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(wo)MAN compiled by
Molly Balison
DEAR READERS,
on the street
What would you like to add to your life in 2018? What would you like to see less of? “I’d like to add more exercise and travel to my life. I’d like to have less weight!” Lori Platt Nurse case manager Oden Bay
“I’d like to add more fishing time on Lake Pend Oreille for kokanee. I’d like to see less stress on the political front in 2018.”
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“I would like to add more activism to my life; presently I am an advocate for the expansion of Medicaid in Idaho. I would like to see less conflict on the national level, but I’m not sure this will happen. It is, however, a huge opportunity for people to come together and to get involved. Standing up helps you feel like you belong to a community family and that’s positive.” Christa Faucett Clinical supervisor for Hospice Sandpoint
“I’d like to have more kind and caring people in my life. I’d like for there to be less negativity directed toward disabled people.” Bobby Clark Priest River
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“I have just graduated college, so less homework! I’ve been studying industrial engineering at MSU. I’d like to add more adventure – skiing and discovering new places – in 2018.”
It’s the first issue of a new year! Glad to be serving you again for another go around the sun. We’d like to welcome incoming Sandpoint City Council members Joel Aispuro and John Darling, and also the return of City Council president Shannon Williamson. Also, we’d like to say thanks to outgoing councilman Bob Camp for his service to the community. Also, thanks to Stephen Snedden, whose interim appointment ended Wednesday night. We’ve got a lot in store for you this year. One new weekly feature is Old School Bonner County News, which features historic news stories from yesteryear. Check it out on page 22. Also, if I may insert a shameless plug, my play “Death of a Small Town in the West” is playing at the Panida Theater on Jan. 26-27 and Feb. 2-3. Tickets just went on sale today. Go out and grab one — it’s sure to be the weirdest play you’ll ever see on the Panida main stage. Plus, a portion of the proceeds gets funneled right back into the Reader. Hope you all have a happy beginning to 2018. Selah,
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www.sandpointreader.com Publisher: Ben Olson ben@sandpointreader.com Editor: Cameron Rasmusson cameron@sandpointreader.com Zach Hagadone (emeritus) John Reuter (emeritus) Advertising: Jodi Taylor Jodi@sandpointreader.com Contributing Artists: Brandon Brock (cover), Susan Drinkard, Lyndsie Kiebert, City of Sandpoint Contributing Writers: Cameron Rasmusson, Ben Olson, Lyndsie Kiebert, Phyllis J. Kardo, Tim Bearly, Brenden Bobby, Mark Reiner, Ammi Midstokke, Marcia Pilgeram. Submit stories to: stories@sandpointreader.com Printed weekly at: Griffin Publishing Spokane, Wash. Subscription Price: $95 per year Web Content: Keokee The Sandpoint Reader is a weekly publication owned and operated by Ben Olson and Keokee. It is devoted to the arts, entertainment, politics and lifestyle in and around Sandpoint, Idaho. We hope to provide a quality alternative by offering honest, in-depth reporting that reflects the intelligence and interests of our diverse and growing community. The Reader is printed on recycled paper using soy-based ink. Leftover copies are collected and recycled weekly, or burned in massive bonfires to appease the gods of journalism. Free to all, limit two copies per person.
Sandpoint Reader letter policy: The Sandpoint Reader welcomes letters to the editor on all topics. Requirements: –No more than 400 words –Letters may not contain excessive profanity or libelous material. Please elevate the discussion. Letters will be edited to comply with the above requirements. Opinions expressed in these pages are those of the writers, not necessarily the publishers. Email letters to: letters@sandpointreader.com Check us out on the web at: www.sandpointreader.com Like us on Facebook. About the Cover This week’s cover was selected from over 200 photos submitted to our Facebook contest. Brandon Brock won a $25 gift certificate to Eichardt’s for his winning photo snapped from Bridge St. of Sand Creek. Thanks Brandon!
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COMMENTARY
Smelter: When did it become OK...? By Phyllis J. Kardos Reader Contributor
When did it become OK for a massive industrial complex to entrench itself in the middle of rural residential properties and position itself to be built perilously close to incorporated and unincorporated towns, homes, schools, a hospital, recreational areas, water sources without one opportunity for the citizens to say, “No! Not in my neighborhood!” It seems it became OK when Gov. Jay Inslee endorsed a “project of statewide significance” for Pend Oreille County, which the county commissioners applauded and supported. It became OK when State Sen. Shelly Short, R-Abby, introduced and passed special legislation for silicon smelters and utilities that sold them power. It became OK when the Washington Department of Commerce provided HiTest Sands, Inc., a Canadian company, with a $300,000 grant to engineer the project. It became OK when Pend Oreille County Public Utility
Letters to the Editor Informative Series... Dear Editor, Many thanks to Ben Olson and the rest of the Reader staff for their very informative series on the Redoubt movement. Surprisingly I realize that I actually agree with some of what the Redoubters stand for: keeping government for the people and by the people, and by people I do not mean big corporations. I also think Redoubters have the right idea of becoming more self-sufficient food-wise: growing as much as we can and trading/sharing locally instead of being dependent on big agri-business that does not work in harmony with nature when they poison the soil and environment with dangerous chemicals. I’m also pleased to learn that the Redoubt 4 /
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District sold public land to HiTest for $300,000 – designated forest land it bought in 1996 for $500,000. And, it became OK when the county commissioners sold a piece of public land to the public utilities district so access could be gained into the PUD parcels. Why has HiTest, a foreign entity of questionable origin, acquired more special privileges and legal rights than area citizens? Giving the thumbs up to HiTest Silicon Metal Processing Facility, with its imminent threat and harm to human life and the environment, a number of questions needed to be asked by all stakeholders, especially the area residents. What will it accomplish? Why? Where? When? How? For whom? What are the risks? What are the costs? Who will pay those costs and how? In this conversation, some questions must have higher priority: for example, available potable water and sewage disposal. How in the world can HiTest, county commissioners and PUD even remotely entertain the idea of
building a toxic emissions facility within a few hundred yards of the city of Newport’s Water Recharge Zone, the city’s new well and reservoir system and position itself over the top of the Little Spokane River aquifer? These are fair questions HiTest needs to answer now before the permitting process. Which brings up another question. Why wasn’t the local population given a special place at the table when the discussion with HiTest started? Who else is more concerned about their own future and that of their children? Who can better consider goals transcending immediate economic interests? Why were the citizens not given the same consideration and privileges as HiTest in this process? How did this situation happen, and why am I and my neighbors engaged in a life-and-death struggle to protect our homes, families and a rural way of life that embraces a clean and healthy environment? Did it happen because our public servants got overly frenzied about “new” money
coming into our county to help with infrastructure and create jobs? Were they not thinking of the consequences of a silicon smelter and what the people might think or want? Did it happen because our public servants thought it would be easier to let HiTest do the thinking and planning with respect to economic development and jobs? Did it happen because we gave up our voice and diversity of thought when we quit running for state and local offices and volunteering on councils and commissions? And, finally, did it happen because HiTest Sands, with no plan and no forethought, saw a multi-million-dollar opportunity in Newport and convinced officials and the public utility district that it was the best jobs deal around? HiTest came for cheap land, cheap power and cheap labor, and it was indulged with virtually no questions asked. So where do we, the people, who oppose this industry go from here? This smelter has been legitimized through legislation and giv-
en special privileges and considerations by government officials. Now the people have to work to delegitimize it through our voices, the State Environmental Policy Act), the county conditional use permit processes and the courts. I believe honesty and truth are needed right now in this political and emotional discourse. We should not be limited to the issue of whether or not this massive industrial project is permitted by law, but whether the project improves the lives, health and well-being of the people and the environment in which we live. I see absolutely no scientific or physical evidence this smelter can do that. In fact, if this Canadian facility is allowed, our American rural lifestyle will be swallowed up by unrealistic corporate greed and urbanization. Is this truly what we want?
movement is not racially motivated, or oriented. The one thing that I question about the movement is the restrictions Redoubters seem to put on religion. They still need to learn: God is too big to fit into any one religion. Peace and blessings to all.
Pianist Misha Mengelberg died March 3 at age 81. Mengelberg was an avant-garde pianist and one of the founders of the Dutch jazz orchestra Instant Composers Pool. Saxophonist Arthur Blythe died March 27 at age 76. Blythe was a free-bop saxophonist who worked with Mose Allison, Lester Bowie, Chico Hamilton, McCoy Tyner and was a member of the World Saxophone Quartet. Drummer Granville William “Mickey” Roker died May 22 at age 84. Roker recorded with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Sonny Rollins, Ella Fitzgerald and Oscar Peterson. Pianist Geri Allen died June 27 at age 60. Allen was a pianist-composer and educator whose discography includes nearly 20 albums as a leader/ soloist and was an associate professor of music and the director of the jazz studies program at the University of Pittsburgh. She recorded with
Ornette Coleman, Charlie Haden, Charles Lloyd and Dewey Redman, among others. Drummer Grady Tate died Oct. 8 at age 85. Tate recorded with Charles Mingus, Ben Webster, Jimmy Smith and Stan Getz. Pianist Muhal Richard Abrams died Oct. 29 at age 87. An influential pianist, composer and educator, who co-founded the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM). Jazz vocalese innovator Jon Hendricks died Nov. 22 at age 96. He was a member of the greatest vocal group ever — Lambert, Hendricks and Ross — and often performed with The Manhattan Transfer. Drummer Ben Riley died Nov. 18 at age 84. Riley made vital contributions to recordings by Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins, etc. Drummer James Marcellus Arthur “Sunny” Murray died Dec. 7 at age 81.
Murray is the father of free drumming who helped free up Cecil Taylor and Albert Ayler. I had the privilege of hanging out with Sunny in the lower east side of Manhattan one July evening, 1970. The New York Times Dec. 8 issue had a great obituary for him which can be read on line. I cried. Trombonist Roswell Rudd died Dec. 21 at age 82. Rudd, a one-time Dixieland trombonist, became the instrument’s first major practitioner in avant-garde jazz and is my all-time favorite trombonist. Rudd became the standard by which young trombonists are compared.
Shakura Young Sandpoint
Jazz Greats Who Died in 2017... Dear Editor, Guitarist Larry Coryell died Feb. 19 at age 73. Coryell’s rock-tinged riffs opened the door in the mid-’60s to jazz/rock fusion. Pianist Horace Parlan died Feb. 23 at age 86. Parlan was a hard-bop pianist who recorded with Charles Mingus, Clark Terry, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Archie Shepp and others.
Phyllis is a 56-year resident of Pend Oreille County and is currently working with Citizens Against Newport Silicon Smelter and Newport group “Responsible Growth.”
Lee Santa Sandpoint
Got something to say? Write a letter to the editor at letters@sandpointreader.com. Under 400 words, and please elevate the discussion.
