Reader november12 2015

e t u l a We S

Seniors Veterans Families Homeless Teens Are you

experiencing hardship?

Get Help.

Contact

Sandpoint Community Resource Center to find relief 208-920-1840

Scheduled office hours M-F from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. or by appointment

Serving Bonner and Boundary Counties 231 N. Third Ave., Ste 101, Sandpoint www.sandpointcommunityresource.com/get-help

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(wo)MAN

Susan Drinkard on the street compiled by

When you think of Veterans Day, do you think of a particular person or ideology?

“I think of people who have given their lives, not just in this country, but around the world. I just hope someday it stops.”

Deb Dickerson I.T. Consultant Sandpoint “I think of my dad who was in the first Marine division in the worst three battles in the South Pacific. He instilled in me the oneness of humanity. He told me at a very young age that the Japanese boys love their parents, too.”

DEAR READERS,

Happy Veterans Day to all of those who have served our country. If you know a vet, don’t just wait until Veterans Day to come along to thank them for their service, tell them at any chance you get.

My father was a combat veteran of the Korean War, and I’ve always been proud of his service record. Though he never spoke in much detail about it, I was able to talk with him several times before his death in 2007 about what it was like to be injured in the line of duty.

He carried the B.A.R., and was thus the target for snipers in his squad quite often.

The first time he was shot, a Chinese sniper got him once in the neck and shoulder.

After he had been released from the hospital, he was returned to active duty and was promptly shot again by another sniper, this time in the stomach. He always credited an unknown Army doctor with saving his life after the stomach wound.

Here’s to you, Sgt. Andrew O. Olson, for fighting for your country and for being a great dad. And here’s to all of you veterans out there who have left the same impact on others as my dad has left on me.

-Ben Olson, Publisher

LaTresa Pemp Produce manager Bonners Ferry

“I think of my uncles who served in Vietnam and my brother who was in the Air Force. I also think of all the veterans and what they’ve sacrificed while we are home safe and cozy.”

Hannah Metz CNA Bonners Ferry “I think of my dad who was in the Air Force for 25 years. He had to leave us a lot for his TDY.” Briana Logan Social work Bonners Ferry

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

www.sandpointreader.com Publisher: Ben Olson ben@sandpointreader.com Editor: Cameron Rasmusson cameron@sandpointreader.com Zach Hagadone (emeritus) John Reuter (emeritus) Contributing Artists: Ben Olson (cover), Contributing Writers: Cameron Rasmusson, Ben Olson, Louie de Palma, Tim Henney, Captain Bill Collier, Submit stories to: stories@sandpointreader.com Printed weekly at: Griffin Publishing Spokane, Wash.

Pastor Bob Evans Emerge ‘N See United Church of Christ Sagle “Veterans Day is good for the spirit of community; people march in parades and wave flags. But what about really helping veterans all year? We should organize to help clean up a veteran’s yard or with whatever he or she needs. Honoring them is good, but there are a lot of ways to honor them.”

Sandy Lee Cashier Cocolalla “Veterans Day is always a reminder of my son who spent nearly four years in Iraq and who passed away after three Hummer explosions, being shot and severe PTSD. Really, Veterans Day is truly understanding what ‘brothers in arms’ means and feeling blessed for all those who return home.”

READER

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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.

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Requirements: –No more than 500 words –Letters may not contain excessive profanity or libelous material. Please elevate the discussion.

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

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

About the Cover This week’s cover features an old recruitment poster by the United States Navy. Interested in drawing a cover for us in the future? Email ben@ sandpointreader.com to pitch us an idea. We’re always eager to feature the work of local artists.

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COMMENTARY Bordering on Complete Sanity:

By Sandy Compton Reader Columnist Once upon a time, my brother F.K. arranged a hike into a mountain lake, which several others fell victim to. Fishing King Compton would—and still will—do anything to catch a cutthroat; even walk miles uphill through user-unfriendly places. I’ve been to that lake many times since—that was my first—and I’m not saying there isn’t a trail. But there are places where you have to look for it.

We were extraordinarily hung over at the start. We found bed at 3 a.m. after a fine carouse celebrating brotherhood in downtown Sandpoint.

We left for the lake at six. We were 50 miles gone when we realized we had not a single knife between four of us.

The immediate question was, “How will we clean the fish?” I’ll let you guess who asked.

After stopping in search of a knife at one of those out-in-the-middleof-nowhere little concerns sometimes found on the way

Keep public lands public...

Dear Editor, As a college senior at the University of Idaho, the pressure to know what’s next is palpable.

Inevitably the dreaded question comes up: “What’s next after graduation?” Concerns over opportunity and quality of life ultimately dictate the decision we make when we decide should we stay or should we go?

Like most college students around the state, I have strong ties to Idaho. My Basque grandfather immigrated here when he was my age to escape an oppressive dictatorship. America delivered on its promise of opportunity, and my family has now lived here for three generations. My brother and I grew up in Idaho’s forests, rivers 4 /

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to mountain lakes—it was closed—we decided one could clean a fish with a P-38. This is not a fighter plane P-38, but a government-issued folding can opener about the size of an old-fashioned double-edged razor blade. But not nearly as sharp, we were to find out. I will spare you those details.

This is just to illustrate how ill-prepared we were.

In our company was a business acquaintance of F.K. from Nebraska—whose name I can’t remember—and F.K.’s crazy friend—whose name I will change to Bob. Bob was of such a nature that should a charging bull moose head his way, he would tarry to get a closer look. He treed bears, brought home any dead critter he came across and once took a live rattler home. I think that’s when his wife left.

F.K. assured us time and again that the lake was “just over that next rise,” which is how we mustered the determination to make our destination.

The P-38

Ripe huckleberries lined the trail, and the lake turned out to be as beautiful as it was distant from the trailhead, which is how our guide survived the trial. Plus, Nebraska hadn’t the energy to chuck rocks, Bob was having the time of his life turning over rocks and I was last in line.

I packed a camera, one I still miss in this digital age; a 35-millimeter Canon FTb with a selection of good lenses.

The kit and kaboodle weighed eight-and-a-half pounds, hence the term “packed.” It had a spring-loaded mechanical shutter. When it closed, the world shook. It was like, “Kaboom!”

While I made photos and F.K. caught trout, the business acquaintance slept on a rock in the sunshine and Bob turned over rocks.

After a couple hours, we went back down the trail to civilization, such as it is, inspired at just the right moment by the verbalized thought that somewhere out there was a supply of cold beer.

My favorite lens for the FTb was a 55 mm portrait lens with which I took a portrait of the lake

that day, hunkered at water’s edge between halves of a boulder separated by a fall centuries before. I framed the headwall behind the lake and its shimmering mirror image with bit of sky above and its reflection at the lower edge of the picture. The sky was blue. Beargrass grew down to the lake. White skeletal trees topped the headwall. And the future, in which I would sit in this place time and again, was formed as the boulder had been: split from the past by a single, earth-shaking event.

It may have been the shutter release.

and mountains and we have America’s commitment to keeping wild lands wild to thank for those experiences. This makes it especially disappointing to see some Idaho politicians continually pursue a state takeover of our public lands.

The proponents of this ill-conceived plan have promised us our access wouldn’t change but fail to mention the Idaho State Constitution mandates we manage our state lands to attain the greatest possible profit. We only need to look to Priest Lake to see the latest example of what will really happen: Our lands will be sold off. What will our access look like when this land is auctioned to private buyers? I’m not interested in rolling the dice only to discover an Idaho full of keep-out signs and fences.

My decision about where to build a future is based on Idaho’s legacy of public lands access.

Staying in this state is contingent upon my ability to access the public lands I love and many of my peers feel the same. Let’s spend our time and energy elsewhere and put this misguided plan to bed.

County jail for recurring drug offenses. One person is jailed now for a second violation of felony probation with a criminal record in both Bonner and Kootenai counties beginning in 2007 and two felony drug convictions (2011 and 2013).

After previous conviction, this person was sentenced to another rider—a period of time of confinement or treatment—failed to maintain the program rules and was returned to treatment for another four months. This person was released in December, fraudulently applied for and received food stamps and Medicaid, visited a local physician and was prescribed a substitute for heroin—a legal way to get high after several months of sobriety in a treatment program! This person reported for random drug testing—

Anne Zabala Sandpoint

Drug crisis...

Dear Editor, I am writing about the vicious drug crisis that continues in Bonner County.

