I recently attempted to draw Reader Publisher Ben Olson into a discussion on whether a hot dog should be considered a sandwich — one of many questions I like to whip out on road trips to stimulate pedantic and oddly insightful conversations. He was having none of it, though, as he’d already declared that he’d die on Hot-Dogs-Aren’t-Sandwiches Hill, which got me thinking, “What weird little hills would I die on?” As it turns out, there are plenty of hills I’d host Socratic seminars on, but few for which I’d lay down my life. I don’t particularly care if you want to listen to Christmas music in October, put pineapple on pizza or say “ex-presso.” I want to hear your take and give my two cents in return, but I’m not some missionary proselytizing “proper” pizza toppings. That being said, I will fight you in the Arby’s parking lot if you disagree with me on any of these three points: everyone should put their shopping cart away; service workers deserve tips, even if they’re just handing you a muffin (this is Idaho — minimum wage is $7.25); and, yes, all language is made up and changes over time, but “irregardless” sounds gross and should not infiltrate the English lexicon. You can try to argue with me, but be prepared for a Socratic slap fight.
Idaho Gothic
I’m a big fan of Gothic literature — whether its the work of Edgar Allen Poe, Shirley Jackson or Silvia Moreno-Garcia — but though great writers have been able to adapt the British genre to the Americas, we simply don’t have a lot of the classic tropes and settings here in North Idaho. For instance, haunted castles, crazy women in attics and grandmas with indeterminate Eastern European accents are all noticeably missing from Sandpoint. Still, I would argue that Idaho has some rural gothic elements that we could add to the canon. For example, everyone knows there are staple stores that have no right to stay in business. No one goes in, no one comes out, yet the lights stay on. What secret forces conspire to keep them open? Every so often, while exploring out of town, I’ll find forgotten roads leading into the mountains. They may once have belonged to the Forest Service or the old mines, but now the only things walking the overgrown trails are the elk and the ghosts of whoever cut the path. Also, the mountain men. You know, the old-timers who wandered off into the deep forest to live off the land, only venturing into town every 10-odd years to restock their hoards of gas cans. My family has had the pleasure of meeting a few such men over the years when they’ve gotten lost on our rural roads, the landmarks they used to travel by having long since faded. One even came to our door to visit his “friend” — the previous owner of the house who hadn’t lived there for more than 30 years. Take that, Britain.
DEAR READERS,
Hello and welcome to another Thursday in North Idaho.
We started a new tradition last year where we dedicate the center spread of the Reader as a wrapping paper design so our readers can pull the center of the December papers out to use for gift wrapping. Pages 14-15 are earmarked for this, so don’t forget to grab the spread. Also, our December covers will try to incorporate some gift wrapping vibes, too.
On another note, we’re opening submissions for the fourth annual 208 Fiction writing contest where the winner receives a cash prize of $150 and gets their story printed in the Reader. Check Page 8 for a story with all the submission guidelines and instructions. The deadline for submissions will be 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 3.
Finally, don’t forget about the winter parking restrictions in Sandpoint. No parking on the odd side of the street all through winter. Later, – Ben Olson, publisher
READER
111 Cedar Street, Suite 9 Sandpoint, ID 83864 208-946-4368
Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey (emeritus) Cameron Rasmusson (emeritus) John Reuter (emeritus)
Advertising: Ben Olson ben@sandpointreader.com
Contributing Artists:
Ben Olson (cover design), Karen Hempstead, Barbara McLongstreet, Ron Bedford, Racheal Baker, Bill Borders
Contributing Writers:
Zach Hagadone, Ben Olson, Soncirey Mitchell, Lorraine H. Marie, Mia Maldonado, Molly Madrid, Lauren Necochea
Submit stories to: stories@sandpointreader.com
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The Sandpoint Reader is a weekly publication owned and operated by Ben Olson and Keokee. It is devoted to the arts, entertainment, politics and lifestyle in and around Sandpoint, Idaho. We hope to provide a quality alternative by offering honest, in-depth reporting that reflects the intelligence and interests of our diverse and growing community. The Reader is printed on recycled paper using soy-based ink. Leftover copies are collected and recycled weekly, or burned in massive bonfires to appease the gods of journalism. Free to all, limit two copies per person
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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
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About the Cover
This week’s cover is wrapping paper!
‘Nothing more than a Narcissist refusing to come back down to reality’
Bradshaw and Herndon battle over alleged Dist. 1 county commissioner vacancy
By Soncirey Mitchell Reader Staff
In a special meeting Nov. 19, Bonner County Republican Central Committee Chair Scott Herndon declared the Bonner County Commissioner Dist. 1 seat vacant — despite the protests of Commissioner Steve Bradshaw, who holds the position until January 2025. Regardless, the BCRCC sent three nominees to Gov. Brad Little to potentially replace Bradshaw; however, after seeking further clarification, the Governor’s Office ruled it “has no appointment to consider” because neither the BOCC nor Bradshaw have declared the seat vacant.
Herndon has argued in recent weeks that Bradshaw is no longer a resident of Bonner County and, therefore, cannot hold office. Bradshaw sold his home and business, the Cocollala Cowboy Church, to North Summit Church in August 2024 and bought property in Texas. He maintains a lease in District 1, which will not expire until after the end of his term.
Herndon acknowledged the lease in a Nov. 21 letter to the governor, but stated that he believed Bradshaw did not actually live at the listed address, having visited the latter’s house “10 times in the last two weeks,” knocked on the door and walked the property. Bradshaw stopped attending BOCC meetings in person in mid-October.
“Unfortunately, in the case of county commissioners, there is no authority designated in Idaho Code to declare the position vacant
by reason of changing one’s residency out of the district, county or state,” wrote Herndon in the letter to the Governor’s Office.
However, he went on to declare the seat vacant, citing Idaho Code 59-901, which states the office becomes vacant when the elected official ceases “to be a resident of the state, district or county in which the duties of his office are to be exercised.”
Herndon further cited the definition of residency in I.C. 34-107: “If a qualified elector moves to another state, or to any of the other territories, with the intention of making it his permanent home, he shall be considered to have lost his residence in this state.”
The BCRCC on Nov. 19 nominated Commissioner-elect Brian Domke, BCRCC Algoma Precinct Committeeman Rick Kirschner and Edgemere Committeeman Doug Paterson to the governor for consideration to replace Bradshaw.
Following the vote, BCRCC Washington Precinct Committeeman Tom Bokowy, Sagle Committeeman Andy Kee and Oldtown Committeeman Tanner Linton sent their own letter to the Governor’s Office on Nov. 20, alleging improper action on Herndon’s part.
“While the Chairman provided evidence suggesting a potential vacancy, the statute’s requirement of ‘intention’ cannot be adequately determined by anyone other than Commissioner Bradshaw,” they wrote. “Chairman Hern-
don further claimed the residence appeared vacant based on a personal observation, which is neither sufficient evidence of intention nor residency status.”
Tamera Felter, who serves as Boards and Commissions special assistant to the governor, replied to Herndon and Bokowy, looping in the BOCC and various county elected officials.
“This office is seeking written clarification from the Bonner County Commissioners as to whether a vacancy does or does not presently exist on your commission,” she wrote in a Nov. 22 email to the BOCC.
The Governor’s Office gave the commissioners until Dec. 2 to confirm or deny the vacancy. According to communications obtained by the Reader in a public records request, the BOCC did not submit a formal response to the office; rather, Bradshaw and Commissioner Ron Korn replied with separate emails.
Korn did not offer an opinion on the alleged vacancy but stated that Bradshaw “does not seem to be present within the county.”
“What I can tell you is the fact that I have not personally seen Commissioner Bradshaw for about six weeks. He does participate in some of our meetings either by Zoom or phone but appears to be doing so from out of state as he mentioned he was two hours ahead of us in one of his comments during a recent meeting he Zoomed in on,” wrote Korn in a Nov. 22 email to Felter.
Korn also reported that Bradshaw had cleaned out his office and was no longer
picking up his mail.
In multiple statements to the Reader, Herndon and the Governor’s Office, Bradshaw declared that he will remain District 1 commissioner until January.
“I have not resigned nor do I have any intention of doing so,” wrote Bradshaw in a Nov. 25 email to Felter.
“Mr. Herndon has been a thorn in the side since I trespassed him from my church and campaigned against him. This is nothing more than a Narcissist refusing to come back down to reality.”
Bradshaw trespassed Herndon and his wife, Arlene, from the Cocolalla Cowboy Church — which he owned and operated as pastor — in April 2021. According to Bonner County Sheriff Deputy Jason Davis’ incident report, Herndon “was being verbally confrontational with church staff” at the time.
The couple were allegedly on church property “to menace Marcy [Ott] and Anastasia [Herndon],” Scott Herndon’s niece, according to the incident report. Anastasia had
previously fled her father’s home and “taken shelter” with her neighbor, Ott.
Bradshaw reiterated his claims in a Dec. 2 email to the Reader, stating, “I have no intention to quit the job the people of Bonner County have elected me to do in spite of Mr. Herndon’s attempts to undermine the BOCC. I guess he is still sore that he was trespassed from the Cowboy Church and lost his election.”
When asked by the Reader whether the BCRCC had the authority to declare Bradshaw’s seat vacant or if they could shed any additional light on the situation, Little’s Press Secretary Joan Varsek said simply, “The Governor’s Office has no appointment to consider because our office has not received a letter of resignation from Commissioner Bradshaw and the Bonner County Commission has not taken a position on the existence of a vacancy.”
Scott Herndon, left, and Steve Bradshaw, right. Courtesy photos
Sandpoint City Council nixes giving employees free JER Sports Center memberships
By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff
Members of the Sandpoint City Council backed away from a proposed resolution that would have given city employees free memberships to the James E. Russell Sports Center, voting 5-1 at their regular Dec. 4 meeting to reject the proposition. Council President Deb Ruehle cast the sole vote in favor.
Sandpoint Mayor Jeremy Grimm fronted the resolution, which would have waived the annual membership fee to the JER Sports Center for employees as a benefit not only to “encourage employee health and wellness,” but support worker retention and recruitment.
In addition, it would have given Sandpoint Police Department employees 24hour access to the facility and free personal use outside the normal operating hours of 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
According to the current fee schedule, membership rates for city residents are $40 per month or $400 per year, and $45 per month or $450 per year for non-residents.
Members pay $5 per 90-minute tennis session and $3 per 90-minute pickleball session. Non-member access is $16 per 90-minute session of either court sport.
Beyond that, there will be 90 minutes of free “community court time” for all users each day, and users 19 and under — regardless of whether they are residents — would all receive free memberships, but still be required to pay the daily usage fee.
Grimm said waiving those membership fees for employees would represent a “new and innovative way to improve retention, employee morale and potential attraction of employees, as we have some
turnover,” and cited a number of other cities around the country that give city workers free or reduced-cost access to municipal rec and fitness centers.
However, a survey of Sandpoint city employees — which drew 30 respondents — showed a strong majority reporting they would not use the JER Sports Center at least 10 times per month (26 said “no”) and 29 reported that they would not buy a $40 per month membership if it wasn’t otherwise provided as a benefit. Asked if they would bring a partner or friend with them to access the center if given a free membership, 14 said “yes” and 16 said “no.”
