Reader_April27_2023

The week in random review

By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff

star tossed

Tucker Carlson is without a doubt the biggest talking head in the United States’ political media ecosystem. But, after April 24, that description needs to be altered from “is” to “was,” when in a shocking move Fox News abruptly axed its No. 1 star. Though the ultra-conservative network did not provide a reason for their decision to “part ways,” the move came about a week after Fox News settled for $787 million in a defamation lawsuit brought by Dominion Voting Systems, which alleged Carlson and other pundits knowingly spread false claims of election fraud related to the company’s voting technology in an effort to sow doubt about the legitimacy of the 2020 election loss suffered by ex-President Donald Trump. Carlson is also the subject of a separate lawsuit accusing the former host of sexism and harassment.

famous last words

“Fittingly, even Tucker’s final words were a lie.”

— Twitter user Frank Lesser, referring to the surprise firing April 24 of Fox News mega-pundit Tucker Carlson, who signed off on what would be his final episode, April 21, with the phrase: “We’ll be back on Monday.”

serious social science

Perusing academic journals is not for everyone — it’s for very few people, actually — but occasionally there’s an article that everyone should read. In this case it’s, On the reception and detection of pseudo-profound bullshit, published Jan. 1, 2023 in Judgment and Decision Making and made available online by Cambridge University Press. It’s a safe bet that most people know at least one someone who’ll believe and spout all manner of bullshit. Find out exactly what’s wrong with them at bit.ly/40EUnJU.

long-distance history

Two discoveries in the past week or so have revealed that two very different peoples on two very different parts of the globe were able to travel farther and earlier than previously thought. According to an April 21 article by the Max Planck Society, research recently published in the journal Science Advances suggests that Polynesian sailors spread technology and cultural items to Pacific Island communities upwards of 1,550 miles from their home as long ago as the 11th and 12th centuries. Meanwhile, April 18 in the journal Antiquity, analysis of wood samples at five medieval farmsteads in Greenland found that Norse colonists had been importing hemlock and jack pine from North America dating to 985 C.E. — even earlier than the previously theorized Norse settlement of a site in Newfoundland, Canada, in 1021 C.E.

DEAR READERS,

We’re just about into May, which means it’s time for Idaho Gives, the annual statewide nonprofit campaign that generates millions of dollars each year to worthy nonprofits within the state of Idaho. The 2023 campaign will run from Monday-Thursday, May 1-4, and you can visit idahogives.org to search for organizations near you. While we’d like to support this effort by highlighting individual organizations worthy of your contributions, we don’t want to play favorites and leave anyone out.

If you can give a little, give a little. If you can give a lot, give a lot. Either way, it’s an important time of year to recognize the great things our local nonprofit organizations do on a regular basis.

It’s National Library Week from April 23-29. For a salty take on the importance of libraries, check out Editor Zach Hagadone’s column on Page 25. In the meantime, support your local library. Finally, don’t forget about the election coming up Tuesday, May 16. You can find out all the information you need on sandpointonline.com’s Election Central.

–Ben Olson, publisher

READER

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Contributing Artists: Louise Munro (cover) Ben Olson, Bill Borders

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About the Cover

This week’s cover art, titled “Eye of the Bison,” was painted by Louise Munro from Clark Fork. Find more of Louise’s work at louisemunroart.com. Or check out her Instagram @louise_munro_art.

City moves away from long-term East-West Connection concept for U.S. 2

By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff

Among the agenda items addressed at the April 26 meeting of the Bonner County Area Transportation Team were a number of significant developments regarding the city of Sandpoint’s ongoing effort to implement the “East-West Connection” concepts in its Multimodal Transportation Master Plan.

Specifically, the city is moving away from the “long-term” concept in the plan — deferring “the Couplet” realignment of U.S. Highway 2 and removing an agenda item from the May 3 meeting of the Sandpoint City Council that would have amended the concept to create a new access point off U.S. 2 to South Boyer Avenue, running through the property occupied by Dub’s Drive-In, which the city voted to acquire for $380,000 in February.

What’s more, Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad announced the departure, effective Friday, May 19, of Sandpoint Infrastructure and Development Services Director Amanda Wilson, who has been offered and accepted a position as city manager in Gunnison, Colo.

“Amanda has led some of our most significant accomplishments in her five years with the city of Sandpoint, including overseeing the construction and outreach for Phases I and II of the Downtown Revitalization, our first-ever comprehensive watershed management plan, and updating the snow removal plan and policy based upon public feedback and Council discussion,” Rognstad said in a statement provided by the city. “She will be greatly missed, and we wish her the best as she takes on this career growth opportunity and relocates to be closer to her family.”

After months of vigorous, often heated public debate, the long-term East-West Connection concept — along with high-profile components such as “the Couplet,” lane increases on U.S. 2 and a realignment at First Avenue and

Bridge Street — “are on the back burner for the foreseeable future,” Sandpoint City Administrator Jennifer Stapleton told the Reader in an email, “and there will be future opportunities for public comment and feedback before moving forward with discussions with ITD [Idaho Transportation Department] or undertaking a design process, which will provide further public involvement opportunities and funding.”

That means the amendment to Figure 23 of the MTMP — specifically the access point through the current Dub’s property — is off the table, as well as the entire “long-term” concept, including the Couplet. At least for now.

“The mayor has directed city staff to continue to work on implementing the short-term concept East-West Connection, and not pursue design and public engagement funding for the long-term concept,” Stapleton said. “At such time that the public no longer has a tolerance for the current safety issues along the corridor and/or level of service standards are not being met as determined by the city or ITD, a conversation on long-term changes will begin. This will also provide more time for community conversation to occur.”

Meanwhile, the city will host a Thursday, April 27 open house and opportunity to provide online comments on the ongoing effort to update the city’s Comprehensive Plan, “as well as the MTMP in its entirety as advertised, including both short- and long-term concepts

to facilitate community feedback, answer questions and hear concerns,” Stapleton said.

The in-person open house will take place 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. in Meeting Room B of the East Bonner County Library’s Sandpoint branch (1407 Cedar St.). Attendees are invited to drop in to the open house at any time during the event, while the full draft Comp Plan can be reviewed and commented upon digitally at plan.konveio.com/sandpoint-draft-comprehensive-plan through Sunday, May 7.

The Multimodal Transportation Master Plan — which was adopted in May 2021 — can be viewed at sandpointidaho.gov by clicking on the “Master Plans” button on the left side of the webpage.

To view the short- and longterm area maps related to the EastWest Connection concepts, look under Appendix A “Networks, Corridors and Improvement Con-

cepts” of the master plan, directly accessible at bit.ly/3ZYzMA4.

Comments should be emailed to multimodal@sandpointidaho.gov.

The short-term East-West Connection concept includes moving the traffic signal from Church Street and Fifth Avenue to Fifth and Pine; converting the Pine and Sixth Avenue and Pine and Euclid Avenue intersections to “right in, right out”; converting Pine to a two-way street between Fifth and Fourth avenues and removing the curb bulb-out on the northeast corner of Pine and Fifth; installing planters at First Avenue and Bridge Street to restrict left turns from Bridge onto First; and striping and increased signage to limit westbound traffic onto West Superior Street from East Superior.

Asked why the city has decided to take a step back from the long-term East-West Connection concept, Stapleton told the

Reader, “A portion of the community is not ready to move forward with the design and associated public engagement effort for the long-term concept. Taking a break will provide more time for staff to remain focused on implementation of the short-term concept.”

Meanwhile, Stapleton said, “We have a highly competent, professional team at the city and have a new civil engineer starting May 1.”

As for securing a staff member to fill the role soon to be left vacant by Wilson’s departure, Stapleton added, “We are actively working on our transition plan and are reviewing our structure and future needs before posting the position.”

Farmers’ Market at Sandpoint back for the season

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

For the past 35 years, the Farmers’ Market at Sandpoint has connected local farmers, fine artists, craftspeople and food vendors with the North Idaho community. The beloved market has set an opening date for Saturday, April 29 at Farmin Park, located in downtown Sandpoint at the corner

of Fourth Avenue and Oak St.

The market will be open every Wednesday and Saturday rain or shine through the season, from April 29 to Oct. 14. Market hours on Wednesdays are from 3-5 p.m. and Saturdays are 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

As always, the market is a proud participant in SNAP/DUFB. SNAP is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that provides food assistance to people in need, and

DUFB refers to Double Up Food Bucks, which match SNAP EBT dollars so you get twice the fruits and veggies. Customers with an EBT can visit the manager’s booth at the market to redeem funds to purchase food at the market.

“Thanks to the assistance of the Idaho Farmers’ Market Association, the Community Action League, Kaniksu Land Trust and the Bonner County Food Bank we

are able to double the withdrawal amount of customers up to $10,” the market noted on their website.

Besides the produce, crafts, food vendors and fine arts wares for sale at the Market, there will be live music each Saturday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Oak Street Connection will play the opening market April 29.

For more information, visit sandpointfarmersmarket.com.

‘Couplet’ plan and associated amendment on the ‘back burner for the foreseeable future’

Fig. 22 of the MTMP shows the short-term “East-West Connection” concept, now the focus of City Hall’s transportation planning efforts. Courtesy image.

Current, former District 1 officials respond to BCRCC ‘no-confidence’ vote on Sauter

By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff

A little more than two weeks after the 2023 Idaho Legislature adjourned on April 6, the Bonner County Republican Central Committee issued a vote of “no-confidence” in District 1A Rep. Mark Sauter, R-Sandpoint, citing a number of instances in an April 24 news release where the freshman lawmaker failed to “represent the Republican Platform and the principles of the Idaho Republican Party.”

Specifically, the BCRCC — which serves as the official Republican Party organization for the county — took Sauter to task for his votes on a number of issues:

•Senate Bill 1130, which would have limited the ability of public and private entities to require COVID vaccinations for employees or other service providers, and which Sauter opposed;

•House Bill 24, the so-called Idaho Launch Program, which allocated $80 million to support post-secondary professional-technical workforce training, which Sauter supported;

•HB 180, which would have empowered the Idaho state treasurer to invest “idle state monies” into precious metals “as a hedge against inflation,” according to the BCRCC, but which Sauter voted against;

•HB 293, which would have established that State Board of Education members be elected based on geographic region, as opposed to being appointed by the governor, and which Sauter opposed;

•Sauter’s opposition to legislation introducing education savings accounts;

•Sauter’s support for $4.7 billion in spending on Medicaid — which failed by one vote in the House but returned after about $150 million in cuts and was signed by Gov. Brad Little;

•HB 314, dubbed the Children’s School and Library Protection Act, which would have defined material deemed “obscene or harmful material,” restricted its availability to children in school and public libraries, and carried

with it the ability of parents to sue the respective institutions for up to $2,500 for violations of the law. Sauter opposed the measure, it passed the House and Senate, then met with a veto from Little. When House members attempted to override Little’s veto, Sauter was among the members to vote against the effort.

“Representative Sauter was the single vote by which a House veto override vote failed,” the BCRCC stated, later concluding, “We encourage Representative Mark Sauter to reevaluate his record and positions and take action to bring them into conformance with Idaho’s Republican Party Platform.”

The BCRCC consists of 30 precinct committee members elected by party members biennially in the May GOP primary, as well as a number of elected officers. Among those officers is Sen. Scott Herndon, R-Sagle, who serves as committee chair.

“The vote of no-confidence is a party committee decision that is meant to encourage and urge Mark to consider several significant positions of the party platform,” Herndon told the Reader in an email. “The committee action only reflects the committee’s dissatisfaction with his voting record and policy positions. There are over 30 members on the committee. The vote should not be interpreted to reflect my personal views regarding our delegation’s ability to solve district problems.”

Further, Herndon said he and District 1B Rep. Sage Dixon, R-Ponderay, have held a number of town halls together “and work well together,” while, “Mark and I also have communicated well together.”

