Sandpoint Reader July 2, 2015

July 2. 2015 / free / Vol. 12 issue 24

y p p a H e c n e d n e p e d n I day !

Oil Trains Locals brace for impact

er T h e re a d s inter v iew

The Devil Makes Three

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Susan Drinkard on the street compiled by

What are your plans for the Fourth?

“I’ll be going to a youth group from 1 until 4 and then to my pastor’s house where we are going to fill balloons with a kind of oxygen that will blow them up.

It will be a lot of fun.”

Bryce Barba Cocolalla Bible Camp Cabin Leader Kootenai

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“Swimming at City Beach if it doesn’t rain. We will get there about 8 a.m. to get our spot by the playground area and then stay until the fireworks.”

www.sandpointreader.com Publisher: Ben Olson ben@sandpointreader.com Editor: Cameron Rasmusson cameron@sandpointreader.com Zach Hagadone (emeritus) Contributing Artists: Al Seger (cover), Ben Olson, Susan Drinkard, Piper Ferguson, Phishbone Photography.

Contributing Writers: Cameron Rasmusson, Ben Olson, Nick Gier, Scarlette Quille, Ted Bowers, Dan Eskelson, Scout Seley, Jenna Bowers.

Subscription Price: $75 per year Advertising: Jen Landis jen@sandpointreader.com Clint Nicholson clint@keokee.com Web Content: Keokee The Sandpoint Reader is a weekly publication owned and operated by Ben Olson and Keokee. It is devoted to the arts, entertainment, politics and lifestyle in and around Sandpoint, Idaho.

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

The Reader is printed on recycled paper using soy-based ink.

Leftover copies are collected and recycled weekly, or burned in massive bonfires to appease the gods of journalism. Free to all, limit two copies per person.

Isaac Nelson Courtesy Clerk Sagle

“We really have to lie low. We have to stay away from loud noises and extra stimuli because it is a sensory overload for my son and daughter who have autism and Aspergers respectively.”

it’s nice to meet you, neighbor

“We’ll watch the fireworks and go to the parade. My husband is a stroke victim, so we’ll park where he can see it all from the car.”

$10 Lunch special mon-fri 11-4

“I’ll be working at Chimney Rock Grill (at Schweitzer).”

Kellie Pierce Front House Manager Sandpoint

-Ben Olson, Publisher

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

Printed weekly at: Griffin Publishing Spokane, Wash.

“I’ll be out hiking somewhere, possibly up Baldy.”

Shirley Opp Retired CNA and Beautician Food Bank Volunteer Sandpoint

Happy birthday, America!

We’ve got a long, hot weekend ahead of us, with a host of festivities to keep us busy. Special thanks to the Sandpoint Lions Club for all they do to make this a greay holiday for all.

Let’s all be safe and keep control of those fireworks. It’s very dry out there, so be mindful of your surroundings, and have a fun weekend.

On behalf of Cameron and myself, we wish you all a great Fourth of July.

Now go jump in the lake.

READER

Submit stories to: stories@sandpointreader.com

Traci Gibson Litehouse Spice Prep Ponderay

Tiffany Dye Stay-at-home Mom Sandpoint

DEAR READERS,

124 South 2nd Ave. sandpoint, IDaho (208)597-7499

www.sandpointpub.com

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

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

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

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

About the Cover This week’s cover photo by Al Seger.

Al is primarily a landscape and wildlife photographer. Although his home is in Sagle, Idaho, he travels throughout the Northwest capturing images of beauty and interest. Currently, his images can be seen in Di Luna’s Cafe and the Visitor’s Center on Sand Creek in Sandpoint, as well as his website: AlSegerPhoto.com.

Nice shot, Al!

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COMMENTARY

Moscow’s Christ Church, Neo-Confederates and tolerance

By Nick Gier Reader Columnist

Many people have the misconception that those who take issue with Moscow pastor Douglas Wilson’s Christ Church, Logos School, and New St. Andrews College (NSA) are condemning their religious beliefs. For me and many others this is simply not true.

In December 2002, I invited NSA faculty and students to attend the regional American Academy of Religion meeting, which took place on the University of Idaho campus in May 2003 (one year 40 percent of the papers were presented by faculty from conservative evangelical schools). Then NSA President Roy Atwood, however, said that they had “better things to do,” and our relations, fueled by heated debate about Wilson’s booklet “Slavery As It Was,” got worse and worse.

When more than 1,000 people signed the full page ad “Not in Our Town” in the Moscow-Pullman Daily News in December 2003, the issue was not evangelical theology; rather, it was Wilson’s slavery booklet, in which he and his co-author Steven Wilkins states: “There has never

LETTERS Killing Riley was wrong...

Dear Editor, About the police killing of a pregnant Jeanetta Riley, Mayor Carrie Logan stated “The initial public response… was mixed with a vocal minority being very critical of the police.” She goes on to say “Once the investigation had been completed and we were able to fully release the information, there has been a lot of support for the Sandpoint Police Dept. with continued criticism by a vocal minority.”

The implication Mayor Logan is obviously making (with her use of the word “vocal minority”) is: because they are a “vocal minority” they do not support the police and are wrong in their criticism.

There was a “vocal minority” in the Confederacy who spoke out against slavery before the Civil War and there was a “vocal minority” 4 /

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been a multi-racial society which has existed with such mutual intimacy and harmony in the history of the world” (p. 24).

Wilkins was a founding director of the League of the South, which has been declared a “white supremacist hate group” by the Southern Poverty Law Center. LOS founder Michael Hill proposed that an independent neo-Confederacy of 15 states would have the duty to protect the values of Anglo-Celtic culture from black Americans, who are “a compliant and deadly underclass.”

The LOS organizes public protests in conjunction with the Council of Conservative Citizens, whose website decries “negroes, queers and other retrograde species of humanity.” In his own manifesto, Charleston shooter Dylann Roof stated that, after he started reading the CCC website in 2012, he “was never the same.” He was particularly drawn to “pages upon pages of black on white murders,” which convinced him, draped in the Confederate battle flag on his web posts, that he had to start a race war against all black people.

Two University of Idaho history professors took time from

their busy schedules to refute the slavery booklet paragraph by paragraph. It was later discovered that 20 percent of the booklet was lifted verbatim from Robert Fogel’s and Stanley Engerman’s “Time on the Cross.”

Tracy McKenzie, professor of history at the University of Washington and a member of Wilson’s Christ Church in Seattle, pleaded with Wilson to repudiate his work; but, instead Wilson took on McKenzie, an expert on the antebellum South, and wrote a new book “Black and Tan” in defense of his discredited views.

In an interview with the Spokesman Review (Oct. 22, 2007), Wilson admitted that “Confederate flags have adorned office and school walls at times.”

At a 2005 picnic attended by members of Wilson’s organizations, the band Potatohead refused to entertain when they saw the Confederate flag prominently displayed.

In a response to an earlier version of this article, Wilson said that students at Logos School were simply reenacting Civil War history, but does that mean that his people at the 2005 picnic divided up for war games, too?

The band Potatohead did not see

Shooting of Riley... in the South who spoke out against segregation in the 1950s and 60s.

I would ask Mayor Logan, “Were these “vocal minorities” wrong in your mind too?”

Over the past year I have heard from several sources that many people are afraid to speak out against this police killing of Jeanetta Riley or attend the memorial services held for her and her unborn child.

Why are so many in Sandpoint afraid of the authorities? Fear is a very good way to keep the “vocal minority” a “vocal minority”, isn’t it, madam mayor?

By the way madam mayor, being I am one of those you refer to as the “vocal minority”, and despite your implication, I do support the police. I just don’t support what was the unnecessary killing of a pregnant Jeanetta Riley.

Lee Santa Sandpoint

Dear Editor, Am I odd for mourning during holidays? Take Thanksgiving, for example, I cannot help thinking about the genocide of our Native Americans or starving modern refugees around the world (who would be thankful for a morsel of our feast). I mean, are all the people that take their own lives around Christmas odd, or is it normal for humanity to offer grief, to create a balance, during gluttonous myrrh?

As much as I may try to dive in completely, abandoning all shame, I cannot shake my celebratory sorrow. On this upcoming holiday, for instance, I will witness the happiness of my children and in this there will be true joy, and...

I will likely shudder with each gun-sounding firework, empathize with the local terrified dogs and estimate the cost of each explosion. I will consider the “bloody British” and the irony that our country now controls much of the world. Are some of those U.S. occupied coun-

any Union flags for this alleged historical balance.

Moscow’s intoleristas proudly wear the name badge Wilson has given them, and we now have big name allies all across the nation.

Walmart, eBay, Sears, Target, Etsy, and Amazon will no longer sell Confederate flags and memorabilia. Although they have received last minute rush orders, major flag manufacturers will no longer produce a flag that divides people along racial lines.

Alabama’s governor has ordered that four Confederate flags be removed from his state capitol.