Anonymous written comments also illustrated a lack of interest in accessing the facility, with 10 of the 19 responses stating that they do not play tennis or pickleball.
“Only interested in having someplace to walk in wintertime, and that will be free to everyone; not a tennis or pickleball player; if I had $40 per month for fitness, I would use it toward a regular gym membership,” one respondent wrote.
“If facility were multisport, beyond racket sports, answers would likely be different,” wrote another.
“Would not purchase/use [a membership] if pickleball and tennis are only sports offered,” wrote yet another respondent.
Grimm summarized the survey responses during a presentation to council at the top of the agenda item, adding, “This tells me that it’s not a hot and heavy demand — probably because it’s kind of an expensive, exclusive sport to play.”
That said, he added, “I’m simply trying to do something that helps retain and attract employees at no out-of-pock-
et, no tax cost to the budget.”
Some councilors indicated they’d heard pushback from community members on the proposed fee waiver for employees, and commentary on various local social media pages was decidedly opposed. While sparse, testimony at the Dec. 4 meeting echoed some of the prevalent themes in the public discussion, including that providing free membership to employees amounted to a subsidy of their use, to be borne by taxpayers.
Area resident Rebecca Holland, who has been a longtime, vocal critic of the JER Sports Center project from its earliest stages in 2022, testified that the proposal “reeks of conflict of interest.”
“From an ethical point of view, it should trouble you to give a free membership ... to city staffers, some of which will be involved with future decisions with this facility,” she said.
During deliberation, councilors struggled with the equity of providing free memberships at the center as a benefit, when survey results indicated that it wouldn’t be all that attractive to employees.
“If it’s not a benefit for everybody, then it’s not really a benefit,” said Councilor Pam Duquette, later adding, “I just think it’s another one of those community divisive things that doesn’t need to be,” and, “I just don’t think this is something that we ought to get into.”
Councilor Kyle Schreiber
agreed, saying it appeared to be “a bit of a lose/lose, and our employees have spoken and said they’d rather have something else.”
However, he later concurred with Councilor Rick Howarth, who suggested that an alternative may be to offer free memberships just to employees of the JER Sports Center, in order to both attract applicants and ensure that workers at the facility are well acquainted with its use and the court sports it was designed to facilitate.
“I do not see a purpose in offering it to all of the employees given the survey data you had,” he said, going on to say that he would only vote for the proposal if it could be offered specifically to the parttime employees of the center.
During his staff report at the beginning of the Dec. 4 meeting, Sandpoint Community Planning and Development Director Jason Welker said the city is still seeking qualified applicants for one or two more positions at the center, which is due to open for play on Monday, Dec. 16. The first public event will take place Friday, Dec. 13 with a free screening of Home Alone, which kicks off at 5:30 p.m. in the community room with cocoa and crafts, and the film showing at 7 p.m. on a 52foot screen.
Grimm reminded the council that the facility is already funded for this fiscal year, with costs of heating and lighting already budgeted for.
“We could pursue it slowly by pursuing it as a one-year benefit,” he said, and later added that, “If I were to vote tonight, I would be supportive of trying this out for a year.”
Ruehle agreed with that, and moved to amend the motion to limit the employee-wide benefit to one year and collect usage data in the meantime.
“When we can do something like this [for employees], I am 100% on board,” she said.
Duquette wondered why the city would provide the benefit for a year, only to potentially take it away. What’s more, she added, “I don’t even see that it’s a benefit for employees.”
Grimm said that upon failure of the resolution, he would work with the city’s legal counsel and human resources staff to craft a “defensible policy” to carve out free membership for JER Sports Center employees only — something Councilors Joel Aispuro and Justin Dick both said they’d be more comfortable with — while tracking usage for a year and revisiting the idea of offering free membership as a benefit for all employees.
Schreiber also agreed, adding, “As it stands right now, if we’re going to search for ways to improve the quality of life for our employees ... this doesn’t appear to be it.”
The interior of the James E. Russell Sports Center. Courtesy photo.
Lady Liberty statue reinstalled at City Beach following repairs
By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff
Sandpoint’s miniature Statue of Liberty is back on its pedestal at City Beach after a monthslong restoration and repair effort.
The city of Sandpoint announced that Lady Liberty had returned to her perch Dec. 4, with work completed to fix structural fatigue that had led to damage at the statue’s base. According to a news release, “Concerns were first raised several months ago when the city was alerted that the statue’s base was ‘breaking away’ and leaning.”
Crews removed Lady Liberty in August, citing the frequent use of the statue as a diving platform by local kids and general age as the source of the damage — not vandalism, “but rather the natural consequences of the immense affection it receives from residents and visitors alike,” the city stated.
Sandpoint Community Planning and Development Director Jason Welker told the Reader in August that the torque resulting from kids jumping from the statue resulted in the failure of a weld that held one of the brackets in place, dislodging the statue from its base.
Restoration and repair work was performed by Creative Design & Ingenuity and A-10 Auto Body, which the city thanked for their efforts in a statement.
“This is now diving board-proof,”
Welker said at the Dec. 4 meeting of the Sandpoint City Council. “This thing’s going to be here for another 30 years and we’re not going to have to worry about it.”
Originally donated in 2003 by the family of the late-business owner and restaurateur Louise (Lee) Turner, Sandpoint’s Lady Liberty was placed on the pier at City Beach to honor her legacy. In that time, it has become among the most photographed locations in the city.
“The Lady Liberty statue is a symbol of our community’s spirit, and it’s great to see her restored and standing strong once again,” Mayor Jeremy Grimm stated. “We’re grateful for the support of the community in maintaining this important landmark.”
Winter parking restrictions in effect on Sandpoint streets
By Reader Staff
Winter parking restrictions on Sandpoint streets went into effect Dec. 1 and will run through March 1, 2025.
The restrictions are intended to support snow removal efforts throughout the season, prohibiting parking on the odd-numbered side of city-wide streets — unless posted otherwise — and no parking will be allowed on either side of the street on emergency routes, as posted. Parking vehicles within cul-desacs is also restricted, as posted.
Snow must be cleared from vehicles parked on the street within 24 hours, and residents will also be required to remove snow from their sidewalks within 24 hours of two inches of accumulation. In addition to sidewalks, ADA ramps, mailboxes and fire hydrants must all be kept clear of ice
Bits ’n’ Pieces
From east, west and beyond
Outside spending in the 2024 U.S. elections totaled a record-breaking $5.4 billion. According to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, while accounting for .0005% of the population, U.S. billionaires contributed 18% of electoral spending. “This is... oligarchy. Time to overturn Citizens United and move to public funding of elections,” he said.
President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign mega-donor Elon Musk, who has been tapped to head the Department of Government Efficiency, posted on social media that he wants to “delete” the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an independent watchdog agency created after the financial crash of 2008. Critics of the agency include an online consumer payday lender the bureau shut down in 2018 for “repeatedly lying and illegally cheating its customers,” the bureau told The Guardian.
The Arctic Ocean could experience a catastrophic ice loss event by 2027, the Scientific American reported.
and snow.
Once the snow starts to pile up, crews will plow based on priority routes, with first priority including major residential thoroughfares like Boyer, Ella, Olive, Division and South Lincoln avenues; Larch, Cedar, Pine and Ontario streets; Schweitzer Cutoff Road, Woodland Drive and Great Northern Road; as well as a number of surface streets in north and south Sandpoint.
Emergency snow routes are also first priority and coincide with the most heavily used city streets. Second priority routes are the remainder of residential streets, while third-priority will be centered on the downtown core.
For more information on the city’s snow removal policy — including a detailed map of priority snow plowing routes — go to bit.ly/3B0QyYH.
President Joe Biden has changed his mind and will pardon his son Hunter (convicted of possession of a weapon while an addict and tax evasion, which has been paid). The story drew more media attention than Trump’s pick of Kash Patel to head the FBI. Historian Heather Cox Richardson noted that conspiracy theorist Patel appears obsessed with Hunter Biden, despite a two year Republican-led House investigation showing no evidence for Patel’s claims that Hunter and his father engaged in crimes with Ukraine and China. Patel says the Department of Justice should focus on Hunter.
Democrats are racing to confirm judges and heads of regulatory agencies who cannot be removed by Trump before he takes office in January 2025. “This is not acceptable,” Trump posted on social media. The Lever pointed out that Trump made numerous such confirmations following his election loss in 2020.
Security clearances for Trump’s political appointees, typically granted by the FBI, are not likely to occur, The Guardian reported. Trump plans to delay confirmations until he is in office, when he will sidestep Senate approval and grant clearances himself. The administration picks “seem designed to destroy the institutions of the democratic American state and replace [them] with an authoritarian government whose officials are all loyal to Trump,” Cox Richardson wrote.
By Lorraine H. Marie Reader Columnist
According to the Community and Labor Center, Trump’s immigrant deportation plans would impact all households by significantly slowing production of grocery store staples and increasing their prices. Foreign Policy reported that deporting all 13.3 million undocumented or temporary residents with revocable status would cost almost $968 billion over more than 10 years.. The American Immigration Council suspects an underlying issue: discouraging immigrant laborers from organizing. Trump recently said he will put a 25% tariff on Mexican and Canadian goods, and an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods if they don’t stop illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling.
The Trump tariffs are expected to cost American households $2,600 annually, according to the Peterson Institute of International Economics. CNN outlined costs expected to rise: gas, (with increases of 25 to 75 cents per gallon), food (a fifth of produce comes from Mexico); and vehicles (the U.S. imported $44.76 billion in vehicles from Mexico in 2023). Mexico is now the top exporter of goods to the U.S. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said tariffs “put shared companies at risk.” Mexico has overseen a 75% reduction in border crossings in the last year. Trump claimed on his Truth Social platform that Sheinbaum promised to close the border. She denies saying any such thing. Canadian response has included talk of tightening the border and retaliatory tariffs, the AP reported. The amount of fentanyl seized at the Canadian border is a tiny fraction of that intercepted at the Mexican border, but Canada is concerned about a border influx due to Trump’s deportation plans. Canada exports $2.7 billion in goods daily to the U.S., and is a major market embraced by the Pentagon.
Many trade goods have previously crossed borders without import taxes, courtesy of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement Trump entered in his first term. How Trump will implement his tariffs while violating the USMCA is “not clear,” CNN wrote, adding that tariffs can trigger trade wars. Trump has called for blanket tariffs of up to 20% on all other imports to the U.S. Blast from the past: “You can only kick with one foot at a time. Otherwise you fall on your butt.” — Hungarian soccer star Ferenc Puskas, famed for his outstanding athletic skills (1927-2006)
Courtesy photo
Appeals court allows Idaho to enforce its ‘abortion trafficking’ law
Decision reverses district court injunction that blocked law in late 2023
By Mia Maldonado Idaho Capital Sun
A panel of federal judges on Dec. 2 largely upheld Idaho’s “abortion trafficking” law, a measure passed in the 2023 legislative session meant to punish an adult who helps a minor seek an abortion in another state or obtain medication that will induce an abortion.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ opinion reverses U.S. Magistrate Judge Debora K. Grasham’s November 2023 decision, which blocked enforcement of the law after Idaho attorney Lourdes Matsumoto and two advocacy organizations — the Northwest Abortion Access Fund and the Indigenous Idaho Alliance — filed a lawsuit against the state. The plaintiffs alleged the law restricts freedom of speech, the right to travel and the right to freely associate and said it was too vague to be constitutional.