“Many times our collective work as a delegation has mostly to do with issues that are fairly non-political, like a current highway issue in Boundary County,” Herndon added. “I think the delegation will continue to cooperate respectfully together, even when we disagree on key issues.”

In an email to the Reader, Dixon said that while he had “little knowledge of what happened”

— having only heard of the vote of no-confidence on the afternoon

of April 25 — “[t]his means very little other than that the group doing the censuring will use it against Rep. Sauter in the upcoming primary campaign, and it does not affect the District 1 delegation, which has been somewhat variegated in its composition for years.”

In an interview with the Reader, Sauter said the vote of no-confidence “calls the actual teamwork into question,” regarding the delegation.

“Is it intimidation? Is it humiliation? What’s the real interests? I won’t speculate,” he said, adding later, “I believe I am in conformance and I believe I am voting for our district. … I serve the 53,000 people that live and work in Boundary and Bonner counties — those are the people that elected me.”

Putting a finer point on, Sauter noted in a written statement to the Reader, “I ran without the endorsement of the Bonner County [Republican] Central Committee. I never asked for their support. Despite the lack of the central committee endorsement, I won with a majority of votes in the election.”

In an interview, he added, “Their endorsement, you could say, is their vote of confidence. I never asked for it, never got it, but now they’re going to pull it back and say, ‘By the way, we don’t have confidence in you.’ Well, you never gave it to me.”

Bill by bill

In a wide-ranging interview April 26, Sauter addressed the individual pieces of legislation and issues highlighted in the BCRCC’s news release.

While the committee described SB 1130 — limiting the ability of public and private entities to require vaccines — an “anti-discrimination bill,” Sauter said, “We’re supposed to have a business-friendly environment in our state. Telling businesses who they have to serve and how they have to do it — that’s not part of our business-friendly environment, so I voted against it.”

Regarding HB 24, which

bureaucracy, which is another Republican standard: Do not grow government. Well, here we are, we’re going to add $80,000 to the budget to pay for these people,” he said. “I just didn’t think it was good government.”

Regarding education savings accounts, which the BCRCC said would “increase Idaho’s flexibility in meeting the educational needs of students,” Sauter said, “It sure sounds like we set up a secondary school system.”

funded post-secondary workforce training, the BCRCC called it a “corporate welfare program” that improperly allocated funds meant for K-12 education to professional-technical programs.

Sauter countered that the Idaho Launch Program offers an $8,000 grant to high-school graduates to start their certificate training for future employment — an issue he ran on in the 2022 primary.

“There’s a need in our community, as I have found, in that we don’t have enough trades. There’s not enough electricians, plumbers, welders — plus CNAs — there’s just openings across our district for skilled positions that pay well,” he said. “All those employers are looking for people.”

Given that, Sauter said he felt HB 24 “looked like a pretty good investment to me.”

With HB 180, by which the state treasurer could have invested “idle” state dollars into gold and silver, Sauter said, “I just didn’t see that it was responsible.”

Rather, he added, those funds are “like a checking account. Most of us would not use gold and silver in the place of our checking accounts — we’d want to use something that’s a little more liquid.”

On HB 293, subjecting members of the State Board of Education to elections, rather than appointment by the governor, Sauter said that while he can see the argument in favor of gaining more regional representation, he worried that it “essentially would politicize the state board.”

Beyond that, he opposed the costs associated with adding another category of elected officials.

“I didn’t like the idea that we’re now going to add to the

“It doesn’t make sense to me that we would add $20 million-$30 million to the budget to take care of these ESAs — that’s in addition to our other public schools,” he said.

Rather, he said Idaho already has a range of education options, and various ESA legislation seemed geared more toward finding a way to direct property tax revenue to religious schools, which is currently prohibited by the Blaine amendment to the Idaho Constitution.

“That didn’t seem like a very Republican, conservative thing to do — to start new bureaucracies, new programs, and that has to be funded, so I voted against them,” he added.

Sauter defended his vote on HB 369 to approve the Medicaid budget because, “if there’s any extra money in that budget, it gets rolled to next year — it’s an insurance policy. … On the opposite side of that, if we don’t set aside enough money they come back with a supplement request to fill that need.”

Finally, the controversial HB 314 regarding “obscene” or “harmful” materials in libraries, Sauter said simply, “It’s a bill that needs to be better.”

“I really didn’t like the civil action [portion]; further, I thought it was too broadly written,” he added. “We need a better bill. I do not support obscenity and I do not support pornography in our libraries or anywhere near our kids. But a bill that isn’t complete and isn’t really right … let’s fix it. Let’s make it right.”

< see SAUTER, Page 6 >

Rep. Mark Sauter, left; and Sen. Scott Herndon, right. File photos.

< SAUTER, con’t from Page 5 >

‘Good company’

The BCRCC isn’t the only conservative organization that has looked askance at Sauter’s record over his first session as a lawmaker. Idaho Freedom Action — a wing of the Idaho Freedom Foundation — gave Sauter an “F” on its “Freedom Index,” as well as Spending and Education indices, specifically for his votes on HB 24, HB 369 and HB 314.

Dixon earned a “C” on the organization’s Freedom Index, a “D+” on its Spending Index and “A+” on the Education Index. Herndon, meanwhile, earned an “A+” on all three indices.

Sauter said several central committees — as well as the IFF and its affiliates — “have been notifying other state legislators of their disapproval in similar ways. Representatives who have supported education and other conservative community causes have been the targets of this campaign.”

Meanwhile, Sauter isn’t the first serving legislator to run afoul of the BCRCC. Former-Dist. 1 Republican Sen. Shawn Keough — who served from 1996 to 2018 and is currently a member of the Idaho State Board of Education — also drew a vote of no-confidence from the committee in 2011, alongside then-Dist. 2 Republican Sen. Joyce Broadsword over redistricting.

“Although the central committee members had viewpoints and expressed them, there is a larger number of Republicans in the county and in the legislative district that elected me and I listened to them, too. I would say that is the definition of effectively representing constituents in our republic: the elected official listens to the input and then represents and votes accordingly,” Keough told the Reader in an email.

“While the BCRCC has the prerogative to issue a statement, as was done in my case and in this case with Rep. Sauter, I don’t feel it puts the central committee in a positive light,” Keough added. “Those types of concerns should be aired in the central committee meeting and with the official, and addressed internally, in my view.

“To me, the approach taken in this instance and in other similar instances smacks of petty politics and doesn’t reflect well on the committee.”

More recently, in 2021, then-Dist. 1 Republican Sen. Jim Woodward faced a call by the BCRCC for his “disaffiliation” from the party and resignation from the Statehouse. Woodward faced Herndon in the 2022 primary, seeking a third term, but the latter prevailed after a grueling election cycle featuring a hitherto unprecedented amount of negative campaigning — primarily coming from the Herndon camp.

“The BCRCC no-confidence vote is an issue about compliance,” Woodward told the Reader in an email. “The BCRCC, the Idaho Freedom Foundation, and particularly

Scott Herndon, demand lock-step compliance with their beliefs.

“The BCRCC doesn’t understand the significance of getting law right the first time,” he added. “They look for a vote based on ideology, not considering the effects on Idahoans, e.g., the current predicament preventing delivery of babies at our local hospital. The details matter. Rep. Sauter is considering the details and voting in your best interests.”

Woodward went on to state, “The BCRCC doesn’t believe in majority rule. These 30 or so party members want to determine who your legislators are, as opposed to you choosing who best represents your interests. They are attempting to dictate a way of life in the county that is not what we are.”

He also criticized the characterization of Sauter as being the deciding vote in the failed attempt to override Little’s veto of the library “obscenity” bill in the House.

“In fact, 24 members of the Idaho House voted against the override,” Woodward wrote. “No one member is the determining vote.”

Bonner County Commission Chairman Steve Bradshaw — the highest elected legislative official in the county, and also a Republican — agreed, telling the Reader in an email that while he wasn’t present in Boise for any specific votes, “I am sure Mr. Sauter was not the only one to vote on any issue. That being said, having past experience with BCRCC, if you don’t agree with them then you are the bad guy. Maybe I’m ‘Too American Patriot’ for them.”

Asked what a vote of no-confidence accomplishes, Herndon told the Reader that more than 770 delegates to the most recent Idaho Republican convention debated to define and establish the party’s platform.

“We want those who affiliate with the Republican Party to substantially agree with those positions, and the vote shows respect for the principles and invites a challenge to consider the representative’s record in regards to the party’s principles,” he wrote.

“Republican isn’t just a name or a label. It represents shared values. If someone is substantially out of alignment and plans to remain significantly out of alignment with Republican principles, we invite those elected officials to consider other parties with which they may better align,” Herndon added. “Idaho does not have to be a one-party state. A healthy republic should encompass divergent views which are represented by other competitive parties.”

Considering what the vote of no-confidence means to him, Sauter said that while, “I take it seriously,” he also indicated that, “I’m in good company, to be on the same list as Shawn Keough and Jim Woodward. I’ll take that. They’re good people — good Idahoans, who served our area very well. …

“I was elected to do my best to represent our area and get things done,” he added, “and that’s what I intend to keep doing.”

Bits ’n’ Pieces

From east, west and beyond

East, west or beyond, sooner or later events elsewhere may have a local impact. A recent sampling:

In a 17-12 vote, Texas passed a bill requiring posting the Ten Commandments in classrooms. According to CNN, proponents said the measure enables students to become better Texans. Opponents said parents should decide what religious materials their children learn, not lawmakers.

House Republicans will vote this week on their plan to pay the nation’s already incurred debts. Failure to pay would result in economic calamity, yet Republicans have resisted raising the current debt ceiling — despite doing so numerous times under former-President Donald Trump.

According to CBS News and the Coalition on Human Needs, House lawmakers would OK raising the debt ceiling into next year, in exchange for spending cuts of $130 billion, thereby undoing and/or undermining some of President Joe Biden’s accomplishments.

Republican cuts proposed for 2024 would affect health care, housing, education, child care, climate efforts, the IRS (which has lowered client wait times with new funding and put more resources into pursuing wealthy tax cheats), substance abuse and mental health treatments, the Social Security Administration, as well as putting restrictions on Medicaid and food benefits. There was no Republican plan to reverse tax cuts for the wealthy, which has expanded federal debt figures.

Washington state has signed into law the prohibition of sales, manufacture and importation or assault weapons. The bill includes a 10-day waiting period and safety training for all firearm purchases. Proponents of the new law said firearms have become the leading cause of death of children in the U.S. Assault weapons were singled out because they can kill twice as many people as compared to someone with a handgun or non-assault rifle. The bill allows current legal owners to retain their assault weapons.

Fox News has settled the defamation suit against the network by agreeing to pay $787.5 million to Dominion Voting Systems. The suit came in response to Fox’s accusations in 2020 that Dominion illegally flipped votes from Trump to Biden.

As critics have noted, the advantage of the settlement for Fox is that employees will not testify in court about their documented lies. Also, Fox said it can use the settlement payout as a tax deduction.

Documentation of Fox falsehoods included then-host Tucker Carlson saying the stolen election claims made by the network and its guests were “insane,” and Fox’s Sean

By Lorraine H. Marie Reader Columnist

Hannity privately said he did not believe the lies about Dominion “for one second.” Dominion also has litigation pending against OAN, Newsmax and several Trump allies.

Meanwhile, Fox is preparing a defense for a similar suit brought by voting company Smartmatic, used in more than 50 countries, which is suing for $2.7 billion for reputational damages. Smartmatic has stated that its aim is to repair damage done to the company and “hold Fox accountable for undermining democracy.”

Fox’s defense: they were reporting what was “newsworthy.” The judge said being newsworthy “doesn’t mean you can defame somebody.”

Amid the furor at Fox, the network announced April 24 that it would “part ways” with Tucker Carlson. Numerous media reported that Carlson was quickly offered a number of jobs with Russian state media. Russia Today frequently used Carlson’s Fox clips to promote its war against Ukraine, Newsweek noted. Russia Today stated it will welcome “diverse personalities,” and had invited Trump to join the state news network.

