Images Southern Idaho: 2008 by Journal Communications

2008 | IMAGESSOUTHERNIDAHO.COM | VIDEO VIGNETTES TM

OF SOUTHERN IDAHO

GOING TO EXTREMES Wild outdoor activities draw daredevils by the thousands

EVEL KNIEVEL LEAPT HERE!

Eye Candy for Nature Lovers Visitors experience inspiration from spectacular scenic delights

SPONSORED BY THE TWIN FALLS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

2008 EDITION | VOLUME 3 TM

OF SOUTHERN IDAHO

18 CO NTE NT S F E AT U R E S 14

GOING TO EXTREMES Outdoor sports including rock climbing, kayaking and mountain biking draw tourists to Southern Idaho in droves.

EYE CANDY FOR NATURE LOVERS

30 CSI: ACADEMIC UNIT Dr. Gerald L. Beck thinks a community college should be just as its title indicates – there for the community.

The City of Rocks is one of dozens of natural and scenic wonders that make Southern Idaho a feast for the eyes.

22 TIME TO GROW UP If the sights and sounds of new construction are any indicator, Southern Idaho is a region on the move.

26 A HEART FOR THE ARTS Twin Falls cares so much for the arts that its city council passed an Art in Public Places resolution in June 2007.

34 FERTILE GROUND FOR RESEARCH Magic Valley companies doing research in various ﬁelds ﬁnd the area rich in both resources and opportunities.

EVEL KNIEVEL LEAPT HERE The world watched the famed daredevil’s 1974 attempt to jump the Snake River Canyon.

ON THE COVER Photo by Jeff Adkins The I.B. Perrine Bridge

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OF SOUTHERN IDAHO

SOUTHERN IDAHO BUSINESS D E PA R TM E NT S 10 Almanac: a colorful sampling of Southern Idaho culture

38 Portfolio: people, places and events that deﬁne Southern Idaho

57 Education

46 Room To Grow The Magic Valley is luring business owners interested in a slower pace of life.

48 Biz Briefs 50 Chamber Report 51 Economic Proﬁle

59 Sports & Recreation 63 Health & Wellness 64 Image Gallery

71 Community Proﬁle: facts, stats and important numbers to know

Inside:

SOUTHERN IDAHO TOURISM SPECIAL SECTION

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What’s Online

More lists, links and tips for newcomers

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MOVING PICTURES VIDEO 1 INSIDE LOOK Join us on a virtual tour of Southern Idaho through the lenses of our award-winning photographers at imagessouthernidaho.com.

VIDEO 2 BASE JUMPING See a base jumper leap from the Perrine Bridge into the Snake River Valley 500 feet below at imagessouthernidaho.com.

PLUS SEARCH OUR ARCHIVES Browse past issues of the magazine by year or search for speciﬁc articles by subject. INSTANT LINKS Read the entire magazine online using our ActiveMagazine™ technology and link instantly to community businesses and services. EVEN MORE Read full-length versions of the magazine’s articles; ﬁnd related stories; or read new content exclusive to the Web. Look for the See More Online reference in this issue.

GARDENING IN THE ROCKIES Welcome to the Rocky Mountain region, where it is truly a pleasure to awaken to a day when the early fog melts before a warm sun. Find out more at imagessouthernidaho.com.

WILD GAME IN THE WEST Early settlers in the West enjoyed an abundance of wild game and ﬁsh – and present-day settlers still do. Wildgame cuisine has found its own niche on many menus. Find out more at imagessouthernidaho.com.

A B O U T T H I S M AG A Z I N E Images of Southern Idaho is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is sponsored by the Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. In print and online, Images gives readers a taste of what makes Southern Idaho tick – from business and education to sports, health care and the arts.

“Find the good – and praise it.” – Alex Haley (1921-1992), Journal Communications co-founder

jnlcom.com

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Almanac

Is That Venus? Celestial objects are clearly in focus at the Herrett Center for Arts & Science, located on the College of Southern Idaho campus. The center is home to the Faulkner Planetarium, a domed theater that offers programs emphasizing space science. Also on site is the Centennial Observatory where a variety of outer space objects can be viewed. And the Herrett Center is much more. It is home to 18,500 artifacts from the people and geology of the Americas, Europe and Africa. There is also an art collection with nearly 500 paintings, sculptures and ceramic works.

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Magic Valley Vintages With a lengthy growing season and fertile soil, Idaho cultivates much more than potatoes. Wineries are springing up across the state, and especially near the Snake River where the climate is just right for wine grapes. At Hegy’s South Hills Winery in Twin Falls they press their Chardonnay, Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir and Lemberger grapes with an authentic antique Italian press, and all of the wines are hand bottled and corked. Holesinky Vines, located along the Snake River, produces wines that earn the certified organic label. Other wineries in the area include Blue Rock Vineyard & Wines in Buhl and Thousand Springs Winery in Hagerman.

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Feel lucky? Take a short trip to Jackpot, Nev., to one of the many casinos located there. The city is less than a one-hour drive from Twin Falls. One of the highlight spots is Cactus Pete’s Resort, with more than 20,000 square feet of gaming space. Meanwhile, Barton’s Club 93 offers 100 rooms and a 24-hour restaurant along with its fully equipped casino. Other gaming rooms in Jackpot include Four Jacks Hotel & Casino, The Covered Wagon Motel, The Horshu Hotel & Casino and the West Star Hotel & Casino.

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Brrr, That’s Cold Even if it is 100 degrees outside, the Shoshone Indian Ice Caves are always 28-33 degrees Fahrenheit. The caves, located 16 miles north of Shoshone on US Hwy. 93, are actually lava tubes that are 1,000 feet long and vary between 8 and 30 feet in height. Air currents flowing through the tubes result in the ice, since the currents cause subterranean water to freeze. Courtesy coats hang on hooks for visitors to borrow as they make their way into the quiet and cold caves. Shoshone Ice Caves is open from May to September.

Strong as an Oakley

Fast Facts

The entire town of Oakley is on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1878, Mormon immigrants founded the community located 17 miles south of Burley. Many of the town’s buildings are made of brick and old stone, and an Idaho quartzite known as Oakley stone is quarried nearby. Oakley is located on Goose Creek and is named for Thomas Oakley, operator of a stagecoach in the late 1800s. The community hosts an annual festival each July called Pioneer Days.

Q Skandi-Dag Skandinavian Festival is held each June in Freedom Park in Burley. Q The Gooding Basque Cultural Center serves a multi-course Basque supper the first Friday of each month. Q Twin Falls County was named for the falls of the Snake River. The surrounding area is known as the Magic Valley.

P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F I DA H O T R AV E L C O U N C I L

Q The world-class Faulkner Planetarium is located on the College of Southern Idaho campus.

Something’s Fishy The trout capital of the world? It’s Buhl. There are hundreds of trout ponds in the city, thanks to natural spring waters along the Snake River that are ideal for raising rainbow trout. More than 70 percent of all rainbow trout raised in the United States originate from the Buhl area. One of the primary trout-producing companies is Clear Springs Foods, which accounts for 20 million pounds of trout raised each year. More than 1,000 of Buhl’s 4,000 residents work in fish hatcheries, processing plants or other areas of the industry.

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Q The National Pioneer Hall of Fame was established in 2005 in Burley. Among its inductees are Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett.

SEE MORE ONLINE | For more Fast Facts about Southern Idaho, visit imagessouthernidaho.com.

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Almanac

Water, Water Everywhere The Murtaugh section of the Snake River has some of the best whitewater rafting in Southern Idaho. A dam controls that particular section of the river, so in low water years it stays dry. But when the water is flowing, the rafting experience can be exhilarating. Another action spot in the middle part of Snake River is the Cauldron Linn Canyon, the site near the Oregon Trail where the Snake River is forced through a passage less than 40 feet wide. Besides whitewater adventures, Cauldron Linn is one of the favored spots along the river for visitors looking for the best in desert canyon scenery.

Southern Idaho | At A Glance POPULATION (2006 ESTIMATE) Cities Twin Falls: 40,380, Burley: 9,174, Jerome: 8,687, Hailey: 7,751, Rupert: 5,214, Buhl: 4,023, Gooding: 3,282, Kimberly: 2,782, Heyburn: 2,768, Wendell: 2,438, Filer: 1,880, Shoshone: 1,565, Hansen: 960, Paul: 945, Hagerman: 761, Hazelton: 723, Oakley: 712

SEE VIDEO ONLINE | Take a virtual tour of Southern Idaho at imagessouthernidaho.com, courtesy of our award-winning photographers.

Counties Twin Falls: 71,575, Blaine: 21,501, Cassia: 21,365, Jerome: 20,130, Minidoka: 19,041, Gooding: 14,404, Lincoln: 4,522

48 to Hailey

GOODING

LOCATION The largest city in south-central Idaho, Twin Falls is about 30 miles north of the Idaho-Nevada state line and roughly midway between Boise and Pocatello. FOR MORE INFORMATION Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce 858 Blue Lakes Blvd. North Twin Falls, ID 83301 (208) 733-3974 Fax: (208) 733-9216 www.twinfallschamber.com

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Going to

Extremes OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES DRAW DAREDEVILS BY THE THOUSANDS TO SOUTHERN IDAHO

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STORY BY JESSICA MOZO

BRIAN M C CORD

f you’ve ever crossed Twin Falls’ Perrine Bridge and thought you saw someone plunge off it into the Snake River Canyon below, it wasn’t your imagination. Chances are, it was Miles Daisher, one of many BASE-jumping enthusiasts who take regular leaps off the worldfamous, 500-foot-high bridge. Daisher has logged more than 2,000 jumps and often performs between two and four jumps per day. “I love the freedom of being in the air, prepping and getting your gear together, and accomplishing the goal of flight,” says Daisher, who set a record in 2006 by making 57 human-powered BASE jumps in one day. “It’s a cool feeling of weightlessness.” BASE is an acronym that stands for the fixed objects from which one can jump: buildings, antennas, spans and Earth. BASE jumping is just one of the many extreme outdoor sports that draw tourists to Southern Idaho in droves. World-class rock climbing, kayaking on the Snake River, mountain biking and skiing are also all the rage here. For hard-core BASE jumpers around the globe, the Perrine Bridge is a mecca. Daisher meets jumpers from other states and countries atop the bridge almost every day. “People come from California to Florida, and even as far away as Australia, Norway and Japan,” he says. “They come because the Perrine Bridge is beautiful, the height is perfect for learning, and the landing area is super user-friendly. And the people in town love BASE jumpers.” Rock-climbing enthusiasts flock to the City of Rocks National Reserve, a

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BASE jumping from the Perrine Bridge in Twin Falls

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world-renowned rock-climbing venue with more than 500 climbing routes. “It has everything from an easy uphill jaunt to a high level of difficulty,” says Matthew Flygare, executive director of the Mini-Cassia Chamber of Commerce. City of Rocks also boasts more than 22 miles of hiking trails that vary in difficulty levels and take hikers to arches and dramatic overlooks. Mountain bikers of all skill levels find plenty of places to enjoy their sport in Southern Idaho, too. “As long as you’re not on private ground and you get the proper parking permit, this whole area is open to mountain biking,” says Ed Hinkle, manager at Claude’s Sports, an outdoor sports store in Twin Falls. “You can do full-blown billy goat riding, blazing your own trails, or ride along established trails. There are great trails where you can do a quick one-day trip or stay and camp for a while. And if you hit the right time of year, you can see good wildlife and mountain blooms.” Southern Idaho’s Snake River lends itself to water sports such as white water rafting, kayaking, water skiing, boating and wakeboarding. 16

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“The Snake River is ideal because of its unique characteristics – there are no bad water conditions, even when it storms,” Flygare says. “The river is as smooth as glass in the mornings.” The annual Idaho Regatta in June brings eight classes of powerboats to race on the Snake River and attracts participants from all over the country. With Sun Valley just an hour north, south-central Idaho is also a premier skiing and snowboarding destination. “We’re centrally located from four great ski areas, so skiing and snowboarding are huge here,” Hinkle says. “We’re between 45 minutes and six hours away from tons and tons of ski resorts.” The College of Southern Idaho offers classes on many outdoor sports, including skydiving, rock climbing and caving. “Next to Carlsbad, we have the secondlongest underground cave system in the U.S.,” says Stacey Ward, outdoor program director at the College of Southern Idaho. “So a lot of spelunking and caving people come for that.” Want to get in on all the action? Visit www.visitsouthidaho.com and click on the interactive Adventure Map to see area attractions and points of interest.

SEE VIDEO ONLINE

The Ultimate High Jump

ee a BASE jumper leap from the Perrine Bridge into the Snake River Valley 500 feet below. Daredevils come from around the globe to Twin Falls to experience the thrill of BASE jumping. SEE VIDEO ONLINE | Visit imagessouthernidaho.com.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF SHELLY DEMOSS

WEB SITE EXTRA

Sun Valley, an hour north of Twin Falls, is a premier skiing destination.

