August 23, 2018

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An update on wildfires affecting North Idaho Unpacking the 2019 Bonner County budget An update on road construction in Bonner County Mad About Science talks artificial intelligence A conversation with farmers at Moose Meadows Farm in Clark Fork Sandemonium returns for 4th annual fandom convention Pint-sized girl power band aims high

Cocolalla Lake View Home Over 50 beer and cider options fresh salads Sandwiches

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Coffee that looks as good as it tastes!

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$329,000 Located on the Historic Cedar St. Bridge Sunday - Thursday 7am - 5pm Friday - Saturday 7am - 9pm 208-265-4396 • www.cedarstbistro.com 2 /

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Call for appointment:

(208) 263-1151

(208) 263-0966 Corner of First Ave. and Bridge Street Downtown Sandpoint

(wo)MAN compiled by

Susan Drinkard

on the street

What makes you want to vomit?

“The smell of an outhouse or often-used porta-potty and burnt eggs.”

Diana Zichko Artist Sagle

“Hearing the sound of someone vomiting, smelling vomit or seeing someone vomit.”

Jacob Hansen Age 12 Sandpoint

If you’re reading this, it’s proof that advertising works!

Call our ad director Jodi Berge and ask how you can reach 5,000+ people for under $100.

(208) 627-2586 “When people hock loogies in close proximity to me.”

Michelle Jackson Social work Sagle

“A skunk who pours his milk before his cereal while riding an alligator with no legs in a Taco Bell drivethrough.”

Orion Goetzinger Vacation rentals, food truck Upper Pack River

“I don’t think being blind makes it any different for me as far as smells go, but high and loud noises are really irritating. I think that pork, acid rock and dope fiends make me want to vomit.”

Sharon Beck Assisted living resident Sandpoint

sept. 21-23, 2018 | libby, montana 20 international carvers 3 days of live carving live auctions food court & beer garden

DEAR READERS,

Relief is in sight. If the weather forecasters are to be believed, we’re supposed to get some cooler temperatures and possibly even some rain on Sunday and Monday. After that, temperatures will remain moderate in the high 60s and mid-70s into September, which should hopefully spell relief for some of our hard working firefighting crews out there.

Also, here’s a quick correction to note: last week’s Op-Ed about the proposed smelter in Newport was written by Sylvia Humes, not staff writer Lyndsie Kiebert.

I apologize for the mistake - it was placed at the last minute and didn’t receive the second and third looks we usually give everything before publication. I never like screwing up, but I especially dislike placing the wrong byline under an article, since it’s often the only recognition a writer will get for their work.

Finally, we’ve received some wonderful travel stories to help fill the pages while I’m away this winter, but I have space for a couple more. Also, if you’ve always wanted to submit an article to the Reader and never have, this is the time.

Send everything to stories@sandpointreader.com and we’ll read it. Peace.

-Ben Olson, Publisher

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

www.sandpointreader.com Publisher: Ben Olson ben@sandpointreader.com Editor: Cameron Rasmusson cameron@sandpointreader.com Zach Hagadone (emeritus) John Reuter (emeritus) Advertising: Jodi Berge Jodi@sandpointreader.com Contributing Artists: Casey Horner (cover), Ben Olson, Susan Drinkard, Weasels on Easels.

Contributing Writers: Cameron Rasmusson, Ben Olson, Lyndsie Kiebert, McCalee Cain, Brenden Bobby, Nick Gier, Jim Mitsui, Scarlette Quille, Karen Seashore, Laurie Brown, Jodi Rawson, Jane Fritz.

Submit stories to: stories@sandpointreader.com Printed weekly at: Griffin Publishing Spokane, Wash.

Subscription Price: $95 per year 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.

Sandpoint Reader letter policy: The Sandpoint Reader welcomes letters to the editor on all topics.

Requirements: –No more than 400 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 shot was taken by Casey Horner. Cross your fingers for a reprieve from the smoke this weekend!

August 23, 2018 /

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NEWS

Downtown construction making progress

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff Despite the poor air quality, construction work along Cedar and Oak streets is on schedule and on budget.

This week, workers will finish installation of the stormwater piping and backfilling, form and place curbs and gutters and install conduits between Fourth and Fifth avenues. The block will be open to pedestrians but closed to motorists. The block between Third and Fourth avenues will be open to both pedestrians and motorists as crews work on the remaining pedestrian ramps, foundations for stormwater swales and street furniture and setting brick pavers.

After Labor Day, workers will start grading the roadway with expectation of paving beginning the week of Sept. 10.

“That is contingent on weath-

er and avoiding utility conflicts,” said Sandpoint Public Works Director Amanda Wilson. “It’s also going to take us until mid September.”

Right around the corner is another major downtown project: the replacement of the sewer main on First Avenue spanning from Cedar and Second to Church. Work will begin south and progress northward, with First and Main being the first intersection to be closed. It should be re-opened by mid-September.

The Farmin’s Landing parking lot will offer two-way access for individuals trying to get to businesses in the region.

One unexpected advantage of the street section being closed to traffic is that an upcoming cornhole tournament on Sept. 15 will take place there. During the tournament, cornhole boards will be set up on either side of the street. According to Sandpoint

City Administrator Jennifer Stapleton, drawing people downtown will hopefully bring more activity to businesses hurt by the construction.

“We recognize from a city standpoint the impact the construction projects are having on our businesses,” Stapleton said.

“We want to do what we can to offset impacts of that construction.”

Meanwhile, work is progressing steadily on Oak Street.

The blocks between Boyer and Fifth will be open on Monday, but the street will be closed from Fifth to Fourth while sidewalk replacements take place. Work should be complete by mid-September.

On 8 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, city officials and contractors will hold a downtown open house at Cedar Street Bistro. Anyone with questions about the work is invited to attend and learn about

the progress. Residents can also expect workshops coming up about phase two of the downtown revitalization project, which is slated to take place next year.

Throughout the smoky weather, workers have managed to keep projects on schedule. According to Wilson, the city got somewhat lucky with the timing

Construction crewmembers work on Cedar St. between Fourth and Fifth Avenues as part of the Downtown Revitalization Project. Photo by Ben Olson. of the poor air quality.

“We kind of lucked out since Sunday was our worst day,” she said. “The worst part of being on the weekend definitely helped.”

U of I brings organic agricultural center to Sandpoint

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff

A host of new programs are coming to Sandpoint following the University of Idaho’s new property for an organic agricultural center.

Thanks to the acquisition of the 48-acre Sandpoint Orchard from Dennis Pence and his family, the University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences will establish its first agricultural center to focus on organic farming and organic-certified production systems. Given the regional interest in local farming and organic products, it should be a good fit into the local agricultural culture.

“We are excited about conducting agricultural research and providing new learning opportunities at the Sandpoint Organic Agriculture Center,” said Michael Parrella, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences 4 /

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dean, in a press release. “The center will expand our ability to conduct community-focused programs and offer new ways to enhance undergraduate and graduate education.”

According to the University of Idaho, some of the research to take place on the property will focus on how to “increase beneficial insects and pollinators, crop rotation systems, pest management and uses of native plants with an emphasis on organic methods. Soil-related projects could emphasize what constitutes healthy soil with a focus on use of cover crops, nutrient availability and uptake and water-use efficiency.” It will offer education in sustainable agriculture, and public programs will include “biological control, pollinators, soil health, native plant landscaping, horticulture, organic food processing and marketing, food safety and nutrition.” Hands-on internships will also be available at the facility.

“The center will focus on organic agriculture,” Parrella said in a press release, “but both conventional and organic agriculture share many common themes such as soil health and sustainability. Strategies that work for organic production often translate to conventional farming methods.”

Located on Boyer Avenue in the northwestern corner of Sandpoint, the orchard grows 68 types of apples, most of them heirloom varieties that originated a century ago or more, as well as cherries, plums, pears and berries.

It also includes an office building and meeting center, residences for visiting researchers, dormitory, shop and cider house. The orchard is among a select few in the state to receive USDA organic certification from the Idaho State Department of Agriculture.

The University of Idaho has long had its eyes on the property.

In 2007, Pence donated 18 acres of adjacent land to the university.

“I am extremely pleased with the interest and enthusiasm for expanding the university’s educational activities in regards to organic and sustainable agriculture shown by Dean Parrella and the faculty and staff of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences,” Pence said. “The cre-

ation of the Sandpoint Organic Agriculture Center places the university among an elite group of U.S. institutions of higher learning, and the center will be an immensely useful asset for education, research and public outreach in the years to come.”

ABOVE AND BEYOND

A few of Bonner County’s Road and Bridge employees were recognized Tuesday for becoming Road Scholars through the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council’s education program. Reaching Road Scholar status takes about 80 hours of various road-related courses, and the training is not required by the county. From left to right: Brian Stevens, Kurt Hull, Les Jeffers and Gary Smith. Courtesy photo.

NEWS

An update on county fires

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff The Cougar Fire was an estimated 6,626 acres and 26percent contained on Wednesday afternoon, with wind gusts of up to 20 mph near the fire through Thursday, according to InciWeb. Idaho Panhandle National Forests officials reported moderate fire activity early in the week, with rollouts and short-range spotting prevalent but fire lines holding in active areas. The fire, which is about five miles from Hope, continues to grow mostly north and east toward Lightning and Rattle Creeks. IPNF also reports that there is a crew in place at the Keeler Warming Hut to maintain the structure protection both at the hut and SNOTEL site.

The Phoenix National Incident Management Team assumed command of the Cougar Fire Wednesday. There will be a community meeting regarding the fire at Clark Fork High School on Thursday, Aug. 23, at 6:30 p.m.

The other most active and expansive fire in the area is the Surprise Creek Fire, near Lakeview on the south end of Lake Pend Oreille. The Surprise Creek Fire was an estimated 2,631 acres Wednesday. Existing roads are being used to establish a fuel break.

Those traveling Bunco Road should be aware of increased fire traffic.

There are area closures in effect for both the Cougar and Surprise Creek Fires. Find updated maps on InciWeb. IPNF would also like to remind everyone that drones shouldn’t be flown in fire closure areas for the safety of fire aviators.

Fire managers throughout the region are utilizing water and retardant drops to get a handle on fire spread, but the use of these resources is lim-

ited in smoky skies.

The National Weather Service out of Spokane predicts the smoke to stick around our area through Thursday, but forecasts the weekend as a break from the haze thanks to a brief cold front.

Sandpoint saw low 100s on the Air Quality Index scale Wednesday night, which is classified as “unhealthy for sensitive groups” by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Still, it was an improvement from early in the week when

A map of the Cougar Fire. Courtesy USFS.

the AQI reached the low 300s in Sandpoint — “hazardous” for everyone, according to the EPA. Keep up with changing air quality conditions at airnow. gov.

Bottle Bay Road construction progresses, plus more road news

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff

A few from outside the bicycle culvert at Bottle Bay Road. Courtesy photo.

The Bottle Bay Road project, which has had the intersection with Highway 95 blocked off all summer, is entering its final stages, according to Bonner County Road and Bridge Director Steve Klatt.

Backfill over the newly placed bike path culvert beneath the road should be completed by the end of next week, Klatt said, and the project should be done and road open by Sept. 15.

“The project was slow to get started, but once it got started it has moved along as scheduled, and will actually be done two

weeks ahead of schedule,” Klatt said.

The Bayview Road paving project is currently underway, causing some delays but no closures. That project is also slated for completion mid-September, Klatt said.

Evergreen Road between Colburn Culver and Samuels Roads will be closed at the 1200 block from Monday, Aug. 27 at 7 a.m. through Wednesday, Aug. 29 at 4 p.m. The county reports that signs will be posted in the area in advance.

District Ranger selected for the Sandpoint Ranger District

By Reader Staff The Sandpoint Ranger District will have a new District Ranger starting Sept. 4.

Jessie Berner was selected to take over for former District Ranger Erick Walker. Berner comes to the Idaho Panhandle National Forests from the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest where she has served as District Ranger for the past eight years.

Berner grew up in a small town in rural Tennessee and worked as a seasonal firefighter on the Lolo National Forest while attending college. Including a bachelor’s degree in natural

resource management from the University of Tennessee, Berner brings a great deal of expertise and experience to the Sandpoint Ranger District. She has held a variety of positions throughout the northwest including district recreation staff on the Winema National Forest, forest recreation staff officer on the Modoc National Forest, Recreation Heritage and Lands staff officer on the Siuslaw National Forest. Berner is passionate about fire management and has spent several years serving on a Pacific Northwest Interagency Type I Incident Management Team. She is a recipient of the Secretary of Agriculture Group Award for the

Team’s leadership of the recovery efforts during the World Trade Center Incident.

