Reader_Sept27_2018

DEAR READERS, (wo)MAN

compiled by Susan Drinkard

on the street

Whom do you love?

“Family and the residents where I work at Luther Park.”

Nicole Hislop CNA and resident assistant Sagle

It’s been an interesting week, to say the least.

To begin, I want to thank all of our readers who have responded to the recent robocalls attacking me personally and this newspaper with an incredible show of support. To the person responsible for these calls (and we have a pretty clear idea who you are): If you think these cowardly attacks have somehow harmed us or that they’ll hinder the free press, you’re wrong. In the past week, we’ve received over $2,000 in donations from various members of the community, as well as signing up a half dozen new advertisers on contracts totaling over $6,000. Every donation came with the comment that they were donating because of the robocall. We’re now the subject of national news articles and regional coverage. Businesses from Spokane have begun advertising with us as a show of support after a TV news segment ran Monday night. Even as I write this, I am receiving another email asking about our advertising rates. The more hate you spread, the more love comes our way.

READER

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)

Advertising: Jodi Taylor Jodi@sandpointreader.com

“Mt wife, Debra, because she is always there, and I don’t thank her enough.”

Steve Hein

Retired Fed Ex pilot Sandpoint

“My family, my friends Carson and Tristan, and my dog, Gus, and my two kittens, Bob and Frankie.”

Ayson Simcox Fourth grader Farmin-Stidwell Sagle

“Myself, because you have to love yourself to love others.”

Maebeth Fulmer

Retired seamstress Age 97 Sandpoint

“Everyone except the UPS man, and I think I owe him an apology.”

Mercy Sandpoint

To briefly answer to the accusations in one robocall, I’ve been called a degenerate before — most often by my closest friends. That doesn’t hurt me. You can call me a “cancer,” you can say I’m “uneducated,” or that I used to manage a bar. I really don’t care. It’s like the buzzing of a fly to me. What I do need to make clear is that your bogus accusation that I attempted to “blackmail” a local business person is 100-percent false. That’s not how the Reader operates, and that’s not how I operate. I have evidence that proves I am right about this. You can believe whatever fiction you like, but the truth is on our side.

We are a close-knit family here at the Reader. I and the rest of my staff were all born and raised here in North Idaho, with the exception of Cameron, who moved here about eight years ago after finishing journalism school in Montana. I care deeply about each and every one of my employees, who don’t deserve to deal with this nonsense. This job is difficult enough as it is. If you see them out doing their jobs one day, please give them a pat on the back. They deserve it.

We are used to pushing through. We have grown skin thick enough to deflect the slings and arrows of hate you keep spreading into the world. We’re still bound by that shared idea that the press is a vital piece of our democracy. It is a pillar of truth, a collection of ideas, a civilized debate. There are flaws with the media, sure, but at its core, the press is and shall always be treated as a beacon of light instead of an instrument of darkness.

The Reader is an independent voice in this community, not bound by any corporate influence or governmental control. Reasonable people can disagree on a myriad of issues, but that does not make them enemies, or any less American. We firmly believe in the freedom of the press, and any attempts to silence this Constitutional right are flat out un-American. Use your First Amendment right to share your ideas, don’t use it to incite violence, to threaten innocent individuals or terrorize a small town with hate messages. Be better. If you’d like to write an op-ed defending yourself against what you feel is unfair press coverage, by all means, write it and send it to ben@sandpointreader.com. There are many, many people out there who think I’m full of it. They have the courage and respect to participate in the conversation and sign their work instead of skulking around sending out silly robocalls.

So, to the robocaller, I leave you with this final thought. I am not afraid of you. We will not be intimidated. Come Thursday morning, the Reader will arrive at our doorstep, and we will share it with this community which supports it. Each and every week. You may not realize this, but you have made us much so stronger with your attempts to silence our voice. There is nothing quite so powerful as a community of people bound together in the shared goal to love and treat one another with mutual respect, and to push back against messages of hate.

No matter what our differences, readers, know that I care about our community deeply and am truly sorry you’ve had to deal with this. To our advertisers, thank you for standing by us. We haven’t had a single client express a desire to stop advertising because of this. While we really appreciate all the donations of late, the best way you can support the Reader is to patronize the establishments that advertise with us and keep reading this paper.

We’ll all get through this together. We’ve overcome hate in this community before and we’ll do it again.

Thanks for your time, and for supporting an informed community.

-Ben Olson, Publisher

Contributing Artists: Brianna Santellan (cover), Ben Olson, Rindy Mortensen, Carley Scott Fields, Lyndsie Kiebert.

Contributing Writers: Cameron Rasmusson, Ben Olson, Lyndsie Kiebert, Zach Hagadone, Mayor Shelby Rognstad, Brenden Bobby, Marcia Pilgeram, Phil Hough, Jim Mitsui, Amy Craven, Karen Seashore, Maureen Cooper, A.C. Woolnough, Drake the Dog.

Submit stories to: stories@sandpointreader.com

Printed weekly at: Griffin Publishing Spokane, Wash.

Subscription Price: $95 per year

Web Content: Keokee

The Sandpoint Reader is a weekly publication owned and operated by Ben Olson and Keokee. It is devoted to the arts, entertainment, politics and lifestyle in and around Sandpoint, Idaho. We hope to provide a quality alternative by offering honest, in-depth reporting that reflects the intelligence and interests of our diverse and growing community.

The Reader is printed on recycled paper using soy-based ink. Leftover copies are collected and recycled weekly, or burned in massive bonfires to appease the gods of journalism. Free to all, limit two copies per person. We will prosecute anyone who takes more than two copies.

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

Requirements:

–No more than 400 words –Letters may not contain excessive profanity or libelous material. Please elevate the discussion. Letters will be edited to comply with the above requirements. Opinions expressed in these pages are those of the writers, not necessarily the publishers.

Email letters to: letters@sandpointreader.com

Check us out on the web at: www.sandpointreader.com

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About the Cover

This week’s cover photograph of Old Glory was taken by Brianna Santellan.

Robocalls attack Reader publisher

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff

A series of widespread robocalls late last week and this week attacked the Sandpoint Reader and its publisher and co-owner, Ben Olson.

The robocalls homed in on Olson’s education and work history managing a bar. They also claimed that Olson threatened a local business owner because of a tenant in one of his properties, an accusation Olson vigorously denied.

“The allegations in the call that I attempted to blackmail a local business owner are completely false,” Olson said. “That is not how the Sandpoint Reader operates, nor how I operate as a human.”

At the beginning of the week, a video sent to Sandpoint Reader advertisers showed a stack of hundreds of the paper’s latest edition being burned. A voice over the images said that if business owners continued to advertise with the paper, they, too, would be attacked in robocalls.

According to Olson, the robocall has had the opposite of its intended effect. Not only did no advertisers cancel contracts with the Reader, but the paper received thousands of dollars in donations and new ad contracts as well.

Hundreds also called, emailed or commented on social media to express support.

“The result has been an overwhelming show of moral and financial support to the Reader

ROAD TO MATRIMONY

Erik and Susan Musson are married in the middle of the crosswalk on First Avenue and Main Street in Sandpoint Tuesday evening. The city of Sandpoint made a special effort to make sure the Musson’s wedding could occur safely in the street with the help of law enforcement. “We want to thank Maree (Peck) at City Hall especially for all she did to make sure this went off without a hitch,” Erik Musson said. The Reader wishes Erik and Susan many happy years together. The couple originally met in Sandpoint, Musson said.

“So,

the

Sewer work enters home stretch

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff

Heavy construction machinery made its way to Cedar Street this week as the sewer lateral replacement progressed in downtown Sandpoint.

First Avenue was closed this week from Main Street to Cedar Street at Second Avenue while crews, operating heavy equipment, dug up street surfaces to replace sewer laterals. The stretch of road was closed to motorists but open to pedestrians, with the intersection of Second and Cedar closed while the new

and old sewer systems were connected.

Cedar Street between Fifth and Second received a host of new ornamentation this week as workers installed concrete sidewalks, pavers, signage and street furniture. New sidewalk benches are also being rolled out, although the placement is only temporary. However, landscaping work is postponed until the first week of October while irrigation completes.

“In the meantime, the concrete seat walls around the stormwater swales will be dressed up

with an architectural finish,” Sandpoint Public Works Director Amanda Wilson wrote in a construction update. “Street lights at each intersection will be installed in early October.”

As for Oak Street, the only remaining work will cover street lights and pedestrian signals at the intersection of Fifth and Oak, hydroseeding, striping and signs. And on Ella Avenue, traffic-calming street tables are in the process of being installed.

Counterfeit bills reported in Sandpoint

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

A wave of counterfeit $20 bills have been reported in Sandpoint

The first reports of the fake bills came Saturday morning after Sandpoint Farmers’ Market vendors noticed something was off with a $20 bill that was accepted at a vendor booth.

“I was in my booth and selling to a friend,” said vendor Jennifer Wood. “I went to give change for a $50 and felt the $20 bill and noticed it felt weird. I noted to my friend that it felt weird.”

Wood said she had taken the bill from a woman with a swastika tattoo on her left breast.

Wood’s husband, Nathan, also a vendor at the Market, had also taken a $20 bill from the woman.

“He didn’t want to argue with her, because she had a special-needs kid with her, but he thought it looked weird,” Wood said. “He took it to the bank right

away, and they said it was counterfeit.”

Nathan immediately called Sandpoint Police, then talked to the other vendors at the Market and collected other suspect twenties.

“Within seven or eight minutes, we were up to $360 in twenties she had spent,” Wood said.

Sandpoint Police responded to the scene and confiscated the phony bills.

The suspect was identified by another vendor as a woman who was 5 feet and 6 or 7 inches, around 130-140 pounds with mousy brown hair, a piercing above her left eyebrow, a piercing on her lip and a tattoo of a swastika on her left breast with a lightning bolt through it.

According to the vendor, she was accompanied by a child of 11 or 12 years old who was wearing a soft helmet commonly used for medical purposes.

Wood said the $20 bills reportedly had a blue tint to them and felt different than normal U.S. currency.

“They felt kind of like flannel, I

guess,” Wood said. “They just felt ‘off.’”

Sandpoint Police Chief Corey Coon confirmed Wednesday afternoon that Sandpoint PD was seeking arrest warrants for two suspects in relation to the counterfeiting charge.

Cameron Rasmusson contributed to the reporting on this article.

Arlo’s Ristorante nds new location

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff

Nearly a month since Arlo’s was ousted from its downtown location, the popular local Italian restaurant is finalizing its move into a new building.

Arlo’s will be the latest restaurant to occupy the building located on Second Avenue and Lake Street, which has hosted eateries ranging from Greek food to sushi. Most recently, the restaurant Loaf and Ladle operated from the building until its owners moved its operation to Bottle Bay.

According to Arlo’s co-owner Tom Guscott, the moving process is a light at the end of the tunnel after a difficult month without revenue. While he’s not ready to announce a re-opening date just yet, Guscott said that thanks to a little Sandpoint help and generosity, the restaurant will soon settle in to its new home.

“It’s been a battle, and the community has really supported us,” he said. “We’re just trying to not spend money, and it’s tough to transfer a restaurant when you’re trying to not spend money.”

A move became necessary after the city of Sandpoint condemned Arlo’s orig-

inal location at 330 North First Avenue.

According to Sandpoint City Administrator Jennifer Stapleton, a series of inspections revealed that several serious structural problems plagued the building. City officials concluded that in the interest of public safety, the public had to be banned from the building. That meant that the businesses renting building space — Arlo’s and Blue Lizard Indian Art — were forced to close with a month-long dead-

Road closure announced

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

Bonner County Road and Bridge announced an upcoming road closure on Colburn-Culver Road just west of N. Center Valley Road for Tuesday, Oct. 2 from 7:45 a.m. to approximately 4 p.m.

The closure is due to a culvert installation, a project that the county has wanted to tackle for awhile, said the Road and Bridge department.

A detour route will be posted.

line to vacate the building completely.

“It was so sudden, and we have no income, and our insurance doesn’t cover this type of thing,” Guscott said.

VA outreach planned

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

A representative from Bonner County Veterans Service Office will be in Clark Fork from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to answer questions about current veterans’ benefits, assist with ongoing claims and take new claims for benefits for eligible veterans and their dependents.

