ARTS. ENTERTAINMENT . BLUSTER AND SOME NEWS
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Is there a problem with racism in the U.S.? If so, how do we fix it? “ABSOLUTELY. How do we fix it? With time and patience and education and experience and being mindful.” Jim Healey Retired Sandpoint
DEAR READERS,
Here’s another quick reminder to go out and patronize businesses along Cedar St. from Second to Third Ave. Construction always affects business, so let’s do our part and support them. One note of apology: there was a snafu on last week’s list of businesses to support and Home Sweet Home Consignment was inadvertently left off the list. This was a formatting mistake which I take responsibility for. In other news, I was contacted by a producer with a major production company in Los Angeles who told me there is a new television show in development that is seeking cast members. The show is slated to be about “survivalists” or people who live off grid, away from society. The producer is seeking people with big personalities that have survival skills similar to Bear Grylls. “We are really looking for funny, loud, big personalities,” she told me. If you or someone you know might fit the bill for this, have them shoot me a quick email or call and tell a little about themselves. If you sound promising, I’ll forward your info along to the producer. -Ben Olson, Publisher
Photo by Ross Hall
Robin Campbell Shop Owner Sandpoint
Editor: Cameron Rasmusson cameron@sandpointreader.com Zach Hagadone (emeritus) John Reuter (emeritus) Advertising: Jodi Taylor Jodi@sandpointreader.com
Contributing Writers: Cameron Rasmusson, Ben Olson, Lyndsie Kiebert, Zach Hagadone, Rep. Ilana Rubel, Scarlette Quille, Brenden Bobby, Nick Gier, Mark Cochran, Katie Greenland, Jim Mitsui, Brenda Hammon, Maureen Cooper. Submit stories to: stories@sandpointreader.com
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Fiddlin’ Red Simpson Shop Owner and Musician Sandpoint
Martin Luther King, Jr. Minister, civil rights leader, martyr and Nobel Peace Prize winner Atlanta, Georgia
www.sandpointreader.com Publisher: Ben Olson ben@sandpointreader.com
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“We definitely have a problem with racism. How do we fix it? When everyone finally gets blended that will solve the problem.”
“I have a dream...”
111 Cedar Street, Suite 9 Sandpoint, ID 83864 (208)265-9724
Contributing Artists: Danny Strauss (cover), Ben Olson, Recbecca Hagemann, Salsa Bikes, Theodysseyonline, Blaine’s Videos.
“We’ve had a problem with racism in this country since the beginning, and we have not resolved it. I don’t know how to fix it. It seems to be a global problem. When you think back to European colonial times, any group that conquered and made empires subjugated and dehumanized those in their way.”
“Yeah, obviously there is. Fixing it? It’s kind of a grassroots thing — it has to start with how people are raised. Also, another thing to think about is we often encourage people to take pride in their race, but that invites hate, too. Change has to take place slowly. It’s not done yet. It’s not over.” Evan Metz Business owner Sandpoint
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Web Content: Keokee The Sandpoint Reader is a weekly publication owned and operated by Ben Olson and Keokee. It is devoted to the arts, entertainment, politics and lifestyle in and around Sandpoint, Idaho. We hope to provide a quality alternative by offering honest, in-depth reporting that reflects the intelligence and interests of our diverse and growing community. The Reader is printed on recycled paper using soy-based ink. Leftover copies are collected and recycled weekly, or burned in massive bonfires to appease the gods of journalism. Free to all, limit two copies per person.
Sandpoint Reader letter policy: The Sandpoint Reader welcomes letters to the editor on all topics. Requirements: –No more than 400 words –Letters may not contain excessive profanity or libelous material. Please elevate the discussion. Letters will be edited to comply with the above requirements. Opinions expressed in these pages are those of the writers, not necessarily the publishers. Email letters to: letters@sandpointreader.com Check us out on the web at: www.sandpointreader.com Like us on Facebook. About the Cover
This week’s cover photo was taken at the Sandpoint City Beach by Danny Strauss. Mind the flood!
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NEWS
Land donation enhances Pine Street Woods project By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff To Lester J. Krause, the 20 acres he owns adjacent to the Pine Street Woods project isn’t just land — it’s a legacy. It’s land passed down through his family that was originally homesteaded by his grandparents. According to Krause, his grandparents were individuals who respected the value of education, community and leaving a positive impact on future generations. That’s exactly why he’s donating the land for the public’s use as a part of the greater Pine Street Woods project. Pine Street Woods organizers gathered with Krause on Wednesday to honor him and his generosity. According to Eric Grace, Kaniksu Land Trust executive director, the land will be named the Manning Buffer and will provide hikers, bikers and outdoor enthusiasts with a convenient gateway to Sherwood Forest and what will become the Pine Street Woods. According to Grace, Krause had many offers on the property but always turned them down, believing simply selling it off
wouldn’t honor the family that had cared for it before him. That was until Grace and Krause started up talks about the future of the property in light of the Pine Street Woods project, a conversation that culminated in a single phone call. “By the end of the phone call we had come to an agreement by which (Krause) would give the land to Kaniksu Land Trust,” Grace said. “This happened in nine minutes.” Kate McAlister of the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce said that gestures like this donation help everyone — even those with no interests in trails. A vibrant array of outdoor recreation options helps draw new visitors and residents to Sandpoint, and that improves the local economy, she said. “It’s a great part of our economy to say to people, ‘You can get off work at 5, and 10 minutes later, you’re in the woods,” she said. For Krause, it was a thrill to see hikers, bikers and trail runners enjoying the land even as the ceremony unfolded. Late in the proceedings, several young people arrived from the trail to thank
Authorities warn against scam calls By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff The Bonner County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to be wary of calls claiming to be from one of its deputies. According to a sheriff’s office press release, some of the calls are made by a man claiming to be “Deputy Bowen” in the “Warrants and Citations Division.” He usually says that the recipient of the call owes fines for “failure to appear for jury duty.” If left as a voicemail, the caller asks the recipient to contact him at 208-223-0200. In another recording of a 4 /
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voicemail, the caller identifies himself as Brian O’Connor and insists that the recipient needs to address an urgent legal matter. “This is in regard to a legal matter that must be rectified today,” the caller says in the message. The Bonner County Sheriff’s Office warns residents to not give out any personal information or money to anyone claiming to be a deputy before verifying their identity. The office recommends calling Bonner County Dispatch at 208-2655525 if any suspicious activity takes place.
him for his generosity. According to Krause, it was exactly for youths like them that he donated the land. “That’s where the import lies — it’s in them,” he said. The donation is yet another boon for the Pine Street Woods project, which is zeroing in on its $2.1 million fundraising goal to establish a community forest just minutes away from town. According to campaign co-chair Jim Zuberbuhler, the fundrasing recently hit $1.8 million. The last
$300,000 push will help fund $200,000 in immediate trail improvements and a $100,000 trust for ongoing maintenance. Zuberbuhler hopes to raise a good chunk of that at a fundraising banquet tonight — Thursday, May 31 — from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Heartwood Center. If they’re able to complete fundraising this year, it will be well ahead of their June 2019 deadline. According to Zuberbuhler, that brisk fundraising pace is the result of three years of working and five years
Eric Grace, right, presents a sign to be posted on the trail to Lester Krause, center, who donated the land. Photo by Cameron Rasmusson. of planning. The donation of the 20-acre Manning Buffer is just one of those fortunate surprises that often occur in the midst of a project. “Almost always, wonderful unintended consequences happen, but for those things to happen, you have to show up,” he said. “You have to do the work.”
Kramer celebrates Hall of Fame entry in Sandpoint By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff Football legend Jerry Kramer received a hero’s welcome at Sandpoint High School Friday in a visit honoring his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year. Kramer told SHS students that while achievement and ambition are important, they’re hollow without a commitment to decency and moral character. “The only thing left … is to lead a life of excellence and quality and make the world a better place because you were in it,” he said. The event was put together by Sandpoint High School, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Rokstad Ford. According
to Chris Knowles, SHS athletic director, Kramer gives students a role model to emulate. Likewise, Dave Brooks of Rokstad Ford said Kramer is proof that the starting point is just as important as the destination on the road to greatness. “Today is special because it helps connect a player who has reached the pinnacle of pro-football glory with the community where he began his journey,” Brooks said. Early this winter, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Kramer would be enshrined with its 2018 class. Many sports writers and com-
Jerry Kramer stands by a plaque commemorating his athletic achievements at a Sandpoint High School gathering Friday. Photo by Cameron Rasmusson.
mentators considered the recognition of Kramer’s 11-year career with the Green Bay Packers, which included two Super Bowl championships, long overdue.
NEWS
Lake levels off, forecasted to drop
By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff The Northwest River Forecast Center predicts Lake Pend Oreille water levels will go down from here, as the lake hovered just over 2,064 feet since Sunday.
Left: Water washes over the surface of the Third St. Pier in Sandpoint. Photo by Danny Strauss. Center: The dining deck at Chop in Hope is heavily sand-bagged and weathering the rising waters. Photo by Rebecca Hagemann. Right: A boat is tied to the public moorage along the Sand Creek Boardwalk in Sandpoint as the rest is under water. Photo by Ben Olson.
Mid-Wednesday, Lake Pend Oreille sat at 2,064.18 feet, though the gauge read 2,064.2 just hours earlier. Summer pool for the lake is 2,062.5 and flood level is a foot higher at 2,063.5.
All signs, including the weather forecast, say Bonner County residents have seen the worst flooding 2018 has to offer. Based on predictions, 2018 was set to rival was 1997, when Lake
Pend Oreille reached 2,065.74 feet. Another year mentioned was 2011, when the lake reached 2,064.29 feet. Based on the current forecast, this year is unlikely to rival either of those levels.
Downtown work begins in earnest By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff
With Lost in the ‘50s and Memorial Day weekend in the rearview mirror, the city is moving forward on a few of its longplanned construction projects. Most prominent is the work on Cedar Street. As phase one of the downtown revitalization project, the work that will overhaul Cedar Street amenities, landscaping, utility infrastructure and sidewalks for a more walkable, attractive downtown core. Work is currently centered on Cedar between Second and Third avenues, which began after Lost in the ‘50s and will progress until mid-June. Next, work advances to Cedar between Third and Fourth avenues from late June to late July and finishes on Cedar between Fourth and Fifth avenues between late July and late August. Afterward, the street will be closed from Second to Fifth avenues for about 10 days for final paving, striping and landscaping. The downtown revitalization project isn’t the only one progressing in a busy summer
No-wake violation fines doubled By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff Bonner County Commissioners approved higher no-wake zone fines Tuesday, doubling the infraction cost and making subsequent infractions even more costly. Fines for no-wake zone violations were previously $75 for each infraction. Now, first infractions will cost boaters $150, and subsequent penalties will each be $300. The Bonner County Waterways Advisory Board proposed the changes. Due to the current flooding on the county’s waterways, the no-wake zone is 500 feet — not the usual 200 feet — until further notice. BOCC will revoke the temporary 500-foot rule in an undetermined but upcoming Tuesday business meeting, all depending on water levels.
Veterans rep to outreach in Clark Fork By Reader Staff
Work continues on Cedar St. between Second and Third Ave. Photo by Ben Olson. construction season. Crews are also working on North Ella Avenue improvements from Chestnut Street to Pine Street. With work starting after Memorial Day, crews will be trimming or removing blocking shrubs, installing traffic control devices and performing minor excavation, saw cutting, utility work and grading through the end of May. Throughout June and early July, they’ll move on to concrete placement, asphalt removal and asphalt paving, with work
expected to end mid-July. Residents should also mind the bike path and sidewalk construction on Oak Street. Another project that began after Memorial Day, it is designed to bolster safe pedestrian and bike routes to local hot spots like City Beach. Work between Fifth Avenue and Boyer will result in new sidewalks along both sides of Oak, as well as bike paths from Boyer to the Community Trail. Work is expected to continue to the end of August.
