Here's what's happening in December

**208 Fiction Contest Open. The Reader is now accepting submissions for its fifth annual 208 Fiction contest, open to writers of all ages in Bonner and Boundary counties. Entries are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, must be exactly 208 words (not including name and title) and must be original fiction, no memoir, poetry or AI-generated work. The first-place winner will receive $150 and dining gift certificates, with additional prizes for second and third. Entry fees are $5 per story, with no limit on submissions. Email entries to [email protected] with the subject line "208 FICTION," including your name, story title(s) and payment info, and submit payment via paypal.me/sandpointreader or by cash/check at the Sandpoint Reader office.

10 BOCC Land Use Hearing. Meeting to be held at 1500 Highway 2, Ste. 208 at 10 a.m. Get more information such as the agenda, minutes, and video link for the meeting at bonnercountyid.gov/meetings.

10 Wednesday Storytime. Join in at the Sandpoint Library in Karen's Kids Room for themed stories, songs, movements, and crafts at 10:30 a.m.

10 Wednesday Intro to 3D Design: Tinkercad. From 12-2 p.m. in the new Exploration Lab at the Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St. come and learn the 3D design basics on a free, user-friendly software for creating 3D shapes and designs. Ideal for beginners and those with limited experience of all ages.

10 Refreshments & Holiday Cheer. Join Senator Jim Woodward and Representative Mark Sauter from 6:30-8:30 p.m. for this informal meet and greet at the Sandpoint Community Hall, 204 S. First Ave. They will provide light refreshments and let you know what's going on in Boise since the session ended.

11 Thursday Virtual Reality. Stop by for 15-minute VR sessions at the Sandpoint Library Exploration Lab, 1407 Cedar St. from 3-5 p.m. A legal guardian must accompany kids under 10.

11 Craft Night. Join for a fun night of Christmas craft making at the Northside Elementary School, 7881 Colburn Culver Rd. from 5-7 p.m. Make cute keepsakes, and home-made gifts thanks to the Northside Elementary PTO.

12 Mother Goose Storytime. The Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St., invites you to join in Karen's Kids Room at 10:30 a.m. on Fridays for a singing Storytime with flannel boards and movement for waddlers - 36 months.

12 Felt & Stitch with Wooly Mama. Get over to Barrel 33, 100 N. First Ave. and complete a felt ornament & Sip with Wooly Mama and sip on your favorite drink. 5-7 p.m. Get your tickets here. Adults $30.23 (registration fee includes taxes and fees).

13 Public Workshop. The City of Sandpoint Parks Division will host a public workshop from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Community Room at the James E. Russell Sports Center, 2016 Pine St., to gather community input on future uses for the City Beach RV Park property. City staff and the Parks & Recreation Commission will lead an interactive discussion exploring potential alternatives for the site and its role within the broader City Beach area. A public survey will be released the week prior to collect additional feedback, and all input will be compiled and presented to City Council early next year to help guide next steps. Community members are welcome to drop in anytime; no registration required.

13 Natural Connections. Join from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Community Rooms at the Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St. It's a day of events including: The SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) Survival Kit where you will create your own herbal teas and scrubs; Find Your Voice and Raise it Up in Song; and Crafting an Herbal Apothecary for Winter Wellness. See more here.

13 Saturday Storytime. Join in at 10:30 a.m. in Karen's Kids Room at the Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St., for themed stories, songs, movements, and crafts. Geared to children 2-5 years with their caregivers.

13 Saturday Virtual Reality. Stop by for 15-minute VR sessions at the Sandpoint Library Exploration Lab, 1407 Cedar St. from 1-3 p.m. A legal guardian must accompany kids under 10.

13 Holiday Air Plant Terrarium Workshop. Join at Verdant Plants, 219 Church St. from 3:30-5 p.m. for a fun activity to do with friends and family. Craft a festive seasonal terrarium for an air plant. Verdant Plants will provide everything you need including a hanging glass globe terrarium, sand, the air plant, holiday figurines, and care instructions. Enjoy light refreshments and in-store discounts. Registration is $35, and can be done here.