A bill has been introduced in the Mississippi legislature to excise the Rebel Flag that stands prominently in the upper left corner of this state’s flag. Unfortunately, South Carolina’s legislators will have to muster a two-thirds vote to bring down this symbol of hate and bigotry that flies high over their Capitol. In stark contrast, the state flag and Old Glory flutter at half-mast.

In a 2007 essay “Take Down That Flag” in the Christ Church

tries longing for their own Independence Day from us? “Independence” Day? Powers greater than Britain (like fear, greed, violence, etc) are still powers that our country is dependent on.

I will be thinking often of Jeanetta, a mother of three, like me, and very near my age. Was she torn during holidays as well... on one hand being overcome by the beauty of life and on the other hand feeling so separate and alone? Reaching out for aid, her husband brought her to the local hospital one year ago. Did she fail to receive empathy, love, help? The very opposite of love is fear. At some point in the evening of July 8, 2014, fear took over. As a result, Jeanetta was not embraced into the aid of this community hospital, and was encouraged (or threatened) to leave, while the police were called. Then this tiny woman, desperately clinging to her tiny knife, was murdered by our local, publicly paid, police, shot dead in the emergency room parking lot, right in the heart of Sandpoint.

Our picturesque small town

Moscow pastor Douglas Wilson and his booklet ‘Slavery As It Was.” journal Credenda Agenda, Douglas Jones, Wilson’s former righthand man, argues that the defeat of the Southern forces was obviously a sign of divine wrath. Instead of repenting, neo-Confederates boast about “their proud legacy and dwell on the sins of their accusers.” Jones declares that they should burn their flag and wear the ashes as a sign of repentance. How many neo-Confederates among us are ready to accept Jones’ challenge?

Nick Gier of Moscow taught philosophy and religion at the University of Idaho for 31 years.

Read all of his articles about Wilson at www.webpages.uidaho. edu/ngier/Wilson.htm. parade is contrasted and quite shaded by this tragedy. Even ideal nostalgia cannot white wash away the murder of Jeanetta Riley. Similar tragedies are popping off all around the country, and collectively they are becoming a war against the “underdog,” (anybody who is judged to be less).

Hope becomes my only weapon, along with faith in brighter tomorrows. May Sandpoint be the community that learns lessons and grows upward and forward, actively pursuing unity and compassion.

May law enforcement and hospital employees around the world be filled with loving-kindness and empathy for ALL. May Sandpoint be a community that doesn’t support bullying. Sandpoint is only as strong as its weakest link and we are ALL ONE, especially with the “underdog.”

During this summer’s festivities, is it odd that I grieve, hope and pray for change?

Jodi Rawson Sandpoint

PERSPECTIVES Savor the American flavor. Drink a beer.

This weekend’s forecast: Approximately seven degrees cooler than hell, but with worse traffic.

Plan accordingly.

Get out on the water as soon as you can, find yourself a floaty and a cooler full of your drink of choice and celebrate your independence. The Fourth of July is the holiday where you do not have to conform to a bizarre standard of expectations: no gifts, no fancy meals, no freaky mythological creatures sneaking into your house at night and casting judgment on your kids. It’s the choose-your-own-adventure holiday. We get to celebrate our good decisions and our bad decisions, because we live in a country where we are free to make our own choices.

You can spend all day in a bikini with your muffin top out, because it’s YOUR muffin top and there is no law against baring it.

We are free people.

I am grateful for the country I live in and choices I have and even more grateful to the individuals who fought for it and the families who lost loved ones in the process. Our country is not perfect, nor are we. It’s an ever changing work in progress. So this weekend celebrate the best part of being American and stop complaining about the bullshit.

Have fun. Eat a hot dog. drink some beer. Savor the American flavor.

I have a renewed love for living among the free and the brave.

About twice a month I pick up a shift at a very small bar in Sandpoint. The bar is more than 80 years old and has an eclectic clientele. It is not the busiest bar in town—it is located in the parking lot of one of our local hotels. I am not going to name this bar, but if you know anything about our local watering holes, you can figure it out.

The close proximity of this bar to one of our larger hotels means that at any time during the sum-

mer, the bar can become flooded with tourists. You can go from a “I’m making $20 bucks in tips tonight, maybe” type of night, to a night where you walk away with a pocket full of cash and a good story to tell.

I think that’s why I enjoy picking up shifts there. I like money, but I like good stories even better.

A couple of Sundays ago, I had one of those nights. The bar had about six people in it at the beginning of the shift: a couple of regulars and a newlywed couple.

They had actually gotten married the day before and were spending their honeymoon at a bar that does not have air conditioning or drinks with umbrellas in them.

The newlyweds were in great spirits, drinking, playing song after song on the jukebox, dancing together, not really giving a crap who was joining in or watching.

They kept their spirits high despite being hit on ruthlessly by other patrons. There’s something about getting married that always

Help identify dog attacker...

Please contact me at 263-6978 or 917-975-0373, or pzaklan3@aol. com

Government ≠ scientist...

Dear Editor, Can you please help identify an off-leash dog that viscously attacked and mauled a white Bichon and her caregiver Friday, June 26 approximately 5:30 p.m. just off the Super 1 parking lot between Super 1 and Napa Auto Parts?

The attacker was a medium sized lean muscular young dog, brown with short ears that fell forward at the tip with a long tail.

The owners subdued the dog, put it into their king cab pickup truck, dark gray, rather new, very clean and no dents and drove off without offering assistance to the victims.

Both victims received multiple puncture wounds and the Bichon required hospitalization with 20 stitches, two drain tubes and four medications.

The owners were young people both about the same height approximately 5’9”. The woman had short blond hair and the male had short dark hair and wore a baseball cap.

Any help in identifying this attack dog will be greatly appreciated.

Phyllis Goodwin Sandpoint

Comment on Riley story...

Dear Editor, Nice job, boys, with your examinations of the murder of Jeanetta Riley! It only took the local newspapers a year to comment on a story that was carried internationally!

Can’t wait for your follow up interviews with Sheriff Wheeler and his decision to end the department’s involvement with NAMI and, of course, the decision made by the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force that Ms. Riley’s human rights were not violated.

Also, it would be interesting to examine Mayor Logan’s involvement with the speakers chosen to speak at the original gathering for Ms. Riley.

Harvey Brannigan Bayview

Dear Editor, I read with interest the article “The Threat of a Warmer Tomorrow.”

In fact it always seems interesting to me that there is so much argument not only on that subject but many others among scientists.

Typical of this is the latest fuss by the FDA over trans fat, AKA partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. A few years ago these were considered far healthier than saturated fats naturally found in dairy and meat products. Now the FDA is banning them.

Neither scientists nor the government can make up their mind, which is why the people should be able to do so themselves.

Now a brief story that may seem off topic but the connection will become obvious.

One day I received a letter with a complete clipping from a large “reputable” newspaper about the mill in the small town in which I

makes one a bit more desirable ... right? Anyway, it was about this time my favorite musician walked into the bar. He also seemed to be having an inspired Sunday evening. He instantly made friends with the newlyweds and then decided he was going to play some music. Maybe he was motivated by all the love in the air, or maybe he just felt like singing. I can’t really say.

Music Man announced that he was going to get his instrument and then walked out of the bar.

At this point, I can only presume that he grabbed his guitar and held it up to the heavens like HeMan, prompting lighting bolts to shoot down from the sky, energizing him and summoning his band members. Either way, the next thing I know, Music Man walks back into the bar, shirtless and holding his guitar. Several of his musician friends appeared with various musical items, and they started performing.

The music and energy created some sort of vortex, and people started pouring into the bar. First came a couple of senior citizens, then some Canadians and then, out of nowhere, 15 men from Austria who were working on some sort of expedition for National Geographic filtered in.

The bar was full, the music was great. Eighty-year-olds were giving each other hickies, the newlyweds are likely expecting their first child in nine months and the Austrians drank Budweiser.

Which incidentally, I am fairly sure isn’t what they meant to order. It’s just what they kept saying while pointing to other types of beer. Apparently they thought Budweiser was just a term for beer. It was strange. I gave them Budweisers, and then they asked for more, but then what they really meant was Rainier or Pabst or Moose Drool. They liked the music. The Canadians liked the fact that the beer was cheap and they were allowed to smoke—a choice they do not get to make in their own country.

I walked out of there filled with positive energy and an appreciation for living and working in a place where anything can happen at any time. There are choices that we get to make that we take for granted. Spending time with citizens of different countries renewed my appreciate for my home.

I can’t always promise a huge multicultural party every time I work at this little bar. I can not guarantee that the Music Man will appear in his shirtless glory, wielding his guitar. What I can promise you is lots of choices and the freedom to make it the party that you want it to be.

Happy Fourth, ya’ll.

If you find yourself in need of a Budweiser and some good company, you might want to check out this little bar on Sunday night. Ask a local. They will point you in the right direction.

Cheers to Freedom,

lived. It was fascinating, but did not line up with what I knew about the town. So, I wandered around town showing the clipping everywhere.

