A Fine Man Is Gone

Pat Dow, community activist, Water & Sewer Board member, Son's of the American Legion and an all around fine guy passed away a few days ago. He was an avid fisherman, most always heard during fishing derbies as the voice of the south end of Lake Pend Oreille. I last talked to him at the retirement party for Deedie Beard in Coeur d'Alene recently. I ask about his fight with prostate cancer, and he replied, "it has spread to the bones." I shook my head and said, That isn't good. He came back with, "No it isn't." He'll be missed. A quiet man, he was a giant of a person, though small in stature.A memorial service will be held at the Athol american Legion, Saturday, February 6 at 11:00 am.

It is starting to appear that regardless of how the lawsuit regarding the Captain's Wheel sorts out, it will not be able to open this spring. I am not at liberty to get into details, except that debt plays into it. Possible corporate bankruptcy is also an option at this point, though everything is still up in the air. I miss the watering hole I called home for the last 15 years and 12 owners.More on this as it unfolds.

The Captain's Wheel

I am still hesitant to explain all of the ramifications of the jury trial just concluded. While the jury overwhelmingly penalized Michael McFarland for paying less for his 50% interest than it was represented to be worth, the contest isn't over yet.

No judgement has been entered, and actually, may not be. Two issues that face the judge now, are whether the jury used evidence offered during the trial, or sympathy for the widow of Jerry Berry.If the judge believes the preponderance of evidence that the big bad lawyer didn't screw anyone out of anything, he can set aside the jury's verdict. He can also declare a mistrial.

Somehow, the jury was convinced that the value of the 'Wheel was over one million dollars. Maybe that was true in 2006 when the market bubble hadn't broke yet, but realistically, getting $600,000 for the place now would be a stretch. McFarland paid $100,000 for 50% of the equity in the business in 2003. Berry, just three years earlier, paid $50,000 for the same amount of stock.

There has been so much false information and erroneous rumor, I felt I had to straighten out at least some of the misinformation. As the old saying goes, "It ain't over 'till the fat lady sings." Once a final judgement is reached, and any appeals are finished, the problem of this debt ridden business being able to open regardless of which party wins, looms over the place. I personally don't think it will survive and the bones that are being fought over will prove to be less than valuable. I wish both parties well, and I grieve over this battle that didn't ever have to be fought, were it not the overriding greed of one of the litigants.

Authors Visit Bayview

Bayview ushered in the 2010 centennial year with a town meeting Friday, January 15, called by the Independent Centennial Committee. This group of historians and community activists were able to put together a community calendar that was as spectacular as was the speed it sold out. Some of us still don't have a copy, but there is a move on to create another for next year.

Private donations have created a monument that is still in the process of being set up near the entrance of town. Many people wonder why, since Bayview Isn't incorporated it can have a centennial. Back in 1910, an enterprising investor, purchased a large tract of land smack in the middle of what was to become Bayview. The Prairie Development Company, and a spin-off Bayview Townsite Company plated 27 lots that became the core of the town that isn't.

The program that was introduced was different than most community meetings. Gone was the verbosity that tends to extend content without necessarily adding to the value. With the introduction of the donors and the program for this, the centennial year, the guests of honor were introduced. This gathering had not one, but two local authors, selling and signing books. The first, was Jane Fritz, author of many articles in periodicals, that finally accepted the challenge of writing a book. A student of history and involved in much interaction between modern North Idaho, and the various Indian tribes that inhabited Kootenai and Bonner Counties, especially. Her book, entitled Legendary Lake Pend Oreille has just recently been published by Keokee publishing of Sandpoint, Idaho. About forty or so guests lined up for autographed copies of the book.

Following her was Dennis Woolford, park ranger and historian at Farragut State Park. Dennis along with a pal in Boise,Gayle Alvarez, who runs the state archives managed to put together a complete history of Farragut Naval Station through the war years. They gathered items that had been donated to the park as well as records from the navy and state archives. Stories of hidden weapons buried by the departing navy turned out to be false. Apparently a rumor had circulated for many years that when the base swimming pools were filled and covered up at the end of the war, brand new rifles still covered in cosmoline were buried in these pools.


Finally last year, a ground piercing sonar was brought out from the east coast and used above all of the various pools. These pools, one to each training camp were not primarily intended for recreation, since swimming was a part of the basic training program. War years proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that swimming skills in the pacific navy were needed. One more war story disproved. No guns were found, just junk that was buries in the handy spots.

Mum's The Word

Normally when community event play out I'm right on them, so that those that are not here can keep up with community events. Today I can't.

First, there is the trial to determine ownership and control of the Captain's Wheel restaurant.It would be inappropriate to comment on an ongoing case that is playing out in court this week.