There are several locals, under the age of 25, sitting in Bonner

Kaboom Tb 35mm

The Canon F

paid for by a grant—filling the heroin substitute prescription using Medicaid (even shooting the drugs intravenously) at local pharmacies where needles are available. Over the summer, this person used meth.

Now just months after release, this person failed to comply with probation and is jailed for those two felonies, again. Back to court, this person had one felony is reduced and is left to possibly, finally serve time for one reduced felony.

The system is failing miserably.

These drug addicts need to be treated as criminals and imprisoned.

Bonner County continues to allow these people to ruin the lives of their families, all at the cost of the tax payer.

Melinda Pelton Sandpoint

PERSPECTIVES

The ladies of the day: an encore

By Tim Henney Reader Columnist

My 1957 bride, Jacquelynn, and I once lived in Logan, Utah, a college town. The university president’s name was Kermit, like the famous frog. The president, however, was tall, thin and not very green. He was more industrialist than tree hugger. At a summer evening reception (college presidents thrive on receptions) his wife discreetly confided, “I love this town in summer. All the students are gone.” Similarly, we like Sandpoint better after Labor Day. All the tourists are gone.

We are grateful for the business and diversity tourists bring.

For the vibrancy they add to our economy. Without a flourishing downtown, ski mountain and beach we’d be just another place to drive past (how a flourishing Walmart changes a community is a different story). Fact is, hiking the City Beach path feels more comfy after Labor Day. Had the beach and park been jammed with vacationers on a recent post-season morning stroll, we would not have heard the insistent “Psssst!” as we passed Sandpoint’s beachfront Statue of Liberty. She was staring at us. “Psssst.” We approached. Someone had painted her green toenails purple. Probably Mandy in the Old Powerhouse. She paints toes for a living. Suddenly, to our astonishment, the lady of liberty held up a copy of the Reader.

It was open to a recent story about ladies who make Sandpoint tick.

Paraphrasing the movie “Field Of Dreams,” she whispered, “Write about more ladies of the day, and they will read.”

We asked if she might mean ancient Egypt’s Queen Nefertiti.

Antiquities experts have recently disclosed that Nefertiti, who went missing 3,300 years ago, might be buried in a chamber of King Tut’s tomb. “No, you losers,” she hissed.

“Get with the program!” Then she whispered names of local ladies of the day, all of whom we knew.

Ladies who adore their jobs, their customers, their lives. At least they seem to. We might be liberals, but we’re not unpatriotic. We obey the Statue of Liberty. We split.

First stop is Image Maker, downtown. Randi sees us coming and cranks up the machinery.

She punches the buttons needed to process our prints. She knows

that, left on my own, I’ll hit the wrong ones. Everything will hum in reverse. We thank her, pay up, and head over to see Anna, Dr. Zach Halversen’s nurse, at Family Health Center. After nearly six decades together, Jacquelynn claims to be having trouble hearing what I say. If true, it’s a pity. Think what she’s missing. Anna sticks a weird, doctor-type flushing device into my bride’s ears. Sure enough, crumbs of something dribble out.

Minced carrots? Nice. We had planned on a Mexican lunch but my appetite has vanished. We saunter through the adjoining Healing Garden.

This tranquil oasis of trees, flowers, fountains, rocks and pathways nourishes the soul. As we bask in the fragrant hush of a rose garden in bloom, a dense wall of adjacent foliage starts shaking and mumbling. It is scary, like the plant in “Little Shop Of Horrors” who kept demanding, “Feed me, Seymour.” Fearing for our lives, we turn to run. Then the bushes, like the sea, part. Instead of Moses it is our friend Martha, a volunteer with clippers and trowel in hand and dirt on her nose. The Healing Garden is bursting with happy surprises.

Appetite rebooted, we drive out to Fiesta Bonita on Kootenai Cutoff Road. With a twinkle in her eye and a cheery “Buenos Dias, Senora y Senor,” Sahara seats us.

Without our asking she brings my favorite beer. And ketchup for Jacquelynn. (Ketchup on everything is a habit my bride shared with the late Tricky Dick Nixon. I didn’t even share that with him).

Jacquelynn says, “Gracias” to Sahara, who says “De nada.” Not wanting to be excluded, I add, “El burro no es grande.” Having studied high school Spanish in 1947, I remember only “El burro no es grande.” On several visits to Spain, “El burro no es grande” has impressed hotel clerks, waiters, retailers and customs officials.

Also skilled in German, at a Heidelburg hotel in 1972 I astounded the young breakfast waiter with “Guten morgen.” Surprised that an Ugly American knew German, he started conversing rapidly. I panicked and held up my hands.

Then, for reasons I can’t imagine, I said “El burro no es grande!” I don’t remember what he brought, but it wasn’t breakfast.

During lunch Jacquelynn remembers she needs something

The lovely Library ladies, from left to right; Michelle Shorman, Teresa Sammartano, Library Director Ann Nichols, Susan Bates-Harbuck, and Amanda Ruff. to discourage nocturnal deer from munching on the catalpa tree. We drive to Ponderay Garden Center.

Our pal Summer works there. She is a naturalist and a botanist. Like all Sandpoint ladies of the day, Summer is a happy camper. We buy deer repellant from Summer. We also buy a clematis bush. That night my bride generously sprinkles repellant around the catalpa tree. The deer feast on the clematis bush.

It is 2:30 and our dogs, Copper and Tippy, have bath and toenail clipping appointments. Not to demean our clean, clear lake, but the dogs swim in it, have thick coats, and stink. When I hose them off at home they twist, moan, groan, shiver and shake. Same with toenails. They go ballistic. Not so at Pooch Parlor. Owner DuAnn hoists 65-pound Copper into the air and into the shower tub. She tells me to bend down and stare directly into Copper’s eyes. Seriously? I bend and stare. She snips his grizzly bear nails. She douses him with a soapy shower, a vigorous scrub, then a rinse. Finally, a noisy hot air blower. Not a peep. Copper stands like the City Beach statue. With furrowed brow, he stares into my eyes as I stare into his. Dog hypnosis? I might have made big bucks had I known I had the talent.

With damp, squeaky-clean dogs in the back seat, we stop

by Sandpoint Super Drug. My bride picks up a prescription from smiling Debbie at the pharmacy.

I annoy Donna, who is restocking the shelves and trying to ignore me. Debbie and Donna are two of many who make shopping at this family-owned, family-run, small town business a treat. My bride and I grew up with stores like this in Southern California. In Southern California, you say? You’re kidding! No, we aren’t. SoCal, as we say these days, was a special place back in the day. Way back. Before freeways, smog, Disneyland, big box stores, Dodger Stadium, shopping malls, supermarkets, lethal road rage. Before America moved there. More like Sandpoint is now. Gas stations, garages, stores and shops where people knew you and you knew them. Community.

Continuity. Congeniality. Gone with the wind.

Before heading home we return books to the library. Like the Panida and the lake, our library is

a gem. Upstairs, the Sunday New York Times. Downstairs, a cast so knowledgeable, so positive, so charming, someone should produce a musical about them. David, Gordon, Craig and other men are heavy hitters at the library. But this column is about ladies. We visit briefly with Ann, Michelle, Amanda, Teresa and Susan. Briefly because they are busy helping people. Really busy. They must be exhausted when they finally go home. Too bad for Susan. She chairs the Panida board and has a meeting tonight. Some years ago Susan was one of three “Panida Moms” who rallied the citizenry, raised money, and saved the theater from destruction. Imagine Sandpoint without the Panida!

Like applesauce without apples.

Like Batman without Robin. Like Sandpoint without our remarkable ladies of the day.

The Sandpoint Super Drug ladies of the day; Debbie Felland, left, and Donna Greenwood, right.

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NEWS What’s Happening Up North economic summit

By Kate McAlister Reader Contributor

If you attended the Economic Summit last week, you certainly walked away with a head full of facts and a positive outlook on how Bonner and Boundary counties are doing in the economic sphere.

Charles Manning, CEO of Kochava, kicked off the conference giving the technology neophytes among us an overview of Kochava product offerings. Manning succinctly stated, “We track how you respond to ads on your phone.”

The biggest ad tracking comes from games you play on your cellphone, like “Candy Crush.”

With 350,000 advertisers wanting your eyes on their products, Kochava’s product suite offers these major companies a way to achieve their goals. Manning hopes to have his employee base grow from 60 to 129 by the end of 2016.

