THE WEEKLY SUN RESPONSIBLE LOCAL JOURNALISM. • BELLEVUE • CAREY • HAILEY • KETCHUM • PICABO • SUN VALLEY • WHAT TO KNOW. WHERE TO BE.
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NOVEMBER 20 - 26, 2019 | V O L . 1 2 - N O . 4 7 | W W W . T H E W E E K L Y S U N . C O M
Health News University Of Idaho Steps Up To Keep Obesity Down
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Transportation News Cities Vie For A Portion Of $11.5M In Future Funds From ITD
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News In Brief Military Court May Hear Bergdahl Appeal
“There’s a sunrise and a sunset every single day, and they’re absolutely free. Don’t miss so many of them.” ~Jo Walton
WORKSPACE RIGHT IN DOWNTOWN KETCHUM Office Suites and Short Term Options available
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Community work space tting your needs with the perks of Membership. Available by the hour, day, week or month. Conference and meeting room facilities. 191 Sun Valley Road www.ketchumworks.com nicky@ketchumworks.com 208 371 9686
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For information about this photo, see “On The Cover” on page 3. Photo credit: Courtney Wangberg The Ketchum & Sun Valley Firefighter’s invite you to join us for a fun night of dressing up, mingling and dancing the night away at the annual Firefighters’ Ball
WHEN: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2019 Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Music starts At 8:00 p.m WHERE: LIMELIGHT HOTEL, MAIN STREET KETCHUM Tickets cost $20. They can be purchased online at ksvva.org, Atkinsons’ Market Ketchum or in person at the door.
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T H E W E E K LY S U N •
NOVEMBER 20 - 26, 2019
NEWS HEALTH
UI STEPS UP TO KEEP OBESITY DOWN 400 central Idaho kids impacted by charter program
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BY ERIC VALENTINE
s all of us prep for, typically, our highest-calorie meal of the year and the special holiday sweets and dinner parties that follow over the next 30plus days, there’s something in the backs of our minds: a prospective new year resolution that will get us back on a healthier track. But for up to 15 percent of Idaho kids, the healthier track has already proved elusive. That’s the percent of children deemed “obese.” Obesity is the condition of having too much body fat,
Hailey preschool teacher Tifny Lago uses a Rainbow of Food chart to teach about healthy foods. Photo credit: University of Idaho Extension
NEWS IN BRIEF
which means one has an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, and even some cancers. It is one of the top two conditions (the other is diabetes) the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is putting human and financial resources toward to combat. And the state’s health agency has started partnering with University of Idaho Extension to offer Blaine County preschoolers an upper hand in keeping their obesity risk low. It’s a program called Farm to Early Care and Education (Farm to ECE) and it focuses on introducing local, fresh fruits and vegetables to children aged 3 to 5 years old. A grant from the Department of Health and Welfare allowed UI Extension to launch a pilot of the program in the South Central Public Health District from September 2019 to May 2020. If it’s successful, it could be offered statewide and perhaps even one day influence the national effort to curb childhood obesity. Recent studies show that obesity rates for 10- to A Ketchum preschool showcases children’s drawings of win17-year-olds in America hovers around 16 percent. Rates ter squash. Photo credit: University of Idaho Extension for adults approach 40 percent. Three preschools in the Wood River Valley are recipients of the program, according to Farm to ECE program and November is squash. coordinator Alleah Schweitzer. “Eventually, we hope to build the curriculum to serve A Program That Produces all students in the K-12 system,” Schweitzer said. Schweitzer is hopeful the program will continue past May 2020, and the early results are making that seem A Culinary Curriculum more likely than not. According to Schweitzer, constant Schweitzer makes it clear that buy-in from the teachers evaluation of the program’s effectiveness is being conis what makes it possible to get buy-in from the kids. It’s ducted by UI Extension. Cards are given to students to her job to meet with educators regularly to review curric- fill in, with stickers that indicate whether they’ve tried ulum goals and deliver teaching materials which—in ad- the produce before, whether they like it, don’t like it, etc. dition to kits—typically include fresh fruits and vegeta- The goal is to see an increase in willingness to try new bles kids can sample with their teachers in class. In some food and an increase in healthy food consumption. cases, Schweitzer said, teachers are going home, making “We assume that kids are picky or close-minded about recipes and then sharing the results with their class. food, but that’s not really true,” Schweitzer said. “It’s “We are lucky to have educators who are willing to go been a pleasant surprise to see kids are engaged with above and beyond,” Schweitzer said. this.” Each month, the program highlights one item of proUI Extension will also be surveying teachers and parduce in particular. Teachers do a show-and-tell and taste ents to see how well the program goals are being met. of the item, and then kids learn about the food’s health “We’re seeing positive results so far, and I hope Health impact and the different ways people enjoy it. and Welfare can leverage what we’re doing in the fuSeptember’s produce was peppers, October was beets, ture,” Schweitzer said. tws