PERSPECTIVES
The
FALSE PROPHET MOTIVE Greed is (not) good for the planet By Tim Bearly Reader Contributor
F
or countless millennia we homo sapiens have maintained our dominion over nature. We’ve penetrated every corner of the globe, cultivating plants and domesticating animals along the way. We’ve developed the technology to help us survive the frigid cold and blistering heat. Our advancements in science have significantly increased the length and quality of our lives. No doubt, self-interest has played a major role in many of our greatest achievements. But now, in the 21st century, it seems that the same self-interest and blind ambition that brought about our success may ultimately bring about our demise. Our evolutionary baggage weighs like a boulder on our shoulders. Natural selection has designed us to consume and exploit without regard. Our compulsion to devour the Earth’s resources appears to be much stronger than our compulsion to rationally contemplate our future. And even with the knowledge that our species will likely perish unless we change our ways, we continue, like lemmings, to mindlessly rush toward the precipice of our own destruction. Like a scion of privilege charging up his mommy’s credit card with no concern for cost, we’ve overexploited our planet’s natural resources with little consideration for longterm consequences. “Someone else will pay for it,” has been our rationale. Indeed, mommy
will pay for it. But our Mother Earth is beginning to lose her patience with our erroneous assumption of an endless supply. According to some free market economists, the “invisible hand” and the “profit motive” should produce a proverbial rising tide which will allegedly lift all the boats (i.e. everyone will prosper). Perhaps that’s true (certainly the rising tide part), but private enterprise has no incentive to care about the biosphere. It is the profit motive that got us into this mess, so more faith in the marketplace will only serve to perpetuate the environmental problems we face. The notion that the market will resolve all things is antiquated and fallacious. “Wait a minute,” the market fundamentalist interjects. “I thought that as long as it’s good for the economy it must be good for us, right?” A further investigation into how corporations function will prove this to be an unsound assumption. It is no secret that corporations are in business for one purpose — to make a profit. And let’s face it: caring about the environment, well, that’s just not very profitable. Sometimes raking in large profits requires destabilizing the global climate, or driving many species to extinction, or destroying the rainforests (which only compounds our climate problem), or increasing cancer rates, or starting a war,
and the list goes on. This is the dark side of the blessed profit motive—the elephant in the room that the elephants (yes, even the donkeys) don’t want to talk about. Campaign contributions (bribes) are spent on politicians (puppets), who are very adept at cherry picking certain regulations that seem absurd or intrusive, and then saying, “See, don’t you hate government regulations?” Indeed, no one wants the government telling them what to do, but we must be able to find a balance between self-interest and self-sacrifice. “We the people” are the only force strong enough to end the destruction of our planet. Certainly, as consumers, we share some of the blame. Just as a corporation wants to make
as much profit as it can, we also want to save as much money as we can, consequently we buy cheap products from companies that contribute to our environmental problems. All of us, not just the multinationals, are guilty of disregarding the externalities of our global industrial society. For this same reason we cannot rely on a private sector solution. Individualism will fail whenever there is money involved. We need a collectivist approach when it comes to the health of our planet. We are at a crossroads. Is there a simple solution to the crisis we face? No. But we can’t begin to solve our problems if we continue living like ostriches with our heads buried in the sand. We must acknowledge that our current habit of conspicuous consump-
tion has proven to be wholly unsustainable. The invisible hand has slapped around Mother Earth for far too long, leaving her with lasting scars from the abuse. She’s fed up, and she just taken a million-dollar life insurance policy out on us (I watch enough Dateline to know that’s not a good sign). Will the coroner rule it a homicide or a suicide? Needless to say, it’s high time we reverse our course. Dr. Timothy Bearly, GeD, is an autodidact who attended the prestigious Barnes and Noble University in Riverside, Calif., before moving to North Idaho, where he continues his studies at the Sandpoint Library.
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COMMUNITY
Polar Bear Plunge: the hardiest of the hardy Bouquets: •With all the snowfall over the last week, I think it’s important to recognize the efforts of the Sandpoint Public Works and the Bonner County Road and Bridge crews in keeping our streets and roads plowed and accessible. These drivers get a lot of flak when things go awry, but they rarely get the thanks they deserve. I sure appreciate everything they do to keep us moving. •Those who know me well get to listen to me vent on occasion about the dark side of being a publisher of a newspaper – namely that whenever we screw up, I get to hear about it from a lot of people. I even hear about it when we don’t screw up. In reality, I actually learn a lot from feedback, especially when it is constructive. I have an opendoor policy as far as feedback goes. Please send me whatever your thoughts are on how we can be a better newspaper. That being said, I do have those out there who seem to revel in badgering me for petty, inane reasons. That’s fine. It’s what I signed up for when taking on a community newspaper. All I ask is read through what you wrote before you send it and ask yourself, “Is this attempting to be constructive, or am I just needling him for my own pleasure?” If your answer falls in the latter category, maybe try adopting a more conciliatory tone. You’ll catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Barbs •I’ve noticed a few more instances of people trying to cut in the lift lines at Schweitzer this season. I’m not sure if this is just an increased number of out-of-towners skiing, or if people are just getting ruder. Either way, let’s practice what we were taught in the third grade and stand in line like good schoolchildren. 6 /
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By Ben Olson Reader Staff It’s always been assumed that those who live in North Idaho are a hardy lot. The Polar Bear Plunge proves that and more. Each year, dozens of brave souls tromp onto the ice over Lake Pend Oreille outside of Sandpoint City Beach and jump through a hole in the ice into the frigid water. This year 78 participants took the plunge. The event was organized by Sandpoint Boy Scouts Troop #111, which has sponsored the event the past five years. “The boys wanted to start some troop traditions, since we’re the second oldest troop in Idaho,” said scoutmaster Phil Voelz. “They wanted to do something and
make it a yearly event, and wanted to get the community involved.” Troop #111 is chartered by the Sandpoint Kiwanas Club and is celebrating its 85th year in operation. “Our first year, we had 15 people,” said Voelz. “This year we had 78. It’s just getting bigger and bigger.” One participant was Ellen Weissman, the executive director for the Sandpoint Area Seniors, Inc. This was far from her first plunge in icy waters. “(This was) my 14th jump!” said Weissman. “There were 77 polar bears this year! Amazing! I think I might have been the oldest!” Way to go Ellen, and all the brave ones who took the plunge.
Letters to the Editor Intro to MIG Cross Words... Dear Editor, This is meant as a heads up to our community, and I hope will be taken in the context which it is written. Let’s start a dialogue this year regarding gender shaming words. I picked up a copy of the Reader last week and started to do the crossword puzzle only to quickly realize a clue in the crossword referred to a filthy word which should have been placed in the “wastebasket of shaming” many years ago. I am referring to the term “slut.” The clue was “a promiscuous woman” at “9 down.” Really? Why are we still fighting these stereotypical derogatory words and phrases even today? My problem with this word is there appears to be a double standard at work here. First, if a man is promiscuous he is considered a “stud” by his buddies, and some women might even secretly admit to admiring his behavior. If a woman is promiscuous she is a “slut” and not admired by women or men. It is a judgmental term which really ought to be kicked to the curb folks. Let’s try and be more informed. Don’t stand for this type of gender shaming in our society or in crossword puzzles. Marlene Petersen Sandpoint
Ellen Weissman, the executive director of the Sandpoint Area Seniors, Inc., warms up after taking the plunge. Courtesy photo.
welding classes CCL membership meeting By Reader Staff
By Reader Staff
Come join Andrew, a master welder and fabricator, to learn proper use of a MIG welder. This class is a full introduction to MIG welding and will give you all of the basics to get started on your first project. The next available class is scheduled for Jan. 18 from 6-9 p.m. and will be held at MakerPoint Studio; C106-14 1424 N. Boyer Ave. Space is limited to four per class. Session is $71, with a $2 discount for participants residing inside Sandpoint city limits. Pre-register online by Jan. 4 at www.sandpointidaho.gov/ parksrecreation. To register for other activities offered by P&R, visit our web catalog at www.sandpointidaho.gov/parksrecreation , call 208-263-3613, or visit the P&R office, 1123 Lake St.
The next Citizen’s Climate Lobby (CCL) meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 11 at 5:30 p.m. at Loaf and Ladle, 124 S Second Ave. in Sandpoint. The main focus for this meeting is to get actual business endorsements from folks who came to or showed interest in the recent Let’s Clear the Air events. “While local action is hugely important, we also need to continue putting pressure on our legislators on the national
level,” wrote CCL organizer Gabrielle Duebendorfer. “The most effective way is to get local businesses or organizations on board to support the Carbon Fee and Dividend.” Those interested in attending the meeting are encouraged to think of personal connections they would like to establish. CCL is also in need of outreach and endorsement coordinators. Please RSVP for the meeting: cclsandpoint@gmail.com
Free fitness class offered for seniors By Ben Olson Reader Staff
A free fitness class is being offered to area seniors. Fit and Fall Proof is a program for seniors sponsored by the Idaho Panhandle Health District. New sessions begin Monday, Jan. 8. Classes will meet at Cedar Hills Church, 227 McGhee Rd. in Ponderay, on Mondays and Thursdays from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
This is a fitness program designed for older adults to improve flexibility, mobility, balance and strength. All are welcome. There is no cost to take this class. For more information, contact Vicki Longhini at (617) 987-3802 or email vicki.longhini@gmail.com.
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NEWS
Two investigations:
Person of interest in racist CD distribution at SHS also investigated in Virginia for similar actions
By Cameron Rasmusson and Ben Olson Reader Staff
Scott Rhodes, the person of interest in the distribution of racist propaganda at Sandpoint High School, has been investigated by another police department over suspicious activity, according to a Sandpoint Police Department report. Police officers in Alexandria, Va., examined Rhodes for “possibly making threatening phone calls to local politicians in the city of Alexandria,” the report states. After local politicians received harassing, racist phone calls, investigating officers connected the phone numbers to Rhodes. According to Crystal Nosal, public information officer for Alexandria Police Department, Virginia law requires that the identities of people under investigation can’t be disclosed until they are charged with a crime. However, she did confirm that three or four months ago, Alexandria police opened an investigation into harassing phone calls to Alexandria Mayor Allison Silberberg and several City Council members. “Some of the content was anti-Semitic in nature,” she said. Investigating officer Sgt. Will Salas’ inquiries eventually pointed toward Sandpoint. “Through the course of the investigation, Sgt. Salas did ask your local police officers to check a few names and businesses,” Nosal said. According to the Sandpoint Police report, which was obtained by a public records request, Rhodes is the person under investigation. Salas linked the phone call, which was determined to be a recording of Adolf Hitler, to a business called American Discovery Publishing. When he called the number, he received a message indicating he had “reached the desk of Scott Rhodes.” Other phone listings further connected the number to 8 /
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Rhodes. Salas sent Sandpoint police several flyers with anti-Semitic and nuclear-weapon themes related to his investigation, the police report states. The flyers were distinct from those distributed in Sandpoint throughout 2017. He also sent a handwritten note, which read, “You ran a town where they (expletive) dogs with broomsticks? Get ready for your bombs! We are coming.” According to the police report, the handwriting was not similar to the writing on envelopes containing harassing letters sent to Sandpoint business owner Lee Hardin. A black man, Hardin contacted police in the summer of last year after repeated instances of racial harassment. “It was summer, and I was coming … with some carryout,” Hardin said. “I was going to my car, and there was a red Jeep pulling out. He was pulling out and looked and saw me … and screamed the N-word at me. I said, ‘What?’ and he screamed it again and peeled out.” Hardin said he didn’t file a police report after that incident, but he did contact Sandpoint police when he began receiving envelopes from an anonymous source. The envelopes contained a single letter, and were sent about a week apart — the first one contained an “N,” the second an “I,” the third a “G,” the fourth a “G” and the fifth an “E.” Hardin went on vacation in Hawaii around that time and didn’t see the final envelope, but he heard from a staff member that another arrived containing the letter “R.” “Then it stopped,” Hardin said. “Each time I had a letter the cops told me to call them.” After Hardin returned from vacation, he began receiving catalogs and magazines. He didn’t notice anything strange about them until the mailman pointed out the recipient name. It was “Stu Pidkune.” “I think it was the same guy sending (the envelopes with
Above, the man Sandpoint Police Dept. identified as Scott Rhodes, a person of interest in the distribution of racist propaganda at SHS. This still photo was pulled from a video obtained by the Reader via a public records request, which we will post on Facebook Thursday morning for the public to view.
