Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT) is celebrating its March 31 anniversary and thirteenth year as a regional, climate activists collective confronting the root causes and perpetrators of air pollution, water degradation, and resulting climate change, through direct actions and locally organized solutions, in solidarity with frontline communities and grassroots networks of fossil fuels resistance [1-5]. We welcome everyone of all ages to enjoy this milestone at two 13th Annual Celebrations of WIRT, held as benefit performances and potluck gatherings in Sandpoint and Moscow, Idaho, with provided pizza, requested snacks and beverages, a background slide show of WIRT and allied activism, and updates on six Northwest campaigns. WIRT invites and extends our hearty thanks to the remarkable core activists, board members, friends, and allies who have coordinated and shared the successes of ongoing citizen challenges of the corporate and government sources of climate chaos.
Please join WIRT activists on two early spring evenings, for convergences full of lively music, spirited conversations, invigorating camaraderie, wholesome food and drink, and creative works offered by north Idaho and regional residents. At each of these free, public events, we eagerly anticipate community members sharing their admired talents and participating as volunteers and/or sponsors. These yearly festivities not only strive to raise awareness and funds supporting relentless, earnest, WIRT climate activism, but also seek to further attract and involve cross-cultural and youth diversity in the climate justice movement in Idaho and the Northwest.
Thursday, March 28, 7 pm: Community Open Mic & Desiree Aguirre
Gardenia Center, 400 Church Street, Sandpoint
WIRT encourages poets, writers, musicians, creative peers, and allied groups to participate in an open microphone and potluck meal, at one of the last community events at the Gardenia Center, a beloved gathering place currently for sale and as endangered by development as the Earth [6]. A local poet will host reading and sharing of odes and tributes to the decades of community service bestowed by and through the Gardenia. Multi-instrumentalist, roots musician Desiree Aguirre will sing stories and play banjo and maybe guitar for 30 to 45 minutes, and organizers will “pass the hat” for donations covering event publicity and travel.
Friday, March 29, 7 pm: Campaign Updates & the Eclectrix
The Attic, 314 East Second Street (rear, second story), Moscow
During this year’s celebrations in both Sandpoint and Moscow, WIRT and allied group representatives plan to lead discussions about resistance campaigns and upcoming events, including Northwest tar sands mining and refining megaloads and Alberta tailing pond breaches, southwest Idaho oil and gas extraction and waste injection wells and plant emissions, Paradise Ridge highway construction through wetlands and rare native habitat, Idaho Panhandle fossil fuels and hazardous freight trains and railroad infrastructure and wrecks, Lake Pend Oreille-adjacent timber sales, and Gas Transmission Northwest (GTN) Xpress pipeline expansion. The high-energy Eclectrix duo of Jessica Amy Cowitz and Fiddlin’ Big Al Chidester will also play a variety of folk, blues, and country music as well as original compositions on guitar, mandolin, fiddle, and banjo. Continue reading