“I have three grown children, ages 22, 30 and 32. I enjoy spending time with my five grandchildren ranging in age from 8 years to 2 weeks,” Berner said. “My favorite activities include spending time in the wilderness, fishing, horseback riding, snowmobiling and playing my acoustic guitar. I am excited to meet the district employees, work with community partners ensuring their voice, concerns and issues are the centerpiece of an all hands approach to Forest management.”

Sandpoint District Ranger Jessie Berner. Courtesy photo.

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Mad about Science:

Brought to you by:

artificial intelligence ii: the future

By Brenden Bobby Reader Columnist You know me — we like to keep things pretty grounded in science. After all, this isn’t Mad About Science Fiction.

However, science fiction is transforming before our eyes into science fact. The delivery man is being replaced by flying robots. Wars are being waged in cyberspace. Computers are telling us what we like.

Besides that, a series about artificial intelligence isn’t complete without looking at where we want to go with it.

The movies have done a good job at stoking fears about artificial intelligence, but they weren’t very accurate about why AI can be scary.

Perhaps the scariest thing about AI is how quickly it could transcend beyond anything humans could control. In AI research, AI is split between three distinct tiers: weak/narrow AI, which is what we have now. Artificial General Intelligence, or AGI, would be comparable to a human being, and Artificial Superintelligence, or ASI, would be everything above a single human’s intelligence.

In theory, the time it would take AGI to become an ASI is believed to be sometime between three hours and two weeks. Once it passes the AGI threshold, all bets are off.

We have no idea what could happen. If you’re wondering why this transition is so rapid, it’s because of how computers work. Computers can’t focus on millions of things at any given time. They focus on a 6 /

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single task, but they can complete millions of tasks per second, which gives the illusion of focusing on millions of different things at any given time.

The human brain can focus on millions (perhaps trillions) of tasks per second, too, but it is divided up between orchestrating the cells in the rest of our body to performing their tasks.

While you’re reading this, your brain is making your heart pump, your lungs breathe and your gut move and digest that delicious taco. A computer with the same processing power as a human brain wouldn’t have to do that, it would just have to figure out problems.

A self-contained AI really isn’t that big of a deal. Sure, perhaps it has reached some state of godlike Nirvana inside of its isolated cube, unlocking all the mysteries of the universe and beyond over the course of a few hours, but it doesn’t do us any good unless we connect to it. And once we connect to it, it can apply all of that intelligence to whatever task it sees fit, so long as it’s connected to the internet.

If the internet is connected to the hardware that could make nanobots (nanoscopic robots capable of manipulating individual atoms), it can do anything. I mean literally anything.

Anything can be taken many different ways. Will it rip the carbon out of our bodies to build carbon suit to house itself? Sure, why not?

Will it scan, copy and replicate our consciousness and eradicate disease and death at an atomic level? I sure hope so.

Will it figure out how to ma-

nipulate microscopic black holes and upload itself to a completely different dimension? There was a movie about that.

Of the three weird scenarios I’ve listed there, the second is the one humans have been dreaming about since the ‘80s.

It’s called the singularity, and we believe the only way we can achieve it is with a godlike artificial superintelligence.

The gist of the singularity is that our consciousness is made up of atoms in a very specific configuration, programmed to do specific tasks. If we had an incredibly precise machine that could manipulate individual atoms, why couldn’t you just “move” your consciousness into a digital format? Then you could upload and download everything about yourself wherever you wanted.

Humans would be able to communicate instantaneously with one another. Arguments and wars would be won and lost in microseconds. Our entire ability to think and process information would be restricted only by how much hardware and energy we had at our disposal and the speed of light. Without biological components, there would be no sickness, no disease, no death.

Getting old just means you need to change some of your components. Currency would be worthless, time and energy would be the new economy.

If you think about it, it’d be a form of artificial evolution.

This may sound all hokey and far-fetched, but it’s widely believed that by 2050, some form of major human-AI event will have occurred. Many

speak of this as an inevitability, but there are doubts.

If the universe is over 13 billion years old, and it’s taken life on Earth a little over a billion years to get this far, why haven’t we seen some other race that evolved itself into a computer dominate the galaxy? Are we the first? Is it even possible? I really don’t have an answer to that, other than: Space is really big, and if something evolved to that point and had a stable energy source, why even bother leaving it?

This is a vastly complex and completely unfinished subject.

I could go on for days, weeks, years, but I think Ben would throw me out a window if I did.

I’m sure lots of people are rolling their eyes at this article, but just remember: if you told people in 1950 that in 68 years, everyone in the world would be able to look at their palm and talk to anyone else in the world on a whim, you would’ve seen some eyes roll.

Look at us now.

Random Corner ire?

Don’t know much about wildf

We can help!

• It is estimated over 80% of all wildfires are started by humans.

• “Crown fires” are spread by wind moving quickly across the tops of trees. “Running crown fires” are even more dangerous because they burn extremely hot, travel rapidly, and can change direction quickly.

• One of the largest fires in recent history was in 1825 when a fire tore through Maine and New Brunswick, Canada, burning 3 million acres of forest. The “Big Burn” was another big one, burning approximately 3 million acres in Montana/Idaho in 1910.

• Direct flame contact and radiant heat from a wildfire can ignite combustible materials. However, research has shown that homes burned during wildfires most frequently catch fire from live embers (or “firebrands”) that are blown by the wind.

• After wildfires, pioneer species of plants and fungus are the first to colonize the damaged ecosystem, beginning a chain of ecological succession that leads to biodiversity and stability. When this happens, it is a sign that reforestation can begin in order to hasten recovery.

• Contrary to popular belief, most animals are able to escape wildfires.

Large mammals usually do not die within the fire; their instincts will lead them to depart their habitat before they are threatened.

• A study published in Ecosphere named “Climate Change and Disruptions to Global Fire Activity” deduced that “warmer and drier weather may increase fire activity in biomass-rich areas (such as forests, grasslands), but have the opposite effect in moisture-stressed biomes (ice caps, deserts).” While the effects of climate change on wildfires varies based on the environment and location, the authors predicted that higher northern latitudes, including the western United States, would experience a pronounced increase in fires.

OPINION

An update on unions in higher education

By Nick Gier Reader Columnist

The advance of higher education unions has generally stalled at about 375,000 faculty — 21 percent of private schools and 35 percent of public colleges and universities. This significant movement has leveled off primarily because 23 states still do not allow collective bargaining in the public sector. If they did, faculty unions would be as strong as they are in K-12, where those teachers are 75-percent unionized.

In 1976, when Democrat Cecil Andrus was governor, I co-authored a public employee bargaining bill, but it lost on a 4-4 vote in the Senate HEW Committee. The Reagan Revolution stopped most activity in the expanding anti-union Red States, but I tried again in 2004, primarily because of pressure from my own members.

This time I attempted to add Idaho’s college and university faculty to the law that K-12 teachers have been negotiating under for decades. Even with Republican Rep. Tom Trail’s help, the bill was not printed for consideration, and

The County Budget...

Dear Editor: This started out as a simple endorsement for Steve Lockwood for county commission, but the commission budget article in the Aug. 16 Reader encouraged me to expand my comments as it pertains to Dan McDonald, apparently the commissions spokesman.

Mr. McDonald pays lip service to issues that effect the average resident, but for the most part what seems to matter most to him are property rights and doing whatever, however, whenever you want on or with your property no matter how it effects your neighbors.

As I understand it, he will not hesitate to override someone testifying at a commission meeting, dismissing them out of hand with his own personnel agenda if he disagrees with them.

It would also seem that if you want your road resurfaced, you gotta pay for it as heaven forbid the county that you pay taxes to should pick up the tab.

Most candidates for office promise more/good jobs and affordable housing.

But how has Dan McDonald performed?

I don’t find fault with those who at least try and fail, but has Dan even tried? A number of jobs at Thorne just flew the coop to South Carolina.

Then there’s the housing situation.

the chair of the Senate Education Committee assured me that it was safe locked in his desk.

Faculty at most major public universities have not chosen the advantages of collective bargaining, presumably because they believe that unions are beneath them and that they belong only at second tier colleges and universities.

For example, Western, Central, Eastern Washington universities, Evergreen College and the community colleges have enjoyed the benefits of union contracts for years while UW and WSU professors have demurred.

The one exception is Oregon State University, where 2,400 faculty this spring chose the American Federation of Teachers and the American Association of University Professors to represent them in negotiations. I am a proud member of both.

After the OSU election, AFT national president Randi Weingarten, announced: “We will have the OSU faculty’s back as they negotiate a first contract to preserve shared governance, improve working conditions and create the best possible environment for

teaching, learning, research and outreach.”

While the faculty at the University of Michigan have declined their option to vote for a union, the lecturers there have finalized a contract that would increase their abysmal salaries by 30 percent, boosting their retirement income, improve health care and strengthen job security. Their subpar starting salaries will go from $12,700 to $16,500 per year, still not a living wage.

Using public sector bargaining laws, more than 64,000 graduate assistants have unionized at 28 public institutions in California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington. The AFT, AAUP, the National Education Association and the United Autoworkers have been chosen to represent teachers who have taken over an ever-larger share of instruction on our campuses.

Administrators initially opposed this movement claiming that graduate assistants were primarily students not employees, and that unions would somehow undermine their graduate education. State

labor boards have overwhelmingly rejected this argument.

In August 2016, primarily because of Obama’s appointments, the National Labor Relations Board ruled that graduate employees at private colleges and universities are bona fide employees and can unionize under the National Labor Relations Act, the law that has allowed collective bargaining in the private sector since 1935.

A 1980 Supreme Court decision upholding a view that faculty at private institutions are managers has limited unionization there.

The NRLB, however, has determined that adjunct faculty at these schools are employees, and since 2012 there has been a 26 percent increase in bargaining units (20 more) on these campuses.

As a result of the NLRB’s decision on graduate assistants, there has been a dramatic increase in union drives by them at private, elite universities. They have chosen the AFT to represent them at Yale, Brown, Northwestern, Georgetown, University of Pennsylvania, Boston University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Cornell University (coalition with

NEA) and the University of Chicago (coalition with AAUP).

The United Autoworkers are also doing very well in their recruitment efforts, represent graduate student workers at Harvard, Columbia, Tufts, the New School for Social Research, New York University, Boston College, the University of Washington.

Graduate students finishing their degrees and entering the job market will find fewer tenure-track positions, as the percentage of professors in those position has declined dramatically from 70 to 30 percent. Those who were union members in graduate school and fortunate enough to be hired on tenure track will be future union leaders on their campuses.

Most undergraduate teaching is now done by part or full-time faculty on renewable contracts or by graduate assistants. It is absolutely imperative that they join academic unions to improve their salaries, benefits, and working conditions. Without collective bargaining they are very vulnerable and easily exploited.

Rent and the cost of buying a home are way out of line with what many can afford in this wage market. Take the county’s budget for next year. It was cut $5.7 million, yet they’re raising their salaries and your taxes. This will only serve to add pressure to the cost of houses and rents. How does this make sense for a supposed low/no tax conservative?

McDonald was, however, quite vocal in his opposition to the Scotchman Peaks wilderness. How has this helped the average citizen of Bonner County?

Those like Dan McDonald seem to dwell on fringe issues that effect a small percentage of people and serve to divide us, not bring us together with solutions.

Similar to the national situation.

I don’t know Steve Lockwood personally and do not agree with him on everything — the Urban Renewal District for example — but I hope this will help his chances to be elected to the Bonner County Commission. I believe we need to try someone else to fill the seat currently held by Mr. McDonald.

Thoughts” by Jack Handey from Aug. 16.

In the past, I knew his “Deep Thoughts” were stupid, but I can ignore stupid.

This week’s “Deep Thoughts” article was beyond stupid. It was a mean and irreverent article.

You aren’t “cute” to tell a child that “rain” is God crying, and he’s crying because you did something (implying wrongdoing by the child).

God would not cry -— he would reach out his hand and help!

allotted 400 words explaining proven science to you in this particular letter).

My main point is about gender identity. Gender is a clear-cut scientific fact.

Just look down, every one of us is either a male or a female. Nothing to question, right? However allow a small minority of “science deniers” to push a progressive homosexual agenda and watch scientific fact go flying out the window. So I am very glad to hear that the Reader will no longer support science deniers pushing their absurd notion that gender is somehow “fluid” and can be “questioned.”