Idaho has a near-total ban on abortions at any stage of pregnancy, with exceptions for rape and incest victims who provide a police report documenting the crime and who are no more than 12 weeks pregnant. It is surrounded by several states where abortion is legal, including Washington, Oregon and Montana. Washington allows minors to obtain an abortion without parental permission, and Oregon requires parental consent for girls under the age of 14. Matsumoto, an attorney who assists victims of domestic and sexual violence in southwestern Idaho,
including minors, was the first named plaintiff in the lawsuit. Her work includes representing victims of sexual violence who become pregnant, and Matsumoto said she now feels limited in what advice she can give to her clients, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported.
The panel of Ninth Circuit judges determined the law is not too vague to be enforced and does not violate the First Amendment rights of the advocacy organizations who filed the lawsuit.
However, they did affirm Grasham’s block on one ground. The panel held that the language in the law prohibiting “recruiting” activity to obtain an abortion is overly broad and unconstitutional “because it prohibits a substantial amount of protected expressive speech.” But the other aspects of the law that do not allow individuals to “harbor” or “transport” minors for an abortion can stand, according to the ruling.
One member of the panel, Judge Carlos Bea, partially dissented. He deemed the plaintiffs did not have proper standing to sue because they only sued the state attorney general, who lacks the authority to enforce the law unless one or more county prosecutors refuse to do so, and none have. Bea said he would reverse the district court injunction in full and order that the case be dismissed.
Plaintiffs and state of Idaho see victories
Wendy Heipt, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, told
the Idaho Capital Sun that overall she is pleased with the partial block of the law and is looking forward to continuing to litigate the case.
“As the court noted, ‘encouragement, counseling and emotional support are plainly protected speech,’ even when that speech happens in the ‘context of deciding whether to have an abortion,’” Heipt stated in a press release. “This decision is a significant victory for the plaintiffs, as it frees Idahoans to talk with pregnant minors about abortion health care.”
The plaintiffs have two weeks to decide if they want to appeal the Ninth Circuit ruling; but, if not, it will
return to district court so the case can proceed.
Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador also stated in a press release that the ruling is a “tremendous victory for Idaho and defending the rule of law as written by the people’s representatives.”
“Idaho’s laws were passed specifically to protect the life of the unborn and the life of the mother,” Labrador said. “Trafficking a minor child for an abortion without parental consent puts both in grave danger, and we will not stop protecting life in Idaho.”
A recap: What is Idaho’s ‘abortion trafficking law’?
The law, originally House
Bill 242, established the crime of “abortion trafficking,” the first law of its type in the nation. Since its passage, the Tennessee Legislature implemented a similar law, but a judge there has blocked its enforcement for now.
According to the law, “an adult who, with the intent to conceal an abortion from the parents or guardian of a pregnant, unemancipated minor, either procures an abortion ... or obtains an abortion inducing drug for the pregnant minor to use for an abortion by recruiting, harboring or transporting the pregnant minor within this state commits the crime of abortion trafficking.”
Those convicted of “abortion trafficking” would face a penalty between two to five years in prison.
States Newsroom reproductive rights reporter, Kelcie Moseley-Morris, contributed to this story.
This story was produced by Boise-based nonprofit news outlet the Idaho Capital Sun, which is part of the States Newsroom nationwide reporting project. For more information, visit idahocapitalsun.com.
KRFY kicks off week-long Community Radio Celebration
By Reader Staff
Panhandle Community Radio KRFY 88.5 FM is hosting an on-air Community Radio
Celebration from Monday, Dec. 9-Sunday, Dec. 15, showcasing the local programs and hosts that make the station possible.
Listeners are invited to tune in at 88.5 FM all week for special programming, interviews, live music and more, or stream it all at krfy.org.
Courtesy photo
Bouquets:
• Bouquets are in order to the city of Ponderay for their successful launch of The Rink presented by STCU. I’m impressed with the “stair-step” method of their approach to making this ice skating rink a reality. Instead of putting millions of dollars into hiring outside planners and developers for an unproven project, they started with a lower cost model to see what type of engagement they got and included the community every step of the way. If the engagement proves it a success, the next phase will involve a larger rink with more infrastructure, which city officials hope to pay for with a local option tax passed in the future. Hint, hint city of Sandpoint. Maybe this is the way?
• The holiday lighting in downtown Sandpoint looks spectacular, as always. Bouquets go out to the staff members responsible for installing and breaking down the lights every year.
Barbs (kinda):
• After all the controversy involving the way the city of Sandpoint pushed through the James E. Russell Sports Center during the former administration, I was a bit dismayed at the agenda item at the Dec. 4 Sandpoint City Council meeting, which called for city employees to receive free memberships to the center. That just doesn’t look good and had the potential to build up more resentment for the project. I’m all for businesses making it possible for their employees to live healthier lives, but this didn’t seem to be the way. I’m glad the council deliberated intelligently and voted against this idea.
Life is like a roll of toilet paper…
Dear editor,
I am not predisposed to write a treatise on how much faster the “Big Three” holidays arrive each year as one ages; but, in his special theory of relativity, Einstein determined that time is relative — in other words, the rate at which time passes depends on your frame of reference.
But, in my life, Thanksgiving, Christmas and the Fourth of July have arrived faster and faster in each of the past 30 years. As a child, up until high school, summers lasted a full three months or longer and each day had many more hours of sunlight than I have experienced in the previous 20 years or more. This past summer went by in what seemed like fewer than 50 days.
We read about a star being so many light years away, which is estimated to be 186,000 miles per second: unattainable because, approaching light speed, mass becomes infinite, as would the energy needed to move it.
Few of you reading this will have reached my age of 80, nor served in the military. But I leave you with this unforgettable vision: Life is like a giant roll of toilet paper. As you age it spins faster and faster. If squares are days or months, and if I am in a stall and you knock next to me, I may reply, at my age, “I’m sorry… I can’t spare a square.”
Try to have a good sense of humor, enjoy your youth and remember every day is special.
James Richard Johnson Clark Fork
Questioning Trump’s lack of respect for the transition of power…
Dear editor,
Every day, in every way, the president-elect makes it clear that he has no respect for the Constitution, Congress, the rule of law or any individuals with integrity or self respect. His refusal to abide by the laws and procedures for the seamless transition between the outgoing administration to the incoming is a clear signal that he believes he is above the law.
He has reason to believe that this may be true. Examples: twice acquitted of impeachment by GOP senators, several federal court rulings delaying due process through the voluminous obfuscations and
sideshow tactics by lawyers that only care about “billable hours,” plus the compliance of certain judges in Washington D.C. and Florida. Who, in the outgoing administration or Congress, has the guts to question his clear violation of the procedures of transition? There is fear that there is no one who will step forward and we, once again, will face political and economic chaos on a far grander scale than 2017 through 2021.
His first term was “flying by the seat of his pants’ “This upcoming term, the training wheels are off and he will do more damage than the first four years.
God save the republic.
Sandpoint
Who do we worship?…
Dear editor,
Since Christmas is upon us, maybe it is time to review who the Christ is: Jesus or Trump. We Christians have lost our way in the politics of grievance and hate — how about a rebirth of Jesus?
Jesus says turn the other cheek; Trump says do unto others before they do unto you.
Jesus provided a place for women at the table as disciples and even the first apostle; Trump has been convicted by the preponderance of the evidence of sexual assault and stoked the fears of Christians that a woman can’t be president.
Jesus said love your enemies; Trump has a hit list for his DOJ to attack his political enemies.
Jesus gathered the little children to him; Trump plans to tear U.S.-born children from their undocumented parents’ arms as he drags 11 million people into concentration camps.
Christians, any chance we can resurrect Jesus and worship him again?
Mary Haley Sandpoint
‘Protecting Trestle Creek’...
Dear editor,
It can be very expensive to do unwise things. Especially when doing so goes against the strong advice of science and the demonstrated will of the people!
So let us save Idaho Club and Valiant LLC lots of money and BUY the Trestle Creek property. By “us” I mean We the People of this area, The same folks who saved
COMMUNITY 208 Fiction writing contest now accepting submissions
Contest pays cash prizes to local writers
By Ben Olson Reader Staff
The Reader is now accepting submissions for the fourth annual 208 Fiction writing contest. This contest is open to writers living in Bonner and Boundary counties, and the winner receives a cash prize of $150.
The rules of 208 Fiction are simple: submitted stories need to be exactly 208 words long, not including the author’s name or the title of the story. Entries must be a work of fiction and the Reader must receive them no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025.
The first-, second- and third-place winners will see their stories published in the Jan. 9 edition of the Reader, along with honorable mentions.
Second place earns a $50 dining gift certificate and third place gets a $25 dining gift certificate.
The panel of judges include Reader Publisher Ben Olson, Editor-in-Chief Zach Hagadone and Staff
Pine Street Woods, the Sled Hill, the Panida and so much more. I propose a cooperative community effort involving Kaniksu Land Trust, the Tribes, and any groups or agencies involved with critical habitat conservation. Let the developers name the asking price and we negotiate! Let them also consider the tax deduction possibilities. Let’s do this!
Greg Flint Sandpoint
Writer Soncirey Mitchell.
Submit entries to stories@ sandpointreader.com and include the subject line “208 FICTION.” Writers are welcome to submit as many stories as they like, but each entry costs $5 to be considered. Send payment for entries to paypal.me/sandpointreader, or pay by check or cash at the Sandpoint Reader office, 111 Cedar St. Ste. #9, Sandpoint, ID 83864.
Please be sure to include your full name with payment. If no payment confirmation has been made by the deadline, stories will not be judged. Those with questions can email ben@ sandpointreader.com. Best of luck!
Gil Beyer
Emily Articulated
The holidays
By Emily Erickson Reader Columnist
What if “the holidays” were more than a handful of weeks — a series of events strung together like pearls at the end of a single year, full of spectacle, significance and meaning-making? What if, instead, The Holidays were a family — a group of people you’d visit once a year? Like, “I can’t make it this weekend, I’m going over to The Holidays’ for their annual dinner party.”
On your way to the party, you’d fuss over your outfit. Does this sweater say “festive” without being too “on the nose”? You’d practice your warmest hellos before pulling up to their sprawling manor house somewhere in Rhode Island. Out front, a sleigh with chrome skis and a decal reading The Ho Ho 3000 would sit on the still-green lawn. It would strike you as odd — there isn’t even snow on the ground yet.
But you’d knock on the door anyway and be greeted by a plump woman in an “It’s Gobble Time” T-shirt and a flour-dusted apron. She’d smile warmly, looking down at you from above her double chin.
“You’re looking a bit peaky,” she’d comment, tugging you inside before you could protest. Everyone in the room would know her as Aunty Thanksgiving, but to you, she’s just “Thanny.”
Thanny would be flanked by her live-in boyfriends — conjoined twins Black Friday and Cyber
Monday. “Fri” and “Cy,” as they’re known. They’d flash you identical smiles with a hunger lurking just behind their eyes. Before you could slip away, they’d corner you
near the foyer.
“You seem tired. Are you sleeping OK?” Fri would ask, his voice oozing with concern.
Cy, always eager to finish his brother’s pitch, would chime in: “Lucky for you, we’ve got a deal on Thermarest mattresses — this weekend only!”