A rock formation called Bread Loaves at City of Rocks National Reserve is a favorite among climbers like Chad Brown and Kelly Zontine. PHOTO BY JEFF ADKINS

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The Snake River, Twin Falls

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Lovers SOUTHERN IDAHO’S SCENIC DELIGHTS LURE MORE AND MORE VISITORS EVERY YEAR

STORY BY SHARON H. FITZGERALD

biological diversity includes high-elevation meadows and an array of mammals and birds. The City of Rocks is one of dozens of natural and scenic wonders that make Southern Idaho a feast for the eyes and a balm for the soul. The 2.1 million acres of Sawtooth National Forest boast 1,100 lakes and more than 3,000 miles of river and streams. “Probably one of my favorite places is the trail above Shoshone Falls because of the panoramic

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hen Debbie Dane, executive director of Southern Idaho Tourism, considers the City of Rocks National Reserve near Almo, here’s what she has to say: “It’s stately. I don’t know how else to describe it. I always wonder what the pioneers thought when they caught their first glimpse of the City of Rocks. They must have been just awe-struck.” Visitors still are. The unique geologic area features a few granite pinnacles and monoliths more than 60 stories tall, and its

The City of Rocks features granite pinnacles and monoliths, some more than 60 stories tall.

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Located on 218 acres, Shoshone Falls tumbles 212 feet to the canyon floor, 50 feet higher than Niagra Falls.

views of the valley,” Dane confides. At 212 feet, the Shoshone Falls are higher than Niagara. Nearby is picturesque Dierkes Lake. Both are owned and operated as parks by the city of Twin Falls. “When there’s water going over the falls, it is absolutely beautiful. It’s spectacular. You feel the power because you get wet. If the wind is blowing right, you get soaked,” Dennis Bowyer, Twin Falls director of parks and recreation, says. Shoshone Falls was a 1932 Christmas gift to Twin Falls from Martha Stone Adams and her husband, Frederick. She inherited the falls from her father, who earlier bought out his three fellow investors. “A year later, the state of Idaho donated 197.6 acres to us directly west of the original park,” Bowyer adds. Just 100 20

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yards from the western point of that property is the Snake River Canyon, site of motorcycle-daredevil Evel Knievel’s failed 1974 jump attempt. “We have made an agreement with the owner of the jump site, and we are looking at trading land with him. We want the jump site,” Bowyer says. That should boost the visitor numbers, which already top 300,000 annually. Southern Idaho owes much of its beauty to the cascading Snake River, which slices through the region creating magnificent canyons along the way. At the Caldron Linn Canyon near Burley, the Snake is forced through a passage less than 40 feet wide – and the effect of “boiling” water prompted the name “caldron.” On the opposite side of Twin Falls, springs surge from the canyon walls of Hagerman Valley. In Malad S O U T H E R N I DA H O

Relax Awhile MAGIC VALLEY IS A HOT SPOT

Gorge State Park, visitors not afraid of heights may peer straight down 250 feet from a metal footbridge to watch the churning Malad River plunge another 60 feet into the Devil’s Washbowl on its way to the Snake. And then there’s autumn. “I know they always tout the color in New England, but we have the evergreen trees and then when the aspens turn, it’s just beautiful,” Dane says. When Dane joined Southern Idaho Tourism in 2002, visitors to the region cited family and friends in the area as the primary reason for their trip. “Research tells us now that the No. 1 reason why people come here is for the outdoor recreation. It’s switched. We’re coming full-circle as a destination,” she says. That’s thanks, in no small measure, to Mother Nature. S O U T H E R N I DA H O

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fter a long day of rock climbing at the City of Rocks or hiking the trail above Shoshone Falls, tourists and locals alike love to enjoy another natural wonder of Southern Idaho: hot springs. Nature’s chemical-free Jacuzzis, hot springs exist because of what geologists call hot spots, says Miracle Hot Springs co-owner Nathan Olsen. “Our location – the whole Magic Valley – used to be on the hot spot that’s currently under Yellowstone,” Olsen explains. “That’s why this region has more hot springs than any other region in the U.S.” Sure enough, visitors can enjoy hot springs at numerous locations throughout the region, including Banbury Hot Springs, Nat-Soo-Pah Hot Springs and Sligars Thousand Springs Resort. At Miracle Hot Springs, the geothermal mineral water comes out of the ground at 146 degrees and is cooled through aluminum pipes. “It is extremely soft water,” Olsen says, “It has a detoxifying effect on skin.” He notes the importance of the water’s high alkalinity, distinguishing natural hot springs from the everyday hot tub. “The high pH level inhibits the growth of bacteria,” he says. “It keeps the water naturally clean, without use of chemicals.” Miracle Hot Springs features 19 private pools, all of which are drained, cleaned and refilled between each use, as well as two large public pools. – Jessy Yancey

Hot springs are nature’s chemical-free Jacuzzis.

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Grow Up MAJOR PROJECTS SHOWCASE REGION’S GROWTH AS BUSINESS, RESIDENTIAL CENTER

STORY BY JOE MORRIS

f the sights and sounds of new construction are any indicator, Southern Idaho is a region on the move. Major building projects run the gamut from a new high school, hospital and LDS temple in Twin Falls to residential and commercial projects throughout the area. And whether the building boom is in response to current demand or in anticipation of further growth, it all points to good times ahead. One highly visible project is the new

Twin Falls Idaho Temple, a long-planned facility scheduled to open in April 2008. When completed, this will be the fourth Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple in the state, says Terry McCurdy, spokesperson for the church in Southern Idaho. “Right now the LDS members in the Magic Valley area are traveling to Boise, so it will be really nice to have a temple right here at home,” McCurdy says. “It also will bring a lot of people to Twin Falls who have been going to other

places, and it will become more of a hub for these folks.” Also under way is a new multimilliondollar hospital that should open in mid-2010. The 600,000-square-foot building sits on a 40-acre site, and will be operated by St. Luke’s Health System, the entity formed in 2006 with the partnership between the Magic Valley Regional Medical Center and St. Luke’s Boise Regional Medical Center. The new hospital will feature 174 private rooms, expanded emergency

Above: The new St. Luke’s Magic Valley Regional Medical Center should open in mid-2010. Left: When completed, the new Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple in Twin Falls will be the fourth in the state. PHOTO BY JEFF ADKINS

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commercial projects throughout the area. And whether the building boom is in response to current demand or in anticipation of further growth, it all points to good times ahead. One highly visible project is the new Twin Falls Idaho Temple, a long-planned

facility scheduled to open in April 2008. When completed, this will be the fourth Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple in the state, says Terry McCurdy, spokesperson for the church in Southern Idaho. “Right now the LDS members in the Magic Valley area are traveling to Boise, so it will be really nice to have a temple right here at home,” McCurdy says. “It also will bring a lot of people to Twin Falls who have been going to other places, and it will become more of a hub for these folks.” Also under way is a new multimilliondollar hospital that should open in mid-2010. The 600,000-square-foot building sits on a 40-acre site, and will be operated by St. Luke’s Health System, the entity formed in 2006 with the partnership between the Magic Valley Regional Medical Center and St. Luke’s Boise Regional Medical Center. The new hospital will feature 174 private rooms, expanded emergency room space and other amenities that are

PHOTOS BY BRIAN M C CORD

Construction crews work on the Farmer’s National Bank. Below: A new home in Twin Falls

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important to the population it serves, says Kent Loosle, the hospital’s chief operating officer. “One of the things we focused on was patient privacy,” Loosle says. “One way we did that was to have all private rooms and separation between the public and patient corridors. We also wanted to make sure we had adequate emergency room space and adequate space for future growth.” The hospital campus will include a diagnostic and treatment building, cancer center and medical office building, all of which will be connected, easing traffic flow for patients, staff and visitors. “Having all of our services together is very important for us as we work to meet community needs. This will be a great thing for the Twin Falls community and all of Magic Valley,” Loosle says. The Twin Falls School District also is in the mix, with the new Canyon Ridge High School set to open in 2009. The district serves around 7,400 students, and the new building will be its second high school. “Our enrollment has been growing, so it’s really in response to the increased population,” says Dale Thornsberry,

Longtime resident David Mead describes Twin Falls as a “livable” community that has kept its small-town feel while enjoying growth.

Taking the Long View SMALL-TOWN ATMOSPHERE REMAINS AS COMMUNITY EXPERIENCES GROWTH

alancing explosive business and residential growth with a small-town atmosphere is a tricky proposition, but Twin Falls is succeeding. At least that’s the opinion of David Mead, who in his 50th year of residency in Twin Falls has seen a lot of change in the Magic Valley. Mead, a retired banker, came to Twin Falls with his wife in 1957. “We were going to stay for two years or so, really just to see if we liked it,” Mead says. “And we’re still here. It’s one of the better places in the world.” In his banking career, Mead says he made lots of loans to agricultural concerns as well as other businesses, and the area’s business-sector growth has been consistent and solid. He’s also seen a significant influx of new residents, doubling the city’s population over the years. “Twin Falls is still a livable town, and I think we’ll hold onto that feel,” he says. In addition to pointing out the area’s natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities, Mead says that Twin Falls continues to offer much to its residents on other fronts. “We have a good arts community, and when we came here there was very little of that,” he says. “And now we have the College of Southern Idaho, and we’re very proud of that.” The area is also keen on volunteerism. “If somebody wants to go out and help make something happen, make something change, they’re greeted with open arms,” Mead says. “This is definitely not one of those areas where you’re going to be turned down and not welcomed. We found that 50 years ago, and see it even more now.” – Joe Morris

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MAGIC VALLEY EMBRACES ITS CREATIVE SIDE STORY BY KEVIN LITWIN

and installing public art in the Twin Falls community. The first public art project is a sculpture called The Twins, which is now a permanent landmark near the Snake Canyon. “The sculpture is by artist David Clemons of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, and it features two angels reaching skyward as

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win Falls cares so much for the arts that its city council passed an Art in Public Places resolution in June 2007. That resolution dedicates an annual percentage of municipal capital improvement funding toward acquiring

A piece called Schafly on Site by John Killmaster is exhibited in the Herrett Center in Twin Falls. Left: In addition to works of art, the Art and Science Center also features displays of reptiles.

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they rise out of the Snake Canyon rim,” says Stacy Madsen, executive director of the Magic Valley Arts Council in Twin Falls. “It is incredible.” The sculpture will be unveiled in March 2008, and Madsen says it will add another dimension to the overall splendor of the community. “The sculpture is quite stunning – it is a lovely addition to our beautiful scenic landscape,” she says. “Art is welcomed here in Twin Falls, and this masterpiece can be appreciated for generations to come.” Madsen says the Magic Valley community supports many nonprofit and social issues, including the arts. “People here understand that the arts make a community more attractive,” she says. “They appreciate what the arts can do for a city as far as inspiration and charm.” Besides the sculpture project, an annual program called

Arts on Tour is overseen by the Magic Valley Arts Council. The program features nine performing arts productions at the College of Southern Idaho, staged from September through May. “Arts on Tour is now in its 19th season,” Madsen says. “The council is also involved with a Jazz in the Canyon festival each June, featuring a weekend of music along with a winetasting event.” But Twin Falls isn’t the only place in Southern Idaho where

The Eighth Street Center in Buhl is a refurbished church that was originally built in 1907. PHOTOS BY BRIAN M CORD C

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the arts are flourishing. There are attractions and venues such as Howells Opera House in Oakley, the King Fine Arts Center in Burley, Idaho International Dance & Music Festival in Rexburg and Burley, and the Company of Fools performing arts theatre in Hailey. “In Buhl, we have been in existence for 20 years staging concerts and performances every other month,” says Terry Halbert, general manager of the Buhl Arts Council. “We also have a gallery at our Eighth Street Center headquarters, and

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we bring many visual and performing arts programs to school children in Buhl, Castleford and the Twin Falls areas.” Halbert agrees that the Magic Valley is a hotbed for the arts. “I think art abounds here because the people are creative and are always looking for something new,” he says. “There are a lot of artists who hang out here and call Southern Idaho their home. It’s a beautiful place to live and work, so adding performing and visual arts to that equation make the Magic Valley an even healthier overall environment.”

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CSI:

Academic COLLEGE GEARS COURSES TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY NEEDS

Unit STORY BY KEVIN LITWIN

A flower at the Robert F. McManaman Memorial Rose Garden

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r. Gerald L. Beck says a community college should be just as its title indicates – there for the community. That is why the College of Southern Idaho’s president is proudest of the fact that the two-year institution responds quickly to the needs of citizens in Twin Falls and the surrounding area. “If it takes a college four years to implement an in-demand academic program, chances are that the opportunity will pass to serve people,” Beck says. “But if you get a program going in 30 days or 60 days, then you are meeting the needs of your local community. That is what we strive to do at CSI.” Beck uses the example of the college’s nursing program, where 14 health science programs have been added in the last decade to meet growing community needs. “Those programs include surgical technology, dental assisting, medical assisting and radiologic technology,” he says. “In addition, in 2009 we will be constructing a new health sciences building. CSI will then become a major supplier of nurses once that new building opens.” Dr. John Miller, instructional dean of S O U T H E R N I DA H O

A student walks down the steps inside Meyerhoeffer Library on the campus of the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls. PHOTO BY JEFF ADKINS

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The tower at the College of Southern Idaho.

