Reader_June11_2020

2 /

R

/ June 11, 2020

PEOPLE compiled by

Ben Olson

watching

SOCIAL DISTANCE EDITION: This week, we are offering five different quotes from black leaders in history:

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”

Harriet Tubman American abolitionist, political activist and former slave

“Find the good. It’s all around you. Find it, showcase it and you’ll start believing in it.”

Jesse Owens American track and field athlete and four-time gold medalist in the 1936 Olympic Games

“You can’t make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen.”

Michelle Obama Former first lady of the United States

“I prayed for 20 years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs.”

Frederick Douglass American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer and statesman

“You are no better than anyone else, and no one is better than you.”

Katherine Johnson American mathematician whose calculations of orbital mechanics as a NASA employee were critical to the success of the first and subsequent U.S. crewed spaceflights

DEAR READERS,

I want to fill you in on some changes we are instituting to our social media usage after recent events. It’s no secret that I am not a fan of Facebook or the many vitriolic discussions that take place there. After dealing with an onslaught of mean, inappropriate and divisive comments over the past few weeks, we’ve decided it’s not worth throwing red meat to the trolls anymore. We are not a breaking news outlet. We are a weekly newspaper, which means we can dig into stories a bit more and offer more than just knee-jerk reactions and emotional tirades rife with misinformation, which is mostly what happens on Facebook.

We have always tried to provide a more thoughtful take on local news, arts and entertainment, so that’s what we are going to focus on from now on.

It seems we at the Reader spend half of our time chasing down false rumors on Facebook, many of which are spread by elected officials as well as misinformed community members. It’s exhausting, demoralizing work and, frankly, it’s not in our interest anymore to aid a social media company that is helping to destroy accurate news outlets in small communities around the country.

From now on, we will use Facebook as it was intended to be used: as a public address platform to inform our community members of important alerts and information that can’t wait until the print edition comes out on Thursday. We will still offer the Reader on our website at sandpointreader.com, as well as offering a flip-page digital edition as we have every week for years. But we’re not interested in participating in the destructive online discussions that have taken place on local forums as well as on our own page. It’s a systemic problem and we’re trying to do our part to step away from ignorance and misinformation.

The sad fact is that Facebook is a cesspool and I don’t want this newspaper to be held hostage by it any longer. We encourage you all to read our print or online edition and discuss the issues with one another face to face or write a letter to the editor, instead of hiding behind your screens.

I hope someday we can retain some semblance of civil discourse again, but for now, we’re taking a step back from Facebook.

Thanks for reading and understanding.

–Ben Olson, publisher

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

www.sandpointreader.com Publisher: Ben Olson ben@sandpointreader.com Editorial: Zach Hagadone (Editor) zach@sandpointreader.com Lyndsie Kiebert (News Editor) lyndsie@sandpointreader.com Cameron Rasmusson (emeritus) John Reuter (emeritus) Advertising: Jodi Berge Jodi@sandpointreader.com Contributing Artists: Woods Wheatcroft (cover), Ben Olson Bill Borders, Lyndsie Kiebert.

Contributing Writers: Zach Hagadone, Ben Olson, Lyndsie Kiebert, Emily Erickson, Timothy Braatz, Brenden Bobby.

Submit stories to: stories@sandpointreader.com Printed weekly at: Tribune Publishing Co. Lewiston, ID Subscription Price: $115 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 300 words –Letters may not contain excessive profanity or libelous material. Please elevate the discussion.

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

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

About the Cover

This week’s cover was taken at a Black Lives Matter protest that began at the Granary parking lot on June 6 and proceeded through downtown Sandpoint. The picture was taken by Woods Wheatcroft, one of our region’s best photographers.

June 11, 2020 /

R

/ 3

NEWS

City moving forward on Parks and Rec. Master Plan City Beach draws the most attention, including update on ‘property swap’

By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff The city of Sandpoint is nearing the finish line in putting into place its Parks and Recreation Master Plan, devoting a substantial period of its City Council meeting June 3 to a trio of site specific recommendations for City Beach, the downtown Sand Creek waterfront and Travers-Centennial-Great Northern parks concept.

All three recommended plans will go back before the council at its Wednesday, June 17 meeting as appendices to the revised version of the full proposed master plan.

Final approval of the plan isn’t expected until the council’s Wednesday, July 1 meeting.

In the meantime, Sandpoint Parks and Recreation Director Kim Woodruff and City Administrator Jennifer Stapleton provided an overview of the site specific recommendations, which have been updated to incorporate public feedback, with City Beach taking up the bulk of the presentation and much of it hinging on the proposed land swap between SandIda and the city that has been in the works for nearly a year.

Framing the overall concept for the beach, Woodruff described it as representing “a vision of use and service to our citizens and visitors for the next 50-plus years.”

Accomplishing that, he said, first requires resolving conflicting uses by the boating public and beach-event activity public, which often find themselves jockeying for scarce parking spots and sometimes confronting an unsafe situation with pedestrians and bikers sharing cramped quarters with boats and trailers as they go up and down ramps at the south end of the beach.

According to the recommended plan, boat access would be moved farther west to the current RV park, which would be replaced with dedicated boat trailer parking — moving that use from the main parking area, which would meanwhile be expanded to accommodate 330 cars, plus RVs and other oversized vehicles.

However, Woodruff said, “crit4 /

R

/ June 11, 2020

ical to this plan is this property swap,” which would give SandIda ownership of the city property in front of the Best Western Edgewater Resort in exchange for transferring the company-owned RV park property to the city.

“Accomplishing the acquisition of the property would accomplish this vision as proposed, which includes really additional waterfront for the public in perpetuity,” Stapleton told the council, underscoring the importance of increasing the amount of boat slips and improving access to the overall Parks Department.

“Our boat moorage is the most significant revenue generator in our parks system and supports many of the improvements to the parks system on a year over year basis,” she said.

So far, though, accomplishing a straight-across trade between the city and Sand-Ida has required navigating a number of factors, including the tear-down of the existing Best Western Edgewater and construction of a new, larger hotel on an expanded footprint. Stapleton said that project will likely require a conditional use permit, which would go through planning and zoning, then come before the City Council, though, “we haven’t

seen the application for that yet.”

What’s more, the city-owned property on offer in the trade — which includes the wide strip of grass from the existing hotel to the sidewalk that runs along the beach proper — was gifted to Sandpoint by the railroad. Because of that, it carries with it restrictions, one of which is that it cannot be used for commercial purposes. Stapleton said the city has been in conversation with the railroad about release of those restrictions, “which would be what makes it desirable for the Cox family [which owns Sand-Ida].”

“The railroad has indicated .. in our discussion to date a willingness to release that restriction,” Stapleton added, noting that it may be possible to transfer the non-commercial restriction to the site of the proposed boat launch.

A public hearing on the property swap is expected in the coming weeks, though no date had been set as of presstime. Included in the public notice for that hearing will be appraisal information, which Stapleton said put the value of the RV park property in excess of $2 million.

She framed the swap as a way for the public to increase its waterfront ownership without having to front the expense of

buying it. Meanwhile, the issue of the railroad property restrictions is anticipated to be cleared up by the time council members are asked to adopt a final master plan on July 1.

Describing it as “a more permanent solution” to a lease agreement that has operated for more than 40 years, Woodruff called the potential land trade “a game-changer.”

The importance of straightening out the boat access issue, as it relates to parking availability and balancing user groups at the beach, was made clear by the other recommendations.

To offset the expanded parking and increase the amount of open space, Woodruff said the center of the park would be reconfigured to promote “openness” — with trees being removed to make way for events like Beer Fest, music concerts and other large events.

In previous concepts for City Beach, an outdoor music venue was envisioned for the north end of the park; in the revised recommendation, that venue — consisting of a large bandshell-type structure fronted with an area of hardscape — has been moved to the south end of the park to free up space and views closer to the lake, improve sound dynamics and give

A conceptual drawing of the Sandpoint City Beach master plan.

Courtesy GreenPlay. access to the expanded parking.

The hardscape in front of the bandshell would feature removable poles so that the basketball hoops could be removed to make way for other events. The recommended site for the sand volleyball courts would be adjacent to the existing pavilion, which would stay the same, along with the Lady Liberty pier.

Beyond that, other changes include remodeling the restrooms, concessions stand and lifeguard station; accommodating the Carousel of Smiles near the proposed bandshell; incorporating a trailhead for the Pend Oreille Bay Trail; and considering a splash pad and improvements to create a “regional playground.”

View all of the site specific plans and provide feedback at sandpointidaho.gov/your-government/engagesandpoint. The plans are also on display at City Hall. Watch the entire June 3 City Council presentation at the city’s YouTube channel, where it will be posting footage from meetings going forward: youtube.com/cityofsandpoint.

NEWS

Community spread confirmed in Bonner Co. New COVID-19 cases bring local total to seven

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff The Panhandle Health District confirmed community spread of the novel coronavirus in Bonner County on June 4, and had detected seven cases of COVID-19 in Bonner County as of June 10.

Of the five northern counties that PHD monitors, community spread has been detected in Kootenai, Benewah and Bonner counties.

“Community spread means at least one person has been infected with the virus and through contact tracing we are unable to determine how or where they became infected,” PHD said in a press release June 4. “The individual(s) did not travel and had no identified contact with another person with COVID-19. PHD urges all residents to assume the virus could be anywhere in the community and surrounding counties.”

PHD also has nine cases categorized as “undetermined” on its website, meaning that a primary county of residence is not yet determined for those nine people.

Uncertainty about where a person lives can occur because individuals are difficult to reach; they decline to participate in contact tracing, which is voluntary; they may be experiencing homelessness; or their residence information may be incorrect or outdated.

As of June 10, PHD reported 115 cases of COVID-19 in North Idaho — of those cases, 21 are still being monitored while 94 are not.

“We continue to ask the public to practice physical distancing, wearing masks while out in public especially when physical distancing is difficult, wash your hands often, stay home if you are sick and sanitize high-touch surfaces regularly,” PHD officials stated in a Facebook post June 10.

Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms — cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, muscle pain, sore throat or new

loss of taste or smell — should call the PHD coronavirus hotline at 1-877-415-5225 to be assessed for a test.

Idaho reported 40 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 on June 10, bringing the statewide total to 3,260 cases and 85 virus-caused deaths. The state surpassed 3,000 cases on June 4, and has logged anywhere between 18 and 58 new cases daily in the week since.

Gov. Brad Little will hold a press conference Thursday, June 11 at 10 a.m. Mountain Standard Time to announce whether Idaho will move into Stage 4 of the Idaho Rebounds economic reopening plan as scheduled on Saturday, June 13.

