Because I’m a nerd and a former English major, I pay for a subscription to the online Oxford English Dictionary so that I can look up the etymology of random words and nerd out over their hypothetical origins, archaic meanings and related roots. Yes, this is what I do for fun. I went down a massive rabbit hole the other day and looked up a few hundred words, some of which I’ll share with you. Don’t judge me; the OED is my Tiktok.
“Ragamuffin” is one of my favorite words and has been since my mom started calling me one in elementary school. According to the OED, it literally means, “A person (originally and chiefly a man or boy) of a ragged, dirty, and (frequently) disreputable appearance.” My love for it only grew when I discovered that the oldest recorded use of “ragamoffyn” was as the name of a demon circa 1400 C.E. “Raga” is thought to have the same origins and meaning as “rags,” whereas “muffin” comes from either Anglo-Norman and Old French malfé (meaning devil or demon) or the Anglo-Norman malfelon (meaning devil, scoundrel). It makes sense that every time I came into the house covered in mud with a handful of snails, my mom called me a “ragged devil.”
You might say that ragamuffin is a nickname of mine. Which reminds me, “nickname” is actually a corrupted version of eke-name. From the Old Germanic aukon-, “eke” meant, “An addition, increase; a piece added on; a supplement,” so an eke-name was literally an additional name.
Alright, I’m done being weird. (Did you know that “weird” originally meant “fate” and later “relating to the supernatural”?)
good band name
DEAR READERS,
It’s our final edition of 2024 and we are so thankful for another great year serving this amazing community.
This is the first time we’ve ever turned a paper around so quickly, as our deadline fell on a Monday night this year. All the extra work over the weekend was worth it, because our staff get to enjoy almost an entire week off until we pick it all back up and start the first edition of 2025.
Don’t forget the 208 Fiction writing contest submission period ends at 5 p.m. Friday Jan. 3, so please send your works of exactly 208 words (not including title or author name) and a $5 submission fee before the deadline for your chance at the $150 grand prize.
Also, our 10th anniversary party will be from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16 at Matchwood Brewing Co. All are invited, there will be free finger foods and it’s the last chance to get the “Drink the Reader” beers. It’s been a great year, folks. We look forward to seeing you all in 2025.
– Ben Olson, publisher
READER
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Contributing Artists:
Ben Olson (cover), Bill Borders, Diane Newcomer, Tom Prez, John Harbuck, Rich Milliron, Eli Sevenich, Tom Trulock, Matt M. McKnight
Contributing Writers: Zach Hagadone, Ben Olson, Soncirey Mitchell, Lorraine H. Marie, Brenden Bobby, Kyle Pfannenstiel, Jennifer Ekstrom, Lauren Necochea, Hillarie Hagen, Marcia Pilgeram
Submit Stories To: stories@sandpointreader.com
My friends and I started listening to the band Neutral Milk Hotel in high school, which inspired us to create our own band names based on random phrases we happened to overhear. Reader Editor Zach Hagadone and Publisher Ben Olson have contributed quite a few to my ever-growing list. If anyone’s interested in breaking free of boring band names like “Dave and the Boys,” feel free to consult the list: Ebenezer Drip; Son of the Pork Meat; Spirit Hedgehog; Style of a Coke Dealer; Slug Meat; A Cow Called Jesus; Hidden Pickles in the Dentist’s Office (HPiDO); Objects of our Propaganda; Hoard of Bard-barians; Human Teeth; Embrace an Alligator; Dog Incident; and, finally, Dreaded Abby and the Precious Giggles.
Disclaimer: The band name “Dave and the Boys” is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual Daves, living or dead, or actual bands is purely coincidental.
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Commissioner-elect Domke declines to assume Dist. 1 seat early
By Soncirey Mitchell Reader Staff
Commissioner-elect Brian Domke has rejected an appointment to serve out the remainder of current Dist. 1 Commissioner Steve Bradshaw’s term — which ends Monday, Jan. 13.
Domke’s decision, announced Dec. 20, follows months of back and forth between the Bonner County Republican Central Committee and Bradshaw, with the BCRCC alleging Bradshaw had vacated his seat by moving to Texas.
The central committee passed a resolution Dec. 17 appointing Domke to the seat, though he declined to accept the appointment citing concerns over potential legal action.
BCRCC Chair Scott Herndon raised the issue of Bradshaw’s residency at a special Nov. 19 meeting of the BCRCC, alleging that he no longer lived in Bonner County and was consequently ineligible to serve in local government. Herndon cited Idaho Code 59-901 as justification, which stipulates that when an elected official ceases “to be a resident of the state, district or county in which the duties of his office are to be exercised,” the official automatically vacates their seat.
Bradshaw sold his area home and bought property in Texas in August 2024 and has attended BOCC meetings remotely since October; however, he maintains a lease in Bonner County that will expire upon the end of his term.
The BCRCC proceeded to follow I.C 59-906A, which states that, following a vacancy on the board of county commissioners, the central committee of the former elected official’s party “shall submit, within fifteen (15) days, a list of three (3) nomi-
nations to the governor,” who then has 15 days to appoint a new commissioner. Should those 15 days expire without a nominee being accepted, the decision is remanded to the central committee.
Following the Nov. 19 special meeting, the BCRCC submitted its three nominees — Domke, BCRCC Algoma Precinct Committeeman Rick Kirschner and Edgemere Committeeman Doug Paterson — to Gov. Brad Little. Simultaneously, dissenting members of the BCRCC sent a letter to the Governor’s Office alleging improper action on Herndon’s part and calling into question the assertion that Bradshaw had vacated his seat.
Tamera Felter, who serves as Boards and Commissions special assistant to the governor, subsequently told Herndon in a Nov. 22 email that, “Until such time as this office can fully determine the existence of a vacancy on the commission, this office will not consider the Governor’s fifteen (15) day appointment timeline under Idaho Code section 59-906A to have been initiated.”
Felter asked the BOCC for written confirmation on whether the Dist. 1 seat was vacant. Though the commissioners never officially responded as a board, Bradshaw told Felter in a Nov. 25 email, “I have not resigned nor do I have any intention of doing so.”
In a Dec. 4 email to the Reader, Little’s Press Secretary Joan Varsek wrote, “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.”
Determining that the governor’s 15-day timeline had
come and gone, the BCRCC passed the Dec. 17 resolution appointing Domke to Bradshaw’s seat.
In response to the resolution, Domke emailed Herndon, the BOCC, the Daily Bee and the Sandpoint Reader on Dec. 20, declining the appointment but expressing his enthusiasm to assume office in January.
“Given the differing opinions between the Idaho Governor’s Office and the BCRCC on this matter, I believe that should the Bonner County board of commissioners take action to follow the recommendations outlined in the BCRCC’s resolution, legal action against the county could result,” wrote Domke.
“Our local Bonner County
Government and its taxpayers cannot afford to defend against litigation that can be avoided,” he added.
In response to Domke’s email, Bradshaw wrote, “Thank you Brian for being a wise man. You are going to be an excellent commissioner and an asset to Bonner County.”
Bradshaw, who did not run for reelection and instead ran an unsuccessful race for sheriff against Incumbent Daryl Wheeler, will serve the remainder of his term as Dist. 1 commissioner.
“Your position is reasonable,” wrote Herndon in a Dec. 20 response to Domke. “Thank you for living in Bonner County, being present and actually being a resident and following the law while you prepare to represent us.”
Sandpoint City Hall warns residents of ‘sophisticated’ scam involving phony city invoices
By Reader Staff
The city of Sandpoint is alerting community members to an apparent scam perpetrated on a local business that was told to pay a false invoice from the city.
According to a Dec. 17 news release from Sandpoint City Hall, a developer proposing a new subdivision in Ponderay — and appealing Sandpoint’s denial of extending water service — received a message purportedly from the Sandpoint city planner that included “detailed, seemingly legitimate, information regarding the appeal and the city’s water system, citing ‘Idaho Administrative Code’ and stating that, before the appeal could proceed, the appellant must pay a $25,000 ‘appeal fee.’”
The city stated that the scam invoice included with the message displayed the city’s logo, further indicated that it originated with the Planning and Zoning Commission, and requested immediate payment by wire transfer.
Before paying the phony invoice, the developer contacted city staff through legal counsel, after which the scam was uncovered. No money changed hands.
“This was a sophisticated con, where a local developer, a municipal government and our very processes were targeted,” stated Mayor Jeremy Grimm. “Bottom line: The public needs to be aware that
these scams are prevalent. These types of email messages can come across as entirely genuine, reflecting an urgency that could compel even the most vigilant among us to act.
“Always double-check the sender’s email address, scrutinize any message requesting payment or sensitive information and, if in doubt, pick up the phone and call the person who sent it,” he added.
Brian Domke. File photo
Photo by Ben Olson
Idaho’s population surpasses 2 million in 2024
State also leads the nation in year-over-year non-farm job growth
By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff
Riding a surge in population from 2021 to 2023, there are now more than 2 million people living in Idaho, according to numbers reported Dec. 19 from the U.S. Census Bureau. In addition, Idaho added a higher percentage of non-farm jobs than any other state from 2023-2024.
In a news release Dec. 20 from the Idaho Department of Labor, Census figures show the state saw population increases of 3% and 2.1% in 2021 and 2022, respectively, followed by 1.4% in 2023. That left the population at 1,971,122. But new data show that 2024 saw an increase of 1.5%, bringing the number of
residents to 2,001,619 as of July 1, 2024.
Meanwhile, the Labor Department reported that the state’s labor force rose by 3,188 workers to 996,574, while total employment increased by 2,537.
Overall, Idaho added 3,700 nonfarm jobs during the year, with the top five biggest industry gains being in finance and insurance; durable goods manufacturing; real estate, rental and leasing; construction; and federal government.
Those increases accounted in large part for a 3.1% growth in non-farm jobs,
ranked first in the nation by percentage gain.
Meanwhile, with a yearover-year increase of 30,497, Idaho’s annualized 2024 population growth rate of 1.5% ranks it seventh in the nation and a full half percentage point greater than the national growth rate of 1% during the same period.
The Gem State’s pace of population growth is even stronger compared to the West as a whole (0.9%), as well as surrounding states Montana (0.5%), Oregon (0.41%), Washington (1.3%) and Wyoming (0.4%).
The Labor Department reported that, among its neighbors, the only states with higher growth rates were Utah (1.8%) and Nevada (1.7%).
Perhaps coming as no surprise, the Census Bureau’s analysis of the components of residential population increase indicates that the large majority of growth has come from net migration. Natural population growth in the state — which is defined as the number of births minus the number of deaths — totaled only 6,195 people.
“The remaining growth, totaling 24,282 people, was from the movement of new residents into the state,” the Labor Department stated. “This total consisted of
residents who were from other U.S. states (more than two-thirds of the population), with the remainder coming from international migration.”
Overall, from 2020 to 2024, 73.3% of Idaho’s population growth came from net migration from other U.S. states. Natural growth accounted for 13.3% of growth, and international migration totaled 13.4%.
“The 2024 estimates confirm the continuation of this broader pattern, with domestic migration contributing the bulk of the population growth relative to natural growth and international migration,” the Labor Department stated.
Some Idaho government agencies already use AI; more may follow
By Kyle Pfannenstiel Idaho Capital Sun
Some Idaho state government employees are already using generative artificial intelligence, or AI. But many say they would like help with a range of concerns, including for legal and ethical guidance, according to a survey by the Idaho Office of Information Technology Services.