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off-campus education at CSI, says workforce development and assisting area businesses is a large aspect of what the college is all about. “We can offer anything from a oneweek welding enhancement course for a company’s maintenance crew to two years of training new employees as is the current case with Dutchman Trailers in Burley,” he says. Miller adds that CSI offers online

workforce training to several of its company clients. “Many of the training efforts we provide our business partners are actually paid for by the college,” he says. “Dr. Beck and the leadership of the College of Southern Idaho look at those instances as investments into the future of Twin Falls.” Another aspect of learning CSI offers the community is its 2+2 program. It

allow students to earn their associate’s degree at CSI, then earn the final two years of a bachelor’s degree from four other area colleges or universities – all while taking those junior and senior classes on the CSI campus. “We offer the 2+2 curriculum in accounting, business, criminal justice, bilingual education, social work, elementary education, human resource training, nursing and a few more areas of study,” says Dr. Cindy Bond, dean of academic instruction at CSI. “And now we have added some 2+2+2 programs, so not only can students earn their bachelor’s degrees at our campus, they can also earn their master’s degrees.” Bond says it is entirely feasible for a CSI student to earn a master’s degree from Boise State University, Idaho State University, the University of Idaho or Northwest Nazarene University – all without ever setting foot on those campuses. “This is obviously an incredible program,” she says. “I wish 2+2 and 2+2+2 were available when I was going to college.” CSI is an academic asset and a leader in workforce training.

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Amalgamated Research Inc. in Twin Falls develops separation and fluid handling techniques. PHOTO BY JEFF ADKINS

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Fertile

Ground for

Research LOCAL COMPANIES LEAD THE WAY WITH INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES

STORY BY DENISE MITCHELL

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BRIAN M C CORD

agic Valley companies doing research and development in fields as diverse as fish farming, whey processing and industrial separation technologies find the area rich in both resources and opportunities. Clear Springs Foods in Buhl is the largest trout farm in the world, an achievement due in part to the efforts the company has put into research and development. “We farm our own breed of pedigreed trout, whose spawning is photoperiod controlled so that eggs are produced year-round to ensure a consistent supply of fish,” says Dr. Randy MacMillan, vice president of research and environmental affairs. “Our goal is to keep the program efficient by developing tools to improve fish health management, fish vaccinology and fish performance.” The company strives to decrease its environmental footprint by developing feed in which nutrients are more fully utilized by the fish so that less waste is released into the water. The Eastern Snake Plain aquifer provides an ideal location to raise trout because the very pure water is at just the right temperature for the fish. Glanbia Nutritionals in Twin Falls develops various products from the

Clear Springs Foods Research and Development Center provides an array of fish health services to the company’s farms in Buhl.

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provides calcium along with minerals and trace elements in the proper proportions,” Eric Bastian, vice president of research and development, says. Prolibra is a product aimed at helping people achieve healthy weight management. “This is a product that directs weight loss toward fat and away from muscle.” Bastian says. Magic Valley’s strong dairy industry is essential in providing the nine million pounds of milk processed at Glanbia facilities.

Amalgamated Research in Twin Falls develops separation and fluid handling techniques for license to food, chemical and mining companies. “We invent processes to separate materials on a very large scale,” says Mike Kearney, director of new technology. ARi uses fractals in the design of its processes. Fractals are structures in which the whole is a larger version of its parts, “as in the way a tree is shaped like a branch which in turn is shaped like a twig,” Kearney explains. He cites other examples from nature, including the circulatory system and the brain. One advantage of using fractals is that processes can be scaled from the laboratory bench to very large industrial applications with reliable results. This innovative fractal technology may prove to be an especially important asset as the ethanol industry moves into Magic Valley. (Pacific Ethanol and Renova Energy are building ethanol plants in Burley and Heyburn, respectively.) “Corn is running out as a source for fuel,” says Kearney, “we will have to start using cellulosic material.” ARI technology can be used in biomass separations to obtain cellulose from various materials such as corn stalks, wheat, straw and even municipal waste.

PHOTOS BY BRIAN M C CORD

whey produced at Glanbia Foods cheese processing facilities in Gooding and Richfield. In addition to protein isolate, widely used in sports nutrition products, Glanbia has developed processes to extract other protein fractions which become ingredients in products that are added to foods and supplements. TruCal and Prolibra are two exciting Glanbia developments. TruCal is a bone health supplement. “Calcium alone is not sufficient for bone health. TruCal

A Fractal Distributor at Amalgamated Research Inc. in Twin Falls. Fractal technology may prove important for the ethanol industry. Above: Alla Bagramyan (right) and Diane Patterson work in the Amalgamated lab.

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Clear Springs Research and Development monitors water quality in the trout farms.

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Portfolio

Jumping for a Cause PERRINE BRIDGE FESTIVAL RAISES MONEY FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

hen Twin Falls native Nikki Daisher’s husband Miles, a wellknown BASE jumper, decided to set a world record jumping off the Perrine Bridge in 2005, she recognized a valuable community service opportunity. “I’m a pediatric occupational therapist, and I saw a need for funds for children with special needs in our area,” Daisher says. “I knew Miles’ jumps would get a lot of media attention, so I got the hospital foundation to create a fund for special needs kids, and I asked local businesses to display their banners and pledge to donate $10 for each jump.” Media giants such as ESPN covered the event, and several businesses gave more than $500 after Miles made 57 BASE jumps in less than 24 hours. The event was so successful, it became known as the Perrine Bridge Festival, which celebrated its third year in September 2007. “It has turned into a celebration of the Perrine Bridge, with BASE jumping, hot air balloons, food, music, a kids’ carnival and a fun run,” Daisher says. Each year, businesses sponsor the festival at different giving levels. In return, they get to display their banners at the festival. “Businesses see the potential because of all the people there,” Daisher says. “There’s a steady flow of people throughout the day who come to watch the BASE jumpers and take their kids to the carnival.” Money raised from the Perrine Bridge Festival continues to help children with special needs in areas including physical, speech and occupation therapy; wheelchair lifts; respite care; a listening program and various other learning tools. The festival raised $30,000 in 38

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2006 and approximately $40,000 in 2007. “We added an art exhibit and auction in 2007, and it raised $3,000 alone,” Daisher says. “The festival is getting quite a bit of exposure, and I hope it gets even

bigger. It’s something very unique that could draw people to Idaho.” For more information on the 2008 Perrine Bridge Festival, please visit www.perrinebridgefestival.com.

PHOTOS BY STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Miles Daisher climbs over the rail of the Perrine Bridge as he gets ready to take the plunge. He set a BASE jumping record at the first bridge festival.

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BASE jumpers leap from the 500-foot-high Perrine Bridge.

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Portfolio Jazz in the Canyon is held each June on the floor of the Snake River Canyon in Centennial Park.

All That Jazz

alk about dramatic scenery. Jazz music resounds from the floor of the Snake River Canyon in Centennial Park each Father’s Day weekend when more than 1,000 people gather for Jazz in the Canyon, an annual two-day music festival. “We bring in a variety of jazz performers, and the featured event is music all day Saturday,” says Shawn Barigar, president of the Twin Falls Chamber of Commerce. “It’s held at the bottom of the Snake River Canyon overlooking the Perrine Bridge.” Jazz in the Canyon was started 10 years ago as a fundraiser for two local Rotary clubs. Today, the festival is sponsored by the Twin Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Magic Valley Arts Council. “It has become a really well-known community event, with folks coming all the way from Boise. It’s a great opportunity to anchor a trip to our area,” Barigar says. “You can kick back and relax in a lawn chair or on a blanket and enjoy the music on a gorgeous summer afternoon. There are also concessions, wine, beer and soda.” Roughly a dozen performers take the stage at Jazz in the Canyon each year. Past featured performers have included Niki Haris, Ruthie Foster, Harmonious Wail, Karyn Allison and Grammy nominee Mark Levine. The 10th anniversary of Jazz in the Canyon is slated for June 13-14, 2008. Tickets are available at the Twin Falls Chamber of Commerce. “It’s such a unique setting in a beautiful park, right on the banks of the river,” Barigar says. “It’s a great place to sit back and enjoy live music.” 40

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JEFF ADKINS

YOUR FIRST CONSULTATION IS FREE!

A monument on the south rim recognizes Robert “Evel” Knievel’s attempt to “skycycle” jump over the Snake River Canyon.

Evel Knievel Leapt Here

n his risk-taking heyday, nothing seemed to intimidate the notorious motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel – not even the 500-foot-deep, quarter-milewide Snake River Canyon, which he famously attempted to jump on a steampowered “skycycle” in September 1974. But as the fearless Knievel thinks back on that jump that made news headlines, the now 69-year-old legend reveals a secret. “I was nervous,” Knievel admits. “I only said one prayer, and it was ‘God, take care of me. Here I go.’ ” Today, the ramp where Knievel made the leap is still visible from the canyon’s south rim, and a monument at the Visitor’s Center immortalizes the day. Though Knievel crashed on the jump because of a parachute malfunction, he survived with only a broken nose – barely a scrape for a man who has broken nearly 40 bones, including his back seven times. “I was strapped and tied onto that steam-powered rocket. If I’d have landed in the river, I would have drowned,” Knievel says. “God’s been looking out for me for a long time.” Though Knievel lives on and off in S O U T H E R N I DA H O

Florida and Montana and suffers from a breathing disorder, he still tries to visit Twin Falls and the Snake River Canyon at least once a year. “I go there to see old friends, to see the canyon and to look at the jump site,” he says. Thirty-four years after the jump watched ’round the world, Knievel looks back on the day with pride. “I don’t know anyone else who would jump that canyon, number one because of fear,” he says. “Number two, because of that big hole in the middle.” But for him, it wasn’t just about cheating death – it was also about keeping his word. “People like to ask me what’s the most important thing I’ve done in my life, and it’s that I’ve kept my word,” Knievel says. “I gave thousands of fans my word I’d jump that canyon. That was important to me. And I kept it.”

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EDITOR’S NOTE: The preceding story was the result of one of the last interviews granted by Evel Knievel prior to his death Nov. 30, 2007

320 Main Avenue North P.O. Box 145 Twin Falls, Idaho 83303 I M AG E S S O U T H E R N I DA H O . C O M

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Welcome, Shoppers I

f you’re coming to Southern Idaho, don’t forget your debit card. The region offers a smorgasbord in terms of shopping – everything from big-box retailers to antique shops and specialty boutiques. “Twin Falls seems to be the retail hub for the Magic Valley, with malls and brand-name retail stores,” says Elizabeth Thomas, executive director of the Jerome Chamber of Commerce. “Then the outlying areas like Jerome have a lot of specialty stores. Our

Lakes Boulevard, and a new Wal-Mart Supercenter will open in 2008 at Poleline Road and Washington Street North. The 203,000-square-foot store will offer a full-service grocery, drivethrough pharmacy, garden center and Tire and Lube Express. Twin Falls is already home to the popular Magic Valley Mall, which is anchored by JC Penney, Macy’s, Sears, ShopKo and Barnes & Noble. The outlying Mini-Cassia area is also experiencing retail development. “The former K-Mart building was recently purchased and sectioned into storefronts. It’s still being developed,” says Matt Flygare, executive director of the Mini-Cassia Chamber of Commerce in Heyburn. “They put in an Aaron’s, Dollar Tree, Yakety Yack, Payless Shoes, Little Caesars and a Play and Trade video and gaming store.” Retail developments are emerging along Oakley Avenue in Burley as well. “A lot of nice historic buildings have been restored. Now there’s Chadwick’s Grille, Recollections and The Loft,” Flygare says. “It’s been a real success story.”

downtown corridor is mostly specialty and antique shops, and we have gentlyused secondhand stores and a floral shop with home décor.” Jerome is also home to several Hispanic-owned stores with imported products. “They do very well and offer everything from clothing to food items,” Thomas says. “We’re a small community, but bustling none-the-less.” Twin Falls recently welcomed a new Lowe’s home improvement store on Blue

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BRIAN M C CORD

~ Sherry Morrill ~

Magic Valley Mall is one of many places to shop in Southern Idaho.

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outhern Idahoans love fresh produce and homemade goods, so it’s not surprising farmer’s markets are popping up all over the region. “It’s a whole different way of shopping,” says Carl Hatfield, president of the Twin Falls Farmer’s Market. “The produce and fruit is much fresher because it’s picked the day before instead of being shipped hundreds of miles. And people enjoy visiting with the people who produce the food or product they’re interested in.” The Twin Falls market has been open 16 years and is located on North College Road. It runs from May through October and is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. “We have between 28 and 35 vendors with just about everything you would want – crafts, jewelry, bread, jams and jellies, produce, quilts and meat,” Hatfield says. Hatfield raises cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, turnips, beans, squash and

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eggplant and sells them at the market. In addition to all the traditional goods found at a farmer’s market, the Twin Falls market has some unusual items. For starters, one vendor sells elk meat. “Another Bosnian couple cooks really good sausage sandwiches on bread they bake themselves,” Hatfield says. Vendor Diane Stevens sells more than 30 flavors of homemade mustard, pickled vegetables, fresh raw salsa and flavored vinegars. “Our rule at the Twin Falls market is whatever you sell has to be made or grown within 150 miles,” says Stevens, who is marketing manager of the Farmer’s Market. “I like meeting the customers, and I take pride in the fact they come back over and over again,” she says. The communities of Buhl, Hailey, Mini-Cassia, Hollister, Gooding, and Ketchum also have farmer’s markets. – Stories by Jessica Mozo

STAFF PHOTO

Let’s Go to Market S

Farmer’s markets are popping up throughout Southern Idaho.