Great American Smokeout Kicks Off To Help Smokers Kick Habit
Smokers are being urged to quit tobacco for a day, or preferably a lifetime, during the Great American Smokeout Thursday, Nov. 21. Since 1970, the event has been a new start for tobacco users around the country. The South Central Public Health District joins the American Cancer Society in urging south-central Idaho residents to use this year’s Great American Smokeout to take the first step toward a smoke-free life today. Smoking accounts for nearly one in three cancer deaths in the United States, and increases the risk of more than 13 types of cancer. “Quitting even for one day can be an important step toward a healthier life,” said Cody Orchard, SCPHD health education specialist. “We have nicotine replacement products for free, for anyone committed to quitting.” Although there is not a method to quit that works for everyone, there are some key elements that can help put smokers and other tobacco users on the road to living a longer and healthier life. Consider these stay-quit tips from the American
Cancer Society: • Set a date. Picking a “quit day” is a critical first step. It’s best to pick a date and allow yourself enough time to prepare and create a plan but not enough time to change your mind. • Make a plan. Successfully quitting is a matter of planning and commitment, not luck. Consider local cessation classes that can give support as you make the change. • Don’t smoke on your quit day. Keep your mind and body occupied by exercising or losing yourself in an enjoyable hobby, and avoid situations where the urge to smoke is strong (this may include avoiding alcohol). • Avoid rationalizations. Be ready with a distraction to redirect your thoughts to something else. • Bounce back from slips. A slip is a one-time mistake that is quickly corrected; a relapse is going back to smoking. Try not to get too discouraged. Very few people are able to quit for good on the first try. Learn more about free local quit classes at www.phd5.idaho.gov/tobacco/.
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T H E W E E K LY S U N •
THE WEEKLY SUN CONTENTS
NOVEMBER 20 - 26, 2019
jane’s holiday house
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arts / / crafts / / papers / / office / / party New location 12 East Bullion (Old DL Evans)
Open House Thursday, Nov. 21ST, 9am-6:30pm
The annual Firefighter’s Ball will take place on Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Limelight Hotel in Ketchum. The event supports Ketchum and Sun Valley volunteer firefighters. For more information, see story on page 8. Photo credit: Ketchum Sun Valley Volunteer Association
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Advent Calendars
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N O V E M B E R 2 0 - 2 6 , 2019 | VOL. 12 NO. 47
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News In Brief
Another Life Claimed In Hwy. 75 Crash
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Commentary
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Calendar
Award-Winning Columns, Student Spotlight, Fishing Report
Twice The Variety To Choose From
Great Prizes
Find Stocking Stuffers In Both Locations
SHOP BOTH LOCATIONS FOR ALL YOUR HOLIDAY NEEDS!
jane’s artifacts
Stay In The Loop On Where To Be
arts / / crafts / / papers / / office / / party
ON THE COVER
15% OFF Christmas Gift Wrap, Tissue & Bags
The sun sets spectacularly out Croy Canyon, west of downtown Hailey, on Friday, Nov. 15. Photo credit: Courtney Wangberg 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).
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T H E W E E K LY S U N •
Voted “Best Asian Cuisine”
NOVEMBER 20 - 26, 2019
NEWSTRANSPORTATION
VALLEY ROADWORK WISH LIST Hailey, Bellevue, Fairfield apply for their share of $11.5M in roadwork funding
Shrimp Vegetable Tempura / 2 Shrimp, Mixed Vegetables
Lunch Bento Boxes $12.95
Served with Salad, California roll, and Garlic Rice Lunch: 11am-3pm Monday-Friday Dinner: 3-10pm • Closed Sundays NOW OPEN AT 310 MAIN STREET IN HAILEY Hailey: (208) 928-7111
NEWS IN BRIEF
Ketchum Man Killed Under Fallen Car
On Sunday, Nov. 10, at approximately 4:41 p.m., deputies from the Ketchum Police Division of the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report that a car had fallen on an individual at the Andora Villa condos in Ketchum. Deputies determined that Jhon Miguel Lopez-Macha, age 37, of Ketchum, had been seen working underneath his vehicle, a 1993 red Ford Explorer, by himself that afternoon. At some point, his family noticed he was not responding when they went to speak to him. Lopez-Macha was transported to St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. At completion of the investigation, deputies determined that the jack that Lopez-Macha was using to lift up his vehicle had given way, causing the vehicle to fall on him and cause his accidental death.
