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PEOPLE compiled by

Zach Hagadone

watching

“What’s your favorite and/or least favorite sound?”

“Laughter is my favorite sound.”

Kim DeWitt Bar owner Sandpoint

“Least favorite: ‘Tsssssssskztssskhztsss.’ The squishy, squeaky sound of cellophane.”

Mark Terry Barkeep Sandpoint

DEAR READERS,

The December rain continues to fall, reminding us all that it isn’t officially winter for another few weeks. With every rainy December day, I can’t help but hope our temperatures will cooperate and blanket our beautiful town with snow, but we’re going to have to wait a bit longer I guess.

We lost a big part of Sandpoint when Dann Hall passed away earlier this week. I wrote some reflections on Dann in the Back of the Book column on Page 22, so I’ll keep this brief, but I just wanted to honor Dann’s life by saying he was a good person, a good friend and a Sandpoint local through and through. I’ll miss seeing Dann across the hall from our offices regularly, just as much as I’ll miss his laugh and insightful conversation. He was a great artist, a friend of all and an integral part of our community and he will be missed. Thanks for being such an important part of our lives, Dann.

– Ben Olson, publisher

READER 111 Cedar Street, Suite 9 Sandpoint, ID 83864 (208)946-4368

www.sandpointreader.com Publisher: Ben Olson ben@sandpointreader.com Editorial: Zach Hagadone (Editor) zach@sandpointreader.com Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey (News Editor) lyndsie@sandpointreader.com Cameron Rasmusson (emeritus) John Reuter (emeritus) Advertising: Jodi Berge Jodi@sandpointreader.com Contributing Artists: Ross Hall Collection (cover), Ben Olson, Bill Borders, Clark Corbin, Max Zuberbuhler Contributing Writers: Zach Hagadone, Ben Olson, Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey, Lorraine H. Marie, Clark Corbin, Nancy Gerth, Cindy Aase, Richard Creed, Tim Bearly, Pierre Bordenave, Marcia Pilgeram, Carolyn Knaack, Brenden Bobby Submit stories to: stories@sandpointreader.com Printed weekly at: Tribune Publishing Co. Lewiston, ID

“Laughter. My kids’ laughter is the best. They sound alike — just the melody coming from a different room. It’s just a good sound — it’s definitely better than listening to them fight.”

Tysh Brunner Adult daycare provider Sandpoint “Favorite noise: When someone rings this bell behind me. Least favorite noise: Utensils on plates.

I find it disgusting. It’s a horrifying sound.”

Mike Givens HVAC installer Sandpoint “I have a least-favorite sound: Open-mouth gum chewing. Yeah, especially when they’re talking to me.”

Hallie Reikowsky Sound critic Sandpoint

Subscription Price: $155 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 300 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 photo shows famed photographer Ross Hall and a young Dann, taken c. 1950s. Rest in peace, Dann. You will be missed.

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NEWS

Keep BoCo Rural proposes land use code amendment Group aims to ‘slow flurry of zone changes’ in Bonner County

By Reader Staff Keep Bonner County Rural, a newly formed group of citizens dedicated to following land use issues in the county, has filed an application to amend the county’s land use code “in an effort to help protect the rural character of the county,” according to a Nov. 24 media release.

According to KBCR, the proposed amendment would “create stricter standards for justifying changes to current zoning” and “slow the flurry of zone changes that have been approved in recent months, which has led to increased density and development in the county’s rural areas.”

“We want to make it harder for developers to destroy our rural way of life,” said Dave Bowman, chairman of Keep Bonner County Rural and a Selle Valley property owner. “We are not calling for a moratorium or shutting the door on growth, but we do want to close the floodgates.”

KBCR formed in response to what the group calls “a huge uptick in zone change applications — and the near universal approval

by Bonner County commissioners — that many residents fear will undermine their rural quality of life.” The proposed amendment aims to preserve the current zoning designations, which have been in place about 15 years or longer.

“When someone applies for a zone change, it nearly always increases density,” KBCR stated in its media release. “Zone changes do not require a land use study to examine the impacts on natural resources, traffic, schools or neighboring landowners, even though zone changes often lead to developers subdividing and selling off parcels.

“In several cases, the county not only changed zoning but also amended the county’s Comprehensive Land Use plan, changing the land use designation, to accommodate developers’ desires,” the release continues.

According to the group’s research, Bonner County commissioners have approved zone changes on more than 2,800 acres in the county in the past two years, the majority of which increased density in rural areas, according to public records collected by KBCR and fellow citizen group Project 7B.

“Meanwhile, in just the past year nearly 190 Minor Land Divisions have been applied for, and nearly all have been approved, resulting in the creation of 380 to 760 new buildable lots without any advance public notice or input,” KBCR states.

According to Bowman, “the combination of rubber-stamping spot zoning and the administrative approval of subdivisions is creating an unsustainable pace of development in our county. The level of public services and the quality of our natural resources are going to suffer as a result.”

Zone change requests first go through the Planning and Zoning Commission, which makes a recommendation to the County Commissioners. Members of KBCR applauded the planning and zoning commission for recommending denial of a recent request in the Selle Valley to double the density of 714 acres next to Northside Elementary School.

“We are grateful that the [P&Z Commission] listened with open minds to the dozens of people who shared their very real concerns about adding 70 or more homes

in that area,” said longtime Selle Valley resident and KBCR member Betty Anderson, “but we don’t really trust that the county commissioners will follow their recommendation — or the goals and objectives of our county’s land use plan. That’s why this code amendment is needed.”

Bowman said that the county has ample property zoned for 5-acres or less, and so it is not necessary to divide up larger properties to accommodate growth.

“We don’t have a problem with property owners subdividing and selling their properties, as long as it meets current zoning density,” Bowman said. “That allows them

tities and priority dates for their water rights and have them recognized by an Idaho Court decree. Confirming the priority date matters because, in times of water scarcity, water users who are first in time are first in right, under Idaho water law.”

Catron took to his YouTube channel — a rural lifestyle and politics vlog titled “North Country Off Grid,” which has 119,000 followers — to suggest that “Idaho grabs your water rights!!” in an 11-minute video so far viewed by about 30,000 people.

In the video, Catron makes many claims about government overreach, stating “registration leads to confiscation” and that the Clark Fork-Pend Oreille River Basin Adjudication process is a step toward state control of water rights with no power of appeal by water users — claims that the IDWR

countered are patently false.

“Water users can file water rights claims online anytime or wait until they receive a notice in the mail,” IDWR stated. “Notices are being mailed to landowners in sub-areas of the Clark Fork-Pend Oreille River Basin through the first half of 2022. Water users are not required to file water right claims until they receive a notice from IDWR.” According to the department, the adjudication process “enables existing water users to claim the quantities and priority dates for their water rights and have them recognized by an Idaho Court decree. Confirming the priority date matters because, in times of water scarcity, water users who are first in time are first in right, under Idaho water law.”

Rather than a power grab, IDWR stressed that its adjudication

process is intended to “catalog and verify all surface and groundwater uses claimed in the Clark Fork-Pend Oreille River basins,” culminating in a report to District Court regarding elements of each water right. The court then decrees the legality of the water rights.

IDWR stated that it is mailing notices to as many property owners as possible, though many water users within the assessment area are unknown — “IDWR has records for about 2,700 water rights on file Clark Fork-Pend Oreille River drainages. It is expected that up to 9,000 water right claims will be filed in the Clark Fork-Pend Oreille River Basin Adjudication,” department officials stated.

By Idaho law, a “notice of claim” is required for all water uses.

“However, owners of small domestic and/or stock water rights

An aerial shot of the Selle Valley.

Photo by Max Zuberbuhler. to exercise their private property rights, while also protecting the property rights of people who have lived here for decades, or who moved here and have invested in this rural way of life.”

As of Nov. 24, KBCR shared that the county has yet to set a hearing date for the proposed code amendment.

In addition, members of KBCR are collecting signatures on a petition to support their efforts to protect the county’s rural quality of life. The petition is online at change.org/keepbonnercountyrural.

ID Dept. of Water Resources: Water rights are not in danger in Clark Fork-Pend Oreille River Basin

By Reader Staff The Idaho Department of Water Resources has pushed back against a YouTube video circulated by Bonner County resident Chad Catron, who the agency claimed fronted “erroneous information,” suggesting the state is angling to strip residents of their private property rights.

“IDWR officials want to confirm that the adjudication process is underway, and there is plenty of time to file water rights claims.

IDWR officials also want to reassure the public that the purpose of the adjudication is to document and protect water rights held by water users,” IDWR officials stated in a media release.

“The Clark Fork-Pend Oreille River Basin Adjudication enables existing water users to claim the quan4 /

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may choose to file a claim now or wait until later in the process,” IDWR stated.

To file a notice of claim, go to idwr.idaho.gov/water-rights/ adjudication/nia/cfprba. Property owners can file a claim online or on a hard copy form and submit the claim by mail.

Water users also can make an appointment with a representative at the IDWR regional offices at the following locations: IDWR, northern region, 7600 Mineral Drive, Ste. 100, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815; phone: 208762-2800; IDWR, state office, 322 E Front St., Boise, ID 83720-0098; Phone: 208-287-4800.

For more information, contact Evan Roda, water rights supervisor, Adjudication Section, 208762-2800.

NEWS

Idaho Gov. Brad Little teases new tax cut package at taxpayers’ conference

Plans to be unveiled during upcoming legislative session that convenes in January

By Clark Corbin Idaho Capital Sun

Gov. Brad Little teased plans to return some of the state’s historic projected budget surplus to Idahoans next year during a speech Dec. 1 at the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho conference in Boise.

As is tradition for Idaho governors speaking at the tax conference, Little offered a brief preview of his agenda heading into January’s new legislative session but did not spoil his own State of the State address, which is scheduled for Jan. 10, the first day of the 2022 legislative session.

“This upcoming session, I will reveal my plans on how to give back to the people of Idaho yet another record budget surplus,” Little said during the 13-minute speech. ”I always have to look at this twice. It’s closing in on $1.6 billion — about 40% of our total budget.”

Idaho ended the 2021 budget year on June 30 with a record surplus of $889 million.

Although it’s early in the 2022 budget year, state budget analysts told the Legislative Council on Nov. 30 that the state is projecting to end the 2022

budget year with a balance of $1.59 billion.

“My Leading Idaho Plan gives back more hard-earned money to the people of Idaho in the form of additional tax relief and continued investments in areas that impact our lives most — schools, roads and water,” Little said.

Throughout his speech, Little thanked business leaders and vowed to work together with legislators and organizations such as the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho during the upcoming session to provide property tax relief.

Little did offer a few specifics from his 2022 agenda, however.

He said he is pursuing legislation that will freeze the base for Idaho employers calculating unemployment taxes, which according to the governor would result in a tax savings of $64 million for businesses over two years. Businesses pay this tax and it is collected by the Idaho Department of Labor and placed in a trust fund to be used to pay out benefits for the unemployed, and for other purposes.

During the speech, Little reiterated that literacy for young students is his top priority as

Gov. Brad Little speaks at the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho conference Dec. 1 in Boise. (Clark Corbin/Idaho Capital Sun)

governor and spoke about some of his highlights from the 2021 legislative session.

Little will be up for re-election in 2022. Although he has not officially announced his re-election campaign, he has raised nearly $825,000 in campaign contributions — more than any other gubernatorial candidate. Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, Ed Humprehys, Ammon Bundy, Lisa Marie, Cody Usabel and Jeff Cotton have all announced they will run for governor in 2022.

The Dec. 1 gathering marked the 75th annual Associated Taxpayers of Idaho conference.