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Idaho Homes & Properties (208) 733-5336

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MAGIC VALLEY LURES BUSINESS OWNERS INTERESTED IN A SLOWER PACE OF LIFE

Buck Bland, owner of Magic Valley Powder Coating, uses an electrostatic spray gun to apply semi-gloss black powder coating onto letters for a clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sign. Bland moved his business to Twin Falls from California. PHOTO BY JEFF ADKINS

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Business

STORY BY JOE MORRIS

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BRIAN M C CORD

or a few decades, Buck and Patsy Bland moved around Southern California in an effort to get away from bigcity congestion. But after a meeting with Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization officials, they realized that moving out of state might be an even better idea. “We were born and raised in Long Beach, and moved to Cerritos in the early 1970s, and then to Rancho Cucamonga,” recalls Buck Bland, who now owns and operates Magic Valley Coating with his wife and children. “We had a machine shop there and made our own line of products for hot rods and Harleys. Our costs for things like workman’s comp insurance and electricity were really high. When the Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization and Twin Falls economic development people did some comparisons for us, we realized that from a business standpoint, it made sense to relocate.” The Blands decided to take a look at the area and made their visit in August 2005. Then their adult children made an exploratory trip as well. “If our kids hadn’t wanted to come, we wouldn’t have left,” Bland says. “But when everybody got up here and realized they could afford to buy a house, they said they wanted to move as well.” The Blands are all outdoors enthusiasts, and nearby features such as the St. Anthony Sand Dunes and many other recreation opportunities helped seal the deal. “We’ve always been outside people, whether it’s hunting and fishing or water sports, and we liked the sand dunes in Orange County where we were,” he says. “Plus you’ve got the small-town atmosphere here that’s really good, even though it’s a big enough city that we’ve got everything we need.” Rather than re-create their machine shop, the Blands decided to focus on

Buck Bland’s custom Dune Buggy at Magic Valley Coating

another venture. Magic Valley Coating and its subsidiaries install the polyurethane lining found in truck beds, holding tanks and other industrial surfaces. And in a hat-tip to their California life, they had a custom car and motorcycle show at their grand opening in May 2007. Although the businesses are currently being run by family members, Bland says that at the rate things are picking up, he’ll soon be adding staff. And so far, none of the Blands are looking back with regret.

“This area’s large enough that there are a lot of businesses who need our services, so we’ll eventually be bringing in a couple of people,” Bland says. “We’ve already had some come in looking for jobs, and they’ve got experience, so I don’t think that’ll be a problem. Plus, I know that through Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization, we’ll be able to find people, and they’ll help train them, so I’m looking forward to that. “This has been a very good move for us,” Bland says. “We enjoy it here a lot.” I M AG E S S O U T H E R N I DA H O . C O M

Business | Biz Briefs

BRIAN M C CORD

KEEPING RECYCLING A LOCAL PRIORITY Do you wonder what really happens to those materials that make it into the recycling bin? Toyia Hutchison, director of operations at Polytech, is committed to providing a local answer to this question. Polytech is a plastics recycling and fabrication company that creates calf hutches from high-density polyethylene and low-density polyethylene. These plastics, labeled two (HDPE) and four (LDPE) inside the chasing arrows recycling symbol, are commonly used in disposable items such as milk jugs, trash bags, grocery bags, frozen food and bread bags, cereal box liners, dry cleaning bags and shrink wrap. “I am trying to acquire as much scrap plastic as possible locally, which benefits the environment and the economy,” Hutchison says. “Our recycling facility has been specifically designed to use as little of our natural resources as possible to convert the plastic to a usable form. We are also capable of making specialty blends for other manufacturers.”

JM Kitchens has been making beautiful cabinetry and countertops since 1982.

CELEBRATING A QUARTER CENTURY Opening in Twin Falls in 1982, JM Kitchens recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. The company offers cabinets and countertops for kitchens and bathrooms to homeowners and general contractors for new construction and remodels. Owner Jeff Martin says rustic wood and specialty finishes including glazes, antiquing and hand distressing are popular choices for cabinetry. The company offers a variety of countertop choices including laminate, solid surface 48

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and manufactured stone. Customer care is an important part of the package at JM Kitchens. “We offer complete kitchen and bath design and installation. We can do measurements or work from plans. Computer-aided design allows us to show customers how their new cabinets will look in their home,” Martin says. Martin is enthusiastic about the community his business serves. “Twin Falls is a phenomenal place to do business. People are genuine and real and fun to work with.”

CONSERVATION IS KEY AT RANCH The mission of Lava Lake Lamb is two-fold: raise the best-tasting lamb on the market and do so in a way that restores and protects the native landscape. That means that Lava Lake Lamb raises grass-fed animals using traditional herding methods. “The primary motivation behind the ranch is conservation and restoration to improve habitats,” says Michael Stevens, Lava Lamb president. “In order to accomplish this, it is important that the ranch maintain grazing permits it has on public lands. As a practical necessity, the lambs generate revenue for conservation work.” The company is careful to graze in a way that supports its goals, such as using predator-friendly ranching to restore the natural balance of the area. Stevens is passionate about the mission of the ranch. “Private lands connect summer and winter ranges for wildlife. How private lands are managed has a big impact on the entire landscape,” he says. “Owners can play a huge role in how wildlife is preserved.” S O U T H E R N I DA H O

BAKERY SEES BUSINESS RISE Esidoro Nieto Jr. has fond memories of helping his mother in the kitchen as a child and of watching people bake in Mexico. Seven years ago, he began Mi Pueblo Bakery with his wife, and business has been expanding ever since. Mi Pueblo supplies tortillas to area restaurants and to stores. “Every day we mix about 1,000 pounds of dough for corn tortillas and about a ton of dough for flour tortillas,” Nieto says. In addition to tortillas, Mi Pueblo makes Mexican bread and about 50 different pastry items, including custom wedding cakes, churros and doughnuts. Nieto operates three stores in Southern Idaho and will be opening a fourth in Twin Falls soon. He employs 26 people. Nieto credits his success to the people around him. “We can’t do business without our workers, and we wouldn’t be in business without our customers. We really appreciate them all.” – Denise Mitchell S O U T H E R N I DA H O

MICHAEL W. BUNCH

CHALLENGING INDUSTRY PERCEPTIONS Environmental friendliness may not be what immediately springs to mind when you think of plastic bags, but Hilex Poly is working to change that perception. Hilex Poly is a leading producer of plastic bags and agricultural films. The manufacturing facility in Jerome is one of 12 located strategically throughout the country. Plant Manager Mike Schutz says the company strives to be the “market leading provider of environmental solutions to our customers. We differentiate ourselves by offering environmentally friendly products and services. “We offer EnviroCount, a system that reduces the number of bags used by our customers,” Schutz says. “We operate Bag 2 Bag, the only closed loop recycling program in the industry in which used bags are collected and 100 percent of the material is used to manufacture new bags.” The company is also exploring degradable and compostable bags for use in areas where landfills exist to handle this type of material.

Mi Pueblo Bakery makes tortillas to distribute to area restaurants.

Jeffrey J. Hepworth, P.A. & Associates and William R. Hollifield, of counsel Attorneys at Law

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Business | Chamber Report

People Movers TWIN FALLS AREA CHAMBER WORKS TO BUILD THE REGION’S WORKFORCE

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“We’re in the process of changing from a big town to a small city, and with that we’re getting more urban amenities here,” he says. “At the same time, we are hanging on to that small-town feel. So when people come here to look around, they really like what they see.” Recruiting workers to the region will ultimately require luring even more economic investment, Barigar points out. When a company adds 100 workers, those people and their families increase

the demand for schools, public safety and retail services – requiring growth in all areas over time. “This will eventually spread throughout the entire community,” Barigar says. “So we’re working on promoting everything from our quality of life to the low cost of living here. Our mission at the chamber is to do two things: enhance the economic vitality of our region and focus on maintaining and enhancing the quality of life here.” – Joe Morris

BRIAN M C CORD

f the Twin Falls area has a motto these days, it’s “We’ve built it, now they can come.” Due to the successful efforts of the Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and its economic development partners, the city and region finds itself with plenty of employers, and not enough employees. So, going forward, getting people into the area will be a major push, says Shawn Barigar, president and CEO of the Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. “We are getting some concerted efforts under way to bring workers to the valley,” Barigar says. “One of the big issues we’re dealing with now is the extremely low unemployment in the region. We’re between 2 percent and 2.5 percent right now, and it’s becoming very difficult for some of our industries here to get the workers they need.” Along with such players as the Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization, a workforce development summit was held in September 2007 to identify specific challenges for the area’s industries and set goals, tasks and benchmarks to meet those challenges. That effort will be helped along by the considerable workforce-development structure already in place. “We’ve always had good luck with getting people trained once an industry comes in,” Barigar says. “The College of Southern Idaho always steps up to the plate to do whatever it takes to get a workforce up to speed for an industry.” As an example, he points to the college’s efforts when Dell Computers was looking at the area for an expansion. “When they chose Twin Falls for a new customer-service center, the college said they would create a training program, provide space on campus and train those employees the way Dell wanted them trained,” Barigar says. “And that’s just one example.” With its low cost of living, bountiful recreation opportunities, excellent schools and other amenities, Barigar says drawing in new residents shouldn’t be difficult once a strong recruiting program is put into play.

Shawn Barigar is president and CEO of Twin Falls Area Chamber.

S O U T H E R N I DA H O

Business | Economic Profile

SOUTHERN IDAHO BUSINESS CLIMATE Southern Idaho has a strong and diverse business environment. Twin Falls is the retail hub. Twin Falls, Jerome and Mini-Cassia have long been agricultural centers, with several of the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest employers still involved in growing and processing food.

TRANSPORTATION Airports Friedman Memorial Airport, Hailey, (208) 788-4956 Magic Valley Regional Airport, Twin Falls, (208) 733-5215 Highways The locations of Twin Falls and Jerome right along major highways are seen as beneficial to many businesses. The Twin Falls-Jerome area is served by Interstate 84 as the major east-west route and U.S. Highway 93 as the primary north-south highway access route. U.S. Highway 30 also serves Twin Falls as an additional east-west highway access route, and Highway 26 serves the Jerome area as an east-west route. Rail Eastern Idaho Railroad (208) 733-4686 Union Pacific Railroad (208) 436-6049

HOUSING COSTS Home prices and rental rates remain at or slightly below the national average. Recent data indicates the average home price in Twin Falls and Jerome to be under $135,000. For a newer executive home, the price would be about $135 per square foot, which includes the land and high quality exterior and interior amenities. In general, the price per square foot for newly

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constructed homes currently on the market ranges from $95 to $105, and existing homes range from $80 to $90 per square foot.

Jerome School District

In the rental market, a threebedroom, two-bath home in the city limits would rent from $750 to $950 per month. Executive rentals can approach $1,500 to $1,800 per month.

St. Benedictâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Family Medical Center

Source: Westerra Real Estate Group

Rite Stuff Foods Inc. Si-Ellen Farms Spears Manufacturing Co.

Standlee Hay Co. Inc. Wal-Mart Associates Inc. WOW Logistics MINIDOKA COUNTY Amalgamated Sugar Co. City of Rupert Gossner Foods

MAJOR EMPLOYERS CASSIA COUNTY Ag Express Inc. Americold Logistics, LLC. Boise Cascade Burley Inn Cassia County Cassia County School District Cassia Regional Medical Center

Mart Produce Corp. Minidoka County School District Minidoka County Project Mutual Telephone Minidoka Memorial Hospital Sun Valley Potatoes Inc. TWIN FALLS CITY/COUNTY (Non-Retail) Amalgamated Sugar Co.

City of Burley

Ameripride Linen & Apparel Service

D.L. Evans Bank

City of Twin Falls

Dutchmen Manufacturing

Clear Springs Foods

McCain Foods Inc.

College of Southern Idaho

Wal-Mart Associates Inc.

Conagra Foods Packaged Food Co.

JEROME COUNTY Aardema Dairy

Dell USA

Arlo G. Lott Trucking Inc.

Glanbia Foods Inc.

City of Jerome

Idaho Power Co.

Con Paulos ChevroletPontiac-GMC

Independent Meat Co.

Darigold Ee-Da-How Specialties

Lee Publications Inc. (Times-News)

Giltner Trucking

Longview Fibre Co.

Hilex Poly Co.

Rangen Inc.

Jerome Cheese Co.

Seastrom Manufacturing

Jerome County

Seneca Foods Corp.

Jayco Inc.

