Reader july14 2016

Ken Griffey jr. to be inducted into hall of fame

Harvel Sentenced

The Notorious

BID

BID members and oďŹƒcials debate its future

2 /

R

/ July 14, 2016

(wo)MAN compiled by

Ben Olson

on the street

DEAR READERS,

Former Bonner General Health CFO was recently sentenced for embezzling upwards of $220,000 from BGH. She got 90 days in jail, 5 years of probation and has agreed to pay back restitution for what she stole. Is this a fair punishment for her crime?

“For me, it’s hard to see a lot of justice in the world. No, this was not a fair sentence. There should have been a substantial cash penalty. It seems she got off pretty light.”

Steve Navarre Owner Steve’s Import Auto Sandpoint

We’ve had a really great response to our online giveaway for Festival at Sandpoint season passes. Last week, Monica Carash won herself a ticket to every show at the Festival with patron seating. Tomorrow (Friday), we’ll announce the winner of the second season pass. Not Facebook savvy? I don’t blame you. It’s a sucking black hole of time wastage. But it’s a necessary evil in the world today, especially for news publishers to get their stories across to the masses.

You’ve got until Friday morning to find our latest post and comment on it for a chance to win. There are over 425 comments as of deadline night, so you’ve got a 1 in 425 chance to win. That’s better odds than the Powerball.

For those of you who prefer print contests, I’ve got one for you. The first person to answer this riddle wins a $25 gift certificate to Eichardt’s Pub: A word I know, six letters it contains, remove one letter, and twelve remains. What am I? Send in your answer to ben@sandpointreader.com.

-Ben Olson, Publisher

FIDDLIN’ RED Music Store

Instruments Repairs Lessons

“She should have to do a whole shitload of community service for the hospital. That’s the way people learn. They have to give back to the community.”

Janice Smith Student Sandpoint

A message brought to you by:

111 Church St., Spt, ID (208)946-6733 WWW.FIDDLINREDSIMPSON.COM

“I’m no judge, but in my opinion she should have gotten at least a year. It was her first time and she’s paying it back, but still, she should’ve gotten more.”

Lenny Hess Owner 7BTV Sandpoint

“No. I’d think it might encourage others to take that risk.”

Samantha Carston Bartender/singer Sandpoint

LIVE MUSIC

turday Friday & Sa Beer Hall N ight @ t he

Bonner Partners in Care Fundraiser - 5:30-8pm

DEVON WADE 7-10pm

“When someone does something over that long period of time, she did a lot of thinking about it. The punishment has to be longer than 90 days. It’s a slap on the wrist. I see this with congressmen and public officials, too. They don’t give them the same level of punishment.

She should be doing a lot more community service.”

Larry Wright Retired Sandpoint

BUY LOCAL

HAROLD’S IGA 7-10pm

BREWERY & BEER HALL 220 Cedar St. 209-6700 FAMILY FRIENDLY BREWPUB 312 First Ave.

255-4351

READER

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

www.sandpointreader.com Publisher: Ben Olson ben@sandpointreader.com Editor: Cameron Rasmusson cameron@sandpointreader.com Zach Hagadone (emeritus) John Reuter (emeritus) Contributing Artists: Jodi Rawson (cover), Ben Olson, Contributing Writers: Cameron Rasmusson, Ben Olson, Nick Gier, Scarlette Quille, Jodi Rawson, Suzen Fiskin, Brenden Bobby, Drake the Dog, Sarah Klintworth.

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

Subscription Price: $95 per year Advertising: Jodi Taylor jodi@sandpointreader.com Clint Nicholson clint@keokee.com 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 features a stencil illustration of baseball superstart Ken Griffey Jr. It was drawn by Jodi Rawson to accompany her article on page 15.

Thanks Jodi.

READER July 14, 2016 /

R

/ 3

COMMENTARY Where is our Iraq War report?

By Nick Gier Reader Columnist After seven long years of investigation, a British commission led by Sir John Chilcot has issued its findings on the British participation in the Iraq War. The report, 2.6 million words in 12 volumes, concludes that plans were “seriously flawed” and that the war “went badly wrong, with consequences to this day.”

As an example, Chilcot mentioned the recent ISIS car bombing in Baghdad that claimed 250 lives. There would be no ISIS today if President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair had not taken their nations into war.

The inquiry has led to the release of secret memos between Bush and Blair in which both, as early as October 2001, agreed that Hussein should be removed from power. In a declassified “Note on Iraq” (7/28/02) Blair promises Bush that “I will be with you, whatever,” and he offered this prediction: “If we win quickly, everyone will be our friend. If we don’t, recriminations will start fast.”

The initial ground war did indeed go quickly, and Bush celebrated “Mission Accomplished” with a stunt landing on the USS Abraham Lincoln.

But the Chilcot Report found that plans for a post-invasion Iraq were “wholly inadequate.” On the American side, Bush political appointees with little or no training in nation building and ignorant of Arab culture made fatal mistakes.

Major among these errors was the decision to disband the Iraqi army, many of whom joined Al Qaeda and then ISIS. Early on Abu Masab al-Zarqawi, future head of Al Qaeda in Iraq, joined Ansar al-Islam, but he and these Kurdish Islamists had, contrary to claims by the Bush administration, no relationship with Hussein.

The Pentagon wanted to take out the Ansar al-Islam base in Northeast Iraq prior to the invasion of Iraq, but this idea was vetoed by the National Security Agency. Tragically, Zarqawi was then free to lead a brutal campaign against Shia

Muslims and Coalition forces until he was killed in 2006.

It is clear that the invasion itself caused the rise of Sunni jihadists and the Sunni/Shia civil war that followed. Hussein was a moderate Sunni, so sectarian tensions were held in check and attacks on Shia Muslims were rare. His human rights record was of course horrible.

Paul Bremer, Bush’s top man in Iraq, has responded to the Chilcot Report by saying that it is unfair to blame his boss for failed intelligence. A more accurate phrase is “cooked” intelligence, many examples of which are found in former Secretary of State Colin Powell’s infamous speech to the UN. His own State Department knew that the aluminum tubes, which he said were manufactured for nuclear weapons, were in fact rocket launchers. On other allegations State Department officials warned Powell that they were “weak,” “not credible” or “highly questionable.”

Parents of British soldiers killed in Iraq are now consid-

ering law suits against Blair, and protestors in the streets are calling him a war criminal. The Chilcot Report maintains that the legal basis for the war was “questionable,” but Chilcot said that jurists would have to settle that issue. The Justice Department decided not to pursue charges against the Bush administration, so the legality issue has not been resolved in the U.S. either.

That there were violations of international law is certain. In 2011 George W. Bush cancelled a trip to Switzerland because a complaint had been filed in a Geneva court against him. Bush has admitted that he ordered waterboarding, considered a war crime under the Geneva Convention on Torture.

Not only did Bush’s prosecution of the war undermine our moral standing in the world, it also led to the deaths of 4,502 U. S. service men and women. Although U. S. officials were forbidden from tallying Iraqi fatalities, estimates run from 180,000 to 1 million.

The 32,223 wounded Americans (many of them severely injured) has put a huge burden on the Veterans Administration even with increased funding.

On average 20 Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans take their lives every day.

Finally, there is the issue of billions and billions of dollars spent on this tragic and unnecessary war. A report by Reuters estimated that the cost, including veterans’ benefits, is $2.2 trillion, which would grow to over $4 trillion over the next four decades.

The GOP Congress has done nine investigations of Benghazi, but there has been no comprehensive investigation of the Iraq War. Instead of yet again harassing Clinton, why doesn’t Congress put Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld in the hot seat?

Name-calling...

that I too would have asked, as a good communicator avoiding assumptions. “… he must have forgotten” is not only an assumption, but it is “countering,” which is when one opposes a non-offensive statement made by another. Controllers employ the use of “countering” to position themselves to know more or better than another in order to appear superior. The act of countering indicates a person believes they are an omniscient god who knows what another is thinking without asking, and it is verbal abuse.

Nick Geir’s statements clearly show himself to be a controller, which is amusing to me, considering that he is pointing a finger at Trump while ignoring the three pointed at himself.

I highly recommend he read Patricia Evans’ “Controlling People.”

His entire article seems to be in defense of Muslims. He seems to be teaching that which he needs to learn the most, and it is understandable to view him as Muslim.

His religious preference is his prerogative, but when one outwardly shows a strong need to defend their religion, their beliefs

may be built on shaky ground.

From Nick Geir’s statements, he seems to be showing that he is more interested in examining the contents of Trump’s mind, when his own seems to be lacking in analysis. I think he has done a disservice to the Reader, but then… I am not a Muslim.

Wright: Thank you, Charlotte, for bringing attention to many important issues, especially those concerning our Native Americans who we should be thanking instead of neglecting.

Do we have to continue to scare our animals into a panic or jeopardize our environment with needless hazards and noise?

Why don’t we up our consciousness a step or two and reinvent a better way to celebrate the Fourth?

In June 20th’s Reader, Nick Geir stated on page 4: “A clueless Donald Trump tweeted, ‘What sport is he talking about?’” then he stated, “he must have forgotten …” (about Muhammad Ali).

I’ve studied verbal abuse extensively over the past few years. Name-calling (“clueless”) is obvious overt verbal abuse, but it is also an accusation, an anecdotal opinion, not based on facts, which is covert verbal abusive.

Trump is asking a non-offensive statement 4 /

British investigation yields a damning verdict

R

/ July 14, 2016

Vickey Babayco Sandpoint

Reinvent the Fourth...

Dear Editor, In response to the “Loud Tradition” letter written by Charlotte

Nick Gier of Moscow taught philosophy at the University of Idaho for 31 years. Read all of his columns about the Iraq War on the appropriate links at www.NickGier.com.

Evie Leucht Sandpoint

PERSPECTIVES

Parking Woes...

The art of asking questions A curious mind is a good thing. However; asking questions when you’re capable of obtaining the information yourself is annoying. Really annoying.

I am convinced that the genius behind Google at one time lived in a resort town and got sick of answering ridiculous questions from tourists. The genius was motivated to create something that would answer simple, obvious questions quickly for tourists and other annoying people who refuse to take the extra two minutes to find out information for themselves. Google was made for the average gas station cashier who is constantly telling people how to get to a place literally two blocks away or where to find the nearest Chinese restaurant. When customers ask for a well-crafted review of local dining experiences, the cashier is fantasizing about punching them in the throat. Trust me, I’ve been the cashier.

If you can Google an answer, the questions should disappear.

To hear the answer in a forced polite voice, you can now ask Siri. Seriously. Have you ever been in the line behind one of these people grilling the 16 year old working at McDonald’s for a highlighted verbal tour of our town? I try to wait patiently, but in my head I am thinking, “You are driving a $20,000 SUV. I’m pretty sure you have a smartphone. In fact, I’m pretty sure I just saw your kid using it to look for pokemon.”

