11 December 2019

WEEKLY SUN

RESPONSIBLE LOCAL JOURNALISM. • BELLEVUE • CAREY • HAILEY • KETCHUM • PICABO • SUN VALLEY • WHAT TO KNOW. WHERE TO BE.

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DECEMBER 11 - 17, 2019 | V O L . 1 2 - N O . 5 0 | W W W . T H E W E E K L Y S U N . C O M

Ketchum News No Tax Credit For Affordable Housing Project

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Resort News Fatal Ski Accident On Bald Mountain

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Health News You’re Not Just Sad, You May Be SAD

“ Yo u c a n n o t c h a n g e t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s , t h e s e a s o n s , o r t h e w i n d , b u t y o u c a n c h a n g e y o u r s e l f . ” ~Jim Rohn

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For information about this photo, see “On The Cover” on page 3. Photo credit: Marc Longley

12/11/2017 12:09:07 PM

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W E E K LY S U N D O G •

DECEMBER 11 - 17, 2019

NEWS IN BRIEF

Bateman Named Chief Of Wood River Fire Department

At last Thursday’s special fire commissioner meeting, the Wood River Fire & Rescue (WRFR) Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to offer Interim Fire Chief Ron Bateman the WRFR fire chief position going forward.

Prothman Company received 42 applicants for the vacancy created by longtime Chief Bart Lassman’s retirement. Four finalists were invited to interview in late November.

Ultimately, the WRFR Board was impressed by Chief Bateman and decided to ask him to stay on board as a District employee; Bateman was recruited and hired by Prothman, too.

Chief Bateman served for 10 years as the fire chief of the Milliken Fire Protection District, the Johnstown Fire Protection District and the Front Range Fire Rescue in the Front Range of Colorado. He holds a B.A. from Indiana University in English and economics and an M.A. from Gonzaga University in organizational leadership. This is his 22nd year in the fire service. He started his career in Bloomington, Indiana, in 1998.

“I absolutely thought I had called it a fire service career on July first of this year. I was very proud of what I had been a part of in more than two decades of service and was ready to move on to the next thing… teaching, consulting, you name it. I had no idea that my path would lead me back to the fire service or here to the Wood River Valley,” Bateman said.

In an email, Bateman told staff, “There’s an unspoken but unmistakable language of optimism that I’ve heard in these past 10 weeks. You believe in a better version of the WRFR… I’m here because you convinced me to believe, too.”

School District Launches Request For Feedback

The Blaine County School District Board of Trustees is inviting participation in the socalled 2019 Community Survey. The Board of Trustees wrote the survey in the hopes of better understanding the public’s perceptions of the district’s strengths and weaknesses.

“Your specific and thoughtful responses will help us to continuously improve our school district as we work to inspire, engage, educate, and empower every student,” the district stated in a press release announcing the launch of the survey form.

Participation is completely anonymous. In order to protect privacy, the Idaho School Board Association (ISBA) is administering the survey and storing the data. Anonymity is critical when it comes to obtaining honest opinion since some parents, teachers and staff say a fear of retribution is there when someone is critical of the district or its superintendent, GwenCarol Holmes.

The ISBA will share the results at a school board meeting early next year.

“We plan to use this survey over multiple years to monitor our progress,” the district said.

Survey topics include overall satisfaction with curriculum, facilities, the school board, superintendent, and preparing students for life after high school. Most questions have respondents rate overall satisfaction and then list positives and negatives about each topic.

There are several ways to take the survey: • Paper copies are available at all Blaine County Schools and the Blaine County School District office, 118 W. Bullion St., Hailey, Idaho. Surveys can be returned to

schools, the district office, or mailed to the Idaho School Boards Association, P.O. Box 9797, Boise, ID 83707-4797.

• Visit www.blaineschools.org. Find the survey under Site Shortcuts. Download the survey in English or Spanish, print it and mail it to the Idaho School Boards Association, P.O. Box 9797, Boise, ID 83707-4797.

• Take the survey online at www.blaineschools.org under Site Shortcuts.

“Schools impact us all. We’re hoping to hear from a broad cross section of our community—homeowners, taxpayers, nonprofits, employers, employees, full- and part-time residents, public school and private school parents, staff, students and grandparents, young adults and retirees,” trustee Lara Stone said in her email to the press.

The survey deadline is Saturday, Dec. 21.

Board Agrees To Cancer, Concussion, Community Program Funding

St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation Board has voted to provide over $650,000 to enhance hospital and community healthcare services here.

“We are very grateful for the generous philanthropic support, which allows St. Luke’s Wood River to provide services that are exceptional for a small hospital,” said Megan Tanous, St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation chief development officer.

In 2019, St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation Board continued its commitment to women’s breast health by funding state-of-the-art breast MRI technology. Breast MRI is primarily used as a supplemental tool to breast screening with mammography or ultrasound. It is used to screen women at high risk for breast cancer and evaluate the extent of cancer following diagnosis.

Further, the board agreed to grant funds that directly enhance community programs.

The Keith Sivertson, M.D. Compassionate Care Program addresses community health needs by providing access to supplemental healthcare resources and helping patients be successful in managing their health. It served 203 patients in need by assisting with costs of lodging, transportation, medical supplies, medications and other health-related necessities.

In addition, the board approved funds to help make concussion testing available at no cost to the community.

In 2019, other investments were made to enhance staff education and further the efforts of other health-related nonprofit partners.

Summer Concert Series To Host Winter Bash

A popular summer event in Ketchum will make a winter appearance right before Christmas. The “Ketch’em Alive” fundraiser bash is set for Monday, Dec. 23 at 9 p.m., organizers announced last week.

The summertime concert series “Ketch’em Alive” will host a benefit show at the Boho Lounge, 131 Washington Ave. in Ketchum. DJ Luke Warm and DJ Will McNees will lay down electronic soundscapes over rhythms intended to tap into any dancing energy left over after a day of skiing Baldy.

Cover charge is $10 and a silent auction is included. All proceeds will be donated to Ketch’em Alive by the producer of the concert series, Will Caldwell Productions.

W E E K LY S U N D O G •

WEEKLY SUNDOG CONTENTS

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DECEMBER 11 - 17, 2019

“Pay What You Feel Preview”

WED, DEC 11, 7:30PM

Students from area schools will present the Tony Award-winning musical “Cats” at The Spot in Ketchum. See story on page 12. Photo credit: The Spot

THIS WEEK

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D E C E M B E R 1 1 - 1 7 , 2019 | VOL. 12 NO. 50

News In Brief

New Chief For Wood River Fire & Rescue

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Commentary

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Calendar

Award-Winning Columns, Student Spotlight, Fishing Report Stay In The Loop On Where To Be

ON THE COVER

Seasons Change Photographer Marc Longley of Sun Valley 3D Photo captured autumn dropped leaves frozen in winter ice. It’s a clever nod to the overlapping of seasons and the irony and beauty it brings.

Photo credit: Marc Longley Local artists & photographers interested in seeing their art on our cover page should email submissions to: mandi@ theweeklysun.com (photos should be high resolution and include caption info such as who or what is in the photo, date and location).

WEEKLY SUNDOG STAFF P.O. Box 370 Bellevue, Idaho 83313

Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley is generously sponsored by Rebecca & Jonathan Neeley

24th SEASON SPONSORS: Anonymous (2), Arrow R. Storage, Linda and Bob Edwards, Shari Friedman and Andrew King, Sue and Mort Fuller, Carol and Len Harlig, Jodie and Dan Hunt and the Roy A. Hunt Foundation, Marcia and Don Liebich, The Kantor Family Fund, Kenneth Lewis, Tedde and Jim Reid, Jane Rosen and Scott Miley—Scott Miley Roofing, Carol P. Nie, Shubert Foundation, Richard Smooke and Family in loving memory of Judith Smooke, St. Luke’s Wood River, Mary Ann and John Underwood, Maryanne and Jerry Whitcomb, Jeri L. Wolfson Foundation, Barbara and Stanley Zax, housing sponsor The Wood River Inn & Suites, media sponsor The Weekly Sun, wine sponsor Stanton Barrett & Barrett Family Wines, and beer sponsor Warfield Distillery & Brewing

Wood River Orchestra

AD SALES Jennifer Simpson • 208.721.0658 • jennifer@theweeklysun.com Mandi Iverson • 208.721.7588 • mandi@theweeklysun.com NEWS EDITOR Eric Valentine • news@theweeklysun.com ARTS & EVENTS, SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Dana DuGan • calendar@theweeklysun.com COPY EDITOR Patty Healey PRODUCTION & DESIGN Mandi Iverson • mandi@theweeklysun.com Chris Seldon • production@theweeklysun.com ACCOUNTING Shirley Spinelli • 208.928.7186 • accounting@theweeklysun.com EDITOR Brennan Rego • 208.720.1295 • brennan@theweeklysun.com DEADLINES Display & Community Bulletin Board Ads — Monday @ 1pm sales@theweeklysun.com • bulletin@theweeklysun.com Calendar Submissions — Friday @ 5pm calendar@theweeklysun.com www.TheWeeklySun.com Published by Sun Dog Media, Inc.