Idaho Drivers Must Provide Proof Of Insurance To DMV In 2020
Vehicle owners will need to provide proof of insurance for two consecutive months or risk having their registration suspended beginning in 2020. The law (Idaho Code Section 49-1234) was passed during the 2019 Idaho legislative session and goes into effect in January. It requires the Idaho Transportation Department’s Division of Motor Vehicles to determine monthly whether the owner of a vehicle has insurance. The law applies only to non-commercial vehicles, and excludes trailers and off-highway vehicles. A notification letter will be sent to affected vehicle owners to alert them of the law change. Owners without insurance coverage for two consecutive months will receive a warning and be given 30 days to provide proof of insurance or obtain an exemption before their registration is suspended. To reinstate a suspended license, owners will need to provide proof of insurance and pay a fee of $75. Some vehicles are exempt from this mandate. For a full list of frequently asked questions, please visit itd.idaho.gov/driveidaho
Juvenile Killed In Two-Vehicle Crash
On Sunday, Nov. 17, Idaho State Police investigated a two-vehicle fatality crash eastbound on SH-50 at N. 3800 E., near milepost 3, east of Kimberly. Aaron Estrada Arizmedi, 37, of Rupert, was driving northbound on SH-50 in a 2005 GMC Envoy. William Presba, 45, of Twin Falls, was driving westbound on N. 3800 E. in a 2008 Honda Civic. Presba failed to yield and collided with the GMC Envoy. Elena Pedraza, 42, of Rupert, was a passenger in the GMC Envoy. Pedraza, Estrada Arizmedi and another juvenile passenger from the Envoy were all transported by ground ambulance to St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center in Twin Falls. The juvenile passenger was injured after being ejected from the vehicle. The juvenile died later at the hospital. All lanes of travel on SH-50 were blocked for approximately four and a half hours while crews investigated.
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BY ERIC VALENTINE
he good news: There’s $11.5 million the state plans to dole out to cities for future road and sidewalk safety improvements. The bad news: Cities across the state put forth 80 applications for those funds, and only one in three— the state transportation official who oversees the program explains—will ever be granted that money. “It’s why we’re leading with a customer-service approach to the applicants. We want them to be successful,” said Ryan McDaniel, a program manager for the Idaho Department of Transportation (ITD). McDaniel explains that because the so-called Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and Safe Routes to School Education and Infrastructure funding is so competitive, cities—especially the smaller ones with smaller staffs—fall short of showing that they meet the criteria to be eligible for the grants. In a letter to applying cities, McDaniel wrote, “That is why ITD is taking time to partner with you during the application process to make these projects the best they can possibly be because we know that TAP will not be able to fund them all.” Something new this year, McDaniel says, is the team of subject matter experts who will review each application and provide advice before they are submitted to a separate team who will score the projects and award the monies (see Team ITD box for details). In the Wood River Valley, three cities applied for the program’s funds. Hailey is asking for more than $545,000 to supplement the Croy to Quigly pathway project. Bellevue is asking for nearly $250,000 to improve the Broadford Road Shared Use Pathway. And Fairfield is seeking more than $588,000 for improvements to Soldier Road sidewalks from Sage to Ponderosa Avenue. Nearly $11.5 million in funding is available through both the TAP and Safe Routes to School programs. Eligible projects include pedestrian and bicycle facilities, projects to enhance access to public transportation, and Safe Routes to School educational projects. The infrastructure program
has existed in various forms since 2003, funding 282 projects totaling over $95M across Idaho. The Safe Routes to School program has existed since 2010, funding 69 projects totaling over $8.5M. “We estimate that 223 schools and 118,000 students have been positively impacted by the program,” McDaniel said. Eligible applicants include local governments, regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, natural resource or public land agencies, tribal governments and school districts or local education agencies. Also eligible are nonprofit entities responsible for administration of local transportation safety programs, and any local or regional government entity responsible for transportation or recreational trails. It’s important to note, McDaniel explained, that funding still depends on the federal government. The FAST (Fixing America’s Surface Transportation) Act of 2015 governs much of the policies for funding these sorts of projects. And currently with the U.S. Senate is the America’s Transportation Infrastructure Act of 2019—the largest amount of funding provided for highway reauthorization legislation in history. The bill authorizes $287 billion from the Highway Trust Fund over five years to maintain and repair America’s roads and bridges in the hopes of keeping vehicles and the economy moving. tws
TEAM ITD The subject matter experts who will help cities apply for funds, and their respective areas of expertise, are: • Office of Highway Safety (Kelly Campbell) • Mapping (Will Thoman) • Environmental (Matt Kriegl) • Cultural Resources (Marc Munc) • Engineering/Design Safety (Mark Danley) • Cost Estimation (Amanda LaMott) • Planning (Ken Kanownik)
NEWS IN BRIEF
Proposed Malheur Legislation Bashed By Conservationists
Conservationists are criticizing legislation introduced earlier this month that addresses economic development and environmental protection in Malheur County. Conservationists were swift to criticize the proposal. “This bill calls for continuing and expanding the leading cause of environmental degradation in the Owyhee River canyonlands: domestic livestock grazing,” said Scott Lake, Idaho director for Western Watersheds Project. “Overgrazing has left the area at extreme risk from invasive weeds, loss of biodiversity, and streamside habitat destruction. This bill does nothing to address the root cause of these problems, and instead actively promotes commercial uses that have already done so much damage to the land.” The legislation, called the Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act, calls for “support[ing] and grow[ing] local communities and economies,” “protect[ing] western traditions,” and “maintain[ing] grazing on federal land.” The total economic contribution of livestock, even in rural Malheur County, is relatively insignificant, conservationists say. According to Western Watersheds Project, farm income makes up only 3.5 percent of the total income in Malheur County, and only about 40 percent of the farms have any connection with the livestock industry. “Even with federal regulations fully in place, the ranchers of southeastern Oregon have a troubling and abysmal record of failing to safeguard the health of public lands,” said Lake. “These particular public lands are perhaps the last place that Congress should put under the management of the livestock industry, yet that’s exactly what this legislation does.”