13-15 POAC Fabric Sale. The Pend Oreille Arts Council will host a fabric sample sale Sat–Mon, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the POAC Gallery, 313 N. Second Ave. offering hundreds of quality samples donated by retired designer Joanie Renkert. Materials are available to all for creative projects, with shoppers taking what they need in exchange for a donation of any amount. For more information, visit the gallery or call 208-263-6139.

14 Registration Open for Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training. This two-day Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training is set for Jan. 12-13 at the Bonner County Administration Building from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Presented by North Idaho Veterans with Panhandle Public Health and NAMI Idaho, the workshop provides LivingWorks ASIST certification and teaches participants to recognize warning signs, engage in difficult conversations, and build immediate safety plans. Open to adults 18 and older, the training includes breaks, lunch, and all materials. Register here.

14 Sandpoint Ceramics Pottery Sale. Come pick up some hand-crafted stoneware pottery and art made by students, members, and interns. 100% of sales go to the makers themselves. Check it out at the Cedar St. Bridge, 334 N. First Ave, Ste. 206 from noon to 5 p.m.

14 Sandpoint Christmas Bird Count. Join from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a full day counting and observing birds in the Sandpoint area. Meet at Connie's, 323 Cedar St. at 7 a.m. to start the day.

14 Reg. Deadline: Copper Bracelet/Cuff with Dave Gonzo. In this class you will learn to safely and properly use the oxyacetylene torch, the properties of copper, basic hammering techniques, and more. Each student will make a bracelet or cuff that they will be able to take home. Class will be held on December 20 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. $54. Learn more or register at artinsandpoint.org/jds-student.

15 KFS Holiday Whisk Broom. Learn the basics such as sorting broom corn, tying slip knots, using a foot spindle, and more. Then, go home with a whisk broom or pot scrubber you crafted yourself. 4-6 p.m. at Aster Garden Center, 924 Superior St. $25. For ages 12+. Register here.

16 Tuesday Teen Sandpoint Content Creators. Join from 3-4:30 p.m. in the Community Rooms of the Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St. This is a start-to-finish content creation course designed to teach teens the basics of filming, editing, releasing, and marketing creative content to an online audience.

16 Tuesday Coding Club. 3-5 p.m. in the  Lab at the Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St. Work with Edison bots. Pi Sloth robots and Raspberry Pi units. Use coding and interact with robots.

16 Teen Book Club. Join from 3-5 p.m. in the Teen Zone of the Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St. once a month (3rd Tuesday), discuss the chosen book, eat snacks, and work on activities together. This month's title is "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens.

16 KFS Wine Star Ornaments. Create your own sparkling star ornaments out of copper wire. You'll learn how to twist and bend the wire into both flat and 3D designs. These are perfect for decorations, or special handmade gifts. 5-7 p.m. at Aster Garden Center, 924 Superior St. $25. For ages 7+. Register here.

16 KFS Forged Troll Cross. Warm up by the forge and make your own Forged Troll Cross. This beginner-friendly class is a chance to learn the basics of metal forging while creating your own version of this ancient Scandinavian symbol of protection. 6-8 p.m. at the Sled Barn, 11735 W. Pine. $25. This class is for adults, but those 13-16 can attend with an adult. Register here.

17 Special Nutcracker Pajama Family Storytime. Join in at the Sandpoint Library in Karen's Kids Room for themed stories, songs, movements, and crafts at 10:30 a.m. This storytime is hosted by Bella Note Studios who will be putting on a special Nutcracker performance. Make sure to wear your coziest pajamas.

17 Wednesday Intro to 3D Design: Tinkercad. From 12-2 p.m. in the new Exploration Lab at the Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St. come and learn the 3D design basics on a free, user-friendly software for creating 3D shapes and designs. Ideal for beginners and those with limited experience of all ages.