Brad Hershey, Conductor Sunday, December 15, 4 p.m.

Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood Ketchum FREE CONCERT / DONATIONS APPRECIATED wrcorchestra.org

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W E E K LY S U N D O G •

DECEMBER 11 - 17, 2019

NEWS RESORT

SV OPENING WEEKEND MARRED

BY FATALITY Roughly 40 people die in ski accidents every year

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BY ERIC VALENTINE

lenty of powder and family-friendly festivities played backdrop to a fatal skiing accident involving a Boise man who reportedly clipped skis with another skier and then collided with a snowblower on Bald Mountain.

Sun Valley Company remained tight-lipped about the tragedy, releasing only this statement: “At approximately 2:45 p.m. on November 30, 2019, the Sun Valley Ski Patrol responded to an injured male skier on Lower River Run. He was transported to the bottom of River Run, the base area of Bald Mountain. The individual was then transferred to the Ketchum Fire Department EMS and transported to St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center.”

Stuart Milus, 65, formerly of Peoria, Ill., had been living in Boise.

Surviving him, according to his obituary on Legacy.com, are his wife; three sons, Joshua Milus, Aaron (Cristen) Milus, and Levi Jungkind; his father, Thomas; and two brothers, Thomas (JoAnn) Milus and John (Sherry) Milus, and sister, Kathy (Jim) Burdette. Milus apparently died from neck injuries, reports say, but the Blaine County Coroner’s Office said it could be several weeks before official findings could be determined.

“Stu was the love of my life, an answer to prayer, and my eternal soulmate. He was my best friend and the most kind, decent, and moral human I’ve ever known. His integrity and faith in the Almighty God was unmatched. He showed me what true love is and I will love him forever. I long for the day to see him again,” wrote his wife, Laura.

In other skiing-related matters, there was better news. The Sawtooth Avalanche Center (SAC) has launched three new developments aimed at bringing the most thorough information to Valley residents over the winter. The improvements include: Expanded forecast area—Thanks to a grant from the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, staffing has been added to nearly double the area covered by avalanche forecasts.

Website improvements: Thanks to a grant from the Nicholas Martin Jr. Family Foundation, users will see a clean, modern look, better viewing on mobile devices, improved media function, search features, and other improvements.

New forecast template—Several major avalanche centers across the western U.S. pooled resources to develop a common avalanche forecast template. This collaborative effort aims to maximize avalanche centers’ financial resources while improving consistency among avalanche center products, making it easier for recreationists to use the products to stay safe while traveling in the backcountry.

SAC will begin publishing daily Backcountry Avalanche Forecasts at www.sawtoothavalanche.com when the snowpack is deep enough to keep skiers and snowmobilers off of the ground. Forecasts are issued each morning by 7:30 a.m. and are available on the website as well as by email subscription.

On weekday mornings, you can also tune into KECH 95.3 FM or KDPI 88.5 FM to hear a quick summary of the current avalanche conditions. The Sawtooth NF Facebook page (@sawtoothnationalforest) has daily updates, too.

And in ski-racing matters, there was positive news, as well. For 84 years the Sun Valley Ski Club has been a foundation for promoting ski racing at Sun Valley. This season, Sun Valley Company is teaming up with the Ski Club to bring a new adult race-training program to Warm Springs. This new program is designed for all levels of skiing experience.

Training venues will be Warm Springs, Hemingway, Cozy and Arc Park. Race courses will support Super-Giant Slalom, Giant Slalom and Slalom.

“The goal is to have courses that are user-friendly and set for all abilities,” club president Heidi Schernthanner said.

The Race Clinic begins Dec. 14 and runs through March. Training days are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings beginning at 9:30 a.m. and running for about two hours.

For signup information, cost or questions, contact the club at SunValleySkiClub@gmail.com or sly@sunvalley.net. wsd

Groomers and snowmakers worked hard to prepare the mountain for opening weekend. Courtesy photo

W E E K LY S U N D O G •

DECEMBER 11 - 17, 2019

NEWS HEALTH

’TIS THE SEASON TO BE SAD

Winter depression is common but it doesn’t have to be crippling

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BY ERIC VALENTINE

ore than 3 million Americans suffer from it, and in long-winter areas like the Wood River Valley, prevalence tends to be higher. But are enough of us talking about it? The topic: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), commonly called seasonal depression, casually called the winter blues.

Just within the last week, two suicides were reported to The Weekly Sun. And as the snowfall begins to steady and the sun sets earlier and rises later, the condition the National Institute of Mental Health says is linked to everything from your sex to your serotonin levels only figures to play a bigger factor in people’s lives these next few months.

There is help.

St. Luke’s Mental Health Services clinic at 1450 Aviation Drive, Suite 202, in Hailey, offers free mental health screenings. Registration is required, and typically the session would involve a basic interview to determine whether a referral to a specialist is needed.

But there are other options out there, too, as well as alternative ways of looking at what seasonal depression even is. Enter practitioners like Bridgette Aldrich, a restorative energetic healer based in the Valley.

“When I’m sad, I revel in it,” said Aldrich, who views depression as a natural and temporary reality where lessons can be learned. “There’s nothing shameful about being sad. When we feel ourselves breaking down, we can actually be preparing to break open.”

Aldrich was a presenter at this year’s Sun Valley

There’s nothing shameful about being sad.”

Bridgette Aldrich Restorative Energetic Healer Wellness Festival. Among other modalities, she uses “sound baths” to help her clients cope. Sound baths involve using bowls to create a variety of sounds that fill a room and resonate with mind and body.

“It’s easy to go against what nature is telling us in winter. Nature is slowing down, but our schedules and the holidays can bring us out of alignment with that,” Aldrich explained.

So, in addition to sound baths, Aldrich recommends people find a restful form of yoga to practice and a creative outlet that allows one to express pent-up thoughts and feelings rather than repress them until spring.

Bridgette Aldrich uses sound bowls to help clients experiencing seasonal depression. Photo credit: Kyna Sturges

For Dr. Jan Sommer, a Valley-based psychologist and Ph.D. with 30 years of experience, her more clinical, therapeutic approach is no less ironic in some ways.

“Winter weather is understood to be one of the causes, but getting out into that weather is a common solution for it,” Sommer.

Sommer said you’re far more likely to go into a depression when you stay inside your home compared to being outside doing winter sports and other outdoor activities. However, if you are stuck inside, watching TV on the couch, Sommer suggests watching movies set in summer or in warm-weather areas.

“If you can’t bring the warmth and the light to you, you can still sometimes jolly your brain a little,” Sommer said.

Although SAD is real, Sommer cautions against the thinking that a person’s depression is caused merely by the season. Depression is complex, she explained, and usually by the time someone comes to see her, there are a number of factors at play.

“In my business, sadly, there’s never any problem of supply and demand,” Sommer said.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Attributes that may increase your risk of SAD include: • Being female. SAD is diagnosed four times more often in women than men.

• Being young. Younger adults have a higher risk of SAD than older adults. SAD has been reported even in children and teens.

• Living far from the equator. SAD is more frequent in people who live far north or south of the equator. For example, 1 percent of those who live in Florida and 9 percent of those who live in New England or Alaska suffer from SAD. • Family history. People with a family history of other types of depression are more likely to develop SAD than people who do not have a family history of depression.

Source: National Institute of Mental Health

EARLY DEADLINES

FOR 12/24 & 12/31 ISSUES Our Newspaper Staff Will Be Out Of The Office On Tuesday, Dec. 24, & Tuesday, Dec. 31 Early Deadlines For The 12/25 Issue: Calendar Entries: Thursday, 12/19 Display & Bulletin Ads: Friday, 12/20 Early Deadlines For The 1/01 Issue: Calendar Entries: Thursday, 12/26 Display & Bulletin Ads: Friday, 12/27 Thanks For Helping Us Enjoy The Holidays

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W E E K LY S U N D O G •

DECEMBER 11 - 17, 2019

NEWS KETCHUM

CITY HALL AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT LOSES TAX CREDIT OPPORTUNITY Mayor Bradshaw heads to Boise to discuss Ketchum’s development Catch-22 with the state

he Catch-22 of making it affordable to live and work in a resort town reared its head this week for the City of Ketchum and the developer of a 57-unit affordable housing project slated for what is currently City Hall.

The Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA) on Monday announced its 2020 tax credit recipients and the so-called Bluebird Village housing project got close, but was ultimately not one of them when it lost an evaluation tiebreaker. The reason? Construction costs per unit drove it out of the price range for funding availability.

The decision triggered a press release by the city and a trip to Boise by Ketchum Mayor Neil Bradshaw look-

Ketchum Mayor Neil Bradshaw

ing to meet with officials from the state who determine which projects get tax credits and which ones don’t.

Cost of construction is high in Ketchum in part because it’s expensive to live in a mountain resort area.

Hence, an irony worthy of a Joseph Heller novel.

“High cost of construction in Ketchum is the reason that we weren’t funded. This is also why the tax credit award is so necessary for us to build affordable housing,” said KCDC Executive Director Charles Friedman.

