Reader january12 2017

January 12, 2017 |

FREE

| Vol. 14 issue 2

A Reader Interview with

Viggo Mortensen

On his film “Captain Fantastic,” his love for North Idaho, and his support for local institutions

Scotchman Peaks: Yea or nea? - Otter’s state of the state - dark history of sandpoint Rep. Scott under fire for claiming female lawmakers only advance via sexual favors

More than a store, a Super store!

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(wo)MAN compiled by

Susan Drinkard

on the street

What is your reaction to the Russian cyber attack on the US election?

“I would say that without having total faith in either political party, that Trump, with the back trail information and knowledge he has about the Russians, well, it seems a little fishy—but who am I to judge?”

Aubrey Stevens Senior at SHS Dover “I wasn’t surprised by it. Russia has a history of interfering with the politics of other countries. I think it’s good they (the Republicans) are reaching a bipartisan agreement to investigate the hacking and to work with the Democrats.”

Liz Marshall Senior at SHS Sandpoint

DEAR READERS,

I’m not sure how many of you caught President Obama’s farewell speech in Chicago on Tuesday night, but if you haven’t, I suggest watching it on YouTube.

In his last public address, our outgoing president attempted to leave office the same way in which is entered it; rejecting fear and inspiring hope. He succeeded.

“Yes, our progress has been uneven,” said Obama. “But work of democracy has always been hard. It’s always been contentious. Sometimes it’s been bloody.

For every two steps forward, it often feels like we take one step back. But the long sweep of America has been defined by forward motion; a constant widening of our founding creed, to embrace all and not just some.”

What Obama said is true in many respects. Our nation is improving, despite opinions to the contrary. He cited that in eight years we have halved our dependence on foreign oil, doubled our renewable energy and led the world in a climate agreement that has the potential to save the planet. He said tens of millions of people have signed up for health care under the Affordable Care Act (myself being one of them).

He said that we took down the architect of 9/11 when we killed Osama Bin Laden.

It’s easy to overshadow the Obama administration with the constant criticism that has been evident from the far right in our nation, but let’s all take a moment and be thankful that we had such a man of the people in office for eight tumultuous years. Honestly, it could’ve been worse. Much, much worse.

We are about to undergo a dramatic transformation next week. Whether you voted for him or not, President-elect Trump will be inaugurated as our 45th president on Jan. 20. Barring any validity to the recently released dossier alleging collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign, it is our duty as citizens to believe in our democracy and give the man a chance to lead our country. But it is also our duty to question the actions and statements he made to get elected. It is also our duty to always fight back against racism and bigotry, against the very core of what it means to be America. It is our duty to be vigilant and not allow those in power to ruin this great thing that is our democracy.

As Obama said on Tuesday: “It calls for each of us to be those anxious, jealous guardians of our democracy, to embrace the joyous task we’ve been given; to continually try to improve this great nation of ours.”

Whether you like him or hate him, these are powerful words from a remarkable man. I, for one, will miss the class, intelligence and commitment to the American people that he brought to the White House. Godspeed, BO.

-Ben Olson, Publisher

“Because it is unsubstantiated at this point, I will reserve judgment. My concern is it’s true and that Russian interference gave us President-elect Trump.”

Rennie Wruck Custodian Sandpoint

LIVE MUSIC Thursday Night Solo Series

“I think it’s a bunch of political garbage. It’s hard to believe much of anything.”

Dottie Davis Child nutrition coordinator Laclede

KEVIN DORIN 7-9pm

RON GREENE 7-10pm

BRIAN JACOBS & CHRIS LYNCH 7-10pm “It’s not really proven to be true, but if it were true, that would be really scary, and could be the demise of our political system.”

Silas Gaddie Junior at SHS Earth

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

www.sandpointreader.com Publisher: Ben Olson ben@sandpointreader.com Editor: Cameron Rasmusson cameron@sandpointreader.com Zach Hagadone (emeritus) John Reuter (emeritus) Advertising: Jodi Taylor Jodi@sandpointreader.com Contributing Artists: Bleeker Street (cover), Ben Olson, Susan Drinkard, Erik Simkins, Bonner County Historical Society, Mike Turnlund, YouTube.

Contributing Writers: Cameron Rasmusson, Ben Olson, Nick Gier, Gabrielle Duebendorfer, Don Otis, Stan Meyer, Lawrence Blakey, Brenden Bobby, Lyndsie Kiebert, Mike Turnlund, Art PIlch.

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

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We hope to provide a quality alternative by offering honest, in-depth reporting that reflects the intelligence and interests of our diverse and growing community.

The Reader is printed on recycled paper using soy-based ink. Leftover copies are collected and recycled weekly, or burned in massive bonfires to appease the gods of journalism. Free to all, limit two copies per person.

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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 features a still photo from the film “Captain Fanstastic” starring Viggo Mortensen, who we interviewed for this issue. If you haven’t seen the film, it’s very worth checking out.

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COMMENTARY

They came for the Muslims, but I was not a Muslim

By Nick Gier Reader Columnist “First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out because I was not a communist;. . . Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew; then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me.”

—German Pastor Martin Niemoller “I pledge to you that if one day Muslim Americans are forced to register their identities that will be the day that this proud Jew registers as a Muslim.”

—Johnathan Greenblatt, Anti-Defamation League In response to the attack on a Berlin Christmas market, in which a Tunisian terrorist killed 12 people with a stolen truck, Donald Trump said: “You know my plans”—presumably about limiting immigration of Muslims to the U.S. Initially, it was a total ban on all Muslims, but now it is only those coming from countries harboring terrorists.

On Nov. 20, 2015, Trump also said that he would “absolutely” support setting up a registry of all resident Muslims. Recently Trump adviser Kris Kobach said that the transition team was drawing up plans for such a policy, and in a Nov. 16 interview on Fox News, Trump spokesman Carl Higbie claimed that the internment of Japanese Americans was a legal precedent.

When Kobach was in George W.’s Justice Department, he helped set up the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System. This policy required non-citizen males over the age of 16 from 22 Muslim countries to register and have their fingerprints taken.

Over 177,000 men dutifully came for-

Backstory for Piano Cover...

Dear Editor, A little backstory on your cover pic [in last week’s Reader]: I really loved it when the Conservatory put that piano out there so passersby could amuse themselves and others. It’s more common in Portland/Seattle/Vancouver and nice to see here. I liked it so much, in fact, that when I was going through some belongings and found the Stephen Foster songbook I grew up with (non-PC, but period accurate illustrations and lyrics included!) I could think of no better place for it than on that piano.

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ward and, many young innocent lives— some hard-working graduate students— were disrupted. Abdulameer Yousef Habeeb, a young Iraqi who had been tortured by Saddam Hussein’s thugs and not required to register, was at least given an apology and compensation: “The United States of America acknowledges that, by not registering you did nothing wrong [and] regrets the mistake.”

James Ziglar, former immigration service commissioner, admitted that “not one actual terrorist was identified.

But what we did get was a lot of bad publicity, litigation and disruption in our relationships with immigrant communities and countries that we needed help from in the war on terror.”

The ACLU charged that this was ethnic discrimination comparable to the shameful Japanese internment, and Homeland Security was forced to suspend the program in 2011. On Dec. 22, 2016, President Obama shut it down completely, but Trump could start it up again with a stroke of a pen. It was good to hear that Sen. Jeff Sessions, Trump’s nominee to be Attorney General, does not support a Muslim registry.

On the same day as the Berlin attack a gunman opened fire at a Swiss mosque, injuring three, two seriously.

The press has given little attention to anti-Muslim incidents in America and Europe, where Islamophobia fueled by right-wing parties has increased.

In the Netherlands alone there have been 142 cases of verbal and physical assaults in 2016, and 19 Dutch mosques have been attacked, some repeatedly.

Last year an additional 147 mosques in Germany, France, Sweden and Switzer-

land were vandalized.

Last November three California mosques received an anonymous letter.

It warned that Donald Trump would “cleanse” the country of Muslims the same way “Hitler did the Jews.” There were 55 attacks on American mosques in the first nine months of 2016.

In 2001 the FBI reported 481 hate crimes against American Muslims, and that number, after diminishing over the years, had risen to 257 in 2015. The most obvious cause of this is Trump’s anti-Muslim rhetoric.

More recent data, from March 2015 to March 2016, come from Georgetown University, where researchers report “approximately 180 incidents of anti-Muslim violence, including: 12 murders; 34 physical assaults; 49 verbal assaults or threats against persons and institutions; 56 acts of vandalisms or destruction of property; 9 arsons; and 8 shootings or bombings, among other incidents.”

American Muslim and Jewish leaders have come together to protest threats to their communities. On Feb. 28, 2016, 250 people gathered at the mosque in Fremont, California, and Rabbi Michael Lerner warned: “We can smell fascism when it’s arising, and it’s beginning to arise in the country, and it scares us.”

As we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. next week, let us remember that the Declaration of Independence promised an “unalienable right” to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” This applies to those who live here as well as those just coming to our shores. As King once said: “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”

Nick Gier of Moscow taught philosophy at the University of Idaho for 31 years. Read all of his columns on Islam at www.webpages.uidaho.edu/ngier/IslamPage.htm.

Retroactive

By BO

before some alley runner set fire to it. That was at least three months ago. It gave me great joy last fall to hear a kid playing “Swannee River” out of that book. Take a look at it next time you’re nearby.

Forrest Schuck Sandpoint

Forrest, Thanks for sharing your story, as well as sharing the songbook with all the piano players of the night.

I, too, am a big fan of that public piano outside the Music Conservatory. I think it adds a lot of character and fun to our community.

-Ben Olson, publisher

Greetings from

Russian Disneyland! we are watching you

PERSPECTIVES

The Mysterious Elite Part 2 of 3

By Gabrielle Duebendorfer, ND Reader Contributor In part one I discussed how the recent election was not about facts or political experience, but rather about being heard. Now with Trump having won, this sentiment seems to have flipped to discourage any dissent about these formerly unheard issues. For example, I recently picked up a local magazine [Sandpoint Living Local] whose publisher maintains to not publish anything divisive, negative, political or sensational but rather focus on articles that are unbiased and express positive and decent topics. And indeed I found articles on the history of Christmas, athletes of the month, veterinary services—plus a plentitude of local advertisements—all serving the local community. Nothing wrong with this, right?

Curiously, the publisher then proceeds talking about the recent election, blaming mainstream media to have divided us, judging people rioting and students walking out of classes in response to the election, etc. He makes the point of the Seattle Times having solicited reports of hate crimes and encourages us to demand that the media be restored to decency again so that we can move forward to make the world a better place.

I am not a journalist but to me this sounds quite contradictory given the initial premise of being non-biased, apolitical and purely positive. I am getting the distinct impression that these terms seem to apply only as long as one adheres to a certain set of beliefs. If only everyone would agree and not speak up or complain and not report any bad news, the world would truly be a better place. At least we could pretend that everything is OK locally and just focus on what we feed our chickens tomorrow and how the snow is on Schweitzer.

Don’t get me wrong; I am a great proponent of mindful, joyful living in community, but what is being described here seems to me like an ostrich sticking his head into the sand pretending everything is OK. Like it or not, bad news does happen, and people are scared because of the election. And it is not just Democrats resenting a new Republican government out of principle!

A friend’s daughter who is now in college told me about an Asian student who had bottles thrown at him and was yelled

at to go home. Somebody spray-painted racial slurs on the wall of the MLK center in Spokane. An 18 year-old woman who challenged Trump during one of the campaigns was harassed via Twitter and even received death and rape threats when Trump derided her on Twitter.

These are not artificial divisive events solicited by the media, or created by political correctness, but real life events that need to be acknowledged, reported and met with humanity.

The Southern Poverty Law Center has tracked hate crimes for many years.

Luckily their statistics shows that hate crime incidents, after an initial increase, have decreased considerably since the election. Luckily Idaho is way on the bottom of the list. What is interesting is that most of them occur in K-12 schools!

Businesses, universities and street are the other frequent locations. Most of the harassments are anti-immigrant, followed closely by anti-blacks and anti-LGBT. Trump intimidations rank fourth on this list, while anti-Trump ones rank eighth—after swastika, anti-Muslim and anti-women hate crimes.

“I think I am very restrained, and I talk

about important things,” Trump said of his Twitter presence during an appearance on the Today show in October 2015. “I get it out much faster than a press release.

I get it out much more honestly than dealing with … dishonest reporters. So many reporters are dishonest.”

I think there is a basic problem with impulsive Twitter responses if it lands you on fourth place on a hate crime watch and if most of hate crimes happen in K-12 schools—what an example to give our youth! Reporters actually play a very important role in a democracy in that they verify facts before they are published. Twitter might be good with getting your personal opinion out quickly to many people; however, there is no time to check for truth before statements go viral. According to PolitiFact, an independent political fact checker, only 4 percent of Trumps statements have been entirely true!

Discouraging public discourse and disagreement, whether that happens by artificially focusing on just positive news, calling reporters dishonest or by outright bullying and harassment, is the first sign of a democracy that is crum-

bling. Calling the media divisive when it prints things that don’t agree with one’s own views is an outright attempt to eliminate “bias” or uncomfortable facts by making dissenters look like rabble rousers or elites that are out of touch with reality.

In my work as a naturopathic physician I know about listening. When somebody is really heard, healing happens, hope surfaces and divides are being bridged, regardless of what action has been taken. Shutting up the other side once you are finally listened to, so that the world will be united and a better place again is simply reversing the sides.

Might we instead be willing to listen to each other’s needs and concerns in an open discussion and treat everyone with a sense of humanity?

