Reader august13 2015

King of the KONGcrete -skate comp-

Police shooting in Sandpoint

Shakespeare in North Idaho?

Drones wreak havoc on firefighting efforts

festival sandpoint in pictures at

READER

August 13, 2015 / FREE / Vol. 12 issue 30

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Susan Drinkard on the street compiled by

If you could choose any performer or band, who would you just LOVE to see perform at the Festival of Sandpoint?

“Jimmy Buffet and/or James Taylor.”

FIDDLIN’ RED Music Store

Instruments Repairs Lessons

Barb Perusse Counselor Sandpoint

“The composer and conductor Ennio Morricone. He has written music for more than 500 motion pictures. They are epic and timeless.”

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

DEAR READERS,

I’d like to give a shout out to all of you people in town who continue to wish us well on our quest to bring you a great newspaper. I’m stopped on the street at least once a day by a nice person saying how much they enjoy our publication. That really means a lot, especially because of the long, hard hours Cameron and I work every week.

That being said, we always strive to be better here at the Reader. We’re 30 issues in... how are we doing? Anything you’d like to see done differently? Write me at ben@sandpointreader. com and tell me your opinion.

-Ben Olson, Publisher

Zach Hagadone (emeritus) Contributing Artists: Ben Olson (cover), Daniel Cape, Angela Euliarte, David Marx, Susan Drinkard.

Contributing Writers: Cameron Rasmusson, Ben Olson, Nick Gier, Scarlette Quille, Scout Anatricia, Ted Bowers, Dan Eskelson, Chris Balboni

Advertising: Jen Landis jen@sandpointreader.com Greg Larson greg@sandpointreader.com Clint Nicholson clint@keokee.com Web Content: Keokee

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. Free to all, limit two copies per person.

“Luke Bryan. I just like his music.”

Jake Blum Employee at Natural Fitness Athol

Dave Wetz Playboy Hope

Editor: Cameron Rasmusson cameron@sandpointreader.com

Subscription Price: $75 per year

Rhonda Armbrust Hypnotist, author, mental health rehab specialist Sagle

“Michael and Shanna Thompson are local but their music is excellent—rock and rollish. I like Garth Brooks and Dolly Parton. Some of these performers are getting older and might have altruistic urges to come and play a small venue where it is more about the art of music and not about the big bucks.”

www.sandpointreader.com Publisher: Ben Olson ben@sandpointreader.com

Printed weekly at: Griffin Publishing Spokane, Wash.

“Bonnie Raitt. I had to sit outside the fence in Snowmass, Colorado the last time I saw her in 1976 or so because I didn’t have the money. She dedicated a song to those of us outside. I would like to see her here—inside the fence this time.”

Shelley Allen Self-employed Sandpoint and Bullhead City, AZ

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

Submit stories to: stories@sandpointreader.com

Brom Glidden Therapist Sandpoint

“If I could hear anyone I wanted it would be Led Zeppelin, or Paul McCartney. McCartney played Missoula, so why not here? But, James Taylor is doable for this venue.”

READER

Lunch 11 - 3 Dinner 5 - 9 New Approach Idaho Initiative: 1) Legalize Medical Marijuana 2) Decriminalize 3 ounces or less 3) Allow Idaho Farmers To Grow Hemp

in November, 2016 You may sign at the following locations: •Common Knowledge •Vapor Planet •Vapor Depot •Eichardt’s Pub

Let’s all be part of Idaho’s shift to common sense. www.legalize208.org

HAPPY HOUR! Mon-Sat 3-5pm

$1 off beer, wine & appetizer menu!

2 for 1 Huckleberry Mimosas!

Mon-Fri 3-6pm

109 Cedar Street (In the Historic Farmin Building) Downtown Sandpoint

(208) BAX-TERS

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 features a photograph taken by Ben Olson of local skater Matt Splat at the Concrete Lake Skate Park at Traver’s Field.

Splat was instrumental in establishing the skate park, and was out practicing his grinds while the photo was taken.

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COMMENTARY Kansas Has the Red State Blues; Will Idaho Catch It?

By Nick Gier Reader Columnist “Kansas’ tax cut was among the worst tax policy decisions of all time.”

—Forbes (July 2, 2015) The GOP presidential candidates are bringing out the Gipper to solve the nation’s economic problems. Those who worship Ronald Reagan repeat the now familiar refrain that he gave us smaller government and lower taxes. By the time Reagan left office, however, the number of nonmilitary federal employees had increased by 238,000. In fact, these numbers also went up under the two Bushes, but declined under Carter, Clinton, and Obama.

Reagan did reduce income taxes substantially, but when his budget director David Stockman warned of huge deficits, Reagan increased taxes in six of his eight years in office. The tax increase of 1982 was, adjusted for inflation, larger than the new revenue for Obamacare. The red ink was still not staunched.

When Reagan took office the national debt was a little over $1 trillion, but when he left of-

fice it was $2.7 trillion, a 189 percent increase.

Even with strong evidence that tax cuts do not necessarily stimulate the economy, the GOP at the state and national level continue to repeat the mantra and its reputed magic.

Republican-led Louisiana and Alabama are facing huge deficits. Alabama Governor Robert Bentley has requested $300 million in new taxes after rejecting attempts by his legislature to reduce the deficit by severe spending cuts alone. Bobby Jindal has been forced to raise taxes to close a $1.6 billion gap in revenues for his state.

Kansas is the state where the no-tax religion has been most fervently preached and practiced. Calling on Reagan but ignoring his record, Gov. Sam Brownback came into office promising a “real live experiment” to produce economic prosperity for his state.

Brownback began a “march to zero” by eliminating income taxes on 330,000 businesses and farms, promising do that for all citizens when that new reve-

nue came to Kansas. Few new businesses came, and although the Kansan economy grew, it grew at a much lower rate than nearby, higher-taxing states or the nation as a whole. In an exercise in subtle understatement, Kansas State GOP Sen. Les Donovan admitted: “We probably overdid this a bit. The economy has not come back.”

In June, Republicans in the Kansas Legislature reluctantly voted for a $432 million in new taxes, the largest increase in the state’s history. They raised the tax on cigarettes and the sales tax went from 5.7 to 6.5 percent.

Kansas House Minority leader Tom Burroughs states: “We are literally increasing the cost of living in Kansas on those who can afford it least.”

As part of the budget deal, Brownback promised to come up with $50 million in budget cuts. The program most hit was SCHIP, which provides healthcare for the state’s poor children. Ironically, some of the cuts will be off-set by funds from the much maligned Affordable Care Act.

Shannon Cotsoradis, president of Kansas Action for Children, declared that “Kansas children and families continue to foot the bill for an unsustainable tax plan. We know Kansas’ youngest children have been dropping off the state’s Medicaid rolls at an alarming rate since 2012.”

Brownback once promised Kansans that his “live economic experiment” would provide new funding for education, but in February he proposed huge cuts for the state’s schools.

The recent budget deal avoids most these, but school districts still have been forced to reduce school days and programs as well as running property tax elections.

The Kansas Legislature is much like Idaho’s: it has a 90day session and the legislators draw only $18,000 in salary.

There are 97 Republicans in the 125-seat House and 32 Republicans in the 40-seat Senate. As in Idaho, the Kansas GOP has purged its moderates, those in the mold of former Sen. Bob Dole. In the 2012 primary 16

moderates lost in 21 races.

Brownback and most of the nation’s Republicans all play to the tune of anti-tax guru Grover Norquist, whose March to Zero ends with a government so small that “we can drown it a bathtub.” He heaped praise on Brownback’s experiment and said that it would lead to greater prosperity for all Kansans.

Some Kansas legislators insist that they are simply reforming taxes, not increasing them. In Louisiana Republicans were afraid that they would lose Norquist’s favor, but their convoluted way of increasing revenue passed muster. Ten brave Republicans, however, signed a letter to Norquist saying that the budget bill was a “phantom—purely fictional and procedural.”

