Reader January 11 2018

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/ January 11, 2018

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Fill in the blank: “It would be so nice if…” “... I could contribute more to my family, the founders of the Luke Commission, an organization that helps people with AIDS, HIV and with health checkups in Swaziland.” Jaden DuMars 10th Grade - SHS LaClede

“... people could just be kind to each other.” Annalea Eastley Mom of six Selle area

DEAR READERS,

We all have our methods for relieving stress. When I was in high school, I’d play pool with my buddy Joe and listen to Led Zeppelin at an insane volume. That wasn’t very healthy for my ears. When I was in college, I rode my bike down to my roommate’s frat house and drank until I couldn’t see straight. That wasn’t healthy for my liver. When I was in my mid-20s and writing my novel, I would get writer’s block and step outside my cabin on Bottle Bay Road, fire off my shotgun in the air until it was empty and head back inside for more punishment. That wasn’t healthy for my neighbors but it worked just fine for me. When I was in my late-20s and working in the film business in Los Angeles, I’d come home after working my tenth 18-hour day in a row, change clothes and join friends down at a bar called Barney’s Beanery where we’d make fun of celebrities we saw and drink Red Stripe beer all night. That wasn’t exactly healthy for my next day of work, but it helped. A lot. Now, in my mid-30s and running this business with a weekly deadline that never ceases, I find that my past methods to eliminate stress didn’t exactly get me anywhere productive (except the shotgun shooting to break writer’s block — that worked like gangbusters). Maybe this is part of growing up. Maybe it’s because I have a girlfriend who cares about health. Maybe I’m just *gulp* learning from my mistakes. Whatever the reason, my current methods to eliminate stress usually involve doing something healthy for my body or mind. There’s just nothing like going skiing on a Monday morning when the runs are empty and you can hear people hooting from across the mountain. Or riding your bike across the Long Bridge. Or lacing up your tennis shoes and running around Travers Park a couple times. There are a million unhealthy ways to de-stress. Don’t fall for them anymore. Choose a method that improves your life in some way. Listen to your body – when it wants relief, don’t pile more toxic waste onto it. There. That’s my uplifting comment for 2018. Don’t expect this to be a habit.

-Ben Olson, Publisher “... it would stop raining and would snow more. The rain doesn’t stop school; we need snow days for skiing.”

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www.sandpointreader.com Publisher: Ben Olson ben@sandpointreader.com Editor: Cameron Rasmusson cameron@sandpointreader.com Zach Hagadone (emeritus) John Reuter (emeritus) Advertising: Jodi Taylor Jodi@sandpointreader.com Contributing Artists: Danny Strauss (cover), Ben Olson, Susan Drinkard, Dan Earle. Contributing Writers: Cameron Rasmusson, Ben Olson, Lyndsie Kiebert, Nick Gier, Rep. Mat Erpelding, Scarlette Quille, Brenden Bobby, Kirk Sehlmeyer, Amy Craven, Heather McElwain, Beth Weber, Dr. Dawn Mehra, Mike Wagoner, Rachel Castor, Gabrielle Duebendorfer. Submit stories to: stories@sandpointreader.com Printed weekly at: Griffin Publishing Spokane, Wash. Subscription Price: $95 per year Web Content: Keokee The Sandpoint Reader is a weekly publication owned and operated by Ben Olson and Keokee. It is devoted to the arts, entertainment, politics and lifestyle in and around Sandpoint, Idaho. We hope to provide a quality alternative by offering honest, in-depth reporting that reflects the intelligence and interests of our diverse and growing community. The Reader is printed on recycled paper using soy-based ink. Leftover copies are collected and recycled weekly, or burned in massive bonfires to appease the gods of journalism. Free to all, limit two copies per person.

Sandpoint Reader letter policy: The Sandpoint Reader welcomes letters to the editor on all topics. Requirements: –No more than 400 words –Letters may not contain excessive profanity or libelous material. Please elevate the discussion. Letters will be edited to comply with the above requirements. Opinions expressed in these pages are those of the writers, not necessarily the publishers. Email letters to: letters@sandpointreader.com Check us out on the web at: www.sandpointreader.com Like us on Facebook. About the Cover This week’s cover photo was submitted by Danny Strauss after that big dump last week. Great colors in the photo, Danny!

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COMMENTARY

Trump, Israel, and Christian Zionism By Nick Gier Reader Columnist Republicans join the Israelis in proclaiming that Jerusalem is the “eternal and undivided” capital of Israel, but they are undermining any hope of a lasting peace in the Middle East. When Trump recently made this the official U.S. position, he ripped off the disguise, which Americans diplomats have worn for decades, that we are neutral mediators between the Israelis and the Palestinians. In a speech to some diplomats in May, Christian Zionist Mike Pence declared that “the establishment of Israel in 1948 was a prophecy literally come to pass.” He stated further that a prosperous, democratic Israel is “a sign of God’s faithfulness,” because “God himself has fulfilled his promise to his people.” According to University of Wisconsin professor Dan Hummel, this is dangerous language, because “defining Israel and the Middle East in explicitly religious terms presents a holy war framework

Letters to the Editor Look out for Socialists... Dear Editor, Ben Olson finished his expose on the “Redoubt” that provoked a series of Letters to the Editor, as controversy sells publication advertising! My motivation to weigh in was fortified by a neighbor’s elitist attack on Mr. Gifford. The unstated intention presented in Libby’s academic reliance is the censorship of free thinking and reasonable analysis. This is a socialist tactic where freedom and God are supplanted by statist control. I emailed Olson to write a piece on persons advocating and displaying socialist and communist sympathies within the same “Redoubt “community. No response from Ben! It is little known that the quiet socialist leader of our community is none other than the co-founder of the Panhandle Alliance For Education (PAFE), education being a common and profitable (http://transparency.idaho.gov/Pages/transhome.aspx) theme of socialist infiltration locally and nationally. In fact, many at PAFE are believed to be 4 /

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of clashing religions in a region that is already racked by sectarian violence and extremism.” In his rash decision Trump explained that he was simply recognizing “reality,” but the fact is that Jerusalem is a divided city, between the western sector where the Israeli parliament is seated and the mainly Arabic eastern sector, where the Palestinians want to establish their capital. The status of Jerusalem was supposed to be settled by careful negotiations, not American fiat. Jerusalem’s Old City is also divided among Christians, Muslims and Jews. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is where Christians believe Jesus was buried; the Dome of the Rock is where Muhammed is said to have ascended into heaven; and Jews pray at the “Western Wall” of the ancient Jewish Temple, which was destroyed by the Romans in AD 70. Thirteen church leaders in Jerusalem – Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Coptic, Roman Catholic, and others – have written an open letter to Trump criticizing his decision, which they say will

cause “irreparable harm”: “We are certain that such steps will yield increased hatred, conflict, violence and suffering in Jerusalem and the Holy Land, moving us farther from the goal of unity and deeper toward destructive division.” Pence’s trip to Egypt and Israel has now been put on hold because of backlash from Trump’s decision. He was to focus on the persecution of Egypt’s Coptic Christians, but their Pope Tawadros II announced that he will not receive Pence, because Trump’s decision “did not take into account the feelings of millions of Arab people.” Most people do not know that there are millions of Arab Christians in the Middle East. Pence fortified his Christian Zionist identity in a recent keynote speech at meeting of Christians United for Israel. Former administration officials have wisely refrained from directly engaging with Christian Zionists, so Pence’s appearance plowed new and dangerous grounds. Christians United for Israel, three million members strong, was founded in 2006 by John Hagee, an early supporter of

Trump and pastor of a megachurch in San Antonio. Christian Zionists, comprising about 25 percent of the nation’s evangelicals, believe that the Second Coming of Christ is necessarily connected with the reestablishment of Israel. According to their interpretation of the Bible, Christ will, after defeating the anti-Christ, rule the world from Jerusalem. This leaves no room for the Muslims, who must be destroyed, or for those Jews who refuse to become Christians. A 2013 Pew Research poll showed that 82 percent of white evangelicals believed that God gave the land of Israel to the Jews. Remarkably, only 40 percent of American Jews held this view. The average American, regardless of belief, was at 44 percent, while Catholics were the lowest at 38 percent. Only Orthodox Jews polled higher at 84 percent. On the question of what Christian Zionists believe constitute the “Land of Israel,” the most extreme answer is “Greater Israel,” which would include Lebanon, Syria, parts Turkey and Iraq, a vision

based on a mythical Davidic kingdom. Christian Zionists have God’s “word” on this plan: “On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, ‘To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the river Euphrates’” (Gen. 15:18). When Trump arrived in Israel early last year, he was greeted with billboards reading “Trump is a Friend of Zion” and “Trump: Make Israel Great.” Many may have thought that they had been financed by prominent Israelis, but instead they were paid for by Christian Zionist Mike Evans. True to form and preparing for End Times, Evans has, since 1977, been sponsoring summer camps in the U.S. and Israel designed to convert young Jews to Christianity.

vetted for their socialist philosophy. Mindy C. privately and gleefully is pictured laying hands on socialist and communist, Nelson Mandela. She has advocated the usurpation of political party registration in 2012. In her 2017 New Year’s Letter to the Reader Editor, Mindy C. ranted about her self-admitted, barely containable “anger” towards the election of an anti-socialist Trump presidency. Bob W. has twice written self-admissions of communist sympathy as a blogging contributor to the Daily Bee. Jane F. declared proudly and with emphasis, recently at a natural resources hearing that she, too, is a communist. Steve Lockwood and Shelby Rognstad, both believed to be running for Commissioner, live in this same socialist worldview as do KRFY and KPND radio personalities, Chris B. and Dylan B., respectively. Caution… present danger to our constitutional republic, like the left’s desired soft coup of the Trump presidency is discernible and of great significance, see alternative media - https://www.hagmannreport.com/ listen/! Redoubtnews.com offers contrasting news to the four major print and radio media in Sandpoint that are, allegedly,

tools of the socialist movement. All news outlets should be monitored and vetted to obtain the truth. I reduced my carbon foot-print by excluding Libby’s driveway from my snow-plowing list. Climate changers need to explain why, in 425,000 years, the earth’s atmosphere has corrected temperature increases, at or greater than current levels, without the influence of man’s industrial hand … four times? A socialist’s adherence to “tolerance” is viewed as a mandate, not a virtue, and is not limited to Rognstad, Lockwood, Chris B., Libby or Mindy C.!