Dr. Gabrielle Duebendorfer practices naturopathic medicine in Sandpoint and has a keen interest in global and political issues. She travels extensively in Asia and Europe, grew up in Germany and recently spent a year there.

101 Women Sandpoint spring grant cycle opens

By Reader Staff

The board of directors of 101 Women Sandpoint recently opened their spring grant cycle. Bonner County nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply for the $10,000 grant by 101 Women Sandpoint’s March 1 deadline.

101 Women Sandpoint is a newly formed, nonprofit funding organization that is offering two $10,000 grants per year to nonprofit organizations that are located and operate in Bonner County.

The group’s funding includes a wide focus area with only religious and political groups excluded. Those interested are asked to submit an online application by March 1 for the spring award or July 1 for the fall award.

Three applicants will be chosen from those that apply by the group’s grant committee through a weighted and judged system. These top three applicants will be asked to present their organization’s purpose and need for funding at 101 Women’s biannual meeting on April 27.

At the meeting, the 101 Women membership will then cast their votes to choose the winning organization that will receive the $10,000 grant award.

Members of 101 Women handed Bonner Partners in Care a $10,000 check last fall. Photo by Angie Dail.

This past fall, 101 Women Sandpoint presented their first $10,000 award to the local organization, Bonner Partners in Care.

This group provides a weekly free health clinic for Bonner County residents in need.

“We were very excited about our first grant cycle and membership party,” said 101 Women board member Jennifer Macdonald. “101 Women is making a big, positive impact in our community through the joint efforts of many volunteers and philanthropic women.”

101 Women Sandpoint is a membership group made up of 101 Bonner County women. The group leverages 101 smaller donations to create a sizable

grant that is awarded to two worthwhile non-profits each year.

The group is limited to the first 101 women who join and the group is continually accepting and encouraging new members to register for future giving opportunities. Each member is required to donate $200 annually towards the grant awards and there is a yearly registration fee of $25 to help cover the group’s modest operating expenses.

For more information about applying or joining 101 Women, go to 101womensandpoint.wildapricot.org or email 101womensandpoint@gmail.com.

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COMMENTARY

POINT • COUNTERPOINT Scotchman Peaks wilderness proposal Finding Consensus on Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Act

By Don Otis Reader Contributor

The famed climber and founder of Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard, once said, “Uncurious people do not lead examined lives; they cannot see causes that lie deeper than the surface.”

As a conservative, as an avid hiker and climber and as a Christian I am bewildered we do not have consensus on the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Act. If the arguments I have read against designation are indicative of the opposition’s positions, I am fairly certain Phil Hough and his capable and tenacious team will soon secure success.

In Colorado I witnessed firsthand what happens when there are no rules for stewardship. The Lake Como Road in the Sangre de Cristo Range is littered with four-wheel parts, beer cans and trash. Outside of Fairplay (Mosquito Range), Telluride (San Juan Range) and in the Sawatch Range of the Rockies old mining debris litters the landscape as high as 13,000 feet. Is this what we want for North Idaho? Who determines the difference between use or abuse? As I have seen in Colorado, when greed or poor stewardship runs unchecked, wilderness often suffers—often irreparably.

A recent statement by opponents of the wilderness designation (the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Act would set aside 14,000 acres of land) offered insight into how disinformation and fear mongering work. The Facebook post says the designation would “decimate our traditions, culture, and heritage of hunting, fishing and huckleberry picking.” Then, as if an afterthought to otherwise jumbled logic, there would be “no access for disabled veterans.” How many uncurious people, using Chouinard’s comment, believe this rhetoric?

The cause that lies deeper than the surface here is the preservation of a small section of pristine wilderness.

This is not some government-led effort to control our picking of huckleberries or limit our right to fish. This is nonsense. This is not conservative versus 6 /

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liberal. Nor is it government seeking to wrest control of land. “Setting something aside as it is now and preserving it seems to many to be a conservative act, just by its nature,” says Hough.

Perhaps part of the problem is that we lack clear definitions and suffer too much disinformation. These detractors fear losing much and gaining nothing. In reality, they are losing nothing but gaining much. We are not owners of creation, we are stewards of it. By definition, stewardship is an ethic that embodies the responsible planning and management of resources. Why is this seen in anything except a positive light?

How is preserving the pristine wildness of the Scotchman area a detriment to future generations? On the contrary, we guarantee access by all and leave something of value to our children and grandchildren.

Those of us who have lived in North Idaho for a while know it has long been seen as a place where rules don’t apply—a safe haven from interference of any kind. But rules are not the problem or they would be unnecessary. The inevitable problem is misuse, overuse, poor use, disrespect and negligence. No one person, no legislation, no rules, no government edict can change the human heart. This is not what this wilderness designation is about. Instead, it is recognizing the penchant of the human heart to do whatever it wants – regardless of consequences. This is inadvertently but inextricably and sensibly addressed by this act. And those of us who live here should unanimously support it.

Let’s find unanimity in something that is good for all of us—regardless of politics, religion or socio-economic status. We can agree that Scotchman Peaks Wilderness is something to be treasured, preserved and protected; not just today but for generations to come.

There are many issues of concern with this proposal

By Stan Meyer Reader Contributor

Even though Sen. Jim Risch introduced a Scotchman Wilderness bill in December, another bill will have to be reintroduced this year. Now is the time to get your comments or concerns to Sen. Risch and make it known that many local citizens are not part of the supposed “wide-spread” support that we hear about so often, including from our outgoing and out-of-touch commissioners. There are several significant issues that many local residents are concerned about. Sign-ups for the FSPW newsletter, the support of the former commissioners and the Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce do not constitute widespread local support. There are many issues of concern about this proposal.

The boundaries extend several miles from the upper scenic goat rocks to within 300 feet of the Lightning Creek road and encroach on private land holders to the south. There is no need for such a wide lower border around the upper scenic areas (most of which is in Montana, by the way).

Thanks to the USFS decommissioning or closing roads and not leaving trails, removing bridges, stopping snowmobilers and not maintaining roads, most of Lightning Creek is now de facto wilderness. Lightning Creek was an area of significant historical use by residents, a place where many people learned to hunt, fish, camp, pick huckleberries and enjoy the outdoors.

Now, thanks to the lack of management by USFS, the access and use has been severely restricted and it is not a big leap to assume that a next step would be to add much of this to a Scotchman Wilderness.

A wilderness will bring additional layers of additional regulations and powers to the USFS. In wilderness, use of snowmobiles, snow bikes, wheeled game carriers, wheeled rescue litters, chainsaws, mountain bikes and, without special authorization, using

helicopter for rescues or firefighting are not allowed. 36CFR261 gives the USFS wide powers to stop essentially any activity in a wilderness, including, specifically, the entry or being in the area, the use of firearms or possessing camping equipment.

Future land management, even for fire reduction or wildlife habitat improvement, would be severely restricted. Parts of Scotchman are key winter range for elk and mule deer. Dying trees and excessive windfalls are common, increasing fire risk and decreasing wildlife use. In spite of hearing the contrary, there is commercial timber on the southern margin of Scotchman. The last USFS timber sales in this area were focused on the lower slopes, while more commercial timber continued upslope.

What if future generations want to manage the land (different than what the Forest Service does now) for fire reduction or wildlife?

Passage of the Wilderness will bring even more visitors to Scotchman, a peak already heavily used by too many people, due to the campaigning for this wilderness. Of course this dramatic increase of hikers has resulted in the infamous goat problems on the peak. Before FSPW existed, it was not common to see another hiker on the trail and, if you were lucky, you might have seen some goats somewhere around Scotchman. We’ve already seen the area closed, due to a goat biting a hiker. A hiker was killed by a goat in Olympic Park. Goat-people problems tend to be fixed by either removing (expensive) or killing (cheap) the goats or restricting visitor access (by the stroke of a bureaucrat’s pen). Expect this for the future.

COMMUNITY

Letters to the Editor

Scotchman Peaks by the Numbers...

Let’s March!

By Lawrence Blakey Reader Contributor Let’s march with many thousands of women throughout the United States.

But, first, a quick story. Mrs. Amelia Boynton, who died in 2015 at 104 years old, was the only woman to speak from Alabama’s capitol steps in 1965, the day Martin Luther King and the marchers from Selma reached Montgomery.

On Bloody Sunday a couple of weeks before, Amelia was among those first marchers who were nearly killed by state troopers. She was brutally beaten and hospitalized. Last March at the 50th Commemoration of Bloody Sunday, Amelia was having lunch with several of us when two college students approached her and, with some emotion, said, “Oh, Miz Boynton, thank you so much! We stand on your shoulders.”

Amelia’s unexpected response was, “Get the hell off my shoulders and go do your own marching!” That was immediately followed by, “You know what I mean, girls. You’re lovely and I know you’ll do well.” Amelia always did something in the face of injustice and she was a shining example for youth who needed to develop some iron in their shorts when it was their turn to act.

Now, yet again, it’s our turn to act in the face of uncertainty and actual threats to human and environmental justice.

The North Idaho March, in unity with The Women’s March On Washington, will take place Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, 11 a.m. at The Panada Theater in Sandpoint. There will be 15 minutes of presentation and 45 minutes to engage

Amelia Boynton, in the 1960s. Courtesy photo. different interest groups at information tables. We will march an hour later at 12 p.m. to the Statue of Liberty at City Beach. The primary purpose of this effort is to give North Idahoans a focused opportunity to stand against forms of injustice that continue to plague our great country, including, unfortunately, here in North Idaho. This is an opportunity to stand up for justice that needs to be shouted.

This event is open to all who want to stand firm against behavior that diminishes human rights and obstructs efforts for a sustainable and healthy world. If you are concerned about the environment, human rights (especially women’s rights), economic and social justice and want to support a welcoming and charitable community - this is your march! Think of Amelia Boynton who fought terrible injustice for her entire adult life. And think of the countless people who were uplifted and inspired by her. Get involved! Do something!

“Remember, this is your day and your world.”

- Amelia Boynton

Dear Editor, 2,500,000 - acres of public land in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest 14,000 - acres proposed for wilderness in Idaho portion of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Half of 1 percent - portion of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests land contained in Idaho portion of proposed Scotchman Peaks Wilderness 74,000 - acres in Montana portion of Proposed Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Two - number of “wilderness bills” (one each in Idaho and Montana) needed for designation of the entire proposed Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Area Zero - acres of existing wilderness in the nine northern-most Idaho counties 1979 - Roadless Area Review and Evaluation (RARE II) EIS recommended wilderness designation for Scotchman Peaks after extensive public review 1987 - Idaho Panhandle National Forests Management Plan classified Scotchman Peaks as “proposed wilderness” after 2,500 comments were received with “significant support.”

2015 - Revised Idaho Panhandle Forests Management Plan recommended Scotchman Peaks be added to the National Wilderness Preservation System. Thirty-six endorsements or resolutions of support were received from local and regional organizations/politicians/ cities/businesses Zero - number of acres in any designated wilderness closed to hunting, fishing, berry picking, hiking, skiing or any other non-motorized activity because of wilderness designation 6,800 - latest number of members in the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness 151 - number of volunteers who worked on Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness projects in 2016 2,596 - number of volunteer hours donated

by Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness in 2016 Zero - amount of Lightning Creek Road (#419) edge within proposed Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Ken Thacker Sagle

Fossil Fuels Aren’t the Only Problem...

Dear Editor, The opinion expressed in Art Pilch’s article on page 16 of the Jan. 5, 2017 issue of the Reader draws a direct linkage between the increase in the earth’s CO2 levels and human burning of fossil fuels. The part that is missing is why humans are burning the fossil fuels and is there an alternative to this use.

From a practical standpoint, each human must have air to breathe, water to drink, shelter from the elements and food. One can go three minutes without air, three days without water and thirty days without food.

The onset of hypothermia can begin within 30

minutes in arctic conditions. To combat these fatal conditions, we have developed systems which supply us with the necessities of life including, but not limited to, detoxified air to breathe, domestic water supplies, buildings to protect us from the elements and a farm-totable delivery system to provide us with our basic nutritional needs. The downside is, all of these systems rely on fossil fuels in some form to get their product from the point of origin to the user.

Another complication is the demand for these essential products has been growing exponentially for well over a century. The world population passed one billion in the 1880s. It is currently about 7.4 billion and is projected to pass upwards of 9 billion by the middle of the century. The challenge will be to provide the essentials for life in a world where life itself has become dependent in one form or another on fossil fuel.

The move toward solar energy and wind power to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels is a step forward, but these products come with an energy requirement. They are made from products that require energy to mine, mill, manufacture, construct and maintain them. Much of that energy still comes from fossil fuels and will for the foreseeable future.

So yes, we can become more efficient in our use of fossil fuels, but we will reach a point of diminishing returns unless we can somehow address the real problem, the exponential human population growth.

Richard Creed Sagle

Get Facts Straight...

Dear Editor, In order for someone to decide if they support the concept of wilderness or not, it is important that they have the actual facts. Mr. Myers’ letter to the Daily Bee published on Tue. Jan 10 incorrectly states that wilderness designation would prohibit entry, camping equipment and firearms. A more accurate look at the Forest Service’s ability to regulate those functions is to be found in the very code Mr. Myers cited (36 CFR § 261.1a) by reading the full text which indicates that it is derived from and “in accordance with authority which is delegated elsewhere in this chapter or in the Forest Service Manual.”

The agency has discretion to manage the national forests, not because they are wilderness, but because they are national forests.

For information on the Wilderness Act and what can and can’t be done, please visit www.