Stage 4, which is the final stage in the plan, marks the reopening of large venues and the green light for gatherings of more than 50 people with “appropriate physical distancing and precautionary measures,” according to the Idaho Rebounds guidelines.

Watch the governor’s June 11 press conference on Idaho Public Television or at idahoptv.org.

Local BLM organizers demand change, issue statement on militias at marches

By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff Local organizers with the Black Lives Matter movement have issued a list of “demands and recommendations” to Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad, the Sandpoint City Council and Lake Pend Oreille School District, intended “to make our community more just and inclusive.”

The statement comes after a series of BLM marches in Sandpoint over the past week, intended to draw attention to the need for greater police accountability and racial justice after the May 25 death of George Floyd, a black man killed by an officer during an arrest in Minneapolis. Demonstrations have since occurred in communities across the country — the most recent in Sandpoint on June 6, drawing about 300 marchers through downtown.

According to the statement, released June 10, “We continue to organize events and encourage anyone who supports the goals of the movement to join us. Please leave guns at home and wear a mask.”

Specifically, the group called on “all elected officials to make statements in support of racial

Black Lives Matter protesters march through justice and the goals of the Black Sandpoint June 6. Photo by Woods Wheatcroft.

Lives Matter movement” and stressed that the council “must retraining for all teachers, staff and quire and fund annual anti-racism students in the LPOSD.” training for all police and city staff Also, according to a separate members” as well as “additional statement shared by one of the and regular de-escalation training” many local BLM organizers, Todd for local police.

Crossett, who has been asked by In addition, the council “must the mostly young-adult march create a community oversight coordinators to speak on their board for the city police departbehalf at this time, “protesters ment”; and Sandpoint High School do not accept protection from “must take disciplinary action, us- vigilante militia groups,” some of ing a restorative justice model, for whom may have a history of white the students involved in harassing supremacy and “are even less protestors and posting race based accountable than police.” harassment and slurs online.”

“We reject the notion that Other items in the statement in- armed militia members are here clude calling on the LPOSD board for protester protection,” the group of trustees to prohibit racist activstated. “It serves only to intimidate ities and racist symbols at school, the free and lawful expression of and “fund and require anti-racism speech.”

Reclaim Idaho files suit to allow continued signature gathering

Group ceased signature collection for its Invest in Idaho initiative in March due to COVID-19

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff Reclaim Idaho announced June 8 that the grassroots organization has filed a federal lawsuit against Idaho Gov. Brad Little and Secretary of State Lawerence Denney arguing that they violated the group’s First Amendment rights by “making it impossible” to collect the signatures needed for the Invest in Idaho initiative during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The lawsuit asks the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho “to grant an expedited preliminary injunction to temporarily alter Idaho’s rules for signature gathering” to allow for electronic signature collection and a deadline extension, according to a press

release from Reclaim Idaho. The group is best known as the driving force behind the 2018 initiative to expand medicaid in Idaho, which passed with 61% of the vote.

The Invest in Idaho initiative, which officially launched in August 2019 and received approval from the secretary of state’s office in October, aims to increase funding for Idaho K-12 education by $170 million each year. This would be achieved by increasing tax rates for corporations and the wealthy.

Reclaim Idaho volunteers had garnered more than 30,000 signatures and qualified five legislative districts as of March 18, when the organization called off its signature collection operations in response to COVID-19. Under Idaho law, ballot initiatives need signatures from

6% of registered voters from 18 of the state’s 35 legislative districts — in total, about 55,000 signatures.

There were still 43 days to go when Reclaim Idaho ceased signature gathering.

Reclaim Idaho volunteer leader Linda Larson, of Bonner County, submitted a declaration along with the lawsuit.

“Had Reclaim Idaho been able to continue [gathering signatures], there is no doubt in my mind that we would have successfully met the state requirements needed to see this put on the November ballot,” Larson wrote.

The lawsuit argues that petitioners’ rights were violated when the state government failed to give them a safe alternative to in-person signature collection, and that by

“preventing the issue of education funding from appearing on the ballot,” the governor and secretary of state kept petitioners from bringing education funding to the forefront of statewide discussion.

Reclaim Idaho argues that education budget shortfalls due to the pandemic and a recent proposal from Little to cut funding by $99 million have made the Invest in Idaho initiative increasingly important.

“The people of Idaho understand that we cannot afford to slash funding for education, especially not now,” said Reclaim Idaho co-founder Luke Mayville. “They know that our kids are the future of our economy, and that a strong economic rebound will require investment in K-12 education.”

June 11, 2020 /

R

/ 5

NEWS

Planning commission recommends setback changes

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff

The Bonner County Planning and Zoning Commission voted at a hearing June 4 to recommend changes to Title 12. The proposed amendments, which will have to be approved by the Bonner County Board of Commissioners before being finalized, redefines setbacks in an effort to provide clarity and mitigate frequent variance requests on small lots.

In Bonner County, setbacks are currently defined based on the types of “yards” on people’s properties: front, rear and side yard setbacks. Planning staff works with property owners to determine which is the front yard based on road location and property access in order to define setback requirements.

The proposed ordinance change would eliminate these definitions.

“This can sometimes become confusing, as properties have roads on two or three sides or cutting through the property,” Planning Director Milton Ollerton told the Reader. “For example, we have defined properties as having three fronts and a side, or two fronts, a side and a rear.”

Ollerton said another difficulty — especially with smaller lots — is the requirement for 25-foot setbacks from both the rear and front yards. He said “placing a home on a lot that is only 70 feet deep can prove to be challenging.”

Ollerton said the proposed ordinance change is “a new thought on setbacks” in an effort to mitigate frequent variance requests.

“Instead of defining front, rear and side, the ordinance now will define setbacks from the property line and the street,” he said, adding that “street” is broadly defined to include anything from an easement to a highway.

6 /

R

/ June 11, 2020

The proposed amendments would also change the current 25-foot rear and front yard set back rule to 25 feet against the street, and varying between five feet and 25 feet from the property line, depending on which zone the property is located in, Ollerton said.

“This will help with lots that are smaller to now fit a structure without having to apply for a variance for setbacks,” he said.

Ollerton said that last year, the Planning and Zoning Commission heard 41 variance requests, while they’ve heard 24 in 2020 so far.

He said most of these variances are requesting a decrease in setbacks, and the proposed changes “will likely address many of the variance requests that are coming in as folks are trying to fit their homes on their property.”

“If you have a code that’s creating lots of variances, then there’s a problem with the code and you need to update it,” Ollerton said to the planning commission during the June 4 meeting. “That’s what we’re trying to do.”

Ollerton told the Reader that the planning commission “understand[s] the challenges that occur with building on lots that were created under old zoning ordinances and [is] trying to navigate those in the most efficient manner.”

“The code change does allow the structures to move closer to the back property line, and it does attempt to continue to protect the property line against a street for snow removal and off-street parking,” he said.

The county commissioners are tentatively scheduled to take up the proposed changes at a hearing on Tuesday, July 14. When an official date and time are set, they will be posted at bonnercountyid.gov/bocc-agendas.

Bits ’n’ Pieces From east, west and beyond

East, west or beyond, sooner or later events elsewhere may have a local impact.

A recent sampling: Retired military generals were speedy in openly disagreeing with President Donald Trump’s response to peaceful protests over the May 25 death of George Floyd, a black man killed by a police officer in Minneapolis, Minn. One general faulted Trump for blaming anti-fascists for violence and property destruction. As pointed out by Vox.com, so-called “antifa” operates primarily to shut down fascist events and defend against racists.

Anti-fascist history began during World War II, in response to European fascism under dictators Adolf Hitler in Germany and Benito Mussolini in Italy. Current adherents to the loosely organized antifa group do not rule out use of violence when confronting fascists and racists.

Twitter announced last week that it had removed fake calls for violence by “antifa,” which were actually posted on the social media platform by white supremacists.

In May, the FBI stopped the plans of a white supremacist “Boogaloo Boi” to spark an uprising he believed would result in martial law and civil war. The FBI said the Ohio man was charged with plotting to kidnap and kill police officers so he could steal their equipment. Informants indicated the plan included help from armed militiamen. The broader scheme was to encourage other Boogaloo militia to adopt similar actions leading, ultimately, to “Patriots” establishing an authoritarian nationalist regime.

Other Boogaloo arrests have occurred in Colorado (where law enforcement discovered a large arsenal in a car trunk, en route to a protest), Missouri and Nevada.

The latter included a suspect who allegedly told an informant he planned to blow up a power substation, The Hill reported.

In response to the ongoing police brutality protests, congressional Democrats unveiled the Justice in Policing Act of 2020.

If enacted, The New York Times reported, it would put in place new requirements for police agencies to qualify for federal aid, such as bias training, a national registry documenting police misconduct, required reporting for use of force and a ban on practices like the deadly chokehold.

Reactions to the police brutality protests have come from across the political spectrum, including Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, who marched in Washington, D.C., with a large crowd of evangelicals chanting Black Lives Matter and singing

By Lorraine H. Marie Reader Columnist

“this little light of mine”; numerous media accounts of black people, protesters and journalists injured by police; protesters turned additional fencing put up at the White House into a memorial for black people who died from police or white brutality; Minneapolis is contemplating how to disband and rebuild its policing; The New York Times editorial page editor resigned after not pre-reading and then printing an editorial with false info advocating violence against protesters; a Marine stood for three hours with a sign asking for justice while wearing two Purple Hearts and black tape across his mouth with the words “I can’t breathe”; and civil rights groups are suing the president and Attorney General William Barr over their violent response to peaceful protests. What’s more, Trump advised state governors to use the military to create “total domination” over protesters.

There have also been numerous Black Lives Matter solidarity protests overseas.

According to an ABC News/Ipsos poll, 63% of American disapprove of how Trump has handled the protests, with 84% saying the protests are justified.

Due to an admitted “misclassification error,” unemployment in May was higher than the 13.3% reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Washington Post reported. It was more likely 16.3%. The figure was 19.7% in April.

Politico reports that concerns over government spending to address a delayed response to COVID-19 may offer Social Security opponents a chance to quietly get out the knife. Romney’s TRUST Act calls for congressional committees to create “solutions” for the SS trust fund.

Opponents of the Act regard it as a behindclosed-doors attack on SS and Medicare, and encourage lawmakers to fix funding gaps by lifting the payroll tax lid on the wealthy, rather than cutting benefits.

The U.S. death count from COVID-19 was 110,900 on June 9, according to data reported by The New York Times.

Idaho is among the 22 states where new COVID-19 cases are increasing, The Times reported.

Blast from the past: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” The First Amendment to the Constitution, written by James Madison.

