Riverjournal nov2016

Because there’s more to life than bad news

A Newsmagazine Worth Wading Through

Fall has Arrived...

What Will

Winter Bring?

November 2016 • FREE

Hey there, Delilah!

Delilah Rey Gannon born 3 October 2016 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to Alexis Ward and Dustin Gannon

Annual Harvest Dinner

Making a New Friend is Easy

at Hope’s Memorial Community Center

Nov. 11 • 5:30 pm

Appetizers, No host bar. , bucket raffle. Traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings. $25 and please bring nonperishable food items to support the Christmas Giving Food Drive.

Welcome!

208.264.5481

Give Us a Try Before You Buy!

Internet....

Everywhere

Need reliable, high-speed Internet service? Call for a free site survey today! Intermax serves many areas of Bonner County from Dover to Hope as well as locations throughout Kootenai County.

208.762.8065 in Coeur d’Alene ALPINE MOTOR CO. • 476749 Highway 95, Ponderay

Sales: 208.946.5282 Service: 208.946.5286 www.AlpineMotors.net

208.265.3533 in Sandpoint

www.IntermaxNetworks.com

Adopt One Today 870 Kootenai Cut-off in Ponderay

208.265.PAWS PASIdaho.org

Write in TERRY FORD for Bonner County Sheriff!

• Leadership with integrity, professionalism & sound ethics • 35 years experience in law enforcement in North Idaho • Your vote counts! On the ballot, completely fill in the box and write “Terry Ford” on the line

You DO Have a Choice!

TERRY FORD www.fordforsheriff.com

The People’s Sheriff!

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Terry Ford for Sheriff, Nancy Piatt, Treasurer

All Seasons Garden & Floral

31831 Hwy 200 Sandpoint

208.265.2944

Open Daily Monday-Saturday 9 to 5

Home for the Holidays FRESH flower bouquets delivered near and far.

Don’t miss our gift shop sale.

Something for everyone!

www.FinanMcDonald.com • 301 N. First, Sandpoint • 263.3622 The WINTER ACTIVITY BOOKLET is available now at the City Rec office, the Sandpoint Library or online.

$10 Lift Tickets to Twilight Ski. Purchase at

Dairy Depot, Larsons or Yokes. With ticket, get $15 ski/ snowboard rental. Must show ticket and ask for discount.

Parents must sign waiver, available at City Rec office.

TURKEY TROT 9 AM on Nov. 24. See ad next page 1123 Lake St. in Sandpoint

208-263-3613

www.SandpointIdaho.gov Scholarships available.

Upcoming dates to remember: Nov. 13-Mar 12 - Basketball Open Gym at SHS on Sundays. Grades 3-12 3-4:30 (free), adults 4:30 to 6 with $2 player fee.

Dec. 2 - Registration deadline for Men’s Basketball Dec. 9 - Registration deadline Co-ed Volleyball Booklet cover art by Kami Blood

Great Gifts up to HALF OFF thru the Holidays!

Sayer’s Jewelers Annual Customer Appreciation Sale

Begins the day after Thanksgiving with special pricing throughout the store. Up to 50% off!

And always

Custom design and repairs by Karl & Jason Special Pricing on Monthly Birthstones

WE SET THE STANDARD View or download our weekly sale ad at

Super1Foods.net

SAVE MORE every week with our mobile app! just text

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Sayers Jewelers, inside the Bonner Mall in Ponderay. Open 7 days a week.

208.263.0010

Don’t Miss the 9th Annual

At 9 am Thanksgiving morning next to the Travers Park tennis courts.

Presented by Sandpoint West Athletic Club and Sandpoint Parks and Recreation Department, this low key, untimed event features a 5K, 10K or whatever distance you want to run or walk (no bikes please).

This fun run is free with your donation to the Bonner Community Food Bank . Arrive early to sign a waiver and drop off your food donation.

In Sandpoint at 624 Larch St.

208.255.2417

In Bonners Ferry at 6452 Main Page

208.267.4000

November 2016

THE RIVER JOURNAL

A News Magazine Worth Wading Through

• November 2016 •

~just going with the flow~ P.O. Box 2656 Sandpoint, ID 83864 www.Facebook.com/RiverJournal (Webpage under redesign) 208.255.6957 • 208.266.1112 RiverJournalIdaho@gmail.com

STAFF Calm Center of Tranquility Trish Gannon • trishgannon@gmail.com

Ministry of Truth & Propaganda

Jody Forest • reach him in the great beyond

Sales & Other Stuff

David Broughton• 208.290.6577 • davidcbroughton@gmail.com

“We are what we repeatedly do.

Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Aristotle Proudly printed at Griffin Publishing in Spokane, Wash.

509.534.3625 Contents of the River Journal are copyright 2016. Reproduction of any material, including original artwork and advertising, is prohibited. The River Journal is published the first week of each month and is distributed in over 16 communities in Sanders County, Montana, and Bonner, Boundary and Kootenai counties in Idaho.

The River Journal is printed on 40 percent recycled paper with soy-based ink. We appreciate your efforts to recycle.

6. LA NINA: A FICKLE LADY THIS YEAR. Will she or won’t she? Uncertainty over La Nina means uncertainty about our snow show this winter.

TRISH GANNON 8. KEEPING OUR KIDS ALIVE. Community responds to teenage suicides. - Trish Gannon 10. THE LURKING THREAT IN THE INTERNET OF THINGS. There’s not much you can do, but please change your username and password. - Trish Gannon 11. PUT YOUR GARDEN TO BED. It’s time to end this growing season and get ready for the next. And the River Journal can help you do it in more ways than one! NANCY HASTINGS - GET GROWING 12. HOW ‘BOUT COMPTON FOR PRESIDENT? If he hasn’t alienated you in the first few paragraphs, Sandy would like your vote. SANDY COMPTON - THE SCENIC ROUTE

13. IN HOPE. A series of competent and caring women point the way to

our future. GARY PAYTON - GARY’S FAITH WALK

14. MY PERFECT WORLD. The search is on for a Parkinson’s biomarker. A.C. WOOLNOUGH - ALL SHOOK UP 16. COME BACK TO THE MIDDLE. Gil argues much of the GOP has gone too far to the right. GIL BEYER - IN THE MIDDLE 16. LET COACHES COACH. As a referee, what David has seen way too often is the propensity for dipshittedness.

DAVID KEYES - AS I SEE IT 18. MALLARDS. Mike assures us this common duck is actually uncommonly cool. Find out why.

MIKE TURNLUND - A BIRD IN HAND 19. ANY EXCUSE TO BE OUT. Or, “Oh crap, Ernie’s been hiking again.”

ERNIE HAWKS - THE HAWK’S NEST 20. LITTLE STINKERS. Scott shares a morning remembrance of the stinkbug of happiness. SCOTT CLAWSON - ACRES N’ PAINS

Our Thanks to these fine businesses where you can pick up a copy of the River Journal: Coeur d’Alene North Idaho College Athol Athol Conoco Westmond Westmond Store Sagle Sagle Conoco Sandpoint Waterfront Conoco The Panida Theater Vanderford’s Books Eichardt’s DiLuna’s Cafe

Columbia Bank Dairy Depot Burger Express Sandpoint City Hall Sandpoint Super Drug Gas n’ Go Super 1 Foods Ponderay The Hoot Owl Cafe Babe’s One Stop Co-Op Country Store The Bonner Mall Schweitzer Conoco Hope

Holiday Shores Clark Fork Hay’s Chevron Monarch Market Clark Fork Beverage Samuels Samuels Service Station Elmira Elmira Store Naples Naples Gen. Store Bonners Ferry Super One Foods Safeway

Bonner Books Bonners Visitor Center Noxon Big Sky Pantry Aitken’s Quik Stop Noxon Mercantile Trout Creek Trout Creek Local Store Thompson Falls Town Pump Harvest Foods Plains Conoco The Printery

November 2016

Page

What Does a Fickle La Nina Mean For Our Winter Snow?

by Trish Gannon La Nina is coming... oops, probably not gonna happen... wait, she’s forming again! Weather forecasters have gone back and forth over the development of La Nina conditions this year, and never has the lady seemed to be quite so fickle, leaving everyone wondering what’s in store for the winter to come.