letters and the catalogs) because they were both addressed ‘Guaranteed Rates’ when my business name is actually ‘Guaranteed Rate,’” Hardin said. “I haven’t heard anything since the end of October.” When shown a photo array by Sandpoint officers, Hardin confirmed that two of the pictures were not of the man who yelled a slur at him but was unsure of the remaining four, according to the police report. Police then showed him a picture of Rhodes taken from an officer’s body cam footage in a traffic stop, which was conducted after Salas reached out to Sandpoint. Hardin was “95-percent sure the male in the stills was the male who called him the racial slur,” the report states. Hardin was even more certain when a Sandpoint Reader reporter showed him a photo, taken from body cam footage obtained in a records request, of a man identified by police as Rhodes. “That’s definitely the dude,” Hardin said. “He was wearing a hat, but that’s definitely the dude.” Rhodes’ name was revealed to
the public after Sandpoint media outlets obtained a police report detailing the distribution of racist propaganda at Sandpoint High School. On Nov. 30, police recovered 56 CDs containing racist, anti-Semitic material placed on cars in the school parking lot. Security footage revealed that an individual in a red Jeep, a vehicle type already linked to Rhodes by police, was responsible for distributing the CDs. Already under Sandpoint police attention, Rhodes was trespassed from school property by Lake Pend Oreille School District Superintendent Shawn Woodward following the incident. Sandpoint police officers Sam Smith and Mike Aerni then visited Rhodes’ place of business to deliver the trespass notice. In police body cam footage of the encounter obtained by the Sandpoint Reader following a Freedom Of Information Act request, the man police identified as Rhodes denied involvement in the incident. “We have you on camera … getting out (of your Jeep) and putting CDs on several cars,”
Smith said. “No, I don’t think you do,” Rhodes responded. “Not me.” “I’d be happy to take your number and have my attorney call you,” he later added. After the officers detailed the terms of his trespass from school grounds, Rhodes insisted he didn’t know anything about distributing flyers. In response, Aerni said local police had been watching him for some time. “We know it’s you. We’ve had you on our radar. OK?” he said. “We know you’ve been handing out the flyers, putting them on the lawns. We know you went to the school. We got you on video. (We) have your Jeep, your license plate number.” The incident at Sandpoint High School was the latest in an ongoing distribution campaign of racist literature. Flyers tossed into lawns in the dead of night spread racist and anti-Semitic images, anti-immigrant and anti-refugee sentiments and attacks against local nonprofit members, journalists and politicians, including Mayor Shelby Rognstad. In September, the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force held a press conference condemning the flyers, saying that they do not reflect Sandpoint’s character. When confronted by a Sandpoint Reader reporter at his office, Rhodes declined to comment. Rhodes’ neighbors in his office complex, meanwhile, described him as a man who keeps to himself. They were unsure of what he does at his office and said he was awkward in their limited interactions. Two separate neighbors in the complex believe he moved in four to six months ago. To date, Rhodes is not charged with any crime in either Sandpoint or Alexandria. According to Sandpoint Police Chief Corey Coon, even if police can prove his involvement in the distribution of racist material, the actions are likely covered under his First Amendment rights.
NEWS
New Sandpoint Council members sworn in By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff
Shannon Williamson, Joel Aispuro and John Darling were sworn in as Sandpoint City Council members Wednesday, ushering in a new year for the governing body. Following their wins in the city’s November elections, Aispuro and Darling began their first City Council terms after the ceremony, while Williamson started her second term. The reconstituted City Council then unanimously voted that Williamson continue serving in her role as council president. “It would just be an honor to continue to serve as council president,” Williamson said. The three new council members won their seats in a field of six candidates, which also included Jeff Bohnhof, Mose Dunkel and Robert Jediny. In total, Aispuro received 649 votes, Bohnhof received 484 votes, Darling received 578 votes, Dunkel received 123 votes, Jediny received 123
Sandpoint City Clerk Maree Peck swears in new Sandpoint City Council members Joel Aispuro, left, Shannon Williamson, center and John Darling, right, inside council chambers at City Hall on Wednesday night. Photos by Cameron Rasmusson. votes and Williamson received 735 votes. Aispuro and Darling replaced Stephen Snedden, who was appointed to serve out a partial term when then-council member Shelby Rognstad was elected mayor, and Bob Camp on the City Council. A longtime council member, Camp received a standing ovation when he relinquished his chair. Rognstad said it was a pleasure serving with Camp and praised his knack for independent thinking. “Bob has often been the lone
dissenting vote, or, in some cases, there’s been five dissenting votes and then there’s been Bob,” Rogstad said. “So he’s certainly kept the debate lively and diverse, and he’s brought a fresh perspective to the council.” Reflecting on his time on the council, Camp said he believes he saw the transition from one era of Sandpoint history to another, particularly with the hiring of City Administrator Jennifer Stapleton and the adoption of new technology. He also commented on his
City takes over parking enforcement By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff The city recently returned to managing downtown parking on its own with the hiring of two community resource officers. This year, Diamond Parking is out and Angela Tennson and Ryan Daniel, Sandpoint’s new community resource officers, are in. Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad said that while parking enforcement is rarely a popular thing, townsfolk generally preferred the more personal touch offered by local officers. “In a larger sense, I think community resources officers really are ambassadors of the city,” Rognstad said. The city was forced to let go of its original municipal enforcement officers several years ago due to budget shortfalls spurred by the Great Recession. With better economic times on the horizon, city officials decided to return to the original method of parking enforcement when passing the 2018 budget.
Sandpoint’s new Community Resource Officers Angela Tennson, left, and Ryan Daniel, right. Photo courtesy of City of Sandpoint. “Early on there was a lot of criticism of that decision (to let go municipal enforcement officers),” Rognstad said. “There was a lot of feeling Diamond didn’t have the same level of customer service and sensitivity compared to our in-house staff.” The community resource officers will tackle more than just parking enforcement. They’ll also handle everything from animal control to business licensure to building code inspection. The added manpower will free up other
city staff who were occupied with those tasks. “(They’ll be able to handle) anything from a tree down on a sidewalk to a dog running loose,” Rognstad said. Police Chief Corey Coon is happy to have the additions on the force. He sees it as a return to the small-town friendliness Sandpoint is known for. “We’re excited to have parking back,” he said. “We’re excited to have control again of some of those things we lost.”
experience overcoming pancreatic cancer three years ago and said how his faith sustained him. He hopes to see a return of the traditional invocation that opens a council session. “I’m here to tell you, prayer works,” he said.
In keeping with his reputation, when it came time to vote on the consent calendar — a collection of routine agenda items that require council approval — Camp joked, “Do you want me to vote no?” before voting in its favor.
Lockwood files for commissioner race By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff The race for the Bonner County Board of Commissioners got yet more crowded this week with Steve Lockwood’s announcement he is running in the Democratic primary election for Seat 3. An 18-year resident of Bonner County, Lockwood, presuming he remains uncontested or wins the primary, will face the winner of the Republican primary in the general election. Incumbent Dan McDonald and Carol Kunzeman, former mayor of Ponderay, face off in the Republican primary election this May. “I plan to run an active campaign,” Lockwood said. “A lot of people asked me to run for the commission, and I ultimately agreed to do it.” After retiring as an operations manager for AT&T, Lockwood volunteered on the Air Quality Committee in Portland, Ore. In Bonner County, he served on Sandpoint’s Planning and Zoning Commission, the City Council and the Lake Pend Oreille School Board. He currently serves on Sandpoint’s Urban Renewal Board and the boards of the Idaho Conservation League and Kinnikinnick Native Plant Society. “I want to help Bonner County in addressing important
Steve Lockwood. Courtesy photo. issues,” Lockwood said in a press release. “We need to respond vigorously to the possibility of a smelter on the county’s western border, promote affordable housing and create economic development strategies that attract jobs paying a living wage for a family. It is important that County policies preserve the small town and rural character of our community in the face of inevitable growth.” To date, Lockwood is unchallenged in the Democratic primary. However, the first day to file candidacy paperwork hasn’t yet arrived, so time will tell if he attracts a challenger. “I really look forward to the campaign and having all the candidates expressed what their interests are,” he said. “I know there have been (voter) concerns, so let’s find out what they want.” December 28, 2018 /
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Mad about Science: helium By Brenden Bobby Reader Columnist
Helium, everyone’s second favorite party favor. Because let’s face it, you’re there for the cake, and the clown doesn’t even make the top 15. At a glance, helium seems like a pretty boring element. It’s an inert gas, meaning it doesn’t react. It’s colorless and odorless. Heck, until 1895, we didn’t even know it was a thing. I’m going to grab your low expectations by the ankles and shake it for lunch money! Helium is the second element on the periodic table, and is lighter than every other element with the exception of hydrogen. Helium also has the lowest boiling point of any element, which is important when extracting it from amalgamations of other gases. Keep the temperature low enough that the surrounding gases remain a liquid, but helium will boil off into a gas. Voila! Extraction! Most of our naturally-occurring helium on Earth has a pretty cool reason for being there. While most elements are from the explosive ejecta of supernova from billions of years ago, helium is actually the product of radioactive decay. This is one of the reasons that we don’t just run out of helium, despite using quite a bit of it. Every year, primordial elements are decaying in the lithosphere and sending helium upward on a slow journey, where it will eventually become trapped in pockets in the crust or emerge
into the atmosphere to be carried off on cosmic winds. As far as we are aware, the Earth is making at least 3000 metric tons of helium per year. Keep in mind, since that’s the second lightest element, that’s a TON of gas! Because it’s lighter than any other element, one of the things we use it for is lifting other things up: namely, balloons. Since helium is lighter than oxygen, helium is always floating above our good ol’ buddy, O2. When it’s encased in a balloon and tied to the floor, it’ll just float there until the balloon fails and the helium leaks out. It’s also the stuff filling the Goodyear blimp. If you recall, the Hindenburg was filled with hydrogen, and we all know how that ended. Helium won’t do that. Anyone that’s ever had helium balloons at their birthday party knows what else helium is good for: turning you into a squeaky chipmunk! Contrary to popular belief, the helium isn’t doing anything at all to your vocal chords. Sound moves up to three times faster through helium than oxygen, so this change in speed is what’s altering the timbre of your voice. If you want to do the opposite and make yourself sound like Darth Vader, try xenon gas. I mean, don’t just start inhaling random gases to see what happens, but you get what I mean. Fun as it may be puffing on strange balloons, overexposure to helium can do some serious damage to people. A little balloon joke here and there won’t
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hurt anyone, but it can internally asphyxiate you if you decide to inhale the entire balloon, or more. After all, it’s a gas, and if it has nowhere to go, well… At least your scenery-chewing death scene will sound really funny. Most of this we already know about helium from our dayto-day lives, but balloons and blimps are some of the smallest uses for the gas in the grand scheme of things. We also use it to cool superconductive magnets for things like MRI machines. Cryogenic functions (industrial refrigeration) is actually the main use we, as humans, have for helium. I guess you could say … helium is pretty cool. Okay, I’ll stop! On the opposite side of the spectrum, we also use helium’s boring inert properties as a shielding gas for arc welding. The helium present keeps other gases like oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen from interfering with the electrical arc that is either cutting or welding at up to several thousand degrees. We also used to apply helium in old-school barcode readers, but that’s not nearly as interesting as “Let me cleave this sheet of metal in twain”, so maybe I should’ve led with that… Professional divers have a mixture of oxygen and helium in their air tanks when making deep dives. The helium helps the oxygen from getting too dense under the immense pressure being
subject to it and makes it easier for the divers to breathe. Helium’s coolest function, in my opinion, is its possible future as a fuel source. Helium-3, a form of helium with two protons and one neutron, comes from the decay of tritium, a major component of nuclear weapons. It’s gathered and repurposed for other uses, including extreme cryogenics and use in nuclear fusion. It’s not radioactive, and it
has been postulated that it could become a nuclear fusion fuel source that’s safe for humans, and could be readily harvested from the moon’s regolith. Unfortunately, moon mining isn’t exactly practical at the moment, and it also takes some pretty high temperatures (and energy usage) to fuse for industrial energy purposes. But hey! If science has taught me anything, it’s that nothing is impossible and that we’re only inhibited by our imagination and various Cold War era treaties. Way to be a champ, helium! Keep on being awesome.