Ting lights up first Sandpoint service After years of work by both the city and private business, Ting is ready to light up service to its first Sandpoint customers. To celebrate the occasion, Ting is hosting a lighting ceremony Wednesday, June 6, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the parking lot between 1221 and 1211 Michigan St. The event will include Evans Brothers coffee, treats, a demonstration by Ting and remarks by local Sandpoint officials. (CR)
There will be a representative from the Bonner County Veterans Service Office visiting Clark Fork on Tuesday, June 19. The representative will be on hand to answer questions about current veterans’ benefits, assist with ongoing claims and take new claims for benefits for eligible veterans and their dependents. The Bonner County Veteran Service Officer will be at the Clark Fork Public Library, 601 Main St., between the hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Bonner County Service Officer, Bryan Hult, will be seeing veterans by appointment only to ensure everyone is given quality time. Appointments must be scheduled no later than the Friday prior by calling Lyndsie Halcro at (208) 255-5291. If there are no appointments scheduled for this outreach or weather conditions prohibit travel, the outreach will be canceled. May 31, 2018 /
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NEWS
Flow of Energy: By Zach Hagadone Reader Contributor Those in favor of the proposed merger of Avista Utilities and Toronto, Canada-based Hydro One tout the $5.2 billion deal as an economy of scale that will benefit ratepayers while lessening coal power dependence and boosting renewable energy investment. Opponents, however, see foreign influence, stockholder greed and long-term price hikes lurking in the details. Sandpoint residents will have their say at a 6 p.m. public hearing Wednesday, June 13 at Sandpoint High School, 410 S. Division Ave. Another 6 p.m. meeting will take place in Coeur d’Alene on Thursday, June 14 at Midtown Meeting Center, 1505 North Fifth St. The Idaho Public Utilities Commission released the hearing dates May 10 along with the announcement that a tentative settlement had been reached in the case, which would see Spokane-based Avista become a subsidiary of the Canadian energy company. According to the commission, the merger, if approved, sets up one of the largest utilities in North America, worth more than $25 billion. A final decision could come by mid-August with the deal closed before the end of the year. Of the 249 comments received by the PUC as of May 21, only about 20 were in favor—almost all from Moscow and most containing variations on the same verbiage calling the merger “a good deal” for utility customers and lessening “the liability to north Idaho ratepayers of the increasingly expensive and risky Colstrip power plant.” Among the provisions of the tentative settlement is the agreement by Avista and Hydro One to apply deferred federal income taxes to accelerate the depreciation of Avista’s partial ownership of the Colstrip coalfired energy plant. The useful life of the eastern Montana facility, saddled with debt and 6 /
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cleanup-related expenses, would be set at Dec. 31, 2027. The agreement includes $3 million to be put toward a transition fund to assist employees affected by the Colstrip closure. Under the terms of the agreement, Idaho customers would also receive $15.8 million in rate credits spread over five years. That amounts to about $1.38 on Idahoans’ monthly bills. Energy efficiency, conservation and low-income programs would receive from more than $5 million in funding under the terms of the deal. While concerns over local control dominated the public comments received by the PUC, Avista and Hydro One insisted that the utility would continue to operate from its Spokane headquarters, with the current managing team and staffing levels in place. The Avista board, however, would be restructured to include nine members, five of whom who would be named or designated by Hydro One— though potentially including residents of the Pacific Northwest who meet the standards for independent directors. Three directors would be carried over from the current Avista’s board at the time of approval as well as Avista’s chief executive officer. The tentative settlement includes structures meant to provide some check and balances between the companies’ business interests while Idaho law protects ratepayers from bearing any costs related to the merger. Rather, shareholders would pay expenses incurred by the transaction. The PUC would remain the local regulatory authority over Avista’s operations in Idaho regardless of the merger. Assurances aside, almost all the comments submitted to the PUC raised grave concerns about the loss of local control, pointing to uneasiness that energy policies in Canada might influence the rates and service levels for Avista customers. A common
Sandpoint residents will have their say on Avista merger with Canadian Hydro One
Image by theodysseyonline.com
theme of the comments was the worry that Hydro One may one day opt to sell out to another country—specifically China or Russia—likewise transferring ownership of Avista. The more dire of those commenters feared potential global conflict could then result in the cutting off of energy supplies or damage to energy infrastructure. While the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission allowed the merger to go forward in January, the PUC stated the deal must comply with federal antitrust laws and undergo review
by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. to address national security. “As Avista is our only source of electrical power it is a monopoly and we fear the Public Utilities Commission would have little or no control over Hydro-One’s actions being it is in a foreign country,” wrote Stanley and Kathleen Cook, of St. Maries, in a May 12 comment representative of many others’ concerns. Marianne Fernandez, of Rathdrum, wrote in a May 11 comment that she feared Avista customers’ monthly payments
would flow to the Canadian province of Ontario, rather than benefit locals. While $15.8 million in rate credit sounds generous it “is very miserly when the math is done to spread it to every customer and it is spread over many years,” she wrote, “it’s less than many could find in change that falls behind the cushions or near sidewalks.” Find more details on the settlement, including all supporting documents and public comments, at puc.idaho.gov under File Room, Electrical Case AVUE1709.
Basketball school expands, plans camps By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff
After just half a year at Northside Elementary, the Basketball School of Sandpoint has grown enough to merit a change of venue. Starting June 5, BSS will now be held at Kootenai Elementary. BSS is not directly affiliated with a specific school and offers skill development sessions for children in early elementary all the way to high school. Founder Darren Laiche said players practice fundamental drills, imaginative competitions and full court game play in every session. Those sessions are Tuesday and Thursday, and specific times can be found at www.basketballschoolofsandpoint.com.
Laiche said the first six months of BSS have been rewarding, and he’s excited about the growth. He said having six baskets and more court space at Kootenai Elementary has allowed him to further challenge players. “One of my top joys in life is helping kids develop skills and gain confidence,” he said. “Basketball has always been a big part of my life and Coach Austin and I are really enjoying working with the great kids of Sandpoint.” BSS will host several basketball camps in July. Boys
and girls ages 7-15 have separate camps starting July 16, and high school co-ed camps (ages 12-16) start July 23. All camps are held at Kootenai Elementary. Camps are $90 per player, which includes an official camp basketball for all players. There are discounts available for multiple weeks or players. To learn specific camp times, or to see the skill development session schedule, visit www.basketballschoolofsandpoint.com.
OPINION
‘We can’t let Idaho remain a “scroll-down” state’ Rep. Ilana Rubel Asst. House Democratic Leader Reader Contributor
Idaho is at the bottom of a national ranking again. The latest blow comes from WalletHub, which rates Idaho as the worst state for working mothers. Its ranking took into account numerous metrics, including daycare options, availability of pediatricians, education system and pay equity. This result is not an anomaly. Not long ago, the Institute for Women’s Policy Research rated Idaho 46 out of 51 for supporting working parents using similar metrics. Idaho’s chronic failure to invest in its people has made us a “scroll-down state.” That is, when you look at rankings for different categories that measure a state’s health and prosperity, you must scroll down to find
Liberals Need to Develop a Sense of Humor... Dear Editor, I normally do not respond to negative articles about SPORTS, a premier fire and police association and social club I am privileged to serve as club president, or the greater law enforcement community. But Lawrence Fury’s 5-18-2018 article demeaning military and police needs to be addressed. Liberals need to develop a sense of humor. My frequent reference to “big floppy clown shoe wearing” was originally absconded from former Sandpoint resident and far-left blogger Bob Wynhausen who used it against me and other conservative bloggers many years ago. I promptly turned it around and redirected it at him and the far left and it stuck, sort of my “calling card” ever since. And it brings a smile to my countenance every time I use it. <GRIN> I used to blog against both Mr. Wynhausen and Mr. Fury but eventually ceased as they were getting more and more “Saul Alinsky like” in their scurrilous comments (i.e., like John Loback, 4-19-2018). I would love to meet the retired police officer from California referenced in Mr. Fury’s letter, who he paints as a usurper of the retirement system. Not in SPORTS or anywhere-else in North Idaho do I personally know of such an example. The disability retired officers I know of from any state had to be pushed kicking and screaming into retirement regardless of their line–of–
Rep. Ilana Rubel Idaho. We’re 49th in GDP per capita, 47th in doctors per capita, 47th in average teacher salary, 48th in per-pupil education spending, and 48th on a 2018 list of “Best States for Higher Education.” The key word when talking about issues like education and healthcare is “investment” – an duty physical injuries, wanting to serve on protecting and serving the public. Knowing Mr. Fury as I do, I must opine that he is merely libeling some innocent retired and disabled police officer, or he invented the example he employs to detract from the police community. What kind of person detracts from the police community? A virulent “cop hater” I suppose. I wonder if Mr. Fury could successfully negotiate the daunting gauntlet of tests required to be a police officer? Unquestionably, I’d fail him on the oral board portion if he managed to get that far. The great ones do not bring known “cop haters” into their vaulted ranks. Please bear in mind that I will not respond to Mr. Fury beyond this letter. The SPORTS endorsement of conservative Republican District 1A State Rep. Heather Scott in the primary apparently helped; she won. Mission accomplished! My sincerest thanks to the editor for printing this; thank you sir. Closing, God bless President Donald J. Trump, the greatest U.S. President ever. Sincerely, Ron Adamik Sandpoint
Responsibilities of County Commissioners...
Dear Editor, I recently read in a local paper that the county commissioners adopted a resolution, of their own making, opposing a wilderness designation for Scotchman’s Peaks and also called out the U.S.
outlay designed to pay future dividends. Well-educated, healthy Idahoans earn more and live happier, more productive lives. For all the talk of being “business-minded,” the party in charge doesn’t seem to get this. Paying teachers low wages, underfunding higher education, rejecting Medicaid expansion and refusing to consider early childhood education are all decisions that cost Idahoans lots of money. Idaho is one of only six states that doesn’t invest in pre-K education despite numerous studies showing dramatic returns to taxpayers in reduced remediation costs, higher literacy, increased graduation rates, higher lifetime earnings and reduced incarceration. For every dollar invested in pre-K, taxpayers save an estimated seven to seventeen dollars. The legislature continues to
stonewall Medicaid expansion. Idaho has turned down billions of dollars to cover those living in poverty, many of whom are working parents. Idaho taxpayers are forced to pick up the tab for the uninsured who show up in emergency rooms while our federal tax dollars flow to other states like California and Ohio. By refusing to expand Medicaid, Idaho is giving up a fortune to other states, using local tax dollars to over-pay for healthcare at home and leaving tens of thousands of working Idahoans in the lurch. Deep budget cuts to higher education from a decade ago still haven’t been reversed. Tuition continues to skyrocket. By not investing in post-secondary education, we are denying our workers access to thousands of higher-paying jobs that go unfilled every year. A report to
the Legislature this year noted that Idaho left 7,000 high-paying STEM jobs unfilled in 2017 and $450 million in wages unclaimed (that’s about $51,000 an hour). As a working mother of four, a state legislator and an Idahoan, the last thing I want to see is my state ranked bottom in the nation for working mothers. This should be a wake-up call that our current policies are hurting the working families we should be helping to succeed. I’m sick of having to scroll down to find Idaho. Before you go, try “scrolling up” to the top of this article where “Idaho” is the first word. See how it feels.