I stopped at the bar where part of the story allegedly happened and asked the long term locals about it as I was still “wet behind the ears.”

Each person that read the article got a confused look on their face, and informed me that they had never heard such a story.

I am making two points here: 1. If scientists disagree and both sets are using the scientific method how is one is chosen above the other? It seems that the winner would be the one(s) with the most money and/or political clout who have the most to gain from believing one point of view over another.

2. The above also includes the media. Do not believe what you read, hear or see without question.

Many times I have done serious research on a subject and only to be jaw-dropping surprised at what I found. I can assure you that what is often stated as fact in a “reputa-

ble” newspaper or on TV is partially true at best. This is not new and began with the serpent in the Garden of Eden.

In the 1990s, I was paid to do some private research on airborne poisons. Because of this, I am firmly convinced that climate change is caused by things that people steadfastly refuse to believe because it seems so out of the mainstream. In Nazi Germany, many Jews refused to believe that Germany could be anything other than a civilized society. So rather than try to tell you about it, I say look for yourself.

Search the internet for a declassified military report entitled Air Force 2025. Unless it has been tampered with in the last 20 years or so, you will find a section in there on using weather as a weapon. If you are so innocent as to believe that the military and others would not use a study like this, then you, like I was, are still wet behind the ears and need to educate yourself.

Scarlette Quille

Shelley B. Sandpoint

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NEWS

Schweitzer’s new Summit Lodge set to break ground in fall of 2016

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff

If you’ve ever fancied having dinner with a full view of three states and two countries, you’re in luck—Schweitzer Mountain Resort announced Tuesday a long-anticipated summit lodge is scheduled for construction.

Resort officials announced Tuesday the Schweitzer board of directors has approved the $3.8 million summit lodge at the top of Great Escape Quad.

According to the plan designed

by Sandpoint-based architect Tim Boden and engineered by Dave Thompson, the 8,000-sq. ft., two-story building will feature a restaurant and full-service bar with a 360-degree view and indoor and outdoor seating for 180 people on its second floor. The main floor will set up Ski Patrol dispatch with new digs for its safety and assistance operations. As an added bonus, skiers and snowboarders with full bladders will no doubt appreciate the addition of some summit bathrooms.

“We really can’t thank our

ownership and board for supporting us with this project, especially after such a challenging winter,” said marketing manager Dig Chrismer. “It’s a huge sign that they are behind us in the continued growth and success of Schweitzer. That’s awesome.”

A project long in the making, the concept first underwent serious development 18 months ago. Last year, the team pitched the lodge to the board, which cleared the way for further planning and design. The idea was to get full use out of Schweitzer’s spectacular mountaintop. For instance, the new venue could provide a great spot for private parties or weddings.

“The top of the mountain has always offered such a special appeal to visitors (and locals) and the new lodge will make it possible for us to enjoy that space and place in both the winter and summer months,” said Chrismer.

“Our guests will have a place to really gather and enjoy the summit in comfort. This is something that we’ve been missing.”

Local company Idagon Homes will handle construction

A conceptual drawing of the new Summit Lodge atop Schweitzer Mountain Resort. of the project.

“Idagon has a solid reputation and has already done some amazing work in the area,” said Bill Williamson, Schweitzer mountain operations director, in a press release. “One such project was the recently completed restoration of Sandpoint’s historic train depot. We feel they have the experience and the vision to help us create yet anoth-

er iconic structure in the Pacific Northwest.”

One outstanding question is the fate of the Wang Shack, which may need to be removed to clear way for the new development. Long appreciated by locals as a quick and easy spot for drinks and refreshment, the shack’s future is still being determined.

“Our local skiers have such a

strong emotional attachment to the Wang Shack and we know how important this rustic [and] easy spot is to our Schweitzer family,” Chrismer said. “At this point, the future of the shack is to be determined and in terms of replicating the same service, there are some potential options, but again nothing has been finalized at this point.”

City considers city administrator post CNN mistakes dildo covered

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff

If it clears an eventual council vote, officials may include a major new city position this budget season.

Council members are considering adding a city administrator position to the list of city staff. If the position is approved, the hired individual would follow the council’s cue by enacting policies and projects the elected body votes upon. First discussions of the proposal took place at Wednesday’s council meeting.

Contrary to rumors that spread throughout the week, the proposed city administrator position isn’t intended to replace the office of mayor. Rather, the administrator would work at the direction of publicly elected officials. It’s an approach that’s long been discussed but never seriously considered until now, according to City Treasurer Shannon Syth.

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“We have talked about this for several years” she said.

“Back when [former councilman] John Reuter was here, it was discussed.”

Typically experienced professionals with extensive education and training, city administrators usually draw a sizable salary—up to six figures at the upper end of the spectrum. That hefty expense prompted some skepticism from council meeting attendees, who questioned its necessity.

“I see storefronts crumbling, I see sidewalks crumbling … I don’t think this is feasible or defensible in any way,” said resident Anita Perry.

Perry also worried that the turn-over rate for city administrators is too high, leading to a lack of continuity. Meanwhile, she said it could shield the council from accountability.

“They could say [about a

project], ‘We have this expert, we listened to our expert and it didn’t work out.’”

Resident Mose Dunkel, meanwhile, wondered whether the position would merely double responsibilities already handled by city staff, like Planning and Economic Development Director Aaron Qualls.

“To me that’s the biggest question,” he said. “Is this job being done already?”

“I don’t feel like the heart going into that job [by a hired employee] is going to be the same as someone who puts themselves out for that job [as an elected official],” he added.

One way or another, the discussion over the potential new position is just beginning. Council members will have to weigh the decision—one of many— as budget planning continues through the summer into the fall.

flag for ISIS threat

Everyone knows Islamic militant group ISIS has shady political aims, but who knew they were such freaks in the bedroom, too?

That’s what CNN would have us believe, anyway. While covering a gay pride parade in London, reporters noted what appeared to be an ISIS flag in the procession. The news network then spent several minutes wondering why ISIS would be attending a pride parade, unaware that the writing on the flag was, in fact, silhouettes of dildos, butt plugs and other assorted sex toys.

CNN still hasn’t acknowl-

edged the gaffe on air, although The Guardian reports they’ve taken the video down from their website. A pity, because it contained more than a few priceless moments.

“I mean, if you look at the flag closely, it’s clearly not Arabic. In fact, it looks like it could be gobbledygook, but it’s very distinctive—the ISIS flag,” reporter Lucy Pawle said as she attempted to crack the mystery of the dildo flag.

Huh. “The Mystery of the Dildo Flag.” Now there’s a Nancy Drew novel for a new generation. [CR]

NEWS FEATURE Bracing for impact:

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff At about 1 a.m. on July 6, 2013, a train carrying Bakken crude oil exploded in the town of Lac-Mégantic, Quebec. Minutes later, the town looked like something out of a post-apocalyptic disaster film.

Forty-seven people died. More than 30 downtown buildings were destroyed, and all but three of 39 surviving buildings were rendered uninhabitable from contamination.

Smoke and fires raged throughout the site of the explosion. Reconstruction will take years and cost millions of dollars.

Local public officials and conservation professionals worry that a similar fate could befall Sandpoint, already an important route for energy shipments like coal and oil. All it takes is for one of those shipments to go wrong, and some officials worry that’s a matter of when, not if. That puts them in the uneasy position of bracing for an impact they’re sure will come sooner or later.

“It’s going to happen eventually in Bonner County where we’ll have to deal with some kind of incident,” said Ron Stocking, Sandpoint and Sagle fire chief. “Hopefully it will be a minor one.”

Last week, a panel of experts, including Stocking, City Councilwoman and Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper director Shannon Williamson, weighed in on the topic. Also present were Eric de Place, policy director at sustainability nonprofit the Sightlight Institute, and Jen Wallis, a freight conductor and co-chair for Railroad Workers United. Their message: Plan for the worst and hope for the best. To that end, the city and county have partnered on several emergency response plans should an oil accident occur in Sandpoint.

“Our priorities are life safety, property conservation and environment protection,” Stocking said. “That’s the order that we tackle the problem.”

According to BNSF officials, they take the dangers of oil transportation seriously. That’s why, according to a fact sheet, the company implemented sev-

Locals weigh the threat of oil train derailment

eral safety policies in 2014 and 2015, including increased track inspections and safety technology on oil routes. In addition, train speed limits are lowered for crude oil shipments, including a 35 mph limit for cities with more than 100,000 people (Sandpoint, obviously, doesn’t qualify).

Community engagement is also a large part of the company’s safety program, including paid emergency training for firefighters.

“To be fair to BNSF, they have been sending our firefighters to train to fight Bakken oil fires,” Stocking said.

When it comes to oil shipments, BSNF doesn’t have much of a choice, according to company spokesperson Gus Malone.

Federal regulations require that they treat all shipments equally.

“We couldn’t say yes to tennis shoes and no to oil,” Malone said.