The other, is some exciting news about our Centennial and the celebrations to come. I have submitted a story about the kickoff town meeting held last Friday at the Community Center. Those of you that were there already know some of what is happening. Since I submitted a story to the Spokesman-Review, I don't want to scoop myself. I can say this, though. The paper has authorized me to do a lengthy four part story about the history of Bayview. One that will in part use portions of other stories I've written and a lot of help from our local historians.More on both issues later.

As most can see, the Bay Cafe, formerly known as Terry's and before that, Don's and even before that, Sue Nordstrom's Burger Bar, is now open for business for breakfast and lunches. We wish them great success in their new endeavor. It has been cleaned up, made safe, fire code wise and also health department wise. The hours are from 7am to 2pm Thursday through Monday, with take out available as well.

Bob Holland was turned down in his quest to create more parking places at his center of town parking lot. We aren't sure of the details, but the Chamber of commerce DAC has the details. Credibility was named as a primary cause.

More later on these and other ongoing stories.

Jerry's Last Birthday

I am looking for anyone that has pictures of Jerry Berry's last birthday party that was held in mid-July of 2006.The party was held outside at the Captain's Wheel. If you have any pictures, especially of Jerry, or Jerry dancing with Carly, please contact me at:bayviewherb@gmail.com as soon as possible. Better yet, just e-mail the pics to me at this same address.

Marijuana Is Going To Be Legalized

vents have overtaken tradition as the pressure unrelentingly surges toward full legalization of this minor intoxicant. For years, the federal government has classed Marijuana with other more serious drugs like opium derivatives, such as Heroin, and others such as Methamphetamine and cocaine, from c0coa leaves. (We aren't talking Hershey here)

Most of the arguments are that Marijuana is an entry drug. One that leads to more serious stuff. That my friends is like saying that if you are a jaywalker, most likely you will turn to serious crime later in life. Many states, if not most, are considering the abolishing of either criminal penalties, or outright legalizing the drug.

While some would consider this a side issue, it might make the courts sit up and remember that the states, under the constitution are sovereign entities with only the ceded powers accruing to the Federal Government. In the last thirty years or so, most in congress and the lower courts have forgotten this constitutional principle.

1913 brought about a new federal law prohibiting the sale or consumption of Liquor. That law, totally unenforceable, was repealed in 1933, as the people rebelled over the practice of over controlling the lives of others. Now we have the same attitude, with about the same results. Someone once said, "a law that isn't supported by the citizens is not enforceable."Bingo. Sound familiar?

Currently, in several states, new legislation is being considered either abolishing the prohibition or at least decriminalizing the use.Washington State has a law that allows medicinal use of marijuana, without a means of controlling the growing or dispensing of it. Several petitions are circulating to go several steps further in redirecting law enforcement toward real issues like the control of Meth labs and the importation of Cocaine and Heroin.

Today showed polls, both in the Seattle P.I. and Huckleberries online, Spokesman-review that asked the following: Should pot be legalized? Secondly, snould it be decriminalized, and third, should the laws be left the same.

Interestingly both polls were about the same in results. With the first two categories combined, both showed 85% in favor of either decriminalization or legalizing the drug. Interestingly enough, even hemp, which in the same basic family as Marijuana, is not toxic or usable to get high, is prohibited. This then, suggests that the opponents of pot are so hysterical about the subject, they won't even allow the manufacture of rope made out of hemp. This, even though most other drugs, especially opium, are commonly used for medical purposes. A drug that used illegally is extremely dangerous, but the medicinal use of pot is still forbidden. It is time for common sense to break out. If it doesn't, the people will change the rules themselves, and in doing so, lose more respect for government than they already have. 85% could by most people be considered a mandate. One that outranks even prohibition.

You want control? Have the state liquor control boards supervise the growing and dispensing of this herb. This takes the criminal element out of the picture. No longer will National Forest Rangers need to patrol thousands of miles of public forests for illegal Mexican growers. Just make friends with the guys that grow BC bud and everything will work out just fine. Oh, and I forgot to mention it is a taxable product, helping our spendthrift legislators get their paws on more tax money.

Public safety? Easy. criminalize use or possession for people under 21. As far as driving while high, also easy. Any time a cop sees a driver hunched over the wheel like he/she's at Talledega, but only doing 25 mph on the freeway, bust em.