Wilderness.net Wilderness.net is a public wilderness information website formed in 1996 through a collaborative partnership between the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center and the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute—the federal government’s wilderness training and research arms, respectively--and the College of Forestry and Conservation’s Wilderness Institute at the University of Montana.

Philip Hough Executive Director Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Sandpoint January 12, 2017 /

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NEWS

Decrease in Scotchman Peaks meeting draws friends and foes DUI arrests over new year’s eve holiday

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

Around 150 people turned out to attend the Scotchman Peaks proposed wilderness informational meeting at the Clark Fork Junior/Senior High School on Wednesday night.

The meeting began with presentations from various organizations to shed light on commonly asked questions regarding the proposed bill introduced by Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) in December. The second half of the meeting was designated for comments and questions from the community.

Among those who presented information were Phil Hough and Sandy Compton of the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness; Sandpoint District U.S. Forest Service Ranger Eric Walker; Sid Smith, the North Idaho Director for Sen. Risch’s office; Bob Boeh with Idaho Forest Group and outgoing Bonner County Commissioner Cary Kelly. All were in support of the proposed wilderness designation.

The proposed wilderness designation will encompass almost 14,000 acres of wilderness in Idaho surrounding Scotchman Peak, Goat Mountain and surrounding environs. Under the potential new designation, there will be no motorized access inside the proposed area including snow machines, snow bikes, ATVs, chainsaws or wheeled game carriers. Road building is also not allowed.

However, as Hough pointed out, these restrictions have largely been in place since the U.S. Forest Service began management of the Scotchmans as a proposed wilderness starting in 1987.

“It’s important to note that there is not going to be a big change [if the wilderness proposal is adopted],” said Hough. “This was a roadless area already. It’s treated as a wilderness already. The main difference is that future generations can’t change it. It will be protected.”

Boeh spoke in support of the proposal in terms of his position at Idaho Forest Group: “From 8 /

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By Ben Olson Reader Staff

Members of the audience in Clark Fork on Wednesday listen to the Scotchman Peaks wilderness proposal. Photo by Ben Olson.

a log supply standpoint, there is only marginal timber land inside the area.”

Boeh said that a current forest plan estimated a total of 900,000 acres of suitable timber base existed within the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, none of which is included in the proposed wilderness area.

“We feel quite comfortable there will not be an adverse impact on Idaho timber,” said Boeh.

“This proposed area constitutes only one half of one percent of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest,” said Hough.

“In that other 99.5 percent, there is land suitable for all of the multiple uses for all of the multiple uses, including and most especially timber harvest.”

Smith pointed out that Sen. Risch’s introduction of the bill was merely a first step in the long process to obtaining wilderness designation.

“When Sen. Risch introduces a bill, he puts it out there for everyone to give feedback on,” he said. “This is not a finished product ... He wants you to decide if you like it or not and then go from there.”

Smith said at some point Sen. Risch will re-introduce the bill and there will be another chance for public comment.

Walker’s remarks touched on the timeline of the proposed wilderness area and the multiple public comment periods and meetings that have taken place

over its history.

“From April 2002 to May 2004, we held 19 informational meetings about the proposed wilderness,” said Walker. “Also, between August of 2003 to September of 2005, there were 90 workgroup meetings.”

During the public comment period, dozens of citizens voice concerns over the proposal. Most of the concerns were centered around lack of access for motorized vehicles, federal overreach and lack of access for disabled.

“It is accessible to the disabled only if you are in a motorized wheelchair,” said Danielle Ahrens, the District 1 chair for the Idaho Republican Party. “Someone like me who has sustained a spinal cord injury and cannot walk long distances, we cannot go in and hunt and use a wheeled cart to take my game out … This is another layer of federal control.

It’s another federal land grab.”

Jason Frank of Lightning Creek was dismayed at the lack of motorized access to the area.

“I’m an avid snowmobiler,” said Frank. “I grew up riding in that area. Why does one group get to tell me that I can’t ride there?”

Compton pointed out to Frank that riding motorized vehicles is currently prohibited inside the proposed wilderness area, so the proposed bill is “not changing an area that is already closed to motorized use.”

Kris Allen, who claimed

to live in the “woods between Sandpoint and Hope” lamented the inability for disabled to access the area.

“It appears the American Disabilities Act is getting short shrift, because you can’t get in there if you’re disabled,” said Allen.

Hough pointed out that the ADA “specifically refers to the Wilderness Act and it directly states that it does not prohibit wheelchair access, including motorized wheelchairs.”

Ten-year-old Ryan Durbin asked if it was permitted to carry a handgun for self defense reasons. The panel assured him that it was not restricted as long as it was a legal weapon.

While the meeting began peacefully, tensions began to run high toward the end. Several citizens loudly voiced their opposition, claiming that the proposed bill was taking land from the state and handing it over to the federal government.

“This area is currently managed by the U.S. Forest Service,” said Hough. “There will be no transfer or change from state to federal land because it has always been designated federal.”

While no additional meetings have been scheduled at press time, Hough said that there will be at least one more meeting taking place in Sandpoint in the near future.

Most people have figured out by now that drinking and driving is no good. Not only is it dangerous to yourself, your loved ones and others on the road, but getting caught driving drunk can severally tax your pocket book.

New Year’s Eve has traditionally been a dangerous night to be on the roads with all the post-midnight revelers heading home. However, it appears the number of DUI arrests for New Year’s Eve and early the next morning were lower than usual.

“There was only one DUI arrest made [on new year’s eve],” said Sandpoint Police Chief Corey Coon. Coon also said that during the month of December, 493 traffic-related stops were made by Sandpoint Police. Of those stops, only eight were DUI arrests.

While Coon said the stats for DUIs were similar to last year’s, he also stated, “It does appear overall citizens are becoming more aware of the dangers of drinking and driving and are choosing alternative methods home.”

County-wide, Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler reported that his department only had one DUI arrest of a total of five traffic stops made between 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and 7 a.m. the following morning.

There were no DUI arrests recorded for Priest River and Ponderay, but Idaho State Patrol did report a single DUI arrest.

“County wide, law enforcement experienced a notable decrease in DUI arrests and traffic accidents in Bonner County this last new year’s eve,” said Wheeler. “Drivers acted more responsible than in past years and hopefully this will be the start of a new trend.”

NEWS

Scott faces possible reprimand for sexual favors remark

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard, is taking heat for allegedly saying that female legislators only gain leadership positions if they “spread their legs.”

The Idaho Statesman reports that several witnesses heard Scott make the remarks on Dec. 1 at the Legislature organizational session.

Witnesses described the incident as an angry outburst after Scott learned that Rep. Judy Boyle, R-Midvale, was appointed to chair the House Agriculture Committee. She now faces a possible formal reprimand from House leadership for violations of ethics rules governing legislator conduct.

Although it’s been a month since the alleged remarks were

made in the House lounge and later repeated in the House chambers, the beginning of the 2017 legislative session spurred renewed concern over Scott’s behavior. Her remarks, which “stunned Boyle and other lawmakers who heard it,” according to the Statesman, and other behavior trends have prompted growing concern among Boise legislators.

House Speaker Scott Bedke declined to comment to the Statesman, as did Boyle and Scott, although she did tell reporter Bill Dentzer, “I don’t think you’ve got it right.”

Neither has Scott returned the Reader’s request for a comment. Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, also had no immediate comment after news of the incident broke early Wednesday evening.

Scott’s comments are the latest episode in a string of unusual behavior. In a letter of complaint addressed to Bedke, Rep. Christy Perry, R-Nampa, called out Scott’s “paranoid and aggressive behavior.” The cited incidents include Scott damaging the capitol building in search of bugs she believed were installed in the ceiling by Legislature leadership. Perry also accused Scott of traveling to other districts and deriding her fellow members of the Legislature.

“The escalating pattern of behavior exhibited by Representative Scott has had a negative effect on many members of the caucus, particularly the female members,” Perry wrote. “They do not feel safe working in her presence.”

Scott’s alleged incidents are married to an increasingly

Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard icy relationship with the press.

According to Associated Press Reporter Kimberlee Kruesi, Scott told her she was “no longer speaking to the press” at the December organization session. And before the November election, she described several local candidate events as liberal media traps designed

Rep. Judy Boyle, R-Midvale to make her look bad.

In lieu of working with the press, Scott aims to promote her agenda through a new website, “Growing Freedom For Idaho.” The website lists dozens of goals, from prohibiting abortion after six weeks to repealing Common Core education standards.

SHS counselor honored in final FLOTUS speech

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff Sandpoint High School counselor Jeralyn Mire wasn’t expecting to be present for a historic moment while in Washington, D.C., last week.

Even so, that’s how her trip turned out when First Lady Michelle Obama chose an event honoring school counselors to make her final public address.

It proved to be an emotional day as Obama told attendees that “being your first lady has been the greatest honor of my life, and I hope I’ve made you proud.”

“She choked up, and it made me cry,” Mire said. “It was unbelievable, an I-can’tbelieve-it-happened-to-me event.”

Mire was in D.C. to be acknowledged as Idaho’s school counselor of the year, an honor given her through the American School Counseling Association.

After being nominated for the

accolade, Mire put together an application video that edged her above fellow nominees. ASCA officials later selected her as the award recipient and invited her to join other honorees at a White House ceremony.

After arriving in the national capital last Friday, Mire and the other counselors found themselves at the White House for a formal ceremony. According to Mire, Obama attended the event to be acknowledged for her work on the Reach Higher Initiative, a White House-led effort to promote education after high school through professional training programs, community colleges or four-year colleges and universities. After arriving, Obama chatted informally with the group, and Mire was impressed with her conduct.

“She came in and addressed all counselors and was just so genuine and kind and caring and inspiring,” Mire said.

Obama then delivered her speech, which emphasized

SHS counselor Jeralyn Mire can be seen directly to first lady Obama’s left during the emotional farewell speech. Still courtesy of YouTube.

the importance of hard work and self-motivation to pursue achievements, in front of the counselors. She said everyone deserves a chance to succeed regardless of race, gender or economic background.

“Know that this country belongs to you, to all of you. If you or your parents are immigrants, you are part of a proud

American tradition,” she said.

“Don’t ever let anyone make you feel like you don’t matter, or like you don’t have a place in our American story. You do.”

During the speech, Mire stood directly behind Obama and was clearly visible in the media video reports and photographs of the event. She said

it was an overwhelming experience to be featured so prominently during an emotional final speech.

“She said she specifically chose to honor school counselors [as the circumstances of] her last public address,” Mire said. “It really made you feel great to be in the profession that she selected for that speech.”

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FEATURE A Reader interview with

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

Viggo Mortensen

They don’t make them like Viggo Mortensen anymore. The soft-spoken, notably un-Hollywood actor, photographer, poet and lover of North Idaho is just about as far from the typical “Hollywood star” as you can be.

When it was announced that Mortensen would host a screening of his latest film “Captain Fantastic,” at the Panida Theater—including a question-and-answer session afterward—it didn’t take long for tickets to sell out. The film is written and directed by Matt Ross.

The event, titled “A Movie and Evening with Viggo Mortensen” takes place on Jan. 13 and 14 at 7 p.m. Proceeds from both nights will benefit KRFY 88.5 FM Panhandle Community Radio and Team Autism 24/7.

We were extremely honored to have Mortensen reply to our request for an interview. What follows is the interview, in which Mortensen talks about his character, Ben Cash, in “Captain Fantastic,” his love of North Idaho and the Panida Theater, as well as the importance of leaving a clean campsite.

Ben Olson: I think “Captain Fantastic” did a great job of helping the audience to see both sides of an important issue. While the activist/ intellectual side of me agrees with [your character] Ben Cash raising his children in the wilderness away from all the bullshit of modern society, the practical side of me wanted to agree with his sister’s family, who were concerned with the children’s welfare being raised “in the woods.” When reading the script, did you identify with one side or another right off the bat?

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Viggo Mortensen: Initially, there was much to admire in the way Ben tries to educate and raise his kids. But then things go off the rails. While I agree with the basic foundation of the Cash family model in “Captain Fantastic” (free and equal discourse, pursuit of intellectual curiosity, promotion of total honesty, among other methods and tenets), I do think that the choice of words and behavioral examples used in the intellectual and physical training of the children ought to be tempered and adjusted depending on the age of each child. Ben does go too far sometimes, is too extreme, puts his brood at physical and psychological risk. The beauty of the script Matt Ross wrote is that it does not elevate any of the characters in the story to the level of “hero” or “villain.” The characters are human, flawed, loving, and ultimately struggling to achieve a new balance in their lives and in the way they deal with others. The sister, played

by Katherine Hahn, and her husband, played by Steve Zahn, make their valuable points, as do the grandparents, played by Ann Dowd and Frank Langella.

BO: Forgive me if I’m making an uninformed comparison, but it seems Ben Cash’s character is strikingly similar to the real Viggo Mortensen. From all I have read and heard about you, you’ve never struck me as one of the cliché pretentious Hollywood types. I mean, you have a home in North Idaho, right? This is about as unpretentious of a place as you can get.

VM: I was comfortable filming in the forest and helping Matt Ross and his production designer Russell Barnes create our home off the proverbial grid, but many of the activities you see

Viggo Mortensen. Courtesy of YouTube. me engage in in “Captain Fantastic” (rock climbing, martial arts, bagpipe and guitar playing, to name a few) and the way the character relates to his six kids were aspects of the character that I had to learn to impersonate. When people see an actor in different movies seeming to be at ease with certain skill sets or ideas, they can sometimes assume that all of it is natural and the fruit of previous firsthand personal experience. This is not usually the case. But it is flattering to have people believe that, to “buy” whatever you are doing on-screen as the character.