Following Kochava we heard from the three invited economists—Steve Scranton of Washington Trust Bank gave the Northwest economic overview. He shared Idaho has a low unemployment rate at 4.2 percent compared to the U.S. at 5.1 percent, Washington State at 5.2 percent and Oregon at 6.2 percent. Idaho and other states are also experiencing slow wage growth due in part to companies paying more for employee benefits. From the worst case scenario for employment in 2009, when Idaho was the lowest, to strong growth to 2014, Idaho is doing well.

Scranton said a good sign of growth is to look at the building permits being issued in the area.

Bonner County is continuing to issue permits at a sustainable steady pace. Scranton’s parting advice is to “stay focused on your business and slow, steady growth.”

Megan Lawson of Headwater Economics, author of the “Bonner County: Idaho’s Resilient Economy” study, spoke about her findings during her research. Lawson started 6 /

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her work on Bonner County right after Coldwater Creek announced their bankruptcy with the thought this could be devastating to the area. To her surprise Bonner County has been able to maintain slow and steady growth since losing a major player like Coldwater.

North Idaho doesn’t conform to the model used for most areas our size. We keep growing and changing despite the odds being against us at times. Sandpoint is on pace with Bend, Ore. as a fast-paced innovative town.

To read Lawson’s full report go to www.headwaterseconomics.org, under the Reseach tab and Local Studies. This is an in-depth report highlighting our economy and comparing us to other small towns in the northwest.

The final economist, Sam Wolkenhauer of the Department of Labor, was certainly the most entertaining. Between calling Boomers “the plague” to apologizing for his generation, the Millennials, he stated, “The greatest weakness of our economy is human beings.”

With the Boomers retiring at an alarming rate communities are experiencing an influx of those 65 and over. Although this is not a bad thing overall, most retirees are not invested in their communities, demand more resources and do not add jobs. Retirees relocate for quality of life whereas Millennials leave or go to an area for economic reasons, spending at most three years at any given job. Retention is the key to the younger generation, which wants more free time, control over their working schedule and being thanked for a job well done. It’s definitely different from our grandparents working at the same company for 20 years and getting a gold watch.

The day continued with a variety of panelists speaking on topics ranging from broadband Internet to Schweitzer and the growing recreational industry.

Attendees also heard from Quest and the exciting growth happening in their company.

The day closed with Jeffrey Sayer, the outgoing Director of the Idaho Department of Commerce, telling us “Idaho is already doing all the right things.”

According to Sayer we need to focus on two things; capital and talent. Idaho doesn’t have a large tax base and we must bring in outside capital in order to grow.

Sayer stated, “You are creating the momentum here in the north, everyone who can make changes are in this room. Keep listening to existing businesses, this is your most powerful tool. Pay attention to what your businesses need.”

In regards to talent Sayer agreed with Wolkenhauer on the “silver tsunami.” Idaho cannot find enough talent to fill the jobs we currently have open in our state. With 109,000 new jobs projected in 10 years, Idaho won’t have enough qualified people to fill the need. Trends show 108,000 people moving here over the next 10 years.

Looks good on paper right?

Well, out of 108,000 people moving here, only 14,000 will be eligible to fill those 109,000 jobs. Everyone else will be over the age of 65. Idaho will be 95,000 people short of fueling our own economic growth.

Sayer said, “In the foreseeable future states are going to stop recruiting industry and start recruiting for talent.”

Idaho needs to start developing a talent pipeline in order to fill these jobs and we need to be prepared to go to battle for talent. We have to start looking at things differently and break out of the paradigm we are all used to adhering to. Sayer’s most important message to everyone in the room, we must invest in education or we will be behind.

With all of this information we are ready to grow and create our own path here in North Idaho. We’ve already shown we can’t be defeated time and time again. Are you ready? I am.

Schweitzer hopeful for November opening

A photo taken by Schweitzer Mountain Resort of the snowfall Wednesday.

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff If you’ve been eyeing Schweitzer snowfall reports lately, you’re not alone. Fortunately, signs are looking good for a November opening if favorable weather conditions persist.

According to resort marketing manager Dig Chrismer, a Wednesday snowfall added about three inches of snow to the mountain. That adds up to an approximate total of five

inches, with more expected in the coming days.

The real question is whether Schweitzer will be open the day after Thanksgiving, a target the resort has met the past several years. According to Chrismer, there’s no telling yet, but signs are positive. If projected snowfalls occur and temperatures are cold enough to deploy snow-making machines, residents may be hitting the slopes over the long holiday weekend.

Study finds bridge infrastructure in poor condition

Aging infrastructure could be putting rail shipping lines at risk for hazardous spills, according to a new study.

Out of 250 railway bridges examined in the study, 114 showed concerning signs degradation, including damaged foundations and rotting, loose or broken beams. These include the Trestle Creek crossing, which has several concrete supports showing deterioration, and another crossing Sand Creek near City Beach, which has a slumped

and cracked foundation.

The study was a joint project between Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper, Waterkeeper Alliance, ForestEthics and a national network of Waterkeeper organizations. LPOW director Shannon Williamson hopes the study will bring new attention to the safety of local waters. [CR]

Lions Club seeking donations for Toys for Tots

The Sandpoint Lions Club will be accepting applications for the annual Toys for Tots fundraiser.

The Lions said they will accept food and toys starting Monday, Nov. 16.

Members will be on hand at the Lions Den at 607 S. Ella St., Mondays, Wednesdays

and Fridays from Nov. 16 to December 18. Hours of operation will be 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for anyone who would like to show their support for this great annual program.

For more information, stop by the Lions Den, or call them at (208) 263-4118. [BO]

FEATURE

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff Editor’s note: This is the third article in a series on poverty in Bonner County. It was made possible in part by a grant from the Idaho Media Initiative of Boise State University. Learn more about IMI at http://sps. boisestate.edu/imi/ Just as poverty is a hidden problem in Bonner County, so too do the people and organizations that fight poverty operate behind the scenes. Families struggling from paycheck to paycheck may not know just how many resources are available to them.

“We know from experience the reason people aren’t being served is because they aren’t aware of the resources that are available,” said Becca Orchard, operations coordinator for Sandpoint Community Resource Center.

For our third poverty feature, we profiled several community organizations on the front lines of the war on poverty.

Sandpoint Community Resource Center When you’re in the middle of a crisis, knowing where to turn is sometimes as big an issue as emergency at hand.

That’s where the Sandpoint Community Resource Center comes in. Rather then provid-

Organizations that make the difference for low-income families ing services itself, operations coordinator Becca Orchard said the organization serves as an intermediary between people in need and the organizations or government services that can help them out.

“We consider ourselves a bridge between people who need and people who serve,” said Orchard.

Clients call in seeking direction on everything from housing assistance to home repairs to medical issues. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Good thing the center has put together an up-to-date directory, which allows people in need to find their own solutions.

The resource center is run entirely by volunteers, so its costs are relatively small. Private donations and grants cover the majority of its expenses. Orchard said the organization’s biggest need is probably manpower, and volunteers are always welcome.

To lend assistance or seek the center’s help, visit www.sandpointcommunityresource.com or call 920-1840.

Bonner Homeless Transitions It’s been a big year for Bonner Homeless Transitions. Previously known as Transitions In Progress Services, the organization is bearing a new name, but its commitment to families facing

A local resident fills her cart at the Bonner County Food Bank. Photo by Ben Olson. the threat of homelessness is the same as ever. “‘Transitions in Progress’ didn’t click with everyone right away, whereas ‘Bonner Homeless Transitions’ says it all,” said associate Ann Gehring.

For many county residents, eviction is an ever-present threat. Families or single women who find themselves homeless can look to Bonner Homeless Transitions and their transitional houses. The organization doesn’t stop at shelter, either. Members will assist with legal case management, job searches, service co-

Assistance to those who need it

By Jack Dyck Reader Contributor

Does your child need a winter coat? Does Mom need help with paying her power bill?

Where can I can go for shelter and a hot meal? Where can I go to seek help?

Are these questions you are asking yourself? There are answers. These are the types of questions our dedicated volunteers help with everyday.

We are Sandpoint Community Resource Center!

Sandpoint Community Resource Center (SCRC) is an

all-volunteer non-profit organization. We have the unique mission of coordinating with our local service community, volunteers and organizations as resource advocates for those we serve.

It is our goal to be a highly visible presence in the community so that everybody in need of services can call, email or stop by for to receive a friendly and knowledgeable response and referral.