That’s hardly a story pitch. It reads more like a snide comment, to be honest. If you want us to consider something for a story, next time be a little clearer in your intentions and follow up, as I followed up with you (six times) before you finally answered me in full. We get many pitches and ideas every week. Not all of them work out. That being said, a fear-mongering story rooting out “Communists, Socialists and Globalists” in Sandpoint reeks of McCarthyism and doesn’t interest us in the least. The only other part of your letter I’ll address is your desire for all news outlets to be “monitored and vetted to obtain the truth.” Some countries do this. Russia is one. China is another. North Korea is another. If you think this in any way supports freedom, look at the political make-up of these countries and get back to me. Until then, -Ben Olson, Publisher

He got a small piece of insulation in his eye at work, waited to get treatment because he did not have insurance and ended up in two ERs at a cost of over $7,000 and is now blind in one eye. He qualified for the hospital program that waives bills for low-income people, so the taxpayers paid his bill. There is a better way: Medicaid Expansion. This is a program that has been available to Idaho since 2012 and yet our Idaho government chose to turn away millions of dollars of federal money instead of accepting that money to help cover Idahoans like my friend. If you want to see our state accept our tax dollars back into Idaho for 78,000 people, create 14,000 new jobs and save taxpayer dollars, please sign the Medicaid Expansion petition that will put this on the ballot in November. We the people can then decide if expanding Medicaid is best for Idahoans. You can sign the petition at Women’s Healthcare 1215 Michigan St Suite C or Panhandle Art Glass, 514 Pine Street. Thank you for standing up for our working neighbors and friends.

Daniel Rose Samuels Dan, To answer your claim that your pitch for a story went unanswered: I do answer emails. Promptly. After I’d written you multiple emails attempting to get a yes or no answer whether you’d be interesting in participating in the Redoubt series by answering a few questions, your “pitch” was thus: “If local media were honest, I could gather a number of persons, that would like to suggest a story idea focusing on a known Communist, Socialist and Globalist movement in Sandpoint culture.” -Dan Rose.

Everyone Has A Health Care Story... Dear Editor, My story is about a man who works really hard, supports a child and falls into the Medicaid gap. He makes too much to qualify for Idaho’s Medicaid program, but not enough to qualify for the ACA health insurance subsidies.

Nick Gier of Moscow taught religion and philosophy at the University of Idaho for 31 years. Read the full version at www. nickgier.com/ChristianZion.pdf. He can be reached at ngier006@ gmail.com.

Linda Larson Sandpoint

HUMOR

Aaaah, January... Personally, I have never understood why we start our year in January. I don’t even want to start my car in January, let alone a diet or lifestyle change. I’ve tried to wrap my head around why we have a holiday, New Year’s Eve, literally six days after Christmas. As a kid I had a cursory understanding of New Year’s Eve. It was the last day that you were allowed to have your Christmas tree up. The celebration consisted of watching the ball drop with a babysitter and definitely NOT waking your parents up the next day. As an adult I now understand that celebrating New Year’s just means getting drunk somewhere and hoping to forget about all the money you spent during Christmas. I know there are some people out there who spend New Year’s making resolutions, purifying their souls and deep cleaning. I see you in my Facebook feed. I see your gluten-free, kale-infused vomit shake. What’s that? Oh, you only have to drink that twice a day for the rest of your life? Sounds like bullshit, great. I see your efforts – you little health nuts – and I am rooting for you either way. I find great amusement in other people’s successes and failures as long as they are humorously tracked through social media. As a first born child, I would like to say for the record, JANUARY, I GET YOU. You are the first month of the year, and like the first child born in any family, you have been set up with unrealistic expectations by your creator. I tried (and by tried I mean I looked it up on Wikipedia) to research January’s history. From what I have learned – and I have no desire to fact check myself on this – January was named the first month of the year by Julius Caesar after he took the title from March. I am paraphrasing since there is a lot more written on the subject, and quite frankly, it’s as boring as hell. The sole purpose in discovering January’s roots is so we could

have someone to blame for its inherent problems and shortcomings. Isn’t that the way we do shit these days? For most people January is the month where one suffers through things like the flu and power bills. Personally, I have spent six days couch-bound, producing mucus at such a high volume that the only item strong enough to sustain the blow of my nose or sneeze is a kitchen towel. If I were going to make a resolution, it would be something like: to live through the month of January. However; if you are Julius Caesar, you spend the coldest month of the year inside, hosting toga-optional, wine-fueled orgies until the weather clears up. We are doing January wrong. No one wants to be productive or set goals until at least March. If you live in Sandpoint, you have known this for quite some time. January is the time of year that planning anything, even a trip to the store, will involve at the very least some type of snow removal, wet shoes and communicable-disease exposure. Once you arrive at any destination you will be exhausted from carrying the weight of water-logged snow gear. It is at this time people start asking you if you were “up skiing” today, and how was the snow? Carefully choose your answer. Understand that the common belief is that all

people in Sandpoint ski, otherwise why the hell would you willing chose to spend winter here? As a person who doesn’t ski, I ask myself that question on a daily basis until sometime in June. I’m from Sandpoint, I was born to a family of skiers. I’ve tried skiing many times. Every year, some well-meaning “friend” of mine offers to take me up skiing and swears that they will somehow be able to teach me how to enjoy strapping slick sticks to my feet and hurling my frost-bitten ass down the side of a mountain. Each of these attempts have ended with me almost mastering the bunny hill before vanishing into the lodge for a vodka I.V. In fact, last year, I even took a LESSON. My kids were the masterminds behind this plan. They said that they wanted me to learn so I could enjoy the mountain with them. I believed them. I was the best student in my class of two. Then suddenly I’m graduating way too early from the bunny hill, and I’m on a chairlift to this insane place called “Midway,” and I’m looking straight down at my own death. It was then I realized that my kids are assholes, and this was a setup. Their “gift” of a ski lesson was given knowing if I progressed past the bunny hill, a combination of poor skills and common sense would ensure a failure. If you are a child

of someone who is an athlete, you know that athletes by nature are competitive and despise any physical activity that they are not good at. I know that my children find perverse joy in participating in an activity that I have never been good at, and likely never will be. A final reminder that I suck at skiing is all it would take to ensure that they would never have to worry about Mom being up at Schweitzer ruining their ski-cred ever again. Well played, kids. I have been dropping my children off at the bus stop at the bottom of Schweitzer most winter weekends since that last lesson. I like to sing “Part of that World” from “The Little Mermaid” while staring longingly at the top of the mountain while driving them to their elitist ice kingdom. This is to instill the appropriate amount of guilt in them for the previously mentioned set up. Oh, what is a mom to do with no kids and a warm house all weekend? The answer involves: wine, a toga, and… Joke’s on you kids. If you are struggling with your resolutions, just think to yourself “What Would Caesar Do?” and remember his favorite month, the one that is named after him, is July. Then act accordingly… Scarlette Quille

Task Force plans MLK Day festivities By Lynn Bridges Reader Contributor Monday, Jan. 15, has been designated Idaho Human Rights Day by the state of Idaho as a way to embrace diversity and to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for his actions and service to civil rights for all. There are a variety of local celebrations in which to take part. Sandpoint: The Bonner County Hu-

man Rights Task Force will be sponsoring a free Human Rights Art Show by area students. The opening is Tuesday, Jan. 16, at Sandpoint High School library, and it runs until Feb. 2. The show is open to the public. All school visitors are asked to please check in at the school office prior to going to the library. Bonners Ferry: The Boundary County Human Rights Task Force will be celebrating the Dream through music, art and

film at the Pearl Theater Saturday, Jan. 13, at 3 p.m. This is a free show. Coeur d’Alene: The Human Rights Education Institute will have a full day of activities including special movies presented by local AmeriCorps on Monday, Jan. 15. There will also be a gallery exhibit called “Human Rights Heroes: Past and Present.” This is also a free show.

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COMMUNITY

Pedro’s closing its doors Bouquets: • A federal court struck down important provisions of the ag-gag law in Idaho last week (see the news story in this week’s Reader). The draconian and controversial aggag law limited the audio and video recordings of journalists and whistleblowers attempting to shed light on animal cruelty instances at Idaho dairy farms. Why it passed in the first place is beyond me. As a state, Idaho made it blatantly clear that it’s okay to violate our First Amendment rights as long as it helps industry remain powerful without oversight. Way to go, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Now maybe our state will learn from this and stop attempting these ridiculous unconstitutional laws that always end up costing taxpayers money to defend (and most often lose) in court. Barbs •Those who are mentioning that Oprah Winfrey would make a good president for 2020 after her inspirational Golden Globes speech need to bite their tongues. I don’t know what the hell is going on in this country lately, but we don’t need anymore celebrities or inexperienced rubes running for president. Period. When you go to the doctor, do you want your doctor to be trained in medical school or just some guy or gal with a steady hand? When you need a deck built onto your house, do you hire someone with construction experience, or someone with impressive knitting ability? Nothing against Oprah, but give me a break. We need to return to installing people in government who know what the hell they are doing. Being rich and famous is not enough of a reason for someone to be president, and neither is giving a good speech. 6 /

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By Ben Olson Reader Staff

After 12 years in business, Pedro’s is closing its doors. Owners Lisa and Ken Larson first opened Pedro’s in the Cedar St. Bridge 12 years ago. The business then moved to the retail spot next door to the Panida Theater before landing at the southwest corner of Main St. and First Ave. in Sandpoint. “When we first started, all I sold was alpaca products,” said Lisa. “Then I expanded into natural fibers, gifts and jewelery.” Lisa said she started the business because she and Ken raised alpacas and wanted a storefront to sell the coveted material. “Pedro was actually our first alpaca,” she said. With Lisa’s plan to close the business and retire, the Larsons ended up gifting their remaining herd a year ago to a school in Newport to keep the animals together. Over the years, Pedro’s has offered a plethora of exotic yarns and natural fiber products. Customers could find everything from sweaters to teddy bears, making it a favorite gift shop for those seeking something off the beaten path.

“They’ve been here a long time and done so much for the community,” said one customer, who requested anonymity. “They’re just nice people.” Pedro’s last day of operation will be Saturday, Jan. 13, so those seeking a chance to make a purchase or say farewell should stop in before that. Lisa said she is looking forward to retiring. “I have a studio full of looms I’m looking forward to weaving in the winter,” she said. “And I like to row. I’ll do a lot of rowing in the summer.” While Lisa plans a retirement, husband Ken has no such plans. Ken co-founded the North Idaho High School Aerospace Program, an organization with a goal to teach aviation and aviation mechanics to area students. Recently, Ken obtained a new heated hangar where he plans to set up a flight simulator and expand his flight training classes year round. To celebrate Lisa’s retirement, the Larsons have planned a trip to Thailand, where they’ll spend time working at an elephant sanctuary. Sandpoint boutique owner Kim Stocking at Bella Terra has plans to move into Pedro’s cor-

Auditions held for Newport musical By Reader Staff Ever wanted to join the cast of a musical? Now is your chance, with Mountain Harmony Show Choir’s Spring Musical, “Kilroy Was Here.” The show, written by Tim Kelly and Bill Francour, will be directed by Dee Ann Boydston and Nina Pletsch. It takes place in a U.S.O. club in Brooklyn circa 1943 and features servicemen and women, spies, Rosie the Riveters, big band music and exciting ‘40s style dancing. Those interested in taking part in the musical need to attend the pre-audition rehearsal on

Thursday, Jan. 11. Auditions for solo and speaking roles will be Jan. 16 and the first read-through will take place Jan. 18. Rehearsals begin every Tuesday and Thursday starting Jan. 23. Ages 12 to young adult are welcome. All choir members will be cast in the show. Auditions and rehearsals will be held at the United Church of Christ in Newport, Wash. from 4-6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Performances will take place at the Circle Moon Theater in April. Any questions should be directed to Dee Ann at deeann@ boydston.us.

ner location as soon as Lisa has completed the closing. “It will allow me to get a little elbow room and bring in new product lines that I’ve always wanted but haven’t had the space,” said Stocking. “I’m looking forward to the corner location.” For Lisa, the dozen years she’s spent promoting natural fibers and caring for her herd of alpacas has been a joy. “I got to know a lot of good people,” said Lisa. “I wouldn’t have met any of those people in town if I hadn’t worked there, because we’re way out in the sticks. I thank the community for all they’ve done. Everyone has come in pouting and saying ‘You can’t leave!’ but it’s been fun. We’re really excited.” Stop into Pedro’s, 223 N.