As we go to press, the muted golds, oranges and reds on our mountainsides—plus the frequent dusting of snow on their tops—tells us that autumn has well and truly arrived in the Pacific Northwest and winter will inevitably follow. But what kind of winter? Will there be lots and lots of snow, as the powder hounds are hoping, or will this winter once again feature milder, drier conditions than we would normally expect, leaving us all to trudge with cold feet through slush?

The answer lies, at least in part, in that capricious La Nina weather pattern, which develops out in the Pacific Ocean. La Nina conditions, for the most part, tend to bring our area colder and snowier winters, and also tend to follow a strong El Nino, like we had last winter.

La Nina conditions include a cooler than normal ocean surface temperature in the eastern and tropical Pacific, along with stronger east-to-west winds near the surface, and stronger west-to-east winds in the upper atmosphere.

As of the end of October, those conditions are beginning to develop, but... not strongly. The ocean is cooling in the right places, but the winds are not following along in lockstep. So while NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) is expecting La Nina to develop, the current caution is that it will be a mild La Nina, and might not last through the winter.

In northern Idaho and western Montana, NOAA’s current long-term forecast estimates a 30 to 50 percent chance that our weather for the next three months will be wetter than normal. Given it seems to have rained every single day of October (okay, that’s

Page

a bit of an exaggeration, but the National Weather Service said October was the wettest since records have been kept!), this might not be surprising.

But the temperature forecast isn’t showing strong odds for the colder weather we’ve come to expect with La Nina—instead, it’s an even probability that temperatures will be the same as normal, colder than normal, or warmer than normal, which simply means that there’s nothing in the current weather picture that makes any one more likely than another. NOAA is firm in pointing out that these short term seasonal predictions are somewhat challenging to come up with, and that “even the less likely outcome can and does occur.”

Wet, along with normal to colder temperatures, should mean lots of snow, but wet and warmer temps might mean another winter of slush.

Outside of NOAA’s walls, not everyone concurs with their winter prediction. The Weather Company’s December–February forecast for our area anticipates near or slightly above normal temperatures. In fact, for the entire U.S., Dr. Todd Crawford, their chief meteorologist, says, “Climate model forecasts for winter are unusually warm, likely reflecting the excess post-El-Nino global warmth, and another very warm winter is not out of the question due to this factor alone.”

Paul Pastelock, a long-range forecaster with Accuweather, predicts there will be early storms in the Pacific Northwest, and suggests they’ll be “plenty wet.” He adds, “I think that, right off the bat in December, we start to see the snow piling up in the mountains.”

The folks over at the Farmer’s Almanac are going with “mild & stormy” as the winter forecast here in the Northwest, though their line between mild and stormy, and freezing cold with average snowfall, runs right along the Idaho/Montana border, which doesn’t seem likely at all.

Digging beyond La Nina, there are other factors which help determine

November 2016

winter weather conditions.

The jet stream determines how much cold air from the north spills down into the continental United States.

Basically, the coldest air stays to the north of the jet stream. James Overland, oceanographer with NOAA’s Pacific Marine Environmental Lab, explained how it works: “Strong west to east flowing wind holds Arctic cold in the Arctic, while [a] wavy pattern allows for this cold to plunge south...”

While a wavy jet stream is part of a normal variation, a “warming Arctic may be loading the dice” making it more likely to see extreme cold periods like the eastern U.S. has seen recently.

And right now, the Arctic is, relatively, warm. Arctic sea ice at its minimum in September tied with 2007 for the second lowest sea ice extent measured.

There are also five major atmospheric conditions (called teleconnections) that dominate the jet stream patterns: the Arctic Oscillation (AO), the North American Oscillation (NAO), the Eastern Pacific Oscillation (EPO), the Pacific North American pattern (PNA), and the Western Pacific Oscillation (WPO). They can all impact our weather.

When the PNA pattern is positive, we tend to see above average temperatures over western North America. The negative phase of PNA tends to be correlated with La Nina. (The current PNA pattern is positive.) The PNA tends to have a lot of variability throughout the winter, however.

The Western Pacific Oscillation is described as the “major steering component” of the jet stream as it travels over the western Pacific. When blocked by a high pressure anomoly, it is considered to be in a negative phase, or north centered. When in a positive phase, it is associated with above average temperatures in the lower latitudes of the western North Pacific, with above average precipitation in the high latitudes. (Currently, the WPO is in a positive phase.)

The Arctic Oscillation is a band of winds circulating the Arctic in a counterclockwise direction. When the band is strong, it holds colder air in the polar regions. A weaker band allows cold air to slip southward.

And that cold air is part of the Polar

Vortex, a pocket of frigid air which sits over the poles. High pressure systems can push the polar vortex south, giving us sub-zero temperatures in the northern U.S. Climatologist Dr. Judah Cohen, a research affiliate at MIT’s Parson’s lab, has been investigating the role that snow cover in Siberia plays in determining North America’s winter weather.

When snow builds up rapidly in Siberia in October, it forces the Arctic Oscillation into a predominantly negative phase. A negative AO generally means more cold and more snow for us.

The extent of snow cover in Siberia

It used to be said that a green Easter meant a white Christmas, and vice versa.

The photo above was taken in Sandpoint the day after Easter this year... so we’ll see.

(SCE) tends to create colder air which can then cross the North Pole and be available in the Arctic, impacting the strength of the polar vortex. How quickly the snow advances toward the equator generally correlates with the intensity of the AO. Snow cover extent, particularly south of 60°N, is, Cohen says, “particularly impressive,” which should indicate a relatively cold winter, at least in the eastern U.S. But for those of us on the other side of the continent, Cohen’s models are predicting (as of Oct. 19), slightly warmer than normal temperatures for the winter here.

More reason to think our winter might be warmer than average? The blob. You remember. The blob is an area in the northeastern Pacific ocean where the water is warmer than normal. When the blob is present, it tends to create a bulge in the jet stream over the West Coast. Generally, the jet stream divides cold air from warm. If the jet stream

stays to the north of us, we’ll have warmer than normal temperatures.

If Pacific ocean temperatures, Spanish children, Siberian snowfall, and an alphabet soup of “teleconnections” seem a little too complicated to figure out, you can always try predicting winter weather the way your grandparents did. For example, check out the black and brown bands of a tiger moth caterpillar. The more narrow that reddish-brown band in the middle, the more likely it is we’ll have a rough winter.

If, like me, you haven’t seen a caterpillar like that in a coon’s age, another favored weather predictor is your animal’s fur. The thicker the fur, the harsher the winter. According to my cats, who manage to leave behind a pound of fur every time they sit in my lap, they see no immediate need to hang on to their fur: therefore, winter will be mild.

But my cats have lied to me before (though usually about being out of food).

Area geese might be more reliable, at least when it comes to predicting the onset of winter. When they leave for warmer climates, we know that winter is not far behind.

It was often said by old-timers that a green Christmas meant a white Easter, with the reverse also being true. If accurate, than this year’s mild Easter should at least portend snow for Christmas.

It was also said that the thicker the corn shuck, the harsher the winter.

Becky Freeland grew quite a bit of corn in Hope this summer, and she says the stalks this year (compared to last) were taller, with stronger stalks and thicker shucks. That should mean a harsher winter than last year, but wait! Did we have winter last year? It really wouldn’t take much to beat it.

With so much variability in both our scientific and non-scientific forecasting tools, the best advice for the coming winter is probably to hope for the best, and prepare for the worst. Go find your snow shovel before the snow begins to fall, and stock up on warm socks.

Because all else aside, one thing we can be sure of during winter in the Pacific Northwest is cold feet.

November 2016

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Keeping our Kids

Alive

Community Rallies Behind Teen Suicide Prevention Efforts Five. Five that we know of, and maybe more. Five young lives cut brutally short, at their own hands. Five youth who will never know the joy that life can bring. Those five teenage deaths by suicide are five too many.

Suicide, it’s said, can be contagious.