Our mission is to actively engage in linking people with needed social services in Bonner and Boundary Coun-

ties. Our values are to inspire the community to help our neighbors. We believe that each individual is unique and of value. We embrace an informal and friendly atmosphere to build trust and openess. We are committed to making every effort to identify the resources available to help those in need.

If you or someone you know needs our help please contact us at 208-920-1840 or stop by our office. (list address and office hours) or go to our website at www.sandpointcommunityresource.com.

ordination, domestic violence and court advocacy, food, clothing, transportation and minor medical or household items as needed.

“Our goal is to alleviate crisis and help our clients move on to long-term sustainable permanent housing,” said program manager Tamie Martinsen.

The idea isn’t for people to rely on Bonner Homeless Transitions every time they need a bed.

Rather, the organization seeks to get clients out of a bad situation and put them back on the path to self-sustainability.

“I feel that in a vibrant community everyone has their needs met and no one should have to suffer homelessness, especially children,” Martinsen said. “Not everyone has family or friends that can support them through difficult times.”

Some of Bonner Homeless Transitions’ budget comes from donations and fundraisers. A great opportunity to support the organization is through its upcoming Christmas Tree Raffle, which runs until Dec. 5. The raffle winner will receive a beautiful, hand-painted Christmas tree right in time for the holidays.

Get your tickets at Kokanee Coffee, Di Luna’s, Eichardt’s, Eve’s Leaves or online at www. bonnerhomelesstransitions.org.

Sandpoint Area Seniors, Inc. Since seniors living on fixed incomes are among the area’s most financially vulnerable, it’s a good thing the community has Sanpoint Area Seniors, Inc. (SASi). Best known for operating the Sandpoint Senior Center, the organization also maintains an extensive roster of programs caring for the elderly.

“Some of [our seniors] don’t have family to help them through these later years,” said SASi director Ellen Weissman. “Some of them tend to isolate; we hope to provide them with activities they can feel a part of.”

Between community meals, special events and classes, the center is an essential staple for both services and community fostering.

Just as valuable is the organization’s home-delivered meal program, which provides more than 2,000 meals a month for residents unable to leave their homes. Finally, the DayBreak Center provides respite care for individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia, allowing their caregivers time to do other tasks or just unwind.

“I find the senior population needs special attention to the issues they face every day as they become

see POVERTY, page 8 November 12, 2015 / R / 7

POVERTY, con’t from page 7

Bouquets: •Congratulations to our friends over at Keokee / SandpointOnline.com for their 25th anniversary issue of the Sandpoint Magazine, which just released last week. I’m continually impressed by the substance and graphic appeal of the Sandpoint Magazine, and urge you all to run out and grab one free at over 200 locations around Bonner and Boundary Counties.

• A bouquet to Nieman’s Floral for their month of November Gratitude Campaign. Each week this month they are taking nominations of someone in our community who others wish to express their gratitude with a free bouquet of flowers.

Kudos to this business for directing their thoughts to ones of gratitude this month rather than hyping Christmas before Thanksgiving is here. Thank you for the lovely bouquet!

Submitted by Cynthia Mason.

Barbs: •Earlier this week, I watched a man attempt to cross the street on Pine and Boyer. It’s that awkward intersection where cars waiting at the light by Dub’s sometimes block the cross traffic. This pedestrian waited and waited for someone to stop and let him cross. It was raining and the early darkness presented a challenge for visibility. When a vehicle finally stopped, he began to cross, nearly getting run over by a car coming in the other lane who failed to stop. The pedestrian rolled along the side of the car and luckily jumped out of the way of the next car, which also drove by without stopping. I know it’s hard to see pedestrians in the early darkness, people, but when you see a car stopped in the other lane, chances are they are probably waiting for someone crossing the street. We’re not in that big of a hurry that we’d risk the life of a pedestrian so we can get home a minute earlier, are we?

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unable to handle their daily lives,” Weissman said. “It’s rewarding to know I am helping put a smile on their face or help them solve a problem they might have.”

While SASi receives government funding to keep the programs running, it runs a monthly $5,000 budget gap covered by donations, grants and other sources. To help out, call 265-8486.

Bonner Community Food Center Probably the largest and bestknown service provider for food assistance, Bonner Community Food Center has grown considerably in recent years. In 2011, the organization moved from its relatively small facility to a large building at 1707 Culvers Drive, enabling staff to better serve their 4,200 monthly clients.

The food bank is organized much like a grocery store, with clients able to browse and select items in a large market area. In addition to food assistance, the food bank manages the Backpack Program, which packs weekend meals for students with nothing to

Permeable pavers being installed at the Sandpoint Area Seniors, Inc. parking lot, while executive director Ellen Weissman looks on in the background. The SASi ribbon cutting for the new parking lot will take place Saturday, Nov. 14 at 11:30 a.m. Photo by Ben Olson. eat when not in school. Coats For Kids is another essential program for qualifying clients.

Volunteers and financial or food donations go a long way at the food bank. Give the organization a call at 263-3663 to learn how you can help.

Community Action Partnership Most of us northerners probably prefer to have four seasons, but the shifting weather brings its share of downsides, too. Not least among them are the rising utility costs that come with the winter season.

Community Action Partnership helps low-income families make up the difference. They have programs assisting in home weatherization, affordable home heating, food and

nutrition services and more.

Community engagement liaison Shirley Paulison has also organized classes and workshops helping people break the cycle of generational poverty. Other workshops put community leaders in a poverty simulation, forcing them to make the tough financial decisions low-income families deal with every day.

Check in with CAP representatives by calling 255-2910.

Faith-Based Organizations The Bonner County faith community takes on several assistance projects spread across dozens of church ministries. A recent and stunningly successful example was October’s Convoy of Hope, which brought together 1,000 volunteers across local churches and nonprofits to serve nearly 2,000 visitors. Even after food giveaways to families were complete, there was still nearly two tons leftover to spread across local food banks.

Food For Our Children It’s hard to believe that child hunger is a serious problem in America, but for many Bonner County kids, it’s a daily reality.

Local organization Food For Our Children estimates more than 2,000 children across the county do not receive adequate nutrition. Nonprofit members are teaming up with the food bank to curb a problem that can have far-reaching consequences.

“Because these children are hungry and not receiving adequate nutrition, they are at significant risk of not acquiring an education,” said board member Michele Murphree.

The organization relies on community donations, which go directly toward keeping regional children fed. To learn how you can help, email contact@ foodforourchildren.org or call 391-5277.

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

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“Sex, Death and Bowling” 7:30pm @ Panida Theater Funny, sweet and soulful, this film takes the audience on a journey to learn that the secret to life is loving what you have - even if it is just a split

Throwback Thursdays at the 219 Lounge 8pm - 11pm @ 219 Lounge Featuring live music with Brian Jacobs, $2 domestics and $3 crafts. Bring your instruments and join in playing in this informal open mic night setting

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Th 6p Ja fo se fo be

D 9 A Live Music w/ Flying Mammals Live Music w/ Harold’s IGA 5 5pm - 8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery 6pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall T Inland NW-based trio of brothers Local indie rock band with a great assortment to with earnest and melodic songs of fun covers and a variety of originals s Desse Live Music w/ Rylei Franks SARS Annual Ski Swap 11am 5pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery 9am - 2pm @ Bonner Co. Fairgrounds An acoustic solo act based out of central This is it! Kick off the ski season and find great Meet t Washington who has developed a unique deals on snow gear - from skis and snowboards millon Chard sound mixed with pop vocals, coun- to a huge variety of winter recreational equiptry-like lyrics, and rock n’ roll rhythms ment and clothing. Admission is $2/person or $5/ Tastin to the Live Music w/ PolyRhythmics family; free parking Fall Gear Swap 9pm @ The Hive SASi’s 40th Anniversary Instrumental imagery using complex 11:30am @ Sandpoint Senior Center 1pm - 4pm @ Sa rhythms and a unique precision is rede- SASi will bless the new parking lot The swap will b fining “funk.” Tickets $15 with champagne and lemonade pro- buyers and sell Live Music w/ Harold’s IGA vided for the toast! Munchies and a and almost any o 7pm @ La Rosa Club dance will follow at 1 p.m. with the Foster’s Crossin Listen to some great tunes in one SASi house band, Country Plus All day @ Foste of the coolest venues in town!