Nick Gier of Moscow taught philosophy at the University of Idaho for 31 years. Read his column on Reagan at www.

NickGier.com/RRmilitary.pdf and his column on the national debt at www.NickGier.com/ DebtGOPObama.pdf.

Comments open for mine permit at Rock Creek

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff If you have an opinion on the proposed Rock Creek Mine, now is the time to make your voice heard.

With the Montana Department of Environmental Quality considering the issuance of a wastewater discharge permit to applicant RC Resources, the public has until Sept. 2 to file comments on the proposal.

That deadline, however, may change if an extension requested by conservation organization Rock Creek Alliance is granted.

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rounding the proposed permit is very technical, Rock Creek Alliance director Mary Costello hopes to use the additional time to clarify the information for concerned residents.

“These extensions are often granted toward the end of the commenting period, so you never know whether or not you’ll get one,” she said.

A public hearing over the permit is scheduled for Sept. 1 from 6-8 p.m. at Noxon School in Noxon, Mont. Since Costello figures most Sandpoint residents aren’t keen on driving to Noxon for a public meeting, however, she hopes they’ll mail

their comments instead. They can be sent to DEQ Permitting & Compliance Division, Water Protection Bureau, PO Box 200901, Helena, MT 59620 or emailed to DEQWPBPublicComments@mt.gov.

In what’s shaping up to be a busy week for Rock Creek Alliance, the organization is also hosting its annual meeting from 5-8 p.m. Sept. 2 at Idaho Pour Authority. The event will feature an annual update and silent auction, plus a visit from Oregon brewery Ninkasi Brewing, which is supporting the organization through its Pints For A Cause program.

The potential environmental dangers are certainly on the public’s mind following the Environmental Protection Agency’s accidental corruption of the Animas River in Colorado with wastewater from an abandoned mine.

While mining techniques have evolved since that Colorado mine closed, Costello said mining regulations have remained static.

“Even though that’s an old

mine, the 1872 law is still in effect that ties the hands of land managers,” she said.

Illustration by Angela Euliarte

PERSPECTIVES

10 Reasons Why Married People Secretly Hate Singles…

If you are single, you know all too well that many of your friends and family are constantly badgering you about settling down. At times they even resort to acts of cruelty like forcing you to sit at the kids’ table during family gatherings. As a person who has stepped in and out of the single and married world more than a few times, I have experienced many unpleasant situations resulting from my unmarried status.

There was a time when I wondered whether married people actually hated me. My own investigations resulted in the top 10 reasons why this is the case.

1. Free Time: This is a loaded concept. A single person doesn’t have to explain why they chose to go on the full moon bike ride instead of making dinner, washing dishes or sorting the recycling. There is absolutely no one that needs to know what you are doing and whether or not it is productive. You only have yourself to blame. You may chastise yourself for “wasting” precious time, or just take a nap. Either way, you and only you has to deal with the consequences, none of which involve someone else being enraged by your lack of productivity.

2. Netflix: You are free to binge watch anything at any time. You do not have to decide on a series. You do not have to deal with any resentment over how many times you re-watch “Orange is the New Black.” You can dedicate full weekends to the consumption and analysis of any

show from “Pretty Little Liars” to “The New Girl”, without having to compromise. You are always caught up on the latest episodes or coolest new series. The Netflix world is your own personal wonderland. No one will ever complain about your nocturnal television consumption.

3. Master Bathroom: This is perhaps the most important item on the list. Whatever your bathroom situation is at your place of residence, the items in it and the activities that take place there are yours alone. No one else is privy to them.

The master bathroom is the worst concept in the history of architecture. Clearly the people responsible for this household addition had absolutely no desire for space or boundaries.

The existence of a master bathroom is directly proportionate to people experiencing the following horrors on a daily basis: a. Lying in bed while someone is taking a shit three feet away from you and likely leaving the door open afterwards. b. Passing out while holding your breath while trying to brush your teeth before you leave in the morning—because you weren’t able to complete the necessary hygiene activities before your partner’s morning bowel movement. c. The concept that you must have “equal space” in the shared area although one person has a razor, toothbrush and maybe a comb while the other has no less than 25 hair tools and 10 beauty products. This count doesn’t even include make-up or accessories.

Bottom line, having a toilet in the room where all the sexy time is supposed to be going down is contradictory at best.

Single people, enjoy the solitude.

4. Refrigerator: As a single person, this can be filled with all your favorite consumable products. You live a peaceful existence knowing that your favorite ice cream is sitting comfortably in the freezer just waiting for the next time you need it. No one eats your food or leaves empty containers within this sacred space. You know that if you pick up a container, something is in it. There is no trick, no disappointment, only delicious rewards.

5. Judgment: Last Sunday you laid on your couch for the majority of the day. You did not wear pants or brush your teeth.

You napped for four hours and spent two hours on the phone catching up with a friend from college. Yay, you! That was a good day, and no one ever has to know about it.

6. Pets: You can have the cutest, most annoying, hairy, expensive pet on the planet.

You can speak to it however you want. You confide in this amazing creature who keeps all of your secrets and loves you unconditionally. People tell you all the time “dogs” are not kids or replacement for human relationships. You know deep down they are wrong, and your dog totally knows what you are talking about.

7. Sleep Patterns: Wake up late, go to bed early, take a nap. Never make your bed.

Sleep on the couch, sleep on someone else’s couch. Sleep all day. Whatever, where ever, whenever, you can do it. Again, there is no one to judge or rob you of your precious rest.

8. Cooking: There is no expectation that you cook anything ever. For the most part, people believe you can not cook. If you are invited to a gathering, anything you bring will be just fine, while if you are married, nothing less than a complicated casserole or exotic salad will do. Right now, somewhere, there is a woman trying desperately to make a dish to contribute to a gathering that will make everyone in attendance believe she is a domestic goddess. This is in spite of the fact she has not even mastered grilled cheese. She hates you, single person. Hates you.

9. Schedule: You are responsible for your own schedule. Anything that you need to do or want to do, can be placed during a convenient time on this schedule. You have options and do not need to comprise. If you want to golf all day Saturday, you make the call and no one can make you feel guilty for it. No one, that is, except for your mother, and there is no living situation on the planet that can save you from your mother’s perceived or actual disapproval. Sorry, this is what it is.

10. Organization: You can use your closet as a gun cabinet. You are free to have an art studio in the garage. Your filing cabinet can be a stack of mail anywhere in the house.

You can color-coordinate your closet and polish your shoes at any point in your work week.

These choices do not affect anyone. They do not cause arguments or hostile living situations. You are free to develop a personal organization system that works for you—whether it is rudimentary or sophisticated is not important. What is important is that no one will go around relocating your personal items. If you lost it, you do not have to delve into another human being’s mind to try and figure out where your Sweetie Pie possibly moved your Julian Michaels DVD. The answer is conveniently stored in your own skull.

I hope that this has helped.

Single people, you are not suffering. If you feel like you are on the receiving end of a married person’s frustration, feel free to indulge in a pantless Netflix session.

That’s all I have this week.

I’m sorry to all the families that are trying to marry their children off. This was not meant to undermine any progress that you have been making with your stubborn single child.

Yours Truly, Scarlette Quille

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NEWS

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff

A coalition of law enforcement officials across North Idaho are investigating the officer-involved shooting of a Sandpoint man that occurred Tuesday afternoon.

According to Sandpoint Police Department officials, Casey George Alarcon, 34 years old of Sandpoint, died from a single gunshot wound after opening fire at Sandpoint Police and Bonner County Sheriff officers.

The shooting occurred at a residence on Ruth Avenue between Chestnut and Spruce streets. According to police officials, two Bonner County deputies and a Sandpoint police officer were “conducting enforcement activities” in the area when they encountered Alarcon.

A conflict ensued, and Alarcon brandished a firearm, firing two shots at the officers. A deputy returned fire and shot Alarcon with a single round. This accounts for the multiple shots that bystand-

ers reported hearing, with most guessing they heard two or three.