Studies have shown that suicides in young people tend to occur in clusters, and that exposure to the suicide of a friend or family member makes young people more vulnerable to suicidal thoughts. Researchers at Columbia University found those aged 15-19 are two to four times more prone to suicide “contagion.” It is clear, in our small community, that the suicide of one child impacts every student in their school and, with social media, even beyond.

While the idea of suicide contagion can be controversial—and frightening— it is important to understand its impact on youth who might not otherwise be considered “at risk” for suicide, and who therefore might be looked over in attempts to identify youth in need.

Teenage suicide always impacts a community, and ours is no different. But in true local fashion, the community has come together to fashion a response that seeks to reach out to all area teenagers and offer help in times of trouble, and to remove the stigma in asking for help.

The Response FILM AND PANEL DISCUSSION: Right after this issue went to print, on November 2, area teens and parents were invited to a community screening of the film “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” which discusses teen issues such as suicide, bullying, sexual abuse, sexual identity, pregnancy,

domestic violence and drug use, and examines the role that mentors play in coping with the same.

Following the film, a panel discussion featuring area professionals alongside student leaders focused on efforts to put an end to teen suicides locally, to provide students with information about the support programs available locally, as well as on how to develop positive coping skills.

This is the first of what is planned to be a series of film nights addressing teen issues that will heavily involve teenagers themselves in the discussion of—and response planning for—how the community can address those problems.

A group of almost two dozen people have worked to bring this idea to fruition, including Catherine Perusse, a counselor and clinician at North Idaho Community Mental Health; Barb Perusse (no relation), a counselor and owner of Sandpoint Souls in Motion; Susie Majeski, a licensed clinical social worker and owner of Majeski Counseling; Sandpoint Police Chief Corey Coon; and Angela Oakes, whose business, Summit Insurance Resource Group, is sponsoring the evening so that all interested can attend free of charge.

Teenagers who attended the full evening were eligible to win one of three Apple iPod minis that were donated to the event.

SANDPOINT HIGH SCHOOL: Under teacher Erin Roos, Sandpoint High School has implemented “Sources of Strength,” a program utilizing student mentors to help their peers navigate the murky waters of the teenage years.

The school has also made suicide prevention information available on their

by Trish Gannon webpage; follow the link to “counseling center.”

The school has also put in place a 24-hour bullying/harassment reporting hotline. Any student may call the hotline to report hrrassment or bullying, either against themselves or against someone they know. The number is 263-3034, ext.

4008.

SUPPORT GROUP FOR AT RISK YOUTH: Susie Majeski and Barb Perusse, at the urging of local pediatrician Dr. George Deland, have implemented a support group known as CAST—Coping and Support Training Through Reconnecting Youth—to offer life skills training and suicide prevention strategies to at risk youth. Currently a group of 8 is going through the program, with another group to begin in January. This group, which meets twice weekly over six weeks, is offered at no charge to the students, though if insurance is available it will be billed.

The pair are exploring funding avenues that would allow for additional professionals to be trained so that more young people can be helped, including grants and sponsorships. (Anyone in a position to help is encouraged to call Barb Perusse at 208-290-2457 or email barbperusse@gmail.com.)

“We think one of the most critical things we do is teach kids how to connect to each other,” Barb explained.

“Social isolation, or unsupportive social peers, are big risk factors for suicide.

Among other things, we teach kids how to be there for one another in healthy ways.” Other areas of focus are keeping kids in school, decreasing drug use, and beating the blues.

Suicide Hotline Page

1-800-273-TALK

November 2016

Any concerned adult can refer a teen to the group (again, call Barb) if they have concerns about their behavior.

phone away in the evening or at bedtime. Understand what types of social media your child is using, and what can be done with You should kill yourself that media. Snapchat, for example, is designed so ADDRESS DEPRESSION/ that messages cannot be ANXIETY saved, though a recipient Frankly, drama is often one can now take a screen shot of the most common calling of it. Video, however, will cards of being a teenager, disappear and can’t be which can make it difficult traced. to take kids seriously when Everyone—adults, they act outside the norm. parents, peers—should But oftentimes, when a Local teens report that many of their encourage teenagers to teenager commits suicide, the peers get messages like the one above, in particular via apps like Snapchat, report bad behavior, either “breaking point,” appears which can’t be saved or traced. to a school official, or to the trivial to others. local police department.

When depression and/ No one wants to get somebody else or anxiety last beyond the moment, “in trouble,” but kids need to be told it’s time to take notice. Oftentimes, that certain behaviors are simply simply talking with someone who is unacceptable. not judgemental can make a world of In addition, kids should know it is difference to a struggling teen. If you or important to tell someone responsible a family member can’t provide that kind about a friend who talks about of support, encourage the teen to reach committing suicide.

It is not uncommon out to someone who can. Start with the to find out after the fact that teenage school counseling office; they can make suicides have shared their plans with further referrals if needed. others.

North Idaho Crisis Services offers an after hours crisis line, free of charge, DISCOURAGE ISOLATION that is staffed by licensed mental health Too much time spent alone means professionals who can help teens deal too much time available to brood. with an immediate crisis situation and Encourage teenagers to spend time refer to other support services. It is with friends or family members who will available at 208-947-5595. support emotionally healthy behaviors.

From 8am to 5 pm, Monday through ENCOURAGE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE Friday, brief crisis intervention is Adequate rest, a good diet, and available from the Department of Health frequent exercise are not only important and Welfare Children’s Mental Health for physical health, but for mental health program. It’s located at 207 Larkspur in as well.

Ponderay, just off Kootenai Cut-Off Rd. CONTROL THE MEANS behind Pend Oreille Vet. Safely store firearms and PAY ATTENTION medications. Suicide prevention experts Understand that social media can suggest that if deadly means are not often be a negative influence on local readily available when a young person youth. Students have shared how media contemplates suicide, the attempt may platforms like Twitter and Snapchat be delayed. And any delay offers the have been used not only to bully kids, opportunity for intervention. but also to encourage individuals to commit suicide. Yes, you read that right, students are often encouraged by their As our community moves through peers to kill themselves. And this type this process, one thing is important to of bullying can be ongoing, 24-7. remember: it’s not just the negative As a parent, you might consider that’s contagious. So, too, is hope. And limiting your child’s access to social love. media, for example, by taking their

What You Can Do

• •

• • • • • • • •

Risk Factors

Depression Loss of or conflict with close friends or family members History of physical or sexual abuse Exposure to violence Problems with alcohol or drugs Physical or medical issues (ex: becoming pregnant) Being the victim of bullying Uncertainty about sexual orientation Exposure to suicide of family member or friends Family history of mood disorders or suicidal behavior

Warning Signs • • • • • • • • • •

Talking or writing about suicide or dying Withdrawing from social contact Mood swings Increasing use of alcohol or drugs Feeling trapped or hopeless about a situation Changes in normal routine: eating, sleeping Doing risky/selfdestructive things Giving away belongings for no logical reason Personality changes Severe anxiety/agitation

Source: Mayo Clinic

November 2016

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The Lurking Threat in the Internet of Things

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208-290-5947 Page 10

If you failed to pay attention to the story about a DDoS attack on DynDNS on October 21—and aren’t even sure what that means—who can blame you?

It sure seems like there’s a lot more to worry about these days than whether or not you can log in to Twitter or Netflix.

But the story behind the story raises some important concerns about our growing infatuation with the “Internet of Things,” and the very serious ways it can put our country at risk.

I don’t know a lot of people in this area who have purchased a refrigerator that will send them a text when they’re out of milk, but that time is coming, as we learn that a growing number of innocuous items that access the Internet create a surprising threat.

That DDoS attack was a sign of things to come. So what was it?

A DDoS attack is a distributed denial of service. Basically, it involves having lots of “computers” attempt to give an instruction to a website: an instruction like “load your home page.” When too many requests are made at once, the site will be unable to serve all those requests.

October’s attack was against DynDNS, which isn’t a “site” you go to, but instead translates your typewritten request to go to Twitter.com, and sends you to Twitter’s actual location at 199.59.149.165. Without these translation intermediaries, your computer isn’t going anywhere.