Get storewide 20 Super Smash Bros. Tournament Sandpoint Chess Club 3:30pm @ Evans Brothers Coffee 9am @ Evans Brothers Coffee Melee and Smash Bros. Wii U will be held, sing Meets every Sunday at 9am. All are welcome and doubles! Venue is free, $10 for each event Live Music w/ Us Two 5pm - 7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority

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

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

Teen Make It - 1pm @ Spt Library Maker Space for teens and young adults

Trivia Night 7pm - 9pm @ MickDuff’s Karaoke Night 9pm - Midnight @ 219 Lounge Bingo Night 6:30pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall Charley Packard & Friends 7:30pm @ Eichardt’s Pub

Climate Change activist speaks on radio 8am on 88.5FM KRFT Community Radio Gary Payton, a local climate change activist, w discuss 350.org, the Paris Climate Talks and l cal events connected to them

Jules Art On The Go 4pm - 7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Join Julie Ellis for a few hours of recycled art cr and make your own masterpiece from recycled pro

Five Minutes of Fame 6:30pm @ Cafe Bodega (inside Foster’s Crossing) Writers, musicians, listeners... all are welcome! Mee Wednesday of every month.

Friends of POBT Annual Meeting plus Sip & Shop Fundraiser 4pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery 10% of all proceeds will be donated to the FPOBT, featuring music by Marty Perron and Dou FSPW Party Thursday Nigh Monarch Open Mic 5pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall 5pm @ Laughin The Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness 6pm @ Monarch Mountain Rock 103 Thurs invade MickDuff’s Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St., Hosted by Scott Reid on the hosted by Tracy to celebrate 6,000 Friends And Counting! first and third Thursdays of nessee Titans at MickDuff’s will also have a keg of the famous every month Dollar Beers!

Goat Hop Ale on hand 8pm @ Eichardt

ful

November 12 - 19, 2015

A weekly entertainment guide to keep you on your toes. To list your event free, please send an email to calendar@sandpointreader.com.

The Conversation (with Janene Grende) 6pm - 8pm @ Ivano’s Ristorante Janene Grende has completed several paintings for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, been selected as the Ducks Unlimited artist of the year for Idaho, and her horse-inspired paintings have been shown at the American Academy of Equine

Reader recommended

Dollar Beers!

8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Panhandle Forest Collaborative Meeting 1pm - 4:30pm @ County Administration Building The Panhandle Forest Collaborative is a collaborative group that actively seeks to involve representatives from diverse perspectives, needs and expertise.

DJ night at the Niner w/ Josh Adams 9pm - 12am @ the 219 Computer Class – Word & Publisher 8:15am @ Sandpoint Library Annual Harvest Dinner Learn to create professional looking re5:30pm @ Hope Memorial Community Center sumes, brochures and newsletters using The menu includes roast turkey, mashed potaMicrosoft Word and Publisher. Preregisrtment toes and gravy, stuffing, green beans, cranberry tration required 263-6930 sauce, rolls with butter, and delicious dessert!

Dessert Wine Release Fall Hiker Fest and Trails Celebration 11am - 6pm @ Small House Winery 9am - 4pm @ Bonner County Admin Building t Meet the winemaker and try the Se- If you are a long distance hiker, local hiker looking for new destinations s millon Dessert wine along with the or an arm-chair adventurer who enjoys hearing about inspiring journeys, Chardonnay, Rosé, and Red Blend. this will be an exciting and fun filled day! Free and open to the public $5/ Tastings are $5, which are applied Gifts for the Holidays and Homemade Pie Sale to the purchase of wine 10am - 4pm @ Gardenia Center ear Swap Shop for gifts for the holidays plus there will be a homemade pie 4pm @ Sandpoint Rock Gym sale as part of this arts and crafts bazaar! Come one, come all! wap will be completely free for both Genealogy Workshop Live Music w/ Harold’s IGA and sellers, and outdoor clothing 1pm @ Sandpoint Library 9:30pm @ 219 Lounge most any outdoor gear is welcome No cost and no experience necessary. Indie rock for drunk people ’s Crossing 20% off sale Learn who is in your family tree y @ Foster’s Crossing “Chasing Shadows” ski film orewide 20% off at Foster’s Crossing Nov. 13 and 14!

7pm @ Panida Theater The annual Warren Miller ski film KRFY 88.5 Benefit Concert event sponsored by the Alpine Shop. held, singles 7:30pm @ Di Luna’s Cafe This year’s film is Warren Miller’s A KRFY 88.5 Community Radio Benefit Concert h event 66th snow sports film featuring Kathy Colton and The Reluctants. Known radio Live Music w/ Justin Lantrip for their ‘show no hesitation,’ Kathy Colton and the adio 5:30pm - 7:30pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Reluctants perform upbeat, powerful folk blues with ctivist, will sublime harmonies. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for opLive Music w/ Chris Lynch alks and lo- tional dinner (not included in ticket price). $10 6pm - 9pm @ Arlo’s Ristorante

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Moon Taxi and Miah Kohal Band Benefit Concert — 9pm @ The Hive Proceeds from the show will benefit the food bank; plus, for every can of food you bring to the concert, you will get a raffle ticket (up to 10 tickets)

Crossing) ome! Meets third

n and Doug Bond

sandpoint’s premier

day Night Football Party @ Laughing Dog Brewery 103 Thursday Night Football Party

by Tracy Bell - featuring the TenTitans at the Jacksonville Jaguars Beers! @ Eichardt’s Pub

Live Music w/ Head for the Hills & Trout Steak Revival 8pm @ Panida Theater Head for the Hills is a forward-thinking group of acoustic musicians drawing on eclectic influences, tastes and styles. Trout Steak Revival has earned a place in the mountain states bluegrass scene, winning the 2014 Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Competition. Tickets $16

UPCOMING EVENTS Nov. 21 - Sandpoint Reader Fundraiser show @ Panida Theater Nov. 21-29 - K&K Thanksgiving Fishing Derby Nov. 26 - Turkey Trot @ Traver’s Park

Find out why we’re a

A DOWNTOWN FAVORITE! and desserts Custom bakingas snowflakes! as unique me for your !

Come order so day holiday party to

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CEDAR ST. BRIDGE in Sandpoint, Idaho

Come see our fashion show at the Sandpoint Chamber's Empowering Women Conference on Nov 17th at Columbia Bank

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www.cedarstbistro.com November 12, 2015 /

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

Please put “PET PHOTOS” in the subject line.

-chloeThis is Chloe, our two-year-old adventure-loving Corgi.

She’s always up for anything: hiking, kayaking, fishing, just about anything outdoors.

She’s on the pontoon here soaking up the last bits of summer weather and taking in the fall colors at City Beach.

Susan Francis Sandpoint

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By Ben Olson Reader Staff For many outdoor enthusiasts who call North Idaho home, the annual Ski Swap sponsored by Schweitzer Alpine Racing School (SARS) is the kickoff to every winter season. A tradition that dates back more than three decades, the Ski Swap is set to kick off this weekend at the Bonner County Fairgrounds.

“I can remember when I was a kid in the early ‘80s,” said SARS Program Director and Head Coach Jamie Landwehr. “They used to have [the Ski Swap] in the Community Hall in Sandpoint.”

In the ‘90s, the amount of skiers attending the annual event forced SARS to move the location of the event to the Bonner County Fairgrounds, where it is still held today.

“The Fairgrounds is the perfect size for this event,” said Landwehr.

Landwehr estimates anywhere from 1,000 to 1,500 people attend the annual Ski Swap, generating an average of $15,000 for the nonprofit SARS to offset costs such as tuition and infrastructure of the program.

“The Ski Swap is the largest volume fundraiser, but we only net a portion of it,” said Landwehr, who said the annual dinner auction in February is the single biggest fundraiser for SARS. More than 150 local and regional athletes age five and up participate in the ski racing and freeriding programs that SARS has to offer. SARS also features 20 coaches through the winter season, and every member is required to do a certain number of volunteer days depending on how old their child is.

What kind of winter gear can you expect to find at the Ski Swap? In a word; everything.

Skis, snowboards, boots, poles, bindings, helmets, hats, goggles, gloves, jackets, pants, and socks are just a few of the thousands of items that are on sale at the fun event. You can outfit the entire family in one day, or you can purchase a much-needed single item to complete your winter gear.

“It’s a great place to get barely-used or never-used but two-year-old gear at a great price,” said Landwehr. “It’s also a great way for the community to take part in a pretty expensive sport at below-retail value.”