The credits would have given a 9-percent tax break to investors in the project. Last year, Ketchum also was unable to achieve a top score because of its geographic location. While experiencing the most acute shortage of long-term rental housing in the State of Idaho, Ketchum has only received one award of 9% Tax Credits in the 30-year history of the program. Project cost now seems to be the only differentiating factor in the allocation plan.

“Although there was tremendous local political and financial support, the allocation system does not differentiate this factor fairly among the applicants to benefit Ketchum. Project sponsor, Ketchum Community Development Corporation (KCDC), is disappointed with the allocations,” the City of Ketchum said in a press release.

GMD Development has made four attempts in eight years to bring tax credit funding to Ketchum.

“Ketchum does not have fair access to federal housing funding under the current IHFA plan,” said GMD owner Gregory Dunfield. “This is something that needs to change. We will continue to keep our sleeves rolled up and work with IHFA to seek a better way.”

Other funding options for the project are available.

Unfortunately, they will cost the City of Ketchum dis-

GMD Development owner Gregory Dunfield. Photo credit: GMD Development

proportionately more than other local communities in bringing affordable housing to their towns.

Mayor Neil Bradshaw said he is not discouraged.

“Every application creates a new opportunity to learn for the future,” Bradshaw said. “I am encouraged by the score we received, and I look forward to finding a way to make Bluebird Village fly.”

Bradshaw said there should be no construction delay since Bluebird wasn’t slated to break ground until 2021 and that he was optimistic another funding mechanism could be found in 2020.

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HELP WANTED NOW HIRING: Children’s and Young Adult Library Assistant: The Community Library seeks a part-time Library Assistant for the Children’s and Young Adult Department. The ideal candidate should be able to welcome patrons and provide reader advisory to children, caregivers, and young adults.

Candidates must be available to work Sundays with the possibility of additional substitute hours. Pay for this position starts at $15/hour.

Gold Mine Thrift Store Processing and Retail Associates: The Gold Mine Thrift seeks processing and retail team members to help with donation processing, pricing and assisting with store setup, restock and sales. Full and part-time applicants will be considered. The successful candidates must be professional, hardworking, and able to focus and exercise quick and sound judgment, follow direction, eager to learn, work as team and lift up to 40 lbs.

Pay for these positions start at $16/hour.

Benefits: Full time positions are eligible for paid time off (vacation, holiday and sick pay), employer sponsored AD&D insurance, 85% employer sponsored health insurance, and retirement match. All positions are eligible for voluntary vision and dental insurance, access to a company ski pass, staff store discounts, and other perks.

Application instructions: Bilingual skills in English and Spanish are highly advantageous. For the complete job descriptions and application instructions, go to comlib.org/jobs.

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PRICING

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BY ERIC VALENTINE

Text (up to 25 words): $5 Additional Text: 20¢ per word Photos: $5 per image • Logo: $10 Deadline: Monday at 1 p.m Space reservations: bulletin@theweeklysun.com

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W E E K LY S U N D O G •

DECEMBER 11 - 17, 2019

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Driving North? Heed State’s Warning

Throughout the holiday season, the Idaho State Police and law enforcement agencies throughout Idaho, Washington and Montana will increase patrols to identify and remove impaired drivers from our roadways.

“We’re standing here united to help prevent the pain families suffer when they lose a loved one in a traffic crash,” Colonel Ked Wills, of the Idaho State Police, said.

“We want families to be together this holiday, and many more to come.”

Impaired driving is always a focus for Idaho State Police troopers. And for troopers in North Idaho, where a press conference announcing the launch of additional patrols took place recently, the interest is particularly urgent. That’s because: Between 2015 and 2017, nearly 60 percent of the fatal crashes in Kootenai County were caused by impaired drivers, compared to only 20 percent nationally in 2017.

Since 2013, more than half of the fatal crashes in North Idaho have involved impaired drivers.

North Idaho has the worst impaired driving rate in the state.

To address the problem, ISP and other law enforcement agencies have come together to form the North Idaho DUI Task Force. Their goal is to stop impaired driving crashes and fatalities in northern Idaho.

Idaho State Police reminds the public that all of us have a stake in preventing impaired driving. What can you do?

Designate a sober driver, call a cab, or use a ride-hailing service.

Don’t let friends get behind the wheel if they’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

If you’re hosting a party where guests may become impaired, make sure all guests leave with a sober driver.

Always wear your seatbelt—it’s your best defense against impaired drivers.

First-graders take to the gym for Youth Basketball League play. Photo credit: Blaine County Recreation District.

State Lawmaker Leaves Office For Chamber Of Commerce

A prominent Democratic lawmaker is leaving politics for business. Rep. Mat Erpelding (D-Boise), the House Leader for the minority party, announced last week he will be resigning his seat in Idaho’s Legislative District 19 and will be joining the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce.

“Representative Erpelding played a vital role in activating Democratic engagement in District 19,” Chrystal Allen, District 19 chair, explained. “Many individuals who are currently active in Idaho Democratic politics were mentored by Representative Erpelding. District 19 voters and progressive leaders looked to Representative Erpelding’s leadership for guidance, advice and mentorship. His legacy of advanc-

ing progressive policies in the state of Idaho will undoubtedly encourage the best candidates from District 19 to apply to his vacant position. We look forward to interviewing applicants and providing the Governor with a robust list of qualified replacements.”

The resignation was effective at the end of the day Dec. 6. Legislative District 19 Democrats will submit a list of three names to Governor Little, one of whom he will appoint as Rep. Erpelding’s successor.

Representative Ilana Rubel (D-Boise) has announced that she will run for the position of House Democratic Leader. Representative Melissa Wintrow (D-Boise) also announced her plans to run for Assistant House Democratic Leader. Elections for new leadership were scheduled to be conducted on Dec. 10.

Carey School Garners Multiple 1st-Place Awards In Business Competition

In a Business Professionals of America competition last week at Minico High School, Carey School representatives landed a number of top awards. Winners were: • Brigham Parke – first place in Business Law as well as a first place in Legal Office Procedures • Felicity Black – first place in both Desktop Publishing and Digital Design • Marika Versis – first place in Medical Office • Chase Bennion – a pair of second places in Extemp Speech and Fundamentals of Spreadsheets • Anna Warthen – a second place in Fundamental Word Processing • Vanessa Alvarez – a second place in Legal Office Procedures • Marcus Richcreek – a third place in PC Servicing and Troubleshooting • Kirsten Porter – a third place in Presentation Management and second place in Advanced Word Processing • Hunter Smith – a second place in Financial Math and a third place in Banking and Finance • Dallin Parke – second place in Banking and Finance • Carl Andrews – first place in Financial Math • Franco Ocampo – a pair of third places in Advanced Word Processing and Fundamental Spreadsheets • Kourtney Black – third place in Digital Publishing • Adrian Gonzalez — third place in Business Law “A pretty good showing considering that we compete against Burley, Declo, Minico, Cassia Tech Center, Mt. Harrison, Raft River, Richfield, Valley and Wood River,” Carey School Principal John M. Peck said.

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W E E K LY S U N D O G •

NEWS PHOTOBOX

DECEMBER 11 - 17, 2019

OPENING DAY

Sun Valley Resort kicked off its 84th winter with over 20 inches of fresh snow. Skiers, riders and even Sunny the Bear lined up at both the River Run Express lift and Roundhouse Express gondola well before 9 a.m. so they could get first dibs down the hill. Photo credit: Sun Valley Company

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W E E K LY S U N D O G •

DECEMBER 11 - 17, 2019

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GUEST OPINION LEAH JONES

GUEST OPINION BETH MARKLEY

A little over two years ago, I walked into my classroom to begin my first year of teaching second grade. The room was empty except for desks and shelves.

Parents supplied some of the materials students needed. However, too many students had little or no supplies, which meant it came out of pocket for those items.

That’s before I even bought my own teaching materials. I bought shelves, books, pens, pencils, staplers, erasers and much more. Believe it or not, I, an Idaho public school teacher, have a project on donorschoose.org to raise money to buy tables for my students—tables I’ve needed and asked for since teaching second grade. I spent just under $4,000 of my own money for my classroom last year.

You’ll find hundreds of stories like this from Idaho teachers all over the state who buy their own school supplies for their classrooms—staples, paper, pens, pencils and sometimes desks, tables, shelves, or even chairs. Ultimately, Idaho public school teachers will tell you they spend hundreds and sometimes even thousands of dollars for their students every year. They do this because they care about their students’ futures and want them to prosper and succeed. If only Idaho’s state legislators felt the same way.

Teachers like myself are working all around the state to gather signatures for Reclaim Idaho’s Invest in Idaho citizen ballot Initiative. We don’t do this for ourselves. We do it for the hard-working families whose children come through our schools every day. We want to give them the tools they need to get a fair shot at success in Idaho. Unfortunately, state investments in our children are nationally low. How do I know this? Because I pay for my own school supplies.

Idaho is next to last in the nation in public school investments. We leave thousands of family-supporting jobs unfilled every year that amount to hundreds of millions of dollars in wages that go unclaimed.

Businesses bypass Idaho because we don’t have enough skilled workers. Rural Idaho schools bear the brunt of this problem. Too many districts have classrooms without enough chairs for the students who attend.

I believe every child in our state deserves a fair shot at success no matter where they live. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality.