The outreach will take place at the Clark Fork Library, 601 Main St., with Bonner County Service Officer Bryan Hult, who will be seeing veterans by appointment only to ensure everyone is given quality time. Schedule an appointment with Lyndsie Halcro at (208) 255-5291. If there are no appointments scheduled or inclement weather conditions that prohibit travel, this outreach event will be canceled.

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

Schweitzer Mountain Resort announced upcoming management changes this week that will go into effect for the 2018-19 season.

After 25 years with Schweitzer, Activities and Events Director Mary Weber-Quinn is retiring on Oct. 1. Weber-Quinn oversaw the development and growth of Schweitzer’s flagship events and was responsible for curating the family programming available at the resort during her tenure.

Schweitzer’s events department, currently managed by André Bircher, will report to Sales and Marketing Director Sean Mirius. With this structural change, the resort will deepen its emphasis on family-based experiences with the new position of director of family activities and programs, which has been appointed to Dani Demmons, an employee with Schweitzer since 2006. Promoted to the role of activities supervisor will be Annalise Courtright, who has worked seasonally for Schweitzer for two years.

Several individuals in the Food and Beverage operations will also receive promotions, including Kellie Pierce Marshall as hospitality manager, Jordan Hansen as executive chef, and Curtis Hathaway as Sky House chef. Jessica Roberts will be the new manager for Taps, and Gary Lirette has been hired as gourmandie manager.

Jess McAvoy has been promoted to front desk manager for the lodging department, and Marina Hill was hired as Owner Services Liaison. Mary Chorzempa, Schweitzer’s accounting manager for 25 years, retired in June 2018. Jennifer Phillips assumed the role as accounting manager beginning this summer.

Davey MacFarlane was promoted to lift maintenance manager this summer after a nationwide search. MacFarlane will be working closely with Rob Batchelder, Schweitzer’s mountain operations director, with lift maintenance and development projects.

“Schweitzer is extremely proud of the overall management team in place at the resort and is looking forward to nurturing continued professional excellence and performance at the mountain,” the resort wrote in a statement.

Bouquets:

•From the bottom of our hearts, we thank all of the readers who donated to the Reader as a direct response to the vile robocall sent out last week attacking publisher Ben Olson. The call is the latest in a string of hateful messages originating from Sandpoint. We condemn any attacks on a free and independent press and stand by our coverage. These cowardly, anonymous attacks show the true character of those responsible – though we have a pretty clear idea of who is responsible. Love will always win over hate. We appreciate all the support.

Barbs

GUEST SUBMISSION:

• This is a Barb for Nick Ulrich: I can’t believe you actually jumped out of your car and loudly shouted “How long are we gonna sit here for? This is BULLSH*T! I have to get to work!” to a bunch of firefighters (and everyone else in the busy downtown intersection). What kind of person yells at firefighters?

Now I know how stressful it is to be late for work, and you did have to sit in traffic for about five minutes.

But you were stopped there so the Sandpoint Scenic Half Marathon could operate safely. The same marathon that gave out coupons to the restaurant that you manage and were late to. So maybe next time, instead of being an oblivious nitwit, you could be responsible and leave a bit earlier.

I’m appalled that someone who works daily with the frustrations that customer service can bring could be that rude.

The man you yelled at is a volunteer firefighter. He gave his time freely and he deserved much better than to have it wasted on a “grown man” throwing a temper tantrum at him for something he had zero control over. He handled your situation more politely than you deserved. You should be ashamed.

-Lydia Tollbom

GUEST SUBMISSION:

• To whoever took the picture of the boys butts from the ladies restroom in Eichardt’s — for shame!

COMMUNITY

Ponderay Neighbor Day returns with more family fun

By Reader Staff

Ponderay residents and their neighbors to the north, south, east and west are all invited to join in the fun at the second annual Ponderay Neighbor Day celebration scheduled from 1-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, in Ponderay.

Once again, the event is being held at Harbison Field behind the Hoot Owl Restaurant, on city owned property that may one day serve as a gateway to an underpass leading to Lake Pend Oreille and the shoreline trail.

The city of Ponderay and the Friends of the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail are hosting the free community event, which features numerous fun activities for children, live music from the Miah Kohal Band, food vendors, a beer garden, craft and retail vendors, demonstrations by the Northside Fire Department, and an opportunity to give input on the city of Ponderay’s plans for the Field of Dreams.

“Last year we had such a great community turnout, and residents actually came to City Hall to request that we organize it again,” said Mayor Steve Geiger, on the decision to host a second Ponderay Neighbor Day. “We are looking forward to another fun afternoon of connecting with our neighbors.”

Among the kid-friendly activities booked for the event are pony rides, a petting zoo and llama kissing booth; wood crafts sponsored by Home Depot; a bouncy castle, obstacle course and Water Zorb Balls from Northwest Inflatables; a climbing wall provided by the Army National Guard; carnival games; corn-hole and disc golf games; face painting; mural painting; and a kids’ fishing pond provided by Sandpoint Marine and Motor Sports.

Vendors include a variety of products and farm produce, with food provided by Papa Murphys, Jalapeno’s, Twisted Kilt and Trinity, as well coffee, kettle corn, ice cream, and apple cider.

One reason the city and Friends of the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail originally teamed up to host the event was to celebrate the connections being made throughout

and engineering of an underpass at the Harbison Field location, which would provide pedestrian and bicycle access to the lakeshore. The grant awards will be announced in December.

At this year’s Ponderay Neighbor Day event, the city invites participants to chat with the mayor and city council members about how the Field of Dreams should be developed. The city received a $100,000 planning grant from the LOR Foundation to start the process of designing the proposed 50-acre regional park.

2 children) on the Scenic Pend Oreille River Train ride on Saturday, October 13; and a Yeti cooler. Last year, the raffle prize was a chance to ride in a hot air balloon. Unfortunately, weather conditions were too windy for the tethered balloon rides. Due to the cost and unpredictability of balloon rides, the city and Friends came up with the alternative raffle prizes this year.

Ponderay and between neighboring communities, such as the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail. Last year, the public was invited to take surveys about what they’d like to see happen on Harbison Field and along the lakeshore, if an underpass were constructed under the railroad.

This past summer, the city applied for a federal BUILD planning grant to fund the design

“At the city of Ponderay, we take enormous pride in being responsive. The Ponderay Field of Dreams visioning effort provides all of us with an opportunity to make a positive impact that shapes our entire community for generations,” said City Planner Erik Brubaker. “So what’s your dream? Come join us at the Little City Hall booth. We know you have a dream, we are listening.”

Residents who take a survey about the Field of Dreams will be entered into a free raffle. Drawings will be made at the tail end of the event for a family trip to Quinns Hot Springs Resort ($300 gift card); a trip for four (2 adults,

Ponderay Neighbor Day is funded through generous sponsorships from local businesses and organizations, including Mountain Metals, P1FCU, HMH Engineering, the LOR Foundation, Blue Sky Broadcasting, Montana Shed Center, Kootenai-Ponderay Sewer District, Ace Septic Services, Schwetizer Mountain Resort, DSS Backyard Events, Columbia Bank, Idaho Forest Group, Ponderay Design Center (Sandpoint Furniture, Carpet One, and Selkirk Glass and Cabinets), Litehouse Foods, Northwest Autobody, Waste Management, Safeway and other in-kind and cash donations from area businesses.

For more information, visit the city’s website at www.cityofponderay.org/ponderay-neighbor-day-2018.

THE READER GOES TO TIJUANA

Sandpoint’s Forrest Schuck brought the Reader with him to Tijuana, Mexico.

Are you traveling somewhere special? Toss a Reader in the bag and snap a photo somewhere exotic! We’re always happy to help you show off to your friends and loved ones.

Elect Steve Johnson...

Dear Editor:

We have a chance on Nov. 6 to elect a candidate for County Commissioner who has been a part of Bonner County for more than 60 years. Running in District 1, Steve Johnson will represent all of us in Bonner County.

Experiences growing up here, attending and later teaching in local schools while running his own farming and selective logging business, have provided Steve with a unique understanding of our county’s needs. He has also served as a member of the Chamber of Commerce and on the East Bonner County Library Board, Johnson has the experience needed in listening to concerns and finding solutions, in supervising, and evaluating and coordinating staff, overseeing a large budget and interacting with government, non-profit and private sector groups and individuals.

He believes in and will work hard to: recruit and retain businesses that pay a living wage; bring back transparency and accountability by opening to the public important county decisions involving property taxes and the county budget; protect private property rights for homeowners while maintaining our Bonner County character, and upgrade and maintain our county roads on a consistent basis for safety and convenience.

Johnson also believes in expanding Medicaid to provide coverage to those county residents who don’t have health insurance -- at the same time returning federal tax dollars to the county.

For experience, honesty and transparency in government, vote for Steve Johnson for County Commissioner, District 2, on Nov. 6.

Sue and Bruce Vogelsinger Sagle

An Ideal Candidate...

Dear Editor:

Ellen Weissman is the ideal person to represent District 1 in the Idaho House of Representatives. Her resume is impressive, as is her strong leadership as executive director of the Sandpoint Senior and Daybreak Centers. The primary reason I am supporting Ellen is because of her positions on the environment and education. She recognizes that without clean air and clean water little else matters so she supports environmental protection. And she opposes the Newport Smelter project. As a former teacher, she understands the importance of education to Idaho’s future. She will be a strong advocate for improving the quality of education in Idaho’s schools.

If you are not already registered, you can register to vote online or by mail until Oct. 12. You can register on election day with proof of residency. Rock the Vote!

Sincerely,

Shirley Kolm Sandpoint

Cannonball Run...

Dear Editor,

I remember the “Cannonball Run” movie with Burt Reynolds. Ninety minutes of wild fun and plenty of reckless driving. Fortunately for the driving public it was just a movie.

The Motorcycle Cannonball race through North Idaho also had plenty of reckless driving, although in an entirely different manner. I experienced this Friday afternoon driving north on Highway 95 from Cocolalla into Sandpoint. For the entire trip I saw a variety of antique motorcycles heading south. Some traveled solo, while others were in small groups. Most were going well under the speed limit. Some couldn’t have been doing much over 30. As usual for a weekday afternoon, private and commercial traffic was heavy. Some of the motorcycles had literally dozens of cars and trucks stacked up tightly behind them. In one case I counted 60. More than once I had to swerve to the shoulder to avoid frustrated vehicles passing these moving roadblocks.

In Sagle there was a southbound ambulance with flashing lights and siren. I sure hope it was not a time-critical medical emergency because it was not getting anywhere quickly. I doubt it averaged even as much as 45mph due to the traffic jam created by this motorcycle “race.”

Last week’s Reader article was incorrect on several accounts.

(1)The route took them through Sandpoint on Friday 9/21 and not Saturday 9/22 (see their website’s route page).

(2)Their route continued west, not east.

(3)This was certainly not a race in any sense of the word.

Lynn Settle Cocolalla

Dear Editor, I just received a very juvenile, derogatory phone message about the Reader and its publisher. The message was offensive to my intelligence, but really put the Reader, which I have always taken for granted, on my radar.

The Reader is a great publication, and if it’s “leftist” as the poor fellow in the recording says, then count me in to being a leftist! I will now take more note of who the advertisers are and give them my business.

It’s silly how someone can take offense against a publication loaded with interesting and informative articles, and make such vague accusations against the publisher. Thanks for bringing the Reader to Sandpoint.

Rick Reed Sandpoint

Origin of Jesus Fish...

Dear Editor,

The origin of the “Jesus fish” is of

the occult and goes back many centuries before the birth of Jesus.

We have all heard the song lyrics “this is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius”. The birth of Jesus was the dawning of the Age of Pisces which is/ was about 2000 years long. This means that, at the vernal equinox, the sun is/ was in the astrological sign of Pisces during this period.

As the story goes, Jesus was born at the end of the Age of Aries and within a dozen years of his birth began the Piscean Age. So Jesus is referred to as the lamb because he was born in the Age of Aries (the Ram) and the fisher of men because his ministry came into being at the dawn of the Piscean age.

What does the astrological star configuration of Pisces represent? It is two fish. What is the origin of the astrological symbol for Pisces? It is the Vesica Pisces.

