Reader april30 2015

READER

April 30, 2015 / FREE / Vol. 12 issue 15

the ISSUE

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/ April 30, 2015

April 30th Through May 9th

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(wo)MAN

Susan Drinkard on the street compiled by

May is National Bike Month. Tell me about your first bicycle. “It was light blue with a white seat and ribbons hanging from the handlebars. It was from a garage sale in California where we lived. I rode it to school.” Tonya Larson Work Services PSNI Sandpoint

“It was one of those banana seat bikes with streamers flying from the handlebars. It was in the Los Angeles area and I was about 6. The bike was a girly color like pink or purple. I remember I fell a lot and my mom kept encouraging me. I think it took me a week to get it.” Sherry Johnson Retired Long-Haul Truck Driver Naples

“When I was 4 or 5 I had a red Huffy with training wheels. I hated the training wheels that my parents insisted I use.”

DEAR READERS,

READER

Of all my many duties as publisher of the Reader, my absolute favorite is when I can get out of the office on Thursday morning and mount my old rusty Schwinn bicycle to deliver you the paper. It sounds odd, a man in his thirties thoroughly enjoying riding a paper route, but it’s true. For that one day of the week, I get to feel the wind in my face, greet business owners starting their day, see the shopkeepers sweeping the sidewalks and listen to the birds chirping. Mostly, I get to avoid the constant text messages and let the emails pile up a bit. I ended up with my trusty blue Schwinn after some terrible human being cut the lock on my former bike and made away with it. It was the second bike I’d had stolen in as many years. There’s something so low about a bike thief. To me a bike is more than just a form of transportation; it’s how I avoid clogging the streets with yet another car, it’s how I blow off steam after a 19-hour day of putting the paper to bed, it’s a quick way to run my errands, and a form of exercise when my girlfriend and I want to cross the Long Bridge, or ride up the cat track and explore the trails at Schweitzer in summer. When you steal a bike, you’re not just stealing someone’s possession. You are changing the way we view our neighbors, our friends, our community. I hate having to lock my bike everywhere I go, but after two bikes stolen, I can’t just risk losing another one. If you’re one of those bike thieving punks reading this (and I sincerely hope that our readers don’t do things as vile and despicable as that), please rethink your actions when you feel the urge to take what’s not yours. Sometimes it’s a person’s only form of transportation, their link to the outside world. You’re stealing the idea that we live in a friendly community full of good people. Diatribe over. May is National Bike Month, which is why we’ve decided to dedicate this issue to two wheels. I encourage you all to ride your bike to work for the entire month. Maybe you’ll discover that you enjoy it and it will become a regular habit. Maybe you’ll lose a few pounds. Maybe you’ll even save a buck or two.

111 Cedar Street, Suite 9 Sandpoint, ID 83864 (208)265-9724

-Ben Olson, Publisher

Chris Olson Retail/Hardware Sandpoint

Thank you

Readers,

it’s nice to meet you, neighbor

“It was a Christmas gift back in 1948 in New York. That morning the house caught on fire. I just grabbed my bicycle and took it out on the street, but we were able to save the house.” Dan McCann Retired Filmmaker Sandpoint

“That was 70 years ago in Caldwell, Idaho. I remember the first thing I did was ride it into the back of my dad’s car. I wobbled all over the place.” Dorothy Vess Retired/Variety Store Sagle

Publisher: Ben Olson ben@sandpointreader.com Editor: Cameron Rasmusson cameron@sandpointreader.com Zach Hagadone (emeritus) Contributing Artists: Dan Shook (Cover), Ben Olson, Daniel Cape, Susan Drinkard, Randy Wilhelm, Gary Lirette, Jodi Rawson, Aric Spence Contributing Writers: Cameron Rasmusson, Ben Olson, Louie de Palma, Diane Wheeler, Michael Richardson, Matthew Connery, Claire Christy, Jodi Rawson, Jeannette Shields, Greg Rawuka Submit stories to: stories@sandpointreader.com Printed weekly at: Griffin Publishing Spokane, Wash. Subscription Price: $75 per year Advertising: Jen Landis jen@sandpointreader.com Renee Ming renee@sandpointreader.com Clint Nicholson clint@keokee.com Web Content: Keokee

“When I was 4, I got a pink and white Huffy with a big banana seat. My dad got it for me for Christmas.” Sara Buck Self-Employed Sagle

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The Sandpoint Reader is a weekly publication owned and operated by Ben Olson and Keokee. It is devoted to the arts, entertainment, politics and lifestyle in and around Sandpoint, Idaho. We hope to provide a quality alternative by offering honest, in-depth reporting that reflects the intelligence and interests of our diverse and growing community. The Reader is printed on recycled paper using soy-based ink. Leftover copies are collected and recycled weekly, or burned in massive bonfires to appease the gods of journalism.

Sandpoint Reader letter policy: The Sandpoint Reader welcomes letters to the editor on all topics. Requirements: –No more than 500 words –Letters may not contain excessive profanity or libelous material. Please elevate the discussion. Letters will be edited to comply with the above requirements. Opinions expressed in these pages are those of the writers, not necessarily the publishers. Email letters to: letters@sandpointreader.com Check us out on the web at: www.sandpointreader.com Like us on Facebook! About the Cover This week’s cover by Dan Shook. The original painting was done in 2008, painted with oil on canvas. You could call it mixed media, as he used a real tee-shirt to complete the cover. Go and see Dan at Bonner County Bicycles. You’ll be overwhelmed.

April 30, 2015 /

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COMMENTARY By Louie de Palma For SPR

When one door closes another one opens. This is a well known proverb generally accepted as truth. However, the majority that believe this have probably have never walked into a live mouse trap, or my broken taxi. When one door closes in my taxi, you’re stuck in there until I let you out. Well, to be fair, now one side of the rear doors work and can be opened from the inside or the outside. I’m glad it’s fixed, but truthfully there were benefits to busted doors. I let you out after you paid, and for the most part, I got paid. I still, for the most part, get paid, unless I encounter one of the three types of ruffians that end up ripping me off completely or manage to score a discounted rate. If it is unclear how one might pull off these penny pinching feats, allow me to shed a dome light of perspective on the three types of cab fare swindlers: stiffers, quarterly investors, and run around Sues/Sams.

LETTERS Dear Editor,

Thank you for Scarlette Quille’s voice. It is a great balance to the voices of all you boys. In her last piece she touched lightly on a couple big issues: sexism and abortion. Early in my life, I called abortion murder, but now I know a little more. 4 /

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Stiffers are unimaginative, straightforward-thinking brutes. Their method isn’t dolled up or fancified. They just ditch out, walk away or saunter off with no intention to pay. Most stiffers, in their defense, don’t intentionally stiff anyone. As a general rule they are actually just so fully descended into drunken oblivion they just stumble out of the cab toward their house without paying. I am usually in a hurry to grab my next fare or just too exhausted from using every known form of communication to decipher the location of their home that I just don’t bother with getting paid at that point. More rare is the conscious stiffer. The blatant stiffer is usually wrapped in a clever disguise of a sob story and bizarre disposition. They strike at the time of night when my give-a-hoot gauge is teetering on empty. For example, one early morning /late night, I was transporting a man with one leg from one home to another. He

had a seemingly endless supply of tragic stories, so many that I began to wonder how Oprah hadn’t found this guy and gotten him a book deal. This thought distracted me enough that I hardly noticed him just up and hobble away, carrying with him nothing but a clear grocery sack filled with glue sticks, into a maze of portable domiciles without paying. Being presented with such an oddity, I was unsure what to do. I cleared the meter and drove off, lost in thought about the size of the Popsicle bridge he must have been building with those glue sticks. For that matter, would the physics of its weight-bearing capacity change if all human weight was focused on one leg? Quarterly investors, despite what the term brings to mind, are not savvy stock gurus bent on making a buck in the market. In the taxi world, these are the people solidly invested in their own quarters. These are the folks who, apparently having never been in a taxi before, exclaim in shocked voices every time the meter jumps up a quarter. They say things like, “My god, it must go up every time we hit a crack!” or “There goes another quarter! And another one!” every tenth of a mile, constantly tallying the total fare as it grows. I’m not sure what they expect. They must think I’m going

to check the meter and exclaim something like, “Lordy, lordy! This thing is on the fritz!” Do they figure a good smack on the meter will make it magically display a total fare of a high five symbol and a couple of wheat pennies? Sometimes these folks are just old and have lost reality with what a quarter is worth. But for the most part, they’re just drunks or people trying to get a discount, not understanding the costs that go into running a full-time cab business. So I have prepared a chart breaking down many of their common expenses into quarter form, so they might better track their quarter usage and use them more efficiently. Taxi fare: $2.50 a mile = 25 cents every 1/10 of a mile. Bottle of Budweiser: $2.50 at 16 ounces = 1.6 ounces per quarter (about two quarters a swallow). Pack of smokes: $7 (at the bar), 20 count = about 1.4 cigarettes per quarter. Game of pool: 50 cents at 15 balls = 7.5 balls hit per quarter depending on skill level (best deal). DUI (first time) about $1,000 = 4,000 quarters thrown into a fountain of regret over not calling a taxi. A run-around Sue or Sam is just somebody that spins circles around you and ends up tricking you out of payment. Unfortu-

nately, due to my own gullibility and generosity, I’ve fallen prey more than a few times to two of the classic run-around maneuvers: the ol’ unloaded prepaid Visa card trick and the equally reliable I’ve-got-my-cash-inthe-house trick. Most of these run-around scams work only once, maybe twice, but by then I’ve got your number saved and won’t pick up your calls. Only one guy has managed to get me three times. The third time I allowed it because thanks to his hilarious story about how he got locked out of his friend’s house without his pants and retrieved them by crawling through a dog door. He ultimately still lost his wallet. These people are the reasons why I don’t answer unknown numbers. So if you have a blocked number, you might want to call me from a pay phone. But I warn you: It takes quarters. My doors are fixed now, but I’m still trying to shut them on scammers and hustlers. If you do give me the run-around, try to at least make it weird or funny so I feel like my own quarters were invested well. Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice, I should have saved your number. Fool me three times, you must have squeezed through a hell of dog door.