My next point regards abortion.

Scientific fact clearly shows life begins at conception, that the new life has a heartbeat around the 18th day and by the ninth week has basic human structure, eyes, fingers and toes, etc. Once again the science deniers (Planned Parenthood and others) throw science into the trash in order to push their activist agenda, calling this new life an egg or tissue, in order to “choose” to grind up and get rid of the poor unwanted thing.

That is if they are not too busy trying to preserve and sell those no-longer-needed fetal body parts.

One more fact, although not scientific, is still nonetheless true. Our country was founded on the belief that we have “been endowed by our Creator with unalienable rights, among these are the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of

happiness.” The age old truth of “live and let live” dies when we allow leftist activists to push their science-denying, life and liberty-destroying agendas.

Yes siree, Bob (Ben), I, too, “long for the days in the future when science is treated as fact and not activism.”

Lawrence Fury Sandpoint

Jack Handey...

Dear Editor: I feel compelled to respond to “Deep

Wayne Syron Sandpoint

Climate Change and Science...

Dear Editor, For once I agree with Ben Olson, with his comment “I long for the days in the future when science is treated as fact and not activism.” The comment pertained to his observation of heavy forest fires “every single year” somehow being linked to “climate change.”

Climate change is a fact. Our planet has been literally consumed by fire, ice, flooding and everything in between since the beginning of time; however the notion that somehow humankind causes climate change is a pure manipulation of science in order to fit a greenie activist agenda (we can have a civil debate on this subject, but I can’t use up my

Nick Gier of Moscow is President of the Idaho Federation of Teachers, AFT/AFL-CIO. He can be contacted at ngier006@gmail.com.

David Haussler Bayview

David, I loathe when people try to put words in my mouth or attempt (not so cleverly) to spin my meaning. When I wrote the bit you quoted, I was referring to climate change deniers ignoring science, instead relying on their emotions to drive their worldview. Your letter is a perfect example of the logical fallacy known as “false equivalence.” I wrote a series on logical fallacies a few months back. Let me know if you’d like copies.

The Reader supports LGBT rights and equality, which includes gender identity. 100 percent. Regarding your other points (which are lean on scientific fact), you are certainly entitled to your opinions. I’ll leave it at that. If you have a problem with me or the Reader, might I suggest finding another publication to read that better suits your needs?

Ben Olson Publisher, Sandpoint Reader.

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COMMUNITY

Injectors Car Show rolls into town soon

By Ben Olson Reader Staff Bouquets: • This general bouquet goes out to all of you out there whose jobs require you to work outside during these smoky conditions. Construction workers, road crews, police officers, firefighters and anyone else who has to work outside: We thank you for enduring the smoke and serving the community. We’ll get through this together!

• Another couple of donations came in this week. It always humbles me when people go out of their way to support the Reader. Denise Zembryki and Ronald Mamajek of Sagle donated $100, Dave Braun dropped off a $50 bill to the office and Ruth Wimberly sent in a check for $30.

Thanks to all who support us!

• Finally, it’s no surprise that the media has been raked over the coals in recent years, called everything from “fake news” to the “enemy of the people.” What I appreciate is when we call a source, and they treat us with professional courtesy and respect, just as we do them. They call us back in a timely manner, provide us with quotes when we need them and trust us to quote them accurately and fairly.

More and more often we are finding that people think it’s OK to stonewall the media and not participate at all. That’s not right, and not fair to the readers.

Barbs • You would think it being 2018 and all, people would generally understand that it’s not cool to litter their trash on the ground. Think again.

I saw a guy get into his car (with Washington plates) the other day, start it up, roll down his window and toss his ashtray full of cigarette butts out onto the sidewalk before pulling away. I pedaled after him for a block, trying to get his attention, but he pulled away, and I was left cleaning up his disgusting mess. I know I’m preaching to the choir with most of you, but if there are any litterbugs out there who somehow haven’t gotten the memo: Throw your trash in the bin.

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Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines!

The 19th annual Injectors Car Show will roll into downtown Sandpoint Saturday, Sept. 8, showcasing dozens of classic, unusual and downright beautiful cars from yesteryear.

For those interested in spectating, the show is free to attend and is open to the whole family.

Simply stroll the downtown streets and look at the vehicles.

For those interested in entering their classic vehicle in the competition, the show entry will be $20. The competition is judged and will award prizes for first, second and third places, as well as awards for more than 20 classes. There will also be awards given for best paint, engine and interior and a special award for Annual Club Pick.

To register, email injectorscarclub@gmail.com. There will be goody bags for the first 100 cars registered. Or registration will be open from 9-11 a.m. the day of the show.

The Injectors Car Club will donate proceeds from the show to various Bonner County community organizations.

Mark Sept. 8 on the calendar,

Top and right: photos from 2017’s Injectors Car Show.

Courtesy Injectors Car Club. as there will be cars on display, entertainment, music, trivia, a raffle and silent auction and more.

There will even be a Model Car Show from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

This is an all ages, no fee, nonjudged contest just for fun For more information, check out www.sandpointinjectors.com or call Gary at (208) 263-9780.

Mack Deibel honored as Chambers’s Volunteer of the Month

By Reader Staff

Each year, Deibel volunteers hours of his time connecting with regional brewers, taking phone Mack Deibel is being honored as the Greater Sandpoint Chamber calls, emails and texts from the Chamber staff with questions, atof Commerce Volunteer of the Month for his hard work and dedi- tending monthly Beerfest committee meetings, coming up with new ideas cation to the Sandpoint Beerfest. each year… all of which have been Deibel brought the fundraising idea to the Chamber of Commerce hugely successful, and working a 12-15 hours on Beerfest day, all Board of Directors five years ago. while maintaining his full-time job They started simple, in the Mickas brewer master at MickDuff’s and Duff’s Beer Hall Parking lot the first two years with 200 attendees. working his family farm.

“We are so grateful for MickThe event moved to the lawn at Duff’s, specifically Mack, for helpTrinity at City Beach in 2015 ing us make this a premier event for to allow for growth. This year marked the fifth year, with just un- the Chamber and for Sandpoint,” Chamber President Kate McAlister der 1,000 attendees. What started said. “Being a small nonprofit we as a small beer hall gathering has rely on this and our other events grown to the biggest fundraising to keep us going through the year. event of the year for the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce. Thank you, Mack.”

Mack Deibel with Chamber President Kate McAlister.

Courtesy photo.

HUMOR

Home Invasion I cannot tell you how many scary movies or Datelines I have watched where I sat staring at the screen wondering why the victims behave so stupidly. Why would you go around in your night gown searching for the bump in the night? Why wouldn’t you just ditch your haunted house and drive off to a new town and safer surroundings? Why didn’t they just call the cops?

It’s very easy to stare at a screen or read a story and sit in judgment of the victims.

We are all so much smarter than the people we hear about in stories, right? Are you operating under the belief that life in a small town somehow insulates you from crime?

Do you think that criminals are concerned with their personal safety because “everyone around here has guns?” I believed some of those things, and then I got a wake-up call at 3:40 a.m. on a Thursday this July.

I live in the city limits, but on the outskirts of town. My neighbors are down the street rather than next door. Until the bike path on Boyer was constructed a few years ago, I had very little foot traffic near my house.

Like many older homes around here, most of my windows do not open, and in the summer my house is just a few degrees hotter than hell. In the hotter summer months my family is known to sleep outside or build a makeshift bed in the living room so we can open the doors and let the cool air in. Air conditioning is something I just have a hard time purchasing when it’s only hot for about five weeks a year. Locking doors is something you do in a big city. The scariest entity on my property in the last eight years has been a moose. During college I lived in a big city, I moved back to Sandpoint because it felt like a safe place to raise children, and for the most part it has been.

That is why I came home from the Festival a few weeks ago, stripped off my clothes and laid under a fan in my living room. I was sleeping next to my large bearded,

tattooed male companion and had no reason unless they hear someone knocking or a car pull into the driveway. In other words, you to question my personal safety. aren’t as safe as you think you are.

I also have four teenagers who keep Sandpoint is growing, quickly, and we strange hours. There is a lot of activity into have many people in our community who the wee hours of the night, and though they are underemployed, hungry and suffering were not home on this evening, it is not from addiction, and we do not have the unusual for one to show up to retrieve a personal item that they have forgotten or for systems in place to support them. If I had a gun that night, I might have stopped him help with any other teenage issue. from breaking into the guy down the street’s When I felt a presence in my home that house (he was able to do that before the evening, I just thought one of the kids had police arrived). I come home. When I rolled also might have over to see what was bump- “Home invasions do not occur when we are expecting them. shot one of my ing around in my living Thieves and perverts don’t RSVP.” kids’ friends or a room, I expected to see one 21-year-old with of my kids. Instead I saw a man holding his phone up with the flashlight a drug problem. I don’t think a gun would on looking around my house. have solved much in this scenario, but there This is the part of the story where everyare sure are a lot of people who disagree … one interjects and asks me where my gun and that’s OK with me. was. Folks, I do not have a gun. I don’t have a What does continue to bother me is that problem with guns or people who have them, I this person is still out there, and someday he just don’t have one. If I did have a gun it would is going to hit up the wrong person’s house, have been locked up, as I have children, and and someone might end up shot. In a perfect one of them is seven years old. I wouldn’t have world it would be the “bad guy,” but in the been sleeping with a firearm under my couch real world it might be an innocent bystandpillow. That’s just not how I roll. er or teenager sneaking out of a house. As My first thought was that I might know a community we need to get together and the intruder, or maybe he was a friend of figure out how to work together to catch my kids and messing around. I asked him these criminals. The current system is overdirectly: “What the f*ck are you doing in whelmed, and four weeks later, there are no my house?” He calmly replied, “I’m looking answers. No detectives , no security footage for some…” as he walked towards me, my from nearby businesses, no victim statebearded companion awoke, the intruder saw ments required … it’s as if it didn’t happen. him and ran out the screen door. I guess he Except it does happen, more than we think, didn’t find what he was looking for, and and it’s time we acknowledge that we have both of us were confused whether or not we an issue as a community. were hallucinating or dreaming.

Complaining about it on Facebook isn’t The dog never barked, I never heard a working, folks. We need to take our condoor slam, there was no car in the driveway cerns to the City Council. If any of you are and chasing him down in my skivvies seemed interested in writing a statement regarding like a poor choice as he was no longer in my an influx of crime in your neighborhood, house. So after spending a minute or two I would like you invite you to write down in disbelief we called the police. That’s the your concerns and take them with you to the thing, folks, home invasions do not occur next meeting. I will be doing this, as I care when we are expecting them. Thieves and about the people in my community, even the perverts don’t RSVP. You may not be in the ones I don’t know. room where you store your firearm when a Locking the doors these days, Scarlette Quille bad guy comes. Dogs don’t generally bark

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FEATURE

The New Normal:

Are smoky skies and increased fire seasons a sign of things to come?

By Ben Olson Reader Staff For those who live in and visit North Idaho, clean air and natural beauty often top the list for why they’ve chosen this region. Small business owners rely on the steady stream of tourist dollars as more and more people discover this once-kept secret. The summer tourist season often provides an economic safety net to helps retailers through the tough shoulder seasons.

In recent years, however, that connection to the great outdoors and the economic boost that accompanies it has been hampered by one pervasive annoyance; smoky skies during the peak of increasingly more severe fire seasons.

As air quality indexes read over 300 last week – well into the “Hazardous” range – the natural beauty that tourists flock to see was veiled behind a thick layer of wildfire smoke containing fine particulate matter that, when inhaled, could pose threats to the cardiopulmonary system, especially in the elderly and infirm.

Last year on Labor Day, Sandpoint had the worst air quality in the nation with an air quality index of 418 (the scale only goes to 500).

Smoke was also prevalent the two fire seasons before, with varying degrees of severity.

As the smoke returns, more and more Sandpoint locals are asking, “Is this normal?

Was it like this when we were younger?”

If these trends continue, how will increasingly more common smoky skies during the height of tourist season impact our local economy?

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire To understand the elements that contribute to a more severe fire season, one must look first at the factors that contribute to higher fuel loads in our National Forests.

Fire Management Officer Matt Butler with the Priest Lake, Bonners Ferry and Sandpoint Ranger Districts said a higher snow pack isn’t the only driver that reduces fire potential.

“What really drives it is spring and summer precipitation and temperatures,” Butler said. “If you have a high snow pack and cooler spring, a lot more snow will remain at higher elevations longer.”