Forest Service to cease managing the ground as recommended wilderness. First, I would like to include a link to the responsibilities of county commissioners as set forth by the state of Idaho. I would encourage everyone who is a registered voter to read this: http://idcounties.org/wp-content/ uploads/2015/07/CHAPTER-2-Commissioner.doc.pdf They have a long list of responsibilities, but I don’t believe you will find anything which covers what they are doing as elected officials of Bonner County. They are simply using their commissioner status for their own personal agendas. They are overstepping their offices authority. I think this is appalling! Call them today and tell them to do their jobs. Playing to their ultraright-wing constituents is offensive to me. I hope that sooner or later enough people will tire of this behavior and vote them out of office. Shame on them.
assessment? Note the lack of numbers in their document on the following key issues. How can many MORE trains, including volatile Bakken crude oil and tar sands bitumen, ADD to safety? How can MORE trains on TWO tracks, instead of the current one, on the same major crossings in Sandpoint and other communities, add to LESS wait time for motor vehicles? What will the impacts be on Sandpoint from three to five years of construction, including two new bridges in Sandpoint itself? BNSF’s permit application is essentially an engineering plan with no numbers or analysis on any of these important issues.
because as BNSF stated in their permit application, “The project need is based on continued growth of freight-rail service demands in the northern-tier high-volume traffic corridor between the midwest and the west coast.” This is probably due to overpopulation. This existent increase is already increasing the wait times for vehicles at railroad crossings which apparently complicates train scheduling and results in a reduction of train traffic across the lake. I live on the lake and see that, even though trains cross about every 10 to 15 minutes, there are frequent times when no trains cross for 25 to 55 minutes. I think that more frequent crossings could occur if BNSF could operate independent of the road crossings. Thus, I conclude, that if increased traffic is inevitable then this is not a bridge problem but rather a road-crossing problem, which could be alleviated by building over/underpasses at nearby road crossings. If this is done then BNSF would be free of any concerns about vehicle delays and could have a more compressed train traffic schedule. Another solution would be to run the railroad along I-90. However, this would be extremely expensive and would run into opposition from “nimbyites” along the route. Sincerely yours,
Marlene Petersen Sandpoint
Need Analysis of BNSF Second Bridge Project... Dear Editor, I am disappointed the Reader has not done a more critical analysis of BNSF’s enormous Second Bridge project. Safety and congestion issues are just a BNSF public relations ploy on its proposed second bridge across Lake Pend Oreille. Have any of you looked at their draft permit (online) which they are trying to pass off as an environmental
Constance Albrecht Sandpoint
Need EIS for BNSF Bridges ... Dear Editor, I am asking that the United States Coast Guard do a full Environmental Impact Statement in the hope that it will show that three new railroad bridges adjacent to the existing ones across Lake Pend Oreille near Sandpoint, ID will too greatly contaminate the water quality, lake bottom and shoreline and the marine life in the event of an oil or coal spill. Also, such a spill would very negatively impact tourism in the greater Sandpoint area. Furthermore, unless a regulation is passed to require coal cars to be sufficiently covered to prevent coal dust from falling into the lake, I am concerned that these extra bridges will too greatly increase the rail traffic and attendant possibility of an oil spill,
Rep. Ilana Rubel is the assistant Democratic leader in the Idaho State House of Representatives. She is the daughter of a working mother and the working mother of four herself.
Donald W. Hagen Sagle
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COMMUNITY
Bouquets: •A bouquet goes out to all the local businesses and households that displayed the American flag on Memorial Day in honor of our service men and women who have lost their lives defending our country. As I rode my bike around town that day, I couldn’t help but feel the respect on every block. And also a special thanks goes out to the Sandpoint Lions Club, who have helped display the flag on all federal holidays for decades. Call the Lions if you want to be added to the list for a nominal charge - (208) 263-4118. Barbs • A brief update to last week’s Barb: Anthony Capricio, who lambasted me personally for not responding to his emails in last week’s letter to the editor column, wrote an email to apologize, claiming both of my emails (which I did in fact send) went to his spam folder. I’ve accepted his apology and am eager to move onto other, more important matters. • As we saw Tuesday when ABC canceled Roseanne Barr’s eponymous show after her racist Twitter rants ruffled feathers, the world is slowly beginning to reject all forms of racism. Slowly. It doesn’t matter if you are “joking” or if you are screaming racial slurs in the street – you should and will be held accountable for your words. Yes, the First Amendment affords us all free speech, but the First Amendment does not guarantee that we have to listen, or that you are guaranteed a platform in which to promote racist, conspiratorial BS. My advice? If you hear a racist remark or see an inappropriate statement written, call them out, and make sure it is in public. Anymore, if you are silent, you are complicit. 8 /
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Need help fixing up your Golf for a Cure seeking teams historic building? By Ben Olson Reader Staff
By Ben Olson Reader Staff Owners of buildings in National Register of Historic Places Districts often ask about ways they can obtain financial assistance to rehab their historic properties. A free public workshop is being offered to help shed light on these important incentives. The workshop will take place on Saturday, June 9 from 10-11:30 a.m. at Sandpoint Community Hall. One of the most useful and successful programs to help owners of historic buildings is the Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Incentive program, which
provides owners with a tax credit of up to 20 percent of qualifying rehab costs on income-producing buildings. Commercial, industrial and rental residential can all potentially qualify. The staff from the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office will be on hand to walk you through the basics of the program and help you understand how to take advantage of excellent opportunities. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m. and the workshop begins at 10. This workshop is sponsored by the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office and the City of Sandpoint Historic Preservation Commission.
Want to get out on the golf course and support a good cause at the same time? The Morning Womens Golf League at the Elks is sponsoring the “Golf for a Cure” golf tournament on Saturday, June 16 at 9 a.m. The event will take place at the Sandpoint Elks Golf Course and is formatted as a four-person scramble for 18 holes. “All the money we raise goes right back to the community,” said organizer Mary Stevens. “We earned over $5,000 last year.” Stevens said proceeds for the event will benefit Community Cancer Services, a local nonprof-
it organization whose mission is to provide support to local cancer patients, families and caregivers. All are welcome to play, but each team must have at least one lady on it. For a $45 per person, or $180 per team entry fee, participants get lunch, green fees and a raffle ticket to win one of several fabulous prizes. Winning teams will have the opportunity to win rounds of golf from various courses around the region. “We have free golf vouchers for Idaho Club, Stoneridge, Priest Lake,” said Stevens. “It’s always a lot of fun.” To sign up a team, call the Elks Golf Course at (208) 2634321.
Youth football camp is back SHS senior awarded By Reader Staff
Come out and kick off summer vacation with Sandpoint Youth Tackle Football and Cheer, which will be hosting its FREE two-day June Bulldog Camp! The camp will feature both football and cheer with focus on development and fun. Cheer will work on SAFL cheers and stunts while football will focus on agility, strength and positional skills. Special guests will be helping coach camp from our own SHS and various col-
leges. This camp is offered to all kids who will be entering third through eighth grade this coming fall. This is a great opportunity for athletes to try either sport prior to the start of the season or to just come out and have fun with their friends. Camp will be held at Great Northern Field on June 1 and 2 running from 6-8 p.m. both days. For season registration and more information about the league and safety, visit www. sandpointfootball.org
arts scholarship
Daughters and Sons Day at the Range By Reader Staff Bring your kids ages 8-18 to the Outdoor Shooting Range June 9-10 for a wonderful free day of safety education, shooting and family bonding. The range has 14 covered shooting stations. Ammo, shooting benches, targets, hearing and eye protection, .22 rifles, snacks, beverages and volunteer NRA certified instructors and range officers will be provided. This family event is brought to you by Brownells/NRA Day and the Bonner County Sports-
men’s Association. Pick up a registration form in the Parks and Rec office or online at www.bonnercountsportsmen.org and submit it before the June 4 registration deadline. Various time slots are offered, but limited to 14 youth per time slot. Please specify on your registration. For more information call 208-263-3613 or Cathie at 208-266-0141. For other P&R activities visit our web catalog at www.sandpoint.gov/parksrecreation or visit the P&R office located at 1123 Lake St.
By Reader Staff Sandpoint High School senior Soncirey Mitchell was awarded the Angles Over Sandpoint/ Festival at Sandpoint 2018 Arts Scholarship for Creative Writing. The Angels Over Sandpoint awarded $1500 and the Festival awarded $500. Soncirey will be
From left to right: Penny Cole, Arts Scholarship Chairperson. Soncirey Mitchell, Dyno Wahl, Festival at Sandpoint Executive Director. Courtesy photo.
attending Chapman University in the fall majoring in creative writing. Her goal is to be a screenwriter in California or Vancouver, BC, and eventually teaching creative writing.
HUMOR
Uncle Bernie: The man, the myth, the mentor
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n the summer of 2005 I moved back to Sandpoint after spending 11 years living in my college town. I was newly divorced, had three small children and more issues than Time Magazine. I was a single mom, and I didn’t know how I was going to make it work. I started writing this column shortly after the move — a purely cathartic endeavor. It was a way to point out the ridiculous pitfalls of being Single in Sandpoint. I didn’t truly embrace being single, and I coped the only way I could: by finding humor in the situation. Over the years I have had a lot of feedback from individuals in the community. I am asked frequently, “How do you do handle being single here? How do you keep writing these columns? Did that actually happen? Are you Scarlette?” I have recently been asking myself these same questions, and the process has required me to dig deep into the past when the seeds of my personality were being developed. I believe that the emergence of my alter ego Scarlette occurred on Easter Day when I was two years old. My parents were in their early 20s, and I was their first-born child. My adorableness was only matched by my verbal prowess. At two I could mimic and recall almost anything that was said in my presence. It was Easter, so naturally my mother dressed me up in an adorable frilly dress, complete with a bonnet, gloves and patent leather shoes to take me to breakfast at Connie’s. My family doesn’t do church on Easter, we go to Connie’s. Looking back, I’m not sure what kind of decision-making process my parents went through to arrive at, “Let’s adorn our toddler in ruffles and lace and parade her around a restaurant.” I had spent the previous evening hanging out with my 18-year-old Uncle Bernie, who had made the most of our time together by teaching me choice phrases and rewarding my efforts with more attention and more
new words to add to my ever expanding vocabulary. As the story goes, we were at Connie’s for all of three minutes when we were approached by an elderly man. He was a stranger to me, but parents knew him as the ex-boyfriend of my grandma. He began admiring my mother’s new, beautiful, angelic child, and reached out to tickle my chin, “What an adorable little girl you have.” I beat my mother to the reply by firmly stating in my best Uncle Bernie voice, “F*** you.” I said it an extra time, for emphasis as the man recoiled and quickly walked away. I giggled and returned to being adorable. Scarlette was born. Up until his death a few weeks ago, my Uncle Bernie read my column faithfully, even insisting on having it read to him when he was too sick to read. He has been a fan of my column and my alter ego Scarlette since before either of them existed in print. And if I am being honest, I owe the “Scarlette” persona, this column and my first public use of the F-word to my Uncle Bernie. He’s the man who provided me constant inspiration on how to live the “Single In Sandpoint” life the right way: unapologetic, slightly inappropriate, theatrical, lusty, with a deep belly laugh and a drink in your hand. My uncle was a life-long resident of Sandpoint, and larger than life. Technically he stood six foot, four inches, but with his Stetson hat and cowboy boots he was a lot closer to seven feet tall, with a personality to match. He was born the youngest of eight children and an the star of every production he was ever involved in since taking on the role of Miss Hawaii in his older sister’s childhood Miss America reproduction. His sisters never stood a chance at the spotlight — the boy could sing, play a guitar and effortlessly glide across the stage in his mother’s heels at the age of six. By the time he was in his 20s he was the lead singer in a local band. There isn’t a venue in the town of Sandpoint that my uncle hasn’t performed in on some level. This town
was his stage, and whether he was singing, delivering beer or shaking up the bar scene with his colorful banter, his fans were never disappointed. My uncle was married once for a short time in his early 20s. He spent the next 30-plus years technically single. Don’t get the wrong idea here — my uncle was quite popular with the ladies, perhaps even legendary. It wasn’t just the tall/handsome/ front man of a band thing he had going for him. The ladies around town will gladly tell you my uncle is also famous for having a huge… heart. Yes. The man was a lover. He was just too smart, too happy and too loved to be tied down by the trappings of marriage and political correctness. He taught me to put the sin in “Single in Sandpoint,” and the only way I can think of thanking him is to keep it there. That being said, if you are looking for answers on how to navigate the sometimes-frustrating road of being Single in Sandpoint, take a few pages out of my Uncle’s song book: There is no event too fancy for a Canadian tuxedo, political sensitivity ruins good jokes, real friends drink beer and sing songs with you and when you are losing the audience or the party gets boring, nudity will fix that. Most important, however, is that being successfully single involves committing fully to the most important F-words of all: family, friends and freedom. I’m going to miss him. XOXOX, The Reader was spotted in The Grand Tetons at the NW corner of WyoUncle Bernie’s Niece Scarlette ming on May 21, 2018, with Catherine Ford, Michael Spurgin, and Bohdi.