Together, they’d chant in unison, like a late-night infomercial: “Save $300 on the mattress that will improve your sleep, fix your relationship, boost your health, increase your libido, change your world!”
You’d rush to the bathroom, throwing a hasty “Thanks, I’ll think about it!” over your shoulder, just as a promo code slips under the door. The twins’ footsteps would retreat, leaving you alone to catch your breath.
Back in the sitting room, the rest of the family would be gathered. Your eyes would find the twins again, now seated beside Father Christmas himself. He’d be larger than life, sprawled across a loveseat, his booming voice echoing through the room: “Consumer spending is at an all-time high!” He’d pat the twins on the back. “And I owe it all to you two.”
“If only I could get the
elves to quit this unionizing nonsense,” he’d mutter, making sure everyone could hear. “They’re starting to whine about benefits, health and dental — like job security and ‘holiday cheer’ aren’t enough!”
He’d chuckle mischievously, adding, “I can probably get by with milk and cookies in the breakroom, and a few ‘We’re a family’s” for another year or two, though.”
From the corner, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa would exchange conspiratorial whispers, their glances darting toward Father Christmas.
“He doesn’t even use real candles,” Hanukkah would huff.
“What’s so great about one night of presents?” Kwanzaa would murmur in agreement, shaking his head.
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day would round out the group. Eve, clad in a sequined gown and already three glasses of champagne deep, would be spinning solo in the center of the room.
“Can we turn the music up?” she’d slur, glow sticks flashing from her wrists. “It’s almost midnight somewhere!”
Day, standing off to the side in a full lycra workout set, would watch like she was witnessing a car crash. Sipping on a green juice, she’d ask if you’d read anything meaningful lately. Without waiting for an answer, she’d launch into a monologue about her meditation practice. “It’s never too late to become a new you.”
You’d glance around the room at this strange, dysfunctional family of holidays, each carrying their own quirks, contradictions and emotional weight. And you’d think of your own family, your own traditions, and the effort
it takes to hold on to what truly matters — even when the world outside demands spectacle or a one-size-fits-all celebration.
In the end, maybe the holidays are just like this family: a messy, imperfect gathering of moments, expectations and traditions. But perhaps that’s their beauty — not in the grandeur of the season, but in the simple act of showing up, year after year, with all our flaws and hopes, and building something meaningful together.
Because meaning isn’t something we stumble upon, fully wrapped, bowed and waiting under a tree. It’s something we create — piece by piece, moment by moment — with the people we care about most.
Emily Erickson is a writer and business owner with an affinity for black coffee and playing in the mountains. Connect with her online at www.bigbluehat.studio.
Retroactive
By BO
Emily Erickson.
Science: Mad about
By Molly Madrid Reader Contributor
Everyone is familiar with the saying: “Fact is stranger than fiction.” Perhaps, instead, we should focus on how strange writers of fiction tend to be.
Frank Herbert was an iconic science fiction author who still holds a huge place in the hearts of millions of readers. But did you know that his inspiration for the sacred spice in his masterpiece Dune was based on psychoactive mushrooms?
Yep, he was tripping on real-life melange.
Whether that can allow someone to transcend space and time is debatable. Was Herbert just a crazy old hippie, or did he incorporate real scientific knowledge into his universe? Let’s look into his world with the curiosity one might imagine seeing through the otherworldly blue-withinblue eyes of a Fremen.
We’ll begin by inspecting the great and powerful sandworms that hold such a central place in the Dune mythos. Despite these creatures being colossal, they share characteristics similar to those of minuscule organisms here on Earth called nematodes.
The sandworms in the Dune-verse are described to reach approximately 400 meters in length, or about the length of four football fields. Nematodes, however, typically range from being microscopic to nearly 10 meters in length. Both sandworms and some nematodes exude chemical compounds that can have potent effects on themselves, their environment and other organisms to which
dune
they’re exposed. The fascinating part is that these chemicals increase their lifespan and can offer health benefits to other nearby creatures.
Another iconic aspect of Dune is the strange outfits worn and manufactured by the desert people of Arrakis. These outfits are called stillsuits because they distill the body’s water. The Fremen could not survive the harsh climate of their planet without these suits, much like astronauts can’t survive the vacuum of space without their space suits.
The comparison might sound silly, but you’d be surprised by the parallels between these two garments. As it turns out, some space suits have a filtration system that can recycle urine into drinking water. What’s more, space scientists were inspired to create those upgrades directly from Dune. Akin to his contemporaries, Herbert was way ahead of his time and even further ahead of the scientific research of 1965.
Astronauts also wear a cooling under-suit featuring inter-woven tubes that circulate water throughout the body, similar to a stillsuit. The nose piece attached to the fictional stillsuit is for absorbing any additional moisture from respiration, rather than acting as a form of respiratory filtration. Who knows, maybe that will be a new addition to space suits when we send crewed missions to other planets?
Now, let’s get into Holtzman shields. Holtzman shields are wearable force fields that protect warriors in battle from fast-moving projectiles. However, they aren’t
immune to penetration by slow-moving and sharp objects, such as knives and swords. Herbert created a fictional scientific phenomenon called “The Holtzman Effect” to add a sense of realism to the invention of these shields. This effect is not fully explained, but is essentially described as the “negative repelling reaction of a shield generator.”
Modern bulletproof vests operate on a similar principle to Holtzman shields, because they can also protect the individual wearer from fast-moving projectiles by dispersing energy across multiple ceramic fragments that splinter inside of the vest, effectively subdividing the impact force across multiple surfaces.
Perhaps “The Holtzman Effect” is still waiting to be discovered.
And we can’t talk about the sci-fi epic Dune without addressing Herbert’s primary influence, which hits pretty close to home for us Pacific Northwesterners. Herbert witnessed “terraforming” taking place near Florence, Ore., after sand dunes from the Coast Mountains threatened to cover up a whole lot of civilization. Loose sediment was broken down by the erosive forces of wind and water over time and carried downhill into new biomes. To remedy this, ecologists conjured a plan to “terraform” the landscape. This was accomplished by planting trees, bushes and beachgrass directly into the sandy plains, and the latticed roots of these plants acted as a form of subterranean netting to halt the effects of erosion.
Herbert had the opportunity to speak to the ecol-
ogists involved and drew on their expertise for his novel on a much grander scale.
The generational project of the Fremen to transform their world of sand into a lush green paradise closely mirrored the techniques used during the terraforming project in Oregon. Dr. Liet Kynes, the ecologist in Dune, states: “The highest function of ecology is the understanding of consequences.”
Nature is an elaborate and interconnected system, and all systems operate through cause and effect. When humanity learns to steer nature, we can gain control of specific outcomes to a certain
degree. We must understand the consequences of our actions as a whole in order to truly coexist with nature and thrive as a species.
One of the most influential science fiction series may never have seen the light of day without the input of real-life ecologists and their diligent work in preserving the natural world.
Next time you read a book about distant planets such as Arrakis and strange creatures like the sandworms, allow your mind to open as if it has been altered by spice and choose to contemplate the truth beyond fiction.
Stay curious, 7B.
Random Corner
• First there was Black Friday, then Cyber Monday. Now Gray Thursday? The day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, was traditionally one of the heaviest shopping days of the year. Retail outlets began offering big sales to entice even more customers, which in turn has led to shoving stampedes and annual ridicule in the media. Then, Cyber Monday started to offer discounts on the Monday after Thanksgiving for online shoppers. For the past 15 years, megastores have embraced a new trend: Gray Thursday, which might be better known by the name, “Thanksgiving.”
• The first store to kick off Gray Thursday was K-Mart in 2009, when the company opened its doors at 8 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, giving shoppers extra hours of bargain hunting before Black Friday began. Other megastores followed suit and now it’s a phenomenon that has generated hand-wringing along with additional profits.
• According to Urban Dictionary, the term “Gray Thursday” refers to the moral gray area involved with supplanting a major family holiday like Thanksgiving with another shopping spectacle that forces employees to spend the day away from their own families to work for megastores to add more profits. Other sources say “Gray Thursday” refers to Black Friday “bleeding” into Thanksgiving.
• In 2012, Target employee Casey St. Clair started a petition to challenge the retailer’s CEO to preserve the holiday, which gathered about 200,000 signatures. “Every year the opening gets earlier and earlier,” St. Clair said. “Before long, we will be open all day on Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a day about families, and giving thanks for what we have got. There are a lot of single parents at Target. This just ruins the holiday for them.” Target opened its doors nonetheless.
Top left: Photographer Karen Hempstead noticed this “sky waterfall” while hiking with Betsy Murdock near Green Bay. “Not sure what causes this phenomenon,” Hempstead wrote.
Top right: “No time to take off his boots... it’s time to read this week’s Reader!” wrote photographer Barbara McLongstreet of her husband Scott.
Bottom left: A favorite tree at Sandpoint City Beach. “I hope those overseeing the remodel down there are smart enough to protect this tree,” wrote photographer Ron Bedford.
Restless ideologues tilting at windmills
By Ben Olson Reader Staff
I read a story once about a woman who constantly rearranged the furniture inside her home. Every few days or so, she’d try the couch on the other side of the room, shuffle the TV stand into a different corner and rotate the rug 90 degrees. She’d try silverware in a different drawer, or switch around the cups and plates from cupboard to cupboard.
She drove her family and neighbors insane in the process. Her husband would return home from work and try to hang his hat on the rack by the door, but it would fall to the floor since the hat rack now stood by the fireplace. The kitchen was filled with sounds of cupboards and drawers banging open and closed while her children searched in vain for a dinner plate and a fork. The constant sound of furniture scraping on the hardwood floor led to her neighbors glaring instead of smiling at her in passing.
For her, the constant rearranging wasn’t a restless annoyance, but an attempt to tweak the dials until everything finally clicked into place and became perfect. For her family, it was an irksome change for change’s sake that left everyone feeling discombobulated and resentful, wishing that they could just relax instead of always shuffling the furniture around.
That character made me think of some of our more ideological elected officials in Idaho, who always seem to be “rearranging the furniture” of the state’s laws to better suit their personal desires. Notably, I’m thinking of outgoing Dist. 1 Sen. Scott Herndon, who has spent way too much time tilting at windmills over the past decade.
There was his yearslong effort to
sue the city of Sandpoint because it leased publicly owned War Memorial Field to the Festival at Sandpoint, which has a no-weapons policy at its concerts. The lawsuit ultimately failed, but not before costing Bonner County taxpayers more than $300,000 in the process. Herndon appealed the decision to the Idaho Supreme Court, but failed again, the court holding that the lease between the city and the Festival was valid and the Festival — as a private tenant — had the authority to limit who visited the premises of the leasehold. Out of spite, Herndon used his Senate seat to pass a law earlier this year that imposes a number of limitations on the rights of leaseholders of public property regarding the prohibition of weapons. To tweak a borrowed phrase: “If you can’t beat them, pass laws to ensure you don’t lose again.”
Before that, Herndon’s biggest bugaboo was his identity as an “abortion abolitionist,” which compelled him to haunt farmers’ markets or sidewalks outside public school buildings holding giant images of aborted fetuses and engaging with everyone — adults or children — about his view on the topic.
Imagine seeing one of those street urchins holding a sign that reads, “The end is near!” and realizing several years later that the nutter was elected to represent your district at the Statehouse. That only begins to describe Idaho politics.