17 KFS Partridge and Pear Ornament. Using upcycled fabrics, you'll stitch together colorful, one-of-a-kind pieces with simple hand embroidery and sewing techniques. No experience needed. 4-6 p.m. at Aster Garden Center, 924 Superior St. $33. For ages 12+. Register here.

18 Thursday Virtual Reality. Stop by for 15-minute VR sessions at the Sandpoint Library Exploration Lab, 1407 Cedar St. from 3-5 p.m. A legal guardian must accompany kids under 10.

18 KFS Pine Needle Ornament. Create an original ornament and learn the basics of pine needle basketry in this hands-on class.  You’ll decorate a wooden block with paints and natural materials, then coil and sew pine needles around it to make your own little masterpiece. These ornaments make great gifts. 4-6 p.m. at Aster Garden Center, 924 Superior St. $20. For adults, but ages 10+ welcome with an adult. Register here.

18 Paint & Sip. Join at Barrel 33, 100 N. First Ave. from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tickets include instruction, supplies, and your first beverage. $52.86. Register here.

19 Mother Goose Storytime. The Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St., invites you to join in Karen's Kids Room at 10:30 a.m. on Fridays for a singing Storytime with flannel boards and movement for waddlers - 36 months.

19 KFS Carved Santa Ornament. Carve and paint your own Santa ornament just in time for the holidays! In this hands-on class, you’ll learn the basics of “flat plane” carving, a Scandinavian style where most of the shaping is done with a knife and small gouge, creating beautiful, faceted details. Each student will get a pre-cut wooden blank to work on, plus knives, wood, and safety gloves. 5-7 p.m. at Aster Garden Center, 924 Superior St. $25. For ages 15+. Register here.

20 Adult Sewing Workshop: Chasing the Chills Away. Join from 10 a.m. to noon in the Community Rooms of the Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St. Join experienced staff and learn how to sew: Fleece fingerless gloves, flannel applique scarf, dual fabric neck warmer, and reusable hand warmers. All materials and instructions will be provided. Registration is required and can be done here.

20 Winter Farmers' Market. Join in the Community Rooms of the Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. where the Sandpoint Farmers' Market will continue indoors once a month through the winter.

20 Saturday Storytime. Join in at 10:30 a.m. in Karen's Kids Room at the Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St., for themed stories, songs, movements, and crafts. Geared to children 2-5 years with their caregivers.

20 Saturday Virtual Reality. Stop by for 15-minute VR sessions at the Sandpoint Library Exploration Lab, 1407 Cedar St. from 1-3 p.m. A legal guardian must accompany kids under 10.

20 A Winter Solstice Art Affair: Luminosity & Libations. Join from 5-8 p.m. at Teascarlet  Bonners Ferry to sip, mingle, and soak in the festive glow to toast the returning sun. Join for wassail, charcuterie, music, and candles while the darkness takes its deepest bow of the year.

21 Open The Door - A Family Christmas Pageant. An Interactive Family Christmas Service with a role for each child. Hosted by the Youth & Friends of Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. Hot Cocoa and Firepits will be offered after the service. To be held at 1900 Pine St. at 5 p.m. on both days.

23 Tuesday Teen Sandpoint Content Creators. Join from 3-4:30 p.m. in the Community Rooms of the Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St. This is a start-to-finish content creation course designed to teach teens the basics of filming, editing, releasing, and marketing creative content to an online audience.

23 Tuesday Coding Club. 3-5 p.m. in the  Lab at the Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St. Work with Edison bots. Pi Sloth robots and Raspberry Pi units. Use coding and interact with robots.

24 Open The Door - A Family Christmas Pageant. An Interactive Family Christmas Service with a role for each child. Hosted by the Youth & Friends of Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. Hot Cocoa and Firepits will be offered after the service. To be held at 1900 Pine St. at 5 p.m. on both days.