A video posted onto social media shows the aftermath of the shooting, with officers cuffing and transporting a younger male to a Ponderay police vehicle. “Sandpoint police just murdered my brother,” the cuffed individual says in the video.

Neighborhood resident Beth Pederson heard a similar exchange shortly after the shooting occurred.

“I heard three shots and then [the youngest brother] yelled, ‘Murderers, murderers, they murdered my brother,’” she said. “I then called 911.”

“They’ve been my neighbors forever,” Pederson added.

“Both boys have been around this week, helping their dad.”

Immediately afterward, the officers involved in the shooting were counseled by Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler, who made sure the officers had everything they needed. The three officers, who have not yet been identified, are now on paid

Photo by Ben Olson.

Police shooting leaves one suspect dead

Officers from Bonner County Sheriff and Sandpoint Police on the scene in the aftermath of the shooting that left one adult male suspect dead.

administrative leave. No officers were injured in the shooting.

Meanwhile, investigation into the shooting is under way by the Region One Critical Incident Response Team, an organization of law enforcement officials from the five northern Idaho counties.

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office is heading up the investigation. According to police officials, officers have secured warrants to the site of the shooting and are collecting evidence. The incident was also captured on the officers’ body cameras.

This may not have been Alarcon’s first potentially deadly encounter with the police. A 2008 article in the Bonner County Daily Bee indicates he was arrested for allegedly robbing the Downtown Crossing bar and later said he wanted to be killed by police in the confrontation. According to the article, he pulled a gun on police when he was arrested on Nov. 24, 2007.

The shooting left many Sandpoint residents reeling, especially since the officer-involved shooting of Jeanetta Ri-

Common Knowledge to close its doors

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff

Over the course of 10 years, Common Knowledge has established itself as something of a Sandpoint institution in its own right.

It’s understandably bittersweet for co-owner Shelby Rognstad, then, that the business is closing its doors, with this Sunday marked as the last day of operation. The property is now on the market, and those with outstanding store credit should fill it by this weekend.

“The staff here has been great, just like a family,” Rognstad said.

“And the customers are a part of that family, too.”

There are several reasons for the business’ closing, Rognstad said. Chief among them is the Sandpoint City Council president’s upcoming campaign for the November mayoral election.

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spend more of my time on this campaign,” Rognstad said.

The market for local coffee shops has also become considerably more packed in the last 10 years, Rognstad added.

When Common Knowledge first opened, Monarch Mountain was the only other prominent coffee shop in town. Since then, options like Evans Brothers Coffee, Tierra Madre, Panhandle Cone and Coffee, Kokanee Coffee and more have entered the fray. Considering their excellent quality and downtown locations, Rognstad said they gave Common Knowledge a real run for their money.

“All those businesses added a certain amount of direct competition,” Rognstad said. “Collectively, they provided a real challenge.”

Common Knowledge distinguished itself by adding services targeting new markets over the years. In addition to the coffee

shop and teahouse, the business featured a book store and a food menu focusing on organic and healthy options.

“We did everything we could to stick to high standards as far as the quality of the food we served went,” Rognstad said. “That was an ethic we always wanted to live by even when it didn’t make financial sense.”

Before Sandpoint welcomed more venues into the community, the business was also a location for events like parties or

book signings. Authors like Amy Goodman and Jim Hightower, for instance, hosted very popular book events.

While Rognstad has much to look forward to, he said it’s difficult to close the door on Common Knowledge. Arriving in the morning to greet restaurant regulars and enjoy the cozy yard provided him a peace that he’ll miss.

“Just having that nurturing feeling everyday is what I’ll miss most about this place,” he said.

ley on July 8, 2014, is still fresh in local minds. On social media, some were outraged by the incident while others defended police actions. Still others encouraged residents to stay calm until all the facts came to light. “...Please wait for the full story, then argue in person if you must,” Mac Hollan advised fellow commenters on the Reader Facebook page.

POAC names new director According to Pend Oreille Arts Council executive director Debbie Love, the much-loved local arts nonprofit has a new leader. Rachel Hoff will be taking over for Love starting Sept. 1.

Love announced she was stepping down from the POAC director’s seat in June. Immediately afterward, the board of directors began the search for a candidate with a love of arts and experience in marketing, public relations, grant writing and fundraising.

After she leaves, Love will lend her skills to the Bonner Community Food Center, but she’ll maintain a role in POAC as a member of the board. We wish everyone much success in their new roles! [CR]

FEATURE Flying drones causing problems with firefighting

By Chris Balboni Reader Contributor Firefighters in the western United States have seen a new obstacle this season: drones.

Labeled “hobby drones” by officials, the unmanned vehicles that typically carry compact video cameras have exploded in popularity among amateur filmmakers over the past two years, and are now showing up in the dangerous perimeters of wildfires. According to Forest Service officials in southern California, drones have disrupted fire suppression efforts at least four times in the last month.

“We’re really just trying to get the word out in advance: Please don’t take your drone out near a wildfire,” said Jennifer Jones, a Forest Service public affairs specialist based out of Boise.

When a wildfire occurs, a temporary flight restriction (TFR) is placed over the area, allowing fire-related air resources to operate unhindered. This is common practice that helps keep commercial airlines and media-related aircraft out of harm’s way, normally without incident.

However, the new fad of camera-carrying drones presents a unique challenge and harm to firefighters: They are unpredictable and highly maneuverable, they can find their way into the flight paths of low-flying helicopters or tankers without warning. A collision with a drone would prove disastrous for fire air traffic. On top of all of this, a drone pilot can be miles away from the perimeter, giving officials no effective way to track them down, much less communicate with them.

“It would be so tragic if someone were out trying to get a good picture or video and ended up causing an accident that cost firefighters their lives,” Jones said.

Consequently, when drones have been spotted over wildfires, incident commanders have no choice but to ground all air traffic until the drones disappear. This has already had major

consequences: On July 17, the North Fire in California made headlines as it jumped I-15 east of Los Angeles, burning over vehicles in a dramatic display that, amazingly, left no one injured.

But just prior to the fire reaching the interstate, firefighters spotted up to five drones in the area.

All air resources were grounded for 15 to 20 minutes, time that could have been used for at least one cycle of bucket drops.

High winds and exceedingly dry brush created an extreme situation that inevitably led the North Fire towards the interstate, but every drop of retardant and water helps to slow the flames, allowing civilians to get to safety and firefighters to make progress on the ground. These drone operators stalled firefighters, putting countless civilians and first responders at even greater risk.

Firefighters battling the Lake Fire in June near Southern California’s Big Bear Lake faced a similar obstacle on June 24 when a drone interrupted air operations on the first day. After spotting a drone, a tanker carrying fire retardant was forced to jettison the load early in order to land, wasting 2,000 gallons of retardant costing an estimated $15,000. As all aircraft sat on the ground waiting for the drones to leave the airspace, gaps formed in the fire line allowing the fire to burn another 5,000 acres, costing even more time and money for firefighters.

Jones can’t confirm whether or not drones have been a problem for Idaho firefighters this season. That’s primarily because there’s no centralized data system for recording these incidents.

However, she has noticed an upswing in reports of drone interference from around the country.

They first came to her attention last season, but it’s only this year that the full implications of these hazards became apparent.

According to Jones, records show more than a dozen incidents of drones interfering with firefighting activity in the last two years across the country. Re-

ported incidents have occurred in Washington, California, Utah, Colorado, Minnesota, Wyoming and Oregon. In Utah, for instance, firefighters experienced a near-mid air collision with a drone on July 15.

Drone pilots can be charged up to $1,000 for “interfering with firefighting efforts” or given a civil penalty for violating FAA regulations of “careless or reckless operation of an aircraft,” resulting in fines from $1,000 to $25,000. None of these laws apply specifically to drones, however, and they may not hold up in court should a case be brought against a pilot. It may also take the FAA weeks or months to investigate an incident, making it exceedingly difficult to track down a suspect.