No offense to the “Pokemon Go” people out there. I am actually in support of putting an app on everyone’s phone that encourages them to exercise

and capture cartoon creatures instead of disseminating images of their genitalia to the public.

I get how some of you parents are skeptical, especially those of you who have kids obsessed with comic books. Those comic book-crazed adolescents aren’t the nerds we grew up with. I became aware of how ingenious these kids are when I went to the opening night of “Deadpool.” I was expecting to be around a bunch of superhero-obsessed weirdos, not a bunch of tween daughters and their friends dragging along middle-aged fathers. I imagine these kids told their parents that it was rated R because of violence and “bad words.” I bet the guy sitting in front of me, nervously shifting around in his seat while his 13-year-old daughter laughed hysterically at Deadpool’s eye- opening sexual journey with a stripper girlfriend, wishes that he would have “Googled it.” It was almost as hilarious to watch the horrified fathers as the movie itself.

Almost. “Deadpool” is pretty freaking hilarious.

What might surprise you is how the questions you’re asking may be affecting your dating options or lack thereof. Are you turning off potential love matches and infuriating people wherever you go because you refuse to use Google and/or common sense? Does your spouse secretly hate you because of your constant barrage of ridiculous questions? Let me shed some light on this for you.

Questions to stop asking, for the sake of mankind.

1. Any question to a cashier that requires an answer longer than 10 seconds, especially if there is even one person in line after you. I have worked as a cashier on many occasions and

never once did I think to myself, “That was so awesome when that guy asked me how I liked working here, then followed up with, ‘So how about this weather?’” Cashiers and other hourly employees get asked these things hundreds of times a day, and guess what? They have to lie to you. It’s called customer service. The truth would get them fired.

2. “Have you seen this or that ‘film?’” Stop saying film.

It gives you an aura of pretentiousness that cannot be overcome. I see film in my shower and movies at the theatre. If we are friends or potential lovers, we are going to a movie. Films are for professors and hipsters.

This kind of language will only attract other people who think they are smarter than everyone else, and a relationship can only (barely) work with one of these types of people in it. Think about it. This applies to any pretentious word that you may feel the need to use in common conversation. Save your vast vocabulary for things like Scrabble and midterms, not asking strangers questions.

3. Asking for substitutions and menu changes instead of what you want exactly. Let me clarify: If you go to order at a restaurant and you find yourself saying something like, “I’ll have the chicken Caesar salad without dressing, cheese, croutons or chicken,” you have annoyed everyone in the room. That is not a salad. That’s just a leaf dipped in air and sprinkled with tears, and it’s not on the menu. The waiter will comply and charge $13.50 for that bullshit, but everyone within earshot feels sorry for your dining companion, who is stuck with someone who would pay or expect someone else to pay for a blatant cry for help.

4.“Can you make me look skinny?” When someone takes your picture, cuts your hair or does a beauty treatment for you, they hate when you ask them this. Why? Well, if you are skinny, it’s just annoying. Just stop fishing for compliments. If you are fat, the person is searching for a nice way to say, “ Hey, I am talented enough to make you look better, but this camera/pair of scissors/bronzer isn’t a magic wand.” Again, don’t ask questions that force the other person to lie. It hurts everyone.

5. “Can you get your [random loved one] to do this for me?” I am going to provide a personal example on this one.

I regularly have people come up to me and ask me this: “Can you get your sexy musician boyfriend to sing ‘More Than a Feeling’ for me? You should talk him into it.” OK, here is the deal. Don’t ask someone else to do something you are uncomfortable doing. That is the behavior of a complete sissy pants.

Furthermore, speaking from experience, negotiations with a boyfriend typically involve some sort of payment relative to the discomfort of the request. I am going to have to “offer” him something that makes playing a song he might hate worth it.

Now, maybe I am a bit selfish, but I am going to use that type of currency to fulfill my own desires. My leverage cannot be bought easily.

I hope that I have shed some light on this crucial issue. If you got lost somewhere in this column, try to answer your own questions first.

Happy hunting, whether it is for a Pikachu or piece of A . . .

Xoxo, Scarlette

Dear Editor, I was surprised to read, after the fact, that the city held two workshops regarding downtown parking. As a downtown business owner, I can empathize with the construction workers getting tickets downtown, but the fact is, this happens every day to many business owners trying to make a living and serve the community.

The funniest damn thing I’ve seen in a long time is the string of tickets around the tree on First Ave. (The BID tax must not cover tree-trimming).

It’s one of the most brash scenes of civil disobedience in Sandpoint, and I think more of that mentality is needed.

The article states that we are now adopting the parking laws of Seattle and Boise—a few short years after being named Best Small Town in America. It seems we are catering to all the cityfolk (read: Yuppies) and tourists, while overlooking small business owners and residents of downtown.

The constant money grab from the city will only result in even more vacant buildings downtown. City employees can get parking passes, but none are available to business owners. I see people moving their cars all day, every day, (including myself) and the loss of productivity of this or having to walk to the city lot five times a day will cost more than $127k the scofflaws owe.

I will end my rant by saying that Chris with Diamond Parking actually took time out to talk to me, shake my hand and understand my actual daily parking situation, more than I can say for anyone with the BID or the city.

Derek Secor Sandpoint July 14, 2016 /

R

/ 5

NEWS Harvel sentenced in BGH embezzlement case

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff Norilina Harvel, who pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $200,000 from Bonner General Health in May, was sentenced to 90 days in jail on Friday.

The sentence, which also included a handful of court fees and restitution as a requirement of probation, brings to an end nine months of legal proceedings since Harvel’s arrest.

Altogether, Harvel will pay $217,075 in restitution.

“We were satisfied with the outcome, especially the large amount of restitution paid by the defendant,” said Bonner County Prosecutor Louis Marshall. “I was pleased with the cooperation shown by Bonner Health throughout this process.”

An employee of the hospital for 18 years and its chief financial officer for 10 years, Harvel was accused last year of funneling funds into fraudulent bank accounts set up in the hospital’s name. By the time BGH officials discovered the malfeasance, Harvel had already left her position and taken a job outside the state.

Once the accusations against her went public at the end of September, Harvel surrendered to the authorities less than a week after her arrest warrant was issued.

At Harvel’s sentencing, Judge Barbara Buchanan noted that while many expect prison sentences for major embezzlement, Harvel’s Level of Service Inventory score, which measures an individual’s likelihood of re-offending, was exceptionally low. Moreover, Harvel and her attorney’s filed a large majority of her restitution payments at the sentencing, with the rest likely to be paid within her probationary period.

While hospital officials were disappointed with the short incarceration period, they appreciated the sense of the 6 /

R

/ July 14, 2016

decision.

“We would have liked a longer jail sentence,” said BGH CEO Sheryl Rickard. “However, it is more important that she pay back the funds that she took from the hospital, which can only happen if she is working and not in a jail cell.

We are pleased that paying restitution is a condition of her probation.”

Likewise, Prosecutor Louis Marshall was happy to have resolution in what proved to be a complicated case.

“These are difficult crimes to prosecute given the large amount of paper evidence,” Marshall said. “We were able to utilize the forensic accountant hired by the hospital as opposed to having to hire our

own accountant, which would have cost the taxpayers thousands of dollars.”

Harvel is just the latest in a string of embezzlers that have run afoul of regional businesses and municipalities. In 2012, Susan Hopkins was sentenced to five years in a state prison plus reimbursement payments for embezzling $246,561 from Coldwater Creek. And last year, former Athol clerk Sally Hansen was sentenced to four years in federal prison for embezzling $417,879 from the city.

“This case illustrates the problem in society with embezzlement,” Marshall said.

“In general and in this case as well, people who steal a lot of money from their organizations tend to be trusted employees

with good educations and spotless criminal records. Managers need to be vigilant as this can happen to any organization.”

Norilina Harvel’s mugshot after turning herself into the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office. Courtesy BCSH.

Memorial Field Bonner County Speed limit raises on U.S. 95 grandstands Garden Tour returns restoration selected

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff Pending council approval, the city has its contractor for the Memorial Field restoration project.

Sandpoint Parks and Recreation Director Kim Woodruff announced on the KRFY Morning Show that he is recommending North Con, Inc., as the job contractor. Out of about half a dozen bids, North Con came in the lowest at $3.14 million.

The last game will be played in mid-September prior to the restoration, Woodruff said. Apex Construction has volunteered its services to demolish the old grandstands, and the project will hopefully be complete before high school graduation next year.

Gardeners, take note: The Bonner County Garden Tour is back after a year-long hiatus.

A showcase of eight local gardens, the tour spans the county from Kootenai to Garfield Bay and features a wealth of fruiting shrubs, culinary herbs and beautiful locales.

“This year we have a diverse group of offerings, including some with spectacular lake front views,” said Pat Congleton, tour committee cochair. “There are garden ideas for full sun to full shade and everything in between.”

Find out more information or buy tickets at the Bonner County Gardeners Association website, bcgardeners.org. Tickets are $10 per adult and available at any garden on the day of the tour or online. The tour is self-guided, and gardens may be visited in any order between 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, July 17.

Get ready to shave a few minutes off your drive to Coeur d’Alene.

Idaho Transportation Department officials announced this week that a 15-mile stretch of U.S. 95 between Sandpoint and Coeur d’Alene will raise to 70 mph starting Monday, July 18. The change is in line with ITD’s engineering team recommendations and data borne out by traffic studies.

According to ITD officials, a full 85 percent of drivers are already speeding in the area, driving between 68 and 74 mph. The bump to maximum speed is possible following a 2014 Idaho Legislature change, which adjusted maximum state speeds on state highways to 70 mph. The ITD board approved the speed increase in June.

“The increase is appropriate for safety and traffic flow,” said ITD Northern Idaho Traffic Engineer Ryan Hawkins.

“However, speed-limit signs

cannot replace common sense.

They are intended to supplement—not substitute for—the driver’s judgment.”

The change-over won’t be official until the speed limit signs are replaced. That process will begin at 6 a.m. on July 18 and should finish by about 10 a.m. Until then, motorists must abide by the current 65 mph limit, although ITD will notify drivers of the upcoming change by placing portable electronic message signs in the area.

“Safety is a core mission of this department and will always be our top priority,” said ITD State Design Traffic Engineer Jesse Barrus. “We will continue to monitor trends and make adjustments if necessary to always ensure the safety of motorists in Idaho.”

Read these and other stories on our website: www.sandpointreader.com.

FEATURE

The notorious BID

BID members and officials debate its future

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff

Every year, the Sandpoint City Council goes through a similar routine.