However, he said the company takes safety seriously. To that end, officials have implemented a range of safety enhancements, including more effective equipment, enhanced safety measures like new braking systems and up to 1,100 new additions to its fleet of locomotives. Careful planning, Malone said, has resulted in no fatalities along the northern tier—stretching from the Great Lakes through the Rockies to the Pacific Northwest—since 1980.

“Safety is our number one priority,” Malone said. “We’re going to continue to make enhancements and adjustments to maximize safety.”

However, de Place isn’t ready to take BNSF’s word for it. He cites almost one dozen incidents of accidents in the last couple years as evidence that oil shipments carry inevitable risk by their nature.

“The reason we are seeing so many derailments is because we are running so many crude oil trains,” he said.

Neither does de Place trust new safety measures as a reliable safeguard. He said re-engineered oil tanker cars and stabilizing processes like degasification have already proven unreliable at preventing accidents.

De Place is even more worried by what he sees as insufficient accident reporting. His research shows instances where anything from minutes to hours passed before derailments were adequately reported and appropriate emergency measures were taken. According to the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, BNSF allegedly failed to report 14 spills of hazardous material—including oil— for a total of 700 violations between November and February.

De Place said BNSF admitted to 235 of those alleged violations.

The train tracks outside of Hope, While people like Williamson Idaho. Photograph by Ben Olson. are already disturbed by potential train derailments, 11 proposed refineries and export terminals would boost traffic dramatically. According to Sightline Institute, “If all of the projects were built and operated at full capacity, they would put more than 12 loaded mile-long trains per day on the Northwest’s railway system. Many worry about the risk of oil spills from thousands of loaded oil trains that may soon traverse the region each year.”

Also of concern to Sandpoint is a New Approach Idaho Initiative: BNSF-proposed second 1) Legalize Medical Marijuana railway bridge across the lake, projected for 2) Decriminalize 3 ounces or less construction in 2018 at the earliest. The bridge 3) Allow Idaho Farmers To Grow Hemp would require a public comment period before authorization if the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in November, 2016 requires a special permit, which Williamson said You may sign at the following locations: council members have •Common Knowledge •Vapor Planet requested.

•Vapor Depot “Since this project is •Eichardt’s Pub so far afield, we don’t know what the Army Let’s all be part of Idaho’s shift to common sense.

Corps will do, but the request has been made,” she said. www.legalize208.org July 2, 2015 /

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Sandpoint Lions Club gearing up for the Fourth

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

Bouquets: •A bouquet to Schweitzer for beginning the summer celebration with a complimentary chair lift ride up the mountain. What a nice gift! I saw lots of smiles on Sunday. Thanks, Schweitzer, for giving back to the community.

Submitted by Cynthia Mason.

•As you’ll read to the right, the Sandpoint Lions Club has done quite a bit for the community, especially around the holidays. Before interviewing new Sandpoint President Dave Banister, I had no idea how much they gave back to the community. Nice job, Lions! We appreciate your support.

Barbs: •Whoever puked in front of the Panida Theater Saturday night, you should be ashamed of yourself. Chances are, you were so drunk you don’t even remember doing it. But, I’m curious, why did you choose to spew all over the door and sidewalk in front of one of the most beloved institutions in Sandpoint? Do you think our underpaid and overworked volunteers and employees of the theater enjoy cleaning up your disgusting mess? I believe that Sandpoint bar owners should chip a few bucks a month into a fund that pays someone to patrol the downtown corridor on weekend nights and pick up all the beer bottles, broken glass, vomit and other detritus that gets left behind. Hey, we’ve all been there, but next time clean up after yourself.

•There is a special place reserved in hell for litterbugs.

Yesterday, I saw a woman in a black Toyota pickup toss an an ENTIRE McDonald’s bag out her window while driving on the highway. What planet were you born on, lady?

Got a bouquet or barb you’d like to offer? Write me at ben@ sandpointreader.com with “BB” in the subject line.

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Like fireworks? Parades?

Toys for tots? The annual Easter Egg hunt? Thank the Lions Club.

The Sandpoint charter of the Lions Club has been helping the community celebrate in our unique ways for more than half a century.

“On Independence Day, we give the community everything that happens on the Fourth,” said David Banister, Sandpoint’s newly elected Lions Club president.

The festivities begin at 9 a.m. with the Children’s Parade in downtown Sandpoint, followed by the Grand Parade at 10 a.m. The students of Sandpoint High School have been chosen as grand marshals this year, with the theme of “Honoring Our Heroes.”

At 2 p.m., the party shifts to City Beach for a series of fun kids’ games and activities.

“We give them all ice cream before we send them back to their parents,” said Banister.

Fiddlin’ Red will follow the kids games with music from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and then Frank Moore will play from 6 p.m. until sundown, both at the City Beach.

“We’ll sing the Star Spangled Banner and get ready for the fireworks show,” said Banister.

This year’s fireworks show, according to Banister, will be much longer than last year’s.

“This year the show will last for over 20 minutes,” he said.

“Last year’s only lasted 10 or 11 minutes. We’ll have everything from the little stuff to the fiveinch mortars this year. That’s about as big as they get.”

The length of the fireworks show is influenced by how much money the Lions raise with their various fundraising events throughout the year.

The main fundraiser is the popular raffle you’ve seen around town. First prize this year is a John Deere Gator, provided at a low price by Pape Machinery in Ponderay. Second prize is $2,000 in Bonner County money, which has to be spent with Bonner County businesses. Third prize is a pair of 2015-2016 season passes at Schweitzer Moun-

The Lions Club members. Back row (left to right): Sandpoint Chapter President Dave Bannister and Bill Lewis. Next row (left to right): George VanRossum, Wayne Henderson, Keith Leiber, and Tom Debrowski. Front standing row (left to right): Mike Reeb, Judy Debrowsky, Mary Leiber, and June Dull. Seated row (left to right): Claudia Bannister, Sandy VanRossum, Barbara Trudeau, Past Zone Chair Pat Nelson from Priest Lake, and Nancy Lewis. Photo courtesy of the Sandpoint Lions Club. tain Resort, one of which was donated by Schweitzer. Fourth prize is $1,000 cash.

“The tickets are five dollars each, or you can get a book of five for $20,” said Banister. “If you buy a book, you’ll get to spin the roulette wheel and possibly win another free book if you land on the right stop.”

The Lions will be selling the raffle tickets all the way up until the Fourth. Thursday they’ll be at Super 1 in Sandpoint, Friday at Yolk’s in Ponderay, and Saturday at the entrance of the City Beach.

Other ways that the Lions generate money include float registration for the parade. If you sign up before the 2nd, the price is $25 per float.

You can also pay the Lions $40 per year to erect an American flag at your home or business eight times a year for various federal holidays.

In addition to the activities on Independence Day, the money raised by the Lions funds a myriad of programs for the community. In spring, they host an annual Easter Egg hunt at Lakeview Park that draws more than 500 children. They also supply eyeglasses and vision testing to all the kids in school district 84 in Sandpoint.

“We tested 1,661 kids this year, with the exception of 90 percent of the kindergartners,” said Banister.

“We also supply glasses and hearing aids to seniors that are living on a fixed income.”

In winter, the Lions hold their annual Toys for Tots drive, collecting around $50,000 to supply toys to over a thousand children in Sandpoint and Sagle, as well as food boxes to families that can’t afford Christmas dinner.

“Everything we do is com-

munity-based,” said Banister.

“We have no salaried employees. Everything that goes to Toys for Tots, if we don’t spend it this year, we’ll spend it next year. That’s how it works.”

Banister pointed out that the Lions are always on the lookout for new members, who can help streamline their existing events, or perhaps introduce some new ones of their own.

“We’ve come out of the Stone Age,” said Banister. “We have an email address, we’re on Twitter, we actually have a Facebook page and we’re updating it all the time.”

If you are interested in becoming a Lions club member, or would like to donate money or become involved in any of their programs, please call 208-263-4118, or visit them on Facebook.

Fire restrictions set for Bonner County Reader Staff

If you plan to visit local public lands during Independence Day Weekend, the Idaho Panhandle National Forests and Bureau of Land Management suggest you “know before you go.” Prior planning will ensure that you and your family have a safe and fun holiday weekend.

Every year forest conditions change, and this year it is more important than ever that forest visitors recognize the fire danger on federal lands. Above-average temperatures, combined

with little to no precipitation in the past several months. have left forests tinder-dry. If you are headed out to enjoy your public lands, please be extra cautious to avoid accidentally starting a wildfire.

Stage 1 fire restrictions have been implemented for all lands below 3,000 feet in elevation for Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone, Benewah and Latah Counties. The following are prohibited: •Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire except within a

designated recreation site, or on their own land, and only within an owner-provided structure.

•Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, building or designated recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.

Also, be advised that fireworks are prohibited on all national forest and BLM land year-round.

Be safe and have a great holiday!

July 2, 2015 /

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More than a store, a Super store!