In this case, the devices used to instigate the attack weren’t the computers we’re familiar with, but instead utilized those objects in the Internet of Things—DVRs, baby monitors, video door bells, “smart”

thermostats and the like—which mostly connect to your wi-fi with little to no security, allowing a smart hacker to either take the device over, or simply piggyback its internet connection. This makes it possible for relatively few people to launch a massive DDoS attack.

And this particular attack, it’s now estimated, only needed about 100,000 insecure devices to achieve its goals.

What is particularly disturbing, however, is that U.S. investigators tell us October’s action was simply the latest in a series of “probes” testing Internet defenses; a series of actions they say could only be undertaken by a state actor—think China, Russia, North Korea. And bringing down Twitter is likely not their ultimate goal.

So what is? Think of what else relies on the Internet in order to work: the stock market, all banking systems, most hospitals, the power grid, traffic lights.

It’s easy to see that a successful attack on any of these systems could cripple our country in ways it would be difficult to recover from.

What can you do? Frankly, not much.

If any device in your home that connects to your wi-fi is operating using only the default username and password, change them now. This especially includes your Internet router. Any further attempts to make the Internet more secure will require government spending on critical infrastructure, and/ or regulation requiring greater security on products that connect to the Internet at a time when the taste for spending and regulation is low. Perhaps we should rethink our objections where the Internet of Things is concerned.

-Trish Gannon

WATERFRONT • RESIDENTIAL • ACREAGE • COMMERCIAL

Buying or selling, our experienced staff can help make your real estate dreams come true!

113 Cedar St. Sandpoint • 208.263.3167 • CMBrewster.com

November 2016

Putting the Season to Bed It’s November up north of the 48th parallel so it really shouldn’t be gardening time but, “in this ever changing world in which we live in...”

Okay, things haven’t changed that much. It’s still time to put your garden to bed, which makes this a very good time to talk about mulch.

Winter mulch—a layer of material you put over the bare earth of your garden bed—fills several purposes. First, it improves the fertility and health of your soil. Second, it improves the appearance (or should) of your empty garden beds.

Third, it reduces weed growth. Finally, mulch will protect any remaining plants that are still willing to produce—broccoli is one.

The simplest way to mulch your winter beds is with a leaf mold, which is actually just a pile of leaves. If you don’t have a pile of leaves readily available for raking in your own yard, a neighbor is not only likely to have some, but is also likely to bless you profusely for taking them off their hands. I heard that someone offered to rake up some leaves in Duke Dierck’s overly leafy Sandpoint yard [Duke is a former TRJ columnist and the author of Small Town Ho - you should read it!] and Duke, supposedly, cried with joy.

Leaf mold is a lazy man’s soil improvement. In winter, a thick layer

The vision of panelized, realized.

by Nancy Hastings

of leaves will help keep your soil from becoming compacted by rain and snow, plus will reduce water runoff problems.

In addition, it’s an attractant for earthworms, whose presence (and cast offs) will always improve your garden soil.

Come spring, working the decomposed pile into your dirt will add air pockets to your soil, and increase the dirt’s ability to retain moisture. The continuing leaf decomposition also adds active microbes, making your soil more fertile.

If leaves are not to your liking, you can mulch beds for the winter with straw, grass clippings or newspaper (black and white only, no color pages.

And by the way... these black and white pages from the River Journal are a great choice as they are printed with soybased inks!).

Come spring, most mulch can be left on the garden bed to offer its benefits to your tender seedlings. Simply pull the mulch back enough to plant your seeds.

Make sure that leaves and newspapers have not formed a solid mat that will block water penetration. If they have, break the mulch up to introduce plenty of air. If you’ve gone with straw, make sure it hasn’t become a toasty winter home to mice or voles. If it has, you’ll want to toss it out, or head down to the animal shelter and pick up a nice cat.

To every thing, you know, there is a season, and we’re now in the season of preparation for a new year. So pull up the blankets on your garden bed, order your seed catalogs, and get ready to get growing again in spring!

Get Growing

Sustainable. Adaptable. Sensible. www.mehomes.net

(208)264.6700 Dan McMahon, Gen. Contractor dan@mebldg.com

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Page 11

The Scenic Route

by Sandy Compton

I may be crazy, but . . .

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ton for P re s

20

Vision f or -20

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Page 12

A

The United States has not reached the audible version of “Aiiiieee,” though if we elect the Republican candidate (or if we did, depending on when you read this), many of us might begin to think “Aiiiieee!” As it is, some of us are already saying — or at least thinking — “Arrrrrgh!”

We seem to be having navigational challenges.

I don’t think the Democratic candidate is going to be very helpful in solving those challenges. She’s

0

!

20

nt

Sa

nd

Now that I’ve alienated practically everybody, and know that there’s absolutely no chance that I will get elected, I declare my candidacy for the

percent after that.

• Most of the remaining tax code will be repealed.

• Universal health care: For $50 a month, plus 2 percent of gross personal income, all receive full coverage insurance for general health, hospitalization, dental and eye care.

• At age 60, veterans of the U.S. armed forces will be eligible for a pension commensurate with twice their pay at their final rank; immediately if disabled in the line of duty.

• If you wish to keep money offshore, you will be required to reside with your money.

• If you wish to receive unemployment or welfare payments, you will show up three days a week for onthe-job training at whatever physical level you are capable of.

• If you wish to do business, including sales, in the U.S., you will be required to source 80 percent of your labor and raw materials in the US. • The wars on terrorism and drugs will be ended. The trillions saved will be spent on drug education, sex education, alternative energy research and development, teacher salaries, school facilities and free college education for U.S. kids through bachelors’ degrees.

• Between 18 and 20 years of age, every American will be required to put in a year of service to the country, including six weeks of combat training.

Remaining service will be determined by aptitude, ability and personal choice as possible.

• All “recreational” drug laws will be repealed, saving billions on enforcement, trials and incarceration, and shifting police focus to real crime.

• Crimes committed under the influence of or in the acquisition of drugs or alcohol will be vigorously prosecuted.

• “Recreational” drugs, including marijuana, cocaine and heroine, will be regulated and taxed in the same manner as alcohol.

• Government subsidies for companies grossing over $4 million annually will be redirected to urban renewal, infrastructure maintenance and viable mass transit.

• Sales of arms and military equipment to governments or

e id

As US 95 slices across the southeast corner of Oregon, it passes through a little berg on the Owyhee River called Rome. I found out the hard way that not all roads lead to Rome, just some. The map told me I could turn off 95 and drive through Arock to Rome — not “a rock,” but Arock. So, just after I passed a bunch of real cowboys — on real horses, moving real cows — I turned west to Arock, where I found a school, a post office and not much more. I drove on toward Rome, passing a jillion cows but no more cowboys, waving at a woman in a pickup with three dogs in the back, ending up in a ranch yard and having to backtrack a ways. After 45 minutes, I was excited to see a little town across the valley. But, I was looking at Arock. Again.

Arrrrrgh!

I had missed the turn to Rome. Not to be cheated out of the experience of driving from Arock to Rome via back roads, I went in search of the illusive route, and found it — hidden behind a locked gate.

I drove back to Arock — we were old friends now — waved at the postmistress, who was visiting with the woman with three dogs, and found my way back to dependable old US 95, which took me directly to Rome.

Some might say I was lost, but I wasn’t. The beginning of being lost is when I start thinking, “Aiiiieee!”

When I start saying “Aiiiieee!” out loud, that’s being lost. I was just having navigational challenges, which makes me say “Arrrrrgh!”

hampered by being part of the selfobsessed and dysfunctional mechanism that has steered us to where we are now, one with a compass pointing to the centralization of wealth and power.

Greed is a bipartisan problem.

That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t vote for Hillary this year. As the sign in front of Zany Zebra has proclaimed all summer, “I’m not crazy about Hillary, but I’m not crazy!”

2020 presidential race. The name of my party (which I just made up) is the New Focus Party, and the motto (which I stole from the Forest Service, sort of) is “A 20-20 Vision for 2020.” ®©TM, and etc.