The fish symbol used by early Christians was created by the construction of a Vesica Pisces.

Vesica Pisces is defined as the almond shape that is created when two circles of the same radius intersect in such a way that the center of each circle lies on the circumference of the other. In Latin Vesica Pisces literally means the bladder of the fish.

Before Jesus, this glyph was associated with the Goddess Venus and represented female genitalia. Early depictions of Jesus show him as an infant within the vesica which represented the womb of the mother Mary.

For Pythagoras the Vesica Pisces was sacred. The mathematical ratio of its width to its height is the square root of 3 and was believed by him to be 265/153. This ratio is an approximation of the square root of 3 and is called the measure of the fish.

The number 153 is in the Gospel of John as the number of fish Jesus caused to be caught in a miraculous catch of fish: John 21:11.

A little known fact is that the final editing of the King James Bible was by Sir Francis Bacon, the creator of the Scientific Method, an “occultist”, Rosicrucian and most likely the author of much of the works of Shakespeare.

Bacon’s final editing of the KJV explains why it is infused with so much of the arcane sciences as it is.

Lee Santa Sandpoint

Dear Editor,

I got a robocall at home 9/24/18, trying to frighten me about the Reader

The Reader fills me with questions and interest in my community. I cried when I read the pieces on Emily and McCalee’s Moms. I laughed when I read Cameron’s piece on “Butch” Otter, and I was filled with questions when I read his piece offering Jim Risch’s perspective on our president.

Conservative community members ought to be grateful that the ads in the

Reader aren’t for escort services and marijuana (as are featured in Spokane’s weekly publication). Tim Henney paid for an ad that filled me with a rare American pride. “Some of our freedoms still exist!” my heart shouted, when I read Tim’s essay.

The only way that the Reader resembles “cancer” (as the robocall suggests) is that it seems to be spreading.

Thank you for Thursdays, Jodi Rawson Sandpoint

Dear Editor, My wife, Eileen Atkisson, and I are on our way home from a month in Vietnam. We just heard about the donkey-brained robo threats to Ben Olson at the Sandpoint Reader. Please add our names to others who support Ben and condemn trash-talking poots. Please spell our names correctly. We want them to know exactly who we are.

Lawrence Blakey Sandpoint

Dear Editor, Steve Lockwood has the experience, ability and the right temperament to be an outstanding County Commissioner. He has gained valuable experience over many years by serving the community on the Lake Pend Oreille School Board, the Sandpoint City Council, the Sandpoint Planning and Zoning Committee and the Sandpoint Urban Renewal Board — just to name a few.

While holding these various positions he not only demonstrated his managerial ability to get the job done, but also his demeanor to work well with the public. We think his positive, thoughtful analysis of the issues facing the county, and his openness to listen to others gives an indication of how he will conduct himself as a County Commissioner when elected. In doing so, we think he would bring a welcomed change to that office. However, he needs your vote on Nov. 6 to make that happen!

Cary and Mona Kelly Sandpoint

Dear Editor,

I attended the Newport Smelter Scoping meeting last week and profoundly felt the passion by all those in attendance. I am confident that us passionate (and currently irate) citizens of the many beautiful lands that would be impacted by this bully of a corporation, and flawed state process, will as the Newport High School cheer (also in attendance that night on the gym wall) says, “We’re going to fight, fight, fight, to win this game!” I would also say that those in favor seem to be open to other possible alternatives with the main focus being on job

creation. For all, there is a truly deep running thread of great respect for this clean, beautiful, generation spanning and life sustaining place we call home.

To this thread of great respect, I lyrically rap:

The forest gave us our voices, so hear them ring loud-

From their lung tops that need clean air to stand proud

The rivers gave us our sustenance, so let them be-

Protect them for all her children, the ones in the future to see,

The soaring eagle, the swimming Kokanee,

The foraging bear, the croaking frog,

All the things that need each other to get along.

These are some of the words that I’ll be sharing at the 100,000 Poets for Change event this Saturday, 9/29, inspired by our community.

Passionate in Sandpoint, Elizabeth Iha Sandpoint

P.S. I am sad there wasn’t a scoping meeting called for in Sandpoint. It is a right I feel this city and its citizens were denied. Please, let’s all remember to gather our thoughts and gather our questions to submit online to the Washington Dept. of Ecology by Oct. 26th. {ecology.wa.gov/ PacWestScopingComment} I am hopeful that there will be a gathering to discuss what questions the citizens of Sandpoint want answered before the deadline. To participate, keep an eye and ear out for time, place and date.

Dear Editor,

Our community is fortunate to have two newspapers with journalistic integrity, that together do a great job of covering events and issues that are important to their readers -- the Daily Bee and the Sandpoint Reader

This past week, many residents have been unwelcome recipients of robocalls that have targeted Ben Olson, publisher of the Reader. Unfortunately, we have become somewhat accustomed to ugly and hateful calls that spew racist, anti-semitic and homophobic messages. However, when they contain threats against specific individuals-- they rise to a level that is greater than mere annoyance. They require a response.

The Bonner County Human Rights Task Force is suggesting that anyone who finds offensive the robo messages that urge them to “Burn out the cancer Ben Olson…” show their support for Ben and for independent journalism by sending a donation to the Reader.

Be sure to include a note stating that your donation is in response to the hateful attack against him.

Brenda Hammond

Bonner Co. Human Rights Task Force Sandpoint

Ben Olson is a Degenerate:

An open letter to the anti-Reader robo-caller

By Zach Hagadone Reader Contributor

Dear Robo-Caller,

Let’s be clear: Ben Olson is a degenerate, as your recent robocall impugning him and the Sandpoint Reader put it. He’s much less a degenerate now than ever, though, and I’ve known Ben since 1993, when we were seventh-graders at Sandpoint Middle School. He was more appropriately classed as a reprobate then and remained so for through high school—though he still managed to be crowned homecoming king, beat me in the election for senior class president and ranked as the 1999 salutatorian.

He was a bartender at the Downtown Crossing between 2007-ish and 2011. During that time, he also published a novel, wrote and produced three plays, and started playing music publicly (you might have caught his band, Harold’s IGA, opening for Sublime at The Festival this past summer).

To your robocall’s assertion that Ben has no education. Well, he did only attend three semesters of college from 1999-2001, after which time he worked in film and TV production in Hollywood. When I started the Sandpoint Reader with two partners—John Reuter and Chris De Cleur—back in 2004, it’s true that Ben had never been a journalist. Yet, he was our first and last paid writer and remained a steady contributor from 2004-2012. By my arithmetic, that gave him eight years of practical experience, though I don’t know if you could call it “training,” as he only heeded my edits when he was too tired out from degeneracy to resist.

That said, I do recall numerous instances of degeneracy during that time. A search of my Gmail inbox reveals 18 conversations going back to June 14, 2005 in which one or the other of us called one or the other of us “a degenerate.” So, point taken, robocaller.

I ended the Reader in 2012— not in “bankruptcy,” as your anonymous robocall of Sept. 20-21 asserted, but because I couldn’t keep it up by myself and didn’t want to (also, Ben turned down my partner-

ship offer at the time). Considering my first child was born in April of that year, I was also exhausted. Rather than “bankrupt,” when the last edition of Reader 1.0 was distributed in May 2012, the paper was owed upwards of $30,000 in accounts receivable, which were never received. That’s water under the bridge, though.

Ben has published Reader 2.0 alongside Cameron Rasmusson since 2014, so add another four years to his total and Ben has been a practicing journalist for a total of 12 years, which technically makes him “mid-career.” Last year he took first place for serious feature reporting among statewide weekly newspapers at the Idaho Press Club. Not too shabby.

I don’t know how many people in the Sandpoint area received your robocall, which featured a man’s silly stentorian voice and an Exorcist-esque soundtrack, attacking Ben not only as a morally defunct, dunderheaded hack but a “cancer” that “our people” need to “burn out” before he and his newspaper “kill” Sandpoint. Plenty of people did, judging from the oodles of support it has since generated.

(Speaking only for myself as Reader editor emeritus, I’d like to thank you joker(s) for your contribution to marketing the paper. When I shared a recording of your robocall with Reader co-founder John Reuter, his response was: “I am so jealous! Why didn’t we ever get this kind of community engagement? Well done, Ben! Not bad for an illiterate bartender.”).

Thankfully, most people who received the call and felt compelled to contact the paper and Ben about it realized a central fact seemingly lost on you, despite your claim to representing “our people” in Sandpoint: If Ben, and by extension the Reader, is “a cancer” then he and it are a congenital one.

The Reader is a product of and by Sandpoint. Ben was born in Bonner General Hospital (one day shy of three months after me). His weight at delivery earned him a longstanding distinction of “biggest baby in Bonner County,” though there are clearly far bigger babies in

the county now than there ever have been (and they seem to have figured out how to use phones).

The Reader was likewise born in Sandpoint, with an inaugural publication date of Dec. 23, 2004, three days before Ben’s 24th birthday. Since 2004 it has operated from two locations, both within spitting distance of the corner of Cedar Street and Second Avenue. It has never been under ownership outside Sandpoint. It has never been anything but totally independent.

If there is such a thing as “our people” in Sandpoint, the Reader is as much or more an outgrowth of it than any other media source currently in operation.

Nonetheless, you claimed the Reader is “not a real newspaper.” Rather, the vehicle for Ben’s “cancer” and the sinister nucleus of a tiny “cabal.” I don’t have anywhere near the amount of space I’d need to adequately unpack the semantic gymnastics that undergird this flabby “fake news” hobbyhorse. Based on your robocall, robocaller, the Reader isn’t “real” because of Ben’s bad character (which I presume includes the charge of “liber-

alism,” though one of my complaints is that Ben and Cameron are even-handed when they should be giving the back-hand), lack of university degree and supposedly amateur reporter chops. Please.

What would you say if Ben was a triple major in political science, philosophy and English at Harvard and held a master’s in journalism from Columbia? Let’s say he interned at The Atlantic and landed a staff job at The Washington Post, then got head-hunted by The New York Times and went to work in the White House Press Corps? For good measure, let’s say he won a couple of National Magazine Awards and a Pulitzer.

Uh oh… now Ben’s part of the “media elite” and he’s still “fake news.”

Damned if you do, damned if you don’t, it seems. So, if you’d be so kind, robocaller, would you let me know precisely what level of education and experience is necessary to legitimately publish a newspaper? I’ll pass it along to the rest of the “cabal” of working journalists in the world—who put our names on our work, by

Laughing Matter

the way—so we can adjust our resumes accordingly.

All fun aside, this idea of “cancer” has me worried. First of all, I have to put in a word for Cameron here. What’s he? A really bad cold? Come on, robocaller. Cameron’s byline is just as cancerous as Ben’s.

More to the point, I’m not sure you understand how cancer really works. You don’t “burn it out” (though you can “burn out” newspaper offices. You know who else does that? Nazis, that’s who). No, unlike the Reader, cancer is quiet. Unlike Ben, it doesn’t put its name on the things it does. It just lurks in the background, silently poisoning the body until a phone call comes in the night and you hear the Exorcist theme and…

Wait a minute.

Hey, robocaller… have you been to the doctor lately?

Zach Hagadone is the former owner and editor of the Sandpoint Reader, served as editor-in-chief of the Boise Weekly and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Pullman. He is also a degenerate, and today is his birthday.

By Bill Borders

‘Support the Boobs, Drink the Beer’

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

The third annual Boobs and Beer 5k Fun Run and Beer Fest

Help support local cancer services by joining 7B Women at their third annual Boobs and Beer 5k Fun Run and Beer Fest. This event has grown in popularity over the last two years, featuring a 5K run on the Sand Creek Trail followed by an Oktoberfest reception at MickDuff’s Beer Hall. The event is a fundraiser for Celebrate Life and Community Cancer Services, two local non profit organizations tasked with assisting cancer patients and their loved ones in the community.

Last year’s Boobs and Beer event raised $17,500 for Community Cancer Services and Celebrate Lift. This year, by partnering with MickDuff’s Beer Hall, 7B Women hopes to bring racers an even better and bigger event, if that’s even possible.

The fun kicks off with the 5K Fun Run on the Sand Creek Trail at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 30, rain or shine. Costumes are highly encouraged. Participants can celebrate breast cancer awareness month by sporting head-to-toe pink or embrace the Oktoberfest theme and bust the lederhosen out of the back of the closet.