Now, in his final weeks as an elected official, Herndon has donned his cardboard helmet and launched yet another Quixotic effort, this time to declare outgoing Dist. 1 Bonner County Commissioner Steve Bradshaw’s seat “vacant” just weeks before the latter’s term of office expires in January.
(To read the news report on this
story, go to Page 4.)
This political stunt to oust Bradshaw exemplifies Herndon’s shrewd, pedantic nature to insert himself and his politics into every situation possible. In other words, he’s moving the furniture around again.
Poor Scott, the big red wave broke over the entire country and he was left high and dry on the beach after losing his seat in the primary to Jim Woodward. Now, Herndon returns to his fiefdom as chair of the Bonner County Republican Central Committee, where he reigns over the precinct committeemen like some kind of feudal lord.
After reporting on the BCRCC special meeting Nov. 19, it was clear to me that this is exactly how Herndon views himself: As a benevolent king who is duty-bound to move the furniture around, whether his subjects want it or not.
It was downright embarrassing watching Herndon trot several other individuals into the room to provide testimony that supported his personal assertion that Bradshaw was no longer a resident in Idaho. When some committeemen opposed Herndon’s unilateral move to send three names to the governor to fill Bradshaw’s seat, he simply shut them down and proceeded to the nomination process, claiming that his hands were tied because Idaho Code forced his actions.
The BCRCC promptly sent three nominations to the governor’s office, but not before three committeemen penned a letter outlining the improper way in which this process had played out.
The governor’s office replied with a letter that kicked it over to the Bonner County Commissioners to determine whether a vacancy does or does not presently exist. Which is hilarious in itself because, as a commissioner, Bradshaw would have
tasked with voting on whether he was vacant or not. It’s like a coroner asking a dead body to raise their hand if they’re really dead.
What it comes down to is Herndon trying to settle a score with Bradshaw at the 11th hour. Herndon hides behind his “duty” to follow Idaho Code, but in a letter to the governor’s office he lamented the fact that, “Unfortunately, in the case of county commissioners, there is no authority designated in Idaho Code to declare the position vacant by reason of changing one’s residency out of the district, county or state.”
It’s fair to say that Herndon obsessed over sticking it to Bradshaw, admitting that he’d, “visited Mr. Bradshaw’s former property approximately 10 times in the last two weeks,” to knock on the door to see if anyone was home.
Dude, he’s just not that into you.
For his part, Bradshaw has provided some hilarious responses to the governor’s office regarding Herndon’s actions, including this little number: “I have not resigned nor do I have any intention of doing so. Mr. Herndon has been a thorn in the side since I trespassed him from my church and campaigned against him. This is nothing more than a Narcissist refusing to come back down to reality.”
The amount of paperwork and time Herndon has put into this vindictive move to oust Bradshaw tracks with the wasted motions he’ll make everyone endure just so he can flex his muscles. What’s really at stake isn’t quite so funny, as Herndon has attempted to position the BCRCC as some sort of politburo that has the power to oust duly elected officials as it sees fit.
The chef’s kiss came from Gov. Little’s press secretary Joan Varsek just before deadline, who replied to Reader Staff Writer Soncirey Mitchell’s questions about the matter: “The Governor’s Office has no appointment to consider because our office has not received a letter of resignation from Commissioner Bradshaw and the Bonner County Commission has not taken a position on the existence of a vacancy.”
Game, set, match.
My advice to Herndon? Get a hobby, sir, and stop moving around the furniture.
Illustration by G.A. Harker.
Misinformation about immigrants conceals agenda to hurt all Idahoans
By Rep. Lauren Necochea, D-Boise Reader Contributor
One thing I’ll miss as I retire from the Legislature is receiving emails from people across the state. They help me keep my fingers on the pulse of Idaho. When we get a dump of emails generated by an advocacy group, it gives us valuable intel about the campaigns they are running to inform (or misinform) voters. Currently, a group is sowing resentment and division to undermine public investments helping every Idaho community.
The form emails pouring in express opposition to “welfare payments” for unauthorized immigrants. The problem? Unauthorized immigrants aren’t eligible for safety net support like Medicaid expansion, food stamps or child care assistance.
The political group behind the emails doesn’t have an immigration plan, so what is their agenda? At its core, their goal is to end public sector investments in the safety net, privatize and ultimately defund K-12 education, and close our public universities and colleges.
Their allegiance to the “free market” is so extreme that they shrug away problems like high costs for families or employers unable to find the skilled workers they need. They are unbothered when the free market alone fails to magically make medical care, child care, homes, groceries or other necessities affordable because they don’t see these problems as worth solving.
Meanwhile, Idaho voters want solutions that work with a free market so that working families can climb up to the middle class and beyond.
In Idaho, 73% of voters want to keep Medicaid expansion in place and a majority support investments in preschool, child care and career training so that the next generation of Idahoans can get good jobs with good wages. These investments are building blocks for a strong econo-
my with thriving families.
Since this far-right activist group’s agenda is deeply unpopular, it resorts to scapegoating. A good analogy is imagining a town’s neighborhood swimming pool. It’s wildly popular, but the free-market hardliners want to shut it down. They can’t convince the townspeople that the swimming pool is bad, so they try to convince them that undeserving people enjoy it. If they succeed in their campaign and the town drains the pool, everyone suffers.
The fact is that unauthorized immigrants pay payroll taxes (including contributions to Medicare and Social Security, which they are barred from receiving), sales taxes and property taxes. Because they’re ineligible for many programs, they pay more in taxes than they receive in benefits. But far-right activists won’t say this, as it conflicts with their plan to sow resentment and exploit it to cancel smart investments for everyone.
Resentment and division only weaken us. We must not give in and must hold firm on solutions that benefit all Idahoans.
Rep. Lauren Necochea is the outgoing House assistant Democratic leader, representing District 19 in Boise on the Environment, Energy and Technology; Resources and Conservation; Revenue and Taxation; and Ways and Means committees.
Rep. Lauren Necochea. File photo
Museum offers ‘Hands-On History’ activities for kids
By Ben Olson Reader Staff
For many young kids, history is just another subject in school, requiring them to memorize the names of longdead people and the dates in which they did something notable. The Bonner County History Museum is hoping to change that opinion with Hands-On History, an ongoing program aimed at allowing children the opportunity to connect with the past in an intuitive, fun way.
Hands-On History is a part of the museum’s monthly Free First Saturday, when patrons can enter the museum free of charge. This month’s event falls on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The program is spearheaded by Carlie Johanson, a mother of young children and a lover of history.
“One of the problems of walking into a museum with young children is that they immediately want to touch everything,” Johanson said.
That led her to exploring how to create a culture in the museum where little ones were not only welcome, but there was a space and place provided for them to play.
The program launched last summer with outside activities like digging in sandpits for artifacts, as well as a mud kitchen where kids could pretend to be early settlers and make fake mud recipes, picking ingredients from the arboretum.
“It was imaginative play that gave kids a glimpse at what it would be like if you lived here before houses and grocery stores,” Johanson said.
When winter came, Johanson thought she’d put the program on hold until next summer, but the historical society staff told her they were excited to try the program inside the museum.
“We’re going to have really fun activities, some even geared for kids as young as 2 years old,” she said.
At the upcoming Hands-On History, there will be a station set up with white Play-Doh for children to create snowy landscapes. Another station will be dedicated to creating Swedish Dala horses, a traditional Nordic Christmastime ornament.
“We had a lot of Swedish settlers in this region, so this would have been an ornament kids in Sandpoint would have made,” she said.
Finally, a hollowed-out tree trunk made by Lake Pend Oreille Repertory Theatre will be transformed into a miniature scene, featuring wooden train sets for young kids to imagine train scenarios.
“We’re going to connect it to how trains are a really important part of Sandpoint history,” Johanson said. “They’ll get to wear conductor hats and have free play, while we add little tidbits of Sandpoint history.”
All are invited to participate in Hands-On History free of charge.
“Come spend an hour or 15 minutes,” Johanson said. “Come with your family and check it out.”
Photo by Carlie Johanson
BY THE NUMBERS
By Ben Olson Reader Staff
180%
The increase in deaths from obesity-related heart disease in the U.S. from 1999 to 2020. Among men, the rate jumped from 2.1 deaths per 100,000 people to 7.2 — an increase of 243%.
$321
The amount the average person will spend over the five-day shopping spree from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday. An estimated 197 million people shopped during the five-day period this year — the second-highest number since the National Retail Federation started keeping track. (The highest was 2023, with 200.4 million shoppers.)
$605,371
The median real estate price of a home in Bonner County, according to Selkirk MLS. For a comparison, the average home price in 2019 was $340,000, marking a 78% increase in just five years.
$7.25/hour
The federal minimum wage rate, which has remained unchanged since 2009. For comparison, the median real estate price for a home at the time was around $200,000.
$925,985 out of $1.1 million
Of the $1.1 million in out-of-state money spent during Idaho’s 2024 primary election, $925,985 was spent opposing candidates versus $187,649 of out-of-state money spent supporting candidates. By contrast, the instate campaign finance money spent in support of a candidate totaled almost $1.5 million, while $795,634 was spent in opposition.
Homebound Outreach: Bringing the library to your front door
By Soncirey Mitchell Reader Staff
Sandpoint loves its branch of the East Bonner County Library for its inviting atmosphere, kind staff and vast array of books, movies and other resources, but few know that its reach goes beyond the walls of 1407 Cedar St.
For more than 20 years, the Homebound Outreach program has been bringing the library to residents throughout the district, so that anyone who can’t access the building or bookmobile — whether due to physical disability, illness or temporary health needs — can still access its resources.
“This ongoing initiative ensures that those who are homebound can still enjoy the joys of reading, watching or listening to the library’s catalog. The service offers a personalized experience for each patron,” said Homebound Outreach Coordinator Kim Bevers.
Staff members work with the indi-
vidual to curate a unique collection and will even request items that the library doesn’t currently own. They also teach patrons how to access the library’s online catalog, place holds on desired items and more.
“For homebound patrons, we assign two totes to each person. One tote is filled with library materials tailored to their preferences, while the second tote is used to return any borrowed materials,” said Bevers.
Library staff visit each individual’s home to drop off and pick up items, and strive to reach people wherever they are — even at the edges of the library district. All materials currently come from the Sandpoint branch; but, if they get enough requests, Bever hopes to work in the future with the Clark Fork branch as well.
“As long as we have the staff and the time to do it, we’re just going to keep going,” she said.
For those in assisted living facilities, the staff also delivers “four or five crates” of music, movies and books based on questionnaires filled out by the patrons. The hand-selected offerings also cater to people with certain health issues, such as demen-
tia and hearing or vision loss, that affect how they’re able to interact with different media.
“Audiobooks, movies and beautiful picture books help these individuals pass the time and continue to engage with the world of literature,” said Bevers. Winter weather makes it even more difficult for patrons to get out and about, so Homebound Outreach has partnered with the Sandpoint Senior Center’s Meals on Wheels program this year to distribute pamphlets and spread the word about the resource.
“If you or someone you know may qualify for this service, please reach out,” Bevers said. “Homebound Outreach is available to individuals with a physical disability preventing them from leaving their homes, whether temporarily or permanently, and who do not have friends or family available to assist with the delivery of materials.”