California, for its part, is hoping to change all of this.

In late July, San Bernardino county supervisors created a $75,000 reward fund. The money will supply bounties for anyone with information leading to the conviction of the operators who interfered with firefighting efforts in that county. The vote comes ahead of proposed state legislation that would bring misdemeanor charges against pilots operating drones in restricted airspace, as well as a congressional bill that would make it a federal offense to fly drones over a wildfire on federal land (national forests and national parks).

“It can kill our firefighters in the air,” John Miller, public information officer for the U.S. Forest Service in San Bernardino County, told the press in July.

“They could strike one of these things, and one of our aircraft could go down, killing the firefighters in the air.

This is serious to us.”

Reader editor Cameron Rasmusson contributed additional reporting to this story.

Hobby drones like this one are flustering firefighting efforts.

A U.S. Forest Service poster informing the public about flying drones in fire areas.

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Bouquets: •As you’ll read on page 13, Mary Ann Jeffres is quite a lady.

She sifts through all the hundreds of bags of compost (i.e. leftover food and dirty utensils) and sorts out non-compostable materials, then turns all that trash into a big pile of dirt that is given to great organizations like the Healing Garden and the Community Garden. Kudos to you, Mary Ann, for doing thankless work and doing it with a smile on your face.

•As an additional bouquet, Sandpoint’s “Green Team” led

by Terra Cressey is rapidly becoming the coolest thing to happen to a green-thinking town lost between the mountains and the lake. Not only are they on hand for events like the Festival at Sandpoint to ensure all recyclables end up in the proper area, but they also help out with next week’s Shakespeare in the Parks presentation of “The Taming of the Shrew” taking place at the Bonner County Fairgrounds.

Nice job, Green Team!

Barbs: •Reading through the comments sections on news sites (including our own, sadly) is depressing. Online commenters can sometimes touch upon and incite intelligent debate and rhetoric. Unfortunately, they are most often drowned out by vitrialic, offensive, trollish behavior by people hiding behind their screen names. A good majority of the comments are made without knowing the full story. Do yourselves a favor: when you comment on an online news story (or anywhere online, for that matter), don’t think of it as just another drop in the void, but as if you’re talking to your loved ones. Have a little respect and accountability, dammit.

k e e w s i h T e h t t a A quick guide to the great shows for the final week of the Festival at Sandpoint.

-Thursday, August 13Fans of Pink Martini and Norah Jones will fall hard for the indie pop, jazz and soul band Lake Stree Dive.

The four-piece band whose tagline is “two girls, two guys and whole lot of feelings,” has been called “This year’s best band” by Rolling Stone.

Although they are now based in Brooklyn, New York, the band was named after a street with many dive bars in band member “McDuck” Olson’s hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Playing with the foursome is the duo The Ballroom Thieves, whose acoustic rock style fluc-

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Wilco

Lake Street Dive.

tuates between pop and folk.

“Dive Bar specials” will be featured in The Festival Bar “Conlan’s” & the Lakeside Lounge. All tickets are $36.95.

Gates open at 6:00 p.m., concert starts at 7:30 p.m.

-Friday, August 14Trampled by Turtles

and The Devil Makes Three

Get ready for a rocking night, with a dual headliner show featuring Trampled by Turtles and The Devil Makes Three.

Trampled by Turtles is a bluegrass/folk-rock band from Duluth, Minnesota. Band members list their varied influences as Townes Van Zandt, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, The Rolling Stones, Nirvana and Ralph Stanley. They have continued to impress audiences around the country with a busy tour schedule. Bluegrass at its finest.

Their songs have been featured on several TV shows and they’ve recently appeared on the Late Got a bouquet or barb you’d Show with David Letterman. like to offer? Write me at ben@ The Devil Makes Three is sandpointreader.com with “BB” an Americana band from Santa in the subject line.

Cruz, California, blending blue8 /

-Saturday, August 15-

Lake Street Dive

The Super Saturday show features a trio of fantastic bands, with headliners Wilco leading the way.

An experimental folk / alternative art rock band, Wilco was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of the popular alternative country group Uncle Tupelo. With lead singer Jeff Tweedy at the helm, Wilco draws influence from alt country, The Beatles, Beach Boys harmonies, classic pop and more. Known for their adventurous spirit and ever-changing sound, they’ve won two Grammy Awards, made multiple television appearances, and are wildly popular on tour.

Playing with Wilco is indie

Wilco.

favorite Vetiver, the longtime touring and recording project of San Francisco based performer and composer Andy Cabic, whose original music has also been featured on numerous TV commercials, documentaries and feature films.

Also opening is Sandpoint-based Owen & McCoy, whose talents have been impressing local audiences.

-Sunday, August 16Trampled by Turtles.

The Devil Makes Three.

grass, old time, country, folk, blues, jazz, ragtime, and rockabilly music. The result is a fun, energetic set full of catchy songs and foot-stomping ballads.

All tickets are $44.95. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., concert starts at 7:30 p.m.

Grand Finale

with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra

The Festival season culminates with the Grand Finale Concert: “Viva Italia!” featuring the Spokane Symphony Orchestra, conducted by maestro Gary Sheldon.

The classical portion of the program will include “Roman Carnival Overture” by Berlioz, “Dance of the Hours” by Ponchielli and Mendelssohn’s “Italian Symphony.”

Festival fans are also in for a special treat, a world premiere by jazz pianist Vadim Neselovskyi, who will perform at the concert.

The traditional fireworks finale will close The Festival

Vadim Neselovskyi

at Sandpoint’s 33rd season in spectacular fashion.

Gates open early at 4:30 p.m. for the annual “Taste of the Stars” Wine Tasting, the largest wine event of its kind in the state of Idaho. The wine tasting is complimentary for all concert goers over the age of 21 years.

Concert starts at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $39.95 for adults, $10.95 for youth 0 - 18 years.

208.265.4554 O R 800.325.SEAT I N F O & O R D E R T I C K E T S O N L I N E :

FestivalatSandpoint.com

@

THE

SANDPOINT

AUGUS T 2015 6 › Arlo Guthrie with Jonatha Brooke 7›Ziggy Marley “The Fly Rasta Tour” with Maw Band 8 › Vince Gill with The Barefoot Movement & Troy Bullock 9 › Family Concert with The Festival Community Orchestra “Seasons’ Greetings” 13 › Lake Street Dive with The Ballroom Thieves 14 › The Devil Makes Three & Trampled By Turtles 15 › Wilco with Vetiver & Owen & McCoy 16 › Grand Finale The Spokane Symphony Orchestra “Viva Italia” Conducted by Gary Sheldon with featured soloist Vadim Neselovskyi, piano

Question: WHAT SETS THE

FESTIVAL AT SANDPOINT APART FROM OTHER OUTDOOR CONCERT VENUES? A. Our incomparable, intimate outdoor venue on the shores of gorgeous Lake Pend Oreille!

B. A huge selection of food from a dozen juried vendors on Festival Street!

C. Two full-service bars onsite serving beer, wine and mixed drinks, at affordable prices!

D. You can bring your own cooler from home with food and beverages (including alcohol) if you want to!

Answer : ALL OF THE ABOVE!

NO KIDDING!

Come find out why many fans and music critics call The Festival at Sandpoint “THE BEST FEST IN THE WEST!” and well worth a night or two (or 8!) out in your home town!