PERSPECTIVES

Emily Articulated

A column by and about Millennials

Anti-racist

By Emily Erickson Reader Columnist The death of George Floyd and the resulting Black Lives Matter demonstrations across the country has prompted me to engage in a great seeking and consuming of educational materials from leaders in the black community. Through scouring resources, watching videos and relearning my own history, I’ve come to understand that I have been complacent in racial oppression and, without taking the time to learn more, I’d never become a real ally to minority groups and people of color.

In this scouring, I came to the concept of anti-racism, learning it to be a standard above simply “not being racist.” The Alberta Civil Liberties Centre defines anti-racism as, “the active process of identifying and eliminating racism by changing systems, organizational structures, policies and practices and attitudes, so that power is redistributed and shared equitably.”

Anti-racism can be practiced at the macro level — with systemic overhaul, redistribution of resources, governmental accountability and reorganization, and more — but not without its widespread practice at the individual level as well.

Through consolidating articles, research center guides and the work of social media educators, I’ve taken away a few major themes consistent across the material aimed at helping white people, like me, begin an active practice of anti-racism.

The regularly identified starting point for the practice of anti-racism is acknowledging our own privilege. White privilege, although incredibly nuanced, is defined by Francis E. Kendall in Understanding White Privilege as, “having greater access to power and resources than people of color

Emily Erickson. [in the same situation] do.”

In other words, having white privilege doesn’t mean the absence of hardship or barriers to success; rather, it means that one of those barriers is not the color of my skin, and all of the past, present and future implications associated with it.

My white privilege is benefiting from the inherited opportunities and resources of my ancestors: being raised in a predominantly white, rural community with a high performing school system; having had the opportunity to engage in athletics and extracurricular activities, and consequently, earning a scholarship to a private four-year college; getting post-collegiate work opportunities not only by merit, but also by my appearance as a blonde, white woman; not being the subject of regular acts of descrimination and thereby nor carrying the trauma of those experiences every day; and so much more.

Next, many educators suggest performing an honest assessment of how you’re contributing, consciously or not, to sustaining racial oppression. This is an examination of behaviors, feelings and attitudes across your lifetime in search of racist tendencies and beliefs.

In my case, I haven’t actively sought out diversity in my social circles; have supported predomi-

nately white-owned businesses and corporations; didn’t actively follow or share black artists, writers and creators; placed value in brands that didn’t adequately represent indigenous peoples or people of color; and have been afraid to engage in confrontational conversations about race with my white peers.

Also consisted across anti-racist educational materials, there is a call to find avenues to support, uplift and listen to members of the black community, and to pursue allyship in ways that help the overall cause — critically, without seeking personal gain in the process or inflicting incidental harm.

On social media, there are movements like “Amplify Melanated Voices” and “Black Out Tuesday,” encouraging people to diversify their newsfeeds with black creators, storytellers, activ-

ists and educators, and uplift black artists on music platforms. Beyond social media, there is a push to find black-owned businesses, freelancers, makers, educators and more, and use personal resources to support them.

Other avenues of activism include letters to write and phone numbers to call for city, state and federal officials; there is aid necessary for protestors in the form of legal, financial, physical and emotional support; and there are marches, vigils and demonstrations for participation and engagement around the world.

Finally, anti-racism writings contain messages about continuing to learn, reflect, reform and repeat.

Finding ways to hold ourselves accountable; to listen with an open heart and mind to the voices around us; to make changes based

Retroactive

on what we’ve learned and from the stories we’ve heard; to be unafraid of discomfort, failure and a need for repair; and to understand that anti-racism is an active practice, without a final box to check or a finish line at which to arrive.

This is hard work, but I’m going to do my best to be better, everyday. To join in the pursuit of better allyship, I encourage you to find your own steps and resources, tuning in to the strong, beautiful, courageous leaders all around us.

Here are a few of the many channels of inspiration, education and creativity that I’ve connected with in the past weeks: Educators Rachel Cargle, Shaun King, Layla F Saad; artists Jacquelyn Ogorchukwu Iyamah, Winnie Weston, Melarie Odelusi; and writers Yrsa Daley-Ward, Ibrim X. Kendi, Ijeoma Olou.

By BO

June 11, 2020 /

R

/ 7

Sources for ‘antifa’ threat?…

Bouquets: GUEST SUBMISSION: • Huge waves of appreciation to the person responsible for installing the left turn lane onto Highway 2 when heading westbound on Church Street. Now we won’t have traffic backed up past the post office due to that intersection’s ineffectual configuration. So glad they got it fixed!

— Submitted by Kam Majer.

• I appreciate hearing from the younger members of our population as we have in the past week with the protests. I also appreciate that several younger working residents of our town took the time to testify before the Sandpoint City Council regarding the militia presence downtown. Too often, we find ourselves following the direction of one or two loud voices in this community when we are so much more than that. If you don’t like what’s going on in our local government, it’s time for you to speak up.

Barbs • I appreciate the fact that Sandpoint Police Chief Corey Coon and Sandpoint City Administrator Jennifer Stapleton took the time to address the community via a Zoom meeting June 5 in regard to the ongoing protests. It showed a lot of transparency and concern, and I for one think the conversation was a step in the right direction. However, one point I thought wasn’t made clear enough was the fact that the armed militia members were continually referred to as “patriots” and the protestors were sometimes compared — albeit obliquely – to “Antifa.” These local protesters are patriots, too, even if they don’t wave “Don’t Tread on Me” flags and dress for battle while carrying multiple weapons. They are peaceful demonstrators who deserved better than to have their message subsumed by militia members promoting an entirely different issue.

Black Lives Matter.

8 /

R

/ June 11, 2020

Dear editor, This is a public request to our Bonner County Commissioners: Please reveal your sources of the “Antifa is Coming” threat that turned out to be a misinformation campaign, so we might hold those responsible accountable as a community. Investigative journalism pieces, including in The Seattle Times, have verified statements from law enforcement concluding there was no threat. Ever.

You should have no issues exposing this source, as this is a major public safety issue and clearing your name of creating the misinformation is in your best interest.

Alicia Abbott Sandpoint

Abdication of responsibility…

Dear editor, Senator Jim Risch is failing to fulfill his congressional responsibilities. Recent news is that as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee he is not pushing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to appear to explain and defend the department’s FY2021 budget request.

Budget hearings are a very basic part of Congress undertaking its constitutional duties to appropriate funds for government operations and to exercise oversight of executive branch operations.

This is just one example of the Senate Republicans not conducting appropriate and necessary oversight of executive branch implementation of our laws and use of appropriated funds. Our Idaho senators and representatives are abdicating congressional powers and the responsibilities of their branch of government in the face of the executive branch refusing to respect and cooperate with Congress.

Howard Child Sandpoint

Labels cheapen the lives of others…

Dear editor, I am a pro-life Christian. Some people argue about black lives versus blue lives, as if they are not one and the same.

When a racist cop — they are out there — kills an unarmed black or brown person, the police officer doesn’t just destroy that person’s life and family, he devalues and endangers all police officers’ lives far more than any protester.

Although most of the police are servants of the public good, multiple generations of minorities have grown up distrusting the police. It is the racist bullies among them that stain all of them. It is hard to solve a crime when people who saw it are too scared to talk. A minority runs from the police because they fear for their lives, and the police see it as guilt. Violence breeds violence, hatred breeds hatred, and though the police do not pay as high a price as the minorities, they still pay a price for the actions of racist cops.

To be a pro-life Catholic means cherishing all lives from conception to natural death. There is no blue life side versus black life side, or unborn versus mother, or liberal versus conservative. These are all labels meant to cheapen the lives of others.

Rooting out racism and hatred in every form and in every arena of life benefits everyone. No one should call themselves pro-life, a Christian or an American if they do not fight against the deadly, systemic racism in our country.

Sincerely, Mary Haley Sandpoint

Talking to the ‘other side’...

Dear editor, I was a little surprised to see so many armed Patriots patrolling the sidewalk downtown on Tuesday, June 2. I mean, it is Idaho, but still, in little old Sandpoint?

I had not heard about the Black Lives Matter protest regrettably until after it had ended. But more surprising than, 1) missing a protest led by other young people here and 2) seeing dozens of people with AR’s on First Avenue (it means ArmaLite, not “Automatic Rifle”), was 3) when these right-wingers convinced me that they were anti-racists, not “white nationalists” as I had been previously told.

Let’s remember that when the populace is polarized we become a political battery powering those who benefit from the status quo. There is nothing more revolutionary than the neighborly and comradely love upon which this country was founded.

Next time let’s not forget that back in the day we handed flowers to the other side. Let’s chat with these people and find out what we agree upon as well. You may be surprised if you are genuine and ask the right questions.

Daniel Radford Founder, North Idaho Democratic Socialists Sandpoint

‘A robust debate’ Part 3...

Dear editor, I enjoyed Dr. Duebendorfer’s response with her LTE in the May 14, 2020 Reader issue [Letters, “Robust debate: Terrain and germs...”]. When I spoke of “germ theory vs. terrain theory,” I hope I didn’t imply the debate is germs vs. terrain. Terrain theory doesn’t deny the existence of germs, but their relation to disease.

As Antoine Bechamp, the father of terrain theory, said, “They [germs] are not the cause of the disease, any more than flies and maggots cause garbage.”

Dr. Duebendorfer’s letter referred to a professional chat site having a robust debate about terrain and germs. Here are some quotes from well-known professionals who no longer consider germ theory valid: “I’m loving the near deluge of literature decimating germ theory and forcing us to revisit all existing medical science.” — Kelly Brogan, MD, holistic psychiatrist, NY Times bestselling author; “I don’t believe that germs cause disease and the germ theory of disease has proven to be a failure.” — Sally Fallon Morell, Nourishing Traditions, founding president of Weston A. Price Foundation; “The Germ Theory is based on a false foundation. It’s time to let go of false theories. The Law of the Terrain is supreme...” — Rosanne Lindsay, ND, writer/blogger, speaker, podcaster, author.

There are dozens of books and online articles on the germ theory vs. terrain theory debate. Many take the terrain side, and some promote “germ-terrain duality theory.” I encourage people to read and decide for themselves.

I’m grateful we have the independent Reader to host this discussion. I doubt the pharma-influenced media would engage in such a conversation. I look forward to reading future articles and letters from Dr. Duebendorfer.

Lynn Settle Cocolalla

Editor’s note: This letter was originally intended to publish in May, but was inadvertently put aside and bumped out of the rotation. I apologize for the delay.

That said, in order to provide more context on this topic, I reached out to a professor of history with whom I worked at Washington State University and who lectures extensively on the history of public health.