For more information, contact Kim Bevers at 208-994-3722 or call the Sandpoint branch of the East Bonner County Library at 208-263-6930 ext. 8039.
The library at the Bridge Assisted Living facility. Courtesy photo
Sandpoint Teen Center Receives $10,000 grant from 101 Women
By Reader Staff
Local philanthropic organization
101 Women Sandpoint announced the recipient of its 2024 fall grant cycle, awarding $10,000 to the Sandpoint Teen Center.
The nonprofit Sandpoint Teen Center provides a safe and engaging environment where teens can socialize and participate in activities that foster leadership, interpersonal skills and community awareness. With a focus on creating positive experiences, the center offers programs designed to enrich teens’ lives and build confidence.
With growing attendance, the center now operates from two locations: the First Lutheran Church (526 S. Olive St.) and two portable classrooms located behind Sandpoint Middle School (310 S. Division Ave.).
Funding from 101 Women will support the Teen Center’s mission of “empowering local teenagers to develop the skills and qualities needed to become tomorrow’s leaders,” ac-
cording to a news release. Specifically, the grant is intended to help the organization continue to offer vital after-school services, including healthy snacks, hot meals prepared through its culinary development program, academic support, and teenled projects and activities.
101 Women supports Bonner County nonprofits through grant monies collected by pooling donations from members. Each year, the group awards two $10,000 grants to deserving organizations. Finalists are selected through a process that includes grant application reviews and site visits, followed by a group vote.
Finalists included Project 7B and the Selkirk Conservation Alliance. Find out more about those organizations at project7b.org and scawild.org, respectively.
To learn more about the Sandpoint Teen Center, visit sandpointteencenter.com. For more info on 101 Women Sandpoint, their grant opportunities or to find out how to become a member, go to 101womensandpoint.com.
Sandpoint Teen Center employees and mentors join 101 Women Board and Grant Committee members for a check presentation. Courtesy photo.
COMMUNITY
Shop local at the Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church annual Christmas craft fair
By Reader Staff
Embrace the holiday spirit at the Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church annual Christmas craft fair, scheduled to take place Saturday, Dec. 7 and and Sunday, Dec. 8 at 601 S Lincoln Ave., in Sandpoint.
The event will run from 9:30 a.m.1 p.m. each day, and feature an array of handcrafted gifts, decorations and seasonal treats made by local artisans and crafters — including items ranging from original watercolors, handmade jewelry, hair shimmers and holiday decorations, to artisanal soaps, cards, crocheted and knitted
items, and farmers’ market-baked and canned goods.
“Shoppers can support the local economy while finding special, oneof-a-kind gifts that can’t be found in traditional retail stores,” organizers stated in a press release, also promising, “A warm, festive atmosphere perfect for a family outing.”
Lunch consisting of homemade soup and rolls will be served from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., and seasonal treats will be available for purchase.
For more information, contact Sandy Babin at sababin10@gmail.com or 208-946-1743.
Audition call for spring production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
By Reader Staff
Sandpoint’s newest theater company Honey Pearl Productions is hosting auditions for its debut performance of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the First Lutheran Church (526 S. Olive Ave., in Sandpoint).
Available roles are offered for adults and children aged 8 and older.
Auditions begin at 2 p.m. and those interested in signing up for a time slot can find more information at honeypearlproductions.com/auditions.
For UntoY’all,ACountryChristmas plays at Circle Moon Theatre
By Reader Staff
Newport’s own Northwoods Performing Arts will get into the holiday spirit with its upcoming performances of For Unto Y’all, A Country Christmas, a nontraditional retelling of the birth of Christ.
The curtain rises at 7:30 p.m. at Circle Moon Theatre (3642-4112, WA-211, Newport, Wash.)
The retelling of the classic Christmas narrative is set in the town of Nazareth, Wyo., and features spiritual chorale music alongside new, knee-slappin’ tunes.
The Dec. 6 show includes a mandatory sit-down dinner of prime rib for $45 per person. For $35, add a 6:30 p.m. dinner to any other show night, or opt for the “Show Only” ticket for $14. Seniors and children get in for $12.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit northwoodsperformingarts.com.
Amid the good news, FAS appeals for property donation to relocate Summer Concert Series
By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff
The Festival at Sandpoint recently released its annual report for 2024, providing an overview of the fiscal year’s accomplishments and economic data on revenues and expenses.
According to the report, the nonprofit arts organization brought in $2,529,310 in FY 2024, with 71% of revenues coming from programs, 23% from fundraising, 3% from other sources and 2% from grants. Expenses for the year totaled $1,256,943 — with 71% spent on programs, 28% on administration and 1% on fundraising — for a positive balance of $372,367.
Compared to the 2023 report, that’s a $98,578 increase year over year.
“A stellar series lineup featuring multiple Grammy winners spurred record ticket sales and sponsorships during our 2024 Summer Series,” stated FAS Executive Director Ali Baranski in a news release.
In particular, the Aug. 4 presentation of “How to Train Your Dragon — In Concert” was the highest-attended Grand Finale in the history of the Festival. That was due in part to the increase in the organization’s ticket outreach efforts, which this year leveraged support from the Innovia Foundation to work with schools and other local organizations on providing 200 free Grand Finale tickets for underserved community members, individuals with special needs, seniors and veterans.
Also in partnership with Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors and The National Parks, the Festival distributed 300 free tickets to the bands’ July 28 performance to teachers, nurses, EMTs, firefighters, police, veterans and active duty military members.
In addition, the 2024 season featured the largest-ever performance by the Festival at Sandpoint Orchestra, which includes more than 70 musicians from across the region.
The Festival underscored the expansion of its year-round music education programs, including its partnership with Lake Pend Oreille School District’s sixth-grade band program to provide instruments for beginning music students. This year, the organization made 14 trombones available to the district as
part of its Instrument Library, benefiting more than 300 students at seven local elementary schools.
Meanwhile, the Festival awarded scholarships totaling $9,250 to six students in recognition of their musical and artistic achievements, and to support their further education.
Finally, FAS completed the third year of its Pre-K Outreach programming at Little Lambs and Selkirk School, while expanding to Huckleberry Montessori. The series of free, in-class lessons are geared toward engaging students through rhythm, movement and song, according to the Festival.
Of particular note in the annual report, the Festival put out a call to the community for the donation of property in order to relocate the concert series from War Memorial Field, which has been its venue since 1983.
“Your contribution could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Festival at Sandpoint, providing a permanent home for arts and culture in Sandpoint and the surrounding communities of the Inland Northwest,” the report stated, inviting anyone with property available for donation to email donate@festivalatsandpoint.com.
Finding a new location for the Festival’s signature event has been a priority since the installation of artificial turf at War Memorial Field in 2020, which added considerable costs to the organization.
“Unfortunately, the most unsustainable variable of FAS’s current operations remains at War Memorial Field,” the Festival stated in both its 2021 and 2022 annual reports. “With $150,000 of FAS’s annual budget now being spent on protecting the artificial turf, FAS has started the process of looking for a new permanent home.”
According to a study commissioned in 2022 and released in the spring of
2023, the Festival generates a direct economic impact of $3.8 million on Bonner County; more than $233,000 in city of Sandpoint, county and state taxes; and creates 37 full-time equivalent jobs throughout Sandpoint.
“We are so honored by the exceptional support from our community for the Festival’s 41st Annual Summer Series,” Baranski stated. “The generosity of our volunteers, donors, sponsors, partners and fans is truly humbling and what makes living in this region and
the Festival so special.”
The Festival at Sandpoint will hold its annual meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10 from 5- 6 p.m. at the FAS office (525 Pine St., in Sandpoint). The meeting is open to the public. To learn more and read the 2024 annual report, visit festivalatsandpoint.com/ annual-reports.
Photo by Racheal Baker
Christmas Card Making Class
5:30-7:30pm @ Barrel 33
Led by Nicole Black. Make your own personal holiday stamp. $65
Bingo
6-8pm @ Idaho Pour Authority
Send event listings to calendar@sandpointreader.com
THURSDAY, december 5
CREATE Holiday Artists’ Shop (Dec. 5-8)
10am-5:30pm @ CREATE (Newport, Wash.)
Diverse holiday art mediums for sale
Game Night 6:30pm @ Tervan
Live Music w/ Bright Moments Jazz
6-8pm @ Baxter’s on Cedar
Live Music w/ Benny Baker & Ali Thomas
7-9pm @ 219 Lounge
Live Music w/ John Daffron
5:30-8:30pm @ Barrel 33
Live Music w/ Sheldon Packwood
6-8pm @ Smokesmith BBQ
Live Music w/ Hot Cheetos
5pm @ Connie’s Lounge
Live Music w/ Ron Keiper Trio
5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery
Live auction (proceeds go to the VFW)
5:30pm @ Sandpoint Eagles Club
Live Music w/ Left on 10th 9pm-midnight @ 219 Lounge Portland-based party band with horns and a ton of fun going on
Live Music w/ Mobius Riff
5:30-8:30pm @ Barrel 33
Live Music w/ Tim G.
6-9pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall
Live Music w/ Chris Paradis
6-8pm @ Baxter’s on Cedar
Live Music w/ A.P. Collective
5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery
Live Music w/ Kyle Swafford
6pm @ Connie’s Lounge
St. Joseph’s Catholic Christmas Craft Fair
9:30am-1pm @ St. Joseph’s Church
Monday Night Blues Jam w/ John Firshi 7pm @ Eichardt’s Pub
Hands-On History — Free First Saturday 10am-2pm @ Bonner Co. History Museum
Imaginative play and hands-on activities for kids aged two and up
St. Joseph’s Catholic Christmas Craft Fair
9am-4pm @ St. Joseph’s Church, Sandpoint Handcrafted gifts and seasonal treats
Santa Claus comes to Super Drug 10am-2pm @ Sandpoint Super Drug Photos, warm drinks, snacks
Festival of Trees: Gala & Live Auction
5:30-10pm @ The Hive
The most glamorous holiday event of the season, hosted at a new location
Sandpoint Chess Club
Friends of the Library monthly book sale 10am-2pm @ Sandpoint Library Half off / two for one sale on all items not specially priced. Also three working computers for sale at a bargain
Open Mic sponsored by the Library
5:30-7:30pm @ Evans Brothers Coffee Music, poetry, storytelling, comedy and more. All are welcome Christmas with the Gothard Sisters
7:30pm @ Panida Theater
Christmas carols, Celtic tunes, Irish dancing and more. Panida.org for tix
SunDAY, december 8
9am @ Evans Brothers Coffee Meets every Sunday at 9am
Outdoor Experience Group Run 6pm @ Outdoor Experience
3-5 miles, all levels welcome
tuesDAY, december 10
Twos-Day $2 pints 3-8pm@ Utara Brewing Co.