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VOTE

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Shelby for Mayor •Experienced Leadership •Environmental Stewardship •Accountabilty

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Shelby Rognstad: •Business Owner •City Council President •Planning & Zoning Commission (2009-2012)

Keep Sandpoint Vibrant

Paid for by Shelby for Mayor

s u n d a y m o n d a y

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Doors @ 8:30p Show @ 10p (all shows) www.LiveFromTheHive.com 10 /

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$40/show or $120 for all 4

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Teen Summer Reading: Nerf Battle – Heroes Vs. Villains 7pm - 8:30pm @ Sandpoint Library Cards Against Humanity 7pm - 9pm @ Neighborhood Pub

f

Festival at Sandpoint presents Lake Street Dive 7:30pm @ Memorial Field The indie pop, jazz and soul band Lake Street Div year’s best new band.” The opening band is the B “Dive Bar specials” will be featured in the Festiva and the Lakeside Lounge. All tickets are $36.95. G

Festival at Sandpoint presents Trampled by Turtles Aftival presents Melvin Seal and The Devil Makes Three 10pm @ The Hive 7:30pm @ Memorial Field This is a special treat that no o Two fantastic, energetic bands headlining this final weekend ing a two-night run of music f of the Festival. Doors open at 6pm, and tickets run $44.95 Travis Bean TB500 #11 - the sa Cosplay Craft with JGB and the Grateful De 12pm - 5pm @ Sandpoint Library Live Music w/ K BYO lunch and supplies to work on your cosplay for SANDEMONIUM! 7pm @ La Rosa C Festival at Sandpoint presents Wilco 6pm @ Memorial Field You don’t want to miss this experimental folk and alternative art rock band, Wilco. With lead singer Jeff Tweedy at the helm, Wilco draws influence from alt country, The Beatles, Beach Boys harmonies, classic pop and more. Known for their adventurous spirit and ever-changing sound, they’ve won two Grammy Awards, made multiple television appearances, and are wildly popular on tour. They are playing with folk/jam band Vetiver to support their summer tour; opening is Sandpoint locals Owen & McCoy. All tickets are $59.95

Artists’ Studio Tour The 11th annual self-guided driving tour of working studios through North Idaho Live Music w/ Jake Robin 9pm @ 219 Lounge

Monday Night Blues Jam w/ Truck Mills 7:30pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Trivia Night 7pm - 9pm @ MickDuff’s

Aftival presents Melvin Seals and JG 10pm @ The Hive This is a special treat that no one should featuring a two-night run of music fea Jerry Garcia’s Travis Bean TB500 #11 same guitar Jerry played with JGB a Grateful Dead from 1975-1976. Ticke $40 per show, or $120 for all four sho limited number of VIP tickets will a available for these performances. VIP include admission to a special meet and with Melvin Seals and JGB

Live Music w/ Hurkey Cutler 8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub

The Festival at Sandpoint presents Grand Finale: Viva Italia!

7:30pm @ Memorial Field The Grand Finale features the Spokane S phony Orchestra conducted by maestro Sheldon. Gates open early at 4:30 p.m the annual Taste of the Stars Wine Tas the largest wine event of its kind in the of Idaho and it’s FREE. Fireworks wil low the show

Community Cancer Services Sip n’ Shop 4pm - 9pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Karaoke Night 10% of all proceeds benefit CCS in this great fund 9pm - Midnight @ 219 Lounge Bingo Night Sandpoint Farmers Market Charley Packard 6:30pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall 3pm - 5:30pm @ Farmin Park 7:30pm @ Eichard Bingo, beer, popcorn, friendly bar- Live music by Scott Reid Five Minutes of tenders, a nice courtyard. Seriously, Live Music w/ David Walsh 6:30pm @ Cafe B what else do you need?

5:30pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery riters, musicians, Flamenco guitar music welcome. Come b Dollar Beers!

Monarch Open Mic 8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub 6pm - 9pm @ Monarch Mountain Coffee Good until the keg’s dry Hosted by Scott Reid. Come one, come all!

Cyrano de Bergerac 6pm (MST) @ Trout Creek Park (MT) Come see Montana Shakespeare in the Parks at this FREE showing of “Cyrano de Bergerac”

ful

August 13 - 20, 2015

treet Dive

Street Dive was called “This nd is the Ballroom Thieves. he Festival’s bar - Conlan’s $36.95. Gates open at 6 p.m.

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

Reader recommended

Dollar Beers!

8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Live Music w/ Brian Jacobs 10pm - 1am @ 219 Lounge Patio Local talent with a deep repertoire

elvin Seals and JGB

Spokane-to-Spt Relay Race Runners and walkers begin atop t that no one should miss, featur- Mt. Spokane, and teams make of music featuring Jerry Garcia’s their way 185 miles through 15 #11 - the same guitar Jerry played cities en route to the finish line ateful Dead from 1975-1976 at Sandpoint’s City Beach Live Music w/ Flying Mammals usic w/ Ken Mayginnes 9pm @ 219 Lounge La Rosa Club

als and JGB

one should miss, music featuring TB500 #11 - the th JGB and the 976. Tickets are ll four shows. A ets will also be nces. VIP tickets l meet and greet

er presents the

Spokane Symy maestro Gary 4:30 p.m. for Wine Tasting, nd in the state works will fol-

Artists’ Studio Tour The 11th annual self-guided driving tour of working studios through North Idaho.

Visit 33 artists in 20 studios around the Sandpoint area as they create their art Summer Sounds 4pm - 6pm @ Park Pl. Stage Featuring Mobius Riff

Packard & Friends @ Eichardt’s Pub

inutes of Fame @ Cafe Bodega musicians, listeners ... all are e. Come be inspired

offee me all!

Visit Our Coffee Booth at the Festival at Sandpoint and Our Roastery and Café by The Granary Tower

Live Music w/ One Street Over 5:30pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery A dynamic father-daughter duo from Nashville that are always crowd pleasers

Artists’ Studio Tour The 11th annual self-guided driving tour of working studios through North Idaho. Visit 33 artists in 20 studios around the Sandpoint area as they create their art - painting, sculpture, furniture, jewelry, fiber arts, photography, ceramics, pottery and glass art

Book Signing with Sandy Compton 12pm - 2:30pm @ Vanderford’s Books Blue Creek Press and Vanderford’s Books host a book signing with author Sandy Compton who will be signing his newest book, “The Scenic Route: Life on the road between Hope and Paradise”

great fundraiser

Live Music w/ Ben & Cadie 5pm - 7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Indie folk rock duo with an impressive array of originals and fun covers

Live Music w/ Chris Lynch 6pm - 9pm @ Arlo’s Ristorante

Live Music w/ Dimestore Prophets 9pm @ 219 Lounge All around great sound

hop

Live Music w/ Tennis 8pm - 12am @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Sandpoint’s favorite dance band is back for an encore show at MickDuff’s. The last show drew a great crowd, so here they are for more! $5 cover

Sandpoint Farmers Market 9am - 1pm @ Farmin Park Live music by Truck Mills

Live Music w/ Justin Lantrip 7pm @ La Rosa Club Great local singer/songwriter

Live Music w/ David Walsh 5pm - 7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Latin-inspired Flamenco guitar

d trattoria owne y l i Fam

Stop by our booth at the Festival!

Or come see us at the restaurant!

102 S. First Ave. Sandpoint, ID

208-263-0211

Live Music w/ Chris Lynch 6pm - 9pm @ Arlo’s Ristorante

UPCOMING EVENTS August 21 - “The Taming of the Shrew” at BoCo Fairgrounds (FREE!) August 21 - Pimps of Joytime with Dimestore Prophets at the Hive August 29 - Sandemonium! N. Idaho’s first Comic-con event at the Library

KPND Pint Night at 219 Lounge 5pm - 7pm @ 219 Lounge Featuring prizes, drink specials, and great live music on the patio by Ian McFerron

Ride Idaho 2015 Approximately 350 bicyclists ride through Sandpoint as part of the Ride Idaho 2015 event. Watch the cyclists, and enjoy their company as they hang out in the region for a couple days!

Cards Against Humanity 7pm - 9pm @ Neighborhood Pub The infamous game is back! Come on down for some wings, beer and burgers, and make your neighbors blush. Not for the faint of heart

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To submit your own pet photos, please send a photograph and a little bit of information about your special friend to ben@sandpointreader.com.

Please put “PET PHOTOS” in the subject line.

-killer-

Killer is a smart cat of three years and knows what to do on a hot summer day: take a nap in his favorite chair.