First Ave., for one last gasp before their closing on Saturday, Jan. 13.

Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month By Reader Staff

During the month of January, Schweitzer Mountain Resort offers first time skiers and riders packages and incentives to encourage them to take up snow sports as part of the national “Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month (LSSM)” program. “LSSM is great for those who are curious about learning something new. There are several affordable lesson packages to get them out on the mountain,” said Nikol Hampton, Schweitzer’s Snowsports School Director. “For example, someone who has never skied or snowboarded before can get a lesson, lift ticket, and rentals for only $40. It’s a great way to experience skiing and snowboarding without having to make a huge financial commitment right off the bat.” “We live in such a natural wonderland and one that continues to inspire us to get outside

even in the coldest months,” says Schweitzer Marketing Manager, Dig Chrismer. “Living in this part of the country motivates us to be active all summer long and that shouldn’t stop as we head into winter. As we say in the ski industry – ‘humans weren’t meant to hibernate.’ So get out on the snow and learn to embrace all that winter has to offer.” Schweitzer also offers a “Ski4-FREE in 3” lesson program consisting of 3 days of lessons, rentals and lift tickets for just $165. Upon completion of the program, participants receive a Grad Pass that gives them free skiing or snowboarding from mid-March until Schweitzer’s season ends. “Just start your lessons in January and by March, you’ll be ready to explore more of this amazing mountain,” says Hampton. For more information call 208.255.3070 or visit www. schweitzer.com.

FEATURE

Two legislative visions compete in 2018 session By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff When it comes to the 2018 legislative session, moderate lawmakers and self-described liberty legislators — the deeply conservative wing of the Republican Party — envision very different priorities. In an Associated Press preview event last week, legislative leadership discussed tackling challenges in health care, prison management and sexual harassment prevention in the Legislature. But at a separate Jan. 4 legislative preview in Meridian, nine liberty legislators laid out a contrasting agenda set on curbing perceived government overreach. At the AP legislative preview, legislative leaders — House Speaker Scott Bedke, Senate Pro Tem Brent Hill, House Minority Leader Mat Erpelding and Senate Majority Leader Michelle Stennett — said they would revise sexual harassment policies, making it easier for victims to report rule violations. In a bid to reduce prison overcrowding, lawmakers said they will consider transferring some Idaho prisoners out of state. Health care was a major topic at the preview event. Before legislative leadership

took the stage, Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter announced he was signing an executive order allowing insurance companies to sell plans that don’t meet all the requirements of the Affordable Care Act. Legislative leaders also said they are looking at the viability of Medicaid waivers, which would allow certain sick Idahoans access to Medicaid insurance. Hill was quick to clarify this was not Medicaid expansion but rather “an Idaho solution.” Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle agreed that the state needs to do more to support statewide mental health. However, Bedke, a Republican, believes that education should take the primary role, while Erpelding, a Democrat, argues that Medicaid expansion would allow more funding options for mental health programs. The Meridian legislative preview struck a much different tone with its town-hall format and distinct agenda. Over two hours, Sens. Dan Foreman and Tony Potts and Reps. Heather Scott, Ron Nate, Karey Hanks, Dorothy Moon, Christy Zito, Priscilla Giddings and Bryan Zollinger detailed plans to slash regulations, introduce tax relief and cut spending.

“We’re kind of used to that top-down system … but we’re pushing hard to stop that,” Scott said. The nine legislators argued that the Idaho Legislature was fundamentally broken and required complete reform to realign itself with the will of the people. According to the speakers, this was because the political establishment wouldn’t allow liberty legislators’ bills to be heard. “We are overspending intentionally, and the legislative process is broken,” Giddings said. Among the many specific issues raised during the preview was the adoption of the castle doctrine, which protects individuals from prosecution should they use deadly force in a home invasion. Representatives also proposed introducing

term limits, reducing state taxes and resisting perceived federal overreach. As the most vocal liberty legislator in the State Senate, Foreman proposed introducing a measure to the November ballot that, if passed by voters, would allow abortion to be prosecuted as murder. He also suggested allowing Idahoans to shop for health insurance across state lines and strengthening parent rights to opt their children out of vaccinations. He opened by urging legislators to resist “the myth of separation of church and state.” “The separation does not exist and has never existed,” he said. The repeal of the state grocery task is one issue liberty legislators and the more moderate District 1 Sen. Shawn Keough will pursue together. Last year, the Idaho Legislature passed a bill repealing the tax, but Otter vetoed it. Legislators took Otter to court, saying he missed a deadline to veto the bill. Ultimately, the Idaho Supreme Court rejected argument. Lawmakers intend to make a second attempt this year. “I continue to support removing the sales tax on food and believe we will see another effort to do that this session,”

Keough said. “It will be a challenge, as it was vetoed last year by the governor, and he has restated his opposition to removing the sales tax on food.” In her last year in the State Senate, Keough anticipates setting the state budget and looking at a variety of constituent issues. “Specific to our area, I hope to secure funds for the Outlet Bay Dam and the Thorofare at Priest Lake as well as money for road projects, just to name a few budget items of interest and importance to our area,” Keough said. As the co-chairperson of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, Keough will focus much of her energies on balancing the state budget. The task is buoyed by increasingly sunny economic projections, which presents an opportunity to restore state services and refill rainy day accounts. “Our budget committee and the Legislature has been able to restore budgets for services that our citizens expect from their state government, and I see that work continuing this session,” Keough said. “This includes restoring funds that were cut in our public schools and our public safety services among others.”

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NEWS

Appeals court rules against ag-gag By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff Idaho’s beleaguered ag-gag bill suffered another legal blow last week after a U.S. court struck down key portions. Signed into law by Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter, the so-called ag-gag law, which prohibited journalists or whistleblowers from recording animal abuse and public health violations at Idaho agricultural facilities, was deemed “staggeringly overbroad, and ... in large part, targeted at speech and investigative journalists” by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, Calif. “Idaho is singling out for suppression one mode of speech – audio and video recordings of agricultural operations – to keep controversy and suspect practices

out of the public eye,” the court ruled. The court struck down the recording ban as a violation of First Amendment rights. However, it upheld a narrow interpretation of provisions that cut against individuals seeking employment under false pretenses. The provisions were a response to a public information campaign carried out by animal rights group Mercy For Animals members, who gained employment at a large Idaho dairy farm and documented animal abuse. “I think that the U.S. Constitution has strong protections for free speech,” said Eric Ridgway of Sandpoint Vegetarians, one of the groups that issued a legal challenge to the ag-gag bill. “The Ninth Circuit Court made it clear that the Idaho Dairy Farmers Association was trying to limit it in a way that their abuse of ani-

Kaniksu Land Trust nears fundraising goal By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff Kaniksu Land Trust is well on its way to raise funds for the Pine Street Woods Community Forest, a proposed site for community members to recreate and disconnect from their busy lives. According to KLT officials, the group has raised 75 percent of the $2.1-million goal, which will purchase 160 acres of forests and meadows located west of Sandpoint. The goal is to establish a community forest that residents can hike, bike, snow-shoe, cross-country ski or simply relax in with the family. With a support base already established through grants from the LOR Foundation, the Equinox Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service, the proposal has garnered significant public support, KLT executive director Eric Grace said. One individual donation came in to the tune of $100,000, while another donated 20 acres adjacent to the property. In total, $1.65 million has been raised for the project. “The gifts we are receiving, many from first-time supporters of KLT, tell me that a community forest with easy access for everyone is very desirable and needed,” said Grace. The next step this month is to seek

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mals could not be exposed.” This is the latest instance of the ag-gag bill failing to hold up in court. In August 2015, the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho also struck down key provisions of the law, setting the stage for a battle in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. “The Ninth Circuit’s decision sends a strong message to Idaho and other states with ag-gag laws that they cannot trample civil liberties for the benefit of an industry,” said Stephen Wells of the Animal Legal Defense Fund, another group challenging the law. A diverse coalition of animal rights groups, public safety organizations and journalists issued a challenge to the ag-gag bill in 2014 following its passage by the Idaho Legislature and approval by Otter. Among the challengers are Animal Legal Defense Fund, the American Civil Liberties

Union of Idaho, the Center for Food Safety, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Public Justice Farm Sanctuary, River’s Wish Animal Sanctuary, Western Watersheds Project, Sandpoint Vegetarians, Idaho Concerned Area Residents for the Environment, the political journal CounterPunch, Farm Forward, journalist Will Potter, Professor James McWilliams, investigator Monte Hickman, investigative journalist Blair Koch and undercover investigations consultant Daniel Hauff. According to Ridgway, who helped mobilize Sandpoint opposition to the bill, the ag-gag is as much a threat to free speech and democratic principles as it is to animal well-being. “If we start blocking a free press and investigative journalism, we are heading toward a totalitarian regime,” he said.

Miller enters assessor race By Reader Staff

A couple cross-country skis on the Pine St. Woods property recently. Photo courtesy of Kaniksu Land Trust.

support from the Idaho Department of Recreation’s Recreational Trails Program, which provides $7 million annually for trail maintenance, restoration and development across Idaho. Should work continue on pace, Kaniksu Land Trust officials hope to purchase the property and open it to the public by summer 2018. “An ambitious goal to be sure,” said Grace, “but the people of Sandpoint, Dover and Ponderay are known for their generosity and their ability to make big things happen.”

county residents. “The perception of Local business owner property owners in Bonner Richard Miller recently County is that they are not announced his candidabeing heard,” said Miller in cy for Bonner County a statement. “To serve and Assessor. advocate for others is the With over 40 years highest sign of respect. The of experience in propproperty owners of Bonner erty development and County deserve an assessor the construction induswho has their best interest try, Miller said he is at heart.” Richard Miller. well aware of the challenges that local Bonner County property owners property owners in Bonner County face. interested in learning more about Miller’s Miller’s core belief is that government is campaign are invited to check out Facesupposed to serve the people and that the book.com/RMiller2018. assessor’s office should be a benefit to

LPOSD seeks survey responses By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff Writer The Lake Pend Oreille School District is asking that all community members take part in a survey meant to help them “develop priorities” for the district. The survey asks the participant to describe themselves as either an LPOSD student, parent, staff member or a community member unaffiliated with the district. It asks what the participant believes are the biggest strengths and weaknesses of the district, as well as what they think are the greatest challenges the district will

face in coming years. It only takes a few minutes to complete. The survey is part of LPOSD’s attempt to use community input while creating a 2018-2023 strategic plan. “It is of critical importance that we create a long-term plan which incorporates feedback from our stakeholders throughout the county,” said Superintendent Shawn Woodward in an email, adding that the plan should reflect community priorities. “The survey will not only help us identify things that may require immediate district attention, but also those things that should be considered long term as well.”

