Reader July 27 2017

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EVERYTHING ELECTRIC 208.263.7294 / July 27, 2017

www.EBonnerLibrary.org Have you checked out our website lately?

Check our site for real time updates on the Sandpoint Branch Remodel and Expansion Project!

(wo)MAN compiled by

Susan Drinkard

DEAR READERS,

on the street

If you haven’t been in the mountains recently, the beargrass is blooming like crazy right now.

If you haven’t been swimming in the lake yet, get with the picture! Summer is over halfway over.

If you haven’t gotten your tickets for the Festival at Sandpoint yet, pick a show and go.

We have a few extra tickets lying around here at Reader HQ, so watch our Facebook feed during the concert series as we’ll be giving away tickets from time to time.

We have some more great interviews with Festival acts coming up. Next week, we’ll catch up with Cindy Wilson from The B-52s, and the following issue features Mr. Bad-ToThe-Bone himself, George Thorogood.

If you haven’t read the story about the special 7B Stars fundraiser show for Charley Packard on page 19, do it! This is a collection of some of the greatest musicians paying tribute to Charley Packard, all on the Festival at Sandpoint stage!

If you haven’t made plans for this weekend, stroll downtown to Crazy Days, a sidewalk sale that downtown merchants put on every year. Check our calendar page for more information, but plan on arriving early for the best deals.

And finally, if you haven’t told your significant other that you love them today, do it! Tell them Ben sent you. Wait... don’t do that. Just tell them you love them, and leave me out of it.

Where do you want to go or what do you want to do before summer is over?

“More camping at Robinson Lake, because there aren’t many campsites there, and it’s safe to take your grandkids.”

Vicki Freeman Assistant manager Sandpoint

“I want to go to Glacier National Park, because I’ve never been there, and I want to hike Scotchman’s Peak one more time.”

Nate Owen Music student at U of Idaho Hope

“I want to finish learning how to drive as well as to finish applying for a college program in veterinary tech.”

-Ben Olson, Publisher OPEN 11:30 am

GAME ROOM UPSTAIRS

Sara Trautwein Unicep and Yard Masters Sagle

LIVE MUSIC “I want to ski Mount Hood for the second time this summer.”

Bryan Quayle Land use management Sandpoint

KEVIN DORIN

6-8pm

THE BEAT DIGGERS

7-10pm

Yoga & Beer at the Brewery

10-11am

“I’m retired, so I can go anywhere. Projects, no.

Gardening, no. Sports activities, no. Cooking, no. I retired from it all, and every day is Saturday.”

Georgie Puailoa Retired teacher Sandpoint

The Psounbality with Per

RON GREENE7-10pm

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

255-4351

FRESH FOOD LIVE MUSIC THE BEST NW BREWS

212 Cedar Street Downtown Sandpoint

208.263.4005 A SandPint Tradition Since 1994

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

www.sandpointreader.com Publisher: Ben Olson ben@sandpointreader.com Editor: Cameron Rasmusson cameron@sandpointreader.com Zach Hagadone (emeritus) John Reuter (emeritus) Advertising: Jodi Taylor Jodi@sandpointreader.com Contributing Artists: Ben Olson (photo illustration cover), Lori Reid, Cort Gifford, Sandpoint Library, McCalee Cain, Lyndsie Kiebert.

Contributing Writers: Cameron Rasmusson, Ben Olson, Lyndsie Kiebert, McCalee Cain, Nick Gier, Scarlette Quille, Grace Meyer, Katie Botkin, Brenden Bobby, Aaron Horowitz, Dianne Smith, Mindy Cameron, Drake.

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

Subscription Price: $95 per year Web Content: Keokee The Sandpoint Reader is a weekly publication owned and operated by Ben Olson and Keokee. It is devoted to the arts, entertainment, politics and lifestyle in and around Sandpoint, Idaho.

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

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

Free to all, limit two copies per person.

Sandpoint Reader letter policy: The Sandpoint Reader welcomes letters to the editor on all topics.

Requirements: –No more than 400 words –Letters may not contain excessive profanity or libelous material. Please elevate the discussion.

Letters will be edited to comply with the above requirements. Opinions expressed in these pages are those of the writers, not necessarily the publishers.

Email letters to: letters@sandpointreader.com Check us out on the web at: www.sandpointreader.com Like us on Facebook.

About the Cover This week’s cover features a vintage poster of a mermaid from one of my copyright free stock sights. She’s beautiful, isn’t she? -BO

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COMMENTARY

Trump’s perverse and reactionary view of Western Civilization

By Nick Gier Reader Columnist

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have a common father in Abraham, so one could argue that we have an Abrahamic, not just a Judeo-Christian, religious culture. Adding the secular democratic contribution of Ancient Greece, one could say that today we live in a Greco-Judeo-Christian-Islamic civilization.

St. Thomas Aquinas, the most respected Catholic theologian, was indebted to a Spanish Arabic philosopher named Averroes.

While Medieval Christians lived in a cultural Dark Age, Muslim scholars preserved Greek culture (Averroes read the Greek philosophers) and made contributions of their own in science, especially math and astronomy.

In my own work, I have found that Aristotle, Confucius and the Buddha shared a common moral philosophy based in the cardinal virtues. Early Buddhist monks had a democratic polity and near-by city states had a republican form of government.

Before autocratic caliphs took

Letters to the Editor Thanks to Risch...

Dear Editor, We would like to thank Sen. James Risch and his staff for hosting the three Scotchman Peak’s Wilderness open house events. We have attended all three events, two in Clark Fork and one in Hope. Everyone who has questions about this proposal has been provided with the opportunity to have them answered.

We also appreciate the amount of planning, study and research that has been done by the Forest Service and the members of the Scotchman’s Peak organization. This proposal began over ten years ago and it’s time to move it forward and make it happen.

The Scotchman’s area is in pristine condition and a beautiful attraction for people who live in our area and those who visit. The wilderness designation will guarantee that it will be there for our grandchildren and future generations to enjoy.

We encourage the senator to re-introduce this legislation to Congress.

Sincerely, Jon and Connie Burkhart Hope 4 /

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over, early Muslim government was based on elections, broad deliberation (including women) and the protection of religious minorities.

I submit that these are historical grounds for a World Civilization based on common values.

In the U.S. Supreme Court there are statues of ancient law-givers, and one each of Mohammed and Confucius stands with those of Moses and Solomon.

Muslims have lived in the U.S. even before independence, and Islam, along with Judaism and Hinduism, was recognized as a faith that should be respected.

Thomas Jefferson undertook a serious study of the Qu’ran, and he may have taken legal inspiration from it. In 1805 Jefferson hosted an Iftar dinner at the White House to break the Ramadan fast.

Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama resurrected the White House Eid celebration, but the current occupant skipped the occasion this year. He was obviously too busy trying to enforce his unconstitutional Muslim ban.

In his recent speech in Poland Trump talked about threats from the “South” and the “East,” the former

presumably Mexicans of “western” European heritage and the latter “Middle Eastern” Muslims.

He praises these “eastern European” Catholics, who are taking on an authoritarianism like Putin’s Russia to the East (certainly more of a threat than any number of Islamic militants), but he condemns more democratic Catholics south of our border.

Steve Bannon — amateur intellectual, alt-right founder and Trump’s right-hand man — may be correct to say that Middle Eastern refugees are “not Jeffersonian democrats,” but, with his denial of church-state separation, neither is he. Bannon is simply ignorant and bigoted when he said that Mexicans with European heritage “are not people with thousands of years of democracy in their DNA.” In his book “Suicide of a Superpower,” conservative Pat Buchanan predicts that “historians will look back in stupefaction at 20th and 21st century Americans who believed the magnificent republic they inherited would be enriched by bringing in scores of millions from the failed states of the Third World.” It is deliciously ironic that

Medicaid for Idaho...

inspiring evening at the Panida, where author Marilynne Robinson spoke about the importance of public education.

I learned that the education system in the U.S. is not broken, and is in fact superior to many highly-touted educational systems around the world.

Pulitzer prize-winning author Marilynne Robinson explained that we offer education to all students and allow our citizens to follow an educational path of their choosing throughout their lifetimes.

Educational systems around the world begin to “route” children as early as age 11, limiting their potential.

It reminded me of the talk about how Idaho’s schools are dismissed as somehow lacking, when in fact the data tells another story: Idaho schools are ranked 13th in reading, 23rd in math and 14th in college readiness. Idaho’s overall ranking for 2016 was 36th out of 50, but this was mostly due to the pre-K rank of 50th.

On the local level, Sandpoint High School is in the top 7.68 percent of all public high schools in the country, including charter schools, with a nationwide rank of 2189 out of 28,496 high schools. SHS was rated the second best high school in the entire state. It is clear that our schools are strong and

Dear Editor, Parked across the street from our house is a freshly painted wild green Reclaim Idaho bus. A group is getting ready to take a trip around the state of Idaho in order to start a dialogue about the need of affordable health care and insurance for the working poor.

I am so proud of the young men and women who have donated their time, energy and funds to take this road trip.

As children they attended local schools, played at Memorial Field, biked downtown, skied at Schweitzer and shot off safe and sane fireworks in the middle of our street. Now they are well educated adults who believe that all people deserve a better way of life right here in our small state.

I truly hope that this trip is successful, and wish them all god speed.

Joanne Cottrell Sandpoint

Reclaim our Constitutional Right to Public Education...

Dear Editor, I just returned home from a very

President Donald Trump.

Ireland, Buchanan’s father’s homeland, was once considered a failed state, primarily because of British domination and neglect.

During the Cold War, the “West” was defined as the world’s liberal democracies, which stood firmly against Soviet and Chinese totalitarianism. The principal military alliance in this conflict was NATO, which Trump once called “obsolete,” and he only recently affirmed Article 5, which calls for unified action if any NATO country is threatened. The other bulwark against the Soviet (now Russian) threat is the European Union, which Trump and his allies successful, and that is something that we as a community can all take pride in — collectively.

One of the most inspirational moments of the event came when Luke Mayville explained that our right to a “thorough and uniform education” is guaranteed to all Idahoans and is expressly stated in our state’s constitution. He called on audience members to reclaim our right to education and to reassert our claim to a middle class existence as Idahoans. He reminded us that education is fundamental to entering the middle class. Luke explained that lack of healthcare often pulls people out of the middle class through foreclosure and bankruptcy. And lastly, if billionaires are allowed to buy our public lands, then we, as citizens, lose our access to recreational opportunities, which is an integral part of middle class life in Idaho.

It was inspiring to see the Panida filled to capacity as our community listened to two Sandpoint natives who returned to Sandpoint to speak about importance of public education. Thank you to everyone who was involved in organizing this event.

Linda Larson Sandpoint

have denigrated.

In his speech in Poland, Trump asked: “Do we have the desire and the courage to preserve our civilization in the face of those who would subvert and destroy it?” Then, Trump and Polish President Andrzej Duda attacked the press for spreading “fake news,” a corrosive tactic that threatens the foundations of liberal democracies everywhere. In addition to reporters, this shameless duo has also criticized judges who rule against their attacks on basic rights and freedoms.

Harvard professor Stephen Walt states that Trump’s “allies are not liberals who prize tolerance, diversity, and an open society, but rather hard-core, blood-and-soil nationalists who like walls, borders, strong leaders, and the promotion of narrow cultural values.”

Trump and his allies—the French Marine LePen, the Dutch Geert Wilders, the Austrian Norbert Hofer, the British Nigel Farage, and the Hungarian president Viktor Orban—are the real threats to the Free World.

Against these reactionary forces, we must defend the universal values of freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom of movement across borders, freedom of trade, and freedom to form multi-lateral agreements.

I predict that Trump will fail in getting “better deals” on side, and will isolate the U.S. from the true torchbearers of World Civilization.

Nick Gier taught religion and philosophy at the University of Idaho for 31 years. Read the full version at www.sandpointreader.com.