Live Piano w/ Daniel Hughes
5-7pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery
December 5 - 12, 2024
Morning Run with Katie 8:15am @ Pine Street Woods
Join KLT Executive Director Katie Cox on a morning run in the forest
Build a Friction Fire with Brianna 4pm @ Big Red Shed (Pine Street Woods) Build a primitive friction fire. All ages
Ladies Night at Woods Wheatcroft studio 4-7pm @ Woods Wheatcroft art studio
Come on down and explore the gallery space. All artwork 50% off
Meet local artists and local gift shopping 4-7pm @ Misty Mountain Furniture
Meet local artists and find unique gifts for under $100
Holiday Spectacular Radio Show: KRFY 7-9pm @ Sandpoint Community Hall
See Page 23 for more info
Ladies Night at The Winery
7:30pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery
$500 winner announced at 7:30pm with champagne toast
Pop Up Art Show with Holly Walker 10am-4pm @ Woods Wheatcroft art studio
Original pieces hand-crafted right here in Sandpoint
Open auditions for The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe play
2pm @ First Lutheran Church Available roles offered to adults and children 8 and older. Sign up here: honeypearlproductions.com/auditions
Sandpoint Lions Christmas Craft Fair 10am-4pm @ Sandpoint Lions Club
Foster’s Crossing Holiday Open House 10am-5pm @ Foster’s Crossing
Seahawks-Cardinals Watch Party 1pm @ Utara Brewing Co.
A Danceworks Christmas 7pm @ Danceworks, 409 N. Fourth Ave. Their winter showcase
Collage Night at Woods Wheatcroft studio • 5:30-7:30pm @ Woods Wheatcroft art studio
This has become a community shindig. Get your creative juices flowing. Supplies and instruction provided. BYOB drink and snacks. $20 drop in. Check @woodswheatcroftstudiogallery on Instagram for more details
wednesDAY, december 11
A Celtic Christmas w/ Everdream
7:30pm @ Panida Theatere
Christmas songs and Irish tunes. $25
Game Night
6:30pm @ Tervan Tavern
Live Piano w/ Peter Lucht 5-7pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery
A Taste of Tango • 5-8pm @ Barrel 33 Learn Argentine Tango, $15
Live Trivia — $5 7pm @ Connie’s Lounge
Allegro Dance Studio presents The Nutcracker
By Soncirey Mitchell Reader Staff
Allegro Dance Studio performers have been practicing tirelessly for the third annual presentation of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, returning Friday, Dec. 13 for four full-length shows at the Panida Theater (300 N. First Ave.).
The Christmas magic begins with opening night at 7 p.m. The Saturday, Dec. 14 shows are at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., followed by a Sunday, Dec. 15 performance at 2 p.m. Tickets are $35-$40, depending on the seat, and available at allegrodancestudio.org/events.
“There isn’t another ballet like it. Even after 130 years, it still captivates audiences with the music, dancing, storyline
of adventure and fantasy all rolled into one, making The Nutcracker a significant part of the holiday season,” said Artistic Director and Choreographer Devyn Vaughan-Jolley.
This year, Vaughan-Jolley will not only debut new costumes and choreography but also two new, surprise roles, bringing something unexpected to the well-known Christmas classic.
The ballet features live music and performances from Jane Hughes as Clara; Estella Simmons as Clara’s brother Fritz; Katherine Mellander as the Sugar Plum Fairy; Elsa Reilly and Piper Davis as The Nutcracker and The Nutcracker Prince, respectively; Mike Wojack as Drosselmeyer; Cora Barcklay as the Rat Queen; Ady Jolley as the Dew
Drop Fairy and Lilah Kuhn as the Eastern Princess.
Keep an eye out for “Waltz Of The Snowflakes,” starring Jocelyn Simons as the Snow Queen, which is among Vaughan-Jolley’s favorite parts of the ballet.
“The scene brings so much of the beauty and elegance of ballet into one. Personally, over the years of performing in The Nutcracker in different roles, dancing in ‘Snow’ instilled a love in me for the art form and this classic story,”
said Vaughan-Jolley. For more information, call Allegro Dance Studio at 208610-0188, email at dancesandpoint@gmail.com or visit allegrodancestudio.org/events.
Watch the Griswolds’ holiday go up in flames with NationalLampoon’sChristmasVacation
By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff
Holidays never seem to go as planned — no matter how hard a person might work to make everything “perfect” on any given special day, the universe will more often than not bend toward its destruction.
At least that’s the engine of cosmic chaos at work in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, the 1989 classic film depicting suburban Chicago dad Clark Griswold’s
ill-fated attempts to give his family what he considers the quintessential yuletide experience.
From the oversized tree to the shopping to the faulty Christmas lights, things go from bad to worse as Clark (Chevy Chase), his wife Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo), and kids Audrey and Rusty (Juliette Lewis and Johnny Galecki, respectively) weather a gauntlet of festive disasters.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, the Griswold’s toxic family members
descend on them, first with the incessant bickering of Clark’s parents, then his cousin’s hillbilly family decamps in their RV/home and — in the performance of a lifetime — Randy Quaid steals every scene as cousin-inlaw Eddie “Shitter Was Full!” Johnson.
Clark tries to maintain a positive outlook through it all, but even that falls to the cruel forces of holiday mayhem when it becomes clear that his boss isn’t going to give him the
Christmas bonus he desperately needs to stay financially afloat through the season. How that gets resolved is the piece de resistance of this iconic Christmas tale.
The Panida Theater will screen National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation as part of its $5 movie series Friday, Dec. 6, with doors at 6:30 p.m. and the show at 7 p.m. Get tickets at panida.org or at the door, 300 N. First Ave., in downtown Sandpoint.
KRFY hosts live variety show for the holidays
By Reader Staff
For the second year, Panhandle Community Radio KRFY 88.5 FM is putting on its holiday variety show, with a live broadcast Friday, Dec. 6 of the KRFY Holiday Spectacular from the Sandpoint Community Hall (204 S. First Ave.).
The program is patterned after an old-fashioned variety show, with a mix of holiday-themed music, drama and comedy — all performed live
for broadcast and an in-person audience.
In-person admission is $10, and kids 12 and under are free. Audience participation will be a component of the show.
Musical acts include Beth Pederson, Josh Hedlund and Justin Landis (a.k.a. Little Wolf), The Brendan Kelty Trio, Nichelle Gonzales, the Sandpoint High School Choir, and a special guest appearance by Katelyn Shook.
Local writers Emily Erickson, Jen Jackson Quintano and Ammi Midstokke will be sharing stories of holidays and winters past in North Idaho — as well as letters to Santa — and local thespians will perform a humorous presentation created especially for the radio.
“This is our Christmas present for everyone in this community, which keeps supporting this station — year in and year out — for 13 years on the
air now and counting,” stated Jack Peterson of KRFY, who will serve as master of ceremonies for the show.
The nonprofit radio station has a non-commercial educational license to broadcast from the FCC, which requires the station to rely on listener support and grants for its continued operation. “It’s also a real throwback,” Peterson added. “We’re hoping this program becomes a tradition ... . It’s a way of showing off what makes
community radio different from other forms of media, and worth listening to.”
Tickets to attend in person are available at krfy.org or by calling 208-265-2992. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the program runs from 7-9 p.m. Listen live on the airwaves at 88.5 FM or stream online worldwide through most online radio services or krfy.org.
Dancers from left to right: Lilah Kuhn, Jocelyn Simons, Elsa Reilly, Katherine Mellander, Jane Hughes, Ady Jolley and Cora Barcklay
“Merry Christmas! Shitter was full!”
Florida man with ‘All
gas no brakes’
neck tattoo crashes while fleeing police
Sometimes they put it right there for everyone to see. When deputies from Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call regarding a suspected car burglary at 3:28 a.m. on Nov. 14, 2023, they allegedly saw 37-year-old Timothy Allen Hogue of Apopka, Fla. and a female friend trying to break into parked cars.
Deputies attempted to pull Hogue over, but the suspect fled and deputies decided not to continue the pursuit since there was only one entrance and exit into the neighborhood.
Hogue then sped through the neighborhood streets before crashing into the back of a parked car. Deputies arrested him and requested EMS to treat their numerous injuries from the accident. It was during the booking photo process when Hogue’s neck tattoo reading “All Gas No Brakes” punctuated the irony of the entire situation.
Maybe he should alter the tattoo to read, “All Gas Some Brakes.”
Hogue has been charged with 31 felones and 18 misdemeanors in his career as a Florida Man.
‘Ono grinds at Sunshine on Cedar Step
into the Hawaiian-inspired bar and restaurant on Cedar Street Bridge
By Ben Olson Reader Staff
After eating at Sunshine on Cedar, the new bar and restaurant inside the Cedar Street Bridge, the Hawaiian slang ‘ono grinds (meaning “delicious food”) might become a new part of your vocabulary.
The eatery is located on the second floor of the bridge, about halfway down. It’s a bright dining room with an expansive view that overlooks Sand Creek and the Selkirk Mountains. Vintage Hawaiian music plays overhead while owner Damon Eder greets customers and shares information about the simple menu, which includes a half dozen “snack boards,” along with a selection of beer, wine and canned cocktails.
The menu includes a charcuterie board, spam musubi, edamame, pineapple salsa and tortilla chips, and Hawaiian ahi poke.
The spam musubi is a traditional lunch item of Japanese origin that is popular in the islands, featuring a slice of grilled Spam atop a sweet soy seasoning and rice, wrapped in nori. Five pieces come in an order for $5, and two orders would easily fill up a solo diner with an appetite. The edamame soybean pods are served with a spicy sauce with a great umami taste.
The pineapple salsa that comes with chips is sweet, spicy and fresh. The owner pointed out that he makes it fresh every time, which shows.
Finally, the Hawaiian ahi poke comes almost like a deconstructed poke bowl, with delicious cuts of raw ahi tuna over a bed of shredded cabbage alongside a pillar of sticky rice. The board was light and easy to enjoy with friends, with a freshness that doesn’t leave you feeling weighed down after the meal. We enjoyed dipping the ahi in the edamame sauce for added spice.
Sunshine on Cedar has a few beers available on draft and in cans, as well as canned cocktails. They also offer a dozen wine choices as well as a mimosa with orange, passion fruit and fruit punch.
Damon, who owns the eatery with his wife Jeanette, was born in Nampa but moved to Honolulu when he was 18 and spent 30 years working in Waikiki, where he learned the hospitality business. Jeanette is a Hawaiian of
Kanaka Maoli descent from the island of Oahu, who has a lifelong passion for sharing her native food and culture.
With the sunny view outside the dining room, Spam cans holding coasters on the tables and a friendly owner/chef who talked of his love for Hawaiian culture, it almost seemed
like the eatery was located in the tropics instead of North Idaho.
The bar and restaurant is open Monday-Tuesday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Closed Wednesdays.
Top: The Hawaiian ahi poke for $15. Above: Two orders of spam musubi gives you 10 bites for $10. Photos by Ben Olson
MUSIC
‘A journey of emotion’
By Soncirey Mitchell Reader Staff
The musical trio Everdream — formerly Affiniti — will fly in from Ireland to bring A Celtic Christmas to the Panida Theater (300 N. First Ave., in Sandpoint) on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m. The whimsical concert blends traditional Irish music with Christmas classics, movie scores and pop songs, all reimagined with a Celtic twist.
“We’ve got some music by the well-known Irish band The Cranberries as well as a Katy Perry song that we have made sound like it should be in a Disney movie,” said soprano Emer Barry.
Barry will perform alongside violinist Mary McCague and harpist Teresa O’Donnell, who have extensive musical backgrounds. The trio is a favorite among Pacific Northwest and Inland Northwest concertgoers, and they’ve all also traveled around the world performing with — and sometimes arranging for and directing — esteemed stars and orchestras.