The Idaho Legislature’s AI Working Group, a committee established to study AI for possible legislation, heard those findings Dec. 17.
“We’re currently in the wild wild West, because there’s not a whole lot of guidance to the agencies,” Idaho Office of Information Technology Services Administrator Alberto Gonzalez told lawmakers.
The committee has met twice in late 2024 ahead of the 2025 legislative session, which starts Monday, Jan. 6.
“From a government perspective, we’re meeting all sorts of requirements through just leveraging what’s out there
Though citing productivity gains, some gov’t employees worry about ethics and legality
already. So that’s the exciting part,” Gonzalez told lawmakers.
But data leakage is one of the most dangerous aspects of the technology, he explained.
“If we allow people to put in any sort of protected data into the AI, it becomes part of the large language model. And I think that’s the scariest part,” he said.
Lawmakers serving on the committee discussed plans to meet again in January, with less presenters and more discussion or possible policy recommendations, but did not immediately schedule another meeting.
What did a survey on AI use in Idaho government agencies find?
The Idaho Office of Technology Services’ survey findings suggest that 65% of Idaho state government employees know about generative AI.
But only about 23% of state employees reported their agencies are using it — 51% said their agencies weren’t using it, while a further 23% said their agencies are exploring options.
“From adoption to becom-
ing very proficient with it will take some time,” Gonzalez told lawmakers. “We were really happy at, I would say, the level of intellect that we got in the responses from our employees. And the real concerns — which I think is what’s going to be in front of you as a committee and potentially in a collaboration with us — around what they want us to address. Data privacy concerns are probably at the top of the list.”
A total of 2,802 state government employees from 45 agencies responded to the survey.
The survey did not list a margin of error, a figure that indicates how much the actual opinions of people being surveyed could differ from responses reported in a survey. But Gonzalez told the Idaho Capital Sun after the meeting that the survey results matched what his agency had heard anecdotally.
“From the employee base, we hear there’s quite a bit of excitement and concern — both almost equal. But I
think a lot of people want to leverage the power of AI, but they’re also asking for some guidance,” he said.
While some say generative AI has made agency work more efficient, enhanced service delivery and polished decision-making, some state employees reported concerns — about ethical, regulatory and data privacy risks associated with AI’s use, the survey found.
“The more and more you leverage technology and [generative] AI, as you start to adopt it, it will create major efficiencies. To the point where you’re either no longer getting FTE requests,” Gonzalez said, referring to state agency requests for full-time employees, “or potentially, there will be a reduction in force at some point in time in your future.”
Free-form responses to the survey, Gonzalez said, showed a range of attitudes toward AI between “enthusiasm, curiosity and a little bit of fear.”
“They know that their data is not clean, and they need some help. And so we
plan on doing something to try to support them,” he told lawmakers.
“But the biggest one that we got, that I think scared a lot of them, is just skepticism. They’re worried. Like, they know the power of AI. ‘Is this going to impact my job? What does it mean for us in a few years?’” Gonzalez said.
Idaho state government agencies have used AI to automate document generation; analyze images and videos; and for customer service, chatbots, and fraud detection and risk assessment, employees reported to surveyors.
Employees reported in the survey that they could see AI being used to automate processes, create content and more in Idaho state government in the future.
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.
PERSPECTIVES
Celebrating conservation and our community
By Jennifer Ekstrom Reader Contributor
As 2024 winds down, we are deeply thankful to our community for supporting conservation efforts across North Idaho. Your involvement in preserving our stunning landscapes and waterways makes all the difference. Here’s a look back at some of the significant conservation milestones this year.
Trestle Creek: United to save this special place
In a powerful display of unity, our community came together to save this critical spawning habitat for threatened bull trout and oppose the proposed development, which includes luxury homes and a commercial marina. Over 2,000 public comments poured in to decision makers opposing the last two iterations of the proposal. While the developer remains persistent, hurdles remain:
• Army Corps of Engineers: Permit needed for dredging the lakebed and filling wetlands;
• Idaho Department of Environmental Quality: Clean Water Act certification;
• Panhandle Health District: Approval of sewage disposal plans.
We are committed to saving Trestle Creek and will keep you informed about further opportunities to take action.
Progress for the Kootenai River
Advocacy and persistence yielded a breakthrough for the Kootenai River, with the International Joint Commission (IJC) being activated to address pollution from mountaintop-removal coal mines in British Columbia that harms fisheries and water quality downstream in Idaho. This milestone marks the first step in resolving the transboundary pollution dispute under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909, and is the first time in history that Indigenous people have their rightful seat at the negotiation table.
The IJC’s involvement is a significant victory after years of advocacy by the Idaho Conservation League and decades of work by tribes and First Nations. However, the work to reduce pollution is just beginning.
Watchdogging mining activities
ICL has a long history of protecting Idaho’s clean water and special places from impacts of mining. This year, we took several critical actions:
• Silver Valley: Filed a notice of intent to challenge America’s Gold and Silver for violations of the Clean Water Act stemming from pollution at the Galena Mine, prompting corrective actions from the company;
• Bunker Hill Mine: Engaged with Bunker Hill Mining Corporation to minimize environmental impacts as they work to reopen.
Our newly released report, Unearthing Idaho: Mining and Environmental Impact in the Gem State, outlines the effects of mining, provides a project inventory, and explores mining law reform and best practices. The report is a guide for citizens, mining companies and regulatory agencies alike.
Charting a path for North Idaho wilderness
North Idaho’s wildlands hold tremendous potential for wilderness designation, yet none of the 4.7 million acres of Idaho’s designated wilderness lie north of the Lochsa River. That’s why ICL helped launch the Idaho Panhandle Public Lands Initiative, a collaborative effort among conservationists, timber companies, recreationists and tribes.
Since April, stakeholders have been working toward a legislative proposal for wilderness in Bonner and Boundary counties. If successful, the initiative could enhance recreational access, secure public lands and address forest management concerns.
Wolverine protection achieved
After decades of advocacy and legal battles, wolverines are finally protected as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. This decision represents a critical step toward reversing the species’ precarious status. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must now implement conservation measures to mitigate human impacts and protect wolverines from threats like incidental trapping.
Lake Pend Oreille monitoring
For the 13th consecutive year, water quality stewards collected critical data on Lake Pend Oreille. Monitoring 13 locations over four months, they conducted 52 sampling events and we analyzed 10 water quality indicators for each event. This work has generated a robust dataset of 6,760 data points over 13 years, providing scientific evidence to advocate for protecting our water. Of note are the extremely elevated pollution levels in < see ICL, Page 7 >
Bits ’n’ Pieces
From east, west and beyond
Dodging hospital bills: former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich recently shared the story of his doctor saying he needed an artificial ankle. Rather than take time for surgery and rehab, Reich exercised, cut sugar significantly and lost 20 pounds — something his doctor had not recommended. Six months later, the ankle pain was almost gone. His point: The big money in the medical profession is in “complicated” treatments, and more emphasis on alternatives is needed to bring down health care costs.
Research from the University of Edinburgh accidentally found that many people suffering brain issues believed to be Alzheimer’s, long COVID, chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia had multiple chronic infections, The Guardian reported. The infections from bacteria, funguses and sometimes viruses, led to cognitive and breathing problems and heart arrhythmia. When those so afflicted were treated with antifungals, antivirals or antibiotics, “the dementia went away,” according to the lead author of the university’s paper on the topic. Further investigation will include determining if the brain, like the gut, has its own community of microbes.
The U.K. has a plan to generate 95% of its electricity from green sources by 2030. The Clean Power strategy addresses climate change while fostering energy security, good jobs, and lower bills, Optimist Daily and The Guardian reported. Plans include reducing red tape for grid connections, overturning the onshore wind power ban, allowing energy regulators more authority to address energy project backlogs, and $50.5 billion for private sector investments. The solar component includes solar panels over parking lots, on factory rooftops and on warehouses. The plan drew its impetus from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, when U.K. energy prices soared and exposed the nation’s dependence on foreign fossil fuels.
The Senate has passed the Outdoors For All Act, which the Trust for Public Lands says is critical for building parks and protecting land where it’s most needed. The new Act ensures permanent federal funding for urban parks and underserved communities and expands eligibility to tribal nations.
Last-minute climate action: The Biden administration is finalizing multi-billion dollar clean energy loans, supporting state-level electric vehicle actions and setting new national targets for greenhouse gas reductions, Newsweek reported. The
By Lorraine H. Marie Reader Columnist
goal is to cut greenhouse gas emissions more than 60% by 2035 in an effort to help meet the U.S.’s commitment to the Paris Agreement climate targets. In a White House press briefing, it was stated that while the next administration appears intent on putting climate action “on the back burner,” there will still be “ambitious work” on the nation’s climate issue.
Angela Barranco, Climate Group’s executive director for North America, said climate investments have been “Trump-proofed to some degree.” From working with companies linked to clean energy and manufacturing, she foresees they will not change direction because of changes at the White House.
According to The Guardian, the Trump White House will attack its perceived “political enemies” by melding his administration with the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025. One goal is to target progressive nonprofits and researchers who oppose Trump’s policies. Those groups appear to be in the bullseye for not only federal investigations, but also legislation that restricts their activities and even shuts them down. Opposition to those plans is coming from the Congressional Integrity Project. Its Civic Defense Project will face off with Kash Patel, Trump’s nominee for FBI director, who has vowed to “come after” media outlets and nonprofits he says “helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections.”
Already, Ohio Republican Sen. JD Vance — now vice-president-elect — has introduced a bill to withdraw federal support and impose a 50% excise tax on universities that do not stop student protests, Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley has called for the Justice Department to shut down organizations that back protests involving civil disobedience and recent Republican House legislation would grant the Treasury Department authority to strip tax-exempt status from nonprofits they allege support terrorism.
The Civic Defense Project has promised to act as a “rapid response” war room to debunk claims against those who are unfairly targeted, defend the targeted and work to hold partisan investigators accountable.
Blast from the past: “The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.” — Thomas Paine (1737-1809), inventor and author of Common Sense.
Boyer Slough, and the resulting work to correct it by the Department of Environmental Quality and Kootenai Ponderay Sewer District.
Safeguarding water quality
Water quality is a cornerstone of our conservation work. This year, we released our seventh Wastewater Treatment Plant Report, which revealed that 58% of Idaho’s sewage treatment facilities failed to meet Clean Water Act standards for their discharge. While challenges persist, there is progress:
• Kootenai-Ponderay Sewer District: Secured funding to upgrade its failing facility;
• City of Sandpoint: Expressed commitment to improve the wastewater treatment plant and ensure compliance with their pollution limits.
Looking ahead
These achievements would not be possible without your support. Whether through membership, taking action, committing to a summer as a water steward or cheering us on, your contributions fuel our efforts. Thank you for standing with us to safeguard North Idaho’s natural treasures. We wish you a joyful holiday season and look forward to continuing this vital work together in 2025.
Jennifer Ekstrom is North Idaho director for the Idaho Conservation League.
Bouquets:
GUEST SUBMISSION:
• “Once again, many thanks to the intrepid line men and women who managed to restore power under incredibly difficult conditions in the terrible windstorm on 12/18.”
— By Ted Wert
GUEST SUBMISSION:
• “I can’t help but admire and appreciate the selfless commitment shown by our Firefighters, EMT’s and Police Officers every time I hear the sirens traveling up and down our highways and byways at any hour of any day in any weather to perform their many feats of heroism in the line of their duties, while I sit comfortably in my nice warm abode. Thank you to all whom you may be!”