Investigation, impeachment or both? Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is in the hot seat after allegations of corruption. Even a Fox News analyst friend says an investigation is warranted, The Guardian reported. Complaints about Thomas include acceptance of high-end gifts, exceptionally favorable real estate deals (both involving billionaire Harlan Crow, who has links to groups that file amicus briefs lobbying the Supreme Court) and failure to make financial disclosures. Notably, The Lever reported that Thomas in 2010 voted in favor of removing limits on corporate spending in politics via the Citizens United ruling (which claimed that “independent expenditures, including those made by corporations, do not give rise to corruption or the appearance of corruption”), and issued an opinion that the Supreme Court “should invalidate mandatory disclosure and reporting requirements.” He’s also written that judges should be able to overturn all rules requiring transparency in political spending.

Blast from the past: In 2010, after a right-leaning majority on the Supreme Court approved Citizens United, former-President Jimmy Carter stated, “[Citizens United] violates the essence of what made America a great country in its political system. Now it’s just an oligarchy, with unlimited political bribery being the essence of getting nominations for president or to elect the president. …So now we’ve just seen a complete subversion of our political system as a payoff to major contributors.”

BOCC appoints Fair Board, Natural Resource Committee members on split votes

Each board sees three new members each

By Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey Reader Staff

With a pair of split votes, Bonner County commissioners at the board’s April 25 meeting appointed several new members to two volunteer boards: the Bonner County Fair Board and Bonner County Natural Resource Committee.

The first of those votes, which occurred at the BOCC’s regular Tuesday business meeting, pertained to the Fair Board, which has seen its share of contention with the BOCC as both parties, as well as the sheriff’s office, have undergone a months-long debate about the potential location of an extension to the fairgrounds’ RV campground. While Commissioners Steve Bradshaw and Luke Omodt have shown support for having the park on land between the existing fairgrounds and sheriff’s department, Sheriff Daryl Wheeler and his supporters allege that past boards intended that area as the location for a future justice facility.

Commissioner Asia Williams has come out opposed to the location as well, and advocated for community and Fair Board input on a potential location. The Fair Board has most recently advocated for keeping the RV park extension on already established fairgrounds land.

On April 25, the BOCC considered appointing Ben Wood, Tawnya Johnson and Tim Mahan to the Fair Board. Prior to the vote, members of the public questioned the process used to select the candidates.

“There was a recruitment process and then interviews,” Omodt said. “After the interviews, we deliberated and now we’re presenting it to the public as a resolution in an open meeting.”

Wood, Johnson and Mahan are not previous members of the Fair Board. Asked whether members with expiring terms had applied, Omodt said, “They did.”

Williams said she had “issues with” the process used to select the new Fair Board members, noting that not all who applied were interviewed, and that she’d have liked to have seen more consultation with the public and the existing Fair Board members during the recruitment process.

Samuels resident Dan Rose alleged an “appearance of impropriety.”

“To me, this looks like a restacking of the board to get your RV camp onto the

sheriff’s property,” he said, which prompted a brief rebuttal from Bradshaw, who said he only knew one of the candidates up for appointment and hadn’t spoken to that person in more than a decade.

“This process was open, it was transparent and it was in accordance, from start to finish, with Idaho Code,” Omodt said.

While some members of the public made comments in line with Rose, others thanked the commissioners for bringing the Fair Board into compliance with seven current members. Omodt and Bradshaw voted to approve Wood, Johnson and Mahan for four-year terms while Williams voted against the motion, arguing the county failed to do its “due diligence” in the selection process.

Next, commissioners considered the appointment and reappointment of several members of the Bonner County Natural Resource Committee. Among those up for a three-year reappointment were Cornel Rasor, Alton Howell, Jim McReynolds and Luke Hixson. New appointees, up for two-year terms, were Richard Clark, Wayne Martin and Clay Nichols.

Williams said the recruitment and recommendation process for the BCNRC and Fair Board were “inconsistent,” stating that while those wishing to retain their seat on the Fair Board had to reapply, those on the BCNRC who wanted to be reinstated were simply reinstated.

There was also debate about the committee’s purpose.

“This is a specific committee that was designed with a specific purpose in mind,” Omodt said.

“It’s not [about] all of the birds and the bees and all the lakes and the wetlands and all the trees,” he added, calling the BCNRC an “interface between federal, state and the county” entities regarding natural resource-related relationships.

Williams said that the BCNRC could actually be whatever the BOCC needed it to be, whether that was a consultant on the Comp Plan or a committee capable of revisiting county wetland code.

“There’s nothing that prevents that,” she said. “That’s why, with this topic, it’s one where you want educated people that understand that ecosystem.”

Omodt and Bradshaw voted to confirm all seven members of the BCNRC, while Williams voted in opposition on the grounds of recruitment process concerns.

Bouquets: GUEST SUBMISSION:

•“Kudos to the concerned citizen who took it upon herself to help resolve the confusion caused about whether postage was required for absentee ballots. She contacted the Bonner County Elections Office but was not deterred by lack of resolution. She then contacted the Elections Office and the USPS, who were then able to come up with the solution. If an absentee ballot is mailed without postage it will be delivered.”

— By Jean Gerth

Barbs:

•When I heard that Fox News had parted ways with its star pundit Tucker Carlson, I felt an immediate sense of relief knowing his wings were finally clipped and his era of shoveling nonsense talking points and flat-out disinformation onto the American public was over. Sure, he’ll be back in some form or fashion, but his days of being a powerhouse are in the past. We can’t undo the years of brainwashing and seething anger that Carlson has injected into about a third of our country, but we can move forward with the knowledge that actions have consequences, even in today’s post-truth world.

•The Bonner County Republican Central Committee just issued a press release giving District 1 Rep. Mark Sauter, R-Sandpoint, a “no-confidence” vote, which means exactly nothing to anyone but the closed-minded members of this group of fearful rubes. Led by Sen. Scott Herndon himself, the BRCC also tried the same tactic with former-Sens. Shawn Keough and Jim Woodward in an attempt to “punish” any lawmakers who don’t fall lock step into the BCRCC’s embarrassingly narrow ideology. Lawmakers who think critically are a benefit, not a hindrance. I’d bet a dollar that 90% of District 1 voters don’t care one iota about what the BRCC has to say about anything. Perhaps they should stick to banning books and taking rights away from women, because that’s where they truly excel.

A Highway 2 proposal…

Dear editor, I have not yet seen a plan for the Couplet, but in reading comments others have made about a five-lane updated Highway 2, I wanted to add my two cents worth.

I drive into Sandpoint daily on Highway 2, and have been doing so since 1989 when we moved out to Wrenco. There are definitely problems that could be addressed without constructing a superhighway. First, people who say there is nothing wrong with the existing highway do not spend enough time on that road.

When heading west from the Boyer stop light at Dub’s, there are often numerous drivers who want to make a left turn, and when they are waiting for an opening to turn, sometimes it takes quite a while! Everyone behind them has to come to a complete stop.

It isn’t just when school traffic is at its worst, or the noon hour when everyone leaves work to run their errands. When the summer tourist season gets busy, the stream of vehicles in both directions is nearly constant. Good luck trying to turn left.

What about a three-lane option? That would at least give the leftturn drivers a place to wait and let everyone else keep moving.

I hope we get to keep Dub’s Drive In.

Marie Warren Dover

‘More for less money’...

Dear editor,

Since 2016, most of the taxes for county services have increased up to as much as 72% (including hospital, county government, schools, ambulance). But the library now uses 2% less of our county taxes than they did seven years ago. How is this possible?

A large part of the credit goes to Library Board Member Susan Shea, who is running for another term. Susan has an extensive background in finance and has led the successful effort to keep our library fiscally conservative while adding services such as a new bookmobile, STEM backpacks, sewing machines, outreach to seniors, a summer reading program and a community garden with a seasonal gardener.

It’s possible to reduce the library budget in other ways: ban books, stock fewer of them, get rid of diverse materials, bookmobiles, computers and after-school programs. You could save money by

cutting the heart of the community out of our library.

If you want more for less money, vote with me on May 16 for Susan Shea for East Bonner County Library Board.

Or apply for an absentee ballot on the state government website by 5 p.m., Friday May 5: tinyurl.com/IDabsenteereq.

For more info call the Bonner County Elections Office: 208-265-1437.

Nancy Gerth Sagle

Dear editor,

An open letter to Idaho Gov. Brad Little: I don’t understand why you don’t understand why an Idahoan might want to move west to Washington. Take a look at just a few of the important differences in our two states that affect our everyday lives: For example, Washington has:

1. No sales tax on food.

2. No income tax.

3.A higher minimum wage — Washington: $13.69; Idaho: $7.25 (Department of Labor).

4.Higher teacher salaries — Washington: $82 million (ranked fifth in nation); Idaho: $54 million (ranked 39th in nation, only $7,000 more than bottom state of Louisiana) (Department of Labor).

5.Higher funding for schools — Washington: $43 million per student (ranked seventh in nation); Idaho: $20 million (ranked 51st in nation).

6.Higher overall economic strength: Washington ranked 11th in nation; Idaho ranked 38th.

7.Protection for pregnant women who might need emergency medical care.

8.No threats of loss of license and fines to medical professionals who dare to give assistance to pregnant women in a time of crisis.

9.No keeping citizens prisoner in their own state if they need emergency medical care during pregnancy.

10.No threats of large fines to libraries and librarians if there are books available that someone might find “unacceptable.”

11.Ban on assault weapons: “The weapon of choice among young men responsible for most of the country’s mass shootings.”

Just sayin’... these are just a few of the reasons why Idahoans might want to “go West.” So, Mr. Governor, maybe we could learn a few things from our neighbor and make life better for our own citizens here at home. Think about it, please.

Maureen Graham Sandpoint

Dear editor, The First Law of Holes: If ever one finds themselves in a hole, the very first thing one should do is to stop digging.

Obviously the GOP leadership does not comprehend the essence of that simple rule. A review of GOP actions and legislation over the past few years reveals that obvious truth. They have at every level — from county commissioners to the U. S. House of Representatives and judicial benches — screwed themselves with anti-abortion rulings, anti-individual rights actions, anti-voting rights legislation and extremist judicial rulings.

Never have so few done so much harm to so many.

It all really started with the overturning of Roe v. Wade, but it was decades in the making. If future elections were limited to females of Gen Z, there probably wouldn’t be enough GOP representatives in any currently Republican-dominated state to fill a mid-size SUV on that issue alone.

The much ballyhooed “Red Wave” of 2022 was reduced to a ripple on almost every front at the polls. This ripple forced McCarthy to kowtow to the miniscule Freedom Caucus just to reach the speakership — concessions he’s sure to regret.

I keep waiting for the rational GOP to come back. Will it ever?

Gil Beyer Sandpoint

Dear editor, I attended the candidate forum for the East Bonner County Library Board of Trustees. One candidate was thoughtful, measured and clearly has the best interests of the library at heart. That candidate is Susan Shea.

Susan Shea has been on the board for six years, during that time the library has offered a wide variety of services while not raising the budget for the last five years, saving taxpayer dollars. Her background in finance has kept the library on a strong financial footing.

The mission statements of the library and the American Library Association are the values that Susan Shea brings to the board. She is a strong believer in the First Amendment and our freedom to read, write and view books, movies and art of our choice. She does not believe we should live in a community where a small minority decides what everyone else can or cannot

Susan Shea is against censorship, banning and secluding books. She believes it is up to individuals and parents to choose what is appropriate for themselves and their children.

Susan Shea is thoughtful when considering the needs of the community and the library. She will not narrow the focus of the library to appeal only to a minority of the community. She will continue to advocate for a broad variety of activities and materials in the library that will appeal to, and be available to, the whole community.