After I was raped, for instance, I had no shame about killing the few fetal cells potentially growing in my womb with the “morning after pill.” When my friend had a later term abortion because her baby was developing without a brain and could not survive after birth, I empathized and supported her decision. There are endless justified reasons to have an abortion, I have learned. If there is an opposite to pub-

lic art, this would be it: hollering out judgment and fear with a blow horn in a parking lot. And why am I being yelled at by a man? What does he know about the pain and strain of pregnancy and childbirth? Wouldn’t his energy be better used against actual murders committed by our publically paid military and police force? Honestly, the only person I would listen to about this anti-abortion propaganda would be my heroine and

friend, who is raising a beautiful child conceived from rape, but as irony would have it, she is pro-choice. I am thankful to live in a country and a time when my daughter and I are empowered to make choices. While we women are yet to be “equal,” with less pay and leadership roles in this country, we are still climbing, fighting and hoping. Those who undermine women and daughters, judging us to be

less valuable, more problematic than males, attempting to disable our choices, have no idea how archaically detrimental this attitude is to our world and the balance of our future. I wonder if blow horn guy would enjoy seeing someone like me burning at the stake. Thank you Scarlette and feminist Reader boys for encouraging progression! Jodi Rawson Sandpoint

n i g n a h C

y t n e w the T ne Wheeler

What goes around comes around, and this time it is coming around for Andrew Jackson. Little nine-year-old Sofia from Massachusetts wants to see a woman represented on our currency, and it looks like Andrew Jackson has lost his tenure on the twenty dollar bill. Don’t shed any tears over this removal. Many, many, moons ago, Jackson, initiated the infamous trail of tears in which the peaceful Choctaw and Cherokee Nations were tossed off their lands. Covenants between these nations and others going all the way back to George Washington and bolstered by Thomas Jefferson were unceremoniously dumped to

Dear Editor,

Thank you for the chance to respond to recent concern regarding the Panida Theaters’ decision to cancel and reschedule a showing of the movie “Wild Canaries.” I believe this decision was about our integrity in this community with regard to our advertising. Based on all the information available to us, our promotion of this film in the weeks prior to the first showing had described the movie as a quirky cross between Woody Allen and Lucille Ball type situations. The unrated Sundance Selects distributed film was promoted to us as a ‘hipster murder mystery.’ While this may be partly true, we had no advance notice of the strong language, blatant drug use and drug use in the presence of toddlers, brief sexual situations, and adult content. Each of these trigger points are enough to garner an R rating by themselves, and we had not prepared our audience for any of that in our promotions. To our dismay, the audience at our Thursday night showing included two youth, and several other patrons who also walked out of the movie before it ended. Staff members also felt we had promoted a different movie than the one we had shown. The Panida is happy to show movies that fit the artistic expectations of our

Dear Editor,

By Dia For SPR

make way for the fashionable people of the day and their plans. So where do we go from here? There are numerous women who were instrumental in the founding of our nation who have never been properly recognized for their contributions. There are others who have demonstrated single acts of courage who need to be remembered. Let us consider whose lifetime achievements deserve the honor of replacing Jackson. Historian Page Smith brought to light the genius of George Washington during the Revolutionary War. He was able to maintain his equilibrium in the midst of endless frustrations, disappointments, setbacks and defeats. He became the symbol of perseverance and courage patrons, and that sometimes includes R-rated and adult themed content. “The Follies” are an excellent example of adult themed content that entertains a large audience, and the Panida is very proud of providing the venue for that Sandpoint institution. We also participate in promoting “The Follies” with their appropriate advance notice of adult-themed content. We were frankly blindsided by the content in the movie when we showed it and felt our audience that night was as well. We did not have access to an advance screening, and we believed it best to cancel and reschedule with appropriate adult content warnings. It was a difficult decision, not taken lightly, and we are sorry for any inconvenience it created. We hope that rescheduling the film will resolve any concerns that may have been raised by this action. The movie “Wild Canaries,” has been rescheduled to be shown on May 5 & 6 at 7:30 p.m.We will more accurately provide advance information regarding the nature of the content of this film, so the audience can make an informed decision about attending. Patricia Walker White Executive Director Panida Theater

which unified the states. George represented the head of this operation while his beloved wife Martha, who he referred to as “Dear Patsy,” was its heart and soul. Most of us have given very little thought to the role that Lady Washington played in the founding of our nation. The woman who we think of as the “Queen of Frumps” had leading roles in the Revolutionary War, the first presidency and even the first mint in Philadelphia. In a dark corner, near the first coin press in the Philadelphia Mint, hangs a painting by John Ward Dunsmore which depicts Lady Washington as the focal point of leading characters inspecting the first coins. The painting of a young Martha by Charles Wilson Peale circa 1776 would be perfect for the front of the new twenty, while the Dunsmore painting could occupy the back. This is the right thing to do. It was Martha Washington who risked being kidnapped every winter to serve the troops in camp; who committed her entire household to supply the Continental Army with food and clothing during the war; furthermore, she gave her silver bullion to the Philadelphia Mint to begin the process of making currency. It is Martha Washington who deserves the honor of our vote! Diane Wheeler has a passion for early American History and is the wife of Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler.

Because of an outrageous notion that somehow, Shariah law would infiltrate our shores, the vote by State Representative Heather Scott against a bill that would collect child support for Idaho children was unconscionable. As John Reuter points out in his recent Inlander column, the law makes it possible for America’s laws to be enforced on its citizens overseas, and not on Americans by other nations. It is my contention that no treaty passed by Congress would institute religious, Shariah law, since it would be unconstitutional. The first sentence in the First Amendment of our Bill of Rights clearly states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,” meaning that Congress cannot pass any law making any religion the religion of the United States (“The Constitution Of The United States,” by Floyd G. Cullop, pg. 74). I have no children of my own, but having taught at one of Idaho’s universities for 34 years, I saw hope arise from the young people in my classes. The extreme right-wing in this country has infected our body politic with fear, paranoia, prejudice and hatred of government. These are not the qualities needed to make healthy, enlightened and reasoned decisions. What this cruel and thoughtless vote did was to put a large number of Idaho children at risk and also put the hope for our country at risk. With her destructive vote, Rep. Scott has not earned our public trust, and should not earn anyone’s vote in the next election. Philip A. Deutchman Sandpoint

FIDDLIN’ RED Music Store

Instruments Repairs Lessons

111 Church St., Spt, ID (208)946-6733 WWW.FIDDLINREDSIMPSON.COM April 30, 2015 /

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NEWS A-OK after earthquakes By Cameron Rasmusson For SPR Where were you when the great Sandpoint earthquakes of 2015 hit our tiny town? No doubt you’ll remember the damage it caused for many year to come. Glasses were broken. Beers were spilled. Garden gnomes by the dozens were upended and needed to be picked up. Alright, maybe in the grand scheme of things, Sandpoint got off pretty easy, a fact made especially apparent by the devastating 7.9-magnitude earthquake in Nepal only days later. According to Sandpoint Police Chief Corey Coon, only very minor damages—a few broken glasses, for instance—were reported from the Thursday shake-up. Nevertheless, the unusual nature of the quake and its aftershocks made the Friday phenomenon all the rage of

weekend conversation. An earthquake in Sandpoint? Who knew? Turns out Sanpoint is more at risk for earthquakes than one might think, considering it’s been decades since one was felt in the area. Geological maps from the Idaho Geological Survey show a tertiary fault running east of town. That lines up with facts reported by the experts in last week’s incident. The first quake hit at 7:32 p.m., measured 4.1 in magnitude and centered 14 miles southeast of Sandpoint. An aftershock hit 10:43 p.m., measuring a 4.2 magnitude 9 miles east of Sandpoint. A third tremor hit 1:28 a.m. Friday, registering 3.3 in magnitude 8 miles east-southeast of town. It wasn’t long before the apparently impotent nature of the quake became a running joke throughout local social media channels. An image of a tipped-over

lawn chair reading, “Sandpoint Quake 2015: We will rebuild!” became an instant hit on Facebook with hundreds of likes and shares. “I feel like it’s too soon to even talk about it, but I also need the support,” Benjamin Curto posted on Facebook. “Life is so hard.” Much of the activity centered on the “Sandpoint Earthquake Survivor Page”

The viral photo credited to Angie Wick Reynolds

Facebook page, where people posted comments, pictures and jokes. It even galvanized into a fundraising opportunity with the “Sandpoint Earthquake Survivor 2015” T-shirt. Find a link to purchase the shirt on the Facebook page—all proceeds will benefit local nonprofit Kinderhaven. There’s less than a week left in the fundraiser, however, so you’ll have to act fast.