— By Pam Duquette
Barbs:
• We keep odd hours around the Reader HQ. When the pandemic hit, we worked from home for almost two years, and when we came back it was like unearthing a tomb that had been sealed long ago. There was dust on our water glasses, notes on the whiteboard for issues that published long ago and a general mustiness that only comes from long stillness without a human presence. Since then, if someone wants to work from home in their jammy-jams, so be it. If they want to zoom into meetings, they can. I really don’t care, as long as the work gets done. I’d like to encourage our readers not to throw us shade when we’re not in the office when you come down for some reason. We’re usually here Monday-Wednesday, but there are no promises. If you need to see us, it’s always best to call/email beforehand to make sure we’re here.
‘A conversation between a local married couple: Dick and Jane’...
Dear editor,
“Dick, we voted for Donald Trump for president, right,” Jane asks, sounding puzzled. “Of course dear, we’d never vote for a Democrat lefty Communist, why?”
“Well, dear, I see where Elon Musk was in Congress and he told them not to vote on a bill to keep the government running, but he’s just an immigrant from South Africa. We didn’t elect him co-president, did we?”
To which Dick replies: “Well dear President Trump can’t do everything, he has to delegate duties. Besides, Musk is the Right kind of immigrant.” “Oh,” Jane responds.
“And honey,” Jack continues, “we all know that Donald Trump only has our best interests at heart. Why just look at the American flag with his image superimposed on it hanging in front of that house here in town giving all of us the thumbs up.”
“He’s giving us the thumbs up, dear?” Jane asks. “Why yes Jane, what other finger would he be giving us?”
“Yes, dear,” Jane says...
Lawrence Fury Sandpoint
‘Herndon vs. Bradshaw and the governor’...
Dear editor,
So Scott Herndon and the BCRCC think they know the best way to deal with Steve Bradshaw’s residence situation. Governor of Idaho has already said no to your replacing Bradshaw, at this time, but apparently you think you know better than the governor. You’ve already cost this County hundreds of thousands of dollars due to your lawsuit over the Festival. Bradshaw has already stated he’s planning to step down in January, but you don’t want to wait for less than 30 days for him to be replaced. Instead you’ll probably end up costing Bonner County residents more money if Bradshaw files a suit against what you are trying to do. Who do you think you are?
Back off and quit trying to be in charge of our county.
Michael Harmelin Sandpoint
‘Do we really want this?’…
Dear editor, Oh-oh, do we really want this?
The New York Times today (Dec. 21, 2024), in an article describing a “two-nation ski vacation,” samples two “less crowded” resorts “with
When elections can be bought, voters lose
By Lauren Necochea Reader Contribor
Idahoans deserve a government that works for them, not one that is sold to the highest bidder. When elections and legislative processes are for sale, we get governance more beholden to special interests and deep-pocketed donors than everyday people. The alarming amount of money spent influencing state and national elections should concern all of us.
At the national level, one of the most glaring national examples is Elon Musk dropping upward of $200 million to influence the 2024 election. This dollar amount is staggering to regular Americans but insignificant to him. Yet, it’s a level that can sway an election. The result? He now has unprecedented influence over the presidential transition, key appointments and feels emboldened to push for a government shutdown on the eve of the holidays.
Idaho may seem far removed from the billionaires of Silicon Valley or Wall Street, but we are far from immune.
This year, Idaho’s elections drew a whopping $1.1 million from out-of-state donors during the primary election alone, with $925,985 spent on negative attack ads. The group that spent the most was
miles of terrain to explore” replete with an image of a skier on the black diamond White Lightning run at Schweitzer, with Lake Pend Oreille in the distance. Batten down the hatches!
Brent Sisson Sagle
Fulcher is part of the ‘I’ll Get Rich Party’…
Dear editor, With everybody busy with the holidays, I just wanted to remind you that our congressional Representative Fulcher voted against the
Virginia-based Make Liberty Win, which poured more than $700,000 into helping extremist Republicans beat out mainstream Republicans.
Groups like the American Federation for Children PAC poured money into legislative races, seeking to push their school voucher agenda, which would otherwise fail. AFC was also a top lobbyist spender, doling out $81,000 to pressure lawmakers.
Instead of a healthy debate on strengthening our public schools, we get an aggressive voucher push from out-ofstate operatives, with a notso-subtle threat that they will attack legislators who don’t go along.
On the corporate side, consider Bayer, the maker of pesticides and other products. In 2024, Bayer funneled nearly $80,000 into Idaho politics. While Idaho’s campaign finance law limits amounts that can be contrib-
spending bill to keep the government running. He is obviously in the Elon Musk pocket of the I’ll Get Rich Party. His care and concern for Idaho citizens is nil.
Sue Koller Cocolalla
uted to candidates’ campaigns, there are no limits for political action committees. Bayer gave $50,000 to the “Idaho Rising” PAC controlled by House Speaker Mike Moyle, making it a top contributor.
When a corporation invests so heavily in legislators’ campaigns and the House speaker’s PAC, we must ask: What does it want in return?
Mind you, this corporation pushed a failed bill last year to give itself legal immunity if its pesticides harm people.
Our democracy thrives when the voices of the people carry the most weight, not when political donations dictate the agenda. We desperately need campaign finance reforms to limit money in politics. However, that isn’t easy to enact when the GOP supermajority controls what bills can be heard and benefits from the status quo. Nevertheless, we can’t give up. We must ask tough questions and shine a light on dark money. Our democracy depends on it.
Lauren Necochea is chair of the Idaho Democratic Party and outgoing District 19 House member in the Idaho Legislature. Necochea spent a decade leading nonprofit programs dedicated to research and advocacy in tax policy, health care and children’s issues.
Don’t forget the Reader is throwing a 10th anniversay party from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16 at Matchwood Brewing Co. Everyone is invited. There will be free finger foods for everyone and we’ll probably give some sappy speeches about how 10 years has passed in the blink of an eye (it sure has). It’s also the last day you can buy “Drink the Reader” beers at Matchwood. See you there!
Lauren Necochea. File photo
Medicaid works — let’s keep it that way
By Hillarie Hagen Reader Contributor
Idaho Medicaid helps our kids grow into healthy adults. It also helps adults stay healthy so they can take care of their families. Idahoans know how valuable this is: 75% have a favorable view of Medicaid and 80% oppose cuts. Unfortunately, proposed funding reductions and other schemes could cut life-saving services to our families, friends and neighbors.
For more than 50 years, Medicaid has been funded by a partnership between the state and federal governments, where both have skin in the game. This arrangement has successfully covered decades of critical care.
Medicaid means pregnant women receive prenatal care and delivery services that give babies a healthy start. It covers screenings for babies and toddlers that catch developmental issues early, when interventions are most effective.
Because of Medicaid, Idahoans can access life-saving medication like insulin, asthma inhalers and blood pressure medicine. Youth and adults receive
mental health treatment. Idahoans can access preventive care, including screenings that detect cancer early. Seniors on fixed incomes receive nursing home care. Children with disabilities receive therapeutic services. Adults with disabilities receive assistance that allows them to live their most independent lives.
Medicaid expansion makes all that even more possible. Idahoans who had previously fallen into the coverage gap — earning too much to qualify for traditional Medicaid, but not enough to qualify for tax credits that make private coverage affordable — can now enroll. Medicaid expansion has been proven to save lives and keeps 88,000 Idahoans out of the coverage gap today. Idaho voters passed Medicaid expansion with overwhelming support as a ballot initiative, and 73% of Idaho voters want it kept as-is today.
Both a challenge for and a strength of Medicaid is that it is extremely lean and very efficient. Medicaid reimbursement rates are so low that providers sometimes can barely cover costs. Of the state’s Medicaid budget, 95% goes directly to medical care, a much
higher rate than any private insurer.
Skimping on this critical investment takes a toll. It can be hard for patients to find providers that accept Medicaid. And Idaho’s income eligibility levels are already the lowest in the country for kids and pregnant women.
This context makes it all the more worrisome when we hear about proposals floating around Congress to cut what is already bare bones. Medicaid “block grants” and “per capita caps” are funding cuts by another name. Cuts to the federal contribution to Medicaid would directly impact patients. Potential new paperwork requirements designed to take away health care are unacceptable.
When Medicaid funds are at risk, the most vulnerable are at risk. The first thing on the chopping block is usually home- and community-based services that help Idahoans with disabilities to stay in their homes. These are services the state chooses to cover, when the alternative — living in an institution — is more expensive and the last resort for those who want the freedom to live independently.
Cutting people from our already restrictive eligibility requirements would cause our uninsured rates to skyrocket. As Idahoans face a rising cost of living, families may be forced to forego health care altogether until it becomes an emergency, resulting in high medical debt and risk of bankruptcy. This leads to uncompensated emergency care, which drives up health care and insurance costs for everyone — including employers.
This is why Idaho’s business community has been staunchly in support of Medicaid expansion.
Shortchanging Medicaid shortchanges our fellow Idahoans and our future. We must call on Idaho’s Congressional delegation to reject cuts that harm Idahoans. Together we can protect Idaho Medicaid for generations to come.
Hillarie Hagen is a senior policy associate with Idaho Voices for Children. She leads the largest state health advocacy and policy network in Idaho focused on increasing access to health coverage and care for children and families. She is an Idaho native and a Boise State University graduate.
Science: Mad about
eggnog
By Brenden Bobby Reader Columnist
The holidays bring a unique struggle for everyone. My own challenge during this season is standing near the cold case at the grocery store and weighing the pros and cons of eggnog. Are the hours of indigestion — and the gut-churning pain of lactose intolerance and a potential egg allergy — worth the brief moments of a delicious sugary, eggy milkshake?
The answer is always a clear “yes,” but it is consistently spiced by regret.
Have you ever wondered about the origins of eggnog? Who decided to go full “Rocky Balboa” with a cup full of eggs, cold milk and spiced liquor?
Let’s take a look at the eggnog you find on the grocery store shelves today. Commercial eggnog has a number of requirements attached to its production and sale. FDA regulations state that eggnog cannot contain more than 1% of the product as eggs, meaning it’s more akin to an egg-flavored milkshake than traditional eggnog. The eggs also must be pasteurized, which means they were cooked to destroy potential pathogens from entering the final product and your digestive tract. It’s also often manufactured with high fructose corn syrup as an alternative to processed cane sugar.
Take from all of that what you will, but no one drinks a sugary milkshake for the health benefits.
It’s also common practice to add alcohol to eggnog with bourbon being among the most frequent additions.
Alcohol and eggnog have
a long history together. In an age before refrigeration, alcohol was necessary to make the drink palatable and keep for longer periods of time, which was much easier to do during the winter season depending on location and climate. The drink has roots as far back as the 1600s in an English dessert called “posset.” Posset is a form of curdled milk enriched with sugar and alcohol, often in the form of sherry or similar drinks.
Various forms of posset were frequently prescribed to those suffering from maladies such as the cold or flu, which really cheapens the Jell-O that I was given as a kid when I stayed home sick from school.
Posset made frequent appearances throughout English history in the 1600s, having been prescribed to King Charles I in 1620 and even appearing several times throughout Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
Unlike eggnog, posset was consumed hot, which sounds like a nightmarish experience if it shares a similar flavor profile to our favorite holiday drink.