Vote to keep our library intact. Re-elect Susan Shea on Tuesday, May 16.

Sheila McNulty Sandpoint

Dear editor,

Last week’s moderated library board candidate forum in Sandpoint, in which each candidate was given the opportunity to answer carefully phrased questions, was an eye-opener. The incumbent candidate knows that a public library is meant to be a repository of informational materials that can be freely accessed by all community members. The challenger candidate believes, among other things, that certain materials and activities should be banned from, or restricted within, our public libraries.

Incumbent Susan Shea stayed on track with her message about a library’s duty to serve the community and its interests in a fiscally responsible manner, and to respect every person’s First Amendment rights.

Challenger Stacy Rodriguez descended the rabbit hole of the library’s supposed “political” and “obscene” materials, advocating restricting/banning such materials to “protect children” — effectively turning the library into a facility to police children for parents who abdicate their parental rights and responsibilities.

Ms. Rodriguez made many statements — about obscenity laws, drag shows, the head of the American Library Association, the values held by “most of Bonner County voters”, etc. — that were partly or largely incorrect, and, in some cases, totally irrelevant. That a highly educated, experienced, former prosecuting attorney would make such assertions without regard for facts or evidence was, frankly, astonishing.

Both candidates are intelligent, capable and passionate. It would be wonderful to see Ms. Rodriguez

‘Keep

E. Bonner County Library Board forum was an ‘eye-opener’…

‘Never have so few done so much to harm so many’…

‘Let me count the ways’...

PERSPECTIVES Mayor’s Roundtable:

By Mayor Shelby Rognstad Reader Contributor

It has been another busy year for the city of Sandpoint. The city is in a good state. The city started off 2022 by revising its five-year Strategic Plan. The plan focused on prioritizing city resources and balancing commitments across divisions.

A number of initiatives were identified to support housing availability and affordability. Included among those were completion of an economic study assessing housing and land use in the city. This assessment, conducted by Leland Consulting, was completed last summer and provided significant insight into land use strategies to encourage more housing, housing affordability and economic development. Also included was a directive to complete the city Comprehensive Land Use Plan update, which has been underway for the past year and should be complete in the coming months. This effort will also help

direct her passion toward fixing something that actually is broken, rather than breaking something that is not.

The choice couldn’t be more clear. Please vote for Susan Shea on May 16.

Katharine Roser Sandpoint

Dear editor,

Anyone who’s traveled along the Clark Fork River can easily appreciate its beauty, however its scenic currents are tainted. Just outside of Frenchtown, Mont., the now closed Smurfit-Stone paper pulp mill spouted pollution for 53 years. To the eye the site is crumbling buildings that were once productive, an excess of gravel and crumbling concrete. The problems lie just below the surface. The soil remains contaminated with metals, dioxins, furans, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners and arsenic.

These toxins seep into the Clark Fork through groundwater and are actively contaminating the river, so much so that fish from the river are considered unsafe for consumption. Additionally, the site sits within the Clark Fork’s floodplain. Seasonal flooding can easily tear through Smurfit and drag all of these pollutants into the river, contaminating it even further.

In short, the Smurfit-Stone site is

to meet housing needs and support economic development and quality of life in Sandpoint. Development of a Workforce Housing and Priority Plan was also identified. The city has initiated the process of developing a housing authority to create and implement such a plan, and we expect this process to be picking up steam by summer.

The strategic plan called for completion of the Watershed Recreation Plan, which has also been underway over the past year. A draft of the concept trails plan was just completed last week, and will be reviewed by stakeholders and the public before being presented to council for adoption in June.

This is an exciting achievement, since the vision to open up the city’s 4,000 acres of forested watershed to recreation has been underway for a decade and will significantly contribute to public access to open space and recreation opportunities.

Also ongoing is the updated Urban Area Transportation Plan, which

not just polluting the river slowly, it is a powder keg of pollutants waiting to be set off.

As Montanans, we have the constitutional right to a “clean and healthful” environment. To achieve this environment the Smurfit site must be dealt with. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must move forward with clean up efforts to remove the toxins from the area and restore the ecosystem. For too long Smurfit has lingered in the background as an impending issue, the slow seepage of toxins into our water has been deemed acceptable and the potential for a flood event that poisons the river further is ignored.

For the health of all Montanans — and our environment — the EPA should be actively cleaning Smurfit-Stone to preserve the last best place.

Madalyn Gabel Missoula, Mont.

[Editor’s note: While Frenchtown, Mont. is a long way from the Sandpoint area, the Clark Fork River flows through there before emptying into Lake Pend Oreille. Rivers don’t care much for state boundaries, nor do the issues affecting them.]

State of the city — 2023

was also identified as an objective in the Strategic Plan.

Lastly, the city initiated a downtown waterfront design competition to cast a vision for a downtown master plan built around the waterfront at Sand Creek and City Beach. Phase 1 was recently completed, in which the top three design teams were selected to move on to Phase 2, which will yield design concepts from each team. The designs will then be vetted by the public and selection jury before a winning concept is submitted to the council for consideration.

The winning design team will have the opportunity to negotiate a contract for additional professional services toward a final design.

The final master plan aspires to leave a legacy for Sandpoint’s future that plans for responsible growth, implements existing plans, and supports public and private investment consistent with our community values and character.

In terms of infrastructure, the city completed the remodel of the

and thinking. A group of parents — activated by a national network — protested the program and convinced the principal to ban the books. One of those banned books was The Hobbit.

Now, 30 years later, here in Sandpoint, a small group of people — again activated by a national agenda — is running for county and city board elections. This is a slippery slope. It is politically motivated and funded by those outside of our community.

Their agenda is not only to restrict freedom and control access, but also to disrupt and distract. Disruption and distraction are costly and we, as taxpayers, bear the burden. Look no further than the NIC board debacle and what that has cost in dollars, reputation and value of a degree.

If we want to protect what we love about North Idaho, we need to vote wisely in every election.

On May 16, elect Susan Shea to continue her thoughtful stewardship on the East Bonner County Library Board.

Thanks again,

Kathryn Larson Sagle

There’s no question: Susan Shea for library board…

City Council Chambers, city administration building and police station. Funded primarily from American Rescue Plan Act funds, the improvements dramatically improved the customer service experience, and facilitated better working conditions for police personnel and city staff. The city was also able to replace the roof at City Hall, which was needed.

The city received one the largest municipal donations in Idaho from the Russell family for construction of the James E. Russell Sports Center at Travers Park. The Russells donated $7.5 million for construction of a multi-use indoor facility located adjacent to the existing tennis courts. This project has been designed and contracted with ground-breaking expected later this spring. The final product will include a new splash pad inclusive playground with plans for expanded skatepark, cycle skills course and pump track.

The Strategic Plan called for creation of a five-year capital improvement plan that was completed last year. It was soon followed with an updated rate study to ensure that our utility services are properly funded into the future.

Implementation of the street

— we all know it and we all love it. A library doesn’t just become as great as the one we have, though. It takes a lot of hard work by a lot of smart people. Our library budget has been so well balanced that we haven’t needed to raise the levy to fund it for years. That’s incredible, isn’t it? Having an experienced accountant like Susan on the board is how we get to that point.

Meanwhile, the library has continued to provide a well-equipped and safe facility for kids in the community and has continued to expand programs and services for all of us. Having a dedicated, diligent, well-respected worker like Susan on the board to work smoothly with the rest of the trustees is how we can have that.

Most importantly, our library has a phenomenal collection. I’m always amazed at the variety and depth of our books, movies and music. It really feels like what a library should be: a collection of knowledge from around the world, without barriers or obstacles. Having a staunch defender of free speech and the First Amendment like Susan on the board is how we get to experience that.

I don’t think there’s any question: Susan is the right choice for Sandpoint this May.

and sidewalk improvements are underway, as identified in the Multimodal Transportation Master Plan. Council just approved more than $500,000 worth of pavement improvements on Ruth Avenue, Jefferson Avenue and Hickory Street this past Wednesday, April 19. It also approved going to bid for street and sidewalk improvements for improved safety on Division Avenue in front of the high school.

Fortunately, voters approved a new local option tax last November, which dramatically increases the city’s streets, sidewalks and pathways budget so improvements like these become possible on an annual basis. Workforce productivity is also a priority outlined in the Strategic Plan. The city is committed to building a performance-oriented, integrated culture with the support of employees who are trained and resilient. Likewise, it is the city’s commitment to support employees who live up to this high standard. The city is fortunate to have attracted and retained such talented, professional staff. The list of accomplishments outlined above attest to the level of productivity and commitment that city staff have maintained.

Dear editor,

I’d like to publicly appreciate the work that Susan Shea has done for our library as a member of the board, and to support her reelection, loudly and proudly. We all know about the fantastic facilities, collection and programs. It’s amazing, for a community as small as ours, to have such a wonderful library.

I think about that a lot. You know what I don’t ever think about when I think about the library? Drama. Friction. Indecision. We’ve seen what happens when politics and personalities overwhelm priorities at some of our other North Idaho institutions (NIC for example).

Our library board works, because all of its members are committed professionals, without agendas, without ulterior motives and with a healthy respect for one another. Susan Shea is an important part of that. For the past six years, she’s earned the respect of the rest of the library board.

Dear editor, When my son was in fifth grade, he participated in an accelerated reading program to elevate learning

Dear editor,

So, there’s an election coming up on May 16 for a position on the library board of trustees, and I want to talk about why Susan Shea is the right person for the job. The library is great

Margaret Mjelde Kootenai

And you know what? The competent, steady, drama-free leadership that that mutual respect has produced has earned mine. Let’s reelect Susan Shea, and let’s keep our library board focused on what really matters: making sure we always have a library that we can be proud of!

Vote for Susan Shea on May 16.

Lee Christensen Sandpoint

Clark Fork River contains a ‘powder keg of pollutants’…

Susan Shea will ensure we retain a library to be proud of…

Outside groups seeking ‘disruption and distraction’…

Science: Mad about

pollinators and plants

By Brenden Bobby Reader Columnist

Blue skies interrupted by walls of thick gray clouds, the occasional downpour of rain and a sporadic coating of morning snow are all signs that spring has arrived.

By now, you’re likely seeing bright daffodil flowers greeting you in the morning and calling out to the early pollinators brave enough to challenge the unpredictable chill of a panhandle spring. Bees are an important part of the life cycle of plants, but they aren’t the only pollinator in our ecosystem. Pollinators come in many forms, including bats, beetles, birds, butterflies, moths and wasps. Any creature that may benefit from climbing into a flower for a sugary treat is a potential pollinator that will help those very plants reproduce and impart their genes onto the next generation.

Most pollinators have tastes suited to specific plants, but bees are famously generalistic. Bees seldom discriminate between flowers and other sources of sugar.

In 2012, apiarists in Ribeauville in northeastern France noticed their bees were creating a strange blue-green honey. It was discovered that the bees had been pilfering waste material from a disposal facility two miles away that was emulsifying M&Ms that were no longer fit for human consumption.

Understanding how the honey became dyed by food waste requires some understanding of how bees create honey to begin with.

Foraging bees use their proboscises to siphon sugary sweet nectar from plants. While the bees are foraging on the flower,

hairs on their bodies will snag pollen grains from the plant, which will be brushed off onto other plants as they forage to help the plants reproduce — an ingenious evolutionary development by plants that interact with the world primarily through chemical processes and touch.

Nectar from the plant will end up being stored in a special digestive compartment of the bee called a honey stomach, where enzymes are produced to begin digesting and breaking down the nectar. Bees return to their hive and expel the nectar to local house bees, which will slurp it up and continue the process, often swapping the nectar to other bees until it becomes a thick honey they store in honeycombs, which acts as a food reserve for the winter.

Basically, honey is bee vomit, and it’s the reason that honey isn’t vegan. While it may not be technically vegan, a good apiarist isn’t simply robbing the bees, but is instead replacing the honey with a replacement food source for the winter. The apiarist has nothing to gain and everything to lose by stealing from or harming the bees, so this is effectively an interspecies trade.