How Can We Trust Trump...?

Dear Editor, How can we trust Trump? I’m 100 percent behind the states that declined to send voter information to the Trump administration; that information could very well be forwarded to Russia. By the way, does Vladimir Putin have something so bad on Donald Trump that Trump is speculating firing Jeff Sessions (Attorney General), Rod Rosenstein (Deputy AG) and Special Counsel Robert Mueller, and also thinking of pardoning everyone?

Alfred Waddell Hyannis, Mass.

HUMOR

The Inoculant

oh, rats

In anyone’s life there are turning points, moments in time that change who you are as a person. The first of these moments typically occur in childhood and set us up for a bumpy adolescence. These aren’t the obvious childhood traumas like abuse or moving. I’m talking about the more subtle disappoints, like discovering that your parents have been lying to you about the mystical beings who bring you offerings on various holidays. These people who you are trained to trust and blindly obey have been lying to you and then act like self–righteous saints when you lie to them. Often these lies result in the parent doling out extra punishment, because “lying will not be tolerated.”

Would the child have been better off to answer truthfully?

“OK, Mom, the truth is that I did eat all of your special hidden chocolate. It’s not like I lied to you for eight years about an old man coming through the chimney and leaving you presents.”

Think about it.

Adolescence really does a number on your emotional health. It’s when human beings are tasked with discovering that the adults in their lives are full of shit yet infinitely wise. You are continually discovering the level of deception you have been operating under. You are 16 years old, and despite watching hours of TV you still have perfect eyesight, your brain isn’t rotting. Not all alcohol tastes like beer — some is actually quite delicious. Then there was all the parental warnings about washing your face, using sunscreen and saving money that you regretfully dismissed.

Then there is a whole list of

things, that no one could warn you about, the ones you just have to learn the hard way. For example: The other day while at work, I received a panicked text message flurry from my oldest daughter. The text conversation went as follows: Daughter: MOM, WE NEED TO SUE THE CORNDOG COMPANY. Daughter: I was eating a corndog and then I noticed rat poop in it Daughter: I’ve been throwing up since.

Me: WTF, Are you sure?

Daughter: I’m pretty freaking sure I know what rat poop looks like.

Me: Call Grandma One moment in time, one small experience, and her beloved childhood snack has been unceremoniously ruined for her.

Now, I know many of you are thinking: “That’s what you get for eating the unhealthy chemically enhanced experiment, basically death on stick, known as a corn dog.” And before you cinch up those judgment pants, I’ll have you know that my kids are allowed to eat corndogs, and top ramen, and to top it off, I stopped breast feeding them YEARS before their fifth birthdays. In fact, the rat shit may have been the only organic, gluten-free thing the kid has eaten for months. So blame it on me. She is just an innocent child.

It’s not as though I haven’t tried to substitute their processed foods with healthier versions. Once I even brought home the organic version of Top Ramen. My children cried out in rage after one bite, insisting that I taste the filth myself. Since, the “ramen” was three times as expensive as its processed chemical predecessor,

I thought, how bad could it be?

One bite, and I can tell you that the taste can only be described as boiled tree moss soaking in a broth of tears.

The corndog likely tasted far better than the healthy ramen.

Let’s be real. However; my child had consumed rat crap and was likely suffering trauma. I wanted to be able to comfort her. But I had no words of comfort, only the knowledge that mice and rats live in many places that food is prepared, so this was likely not the first or last piece of rodent feces she will consume.

My own experience has taught me this cold hard truth.

One time, I was sent to a “cold” storage room to retrieve fruit for a company meeting. I swung open the door, flipped on a light, and interrupted what can only be described as a mouse bar mitzvah. They were mazel toving and pooping indiscriminately all over the place in there. I have never eaten comfortably at a cafeteria since. No amount of parental warning could have ever prepared me for that experience. The truth is, I likely would have forgotten said warning as soon as I smelled the no-bake cookies.

I relayed this experience to her. She is still intent on the lawsuit. I’m going to let her pursue her options. As of now, she has carefully labeled and placed the evidence in a ziplock baggie taped to the box of frozen corndogs residing in our freezer. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that the payoff will likely just be free corn dogs for life.

By Lori Reid

‘The Inoculant’ comic sponsored by: The

law firm of Elsaesser Jarzabek Anderson Elliott Macdonald.

XOXO Scarlette Quille July 27, 2017 /

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COMMUNITY

A story worth celebrating Celebrate Life founder’s daughter shares insight into vital fundraiser

By Grace Meyer Reader Contributor

Bouquets: •To those of you who have flooded the Reader with your support the past week: Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We are so thankful to all of our dear readers. -BO Barbs: •This goes out to you, the recent arrivals to Sandpoint who have decided this is where you want to live. If you are moving here because you love the pace of life, love the access to the outdoors, love the friendly people; good on you. If you move here thinking that you can somehow change the town, to alter it so it’s more to your liking; shame on you. When you move to a community like Sandpoint, understand that we’ve been inundated before and we’ll be inundated again. Brochures don’t adequately describe our diverse community. Realtors may paint a rosy picture, but realize that life is hard here for a lot of people. Not everyone can afford your lavish lifestyle. There are a lot of us living paycheck to paycheck - not because we can’t find a better job, but because we’ve decided that we’ll take a pay cut to live in paradise. Don’t expect the town to change around your parameters just because you have money and want to “retire in peace.” Assimilate the best you can, and understand that this is a small town that stubbornly holds onto its roots and vibrant ways. Be it political, social or economical transformations you seek, get to know the community first before trying to alter it.

This is not a retirement village.

This is not a quiet little town in the mountains. This is not a town to hide in to stave off the financial apocalypse. This is Sandpoint. Love it how it is, add to it in positive ways and don’t make the mistake of undermining or underestimating the locals.

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Editor’s Note: Celebrate Life Fun Run/Walk began in 2004, the vision of a courageous and beautiful young woman, Jenny Meyer, who was diagnosed at age 26 with an aggressive form of breast cancer. Jenny’s valiant fight inspired her sister, Julie Walkington, to make a difference for not only Jenny, but for others in the community with a cancer diagnosis. Together, they brought Jenny’s vision to life.

Sadly, Jenny passed away in 2008, but her vision lives on through Celebrate Life and continues to benefit our families and friends in the Sandpoint and surrounding communities affected by cancer.

Jenny and her husband, Jeff Meyer, had a beautiful daughter, Grace. Grace is now 16, and will be a junior this fall at Sandpoint High School. Grace eloquently shared with us some very touching words on the memory of her mother and Celebrate Life.

Growing up with a mom who has cancer is both not as horrible as some people construe it to be and a lot worse than some make it seem. Given that the last time I saw my mother was when I was 7, AKA nine years ago, I oftentimes struggle with what it truly was like for me. Was it awful and full of sickness, tears, doctors, a vague understanding and then a knowledge that I will never see, talk, or hear from her again? Yes, most definitely.

However, that’s not entirely true. I still see her continue to walk with me through my daily life, through the strenuous tasks high school presents me, to coaching a U7 soccer team, to starting my blog, to traveling across the globe to meet her pen pal, and everything I am involved in. When I say she is with me, I do not mean in a spiritual sense or physically or Grace Meyer with her mother Jenny. Courtesy Photo. mentally. She is there in the good memories and in the people her life makes it so incredibly unique, but has affected. One of those major also so incredibly effective. ways is through Celebrate Life.

The people who make up this Every year I watch hundreds team are a united front against of people try and cram together on cancer and battle constantly Dog Beach and my aunt and her against the challenges it brings. crew work so hard throughout the It never ceases to amaze me with year to see this through. This projwhat they do for the area with all ect is not something that affects of its people. They never stop with one or two people, but has changed their hard work and do not pause, our entire community and has helping everyone they can. helped many people for years.

Celebrate Life means to me As people age, I believe that the continuation of my mother’s they begin to understand that it is understanding and empathy of the not the large, life changing events struggles of disease and pursuit of a that matter so much as the little world not so wound up in concern, things. In life, it’s the little things budgets, tears, and a fear of the unthat are most pleasing, but are known; ultimately it is the continuaalso the most difficult to conquer. tion of my mother herself, and I am Celebrate Life is an organization so proud of what it has become. that aids people in the little things, from gas to groceries, the things We hope you will join us Satthat get overlooked when it comes urday Aug. 12 for the 14th Annual to expenses that are part of the Celebrate Life Fun Run/Walk. To daily routine of a cancer patient. register go to celebratelifefunrunThis is one of the things that walk.org.

Free elder law seminars offered

By Reader Staff

Elder law attorney, Denise Stewart, from ELTC Law Group will be holding free seminars at her new office in Sandpoint.

“Growing Up-Again! Boot Camp for Growing Older” is a series of three free classes that aim to provide attendees with information on how to navigate their or their parents retirement years in regards to long-term care, financial planning, insurance and much more.

Whether you are working towards retirement, have already retired or would like information for a loved one, these are the classes for you.

Each week there will be a panel of experts discussing important topics. The meeting will last one hour and will be a combination of pre-planned presentation and open Q&A for audience members.

Be sure to bring a lunch (and a friend) to each class. There will be coffee and cookies provided.

•Week 1- (August 1st) After Life Transfers. 12 a.m. - 1 p.m.

•Week 2- (August 8th) Long Term Care. 12 a.m. - 1 p.m.

•Week 3- (August 15th) Estate Planning & Asset Protection: To Do’s & Techniques. 12 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Each class held at 102 S. Euclid Ave. (208) 263-3585 for more info.

Grid Kids Football: A great fall activity

By Reader Staff Attention parents and caregivers of children entering the third through eighth grades: It is time to start thinking about tackle football registration for the upcoming fall season. Sandpoint YMCA Grid Kids Tackle Football Registration is open now.

The Sandpoint YMCA Grid Kids Tackle Football has participated in the YMCA leagues for the last ten years, with the 2016 season being very successful for both wins and losses, but also in player participation. Kids have a chance to compete against teams from all over the Inland Northwest.

For the 2017 season, all athletes between third and eighth grade will register through the Spokane YMCA. Early registration opens Aug. 2, with late registration available until Aug. 25.

To register online, go to www. ymcaspokane.org/programs/sports/ football, or call (509) 777-9622.

Registration costs are as follows: Third and fourth grade - $195 (six games beginning on Sept. 16), fifth through eighth grade - $235 (eight games beginning on Sept. 9). Safety equipment including pads and helmets are professionally fitted and are included in the cost of registration. All coaches have been Heads Up certified, which is a program developed by USA Football to advance player safety in the game.

For more information, contact sandpointfootball@gmail.com.

Angels Over Sandpoint announce grant recipients

By Reader Staff

The Angels Over Sandpoint Community Grant program awards grants twice a year to Bonner County organizations, giving primary consideration to nonprofit organizations involved in health, education and youth-oriented projects and services. We are pleased to have recently awarded grants to the following organizations: •Clark Fork-Hope Area Senior Services — $500.00 •Sandpoint Lions Foundation, Inc. — $1,360.00 •Bonner County Homeless

Task Force — $2,000.00 •Bonner Soil & Water Conservation District — $315.00 •Kinderhaven — $500.00 •Bonner Community Food Bank — $500.00 •Sandpoint Youth Center, Inc. — $1,000.00 Grant awards range from $250 to $2,000 and are awarded twice a year. The next cycle closes September 15. See angelsoversandpoint.org for qualifications and to apply.

FEATURE

Sidebar: Reclaim Idaho: A movement finds footing in Sandpoint Notes from the

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff Writer

In her July 20 lecture as part of a Reclaim Idaho Call to Action at the Panida, Sandpoint-born Pulitzer Prize winner Marilynne Robinson reflected on her positive experiences in public school and while teaching in the American university system. She spoke graciously of her upbringing in North Idaho, and entwined humor where she could while imparting her wisdom about teaching and learning.

