Febraury 2 2007 pdf

Body art: Students find tattoos latest trend

Pump It: Dance team prepares for their upcoming state competition

page 6

Volume 84, iSSue 5

page 8

Sandpoint HigH ScHool

February 22, 2007

leigh livingstone

Insufficient Funds Upcoming March supplemental levy deemed essential by school board.

Ryan Williams

Staff writer

Sports, elective classes, and teachers will all be at risk to be cut if the school district is unable to pass the upcoming levy.

A supplemental levy election will be held on Mar. 20. The levy is for $8.9 million over two years.

“I’d like to see the word supplementary disappear; I think it is essential,” school district board trustee Joan Fish said.

The levy will replace and expand upon the previous levy of $6.4 million, which will expire in June. The district has lost approximately $1.2 million per year in funding from decreased attendance.

“We’re not interested in going backward,” district Superintendent Dick Cvitanich said.

SAT/ACT vital for students college entrance

Ryan Williams Staff writer

If you are planning to go to college then you will take, or already have taken, either the SAT or the ACT. “They are both aptitude tests,” counselor Cindy Albertson said. “They are used as a prediction for a student’s success rate to do well in college.”

Both tests consist of reading and math portions. On the SAT the essay is a mandatory part of the test, but on the ACT the essay is optional and there is also a science portion.

“The science portion tests how well you read and interpret graphs and critical thinking, not what you learned in chemistry,” counseling secretary Luera Holt said.

Most colleges will accept either test, VoluMe 85, iSSue 9 May 30, 2008so students can choose which one they Sandpoint HigH ScHool leigh livingstone n DebATe: Brian Smith, the head of the teacher’s union, sits down with other teachers and adminiswould like to take or take them both. trators from SHS to discuss the upcoming supplemental levy to be held in March.

“I liked the SAT better, I liked the format,” senior Danny Roop said. “The “If the levy does not pass, $4.4 million is teachers at the high school alone would need science portion seemed redundant to be cut, which would raise class sizes and cut essentially cut out of the budget.” and the time limits on the ACT were The amount is spread between curriculum, down on class choices. ridiculous, I didn’t finish any of the Smith also said that a number much higher extracurricular activities, staff, technology, sections.” instruction, kitchen equipment, pupil than 15-20 teachers could be cut if the levy Both Roop and senior Mallory Yates does not pass. transportation, and maintenance. took both the SAT and ACT. If the levy does not pass there will be major “Our job is to help provide the best education “I liked the ACT better; it had all the possible, if we don’t get the levy passed we changes in many areas. math together and the English together,” “We would have to look very hard at athletics won’t be able to do that,” teacher and head Yates said. “A few [colleges I applied to] of the LPOEA (Teacher’s Union) Brian Smith and cut teaching staff,” Cvitanich said. only accept ACTs.” All of athletics are being funded through the said.

The counseling office recommends About $2 million of the amount goes to supplemental levy. If the levy does not pass, taking both tests and seeing which one athletics will be at risk to be completely cut off staffing. an individual scores higher on.

“Eight to 10 teachers [at the high school] are from funding. not funded through the general fund,” Principal ACT/SAT continued/page 2 LEVY continued/page 2 Becky Kiebert said. This means that up to 10

Senior Edition

Renovation of ninth grade center provides new facilities to Sandpoint Chelsea KaRKdoKus Jounalism I contributor

heatheR allen

n RenovATing: The old ninth grade center building located on Euclid Street is in the process of being remodeled. The new building will host office space, banquet rooms, and an auditorium.

After being empty for 25 years, the old High School on Euclid Street, built in 1922, is long overdue for a renovation.

“It wasn’t so bad and old that it needed to be torn down. It had value; it just needed somebody that could take on every little detail in order to make it reusable,” Developer and owner Brad Scott said.

Scott started the renovation in November of 2006 and it will be completed around November 2007.

“We always really had a love for the building ever since we first saw it,” Scott said. “ We just followed our hearts and jumped on to it.”

The plans for the building include turning the old classrooms into office space, the old gymnasium into a banquet room, and the auditorium will be used for performances, weddings, etc.

“We also hope to get some restaurants in here, maybe, or some coffee shops,” Scott said.

Although the building had been previously stripped of its contents, a program from the 1932 graduation ceremony was found in the heating vent along with an old pair of tennis shoes.

“We have a lobby area where all the stuff is going to be displayed that we found,” Scott said.

They will also be inviting back people who attended the school to bring memorabilia or yearbooks that will be displayed as well.

Since the building was being used as a school until 1986, the vision is that the same “school” atmosphere will prevail throughout it.

“The doors to each suite will be listed and also look like the entrance to a classroom. We kind of envision some brass plaques that say Chemistry Lab, or English or Math,” Scott said. “We’re going to really kind of celebrate the fact that it was a school, rather than trying to hide it.”

Teenagers find time to volunteer across the community Keegan dunn

Journalism I contributor Volunteering isn’t just for criminals and retirees anymore. An increasing number of Northern Idaho teenagers are helping to make a difference in our community by offering their services at various charitable institutions around Sandpoint.

Sandpoint High School sophomore Lacy DeHart volunteers at Sandpoint Valley Vista Care Center during the summer.

She’s officially classified as an ‘activities assistant’.

“I read books and stories to the residents,” DeHart said.

She has been volunteering at the senior home for over a year and looks forward to her visits there. Sometimes the elders tell the stories and she listens.

“They’re nice people,” DeHart said. “A volunteer with her. After 40 hours of work, lot of times we don’t even read, we just she wants to do it again.

“It’s interesting, I think and worth have conversations…there’s this one 99 doing,” Boyd said. year old who always has “Yeah, I’d do it war stories to tell.” again.”

Junior Brittnie Boyd Local teenager donated her time at St. Me and my friends drive John Ruff volunteers Vincent’s hospital in down with the youth leader at a Spokane soup Billings, Mont., as a candy and serve food to the people kitchen with his youth striper last summer. She group. worked in the maternity that need it.

“I like helping ward and pediatrics rooms people,” Ruff said. delivering gifts, changing -John Ruff “Me and my friends diapers and assisting the Local Teenager drive down with the nurses in their duties. youth leader and “It was fun,” Boyd said. serve food to people that need it.”

“I got to make people smile.”

Ruff and his friends usually travel to Boyd found out about this opportunity the establishment once every 5-6 months, when her friend asked her if she would

“

”

serving soup and making someone’s day a little bit better.

“We go to the skate park afterwards. It’s awesome,” Ruff said.

Sandpoint has community service opportunities for everyone. Panhandle Animal Shelter offers flexible time scheduling for anyone interested in donating time. The shelter needs volunteers for many positions including dog walking, plumbing, electrical, grooming, feeding and fundraising.

Bonner Community Food Center is also in need of volunteers, food supplies, and funding to cover costs, such as heat and electrical.

To find out more about these or other volunteer opportunities in the Sandpoint area, go to the “volunteer organizations” link under “resources”.

Page 2 February 22, 2007

LEVY: continued from page 1 “We would have two options: pay to play or cutting back portions,” Athletic Director Cheryl Klein said.

“I believe and know from national statistics that when you have strong programs in your school, students involvement increases, and the alternative is kids make poor choices.”

If the levy is passed taxes will raise from $68.50 per $100,000 to $90 per $100,000. This would still place Pend Oreille School District below all other area school districts including Coeur d’Alene, Lakeland, Post Falls and Boundary County.

The statewide average is $310.21 per $100,000.

There is also a homeowner’s exemption, which means that a person with a house valued at $300,000 would be taxed $35.48 more per year.

“The main objective is to

Empty space, empty stomachs

maintain the progress we’ve made the past couple of years,” school district board trustee Melanie Snider said.

“They levy will do that and we can look to build on that as we move down the road.”

The board cut back on the things they asked for, leaving only the aspects that they felt were most important.

“If the levy does not pass everything we do in the school system will be looked at,” Cvitanich said.

The exact programs, teachers, and classes that would need to be cut would not be decided until after the levy failed, and everyone is hopeful that the next step will not need to be taken.

“It fell a little short of where I would have liked to have gone,” school board trustee Steve Youngdahl said, “but we need to be accountable to the community.”

Vending machines remain a topic of discussion among SHS upperclassmen tara Fullerton Staff writer

In 2005 the snack vending machines were taken away from Sandpoint High School due to multiple counts of vandalism. Most of the vandalism occurred while school was in session due to many students choosing to steal food rather than pay for it.

Now two years later, these machines are survived through many juniors and seniors who have seemed to lose hope of ever getting them back.

“The administration probably doesn’t mind that they’re gone since they had to compensate for all of the money lost due to vandalism,” senior Steven Lee said.

Students were told that getting them back the following school year was an option, but the decision of whether to keep them or let them go was never made.

“The contract expired and we had an option to bring them back, but a decision was never made,” Dean of Students Bill Barlow said.

The income from snack vending machines were used for fundraisers but were in direct competition with the Work Based Learning store.

“Getting rid of the

ACT/SAT: continued from page 1 “[The tests] should be taken at the end of junior year if you have completed Algebra II. It’s all fresh,” Albertson said.

“You could take the other test your senior year.”

There are also other tests such as the COMPASS, which is used for entrance into junior colleges and is free from the counseling office. Also available are SAT subject tests which test only a particular subject and only particular schools require these tests.

“Major colleges in California are very specific about which are acceptable,” Holt said, “also Ivy League type schools.”

The SAT costs $41.50 and the ACT costs $29 with an additional $12 cost for the optional essay.

“It’s important to narrow your college search to about six colleges by the fall of your senior year and then find out what they require,” Albertson said.

