Area celebrates inauguration

SANDPOINT - For those civically-minded residents who could not attend President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration in person, the swearing-in ceremony will be shown live at the Panida Theater at 8 a.m. today.

The event was spearheaded by Sandpoint residents Carol Curtis and Stephen Drinkard, who wanted to make the ceremony a community event.

"I think it will be more enjoyable and give people an opportunity to discuss what they're viewing," Curtis said of the event, which was put together with the help of Northland Cable and Sandpoint Computers.

Although she supported Obama, Curtis said people of all political leanings are welcome to come watch the historic ceremony.

"It's not just about politics, it's about wanting to feel like our whole community can come together. (Obama) got elected because people from all parties voted for him - Republicans, independents - and I think if he's going to succeed and if we're all going to succeed, it's going to be from working together," Curtis said.

If 8 a.m. is too early, a second inauguration party will begin at 4 p.m. at the Tango Cafe inside Panhandle State Bank's Sandpoint Center.

The party, organized by Sandpoint resident Amy Flint, is meant to celebrate Obama and recognize the work of the millions of Americans who helped achieve the victory.

Flint, a member of the political group MoveOn.org, said the party will kick off what she hopes will be a time of change in America.

"I'm just excited because I think instead of having a president who's kind of unilaterally making some scary decisions, I think we're going to have one who will ask us what we want and try to move forward more in support of what the people want to see happen," Flint said.

The party will feature music from a local DJ, wine from Pend d'Oreille Winery, appetizers from Tango Cafe and several televisions showing coverage of the inaugural events.