However, Butler said even with a higher snow pack – the past two seasons were measured at 140 percent of normal – a wet spring can interfere with windows to conduct prescribed burns, which reduce fuel loads in the forests.

“Last year in April, just like this year, it was wet and rainy,” Butler said. “We couldn’t do prescribed burning because it was too wet to burn.

By the end of May, it was too dry to burn.”

While wildfire season has always been an issue in the Inland Northwest, what has 10 /

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The scale is divided into six categories: 0-50 (Good), 51-100 (Moderate), 101-150 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups), 151-200 (Unhealthy), 201-300 (Very Unhealthy), 301500 (Hazardous). When the AQI measures over 200, events like school sports practices and outdoor gatherings are usually canceled.

When it spikes over 300 into the “Hazardous” range like it did in Sandpoint last weekend, people are warned to stay indoors, as the entire population is more likely to be affected by serious health effects.

A larger issue

changed is the length and severity of the season, Butler said.

“In the last 20 years, fire season has increased by 78 days versus what it was 20 years ago,” he said. “They’re longer seasons, and they’re a little more extreme. Whether it’s climate change or a pattern, people can call it what they want, but we’re seeing a shift.”

What’s in the smoke?

Wildfire smoke is made up of a complex mixture of gases and fine particles produced when wood and other organic materials burn.

The biggest health threat from breathing smoke is from the fine particles, referred to as Particulate Matter. PM2.5 refers to tiny particles in the air that are 2.5 microns or less in width, which measures roughly 30 times smaller than that of a human hair.

When breathed, these microscopic particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, potentially causing a range of health problems from burning eyes and runny noses to aggravated chronic heart and lung diseases.

Those most at risk when air quality takes a dive are people with cardiopulmonary diseases, older adults, those with diabetes, pregnant women and younger children.

While the best defense against breathing in the fine particulate matter is to limit exposure to the outdoors during low-air-quality periods, having a supply of N-95 or P-100 masks on hand is a good idea during fire season. Surgical masks and bandannas are not effective at filtering these fine particles from entering your lungs.

The air quality index (AQI) ranges from 0 to 500, with the higher the number indicating a greater level of air pollution and health concern. AQI is calculated for four major air pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act: ground level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide.

The prevalence of smoky skies and increased fuel loads isn’t unique to North Idaho.

Most of the smoke in the air over Sandpoint comes from fires burning in British Columbia, Washington and Montana. The return of hazardous AQIs is shared by a large section of North America, especially this season with record-setting fires in California.

The issue has become so prevalent that some state tourism bureaus have conducted studies to find out what impact the smoky air, forest fires and road closures may have on their respective tourism economies.

Norma Nickerson, the director of the Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research at the University of Montana in Missoula, recently published a paper with Jeremy Sage that touched on that very subject.

Last year, almost 1.3 million acres burned in Montana causing Gov. Steve Bullock to declare a state of emergency in early September. The combination of extreme firefighting costs and lower than expected revenues generated a $200 million shortfall with the state government.

To understand how the tourist economy was affected, Nickerson and Sage sent a survey to over 4,000 adults in late 2017 who were identified as nonresidents that had visited or planned to visit Montana.

Of the 1,203 that responded to the survey, 7 percent indicated that they had to change where they visited in Montana because of the smoke, and 10 percent were unable to take part in their desired activities at their desired locations. Another 7 percent indicated that they had shortened their stay in Montana due to the smoke or fires.

Of those individuals who did not travel to Montana during the summer of 2017, 9 percent indicated they had planned to visit the state but canceled due to the smoke or fire in their planned visiting area. For every 100 visitors that did come to Montana during this period, 8.6 individuals canceled their trip.

Less visitors translates into less potential revenue, but Nickerson said tracking something as complex as the tourist economy is often difficult.

“It’s not one industry and therefore it is

difficult to get a handle on all the components of the industry,” she said. “Obviously it is made up of accommodations, restaurants, transportation and guided activities. But it also includes retail, grocery stores, admissions, entry fees, licenses, permits, vehicle repairs, gambling, services such as haircuts and banking and the like.”

She pointed to a recent study from the Oregon Tourism Commission which looked at the same issue; how the smoky skies and wildfires have impacted Oregon’s state and local economies.

Conducted in March 2018, the report bore some alarming takeaways. Smoke from 1.2 million acres of wildfire during the 2017 season caused 451 unique unhealthy air quality readings across Oregon, a 65 percent increase over the highest number of readings from 2000 to 2016.

The report estimated that $51.1 million in lost revenue statewide was a direct result of smoke and fire activity, of which employees and working proprietors lost $16 million in earnings.

Impacts were felt most strongly by the food and beverage service ($13.9 million), lodging ($13.5 million), followed by retail businesses ($3.9 million).

Nearly half of the survey respondents believe the 2018 season may see a decline in visitation due to the possible perception that fire damage from 2017 has diminished their community’s appeal to visitors.

On the home front While Montana and Oregon’s tourism bureaus have conducted extensive studies directly monitoring the economic impact of smoky skies on tourism, Idaho’s Department of Commerce has no data collected yet to ascertain the impact on the home front.

“It’s not to say we aren’t interested in those numbers,” said Matt Borud, marketing and innovation officer for Idaho Department of Commerce. “It’s just a resource question.

We have one of the smaller state tourism projects in the country. Some of these projects can be pricey.”

However, Borud noted, Idaho has shown a double-digit increase in tourism numbers over the last three fiscal years. This year’s fiscal year showed an increase of over 11 percent from 2017, which showed an increase of 12.4 percent from 2016, which increased 13.4 percent from fiscal year 2015. The measurement came as a result of studying the lodging tax on Idaho hotels, which mostly indicates out of state travelers.

“These are pretty good stretches of growth,” Borud said. “At a national level, we’re seeing 7, 8 percent growth coming up

< see SMOKE, page 11 >

< SMOKE, con’t from page 10 > out of the recession. … If you’re not growing at around that 9-percent rate, you’re probably behind the curve. We’ve been nicely in front of that in the last few years.”

With such an increase in tourist dollars coming in, the trend for skies to remain smoky for days on end has the potential to negatively impact Idaho’s economies on a local level.

When Montana Shakespeare in the Park arrived in Sandpoint last weekend for their annual outdoor production – this year it was “Othello” – normally 1,200 to 1,500 people turn out for the free performance. This year, due to an air quality index ranging from “Very Unhealthy” to “Hazardous,” only a third of the expected number showed.

“We did better than I thought,” said Christine Holbert, owner of Lost Horse Press which hosts and sponsors the traveling troupe every year in Sandpoint. “We had 475 people in the audience. That’s down from the 1,200 we usually have, but considering how terrible it was yesterday, I feel lucky to have had that many.”

Holbert said she felt bad for the performers and attendees, many of whom wore masks, because their scheduled date in Sandpoint continues to coincide with smoky skies. She discussed the potential to switch dates with organizers, so the performance would take place before or after the fire season.

“I told them, ‘You’ve been here for four years now and every single year we’ve had smoke,’” Holbert said.

But the traveling Shakespeare troupe has traveled throughout rural communities across Montana, Idaho, Washington and Wyoming for over 40 years, arriving in each community the same dates each year. To change schedules would mean to upset long held anchor points in dozens of communities across the west.

“These are tiny towns where they’ll have the play on the third weekend in June every year for 40 years,” said Holbert. “They’ll often build some kind of other event or festival around the Shakespeare show, so it’s difficult to change.”

Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce president Kate McAlister said the smoke was on every visitor’s mind last week.

“We get a tremendous amount of summer visitors here,” McAlister said. “Every one of them last week was asking where they can get out of the smoke.”

McAlister, like Holbert, said one real impact the smoke might have on Sandpoint is the loss of events due to cancellation or low

attendance.

“Events are very important to our small town,” she said. “Last year, when they had to cancel the soccer tournament (due to hazardous air quality), one business lost $10,000. Another lost $7,000. The next weekend was our Scenic Half Marathon, which would’ve been a $20,000 hit for the Chamber if we had to cancel. Luckily we didn’t.”

To switch event dates, McAlister said, is often difficult.

“What most people don’t understand is, when an event comes off seamlessly, that means it’s really difficult behind the scenes,” she said.

“To move some of these bigger events might be a logistical nightmare. We have 150 nonprofits.

To find new dates to move their events would be a problem. ... The reality is, for those of us who rely on events and tourism, it really is a hit to the economy.”

Local hoteliers have also noticed the impact of the smoke in terms of cancellations.

“There’s definitely been lots of cancellations,” said Sonja Ogden of the Quality Inn. “A few people have actually gone home early because of it, just because they come for the family to go out on the lake and all that, and then it’s just too much.”

Naomi Eisler at the Days Inn agreed: “Today, in fact, half of the people that were going to come in canceled. It’s been worse this week, just because people that reserved rooms to come vacation in our beautiful area just don’t want to be here right now. Their reaction is wondering how close the fires are just because of how thick the smoke is.”

“I don’t think it’s really affected the business,” said Taunee Holzhauser at Holiday Inn. “People are still traveling and vacationing, they’re just staying inside. We’re still booked up and have people coming in.”

“As of right now, we’re showing a dip of about 10 percent (in August revenue) from last year, so there’s definitely less people coming through,” said Patrick Lucas at Hotel Ruby.

“Guests ask about the fires, if we have any ideas of when (the smoke) might let up, and they really want information about how close the fires are.”

Both the Festival at Sandpoint and the Bonner County Fair were well attended, thanks to fortunate timing.

“All the smoke came in literally right after the fair,” said Darcy Smith, fairgrounds and facility director. “We have a horse show this coming weekend, so we hope that will be well attended. The Draft Horse show was canceled last year because of the smoke, but they re-did

it this past July.”

Linda Mitchell, owner of Lake Pend Oreille Cruises which provides tours of various parts of the lake in the 43-foot Shawnodese, said she’s seen the impacts but most people are soldiering on.

“It definitely has had an impact in terms of cancellations, but I’m still getting reservations,” Mitchell said. “If people are here, there are still things to see on the lake. We have eagle-watching cruises, which go along the shoreline, and a lot of them are here and just don’t want to be cooped up in their hotel room or vacation rentals. They want to get out and do things.”

Mitchell said there is one silver lining to the smoke: spectacular sunsets.

“Our sunset cruises have been pretty popular,” she said.

Support in Washington, D.C. Without data like Montana and Oregon, it’s hard to say the exact impacts that smoke has caused on our local economies, most agree that it does translate into lost potential revenue in some form or fashion. But Fire Management Officer Butler said the problem of wildfire funding and staffing issues have also affected the severity of the season.

“One of the things we’re seeing is, with fire seasons being longer and more severe,” Butler said, “we’re having to send our crews to other places in the country to support them.

Our crews are here less. … Fifteen or 20 years ago, we had crews stationed here in summer doing fuel (reduction) work, but now they’re tied up fighting fires and supporting others.”

The funding issue has caught the attention of lawmakers in Washington, D.C. Senator Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, introduced legislation in June along with Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon in response to the federal government failing to fund wildfire suppression like it does with any number of other natural disasters that impact communities.

The legislation addresses “fire borrowing,” which takes money from other priorities like trail or forest maintenance and spending it instead on fire suppression.

“This has been a bipartisan bill from the outset,” Crapo said. “Thanks to the input of other groups like the Nature Conservatory, our legislation will end the dangerous and debilitating practice of fire borrowing, which robbed funds from other, important functions of the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. Now, we will respond to wildfires and treat them as we do other catastroph-

ic disasters.”

Butler said the legislation would help shift fire suppression money back into their budget to reduce fuels on the forest floor, instead of tying it up into fighting more and more severe fires.

“I don’t think it’s quite all the way there, but they’re making some inroads,” he said.

The elephant in the room

According to the U.S. National Centers for Environmental Information, last April marked the 400th consecutive month with global temperatures exceeding the 20th century average.

It’s agreed that a warming trend is taking place, and that the trend has contributed to increased fire activity, longer lasting seasons and more severe burns.

What’s not agreed is the cause of this warming trend. Is this an above-average cycle, or the effects of human caused climate change? Often merely asking the question steers the discussion into a political quagmire, with climate change deniers taking solace from elected officials all the way up to the president.

“The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive,” President Donald Trump tweeted before the 2016 election. He has also referred to climate change as a “hoax” several times.