Little Black Dress Club Announces Upcoming Granting Event
The next gathering of the Little Black Dress Club (LBDC) will be held Monday, Dec. 2, at 5:15 p.m., at the Argyros Performing Arts Center in Ketchum, the organization has announced. All women are welcome to attend the group’s collective giving event. A $100 tax-deductible donation is required from each attendee in order to have a vote. From a pool of applicants, five Blaine County nonprofit organizations were randomly selected to present their case for funding: Flourish Foundation, KDPI Drop-In Radio, Inc., Senior Bash, Hailey Public Library and Men’s Second Chance Living. Each will present a short funding request followed by a brief Q&A from attendees. At the conclusion of these presentations, a vote by ballot will decide the grant winners for the evening. This format is a great way to learn about and support nonprofits in the Wood River Valley. Over the past 10 years, the LBDC has donated over $140,000 to local organizations. This past May, grants were awarded to NAMI [National Alliance for Mental Illness] and the I Have a Dream Foundation, Idaho. Representatives from these two groups will attend the December 2nd meeting to give an update on how their grants have been utilized. Interested women who cannot attend the Dec. 2 event may participate by sending a $100 tax-deductible donation to: Little Black Dress Club, P.O. Box 313, Hailey, ID 83333. (“Pay to” field should be left blank and checks will be made payable directly to the grant recipient.) A recognition letter will be mailed to each donor.
T H E W E E K LY S U N •
NEWS IN BRIEF
River Of No Return Memorialized On Coin
The United States Mint (Mint) has officially launched the America the Beautiful Quarters Program coin honoring the Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness in Idaho. This is the fifth and final quarter of 2019, and the 50th coin overall in the program. The Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness comprises rugged mountains, deep canyons, and wild whitewater rivers, including the Main A coin to honor Idaho wilderness is being minted. Salmon River and Middle Fork of the Salmon River. The reverse (tails) design Image credit: United States Forest Service of the quarter representing this site depicts a piloted drift boat on a rushing river encompassed by the trees and rock formations of the Wilderness. During the ceremony, Mint Director David J. Ryder expressed his sentiments about the new quarter, saying it “serves as a reminder of the essence of the Wilderness—more than two million acres of prehistoric mountains, fertile conifers and commanding rivers but flourishing with stories of heritage and wonder.”
Fish Ladder Under Construction On Elkhorn Creek
Trout Unlimited has begun working at Lane Ranch to replace a fish ladder on Elkhorn Creek so that trout can migrate from the Big Wood River to tributary habitat. Currently, fish cannot jump into the upper pond near the Lane Ranch clubhouse, and the new fish ladder will have larger pools and space for juvenile fish to pass through, enabling access to important spawning and rearing grounds. This project is an effort by Trout Unlimited, the Lane Ranch Homeowners Association, and public supporters. “Most of our tributaries have been altered by infrastructure, fire, or development, so we are excited for this opportunity to open up important habitat for our fish populations,” said Keri York, Trout Unlimited Big Wood Project manager. Several years ago, Trout Unlimited member Bob Law noticed that fish were unable to jump up a fish ladder at the outlet of the upper pond near the Lane Ranch clubhouse. The new fish ladder is designed to allow trout of all age classes to pass through year-round. Replacing the fish ladder on Elkhorn Creek will take one to two weeks during early November. Portions of the bike path along Elkhorn Road will be temporarily closed so that equipment can access the creek. For specific day and time closures, please contact Keri York, Trout Unlimited Big Wood Project manager, at keri.york@ tu.org.
NOVEMBER 20 - 26, 2019
2020 Health Insurance Open Enrollment Key Individual & Family Open Enrollment Dates • Open Enrollment period is Nov. 1, 2019 – Dec. 16, 2019. • If you DON’T enroll by December 16th, you CAN’T get 2020 coverage unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. • Plans start January 1, 2020.
Who Needs To Take Action? • Individuals or families who need NEW health insurance. • CURRENT health insurance enrollees who want to Make a Change to their plan and/or their health insurance carrier.
Applying For Tax Credits? • Save time by updating your Income and Household information BEFORE meeting with your agent. Contact the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare at: (877) 456-1233 or https://idalink.idaho.gov
Rhiana Macaya Mitchell Health and Life Agent
Locals Appreciation
Hailey Man Dies In Single-Vehicle Highway 75 Crash
On Sunday, Nov. 17, at approximately 5:41 p.m., deputies from the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office responded to a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 75 near Cottonwood Creek Circle, just north of Hailey. Jeffrey C. Browne, age 50, of Hailey, was identified as the driver and sole occupant of a 2004 blue Jeep Grand Cherokee. The investigation determined that Browne was traveling southbound on Highway 75 when the vehicle left the roadway south of Cottonwood Creek Circle, crashed through a fence, and high-centered on some bushes. The first deputy on the scene found Browne unresponsive with the engine still running and quickly broke out the front driver’s window to gain access to the victim and ignition. Deputies provided medical aid until Emergency Medical Services personnel from Wood River Fire and Rescue arrived and took over treatment. Browne was transported to St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center by ground ambulance and was later pronounced deceased. The cause of the crash has not been determined at this time and remains under investigation. Damage to the vehicle was estimated to be substantial. Browne was not wearing a seatbelt.