Communications Giant, Verizon, Quits

The nation's oldest independent phone company is about to throw the towel in on wired phone service. Founded in Wisconsin in 1918, Verizon went through many name changes and mergers throughout the subsequent years. Three accountants from the Wisconsin Public Utilities commission got together and formed a corporation. They promptly bought the Richland Center Telephone Company, serving 1466 customers in Southern Wisconsin. Eventually, they expanded acquiring 340 smaller companies serving over 437,000 customers.
The company reorganized after the Great Depression, renaming themselves General Telephone and Telegraph, or as we knew it, GTE. The year 2000 found GTE and Bell Atlantic merged and became Verizon.
Citing the arrival of both cell phones and Voice over Internet, land line use by individuals has become a flood, reported a mid-level manager, who asked not to be mentioned, as they didn't have authority to speak for the company. Business use, of course, at least in the near future will still be using wired lines. One large factor in addition to the above, is the free long distance that most all cell users enjoy, as well as the VOIP such as Magic Jack, Skype, Vonnage and others. Among those state affected, are portions of Washington and all of Idaho.
The surviving company in this sell off will be Frontier Communications, bases in Connecticut. They will control all wired equipment and continue to serve voice, broadband and video services. Below, is the original press release from Frontier:
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May. 13, 2009-- Frontier Communications Corporation (NYSE: FTR) today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement with Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) under which Frontier will acquire approximately 4.8 million access lines from Verizon. The all stock transaction is valued at approximately $8.6 billion. The transaction will create the largest pure rural communications services provider and the nation’s fifth largest incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) with more than 7 million access lines, 8.6 million voice and broadband connections and 16,000 employees in 27 states. Frontier will offer broadband, new bundled services and expanded technologies to customers across its expanded geographic footprint.
Under the terms of the agreement, Verizon will establish a separate newly formed entity (“SpinCo”) for its local exchanges and related business assets in 14 states. SpinCo will be spun off to Verizon’s shareholders and simultaneously merged with and into Frontier. The transaction has been approved by the Boards of Directors of Frontier and Verizon, and is expected to be completed within approximately 12 months.
The transaction is extremely compelling for all stakeholders of Frontier. It will provide Frontier with enhanced scale and scope, improved positioning, a strong balance sheet, and greater cash flow generation capabilities. For the fiscal year ended 2008, the combined company would have had on a pro forma basis revenue in excess of $6.5 billion, EBITDA of approximately $3.1 billion, free cash flow of approximately $1.4 billion and would have had leverage of 2.6 times EBITDA at December 31, 2008.
Maggie Wilderotter, Frontier Communications Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “This is a truly transformational transaction for Frontier. With more than 7 million access lines in 27 states, we will be the largest pure rural communications provider of voice, broadband and video services in the U.S. Frontier is committed to providing our customers with state-of-the-art technology and innovative products. We are confident that we can dramatically accelerate the penetration of broadband in these new markets during the first 18 months. We know that broadband is a catalyst for a healthy local economy and job growth.”


Retained by Verizon In the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE were the following companies.The merger is on hold while each state's public untility commissions review approval of the sale.

Verizon California, Inc.
Verizon Florida, Inc.
Verizon Northwest, Inc.
Verizon South, Inc.
GTE Southwest, Inc. d/b/a Verizon Southwest
Verizon North, Inc.
Contel of the South, Inc. d/b/a Verizon Mid-States
Sold/transferred/shut down
GTE Arkansas, Inc., sold to CenturyTel in 2000
GTE Midwest, Inc. d/b/a Verizon Midwest, Inc., sold to CenturyTel
GTE Hawaiian Telephone Company, Inc., later Verizon Hawaii, Inc., sold to The Carlyle Group in 2005
GTE Alaska Inc., sold to Alaska Power and Phone Company in 2000
Contel of the West, Inc. d/b/a GTE West - discontinued in 1996
Contel of Minnesota, Inc., sold to Citizens Communications
GTE of Iowa - Spun off to Iowa Telecom
Verizon Dominicana (CODETEL), sold to América Móvil
Telecomunicaciones de Puerto Rico d/b/a Puerto Rico Telephone, assets sold to América Móvil
GTE Government Systems to General Dynamics (The Information Systems Division of GTE Government Systems was sold to DynCorp.[34]
GTE Wireless (assets in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Ohio, New Mexico, South Carolina and Texas) sold to Alltel.[35]
compiled from Wikepedia

Ninety-one years of tradition, starting with crank phones, dial phones, push button dialing and now, the beginning of the end.What next? Perhaps they will hard wire a communications modem to our brains.Then we would be on-line 24/7.

Turn Out The Lights, The Party's Over

The long weekend started out in Bayview with the imminent closure of the Captain's Wheel hanging over our heads. Starting with a packed house for New Years Eve, and lasting all the way through to about 7:30 pm Sunday, a full 3 1/2 hours past the scheduled close. Then it was over. The key turned in the lock, perhaps for the last time, at least with present ownership.

NY Eve brought the band, "The Keep," out for the last hurrah. Friday night, again packed house. Then came Saturday, with volunteer bands playing. Wyzer and ever goofed up band, Muddy Frog Waters kept the crowd entertained as customers that hadn't been in the place since Summer, showed up for the wake that it turned out to be. With the Buttonhook closed,as well as the Captain's wheel, only Ralph's Cafe, open Tuesdays through Saturday, and The Patio open seven days, 11:00 to whenever. The Patio also serves cocktails. JD's, of course is still open for cocktails, and the old Terry's Cafe is slated to open pending redecorating and code compliance. The new entity will be called The Bay Cafe,starring Dean formerly of Jimmy C's in Athol.