While there is no evidence to suggest a Chinese-led hoax, scientific data continues to support the idea that our climate is warming and that humans are contributing to this trend, which in turn has helped contribute to longer, more severe fire seasons and the annual return of smoky skies in August and September.

Fire Management Officer Butler said no matter what you call it, it’s happening and it remains a difficult problem to overcome.

“I’ve done this for 32 years, fighting fires, 30 in North Idaho, and we don’t remember smoke coming in like this,” Butler said. “We remember days where it would roll in and move out, but this pattern we’ve been in the last few years, a lot of us in our careers have not seen it like the last few years.”

Ben Olson is the co-owner and publisher of the Sandpoint Reader.

McCalee Cain contributed to the reporting of this article.

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American Operetta in Revue 7pm @ Panida Theater Live musical theater with all the song, dance and entertainment you will ever find under the roof. $15/adults, $10/seniors/students. Panida.org for info

NED

O POSTP

Live Music w/ Daniel Hall 6-8pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Daniel recently completed his first solo album entitled “Finally” and is a progressive folk and rock original songwriter and guitarist

f

Pop-Up O 6-8pm @ P Whet you pairing of wine and a rytelling, a

Live Music w/ Ron Crisone Live Music w/ D and the Reynaldos 8-10pm @ The B 6-8pm @ Cedar St. Bistro Wine Bar Eccentric guitar Live Music w/ One Street Over Sandpoint Fa 5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery 9am-1pm @ F Father-daughter duo Featuring live Live Music w/ Working Spliffs Home 9pm-12am @ 219 Lounge Live Music w Reggae, ska, blues, R&B, and more 8-10pm @ The Live Music w/ David Walsh S Hot August Nights (live music and BBQ) 5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority 9 12pm-8pm @ A&P’s Bar and Grill Eccentric guitarist Sponsored by Tito’s Vodka, $20 includes all the N Live Music w/ Ron Crisone grilled chicken (with all the fixin’s) that you can eat, t and the Reynaldos plus there will be live music with two bands on stage a 6-8pm @ Cedar St. Bistro Wine Bar Laughing Dog Brewery 13th Anniversary Party W Live Music w/ Tom Catmull 9 4-6pm @ Laughing Dog Brewery 5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Live music by Melissa Forrette, Mandala Pizza will D American roots-driven sound be on-site. Laughing Dog will also be releasing their o Live Music w/ Far Out West Anniversary Beer on tap - as per tradition! Join the fun W 9pm-12am @ 219 Lounge Live Music w/ Browne Salmon Truck Jr A unique and energetic brand of 6:30-9:30pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall 3p funk that features groovy beats Vintage and contemporary blues, jazz, Latin and Co and rootsy vocals more. Always an enjoyable set from this trio La Sandpoint Chess Club Roll class with Debbie May • 4-6pm @ Sandpoint Sports 9am @ Evans Brothers Coffee Roll out those tight muscles! Bring your own Mat $10 Meets every Sunday at 9am fee. Rollers will be provided. Appetizers provided and drink specials for class participants Live Music w/ BareGrass 5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Americana trio from Sandpoint Live Music w/ Harold’s IGA 7:30-10pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Indie rock trio, with special guest Craig Baldwin from Tennis sitting in on the bass!

M Bo ed ho Night-Out Karaoke Trivia Night VolunteerMatch Live giv 9pm @ 219 Lounge 7-9pm @ MickDuff’s 12-1pm @ Spt. Comm. Resource Ctr. Join DJ Pat for a night Bring your brains and Matches organizations in need of ne of singing, or just come try not to dull them with volunteers with members of the com- SF 7p to drink and listen beer too much. It’s on! munity! Open to all to attend Monday Night Blues Jam w/ Truck Mills Lifetree Cafe • 2pm @ Jalepeño’s 7:30pm @ Eichardt’s Pub This week’s topic: “Coping with Guilt”

Wind Down Wednesday 5-8pm @ 219 Lounge With live music by blues man Truck Mills and guest musician Carl Rey

Wednesdays w/ Bennie 5-7:30pm @ Connie’s Lounge Weekly music on Connie’s deck with Bennie Baker. This week’s special guest: Robby Packwood

The Lil Smokies in Concert 7pm @ Panida Theater Join this amazing night of high-energy performances by this progressive bluegrass band. $15/adv, $18/door, $8/kids

Sandpoint Farmers Mark 3-5pm @ Farmin Park Shop for locally grown pr tisan wares, eat good food music by Kathy Colton

Yappy Hour 4-7pm @ Taylor and Sons Chevrolet Bring your dog and enjoy a Panhandle Animal Shelter benefit with live music, beverages, and fun

Trivia Takeover Live 6pm @ Pend d’Oreille This is trivia like you’ Live Music w/ Kevin 8-11pm @ 219 Loung A unique blend of sou

ful

August 23 - 30, 2018

Pop-Up Open Mic Night (FREE) -8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Whet your palette with an immersive airing of your favorite Pend d’Oreille wine and a mélange of fiction, poetry, stoytelling, and creative nonfiction readings

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

Live Music w/ Bridges Home 8-11pm @ 219 Lounge Dollar Beers!

Sandpoint’s popular singer songwrit8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub er duo of Dave and Tami Gunter makGood until the keg’s dry ing their 219 debut with Americana, Celtic, roots and many originals

“Blind Panic” play by Chris Herron Music w/ David Walsh 7:30pm @ Heartwood Center m @ The Back Door ric guitarist from Sandpoint The newest original play from the Unknown Locals theater company is a comedic farce that follows Tim, a socially anxious recluse whose friends hope to break dpoint Farmers’ Market him out of his shell by setting him up on a blind date. Panic, and other things, 1pm @ Farmin Park uring live music by Bridges ensue. $12/$10 seniors Dance and Potluck Picnic e 5-9pm @ Sandpoint City Beach (Basketball court) Music w/ Brian Jacobs and Chris Lynch Dance lessons included! Bring dish if you want to eat pm @ The Back Door Free Movie in the Park: “The Greatest Showman” Sandemonium Dusk @ Lakeview Park (near Museum) 9am-4pm @ Forrest Bird Charter School all the Nerd out at North Idaho’s fandom conven- See “The Greatest Showman” free in Lakeview Park. can eat, tion. Cosplay, games, prizes, panels and more The film starts at dusk. Bring chairs and popcorn!

Yoga on Tap n stage await. Entry is $2 10:45-11:45am @ Laughing Dog Brewery Party Walk in the Woods One hour class that ends with the group having a beer 9am @ Selkirk School (meeting place) zza will Discover all that Pine Street Woods has to together. $12 includes your first beer ng their offer the community during a Walk in the “Blind Panic” play by Chris Herron 7:30pm @ Heartwood Center the fun Woods scenic walk. KaniksuLandTrust.org See above Jr. Ranger Program: Round Lake Rocks!

Live Music w/ Harold’s IGA 3pm @ Round Lake State Park 4-8pm @ Beyond Hope Resort (Del Lago) n and Come learn about the geology of Round Join Harold’s IGA at Beyond Hope Resort for their Lake State Park for Jr. Ranger Program Sunday show on the lawn! Great for the whole family Sports Piano Sunday featuring Bob Beadling 4-6pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery $10 Beadling has a unique impressionistic influence, combinand ing original arrangements of classical and contemporary

Monthly support group for heart patients • 3:30-4:30pm @ BGH Bonner General Health’s Cardiac Rehab team is partnering with Mend” ed Hearts, a national and community-based non-profit organization to host a monthly support group for heart patients, their families and caregivers. Meetings are on the fourth Monday of each month in the Bone Ctr. ner General Health classroom. Call (208) 265-748 for more information d of com- SFN Movie Night screens ‘1984’ 7pm @ Panida Little Theater

ers Market Park grown produce, shop argood food and enjoy live Colton

A Cello-bration with Zuill & Friends 7pm @ The Heartwood Center Northwest BachFest presents Grammy Award-winning cellist Zuill Bailey in quartet with fellow cellists Dr. Melissa Kraut, Cicely Parnas and Jared Blajian

over Live d d’Oreille Winery a like you’ve never played before! w/ Kevin Dorin 19 Lounge end of soulful folk and blues

Live Music w/ Daniel Mills 6-8pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall This CDA native (of Son of Brad) just put together a new album and is touring the Inland Northwest. Plus, food by Mandala Pizza!

Aug. 31-Sept. 3 FallFest @ Schweitzer Mountain Resort Aug. 31 David DaVinci Magic @ Panida Theater

HOURS: 3pm to close Mon. through Sat.

Sept. 1-2 Funky Junk Show @ Bonner Co. Fairgrounds

FRIDAY, August 24 @ 8-10pm

David Walsh Eccentric guitarist SATURDAY, August 25 @ 8-10pm

Chris Lynch & Brian Jacobs

(208) 610-7359 111 Cedar St. (lower level)

We inject trees with fertilizer and insecticide to help rejuvenate the tree and kill off the larve and beetles inside.

August 23, 2018 /

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FEATURE

Unpacking the 2019 Bonner County budget

Highlights include substantial wage increases due to market pressures and continued cuts throughout departments

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff

OPEN 11:30 am

GAME ROOM UPSTAIRS

The Psounbality with Per FRESH FOOD LIVE MUSIC THE BEST NW BREWS

212 Cedar Street Downtown Sandpoint

208.263.4005 A SandPint Tradition Since 1994 14 /

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/ August 23, 2018

In a budget workshop on Aug. 8, county clerk Mike Rosedale laid out the greatest point of contention during this budget season: to take forgone taxes, or to not take forgone taxes.

Each year, the county is allowed to increase property taxes three percent. Some years, Bonner County has opted out of this increase. Put simply, the “forgone” is the accumulation of each time the county did not increase taxes when they could. By taking forgone in 2019, Bonner County property taxes would rise nearly 13 percent, said Commissioner Dan McDonald.

Rosedale announced on Aug. 8, which was only days before the county reached their semi-finalized budget, that by not taking foregone the budget would have been $2 million short. By taking the forgone, Rosedale said the budget would be only $204,000 short.

“The one thing that concerns me more than anything is that we go with the forgone, then suddenly we’re carrying more cash forward than we think, we all look like a bunch of buffoons sitting up here,” said Commissioner Jeff Connolly on Aug. 8.

Rosedale explained that last year when over $8 million was cut from the budget that the commissioners had “cut the low hanging fruit.”

“We’re at the knife’s edge of best-case scenario,” Rosedale said, referencing the estimated $4 million in carry-over the county is figuring into next year’s budget.

He said that taking the forgone was the only way to be sure the county could operate within budget in 2019. “I’m on team Bonner County here. I’m just telling you that the car has been overheated crossing the mountain here. The fact that we don’t like that the car is going to overheat doesn’t change the fact.”

This “knife’s edge” is an apt metaphor for Bonner County’s budget situation. Operating within revenues has been McDonald’s goal since taking office in 2016, and this year, with that goal still in mind, the commissioners chose not to implement the 13 percent in forgone taxes. Instead, taxes will be raised the allotted yearly 3 percent and the county will focus on making more cuts.

These cuts are coming not in the form

of services, but instead through procurement, attrition and miscellaneous budget cuts to better reflect actual spending, McDonald said.

McDonald said in the first year with a specific procurement position in the county, department heads placed only 10 percent of their orders through that avenue. He said 90 percent of ordering continued to be done independently by the departments.

Steve Lockwood, the Democratic candidate for the District 3 commissioner seat in the upcoming November election, has been following the county budget workshops closely. He said he attended the meeting where the lack of procurement orders was discussed. It’s just one example of how a lack of team-like atmosphere is hurting the county, he added.

“Instead of asking the (department) heads why they don’t use it, Dan simply issues an order to the group as a whole to use it. That isn’t the way to fix something,” Lockwood said. “The way to fix it is to talk about it — maybe it’s not as good as an idea as they thought it would be, or the departments need to be asked why it isn’t working for them and (how the system could be) improved.”

As far as attrition, to balance the $54 million budget, the commissioners calculated 15 positions to retire in 2019 and for those positions to be swallowed up, rather than rehired. Exactly which positions those will be is not known.

A big emphasis for the coming fiscal year is the implementation of monthly budget meetings between commissioners and department heads to control spending, McDonald said. He noted that a more easily balanced budget is hopefully on the horizon. “(The year) 2020 should be the last year we have to look at cuts,” McDonald said.

Even with all the cutting, most departments are seeing salary increases in 2019.

Road and Bridge, EMS and Planning

are seeing the highest wage hikes due to “market pressures,” McDonald said.