Posset exists to this day, though the flavor and form has changed considerably to resemble something we Yanks would consider a pudding, but something closer to a custard across the pond. Nowadays, posset is often made with curdled milk, sugar and lemon, which to me sounds like cheesecake soup.
Eggnog as we know it began to take form more than a century later in the British North American colonies. Being far more spacious and agricultural than Britain during the 1700s, produce like eggs and milk were abundant in America. A different en-
vironment with colder winter temperatures also meant storing perishable items like curdled egg-milk was easier to do while also linking the drink directly to the holiday season. An abundance of rum from the Caribbean kept eggnog boozy with a spicy new flavor.
Following the American Revolution, George Washington famously shared his own personal eggnog recipe, though he failed to include the amount of eggs he used — a fact that leads one to wonder if the first U.S. president decided to sample his own supply before writing it down.
Washington’s recipe is as follows:
“One quart cream, one quart milk, one dozen tablespoons sugar, one pint brandy, 1/2 pint rye whiskey, 1/2 pint Jamaica rum, 1/4 pint sherry — mix liquor first, then separate yolks and whites of eggs, add sugar to beaten yolks, mix well. Add milk and cream, slowly beating. Beat whites of eggs until stiff and fold slowly into mixture. Let set in cool place for several days. Taste frequently.”
Given the abundance of liquor, one could forgive the founding father for forgetting how many eggs he poured into what was essentially a vat of alcohol meringue. Most experts agree that around one dozen eggs is sufficient to replicate Washington’s recipe.
Eggnog is beloved as a comforting reminder of the holidays; but, given its nature as a vehicle for transporting booze, it also has some blemishes on its history. In 1826, the military academy of West Point in New York had completely barred access to any and all alcohol on the campus’ premises under the command of Colonel Sylvanus
Thayer. On Christmas morning 1826, a number of cadets took it upon themselves to smuggle in a sizable amount of liquor under the superintendent’s nose, spiking the holiday eggnog and triggering an event that would be known as the West Point Eggnog Riot of 1826.
This riot created a tremendous amount of damage at the campus and marred the reputation of the facility as well as Colonel Thayer for years to come. At least 30 cadets were expelled for their role in the riots and the damage they
caused to the facilities.
As we near the end of this exploration into the eggiest of nogs, one may wonder what “nog” is, exactly. It is immediately recognizable, yet few other drinks seem to share its name. It’s likely that the etymological roots lie in “grog,” pointing to the booze that permeates everyone’s favorite holiday libation, but it could also be an old English name for the type of cup in which the drink used to be prepared and served — likely while it was still considered a posset.
Stay curious, 7B.
Random Corner
• The biblical scholar and professor Clement Clarke Moore wrote “A Visit from St. Nicholas” in 1822 for his children, and the poem has been one of the most well-recognized holiday poems in American pop culture, starting with the line, “‘Twas the night before Christmas … .” Moore’s friend, Harriet Butler, liked the poem so much that she sent it to a newspaper editor without permission, who published it in the Troy Sentinel on Dec. 23, 1823 — without credit. Moore didn’t claim credit for the work until it was included in a book of poetry in 1844 and misattributed to the Washington National Intelligencer.
• Major Henry Livingstone, Jr., who died in 1828, claimed he was the real author of the poem, though his family never presented any physical evidence to prove it.
• Vassar English professor Don Foster specializes in identifying
idiosyncratic patterns of syntax, vocabulary and punctuation. It was Foster who pegged Joe Klein as the author of the book Primary Colors, and he has analyzed texts in the high-profile JonBenet Ramsey and Unabomber cases. In Foster’s book Author Unknown: On the Trail of Anonymous, he claims Livingstone was the actual author of the poem. Of his many speculations, Foster argues Moore couldn’t have written the poem because his “dourness” and “pedantry” would have disqualified him from writing something so uplifting.
• Donner and Blitzen were originally called Dunder and Blixem. Before the name Dunder, the reindeer was first called Donder.
• The poem is regarded as one of the most, if not the most famous poems ever written by an American.
on vegetation
the
Top right: Star Peak lookout, a trail beloved by local hikers and snowshoers.
Middle left: Whether you’re a human or a cat, it always feels good to warm yourself by the fire. Photo by Diane Newcomer.
Middle center: A rare rose bloom in winter, photographed on Dec. 11 by Tom Prez.
Middle right: An interior photo of the James E. Russell Sports Center. “As a Sandpoint pickleball player, I’m in hog heaven,” wrote photographer Rich Milliron.
Bottom left: The group of Sandpoint women including Linda Navarre, Josie Buckmiller, Valerie Plaster and Marianne (last name not given) are still gathering to swim in Lake Pend Oreille every morning. The air temperature was 32º F, water 35º F and the ladies swam for 15 minutes. Photo by Eli Sevenich.
Bottom right: A photo looking at Hope from the south (with Cottage and Pearl islands on the left and right of frame) taken on the last day of the K&K Thanksgiving Derby (Dec. 5). “Pretty nice fishing hole,” wrote photographer Tom Trulock. Indeed.
To submit a photo for a future edition, please send to ben@sandpointreader.com.
Top left: Frost crystals forming
on
Star Peak trail (below the cloud layer). Photo by John Harbuck.
Photo by John Harbuck.
Con artists, armed Boy Scouts and Santa Claus
The strange origins of how sending letters to Santa became popularized in America
By Ben Olson Reader Staff
Nobody knows who wrote the first letter to Santa Claus, but the practice didn’t catch on in mainstream America until a con artist named John D. Gluck became intertwined with this seemingly innocent tradition, which we still practice today.
Gluck, it seems, was destined to be involved with this important holiday, having been born on Christmas Day in 1878. The oldest of five brothers, Gluck was raised in a wealthy family in Brooklyn, and later New Jersey. He inherited his father’s customs brokerage business at an early age but didn’t enjoy the work, and, as a 35-year-old, changed his career by the early 1910s to go into the Christmas business.
From St. Nick to Santa
From the mid-1800s to the turn of the century, it had become more and more common in America to refer to St. Nicholas as Santa Claus. The concept of writing letters to Santa hadn’t caught on yet, but there are scattered references of letters written to kids from Santa.
Poet Henry Wadsworth’s wife Fanny Longfellow regularly wrote her children letters from the jolly old elf, with one to her son Charley in 1851 reading, “I am sorry I sometimes hear you are not so kind to your little brother as I wish you were.”
As this practice continued, kids inevitably began writing back, placing letters on the fireplace, where they believed the smoke would transport the message to St. Nick or Santa.
By the 1870s, local post offices began reporting that they were regularly receiving letters addressed to Santa. Considering there was no recipient to whom the missives could be delivered, postal workers began a long policy of destroying the letters after the holiday season.
However, some in the postal service found the act of destroying kids’ letters to Santa depressing. In the early 1910s, New York City’s postmaster faced negative publicity from the practice and decided to start a program in which an approved philanthropic organization answered Santa’s mail. The only problem? No one volunteered to do it.
Enter the con artist John Gluck.
Mr. Santa Claus
Gluck had no kids of his own, was
unmarried and wasn’t religious. He wore a prodigious mustache, which he was famous for maintaining with a quiver of combs, clippers, brushes and tinctures.
Hungry for attention and a natural showboat, Gluck jumped on the post office’s new policy of answering Santa’s letters by establishing a nonprofit organization he called the Santa Claus Association, which he operated in the back room of a Chinese restaurant in New York City.
The collection of volunteers would receive bags of letters addressed to Santa from the post office; verify if the letters came from needy children; and, ultimately, respond to them.
The organization reached out to wealthy donors and served as a middleman between them and the kids, using the donors’ funds to dole out gifts and sometimes even facilitating the donors themselves delivering gifts to children.
It was a feel-good operation, with hundreds of volunteers spending hours wading through thousands of letters to find those with the most need. The organization grew quickly thanks to positive press, and they began receiving thousands of dollars in donations to help pay for supplies, postage and gifts.
At first, Gluck didn’t actually take financial donations into the organization, but instead acted as a conduit for those dollars to go directly to the children in need. But, as the organization and Gluck’s greed grew, he began a dubious scheme that would become his downfall.
Armed Scouts
In 1910, Chicago newspaper publisher William Dickson Boyce incor-
porated the Boy Scouts of America. Not to be outdone, New York Journal Publisher William Randolph Hearst founded a rival group three months later that he called the American Boy Scouts. One main difference between the groups is that in Hearst’s group, the scouts carried actual guns and conducted drills and training exercises in which scouts shot blank ammunition at one another.
The organization was disbanded years later, after membership plummeted following an incident where one scout accidentally shot and killed another at a function in 1912.
However, Gluck fought to keep the group alive, since he used the Hearst scouts as free labor for the Santa Claus Association (though the boys weren’t allowed to carry their rifles while working with the organization).
Gluck exaggerated the scouts’ numbers, and attached the names of prominent politicians and businessmen as “executive vice presidents” without their knowledge to lend gravitas to the group. He even used to refer to himself as a member of the Secret Service.
Ultimately, a series of lawsuits between the two scouting groups led to an injunction against Hearst’s boys using the term “scout” in their name. Following the accidental shooting incident, the group eventually folded completely.
A grift for every season
As more funds poured in every year, Gluck’s ambitions increased. He began skimming money off the top,
lining his own pockets with the donations. In 1915, he announced a plan to build a massive structure he called the Santa Claus Building — raising $300,000 for the project — but no work was ever done.
Meanwhile, the Boy Scout debacle attracted a lot of negative attention. Several attempts were made in the next dozen years to highlight inconsistencies in Gluck’s fundraising tactics, but it wasn’t until New York City Commissioner for Public Welfare Bird S. Coler investigated the organization in 1927 when the edifice began to crumble.
Coler found tens of thousands of dollars in unaccounted-for funds, as well as no oversight over Gluck’s usage of donors’ money. He also found that Gluck had embezzled most of the funds raised from the Santa Claus Building, as well as the postage and gift purchase donations the organization had been receiving for years.
Coler brought his findings before the post office, which finally ended its long involvement with Gluck, eventually developing its own letter-answering service it dubbed Operation Santa Claus, a process that was formalized once and for all in 1962.
Aftermath
Gluck faced no formal charges for his crimes. The only time he ever officially ran afoul of the law was after he organized a bullfight on Coney Island that led to the animal charging into the crowd, after which he was arrested for animal cruelty and fined.
Following the Santa Claus Association’s collapse and the press buried him in negative headlines, Gluck moved to Miami, where he became a real estate agent. He remained in Miami until 1951 when he died at the age of 73.
Gluck’s legacy is a complicated one. He stole donations intended for needy children and regularly engaged in fraud involving his association and the armed scout group.
Like many so-called “good” things in America, if you scratch deep enough, you’ll find fraud.
But it’s hard to deny that without Gluck’s grift, the millions of letters kids send to Santa Claus might still be thrown into incinerators at the dead-letter office, instead of answered by actual philanthropic organizations that still keep the magic of Christmas alive across America.
Volunteers answer Santa letters at the Santa Claus Association headquaters in its heyday. Courtesy photo
The white elephant in the room
The origins of weird traditions we take for granted
By Soncirey Mitchell Reader Staff
Over the last thousand or so years, the rituals and traditions surrounding Christmas have been solidified in our minds as perfectly ordinary, though they’re anything but. In reality, if you tried to explain something like Christmas nutcrackers to an alien — or perhaps Tarzan — they’d look at you like you were nuts.