Deep into the process of preparing the city’s finances for the next year, members must approve the operational budget for the Sandpoint Business Improvement District. But unlike most of the budgeting season, with all its dizzying numbers and spreadsheets, the BID budget usually attracts some public attention. This year’s discussion at last week’s council meeting was no exception.

With its proposed $123,000 2016-17 budget under the microscope, BID advocates highlighted the organization’s achievements, while critics questioned the return they were getting on their investment.

At the meeting, Anita Aurit, owner of office space and co-working business The Office Sandpoint, said that between her type of business and her location on Fifth Avenue, she received minimal value compared to the businesses of the downtown core.

“I’m extremely frustrated because I have tried to make it work,” she told council members.

The BID, funded through a fee paid by downtown businesses between Superior and Larch streets and First and Sixth avenues, has long been controversial. Approved by a vote in 2000, downtown business owners have since divided in opinion over whether they’re getting their money’s worth.

Business improvement districts are not uncommon. There are more than 1,200 across the country, with the most famous likely being New York City’s Times Square. Regionally, Coeur d’Alene and Spokane both operate business improvement districts.

“The main purpose of a BID is to benefit businesses and the community alike, by offering beautification and vibrancy to a designated area,” Sandpoint BID manager Kim Queen said.

To that end, the local BID runs several events and services.

Perhaps the most visible program

A flower basket provided by the BID hanging on the corner of Second Ave. and Cedar St. Photo by Ben Olson. under its purview are currently the flower baskets hanging throughout the city. According to Queen, by working with local growers this year, they were able to reduce the program’s cost and increase the number of flowers distributed.

The flower baskets are one aspect of the BID’s beautification program, which also includes holiday lights and decoration as well as general maintenance and upkeep within the district. Seasonal outreach efforts are often paired with special events, like the Christmas tree lighting ceremony after Thanksgiving. The Winter Carnival is another popular event organized by the BID, drawing people downtown for a series of performances and attractions.

“Winter Carnival has … become an important event for the district, held during the dreaded winter/spring ‘shoulder season,’”

Queen said.

Other services of the BID include marketing and advocacy efforts for members in good standing. For example, the BID website, www.downtownsandpoint.com, maintains a directory of district businesses. Whenever considering a project or outreach effort, Queen said the central question is whether or not it will help improve district vitality and prosperity.

Like many publicly funded organizations, however, the Sandpoint BID faces scrutiny by its members, some of whom resent being lumped into a program they didn’t vote for back in 2000.

Prior to 2013, opponents leveled their complaints against the BID’s previous management organization, the Downtown Sandpoint Business Association.

In 2013, city and business

see BID, page 8

BID in the community’s eyes

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Intern

Taxes—can’t live with them, can’t live without them. And yet one tax, imposed by Sandpoint’s Business Improvement District upon local businesses, has business owners reflecting on whether the benefits mirror the dues they’ve paid. While some are sold on the BID’s benefits, others are not so sure.

“I think it is misunderstood because most people aren’t clear on what the BID provides,” said Nicole French, owner of the florist shop Petal Talk on Cedar Street.

French noted the flower baskets that dot downtown as the biggest part of the BID’s budget, which she said she believes make Sandpoint look “amazingly welcoming.” She also said that when retail shop owners want to host an event, they can use BID money to advertise.

“I think there is a lot of support in that aspect,” French said.

“But the BID is hard because is represents so many different types of businesses, and I think that that’s the biggest challenge.”

She said that services, such as salons, lawyers and doctor’s offices have different needs and goals than retail businesses—making everyone hard to please. She also noted that there are disparities in the square footage system the BID dues are determined for each business.

“I guess if I changed anything, then I think it should be more a flat tax fee,” French said, noting that while a business down the street may be larger and therefore paying more than her, that may not mean they have more money.

Brooke Deccio, owner of Azalea Handpicked Style on First Avenue, said she attended the most recent City Council meeting, and the BID has been on her mind since.

“It’s tricky for me because I’m right in the middle of downtown, so I get all of the benefits,” Deccio admitted, noting the common benefits that she says everyone knows about—the flower baskets, the Christmas lights and occasional live music. Still, she said she can see where some of the other businesses are coming from—especially the businesses that aren’t right on First Avenue.

“I feel comfortable with what I’m being charged for the benefits that I’m receiving, but I can completely understand where [other] businesses are coming from,” Deccio said. She noted the businesses on Fifth Avenue, where there is no street electricity, don’t benefit from the Christmas lights, and yet are still paying for them in their dues.

“Maybe it’s time for [the dues] to be reassessed,” she said, adding that anyone concerned about BID’s dues should attempt to contact manager Kim Queen, who she has found is easy to communicate with, or attend the quarterly BID meetings.

Calvin Ogle, owner of Sweet Magnolia Bed and Breakfast on Fourth Avenue, voiced concerns over the use of his BID tax money. Ogle has brought these concerns before city administrators in the past, and while he said he was assured there would be a change in how BID funds were funneled, he said he has seen no such change and has had rude encounters with BID officials.

“Something weird is going on,” Ogle said. “[The BID] doesn’t understand how hard we work for our money, and that’s why I get emotional talking about it.”

Ogle also noted that local businesses are “scared to death” thanks to “gossip campaigns” that the BID facilitate, and that the political climate of the BID’s dealings reflects their lack of genuine interest in the success of all small businesses.

“It’s not up to them to choose winners and losers,” he said.

“They should be helping everyone who pays the tax.”

Ogle feels strongly that there should be further investigation into BID tax funds. He also noted that the square-footage-based taxation system needs re-evaluation, suggesting a tax based on revenue, or even a flat tax that each business within the district would pay.

“To imply that you got it correct the first time is absurd,” Ogle. “Sometimes you need to tweak things.”

July 14, 2016 /

R

/ 7

ICL hosts Summer Adventure Series Bouquets: •To all the organizers and volunteers that helped make Sandpoint SummerFest so great this weekend, thank you! The music lineup was wonderful, the food from Eichardt’s was fantastic and the camaderie between all the attendees was so great. From the first moment you drive onto the Eureka Center property, you are magically transported away from the hubbub of the everyday world.

Barbs: •Justice is a funny thing.

There is no rubric in place to determine whether justice was served in any legal situation.

In the case of Norilina Harvel, who was recently convicted of embezzling over $200,000 from Bonner General Health, I think justice was not served to its full potential. Harvel received 90 days in jail and five years of probation, and must also make restitution for the entire amount stolen. No court fines were assessed other than the trivial $225 court costs and another $100 for DNA testing.

Granted, Harvel had no criminal record before this, but I’m concerned that such a lenient sentence for white collar crimes like embezzlement (which is a fancy word for STEALING) doesn’t deter people enough. Her lawyer mentioned at the sentencing hearing that she “emptied her retirement account” to help pay back the restitution. I didn’t feel any pity for her, since this was money that she stole from the good people at Bonner General Health and the community.

There are people serving long sentences for smoking or possessing marijuana, while thieves like Harvel do their quick time in jail and walk free without any other punishment. In my opinion, justice was not served in this case, especially since recent embezzlement cases in this region saw actual prison time as punishment.

8 /

R

/ July 14, 2016

2016 List of Adventure Outings Sponsored by Idaho Conservation League Saturday, July 16 – Paddle to Pearl Island on Lake Pend Oreille with Matt Davidson.

An aerial view of Priest Lake. Photo courtesy of ICL.

By Reader Staff

Locals and visitors alike will gain new appreciation for Idaho’s spectacular peaks, lakes, streams and wildlife with the Idaho Conservation League’s 10th annual Summer Adventure Series.

With ten excursions planned for this summer and fall, ICL’s hike series offers something for every ability and interest.

Featured outings include four different kayaking tours on area lakes, a fishing and hiking jaunt into the Selkirk Mountains, a Leave No Trace hike

and a birding excursion.

Other hikes include family friendly hikes to stunning alpine lakes, strenuous day outings to our highest peaks, and even a naturalist wander through Sherwood Forest.

The Adventure Series kicks off Saturday, July 16 with a paddle on Lake Pend Oreille to Pearl Island. Matt Davidson will lead kayakers from Sam Owen State Park on the Hope Peninsula to Pearl Island, a bird sanctuary where paddlers can expect to see the remains of many eagle nests.

The Pearl Island Paddle and all the outings in the Idaho Conservation League’s Adven-

ture Series are free, but space is limited and registration is required. To sign up for an event or for more information, visit www.idahoconservation.org or contact the Idaho Conservation League’s Sandpoint office at (208) 265-9565.

The Idaho Conservation League is a statewide nonprofit working to protect Idaho’s clean air, clean water and stunning lands. The group has been operating for more than 40 years and has offices in Sandpoint, Ketchum and Boise.

business’ square footage footprint irrespective of location. At last week’s council meeting, Queen said businesses on Fifth Avenue, for instance, got short shrift due to the lack of infrastructure for Christmas lights or other beautification measures.

For Mayor Shelby Rognstad, the central difficulty is communicating the BID’s value to everyone paying into it. That’s especially true since its operational costs in the budget passed last week sit at 56 percent, which could increase to 70 percent if the BID doesn’t receive a $25,000 Sandpoint Urban Renewal Agency grant.

When questioned by Mayor Shelby Rognstad at the council meeting, Aurit said she would become a BID supporter and volunteer under a more equitable payment rate. However, changing the BID is no easy task. According to Sandpoint City Attorney Scot Campbell, because the BID was created by the businesses in 2000, city officials can only vote to dissolve the ordinance creating

Saturday, July 30 – Leave No Trace hike to Harrison Lake with ICL’s intern, Nathan Faggard.

Sunday, August 7—Hike and Fish to Trout and Big Fisher Lake with ICL’s intern and fishing enthusiast, Nathan Faggard.

Thursday, August 18 – Hike to Fisher Peak with ICL’s Community Strategies Associate, Nancy Dooley.

Saturday, August 20 – Pack River Kayak Tour with Idaho Fish and Game Biologist, Kathy Cousins.

Saturday, August 27 – Kayak Tour of the Clark Fork River Delta with Idaho Fish and Game Biologist, Kathy Cousins.

BID, con’t from page 7 officials decided to change up the DSBA’s structure. The organization was folded into the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce as a separate entity with a unique governing structure. Under the resulting system, the BID operates within the chamber building, eliminating the cost of a separate office and supplies. A team of local business leaders from a variety of backgrounds—restaurants, education, real estate, professional/banking/law, health care, retail, arts/entertainment, lodging and more—serve as overseers of the organization while advocating for their individual fields.

“These reps give valuable feedback on what is most pressing in their individual sectors (as it relates to the BID), and offer their insight and guidance in the BID’s decision-making process,” said Queen.