For many years the conference

City Hall roundup

By Reader Staff

The city of Sandpoint is accepting applications for seats on the Planning and Zoning and newly created Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation commissions, with a link to the application form on the sandpointidaho. gov homepage.

One position on the P&Z Commission will be to replace Chairman Jason Welker, who will leave the body Dec. 15 before officially joining the Sandpoint City Council on Jan. 5.

In other city news, as winter weather starts to become the norm in Sandpoint, officials have released their plans and policies for snow management and removal.

According to the plan, crews will plow all city streets when snowfall reaches two inches or more, as well as conduct proactive pretreatment of Priority 1 and 2 streets and scheduling of crews for near-24-hour coverage.

Priority 1 streets are defined as those most traveled — including but not limited to Boyer and Division avenues; Ontario,

has been billed as the unofficial kickoff to each upcoming legislative session. Associated Taxpayers Of Idaho’s board includes executives from J.R. Simplot Co., Micron Technology, Agri Beef Co., Idaho Power, Blue Cross and Albertsons.

The influential conference attracts a who’s who of Idaho powerbrokers from the worlds of business, government, politics, finance and education. In addition to Little, Idaho Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Winder, R-Boise; Sen. Patti Anne Lodge, R-Caldwell; Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra; state superintendent candidate Debbie

Critchfield; Rep. Brooke Green, D-Boise; Sen. Jim Woodward, R-Sagle; and State Board of Education President Kurt Liebich all attended the conference.

This story was produced by the Idaho Capital Sun, a Boise-based independent, nonprofit online news organization delivering in-depth coverage from veteran Idaho reporters on state government and policy. The Idaho Capital Sun is part of States Newsroom, a national nonprofit funded by tax-free donations in 22 states. Learn more and follow daily updates at idahocapitalsun. com and statesnewsroom.com.

Applications open for city commissions; snow removal policy online

Pine, Cedar and Larch streets; and Baldy Mountain and Great Northern roads — as well as those that lead to essential services, such as the police and fire departments and local schools.

New this year, Ella Avenue between Pine and Chestnut streets, and Lincoln Avenue between Pine and Ontario streets have been elevated to Priority 1.

Priority 2 streets are clustered in the downtown core.

In order to allow for effective plowing, residents are asked to park on the even side of the street, unless posted otherwise,

until March 1. Once the odd side of the street is cleared, residents should move their vehicles there while crews clear priority streets and resources become available to plow the even side.

Officials warn that vehicles left on the street may be towed by the Sandpoint Police Department at the expense of the owner when on-street parking isn’t in accordance with the snow removal policy. No downtown street parking is allowed between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.

Residents are also expected to remove recreational vehicles,

including boats and trailers, off the street, as well as keep other potential obstructions such as basketball hoops free from the snow plow path. Likewise, trash cans should be put in driveways or otherwise off the street until it has been cleared of snow.

More information is available at cityofsandpoint.gov or by calling the city’s snow hotline at 208-920-7669 (SNOW).

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NEWS

Camp Bay Road vacation to be heard — again — on Feb. 2 District court decision sends file back to BoCo commissioners

By Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey Reader Staff Bonner County commissioners will reconsider the vacation of a portion of Camp Bay Road at a public hearing Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022 — a file they’ve heard before, and previously approved, before a District Court judge ruled Nov. 15 that the board had failed to consider a possible conflict of interest and exercised an “abuse of discretion” in vacating the road to a developer in April.

According to the ruling, handed down by District Judge Cynthia K.C. Meyer, the court “remand[ed] this issue to the Board for further proceedings.”

Those “further proceedings” will take place Feb. 2 at 1:30 p.m. at the Bonner County Administration Building.

Fred and Jennifer Arn filed for judicial review of the board’s April decision, contending that the road served as a public access point to Lake Pend Oreille — a point affirmed by the court. In addition, the court called into question the board’s alleged failure

to acknowledge a possible conflict of interest by former Bonner County Road and Bridge Director Steve Klatt, who also served at the time on the board of Green Enterprises — the entity requesting the road vacation and, in partnership with M3 ID Camp Bay, LLC., which is developing the Camp Bay area in Sagle.

When asked for comment on the court’s ruling, Commissioner Dan McDonald limited his remarks to Klatt’s involvement.

“With respect to the Steve Klatt issue, Mr. Klatt had previously recused himself from all of the details and recommendations from Road and Bridge claiming he had a conflict of interest,” McDonald told the Reader in a Nov. 29 email. “That’s the reason I felt it was irrelevant to the discussion on the file.

Knowing he had no part in the recommendation to Planning on that file made it a pointless discussion point in my opinion.”

BGH COVID testing location moved

By Reader Staff

Bonner General Health announced that, as of Nov. 29, novel coronavirus drive-thru testing will be moved from its current location — on Alder Street — to North Third Avenue and Poplar Street, in the parking lot beside the hospital’s Healing Garden.

Testing hours will remain the same, according to BGH officials. The testing unit is currently open Monday through Friday, 8-10 a.m. and 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Health care personnel ask anyone seeking a COVID-19 test at the drive-thru center to remain in your car 6 /

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until it is your turn to test; when it is your turn, walk up to the trailer window for your test; and know that test results should be available within 48 hours through the online patient portal. A provider’s order is required in order to obtain a COVID-19 test at this site.

Along with the announcement of the testing location change, BGH thanked the community for its continued support through the pandemic.

Learn more at bonnergeneral.org, find BGH on Facebook at facebook. com/BonnerGeneral and contact the hospital’s COVID-19 hotline at 208265-3323. The hotline is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Bits ’n’ Pieces From east, west and beyond

East, west or beyond, sooner or later events elsewhere may have a local impact.

A recent sampling: A new COVID-19 variant first identified Nov. 24 in Botswana is now being found in countries including Canada. The so-called “Omicron variant” has been blamed for a surge of infections in South Africa. President Joe Biden ordered air travel restrictions from eight countries effective Nov. 29, until evidence suggests it’s safe to suspend that order. Biden said the new virus variant makes it clear that more vaccinations are needed, and that blockages to global manufacturing need to be removed. He also noted that the U.S. has donated more vaccines to other countries than all other countries combined. It is not known how severe Omicron can be; as of Nov. 28 no known Omicron deaths have been reported.

Developers of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine said they will know within two weeks if their vaccine protects against the Omicron variant, the Financial Times stated. BioNTech said this pathogen “differs significantly” from previous COVID-19 pathogens. Moderna’s chief said Omicron poses a struggle for existing COVID-19 vaccines.

A COVID-19 vaccine supply shortage is doubtful, according to The Nation.

While the current vaccine makers claim, “there is no mRNA manufacturing capacity in the world,” independent experts have scrutinized the supply chain and found more vaccines could be manufactured within months — but only if existing manufacturers transcend their profit motives and share their knowledge.

Keeping COVID-19 vaccines in short supply may benefit the manufacturers, The Nation suggested, as those not vaccinated help accelerate COVID-19 mutations and drive the need for booster shots — “perpetuating the pandemic is better for business than ending it,” the magazine wrote.

It’s not a new story: In the 1990s and 2000s, HIV drug manufacturers claimed no one besides themselves could make the HIV drugs due to lack of ability; but, according to The Nation, other countries did so anyway in huge quantities and more efficiently.

“Better than we expected,” is what Israeli researchers said of the 70% reduced mortality rate for their new COVID-19 treatment. A group of 50 very

By Lorraine H. Marie Reader Columnist

sick hospitalized patients (most with underlying conditions) received up to three doses of Mesencure and 6.7% died.

In a control group, 23.3% died. The first Mesencure recipient, a 73-year-old woman, recovered rapidly after a single dose, leaving her bed and exercising the next day, The Jerusalem Post reported. For the research crew, this held hope for less risk for long-COVID cases and other COVID-19-related disabilities.

Mesencure is a cell therapy, using adipose tissue from healthy donors; the cells ride the bloodstream, reach the lungs and secrete anti-inflammatory and regenerative factors where they find inflammation.

They also support tissue regeneration.

T-cells could be used in what is called “a new generation” of COVID-19 vaccines — shots that are expected to quickly stop the virus, The Independent reported. University College of London and St. Bartholomew’s Hospital researchers explored why some health care workers did not get ill with COVID-19 during the first wave and found that these people had developed special T-cells. With that information they found that T-cells can be activated to recognize replication proteins, and could work well against all variations in the virus strains. Research also indicated long-lasting immunity being likely from these vaccinations.

Blast from the past: Tokyo Rose has been brought to mind in light of recent revelations by Snopes that more than half of tweets in favor of Kyle Rittenhouse’s acquittal for murder in Wisconsin were foreign — written primarily in Russia, China and areas of Europe. The tweeters pretended to be Americans and questioned the stability of the nation’s democratic republic. The identity of “Tokyo Rose” (the WWII-era Japanese radio speaker who told Allied soldiers the war was lost and they should go home), remains uncertain. Historians say most WWII soldiers found the broadcasts amusing. Today, as revealed extensively in the Mueller report on Russia’s influence on the U.S., false foreign information is dividing the U.S. population and, unlike in Tokyo Rose’s time, taken seriously. Details are found in the book Shadow State, by Guardian reporter Luke Harding. Currently the pretend American citizens using social media complain about politicians, promote conspiracy theories and generally overwhelm political dialogue.

PERSPECTIVES

Adventures in digi-think

By Nancy Gerth Reader Contributor Our not-so-old digital bathroom scale failed to function the other day, so we bought new batteries but, alas, they didn’t help. Scale dead. Then Jim noticed that the battery type was one digit off — maybe that was it. Back to town to make a return and try again, this time lugging the scale along with.

I’ve been on a kick recently to observe how much time it takes to live a digital life in the smart world. A smart world after all may not be so smart. Often, maybe most of the time — and perhaps even

ever — it takes more time, is more expensive and pollutes our environment to buy things online, not to mention (or really to mention) that it is forcing local businesses to carry fewer items, or at worst to suffer and die. Not to mention fracturing our community.

I decided to go online and look for a good old-fashioned mechanical bathroom scale, which might last longer, be less troublesome and would also give me fond memories of childhood bathrooms at home, at my grandparents’ houses, at my friends’ houses and at school.

I tried twice to buy online: The first cost only $12, but when I put it in my cart the

shipping was $49 — an accurate reflection of how much it costs to ship heavy items now (not including climate change costs). The second place, ebay, had the antique scales but I couldn’t find the place to click to accept their user agreement when I tried to sign in. (Internet interface woes are another story with which we are all familiar, I dare say.)

Back to the digital drawing board. The next search I made, now that I had the secret password figured out (“mechanical bathroom scale”), showed me that there were some at Walmart right here in my hometown. I could pick one up today or next time I went to town. They weren’t in some-

one else’s cart.

No shipping!

Bonus No. 3: They are also available at Sandpoint Super Drug, a local store for “a few dollars more.”

Clint Eastwood would be proud of me.

On the scale of bathroom scales, I could see no downside. Next time I will use the internet to find out if the things I need, or desire, are available to me here.

This method will make me more powerful than Superman: Faster than a speeding bullet;

more powerful than a search engine; able to leap into businesses in our downtown; able to save on shipping and help avoid climate change.

And we haven’t even taken packaging into consideration.

Look inward for justifications of violence

Climate change is also a population problem

By Cindy Aase Reader Contributor

By Richard Creed Reader Contributor

Considering the Kyle Rittenhouse case, one has to wonder how so many people feel his actions qualify as justice.

I’d offer that fear can provoke strong reactions in many people. Outsiders, observing this situation, may get their own fears triggered and, out of that fear, they may easily side with Rittenhouse.

Taking another person’s life is a very big deal. It will stick with you for the remainder of yours. Some people are prone to rationalize and they may minimize the tragedy and twist the narrative to make them feel better or justified.