Happy Birthday, America! wasps, Ke ep those yellow hornets and control er jackets und selection with a widets at your of produc tore! s d o o h r o b neigh

event t h u r s d a y f r i d a y s a t u r d a y

We’ve got shades in all colors Including Red, White and Blue!

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

ilyFam

t h u r s d a y

d trattoria owne

Open for Lunch

Monday - Friday @ 11am Open for Dinner

Open Tuesday - Saturday

102 S. First Ave. Sandpoint, ID

105 S. First Ave. Sandpoint, ID

7 days a week @ 4:30pm 208-263-0211

10 /

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5pm

208-255-2100

2

3

Summer Reading Community Heroes: USFS Smokey Bear 10am @ Clark Fork Library The Clark Fork branch of the Library hosts beloved Smokey Bear for this week’s Community Heroes event DJ Music at the 219 9pm @ 219 Lounge DJ Avery in the hizzy Live Music w/ Strangled Darlings 5:30pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery This Portland based duo has been creating original tunes since 2009 and breaking the mold for what hipsters consider indie music

5 6 7 8 9

Juggling Class 3pm @ Clark Fork Libra Learn the art of jugglin Contact Suzanne 263-69 Teen Summer Reading 7pm - 8:30pm @ Sandpo A teens only Jeopardy ga

Live Music w/ Chris Lynch 6pm - 9pm @ Arlo’s Ristorante Live Music w/ Ken Mayginnes 7pm @ La Rosa Club

Fourth of July Celebration

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f

9:30am @ downtown Sandpoint - Children’s Parade 10:00am @ downtown Sandpoint - Grand Parade

This year’s theme is “Honoring Our Heroes”

featuring SHS students as the grand marshals 2:00pm @ City Beach - Children’s games, free ice

cream, live music by Frank Moore & friends,

and Fiddlin’ Red. Raffle tickets on sale at the

entrance of City Beach, with the grand prize

a brand spankin’ new John Deere Gator!

Dusk @ City Beach - Fireworks show! (all events hosted by the Sandpoint Lions Club)

Old Galvi Warehouse Summer 2015 Antique Sale 10am - 3pm @ Old Galvi Warehouse (by Evans Bros.)

If you’re looking for antiques and architectural elements for the home, this is the place.

Liv 5pm Lat Fla

Fireworks Extravaganza at Silv Dusk @ Silverwood Theme Park Celebrate the Fourth with patrio and fireworks at dusk

Live Music w/ Not Quite Pu 9pm - 12am @ 219 Lounge Ska heroes Not Quite Punk br energy set to the patio to heral pendence Day celebration Live Music w/ Chris Lynch 6pm - 9pm @ Arlo’s Ristorante Live Music w/ Rob Smith Band 9pm @ 219 Lounge

Monday Night Blues Jam w/ Truck Mills 7:30pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Seniors Day 9am - 12pm @ Bonner Mall This monthly get-together for seniors includes “walking the mall,” plus speakers, games, prizes and refreshments.

Karaoke Night 9pm - Midnight @ 219 Lounge Trivia Night 7pm - 9pm @ MickDuff’s Finally, a place to showcase how much useless crap you know. Finally, a purpose!

First Tuesda 8pm @ Eicha First Tuesda Jake Robin, event with go rounded by b

Sandpoint Farmers’ Market Reggae Wednesd Bingo Night 3pm - 5:30pm @ Farmin Park 9pm - 12am @ 21 6:30pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Featuring the mu Don’t be a sissy. Real men play bingo Live music by Möbius Riff Perfume Making Class KPND Pint Night 3:30pm - 4:30pm @ Sandpoint Library 7pm @ Willow Bay Marina Registration required. Contact Suzanne 263-6930 ext.

Get your drinks, prizes and eats!

Panhandle Animal Shelter Presentation 12:30pm @ Clark Fork Library Contact Suzanne 263-6930 ext. 1211 for more info

Albeni Falls Presentation Series: Wildlife Detectives 3:30pm - 4:15pm @ Sandpoint Library

Live Music w/ Jake Robin 9pm - 12am @ 219 Lounge Acoustic medley on the patio Superhero Disguises 1:30pm @ Clark Fork Library

ful

July 2 - 9, 2015

s Fork Library of juggling. Registration required. ne 263-6930 ext. 1211 for more info Reading: Heroes Unmasked Jeopardy @ Sandpoint Library opardy game. Call 263-6930 for more info

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

“Jaws” the film 7:30pm @ The Panida Theater Come see the classic film at the Panida on the big screen. Last show at the big theater before the ceiling repairs close it for the summer

Live Music w/ Dave Walsh 5pm - 7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Latin inspired music with the master of Flamenco guitar

nza at Silverwood eme Park with patriotic music

Live Music w/ Miah Kohal Band 9pm - 12am @ 219 Lounge Native son Miah Kohal always brings the party to the patio

Old Galvi Warehouse Summer 2015 Antique Sale 10am - 3pm @ Old Galvi Warehouse (by Evans Bros.)

If you’re looking for antiques and architectural elements for the home, this is the place.

Live Music w/ Bright Moments Jazz Live Music w/ Harold’s IGA 7pm @ La Rosa Club 12pm - 3pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall

Quite Punk Lounge Check out a little indie folk rock after e Punk bring their high the parade, starting at noon in the courtio to herald in the Indeyard outside MickDuff’s Beer Hall ration Sandpoint Farmers’ Market ynch 9am - 1pm @ Farmin Park torante Live music by Dave Walsh Summer Sounds 4pm - 6pm @ Park Place Stage Featuring music by Selkirk Society Band

th Band

Live Music w/ Ron Crisione 5:30pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery An eclectic mix from the ‘60s to present

st Tuesday at Eichardt’s m @ Eichardt’s Pub st Tuesday, hosted by e Robin, is a live music nt with good people surnded by beer.

Wednesday at the 219 2am @ 219 Lounge ng the music of Josh Adams

6930 ext. 1211

bin nge patio

brary

Haden’s Heart 5k Run 7am @ Clark Fork Library Proceeds used for the Haden’s Heart Scholarship Foundation. $20 fee. Call Megan @ 946.1347 for more info

READER? •You are supporting locals We’re locally owned and operated, written by a variety of local contributors, and not only report on happenings in our community, but host our own arts and cultural events from time to time. We care about this place.

•We’re growing

We print 3,500 copies every week, and distribute at 200+ locations around Bonner and Boundary Counties, including Priest River, Ponderay, Sagle, Sandpoint, Clark Fork, Hope and Bonners Ferry.

•We have unique content Not everyone covers what we cover.

We believe it’s important to cover viewpoints that many of the mainstream publications overlook or simply don’t care about. Having an alternate voice means supporting an informed and vibrant community. Period.

Not convinced?

UPCOMING EVENTS July 10 - SHS class of ‘85 reunion July 11 - Wooden Boat Show July 11 - Sandpoint SummerFest July 11 - Sandpoint Beer Fest

Finnriver Cidery Tasting 5pm - 7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Complimentary appetizers and a wide range of organic cider to taste from this Western Washington Organic Farm and Cidery

Why should you advertise with the

Give us a shout, or swing by our office.

We’re always happy to hear from our readers and advertisers.

Maker Camp 3pm - 4:30pm @ Sandpoint Library The Library, Google and Make: Magazine partner up for a six week makerspace camp. Contact Morgan 263-6930 ext. 1245 for more information

Live Music w/ Dave Walsh 5:30pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Latin inspired music with the master of Flamenco guitar

Jazz ‘n’ Java 6pm - 8pm @ Monarch Mountain Coffee Jazz open mic night. All players welcome! Sit in with a rhythm section, play solo ... or just come to listen. Hosted by Larry Mooney

Sandpoint Summer Bookfest and Prose Slam 5:30pm - 7:30pm @ Bernd Building Visit and hear from many of the community’s authors. This first-ever community event is free and open to the public, and offers the chance to visit with more than a dozen authors from the Sandpoint area

Sat. July 11th

Polly O'Keary and The Rhythm Method

201 Cedar St. dilunas.com

263-0846

featuring fresh local ingredients

Polly O'Keary, award-winning and world-touring bass player, vocalist and songwriter, is back in the northwest. She began playing music in bars in Mexico at 16, and after a early rock career that included a record deal and a large following, she fell in love with blues at 28. Her second album was named Album of the Year by the WBS, and Polly was named Songwriter of the Year.

Tickets $10/adv, $12 day of show Show @ 8pm Doors open @ 5:30pm w/ dinner served before the show July 2, 2015 /

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To submit your own pet photos, please send a photograph and a little bit of information about your special friend to ben@sandpointreader.com.

Please put “PET PHOTOS” in the subject line.

-Nigel-

Broadcasting in Sandpoint on 106.7 FM and in Digital HD 12 /

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Meet Nigel.

Nigel is a 5-year-old purebred chihuahua. He’s nine pounds and stands a towering four inches tall at the shoulder. But don’t tell him that!

If Nigel could talk, he would tell you he’s actually a mastiff who just hasn’t hit his growth spurt yet.