“

The contract expired and we had an option, but the decision of whether to keep them or let them go was never made.

Briefly:

-Bill Barlow Dean of Students

News around SHS Senior mural will be original, full of surprises The graduating class of 2007’s senior mural began construction on Feb. 12 and is scheduled to be done prior to their graduation.

Katie Adams was chosen to be the senior artist who will create the mural.

Adams is planning to cover every sport and club and feature pictures that portray the everyday life of the senior class. Adams intends to do the mural in a different way than the previous classes have, although it will not be revealed until the senior mural is complete.

“I’m going to do something different,” Adams said, “I don’t want to give it away since it’s a surprise, but it’s something extremely different.”

Singin’ in the Rain just around the corner Months in advance to their opening night in early April, the drama department has already begun to prepare for this year’s musical production, Singing in the Rain, and scoped out challenges to be tackled down the road.

“We’re going to have to pay royalties and rental fees,” drama teacher Jeannie Hunter said. “That’s about $2,400 alone.”

There are multiple elaborate sets that add to the cost of the production, along with the fact that 10 expensive wigs and numerous intricate costumes must be purchased.

“The big set pieces are very costly,” Hunter said, “and they may only be used in a three-minute sequence, but they’re necessary.”

To no one’s surprise, there is going to be a lot of music involved in this production. Band director Aaron Gordon is heading up the use of music by the live high school band in the play comprised by students, and choir director Jon Brownell is leading the vocal section.

Happy with the people in the cast and the progress they are making at rehearsals every day after school in choreography, vocals and acting alike, Hunter said that some more helping hands would be great to have.

vending machines gave all of the fundraising [through food] to the WBL store,” Barlow said.

Senior Sam Marson believes his old school may withhold an answer to the vandalism issues.

“At my old school we had metal bars going down the machines so that you couldn’t break into them,” Marson said.

Given that the vending machines sold mainly candy and snacks, some students believe that now that they’re gone it will persuade students to eat more nutritious options.

“It forces kids to bring eat healthier and bring food to school,” Lee said.

Other students prefer not to eat out of the vending machines at all, worried that the machines may take their money and leave behind no collateral.

“I don’t use them,” freshman Justin Sauer said. “I know people that get money caught in it and I don’t want to lose my money.”

However, some students see no difference between the food found in the vending machines and the food sold at SHS. “I don’t see a difference,” Marson said, “I don’t consider hot pockets, pizza sticks, and cookies healthy.”

” Samantha may

Upcoming events provide many Sandpoint High seniors with packed schedules rachel Kennedy

Journalism 1 contributor

S

andpoint High School seniors may want to become familiar with a number of upcoming dates and activities.

Those desiring to see any male who would, according to ASB President Autry White, “have bragging rights for the rest of eternity,” should attend the Bachelor Auction on Mar. 7, at 6:30 p.m. The Bachelor Auction, put on by the cheerleaders in order to raise money for their various competitions, auctions off Sandpoint High’s most eligible bachelors to whoever sees fit to bid on them.

“The girl with the highest bid gets to go on a date with one of the bachelors. She then picks a random restaurant out of a hat to attend with her date, which is already paid for. The whole event is lots of fun,” varsity cheerleader Sophie Miller said.

Another date of importance to seniors is the first of March. This is when free applications for federal aid (FAFSA) are due; these applications can be of great

assistance for those needing monetary help getting into college.

“Those who want to turn in an application had better get their heinies in gear,” Principal Dr. Becky Kiebert said.

An additional date of importance for senior males is May 2, when Mr. SHS, a mock Junior Miss for guys, is scheduled to take place.

According to White, “[Mr. SHS] is a way to show off what you’ve got, or what you don’t.”

Another upcoming event is the Ironman competition.

Just as Powderpuff is football for girls, Ironman is volleyball for boys, involving many of the same components, such as minimal practices, opposite-gender coaches, and a final showdown between the classes, which, this year, is on March 22. “[Money from Ironman] goes to the senior class for prom. We want to bring in as much compensation as possible,” senior class president Stephanie Gregg said.

As far as prom itself goes, the date is set for June 2.

Those planning to attend should make sure all their fines are paid, Kiebert said.

Page 3 February 22, 2007

If the levy doesn’t pass . . .

Our View

Passing the levy is essential to the future of our educational system

T

he upcoming levy will make or break Lake Pend Orielle school district. Without the additional funding, the schools’ ability to function and educate will be severely impaired by financial issues, leading to the loss of classes and teachers. The SHS administration’s catch phrase to describe potential losses is “nothing will be sacred.”

“Nothing” includes the newest teaching staff, electives and funding for clubs and athletics; all of these are vulnerable if the levy increase fails. It is a grievous mistake to waste minds and creativity to maintain lower property taxes, a consequence that would be caused by not passing the levy. The real issue at hand is not whether taxpayers should dig a little deeper in their pockets, but of respect for learning and even the younger generation.

Teachers and students are already affected by understaffing; to remove even more teachers and classes would be abominable. As of now there are not enough teachers and classes to fill students’ schedules (such as the peer study group class), and more specifically, there are not enough electives.

Unfortunately, electives would be the first to go. Electives include art classes, drama, physical education, photography, journalism and foreign language. Not only would the loss of such classes spell

Where would the world be without with motivation?

Have you ever seen those T-shirts that say, “I lack the motivation gene?” Well, I think that there are a lot of people who fall into that category including me.

Motivation by definition is the internal state or condition that activates behavior and gives it direction.

Stop and think about it for a moment. Think about all the great minds out there and all the amazing things they have done. From Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” to Bill Gates’ Microsoft Corporation, now picture that they never got the motivation to do the things they did.

Think of all the things that could have been lost had it not been for those people taking the initiative to do something with their talent.

Now think of all the great minds out there today and in the past that you’ve never heard of. Nameless faces to everyone else, but what if they decided to do something with their skill, if they decided to take the initiative?

I think its time people find something that could motivate them, perhaps to do something great.

Oh dear, what’s a deer to do?

S

teve Teran works at the Co-Op; go ahead, laugh.

I may not be the biggest “country” boy in the town, but I can say that I do work hard.

While working at this facility of employment, I have learned a thing or two or three about various subjects that help me in helping customers, whether it’s where the bathrooms are located, if we have Science Diet dog food or how much a roll of field fencing costs.

Among the things I’ve learned, I’ve also noticed that a large majority of customers

trouble for college applicants (colleges often look for a diversity of interests and classes), but also for personal growth.

Electives provide an outlet during the day from pure academics as well as providing valuable opportunities to develop and diversify skills. To eliminate electives would eliminate student’s opportunity to experience and appreciate other cultures, express themselves and develop alternative areas of their brains.

Limiting these programs would stunt cultural and personal growth.

While increased property tax might be an inconvenience property owners already pay ridiculously low rates ($68.50 a year) when compared with the state average which hovers around $321.10.

It is vital to invest in students and education and is an investment that will pay with interest. It is plain to anyone familiar with the high school experience that the loss of electives and staff would be a grievous one; it would impair both students present as well as future by launching them into the world with a narrower field of knowledge and a less thorough education. It is important not to lose sight of the fact that if it isn’t wallets all around Bonner County that empty a bit it will be students’ minds, leaving this generation and the future of the U.S. intellectually and culturally bankrupt. Groovy.

who grace us with a visit buy some type of That’s their natural habitat. That’s their feed for wild deer. home. Now think: the deer don’t come in to #@$%@!!! our towns and cities and just set up where OK. Now, I know you just want to see a little they want to live right on a sidewalk. We’d get deer come up into you’re yard because they’re so effing mad, and probably whine, complain, cute and one of the greatest characteristics and I’m sure one of our noble Sandpointer’s about Sandpoint and the (here’s to you Ms. Brown) surrounding areas is the would picket a sign outside frequent sight of wild life. our wonderfully located It seems that Homo courthouse.

BUT, deer are not domesticated animals that It seems that Homo sapiens are the only live with you, go with you sapiens are the only species species who have the who have the nerve to mess on walks, and sit for treats.

They are accustomed to nerve to mess with with the natural balance of living in the forest with the things. I’m tired of being the natural balance human. Maybe I’ll become instinct to find their own food. By buying deer food, a deer. But where would of things. the mommies keep eating I get food? Oh, oh, oh, I here and bring their babies, would probably end up and then the babies get used depending on you to get my to eating here. food. But what if you got tired of spending It’s a wonderful cycle, don’t you think? money on me? I wouldn’t know where to get That’s a negative. my food. ‘tis a tragedy! But if I were to bite This is wicked, naughty and bad. Though at one of those icky humans then…no, they’d you may like seeing the deer in your yard, probably just shoot me. That’s the only thing they become more and more domesticated. they’re good at.

This continues until they begin coming into our town because they are unable to fend for themselves and are no longer afraid of being around people and manmade objects, for example cars. It’s not helping when people change another animal’s diet, or construct their house directly in the heart of a forest.

Callie Fiedler Editor in Chief

Sandpoint needs a Dome of Equality

Y

eah! Spring is upon us. That means melting snow and mud … and that’s about it. This gradual progression into summer we call “spring” serves no purpose in life.

During this “spring” you can’t do anything outdoors. Sure flowers bloom and baby birds hatch, but these are absolutely useless things.

There is not enough snow to go snowboarding or skiing. What snow there is left is like riding a snow cone in August.

Yet there is too much snow to go hiking or mountain biking.

The best solution to this predicament is to build a giant dome over the places that want true equality between the only seasons that matter. Then we could tie a big pointless toggle switch, like the ones in the movies, to the system. Up can be summer and down can be winter.