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• There are about 90 elements on the periodic table that occur in nature. All of the other elements are strictly man-made. Some sources state more elements occur naturally because heavy elements may transition between elements as they undergo radioactive decay. • While Dmitri Mendeleev is most often cited as the inventor of the modern periodic table, his table was just the first to gain scientific credibility and not the first table that organized the elements according to periodic properties. • The rows of the periodic table are called periods. An element’s period number is the highest unexcited energy level for an electron of that element. • Columns of elements help to distinguish groups in the periodic table. Elements within a group share several common properties and often have the same outer electron arrangement. • Most of the elements on the periodic table are metals. The alkali metals, alkaline earths, basic metals, transition metals, lanthanides and actinides all are groups of metals. • The present periodic table has room for 118 elements. Elements aren’t discovered or created in order of atomic number. Scientists are working on creating and verifying element 120, which will change the appearance of the table. Most likely element 120 will be positioned directly below radium on the periodic table. It’s possible chemists will create much heavier elements, which may be more stable because of special properties of certain combinations of proton and neutron numbers.
Energy Optimization / Footprint Reduction Residential - Commercial - Industrial
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PERSPECTIVES
How to read the newspaper in 2018 By Ben Olson Reader Staff
If I’ve learned anything in the past three years of running this newspaper, it’s that I have so much to learn about the news industry. Given that attempts to delegitimize journalism have infiltrated the top echelon of our country’s politics (remember, President Donald Trump once called the news media the “enemy of the American people”), now is a more important time than ever to practice good media literacy. What is media literacy? According to the The Media Literacy Project: “Media literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate and create media. Media literate youth and adults are better able to understand the complex messages we receive from television, radio, internet, newspapers, magazines, books, billboards, video games, music and all other forms of media.” In other words, it’s a way to evaluate whether that article your friend sent you is actually for real, or just more internet fodder. It is important to distinguish real fake news (did I really just type that?) from real news that some call fake because they don’t agree with the facts or conclusion of the story. While it’s important for people of all ages to practice media literacy, it’s especially important for teenagers and young adults to build healthy habits that can help them evaluate the veracity of a news story throughout their life. How to practice media literacy There are no surefire ways to determine whether a story is legitimate or not, but there are steps you can take to separate agenda-driven articles from straight news stories. 1. How did you receive the article? Was it sent to you from a
friend on social media? Just because someone has promoted an article on social media doesn’t prove that it’s inherently true or false. You must use your own deductive skills to track down the original source of the article. Find the original author and determine whether they cited sources or not. Often, a “fake news” article will use a real story as a foundation, then fill out the story with a separate series of “facts” to help reinforce a pre-determined point. Also, check the URL for where this came from. Some websites work hard to hide their charlatan ways with official-sounding URLs, but as a rule, any URL with a .co address is suspect since that extension usually refers to global commercial endeavors. 2. What was your response when you saw the story? Fake news often uses a tactic to incite anger, fear or mistrust from the headline, so it’s important to read past the headline and get to the bottom of what the story is about. Often you’ll find the headline is unsupported by the article. Brooke Gladstone, cohost and managing editor of WNYC’s “On the Media” sums it up well: “Crucially, if a story makes you angry, it’s probably designed to do that. It’s a sign that you’re getting manipulated for one reason or another.” A good news story will present the facts and allow the reader to make their decisions whether to be angry, fearful or distrustful. 3. Who benefits from the article? This is an important point. Look up the name of the author or the website from which the article came. Can you find information about the company easily? Are there lots of stories without bylines attached? Does the company present a narrow, specific agenda? When you recognize who benefits from an article, you often recognize whether the article is based on fact or conjured from assumptions.
4. Check your bias. Look, we all have bias. Anyone who says they are 100-percent unbiased is either a liar or a fool. But, journalists have been trained to avoid their own bias when writing a news article. Trust me, we work hard at this, because you, our dear readers, usually call us on it when we fail. For readers, it’s much easier to point out “falsehoods” when the article doesn’t reinforce their own point of view. If you recognize this fact, you’re one step ahead of the rest. To reiterate the point about fake news, it is not simply a story you don’t agree with. Fake news is a story based on false pretenses that deliberately attempts to persuade the reader one direction or another. Again, President Trump’s attempts to redefine “fake news” into a term that describes a story he doesn’t agree with muddies these waters, but don’t be fooled by the elementary wordplay. 5. Cross-reference your sources. Check to see how the story is being reported with other publications? Do they follow the same conclusions or is one source dramatically different then another? Also, try to determine whether the person being interviewed is a credible source or that their expertise is even relevant to the story. Some cable news channels have come under fire recently for trotting out a so-called “expert” on a program, only to find out later the person is not what they say they are. When in doubt, rely on your school or public library, which are both great sources for real news. Also, the non-political website PolitiFact has been a trustworthy fact-checking source for many years. Another tool that can be helpful is to step out of your comfort zone and purposely seek out stories from a news source that you aren’t likely to agree with. While we usually are unable to break out of our accus-
tomed bubble, there are times when you’ll concede a point or two. Congratulations, that means you aren’t a stubborn mule after all. 6. If something is suspect, don’t re-share it. Nearly a quarter of Americans say they have shared fake news online, sometimes unknowingly. When you come across a story that is suspect, or you can’t verify the source information well enough to suit you, err on the safe side and don’t re-share it. By keeping yourself in check, you can help stop the virality of unverifiable news in its tracks. 7. Is it opinion or news? This is an important one. Often we’ll hear from readers who call our news reporting biased because they read an opinion editorial in our newspaper. Opinions, by their very nature, are biased. They are subjective. They are a tool of a writer to express their opinions. While the best opinion writers base their writing on factual information, don’t trust what someone writes in an op-ed. They have a stake in the game. In contrast, newswriting is crucially devoid of opinion. The writer never refers to him or herself. The writer never includes an assumption not based on fact. While they may quote from sources who ultimately could be proven wrong, a news writer’s job is to present the facts and allow the reader to determine the outcome of the article. How do you determine opinion from news in the Reader? It’s simple. Look at the top of the page. If it says NEWS, it’s news. If it says OPINION, or PERSPECTIVES or anything else, really, it’s not news and doesn’t follow the same diligent guidelines that newswriting does. This article, for example, would be considered an opinion, though I’ve sourced many of these points. Also, for further edification, when a byline appears in the Reader, it helps
narrow down who the writer is. For myself, Cameron and Lyndsie, we all write under the READER STAFF byline. For those who send in stories from time to time, they are referred to as READER CONTRIBUTORS. For those who regularly write a column, they are known as READER COLUMNISTS. When we base a story primarily on a press release, the byline simply reads READER STAFF. That means we didn’t change a substantial amount of information in the story to warrant adding a new byline. But we did go through the release and insure whether the claims made are accurate and fair. The only header that is a bit of a gray area is when we do a FEATURE, which is a more in-depth article. FEATURES use many of the same fact-gathering and investigative steps that NEWS stories use, but the author’s voice is more often reflective and personal. This is to help the story read and flow better, and also because some of the topics covered in a feature are not exactly newsworthy in themselves, but serve as analyses to further explain a topic. If we utilize good media literacy in 2018, we take back our ownership of the media. Remember, an independent and free press is absolutely essential to the health of our nation. Help the press stay independent by not trafficking in fake news. You’ll feel better about it, trust me. Or rather, verify my points and then trust me.
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Tap Takeover This Friday Jan. 5 from 6-9pm Prizes and discounts from Icicle Brewery
(208) 229-8377 109 Cedar St.