He told me that terrain theory as forwarded by Bechamp has been roundly rejected and discredited as inaccurate since at least the late1800s after what was, at the time, a lively rivalry between the former and Louis Pasteur. In other words, there was once a “robust debate,” but it ended more than 100 years ago. Today, efforts to resuscitate Bechamp’s work occurs in and flows from niche areas of the health community, not the wider academy of scholars or health scientists.

Local law enforcers deserve an apology...

Dear editor, It seems to me that the city police and county deputies are owed an apology for the implied insult that they were unable to protect our town last week from what turned out to be an “unfounded rumor” [of so-called “antifa” elements coming to disrupt peaceful Black Lives Matter demonstrations].

If there was a notification of a legitimate threat to our town, it seems reasonable that the first call and expectation for protection from that threat should be of our professionally trained, taxpayer-funded law enforcement. Did the city chief and county sheriff determine their officers were incapable of handling this perceived threat? Did they then decide to insult them by requesting untrained, non-deputized, heavily armed men to guard downtown, roam the streets and overwatch (intimidate?) local demonstrations by our toddler, teen, soccer mom and elderly “antifa”?

When people need help, protection or the peace maintained, we all count on our city and county peace officers. They are trained for, and own the responsibility of, those jobs. If our law enforcement leaders asked the community for help, undoubtedly many of us would answer that call. But until then, who thinks it’s a good idea for non-police trained, self-deputized, heavily armed men to just show up to enforce their interpretation of what is right without close coordination with, and direction by, our professional law enforcement?

That scenario seems fraught with a high potential for something going very wrong. And who would then take responsibility for that?

Pierre Bordenave Sagle

OPINION

A rumble of hope

By Ben Olson Reader Staff When rounding the corner of the Bonner County Courthouse last Tuesday, June 2, to see who was amassing to protest the killing of George Floyd, I said to my colleague Zach Hagadone, “Huh. It’s a bunch of kids.”

Indeed it was. Teenagers, some early twentysomethings, carrying hand-painted signs, some with calls for justice and equality written on their T-shirts in magic marker. There were a dozen or so when we showed up, which slowly grew to about 50 people as they began walking south across the Long Bridge. Some chanted “Black Lives Matter, and “Say his name. George Floyd.”

Two days later, a larger group gathered at the south end of the Long Bridge, the majority of the estimated 250 people showing up were young adults, between 2045 years old. They carried signs that said, “Racism is dumb,” and, “No justice, no peace,” and “Make compassion great again.”

A volunteer wearing a SHS Cedar Post student newspaper T-shirt handed out face masks to any who desired one at the entrance to the Long Bridge. He stood before a sign advertising that this was a peaceful demonstration, asking people not to interfere with traffic and to respect the public space. Teenagers and older citizens alike lined the rails, leaving space buffers between themselves down half the bridge, smiling beneath their masks and waving to the passing cars.

It was 5 p.m., so bridge traffic was heavy, but what a clamoring of honks there were. Truckers blasted their horns to cheering protestors, families waved their thumbs up and out the windows and others honked and waved to show support. There were also some haters — three or four black-cloud emitting coal rollers, one old biker who shouted “Go back to California!” as the crowd of locals chuckled in response.

It was a beautiful evening, the sun warm, but a breeze taking the edge off. Two Bonner County Sheriff’s deputies strolled the bridge at one point, waving and occasionally chatting with a few of the demonstrators. Some shook their hands, others nodded hello.

There were good vibes all around.

One woman in attendance, Suzanne Tugman, said she’d been standing with a sign at the south end of the Long Bridge every day for the past seven days. Sometimes she stands with a friend or two, sometimes she stands alone.

But Tugman said the honking support and love by passing vehicles was a lot less over the past week. She even based how long she stands out there by the amount of vitriol she received.

“Every time I get more hate, I stay longer,” she said.

She was overcome with joy at the sight of so many young people passionate about an issue that should matter to us all. Equality is a human right, no matter what political ideology you follow. To be treated fairly is what we all desire.

No one is arguing for more rights, just equality as humans, no matter what color we are.

That’s why it’s odd to me when a passing truck farts a black smoke cloud on the line of people at the rail. In their minds, perhaps they think these protestors are against the police, or against law and order, or are just rioters in daylight hours. The riots and looting around the country have certainly put everybody on edge, and some react with more fear than others, believing bogus Facebook chatter and ignoring the reality that everyone on that bridge was united by love and compassion for their fellow human beings. It wasn’t fear that was driving them, it was love and concern for the direction we seem to be headed.

Saturday, June 6 saw another protest in Sandpoint, this one taking place at Matchwood Brewing Co. Prior to the protest, the 16-year-old organizer received death threats via tele-

phone. Nonetheless, the protest at Matchwood and march through Sandpoint was again peaceful. At this protest, the organizers issued a statement specifically addressing the militia presence at prior protests: “Black Lives Matter protesters do not accept protection from militia groups, especially those with a history of white supremacy. The BLM movement is about holding police accountable for killing and oppressing black lives. These militias are even less accountable than police and can be considered vigilantes. The KKK were vigilantes. Ahmaud Arbery was killed by vigilantes who made false claims that he was a looter. We reject the notion that armed militia members are here for protestor protection. It serves only to intimidate the free and lawful expression of speech.”

After I returned home and scrolled through the pictures of the protest on June 4, compiling notes from the day, I realized that normally we would post these pictures to Facebook to share with the community. There once was a time when spirited comments were somewhat constructive, or at the very least not inappropriate. That time has come and gone.

I decided, no, I wouldn’t put these pictures up, because I didn’t want to spend the next five hours of my evening monitoring the comments section for the inevitable vitriol and anger, the incendiary statements, intimidation and trolling personal attacks. I didn’t want to cheapen this moment we all shared, lining the rail of the Long Bridge, and feeling like — for maybe one moment — our collective voice might be heard.

The voice of the young adults in Bonner County. The working professionals. The handymen and construction workers, the bartenders and landscapers. The small town business owners, massage therapists, stylists and restaurant workers. The people who serve the tourists that drive our economy and the locals that really drive

our economy, when the shoulder season hits like a thud.

For the most part, this meaty center of Sandpoint’s beating heart — the young working adults — prefers to extract something more out of their time in this beautiful place. They aren’t involved with pedantic lawsuits and social media dog-piling over hot-button issues.

They spend their time working and recreating, earning their right to do whatever the hell they want to do with their downtime.

Biking out on Mineral Point trail, or hunting for morels at a honey hole they don’t even tell their best friends about. Tilling their gardens and building bonfires in their backyards, talking with friends and loved ones about life, about art, about music, about nature.

About love.

This spiral of negative social media tirades has no place in the hearts of this working marrow of Sandpoint. There is simply not enough time, energy or desire to fit that into our own individual way of living in balance with this place.

The problem lies in the fact that for the most part these young, bright, talented people stay out of local politics. They don’t serve on boards or write to their local elected officials.

They don’t volunteer as much as retirees because they’re too busy working two or three jobs. They work hard and play harder - and why not? Shouldn’t we spend our precious time on activities that promote this community instead of wading through the muck and mire of negativity?

We have to come to terms with the fact that there is a voice that is so powerful in this community, and that voice is yours. It is the voice of the young working heart of this town. It’s high time you start using it more. The older generation in this community needs to know that they are passing the torch of leadership and stewardship to the next young leaders, because they’ve shouldered the load for many years.

Write letters to your local city council members. Even better,

show up to the meetings and testify. Run for local offices. Write emails and testify to your county commissioners. Write to the mayor, the city administrator, your state senators and representatives.

Share with them your views on important issues, because many of them operate in an echo chamber of groupthink and have a distorted view that this city, this county, is all one type of person.

It’s not. It never has been.

Having been born and raised in this beautiful town, I’ve watched it change over the years.

Some of it good. A lot of it not so good. But I’ve rolled with the punches, and done what I could, which is to bring this newspaper back to life after my best friend and current Editor-in-Chief Zach Hagadone began it lo those many years ago in 2004. Back then, I was one of those young twentysomethings passionate about this town, yet unable to direct my passion into a purpose. Now, years later, I’ve done my part.

I’ve taken on this burden for almost six years now, and I’m not looking for any sympathy, but this job can blow sometimes.

The amount of toxicity and anger we deal with on a regular basis is mind-numbing. It consumes me, this cloud of negative energy. I try to find ways to relieve myself of it. Whiskey helps. Playing music helps. Hiking on a mountain trail helps. But it’s a burden, and I bear it because I feel what we do at the Reader is important to some of you out there.

I’ve done my part. So has Zach. So has our News Editor Lyndsie Kiebert. We are doing our best to give an accurate account of the news, arts and culture of this diverse region – which includes all voices, not just the loud voices on one side of an issue. Now it’s time for you to step up and do your part.

Don’t let your voices go unheard, because I heard you loud and clear on the Long Bridge. I heard a rumble of something I haven’t felt in some time: hope.

June 11, 2020 /

R

/ 9

Mad about Science:

Brought to you by:

slavery in america

By Brenden Bobby Reader Columnist Most weeks, this article is filled with lots of fun facts peppered with my juvenile brand of humor. Not this week. Our country is in the middle of a crisis right now. The source of this crisis is not new, and to begin to understand it and heal as a country and a culture, we have to take an uncomfortable look back into our history and learn from the mistakes of our forefathers.

To encapsulate the true divide in America right now would take a lot more than 800 words, but it began with slavery in America.

There is a tremendous amount of conflicting information on the history of African-American slavery, as most of our historical documents were written by the very people who owned and abused the humans they saw as property.

Slave owners harshly punished slaves who learned to read and write, as they knew how damning to their legacies the evidence of an educated mind could be. This was exposed frequently surrounding the events of the American Civil War from 1861-1865.

That seems like a long time ago, but I promise you that it’s not. The Civil War ended 155 years ago. Currently, the oldest living human on Earth is 117 years old. It is plausible to believe, then, that the Civil War concluded as few as three generations ago.

Many of the problems that were highlighted by American slavery are the same problems we struggle with as a country today, and are the very reasons why so many people are protesting in the streets at this very moment.

Of course, the enslavement of black Africans in North America 10 /

R

/ June 11, 2020

goes back much further in time than the 19th century — all the way to the first decades of European colonization in the early 1600s.

At that time, wealth inequality held just as much — if not more — political sway than it does now. Amassing tremendous wealth gave slave owners access to status and privilege that not only buffered them from the suffering of the people they owned, but gave them the tools they needed to be able to oppress further generations of those very people without them being able to defend themselves. These tools were used extensively to propagandize the message of the wealthy colonial elite among lower-class whites, especially throughout what would later come to be regarded as the American South.

This tactic of extremely wealthy individuals using propaganda to tribalize the lower and middle classes and bring them in line with their way of thinking has been put on full display with the advent of social media.