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Bubbly Bash Tickets On Sale Now
Tickets to the Valley’s premier New Year’s Eve party—the Bubbly Bash—are now on sale. This perennially sold-out event benefits the Sun Valley Center for the Arts and is presented by Sun Valley Company in collaboration with the Sun Valley Center for the Arts’ Junior Patrons Circle, in benefit of the Sun Valley Center for the Arts. All proceeds from ticket sales will support the programming and mission of The Center. The party starts at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31, when partygoers in their most festive attire will gather at Sun Valley’s iconic River Run Lodge to dance the night away. Guests will also enjoy complimentary bubbles until 10 p.m., as well as a midnight toast. Bubbly Bash tickets, which are $150 per person, are current available for purchase by members of The Center and the general public. This event tends to sell out quickly, so patrons are encouraged to buy tickets early by contacting The Center at (208) 726-9491. To help partygoers get home safely (as taxis and car services will likely be hard to come by), Sun Valley Company plans to run continuous shuttle service from River Run to Sun Valley Lodge until 1:30 a.m., making one stop in Ketchum at the Sun Valley Visitor Center. From there, guests can transfer to Mountain Rides, which will operate its regular bus routes until 2 a.m.
Fourteen members of the USA Grappling Academy participated in the Grappling Industries jiu-jitsu tournament held in Boise last weekend. Coach Lee Anderson said, “I’m so proud of the good sportsmanship in victory and defeat that our students showed.” Photo credit: USA Grappling Academy
COMME N TA RY
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T H E W E E K LY S U N •
Fishing R epoRt THE “WEEKLY” FISHING REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 20 - 26 FROM PICABO ANGLER
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ilver Creek has been fantastic this November. We have been seeing a pretty consistent hatch of Baetis around 1 p.m., although we expect that will change with the colder temps arriving. The hatch has been short, but the fish have been eating recklessly when it does happen. There has also been a good number of fish eating Midges in the evenings. Try targeting these fish with an Emerger or Pupa pattern, as the fish are most times eating below the surface. Streamers are also really starting to move fish. Try fishing a Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow or Leech pattern in some of the deeper water. The fish are still spawning, but there seems to be less fish by the day on redds. Still, remember to leave spawning fish alone and watch for cleaned gravel when wading. The Big Wood has been great in the afternoons. The mornings have been tougher, but streamers or nymphs fished deep in slower pools could find you a few fish. Once the water warms up a bit in the afternoon, one can expect to see plenty of Midges and even a few Baetis around. Spend time fishing the slower, deeper water, as the fish are not up in the fast riffles anymore. Nymphing with a large Stonefly pattern and a small Midge or Baetis nymph can produce great results. Streamers are also really starting to produce. If nothing else is going on, try swinging a small sculpin pattern. The Lower Lost is low and clear right now. The fish are a little spooky with the low flows, but one can still find some fantastic fishing. The surface activity is starting to wane, but the nymphing and streamer fishing has been really good. Try nymphing a crane fly pattern and a small Baetis or Midge pattern under an indicator in the deeper pools. The South Fork of the Boise River has been great! The surface activity has been awesome, with Baetis and Midges accounting for most of the bugs, with some Mahoganys and Caddis still mixed in. With this being such an awesome fall/winter fishery that is so close to Boise, it is obviously going to see pressure. With it being so crowded, remember to be courteous to your fellow angler and give them some space when choosing your spot to fish. There’s plenty of fish and water to go around! Happy fishing everyone!