READER SPOTTED IN WYOMING
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Mad about Science: By Brenden Bobby Reader Columnist Memorial day was on Monday. How did you spend it? I want to do my part to honor the fallen as well as those that have served to make our country the best it can be by doing what I do best: showing off cool tech! The M1 Abrams main battle tank is one of the coolest things utilized by our military. Weighing in at 60 tons, the M1 is 32 feet long (gun forward) and 12 feet wide, capable of going up to 45 miles per hour. If you’re thinking: “Whatever, my car can do that and more”, I’ve got some news for you. Your car doesn’t have a 1500 horsepower engine, nor is it capable of accurately spitting a 120mm round up to 9,000 feet while getting shot at. Well, I don’t question your Prius’ ability to get shot at, but it’s probably not going to be driving away after! Let’s take a quick detour for a short history lesson, to learn why the M1 is so cool. During and before World War II, tanks were built for specialized tasks. You had light tanks, designed to be lightly armored and move fast to punch a hole through infantry lines. You had super-heavy tanks that were heavily armored and slow, designed to sit still while blowing things to pieces. Basically, tanks were on a slider system. You could have heavy fire power, armor or speed, but you could only have them in certain configurations. Too much armor would slow the tank down, same for too much 10 /
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m1 abrams firepower, which wouldn’t let you move if you were carrying tons of ammunition. As the Cold War was enveloping the globe, the world superpowers said to hell with that and began developing the main battle tank, or MBT. The MBT would utilize the best of all worlds to create a fearsome warhorse that’s good at everything and bad at very little. Everything about this tank is cool, starting with its armor. While it just appears to be a whole bunch of metal piled up, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. The M1 is covered in something called Chobham armor, which is hardened ceramic sandwiched between metal. I know what you’re thinking, and no, your grandma’s Ming Dynasty knockoff vase isn’t going to stop bullets. This stuff is a composite that’s meant to be elastic and flexible in the center, but with shards of very hard ceramic throughout. That way, if something like an anti-tank round punches through the metal, the interior will flex with the projectile to sap its inertia and keep the vehicle’s moving parts from sustaining damage. In recent years, depleted uranium has been used to armor the tank, as uranium has an extremely high density. I guess you could say that’s… rad. Ba-dum pish! Okay, I’ll stop. When you think of a tank, you probably don’t think about decking it out in camouflage. I mean, you can see it coming from a mile away! Except you don’t want the enemy to see it coming from a mile away, you
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only want it revealed when it’s close enough to wreck the enemy’s day. Multispectral camouflage comes in all shapes, sizes and kits, but it functions for one specific task: make sure your tank can’t be seen. In this age of warfare, that includes concealing the tank from infrared, thermal and radar. The ways in which this is performed exactly are pretty secretive. I mean, the whole point is to not be seen, so why would you tell somebody how you’re not being seen? The gist of it is to cover the tank in surfaces that mitigate heat transfer or bounce radar off in multiple directions. SAAB has an online page set up to showcase some of their work on the Barracuda MCS, which the M1 has used in the past. Now to cover what you’ve all been waiting for: the armaments. The M1 in its current iteration is equipped with an M256 smoothbore gun, a 120mm cannon capable of firing everything under the rainbow’s arsenal from flechette rounds to armor piercing heat-seeking missiles. It also comes equipped with three machine guns, one .50 caliber and two 7.62mm that can be operated safely from within the vehicle because let’s be honest, no one wants their torso hanging out in the middle of an urban firefight. The main gun is so much more than point and shoot. It comes equipped with a plethora of computers and sensors that track things like exact distance using a laser, crosswind speeds and even the temperature of your ammunition. You
don’t want the ammo in your reserves to be too hot, or it will cook off. I’m not talking about reducing a raspberry vinaigrette here, I’m talking about blowing up under your seat and turning you into extra crispy dog kibble. Luckily, the M1 also comes equipped with state of the art fire suppression to keep that from happening. Anyone that’s manned one of these things in active duty
is probably chuckling at me right now, because I’m sure all of this information is extremely dated. There’s absolutely no way the Army is going to release all of the information on one of their most-used war machines for a small town blogger to leisurely peruse. So chuckle away, good sir or madam. You have heartily earned it, and I hope you had a great Memorial Day weekend!
Random Corner my?
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We can help!
• The U.S. Army is older than the country it serves. The Continental Army of 1775 - led by future president George Washington - was officially birthed on June 15 of that year. The United States wasn’t formed until 1776. • If the U.S. Army was a city, it would be the second largest one in the United States. Currently, there are just over 1 million men and women serving in the U.S. Army. •Walmart is the nation’s largest employer, with 2.2 million employees, which makes the U.S. Army second in the nation with just over 1 million. •The U.S. Army burns through over 1 billion gallons of fuel every year, which works out to about 22 gallons every day, per soldier. Whew! •Among U.S. presidents that served in the military, most served in the Army. Of the 45 men who have served as president, 31 had military service, and of those 31, two dozen had served in the Army. • George Washington chose the colors of the present Army dress uniform. In October 1779, he directed soldiers to wear “blue coats with differing facings for the various state troops, artillery, artillery artificers and light dragoons.” Over then next 200 years, the Army tried various colors—whites, tans, and greens—but in 2010, again began issuing uniforms according to Washington’s color design. • The Army was the last branch of the service to choose an official song. They officially chose “The Army Goes Rolling Along” on Veteran’s Day, 1956.
OPINION
Portugal comes back from the economic brink By Nick Gier Reader Columnist Trump boasts about the nation’s economic recovery, but during his first year the economy grew only 2.3 percent. The average for Obama, as he brought the nation out of the Great Recession, was 2.2 percent. In 2017 growth for those countries on the Euro currency was higher at 2.4 percent with the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and Spain recording 3.5, 3.2, and 3.1 percent respectively. The Europeans are not only expanding their economies, they are also reducing their budget deficits, measured as a percentage of the gross domestic product (GDP). The average annual deficit for the Eurozone is now 1 percent, down from 7 percent in 2010. Germany, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic are actually running small budget surpluses. During his term in office, Obama brought down the U.S. deficit from a high of 10 percent to 3.5 percent. With the Trump tax cuts and insufficient growth, the rate has climbed to 4.6 percent, and $1 trillion deficits are forecast for the years to come. On May 17, 2016, Trump declared that he was “the king of debt,” so will he be happy to add trillions of dollars to the $21 trillion we now owe? For the first quarter of 2018, the Treasury Department had to borrow a record $488 billion to keep the government running. I am now traveling in Portugal, which has experienced a remarkable economic recovery. In 1974, the Portuguese, along with the Spaniards and Greeks about the same time, freed themselves from dictatorship, and they have struggled to catch up with the rest of Europe. All three countries were
especially hard hit by the Eurocrisis of 2010, and they were forced to run austerity budgets in return for huge financial bail-outs. Portugal’s share was $92 billion, but it was able to wean itself from international assistance in 2014. Since 2015, Portugal has been ruled by a leftist government, the first since the end of the dictatorship. Most commentators predicted that the coalition of Socialists, Communists and Greens would crash and burn, but Prime Minister Antonio Costa, son of a Communist poet, has proved the skeptics wrong. Costa has cut the budget deficit in half, and it is now at 2.1 percent, the lowest in the democratic era. In 2017 the economy grew 2.7 percent, the best in 17 years. Costa has restored pensions and wages that were cut during the financial crisis. The unemployment rate has fallen from 13.7 percent when Costa took office to 8.1 percent in January 2018. Unfortunately,
250,000 Portuguese, mostly highly educated young people, had already emigrated to find jobs elsewhere. Youth discontent is evident everywhere in the worst graffiti that I’ve ever seen. One statement hit home personally, as I sometimes use the service: “F*** Airbnb. We want to live here.” Despite falling budget deficits, Portugal’s national debt is still too high at 130 percent of GDP. As a comparison, Greece is at 170 percent, but Germany stands at 67 percent, and Sweden and Denmark are still lower at 41 and 37 percent respectively. The U.S. debt is 105 percent, and it will rise steadily as slow growth and GOP tax cuts drain revenue away. According to the 2108 Economic Freedom Index, Portugal ranks six points higher than the U.S. for monetary freedom, and they are equal in business and trade freedom. The U.S. scores higher in all other categories, but this is quite an
achievement for a government whose critics charge that it would destroy the economy. Even though the U.S. spends on average twice as much on health care, its quality is rated lowest among with all industrialized countries. The World Care Index ranks Portugal in 28th place followed by the U.S. in 30th. In 2016, the U.S. spent $9,892 per person on health care, while Portugal paid out only $2,734 for better results, despite the fact that I have seen people smoking everywhere. At one time Portugal was a member of PIIGS, a derogatory acronym to describe Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece, and Spain during the 2010 financial
crisis. After its banks recovered, Ireland was first to emerge from near ruin, and now Spain and Portugal are doing well. Only Italy and Greece remain in the economic doldrums. Now that I have seen some of Portugal’s beautiful towns and cities, I can see why Lonely Planet guides place Portugal third as the best travel destination. In 2017 it hosted 17 million visitors, 7 million more than the population. Equally impressive is that fact that Portugal ranks fifth as a choice for foreigners to retire. Nick Gier of Moscow taught philosophy at the University of Idaho for 31 years. He can be reached at ngier006@gmail.com.
Grandpa and the Mountain Goats By Mark Cochran Reader Contributor
“Grandpa, have you ever seen a real mountain goat, like that statue over there?” “Yes, I have. Many of them, right here on this very mountaintop.” “Here on Scotchman Peak? Cool! When?” “When I was your age, my mom, dad and I would hike up here a couple of times every year, and we would see the goats almost every time.” “Hike? You mean, like, walk? Why didn’t you just drive, or take one of the gondolas?” “There weren’t any roads up
here back then, or gondolas.” “What about this resort?” “This wasn’t here either. Nor were the condos or trendy shops. None of it.” “You mean…no ziplines, no skate park, no Wild Water Slides at Little Spar Lake… not even the moving skywalk to the Skyview Deck on Scotchman 2?” “Nope. This was pristine backcountry. Wild, rugged and breathtaking. But then some concerned citizens banded together and prevented the government from ‘locking up’ this valuable piece of real estate. And now thanks to their wisdom and forethought, we get to enjoy these fine facilities.”
“Oh,” (long, contemplative pause), “well, it’s still pretty wild up here. Honestly, my favorite part of coming up here is seeing the natural beauty of the trees, flowers, waterfalls and rock formations.” “Yes,” Grandfather sighed, “the landscape designers did a fine job.” He felt an ache in his heart as he sat in silence, gazing through misty eyes, beyond the Mt. Scotchman Memorial Freeway toward the sparkling lake ... remembering… “Grandpa? Grandpa, you OK?” “What? Oh yeah, I’m fine. Just missing an old and dear friend.”