I M AG E S S O U T H E R N I DA H O . C O M

Have you thought about owning your own business? St. Luke’s Magic Valley Regional Medical Center

Average urban, 1.755%

Solo Cup Twin Falls County

Average overall property tax 1.403%

Twin Falls School District

Twin Falls County

U.S. Postal Service

Average urban, 1.928%

TWIN FALLS CITY/COUNTY (Service/Retail) Best Buy

Average rural, 1.269%

Average rural, 1.204%

Average overall property tax 1.641%

Costco Wholesale Corp. First Federal Savings Bank

BUSINESS COST

Fred Meyer Shopping Center Target Stores The Home Depot

The average cost of doing business in Idaho is 92.8% of the national average.

Now is a great time to be a business owner in Idaho!

Lowe’s Magic Valley Mall Valley Food Service Inc. (McDonald’s Restaurants) WinCo Foods Source: Idaho Commerce & Labor, Sept. 27, 2007

TAXES Average Property Tax Rates (2004) Cassia County Average urban, 1.741% Average rural, 1.197% Average overall property tax 1.345% Jerome County Average urban, 2.131% Average rural, 1.401% Average overall property tax 1.611% Minidoka County

S O U T H E R N I DA H O

INCOME STATISTICS Cassia County Median household income (April 2000), $33,322

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Median household income (December 2006), $35,023 Per capita income (2005), $25,166 Average annual wage (2006), $25,745

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Jerome County Median household income (April 2000), $34,696

• Service (all types)

Median household income (December 2006), $36,165

• Gas stations/C stores

Per capita income (2005), $27,249 Average annual wage (2006), $26,673 Minidoka County Median household income (April 2000), $32,021

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Median household income (December 2006), $33,739 Per capita income (2005), $20,086

COST OF LIVING INDEX

SINCE

(First Quarter 2007)

Per capita income (2005), $26,196 Average annual wage (2006), $26,511 Median household income 2004 as released by the Census Bureau in December 2006

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LABOR FORCE STATISTICS (SEPTEMBER 2007)

Cassia County Civilian labor force, 9,911

Employed, 9,649

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Median household income (December 2006), $36,891

Twin Falls County Median household income (2000), $34,506

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Average annual wage (2006), $25,589

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Unemployment percentage 2.6%

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Jerome County Civilian labor force 10,482

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Unemployed, 262

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Unemployment percentage 2.1% Minidoka County Civilian labor force, 9,308

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Unemployed, 329

Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization

Unemployment percentage 3.5%

Unemployed, 746

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Unemployment percentage 1.9%

Sources:

Twin Falls County Civilian labor force, 39,079 Employed, 38,333

Source: Idaho Department of Labor, Sept. 7, 2007

S O U T H E R N I DA H O

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I M AG E S S O U T H E R N I DA H O . C O M

Education

JEFF ADKINS

Wood River High School’s dual enrollment program allows students to earn college credits.

Education Innovation BLAINE COUNTY TEACHERS EMBRACE PROGRESSIVE PROGRAMS

he phrase “because we’ve always done it that way” isn’t one you often hear in Blaine County schools. That’s because public and private educators, as well as those at the college level, are in the business of putting innovation to work – overhauling programs to improve effectiveness, identifying new methods to better reach students and forging partnerships across the community. One example is the Blaine County School District’s Dual Immersion Bilingual Education program in kindergarten through sixth grade. Dual-immersion classes are taught in English half the time and Spanish half the time. The program S O U T H E R N I DA H O

began when sixth graders for the 2007-08 academic year were in kindergarten, and each year new kindergarten classes have joined the initiative, which will eventually span K through 12. “The research has shown that, at the beginning, students working in two languages for a year or two or even three have academic skills lower than or nearly equivalent to students who learn exclusively in one language,” explains Matt Murray, Blaine County School’s director of curriculum and duallanguage learners. “But by the third grade, these students catch up and typically pass the English-only students in terms of their abilities. Of course, what they have in addition is an ability to speak in another language.” At the high-school level, the term “dual” helps describe a concurrent-enrollment program with the College of Southern Idaho that allows students to earn both high-school and college credit for the same course. “So it’s possible for students in a number of different areas from education to allied health, English composition to Spanish, drafting and engineering to finance, to be working on their high school degree at the same time as they’re working on a college degree,” says Jenny E. Davidson, program director of CSI’s Blaine County Center. In fact, Davidson points to the center itself as an example of an innovative educational collaboration. It’s located in the school system’s former high-school building, which is now known as the Community Campus. Still owned by the Blaine County School District, the Community Campus is a gathering place for organizations and houses classrooms used by CSI and for high-school instruction. Many of the concurrent-enrollment classes meet at the Community Campus. “It’s really allowed for great growth in the college’s programming and a healthy synergy between the college and the school district because we’re actually sharing a facility,” Davidson says. Synergy of a different kind is stressed at The Mountain School, which opened in Bellevue in June 2007. The curriculum at the independent school for ages 4 through 12 is based on Waldorf principles, which emphasize environmental consciousness and artistic expression. “It’s a holistic education, hands-on with an aesthetic awareness,” says Mountain School founder Katharine Woods. “I would say the basics aren’t the three R’s – reading, writing and arithmetic. They are food, shelter and clothing, just finding your place in the world of mineral, plant, animal and human interdependency.” In other words, no TV allowed. The school offers weekday, morning instruction for ages 4 through 7 and after-school and summer programs for ages 7 through 12. – Sharon H. Fitzgerald I M AG E S S O U T H E R N I DA H O . C O M

Education

Alfresco Academics NATURE IS A TEACHER

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t The Community School in Ketchum, one of the most popular classrooms isn’t a room at all. It’s the great outdoors. Students in every grade from kindergarten through 12 enjoy outdoor seasonal activities while learning environmental appreciation. “It’s part of the curriculum at the school,” explains Tom Boley, who since 1989 has been the outdoor program director for The Community School, a private, preparatory school. Boley handles middle and senior high, while a coordinator runs the elementary activities. Each school year is launched in the fall with a three-day backpacking trip “where we take the whole middle and upper school and mix them into groups. It’s an orientation program and a way for kids in different grades to get to know each other,” Boley says. That’s followed by a separate September trip for each grade, when students participate in programs as diverse as studying with native Nez Perce Indians, climbing the Sawtooth Mountains or backpacking along the Washington coastline. In addition to learning outdoor skills and the intricacies of environmental habitats, students develop leadership and build confidence. “The outdoor-education industry basically uses outdoor experiences to build kids’ selfconfidence,” Boley says. “If kids go on a climbing trip, they may think, ‘Oh, I can’t do that.’ Of course, they succeed, and they learn that they are capable of much more than they thought.” – Sharon H. Fitzgerald

S O U T H E R N I DA H O

Sports & Recreation

The Only Way To Fly ANTONY BOSHIER

FISHING WITH DRY FLIES IS AMAZING ON SILVER CREEK

lies are a welcome sight in Southern Idaho. No, not house flies. These are fishing flies, especially the ones used to catch brown trout and rainbow trout along Silver Creek. Fly-fishing involves casting artificial insect-looking lures made of hair, fur and feathers, and tied onto a hook with thread. These lightweight flies can either float on the water (dry flies), partially submerge (emergers) or delve deeper below the surface (nymphs, steamers and wet flies). In the case of dry flies, they float atop the water and look like delicious insects – such as grasshoppers, dragonflies and mayflies – to the fish. “Dry fly-fishing is probably the most popular way to fish Silver Creek because of the interesting challenges it presents,” says Doug Megargle, regional fishery manager for the Idaho Department of Fish & Game. “The creek is so clear that

anglers can see the fish and the fish can see them, so it all becomes a battle of wits. Any bad cast in fly-fishing might scare the fish and drive them deeper into the water, so it really forces anglers to refine their casting technique.” Megargle says the overall outdoor experience is the main reason why sportsmen come to Silver Creek. “Pristine water, the challenge of dry fly-fishing and a relatively remote and tranquil atmosphere – you can’t beat it,” he says. “Personally, catching two nice-sized trout in four hours on Silver Creek is more rewarding to me than catching 20 fish in one hour somewhere else.” Megargle says the creek has little sediment and stable water levels for quality fishing on a year-round basis. “There are 25-inch brown trout to catch – yes, they often get that large in this creek,” he says. “As for the best

places to dry fly fish in this part of Southern Idaho, I would suggest The Nature Conservancy or near the Point of Rocks, as well as near the Brown Drake Hatch. Those are probably three of the best spots I can suggest for catching a big trout.” Megargle says Billingsley Creek is also a popular waterway to fish in the Hagerman area, although it has seen its share of difficult times lately. “A lower water table due to little rain has recently affected fishing there, plus a lot of sediment seems to get stirred up,” he says. “In addition, the narrowest part of the creek is where most of the fish live, and those narrow conditions are difficult for anglers to reach. But Billingsley still remains a popular spot to fish, although it is not in the same league with the excellent standards found at Silver Creek.” – Kevin Litwin

Fly-fishing is a popular sport in Sounthern Idaho where trout are abundant.

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I M AG E S S O U T H E R N I DA H O . C O M

Arts & Culture

Seeing the Big Picture ARTIST CREATES AIRPORT MURAL CHRONICLING THE MAGIC VALLEY’S PEOPLE AND EVENTS

S O U T H E R N I DA H O

on the trail and other notable events in the area’s history. The two also have been active in getting two new Oregon Trail interpretive centers off the ground, one along the Snake River and the other on Bear Lake near Montpelier.

BRIAN M C CORD

ravelers coming to Twin Falls to learn about the Oregon Trail don’t have very far to go – they can start their experience before they leave the airport. Thanks to the efforts of artist Gary Stone, over the past 11 years the airport’s domed ceiling space has become a colorful monument to the area’s past, chronicling the Oregon Trail’s route through the area, as well as other significant events in Idaho and the Pacific Northwest. Along the way, Stone has added some high-profile historical personalities, a little aviation history and hidden a few names and objects in the ongoing project. For Stone, who launched his art career in 1970 after breaking both legs and enduring a two-year recuperation, the mural is the latest in a long line of artistic endeavors, many of which have been collaborations with his wife, Bev, a well-known newspaper columnist and author of children’s books. “When I started out, there were virtually no art galleries in Idaho,” Stone says. “Since then, Bev and I have been able to help start a lot of things. With the mural, the idea was just to depict the history of the Magic Valley, looking at transportation from the Indian trails up through modern jets.” The mural features airlines, pilots and even the names of some Chinese visitors to the area, who were so taken with being included that they spread word of the mural in their native land, making it a sometime stop on U.S. visits. “I just add people and events and businesses, historical things I want to do,” Stone says. Even as the airport mural continues to spread through the facility, the Stones keep busy with a multitude of other projects, including his series of paintings chronicling the Oregon Trail, which has been exhibited in the U.S. Senate’s Russell Rotunda, and a series of historical articles, columns and books

And next up at the airport? The lobby. “I want to extend it around the corner into there, about another 18 feet, and include a memorial for all of the kids from Idaho who have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Stone says. “I want to do something like that for them, so I think it’ll be a good project.” Stone jokes that the mural project represents “the twilight of my art career,” but don’t be fooled. When he puts down his brushes, he just walks across the tarmac to his new hobby, flying ultralight airplanes. “It’s really a ball,” he says. – Joe Morris

A mural at the Twin Falls airport is a work in progress by artist Gary Stone.

I M AG E S S O U T H E R N I DA H O . C O M

Magic Valley Professional Services Why is outsourcing your medical billing a good idea? And why should you trust us to handle this formidable task for you? Because MVPS frees you and your staff from the daunting tasks involved in the billing and collection of medical services of any specialty. We have been in business in Twin Falls for 20 years and are recognized experts in the field, with over 30 years of combined experience in medical billing. We have a proven track record and a reputation for efficiency and thoroughness. We are committed to excellence and can assure absolute individual practice, integrity and confidentiality. We are fully bonded and licensed by the State of Idaho Department of Finance. We provide many and varied services for our clients, including development and maintenance of fee schedules, compliance education and credentialing assistance. We can receive your data in numerous forms: in person, by fax, by courier or electronically. We are based in Twin Falls, but currently bill for practices out of the immediate area. Contact us for more information. We would love to show you how we can positively impact your collections. 479 Polk St., Ste. E • Twin Falls, Idaho 83301 (208) 736-0887 • Toll-free: (877) 736-0887 • Fax: (208) 736-0890 E-mail: mvps@onewest.net • www.mvmedbill.com

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Health & Wellness

Cancer Treatment Plus ST. LUKE’S MOUNTAIN STATES TUMOR INSTITUTE TREATS THE WHOLE PERSON

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To learn more about MSTI health resources, go to www.stlukesonline.org and follow the links.