Those who side with the Rittenhouses of the world may in fact have guilt or shame of their own, which they can’t admit to, let alone allow the world to see, and so they may find any justifications to side with the killer.

Think for a moment about the man who bloodies and breaks his wife’s face or cracks her skull. He’s more likely to publicly make statements about domestic violence cases that make him feel better about his own actions. Growth and maturity would lead people to take personal responsibility for their own actions.

Rationalization could lead him to say “she drove me to it’ or “she had it coming.”

I’m sick and tired of reading and hear-

ing the comments in the media, online and in person that blame the person who is injured rather than demanding accountability from the person who violently strikes out.

In the case of Rittenhouse, he didn’t have to be there, period. He chose to go with a gun, no matter which narrative you’ve heard of where the gun came from.

If he were a person of color my bet is that he would have been shot multiple times by law enforcement and died on the scene.

Who he shot also doesn’t matter; the narrative that “they deserved it” is cold-hearted and repugnant. Again he could have stayed home, especially since his argument was that he feared for his life.

I get it. White men have been in power for a very long time and many don’t want to let go of that privilege and power.

Some white women feel it’s better to be one step below their man, and so they lockstep with his beliefs, rather than stand up for justice and possibly be considered on the same level as anyone of color.

There is plenty of fear to go around in the world today. Personally, I don’t want to live in fear. There is much in life to be grateful for and also to work to improve.

It seems like there are many millions of Americans who could work on improving themselves by taking an honest look at their own justifications for why they believe violence is acceptable in our society today.

Mr. Johnson’s, “An ode to climate change” [Letters, Nov. 11, 2021], might also consider another factor in the climate change picture, that being the exponential growth of the world’s population.

There is little doubt that this current change in the earth’s climate can be attributed, in part, to the growth of the world’s human population over the past century. The human population of the planet Earth exceeded 1 billion in the mid-1880s. By 1950, the population had surpassed 3 billion and it is currently projected to exceed 8 billion by 2050.

The mere task of providing clean air, potable water, food and protection from the elements has become increasingly difficult and will continue to be as the demands by the human population on the planet’s basic resources to grow. To compound the problem, there is an apparent lack of understanding by a large part of our population of how these fundamental needs are met.

The food we buy does not come from the grocery store. It starts on a farm or ranch where the soil is tilled, seeds are planted, grown, harvested and trans-

ported to a processing plant before it is ultimately shipped to the store where we, the consumer, can purchase it.

A similar process is required to get livestock, dairy products or poultry from the ranch or fish from the ocean to your market.

All of the transportation requires ships, barges, railroads or trucks to get the commodity from the farm or ocean to your table.

Water for our consumption may be taken from a spring or a well if one lives in a rural area but the majority of the world’s population relies on a system in which the water is diverted into a reservoir, treated to remove harmful bacteria and piped to the home or distribution center. A similar system is required to provide the consumer with fuel and electricity to enable the resident of a home, a condominium or apartment to have a reliable source of heat and light to see them through the winter.

While there are people diligently working to efficiently provide these basic needs for the consumer, the number of consumers is increasing exponentially, making it difficult if not impossible to reduce our demand for the carbon emitting fuels necessary for mankind to continue to exist on the planet Earth.

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Tributes…

Bouquets: • This is a bit belated, but I’d like to give a Bouquet to Sens. Jim Risch and Mike Crapo for their votes supporting the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill. The bill was signed into law by President Joe Biden on Nov. 15. I think we believe in the bipartisan appeal of infrastructure here in Idaho, and the votes of support by Risch and Crapo show that we can still work across the aisle on legislation that benefits all Americans. It’s a shame that many of Risch’s and Crapo’s Republican colleagues in the U.S. Senate voted against the bill, then took to social media to tout its success for their own constituents. I may not agree with everything our lawmakers in Congress believe, but I can say without a doubt that Risch and Crapo voted for Idahoans with their support of the bill, not party politics. Good on them for rising above the fray.

• I’d like to give a Bouquet to Scott Porter at Sandpoint Super Drug. I got my COVID-19 booster shot there last week and was encouraged to see a full line of people ahead of me. When it got to my turn, I asked Scott how many vaccinations he was administering a day and he said probably around 200. It was free, quick and painless — I was in and out in 10 minutes. Super Drug offers Moderna boosters every Tuesday, Pfizer every Wednesday and Janssen every Thursday, along with the usual offerings (flu, pneumonia, shingles, etc.). The booster shot produced no side effects other than a sore arm for a few hours. Thanks for looking out for our community, Scott.

GUEST SUBMISSION: • “A bouquet for veterinarian Dr. Bob Stoll of Animal Medical Care, who passed away Nov. 29.

My dog, Mac, was terrified of vet visits until we met Dr. Stoll. In our short time working together, I came to understand that some people can communicate with animals.

He was one, and it was beautiful.

Mac and I will miss him dearly.”

— By Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey 8 /

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Dear editor, ​​Thank you for your tributes to Veterans Day! Great article on a great young man, Luke Omodt [“Local veteran spotlight,” Nov. 11, 2021].

Very interesting, regarding the two celebrations of Armistice Day [“The time Sandpoint celebrated Armistice Day twice,” Nov. 11, 2021].

Never knew that.

Susan Burrows Sandpoint

BoCo remains a COVID hotspot…

Dear editor, COVID is not over in North Idaho. Despite news stories that the pandemic is waning nationally and even in Idaho, it is definitely not over in Sandpoint. While the case rates are less than they were in October, they are still very high — about as bad as they were at the worst part of last summer (2020). Hospitals are still operating under crisis standards (“Death Panels”) that may prevent receiving needed treatments for other illnesses as well as for COVID, if the hospital is swamped.

People here are mostly unaware, oblivious to what’s happening.

Commissioner Dan McDonald assured me that, “the decline is accelerating,” back in October when that may have been true for the state but definitely not for Bonner County (cases were up 24% over a two-week period at that time). I suspect that most citizens are even less informed than he is.

Last weeks’ Reader article contained more encouraging information that was not quite accurate or complete, saying “a steady decline in new cases and COVID-related hospitalizations is indicating statewide moves in the right direction” [News, “Idaho surpasses 300,000 COVID cases” Nov. 18, 2021].

Things statewide may be looking up, but that’s not the case here.

With vaccination rates in Bonner County remaining very low and COVID infection rates high, I do not see things getting any better here.

Absent changes in behavior such as more people getting vaccinated and a willingness to “mask up” and/or avoid indoor crowds when required (like when infection rates are high — now), we are going to be living with high rates of COVID indefinitely.

If we want “freedom” from COVID, we need to step up and take some simple actions. If we continue to ignore it, it will not go away.

Rupert Laumann Sandpoint

To Dover friends and supporters...

Dear editor, I am profoundly grateful for the support you have shown me during the Dover mayor campaign. The results were better than I could imagine and I am humbled by the number of people who trust me to serve as mayor of Dover. Although elections are challenging, we all know the hard work begins after one is sworn into office. There are many opportunities in our small city, but there are challenges as well, and together we will evaluate each and decide together what is best for our community.

I want to thank my opponent, Ryan Wells, for running a professional, issues-based campaign. Ryan’s enthusiasm for this community is evident and I hope he will stay involved locally as we undertake our important work. Please let his example of civic involvement encourage you to be engaged with both the democratic process and your city government as we shape Dover’s future.

As I begin my term, I am encouraged by those I talked to during the campaign as you expressed both your ideas and concerns, but primarily your expressions of love for our city.

As a steward of the city, I will strive to honor the trust you have placed in me and make you even more proud of the place we call home.

Thank you, George E. Eskridge, mayor-elect Dover

Reckless COVID practices wreck holidays…

Dear editor, My daughter-in-law is a nurse practitioner at a hospital in Seattle.

We were planning on our first family holiday in two years. She’s just been exposed to COVID-19 for the 22nd time. Yes, 22 swabs up her nose.

We have our shots, except the 4-year-old. We social distance, wear masks. One idiot who visited a cancer patient at this hospital exposed the patient then it spread throughout that floor. It will be 24 days until my DIL will be cleared. If she gets COVID, she has asthma and severe allergies causing respiratory shock that can quickly kill her. She volunteered every Saturday for months to give out shots pro-bono.

Our grandkids have been making Christmas decorations for weeks that they were going to give us.

They wanted to help Papa saw

down a Christmas tree, drink hot coco and decorate it. We bought new Christmas lights so when they drove up, we could “wow” them. We planned a wonderful family meal.

We were going to do arts and crafts with them.

Even if our DIL doesn’t get sick, one very selfish, stupid person has emotionally affected nine people in one family. Multiply that by each exposed person and their families who might get sick, might pass it on, or who has to listen to little children cry because they couldn’t understand why they couldn’t come see Nana and Papa for Thanksgiving.

North Idaho is in “crisis” mode.

In 22 days, 33 people died at Kootenai Hospital. Twenty-five percent of ER staff have quit in Seattle.

Medical angels are emotionally and physically bankrupt.

Most admitted with COVID aren’t vaccinated. They thumbed their noses at science, but as they are dying, they show up wanting some exhausted medical person to save them, then blame the “system” when it’s too late.

Sincerely, Betty Gardner Priest River

Advice on tagging…

Dear editor, Recently local businesses downtown have been vandalized with petty graffiti. Included in this is 7B Boardshop, Monarch Mountain Coffee and The Burger Dock.

As a young adult I understand the excitement of going into the night to lay your mark on the world, but I ask those doing it to reconsider how they approach their vandalism.

Simply accepting what is being done is unacceptable, but to become more strict about catching those doing it promotes the risky behavior further.

In the past, when tagging, I would stick to a strict moral code: First, don’t tag local businesses. It is costly to the owners to take time to clean up these messes and I would wager most businesses, especially culinary, are privileged to be able to serve our community year round.

Second, tag locations that are abandoned or do not directly affect the community perception. Under bridges, old concrete structures along the Bay Trail and personally built walls in a backyard for practicing your art are preferred alternatives.

Sandpoint is a community of the arts and as such we are very

supportive of artistic talent. As an artist myself, nothing feels more dope than being able to see a piece I’ve designed in a public space. So I humbly ask those who do tag to be thoughtful of what, and where, you plan to put up your public art — to think twice before going out into the night with a bag of paint.

Clayton York Sandpoint

BoCo commissioners and local GOP don’t respect P&Z… Dear editor, The three Bonner County commissioners have made it plain they do not respect the Bonner County Comprehensive Plan. They are the decision-makers for planning and zoning in Bonner County. All three of them were endorsed by the Bonner County Republican Central Committee. The current leaders of the Republican Party have also made it plain they do not respect the Bonner County Comprehensive Plan.The Bonner County commissioners were voted in by a majority of Bonner County voters. If you want Bonner County commissioners who respect the Comprehension Plan and respect planning and zoning you’re gonna have to vote differently.

Steve Johnson Sagle

Shopping local is most important this year...

Dear editor, I’d like to encourage everyone in our community to shop local this holiday season. Our community businesses have suffered greatly during the pandemic lockdowns and then again with staffing shortages.

Sadly, we are seeing many long-term favorite businesses and restaurants shutting their doors for good.

Amazon and its multi-billionaire owner do not need any more of our money. Neither do the big box stores that compete with our hometown businesses. If you can find what you want at a small business, buy it there. Yes, you may pay a little more but small businesses don’t have the corporate means to keep prices super low and you are supporting a member of your community.

Thank you and may your holidays be full of joy and love.

Judy York Sandpoint

OPINION

Exalting the modern-day pharaohs

By Tim Bearly Reader Contributor “Into a place where the masses elevate fools into rich heroes.”