She mentioned her education at Coeur d’Alene High School, stating that even though it wasn’t a prestigious private education, “Frankly, I did just fine.” The crowd laughed, and Robinson continued in this vein of lightheartedness throughout the talk, but not without emphasizing the importance that Americans remember the power and successfulness of our public education system. She did this largely through comparisons of the United States’ education system with those of Europe, where she has spent time teaching and where most children are given a firm path to a career around age 11.

“Public education is meant to defeat the idea of the ‘elite,’” Robinson said. “There should be a beginning assumption that all people are smart and interesting.

Public education helps you accept people as they are.”

She praised the way of life in North Idaho and encouraged everyone to remember that the point of life is not to “live, work and die,” words Robinson heard from one student.

“We should all consider that the pursuit of happiness has something to do with happiness,” Robinson said.

American education has not failed, she said. Still, Robinson identifies with Reclaim Idaho’s mission to strengthen the area’s public school systems. She said we should all be working to enhance public education’s strengths.

Reclaim Idaho co-founder Luke Mayville spoke to the crowd about Reclaim Idaho’s formation, and his gratefulness that in his Sandpoint upbringing the school district levies always passed and taxpayers were invested in his

future. He explained that levies are not always a “gimme” anymore, especially across the entire state.

The quality of a child’s education depends on his or her zip code — something Mayville called an “underfunding and inequality crisis.” Morally and constitutionally, Mayville said, fixing this lack of funding is the right thing to do.

“It’s not enough to be right — you have to organize to fight for what’s right,” Mayville said.

While education is one sect of Reclaim Idaho’s mission, health care is another. Tuesday evening marked the launch of Reclaim Idaho’s “Medicaid for Idaho” tour.

The group has refurbished a 1977 camper into what they call the Medicaid Mobile, and they’ll be traveling across the state of Idaho in coming days to talk to Idahoans about access to health care. The launch happened in Farmin Park and drew dozens of people.

Healthcare professionals spoke to the crowd about their concerns for the 78,000 Idahoans lacking health care, and other community members talked about their friends’ need for health care, and their own.

Sandpoint resident Andrea Radford is a case manager in a behavioral health agency who works with Medicaid clients. She spoke Tuesday about the gap in Idaho’s Medicaid eligibility — a gap she said leaves a lot of people “stuck in the middle.”

“There’s a huge gap that is a big barrier for people to work and to earn more money because one illness derails the whole process,” she said. “And if they can’t go to the doctor they can no longer be on that path to self reliance. We want people to get out of the poverty place, we want them to work, but we’ve taken away that incentive to work because it’s easier for them to quit and stay on welfare.”

According to the state’s Health and Welfare guidelines, for a family of three in the state of Idaho to all be covered by Medicaid the earning adult must make less than $365 a month. Children can still be covered as long as that income remains less than $3,148 a month.

Radford shared the story of a client who left a domestic violence situation, worked hard to get

French system

By Katie Botkin Reader Contributor

Top: Luke Mayville speaks to a crowd of dozens at Farmin Park on Tuesday. Middle: Jane Fritz signs the Reclaim Idaho RV: “R.I.P. Becky - w/o Medicaid.”

Bottom: Marilynne Robinson was an honored guest speaker on July 20 at the Panida Theater for Reclaim Idaho. Photos

by Lyndsie Kiebert. Bottom photo courtesy of Wikipedia. off welfare, and did — but now she has no access to Medicaid, meaning one illness could mean medical bankruptcy. Radford said she recently saw the woman, and learned that most of the woman’s friends and family were encouraging her to quit her job and go back on welfare so she could have her old benefits.

“That just lit a fire in my heart,” Radford said to Tuesday’s crowd, “and I hope it does in you, too.”

Several attendees shared their personal health care stories, including local woman Jane Fritz, who told the story of her friend Becky who died because she was in the gap.

“To me, it is just essential that we take care of one another,” she said. When everyone was invited to sign the Medicaid Mobile with

I didn’t expect Marilynne Robinson to compare the French and American public education systems in her talk at the Panida Thursday night, but her points were things I’d often pondered.

Back when I taught English 101 at the University of Idaho, I despaired on the regular of imparting any lasting knowledge on students who came in not knowing how to write a complete sentence. And yet it was much less stressful than teaching in the lycée professionnel in France where I was an assistant for a year. High schools in France are not always college-bound: some have the end goal of training students in trades or professions. Students are, by and large, placed in professional-bound schools if they have lower academic performance in elementary and middle school.

I taught in Normandy at a science-and-technical-focused professional-track high school with a 95-percent male student body. Nearly all of the students attempted to talk through class at various points, and most of them did not know more than two words of English despite having taken it for years. Most days it seemed more like babysitting than teaching. My most successful breakthrough came one markers afterward, Fritz wrote, afternoon when I agreed to spend a “RIP Becky … w/o Medicaid.” class period translating 50 Cent lyrics Mayville ended Tuesday’s to a rowdy bunch of 15-year-olds. launch with a promise to attempt And yet even connecting with to meet with senators Risch and students seemed something like a Crapo while on the Boise leg of waste of time because I knew there the tour, and he said if they won’t meet, he’ll park the Medicaid Mo- was virtually no way they were ever bile in front of their offices and ask going to reroute their course to become college material. The system didn’t them a simple question through his megaphone based on Tuesday allow for it. So why wouldn’t they morning’s health care vote: “What choose to talk in class, cause chaos and are you going to do about the forget their English lessons? The upside 115,000 Idaho children who rely of such a system is that children who on Medicaid? Are you going to cut would never go to college are trained that money from them and give it in trades; the downside is that children to the wealthiest Americans in the who the system believes would never form of tax cuts?” go to college are stuck with trades.

Updates on all of Reclaim In France, the kids who don’t know Idaho’s endeavors can be followed how to write a sentence wouldn’t make on their Facebook page. it to college. Sometimes, I forget at what cost that occurs.

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NEWS

Ahrens enters state senate race

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff

The race for the District 1 Idaho Senate seat is shaping up with Colburn Precinct Committeeman and Legislative District One Republican Chairman Danielle Ahrens declaring her candidacy in the Republican primary election.

Ahrens will face, at a minimum, Jim Woodward in her bid for the Republican nomination to replace Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, as District 1 senator. Woodward announced his candidacy and endorsement

by Keough in tandem with the veteran legislator’s retirement announcement.

“The primary election will sure give a wide choice to the voters and I think that’s great,” Ahrens said. “The more voices and perspectives you have in

a conversation the better the solutions.”

In her campaign announcement, Ahrens said that if elected, she intends to focus on business, jobs and natural resources if she is elected. She seeks to reduce regulations on business, secure sufficient education funding to reduce the need for local levies.

“The local schools should not have to constantly beg the taxpayers for these levy funds and cause a tremendous burden on property owners,” Ahrens said. “This constant fighting is very hard on our communities and divides us.”

Ahrens, like many other regional conservative Republicans, also supports local and state agencies taking control of federally-owned Idaho lands. “... Local and state management of this land and resources

Danielle Ahrens. File Photo.

would solve our school funding problems and other issues,” she said. “We can manage and preserve the beautiful area that we live in for us and future generations.”

Republican voters will go to the polls for the Idaho GOP primary election on May 8 next year.

Trestle Peak Fire limited in spread

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff Thanks to quick work by fire crews, the Trestle Peak Fire has been relatively contained to around 40 acres.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, the wildfire’s spread is minimal following air attacks and fire retardant drops. Located

east of Sandpoint along Trestle Ridge, the fire is burning in thick sub-alpine fir. A team of three Type 2 initial attack crews, 10 smokejumpers, two Forest Service engines and crews, a contract water tender and an additional 15 local firefighters are combating the fire.

In addition, four small fires

in the Sandpoint Ranger District, located at Taffy Creek, Strawberry Creek, Lightning Creek and Wylie, have been successfully contained.

Meanwhile, Forest Service staffers are on the watch for holdover fires caused by lightning that can appear several days after striking.

Wampus Cat Marathon: running for a cause

By McCalee Cain Reader Intern For Clark Fork alum and marathon enthusiast Emory Clark, creating the Wampus Cat Marathon was a no-brainer. The event marries Clark’s love of running and generosity towards Clark Fork High School.

The Wampus Cat Marathon will take place July 30 and feature multiple races for runners of all skill-levels: a full marathon starting at the Elk’s Golf Course, a half marathon starting at Trestle Creek, and a 5K looping throughout Clark Fork. Relays are an option for the full and half marathon, with four members per team and the distance divvied up accordingly.

“The different races and relays make it fun for people that don’t want to kill themselves with a long race,” Clark said.

Clark has run 31 Bloomsday races and looks forward to continuing in the Wampus Cat Marathon.

The event benefits Clark Fork High School and its students.

“I’ve always wanted to run from Sandpoint to Clark Fork, and this idea was a chance to do that with other people while also helping out the school,” Clark said.

Registration is open until the day of the race. Participation in the full marathon costs $60; half marathon, $45; 5K, $25; and relays, $20. For more information, visit wampuscatmarathon.org.

Northern Lights launches solar project Library transition update - bricks removed

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff

Northern Lights customers have a bright new way to earn credit on their energy bill.

The energy company cut the ribbon Monday on its new cooperative community solar project, a new solar system that allows members to purchase shares and reap the benefits of its power generation. Of the system’s 386 solar units — each of which produce approximately 165 kilowatt hours of energy 8 /

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per year— around 172 are still available for purchase at $300 per unit. Members are allowed a maximum of five units. The cost of the units can be finances over 12 months on a member’s electric bill.

“We are excited about community solar, which will allow NLI members to benefit from this increasingly popular source of electricity, while providing educational opportunities for local residents and experience for NLI as we plan for the future,” said NLI President Steve Elgar.

Local man still missing

David Xanatos, also known as “The Downtown Parking Guy.” File photo.

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff Local law enforcement are still in search of a Sandpoint man who went missing last week.

Despite following up on several leads and pinging his phone to pinpoint a location, authorities have so far found no signs of David Xanatos, who went missing in the Clark Fork area last week. The search continues with both ground- and flight-based efforts. Detectives are working with the county prosecutor to secure phone and financial records for possible new leads, while helicopter patrols over the Clark Fork region are attempting to spot Xanatos’ vehicle. His information has also been placed into a nationwide database, and regional law enforcement agencies have been notified.

According to the sheriff’s office, Xanatos is known to drive a few different vehicles, but the only one that remains unaccounted for is a 1988 blue Chevy pickup with a 7BL6090 plate number.

Xanatos is six feet, three inches tall, weighs about 244 pounds and has hazel eyes and brown hair. Anyone with information about his whereabouts should call Bonner County Dispatch at 265-5525.

Left: Northcon, Inc. broke ground on the 7,900 expansion and remodel project at the Sandpoint Library this month. Initial site work and demolition is in progress with structural work starting in mid-August. Exterior bricks have been removed in the photo above. Visit the Your Library Transformation page at www. ebonnerlibrary.org for project updates and details. Photo by Sandpoint Library.

NEWS

World Boy Scout Jamboree holds 50-year reunion

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff

In 1967, a group of 12,000 Boy Scouts from more than 100 countries descended upon Farragut State Park near Athol to celebrate scouting traditions around the world.

Fifty years later, a smaller yet decidedly international group — between 20 and 25 individuals from about a half-dozen countries — return to the park to commemorate the major event’s anniversary. It’s also a chance to reflect on five decades of scouting values and skills the program imparted to guide its members into adulthood. “(I want to ask attendees) what lessons of scouting have served them well in their lives,” said local resident Ken Conger, a co-organizer of the reunion. “I can say I’m the man I am today because of scouting.”