– Carol Cowan

STAFF PHOTO

ncology social worker Bruce Wehler considers it a privilege to share “the intimacy of cancer” with the patients he serves at St. Luke’s Mountain States Tumor Institute. After 12 years on the job, Wehler still finds his work extremely rewarding. When people are dealing with cancer, they face issues and fears that are deeply personal, Wehler says. “It’s an honor to be invited into their world.” Wehler is among St. Luke’s Health System’s network of social workers helping patients who receive cancer care at the St. Luke’s MSTI outpatient clinics located throughout Southern Idaho. “We provide a full range of oncology services, pediatric through adult,” says Beth Toal, public relations manager. Radiation oncology; breast care, mammography and diagnostics; and clinical trials for all ages are among those services. “We also offer extensive support services, including emotional support and integrative therapies like art therapy, music therapy and groups for children and family members,” Toal says. With MSTI clinics located in Twin Falls, Fruitland, Nampa, Meridian and downtown Boise, cancer care happens close to home. MSTI also operates breast cancer detection centers sprinkled throughout the communities, which helps facilitate routine mammograms, and a mobile PET/CT scanner provides access to the latest imaging and staging technologies. “Our goal is to implement the latest technology at all our sites,” Toal says. Meanwhile, Wehler and other social workers help cancer patients negotiate a myriad of practical implications, particularly those related to finances. “I try to help people surf the shark-infested financial waters of cancer care,” Wehler jokes. “Seriously, about 70 percent of my job has to do with financial issues. Chemotherapy is expensive – anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000 per treatment. I help patients apply for assistance that can defer 60 to 80 percent of that cost. I get about $500,000 annually from national organizations for patient medications.” According to Wehler, it’s often the younger patients who face the toughest financial challenges. Acting as resourcefinders, the St. Luke’s social workers connect patients with national helping organizations such as the American Cancer Society all the way down to local groups that provide gas vouchers. Wehler leads a weekly support group called Living Through Cancer, where participants talk about the impact of the disease on their daily lives. “We work on coping with the diagnosis, issues of death and dying, mending family relationships, spirituality, quality of life and how to have fun – we emphasize living with the disease,” Wehler says. “The strength of the social work program at St. Luke’s speaks to how much the organization values psycho-social care. We’re not only concerned about healing your disease, but also about how it affects you as a person.”

St. Luke’s Mountain States Tumor Institute at Magic Valley Regional Medical Center

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JEROME 324-4363

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844 Shoshone St. E.

14 E. Croy St.

201 S. Lincoln St.

180 1st Ave. N.

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Image Gallery

PHOTO BY JEFF ADKINS

Barber Lynn Lee cuts Brian Kincaidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hair at Wildroot Barber Shop in Twin Falls.

I M AG E S S O U T H E R N I DA H O . C O M

S O U T H E R N I DA H O

STAFF PHOTO

At 212 feet in height, Shoshone Falls is sometimes referred to as the “Niagara of the West.”

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I M AG E S S O U T H E R N I DA H O . C O M

Image Gallery

I M AG E S S O U T H E R N I DA H O . C O M

S O U T H E R N I DA H O

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF ADKINS

A rock formation known as Bread Loaves glows as the sun sets over City of Rocks National Reserve.

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I M AG E S S O U T H E R N I DA H O . C O M

Image Gallery

Rolling Hills in Southern Idaho

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN McCORD

Sawtooth National Forest

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I M AG E S S O U T H E R N I DA H O . C O M

Community Profile

SOUTHERN IDAHO SNAPSHOT Because of its unique geographical and weather conditions, Southern Idaho is a favorite place for extreme sports enthusiasts. It is a destination for BASE jumpers (parachutists) from around the world. In addition, world-class rock climbing at City of Rocks National Reserve rivals that at Yosemite National Park.

MEDICAL FACILITIES Cassia Regional Medical Center (Burley), 678-4444 St. Luke’s Magic Valley Regional Medical Center (Twin Falls) 737-2000, (800) 947-4852 Minidoka Memorial Hospital (Rupert), 436-0481 St. Benedicts Family Medical Center (Jerome), 324-4301

CLIMATE January average high, 37.9 F January average low, 21.0 F July average high, 87.8 F July average low, 55.9 F Annual precipitation, 9.5-10.2" Annual snowfall, 23" Elevation (Twin Falls), 3,747'

UTILITIES Electricity Idaho Power (800) 488-6151, 388-2200

EDUCATION

CULTURE/ARTS

Twin Falls School District 733-6900 7,255 students 7 elementary schools 2 junior highs 1 high school 1 alternative high school 1 alternative middle school

Buhl Arts Council at Eighth Street Center

Jerome School District 324-2392 3,275 students 3 elementary schools 1 middle school 1 high school 1 alternative school Minidoka County Joint School District #331 436-4727 4,037 students 4 elementary schools 2 middle schools 1 high school 1 alternative high school Cassia Joint School District #151 878-6600 5,125 students 8 elementary schools 2 junior highs 4 high schools 1 alternative school

Cassia County Historical Museum Craters of the Moon National Monument Evel Knievel Jump Site Full Moon Gallery of Fine Art and Contemporary Craft Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument Hagerman Valley Historic Museum Herrett Center for the Arts and Science, including Centennial Observatory and Faulkner Planetarium (on College of Southern Idaho campus) Historic Milner Dam and Oregon Trail Howells Opera House Idaho Farm and Ranch Museum Magic Valley Arts Council Minidoka County Historical Museum Minidoka Internment National Monument National Pioneer Hall of Fame

Gas Intermountain Gas Co. (800) 548-3679 Water & Sewer Local utilities Telecommunications AT&T/PoP

HIGHER EDUCATION Boise State University – Twin Falls Program 736-2161 College of Southern Idaho 733-9554, (800) 680-0274 Idaho State University – Twin Falls Center 736-2101

Cable AT&T Broadband

Northwest Nazarene University – Extended Services 467-8412

Cable One, 733-6230

University of Idaho – Twin Falls Research & Extension Center 736-3624

Project Mutual Telephone 434-7184

The area code for Southern Idaho is 208 .

Rock Creek Store and Stricker Ranch Twin Falls County Historical Museum

FORM OF GOVERNMENT Twin Falls (city) – Seven-member council chaired by a mayor, who is elected by the council from its ranks. The council employs a city manager.

I M AG E S S O U T H E R N I DA H O . C O M

Community Profile Twin Falls County – Three elected county commissioners.

Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce www.twinfallschamber.com

Jerome (city) – Mayor/council form of government. The city administrator is appointed by the city council. There are four elected council commissioners.

SPOTS FOR OUTDOOR/EXTREME SPORTS

Jerome (county) – Three elected county commissioners. Minidoka County – Cities of Rupert, Paul and Heyburn. Each city has an elected mayor/council form of government, electing four council members and a mayor. The city of Rupert employs a city manager. Minidoka County has three elected county commissioners. Cassia County – Cities of Burley, Albion, Declo and Oakley. Each has an elected mayor/council, electing four council members and a mayor. The city of Burley has a city manager. Cassia County has three elected county commissioners.

LINKS Hailey Chamber of Commerce www.haileyidaho.com Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry www.iaci.org Idaho Vacation and Travel Planning Guide www.visitidaho.org Jerome Chamber of Commerce www.visitjerome.com Mini-Cassia Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center www.minicassiachamber.org Southern Idaho Tourism www.visitsouthidaho.com Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization www.southernidaho.org Work Development Organizations www.idahoworks.org

The area code for Southern Idaho is 208 .

Southern Idaho’s unique geographical make up and range of weather conditions offer an environment unlike any other in the country for a wide range of extreme sports for the highly adventurous.

Television KMVT/CBS Channel 11 KIPT/PBS Channel 13 KXTF/Fox Channel 35 KTFT/NBC Channel 38 KTWT/CW Channel 43 KTID/MNT (My Network Television) Channel 58 KSAW/ABC Channel 51

POPULATION 2006 ESTIMATES Cities Albion (2005)

258

Twin Falls is one of the few legal spots for BASE jumping – the sport of parachuting from buildings, antennas, spans and the Earth (hence the name). BASE enthusiasts jump off the Perrine Bridge into the Snake River Canyon.

Bliss (2005)

260

Filer

1,880

Also popular: World-class rock climbing at the City of Rocks National Reserve

Gooding

3,282

Skiing at Pomerelle Mountain Resort

Hansen

960

Hazelton

723

Hiking in the South Hills Area of Sawtooth National Forest

Heyburn

2,768

White-water rafting on the Snake River

Jerome

8,687

Kimberly

2,782

Among other recreational spots: Lake Walcott State Park and National Wildlife Refuge Castle Rocks State Park Hagerman Valley Lake Cleveland Independence Lake Shoshone Falls Shoshone Indian Ice Caves

Buhl

4,023

Burley

9,174

Castleford (2005)

274

Declo (2005)

332

Eden (2005)

416

Hagerman Hailey

761 7,751

Hollister (2005)

Murtaugh (2005) Oakley

236

138 712

Paul

945

Rupert

5,214

Shoshone

1,565

Twin Falls

40,380

Wendell

2,438

Counties Blaine

21,501

MEDIA

Cassia

21,365

Newspapers Minidoka County News, Rupert (weekly) 436-4201

Gooding

14,404

Jerome

20,130

South Idaho Press, Burley (daily) 677-8733 Times-News, Twin Falls (daily) 733-0931

Lincoln

4,522

Minidoka

19,041

Twin Falls

71,575

I M AG E S S O U T H E R N I DA H O . C O M

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TWIN FALLS 590 Addison Ave. (208) 735-0590 Toll-free: (800) 440-5497

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

JUNE 6-7

SKANDI DAG

FEBRUARY 21

Burley 679-4793, www.minicassiachamber.com

BARRAGE (FIDDLE FESTIVAL)

13-14

732-6288, http://fineartscenter.csi.edu

JAZZ IN THE CANYON WEEKEND

MAY 11

LUCY STRICKER’S MOTHERS DAY CELEBRATION

Twin Falls 733-3974, www.twinfallschamber.com 28

ICE CREAM SOCIAL Twin Falls 736-1882

Twin Falls 736-1882

JULY

23-24

HAGERMAN FOSSIL DAYS

BUHL SAGEBRUSH DAYS

Hagerman 837-9131, www.hagermanchamber.com

Buhl 543-6682, www.buhlidaho.us

30-June 1

WESTERN DAYS Twin Falls 733-3974, www.twinfallschamber.com

RUPERT JULY 4 CELEBRATION Rupert 679-4793, www.minicassiachamber.com 12

DECLO DAYS Declo 654-2124 12

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BUHL 229 Broadway N. (208) 543-4435 102 Clear Lake Rd. (208) 543-4724

HAGERMAN 361 S. State St. (208) 837-4025

JEROME 2816 Lincoln S. (208) 324-0550 260 Main St. E. (208) 324-2945

PAUL 9 W. Ellis (208) 438-5314

TWIN FALLS

Twin Falls 734-2787, www.magicvalley artscouncil.org

1310 Addison Ave. E. (208) 733-7605

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2220 Addison Ave. E. (208) 734-1582

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1135 Blue Lakes Blvd. N. (208) 734-1578

Buhl, Valley View Lavender Farm 543-4283, www.valleyview lavenderfarm.com

1390 Blue Lakes Blvd. N. (208) 734-8901 515 Washington St. N. (208) 734-5758 890 Washington St. S. (208) 734-0770

12-13

ARTS IN THE PARK Shoshone 886-2030, www.shoshonecity.com

The area code for Southern Idaho is 208 .

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I spy something green. Everyday moments can be learning moments with your kids. For more tips, visit bornlearning.org

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Community Profile 18-19

Dates TBA

PIONEER DAYS

ROCK THE CANYON

Oakley 862-3313

Twin Falls 737-4151, www.rockthecanyon.com

26-Aug. 2

JEROME COUNTY FAIR & RODEO

27-Sept. 1

Jerome 324-7209

TWIN FALLS COUNTY FAIR AND MAGIC VALLEY STAMPEDE

28-Aug. 2

Filer 326-4396, www.tfcfair.com

MINIDOKA COUNTY FAIR & RODEO Rupert 679-4793, www.minicassiachamber.com

OCTOBER 3-4

OKTOBERFEST TWIN FALLS

AUGUST

Twin Falls 734-2113, www.twinfallsid.org

Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce 858 Blue Lakes Blvd. North Twin Falls, ID 83301 Phone: 733-3974, (866) TWINFALLS Fax: 733-9216 www.twinfallschamber.com Hailey Chamber of Commerce 513 N. Main St. P.O. Box 100 Hailey, ID 83333 788-3484 Fax: 578-1595 www.haileyidaho.com Jerome Chamber of Commerce 104 W. Main, Ste. 101 Jerome, ID 83338 Phone: 324-2711 Fax: 324-6881 www.visitjerome.com

HISPANIC FIESTA Twin Falls 733-3974, www.twinfallschamber.com 11-16

CASSIA COUNTY FAIR Burley 679-4793, www.minicassiachamber.com Dates TBA

CASTLEFORD CLASSIC CAR SHOW Castleford 537-6544

FOR MORE INFORMATION

NOVEMBER

Mini-Cassia Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center 1177 7th St. Heyburn, ID 83336 Phone: 679-4793 Fax: 679-4794 www.minicassiachamber.org

JOE MAMA’S JEROME CAR SHOW

Dates TBA

CHRISTMAS CITY USA

Sources:

Jerome 324-2711, www.jeromecounty.org

Rupert 679-4793, www.minicassiachamber.com

www.southernidaho.org, www.minicassiachamber.org, www.visitidaho.org

Save Money. Smell the Flowers.