New Traditions

Today marked the first annual polar plunge here in Bayview. Not to be out gunned by Sanders Beach in Coeur d'Alene, a few hardy souls put the word out that there would be a mid-winter swim at the public boat launch at 2:00 pm New Years day. Sensing that there shouldn't be a conflict with boat launching, they went ahead without the blessing of the Kootenai county Waterways people, not to mention Fish & Game.

Well, nary a boat approached to challenge the launching area, but over thirty hardy souls, or perhaps retarded souls showed up all prepared to bare their skins. Actually for the most part, skins were not overly bare with one exception. There is always one. A fat male individual showed up in a scanty thing approaching a thong. Once dressed down, he pranced about thrusting his pelvis forward in a sexual manner. I guess we could have survived that, if it weren't the dozen or so kids ranging from three years old to maybe 7, watching with some real odd expressions. Unfortunately, nobody stood up and suggested he was on the border of indecent exposure. At the very least, he was an obnoxious asshole. Needless to say, his picture will not appear here.

It became obvious that the shore side of the Patio was grounded, when after the place was packed, more, fresh from the chilly 37 degree water, crowded into the overloaded building.I'm here to report that the flotation under the Patio is doing just fine, as the building listed toward the lake but didn't attempt to sink. Above are some pictures that I managed to sneak out of the place of shivering bodies.

New Year ... Old Year

New Year's Eve. A time for reflection, a time for hope. Much has happened in our little community, some good, some not so good. The continuous leakage of residents unable to live here anymore is a stunning loss to local businesses, as well as to friendships and relationships.Several factors are at play here.

Certainly the demographics have changed, what with the new developers tearing some things down, building others. Perhaps the largest loss that might end up bankrupting the entire village, is the loss of tourist facilities. In pre-development days, only four years ago, we had four RV parks and two motels, one only being four rooms.We now have one motel of four rooms, two RV parks and where we had five eating facilities and three cocktail facilities, we now have one of the later and two of the former.I see some reasons here other than loss of population.

One, many residents don't bother to support the local businesses at all. To them they live in a bedroom community and don't eat out or stop at a local watering hole for a drink or two. I have spoken to many concerned locals and also business people. I'm going to tell you, no punches pulled, what the conclusions are that I have reached. No favorites, just the facts.

One, certainly those that do not drink alcoholic beverages shouldn't and won't be scolded for that. However, that being said, diner out once in a while wouldn't hurt any of you and will foreclose upon those arguments when the business go belly up from your neglect. It is cheaper to buy some of your needs at the Mercantile than driving into town. Use 'em or lose 'em, folks.

The third criticism I have, is to the folks that belong to and support the Bayview Chamber of Commerce. The word commerce is defined as follows: "The exchange of buying and selling commodities and services." As I currently understand the goals of the chamber, none of them include the support and promotion of local business. I have, as I wander through town, received several complaints from local merchants directed toward this neglect. If one wonders why none of the local business owners attend, that's the problem. No, actually, that's just one of the problems. The other, is this town is full of factionalism and the merchants don't want to get embroiled on one side or another of an issue that would alienate half of their customers.

The other side of the coin, is that business owners haven't always done the right things to attract and hold customers. Things like allowing smoke to travel through open doors to the dining areas, sending non-smokers to other places, rude treatment of customers, allowing loud and obnoxious drinkers to continue their loud and obnoxious ways, indifference to strangers who show up, who then,leave feeling unwelcome,never to return. Every time your business sees a new face it is a one time opportunity to make a new friend and to start a long term relationship with that potential customer, Once gone, so is that opportunity. Ignoring strangers is a disease of local watering holes. It's also a recipe for failure. Perhaps that one is the most egregious of all. My background is sales. Purchasers, or clients do business with you only because they want to, not because they have to.

Those dollars in the till are not automatic. Piss a customer off, and those dollars stop. After awhile, so many dollars stop that the business starts to lose money. Even when dissatisfied customers find out that the reasons fore their boycott is no longer present, the smoldering felling of being unwanted or not appreciated lingers on. These things have been repeated to me many times over the last week as the captain's wheel prepares to close.But the Wheel isn't alone.

Business people that take their customers for granted, and in this economy, will disappear. Some already have. We are a dysfunctional community on both sides of the ledger. Now that I have managed to offend without specific targets, everyone in town, let me wish you all a Happy New Year. ... But the only way to make it happy is to pay attention to our community, support and fund it. The businesses need to extract their collective heads from their nether regions and start thinking about how to make new friends and how to keep the old ones.