After the race, everyone will head over to MickDuff’s Beer Hall for an Oktoberfest celebration. For those over 21, race registration includes a free beer. A portion of beer sales will also go right back into the cause. There will be three food trucks on site and live music by 20 Grand Funk. For those with kids, there will be a Kid’s Zone featuring face painting and bounce houses.

To register, check out 7BWomen.com. Registrations received prior to Friday, Sept. 28, at 5 p.m. will cost $40 for adults and $10 for those 12 and under. Registrations received after this time will be $50 for adults and $15 for kids 12 and under. Online registration closes Saturday, Sept. 29, at 6 p.m. Packets are available to pick up Saturday, Sept.

29, from 3-6 p.m. at MickDuff’s Beer Hall, or on race day, Sunday, Sept. 30, from 9-10:30 a.m. at Sandpoint City Beach. Participants can also register in person at both locations. Once paid, race registrations are non-refundable, however it is possible to transfer registration to another racer if something prohibits racers from attending.

As they say over at 7B Women: “Support the boobs, drink the beer.”

The Boobs and Beer 5K Fun Run and Oktoberfest will take place Sunday, Sept. 30. The 5K kicks off at 11 a.m. on the Sand Creek Trail and the Oktoberfest celebration will start after the race at MickDuff’s Beer Hall. Check 7BWomen. com for more information.

Mayor’s Roundtable: UI/Boyer and the Newport Smelter

By Mayor Shelby Rognstad Reader Contributor

A lot has happened since my last post. I’d like to first share with you some great successes that really need to be recognized and celebrated.

First, the incredible work that has been done to develop access to natural areas for recreation, connectivity and education is truly monumental. This year marks the centennial of the Little Sandcreek Watershed. It amazes me that Sandpoint City Council had the foresight, wisdom and resolve to invest in protecting the city’s primary water source way back in 1918. In 100 years the city has secured roughly 4000 acres. In 2014, the city partnered with Pend Orielle Pedalers, Schweitzer Mountain Resort and Selkirk Recreation District to build

Mayor Shelby Rognstad.

the Watershed Crest Trail, which is envisioned as a crestline trail with expansive views in all directions as it wraps around the entire watershed. Last week I, along with 16 other eager trail builders, spent a gorgeous Saturday carving out another quarter mile as construction now enters phase two of a project that will likely take several more years to complete. It now extends out Uleda Ridge a mile and a half offering breathtaking views from Lake Pend Orielle to Priest Lake. Built with the steadfast support of Equinox Foundation, LOR foundation and teams of volunteers, it promises to put Sandpoint on the map for the best in hiking and biking and all varieties of non-motorized touring. The trail aspires to include nordic skiers in later phases as linkages to lower elevations and lesser gradients are developed. You can show your support for the project by becoming a member of the Pend Oreille Pedalers (pendoreillepedalers.org) or just showing up to the next work party as it is posted on their facebook page.

Another monumental win is the

completion of phase 1 fundraising for the Pine Street Woods project. Kaniksu Land Trust has succeeded in raising an incredible $2.1 million in just two years through tremendous broad based local support and a number of key philanthropic partners, including Equinox Foundation, Innovia, LOR Foundation, U.S. Forest Service, Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Idaho Forest Group, Middle Fork River Expeditions, and many others. This is enough to purchase the property and devote significant funds toward trail construction. Phase 2 of fundraising now begins with the goal of building an educational pavilion to support Kaniksu’s programming which enables kids to learn the value of the natural world. The Land Trust has attracted the interest of the International Timberframer’s Guild to partner with a local army of volunteers and build the pavilion. Come to the Squatchfest fundraiser on Oct. 6 from 4-7 p.m. at the Granary to learn more and get involved.

Also worthy of celebration is the launch of the first municipal mobile app in Idaho and the Inland Northwest. The app, Engage Sandpoint, is available for android or iphone and can be downloaded through the app store. Powered by SeeClickFix, it enables users a whole new way to engage the city. You can pay utility bills, parking tickets, sign up for a rec program, report a safety issue, register your bike, view the city GIS map or the city council agenda and use many other

features right in the palm of your hand. It has never been easier to engage your local government. Download the app to see how powerful and user friendly it is.

I’m sure many of you have heard that scoping for the proposed Silicon Smelter in Newport has recently begun. For those who haven’t been able to attend one of the hearings over the last couple weeks, you still have time to submit written comments to Washington Department of Ecology until Oct. 26. You can find out more information, including how to provide comment by going here: https:// ecology.wa.gov/Events/AQ/PacWest-Silicon-EIS-Scoping/PacWest-Silicon-Newport-comment-period-closes-Oct

I, along with City Council, will be providing scoping comments at the next City Council meeting. It is critical that we speak out on this issue. The proposed smelter will not only significantly impact our air quality, it will affect water quality and our identity as a community which fosters an incredibly high quality of life. Quality of life underpins our economy, attracting quality employers in technology and a workforce that sustains our economic health. This proposed project offers a few jobs across the border at the expense of our community’s economic health across every sector, from tourism to technology. Please contact your county commissioners, your state elected officials and your governor to let them know how important this issue is to you and your health.

Mayor’s Roundtable continues this Friday the 28th, from 8-9am at City Beach Bistro. Please join me to discuss these issues and more.

Science: Mad about

hoverflies

By Brenden Bobby Reader Columnist

If you’re allergic to bees like I am, these freaky little lookalikes have probably given you a jump more than once in your life. How did you react after you saw it wasn’t a bee? Did you go about your business, or did you smash it into six-legged oblivion?

If it was the latter, get ready for some grief!

Those bee-looking things aren’t bees at all, they’re actually flies, and not the disgusting “I roll in garbage and inject larvae into your eyeballs” flies. Hoverflies come in all sorts of shapes, colors and dietary habits, most of which are beneficial. Many breeds of hoverfly are actually bred by gardeners, who use their larvae as a natural insecticide to wipe out aphid and mite populations that would otherwise wreak havoc in their gardens. Adult hoverflies are even pollinators like bees. Unlike bees, these guys can’t sting you and they’re incapable of biting.

Lucky for you, because they really want you to think that they CAN sting you.

This is called Batesian mimicry. As cool as it would be to be a references to “Psycho,” it’s actually in reference to the naturalist Henry Walter Bates, who spent his career studying butterflies and other deceptively cool insects. In a nutshell, Batesian mimicry is adopting a disguise that makes you look like something dangerous so real bad dudes don’t mess with you. In the case of the hoverfly, that means looking like bees and wasps so birds and lizards

won’t eat them.

They have even been observed moving their front legs alongside their heads to mimic the antennae movement of wasps to confuse birds.

Perhaps if my order of tacos disguised themselves as a kale salad, I wouldn’t eat them. It all makes sense!

The eyes of flies are really cool. They’re extremely basic compared to something like the human eye, where muscles control how much light we can see and our ability to focus on individual objects and details, but they’re pretty fantastic for being rigged to something smaller than a penny. The eyes of the males are large fields that connect together near the top of the head, while females have two separate lobes. I wish I could tell you why this is the case, but I can’t. It sure does look cool, though.

What looks even cooler is the world through the hoverfly’s eyes. The eyes of all flies are made up of dozens, hundreds, sometimes even thousands of individual receptors. These receptors all catch light and process them in a uniform fashion. Individually, they don’t reveal much, but together they can create an image of the outside world. The letters printed on this page are a lot like a fly’s eyes. If you were to look at this page under a magnifying glass, you’d see tons of tiny dots. The farther back you move, the more the image comes together.

Hoverflies are a lot like ‘80s hairbands. They live extremely active lives for a very short amount of time before fading into obscurity. Or in the fly’s case, death. A hoverfly lives for

about a month, but this time can shorten or extend depending on the season and availability of food. They begin their life emerging from an egg in the form of a maggot-like larvae. For a few days, they feast on plant decay and tiny insects before they get too fat and fall to the soil below. Here, they pupate, where they spend anywhere from one to two weeks metamorphosing into their ultimate flying form, when they pollinate flowers and mate with other hoverflies before dying. Up to nine generations of hoverfly can come and go in a single year. Radical, dude. A hoverfly maggot’s success at life is dictated before its birth. Female hoverflies can detect and evaluate aphid populations in an area and delay her ability to lay eggs until she’s found a suitable space with a sizable aphid infestation. The level of infestation also dictates the amount of eggs she will lay. To me, this would be kind of like deciding who to settle down and spend your life with based on how close the nearest grocery store is to you. Hey, if we only lived for a month, maybe that wouldn’t be such a terrible logic to pursue.

Ever notice that weird creepy thing that all flies do, where they appear to be licking their front legs and then stroking their eyes? This is actually really cool behavior. Between each receptor of their eye are bristles called setae. It’s microscopic, so you can’t see it without a little electronic help, but the fly knows it there. The setae act like the face mask of a football helmet, intercepting debris that could otherwise

damage the eye as they’re flying. When they land, if their vision is particularly obscured, they’ll drag their front legs across the setae, which have enough resistance to act like springs. The fly then flings the debris, be it dust particles or pollen, off their eyes at accelerations that can exceed 100g.

In case you were wondering, the astronauts aboard Apollo

13 experienced 4g pressing straight down on them in one of the strongest rockets we’ve ever developed, Saturn V.

I don’t know about you, but the next time I think about wiping one of these bee-lookalikes off the face of the Earth, I’ll shoot my hand out and offer that little guy a high-five for being awesome.

Random Corner

Don’t know much about robocalls? We can help!

•Sales robocalls are almost always a scam. Robocalls are never allowed on cellphones, unless you give them prior written consent or it’s an emergency. Robocalls to your landline are only allowed from political campaigns, charities, debt collectors, survey takers and information services such as your pharmacy or school. So if you get a robocall selling a product or claiming that a product has been purchased for you, hang up immediately.

•Don’t press 1. Pressing any number, even if it suggests that doing so will take you off their list, only confirms your number is working and that they have reached a live person. Engaging the call in any way will just lead to more calls.

•Caller ID means nothing. It’s called “number spoofing,” and it prevents you from knowing where the call is really coming from. You can ask your phone company to block a particular number. But by the time you do that, the same scammers will probably move on to a different number. Your own phone number can even appear on the caller ID, whereas the call might be coming from overseas. If someone calls your number and asks why you called them (and you didn’t), your number was probably spoofed and used by a robocaller.

•Register your number on the national Do Not Call List. But don’t expect too much. Scammers ignore the registry so it’s unlikely to stop the problem. But at least then you’ll know that every time you get a call, and it’s not a political campaign, survey or charity — it’s a scam.

ELECTION

PROPOSITION 2:

Will voters approve Medicaid expansion?

By Cameron Rasmusson Reader Staff

Medicaid expansion is a debate Idaho has grappled with since the introduction of the Affordable Care Act in 2010. Now the state has a chance to settle that debate once and for all with a vote on Proposition 2.

With the executive and legislative branches of the state government controlled by the Republican party, proponents of Medicaid expansion in Idaho failed to find a political path forward. This year’s referendum is a chance for supporters to bypass the politicians through the will of the people, establishing a solution for the estimated 78,000 people who make too much money to qualify for Medicaid but too little to purchase subsidized insurance plans through the health care marketplace. But with an electorate as red as Idaho’s, does the proposition stand any chance of passing?

Emily Strizich of Reclaim Idaho, an activist group supporting the passage of Proposition 2, thinks so. She sees Medicaid expansion as a solution not just for people caught in the health care gap but also for fiscal conservatives seeking to rein in expenses.

“When I think of classically Republican ideals, I think of fiscal conservatism, and we know that Medicaid expansion will save $15 million a year,” she said.

A state-ordered study this summer confirmed that assessment, finding that Medicaid expansion would save the state a minimum of $10 million in the first six months and up to $635 million over 10 years. That’s set against a projected cost of $529.6 million to expand Medicaid over 10 years. The cost to the federal government would be $4.7 billion. The savings, according to the Spokesman-Review, comes from reduced operational costs to several state and local programs, including Idaho’s Catastrophic Health Care fund, local indigency programs, Substance Use Disorder Services, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s behavioral health services and mental health.