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Dollar Beers! 8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri 7:30pm @ Panida Theater A dark comedy drama from Academy Award winner Martin McDonagh and starring Academy Award winner Frances McDormand and Academy Award nominee Woody Harrelson. Rated-R. $8 adults, $7 seniors, $6 students available at the door
Live Music w/ Bright Moments Jazz 7-10pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Join Bright Moments for a night of jazz at the Pub Live Music w/ BareGrass 5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Join the boys with some great bluegrass and Americana tunes
Live Music w/ Browne Salmon Truck 5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority A great trio with a mix of Latin, jazz and old standards to make you sing along Live Music w/ Mike Johnson 6-8pm @ Cedar St. Bridge Live Music w/ Harold’s IGA 6:30-9:30pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall The multi-instrumental trio is back at the Beer Hall. You have been warned. Live Music w/ Mike and Shanna Thompson 6:30-9:30pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Rock, bluegrass, Americana, folk, and jazz/blues duo Sandpoint Chess Club 9am @ Evans Brothers Coffee Meets every Sunday at 9am
Wind Down Wednesday 5-8pm @ 219 Lounge With live music by blues man Truck Mills. Relax together with friends and colleagues at the end of the day Dollar Beers! 8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Good until the keg’s dry
Intermedia 7-9pm @ Sa Join instruct to Advanced classes held nights, Jan. by Jan. 4 wit
Live Music w/ Steve Neff Duo Live Music w/ B 5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery 6-8pm @ Cedar Steve is back with guest Jesse Live jazz music o Ahmann and his cello Live Music 6:30-9:30p Live Music w/ Tom D’Orazi Celebrate F 5:30-7:30pm @ The Farmhouse Enjoy exquisite dining and music fea- country sin turing Tom D’Orazi on vocals and guitar Can food tru Free First Saturday at the Museum 10am-2pm @ Bonner County History Museum Check out the Museum for free on this monthly event. This month’s Free First Saturday sponsored by Marie Walton. 208.263.2344
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NFL football playoffs party 3:#0-6:30pm @ 219 Lounge Join Bob Witte of KPND as he hosts a NFL footba Niner! Games start at 1:35 and 5:15 p.m., and Bob w 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with tons of prizes to give a rants, concert tickets, KPND new music samplers, b cates from area businesses, and much more. Sign up prizes – a bike from Greasy Fingers Bikes & Repair, more. Food from Edelwagen Food Truck from 2:30-
Monday Night Blues Jam w/ Truck Mills 7:30pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Tuesday Backgammon Tournament 5pm @ Laughing Dog Brewery The tournament takes place every Tuesday with beer specials and prizes
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Free Fitness Class for Seniors 11am-12pm @ Cedar Hills Church This is a fitness program designed for old prove flexibility, mobility, balance and str welcome. There is no cost to take this cla information contact Vicki Longhini: 612-9
Night-Out Karaoke 9pm @ 219 Lounge Join DJ Pat for a night of singing, or just come to drink and listen
Trivia Night 7-9pm @ MickDuff’s Re The weekly trivia night a is a popular choice for Tu Grab a seat early, they go
The Conversation 6-8pm @ Ivano’s Ristorante Seeking Community Input on Innovative Installations For Local Children’s Museum, Creations for Sandpoint, FREE and open to the public
Paint and Sip 6:30pm @ Pottery Bug A Paint and Sip, featuring a beautiful winter picture called “Frosty Cardinal” - simple and fun to paint. $30. RSVP with Gena@PotteryBugStudio.com
Trivia 5:30-7 This is check o glasses
Fit and Fall Proof fitne 11am-12pm @ Cedar H A free fitness class for s ho Panhandle Health D is designed for older a mobility, balance and st
ful
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termediate to Advanced Bridge 9pm @ Sandpoint Community Hall in instructor Mary Faux to learn Intermediate Advanced Bridge during a nine-week set of asses held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.Wednesday ghts, Jan. 10 through March 7. Pre-register Jan. 4 with Sandpoint Parks and Recreation
usic w/ Barry Aiken Duo @ Cedar St. Bridge Wine Bar zz music on the Bridge ive Music w/ Devon Wade 30-9:30pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall elebrate First Fridays with Sandpoint ountry singer Devon Wade. Old Tin an food truck will be on hand, too!
BGH Community Hospice Adult Grief Support Group 6pm @ Bonner General Health Classroom Share stories and feelings, and support one another in an understanding and caring environment. Contact Lissa at 265-1185 Alzheimer’s Support Group 1-2pm @ Sandpoint Senior Center Families, caregivers and friends of those with Alzheimer’s, dementia and any related disorder are welcome to attend this support group. Free respite care at the Day Break Center next door is available during the group session with advance reservations - (208) 265-8127. Held on first and third Thursdays
Soul Motion: Sole to Soul 7-9pm @ Embody (823 Main St.) eum monthly With certified teacher Brietta Leadnsored er and live drumming by Ali Thomas. No pre-registration necessary. Sliding Scale: $12-20. moondancermoves.com
FL football playoffs party at the nd Bob will be at the Niner from to give away from area restauamplers, beer mugs, gift certifie. Sign up for the end-of-season & Repair, a TV from 7BTV and rom 2:30-6:30pm. 21+
rch ed for older adults to imce and strength. All are ke this class. For more hini: 612-987-3802
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
(208) 265-5700 320 S. Ella Ave. www.IdahoVet.com
pets live longer With healthy mouths!
Live Music w/ Party Mountain Band 9pm-12am @ 219 Lounge Come out and give this new “Garage Rock” group of Sandpoint local musicians a warm welcome
Tap Takeover w/ Icicle Brewery 6-9pm @ Back Door Bar Come downstairs to the Back Door Bar on Cedar St. for prizes and discounts from Icicle Brewery. 109 Cedar. St. (208) 229-8377
Cedar St. Bridge Public Market 10am-2pm @ Cedar St. Bridge Come enjoy indoor shopping on the bridge spanning Sand Creek
GED and College Prep Classes 8:30am-12:30pm @ NIC Sandpoint Campus North Idaho College’s spring session for free GED and college preparatory classes starts Jan. 8. 208-263-4594
Jan. 12 Sandpoint ConkDuff’s Restaurant tra Dance @ via night at MickDuff’s Community Hall oice for Tuesday night. Jan. 12 rly, they go fast! Brian Stai @ 219 Trivia Takover Live! Open Mic 5:30-7pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Jan. 13 5-8pm @ SKåL Taproom - This is a first for the winery, so come Musicians and comedians welFSPW party with s check out the newest event! Specials on come! Open mic is held every Rich Landers @ glasses of wine as well! POWine.com Wednesday Panida Theater Bike Movie Night Proof fitness class for seniors 6pm @ Greasy Fingers Bikes n’ Repair Jan. 16 @ Cedar Hills Church Happening every Wednesday in Jan- Smooth Hound class for seniors sponsored by the Idauary, the bike shop will be showing Smith Health District. This fitness program @ Panida movies with bikes in them! or older adults to improve flexibility, Theater Free Teen Center Program 7-9pm @ MickDuff’s Restaurant The weekly trivia night at MickDuff’s is a popular choice for Tuesday night. Grab a seat early, they go fast!
nce and strength. All are welcome
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Snow Day
Last week, we held a contest on Facebook calling for any snow-related picture. The winner gets a $25 gift certificate to Eichardt’s Pub. What a tough choice! We ultimately decided on this week’s cover photo, taken by Brandon Brock overlooking Sand Creek. But we also had hundreds of other fun shots we want to share. So here they are, our honorable mentions. Thanks to everyone for participating. Stay tuned to our Facebook page for the next contest. -Ben Olson, publisher
From top moving clockwise, photos taken by: Grace Hefley Alan Barbar Ann Sydow Emily Erickson Christine Veblen Bishop Janice Rainey Johnson
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From bottom left, moving clockwise, photos taken by: Duffy Walker Christine Curless Beverly Berg Andrea Allsbury Jayme Rogers Photography J.R. Riffles
Kara Denae Lisa Nolan Ailport Rich Cower Valerie Hernandez Corsiglia Kaitlin Glines-Barnhart Jean Rieger Vorhies December 28, 2018 /
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PERSPECTIVES
Sandpoint and the Roman Empire A comparison of the modern changes in cities and towns across the world to the fall of the Roman Empire
By Mark Reiner Reader Contributor
My wife and I are two of those “back-tothe-land” hippies Ben referenced in one of the earlier “Redoubt” articles. A large portion of us moved back to the land because we saw a consistent pattern of lies coming from all governments, and can see a crash coming due to mankind’s irresponsible living. We recognized that we must take care of ourselves first, as government itself is too flawed to find real solutions. It always has been. The ultimate solution is within us — not in fighting against, but in building a viable alternative. Along with every other city and town, Sandpoint is on the front lines of a massive shift. This shift will force us to find alternatives. The turmoil regarding refugee asylum in the City Council chambers as well as demonstrations globally are the symptoms that proves it. Like it or not, change is taking place. Similar turmoils took place 2,000 years ago with the fall of Rome. The minor details have changed, but the overall movement is the same. A quick review of the similarities will demonstrate it. Across the globe people are wrestling with the changes, and these struggles are pouring into the streets. Racial, gender and economic injustice abounds. Civil disobedience and the role of government may form the starting points for many conversations and confrontations, yet these are the symptoms of deeper causes. These causes are not new. A number of history books all point to the same reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire. We have to remember we are dealing in generalities, and text books only give very generalized reasons. Anyone, politicians included, can find, or pay, another person to act as the symbol for whatever point or grievance they wish. Thus, we should not allow a small group of facts to draw large conclusions. Instead, we should pay attention to the statistical, massive flow of history, for it forms patterns that we see both in history and in our present lives. We should also ponder whether we choose to follow fear or love. The Roman Empire was not always governed fairly or efficiently, especially in the latter fourth of its life span. Dishonesty, corruption or plain stupidity undercut many important decisions. The arrogance 16 /
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Photo illustration by Ben Olson.
and privileged attitude of many of the Roman emperors, especially in the last 250 years of the empire, are well known to most readers. Nero is usually the first to come to mind. Others, like Didius Julinus, who bribed his way to the purple robe, or Septimius who in “his 18 years as emperor ... gave 12 to war” according to Will Durant in “Caesar and Christ,” are just two of many infamous emperors. One need not look far to see a similar pattern today, although now we are often dealing with groups with self-interest. Gerrymandering and voter suppression form some of today’s tools for politicians. In “The Pageant of World History” Gerald Leinwand stated, “The seeds of destruction may have taken root as early as the first century BC when the army was used to fight a civil war.” This last fact reminds me of the shootings at Kent State in the 1960s by the Ohio National Guard, not to mention the military and “military style” government presence in many of today’s confrontations. There are also cases of our government using the military to quell labor disputes in the 20th century, and we can not forget the civil war of the 1860s. We see similar events across the globe. “Political anarchy accelerated economic disintegration; and economic disintegration promoted political decay; each was the cause and result of the other,” wrote Durant. Reflected in Durant’s words is our government’s inability to work along more than party lines. The legislative arena is more or less frozen in minority dogmas, not the needs of the majority of citizens. There is also a minority of people who feel the Constitution must be rigidly interpreted as they imagine the founding fathers did: a set of binding rules, not as “a stream
of precedent, giving direction without preventing change.” Durant also writes “increasing despotism destroyed the citizen’s civic sense and dried up statesmanship at its source.” As “statesmanship” may be defined as the ability to blend varied positions into a usable framework for action, we can see that our legislative and administrative branches fall well short. It must also be added that there are many despotic leaders springing up with simplistic and often egregious solutions, ready to sacrifice others to maintain their own level of comfort and power. Although we tend to focus upon the last 10 years, we must look back into history and recognize other scandals, such as the ‘Teapot Dome’ affair surrounding oil production in the early 1920s, as well as many earlier large corruptions of government. All of these operations still promote political and economic decay. We are also seeing economic disintegration in the growing split between the rich and poor as the middle class fades away. Here is another quote from Durant: “Men lost faith in the state, not because Christianity held (the people) aloof, but because the state defended wealth against poverty… taxed toil to support luxury, and failed to protect its people from destitution.” The statement also brings to mind the demonstrations by the 99 percent on Wall Street and other cities, including Sandpoint. Regarding the efficiency of governance, the Department of Defense (DoD) budget, even under Obama, was $582.7 billion per year. Now it has risen to $639 billion under Trump. That is over $1,966 for every man, woman and child in the U.S. for just one year.