Here are some New Focus planks for 2020, some of which I just made up; some of which I have thought about for a long time: • Personal income tax: 12.5 percent of income, up to equal the US President’s salary; 50 percent after that. Standard deductions and exemptions allowed, including business loss.

• Corporate income tax: 12.5 percent of income after cost of sales and business expenses are deducted up to four times the President’s salary; 50

November 2016

individuals overseas will be prohibited.

Persons suspected of such sales will be tried for treason. If convicted, they will be sent to Leavenworth or deported.

Their choice.

• Supplying of arms and military equipment by the U.S. government to combatants in ongoing wars overseas will be approved or disapproved by referendum vote of all registered voters.

• Sales of food and “green” technology to governments and individuals overseas will be encouraged and subsidized.

• Before introducing a new law at any level of government, a diligent effort will be made to find another law that can be repealed.

Maybe I am crazy after all, but so was the idea of “government of the people, by the people, for the people” once upon a time. This may be a good beginning point for forging a new party.

The ones we have now seem to be lost.

If you want to reduce the chances of getting completely lost, vote for the New Focus Party in 2020! And 2024 and 2028, for that matter.

Let’s navigate our way to a better government.

This political message was brought to you by Blue Creek Press, source of other crazy ideas and some good books, online at www.bluecreekpress.com Sandy Compton’s book The Scenic Route, as well as his many others, is available online at bluecreekpress.com, or at Vanderford’s Books or The Corner Bookstore in Sandpoint. Reach him at mrcomptonjr@ hotmail.com

In Hope of Better Things Eighteen months of presidential election campaigning weighed heavily on me. Vitriol, distortions, ugliness, and outright idiocy by candidates dampened my days and made me question the future. For many, the experience of these many months reminded them of the trials of the long suffering Job of the Old Testament. Job’s faith was tested by calamity, disease, and unsupportive friends. In the midst of his suffering, Zophar— a sometimes friend — shared wisdom as he knew it, “…because there is hope; you will be protected and take your rest in safety. You will lie down, and no one will make you afraid…” (Job 11: 18-19, NRSV).

I rest in that hope for our nation and for the natural world which surrounds us. My hope has been nurtured in recent days by encounters small and large.

Jewel invited my wife and me to stay in her home. Our visit opened my eyes even further to how we can live more lightly on the earth. This humble woman embodied sustainable living. Vegetables and fruit from raised beds and trees were shared among neighbors. Every scrap of food waste was composted.

E-books kept her mind fed. If a new hard copy book was purchased, an old book was given away to keep her possessions to a minimum. Recycling was maximized. She biked to church, to the Farmers Market, and to meetings.

She shopped at co-ops and thrift stores, avoiding big box stores. And, if distance was demanded, Jewel drove in her hybrid vehicle, even while planning for the all-electric vehicle in her future. In short, this amazing woman modeled her faith and care for creation in every aspect of her life. She gave me hope.

by Gary Payton

Rachel represented the generation which will shoulder the burden of addressing and adapting to our warming planet. She gave me hope.

Bea, tickets in hand, is bound for Marrakesh, Morocco to bear witness to the faith communities’ support of the Paris Agreement hammered out last December, an agreement aimed at keeping global average temperature rise to “well below” 2 degrees C/3.6 degrees F. At COP22, the Conference of the Parties to the UN Climate Change Convention, she will represent the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and blog on progress to craft implementing details to the global pact. Equally important, her daughter, 17 year old Oona, is making the pilgrimage as well.

This teen will take part in an array of educational youth events and share impressions across her own social media world. They both give me hope.

On January 20, 2017, I believe Hilary Clinton will become the 45th President of the United States. While I anticipate continuing consequences of the Trump campaign on civil discourse in our country, I rest in hope for our nation and for creation. An older woman models sustainable living. A young women teaches about critters and climate change. A teen and her mother take part in an international gathering on behalf of her church. And, a President is elected who will abide by international agreements, spur investment in alternative energy sources, and defend the regulations of the Clean Power Plan.

In my faith walk, I too am sometimes tested. But, on this day I continue to have hope.

Faith Walk

Rachel, a 20-something Education Specialist, stood poised at the auditorium podium of the Monterey Bay Gary Payton is an Aquarium. Before a crowd of hundreds, environmental advocate she confidently told the story of gray who is actively engaged whales, pelicans, and elephant seals with Presbyterians and their migration to and from the Baja for Earth Care, Fossil Peninsula. Throughout, she shared Free Presbyterian concerns of warming water, ocean Church (USA), and acidification, and the impact of human leading conservation caused climate change on aquatic life. organizations in Idaho and the region.

Her science was rock solid. She was not Reach him at gdpayton.sandpoint@ deterred by climate change deniers. gmail.com November 2016 Page 13

My Perfect World: Finding Parkinson’s Biomarkers Imagine, if you will, more than half of the people living in Sandpoint all in one building all at one time—and almost half the building still empty. That was the scene at the Oregon Convention Center (more than a million square feet) in late September during the World Parkinson Congress. This once-everythree-year event brings together people with Parkinson’s, caregivers, therapists, doctors, researchers and vendors to unite for one goal—working to rid the world of Parkinson’s Disease, a chronic (not going away) and progressive (it’s going to get worse) disease that afflicts more than one and a half million Americans and countless millions worldwide. Parkinson’s slowly (and at different rates for different people) robs people of voluntary movement, the ability to communicate, and potentially, cognitive function.

So, what did more than 4,500 people from 70+ countries do for three days?

We visited the exhibit hall, investigated the several thousand panels of the

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Parkinson’s Quilt, bought books at the store, took pictures with the 6-foot Parky Raccoon (mascot), relaxed in the meditation room, met new friends at the Buddy’s Reception, and listened to speakers. We met Maryum “Mae Mae” Ali (Muhammad Ali’s daughter) and Brian Grant (of the Portland Trailblazers). Perhaps most importantly, we spent time with people just like us (shaking, walking slowly, talking softly) and shared our individual stories and journeys.

There were more than 100 different sessions devoted to care, treatment, research, genetics, cures, symptoms, and quality of life. Of special interest to me are possible causes. As researchers study mice, rats, and primates (including me!), a major focus is on biomarkers.

A biomarker is a measurable indicator of some biological state or condition.

Examples of biomarkers include xrays, tissue biopsies, blood tests, urine cultures or lumbar punctures (spinal tap).

A biomarker is especially important for Parkinson’s. Numerous symptoms (none of which are conclusive) may be evident for years before a clinical diagnosis is made. For example, well over half of PWP’s (People with

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Parkinson’s) lose their sense of smell five to ten years before diagnosis.

Constipation, anxiety, sexual dysfunction, changes in voice and facial appearance are also common and may appear years before motor symptoms manifest themselves. These years of non-motor symptoms before diagnosis are the prodromal stage of the disease— you have PD, you just don’t know it.

So, how do doctors diagnose PD? Movement Disorder Specialists (neurologists with additional and specialized training) observe the patient doing a variety of tests—tapping fingers, tapping feet, checking reflexes, touching noses, walking, getting up out of chair, balance and gait in addition to observing tremors (if present).

Patients are asked about non-motor symptoms. Finally, scores on all this are added up and scored using the Uniform Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Most of us PWP’s simply call it the drunk test. The UPDRS allows clinicians to (more or less) objectively rate the severity of PD with a relatively high degree of validity and reliability.

What if the medical profession had a test (biomarker) that could absolutely rule in or rule out the presence of PD? It just so happens there is one!

Unfortunately, it is only available when it is too late: as of now, the only definitive diagnosis of PD is with an autopsy. Most people diagnosed with PD would prefer to avoid that option for as long as possible.

In my perfect world, scientists would find a realistic and effective biomarker.

Then, researchers would more easily be able to develop new therapies and better and earlier treatments. They would be able to slow or halt the progression of the disease, prevent PD and even cure Parkinson’s. Let’s all raise a glass to a more perfect world!