— Charles Bukowski Reminiscent of the pharaohs of ancient Egypt, the billionaire — with his vast fortune and boundless political power — has become the god of the modern age. With unabashed subservience, we bow our heads and grovel at his feet, offering to him — as a sacrifice — our labor and tax dollars to ensure that his blessed marketplace remains stable. He is the omniscient, omnipresent, all-powerful, all-everything creator — the job creator. And if we are too critical of him, if we do not adequately genuflect and venerate him as he sits atop his lofty throne, he will use his divine powers to “make the economy scream.”

Vote accordingly, for we do not wish to bring about his wrath.

As the divine ruler of the ancient world, the pharaoh claimed, like many charlatans throughout history, to be a representative of a “God-given order.” He owned and controlled large portions of Egyptian land and wealth, and had a propensity for putting his

own self-interest above the good of the people. Moreover, not unlike the modern-day pharaoh, he had an affinity for excess and overindulgence — the kind of prodigality that brings a nation to its knees (not to worship, but to pray for mercy).

Fortunately, we do not live in ancient Egypt; however, in the 21st century, with all of our knowledge and understanding — centuries after the age of enlightenment — we remain unapologetically acquiescent to contemporary incarnations of ancient pharaohs: the so-called “financial wizards” of our economy.

We grant them absolution for the same crimes for which the rest of us would be drawn and quartered. We let them destroy our planet with impunity. We allow them to effectively capture our regulatory system. We permit them to flagrantly bankroll our politicians — effectively bribing our senators and congressmen.

We enable them to own and operate the media. (Of course, state-controlled media would be propaganda, but corporate-controlled? What could go wrong?).

We allow them to have virtually unlimited control over our lives. (If the government had

How did we get to this place where people like me, who are fully vaccinated, somehow find ourselves in the position of being expected to apologize to unvaccinated deniers for even the most mild of criticism? And then, further, we get labeled as “hurtful, rude, aggressive or even fanatical.”

Why are we supposed to apologize because we are requesting (and yes, at times, even demanding) people merely consider how their choice to not vaccinate continues the spread and mutation of this virus that affects and harms others?

Seems like a classic case of

projection, when the ones screaming and complaining about their rights, liberties and freedoms being taken away by the “oppressive” socially responsible and scientifically literate, are by objective observation exhibiting the rudest, most aggressive and fanatical behavior. All the while creating false narratives by selectively representing questionable statistics from their “internet research,” grasping onto ivermectin idiocy, and even demanding the government force non-compliance with responsible health professionals and just plain common sense health practices.

Most disturbing are those who engage in an almost evangelical need to preach against vaccina-

ogize when I say that those who choose to be unvaccinated should also have the decency to not clog up our hospitals and exhaust the true heroes over the past year and half — the medical professionals who stay by your side fighting as you struggle for the next (last) breath, feed you and clean up your wastes because you are too weak to lift your arms much less get up, have to watch you die alone choking and tell your COVID-denying family members that you are gone?

The average bill for a patient hospitalized for COVID-19 is $98,139, and for cases requiring a ventilator or stay in the ICU, the average bill was $317,810, according to FairHealth. So why am I supposed to apologize when I say the unvaccinated should be

lower in priority for ICU beds when it is they, by their choice, who make up more than 90% of people in the ICUs? So, yeah. I’m curious why so many of you won’t get a $30 jab (which you don’t actually put out $30 for) but you’re willing for all the rest of us pay, through taxes and higher insurance premiums, for you to get pumped full of steroids, anti-inflammatory meds, experimental new chemical pills and monoclonal antibodies once you get sick.

Perhaps it’s because those injections and treatments are to save your or your loved ones’ lives, not the lives of other people who you risk with infection through your selfishness, culture war allegiance or fraudulent antivax/anti-mask “cause”?

Courtesy photo. such power over us, we would consider it to be tyranny.) But as long as we’re being surveilled, exploited and subjugated by private sector tyrants, then it can’t be tyranny (it’s freedom!), we erroneously conclude.

Asleep in his tomb for thousands of years, the pharaoh has finally awakened. But he has adapted to our new way of life, cunningly and deceptively presenting the people with an illusion of individual freedom, free choice and free markets.

In his novel 1984, George Orwell wrote: “If you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face — forever.” Perhaps our future

How did we get here?

By Pierre Bordenave Reader Contributor

is even bleaker than Orwell imagined. Now we can easily envision a future with not just a government boot on our faces, but a private sector one as well.

With the Democrats using identity politics to put the brakes on substantive economic change (“What if, instead of a boot, it was a stiletto heel doing the stamping?”), and Republicans hypocritically claiming to loathe identity politics, only to roll out and weaponize their own version of it, it seems that there is little hope in sight.

One solution, however, is simple. We must acknowledge and repudiate the compulsion we all have to worship those at

the top of the social pyramid: the modern-day kings and queens.

Indeed, there is something within us, some innate propensity we all have, to exalt those with money and power (Hollywood stars, business magnates, musicians, tech entrepreneurs, politicians, etc.). In reality, they are not as different from the rest of us as they would have you believe. They are flawed, greedy, unreliable, egotistical scoundrels — just like the rest of us (which is why none of them should be placed on such a pedestal and trusted with so much power).

Wealth and power are like matter and energy: they are fundamentally transposable. Therefore, it stands to reason that the ones with all the wealth are going to end up being the ones with all the power; likewise, the ones with all the power are going to end up being the ones with all of the wealth.

So, unless we want to allow ourselves to be ruled by a modern-day Tutankhamun, unless we wish to continue being victims of our own credulity, we must tax the billionaire out of existence. Furthermore, we must abandon our primitive evolutionary desire to glorify and deify the modern-day pharaohs.

tions or simply wearing a mask, try to deny access for people to get vaccinated, and even go so far as to avoid vaccinated or masked people.

Just last week some longtime (former) friends happened to see my wife (who is at high risk for COVID medical complications) at the store and openly and publicly ridiculed her for wearing a mask — gleeful in their cruelty by saying she was “hiding behind” it.

Yup, nothing screams hypocrisy more than when the “Don’t Tread on Me” crowd decides what is best for all of us by trying to intimidate and force others to adhere to their requirement of faithful allegiance to ignorance.

Why am I supposed to apol-

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Mad about Science:

Brought to you by:

mason jar experiments

By Brenden Bobby Reader Columnist This article is usually written to give you answers. Today, I’m not going to give you any answers. Instead, I’m going to give you experiments and, if you really want the answers, you’ll have to experiment for yourself to get them.

These experiments are great for all ages, though parents may want to help out their children if they’re trying to avoid making a mess. All of these experiments are designed to be done inside of a Mason jar for easy containment and cleanup.

Rubber eggs Here’s a challenge: Remove the shell from an egg without spilling or boiling it. You’ll need a Mason jar, a raw egg and some vinegar. You’ll want some food coloring or alcohol ink to really spruce up the experiment and make it your own.

Place the egg in your Mason jar, then pour in enough vinegar to completely submerge the egg. You will notice bubbles forming across the surface of the egg — what might those be? Leave the egg in the vinegar for at least 48 hours. Once you remove the egg, make note of how it has changed and what’s missing.

Want to do some more experiments on it? Shine a cat laser at it, a flashlight through it or see if it can bounce outside.

Make the experiment your own.

Ocean in a jar Have you ever wanted your own ocean? Science can help.

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This will take a number of liquids and dyes, which we will cover as we go. You will want to mix the liquids and dyes in their own separate containers before pouring them into the Mason jar.

Your bottom layer will be corn syrup mixed with black food coloring. You will want this layer to take up about onethird of the jar. Pour it in and add a creepy squid figurine for dramatic effect. Next, you’ll want some dish soap mixed with blue or purple food coloring. It should be dark, but not as dark as the corn syrup. Next, you’ll want some water mixed with blue food coloring — use a funnel to pour it over the dish soap very slowly. It may foam up a little bit, but as long as you’re going slow, it should be fine.

Your next layer will be cooking oil; to dye it blue, you’ll need oil-based food coloring.

If you know any baker friends, they might be willing to loan you some — for science! The final layer will be isopropyl alcohol. This layer requires the most finesse to put in your jar.

You may want to use a dropper to slowly add the alcohol so that it doesn’t break the layer between the oil and the water.

Pop a lid on that bad boy and you’re the official owner of an ocean in a jar. Now you get to figure out why certain liquids behave differently from others, and what does and doesn’t float in your miniaturized ocean. Maybe experiment with other liquids and non-newtonian fluids and see how the experiment changes.

Or you could just make a liquid rainbow jar.

Pro tip: Cut a hole in a large cork or a small piece of wood and wedge it into the top of the jar. Pop an LED bulb in the hole and you’ve created a nautical night light.

Mason jar greenhouse, root viewer This project can be done in a number of ways. Would you like some mid-winter basil to spruce up your family sauce recipe? Maybe you’d just like to see what roots look like while a sprout is growing.

To make a functional terrarium, set a layer of small rocks across the bottom of the Mason jar. Pour some sand overtop and then a nice layer of soil.

This should take up about onethird of the jar. Plant whichever seed you’d like and add water. Make sure to seal the lid on the jar, and add a nitrile glove or balloon as an airtight cover. The Mason jar should now be its own self-contained ecosystem, but if it needs more water you can pour more in before sealing it again.

How are herbs grown with this method different from the herbs from the store? Do they taste and smell better or worse?

If you just want to see how roots grow from a sprout, stuff a Mason jar with loose layers of damp paper towels. As a tip, colorful paper napkins make for a stark contrast against the roots and seeds. Seal the top and wait for the magic to happen.

Do different plants have different root systems or do they all start out the same way?

Are some seeds starting better or faster than others?

Plant colorizer This has been popularized many times over using black or blue dye in water to transform rose petals from a deep red to a chilling black or royal blue.

Roses and flowers aren’t the only plants you can transform with this trick. Shockingly, one of the most effective plants you can dye is Napa cabbage, along with other large and leafy plants.

Simply mix some food coloring with water in a Mason jar and submerge the base of a plant’s stem or leaves. After a day or two, you should see a gradual color shift. In the case of a Napa cabbage leaf, you might notice the color traces vein-like lines along the structure of the leaf. Curious as to why? You’ll just have to test it on more leaves to see.

Stay curious, 7B.

Random Corner li?

Don’t know much about brocco • Like many of the vegetables we eat today, broccoli was cultivated from a mix of different plants, then selectively bred to become the vegetables we know today. Broccoli’s history goes back to the Etruscans, an ancient Italian civilization that predated the Roman Empire. The Estruscan people cultivated broccoli around the 6th century BCE. The Romans adopted many aspects of the Etruscan culture, including their love of broccoli.

• Broccoli is part of the same family as cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, kohlrabi and collard greens.

• It took a long time for broccoli to spread farther from Italy. The earliest report of it in France wasn’t until the 1500s and it wasn’t popularized in the U.S. until the 1920s, though Thomas Jefferson did sow some broccoli seeds at his estate in Virginia on May 27, 1767.

• President George H.W. Bush made broccoli part of the national conversation when he brought it up

We can help!

several times in speeches. In one quote, he said, somewhat tongue-incheek, “I do not like broccoli. And I haven’t liked it since I was a little kid and my mother made me eat it. And I’m president of the United States, and I’m not going to eat any more broccoli.” Bush went so far as to ban broccoli from Air Force One while he was president.

• Broccoli is incredibly good for you, often referred to as a “superfood.” It’s high in protein, fiber, vitamin C and is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin B6, potassium and calcium, among many others.

It’s also full of antioxidants, is good for digestion and has even been claimed to help prevent cancer.

• California produces 90% of the entire crop consumed by the United States. Only China and India produce more broccoli than the U.S. • There is no machine to harvest broccoli, so it must be harvested by hand using a knife to cut the stem beneath the flowering crown.