Even after restructuring, however, the BID still drew heat from some members for its funding mechanism. The BID fee is determined primarily through the

Sunday, June 24 – Paddle to Upper Priest Lake with ICL Conservation Associate, Susan Drumheller.

it. He was not aware of a means for the city to change the funding mechanism or add a sunset clause.

Despite the critics, Queen said that compared to many business improvement districts, Sandpoint’s offers a lot for relatively little money. Moving forward, she hopes to find a middle ground with BID opponents. “... My hope is that those business owners would reach out, to either their representative or directly to me, and see if we can get their questions answered and their concerns addressed,” Queen said.

Monday, Labor Day, September 5 Birding Ridge Hike on the Pend Oreille Divide Trail with ardent bird watcher and arborist, Rich Del Carlo.

Saturday, September 17 - Harrison to Beehive Scramble with former ICL board member, Rick Price.

Sunday, September 25 - Sherwood Forest Wander with naturalist, Shane Sater.

Crossword Solution

Idaho breweries to admit minors with parents

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

As of July 1, breweries in Idaho are allowed to admit minors inside beer-tasting rooms as long as they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

The change in state law came about this spring, when Sen. Shawn Keough (R-Sandpoint) and Rep. Sage Dixon (R-Ponderay) were contacted regarding the disparity between the legal definition of a winery and brewery.

“This issue was first brought to me about three years ago by local brewers who pointed out the inequity between brewery and winery tasting rooms,” said Keough.

Before the passage of House Bill H649, wineries were allowed to have minors on the premises with their parents or legal guardians.

Breweries, on the other hand, were not.

“Rep. Dixon took an interest in the issue and took the work in the House and I assisted in the Senate,” said Keough.

Dixon said the bill took weeks of back and forth with winery and brewery lobbyists and Alcohol and Beverage Control (ABC) to ensure the language in the bill would suit everyone before it was introduced in the House.

“After passing the House, the Senate amended the language to stipulate what a ‘brewery’ was, and Sen. Keough carried it successfully on the Senate floor,” said Dixon.

The bill was signed by Gov. Otter on April 5 and the law change took effect July 1, 2016.

Local brewer Duffy Mahoney of MickDuff’s Brewing Company was an integral part of introducing this bill to Rep. Dixon.

“A lot of our beers are actually considered wine,” said Mahoney. “We’re taxed as a wine. I figured, if we’re already taxed as a wine, why wouldn’t we have the same

Disability Action Center presents award at ADA celebration

By Reader Staff

rights as them? I like to have the right to do things.”

Technically, beer containing more than 4 percent of alcohol by weight is taxed as “wine” in the state of Idaho. Mahoney estimates 90 percent of MickDuff’s beers are taxed like wine.

“We are not a bar, we’re a tasting room,” said Mahoney.

“This is not a place for people to get drunk. We’re not selling shots.”

Mahoney said the law change will only affect a small portion of his customers; mainly the brewery tourism industry.

“We’ve already seen a lot of families coming in and buying merchandise, filling growlers,” said Mahoney. “Kids coming in with them hasn’t been an issue. A couple of local patrons have said they don’t like the idea of children coming in there, but the pros outweigh the cons.”

Brewery tourism has taken off in Idaho in recent years.

There are multiple “Ale Trails” throughout the state that cater to people traveling to breweries in a given area. Participants check off each brewery their

visit and, upon completing a “passport,” they can win prizes like glass growlers.

“It’s very difficult to explain to people that have driven from Montana or Washington that have minors with them that they are not allowed into our tasting room,” said Mahoney.

“We have a growing number of family-owned small breweries in Idaho,” said Keough. “We can see that in our own communities in Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry. … Visitors—families—seem to enjoy being able to take tours of both wineries and breweries, [and] learn about the craftsmanship that goes into making beer and wine.”

For Rep. Dixon, the law has the potential to help Idaho brewers grow their businesses: “Not only will this Law directly affect our breweries in District 1, it will help the Craft Brew industry throughout Idaho engage their patrons better, which should

Beer for the big kids, popcorn for the small ones (left to right): Lily DeFord, 1 ½, and Lucy Thwaites, 2, kick back with some popcorn while their parents enjoy some microbrews at MickDuff’s Beer Hall. Photo by Kayle DeFord. result in increased business growth. Many of Idaho’s breweries use ingredients grown in Idaho, which multiplies the economic benefit to the State, and many are vital local economies as well.”

Disability Action Center NW will be hosting a free family event Friday, July 29 to celebrate the Americans with Disabilities Act, signed into law in 1990. Held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Sandpoint City Beach, it will be open to the public and feature free food, live music, prizes and awards, wheelchair basketball, disability resource booths, and face painting for the kids. Free t-shirts will be given to the first 100 people.

“We serve all of northern Idaho and part of eastern Washington, so we are reaching out to Sandpoint this year” said Executive Director Mark Leeper. “The community of Sandpoint has worked very hard to support accessibility.”

DAC will be presenting the first Tom McTevia Memorial Award at the celebration to the Sandpoint Police Chief Corey Coon and City Administrator Jennifer Stapleton for their work in assisting citizen Bill Yeager to get his guide dog.

BUY LOCAL A message brought to you by:

READER

July 14, 2016 /

R

/ 9

Wining is ALLOWED In fact, it’s even encouraged

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

A beautiful day of wine, live music and fun activites at Schweitzer’s Winefest. Photo by SMR. Winos, winers, oenophiles, grape nuts and vino enthusiasts, get ready for a weekend especially dedicated to that magical nectar of the gods.

The Schweitzer Mountain Northwest Winefest is back for its second year. Due to the popularity of the inaugural event last year, a second day has been added to the itinerary. Saturday and Sunday, July 16-17, will see the greatest congregation of wine drinkers this side of Napa Valley, all united under their common love for the grape.

With 20 regional wineries serving up over 80 different varieties, five bands, a craft beer tent, a sizzling barbeque, arts and crafts vendors and all of your favorite village activities, there’s fun to be had for everyone this weekend. And the best part, as always—it’s 100 percent free to attend.

Both Pend d’Oreille Winery and Small House Winery will represent Bonner County at this year’s Winefest.

“We had so many people come up for 7B Sunday, that said ‘I haven’t been up here in years,’” said Dig Chrismer, marketing manager for Schweitzer Mountain Resort.

“Well, here’s another chance to come up and enjoy the music, wine and activities. We’re not 10 /

R

/ July 14, 2016

that far away!”

The fun starts Saturday at 10 a.m. with the Schweitzer Mountain Trail Run. A local favorite, the Trail Run kicks off from the Village and features great single track with lake and mountain views. The Great Escape Uphill Challenge starts at 10:05 a.m. The 10 Mile starts at 10 a.m. and the 3.5 mile starts at 10:15 a.m. All races have a mandatory prerace meeting at 9:45 a.m., and registration for all races will take place by the tennis courts from 8-9:30 a.m.

After you’ve run yourself out, grab a lawn chair and plop down on the grass for a day of wine and music. It’s free to listen to music on the lawn, though there are no outside alcoholic beverages allowed on the mountain. That’s okay, Schweitzer has you covered.

To participate in the wine tasting, stop by the sales tent and purchase your stemless souvenir wine glass with tasting tickets. The wine glass with 10 one-ounce tasting tickets will run you $20. Additional tasting tickets are $3 for two tickets. Premium wines require two tickets per ounce.

Feel like taking a ride to the top of the world? The chairlift opens at 11 a.m. and unlimited

rides normally run $15 for foot traffic and $25 for mountain bikes. However, it being a festive weekend, Schweitzer is offering unlimited rides at 20 percent off—$12 and $20 respectively.

The live music kicks off at 11 a.m. with Brenden McCoy (of local duo Owen & McCoy). The Nicole Lewis Band will play at 1:30 p.m and Norman Baker and the Backroads will finish off the day from 4-7 p.m.

Why settle for one day of fun when you can double down on Sunday at Schweitzer?

The second round of the cross country mountain bike races will take place, with the route slated to head out to Wolf Ridge.

Day two of Winefest will start at 11 a.m. with live music from Brown Salmon Truck, featuring local blues master Truck Mills. Fan favorites Milonga will be rocking the Village from 2-5 p.m.

“Milonga was with us last year,” said Chrismer. “They were absolutely perfect for drinking wine and dancing.

They have this Latin-infused swing that is really incredible.”

There will be barbeque and food vendors available both days, as well as all the fun Vil-

lage activites like the Monkey Motion air jumper, zip lines, climbing wall, disc golf and much more.

For more information about the big weekend of festivities, call Schweitzer at 263-9555.

The Gateway Lot features complimentary parking while the Lakeview Lot will cost $10 per vehicle. Also, RV camping is available in the Gateway Lot for $20 per night.

ads@sandpointreader.com

BONNER

T AXI

festivities in Sandpoint

Inc.

... the safe& reliable ride New Owners, Autry & Joel ph. 208.263.7626 txt 208.597-FINE www.bonnertaxiinc.com

GET A PUNCH CARD: Fifth Ride is FREE (within 10 miles)

Enjoy

We now have 2 cars to serve you

b u t c a ll u s f o r a safe ride home

208.597-FINE

Spokane Airport rides Call ahead for a reservation

July 14, 2016 /

R

/ 11

event t h u r s d a y

14

f r i d a y

s a t u r d a y

15 16

s u n d a y m o n d a y t u e s d a y

12 /

R

/ July 14, 2016

17 18 19

w e d n e s d a y

20

t h u r s d a y

21

Winter Ridge Speaker Series 6pm @ Winter Ridge Learn to make decadent body lotions and creams Throwback Thursdays at the 219 7-11pm @ 219 Lounge Featuring live music with Brian Jacobs and friends

Bonner Partners in Care Clinic fundraiser 5:30-8pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall A percentage of of the proceeds for this fundraiser will be donated to BPICC, a free health care clinic that serves those in need. Featuring live music by Kevin Dorin, beer and a rocking pool table. Free admission for those 21+

Live Music 6-9pm @ Tr Dollar Beer 8pm @ Eich Jazz ‘n’ Jav 6-8pm @ M All players

Live Music w/ Devon Wade 7-10pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Celebrate Third Fridays at the Beer Hall with Sandpoint country musician Devon Wade. Free and open to public Live Music w/ the Dayfalls 9-12pm @ 219 Lounge With live DJ music afterward

Sing and Da 7-10pm @ S Hosted by Speidell, thi dancing take nior Center! the door help

Live Music w/ Justin Lantrip 5:30-8:30pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Singer/songwriter with a soulful sound Live Music w/ Running with Scissors 6-9pm @ Trinity at City Beach Live Music w/ Chris Lynch 6pm - 9pm @ Arlo’s Ristorante

Sandpoint Farmers’ Market 9-1pm @ Farmin Park Great local produce, fun arts and crafts, yummy food and live music by Kathy Colton and the Reluctants

Live Music w/ Laney Jones and the Spirits 8pm @ Di Luna’s Cafe Folk rock band exploding with unique sound and arrangements. Come early for dinner at 5:30 p.m.