Then after 182.5 days we flip the switch to the other season. Until we can build our giant dome of equality we need to figure out a way to cope with Sandpoint’s mud problem.

Solution: we dig a big collection bowl in the middle of Sandpoint so all the mud drains into it and create the world’s biggest spa. Then for profit we can package the mud and sell it to health spas around the world.

Think about the potential this has… a giant dome of equality, the world’s biggest spa, and best of all no spring.

The Beatles got it wrong - I need more than love!

Thank goodness Valentine’s Day is over. It’ll be I watched just so many chick flicks in middle a good ‘nother year before I hear any dipshit squeal school to develop a healthy gag reflex and a good deal “Happy Single’s Awareness Month!” again. Another of sympathy for all the poor boys I know who will year before I have to put up with all the Hallmark crap, have to put up with the drivel bred into girls about tiny underwear, nerves, and mildly violating K.Y. true love. I don’t believe in true love (to say nothing Jelly commercials. Blech. It’s really not for me. of the Sandra Bullock brand) and I don’t believe in one Although, looking around, I have to wonder what person to complete me. I don’t want to be completed! is. Looking to any obvious examples Remember when you were of love and good relationships, little and you would build a fort I’m not filled with a whole lot of – in comparison to those hours confidence. Although I’ve seen Another year before spent working and dreaming, women come and go in my dad’s I have to put up with how much fun was actually life – this one taking up space on the sitting inside it? Complete is couch one month, that one coming all the Hallmark crap, complacent is stagnant. hiking with us the next – his attitude tiny underwear, nerves, I’m looking for another towards them always struck me as way to love. I want a love that nearly frighteningly nonchalant. and mildly violating consumes hungrily and leaves a “Hannah,” my dad explained to K.Y. Jelly commercials. mess. I’m a junky for what I’m me, “What you have to realize is not allowed, and I always seem that as you grow older, relationships to want what I can’t have. I seem are a lot less about…love. It’s more like a corporate to love most in that moment when I stand on tiptoes merger.” to kiss my goodbye. And that’s what I want – a love All I have to say is, oh gosh, if that’s how we’ll all rendered tender by impermanency. end up, “love” is not for me. At least, not everyone And, from what I’ve seen, it’s those who have else’s idea of love. You can keep it – sweaty palms, given up on or rejected the idea of an end-all, be-all breaking hearts, fairy tales and fools and fools kneeling love whose eyes are always wide open. Unable or – keep it all. For as I’m listening to my love songs, unwilling to really “love” as decades of slow songs watching my indie movies, and hanging out with my and sunset kisses have taught us, they live and love cute friends with their hands all tucked in each other’s in the moment. They are the ones who see beauty back pockets, I’m not seeing anything encouraging. I in anything, who desire everything, and whose feet can’t help noticing how limp those hands are lying on are always moving, hands always grasping, and if each other’s knees, can’t help noting how bored their their heartstrings have calluses it’s only from pulling eyes are when they have their arms around each other. too hard. Unable or unwilling to love one thing, they I can’t help thinking that complacency is stagnation. must love everything.

Morgan Wills Assistant Editor

FeliCia read

Advertising Manager

anna Thorell Office Manager

Corinne FloWers

Adviser Editorial Policy The Cedar Post is governed by the same legal rights as the professional press. Under the First Amendment, we reserve the right to free expression and freedom of the press. The student newspaper of Sandpoint High School is an open public forum for the students of Sandpoint High School and the community of Sandpoint, Idaho, with its editorial board making all decisions concerning its contents; it is not subject to prior review by administration, faculty, or community members.

Unsigned editorials express the views of the majority of the editorial board.

Letters to the editor must be signed, although the staff may withhold the name upon request. The paper reserves the right to edit letters for grammar and clarity, and all letters are subject to law governing obscenity, libel, privacy and disruption of the school process, as are all contents for the paper.

Opinions in letters are not necessarily those of the staff, nor should an opinion expressed in a public forum be construed as opinion or policy of the administration, unless so attributed.

The CP strongly encourages you to voice your opinion through the student paper.

E-mail your letter or bring it by E8.

Sandpoint High School 410 South Division Sandpoint, ID 83864 (208) 263-3034 ext 244 editor@shscedarpost.com

Printed by the Coeur d’Alene Press

Page 4 February 22, 2007

These are phrases Cedar Post staff members have heard from students of SHS. The views expressed in Word for Word are not necessarily shared by the Cedar Post.

n Dillo

What do you expect to happen if the levy doesn’t pass?

Cowe r

“

• The unit circle is your friend.

• What’s 10 and 12? 22. It’s the basic math that

Bridger Paull FreShman

“Teachers will get fired most likely.”

Sam Peters

Sophomore

“If the levy passes, I heard, Sophomore they’re still going to cut classes anyway.

So it doesn’t really matter.

Cameron Jones

Her View

His View Bryce lovrin

Staff reporter

The American economy is at a very strong point and is not showing any signs of weakness in the near future, except for the proposed $2.10 increase in minimum wage.

The bill, as it was passed in the Senate, had no bonuses for anyone but the minimum wage employee itself, severely punishing the backbone of our economy, the small business.

I feel that a minimum wage job is a minimum wage job for a reason. If the work being exerted by an employee is only worth being paid $5.15 an hour, then why do they deserve to make $7.25 an hour?

The raising of minimum wage will increase the cost of production and labor thus creating higher prices for the end products or service.

In turn it will cost more to live, which completely

defeats the purpose. The states adjust their minimum wage according to their states needs and should not be tampered with on the federal level.

Despite contrary belief, the amount of people that try to live and support a family from minimum wage is very low.

Most people who are employed for minimum wage are students who have the support of their parents, or is a minority living in a place where an $11,000 annual salary ($5.15 an hour fulltime) is more than enough to get by. From personal experience, it isn’t hard to get a job making more than minimum wage.

Instead of giving the lazy burger-flippers of America higher wages perhaps the lazy burger flippers should learn to do something more productive than flip burgers, get a real job, and earn themselves a higher salary.

heather allen

Photographer

Families should be able to live off of the minimum wage. Minimum wage is called “the living wage” for a reason.

It was made to ensure that workers could afford the basic necessities for living.

Maybe no one would complain if minimum wages were correlated to the Consumer Price Index.

The prices on everything have been rising for as long as I can remember, with the exception of gas occasionally decreasing, but minimum wage has stayed exactly the same for a decade. Wages in Idaho haven’t been adjusted with inflation since 1997.

Minimum wage simply is not enough to get families by. Many people think that minimum wage only applies to teenagers who are looking to make some extra spending money, but recent

“If it doesn’t pass, school is probably going to be as crappy as it is now. If it does pass, we might get better computers or something but something minor.”

Entertaining the Idea of a Four-Day School Week

Senior

“If the levy doesn’t pass, school is just going to go downhill.”

Faculty

“If the levy fails, any newly proposed classes will be dropped, and sports will probably be affected. My hope is that the state will be able to help us with an emergency funding. If that doesn’t happen, it’ll be a scary situation.”

studies show teenagers only account for two-thirds of the minimum wage earners. That still leaves a third of the people earning minimum wage that can’t support themselves, or their families.

So what about that other third that is responsible for supporting their families?

Are we just supposed to forget and stop caring about them and say, “Oh well, it’s not my problem.”?

Personally I don’t feel that this stance is right, and I also feel that is the attitude many people and businesses are taking. They are prone to be opposed to the raise in minimum wage since raising the minimum wage either affects them a little and they’re greedy for more money, or they simply have no heart for people in tough situations.

Maybe I’m just too compassionate, but I think minimum wage should be raised.

it standing up.

• I’d have to learn Mandarin.

• Grumpy means you’re willing to kill a hobo.

• I woke up this morning because I thought I was suffocating, but my cat was just sitting on my face.

• Did you really just flip me off when I’m sitting right next to your painting – with paint?

• Let me just get a Q-Tip and stick it in between the censors.

• There are monkeys in my heart rattling their cages.

• Your elbow is slippery.

• I inhale Emergen-C • If I cared about germs jumping I’d put them in the olympics.

• Let’s talk about the Y-plane for a second.

• Well...I have hair on my back!

• How about we both get in the bubble?

Guest Columnist: Becca Stone

very year students end up spending hundreds of dollars on prom. Take into account the money spent on dresses, tuxedos, jewelry, limo rides, and dinners. The total usually amounts to be a pretty large sum of money that could burn a whole in anyone’s wallet, not to mention be used for more practical things. However, since prom is one of the last big senior flings before graduation, many students justify spending so much money on themselves or their dates. “For those of us that love to dance, this is the culmination of our high school dance careers, and not to mention the hugest organized social event of the year for seniors.

It ís not completely necessary to go all out and spend tons of money to have fun, but when you put more effort, time, and expectations into prom, it makes it that much more exciting and fun to prepare for it, Senior Kelly Alyward says.

Many students, I am sure, feel the same way. Prom is very big part of senior year and most want it to be a memorable occasion.

However, I do not feel that one will remember prom by how much they spent on their dress or how long the limo was that they arrived in, but by their experience as a whole and the time spent with friends.

In other words, money will not always buy you

”

For some of you doubtfuls, here are a couple of “Pros” to a four-day week: sports teams leaving on Friday would not have to miss, or make up for, any of their classes. Also, it has been shown in other schools operating under a four-day schedule that teachers and students take less sick days, and that test scores, for many, have improved.