His friend, Patti Rechnitzer Sagle

DITCH THE FLAME

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•VAPING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERY BUDGET •THE LARGEST SELECTION FOR THE BEGINNER TO THE MOST ADVANCED

Broadcasting in Sandpoint on 106.7 FM and in Digital HD 12 /

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The Queen of Compost: The efforts to create a greener Festival at Sandpoint

By Ben Olson Reader Staff Mary Ann Jeffres has been referred to as a “saint” by Festival at Sandpoint Executive Director Dyno Wahl. For this article’s purposes, we’ll call her the “Queen of Compost.”

For the past five years, Jeffres has done the dirty, behind-thescenes work that many festival goers don’t know about. She takes all the leftover food and compostable materials from each show, sorts through all of it by hand, mixes hay and manure and creates compost piles. In short, she turns trash into dirt.

“I take all of it,” said Jeffres.

“Every single bit. I bring it home here and every morning, I usually have about 50 garbage bags to sort through, all of it designated to be compostable. But not all of it is.”

Jeffres sorts out the little annoying pieces of trash that make it into the compostable bins at the Festival; pieces like plastic drink straws, bottle caps or wine corks.

“I’m okay with it,” she said.

“Once I get it sorted out, I start making dirt.”

At Jeffres’ farm on Shingle Mill Road, remnants of past years’ compost sit in various stages of decomposition. The most recent pile—this year’s take—is still fresh, with a sprinkler keeping the items moist to encourage quick breakdown. Last year’s pile sits fifty feet away, with remnants of plastic matter and larger items not broken down yet. The pile from two years ago resembles a pile of clean, healthy dirt.

When the dirt is ready from years’ past, it is donated to several worthy causes, such as the Healing Garden or the Community Garden in Sandpoint. This year, Jeffres plans to give some to her neighbors at the Shingle Mill Blueberry Farm. She is usually able to generate about five yards of compost from each year at the Festival.

“I’d rather grow dirt than vegetables,” said Jeffres, while sorting through a rather ripe smelling trash bag at her farm. “To make something so wonderful out of garbage is really cool.”

“We’ve taken more strides

since Mary Ann came on board,” said Terra Cressey, the leader of the ‘Green Team.’ “Every year she has less to sort out. She’s the one who got us to make the vendors go to compostable materials.”

Cressey, who has been heading up the ‘Green Team’ for five years, is passionate about taking the mountain of waste generated every year at the Festival and finding a proper home for it.

“Our team is tight and recycle-savvy,” said Cressey. “We’ve got 40 people on the ‘Green Team’ and each of them are there not just for the music, but to do the right thing with recyclables.”

Each year sees dramatic improvement, according to Cressey, who credits the learning process to “trial and error.”

“We definitely want to give the patrons of the Festival a shout out,” said Cressey. “The people know where stuff goes. They tell us where it goes sometimes. It’s a win-win situation.”

One area that needs improvement though, according to both Cressey and Jeffres, is the trash left on the field after each performance.

“When people dump their coolers out after the show, every single pile of ice has corks or bottle caps in it,” said Jeffres. “They just dump it on the field. I can’t believe it.”

“We’re still surprised that people don’t pick up after themselves better,” said Cressey. “Though it is getting better and better every year.”

The situation came to an unfortunate head last year after the Huey Lewis and the News concert. Before the “Green Team” could clean the field of debris, Huey Lewis’ tour bus drove over all the garbage—even after people waved the bus off frantically— on their way out of the stadium and ended up shattering glasses, crunching plastic and embedding trash in the lawn.

“It was such a shame,” said Jeffres. “There was shattered glass all over the field. Some people the next night ended up with cuts on their feet.”

“Because of the Huey Lewis situation, Dave Nygren changed the format so that can’t happen again,” said Cressey. “Dave is a huge supporter of the ‘Green Team.’”

Now, the exiting vehicles take a different route out of the grounds, leaving the field free to be cleaned of trash completely.

But, according to Cressey, there were also bright moments where the “Green Team” received the recognition they deserved.

“When CAKE played here, they stopped putting their equipment away and came over and talked to us,” said Cressey. “They were so impressed with the ‘Green Team.’ They asked if we were for hire for other festivals. It made us all feel really good about what we were doing.”

As Jeffres does a lot of work on her own, she is always in need of people to help out. If you have manure or hay you’d like to donate to the cause, she’ll always accept it at her Shingle Mill farm. Another great help is if people would loan the use of a tractor to help till the piles, as the workload is too great to till by hand.

With her hands buried in last night’s meals and insects buzzing all around in the hot sun, Jeffres seems to always have a smile on her face.

“It’s so cool to make dirt out of all this,” she holds up a pile of food-soaked material. “I feel almost priviliged.”

If you are interested in donating materials to the composting effort (hay, manure, use of tractor, etc.), please write ben@ sandpointreader.com for more information how.

Top: Mary Ann Jeffres sorts through the bags of composted trash taken from the Festival and picks out non-compostable items that find their way into the bag. The pile of fresh compostables are behind her, being soaked with a sprinkler to encourage decomposition. Middle: Mary Ann Jeffres demonstrates her method for sorting the final large particles out of a pile of compost from two seasons ago that is ready to be used as soil. Bottom: Terra Cressey (right) the leader of the “Green Team” with sister and fellow Green Teammate Tonia Cressey (left) and Mary Ann Jeffres (center). All photos by Ben Olson.

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Artists’ Studio Tour offers behind-the-scenes view of studios

By Scout Anatricia Reader Intern The artistic events of the summer haven’t come to a standstill quite yet. The creative flow rushes past the Arts and Crafts Fair, through the Festival at Sandpoint and continues onto the Artists’ Studio Tour.

Sandpoint, Hope, Ponderay, Kootenai, Clark Fork, and Sagle will be flourishing the weekends of the 14-16 and 21-23 with artists opening up their studios to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Many artists work out of their homes, so over 30 artists will be sharing 20 studios to display their work. The list of artists as well as map of the self-toured guide is available in Artist’s Studio Tour brochures as well as online at www.arttourdrive.org.

Don Fisher, a local photographer and one of the newcomers this year, calls Sandpoint and its surrounding areas his studio. He is inspired by the light that settles on bays around the lake as well as interesting weather and settings. Accentuating town bridges and marinas by combining natural and artificial light is one of his fortes, and he is motivated by the artistic recognition and support from Sandpoint. Fisher recalls that “the availability of artist recognition in this town is far and above what it is in Minnesota, and that opportunity is motivation for my work.”

Many people appreciate the tour and the opportunity to explore artists at work. One artist in particular is catching

extra attention this year as she is a guest artist from Japan. Eriko Yamada, former artist-in-residence for Planet Labs, will be helping a local author, Tim Martin, illustrate his book. They will be available to spot in-action at the Soul Appeal Studio during the tour.

Considering her fondness for local artists and art culture, its no wonder executive director and event coordinator Petja Scheele volunteers her time for the event. She has received a plethora of positive feedback from the community about past events. In fact, the only negative comments that she received was that there just wasn’t enough time to be able to see all of the studios.

“I love art. Just to have the opportunity to go out and see the artists working in their studios is amazing and makes the time I invest worth it to me,” said Scheele.

Another stop of the tour takes you to Steve Gevurtz’s Ponder Point studio, where you can observe how he transforms his clay sculptures into bronze works of art.

“It’s called the Lost Wax Method,” said Gurtz.

Once Gevurtz finishes a clay work, usually a figurative piece, he sends them to an Oregon foundry, where it is made into a latex mold, which is then used to make a wax version of the piece.

“The wax gets dipped into ceramic material, then put into a kiln and fired.

From there, the wax burns out of the ceramic shell and it hardens into a piece of pottery. They take it out and pour the

Steve Gevurtz at work at his Ponder Point studio. melted bronze into that shell. When that cools, they crack the ceramic and the bronze is what remains. It’s fascinating.”