Hwy 20 in Picabo info@picaboangler.com (208)788.3536 www.picaboangler.com
NOVEMBER 20 - 26, 2019
LEASH WALKING PUPPIES
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BY FRAN JEWELL
t is of huge importance that puppies remain on a leash until they have a flawless recall. In puppy development, almost all puppies are pre-programmed by Mother Nature to follow the leader until they are approximately 19 weeks old. That can lure us into believing they have learned how to come when they are called. However, at this critical time of 19 weeks or so, they begin to feel confident and will start to look at you as if to flip you the paw. “I’m busy sniffing over here; I’ll come when I want to!” If our puppies have been given the freedom to be off leash when out of a confined area, this can become a life-threatening situation. I see many people taking this to heart and keeping their puppies on a leash for walks, usually a short leash of about 6 feet, or a Flexi. While I am filled with gratitude that people are keeping their puppy on a leash, it is also important to realize that puppies asked to heel at a young age become very frustrated and will bite at the leash, pull hard on your clothing, bite you, or start barking at anything. Puppies need to explore their environment to be satisfied mentally and physically. Teaching short-leash walking takes knowledge, patience and lots of time before expecting a puppy to go any distance. So, how do we keep a puppy from becoming overloaded by frustration and beginning to develop horrible leash habits? I think a cotton long line of 20 to 30 feet, depending on the size of your dog, is the solution. Yes, it can be very difficult to walk a puppy on a sidewalk, bike path or foot trail on a long
leash. Because of that, many people will not use the long leash. A long leash can drive many people insane trying to keep it rolled up so it doesn’t drag on the ground. There is technique to learn as well so YOU don’t become too frustrated! There are many things you can do with the long line. Start by finding an open space to walk in. I do not suggest the dog park for a plethora of reasons at this early age. But, there are many, many open areas or old dirt roads that work out wonderfully. This gives your puppy a chance to explore his environment, sniff, run, and bark in safety. It also gives you the opportunity to practice “come” whenever the long line is taut, then rewarding your puppy for quick returns. It allows the puppy to learn where the end of the leash is without pulling you over and creating that adversarial position between you, the puppy and the leash. When the puppy comes near you on either side, offering a treat for that behavior can be the beginning of teaching him to walk nicely next to you without pulling. If done correctly, the puppy will never learn to pull on a short leash. Think of walking nicely on a short leash as being similar to learning something in high school, when your pup is still in elementary school. Set your pup up for success by not asking for too much too soon and understanding what he needs to learn and CAN learn at an early age. Unless you are a fulltime dog trainer, it can be very difficult to teach a young pup to walk on a loose short leash too early. Keep your puppy safe on a leash, but make it a 30-foot long line instead of a short leash. Help your pup to explore and learn in a guid-
Please use extreme caution if you have balance or vision issues. Long-line training can be much more difficult. Short-leash walking takes lots of patience, knowledge and time before a pup can go any distance. Photo credit: Fran Jewell
ed fashion. The both of you will enjoy each other so much more! 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 www.positivepuppy. com or call (208) 578-1565.
COLUMN SKETCHBOOK HIKING
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BY LESLIE REGO
SYLVAN MARKS
few years ago I had the grand fortune to attend a museum exhibit showcasing works on paper by the French artist Theodore Rousseau (1812-1867). Included were images in charcoal, pencil, pen and ink, pastel, colored pencil, and watercolor. Rousseau lived in a time period when oil painting reigned supreme, but his drawings were enjoyed by many as finished statements on paper, exuding deep affection for nature. Forests were represented as ancient and unchanging, transformed only by seasons and the shifting light from dawn to dusk. I am reminded of Rousseau’s works on paper, particularly his pen and ink drawings, as I hike through the transitional period of autumn to winter. Rousseau told his biographer, Alfred Sensier, “I also heard the voices of the trees. The surprises of their movements, their variety of forms, and their singular attraction toward the light suddenly revealed to me the language of the forest. This entire world of flora lived as mutes whose signs I divined and whose passions I discovered.” I can hear the language of the forest, the murmurs of the branches as I walk the November pathways. Skeletal trees speak the dialect of the forest. Much like Rousseau, I place myself in front of the sylvan setting to make a portrait. I study the intricate patterns and shapes. Sensier states, “no accident of limb, no ulcer, no striation would escape Rousseau. Then, after a good deal of decisive reflection, he would draw the tree in one line without revisions.” Rousseau used every available technique to convey stratums of growth. Hatch marks, followed by erasures, and then additional mark making built the complex world of plants. He drew the broken tops of trees, utilized dots, lines, quick marks, desperate directional marks, and careful pen work. Different lengths and angles of straight and curved lines were all part of his artistic vocabulary. Rousseau depicted the forest, but
Leslie Rego, “Along the Trail,” charcoal.
then went on to portray the individual tree as a unique soul. Visions of Rousseau’s rich technical vocabulary fill my head as I sketch. The power of the mark to portray the natural world is a common thread through the ages. It connects us to the woodland silva of the past and
brings us full circle to the flora of the future. 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.