Gov. Otter calls for special session to address child support bill, Shariah law By Cameron Rasmusson For SPR

Did you think your work was over for the year, state legislators? Think again. Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter announced Wednesday morning he was calling for a special legislative session scheduled for May 18. The session is meant to address the

funding problems created when state representatives killed SB 1067 in committee. SB 1067 essentially brought Idaho in line with national and international standards for enforcing child support court orders. By killing SB 1067 over concerns ranging from federal overreach to the implementation of Shariah law in Idaho, representatives risked millions in federal

Sandpoint favored in ‘Orchids and Onions Awards’ By Cameron Rasmusson For SPR There’s no doubt about it: Sandpoint’s historic legacy and its oldest buildings are an invaluable part of its character and charm. It’s why the city has a historic preservation committee. It’s why the town is home to several historical enthusiasts. And it’s why so many locals are vocal advocates for historic preservation. That commitment is paying off with the annual Orchids and Onions Awards. Organized by Preservation Idaho, the longest-running state preservation awards program released its latest round of honorees this week. This year, Sandpoint cleaned up, taking three out of 10 total honors. The Sandpoint Train Depot restoration, the St. Joseph’s Church renovation and the rehabilitation of the Nesbitt-Tanner House all earned accolades 6 /

/ April 30, 2015

from the organization. That’s great timing, considering Sandpoint is the host town for the May 30 award show this year. In fact, Dan Everhart of Preservation Idaho said that’s often why host cities apply so many projects for award consideration. In the end, though, it’s the worthiness of the project, not the politicking, that earns the laurels. “The city has put a lot of time, effort, energy and money into preserving historic locations,” Everhart said. “There’s a civic role that Sandpoint has played, at least in our minds, very well.” The award ceremony will take place 11 a.m. May 30 at Sandpoint Events Center, followed by an official ribbon cutting for the Sandpoint Train Depot.

funding plus access to the federal tools that enforce the child support system. Otter believes it should take quick work to resolve this issue. He’s hopeful that second time will be the charm for advancing a bill he deems essential to the continuance of Idaho government activity. The SB 1067 controversy made local waves last week when Bonner County

Republican Women, a local conservative group, hosted Shahram Hadian, an anti-Islam pastor, for a talk. While Hadian bristled at media claims he “took credit” for the bill’s defeat, he was nevertheless a vocal opponent of the measure due to Shariah law concerns.

Mayor Logan not seeking another term By Ben Olson For SPR

Mayor Carrie Logan has announced she will not be running in the next mayoral election this November. “When I was on City Council for the second term,” she said, “I had planned that being the end of my public service career, and although I have thoroughly enjoyed and thrived on the work as mayor, it’s time for me to be done.” Much of Logan’s life has been dedicated to public service. After a long career in social service, she began serving on the City Planning Commission in 1995, and was elected to the City Council in 2008, and again in 2012. During her last term, Logan served as Council president for two years. Among her accomplishments, Logan is especially proud of the historic train depot. “Seeing the rehab of the depot com-

ing to conclusion ... was a biggie for me,” she said. “Another one was Fifth Avenue and the return of the downtown streets.” After her term is up, she plans to travel and relax. Does Logan have any favorites for who she wants to take her place? “No, I haven’t heard anybody that’s particularly interested,” she said. “Some people I would dream about, like Kate McAlister, for instance. She’d be awesome at it. It will be interesting to see who comes out of the woodwork.” Interested in being the next mayor? Go down to City Hall and talk with the City Clerk to get the necessary paperwork. The filing period opens Aug. 24 and closes Sept. 4. November’s city elections will not only include the mayoral seat, but also three City Council seats as Tom Eddy, Bill Aitken and Deb Fragoso’s terms expire at the end of the year.

Historic Train Depot: a true community effort By Ben Olson For SPR The historic Sandpoint Train Depot will reopen for passenger service May 1, after six years of closure and a substantial makeover. Originally built in 1916 and condemned in June 2009 due to a leaky roof and structural damage, the beloved depot’s 100 years in Sandpoint has left its mark on a town that prizes its history.

History of the Depot

It is a common misconception that this Neo-Gothic style depot is the original Sandpoint train station. In fact, it is the second station in a total of three locations. “The earliest official station was a Victorian style building,” said Will Valentine of the Bonner County Historical Society. “It is known as the ‘Gingerbread Depot.’” This building served as Sandpoint’s first depot from 1883 to 1916. It was located along the east side of the tracks and sat further south, in the parking lot where Trinity at City Beach is located. Probably in 1906, the Victorian station was moved and flipped around 180 degrees, placed further north on the west side of the tracks. This move, along with raising the tracks to prevent flooding, prompted businesses to move west of Sand Creek, where downtown Sandpoint is located today. In 1916, construction began on a new building that was acclaimed as a show piece of the town. The total cost of the construction was $25,000 and included local cement and bricks from Anderson Brick Co. located near the old Poor House by Gooby Road. This depot remains the last standing structure from when the town center was east of Sand Creek. To this day, the Sandpoint Train Depot remains the oldest passenger station still in operation along the original 2,831 miles of the Northern Pacific Railway. In 1973 the BNSF Railway-owned property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

It All Came Together

Concerns over the train depot are nothing new. In 1990, local historian Nancy Renk recognized the need to rehabilitate the structure. A decade later, Dann Hall, chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission, and others rallied to the cause. It wasn’t until 2009, howev-

Painting by Randy Wilhelm - www.randywilhelmart.com er, when the major pieces began to fall into place. In May of that year, Amtrak announced intentions to abandon the building due to complications involving the Byway construction, which had already begun. They were exploring locations to build a new station outside of Sandpoint. It was then that Aric Spence, a local web designer, train aficionado and advocate for the preservation of local history, became involved. The issue was a personal one for Spence, who poured more than 1,000 hours into the effort, documenting the process on his website www.sandpointtrainstation.com. “Why did I become involved?” asked Spence. “We’re losing our history, and nobody really realizes it. I was seeing all this stuff disappear; the Seasons went in, the Bypass was going in. I decided that damn train station was not going to go away, so I got active.” Spence took a position on the Historic Preservation Commission and urged the city to save the doomed building. “I met with every single member of the City Council and got their support behind it,” he said. In 2007, the Idaho Transportation Department put $921,000 in a non escrow account for BNSF. The money was given to the rail company for possible impacts the Byway construction might have on rail operations. “We passed a resolution to reach out to Amtrak and BNSF to

make an effort to retain the building in its current location, retain passenger service, and facilitate a way for the BNSF dollars to be used for the rehab,” said Mayor Carrie Logan, a council member at the time. Logan and Public Works Director Kody Van Dyk began a long series of discussions with John Bennett of Amtrak and Rich Wessler of BNSF, urging them that Sandpoint wanted to keep the station in town.

Moving Forward on a Shaky Foundation

At this point, Spence and Logan brought architect Tim Boden and engineer Carlos Suarez into the project. “They wanted us to evaluate the building to see if it was salvageable,” said Boden. “When we were first brought in,” said Suarez, “Aric said there would be no money in it for us. They asked what it would take for us to jump on board. We said we would not only be honored, but excited.” When the structure was condemned in 2009, a leaky roof was the main culprit. “The terracotta they used originally was inappropriate for the climate,” said Suarez, who said that water infiltrated the corners under the parapets, which began to slide, putting a downward and outward force on the brick, causing cracks. Another concern was the shaky foundation of the depot. Built on

poor soil, the structure was plagued with settling issues. “It’s a miracle it didn’t fall on its own,” said Suarez.