Besides the obvious reasons to attend, Landwehr said the Ski Swap is a chance to get caught up with community members

who share similar hobbies.

“There are people that we see once or twice a week all year long, just skiers, that you might not see in the off-season because they have different summer hobbies,” said Landwehr. “It creates an enthusiastic vibe.”

Schweitzer Mountain Resort will also be on hand at the Ski Swap for those of you who’d like to pick up or purchase a season pass.

Interested in selling your gear at the Ski Swap? Bring your items to the Bonner County Fairgrounds on Friday, Nov. 13 from 12-7 p.m. The consign-

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Il ment fees are 50 cents per item and 20 percent of the items sold.

It’s a great way to turn your old gear into cash. Patrons can pick up their check for items sold or unsold items on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Fairgrounds. Any items not picked up during that time will be donated to SARS or the

North Idaho Mountain Sports Education Fund.

Buyers, the fun happens Saturday, Nov. 14 from 9 a.m.2 p.m. at the Bonner County Fairgrounds. Admission is $2 per person, or $5 per family, with free parking. Cash, Visa, Mastercard and Discover credit cards are all gladly accepted.

Sports consignment store opens in Sandpoint

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

Don’t you wish the Ski Swap lasted year-round? Well, there’s a new sporting goods consignment shop opening in downtown Sandpoint that might make that wish a reality.

Storm Sports is set to open Thursday, Nov. 12 at 100 Cedar Street, suite B (right next to the Cedar Street Bridge).

Owner Laurie Miller hopes to cater to those hardy Sandpointers who love gear and outdoor sports, but may not be financially able to purchase new items off the shelf. Storm Sports will feature a mix of new and used gear sold on consignment. The stock will rotate with the seasons, focusing on snow sports like skiing and snowboarding for their opening.

“The ski industry is so fun,” said Miller. “I like getting people set up and into skiing at a reasonable price.”

Miller recently sold a similar sporting goods consignment shop in Jackson, Wyo. and made the move to Sandpoint because she found herself cap-

tivated by the town.

“I’ve been coming here off and on for years,” she said. “It’s the perfect combination of lake and mountains here. I was looking for somewhere smaller than Jackson. You really have to be quite wealthy to live there now.”

She found more of a sense of community here in Sandpoint, Miller said, and that helped her make the decision to open Storm Sports.

“The people are really friendly here,” she said. “After operating my shop in Jackson, I wasn’t quite ready to retire.”

Miller’s history with skiing goes almost back to birth. Her father was a ski instructor, so he started her down the mountain when she was just two years old.

“You don’t know any different when you’re raised on skis,” she said. “I loved it.”

Before operating her Jackson consignment store, Miller worked as a sales representative and distributor for several different ski companies. Using her extensive knowledge of skis and fitting guidelines,

Miller can help customers find the gear that fits them the best.

For those interested in selling their gear through Storm Sports, Miller is always interested in taking a look at what you’ve got. She’s eager to take in any and all types of gear, and will assess them on a per-item basis. To start with, Miller will accept consignment items Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment.

“What I’m really needing the most of now is kids’ ski gear,” she said.

Items that have been for sale over 30 days in the store will be discounted 10 percent, while items still remaining after 60 days will be reduced 20 percent from the marked price. Miller

said it’s a fun way to rotate stock, while passing on the savings to the customers.

Customers are given an option between accepting a check for sold goods, store credit, or a combination of the two. Those who choose store credit will be given a slight bonus to encourage further spending in the store.

Miller plans a soft opening of Storm Sports on Thursday, Nov. 12. Her normal business hours are listed as Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., with expanded hours scheduled for when ski season really picks up. For any questions or for more information, call Laurie Miller at 208-263-4827.

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VETERANS’ AFFAIRS

on being a Veteran

By Cpt. Bill Collier Reader Contributor V-J Day was my second birthday. World War II had ended. The evil Japanese Empire, Italian Fascists and German Nazis were defeated.

Every Fourth of July, Flag Day (now Memorial Day) and Veterans Day, huge parades with booming bass drums honored all the veterans as they marched down Broadway, the wide main street in the small town of Sonoma, Calif., where I grew up. To me every GI who served was a hero, regardless of what he did to support the war effort.

My father served in the Naval Reserve at the tail end of the war, and my big brother, Cal, had done his tour in the cold war Air Force. I wanted to serve my country, too. In 1964 I was recruited to become a helicopter pilot for the USMC. In 1965, as I neared the end of my Navy flight training in Pensacola, the Vietnam War officially began. “Great,” we all thought. “We are going to have our own war and be heroes like our fathers!”

We all know how that worked out as the anti-war sentiment turned our welcome home into a fiasco. For many, PTSD and Agent Orange have turned our welcome home into a nightmare. Twenty two veterans commit suicide every day, most of them Vietnam vets.

We may not have had much welcome from our fellow Americans, but we all bonded with each other. To me the greatest thing about serving was my fellow GI. Not just Marines, but anybody who served in any capacity in any service. Each of us gave the blank check for our lives to the government for a specific period. In return, we shared experiences that made us laugh, cry and cringe. All another veteran has to say is where he served, and I have a pretty good idea of what he went through.

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Vietnam veteran Bill Collier poses in his derelict H-34 helicopter, the same model he flew in the war – and the subject of his new book. Photo by Carla Keefer.

Perhaps that is why when we get together and tell stories, we focus on the fun times, the good times. We do not want to stir up the bad memories.

My best friends to this day are the fellows I served with in Vietnam. When I married for the second time in 2003 my best man was my good friend and fellow Marine helicopter pilot, Lt. Col. James Barr. Even though he lives near Dallas, Texas, we still get together frequently. We end our phone calls with, “I love you.”

I am a member of almost every veteran’s organization in town. We help veterans in need. We provide firewood to veterans; help them with car repairs, propane gas refills, grocery money, septic tank servicing and a myriad of other support. We even bought a good used car for one female veteran

whose car had died and risked losing her job if she could not commute to work. We have garage sales and other events to raise money to further these causes. If you would like to donate to an organization that has zero overhead and spends your money close to home, please consider contributing to one of the local veterans groups.

Every year our local Marine Corps League Detachment #1110 celebrates the birthday of the Marine Corps by having a luncheon. This year it is happening 12 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 at Tango restaurant.

All Marines and members of all other services are invited, too. If you have not already made reservations, Please call League coordinator Hal Covill at (406) 847-1975. so we can inform the caterer. Cost is $25.

Any profit we make goes into

the kitty to help veterans in need. Call today to be included.

Cpt. Bill Collier has written a book about his experience as a Marine Corps helicopter pilot in Vietnam. “The Adventures of a Helicopter Pilot: Flying the H-34 in Vietnam for the USMC.” It is available at local bookstores, Fiddlin’ Red’s music store on Church Street and Sandpoint Super Drug. Order online at amazon.com.

Right: A photo of Cpt. Bill Collier during his service. He said, “After I had been ‘in country’ for a few weeks, the squadron had an award ceremony. I was awarded my first air medal. I was to earn 22 more.”

STAGE & SCREEN

For this special Veterans Day issue, Cameron and Ben chose two of their favorite war films...

Ben’s Picks:

Cameron’s Picks: “Letters From Iwo Jima”

“John Adams”

“Glory”

“Apocalypse Now”

In 2006, director Clint Eastwood released two movies covering the Battle of Iwo Jima, one of the most famous clashes in the World War II Pacific Theater. “Flags of our Fathers,” told the American side of the story and is a very good film. “Letters From Iwo Jima,” by contrast, is one of the greatest war films ever made.

Its portrayal of doomed Japanese soldiers struggling between nationalistic duty and the fundamental desire to live finds remarkable emotional depth. The film is a reminder that even in just wars, the toll in human suffering is universal.

I’m cheating a little bit with this one, as the “John Adams” HBO miniseries isn’t a war story in the strictest sense (for more straight-forward picks, you can’t beat HBO’s “Band of Brothers” and “The Pacific”). But there are dozens of great movies and shows about World War II and very few about the American Revolutionary War. “John Adams” is one of the best selections, capturing the war’s despairing lows and dizzying highs as experienced by one of our most eccentric and brilliant founding fathers. Terrific performances by Paul Giamatti and the supporting cast are just the icing on the cake.