According to Strizich, the fiscal angle has brought many Republicans out in support of Medicaid expansion. Similar-

ly, organizations like the Idaho Sheriff’s Association endorsed the plan for its potential to reduce drug abuse and criminal recidivism.

“Sheriffs voted overwhelmingly to support Proposition 2 to save taxpayers money, to keep people out of the jails, and to keep people out of the emergency room,” said Chris Goetz, Clearwater County sheriff and government affairs chair for the association. “By expanding coverage to low-income people with health issues or mental health issues, they’re more likely to contribute to society and less likely to end up back in the system.”

On the other hand, Idaho is a stronghold for libertarian conservatives ideologically opposed to the expansion of government. And perhaps no other organization in the state promotes those values more effectively than the Idaho Freedom Foundation, which is opposed to Proposition 2.

“Prop 2 would give immense power to federal politicians and bureaucrats over Idaho,” wrote IFF President Wayne

Hoffman in an editorial. “Said federal power would very likely be in violation of the state constitution. Further, such power could prove damaging to myriad programs.”

Exactly which side the Idaho electorate will support in this ideological split is not easy to determine, and the available data can support an argument in either direction.

In an exhaustive look at the polling surrounding Proposition 2, data analysis website FiveThirtyEight concluded that voter opinion had much to do with the wording of the question. According to a Boise State University poll last year, a survey of 1,000 residents found that three-quarters of respondents “favored the governor and state legislature taking action to provide them with access to quality health care.” The word “Medicaid” was not used in the poll.

Idahoans were similarly supportive in a 2015 Dan Jones and Associates poll of registered voters, which asked, “Do you support or oppose an expansion of federal Medicaid coverage in Idaho?” Sixty-one

percent said they supported it. The next year, 64 percent of voters and 49 percent of Republicans said they disagreed with the Idaho Legislature’s decision to not expand Medicaid.

On the other hand, an Idaho Freedom Foundation poll noting that Medicaid expansion would largely cover “working-age, nondisabled, mostly childless adults” yielded only 39 percent in support of Medicaid expansion.

Regardless of which direction the polls point, Strizich believes that the momentum is pointing toward Proposition 2 succeeding. The task for Reclaim Idaho, she said, is to keep that momentum flowing until the day of the election. That means phone banking, canvassing and mobilizing volunteers to maintain their conversations with everyday Idahoans. For the next month, the organization’s signature green buses — which has now expanded to a fleet of two — will spend their share of time on the road.

“We need to keep our foot on the gas pedal between now and the election,” Strizich said.

Dollar Beers!

8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub

Auditions for “The Nutcracker”

Steve Lockwood election 7-9pm @ The Heartwood

Good until the keg’s dry

Axe Throwing League

6-10pm @ Tervan

Yeah, you read that right

6pm @ DanceWorks Studio

Bring your blossoming dancers to DanceWorks Studio, 409 N. Fourth Ave.

Check artinsandpoint.org for times

Live Music w/ Bright Moments

5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority

Jazz and beer: a great combo

Live Music w/ Riff Hangers

5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery Country, blues and swing

Live Music w/ Brian Jacobs

5-7pm @ Idaho Pour Authority

Live Music w/ The Groove Black

7pm @ Eichardt’s Pub

Dynamic longtime Spt. trio

Live Music w/ Mudslide Charley

9pm-12am @ 219 Lounge

Southern acoustic blues with modern electric instruments from this Missoula-based band

Sandpoint Chess Club

Oktoberfest Bash w/ RFB

A fundraiser for Steve candidate running for sion. Live music by Doug Paranormal Daves and mission. $10 donation

6:30-9:30pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall

A funky Sandpoint trio playing funk, disco, rock and groove. Free show!

Live Music w/ Mostly Harmless 6-8pm @ Cedar St. Bridge Wine Bar Fast-paced local trio with cool beats

Hoptoberfest!

11am-pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall

The 5th Annual Hoptoberfest, a celebration of beer. Live music starts at 2:30 with Harold’s IGA and continues at 6:30 with The Other White Meat. Fun, games, and a lot of great beer

Sadie Sicilia in Concert

7pm @ The Panida Theater

Also known as Sadie Wagoner, Sicilia will be leading two different bands in this music showcase concert. $15/$12

Live Music w/ Jake Robin

6-8pm @ Cedar St. Bridge Wine Bar

Smooth vocals, fingerpicked guitar

Live Music 9pm-12am Energetic uptempo band that is ery time they’ve they’ve left

for

4-8pm @ Pend

A benefit Musicalfor Sandpoint nonprofit ing lessons and instruments to kids in need.

Friends of Scotchman

As part of the celebration Friends of Scotchman ing on the Morris drainage. The public trails on public lands

27 28 29 30 1 2 3 4

9am @ Evans Brothers

Sandpoint Oktoberfest and Boobs ‘n’ Beer Garden 12-4pm @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall

A joint fundraiser benefiting Celebrate Life and Community CancerServices. with 20 Grand, an amazing band from Whitefish, plus food trucks and

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

Night-Out Karaoke

9pm @ 219 Lounge

Join DJ Pat for a night of singing, or just come to drink and listen

Wind Down Wednesday

5-8pm @ 219 Lounge

With live music by blues man Truck Mills and guest musician John Firshi

Dollar Beers!

Lifetree Cafe • 2pm @ Jalepeño’s Mexican

An hour of conversation and stories. This week’s

Bonner Mall Seniors Day

9am-12pm @ Bonner Mall

All are welcome to come walk the Mall, plus a featured speaker and free refreshments

Hootenanny Open Mic Night

Childbirth Education Class 9am-12pm @ Bonner Mall

All are welcome to come walk the Mall, plus a featured speaker and free refreshments

6:30-8:30pm @ City Beach Organics

If you have an instrument to play, a song to sing, a poem to read, or want to hear live music, join Fiddlin’ Red and Desiree for a Hootenanny. 265-9919

8pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Good until the keg’s dry ICL’s

Vines, Wines and 6pm @ Ponderay

Nancy Hastings which varieties making and juicing,

Reed, one of ICL’s founders.

ful

Lockwood election fundraiser concert

The Heartwood Center for Steve Lockwood, a Democratic running for Bonner County Commismusic by Doug Bond, Folk Remedy, Daves and Harold’s IGA. Free addonation suggestied

Live Music w/ Joseph Hein Band

9pm-12am @ 219 Lounge

Energetic uptempo tunes by a traveling band that is an absolute must see. Every time they’ve played in Sandpoint, they’ve left the crowd wanting more

for Life Sip & Shop

Pend d’Oreille

Musical for Life, a Sandpoint nonprofit providlessons and instruments need.

Sept. 27 - Oct. 4, 2018

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

Yappy Hour

4-7pm @ Eichardt’s Pub

Bring your dog and enjoy a Panhandle Animal Shelter benefit with live music, beverages, and four-legged fun

Reader recommended

Manhattan Short Film Festival

Sept. 27-30 @ Panida Theater

A four-day, nationwide film festival where you vote for your favorites. See Panida.org for showtimes and tickets

POAC Art Reception - “The Golden Age of Transportation”

5:30-7pm @ POAC Gallery

Join us as we travel through time on a visual discovery of the golden ages of transportation. This exhibition honors the past, present and future of transportation in our society.

Ponderay Neighbor Day

1-6pm @ Behind the Hoot Owl Cafe

A community carnival for Ponderay, back by popular demand. 208-2655468 for more info on participation

Oktoberfest at the Tervan 12-10pm @ Tervan

Celebrate the season!

of Scotchman Peaks Trail Work Day of the celebration of National Public Lands Day, the of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness trail crew will be workthe Morris and Regal Creek trails in the Lightning Creek drainage. The public is encouraged to participate, and help keep public lands viable and open. Scotchmanpeaks.org

Crosstoberfest

Community Cancer Services. Live music trucks and a kid’s zone!

Head of the Pend Oreille Regatta and BBQ 8:30am-5pm @ The Mudhole (Priest River)

Annual rowing event with BBQ by the Klondyke (buy BBQ tickets by Sept. 23)

Sandpoint Farmers Market

9am-1pm @ Farmin Park

Shop for locally grown produce, artisan wares, and more, plus, chef demonstrations and lots of samples provided by market vendors. Enjoy live music with Oak Street Connection

Crosstoberfest

9am @ UI Annex, 2404 N. Boyer Ave.

A bike race like no other. Fundraiser for Team Autism 24/7. Food, drinks, good times

9am @ UI Annex, 2404 N. Boyer Ave.

A bike race like no other. Fundraiser for Team Autism 24/7. Food, drinks, good times

Jalepeño’s Mexican Restaurant stories. This week’s topic: “A Family Divided”

Class Mall come featured refreshments

Piano Sunday with Peter Lucht 4-6pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery

Pend Oreille Pedalers board meeting • 6pm @ Evans Brothers Coffee Rock the Vote! Do you like the direction the Pend Oreille Pedalers (and our trails!) are going? Do you have ideas for improvement? Several officer positions are available. We will be taking nominations, listening to candidates and taking a vote. Open for all to attend

Vines, Wines and Designs - Hardy Grapes @ Ponderay Events Center

Nancy Hastings at All Seasons will tell us varieties are for fresh eating, wine making and juicing, plus how to integrate

Scott Reed and Dinner

Country Club and dinner in honor of the late

ICL’s founders. 208-265-9565

Magic Wednesday 6-8pm @ Jalapeño’s Enjoy close-up magic shows by Star Alexander right at your table

Beer Hall Bingo

6:30pm @ Jalapeño’s Bingo is back! Bring markers (not dobbers) like M&Ms or Skittles

Oct. 6

Free First Saturday @ the Museum

Oct. 6

Free First Saturday @ the Museum

Oct. 10

Walk to School Day

Oct. 10

Open Mic w/ Kevin Dorin @ MickDuff’s Beer Hall

4:30-9pm Wed, Thu, Sun | 4:30-10pm Fri,Sat

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

Bikes, beer and a little bit of crazy

The seventh annual Sandpoint Crosstoberfest lands this weekend

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff

Cyclocross is not a sport for the faint of heart.

“Imagine a road bike with knobby tires — and then combine that with a steeplechase,” said Charles Mortensen, owner of Syringa Cyclery and sponsor of Sandpoint Crosstoberfest, which takes place Sept. 29 and 30 on the North Boyer course.

The local course only contributes to the strenuous — some may call insane? — nature of the sport, Mortensen said.

“One portion is so steep, muddy and gnarly that you have to put your bike on your shoulder and run up it,” he said.

Riders must also contend with obstacles to carry bikes over and a sand pit nearly impossible to ride all the way through.

But if this is your idea of fun, the upcoming cyclocross race and beerfest is right for you. The race will take place over both

Saturday and Sunday, with a short-course kid race and autism walk on Saturday. Mandala Pizza and Jupiter Jane will serve food, and the 219 Lounge is providing the beer and Eichardt’s is serving it, Mortensen said.

“The cycling itself is fun. It’s competitive, and it’s kind of crazy,” he said.

But there’s also a place at Crosstoberfest for those unwilling to trudge through mud with a bike on their shoulder. Mortensen said cyclocross is just as much for spectators as it is for bikers.

“There’s a lot of heckling going on,” he said. “Spectators hand beers to racers. It’s mayhem.”

Mortensen said the Sandpoint race is the first in a series dubbed the Wild West Cyclocross Series, for which he is the “unofficial commissioner.” The series also has races scheduled in Whitefish, Bozeman, Helena and Missoula over the coming weeks.

Proceeds from the Sandpoint race will benefit Team Autism 24/7, a local non-profit

dedicated to serving the autism community through training, programs and grants. Learn more about their mission at teamautism247.com.

Seven years in, Mortensen said he continues to organize cyclocross races for one simple reason: “It’s just a blast.”

Register for Crosstoberfest 2018 at wildwestcxseries.com. Cost is $30. Racers ages 9-18 race for free, but must still register.

Registration is also available at 8 a.m. on race day for an additional $10. Racing starts at 9 a.m. both days.

The Sandpoint Eater

Best of Autumnfest

By Marcia Pilgeram Reader Food Columnist

We’re picking and pickling, pressing and pairing and pouring a plethora of pints. It’s time to sample an Oktoberfest brew or two, sip some cider, and swirl a glass of newly released wine. Welcome to fall, folks, my favorite and indecisive season.