Live Music w/ Chris Lynch 6pm - 9pm @ Arlo’s Ristorante

Live Music w/ Harold’s IGA 7-10pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Indie rock bar trio from Sandpoint.

They sound their best after you’ve had a few beers. Free and open to all

Schweitzer Mountain Trail Run 10am @ Schweitzer Mountain Resort Enjoy awesome single track with lake and mountain views on the challenging and beautiful trails at Schweitzer!

Summer Sounds 4-6pm @ Park Place Stage Live music outside by Kathy Colton & the Reluctants. Near Cedar St. Bridge

Sandpoint Chess Club Bonner County Garden Tour 9am @ Evans Brothers Coffee The Garden Tour is back after a year hiatus.

Game Night at the Niner Go to www.bcgardeners.org for more info 9pm @ 219 Lounge Monday Night Blues Jam w/ Truck Mills 7:30pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Trivia Night 7pm - 9pm @ MickDuff’s

Karaoke Night 10pm - Midnight @ 219 Lounge

f

Live Mu 5:30-8:3 Deep Ro eclectic and Scan Live Mu 5-7pm @ Flamenc

Live Music w/ Bruce Bishop an 6-9pm @ Trinity

Learn to dance the Swing – 7pm @ SWAC Learn the Triple Time East Coast Swing from Diane Peters. 610-1770 for info

Full Moon and Hors d’oeuvres Cruise 8:30pm @ Sandpoint City Beach Savor a variety of complimentary hors d’oeuvres while cru during the Full Moon and Hors d’oeuvres Cruise aboard th evening, watch the full moon rise above the spectacular C turning to port. Departs at 8:30 p.m. from Sandpoint City B

The Wailers in concert Sandpoint Farmers’ Market Five Minu 6:30pm @ 8pm @ The Hive 3-5:30pm @ Farmin Park Come see the legendary reggae band The Great local produce, fun arts Writers, m Wailers, who have sold over 240 million and crafts, yummy food and all. Third W albums worldwide as Bob Marley and the live music by Larry Goldberg Turnt Up Wailers. Tickets $20 advance, $25 at door.

8pm @ 219 and Chris Murphy Doors open at 7 p.m. Don’t miss it!

Featuring D Live Music w/ Jake Robin Airplanes with Kalisp Throwback Thurs6-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Quest Aircraft 10:30a Acoustic rock sounds with pop 10:30am @ Spt. Library days at the 219 A spe culture lyrical charisma Discover the world of 7-11pm @ 219 Lounge Shawn Live Music w/ Scott Reid aeronautics at this free Featuring live music Mythw 7-9pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Tuesday Fun program for with Brian Jacobs and strong friends Bluegrass standards, and folk kids and families the Ko rock covers

ful

July 14 - 21, 2016

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

ve Music w/ Arthur and Mia Festival at Sandpoint Art Unveiling 9pm @ Trinity at City Beach @ Dover Bay Fine art poster for the festival unollar Beers! veiled at Dover Bay. 265-4554 for pm @ Eichardt’s Pub more information azz ‘n’ Java 8pm @ Monarch Mountain Coffee Live Music w/ the Beat Diggers ll players welcome! Sit in or listen 9-12pm @ 219 Lounge

Music by DJ KennyG 8pm @ Ol’ Red’s Tavern DjKennyG from Snowy River Entertainment will be spinning tunes at Ol’ Red’s!

Live Music w/ Marty Perron & Doug Bond 5:30-7:30pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Mandolin/guitar duo with hearts of gold

ng and Dance the Night Away 10pm @ Sandpoint Senior Center sted by Gayle Williams and Rich eidell, this fun night of karaoke and ncing takes place at the Sandpoint Ser Center! $10 suggested donation at door helps support SASi

Live Music w/ Deep Roots 5:30-8:30pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Deep Roots, an energetic band playing an eclectic mix of traditional Celtic, old-timey and Scandinavian music. Free!

Live Music w/ David Walsh 5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Flamenco guitar playing performer

Music w/ Bishop and Drew @ Trinity

@ SWAC wing from

4th Annual Girl’s Gala 9-5pm @ Spt. Comm. Hall A day designed just for girls, aged 11 to 14. Women will share activities they love, and a few will teach new skills $5 covers lunch, but otherwise event is free. At 4 p.m., Gail Burkett will be signing from her book “The Nine Passages For Women and Girls.”

Hope’s Bodacious BBQ Luau 4:30pm @ Litehouse Beach House Enjoy a live auction, bucket raffle, appetizers, a bodacious bar, plus a roasted pig with all the fixin’s catered by Two Lakes Catering. Sponsored in part by Litehouse Foods.

Advance tickets are $50 each. 264-5481 for more info

Live Music w/ Marty Perron and Doug Bond 6-9pm @ Trinity at City Beach Mandolin and guitar duo with a great sound Northwest WineFest HuckFest 11am-7pm @ Schweitzer Mountain Resort @ Priest Lake Golf Course There will be 20 regional wineries pouring 80 wines, Sponsored by the Priest Lake plus a craft beer tent, barbecue, arts and crafts ven- Search and Rescue. Events indors, and activities for the entire family. Bands in- clude painting, sculpture, metclude Brenden McCoy, the Nicole Lewis Band, Nor- alworks, basketry, esoterica, man Baker and the Backroads, Brown Salmon Truck, spices, foodstuffs and baked and the Northwest’s hottest Latin band Milonga goods, plus enjoy bluegrass music, homesteading demonLife as Art workshop strations, as well as Search 9am - 12pm @ the Little Panida Theater What would like to see more of in your lifestyle and and Rescue dog team and othlivelihood? 208-991-6257 or email Patricia at patri- er skills demonstrations. Free cia@successSOULutions.com for more information event. 509-220-7235

s while cruising through eagle territory aboard the Shawnodese. To cap off the ctacular Cabinet Mountains before reint City Beach, returning at 10:30 p.m.

Five Minutes of Fame :30pm @ Cafe Bodega Writers, musicians, listeners, welcome ll. Third Wednesday of every month Turnt Up Wednesdays pm @ 219 Lounge Featuring DJ Josh Adams

Make It 3-5pm @ Sandpoint Library This program for teens/tweens includes Legos, robotics, needlework and other projects

July 22-24 Northwest YogaFeast @ Eureka Center July 22 Polly O’Keary and Dollar Beers!

The Rhythm Meth8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub od @ Di Luna’s Good until the keg’s dry July 22 Learn to use a compass Cinema in the Park 2:30pm @ Sandpoint Library Learn to use a compass and then @ Lakeview Park track down treasure for free!

Puppy Power Hour 12-2pm @ Ponderay Pet Lodge Puppies enjoy an hour of supervised play and socialization.

Open to puppies 8 weeks to 6 months. 255-7687 for more info

Kalispel-led lake tour 10:30am @ City Beach A special tour of the lake on the ge Shawnodese hosted by the Idaho ic Mythweaver and led by Anna Armnd strong—educational director for the Kootenai tribe. 265-8323

BECAUSE TRANSFORMATION IS ESSENTIAL TO THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE

CLARK FORK • SANDPOINT • BOOKMOBILE • EBONNERLIBRARY.ORG

Information & Inspiration

More than a store, a Super store!

Have you discovered the benefits of

EMU OIL?

Bring balance to the body inside and out, normalizing tissues and aiding in controlling fatty acid levels and the skins natural lipids.

Check out our complete supply of Montana Emu Ranch products!

MONDAY-FRIDAY 8AM-8PM / SATURDAY 8AM-6PM / SUNDAY 10AM-6PM

July 14, 2016 /

R

/ 13

Listen in Sandpoint to KPND @ 106.7 in HD 14 /

R

/ July 14, 2016

SPORTS

DeLaVergne to retire from Outdoor Ken Griffey Jr. to be inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame July 24 Experience

My First Love

By Reader Staff

By Jodi Rawson Reader Contributor Most girls had posters in their rooms of boy bands and unicorns from their past. In junior high, my walls were blue and teal, the lovely modern colors of our closest Major League Baseball team.

The posters had my idol, Ken Grifffey Jr. In one poster his smile was beautifully bright, set off by his rich chocolate skin. In another he obviously had just hit a home run, and in the third he was biting his lip, body loaded like a cannon and ready to explode into another home run. Finesse was the word people used for him. It was like baseball was his art, his dance.

I can still hear the way the announcer yelled his name: “Now bat-

ting for the Seattle Mariners...

Number 24... Keeeeeeeen GriffEEEY... Jooonior!” back in ‘96 when we watched them battle the Yanks in the post season. We all went crazy when we heard that song-like introduction.

One game I saw Griffey hit two home runs. That fluid swing of his and the way that we all watched the ball fly out of the Kingdome was to me the most beautiful thing in the world. I played on the boys’ baseball team that year. Center field, just like Ken Griffey Jr. The first time I saw him I was around eight, when my dad

Illustration by Jodi Rawson.

took me for a field trip to instill a love for “America’s Favorite Pastime.” It helped me understand the dynamics and strategy of the game at a young age, especially when he took me to his personal paradise—a Major League ballpark. I idolized my Dad, so I loved what he loved.

At that time, Griffey Sr. was on the Mariner payroll, phasing out, but still playing with his son. They became the first father-son combo to play in the majors at the same time.

My dad would love to see me play for the Mariners, but my short baseball season proved I couldn’t hit the little balls. Alas, I could never be paid for my gift of hitting the much larger softball.

Ken Griffey Jr. was stunning.

He could run up a wall and steal a home run from someone with his golden glove, and he could fly a home run into the triple deck as though he were slicing warm butter.

While he warmed up he wore his hat backward, laughed and blew bubbles with his “Big League Chew.”

He hugged his dad, signed autographs and encouraged fans, and later married a nice wife and had ball playing boys (the eldest, Trey, signed on with the Mariners organization this year—three generations of Mariners).

On Aug. 6 my Dad and I are driving to the “House That Griffey Built” otherwise known as Safeco Field (the massive modern Mariner stadium that they don’t have to share with the Seahawks). The Mariners decided to retire the number 24 that day, as a result of the legend being inducted into the Hall of Fame on July 24.

My dad will be there, at the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, that weekend, with tickets to the inner sanctum to maybe raise his hand and ask Griffey a question. “Could I hug you,” I’d ask, but I am missing this.

I will see him with binoculars as he is applauded for a fine career at Safeco.

Honor is another word used for Griffey. During a time when players were breaking records and getting huge on the now-banned “performance enhancing drugs” Griffey stayed pure and leads a healthy life to this day. His stats and records are indisputable as a result.