In addition, thousands of dollars would be saved by not running buses or powering facilities for an additional day every week. True, the bus drivers would receive one less day of payment but I’m sure that with the money being saved on numerous other things, the district could afford to give the drivers a raise or come to an equitable agreement. With all the discussion recently about our district being desperate for extra funding, and “levy” sounding like a bad four letter word to many voters, it seems like this option should be given more consideration.

Why do I want a four-day school week? Well, I think that only four days a week on campus would take an edge off the stresses of school. It would make a heavy load of homework and a lot of time spent in an over crowded school, more bearable. On a weekend, I want to be able to do the things I really enjoy, as well as have a job, and still set aside enough hours to do well on my homework. So, when I only have two days to try and fulfill these goals, guess what gets skipped if I get crunched for time? The fun stuff, like playing music or skiing or pursuing other interests and hobbies; the stuff I want to be doing. I think, that if this district were to switch to a four-day school week, everyone would see the advantages. Research has demonstrated that most students and faculty of schools that have made this change feel that it has improved their program and they wouldn’t want to go back.

Imagine, with an hour and fifteen minutes extra class time at the end of each day, this school, as a whole, could leave for a three-day weekend every Thursday. School would still start at 7:55 each morning, but it would last until around 4:00 in the afternoon which would fulfill the required time students need to attend school per week. The idea of a four day week is not just a crazy thought in the head of a burdened student either, it is successfully being used in parts of Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Oregon, Arizona, Louisiana, Utah and a Galen MacDonald Freshman handful of towns here in Idaho.

E Patty Shook

• If you’re going to make out at school, please do

Raise in $2.10 exposes econo- Increasing the minimum wage shows compassion, logic my to vulnerability

Junior Junior

Pamela Jendro

always gets me.

happiness.

So, I am proposing a new idea. When I think about the state of the many less fortunate people in our world, it is hard for me not to want to do something about it. One way in which I feel I could make a difference is by being frugal about how I spend my money, especially for prom. If everyone was to reuse or borrow dresses, make their own dinners, and drive their own cars, we could then donate all the money one would have spent on prom to a single charity of choice. I know this is a pretty big proposition to make, and most likely will face too much opposition to be carried through with. If you truly think about the difference you could make in some child’s life by donating money, then I really doing it see why someone would pass up the opportunity to do so. For example, $1 would provide daily bread for an orphan in Zimbabwe, Food for a day for an AIDS orphan or street child in South America or Africa, or Ship one sewing kit to a refugee camp. If one dollar can get someone through the day, I urge you to think about how much we could help by sending even $500. Thank you seniors for at least taking the time to read this proposal, and at best motivating you to make a change in the world.

Guest Cartoonist: Eric Czirr

Page 5 February 22, 2007

Teens struggle to find healthy balance

Exercise

Know what ails you:

Karina OlsOn

Staff reporter

Exercise is a crucial aspect of living a healthy lifestyle; maintaining fitness helps to keep the mind healthy as well as body. Every gym teacher, coach and exercise enthusiast will without hesitation to exalt about exercise’s virtues.

“Exercise is important for your body. You feel fit, it releases stress, elevates the mood, maintains a healthier prospective. It’s really good for basically everything as well as maintaining weight and lowering blood pressure,” cross country assistant coach Angie Brass said.

The most challenging thing about exercise for many people is not the actual physical strain, but finding the time to squeeze in a workout. Especially for small children, exercise is a habit picked up from parents early is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle later in life, however, it is never too late to pick up the habit.

“Kids need to move. It seems as a whole kids are less active. There are facets to this problem, improved technology put physical action lower on the list of things to do,” Brass said. “Exercise is important early in life because they combat child obesity and diabetes, which are all wrapped up in a sedentary lifestyle.”

Exercise is important for maintaining quality of life as well as health.

“Exercise is vital; I want to be healthy and be a grandma someday,” senior Krista McNeal said. “I pride myself in being physically fit.”

Brass suggests that everyone exercise half an hour or more five to six days a week and that serious athletes exercise 45 minutes to an hour. However in our society, people should take whatever they can squeeze in between work and personal life. Any exercise is better than none and in Sandpoint with so many options; it shouldn’t be

Depression

: Mental illness which due to whatever reason (chemical imbalance, personal loss, low self esteem, rapid and incomprehensible changes) leads to perpetual negative thinking, loss of interest, apathy and feelings of intense despair and dejection. n Suicide is the number two cause of death among teens n It is estimated that 1 in 8 suffer from depression, but only 3 in 10 get help. n There are also prescription drugs however those have proved to be most effective when coupled with counseling.

Hypertension/ prehypertension:

prehypertension is 120-140/80-90 blood pressure, hypertension is any blood pressure reading above 140/90.

Nutrition

n 15% of teens in a study were diagnosed with hypertension, 35% were diagnosed with prehypertension

Karina OlsOn

Staff reporter

In a world of trans fats and high fructose corn syrup, maintaining good nutrition can at best be difficult and at worst near impossible because of hidden simple sugars and carbohydrates.

In eons past, human beings had a diet of whole grains, vegetables and complex sugars, such as those found in fruits.

However, in recent history the apple has given way to the Twinkie as a sweet delight causing what passionate nutrition experts are hailing as an “obesity diabetes crisis.” For the first time, children born have a life expectancy less than that of their parents.

“I eat whole foods, non-processes stuff, lots of fruits, veggies, that’s probably the majority of my diet,” junior Lea Black said. “I have more energy; I have better energy, it’s more positive. My body just feels better; if I don’t eat well I feel bloated or just down.”

Eating is not just a matter of taste, though it may seem that way sometimes the purpose of food it to nourish the body and what is put in the body is what kind of energy will come out of it. “[Good nutrition] gives me that fine edge. Your fitness level will reflect how you take care of yourself and eat,” senior James VanEssen said. “I eat what looks good and is good for me.”

Good nutrition is more than consuming fruit, breads and vegetable products, it’s better to eat raw foods because they provide for slower burning energy which will not be absorbed into the body in the form of fat or provide the body with a spurt of excessive energy that will soon become an energy crash.

“Whole foods don’t weigh me down,” junior Rebecca Johnson said.

“I eat lots of legumes, beans and tofu, I’m a huge rice fan. It gives me quicker energy; they don’t just settle in my stomach.”

Eating smaller meals and more frequently is also a means to maintain energy throughout the day.

“My metabolism burns so fast it affects my mood, I get irritable,” Van Essen said, “I get up at 5 a.m. to eat, then have a snack at 8 and again at one, along with breakfast lunch and dinner.”

n Risk factors include: sedentary lifestyle, extremely high stress levels and obesity. n Often exercise and weight loss are prescribed to battle hypertension, however in moderate to severe cases prescription drugs are employed to chemically lower blood pressure. n High blood pressure often requires treatment due to its short and long-term effects on many organs. Risk is increased for stroke, heart attack, heart failure, damage to the eye, and renal failure.

Diabetes:

a condition where the body has a high, uncontrolled level of glucose in the blood because of the failure of the pancreas, which releases vital hormones (such as insulin) to control blood sugar levels. n Leading cause of blindness and kidney failure n Type two is preventable with diet and exercise, type one is genetic n .22% of people under 20 have diabetes, but the number is growing in younger children because of obesity and sedentary lifestyle n Diet and exercise are key to avoiding type two diabetes

Sleep

n A diet of heavy fat and sugars will overload the pancreas and send it into distress, interfering with its ability to create and release hormones and regulate blood sugar.

Vanessa stanley & hillari cOntOr Staff reporter, Journalism 1 contributor

A combination of overwhelming educational commitments and extracurricular activities handicap teenagers’ ability to attain the amount of sleep conducive to a high quality education.

The recommended amount of sleep for teens, ranging from seven to nine hours per night, is only being reached by a meager 20 percent of teenagers nationwide. Fatigue, irritability, and an overall laziness consumes students ages 11-18 creating a new breed of un-teachable students.

Teenagers in today’s society are continuing to take on exceedingly more work than necessary.

“I swim everyday, have homework and still goof around, I usually end up going to bed at around 10 o’clock each night,” freshman Sam Trulock said.

It is a false statement to say that teens truly do not know what it is to be overwhelmed. In most cases, only 11% of teens do not hold paying jobs, and a large majority of the student population are involved in high level academics as well as athletics. The standards for obtaining high paying jobs, college acceptance etc. are steadily increasing; forcing goal oriented students to literally pack their day with as much as possible—regardless of what their bodies are telling them.

“I don’t limit myself, if I have a lot of homework I’ll stay up ‘till I finish it,” Trulock said.

A reverse effect takes its toll on certain individuals, creating a false sense of energy and jitteriness when extremely deprived of sleep. While allowing students to temporarily feel awake, and seemingly soak up the lessons of the day, similar to using stimulants, the energy eventually fades.

“I can normally pay attention in class, and get it,” sophomore Steve Cooper said.

“It’s just a problem when I go home.”

STDs: Banner term for diseases transmitted

through sexual intercourse, STDs are on the rise among teens. Some are treatable (Chlamydia) and others are permanent (herpes) or terminal (HIV/ AIDS). All have serious consequences and cause discomfort and ill health. n 1 in 4 sexually active teens have contracted an STD n Half of new HIV cases are from people under 25

Graphic By Glenn Generaux

n There is a new vaccine out for women, which is gaining considerable hype; women 10 and up should ask their doctor about Gardasil, the vaccine that guards against Human Pamploma Virus (HPV), an STD which causes cervical cancer, it is suggested for all women who do not already have HPV.