On one recent morning’s outing, I headed outside, looked overhead and returned to the house twice for additional layers, including rain gear. A couple hours later, as I finished up walking the Bay Trail, I had a hoodie wrapped around my waist and was dragging my nylon anorak. Two hours later, I was layered again.

There’s so much that I love about fall, especially the colorful trees filled with brilliant, orange-hued leaves, the Tamaracks turning a dozen shades of buttery gold and the creeks filled with silvery-red Kokanee, spawning their way upstream.

Gardens and groves are nearly harvested, and nightly weather checks are required to determine whether to pull out your frost tarps. (That’s only if your tomatoes survived the grazing moose and deer this summer. Sadly, mine did not).

About those gardens…if you aren’t the bearer of an overabundance of crops, then you’re the recent (and often unwilling) recipient. You may now be the proud owner of buckets of apples, heaps of pears and plums, and mammoth zucchini that appear to keep growing, right before your eyes.

I’ve tried to dodge some of my generous pals, the gracious garden-gift givers, because my

freezer is already overflowing with gallons of tomatoes for sauces, blanched beans, two kinds of pesto and bags of tomatillos intended for salsa. But who can say no to the cornucopia of homegrown garden goodness?

Not I. Instead, I just bought another couple flats of canning jars to tackle a recent delivery of earthy beets.

I’ll head to Moscow soon, to help my kids (and the littles) with their annual cider-making event, which has become a highly anticipated block-wide affair. In fact, the father of one of their friends, planning a return visit from England, had only two requests for his trip to Moscow, and topping the short list was apple-pressing.

Besides cider pressing, fall is packed full of all kinds of other fun events, starting with last week’s Souptember at Farmin Park (where I was delighted, but not one bit surprised, that my good pal Judy, owner and chef at Tango, took first place with her delicious crab bisque). There are corn mazes to wander through, pumpkin carving contests, Octoberfests, harvesting and stomping grapes at regional wineries, hayrides and quilt shows galore. You’ll find fall events from Greenbluff to Bonner’s Ferry, and all villages between, so find a favorite or two and mark your calendar.

Naturally, my favorite part of these events is that many

of them will include a sampling of my favorite fall foods: cinnamon-scented apples pies, ginger-laced pumpkin spice bars, savory soups and hearty stews, and varieties of hearty-baked breads.

As a kid, my all-time favorite fall event (at the perpetual-parochial back-to-school fundraisers) was the highly anticipated cake walk. How I always longed to win the big, tall beauty covered in sticky-pink Seven Minute Icing. Often, as the accordion music ground to a halt, I’d land squarely on a number that awarded me the squatty, drab and plain looking spice cake. Soon thereafter, my mother would admonish me for my ungraciousness and

Apple Spice Cake Recipe

With Cream Cheese Frosting and Caramel Drizzle

INGREDIENTS:

2 1/2 cups our

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 tsp pumpkin spice mix

2 tsp cinnamon

1 cup canola oil

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

1 tbs molasses

1 cup applesauce

4 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

2 apples, peeled, cored and grated

1 cup ne chopped pecans

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

1-8oz package cream cheese

1/4 cup butter (1 stick)

3-4 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

Litehouse Caramel Sauce

remind me how lucky I was, as my coveted choice would surely have rotted my teeth.

This time of year, I also pull out one of my most coveted possessions: my mother’s recipe card-file box. Though the pencil written instructions are fading, my memory of gathering apples so she could whip up her delicious Apple-Spice Cake remain vivid and cherished.

Welcome to fall. In keeping with the season of change, I’ve added some caramel to my mom’s recipe, and I don’t think she’d mind one bit. Gather some friends and gather some apples, then bake up this Sunday dinner-worthy dessert.

Makes a 2 layer cake This cake is moist and tasty and perfect for fall

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350F.

Grease and line two 8” or 9” cake pans with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the our, baking soda, salt, pumpkin spice and cinnamon. Set aside.

In a standup mixer, combine the oil, brown sugar, molasses, applesauce, eggs and vanilla and mix for 2 minutes. Add the dry ingredients and mix just until well blended. Remove bowl from mixer, add nuts, and grate the apple directly into the mixer bowl and stir just until it’s blended. Split the batter between the two pans and bake for 18-22 minutes. Remove the cakes from the oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes before turning out onto a cooling rack.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat the butter and cream cheese

together, then add 2 cups of powdered sugar and the vanilla extract.

When the cakes are cool, place one on your cake stand and place 1/2 cup

of frosting on top. Smooth, add second layer, frost.

Serve with a drizzle of Litehouse caramel sauce, as desired.

OUTDOORS

Re ections of Nature: On the anniversary of

By Phil Hough Reader Staff

We launched our canoe into strong head winds and waves. Forward progress was slow, so we camped early, on a muddy shore only five miles from the start. Smoke from our warming campfire rose gently as a thick stand of trees broke the breeze. Tracks made overnight around our campsite told a story both fresh and ages old. The wonders of wild northern Maine were just beginning to unfold; the car at the put in could have been hundreds of miles away.

My dad choose the Allagash River for our first wilderness journey. Henry David Thoreau had this place in mind when he foresaw the preservation of the world in wildness. We paddled for 10 days through wild, rugged, scenic country, dining on bullfrogs, trout, freeze-dried food and cans whose contents were a mystery after the labels got wet. The sun burned our faces, blisters and cracks formed on wet, overworked hands and for much of the time we were wet, cold and tired. Black flies, mosquitos and gnats took out their chunks too. But, it was the bug of wilderness adventure, which at age 10, took the biggest bite out of me. My life would never be the same.

Thanks to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers act, thousands of others have paddled the Allagash — on their own personal journeys, through woods that are still lovely, dark and deep.

On Oct. 2, 1968, President Johnson signed this remarkable piece of legislation into law! Initially, it protected eight rivers; it also provided tools to add more. To date this legislation has preserved over 700 rivers and streams and 12,000 remarkable miles.

In my teens, my dad and I took long weekend trips along the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire and Vermont. There I met people hiking all the way from Georgia to Maine. National Geographic magazine displayed the marvels and mysteries of the Pacific Crest and Continental Divide Trails, each crossing the country from Mexico to Canada. A slow burn began to build. Years later, I quit my job (more than once) and hiked all three.

The National Trails Act was also signed into law by President Johnson on Oct. 2, 1968. It established the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail as our nation’s first two National Scenic Trails and authorized a study of 14 more. Now over a dozen of these iconic trails cross our country, along with dozens of National Historic Trails

over 1000 National Recreation Trails!

the National Scenic Trails Act, Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

On this same day, President Johnson also signed the laws that established the North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas, the Pasayten Wilderness, modified the Glacier Peak Wilderness, and established the Redwood National Park in California.

He summed it all up this way: “We have learned — all too slowly, I think — to prize and to protect God’s precious gifts. Because we have, our own children and grandchildren will come to know and come to love the great forests and the wild rivers that we have protected and left to them.”

The Wilderness Act or the laws that created the Forest Service or Park Service may be better known, but the legislative record of this one-day had a tremendous influence on conservation, recreation and access to our public lands.

Remember that the backdrop for this was the year 1968. The Vietnam War raged on, as did protests here at home. The other Johnson war, the one on poverty, was not going much better. Following the assassination of Martin Luther King in April and Bobby Kennedy in June, civil rights protests shifted into riots that burned many of our major cities. Our nation was as torn and divided then as at any time in our history. Somehow congress came together to pass landmark legislation shaping a world of opportunities for baby boomers and every generation to follow.

On these remarkable trails, wild and scenic rivers and unique landscapes, we can re-create ourselves. As Americans, we measure who we are, what our lives mean and the vitality of our communities by our connection to natural landscapes. These are places where we truly exercise our rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Without these opportunities, we would not be as free. We would be far more tamed and timid as individuals and as a country.

Future generations deserve access to this same heritage of wild places. Their chance for adventure should be enhanced, not diminished. It is our obligation to ensure Congress protects ample access to wild places. If our nation could do this, amidst the tumult of 1968, then we can come together now to preserve wild places for our generation and all those generations to come.

Today, let’s honor the vision that congress and President Johnson provided for us on Oct. 2, 1968. Get outside somewhere and enjoy your freedom to roam around in wild places!

For more information on what Johnson

signed (and said) that day: http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=29150

NAMI Far North presented with $5k check

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

The National Alliance on Mental Illness Far North was presented with a check for $5,000 this week from a combination of donors.

The fundraiser was successful thanks to donations received from a few different sources after a special event at the Panida Theater.

Greasy Fingers Bikes n’ Repair donated a bike for a raffle which was won by a young woman named Hailey, who also won a basket full of picnic supplies donated by Finan McDonald.

“A huge thank you goes out to Greasy Fingers for the generous bike raffle donation, Red Wheelbarrow Produce for hosting the farm to table dinner, Tango Cafe for the silence auction items, the staff at the Panida Theater, the volunteers who

helped distribute flyers and to all of you who attend the Andy Irons film or helped to spread the word by talking about mental health awareness,” NAMI wrote in a statement.

“NAMI Far North is so grateful to this generous, caring community,” the statement continued. “Hope lives because of

Clearing the path:

By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff

Bleeding Hearts Tattoo Emporium has been planning to participate in the “Adopt a Highway Program” for some time, but when shop owner Jon Bates heard one of his clients was having trouble navigating the path portion of the Long Bridge in her wheel chair, he knew exactly where to adopt.

“We thought it would be pretty cool because it’s something that’s used regularly,” Bates said of the walking path along the bridge.

Bleeding Hearts tattoo artist and body piercer Erika Cox put the plan in motion, and now the shop’s name will grace the Long Bridge as soon as the signs are ready. In the meantime, Bleeding Hearts is planning a clean-up day for Oct. 7.

“We’ve been really involved

in the community since we opened,” Bates said, noting the shop’s involvement with local fundraisers and events over the years. “This is just another way to get a few more people involved and have some fun doing it.”

Bates and Cox said according to who they spoke with at the Idaho Department of Transportation, this is the first time the Long Bridge path has been officially tidied up in 20 years, making it a daunting task. Between garbage, debris and gravel, Cox said there will be plenty to do. They plan to get as much done as they can on Oct. 7, Bates said, and anyone is welcome to come help out.

While bags, safety vests, pizza and drinks will be provided by Bleeding Hearts, Bates said they will need people to bring leaf blowers and brooms. He said if people want to help but

people like you. Thank you for everyone supporting North Idaho Crisis Services. Share this number: (208) 946-5595. A crisis can happen at any time to anyone.”

Bleeding Hearts Tattoo Emporium adopts Long Bridge

can’t attend the actual event, lending their blowers and brooms would be a tremendous help.

and schedules clean up for Oct. 7

Bates said he’ll be bringing his kids along to help with the clean-up, and encourages other people to bring their children to this family-friendly event. Cox said she did a highway clean-up to earn community service hours for a class in high school and that she’s grateful for the lesson she learned through that experience.

“Everything you do — it goes somewhere,” she said. “There’s a ripple effect with everything.”

To participate, meet at the

north end of the Long Bridge on Oct. 7 at 10 a.m. Learn more on Bleeding Hearts Tattoo Emporium’s Facebook page under the event “The Long Bridge Clean-up.” Anyone with questions should contact the shop on Facebook or call (208)597-7607.

This open Window

poetry and prose by local writers

edited by Jim mitsui

A writing idea: It’s been a while since I’ve given you a writing prompt so here’s one that you could try. I can always use new submissions to This Open Window. This can be poetry or prose; simply start with a line, phrase or sentence by someone else. Give them credit in your title. Then just start writing what comes next in your “story”. If it’s poetry let the format happen by itself. Avoid end-rhyme, but remember that contemporary poetry uses rhyme but conceals it by burying at least one of the rhymes inside the line. This exercise is kind of like those old-fashioned rocket assist take-offs that were used by planes on a short runway. Don’t feel obligated to retain the original subject of the piece that you found your start. If you’re writing a memoir just go ahead with your true story; italicize it so the original writer gets credit. Include a lot of specific concrete details (reader should be able to visualize what’s going on). Rely on some stream-of-consciousness straight from your thoughts. Keep writing until you realize that you’ve reached your end. Show, don’t tell. Let the reader enjoy the way your account ends. Avoid explaining, making excuses, or repeating yourself. Be sure you have some fun.