NEWS

Primary ballot will feature Scotchman Peaks question

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff Writer The question of whether the proposed Scotchman Peaks Wilderness will come to be will now be an issue Bonner County citizens can vote for or against on their primary ballot in May. The Bonner County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to place an advisory vote on the May ballot. Because it is only “advisory,” the outcome would not determine anything palpable, but instead advise the commissioners which way the county truly leans on the issue. “I was told, and several of us have been told, there is widespread support

for this in the county, only to find out that there isn’t necessarily widespread support for this in the county,” said Commissioner Dan McDonald. “It’s important, if we really want to know whether or not there’s widespread support for this in the county, to see who’s willing to come out and vote for or against it.” County commissioners are able to place any question before citizens on a ballot, according to Idaho code. Commissioner Jeff Connolly said he worried this advisory vote option would start to be abused whenever an issue like this arose in the county. “I don’t oppose putting it on the ballot, I just question whether this is the right move to make for Bonner County,” he

City seeks artwork proposals for Roundabout By Reader Staff The Sandpoint Arts Commission invites artists to submit artwork for installation in the Schweitzer Cutoff Roundabout. The Schweitzer Cutoff Roundabout and Bridge were opened on November 22 after approximately six months of construction. The roundabout serves as a gateway to the city of Sandpoint at its northern edge and an important connection point between many different cultural, industrial and recreational opportunities. This includes Schweitzer Mountain Resort, the Sandpoint Airport and surrounding industrial businesses, the Bonner County Fairgrounds and the neighboring City of Ponderay. A successful proposal will reflect the multi-use nature of the location as well as Sandpoint’s love for its pristine land and water. Submission is open to artists through-

out the United States, although special consideration may be given to artists living in Idaho, Montana, Washington or Oregon. The call for artwork has been extended to Feb. 28. The top three finalists will receive a $1,000 stipend to prepare final scale drawings/marquettes, costs and description of the installation process and production timeline associated with the proposed art piece. Final selection to be made June 20 by the City Council. The total budget for the art project is $90,000. Funding is provided by the Sandpoint Urban Renewal Agency. Submission Requirements: Applications must be received through the CaFÉ website at www.callforentry. com no later than 11:59 p.m. PST on Feb. 28. Further Project details and the application are available at https://www. callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info. php?ID=4804

said. This is the first time Bonner County commissioners have placed an item on a ballot for advisory vote purposes, McDonald said. “This is a tool we can use,” Commissioner Glen Bailey said of the advisory vote. “I don’t see it becoming a common practice.” McDonald said he is personally opposed to the proposed designation, which would make nearly 14,000 acres in East Bonner County wilderness. Bailey and Connolly have voiced support for the proposal. Though it is ultimately a federal decision whether the land becomes wilderness, the commissioners agreed that depending on how the county votes, they will either support or oppose the proposal — despite their personal views. Executive Director of Friends of Scotchman Peaks Phil Hough attended the meeting. He asked the commissioners what accommodations would be made for unaffiliated voters. Elections official Charlie Wurm said the question would

Bonner County Commissioners Dan McDonald, left, Glen Bailey, center, and Jeff Connolly, right during a Bonner County Board of Commissioners meeting. Photo by Ben Olson.

make it onto all ballots. When questioned whether a primary voter turnout would give an accurate idea of county support or opposition to the proposed wilderness area, McDonald said the vote would at least give the commissioners an idea of which way the county leans. Wurm said the last regular primary, held in May 2016, had a 32.56 percent turnout. He said with the Scotchman Peaks question on the May 2018 ballot, he expects the voter turnout to be in the upper 30s. If the Lake Pend Oreille School District adds a levy question to the ballot, that turnout could exceed 40 percent, he added.

Natural resource plan public hearing Wednesday By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff Writer There will be a public hearing regarding the proposed Bonner County Natural Resource Plan on Wednesday, Jan. 17, at 5:30 p.m. at the Bonner County Administration Building. The plan, which can be read online at www.bonnercounty.us/bonner-county-natural-resources-committee, is 96 pages long and hits on topics like land use, wildlife, forest management and much more. The proposed plan is supposed to “cre-

ate an interface with federal government agencies to work with county officials in making certain as much as they possibly can that the federal government can coordinate and correlate plans with the county,” said Natural Resource Committee Chairman Cornel Rasor in a workshop on Oct. 25. Wednesday’s meeting is when county commissioners are meant to adopt the document. Read more about various community perspectives on the Natural Resource Plan at www.sandpointreader. com/unpacking-bonner-countys-natural-resource-plan. January 11, 2018 /

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Mad about Science: By Brenden Bobby Reader Columnist If you’ve been following this article for a while, you know how I like to document dangerous things with explosive potential. If this is the first time you’ve ever thought, “I’ll read what this guy has to say,” you’re in for a pleasant surprise. On the list of dangerous and explosive things, Uranium is pretty high up on that list. I mean, we’re talking about the basis for nuclear weapons, the most destructive singular force human beings have ever (intentionally) created until we figure out how to build the Death Star. Uranium is number 92 on the periodic table, and fittingly holds the abbreviation of U. When grade schoolers insult their siblings with:”You’re denser than lead!” they should really be shouting:”You’re denser than uranium!” That’s because uranium is 70 percent denser than lead. This leads to the usage of uranium in metal armor for tanks and as ammunition designed to penetrate said armor. It also makes a great container for storing and transporting highly radioactive material, which is kind of ironic considering the metal itself is radioactive. I guess if you need to transport a lion, and the only way you can do that is by building a cage made out of feral cats, you’ve gotta’ do what you’ve gotta’ do. Uranium’s most famous use is in nuclear weapons. There are a few different ways that nuclear weapons operate. The fissile method, which was used for the only nuclear weapons

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uranium

ever used in warfare (“Little Boy” and “Fat Man”), and the fusion method (modern nukes, thermonuclear weapons or hydrogen-bombs.). The fissile method achieves its massive energy output by smashing two pieces of uranium (or plutonium) together with a great amount of force, either down a tube or inward (an implosion method). This causes a chain reaction, where uranium atoms absorb neutrons. Then, like a cell that has absorbed enough nutrients, the uranium atom splits into lighter elements, ejecting energy and neutrons that impact other uranium atoms and repeat the process. On paper, this makes sense, but it’s hard to visualize how it goes from a fist-sized lump of uranium to a city-razing fireball. Here’s a visual aid: You’re playing a game of pool on a table the size of an Olympic stadium. There is a cluster of pool balls a few feet ahead of you, then several clusters around that one, several clusters around those and so on. Basically, this entire stadium is filled with pool balls, your cue ball and you. Did I mention that these pool balls are all filled with gunpowder? This isn’t any ordinary gunpowder, each grain has approximately 1.5 million times the explosive energy of a normal grain. You take aim and make your shot straight into the first cluster. Upon impact, the first ball explodes to eject its pieces in every direction. Some pieces fly off harmlessly while others pepper other balls in the cluster,

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which causes them to explode and trigger more balls. At that point, your Olympic stadium is completely gone, and so is everything for what I assume is several miles. This, in a crude nutshell, is uncontrolled nuclear fission. What if you want all of that energy, but you don’t want it all at once? You want it for several centuries to power your brand new 1500MW toaster (Amazon gave “The Incinerator” four stars!). You’re going to make sure that Olympic stadium is a lot smaller, and you’re going to separate the pool balls to make sure they don’t all go at once. That’s the intended difference between a nuclear bomb and a nuclear reactor. All of the energy is going to happen anyway, but you want it to happen slowly in a reactor. Remember Three Mile Island and Chernobyl? That was what happens when it doesn’t go slowly. It’s also worth noting that we don’t retrieve electrical energy directly from the fission. Rather, we use the fission to heat water into steam that turns turbines that create electrical energy we can use. One kilogram of enriched uranium can produce an immense amount of energy. How much? Get ready for it, this almost blew my socks off. One ton of uranium can produce the same amount of energy as 80,000 barrels of oil. That’s about 3.3 million gallons of crude oil, which could produce around 1.5 million gallons of gas for your car. At current gas prices, that has a value of just

around 4 million dollars. Mining for and refining uranium is serious business. It’s formed during supernovae, under intense heat and pressure, which also means it’s rare and isn’t made by earthly volcanism. Much of what we mine up has to be ground up and then chemically treated with acids to be separated from other elements to produce yellowcake. It’s not nearly as delicious as it sounds.

Uranium was also mixed into glass mixtures to create fancy cookware that glows under UV light, but that stopped because of a little something called the Cold War. It’s pretty cool, though, check out some videos online! Now that my research for this article has tripped at least a dozen FBI filters, I’d better retreat back to my mancave. Have a good week!

Random Corner r energy?

Don’t know much about nuclea

We can help!

• The former Soviet Union was the first world power to use nuclear energy to produce electrical power. The Obninsk Power Plant came online in 1954. The U.S. was the second global power to allow for commercial reactors to produce electricity. The Shippingport Power Plant came online in 1957. • Over 20 percent of U.S. electricity is provided by nuclear power. There are just over 100 nuclear power plants in operation in the country. Despite their presence and contribution to the country’s support, no new plants have been built since the Three Mile Island incident in 1979. • In the entire history of nuclear energy production, there have only been three major disasters – Three Mile Island, Fukushima, and Chernobyl. In comparison, over the past 25 years, there have been over 10 major disasters with fossil fuel energy – the largest of which was the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. • The U.S. government is attempting to switch from storing nuclear waste in cooling ponds and surface casks by burying it underground in a special site on Yucca Mountain in Nevada. It is facing massive local and state opposition to this plan. • The former Soviet Union was “helped” by the U.S. to create their first nuclear weapons. A successful spy venture stole them the information they needed to complete their program from the Los Alamo laboratories in the U.S. that created nuclear weaponry. • The U.S. tests its nuclear weapons in Nevada and in the Pacific Proving Grounds. The Proving Grounds cover the Marshall Islands. • Tsar Bomba, from the former Soviet Union, remains the most powerful nuclear device ever created. It was tested in 1961 over Novaya Zemlya. And the mushroom cloud it produced could be seen clearly from over 600 miles away. • Nuclear tests don’t make the news often, so many people aren’t aware there were over 55 tests a year for 30 years. That’s more than a test a week.