One interesting fact about this year’s two inductees is Griffey Jr. was the number one draft pick when he began and Dodger catcher, Mike Piaza, was the last draft pick when he entered. Neither one of those things has ever happened before or since.

In my folks’ storage I found the hard plastic filing box I kept my Griffey cards in, like a buried treasure. There he was on all sixty-seven of my cards, in their protective cases. Seeing the beautiful photos of this master at his trade, 20 years later, rekindled my love—not just for him, but for the wonderful game of baseball.

Marc and Joyce DeLaVergne.

After 30 years as co-owner of Outdoor Experience, Inc, Marc DeLaVergne has announced his retirement from the business effective July 7, 2016.

After moving to Sandpoint with his wife, Joyce, from Brookings, Ore., in 1980, DeLaVergne and business partner Kevin Nye opened Outdoor Experience in 1986.

The store, which specializes in outdoor equipment and clothing, has been an integral part of downtown Sandpoint’s business district operating from their location at 314 N. First Ave. Nye had this to say about his partnership with DeLaVergne: “Marc and I have had an amazing 30 years together as partners in this business. Our management styles, directional focus and desire to balance work with play have meshed well over the years. I have been extremely fortunate to have had Marc as a partner, and he will be missed at the store by not only myself, but our staff and the many, many friends and customers he’s made and helped over the years.”

For his part, DeLaVergne plans to spend his retirement time pursuing various interests. An avid gardener, sailor, cyclist and swimmer, he and Joyce plan to spend time both here in Sandpoint and at their property in Newport, Ore. July 14, 2016 /

R

/ 15

Opening hearts and minds Karaoke at the We See Senior Center

By Suzen Fiskin Reader Columnist

Many moons ago, my boyfriend and I stopped by an International House of Pancakes for a late night snack. We sat at a table closest to the entrance, and I faced the door. Shortly after being seated, I looked up and saw three masked men with guns holding up the cash register.

They came into the dining room and screamed at us to put our wallets in their shopping bag and then circled the room stopping at each table. Behind me, I heard one of the customers arguing with the robbers, and I cringed at the possibilities.

After they ran out, I got a pen from the waitress and quickly jotted down all I could remember. The disparity of stories others told the police was stunning.

How could dozens of people be present at the same event and have such varied accounts? Our perceptions are shaped by our beliefs and our expectations. We’re all wired differently.

Dr. Bruce Lipton nuked the old paradigm that our biology—our health—is inescapably linked to our biography— our genes. In his bestselling book “The Biology of Belief” he demonstrates that 95 percent of our health is the byproduct of our beliefs and thought patterns rather than our family genealogy. We are not the victims of our DNA that we were led to believe.

The theories of quantum mechanics are at the core of most of our modern technology from computers to lasers to the MRI your mother got at the hospital.

It has, at its core, the concept that human thought and expectations affect everything that we observe—including all scientific experiments. In other words, thought affects things.

Many studies show that as many as 90 percent of physicians and nurses have given their patients placebos rather than pharmaceuticals at least once in their careers. The patient’s perception and belief that they’ve been given a drug that will take care of their symptoms is enough to give them the result they’re after.

As a seasoned hypnotherapist and life coach I’ve seen the power of perceptions first hand for decades. Big life changes can be faster than my clients’ might have thought possible when they are able to make a simple realignment in their beliefs.

16 /

R

/ July 14, 2016

What We Believe

SO WHAT’S THIS GOT TO DO WITH YOU? For starters, understanding the power of our beliefs can make a huge difference in our health because we can change our beliefs!

There are numerous studies that show that there are two primary profiles of people who survive life threatening illness. The first group is people who are 100 percent certain that they will regain their health, no matter what.

The second profile is someone who flat out denies the possibility that he or she is ill. My grandfather, Marty, was diagnosed with terminal intestinal cancer when he was 52 years old. Being the ornery cuss that he was, he refused to give the idea of being ill another thought. He told his doctor to screw off and lived an active life until he was 90, when he died from complications of a broken hip.

In his bestselling book, “You’ll See It When You Believe It,” long time personal development mentor, Dr. Wayne Dyer, shares how important recognizing and taking the reins of our beliefs are on our perceived quality of life. “Our thoughts are a magic part of us, and they carry us to places that have no boundaries, and no limitations.” Or not!

Beliefs are just the thoughts that we think over and over. Keep it up, and they

become our personalities. The good news is that they can be morphed into something new in a matter of moments, or they can haunt us for all our lives.

In the film “What the Bleep Do We Know?” there’s a story about the American Indians literally being unable to see Columbus’ ships because their belief systems did not include anything like them. Whether this is true or not isn’t as important as the message: We see what we believe.

Feel like a winner? You are. Think that your mother in law is a self-centered witch? You got it! Wonder why nothing ever seems to go your way? You’ll keep being stuck.

Would you like to be happier? Pay attention to your beliefs. People who self-identify as happy are apt to focus on what gives them joy rather than what’s wrong. They tend to see what’s good in their world, rather than ruminate on what’s messed up. They focus on what they do want, rather than what’s holding them back.

It isn’t rocket science. To be a happier and healthier human, recognizing and updating our beliefs is a great place to start!

Suzen Fiskin is a marketing maven, life coach, and inspirational speaker.

She’s also the author of the book, “Playboy Mansion Memoirs.” If you have any questions or comments, here’s how to find her – (208)572-0009 or suzenfiskin@yahoo.com.

By Reader Staff

Dust off those dancing shoes and get those vocal chords warmed up, it’s time for another installment of singing and dancing at the Sandpoint Senior Center.

Join hosts Gayle Williams and Rich Speidell for a night of karaoke singing and dancing on Friday, July 15 at 7 p.m.

Those in attendance can sing and dance, or simply sit back and enjoy the talents of others.

A $10 donation at the door will help SASi’s great programs benefitting our community’s seniors.

For more information, call 263-6860 or stop by the Sandpoint Senior Center at 820 Main Street.

Utility bills sent to Caldwell?

By Ben Olson Reader Staff We hear from our readers about a wide variety of subjects. It’s always an interesting experience getting to the bottom of an issue, no matter how trivial.

One of our readers called this week expressing concern about the City of Sandpoint’s utility bills. When she sends in her payment, she was confused that the bills were sent to Caldwell instead of being processed here in Sandpoint.

I called Shannon Syth, the finance director for the city of Sandpoint, and asked what the deal was.

“In last year’s budget, we had an employee who was retiring,” said Syth.

“Since a majority of our residents are making their payments electronically, via the telephone or Internet, we don’t have enough hours to keep a cashier busy.”

Syth said upon the former cashier’s retirement, the city elected not to replace the position but hire a “lock box” system out of Caldwell.

“It’s greater security, actually,” said Syth. “And we can do it for $9,000 per year instead of a part-time person for $27,000.” Syth also pointed out that the city put notices in the first three bills since the change, and it was also in the budget discussions.

So, in case you’re wondering why your utility bills go all the way to Caldwell, that’s why.

Mad about Science: Juno

Brought to you by:

By Brenden Bobby Reader Columnist

Over the Fourth of July weekend, you probably enjoyed a few brews and some good ol’ American beef alongside a show of fireworks. You also probably saw the internet and the news exploding with news about Juno, a fairly regular looking space-y satellite thing having something to do with Jupiter.

Everyone was making a really big deal about it, but it just looked like another normal satellite.

It’s not.

Juno wasn’t named after the movie. It was named after Jupiter’s wife in Roman mythology. Jupiter was a bit of a mischievous cheater and cloaked himself in clouds to conceal his wrongdoings. His wife, Juno, was able to peer through the clouds and see exactly what he was doing.

That’s what the spacecraft, Juno, intends to do with the planet Jupiter.

Why is that important?

It’s important because we only have theoretical knowledge about how gas giants work. We’ve never actually seen the inner workings of a gas giant before, even the ones in our own backyard.

Why not?

Well, they like to conceal their mischief in clouds, and we haven’t been able to see through clouds. Until now.

Juno is equipped to pierce the veil using infrared and microwave instruments, but don’t count on trying to cook a burrito onboard the spacecraft—it’s not a microwave oven (though that would be pretty cool. Space burritos!).

It will use these instruments throughout its several orbits to peek into the inner workings of our solar system’s largest planet. The reason that’s important is it tells us a lot about how

Jupiter formed, which tells us even more about how the rest of our planets formed: Where we came from, where we are now and where we are headed, and similarly, what makes for other habitable (and uninhabitable) planets and their placement throughout the galaxy and beyond.

Gas giants are a pretty unique breed. Before we were able to look deep into space thanks to the Hubble Space Telescope, we figured every gas giant in every system could only form a set distance away from its host star and stay there. Why? Gas is light, rock is heavy, rock is pulled in greater and more concentrated quantities toward the Star, while gas hovers further out and stays there.

We thought this was the absolute truth until we found something called a Hot Jupiter.

Science, in its eternal quest to tell us that we’re wrong, showed how gas giants could exist within very close proximity to their host stars. We’re talking the distance from Earth to the Sun, which is really, really close.

Essentially, Juno is chasing the endless pursuit of science to illuminate new facts and answer old questions with new questions.

If you haven’t noticed by now, science is like a hydra.

Cut one head (question) off, and two more replace it. Isn’t it great? At the very least, you’re never bored.

So what else is cool about Juno?

It has the largest solar array of any planetary probe ever created, which in itself is pretty cool, but missions to the outer solar system don’t normally use solar arrays (because the sun is so far away), they tend to use something called a Radio-

isotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG), which is a generator that uses the heat generated from decaying radioactive material to create energy for the device.

And to think, 200 years ago we were still dying of frequent bacterial infections because washing your hands after shoveling cow poop for a few hours was considered a weird thing to do.

What else is cool about Juno?

It took a pretty unconventional path to Jupiter, traversing over 1.74 billion miles (or 18.7 times the distance from the Sun to Earth). This wasn’t a straight line, mind you. Nothing in space is ever in a straight line. Juno used the Earth’s gravity not once, but twice to slingshot itself towards Jupiter in a roundabout way.

How did it do that?

Once Juno was in orbit around Earth, NASA made sure that it did a series of orbital maneuvers, or burns, to alter its trajectory in orbit. Over time, at several key locations, this allowed it to build enough speed to leave Earth’s orbit and jettison into a solar orbit.

As it whirled back towards Earth later on, NASA timed another burn that allowed it to use Earth’s gravity well to alter Juno’s course ever so slightly, and allow it to pick up speed, around an extra 8,800MPH. That’s fast. Really, really fast.

Sadly, Juno’s life will be a short one. The bulk of its life was spent getting to Jupiter, while the final 20 months will be used to study the gas giant. When its science mis-

sion comes to an end in 2018, NASA plans on sending Juno out gloriously, burning the last of its fuel reserves to send it careening into Jupiter’s atmosphere, where it will be inevitably crushed. Why end the mission in such a violent and awesome way?