Road and Bridge Director Steve Klatt said his department is seeing a 20-percent increase in employment costs in an effort to keep operators with the county and hopefully attract more qualified employees.

“We need to show people that we respect the jobs they’re doing for this county,” Klatt said, noting that he’s lost several employees to the private sector in the last year. “I went to the commissioners, and we were in agreement that the county had slipped behind the marketplace with our operators.”

The Road and Bridge budget for the coming year is staying relatively the same, even with the 20 percent hike in employment costs. Klatt said this means the department will restrict money spent on new projects, and instead keep working on high-priority road maintenance.

Next year sees a 3-percent merit salary increase across most departments, with variations depending on market adjustments and compression, McDonald said.

Commissioners saw a 7-percent salary increase in the new budget.

To balance the $54 million 2019 budget, the county took the 3-percent property tax increase and are utilizing $3.2 million in reserves for the new budget. McDonald said estimated costs are $49 million, coming in under budget. Still, close cost management is a priority in 2019, he said.

Rosedale said the commissioners are dedicated to making departments live “within their means” so that the 13-percent increase isn’t necessary.

“What they decided to do is go as close to the financial wire as they could, so they’re making everybody get very careful with the remainder of this year’s budget,” Rosedale said.

Public hearings regarding the 2019 Bonner County budget will be Monday, Aug. 27 at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the Bonner County Administration Building.

LITERATURE

This open Window

Vol. 3 No. 10 poetry and prose by local writers edited by Jim mitsui

K

aren is a Sandpoint resident, but grew up in Utah.

Not only is she a talented writer, she is an accomplished sailboat deckhand and teaches yoga.

This piece is appropriate considering our hot summer weather. When I read this memoir in my workshop for the first time I was “blown away”; I had believed that Sandpoint had writers and poets of a high caliber and “Irrigation” was my first affirmation of this fact.

I like to encourage people to work on a memoir, narratives of personal experiences, specific memories that will create a legacy.

-Jim Mitsui

Delia Owens, co-author of “Cry of the Kalahari” presents her first novel, “Where the Crawdads Sing” at Bonners Books Downtown Bonners Ferry 6:30 pm, Friday, August 31st

Main Street, Bonners Ferry

267-2622

irrigation I grew up in Utah, wishing I lived in Pennsylvania where green trees met in a canopy over the roads which I’d seen on a calendar. I was most critical of my surroundings during summer. The mountain behind our house became dried-up August grasses and tumbleweed; the creek across our road a rubble of dry old rocks. Puncture weeds crawled through the dirt strip between the front yard and the asphalt. It was too hot for anything. Hot on the porch, hot in the house, hot, hot boredom and one hundred degrees in the shade.

I wanted rain. I wanted a downpour, a waterfall of rain to drench my shirt, to wash my hair under, lathering up with shampoo and rinsing it rainwater fresh like on TV. I wanted that instead of how my sister and I could splat an egg on the sidewalk and watch its edges turn white, the cement too hot for our bare feet.

It was water we craved. The three of us — my sister Christine, our little brother Karl, and I — ran through the sprinklers, the Rainbird chugging, its first blast and the slap of its return. But that wetness was temporary. The real water, the soaking water, was irrigation. Every summer, every Sunday night, our yard got twenty-three minutes of irrigation.

Pulling dams was the father’s domain. When it was almost time, we followed Daddy up Beecher Avenue to the Brailsfords’ house. The two men smoked cigarettes and waited, their free hands on the shovel handles.

We heard the gurgle; we smelled the water, the swell of sweet deep water on Mr. Brailsford’s front lawn. But we didn’t touch it with as much as one toe. We waited, scratching at our bites, and our dad checked his wrist. It was 5:17 by both men’s watches, synchronized to the voice at the phone company. They slid Mr. Brailsford’s dam shut and lifted the ditch gate. Heads bent, we followed the bulge of our water down the main ditch and watched it fill behind our dam. The water rose and overflowed. It barged into the bridal wreath at our back corner, our dad’s shovel pushing it like a slow crowd into the thick branches. We tore around the line of bushes and into the backyard where we stood ready. Irrigation seeped into the grass and our feet kneaded the damp sod. Our toes

squished. The water came.

Cold, cold from Box Elder Canyon, deep cold from the reservoir at Mantua, from the springs up at Doc’s Flat, from snowmelt in the Wasatch Mountains. Icy creek water clamped around our feet, a twenty-three minute flood from the mountains down to us. Let it be wet all around and let us splash and run and push and flow in this irrigation.

We follow it. We chase it. Ankle-deep in the grass, knee-deep and dark in the low spot by the grapes. The weeping willow stretches its hundred tongue tips down. We wade and slosh past the row of plum trees. They stand, drinking like horses at the trough.

Water fills the patio and like always Christine says “the lawn chairs wonder what’s happening.”

Irrigation bumps against the back door and snakes around the corner, slips under the pyracantha. We giggle and run, pretending the unstoppable flood chases us. It surrounds the Russian olive, makes it shimmy in silver-leafed thanks. Irrigation hits the front walk, speeds around the curve and pauses while it fills the front yard.

“It’s a good flow,” we tell each other, knowing that’s what the grownups say. Out on Sixth East, the sycamore’s roots gulp.

We trudge through low places, tugging up the hems of our shorts with both hands, water deep and thick between the lilacs, water licking our bottoms. I say “my feet have ice cream headaches!”

Our brother’s best friend, John Scott Knudson, yells “rattlesnake swimming!” We scream and race for the breezeway where the water is slick and smooth, a clear blanket running over the cement, water rubbing against the furnace room door.

We are delirious. We kick fans of water, splashing up to our faces. But we know it’s the end of our irrigation, that the water never gets past the garage. We are greedy. We want more minutes.

If only the Andersons would forget their turn like that one time. We want more, delicious more. This moment, this place, this love ends when Daddy drops our dam and opens the main gate. These twenty-three moments are over, but the memory stays inside us who have lived with irrigation.

Karen Seashore August 23, 2018 /

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OUTDOORS

Gardening with Laurie: e-in v o M ady! re

•Four Seasons coach competely remodeled with oak, tile and hardwood throughout.

•1.5 bath, very clean and comfortable.

•Kitchen, shower, tons of storage.

•Full size bed conditione propane and •Air conditioned, electric heat, two hot water heaters •Call or text for more info:

(208) 217-2600

Beautifully renovated ($150k) in 2005 with books and receipts on everything.

Completely rebuilt 8V 96 Diesel engine with only 52,000 miles!

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African violet propagation

By Laurie Brown Reader Columnist African violets aren’t as popular now as they once were, but they still have plenty of admirers, and it’s easy to see why. They are easier to keep than any other plant that blooms in the house, they don’t take up much room, the cats don’t eat them, and even when not in bloom their fuzzy leaves are delightful.

These little beauties are easy to propagate, too.

The easiest and most common method of propagating an African violet (Saintpaulia ionantha) is via a leaf cutting. To do this, remove a leaf from a healthy, vigorous plant. Don’t take one of the old leaves on the outside of the plant — they don’t have much growth hormone left in them. Take a younger leaf from closer to the center of the plant — but a full size leaf, not one still growing up. Using a sharp knife or single edged razor, cut the leaf stem to 1 inch maximum. A half inch stem seems optimal; short enough to be easy for the plantlets to reach the surface but long enough to provide an anchor for the parent leaf.

Cut the bottom of the stem at an angle to increase the surface area that the plantlets can grow from. Do not use rooting hormone; it can burn soft green tissue like this.

Prepare a small pot — a three- or four-inch one — with a very light weight potting soil. You can buy African violet mix, or add some perlite to regular potting soil to make it lighter. Make a hole, and insert the leaf stem and the bottom third of the leaf. Fill in around it and water it well. Place the pot in a warm, bright, humid spot. I put my cuttings over the kitchen sink; they get morning light and water vapor from the sink. Now the waiting game begins.

First, the mother leaf will root. This usually takes two weeks to a month.

Do not fertilize until the leaf is rooted — after a couple of weeks you can try very gently tugging on the leaf to see if it offers resistance. If it does, it’s rooted and you can give it your regular African

violet food. After anywhere between six weeks and three months, baby plantlets that look like fuzzy green ears will start showing up on the soil surface- anywhere on the soil surface, not just right against the parent leaf. Wait until the plantlets have at least four leaves each before separating them from the parent leaf by gently tipping the contents of the container out and cutting them free with a sharp knife. Now you have some baby African violets to pot up!

You can increase your collection of African violets by swapping leaves with friends who have different varieties. It’s a very inexpensive way of getting some fancy plants. As long as a leaf is crisp and green, there is a good chance of getting plantlets from it. If you’re given a leaf that is limp, try soaking it in water for an hour to try and revive it. It’s always worth a try!

PROFILES

A conversation with local farmers at Moose Meadows Farm

By Jodi Rawson Reader Contributor When Katherine Creswell and Spencer Nietmann first met at Bowdoin College in Maine, it was clear they both shared a love of farming. Creswell was managing the Bowdoin Organic Garden and Nietmann was studying biology. Later, they moved on to manage different farms in Maine before choosing to move across the country to North Idaho in the spring of 2016 to Nietmann’s family property in Clark Fork to start a certified organic vegetable farm called Moose Meadow Farm.

Moose Meadow Farm focuses on growing a handful of vegetables, including spring mix, spinach, tomatoes and microgreens. They also grow a selection of mixed vegetables for their Community Supported Agriculture customers. Creswell and Nietmann estimate about half of their summer sales goes toward their CSA membership program, with another 40 percent going to grocery stores and another 10 percent to local restaurants.

Reader contributor Jodi Rawson asked Creswell and Nietmann a few questions about life on the farm and how they make it happen each and every day.

JODI RAWSON: What are your most difficult challenges in being a professional farmer?

Tell me about a typical work day in the dirt as well as some of the business challenges.

MOOSE MEADOWS: Every day is different, and that is what keeps the work interesting! The biggest challenge for us is trying to exert some level of control over a natural system. No matter how carefully we plan and how meticulously we execute, there are hundreds of factors, from soil biology to pest pressure to the weather, that are beyond our control. Our job is to make sense of this chaos, control as many

Katherine Creswell and Spencer Nietmann stand before a cornucopia of produce.

factors as we can, and reliably produce top quality organic vegetables. A difficult task, no doubt, but a rewarding one.

JR: I have heard that selling produce to restaurants can be very challenging and meticulous work. What steps do you have to take to get your harvest “restaurant ready?”

MM: We have extremely high standards on our farm for all of our customers; one of our goals is to show our community that local, certified-organic produce lasts longer and is higher quality than non-local produce. We only send ‘A’-quality produce out the door. All our greens are triple washed and spun dry, and bunched roots are sprayed and dunked. Tomatoes are trellised so they never touch the ground and therefore stay shiny clean. One of the most important farming lessons we have learned is to grow enough so that we have enough perfect produce to sell while culling the imperfect specimens.

JR: For a few years I tried to sell dairy products from my goats and grew weary of expectations and lack of gratitude.

Most people have no idea how hard a small farmer works. Do your clients appreciate you?

MM: Yes, absolutely. Many

of our customers have tried to keep a garden, and if not they at least have a vague understanding of the challenges of growing high-quality vegetables. Our customers, be they restaurants, grocery stores or individuals, express their gratitude on a weekly basis. This is one of the best parts of our job!

JR: Farming is something that you are very passionate about historically. Tell me about the farm you managed before starting Moose Meadow Farm. What ages were you when you got the green thumb?

MM: We both managed farms in Maine for a number of years before moving to Idaho. Spencer managed the farm at a resort on the coast and grew food for the kitchen and catering service there. Katherine managed the farm at Bowdoin College that provided food for the dining service, and then she managed the Sustainable Agriculture program and farm at Kennebec Valley Community College, training students and growing food for food banks. We both have wanted to have our own farm since early adulthood.

JR: Recently I read that only a quarter of the people farming in the U.S. nowadays are younger than 70 years old.

Katherin Creswell works the fields at Moose Meadows Farm. Courtesy photos.

When they begin to retire, how will the rare young farmer grow enough food? Are you able to keep up with the demand at Moose Meadow Farm?

MM: The issue of the aging farmer is a complex problem.

Honestly, we do not know enough about global food economics to adequately address the question. We do know that the number of small vegetable farms in the U.S. is increasing every year, many of those farms are owned and operated by young people, and that demand for local produce is on the rise as well.