It is difficult to pinpoint an exact date in which African slavery in America first began. The Atlantic slave trade is recorded to have begun in 1526 with the Portugese colonization of western Africa. The Portugese initially invaded a number of islands along the coast and enslaved members of the subjugated population to work the fields and plantations in the immediate area, but the bulk of the Africans shipped overseas came from enslaved peoples of other African countries.

The first African slaves arrived in Jamestown, Virginia, in 1619, while America was just beginning as an English colonial enterprise. A little more than 20 men and women were brought to

America then, with 12.5 million more to follow — of which, 10.7 million would survive the journey across the Atlantic.

Several historical diagrams exist of slave ships “efficiently” packed to capacity. Children were seen as highly valuable commodities as slaves were sold by the ton, and slavers could effectively pack more children onto a boat than adults. Children and mothers were frequently separated in a manner identical to how we handle livestock and pets today. Men and women were appraised based on the roles the slave owner wished for them to fulfill, be it field work, house work or breeding future generations of slaves. Damage, such as missing limbs, digits, or eyes, would be deducted from their overall price, in the same manner that an appliance store will sell you a dented washing machine at a discount.

In modern prices, a slave who was considered “good working quality” was worth about $40,000, around the price of a new car. Slave owners would often rent out their slaves to other slave owners during alternating harvests to recoup some of their initial expense. Frequently, individual slaves were sold to other plantations and separated from their families. Some slave owners offered writs, similar to a hall pass, that would allow the slave to return to visit their families, but these kinds of visits were rare and not often respected by local officials.

The American Civil War was the culmination of tension between the northern and southern sections of the country — tensions that can be traced to the colonial period, as the North industrialized, relying on manufacturing, commerce and

trade, while the South entrenched itself as a slave-based agricultural powerhouse.

While the Emancipation Proclamation of President Abraham Lincoln took effect on Jan. 1, 1863, the war raged until 1865.

Slave owners, not recognizing Lincoln’s authority, disregarded the executive order and worked to conceal from their slaves that the North had granted them their freedom.

It wasn’t until the intervention

of the union troops that slavery in America was abolished in 1865, 246 years after the first slaves arrived here. As it currently stands, African Americans have been free for 155 years — 89 years fewer than the amount of time during which they were enslaved.

However, as you well know, the story doesn’t end there.

In the meantime, listen and learn from each other.

Stay compassionate, 7B.

Random Corner ent? st amendm

Don’t know much about the fir

We can help!

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

are banned from a social media platform. The First Amendment protects you from the government punishing or censoring or oppressing your speech. It doesn’t apply to private organizations. Same goes if your comments are blocked, since it’s a private company.

• After several Supreme Court rulings, it was decided that the First Amendment applies to federal, state and local governments — including all branches of government.

However, there are limitations to free speech in the case of “clear or present danger,” according to the Supreme Court ruling in Schenck v. the United States. In that landmark case from World War I, it was determined that freedom of speech could be limited if the homeland is in imminent danger.

• Fired from your job for something you said in public or online?

If you work for a private company, it’s probably not a First Amendment issue, but the employer could be in violation of the Civil Rights Act or possibly running afoul of contract law. If you’re a government employee, it’s a bit more complicated. Institutions like police departments, public schools and local government branches can’t restrict employees’ free speech rights, but they do need to assure that such speech doesn’t keep the employee from doing their job.

• The Founding Fathers believed that a free press was an essential safeguard against despotism, and integral to advancing human understanding of the sciences, arts and humanities.

• No, it’s not a violation of First Amendment rights if you

• If you’re arrested while recording police activities in a public space, that would usually be a First Amendment violation. You are fully within your rights to record the police doing their job in public, unless you were doing something unlawful at the time.

OPINION

Patriotism during a pandemic

By Timothy Braatz Reader Contributor

The word “patriot” is derived from Latin and Greek words for fatherland. The implication is that a country is a family, and citizens are brothers and sisters.

Patriotism means being a responsible member of the national family. This is a very conservative idea, dating back centuries. When you are kind to your neighbors, you are being patriotic. When you respect the right of fellow citizens to live safely and have differences of opinion and belief, you are being patriotic. Patriotism also requires sometimes making personal sacrifices for the well-being of others.

When President Franklin Roosevelt called for “equality of sacrifice” during the Second World War, many responded — and not just by enlisting in the military.

Understanding that the national war effort required great resources, U.S. citizens from 1941 to 1945 cooperated with a government rationing system for fuel, clothing material and foodstuffs. Twenty million housewives pledged not to purchase more than their fair

share of groceries — no hoarding, no wasting. Entire communities collected tons of scrap metal for ships and planes.

Today, in this time of pandemic, we again see remarkable patriotic sacrifices. Many people are sewing masks to donate to people they will never meet. In COVID-19 hotspots, doctors and nurses are working long hours, quarantining themselves from their families and risking their lives to save the lives of others. Most people and businesses are cooperating with distancing and lockdown guidelines, knowing that — no matter how inconvenient — it is the right thing for their community.

But a few refuse to make even the smallest sacrifice. In pandemic hotspots, where businesses require masks be worn, some noncooperative customers have responded by intentionally coughing on, spitting on or physically assaulting employees.

“This is a free country,” they insist, “how dare you inconvenience me.”

In Michigan, home to more than 53,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 5,000 deaths, two men murdered a security guard

after he asked them to wear masks.

Some individuals and organizations see the pandemic as an opportunity to exploit, not help, their fellow citizens. Some price-gouging companies have raised the price of N95 masks from 30 cents to $15 each and face shields from $1 to $12.

A man in New York illegally stockpiled tons of medical supplies to resell at much higher prices. A man in Tennessee hoarded 17,700 bottles of hand sanitizer. Wealthy corporations, including hotel and restaurant chains, have taken millions of taxpayer dollars that were intended to bail out small businesses.

It seems the pandemic is bringing out the best and the worst, revealing the patriotic and exposing the unpatriotic.

In March, after COVID-19 reached Idaho, Gov. Brad Little declared an “extreme emergency” and ordered the closure of non-essential businesses and venues. He later assembled a Testing Task Force of physicians and scientists, not politicians. In early May, Little began issuing protocols (physical distancing, disinfection procedures) to allow for business reopening. On May 22, he announced the Testing

Task Force’s scientific recommendations, including testing.

Some people have protested these public health measures. Little, they would have you believe, is involved in a conspiracy to violate your rights and take away your freedoms. Blanchard Republican Rep. Heather Scott called the governor “Little Hitler” and said that the emergency closures were “no different than Nazi Germany.” This shameful and absurd comparison encourages you to play the political victim and reject the safety measures. It also trivializes genocide.

A “Disobey Idaho” rally at the statehouse in Boise drew several hundred people carrying signs.

Many waved flags, but that did not make their message patriotic. One sign suggested that the pandemic statistics were “inflated.” Another said it was all a “hoax.” Several signs suggested that death was preferable to living under this “tyranny,” and even more signs condemned “fear.” But the protesters were the ones expressing fear. Perhaps that’s why some carried assault rifles and dressed for combat.

For residents of North Idaho, it can be difficult to appreciate

the severity of the pandemic. The U.S. has more than 1.9 million confirmed cases and greater than 110,000 deaths. The state of Idaho has reported in excess of 2,900 “confirmed and probable cases” and 83 deaths. We can only imagine how much higher these numbers would be without the stay-home precautions. And the numbers continue to climb. The pandemic is far from over and could intensify.

In these difficult times, the Boundary County Human Rights Task Force encourages everyone to think seriously about the proper balance between the right to assemble and protest and the right to health and well-being. Remember that kindness is patriotic, bullying is not.

Timothy Braatz is a professor of history and nonviolence at Saddleback College. Previously, he taught at Southern Utah University and Arizona State University. He has a Ph.D. in U.S. history from Arizona State and is the author of several books, including Peace Lessons and From Ghetto to Death Camp: A Memoir of Privilege and Luck.

June 11, 2020 /

R

/ 11

FOOD

Practice makes perfect (pizza)

The Panhandle Pizza Kitchen is bringing fresh, digestion-friendly pies to North Idaho

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff According to Panhandle Pizza Kitchen owner Mike Johnson, a great pizza starts with four ingredients: water, flour, salt and time.

Yes, time — not thyme. Patience is the key to creating consistently delicious Neapolitan pizza, which is Johnson’s specialty. The crust is made from naturally leavened sourdough — cold-fermented for 48 hours to preserve probiotic qualities and allow for easy digestion — then baked in a wood-fired oven at 750 degrees.

“It’s very light, very fluffy,” Johnson said. “It’s my favorite pizza, which is why I got into making it.”

Johnson said he used his recent downtime during the coronavirus pandemic to turn his pizza hobby into a business, so the Panhandle Pizza Kitchen was born. What started as he and his family enjoying his perfected recipe soon made it to his neighbors, and now — thanks to popular demand and a few connections — Johnson has hosted three pop-up style events at the Longshot cafe and wine bar in Sandpoint. He said he was “shocked” by the demand he experienced in just those few outings, and has received a lot of encouraging feedback.

Part of what sets Panhandle Pizza Kitchen apart is Johnson’s use of organic ingredients and commitment to staying away from additives like sugar.

“I’ve got a strong dedication to using the best quality stuff that I can find,” he said. “It makes a difference.”

For instance, Johnson’s tomato sauce is made from whole San Marzano tomatoes, which he processes in a food mill — preserving some of the chunkiness — then combines with a little salt and basil.

“It’s really simple, really fresh and really basic,” he said.

However, most who have tasted Johnson’s cooking wouldn’t be throwing around terms like “simple” and “basic.” Also found among Panhandle 12 /

R

/ June 11, 2020

Pizza Kitchen menu ingredients are chili-infused honey and 10-year, oak barrel-aged balsamic vinegar. Johnson said he loves exploring flavor combinations, so when his wife requested a mushroom pizza, Johnson decided to invent a roasted garlic and truffle sauce to go on it. The result is a fan favorite: Sandi’s Special.

“When I created [the sauce], I had a bunch of friends over to do a taste test — like a focus group for sauce,” he said with a laugh. “A lot of them said, ‘You should just put this on every single pizza.’”

Ultimately, Johnson is aiming to create pies that are flavorful and satisfying without doling out pizza-induced comas.

“You can eat a whole pizza because they’re so light, not stacked up with a bunch of crazy stuff,” he said. “You’re going to be able to eat a whole pizza and not feel gross afterwards. You can finish your beer and walk around and enjoy yourself.”

Johnson’s culinary passions do not stop with Neapolitan pizza. He’s also committed to creating the perfect burger, made from specific beef cuts and complete with a homemade pretzel bun

— but it’s all still in the works.

“I’ve got a little more experimenting to do, but it’s coming down the road soon,” he said.