“OK, well, I’ll let you be alone with your friend for a while. I’m going to wander over and check out the rock gym.” Mark W. Cochran is a Sandpoint business owner, a graduate of the University of Idaho, a retired U.S. Marine, and an active volunteer with Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness. May 31, 2018 /
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event t h u r s d a y f r i d a y
Great food and tasty coffee 7 days a week!
we are open during construction come in and have a beer! Located on the Historic Cedar St. Bridge Sunday - Monday 7am - 5pm Tuesday - Saturday 7am - 9pm 208-265-4396 • www.cedarstbistro.com
Open for dinner Wednesday – Sunday
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Dollar Beers! 8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Good until the keg’s dry SHS Choirs Spring Fling 6pm @ Panida Theater Choirs will sing and dance. $5 admission
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Yappy Hour 4-7pm @ Evan’s Brothers Bring your dog and enjoy handle Animal Shelter with live music, beverages
Live Music w/ Marty Perron and Doug Bond Live Music w/ the Baja Boogie Boys 5:30-7:30pm @ Idaho Pour Authority 9pm-12am @ 219 Lounge Mandolin guitar duo extraordinaire Blues, funk, rock and swing Live Music w/ the Riff Hangers 5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Country, blues and swing. Always good times Live Music w/ Justin Lantrip 5:30-7:30pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Sandpoint singer-songwriter
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A great escape from the crowds to enjoy a beautiful sunset dinner
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Thursday Night Solo Series w/ Ben Olson 6-8pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Ben Olson of the band Harold’s IGA plays B-sides and rare originals during this solo show
Live Music w/ Harold’s IGA 9pm-12am @ 219 Lounge Multi-instrumental indie rock trio
Live Music w/ Devon Wade 6:30-9:30pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Celebrate First Fridays with country ni
Your Library Transformation Grand Opening 12-4pm @ Sandpoint Library Celebrate the completed remodel and expansion the Sandpoint Branch Library! Enjoy cake and ent tainment featuring the Sandpoint High School Cha ber Choir, Cecil the Magician, Folk Remedy, p Bridges Home with Dave and Tami Gunter. Guid tours offered. Free! 208-627-5790 for more info
Claude Bourbon in Concert 7:30pm @ Di Luna’s Cafe With blues roots, Bourbon pairs eleMuseum’s Free First Saturday ments of jazz, Spanish, Latin and gyp10am-2pm @ Bonner Co. History Museum sy seamlessly. Dinner served starting at Everyone is invited to enjoy the museum free 5:30 p.m. $18/adv, $20/day of show of charge, sponsored this month by Robert Rust
Sandpoint Chess Club Walk in the Woods: All-Levels Walk • 10am @ TBD 9am @ Evans Brothers Coffee Take a guided scenic walk or bike ride on the future Pin Meets every Sunday at 9am Woods property. KaniksuLandTrust.org for more informat Monday Night Blues Jam w/ Truck Mills 7:30pm @ Eichardt’s Pub
Bonner Mall Seniors Day • 9am-12pm All are welcome to come walk the Mal speaker or entertainment, free refreshm
Night-Out Karaoke 9pm @ 219 Lounge Join DJ Pat for a night of singing, or just come to drink and listen
Parent Grief Support Group 5:30pm @ BGH Hospice Community Room a bi-monthly support group for parents who First Tuesday mu have lost a child. There is no cost; contact 8-10pm @ Eichar Lissa at 208-265-1185 to register Hosted by Jake Ro Bike MS Fundraiser Wind Down Wednesday Hootenanny 5-8pm @ Idaho Pour Authority 5-8pm @ 219 Lounge 6:30-8:30pm A Bike MS Fundraiser with New Belgium With live music by blues If you have a Brewing beer on tap, live music, raffle man Truck Mills and guest live music, jo prizes and complimentary appetizers musician John Firshi Dollar Beers! 8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Good until the keg’s dry
Leftover Salmon in Concert 9pm @ The Hive This veteran jam band is making their maiden voyage the Hive, with Dodgy Mountain Men opening. $20 in vance, $25 at the door
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May 31 - June 7, 2018
Trivia Takeover Live 5:30pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Brothers Coffee Teams are encouraged and enjoy a Pan- but not required! Wine Shelter benefit and beer specials, beverages and fun prizes as well. Free
A weekly entertainment guide to keep you on your toes. To list your event free, please send an email to calendar@sandpointreader.com. Reader recommended
State of the Scotchmans 6pm @ Oden Bay Grange Hall Mountain goat expert Gayle Joslin will be the featured speaker. Free and open to the public
gie Boys
Beer Hall country night!
d Opening
expansion of ke and enterchool ChamRemedy, plus nter. Guided ore info
seum eum free bert Rust
Live Jazz in Ponderay 6-8pm @ Farmhouse Restaurant and Silo Bar Live jazz with Tom D’Orazi and Denis Zwang
Sand Creek Paddlers’ Challenge 10am @ City Beach Pavilion This four-mile paddle up and back on Sand Creek has three separate divisions, Trophies for first place in each division and random drawings for prizes. Pre-registration starts at 9 a.m. at the pavilion, pre-race meeting at 9:30 a.m. $12/boat
Salsa Bike Demo 12-6pm @ U of I extension campus Salsa will have a size run of the following bikes: Redpoint, Deadwood, Woodsmoke, Cutthroat and Pony Rustler. Come try one for free!
Firkin Friday 5pm @ Laughing Dog Brewery Brewers brew a new beer, tap the Firkin, and the brewers hang out and talk about the beer! Pints are $3 until the Firkin runs out
Yoga on Tap 11am @ Laughing Dog Brewery One hour class that ends with the group having a beer together. $12 includes your first beer
Arboretum Celebration & Native Plant Sale 9am-1pm @ Lakeview Park Hosted by Kinnikinnick Native Plant Society and Sandpoint Parks and Recreation. The plant sale will commence after a presentation at 9 a.m. Tricked Out! Comedy Magic Show - there will be a wide selection of native trees, 7pm @ Cedar St. Bridge Public Market shrubs and perennials, as well as a variety of Family-friendly comedy close-up magic by handcrafted items such as planters and notecards, Thrillusionist David DaVinci. $36.95/$49.95 plus baked goods. Free and open to the public
@ TBD Live Music w/ Annie Welle • 1-3pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery uture Pine Street Sandpoint’s Annie Welle plays solo jazz piano — favorites & e information standards, contemporary works, innovative original compositions
9am-12pm @ Bonner Mall k the Mall, plus there will be a featured refreshments, games and a drawing
June 8-9 KRFY Annual Membership esday music night Georgetown Tap Night at Eichardt’s Drive @ 323 N. @ Eichardt’s Pub 6-10pm @ Eichardt’s Pub First Ave. by Jake Robin - always a good time Try some great new IPAs from Georgetown! June 9-10 otenanny Open Mic Night Ponderay Com30-8:30pm @ City Beach Organics munity Clean-up you have an instrument to play, a song to sing, a poem to read, or want to hear We ekend and e music, join Fiddlin’ Red and Desiree for a Hootenanny. (208) 265-9919 BBQ @ Jesse’s Par k Free regenerative cellular therapy seminar 10am-2pm @ Best Western Edgewater Resort June 10 These seminars will help you understand the stem cell therapy Bay Trail Fun en voyage to process, the causes and sources of pain it can benefit, success ng. $20 in adRu n @ City Beach statistics, and more. Register at (509) 844-0101 Lifetree Cafe • 2pm @ Jalepeño’s Mexican Restaurant An hour of conversation and stories. This week’s topic: “Living with Autism”
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FEATURE
‘Anything in my power’
Jessica Rachels is a mom on a mission to save other children from CMV — a virus her daughter lives with every day
By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff Of all the threats to pregnant women — chemicals, litter boxes, hot tubs and more — Sandpoint woman Jessica Rachels didn’t know she was putting her unborn baby at risk simply by doing her job as a mother and child care provider. Rachels was pregnant with her second child while raising a preschooler and working in child care both at home and at a daycare center. She believes her profession is why she contracted cytomegalovirus, or CMV, a virus of the herpes family that can infiltrate the placenta and cause a variety of disabilities in unborn children. CMV is spread through contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person, and it’s most often contracted from small children. She told her doctor about her lifestyle, Rachels said, and yet she said CMV was never mentioned during her prenatal visits. Not until it was clear that her daughter, Natalie, had severe permanent disabilities due to brain damage did she learn about the virus. At the time — 2006 — doctors told Rachels it was a “fluke.” Rachels began to educate herself on the issue, leading her to find that the Centers for Disease Control reports a one-in-200 chance that a baby will be born with congenital CMV, and one in five of those children will experience defects for the rest of their lives. “That’s not a fluke,” Rachels said. She and her husband attended conferences where the commonness of CMV became more and more clear, she said. “It made us feel let down,” she said. “I’ve had feelings of anger and distrust. We felt like our choices were taken away
We inject trees with fertilizer and insecticide to help rejuvenate the tree and kill off the larve and beetles inside.
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because we weren’t informed.” Helping other mothers be informed is now Rachels’ mission. She and several other mothers of CMV children in Idaho have started the Idaho CMV Advocacy Project, and they’ve already made change on the state level. In March 2017, Idaho passed a law allocating $15,000 to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare for the creation and distribution of CMV awareness materials. Those materials are then distributed to doctors, childcare programs and other places new moms might go. June is also Idaho CMV awareness month. “Even if we save just one kiddo, it would make all this work meaningful,” she said. “(It’s) us advocates’ job is to be that squeaky wheel and encourage those places to educate women.” That education mostly pertains to hygiene, Rachels said. Hand washing is huge for pregnant women, especially around children after handling toys, wiping noses or changing diapers. Advocates also advise against sharing food, drinks and utensils with children, kissing children on the lips or putting pacifiers in your mouth. Rachels said her now pre-teen daughter operates at the level of the six-month-old baby due to the effects of CMV. She said she is an expressive, happy girl who loves peek-a-boo and her family. But at the end of the day, her severe disabilities seriously hinder her quality of life. Natalie has cerebral palsy, has had 12 surgeries on various parts of her body, uses a feeding tube and is visually and hearing impaired, just to name a few of her struggles. “My daughter lives in a body every day that hurts,” she said. “If I could go back, if I had this knowledge, I would do anything in my power so she wasn’t affected by this
virus. But (by advocating for awareness) we’re turning it into something positive.” Rachels said the Idaho CMV Advocacy Project will continue to work toward more legislation to combat CMV, like targeted testing for babies who fail the initial newborn hearing screening. If detected early, babies at risk for permanent CMV disabilities can be treated. To learn more about the Idaho CMV Ad-
Photo by Jax Creations. vocacy Project, visit www.idahocmv.com. Reach Rachels at idahocmv@gmail.com.