If you see a tan blur tearing through Dog Beach or Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail, lifting a leg on every rock and letting the others know who’s top dawg, it’s probably Nigel.

His hobbies include: cruising the beach in his mom’s bike basket, stealing apple slices, giving kisses and generally looking dapper.

Maggie McCallum Sandpoint

Sandpoint Fire Department: Then and Now

Story and Photos by Ben Olson Reader Staff

Earlier this year, Sandpoint Fire Department Captain Jake Hilton received an envelope in the mail postmarked from a town called Sikeston, Mo. Inside, there was a photograph of the Sandpoint Fire Department crew in the old engine, taken not long after it was commissioned in 1946.

With the photograph, a note was attached: “I found this at a flea market. I am a firefighter and thought that you might want this. It’s a great picture!”

It was signed from Steve Palmer, Sikeston DPS (retired), Sikeston, Missouri.

Hilton had noticed that the Reader was doing a “Then & Now” feature every week, focusing on a historic photograph and matching up the angle of the original shot with one taken in modern times.

“Are you interested in coming down and taking a photo to match the original?” he asked me, after telling me the story about the photograph.

He couldn’t have held me back with a fire hose, I was so excited. This, in my opinion, is what the “Then & Now” feature is all about.

On a sweltering day in midJune, Chief Ron Stocking, Cpt. Hilton, and three of the crew, Eng. Troy Badeaux, Eng. Jeff Littlefield, and Lt. Mick Adams arrived driving the 1946 fire engine which had been fitted exactly to match the way it had appeared during the original photo.

After gaining access through the same window of the old fire station (currently the Sandpoint Music Conservatory), we waited for the sun to clear the building and photographed the men in roughly the same position as the original photo.

It came out so well, I couldn’t run the photos small, so this is a special expanded “Then & Now” feature in honor of the men of yesteryear and those of today who serve on Sandpoint’s Fire Department.

Special thanks to Hilton, Stocking and the rest of the crew for making this happen.

c. 1940s The original photo, taken sometime in the late 1940s. From left to right: Claude Simon, Chief; Earl Thomas, Capt.; Earl Pitts, Capt.; Harvey Bailey, Frank Pitts. The photo was taken from the second story window of the old fire station on the corner of Second and Church. The engine was parked on Second Ave. for the photo.

2015 Photo taken June 17, 2015 parked in the same location as the original, with the very same engine. From left to right: Ron Stocking, Chief; Jake Hilton, Capt.; Troy Badeaux, Eng.; Jeff Littlefield, Eng.; Mick Adams, Lt. Photograph by Ben Olson.

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Let’s be Frank about the Earl-y days: Part 2

By Ted Bowers Reader Columnist

I​ n the mid 1970s, Sandpoint still had much of its small town flavor. The tourist industry was still in its infancy and the economy was ​largely t​imber-based.

The construction companies were few and new home building, while existing, wasn’t surging as it began to do in the ‘80s and later. Sandpoint had not yet attracted the attention that other resort communities throughout the west were “enjoying.”

We few longhairs and young adventurers who had somehow discovered this place hadn’t altered the town’s character to any extent. We were rather viewed as an annoyance or amusement, depending on who did the viewing. While sitting in the Pastime or Connie’s Cafe, I had the occasional logger offer to give me a haircut with his chainsaw. Fortunately, that never materialized, but the image was definitely burned into my brain! ​Frank and Earl gave us “outsiders” a unique opportunity to become locals. Our customers

were almost entirely old time residents with long histories in town.

Our main building supply houses were right downtown­­ ; Bonner Building Supply and Bargain Supply were only a block apart.

Bonner Building, owned and operated by Jack Bopp, was our main supplier. Jack was a fine man, well respected in the town, warm-hearted and generous.

Shopping there was a cultural experience in itself. The small staff knew all the builders and the shack that served as the store hummed with gossip and good humor. ​Our other source of integration into the community was our daily coffee break at Connie’s Cafe. No matter where we were working, in town or out in the county somewhere, we somehow found ourselves sitting at Connie’s at 9:30 every morning.

Earl kept a close watch on the time, and although sometimes we would no more than get set up to go to work, we would have to drop whatever we were doing and “go eat coffee!” Here he held court, catching up on local gossip, joking with the local tradesmen and occasionally do-

Connie’s Cafe, sometime in the 1960s. Note the front of the cafe used to be beveled and didn’t meet the streetcorner like the current cafe is. The front booths today are located in what used to be the sidewalk. Photo courtesy of the Bonner County History Museum. ing some business. Annie was our favorite waitress, and her fondness for Earl and Frank extended generously to us youngsters. It was a great experience for us—a unique doorway into a small town society that we were very grateful for. ​Our subcontractors were always the same and were characters in their own right. Jerry Mott and his son Kenny, were our electricians. Jerry drove an old Econoline van with “Here Comes Jerry” painted backwards in large letters across the front of the van. When you looked in your rear view mirror, you knew who was behind you.

Les Alspach was our plumber, Rolly Bricker was our painter— he had a habit of pursing his lips and making a sound like he was spitting a watermelon seed out, “pptt pptt!”—and then there was a mason we worked with named Don House, a man we called “Old By Golly” because practically every sentence he uttered was interspersed with, you guessed it... “By golly!”

I remember sitting in a bar with Earl after work one day, having a beer, when someone asked another old painter who was there how you got paint to stick to galvanized metal. His name was Don Leveque and he

The benefits of trees

together, helping to increase a sense of community, cooperation and well being. In addition, trees may provide us with a natural “release” from the Reader Columnist stresses of our mechanized world.

Another benefit of trees, as described by the Arbor Day A recent news story brought Foundation, is in combating to light some very interesting global warming. Carbon dioxstudies conducted in metropol- ide, produced by burning fossil itan areas about the benefits of fuels, is readily absorbed by trees. The incidence of violence trees and other plant material. at large housing projects was The more trees we plant, the related to the amount of trees more of this greenhouse gas and other landscaping. The well will be absorbed. documented scientific study Here is a brief list of some of concluded that at housing proj- the other benefits of trees: ects that included trees, the rate •“One acre of forest absorbs of violent crime was less than six tons of carbon dioxide and one-half of that at projects with puts out four tons of oxygen. no trees.

This is enough to meet the anPretty amazing statistics! It nual needs of 18 people.” U.S. is believed that trees provide a Department of Agriculture. setting for neighbors to come •“There are up to 200 mil14 /

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lion spaces along our city streets where trees could be planted.

This translates to the potential to absorb 33 million more tons of carbon dioxide every year, and saving $4 billion in energy costs.” National Wildlife Federation.

•“In laboratory research, visual exposure to settings with trees has produced significant recovery from stress within five minutes, as indicated by changes in blood pressure and muscle tension.” Dr. Roger S. Ulrich, Texas A&M University.

•“Trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30 percent and can save 20–50 percent in energy used for heating.” USDA Forest Service.

•“The planting of trees means improved water quality, resulting in less runoff and erosion. This allows more recharging of the ground water supply.

Wooded areas help prevent

the transport of sediment and chemicals into streams.” USDA Forest Service.

•“Landscaping, especially with trees, can increase property values as much as 20 percent.” Management Information Services/ICMA. •In addition to all the above benefits, it’s personally very satisfying to plant and nurture a tree. In our age of high-tech quick fixes, planting a tree will remind us of higher values and more important causes.

“I thank you for the

was well-known for spending as much time in the bar as on a ladder. His response: “You piss in the bucket!”

I could go on about those days—­­in fact, I think I will...

See ya next time, and by the way, if you have any memories to share or questions or corrections, write me at tedbowersnow@gmail.com.

seeds…Too old to plant trees for my own gratification, I shall do it for my posterity.” Thomas Jefferson To learn more about the benefits of trees, how to plant them, and lists of locally approved trees, visit this very comprehensive website: http://www. cityofsandpoint.com/municipalservices/communityforestry.asp.

Garden Questions? http:// clearwaterlandscapes.com/ questions.

STAGE & SCREEN

A red hot play about a ‘Red Hot Patriot’

By Scout Seley Reader Intern

Molly Ivins Courtesy photo.

If you were a female professional in the 1960s, you didn’t have it easy.

Sexism was more overt, the wage gap was even more spacious and male colleagues used your biology as a weapon against you.

“You not only had to do the job but you had to do it twice as well and backwards,” said local theater and film director, Ron Ragone.

That was certainly true for Molly Ivins, who served as a pioneer in female journalism and is portrayed as a downhome Texas firecracker in the play “Red Hot Patriot.” Starting this weekend, Ragone and the Panida Theater are bringing together co-production of the play starring Miriam Robinson with Conrad Mearns in a supporting role.

Ragone was inspired to bring the play to Sandpoint after his wife saw it performed in Hollywood starring Kathleen Turner. A well-known local writer and director—and in case you didn’t know, an extremely intimidating but inspiring substitute teacher—Ragone was excited to make it his next project.