T H E W E E K LY S U N •
NOVEMBER 20 - 26, 2019
LETTER TO THE EDITOR GWENCAROL HOLMES
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District Seeks Feedback And Provides Facts On Levy
irst and foremost, the Blaine County School District (BCSD) is grateful to the community for supporting high expectations and safe learning environments for all our students. It is important to understand that the current Plant Facility Levy, which expires in the 2019-20 school year, was a continuation of an existing levy, not a request for a tax increase. If a future $40 million Plant Facility Levy is approved by voters, it will actually be a decrease from the current $60 million levy. In 2018, the Board of Trustees convened a Finance Committee composed of citizens and staff members to assess BCSD’s future facility, technology and safety needs. Over the span of one year, 16 meetings, and tours of all district schools and buildings, the committee made recommendations to the Board of Trustees. Their recommendations are based on criteria the committee deemed critical to the mission of learning and necessary to provide instruction/programs as determined by the Board of Trustees or Idaho learning standards. This fall, the Board of Trustees took those recommendations back to the community for feedback and input. The Board will discuss the public feedback at future meetings in public. Public comment is always welcome at all regular monthly meetings, which are normally held the second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Community Campus, a campus of the BCSD. Two key facts are critical to the discussion: 1) Approximately 60 percent of the district’s General Fund budget has been frozen at the same fixed amount since the 2006 Property Tax Reform Act. 2) The State of Idaho requires BCSD to spend $1.3 million per year on maintenance and upkeep of buildings (Idaho Statute 33-1019). This represents 32.5 percent of the Finance Committee’s recommended facilities and maintenance needs for the next 10 years. Contrary to the opinion that was put forth in the Mt. Express guest opinion on November 6, the Supplemental Levy approved by voters in 2018 came after three consecutive years of budget cuts at the district level that brought the district out of the red with a balanced budget—and without an increase in taxes. A Plant Facility Levy can only be used for facilities, safety, buses and technology, allowing the district to continue to focus General Fund resources on the classroom and on educating all students in safe learning environments with low student/teacher ratios, high expectations, and highly qualified teachers. Ultimately, it is up to the community to decide how to fund public education in Blaine County. GwenCarol Holmes, Ed.D, BCSD Superintendent Bryan Fletcher, BCSD Business Manager
COLUMN SCIENCE OF PLACE
THE LONG TOAD
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BY HARRY WEEKES
y now, we all know the drill. Your phone rings (or buzzes, or chirps, or barks like a dog, or plays your favorite Journey song) and you don’t recognize the number. Long gone are the days when you could trust the area code, and receding just as quickly is any ability to trust the prefix—those next three numbers after the area code. (And, as a tangent, related to these columns only by the wonderful name we call such diversions, if you want to explore a real rabbit hole, search “What are the names of the numbers in a telephone number called?”) So, the phone rings. You don’t answer because it is an unknown caller, most likely a robot. Then, some moments later, a voicemail! Suspiciously, you start to listen, expecting to be sold a deal on mufflers, or to learn that, no matter what, you should not hang up, only to learn that someone has found a salamander huddled underneath their house and they are calling both to tell me, and also to ask, “What do we do with it now?” This is what I call the jackpot phone call. A salamander? In Ketchum? In November? Immediately, I am reminded of my days pulling up sod. Yep, this is what a budding naturalist does in your yard when he finds out that salamanders like to curl up in the cool dirt where they can find all sorts of readily accessible food, and the damp places that keep their skin moist. I would methodically work the perimeter of our yard, tugging on tufts of grass and peeling back the sod to periodically reveal a salamander. They were always a very deep brownish-black, with a yellow racing stripe, and tiny white dots lining their sides like stars in a constellation. When I called back, I said, “So, you found a salamander?” “It’s a long toad,” was what I heard Kathy say (the friend who had called me). And this just warmed my heart. What a great way to describe a salamander—as a long toad. This is a nice way to pay homage to the shared amphibious lineage of the toads and salamanders, and downright cute, to boot. Then, I realized Kathy was still talking. “It’s a long-toed salamander. I just looked it up in salamanders of Idaho.” Oh. Got it. In the pictures she sent, indeed you can see the long toes of this long toad, and all the familiar field markings I remember from my youth. And so, beneath a house in Warm Springs, there was a salamander, enjoying the darkness and the cool air, and plodding along eating its share of arthropods in a subterranean world few
of us ever think much about, when it was brought to the light. My recommendation? Return to the dark side, you thin-skinned denizen of the night. I told Kathy my best suggestion was to find the nearest equivalent of the crawl space as possible (the reason for the discovery is work being done that precludes a simple return to the space). In other words, look for a big downed tree, or a huge set of boulders amongst a lot of leaf litter, where the beast can wiggle its way back into the earth, get out of the cold of coming winter, and carry on its mysterious ways. I also said, “Thank you. And please, please call me again.” Now that’s an “unknown caller” I will take any time. Harry Weekes is the founder and head of school at The Sage School in Hailey. This is his 48th year in the Wood River Valley, where he lives with Hilary and two of their three baby adults— Penelope and Simon. The other member of the flock, Georgia, is currently fledging at Davidson College in North Carolina.