That being said, as regards what people might generally regard as typical “Hollywood” behavior (seeking maximum attention and hob-knobbing with movie people

at all times), I am not really drawn to that. I do not engage in conscious attention-seeking or socializing with movie business people unless I am filming or promoting a movie. From the acting work I do and the interaction I have with audiences at screenings and question-and-answer sessions, I get more than enough attention and social interaction. In my own time, I’m glad to mind my own business and, if possible, be out in nature as much as possible.

the wildlife.

BO: What was it about North Idaho that appealed to you as a place you’d like to live?

BO: The actors who portrayed your children in “Captain Fantastic” were so phenomenal. What was it like to work with such talented young people? I’ve heard some actors

VM: I like the outdoors, the North Idaho landscape, the isolation, the quiet, the seasons,

BO: Any favorite haunts around Sandpoint / Hope / Clark Fork that you’d like to share?

VM: There are many beautiful places in the area. I love the Cabinets, the Selkirks, Lake Pend Oreille, the creeks, the Clark Fork River. It’s all of a piece, a beautiful region. There are, also, some more or less secret places that I’m drawn to in the area, and will keep secret.

< see VIGGO, page 11 >

< VIGGO, con’t from page 10 > say never to work with children —they’ll either upstage you or tank you. Any truth to this, or is it just more hogwash?

VM: It does not apply to me, mainly because I enjoy surprises.

They help me grow as I work on a movie character. I like to prepare as thoroughly as possible, and then leave the rest up to the director and the unexpected reactions and particular interpretations that other actors come up with. If, however, you are the sort of actor who tends to prepare meticulously and then expects people to adjust to your way of doing things, never altering what you have prepared in terms of gestures and ways of speaking your lines, you probably will be frustrated by younger actors who do not usually do things the same way twice, kids who tend to surprise you from take to take. That kind of actor is probably the one likely to come up with sayings like “never work with kids or animals.”

BO: You’ve worked with director David Cronenberg three times in the past, each portraying a wildly different role.

I think it’s been some of your best work. Is there something about Cronenberg that speaks to you as an actor?

VM: He’s extremely intelligent, kind, generous, and has a great sense of irony. He really knows how to cast the right groups of actors for his movies, and is able to work with all kinds of different performers. He gets the most of the people he works with.

I have really enjoyed working with because I trust and respect him as an artist and as a person.

BO: Are you just lucky, or is there some kind of system to choosing the roles you’ve taken over the past 10 or 12 years? It seems that after the “Lord of the Rings” fame, you could’ve broken into the mainstream roles with ease, but you chose to remain at the edges, challenging yourself and your audiences. Looking back, do you have any regrets?

VM: No, I don’t. Whether a movie turns out well or not is not solely dependent on the quality of the script, but it does help a great deal to work with a

great blueprint. I simply look for stories that I would like to see on-screen, whether I end up being in them or not. Even if a movie I participate in does not turn out as well as I might have hoped, it will still have been worthwhile, will still have been a great idea for a movie. That’s about all I can control, or want to control. The rest depends on how good an overall creative compromise the director and his team end up making, how well everyone collaborates to tell any particular story.

BO: Tell me about your history with the Panida Theater.

It has been bandied around that you acted on the main stage early in your career. Any fond memories about the Panida?

VM: I auditioned for and got a part in a production of Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” there a long time ago, almost 30 years ago, but ended up getting a movie job that prevented me from doing the play. I’ve always loved seeing movies and concerts at the Panida. It is a great performance space, and one of Sandpoint’s true historical gems.

I’m glad that its programming is of such a high standard, and that it continues to receive such strong support from the community.

BO: KRFY 88.5 FM Panhandle Community Radio probably wouldn’t be in existence without the assistance you provided for their start up. Why do you think projects like community radio are so important?

VM: There is a need everywhere, not just in North Idaho, for a range of voices, creative perspectives, political points of view, and genuine local interest stories. KRFY helps to enrich the mix of media available to Panhandle residents, and stimulates good, healthy discussions that are not dictated by outside corporate interests. This is crucial to any society that strives to be democratic.

BO: One of the other local organization benefiting from your Panida Theater showing coming up is Team Autism 24/7.

Have you ever had any experience with autism?

VM: I have interacted with

Viggo Mortensen as “Ben Cash” in “Captain Fantastic.” Photo by Erik Simkins / Bleecker Street.

various people who have suffered from autism over the years, and there is someone in our family that is afflicted with a form of it. It is a complicated disorder, often misunderstood. I’m glad to be able to help, in some small way, to help bring awareness to this problem.

financing for one of the scripts I’ve written in recent years, and want to direct. Hopefully I’ll be able to make a movie from it in the second half of this year.

BO: A few years back, you had an exhibition at the Hallans Gallery in Sandpoint showing your original photography. I remember thinking the images were very ethereal—lots of beautiful horses and dynamic rural themes. Honestly, I was moved by them. Do you plan to showcase your photography again in the future? What does photography do for you that acting doesn’t?

VM: Alive: Lionel Messi.

Dead: Albert Camus.

VM: I started working as a photographer long before I began acting professionally. It is something that I’m continually drawn to, and that I’ll probably always pursue. No plans at this time for any new exhibitions, but I am working on two new photo books.

BO: Are you working on anything new? Any plans to direct your own work in the future?

VM: As a matter of fact I am in the middle of trying to set up

BO: Bonus question: If you could have a beer with anyone in the world, who would it be?

BO: Let’s say you never made it as an actor. What would you see yourself doing for a career?

VM: Mostly what I do anyway: make photographs, draw, go to the movies, fish, travel, read, write, plant trees, cook, try to get along with people and animals, be careful with fire, learn from nature and leave my campsites in as good or better condition than I found them in.

BO: Amen. Thanks so much for taking the time to talk with us, Viggo.

Viggo Mortensen’s screening and question-and-answer event will take place on Jan. 13 and 14 at the Panida Theater at 7 p.m.

Unfortunately, tickets are sold out for both nights, but check out “Captain Fantastic,” directed by Matt Ross.

Bouquets: •Cadie and I played music on New Year’s Eve, so of course we walked home after the show at the 219. Subsequently (and having nothing to do with the couple of beers she drank that night), her phone dropped out of her purse as we were walking home. If you’ve ever lost a phone, you know the frustration of losing this important little device we all carry.

We searched for a couple of days in vain, but a big storm had blown in and there was no way we were going to find it if it was dropped in the snow. Then, just last week, Sandpoint Police called my office saying that they found her phone. I’m not sure of all the specifics, but it sounds as if someone found the phone in an alley, or while shoveling, turned it into the Sandpoint Police, who then charged the phone, called the last few numbers that showed up, and tracked down that it was Cadie’s phone, and that she was my girlfriend, and that I worked for the Reader. Long story short, we picked it up at the Police Department and she is saved from having to do that awkward, “Who is this?” game when you get a text from an unknown number.

A bouquet goes out to Sandpoint Police for helping track us down. Another big bouquet to the anonymous person who found the phone and turned it into the police. Thank you for reaffirming our faith in humanity!

Barbs: •It seems we have begun to define ourselves by what we are against. What ever happened to believing in something? Believing in people? Believing that we are all more alike than we are different? From the president-elect down to our own elected officials from North Idaho, there is a trend to repeal and remove, when there should be an effort to rebuild. To patch up the dangerous division in our nation. To believe in science, in facts, in love. Let’s let go of this anger we have welled up inside and channel it into something positive.

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Mad about Science:

By Brenden Bobby Reader Columnist We’re continuing our month of women in science with one of my personal favorites. When you think of the first computer, you probably think of grainy films from the 1950s, where IBM scientists stand in front of giant machines the size of a garbage truck just to see it print out a foot of ticker-tape that read 1+1=4. Whoops.

But what if I told you that came to fruition over 100 years after the design had first been implemented? Even cooler, the first computer code was written by a woman.

Her name was Augusta Ada King-Noel, Countess of Lovelace, and the computer she had written code for was called the Analytical Engine, which had been built by her friend and fellow mathematician, Charles Babbage.

Now, the Analytical Engine wasn’t quite like computers we see today. You couldn’t watch funny cat videos or write angry letters to Ben on it. It looked like a big metal press with a lot of gears and steampunk-looking stuff on it, but here’s where things got cool. If you entered in a punch-card, the machine could read it and compute things based on what you put in. It could even multiply and divide, which was huge when all previous mechanical computers were basically just a set of gears that would keep adding until they ran out of power.

It even had RAM (Random Access Memory, the stuff that makes our computers go fast).

It could store up to 1,000 numbers as long as 40 digits. We’re talking about a machine with no electrical connection, here.

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Brought to you by:

ada lovelace

It was run entirely on steam power. I mean, look at a picture of this thing sometime, then ask yourself “how did anyone, in the 1800s especially, figure this junk out?”

Ada Lovelace did, and according to her peers, she was exemplary at it. There is actually some funny correspondence between Babbage and herself, where he is complaining about something he claims she had done wrong, and she politely calls him an idiot and points him back to her instructions where … sure enough, she was right and he was just being crazy.

She was very much a part of the arts and sciences, or as we call it at the library, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics), while literal steam was the bee’s knees.

She believed that human beings were ultimately organic computers, running off mathematical data (she called this the calculus of the nervous system), functioning through the same kind of logic that modern computers do. Turns out she was very right. The neurons in our brains act astonishingly like the circuits of a computer.

We’re even able to compute advanced trigonometry without even thinking about it. Don’t believe me?

Throw a ball at a target 20 yards away as accurately as you can. That’s your brain on math.

She knew this before we knew what neurons even were, or that we had them in our brains.

Though fairly irrelevant to the scientific side of things, I feel it’s worth noting that she was quite close with several prolific writers of her time, and

may have helped pioneer the populism of science similar to what Bill Nye and Neil DeGrasse Tyson do today.

She was the daughter of Lord Byron, one of the most prolific writers of the Romantic period.

She was also friends with Charles Dickens, who helped further her education. You know, that one author that wrote… Oh, I don’t know… “The Adventures of Oliver Twist,” “A Christmas Carol,” “David Copperfield,” “A Tale of Two Cities,” “Great Expectations” and the list goes on.

She even has a computer language named after her: Ada, which was created on behalf of the U.S. Department of Defense. You know, the guys with the missiles and stuff. I dunno about you, but I don’t know anyone that’s had computer code named after them.

Unfortunately for Lovelace and Babbage, their grand project, the Analytical Engine, never saw completion. It was a hugely expensive project and the British government decided it wasn’t worth paying for. Had they only known just what computers would be able to do in 150 years, they’d be kicking themselves in their red coat tails. They could have been watching cat videos and waging the Great Snapchat War of 1897.

In all seriousness, a love for science, technology, engineering, arts and math is not something that just happens.

It’s fostered, cared for and cultivated and it’s a pursuit that the world will often try to play off as daydreaming until it really, really needs it. And boy, will it pay the bills.

Here at the library, we have several programs running each week to help foster kids looking to engage in STEAM,

which can help them understand the evolving world we all share. Not sure where to start?

Come ask us at the information desk, or ask for Morgan upstairs. We’re always willing to help.

Maybe in 150 years, someone in a library will be writing about how awesome your kid was.

Random Corner ters?

Don’t know much about compu

We can help!

• Only 8 percent of the world’s currency is physical money. The rest only exists on computers.

• The worst breach of U.S. military computers in history happened when someone picked up a memory stick (infected by a foreign intelligence agency) they found in the parking lot and plugged it into their computer, which was attached to United States Central Command.

• In 1978, Apple Corps (owned by The Beatles) sued Apple Computer for trademark infringement. The case settled for $80,000 along with the condition that Apple Computer should not enter the music business, and Apple Corps agreed not to enter the computer business.

• John Lasseter (CEO of Pixar) was fired from Disney for promoting computer animation.

• The new Texas Instrument calculators have ABC keyboards because if they had QWERTY keyboards, they would be considered computers and wouldn’t be allowed for standardized test taking.

• Big banks don’t process checks and debit card charges to your account in the order they’re received, but instead use a computer program that selects the biggest amounts first and charges them against your account; emptying your account faster and resulting in more overdraft fees (i.e. profit).

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Learn to dance the Country Two-Step 7pm @ Sandpoint West Athletic Club With instructor Diane Peters. 610-1770

Deschutes Brewery Night 5pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Come down to the Pub for some Deschutes!

Live Music w/ Ron Kieper Jazz 7:30pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Live Music w/ Ron Criscione 5:30-8:30pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Ron Criscione plays an eclectic mix of ‘60s-to-present style guitar tunes Live Music w/ Chris Lynch 6pm @ Arlo’s Ristorante Live Music w/ Brian Jacobs & Chris Lynch 7-10pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall A guitar/piano duo with lots of energy.

Come listen free, 21+ Cedar St. Bridge Public Market 10am-2pm @ Cedar St. Bridge Come enjoy indoor shopping on the bridge spanning Sand Creek. Free and open to the public Live Music w/ John Firshi 5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Live Music w/ Chris Lynch 6pm @ Arlo’s Ristorante

Musical Theatre Class Script Pick-Up Day 3:15-4:30pm @ Sandpoint Library Parts will be handed out along with scripts for live performance of Aesop’s Fables. 263-6930 Thursday Night Solo Series 7-9pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Featuring Kevin Dorin

A Film and Questions with Viggo Mortensen 7pm @ Panida Theater Enjoy a special screening event featuring the acclaimed film “Captain Fantastic.” There will be an introduction and question-and-answer session with the movie’s star, Viggo Mortensen. Presented by KRFY Community Radio. Sorry, SOLD OUT

Game Night at the Niner 9pm @ 219 Lounge Come down and take part in game night with R Learn to dance Salsa 7pm @ Sandpoint West Athletic Club With instructor Diane Peters. 610-1770

Parent/Grandparent Grief Group 6-7:30pm @ Bonner General Health A free community service, the support group is for parents and grandparents who have experienced the death of a child or grandchild. Held on the first and third Tuesday of each month. 208-265-1185

Annual Student Art for Human Righ 5:30pm @ POAC Gallery Presented by the Bonner County Huma After the show, a short documentary “Th will be shown starting at 6:45 p.m. at th

Bike Movie Night 6pm @ Greasy Fingers Bikes n’ Repair Wednesday nights in January will be Bike Movie Night, featuring bike-related films. It is always free and always fun!