OPINION

It’s time to lay a foundation for affordable housing in Idaho By Rep. Mat Erpelding Reader Contributor

In 1992, the Idaho House of Representatives passed House Bill 756, creating the Idaho Housing Trust Fund. At the time, a responsible legislature realized that creating pathways to safe and decent housing for hardworking Idahoans and low-income households was in the best interests of all Idahoans. Immediately thereafter, lawmakers stopped being responsible. In the 25 years since the Idaho Housing Trust Fund was created, zero dollars have been earmarked for the fund. While the legislation also mandated the formation of an advisory board, no advisory board exists. The Housing Trust Fund was designed to gather private and public funds for the purpose of promoting workforce housing solutions across the state. After creating a tool to advance Idaho’s economic and housing security interests by incentivizing developers to invest in affordable housing, lawmakers chose not to fund it. Under the legislation, local governments and organizations can apply for funds for new construction of affordable housing, refurbishing of existing housing, rent assistance and other uses. Local govern-

ments can even apply for money to use as matching funds from federal and private interests – thus getting more bang for the buck in providing workforce housing. While the Housing Trust Fund empowers local government to come up with creative solutions to housing problems, there’s one fundamental problem -- there is nothing to apply for. Matching funds are great, so long as there is something to match with. If actions speak louder than words,

then the politicians in charge are making it clear they don’t care about Idaho’s small towns. Passing legislation without funding is a classic political shell game that is stifling growth in Idaho’s small communities. It also removes a vital tool community leaders could be using to minimize the economic impacts of housing shortages. Affordable housing problems exist in virtually every community in Idaho, from Sandpoint and Lewiston, to Pocatello and Driggs. While the United States is supposed to be the land of opportunity, hardworking Idahoans have severe challenges getting ahead. The reasons for that are numerous. However, one of the hurdles is housing prices. They continue to increase while wages remain flat. As a result, too many Idahoans are forced to spend every penny of every working week to support their families. There just isn’t money left at the end of the month to afford a home. For many Idahoans, there never will be — especially when rent eats up 30 percent of a paycheck. Access to affordable and adequate housing affects everyone — from young families to senior citizens living on fixed incomes. Affordable housing and a livable minimum wage are the

foundations of economic stability, upward mobility and long-term economic growth. Bottom line: safe, accessible workforce housing creates jobs and stable, robust, local economies. Affordable, healthy homes support economic security and access to opportunity. When the promise of opportunity is realized, everyone wins. We’d be doing ourselves, our communities and our state a great service by investing in the Idaho Housing Trust Fund in 2018. Being late to take action is better than doing what the politicians in charge have been doing for 25 years — turning their backs on the working people of Idaho. Representative Mat Erpelding is the Democratic Leader in the Idaho House of Representatives. He is currently serving his third term, representing District 19.

An Open Letter: To the Bonner County Board of Commissioners in opposition of the Natural Resource Plan By Kirk Sehlmeyer Reader Contributor Dear Commissioners, My name is Kirk Sehlmeyer, and I live in Bonner County. Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments and express my opposition to the proposed Natural Resource Plan. As a sportsman I am troubled by any reference in the proposed Natural Resource Plan to “transfer” federal lands to Idaho. Page 11 of the proposed Natural Resource Plan states: “Returning title of federally held lands back to State ownership is a viable solution that should be explored by the County and supported by the County at the

State level.” According to the Idaho Statesman, Idaho has sold 41 percent of its state-owned land: 1.7 million acres. That’s an area nearly 1.5 times the size of Bonner County. Much of this land is no longer available for hunting and fishing by Idahoans. Federal transfer to Idaho will lead to the sale of this land and loss of access by hunters and anglers. Additionally, I feel that a natural resource plan should include input from a variety of stakeholders. I believe that this plan was drafted by a group that all share a similar philosophy on land management and resource extraction in our county. The composition of this committee should reflect the diverse user

groups that depend on public land for their livelihood or recreation. To ensure the plan’s efficacy and benefits to the county this list should include (but, not be limited to): Federal agencies including: United States Forest Service, United States Army Corps of Engineers, United States Fish and Wildlife Service. State agencies including: Idaho Fish and Game, Idaho Department of Lands, Idaho Department of Water Resources, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. Sportsmen’s groups including: Bonner County Sportsmen, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Trout Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, In-

land Northwest Wildlife Council. Forest products industry including: Stimson Lumber Company, Idaho Forest Group, Hancock Investment Group. Outdoor industry including: the Idaho Outfitters and Guide Association, Schweitzer Mountain Properties, and owners of restaurants and hotels in Bonner County. In summary, I believe that you should reject this plan. You should solicit additional public comment and host workshops to collaboratively shape a natural resource plan that benefits Bonner County’s residents and businesses. Thank you for your careful consideration of this plan. January 11, 2018 /

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LIVE MUSIC Saturday, Jan. 13 @ 8-10pm

Steve Neff

(208) 229-8377 109 Cedar St.

Rich and gritty, guitar and saxophone, jazz and blues

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Fit and Fall Proof fitness class for seniors 11am-12pm @ Cedar Hills Church A free fitness class for seniors sponsored by the Idaho Panhandle Health District This fitness program is designed for olde adults to improve flexibility, mobility, bal ance and strength. All are welcome

Paint and Sip 6:30pm @ Pottery Bug A Paint and Sip, featuring a beautiful winter picture called “Frosty Cardinal” - simple and fun to paint. $30. RSVP with Gena@PotteryBugStudio.com

Live Music w/ Bright Moments Jazz 6-8pm @ Cedar St. Bridge Wine Bar Jazz baby... yeah Live Music w/ Ron Greene Live Music w/ Ben and Cadie 6:30-9:30pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall 5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Celebrate Second Fridays with the Come for the beer, stay for the... beer virtuous Ron Greene Live Music w/ Mike and Shanna 5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Bluegrass, jazz, and blues

Live Music w/ Justin Lantrip 5:30-7:30pm @ Idaho Pour Authority A soulful singer/songwriter Live Music w/ Oak Street Connection 6-8pm @ Cedar St. Bridge Wine Bar A duo that covers everything from jazz, R&B, blues, rock, pop and rap (“but with our own twist!)

Live Music w/ Scotia Road 6:30-9:30pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall A four-piece family band made up of guitar, mandolin and upright bass

Live Music w/ Devon Wade 9pm @ 219 Lounge Top 40s country rock with one of Idaho’s top country rock stars Live Music w/ Steve Neff 8-10pm @ Back Door Bar Rich and gritty, guitar and saxophone, jazz and blues Live Music w/ Mostly Harmless 7:30pm @ Eichardt’s Pub A fun trio with great energy

David Raitt 7pm @ Panid In addition to gie Band, Pet and drummer ists “Rare Ear David Raitt a

FSPW Rich Lan 7:30pm @ The eve Landers, itor and a the Spok cussing 4 the Great as a conv moderated Bessler. s and no-ho

Sandpoint Chess Club 9am @ Evans Brothers Coffee Meets every Sunday at 9am Monday Night Blues Jam w/ Truck Mills 7:30pm @ Eichardt’s Pub

Lifetree Cafe • 2pm @ Jalepeño’s Restau Lifetree Cafe is an hour of stories and con sation to feed your soul

Smooth Hound Smith in concert 7pm @ Panida Theater This Nashville-based duo produces a folksy rhythm and blues sound all of their own creation. Tickets are $12 adults, $8 ages 18 and under. Presented by Mattox Farms Wind Down Wednesday 5-8pm @ 219 Lounge With live music by blues man Truck Mills. Relax together with friends and colleagues at the end of the day Dollar Beers! 8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Good until the keg’s dry

Tuesday Backgammon Tourna 5pm @ Laughing Dog Brewery The tournament takes place Tuesday with beer specials and

SHS Class of 2018 Grad Night Fundraiser Live M 7:30pm 5-8pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Great se Live music, raffle prizes and complimentary appetizers. Plus beer from Ballast Point Brewing Co. beer on tap

Girls Pint Out 5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Cool Chicks! Great Beer! No Dudes! Join Vicki at the big table fro an evening tasting and talking about Winter Beer

Banff Mountain Film F 7pm @ Panida Theater Come out for one of the year! Each of the three nigh vanced tickets $16, or $19

ful

January 11-18, 2018

or seniors ch sponsored h District. d for older bility, balme

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

Open Mic with Kevin Dorin 6-9pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall All local artists over 21 years of age are welcome to this fun and open night of playing. Come out for a positive environment to share your passion or just come to take it all in

vid Raitt and the Baja Boogie Band m @ Panida Theater addition to the Raitt and the Baja BooBand, Peter Rivera, who was the voice drummer with Motown recording art“Rare Earth” - will be performing with vid Raitt and the Baja Boogie Band

FSPW Celebration with Rich Landers 7:30pm @ Panida Theater The event features Rich Landers, former outdoor editor and adventure writer for the Spokesman-Review discussing 40 “Rich” years in the Great Outdoors as well as a conversation with Rich moderated by Keokee’s Chris Bessler. silent auction, raffle and no-host beer and wine. $5

CCL membership meeting 5:30pm @ Loaf and Ladle The Citizen’s Climate Lobby meeting agenda includes an endorsement drive to find interested businesses that want to support CCL. cclsandpoint@gmail.com for info

Live Music w/ Brian Stai 8-11pm @ 219 Lounge Spokane-based Brian Stai is an Americana folk artist who emphasizes authentic lyrics and storytelling. Vintage Americana with a modern twist. Free show

Cedar St. Bridge Public Market 10am-2pm @ Cedar St. Bridge Come enjoy indoor shopping on the bridge spanning Sand Creek NFL football playoffs party 3:30-6:30pm @ 219 Lounge Join Bob Witte of KPND as he hosts a NFL football playoffs party at the Niner! Tons of prizes to give away, drink specials, plus food from Edelwagen Food Truck from 2:30-6:30pm. 21+

Deschutes Night at the Pub 5pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Come out to the Pub for Deschutes Night. Check out the Woodie in the parking lot and enjoy 5 Deschutes beers inside!