There are “haves” and “have-nots” in this state because of how the politicians fund public schools.

I don’t have to tell you about rising property taxes. I know a lot of you are getting Leah Jones priced out of your homes. Part of that problem is due to the increase in so-called “supplemental” school levies around the state. Despite the fact that Idaho has a constitutional duty to provide every Idahoan with a “uniform and thorough system of public” schools, they are pushing the burden onto local taxpayers. If these levies were truly “supplemental”—meaning extra investments for schools to enhance the educational experience—local communities could honestly debate whether to approve them. The problem is, these so-called “supplemental” levies are often for essential services like water, electricity, roof repairs and so on.

When did electricity become “supplemental”? Are Idaho teachers “supplemental”? What about our kids? Are they supplemental?

Like every teacher in Idaho, I love my students and want to see them succeed.

But, what kind of message is the state sending when our students go without basic resources like school supplies or chairs? Our kids can’t gain the skills they need when our state considers electricity to be “supplemental.”

The Invest in Idaho citizen ballot initiative is about investing in our children and the future of our state. A generation of kids has already been left behind. We can’t afford to saddle the next generation with the same problems. If the politicians won’t do what needs to be done, then it’s up to the people of Idaho to pass a law that benefits the next generation. When lawmakers fail to meet their constitutional duty to provide equal educational opportunities for every Idahoan, you can use your constitutional right to bring a ballot initiative and address Idaho’s education crisis yourself.

I encourage you to spread the word about the Invest in Idaho initiative and urge your friends and neighbors to sign it.

Until recently, tobacco use was on the decline among Idaho’s youth. Vaping–– smoking e-cigarettes––reversed this trend, and tobacco use is surging among those most likely to develop a lifelong addiction. As a mother of adolescents, here’s what I’ve learned about why: To a teen, vaping or Juuling is not considered smoking. Vape companies, like industry leader Juul, recognizing the bad rap cigarettes have––particularly among youth–– reframed the conversation. They bill their product as healthier than cigarettes, which is untrue. One 5 percent JuulPod contains the nicotine of a pack of cigarettes for roughly the same price. What’s more, fruity flavors and targeted marketing have made these products attractive to adolescents, at a time in their lives when they are most likely to develop an addiction.

Even without nicotine, vaping is in no way healthier than smoking cigarettes.

“Vape” isn’t water vapor, but an aerosol, comprised of chemicals that have not been approved by the FDA [Food and Drug Administration] for inhalation. Kevin Burns, former CEO of Juul, apologized for teens who’ve become addicted, admitting they don’t know for sure the health impacts of using their product.

“Frankly, we don’t know… we have not done the long-term, longitudinal testing that we need to do,” Burns said on a CBS interview this summer. His apology rings hollow considering Juul led the surge in the market in 2015 with an aggressive campaign on social media platforms popular with youth, featuring models their own executives weren’t sure were adults.

Later the parent company of Philip Morris, Altria recognized Juul’s success in developing the adolescent market and pumped billions into the company. They later replaced Burns with their own representative.

Even when one recognizes the health risks of vaping, the product carries little Beth Markley of the same social stigma as cigarettes for teens. Cigarette smokers are readily identifiable by the smell of their clothing and car interiors. It lingers on their breath. Vaping is easier to hide. It has a mild scent, easily mistaken for gum, a hair product, scented candles, or lip balm. It doesn’t produce butts or ash. Vapes can be camouflaged as atomizers, flash drives, or pens.

Products are available to help hide vapes, like hoodies with secret drawstring compartments (Google “camouflaged vaping devices” for examples).

If you don’t believe vape companies deliberately target Idaho’s youth, consider: why would an industry that makes a product exclusively for adult consumption bother with such camouflage?

Additionally, vaping makes it easier to become addicted to nicotine than cigarette use. Cigarette smokers tend to finish a smoke break after one or two cigarettes. Sometimes throat irritation encourages them to stop. Vapers have no natural stopping point like the end of a cigarette, and the absence of tar in vape juice means less of an abrasive effect on the throat.

Vapes are easy to buy. Teens don’t have to enter a store. They can shop online, shipping products to a friend or PO box (which a teen can legally open to hide from nosy parents).

Educators find the problem as frustrating as parents. Students tell me kids challenge each other in class to puff while a teacher’s back is turned. These students tell me the CDC [Centers for Disease Control] statistics are low: It’s not one in four high school and one in 10 middle school students who have tried vaping. It’s many more.

While we raised our son to regard cigarette smoking as harmful and disgusting, somehow vaping was attractive and easy enough for him to take up the habit. Now I wake to the sound of his hacking like an old man as he prepares for school each morning.

I wonder, of those executives at Altria and others in the industry who spend billions on expanding the market for tobacco products, how many ever think of the teens who’ve become addicted and will suffer lifelong health consequences as a result?

How many think of the 5.6 million Americans younger than 18 the CDC estimates will die early from a smoking-related illness?

Our representatives must make it harder for teens to access vape products, giving parents, educators, school administrators, and law enforcement a much-needed assist.

Invest In Our Kids, They’re Worth It

Leah Jones is a second-grade teacher living in Twin Falls.

The Dangerous World Of Vaping

Beth Markley is a Boise nonprofit professional, community volunteer and mother of two.

SPONSORED SUN VALLEY INSTITUTE

BUILDING RESILIENCE BY BUILDING COMMUNITY

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BY SUN VALLEY INSTITUTE TEAM

or many, a beautiful part of the holiday season is that it brings a greater sense of community. We gather as friends, family, colleagues and neighbors to celebrate connections and enjoy each other’s company—experiences that are well-documented to contribute to health and well-being.

Connection does not just benefit us personally—it is essential for a healthy community. Social cohesion—trust, inclusion and “cooperation among a society’s members to achieve shared well-being”— is foundational to community resilience.

This allows us, as a community, to come together to meet our uncertain future in a

positive, supported and prepared way.

For some, however, the holidays can be difficult by sharpening deep loss, loneliness, and lack. In a community, holidays often highlight hidden realities that undermine social cohesion, such as wide income inequality. Blaine County is ranked 27th in the nation in income disparity—20 percent of our population seeks the services of The Hunger Coalition, and many people struggle to find affordable housing.

In 1859, Charles Darwin “argued that cohesive communities were resilient communities, and resilient communities were those deemed most sustainable.” During times of divisiveness and adversity, we must find ways to recover and thrive, for ourselves and future generations. Build-

ing resilience is an essential element to that quest.

Let’s leverage this time of year, when our generosity and desire to give back heightens, when we reflect on the year behind and look forward to the year(s) ahead, to create opportunities to deepen our sense of belonging and connection.

Please join us in giving time to treasure our community nonprofits highlighted in the Giving Guide, or reach out to someone who may be in need of company or food, shelter or clothing, and may your holidays bring to you a closer sense of community and shared joy.

Happy Holidays from the Sun Valley Institute

COMME N TA RY

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W E E K LY S U N D O G •

Fishing R epoRt

DECEMBER 11 - 17, 2019

COLUMN NO BONES ABOUT IT THE “WEEKLY” FISHING REPORT FOR DECEMBER 11 - 17 FROM PICABO ANGLER

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low-pressure system is making its way into the Valley late this week and over the weekend. This means great fishing throughout all of our area waters.

With not much of a duck migration happening and a lot of the big game season closing, the timing for great fishing couldn’t be better. In fact, a few weeks ago we wrote about fishing off the extra Thanksgiving calories you may have consumed. This week, we are saying get ahead of that calorie count for Christmas and get on the water!

Silver Creek fish respond well to the low-pressure days, but they also really like the darkness created by cloud cover and snow.

The Creek remains open from Kilpatrick Bridge downstream, but the idea of float tubing for a day in the winter has little appeal. The river below Highway 20 is the best place to fish, and anglers don’t really need to be in the water unless you are releasing a big one!

Streamer fishing is the name of the game on the Creek all winter long. Fish dark patterns on dark days and bright patterns on bright days. Do not fish a lot of weight. Try to fish 2X and 3X tippets, as well. Cast across the river and retrieve the fly with your rod tip down near the water as the fly swings below you.

The Big Wood is a great winter fishery, if not among the best in the nation. This is especially true when you consider the amount of winter dry-fly activity that can be found here.

A variety of nymph patterns will also work if the fish aren’t rising. Try Midge patterns like Zebra Nymphs and Tie Downs.

The Wood is also a great place to Streamer fish if nothing else is working or you just want to target bigger fish.

The other rivers, like the South Fork of the Boise and the Lower Lost River, are also fishing well, but with snow coming, take the drive into consideration.

The Lower Lost may be tamer as there are services available in Mackay and you can spend the night, but the South Fork is more remote and anglers need to be 100 percent self-reliant and be able to get yourself out of a wintry situation should the need arise. If you go, fish all the same patterns you would have for the Wood or the Creek.

Happy and safe fishing, everyone!

Hwy 20 in Picabo info@picaboangler.com (208)788.3536 www.picaboangler.com

WALKING, WALKING, WALKING

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BY FRAN JEWELL

ost of us dog owners love to walk our dogs. We are so blessed to have some of the most magnificent places to walk our dogs that are postcards at every turn along the path. We love the time we spend with our dogs and this special place we call home.