On Firmer Ground

In 2011, the fate of the historic building was finally established on firmer ground. “We were able to come to the conclusion that yes, the depot would stay at the current location,” said Logan. “Yes the passenger service would still come out of it, and yes, the dollars would be used for the rehab.” Amtrak felt the city didn’t need to be involved in the negotiations at all, that Amtrak could negotiate directly with BNSF for the funds and take responsibility for the rehab. For Spence, the city not pursuing ownership proved to be a sore subject. “I would love to see the city own the Depot,” he said. “It’s a historic structure, one of a kind. It can be a huge tourist draw to town if they play it right. As of now, it still has the potential to be torn down, being owned by BNSF. It’s less likely, but still possible.” Outspoken and purist in his intentions, Spence eventually compromised his position with Amtrak. “I ended up rattling one too many cages and was removed from the commission,” he said. “Amtrak didn’t want me to be part of any more discussions. The city needed to continue the discussions with April 30, 2015 /

Amtrak, so I was okay with that. Carrie was instrumental in being a go-to contact for Amtrak, and making sure the project happened.” “It was like the perfect storm,” said Boden. “The timing had to be perfect. If the Bypass hadn’t gone through, if BNSF wasn’t given this money by ITD to keep the building in shape, if Amtrak hadn’t agreed to keep the station downtown, there was no way the City of Sandpoint or BNSF was going to come up with the $975,000 to restore the building. It’s really cool how it all worked out.”

Not a Renovation

A second rail is scheduled to be placed west of the existing track, prompting some of the major redesigns. “This is not necessarily a ‘renovation,’” Boden continued. “It’s more of a ‘remodel’ with a concerted effort to work in the historical nature of the building.” The east side of the station, where passengers used to exit the building, will be blocked from customer use, with a new door installed on the south side. Local builder and Sandpoint native Justin Schuck of Idagon Homes won the contract to remodel the station. The project proved to be an uplifting experience for him. “We take great pride in being part of another project in Sandpoint,” said Schuck. “There was rarely a day that went by without someone from the public calling

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See DEPOT page 8

urbaN BikIng

By Cameron Rasmusson For SPR

Not everyone is a hardcore trail rider when it comes to their biking activity. Many in town simply appreciate bicycles as a quick, cheap, efficient and healthy way to get from A to B. And Sandpoint, despite a few months of flying snow, is a great location to learn the ropes of urban biking. It’s relatively compact for a town, for one thing. For those who reside within city limits, they can pedal their way to work, the grocery store and more in not much more time than it takes to drive. It’s a trend that only seems to be on the upswing. That’s why the city of Sandpoint has the Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee. This group of community representatives develops projects and advocates to the City Council for the non-motorized travelers among Sandpoint. With city officials expecting to have downtown streets controlled by Idaho Transportation Department returned to local control by sometime next year, the Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee has been busier than ever ensuring that bikers have safe routes to hit all the hot spots in town following the traffic changes. According to committee chairperson Rebecca Holland, it’s very important that bicyclists become accustomed to the new routes, which primarily center on key streets outfitted with bike lanes like Division, Ella, Boyer and Third avenues and Larch, Oak and Ontario streets. Eventually, these routes will feature signage and other flourishes to designate them as official bike routes. The more bikers stick to those routes, the more drivers will know to keep an eye out for them. And that makes the streets safer for everyone. “Once a cyclist establishes a regular path of travel, they’ll generally stick with it because they feel comfortable with it and are aware of its hazards,” Holland

DEPOT con’t from page 7

or stopping by to comment on the project and how happy they were with its progress, its history, and usually a story about how the building impacted their life.” While the design made every attempt to adhere to the original plans of the station, several modifications had to be implemented. The original style of the roofing tiles was used, but made of a different material that will allow snow to bind, instead of sliding onto passenger’s heads. The color of the tiles was originally slated to be red, but research into the original color schemes prompted Idagon to use a shade of green that more closely matched the original. It is a case of history repeated itself. When the depot was first announced in 1916, it was supposed to have a “deep red” color to the roof, 8 /

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Rules Of tHe road

said. “It’s like developing a good habit.” “Sharrows” are another new street feature designed to help ease tensions between drivers and bikers. These simple painted symbols on bike route streets of a bicyclist are meant to remind motorists that they’re driving a shared street space and need to keep an eye out for their non-motorized brethren. Of course, bicyclists have a responsibility to be good road stewards as well, and Holland aims to ramp up education about good bike citizenship. One of the key problems they’ll tackle is the issue of bikes on sidewalks. The Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee will be emphasizing that, at least in the downtown core, sidewalks are intended for pedestrians only. Members even have a new saying they’ll be emphasizing to spread the word: “Walk your wheels.” “Sidewalks in downtown are for walking, not for riding,” Holland said. “If someone’s not comfortable riding their bike or skateboard in the streets (which is perfectly legal), then they should walk alongside their bike or carry your board on the sidewalk.” “This is only the case in the downtown core from First to Cedar to Fifth to Pine,” she added. “It’s totally fine to cycle on sidewalks in your neighborhood.” As luck would have it, May is National Bike Month, and committee members have a host of events planned to continue education and encourage bike use. On May 6, students are encouraged to ride, board or scooter to school—wearing a properly-fitted safety helmet, of course. For Sandpoint Middle School students, they have a whole month—each day they ride their bike, they’ll be entered into a drawing for prizes. Sandpoint workers then get a day of their own May 8 for Bike-to-Work Day. A ride to Outdoor Experience will earn bicyclists a pancake breakfast from 6:30-10 a.m., while bikers will get a free cup of coffee over at Evans Brothers. Finish the day in style with a special pint or pitcher at MickDuff’s Beer Hall for a TGIR (thank god I ride) party.

but somewhere along the line was changed to a “tasty green” color. “One of the highlights for me was when the final piece of roofing was installed,” said Schuck. “Doesn’t it look great? It’s ready to last for another 100 years.” There are also mandatory compliances to the American Disabiltiy Act (ADA), such as doors that open when pressed from waist level, ramps, special pavers to facilitate wheelchairs, and the installation of a handrail. It was confirmed by Rob Eaton at Amtrak that the Depot will be open Friday, May 1 to receive passengers coming of the west bound #7 that arrives at 11:49 PM. “As well, the station will be open for the east bound train #8,” wrote Eaton in an email, “That arrives at 2:35 AM (Saturday morning). The building will be open, for the posted times, from that date on.”

Final Thoughts

One of the most important duties of a town is to preserve its history. Without it, we are nothing but the collected memories of a sterile present. The train depot is our link to this history. It keeps us connected to those dusty, uncivilized days when Sandpoint was a stump town of hearty loggers and homesteaders. It is the rails that brought the people to Sandpoint. Through the rails we harvested and exported timber, minerals, and farm products. Through the rails we grew, opened our doors to the world and allowed in the ancestors of the people who still live here today, generations later. The rails are loud. They reek of exhaust, and clack with tons of steel on steel throughout the night. The old depot sags and stinks with

1. Ride on the right side of the street

•Ride with the flow of traffic and make full turns into travel lanes •Ride in the correct direction of one-way streets

2. Full stop at red lights

•Use extended arm signals when making left and right turns •Always yield to pedestrians at the crosswalks

3. Rolling stop at stop signs •Slow down to “Look & Listen” for oncoming traffic •Full stop when needed; proceed through when there is no traffic

4. Share the road with drivers

•Sandpoint’s cycle routes marked with “sharrow” pavement markings •Ride single file and keep a steady pace with flow of traffic

5. Sidewalks are for pedestrians

•Walk your bike when using downtown sidewalks •Yield to walkers and give special consideration to the elderly •Use common courtesy... it’s always appreciated

6. Use safety gear

•Wear a helmet and light-colored clothing for visibility •Bright headlight and red taillight are needed after dark •Lock your bike frame for theft protection

The ever-popular Bike Swap hosted by Pend Oreille Pedalers takes place May 16 from 12-2 p.m. at the Eureka Institute building (513 Oak St.), with check-in from 9-11 a.m. Bikes and bike accessories will be available to snatch up, sometimes for major bargains. Finally, the Ride of Silence takes place May 20. This sober, slow-speed bike ride pays tribute to bikers who have been killed or injured on the road and begins 6 p.m. at City Beach.

age and time. But it is still there, sandwiched between condos and a highway and a growing town. In a year, the depot will turn one hundred years old. I wonder how many buildings built today will last that long. I can only hope they mean as much to Sandpoint in 2115 as the Depot does to us now in 2015. Anyone who has traveled over the train bridge at night on the Empire Builder, returning home from a long time gone, viewing the lake and twinkling lights of town under a full moon, understands that the train station is a part of Sandpoint. The train station is Sandpoint. The muffled whistle blowing from across town is as familiar to locals as the first snow atop Baldy Mountain, or the view of the Monarch Mountains on a summer day, or the Panida Theater marquee turning on its lights before a show. I applaud those who have helped

restore the Depot. For everyone mentioned in the press, there are dozens of others who donated their time and energy to preserving this magnificent connection to the past. The task seems daunting at times, and at other times, downright impossible, but without these unsung heroes, our town would certainly be a much different place. The echoes of history would be absent, and so would the character that has defined us these many years since those stump days long ago. The grand reopening of the Depot will take place on May 30, 2015, following Preservation Idaho’s Orchids & Onions awards ceremony at the Sandpoint Events Center. The Depot, as well as the “Nesbitt House” and The Heartwood Center have all been nominated for the statewide award.