Every year, we hang oversized socks and participate in White Elephant gift exchanges and the like without question; but, this year, it’s time to ask how and why these traditions came to be.
Snatchy Christmas Rat?
Do you call the yearly present swap — with real or joke gifts — a “White Elephant”? The game goes by many names, including Bad Santa; Cutthroat Christmas; Yankee Swap; and, my personal favorite, Snatchy Christmas Rat. The roots of this pachyderm present pastime have absolutely nothing to do with Christmas; but, rather, originate with an alleged practice of Southeast Asian monarchs.
White or albino elephants have long symbolized wealth and power in countries like Cambodia, Burma, Laos and Thailand (formerly Siam), and have consequently been kept by monarchs for hundreds of years. The name of the Burmese King Hsinbyushin, who ruled from 1763 to 1776, even meant “Lord of the White Elephant.”
According to the American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, unfounded stories began spreading through England as early as the 1600s that the king of Siam, in particular, would give white elephants to members of his court who displeased him. The sacred animal could not be killed, given away or put to work, so its enormous upkeep would drain the owner of money.
The figurative use of a “white elephant” entered the lexicon in the 1800s, denoting an expensive, impractical object or endeavor. Consequently, the white elephant gift exchange became a means of either getting rid of unwanted knickknacks or gifting ridiculous, humorous presents.
Tchaikovsky’s favorite decor
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s 1816 story, is a Christmas staple across the globe, and many follow the protagonist Clara’s lead by adorning the house with weird little wooden men every Christmas.
Nutcrackers in the shape of soldiers, kings and knights have likely existed since at least the 15th century and became especially popular in the Bavarian Alps in the 19th century. Before there were mass-produced chocolate Santas with which to fill kids’ stockings, nuts were a traditional Christmas treat, so nutcrackers were naturally associated with the holiday season. As it was already common to display ornate metal nutcrackers when serving nuts at a party, gifting the unique wooden sculptures to be used at Christmas was a logical next step.
As pre-shelled nuts became more common — especially in America — functional nutcrackers gradually gave way to the decorative ones common today. According to an article on plateonline.com, these wooden dolls rose in popularity in the U.S. after World War II, since U.S. soldiers were introduced to them while stationed in Europe. They became even more readily available as traditional German manufacturers living under Soviet rule mass-produced cheap, lower-quality versions to export to the U.S.
Massive socks. Absolutely huge.
Christmas stockings are often elaborately embroidered and embellished nowadays, making it easy to forget that, as they say in The Nightmare Before Christmas, they’re just “oversized socks.” The exact origins of the tradition are unknown and often debated by historians, with many anachronistic stories invented to justify the practice.
The most probable origin comes
from a popular miracle story attributed to Saint Nicholas, who was one of the most widely venerated saints of the Middle Ages, though nothing concrete is known about his life. In a version of the myth recorded in The World Encyclopedia of Christmas, Nicholas learns of three daughters who are fated to become sex workers to support their impoverished family. To save the women, Nicholas hides three portions of gold — either bags or golden balls — in their house to serve as their dowries. In some versions of the story, he slips the gold into stockings hanging above the fire to dry, hence the tradition of presents in socks.
Interestingly, Nicholas is also known as the patron saint of pawnbrokers, which is why moneylenders use three gold balls to symbolize their business.
Whether coins or spheres, I’ve been hanging up socks for 24 years, and I’ve yet to receive any gold. Perhaps this is one holiday tradition that’s gotten worse with age.
Florida man arrested, allegedly struck wife with Christmas tree after asked to help make dinner
Florida man Richard Atchison, 52, faced charges of domestic violence after allegedly striking his wife with a Christmas tree after she had asked him to help with dinner.
The argument started with Atchison’s wife’s simple request, which set him off. When his wife reportedly splashed him with a spoon she tossed in the sink, it caused him to “lose his temper.”
Atchison packed his belongings and went outside to his vehicle, but thought better of it since “he had been drinking,” according to a police report. He went inside and told his wife to leave instead.
As she began to leave, Atchison shoved her, picked up a Christmas tree that was in the corner of the room, threw it at her and hit her with the yuletide symbol.
2024
By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff
We’ve been publishing the “Year in Review” for a while now, and every installment seems to get bigger and bigger. Maybe that’s because there’s always more and more news, or we’re just getting windier in our advancing age. Regardless, here’s the 2024 edition, with a selection of stories that we reckoned made some of our biggest headlines during the year. While by no means exhaustive, it certainly felt that way to write it.
Congratulations on making it through 2024, and best wishes for 2025.
Days of Our [Commissioners’] Lives
We could fill this entire “Year in Review” space just with the tragi-comic soap opera of the Bonner County board of commissioners. Most of it probably will be, in some form or another. The word of the year — or really any of the most recent years — for the BOCC is “theatrical.”
Commissioners Steve Bradshaw, Luke Omodt and Asia Williams rang in 2024 with the continuation of a long-running spat over various rules and procedures for how to even run their meetings, with an order less than a week after the new year that legal counsel would be compelled to attend their sessions.
There were power struggles over standing rules and the fairgrounds audit; cat fights over when, where, and how it was appropriate to include public comment (also a long-running battle); and the trespassing of county residents Rick Cramer and Dave Bowman from the county meeting room over alleged “threats” made by Bowman in emails to Omodt.
That was all just between the first Tuesday of January and the first Tuesday of February; and, lest we forget, this all transpired amid a protection order upheld in court against Bradshaw, who wasn’t allowed to be near Williams because of his own alleged “threats” against her.
Damn... we’re only a few grafs in and already exhausted.
Whatever. Both Cramer and Bowman ended up suing after Omodt conducted a citizens’ arrest to enforce the
Year in Review
Recapping some of the biggest headlines of the year... while trying not to make it all about the Bonner County commissioners
trespassing order, which was carried out by Sandpoint police (Mayor Jeremy Grimm later said that the city’s officers would never be put in that position again.)
Cramer and Bowman are part of a group of habitual BOCC business meeting attendees whose Tuesday morning entertainment for years has been to Thunderdome the place with various accusations, condemnations and general speechifying of figurative and literal Biblical proportions on everything from who’s paying for picnic tables to the collapse of the American system of government.
So many pearls were clutched, so many teeth were gnashed, so many knickers were in so many twists that it got hard not to consider that, perhaps, an entire unit of Idaho government existed solely for the daytime entertainment of about 30 residents with nothing better to do on every Tuesday morning.
And so Omodt gave both of those guys the boot and they bit back with civil suits. Cramer petitioned the commissioners to lift his trespass order and he’d drop his case (which they and he did in April). Bowman, however, went all in and ended up
coming out $200,000 ahead in a settlement: $199,999 for physical harm (he wouldn’t answer a question about what, exactly, physical harm he suffered) and $1 for the abridgment of his constitutional rights. The BOCC even had to read a public apology at the Dec. 10 meeting.
The Bowman settlement came in early December — making it nearly a yearlong episode. Lots of other stuff happened, too, like more fighting about public comment, paying out a big severance package to a departing employee who most likely knows a lot about whatever’s been going on in the admin building over the past few years (but has yet to spill the beans), and finding out that the emergency medical services budget was about $2 million short. Whoops!
There was also a primary election in May, in which Omodt lost to Ron “III%-er/Seven Bravo militiaman/Independence Day-saver” Korn.
Omodt resigned from his position in September, leading the Bonner County Republican Central Committee to undertake what was once a pretty unusual — but now routine — process of selecting a replacement...
who was Ron Korn. His favorite prop at business meetings is his 10-gallon Gadsden Flag mug. You know, the, “Don’t tread on me” thing. Priceless! It’s been Korn on the job ever since, and he also won the November general election over Independent Glenn Lefebvre, who had some signs here and there.
Finally, in the dying days of the year, BCRCC chair and outgoing Dist. 1 Republican Sen. Scott Herndon — who lost his primary bid to former-Dist. 1 Republican Sen. Jim Woodward — led an effort to remove Bradshaw from his seat on the BOCC. But more on that later. That is a “developing story,” as they say.
War on words
Not content with dismantling women’s reproductive health care, the hard-right wing of the Idaho Republican Party finally achieved its longsought-after goal of inserting without consent into the state’s library system. After multiple failed attempts in past sessions, a version of the “porn-in-libraries” legislation made it through both House and Senate, and
< see REVIEW, Page 15 >
From power struggles to censures to resignations galore, the Bonner County government seemed more like a soap opera in 2024 than ever before. Courtesy photo
received an exasperated signature from Gov. Brad Little in April.
House Bill 710 (which in a previous session was H.B. 666 — aptly named, according to outgoing Republican Senate Pro Tem Chuck Winder, who got primaried out in May by some whackadoo) was the product of a wide-ranging and longstanding moral panic among the most morally panicked legislators that minors had access to “harmful” materials in Idaho libraries.
By “harmful,” of course, they meant everything from snuff films to the fact that queer and trans people exist and are represented in various types of media.
OMGOP!
In January, amid early debates over the bill, a Boise State University survey found that a supermajority of Idaho librarians were following doctors and teachers in either leaving the state or contemplating doing so because of the adverse political climate.
Of course, not a single piece of credible evidence was ever produced in the 2024 legislative session — or any previous session — to prove that kids were being “harmed” by the materials they accessed in the library; but, no matter.
H.B. 710 went through with a “hurrah” from the hardliners, and libraries around the state had to figure out how to navigate a new legal matrix in which they could be hit with civil penalties for making a broad range of subjectively defined materials “available” to minors, resulting in the effective closure of many rural libraries that couldn’t run the financial risk of getting sued because someone wanted
to collect on the “library bounty,” as Gov. Little had previously called it. That is, before he signed it. Bad, Brad.
Dam nuisance
As winter turned to spring, folks around the area couldn’t help but notice that the waters of Lake Pend Oreille weren’t rising as they have since the 1950s, when the Albeni Falls and Cabinet Gorge dams started regulating it.
In May, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which manages the dams, went public that it had found some potentially serious structural flaws in a gate at Albeni Falls, which, if left unaddressed, risked a worst-case scenario of failure and downstream floods.
Abundantly cautious, the Corps looked at the other gates — all fabricated around the same time in the ’50s — and realized that they probably had the same problem, and so opted for restricted operations. That meant the waters didn’t rise and the boats didn’t get in the water when people wanted.
That peeved a lot of folks Who Moved Here So They Could Go Boating When They Want, but it also struck some others as too cautious — including Gov. Little, who criticized the Corps for slow-playing the identification of the flaw(s) and failing to find a swifter solution to the problem.
Everyone was super pissed off about it for a few months, but the lake level ended up reaching full pool at 2,0622,062.5 about a week or so later than normal.
In October, we learned that the issue might not get resolved for a decade or so; but, as this past summer showed, it ended up being more of a nuisance than a crisis — which is
better than can be said about a lot of other happenings in 2024.
City Hall monitor
The power players at the Bonner County administration building don’t have a corner on big doings. Sandpoint City Hall made its share of headlines in 2024. After a 2023 election season whose essential politeness masked an underlying current of discontent, Mayor Jeremy Grimm, City Councilors Pam Duquette and Kyle Schreiber were all elected by comfortable margins, running on platforms of various types but all united on one theme: Getting rid of the city administrator position, which had been filled by Jennifer Stapleton since 2014.