Taking our dogs with us also brings some special responsibilities. We must be sure that our dog has a dynamic recall and will come back even in the face of chasing a deer, a bunny or a chipmunk. We must also be sure that our dog will not mug or jump on others that are out enjoying our wilderness trails, too.

There are so many owners that will deceive themselves into believing a dog that runs up to a person or dog while barking is just being “friendly” when, in fact, that can be fearbased or even territorial behavior; it is not friendly behavior. Saying it is is just an excuse for having a poorly trained dog.

There are many ways to help prepare your dog for these encounters along the trail so they are enjoyable experiences for everyone. Mastering the “come” command at home before allowing a dog to run off-leash is imperative.

Teaching the command “come” takes a lot of time for it to be reliable in any situation; it is not something that a dog learns in one or two teaching sessions.

There are lots of modalities to teach “come,” as well. It should be something practiced every day in the house, in the yard, on a long line—as long as the dog lives! Setting your dog up for success is part of that mastery. Take your tools: a leash, food or toy reward, and poop bags along as part of the commitment

you must make before you put on those hiking shoes or skis.

A really helpful skill is the idea of coming with you, not just to you. Keep walking. If your dog wants to stop and sniff another dog, keep walking by. Pick up your pace. Always reward your dog for deciding to come with you instead of stopping to sniff. Many times that stop to sniff can turn ugly if two dogs don’t like each other.

In many ways, dogs are like people; they don’t like every dog (or person) they meet.

Most dogs will choose to stay with you if you keep moving. If they don’t come along with you, change direction and start to run, then reward the dog for coming along with you. Most dogs do not like to be left behind. The same is true for skiing. Most people don’t have issues when they are skiing because the movement is fast and most dogs don’t have time to stop and sniff. Again, most dogs will not want to be left behind.

Walking is a tremendous activity if used correctly. For dogs that have never met each other, it can be a good tool for introductions.

A walk on a leash with another dog can help smooth over a rocky dog relationship or even get a new doggie relationship off to a good start. The key here, though, is for each dog to be on a separate leash with a different person.

That gives the dogs a chance to get to know each other without a lot of pressure, and it gives the dogs a sense of leadership from the humans.

Walking is so good for us, our dogs and our dog relationships with others. Being thoughtful about how to use walking as a tool instead of just something you do can make a wonderful difference in your dog’s behavior with oth-

Make your walks something special and an intentional learning experience for your dog.

Photo credit: Fran Jewell

ers. Keep on walking!

Fran Jewell is an Idaho Press Club award-winning columnist, IAABC-certified dog behavior consultant, NADOI-certified instructor #1096 and the owner of Positive Puppy Dog Training, LLC, in Sun Valley. For more information, visit positivepuppy.com or call (208) 578-1565.

COLUMN SKETCHBOOK HIKING

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BY LESLIE REGO

THE HORNET’S NEST

n the past two months I have found three hornets’ nests right after they fell to the ground. One was the entire circumference of the hive, with the entrance for the hornets intact, although the cells inside had been destroyed. Another was half a nest, but the cells were still visible, and the third had only some of the outer sections surviving.

Every year the hornet’s home is rebuilt. The queen initiates the building of the hive by chewing wood to make a papery pulp. She manufactures around 50 hexagonal cells. Once the cells are finished, the queen lays an egg into each one. Subsequent generations of hornets add to the cells, layer by layer, thus expanding the structure. An entry is left in the bottom so the workers can enter and leave.

The nest I discovered with the ingress intact has six layers of woven paper. Every layer has striations ranging from dovegrey to deeper values of grey.

The striations curve around the circumference and each one represents the effort of a single hornet.

The wafer-thin sections I recovered with the cells attached show how straight the hornet is able to construct the hexagonal spaces. This is an incredible feat considering all of the work is done deep within the edifice and is therefore accomplished in the dark.

The bits and pieces I unearthed

Leslie Rego, “Hornet’s Nest,” watercolor, dip pen, brush and ink.

are significantly different in their use of color. The paper has pink striations mixed in with the greys. The greys are the lightest I have ever seen, some verging on white. Each change in color represents a different type of wood. I have never encountered a hive with this muted rose hue and I wonder what wood pulp was chewed.

Several weeks ago I found a

hive hanging high in a cottonwood tree. It has not fallen yet, although there have been several storms. But when it does tumble and the delicate hornet-made paper gets wet, the sculpted form will rapidly disintegrate. I want to be quick to retrieve the woven gem.

The story of a hornet’s abode is told through every line, wrinkle, and crack. The weathered frag-

ments become part of its memory. The hornet’s dwelling is fragile and yet speaks of great strength.

Leslie Rego is an Idaho Press Club award-winning columnist, artist and Blaine County resident. To view more of Rego’s art, visit leslierego.com.

W E E K LY S U N D O G •

DECEMBER 11 - 17, 2019

COLUMN ON LIFE’S TERMS

TRAVELING HOME

11:15 a.m. from SLC to SUN. I took another flight which then, as expected, s I sat on the bus from the Twin Falls air- bused us from Twin Falls to Sun Valley. Oddly port next to a woman visiting her family for me, I was also nauseated and upset because I in Hailey, we both gasped when we rolled would probably miss my rehearsal for 6:30 p.m. over the top of Timmerman Hill to see the early in Ketchum for the annual Caritas Christmas proevening pink light and then dark shadows on the gram on Dec. 6. Long and short: by the time I snow-filled mountains of the Wood River Valley. picked up my dogs at the south end of Hailey and This highway introduction to our beautiful area got to my condo in Ketchum, it was 7 p.m., and I never ceases to please me more than I usually was also sick all night, probably from stress, even expect. Whether the green rolls of for someone who LOVES to travel! mountains dotted with newly-leafed One thing I have learned from trees in the spring, or the splash of my wandering history is not to yellow, orange and red in the fall, whine and kvetch about things this vision never disappoints. And that happen. I have no control over I’m about to be home. many of the delays (unless I missed This time, especially, the view a flight because of being late) and was a reward after a long day, a time usually bring plenty of things to when many of my fellow travelers keep me occupied. One has to achad experienced delays, long trips, cept travel woes, so I focus on the and jet lag. In my case, the story is gratitude that I am still capable of familiar and one I have lived often feeling. I have arrived safely, had since moving to Ketchum decades some conversations and interacago. We residents understand that tions with good people, worked a this is not an easy travel destina- JoEllen Collins—a longtime couple of New York Times crosstion, especially in winter, and also resident of the Wood River word puzzles, and am grateful that Valley— is an Idaho Press understand that this inconvenience Club award-winning colum- I have friends and family here and is one of the reasons we have not nist, a teacher, writer, fabric in California, people worth the become too big and posh. You are artist, choir member and hassle of travel. My former 16-hour welcome to skip my summary, but unabashedly proud grandma drives back and forth between Idaperhaps you’ll sigh with your own known as “Bibi Jo.” ho and California are over, and my memories. daughters help me with frequent The Monday morning after Thanksgiving I flyer miles. So how can I complain? awoke at 4 a.m. at my family’s home in San FranThe best perk, though, of leaving this Valley is cisco, readying for a 6:05 flight to Sun Valley. At coming back to its mountains, spectacular land4:15, I checked my phone and learned that my scapes and a community full of caring people and plane was delayed for 2-1/2 hours to Salt Lake. shining activities. Yep, I’m home. tws Of course, I didn’t make my scheduled flight at

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SPONSORED FEATURE STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

BY JOELLEN COLLINS

COLUMN SCIENCE OF PLACE

OVERVIEW

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BY HANNES THUM

hen people see the Earth with their own eyes, from a distance—and only a select few of us have done this—it is, apparently, a perspective-shattering experience: the socalled “overview effect.”

Alan Shepard, the first American to see the Earth from space, would say, “If somebody’d said before the flight, ‘Are you going to get carried away looking at the Earth from the Moon?’

I would have to say, ‘No, no way.’ But yet, when I first looked back at the Earth, standing on the Moon, I cried.”

In the 1970s, NASA sent two unmanned probes out into space: Voyager 1 and Voyager 2. Where the previous decade’s Apollo program had built and launched vehicles that would safely take humans into outer space and then deliver them safely home, the Voyager program built two probes that were to leave Earth and head out into the farther reaches of space and never to return.

It’s a fascinating thing to ponder: these craft will never return to Earth.

Flying at some 15 to 20 kilometers a second, they still continue on, the first man-made objects to ever leave the solar system. We still are in communication with them, but that will one day end.

Their fate is somewhat unknown after that. What a long and lonely journey.

An interesting thing happened with Voyager 1, as it was pushing farther and farther out. In 1990, at the request of (among other people) the legendary astrophysicist Carl Sagan, NASA went

through quite a degree of trouble and cost to do something that they hadn’t initially planned on doing. They had Voyager 1’s cameras turn back around in the direction of home and snap a few photos. A little bit like a selfie.

The resulting image of Earth is a single blue pixel in an ocean of black pixels. Look it up sometime—the famous “pale blue dot photo.”