Here in North Idaho, the demand for fresh vegetables is high, and we have only scratched the surface with regard to meeting that demand. We expand our operation every year to try to keep up.

JR: Could you be open about what kind of a living farming really is? Are you making it? Do you supplement your income with winter work?

MM: Growing vegetables is an excellent living! We do not supplement our income with off-farm work, and the majority of other small-scale vegetable growers we know in Bonner County derive 100-percent of their incomes from their farms. At Moose Meadow Farm, we grow and sell food year-round, with the

use of both heated and unheated greenhouses, which allows us to feed people and generate income every month of the year. This is critical to our economic well-being, and it addresses the supply and demand issue of fresh local produce as well.

JR: Harvesting enough food to sell requires deep passion.

What do you feel when you get your hands into the dirt, when you baby a little seedling along, when you harvest artistic and healthy food? Tell me about why you love farming North Idaho.

We love farming in North Idaho because it is so rewarding.

The winter weather makes it challenging to produce food all winter, but our customers appreciate it so much that it is worth the effort. Plus we want to eat fresh food, too! The dryness in the summer can be challenging too, but there is so much solar energy that vegetables seem to grow extremely fast. Keeping pace with it all is exhilarating!

Feeling the appreciation of our community and customers, which is exceptional for a small town, makes it all worthwhile.

Check out Moose Meadow Farm at MooseMeadowOrganic. com, or call them at (208) 3046492.

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EDUCATION

First generation student Jessica Inman aspires to make a difference in the classroom LPOHS grad Jessica Inman.

Courtesy photo.

By McCalee Cain Reader Staff

Recent Lake Pend Oreille High graduate Jessica Inman stumbled upon what her dream career as she worked on her senior project this year.

“At first when I did my report on teaching it was kind of a joke, something a teacher suggested and I just went with,” she said. “But then I adored the time I spent in the classroom during my job shadows at Farmin Stidwell. I had so much fun.”

Inman will be starting at North Idaho College this month, in hopes of eventually becoming a third-grade teacher.

“I think it’s a really great place to get used to college. I didn’t want to walk into a university and act like I know what I’m doing, so I decided to go with something a bit smaller since I came from a really small school,” she said.

Being first generation, this fall will be especially momentous for Inman and her family.

“I always wanted to go to college because no one else in my family has done it, so I wanted to choose a different path than them,” she said. “It’s a lot of stress because my whole family is so proud of me, so I’m more afraid to fail than usual. It’s a little bit more scary because if I fail, I’ll be letting a lot of people down, but my plan is not to fail.”

Inman said she was in complete shock when she found out how much Lake Pend Oreille High School had given her in scholarships.

“When I got my scholarships from LPO, my mom came, and just to see the excitement on her face when she saw how many I got, she went crazy, I’d never seen my mom like that 18 /

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before. That feeling was amazing, and I just want to make my family proud,” she said. “I’m not coming from a family with a lot of money, so what they did for me is just life-changing. It gives me goosebumps to talk about.”

LPOHS’s life-changing impact on Inman’s life began long before she earned her scholarships: years prior, it helped to redefine her relationship with education.

“I don’t even know where to begin.

I didn’t even last a quarter at Sandpoint High. I had really, really bad anxiety and depression, and so I hated school. All throughout middle and high school, I skipped every chance I would get. When I got to LPO, I felt like I was a part of something. They made me feel involved, and they just made me feel like I was there for a reason,” Inman said.

“These last four years have been very, very rough for me, and they’ve helped me through everything.”

Inman hopes to bring it full circle by eventually being there to help students struggling like she did.

“If I have students like that in my classroom like (me), I want to slow down and take time with them,” she said. “I want to make school a place where kids can like to be, kids that were like me growing up, the outsiders and the weird kids. I want to make a safe place for those kinds of kids.”

Inman aspires to teach in Washington, in urban areas to connect with at-risk students.

“My biggest excitement is expanding my education further, because I really like knowing stuff and expanding my mind,” she said. “The support that I got from LPO and the help that I needed to get really changed my outlook on learning.”

STAGE & SCREEN

Sandemonium fan-con returns for another year

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff Everyone needs to feel a part of a community, even if it’s just spending time with people who have similar interests.

For those of a nerdy persuasion, it’s no different. And that’s what Sandemonium is all about: bringing people together to mutually geek out for a day. Taking place this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Forrest M. Bird Charter School, the Comic-Con-style event is all about celebrating the books, comics, movies, video games, anime and shows that we obsess over just a little too much.

The folks behind Sandemonium aim to create that kind of environment because they know what it’s like to go without one. In the days before the internet and the increased popularity of nerdy interests, it wasn’t easy to find like-minded friends.

“When I was a kid it wasn’t cool to like comic books and action figures,” said Kevin Penelerick, chairman of the Sandemonium Planning Committee. “It was scary to talk about the things that were cool to me. My favorite thing to do was hang out at the comic book shop and crowd around the cash register with the other people and talk about the things we loved.”

There’s no running into a lack of enthusiasm at Sandemonium. The day is filled with all the favorite activities one might find at a

Comic-Con event. Panels throughout the day provide education and insight into a variety of nerdy topics and hobbies. From creating interesting “Dungeons and Dragons” characters to learning how to create make-up for the theater and movies, attendees will improve their skills and have fun at the same time.

“I love the panels,” said planning committee member Bronwyn Toth. “When else do you get to sit down and just learn new things like this? Especially if you are an adult. I love that people who are passionate about what they do get to sit in front of a captive audience who really wants to hear what they have to say.”

Of course, you can’t have a fan convention without cosplay. An increasingly popular activity of dressing up as a favorite characters from nerdy entertainment, cosplay is fun whether you throw something together from your closet or spend hours on an intricate costume. At past Sandemoniums, whole families have dressed up in coordinated costumes.

Those who wish can also participate in a costume contest for a chance to earn prizes.

That’s just a fraction of the fun in store at Sandemonium this weekend: expect video games, board games, pen and paper games, boffering (or competitive melees with padded weapons), improv shows, talks by podcasters and more. It’s shaping up to be a great day to be a nerd.

“I’m so excited to not only be attending,

“Blind Panic” enters second week

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff Local theater fans still have one more chance to see “Blind Panic,” the latest play from writer-director Chris Herron.

Set in Sandpoint, the comedy tells the story of a man who suffers from crippling social anxiety and his friends who are determined to get him out on a date. A hilarious look at the perils and pitfalls of being social when everything inside you resists it, the

play packs a lot of laughs into its one-and-ahalf-hour runtime.

Check out “Blind Panic” Friday, Aug. 24, and Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Heartwood Center. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the performance starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 for general audiences and $10 for seniors and are available at Eve’s Leaves, La Chic Boutique and at the door. The play features adult language, so viewer discretion is advised.

SFN Movie Night screens ‘1984’

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff Join Sandpoint Filmmakers Network this Tuesday for a free screening of “1984.”

An adaptation of the George Orwell classic, “1984” follows Winston Smith as he slowly begins to rebel against the authoritarian government he lives under. While the book is widely considered a masterpiece of the dystopian genre, the film also earned acclaim for ably capturing the story’s dark themes. The

performances were also praised, particularly John Hurt’s portrayal of Winston Smith.

SFN Movie Night takes place 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 28, at the Little Panida Theater. It is free to attend, but a suggested $5 donation is recommended to help cover the cost of the theater rental. Beer and wine is offered for sale by the Panida Theater.

Although a private event, it’s simple and free to join SFN: simply go to http://www. sandpointfilmmakers.net/join or sign up at the screening.

Drawing by Weasels on Easels. but to be involved in a community event that I care about,” said planning committee member Michael Nickerson. “I would encourage anyone to do the same with positive community events they feel passionate about.”

Sandemonium takes place Saturday, Aug. 25, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Forrest M. Bird Charter School. Entry is $2 per person, and only cash is accepted. Check out www.facebook.com/sdptsandemonium/ for more info.

Friday, Aug. 30 @ 7pm

Mattox Farms Productions Presents

Li'l Smokies in Concert saturday, aug. 31 @ 6pm

david davinci - magician Sept. 1 @ 7:30pm | Sept. 2 @ 3:30pm

“Andy Irons: Kissed By God”

sponsored by la chic boutique, portion of proceeds benefit nami far north

friday, September 21 @ 7:30pm

Brews & Blues with Randy McAllister wednesday, september 26 @ 7:30pm

“bad reputation” film about joan jett sept. @ 7:30pm | Sept. 28 @ 5:30pm Sept. 29 (little theater) @ 1:30pm | Sept. 30 @ 3:30pm

Manhattan Shorts - You Vote Film Tour saturday, september 29 @ 7pm

sadie sicilia in concert

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It’s time for Schweitzer’s 26th Annual Fall Fest Four days of craft beer and free live music

By Reader Staff With four days to try over 80 regional craft beers and ciders at Schweitzer’s 26th Annual Fall Fest, the resort is hoping to make the slow slide out of summer and into September savorable.

Fall Fest kicks off on Friday, Aug. 31 with live music from 4-8 p.m. featuring Dimestore Prophets and headliner Dub Lounge International.

“Friday evening really lends itself to our local friends and beer fans,” said Marketing Manager Dig Chrismer. “Pre-ordered glassware will be ready for pick up,

so you can get up here after work and start enjoying samples from the full collection of beers we have on hand for the weekend.”

Fall Fest will continue on Saturday and Sunday, September 1-2 from 12-7 p.m. and on Monday, September 3, from 11 a.m.

- 4 p.m. Free live music will take place on the improved amphitheater on Schweitzer’s Musical Chairs run and the ever-popular souvenir mugs, glasses and steins are available for pre-purchase online and onsite during the weekend as supplies last.

Schweitzer’s village activities will be in full swing all weekend

long too with the climbing wall, trampoline jumper and other kid friendly attractions all in one place on the village green. Other artisan and culinary vendor options will be located around the clock tower with Schweitzer’s Sky House offering dining options during regular lift operation hours, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Labor Day weekend will be the last full weekend of summer operations on the mountain with closing day being September 3.

“Fall Fest is a Labor Day Weekend must do,” said Chrismer. “Taking in the amazing views of Lake Pend Oreille as

the sun sets on summer is just a wonderful way to wrap up the season.”

For more information about

Photo by Schweitzer Mountain Resort.

Fall Fest, the full music line up and all the activities at Schweitzer, visit www.schweitzer.com.

A Cello-bration! with Grammy-winner Zuill and Friends

By Jane Fritz Reader Contributor Next Wednesday, Aug. 29, at 7 p.m., a “Cello-bration!” hits the Heartwood Center.

Presented by Northwest BachFest of Spokane, in cooperation with the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint, the concert is the final concert in the Summer Classics Tour — a first for our small town.

The man at the center of the performance, as well as its artistic director, is 2017 triple-Grammy Award-winning cellist Zuill Bailey, who in 2014, confidently accepted creative leadership from the preeminent Maestro Gunther Schuller. Zuill Bailey’s music-making is as unforgettable

Zuill Bailey in his element. Courtesy photo.

as his name. I tell friends that he’s like hearing Yo-Yo Ma, but better — not only because he ranks right up there with him, but because Zuill is so personable, and the musical intimacy he

creates feels so amazing. I’m not a groupie kind of gal, but the upcoming concert will be my lucky 13th, either hearing him solo, or in ensemble, like what he and three other outstanding cellists will create at the Heartwood.

It was at the 2012 BachFest, in the nave of acoustically rich St. John’s Cathedral, that I first heard Zuill Bailey play his “Rosette” 325-year-old Gofriller cello, made when J.S. Bach was a child. It is a star of its own. Fittingly, Zuill played three of Bach’s Cello Suites. Eighteen movements, all dances, sweetly resonating in both body and soul. My friend and I left the church in sort of a transcendent daze. We walked, or maybe we floated, until we discovered a labyrinth built into the landscape that brought us back to earth.

Sandpoint cellist Jim Flocchini experienced Zuill the following year where he performed

all six Suites — 36 movements, including the 10-minute-long Allemande of the sixth — my personal favorite. Imagine solo playing without sheet music for over two hours. The only other artist I know who has done that in a single concert is Yo-Yo Ma. Yes, it was magical Bach, along with that remarkable cello, but it was Zuill’s technical artistry and engaging passion that elevated the experience.

“He’s just eloquent and a master of the instrument,” says Flocchini. “He makes it just sing incredibly beautifully. The fact that he’ll be here in Idaho is amazing. We are so lucky.”