The ins and outs of that are all last year’s news, though. Suffice it to say, the mood of the January swearing-in of the new mayor and councilors (including incumbent Councilor Deb Ruehle, who didn’t attend the ceremony) was of a change in direction. Indeed, Stapleton attended that first meeting of the year in her role as administrator; and, somewhere before the middle of the proceedings, left after having announced a week or so earlier that she’d be leaving City Hall. Once sworn-in, Grimm promised to work full-time as both mayor and administrator until the city’s bureaucracy could be rebuilt along its former department head-directed structure. That happened. Under the Stapleton model, department silos were broken down and all roads led to her office for coordination — then to the council and mayor for advice and direction. The Grimm regime promised to put departments in the driver’s seat(s) and get stuff done,
< see REVIEW, Page 16 >
like the long-delayed Comprehensive Plan and motion on rebuilding the wastewater treatment plant.
A lot of that did happen during the year: the weird downtown design competition got canceled, then we had a string of Comp Plan sessions, which culminated with final approval in July.
In June, the council approved a program that allowed specially approved dogs and their owners to walk around City Beach to scare off the geese (and, God willing, end this issue forever). Also in Beach News, Montana-based Averill Hospitality announced it would redevelop the current Edgewater Best Western into an $80 million+, 180-ish-room resort hotel. That work is expected to begin in 2025, and we haven’t heard anything to the contrary.
About a week after the Comp Plan was finally finalized, the council voted to officially eliminate the city administrator position. Another week or so later, it was time to talk about the wastewater treatment plant, with preliminary engineering and analysis happening in August and extending into late November.
Super long story short: Things are “moving,” so to speak, at the poop plant and we’re looking at about a $180 million project phased out over years that will rely on a basket of funds including federal, state and local sources — including some pretty dramatic increases in sewer bills come the new year.
Later in 2024, the city unveiled the new stoplight at Fifth Avenue and Pine Street, which illustrated the quickness with which officials were willing to kick the so-called Curve to the literal curb.
In another civic denouement, the James E. Russell Sports Center officially opened in December, to the rejoicing of (some) of the people who voted for it, worked on it and will play tennis and/or pickleball in it.
They say if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all. In this case, I’ll end it here.
BCRCCage match(es)
The Bonner County Republican Central Committee is pretty peeved at its own “supposed” party members. They called on then-Dist. 1 Sen. Jim Woodward to “disaffiliate” with the party in 2021, then in 2023 censured Dist. 1A Rep. Mark Sauter, Dist. 1 Bonner County Commissioner Bradshaw and former-Dist. 3 Commissioner Omodt for not being “Republican” enough.
It was a spectacle that continued
into 2024.
Herndon lost in the May GOP primary to Woodward, who’d previously served two terms in the Senate representing Dist. 1, and there was no shortage of public ill will in that race — mostly coming from the former’s camp.
There were other internal divisions — one of which spilled out in schoolyard fashion, with an old-school but late-middle-aged parking lot tussle in late May involving Spencer Hutchings, Dan Rose and Mike Franco.
The first lost his primary run for Idaho House. The second was running a doomed protest campaign as an “Independent” against Woodward in the November election (an IINO?). The third described himself to the Reader as a “grassroots volunteer” for the local Republican Party.
Apparently, Franco was upset that Rose — whom he considered a friend, going back to their days as fellow right-wing Bay Staters — had supported Republicans he didn’t like, and showed up to Hutchings’ roadside gunshop to address that issue with him in some form (sources vary).
According to security camera footage, that conversation didn’t get much further than Rose trying to shove Franco out of the door of the store, resulting in a fracas involving all three men with Franco ultimately being charged with battery and malicious injury to property.
As they say at the bar after a stupid story: “Huh... anyway...”
Resignations all around
Between the parking lot brawl and Bowman’s big $200,000, “99/1” judgment to succor his physical harm and social justice wounds (respectively), Omodt resigned from the BOCC in September following his May primary loss, as mentioned above.
A fun aside is that the BCRCC ranked their choices in that vote for his replacement via voting to rank their choices in order of preference, but refused to admit that it was a form of ranked-choice voting... and got really pissed off when people pointed that out.
There was no time for that kind of nuance, because longtime Dist. 1B Republican Rep. Sage Dixon resigned later in the month, requiring the deployment of the replacement process once again. Cornel Rasor (more on him later) was accepted by the governor as the interim officeholder, which was convenient since he’d won the House 1B seat in the May GOP primary.
Dixon will now work in the Idaho Department of Education to direct “faith-based” programs in public schools... almost like there’s a concerted effort to convert the state’s public education system into a honeypot for right-wing Christian grifters. But who knows, amiright?
Then, in October, Spirit Lake BCRCC Precinct Committeeman Steve Rezac resigned amid revelations that he’d been convicted of multiple felonies in California related to domestic abuse, the details of which — according to court documents shared by Herndon — are harrowing.
Again, Herndon et al. had to undertake the task of nominating a replacement. Pretty par for the course, at this point.
Things got really interesting in December when the BCRCC determined that Bonner County Commissioner Steve Bradshaw had “vacated” his seat by moving to Texas.
Bradshaw decided to run for Bonner County Sheriff against incumbent Daryl Wheeler (who he’s called a man
without “honor” beyond his uniform) and failed disastrously. Doing so meant he’d have to leave his BOCC seat in January 2025.
Knowing this, Bradshaw packed up his signature 10,000-gallon hat and pulled up stakes from his “cowboy church” in Cocolalla to some place in his home state of Texas to do whatever it is he’ll be doing there. Not that it’s any of our business.
Herndon brought the BCRCC together in late November and decided that Bradshaw had “vacated” his seat. That was despite the fact that Bradshaw had maintained his residential address through a rental agreement with the church that he sold his home to and had not resigned his seat.
Regardless, the BCRCC submitted three nominees to the governor, one of whom Little was supposed to select to replace Bradshaw. The Governor’s Office was very demure, very mindful in its response, which was (in paraphrase): “Is there a vacancy or isn’t there? Tell the BOCC to tell us if the BOCC is short one 10,000-gallon hat and we’ll talk about it.”
There was some back and forth: In a bit of mind-bending political surrealism, Bradshaw told the Gov’s Office that he was still a resident, Korn kind of shrugged and Williams (as far as we know) didn’t say a thing. The issue then died... or so we thought.
On Dec. 17, the BCRCC again met to take up the Bradshaw issue, and in a resolution voted to appoint Brian Domke as the Dist. 1 commissioner — a seat he’ll take anyway when he’s sworn in on Monday, Jan. 13 following his win in the November general election. However, on Dec. 20, Domke said he’d reject the appointment over concerns that it would put the county at risk for a lawsuit.
Meanwhile, Sheriff Daryl Wheeler announced on Dec. 13 that he would be “resigning” from his position, but only until Jan. 13 when he’d be sworn in for a fifth term as the county’s top cop. The move was intended to make him eligible to draw public employee retirement benefits before actually retiring. That didn’t sit too well with Herndon, who called on Wheeler to rescind his resignation while also doubting whether it was even an official resignation since the BOCC hadn’t voted to accept it. As the commissioners won’t have another meeting until after the week of Christmas — at least according to the current schedule — it follows that they won’t be able to vote on whether Wheeler’s seat is now vacant within the statutorily required
< see REVIEW, Page 17 >
Army Surplus 1 burned on the evening of July 4, 2024.
Photo by Zach Hagadone
30-day period of separation before reemployment.
Whether Wheeler is technically applying the statute correctly is still up for debate, but as with the Bradshaw conundrum, it’s all likely to be moot after the Jan. 13 swearing-in(s).
Army Surplus up in smoke
From the You Can’t Make Up This Stuff Department, Sandpointians celebrating the Fourth of July fireworks found themselves watching a fiery display of a different type.
Right around the time that the Lion’s Club’s annual fireworks show was wrapping up at City Beach — and hundreds, maybe thousands, of people were moving through town on their way home or to further revelry — the night sky was aglow with a dramatic fire engulfing the Army Surplus 1 store on Fifth Avenue and Oak Street.
Fire and police personnel secured the corner while onlookers took in the scene, which featured billowing, noxious black smoke and the sound of an unknown amount of ammunition exploding inside the building.
There were no injuries, but the building was a total loss, along with about a half million dollars worth of
inventory and a large amount of personal belongings that were being stored there by longtime Army Surplus manager and owner Cornel Rasor (who about two months earlier had won the GOP primary to serve as Idaho House 1B representative).
Given Rasor’s long history of political involvement — and the nature of the business — speculation immediately ran rampant that the fire was a politically motivated arson.
After only a few weeks of investigation, Sandpoint police announced that evidence indeed suggested that the fire had been set intentionally, and local woman Stephanie S. Meyer was arrested on suspicion of setting off the blaze.
Following court appearances in the summer and fall, the court determined that Meyer was not mentally fit to stand trial, and — as of press time — is still under observation in a state facility. Her motive(s) are still unknown.
Lightning round
The year was full of other news, including movement on some big municipal projects. Ponderay celebrated the ribbon cutting on its long-envisioned Field of Dreams sports complex
in September, followed by the opening of its public ice rink in late November.
In October, the Carousel of Smiles finally secured a permanent location for its vintage, restored carousel, which will be housed at the former Bizarre Bazaar building on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Church Street. Carousel organizers hosted two unveilings at the fairgrounds in November, where the community applauded the success of a worthy cause.
Also in October, Kaniksu Land Trust announced that it had purchased the Sled Hill at Pine Street Woods, bringing to a close the long effort to protect the amenity for future generations of sledders.
In other development developments, the Idaho Club’s controversial effort to build housing and moorage near the mouth of Trestle Creek went through a number of hurdles during the year, including a public comment period that drew some fiery testimony in opposition. It all culminated in November when the Idaho Department of Lands granted a permit for the project.
Finally, from the Lots of News is Good News Department, the Sandpoint Reader had one of its best years ever in 2024, beginning in February with the
news that the racist homophobe who for years bedeviled the paper, certain public officials and local businesses with hateful robocalls would be fined upward of $10 million by the FCC for his misdeeds.
In September, the Reader won the Sand Creek Regatta, reclaiming the trophy after its defeat in 2023. It followed up that victory with the release in September of the fundraising “community can” from Matchwood Brewing Co., titled “Drink the Reader” — an American Pale Ale, the sale of which is intended to benefit the paper.
The Reader approached the close of the year with news in October that it had been one of only two news organizations in the state — and the only newspaper in Idaho — to receive funding from Press Forward. The paper received an award of $100,000, to be distributed over 2024 and 2025, which means we can go into the new year with no worries about keeping the lights on.
Send event listings to calendar@sandpointreader.com
December 24, 2024 - January 2, 2025
tuesDAY, december 24
Ski with Santa • All day at Schweitzer Catch Santa on the slopes before he begins his big travels. He’ll be cruising the beginning and intermediate runs, so be on the lookout
Merry Christmas
Game Night (Jenga, Yahtzee, etc.)
6:30pm @ Tervan Tavern
Live Music w/ Tucker James 5pm @ Connie’s Cafe
Live Music w/ Pamela Burton
5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Pop, classic and rock favorites
Live Music w/ John Daffron
5:30-8:30pm @ Barrel 33
Live Music w/ Kern Mayginnes
6-9pm @ 1908 Saloon
Live Music w/ Nobody Famous
5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Rock, blues and pop
Live Music w/ Truck Mills & Carl Rey
5:30-8:30pm @ Barrel 33
Blues rock from two master musicians
Live Music w/ Light on the Water 6pm @ Connie’s Lounge
Sandpoint Chess Club
9am @ Evans Brothers Coffee Meets every Sunday at 9am
Lifetree Cafe (final gathering)
2pm @ Jalapeño’s
Join us for the final gathering after 12 years. “Our prayer is that we have planted seeds of love, respect, unity and non-violence in our hurting world.”