This problem is not new. The day before the Sept. 11 attacks, Donald Rumsfeld, director of the DoD at that time, announced that the DoD cannot track $2.3 trillion dollars in transactions. Obviously, that is not the result of a single year’s occurrence. This reminds me of the emperor Septimus, who told his successor Caracalla, “Make the army rich, and do not bother about anything else.” To bring this up into modern terms, Dwight Eisenhower gave Americans a warning of the military-industrial complex’s growing influence back on Jan 17, 1961, in his farewell address. Referring to the military-industrial power and to the Cold War, he said, “[While] we recognize the imperative need for this development, we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. We must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence.” It is a fact that today the U.S. is the world’s largest producer of weaponry. For us “hippies” the following quote comes to mind: “As ye sow, so shall ye reap.” Want other examples? Look at our list of endless wars even before Sept. 11. We are not just dealing with Afghanistan or Iraq. Our bombs, chemical and cyber agents have acted across the globe for much longer period of time. Somalia, Vietnam, Laos, Cuba. More recently the cyber attack in Iran comes to mind. Most people remember the fall of the Roman Empire being about the invasions of the “barbarian” tribes. What most people don’t remember is the fact that many Germanic tribes “entered the Roman Empire to protect themselves from the attacks of warring peoples from Asia,” according to Daniel Roselle in “A World History.” This is happening today with the millions < see ROMAN, page 17 >
< ROMAN, con’t from page 16 > of refugees pouring into the West out of the Middle East and Africa. Roselle goes on to state that many of them became soldiers in the Roman legions, but the laws of Rome never let them rise to the highest levels by legal means though a few even became emperor by using the army as leverage. Generally, foreigners were treated very poorly, taxed heavily, misused and eventually became the enemies of Rome. Many global communities are faced with the prospect of receiving refugees, also escaping from war, as well as many who simply see no hope for a good life where they were born. Is your perception of them based upon fear? Are we going to treat them poorly? Will they learn to hate the U.S.? There is no doubt that their entrance into our lives will make a difference. Even though 99 percent of them may be stable citizens, even one immigrant criminal will start the enmity against all of them all over again unless we see the big picture and integrate them with love. We are not just dealing with cultural differences, religious differences and learned behaviors. There are also emotions, both theirs and ours. I highly recommend a “This American Life” episode entitled “Fear and Loathing in Homer and Rockville.” The issues and tone, both pro and con, remind me of the confrontations in Sandpoint’s City Council some time ago. Are we so mistrustful of our abilities to handle justice fairly to criminals, regardless of immigration status, that we must exclude almost all? Even those in favor of immigration are using the same rationale that the Romans used 2000 years ago, echoing the benefit from increased taxation. Few, if any, speak to treating one’s neighbor as themselves. Remember, in Roman times money was actually made from bronze, gold or silver and had a value in and of itself. With the expansion of the empire, gold and silver mines became the property of Rome. Consider the following quote by Durant: “The precious metals were running low. Faced with this dearth when war was almost continuous, the emperors from Septimus Severus onward repeatedly debased the currency to pay for state expenses and military
supplies. Prices rose rapidly.” The media reports government data indicating that we are experiencing very minor inflation. They do this by picking specific goods and industries as their indicators, called the consumer price index, which overall do not show great inflationary tendencies. But ask any housewife about the spiraling cost of food and medicine, or builders about the cost of building supplies. More importantly, remember that our dollar, unlike silver or gold, is based upon nothing but the faith in it. The supplies of money today have not only “run low,” but are non-existent. Our own government owes trillions of dollars, and guess who is going to have to pay it? “There were heavy, unfair taxes and high unemployment; and huge estates were held by a few rich families, while the poor had no land at all,” wrote Leinwand. Again, read the following quote by Durant with an eye towards our situation today. “(There was a) ... loss of provincial markets to provincial competition, inability of Italian industry to export the equivalent of Italian imports and the consequent drain of precious metals to the East; the destructive wars between the rich and poor, the rising cost of armies ... (and a) depreciation of the currency.” The dollar of 2018 is now worth less than a dime of 1900. Forget the gold in Fort Knox or other repositories. It cannot begin to equal the national debt. Compare the value of our exports to the value of our imports, especially with China. The comparisons do not end there. There was environmental degradation in Italy 2000 years ago. In central and southern Italy there was deforestation and erosion. No doubt the deforestation and erosion was nowhere near the environmental problems we face today, which makes today’s global problems even worse. Durant adds: “Large tracts of fertile land had been withdrawn from cultivation for residential estates. Many peasant proprietors and free rural workers abandoned the farms for the city. Italian industry was thrown back upon its domestic market, and found the people too poor to buy the
goods they could make.” Sound familiar? One last generality needs to be put forward. “Moral standards fell,” wrote Roselle. “Since the Romans saw scoundrels profit by dishonest acts and go unpunished, some of them lost their confidence in the value of truth and honesty.” Some of us have been seeing corruption for quite a while, not only in government, but also in the daily life of our fellow citizens. This is often made manifest in crudity of speech and action as well as an interest in drugs and prurient expressions of sexuality. Consider the pornography and content of many blogs on the internet, not to mention the lack of civility in discourse and the smear campaigns that replace discourse. Hopefully, you are beginning to see the patterns, but we need to turn now to look at what may lay in store for us. Again, all we have to do is to study what happened 2000 years ago. Regarding the Roman Empire, Durant states, “...it resembles significantly, and sometimes with menacing illumination, the civilization and problems of our day.” Just because the causes are strikingly similar does not mean we must circle again through the ancient pattern. “Confronted by enemies on every side, the Roman state did what all nations do in critical wars; it accepted the dictatorship of a strong leader, taxed itself beyond tolerance, and put individual liberty aside,” Durant wrote. “The Senate, losing ever more of its power and prestige ... relapsed into indolence, subservience or venality.” In short, the Roman Empire killed itself. These quotes showed what happened then. What are our moves now? We may follow the path of Rome, or we may stand back and look at the causes. Are we going to sink into dictatorship or allow government to set aside our liberty? “… Need forced men to try and settle the conflicts that rose between them,” wrote Roselle. “During these [Roman] years… men had a need for protection against invaders. What was the result? People organized themselves
into a protective system known as feudalism.” Today, growing disasters caused by global climate change will probably become the issue creating the need. The call for environmental responsibility is not new, and despite the scientific facts, there are many who try and obfuscate in an effort to keep the status quo with fossil fuels, and keep the society frozen in worn out platitudes and entertainment. The Romans said, ”Give them bread and circuses.” Yet, the disasters are offering us an opportunity to help our fellow man. The thousands of men and women who go to areas that have been destroyed, as well as millions of dollars donated, show that the heart of mankind is still sound. It is this growth of giving back to the community that will carry us through. It is our sense of community, not castle walls, where we must place our efforts. Reliable relationships are built on mutual interests, and differences dissolve in trust. This is why we must examine our attitude to see if it is based upon fear or upon love. Perhaps, there is some human truth in each and every independence movement mentioned in earlier articles. Perhaps government should not be directing our lives so completely. Should we give our liberties and monies to some government to protect us from the droughts, the storms, the
food shortages? If government is not the answer, then should we not be looking into ourselves, correcting our own materialism, rampant desires, pet dogmas, and shoulder the bitter pill of personal responsibility? Stop looking to others to make our decisions for us, live to our highest ideals, help our neighbors, and become good stewards of this Earth. In this regard it is our neighbors who form our community. Yes, there are those who will use the present chaos to enhance their own financial, social, or political agendas, but they only thrive with your support. One way or another mankind will move into the future. The history books all show the long range benefits of the Roman civilization despite its collapse. The main one we need to look into is the establishment of greater law and order (often also considered as ‘civilizing the barbarians.’) Upon what will we base our laws? Perhaps we still have enough time to leave a legacy of stability and peace. The establishment of love as the foundation of law and order is not easy in the present state of fear, but we certainly cannot leave the future to others to lead us out of this moral and economic chaos. We all must start shouldering the responsibilities held within the ideals of all religions and all ethical and moral guidelines. It is love.
The vision of panelized, realized.
www.mehomes.net (208)264-6700
Dan McMahon, Gen. Contractor dan@mebldg.com December 28, 2018 /
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HEALTH
IN FINE FETTLE
By Ammi Midstokke Reader Health Columnist
Perhaps Lao Tzu said it most plainly: “If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.” It’s that time of the year again. We’re all trying to change some direction. Out with the old, in with the new, turning a new leaf, setting the bar high, raising some expectations, and we sure as heck aren’t going to be eating sugar or skipping gym days. Until February, that is. Distance from our original plan, life happening, ski weekends, perhaps a winter cold, social engagements, all of these things tend to distract us from our goals of change. We easily slip back into our familiar patterns and tendencies, making a few valiant efforts to recommit sometime before beach season or a summer wedding, but often starting back at square one next January. Effectively creating lasting change in our lives means also creating the en-
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Ammi Midstokke with Freya the Brown Dog.
vironment in which a change can occur and remain. It isn’t just about determining to “start exercising more,” but also shifting your schedule to allow for that. (Hint: just getting up earlier isn’t enough. Sleep is precious. Cut into your TV and phone scroll time instead.) A greatly under-sung component of change is identifying and creating a support system within our relationships.
Setting intention for changes
The law of averages suggests that “the result of any given situation will be the average of all outcomes.” This is what Jim Rohn applied in his statement of “You are the average of the five people you spend the majority of your time with.” The fact that a large portion of my life is spent with a 10 year old means there are more toilet jokes in my average than I’d like. If you want to read more, spend time in a book group (the Library has all kinds of literature resources). If you want to run more, find a running group (Facebook has Run 7B, where runners of all abilities and ages set up spontaneous jaunts). If you want to eat more healthful, surround yourself with people who encourage and share this interest (or sign up for our very own Jenn Markwardt’s cooking classes at markwardtmethod.com). Develop a circle that actively supports the changes you want in life. It makes those challenges seamlessly become your lifestyle and part of your natural identity.