Riding High

Maximilian Shaffer riding his tall bike around Sandpoint. He was out practicing mounting the odd looking machine without the aid of a wall when Ben Olson snapped this photo.

Available @ school or door night of event

WeÂ now have openings for our PreK and K class for the 2015/2016 school year!Â

Thank you, Sandpoint, for your support during this project

Pictured from left to right: Carlos Suarez (Engineer), Dann Hall (Chairman Historic Preservation Commission), Carrie Logan (Mayor), Tim Boden (Architect), Justin Schuck (Builder - partners Shawnda and Colin Burnett not pictured), Aric Spence (Local Historian).

208.304.2394 www.idagon.net April 30, 2015 /

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Spa Day to Support Education All day @ Wildflower Day Spa Enjoy a spa service and make your own bath salts. Wildflower Spa will be donating 25 percent of all services to Sandpoint Waldorf School. Call the spa at 208-263-1103 and schedule a pedicure, massage or facial An Evening with Charley and Friends 7:30pm @ Panida Theater A tribute benefit concert for local country rock legend Charley Packard. Over 20 local musicians will gather and perform their favorite Charley Packard songs. All proceeds will benefit Charley in his battle with cancer. $15 tickets available at Eichardt’s, Eve’s Leaves and panida.org. Sandpoint Farmers Market Opening Day 9am - 1pm @ Farmin Park The Farmers’ Market is back! Treat yourself and family to locally grown fresh produce, baked goods and handcrafted arts and crafts. Silverwood Anniversary Opening Weekend Celebrate the 100th birthday of the 1915 Porter Steam Locomotive with discounted admission of only $19.15 per person, per day, when purchasing a ticket at Silverwood’s front gate “Woman in Gold” film 1:30pm & 7:30pm @ Panida Theater

Yappy Hour 4pm - 7pm @ Laughing Bring your best furry pa mal Shelter benefit with No sniffing heinies.

Train Dep 5:30pm @ POAC pre artwork in Train Depo play throug

Live Music w/ Bright Moments Jazz 7pm @ La Rosa Club Great jazz in a fantastic room for musi

Live Music w/ Harold’s IGA 6pm - 9pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Indie rock from a trio of local hooligan

Free First Saturday 10am - 2pm @ BoCo History Museum All are welcome to visit the museum f of charge

R-E-L-A-X It’s your day off. Learn the Cha Cha! 7pm @ SWAC (but you don’t have to be a member) Call Diane at 610-1770 to sign up or for more information

Monday Night Blues Jam w/ Truck Mills 7:30pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Weekly infusion of blues and rock from the Man

Karaoke Night 9pm - Midnight @ 219 Lounge

Seniors Day 9am - 12pm @ Bonner Mall This monthly get-together for seniors includes Trivia Night “walking the mall,” plus speakers, games, priz7pm - 9pm @ MickDuff’s es and refreshments. Held on the first Tuesday Just because you’re a know-it-all doesn’t of every month, it’s free and open to the public mean you know it all Clark Fork Delta Restoration 9am - 3pm @ Clark Fork River Delta Driftyard Registration required at www.clarkforkdelta.org. Come out and be part of this worthy effort! Bingo Night 6:30 @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Idaho Gives Spaghetti Feed and Open House 4pm - 7pm @ Hope Memorial Community Center Enjoy a fabulous home-cooked meal and great conversation with your community! Dinner includes spaghetti with meat sauce, salad, bread plus dessert; a no-host bar will be available. Cost is $3 per person, $10 per family, or $5 for a to-go meal

Live Music w/ Trout Steak Reviv 5:30pm @ Di Luna’s The Denver-based roots quintet has into one of Colorado’s most tig bluegrass bands, and won an Emm for a soundtrack with Rocky Moun

Dine Out For A Cause 5pm - 9pm @ Jalapeños Restaurant Come out to this great event benefitting ing Dog in its quest to compete in the America (RAAM), raising awareness 24 Hours for Hank. Buy some sweet glasses, and enjoy your first beer on th

ful

April 30 - May 7, 2015

g Dog Brewing Company al and enjoy a Panhandle Anih live music, beverages and fun.

m free

Reader recommended

Children Performing for Children: A Little Bit of Mozart 7pm @ Panida Theater This educational presentation and performance focuses on the life and works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Free admission; sponsored by the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint and Pend Oreille Arts Council Live Music w/ Highway 1 6pm @ Monarch Mountain Coffee Great blues and country music, in a laid-back venue

pot Art Show Reception @ POAC Gallery esents a show featuring nvolving the Sandpoint ot, and remains on disgh June 12

A weekly entertainment guide to keep you on your toes. To list your event free, please send an email to calendar@sandpointreader.com.

Live Music w/ Bright Moments Jazz 7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Teen Writers Club 3pm - 4:30pm @ East Bonner County Library Writing supplies and snacks provided. Held every other Friday

Confidence in Boating Class 9am - 4pm @ US Forestry Building, Hwy 2 A boating safety introduction designed especially for women who are interested in boating. Cost is $35 per person, please register with Beverly Hannibal at 683-1863 Health and Safety Fair • 9am - 2pm @ Columbia Bank Building The fair provides a family-friendly event where area health and safety organizations can get together to showcase their much-needed services. Events include free screenings, low-cost testing, dental hygiene, a kid’s bike rodeo, key speakers, demonstrations and other health-related services. The event is open to the public and free to attend.

Live Music w/ Justin Lantrip 5:30pm - 7:30pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Singer Songwriter with an impressive collection of originals and covers at his command

Upcoming Events “Wild Canaries” film 7:30pm @ Panida Theater Sundance select film - Rated-R First Tuesday 7pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Hosted by Jake Robin, this monthly musical event features special guest Harold’s IGA. What they lack in ability they make up for in... hmm.

val

s evolved ghtly-knit my Award ntain PBS

May 8 - The Wishing Boot Fund concert @ Panida Country concert to benefit Tammy Davis with music by Devon Wade May 14-17 - Lost in the ‘50s Weekend! See next week’s Reader for a full list of all the fun events! KRFY Morning Show - 8am on 88.5 FM KRFY Candidates Geraldine Lewis and Tom Cleveland will talk about running for LPO School District trustees.

How Idaho Got Its Shape 7pm - 8pm @ Bonner County History Museum This three part presentation by Don Pischner, a former state representative who served four terms in the House,will cover such topics as how the territories came to be, who the major players were, and how the borderlines were drawn.

g Team Laughe Race Across and funds for t bicycle pint he house!

Idaho Gives fundraiser 3pm - 8pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Support your local nonprofit! Clark Fork Delta Restoration 9am - 3pm @ Clark Fork River Delta Driftyard Registration required at www.clarkforkdelta.org. Come out and be part of this worthy effort!

Sandpoint Farmers Market 3pm - 5:30pm @ Farmin Park The Farmers’ Market is back! Treat yourself and family to locally grown fresh produce, baked goods and handcrafted arts and crafts.

accepting

You are here: Home > SNAP

As of Oct. 1, 2008, SNAP is the new name for the federal Food Stamp Program. It stands for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and reflects the changes we’ve made to meet the needs of our clients, including a focus on nutrition and an increase in benefit amounts.

The name change was mandated by the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008.

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This page is intended to serve as a resource for information about the name change. Updates and additional resources about the name change will be posted on this page.

Why was the name of the Program changed?

The new name reflects our focus on nutrition and putting healthy food within reach for low income households.

What does the name change mean for me – a food stamp recipient?

Only the name of the Food Stamp Program is changing. SNAP is not a new Program. The name change will have no effect on your benefits. You will continue to receive benefits as before and access them with the same electronic card at your local authorized retailers and farmers markets. You do not need to fill out any new paperwork. The same State agency will continue to handle your case. Through nutrition education partners, SNAP will still help clients learn to make healthy eating and active lifestyle choices.

Information For ...

“Woman in Gold” film 7:30pm @ Panida Theater Open Mic with Scott Reid 6pm - 9pm @ Monarch Mountain Come one, come all. Great selection of performers, coffee, treats and beer to keep the night interesting

Putting Healthy Food Within Reach

SNAP Fact Sheet - English

SNAP Fact Sheet - Spanish

What else has changed besides the name?

Recent program improvements include an increase in the minimum benefit (from $10 to $14) and standard deduction, elimination of the cap on dependent care deduction and the exclusion of education and retirement accounts from countable resources.

opening day May 2nd!

Are processing times changing?

No. Time frames to process applications will not change. Applications will continue to be processed by case workers using either expedited (within 7 days) or normal processing time frames (within 30 days).

As a SNAP client, how do I access nutrition information and education?

States usually offer nutrition education services through partner organizations. Your eligibility worker can direct you to the nutrition education services in your community. Nutrition education can help you learn how to make healthy

A DOWNTOWN FAVORITE!