PERSPECTIVES

Waterkeeper: Water quality 10-year review

By Carolyn Knaack Reader Contributor For 10 years, local volunteer citizen scientists have been leaning over the sides of their kayaks, canoes or boats to either look at a black-and-white secchi disk or haul up a clear tube full of lake water. Curious passersby might wonder what they are doing or what that odd device is.

The short answer is that they are collecting water quality samples that help determine the health of Lake Pend Oreille.

The long answer is that Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper staff and volunteers have for a decade been collecting water quality samples at more than 13 locations around the lake and the Pend Oreille River.

The answer you get, however, likely depends on how busy the volunteer is trying not to drop their sample bottles into the water or upset their watercraft.

After returning to shore, volunteers bring their bottles back to the LPOW office so we can send them to a chemical analysis lab for testing, which focuses on 11 different physical, chemical and biological parameters in order to establish a baseline for the lake’s health and help identify potential pollution problems.

Once we receive our final data reports from the lab, I add the results to our master data sheet and update the 200+ graphs on our website. With graphs, it’s easy to see how this year’s data compares to previous years. We can determine if nutrient levels have changed, how the lake changes over the course of the summer and how abnormal weather conditions (such as this summer’s heat wave) may have affected water quality.

Started in 2012, our water quality monitoring program (WQMP) was the first consistent, long-term monitoring effort for local waterways. Each year we have collected between 800 and 1,000 data points that characterize conditions at key areas around our lake and rivers. Having more data increases confidence in our estimates and water-quality predictions.

Reliable and consistent data collection also makes it easier to identify patterns and determine what is considered “normal” for a particular site. Over the years, we can see if nutrient levels at our sites are increasing, decreasing or staying the same. We can also compare different sites to see if their nutrient levels are different and, if so, try to figure out why.

One of the first major outcomes of this

program was identifying the abnormally high nutrient levels in Boyer Slough.

Boyer Slough sits at the top of Kootenai Bay and is home to turtles, moose, otters, waterbirds and native fish. However, it is also highly developed and surrounded by fertilized lawns and agricultural fields.

In addition, effluent from the Kootenai-Ponderay Sewer District flows into the slough, allowing for high levels of nutrients to accumulate and leading to terrible algae blooms every year.

With the data we collected, we were able to notify the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality about the high nutrient levels in Boyer Slough. Thanks to our Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) that assures the reliability of our data, DEQ initiated its own monitoring of Boyer Slough. As a result, Boyer Slough was added to the state’s list of impaired waterways due to nutrient pollution.

Although it is still impaired for nutrient levels, consistent and reliable monitoring will provide valuable information as we work alongside state and local agencies to protect it from further pollution and prevent degradation of its important aquatic habitat.

We are incredibly proud of our WQMP and are beyond thankful for the efforts of our volunteers to collect data all around our watershed. This program wouldn’t be possible without their dedication and the monetary support we receive from our community.

Each year, this program costs LPOW thousands of dollars to train volunteers, analyze samples, compile data and write reports. Donations help us continue this program and provide critical data to DEQ. If you’re interested in protecting our precious waterways and keeping our lake swimmable, fishable and drinkable for years to come, please consider donating at LPOW.org.

If you’re interested in learning more about what our data tells us, we would like to invite you to our monthly Keeping Up with the Waterkeeper event on Thursday, Dec. 2 at 5:30 p.m. We are hosting this event via Zoom to prevent the spread of COVID (we are scientists after all).

This free event is open to all and we would love to answer any questions you may have about the quality of our water and the health of our lake. Find the Zoom link at LPOW.org or on the LPOW Facebook event page.

Carolyn Knaack is associate director of the Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper.

LPOW Board of Directors President and longtime volunteer Gray Henderson conducts water quality monitoring on Lake Pend Oreille. Courtesy photo.

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COMMUNITY

Paying it forward

The Angels Over Sandpoint commits random acts of kindness across the community

By Ben Olson Reader Staff At its core, the Angels Over Sandpoint’s mission is to help community members in need — and to have a little fun while doing it. The nonprofit organization has extended a helping hand since it was founded in 1997, after longtime Sandpoint resident Kathy Pelland was killed by a drunk driver on the Long Bridge.

It was Pelland’s memorial service, in fact, that proved to be the foundation of the civic organization, after countless people shared stories about how Pelland helped them by being a good friend and lifting their spirits.

The ranks of Angels have since grown from a group of friends carrying on Pelland’s spirit to scores of volunteers, each tasked with improving life in our region. To date, the Angels have raised more than $1.5 million through programs and events such as The Follies and funneled that money directly back to the community.

This year, after the Angels noticed they hadn’t received as many requests for assistance and funds as they had in previous years, the group decided to embark on a campaign of random acts of kindness.

“Each Angel member was given funds to distribute throughout Bonner County in a way they saw most helpful,” said Angels Over Sandpoint President Alyse Ehrmantrout.

The method chosen by members to distribute the $50 they were each given was entirely up to them. What has resulted is a veritable onslaught of kindness.

Carolyn Sorentino, who serves on the board and was also one of the founding members of the organization in 1997, chose to pay her $50 forward by helping cover fuel for a daughter wanting to visit her mom.

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Angels Over Sandpoint President Alyse Ehrmantrout chose to donate her $50 by paying it forward at a local coffee stand. Courtesy photo.

“There was a girl whose mom is in the ICU in Coeur d’Alene,” Sorentino told the Reader. “I gave her a gas card so she could get back and forth to see her mom. It made me feel great. I felt like I brought a little relief to somebody who is really under a lot of stress when I did that. I wanted to be able to do more, but I couldn’t.”

Sorentino also gave a police officer $10 after seeing him in a drive-thru line.

“He said he didn’t need it and I told him it was a gift from the Angels and to pay it forward,” she said. “It was really good to say thanks to a cop. We never just say ‘thanks’ to a cop randomly. We only seem to thank them when they let us off a ticket.”

For Sorentino, she continues to volunteer for the Angels because of the small acts of service the group performs for the community.

“There are lots of groups in town that do big huge things,” she said. “But the Angels are interested in the people who fall through the cracks. I was a woman who made $5 more that kept me from being eligible for food stamps one time. I know what it’s like.

When these people fall through the cracks, there’s really nobody to help them. If we can give them a boost, get them back on their feet, that’s what we’re all about.”

Angel member Robyn Bridges said she joined the Angels after moving to Sandpoint from Boise recently because she was looking for a program that helped schoolchildren.

“When I first moved here, I was actually looking for a lunch and backpack program for school kids,” Bridges said. “One of my

girlfriends who lives here said the Angels get involved with a program like that, and after I did some research I thought it was so amazing how much they do for the community.”

Bridges chose to pay her $50 forward by purchasing winter clothes for a little girl in need.

“I saw a lady post [in a local Facebook forum] that she was looking for used clothes for her daughter, who has just recently gone through a growth spurt,” Bridges said. “We didn’t have any little children, so I told my husband about it and we reached out to this lady to get the exact sizes and made a trip to Walmart. We definitely went above and beyond our $50, which was wonderful. It was so much fun. We ended up meeting the mom and dad and found they were going through a hard time. He had had a stroke last Christmas, so they’re battling some financial issues. When we met them, we got to meet the little girl and she was so ecstatic. Her mom sent a message later that night and said the little girl was so excited and happy to receive new clothes, versus hand-me-downs, for the first time. She told her mom that after she outgrew those clothes, she wanted to donate them to somebody else.”

Angels member Ruth Wimberly chose to pay her $50 forward by helping a new homeowner get established. Wimberly’s husband, Dan, spearheads the local chapter of the Habitat for Humanity, which had just built its 22nd home, and “I used the whole $50 and put it in an envelope with the Angels Over Sandpoint card inside and went by the family’s new home and snuck it in the door,” Wimberly said.

“They don’t know who did it, but they know somehow the Angels Over Sandpoint are involved,” she added. “I figured they’d need the money. There are so many things necessary for a new house.”

Wimberly sees the Angels as an antidote for some of the ill will that she has seen in the world in recent years.

“You hear so many things in the news about people doing really nasty things to one another,” she said. “People are just being rude to each other, so this random-actsof-kindness campaign helps instill that there are more positive feelings out there. Maybe it’s something that people will continue and maybe other people will hear about their random acts of kindness and do their own.”

The Angels Over Sandpoint is a 501c3 organization that accepts tax-deductible donations from the community. To learn more visit angelsoversandpoint.org.

COMMUNITY

Donation matching campaign with Ting ends with a bang

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

This year, the staff at the Sandpoint Reader has a lot to be thankful for. When internet provider Ting announced in late summer that it would like to match donations given to the Reader for a period of three months, the community responded by flooding the Reader with donations big and small.

Many sent hand-written notes of support with checks or cash, others donated through PayPal or Patreon. Some gave $5, others $1,000. Since we announced the donation matching campaign in August, there hasn’t been a week that has gone by where we haven’t received at least a half dozen donations from our readers.

As the campaign wrapped up last week, the final numbers are awe-inspiring. In the less than three months of the campaign, thanks to the support of our readers and Ting’s matching pledge, the

Reader has received almost $36,000. This money will help our community newspaper stay healthy through the winter, when advertising dips a bit, but it will also help us fund long-form journalism projects such as the Where are all the Workers series spearheaded by Editor-in-Chief Zach Hagadone and News Editor Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey this fall. With a little bit of a safety net beneath us, we’ll be able to tackle more of these important projects in the future, with the goal always to keep our community informed on the issues that affect us in North Idaho.

Special thanks goes out to Ting Sandpoint City Manager Kari Saccomanno and Chief Revenue Officer Michael Goldstein for their generous offer of support to the Reader. We really appreciate it.

“Ting has always believed in supporting our communities and lowering barriers to vital resources — everything from internet access to independent journalism,” Saccomanno said. “This is exactly

why we offered to run this program here in Sandpoint. Without collective effort, independent, local reporting is at risk of disappearing all across the country. We believe that these types of resources are vital to informed citizenry and are necessary in helping communities thrive.

“We are absolutely thrilled with the overwhelming support for this campaign and are proud to match donations,” Saccomanno said. “Thank you all for helping keep the Reader as a strong voice for North Idaho.”

Whenever we receive donations from our community, I always try to reply with a personal note of thanks, but due to the heavy volume of donations received during this campaign, I simply couldn’t keep enough ribbon in my typewriter to answer everyone.

To all of those who donated, we are so very thankful for your generosity and support. This newspaper could not succeed without you.

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Cozy winter cabin scene up next for winery’s Paint and Sip class Artist Lori Salisbury teaches ‘Winter Night’s Dream’ class

By Ben Olson Reader Staff There’s a budding artist inside each of us — sometimes it just takes a glass of wine to bring it out.

The Pend d’Oreille Winery is hosting a Paint and Sip art instructional class Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 5:30 p.m., where attendees can paint their own cozy winter cabin scene.

The class will be taught by artist Lori Salisbury, who said attendance has been great for the two previous classes she’s taught at the winery.

“We’ve been getting, like, 25 people signing up and we sometimes have a waiting list,” Salisbury told the Reader.

She said the most common participants are groups of friends, couples and mother/daughter combinations, but the classes are open to anyone interested in having a fun evening and creating their own

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work of art.

Salisbury first started painting when she was just 7 years old, thanks to instruction from her grandmother.

“She started me doing watercolors and then we moved onto oils when I was 12, “ she said.

“I’m so thankful that she’s the one who got me started painting.”

Salisbury has made a living as a painter and sculptor, raising her three daughters as a single mother and running an art gallery. She moved from Pocatello to Sandpoint about five years ago and is eager to make more connections in the local art scene. The winery classes certainly help with that, she said.