The next step was to find the perfect actress to portray Ivins, a role Ragone eventu-

ally set aside for Robinson. He selected her to play this role without even auditioning her due to her work in local play “The Counselor.” Her appropriate age, attitude and ability to whip out anything from a southern drawl to New York slang sealed the deal. What’s more, Robinson’s background has uncanny similarities with Ivins’, including an upbringing in a military family. With the aid of props and Mearns’ presence as a mysterious additional character in an otherwise one-woman play, it ought to be a heck of a night full of historical anecdotes, witty remarks and southern charm.

Perhaps the biggest draw of the play is the red hot wit of Ivins—a flaming liberal who rebelled against her daddy, debunked politicians and likened herself to the Hell’s Angels. A beer-slinging, cigarette-smoking Texas girl, Ivins’ rowdy attitude was prevalent in everything from the Houston Chronicle to the New York Times to “60 Minutes.” She used her talents to skewer shady politicians, the war in Iraq and any other subject that she had an opinion about, which was almost every subject. It is rumored from Ragone himself that Ivins’ memorable barbs will leave you with a smile long after the play is over.

Ivin’s “good ol’ boy” temperament and fierce wit built her a national reputation, and she became a trailblazer for women who had to do every job twice as well and backwards. A brash columnist and political commentator who expressed herself through humor and sharp remarks, Ivins pierced right through ev-

ery politician that sprang from her beloved Texas soil.

“So keep fightin’ for freedom and justice, beloveds, but don’t you forget to have fun doin’ it,” she said in quote that captures her essence. “Lord, let your laughter ring forth. Be outrageous, ridicule the fraidy-cats, rejoice in all the oddities that freedom can produce.”

Catch “Red Hot Patriot” 7:30 p.m.

July 10, 11, 17 and 18, plus a 4 p.m. matinee on July 19. There will be no intermission during the show. With Panida Theater renovations soon to be under way, the play will take place at the Little Theater, also known as the Panida Playhouse. True to Ivins’ style, viewers should be advised of occasional coarse language. Tickets cost $14 and are available at Eichardt’s, Eve’s Leaves, Pedro’s, Pend Oreille Arts Council and at the door.

Just when you thought it was safe to go to the theater Steven Spielberg’s summer classic “Jaws” is coming to the Panida Thursday in honor of the blockbuster’s 40th anniversary. The 1975 film, featuring a white shark terrorizing Amity Island, stars Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss.

“Jaws” by the lake is kicking off summer and giving patrons one last chance to see the old ceiling before the theater closes for two months to restore it.

Executive Director Patricia Walker invites everyone to

come in and take a last picture before the original 1927 plaster comes down, then enjoy this classic movie away from the hot weather.

It’s only $5 to come see this classic and relive that music.

The doors open at 7 p.m. and the film begins at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 2 at the Panida Theater.

Did you know?

• “Jaws” was the first summer blockbuster and started that trend.

• The famous line “We’re gonna need a bigger boat” was an ad-lib by Roy Scheider.

• Charlton Heston was considered for the role of Brody.

When Spielberg decided to go with another actor, Heston was reportedly so furious that he refused to ever work with the director.

• The model shark wasn’t tested in water before production. When it was eventually placed in the ocean, it swiftly sank.

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The Reader Interviews upcoming Festival artist:

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff

our band name should be and we just couldn’t agree. No one could really come to a consensus. Then she suggested it, and we all instantly agreed on it. So that was that. That was about 12 years ago now.

Hailing from Santa Cruz, Calif., The Devil Makes Three is no easy band to categorize. The three-member crew packs a varied style that draws from just about every corner of Americana music, from blues to folk to country. One thing is for sure— members Pete Bernhard, Lucia Turino and Cooper McBean use their influences as ingredients, cooking up a sound that’s entirely original. We caught up with Bernhard to ask him about music, life on the road and the upcoming co-headline Festival at Sandpoint show with bluegrass band Trampled By Turtles.

First of all, thanks for taking the time to talk with us today. I imagine it can be tough to work these interviews into a touring schedule.

Yeah, it’s true, but I’m actually enjoying some time off right now, so it’s no problem at all. We just finished a tour with Old Crow Medicine Show and before that, we were in Europe, so we took a little break after that to work on some new material.

How did the tour go with Old Crow Medicine Show?

Oh, it went great. It was really fun. We ended up playing some songs with them in the show, and it was a great time. We’d been trying to make that happen for a while.

And now you’re preparing for a series of shows with Trampled By Turtles, including the one here at the Festival.

Yes, we’ve done a bunch of shows with Trampled, and now we have the co-headlining tour coming. I think it’s going to be fun. We’ve played in their hometown and in San Francisco with them, plus a couple other places. … We’re finally hooking up to do an actual run together, and I think 16 /

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You’ve got a great existing library of songs built up already, but you mentioned you’re working on new material. Any chance we might hear some as-yet unrecorded songs at the Festival?

I hope so. Part of the reason we’re taking a little time off right now is to get some new material up and running, both some covers and some originals. So fingers crossed, but we hope to have at least a couple new tunes for you guys when we get there.

The Devil Makes Three is Lucia Turino (left), Cooper McBean (center) and Pete Bernhard. Photo by Piper Ferguson. it should be a great match.

You share some stylistic similarities with Trampled By Turtles, but overall, your bands are very different. Could you tell me more about your bands’ history and collaboration together?

We met six or seven years ago, and we opened up for them in Minneapolis, which is in their home state. That’s how we got to know each other, and then we did Lollapalooza together. We did a secret show there, and ever since then, we’ve been talking about playing together on a tour. This one was the one that held together, so it seemed like a good time to make it happen.

I’m sure this is a tricky, annoying question for any band that’s hard to categorize into a single genre, but can you tell me a little about the process and influences that go into crafting your sound?

You know, we often get called a bluegrass band, but we don’t actually play that much bluegrass. We’re really more in-

fluenced by alt blues, jug band music, jazz and early rock and roll. We don’t really do bluegrass music, although we do love bluegrass. … A bigger inspiration for us is the early fingerpicking blues stuff, Chicago blues, Willie Dixon, Little Walter, Muddy Waters.

That kind of stuff, with a little bit of western swing thrown in there and gypsy swing as well.

We mix a lot of different genres in there, from country to swing to blues, but not a lot of bluegrass.

We do have a banjo in the band, but with a clawhammer style that Cooper plays. So it’s not really the typical banjo-picking that you hear in bluegrass music.

But we do mix acoustic genres for sure. We don’t have a drummer, but we definitely try to get people up on their feet dancing.

I’d say our sound is a mixture of all the traditional American music we love, and then a little bit of punk rock thrown in there. We definitely came up in the punk scene and learned a lot of what we know as a band from the DIY punk scene.

I can definitely hear that.

I saw you guys perform a few

years ago in Missoula, and there was definitely a high-energy feel to the show.

Yeah, that’s the idea. All the early shows I remember loving were punk shows, and we try to bring that spirit to our live shows as much as humanly possible.

How about songwriting duties? How does the band handle that creative process?

I write most of the songs …

[Cooper] writes a song occasionally … but usually the process is I come up with guitar and lyrics and then we get together to flesh it out with instrumentation and harmonies. We do that part of the process together, figuring out where the leads should be and if things should be tweaked a bit.

Tell me a little bit about the band name. What inspired it?

To be honest, we didn’t come up with that name. It was suggested by a friend of ours who we were living with at the time in Santa Cruz, Calif., and we were trying to figure out what

Speaking of the Festival, have you or any of the band had chance to come out this direction before?

We’ve played in Spokane a bunch of times, but I don’t know if we’ve ever been to Sandpoint or if we’ve ever played there.

We’ve definitely played in Idaho a bunch of times, but as far as North Idaho goes, I think this is our first time.

You may be interested to know that the publisher of this very newspaper, Ben Olson, includes Old Number Seven and Shades on the short list of covers his band, Harold’s IGA, performs. Any other songs you think they should add to their catalog?

Hey man, any song he likes he’s welcome to cover! [laughs] Any song. It’s always cool to hear bands are covering our songs, so any song they like, I say go for it.

The Devil Makes Three will be performing with Trampled By Turtles at the Festival at Sandpoint on Friday, August 14. Call 265-4554 to secure your tickets.

MUSIC

This week’s RLW by Jenna Bowers

Sandpoint SummerFest: 20 years of good times

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

Picture this: You’re enjoying a leisurely drive down a beautiful country lane. Rounding the corner, a pristine lake comes into view. You notice some cars parked in a nearby field, colorful flags, tents, kids playing.

The sound of live music drifts in through your open window.

No, this isn’t heaven. It’s the Sandpoint SummerFest.

With origins dating back two decades, the arts, music and cultural festival near Garfield Bay is probably the coolest thing you’ve never been to.

“It’s really an incredible event not to mention an important fundraiser,” said Steve Holt, executive director of the Eureka Institute, which hosts the Sandpoint SummerFest each year.