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A.C. Woolnough is a member of PDF’s People with Parkinson’s Advisory Council. Reach him at ACWooly@gmail.com November 2016

Come Back to the Middle

by Gil Beyer

like the women who have come forward with charges of inappropriate behavior by ‘The Donald,’ the charges of a local party organizer are pooh-poohed and dismissed. The alleged inaction of local law enforcement on these complaints forced the Idaho Democratic Party to ask the Attorney General’s Office to open an investigation. It is my understanding that the Idaho State Police and FBI are also involved. It will be very interesting to learn of the outcome of these investigations—but I don’t see that happening before November 8.

Win, lose or draw we will have to live with the results. Unlike the national GOP flag-bearer we will have to come together and try to work for the good of all. We will have to try and work towards the middle because the extremes at either end of the political spectrum don’t do much good for the majority in the middle. I’m continually reminded of the comment made by President Reagan: “I didn’t leave my Party. My Party left me.” Idaho’s GOP has gone so far to the right that they seem to be afraid of rational thought. I think it is way past time to come back to the middle for the good of all.

Shortly after this issue hits the newsstands, we will know who will don’t vote can’t bitch about the results be President, who has control of the of any election—be it for President or a Congress and, most importantly who local Water District commissioner. You, will represent LD1 in Boise and who the VOTER, bear that responsibility. will serve as our Bonner County Sheriff.

In a perfect world we would all keep We’ll know, that is, if we continue 240 ourselves informed, know the issues and years of America’s peaceful transition of use a large amount of critical thinking power. After the other night—October to see if there is any truth in the claims 19—that peaceful transition is in doubt. and statements coming from the It is absolutely mindboggling that the candidates.

Throughout this campaign GOP presidential nominee could say, in I have seen very little evidence of that front of tens of millions of people, that he taking place.

We continue to vote in an will make a decision on whether or not almost unbroken party line.

I don’t see to accept the results of this election until people questioning the rationality of the after the election. What this person is positions held by our local incumbent saying denies the validity of the voting representatives nor the statements process in all fifty states. Basically he of the presidential candidates. What is saying that the Secretaries of State in I have seen is a tremendous amount every state are all in collusion to deny of, “Don’t confuse me with facts—my this one person the highest office in the mind’s made up!” I hope that I’m proven land. I’ve heard of conspiracy theories before but this takes the cake! Hopefully wrong. I hope that the voters are smart enough to see through the fog of lies, the vast majority of voters from the middle of the political spectrum will give fearmongering and demagoguery to find the truth. a resounding rebuttal to this threat.

At a recent airing on KRFY (October Assuming that his handlers can 19) the GOP incumbent for House Seat 1B ‘walk back’ from this it still won’t (Sage Dixon) was asked about increasing change the mindset of many of his funding for public education and he supporters. Based on the actions said that he doesn’t see the need to do A retired Navy man, of supporters of a local incumbent that.

The incumbent appears to feel that candidate, I am fearful for the potential Gil Beyer has served education should be the responsibility of intimidation at local polling stations. as a library trustee solely of the parents, not the government.

With Idaho being an ‘Open Carry’ and on the county He also reaffirmed his position that state there have been incidents of Planning & Zoning he saw no problem having the Bible political rallies being attended by wellboard, (where he used in the classroom. The quote most armed ‘supporters’. This can be easily had the distinction often heard about him is, “the little construed as intimidation and could of being fired from a Supreme Court in my head says that even be interpreted as sedition. volunteer position).

The easy counter for this potential for it’s okay,” (referring to his sponsorship He is currently the county Democratic of a bill to allow the use of religious voter suppression is for early in-person State Committeeman and LD1 Chair. texts as “reference” texts in schools). voting or by absentee ballot, although him at 40vintage@gmail.com increase such asflags nitrogen Council website at tristatecouncil.org.

That quotenutrients, should raise red for and Reach those options will be over as we hit the everyone who believes that there should streets. Hopefully everyone has fulfilled This septicof pilot project is as being be a separation Church and State their responsibility for this election as it introduced in order to comply with water defined in the Constitution.

Of course, is probably the most important election Gas • Convenience Store quality standards as determined by the his kids (according to his Facebook page) in recent history.

Unofficial Historical Society Federal Clean Water Act. Designated to are home schooled so funding public I feel we have done all we can to protect water quality, thetoplan, education doesn’t matter him. known as ensure that what we believe are the a “Total Maximum Daily Load” for of Lake Oil Changes I have also seen the highest level best choices for the majority of people Pend Oreille, addresses nutrient issues incivility, intimidation and out and out Tire Rotation in LD1 and Bonner County. It has bullying by supporters of an incumbent. always come down to TURNOUT! If by appointment Intactics addition, many being lakeshore These led to complaints registered voters don’t care enough to homeowners participated a survey made to local law enforcementinand front show up at the polls to decide who acts in 2007 concerning a variety of water page articles in the Bonner County Daily in their name they have no grounds for quality issues.

As is turns out, their 208-266-1338 Bee and the Spokesman Review.

Much complaint after the election. Those who November 2016 15 5 The River Journal - A News Magazine Worth Wading Through | www.RiverJournal.com | Vol 17 No. 18 | November 2008Page | Page

Here in the Middle

Hay’s Chevron

Let Coaches

Coach

and Referees Ref

by David Keyes

and we all agree that your outbursts toward me, this game and your daughter are distracting and are taking away from this game,” I said in my best ref voice. I could see the halo forming over her head. “What do you mean? I haven’t said anything wrong, it must be someone else.”

I told her that I thought it was her and I let her know if the outbursts continued I would have to deal with her. I reminded her that I might have to cancel the game if the behavior continued.

“You won’t have a problem here, young man,” she chirped as I walked away. The halo was still hovering over her head.

The second half started and all was well. I thought I caught a little noise from her general vicinity but nothing bad. Soon she was starting to find her mojo again and I made a point to run past her general vicinity and shrug my shoulders at her while gesturing she should pipe down.

A few minutes later, I was pretty sure I heard “unhitch the plow and pick up the pace, Elizabeth!” That was new but didn’t cause any concern other than forcing me to wonder what in the heck she meant because her daughter’s name wasn’t Elizabeth.

But 20 minutes into the second half, when I was on the opposite side of the field and was cleaning up a few players who had fallen down, she let out something like: “About time you blew your trucking whistle you no good son of a twitch” ... or something very similar.

After I made sure the girls were okay, I jogged quickly over to my new best friend. As I got closer, the people in her immediate vicinity bailed out and left about a 20-foot empty area around her.

I ended up right in front of her and got down on one knee and said: “I thought you said you weren’t going to say anything. Where are you parked?”

“I didn’t say anything… and why?” she said. “I have to insist that you leave the park and if you don’t, I will have to call the game and it will be all your fault.”

She thought about it for a second and knew that I had stopped the game to deal with her, had talked with the coaches at halftime and was in front of her at that moment.

Without saying a word or making eye contact with me, she slowly gathered her folding chair, water bottle and

Let coaches coach. Let referees ref. that was the last year that young man Let players play. Let parents appreciate. participated in soccer or any other sport.

This statement stuck with me years I will never forget the Coeur d’Alene ago after I saw it on a sign in a park in mom I kicked out of Travers Park one Kalispell. year. Her daughter was playing on a U16 It’s a simple message — just a bit team versus Sandpoint and from the too long for a tattoo or a t-shirt — and opening whistle she let everyone within if people would consider it before they earshot know how unhappy she was opened their mouths, it would solve a with the reffing, her daughter’s effort lot of problems. and anything else that popped into her The rusty blue and white sign came mind. back to my mind when I recently read She immediately caught my attention that Coeur d’Alene youth football games when she screamed to high heaven that with Post Falls had been cancelled the assistant ref had signaled the wrong for the rest of the season because of direction for a throw in. So instead of sideline misconduct coming from Post her daughter’s team throwing the ball Falls parents and coaches. into play 40 yards away from the goal, Shortly after the story ran in the Sandpoint threw the ball in, 60 yards Coeur d’Alene Press, the weblog on away from its goal. The problem was the CDA Press website exploded with the play was right in front of her and back and forth comments from parents she had grabbed the soccer ball and from both towns pointing fingers. This was refusing to give it to the Sandpoint wasn’t unlike the activities from parents player so it could be put back in play. in those two towns referees like myself I gave her the ref eye at that point had come to expect. and she gave up the ball. A few seconds While each town and each team later she let out a tirade that questioned always has a few of “those parents,” my upbringing and at the same time the high school and club soccer games scolded her daughter for not hustling.