When people visit Gevurtz’s studio gallery, they can see over 20 finished pieces in bronze.

“I can walk through all the pieces and explain what I was thinking about with each one,” he said. “I take people through the entire process from when I first come up with an idea to the end.”

By participating in the tour, you are not only supporting regional artists but also another cause: Habitat for Humanity. For the first time a percent of the proceeds from each artist will be going towards the housing nonprofit, and Scheele plans on bringing in a new cause

each year to donate money towards.

This event is free to the public, so everyone is encouraged to go out, take a drive and see what the local area artists have to offer.

For more information contact Petja Scheele at (503) 803-5983 or visit www. arttourdrive.org.

If you happen to get lost on the tour call (208) 265 - 1776.

Skate competition blasts off next weekend

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff Grab your helmet and strap on those knee pads, skaters—the King of the Kongcrete skating competition awaits!

Set for Saturday, Aug. 22 at the Concrete Lake skate park, the competition provides the keenest challenge around for local skate enthusiasts. All you need is a helmet, a board, a $15 registration fee (which gets you a T-shirt along with a place in the competition) and, if you’re a minor, a signature from your parents to take part in the event.

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local competition. On average, 40 skaters sign up to compete, and hundreds crowd around to watch the wheels hit the concrete.

The competition is divided into beginner, intermediate and expert skill levels, so you can be sure you’ll find a challenge right for you. Kids as young as 5 years old to adults join in to compete for best trick, best run of the skate park and best run through the kidney bowl.

As always, the competition enjoys great support from the local skate shops and the community, Wiley said.

“I like how much support all the participants get from the crowd,” he said.

“People will park for a day and watch all the kids compete.

Photo courtesy of Sandpoint Parks and Recreation.

STAGE & SCREEN Shakespeare in the Park debuts in Sandpoint

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

In its 43rd season, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks (MSIP) now features Sandpoint on its impressive list of performance stops.

For the past 20 years, the closest we could get to the performance was the Heron Ball Field, which drew a healthy number of their crowd from Sandpoint.

This year, we don’t have so far to drive.

Friday, Aug. 21 at 6 p.m. MSIP will present “The Taming of the Shrew” at the Bonner County Fairgrounds. The show, as always, will be free and open to all.

One aspect of MSIP’s take on Shakespeare is the themes they employ while presenting a play. Taking the historical works of Shakespeare and acting them out within a contemporary setting always engages the audience in multiple ways, as well as showing clear evidence as to the timelessness of Shakespeare’s works.

This year, “The Taming of the Shrew” will have a regional Wild West take on the play.

Shakespeare lovers have had a tough go of it the past two seasons, after the Heron event was cancelled after organizer Debbie Lyman retired. Thanks to Christine Holbert at Lost Horse Press, we now doth have more of the eternal bard.

“I used to go to the show in Heron, and when it stopped two years ago, I was disappointed,” said Hobert. “I hoped that someone either in Heron or in Sandpoint would take it over. That didn’t happen for two years, so I then decided that ... since [Lost Horse Press is] a nonprofit and does poetry, it would make sense for me to take it on.”

Holbert is no stranger to hosting events. Under the banner of Lost Horse Press, she has organized countless literary events over the years. She was also founder of Spokane’s Get Lit festival.

“It was a good fit,” she said. “I got so much help. Kim Woodruff from Sandpoint Parks and Rec jumped right in. Same thing when I announced it was returning at our Contra Dance. A whole bunch of people jumped in to help.”

The event at the Bonner County Fairgrounds will give theater-goers a new twist on their Shakespeare experience with a medieval village set up at the fairgrounds.

“I met up with the Society for Creative Anachronism,” said Holbert.

“And without them, I don’t know what I would’ve done. Weezil Sampter and

Photo courtesy Montana Shakespeare in the Parks.

Lorna Martin put together an entire medieval village with tribal belly dancers and live music from a half-dozen bands.

The Shakespeare Club at Sandpoint High School will be doing two-minute vignettes while people are having their dinners. There will be a couple who are fencing masters coming, hand-dyed yarn and spinning wheel demonstrations.”

The gates will open at 1 p.m. to highlight all the pre-show activities. Audience members are encouraged to arrive wearing either medieval or western wear.

As always, the performance is completely free, and open to all ages.

“It’s going to be wonderful,” said Holbert. “The whole side of the fairgrounds will be filled with vendors, jugglers, musicians, food vendors. And all the trash will be recycled by Sandpoint’s ‘Green Team.’”

Audience members are encouraged to arrive early with chairs, blankets and picnics, unless you’d like to purchase your food and drink from vendors. Alcohol is allowed, but please drink responsibly.

In over four decades of bringing Shakespeare to rural areas in the west, MSIP is currently embarking upon their largest tour in history. With over 60 stops this season, the troupe will certainly be busy all summer long. This year, almost half of the communities reached by the troupe have populations of 2,000 or fewer.

“We are excited to extend our reach to Spokane and Sandpoint as we maintain the tradition of bringing free Shakespeare to audiences across Montana and its surrounding states,” said Kevin Asselin, artistic director of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks. “We are thankful to all of our tour coordinators who help us share the gift of Shakespeare with their communities.”

“The new director Kevin Asselin was one of the actors for many years, and now he’s directing,” said Holbert.

“I think that makes a difference, giving him added experience.”

MSIP is an outreach program of Montana State University’s College of Arts and Architecture. Grants, corporate sponsorships and hundreds of individual donors support the free performances.

The company is also supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, along with other major sponsors.

Each community host is also responsible for raising the funds necessary to bring the troupe to each community.

Lost Horse Press would like to thank those individuals and local businesses that have contributed to bring the play to our community.

Catch “The Taming of the Shrew” Saturday, August 21 at 6 p.m. at the Bonner County Fairgrounds. The show is free!

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So you wanna build something? Part II

By Ted Bowers Reader Columnist

Editor’s note: In Ted’s last column, he discussed the importance of making a plan before you build. In this Part II, he talks about scale drawings of your project and preparation work for the work area and your tools.

Okay, you have a plan and you and your partner(s) are in agreement on the specifics.

Does this mean you have a scale drawing of the project? If not, give consideration to doing that or even hiring to have it done.

In our business, we are always happy to see something, anything on paper or a computer screen to guide us on a project.

It saves a multitude of headaches and missteps and helps others who get involved understand your plan, such as electricians and plumbers.

Something as simple as which way a door swings will

determine where a light switch goes or whether it will bump into a bathroom vanity. By creating a drawing you may discover needed changes or pleasant surprises.

Anyway, if you live in a town that requires a building permit for your project, a drawing is a necessity. If you are building a new structure or making structural changes in an existing building, your drawing might need an engineer’s or licensed

architect’s stamp (e.g. Sandpoint, Dover).

The better the drawing, the smoother the process, from plan to permit to execution. For many years, I have done drawings for customers’ projects and still do occasionally, but increasingly, as regulations become stricter, we turn to professionals for this aspect. In most cases, the expense of hiring a pro winds up saving money and headaches in the long run, especially for jobs

of even modest size.

You now have a plan, a drawing, a permit, materials, tools and time. Now let’s talk about process and safety. If you are digging a foundation, call for a dig. 811 is the number that will get the utility companies to your place to check for pipes and wires in the ground to be marked and avoided.

Your safety is of course essential. Eyewear, hearing protection, gloves and back support are just a few basics. Caution tape or some sort of barrier to holes and other hazards is a good idea.

Good ladders properly placed and used, climbing harnesses for working on roofs and most importantly, constant awareness of the need for your and others’ safety are essential. This means staying sober and alert while handling tools and materials and being aware of other people’s needs for safety as well. It helps to talk about possible hazards arising on the day’s upcoming

tasks, especially when moving on to another phase of construction requiring different processes, tools, materials, etc. Read labels and learn about dealing with hazardous materials. Take the time to set up tools, ladders and scaffolding properly.

Oh, and here’s a good one: Keep tools well maintained.