Simply put, we don’t want to risk contaminating any of Jupiter’s moons, which may hold bacterial life, with bacteria from Earth stuck on or inside the spacecraft.

Just another day of NASA being awesome.

Random Corner jupiter t your Want to know more abou t it! go u Yo favorite gas giant?

•Jupiter is the fourth brightest object in the solar system. Only the Sun, Moon and Venus are brighter.

•Jupiter has the shortest day of all the planets. It turns on its axis once every 9 hours and 55 minutes. The rapid rotation flattens the planet slightly, giving it an oblate shape.

•Jupiter has a thin ring system. Its rings are composed mainly of dust particles ejected from some of Jupiter’s smaller worlds during impacts from incoming comets and asteroids.

•The Great Red Spot is a huge storm on Jupiter. It has raged for at least 350 years. It is so large that three Earths could fit inside it.

•Jupiter has 67 moons. However, it is estimated that the planet has over 200 natural satellites orbiting it.

July 14, 2016 /

R

/ 17

The Straight Poop:

The quest for dog-friendly businesses in North Idaho

DOGGY DECK DINING

By Drake the Dog Reader Pet Columnist Where am I taking my humans today? The Mister put the top down on the convertible, and I’m sniffin’ out some serious summer doggie deck dining—Schweitzer style! Here we come, Tom Chasse!

I’m celebarking my real birthday on 7B Sunday at Chimney Rock Grill.

Manager Kellie Pierce greeted us with a smile and a big hug. We had our pick of the litter, as all of the tables on the outside deck are for VIPs. Chimney Rock’s doggie deck dining specialties (paws up to the new chef) are hot diggity dogs, hamburgers and french fries. I love the sweet carrots from the salad bar!

The Mister ordered a Laughing Dog Rocket Dog Rye just for the occasion.

I overheard that the libations team is paws-ibly working a drink to honor Chaco, Schweitzer’s ski patrol employee dog. According to his dad, Bill Williamson, the end result will be a pawsitive experience, as Chaco likes beer and chocolate. Pawsitive?

Next is dessert, French style at Gourmandie, which has been a Schweiter favorite for over seven years. The deck sails create a festive doggie deck dining experience. Manager Mikayla Wilkerson brought me my own water in a plastic Schweitzer cup. Slurp, slurp!

Gourmandie offers over 200 local wines and features summer wine tasting on Saturdays and sangria on Sundays.

There is a wide variety of goat, sheep and cow cheeses that folks can buy by the pound or have as appetizers. And don’t get me started on the French baguettes! Ooooo la-la! The team here makes as many menu items as they can from scratch using local ingredients.

Mod’s Panini is named after Mikayla’s friend’s goat, Mod. Well, it’s been a week since my birthday and party at Yappy Hour, and my recovery is now complete. I’m getting cabin fever, so I called up my uncle, Dr. G-string, to secure his Cobalt for the afternoon. Then I texted Belle, his 9-year-old British lab, (yeah, she’s a cougar, with no baggage and no pups), and asked her to go to lunch with me at 18 /

R

/ July 14, 2016

PART II

Schweitzer owned Bottle Bay Resort.

What a holiday weekend this has been.

This is our third date in three days. We swam in the lake at Oden Bay, went to the Fourth of July parade, had a BBQ, and watched fireworks. We were a little late in leaving as Belle, like any girl, had to wash her hair first with doggie black pearl shampoo. After taking a sniff in the usual place, I complimented her on her fine pheromones. We donned our life vests, and Dr. G-String high tailed it to the restaurant. Manager Kelly Kennedy arranged for us to sit at one of the many VIP tables located on the two lower decks by the boat launch.

There are many four-footed regulars here, and we were excited to socialize.

After placing our order for the usual burgers, fries and beer we waited patiently on my blanket. What a great dog day afternoon!

Doggie Deck Dining Rules: 1. No peeing in the pool.

2. Forget your leash? No problem— mooring line works great!

3. Schweitzer doggie dining—load your ski pass with cashola, pay your tab with it, and make 5 percent on your dollar. What a dog-gone great investment!

Chimney Rock manager Kellie Pierce with Drake.

Right: Gourmandie manager Mikayla Wilkerson with Drake.

Bottom: Bottle Bay Marina bartender Brian Arthun with Drake (right) and Belle (left).

Look for the Reader paw print sticker denoting a “Drake-approved” pet-friendly business!

STAGE & SCREEN Daniel Radcliffe’s farting corpse warms the heart

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff How effectively can a fart convey the human experience?

That’s the question filmmakers Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan, known professionally as Daniels, tackle in “Swiss Army Man,” an absurdist comedy starring Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe. With a plot seemingly cobbled together from the weirder corners of the internet, “Swiss Army Man” is a movie that could only be conceived by the younger generation. It lands at the Panida Theater at the end of the month as the latest installment in the Reader Reels film series.

Dano, fresh off bravura turns in movies like “There Will Be Blood” and “12 Years a Slave,” steps into considerably different territory as Hank, a man marooned on an island. Despairing any rescue, Hank’s suicide attempt is botched when he discovers the washedup corpse of Manny, played by none other than Hogwarts alum Radcliffe.

The flatulent corpse proves surprisingly versatile. His stiff arms chop firewood, his cadaverous tumescence shows the way home like a compass, his stomach carries fresh water and his gas-filled insides propel Hank, riding his dead friend like a jet ski, across the ocean to the mainland.

If you’re a bit bewildered after reading that description, you’re not alone.

“Swiss Army Man” rocketed into the public consciousness at the beginning of the year when confused audience members fled the theater at its Sundance Film Festival premiere.

Ultimately, it was probably the best possible outcome for the movie.

The ensuing headlines about “Daniel Radcliffe’s farting boner corpse movie” struck a chord on the internet, the natural habitat for bizarre, surreal humor.

A second Sundance screening was much more warmingly received, with audience members laughing in disbelief from beginning to end.

If “Swiss Army Man” was just a series of absurdist visual gags, it probably wouldn’t amount to much. Perhaps more shocking than the premise itself, however, is the fact that the directors attempt to craft a visually and thematically compelling movie from the madness. “Swiss Army Man” is a surprisingly handsome film, and Scheinert and Kwan, regard-

ed as two of the most visually creative young filmmakers working today, fill the frame with lush imagery and color.

The film shoots for real pathos, and once Manny regains his powers of speech, he and Hank share heart-to-hearts about existential meaning and the beauty of life.

“We wanted to start the movie with a fart joke and end the movie with a fart that makes you cry,” the directorial team told Rolling Stone.

It’s probably no surprise that the movie’s concept started as a joke between the two directors. Eventually, they took it as a challenge: What was the best movie they could make from the worst premise they could imagine?

“Swiss Army Man” is the result.

It probably won’t surprise you that based on reactions so far, “Swiss Army Man” is a love-it-or-hate-it movie. On the other hand, the one thing it isn’t is bland, derivative or forgettable. In a cinematic era of remakes and franchise

Paul Dano (left) and Daniel Radcliffe’s corpse (right) star in “Swiss Army Man.” Courtesy photo. sequels, we need as many of those movies as we can get.

“Swiss Army Man,” the third installment in the Reader Reels film series, plays 8:30 p.m. July 29 and 30 at the Panida Theater. Tickets cost $7.50. The film is rated R for language and sexual material.

july 14 @ 7:30pm / July 15 @ 5:30pm july 16 @ 5:30 & 8:30pm / july 17 @ 3:30pm

“love and friendship”

saturday, july 16 @ 9am

life as art

Movie in the Park

visualize the life of your dreams july 21 @ 7:30pm / July 23 @ 5:30pm

By Reader Staff The Bonner County History Museum is presenting a showing of “The Princess Bride” at Lakeview Park (611 S. Ella) on Friday, July 2. The movie area opens at 6:30 p.m. and the feature film starts at sundown. General admission is $2, Entry for BCHS members is $5, VIP seating is $10. Concessions will be available for purchase.

Pack a picnic, come early and claim your spot. Please remember that alcohol is not permitted in Lakeview Park.

Don’t forget your chairs and blankets, and keep a sharp eye out for Rodents of Unusual Size!

For more information contact the Bonner County History Museum at 208-263-2344.

“hunt for the wilder people”

This New Zealand dram-com is a hilarious, touching crowd-pleaser!

july 22 @ 5:30pm / July 23 @ 8:30pm Sunday, july 24 @ 3:30pm

“me before you”

little theater

july 26 & 28 @ 6pm

“Charades at 5” dinner theater

A fun comedy full of missed opportunities, misleads and misdeeds. must buy ticket early to book a seat for this dinner and play. $27; three dinner options.

july 29 & 30 @ 8:30pm

reader reels: “Swiss army man” disarmingly odd, well-acted and impossible to categorize

July 14, 2016 /

R

/ 19

COMMUNITY

It takes a village:

By Sarah Klintworth Reader Contributor

This past February, I was fortunate enough to be part of a trip to rural Ethiopia as a result of my work with Uryadi’s Village, an international nonprofit based here in Sandpoint. The Reader kindly ran a story I wrote prior to that trip, introducing this organization to the community, and I was so excited about my experience there, as well as the work that is ongoing at our site in Sodo, Ethiopia, that I thought I’d write another story for the readers of the Reader about one of the experiences I had over there.

Sodo is located in the southwest of Ethiopia and has a population of roughly 250,000.

It’s part of a larger area called the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s Region—makes our country names seem like a piece of cake!

Sodo is the site of Wolayta Village, which is our first project village. This beautiful site was given to us by the local government for development into a self sustainable orphanage community, which is our chosen work.

Ethiopia has roughly 5 million orphans due to a wide variety of factors ranging from a high rate of HIV/AIDS transmission to economic and food access challenges. Infants are commonly abandoned at birth, and children at any age can be abandoned due to various pressures on a household or parent, or can just end up on the street through other paths.

Currently, we care for 30-plus children who are temporarily housed in a rented facility. With the help of an incredible Sandpoint local, Erik Keller, who is overseeing the construction of our new family style housing at Wolayta Village, we hope to move our children to this permanent, permaculture-based community home by the end of the year.

One example of how children can end up alone, which I witnessed firsthand, is the case of Hannah Dugana, a 9-year-old girl we admitted to our care center while we were there in February.

20 /

R

/ July 14, 2016

The local government office that does its best to care for the women and children of the area who are in crisis invited us to visit one of their sites.

When we arrived at the dilapidated building, part of an abandoned guest house compound, there were half a dozen children playing and hanging around outside, dressed in clothes that had clearly seen better days. Predictably, they all wanted a chance to get in front of my camera, and they were enthusiastic about being part of anything and everything that we were doing.