Page 6 February 22, 2007

Ascending from the Steve teran

Staff reporter

The love shared between siblings is something…special. Everything is symbolic. A punch in the arm basically says “I love you,” or a heartfelt argument over who gets “shotgun” is a bonding conversation that only siblings are able to share.

Relationships vary from one pair, trio, quintet, or nonet (nine) of siblings to the next.

Sometimes they’re always good, sometimes they’re always bad, and sometimes they’re good one day of the week and then bad on the following day.

“My older brother? Not good right now,” senior Jessica Morrow said. “We just kind of got sick of each other, got in a little bit of a fight. Which happens sometimes.”

Though her brother, Aaron, gained a bad rep from teachers. Morrow, at a glance, seems light-hearted and polite.

“You have to make me sound cool,” Morrow said to me before the interview began.

Morrow, an AP and Honors student, encountered some problems following her

brother’s footsteps because there was not “We don’t really have much in common,” much room for her own two feet.

Jackson said. “Some people look at me and say “It wasn’t necessarily the high school cause ‘He’s nothing like Eddie.’”

It’s a difficult task for younger siblings to be Aaron didn’t make it to the high school, it was the middle school that posed the biggest their own individual when others don’t allow problem,” Morrow said. them.

Before she was even “It’s kind of sad cause able to get a toe in the that’s what people do, but I can’t really do anything door, Morrow’s brother about it,” Jackson said. had already colored all I hate my brother. You “I’m just being myself.” over their surname.

It’s not uncommon “He was really want to get that on tape? when siblings have disrespectful and -Jason Petty negative relationships. hyperactive,” Morrow Junior “I hate my brother. said with a giggle, “and so You want to get that on when they, some of them tape?” junior Jason Petty not all of them, when they saw the last name Morrow they were kind said.

Jason has strong feelings about inhabiting of worried that I would act like him.”

Other students have had older siblings the same house as his older brother Jesse.

“Well I live with the guy, c’mon,” Jason who have made a lasting impression during their time here at Sandpoint High. For junior said.

Montana Jackson, many people compare him Jesse has a special place at Sandpoint, to Eddie, his older brother, known for his especially with one of our great educators. unique personality.

“Mrs. Barton said that he was a total pain,”

“

aliSon Dunbar

Staff reporter

Students choose ink on the skin as a form of expression

Student tattoos

PoSing: JeSSica gantenbein

Entering the smoked filled and photo covered front room of a tattoo shop, the atmosphere is laidback but serious as women lay on their sides, revealing their hips to be adorned with ink.

For many teens a tattoo is something to dream about, a possibility in later years, a fascination, but for some it’s an art form they have chosen to make a permanent part of their body.

Senior Lindsey Owens got her first tattoo when she was 16. Her dad was supportive of her getting the tattoo, which is important, as minors need a parent’s approval to get to be worked on.

“It took a few months to decide what I wanted,” Owens said.

She decided on a fairy to be put on her back.

“I have always been into fairy tales and magical stuff; it really reminds me of that,” Owens said.

Senior Will Andrews has his last name arching across his shoulder blades.

“My brother has the same name on his back, I thought I would keep it in the family,” Andrews said.

Another senior, Jessica Bohrn, has a tattoo of two palm trees with her name hung between them like a hammock.

“We have the choice, in my family, of getting a tattoo on your 16th birthday,” Bohrn said. “I turned 16 in January and waited a while to figure out what I really wanted.”

Bohrn said she has never regretted her tattoo, which she got at Sandpoint Tattoo.

“They’re really cool, they don’t just sit there and do it, they talk to you,” Bohrn said, “and they’re fun

Autry White Tattoo: Freckle Located: Upper left arm

all PhotoS by leigh livingStone

BERG & MCLAUGHLIN, Chtd.

Attorneys at Law

(208) 263-4748 Fax: 263-7557

Laura DeLand Associate Broker 226 North First Avenue Sandpoint, Idaho 83864 208-263-5454 208-654-3454

Jason said.

The acknowledgement of a last name leads to conclusions and expectations, and senior Kyle Meaux (pronounced “mo”) has experienced this coming from a long line of Meauxs.

“It was more like ‘Oh you’re a Meaux!’ Not so much a bad or a good thing, just recognition,” Meaux said.

Standing in a shadow of a sibling who has numerous accomplishments can be intimidating as well as discouraging.

“They were just like “Oh you’re Doug’s brother, you must be really smart,” sophomore David Dishong said about Doug, his older brother who was very successful academically.

“I’m just like ‘Yeah I’m really smart.”

Whatever the circumstance slash situation is, siblings have a complex relationship that takes a large amount of effort to maintain, and those who follow still want to be valued as individuals.

“They [my parents] wanted me to have a chance,” Morrow said. “Have people figure out what I’m like instead of basing it off of Aaron.”

graPhic by nate beSSler

n Tattoo machines leave ink in the third layer of skin.

to talk to; they’re interesting people.”

Bohrn also said she was very pleased with Sandpoint Tattoo’s professionalism; she felt comforted that they knew what they were doing.

In Sandpoint there are two tattoo shops, To the Point Tattoo, a newer studio, and Sandpoint Tattoo, Sandpoint’s longest lasting tattoo studio.

Kevin Lavender is the owner of Sandpoint Tattoo and has been tattooing since 1976.

“It’s more of a craft to me,” Lavender said.

According to Lavender, he would rather do more detailed work, such as portraits and also explained the importance of getting work done professionally.

“If you go to an amateur it’s going to be bad,” Lavender said.

Lavender explained that the tattoo machine penetrates to the third layer of skin where it leaves ink, which stays liquid after the tattoo has healed.

This is why older tattoos may bleed and bur.

“The slower you go the more ink is being pumped in,” Lavender said.

Too much ink heightens the chance of a tattoo bleeding later.

Some are worried about the health of getting a tattoo. The main risk is the sanitation of the studio.

A new, not just clean, needle should be used for each person. The artist should also explain how to take care of the tattoo wound, such as cleaning and keeping it dry for the first week or so.

Another health problem is the ink collecting in the liver, which may cause the liver to dysfunction or fail, though this is rare. Some people may have a reaction to the ink in their skin where the skin rejects the ink.

Sam Marson Located: Left Bicep

Lindsey Owens Located: Upper left shoulder blade

Will Andrews Located: Across top of back

Lake Country Real Estate

”

fresh ink

n Tattoos began in the late 1900s, when costumers would sit down to be worked on with out choosing their design. “If the guy was doing roses that day, you got roses,” Kevin Lavender said.

708 Superior Street, Ste B Sandpoint, ID 83864 www.sandpointlaw.com

Students stray from footsteps of wellshadow: known siblings, create own identities

Jessica Bohrn Located: Top of right foot

Page 7 February 22, 2007

Mardi graS Dress-up games, parades and beads

A European tradition captures a generation

Vanessa stanley

Each Mardi gras these “monarchs” would gather their followers, and dress to mimic a celebration old enough to be this country’s grandfather recent scandal, or issue in the government. is capturing the attention of individuals only barely legal. In modern Mardi gras, participants follow Mardi Gras translated from French means “Fat Tuesday” suit—creating floats and costumes that and signals the beginning of Lent, a Christian period of fasting create parodies of recent celebrity blunders, and abstinence and the finale of the two-week carnival season. lawsuits, presidencies etc.

In its beginnings, the celebration meant a free for all—the last Along with these extremely modern/free day of good food, good fun and absolutely no restrictions before ideals, pre-revolution New Orleans also giving it all up for 40 days before the celebration of Easter. The embraced the opportunity to give AfroFrench introduced this “live and let live” philosophy after settling Creoles, Haitians, as well as Afro-Caribbean’s in the port city of New Orleans in about 1682. In 1699, 17 years the freedom to dance and make music later, the first “Mardi Gras Day” was declared. It is perhaps the whenever and wherever they pleased. overwhelming American fascination with exposed female flesh This “outrageous” act of limitless free that keeps the name Mardi Gras fresh on the lips of people nearly range added to the appeal of Louisiana, and 308 years after its origination. the port city. It drew countless immigrants samantha may Detracting from the traditional spirit of sequined costumes, from countries plagued with oppression, and n smile and wave: Teenage pageant winners ride through Sandpoint in Mardi Gras parade. countless parades and the overall mocking of high society are creating the foundation for what would become in many parts of the world in many different ways.” the college students who take the old French/New Orleans America’s most culturally diverse city.

Each year, students in Stockman’s class saying, “Laissez les bons temp rouler” (let the good times roll) Modern Mardi gras celebrations are held worldwide and to heart and spend Mardi Gras weekend inebriated, flashy and, can be as intimate as a family Thanksgiving or as social as a in most cases, only partially clothed. The desire to flaunt, and company banquet. The states surrounding Louisiana are known participate in classroom mask-making contests and marionette attract attention is one not far off base from the traditional for holding the largest Mardi Gras in the United States; however, assemblies honoring the traditional games and themes of Fat Mardi gras celebrations. Each celebration was centered on a on a world wide level, countries including Brazil, the Caribbean, Tuesday.

“I get the impression that most are not really interested in the specially appointed “court” consisting of a king, queen, maids Mexico, Belgium, Italy, Argentina, Uruguay, Panama, Slovenia and dukes—all of whom are designated “marshals” of parades, and Sweden all support their own spin-offs of the French historical background. They just know that they get to do a fun, hands-on, artsy project for the day,” Stockman said. contests etc. These positions were created in order to mock celebration. the monarchy from which these free spirited individuals fled.