Feel free to bring your own chair (although there will be some) and your own snacks/beverages Girls Pint Out 5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Cool Chicks! Great Beer! No Dudes!

Vicki will be talking about Stout Beer and the different flavors and aromas Learn to dance the Country Two-Step 7pm @ Sandpoint West Athletic Club With instructor Diane Peters. 610-1770

Tee 3:3 Tee tion wri Mic 5-7 Tw

Native Heritage Film Series Double Feature: “Spirit in Glass” and “Horse Tribe” 12:30 & 3pm @ Sandpoint Library “Spirit in Glass” celebrates the spectacular beadwork of cultures and artists of the Columbia River plateau. “Horse Tribe” describes how one of America’s legendary horse tribes, the Nez Perce, brought horses back to their land and lives to help tribal youth. Sponsored by the Idaho Mythweaver. Free and open to the public Northern Lights at Schweitzer @ Schweitzer Mountain Resort Fireworks and a torchlight parade light up the evening over MLK Weekend at Schweitzer. Festivities wrap up with a party featuring live music in Taps

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

f

Live Music w/ Mike Waggoner 7:30pm @ Eichardt’s Pub

24 Hours for Hank fundraiser 5-8pm @ Idaho Pour Authority With Ballast Point Brewing beer sic, complimentary appetizers an

Banff Mountain Film Festival (Jan. 19 7pm @ Panida Theater The festival features an exciting collectio venture, culture, sport and environment. have adult content. Advance tickets are $1 Eichardt’s, Burger Express (Sandpoint an Experience, and the Alpine Shop. While out, any extra tickets will be sold at the do

ful

January 12-19, 2017

-Up Day

Beer Hall Thursday Night Solo Series 7-9pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Featuring Rally Obedience Dog Training 1pm @ Pend Oreille Pet Lodge Rally is a sport in which the dog and handler complete a course of designated stations. 255-7687

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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

Basic Obedience Dog Training 10am & 6pm @ Pend Oreille Pet Lodge Learn the basics of heeling, sit, down, stay, recall and greeting people. Dogs must be current on veterinarian-administered vaccines. $95. 255-7687

Sandpoint Contra Dance 7pm @ Sandpoint Community Hall All are invited to attend a community dance in the New England tradition. All dances are taught and called with live music. Beginners and singles are welcome. $5 donation. Bring clean shoes and a water bottle. Sponsored

by Lost Horse Press and Sandpoint Parks and Recreation Live Music w/ Ron Greene 7-10pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall A Film and Questions with Viggo Mortensen A passionate and dynamic musician 7pm @ Panida Theater Live Music w/ Marty Perron & Doug Bond A screening of “Captain Fantastic” with Q&A 5:30-7:30pm @ Idaho Pour Authority with star Viggo Mortensen. Sorry, SOLD OUT Guitar/mandolin duo

Teen Writers Club 3:30pm @ Sandpoint Library Teens who write ... unite! Enjoy collaboration, peer reviews, brainstorming activities; writing supplies and refreshments provided MickDuff’s Mountain Top Trivia 5-7pm @ Taps at Schweitzer Two great entities team up!

beada Rivne of Perce, es to Myth-

the evestivities n Taps

MLK Weekend at Schweitzer @ Schweitzer Mountain Resort Fireworks, torchlight parade, Sunday night skiing and more! See www.Schweitzer.com for more details

Martin Luther King, Jr. & Nonviolence 4pm @ Pearl Theater (Bonners Ferry) A celebration of art, music and film to commemorate Martin Luther King and his message of equality, respect, hope and nonviolence for all citizens. Includes a Sleigh Ride, Dinner and Concert slide show by Timothy Braatz, author and @ Western Pleasure Guest Ranch Featuring Bridges Home. $68/person. Kids un- university professor of history and nonviolence. FREE! der 6 free. Reservations required at 263-9066

ght with Racheal

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Live Music w/ BareGrass 7:30pm @ Eichardt’s Pub

Intro to the CNC Router 6pm @ MakerPoint Studios Learn the the basics of running a CNC router. 263-3613

man Rights Show

Free New Fitness Class for Seniors 11am-12pm @ Cedar Hills Church nty Human Rights Task Force. A fitness program designed for older adults entary “The Children’s March” to improve flexibility, mobility, balance p.m. at the Little Theater and strength. FREE! info: 612-987-3802

Waggoner Pub

Chafe 150 Registration Opens At midnight, registration for the 2017 Chafe ride ndraiser opens! There will be an early registration disAuthority count and drawings for prizes; the 10th annual wing beer on tap, live mu- ride is held June 17. Learn more at Chafe150.org etizers and raffle prizes

l (Jan. 19-21)

g collection of mountain films on adronment. Please note that some films kets are $16 (each night), available at ndpoint and Bonners Ferry), Outdoor op. While this festival usually sells d at the door on the night of the show

Jan. 19-21 Banff Mountain Film Festival @ Panida Theater

Jan. 20 Patrice Webb @ Pend d’ Oreille Winery

Jan. 28 Fatty Flurry Fest @ Round Lake Sta te Park Lego Club 2pm @ Sandpoint Library Jan. 28 Kids of all ages are welcome to come An nual Anniand create with open Lego play ver sary Dance @ Dollar Beers!

Spt. Community 8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Hall Good until the keg’s dry

25 FILMS OVER THREE NIGHTS! PANIDA THEATER Jan. 19, 20 and 21, 2017 • 7pm all nights

Tickets available in Sandpoint at: BURGER EXPRESS / EICHARDTS / ALPINE SHOP / OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE IN BONNERS FERRY AT: BURGER EXPRESS Online ticket sailes through the Panida Theater at: www.panida.org Tickets $16 advance / $19 at the door (if available) FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO: www.mountainfever.us

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LITERATURE

the plumbing froze

by Beth Weber

This open Window

Vol. 2 No. 1

poetry and prose by local writers

edited by Jim mitsui

in our old log home, on Spring Creek Road, up past the last school bus stop, when we went

a spider’s ice-covered web crystals down like a chandelier.

A single glimmering line

south for Christmas.

Now we’re using the outhouse. It was here first anyway.

drapes diagonally from the web to a sparkled summer vase. Frost spikes trim the inner rim of the

A rusty spring hinge croaks the door open and closed. A sliding wood bolt, smooth with age,

outhouse hole, albino wolverine fur on an Eskimo hood, or a shimmering angel halo.

secures this jewel box from porcupines, who could fall in and fight back. We don’t use it for privacy,

Steam, rising from our accomplishments, secretly freezes, growing the crystalline nimbus.

where no one goes but us. They’ll never know the treasures winter fashions here, rare

Tonight, the full moon, magicking through a vacant crescent in the cedar wall, lusters everything in here.

gemstones in a private museum collection. In its “Show, don’t tell.” I say this to my classes all the time. corner above the stack of old I’ve mentioned this little poem by Hitomaru, a 15th century Smithsonian’s and bag of lime Japanese poet: I sit at home in our room, -Beth Weber by our bed, Beth conducts the Festival at Sandpoint’s Youth Orchestra gazing at your pillow. and teaches violin lessons in her home in Cocolalla.

This poem doesn’t feel sorry for itself, it doesn’t tell us how to feel, it gives us a setting where we have to use our mind and figure out this situation of loneliness, of sorrow, fifty eagles cold of loss. There are no abstractions; each line contains at least

by Brenda Hammond physical image. Hitomaro gives us a chance to participate, to experience, to actually feel---which is much more effecWhen lakes freeze over to the north tive than preaching at the reader. the eagles come to Pend Oreille One of my favorite poets is Billy Collins. He describes looking for food. poetry as “picture language.” When you look at a poem you Some years whole flocks of coots, see the space around it. A poem contains a limited amount clustered like spilled poppy seeds freeze solid in the ice. of territory on a page, whereas prose fills the space of the The eagles pluck them up page like water would. He compares poetry to sculpture. like olives on a salad bar.

I always encourage my students to rely on their Toward sunset stream-of-consciousness; to just write what’s jetting around many eagles roost in their mind, especially specific information and concrete in a stand of cottonwood images, trying to encourage details like “my white 1970 I drive by on my road.

TR-6 Convertible” instead of just one of my cars. Sure, abOn bare branches stract thoughts and ideas will emerge but usually they can I count the be converted to more interesting specific details. The names warm black forms of places, streets, schools, stores, neighborhoods, towns against the icy sky. and people. Actual days, months and years. Just talk about The most I’ve ever seen before was thirty at one time. your memories, your family, the weather, what happened to Always a sign of how cold you. It doesn’t have to be sensational, unique or unusual. it really is -Sometimes the best thing to write about was that time you Tonight was fifty eagles cold! drove your mother to Soap Lake so she could pick a box of her favorite golden delicious apples and you got to talk to -Brenda Hammond her about her childhood in Nagano-Ken. The older I get the more I realize the importance of Brenda is a Mental Health Specialist at Early Head saving the past. Everyone should record their life and try Start, and a long time member of the Board of he Bonner jotting down some memoirs. If we don’t do this, after a few County Human Rights Task Force. This poem was originally generations the memories and details connected to our lives written in 2001— with the title “Thirty Eagles Cold” — revised 1/8/17. will disappear—and our story will be forgotten. Memoirs can be poetry or prose. Just don’t think of them as essays or compositions; have some fun doing this.

-Jim Mitsui

tracking ancestry through indian meadows

by Heather McElwain

I walk on thin ice, a windswept slate petrifying frayed yesterdays like relics in tamarack resin, slip-sliding on a wintry window to time before invisible panhandle lines etched boundaries.

Animal tracks like petroglyphs leave hints in hoar, rock, antiquity. Frost fractals edge from drift yard toward Monarchs, mimicking ferns of long-flooded prairie, or brushwood pedigrees.

On crusted rime, I follow legends like clues, knowing nothing—even ice—will endure.

-Heather McElwain

January 2017

Heather is writer, editor, and book designer who— when away from her desk—can be found out tracking animals and ideas. This poem came from my ASU Final Exam prompt.

winter dusk

by Jeanette Schandelmeier So fleeting this eggshell sky— there’s no other name for the color—this lucent, luminous Thomas Kinkade light below grey clouds laden with snow, that outlines every branch of fir and cedar, even their shawls of white. The setting sun no longer makes it around to the U of the driveway where I can see down Talache Road until it curves to the north, but even that sky is this eerie palest of yellows that tells of winter dusk.

I watch in ten degree weather, a ground wind pushes through the porch screen until I’ve had enough of cold, acutely aware we’ve not yet made it to the Solstice— beginning of winter—in someone’s book.

—Jeanette Schandelmeier

12/17/16

Jeanette is a retired school teacher; she lives on a farm on Talache Road where she keeps busy taking care of her bees, chickens and other animals—and writing about them.

take our Survey, Win 50 bucks www.bit.ly/SandpointMediaSurvey2017

Send poems to: jim3wells@aol.com

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Dark History

Prostitutes, gambling and bootleg liquor in Old Sandpoint

Part one

An aerial view of Sandpoint, circa 1905. The cribs began popping up on the left, or west side of Sand Creek. Photo courtesy of Bonner County Historical Society.

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

If these walls could talk, who knows what stories they would tell.

If you trace history back far enough, you might find that just about every historic building in Sandpoint started as a saloon, a gambling den, a brothel or all of the above. In this first installment of our Dark History series, we’ll highlight one notorious area of prostitution; 110 N. First Ave., the current location of Spud’s Grill and Starbucks.

As with all articles in this forthcoming series, assistance and research was provided by the Bonner County History Museum. These articles are meant to draw attention to their current “Dark Side of Sandpoint” that will run until April.

In this particular article, the majority of information came from the “Sandpoint Historic Red Light District” Project, with research by Dale Selle. The project was compiled in 2005 and contains great backstory for many of the historic buildings we still see in Sandpoint today. * * * As with most buildings in Sandpoint, 110 N. First Ave. (the current location of Starbucks) began as a saloon. James M. Bradley’s “Parlor Saloon” was built in Sept. 1903. The Parlor sold whiskey by the drink, bottle 18 /

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or in re-fillable jugs. Bradley also sold beer, wine and cigars, and a fine restaurant was attached.

“Although Bradley was involved in saloons, gambling and prostitution,” wrote Selle, “he and his wife were part of Sandpoint’s ‘high society.’”

The Bradleys had a large, beautiful home at 221 Pine St. where they often entertained Sandpoint’s “elite residents.”

Behind the Parlor was a large outdoor dance platform where an orchestra would play. A 50-foot by 60-foot dance floor was available for all the loggers, miners and ne’erdowells to buy a dance with a lady.

When Bradley sold his saloon to Chris Peterson and George L. Arnet in 1905, it was re-named The Stockholm Bar. This saloon and gambling house quickly gained a rowdy reputation in Sandpoint.

Just north of the Stockholm, Forest F. Peterson constructed a long, narrow building in which he operated a bowling alley.