Johnson said the popularity of his pizzas has become a driving force for expanding his skills and offerings, so it appears that operations at the Panhandle Pizza Kitchen are just heating up.

“The responses I’ve gotten about the pizzas already — I’m so happy,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of positivity out there, and it’s inspiring me to do all that I can.”

Left: Owner Mike Johnson and his son Ryder.

Right: “The Longshot” pizza. Courtesy photos.

The Panhandle Pizza Kitchen will be serving good eats at the Longshot (102 S. Boyer Ave.) on Friday, June 12 from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday, June 13 from 6-9 p.m. Follow the business on Facebook or Instagram @panhandlepizzakitchen. To contact Johnson about offering pizzas at a local event, email him at panhandlepizzakitchen@gmail. com.

FOOD

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff

Historically delicious

A glimpse into the ongoing renovations at the new MickDuff’s brewpub

Since the sale was finalized in September 2019, business partners and brothers Duffy and Mickey Mahoney have been hard at work turning the brick building at 419 N. Second Ave. into the new MickDuff’s brewpub.

It’s the latest chapter for the century-old structure that was once home to the Sandpoint Post Office, Bonner County Library and, most recently, First American Title Company.

The Mahoneys provided the Sandpoint Reader a firsthand look into the ongoing construction — a process which has seen a heavy emphasis on preservation. By repurposing wood; utilizing hidden catwalks to hide plumbing, wiring and HVAC hardware; and deliberately choosing fixtures and accents reminiscent of the 1920s, the brewpub will pay tribute to the building’s original style.

“We picked a tile that was around in the ’20s. Our urinals are the same exact casting [you’d find] in 1920,” Mickey said. “Things like that.”

The roughly 12,000-square-foot building will offer large bathrooms, an ample kitchen, outdoor dining patio and plenty of office space. The new brewpub even features a “beer pit” cut from the center of the dining room floor, through which people can peer over a banister and into the basement, where the new five-barrel brewery system will churn out the hoppy goods right before their eyes.

So when will the general public be able to enjoy the new and improved MickDuff’s?

“In a perfect world, fall,” Duffy said. “We’re hoping to be open in the fall, there’s just a lot to do.”

Top: A first look at the dining room in the new MickDuff’s brewpub. The booths were all handmade by local woodworker Joel Shoemaker.

Middle: MickDuff’s owners Duffy and Mickey Mahoney stand behind the bar in their new building.

Lower left: An outside view of the old Sandpoint Post Office on June 9, 2020, under construction as it becomes the new home of MickDuff’s brewpub.

Lower right: A glimpse into the women’s bathroom. The Mahoneys were adamant about using fixtures reminiscent of the building’s 1920s origins.

Photos by Lyndsie Kiebert.

June 11, 2020 /

R

/ 13

events THURSDAY, JUNE 11 FriDAY, JUNE 12

Live Music w/ Shedroof Divide 6-9pm @ Matchwood Brewing Co. Five-piece bank playing folk-rock, country, blues and a touch of Celtic Live Music w/ Kevin Dorin 8-10pm @ The Back Door A different take on the blues

June 11-18, 2020

Live Music w/ Wiebe Jammin’ 5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery A Spokane-based artist named Nick Wiebe playing reggae, country, classic rock, ‘80s, ‘90s, pop and more Thom & Coley concert - CANCELED 7:30pm @ Di Luna’s Cafe

SATURDAY, JUNE 13 Sandpoint Farmers’ Market 9am-1pm @ City parking lot (by Joel’s) Enter on the north side of the lot

Bird Watching by Ear Field Trip 10am-1pm @ Farragut State Park Instructor Carrie Hugo, a wildlife biologist with the BLM, will lead the event; her wealth of knowledge is vast, and her field trips are informative and fun. Dress for the weather and bring bug repellent. Meet at the east boat launch parking lot at Farragut State Park The Bozeman Film Festival of Shorts 7:30pm @ Panida Theater Includes lighthearted comedy and a few poignant short films.

Live Music w/ Fancee That!

5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery An acoustic Spokane duo performing Americana, folk, country, bluegrass, blues, standards and originals Live Music w/ Ten String Smile 5-8pm @ Matchwood Brewing Co. Featuring Drew Browne on guitar and vocals, and Pam Burns on fiddle, mandolin and vocals, this local duo bills themselves as Americana plus Live Music w/ Meg Turner & Chris Lynch 8-10pm @ The Back Door Piano and vocal duo from Sandpoint

SunDAY, JUNE 14

Piano Sunday w/ Bob Beadling 3-5pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Traditional and contemporary songs

monDAY, JUNE 15

Lifetree Cafe 2pm @ Jalapeño’s Restaurant “How Dads Shape Us” program with a filmed interview with former gang member and current father Mark DeEsparza

tuesDAY, JUNE 16 wednesDAY, JUNE 17 ThursDAY, JUNE 18

Sip and Shop for Kaniksu Land Trust 4-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery A percentage of proceeds from all purchases from 4-8 goes to the land trust

14 /

R

/ June 11, 2020

COMMUNITY

Make-A-Wish Idaho to grant child’s wish for an RV camper in Bonners Ferry

By Reader Staff Three-year-old Christopher, of Bonners Ferry, is a fan of monster trucks and camping. He also has cystic fibrosis, and the Idaho Make-A-Wish foundation will grant Christopher’s wish for an RV camper on Thursday, June 11.

The RV camper comes from Blue Dog RV in Post Falls. The company has agreed to defray a significant portion of the cost as well as provide complimentary upgrades, hook-ups and will host a celebra-

Sandpoint Teen Center to host monthly BBQs

By Reader Staff

The Sandpoint Teen Center is continuing their summer tradition of monthly barbecues at the City Beach. The group meets at the pavilion from 12-3 p.m. on the following dates: June 24, June 21, Aug. 19.

There will be safe socializing, eating, swimming and boating. If teens want to go boating or tubing, their parent must sign a permission slip.

Due to COVID-19, the Sandpoint Teen Center has adjusted its normal routine at the center. It is currently working on a garden project, cooking and sewing with teens through the summer.

“We are excited to add more activities such as basketball, bike rides, hikes, scavenger hunts around town, games, etc.,” the center wrote in a statement.

Watch its Facebook page for updates, or stop by the center at 221 Division St. Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11-1 p.m.

tion of the wish at its storefront located at 714 W. Seltice Way in Post Falls.

Post Falls Police Chief Pat Knight was instrumental in putting together this wish.

“We’re very happy to be granting this wish during these unprecedented times,” Knight said. “I’m excited that Christopher and his family will be able to enjoy this camper over the summer and maybe have a break from all of life’s uncertainty.”

Parks and Rec. round-up Tai chi at City Beach

Tai chi helps reduce stress and anxiety, and also helps with flexibility and balance.

Course taught by Mark Evans. Participants will meet at the Sandpoint City Beach basketball court Saturdays at 8 a.m. All are welcome to join at no cost. Newcomers may find it challenging, however, as this is not an instructional offering.

Junior Advanced Golf Clinic, ages 9-13

Instructor Mike Deprez will teach kids aged 9-13 who have played before and are interested in entering competitive golf in middle or high school. Prior play experience is required.

The clinic will run Tuesdays, June 16Aug. 25 at the Elks Golf Course from 3:304:30 p.m. Pre-register by Wednesday, June 10. The clinic fee is $100.

Ladies Golf Clinics - ages 18 and up

Join instructor Mike Deprez Tuesday nights this summer for a ladies golf clinic.

Two sessions are available. Both sessions meet at the U of I Driving Range on S. Boyer Ave., from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Registration is open for Session 1, which takes place Tuesdays, June 16-July14. The deadline to register online is Wednesday, June 10. The fee is $100, including range balls and fees.

Call 208-263-3613 or visit sandpointgov.parksrecreation for more information.

COMMUNITY

Innovia Foundation supports local organizations

By Reader Staff The Innovia Foundation announced that it had given $839,300 in grants to 82 organizations in eastern Washington and North Idaho through its Community Grant Program.

The organization’s grants are awarded as flexible funding to nonprofit organizations to help mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19 in local communities.

“We recognize that organizations have shifted their priorities in the last 90 days, and we want to support those needs in the best way we can,” said Innovia CEO Shelly O’Quinn. “By providing flexible grants, we know funding will go directly to programs supporting communities vulnerable to the impact of COVID-19.”

The Innovia Foundation awarded the following organizations in North Idaho grants: Angels Over Sandpoint — $5,000 Bonner Community Food Center — $15,000

Food for Our Children — $6,000 Priest Community Forest Connection — $13,000 Region 4 Economic Development Support — $22,000 Sandpoint Area Seniors, Inc. — $20,000 Youth Emergency Services — $10,000 Blanchard Area Seniors Incorporated — $5,000 Benewah Human Society, Inc. — $9,450 Community Cancer Services — $5,000 Sandpoint Community Resource Center — $10,000 Friends of the Shelter (dba Panhandle Animal Shelter) — $9,450 Priest River Ministries — $17,500 First Judicial District CASA Program — $15,000 Idaho Youth Ranch — $15,000 9B Trails — $13,000 For more information about The Innovia Foundation, visit innovia.org.

June 11, 2020 /

R

/ 15

OUTDOORS

Jumping in

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff

I walked into the water up to my ankles and heard that all-too-familiar voice in my head: “What are you thinking?”

The voice is familiar because I’ve heard it on the first warm day of early summer for more than 20 years now, since I’ve been able to walk myself down the shoreline of Lake Pend Oreille in pink water wings, preparing for the cold shock to come.

It didn’t occur to me that the year’s first dip in the lake was a ritual until last week, when my sister invited me to join her at one of our favorite Hope swimming spots.

She’d already been in the water when I arrived.

“It’s not bad,” she said. “It feels really good once you get out.”

Temperatures hit 80 that day, and as someone who used to jump in the lake as early as April, I knew I could handle it.

But standing in the water up to my ankles, that old internal voice came through: “Just splash some water on your arms and legs, that will cool you down.”

16 /

R

/ June 11, 2020

Still, nothing compares to the feeling of goosebumps warmed in the sun and hair dried into tight curls as you lay face down on your towel after jumping all the way in. These are physical comforts you learn at an early age as a Hope kid, when mom takes you to the lake every day and you and your sisters find different ways to jump off the dock — cannon balls, pencil dives, the daring belly flop — like it’s a sport.

As I got older, jumping into the lake became the great equalizer. Laying on the dock with friends in varying stages of teenage awkwardness, the constant pressure of comparison beating down on us like the lakeside sun, it seemed that no matter how great the hair, glamorous the makeup or flattering the swimwear, jumping into the water made us all kids again. Dripping wet with hair plastered to our foreheads and mascara running down our cheeks, we all tugged at our clinging suits and laughed together, complaining about the cold shock of the water.