The original 1967 World Boy Scout Jamboree was a spectacle rarely seen in North Idaho. From Aug. 1-9, 1967, 12,000 scouts participated in camp crafts, skits, hiking, cooking, swimming, boating, fishing, conservation education and more. It was an opportunity for scouts from all over the world to interact and form friendships. Although it was boys-only event, the sheer spectacle of the jamboree attracted crowds of visitors that routinely doubled the size of the crowd at Farragut Park. In total, more than 87,000 people visited during the course of the jamboree.

“Whole buses of girls showed up … and they all wanted to meet the British scouts. Why? Because of The Beatles,” said Conger, who has carefully studied the Farragut Park jamborees in the course of his history research.

Reflecting the culture of the time, the nations invited to participate were required to uphold democratic principles. The year 1967 was a time of substantial turmoil, with the Vietnam War escalating, the Cold War raging, the Six-Day War between Arab and Israeli forces recently

concluded and the University of Texas tower shooting still fresh in memory. Given the circumstances, the scouts selected for the host core, which included two boys from Sandpoint, had to be johnny-on-the-spot with their defense of democracy.

“They needed to know what the U.S. is about and articulate our founding, our principles and why democracy works,” Conger said.

Local press, organizations and businesses did everything they could to support the event.

The mayor of Sandpoint received special thanks for shipping local sand to Farragut Park, where it was used to create a safe swimming area. Likewise, Snake River Trout Farm delivered thousands of trout to the area, which were fished by the scouts.

Those returning 50 years later for the reunion, representing Chile, Argentina, the Philippines, Canada, the Netherlands and the U.S., will be able to see many of the same sights they enjoyed in their youth. They’ll also get full views of Lake Pend Oreille and its shoreline thanks to a boat rented for the occasion.

“The idea of a boat tour really is wonderful because these guys

Reward in Ramey murder case updated

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff Writer

A picture postcard of the 1969 BSA Jamboree at Farragut State Park. This is a photograph taken by Ross Hall and commissioned by the BSA. are 65 to 70 so the idea of hiking down to see where they went fishing is tough,” Conger said.

The reunion will center on a ceremony and presentation to occur 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1, at the Friendship Tower north of Smylie Boulevard and accessible via Monaghan Avenue inside the park. The public is invited to attend a presentation of the park and jamboree history, comments by jamboree attendees and a ceremony by local boy scouts. Surplus donations from the reunion will fund a permanent historical marker in the Park and help

A painting by Norman Rockwell commissioned by the BSA for the 1967 BSA Jamboree.

the United Way of North Idaho childhood literacy program, Reading Rig and Book Bank.

Those with questions or memories of the jamboree should contact Conger at 263-1060.

The reward for anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the murder of Shirley Ramey in her Hope home in April has increased, according to a statement from the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office.

The reward, offered by Ramey’s husband Daryl, was originally $5,000 and is now $6,000 with the help of Hope resident Dave Reynolds.

The Sheriff’s Office is accepting tips at 255-COPS (2677). Sgt. Detective Gary Johnston said Tuesday that when it comes to tips involving this case, there has been “nothing of significance yet.”

LET THERE BE LIGHT(S) - MEMORIAL FIELD UPDATE

As the gateway at Memorial Field moves toward completion, the entrance is complemented by the addition of six old-fashioned style LED street lights. Photo by Cort Gifford.

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Mad about Science:

By Brenden Bobby Reader Columnist It’s just not summer without a bite of America’s favorite fuzzy fruit. You can do a lot with peaches. You can make jams, jellies and juices, turn them into flavored syrup or a sugary glaze, can them, add them to a salad, or eat them right out of your grubby little hands; pretty much anything!

Peaches are stone fruit, which means they have a noticeable seed-pit in the middle.

Go ahead and bite into the seed and you’ll find out why it’s called “stone” fruit. Crack!

Stone fruit like peaches are part of the genus “Prunus”, along with plums, apricots, cherries and almonds. They’re also in the same family as roses.

Even though Georgia is the Peach State, California is responsible for a little over half the nation’s peaches. Peaches originated from China, though we’ve found archaeological evidence that peaches have made the rounds globally for about as long as we’ve had civilization and trade networks.

We’ve found fossilized fruit from Egypt, around the time that the Pyramids of Giza were being built. (That’s a 4,000-plus-year-old peach.).

Every wonder why peaches are fuzzy? They may be jealous of my beard, but probably not.

Some hypotheses have arisen over the years as to why peaches are fuzzy, but something like an apple or an orange isn’t. The favorite idea seems to be that it protects the skin and flesh of the fruit from all sorts of things, from fall damage to insects and even water.

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Brought to you by:

peaches

something like an orange, making peaches quite delicate.

If the fuzz is off-putting, you’re in luck! Humans are industrious creatures, and we will go great mechanical lengths to stave off even minor inconveniences.

Canned peaches are always skinned and last for an excruciatingly long time, but if you need to embrace your inner herbivorous predator and just tear into a fresh peach without being inconvenienced by awkward fuzzy tickling on your tongue (you’re such a voracious, unstoppable beast!), pick up a nectarine. Nectarines belong to the same species as the peach, minus the fuzz.

Because of that, they bruise and rot more quickly than their fuzzy friends. There’s always a catch!

Just another excuse to eat them faster.

Peach seeds contain hydrocyanic acid, which is the scientific way of saying bonded hydrogen and cyanide. That sounds utterly mortifying, but it doesn’t contain enough to kill you unless you’re eating a bunch of seeds every day, and really, that’s the least appetizing part, so why would you do that?

While we don’t harvest it from peaches, I thought it was interesting when I found out that they use hydrocyanic acid to make polymers and pharmaceuticals. You’re more likely to get poisoned popping pills and eating plastic than chewing on peach pits.

(Let’s not test that, okay?)

Peaches are best eaten within a couple of days of harvest. That means that the best

peaches you’ll ever find are ones that are grown close to us.

The farther the peach travels, the longer it stays in the cold chain, the less delicious it’s going to be when you finally get a bite.

If you’re buying a bunch, keep them somewhere cool and insect-free, and try not to pile them up. As the ones on top start to get just right, they may already be resting upon a throne of rot. Spread those puppies out, or eat them fast!

On the nutritional side of things, the average peach has just under 10 percent of your daily value of vitamin A and around 15 percent of your vitamin C. A peach has about two-thirds of the potassium that a banana does, but a peach also has just about half the calories of a banana, so if you’re like me and counting calories (ha, I count calories to set high scores), a peach might be preferable in a dietary pinch.

If you’re looking for a tree to put in your backyard, I personally I couldn’t tell you how well a peach tree would fare. I can tell you that just about any peach tree you’ll buy from a store will be a graft. I’ll always be envious of plants. If humans could just cheaply swap out parts, we’d be a truly incredible species. Lost an arm? I’ll take Terry Crews’ guns for $250.

I saw several peach trees at the farm and feed stores this spring, but I opted for late-blooming apricots and some cold-hardy plums (worth noting, can crossbreed to create apriplums and plucots).

Amidst my spring research, I wasn’t able to find any

recommended peach trees for our area; we want things that bloom late to dodge our unpredictable frosts while being drought tolerant. Peaches and nectarines also like fertilizer a lot, and I imagine unamended soil in our area just doesn’t hit some of those fruit trees right.

If you do happen to find something perfect for our weird mix of flash-freezing heat wave alkalinicidity, let me know!

In the meantime, I’m just going to keep buying them by the box and eating them just as fast.

Random Corner ts?

Don’t know much about masco We can help!

•Cavemen had mascots. These ancient tribal societies worshiped many different deities associated with nature and animals. They often would ask these deities, symbolized by animals, for goodwill. Spirit dances with masked members of the tribe were often performed in order to ask for a successful hunt, bountiful harvest, rain or fertility.

•Yale was the first university to use a mascot for sporting events.

Their bulldog named “Handsome Dan” who was adopted in 1889.

•The Muppets inspired modern day mascots, such as the Philadelphia Phillies’ mascot Phillie Phanatic. The Phanatic costume was made by Bonnie and Wayde Erickson, a couple who had worked for Jim Henson before creating their own shop making full body costumes and puppets.

•Although mascots were a part of high school and college sports since the 1800s, professional sports didn’t start using mascots until the 1960s.

The first professional sports team to use a mascot was the New York Mets.

Their mascot was an oversized fan with a baseball for a head named Mr. Met. • In San Antonio, there is a Professional Mascot School, where $250 buys you the inside scoop on performance style, character acting and other important aspects of the job.

•Some mascots are married. The University of Arizona has the only collegiate married mascots Wilbur the Wildcat and his wife Wilma. They were married on November 21, 1986. Other married mascots include Dartmoth College’s unofficial mascots Keggy and Kelley the Keg, Hamm’s beer Bear and Harley bear and Boston Red Sox’s Polly and Wally the Green Monsters.

HEALTH

A return to the old ways of health care:

New family practitioner Alpine Family Medicine opens in Sandpoint

By Ben Olson Reader Staff For Katie Sweeney FNP, health care is about interacting with people the old fashioned way: One at a time, face to face.

To return to the roots of health care, Sweeney is also returning to her hometown of Sandpoint to open a full spectrum family practice called Alpine Family Medicine, PLLC. Literally, the land where the new office is located on Sweeney’s great grandmother’s former backyard.

“My family has been here a long time,” she said. “This lot was my great grandmother’s entire garden. She had 13 kids, and the entire lot was utilized to feed the family.”

Alpine Family Medicine, located at 1013 Lake St. Unit #102 near City Hall, plans to provide every aspect of a family practice for men, women and children.

“We’ll do it all,” said Sweeney.

“Wellness exams, women’s health, sports physicals, minor surgery in the office, acute care. We attempt to take most walk-ins. Everything from cough and cold to UTIs and chronic disease management.”

For Sweeney, the return to a one-onone relationship with patients is an ideal business model.

“My belief in health care is you partner with your patients,” said Sweeney.

“Health care is all about high volume right now. I believe in the old-time health care; see them, talk to them, listen to them, and follow up on them. The full roundabout. We’re not as focused on being profitable. It’s about quality of life and the quality of patients.”

The difference between an urgent care facility and a primary care facility is all about the follow up, according to Sweeney.

“Primary care providers are kind of like your medical house,” she said.

“When you have a single spot to go, we do your referrals to specialists. If you need imaging, we coordinate that. We create your medical home. Also, more and more insurance providers require a primary care provider for all referrals.”

The impetus for Sweeney starting

a new practice came after working as a nurse practitioner in Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry.

“I’ve heard from people that can’t get in to see their family doctor,” said Sweeney. “When they have a cough or a cold, they’re going into the ER. That’s not right.”

Sweeney plans to build in set times each day to allow for walk-in visits so that patients can get same-day care when they need it.

“We’ll be open for three to four days a week depending on patient needs in order to build up the patient base,” she said.

Why see a nurse practitioner instead of a doctor? Sweeney said the difference between the two is all about prevention.

“The nurse practitioner approach is preventative medicine,” she said. “It’s a big part of being an NP. You focus on preventative health care to help diseases from forming. Studies are showing that preventative medicine pays off. When people are caring for themselves, it’s more cost effective.”

If interested in seeing if Alpine Family Medicine would be a good fit, Sweeney invites anyone interested to call the office at (208) 597-7910 to make an appointment to establish care. Sweeney plans on carrying most major insurance companies, including Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE. “During that appointment, we do a full review of their history, their records from previous providers, etcetera,” she said. “It’s really about sitting down for 45 minutes and getting to know each other.”

Sweeney and her husband enjoy the recreational offerings of North Idaho, spending time hiking, mountain biking and exploring the lake. They have two children; one aged 20 months, another four years old.

“I hope to be here forever,” she said.

“I started my first job at 14 years old at the Beachhouse Restaurant working for Barney Ballard. I hope I can say someday that my first job was in Sandpoint and my last day before retirement was in Sandpoint, too. I love our town and it means a lot to me to be able to have a successful business here.”

