ben Olson

entertained and grooving while showcasing the full power of their strings. The trio plays traditional Delta blues, but it’s their mix of hard rock riffs and flare that makes their performances stand out. — Soncirey Mitchell 5:30-7:30 p.m., FREE. Smokesmith BBQ, 102 S. Boyer Ave., 208-920-0517, smokesmithidaho. com. Listen on Delta G’s YouTube page.

Before The Naked Gun films, there was a short-lived television series called Police Squad! Created as a parody of police procedural shows and movies like Dragnet, Colombo and others, Police Squad! only lasted eight episodes before it was canceled and lived on as The Naked Gun films. With Leslie Nielson’s sharp deadpan humor leading the way and a neverending barrage of jokes and sight gags, Police Squad! is a much-needed break from the heavy world. Stream it on Netflix.

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BACK OF THE BOOK

Death mask By Soncirey Mitchell Reader Staff

From Pend Oreille Review, November 11. 1926

OIL REFINERY PLANNED HERE That a Kalispel man was planning on locating an oil refinery in Sandpoint and desired information as to water supply and whether or not it would be furnished him without charge, was stated by Mayor E. W. Wheelan at Thursday evening’s meeting of the city council. The mayor stated that the refinery would use a great deal of water. A council committee was named to cooperate with a committee from the chamber of commerce in making a survey of the water situation and Street and Water Commissioner Sullivan was instructed to secure data as to the supply and demand and the availability of sufficient supply to accomodate the refinery.

FREIGHT WRECK DELAYS N.P. TRAINS MONDAY Monday morning about 3:30 o’clock, east bound Extra 1803 on the Northern Pacific was derailed near Algoma by a broken wheel on a car of coal and several cars went into the ditch, two of them being completely wrecked, and the track was torn up for a distance of several hundred feet. The wrecked train was in charge of Conductor Craid. All traffic was stopped until after the track was cleared and repaired. The wrecker finished its work at 7:00 p.m. and got off the track before leaving the scene of the accident, delaying traffic an additional two hours before it was rerailed. No one was hurt in the derailment. 22 / R / November 12, 2026

Growing up, one of my best friends was terrified of dolls. I never really understood it. My grandma made beautiful porcelain dolls like the kind so often portrayed in horror movies, with little frilly dresses and wide eyes, and they just looked like works of art to me. It wasn’t until I saw my first medical training dummies that I understood the depths of their uncanny nature. Anatomical models with organs, muscles or bones are fine, but the CPR dummies lying lifeless in medical classrooms feel both like a patient awaiting treatment and a cadaver prepared for mutilation in the name of science: bodies caught between false life and death. In part, the reason these dummies feel so lifelike is that ones like Resusci Anne and those based on her are soulless imitations of a real girl who died long before she reached any med student’s training room. The face of female CPR dolls, mass-produced and shipped across the world, originated with a late 1800s plaster cast of a corpse, called a death mask. The exact origins have been lost to time, but the most famous claims that the mask comes from the body of a girl dredged out of the Seine River in Paris, which is why history knows her as L’Inconnue de la Seine (“The Unknown Woman of the Seine”). She was likely 16 years old. According to the most famous account, her body was given over to a Parisian pathologist, who, finding no signs of foul play, ruled her death in the polluted waters of the Seine a likely suicide. Still, the body did not look like a woman drowned, as the features of her face had settled into a peaceful

half-smile that philosopher Albert Camus would later liken to the Mona Lisa. The pathologist was apparently so taken by her beauty that he made a cast of her face to preserve in perpetuity — or so one story goes. Other accounts say that the unnamed girl was the daughter of a mask maker or a model who died of tuberculosis. Her true identity, cause of death and final resting place remain a mystery. Sometime after it was cast, the death mask found its way into the hands of the Parisian Bohemian crowd, who, once more captivated by the face’s beauty, began to reproduce it. According to author Al Alvarez, it became the “erotic ideal” of the time, to which all living women were compared. The girl’s visage inspired countless works of art, from paintings and poetry to ballets. Then, in 1958, inventors Peter Safar and Asmund Laerdal used her face for their Resusci Anne CPR dummy. You know, the one that inspired the chorus in Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal,” “Annie, are you OK?” Her second life — if you can call it that — has led many to call her “the most kissed face” in history: an unknown, dead, 16-year-old child. I can only guess at the Parisian pathologist’s original motives. Did he want to save this girl in some small way by preserving her face? Did he have more perverse motivations for stealing her image? Regardless of intent, he spawned decades of erotic and morbid fascination that ultimately stripped a girl of everything but her image in death. She has never truly rested since she took the plunge into the river. A small part of me wants to believe there’s a certain poetry in the fact

STR8TS Solution

Sudoku Solution

Left: L’Inconnue de la Seine (“The Unknown Woman of the Seine), whose face was the inspiration for the Resusci Anne CPR dummy. Courtesy photo that, though she could not be saved, for decades the girl’s image has taught people how to rescue the drowned and dying. If she or her family had intentionally donated her body to science, that would make for a meaningful legacy. But it wasn’t her choice. The Bohemians condemned her to an afterlife as the artists’ blowup doll — a vessel for vain musings on beauty, entirely devoid of agency or identity. Then, after the artists had found new women to fetishize, she became a half-naked plastic semblance of a human being, existing perpetually in a liminal space between life and death. This “most kissed face” is the ultimate objectification of a girl whose life was tragically cut short, and whose eternal rest was appropriated on a global scale. Knowing that, my unease around CPR dolls now has nothing to do with the idea that they’re human facsimiles, but rather that some of them were human and had that identity callously stripped away.

Crossword Solution

I think someone should have had the decency to tell me the luncheon was free. To make someone run out with potato salad in his hand, pretending he’s throwing up, is not what I call hospitality.

Solution on page 22

Solution on page 22

By Bill Borders

CROSSWORD

Copyright www.mirroreyes.com

Laughing Matters

ACROSS

condign /kuhn-DAHYN/

Woorf tdhe Week

[adjective] 1. well-deserved; fitting; adequate.

“Losing the House and Senate to a blue wave was condign punishment for Republicans after years of affordability issues plagued their constituents.” Corrections: “Wot, no corrections?”

1. Be upright 6. Genus of goats 11. Small and light boat 12. Teems 15. Prophylactic 16. Woman with a mentor 17. Pig 18. Carriers 20. Before, in poetry 21. Any thing 23. Strong fiber 24. Fleece 25. Sandwich shop 26. Canines 27. Empty 28. “Aeneid” figure 29. “Tasty!” 30. Subsequently 31. Tremendous 34. Attendance counter 36. One plus one 37. Mid-month days 41. Crumbling earthy deposit 42. Scene 43. Dispatched 44. Anger 45. Sit for a photo 46. Otherwise 47. Beer 48. Scripted 51. East northeast 52. Not brand name drugs 54. Proximal’s opposite

Solution on page 22

56. With one leg on each side of 57. More aloof 58. Satisfies 59. On edge

DOWN 1. Two-wheeler 2. Grapefruit hybrid 3. Additionally 4. Neophyte, in modern slang 5. Greek district 6. Gentle touch

7. Cut short 8. Flower holders 9. Regret 10. Cherubic 13. Mock 14. Exude 15. Scold 16. Realists 19. Give or take 22. Dud 24. To the point 26. Physics unit 27. Seven in Roman numerals 30. Put away 32. Ever last one

33. Sugary 34. Grins 35. Natural abilities 38. Expunges 39. Trap 40. An alloy of iron 42. Articulates 44. Indian music 45. Group of lions 48. Court order 49. Rewrite 50. Pleasant 53. Chapter in history 55. Transgression

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