July-August Parks and Rec. programming

By Reader Staff

Sandpoint Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces will be offering the following programming in late-July and August:

• Adult ladies golf. Session 2 of the clinic with local golf pro Mike Deprez will take place Monday, July 31-Monday, Aug. 7. Participants meet at the Elks Golf Course 30196 ID-200, in Ponderay. Register for by Thursday, July 27. Fee $45 ($5 non-resident fee).

• City of Sandpoint historic walking tours. The city of Sandpoint’s Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation Commission, in collaboration with the Bonner County History Museum and Lake Pend Oreille Repertory Theatre, hosts “A Walk Through History ” — a series of free walking tours Friday, July 28; Saturday, Aug. 5; and Friday, Aug. 25, through Sandpoint’s historic downtown. Tours will be offered on the last Friday of the month and occasional Saturdays through September. Meet at 10 a.m. in front of the Panida Theater (300 N. First

Ave.). Tours are roughly one hour. Pre-register with Sandpoint Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces. Pop-ins are also welcomed.

• CPR/AED with optional first aid. For ages 16 and older or ages 12-15 with an adult guardian. American Health and Safety Institute class for those who need CPR/ AED and or first aid card for work, OSHA requirements, school or personal knowledge. Register by Thursday, Aug. 3 for the Monday, Aug. 7 class. Located at Sandpoint City Hall Council Chambers (1123 Lake St.), class meets 4-6 p.m. for CPR/AED and 6-8 p.m. for first aid. Fee: $35 CPR/AED, with additional $25 first aid option.

• Adult pickleball. Registration is open for both beginning and intermediate pickleball for ages 18+. All classes will be held 9 a.m.-noon on Saturdays at the Lakeview Park pickleball courts. All equipment will be provided. Participants need to bring their court shoes, water, sunglasses, a hat and layers for cool weather. Each session is $25/person ($5 non-resident fee). Register by Thursday, Aug. 10 for Session 3 inter- mediate pickleball on Saturday, Aug. 12. Register by Thursday, Aug. 24 for Session 4 beginners on Saturday, Aug. 26.

• Introduction to skateboarding. Beginners and intermediates, ages 7 and older. Participants will learn skate park skateboarding basics, including etiquette. Skateboard and helmet required. Knee, elbow pads and wrist guards recommended. Class meets at the Concrete Lake skate park (2100 Pine St., in Sandpoint) on Sundays, Aug. 13 and 20, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Register by Wednesday, Aug. 9. Fee: $35 ($3 non-resident fee).

• Basic keelboat sailing. Ages 16 and older. Graduates will be able to responsibly skipper and crew a 20’-27’ sloop-rigged keelboat in light to moderate wind and sea conditions. Attendees will acquire knowledge of basic sailing terminology, parts and functions, helm commands, basic sail trim, points of sail, buoyage, seamanship, and safety including basic navigation rules to avoid collisions and hazards. Register by Thursday, Aug. 10 for Session 3: Mon- day-Thursday, Aug. 14-17. Class meets at the Sandpoint Windbag Marina (Fred’s Deck) from 10 a.m.-noon. Fee: $65 ($4 non-resident fee).

• Game night with the Lions Club. A FREE family game night at Community Hall (204 S. First Ave.) on Friday, Aug. 18. Event runs every third Friday of the month, through December, from 6-8 p.m. Both card games and board games will be available, or bring your own to share.

Sandpoint Parks and Rec. also acts as a clearinghouse to connect the public with other recreational opportunities in the community. Visit the online activity catalog to view listings. Outside organizations and individuals wishing to list their activities are encouraged to contact the department with their program information at recreation@sandpointidaho.gov.

Register for any Parks and Rec. program at secure.rec1.com/ID/city-of-sandpoint/catalog, visit the office at City Hall (1123 Lake St.) or call 208-263-3613.

By Marcia Pilgeram Reader Columnist

The summer population explosion is giving me angst. Leaving my home in Ponder Point requires a left-hand turn onto Highway 200. It’s nearly impossible to maneuver that move early in the morning, and the five o’clock traffic is just as bad (I never thought I would be “talking traffic” as part of my daily dialogue).

Besides the highway and town traffic, our Ponder Point community currently has a lot of new homes in construction mode, with many service vehicles who pay no mind whatsoever to the 25-mile-per-hour speed limit (plenty of homeowners are guilty, too). Raising my fist and shouting has little effect, and I have threatened to resort to radar and paintball guns to help protect all my pint-sized friends out here.

I’ve lived in my sweet little house for more than 20 years; but, sometimes, I think about moving. It’s not an uncommon conversation among my age group when we gather and commiserate over a glass of wine at our favorite new watering hole, 113 Main (formerly Truby’s). And then, as I head home, sometimes I even go so far as to put relocation plans together. Last week was one of those times. There’s talk of a vast new subdivision across the highway (on Providence), which only adds to my traffic anxiety.

Last Saturday, I did venture across the road and made my way to the Farmers’ Market, which felt good. For all the new, unfamiliar faces crowding