The short-lived motivation and commitment of our Christmas-cookie-filled bodies is an incredible tool this time of year. If you’re one of those who sets intention or resolutions, take some time to consider ways in which to recommit next month, in six months, next year. Build upon a foundation of small goals and achievements, like sturdy stones you shall climb, so that each day, week, month, year reveals new potential. And celebrate every step of the way. Look at where you have been, where you are, and where you want to be. Sometimes all you need is a little reminder of why these changes are important to you and the life you are creating. Choose where you want to head, and change your direction. You’re the only one driving. Ammi Midstokke is offering a 6-week nutrition and health course beginning January 18th and hosted at Evan’s Brothers Coffee. To find out more, visit www.twobirdsnutrition.com/foodology.
STAGE & SCREEN
Grab hold of something: Banff Film Fest is coming By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff Writer Like a fine wine — or, maybe, a wellloved ski jacket — the Banff Mountain Film Festival seems to only improve with time. In it’s 22nd year, the festival is slated to bring more than 25 films over three nights to the Panida Theater. Event organizer Michael Boge said he takes extra care each year to build a series of perfect shows. “I have gone to other programs to listen to audience reaction, talked to the Banff Road Warriors on film selection and their thoughts on which films to run, and on which day which is almost as important,” he said. “It maybe sounds kind of like too much effort but I really obsess to have the strongest program possible.” Boge said every city on the tour experiences a different program, Sandpoint included. “What I like for Sandpoint is I want something really broad-based. I want adrenaline, I want culture, I want sport,” Boge said. “You may go for a ski flick or a climbing one, but you’ll walk away with a favorite that you didn’t expect.” Boge is particularly excited for people to see one film, “The Last Honey Hunter.” The film follows the last man in the remote Nepali village of Saadi as he risks his life to harvest the honey that his village’s
economy depends on. “It’s something where in 10 years people will still talk about it,” Boge said. A portion of all proceeds from the 2018 Banff Film Festival in Sandpoint will go to support the Satipo Kids Project in Satipo, Peru. The program, which Boge started, helps students receive an education. Boge said four students — who the festival has been supporting for a decade now — have moved on to college. The event also supports the North
Idaho Mountain Sports Education Fund, which helps local children afford lessons, ski gear and lift tickets to ski at Schweitzer Mountain. Their slogan is, “Giving children more than one day on the mountain.” “As always there is a great wealth of films to choose from and it is exciting to see it all come together,” Boge said. The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour will show for three nights at the Panida Theater starting Thursday, Jan 18; Friday, Jan. 19, and Saturday, Jan.
Main: A still from “Surf The Line.” Photo by Hello Emotion. Inset: Three of the four kids in the Satipo Kids Project that have now moved on to college. Courtesy photo.
20. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are available in Sandpoint at Eichardt’s, The Alpine Shop, Outdoor Experience and Burger Express. Tickets are also available at the Burger Express in Bonners Ferry. Purchase tickets online at www.panida.org/event/banffmountain-film-festival-world-tour. Tickets are $16 in advance, and $19 at the door (if there are any left).
Reader Reels returns with ‘Three Billboards’ By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff
After a year-long hiatus, the Reader Reels film series is back with a movie at once hilarious, heartfelt and tragic. Building up strong Oscar buzz right in time for awards season, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” stars Frances McDormand at the top of her game as a grieving mother who hasn’t received justice for her murdered daughter. Frustrated by law enforcement inaction, she places three billboards outside town accusing the sheriff, played by Woody Harrelson, of failing in his duties. The chaos that spirals from those billboards must be seen to be believed. Those who have seen writ-
jan. 4 @ 7:30pm | jan. 5 @ 5:30pm Jan 6 @ 3:30 & 7:30pm | jan. 7 @ 3:30pm
“Three billboards outside ebbing, missouri” friday, Jan. 12 @ 7pm
DAVID RAITT, PETER RIVERA & THE BAJA BOOGIE BAND Jan. 12 & 13 @ 6pm | Jan. 15 @ 7pm
‘The florida project’
saturday, Jan. 13 @ 7:30pm
FRIENDS OF SCOTCHMAN PEAKS 13TH ANNIVERSARY Celebrate 13 years of FSPW, with a conversation with Rich Landers, an outdoor reporter and editor for the Spokesman-Review for 45 years
A still from “Three Billboards.” Courtesy photo. er-director Martin McDonagh’s first films, “In Bruges” and “Seven Psychopaths,” know his films aren’t for delicate sensibilities. “Three Billboards” is rated R for violence, language throughout and sexual references. Those up content, however, will find an entirely unique cinematic voice. Movie times are Jan. 4 at 7:30
p.m., Jan. 5 at 5:30 p.m., Jan. 6 at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Jan. 7 at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.panida.org and at the door. Ticket prices are: adults $8, seniors $7, students $6 and children $5. The doors open one half-hour before showtime.
tuesday, Jan. 16 @ 7pm
smooth hound smith in concert Presented by Mattox Farms, this Nashville duo produces a folksy rhythm & blues sound all of their own creation Jan. 18-20 @ 7pm
banff mountain film festival world tour Jan. 26-27 & Feb. 2-3 @ 7pm
“Death of a small town in the west” play An original play of doom in three acts • written by Ben Olson and Chris Herron, directed by maddie Elliot feb. 8 @ 6:30pm little theater the lowest pair in concert and jake robin
a sultry country folk duo out of Olympia, Washington with Jake robin opening
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FOOD
The Sandpoint Eater
Recipes and Resolutions
By Marcia Pilgeram Reader Food Columnist
Happy New Year! I missed the epic snowstorm last week, but with all the global updates and photos on my social media platforms, I truly felt the pain of your show shovels. Clearly, it was soup and stew weather here at home, and in sympathy, during my recent holiday trip to Paris, I had daily doses of one or the other. French Onion Soup, Chestnut Soup, Beef Bourguignon and Garbure were amongst my favorites, washed down with liberal doses of French wine that was delicious, cheap and abundant. I really marveled at the unhurried pace of that huge city, and I did my best to slow myself down a bit too. Dinners and diners seemed to linger forever, never appearing to have anywhere else to go. Smart phones were scarce, and fast food was even scarcer. My own schedule was thrown a bit though, as the Parisians are pretty much just getting to the dinner table and engaging in lively conversation when I am pajama-clad and yawning with my nightcap (and more than once I was awakened in the wee hours by these latenight, wine-filled roisterers). My early morning wanderings usually found the streets quiet, with only the odd boulangerie ready for customers. It seems that every corner has a bakery or pastry shop. Or both, filled with classic Parisian desserts—tempting, show stopper works of edible art. I’ve always been fascinated by the magnificent creations of these talented French pastry chefs, and once, after returning from a previous 20 /
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trip to Paris, I was even inspired to attend some specialty courses at the French Pastry School of Chicago. To this day, I still dream of baking pastries in my own charming little bakery-café. Even though I’ve had my own food establishment and clearly remember the long hours and small profit, I’ve never entirely given up the idea of another food business start-up, and I know I am not alone. I’m a member of “North Idaho Foodies,” a Facebook group for food advocates with well over 10, 000 members. Most are hobbyist-foodies, but there are many among us who are former restauranteurs, or current ones, and there’s a great mix of busi-
ness models: small cafes, lots of new food trucks, home bakers and even a log home dining experience in Athol, Candle in the Woods, where Chef Dave Allard serves a pre-fixed, eight coursewine paired dinner. Candle in the Woods offers a limo service to and from Coeur d’Alene, but for those of us 7Bers who wish to sample every wine we’re offered (Allard has one of only two Idaho restaurants to win Best of Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for 2016-17), there’s an option to play it safe and add a cozy night’s stay — breakfast included. I’m looking forward to joining them soon, and if you are, you can get additional in-
formation by emailing: Dave@ candleinthewoods.com It’s evident that here in Sandpoint, we are a well-read and well-fed little community. I learned this with all the recent Paris dining recommendations I received before heading to France. There are lots of passionate cooks here too, and I am drawn to them at nearly every gathering I attend. Invariably the conversation turns to ideas such as dinner groups, collaborative cooking, cookbook clubs and classes. Seems these ideas, while great ones, remain just that: idle ideas. My resolution this year is to help others expand their food knowledge, learn more of unfamiliar cuisines, break bread with
Garbure Soup Recipe
old friends and share recipes with some new ones. It’s a resolution I intend to keep, starting by sharing this recipe for Garbure, a classic, but often unfamiliar, peasant French soup (Garbure was the daily sustenance of Gascon peasantry, it’s a thick French Soup/Stew of with ham, cabbage and other vegetables, usually served with cheese and stale bread. The name derives from the use of the term garb to describe sheaves of grain depicted on a Herald Shield of Coat of Arms). It’s delicious and perfect for this weather! I hope you will make it and share it. I also hope to catch up with many of you in a nearby kitchen. Happy New Year, readers.
This traditional French soup is rich and hearty and perfect after a day on the mountain. The recipe will serve 4-6 and reheats well if you want to double the batch. Depending on the ham hock, you may need to add a little salt, but taste first! If you can’t find Cantal cheese, substitute another hard cheese, such as aged white cheddar or gouda.
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
•1 tbs extra-virgin olive oil . •1 cup chopped onion •1 1/2 cups thinly sliced leek (about 1 large) •4 garlic cloves, chopped •4 cups low sodium chicken stock •1 tsp dried herbes de Provence •1 cross-cut smoked ham hock (8 -10 oz) •2 bay leaves •4 small red potatoes, cubed •1 medium turnip, cubed •1 large carrot, cubed •4 cups thinly sliced Savoy cabbage •1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-(Italian) leaf parsley •2 tbs chopped fresh thyme •2 tbs cider vinegar •32 oz. canned cannellini beans •1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper •4 -6 slices dry country bread (or toasted) •1 garlic clove, halved •1 tablespoon butter, softened •1 oz Cantal cheese, shaved
Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion. Cover and cook 10 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Add leek and chopped garlic; cook -2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add stock, herbes de Provence, ham hocks, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour. Remove ham hock; cool slightly. Pick meat from bones; reserve meat. Discard bones and fat. Add potatoes, turnip, and carrot to pan; cook 10 minutes or until tender. Drain beans and add. Stir in cabbage; simmer 4 minutes. Stir in parsley, thyme, vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Rub toast slices with cut sides of garlic clove; spread evenly with butter. Place bread in bowl and ladle soup over top – or serve on the side. Top with shaved cheeses
MUSIC
This week’s RLW by Ben Olson
What’s a Flying Mammal?