Aliens Attacked My Computer... Again

I have been out of touch since just before Christmas. Yes, another virus. I could have called Iyogi, my protection plan, but I also had installed Magic Jack which is phone over internet. That meant I couldn't e-mail nor could I call anyone. Boy, howdy, talk about a quiet Christmas.

Rather than trying to understand the tech support in India, which I couldn't talk to anyway, since all I had was a cell phone that I could use next to my keyboard. After a half dozen lost signal hang ups, I gave up. The day after Christmas, I headed for Wally World to buy one of those cheap laptops. Good luck. All of the under $500 sets were sold out, so I got this one, an HP notebook.

I learned something new about computers. Laptops do not operate the same as desk tops. It's a whole new ballgame. I got stuck on the very first step of set-up. What's up with setup. Shouldn't you just be able to plug it in, turn it on then download some programs? Huh uh. After reading, then re-reading the instructions, and after an hour, I located the on/off button. I knew immediately I needed technical support. I went to the Captain's Wheel, where many of the patrons there, actually understand this crap. Now, I'm up and running ... kinda. You see, my system of choice is Mozilla Firefox. I downloaded it and created some favorites. Then I took the computer home at which time Windows blocked me out of Firefox.My sanity, while in question for many years, is now teetering right on the edge. I am beginning to drool and make funny noises. The voices in my head are insisting I throw this computer away, too. I ignore them. My credit card company wouldn't understand if I told them I had to charge a new computer because the old one, (four days old)had outsmarted me.

So to all of you, Happy New Year. To my computer, the entire industry and especially those miserable jerks in India, I have only this to say to you. @%##??&%@$#*

Tis sThe Season

It is upon us. whether you are a Christian, celebrating the birth of Christ, A Jew, celebrating Hanukkah, a peaceful Muslim or an agnostic, or even an animist, worshiping the trees, the Christmas season seems to cheer up everyone. Especially department stores, but I digress. Christmas Eve, just two days away, will find me at the captain's Wheel for the pot luck dinner and no host bar.

Most other activities have already taken place, including the best Christmas lighted parade, yet. Ralph's cafe shot some great video and you can ask him for that footage by contacting him at Bayviewralph@yahoo.com.

Also I would like to clarify my sloppy coverage of the restaurant situation. With the closing of the Captain's Wheel, the Patio will be open for limited food service and cocktails seven days per week from 11 to 7 or whenever. Ralph, a good friend, went to my blog before his first cup of coffee and became righteously pissed that I downgraded him to a snack bar. That was the sloppy part. Somehow, with the always beautiful Daveana, he manages to come up with many tasty meals, within the limitations of no hood or fire suppression system. You go to Ralph's you don't go home hungry. so you can't get prime rib nor a sirloin steak, hey he's got most of the rest. My most humble apology for calling your place a snack stop.

The hit of the week though, was the Christmas lighting contest which has gained momentum in the last two or three years. The first prize winners were Jan & Walt Johnson. to see this fabulous display, drive west on 6Th street in Bayview to the end. You just can't miss it. I took six pictures of it and still didn't do it justice. I needed a wide angle lens I didn't have, but the best picture that I got is displayed above.

To my fellow Christians, Merry Christmas. To the Jewish friends that I have, a happy Hanukkah. for all of the others, Stickman included may your faith, whatever it be, give you a happy holiday and a happy life to follow. Remember, this holiday isn't just about presents, though giving is one's most important acts, receiving isn't all that much of a deal. It boils down to It's all about love. Merry Christmas to all and to all, goodnight.

End of an Era

Since the death of the widely respected partner in ownership, Jerry Berry, along with previous partner,Jim Campbell,still living, the future of the Captain's Wheel Restaurant has been in question. Widowed Carletta Berry wanted to take over and silent partner, Michael McFarland, who purchased Campbell's interest,based on advice of his mentor, Jerry, chose to rise from silent partner to CEO. Those issues are to be decided in court sometime in January.

What can't be adjudicated in court, is the dismantling of the local infrastructure. As developers flocked to Bayview a few years ago, it became obvious that at least some of the investors wanted to transport this lazy backwater into a mecca for wealthy summer water sports enthusiasts. Unfortunately this included the task of getting rid of long time residents, some, third and even fourth generation. Situated 8 miles from the main highway, (hwy95) Bayview sits at the foot of Farragut State Park.

First, the town trailer park, often referred to as an eyesore, was purchased and razed. This purchase was engineered by Bob Holland , currently owner of the Vista Bay Marina, The previously know as Bayview Marina, and now called Harborview, and then Boileau's Marina, which included the patio and the Buttonhook.

The trailer park property was subsequently sold to James Darling, of WSU and NFL fame as a linebacker. Darling came into the community knowing that his predecessor, Holland, had stepped on many toes and wanted to avoid that. He worked assiduously to heal community breaches ,and is continuously trying to balance his interests with the community.Currently, he is building the first of three phases, involving about 32 condo units.