Sagan, who had spent a career understanding just how miniscule the Earth is compared to the vast expanses of outer space, would later write, “Each of us is a tiny being, permitted to ride on the outermost skin of one of the smaller planets for a few dozen trips around the local star.”

A stunning thing to consider.

Science, at times, can collide with a seemingly disparate field of study: philosophy. Science likes to act like it’s a stoic, fact-based, and data-driven process, like it’s unaffected by the human foibles of emotion. But, when science gets into some of the deepest reaches of the universe (or into some of the deepest questions of human curiosity), that barrier of detachment breaks down a little bit.

Philosophy, usually associated with the questions about what our life means and how we fit into the universe, after all, literally means “love of wisdom.”

The overview effect draws some of the world’s most successful and dedicated scientists outside of their comfort zone, into the realm of a more nebulous line of thought.

Often, the end result of science is something very unscientific—a shift in perspective.

In September 1977, NASA launched Voyager 1 spacecraft on a mission to study the outer Solar System and eventually interstellar space. Voyager 1, still travelling at 40,000 mph, is the most distant man-made object from Earth and the first one to leave the Solar System. Its mission has been extended and continues to this day, with the aim of investigating the boundaries of the Solar System, including the Kuiper belt, the heliosphere and interstellar space. Public domain photo, courtesy of NASA.

WRHS senior Samantha White. Photo credit: Kirsten Shultz

SAMANTHA WHITE

Coloring academics with the arts

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BY ERIC VALENTINE

hen you ask educators why the arts are as important to offer students as math and science, there are a variety of viable answers that range from the importance of creativity to the rigor and discipline students receive from perfecting a craft. Another perfectly good explanation would be the example of Wood River High School senior Samantha White.

White is in her seventh year of dancing with Footlight Dance Centre and now in the senior company of that Ketchum-based professional conservatory where she dances ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop and modern. She is also a member of the Colla Voce choir program and the WRHS drama team. It’s all a backdrop to how White forms her worldview.

“I wish people would stop responding to hate with more hate. It only creates a never-ending cycle,” observes White. “And even if you are standing up for something you believe in, if you are doing it with hate, then you are just as bad as the person you are fighting against.”

Perspective like that often comes from people who have spent time studying and practicing the arts, many educators say. But that doesn’t mean White isn’t equally focused on academic rigor. The 3.9-GPA student is currently taking A.P. Government, A.P. Literature and calculus, along with her arts courses.

“People often tell me that I have too much on my plate,” White admits.

Also on her plate is an annual community service project with Footlight Dance where the company tours all of the Blaine County schools and performs a 45-minute informational show.

“This is an amazing opportunity every year for me to get involved with the kids in elementary school who want to become dancers when they are older,” White said.

After high school, White plans on attending Portland State University or Seattle University and studying for an accounting degree—yes, an accounting degree. She also wants to participate in the Disney College Program and spend a few months as an intern for Disney in Florida. Her well-rounded approach is not without aim.

“I want to own a company that works with low-income families and helps them save money,” White explains. “Most low-income families can’t afford financial planners and I want to be able to help them deal with money and create budgets that are realistic for them.”

White, whose parents met when her mom’s car got stuck in the snow and her dad was there to help, is a lifelong resident of the Wood River Valley.

“When I move, I think I am going to miss the people most. I have so many amazing people in this Valley, and even as a senior I continue to meet more,” White said. tws

Editor’s Note: Anyone who would like to recommend a Blaine County School District student for The Weekly Sun’s “Student Spotlight” feature should contact The Weekly Sun at news@theweeklysun.com.

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W E E K LY S U N D O G • D E C E M B E R 11 - 17, 2019

SPONSORED BETTER HOMEOWNERS NEWS

EVENT FEATURE

UNDERSTANDING THE MORTGAGE INTEREST DEDUCTION

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ortgage interest paid on your principal residence is as deductible today as it was in 1913 when the 16th Amendment allowed personal income tax. The 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act reduced the maximum amount of acquisition debt from $1 million to $750,000.

Acquisition debt is the amount of debt used to buy, build or improve a principal residence, up to the maximum amount. A common misunderstanding among taxpayers is that you are entitled to that much debt even if you refinance a home during your ownership years.

Acquisition debt is a dynamic number that changes over time.

It decreases with normal amortization as the principal amount of debt is reduced. The only way to increase acquisition debt after a home is purchased is to borrow additional funds that are used for capital improvements.

Assume a person buys a home with a new mortgage and, after the home has enjoyed significant appreciation, refinances the home for much more than is currently owed. Let’s also say that the refinance amount is less than $750,000, which might lead the borrower to an erroneous conclusion that all the interest will be deductible.

The current acquisition debt is transferred to the new mortgage.

Only the portion of the funds used to pay for new capital improvements can be combined to equal the increased acquisition debt.

The interest on that part of the mortgage is deductible as qualified mortgage interest.

The remainder of the refinanced mortgage is attributed to personal debt and the interest paid on that is not deductible.

Lenders are not generally concerned with making a homeowner a fully tax-deductible loan. Lenders are interested in making a loan that will make a profit and be repaid according to the terms.

The annual statements that most lenders issue to borrowers indicate how much interest was paid in a calendar year as they are required to do by federal law.

Part of the confusion may be because homeowners believe they can deduct interest on debt up to $750,000 and this annual statement shows the interest paid for the year. It is up to each homeowner to keep track of their acquisition debt and only deduct the qualified mortgage interest.

Your tax professional can be very helpful in determining this amount. It is important to notify them that you have refinanced a home during the tax year for which the taxes are being reported.

For more information, see IRS Publication 936 and Homeowners Tax Guide. Home equity debt has not been allowed since the beginning of 2018.

ANNA MATHIEU

Realtor®, Associate Broker, GRI, MBA 2018 Best of the Valley 1st Place Gold; Best Realtor.

Windermere Real Estate/SV, LLC (208) 309-1329 AnnaMathieu@Windermere.com 5b-realestate.com To subscribe to the Better Homeowners newsletter: tinyurl.com/y8koftym

Happy Holidays

The Spot Young Company works on ‘Cats,’ by Andrew Lloyd Webber, at The Spot in Ketchum. The show will go up Dec. 11-15. Photo credit: The Spot

FELINES TO PROWL THE STAGE The Spot Young Co. to present ‘Cats’

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BY DANA DUGAN

ere’s the bad news: “Cats” is sold out. Yes, tickets to the musical, presented by The Spot Young Company, from Wednesday, Dec. 11, through Sunday, Dec. 15, sold out as fast as if it were a Rolling Stones concert at River Run. So, you may wonder why I am bothering to write about it. Because there is good news. And that is that such an ambitious and radiant production will be staged in the Wood River Valley. The quality of work coming out of this young company continues to astound. And that work has been hard.

It’s not nothing to cast and direct, act, sing, light, costume and produce such a well-known, iconic musical such as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Cats’ with a company of students. Based on T.S. Eliot’s book, “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,” it was published in 1939.

Eliot’s whimsical poems concern a tribe of cats.

The musical became an enormous hit, both on London’s West End, where is played for 21 years, and 18 years on Broadway in New York City, winning three Tony awards. It tells the story of the Jellicles, a tribe of cats, on the night they make a choice about which of them will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new life.

This tuition-free project features 30 Wood River Valley students lead by eight mentors.

Peter Burke and Yanna Lantz, the choreographer and director, respectively, called the phenomenon that is “Cats” a kind of hybrid. It is both a literary story and a song cycle that, in its day, ushered in the age of the mega-musical.

“We’re paying homage to this terrific advancement in musicals,” Lantz said. “It’s a genre-defining musical, and you can’t do ‘Cats’ without acknowledging that theatrical history.”

Burke is quick to point out that this is not a Disney movie made into a play.

“As one of the cats say: The theatre isn’t what it was,” Lantz said.

The cast is made up of teenagers, many with specific talents in song and dance, while some were coached on the job.

“When we chose the piece, I kept going back to why it was an important educational piece,” Burke said. “So much today is pop-rock, New Age and modern, while this is traditional.”

In fact, the play includes ballet and jazz dance, and a big ballad number, the well-known and very hummable “Memories.” As well, due to the song cycle, the play is actually considered operatic— something that hasn’t always appealed to everyone.

“It’s a rare or polarizing musical,” Lantz admitted. “Maybe people take it too seriously, when it’s just a gang of cats meeting one night to see who will be reborn. Grizabella sings ‘If you find there

Student actors play Jellicles on a night when they must choose one member to be reborn. Photo credit: The Spot

the meaning of what happiness is, Then a new life will begin.’ So it’s also about understanding and compassion.”

The tech aspects alone are impressive: The cast and crew have been in rehearsals since Nov. 11 in the three different rooms now belonging to The Spot.

Samuel Mollner, the tech director and mentor, made it his “mission to design the set for 24 people to be onstage at all times,” Burke said. “There’s a cat walk —literally—that can accommodate this.

He has three students working with him on the tech track.”

Wood River High School, Sun Valley Community School, Silver Creek High School and The Sage School are all represented in the cast and with tech support.

“This is the only project like this in the community,” Lantz said. “We encourage them to be themselves. Confidence is the most valuable thing they can learn, in addition to mentoring and how to make a musical from scratch.”