Sandpoint joins the trend and annually creates a series of events to commemorate the influential carnival. While differing slightly, with the “spam carving contests” and the modern “Oreo stacking contests,” it is a parallel trend to finish the merriment with a • Carnival: translated from Latin, meaning “farewell to traditional day of parties, parades, and flesh” begins Jan. 6 and ends at midnight on Mardi Gras. general excitement. Sandpoint’s Mardi • Krewe: generic term encompassing all Mardi Gras gras ends with a parade on the evening organizations (parade teams, party throwers, favor of February 20 and involves parties distributors etc.). going through midnight. Joining in the • Doubloons: coins printed with Mardi Gras krewe’s excitements prior to being legally allowed symbols, and are thrown to parade spectators and into the alcohol infused festivities of the participants. More expensive commemorative coins are evening, SHS students partaking in Mlle minted with .999 silver and bronze.

Stockman’s French classes experience a • Flambeaux: in the original Mardi Gras parades, these were version of Mardi gras with a day of historical black men in white robes carrying torches. These torches background and hands on activities. would provide the only illumination for the entire evening.

“I always try to address the background • King Cake: an oval shaped, glazed cake containing a baby on why people are celebrating and the toy. The tradition is the guest who finds the baby in their fact that it is tied into Lent, an important piece of cake becomes “king” for the duration of the party, time in the Christian faith, which a lot of and takes on mock responsibilities of actual parade kings. students don’t know,” Stockman said, “I • Throws: cheap trinkets (aluminum doubloons, plastic also point out that Mardi Gras is not just multi-colored necklaces etc.) collected by Mardi Gras samantha may n Unmasked: While on their float, Mardi Gras participants show off their unique masks. beads and drunken revelry. It’s celebrated participants.

Graphics by laura lockwood and keeGan daly

Staff reporter

A

Mardi speak

In the perfect world, everyone would be blue

A

ny time I go to a concert where the band starts to play a “power melody” and people wave their cell phones around in place of lighters, I puke. Seriously, I will spew my innards all over the unlucky person in front of me.

There are three men who agree with me on the stupidity of the obnoxious phone-wavers, and they just so happen to be mute musicians who bang on upside down pianos and paint their bodies blue.

The Blue Man Group are mostly known for being…uh…blue (who would have THUNK?!) and throwing together PVC pipes into intricate instruments, then pounding on them with the accompaniment of intense lights and colored liquids flying around the stage.

In their latest tour, How to be a Megastar 2.0,

the BMG put on a show basically mocking the simultaneously doing various “Rock Concert entirety of the music genre altogether. They have Movements” (my favorite being Rock Concert a go at making fun of choreographed dance moves Movement #7: Put You Arms Up, Throw Your (Rock Concert Movement #23: the Pelvic Thrust), Head Back, and Make a Loud Noise), and just obnoxious guitar solos, and the ridiculousness of generally having a good time surrounded by people actually cover songs. That’s willing to have right, you get to see Even if watching middle-aged men with a good time as the BMG playing Devo’s famous “Whip blue faces banging on PVC pipes doesn’t well.

It,” “Baba O’Riley” Doesn’t this

by The Who, and make you soil yourself in excitement, sound like a even, “I kid you not,” don’t toss these guys aside too quickly. peachy time?

Freebird by Lynyrd Aren’t you just Skynyrd. totally pumped The BMG aren’t going to go down in history to see these three beautiful men? as solely musicians. People don’t run out and Uh, well you just missed them. They were in buy their albums. They are mostly known for Spokane February 6. But don’t think I’m wasting their performances. And, woowee, they are quite your time, here. The BMG was conceived in the elaborate performances. I’m not fooling with you; ’80s, and you know what? They’re probably seeing the BMG was the most fun I’ve had since going to be around for a long while. No, it may I was 6 years old when I got my first Slip N’Slide not be the exact same three men, but who cares? (which, honestly, really was more painful than it They’re still going to be painted blue, and they’re was fun). still going to preach the same message about the Being at the concert makes it OK to laugh at importance of nonconformity and just pulling corny jokes, join in with the hundreds of people down your pants and sliding on the ice.

Even if watching middle-aged men with blue faces banging on PVC pipes doesn’t make you soil yourself in excitement, don’t toss these guys aside too quickly. Although definitely not blue, the backup band for the BMG can only be labeled as “freaking amazing.” If you can manage to peel your eyes from the three front men, you’ll still get a kick out of watching the percussionists in the back who look like they drink 16 Red Bulls before every show.

So, if you happen to be in Las Vegas (they play as many shows there as there are pimples on a typical freshman’s face) give them a go. Be a kid again. Then go home and bathe in blue paint. I did. And trust me, it’s the only way to recover from a concert like that.

Page 8 February 22, 2007

I think I might be going crazy. Nope, it’s actually just March Madness, and who wouldn’t be going nuts over this time of year?

It’s a time of year when everyone has their brackets filled out, and of course their team is going all the way this year. It seems everywhere you look there is a T.V. playing a tournament game on it, with wide-eyed faces are glued to the screen. It’s a time when Cinderella doesn’t always go home at midnight, and David and Goliath square off for a new age rematch on the hardwood.

Fortunately for you, I will dig deep into my wealth of knowledge, and throw out who I believe has the best chance to cut down the nets.

Florida has returned almost all players from last year’s championship team. Lead by juniors Joakim Noah, Al Horford, and Taurean Green, the gators are poised to make a deep run come tournament time. All year Florida has been consistent, and as the saying goes “defense wins championships.”

Ohio State University, has a young team this year, but could be tough around tournament time. Freshman Greg Oden and Mike Conley Jr. will need to play big to help OSU advance.

I will also go as far to say this team could make an early exit if it runs into a team that is good from outside.

North Carolina looks very familiar to the year the won the title. A run and gun team, they will run opponents to death, then sub in five pairs of fresh legs to run you some more. They have great shooters from outside, and an outstanding post down low. Keep an eye on this team because coach Roy Williams won’t allow his players to go down easily.

Watch out for Butler University, University of Nevada, and University of Texas to upset big dogs. Each team had big victories over ranked opponents this year, and each have the ability to beat teams in multiple ways. Gonzaga fans sorry to say, but I have a slight suspicion that if your team makes the tourney they probably won’t go too far, especially without Heytvelt. He shrinks in big games anyways.

The parity (yes, I learned that word in English) around the nation is unreal.

There are no undefeated teams and every night the underdog has a chance to show he can shake up the standings with an upset.

PHotos By HeatHer aLLen

n ABOVE: The dance team moves in step together while performing at halftime of a basketball game held this past week. The team has been working hard this year in hopes of returning to state.

WiLL HugHes

Co-Assistant Sports Editor Sandpoint High has earned numerous state titles in sports.

However, no sports program has earned a state title quite like the dance team. The SHS dance team exudes much elegance and grace in each of their performances.

One can find the dance team practicing their new routines nearly every morning before school in the gym.

Repetition and practice are of utmost importance. Our dance team hasn’t become the caliber of dancers they are by just sitting around. Every girl on the dance team is 100 percent dedicated.

“All I know is that as hard as they have -Nate Rench worked and Senior the difficulty of the movement they are doing and the amazing teamwork they show everyday in practice, they are true champions from the inside out to me,” dance team coach Cindy Smith said.

Last year at state the dance team won one of three divisions.

“Our ultimate goal would be to win all three, but you never know what might happen until you get there,” Smith said.

Years ago, the dance team was virtually non-existent. Thanks to Cindy Smith, the SHS dance team has brought home a state title.

Discipline is the key characteristic that Smith has taught her girls.

During the week of the February 5th, Cindy Smith was out of town on dance business, but under the supervision of their senior captain, Jamie Diehl,

“

they continued to practice without Smith.

“They’ve been running their morning practices without Cindy Smith,” Athletic Director Cheryl Klein said.

No matter how good a dancer one thinks they are, they will look like novices when put into juxtaposition with members of the dance team.

For those that watched, last year’s co-ed partner dance will always be remembered.

“We would do simple things while the girls would go flying through the air,” senior Nate Rench said.

The caliber of dancers that coach Smith has sculpted is nearly unimaginable.

The team consists of three freshmen, one sophomore, six juniors, one of which may be an early graduate, and two seniors.

The dance team has five first year members.

“We have five first year members and you would never know it,” Smith said.

During a typical school year, all students can enjoy cheering our team on during seasonal sports.

Regardless of the season, all sports have one great thing in common. That common ground is an awesome halftime show put on by our very own dance team. We can always look forward to a dance performance during assemblies and halftimes. We can assure ourselves that the dance team will always put on a good show.

Like the words of Smith, “The team is really broadening their horizons this year in both style and difficulty.”

We would do simple things while the girls would go flying through the air.

n ABOVE: Juniors Kaylee Suto, Lea Black, and Hailey Woodruff dance in sync at a halftime performance during a basketball game. n BELOW LEFT: Junior Kaylee Suto smiles during the team’s dance routine. n BELOW RIGHT: Junior Alyssa Remsen points and poses while performing.

”

Student fishermen find way to keep up on hobby Bryce Lovrin Staff reporter

savanna Lester

n READY TO REEL: Senior Joe Triplet prepares his reel while ice fishing out on his pond this past week.

The winters in Idaho can pose the challenge of finding things to do, but there is a group of fishermen persistent enough to let nothing in their way, even the ice.

One can find them ice fishing in many places including Sunnyside and Cocolalla.

People are motivated to go for various reasons, but some just enjoy the experience of being in nature.

“I just like being out on the lake with my friends and doing something not many people do,” senior Austin Jones said.

Scientifically, the ice is supposed to be four inches thick for a person to walk on, but some rely on alternative methods in order to figure out if the ice is thick enough.