“I haven’t taught art classes since I was 21 or 22 years old,” she said. “It seems like these Paint and Sip classes are like the next level. People are taking it a little more seriously and leaving with a good piece of art. I think that’s why they’ve been so well attend-

ed. But there’s no experience required to come to these classes.

Sometimes people feel nervous, so the wine helps. They can relax a little bit and just paint.”

Themes usually involve nature, with the first two classes creating a lake scene and a fall colors scene.

For the “Winter Night’s Dream” class on Dec. 7, Salisbury will have her students create a cabin in the snowy woods with a fire going,

situated next to a lake. The cost for the class is $45 per person, which includes professional instruction, a 11” x 14” canvas and all the paints and brushes needed to create the scene and a beverage of your choice. Wine is available for purchase if participants need extra guidance.

This will be the last Paint and Sip class for Salisbury, whose artwork has hung in the Pend d’Oreille Winery for the past two-and-a-half months. She said she’s seeking more venues to hold classes in the future, and is also available for private lessons.

Meanwhile, Salisbury will be teaching a class at the LiveForBlu Gallery in Coeur d’Alene on

A full house of art lovers during a past Paint and Sip event at the Pend d’Oreille Winery. Courtesy photo.

Thursday, Dec. 9.

Contact Salisbury directly at 720-373-0355 or visit her website at lorisalisburygallery.com to inquire about future classes.

“I’ve really enjoyed meeting people and hearing their comments during our classes,” she said. “Sometimes they say, ‘I can’t draw a straight line,’ or ‘I’m not good at this,’ but when they leave they’re so pleased with themselves. They leave happy and excited about what they’ve done.”

HOLIDAY

2021 Gift Guide

By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff No one really wants a can of WD-40 in their stocking, but some people leave us no choice. We all have at least one of these characters on our holiday shopping list — those who either already have everything, have hard-to-buy-for interests or for some reason buy everything they want for themselves in the weeks leading up to gift-giving season.

While they frequently frame this peculiarity as an indication that they’re easy to please, these folks actually require the most mental effort, and preemption is the name of the game when it comes to finding “the perfect gift.”

Below are a few out-of-the-box ideas — call them “utilitarian luxuries” — which a person wouldn’t necessarily think to buy for themselves, but, once received, will become part of their routine.

Foot spa A few years ago my brother gave me a Kendal brand foot spa with massage components and “heatbubble” technology. At first I laughed, thinking it was kind of a joke — only “old people” soak their feet, I thought. Let me tell you, this thing has been a game changer, which gets used in my house at least a few times a month.

The unit is relatively compact, fitting easily under a bathroom sink, yet can accommodate even my size-13 feet. Filled with warm water, then gradually heated by an internal element, the wall socket-powered spa has a number of settings, including bubbles and vibration to loosen tense muscles, as well as nodules and rollers for both foot and calf massage.

Draining is easily accomplished by opening the spout over the sink. Add some epsom salts and you’re living large. The model I have cost about $65, though there are others that reach into the $100 range.

Boot dryer Again in the realm of foot care,

a good boot dryer tips toward the “essential” side on the utilitarian luxury spectrum.

There are a couple of brands: Peet and Livefine being prominent.

For those who may never have lived in a cold-weather environment, where wet boots are a scourge, a boot dryer is a wall socket-powered heater that pumps hot air up two (or four) cylinders upon which boots are placed sole-up.

As with a foot spa, a boot dryer is one of those things about which a person might think, “I’ll never use this and it’ll just take up space in my entryway.” Experience the misery of slipping on cold, damp boots on a dark wintry morning and you’ll be singing a different tune.

Prices range from $35-$100, depending on the brand and size, as some units service one or two pairs of boots at a time. Find various types locally at the Co-op, North 40 Outfitters and Home Depot, or online from retailers like L.L. Bean.

Mystery puzzle This item combines two pastimes that seem to prevail among the hard-to-buy for: The soothing meticulousness of jigsaw puzzling and the mental acuity necessary to accomplish and take pleasure in solving mysteries.

Basically, these puzzles consist of a booklet that tells the story of a mystery afoot, complete with setting and characters.

Once the facts of the case are established, it’s time to put together the scene. Unlike traditional puzzles, the final image is not disclosed, making it all the more puzzling.

Once completed, the puzzle will contain all the visual clues necessary to solve the mystery. In other words, finishing the puzzle is only the beginning of the puzzle. (If you get stumped, the solution is generally printed in reverse on the booklet, made readable by holding it in front of a mirror.

There is a broad range of mystery puzzles, though most involve solving a murder. One popular line of such puzzles is reminiscent of the Sue Grafton novels of the 1980s and ’90s, beginning with “A is for Arson” and proceeding apace alphabetically. Find them in book and game stores or online, generally in the $15-$25 range.

‘Utilitarian luxuries’ that will please the hardest-to-buy-for person on your gift list

Mini-exercise ‘bike’ The past 20 months or so have been decidedly sedentary for a lot of people. Stuck at home for long stretches, either by choice or compulsion, getting exercise has been a little more difficult than usual — especially for those who spend their days working from a home office (yours truly).

Lacking even the physical outlet of walking to the office, I recently found myself contemplating hitting the gym.

However, I’m not big on “gym life” in general and especially during an ongoing global disease pandemic.

My solution was to purchase a mini-exercise bike, otherwise known as an “under-desk bike pedal exerciser” or “portable foot cycle and arm pedaler machine.”

Imagine a bike without wheels, chain, handlebars, seat or a frame — just the pedals, moving around an axle on a set of four legs on the floors. With such a contraption, you can sit on any chair in your house — or couch for that matter — and spin away in the comfort of your own home. Is it the most intense workout? No. Is it better than nothing? Yes. You can find these items in the “home health” department at a variety of retailers from $25 all the way up to the $200 range.

Call it the “poor person’s Peloton.”

Tiny frying pan Very few times in my adult life have I been captured by “as seen on TV” product marketing.

The tiny frying pan is one of those times and I don’t regret it one bit. Measuring about 4.5 inches, this pan is my go-to breakfast companion.

It will fry a single egg to perfection every time — I don’t know about you, but I get unreasonably annoyed when egg whites

even in a medium-sized pan spread out into a gelatinous mat of goo that burns at its edges long before the yolk has even congealed. With my tiny frying pan, everything heats at the same rate and remains consolidated for easy flipping. Bonus: It cleans up in about three seconds and takes up no room in the cupboard (also fantastic for cooking breakfast sandwiches).

You can find these little pans displayed in grocery aisles and generally cost around $10.

Bath caddy

Among the greatest utilitarian luxuries is the bath caddy — essentially a narrow desk that runs across your bathtub, on which can be placed anything from a book and a glass of wine to your latest writing project… and a glass of wine. This is something I never knew I needed until I had it.

Indeed, there is much to be said for eschewing the rush of the shower for the more contemplative, restorative soak in the bath (something Julius Caesar was known to indulge in sometimes more than once a day), and some of the finest writers and thinkers in history combined work and pleasure in the bath — Dalton Trumbo and Winston Churchill being notable examples.

However, bringing your book or notepad with you for some relaxation or rumination often risks dunking both in the suds.

Solve this “problem” with any of a number of bath caddy brands — some more basic than others. The one I have is from Royal Craft Wood (retails for around $55), which comes with a flip-up wire book holder and grooved surface to make sure your book stays in place, two detachable side trays, a recessed cup or candle holder and (of course) a slot specifically designed to hold the base of a wine glass.

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OUTDOORS

Chronic Wasting Disease found in Idaho deer Hunters are encouraged to have their deer, elk or moose tested for CWD

By Reader Staff

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and Idaho Fish and Game are encouraging hunters to take precautions when handling deer, elk or moose due to recent detection of Chronic Wasting Disease. Fish and Game announced the first detection of Chronic Wasting Disease in Idaho in two mule deer taken by hunters in the Slate Creek drainage near Lucile in Idaho County during October.

CWD is a fatal disease caused by a prion, a type of infectious protein, that affects the nervous system of deer, elk, reindeer and moose. The prion protein is primarily in certain tissues in the animal, including eye, brain, spinal cord, and lymph nodes. Animals may not appear ill early in the infection.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been no reports of CWD infection in people. However, in the interest of safety, public health officials encourage Idaho residents to follow these precautions and recommendations: • Do not shoot, handle, or eat tissue from any animal that appears sick; contact the Fish and Game if you see or have harvested an animal that appeared sick.

• During field dressing, use rubber or latex gloves and minimize handling of brain, spinal cord, eyes or lymph nodes; use equipment solely dedicated for dressing game (avoid using household knives or utensils); and always wash hands and utensils thoroughly after dressing and processing game meat.

• Bone out the carcass to remove organs most likely to contain prions.

• Contact any Idaho Fish and Game regional office for CWD testing, especially if you harvest-

ed an animal from an area where CWD has been found. Wait for test results before eating the meat.

• Request your animal be processed individually to avoid mixing its meat with other animals.

• Avoid eating any tissue harvested from an animal that is positive for CWD. CWD has been found in free-ranging and captive deer, moose and elk populations in about half of all U.S. states, including Montana, Wyoming and Utah, as well as four Canadian provinces.

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission on Nov. 22 authorized the director of Fish and Game to establish emergency hunts for increased sampling for Chronic Wasting Disease. The goal of the emergency hunts is to get a valid number of samples to determine how widespread the disease may be in the area. The hunts will be for Idaho residents only, and tags may be discounted.

The Commission also designated Game Management Units 14 and 15 as a CWD Management Zone.

Emergency hunts would focus on only mule deer and white-tailed deer because they are more susceptible to CWD, and hunters will be required to have harvested animals tested.

“We will only take additional animals up to the numbers we need for sampling,” Fish and Game Director Ed Schriever said. “We’re going to take the minimum number that is needed to be able to make good decisions.”

After sampling, Fish and Game will have a better idea of how widespread CWD is, and what percentage of the deer population is infected.

“This information will be used to make informed management decisions going forward,” Schriever said. “What we do in response will be presented to the Commissioners for their decision

for future management.”

Fish and Game will later announce the framework for emergency hunts, including dates, how hunters can get tags and special rules that will apply

to those hunts.

For questions about CWD, visit the CDC website below or contact DHW’s Epidemiology Section at 208-334-5939 or your local public health district. For

Whitetail buck deer in Idaho. Courtesy image.

questions about hunting guidance and carcass management, contact Fish and Game’s Wildlife health Lab at 208-939-9171.

Ponderay Rotary welcomes new member

By Reader Staff Like most service clubs, surviving through COVID-19 has been a challenge for the Ponderay Centennial Rotary Club. In response, the organization has broadened its membership opportunities, already welcoming a new member.

Last week Carol Curtis, a Century 21 RiverStone associate broker and Realtor, and an area resident for nearly 30 years, was inducted into the club.

“I joined Rotary because of their awesome commitment toward making our community a better place, and to join a larger effort to help make a difference,” Curtis said.

Ponderay Rotary President Kari Saccomanno has a goal to bring new members into the club that can help with the various projects and infuse the club with added energy, positivity and ideas, according to the organization.

“Rotary is a great opportunity for community members, leaders and business owners to come together to give back to the commu-

nity in meaningful ways,” said Saccomanno, who also works as city manager for Ting Fiber Internet.

“We have a great group of people in our club and we make a difference while having a lot of fun.”

The club also updated its corporate membership, allowing up to four people from the same business to join in on activities. In addition, it has added discounted memberships for families and young professionals under thirty-five.

Ponderay Centennial Rotary Club is a small group focused on youth, post-secondary education, health and wellness, and helping with immediate community needs that touch on those areas.