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EDUCATION
alternative /awl-TUR-nuh-tiv/ By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff
At Lake Pend Oreille High School, there’s no homework. Students call teachers by their first names. In most every case of late or incomplete work, there are second chances. LPOHS science teacher Brenda Woodward said the alternative elements of alternative schools don’t make them “easier” — simply different. “It’s not easier. It’s not dumbed down. It’s just a different approach. It’s about trying to be a little more flexible,” she said. “My goal is to give them the belief that they can do something and the courage to go do it.” Another goal, she said, is to make sure their high school education doesn’t just fulfill credit requirements, but instead provides them skills for life. For instance, her forestry class learns the same skills she learned from the U.S. Forest Service when she worked in the industry. “I think that we live in a very beautiful place but we’re not always aware of our surroundings, so (forestry class is about) just having that awareness, but then also gaining some skills you could turn into a
summer job or a career,” she said. It’s a theme seen throughout LPOHS’s curriculum: learn in class, then apply that knowledge elsewhere — sometimes, even, to the benefit of the community. Culinary teacher Rand Rosecrans takes that mission seriously throughout his courses. Rosecrans teaches media and internet literacy in his Teen Living class. He teaches students to grow every element of a pizza from scratch. He said his belief in self-reliance and societal contribution drives his lessons. “We have an opportunity, at this school, to help these kids be productive,” he said. “If I can teach them how to make cider, and grow their own garden and make pasta, and how to shop and feed a family on $10, then that’s a success to me.” When asked the most important thing she’s learned from Rosecrans, junior Delaney Tibbetts glosses over tangible skills. Instead, she said, the most important thing she’s learned from Rosecrans is more abstract. “Even when you feel like you’re drowning in your work, you’re drowning in your life, you need to step back, take a breather and realize what you have around
Classroom, community and career all meet at Lake Pend Oreille High School
you,” she said. Tibbetts said she came to LPOHS to get away from bullying that plagued her previous academic career. She said the close-knit alternative school was exactly what she needed. “Yeah, we’ll have (hard) times, but every family has problems,” she said, referring not to her home life, but to school. “It’s nice to know that everyone’s here to learn, and help each other.” LPOHS students can often be found at the Food Bank working in the garden, landscaping at the senior center, or doing any other number of community service acts. But sometimes, the community comes to them. Leata Judd is an 88-year-old artist who said her “reason to get out of bed every morning” is to attend Randy Wilhelm’s art class at the end of each school day. Her presence in the classroom creates an eclectic peace that only a 70-year age gap can. She said she loves the alternative environment because she sees it as a refuge for kids who didn’t excel in “regular” schools for any given reason. She said she wishes she could have attended LPOHS as a teen. One day, as a student left class to get
Part 2
Leata Judd helps a student with her clay cultural mask. Photo by Lyndsie Kiebert. pottery projects out of the kiln downstairs, she asked Leata is she could get her anything out of the kiln while she was there. “See, they think about me,” she said with a smile. “They open doors for me, and when I see them down the street, they yell ‘hi’ to me. I think they’re neat kids.”
Chamber welcomes Refined Aesthetics with ribbon cutting By Reader Staff
The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce welcomed Refined Aesthetics Med Spa to the Chamber with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, May 24. Fourth-generation Sandpoint native Bri Williams opened Refined Aesthetics Med Spa in the summer of 2017. As a career nurse, she has a natural instinct to take care of others. She specializes in providing safe and subtle treatments to help her clients age gracefully, renew their confidence and improve self-image and wellness. “Opening Refined Aesthetics is truly a dream come true. It has been a lot of hard work, but I believe that great things happen when you are willing to put in the effort. With the support of my family, Refined Aesthetics has taken on a life of its own. I love coming to work every day and getting to meet so many wonderful women. This business is so much more than I ever could have hoped for,” said Williams. Refined Aesthetics offers free consultations and extensive knowledge in skin care and medical treatments including inject-
ables to address fine lines, wrinkles and volume loss, microneedling, platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP), dermaplaning, chemical peels and professional skincare. In addition to running her business, Bri works part time as a nurse at the Family Health Center. She and her husband, Chris, are parents to two young daughters, Adell and Ada. She writes health and wellness articles for Sandpoint Living Local and Lake Pend Oreille Neighbors. Bri is also a big supporter of the community she grew up in and welcomes a chance to give back. You will often find Refined Aesthetics items and gift certificates at charity events and fundraisers. Refined Aesthetics is on the third floor of the historic Belwood Building at 301 Cedar Street. Bri fondly remembers the building from her childhood and running up and down the ramps with her sister when it was Belwood’s Furniture Store. “The Belwood’s Building is a beautiful space that provides privacy to our clients,” she said. “They often tell me it feels like an escape. I love this building and the history it holds.” Please join the Greater Sandpoint Cham-
ber of Commerce in welcoming Refined Aesthetics. For more information visit them online at www.sandpointmedspa.com or email info@sandpointmedspa.com.
Left to Right Back: Vicky Jacobson, Chris Williams, Bri Williams, Bob Witte, Erin LeVan, Kate McAlister, Kristin Carlson Left to Right Front: Ada Williams, Adell Williams May 31, 2018 /
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BUSINESS
A Clear Vision:
Pend Oreille Vision Care opens third store in Priest River
By Ben Olson Reader Staff
There’s just something about the old school way of doing business that appeals to Dr. Nate Harrell and Jen Heller. Harrell recently announced that Pend Oreille Vision Care, his optometry practice with locations in Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry, will now be joined by a third in Priest River. Harrell opened the first Pend Oreille Vision Care in Sandpoint after a lengthy research project on where he wanted to live and work after completing optometry school. “Nate went on citydata.com and researched 12 areas that were beautiful, outdoorsy areas,” said Heller, who serves as office manager. “There was a practice here in Sandpoint and he bought it from them, built it back up.” Heller said Harrell lived in the back of his office and ate off a hot plate for three years while getting the practice off the ground. It was during this period that the two began dating. “We worked together before we started dating,” said Heller. “When I started, he was the doctor, I was the employee.” Harrell, with Heller’s “office mom” assistance, built the practice together, emphasizing on old school business practices that thrive in a small town environment. “When you have a super small practice, you get to know every one of your patients by name,” said Heller. “We’re really old fashioned. We cap our patient load at eight to 10 patients a day, where a lot of modern eye clinics will move 30 patients through a day. No time for questions, for follow up. We don’t like that.” After the Sandpoint office at 514 Oak St. had become established, Harrell and Heller noted they had over 100 patients driving down from Bonners Ferry. “There was only one eye doctor in Bonners Ferry, and he retired recently,” said Heller. “We went from having a one day clinic to seeing patients every day.” They opened the Bonners Ferry location at 6348 Main St. in 2014, or as Heller puts it, “the ‘Old Cob16 /
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blestone House,’ everyone knows where it is.” Recently, the pair noticed the same problem in Priest River. “In Priest River, there is no eye doctor,” said Heller. “The nearest one is in Newport, but they don’t take Idaho Medicaid. We’ve had people come down in summer from Priest Lake after having an accident on the lake or getting something stuck in their eye. We thought it was time to put something closer for the people of Priest River. There’s almost 2,000 people living in that area and they’re having to drive a long way to see an eye doctor.” The Priest River Pend Oreille Vision Care will be located at 6132 Hwy. 2, across from King’s Bar and Grill. The plan is to open on June 11, with open hours starting with 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday. Heller said the pair has enjoyed renovating the new Priest River location, which used to be a gas station and a thrift store. “We took up a drop down ceiling and raised it up,” she said. “We both like getting to reimagine the place, and hiring local guys to come in and do the work.” In fact, along with the customers, it’s the employees that Harrell and Heller have hired that truly inspire them. Besides the three doctors, Pend Oreille Vision Care employs a half dozen others to help with sales and run the day to day activities at each location. “Our employees are awesome,” said Heller. “We are so fortunate to invest in the local economy. We have
Inset: Drs. Danielle Tholl, Nate Harrell and Amber Prins. Main: The Priest River location is currently being renovated and is slated to open June 11. Courtesy photo. three doctors – Nate, who started this whole thing, and then we hired Dr. Danielle Tholl in 2015. She’s the bomb diggity. There’s a reason the Bonners location is doing really well, and it’s her.” For the new location, Pend Oreille Vision Care hired Dr. Amber Prins. “Her maiden name is Trost, and that family goes back three generations in Priest River,” said Heller. “Amber grew up in Priest River, went away to optometry school, then we hired her when she came back to the area.” While all three Pend Oreille Vision Care locations specialize in the usual eye-related matters such as prescriptions and sales, Heller said the peripheral services often put them a cut above the rest. “One of our favorite things to do is eye emergencies,” she said. “People might have something stuck in their eye and it’s cheaper and usually better to go to an optometrist than a hospital. We really like being there for them.” Heller said Pend Oreille Vision Care accepts most major medical insurance, and that they’ll “probably run a reduced price for the first couple months of being open in Priest River.” To schedule an appointment at either of their Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest River locations, call (208) 265-7965.
Four success strategies for local business owners By Katie Greenland Reader Contributor When I first moved to Sandpoint last June, locals warned me that finding work can be hard. They were right. Many people here have struggled at some point to make ends meet. In a town of 8,000, you have to think outside the box to make a decent living. Hence my local friend, the CEO who also has a photography gig and does public speaking on weekends. Or my neighbor, the teacher who runs a food truck after school’s out. People are crafty here. We have to be. Inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit of locals, I decided to start my own business. Why not? Everybody’s doing it. Problem is, I totally dread business planning. Spreadsheets bore me and numbers numb me. I spend more time in the right side of my brain with things like creativity, intuition, communication and relationship. You know, the gushy stuff. I prefer colors, images and feelings over left-brain tables, templates and data. What were we talking about again? Oh yeah, business plans. Ugh. According to Entrepreneur Magazine, 80 percent of businesses fail in their first two years. That number goes up to 96 percent after 10 years. The main reason why so many businesses fail is, yep you guessed it, poor business planning. Turns out there’s a lot of people with great ideas for products and services but not a lot of insight on running a business. It’s common to feel anxiety when it comes to business planning. If you can relate, fear may have stopped you before you ever got started on a business plan. Enter Strategy #1: Relax-You’re not alone. There’s this thing called the Right-Brain Business Plan, trademarked by a corporate bigwig turned creative coach named Jennifer Lee. Lee believes that using your creative intuition will make you more successful in business. Makes sense. As a mother of two kids, I can attest to the usefulness of creativity and imagination in solving problems. I decided to create my own RightBrain Business Plan and use it to help me get bank funding for my start-up. It worked. Embracing my artsy side allowed me to move past the classic fear, overwhelm and frustration that traditional business planning can
bring. Forming a mission and vision statement became empowering because they connected me with my passion and purpose. Identifying core values became the touch stones for how I serve my community. Painting a business landscape, finding perfect customers, turning the threat of competition into an inspiring view of mentorship, and defining success for myself were all key components to my visual plan. Strategy #2: Get Creative- it’s a legit pathway to better business. Armed with clear vision and new confidence, I laid out my beautiful, colorful, image-rich plan for success, then opened my laptop and typed up a traditional, ten page, left-brain business plan. Having a visual map made writing a business plan more accessible — dare I say easy. I marched right into the bank to apply for startup funding. The nice folks at Mountain West Bank understand that asking for money is nerve wracking and their customer service is fantastic (bonus points for free Evans Brothers coffee). Strategy #3: Be Bold- Know what you want and don’t be afraid to ask for it. Sitting with the bank loan officer I was able to speak about financial projections, market trends analysis, pricing structures and all that other crap that makes me nauseous but is, in fact, important to running a business. My company was approved for an unsecured small business loan that week. My Right-Brain Business Plan literally paid off. Strategy #4: Up Your Game- It’s a big world out there, and you gotta know how your business fits in. There are more small businesses in Sandpoint than in the big city I come from, where box store giants outpriced the little guys long ago. I cherish the little guys because they make small towns like Sandpoint unique. A strong culture of locally owned business is a treasure worth preserving. May these four strategies help your local business find success and thrive for years to come. Katherine Greenland is a licensed Right-Brain Business Plan facilitator and owner of Greenland Consulting. She’s leading a RightBrain Business Plan workshop on Saturday, June 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Eureka Center. Sign up at: www.katherinegreenland.com.
OUTDOORS
Salsa Bike demo taking place today By Reader Staff Salsa Bikes and Greasy Fingers Bikes N Repair will be hosting a free mountain bike demo from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 31, at the University of Idaho Extension. The Salsa bicycles available during the demo are the Redpoint, Deadwood, Woodsmoke, Cutthroat, Pony Rustler and Timberjack. The Redpoint, Deadwood and Pony Rustler are full suspension trail bikes. The Woodsmoke is a carbon hardtail, the Timberjack is an aluminum hardtail and the Cutthroat is considered Salsa’s ultra endurance bikepacking/gravel bike. (Sorry, no kid’s bikes or riders under 18.) “We are excited to showcase some of the mountain bike options Salsa has,” said Brian Anderson, owner of Greasy Fingers Bikes N Repair. “It’s not often we
Supporting the arts in Sandpoint for 30 years
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Photograph courtesy Salsa Bikes. can have such a great variety of bicycles available for people to test ride.” The University of Idaho Extension is located at 2105 N Boyer Ave. If you have any questions, call Greasy Fingers Bikes N Repair at 208-255-4496.