The dye from the M&Ms was not able to be broken down by the bees’ honey stomach enzyme and it altered the color of the honey. Some folks would consider this a unique stroke of luck and a once-in-a-lifetime marketing opportunity, but the French apiarists were not enthused and had to discard the colorful honey. The waste material was contained and the bees returned to a more natural food source, but it proved to be an interesting indicator of just how adaptable bees can be.

Hummingbirds are another common pollinator in our area. Searching for the same sweet nectar as the bees, hummingbirds use their long tongues to probe a flower, grabbing pollen grains in addition to the nectar within. These pollen grains transfer to other flowers as the birds hover from plant to plant.

This is a common tactic for plants to reproduce around the world. Plants in Africa, such as the baobab tree, have a flower that will bloom at night and give off a musky, fruity scent to attract nocturnal fruit bats. Beetles are another pollinator, as are butterflies and certain kinds of moths.

As prevalent as flowering plants are, they are a relatively new evolutionary development, with the first flowering plants appearing around 130 million years ago. This is a vast expanse of time, but in respect to the duration in which plants have existed on Earth, these are mere moments in the scale of evolutionary history.

The earliest ancestors of plants were likely cyanobacteria, which is very similar to algae we recognize today. Cyanobacteria first started appearing in water around 1 billion years ago, eventually dying in vast quantities and being compressed into large reservoirs of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen compounds that humans would later extract as oil, which is later refined into plastics and gasoline. Terrestrial plants were believed to have first evolved from their aquatic ancestors around 470 million years ago.

That means plants lived, reproduced and spread across the world for 340 million years before the first flower ever budded.

This evolutionary tactic must

have been exceptionally effective, as it led to an abundance of plants reproducing through flowers, while simultaneously influencing the evolution of countless species — including bees, certain bats, birds and a huge number of insects we recognize today.

It’s wild to think about a plant — a living thing that cannot see, hear or directly manipulate its immediate environment — decided to create a reservoir

of sugar one day to attract a completely different animal to help spread its genes.

Even more wild is that it’s likely that multiple different plants may have adapted this tactic simultaneously over the course of millions of years, until one developed the secret sauce that would influence life as we know it on Earth.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Plants are amazing.

Stay curious, 7B.

Corner

•A human’s attention span is about 20 minutes. In the past decade, the average attention span has decreased by 12 minutes due to technology and a faster-paced lifestyle.

•An adult’s short-term memory can hold about seven pieces of information at the same time, but only for about 20 seconds.

•Left-handed people tend to have better memories than right-handed people.

•About 60% of an older adult’s memories are from when the person was between the ages of 15-25 years old.

•Scientists have found that beta-blocker medications can block and sometimes even erase negative memories.

•Despite the old adage that, “An elephant never forgets,” dolphins have the longest memories in the animal kingdom next to humans. Bottlenose dolphins

can remember whistles of other dolphins, even after 20 years of separation.

•Ingesting alcohol disrupts the ability to form new long-term memories.

•In 1985, an English musician suffered a brain infection that rendered him unable to form new memories. It also destroyed most of his old memories, too. He has a memory span of only seconds.

•Scientists consider smell to be the strongest and fastest memory inducer. Smell bypasses the thalamus and goes directly to the olfactory bulb, which is connected to the amygdala and hippocampus, the primary memory-making parts of the brain.

•Hyperthymesia is the ability to remember almost every event of a person’s life with nearly perfect precision. As of 2021, only 61 people worldwide have been diagnosed with hyperthymesia.

Emily Articulated

A column by and about Millennials

Hard things

By Emily Erickson Reader Columnist

I spent this past weekend running the Orcas Island Marathon, my first trail race of the season. The course covered 26.5 winding miles and more than 6,000 feet of climbing — about three Mickinnicks-worth of vertical gain — which, to us winter-dwellers doing most of our training on snow-covered roads and the god-forsaken treadmill, is quite the springtime task.

My marathon morning started with an early rise and pre-race rituals: slurping coffee and forcing down a slice of peanut butter toast, pinning on my race number, taking a jog, stretching my legs, zipping in and out of the bathroom, and picking my way through the crowd in search of the perfect place on the start line (not too in front to jinx myself, but not so far back that I’ll have to zigzag around people to earn my position).

As the start approached, I bobbed from my left foot to my right foot and back again, brushing shoulders with my neighbors among the hundred other racers doing the same.

Finally, the announcer began counting down from five, his voice booming over me and the other eager runners with every number called until a crowd full of cheers and his bellowed “Start!” kicked us into motion.

Our pack poured through the race arch — an inflatable tower marking both the beginning and the end of our feat — with a marathon’s-worth of experiences to be had in between.

On one side of this arch, we were fresh-faced and nervous, our legs tingling in anticipation of what we were asking them to accomplish; on the other side, we’d be sweat-and-mud-crusted, grimacing in discomfort and begging our legs to make it down the final stretch before giving way.

When it was finally my turn to pass under the side of the arch reading “Finish,” having climbed mountains, circumnavigated most of a state park and only moderately successfully kept my race-long nausea at bay, I was surprised at how quickly my exhaustion transformed into elation upon crossing the line — flooding me with the kind of joy and sense of accomplishment that only comes from being done, from working hard and from pushing through discomfort to emerge on the other side unscathed.

Sitting in the grass with lactic acid filling my sore legs, I ate every bit of food placed in front of me and watched other runners racing to their own finishes, transforming their pain into joy in the same ways I had. It made me wonder why I’m like this — why we were all like this — compelled to search the depths of our own limits to find something meaningful amid the discomfort. Every person grimacing their way across the finish line paid money to register for the event, planned out days of travel, booked accommodations, and took time off from work and other responsibilities, all to join together in the exercise of pain, the camaraderie of effort and a collective reveling in achievement afterward.

It seems such a part of the human experience to seek out these and other types of challenges, despite a lack of any obvious extrinsic reward (because medals are nice, but are certainly not “the point”). We embark on hard things — things that often cause pain or discomfort — because we place value on that effort. Dubbed by researchers as the “Effort Paradox,” this phenomenon asserts that people and animals alike tend to associate effort with reward and will sometimes pursue outcomes because of the effort they require, rather than in spite of it.

Another framing of this idea that has permeated the outdoor recreation world for decades is the idea of “Type II” fun — or the kind of fun that’s more enjoyable in retrospect. This is the kind of “fun” that compels us to climb mountains, write books, swim channels, survivalist-style camp and engage in other questionable-on-their-surface activities.

Getting to the heart of our motivation to pursue effort-filled endeavors, Brooke Struck, Ph.D., and research director at The Decision Lab, writes, “We have this natural desire to create a narrative arc of our lives and the meaning that we bring to the world, and overcoming challenges helps us do that.”

Brooke’s research draws the connec-

tion between the gratification resulting from Type II fun and the struggle involved in achieving it. We are hardwired to pursue hard things and to use those hard things to create meaning within our lives. Long-term goals and the pursuit of challenges allow us to reach beyond the immediate reward centers in our brains, instead accessing the parts responsible for building our identities.

And so it’s this idea, and another quote of Brooke’s that I mutter to myself, “challenge is the site of growth, and growth helps define who we are as people,” as I plunk in my credit card information on yet another race registration. All in the name of personal growth, after all.

Emily Erickson is a writer and business owner with an affinity for black coffee and playing in the mountains. Connect with her online at www.bigbluehat. studio.

Emily Erickson.

COMMUNITY

Bonner County Democrats celebrate Earth Day with cleanup

By Reader Staff

Bonner County Democrats turned out April 22 for Earth Day with a successful highway cleanup event — the first of two yearly cleanup efforts. The group has maintained a one-mile stretch of Highway 95 in Sagle since 2006. This year, the spring cleanup attracted nearly two dozen volunteers, an increase over previous years.

“I’m so glad to see members of our community come out to help maintain it,” said Bonner County Democrats Chairperson Linda Larson. “That’s what we’re all about, really: community. This is our home, we love living here and we want to do our part to help take care of it.”

The weather was good for the event and, after

a brief safety and organization meeting, volunteers broke into groups to spread out over both sides of the highway to fill orange-colored trash bags provided by the Idaho Transportation Department for collection. Volunteers collected cigarette butts, broken glass, plastic, metal and a variety of other debris from the shoulder as well as the bike path on the east side of the highway.

Organizer Cheryl McKee said of the event, “Thanks to all the local Democrats who generously donated a part of their Saturday to help make this happen. We filled 35 bags this year, and it was very impressive to see all the orange driving back up 95.”

The group intends to continue to maintain this stretch of the highway, and is planning a second community cleanup event at City Beach in July.

More than wilting violets

Local author K.L. Huntley tells the story of Scottish heroine Flora MacDonald in historical fiction novel Misneach

By Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey Reader Staff

It was genealogical research that led local author Kathleen Huntley to the story of Flora MacDonald.

A first-generation American by way of Scotland on her mother’s side, Huntley could not substantiate any evidence that she was directly related to the highly revered heroine, but she did discover something else: the opportunity to tell a never-before-told story.

While MacDonald is a well-known figure in Scottish history, with a prominent statue dedicated to her memory outside Inverness Castle, most people only know the broad strokes of her story. Most notably, MacDonald is credited with helping Prince Charles Edward Stuart escape Scotland following the Battle of Culloden and the fall of the Jacobite army to British troops in April 1746.

“The thing that really piqued my interest was that this family, or clan, fought against King George II,” Huntley said. “But then, when they immigrated to the colonies, they became loyalists for King George III. To make that complete turnaround, I thought, ‘OK, why did you do this?’”

That question of “why” was the impetus for Huntley’s latest work, titled Misneach: The story of Flora MacDonald. The novel fills in the gaps left by history by adding color and credibility to MacDonald’s life using historical records, journals and Huntley’s own creative license to give voice to the characters. “Misneach,” pronounced “mish-nock,” is Gaelic for “courage.”

“I just fleshed her out into a three-dimensional person,” Huntley said. “I feel like I know her, and I really get excited because I feel her story needs to be told.”

Of particular interest to Huntley — who published the book under her pen name, K.L. Huntley — was the chance to create more space for a prominent female figure.

“We tend — when we look back at history — to think of women as little wilting violets wearing their little girdles,” she said. “I just know this isn’t true, being a woman.”

This is Huntley’s third book, but first work of historical fiction. She credits her late-husband, “who changed the dry names and dates on paper into real people and places,” with stoking her love for studying the past. That, combined with her natural curiosity, gave her the confidence to tackle the novel.

“I’ve always wondered, what were they eating? What were they using for diapers? Why did she do this, and how did they feel having all these kids?” she said. “That part comes natural. I’m just very curious. Why were they locking up their sugar? What

were they reading?”

With those questions in mind, Huntley was able to share a story that goes beyond the surface of what history knows about Flora MacDonald and attempts to pull a living, breathing human being from the dusty, often male-dominated records.

“That’s what I intended: to make her a real person — your neighbor,” Huntley said.

Find copies of Misneach at the Corner Bookstore, Sandpoint Library, through Kindle or on Amazon. Huntley’s other books, Sociopaths I’ve Known and Loved and A Chick Named Charlie, are also available online.

Left: Author K.L. Huntley. Above: The cover of Misneach. Courtesy photos.

It’s time for Idaho’s senators to stand against selenium pollution in the Kootenai River

By Jennifer Ekstrom Reader Contributor

The Kootenai River is one of the largest rivers in the state, and a true gem of North Idaho. Anglers come from all over to find an array of fish, including rainbow and cutthroat trout, and perhaps to catch a glimpse of the endangered Kootenai River white sturgeon.

The river and surrounding lands offer a range of recreational opportunities; but, it can be difficult for someone standing on the banks of the river in Bonners Ferry to see there’s a problem within the water — mainly because the source of pollution is out of sight, out of mind — but this anglers’ paradise is in danger.