The former RV park at Boileaus' was turned into a parking lot to satisfy parking requirements for other Holland enterprises. The Bayview Motel was sold to a former NBA basketball player, about the same time. Not wanting to be subject to motel taxes and regulations, he turned that project into monthly rentals.That project has crashed since with the current economy, only about four units are rented. We now have less than half of the temporary RV and tent capacity for tourist than a few years ago.

This brings us to there present condition. The local economy has tubed. Many permanent residents have moved away, leaving a shell for the winter months. New condo projects probably will not help, as most will be purchased as second or vacation homes. The Buttonhook Restaurant has closed, with an opening date up in the air. Terry's Cafe, owned by Chan of Scenic Bay Marina, may reopen soon for breakfast and lunches. The patio, now leased from Chan by Scott & Jeanne Bjerge, has stayed open much later in the year, due to other closures, and will stay open throughout the Winter season. The hours of operation at the Patio will be 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.Cocktails are available at the Patio.There is still a possibility of the former Terry's Cafe opening soon, as lights are on again and remodeling is in progress.

Today, we morn one more stake in the heart of Bayview. Losing hundreds of dollars per month trying to stay open during the slow months, the Captain's Wheel is throwing in the towel for, at least the next two months. The last days of this drama will play out after January 3, when the lights will dim over the most stable full service restaurant & bar that has existed since 1996. The possibly last hurrah of the 'Wheel will be New Years Eve, with ever popular, "The Keep" playing for your listening pleasure.

Left open, will be the JD's, a bar and the patio, along with Ralph's internet cafe, which along with the patio brings Lite meals to the table, but puts Bayview into a category of not having a sit down restaurant in operation during this winter season.

Asked why this was necessary, Captain's wheel management just sighed and said, " There are either not enough people living here during the winter season, or due to the economy, choose not to eat out. Either way, we can't keep on losing money where the bottomless pit equals the total loss of equity and bankruptcy.

Folks, It's going to be a long winter. The hopes and prayers of local residents continue to come up negative, as the cards are turning up as a pair of deuces.

Christmas In Bayview/Athol

There are lots of thing going on this Christmas, much of which we won't hear about, but of those activities that have been brought to our attention, we'll mention. First off, Santa will be appearing at the Bayview Community Center Saturday, December 19, starting at 4:30 pm, with a Christmas tree lighting ceremony around 5:00. An ensemble will sing carols and kids will get the chance to tell Santa what they would like for Christmas. Refreshments will be served and prizes given for the best decoration display. Some areas to watch while driving around for the view, would be 4th & fir, Spruce between 1st & 3rd, and out on the cape there are several. One that has been outstanding is just off the corner of Cape Horn Road on Pend Oreille Pines.

Timberlake Fire District had it's annual Christmas Party last Saturday, December 12. An appreciation dinner was held at the Bayview community center, sponsored by the Fire District Commissioners.

Speaking of the Fire District, they have adopted a family for Christmas this year. The whole crew pitched in for gifts for a very deserving family. Heather Murphy, a single Mom with five kids will get a visit from Sparky the fire dog mascot, along with a fire engine which will deliver the gifts. Most likely, the firefighters will fight over who gets to go on the truck.

Oops, I almost forgot. The Christmas parade that started two years ago is on again. Tomorrow, Saturday, December 19 it will start at Phil's house on 1st and Fir, thence, after a few libations, and snacks onward through town in a squiggly way, to end at the Captain's wheel or there about.

The Captain's Wheel is holding a Christmas Eve pot luck dinner starting at 4:00 pm. Bring some goodies or just yourself.

If I've left anyone or any activity out, please e-mail me so that I can add to this list. Merry Christmas to all.

Herb

Weather, Or Not

It appears that the weather guessers are somewhat worried over two systems about to meet and clash right over us. A cold front swooping down from Canada is fixin' to bump heads with the warm front surging up from California. Expected to hit Monday evening and Tuesday, they have changed from predicting 3-6 inches, to warning that it could be much worse.

Why those cursed Californians continue to send us weather they don't want is beyond me. Why not ship it to Arizona and New Mexico where they can use it? (Oops, apologies to my friends wintering in Arizona)Anyway, when two weather systems converge, heavy precipitation can occur. Where they converge, appears to be right here.

Speaking of Arizona, I spoke with Jean Campbell yesterday. Jim & Jean are former owners of the Captain's Wheel. They alternate between Lake Siskiyou in the summer, as restaurant/gift shop operators and Welton, Arizona where they hunker down for the winter. Apparently they had a wind storm with wind velocities above 50 mph, with light rain, which produced a monster mud bath. So it turns out they, too have to shovel weather in the winter.