There are a handful of really great films about the Civil War, but one of my favorites has always been “Glory” directed by Edward Zwick. Released in 1989, “Glory” tells the story of the first formal unit of the Union Army that was made up entirely of African-American soldiers. The film was based on the letters of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, the white commanding officer of the unit, as well as the novel “One Gallant Rush” by Peter Burchard. “Glory” was also nominated for five Oscars, and won three, including Denzel Washington for Best Supporting Actor.

The seminal black sheep film of the Vietnam War, Francis Ford Coppola’s dark masterpiece “Apocalypse Now” will always haunt and fascinate me. Ford tells the story of Captain Willard (played by Martin Sheen) on a secret mission to assassinate a renegade Colonel Kurtz who has gone native (played by Marlon Brando).

The story is a re-imagining of Joseph Conrad’s novel “Heart of Darkness.”

For a peek at the many problems the cast and crew endured while filming, check out the documentary “Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse,” which tells the stories of Brando arriving on set overweight and completely unprepared, expensive sets destroyed by severe weather and Martin Sheen having a breakdown and nearly suffering a fatal heart attack (plus it’s inferred that he ate an unhealthy quantity of LSD on set).

Nov. 12 & 13 @ 7:30pm - Nov 15 @ 3:30pm

“Sex, death and bowling” film Saturday, Nov. 14 @ 1:30pm

“Max” film

Saturday, Nov. 14 @ 7pm

warren miller’s “Chasing shadows” the 66th snow sports film from Warren Miller

Wednesday, Nov. 18 @ 8pm head for the hills and trout steak revival two great bluegrass / americana bands in one night!

FRIday, Nov. 20 @ 7pm with Rob Verdi

saxsational concert Celebrate the Panida's birthday in style!

Special guests Sandpoint High School Jazz Band members

Saturday, Nov. 21 @ 7:30pm

Sandpoint Reader fundraiser support your favorite alt-weekly with four great bands mama doll, harold’s iga, josh hedlund and charley packard

Saturday, Nov. 28 @ 7:30pm

Shook twins “home for the holidays” Katelyn and Laurie shook come home for the holidays, with special guests November 12, 2015 /

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FOOD

The Sandpoint Eater Helga’s last hurrah

By Marcia Pilgeram Reader Staff For the past six or eight months, I’d tried to plan an annual sojourn to the Davenport Hotel with longtime Missoula friends, Lynda and Helga.

Sadly, each trip was postponed due to Helga’s recurring health issues. Near August’s end, Lynda phoned with news and a request. It seemed that Helga’s health would find no recovery, and so, faced with endless pills and painful treatments, she decided to forego any further medical intervention. With limited time in her future, Helga advised Lynda that she’d love a trip to Sandpoint and a final week-end in my home.

Saddened by the news and honored by the request, I began planning. It would be Helga’s last hurrah.

There were no dietary restrictions for Helga, reported Lynda, only a much-diminished appetite. Seafood was a favorite of Helga’s, and wanting her to experience every lovely taste from the sea, I carefully planned a menu for their second night in Sandpoint, selecting Cioppino as the main course and a rich, silky chocolate pots de crème as our finish.

I readied the house and made up the master suite for Helga so she’d have no stairs to climb.

I polished my best stemware and shopped for plump martini olives. Emotions ran the full gamut. I was excited and nervous and sad (talk about a going-away party!). I was relieved upon their arrival to find Helga looking as radiant 16 /

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as ever, and after a short rest she was ready to hit the town for cocktails and dinner. As we lingered over our wine, I was taken aback just a bit when Helga asked for my input regarding her imminent funeral, or really her “Celebration of Life.”

Throughout my life I have been called upon to offer advice and expertise for most things party and event-related. So while it shouldn’t have been a complete surprise, I was not prepared for this query. “Hmm, let me think about that for a bit, Helga,” was my pensive response.

Saturday morning I prepared a breakfast of scones, eggs and bacon for the ladies, and after watching Helga polish off six pieces of bacon, I had to tease her, “Just how many pieces could you eat before you lost your appetite?”

We took a lovely drive by

favorite old haunts, did a bit of shopping and finally settled into a comfortable spot at the Pend Oreille Winery. As the wine flowed, so too did the inspiration for Helga’s pending event. The music, the program and even floral arrangements were discussed in detail. Feeling satisfied and accomplished, she was ready to head home and rest before our dinner party.

We each had a role in the ritual of the dinner party. As I cooked, Lynda set a magnificent table and, as always, Helga held court, occasionally sharing warmth and wisdom but typically claiming victory over a much-heated debate.

Maybe it was the hardships she endured in Berlin that drove her—Helga was disciplined (nearly to a fault), opinionated and pretty darn feisty. She was a retired German professor and

Cioppino

translator and a lover of culture and the finer things, especially language arts, music, flowers, food and wine. Helga had a soft side too, and took me aside in private to make certain, once she was gone, that I would look after her best friend, Lynda.

Our table was beautiful, complemented with a striking bouquet of burnt-orange roses. Lynda lit the candles, and I opened my most prized bottle of wine to breathe. I stirred an icy pitcher of martinis and we toasted a friendship that has endured life’s blessings, surprises and challenges.

Then, we sat at the table to share the pot of Cioppino. We shared every sip of the rich, red broth and every morsel of goodness from the sea: shrimp, mussels, clams, baby scallops, salmon and halibut brought satisfied nods.

We savored the wine and the friendship. We did not raise our glasses for recovery but for love, comfort and peace-filled days.

Last week, as the end of autumn’s leaves fell to the ground, I drove to Missoula

to assist Lynda with the final details of Helga’s celebration.

“Don’t go cheap on the paper,” I had insisted, only six weeks earlier. And she hadn’t. The program, on heavy card stock was filled with epitaphs of a life well lived. As we’d also discussed, the take-away gift of a CD (with program-matching cover design) included Helga’s favorite music, with selections in four languages, and in her richly accented voice were poems she had carefully recorded for us in English and German. The CD also included a poignant farewell message from Helga, and finally to no one’s great surprise, the final selection: Frank Sinatra’s “I Did It My Way.” It only seemed fitting to come home, pour some wine and while listening to Helga’s Way, prepare another batch of Cioppino. Abschied von Fräulein.

You’ll want to serve lots of crusty bread with this fish stew.

open. Add 1 cup of the tomato mixture and simmer for 5 minutes. Transfer the contents of the skillet to the saucepan with the remaining tomato mixture and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.

3. Ladle into soup bowls. Sprinkle with fresh basil, garnish with the fennel fronds, and serve immediately with lots of crusty French bread.

Serves 4-6

INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS:

•4 tablespoons olive oil •¼ cup chopped fennel •3 tablespoons chopped yellow onions •3 tablespoons minced shallots •3 garlic cloves, minced •¼ cup dry white wine •1 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes •2 tablespoons minced parsley •1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes •1 cup bottled clam juice •1 cup water •salt & freshly ground black pepper •½ cup unsalted butter •8 ounces mussels •8 ounces littleneck clams •8 ounces fish fillets, cut into chunks (combination of halibut, cod, or salmon) •4 ounces large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on (21 to 30 per pound) •4 ounces baby scallops •2 tablespoons minced fresh basil •Fennel fronds

1. In a large, heavy saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the chopped fennel, onion, shallots, and garlic and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, until soft. Stir in the wine, then the tomatoes, parsley, red pepper flakes, clam juice, and water.

Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat, then decrease the heat to low and simmer for an hour. Add the butter and stir to melt, then remove from heat.

2. In a large cast iron skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat and toss in the mussels and clams. Cook for 4 minutes.

As the mussels and clams begin to open, add the fish, scallops and shrimp, season with salt and pepper. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, until the shrimp turn pink.

Discard any mussels or clams that don’t

MUSIC

The music of the mountains

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

There’s just something about living surrounded by mountains.

Missing are the crowds of people, the traffic, litter and noise of big cities. Also, the music just plain kicks ass.

Whether you call it bluegrass, Americana or jam grass, when you take a few guitars, banjos, mandolins and standup basses played by those who call the mountains home, the music will always remind us of that lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle.

Eager to get in touch with your own bluegrass soul? Two fantastic bluegrass bands will be playing a duel headline show at the Panida Theater.

Head for the Hills and Trout Steak Revival are combining forces on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 8 p.m.

People have been trying to classify the music of Head for the Hills, but all labels fall short. They’ve been called everything from post-bluegrass to progressive string music, to acoustic noir. One thing’s for sure: They know how to put on a good show.