I reffed when Trojans and Thunder, At halftime I walked over to the CDA Vikings and Sting, Timberwolves and coach and asked him if he would back Sting as well and Bulldogs and Strikers me up when I dealt with his team mom. mixed, produced some good soccer and I made sure I pointed in her general some epically bad parental moments. direction across the field as we spoke.

There was the time in a SandpointAs a courtesy, I did the same thing with Post Falls JV boys game when a parent the Sandpoint coach. clearly yelled “take his head off!” When Both coaches gave me their blessing I heard that, I stopped the game and to do what I needed to do and across the asked the parent what he meant. He told field I trotted. She locked into me right me that he was telling his sophomore away and her eyes followed me until I son to pick up the pace. While I doubted was next to her. it, I let game continue and watched “I have talked with both coaches the son like a hawk. Funny thing, Page 16

November 2016

odds and ends and shuffled off the field toward the parking lot.

Most people couldn’t believe what they had seen.

The game ended without further incident and the players and coaches came over to shake our hands. The Sting coach had a huge grin on his face — I tried not to smile. I kept my eye out for “the daughter” just because I had no idea how she would react to what had happened when she had me a close range.

She was the last girl in line and she walked up to me and instead of shaking my hand she gave me a big hug.

“I am so sorry, I don’t know what has gotten into my mom the past few games,” she said. “I don’t know what to do. I am glad you dealt with her. Maybe this will help her out.” She had tears in her eyes at this point.

“I never know what she is going to say or do at a game,” she said.

I was impressed with the daughter’s maturity but I felt horrible about the spot her mother put her in.

I don’t remember if the daughter played high school soccer the next season or not and I had kind of forgotten about her and that incident in Sandpoint a few seasons ago.

Unsporting actions have consequences and any referee or coach will tell you that unruly fans and parents drive them away more than anything else.

In soccer, we lose half of our new, young refs every year. The main reason is these young men and women don’t know how to handle so-called adults who freak out at them. They really shouldn’t have to, right?

There is really no answer to the national epidemic of dipshittedness. and until organizers in all sports buckle down, the problem of parents behaving badly and showing up on YouTube will continue to escalate.

At least we can all tune into this election to witness how adults should behave.

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The Way I See It

David Keyes is the former publisher of three North Idaho newspapers.

Reach him at DavidKeyes09@ gmail.com November 2016

Page 17

MALLARD: More duck than ever imagined

by Mike Turnlund “Familiarity breeds contempt.” So goes the adage, meaning that which is common and everyday is held in less esteem than that which is seen as exotic or rare. And nothing could be a better example of this than the Mallard.

I’m going to tell you right from the get-go: the mallard is one cool duck! It might be common (some might say too common), but it is about as unusual a bird as you’ll find.

This bird is everywhere, whether naturally or by introduction. Its natural range is cosmopolitan, covering all the inhabited continents except South America and Australia. But now these two continents can boast of their own populations as the bird has been introduced to these, as well as countless other locales, such as New Zealand and South Africa.

Yes, you’ve seen Mallards. In fact, if you’ve ever eaten duck, you probably dined on a Mallard. Mallards are the primary ancestor of the domestic duck.

So all of you haute cuisine foodies out there are enjoying Mallards: that common white farm duck, the Peking, is simply a domestic form of the Mallard.

Mallards are known for the male’s beautiful metallic-green head. But complementing that distinctive teste verde is the familiar white neck ring, the brown-red breast, and a yellow bill—with a black “nail” on the tip of the upper mandible. When the bird is on the wing an observer will also spot those tell-tail purple secondary feathers on the top of the wing. Otherwise, everything else is gray. The drake really is a beautiful creature.

As is common among many species of birds, the hen is more covert in coloration. In fact, she resembles the reeds she might build her nest in: mottled brown and whites, a drab bill that can be any number of somber hues, and a distinctive dark eye stripe on the an otherwise lighter-colored head. And also look for a dark “saddle” astride the upper mandible.

Just as domestic turkeys may resemble wild turkeys, so too might domestic mallards resemble their wild kin. Don’t be deceived. This is like Page 18

comparing a Ferrari with a look-alike fiberglass kit car built on a Volkswagen Beetle chassis. The former is the real sports car; the latter is a poser, although it will taste good on the dinner table!

The wild birds are sleek, wily, and, well, wild. The domestic are heavier framed, more docile, and sassy. But they can interbreed just like dogs and wolves.

After all, they’re still the same genus (just like dogs and wolves are the same genus).

Mallard drakes are aggressive breeders. They will mate with a wide variety of other duck species, often producing fertile hybrids—which only goes to demonstrate how closely related these different waterfowl species are. Mallards have crossed with Pintails, Black ducks, Mottled ducks, Gadwalls, Teals (all varieties), and Canvasbacks. When they were introduced in other places, such as New Zealand and Australia, the Mallard promptly crossed with the native ducks there, too. This flexibility probably helps to explain why this is such a successful species worldwide.

Other interesting factoids about Mallards is that while the female can quack the male cannot; the birds can fly over 50 miles per hour; and, like other ducks, after breeding season the birds molt which keeps them land (or water) bound for about three weeks; and the oldest known Mallard (a drake) lived over 27 years.

Male ducks, such as the Mallard, are identifiable for gender by the obvious curly tail feathers. Thus, domestic varieties, such as the white Peking duck, can be so identified. Can’t tell the he from a she Peking duck? He will have a little curled feather or two in his tail.

Also, reportedly female ducks develop freckles on their bills when they begin laying eggs. Hey, I read this last bit on the intertubes so it must be true!

What, you only see Mallards in your neighborhood during the winter?

Probably so. These are wild birds that are wintering in your area. It is during the winter that pairs are formed and they leave as early as they can in spring

to head back up north for another breeding season. They will range all the way to the Arctic in Canada and Alaska.

Mallards are also dabbler ducks, meaning that they often feed while in the water by tipping their bodies (heads down in the water, tails up in the air) to reach water plants below the surface.

And unlike many other ducks, but similar with other dabblers, Mallards can launch themselves into the air from the water surface without a running start.

So our “common” mallard is

uncommonly cool. It is an extremely successful species, as demonstrated by its ubiquitousness. But it is also a beautiful bird. Personally, I’m glad to have them as neighbors—though they scare my cats. Happy birding!

A Bird in Hand

Do you love birds, and want to know more? Check out Mike’s bird photos, online at birdsidaho. blogspot.com.

Reach him at mturnlund@gmail. com

November 2016

Any Excuse to be Out

My wife and I will jump at nearly any opportunity to be in nature. Most of the time it is on our own land and in our own forest. It’s the most convenient, after all; all we have to do is step out a door and we are at the trailhead.

But we rarely pass up opportunities to go to other areas. Sometimes we are in other forests, sometimes open arid territories, and sometimes on the shores of a lake, river or sea.

There are as many excuses to be out, as there are places to be out in.

So a few months ago we heard of another prospect and agreed to do a couple fire lookout assessments. The first one we did on Kennalty Peak with several friends. It was a fun, two-day outing. However, the hike to the lookout was a steep, poor trail—in other words, quite brutal.

Linda and I did the second one alone. Others liked the idea but scheduling could not be worked out.

Before we left, maps of the area were studied since we had never been there before, On the day of the hike the maps were tucked into our packs as we headed out for the Quartz Mt. lookout. It was never clear just how close we could get before we would need to park and head out on foot. Some maps looked quite close and, of course, we wanted to believe them.

After about a four-hour drive through North Idaho and northwest Montana we were stopped by a Kelly hump topped with large boulders. Getting there had been a delightful drive to Libby and up the Quartz Mt. road. Breathtaking views across the tops of ridges spreading for miles competed with watching the Forest Service roads we drove on. Just so we could safely contemplate the expanses, we stopped several times.