Upstream, in Canada, coal mines are contaminating the Kootenai River watershed with selenium and other pollution, and have been wreaking havoc on the river for decades.

The problem

Selenium is toxic in high concentrations; and, once it gets into our waterways, it makes its way up the food chain and causes harm to fish and wildlife. Toxic effects of selenium in fish can include reduced growth, deformities, reduced liver function and reduced reproduction.

The biggest problem is reduced reproduction and declining numbers of fish.

The main source of selenium pollution flowing into Montana and then into Idaho is from four massive mountain-top removal coal mines in the Elk River Valley in British Columbia. Selenium pollution is flowing from the mines down the Elk River into Lake Koocanusa, and then into the Kootenai River in North Idaho.

Since 2017, the population of westslope cutthroat trout in the upper Kootenai River watershed decreased by 93% due to selenium pollution. Anglers have even caught cutthroat trout in the upstream Fording River with no gill plates.

Other fish are feeling the effects, too.

The Kootenai River is notable for two native and rare fish species: the white sturgeon and burbot. The endangered Kootenai River white sturgeon are some of the largest fish in North America and have lived in the Kootenai River since the time of the dinosaurs. The Kootenai Tribe of Idaho has dedicated decades of work to revive both the sturgeon and burbot — a sustenance fishery for them — but selenium pollution is hurting these efforts by causing reproductive problems for these fish and other species.

Along with undermining recovery efforts

of endangered fish, selenium pollution poses a risk to people. Eating fish with high levels of selenium can be a human health hazard, and puts local communities — particularly those that eat high amounts of fish — at risk.

The solution

Idaho and Montana both have water quality limits for selenium that are meant to protect the watershed, and Teck Coal is violating them.

Unless effective wastewater treatment is installed at the source, this pollution will continue to undermine our right to clean water.

Under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909, which established the framework that neither Canada nor the U.S. can pollute the waters of the other, the International Joint Commission (IJC) was created as an independent body to resolve transboundary water quality disputes. Because Teck Coal is violating Idaho and Montana selenium limits, we can use this treaty to hold them accountable for not meeting U.S. standards and get them to install the necessary wastewater treatment.

The IJC is meeting this week and is ready to go to work for us if they get the go-ahead.

The Boundary Waters Treaty can help us; but, in order to use it, we need help from our political leaders. We have a historic oppor-

tunity to focus IJC efforts on the Kootenai River pollution dispute, but we need Idaho’s senators to get on board. Sens. Jim Risch and Mike Crapo need to join the many American political leaders who are asking that the IJC be allowed to resolve the pollution dispute.

This solution would also allow the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, along with other tribes and First Nations on both sides of the border, to lead the effort by participating in an Indigenous-led transboundary Watershed Board. The tribes and First Nations deserve this leadership role in protecting their waterways and sustenance fisheries.

You can speak up for clean water, threatened Idaho fisheries and the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho today by asking Sens. Risch and Crapo to support an IJC reference for the Kootenai River. Together, we can protect this watershed from selenium pollution and hold Teck Resources accountable for polluting U.S. waters.

Visit takeaction.idahoconservation. org/7TG8Zio to do your part in this effort.

For more information contact Jennifer Ekstrom, North Idaho Lakes Conservation associate at Idaho Conservation League: 208-318-5812 or jekstrom@idahoconservation.org.

Annual bioblitz hopes to create record of local species

Take part in City Nature Challenge: Bonner County from April 28-May 1

By Reader Staff

Local outdoor enthusiasts are invited to participate in the 2023 City Nature Challenge: Bonner County — a bioblitz event that gives members of the public a chance to take part in the cataloging of local plant and animal species by taking photos and posting them to the specialized smartphone app iNaturalist. This year, the event is being held Friday, April 28 through Monday, May 1.

CNCBC is just one of many bioblitz events happening worldwide at the same

time, and officially launched as one of Idaho’s first in 2021 thanks to members of the Pend Oreille Chapter of Idaho Master Naturalists and Kinnikinnick Native Plant Society.

According to organizers, the idea is to take photos of wild things found within the nature challenge’s pre-defined boundary — locally, that’s Bonner County — and then post them to the iNaturalist app with the goal to identify as many of the observations as possible to the species level.

Another app that helps to identify items

Free microchip and vaccination clinic at Boundary County Fairgrounds April 29

By Reader Staff

The best way to ensure the quick and safe return of your pet is to have them microchipped with up-to-date information and wearing visible ID tags on their collar. To help ensure the community has access to this service, Better Together Animal Alliance is hosting a free microchip and vaccination clinic on Saturday, April 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Boundary County Fairgrounds (6567 Recreation Park Road in Bonners Ferry).

This free clinic is generously funded by Roberta Thompson, vaccines are provided by PetcoLove and pet food will be available courtesy of Chewy and the Humane Society of the United States.

Implanted microchips can serve as a

security measure to help ensure that a pet is returned home, even if a collar and tag are lost. Veterinarians, shelters and animal control professionals are able to scan these chips and track down each pet’s registered owner. BTAA will have trained staff and volunteers on-site to help pet owners register their current information as part of the microchipping process and facilitate pet vaccinations.

For those planning to attend, please note that all dogs must be on a leash at all times, and all cats must be in carriers. Services are provided on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to 75 participants. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about BTAA’s services, call 208-2657297 ext. 100.

Rotary Club ‘Run for the Roses’ gala to benefit the Sandpoint community

By Reader Staff

It’s almost time for the annual Kentucky Derby, with this year’s “most exciting two minutes in sports” set to take place Saturday, May 6 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Local celebrants won’t have to travel nearly so far — nor only be entertained for two minutes — at the Sandpoint Rotary Club’s “Run for the Roses” gala on derby night.

Hosted at the Sandpoint Events Center (102 Euclid Ave.), the event will kick off at 5:30 p.m. with a signature cocktail provided by the 219 Lounge and photo opportunities to show off attendees’ best Kentucky Derby attire.

A family-style meal, provided by Chef Gabe Cruz, will follow at 6:30 p.m., featuring Southern-inspired classics like “Kentucky-fried” chicken, dirty rice, Kentucky hot browns, spoon bread, pork belly and more. Meanwhile, participants can pick up a ticket for a high-end Kentucky Bourbon tasting flight, or take their chances on a

bottle of wine from the wine wall.

The gala includes live auction items such as Seahawks, Zags, Mariners and Chiefs tickets. Attendees can also bid on a round of golf — with top-secret tips from the pro — at the Idaho Club; an apple cider press party with gourmet food and wine for 16; a small-batch Tequila Casa Dragones tasting and Dutch oven cooking experience; a Southern-style seafood boil, brought right to the winner’s house; or a luxury vacation in Mexico.

In addition to Rotary community projects, a portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit local nonprofit organization Food for our Children, which for nearly 10 years has fought to lessen the impact of youth hunger in our community. Run and staffed entirely by volunteers, Food for our Children also provides children with backpacks full of food for the weekend.

Tickets range from $125 for a single entry to $2,000 for a premier table of eight. Get tickets, find more information or make a donation at sandpointrotary.ejoinme.org/derby.

down to the species level is called Seek, part of the iNaturalist family. Any nature photo taken during the 4-day period of the CNC and posted to iNaturalist is automatically entered into the CNC project.

To participate, download the iNaturalist (must be 13 years old or older to register) and Seek (no age limit) apps and get out in nature and take pictures to post.

For some added fun while hitting the trails in search of species to document, keep an eye out for Sassy, the CNCBC’s sevenfoot-tall female sasquatch mascot. Rumor has it that Sassy will be in these areas over the weekend:

Friday, April 28: Sassy will be at the Pend Oreille Wildlife Management Area off Trout Creek Road (east side of Pack River, north of Highway 200)

Saturday, April 29: Sassy will be at

Pine Street Woods (on West Pine Street, 2.5 miles west of Division Avenue in Sandpoint)

Sunday, April 30: Sassy will be at Round Lake State Park (on Dufort Road, 1.9 miles west of Highway 95)

Monday, May 1: Sassy will be at the Albeni Falls Dam Visitor Center (on Highway 2, 3.7 miles west of the stop light in Priest River)

Aside from the CNCBC taking place April 28-May 1, there are also the Northern Rocky Mountain Biodiversity Challenges June 8-11 and Sept. 14-17, during which local naturalists hope to gain extra data on summer and fall species.

Learn more by finding Pend Oreille Chapter Idaho Master Naturalists on Facebook.

Race toAlaska film screening at the Panida

By Reader Staff

Sailing crew members with Dogsmile Adventures are preparing to race from Port Townsend, Wash. to Ketchikan, Alaska in June, with nothing but wind and human power to propel them. Ahead of their epic journey, the therapeutic sailing nonprofit — based on Lake Pend Oreille — will be the guest of honor at a special screening Saturday, April 29 of the documentary film The Race to Alaska at the Panida Theater.

The event is free, though with a suggested donation of $10, and features beer and wine for sale, as well as a raffle and prizes from local merchants, restaurants and event sponsors. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the program starts at 7 p.m.

Dogsmile Adventures founder Capt. Jon Totten will also be available to answer questions alongside Gabe Mills, the skipper of the boat the team will race, a Corsair F-27 named Mahana.

Hosted by the Sandpoint Sailing Association, the screening and event showcases the race, which covers 750 miles of cold water with “no motor, no support” and requiring “physical endurance, saltwater know-how and bulldog tenacity,” according to organizers.

Described as “the Iditarod on a boat with the chance of drowning or being eaten by a grizzly bear,” the Race to Alaska is billed as “the first of its kind and North America’s longest human- and wind-powered race,” also boasting the largest cash prize for any

race of its type: $10,000 for the boat that finishes first. Of the 41 teams accepted in 2022, 19 finished.

“We are stoked for the opportunity to join this epic challenge, and are super excited for the support from our community,” Totten stated.

If all goes according to plan, Team Dogsmile Adventures will depart Port Townsend with the race on June 5.

“Come see the film, and definitely follow the race as it happens,” Totten added. Team updates will be available on Instagram @dogsmileadventures and their progress can be tracked at r2ak.com.

Meanwhile, event sponsor Sandpoint Sailing Association hopes The Race to Alaska will inspire locals to learn how easy it is to go sailing in Sandpoint.

“If you have an interest in sailing but aren’t sure where to start, this is a great opportunity,” stated SSA Commodore Chris Ankney.

The Sandpoint Sailing Association focuses on providing a welcoming environment for individuals and families with sailing education, racing, community inclusion and stewardship of Lake Pend Oreille.

“Come join us and find out how to get involved with a fun, local nonprofit group,” Ankney added.

Get more information at panida.org, sandpointsailing.org and dogsmileadventures.org, or on Facebook at Sandpoint Sailing Association and Dogsmile Adventures.