There are “insane costumes and wigs which, with these costumes, are imperative,” Burke said.

“Alison Higdon hand-airbrushed 24 individual unitards, and Maria Gerhardt did the costume wigs. This is the most ambitious Young Spot production we’ve done.”

Burke, as choreographer, said the dance is a “nod to the original; we honor that.”

Other supporting mentors include John Mauldin, who appears as Old Deuteronomy; R.L. Rowsey is the vocal coach, and Dorinda Rendahl is doing the music. Other adult mentors are Kevin Wade and Brett Moellenberg.

If you’re lucky enough to have tickets to one of the shows, be prepared to tap along to the “ineffable effable.” wsd

WED DEC 11

W E E K LY S U N D O G • D E C E M B E R 11 - 17, 2019

EVENTS CALENDAR, CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

LUNCHTIME LANGUAGE

12-1PM / Community Library / Ketchum This free high-novice to mid-intermediate class will practice Spanish through conversation, reading and watching authentic materials in Spanish. New vocabulary will be presented, and grammar will be strengthened. For more information, contact instructor Sara Pettit at spettit@csi.edu.

WED DEC 11

HOLIDAY BOOK ART CLASS

4-4:45PM / Hailey Library / Hailey Learn how to turn old books into a tree or angel in a free adult book art class. Enrollment is very limited and the class will fill quickly, so call now to reserve your spot. For more information, visit haileypubliclibrary.org.

WED DEC 11

TAIZÉ SERVICE

5:30PM / St. Thomas Church / Sun Valley

SPONSORED COFFEE CHATS WITH KIKI

13

100-YEAR DECISION NOW FOR COUNTY

This past week at the Blaine County Commissioners’ meeting, the Commissioners voted to dust off their 2008 resolution on county sustainability and relook at it. Wow! They haven’t thought about updating this plan for 12 years? With the pace of clean-energy technology change and the exponential price drops over this time period, 12 years ago in clean-energy-dog-years is like going back to a time when we didn’t have cellphones!

Lithium ion batteries that cost $1,183 per kWh in 2010 dropped to a cost of $156 per kWh in 2019.

Due to utility scale solar costs falling exponentially since 2008, solar has been installed in America and globally at a blistering pace. The U.S. Department of Energy reports on their website that “Solar power is more affordable, accessible, and prevalent in the United States than ever before. Since 2008, U.S. installations have grown 35-fold to an estimated 62.5 gigawatts (GW) (2018).

This is enough capacity to power the equivalent of 12 million average American homes.1 Since the beginning of 2014, the average cost of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels has dropped nearly 50 percent.2 Look at this graph of utility solar installations growing from virtually nothing in 2007.

Taizé services will be held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church through February. These are ecumenical and offer quiet prayer, candlelight, meditation and chants. For details, visit stthomassunvalley.org, mjwoyster@msn.com or call (360) 481-3492.

WED DEC 11

KETCHUM COMMUNITY DINNERS

6-7PM / Church of the Big Wood / Ketchum There will be free community dinners served by volunteers every Wednesday night through May 2020. Everyone is welcome to join in either as a volunteer or as a diner.

Look at what other communities have been doing:

WED DEC 11

‘PRIDE AND PREJUDICE’ DISCUSSION

4-5:30PM / Community Library / Ketchum A two-part book group on Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’ will consider the novel’s major themes, and often overlooked character of Mary Bennet, who is the center of the Company of Fools’ production of “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley,” by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, now playing at The Liberty Theatre in Hailey. The second part of the discussion will be Dec. 19. For more information, visit comlib.com.

WED DEC 11

TRIVIA NIGHT

7-9PM / Limelight Hotel / Ketchum Limelight’s free trivia nights feature drink specials and prizes. There are two games a night; teams can play both games, or just one. Bring yourself and your friends, because you deserve a night of games.

WED DEC 11

‘MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY’ 7:30PM / The Liberty / Hailey

Join the Darcys’ extended family for the holidays when Company of Fools presents “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley” through Dec. 29. This charmingly imagined sequel to Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” will charm audiences (10+). For tickets, visit sunvalleycenter.org or call (208) 578-9122.

THU DEC 12

MSCL SCREENING & BENEFIT 7PM / The Argyros / Ketchum

“Trial by Fire,” a 2019 film starring Jack O’Connell and Laura Dern and produced by Wood River Valley residents Allyn Stewart and Kipp Nelson, will screen with all proceeds benefiting Men’s Second Chance Living, a new all-male sober home in Hailey founded by Sonya Wilander. ‘Trial by Fire’ is the true-life Texas story of the unlikely bond between an imprisoned death row inmate and a mother of two who fights mightily for his freedom. VIP tickets include a pre-screening reception at 6 p.m.; the film will begin at 7 p.m. and a Q&A will follow. Tickets are available at the box office or at theargyros.org.

But, unfortunately, look at how far Idaho is behind. This Lawrence Berkeley National Lab chart shows that the rest of the country is rapidly installing battery energy storage, but not us. 3 “Fast-acting battery technology performs many roles: frequency regulation, capacity, deferral of wires upgrades, resilience, firming renewable generation and more. It does not rely on a geographically specific weather pattern or any one set of state policies to become valuable, and it’s already asserting itself across the U.S., said Daniel Finn-Foley, energy storage director at Wood Mackenzie, speaking Tuesday at GTM’s Energy Storage Summit in Denver.” 4 Yes, it is more than time that our county dusts off the old sustainability plan and looks at what we can do now with cheap solar and battery storage prices and new technology. This is why I got into this race for County Commissioner—to seize this 100-yeardecision-moment-in-time when we can take a new direction for a truly sustainable future for our county. Let’s do this!

National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Solar Industry Update Q4 2018/Q1 2019.

1

https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/worlds-second-largest-ferry-operator-switching-from-diesel-to-batteries

2

3 https://emp.lbl.gov/sites/default/files/lbnl_utility_scale_solar_2018_edition_report.pdf Authors: Mark Bolinger, Joachim Seel Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/energy-storage-summit-growth-trajectory

4

Blaine County Commissioner Candidate

www.tidwellcommissionercampaign.com twitter: @kikitidwell

K i k i Ti d w e l l

Paid For By Citizens For Kiki Tidwell, Cindy Mann Treasurer.

14

THU DEC 12

W E E K LY S U N D O G • D E C E M B E R 11 - 17, 2019

EVENTS CALENDAR, CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

THE WISDOM OF WOLVES

6-7:30PM / Community Library / Ketchum The Community Library will offer a free public presentation, The Wisdom of Wolves: Lessons from the Sawtooth Pack, with Jim and Jamie Dutcher, founders of Living with Wolves, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to educational outreach and research. Partnering with the National Geographic Society and speaking on their own, the Dutchers have given more than 200 presentations about the Sawtooth Pack. For more information, visit comlib.org or call (208) 726-3493.

THU DEC 12

HOLIDAY BLISS

2:30-4:30PM / Zenergy / Ketchum Holiday Bliss with Erica Linson and Cathie Caccia at Zenergy Health Club and Spa will include a two-hour Hatha Yoga and Meditation workshop; experience equanimity, peace, joy and connection to Spirit this holiday season. Pre-registration is recommended. For more information, call (208) 725-0595 or visit zenergysv.com/fitness/ schedule.

FRI DEC 13

FOOTLIGHT DANCERS PERFORM 12:20PM, 1PM / Various / Hailey

Footlight Dance will bring free performances to The Senior Connection at 12:20 p.m. and Silvercreek Living at 1 p.m. This is part of Footlight Dance Centre’s Community Outreach program. Thirty elementary, middle and high school students will dance in this show. The holiday dances were choreographed by Hilarie Neely, Robyn Fox and Jen Simpson.

FRI DEC 13 & SAT DEC 14

HOLIDAY MARKET

1-7PM, 10AM-5PM / Community Campus / Hailey The Holiday Market at the Community Campus will bring holiday shopping with a diverse group of 24 vendors offering a beautiful selection of edibles, wearables and decorative items. The open hours will be Friday 1-7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

SAT DEC 14

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

12-6PM / Mountain Humane / Hailey Mountain Humane will hold a Holiday Open House with adoptable dog parades, adoption discounts, cookies and cocoa, playtime with the adoptable cats, and holiday photos with your pet. For $10, visitors get three Betty Booth photo sessions (in the booth). Pet parades will highlight adoptable pups who want to strut their stuff to the public. Dog training demonstrations will take place. Wear an ugly sweater and get 50 percent off your adoption fee. For more information, visit Mountain Humane at mountainhumane.org.

SAT DEC 14

CARITAS SING-ALONG

3PM / St. Thomas Church / Ketchum Everyone is invited to join Caritas Chorale for a Holiday Sing-Along at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, located at 201 Sun Valley Road. Bring a donation of (nonperishable) food or money for The Hunger Coalition.

SAT DEC 14

ARTIST RECEPTION

4:30-6:30PM / Zenergy Health Club / Ketchum Wendy Pabich, a Wood River Valley artist, scientist, educator, speaker, adventurer and yogi, will show her work at an artist’s reception presented by Robin Reiners Art Consultation. An expert on water, Pabich is president of Water Futures, where she consults on water security. She is also the author of “Taking on Water: How One Water Expert Challenged Her Inner Hypocrite, Reduced Her Water Footprint (without Sacrificing a Toasty Shower) and Found Nirvana.”