In other news, Santa may or may not be on time for Christmas. It turns out the Air Traffic Control system is overloaded, and Santa may be diverted to Moses Lake or some such isolated destination. Speaking of Christmas, for you eternal optimists, Accuweather has a snow storm hitting 12/24 through 12/25. A bit of a long range forecast, but hey, this is for the optimists.

I plan on joining others at the Captain's wheel for their Christmas Eve Pot Luck dinner. It starts at 4:00 pm. Bring your goodies or just yourselves, since many bring more than their share anyway. Break out those mittens, folks.

***NEW POST ON GLOBAL WARMING AT MY NEW BLOG. http://KOOTENAICOUNTRY.BLOGSPOT.COM

12/15/09: The weather guessers are now welshing on the Christmas snow storm They now say it will happen a day or so after Christmas.

I have never in the past done this, meaning copied and pasted stuff that in the history of this blog is frowned upon. Still, I feel strongly that the MSM including senior editors of the spokesman-review, who tend to be very liberal have blessed the use of this horrible term that is definitely pejorative in a sexual context to conservatives. I don't always follow the conservative party line when it gets to far right, but this is unacceptable. Period.

Teabagging is a slang term for the act of a man placing his scrotum in the mouth[1] or on or around the face (including the top of the head) of another person, often in a repeated in-and-out motion as in irrumatio. The practice resembles dipping a tea bag into a cup of tea.[2][3]
The practice

Teabagging is an activity used within the context of owning trents dome BDSM and male dominance, with a dominant man teabagging his submissive partner as one variation of facesitting and/or as a means of inflicting erotic humiliation. Teabagging is not always carried out with a solely “sexual” connotation.

Teabagging has been used during hazing or bullying incidents.[4] Incidents have included reports of groups holding down victims while the perpetrator “shoves his testicles in [their] face”[5] or puts their “crotch to his head.”[6]

Mimicking teabagging has become popular in online video games. It is portrayed by the winning player positioning his character over the fallen character's face (while repeatedly crouching and standing) to imply domination or humiliation.[6]
[edit] Use as a political term
Main article: Tea Party protests

In 2009, groups known as Tea Parties were formed to protest United States government tax and spending policies. Media outlets began to use the term 'Teabaggers' as a criticism of the entire Tea Party movement, making use of language and accoutrement employed by some of its members.[7][8] An article in Salon.com by Alex Koppelman traced the controversy to a photograph by David Weigel posted on The Washington Independent website on 27 February,[9] showing a protester holding a sign that read “Tea Bag the Liberal Dems Before They Tea Bag You!!”[10] Weigel's report was referenced by bloggers, including Wonkette, who used “teabagging” or “teabagger” in their headline.[9] Several critics of the protesters, including Rachel Maddow, Keith Olbermann, Chris Matthews, and Anderson Cooper, used the slang in their broadcasts. Cooper later apologized, calling the term “silly” and stating that his use of it detracted from his serious reporting.[11][12][13][14][15]

It would appear that MSM liberal editors have blessed the use of this dirty term in obeisance to their liberal following. I do not believe that repeated use of a dirty word or term legitimatizes it. Certianly other words that are in common use on the streets are prohibited on spokesman-Review blogs. It is apparent to me that this one sided morality is wrong, wrong, wrong!

Road Trip From Hell

Today I trekked to the big city. No, not Rathdrum or even Coeur d'Alene. I went for the whole hog and drove to the land of red light busters, choked freeways and crime waves, and that's just Spokane city officials, according to Clark. Actually, it wasn't too bad. The route I took avoided the infamous pot holes, which is good because I experience many of those where I live here in Bayview. Really, the only bad part of the trip was getting out of the car. That it was cold is an understatement. Bone-chilling, paralyzing cold.

I took the trip anyway. You see, I have three beautiful young granddaughters that were in a Christmas Pageant at Northwest Christian School in the North End. It was great entertainment. all three were in different grade levels and had parts based on their class. On top of the fact that I have these three beauties as grandchildren, my son is a teacher there, (4Th grade) and my daughter-in-law is a substitute teacher at the school. So son was herding the fourth grade class while his wife, Jennifer was trying to keep order in the third grade class, which she subbed for today. She needed a whip and chair. The kids didn't get outside recess due to the cold, so they saved all of their pent up energy for the evening events. Still, when it was their turn to head for the stage, they settled right down, like great troupers that they were.

I didn't see Cindy Hval there, but I strongly suspect she was out stalking her 15 year old son's Health teacher. (If you don't follow Huckleberries on line this doesn't make sense, but then much that I write doesn't anyway. Inside joke.)

Had to stop for gas. It couldn't happen when it was warm, no. I had to get out of the car, stick the hose in the tank and hope my hand wouldn't freeze to it. Made it home OK. did I mention that I stopped for groceries on the way to Spokane? It's the first time I have ever had to unload the car to assure that I wouldn't ruin some of the food I'd bought. Usually that is a Summer thing. I could see the rolls of biscuits freezing and popping open, causing me to bake all night long, but no, everything worked out fine. In a year or two, I may venture to the big city again, but only under duress, or that of my grand kids. I don't plan on poking my head out until at least March.