Local team preparing to join epic 750-mile cold water sailing competition

April 27 - May 4, 2023

COMMUNITY

Spring derby promises $20K in prizes, priceless fun on the lake

Aaron Golay & the Original Sin

7:30pm @ Heartwood Center

An album release party for Aaron Golay & the Original Sin, featuring Sam Parker. $12/adult, $8/kids

Live Music w/ Truck Mills and Cary Rey

5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Strings, harmonica, blues duo

Live Music w/ Ken Mayginnes

5-8pm @ Drift

THURSDAY, April 27

Trivia Night

5-8pm @ Paddler’s Alehouse

Cribbage Night

7pm @ Connie’s Lounge

Game Night

6:30pm @ Tervan Tavern

FriDAY, April 28

Scott Pemberton in concert

8pm @ Heartwood Center

Scott Pemberton O Theory power

trio brings the fun, blending deep jazz, blues, rock/grunge, funk and psychedelia. $18/advance, $10/kids

SATURDAY, April 29

Live Music w/ Ian Newbill

5-8pm @ Barrel 33

Sandpoint Farmers’ Market

9am-1pm @ Farmin Park

Opening Day! Fresh produce and artisan goods, every week! Live music by Oak St. Connection

Live Music w/ John Firshi

5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery

Live Music w/ Jacob Robin

7pm @ Connie’s Lounge

Old Time Fiddler’s Assoc. jam

3-5pm @ Sandpoint Senior Center

Free and open to the public

Race to Alaska sailing club film

7pm @ Panida Theater

Sandpoint Sailing Association

hosts The Race to Alaska, a film about the power of humans (and the wind). Fundraiser for the sailing club. $10 suggested ticket price

Drink in History

3:30-6pm @ The Hive

A history presentation of fascinating stories of early Bonner Co. railroads with special guest speaker Will Valentine. 21+ only

Live Music w/ Ken Mayginnes

5-8pm @ The Hereford

Sandpoint Street Scramble • 10am @ Litehouse YMCA

A fun bike event where you plan a route and visit as many mapped checkpoints as you can in 3 hours. Maps distributed at 9:45am. Finish at 1pm. $10 fee. Pre-register: jwharbuck@hughes.net. Info: ewoc.org

SunDAY, April 30

Museum extended hours

10am-7pm @ BoCo History Museum

The Museum will be open for extended hours on Thursdays so everyone has a chance to visit

Live Music w/ Ian Newbill

6:30-9:30pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall

Suzuki Strings Celebration

6pm @ Panida Theater

Enjoy a performance by young musicians on the violin, viola, cello and piano

Bingo and taco dinner

4:30pm @ The Center (Clarkfork)

Support the 2023 Clark Fork Senior HS Grad Night with bingo, raffles, silent auction and live dessert auction. $7/person or $25/family of 4

Queen B. Drag Show

9:30pm @ Eagles Club

It’s back with the spring edition! This 21+ event is an annual favorite in Sandpoint. 1511 John Hudon Ln.

Neighborhood Watch Priest River

2-6pm @ Edgemere Grange

A meeting about fire safety and finalizing first aid and emergency classes to start in May at the Grange. 3273 Bandy Rd. Priest River

By Reader Staff

North Idaho springs are notoriously unpredictable. On the other hand, the Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club’s annual spring derby is just the opposite, marking its 75th year in 2023 as anglers compete from Saturday, April 29 to Sunday, May 7 to catch some of the lake’s biggest and baddest rainbow and mackinaw trout.

The top five rainbows caught will earn cash prizes, with the top trophy being $4,000. There is also the potential for a catchand-release bonus of $500 — an incentive the club has adopted in recent years to encourage the release of the iconic trout back into local waters.

There will also be cash to be earned for the top 10 mackinaw trout, including a $150 prize for the largest mack caught each day of the derby.

Junior (ages 13-17) and youth anglers will also have the chance to win money in their own rain-

bow and mackinaw categories. In all, LPOIC will give out $20,000 in cash and prizes over the course of the spring derby.

Weigh stations will be located at Holiday Shores Resort in Hope, the Garfield Bay public boat ramp and at MacDonald’s Hudson Bay Resort in Bayview.

Pre-registration is required, with adults paying $50 and junior anglers paying $10 to participate. Youth fish for free.

To get tickets, visit one of the following outlets: Holiday Shores Resort, Black Sheep Sporting Goods, Captn’s Table, Odie’s Bayside Grocery, MacDonald’s Hudson Bay Resort, Priest River Ace Hardware, Ralph’s Coffee House, North 40 in Ponderay, Fins and Feathers Tackle Shop, Bayview General Mercantile, North Ridge Outfitters in Oldtown, Sandpoint Marine and Motorsports, Mark’s Marine or Superfly Tackle. More derby information and updates are available at lpoic.org or facebook.com/lpoic.

Sandpoint Chess Club

9am @ Evans Brothers Coffee

Meets every Sunday at 9am

Magic with Star Alexander

5-8pm @ Jalepeño’s Up close magic shows at the table

monDAY, may 1

Monday Night Blues Jam w/ John Firshi

7pm @ Eichardt’s Pub

Lifetree Cafe • 2pm @ Jalapeño’s “Practicing Resurrection”

Sandpoint Farmers’ Market

3-5pm @ Farmin Park

Group Run @ Outdoor Experience

6pm @ Outdoor Experience 3-5 miles, all levels welcome, beer after

wednesDAY, may 3

Pool League

6pm @ Connie’s

Bike to School Day with Lake Pend Oreille School District

LPOSD invites local families to bike to school today!

Line Dancing Lessons • 6:30pm @ The Hive (held the first and third Wednesdays of every month)

The Hive is starting line dancing lessons every Wednesday (and partner dances and some swing). Lessons will run through the night, leaving time for dancing, eating and some drinks. 21+. $10/person.

ThursDAY, may 4

Protect Your Net, presented by Ting: @ Pend Oreille Event Center

Discover how to optimize your internet’s performance and security for your business. Register now at tinginternet.com/protect-net.

Trivia Night

5-8pm @ Paddler’s Alehouse

Cribbage Night

7pm @ Connie’s

Flashy, fabulous and for everyone

By Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey Reader Staff

On any given weekend, Sandpoint offers a wide slate of live music to enjoy, giving people plenty of chances to take part in the exchange of audible art. The same goes for films and plays, which are offered with regularity at the Panida and other venues.

Less common? The glitz, glam and unapologetic empowerment of a drag show.

Lucky for locals, drag is back in Sandpoint on Saturday, April 29 as Queen B performers take to the stage at the Sandpoint Eagles (1511 John Hudon Lane) in a first come, first served show costing $10 at the door. The venue will open

at 8:30 p.m. and the performances will commence at 9:30 p.m., with the Eagles offering a full bar and snacks.

The troupe’s spring show will feature nine performers, ranging from those with local roots to Coeur d’Alene, Wallace and Spokane acts.

Queen B Drag Show will bring energy, acceptance to the Sandpoint Eagles April 29

ful,” Thicke said, adding later: “There’s a flavor for every taste — whether it’s the performers, the fully accepting love and energy in the room, or the connections you make within the community while you’re there, you’re sure to leave with memories that will last a lifetime.”

Queen B Drag Show

“Although there is no particular theme, we chose spring because everyone is ready and excited to shake off the winter cobwebs, adorn themselves in their finest and come out to play,” said local drag king Corbin Thicke.

Saturday, April 29; doors at 8:30 p.m., show at 9:30 p.m.; $10, first come first served; 21+ with ID required. Sandpoint Eagles, 1511 John Hudon Lane. Get more info at facebook.com/ QueenBBuzz.

Acts over the course of the night — which is limited to those 21 and older — will be “fun, flirty, sexy, silly, empowering and meaning-

Thicke said the hope is that drag show attendees feel they can let loose, have fun and, ultimately, organizers “hope the ones who need it leave feeling personally empowered to live their authentic truths out loud.”

“Over the years, we’ve seen providing this safe space offer opportunities for new connections, strengthening the LGBTQ+ community while in the same breath, strengthening the individual,” Thicke said. “[It’s] a place where you can truly be yourself, or create whatever character you dream of, bringing a flashy, interac-

tive, high-energy fabulousness to Sandpoint’s entertainment scene.”

Corbin Thicke and Misty Boxx embrace at a past Queen B. Drag Show. Courtesy photo.

Ashley McBryde to play Festival at Sandpoint stage Aug. 5

Grammy, CMA and ACM-award winner to play Saturday country night

By Reader Staff

The Festival at Sandpoint will welcome one of the most celebrated up-and-coming contemporary country artists in the nation to its summer concert series, with the announcement that Ashley McBryde will play under the big white tent Saturday, Aug. 5.

Winner of the Grammy, Country Music and Academy of Country Music awards, McBryde cut her teeth playing country songs in rural biker bars — and it shows.

The Grand Ole Opry member’s 2018 major label debut Girl Going Nowhere charmed The New York Times, NPR, Rolling Stone, Paste, The Washington Post and more, all en route to landing a Grammy nomination for Best Country Album.

McBryde closed out 2019 with ACM New Female Artist, Country Music Television Breakout Artist, a New Artist of the Year win at

the 53rd annual CMA Awards, and two nominations for the 2020 Grammys for Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance for “Girl Goin’ Nowhere.”

Her follow-up album, Never Will, was tagged by Rolling Stone as one of the most anticipated of the year, while NPR also ranked her top 10 RIAA Platinum-Certified single “One Night Standards” as one of the best songs of 2019.

The album earned McBryde a 2021 Grammy nomination for Best Country Album, making Never Will the only album nominated for Country Album of the Year by the ACMs, CMAs and the Recording Academy in the same award season.

Her Grammy-winning duet with Carly Pearce, “Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” went all the way to No. 1 and earned McBryde and Pearce the ACM and CMA awards for Musical Event of the Year. McBryde was also honored

with the 2022 CMA International Artist Achievement Award for the most significant creative growth, development and promotion of the country music industry outside of the United States.

The Arkansas native invites listeners to Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville, a collaborative album featuring Brothers Osborne, Brandy Clark, Pillbox Patti, Caylee Hammack, Aaron Raitiere and more, earning McBryde her third consecutive Grammy nomination for Best Country Album, making her a six-time Grammy nominee.

Upon its release on Sept. 30, Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville garnered applause from The New York Times, NPR, Variety, Vulture, Esquire, Rolling Stone, Billboard and Stereogum, among many more. McBryde recently wrapped The Judds: The Final Tour with Wynonna and joined her collaborators and

special guests for two sold-out nights at the Ryman Auditorium for Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville Live in February. McBryde is slated to play headlining shows, festivals and three dates with Eric Church on The Outsiders Revival Tour this spring and summer.

McBryde’s performance Saturday, Aug. 5 will be a standard show, meaning the area in front of the stage is standing-room only.

General admission gates will open Saturday, Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. and the music starts at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for Ashley McBryde are $54.95 general admission (before taxes and fees).

Songs in the Round

To stay updated on future 2023 lineup announcements, learn more about venue and policy changes, or to purchase tickets, visit festivalatsandpoint.com or email info@festivalatsandpoint.com.

Intimate show with Katelyn Shook, Josh Hedlund and Larsen Gardens at Little Theater

By Reader Staff

Join Katelyn Shook, Josh Hedlund and Larsen Gardens (Sarah Edmonds) for an intimate evening of songs and stories in the round at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 26 at the Panida Little Theater. These three artists will perform solo and also collaborate with each other as they take turns throughout two sets.

Katelyn Shook, of Sandpoint’s own Shook Twins, is producing the show. Shook is a Sandpoint local who has performed with her band every year at the Panida and several times at the Festival at Sandpoint, however this will be her first time performing solo in town

without her identical twin.

Josh Hedlund, who also co-owns Idaho Pour Authority, is a longtime favorite and a staple in the Sandpoint music scene. His mellow vocals and intricate folky guitar playing is mesmerizing. He and Shook have collaborated often over the years.

Sarah Edmonds, a.k.a. Larsen Gardens, is a new artist in town from Seattle. Her songs are retro folky and absolutely beautiful.

There are only 65 tickets available for this intimate not-to-be-missed performance. Tickets are $25 and are available for purchase at panida.org.

Ashley McBryde will play the Festival at Sandpoint Aug. 5. Courtesy photo.

MUSIC

Suzuki

Celebration will highlight academy’s multi-age talent

Third annual performance just one of many Suzuki String Academy events happening in coming months

By Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey Reader Staff

For the third year, Suzuki String Academy will take to the Panida stage to share the results of its hard work to provide music education for locals of all ages. The aptly named Suzuki Celebration will take place Friday, April 28 with doors opening at 5 p.m. and music commencing at 6 p.m.

Suzuki String Academy Director Ruth Klinginsmith told the Reader that 65 local music students will take part in this year’s celebration concert, including music learners from 3 years old to adults.