For more than a century, Rotary members have used their passion, energy and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects focused around improving humanity locally and around the world through service, fellowship and friendship. Among the interna-

Carol Curtis, right, after being inducted into Ponderay Rotary recently by Membership Chair Tiffany Goodvin, left. Courtesy photo. tional organization’s achievements has been playing a critical role in nearly eradicating polio.

The club generally meets the first three Tuesdays of the month at 7 a.m. To learn more about Ponderay Rotary, email PonderayRotaryClub@gmail.com or click PonderayRotaryClub.com.

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events December 2-9, 2021

THURSDAY, december 2

Holiday Reception 4-6pm @ 130 McGhee Rd. Ste. #220 The Community Resource Envision Center hosts this Holiday Recption, with warm drinks, sweet treats and holiday jingles Ecstatic Dance w/ DJ Yamuna 7-8:30pm @ Embody Studio Embody is located at 823 Main St. in Sandpoint. embodysandpoint.love

Bingo at the Sagle Senior Center 6-8pm @ Sagle Senior Center Ten games for just $10

Holiday Artists’ Shop (Dec. 2-5) 10am-6pm @ Create (Newport, Wash.)

Over 20 artists’ work, including fiber arts, fused glass, copper wire, visual arts, children’s books and much more. Masks required inside. Create is located at 900 W. 4th St. in Newport. www.createarts.org

FriDAY, december 3

Ladies Night 4pm @ Downtown retailers Many downtown Sandpoint retailers are participating with in-store giveaways, live music and big prizes. Shop small!

Semi-Formal Holiday Ball 7-10pm @ Ponderay Events Center Rumba dance lessons start at 7pm, followed by general dancing at 8pm. $9/ adults, $5/teens, all are invited Bright Moments Jazz 6-8:30pm @ Matchwood Brewing Co. Live Music and Artist Reception 4-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Artist reception for Lynne Campbell goes from 4-8pm, live music w/ Zach Simms will be 5-8pm. 15% off for Ladies Night

Live Music w/ Mobius Riff 7-10pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Their first gig for almost 2 years Holiday concert (Dec. 3 & 5) 5pm @ Christ Our Redeemer Church Performance by Suzuki Strings Academy

Sandpoint Waldorf School’s Winter Faire and Childrens Festival 10am-3pm @ Heartwood Center Unique hand-crafted gifts by local artisans, children’s crafts, desserts and more!

Live Music w/ Alex Cope & Steven Wayne 7:30-9:30pm @ 219 Lounge Come down for the after event for Women’s Night Out shopping night Live Music w/ Kevin Dorin 7-9pm @ The Back Door

SATURDAY, december 4 Live Music w/ Harold’s IGA 6:30-9:30pm @ Mickduff’s Beer Hall Indie folk rock, originals and covers Free First Saturday at the Museum 10am-2pm @ BoCo History Museum Sponsored by Ken and Kathy Conger

Live Music w/ So What 6-8pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Live Music w/ Justin Lantrip 5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Soulful singer-songwriter Annual Christmas Faire 9am-4pm @ St. Joseph’s Catholic Church

SunDAY, december 5

Sandpoint Chess Club • 9am @ Evans Brothers Coffee

monDAY, december 6

Outdoor Experience Monday Night Group Run – All levels welcome 6pm @ Outdoor Experience Lifetree Cafe • 2pm @ Jalapeño’s Restaurant “Only One Way to God? Can One Religion Really Have All the Answers?”

STEM Trailer at the Library • 2:30pm @ Sandpoint Library Crafts and winter-themed story read by Youth Services staff. Speakers start at 2:30pm and activities will be in Library garden at 3 p.m. (weather dependent)

Monday Night Blues Jam w/ John Firshi 7pm @ Eichardt’s Pub

tuesDAY, december 7

Ukulele jam • 3-5pm @ Matchwood Open to all levels. Contact Mitch at 541890-0596 for more info

Paint and Sip w/ Lori Salisbury 5:30-7:30pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery See Page 14 for more information

wednesDAY, december 8 Live Music w/ Tim G. 6-8pm @ Idaho Pour Authority 18 /

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Bingo at the Sandpoint Senior Center 6-8:30pm @ Sandpoint Senior Center $2/card, food and drinks available

STAGE & SCREEN

A documentary for our times

Free documentary film The Antidote offers a balm to troubling times

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

Courtesy image from the film.

uplifting stories from people trying to make the world a better place. One story follows a The good news is The Antidote is a single mother in Texas struggling to pay the wonderful, uplifting documentary film. The bad news? That it had to be made in the first bills but who obtains a community college degree, knowing it’s her best shot of getting out place. of poverty and into a living-wage job — and The Bonner County Human Rights Task Force and KRFY 88.5 FM are joining forces ultimately a better life for her and her son.

Aware of the challenges facing his to present a free film on Friday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Panida Theater. The Antidote is a students, the college’s president has made it the school’s responsibility to remove film made in response to our current times, barriers to education, empowering a team which can often feel like they are deterioof social workers to support students both rating. Attendance is free for all who would emotionally and financially. like to watch the film.

Another story involves a Boston nurse Directed by Academy Award-nominee who invites homeless people into her clinic Kahane Cooperman and six-time Emfor the simple purpose of soaking their feet, my-winner John Hoffman, The Antidote knowing that this tender act is the gateway to aims to drive a national conversation about providing comprehensive health care for these the roles that kindness, decency, compaspeople. Meanwhile, a doctor who has been sion and respect play in a civilized, democaring for the homeless for 35 years cares for cratic society. The Antidote is about everyday people who make the intentional choice his patients in parks, train stations and the streets of Boston where they try to survive. to lift up others, despite the fundamentally At its core, The Antidote aims to unkind ways of our society, which are at showcase the best parts of humanity in a once facts of life in America yet deeply time when we’ve seemingly forgotten how antithetical to our founding ideals. to care about one another. It’s a well-inWhile it’s easy to court despair in the tentioned documentary that might just be face of monumental, structural problems, exactly what we need right The Antidote tells stories The Antidote now: hope. of compassionate people “This isn’t a film about intentionally leveraging the Friday, Dec. 10; 7 p.m.; an idea or a policy, but rathresources within themselves FREE. Panida Theater, er how we treat one anothand their communities to 300 N. First Ave., 208er,” wrote the filmmakers. give others a chance at a 263-9191, panida.org, “It’s about who we are, or better life. theantidotemovie.com. maybe, who we can be.”

The film covers several

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FOOD

The Sandpoint Eater Still thankful

By Marcia Pilgeram Reader Columnist

They’re gone. It feels tranquil now after several days with 12 (mostly adorable) hungry bodies at my table. Though I did make all three types of our favorite stuffings, I still managed to prepare only an amount of food proportional to the number of guests I was serving.

I think I outdid myself, and found it wasn’t necessary to guilt trip anyone into seconds, force-feed extra-large portions to my sons-in-law or pack up leftovers amid protests. Instead, we ate less, drank (plenty) and laughed until we cried.

Sadly, I was still unsuccessful in the bid to divest myself of treasured family heirlooms that graced the lavish banquet table.

It seems the longer it takes to handwash the china, crystal and flatware, the less enamored the potential heirs become with my cherished pieces.

Every chance I get, I encourage my girls to take a few treasures home, so they’ll have less to deal with “later,” but my veiled threat does little to sway them, and they don’t like to talk about “it.” Nevertheless, we did manage a bit of comic relief; sorting through a couple of boxes, they uncovered my misplaced gym bag, stuffed overhead on a garage shelf, at least 10 years ago (in my defense, I have been to the gym in the interim).

The grandkids dislike it when I remind them, “someday, this will all be yours” conversations even more than their parents do, so I did my best to tone down the banter and mockery 20 /

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of my eventual demise. I think I did a fabulous job. For the first time in holiday history, I don’t think I offended a single family member, and there was nary an incident of hurt feelings.

The worst happening didn’t even involve a human and occurred when we weren’t home.

My visiting granddog, Penny, managed to sniff out the only food we overlooked securing during our highly anticipated trip downtown for Santa’s arrival.

Unfortunately, while we were away, our carefully decorated, adorably dimensional turkey cut-out cookies were nowhere to be found. Bad Dog nearly succeeded at hiding the evidence, but teeny bits of dried icing and sprinkle residue clinging to her feathered retriever furnishings were a dead giveaway.

Thankfully this wasn’t her first foray into consuming copious amounts of “forbidden fruits,” so other than a couple of tearful toddlers, there were no further ill effects involved with her Thanksgiving bingeing. Now, if only that damn dog would develop a fondness for cranberries.

The rainy weather negated long-planned fall yard work, so it left us with plenty of time for artwork and cooking projects. I once considered myself a purist when it came to food preparations and spent days prepping my “from scratch” recipes. Still, once grilled chicken and blackened salmon started showing up on traditional Caesar salads, I decided that anything goes — and began to lighten up my traditionalist mentality.

And, honestly, now that I have so many little helpers, I’ve embraced the timing-saving shortcuts I once disdained. For example, I’m no longer opposed to using canned biscuit dough to turn out dozens of mini-donuts because, frankly, my wee helpers don’t care if the dough has been punched down twice and feels light and fluffy. Their only concern is waiting for the mini-donuts to cool enough for dunking in glazes and drenching in sprinkles. Thanks to Bad Dog, we never tasted the finished turkey cookies, but the kits from Trader Joe’s contained everything we needed for cookies worthy of the center of our festive table.

These days, I don’t always spend hours roasting marrow bones or simmering a plump

chicken so I can whip up a batch of steaming, flavorful soup. I was never crazy about bouillon cubes but. a few years ago, I discovered “Better Than Bouillon” bases; and, at any given time, you’ll find at least three or four flavors in my refrigerator — it’s easy and time-saving.

I’m thankful that I’ve embraced shortcuts that leave me time to savor more than food — like a day up Pine Street Woods, accompanied by my kids, their kids and one bad dog.

The bouillon base is an excellent addition to any savory dish — especially these creamy and rich potatoes. They’ll be a great addition to your holiday meal — even without an heirloom serving dish.

Creamy scalloped potatoes

These potatoes are rich and creamy with a crusty top, and they never curdle; they’re perfect, served with any roasted meats (especially a rack of lamb). To make them extra fancy, once they have rested, cut out disks with a biscuit cutter and serve on a platter.

INGREDIENTS: • 3 tablespoons butter and a little more for preparing the pan • 1 medium onion, finely chopped • 2 tsp “Better Than Bullion” Stock Base (chicken or roasted vegetable) • 2 cups heavy cream • 5-6 medium russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced • Kosher salt and fine white pepper • 2 tsp finely minced parsley or fresh rosemary

DIRECTIONS: Heat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter an oval 9-inch au gratin or casserole dish and layer potatoes, then lightly press to compact them.

In a saucepan, combine 3 tablespoons butter and minced onions.

Place over medium-low heat and sauté, stir, until mixture is fragrant and lightly browned, about 15 minutes.

Add cream and whisk, add stock base and continue to whisk. Season with salt and white pepper.

Carefully pour cream mixture over potatoes. Bake about 30-40 until top is light golden brown. Remove from heat and allow to rest for 15 minutes.

Garnish with a sprinkling of chopped parsley or rosemary, and serve.

MUSIC

KRFY celebrates a decade on air Panhandle Community Radio, 88.5 FM, commemorates 10th anniversary

By Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey Reader Staff KRFY Panhandle Community Radio — otherwise known as 88.5 FM — is celebrating 10 years on the air in 2021.

Though Sandpoint’s community radio station went live on Jan. 25, 2011, its inception actually occurred five years earlier, when a group of friends gathered at Eichardt’s Pub to sketch their dreams of a community-focused, commercial-free radio station for North Idaho.