READ
Band of brothers with Sandpoint roots release fourth album with some famous assistance
By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff Writer Upon the release of its fourth studio album, the band Flying Mammals continues to blaze a trail unlike anything any other band can boast. For one, it’s a siblings-only project. Aaron, Jeremy, James and Andrew Birdsall, who grew up in Sandpoint but have since moved away, make up the four-piece band. And the number four is integral to the band right now, seeing as there are four of them and this is their fourth album. Hence the album title “Vier” — “four,” in German. But why in German? It’s a long story, but a good one, and it begins with Aaron’s vision for a family band. Originally a trio, Jeremy only joined Flying Mammals prior to “Vier.” Flash forward to Grammy-winning producer Sylvia Massy and her manager questioning the existence of flying mammals, and a fateful Google search that led her to the Birdsall’s band. The producer, best known for her work with Tool, Johnny Cash and many others, liked what she heard, and offered to work with them. Aaron, James and Andrew live in Coeur d’Alene. Jeremy lives in Orlando, Fla. Once they’d decided to work with Massy, the question was where. The options seemed to be Idaho, Oregon (Massy’s home turf) or Germany, Aaron said. Sylvia was teaching a seminar at a studio in Germany and recording another band there, so it seemed only natural to make album four a real adventure. Jeremy said he realized the chance to go to Germany was already great, but that combined with the chance to work with Massy made it “a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” he said. “That was kind of a decision maker for me, too, when I knew Sylvia was going to be involved. That’s going to make this an important piece of art,” Jeremy said. “Everything she does is awesome.” “Vier,” released in September 2017, is a full-concept album. Each of the 13 tracks flows to the next — quite literally, according to Aaron. “It’s definitely a different experience,” he said. “We wrote it all as one piece, a 37-minute piece.”
I’ve always been intrigued by ocean explorers. In “Farther Than Any Man: The Rise and Fall of Captain James Cook,” author Martin Dugard tells the story of the famed captain as if you were there watching it all unfold. Captain Cook remains one of the most intriguing figures in history. He circumnavigated the world several times, discovering new islands, establishing important relationships with others. This book covers all of his voyages, all the way until his savage death at the hands of Cannibals in Hawaii.
LISTEN
Jeremy said working with his brothers on “Vier” helped him delve into some genres he loves but typically doesn’t get to play. “The album opens with a country folk song and goes right into a pop rock thing, and then after that it goes into a more piano-driven epic pop kind of sound,” Jeremy said, going on to describe more of the variety that is Flying Mammals, even mentioning electronica and heavier industrial sounds. “It doesn’t seem like it should make sense, but somehow it does.” It also wouldn’t make much sense to use an old cassette deck, a
Flying Mammals in Germany to record “Vier.” Courtesy photo. robot or a cheese sausage as filters while recording music, but such was the experience working with Massy, Aaron said. “She works quickly and she works thoroughly, but she always has fun,” Jeremy said of Massy. “She does such a good job getting good performances out of people. I think the songs were great, but without Sylvia I don’t think the album would have been as good as it was.” As far as what’s next for Flying Mammals, Aaron said they’ll consider a European tour. “I think the European markets
are a little more open to indie artists, and to them we are a foreign novelty instead of one of the million indie bands in the U.S. trying to make it on their own turf,” he said. He and Jeremy are also already working on songs for a possible fifth album. “I’m excited to keep working with my brothers. I think we make better music with the four of us than we do separately,” Jeremy said. “‘Vier’ is the best thing I’ve ever been a part of.” Find Flying Mammals wherever you buy or stream music.
Recently, the British Radio 4 Today aired an interview conducted by Prince Harry with former president Barack Obama. While the interview took place in September, it was still wonderful to hear the natural back and forth of two world leaders who know how to converse with dignity. Whatever your politics, it’s hard to ignore the serenity, humor and wisdom in our former president, as well as the obvious ease the two have together. It’s also refreshing to watch a president speak without attacking someone. I suggest giving it a listen - you can YouTube it.
WATCH
Christopher Nolan has put some amazing films out there. The direction he took with the Batman franchise was invigorating, “Inception” made everyone think a little deeper, and “Interstellar” gave us a sci-fi epic of the ages. His work on “Dunkirk” is even better. The terse, expansive film is a thoughtful look at 1940 Europe, when hundreds of thousands of Allies retreated to Dunkirk, France as the Germans began to pound them by air, land and sea. It serves as a memorial to the hallowing early days of WWII when Germany was winning almost every battle it entered. It’s also testament to our ability to survive and overcome. The ensemble cast carries the film to a satisfying, if not sorrowful conclusion. Highly recommended.
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BUSINESS
Downtown’s hip new addition
Cloud Cafe combines vaping with coffee, tea, art and fashion to create something totally new for Sandpoint From The Sandpoint Bulletin Thursday, July 30, 1942
Lighning Kills Grace Robinson Tuesday Morning Mrs. Grace Robinson, 28, was instantly killed Tuesday morning about 8 o’clock by a bolt of lighning which struck a power pole near the Robinson home on highway U.S. 95 five miles south of Sandpoint and entered the house. Mrs. Robinson was working at the kitchen sink when she was felled by the bolt which electrocuted her. None of her three small childred was injured. She was standing near a kitchen door which was open at the time. Slight marks about her face were made by the deadly electric shock. Dr. W.F. Tyler was summoned immediately but there was nothing he could do. Mrs. Robinson is survived by her husband, George Robinson, who operates a garage repair shop at his home, a son, Robert, 10, and two daughters, Marcia Mae, 6, and Irene, one year. Also surviving are her mother, Mrs. Rose Sternburg, and two brothers, Mervin and Maylon, all of Spokane. Funeral services will be held this afternoon at 3 o’clock from the Moon chapel with interment following in Pinecrest cemetery. The thunderstorm which centered over this area Monday night and Tuesday morning also sent a bolt of lightning crashing into the city about 8:45 a.m. It hit a transformer near Kalk’s service station at Fifth and Cedar and caused electricity to dance out of electrical appliances all over the north part of the city. Mrs. R.E. McFarland said sparks jumped out of her electric range, Mrs. Carl Olson reported blue flames jumped from the radio and Hugh Thurlow said “electricity seemed to be all over our house at once.” A man leaning against the metal body of an auto freight trailer at the Merchants Transfer warehouse received a shock which shook his entire body but he was not injured. 22 /
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By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff Writer Chris Dosher grew up in Sandpoint, but he’s best known for opening the Coeur d’Alene vape shop CDA Vape. But Dosher is branching out in his latest business venture, while going back to his roots. Cloud Cafe recently opened in downtown Sandpoint, where vaping, coffee, art and fashion make up the town’s newest storefront. This new project is thanks to his success in Coeur d’Alene, Dosher said. “Every bit of growth was from the people leaving my shop satisfied, and then recommending it to their friends,” Dosher said. He said that satisfaction was thanks to his dedication to high-quality product and attentive customer service. He said he lived and worked in his shop for a year in Coeur d’Alene with nothing but his hard work used to propel the business — with no money for advertising, it was all about good experiences and word-ofmouth, he said. “That’s huge to me,” he said. “When you have one bad first time at a place, you don’t go back.” Dosher said he was inspired to open a vape shop based on the expanding popularity of the smoking alternative. Vaping is the act of inhaling vapor produced by a vaporizer, electronic cigarette or similar device. “I saw the vaping industry on the rise and I saw it as something to maybe help people — help people take a better path,” Dosher, a non-smoker, said. “There (have) been tons and tons and tons of new institutions confirming that vaping is so much healthier than cigarettes.” Dosher opened CDA Vape three years ago, and after considering expansion, decided on his hometown. “It’s a small town, but it’s home,” he said. “Plus the space is so good.” That space is 100 Cedar Street, in the same building as Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper, next to the Cedar Street Bridge. While Sandpoint does have vape shops, there is no vaping cafe. Because Cloud Cafe is just that — a cafe — it will feature not only FDA-approved vaping products, but also coffee
and tea. The shop also features art and a clothing line by Dosher’s business partner, Dominic Jones. There’s plenty of seating, a projection screen and dressing rooms. “I think that the town is really going to like what we have to offer,” Dosher said. “We’re wanting to target the younger demographic.” But Dosher and Jones realize Sandpoint is not necessarily a town of youngsters, so they said the shop should be considered a place for all ages to use the internet, get something to drink and maybe learn a little more about vaping. One day, Dosher said, he’d like to hold monthly events to feature local artists. “He’s really amazing at it,” Jones said of Dosher’s ability to provide a quality product and experience with his business. “And this is something Sandpoint doesn’t really have.” Cloud Cafe is open Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
The Cloud Cafe, Sandpoint’s newest business, on the corner of First Ave. and Cedar St. Photo by Lyndsie Kiebert.
Crossword Solution
If someone told me it wasn’t “fashionable” to talk about freedom, I think I’d just have to look him square in the eye and say, “Okay, you tell me what’s ‘fashionable.’” But he won’t. And you know why? Because you can’t ask someone what’s fashionable in a smart-alecky way like that. You have to be friendly and say, “By the way, what’s fashionable?”
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CROSSWORD
ACROSS 1. Slave 5. Winged 10. Box 14. Not under 15. A ring-shaped surface 16. Ripped 17. Broad 18. Transliterate 20. Splashed 22. Spray can 23. Ancient unit of measure 24. Decorative jugs 25. Money paid out 32. ___-garde 33. Type of mushroom 34. Make a copy of a recording 37. Purges 38. Speedy 39. Not there 40. Female sib 41. Start 42. Not fluid 43. Self-centered people 45. Relative of a giraffe 1. Scatters seeds 49. Dawn goddess 2. Wicked 50. A porch 3. Start over 4. Washes up 53. Bad-mouth 57. Vengeful punishment 5. Be present at 6. A titled peer of 59. It comes from cows the realm 60. Focusing glass 7. Genus of macaws 61. Area of South Africa 8. Bluefin 62. Type of sword 9. Being 63. Kill 10. To scatter about 64. Sedimentary rock 11. Composure 65. Recent events 12. Bower
Woorf tdhe Week
bedizen
/bih-DAHY-zuh n, /
[verb] 1. to dress or adorn in a showy, gaudy, or tasteless manner. “He bedizened his man cave with tacky bikini pictures.”
Corrections: No corrections to note this week. Whew!
Solution on page 22
DOWN 13. Bobbins 19. Angler’s basket 21. Clue 25. Hearing organs 26. 17 in Roman numerals 27. Cushions or mats 28. Insect stage 29. Subject 30. Pee 31. Scarlet 34. Sandwich shop 35. Relating to urine 36. What we sleep on
Pain is Inevitable Suffering is Optional
38. Regulation (abbrev.) 39. Equestrians 41. Existence 42. Cease 44. Get cozy 45. Ellipses 46. A sturdy belaying pin 47. Drome 48. Large-flowered garden plant 51. Lairs 52. Nursemaid
53. A Freudian stage 54. Fully developed 55. Killed 56. Anagram of “Seek” 58. Estimated time of arrival
Yes. If someone could release your chronic tension, you could feel better R o l f i n g | align.org call 208.265.8440 December 28, 2018 /
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DEATH OF A SMALL TOWN IN THE WEST A PLAY OF DOOM IN THREE ACTS
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