The Sweeney family outside Alpine Family Medicine at: Tucker and Katie Sweeney with their children Addison, 4, and Amelia, 21 months. Photo by Ben Olson.

Visit our new showroom at 315 S. Ella St.

Heavy Duty Towing Semis • RVs • Equipment Auto Rollbed • 4x4 • Wheel Lift

(208) 263-0323

Check out the newest member of our crew!

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Live Music w/ David Walsh 5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Live Music w/ BareGrass 5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Bluegrass from the heart of North Idaho. Super fun band Live Music w/ The Beat Diggers 7-10pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall

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Yappy Hour 4-7pm @ Trinity at City Beach Sponsored by Panhandle Animal Shelt tail-waggin’ good time for your furry f

Runa in Concert 7:30pm @ Di Luna’s Cafe Interweaving the haunting melodies of Ireland and Scotland with the intoxicating rhythms of jazz, bluegrass, flamenco and blues, Runa offers a thrilling and redefining take on traditional music. $12 in advance. Dinner starts at 5:30 p.m.

Live Music w/ Bright Moments Jazz 10-12am @ Crazy Days in Sandpoint Some of the best jazz in Sandpoint Live Music w/ Brian Ernst 5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority

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Dollar Beers!

8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Good until the keg’s dry Live Music w/ Bright Moments Jazz 6-9pm @ Trinity at City Beach Some of the best jazz in Sandpoint

Live Music w/ Ron Greene 7-10pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Live Music w/ The Incredible Flying Dookie Brothers 9pm @ 219 Lounge Sandpoint rock group who will be playing a range of classic songs

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Movie in the Pa 6:30pm @ Lakev Admission is fr p.m. to place bl the movie begins by the Bonner C DJ Josh at the N 9pm @ 219 Loun

Crazy Days 9am @ Downtown Sandpoint Merchants offer big deals during the annual Crazy Days sidewalk sale. Arrive early for the best deals. Also, make sure to check out the Panida Theater Book and Media Sale fundraiser. Proceeds benefit the Panida Arts Scholarship

Sandp 9am-1p Fresh p well as Yoga & 10-11am An hou on the l PAFE Summer Soiree Cedar 6-11pm @ Private waterfront location 10am-2 Sandpoint’s biggest summertime gala of the Come year, and the most important annual fundraiser spanni for the Panhandle Alliance For Education. fine food, entertainment, art and engaging discus- Live M sions. Tickets $150/person. 263-7040 for info 6pm @

Sandpoint Chess Club 9am @ Evans Brothers Coffee Meets every Sunday at 9am. All are welcome

Game Night at the Niner 9pm @ 219 Lounge

Monday Night Blues Jam w/ Truck Mills 7:30pm @ Eichardt’s Pub

Camp Kaniksu - last session The last session of Camp K the month of August. Ages Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 1 Sandpoint Farmers’ Market Night Out Karaoke Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3pm-5:30pm @ Farmin Park 9pm-12am @ 219 Lounge The afternoon market on entire four-week session is $ Wednesdays for all your pro- also available. Contact 263-94 duce needs!

Sandpoint High School Fall Sports Registration 9am-2pm @ Sandpoint High School Sandpoint High School holds fall sports registration

Sandpoint Photo Club 5pm @ Sandpoint Library Learn and share with other photo Held on the first Wednesday of eve

Dollar Beers!

Festival at Sandpoint Kickoff w/ Pink Martini 8pm @ Eichardt’s Pu 7:30pm @ Memorial Field Get the two week-long party started in style, with Pink Martini. This Good until the keg’s 12-piece ensemble band originally from Portland has played their multilingual repertoire on concert stages and with symphony orchestras throughout the world. Gates open at 6 p.m. 265-4554 for ticket info

ful

July 27 - August 3, 2017

ch mal Shelter. A ur furry friends

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

Live Music w/ Kevin Dorin 6-8pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Kevin is an accomplished musician who usually invites a friend in for a song or two!

Magic Class & Show 3 & 6pm @ Spt. Library Magic class at 3 p.m.; show at 6 p.m. Prize will be drawn after the show

in the Park: The Sandlot m @ Lakeview Park (by museum) Live Music w/ The Baja Boogie Band sion is free; gates open at 6:30 7pm @ Ol’ Red’s Pub o place blankets and chairs, and Good times and rocking blues. Get your vie begins at sundown. Presented dancing shoes ready, here they come!

Bonner Co. History Museum h at the Niner Live Music w/ Chris Lynch 219 Lounge 6pm @ Arlo’s Ristorante

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Live Music w/ Denis Zwang 6-8pm @ Wine Bar at Cedar Street Bridge Great live music with a view!

New York Dog Film Festival (July 29-30) Sandpoint Farmers’ Market Various times @ Panida Theater 9am-1pm @ Farmin Park Check the Panida’s ad on page 19 for all showtimes Fresh produce, garden starts as well as live music and fun for all!

Spokane Raging Grannies and Veterans for Peace Yoga & Beer at the Brewery 11am-1pm @ Gardenia Center 10-11am @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall North Idaho Resistance Movement and Wild Idaho RisAn hour-long Vinyasa Flow yoga class outside ing Tide (WIRT) will host the Spokane Raging Granon the lawn. $12 which includes a beer nies and Veterans for Peace who peacefully blocked BNSF rail lines in Spokane last fall. A free event Cedar St. Bridge Public Market 10am-2pm @ Cedar St. Bridge Oden Hall Summer Dance Come enjoy indoor shopping on the bridge 7-10pm @ Oden Hall, Sunnyside Road spanning Sand Creek Foxtrot lessons will be taught by professional instructors from 7-8 p.m., followed by a dance to live music Live Music w/ Chris Lynch

by Bocatz. $10 adults, $5 teens. 208-699-0421 6pm @ Arlo’s Ristorante

ast session (July 31 - Aug. 25) Camp Kaniksu is kicking off for ust. Ages 7-9 meet Mondays and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Ages 10-12 meet sdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The ssion is $80, but scholarships are act 263-9471 for more information

Laugh until you cry!

- $20 tickets Comedian Brad Upton will crack you up on Saturday, September 16th at 6 p.m. at the Sandpoint Center A Fundraiser for American Heritage Wildlife Foundation A 502c3 nonprofit organization for local injured and orphaned wildlife.

www.ahwf.org (208) 266-1488

Silent Auction to Follow Tickets at Super Drug, Fiddlin’ Red’s, Fry Creek Animal Hospital, NIAH, Monarch Market and AHWF

*You may remember last year Kermet Apio had us rolling on the floor.

STEM Camp 12:30pm @ Farmin Stidwell Elem School The East Bonner Co. Library District hosts a space-themed STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, and Math) Camp for 2nd-6th graders. Preregistration is required; Registration opens July 10th. 263-6930 ext. 1211

Aug. 4-5 Bonner County PRCA Rodeo @ Bonner County Fairgrounds Aug. 4 The B-52s at the Festival at Sandy point @ Memoriher photographers! al Field day of every month.

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Live Music w/ Holus Bolus Jake Owen at the hardt’s Pub 9pm @ 219 Lounge Festival at Sandthe keg’s dry Holus Bolus is one person - multi-instrumentalist Tom Boylan. point @ MemoriOutfitted with a small drum-kit and an acoustic guitar with some al Field foot pedals, Holus Bolus builds songs one layer at a time, coalescing into one sound that’s acoustic-psychedelic groove-rock

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Are you ready for the eclipse of the century?

By Aaron Horowitz Reader Contributor Sandpoint Library Intern The East Bonner County Library District, Spokane Astronomical Society and Sandpoint Parks and Recreation Department have come together to bring families a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the total solar eclipse of Aug. 21, which will be viewable throughout North America.

Three free events will take place before then, all based at Travers Park, 2102 Pine Street in Sandpoint: • “Family Star Party with Sandy Nichols.” At 9:15 p.m. on Friday, July 28, Sandy Nichols, an astronomer with the Spokane Astronomical Society, will set up a family-friendly star-viewing experience.

• “Solar Eclipse: An Observer’s Guide.”

At 1 p.m. Saturday, July 29, Sandy Nichols will divulge some facts about the eclipse, viewing methods and strategies, where best to view the eclipse and a bit more.

Authentic wood-fired pizza Mandala will be at the following locations: Thursday, JULY 27 @ 219 Lounge 8:30 p.m. ‘til late night Friday, JULY 28 @ 219 Lounge 8:30 p.m. ’til late night No Pizza Saturday, JULY 29 Friday, AUGUST 4 @ 219 Lounge for Aftival 8:30 p.m. ‘til late night Saturday, AUGUST 5 @ 219 Lounge for Aftival 8:30 p.m. ’til late night

Mention you saw this ad in the Reader and get $1.00 off your next pizza!

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• “Solar Eclipse and Other Astronomical Wonders – An Observer’s Guide.” At 1 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 12, Jim Pletsch, astronomer with the Spokane Astronomical Society, will give us the knowledge of how to prepare for the eclipse and answer astronomical questions. Jim will bring a solar scope and other equipment to see. He only asks that the audience bring their questions about astronomy.

Participants may receive free eclipse viewing glasses at any of the above events or at The Library after Aug. 12 on a first come, first served basis.

The three organizations are working together to bring information and anticipation about an astronomical wonder that is sure to create unforgettable memories of friends, family, and an incredible viewing of our moon coming between the Earth and the sun.

For more information, visit www. eBonnerLibrary.org or call 2636930.

High flying role model:

Noted aviatrix Jacquie Warda flies in to inspire local aviation students

By McCalee Cain Reader Intern Jacquie Warda’s EXTRA 300 aerobatic monoplane is firetruck red, spangled with silver stars and branded with the phrase, “Ladies, it’s time to fly!” When you’re one of the top tier aerobatic pilots in the nation, flying in style is essential.

On July 24, Warda touched down in Sandpoint for a meet and greet with fellow aviation-enthusiasts, per the invitation of longtime friend and founder/manager of the North Idaho High School Aerospace Program (NIHSAP) Ken Larson. A devoted supporter of young aviators, Warda will visit with some members of NIHSAP, and even take some on aerobatic flights in Coeur d’Alene later in the week.

Contributors such as Warda play a key role in the resurgence of aviation in Sandpoint.

“She’s been a really strong supporter of the high school aerospace program,” Larson said.

Some of Warda’s sponsors have donated resources to NIHSAP, and she has lectured the group via Skype on various topics, many of which stray from aviation itself toward the grander scheme of life.

“Flying is the easy part. Being a good person and being the kind of person that people want to look up to is much more important to me,” Warda said. “I tell the kids, become the kind of person that you want to look up to.

Doors open for those kinds of people.”

Being one of those people herself, Warda knows these words ring true: Renown nationally for her ability as an aerobatic pilot, Warda invests time between airshows to act as a role model by speaking to kids, especially groups of young women.

Female role models such as Warda are invaluable to young female fliers such as Annie Slippy, a junior at Central Washington University majoring in aviation.

“I think women’s involvement in aviation is really important because I think a lot of people don’t know that it’s possible,” Slippy said. “Sometimes when I tell people that I’m studying aviation, they ask why, and I respond ‘Well, why not?’”

In one of her classes of about 40 people, Slippy said she could easily be one of only two girls.

“It’s really encouraging to see other women (like Warda) that have been where I am, and have struggled with the same things and know what’s happening,” she said.

While aviation is a traditionally, and to a degree, still male-dominated field, passionate female pilots like Slippy are pioneering a new era for aerospace: one brimming with career opportunities for women.

“I live for the moment of liftoff, right when you leave the ground and everything starts to change, and you get that third dimension,” Slippy said. “There are no words to describe the freedom of flying, really.

It’s amazing.”

Thanks to passionate supporters such as Larson and Warda dedicated to getting young women into the air, opportunities in aviation abound for females in Sandpoint.