Come see why!

Saturdays 9:00am to 1:00pm Wednesdays 3:00pm to 5:30pm Farmin Park 3rd & Oak Downtown Sandpoint located on the historic

always local. sandpointfarmersmarket.com

CEDAR ST. BRIDGE in Sandpoint, Idaho

www.cedarstbistro.com April 30, 2015 /

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We’ve gotten a great response to our call for your pet photographs. Instead of putting them in just one issue, we’ve decided to feature one or two every issue as long as we have the space. To submit your own pet photos, please send a photograph and a little bit of information about your special friend to ben@sandpointreader.com.

Pictured are Jeanelle Shields and her husband, Mr. Wonderful, who is holding their 30 year old mare, Annie, along with mini donkeys Bella and Bianca, accompanied by border terriers, Good Will and Dolly. We live on a self sustaining five acre homestead along with a flock of hens, six pigs and Barn Cat. Everyone has a job. We trade eggs with Evans Brothers, Tierra Madra and Spuds for their vegetable waste for our hens. The hens give us eggs, meat and fabulous manure for our garden. The donkeys, in addition to providing companionship for Annie, serve as our welcoming committee for the many guests who tour our property. They are even housebroken! The terriers keep away the predators, and Barn Cat keeps the mice at bay. Not just pets, they all know they are an important part of our farm family. Jeanelle Shields, Sandpoint

The sun is out!

Isn’t it time for more sunglasses and sun readers?

Broadcasting in Sandpoint on 106.7 FM and in Digital HD

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/ April 30, 2015

Full moon bike ride

Every month, nothing short of a bicycle caravan descends upon downtown Sandpoint as darkness sets in. If that sounds ominous, think again: For many, there’s no more fun time than the full moon bike ride. Newcomers and veterans of the monthly ride share their thoughts below:

Michael Richardson

I was invited to the event by a man named Aubrey Falconer. I didn’t know what the event was, but I knew Aubrey Falconer was a kind and fun person—the sort of person you could sit next to on a couch, do absolutely nothing and still feel it was time well-spent. As bike rides are infinitely fun in theory, I graciously accepted his invitation and he graciously loaned me a bike for the purpose. I was pleased, though not surprised, to find that not only were there very many participants, but that anyone I happened to interact with before, during and after the ride seemed very welcoming and friendly. I was intimidated, however, to find that (surprise, surprise) this was a tribe of bike loving enthusiasts who presumably rode long distances and trails just for the joy of riding. They had tricked-out custom bikes. Bike mobiles, skinny bikes, fat bikes, blue bikes, red bikes ... I would not be surprised if there was a Doctor Seuss bike. People dressed up and put on fun colors, fun hats and just fun things in general. I swear that one of the bikes had Christmas lights adorning it. My impression

is that, although biking is a serious-business fun hobby to these folk, the midnight ride is more of a social event than an endurance event. I could be wrong. At the end of the ride they gathered around and told speeches, toasted toasts and gifted gifts. The event seems well-received and established. No wonder, too, because the crowd was a delight to mingle and ride with. I should call Aubrey and see if he needs an extra pair of feet for the pedals on his tandem bike.

How often in life do we get to step back in time and feel like you are 12 years old again? Not often at all—until you throw your leg over your bike, place your foot on your peddle and push off into the night for the full moon bike ride. This happens not just during the warm summer months but also through the rain and snow. Along for the ride is a group of 170-plus playing follow the leader to the next destination. It is the chance to catch up and laugh with old friends, a chance to meet new people or help someone in need. Everyone takes care of each other, which is something I love about Sandpoint. It’s hard to not cherish memories like circling the Boyer roundabout holding up traffic or the Chinese fire drills at stop lights. If we have to wait for a train, we all laugh and cheer. Don’t be surprised if a silly string fight breaks out in the bowling ally parking lot. Nothing beats riding under

the moon down a winding bike path and seeing an amazing glow worm of lights behind you. One month I’m in a downpour laughing with one of my best friends, and the next it’s springtime but somehow still snowing. To hear the spin of wheels and the laughs, to see the smiles illuminated in bicycle lights: These are the things that make the night memorable. Thank you to Greasy Fingers Bikes ‘n’ Repair for making this happen every month. If you participate, please buy a dollar card from them that you can put in your spokes and support the rides. Thanks also to everyone that stops at intersections and rocks on bike paths to keep everyone safe. And thank you to everyone that attends. If you have ever wanted to go but are still unsure, just go! Life is an adventure you can’t miss out on, and this is one of them. If you need a friend, I will be a few bikes behind the trike, playing music with dear friends.

up—if so, your bike will roll along more efficiently. All tires have a recommended air pressure range marked on the sidewalls. A good tire pump with a pressure gauge is a cyclist’s best friend; they are not very expensive and are an important tool for a rider, especially if you have a lot of bikes in the stable. And the tires themselves make a big difference in getting what you want from your bike. Selecting the right tires for your type of riding will make a big difference, guaranteeing happiness for your many years of pedaling. Next, check the stopping controls. Make sure the rear brake works, and check the

front brake and shifters. Most of the cable-controlled systems need to be lubed, and adjusted, along with the chain depending on use and abuse. Comfort is another important part of cycling, so be sure to find the right saddle for you. I like to tell people saddles are like shoes: Once you find the right fit you will stay with it. Most good bike shops have a try-it-until-you-like-it policy, (unlike box stores). If you do not like it, try another until you are satisfied. Saddle height and handle bar height are also key and should be adjusted for what you want out of your bike. An avid cyclist has the seat and bars at a proper

Matthew Connery

Claire Christy

When preparing for my first full moon bike ride, I was intimidated. I’m not an avid cyclist. The extent of my experience is putting around the beach on a beach cruiser. I imagined the most fit and healthy people in Sandpoint, decked out in top-ofthe-line gear, riding the nicest road bikes money can buy, racing to the finish. What I found was very different. I found a variety of people on bikes of all kinds with one common purpose: fun. It took no more than two minutes for me to realize that this event was going to be awesome. When riding under the full moon behind the boom-box bike, you see huge smiles and major wipeouts all in the same moment. Encouragement and teamwork seem to be a huge part of the ride. When someone falls, they’re immediately encouraged to get back up and finish the ride. It’s like being in a school of

Riders gather on Cedar Street. Photo by Gary Lirette fish. Everyone is separate on their own bike, but we move as one big happy being. Cars wait at stop signs and intersections while more than one hundred bikes pass in front of them. They have no choice but to wait of course— what can do when there’s a mass of smiling cyclists taking up the whole street? While I was pedaling my way through a dark and bumpy alley, I had a moment of clarity. I looked up at the moon while the music bike played a good song, heard the echoes of giggles and friends talking and realized that I was in exactly the right place at exactly the right time. My first experience was nothing short of magical, and right in that moment I decided that I would never miss another full moon bike ride. To learn more about the ride, visit www.fbcsandpoint.net

Springtime Bicycle Love: A few spring tune-up tips from a local bike mechanic By Greg Rawuka For SPR

If you’re starting your first outing on the bike this spring, it can be difficult to know where to start. Here are a few basic tips. Make sure your bike is the right size for you; any decent shop will take the time (for free), to see if it is the right fit for you. It’s also a good idea to get a safety check to make sure everything is properly tightened, from the handle bar to seat clamps, pedals, axles and everything else that takes a wrench. Check your tires to make sure they are properly aired

height to make riding more efficient. After all, the bike is the chassis and transmission, but you are the motor. The easier the motor works, the longer and further it will run. Having my bike properly fitted, saddled and adjusted always makes my season of cycling much more pain free and enjoyable. A final note: There are some things you should carry on longer rides. Food, hydration a spare tube, a patch kit, tire levers, a small tire pump, and some type of compact bike tool will save you from a multitude of troubles. See you out on the bike trails!