“I could see all the other people out on the ice from my house, and they weren’t falling through,” senior Joe

Triplet said.

There are a lot of ways to make holes in the ice to fish through, most conventionally an ice auger, but junior Spencer Eich has a different method.

“I cut big square holes in the ice with a chainsaw,” Eich said.

When ice fishing the most common type of fish caught is perch, and the Idaho Fish and Game does not compromise the perch harvest.

“Perch is one of the better fish to eat,” Triplet said, “and you can catch as many as you want.”

Fishers can legally catch as many fish they you want, but it can be difficult to catch as many fish as in the summer.

“I hear you are supposed to catch a lot more, but I guess I suck at it ‘cause I don’t catch very many,” Jones said

Come by and see Dana, Michelle, and Cami for your after school treats!

“Tastes as good as it looks!”

Deirde Hill Liz Evans 710 Pine Street Sandpoint

Page 9 February 22, 2006

Cedar Post

Childhood pastime revived during winter season Paulina Gralow

Journalism I contributor

savanna lester

n SLEDDIN’ DIRTY: Senior Dan Hanson sleds down a hill of dirty snow as spring weather arrives.

When students think of sledding, they usually remember it as something they did in elementary school. But no matter how old they are, they can still feel the rush of cold air blowing in their faces, watch the trees fly past, and try to endure the hike back up the hill. Some SHS students are still living the thrill.

“It’s fun going fast, crashing in the snow and just hanging with friends,” sophomore Tanner French said.

French usually sleds at Pine Street Hill and Schweitzer, which are popular destinations for many other students.

“Pine Street Hill is the steepest and longest hill,” senior Clayton Wangbichler said. “Sometimes it gets scary and I think about the trees on the side.”

Though usually thought of as a tame sport, sledding can be extremely dangerous.

“We went off a three-foot drop on the cat track at Schweitzer two weeks ago and I bruised my tailbone,” senior Katie Adams

said. “Last time we were at Schweitzer we ran over a little tree.”

According to the National Safety Council’s website, abou 33,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms every year from sledding-related injuries. The Bonner Genera Hospital Emergency Room has had seven sledders come in for injuries this year.

“I actually did hit a tree once; it hurt. I hit it and just kind o bounced off,” Wangbichler said.

Different types of sleds provide variety to the sport o sledding.

“I usually use the fastest ones I can get, mostly the toboggans,” French said.

“I use plastic sleds you get from Wal-Mart,” Wangbichler said. “[Autry White and I] tried to go tandem down the hil once, and we both slid off because we got crooked. I hit the tree and he hit this car, it was pretty intense. Everything was fine We’re made of steel.”

bryce lovrin Staff reporter

Alec Ward Sport: Wrestling Height: 5’2” Weight: 115 lbs.

Weight Class: 112

Q: What has been your most difficult experience wrestling?

A: “Probably working really hard, and lately I’ve been getting second a lot. I’m putting in the effort and coming up short. It’s frustrating.”

But if you lose, you lose to a girl.”

Q: What is your favorite part about wrestling? Why? A: “Definitely the tournaments.

They are a lot of fun.”

Q: How is training for wrestling different from training for other sports?

A: “If you slack up on the mats or anything it gets noticed on the floor during a match. If you slack with a team sport it gets picked up by the rest of the team.”

Q: Have you ever had any awkward experiences wrestling?

A: “I’ve had to wrestle a couple girls, which is always awkward. I made one cry on accident. I mean, you want to beat them, but if you do, whoopty-doo, it’s only a girl.

Q: What are your personal goals for the season?

A: “Definitely to be the state champion.”

Q:What life skills has wrestling given you?

A:“It’s made me more responsible.

And it’s given me good personal comebacks because Randals always smarts off.”

Q: Do you feel it is harder to loose or gain weight?

Why? A: “It’s harder to loose weight; you can only eat and drink a little bit. To gain weight is easy; you just get to pig out.”

Q: Do you ever get nervous when you have to weigh in?

A: “Yeah, I don’t know why. It always makes me have to go to the bathroom. I get more nervous before a match though.”

GraPhic by nate bessler

Photo by leiGh livinGstone

University of Wisconsin • Second Leading scoring in Big Ten in Alando Tucker • Have role players that play big in big games • Steady defense has been a the big factor for the Badgers success

University of florida • Returning all of last years championship team, and they’re a year better • Defense, Defense, Defense • Starting five score consistently, while their defense stifles opposing offense

University of north carolina • Run and Gun, heels will run teams off the court in an up-tempo game • Have All American talent throughout the entire bench • Coach Roy Williams has experience in tournament, and makes players step up

University california los angeles • Darren Collison is a spark that makes team run • Second leading scoring in Pacific Ten Arron Afflalo • Play in tough conference

Washington state University • Experienced team, and will have most players returning • Play one of toughest conferences in the nation • Good guard play

Cardio/Strength Circuit, Free weights, Nautilus, Cybex, Treadmills & Elipticals Open Monday-Friday 7am-7pm

Kyle Gibson Staff reporter

Ever since we were children we had a certain sports team that we liked to follow, but how did we come to be so attached to these teams?

It could be that we grew up in a household that lived and breathed the hometown team, or it could be the fact that the team is close to you.

The passion of cheering for your team always seems to come out during March. March Madness has been known to provide some amazing moments and gives the die-hard fans a chance to track their team throughout the tournament.

“My favorite team is Clemson University because my parents went there,” junior Emily Ogle said.

Teams close in proximity will always give fans a reason to cheer, especially when they are considered underdogs.

“I think they {Washington State University} will surprise people, and do much better than people think,” senior David Dye said, If this year is anything like last year maybe WSU could be the next George Mason University, who made a miracle run to the final four.

“I think North Carolina has more depth than anyone else,” junior Ethan Vest said.

400 Schweitzer Plaza Drive Suite 4 Ponderay, ID 83852 (208)254-9633

Saturday 9am-1pm

255-7010 30736 Hwy 200 Suite 104, Ponderay, ID (Next to the Hoot Owl)

APQS Arm Quilting Machine Rental ...Instructional Classes Quilting Crocheting Knitting

Page 10 February 1, 2007

Cedar Post

Wrestling looks to resolve unfinished business of gaining state title bryce lovrin Staff reporter

This year the Sandpoint High School wrestling team is doing extraordinarily well this year due to six outstanding wrestlers, their work and their dedication. The top wrestlers this year include junior Tim Pepperdine and seniors Alec Ward, Joseph Fio, Kyle Meschko, Jerod Morris and Taylor Morris.

The entire team has been getting up early to run before school, practice after school, have tournaments and duals every few -Kyle Meschko days, and still keep the determination it takes Senior not to overeat.

“The hardest part is cutting weight, because you hang around and see all this food, and you want to stuff your face, but you can’t, just because you have to make weight,” Ward said, who wrestles at 112 pounds.

These elite six wrestlers can attribute their success to hard work over a course of many years.

“A lot of us, especially the seniors, have

“

put in a lot of time practicing in the offseason over the years,” Taylor Morris said.

“Also, our team in general has a great work ethic.”

Earlier this season the team traveled to Reno, Nevada, for the Tri-State Tournament, where they earned a reputation as one of the top wrestling teams in the region.

“Our largest accomplishment this year is finishing fourth in the 64 team Tri-State Tournament,” coach Mike Randles said.

The team has a very good shot at the first place title at the 4A state championship tournament this year as long as they stay injury free for the remainder of the season.

Each of the wrestlers interviewed unanimously stated the number one goal is to be the state champion.

The top wrestlers have learned many valuable life lessons through wrestling.

“There are too many things that I’ve learned from wrestling but the most impacting one is probably that if you set your mind to it, you

...The most impacting one is probably that if you set your mind to it, you can achieve anything.

”

HeatHer allen

n TWIN TAKE DOWN: Senior Jerod Morris throws down senior twin brother Taylor Morris during wrestling practice. The team finished fourth at the Tri-State Tournament this season.

can achieve anything,” Meschko said.

Winning in wrestling is one of the best rewards, not because of the ego driven satisfaction, but because it is a great reward for the discipline put in earlier.

“Winning a match or a tournament [is my

favorite part about wrestling], because it’s rewarding to have all of our hard work pay off,” Taylor Morris said.

The success of the team is surprisingly well taking into consideration that the team has no wrestlers competing in the sport year-

Creatine—positive David Beckham, world-renowned soccer player, is moving to Los Angeles.

One the best players in Europe when he played for Real Madrid and Manchester United, Beckham has accepted a contract from the Los Angeles Galaxy worth up to $250 million for five years.

My question is why would one of the best players in the world drop out of the best leagues in world to play in the MLS. Nothing against the MLS, but in my experience watching the game, it looked for like a rugby game mixed with a bunch of 6 year olds kicking a ball.

After watching the World Cup this summer and seeing how well the game was played, it was hard to go back to watching the MLS. So why in the world would an all-star from the European Premiere Leagues want to play bunch ball in America? Beckham replied time and time again his decision wasn’t about the money. When you’re getting paid $250 million to play in MLS, it’s all about the Benjamins. One part of me is happy because I want to see U.S. soccer be able to compete well at the world level and win, but another part of me doesn’t believe that one player will make so much of a difference in the overall popularity of the sport.

Beckham, who may be late in his career, wanted a new challenge and will have quite a large burden to carry if he really wants to resurrect U.S. Soccer.

This seemingly odd decision could be viewed as a strategy to win a championship. Karl Malone, a long time NBA all-star, was traded to the Lakers in a similar fashion, and his goal was to win a title. Unfortunately for Malone, the Detroit Pistons stopped his quest in the finals.