Live Music w/ Jason Perry Band
9pm-midnight @ 219 Lounge Roll in the new year with some rock
Polar Bear Plunge
11am @ Sandpoint City Beach boat launch
Annual free event, food donations accepted for the food bank
Cribbage tournament ($5 entry fee)
6pm @ Connie’s Lounge
wednesDAY, december 25
Buffet Style Christmas Dinner and open mic night
2-6pm @ Tervan Tavern
All are welcome to this free dinner. Open mic night starts at 6pm
thursDAY, december 26
Cribbage
7pm @ Connie’s Lounge
$5 to enter weekly double elimination tournament. Starting in January, cribbage will begin at 6pm
friDAY, december 27
Nearly New Years Eve: The Rub
7pm @ The Hive
Opening band BioBeat will start at 8:30pm, followed by rockers The Rub at 9pm. 21+. $15/$20 tickets
Karaoke (Fri, Sat, Sun nights)
8pm @ Tervan Tavern
Catalog of 10,000 songs to choose from
Live Music w/ BTP
6:30p-9:30m @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall
Classic rock favorites from this local group
Live Music w/ Picked Up Pieces
6-8pm @ Idaho Pour Authority
saturDAY, december 28
Live Music w/ Snacks at Midnight
9pm @ 219 Lounge
Indie rock at the Niner!
Live Music w/ The Panhandle Pickers
(A Kjetil Lund country project)
7-8pm @ Idaho Pour Authority
With opener Justin Lantrip 6-7pm
Magic with Star Alexander
5-8pm @ Jalapeño’s
Winter’s Eve Ball
Nearly New Years Eve: Hogwire Barn Bash
7pm @ The Hive
Line dancing lessons from 7:30-8:30pm for $10, Hogwire starts at 8:45pm (rockin’ country). 21+ $5 entry
Live Music w/ Chris Paradis
6-9m @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall
sunDAY, december 29
Live Music w/ Fiddlin’ Red 1-4pm @ Barrel 33
monDAY, december 30
6-10pm @ 7B Lanes bowling alley
$20/ticket, or two for $30. Ages 13+.
RSVP to 986-205-0193
Outdoor Experience Group Run
6pm @ Outdoor Experience
3-5 miles, all levels welcome
Monday Night Blues Jam w/ John Firshi 7pm @ Eichardt’s Pub
tuesDAY, december 31
New Years Party 5:30-10pm @ Barrel 33
Live Jazz Piano 5-7pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery
Live Trivia ($5 entry fee)
7pm @ Connie’s Lounge
Live Music w/ Bright Moments Jazz 7-10pm @ Baxter’s on Cedar
wednesDAY, january 1
thursDAY, january 2
Apres Ski DJ set w/ Lady Oda 8-11pm @ Taps (Schweitzer) Dance to some funky disco house music at Taps on Schweitzer
Live Music w/ Kerry Leigh and Co.
3-5pm @ Idaho Pour Authority
Pool Tournament ($10 entry fee)
6pm @ Connie’s Lounge
Trivia night
6-8pm @ Idaho Pour Authority
New Years Eve w/ The Rub @ Taps (Schweitzer)
Live music, late night snacks and a midnight toast. Schweitzer.com for tix
In celebration of animation Arcane puts live-action TV to shame
By Soncirey Mitchell Reader Staff
In the age of soulless CGI and Disney’s monotonous, bug-eyed, bobble-headed animation style, it’s rare to watch something and feel immersed in true art. Arcane set out to change that with a two-season run that not only brought to life a unique story of family, economic inequality and the consequences of so-called progress, but did so using just about every art style imaginable to celebrate the beauty of animation.
The show — based on the game League of Legends — centers on the class disparity and power dynamics between the utopian city of Piltover and the undercity slums of Zaun. Following the death of their parents in a failed revolt, Zaunite orphans Powder/Jinx (Ella Purnell, Fallout) and Violet (Hailee Steinfeld, True Grit and Hawkeye) attempt to survive and protect their found families in a world of crime, corruption, drug use and violence.
Of course, that’s just the beginning. The two sisters grow up, grow apart and come crashing back together over the course of the show, exploring both the characters’ mental health and the consequences of growing up in poverty in a world where “might is right.”
Tensions escalate as inventors Jayce (Kevin Alejandro, Southland) and Viktor (Harry Lloyd, Game of Thrones) harness the power of the arcane — magic previously held by mages — leading to new, deadlier technology.
The plot — which follows multiple groups scattered throughout the cities — is addictive, to say the least. Creators Christian Linke and Alex Yee don’t shy away from the violent realities of oppression or moral dilemmas that arise when attempting to change inherently corrupt systems of power.
Much to the shock of Disney executives everywhere, these delicate themes would not be nearly so impactful, nor the characters so believable, had it been filmed as live action.
There’s a trend nowadays to remake formerly animated stories, abandoning what made them beautiful in order to mine the most money using the least effort. Arcane stands against the idea
that animation should be replaced with CGI to make stories more “realistic” and palatable to adults.
French animation studio Fortiche uses the medium to enhance Arcane’s storytelling, adding depth to the characters and layer upon layer of symbolism to the visually stunning show.
Using a combination of 2-D and 3-D animation, the artists create a cohesive world while switching between various art styles to portray the characters’ viewpoints.
For the traumatized Jinx, who struggles to hold onto her sanity, the standard animation is overlaid with graffiti-like, neon scribbles that evoke both punk art and middle schoolers’ doodles. Her style shifts as she grows and eventually compliments and contrasts with Isha’s (Lucy Lowe, Wish), an idealistic girl who sees the world through a mix of delicate pastels and simplistic crayon art.
The frame rates and animation style also shift to reflect characters’ internal struggles and highlight integral moments — seamlessly switching between depicting the world in charcoal, watercolor, comic-book styles and more. The animation also ties into the original soundtrack created by a slate of artists like Eason Chan, Stromae and Imagine Dragons, all of whom are at the top of their genres.
A screenshot from Arcane, currently streaming on Netflix. Courtesy image
With such an emphasis placed on Arcane’s visuals, audiences will appreciate that the series doesn’t fall victim to the common pitfalls that plague the Marvel and DC Cinematic Universes, among others — and I don’t just mean poor writing, cliches and expensive gimmicks. No, I mean the colorless, gray-and-flannel costume design that makes the protagonists blend into the drab, dark backgrounds.
From their outrageous hair to the shapes and colors of their outfits, the characters in Arcane are a pleasure to watch, and each detail gives new insight into their arcs. By paying attention to every little element, the writers and animators created a lush, vivid series that appears alien on the surface yet feels more real and tangible than most live-action projects.
Arcane is one of the most human stories to appear on screen in years because it leans into the medium and embraces the fantasy that animation lends itself to. All other creators should take note.
Stream Arcane on Netflix.
By Marcia Pilgeram Reader Columnist
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Wrapping gifts, planning menus and making shopping lists, baking and lots of parties might be the norm for many of us; but, remember, it’s not for everyone. For a plethora of reasons, there are plenty of folks who shun the holiday. Family estrangements, divorces and depression leave some of us behind closed doors, sheltered in the safe space of our homes.
This year, I am especially mindful of many grieving friends who lost a family member this year, and they are navigating a new normal for their holiday. And, too, let’s not forget the families of health care workers, first responders and all the others (airline pilots, railroad engineers and hospitality workers, to name a few) who will be working on our behalf on Christmas.
I have fit into the holiday worker category (in non-essential roles) more than once myself, and while I missed my family, I’ve had some noteworthy holiday gigs. Beside earning significant money, I’ve gathered a lot of fodder I’ll store for future storytelling (under the headings of “you can’t make this stuff up”).
One Christmas, I served as chef on a fleet of private rail cars attached to the end of Amtrak’s westbound Empire Builder. Head-end train power outages were common, and I always held my breath at dinner time. I remember being immensely grateful as
The Sandpoint Eater Traditions reimagined
I plated perfectly baked beef Wellington on that particular Christmas trip. We served it to guests in the dome dining car and were rewarded with ooohs and ahhhs. Afterward, I paused for a long minute to watch as the winter pinkwashed plains met the rising, snow-capped Rockies just east of Glacier. It was a magnificent holiday landscape that still lingers in my mind.
Another vivid (but notmuch-fun) holiday experience was a 10-day stint as a live-in chef in Scottsdale, Ariz. I would prepare a six- to eight-course plated dinner for a small group of guests each night. Finally, I single-handedly laid out a holiday spread for 40 guests on Christmas Day. The clients were longtime rail
clients; and, among private rail car owners, “Madam” was well known for frequent and disruptive outbursts. I’m here to tell you she also lived up to her rail reputation on terra firma.
It was a long and tiring cooking engagement — challenging to prep, cook, serve and clean up under her ever-present and critical eye. That gig was a “one and done,” and the next 10 years I devoted to my growing gaggle of grandkids. They’re still the best holiday years of my life!
From Moscow to Chicago, we’ve embraced a “makeyour-own-family” approach to Christmas, welcoming everyone who needs a meal or companionship for the holidays. This inclusive spirit has led us to create new holiday
traditions, from cooking up Feliz Navidad feasts to serving country-French dinners and enjoying takeout Chinese. The joy of these experiences has made us open to new traditions and excited for the holidays.
Two years ago, I dusted off my houndstooth togs and spent Christmas cooking for 12 Hawaiians in a luxury Airbnb in Big Sky, Mont. Initially, I was contracted to oversee renting the home, planning the winter wonderland activities and arranging the catering. Still, I was so nervous the chef would be a no-show that I also decided to tackle the meals.
A record cold snap kept the guests from many planned traditional winter experiences; but, near the heat
of the crackling fireplace, I coached them through helping me with big batches of chili and cinnamon rolls, and they taught me how to roll a perfect musubi (Spam breakfast sushi).
Even without my family present, it was a holiday that will long remain a favorite.
Remember to check in on your friends and neighbors, no matter how or where we celebrate the holiday. Whether you’re roasting a goose, baking a ham or stirring up a pot of my sirloin and pancetta chili, make plenty!
The older I get, the less “traditions” matter to me, but sharing good food with good people is a basic tradition we all need to practice. Now, go have yourself a delicious and Merry Christmas!
Sirloin and pancetta chili (‘best chili ever’)
The pancetta and sirloin add layers of flavor you won’t find with ground beef. Use tomato juice as needed to thin chili. Add any other toppings that will please your palate. Serves 8.
INGREDIENTS: DIRECTIONS:
• ¼ pound pancetta, finely chopped (about ½ cup)
• 2 tbs olive oil
• 2 pounds boneless sirloin steak, cubed
• 2 tsp coarse salt
• 2 large yellow onions, finely chopped (about 3 cups)
• 2 green bell pepper, finely chopped (about 2 cups)
• 4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
•3 tbs red chili powder
• 1 tbs cumin
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 tsp dark brown sugar or molasses
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• 2 15-ounce cans red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 14-ounce crushed or petite pieces of canned tomatoes
• 2 tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
• tomato juice
• sliced avocado, cilantro, diced jalapeños, grated cheddar, diced white onion, lime slices and sour cream for garnish when serving
In a large heavy-bottomed 6-quart pot or a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the pancetta and cook, stirring often, until the fat has rendered and the pancetta is crisp, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove the pancetta and transfer to a bowl. Leave pancetta grease in pan.