Larson’s NIHSAP is a collective nonprofit helping teens from the region explore the field of aerospace hands-on.

Last year, the group tackled the project of building their own Zenith Zodiac CH601 XL Kit Airplane, and next year shall rebuild a vintage 1948 plane as well. “(NIHSAP) isn’t just about flying, because we also look other aviation and aerospace careers,” Larson said. “We are trying to encourage women to get more into it, partly because a lot of it is engineering and mechanics, that has traditionally been male-dominated, and the opportunities are incredible right now.”

“Flying is the easy part. Being a good person and being the kind of person that people want to look up to is much more important to me.”

Top: Jacquie Warda talks about how bumpy it was flying over the mountains with an aviation fan on Monday at the Sandpoint Airport.

Right: Jacquie Warda’s airplane, where it reads: “Ladies, it’s time to fly.”.

Photos by McCalee Cain.

-Pilot Jacquie Warda

Listen in Sandpoint to KPND @ 106.7 in HD July 27, 2017 /

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Down the River:

After nearly 25 years, The River Journal calls it a day

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

Like a river, publishing is always tumultuous. Sometimes, during high flow when you’re riding high, it seems there is nothing finer in the world than publishing a community newspaper. During drier times, a publication can feel more like an anchor around your neck. Or a rock that sneaks up and puts a hole in the boat.

OK, enough river analogies.

When the River Journal announced that August would be its last issue in almost 25 years of publication, loyal and devoted readers spread across four counties and two states expressed both well wishes and condolences. But for owner and publisher Trish Gannon, the decision was a long time coming.

“It’s been an ongoing discussion since the beginning,” Gannon mused. “The real question is, ‘How do you make money doing this?’ I still haven’t figured out how.”

The Journal was introduced

by Dennis Nicholls in the winter of 1993, along with the help of his friend Paul Baker. The idea was that the paper would help provide Nicholls a retirement once he was too old to continue working in the woods (Paul Baker was a friend on a three-

month visit from England who helped get it started). in the woods. The Journal first covered Heron, Noxon and Trout Creek in Montana, along with Hope and Clark Fork in Idaho.

“There was a lot of community strength behind it,” said Gannon. “There was a niche that needed to be filled. No other publications were covering the communities surrounding Sandpoint.”

As with many publications (including this one), a large amount of the work was done by volunteers. Gannon started with the Journal in 1994 as a writer and ad salesperson.

Dee Miller and Janie MacGregor pitched in with business matters, and a slew of writers helped establish the Journal as “a newspaper worth wading through,” as their slogan goes.

The Journal covered everything from news to politics to lifestyles of the ruralites who identified with what was inside. There were investigative stories, humorous tales of the country life, cartoons and opinions. The Journal had a little bit of everything for everyone.

After a year and a half, Nicholls was ready to throw in the towel, publishing the “final” issue of the Journal in 1996. However, after six

Trish Gannon takes a break from the call of deadlines on a sunny day in Sandpoint. Photo by Ben Olson. months of hiatus, and with the help of Heron-based writer Sandy Compton, and Sandpoint saleswoman Hunne Witte, the Journal returned as a monthly. Gannon began as a paid employee, adding layout, bookkeeping and delivery to her growing list of duties. In its heyday, the Journal was direct-mailed to over 16,000 households in Sanders County, Mont., and Bonner County.

In July, 2001, Nicholls an-

nounced that he was officially “burnt out” and passed the baton to Gannon, who purchased the business and continued on a twice-monthly publishing schedule.

“When I took over, I kept Dennis as an employee and brought on Ernie Hawks,” said Gannon. “In all those years, I never got it to the point where I could pay myself a living wage. I was a single mom with three kids the whole time. How

did I make it? I mean, it gave me a lot of flexibility to be a parent and to work side jobs, but I was always broke. I don’t have a expensive lifestyle. I don’t need a lot of money. But man, it got old after awhile.”

Gannon’s family chipped in every month to bring the issues together – brother Jody Forest, mother Billie Presley, kids Misty, Dustin and Amy and < see RIVER on next page >

A word with two River Journal contributors: Sandy Compton and Scott Clawson There have been some colorful personalities that have haunted the River Journal pages over the years.

From the knee-slapping cowboy drawings of famed illustrator Boots Reynolds, to Idaho state representative George Eskridge, the Journal saw all walks of life.

I got in touch with two contributors — Sandy Compton and Scott Clawson — that have added to the Journal over the years and asked them about some of their fondest memories.

Sandy Compton “The Scenic Route” SPR: You’re one of the longest 16 /

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lasting columnists for the River Journal. How long have you been writing for them?

SPR: Tell me what kind of an impression the experience has left on you.

SC: Longest lasting. My first column for the RJ appeared in the January 1997 issue. I have missed one issue since, when time got away from me. My last column (to be printed in the last issue) is the 251st I have written and the 263rd time “The Scenic Route” has appeared in the RJ (in 2014, I reran 12 “classics” because I was working on putting together the book, “The Scenic Route: Life on the road between Hope and Paradise.” It’s available at BlueCreekPress.com

SC: Understandably, I’m sad to see it die. It provided me with a platform to express my desire to see a little (or a lot) more sanity in this crazy world. Not that many folks seemed to have listened. :) But every once in a while, someone will walk up to me and say, “I really enjoy reading your stuff in the River Journal.” And I would tell them, “OK. Then, I’ll keep doing it,” which would make us both smile. And this has also made me realize that I’m doing what I can to help people make sense of

the chaos we live in. Maybe not many, and maybe not all the time, but at least I make an occasional little dent in the machine as it rolls by. It’s what I can do. And I will miss it. I did get one dandy book out of the deal, at least.

SPR: Any fun memories or stories you’d like to share?

SC: When Dennis Nichols was trying to decide whether to restart the RJ after a 18-month hiatus in 1995-96, he asked me for advice about how to go about it. Having been in the newspaper business for a number of years, with every job from paperboy to publisher,

I told him that his best course of action was to dig a hole, bury it and pile rocks on the grave so it couldn’t rise from the dead — and use all the money he was going to save to buy beer and food. It was then that I found out that if you wanted Dennis to do something, you should tell him to do the exact opposite. He persisted in restarting the paper, and asked me to assist and advise. I told him I would if I could have my own column, and if I could write any damned thing I pleased in int. He agreed, and when Trish took over, the deal extended into her reign as the Calm Center of Tranquility.

< see RJ on next page >

< RIVER con’t from last page > even her grandson Tyler lent a hand at various times. She also amassed an impressive array of writers to fill the pages.

Names like Marianne Love, George Eskridge, Sandy Compton, Boots Reynolds, Scott Clawson, Lou Springer, Julie Hutslar, Kathy Osborne, Lawrence Fury, Kate Wilson, JJ Scott, Matt Haag, David Keyes, Billie Jean Gerke and more graced the pages of the Journal.

While Gannon said “we never made a secret of our opinions,” in the Journal, she said there were fans of the paper from all political persuasions.

“We ran the political and social spectrum,” she said. “I’ve always called myself the most liberal person in North Idaho, but truthfully I’m more middle of the road. But we’ve had big admirers on at the extreme points of both sides, too. I think we’ve had almost the finest writers in this community in the Journal. There’s only one person I think that we didn’t have that I really wanted, and that’s Dave Gunter. I always liked his style.”

Over the years, Gannon remembers some of the interactions with notable writers who made the Journal “worth wading through.”

“One thing about Boots Reynolds was that he couldn’t spell,” she said.

“But he was simply an amazing storyteller. God, he could tell a story.”

Gannon was also inspired by the writing of Dennis Nicholls and Sandy Compton: “They both have this romantic style of writing that I always enjoyed. I can’t write that way.”

One thing Gannon is especially < RJ con’t from last page > Scott Clawson “Acres n’ Pains” SPR: How long have you been writing for the River Journal?

ScottC: Oh God, I suppose I started contributing in 2003 with cartoons. I was at a friend of mine’s house and he was talking about an art project he had coming up at the Met in Spokane and I said, ‘I wish I was doing cartoons for the River Journal.’ I’d done some for the NIC Sentinal in the ‘90s and actually won an a first place award from the Columbia School of Journalism for one I did on grass burning. The next day I get a call from Ernie Hawkes and he said, ‘I hear you want to be a cartoonist.’ I met him and Trish at Eichardt’s for a beer and showed them some of my stuff. I did my first cartoon, which was around Christmastime, of Santa Claus landing in an outhouse, only a mile from the North Pole, and he was say-

In fact, Gannon is currently sitting in as editor of the winter edition of Sandpoint Magazine.

Looking over the changes the publishing model has undergone since the advent of the internet, Gannon acknowledges that the game has changed dramatically.

“Being a content aggregator is the financially functional model now,” she said. “Creating content, well, people are still trying to figure that out. It’s a big struggle.”

Since announcing the paper was closing, Gannon said she’s been flooded with warm wishes from the community.

“I’ve gotten some of the kindest comments from people,” she said. “A The July issue of the River Journal. lot of people are saying, ‘You sure deserve this, enjoy your retirement.’ proud of is the fact that the Journal has Retired? People must think I’m really paid out almost $100,000 to local writold. I’m not retired, I’m just poor in ers since she took over in 2001.

Referring to those who have inspired North Idaho!”

Asked if she has any regrets, Gannon her over the years, Gannon said Chris said, “I never have any. Well, except I Bessler, publisher of Sandpoint Magazine and founder of Keokee Publishing, regret not winning the lottery. But really, people in this area have a lot of stories to is at the top of a long list: “He’s one of tell. There are so many cool people who the finest men in this community. You live here. I think they’ll still be told, but won’t find a guy with a bigger heart.” maybe not as many of them as before.”

When Gannon was battling cancer and had a hysterectomy around 2010, Editor’s Note: We’d like to say she was putting the surgery off until March because that’s when she was able thank you to Trish Gannon and all the to lose a week without getting behind at contributors over the years who have worked so hard to put out the River the Journal.

Journal. We’ll miss seeing you in the “Chris came to me, out of the blue and said, ‘We’ll put together the Journal newstands! We hope to carry on the tradition of telling the stories of the amazfor you while you have the surgery,’” ing people who populate this region. she said. “Just for him to make that offer... that was something. I’d do anything for Chris.” ing, ‘God, it happens every time.’ I’ve been writing about movements ever since.

SPR: When did you start writing, too?

ScottC: I started the column after I had a hernia and was on drugs, laying on the couch. Dr. Neher had just sewed me up and I was sitting there watching a squirrel messing around, trying to fit a rope in its mouth on the deck. I was fading in and out of reality. Pretty soon, I look out the window, and there the squirrel is digging into a basket for a glove that’s bigger than she is, trying to climb up a tree and failing.

I started laughing so hard I hit my head on the coffee table. I crawled upstairs for a legal pad and a pencil, crawled back down and later submitted it to Trish. She said, ‘You didn’t tell me you could write.’

I write about what’s happened to me.

Falling off ladders, selling life insurance.

I really liked George Plimpton for that

Fine Jewellers & Goldsmiths •Custom Jewelry •Repairs

reason. Except I’m into body movements and am a little rustic. That’s just the way I am. But I was impressed with Plimpton. My mom gave me a subscription to Playboy for a wedding present. It was a stellar collection. I really enjoyed the cartoons.

SPR: What are your plans now that the River Journal is shutting down?

ScottC: I devoted myself to getting my house finished and getting to hell out of here. Probably go to Hawaii. I love the River Journal. I picked it up every time I had a chance. Boots Reynolds was doing it then, and I loved Boots. I liked how he would do a story and illustrate it. I always wanted to be a cartoonist, ever since I had a Charles Schulz book when I was ten. My dad wanted me to be a lawyer.

No, but I loved writing for Trish. I’ve had a lot of fun over the years doing this.

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Living Life: Gratitude and Gratefulness

By Dianne Smith Reader Columnist “Gratitude and attitude are not challenges; they are choices.”