Sandpoint Contra Dance 7pm @ Sandpoint Community Hall All dances are taught and called with live music. Beginners and singles are welcome. $5 suggested donation. Sponsored by Lost Horse Press and Sandpoint Parks and Recreation

Animal Tracking and Sign Interpretation 9am-3:30pm @ NIC at Sandpoint Center Learn to decipher the subtle clues that wildlife leave behind in the form of trails, prints, rubs, hair, smells and behaviors as they silently creep through the woods, fields, and wetlands. $49 fee. 208-769-3333

o’s Restaurant es and conver-

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Night-Out Karaoke 9pm @ 219 Lounge Join DJ Pat for a night of singing, or just come to drink and listen

Live Music w/ John Firshi 7:30pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Great selection of songs by Firshi

Trivia Night 7-9pm @ MickDuff’s Restaurant The weekly trivia night at MickDuff’s is a popular choice for Tuesday night. Grab a seat early, they go fast! Open Mic 5-8pm @ SKåL Taproom Musicians and comedians welcome! Open mic is held every Wednesday

Jan. 19-20 Banff Mountain Film Festival @ Panida Theater Jan. 25 Five Alarm Funk @ The Hive

Jan. 26-27 “Death of a Live Music w/ Joseph Hein Band in Film Festival World Tour Small Town in 8-11pm @ 219 Lounge Theater the West” play @ one of the coolest weekends of the Dreamy harmonious sounds with an enere three nights has a different film. Ad- getic uptempo rhythm influenced by songs Panida Theater

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COMMUNITY

100 years young:

Local centenarian Francis McNall shares his long life with the Reader

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff Writer In a single two-hour sitting with Francis McNall, it’s easy to forget you’re living in 2018. You’re caught up in the story of a 4-year-old driving a team of horses in the 1920s. Then he’s teaching in a classroom in the 1950s, or farming during World War II. He’s riding a wagon on Highway 95 before there was even gravel on it, buying his first microwave and breaking his hip while running from a sprinkler — at 80 years old. And all this jumping back and forth through time isn’t because McNall is confused. He knows darn well it’s 2018. He can name all 33 of his great-grandchildren. He prepares his own food and counts out his own medications. He recalls what he did last week as well as he recalls his teen years. It’s just that when you’re 100 years old, and someone asks you about the highlights of your life, it’s easy to jump around that century-long map of memories. “I’ve had many highlights,” McNall said. “One after another.” When Jan. 1, 2018, brought in the New Year, it also capped off McNall’s 100th year on the planet. He celebrated his birthday surrounded by close family — all 80 of them — on their family ranch on lower Grouse Creek. When McNall and his family moved to North Idaho from Whitman County in 1922, they brought with them Sandpoint’s first shorthorn cattle. McNall, then 4 years old, went on to build the McNall shorthorn legacy into what it is today — McNall and Williams Shorthorns. To this day, the McNall name is all over the stalls at the Bonner County Fair each year. Beyond raising cattle, McNall found his niche as a school teacher later in his life. 14 /

/ January 11, 2018

“That represents 23 years of good stuff,” McNall said while handing forth a photo of him and one of the classes he taught at Northside Elementary School, noting that his favorite part was “seeing those kids learn.” McNall taught fifth and sixth graders for more than two decades. Now, McNall’s granddaughter, Tasha Albertson, teaches sixth grade in the same classroom at Northside that he retired from. He said he was hired to become a teacher thanks to his experiences teaching vocational farm culture through 4-H. Because he had four years of college under his belt and the school was short of teachers, he found a passion that would lead to three genera-

tions of McNall teachers. When McNall became an educator in 1957, a teacher’s salary was $2,700, he said. While some fellow teachers weren’t so happy with the money, McNall said he never complained. “My arithmetic was pretty good, so I divided that by nine and when I got $300 a month I thought, ‘wow, that’s something,” McNall recalled with a laugh. One highlight from his 100 years, McNall said, outweighs all the others. “I’d say the biggest highlight is our family,” he said. McNall and his wife Beverly, who passed away in April of last year after 69 years of marriage, had seven children together, who all have children and grandchil-

Top: Francis McNall talks with the author about his long life in Bonner County. Photo by Lyndsie Kiebert. Right: Francis McNall in Bonner County in the Winter of 1925. Courtesy photo.

dren of their own. Of everything that has helped McNall live such a long life — from diet to staying active to saving whiskey exclusively to treat sore throats — his approach to life’s hardships has helped him most, he said. “It is good to forgive. You

should never hold a grudge. And it is good to look on the bright side. The worst thing you can do is brood,” he said. “And work.” In the case of Francis McNall, it’s been a long life of work, and in turn, a long, fulfilled life.

LITERATURE

resolution

by Heather McElwain

This open Window

Vol. 3 No.1

poetry and prose by local writers edited by Jim mitsui

dress them up, dress them down by Amy Craven

They are your children, your own babies

Snow has swaddled the land in silence, like before it was a word, as Henry Real Bird might say, its hush clanging down metal roofs, snapping stout limbs.

Take them to lunch or a friend’s wedding Maybe choose to keep them sequestered and still, in their rooms Insist that since they are your progeny they show themselves to an advantage Clean clothes or dirty, just as long as there’s some sort of style for god’s sake They will disappoint you, speak about the most embarrassing sprees They will enchant you too as they push and pull you through the years

sucking and sucking sour-sweet Skittle Juice,

Tracks along cottage windows tell the fable of a fawn peeking into history, snipping oddments of seasons. Come for fat on ribs, she finds only myrtle and dreams not yet deemed. If Real Bird, I’d step into the feeling, a peak in the Cabinets, toothier than his Little Wolves. I’d walk with snowshoes to where water is born, to where everything that was, still is.

dissolved candy oozing into his mouth through the zipped -up front pouch of a child’s pink wind parka left rumpled on a picnic table overnight. Or like a feral mare on Waipi’o Beach, who’s figured out how to unbuckle a strap with her teeth to open a backpack, lumpy with apples and nutty snacks and left

And I would say, Listen. Hear beauty in the wind? Hear sad and grateful tales, of wintering in teepee camps, before that same river was corralled and broken?

untended beneath a nioi tree while the unknowing tourist frolics the black sand with his little sister throwing a frisbee.

To stick tongue skyward, squeeze tomorrow’s nectar from barefaced snowflakes. In boughs, bark, and dormant earth find silvery forms of surprise.

And too, like when I’m a quiet woman bent at the window sill, rearranging agates and crystals, feathers and weathered wood, lichen, barnacles and seed pods, beach glass and bleached bones I’ve dragged home with my memories over the years in an old handwoven red osier dogwood basket.

The sky is falling, draping all in its moods, overcasting mountains, hunger, and history’s narration— a silent river of feeling to hush words.

-Beth Weber

-Heather McElwain

Mostly you will wonder if they are worthy of such fastidious attention —

by Beth Weber

It’s much like the delighted Yosemite bear cub

Snow has hushed its manic lick, lets slip a different story, changes the ending. From hollow warmth of candle dance behind windows of shelved stillness, I want.

Take them to a movie or to the circus

me discovering a poem

Beth is in the process of moving into her finished fixer-upper in Sandpoint. The highlight of her holiday was driving back from Indiana with her husband, Marc, with his new truck. Stay tuned for poems about that experience.

Heather is an editor and creative specialist who lives in Sandpoint. This poem certainly captures the essence of our current snow accumulation, and the distance ‘til spring.

Your labor, your creations, your words

-Amy Craven Amy is a retired voice teacher, who is married to a Sandpoint native. She loves poetry, music and the paintings of Andrew Wyeth.

Send poems to: jim3wells@aol.com January 11, 2018 /

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/ January 11, 2018

STAGE & SCREEN

Friends of Scotchman Peaks host Rich Landers Saturday By Ben Olson Reader Staff

Outdoor writer Rich Landers “retired” Dec. 1, leaving the Spokesman-Review after 40 years as reporter and, for the great majority of those, outdoor editor. To celebrate his retirement and the 13th Anniversary of Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, Landers will take to the Panida Theater stage in Sandpoint on Jan. 13 to reflect on his Spokesman career; “40 ‘Rich’ Years in the Great Outdoors.” Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness is hosting the event, which includes a silent auction, no-host bar, raffle and an on-stage interview with Landers conducted by Sandpoint Magazine publisher Chris Bessler. Doors at the Panida will open at 6:30 p.m., and Landers’ presentation begins at 7:30 p.m. “Rich has been one of the best supporters of the Friends proposal over the years,” said FSPW executive director Phil Hough, “so we were delighted when he accepted our invitation to be our 13th Anniversary ‘headliner.’ We look forward to hearing great stories about his adventures both locally and around the world.” Landers has plenty of stories to tell. He graduated in journalism from University of Montana in 1975. He’s worked with Field and Stream, Montana Outdoors, Outside, Runner’s World, Pacific Northwest, Western Outdoors and Popular Mechanics. He has also published guide books with Mountaineer Books,

including “100 Hikes in the Inland Northwest” and “Day Hiking Eastern Washington.” He’s been recognized as the Conservation Writer of the Year by both the Idaho Conservation League and the Washington Environmental Council. “We encourage folks to come early,” said Sandy Compton, FSPW program coordinator. “Bonners Books will have Rich’s books for sale, and we have some very nice silent auction items, including a ‘city cruiser’ bike from Syringa Cyclery, a Tracker avalanche beacon donated by Lyle Hemingway and several pieces of art; including a giclée print from FSPW artist-in-residence Karen Robinson and a painting form Aaron Johnson, one of our perennial ‘Extreme Plein Air’ artists.” The event at the Panida garnered a long list of sponsors, including major sponsors Sandpoint Reader, Spokesman-Review, Evergreen Magazine, Idaho Forest Group and Idaho Conservation League. “The community response to this event has been wonderful,” said Compton. “We were somewhat overwhelmed by the amount of support the business community has shown. We sold all of our sponsorships in a very short time.” Tickets for this event are only $5, and available at Eichardt’s Pub, Bonners Books in Bonners Ferry, online at www.scotchmanpeaks.org/events and at the Panida. View the complete sponsor list and silent auction items at http://bit. ly/13thFSPWSponsors

Auditions held for Follies By Ben Olson Reader Staff

It’s getting to be that time of year again. That’s right, it’s the annual Angels Over Sandpoint fundraiser The Follies! Interested in auditioning for this year’s show? Show director Dorothy Prophet has announced audition dates and times: Jan. 19 from 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. Jan. 20 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Jan. 20 from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Jan. 27 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Jan. 27 from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Those auditioning for the show need to bring their whole act, as well as any music you may need. There is no need to have costuming ready for audition, but those who try out should be able to give an idea of what the costumes will entail. Prophet asks those interested to email dprop839999@yahoo.com to set up a time on one of the offered dates. The Follies raises tens of thousands of dollars each year for the Angels Over Sandpoint, which in turn funnels the money directly into the community. For more information: angelsoversandpoint.org.