Often I meet, on walking from a door, the ordinary highway of old age.

My fingers. Sometimes they ache when I deal out a stack of student poems. I remember how I studied my father’s railroad hands, never thinking that they would come back and find me. Where the father goes, the son must eventually follow. No matter how many surprising doors open and close, this is how life is scripted.

But it can be unpredictable. Like your 15-year old cat, resting on a footstool, rising and falling to the carpet in the same motion. A quick cry and then death. The vet said a heart attack; we never think that animals carry burdens. Sometimes, a boxcar of words helps, but it doesn’t make death any easier. Sometimes I like the feeling of being old. Maybe that’s why we built a house on a lake in another state, where the snow load requirement is 40 lbs. per square foot, and I will have to write a perfect poem before replacing any of our pets.

-Jim Mitsui

disfluency

It’s going to be tremendously big and tremendously wet, a tremendous amount of water. This is a tough hurricane one of the wettest we’ve ever seen from the standpoint of water.

These are direct quotes

You get the idea about how wet the hurricane will be don’t you? It’s a really big hurricane, almost as big

as my idea for writing a poem I’ll write the best poem ever, probably the very, very best poem of all time

For I am a poet and a poet has to be good Has to be really, really good, like

Shakespeare or that other guy what’s his name? — Dr. Suess

-Amy Craven

Amy lives in Sandpoint; she’s a singer, retired music teacher and accomplished writer. She loves to travel and retain what she observes in her trusty journal.

all the king's horses bonsai poem

All the king’s horses and all the king’s men Galloping, galloping out of their pen.

The first horse blew steam from its nose like a train. It’s really too bad the poor king had no brain.

All the king’s women felt thrilled to their core. They boarded up windows and put locks on the door. The first one made haste to the cellar for wine.

The others pulled oysters right out of the brine.

All the king’s horses charged up the long hill. The snow was too deep but they’d not feel the chill. Oh that old king, did he huff and he puff.

The horse he rode in on gave up soon enough.

With tongue tucked in the corner of her mouth the poet snips words from the work before her. The delightful story of birds on the deck takes on strange form, only to achieve the spectral glow of a skeleton tree against winter sunset. I mourn the summer richness of words strewn in discarded bytes eraser crumbs until I see the ghosts of leaves awakened by sparseness filling my mind with the spirit of the whole poem, complete as an oak tree in an acorn or a 200 year cedar in a flowerpot.

-Maureen Cooper

Maureen, a 15-year Bonner County resident, is discovering that everything around her has its own tale. There are rich childhood memories plus the ever present moments of now, intertwined in tapestries of stories too many to write down.

All the king’s treasures and all the king’s gold Got thrown off the parapet for people to hold. The blacksmith was happy he’d shod every steed. They’d ride for a fortnight and not hear the king plead.

All the king’s avarice and all the king’s evil Would crumble to cobwebs like cotton to weevil. There wasn’t a shell round that king that would hold. So that’s how the story began to be told.

-Karen Seashore

Karen Seashore grew up loving the rhythm and stories in nursery rhymes. Once she got started from the first line of this poem, her mind galloped off and stood waiting for her at the last line.

By Reader Staff

After witnessing the success of the Arts and Crafts Fair this past August, which moved off City Beach after 45 years, to the downtown streets of Sandpoint, it is no surprise the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce has named The Pend Oreille Arts Council as the Business of the Month.

POAC named Sandpoint Business of the Month Sandpoint Library celebrates Nat’l Banned Book week

POAC exists to facilitate quality experiences in the arts through education programs and presentations that benefit the people of North Idaho. When one thinks of arts in and around Sandpoint, their first thought is POAC, which has been around for four decades. Their success is due to the efforts of a “working board” and an army of dedicated volunteers.

POAC started in 1978 with only a handful of concerts and a few art exhibits. Momentum and interest continued to build as audiences became larger and the number of events grew in both size and scope. As they enter their fifth decade of operation, POAC is now directly responsible for a year-round slate of events that take place on-stage, in schools, at downtown public spaces, parks, and in our many community gatherings. Their broadest reach happens directly in our local schools with their

Annual Student Art Show, Ovations and Kaleidoscope programs.

“Sandpoint, Idaho, has a robust arts and music scene, making it the ideal location for POAC, and provides a strong base of support for our work in this unique and wonderful community we call home,” says POAC Arts Administrator Hannah Combs.

The continued support of the community has allowed them to expand the number of galleries featuring the work of local and regional artists, as well as the number of artists taking part in the annual

Arts & Crafts Fair.

POAC receives support through grants from the Idaho Commission on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Western States Art Federation, the Idaho Community Foundation, the Innovia Foundation, and other public and private entities. They also receive generous support from local businesses and individuals who believe the arts are a worthy investment in their community.

POAC is administered by three parttime staff members and a volunteer Board of Directors. Committees for performing arts, visual arts, fundraising, and marketing are led by board members and supported by volunteers. Coming up for POAC is auditions for the annual production of “The Nutcracker” on Sept. 27, The Golden Ages of Transportation Art Opening Reception on Sept. 28 and Roosevelt Dime with Bare Grass on Oct. 10.

For more information on POAC and upcoming events visit artinsandpoint.org.

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

What do “Brave New World,” “Lolita,” “Animal Farm,” and “The Catcher in the Rye” all have in common?

They are all books that were famously banned at one point in history.

The Sandpoint Library will observe National Banned Books Week with a display of materials that have been challenged or banned.

The display also explains why The Library practices intellectual freedom rather than censorship and the difference between “banned” and “challenged” books.

Information about National Banned Books Week can be found at www. bannedbooksweek.org.

Documentary lm takes a close look at human tra cking

It doesn’t matter the country or culture: Human and sex trafficking exists everywhere, and it leaves human suffering in its wake.

That’s the message of “Red Light, Green Light,” a documentary film set to be screened at the Little Panida Theater. The film screening is a part of an event meant to educate the public about the realities of human trafficking and generate support for its victims. The event is co-hosted by the organizations Inside Out and Hope Films with the goal of actively fighting human trafficking in Idaho.

“Red Light, Green Light” spans 10 countries and features interviews with experts and survivors of human trafficking. It is the result of two filmmakers attempting to answer the question, “How can we prevent sexual exploitation before it happens in the first place?”

The film specifically highlights

how women are often lured into the sex trade through manipulation, economic desperation or coercion. Women tell their own stories about how boyfriends or spouses manipulated them into sex work. Likewise, individuals with no other viable income found themselves seeking a decent wage and instead found themselves in sexually or physically abusive situations.

The psychological relationship between buyers and sellers of sex is also detailed, portraying a power dynamic of men who need a rush of control. In one extended interview, a former John frankly describes what first led him into soliciting sex — and what kept him a customer for 20 years. The film goes on to detail the toll it took on him, his family and the women he saw.

Also under the microscope are the various legal approaches to dealing with the sex trade and human trafficking. The filmmakers examine countries with legalized prostitution, the prohibition of both

Manhattan Shorts at the Panida this weekend

When it comes to determining the best short films of the year, it’s time for the public to be the judge.

This weekend, the Manhattan Short Film Festival returns to the Panida Theater, bringing nine of the year’s best short films to local audiences. Attendees will join thousands of other audience members across 350 venues in judging each film for themselves. After the screening, film viewers can vote on their favorite selections, which will be totaled with other venue attendees to determine an audience-choice award.

Event attendees can rest assured that the nine selections for the Festival are among the year’s best. Simply by being included in the Manhattan Short Film Festival, the submissions qualify for Oscar consideration.

Sandpoint audiences have four chances to catch the Manhattan Short Film Festival. Screenings take place Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m., Sept. 28 at 5:30 p.m., Sept. 29 and 1:30 p.m. and Sept. 30 at 3:30 p.m.

buying and selling sex and the Nordic model, which decriminalizes selling sex while still prohibiting the purchase of sex. The intent of the latter approach is to create a system that attempts to reduce demand for prostitution while providing support for the individuals caught up in the trade.

The filmmakers hope that screening of “Red Light, Green Light” will not only educate the public on the consequences of human trafficking but also empower audience members to take a stand against abuse.

Watch “Red Light, Green Light” at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, at the Little Panida Theater.

sept. 27 @ 7:30pm | Sept. 28 @ 5:30pm Sept. 29 (little theater) @ 1:30pm | Sept. 30 @ 3:30pm saturday, september 29 @ 7pm saturday, september 29 @ 7pm oct. 5 & 6 @ 7:30PM tuesday, oct. 23 @ 6PM saturday, oct. 13 @ 7PM wednesday, oct. 10 @ 7PM

HEALTH

SHAKE, RATTLE AND ROLL

A column about the trials and tribulations of Parkinson’s Disease

Baguette and Red

By A.C. Woolnough Reader Columnist

Readers of this column know I am passionate about Parkinson’s Disease research, education and advocacy. I participate in conferences. I have been a subject in over 20 studies. I review research grants for universities and the government. I serve various PD foundations in different roles. I travel for PD. I write this column. Don’t make the mistake of thinking I do all this because I’m just a nice guy with time on his hands. I am in no way that altruistic. Not me. Nope. I do all this for selfish reasons, not because it’s the right thing or the noble thing or the honorable thing to do. You see, my dad had Parkinson’s Disease. I have PD. I’m concerned and, frankly, fearful for my sons and grandsons. It is my fervent hope that we find treatments that slow or halt the progression of Parkinson’s or figure out how to prevent or cure this malady. I want to be the last generation to slowly, over time, deal with the increasing symptoms and side effects of Parkinson’s. I’m almost 100-percent certain that won’t happen in my lifetime. Putting time, effort and money toward these goals, however, may make the difference in the long run — to the benefit of my progeny and, coincidentally, the entire Parkinson’s community.

background includes rock climbing, hiking, sailing, kayaking, skiing, biking and bread making. They deal with their own issues just like any married couple. Unfortunately, they also deal with the circumstances of aging parents including Alzheimer’s.

Somehow, Baguette and Red heard about the tailgate party held at the end of the first Pass to Pass for Parkinson’s Disease in 2016 and volunteered to help. They knew none of the hikers and not much about PD. It just appealed to them as something that might be interesting. In addition, they wanted to acknowledge the accomplishment of this group of folks with a chronic and progressive neurological disease. They bought some sandwich makings, drinks, chips, desserts and then drove five hours to the trail head. (In this case, wouldn’t it be the trail end or trail tail?) A feast for those who had been on the hike for over a week was served and Baguette and Red made some new friends. Fast forward to the summer of 2017 and now Baggy is a support hiker while Red is a trail angel. In 2018, they reenacted their roles. All of this represents an investment of time, energy and money. So, why do it? Remember, until the tailgate party they weren’t personally acquainted with anyone with PD. When that question was posed to them, it resulted in some hemming and hawing and finally something to the effect that they get more out of it than what they put into it. That, my friends, is what characterizes a true volunteer — selfless contribution to serve others.

There is a group of people that do things for the right reasons. They may have no direct link to Parkinson’s Disease or some other cause but choose to make a difference anyway. They’re known as volunteers and rarely get the recognition and plaudits they deserve. For them, that’s OK — that’s not why they give time and effort to help others. What follows is a story about two of these people — two volunteers that want to make a difference. A couple that provides a role model for the rest of us. I’ll be using pseudonyms, so I won’t embarrass them too much by using their real names: Baguette and Red. Baguette and Red have been together for almost 30 years. During that time, they have lived in Connecticut, Montana, Seattle and Spokane. They even lived on a boat for some time. They are familiar with the Pacific Northwest and what it has to offer and chose to settle in the area. They are normal people with jobs, a mortgage and car payments. Red and Baggy (he gets his share of abuse with some of his nick names) are active — their

Sandpoint is full of volunteers. It’s one of the attributes that make this a neat community. I’d start to list all the volunteers and groups, but I worry about leaving an individual or organization out and then we’d both feel bad. Nevertheless, I challenge each of us to do more, to take on a new cause or to step up your efforts with something you’re already doing. If you’re looking for an idea, think about becoming a control in a research project. Simply go to https://clinicaltrials.gov and pick something that looks interesting.