For Adam Kinghorn, Joe Lessard, Matt Loewen, Sam Parks and honorary member James Thomas, bluegrass wasn’t the music they had grown up with, but a style they came to later in life. Their musical influences are based in indie, rock, jazz, hip hop, world and folk.

“None of us had been a member of one of those families where they took you to a bluegrass festival and immersed you,” said bass player Matt Loewen. “We came to bluegrass later through another avenue. All of our musical tastes are pretty eclectic.”

Hailing from Fort Collins, Colo.—the state that has become the new Mecca of modern bluegrass—the band has steadily been winning accolades from their fans and critics. The Missoula Indepen-

Two great bluegrass bands appearing at the Panida Theater

dent said this: “Head for the Hills have created a sound that is at once organic and precise, timeless and brand-new.”

For Loewen, just being in the mountains is what has inspired him, and that has helped Colorado solidify its place in the bluegrass scene.

“There is something with the mountains and bluegrass and the other surrounding Head For the Hills (above) will share the bill with Trout Steak Revival (below) at the Panida. genres with primarily acoustic instruments,” he said. “People like to be outside here in Colorado, and you can play acoustic instruments outside.”

The quartet recently released their third studio album, “Blue Ruin,” which has received a lot of positive praise.

Head for the Hills has been named “Best of Colorado” bluegrass for four consecutive with that, it pushed us over the music later in life. years via Westword Music tipping point of becoming a “With the exception of Showcase out of Denver. full-time touring band.”

Bevin, we all played guitar They even partnered with Before the Telluride honwhen we started playing in the Fort Collins brewery Odell to ors, the five members of Trout band,” said Foltz. “We weren’t create their very own beer.

Steak Revival all held down the band that got together with “Odell has a cool pilot “day jobs.” fifteen years of experience at brew program where they can “Being in an up-and-coming music school. Our strengths produce these small runs of weren’t playing those traditiondifferent kinds of creative beers band, even if you work real hard, doesn’t pay that great,” al songs with metered improwith people in the community,” explained Foltz. vised breaks. It wasn’t where said Loewen. “It was a pretty Trout Steak’s latest album, our hearts were. We’ve all had cool process.”

“Brighter Every Day,” was more interest in folk and songHeadlining with Head for recorded last spring and has writing backgrounds.” the Hills is another Colorabeen a solid base of work to To catch both acts, head to do-based band, Trout Steak Retour in support of, though Foltz the Panida Theater on Wednesvival. The five-piece band has said they’re already itching to day, Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. Tickets been well-known for writing get into the studio again for the are $15 each, and can be purheartfelt songs, interweaving next one. Foltz also said all five chased ahead of time at Eichtight instrumentation and harardt’s Pub and Eve’s Leaves, monies, and generally having a member contribute to the songwriting in Trout Steak. along with www.panida.org. blast while doing it.

“We all bring differ“We’ve played with Head ent songs to the group for the Hills before,” said and the skeleton of mandolin player Steve Foltz. the song generally “We’re really trying to reach is brought to the out and play with as many group,” he said. different bands as we can, es“Five singers, five pecially bands we respect a lot songwriters. It’s a like Head for the Hills.” real team-oriented Trout Steak Revival is process.” coming off a couple of big Similar to Head for years. Last year, they won first place at the Telluride Bluegrass the Hills, Foltz said none of Trout Steak’s Festival Band Competition, a members were raised coveted award.

“It was a great boost for our in a bluegrass family, but found the style of exposure,” said Foltz. “Along

Crossword Solution

This week’s RLW by Cameron Rasmusson

READ

Not long ago we honored the memory and victims of the Sept. 11 attacks.

I used the occasion to read “The Looming Tower,” Lawrence Wright’s Pulitzer-prize winning investigation into the formation of Al Qaeda and the events leading up to the attacks.

Wright’s tireless r e p o r t i n g and incisive writing not only captures a half-century of history. It also provides insights into the personalities of those who perpetrated the attacks—and those who tried to prevent them.

LISTEN

Speaking of history, I’m going to break from my usual music recommendations and urge you to check out Dan Carlin’s “Hardcore History” podcast.

Exhaustively researched, the program covers topics ranging from the Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage to the eastern front of World War II. Carlin’s eye for detail and ability to put you in the shoes of historical figures makes the podcast truly shine.

WATCH

I spent a recent weekend digging into award-bait movies I’d missed over recent years.

My favorite of the bunch was “Her,” a 2013 film written and directed by Spike Jonze and one of the best movies about relationships I’ve seen.

That’s especially impressive considering one half of the central duo is an intelligent computer operating system. “Her” becomes more human by challenging the very definition of humanity.

November 12, 2015 /

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w o N & Then compiled by

Ben Olson

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

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

Looking west down Main Street in Sandpoint. This was an old postcard with a postmark of 1916. City Hall with its cupola is on the right. The Central Pharmacy is on the left. The barbershop on the left is still there.

c.1910

Copyright www.mirroreyes.com

CROSSWORD ACROSS

The same view today. The City Hall building on the left is now home to the Sandpoint Music Conservatory. The cupola on the old City Hall is gone.

2015

recondite

/REK-uhn-dahyt/

[adjective] 1. Dealing with very profound, difficult, or abstruse subject matter; a recondite treatise.

“The recondite subject made his head explode; KABLAM.”

Woorf tdhe Week

Corrections: I spelled “ensemble” wrong in Read, Listen Watch last week, and there were a few other minor grammatical errors. Nothing to write home to mom about, though. Thanks to our volunteer proof readers!

18 /

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1. Conscious 6. Grumble 10. Indian music 14. Type of rubber 15. Curved molding 16. Distinctive flair 17. Fondle 18. Nil 19. Carryall 20. Esteem 22. Portent 23. Identical or fraternal 24. Maximum 26. Largest continent 30. Autonomic nervous system 31. Not bottom 32. Take it easy 33. Tracks 35. Relating to a fetus 39. Overture 66. Cocoyam 41. Killer wave 67. Boor 43. Genders 68. Overact 44. Leave in a hurry 69. Adolescent 46. Shut 70. Being 47. Precious stone 71. Regenerate 49. Consumed food DOWN 50. Reflected sound 51. Whim 1. Aquatic plant 54. Attraction 2. A division of a hospital 56. Adjoin 3. “Smallest” particle 57. Never-ceasing 4. Yachting cap 63. 53 in Roman numerals 5. Put forth, as effort 64. Gait faster than a walk 6. Keeps going 65. Ritual 7. Opposed

8. Start over 9. Goober 10. Remunerate 11. San Antonio fort 12. Oxygen and helium, for example 13. Concerning (archaic) 21. Honor 25. Curdled soybean milk 26. Austrian peaks 27. Achy 28. Holly 29. Claim 34. Figurine 36. After-bath powder

Solution on page 17 37. Nursemaid 38. Large luxurious car 40. End ___ 42. Strict 45. Emotionally hardened 48. An evergreen shrub 51. Hotel employee 52. Put up with 53. Direct the course 55. Aromatic solvent 58. God of love 59. Disabled 60. Black, in poetry 61. Location 62. Goulash

When the tire blew out on Gary’s car, he and Bob got out and fixed it.

But they had only driven a few miles when another tire blew out. “Well, I guess I’m the blowout king,” said Gary. Bob tried to smile, but it was hard. He had always thought of himself as the blowout king.

r o f r a e g r o Outdo s e r u t n e v d a all your Please help us increase community mental health services in Bonner County!

oking for: We are lo•Additional mental health professionals

Taking winteernts Cos-nWseidgsn-Tmhurs 10amt-m5pemnt Tue

•Additional funding - any amount appreciated •Volunteers with experience in building websites, data collection, marketing, fundraising, publicity

in or by appo

North Idaho Crisis

Tues - Sat 9am - 6pm

208-263-4827

100 B. Cedar Street (next to the Cedar Street Bridge) Downtown sandpoint

READER

Facilitated by NAMI Far North in cooperation with Bonners Partners in Care Clinic and the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force

NorthIdahoCrisis@gmail.com — 290-6161 Show your support for the Sandpoint Reader!

Four great performances in one night!

All proceeds go to the musicians and the Reader!

Saturday, November 21, 2015 @ 7pm Panida Theater $10 in advance $12 at door

Mama Doll Harold’s IGA Josh Hedlund Charley Packard for more information, call 265-9724 November 12, 2015 /

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