“This added further to the ‘entertainment’ flavor of the district,” wrote Selle.

Directly adjacent to the dance floor were the infamous “cribs” where the ladies of the night would take their Johns for some discreet private entertainment.

Frank Springer sold the land directly east of where Starbucks Coffee Co. is currently to Hugh

McGuire, who erected two small frame buildings with permission from the city.

“The only stipulation placed on McGuire was that he construct a high board fence around his enterprise so that ‘polite society’ traveling back and forth across the Bridge St. bridge would not have to see his painted ladies going about their business,” wrote Selle.

The cribs opened in late 1903. Since McGuire and his partner Jeff Davis didn’t live in Sandpoint, an African-American prostitute named Grace Freeman ran the business and collected the rent from the girls. The best known soiled doves in these cribs were Dixie Colton, Victoria Jefferson and Maud West.

In November, 1905, the cribs burned to the ground. They were probably deliberately torched by an irate patron who threatened revenge when he was ejected the night before.

“However, because this patron was a prominent citizen of Sandpoint, the police did not investigate him,” Selle wrote.

The cribs were rebuilt as a larger, two-story building by Grace Freeman with financial help from James M. Bradley (we’ll talk more about Bradley in the next article).

Since prostitution as illegal in Idaho, the city fathers could not legitimize the business by taxing it. Instead, they came up with an

ingenious method of collecting their due; the girls were routinely arrested about once a month and fined $10 each. The fine allowed the city to turn its nose on the nefarious dealings, while also profiting from it.

Sandpoint began to grow on the west side of Sand Creek, creating a dislike for the cribs and “red light district” to be located on this side. Since the city council didn’t want to legitimize prostitution by taxing it, they passed an ordinance in 1907 that forbade ladies of the night to practice their trade on the west side of Sand Creek.

It was in 1907 that the red light district along First Avenue was officially abandoned. Cribs were built across Sand Creek to the east, near where Trinity Cafe is located today. It was said that if women were caught practic-ing the lewd arts west of Sand Creek, they would be arrested for real and face trial.

The former cribs on First Ave. were converted into a rooming house, but despite the severe penalties, city leaders continued to have problems with prostitution practiced there after the ordinance passed.

Next week, we’ll tell you the story about how a jealous husband tried to kill his wife, a famed “soiled dove” operating at the Owl saloon in old Sandpoint.

“Klondike Kate” - a famous dancer during the Klondike Gold Rush in Alaska.

s e a.

Transforming a Community Opinion The importance of LGBT equality in Sandpoint

By Ben Olson Reader Staff I want you to try something for a moment. Look in the mirror and tell me what you see. In my case, I see a man. In yours, you might see a woman, a girl, a boy, an elderly male. But what if you looked in that mirror and saw someone completely different staring back at you—a man, a boy, a girl, an elderly woman? What would you do then?

It’s a question Kayden Brower knows all about. But he’s still seeking answers. You see, Brower was born a woman, but is now living as a man.

Somewhere between Living in North Idaho has its pros and cons. We are surrounded by the splendor of nature.

Small town life is close, intimate, compassionate. You can generally count on people to treat you fairly, to help you out if you’re in a bind.

The flip side of the coin is that small town life sometimes gets stagnant. We often feel as if we’re insulated from the harsh realities of the world. We aren’t regularly exposed to different cultures and beliefs. When someone comes along that is different, we may tend to ostracize them rather than understand them.

It’s the sheltered mentality that many are drawn to when moving to North Idaho. What many people don’t realize is that there are cultural variances everywhere, including our little shire in the mountains. It just seems as if we don’t know they’re there in fear of sharing too much information with a small audience.

Brower grew up somewhere between Priest River and Sandpoint. From as far back as he can remember, he felt something was different about him.

“I didn’t feel like I was in the right body,” he said. “I didn’t do the things that other girls did. I felt different from all the other kids.”

Growing up as a tomboy, Brower said that he tried to do the “girl thing” with long hair and makeup for about a year, but it fell short.

“I always thought she was just a tomboy,” said Brower’s mother Mitze Thompson. “To be honest, I didn’t know anything was different about her until she came out as being gay.”

Thompson said her first reaction was to do some research to learn more about how she could communicate with her daughter.

Both said that they have a very close relationship.

“We’ve always been best friends,” said Brower. “We tell each other everything. I always felt I was a straight male. I didn’t feel like I was a female. A lot of people didn’t understand that.”

As you might imagine, Brower characterized his high school years as a time of struggle.

“It was not a good time,” he said. “I just wanted to be happy with myself and love myself. But there were a lot of dark moments.

A lot of self-hatred, self-mutilation, even attempted suicide.”

In high school, young Kayden began cutting herself: “It was an addiction, like a drug. I’d cut myself and feel better. I’d feel a release.”

Thompson said most people were accepting when they learned about her daughter who had come out as a lesbian, but there were some low moments.

“We lived in a small community, but people have their own opinions,” she said. “Some of those people were not so nice, but I choose to have positive people in my life.”

Brower said he always felt made fun of, and that he was judged constantly Brower’s lowest point came when he was 18 and had to be institutionalized. Brower told his father he needed to get help or he was going to kill himself. He had just had a toxic relationship with an abusive woman end and had cut himself badly in the bathroom.

“I hated everything because I hated myself,” said Brower.

Brower spent a week recovering, and was prescribed anti-depression medication. It wasn’t until five months ago that he started to take testosterone pills to facilitate the transition into becoming a man.

Mirror mirror Thompson said she remembers the moment when she finally began to understand how her daughter was now becoming her son.

“When she told me, ‘When I look in the mirror, I don’t see a female, I see a male,’ well, it finally made sense to me. I got it,” said Thompson. “Most parents who

Bathroom Blues

Mitze Thompson, left, and her son Kayden Brower, right. Photo by Ben Olson. have transgender kids are nervous.

They’re scared because they think it’s a phase.”

“It’s not a phase,” said Brower.

“Getting piercings and dying your hair is a phase. Trust me, nobody chooses this lifestyle.”

After entering therapy and coming to terms with the idea that he was really a man inside, Brower began to feel better about himself. He continued to see his therapist, Eric Ridgway, who had been a positive influence on him from early on.

“Eric has known our family since Kayden was young,” said Thompson.

“He was the best counselor I ever had,” said Brower. “He was always real with me. He touches you on a personal level, and really cares about you.”

Though Brower still swings into a funk from time to time he said he has more control over it now: “I can pull myself out of it.”

It’s been five months since Brower began taking male hormones. He said it’s the first time he’s felt whole in a long time.

“It’s like I feel like me now,” he said. “I was so emotional before the hormones, now I’m better.

I can handle this.”

“His voice is deeper,” said Thompson, when asked what she notices different about her son. “I can tell that he is more comfortable with who he is. He’s even growing a little bit of facial hair.”

Brower smiled and felt the

scruff on his chin. He grinned like a proud teenager.

Transforming opinion For mother and son, the fact that Brower is a transgender male is not something to raise a fuss about anymore. They have been through the hard stuff, and have grown closer through adversity.

But still, for both of them, they are sometimes disappointed by the resistance that people show toward the LGBT community.

“What drives me crazy is that the first thing everybody always thinks of is sex,” said Thompson.

“Why do we go right to the sex thing all the time? We all live in a glass house. We are all judgmental. But why does it make a difference what someone does in their bedroom? My son is happy and full of love. That’s what matters.”

“We are all humans,” said Brower. “We all have souls. It just makes me sad when people judge me. I’m an amazing person!”

Brower now lives in North Dakota, where he moved after not being able to find work in North Idaho. He currently lives with his fiancé, a woman who knew him back in school.

“After I came out, everyone was really supportive,” said Brower. “She knew me before.

She didn’t judge me on my gender or whatever, it was the connection that we had together. She’s really a great person.”

In the opening days of state legislatures around the nation, more so-called “bathroom bills” began popping up. Texas, Kentucky, Virginia, Missouri and Minnesota all introduced the controversial bills that continue to stoke the debate over rights of transgender individuals.

At least 24 states have considered “bathroom bills” since 2013, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

A prime example is North Carolina’s House Bill 2, which effectively banned people from using public bathrooms that don’t correspond to their biological sex as listed on their birth certificates.

Proponents believe it to be common sense legislation. Opponents describe it as the most anti-LGBT legislation in the U.S. Since it passed almost a year ago, the issue has undoubtedly caused the state’s economy to suffer after a spate of music performers refused to play concerts in opposition of the bill. Also, several key businesses made a public stand to cancel plans that would benefit North Carolina’s economy and workforce. The NBA even chose to move its All-Star Game from Charlotte to New Orleans in opposition to the bill.

When asked what restroom he uses, Brower shrugged and said: “I guess it depends on where I’m at. It’s not a big deal.”

Brower’s ultimate hope is that people will stop being so angry and start accepting their neighbors with more love in their hearts.

“I just want to be accepted in the world for who I am,” he said. “I want us to listen more. I want us to be proactive instead of reactive.”

Thompson has become active with Sandpoint PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), and urges those in the community to reach out to friends, to the internet, to anyone who will help them understand how to treat each other fairly.

Through opening lines of communication to lay bare the truth about transgender individuals, Thompson hopes we’ll realize that we’re all unique and that we’re all the same on the inside.

That’s where it matters most.

“We’re afraid of what we don’t know,” she said.

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OUTDOORS

Winter off the beaten path

Schweitzer Mountain isn’t the only place for a winter activity getaway

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Intern This slice of paradise we call North Idaho is often renowned for its lakes and mountains — places meant to be explored and admired.

However, winter may not seem to compare to summer when it comes to recreational opportunities, and those who seek outdoor adventure during this time of year often head to Schweitzer Mountain Resort.

While Schweitzer is undoubtedly the quintessential winter destination, the possibilities for recreational fun in this area are boundless.

The following are day-trip destination suggestions for cross-country skiers, snowshoers and ice skaters alike to enjoy without breaking the bank or enduring the crowds often found at resorts. This is just a taste of the places I’ve found or explored myself—other destinations and winter activity ideas can be found online with resources like visitsandpoint. com and sandpointonline.com.

Trails for cross-country skiers

Cross-country skiing happens to be a favorite pastime for Sandpoint locals, so the surrounding area offers plenty of opportunity for breaking out the poles. The following are just a few ideas for Nordic enthusiasts to explore.

For those looking to stay close to town, the Sandpoint Nordic Club regularly grooms and manages the University of Idaho Extension Campus property, located on North Boyer.

Skiers can enjoy four kilometers of trail specifically for skis — a separate trail is offered for walkers and fat-tire bikers.

Dogs are welcome provided the owners clean up after them, and a $3 fee is requested upon entrance to the trails, unless you have a Nordic Club mem20 /

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bership. To learn more about this particular trail or about becoming a Sandpoint Nordic Club member, visit sandpointnordic.com.

Also great for cross-country skiers is the opportunity to explore state parks on skis. Round Lake State Park and Farragut State Park — both located less than 30 miles south of Sandpoint — both offer cross-country trails. If you don’t have an Idaho State Park Passport, which is $10 a year, it can be purchased online or at your local DMV. Or, to just enjoy one day at a state park, pay the $5 motor vehicle entry fee.

Places for snowshoers to explore

There are great opportunities to snowshoe with views of Lake Pend Oreille right in or near Sandpoint.

The Pend Oreille Bay Trail, which begins a couple blocks north of City Beach, offers lakefront views eastward toward the Cabinet Mountains.

Efforts to connect the trail to the community of Ponderay are still underway, and the trail’s progress can be tracked at pobtrail.org. Those on snowshoes can enjoy the lake up close and personal on this trail.

The Mickinnick Trail offers more of an extensive trek for those looking to make a day out of it on snowshoes. The trailhead is located just north of Sandpoint on Woodland Drive and offers plenty of parking.

The trail is seven miles roundtrip and boasts expansive views of Lake Pend Oreille, from the Cabinet Mountains to the city of Sandpoint itself.

Snowshoers willing to venture out of Bonner County should explore a destination I recommend as a personal favorite: Ross Creek Cedars off Highway 56 in Montana. The walk takes place primarily on three to four miles of access road (depending on how heavy

Cadie Archer snowshoes at the National Kootenai Wildlife Refuge outside Bonners Ferry last week. Photo by Ben Olson. the snow has been), and snowshoers can choose to venture into the regular summer hiking trail at the end of the road. The pure serenity of being within the huge trees is what makes this trek special. The rugged mountains visible at certain vantage points on the road are worth stopping for a photo-op.

a offer the perfect ice-skating winter wonderland.

This is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to making the most of winter in the area. With a tank of gas, a

thermos of hot chocolate and some cold weather gear, the snow can’t keep determined recreation fiends from making memories all over the area this chilly season.

Sharpen your ice skate blades Though there aren’t any indoor arenas for ice-skating in the Sandpoint area, there are still plenty of chances to practice that triple-arabesque under the blue North Idaho sky.

Sandpoint’s Third Avenue Pier is a popular spot for ice-skating, as is Sand Creek beneath the Cedar Street Bridge. The mouth of Sand Creek at City Beach can also be a great place to break out the ice skates, provided the conditions are just right.

Those willing to hop in the car can experience a more remote breed of ice skating up north in Bonners Ferry, where several small lakes — including Mirror, Smith, Brush and Robinson Lakes — freeze up A cross-country skier navigates the track at the U of I extension campus. Photo by Ben Olson.

HEALTH

Moving past medical insurance to medical care

The Direct Primary Care model comes to Sandpoint

By Mike Turnlund Reader Contributor Sometimes we get the question wrong. In the arena of public discussion, where ideas are shared, debated, and often argued over, every topic under the sun has its day. But it is difficult if not impossible to effectively address a problem if the question is poorly stated.