The academy’s various groups, who practice together weekly, will be highlighted, as well as eight soloists on violin, viola, cello and piano. Two chamber ensembles will play some movie-themed music from Pirates of the Caribbean and Lord of the Rings, and a group of local mothers who have learned to play alongside their children will also perform.

“This will be a super fun concert for all ages,” Klinginsmith said.

Suzuki Celebration 2023

who want preferred seating, and $10 for adults in standard seating. Student tickets for ages 4-17 are $5, and the concert is free for children up to 3 years old. Those with large families can benefit from a discount: every ticket purchased after a group’s first five will result in a 20% discount applied to every additional ticket. Find the ticket link at suzukistringacademy. com/events.

Friday, April 28; doors at 5 p.m., music at 6 p.m.; $15/adult in preferred seating, $10/adult in standard seating, $5 for students, children 3 and under FREE. Panida Theater, 300 N.First Ave., 208-263-9191, panida.org. More information at suzukistringacademy.com/events.

Tickets are $15 for adults

Looking ahead, Suzuki String Academy is hosting several events in the coming months to both entertain the public and

invite interested students to get a feel for the institution.

First, on Saturday, May 20 from 10 a.m. to noon, Suzuki will host an open house to allow for prospective students to tour the academy’s facility — located at 1033 Baldy Mt. Road — and get a taste for classes. There will be music and movement class from 10-10:30 a.m. and a ukulele class from 11-11:30 a.m.

Next, Suzuki String Academy will put on a free chamber ensemble concert on Thursday, May 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church (417 N. Fourth Ave. in Sandpoint).

On Sunday, June 11 from 2-5 p.m. at Farmin Park the academy will perform a Sound of Music Musical. Tickets go on sale

Friday, April 28 at suzukistringacademy.com/events.

Suzuki String Academy will also host its annual Summer Strings Festival from Tuesday, Aug. 1-Saturday, Aug. 5, as well as New Families Orientation Monday, Aug. 28-Tuesday, Aug. 29.

As for regular operations, Suzuki String Academy offers private and group instruction on violin, viola, cello, piano and guitar. To learn more, visit suzukistringacademy.com or email info@suzukistringacademy.com.

A snapshot of notable live music coming up in Sandpoint

Aaron Golay, Heartwood Center, April 27 Scott Pemberton, Heartwood Center, April 28

Born in Idaho and raised in the singer-songwriter world, Aaron Golay — backed by his talented rhythm section called The Original Sin — blends the best of Americana with strong notes of rock and soul. This power trio will be supporting their new album release with an all-ages show at the Heartwood Center.

Joining Golay is Tacoma, Wash.-based Sam Parker and his band, playing modern-day indie/

pop/rock, mixing groovy guitar licks and soulful melodies as they play up and down the West Coast sharing music with the people.

— Ben Olson

Doors and the Eichardt’s mobile bar open at 7 p.m., music begins at 7:30 p.m.; $12 adults, $8 kids under 18. The Heartwood Center, 615 Oak St., 208-263-8699, ticket info at mattoxfarm.com. Listen at aarongolaymusic.com.

If you ever get tired of listening to the same old thing, check out Scott Pemberton O Theory for a wild new direction in live music. This nimble power trio has created its own hybrid sound, blending deep jazz, blues, rock, grunge, funk and psychedelia — sometimes even during the same song! Driven by Scott’s unorthodox approach to the guitar, improvisation and songwriting, every SPOT concert is an entirely fresh experience. Expect good times in

This week’s RLW by Zach Hagadone

heaping quantities as you explore the familiar, yet utterly unique sound of Scott Pemberton O Theory with an all-ages show at the Heartwood Center.

— Ben Olson

Doors and the Eichardt’s mobile bar open at 7 p.m., music begins at 8 p.m.; $18 adults, $10 kids under 18. The Heartwood Center, 615 Oak St., 208-263-8699, ticket info at mattoxfarm.com. Listen at scottpemberton.com.

A mountain of studies and articles have been written about how being well informed — especially about politics — makes people miserable. Take a break from the unceasing drumbeat of petty, grasping hobgoblins and explore the human capacity for discovery at phys.org , which curates a daily menu of articles on breakthroughs and cutting-edge analysis across a huge range of topics and disciplines.

READ LISTEN

This isn’t the first time I’ve recommended The Budos Band, and it probably won’t be the last. However, this recommendation is that you log into Pandora (or wherever) and establish a Budos Band station forthwith. I’ve been listening to this ’70s-infused “doom rock Afro-soul big band” for years, but recently rediscovered how many great bands have a similar sound. You should (re)discover them, too.

WATCH

When it comes to the “swords and sorcery” genre, few examples bring together more forms of media than “Dungeons & Dragons,” the iconic tabletop role-playing game that has spawned books, fine art, music, TV and, most recently, a feature film with Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Featuring Chris Pine and Hugh Grant at the head of a truly entertaining and endearing ensemble, it’s good old-fashioned goofy fun. Catch it in theaters now.

Suzuki String Academy students and instructors pictured at the 2022 Suzuki Celebration at the Panida Theater. Courtesy photo.

From Northern Idaho News, April 29, 1913

VERDICT FOR MAYBAUM IN TRIAL OF $4 SUIT

The case of Antone Maybaum vs. Frederick N. Miller was tried in the probate court Saturday before Judge Wood and a jury of six men. This case was the outcome of a dispute between Maybaum and Miller over the return of certain traps borrowed by Miller from Maybaum.

The contention of the plaintiff is that last fall Miller borrowed 12 traps from Maybaum for use in a weeks’ trip trapping along Grouse creek. Some four months later Miller returned nine traps, only eight of which belonged to Maybaum, the ninth not being one of those loaned.

Miller denies this version and claims that he received only nine traps and that he returned those to Mr. Maybaum.

A dispute over the matter in the Eagle poolroom was the occasion of a fight between Miller and Maybaum in February during the courese of which Maybaum drew a knife and pushed Miller after Miller had struck him in the face.

Maybaum was tried for assault with a deadly weapon and fined $75. In the present case, Maybaum asked for $4 for his traps and attorney’s fees of $10, and it is understood that it is not the money he is after so much as vindication of his attitude in the former case.

The jury were out but a short while when they returned a verdict in favor of the paintiff.

Myrvin Davis appeared for Maybaum and J.T. McDuffle conducted the defense.

Libraries are also sacred spaces of the human race

By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff

“Just that one omission alone would make a fairly good library out of a library that hadn’t a book in it.”

— Mark Twain, on any and all works by Jane Austen

Count me among the non-fans of Jane Austen. Despite this, I seem to accidentally haunt her haunts, or maybe she haunts mine. Somehow, every time I’ve gone to England, I’ve bumped into some place where she lived, some place she slept, some place she wrote, some place she ate, some place she was born, some place she died.

I never liked her books, and despite having been to (apparently) every place that ever mattered to her, I feel no connection to her whatsoever. She annoys me, and the fact that she annoys me so much annoys me.

Do I wish to ban Jane Austen’s works? Do I agree with Twain, that any library would be made better simply with the exclusion of Austen from the first row of the fiction stacks? Does my annoyance of her oeuvre lead me to the tyrannical notion that no one else should ever even breathe her name? No.

I must disagree with Twain. No library is made “fairly good” by exclusion. The entire point, purpose, function, value and necessity of a library is inclusion. It is by definition a collection. It is the amassing of the literal externalization of the internal life of the species.

By my reckoning, among the greatest crimes and tragedies in human history were the repeated assaults on the Great Library of Alexandria by a succession of imperialists and religious zealots of various stripes until its final demise in the first centuries of the Common Era.

We probably wouldn’t have needed to

And no library is made better by exclusion

have a Renaissance if the ancient accumulation and preservation of text-based knowledge — which is known to have begun as early as 3400 BCE, almost immediately as writing was being developed — hadn’t been dispersed or outright erased by political tyrants and religious bigots.

So count me among those who feel that libraries are every bit the sacred space of the human race as churches — which are historical infants in comparison to libraries — and even more so than those that only have one book on their shelves.

The current “debate” over “obscene” or “inappropriate” or “pornographic” materials in libraries is the essence of bad faith. It is no “debate,” it’s a baseless moral panic ginned up by the same kind of authoritarians and fanatics who have hid their obsession with social control behind a mask of piety or patriotism — or both — since they put the Great Library to the torch and ensured the Western world would spend the next 1,300 years trying to relearn most of what it had already known.

The contours of the back-and-forth over this issue are as simplistic as they are tedious and sinister. However, Boise Democratic Rep. Steve Berch wrote one of the most incisive analyses of the ongoing statewide assault on libraries in an opinion piece that was published in newspapers and other media sources around Idaho earlier this month.

“Make no mistake about it. This issue is not about pornography in libraries. It is about using legal intimidation to advance divisive ‘culture wars’ for political gain and control, especially within the majority party,” he wrote, referring of course to the Idaho GOP, which is more than a “majority party,” controlling almost 83% of the seats in the Idaho Legislature.

In his op-ed, Berch specifically focused on House Bill 314, which would have given

Sudoku

Attorney General Raul Labrador the authority to legally punish public and private school libraries for containing materials deemed — by a profoundly subjective set of criteria — to be “harmful to minors.”

One upshot of the near-total dominance of the Idaho Republican Party over the Legislature is that it’s so big the only place left to find meaningful opposition is within its own ranks. Supporters of the moral panic over libraries found such opposition from no less than Idaho Republican Gov. Brad Little, who vetoed HB 314, stating in his veto message that the legislation “makes sweeping, blanket assumptions on materials that could be determined ‘harmful to minors.’”

What’s more, by enabling parents to seek a $2,500 fine for instances when children accessed “harmful” material, the law would create “a library bounty system that will only increase the costs local libraries incur, particularly rural libraries”

Predictably, the authoritarians and zealots were “outraged,” as Idaho Freedom Foundation President Wayne Hoffman described his emotions, according to Boise-based KTVB-TV, scurrying back to the vague language of the moral panic:

“This veto is a concession to the same special interests that seem to have a vested interest in putting obscene, graphic and pornographic material into the hands of children to begin with,” Hoffman stated, of course providing no detail regarding the identity of these “special interests” nor evidence of their “vested interest” in exposing children to harmful material nor even a concept of what constitutes “obscene, graphic or pornographic material.”

As always, the moral panic cannot exist in the company of specifics — its menace comes from its vagueness, which cloaks its true purpose. As Berch wrote: “The real obscenity isn’t porn, it’s propaganda.”

Laughing Matter

Solution on page 22

By Bill Borders

CROSSWORD

Solution on page 22

rort /rawrt/ [noun]

Word Week of the

1. a rowdy, usually drunken party. “The Friday night gathering turned into a wild rort, with wine and revelry lasting until dawn.”

Corrections: A news story in the April 20 Reader (“Library Board of Trustees candidates speak at packed forum,”) candidate Stacy Rodriguez contacted the Reader to inform us we had one of her quotes slightly wrong. Here is the correct sequence of words, per a recording of the event: “I need to know that mothers can bring their young children to the library without having to follow them around like shadows, making sure they don’t inadvertently pull a book off the shelf whose images they can’t unsee.” Reporting on events that fall on deadline night means we cannot rely on recordings of public meetings, so our reporting depends fully on how fast we can type when people are speaking. Apologies for not accurately quoting Rodriguez in this section. — BO

When I shake hands with a man, the first thing I do is look him right in the eye. Then I start poking my hand around in the air, pretending like I can’t find his hand. Then, if the guy’s still there, I finally shake it.

Reimagine the Curve

Greenbelts and outdoor spaces give communities life --a place to gather, breathe, and connect. The more of them we create the healthier our community. This image is meant to be a seed. We, a group of Granary District business owners, invite you to plant it in your mind and see what grows --maybe one day, it produces fruit. Let's reimagine the curve. For more information, scan the QR code or visit www.sandpointgranarydistrict.com