The music of Bach, along with other composers, will be performed on Aug. 29 by four outstanding cellists in quartet: Zuill Bailey, Dr. Melissa Kraut from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and young cello stars,

Cicely Parnas and Jared Blajian.

The fact that Zuill Bailey has been playing since he was a small child, nurtured and supported by his music educator parents, as well as educated by prestigious instructors at Peabody and Julliard, speaks volumes to his vision of the importance of both experiencing music and music education. So it makes perfect sense that the Conservatory will be hosting him the following day for a special educational event from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., involving some of their Chamber Orchestra members and any interested local music enthusiast.

“Everything that I’ve read about Zuill and his educational focus,” says Kathi Samuels, board president of MCS, “aligns with our school’s goals for impacting the youth of our town.”

Music is sure to be the message. Better get those tickets!

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MUSIC

This week’s RLW by Ben Olson

READ

Pint-sized girl power

The Family Seed is a movement, a message and a girl band that packs a punch

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff The Clark Fork Library is a staple of many east Bonner County kids’ childhoods, but none so much as for Vanessa Hood Birch (9) and Summer Birch (8) — step sisters whose mother, Amaryllis, works at the library.

Since meeting five years ago and becoming siblings in the time since — with little sister Clarissa (3) in tow — Vanessa and Summer have become just as much a part of the library as the books or the librarians. Regular patrons know who they are, and thanks to a venture they call the Family Seed, so do a lot of other people in the area.

“The Family Seed is just a springboard for whatever the girls want to do,” their dad, Brian, said.

Defining exactly what the Family Seed is takes a deeper understanding. On the surface, it’s a multi-faceted social media platform, podcast, community outreach and two-girl rock band.

Underneath, it’s a concept driving everything Vanessa and Summer are working toward.

“The Family Seed is a family that is really grateful to have each other and that is working together to plant the seed,” Summer said.

So what, exactly, is the seed?

Brian said it is whatever the girls want it to be. College, backpacking Europe, owning a horse ranch, all of the above — this family has its sights set high, starting with music.

Though the official band name is in the works, Vanessa and Summer have played a number of gigs in the region already. Summer plays the piano and Vanessa plays

the drums or guitar, depending on the song. Though their sets are largely covers right now — Imagine Dragons, Fleetwood Mac, Eminem — the girls are currently perfecting a handful of original songs.

“It really just falls out of them,” Brian said. “A lot of that is thanks to learning the classics and studying other people’s work.”

Summer said songwriting comes naturally to her and her sister.

“Usually Dad tells me I can just jam for a minute, and then I find a rhythm that I like,” Summer, who got her first piano at just a year old, said. “And then I play it over and over again, and then I show it to Dad, and it becomes a song.”

It’s a knack that, combined with formal training, seems to be taking root. Both girls are taking regular lessons at the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint. Brian lauded the staff there for helping them grow as artists — namely Nathan Baker, who is working with Vanessa on guitar.

“I watched Dad play guitar for us, and I wanted to try it,” she said.

“She was a natural,” Brian said.

The Family Seed band has been gradually building their gig repertoire, and have even opened for Devon Wade, who Brian said is really supportive of the girls. Brian said the band turns down gigs unless the show’s purpose is “inspirational and putting out a good message,” and that they’re hoping to hit the road and play some shows around the northwest soon.

Their shows are high energy, with both girls belting out lyrics and Vanessa owning the drums

I always end up reading way less during summer. As a result, I pick up shorter pieces so my addled brain can celebrate less commitment.

One that I’ve been intrigued with recently is Haruku Murakami’s collection of short stories, “Men Without Women.”

The seven stories contained within follow the same theme: they are tales of men who find themselves alone for various reasons.

Each story discusses the essence of loneliness. As a former loner (who misses his private life), I can definitely relate to this book.

LISTEN

while Summer plays the piano with visible confidence.

Summer and Vanessa agreed that some goals for their band are to open for Shook Twins from Sandpoint, and to play the Folk Life Festival in Seattle.

The girls are homeschooled, and Vanessa is an insatiable reader and Lego artist. Summer said she loves playing with her baby sister, and the whole family agreed that Clarissa is the well-loved center around which the family revolves.

The girls also take Kajukenbo lessons from the Harter family in Clark Fork — a combo of karate, jujitsu, kenpo and boxing —, and they enjoy horseback riding, skateboarding, swimming and exploring in the woods.

“For me and Amaryllis it’s im-

The girls of the Family Seed, from left to right: Vanessa Hood Birch, Clarissa Birch and Summer Birch. Courtesy photo. portant that they play, and that they hang out with their little sister,” Brian said, noting that Clarissa has already started dabbling on the family’s instruments as well. “Everything we do is to get to playing” — whether with their imaginations or with their music, he said.

Catch Vanessa and Summer when they play Sandemonium this weekend, Aug. 25, at 2 p.m. at Forrest Bird Charter School.

Follow the Family Seed on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to keep up with the girls as they learn new music and explore all of their other passions. Who knows — maybe someday we can say, “I knew them when ...”

Housing agency holds grand opening

By Reader Staff

The local nonprofit Bonner Community Housing Agency will be hosting a grand opening at their new downtown Sandpoint office at 120 S. Second Ave. Suite B from 3-6 p.m. on August 24.

BCHA is a nonprofit that helps develop local affordable housing while fostering community organization in partnerships, outreach and education.

Since 2010, BCHA has been developing housing for living

wage households. They’ve sold 13 homes in the past four years and are proud to provide opportunities for families to own homes.

BCHA is currently developing homes and rental units for local buyers in Bonner and Boundary Counties. Their program provides down payment assistance along with closing costs for those that earn less than 80 percent of the Area Median Income in Bonner and Boundary Counties.

Contact chris@bonnerhousing. org for more information.

There were some revolutionary bands that came from the ‘90s.

One that doesn’t get much notice is Stereolab, which combined a sort of ‘60s arthouse pop sound with a modern alt-rock sound made popular by later bands such as Polyphonic Spree.

The droning, hypnotic foundation of their songs is just about right for a smoky Monday morning at your desk. One of my favorite albums is 1997’s “Dots and Loops.”

WATCH

Fans of the original “Super Troopers” might tolerate “Super Troopers 2,” which came out of DVD recently, but it left me wanting a lot more.

I wish the Broken Lizard comedy crew spent a few more sessions in brainstorming after 17 years between movies. What resulted is a messy, childish, obvious comedy brimming over with low hanging fruit.

There are moments that almost redeem the film, but overall, it’s one of those movies that’s probably really funny after a bottle of Jack Daniels. But then again, so is “Golden Girls.”

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KRFY to air new show, content

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

From Northern Idaho News, June 4, 1912

WILL NOT BUILD DEPOT THIS YEAR There will be no new depot built in Sandpoint this year to replace the “shack” that is now being used by the Northern Pacific as a passenger station at this place. This information was received last week from President Howard Elliott of the Northern Pacific.

For some time the citizens of this city have been attempting to get the company to put up a decent structure and last fall and winter received some encouragement. In fact last December Mr. Slade, vice president of the company with several other officials of the company paid a visit to the city and announced that the city would sure have a new depot this year.

He even made the promise that the funds that would be used in its construction would be placed in the budget for this year.

After waiting for some time to hear from the Northern Pacific, the community wrote to President Elliott concerning the matter and received the following reply: “Your letter of May 15 was duly received. I remember very well the correspondence about the proposed passenger station at Sandpoint. This question, like many others confronting business men, not only in the railroad, but in other walks of life, is purely a financial one.

Our earnings for the fiscal year show a decrease ... as compared to the previous year. In the face of such a tremendous fall of income, the officers of the company have been forced to postpone improvements.”

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Local radio station KRFY 88.5 Panhandle Community Radio will be adding a new series as well as a new show in the coming weeks.

Community radio broadcaster Jean Gerth and station manager Suzy Prez have produced a four-week series called “Water is Life” that will air starting Wednesday, Aug. 29 at 8 a.m. on KRFY 88.5 FM. Each weekly segment will include facts, music and guest interviews highlighting water in science, health and our environment.

“The facts and information are astounding,” Prez said. “From the water cycle in nature to the provision of clean water around the globe.”

Prez hopes the information and interviews presented will “inspire listeners to learn about this life-giving and essential substance or at the very least to gain a deeper respect for clean water and the watersheds that supply aquafers, wells, rivers and lakes.”

The first program will focus on what is in the water here in North Idaho, how it gets to the consumer and the needs of the human body for clean water. Guests will include the city of Sandpoint’s public works officials along with a local health care provider. Like KRFY on Facebook to see the whole four-week schedule.

In addition to the four-week series, KRFY is adding a new weekly afternoon show tailored specifically for young people in our area.

Ryan Baumgartner, a senior at Sandpoint High Schoo and newly certified broadcaster at KRFY, will launch his new show, “3 o’Clock Rush,” on Thursday, Sept. 6. The weekly show will air 3 p.m. each Thursday on KRFY 88.5 FM.

“3 o’Clock Rush” is the first KRFY program designed and produced by and for high school students. It will feature music choices by Baumgartner, plus relevant news and information about clubs, sports and upcoming events at the high school.

Prez credits the new show to Baumgartner’s enterprise.

“Ryan came to the station and asked to be trained because he wanted to create a show gear specifically for his age group,” Prez said.

Prez said it was an easy “yes” because KRFY had already made it a goal to develop more local programming for young people of the area.

“3 o’Clock Rush” will air at the hour when students are getting out of school and in their cars or buses, if the drivers will tune into 88.5 FM. “I’m very excited to be able to bring something entertaining, with great music, that is also informative to my friends and fellow students each week,” Baumgartner said.

There will be a second airing of the show each Friday at 10 p.m. dubbed the “3 o’Clock Rush Reboot” for those who aren’t able to tune in at 3 p.m Thursday.

Check out Krfy.org for more info.

Top: Jean Gerth, left, and Suzy Prez, right present “Water is Life” starting Aug. 29. Bottom: Ryan Baumgartner in the studio at KRFY. Courtesy photos.

Crossword Solution

To me, boxing is like a ballet, except there’s no music, no choreography, and the dancers hit each other.

Copyright www.mirroreyes.com

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Parts of a skeleton 6. Stair 10. Facts 14. 3-banded armadillo 15. By mouth 16. False god 17. Existence 18. Flower holder 19. Window ledge 20. Made without yeast 22. ___ slaw 23. Knights 24. Shiny 26. German for “Mister” 30. Chief Executive Officer 31. French for “Water” 32. Chills and fever 33. Objectives 35. Curtain 39. Fedora thanks for making us the #1 Country station 41. Perfectly 43. Type of poplar tree 44. 3 times 3 /bih-ZOH-nee-uhn/ 46. Delight [noun] 47. 52 in Roman numerals 1. Archaic. an indigent rascal; scoundrel. of the 49. Gist 50. Nestling hawk “Though he’s a bezonian, we still love him.”

51. Conversation Corrections: The photo caption in last week’s image for Ammi Midstokke’s ar54. Fly high ticle wasn’t entirely correct. The mountains normally visible from Sandpoint 56. Against are the Cabinets, not the Green Monarchs. And Kootenai Point is the land 57. A type of biologist mass on the left, not the middle, which is the Sunnyside Peninsula. Also, the 63. “Do ___ others...” smelter Op-Ed was written by Sylvia Humes, not Lyndsie Kiebert. -BO 64. Frosts Finally, Idaho Brewers United is not yet officially in favor of a Pooches on 65. Kind of bean Porches bill. It is gathering its members’ opinions for the time being. -CR

Word Week

bezonian

Solution on page 22 40. Pearly-shelled mussel 42. Deny 45. In lieu 48. Set aflame 51. Braised meat stew 52. Not outer 53. Fragrant oil 55. Sexually assaults 58. Breezed through 59. Citrus fruit 60. Ancient Peruvian 61. Flower stalk 62. Foot digits August 23, 2018 / R /

8. Convenience 66. Boyfriend 9. Promise 67. Blue-green 68. Master of ceremonies 10. Try to prevent 11. “Bye” 69. Makes a mistake 12. Road or bridge fees 70. Countercurrent 13. Walk 71. Creases 21. Parish priest 25. Stow, as cargo 26. Laugh DOWN 27. Prima donna problems 1. Hindu Mr. 28. Backside 2. Not closed 29. Insubordinate 3. Found on a finger 34. In a curvy manner 4. Sea eagle 36. Cohort 5. Heroic tales 37. Urgent request 6. Monarch 7. A window above a door 38. Visual organs

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