It is said that the late-Scott Daily lit the spark for KRFY and, in the years since, those who believed in his mission have carried the flame.

Suzy Prez, modern-day station manager for KRFY, recalls asking Daily’s wife what had inspired him to launch a community radio effort in Sandpoint. According to legend, Daily said: “Every cool town has a community radio station.”

“To me, that was a pivotal statement that kind of motivated those people that started meeting at Eichardt’s,” Prez said.

That original squad were the ones who jumped on the opportunity to apply for a full-powered community radio station when the FCC opened a seven-day window in 2007 — back then, “a once in a lifetime opportunity,” according to Prez — and spent subsequent years fundraising, drawing up engineering plans and physically constructing the station in its home on First Avenue.

Prez joined the station in 2011,

hosting her program “Between The Notes,” where she interviewed songwriters about their creative processes and played the lesser-known music she loved.

“I felt that some of these songs are so amazing that they needed to have a place to live,” she said.

“It seemed appropriate that radio would be a good place.”

KRFY currently features 18 volunteer broadcasters and 13 original programs, covering varying interests and genres such as jazz, poetry, show tunes, folk, gospel music, local interviews and news, as well as a weekly broadcast called “CP@3”

by Sandpoint High School Cedar Post journalists, hosted this year by student Will Clark.

“Having the voice of the high school — that’s big for us,” Prez said. “I worked on that for years, to try to get something going over there so that the students have a sense that they have a voice, and for us to be able to hear it.

“That, right there, is the epitome of what community radio can do,” she continued.

There’s no doubt that, like with most media, the COVID-19 virus necessitated change in radio.

However, KRFY has taken the challenge in stride.

“Through the pandemic, it was a challenge, but we maintained everything as it was through podcasting,” Prez said.

KRFY will commemorate its 10th birthday with special programming Dec. 1-10, with an emphasis on celebrating the power of ad-free, community radio.

“To have a community radio station in a rural area is a big deal.

Most of them are in larger towns — think Spokane,” Prez said.

“What that shows us is that there is a need, there is support and I cannot say enough about the kind of support our community radio station [has seen] throughout all of that time from local underwriters — local businesses who say, ‘This is worthwhile. I am going to participate. I am going to support.’”

As for continued support, Prez said “the best way is to listen.”

“And contact us if you’re in-

Will Clark, left, and Don Childress, right, broadcasting at KRFY. Courtesy photos. terested in becoming a volunteer,” she added.

Prez said that she looks forward to training more broadcasters soon, and encourages anyone interested in creating a program for KRFY to contact the station.

“Think about what you love, and what you’d like to bring to the airwaves of your community,” she said.

With a decade in the rearview and plenty more to come, Prez said KRFY Panhandle Community Radio stays true to its name.

“We’re a mini miracle and it’s because the community steps up,” she said. “The community sees the value and keeps that support going.”

Listen to KRFY at 88.5 FM, or stream online at krfy.org. Those wishing to become involved with the station can call 208-265-2992, email krfyradio@gmail.com or keep up with KRFY on Facebook at facebook.com/KRFY88.5.

A snapshot of notable live music coming up in Sandpoint Justin Lantrip, Pend d’Oreille Winery, Dec. 4 We are lucky to have so many prolific and talented songwriters who call Sandpoint home. Singer-songwriter Justin Lantrip’s music is a diverse combination of soulful folk originals and familiar indie/ alternative songs you all know and love.

Lantrip has been playing live music in Sandpoint for more

than a decade and has amassed a legion of listeners who enjoy his quiet fury on the left-handed guitar and emotive voice crooning thoughtful lyrics.

— Ben Olson 5-8 p.m., FREE. Pend d’Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar St., 208-265-8545, powine.com.

Suzuki String Academy, Christ Our Redeemer Church, Dec. 5 The students of the Suzuki String Academy are a talented bunch, and their skills will be on display in celebration of the season in a venue fitted for plucking on heartstrings — the Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sandpoint.

Enjoy a Christmas-themed performance by the Suzuki students, perfect for getting even the Grinchiest Grinch into the spirit.

The Suzuki String Academy trains some of Sandpoint’s most excellent musicians, which is itself a gift to the community. Featured artists will be cello students and ensembles.

— Zach Hagadone 5 p.m., FREE. Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1900 Pine St., 208-263-7516, suzukistringacademy.com.

This week’s RLW by Ben Olson

READ

Paul Auster is one of those authors you’ve probably heard about, but may not have read. I started with his fun book Timbuktu, written from the perspective of a dog struggling with the concept that he is homeless. I’ve read The Brooklyn Follies and Moon Palace, but my favorite remains The New York Trilogy, a series of novels that delve into private investigation, voyeurism and plagiarism. Auster’s insights are deep, but he never loses the sense of mirth that makes his novels great.

LISTEN

... to NPR News. One of my favorite morning activities on a workday is to visit NPR on my internet browser and click on the “hourly news” streaming button, which queues up a list of NPR’s most recent news broadcasts. I like getting my national news in a calm, thoughtful manner instead of the blaring sensationalism that some outlets suffer from.

WATCH

The criminal justice system in the U.S. has always had its problems, but never have these problems been so clearly presented than in a show on Netflix called Time: The Kalief Browder Story. In Time, we follow the story of Kalief Browder, a Black 16-year-old who is arrested for allegedly stealing a backpack, but ends up spending three years in the Rikers Island jail — two of which in solitary confinement — while awaiting a trial that never came. The charges were eventually dropped because no evidence existed, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg with this story.

This show will break your heart, but it should be watched to understand how the criminal justice system can fail us — especially when we’re not white.

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BACK OF THE BOOK

Remembering Dann Hall

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

From Pend Oreille Review, Dec. 3, 1909

LID TO BE ON TIGHT Gambling in every shape and form, which comes under the ban of the state law, must cease in the city of Sandpoint. This was the ultimatum issued to the saloons and any and all other places where gambling may be conducted by the city council at Wednesday night’s meeting.

Alderman Ewing precipitated the discussion which finally ended in the adoption of a resolution directing the city attorney to prosecute all offenders of the anti-gambling law. When the resolution was put to a vote every member of the council present went on record in favor of its adoption. Alderman Ewing strongly advocated the passage of a city ordinance which would provide a penalty of imprisonment for anyone convicted of gamling, taking the ground that the imposing of a mere fine would neither act as a preventative nor a cure.

“The gamblers will pay their fines,” stated Mr. Ewing, “from the profits of the game and will at once re=open, but if they were made to serve a jail sentence for an infraction of the law, they would quit.”

City Attorney Taylor said that no question could be raised as to the validity of the state law, as the supreme court had passed favorably upon it and that in his opinion no technical points could be brought forward that would result in an adverse hand, a city ordinance might contain vulnerable points and if attacked in the courts might result in its being knocked out. The state law against gambling has stood the test and its validity is unquestioned, but a city ordinance, being a new and untried remedy, might not accomplish the desired end.

The minimum fine is $100.

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A piece of Sandpoint — real Sandpoint — died this week when Dann Hall passed away on Nov. 28. The son of Ross and Hazel Hall, the former a famed photographer and the latter a beloved pillar of the community, Dann was as local as you could get in this ever-changing town.

His smiling face was always a welcome addition to every trip downtown.

I first met Dann when I was a teenager, working at Hidden Lakes Golf Resort.

Dann was always one of my favorite members at the golf course. He always had a big smile on his face and treated everyone as a friend. While some members didn’t interact much with the staff, Dann was always one to stop and have a conversation with everyone — he treated everyone equally, from the maintenance crew to the cart kids to the head pro.

Dann always called me “Benny-o” back in those days and I called him “Dann-o.” This little back-and-forth persisted until the present day.

Later, as I began to get into photography as a possible career, Dann always went out of his way to share any insights into the craft his father taught him. When I wanted to set up a darkroom to learn how to make my own prints, Dann explained some of the tricks he’s perfected to help get the most out of a negative.

The Hallans Gallery on First Avenue has been the epicenter of Sandpoint history for many decades, housing the prolific collection of Ross Hall’s negatives and prints, which documented the town’s history. Dann served as steward of his father’s collection, understanding the importance of the work to our town’s history. It is because of Dann’s family that we have so many images with which to chronicle the

STR8TS Solution

early 20th century in North Idaho.

After I brought the Reader back to print in 2015, Dann’s was one of the first businesses to advertise in the relaunched newspaper. Whenever we had a need to run an iconic Ross Hall print in the paper, Dann never charged us for the service — always offering it free without any reservations.

During the pandemic, Dann moved his office up to the Farmin Building, where the Reader office is also located. It was a pleasure seeing him more often, sharing stories of golf or photography or life in general as we passed one another in the hallway. Recently, Dann purchased a huge new printer that could facilitate printing very large photographs from his father’s negatives. One of the last conversations I had with him was how happy he was to play with the new toy.

Dann cared deeply for this community.

He was a force for good who made this town a better place every day. He loved his wife Paula immensely, and it was heartbreaking when we lost her in 2019.

I remember a night some years back, before Paula passed away, when we were all gathered around a bonfire while camping on the lake. My girlfriend Cadie and I played music around the fire, filling the

Dann Hall in the Hallans Gallery. Courtsey photo. night air with our songs. Dann and Paula sat across the fire in each others’ arms, smiling and laughing.

It was the perfect North Idaho summer night, made better by the company of one of Sandpoint’s native sons, who is now hopefully in the arms of his Paula again.

We’ll miss you, Dann. Thank you for making all of our lives fuller.

Crossword Solution

Sudoku Solution If I come back as an animal in my next lifetime, I hope it’s some type of parasite, because this is the part where I take it easy!

Solution on page 22

Solution on page 22

repast

Woorf tdhe Week

By Bill Borders

/ri-PAST/ [noun] 1. a meal

“After the big Thanksgiving repast, Uncle Jerry and Uncle Bob retired to the living room to snooze while football played on the television.”

Corrections: We had a little fun in this corrections box last week, misspelling Forrest Schuck’s last name since he’s apparently the only one who checks this box every week. We’re thinking about renaming the corrections box “Forrest’s Red Pen.” Thanks for keeping us honest, Forrest.

Copyright www.mirroreyes.com

Laughing Matter

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. An informative symbol 6. WW1 plane 10. A muscle of the thigh 14. Female internal reproductive organ 15. Piece of glass 16. “Do ___ others...”

17. Fat 18. A Freudian stage 19. At the peak of 20. Put into a bad mood 22. Scrabble piece 23. Hot 24. Tummy 25. Consciousness 29. Enema (archaic) 31. Foot lever 33. Twister 37. Main course 38. The one who was attired in 39. Savior 41. Public toilet 42. Lighter 44. Cheers 45. Array 48. Curves 50. Hit hard 51. Exile 56. At one time (archaic) 57. Skin disease 58. Keen 59. Chills and fever

Solution on page 22 7. Larder 8. Expert 9. Expunge 10. Fourth 11. Up to 12. Coral island 13. Foolish 21. Impure 24. Type of cap DOWN 25. Flower stalk 26. Sea eagle 1. Valuable metal 2. 57 in Roman numerals 27. Permits 28. Presbyopic 3. Blabs 30. In the direction of 4. Snob 32. Stoop 5. 9-headed monster 34. Diva’s solo (Greek mythology) 35. Declare untrue 6. Sequin

60. Protruding part of the lower jaw 61. Overact 62. A fitting reward (archaic) 63. A storage chest 64. Thigh armor

36. Mining finds 40. A portable brazier 41. Not strict 43. Wimbledon sport 45. Beside 46. Big 47. Put out 49. Piece of paper 51. Stern 52. Mother 53. Prima donna problems 54. Catches 55. Tall woody plant

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