A
Celtic Christmas with Everdream comes to the Panida
lifting jigs and reels to beautiful ballads, magical Christmas feels and even some audience participation,” said Barry. “We hope people feel uplifted after our shows. It’s a journey of emotion, really.”
A Celtic Christmas with Everdream
With experience in so many facets of the music industry, Barry said meeting and performing for new audiences is still the group’s favorite part of that journey.
Tuesday, Dec. 10; doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m.; $22 adults, $18 kids 12 and under. Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., 208263-9191, get tickets at the box office or panida.org. More info at everdreamireland.com.
“We try to create as many moods as possible — from up-
“There’s always a different kind of energy from each audience, so every show is like opening a surprise Christmas stocking for us. It’s the joy and fun and at-
mosphere of a live setting that we love the most,” she said.
A Celtic Christmas is a family-friendly show that captures the unique spirit of the holidays and the ethereal, ancient feeling of Celtic music. Kids are especially encouraged to get up and dance to the trio’s fast-paced songs.
“I think the joy and magic of Christmas echo the Celtic sound so well. It’s hard to think of Enya, for example, and not feel there’s something magical and angelic,” said Barry.
Even if you haven’t streamed a Celtic Spotify playlist recently, attendees will recognize the music’s traditional sounds from popular movies like Lord of the Rings, which use “Celtic-inspired melodies to evoke themes of
magic and enchantment,” according to Barry.
“With platforms like YouTube and Instagram, there’s definitely been an increase in artists being influenced by these sounds and incorporating them in their own music or covers. It’s really lovely to see,” Barry added.
See why the genre continues to grow in popularity around the world and catch Everdream before they depart for the rest of the group’s U.S. tour. Tickets are $22 for adults and $18 for kids 12 and under, and available at the box office or panida.org.
Visit everdreamireland.com for more information and stream their album A Celtic Christmas on Spotify.
A snapshot of notable live music coming up in Sandpoint
Left On Tenth, 219 Lounge, Dec. 7 The Gothard Sisters, Panida Theater, Dec. 7
Eschewing the trappings of plaid-and-bearded banjo-laden “indie-folk-Americana” has gone well for Bozeman, Mont.-based Left On Tenth — the five-piece just won best Indie/Alternative Album of the Year at the Pacific Northwest Music Awards, which is about as big a deal as it gets for regional performers.
Listen to any track on the winning album Sunup, and you’ll know why: sax-andtrumpet-forward funk with boogie influences give way to hard-driving rock, then
switch to mellow ballads and even a little tinge of reggae. Don’t miss the chance to catch this top-in-its-class regional band when it blows through the Niner on Saturday, Dec. 7. We’re told that “the harder you get down, the harder they get down.” Let’s test that theory.
— Zach Hagadone
9 p.m., FREE, 21+. 219 Lounge, 219 N. First Ave., 208-, 219lounge.com. Listen at leftontenth.com.
The first time the The Gothard Sisters brought their Celtic Christmas show to Sandpoint was in 2022, when the trio of Edmonds, Wash.born multi-instrumentalists performed at the Heartwood Center. Now they’ll be on the main stage at the Panida Theater on Saturday, Dec. 7, featuring their own blend of Celtic, folk, classical and new age musical influences.
Between them, band members Greta, Willow and Solana bring an impressive breadth of instrumentation, from violin,
This week’s RLW by Ben Olson
READ
Few American writers are more prolific than Stephen King, who has published dozens of novels, novellas, short story collections and even some nonfiction books. Different Seasons is a collection of four stories that swings for the fences. Three of the stories were even adapted into major motion pictures (Stand by Me, The Shawshank Redemption and Apt Pupil). It’s a nice book to have on the nightstand.
LISTEN
acoustic guitar and mandolin to the djembe and bodhran — layered with whistle and vocal harmonies.
Joyful and energetic, their shows are upbeat, festive affairs infused with love for the natural world and filled with a sense of imaginative play.
— Zach Hagadone
Doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m.; $25 advance, $30 at the door. Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., 208-263-9191, get tickets at panida.org. Listen at gothardsisters.com.
The ’80s and ’90s kicked ass on many levels, especially for music. One band well ahead of their time is the Cocteau Twins, whose ethereal and gossamer sound eventually paved the way for modern shoegaze and ambient pop. Their music can be compared to today’s Beachhouse or Ruby Haunt, but 30 years earlier. Their best album is the 1990s release Heaven or Las Vegas.
WATCH
There are movie directors, then there is Christopher Guest, who invented a whole subgenre of films that remains unrivaled. With such classics as This is Spinal Tap, Best in Show and A Mighty Wind, Guest’s mockumentary style is satire at its finest. He tackles strange subsects of people like dog show competitors, hair bands or folk artists of the 1960s, then invents whole worlds about them in film. The troupe of actors who flock to Guest’s films always make them a joy to watch.
Courtesy photo
From Pend Oreille Review, December 1, 1911
ON THIN ICE
Last evening four young men of Sagle engaged in the hazardous sport of skating on thin ice and as a result Ed Lortie, a young man who made his residence with J.W. Kinney, was drowned. Lortie, Nathan and John Turnbull and Orlando Holmes were companions together and after the Thanksgiving cheer of the day started in the evening to skate on Shepherd Lake, one and a half miles from Sagle. After skating for a short time on firm ice, John Turnbull dared the others to skate around the lake, a distance of about three quarters of a mile. Nathan Turnbull demurred and would no go with his three companions, while Holmes and Lortie followed the leader. When at about the point on the ice where the drowning occurred, young Holmes refused to go further and tried to persuade the other young men to turn back, stating that the lake beyond that point had not been open Monday. John Turnbull and Lortie pressed on, however, with Holmes turning back. While skating about fifty feet from the shore Lortie’s companion saw him turn toward the shore and heard the ice crash under him and Lortie’s cry, “Help me, John.” John Turnbull was unable to reach the shore because of the thin ice and it was necessary for Holmes and Nathan Turnbull to reach him with a stick before he could be gotten out. The boys gave the alarm and soon a large crowd of ranchers gathered. It required five hours to recover Lortie’s body. A boat was on the bank and improvising a grappling hook, the search was continued until 11:30 when Lortie’s body was brought up from a depth of 20 feet of water.
Edward Lortie was a French Canadian, 20 years of age, and had worked at W.E. Kinney’s place for the past year and a half. He was a popular young man who was well liked by all those who knew him.
BACK OF THE BOOK Trampled by the mob
By Soncirey Mitchell Reader Staff
When I force myself to reflect on the recent election — and American politics in general — I’m reminded of a stressful day I once spent in a German airport.
It was the summer of 2022. I had just finished studying abroad and my friend and I were navigating Europe as it was beginning to roll back its COVID-19 restrictions. Everyone was anxious to escape lockdown, and as soon as the buses, planes and trains resumed, the crowds flooded in.
We’d grown accustomed to arriving three or four hours early to airports to accommodate the traffic, but it wasn’t enough for Cologne Bonn Airport, which greeted us with three security lines of more than 700 people each. The shortest had about 15 switchbacks, while the others ran out the door and down the sidewalk.
We settled in for a long wait and got to know the group behind us — four nuclear physicists from Lebanon who, if that weren’t impressive enough, were carrying on various conversations in English, Arabic, German and Spanish.
After three hours, it became clear that almost everyone would miss their flights unless the pilots were stuck in security or the airlines decided not to fly empty planes. That’s when I felt the first push.
A woman who had been several feet behind me walked up and began to nudge me with her stroller — baby included — willing me to move so she could cut the physicists in line. Other people followed her lead and, eventually, we were swept up in a stampede of people rushing security, stepping on
STR8TS Solution
toes and shoving people to the ground.
My friend and I would have been lost were it not for our friendly neighborhood physicists, one of whom grabbed our shirt collars like a mamma cat and said, “Hold on, white girls.” He towed us to a safe spot flanked by potted plants while his friend left to find security.
Security came in the form of buff, bleach-blonde cops pointing semi-automatic rifles at us.
It was my first time at gunpoint, but I’d seen enough Die Hard movies to know that a man dressed headto-toe in Kevlar holding a rifle with two holstered pistols shouting at me in German was a bad situation. The next wave of cops brought shotguns for some reason, which was somehow worse. Overall, it would have been a shockingly American way to die.
Through it all, our new friends spoke calmly, explaining the situation to the authorities and telling us not to panic. With their help, the police were able to shape everyone back into some kind of a line. Still, the panic added an extra hour to the process and, as a bonus, caused everyone to miss their flights.
The airlines, which had been waiting for the hundreds of missing passengers, took off with only the crews on board due to the security threat.
That was one of the scariest moments of my life, yet I felt the same heightened emotions — fear, incredulity, anxiety — while watching the November election. Both instances ended with the same realization: We are all in danger because of a mob’s selfish actions.
Our world has recently taken a beating from COVID-19, war, political unrest and financial instability, and the outcome of the November election was never going to fix it. That didn’t
stop me from clinging to the hope that, at least, the U.S. wouldn’t vote to make things worse. Our nation, like those travelers in Germany, decided to forego rules, ignore our collective needs and risk everyone’s safety for the sake of their self-interest and, ultimately, it won’t even benefit them.
If we had chosen kindness, understanding and patience, we could have gotten on the plane.
Instead, we’re all stuck here with guns in our faces, only this time, the man with his finger on the triggers is a convicted felon. Trump wouldn’t have listened to my airport saviors — four Muslim men attending a clean energy conference. We all know what he would have done with that gun.
Our state and federal governments will continue to take away our rights and freedoms and, somehow, we must find a way to keep moving forward. When things look the worst, I hope to channel the compassion and wisdom of those random physicists. They didn’t have to help. They could have looked out for themselves, but they were forced into an impossible situation and chose to chart a safe course for us all.
If they ever have a haunted house for dogs, I think a good display would be a bathtub full of soapy water.
Solution on page 26
Laughing Matter
By Bill Borders
CROSSWORD
ACROSS
1. Anagram of “Clasp” 6. Bigot 11. Artificial waterway 12. Japanese folding art 15. Foray 16. Apple pastry 17. Dove’s sound 18. Photograph devices 20. Anger 21. Decorative case 23. Sole
Sprockets 25. Bird home
Responsibility
Mouselike animal
Tall woody plant
Employ
Shy
People who take
transit
Someone who is owned
Color
Pinnacle
Compassion
Fail to win
“He had the hardihood to question the authority of the king.”
Regrets 44. Amount of medication 45. Winnie the ____
Makes a mistake 47. N N N
Studious
Frozen water
Self-importances
Solution on page 26
Not watertight
Regret
Illicit sexual relationship
Terminated
Paperboy
DOWN
Two-wheeler
Merry drinking party
Picnic insect
Nonclerical
Request
Every 60 minutes
Solution on page 26 7. Impressive display
Cans 9. Bigheadedness 10. Pasta dish
Joined
Angers
Smell 16. State of uneasiness 19. Rodent
Repeat
Liken 26. Guy
Seven in Roman numerals
You (archaic)
32. Climbing vine
Japanese dish
Cadge 35. Lithe 38. Eager to learn 39. Innermost planet 40. Twisty turns 42. Came menacingly into view
44. Elk or caribou
45. Sheriff’s group 48. Fowl 49. Bridge 50. Domicile 53. 2000 pounds 55. Not a column