My point: Perhaps one of the problems facing us today is not access to affordable health insurance, but affordable health care. There is a difference.

Obamacare seems to have been a bust. Granted, some specific groups have benefited, especially those with pre-existing health conditions and limited budgets. But by and large, the Affordable Health Care Act has provided little that is affordable, especially with ever increasing monthly premiums, co-pays and limits on coverage. One would think that the health insurance industry wrote the legislation! Wait, um, maybe…

Some physicians in the field are fighting back. And in the thick of the fray is a local family-care practitioner. This physician actually decided to do something about unaffordable health care … by implementing a health care model that is affordable.

Oct. 1, 2016, was the oneyear anniversary of Sandpoint Direct Primary Care, a new medical model in Bonner County. While to most of the world (or region, anyway) this second most northerly county in Idaho’s panhandle region is known for Lake Pend Oreille, Schweitzer Ski Resort, and one of most beautiful little towns in America, Sandpoint, it is also home to a radically different medical-care model. This new form of providing health care rejects the traditional insurance-centric model that pre-

vails in the United States today.

Here we find the slow-paced, relaxed and personal medical care of Dr. Frazier King at his practice, Sandpoint Direct Primary Care. For $50 a month!

Or $60 a month if you’re older.

A Burley, Idaho, native, King had 24 years under his belt as a family-practice physician before he decided to locate to Sandpoint. He was first introduced to the community in 1993 when he visited his brother and sister in-law, who had taken residence here.

As he puts it, “I was looking for a change … and I was smitten by the beauty of the area.” So, in 2001 he and his family moved to Sandpoint from Ogden, Utah.

But moving to the new community did not generate, at first, the change he was really seeking. While he and his family enjoyed the area, his medical practice was something different. He felt that his practice was ultimately structured not to serve the health-care needs of his patients, but for protecting the profits of insurance companies. This required him to see 20-25 patients a day, which is quite a feat for a seven-hour work day (if you subtract the one-hour lunch). You do the math. This also required having two employees on staff that were dedicated to dealing with the insurance companies, pharmacies, and, of course, client billing. “We were doing a lot of insurance work, resubmitting claims…filling out endless paperwork…we had limited amount of time with the patients,” King recalled. “Thirty to 40 percent of our energy was really the two: insurance and billing. It seemed that insurance and pharmacies were becoming ever more intrusive in terms of trying to limit one’s practice,” he lamented.

This had to change. King had become increasingly

Dr. Frazier King meets with one of his patients. Photo by Mike Turnlund. frustrated with the current system and began a search for something different, a new way of delivering medical care to his patients. But he was unsure how to proceed. First and foremost, he didn’t want to abandon his true vocation: family medical care. He found this “something different” in the person of Josh Umbehr, a family-practice physician in Wichita, Kansas. Umbehr had developed a medical care model that was not dependent upon insurance companies.

King first learned about Umbehr while attending a physicians’ conference in Boise. King sat in on an hourlong presentation by Umbehr where he explained his new way of doing business---the “direct primary care model” of medical care. The direct primary care model, or DPC, completely removes insurance companies and pharmacies from participating in a patient’s medical care. Or, perhaps more accurately stated, from interfering in a patient’s medical care. The physician charges his

or her patients what basically amounts to a monthly membership fee, and provides patients with the care they require, albeit limited to what can be provided in the doctor’s office.

“This was an epiphanic moment!” said King. “I was astonished that he (Umbehr) had an alternate model that appeared to work quite well.”

Intrigued, and now thinking new thoughts about medical care, King returned to his existing traditional practice in Sandpoint. He now knew he could do better, for both himself and his patients. But before he converted his own practice to the new model, he wanted to see it in action, sort of as a proof of concept. This meant King had to personally visit Umbehr in Kansas. King recalled, “He was very generous with his time and energy to assist me.” King’s interest in Umbehr was not unique. In fact, because of an increasing number of inquiries Umbehr had even designed a “curriculum” to answer the questions of interested physicians and to help them establish

their own DPC practices. King became convinced and decided to adopt the new model after attending a second conference in July 2015. “Thus, the rest is history. After returning from that conference in July I decided to proceed and on Oct. 1, 2015, [I] opened a direct primary care practice [in Sandpoint].”

Once patients sign on to this new type of medical care model and enroll in the DPC, what do they notice in comparison with the traditional model? “The differences are striking,” says King. This begins with his office. The first thing a patient would notice is that there is no waiting room, unless one considers a couple of chairs in a corner to be a waiting room. A waiting area is not needed because there is no need to wait; patients are served immediately. “Patients are scheduled to spend their time with the doctor and not in the waiting room,” King says, “[this is] more respectful of the patient’s time.” < see KING, page 23 > January 12, 2017 /

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STAGE & SCREEN

banff mountain film festival

Still crazy after all these years

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff

There’s no doubt about it: Sandpoint loves the great outdoors, whether that means exploring it or learning about it.

And there’s no better place to see the world from the comfort of a theater seat than the Banff Mountain Film Festival, which hits the Panida silver screen next weekend.

For the 21st year, Sandpoint will host the touring film festival from Thursday, Jan. 19, to Saturday, Jan. 21. This year, attendees will see 25 films that will take them across the globe and into the essence of the human spirit. According to event organizer Michael Boge, this year’s spectacular offerings are a testament to the filmmakers’ talents and the Banff Film Festival’s reach.

“When I see the films at each festival, I ask myself, ‘Can they do it again next year?’” Boge said. “But then 22 /

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I get to Banff, and it’s like Christmas morning.”

Boge has a tough time selecting favorites from the more than two dozen offerings this year. However, he promises that animal lovers will enjoy the several films prominently featuring furry partners in crime. Meanwhile, several movies are guaranteed to inspire with their portrayals of stalwart adventurers and a fierce love of living.

“They say in the films that life is short, so you better take advantage of it,” Boge said.

“Mira,” for example, follows a young Nepalese woman who pursues her love of running into opportunities she only dreamed of. Through sheer dogged determination, she becomes a success in her sport and competitor on a global stage.

“You know that feeling when you’re young, right?” said Boge. “It’s like, ‘Give me a chance, give me a chance, give me a chance, and see what I can do.’ That’s what this film is like.”

Just as inspiring is “Sea Gypsies: The Far Side of the World.” The film covers a cast of unique personalities with

a serious case of wanderlust.

Their desire to explore compels them to set off in a 120-foot, hand-built ketch from New Zealand to Patagonia with a side trip to Antarctica. No matter what night of the festival you attend, you’re sure to see amazing cinematography and inspiring stories of courage, compassion and daring.

“It’s really exciting, and especially exciting to see it all come together when the festival comes around each year,” said Boge.

As always, the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour does more than provide Sandpoint with some entertainment and culture. Proceeds from the event will go to support the Satipo Kids Project, located in Satipo, Peru. The program supports students who wish to receive an education, including four individuals who have participated for the past 12 years.

The festival also support the North Idaho Mountain Sports Education Fund, which helps 72 local kids afford lessons, ski gear and lift tickets to ski at Schweitzer Mountain. Jeff Rouleau and his crew from the North Idaho Mountain Sports Education Fund will come to

the festival ready to raffle off some great prizes.

All in all, Boge said it’s shaping up to be another great year celebrating the wonders of the natural world.

“People are not going to be disappointed,” he said. “It’s one of those great community events where you see all your friends.”

See the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour at the Panida Theater for three separate nights starting Thursday, Jan 19; Friday, Jan. 20, and Saturday, Jan. 21. Doors open at 6 p.m. with films beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are available in Sandpoint at Eichardt’s, The Alpine Shop, Burger Express and The Outdoor Experience.

Tickets are also available in Bonners Ferry at the Burger Express. On line tickets can be purchased on the Panida Theater website at https://www. panida.org/event/banff-mountain- film-festival-2016. If any tickets are left they will be sold at the door. Tickets are $16 in advance and $19 at the door.

Top and bottom: stills from some of the many outdoor adventure films on the Banff Mountain Film Festival lineup.

Courtesy photos.

< KING, con’t from page 23 > The DPC is also very cost effective, passing on savings to both the physician and clients. By not having to work with insurance companies, the practice is now free of insurance claim processing.

This equates to fewer employees. For example, there is no need for an insurance clerk, “making the efficiency of the office much better,” King says. And there is a litany of other savings, too: Membership fees in the DPC are handled by credit or debit card, eliminating the need for a billing clerk. Overhead costs are greatly reduced as supporting a large traditional office is eliminated.

And, of course, no need for a waiting room. All of this makes the DPC an exemplary organizational model.

Still, the DPC is not about simply saving money, but improving medical care. “Instead of seeing 20-25 patients [a day as required by the traditional practice], now I see six to 10, sometimes less,” King pointed out. “New patients get a full hour for [their initial] examination. Follow-up visits are typically 30 minutes, but can be lengthened as needed.” King is also available to his patients 24 hours a day, having access by phone or computer, including what he calls “virtual visits.” His patients can text or email him images of a problem—say, a rash—allowing for diagnosis and treatment over the phone. “If its within my comfort level, I can diagnose and treat it that moment, without having [the patient] to show up at the office.

Otherwise, an office visit is scheduled,” he says. And his office is fleet of foot, normally being able to provide same day or next day service.

There is also no limit on the number of times a client can see King, as every person’s needs are different. He often sees patients with significant problems every day, for a week at a time. “They have virtually unlimited access to me,” King says. “And there is no co-pay [cost] or other penalty for coming in more often.” This includes an annual wellness exam. And any treatment that can be done in a doctor’s office is covered by the DPC. The DPC model lowers medicine costs too. “Prescription medications are available in a generic form at significantly discounted rates,” King says.

Ironically, all medicines given out at his office are purchased from the same suppliers that pharmacies use. And because King’s patients do not need to go see a pharmacist to dispense those medicines, those savings are passed on. Medicine costs are significantly lower. Sandpoint Direct Primary Care has also worked out substantial discounts from referring

laboratories. His patients get greatly reduced rates. And if patients do have traditional medical coverage, his office can still bill their insurance for labs without any problem, just as before.

Where does he think the DPC model is going to go? First and foremost, King thinks that the DPC is going to “keep the family practice a viable model.” Practitioners that operate family clinics, like himself, may all eventually need to adopt the model in order to keep this type of medical care available. “The DPC may be the salvation of primary care. It provides a less controlled, regulated, hassled type of practice that any family practitioner could move to. Working for patients instead of working for insurance companies, etc. So instead of quitting medicine altogether, a physician could move to this type of practice.”

King also notes that many fellow practitioners are greatly dissatisfied with the current insurance-dependent model of medical care, especially because of the growing influence of insurance companies in dictating patient care. King understands the frustration of family care doctors with insurance companies coopting their care, as evidenced by such requirements as pre-authorizations for physician-prescribed care or for “therapeutic substitutions” of doctor prescribed medicines.

King also does not believe that the DPC will replace traditional medical insurance. Instead, it will provide an opportunity for insurance companies “to return to their original model of being used for catastrophic-care needs.” He views the DPC model as being complementary to existing insurance. In fact, King estimates that 80 percent of his patients already have existing medical insurance, although it is typically the catastrophic-coverage type of insurance with large out-of-pocket co-pays. His affordable membership costs compliment this type of insurance coverage.

How have Frazier King’s patients responded to his DPC? “Many express disbelief that such a model exists and works,” he says. But he will be the first to admit that it is not for everyone.

Younger, healthy patients who already have great insurance, with little or no co-pay, are not interested in maintaining a membership fee. But for many people, especially families with young children, it is an absolute bargain.

At a personal level, what has the DPC done for Dr. King’s own role as a family-medicine practitioner? “Overall, [the] stress level is definitely improved!” But more to the point, he says, “I provide medical care, not insurance.

What they [my patients] get from me

is medical care, irrespective of whether or not they have insurance.” And that is the bottom line.

Frazier King is not the first physician to offer the DPC model in north Idaho.

A similar practice opened shortly before his own in nearby Hayden. And since King began Sandpoint Direct Primary Care, a two-physician DPC office has opened up in Post Falls.

As the old adage reminds us, “what goes around, comes around.” Perhaps King and others offering the DPC model are not so much at the head of a new medical-care model, as much as they are returning to a time when doctors knew their patients intimately and made themselves more directly and personally available to them. Sort of a twenty-first-century twist on the old country doctor model, black bag in hand, visiting a patient at home.

Need genuinely affordable health care? Go by and visit Dr. King’s office on the third floor of the Mountain West Bank building on the corner of Division and Pine Street in Sandpoint. Or visit his website at sandpointdpc.com.

The author can be reached for comment at mturnlund@gmail.com.

date to be announced:

“Certain Women” film

Three strong-willed women (Kristen Stewart, Laura Dern, Michelle Williams) strive to forge their own paths amidst the wide-open plains of the American Northwest

Jan. 13 & 14 @ 7:30pm

A film and eveninguwith t viggo mortensen

sold

o

A special appearance by Viggo Mortensen, who will answer questions from the audience after the showing of his latest film, “Captain Fantastic.”

Jan. 19, 20 & 21 @ 7pm

Banff Mountain Film FEstival The annual outdoors and adventure film festival is back!

Friday, Jan. 27 @ 6pm

friends of scotchman peaks wilderness 12th anniversary

celebrate a dozen years of working for wilderness in the Scotchman Peaks

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OPINION

Climate change: studying our climate by the facts

By Art Pilch Reader Contributor Editor’s Note: This is the second part of a series involving the issue of climate change.