Sharp blades are less likely to injure than dull ones. Grounded extension cords, blade guards on saws, sharp drill bits—all these contribute toward a safe and successful day of work.

These safety tips I’m sharing are from experience of improper practice. I’ve spent time in doctor’s offices getting stitches and having chunks of wood and metal removed from my eyes.

I’ve fallen off roofs and watched friends fall and sustain serious injuries,all of which could have been avoided, had we taken the time and thought to be safe.

Now, start building! And good luck!

The importance of landscape irrigation being damp for the extended overnight period.

The general rule is to water as deeply and as infrequently as possible. Watering deeply and infrequentReader Columnist ly encourages the plant to develop a deep root system, which in turn increases drought hardiness, since the soil dries Landscape irrigation is a term from the top down. Frequent, to describe the artificial applica- light irrigation encourages a tion of water to a landscape. To shallow root system which will keep your gardens thriving re- suffer from every dry spell. quires the careful management Duration of watering time of irrigation practices. The fol- depends on the soil—and the lowing tips will help. crop. In an “average” loam, Studies have indicated that one inch of irrigation will peneplants utilize root zone water trate 12 inches. In a sandy soil, most efficiently during morning penetration will be deeper, and hours, so try to irrigate very ear- in a clay soil, not as deep. For ly in the day. Much of the water established shrubs in the averapplied during the heat of the age loam, a thorough, deep irday is lost to evaporation – thir- rigation once per week should ty percent or more is lost from be adequate during the growing overhead irrigation. Watering season. Since clay soils hold during evening or nighttime water longer, care must be takhours may be acceptable, but en not to over water, which will plants which are susceptible to exclude necessary oxygen from fungus diseases will suffer from the soil profile.

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Plants have different water needs. For instance, the redtwig dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) will thrive in a soil that is always damp—but many other plants require a thorough drying between irrigations—so if at all possible, group plants of similar water needs together.

For lawns, there is no substitute for overhead irrigation. For shrub beds, vegetable and herb gardens and fruit trees, drip irrigation is far superior—the plants receive a slow, metered supply of water, which is not as susceptible to losses from evaporation and overspray.

Because the water is applied slowly on or near the ground, there should be no waste from runoff and little or no loss to evaporation. You position the emitters to deliver water just where the plants need it; you control penetration by varying the time the system runs and/or the emitters’ delivery capacity (rated in gallons per hour).

Besides water conservation, the chief advantage of drip systems is flexibility. You can

tailor the system to water individual plants by providing each with its own emitter(s); or you can distribute water over larger areas with microsprays.

A standard layout might include hookups to two or more valves and many kinds of parts. Because the lines are above ground (they’re easily concealed with mulch) and are made of flexible materials, changing the system is simple: just add or subtract lines and emitters as needed.

Water savings from drip irrigation can easily be 50 percent or more versus traditional sprinkling. See http://dripworks.com for good drip information and products.

Keep in mind that sprinklers

and drip emitters apply water at different rates (measured in gallons per minute and gallons per hour, respectively). It’s best to put sprinklers and drip emitters on different irrigation valves.

Also, a drip system requires a pressure regulator to limit pressure to the system and a filter to insure that the tiny emitter openings do not clog.

Our ongoing drought and global climate change has demanded a reevaluation of how we use one of our planet’s most valuable resources. Take care to fine tune your irrigation system for efficiency and conservation.

Garden Questions? Visit http://clearwaterlandscapes. com/questions.

MUSIC

Last week’s Festival in photos Here is a collection of photographs from last week’s Festival at Sandpoint. All photos

by Ben Olson except the photos of Ziggy Marley, which was taken by David Marx.

This week’s RLW by Cameron Rasmusson

READ

When it comes to illustrating the graphic novel’s potential as a literary medium, the autobiographical “Blankets” by Craig Thompson is near the top of my short list.

For me, it’s also a deeply personal work, as the author’s spiritual, intellectual and emotional journey as a teenager mirrors mine closely.

Thompson’s reflection on his first love and deeply religious upbringing is as elegant, fragile and beautiful as the artwork that adorns every page.

LISTEN

In 2010, New Jersey outfit Titus Andronicus released a punk rock masterpiece in “The Monitor,” an album that managed to be simultaneously articulate, thoughtful and foaming-at-the-mouth angry.

Their new release, “The Most Lamentable Tragedy,” is nearly as good. At 93 minutes in total, this double album is a bit more unwieldy than the admirably lean “The Monitor,” but its musical peaks reach even greater heights.

Alternating between introspection and existential rage, “Tragedy” is a rush— just don’t listen to it while driving if you’re prone to speeding.

WATCH

Crossword Solution

Photo by David Marx.

With season two of the anthology TV series a couple months away, it’s worth remembering how surprisingly successful “Fargo” was when it debuted last year.

A crime thriller and dark comedy inspired by the Coen brothers’ classic 1996 film, “Fargo” is only connected to the movie in one key plot detail. Even so, the series captures the movie’s tone completely with its tale of scheming, murder and cover-up dressed up in the “Minnesota nice” of the northern Midwest.

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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.

Historical information provided and verified by Bonner County Museum staff and volunteers. The Museum is located at 611 S. Ella — (208) 263-2344.

The Chevolet Dealership, on the north side of Cedar Street, between Third and Fourth Avenues. The Parker Family owned and operated the dealership at this location from 1929-1988 as Sandpoint Motors. From 1988 to 2011, the dealership was called Taylor-Parker Motors. In May 30, 2011, the dealership relocated to the Ponderay and is currently known as Taylor and Sons Motors.

The same view today. The lot now houses the new Bonner General Health building, which will hold its grand opening on August 22, 2015.

2015

Corrections: We don’t have any corrections to report this week. Huzzah!

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CROSSWORD

Copyright www.mirroreyes.com

c.1970s

ACROSS

1. Ottoman title 6. Physiques 10. Bearing 14. Hurt 15. Diva’s solo 16. Cocoyam 17. Booming 19. Fastens 20. Detects 21. G 22. “Where the heart is” 23. Fit out again 25. Scintillas 26. F F F F 30. Have in mind 32. Banister 35. Invigorate 39. Big step 40. Decipher 41. Poster color 43. Demesnes 44. Extreme cruelty 46. Gave temporarily 47. Religious splinter groups 50. Property claims 53. End ___ 54. Dowel 55. Narcotic 60. Boorish 61. Decorative 63. Indian music 64. Give temporarily 65. Coral island 66. Anagram of “Lyme” 67. Unique 68. Hemp cords

DOWN

1. Taps 2. Pang 3. Cold-shoulder 4. Female chickens 5. Viper 6. Tavern 7. Beginning 8. Kitchen set 9. Wise one 10. Organized 11. Dimwit 12. Swelling under the skin 13. Snouts 18. East southeast 24. A tree fruit

25. Arm of the sea 26. At one time (archaic) 27. Destiny 28. Strong and sure 29. Backwash 31. Terminates 33. Notions 34. Egghead 36. Cast a ballot 37. Biblical garden 38. Where a bird lives 42. Control surface on a plane 43. An uncle 45. Indicate

Solution on page 17 47. Pungent Indian dish 48. Normal 49. Shelf 51. French for “Name” 52. Lance 54. Game on horseback 56. Within 57. At the peak of 58. Story 59. L L L L 62. One or more

When I saw the old bum pushing his grocery cart down the street, at first I felt sorry for him.

But then when I saw what was in his cart I thought, Well, no wonder you’re a bum, look at all the dumb things you bought.

More than a store, a Super store!

Back to school

savings start here!

us o m a f d l r o w r Try ou tartar sauce!

476560 Highway 95 Ponderay, ID

We’ve got school supply lists for the following Bonner County Schools:

Why is this man frowning?

The Hallans Gallery 323 North First Ave. Sandpoint, Idaho

208.263.4704

•Hope •Farmin/Stidwell •Washington •Sagle •Kootenai

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