Friends of Scotchman Peaks will host outdoor writer Rich Landers at the Panida Theater in Sandpoint on January 13 for “40 ‘Rich’ Years in the Great Outdoors.” Courtesy photo.

friday, Jan. 12 @ 7pm

DAVID RAITT, PETER RIVERA & THE BAJA BOOGIE BAND Jan. 12 & 13 @ 6pm | Jan. 15 @ 7pm

‘The florida project’

saturday, Jan. 13 @ 7:30pm

FRIENDS OF SCOTCHMAN PEAKS 13TH ANNIVERSARY Celebrate 13 years of FSPW, with a conversation with Rich Landers, an outdoor reporter and editor for the Spokesman-Review for 45 years

tuesday, Jan. 16 @ 7pm

smooth hound smith in concert

Presented by Mattox Farms, this Nashville duo produces a folksy rhythm & blues sound all of their own creation

Jan. 18-20 @ 7pm

banff mountain film festival world tour Jan. 26-27 & Feb. 2-3 @ 7pm

“Death of a small town in the west” play

An original play of doom in three acts • written by Ben Olson and Chris Herron, directed by maddie Elliot

feb. 8 @ 6:30pm

lowest pair in concert and jake robin little r athe sultry country folk duo out of Olympia, Washington with Jake robin opening e t a the January 11, 2018 /

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PET CARE

Pet pearlies By Dr. Dawn Mehra Reader Contributor Does your pet’s mouth smell like dirty socks or day old fish? If so, he/she might be suffering from halitosis putting him/ her at risk for infection, pain and organ problems. Similar to humans, the better care we give to our pet’s mouth, the longer their potential life span. So, if you love your pet, treat him/her to a full mouth examination ASAP, especially if you need nose plugs to take a peek under the lip. Plaque is actually an accumulation of bacteria, bad for the mammalian body. Frequent removal is key to an excellent hygiene program. If not brushed daily, plaque will progress into a hard and cement-like form called calculus. Infection commences. Bone loss occurs and tooth attachment loosens which can be quite painful. In addition to loose teeth, gum inflammation spreads bacteria to the liver, kidneys and heart. It can be easy to brush your pet’s teeth using a small soft-bristled toothbrush and veterinary toothpaste. Remember to stay away from human formulations because not only do they taste bad, some ingredients can be toxic.

Tickets on sale n ow! •Eichard t’ •Eve’s Le s aves •Panida.o rg

Can I just use my fingernail to remove calculus? First of all, calculus is very hard to remove by hand. Even if “chipped off” disease under the gum-line hasn’t been addressed. Dull or improperly-cared-for equipment can cause enamel damage, set up a rough surface for plaque to accumulate faster, and expose the next layer, dentin, which is very sensitive to air and temperature. Why is anesthesia necessary to clean my pet’s teeth? Anesthesia provides three important functions: immobilization in order to clean properly above and below the gum line, pain relief and the ability to place a tube into the windpipe so bacterial products do not enter the lungs. Steps to a healthy mouth: •General examination/blood-work •Oral exam under anesthesia •Tartar removal with ultrasonic scaler •Scaling/root planing (below the gum-

18 /

/ January 11, 2018

line) where indicated •Dental charting •Therapy if necessary •Follow up What is the cost of a professional cleaning? It is difficult to determine precisely what the procedure will cost until we know the status of your pet’s teeth and gums. We can quote general cleaning and radiograph fees, every patient has these in common. A follow up treatment plan will be communicated to you after a tooth-bytooth exam is conducted under anesthesia. What can I do to increase the interval between professional cleanings? Daily brushing helps tremendously. Recently, prescription diets manufactured specifically to help control plaque have gained much momentum. Rinses, enzymatic chew toys, breath fresheners combine to help limit the bacteria count, tartar accumulation and gum disease, thus lengthening the time between professional cleanings. What toys should I avoid to protect my pet’s teeth? Chewing on objects harder than teeth (rocks, cooked bones) can easily lead to cracked teeth. Cow and horse hoof commonly cause damage to the upper premolars. Rough Tug-of-war games, especially in young animals, can lead to disruption of permanent teeth eruption. What happens if my pet cracks a tooth? If your pet fractures a tooth, treatment options include vital pulp capping, root canal therapy, or extraction. Unattended, the exposed root and nerve can be quite painful initially. Moreover, these teeth are considered contaminated and can lead to future infection. Questions? Contact Dr. Dawn Mehra: www.idahovet.com 208-265-5700 North Idaho Animal Hospital 320 S. Ella St. Sandpoint

SCIENCE

NCHOPS:

The building blocks of life By Mike Wagoner Reader Contributor

I was thumbing through a biology textbook the other day and stumbled upon the periodic chart. You remember it: the big, scary, multi-colored banner of boxes that hung on the wall in your high school science class. It lists all the things of which this planet is made: the elements. While staring at it, I was struck by something. We are certainly “of this world.” Our bones, skin, muscles, even our very DNA is made up of the same stuff that is found in the rocks, water and air of the planet. There are six main ones, where we are concerned, that make up around 99 percent of us all. They are nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and sulfur, or NCHOPS. This is the “word” I used to remember them in school. Anyway, that’s what we are, so whoever or whatever made us used stuff that was already here. When we pass away, the elements within us return home. “Dust to dust.” Nitrogen is in the air, water and soil. So is carbon. Phosphorous doesn’t have a gas cycle, so it’s either in the rocks or the water. Oxygen and hydrogen are mainly in the air and the water. Sulfur can surprise you most anywhere depending on ... well, it’s a long story. Nature is all about recycling everything. Think about it: There are only so many atoms to go around. Sort of like pennies. There’s never going to be

any more or less. Nature has known for a long time that you need to plan on reusing everything or you’re going to run out. Huh... good thinking. So, you could have an atom in your leg that was in a dinosaur. We are even recycled while we are living. That’s right, in about four years, our bodies renew themselves molecule by molecule, atom by atom. That’s what molecules are made up of: atoms. Who says people can’t change? How do we incorporate all these different elements of the earth into our bodies? Well, this question can be answered with another question: “What’s for dinner?” Mike Wagoner has a dual personality. By day he is a science teacher and by night a singer/songwriter. He has recently moved to the area from Nashville where he taught school and did studio work on the side.

READER

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Pain is Inevitable Suﬀering is Optional

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support an informed community

Want to support us? Donate a couple bucks a month! Everything helps!

www.patreon.com/sandpointreader January 11, 2018 /

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SPORTS

The view from the bench Being a coach taught me to dig deep while letting go

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff Writer I had a lot of coaches growing up. Between volleyball, basketball, soccer and tennis, I listened to a lot of different advice between the ages of 8 and 18. “Keep your elbow in.” “Communicate with your teammates.” “Stay on your toes.” “Follow your shot.” “Be aggressive.” “Lyndsie, please calm down before you turn the ball over … again.” I can’t say I was a stellar athlete, and it wasn’t for a lack of trying. I found I had a mind for the game, but my body had a mind of its own. By my senior year at Clark Fork High School, I’d earned the reputation of the player who played with heart, but not a lot of finesse. Through all those coaches, and all that advice, one thing always stuck with me. One coach, George Thornton, always had something to teach me — whether I wanted to hear it or not. At one point, when I was around 15, I became so frustrated while talking to him that my eyes began to water. “If I didn’t think you could improve I wouldn’t be giving you pointers,” he told me. “When I stop trying to help you, that means I’ve given up.” I wasn’t sure how true it was, but it stuck with me nonetheless, and I never again let George’s harping get me down. I went to college on academic scholarships, and following graduation I had a part-time job and absolutely nothing athletic in my life. That’s when I applied to be the assistant volleyball coach at CFHS. I was lucky enough to join a coaching staff that’d been working with that particular group of girls for several years, so the skill to win was there. Instilling the desire the win is where I like to think I came in. Volleyball is just as mental of a game as it is physical. Being the strategic player I was, I tried to teach this to the team. The game starts as soon as you enter the same gym as your opponent. The team that is in sync, loud and 20 /

/ January 11, 2018

disciplined in their warm-up is oftentimes the better team. Anyone can pass, set and hit a ball — what matters is where that ball goes. Be cheery, be excited, but also be ruthless. Find their weaknesses, then target them — then get incredibly excited when you win the point, whether the score is 1-0 in the first set or 15-13 in the fifth set. This is how I love to play volleyball, and it worked for us. The team went nearly undefeated during regular season but for one loss, and then swept the district tournament. We went to state, and ended the year with two players — our captain, Brooke, and Ellie, my little sister — named to the All-State teams. If you ask the girls, they’ll probably say I taught them to be obnoxiously loud on the court (which is true), but they might even say they learned a little more from their 21-year-old, greenhorn coach. However, all I can really be sure of is what they taught me. As it turns out, you can’t make someone want something — they have to want it themselves. Teenage girls can be incredibly annoying. They can also be incredibly funny, strong and thoughtful. What people think you’re capable of and what you know you’re capable of are two very different things.

Yelling at someone to focus before they serve the ball does not help them focus. (This one’s for you, Cindy). And finally, every single player needs something different. As a player, I focused on myself, and I trusted those around me to do their job. As a coach, I got to decide what everyone’s job was, and how best to convince them to do it the way I knew they could. Some players need encouragement. Some need a challenge. Others just want you to leave them alone. It’s the same with people in our

everyday lives, and yet somehow, when you’re seeing everything from the bench of a high school volleyball game it becomes a whole lot clearer. I plan to keep coaching, whether I live here or anywhere else. I’ve been volunteering with both the girls and boys junior high basketball teams in Clark Fork as of late. Let me tell you: I thought teenage girls could be stubborn, but 12-year-old boys are on a new level. But just the other day, as I ran a shooting drill with half the boys team and Coach George worked with the

Top Right: The Clark Fork varsity volleyball team after their sweep of the 2017 North Star League district championship. Left: Coach Lyndsie most likely thinking, “What the hell are they doing out there?” Photos by Dan Earle. other half, I felt a part of some weird, Clark-Fork-sports circle of life. I kept telling one boy, who is new to basketball, that he needed to box out. Then I was telling him to set his feet before he shot. Then I was harping on him about who knows what else when he looked at me with a discouraged expression. “If I didn’t think you could improve I wouldn’t be giving you pointers. When I stop trying to help you, that means I’ve given up,” I told him.

MUSIC

219 to host Spokane folk singer Brain Stai By Ben Olson Reader Staff

For Spokane singer-songwriter Brian Stai, his latest album, “Your Dreams,” was very much a dream come true. Not only did he record with renowned producer Doug Williams, best known for recording the Avett Brothers’ “Four Thieves Gone” album, but Stai also got to feature his dad on the album. Stai will be playing in Sandpoint for the first time at the 219 Lounge on Friday, Jan. 12, from 8-11 p.m. Originally from Iowa, Stai grew up in a musical household. “My dad’s been in cover bands since he was 15,” said Stai. “He still is, actually. He plays all around in the area I grew up, in Iowa. So I grew up around live music, going to listen to live music a lot. My sister is also a very accomplished singer and theater actress.” Stai began playing acoustic guitar when he was 12. He played guitar in the church choir, with his dad, and occasionally as part of an acoustic duo, but never considered it as anything more than a hobby. “I wasn’t really into arts in high school. I was all about sports,” said Stai. It wasn’t until the end of his college years that Stai began singing while playing and writing songs. More than any other band, the Avett Brothers inspired his forthcoming output. “Something about their lyrics seems to have spoken to me,” he said. “They were a really big influence.” For Stai, he has always been drawn to songs that emphasize thoughtful lyrics: “It could be a catchy song, but if the lyrics don’t speak to me, it’s hard to get on board,” he said. “Then there are songs where I don’t

This week’s RLW by Rachel Castor

READ

Poet Emily Kendall Frey recently published an excerpt from her new work “I became less acceptable to those in Power” in “La Vague Journal.” It begins, “Genuinely cared little for their dilemmas / Bloomed big on the stalk / Didn’t want you to touch me / Didn’t choose allegiance to any status.” It’s going to be grand and timely. Her most recent book is “Sorrow Arrow.”