26 Mother Goose Storytime. The Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St., invites you to join in Karen's Kids Room at 10:30 a.m. on Fridays for a singing Storytime with flannel boards and movement for waddlers - 36 months.

27 Saturday Storytime. Join in at 10:30 a.m. in Karen's Kids Room at the Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St., for themed stories, songs, movements, and crafts. Geared to children 2-5 years with their caregivers.

27 Saturday Virtual Reality. Stop by for 15-minute VR sessions at the Sandpoint Library Exploration Lab, 1407 Cedar St. from 1-3 p.m. A legal guardian must accompany kids under 10.

30 Tuesday Teen Sandpoint Content Creators. Join from 3-4:30 p.m. in the Community Rooms of the Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St. This is a start-to-finish content creation course designed to teach teens the basics of filming, editing, releasing, and marketing creative content to an online audience.

30 Tuesday Coding Club. 3-5 p.m. in the  Lab at the Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St. Work with Edison bots. Pi Sloth robots and Raspberry Pi units. Use coding and interact with robots.

30 Reg. Deadline: Meet  you in the Middle with Alison Barrows-Young. Explore your artistic voice (Intermediate–Advanced) by stretching your creativity and developing your practice in a supportive, open-ended class. Bring your preferred water-based or dry medium. Classes will be held January 5, 12, & 19 from 1-4 p.m. $108. Get more information, or register at artinsandpoint.jds-student.

31 Wednesday Storytime. Join in at the Sandpoint Library in Karen's Kids Room for themed stories, songs, movements, and crafts at 10:30 a.m.

31 Wednesday Intro to 3D Design: Tinkercad. From 12-2 p.m. in the new Exploration Lab at the Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St. come and learn the 3D design basics on a free, user-friendly software for creating 3D shapes and designs. Ideal for beginners and those with limited experience of all ages.

31 Reg. Deadline: Watercolor Cards and Keepsakes with Allison Barrows-Young. This watercolor class will combine basic drawing and watercolor techniques with fun, seasonal themes. You will create personalized handmade greeting cards, and/or small frameable paintings. This class is designed for all levels. No prior experience needed. Classes will be held Jan. 6, 13, & 20 from 1-5 p.m. $108. Get more information, or register at artinsandpoint.jds-student.

And in January...

2: 208 Fiction Contest Deadline. The Reader is now accepting submissions for its fifth annual 208 Fiction contest, open to writers of all ages in Bonner and Boundary counties. Entries are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, must be exactly 208 words (not including name and title) and must be original fiction, no memoir, poetry or AI-generated work. The first-place winner will receive $150 and dining gift certificates, with additional prizes for second and third. Entry fees are $5 per story, with no limit on submissions. Email entries to [email protected] with the subject line "208 FICTION," including your name, story title(s) and payment info, and submit payment via paypal.me/sandpointreader or by cash/check at the Sandpoint Reader office.

10 Registration Deadline: Kimekomi with Jenni Barry. Kimekomi is a  Japanese art form where fabric pieces are tucked into a base.  In this class students will be creating 2-D Kimekomi art that combines the painterly quality of impressionism, with complex quilting. Class to be held on January 16 from 1-5 p.m. $48. Learn more or register at artinsandpoint.org/jds-student.

11 Registration Deadline: Creating Copper Leaves with Dave Gonzo. In this class students will be working and playing with copper sheets and learning the properties of the alloy. They will learn how to use the necessary tools for layout, cutting, annealing, folding and manipulating the alloy into beautiful organic leaves. Class will be held on January 17 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. $54. Learn more or register at artinsandpoint.org/jds-student.

12-13 Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training. This two-day Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training is set for Jan. 12-13 at the Bonner County Administration Building from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Presented by North Idaho Veterans with Panhandle Public Health and NAMI Idaho, the workshop provides LivingWorks ASIST certification and teaches participants to recognize warning signs, engage in difficult conversations, and build immediate safety plans. Open to adults 18 and older, the training includes breaks, lunch, and all materials. Register here.