For tips and to compare cleaner, more efﬁcient vehicles, visit

www.epa.gov/greenvehicles.

The area code for Southern Idaho is 208 .

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HOMES • RANCHES • DAIRIES • FARMS • FARM MANAGEMENT RECREATIONAL PROPERTIES • TAX DEFERRED EXCHANGES

WE CAN HELP YOU FIND THAT SPECIAL PROPERTY.

BOB JONES

MARK E. JONES

Broker, GRI, ALC, CRS, EMS Accredited Land Consultant, Certified Residential Specialist and Equity Marketing Specialist

Bob Jones, Broker Mark E. Jones . . Harvey Lampe . . Robert Meyers . . Jeri Henley . . . .

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. 308-6060 . 308-3030 . 734-3248 . 733-4952 . 316-2066

Carl Seymour Ed Koester . Wayne Allen Karen Martin

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Marketing Agent, GRI

Nationwide Advertising

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(208) 733-0404 • WWW.RJREALTY.COM

Precision Aviation, Inc. Excellence in Aviation

Chartered Flights • Aircraft Management US & Canadian Service • Backcountry & Sightseeing Flights Based at Magic Valley Regional Airport

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OF SOUTHERN IDAHO SENIOR EDITOR KIM MADLOM COPY EDITOR JOYCE CARUTHERS ASSOCIATE EDITORS LISA BATTLES, SUSAN CHAPPELL, ANITA WADHWANI ASSISTANT EDITOR REBECCA DENTON STAFF WRITERS CAROL COWAN, KEVIN LITWIN, JESSICA MOZO DIRECTORIES EDITORS AMANDA MORGAN, KRISTY WISE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT JESSY YANCEY CONTRIBUTING WRITERS SHARON H. FITZGERALD, DENISE MITCHELL, JOE MORRIS REGIONAL SALES MANAGER CHARLES FITZGIBBON ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER TODD POTTER INTEGRATED MEDIA MANAGER JAREK SWEKOSKY ONLINE SALES MANAGER MATT SLUTZ SALES COORDINATOR SARA SARTIN STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS JEFF ADKINS, WES ALDRIDGE, TODD BENNETT, ANTONY BOSHIER, MICHAEL W. BUNCH, IAN CURCIO, BRIAN M CCORD CREATIVE DIRECTOR KEITH HARRIS WEB DESIGN DIRECTOR SHAWN DANIEL PRODUCTION DIRECTOR NATASHA LORENS ASST. PRODUCTION DIRECTOR CHRISTINA CARDEN PRE-PRESS COORDINATOR HAZEL RISNER SENIOR PRODUCTION PROJECT MGR. TADARA SMITH PRODUCTION PROJECT MGRS. MELISSA HOOVER, JILL WYATT SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS LAURA GALLAGHER, KRIS SEXTON, VIKKI WILLIAMS LEAD DESIGNER JESSICA BRAGONIER GRAPHIC DESIGN CANDICE HULSEY, JANINE MARYLAND, LINDA MOREIRAS, AMY NELSON, CARL RATLIFF WEB PROJECT MANAGER ANDY HARTLEY WEB DESIGN RYAN DUNLAP, CARL SCHULZ WEB PRODUCTION JILL TOWNSEND DIGITAL ASSET MANAGER ALISON HUNTER COLOR IMAGING TECHNICIAN CORY MITCHELL AD TRAFFIC MEGHANN CAREY, SARAH MILLER, PATRICIA MOISAN, RAVEN PETTY CHAIRMAN GREG THURMAN PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER BOB SCHWARTZMAN EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RAY LANGEN SR. V.P./CLIENT DEVELOPMENT JEFF HEEFNER SR. V.P./SALES CARLA H. THURMAN SR. V.P./PRODUCTION & OPERATIONS CASEY E. HESTER V.P./SALES HERB HARPER V.P./VISUAL CONTENT MARK FORESTER V.P./TRAVEL PUBLISHING SYBIL STEWART EXECUTIVE EDITOR TEREE CARUTHERS MANAGING EDITOR/BUSINESS MAURICE FLIESS PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR JEFFREY S. OTTO CONTROLLER CHRIS DUDLEY ACCOUNTING MORIAH DOMBY, DIANA GUZMAN, MARIA McFARLAND, LISA OWENS, JACKIE YATES RECRUITING/TRAINING DIRECTOR SUZY WALDRIP COMMUNITY PROMOTION DIRECTOR CINDY COMPERRY DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR GARY SMITH MARKETING COORDINATOR AMY AKIN IT SYSTEMS DIRECTOR MATT LOCKE IT SERVICE TECHNICIAN RYAN SWEENEY HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER PEGGY BLAKE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR NICOLE WILLIAMS SALES SUPPORT MANAGER/ CUSTOM MAGAZINES PATTI CORNELIUS OFFICE MANAGER SHELLY GRISSOM

The American Association of Orthodontics recommends your child’s first evaluation by age seven. Early orthodontic intervention can minimize the need for more complex treatment later. We welcome patients of all ages to our office. It’s never too late for straight teeth and a terrific smile! Please call for a complimentary consultation and exam. 857 Polk St. • Twin Falls, ID 83301 • (208) 734-4314 (off Falls Avenue across from CSI) E-mail: dr.ward@haymoreandwardortho.com • www.haymoreandwardortho.com

Visit Our Advertisers Banner Bank www.bannerbank.com

Magic Valley Bank www.magicvalleybank.com

Bridgeview Estates www.lcca.com

Magic Valley Professional Services www.mvmedbill.com

Canyonside Realty, Inc. www.canyonsiderealty.com

Magic Valley Realty www.magicvalleyrealty.com

College of Southern Idaho www.csi.edu

McAlvain Construction

Cooper Norman www.coopernorman.com Cooper Norman Business Brokers and Advisors www.cnbba.com Creative Eye Interior Design and Window Coverings D.L. Evans Bank www.dlevens.com Eye Center www.eyecenterdoctors.com

Images of Southern Idaho is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and its member businesses. For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by e-mail at info@jnlcom.com. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce 858 Blue Lakes Blvd. North • Twin Falls, ID 83301 Phone: (208) 733-3974 • Fax: (208) 733-9216 E-mail: info@twinfallschamber.com www.twinfallschamber.com VISIT IMAGES OF SOUTHERN IDAHO ONLINE AT IMAGESSOUTHERNIDAHO.COM ©Copyright 2007 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent. Member

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Member Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce

First Federal www.ﬁrstfd.com Haymore and Ward Orthodontics www.haymoreandwardortho.com Herrett Center www.csi.edu Historic Downtown Twin Falls www.twinfallsid.org Intermountain Gas Company www.intgas.com

Precision Aviation www.paviation.com Prudential www.thecollinsconnection.com Red Door Realty www.reddoorrealtyllc.com Robert Jones Realty www.rjrealty.com Rudy’s – A Cook’s Paradise www.cooksparadise.com Southern Idaho Tourism www.visitsouthidaho.com St. Benedict’s Family Medical Center www.stbenshospital.org St. Luke’s Health System www.stlukesonline.org Standard Printing Solutions www.standardprt.com Stevens Pierce and Associates, CPAs www.twinfallscpa.com

Irwin Realty www.irwinrealty.com

TKO Custom Homes www.tkohomes.com

Java Jungle www.twinfallscoffee.com

Travelers’ Oasis

Jeffrey J. Hepworth

Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce www.twinfallschamber.com

JM Kitchens, Inc. www.jmkitchens.com

Westerra www.westerrarealestate.com

Magic Valley Arts Council www.magicvalleyartscouncil.org

Wills, Inc. www.willsinc.com

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The area code for Southern Idaho is 208 .

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JEFF ADKINS

Photo Finish

ormons in Magic Valley will have a new place to worship in spring 2008. Twin Falls’ ﬁrst Mormon temple will serve approximately 50,000 area Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints members in a stunning facility on Eastland Drive North. The angel Moroni, with his long, golden trumpet, rises 159 feet into the air atop the temple spire, making it the highest point in the region and a beacon to area Mormons – as the sun rises and sets.

S O U T H E R N I DA H O

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Stay Play in Southern Idaho

THIS PLACE ROCKS

THIS RUNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FOR YOU Races are exciting in Magic Valley

www.visitsouthernidaho.com Special Advertising Section

Stay & Play in Southern Idaho

This Run’s for You R ACES ARE EXCITING AND SCENIC IN MAGIC VALLEY

here are plenty of busy bodies in Southern Idaho whenever a distance running event takes place. Perhaps the most famous distance race in these parts is the Spudman Triathlon, which has occurred in Burley on the last Saturday in July for the past 21 years. It features a one-mile swim, 25-mile bike ride and 6.2-mile run. “Only 1,600 triathletes can participate, and there is always a waiting list of another 600-700 people wanting to compete,” says Matthew Flygare, executive director of the Mini-Cassia Chamber of Commerce and a triathlon competitor. “The entry process actually opens Jan. 1 at 12:01 a.m., and all 1,600 spots are always filled that same day. That’s how popular this race has become.” Flygare says the event is not only fun but it also offers scenic beauty along the way. “There is the grandeur of the Snake River, the Sawtooth Mountains and picturesque farm land,” he says. “The Burley Lions Club organizes everything, and many participants tell me it is their favorite triathlon of any they compete in nationwide throughout the year.” Another popular running event is the Rim to Rim Race that benefits the Habitat for Humanity of the Magic Valley. The race is in mid-September and has been occurring for more than 20 years. “The 7.5-mile race started as a fundraiser for the cross country team at the College of Southern Idaho, but the Magic

Valley Habitat took over sponsorship in 2006,” says Linda Fleming, chairperson of the Rim to Rim Race and executive director of the Habitat for Humanity of the Magic Valley. “We made some good tweaks in 2007 such as adding professional timing, which the runners really seem to like.” Speaking of runners, there are only 300 of them in the Rim to Rim Race. “It begins at Blue Lakes Country Club, which is situated at the bottom of a deep grade and only has parking for about 100 cars,” Fleming says. “That’s why 300 runners is the ideal number for our event.” One other popular Magic Valley running attraction is the Sagebrush Days Fun Run in Buhl. It takes place July 4 and features a 5K and 10K run, and a 5K walk. “The run started 28 years ago with just a handful of athletic guys who wanted to race on July 4, and now we have 220 runners each year,” says Steve Kaatz, director of the Sagebrush Days Fun Run. The event is mostly organized by the Buhl High School Key Club, a service-oriented group of students who must have a grade point average of 3.0 or better to be in the club. “I approached the Key Club 10 years ago to see if they wanted to do this as a community service project, and they do a fabulous job getting sponsors, sending invitations and so forth,” Kaatz says. “These students embraced the project and really ran with it – pun intended.”

The Rim to Rim Race, held each September in Twin Falls, is a challenging 7.5-mile race which begins at the base of a steep grade. The event is limited to 300 runners and raises money for Habitat For Humanity. Special Advertising Section

(800) 255-8946

Wild About

MAGIC VALLEY HUNTING, FISHING OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND IN PIC TURESQUE PAR ADISE

Hatch says other surrounding units such as 52, 54 and 55 are also ideal for hunting enthusiasts. “A lot of the hunts in Magic Valley are controlled, meaning that people must

BRIAN M C CORD

his is truly where the deer and the antelope play. Talk about your outdoor extremes. One part of the Magic Valley region is desert country graced with canyons that drop down 2,000 feet in spots. Animals such as big horn sheep and mountain lions call this area home. Then in another section, the landscape can feature 10,000-foot mountain peaks that are dotted with high alpine lakes. Elk, bear, mountain goats and mule deer are common sights in these parts of Southern Idaho. “Yes, the Magic Valley is a pretty cool place,” says Kelton Hatch, regional conservation educator for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game in the Magic Valley Region. “This is as extreme an area as you can get, from snowcapped peaks to the flat, hot desert. And that desert has a variety of reservoirs that are great for fishing. It’s really a wild setting in Magic Valley, and a veritable paradise for hunters and anglers.” Hatch says the northern part of the valley is a premier spot for elk hunting using a rifle or bow. There is also an excellent antelope population from the base of the mountains near Sun Valley, to the desert of the Jarbridge-Bruneau area or Three Creek. “The real hunting claim-to-fame around here is mule deer, especially in the Unit 45 sector,” he says. “That’s basically a section of acreage located north of the town of Bliss up to Fairfield, with 7,0009,000 mule deer every winter.”

first get on a list with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game,” he says. “Then only a certain number of people are chosen to access each particular land unit during a specific season.” Besides big game, the Magic Valley is also a haven for wild birds such as chukar, pheasant, sage grouse, California quail and Hungarian partridges. “A lot of bird hunters arrive here from all over the country to hunt game fowl,” Hatch says. “Autumn is the best season for wild birds, and autumn is also the best season around here for fishing.” Hatch says sturgeon fishing is incredible along the Snake River, with some of the fish measuring nine feet long. The valley is also known for its catches of rainbow trout, brown trout, perch, kokanee and walleye. “We just established a state record for walleye in 2007 when a fisherman caught a 17-pound, 6-ounce walleye in the Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir,” he says. “The outdoor sporting life is amazing in Magic Valley. It’s hard to find an adjective to describe how great it really is.”