Will something like this happen to Beckham or will the poster-boy of soccer really bring the game back?

alternative to steroids Kyle Gibson Staff reporter

“

In sports, athletes are always looking for a way to be better than their opponents, and, in some instances, supplements are used to enhance an athlete’s performance. Whether or not these enhancements are legal there is proof that shows these products may help your game but hurt your body.

“Five years ago more kids were using creatine, but now I don’t know,” health teacher, Steve Miller said.

Young athletes who use supplements like steroids are looking for a quick success and don’t always realize what may happen as a result of their use.

These supplements will allow someone to compete with superhuman abilities, but the consequences of using may cripple a person later.

The consequences of abusing these substances are damage to the liver and kidneys, bad acne, and shrinking testes. “ T h e y [young athletes] are looking for a shortcut, and they will have to pay the consequence for that,” Miller said.

Most sports around the world have banned performance-enhancing drugs from competition, and have officials to conduct drug tests on athletes.

In recent years, steroids have

They [young athletes] are looking for a shortcut, and they will have to pay the consequence for that.

-Steve Miller Health teacher

Come by and see Dana, Michelle,andCamiforyour after school treats!

“Tastes as good as it looks!”

Deirde Hill Liz Evans 710 Pine Street Sandpoint 208-263-9012

”

become the center of controversy in the professional sports world.

Floyd Landis’ amazing comeback victory in final stage of the Tour de France sparked controversy immediately after his finish. He was found with extra high levels of synthetic testosterone in his body.

“I feel it is cheating, but just taking steroids won’t make you better,” Miller said, “working out with them is what makes a person stronger.”

Creatine, a more common enhancement product among young athletes is not illegal.

Creatine is said to have negative effects on users, but in most studies no negative effects have -Steve Miller been found.

“It [creatine] Health teacher helps your recovery time, which allows you to lift more,” sophomore Ricky Lang said.

Some athletes, such as Ohio State University wide receiver Anthony Gonzales, have found more creative ways of making themselves better.

Gonzales sleeps in a tent as training.

This tent is a high altitude simulator, which removes the oxygen from inside, so it makes the occupant feel like he is at a very high elevation.

The concept is to train muscles in an oxygen-poor area, so when he is at a normal altitude his muscles will get much more oxygen than in the tent.

This will keep muscles from breaking down faster.

“

I feel it is cheating, but just taking steroids won’t make you better.

pHoto by HeatHer allen

GrapHic by bryce lovrin

”

Page 11 February 1, 2007

Cedar Post

BRYCE LOVRIN Staff reporter

Q: What is the hardest part about playing basketball?

Why? A: “Winning. We never can score enough. We get the shots, but we just can’t make the shots.”

Q: What is your favorite part about playing basketball?

Why? A: “I love to play defense. I get to control the way my opponent goes and how fast they play. I also like to score.”

Q: When and why did you start HEATHER ALLEN

playing basketball?

A: “My sister was playing basketball during high school, and my father made me play, and I ended up liking it.”

Q: What have you gained from playing basketball?

A: “I have gained a little bit of confidence, I have also met a lot of friends from basketball.”

Q: What has been your favorite basketball experience?

A: “The past two years I have gone to Oregon and played in a huge tournament. There are teams from all over the United States that come”

Q: How do you feel about the teams’ performance this year?

A: “I think that we do good for about a quarter and then we start to give up. We are still a young team and we should do better next year.”

Q: What was the worst experience you’ve had playing basketball?

A: “My first year playing Hoopfest I sprained my ankle really bad. I never healed it all the way, and it still hurts every once in a while.”

Q: What are your short and long term goals for basketball?

A: “Long-get a scholarship, got to college and play. Short— for the [team] to pick it up and go to state.”

Kim Guercio Sport: Basketball Position: Guard Height: 5’ 6” Weight: 125 lbs.

Number: 22

NATE BESSLER

Approach of Super Bowl XLI leaves fans eager for game day WILL HUGHES

Co-Assistant Sports Editor With the passing of Christmas, New Years and the college football BCS bowl game, it would seem like there is no hope for any entertainment for an entire year. But wait, have no fear, the Super Bowl is near!

On Feb. 4, the 41st annual Super Bowl game will kick off.

From the AFC division we have the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts, and From the NFC division we have the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints.

The Saints the

Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, and the Patriots will be playing the Colts in the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, both on January 21st.

SUPER BOWL FACEOFF: CHICAGO BEARS VS. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Everyone has their own team that they want to win the Super Bowl,

whether it is a lifelong alliance or maybe a bet placed on the outcome of the game. Most people however, just have a favorite team for no apparent reason.

“It’s a hard choice, but I probably want the Saints to win the Super Bowl,” sophomore Chris Rhyne said.

One thing not to forget this year is the bowl game snacks.

“I like Trail Mix or Chex Mix,” junior Cody Dana said.

By Feb. 4, make sure to have all your chips, soda, and whatever else you crave and sit back, relax and enjoy Super Bowl XLI.

KYLE GIBSON

GRAHAM PAYTON

Snowmobiling proves to be a fun time for many high school students PAULINA GRALOW

Trestle Creek and Pack River, but there are endless possibilities of Looking for something to do places to go. According to www. this winter? For a few thousand snowtracks.com, Idaho alone dollars you can buy a snowmobile. has 7,200 miles of snowmobile Spend some time learning how trails, which is more than other western state. to use it and finding out where any H o w e v e r , the deepest Sandpoint powder is s t u d e n t s available, and only you can become It’s like you’re riding in don’t snowmobile an expert in no in Idaho. time. clouds.

Sophomore “I started Jessica York, s n o w m o b i l i n g -Spencer Eich who has been about four Junior snowmobiling or five years since she was ago,” junior 8 years old, Spencer Eich said.

“Every ride you travels in order to snowmobile get better and better,” outside of the Sandpoint area.

“In Wyoming not too long ago, senior Cody Halliday, a friend of Eich’s, has also snowmobiled for I hit a rock and flipped over the handlebars. I bent some stuff on four years.

“It’s fun, playing in the my snowmobile and broke some powder, hill climbing and stuff too,” York said.

If you haven’t noticed dodging trees,” Halliday said. snowmobiles can Popular areas to go already, snowmobiling are Roman Nose, also be incredibly dangerous.

Journalism I contributor

“

”

Luckily, York didn’t get hurt.

Neither did Eich, when he and his brother sided each other on their snowmobiles.

“We were riding in a field. He was probably going 50 [mph], and I was doing 40 [mph]. We were both looking the wrong ways and we collided on the sides.

Only the sleds were damaged, $200 worth,” Eich said.

Even though snowmobiling can be risky, there’s no doubt that it can always give the rider an exhilarating feeling.

“The adrenaline rush is the best part because you’re always pushing yourself to do more and pushing yourself to go higher or farther,” York said.

Some students find interesting ways to make snowmobiling even more fun, by creating new methods. For instance, boon docking is going through deep snow while weaving around trees.

“It’s like you’re riding in clouds,” Eich said.

SAMANTHA MAY

■ POWDER DAYS: Junior Spencer Eich takes advantage of the nice weather and fresh powder to rally his snowmobile through the woods.

Page 12

February 22, 2007

Cedar Post

Bonner County: quirks around town The Point: Do you ever find yourself tossing and turning in your sleep at an ungodly hour in the morning, sweating profusely, knowing that the only cure for your restlessness is a double-patty burger with Swiss cheese? For the many of us suffering from CFI (chronic famished insomnia), The Point has been conducting a series of scientific tests for this abnormally common disease (*see footnote) and have found a cure: a burger joint that stays open in the wee hours of the night. A word of warning, however: expect a wait. In fact, it’s better to come here before you’re even hungry. But it’s still worth it.

Verdict:

Thumb Up

Bonner Mall Arcade: I’m a little ashamed to admit this, but I once spent nearly $17 playing the Dracula pinball machine. That is highway robbery, if you ask me. But I’ve always had a soft spot for arcades.

The obnoxious ringing of high scores, crappy Japanese pop music coming from whatever DDR (or DDR rip-off) machine they have, playing Mega Man with joysticks that have been previously sneezed on, coughed on, spit on, and played with by someone suffering leprosy of the hand for all I know—it all feels homely in some twisted (but delightful!) way.

Verdict:

Thumb Up

Wal-mart: For the record, Wal-Mart’s smiley face logo is simply false advertisement. Not only did I not see one person with a yellow head, I did not see anybody actually smiling either.

Of course, I did see the typical Hippie Man with Long Hair, Leather Fringe Jacket, and a Tie-Dye Shirt, also known as HMWLHLFJATS (pronounced “hmwlhlfjats”). Trust me, no matter when you go into Wal-Mart, you will always see this man or a man resembling him. And sadly, that’s the only thing I can stand about this place.

Verdict:

Thumb Down

All Smiles: Where else can you purchase any flavor of Jelly Belly imaginable at the front of the store and a sex toy in the back? A fun time is to be had here, I’m sure. No—wait—no! That really disturbs me, actually.

Verdict:

Thumb Down

Sandpoint Bowling: Three words: creepiest carousel ever. (did not get a chance to decide whether this should be a thumb up/down because I was too busy fleeing from the establishment)

Verdict:

Thumb Down

Fetus Alley: I dig fetuses.

Oh God. Please don’t take that literally.

But this is one of my favorite places in Sandpoint. What a bizarre and slightly creepy spot that only something as deranged as Sandpoint could ever conceive.

Verdict:

Thumb Up

story & photos by alex Gedrose & hannah VoGel Graphics by Glenn Generaux