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LOCAL: 208.263.2138 TOLL FREE: 800.866.2138 476751 Highway 95, Ponderay May 31, 2018 /
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HEALTH
SHAKE, RATTLE AND ROLL
A column about the trials and tribulations of Parkinson’s Disease
A love letter to my angel By A.C. Woolnough Reader Columnist
Darwin Hurst
Certified Family Nurse Practitioner •Accepting New Patients •All Ages Welcome •Wellness Visits •Chronic Disease Care •Sports Physicals •Same Day Sick Appointments Available
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is my love letter to care partners everywhere and specially to mine.
We go by many Dear Angel, names: People with Last night, you saw the subtle Parkinson’s, PWPs, signs I try to hide, and you knew I Parky’s, patients, was hurting. Without being asked, sufferers, subjects, you brought over the heating pad casualties or even and brought me a cup of hot chocvictims. No matter olate. You didn’t expect thanks, and the label, no matter in my discomfort, I didn’t give you the term you use, we any. For that, and for the countless A.C. Woolnough. all need support— thoughtful things you do every day, physical, emotional and spiritual. AlI say thank you. though in our stubbornness, we may try When I stop and think; when I step to deny that fact, it is true nevertheless. outside myself; when I take an objective Denial is a trick we play on ourselves. look; when I see things from your perWe say things like, “I’m OK” — spective, I am amazed. I wonder why this even when we are hurting inside. “My lovely and loving angel is going above symptoms are progressing slower” (even and beyond to meet my needs — somethough we know they aren’t). “No, the times knowing what I need even when I tremors don’t bother me; I hardly notice don’t! How do you listen to me complain them” — while spilling coffee walking about little things, minor distractions across the carpet. “I can do that, I don’t and inconsequential trivia without need help” — even though we can’t responding? How do you continue to button our own shirts. Denial doesn’t provide a safe place for me to talk about help us or those around us. The more my fears and let me cry? we insist we don’t need care or support, How do you put up with my moods, the more likely we are to get ornery, my occasional meanness, my all-toogrouchy, ill-tempered or crabby. We may frequent outbursts and my seeming lack work even harder to push others away. of gratitude? There is a certain irony We may practice our favorite strategy to the fact that I am a patient while you and shut down. are patient. I think I have the answer to Unfortunately, denial isn’t restrictthese questions and a response to these ed to PWPs. Alzheimer’s, dementia, observations. You are truly and absosurgery, celiac, or cancer can provoke lutely an angel — my angel! You are an similar feelings and behaviors. earthly embodiment of goodness, kindLast month, I posed the question, ness and love. How I wish I could mirror “What do we need?” (More money for that for you. The best I can do — which more research towards a cure.) This is to make a commitment to do better, to month, I will provide a different answer. practice gratitude, to acknowledge and We — each of us, all of us — need appreciate you more is still inadequate. someone who is there for us: a care giver I know you love me and please know or a care partner. Those names are totally I love you, I cherish you and I need you. inadequate. Instead they should be called The words I use to describe you help heroes, champions or angels. me express how I feel: kind, thoughtful, One of our friends is Captain Dan — caring, precious, strong, treasure, gentle, also known as the pirate. He sails around sweet, valued, and compassionate. in his pirate ship and brings joy and Thank you for everything, excitement to kids of all ages. When he A.C. and I stood in line to get our neurological conditions, he got early-onset AlzheiAfter being diagnosed with Parkinmer’s and I got Parkinson’s. That’s son’s Disease, A.C. is calling on his 37 why we call ourselves “brain buddies.” years in K-12 education to became a Coincidentally, his angel and mine are “Parkinson’s Warrior”educating the both named Pamela. These care partners public, advocating for a cure and particinever get the amount of appreciation or pating in research. gratitude they deserve. What follows
LITERATURE
small town 101
Vol. 3 No.7
poetry and prose by local writers edited by Jim mitsui
day 10, chemo diary: 10/19/17 Like the recent weather, my days are filled with fluids. I wonder if we can go the winter without pumping the septic system. Ziploc bag filled with pill bottles for: nausea, pain, infection goes with me everywhere as well as a tube of Ritz crackers. Other pills for gliding between constipation and diarrhea by the bed. I take many baths to get warm all the way through. I walk out to get the paper -- and then decide a nap might be in order. I let the cat in -- and five minutes later ask my husband if she’s been out today. But I can notice subtle changes. It occurred to me today to water a plant -- and I did it, even cut off two dead leaves. I read an article about a bike trail in the Dakotas and pictured myself trying it. Although, my skill level’s about the same as when I first learned to ride a bike, and going “around the block” would be an appropriate challenge. The thin rubber bands that held my knees together have miraculously strengthened and they’re holding me up without wobbling. I remember to breathe. I have been thinking about what sounds good to eat-Like yogurt with strawberries and blueberries, and this morning when my husband asked how I wanted my egg I said -- “Fried, with some of that Polenta that’s in the door of the refrigerator, please.” I really did remember to say “Please.” Last week I would have said, “I don’t care.” I laughed at the funnies this morning. I turn eagerly to today’s Crossward Puzzle. I pick up a sharpened school-yellow pencil and begin to think of a poem (this one.) I remember the irresistible temptation to make tooth marks on my pencils as a kid --and bite into the Dixon© No.2 HB-to remember how it feels. -Brenda Hammond Brenda teaches a parenting class in Coeur d’Alene. Originally from Michigan, she has four grown children, and four grandchildren – all girls. She was honored last year as a Sandpoint Woman of Wisdom. Jim: I chose this compelling poem because of its honesty, and its positive attitude about life in general.
ing and yelling to start and wondering if someone will beat me up before the cops get there to write me a ticket. I know I can move one panel at a time by myself so I start unfastening the straps. Maybe if I look like I’m trying to clean up the mess I can get off with a warning. Out of nowhere half a dozen guys appear – without a word they drag that big pile scaffolding off the street onto the empty lot. One of them asks if I have help and I say, “Yeah, my brother’ll be coming along shortly.” They all vanish as quickly as they appeared. Before I can say, “What the hell just happened?” or “Thanks, guys!” I’m alone again; the clotted traffic sorts itself out and my brother pulls up and parks next to me. “You know, Mo,” he says as we reload my truck, “I come up on this traffic jam, and I just knew it had to be you in the middle of it. How’d you get all the way down in that hole you live in and back out, just to dump your everything right here where it’s perfectly flat?” I can’t think of an answer that wouldn’t sound like an excuse so I tell him how amazed and pleased I am that people just jumped in and helped me out without acting like it was any kind of a big deal. No yelling, no name calling, just sort out the problem, make sure I’m okay, and poof, gone. “Yep”, Jeff grins, “that’s Sandpoint.” -Maureen Cooper Born and raised in Minnesota, a former resident of Las Vegas, and now entrenched in Bonner County, Maureen is a natural story-teller. Jim: This memoir captures the essence of Sandpoint as much as the drive north across Long Bridge or the school bus driver on Sagle Road who never fails to wave as she passes going the other way. Sandpoint has to be one of the best small towns in the country.
Thursday, may 31 @ 6pm
SHS choir ‘spring fling’
Send poems to: jim3wells@aol.com
This open Window
2003, I’m new in Bonner County. It’s hard to get a job around here when you don’t know anybody so I’m working labor for my brother Jeff on his side jobs. Big change from Las Vegas life –walking down the street there at night you get pelted with fruit from a passing car. You have to watch out for thieves, they got my husband’s bicycle, both sets of our golf clubs, we got our back door kicked in and the opal ring my mom left me is gone. Trust is pretty gone, too. I don’t like people to get too close anymore, I’m wary of small town friendliness. It’s unsettling to drive around in Sagle and have strangers wave at me. One Monday, I’m hauling a big load of scaffold panels back from a garage Jeff’s building way the heck up Little Blacktail. Jeff tied it all together, so heavy he figures it’ll ride okay loose in the back of my old Dodge Dakota. It’s gettin’ on dark when both our trucks are loaded Sunday night, his with the planks and other bits, so I take my load home with me out on Muskrat Lake. I’ll meet Jeff at his place on Jefferson tomorrow when he gets off his day job and we’ll return the scaffolding to A to Z Rentals out in Ponderay. That load rode fine for near 60 miles all up and down steep, rough dirt roads, but when I step on the gas a bit too heavy leaving the stop sign where Cedar crosses Boyer the whole dang thing slides off right into the middle of the intersection. I pull into the one vacant corner lot and jump out of the Dakota. Dang. I wasn’t so old as I am now, but still a bit of a little old lady. No way I can move that strapped together pile of scaffolding taller than me. I’m in a pickle for sure. It’s 4:30 and all the working men are on their way home. This time of day Cedar & Boyer was just about the busiest intersection in town in those days. Traffic is getting heavy and nobody can go anywhere with all that steel blocking the intersection. I sigh, waiting for the honk-
June 7 @ 7:30pm | June 8 @ 5:30pm June 9 @ 7:30pm | June 10 @ 3:30pm
‘Isle of dogs’ film
A STOP ANIMATION FILM BY ACCLAIMED DIRECTOR WES ANDERSON
JUNE 9 @ 11AM
FORREST M. BIRD HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION JUNE 11-12 @ 6:30pm
allegro dance recital JUNE 13 @ 6:30pm
studio 1 dance academy: adventures in wonderland thursday, june 14 @ 7pm
YARN with Slocan Ramblers Little Theater
Friday, june 15 @ 6pm
‘lavoy: dead man talking’ saturday, june 15 @ 7:30pm
Thom Shepard Acoustic Concert May 31, 2018 /
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COMMUNITY
is the last day to get a Schweitzer Lace up your shoes and Contra dance! Today season pass at the early bird rate By Reader Staff
If you want to get a season pass for Schweitzer’s 2018/2019 winter season, you better act fast if you want the best price. The Early Bird Rate expires after Thursday, May 31, which means today is the last time to take advantage of these prices: •Adult Unlimited (ages 26-79) $649 •Sunday - Friday (ages 26-79) $499 •Young Adult (ages 18-25) $349
By Reader Staff The Parks and Recreation Department has partnered with Emily Faulkner and Lost Horse Press to bring you Contra dancing! Contra dancing is community dancing for all ages, in the New England tradition, featuring live music with great local and regional bands and lively callers. Contras, circles, and occasionally squares or long ways sets are taught, called and danced in a friendly atmosphere. Meet at Community Hall (204 South First Ave) from 7-10:30 p.m., every second Friday of the month except August. Please use the front door. Beginners and singles welcome; contra dance tradition holds
that anyone can ask anyone to dance. New dancers are warmly encouraged to arrive in time for the beginning (we always start with the basics). If you can walk quickly, count to eight, and know right from left you can contra dance (smile). Light, comfortable clothing suggested. Bring clean, soft-soled shoes, a water bottle (the kind you’ll take home), and your smile. Finger food snacks at the break are much appreciated. A $5 donation at the door is suggested, (musicians need to eat too). For other activities offered by P&R, visit our web catalog at www.sandpoint. gov/parksrecreation or visit the P&R office located at 1123 Lake Street.
Comments sought on the Draft Grouse BMU Compliance Environmental Assessment By Reader Staff
The Idaho Panhandle National Forests is seeking public comments on the Grouse BMU Compliance Project located within both the Bonners Ferry and Sandpoint Ranger Districts of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. The project is located approximately 18 miles north of Sandpoint, Idaho, east side of Highway 95 and northwest of Lunch Peak. The public comment period is open for 30 days, with comments accepted through June 25, 2018. We are proposing to manage roads within the Grouse Bear Management Unit (BMU) to comply with the Forest Plan. We are proposing to store approximately 28 miles of roads (approximately 0.2 miles are
currently open for the public and approximately 7.7 miles are currently only open for public motor vehicle travel from December 1 through March 31). The remaining miles of roads proposed for storage are not open to public motor vehicle travel. Approximately three miles of unclassified roads are proposed for closure. We also propose to re-route about two miles of Forest Road 280 away from Grouse Creek. Public comments help guide the project. Please focus your comments on the proposed action and include rationale to help us understand your concerns. Project information and instructions on how to comment are available on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests website https:// www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=47308.