As someone familiar with neurotransmitters (or the lack thereof), I know that volunteering is also good for you—your brain releases biochemicals that make you feel better. Karma? Must be.

After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, A.C. is calling on his 37 years in K-12 education to became a “Parkison’s Warrior”educating the public, advocating for a cure and participating in research.

MUSIC Dark • Synth • Pop

The Hottman Sisters to play show at 219 next week

By Ben Olson Reader Staff

Pop music has come a long way since New Kids on the Block.

Once considered overly saccharine and commercial, the evolution of pop in recent years has seen the introduction of some revolutionary new bands and sounds merging raw elements into brand new genres that have yet to be fully defined.

One such act will be swinging through Sandpoint on their 2018 tour. The Hottman Sisters is a three-piece indie pop/rock band with a strong emphasis on melodic guitar riffs, synth, samples and tight harmonies. They will be playing the 219 Lounge on Friday, Oct. 5 from 9-12 p.m. There is no cover charge for this show. Also, with the new sound system and acoustical work at the 219 Lounge, the sound should be stellar.

Comprised of sisters Jessica and Heather Hottman, and drummer Ed Getzlaff, the trio formed in 2015 and has been touring nationally since 2015, but the upcoming show makes their debut in Idaho.

“We’ve done the east coast, the west coast, we’ve done a little in the south and the midwest,” Jessica said. “But, obviously there are places like Idaho where we haven’t been yet.”

Jessica said the band’s style evolved from an early love of pop music.

“We grew up pretty close together, listened to pop music early on and grew up playing in church, singing hymns, from a young age,” Jessica said.

The band hails originally from Omaha, Nebraska, which Jessica said can generate inter-

esting comments and reactions from their listeners.

“The comments we get when people hear we’re from Nebraska are, ‘Oh, that’s so cute’,” Jessica said. “There’s definitely an element of surprise to our live set. We say our band name and people think folk music, but we’re on the rock side, with hints of pop. People have this impression of Nebraska as corn, cows and all that, but Omaha has music and art happening all the time.”

The songwriter of the group, Jessica said her influences have come from a variety of artists.

“Imogen Heap is a really inspirational artist for us,” she said. “The National, of course, and St. Vincent, Arcade Fire. We’re into bands that have their own brand.”

Jessica said writing songs for the group is always a different experience each time, like putting together a puzzle.

“You write from experience,” she said. “Your life forms you into who you are,

past and present. The music that I write has some sort of nostalgia to it. There are elements of the past, but it’s relevant into what’s currently going on in music.”

Jessica said she plays the guitar, but prefers writing songs on the keyboard or synth.

“For the Hottman Sisters, there’s that element of poppy and fun, but dark and haunting at the same time. Our music combines both of those things.”

After first starting out playing as a folk duo at open mic nights, the Hottman Sisters found their sound merging into something more authentic to them.

“We wanted to morph into more electronic instruments,” Jessica said. “This is the sound we’ve been honing in on. We’ve got tight harmonies and a dark synth pop that has some nostalgia to it.”

The Hottman Sisters’ foursong EP “Louder” is set to release Friday. The trio has been touring in support of it

This week’s RLW by Lyndsie Kiebert

and their former album since 2016.

Heather said the band has embraced their role as full-time musicians: “We’re definitly all in. I remember we had a meeting with our drummer, Ed, and we were talking about plans for touring. One of us asked him, ‘Can you be on the road and make that your primary job?’ He said yes. Didn’t skip a heartbeat. It’s really cool to be at that point that this is our primary gig. It’s a totally different lifestyle. We’re a tight knit unit. We’ve put all this work in and now we get to share our art with people.”

Catch the Hottman Sisters at the 219 Lounge Friday, Oct. 5 at 9 p.m. Listen to their newly released EP “Louder” on all major streaming services, including Spotify, iTunes and Apple Music.

Twitter has it’s black holes and battlefields, but there are also bright spots on that little blue app.

My personal favorite account to follow is “Thoughts of Dog (@ dog_feelings).” Everything about this account is pure, from the avi (a yellow lab with a watermelon slice in his mouth) to the choppy cadence of each tweet. A sample: “the human is flapping my ears. and acting like i’m flying. it is quite clear i’m still on the ground. but that’s not important. i know how much they enjoy this.”

Someone clearly has too much time on their hands, and I’m here for it.

READ LISTEN

RIP Mac Miller. The 26-yearold rapper died of a drug overdose on Sept. 7 after a struggle with substance abuse and depression that he expressed openly in his music. I really got into Mac is a freshman in college. Some of his stuff is fun, and my friends and I would party to it. Some of his stuff is darker, more contemplative, so I’d write to it.

My favorite track of all time is “PA Nights.” So many of my road trips, essays and late nights go with this song. Here’s to an artist gone too soon.

WATCH

I love me some girl power in popular media, and perhaps the most on-the-nose example from recent high-end movie releases is DC’s “Wonder Woman.” I finally got my hands on the library’s copy and did not expect to love the film like I did. Beyond the awesomeness of Amazonian women in combat, “Wonder Woman” was funny, visually pleasing (from the explosions to Chris Pine) and ultimately tear jerking. Well done, superhero-movie-people.

From Northern Idaho News, Feb. 5, 1924

LIQUOR OFFENDER PLEADS GUILTY

Haino Raine on Wednesday morning pleaded guilty in district court to a charge of having liquor in his possession and was sentenced by Judge H.H. Taylor. He drew three months in the county jail and a fine of $100, besides being assessed the costs of the action. In default of fine, he can serve it out at the rate of $2 per day. Raine was arrested week before last when his room was raided by the sheriff’s force and federal prohibition agents who found about two gallons of moonshine whisky put up in pints and one quart bottle.

Following the Raine case, Judge Taylor heard the arguments on the demurrer filed by Attorney O.J. Bandelin to the complaint in the case of the state vs. Marie White, for bribery. The defense counsil demurred upon the grounds that the information did not recite facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action. At the conclusion of the arguments, Judge Taylor sustained the demurrer but granted County Attonry Allen P. Asher time to prepare and file an amended complaint.

The status of the case is regarded as doubtful, as at a preliminary hearing before Probate Judge Myrvin Davis, Marshal Frank Pleas of Priest River, whom the defendant is accused of having attempted to bribe, testified that she had neither offered or gave him a bribe. So far, the state’s main evidence has been an affidavit, alleged to have been signed by the defendant in which she swears that the Priest River marshal accepted bribe money from her. She did not take the stand at the preliminary and what she would testify to in district court is a matter of conjecture.

The Straight Poop: The quest for dog-friendly businesses in North Idaho

Image Maker Photo & Video

By Drake the Dog Reader Pet Columnist

Where am I taking my humans today?

Truth be told, I’m enamored with a petite older woman who got me at first sniff! Here’s a ruff-sketch of where she hangs out:

•The original owner always had a bird, fish or dog as his shop companion

•The business has been sitting in the same location for 40 years

•This place should be considered an endangered species, or at least be on a historical register

•One of their projects was valued at over a million dollars

•Life stories are preserved here

•The current owner ’s family homesteaded on Lakeshore Drive

•There is a local gallery is on-site

Sing along with the Mister and Missus now—y’all know the lyrics of a famous song that tells the tale of a chemical that took away one of their products.

Did your fur-ward thinking dig up where we’re going?

Wait, wait, wait for it! Mr. Code A. Crome guessed that we’re raising the woof at Image Maker, located at 320 N. First Avenue. Solstice, a 9-year-old long-haired dachshund and her owners Mike and Randi Hammersberg, preserve family memories. They go from paw-some to awesome daily by delivering superior quality products that last a lifetime.

Both owners grew up with dogs. Randi had labs and Mikey had a Lassie. As they downsized their homes, they downsized their dogs from labs to collies to a dachshund. Clarence Van Dellen, Image Maker’s original owner and Mike and Randi’s boss for over 15 years, always had a shop dog. As one would pass on, another one would find a new leash on life in the store. (Remember Winston and Norton?)

When Clarence retired 11 years ago, it was a natural transition for Mike and Randi to take over the business. Two weeks into their ownership, they found Solstice. Her father was from Bonners Ferry and her mom (who Randi and Mike knew), was from Sandpoint. This happy girl is involved with her customers everyday. In the lead, she took me in the back room (shock and paw!). There she helps Randi run the biz from her mini bed nestled in a corner on the desk. I was able to sniff out some historical scents as the original carpet in the office is

soon to be removed. Wowza, do I have research for the Bark Street Journal! Image Maker boasts four paws up with film printing, processing, restorations, laser technology, digital card recovery, camera cleaning, repairs, photography, camera classes, passports, visas, in-house and off-site photography. These pup-a-razzi folks have applied science degrees in photography coupled with years of experience. The shop sells cameras, accessories, camcorders, frames, mattes, albums, recordable media and film. If you’re looking to dig up some instant film for a Fuji or Polaroid camera or develop film on-site, this is the place!

Here’s a dog “tail” for you: One day Sandra Mills of Spokane visited the shop. She put a small metal box on the counter, took out a handkerchief and unwrapped a rare tintype photo of Jesse James sitting along with his future killer, Robert Ford. She wanted the photo digitized pronto, since she had been to many places in Washington who could not do the work. Since this was the only known tintype print image of Jessie James, she had to remain on-site to wait for the goods. My research confirmed that photo historian and author Freda Cruse Harrison, linked Mills’ great-grandmother to the wife of Frank James, brother of Jessie. The digitized print was going to be sent to one of the nation’s top forensic sketch artists, Lois Gibson of the Houston Police Department. Sandra knew she had something special. Later, when the picture of Jessie James and Ford went on the auction block, experts indicated that it could be worth upwards of $1 million dollars.

Mike finished the order for Sandra and charged her $5.50. In retrospect, Mike said he should have charged her more. That was their price for the service, and he was extremely honest about it. Woulda, coulda, shoulda.

The team at Image Maker have collaborated on many projects, such as the Ruby Ridge shootings, and specialized work for law agencies. What happens at Image Maker stays at Image Maker. Kirk Miller, our own famous sunrise photographer and loyal customer says that “Mike and Randi have great knowledge of every aspect of photography and offer the best customer service!”

Take a bow-wow Image Maker! Did Mama really take your Kodachrome away? Hugs and slobbery digital pics! Drake

Contrary to popular belief, the most dangerous animal is not the lion or tiger or even the elephant. The most dangerous animal is a shark riding on an elephant, just trampling and eating everything they see.

CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1.Whip

5.Cereal grass

10.Bit of gossip

14.Teller of untruths

15.Throw with e ort

16.Killer whale

17.Pot

[noun]

1. an obsessive need to constantly check emails, social media websites, online news, etc.

“Our current president has inspired a bout of infomania on the left.”

Corrections: We referred to rowers’ oars as “paddles” in last week’s issue. Apparantly this is a no-no. The date for the event was listed incorrectly on the calendar page, as well. Apologies. Also, there was a typo in the Cannonball Run article. We meant to say they continued west, but accidentally wrote “east.” -Ben Olson

18.Aggravation

20.Tartarus

22.Rout

23.Bu

24.Requested

25.They keep dozing o

32.Ill-gotten gains

33.Seaweed

34.Female sheep

37.Circle fragments

38.Donated

39.Stigma

40.Tiny

41.Keepsake

42.Courtyards

43.Deckhands

45.Mystic

49.Mug

50.Remedy

53.Devil sh

57.Militant

59.Electrical unit

60.Stink

61.French for “After”

62.Sea eagle

63.Makes a mistake

64.Utilizers

13.Anagram of “Amend”

19.Demean

DOWN

1.Banner

2.Connects two points

3.Pledge

4.Welcomers

5.Neigh

6.Sister and wife of Zeus

7.Hearing organ

8.Keen

9.French for “Head”

10.Smidgens

11.Deception

12.French school

21.Back of the neck

25.Shredded cabbage

26.Attraction

27.Behold, in old Rome

28.Japanese verse

29.Santa’s helpers

30.Emissary

31.One of the tribes of Israel

34.Beige

35.Pause

36.Historical periods

38.Slime

39.Layover

41.A very short time

42.Adjoin

44.Admission

45.Surplus

46.Bet

47.Gall

48.Performance scores

51.Brother of Jacob

52.Vipers

53.Not under

54.Minute opening

55.Forearm bone

56.Stair

58.Fury