Seeing foreigners in rural Ethiopia isn’t the phenomenon that it must have once been, but it’s still an experience that left me feeling uneasily as if I could begin to identify with celebrities. Everywhere we went, we attracted attention. It was enough to make me wonder how I would readjust to being just another normal human being when I got home!

In this situation, it was no different, and as we talked with the official who was giving us the tour, the kids crowded around and jostled for the prime position to have their pictures taken.

They got no end of entertainment out of seeing the pictures I was shooting on my display screen, and had a great time hamming it up for me.

One of them was an exceptionally beautiful girl who we learned was deaf. She had been found on the street, unable to communicate how she ended up there, where she came from, or even what her name was. She knew some very basic sign language, but not enough to tell her own story.

This girl was dressed just like the other children, but somehow, she just seemed to glow with some kind of inner light that couldn’t be repressed. I can only imagine what her story is. A young, pretty girl like her, unable to communicate, alone on the city streets—the possibilities are an endless string of horror and atrocities that are all too likely to have happened to her before she found this place of relative safety.

A follow-up about a trip to Ethiopia in support of an international nonprofit based in Sandpoint

As we heard her story, it became clear why the official had invited us here. We were already taking care of a 14-year-old deaf boy, and six of our children are older, special needs children.

Our kids attend the local public school but they are part of a special needs class with tutors and lots of specialized teaching.

As the situation became clear to us, the solution also became very simple. We told the official we would take her and that was that. Since she couldn’t tell us her name, we had to make one up for her, a singularly odd thing to be doing but necessary. And so Hannah Dugana came to live at our care center.

She was given a bath, clean clothes, and a safe, clean place to live, with regular meals and kind, caring women surrounding her. She now attends school with the other kids, and is making progress quickly. She has become something of a big sister to the babies we also care for, and we receive regular updates showing her holding them, caring for them and looking more at peace and relaxed than she did when we met her.

One of the most incredible parts of this experience for me was her sweetness, and the way her smile lit up everything around her. It may be a long time, if ever, before Hannah is able and willing to explain how she came to be alone on the streets, or what happened to her there. But the amazing part about all this is that our organization, Uryadi’s Village, was able to step in and take care of her, to give her a place to be safe, to get an education, and to be a 9-year old girl without fear. Knowing that a life has been changed, perhaps even saved, by our work, makes it all worth it.

For more information about Uryadi’s Village, and our work, please check out our website, www.uryadisvillage.org.

Hannah Dugana, above, was admitted into a care center managed by Uryadi’s Village. As seen below, she was supplied with new clothes and a lot of love.

Photos courtesy Sarah Klintworth.

MUSIC

This week’s RLW by Ben Olson

READ

Live at the Hive

By Ben Olson Reader Staff You’d be hard pressed to find anyone on the planet who hasn’t heard a song by The Wailers.

Hailing from Kingston, Jamaica, the group was initially made up of Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh and formed in 1969.

What resulted changed popular culture forever, bringing reggae music from a small corner of the world to the masses. When the group disbanded and became Bob Marley and the Wailers in 1971, they succeeded in putting reggae music on the global map. Selling over 250 million albums around the world, the band has gone through many iterations through the years.

The Wailers today features a hybrid of old school reggae roots—notably Aston “Family Man” Barrett—playing alongside some new faces like lead singer Dwayne “Danglin” Anglin.

I had a chance to speak with Danglin about their upcoming show at the Hive on Wednesday, June 20.

Ben Olson: How did you come to be the lead singer of The Wailers?

Danglin: In 2009, I was just coming off the release of my first single in Jamaica, a song called “Excuse Me Miss.” … [The Wailers] were looking for a new lead at that time and they heard about me and put in a call.

BO: What was going through your head when you got that call?

D: It was a blessing, really. At the time I was working on my solo music. I had to make a decision how I would put both together. Given the opportunity to work with Family Man and the Wailers and be part of the legacy, I thought it would be a great experience for me.

BO: Speaking of legacy, the

When spring turns to summer and I start to feel my old wanderlust again, the best cure is to sit and read Jack Kerouac’s “The Dharma Bums.”

Outshined by “On The Road,” “Dharma” takes up the story years after Kerouac’s fabled cross-country trip. We see many of the same characters at different stages in their lives, including Neal Cassady and Allen Ginsberg, and we also get to meet Japhy Rider, based on Gary Snyder, who introduces a new Zen Buddhism that accompanies Kerouac’s trainhopping, fire-tower sitting and hitchhiking travels.

LISTEN

The Wailers. Courtesy photo. music of the Wailers has reached hundreds of millions of people worldwide. It’s such a cultural revolution. Did you feel these were heavy shoes you were stepping into?

D: It’s spreading the message that is already celebrated … it’s a message of understanding and respecting what it is that The Wailers bring to people and to music in general. I knew that that would be my responsibility, not necessarily to fill any shoes, or to duplicate or replicate the legendary Robert Marley. My job is simply to perform the songs with sincerity and conviction.

BO: And they are such amazing songs. One thing I’ve always loved about reggae is that the message underneath is usually of peace, unity, of love. What is it about music that makes it such a powerful medium to spread that message?

D: It’s the most universal medium for spreading any message. I feel like if you can get thousands of people at a time at a concert to listen to you, then that’s a great way to spread a positive message.

If you can record something that millions of people can enjoy time and time again, that’s also another great way to enjoy music and to

spread positive messages. They’re so many negative messages circulated and being enforced and promoted. It’s always great to have a shoe in the right. … I’m really grateful to be part of something positive.

BO: The world seems pretty angry right now. Can music do anything to curb this anger?

D: With all the injustice going on in the world, there are too many people who claim they are not a part of this problem. They are not for violence or racism or brutality or inequality. Many of those people are inactive. They stay out of any political or social conflict or controversy. They speak on it in a private manner.

That doesn’t help. For me, if you’re not a part of the solution, you’re part of the confusion. There are really no innocent bystanders in this world. If you have a voice, you are able to speak against violence and racism and all the things that are evil. If you have mobility, you can march and move. There are so many different things you can do to contribute to the greater good.

BO: Do you have a recollection of when you first heard Bob Marley’s music growing up in Jamaica?

D: That’s hard for me. I’m sure it was being played while I was in the womb, at my birth. It’s such a big part of our culture in Jamaica.

It’s hard to be able to say I wasn’t listening to Marley, listening to the lyrics. Throughout my life and throughout most Jamaicans’ lifetimes they had a steady diet of Wailers music throughout their younger years and the rest of their lives. It’s played on the radio everyday. It’s a big part of our culture that we celebrate every day, that we need, it’s food for life.

BO: I’ve heard you guys play a lot of shows every year.

D: Around 200 a year. We have a week off here and there.

It’s needed. It just demonstrates there’s a need for the music and we’re grateful to be able to provide it.

BO: Danglin, thanks so much for taking the time to talk with me.

I’ll see you at the Hive next week.

D: All right man, thanks.

Sometimes I need music that helps keep my mind on track while checking off the hundreds of items to make a Reader happen every week.

One band that helps alleviate the computer doldrums is Hammock.

Hammock is an ambient/postrock band that mixes a lot of live instrumentation, electronic drum beats and droning guitar. They remind me of Explosions in the Sky. The songs are intriguing, but they float somewhere underneath the consiousness, allowing you to focus on studying, reading or publishing a weekly newspaper. Check out their album “Everything and Nothing” on Spotify.

WATCH

The Cohen Brothers are a force to be reckoned with. From “The Big Lebowski” to “Fargo” to “True Grit,” this writing/directing duo have consistently raised the bar for feature films. Their latest, “Hail, Caesar!” shows that they have refused to fade away.

Set in 1950s Hollywood, “Hail, Caesar!” has all the elements that Cohen Brothers fans enjoy: dynamic characters, irreverant one-liners, communist sympathizers and George Clooney dressed in a Roman tunic.

True, it isn’t one of their best, but it’s definitely worth checking out.

The Wailers will be playing at the Hive Wednesday, July 20.

Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m.

July 14, 2016 /

R

/ 21

w o N & Then compiled by

Ben Olson

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

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

Looking north on First Avenue from just south of Pine Street. The NW corner of the intersection was Bonner Meat Company in the Bistline Building. On the right is the Fidelity Trust Building with a sign for Myrvin Davis at the Lawyer and Bonner County Abstract Company. The City Bakery is in the middle distance on the right.

c. 1925

ACROSS

The same view today. On the right is the former location of La Rosa Club (closed).

Ivano’s is left, out of frame.

2016

Wortdhe of

Week

alfresco

/al-FRES-koh/

[adverb] 1. Out-of-doors; in the open air: to dine alfresco.

“They chose a nice place on First Ave. and dined alfresco in the sun.”

Corrections: In last week’s “Dear Readers” section, I mixed up the names of Andra and Abigail Dixon, photographed by Alan Barber. My apologies.

22 /

R

/ July 14, 2016

Copyright www.mirroreyes.com

CROSSWORD 1. Gulf 6. Always 10. Whip 14. Tearful 15. Sheltered spot 16. Countertenor 17. Gain knowledge 18. Historical periods 19. Wander 20. An alkaloid plant toxin 22. Christmas season 23. Bristle 24. Not the borrower 26. A long way off 30. Grayish brown 31. Delay 32. Unusual 33. Way in 35. Sounds of bells 39. Open frame or basket of iron 41. Investment 43. A low evergreen shrub 44. Biblical garden 46. Notion 47. What we breathe 49. Ribonucleic acid 50. Stitches 51. A blank gap 54. Skin irritation 56. Food thickener 57. Sap of energy 63. Early 20th-century art movement

Solution on page 8 64. Anagram of “Dice” 65. A radioactive gaseous element 66. Not odd 67. Unit of land 68. Hair net 69. Where a bird lives 70. Not more 71. Directs

DOWN 1. Hole-making tools 2. Red vegetable 3. 365 days 4. Agile 5. Synchronizes 6. Come out in the end

7. Deviation 8. Distinctive flair 9. Sell again 10. Sore throat 11. Not silently 12. Not fresh 13. Four-bagger (baseball) 21. Row of shrubs 25. Acquire deservedly 26. Vault 27. Anagram of “Fear” 28. Region 29. Diner 34. Evenings 36. Naked 37. Got bigger

38. Oceans 40. Tibia 42. Make into law 45. Chauffeurs 48. Emanating from the center 51. Burdened 52. Maguey 53. Certain European shrubs 55. Abrasive 58. Behold, in old Rome 59. Alley 60. False god 61. Whiz 62. Terminates

Police Detective Riley was a no-nonsense kind of guy. Before, he really loved nonsense, and would use it a lot in his murder investigations. But he found that most people didn’t appreciate it, especially the family of the victim.

July 14, 2016 /

R

/ 23