LISTEN

really know what the lyrics are. I guess the goal for me is to marry the two.” Stai’s “Your Dreams” album, released last month, features a vintage Americana sound, but with introspective stories about love and life that would seem melancholy if they weren’t wrapped in an uplifting jacket. “I think a lot of the album has been inspired by a post-college, transitioning to adulthood kind of feeling,” said Stai. “There’s something really sobering about your mid-20s. It was the beginning of my marriage, falling in love, but I don’t like to leave songs where there’s no hope. It shouldn’t be sad and vulnerable and end badly. So I try to end with some sort of light at the end of the tunnel.” When it came time to record “Your Dreams,” Stai did lots of research. He came to the conclusion that instead of going with a jack-of-all-trades producer, or a local in his house, Stai would seek out a professional who produced bands he was inspired by. “I love the Avett Brothers,

Top: Brian Stai, as photographed by Corlana Mullavey. Right: “Your Dreams” was released in Dec. 2017.

especially their early stuff,” he said. “So I checked out who they recorded with when they started out as independent.” Stai tracked down North Carolina producer Doug Williams with Electromagnetic Radiation Recorders and hit it off instantly. “He was kind and generous,” said Stai. “A southern gentleman. He knew what he was talking about. We must’ve emailed back and forth 100 times between May and October.” When it came time to lay down the tracks, Stai and his father flew down to North Carolina and spent three days in the studio with Williams, tracking all the songs in a whirlwind of effort. “He’s really into vintage recording gear,” said Stai. “He uses mikes from the ‘30s and ‘40s, and tube mikes he got in the ‘80s for dirt cheap because no one knew how to fix them up. Some of the most iconic

songs were recorded on that equipment.” On the album, Stai’s father played all the bass tracks and also sang some harmonies and played a little lead guitar. The cover of “Your Dreams” also features a painting Stai’s mom did in the early ‘80s. “With the cover art and my dad recorded on the album, it’s been a little bit of a family affair,” said Stai. “And it’s a record, which means it’s a memory that I’ll always have to listen to.” Check out Brian Stai at the 219 Lounge Friday, Jan. 12, at 8 p.m. If you can’t make the show, you can listen and purchase “Your Dreams” at brianstai.bandcamp.com/album/your-dreams.

Named 7th best album of the year, Kesha’s “Rainbow” chronicles her recovery from abuse. The pop anthem “Woman” features the Dap Kings on horns isn’t getting as much play time as it should during a year when we could really use a gold-and-horns imbued I’m-Every-Woman reprise. The soulful “Praying” is a tear-jerker about abuse and recovery that should replace office sexual harassment videos. Even if you don’t love pop music you gotta love this album’s theme of reclaiming power.

WATCH

“The Eagle Huntress” was released in 2016 but I hadn’t seen it until this year. It’s a perfect winter’s night film full of hope and family. The documentary chronicles the story of 13-year-old Aisholpan in Mongolia. Aishoplan’s family are profit partners in the film, so if you buy it you are helping pay for Aishoplan to go to medical school. It’s also available for free at the Sandpoint Library... after I return it!

January 11, 2018 /

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HEALTH

The healing power of simplicity From The Sandpoint Bulletin Thursday, July 30, 1942

Prostitutes Out, Navy Declares County authorities were warned at a conference here Monday that naval authorities would not permit trainees at Farragut naval station to visit towns where there were houses of prostitution. Attending the conference were Dr. A.N. Johnson of the naval medical corps and Chief Pharmacist Mate E. J. Braddock, members of the venereal disease control board of the 13th naval district. They discussed the situation with the board of county commissioners and the prosecuting attorney. They said flatly that communities which harbored houses of prostitution would be declared out of bounds for youths receiving training at Farragut naval station. Faced with this situation three such establishments in Sandpoint will be forced to close their doors if the people of Sandpoint want sailors from the “boot camp” to come to Sandpoint.

MRS. HAUGNESS VISITS HER HUSBAND IN MINNEAPOLIS Mrs. H. A. Haugness returned Sunday from Minneapolis where she visited her husband, Lieutenant Haugness, before he was transferred to Fort Monmouth, N.J. She also visited relatives at Miles City and Drummond, Mont. Her nephew, Harry Cotton, returned with her and will visit at the home of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. A.S. Cotton of Dover. 22 /

/ January 11, 2018

By Gabrielle Duebendorfer, ND Reader Columnist Invariably, some time before Christmas it hits me – the feeling of being enfolded in woe. Nothing seems to go right. My brain goes into a million directions at the same time. I have lots of ideas to make everyone happy, to re-establish connections, to nourish old ones while grieving lost ones. I fell a deep longing for belonging, then melancholy. Then something more like despair, sometimes turning into anger — mostly at myself, sometimes at others. This time something different happened. Rather than continuing to run around like a chicken with its head cut off, I sat down next to my husband, who has been establishing the habit of simply lying down on the couch in the middle of the afternoon, doing nothing. A quite novel concept from where I am coming from. Instead of asking what was going on and trying to make me feel better, he simply took my hand and said: “You are home already.” It was like magic, this simple sitting together and feeling myself into what was really happening on an experiential level, within the holding comfort of the closeness of my beloved. I felt the grief, the longing and the underlying emptiness, the pain of confusion, and then grace entered. It invariably does when one stays long enough. I was able to engage in joyful pre-Christmas activity, as it seemed appropriate in the moment. Recently, one of my iRest (Integrative Restoration) class students said after class: “The impact of staying with difficult emotions, rather than suppressing them to maintain a self image of spiritual immunity, has been profound. The recognition of the validity of a wide range of emotions has allowed me to socially function without denying my own truth despite the grief I have been experiencing.” This being with what is difficult can be quite liberating and has a delightful simplicity to it. However, it is not easy! That’s where the holding power of relationship, of community, comes in. It is quite helpful to have somebody holding the container as the mind’s tendency to escape and barrel down familiar roads of denial, distraction, transference or

over-analysis is quite strong. I just had a call with my sister in reviewing our experience with my mom’s process of dying of cancer. Being a palliative oncologist herself, she said, to my surprise, the most powerful lesson for her was recognizing the importance of the simple presence of a person. Ultimately, having somebody be willing to sit with all the suffering that comes with chronic disease and dying, to lovingly touch and massage the disfigured body part, to convey the capacity to even stay with pain or vomiting or confusion and depression: All that has very strong healing power on a deep level. Physical healing might happen or not, but a deeper healing of belonging is facilitated for sure. At my last talk at Winterridge about depression, anxiety and addiction, a young lady finally spoke up in exasperation about the apparent affluent, educated, yuppie perspective that was being conveyed by the attendees – and presenter. Hailing from a less fortunate background and doing her shopping at regular stores, all this talk about healthy diet and supplements made all the offerings quite unachievable. Living well can very easily add up to high expenses – both on finances and time. I do like putting together comprehensive treatment protocols for my patients as they tend to be more effective with complex chronic illnesses, and I assure dialogue about feasibility. However, often the simplest adjustments have the most profound impact. This young lady accepted my invitation to see me privately to reassure her that healthy living could be achieved in a very simple way. To both of our delight she came back with considerably more

energy, no digestive symptoms whatsoever and improved sleep and mood. All I did was to encourage her to keep an open mind and start cooking in bulk for herself with a few vegetarian recipes and freezing the leftovers, switching from sodas to sparkling water and taking magnesium and B vitamins. She even had her roommate participate, as he started eating her food. Mostly, I think the healing change happened because someone listened to her and provided a holding container for transformation. May you find someone in the New Year to be the holding healing container for in a simple way. Dr. Gabrielle Duebendorfer has practiced as a licensed naturopathic physician and certified iRest Yoga Nidra instructor in Sandpoint for 20 years. Besides individual ND and iRest dialogue consults she offers classes and talks teaching tools to rise above stress, anxiety, pain, and disease. Call 208290-5991 for the upcoming New Years Retreat Jan. 13 and iRest Class starting Jan. 18.

Crossword Solution

When you go to a party at somebody’s house, don’t automatically assume that the drinks are free. Ask, and ask often.

Hey you,

Are you looking for a cool way to support the Reader in 2018? One way is to sign yourself or your loved one up for a “virtual subscription.” This means you want to be a subscriber, but you don’t need the Reader mailed to you every week. You can set any amount you like, as it’s just a donation. Thanks! ben@sandpointreader.com for more info

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CROSSWORD

READER

ACROSS 1. Complete failures 6. Resorts 10. Angers 14. Words of a song •Portraiture: business/school/ holiday/family/pure enjoyment 15. Steering mechanism for a vessel •Commercial Photography: 16. Ark builder lifestyle/brands/architecture 17. Drome 18. Region •Stock imagery for sale: 19. Adorable business/website/branding 20. Cartographer 22. Curved molding Woods Wheatcroft • 208.255.9412 • www.woodswheatcroft.com 23. Parasitic insect 24. Instant 26. Tropical American wildcat 30. European peak 31. Sharp high-pitched cry 32. Twofold 33. Ascend 35. Andean animal 39. Not nighttime 41. Insecticide 43. Beginning 44. Indian music 46. French for “Head” 47. Confederate soldier 49. Mesh 50. Female sheep (plural) /MOI-ruh/ 51. Afire 54. Threesome [noun] of the 1. (among ancient Greeks) a person’s fate or destiny. 56. ___ du jour = Meal of the day “It was his moira to die young.” 57. Frugal Corrections: In last week’s “Old School Bonner County News” I misspelled 63. Indian dress

Hourly rates • Day rates • Image packages

Word

Week

moira

“lightning” twice. Whoops. Way to start the new year. Apologies. -BO

Solution on page 22 64. Anagram of “Note” 65. Run away to wed 66. Therefore 67. Puts down 68. Glossiness 69. Observed 70. Shade trees 71. Something of value

DOWN 1. Banner 2. Stringed instrument 3. Chocolate cookie 4. Engine knock 5. Neck warmer 6. More curvaceous

7. Maybe 8. Away from the wind 9. Insincere 10. Not yet finished 11. French for “Red” 12. Consumed 13. Piece of paper 21. Panic 25. Anagram of “Silo” 26. Cocoyam 27. Basic unit of money in China 28. Beams 29. Revision 34. Avidness 36. Once more 37. Small amount

38. Cards with 1 symbol 40. Bit of gossip 42. Relative magnitudes 45. Opposite word 48. Ladybug 51. Church recesses 52. Emergency signal 53. Big 55. Alpha’s opposite 58. Anthracite 59. Ailments 60. Murmurs 61. Church alcove 62. “___ we forget”

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