Now, at 24 years old, I still look forward to that first jump — especially this year.

We are nearly halfway through 2020, a year during which a series of events has transpired that no one could have predicted. As they say, you can’t make this stuff up. We all deserve a refresh, a restart, a way to feel

An ode to the first swim of the year

normal again.

That’s what I felt during my first dip in the lake last week.

There is something about closing your eyes and giving yourself over to the cold weightlessness of the first swim that makes you forget exactly what year it is. The shock of the water forces a meditation that’s impossible to achieve on land — you have no choice but to be in the moment, if only for the short time it takes to kick off, glide a few feet and resurface, shouting the customary, “Wow, it’s not that bad!” to your companions onshore.

There’s something about having round lake rocks underfoot and pushing ratty hair from my eyes as the disturbed water settles all around me that feels the same no matter how old I am. During that first swim of the year, all is right with the world.

A recent sunny Wednesday when the author first jumped in the lake in 2020.

Mac, the dog watches the author’s friends swimming in the background.

Photo by Lyndsie Kiebert.

FEATURE

How to choose the right contractor

By Ben Olson Reader Staff Home renovation projects have seen an uptick in the age of coronavirus, which means there are a lot more homeowners taking bids from contractors. Many homeowners are familiar with the process of working with a trusted contractor, but new home owners may have had little experience in this arena.

For the many successes in hiring a local contractor, there are also the occasional horror stories where the work was not completed in time or to the client’s satisfaction, the final price far exceeded the initial bid or — in the worst case scenario — homeowners have been ripped off due to poor communications with their hired contractors and poor planning in the initial stages of the job bid.

The Idaho Contractors Board is a statewide agency dedicated to protecting the public health, safety and welfare through the registration of those who provide contracting services in Idaho. The Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses spokesperson Julie Eavenson wrote to the Reader that if a homeowner feels a contractor has violated any of the Board’s laws or rules, “they can file a complaint against that contractor’s registration. If, after an investigation, it is determined that the registrant is in violation of the board’s laws and/or rules, the board may then impose discipline on their registration.”

The board may then impose monetary sanctions, a probationary period for offending parties or a suspension or revocation of the registrant. These civil matters are generally handled through mediation or the courts. The noard does not have the authority to impose monetary damages or restitution.

Eavenson highlighted what steps a homeowner should take to make sure they hire the right person for the job: Get recommendations “Always ask for and check references,” Eavenson wrote in an email to the Reader.

Word of mouth is still a powerful thing, especially in the age of social media. Start by asking trusted friends and family if they have any recommendations for contractors that would be good for a home renovation project. Also, don’t be afraid to speak with your local building inspectors, who often work hand-in-hand with local contractors so they meet routine code requirements.

Finally, local lumber yards can be a great

source of information, as employees generally know which contractors buy quality materials and pay their bills on time.

“Hire only registered contractors and verify if they have previously been disciplined by the Board,” Eavenson wrote.

Be detailed in the description of work “Be aware that several contractors may be needed to do different portions of the job,” Eavenson wrote. “For example, it may be necessary to hire a contractor to do the carpentry but a plumber to do the plumbing.

Beware of anyone stating they can do it all unless that individual is licensed for each type of work they are performing.”

Request verification of current insurance coverage “Please note, liability insurance is not insurance that the project will be completed to the customer’s satisfaction,” Eavenson said.

Put the contract in writing Don’t skimp on the details. Be specific about everything, including payment schedules, the work to be done, the materials to be used, the total cost, and the start and completion dates. There should also be some requirement that the contractor obtains lien releases (which protect you if they don’t pay their bills) from all subcontractors and suppliers.

According to Eavenson, “Do not sign anything without reading and understanding the terms. Stay away from verbal agreements … Questions regarding a contract?

Seek the legal advice of an attorney.”

Ask a potential contractor if you can visit another of their job sites You don’t want to be a pest, but if you’re forking over tens of thousands of dollars for a large home renovation job, it helps to see the contractor you’re leaning toward walk the walk. If they are amenable to having you visit one of their other job sites, look around. Is the job site safe and tidy? Are workers courteous and careful with homeowners’ property? Are they respectful of the neighbors?

Compare bids After you’ve narrowed down your selection, look over their different bids for your job. Be up front with the contractor about what you plan to spend and, more importantly, what your spending limit is. Don’t be afraid to ask contractors to break down the cost of materials, labor, profit margins and

other expenses. Beware bids that come in significantly lower than others.

Negotiate a payment schedule and stick to it “Do not pay cash,” Eavenson wrote.

“Pay by check and get itemized receipts.”

If a contractor wants a large portion of the payment up front, it could be a sign that they may have financial problems or that they are worried you won’t pay the rest after they’ve seen the work. Every contract and job is different, but generally if you are being asked to front a significant portion of the work ahead of time, that should be looked at as a potential red flag.

“While you’re at it...”

Idaho who can help you complete that dream home renovation job. Follow these guidelines and keep an eye out for red flags, and your project will hopefully be one of the success stories.

Beware red flags “Steer clear of any contractor who is not properly registered, cannot provide references, is requesting to do the work with a verbal agreement only or requesting more funds than originally negotiated or stated in the contract,” Eavenson wrote.

Check with the Idaho Board of Contractors if you have any further questions “Be aware that Idaho law requires general contractors to provide certain disclosures to property owners and customers,” Eavenson wrote. “The Idaho Building Contractor’s webpage has good examples of disclosure agreements.

You can check them out at ibca. org/lien-law-information.”

There are a lot of honest, hard-working contractors in North June 11, 2020 /

R

/ 17

COMMUNITY

Bruhjell and Campbell Scholarships awarded

Businesses, individuals contribute to FSPW auction

By Reader Staff

By Reader Staff

Five Bonner County students will receive awards from the Erik Bruhjell and Darby and Amber Campbell Memorial scholarships. Both scholarships are funded by donations and administered by the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force.

The Darby and Amber Campbell Memorial Scholarships have been awarded for almost 10 years, and are based on students’ essays on human rights topics and their activities demonstrating support for human rights.

This is the first year of the Erik Robin Bruhjell Scholarship. It is awarded based on students’ essays

18 /

R

/ June 11, 2020

addressing the environment, the arts, humanitarian issues and animal welfare — all of which were important to Bruhjell.

Recipients of the Campbell Scholarships are Taylor James, April Radford and Jenny Slaveck, all graduates of Sandpoint High School. Recipients of the Bruhjell Scholarship are Sophie McMahon of Clark Fork High School and Natalie Randolph of Priest River Lamanna High School.

The scholarship committees were impressed with the number of thoughtful essays submitted and wish the best for all of the applicants in their studies and future careers.

There’s nothing quite like the mountains to boost a person’s spirits.

Perhaps it’s no surprise, then, that items speaking to that mountain lifestyle were among the most popular in Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness’ recent online auction.

Through the generous people who donated items or placed bids online, the Friends raised a total of $5,600.

That money goes a long way in the effort to save our wild backyard. The Friends extend a huge thank you to everyone who helped make the auction a success.

Donations arrived from dozens of local businesses and individuals.

Schweitzer Mountain Resort, All

Seasons, Mountain Homes Design, Greasy Fingers, The Fat Pig, Dish at Dover Bay and many more all contributed to the collection of items up for bid. It was another great example of communities coming together for the wild country that connects us.

The money raised from the auction is much appreciated as FSPW staff and volunteers look forward to the summer season. The Friends have a busy season of trail maintenance and ambassador work planned.

“And thanks to your financial support and volunteerism, we have the resources we need to get that work done,” the organization wrote in a news release.

Visit scotchmanpeaks.org for more info and volunteer opportunities.

STAGE & SCREEN

Once upon a pod

Netflix original Love Is Blind is sweet, weird and addicting as all get out

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff Never have I ever witnessed something as equally heartwarming and cringeworthy as the Netflix original reality series Love Is Blind.

As someone who does not typically gravitate toward manufactured reality drama or dating shows, I was hesitant to give the recently released hit a try.

However, my best friend — whose taste in TV knows no bounds and who is quick to turn something off after one episode if it doesn’t absolutely enthrall her — suggested Love Is Blind, so I gave it a try.

The premise is simple: men and women spend 10 days meeting one another in separate “pods” with a wall between them, meant to “date” by only talking — never seeing one another in person.

As the days go by, people who gravitate toward one another can spend more time together in the pods and, in some cases, those dates culminate in a marriage proposal. Only once a proposal is accepted can the man and woman see each other in person for the first time.

Over the next few weeks, the couples go on vacation, move in together and plan a wedding. At the wedding, each person chooses to say “I do” or “I don’t” in front of their friends and families.

The point? To prove whether love is truly blind, or if the physical world is too much for their initial emotional connection to bear.

The couples experience misunderstandings, family drama, jealousy and difficult financial discussions — things people normally face over months or even years in a relationship — in mere weeks.

Physical attraction immediately clicks for some, while others struggle to connect the voice they learned to love in the pods to the flesh-and-bone person they’re now meant to marry.

If this all sounds a little nuts, that’s because it is. This fact is acknowledged regularly by the people on the show and, for some, it leads to an “I don’t.”

But don’t worry — there are a couple of happy endings at the altar.

Despite the high stakes and brutal endings for some of the couples on their wedding days, closure is accomplished with a “reunion” episode at the end of the series, which was filmed after Love Is Blind had been out on Netflix for some time. Participants share how their lives have changed since participating in the experiment, and viewers get to see which couples are still together.

The reunion is painful to watch in places, due to the discussion of awkward encounters and explosive fights during the season. However, it feels satisfying after being blindsided by surprising decisions during the wedding episode.

Teen acting workshop to culminate with play

By Ben Olson Reader Staff The Panida Theater’s Panida Jr. Playhouse is hosting an exclusive summer acting workshop for teens, with the program culminating in a performance on the main stage of the Panida.

The acting workshop is for teens from

12-16 years old, who will get the opportunity to work and perform with Alexi Alfieri, a published and proven playwright and stage director.

The five-week course will finish with a performance at the Festival of the Bards on the main Panida stage.

The workshop will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-2:30 p.m. starting

June 30, with the performance during the Festival of Playwright Shorts on Aug. 1 and 2, featuring area actors and writers.

There are a limited number of slots available, so please visit panida.org to fill out the form to submit your information and secure a spot in the workshop.

Courtesy image.

My main complaint about Love Is Blind is that I found myself nearly suffocating from the show’s heteronormativity. The only time other sexualities are even addressed is when one participant comes out to his fiancee as bisexual, and even then it becomes ignition for wild drama.