Soaking them in was like being bathed in the crests, heights and peaks.

Those same views were ours from the parked truck while getting ready for our hike. The walk followed the road behind the hump. Because it was an abandoned roadbed it was not too steep and the surface was good. We could have walked side-by-side except for the reclaiming of

the brush. I find it interesting to watch the earth cover the scars we impose on it as soon as it is left alone. There were several sections that had not been overgrown yet making much of our trek very easy. Splendid fall views opened up often as we ascended the hill.

At about two miles we came to the trail where we left the old road and started up the ridge to the top of Quartz Peak. It gave us a half mile of steep climb but a good trail.

Once on top the ridge we still had not seen the tower.

Finally, the trees opened and only a few hundred yards off it stood, sixty feet above the peak. Tall, straight, and ridged it reminded me of a sentinel taking care of its charge.

We did our assessment; it was in much better shape then Kennalty, probably because it is all steel. Only the stair treads and floor are wood and they had all been replaced recently.

Some destroyed windows and graffiti were the worst damage we saw from the top. Near the bottom some steel cross members were bent and all guy wires and ground wires were missing creating a potential danger in an electrical storm.

Back on the ground we ate our lunch and talked about the attraction to all of grand nature we so dearly love. I think to be able to feel I am a part of something much bigger then I am, not only is humbling but also exhilarating. To be able to feel the power of nature while letting it rejuvenate my spirit keeps me looking for opportunities like this one or taking a walk in the woods around our house.

I tried to rush as we put our gear in the truck. There were many deposits of loose shale around and knowing how Linda is always looking for the big rocks I hoped to avoid some heavy lifting. I was wrong.

Continuing to be bathed by the mountainscapes around us we carefully made our way down to the Kootenai River and back to our home, the trailhead for so many of our outings.

by Ernie Hawks

The Hawk’s Nest

Ernie Hawks is the author of “Every Day is a High Holy Day: Stories of an Adventuring Spirit,” available on Amazon, Kindle or in your favorite bookstore.

Reach him at ernestmhawks@gmail.com

RON’S REPAIR Hope, Idaho 264-5529 Or 208-290-7487 Email r.repair43@gmail.com

Repair & Recycling

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Two doors west of the Hope Post Office

I Buy Batteries Ron Powell

EVERGREEN REALTY

Curt Hagan

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321 N. First Ave. - Sandpoint 800.829.6370 208.263.6370 EvergreenRealty.com SchweitzerMountain.com

November 2016

Page 19

by Scott Clawson Luke Warm came out of his nightly coma with a funny feeling. Not the one he preferred to wake up with, but that extremely rare one that gave him the sensation he was being watched. There was some early morning light combing its way through the trees, illuminating the insides of his eyelids. He realized his mouth was wide open too, a light snore issuing from his man-cave. Feeling more than a little exposed, he slowly closed it, which automatically fired up his olfactory as a backup source of oxygen.

At the same time, he parted his left eyelid just a skosh, trying not to make any movement discernable to an observer even if it might be his “other half.” His visual sense combined with his aromatic one to confirm one of his worst fears! A Brown Marmorated Stinkbug, not his wife, was looking down the ridge of his beak with an unblinking stare while playfully twiddling its antennae. Its own unique aroma radiated like a steaming pile of several thousand over-ripe bananas (as opposed to something more pleasing to the nostrils like patchouli, lavender or even a wet dog).

Unable to move, frozen by fear and loathing, cross-eyed even though one was still hiding, he lay there studying the little stinker that brought him out of a Saturday morning slumber. His bladder, as a dawn ritual, began sending urgent messages for the immediate pitter-patter of big feet. Knowing full well that any sudden action might warrant his nose to implode under an insidious onslaught of bug “repellent,” he pleaded with his body to just be patient. Unable to think of any other activity, Luke thought up a quick poem: Stinkbug, stinkbug on my nose, Now that you’ve brought me out of a doze, How I wish I could give you a squish, But I know damn well you aint no rose.

Luke had been running around, off Page 20

and on, for weeks, caulking gun in one hand and a ladder in the other, trying to seal up any and all places he suspected the many invaders could be utilizing to gain access for a warm winter’s stay, never realizing fully their diabolical technique of hitchhike on one’s back until they gain entry and immediately disembark for the nearest pantry, underwear drawer, medicine cabinet, couch cushion, pillow case or warm bodily crevasse so that we can enjoy them at our leisure for the rest of the winter. [“Cabin Fever” takes on a whole new meaning after you get dressed for your daily voyage through life only to find you’ve got a stow-away wandering around the poop deck.]

For a while he’d gone to the trouble of digging them out of the cracks and voids in the siding, soffits, vents and woodpecker holes but, in the interest of time more pleasantly spent doing something else and the fact that his nose had taken over quality control, he resorted to the practice of “embedding” the rest.

Back in the outbreak of ’88, he’d had an exterminator come out and relieve him of a crisply new C-note for the privilege of watching an altogether ineffective waste of a solid twenty minutes. This time, he was at least determined to massage his conscience concerning manly duties by burning calories instead of currency. Each and every time he went inside, though, to fetch another cup of some of that determination, he also provided rides for one or two of the “newly arrived” refugees that hung out on the outside of the door jamb in the hopes of getting in.

Note to homeowners, renters and the government agency that spends over a million dollars yearly studying these delightful gifts of nature: When hanging out patiently on rustic cedar trim, they have a remarkable ability to resemble knots, thereby escaping detection. They know this. It is written in their genome.

Since that first outbreak, Luke had been living in dire fear that one of these days he’d forget to look closely

at whatever he was eating out of an unsecured package or bowl of popcorn and be forever changed by the succulent experience that might go with ingesting (even partially) one of these things. That feeling is, in all probability, mutual.

As he lay there on his back, trying to keep his eyelashes from fluttering excessively and both of his urethral sphincters on lockdown, his legs decided to help out by suddenly crossing just to share in the drama. What little movement of the covers that entailed prompted a slow about face on his nose, six little legs causing a disturbance in the fine hairs uselessly growing there.

Once again, Luke was reminded how this particular species of anxiety can turn even the most mundane of things (like nose hairs) into a big problem.

Even the tiniest of hairs can have a lot of nerve and those on or in your nose are no exception.

His brain, like any governing body under duress, tried going on vacation.

His nose fought back by shutting down the airports, causing both eyes to pop open for security reasons as well as a possible escape route. They witnessed the east end of a westbound armored carrier of WOD (Weapon of Olfactory Destruction) disappear like a miniature tank over the bulbous end of their close friend and confidant, out of sight but not out of mind. The nose often knows what the eyes can’t realize. You can quote me on this.

The general realization, due to a growing lack of oxygen, was that something had to happen soon or there would be serious repercussions in the form of involuntary body language, possibly foul.

Speaking of which, Luke’s nose at times was like an involuntary blunderbuss (an early firearm with a flared barrel that could utilize a wide range of objects as projectiles – old chick-peas, marbles, loose change, stink bugs, etc,) and this morning it was fully loaded as usual after a long sleep and only needed a light prompting from an external source. A pair of feelers

November 2016

trying to decide which of two available ports was the most accommodating represented this particular one. You could call this a “hair trigger”.

Now, percussion (according to Webster) has little if anything to do with a light tickling but the impetus remains the same and so does the result. The report of Luke’s nose going off, punctuated by the ricochet of his tormentor off the exposed picture window pane, brought his wife into a brand new day, a day in which, like many others of late, she’d be treated, along with her husband and millions of others, to that blissful reality of “the Natural Order of Things.”

May the stinkbug of happiness not crawl up your nose.

Proud to Provide Environmentally Conscientious Construction and Consultation P.O. Box 118 • Hope, Idaho • 208.264.5621

Acres n Pains

Scott Clawson ruminates on life somewhere in the backwoods of Careywood, and turns it all into humor. And he’s even on Pinterest now! (Facebook, too.)

AcresnPains@dishmail.net

November 2016

Page 21

A Record You Can Trust

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