“It’s intimate and small compared to most music festivals as well as being family-oriented.

It’s a safe environment to let kids roam and engage in a variety of crafts and other activities.”

For three days, starting at 3 p.m. on Friday, July 10, and wrapping up Sunday, July 12, SummerFest will host an incredible array of music, arts and crafts, and educational opportunities at the Eureka Center surrounded by the lake in a pristine collection of trees with mountain views.

The best part? It’s all for a good cause.

“It especially touches my heart because it’s a benefit for a program that we at the Eureka Institute feel is a real community asset,” said Holt.

All the proceeds this year will go toward the Eureka Institute’s Construction Basics for Teens Program. This weeklong, hands-on program gives youth an overall sense of what it’s like to design and construct a variety of different structures as well as build self-esteem and demonstrate the benefits of working as a team.

“The first year, we constructed a small bunkhouse,” said Holt. “Last week, we built a pole structure. The kids harvested the trees, limbed them by hand, and

READ

Dark, gritty and hard-boiled, the “Berlin Noir Trilogy” introduces Philip Kerr’s rough and tumble protaganist, Bernie Gunther, former homicide detective turned private investigator, as he works his way through pre-WWII Germany. Bernie describes himself as a “fairly typical German in everything except the ability to tolerate the most offensive behavior from anyone wearing a uniform or carrying some sort of official insignia”, which puts him at odds with the rising tide of the Third Reich.

LISTEN

Gipsy Moon band, photographed at SummerFest by Phishbone Photography. erected a covered vending area at the amphitheater. The group was amazed and couldn’t believe they’d gathered their own material just days prior, and now there’s a structure.”

For Holt, giving youth, as well as adults, positive educational and recreational experiences and necessary life skills that foster and support life-long learning is the reason the Eureka Institute exists.

Aside from the community benefits SummerFest provides, the event is centered around a collection of incredible regional acts that continue to draw; bands such as MoJo Green, Scott Pemberton Band, TapWater, Gipsy Moon, Tim Snider, BareGrass, Adrian Xavier, Earthworm, and the Gypsy Divas dance troupe.

“In addition to everything else this year’s theme is ‘Water,’” said Holt. “To help create an awareness around how important the quality of our water is we’ll have several nonprofits on hand to give out information and talk to you about some of the critical issues facing the local area.”

Rock Creek Alliance, the Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper, Idaho Conservation League, and Trout Unlimited will all make a presence this year, along with a long list of area sponsors that have made this event come together.

“This year, local businesses

as well as individuals have really stepped up to support this year’s event,” said Holt. “We couldn’t have done it without the help of Boyle Platte and Keyes Accounting Services, Hope Marina, Common Knowledge, Timothy Krech, Misty Mountain Furniture, Medicine Tree Woodworks, Idaho Pour Authority, Ninkasi Brewing, Evans Brothers Coffee, Pend d’Oreille Winery and especially Jeff Nizzoli of Eichardt’s Pub, who will be serving all the food and beverages for the weekend.”

How do you get to SummerFest? From Highway 95, go east on Sagle Road and drive for 11 miles. Stay left at the two forks in the road and at the 11mile mark, take a left on Eureka Road. SummerFest is only 50 yards down Eureka Road, the first driveway on the left.

There will be plenty of hot food available catered

by Jeff Nizzoli at Eichardt’s, but you’re also welcome to bring your own.

There’s more than enough spaces for tent and RV camping but please leave your pets at home!

There are a host of ticket options that allow you to stay a single day, or for the entire event.

“This year, as a Fourth of July gift,” said Holt, “we reinstated the early bird ticket pricing this week until midnight on the Fourth. For $100, you get an entire weekend pass, all your food and beverages, including beer and wine. There are also great deals on family and single parent passes.”

If you’re interested in buying tickets, or volunteering at this year’s Sandpoint SummerFest, or would like more information about the great programs the Eureka Institute sponsors, please call 265-4000 or visit their website at eureka-institute.org.

Crossword Solution

“Woman to Woman,” an album by Esmé Patterson, gives voice to the subjects of popular songs. Each track is a response; for example, in “Never Chase a Man” Jolene from Dolly Pardon’s song defends herself while offering advice to the heartsick singer. Another favorite is “Bluebird” from the POV of Eleanor Rigby, a beautiful ballad about the nature of loneliness and being ready to die.

Esmé’s voice is expressive and her ideas original; if nothing else, listen to the album to see some of your favorite songs in a whole new light.

WATCH

If you can manage to suspend your disbelief (and you will have to) then “Warm Bodies” (based on a novel by Isaac Marion) is a fun ride. Part zombie horror, part teen love story, and part dark comedy, this genre-bending film delivers a surprisingly poignant metaphor about humanity backed by a killer soundtrack.

It swings between delightfully macabre and emotionally resonant, and if you love camaraderie like I do, you’ll have plenty of moments to cheer. Just don’t over think it.

(Bonus: If you liked the “Women in Film” feature, you’ll be glad to know that it passes the Bechdel, Mako Mori, and Sexy Lamp tests).

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Sandpoint Summer Bookfest features local authors First-ever event coming to Bernd Building Thursday, July 9

Copyright www.mirroreyes.com

CROSSWORD ACROSS

By Reader Staff

Sandpoint often pops up on the short list of art towns, thanks to the plethora of visual and musical artists who make it their home. Turns out, Sandpoint is a cradle of the writing arts as well, and an event coming Thursday, July 9, will bring at least a dozen published authors and three indie presses together for a signing, reading and social affair.

It’s dubbed the Sandpoint Summer Bookfest & Prose Slam, set for 5-7:30 p.m. in The Bernd building at 311 N. First Avenue downtown—former location of Coldwater Creek.

This first-ever community event is free and open to the public, and along with a “prose slam” of readings, offers the chance to visit with many of the town’s authors. They’re an industrious group who have written on a wide range of topics including novels, memoirs, regional history, hiking and recreational guides, photography and more in their published works.

The Bookfest is being staged by three local publishers, Keokee Books, Blue Creek Press and Lost Horse Press. The Bernd Barrel will be offering a no-host bar and there will be light hors d’oeuvres.

The event will launch one brand new book, “Inland Salish Journey,” a histo-

ry of the fur trade era in the Inland Northwest, by Mike Reeb.

From another new book, photographers Jerry Pavia and Tim Cady will present a selection of images from “Selkirks Spectacular,” a photographic journey around the International Selkirk Loop.

Other authors attending to sign and read include Sandy Compton, essayist and author most recently of “The Scenic Route”; Bill Percy, an IndieFab national book of the year finalist for his first novel “Climbing the Coliseum”; Jim Johnson, novelist, “It is the Fall”; Bill Collier, memoirist, “The Adventures of a Helicopter Pilot”; Jane Fritz, “Legendary Lake Pend Oreille”; Jim Mellen, “Trails of the Wild Cabinets”; Marianne Love, “Lessons with Love”: and Howard Petschel, “Stamp Counterfeiting.”

Additional authors are invited but were not confirmed as of press time.

Books will be available for purchase during the event.

Corrections: We had a couple mistakes last week. In the Riley story, there was a redundant phrase, and we misspelled the word “sung” on the calendar page. Ten demerits for the Reader boys.

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1. Unit of luminous flux 6. Back of the neck 10. Friends 14. A kind of macaw 15. Smell 16. Black, in poetry 17. Reporter 19. Formally surrender 20. A Christian celebration 21. Mineral rock 22. An enclosure 23. A fencing sword 25. Player 26. Mugs 30. Laughable 32. Unfortunate 35. A wheeled domicile 39. At risk 40. Silicon dioxide 41. They’re found in the throat 43. Exhibition room 44. Accuse 46. Burden 47. Hut 50. Anagram of “Daubs” 53. Transfer possession 54. A high alpine meadow 55. Not outside 60. Diving bird 61. Driven by lust 63. Ear-related 64. Among 65. Certain chess pieces 66. Walk in water 67. Bristle 68. Spoke (archaic)

1. Alley 2. Component of urine 3. Mouths 4. At one time (archaic) 5. Scruffs 6. Neither ___ 7. Accumulate on the surface 8. Most destitute 9. Sea eagle 10. Indiscretion 11. Perpendicular to the keel 12. Hostel 13. Contemptuous look

DOWN

18. Historic period 24. Alcove 25. Chalice 26. Religious splinter group 27. Pearly-shelled mussel 28. Scheme 29. An abatement in intensity 31. Constellation bear 33. Climate 34. Large brown seaweed 36. Mortgage 37. Beige 38. Beams 42. Inspiring awe

Solution on page 17 43. African antelope 45. Stratagem 47. Alit 48. Flora and fauna 49. Egg-shaped 51. Accomplished 52. Trims 54. “Oh my!”

56. Break 57. Hawkeye State 58. Immerse briefly 59. Being 62. Actress Lupino

For me, the worst thing about having King Kong walk down your street is that kids could look up and see the giant genitalia.

Serving Sandpoint since 1999

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