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The return of Sandpoint Farmers’ Market! By Ben Olson For SPR When the Sandpoint Farmers’ Market emerges from its long winter’s sleep, summer is sure to follow. A collection of produce growers, artisans, bakers and artisans of all stripes and flavors, the Farmers’ Market is united under the mission to offer locally made or grown products to the community. The local Saturday and Wednesday favorite returns May 2. “We have a very strong mission statement that allows us to focus on locally grown and sold items,” said Maegan McLaughlin, manager of the Farmers’ Market for the past four seasons. According to McLaughlin, vendors make their products within a 100-mile radius of Sandpoint, and the people who are selling at the market are principally the people who grew or made the product. “That’s a unique twist,” said McLaughlin, “Other farmers’ markets will allow an employee to sell on their behalf, but we only allow the grower to sell.” The market has come a long way from its humble beginnings 27 years ago, when Lois Wythe had a bright idea. “Lois had the idea to have a farmers’ market,” said Diane Green of Greentree Naturals farm. Green has been a vendor for 26 seasons and has also served as a board president. “She put an ad in the paper and called for gardeners and farmers to come to a meeting to see what the interest was.” The community rallied. The city of Sandpoint allowed the use of Farmin Park, and, at the first market, about a half dozen vendors set up their tables and displayed a variety of their homegrown crops. Every year has shown an increase in the vendors, as well as the variety of products offered. “We have over 100 vendors on our roster,” said McLaughlin. “We have everything from traditional fruits and vegetables in season, to fine art and craft artisans, to handmade jewelry, 14 /

/ April 30, 2015

water color, photography, some of the traditional farmers’ market crafts like basket weaving ... we want to make sure we have the best variety.” For 15-year vendor Mitch Rivkin of Solstice Farms in Bonners Ferry, the Sandpoint market is his favorite spot to sell his products. “We love our Sandpoint customers,” he said. “They really appreciate our produce, and that helps a lot. It’s not just the money, it’s knowing that we’re getting good food to people who want it.” In addition to his produce on display at the market, Rivkin offers a subscription program for people who want fresh produce year-round. “Rather than buying a particular produce,” said Rivkin. “The customer buys a share of our season’s crop.” For $500, a customer can buy 20 weeks of produce of all varieties, and pick it up from Rivkin at the market. For Emily Levine, vendor and board member for 8 seasons, farming is the reason she came to Sandpoint. “I started farming because I was really interested in the politics of food,” she said. “In college I got really involved in food activism, but I didn’t really know what I was talking about. I was preaching without any of the real struggles of a farmer. I decided to work for a summer on a farm.” Levine moved to Idaho and worked on Diane Green’s farm, where she found an immense love for farming. She and Dave Brown now own Red Wheelbarrow Produce on Selle Road, which focuses on a diverse variety of all natural vegetables and plant starts. “I had never been to Idaho before,” she said. “You know what happens... I got hooked.” One additional market for the vendors is selling their produce to local Sandpoint restaurants. “We have a good relationship with Jim at Ivano’s,” said Rivkin. “We also sell to Trinity and do quite a bit with Spuds off and on.”

According to Levine, who sells her produce to Winter Ridge Natural Foods and Tierra Madre among others, the Farmers’ Market is just one stage to bringing locally grown produce to the community. “It’s awesome having local restaurants and chefs supporting our small farms locally,” said Levine. “It allows us to grow bulk crops and, say if the weather is bad on a market day, we can still sell a good amount of our crop.” Whether shopping for your weekly supply of organic greens, or just strolling through the park to listen to the great selection of live music every week, the Sandpoint Farmers’ Market has earned itself a place among the key activities that make our community the special place that it is. “It’s the whole Mayberry experience,” said McLaughlin. “Remember that old black and white show? They lived in a land of Mayberry, a sweet little idyllic town where everybody knew each other. I think the Farmers’ Market allows that kind of experience for Sandpoint.” Catch the action at the Sandpoint Farmers’ Market every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Wednesday from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at the Farmin Park, Jeff Jones Town Square and Oak Street in Sandpoint. The Market goes strong until October.

Photo captions from top to bottom: A fresh selection of locally grown beets, carrots and turnips. Photo courtesy of Sandpoint Farmers’ Market. A savory table of homemade pies doesn’t last long. Photo courtesy of Sandpoint Farmers’ Market. A “little shopper.” Photo by Diane Green of Greentree Naturals.

STAGE & SCREEN

Movies for bicycle lovers By Ben Olson For SPR In commemoration of our bike issue, and May being National Bike Month, here are a smattering of films that speak to the two-wheeler in all of us.

“The Triplets of Belleville” 2003

Written and directed by French helmer Sylvain Chomet, “The Triplets of Belleville” is one of my all-time most favorite animated movies. Wonderfully drawn, and standing alone without the aid of dialogue, this unique film is the story of a grandmother’s quest to rescue her grandson, a Tour de France cyclist, from a mafia lord who kidnapped him to use in a gambling circuit. With a fantastic soundtrack and a sense of strangeness that you can’t help but smile at, “Belleville” was nominated for two Academy Awards, including Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. My favorite character is the portly hound Bruno, whose movements and noises are spot-on and comical. If you haven’t seen it, and are looking for a different type of animated film, by all means, check it out.

“Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” 1985

Yeah, I went there. Who hasn’t seen this ridiculous film and loved every moment of it? These were the days before Pee-wee showed his wee-wee in a movie house. Directed by Tim Burton, this ‘80s comedy is a strange retelling of the 1948 Italian classic “Bicycle Thieves,” with Pee-wee Herman embarking on his nationwide quest to recover his stolen bicycle. In a classic scene, after knocking over a bunch of motorcycles at a biker bar, Pee-wee earns street cred from the Satan’s Helpers by dancing to the song, “Tequila.” Hilarious. And sad that I even listed this movie. Moving on.

“E.T.” 1982

Spielberg’s iconic film isn’t necessarily about bicycles, but who can forget that image of Elliot riding across the moon with E.T. in his basket? If you haven’t seen it in awhile, watch it again. Spielberg always impresses me

Uhh... don’t look down with his comedic timing. One other note, you can see one of the few child stars (Drew Barrymore) who grew up and actually doesn’t look like a troll.

“The Goonies” 1985

Again, not necessarily about biking,

but there are so many great scenes with the Goon squad on their bicycles, I had to include this one at the end. There are rumors that there will be a Goonies sequel in the future, but part of me hopes this will never be so. Watch Chunk do the “Truffle Shuffle” in slow motion for a good laugh.

“Bicycle Dreams” 2009

This documentary by Stephen Auerbach highlights the Race Across America (RAAM), which has been called the “world’s toughest bike race.” The film is an in-depth, triumphant, and sometimes tragic look at the dedication it takes to attempt a 3,500 mile race from California to Atlantic City in just nine days.

“Rad” 1986

This is one of the ‘80s films that you almost feel embarrassed watching. I can remember vividly popping the VHS tape in as a child and watching this movie with my face about six inches from the television. The plotline, as with most movies made in the ‘80s, is painstakingly simple: A young BMX rider faces a crucial decision in life—take the SAT and go to college, or race Helltrack, the Tour de France of BMX. Backed by a so-badit’s-good soundtrack that makes you cringe, “Rad” made me want to become a professional BMX rider. Then I turned eight and forgot about it. April 30, 2015 /

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Biking Trails Guide Photo by Ben Olson

By Cameron Rasmusson For SPR

The Sandpoint area is a little slice of heaven for outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes, be they boaters, skiers, climbers or hikers. Mountain bikers have it just as good. The surrounding mountains are riddled with excellent, well-maintained trails suitable for all skill levels. Here are just a few biking trails beloved by the outdoors community and recommended by the good folks at Pend Oreille Pedalers and Schweitzer Mountain Resort.

Schweitzer Mountain Resort trails

Given the generous acreage at Schweitzer Mountain, it’s only sensible that the resort finds way to put that terrain to use during the snowless months. For bikers seeking the thrill of a steady downward descent through mountain trails, the spectacular Sandpoint vistas are tough to beat. Bikers can access all downhill trails from the top of the Great Escape Quad. With 1,700 feet of trails descending into Schweitzer Village, the trails system offers a diverse array of choices for intermediate and expert riders— just be sure you sign a release form before you ride the lifts. Sandy Thomas, president of the Pend Oreille Pedalers, says the Schweitzer trails are a great choice for experienced riders. Given the occasionally rocky, rough descents, however, beginners may want to cut their teeth on gentler terrain. 16 /

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“I wouldn’t say they’re for an inexperienced rider,” Thomas said.

Syringa Heights

Those looking for a huge variety of trails covering all skill levels need look no further than Syringa Heights, an expansive stretch of woods nestled between Sandpoint and Dover. Cadie Archer has been riding the trails for three years and appreciates their convenience. No need for a car—from Sandpoint, a quick ride to West Pine Street is all it takes to access the trailhead. “For proximity and ease of access, it’s tough to beat,” Thomas said. Archer also loves the expansive, diverse quality of the area. The more difficult areas can demand some strenuous uphill climbs, while other areas are smooth sailing across flat, even trails. Just make sure to devote some extra time in case you get a little lost. “I love it because it gets you lost in your bike ride, but it’s not so big that you’re worried you won’t find your way out,” Archer said.

Gold Hill

Here’s another great option for hardcore bikers who want a little challenge in their lives. This 11.5 mile trail will give even the most athletic riders a solid workout thanks to steady climbs and dozens of switchbacks. While the trail gentles a

bit after a tough stretch of several miles, it’s still recommended for those confident in their skills. “It’s definitely more of a technical ride,” said Thomas. To access the Gold Hill trailhead, drive south on Highway 95 four and a half miles, then turn left onto Bottle Bay Road. After crossing the railroad tracks, continue another four miles and look for trailhead parking on the right. The area provides many fine views of Sandpoint and Lake Pend Oreille as you pedal.