SAT DEC 14

GET AHEAD OF THE HOLIDAY 5PM / MESH Gallery / Ketchum

Now in its fourth year, the European-style market will have everything from traditional wreaths to roasted nuts. Stroll the booths while enjoying some spiced cider and Linzer cookies. Free gift-wrapping with donations will go to the “I Have a Dream” Foundation. The market will be held Saturday until 7 p.m. and Sunday until 5 p.m.

MESH Art Gallery at Heritage Hall will be holding its Get Ahead of the Holiday Party premiering new works from Ed Cannady and Jeffrey H. Lubeck. Lubeck will also sign his new book, “Capturing the Valley Too.” MESH will provide beverages and its renowned appetizers from the smoker. For information, call Kyle Lubeck at (208) 309-3200.

FRI DEC 13

MON DEC 16

4PM / Hailey Library / Hailey

10:30-11AM / Community Library / Ketchum

SAT DEC 14 & SUN DEC 15

HOLIDAY MARKET

11AM / Sun Valley Village / Sun Valley

FRIDAY FLICKS

STORY TIME

The Hailey Public Library will offer free Friday Flicks throughout December. All movies are family friendly. Free popcorn will be available; seating is limited. For more information, visit haileypubliclibrary.org.

Story Time, held weekly in the Children’s Library, features themed story time with high-quality children’s books, songs, and a fun craft or activity. Story Time is suitable for ages 3 and up. For more information, visit comlib.org.

FRI DEC 13 - SUN DEC 15

MON DEC 16

6PM / Limelight Hotel / Ketchum

10-6PM / Hailey Library / Hailey

LIMELIGHT MUSIC

HOLIDAY GIFT WRAP

In the Lounge, enjoy the fun and games with free live musical entertainment. The family-friendly Lounge offers a play room and a roomy place to enjoy the evening.

On Friday, Porchlight will play. On Saturday, hear Hart Gibson. And on Sunday, Kevin Ware will take the stage.

The Hailey Public Library will offer its second annual Holiday Gift Wrap today through Sunday, Dec. 21. All supplies will be provided, including wrapping paper, tape, scissors and ribbon. For more information about this and other programs, call (208) 788-2036 or visit haileypubliclibrary.org.

FRI DEC 13

TUE DEC 17

7PM / SV Opera House / Sun Valley

5:30-6:30PM / St. Luke’s Clinic / Hailey

‘THE LAST WALTZ’

CANCER SUPPORT AND NETWORKING GROUP

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of “The Last Waltz” presented by Sun Valley Company and Sun Valley Records. Fifty percent of revenues will support the Sun Valley Records Musician Fund. Held at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco, in 1976, and promoted by the legendary Bill Graham, the concert, and the subsequent documentary, showcased The Band and their friends, including Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Dr. John, The Staples Singers and more. Purchase $15 tickets at (208) 622-2135 or sunvalleyresort.eventbrite.com. For more information visit sunvalleyrecords.com.

Cancer Support and Networking Group provides a supportive environment, social engagement, education and networking for people who have been diagnosed with any kind of cancer. Call prior to attending the first time, (208) 727-8733.

FRI DEC 13

The Community Library will present Dr. Kathleen Araújo, associate professor of Energy Systems and Policy at Boise State University and director of the Energy Policy Institute, in a free talk on National Energy Transitions: What Have We Learned about Champions, Time & Industry? Her book, “Low Carbon Energy Transitions: Turning Points in National Policy in Innovation,” outlines critical junctures that have shaped energy development in Denmark, Iceland, Brazil and France over nearly five decades.

LIVE MUSIC

9:30PM / Silver Dollar / Bellevue Music with Tylor & the Train Robbers at 9:30 p.m. There is never a cover charge and there’s a free shuttle home for those who need it.

TUE DEC 17

NATIONAL ENERGY TRANSITIONS

5-6:30PM / Community Library / Ketchum

W E E K LY S U N D O G • D E C E M B E R 11 - 17, 2019

SPONSORED CHAMBER CORNER

CLASSIC STONEWORKS TAKES PRIDE IN CREATING HAPPY HOMES

BY MIKE MCKENNA

T

here’s an old saying that goes, “It’s hard to be mad in a nice kitchen.”

That’s because nice kitchens are often the social hubs of our homes. They are also places that inspire us to create tasty treats and memorable meals.

In fact, a study by the Happiness Research Institute found that our homes account for more of our overall happiness than just about anything else in life. And we are especially happy if we are proud of our homes and find them comforting.

That’s where the folks at Classic Stoneworks can help.

Since 2005, they have been “Idaho’s first choice in quality stone fabrication,” offering hundreds of options of granite, quartz, marble and more, for counters, fireplaces and tubs, both indoors and out.

“We do it all, from sales to creating the template to delivery and installation, and we work with just about every local contractor,” Jennifer Jensen explained from Classic Stoneworks’ new office at 141 Citation Way (the “airport road”) in Hailey.

Jennifer runs the Hailey office of the Jerome-based business. Brian Neace and Jennifer’s husband, Troy Jensen, are the owners, and they recently opened a location in the Wood River Valley to meet the growing local business.

“We do a lot of work in the area and we wanted to make things easier,” Jennifer said from their new Hailey office, where they can show customers and contractors samples and design options. They even have their full inventory of every slab at their yard in Jerome live online at classic-stoneworks. com.

Taking advantage of state-of-the-art technology is actually at the core of the company’s success.

“We’ve invested in the best technology in the industry so we can offer quick and quality turnaround times,” Jennifer said. “We pride ourselves on our ability to meet deadlines so we’re not holding anything else up.”

Classic Stoneworks carries stone from all over the world and they enjoy doing jobs of all sizes and price points, because they are truly motivated by making their customers happy.

“Our favorite thing about the job is working

15

SPONSOR THIS PUZZLE!

The Weekly Sun Is Currently Looking For A Person Or Business To Sponsor Our Popular Sudoku Puzzle For Just $35 Per Week, You Could Run An Ad In This Space And Bring The Joy Of Sudoku To Our Thousands Of Readers Contact Mandi At (208) 721-7588 Or mandi@theweeklysun.com

How To Play Sudoku

The Classic Sudoku is a number placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once.

CLASSIC SUDOKU

Photo credit: Classic Stoneworks

See answer on page 6

with our customers. We pride ourselves on taking care of everything, from the beginning to the end, from picking out the product to follow-up calls afterwards, to make sure everyone is satisfied,” Jennifer said. “When the finished product is in the home and everyone is happy, I just love it.”

Don’t miss the Classic Stoneworks ribbon-cutting this Thursday, Dec. 12 at noon at 141 Citation Way, Suite 3, in Hailey (the “airport road”).

Welcome a new business to our community and enjoy beverages and snacks. The public is encouraged to attend and will be offered a 10 percent discount for a future project. For more information, call The Chamber at (208) 788-3484 or check out classic-stoneworks.com or call them at (208) 9286064.

Mike McKenna is the executive director of The Chamber – Hailey & The Wood River Valley. He can be reached at Mike@ValleyChamber.org or by calling (208) 788-3484.

CROSSWORD SPONSORED BY

THETRADER TRADER THE THE TRADER Consignment for the home

Consignment for the home

Consignment for the home

Wednesday - Friday 11 to 6 Saturday 11 to 4

TRADER EADER TRADER

Always available by appointment and if we’re here.

Wednesday through Saturday 11:00 to 5:00 Always available by appointment and if we’re here.

ent for the 720-9206 or 788-0216 signment forhome the home

720-9206 or 788-0216 509 S. Main Street Bellevue, Idaho

the home

509 S. Main Street • Bellevue, Idaho

Wednesday Wednesday - Friday Wednesday - Friday 11:00to to 5:00 ednesday - Friday 11 to 611 to 6 available by appointment 11 to 6AlwaysSaturday Saturday Saturday Saturday and if we’re here.

11 to 4 11 11 to to 788-0216 45 720-9206 or 11 to 4 Wednesday through Saturday

Always available by appointment and if we’re here.

509 S. Main Street • Bellevue, Idaho Always available by le by appointment andappointment if we’re here. and if we’re here.

720-9206 or 788-0216 or S. 788-0216 -9206 or720-9206 788-0216 509 Main Street S. Main Street 09 S. Main509 Street Bellevue, Idaho Bellevue, Idaho Bellevue, Idaho

See answer on page 6

THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY 7-DAY WEATHER FORECAST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Partly Cloudy `20%

high 32º

low 22º WEDNESDAY

Light Snow 70%

high 35º low 27º THURSDAY

Partly Cloudy 20%

high 34º low 14º FRIDAY

Partly Cloudy 20%

high 28º low 12º SATURDAY

Mostly Sunny 0%

high 23º low 6º SUNDAY

Mostly Sunny 10%

high 23º low 8º MONDAY

Partly Cloudy 20%

high 26º low 14º TUESDAY

SKI. BIKE. LIVE!

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16

W E E K LY S U N D O G

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