-Robert Braathe Gratitude, gratefulness and appreciation can change lives and relationships in so many ways. I see examples of it every day on social media where people of the community reach out to help. I saw it recently where people from the community offered to help a young lady get medical care. How would your day or life change if you focused on being grateful for what you have and looking at how you can help others?

Studies show that when we intentionally cultivate gratitude and kindness we feel better. Gratefulness is associated with increased energy, optimism, positive quality of life, better physical health and better relationships. The reality is that once we start looking for gratitude and gratefulness the happier we feel, which reinforces the behavior, so the more we find things to be grateful for.

Gratefulness and gratitude feel better than anger and resentment and provide a better quality of life. One of my clients said to me the other day, “being angry is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die.” Being grateful and looking for good changes the colored glasses by which we view life.

Looking at things you can be grateful for helps you start to see what you do have instead of what you don’t have.

It is a simple shift in focus and a change in the color of the glasses. Consistently ungrateful people tend to get stuck on the materialistic things they don’t have or that they want.

Gratefulness helps a person focus on relationships and the blessings in their lives, which brings satisfaction 18 /

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and happiness. Troublesome thoughts and negative memories pop up less when people see gratefulness and research suggests that gratitude can speed up emotional and physical healing Gratitude and acknowledging it is a simply way to begin seeing what you have to be grateful for. There are wonderful places where people can reach out in the community and get support if they need it.

So I am grateful to live in such a caring community where people show love. There are wonderful religious organizations, and I am grateful that we have safety in our choice. I am grateful to be able to brainstorm with organizations in the community about how we can work together to support our youth.

I am grateful that children can go to school every day and have teachers who love to teach and embrace the community as their own. And if my “coffee friends” are reading this I am grateful for all of you.

Gratitude is no cure-all, but it is a massively underutilized tool for improving life-satisfaction and happiness.

Research all you want, but you can find absolutely no negative outcomes to practicing gratefulness. Improved life satisfaction, physical health and happiness, better relationships including marriage, more positive experiences and overall increased contentment with life are all positive outcomes to practicing gratitude; however you decide to do it.

The nice thing about gratitude is you get to decide how to do it in your life and create an experience that is personal to just you.

Dianne Smith, LMFT is a licensed counselor who works with both children and adults. She has offices in Bonners Ferry and Sandpoint and can be reached at dianne_smith_mft@yahoo.com.

Driving Miss Marilynne

By Mindy Cameron Reader Contributor

I had the pleasure of taking Marilynne Robinson to the Spokane airport last Friday morning after her appearance at the Panida the previous evening. I have read her novels and many of her essays. The more I read the deeper my admiration for her as a writer and thinker becomes.

So what did we talk about on our drive? Sagle. I knew she grew up in the Sandpoint area, but only when I read her essay, “When I Was a Child,” did I realize her connection to the area was a grandparent’s ranch in Sagle.

As we left the Long Bridge heading south, I said, “Now we’re in Sagle,” and asked if she remembered where the ranch was located. “Over there somewhere,” she said, gesturing with her hand to the left, east of Highway 95. I told her I lived at the east end of Sagle road amidst farming properties. Does Martin Bay or Glengary Bay sound familiar? No, she said; childhood memories leave out many details.

We drove on in silence for a few minutes. She remarked how beautiful the trees were. “I used to be able to identify all the different kinds,” she said. Then a memory sparked. “Is there a Blacktail mountain?” She recalled a rocky hill that her grandparents’ house backed up against. We were nearly to Blacktail Road. It must be back there, I said, pointing east. She smiled, as if familiar landscapes had clarified memories. “They called it a ranch,” she said, “but they just raised cows.”

In her essay of childhood she wrote about the ranch: “We chased barn cats and swung on the front gate and set off pitchy, bruising avalanches in the woodshed, and watched my grandmother scatter chicken feed from an apron with huge pockets in it, suffering the fractious contentment of town children rusticated.”

Here’s another memory from her essay: She was a child at “Coolin or Sagle or Talache … I remember walking into the woods by myself and feeling the solitude … I remember kneeling by a creek that spilled and pooled among rocks and fallen trees with the unspeakably tender growth of small trees already sprouting from the backs, and thinking, there is only one thing wrong here, which is my own presence …feeling that my solitude, my loneliness, made me almost acceptable in so sacred a place.”

Marilynne Robinson and former President Barack Obama. Photo by New York Books.

These two paragraphs reveal the Marilynne Robinson her readers know and love, a writer of graceful prose, elegant phrases and subtle currents of the sacred in life.

As our journey continued beyond Sagle we talked about her efforts to explain the West to colleagues in lofty academic circles of the East, who often are puzzled how she could become the person she is after growing up in the rural West.

At the Panida she recalled how once, when asked how the West was different, she replied that in the West lonesome “is a word with strongly positive connotations.” I told her how much I loved that response because it’s how I see and experience life in rural North Idaho.

During her Panida speech she talked of the importance of public schools, saying without equivocation that they are as good as any others. I thanked her for her straightforward defense of public education and we commiserated about the frequent, unfair attacks on schools and teachers.

Several years ago Robinson and President Obama sat down together for a lengthy conversation that was later published. I was curious what she thought about him. “The most impressive person I’ve ever met,” she said, open and gracious, “and as good a listener as I’ve ever been around.” Also, she added, “he has a mind that sees beyond the edges.”

After we said our goodbyes at the airport, I drove home, thinking about our conversation and concluding that Marilynne’s description of the former president is very close to how I would now describe her.

Mindy Cameron, who has lived in Sagle for 16 years, is a retired newspaper editor and is now writing a memoir.

STAGE & SCREEN

7B Stars at the Festival at Sandpoint: Bringing together local musicians in Charley Packard’s memory

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff Writer

The evening of Wednesday, Aug. 9, marks a night of the Festival at Sandpoint focused on local talents in honor of Sandpoint legend Charley Packard, the singer-songwriter and beloved community member who died in February after a three-year battle with esophageal cancer.

The memorial show, dubbed the 7B Stars concert, is the brainchild of Packard’s partner Karen Bowers and his three children Jesse, Buck and Mason. Bowers mentioned the idea to Festival at Sandpoint Director Dyno Wahl, and while the original thought was not affiliated with the Festival, Wahl said she jumped at the chance to make it a part of this year’s events.

“I thought, ‘Why doesn’t the Festival embrace this?’” she said. “I love putting local talent on the stage, and it’s getting harder every year.”

Wahl said that in the many times Packard graced the Festival stage as an opening act, she recalls watching from the side of the stage in awe of his ability to draw people in.

“There are few people who can command the stage as a solo performer, and he could do that,” Wahl said.

“He had a voice people listened to.”

Packard’s lasting impact on the people of Sandpoint goes beyond his music. Wahl said she always loved running into Packard due to his kind, caring nature.

“He was such a sweet person.

When you ran

into him, all your tension just kind of drained. He had a peaceful countenance about him,” she said.

This everlasting legacy of kindness and selflessness is reflected well in the 7B Stars concert, where every artist is offering their talents and time for free.

Furthermore, regular festival volunteers will be working that night, which would normally be a night off during the Festival.

Beth Pederson said she will be performing with Brice Bishop at the memorial show and said she feels honored to be able to celebrate Packard.

“He was just such a huge part of our community for all those years, and he still is,” she said.

Every artist and band will cover at least one Packard song, Wahl said. Pederson said she and Bishop will play two: “Put Your Heart Away” and “Somewhere Stars Are Falling” — the second being a song she and Packard wrote together

back in the early 2000s.

Wahl said operating procedure for the 7B Stars night is pretty similar to regular Festival nights, but with a couple exceptions.

Chair rental will be free, and a small selection of the Festival’s regular food vendors will be open that night.

There will be no sponsor seating. The gates open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at Eve’s Leaves, Evans Brothers or Eichardt’s. All proceeds will benefit the Charley Packard Memorial Scholarship Fund, meant to financially assist students planning to pursue singer-songwriter ambitions.

“It’s not going to have anything to do with grades, because so many scholarships focus on academics,” she said. “It’s nice to have something that focuses on

The late, great Charley Packard in his backyard in summer, 2015. Photo by Ben Olson.

the creative side and recognizes that not everyone is cut from the same cloth.”

Wahl said the family is planning to give away the first of many scholarships next year. Please see the ad at the lower left of this page for a full list of participating musicians.

July 29 - Part 1 @ 6pm, Part 2 @ 8pm JUly 30 - Part 1 @ 3:30pm, part 2 @ 5:30pm

new york dog film festival wednesday, aug. 2 @ 6pm

CALS PRESENTS: “THE OLD MAN AND THE BEE”

Educational Event for Sandpoint community hosted by UI college of Agriculture and Robbin Thorp - Q&A to follow

aug 17 @ 7:30pm | Aug. 18 @ 5:30pm | Aug. 20 @ 3:30pm

“neither wolf nor dog”

Aug. 18-19, 24-26 @ 7pm little r Dessert & theatRE: “jingle” e t a e h t saturday Aug. 19 @ 6:30pm

THE TWO TRACKS WITH GUESTS MOUNTAIN MOONSHINE great music, captivating storytelling, seamless harmonies, and dancing all night

aug. 24 @ 7:30pm | aug. 25 @ 5:30 & 8:30pm aug. 27 @ 3:30pm

“The Hero” starring Sam elliot saturday aug. 26 @ 7pm

alaska’s mt. huntington

July 27, 2017 /

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MUSIC

h t i w w e i v r e An Int

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff Writer When up-and-coming country artist Mitchell Tenpenny visits Sandpoint Aug. 5 to open for Jake Owen, concert attendees are sure to walk away with memories of a unique songwriter. One of those memories will likely be soundtracked by his upbeat breakup anthem “Bitches.”

“It’s not about calling girls bitches, or guys — it’s just a term. I wrote that song when my buddies got cheated on, and it was the only term that came to mind. It’s become a girl anthem, too. Like, we all know bitches. That’s why I wanted to make it up-tempo,” he said.

“People are always singing by the second chorus cause it’s just easy, and it’s kind of a shock to be like, ‘Why am I singing (the word) ‘bitches?’”

Tenpenny, who has previously opened for Granger Smith, Brett Young and Lynyrd Skynyrd, started Riser Records in Nashville. He said the goal was to make a team that believed in creating a unique country sound with real stories and real people behind it. The result of this vision, he said, is he recently released EP, “Linden Ave.” “We’ve been just trying to organically build the brand the best that we can,” Tenpenny said. “I think there’s a lot of real emotion in these songs.

It’s less of the ‘moonlight, taillight’ thing and more like ‘I get too drunk and call my ex’ 20 /

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Mitchell Tenpenny will play the Festival at Sandpoint in support of Jake Owens on Sat. August 5. Photo courtesy Mitchell Tenpenny. type stuff. More stuff that some people on a major label might not be able to say.”

Tenpenny grew up in the Nashville music scene and said he saw the evolution of current country music thanks to his grandmother’s position as president of Sony ATV Music Publishing. Being around the business his entire life helped him find what he calls an “untapped market” in the genre: authenticity.

“I’m not saying the other artists aren’t authentic, but I just think there are certain things that even when you have the formula people don’t want to take the risk, and that’s why we wanted to start our own label,

where maybe we were able to say something that someone else hasn’t said yet,” Tenpenny said.

Taking risks and striving for authenticity has to do with relating to a certain demographic, Tenpenny said — specifically, blue-collar people.

“I’ve been lucky enough to travel the country and see that most of it isn’t these big towns. The cities have all the population, but then there’s America that’s just covered with blue-collar, hard-working people, and that’s who I want to write for,” he said. “I understand that sometimes there’s bigger problems than drinking under moonlight. And not necessarily problems — some-

times there’s more fun than just that, too.”