Add the oil, raise heat and brown the beef cubes. Remove the meat using a slotted spoon and transfer to the bowl with the pancetta.
Reduce the heat to medium high. Add the onions and pepper to the pot. Season with salt and cook, stirring often, until soft, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic, chili powder, oregano, black pepper, cumin, cayenne and smoked paprika. Stir continuously until the spices are fragrant, but don’t let the garlic burn!
Add the tomato paste and meats, crushed tomatoes and chocolate, and simmer over medium-low heat for 1 hour, add the beans and cook low for another hour, or until the flavors have melded together. Stir often so chili doesn’t stick in pan, stir in vinegar. Taste and adjust the seasoning to suit your crowd.
Serve the chili with a side of warm corn
bread and the above toppings. Chili can be made 2 days ahead, then
covered and chilled. Rewarm over low heat, adding tomato juice to thin.
MUSIC
Spend ‘Nearly New Years’ at The Hive
The Rub and Hogwire to play
This week’s RLW by Ben Olson
READ
By Ben Olson Reader Staff
With New Year’s Eve falling midweek this year, The Hive is hosting “Nearly New Years,” a double-header music extravaganza featuring two nights of great regional bands.
The fun kicks off with The Rub on Friday, Dec. 27, with doors opening at 7 p.m., opening band BioBeat starting at 8:30 p.m. and The Rub taking the stage at 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the night of the show (if there are any remaining).
BioBeat is a project by Sandpoint’s Davey Mullen, a beatboxer who continues to wow audiences with the unique sounds he makes with his mouth. Mullen was away for a while, perfecting his craft, but now he’s back in Sandpoint.
Hailing from Coeur d’Alene, power trio The Rub covers a half century of popular music in their sets, playing everything from grooves we all love singing along with to rock anthems that get you on your feet. Their performances are always an intriguing mix of genres and eras that leave the audience smiling.
You know L. Frank Baum from his Wizard of Oz novels, but a lesser-known work of his that’s perfect for this time of year is The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus. Published in 1902 and taking place in the Forest of Burzee, Baum tells an entertaining story of Santa Claus’ childhood leading to his adult years. As with all of Baum’s works, it’s weird and fantastical. Physical copies of the book are hard to come by, but you can read it for free online. Search “Project Gutenberg” and the book title.
LISTEN
Somewhere in the early aughts (I always wanted to say that), a special indietronica sidegroup called The Postal Service reigned supreme. Featuring songwriting by Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard, The Postal Service captured the electronic side of indie in just one album, Give Up, released in 2003. (Fun fact: Give Up was Sub Pop Records’ most successful album release after Nirvana’s debut album Bleach).
The Rub is Cary Beare on guitar and vocals, Michael Koep on drums and vocals and Cristopher Lucas on bass and vocals.
Night 2 of Nearly New Years features Sandpoint country rock trio Hogwire playing a Barn Bash on Saturday, Dec. 28. Doors open at 7
p.m. and line dancing lessons start at 7:30 p.m. for $10. The band will start at 8:45 p.m. Playing country music with a rock edge, Ian Newbill, Mark Linscott and Matt Linscott cover everything from
Southern rock to standard country hits.
VIP booths are available for both nights by emailing VIP@ livefromthehive.com. Tickets are available at livefromthehive.com.
A snapshot of notable live music coming up in Sandpoint
Snacks at Midnight, 219 Lounge, Dec. 28 Kjetil Lund & The Panhandle Pickers, Idaho Pour Authority, Dec. 28
The Spokane-based sensation Snacks at Midnight is bringing the party to the Niner in honor of the new year with a Dec. 28 concert that shows off their best indie-rock originals. These former high school friends are all grown up and getting ready to tour across Japan, but they’ve still got time to share their newest album, What You Think You Want, with little old Sandpoint.
The band’s new music adds a heaping helping of punk and grunge to their already alternative vibes, giving them a sound reminiscent of Blur and the Pixies with an updated twist. Show up, rock out and drop a dime in their tip jar.
— Soncirey Mitchell
9 p.m.-midnight, FREE, 21+. 219 Lounge, 219 N. First Ave., 208-263-5673, 219lounge.com. Listen at snacksatmidnight.com.
Local singer-songwriter Kjetil Lund ruled the room during his last solo performance at Idaho Pour Authority; now, the self-described “Fair Lotus of the Panhandle” and “Idaho’s Shining Star” is returning Saturday, Dec. 28 with his new country project, The Panhandle Pickers.
Lund’s sound is a little folky and a little experimental, with lyrics that swing from
subversive, to quirky, clever and inventive. Well-known indie folk-rocker Justin Lantrip will open the show. If you want our pick for a post-Christmas holiday show, it’s The Panhandle Pickers.
— Zach Hagadone
6-8 p.m., FREE, 21+. Idaho Pour Authority, 203 Cedar St., 208-597-7096, idahopourauthority.com.
WATCH
I’m a big fan of watching films set during Christmas that aren’t exactly about Christmas. There’s none of that Hallmark cozy crap to wade through. One that snuck under my radar is Go, released in 1999. Set around Christmas, the plot of Go involves a young woman with financial issues buying ecstasy pills, tossing them and selling fakes at a rave, leading to a later confrontation with a drug dealer. There are lots of future stars in this one, including Katie Holmes, Jay Mohr, Sarah Polley, Timothy Olyphant and Melissa McCarthy in her film debut.
Top photo: The Rub playing live. Above photo: Hogwire playing at the Hive. Courtesy photos
From Pend Oreille Review, December 23, 1910
HOLD-UP MEN CAPTURED; ONE SHOT BY SHERIFF
Just as a parting good measure in office, Sheriff Merritt and Undersheriff Wilcox have four bad men in the county jail this morning, one with a bullet through him and the three others captured single-handed by the sheriff from an old cabin between Kootenai and Ponderay. The men held up and robbed Postmaster John Hanley and a number of persons in his store at Colburn at 9 o’clock last night. At 7 o’clock this morning the sheriff had the four in the jail, after a walk on their trail of 13 miles through the night.
The hold-up was in true western style. Mr. Hanley had just counted up the post office money amounting to $50 and had placed it in his pocket. There were four or five other men in the store. The front door opened and three men came inside. Two of them were masked with handkerchiefs under the nose. One man did the talking and the two smaller men did the searching. They seemed to be a trifle nervous, but not so much so but that they relieved the postmaster of his money and collected a total of $163. One of the men robbed was a traveling man from Spokane. The robbers overlooked $40 money and a watch which the crowd made out to conceal away from them. As the men withdrew from the store they stopped long enough to take a pair of mackintosh pants from the stock.
Sheriff Merrit and Undersheriff Wilcox set out on the robbers’ trail, easily discernible in the freshly fallen snow ... arriving at Kootenai about 5 o’clock this morning where the tracks led up to an old dilapidated cabin where they found the four men asleep and arrested them.
BACK OF THE BOOK
Notes on a vicennial deadline
By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff
This week marks 20 years since the first edition of the Sandpoint Reader hit the streets on Dec. 23, 2004. That feels like a trick of the calendar — no way has it been two decades since I clearly remember staying up until 4 a.m. with Chris DeCleur so we could finish laying out the paper, then burning it onto a CD, sleeping for an hour or two, then driving to the printer in Spokane where we hand-delivered it to the pressman who was just finishing the night shift.
I can’t believe we used to do it that way. It’s inconceivable that we didn’t have the technological ability to upload the digital file to a cloud site, where it could then be (almost) instantaneously downloaded by the printer and run out overnight for a morning delivery, which is how we do it now.
Of course, back then, we were all working on desktop computers that weighed 20 or more pounds, and if we wanted to transfer any digital files whatsoever to each other, they’d have to be emailed. A little later, if they were big files, we transferred them from computer to computer with USB thumb drives. We even had a fax machine.
That’s part of the reason why it took so many more hours for us to get out a paper back then — we didn’t have FTP sites or Google Drive or hundreds of gigs of storage in our email inboxes. The other reason is that we were jackasses, and routinely decided it was a good idea to kick off on deadline at about 9 p.m. to load up on whiskey and beer at the Downtown Crossing and/or the 219, then stumble back to the office and finish our writing and designing. These days, if we’re
STR8TS Solution
not out of the office on Wednesday before 8 p.m., we get cranky.
Those are some of the many indications of how long the Reader has been in my — and many others’ — lives. Back when we were working on Vol. 1 No. 1, I’d been 24 years old for less than three months. Then-Staff Writer, now-Publisher Ben Olson was in his final week of being 23.
My original partners in Reader 1.0 — John Reuter and Chris DeCleur — were barely of legal drinking age. And, not that she was aware of Reader Vol. 1 No. 1, our current Staff Writer Soncirey Mitchell had turned 4 that past spring.
There’s so much water under the Reader dam that considering it too deeply risks triggering my thalassophobia.
I’ve been on a weekly deadline for the vast majority of those years — if not for the Reader, then some other paper somewhere. That’s a weird way to live, which I and others have written about before in this space, but it feels especially weird on this 20th anniversary week — and amid the general stock-taking that occurs around the end of every year.
When your whole life revolves around the culmination of efforts on a specific day each week, you start counting time in seven-day increments; and, I can tell you, that’s a recipe for making time fly. As Ben and I frequently say by way of a post-deadline toast at the Niner following the completion of each paper, “Another one down.”
This week is especially weird, deadline-wise, not just for its vicennial na-
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ture but that we’re experiencing what’s probably our tightest turnaround for making a paper in all those 20 years. Even as the Dec. 19 edition was still fresh on the racks, we were jamming out the words necessary to fill 24 pages due to the printer on Dec. 23.
The fact that we’re doing it — and have done it, hopefully — is another illustration of how much we’ve grown up over that time. And that’s probably the biggest realization I’m having on this particular deadline: How much of a privilege it’s been to be allowed to grow up in these pages (with notable temporal and behavioral exceptions) in the presence of the people who’ve really made the Reader possible, and that’s the readers.
So cheers to another one down; and, if the next 20 years go by as fast as the previous ones have, 64-year-old me will be back with another, similar rumination before he knows it.
Zach Hagadone in the original Sandpoint Reader office in March 2012, a few months before the paper went out of publication until it was brought back in January 2015.
Photo by Matt M. McKnight
Solution on page 22
Laughing Matter
By Bill Borders
CROSSWORD
ACROSS
1. Debate
6. Breed of large antelope
11. Nigerian money
12. Postscripts
15. Supple
16. Emaciated
17. Viper
18. Middle Ages pseudoscience
20. A low monotonous tone
21. Unit of paper
23. Certain something
24. Cans
25. Lyra’s brightest star
26. Cultural doings
27. Waist strap
28. Gulf port
29. Tiny circle
30. Room dividers?
31. A foolish person (archaic)
34. Specified days of the month
36. Scarlet
37. Formally surrender
41. Biblical garden
Solution on page 22
Solution on page 22
57. Gentry 58. Cast out 59. Harps
Week of the Corrections: No corrections in our stockings this Christmas --only coal.
“The abandoned road led nowhither, disappearing into a dense forest.”
I hope I never have to use my underpants as a flag, because after that I could never let my underpants touch the ground.