Mineral Point

For a happy balance between challenge and fun, Thomas finds his golden ratio in Mineral Point. While some rocky stretches mean less experienced bikers will probably be walking some stretches, the trail is varied enough for to be fun for everyone, save perhaps novices. “It’s just technical enough to make it fun without being hair-raising,” Thomas said.

Access it by driving south on Highway 95 and turning left onto Sagle Road. Seven miles out, take the right fork to Garfield Bay. Beyond the lake and day-use area, follow the sign to Mineral Point. Turn right on Road 532 and drive 3 miles to Road 532A. You’ll find the trailhead a half-mile out. Expect some great lakeside scenery on this trail. In fact, there are plenty of opportunities along the way for a quick swim, should the urge take you.

and biking alike. It’s a relatively gentle ride and should be perfect for anyone seeking a summer afternoon in the fresh air. Meanwhile, the up-close-and-personal views of the lake should appeal to any nature-loving soul. Just keep an eye out for hikers, as this trail tends to see steady use in the warmer months. For more information on regional trails, check out www. pendoreillepedalers.com

Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail

Here’s a trail hardcore bike enthusiasts and casual riders can appreciate in equal measure. City officials and private citizens teamed up in a lengthy effort to secure this stretch of waterfront property for public use. That process culminated in a pristine lakeside trail between Sandpoint and Ponderay, perfect for hiking

Watershed Crest Trail expected by season’s end

Sandpoint biking trails will be getting even more diverse in a matter of months. The city of Sandpoint is teaming up with Pend Oreille Pedalers to develop the Watershed Crest Trail, a new system within the Little Sand Creek Watershed. The trail is envisioned as a 25-mile non-motorized stretch connecting Sand-

point to the top of Schweitzer and providing interconnectivity with many key Schweitzer trails. Councilman Shelby Rognstad spearheaded the effort to strike up a dialogue between the Pedalers and the city. The result is a proposed trail that will be built and maintained to exacting ecological standards.

According to Sandy Thomas, president of the Pend Oreille Pedalers, trail development will be split into several phases. However, he said at least some of the trail should be bikable by the end of this season if all goes well, he said. Keep an eye on the Pedalers for more developments on this project.

MUSIC

This week’s RLW by Susan Drinkard

Children performing for Children: “A Little Bit of Mozart” By Jodi Rawson For SPR

When my daughter, Dinah, expressed an interest in music in the autumn of 2013, I contacted the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint. One phone call led me into a musical wonderland located right in the heart of Sandpoint. The lovable receptionist, Natalie, suggested we attend the free “Children Performing for Children” concert at the Panida. Squeezing in beside hundreds of elementary school students, we sat in awe. The enthusiasm of the children performing and the dance of their conductors was infectious. Because classical music is as new to me as it is to my daughter, I was exposed to a composer entirely unknown to me. Surprisingly, I learned that I enjoy Benjamin Britten. Hopefully there will be similar experiences at the two concerts set for Thursday, April 30. The event will feature the famous composer, Mozart, as well as all of the community programs of the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint. Ruth Klinginsmith, one of the directors of the community programs and co-founder of MCS, aims to bless the school children and the community with these concerts and “to give them a glimpse into the life and music of Mozart.”

“We’re excited about this concert,” Klinginsmith says, “to be able to share with the schools and community the music the children have been learning.” Her passion is contagious. My daughter shares her excitement and says the community programs “are fun and you’re being encouraged by other kids.” Dinah is involved in two of the grant-funded community programs: the Bel Canto Ensemble Choir and the youth orchestra. Also performing at the Panida will be the advanced chamber orchestra, the boy’s ensemble choir and the open children’s choir. All of these programs are either free or very reasonable. Scholarships and instrument-borrowing are also available. Any child interested in music is welcome to join the after-school community programs. Since busloads of elementary school students will fill the Panida in the early show, there is a second evening show. All are welcome to enjoy children performing Mozart and more at 7 p.m. April 30 at the historic Panida Theater. “It will be a very fun and engaging concert,” Ruth says. I believe her, and the admission is free!

READ

Descriptions of rocks and valleys can be tedious. I would rather sit through a Yoko Ono Retrospective than read endless descriptions of landscapes. That “said,” I must admit that “The Orchardist,” by Amanda Coplin, has plenty of terrain descriptions, but it works in this mesmerizing novel written by a woman who was raised in the Wenatchee, Wash. orchard country in which it is set. Pay attention to the quality of time in this character-driven story. It will alter you.

LISTEN

Top to Bottom: The community orchestras practicing in the Sandpoint Middle School band room; Ruth Klinginsmith conducts the Youth Orchestra with a young “apprentice”; The Bel Canto Ensemble Choir shares their angelic voices with the residents at Valley Vista. Photos by Jodi Rawson.

Crossword Solution

When I taught Language Arts at the middle school, I was pleased to find a Joni Mitchell poem in the students’ anthology. Joni’s longago boyfriend and fellow Canadian Leonard Cohen merits a place in the texts for his poems about the big stuff—love, fear, inevitability, loss, and, at this vantage for the 80-year-old—mortality. Sweet violin and gorgeous backup vocals are featured in the September 2014 release of Cohen’s newest album, Popular Problems, a nine-song peak into Cohen’s humor and sense of irony. E i g h t y years old or not, he’s still got it.

WATCH

In recent months I’ve been going to a movie a week at the Bonner Mall Cinemas. I must say the one standout is the Disney film “McFarland, USA.” Kevin Costner plays a teacher/ coach in a poverty-stricken mostly Hispanic town in central California where the kids work in the fields before and after school and then go to cross-country practice. The movie is heartwarming and based on a true story. Netflix it next winter.

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w o N & Then compiled by

Ben Olson

Each week, we feature a new photograph taken from the same vantage point as one taken long ago. See how we’ve changed, and how we’ve stayed the same. Special thanks to local historian Aric Spence for this week’s feature.

The Train Depot, as photographed by local historian Aric Spence in December, 2003. Note the old Burlington Northern sign above the fascia, and the radio antenna, as well as the view of the mountains behind it.

2003

The same depot today, after a rehab by local builders Idagon Homes. Note the Seasons development in the background and the slight changes to the station, including a new “Sandpoint” sign, the antenna gone, and guard rails. Photo by Ben Olson.

2015

Corrections this week: In last week’s K&K Spring Derby article, we identified Kenny Breedon in the photo as “Kenny Harden.” We apologize for this dumb mistake. Kenny, we owe you a cold one! Nice rainbow! 18 /

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CROSSWORD

Historical information provided and verified by Bonner County Museum staff and volunteers (special thanks to Olivia Morlean, Will Valentine, and Allen Robertson). If you have any scrapbooks or old photographs taken in Bonner County that you would like to see Then & Now’ed, please submit them to the Museum so they can digitize and return the photographs to you. The Museum is located at 611 S. Ella — (208) 263-2344.

ACROSS 1. Run away to wed 6. Fourth sign of the zodiac 10. Salt Lake state 14. Last 15. Sit for a photo 16. Not 17. Pretended 19. Remain 20. Afternoon nap 21. Explosive 22. Nameless 23. Nosed (out) 25. Extreme 26. Friends 30. Black Sea port 32. Snob 35. Brusquely 39. Extreme cruelty 40. A type of beauty treatment 41. Adulteress 43. The combining power of atoms 44. Smooth, in music 46. Consider 47. Baby beds 50. Pandiculations 53. Hubs 54. Boxer’s punch 55. Nuclear 60. Smell 61. Mandatory 63. Left 64. Hemorrhaged 65. Novices 66. Snack 67. Bristle 68. Smell

1. F F F F 2. 53 in Roman numerals 3. A single time 4. Taps 5. High society 6. Consumer Price Index 7. Absolutely still 8. Apart 9. Finest 10. Deranged 11. Corrupt 12. Eagerness 13. Doglike nocturnal mammal

DOWN 18. Little bit 24. Snagged 25. Normal 26. Annoyance 27. Winglike 28. Adriatic resort 29. Spontaneous abortion 31. Couch 33. Small islands 34. Dirty air 36. Eat 37. Shoestring 38. Anagram of “Lyme” 42. Due

Solution on page 17 43. Solemn promise 45. Pill 47. Jester 48. Cowboy sport 49. Graphic symbols 51. Henpeck 52. Statistics 54. Chores 56. Ear-related 57. Not less 58. Weightlifters pump this 59. Vesicle 62. Actress Lupino

I think it should be a law that if you ever get sucked up into a tornado, whatever you can grab with your hands while you’re swirling around up there, you get to keep.

www.niemanssoral.net

208.263.3024

Mother

[muhth-er] -noun 1. One person who does the work of twenty. For ee. (See also: ‘masochist’, ‘loony’, ‘saint’.)

Thank Mo m l w ith a beautifu g bo uquet, hang in ming basket or blo o man's! plant f ro m Nie

30th Anniversary

Featuring Frankie Avalon! For more info -- www.sandpoint.org/lostin50s April 30, 2015 /

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