Whaterever It Takes...!

That is what Bayview residents received on their doorsteps Friday Night, as four men riding in a pickup threw leaflets on most everyone's lawn stuffed in a plastic baggie and weighted down with ballast rock allegedly stolen from the Burlington Northern tracks in Athol.

The content is as follows:

"Know That Whatever It Takes, White America will survive!
It is signed, not with a name, but the Aryan Nations, National Headquarters, P.O. Box 91, Athol, Idaho, 83801"

"Join The Ranks." Etc.Etc.

Captain Ben Wolfinger told me today that they invite a criminal complaint on this matter, and will definitely follow through. If you have received one of these pieces of filth and desire the perpetrators to be brought to justice for littering, call the Kootenai Sheriff department 208-446-1300 and file your complaint. Each such call is treated as a separate count of littering. Let's make it expensive for these Jerks to do what they do. Never has the city of Athol's claim to fame name wise, ever been more appropriate than with these residents. Some of us view this series of acts as the equivalent of burning a cross in a neighbor's yard, sans the fire hazard.

My humble apology to Ben Wolfinger. I referred to him as always, as Captain. It turns out her was promoted to Major. A big congrats to Ben Wolfinger, a truly conscientious peace officer.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

For many years the mission of the Corps of Engineers was to regulate navigable waterways. The original intent was primarily the Mississippi,Missouri and Ohio rivers, for both flood control and navigation. toward that goal, locks were emplaced at necessary points to aid the up river and down river commerce. These rivers were and are navigable because they can be used all the way to the ocean for marine traffic.

Then somehow, the corps got too big for their collective britches and decided that THEY would determine what was navigable and what was not. The most obvious transgressions are out west, where rivers that may support a canoe for brief journeys, dammed rivers that cannot be navigated, even by fish and other egregious mis-applications of the terminology.

To state that the Corps transgresses upon the states rights that they regulate, as well as rule the power grid thfough the measured feeding of water from dam to dam, as needed for power generation, is teating the subject lightly. They have gone so far beyond the original intent of their perview as to be ridiculous. The situation is obvious. We, residents of the various western states need to wrest control from these power hungry federal abusers. One method would be to sue in federal court, asking the court to find that the Corps has overstepped their mandate. Another, would be to get congress to redefine what constitutes a navagable waterway.

Here on 50 mile long Lake Pend Oreille, the corps is attempting once again, to manipulate the levels through their ownership of the Albeni Falls Dam without regard to the fact that this lake is not a man made reservoir, but a natural body of water. Our lake has been trashed by the lack of regard to our fisheries and lakefront properties. They seem to feel that we exist for the sole purpose of supplying water to Grand Coulee Dam and other such structures down stream.

There are adequate dams down stream from Lake Pend Oreille to hold summer water through the winter power use cycles without misusing our lake. During the few years where a moratorium was in force and the corps was only allowed to lower the lake to 2051 feet above sea level every three years, and to maintain a Summer level of 2062, with 2055 being the odd years winter level. The mighty Corps of Engineers has unilaterally decided they essentially will in the future do what they damn well please. This is wrong and the State of Idaho needs to pull them up short, if the various interested bureaucrats can manage to extract their collective heads from their ... rears.

Seniors Thrown Under The Bus

I feel that I've jumped through the looking glass and am now in Wonderland with Alice. Everything seems to be upside down. The democrats in congress, reputed by their own statements, are for the poor and the downtrodden. They have voted, party line to reduce payments for Medicare treatment. Sure, they say out of one side of their mouths, "no reduction in benefits will occur, just payments."

I have no accurate figures on this, but I do know that most doctors in my area, which includes North Idaho, are refusing medicare patients and those that don't will not accept new patients. These doctors claim that the payments do not come anywhere close to prevailing rates that are charged in the area, and that they lose money treating them. Not only that, but the ones that do accept medicare patients are so bogged down with bureaucratic paperwork that they often have to hire an office assistant just for medicare related reports and forms required.

On top of this political anomaly, AARP, supposedly the bastion of protection for seniors, has endorsed this abortion of logic. (note to self, cancel membership immediately) The obvious outcome of this travesty is a program the federal government can brag about that the medical profession won't use or accept. This reverse Robin Hood approach to legislation clearly is robbing from the poor to give to the middle class. Before I attempt to jump back through the looking glass, I'm going to sit here and wonder about the nasty Republican Party that only thinks of big business, being on the side of helpless seniors. I'm going to then examine where the hell the Democrats get off turning their backs on the elderly. Well, I guess that's no surprise, after all, they turned their collective backs on Labor, who through smoke and mirrors, still support the party.