Fishing in the Magic Valley is some of the best in the state, as evidenced by a 2007 state-record walleye catch, weighing 17 pounds, 6 ounces. www.visitsouthidaho.com

Stay & Play in Southern Idaho

It’s All the W H I T E WAT E R R A F TI N G G E T S T H E A D R E N A L I N E PUM PI N G

STAFF PHOTO

t’s been called punchy. It’s been called nasty. It’s also been called some of the best whitewater rapids in the world. The hair-raising Murtaugh section of the Snake River in Southern Idaho has everything a water adventurer could ask for. It features powerful rapids and some accompanying desert canyon scenery that is an inspiring sight to behold. “It is certainly true that the Murtaugh can be rugged and nasty, but the section is dam-controlled – which means that it will stay dry in low-water years,” says Olin Gardner, owner of Idaho Guide Service. “So if there is limited winter snow that won’t melt in the spring, the Murtaugh can’t run. In fact, it never ran from 2000 through 2004, but luckily

Rage

there were high snow packs in 2005 and 2006 that led to a surplus of water for kayakers to enjoy.” And when the Murtaugh is running, paddlers say the experience is ultrainvigorating. “It is especially exciting because some of the best runs can occur in the warm-weather months of spring and summer, so paddlers don’t need a lot of extra clothing,” Gardner says. “When the Murtaugh f lows, it can lead to a big-water Class IV experience, which is pretty close to the ultimate for an avid kayaker.” But water enjoyment in the Magic Valley certainly is not limited to highenergy Class IV rapids adventures. There are also leisurely rides that

canoeists and rafters can take along calmer sections of the Snake River as well as the Salmon River. “In the Mini-Cassia area, the Snake River features wide open, f lat water without rapids, and a lot of people enjoy this part of the river for wake-boarding, water skiing, wave running and rafting,” says Matthew Flygare, executive director of the Mini-Cassia Chamber of Commerce. “Visitors will find nice, smooth water at Mini-Cassia during just about any time of the year, and under any conditions. Even if there are blustery winds on the river, there won’t be any sizeable whitecaps on the water. It is close to perfection out there at most times.” Flygare says he recently arrived in Mini-Cassia after years of living in Utah, where he would often water ski. He noticed that several of the Utah reservoirs would have two-foot-wide caps, even on only slightly breezy days. “I don’t know if it’s the movement of the water in this part of the Snake River or what, but most of the time the water here is as smooth as glass,” he says. “In fact, it is some of the smoothest water that I have ever seen in my life.” For scenery seekers, Flygare adds that canoeists and kayakers can paddle farther down the river to view and experience the waters associated with the Shoshone, Star, Pillar or Auger falls. “Shoshone Falls is actually taller than Niagara Falls, but not as broad,” he says. “Shoshone is quite a sight to see in its own right. Overall, Southern Idaho has everything for water enthusiasts, whether you are into tubing, whitewater, canoeing or even calm fishing. If you enjoy the outdoors, this is a spectacular place to enjoy them.” A day on the water in Southern Idaho can range from a leisurely trip down calmer sections of the Snake River to a thrilling ride on the hair-raising Murtaugh section.

Special Advertising Section

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This Place Rocks GRANITE MONOLITHS ATTRACT CLIMBERS ALL YEAR

ore than 85,000 people like their adventure on the rocks whenever they annually visit Southern Idaho. The City of Rocks National Reserve is an ideal destination for rock climbers, especially those who enjoy sport climbing. That particular aspect of climbing involves ﬁxed anchors that are bolted into the rock, allowing climbers to scale the granite by stepping onto the anchors in order to help hoist themselves up. “City of Rocks has 600 designated routes that are speciﬁcally used by sport climbers,” says Wallace Keck, parks superintendent at the City of Rocks National Reserve as well as park manager at the nearby Castle Rocks State Park. “The rockclimbing community is very familiar with the City of Rocks, and it has become internationally renowned over the years because of its superb granite faces.” Keck says sport climbing routes are internationally rated from

5.4 at the low end of difﬁculty, to 5.13 for the hardest of climbs. There are very few 5.13 ascents in the United States, but quite a few routes within the City of Rocks come close with climbs that are rated 5.11. “Climbers know they are in for a workout whenever they decide to scale one of the granite wonders at this reserve,” he says. Keck adds that a few of the granite pinnacles and monoliths are in excess of 60 stories tall, and are 2.5 billion years old. “The reserve also features 65 reserved campsites for climbers who want to spend a couple of days scaling these wonders,” he says. “The campsites are just basic with water and outhouses, and people know that they have been on a true adventure whenever they visit the City of Rocks.” Right next door to the reserve is Castle Rocks State Park, which is Idaho’s newest state park. It, too, has plenty of rock-climbing opportunities. “Both facilities offer about 16,000 acres for recreation, with several of those acres being ideal for either sport climbing or the traditional way of climbing without anchors,” Keck says. “With the awe-inspiring scenery and the challenges of these daunting granite surfaces, both the City of Rocks and Castle Rocks State Park offer virtually everything that any rock climber could ever want.”

Chad Brown sits on top of a rock formation called Bread Loaves after climbing its face at City of Rocks near Twin Falls. PHOTO BY JEFF ADKINS

www.visitsouthidaho.com

Stay & Play in Southern Idaho

Fore Evermore GREENS COME TRUE AT SOUTHERN IDAHO GOLF COURSES between the Snake River and the Clear Springs Trout Hatchery, so we have water on both sides of us, and the Snake River comes into direct play from holes 14 through 18.” Clear Lake Country Club has an undulating terrain so that golfers rarely have a flat lie in the fairway. There are a lot of hills, plenty of trees and 25 sand bunkers along the way.

“My favorite hole is No. 18 because you hit your tee shot immediately over the Snake River to land it in the fairway,” Meyerhoeffer says. “Then you hit your fairway shot to an elevated green that is situated right in front of our beautiful clubhouse. It’s an amazing hole, but the entire course is great. If you play Clear Lake once, you will return to play it again.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF IDAHO TRAVEL COUNCIL

any golfers mig ht be surprised to hear that courses in Southern Idaho stay open all year round. “Mention the word Idaho and many people assume that we get typical Pacific Northwest kind of weather, especially in the winter months – but we don’t,” says Steve Meyerhoeffer, manager and golf pro at Clear Lake Country Club in Buhl. “The southern portion of the state in canyon settings will experience warmer temperatures year round, including the spring and winter. There is a little less wind as well, making for a relaxing atmosphere on the golf courses during almost any time of the year.” The golfing options in Southern Idaho are abundant. There are 10 courses to enjoy, with the longest being the 93 Golf Ranch on U.S. Highway 93 between Jerome and Twin Falls. The 18-hole course measures 7,100 yards and is a par 72. On the other end of the spectrum are nine-hole courses such as the Gooding Country Club and the Ponderosa Country Club. Then there are especially picturesque venues that border the Snake River, such as Burley Municipal Golf Course and Canyon Springs Golf Course. Meanwhile, the Jerome Country Club features a canal that winds its way through every hole on the front nine, and the back nine includes a small lake. “There are certainly some beautiful golf venues in Southern Idaho – in fact, every course has its attractive aspects,” Meyerhoeffer says. “At Clear Lake Country Club, we also offer fly fishing at our lake as part of the whole outdoor experience.” The Clear Lake course is one of the most dynamic in all of Southern Idaho, even though it only measures a somewhat short 5,905 yards yet still remains a par 72. “The front nine holes opened in 1932 and the back nine was added a full 55 years later in 1987,” Meyerhoeffer says. “The course is in an incredible setting

The canyon setting in Southern Idaho lends itself to year round golf at 10 courses, most with dynamic water features and picturesque topography.

Special Advertising Section

(800) 255-8946

Southern Idaho Courses 93 Golf Ranch

Clear Lake Country Club

Ponderosa Golf Course

Between Jerome and Twin Falls on US Highway 93 (208) 324-9693 18-hole course Longest in Southern Idaho

1575 F Clear Lakes Grade Buhl, ID 83316 (208) 543-4849 18-hole course

320 Minidoka Ave. Burley, ID 83318 (208) 679-5730 9-hole course

Gooding Country Club

Rupert Country Club

Burley Municipal Golf Course

1951 Highway 26 Gooding, ID 83330 (208) 934-9977 9-hole course

85 S. 200 W. Rupert, ID 83350 (208) 436-9168 18-hole course

Jerome Country Club

Twin Falls Municipal Course

131 E. Hwy. 81 Burley, ID 83318 (208) 878-9807 18-hole course

Canyon Springs Golf Course Located in the Snake River Canyon Twin Falls, ID 83303 (208) 734-7609 www.canyonspringsgolf.com 18-hole course

649 Golf Course Rd. Jerome, ID 83338 (208) 324-5281 18-hole course

Twin Falls, ID 83301 Phone: (208) 733-3326 www.tﬁd.org/golf 18-hole course

Pleasant Valley Golf Club 3504 E. 3195 N. Kimberly, ID 83341 (208) 423-5800 www.golfpleasantvalley.com 9-hole course

Way to Go, Mom T

he scenery of Magic Valley will bring any outdoor enthusiast to their senses. If you are a fan of trails, you might want to give the trails of Magic Valley a try. Hikers, mountain bikers, snowmobilers, horseback riders and wildlife devotees can find any kind of trail they are looking for in this part of Southern Idaho. “Yes, Mother Nature really put a special handprint on this part of our state,” says Max Yingst, outdoor recreation planner for the Idaho Bureau of Land Management. “The scenery, the wildlife, the changes in elevation – it’s all here.” Yingst says adventurers have the rare option of visiting sites that are 8,000 feet above sea level, or traversing along desert sagebrush that is home to a variety of wild animals.

“There are also trails in the Magic Valley that are ideal for seeing some of nature’s true wonders that include Dierkes Lake, Pillar Falls and the Sawtooth Mountains,” he says. Yingst adds that one of the overall trails garnering a little more interest these days is the Idaho Centennial Trail, which runs through the western side of Magic Valley. “The Centennial actually stretches about 1,200 miles, with 119 of those miles in Magic Valley,” he says. “I know people who hiked the entire 1,200 miles in 2007, starting the first leg of their journey by hiking our 119-mile section. It took about a week to cover that particular stretch.” The trail is primarily accessible for about eight months out of the year, with the harshest winter weather making it difficult to use. www.visitsouthidaho.com

BRIAN M C CORD

MOTHER NATURE HAS WORKED HER MAGIC IN SOUTHERN IDAHO

Breathtaking scenery is one of the trail system’s selling points.

Stay & Play in Southern Idaho

It’s

Snow Problem POMERELLE HAS IDEAL CONDITIONS FOR WINTER SPORTS

earning how to ski? You might want to do some of your swooshing at Pomerelle Mountain Resort. “We have the perfect mountain for beginners and intermediates who want to learn how to ski or snowboard,” says Jody Burrows, manager of Pomerelle Mountain Resort in Albion. “One of our runs, Milk Run, was made specifically to build confidence in these skiers and boarders before they eventually tackle the tougher slopes.” Although the resort is also for adults and more skilled skiers, Burrows says her greatest satisfaction is working with the school programs and children’s group programs that are offered at Pomerelle. “All kids can’t be football or baseball or basketball players, so it’s great to see them get on a mountain slope and start succeeding at skiing or boarding,” she says. “You can see the difference in these kids after just one day on this mountain.” The resort opened in 1940 and receives 500 inches of powdery snow each year – more than any other Idaho ski area. “We get a large amount of snow due to our base elevation that starts at 8,000 feet,” Burrows says. “We are in the southern portion of the Sawtooth National Forest, and Pomerelle hosts about 65,000 ski visits each year. Our busiest times are November through March, and we are ideal for Southern Idaho residents and visitors who might not want to drive all the way to Utah for their skiing.” Besides Pomerelle, other resorts in

the immediate Southern Idaho region include Magic Valley Ski Area in Kimberly, and Soldier Mountain Ski Area in Fairfield. And within a twohour drive north of Twin Falls is the famed Sun Valley Idaho Ski Resort in Ketchum, with its renowned Bald Mountain that is also known as “Baldy.” “Halloween is basically the real start of the skiing and boarding seasons around here, and the excellent snow usually lasts into spring,” Burrows says. “Skiing in Southern Idaho is something that every outdoor enthusiast should try at least once.” With snow falls by Halloween and lasting until early spring, Pomerelle Mountain Resort provides plenty to do when the weather turns cool.

Special Advertising Section

This special section is published for Southern Idaho Tourism by Journal Communications Inc.

For more information, contact: Southern Idaho Tourism P.O. Box 5155, Twin Falls, ID 83303-0443 Phone: (208) 732-5569 • Fax: (208) 732-0443 www.visitsouthidaho.com ©Copyright 2007 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved. No portion of this special advertising section may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent. On the Cover: Mountain Biking in Southern Idaho Photo by Brian McCord

For additional information on Idaho, call 1-800-VISIT-ID. 07-IV-1 12.5M