13 Make a Macrame Plant Hanger. Get Knotty with Verdant Plants, 219 Church St., from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Learn the fun and functional craft of macrame. Get tickets here.

16 Idaho Public Records Act Workshop. Idahoans for Openness in Government (IDOG), Idaho State Controller Brandon Woolf, and Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane invite the public to a free workshop on the Idaho Public Records Act on Jan. 16 at 9 a.m. PT in the Lincoln Auditorium of the Idaho State Capitol. The session will explain the law and the public's rights and will be presented by Andy Snook, general counsel for Gov. Brad Little, and Betsy Russell, IDOG president. The workshop will also be streamed live at idahoptv.org/insession. Attendance is free, but registration is requested at openidaho.org or by calling 208-334-3100, ext. 0.

17 Registration Deadline: Dog Sculpture with Collista Krebs. This is a fast paced, fun, hand building class that everyone can do. Participants will be walked through every step to make a sculpture of their dog of choice. The goal is to make a sculpture that represents your dog’s swag and personality. Class will be held on January 23 from 1-4 p.m. $36. Learn more or register at artinsandpoint.org/jds-student.

21 Growing Native Plants from Seed. Join at the Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St. from 4-5:30 p.m. where Samuel Grey of the Boundary County Extension Office will help guide you in growing native plants from seed.

23 Maple Tapping Workshop. Join at the Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St. from 10 a.m. to noon to learn more about maple tapping.

24 Annual Seed Share. From 10 a.m. to noon you'll want to get over to the Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St. for the annual seed share. Seed saving is the foundation of food. Bring your favorite seeds and stories to share.

24 Registration Deadline: Mosaic Art with Cheryl Klein. In this 3-hour class, students will create an original 9x6 mosaic on slate using the direct application method. Tesserae for the design will include a variety of stained glass, pottery, tile, stone, beads, and gems. Nipping and shaping techniques will be presented as well as basic concepts in color and composition. Class will be held on January 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. $36. Learn more or register at artinsandpoint.org/jds-student.

27 Idaho Open Meeting Law Workshop. IDOG, Controller Brandon Woolf, and Secretary of State Phil McGrane will host a free workshop on the Idaho Open Meeting Law on Jan. 27 at 9 a.m. PT in the Lincoln Auditorium of the Idaho State Capitol. The session will cover the law and the public's rights and will be presented by Andy Snook, general counsel for Gov. Brad Little, Betsy Russell, IDOG president, and Brian Kane, former longtime Chief Deputy Idaho Attorney General. The workshop will also be streamed live at idahoptv.org/insession. Attendance is free, but registration is requested at openidaho.org or by calling 208-334-3100, ext. 0.

27 Registration Deadline: Meet you In the Middle with Alison Barrows-Young. This is a course to inspire inner expression for those at intermediate to advanced levels. Stretch and explore new approaches and ways to think about your art process by evoking your subconscious muse for students dedicated to developing their artistic practice. Classes will be held February 2, 9, and 16 from 1-4 p.m. $108. Learn more or register at artinsandpoint.org/jds-student.

28 Registration Deadline: Watercolor Cards and Keepsakes with Allison Barrows-Young. This watercolor class will combine basic drawing and watercolor techniques with fun, seasonal themes.  Students will create personalized handmade greeting cards, and/or small frameable paintings. This class is designed for all levels. No prior painting or drawing experience is needed. Classes will be held February 3, 10, and 17 from 1-5 p.m. $108. Learn more or register at artinsandpoint.org/jds-student.

30 Registration Deadline: Wonderful Weaving. This class is designed to give all beginning weavers an opportunity to create a textured wall hanging using a simple frame loom.  They will use traditional and contemporary weaving stitches to create a sampler of their own design. Experienced weavers will be able to enhance their design skills and create a wall hanging that is brimming with texture and movement. Classes will be held February 5, 12, 19, and 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. $144. Learn more or register at artinsandpoint.org/jds-student.