I see how it would be difficult to engineer a show of this type to include every type of sexuality when the basic premise is “this set of 15 men speak to this set of 15 women,” but still, a spin-off for people in the LGBT+ community could be possible with some adaptations.

Beyond the outrageous experimental concept and the annoying superficiality of some of the participants, Love Is Blind does offer a fresh take on dating reality shows, and the happy endings almost outweigh the disappointing failures.

Ultimately, Love Is Blind has the potential to get people thinking about what matters most in their own relationships, which is a discussion more people could afford to have.

June 11, 2020 /

R

/ 19

20 /

R

/ June 11, 2020

MUSIC

Original songs about familiar feelings Shedroof Divide brings Americana tunes to Matchwood Brewing June 12

“Sometimes, you just need to write a trashy country song, and that’s OK,” Lithgow said.

Originality is everything for “A friend told me that whatever Newport, Wash.-based band is in your heart will come out Shedroof Divide. in the songs you write. I have Husband-and-wife duo found that to be true.”

Randi and Mike Lithgow along Shaw plays guitar and sings with Randi’s mother, Tina Shaw, in the band, while Martin plays and friend Jessica Martin make percussion and sings as well. up the four-piece outfit, which Mike Lithgow, who played upis set to play all original tunes at right bass in high school, picked Matchwood Brewing on Friday, the instrument up again at his June 12 from 6-9 p.m. wife’s request.

“Being able to play our own Although Shedroof Divide music is how we bring somehas only been playing together thing special to the table, and for about 10 months, Lithgow everything is welcome at the said she has been playing music table,” Randi Lithgow said, with her mother for as long as noting that she, Shaw and Martin she can remember. write all of the band’s songs.

Shedroof Divide finds inspi“We all have very different life ration for its music in “nature, experiences, so each songwritlove and the human condition,” er writes from a very different which means anything that perspective.” makes up the human experience Shedroof Divide’s comfortis up for songwriting fodder, ing, down-home sound and according to Lithgow. The goal soaring harmonies flirt with is to create music that people a myriad of genres, including can relate to, she said. folk, gospel, bluegrass and even “Some lyrics might make some pop ballad vibes. Lithgow someone laugh or cry, might — who provides vocals and make them miss someone who plays guitar and has passed, keyboard — said remind them of Shedroof Divide she tends to detheir childhood scribe the band’s Friday, June 12; 6-9 p.m.; FREE. or bring them Matchwood Brewing, 513 Oak music as AmerSt., 208-718-2739, matchwood- to dancing,” icana, since the brewing.com. Listen at shedroof- Lithgow said. divide.com. genre emcom“We write about passes so much, experiences, from more distinguished tunes so we can share and create a to those that are simply fun. new experience and emotional

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff

This week’s RLW by Zach Hagadone

READ

Americans are being demanded by the times to confront their own history — for many, a first encounter with their nation’s in-born, tortured relationship with systemic, institutionalized racism. That key topic is explored in historian Manisha Sinha’s masterpiece, The Slave’s Cause, which reminds us that the civil rights movement really began in the 1770s, when African slaves (unsuccessfully) challenged the Revolution to secure their rights, too.

LISTEN

engagement together with our audience.”

The band’s name falls under the “nature” category of inspiration, the actual Shedroof Divide being a scenic piece of the Colville National Forest in northeast Washington. Lithgow said she spent many childhood weekends in the area enjoying the fresh air and trails.

“The Shedroof Divide represents aspects of life that are extremely important to all the members of our band:

Shedroof Divide: Tina Shaw, Jessica Martin, Mike Lithgow and Randi Lithgow. Courtesy photo.

natural habitat, the beauty of rugged nature and the internal peace discovered at the tops of mountains,” she said. “We try to convey all of these things in the way we live our lives, and in many of our lyrics and songs.”

Hard rock picnic offered for Father’s Day

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

Father’s Day Picnic.

All are welcome to attend from 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, June 21 at Farmin Park, Third Avenue and Main Street in Sandpoint.

Dads who are about to rock, There is free admission to we salute you. this show, so Sandpoint Hard Rock Picnic bring a lawn chair Parks and Sunday, June 21 at Farmin Park or blanket, a picRecreation and in Sandpoint, Third Avenue and nic and enjoy.

Open Spaces has Main Street. Free admission.

Joining Cobra partnered with Jet will be Jacob local hard rock Vanknowe Music. band Cobra Jet for a Hard Rock

Among the most fiery and powerful entries in the American songbook is Nina Simone’s “Mississippi Goddam,” from her 1964 album Nina Simone in Concert. According to musical historians, Simone penned the slyly poppy, show-tune-esque song in a matter of minutes, pouring out her rage against the racial injustice and violence then (as now) ripping apart the country. The lyrics alone are a master class in the issues we continue to face today.

WATCH

In a nod to solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, streaming service Amazon Prime has curated an entire category of films under the heading “Black History, Hardship & Hope.” In it are dramas like Selma, covering the 1965 voting rights marches; documentaries like I Am Not Your Negro, which provides a powerful, fascinating portrait of writer and profound thinker James Baldwin; and a range of works addressing civil rights activism, the history of American racism and more.

June 11, 2020 /

R

/ 21

HUMOR

When the world loses its marbles

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

From Northern Idaho News, June 15, 1906

NEW STATION OF CULVER ON THE N.P. The Northern Pacific has put in a new siding eight miles east of Sandpoint which is to be known as Culver. The spur in a sense takes the place of old Oden, which was done away with when the new cut off was built by the Northern Pacific.

The Sandpoint Cedar company has opened a logging camp near the new station of Culver, Henry Lane being in charge, and he has a crew of men getting out cedar poles and saw logs.

Mr. Lane has constructed a new style of road there over a low place which he believes will be a decided success. Instead of corduroying the road in the old style way he has laid down two long timbers on each side of the roadway lengthwise with the road and flattened them on the top side, so that the horse has a solid timber roadway to walk on as well as a solid roadway for the wheels of the trucks or wagons to follow.

22 /

R

/ June 11, 2020

If you’re like me, sometimes you need a break from the troubling world for an hour or two. Between the coronavirus and ongoing protests around the country about racial injustice, the daily storm of antics that comes from the White House and the slow onset of an economic recession, it’s downright scary just to look at the news some days.

While it’s an important task to stay current with the happenings of our world, it’s also crucial to step away to let your brain recover a bit.

In that spirit, I bring you... marble racing.

For all the gut-wrenching horror that is social media, there are also just as many fine examples of human creativity at work. There is a channel on YouTube called “Jelle’s Marble Runs” that has, for the past few years, conducted a series of marble races with every bit of the intensity and drama of a professional sporting event. The marbles have teams and fans, and there are fantasy leagues to pick the overall winners.

The organizers of the channel build dozens of courses for a series of marbles to run down, competing for time in specific heats.

Some courses are outdoors, with the run smoothed out of a sand dune that stretches 100 feet to the bottom of the run. Others are water courses with marbles in “rafts.”

Others are Formula One-style races, with fast courses built for speed and maximizing the corners and short cuts.

Behind each run are stands constructed to contain the “spectators,” which are, of course, marbles. Sometimes a marble coach gets “ejected” from the team, other times a specific “famous” marble is pointed out on the jumbotron.

The races are all commentated by a man named Greg Woods, who utilizes an upbeat, sportscaster style and infuses drama

and excitement into each race. If you were to close your eyes and listen to the races, you wouldn’t have any idea that Woods is announcing a bunch of marbles someone tossed down a hill — it almost seems as if you’re transported back to the 1930s and are listening to the Kentucky Derby.

The production value and thought that goes into each of the episodes makes it one of those channels I turn to when the going gets tough. For five or 10 minutes, I can shut off the anger and frustration, the uncertainty and divisiveness, and watch a bunch of marbles race for a meaningless prize.

When I first saw a marble run video in the recommended folder of YouTube, I watched with confusion, wondering to myself who in the hell spends 10 minutes watching a bunch of marbles roll down a hill? Then I found myself rooting for one specific team — the Oceanics — which placed well in regional qualifiers but lost out to the Crazy Cat’s Eyes, who dominated the sand rally event.

Now, I’m all in. After deadline night, when we are as beat-up and raw as we get in the course of a week, I find solace watching these little rolling orbs compete for nothing.

It’s what the world needs right now, because it seems when the world loses its marbles,

STR8TS Solution

Sudoku Solution

The racers line the gate for another exciting Jelle’s Marble Run. Courtesy photo. the best defense is to roll a bunch of them down a hill and film it. Makes sense to me.

Crossword Solution

I wouldn’t be surprised if someday some fisherman caught a big shark and cut it open, and there inside was a whole person. Then they cut the person open, and in him is a little baby shark. And in the baby shark there isn’t a person, because it would be too small. But there’s a little doll or something, like a Johnny Combat little toy guy – something like that.

Solution on page 22

Solution on page 22

Laughing Matter

Woorf tdhe Week

caseous

By Bill Borders

/KEY-see-uhs/

[adjective] 1. of or like cheese.

“She bit into the caseous morsels with glee.”

Corrections: None to note this week. Thanks for reading.

Copyright www.mirroreyes.com

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Imperial 6. Fabricated 10. Scoundrels 14. Draw forth 15. Rectum 16. Portent 17. Skin layer 18. Caustics 19. Competent 20. Apparent 22. Transfer possession 23. Meal in a shell 24. Spay 26. 50% 30. Cover 31. L 32. Curved molding 33. Kind of bean 35. Expire 39. Brassiere 41. Enduring 43. Law and _____ 44. Drunkards 46. Decorative case 47. Caviar 49. Cook in hot oil 50. Applies lightly 51. Entranced 54. Gas or petrol 56. Notch 57. Dwelling 63. Indian dress 64. Frosts

Solution on page 22 65. Japanese stick fighting 66. Cocoyam 67. Study hard 68. Finally (French) 69. Adolescent 70. Collections 71. Rock

DOWN 1. Start over 2. Poems 3. Mongol hut 4. Tip 5. Inclined 6. Malevolent 7. Any person

37. Give the cold shoulder 38. Auspices 40. God of love 42. Heretofore (2 words) 45. Quirky 48. Morals 51. Something of value 52. Clearing 53. Mob 55. Bodies of water 58. Unit of land 59. Canvas dwelling 60. Data 61. Norse god 62. Not a single one June 11, 2020 / R / 23

8. Affaire d’honneur 9. Ancient ascetic 10. Changed into a solid mass 11. Scope 12. Look closely 13. Contemptuous look 21. Chip dip 25. L L L L 26. Vagabond 27. Food thickener 28. Extend credit 29. A group of organizations 34. The qualities of unselfish concern 36. Falafel bread