In the last article, I discussed the greenhouse effect, along with other natural and manmade causes of global warming. It is clear from physics, that while the natural greenhouse effect is responsible for warming our planet enough to make it liveable, the increase in greenhouse gas from the burning of fossil fuels and other human activities is causing the planet to overheat. There are many different studies showing how the planet is warming, and how the extra heat influences all aspects of our climate.

The NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies has compiled the Land-Ocean Temperature Index from weather stations reporting surface air temperatures over land, and sea surface temperatures from ship and buoy reports, going back to 1880 .

The trends in global average temperature are subject to short term fluctuations, such as El Nino events. There was a strong El Nino in 1997-98. If you start at the 1998 high point, and look only at data from 1998-2010, it can appear that average global temperatures have stopped rising. This is called the “hiatus”, and has been used by deniers to conclude that the climate is no longer warming. However, when records before and after this period are included, the longer-term warming trends are obvious. Last year will very likely be the hottest year on record and a new high for the third year in a row, according to the U.N. It means 16 of the 17 hottest years on record will have been this century.

Only about 2 percent of the heat trapped by greenhouse gases since 1970 has gone into the atmosphere. More than 90 percent has gone into the ocean.

Only the temperature at the surface of the ocean is reflected in the graph. Huge amounts of heat can be stored in the deep ocean.

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that when the heat absorbed by the deep ocean is taken into account, there was no warming hiatus.

Starting around 1979, satellites have been calculating the temperatures in the troposphere from readings of microwave radiation. Over the years, the calculations have been revised to correct for various errors that were found. For example, the calculations are based on knowing the exact location of the satellite, but it was found that, due to friction, the satellite orbits were changing, causing a major error in the calculated temperature. The corrected results show trends in the temperature of the troposphere are similar to the surface measurements.

Climate change is about more than the increase in global average temperatures.

Since 1900, the average annual surface air temperature in the arctic has increased twice as fast as the global average.

The sea ice in the arctic has been disappearing rapidly. The minimum sea ice extent in the Arctic, measured in September of each year, has decreased by about 40 percent since 1979. As more ice melts back each year, the proportion of the total that is the older thicker ice decreases, while the thinner one-year-old ice that forms in the winter is subject to more rapid melting the next summer. The less the surface area of ice, the more heat absorbed by the ocean.

That’s one of the reasons that the arctic is warming up so fast, and the trend is accelerating.

Paradoxically, warming in the arctic is linked to episodes of extreme winter cold further south, as the jet stream which normally constrains frigid air to the polar region, weakens and becomes wavy. With the wavy pattern, cold air from the north can be carried south.

While Arctic ice is melting at a record pace, Antarctic sea ice had been increasing. One explanation is that the icy winds blowing off Antarctica, as well as a powerful ocean current that circles the frozen continent, are

NOAA NCDC based on data updated from Kennedy et al. 2010 much larger factors in the formation and persistence of Antarctic sea ice than changes in temperature. Despite the observed increase of Antarctic sea ice, the long-term trend still shows that sea ice for the earth as a whole has been declining. Also, the increase in antarctic sea ice may reverse itself. Antarctic sea ice cover was lower in November 2016 than any other November in the satellite record.

Another indicator of climate change is sea level rise. Data from coastal tide gages shows that sea level rose around 8” from 1870 - 2000. Satellite measurements show a 3” rise just from 1993 to the present. Most of the rise is due to expansion

of the oceans as they warm, and some is due to the melting of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets. NASA’s GRACE satellites compute the total mass of the ice sheets by their effects on the gravitational field. Between 2002 and 2016, the Greenland ice sheet has lost 281 gigatons of ice / year and the Antarctic ice sheets have lost 118 gigatons of ice / year. NASA Operation Ice Bridge planes observe the ice sheets close up, to record how they are changing in more detail. They have observed rifts that indicate that huge chunks of ice may break away, which could result in much more rapid melting. If the Greenland and Antarctic Ice Sheets melted away

completely, sea level would rise roughly 210 feet!

There are many other studies that document how the climate is already changing in response to human caused global warming. The warmer atmosphere holds more water vapor. Frostfree seasons and fire seasons are increasing, vegetation is shifting, soil moisture is changing, glaciers are retreating, storms are becoming more extreme. For reliable information about climate studies, check out NOAA site www.climate.gov and NASA http://climate.nasa.gov/ . The next article will be about the human and environmental impacts of climate change now, and in the future.

The temperature anomaly from 1880 to 2016, as compiled by NASA GISS.

MUSIC

This week’s RLW by Jen Heller

Guitar Hour hosts instrument masters

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff Sandpoint resident Leon Atkinson is well-known throughout the region as a master of classical guitar. For years, he’s hosted a radio program, “Guitar Hour,” dedicated to the art. He’s also regularly brought in fellow guitar virtuosos to perform in concert.

The latest series, Friends of the Guitar Hour, takes place this winter and spring in Post Falls and Spokane. We asked Atkinson a few questions about taking on such a large-scale concert project.

SR: Could you tell us a little history about this series? What led you to create it?

LA: The history of this series really goes back 25 years or more. I have produced concerts throughout Coeur d’Alene, Spokane and Sandpoint, [as well as] a concert I produced at the Met, now known as The Bing Crosby Theater, that had a poor turn-out.

Twenty-five years ago, I went to KPBX Spokane Public Radio, an affiliate of NPR, and started producing the show the “Guitar Hour.” This is why the series is called the Friends of the Guitar Hour. The show has a large listening audience in Sandpoint, Coeur d’Alene, Spokane and parts of Oregon, Montana, Canada and

Leon Atkinson playing a Tonedevil harp guitar. Photo courtesy of YouTube. the world through streaming.

In the future the Friends of the Guitar Hour will be hosting guitar cruises and trips to special places of interest for guitar lovers.

SR: Tell us about the process of selecting this year’s artists.

Why did you ultimately pick the line-up that is featured this year? What are your favorite things about these artists?

LA: This year’s guitar series will be very exciting. I’ve chosen four or five guitarists, too, and that’s one of the many ways these concerts are different. They all play classical guitar, and they are all excellent at what they

Student art show for human rights planned

By Lynn Bridges Reader Contributor

The Bonner County Human Rights Task Force is holding its annual Student Art for Human Rights event Jan. 16 through Feb. 17, 2017 at the Pend Oreille Arts Council gallery at 302 N. First Ave. in Sandpoint.

The show will have an opening reception at the POAC gallery on Monday, Jan. 16 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

On Jan. 16 Bonner County Human Rights Task Force also honor and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a movie and discussion from 6:45-7:30 p.m. in the Panida’s Little Theater (next door to the Panida).

The movie, “The Children’s

March” (Academy Award Winner –Best Documentary / Short Subject) will be followed by a discussion on what part we can play in creating a more inclusive and civil community.

Please join us to celebrate the creativity of our youth as well as to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s message of social justice and change through non-violent means.

For information about POAC, go to www.ArtInSandpoint.org.

To learn about Bonner County Human Rights Task Force, go to www.bchrtf.org.

do, but when you have four or five different personalities, you have five different individuals bringing in a unique expression of what they feel and what they believe to the instrument.

The first guitarist, Martha Masters, is different in the fact that she is a woman and will bring other sensibilities to the stage.

The second concert is a duo.

John Paul Shields studied traditionally and then went to Peru to study and get the sensibilities of that culture. He has done that very well, and he’ll be playing along with James Reid, a traditional classical guitarist from the University of Idaho who started the Northwest Guitar Festival.

Together they’ll make for a very exciting and enjoyable concert.

The third concert will be a Canadian guitarist, John Goulart.

John has won many international competitions. He has been the director of the world-class chorus in Banff, Canada, for many years, and it’s just the epitome of great music sharing.

Crossword Solution

READ

The last time I wandered by the library’s new acquisitions shelf, I picked up a copy of 2016’s “The Best American Nonrequired Reading” anthology. Why is it “nonrequired?” It’s curated and compiled by high school students.

These kids are far more ambitious than I was in high school, judging from the quality of their work and the impressive list of their adult guest artists, editors, and introducers. The excerpts and inclusions are deep and wide, funny and profound, diced into handy ten-minute blips of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and not-so-comics. This is not your average light reading.

LISTEN

There’s a new female powerhouse on the rise – you’ve probably seen her face go by in a fast-food ad campaign, or heard one of her radio singles. When I’m working late and I need an energy boost, I click my Pandora station over to Andra Day. Pandora compares her to Amy Winehouse, Adele, and Leela James.

I’m not musically aware enough to expand on that. I just know SR: What are your thoughts her vocal powon the general public’s appreer and range are ciation of the artistry of the dang impressive. guitar? What can be done to Bonus: she was born in Spokane. open that world to them?

The fourth concert is Mak Grgic, now residing in California and originating from Slovenia.

He performed for the Festival At Sandpoint under the direction of Gary Sheldon with the Spokane Symphony. I had the pleasure of joining in with two of the guitarists, Paul Grove and Michael Millham, and we played the concerto for for guitars originally written for The Romeros.

LA: My thoughts are that the public’s appreciation for classical guitar concerts will only grow with exposure and the love they will feel from hearing the beauty of the guitar.

WATCH

Each year, I carefully choose one movie to be my big screen splurge, driving down to Coeur d’Alene for the full experience. My 2016 treat was a viewing of “Arrival.” Yes, Arrival is all about UFOs and mystery and survival... but, it’s the very The Friends of the Guitar human reactions to a possible alien Hour concert series kicks off threat that make the movie, careful7:30 p.m., Jan. 26, with Martha ly distilling it is that makes us truly Masters playing at the Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center in Post human. This movie tackles “the big Falls. James Reid and John Paul questions” successfully, unlike a lot of big-budget sci-fi disappointments Shields perform 7:30 p.m., Feb. (think: “Interstellar”). Watch it on 17, at the Holy Names Music Center in Spokane. John Goulart the big plays the Jacklin Arts and Cultur- s c r e e n al Center in Post Falls 7:30 p.m., w h i l e you still March 24. And Mak Grgic percan, it’s forms at the Holy Names Music Center in Spokane 7:30 p.m., May worth it.

12. Buy season tickets to all four concerts for $100 at friendsoftheguitarhour.bpt.me and save $40.

January 12, 2017 /

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w o N & Then compiled by

Ben Olson

Each week, we feature a new photograph taken from the same vantage point as one taken long ago. See how we’ve changed, and how we’ve stayed the same.

Historical information provided and verified by Bonner County Museum staff and volunteers. The Museum is located at 611 S. Ella — (208) 263-2344.

c. 1940

The same view today (though I had to take the photo from a ladder, so the angle isn’t exact).

2017

Woorf tdhe Week

sockeroo

/sok-uh-ROO/

[noun] 1. Slang. a notable success.

“The mime’s performance yesterday was sockeroo.”

Corrections: In last week’s Walk 7B article, the author listed the organizer’s name as “Sue Graves” when her name is in fact “Sue Lopez.” We regret this error and apologize for the mix-up. -BO 26 /

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CROSSWORD

Copyright www.mirroreyes.com

Looking north down Second Ave. in Sandpoint from near Main St. intersection. You can see that the small building says “Tin Shop, Sheet Metal Works” and the current Vanderford’s building appears to have a hardware company sign. You can also see across the street that the old bank hasn’t been eaten up by the larger building yet (the location of Frontier currently). The street in the background is Cedar Street.

ACROSS 1. Deadly snake 6. Baby buggy 10. Charity 14. Utilize 15. Roman moon goddess 16. Anguish 17. Slowly, in music 18. Against 19. Savvy about 20. Generous 22. A Maori club 23. Countertenor 24. Sign up 26. Corrosive 30. Legislation 31. Born as 32. Not a single one 33. Pig sound 35. Performed 39. Unexplored 41. Take care of 43. Sysadmin 44. Sow 46. Nile bird 47. Chart 49. Directed 50. Keg 51. Comparison 54. Applications 56. Press 57. Variety 63. 20th-century art movement 64. Fashionable 65. Radiolocation

Solution on page 21 66. French for “State” 67. Catch a fish 68. Girlfriend (Spanish) 69. Expunge 70. Cravings 71. Fall guy

DOWN 1. Young cow 2. Not under 3. Curse 4. Liturgy 5. Hello or goodbye 6. Starchy banana-like fruit 7. Decrepit 8. Pot 9. An unmarried girl

10. Extremely angry 11. Hawaiian veranda 12. Gloves 13. Muzzle 21. Permit 25. Close 26. Rectum 27. Hyrax 28. Writing fluids 29. Denote 34. A type of hosiery 36. Brass instrument 37. Goddess of discord 38. Writing table 40. Iridescent gem 42.

Mammary gland of bovids

45. Evasion 48. Very good 51. Aligned 52. Angry 53. Relating to form 55. An elongated leather strip 58. Sneaker or pump 59. Mother 60. Modify 61. Badgers 62. Found in a cafeteria

Here’s a good thing to do if you go to a party and you don’t know anybody: First, take out the garbage. Then go around and collect any extra garbage that people might have, like a crumpled-up napkin, and take that out too. Pretty soon people will want to meet the busy garbage guy.

Photos of the Week: Jan. 5-11 From top right, moving clockwise: •The docks outside of the Windbag Jetty near the City Beach on a sunny winter day. Photo by Ben Olson •Josh Hedlund plays at a house show last week at the Landis House. Photo by Ben Olson.

•An impressive array of icicles hanging from the photographer’s roof. Photo by David Marx.

•The 219 Lounge continues its renovations, giving the iconic bar a true “old west” feel, with exposed beams, vent shafts and exposed brick walls showing. Photo by Ben Olson.

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