His song “Mixed Drinks” explores the vulnerability that comes with heartbreak, and was inspired by a woman he saw ripping shots and crying over her phone. “Truck I Drove in High School” is about his first truck, and first taste of freedom. “Alcohol You Later” puts into song the drunk dialing that none of us are proud of — but know too well. Tenpenny’s music is meant to resonate with everyone, he said.

“I want you to feel like it’s honest, not just something you can crank up and not necessarily listen to the lyrics,” he said, noting that though he loves the

work of many contemporary country artists, they tend to play it safe with their lyrics. “(Popular artists) have great grooves, and sometimes the lyrics dive a little deeper, but the lyrics never really hit on anything offensive or edgy. I want something that evokes an emotion every time you hear it. I’ll lose my voice at the end of a recording session because I want you to believe it. I want you to believe I’ve been through that and that it’s OK.” Catch Mitchell Tenpenny opening for Jake Owen on Saturday, Aug. 5, at the Festival at Sandpoint at Memorial Field.

Call 265-4554 for tickets.

MUSIC

This week’s RLW by Ben Olson

READ

An interview with

I’ve always been a fan of Jules Verne, who is known as the grandfather of science fiction (though he often disputed that his work wasn’t science fiction at all).

My favorites include “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea,” “Journey to the Centre of the Earth,” and “Around the World in Eighty Days.”

Verne’s French surrealism laid a great foundation for any novel he completed. His characters are mysterious at times, and at the core of his stories is that adventurous spirit that we value so highly here in the U.S. Verne’s books aren’t just for kids. Reconnect with them!

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff Writer Describing a band’s sound can be as easy as naming a genre. As someone who is constantly referring her friends to new music, I take pride in being able to describe a certain artist’s music in just a few words.

One band I love that I’ve never been able to pin down, however, is reggae-rock-dub-indie outfit Iration. If I tell someone they’d like Iration, and they ask me to describe the band’s sound, I say simply, “listen to them.”

I caught up with lead singer and guitarist Micah Pueschel over the phone while the band was getting ready to play a show in Boise earlier this month to talk about the band’s genre hopping, their love of live performance and how North Idaho is so much better than Boise.

SR: I was going to ask you guys if you’ve ever been to Idaho, and then I saw on Twitter you were in Boise today, so that’s cool.

MP: Yeah, we’ve been to Idaho many times. We’ve been through North Idaho once, but never played there, or stayed there. So this will be the first time.

SR: Well, we have the lake, so we are way better than southern Idaho. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it, being from Hawaii, and then California.

MP: Yeah, we like the water and we like to golf, and you guys have golf and water — two things that we love.

SR: Alright, awesome. So, I think because you guys are opening for the Wailers there will be people unfamiliar with you who assume you’re straight-up reggae. What would you say to people who don’t know what to expect from Iration?

LISTEN

Iration playing at the Ventura Theater in Ventura, Calif. earlier this year. Photo by Ryan Hadji.

MP: I would almost just say nothing. I would just say, “Keep an open mind. Show up, and come see us. Formulate your opinion, post-show.” We’ve opened for a number of different acts whether that be reggae, country, rock, pop, hip-hop, and we take pride in putting on a good show and a show that, no matter what genre you listen to or you’re into, you’ll enjoy. I think that that’s the beauty of live music — the people on stage are doing it, enjoying it, and you know, putting on a real live show with real instruments and everything, and I think that speaks louder than genres or classifications. So show up, enjoy it, and if you like the Wailers you’ll like what we’re doing, too.

SR: Yeah for sure, and I only ask because trying to describe your sound is really interesting because we’re talking rock, we’re talking reggae, we’re talking alternative, and a little dub. I’ve been listening to “Fly With Me” lately and you see the development from a

song like, say, “Falling.” I don’t want to do the whole puttingyour-genre-in-a-box-thing but what can be expected next from you guys?

MP: What we pride ourselves on is being unpredictable, doing what is not expected and doing things that are outside of the box. Maybe it confuses our fans sometimes, but I think as they listen and give it a chance, I think it comes into focus. We’re a band that’s all about the song. We focus on writing songs, and we try to treat each song as an individual entity and give it what it needs and nourish them separately from each other. I think that leads us to having songs that sound ethereal, a little bit dubby-reggae. And we have a new single coming out called “Borderlines” that is a little more indie rock. There’s a lot of variation.

SR: That makes sense. You talked a little bit about performing live. What do you hope people take away from your live performances?

MP: I hope people take away that it was enjoyable. Sometimes people come away from a live show and either it didn’t sound right, or the band didn’t seem like they were into it. We just really want them to come away feeling good, have a smile on their face, thinking, “That was awesome.”

We enjoy playing, we enjoy being up there, and we try to give every show — no matter where we are — the same amount of energy, intensity and thought.

Whether it’s Sandpoint, Idaho, or Los Angeles, New York or Chicago.

SR: I love hearing that, because I’m really excited to see you guys play, and Sandpoint might be pretty small-time, but it’s a lot of fun.

MP: We like playing new places we’ve never been before, so we’re really looking forward to it.

Catch the double-headliner show with Iration and The Wailers at the Festival at Sandpoint on Friday, Aug. 11 at Memorial Field. Call 265-4554 for tickets.

Some of the best indie rock came from the ‘90s. Yo La Tengo is no exception. The Hoboken-based band has released an astounding 14 albums in their 30-plus year career.

While they have yet to attain that juicy mainstream success, YLT has maintained a strong cult following over the years.

Their groovy, ethereal sound is authentic and pleasing to the ears, but their style fluctuates widely from album to album. My favorite is 2000’s release, “And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out.”

WATCH

I’ve been a fan of Alexander Payne’s films for their honest, unpretentious humor and drama that seem to exist on the same plane.

One film that slipped through the cracks was “The Descendants,” which tells the story of a man whose family owned one of the last pieces of virgin land in the Hawaiian Islands. After his wife is seriously injured in a boating accident, the hero undergoes a quest to get to the bottom of some personal matters, while also deciding whether to sell the land to a douchey developer or find a way to keep it from being exploited. It’s a warm, funny and entertaining film starring George Clooney in yet another great role.

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The Straight Poop:

The quest for dog-friendly businesses in North Idaho

By Drake the Dog Reader Pet Columnist

Cathy’s Critter Care

Where am I taking my humans today?

Actually, this critter-friendly business can come to a home near you! The Missus has been busy securing the pawfect critter care to take care of my kitty sister when we venture to Seattle for the birth of granddaughter #1. I take great pleasure in introducing to you the BEST: Cathy’s Critter Care, serving Sandpoint, Ponderay, Dover, Naples, Hope and more. Owner Cathy Lancaster provides consistent, secure loving care in your home so our lifestyle doesn’t skip a beat while the humans are gone.

While the the Mister and Missus are scurrying around packing, Cathy came and observed our routines. She talked and played with us, while and watching how Mika acts around the house.

This enables her to create the best individualized care, since no two critters are alike. We’re creatures of habit, so Cathy will stick to our eating, exercise, play and sleep schedule while our parents are away. Besides, who likes to do business in an unfamiliar place?

It takes her a day to figure us out, and by the second day, we have figured her out!

We tell her our secret spots where we like to be petted, behind the neck, under the collar, on the hind end, by the tail — it’s like a spa in our home! Cats however, are a different story, as they have a mind of their own — and a litter box. I can’t quite figure out what Mika means when she lays on the floor and crosses her paws like I do. Copycat!

As per Cathy’s suggestions, we have just completed writing out Mika’s Fifty Shades of Fur (translation: detailed instructions complete with pictures), so no tail is left untold. She will feed us what the Mister and Missus tells her, and whether it’s paws up or paws down on treats and people food. However, the nose knows!

Why did Cathy choose this occupation? She moved to Sandpoint from Jerome seven years ago and always had animals in her life. Her new digs prevented her from keeping critters, so she decided to turn this somewhat negative situation into a business opportunity that would feed her soul. She has been 22 /

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involved with critter care for over five years, and recently started phasing out her real job. Her barkin’ good idea of taking care of animals in their own home began to develop legs. She placed her first ad online, and the rest is history.

When Cathy takes care of us she is usually up before sunrise. She beats or observes Kirk Miller’s daily sunrise photo. Sometimes her pics rival Kirk’s.

Before breakfast, she puts her hair in a dog tail, finds her comfy walking shoes and says, “Let’s go!” After the morning walk, we get fed, and we are free to take a nap after breakfast. Now it’s her turn for breakfast, a shower, scrub, shave (legs only in summer), shampoo and shine! Then we’re all ready for critter play, a morning walk, snoozing on the patio, reading Cosmuttpolitan, swimming in the lake (with parental permission) sipping Starbarks or other dog-day afternoon activities.

Time flies when you’re having fun, and waiting for dinner. Cathy’s stew (The Missus’ recipe) is the best, followed by an evening walk, inside or outside play (frisbee, fetch, or finding that Jimmy Chew or Kate Spayed toy), and then powering down before going to bed. With a few walks a day, we’re getting so fit and fabulous! When she’s not critter-sitting for us, she get’s her ‘fix’ with her grand kid’s eight-monthold black lab, Marvin.

Cathy is ready to take care of my kitty sister any day now. Mika says, “Staying in my home is what I want, and Cathy gets me! I’ll wait patiently to meet the new grand baby.”

For Drake- and Mika-approved, pawsome-good in-home critter care, contact Cathy at 208-539-7331 or Lancastercathy@gmail.com. Client reviews are raising the woof!

Cathy’s Critter Care is a place for wet kisses. From left to right: Mika, Cathy and Drake. donate to the reader! www.patreon.com/ sandpointreader

Crossword Solution

Somebody told me how frightening it was how much topsoil we are losing each year, but I told that story around the campfire and nobody got scared.

Copyright www.mirroreyes.com

CROSSWORD ACROSS

405 Olive • 290-2018 • 290-1395 (call)

(text)

For help, come next door to Steve’s Import Auto

Mon-Fri 7:30am - 5:30pm

Woorf tdhe Week

fete

/FEYT/

[noun] 1. a festive celebration or entertainment

“This year’s inauguration was not exactly a fete for much of the country.”

Corrections: We spelled Marilynne Robinson’s name wrong in the photo caption last week. So embarassing! -BO

1. Snob 5. 4-door car 10. Tip 14. Olympic sled 15. Small amount 16. Kill 17. A moderately quick tempo 19. Den 20. Chief Executive Officer 21. Formula 1 driver 22. Electrical pioneer 23. Causing erosion 25. S S S S 27. Scarlet 28. Dreamer 59. Wingless blood 31. Gloss sucking insects 34. Eyeshade 60. Swing around 35. Prompt 61. Impetuous 36. Draw near 62. Woman’s 37. Moisten undergarment 38. Tibetan monk 39. French for “Friend” 63. Untidyness 40. Melodies 41. He flies a plane DOWN 42. Refinisher 1. Location 44. Brassiere 45. Bake in a shallow dish 2. King 46. Ancient Roman galley 3. Snow house 4. G 50. Vortex 5. Maroon 52. Vibes 6. Construct 54. Spy agency 7. A romantic meeting 55. You (archaic) 8. Female thespians 56. Fixations 9. Prefix meaning “Modern” 58. Charged particles

Solution on page 22 10. Not awake 11. Music genre 12. Letters, etc.

13. Tropical American wildcat 18. The color of grass 22. Russian emperor 24. To endure (archaic) 26. Flat-bottomed boat 28. Duck down 29. Japanese wrestling 30. Nipple 31. Stigma 32. “Where the heart is” 33. Discharges 34. Profoundly honored 37. Prickle

38. Teller of untruths 40. Hard work 41. One who is excessively proper 43. Candidiasis 44. Tastelessly showy 46. Step 47. French school 48. Subtract 49. Relieves 50. Blend 51. Stop for a horse 53. Utilized 56. Frequently, in poetry 57. Belief

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