•Junior Unlimited (ages 7-17) $249 •Child (6 years and under) $39 •Senior 80+ $29 •Nordic Pass Only $129 After May 31, the prices for each category will increase to these figures, respectively: $799, $599, $399, $299, $39, $39 and $149 until Oct. 31. Please call Schweitzer Mountain Resort at (208) 263-9555 to lock in your pass at the best possible rate. Summer season passes are also available.
Georgetown Brewing to visit Eichardt’s
By Ben Olson Reader Staff
Thirsty? Me too. Head on down to Eichardt’s Pub for a special night of special brews. Stephanie from Georgetown Brewing Co. will be on hand to dole out some new and exciting IPAs, including the Rock-
etman, the Citrus Galaxy, Kichau and a fourth to be determined. Plus, Eichardt’s will be hosting their monthly First Tuesday music night with Jake Robin. Beer, music and garlic fries... the perfect combination. Where will you be on Tuesday night?
Annual State of the Scotchmans scheduled for May 31 By Reader Staff
The Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness will hold their annual get-together at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 31, at Oden Grange Hall. The program will feature mountain goat expert Gayle Joslin, who worked several decades with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, much of it studying and helping manage mountain goats. Joslin’s presentation will begin at 7 p.m. The Friend will be providing appetizers and no-host beer and wine will be available as well. FSPW executive director Phil Hough will give an update on the status of the Scotchman Peaks and the effort to get them designated as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System, including a retrospect of the recent advisory vote. “The outcome was disappointing,” Hough says, “but we’re still here, and we’re still continuing out work. There are a lot of people who agree with us, and we wish to celebrate that, as well as our volunteers who work hard for the Scotchman Peaks.”
FSPW will also name their Old Goat of the Year, honoring a volunteer who has made a big difference in the FSPW efforts. Other volunteers who have helped with the “three-legged stool” of FSPW — advocacy, education and stewardship — will also be honored. The FSPW Mountain Goat Ambassador training will also be held that evening, beginning at 5 p.m. at the same location. The Friends’ highly successful trail ambassador program, done in conjunction with the Forest Service, is entering its third season. Volunteers will be trained that evening to educate visitors to Scotchman Peak Trail #65 about relating to wildlife in a respectful and safe way, mountain goats in particular. Ambassadors will also learn about the Leave No Trace principles and how to deal in a positive way with visitors. The May 31 State of the Scotchmans is a public event. All are welcome to join the Friends for their annual celebration of working to keep the Scotchman Peaks wild.
Energy Optimization / Footprint Reduction Residential - Commercial - Industrial
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OUTDOORS
This week’s RLW by Ben Olson
North Idaho outdoor brand earns TV slot
Mountain Mafia Entertainment is working on a TV series that will feature next weekend’s Mountain Havoc professional off-road event
By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff Nothing says summer has arrived North Idaho like a weekend of camping in the great outdoors. It helps if there’s also the sweet sound and scent of high-octane, race-fueled offroad trucks in the air, and the chance to see those vehicles battle it out on a specialized five-part course. The Fourth Mountain Havoc professional off-road vehicle competition is next weekend, June 8-10, at Mountain Mafia Entertainment’s Purcell Trench Ranch, located at 518995 N. Hwy 95 in Bonners Ferry. Friday kicks off the festivities from 12-11 p.m. with an introduction to each truck and crew, as well as a tow test drag race. Saturday features a jump track, rock course and more, leading to live music, food, drinks and prizes from 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday wraps up the weekend with an “extreme course,” followed by an awards ceremony, all from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Mountain Mafia is Mac Miltz, Ben Spinney and Grey Whittier. They said Mountain Havoc is built around the concept that every truck has advantages and disadvantages. The fastest truck may not be the best on a climbing
track, for example. “The idea is to give them variety, so each competitor can showcase strong suits,” they said. They also noted these aren’t your average mud bog rigs. Havoc features 20 of North America’s best off-road drivers and trucks. “It is hard to peg exactly what these trucks resemble,” Mountain Mafia said. “Think Mad Max. Think Monster Trucks. Think 1,000-plus HP with nitrous. Think 50-plus-inch tires on military bomb-proof axles.” Mountain Mafia isn’t just an off-roader’s brand, either. The company wants to be a brand for all outdoor enthusiasts. That’s something that will be highlighted on their upcoming show to air on the Velocity network. Velocity is a Discovery channel affiliate, and Mountain Mafia said it’s the largest automotive enthusiast network in the world right now. The show’s name stays true to the topic — “Mountain Mafia” — and it will air every Saturday after
READ
While I relish “high-brow” literature, I’m also a fan of easy-to-digest novels. One of my favorite series is the “Lonesome Dove” books by Larry McMurtry. I thought I read all of them, but found I neglected to notice “Dead Man’s Walk,” a prequel depicting a young Gus and Call. I like McMurtry’s writing because it’s funny, honest, touching and not afraid to be a little edgy. Most of all, though, it transports me far away from this strange and terrible modern age and allows me to forget this pesky 21st century.
LISTEN
I’m always looking for stripped down, thoughtful folk music that A vehicle attempts lift off at the Purcell Trench Ranch in 2016. Photo by Blaine’s Offroad Videos. isn’t douchey or preachy. One of my recent favorites is A. A. BonAdmission to Mountain Havoc dy, who started in a Nirvana-esque Thanksgiving from 8:30-9 a.m. band called Verbena, but broke out is $30 for adults, $10 for ages until the start of the new year. 6-12 and children 5 and under are of the grunge sound to do his solo After the episodes air, they’ll all thing. free. Camping is free with admisbe available on Amazon Prime. My favorsion. Those who leave before 6 As a result, spectators at ite of his handp.m. on any day get $10 of their Mountain Havoc can anticipate ful of albums is admission back. live filming during the weekend, “When the DevThere are no pets allowed at and may even have a chance to see il’s Loose,” a colthemselves on TV in a few months. this event, and those under 18 lection of catchy, Mountain Mafia admitted the must be accompanied by a legal not-too-folky fact they’re working on their own guardian. Mountain Mafia prides songs that you’ll be humming the TV show hasn’t quite sunk in. themselves on being a faminext day. You can stream him on “The best thing that puts us in ly-friendly company. Spotify. the moment is when the event’s Learn more on Mountain Magoing on and we see our vision and fia’s Facebook page, or by visiting all our hard work at that moment www.mountain-mafia.com. being put to the test,” they said. My girlfriend and I are suckers for real crime dramas. We recently watched the four-part Netflix series called “Evil Genius” that told the wild, unbelievable tale of the so-called “Pizza Bomber.” I don’t remember hearing about this when it happened in 2003, but the gist is, a pizza delivery driver is abducted and has a bomb strapped around his neck with instructions to rob a bank and follow various clues or the bomb will go off. What follows is a series of interviews and reenactments that recounts one of the most unbelievable stories ever told. Stream it on Netflix.
WATCH
Lippi Scholarship winners honored By Reader Staff
Each year the Angels Over Sandpoint and Ivano’s Ristorante sponsor a September Golf Scramble to fund the Jim Lippi Family Scholarship. For many years the Angels and the Lippi family have been very generous with their support to our community. Jim Lippi was known for always helping someone in need, and the Angels have contributed much to countless individuals in our community. This scholarship continues that tradition. The scholarship provides financial help for college or trade school to graduating Bonner County students who exhibit exceptional determination, courage
and a desire to continue his or her education in the face of less than perfect circumstances. Bonner County schools and home school provided many qualified and impressive candidates. These five resilient Sandpoint High School students were chosen from over 40 applicants through an essay and personal interviews to receive between $750 and $1,000 each for the coming school year. Hopefully more community members will participate in this coming year’s Ivano’s Italian Open Golf Scramble to be held at StoneRidge on Sept. 7 to continue the tradition of supporting high school seniors through this scholarship.
Pictured from left to right: Julie Smith (representing Ivano’s), Cody Shepherd, Rebecca Coop, Tina Greimes, Liam Parnell, and Dee Ann Smith (representing Angels Over Sandpoint) not pictured: Skyra Schendel. Courtesy photo.
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From Pend Oreille Review, Sept. 8, 1905
SURVEYORS ON FIFTH STREET Surveyors for the new Corbin road were here this week taking lines along Fifth Street, which it has been decided will be the line of the road through town. It is thought the depot will be located at the corner of Main and Fifth Streets. The road will go through the mill town and two rows of houses will be moved to make room for it. The Humbird Lumber company gave the road a right of way through the property. The road is having some trouble securing right of way in Spokane because of the sudden advance in price the Corbin people were after a right of way. Some lots have trebled in value in their owner’s estimation over what they asked for them a few months ago.
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Crossword Solution
N.P. GRADE TO GO UP SIX FEET The long contemplated raising of the grade of the Northern Pacific at this station was commenced this week. Two work trains arrived Monday and the grading began. There will be a raise of six feet in front of the depot which will be raised to comply with the new line of grade. The platform immediately in front of the depot will be raised along with the depot. Work upon the new warehouse, which will be on the opposite side of the track from the passenger depot and near the Cedar St. Bridge, was also commenced this week. The improvements will mean the stationing here for several weeks of two work trains and their crews, besides a large army of Japanese laborers. 22 /
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If I lived back in the olden days, and the doctor put leeches on me, I’d tell him to put them on my face, in the shape of a beard, so I could see how I’d look.
Copyright www.mirroreyes.com
CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Apex 5. Grille 10. A fish similar to cod 14. Buddy 15. Not lemons 16. Midmonth date 17. Up to now 19. Large bottles 20. Antlered animal 21. Parts of eggs 22. Not true 23. Not nighttime 25. Decree 27. One or more 28. Breathing devices for swimming 31. Slowly losing life 34. A watery discharge 35. Regret 36. Horse feed 37. Earthquake 38. Sensed 39. Female sheep /in-foh-MEY-nee-uh/ 40. Orderlies 41. A ring-shaped surface [noun] 42. Spread-eagled 1. an obsessive need to constantly check emails, social of the 44. Regulation (abbrev.) media websites, online news, etc. “Our current president has inspired a bout of infomania on the left.” 45. Cold manner 46. Reprimand Corrections: We spelled U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein’s name with only one 50. In base 8 ‘n’ last week. Also the annual State of the Scotchmans meeting takes place at 52. Picture the Oden Bay Grange Hall, not the Panida Theater. Finally, the number to 54. Cup apply for a Hope Cemetery columbarium niche is 208-255-5333. Sorry for 55. Small dam the mixup. 56. Unavoidable
Word Week
infomania
Solution on page 22 58. Biblical kingdom 59. Jeans material 60. P P P P 61. Lairs 62. Confuse 63. At one time (archaic)
DOWN 1. Hurt 2. Pincer 3. Turbid 4. An uncle 5. Downcast 6. A shoulder firearm 7. Rabid 8. Conciseness 9. East southeast
10. Commandeer 11. Cheater 12. Small casks 13. Being 18. Fastening 22. Strong and sure 24. Bronzes 26. Gingerbread palm 28. Startled 29. Humdinger 30. Collections 31. Accomplishes 32. Complain whiningly 33. Doing or saying again 34. Delimited
37. Storage cylinder 38. Mists 40. Absent Without Leave 41. Basic belief 43. Warning devices 44. Time in power 46. Quibble 47. Deep brown 48. Governs 49. Excrete 50. Was indebted 51. Formally surrender 53. Fix 56. Actress Lupino 57. Gibbon May 31, 2018 /
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