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SPONSORED FEATURE STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
WRHS senior Lauren Roberts. Photo credit: Zoe Simon
LAUREN ROBERTS Nothing can stop her from enjoying life
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BY ERIC VALENTINE
hen medical conditions forced Lauren Roberts to stop competing in cross-country and softball, the Wood River High School senior knew she’d miss being part of a team. But her resolve found other avenues where she could collaborate with others; namely, within Colla Voce—a competitive all-girl choral group that meets at 6:45 a.m. every day throughout the school year to prepare for national competitions and annual concerts. “I always enjoyed getting to be part of something bigger and being part of a team,” Roberts said. Roberts may have had to take a breather athletically, but she never skipped a beat academically. Her unweighted GPA is 3.89 and she is taking a full course load studying A.P. Art, A.P. Psychology, American government, college English, A.P. Statistics, and choir. She plans to attend a four-year college to receive a bachelor’s degree in registered nursing, following in her mother’s footsteps, who is a longtime R.N. locally. Roberts figures college will likely take her out of the Valley—the place she has lived her entire life. “The one thing about the Valley that I am going to miss the most when I leave for college is all the incredible opportunities to try new activities and to meet new people this place has given me,” she said. But it’s a big world out there, and Roberts understands there is a lot to be done to make it the best it can be. “One thing that needs to change is people’s perspectives,” Roberts explained. “Globally, there are hundreds of problems that need solutions, but while people may acknowledge the issues, they too quickly assume they aren’t the solution and can’t help.” If finding a way to help others is Roberts’ default focus, she comes by it honestly. In addition to a mom who is a nurse, Roberts’ father is a special education teacher at Bellevue Elementary. Helping folks runs in the family. 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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T H E W E E K LY S U N • N O V E M B E R 20 - 26, 2019
SPONSORED COFFEE CHATS WITH KIKI
WATER UNDER THE HIGH DESERT
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nderlying the desert of southern Idaho lies the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer, which is the size of Lake Erie, covering 10,000 square miles.1 This is an amazing resource for Idaho when you look at what other countries without water are having to spend to desalinate water for their people. A couple of years ago, through my investing work, I had the opportunity to hear a speaker from the Saudi AramCo fund share that a 600-cubic-meters-per-day desalination plant was currently being built in the Gulf, but that a 3,000-megawatt power plant had to be built at the same time to provide the power for it. Based on the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average cost to build a natural gas power plant in the U.S. in 2013 was $965 per kw—which would translate to at least a $2.9 billion investment to build a 3,000-MW power plant, besides the huge cost of the desalination plant. But this is what they have to do; water is a base critical need. Another speaker noted that only 3 percent of the earth’s water is fresh and 68.7 percent of that fresh water is actually frozen. The next speaker, who invests university endowments and family offices in $1 billion projects, noted that alfalfa farmers pay $25 per acre-foot for water upstream on the Colorado River, while almond farmers downstream in central California have to pay $2,000$3,000 per acre-foot and are lucky these days to get any allocation in drought years. Idaho has a naturally occurring vast amount of fresh water that other countries and states are spending significant dollars to secure. And yet, although we have spent considerable energy in our state appropriating water rights between users, is anyone protecting the aquifer? For many years I have really appreciated Idaho’s Attorney General Lawrence Wasden’s willingness to take a strong stand for Idaho’s aquifer; he has been the only one saying no to more waste while the U.S. government put pressure on the state to bring in more nuclear waste to be stored above the aquifer at INL. “Lawrence Wasden didn’t draft the historic 1995 agreement between Idaho and the U.S. Department of Energy regarding radioactive waste at the Idaho National Laboratory, but he’s determined to protect it. It has resulted in Wasden coming under political pressure. That’s because he has refused to sign a waiver to bring more spent nuclear-fuel rods to the INL until the DOE makes good on its promise to begin processing 900,000 gallons of liquid sodium-bearing high-level waste stored at the site into a solid form. That liquid waste is currently housed in three large stainless-steel tanks reinforced by concrete located above the Snake River Aquifer. It has been there for 60 years.”2 In the 1950s, the federal government dumped nuclear waste from weapons production at INL in open pits. Since INL is located right on top of the aquifer, some of that waste has leached into the aquifer. We taxpayers have spent $9 billion to date to try to clean that up, Beatrice Brailsford, from the Snake River Alliance, tells me. She has written, “Hazardous and radioactive materials has escaped from every single project, and the leaks are, in fact, too numerous to count. Under Superfund, each of the nine major facilities was made a Waste Area Group, as was the Snake River Aquifer.”i About 10 days ago, Attorney General Wasden and Governor Brad Little were able to reach an agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy for hopefully a path forward that protects the aquifer and gets the waste out, while working with the DOE to resolve prior breaches. I appreciate their work and hope that our federal government keeps to their promises this time. Idahoans must protect our naturally occurring Snake Plain Aquifer for the valuable asset that it is. Samantha Wright reporting, Boise State Public Radio. www.idahostatejournal.com/members/idaho-a-g-explainsfirm-stand-on-nuclear-waste/article_ea484799-f84c-5c48-9c7176153aa83e82.html i Surface contamination has reached the aquifer from, for instance, reactors operating without containment. Some of the big ticket items remaining are drying the 900,000 gallons of sodium-bearing high-level liquid waste and then adding that to the rest of the high-level waste powder and turning it all into a solid. That will be very challenging. The plutonium burial grounds and the high-level waste areas will have to be capped. Except for the core areas where either nuclear activities will continue or substantial contamination will remain even after the Superfund clean, the hope is that INL, including groundwater, will be suitable for unrestricted use in 2095.” Beatrice Brailsford 1 2
Blaine County Commissioner Candidate
www.tidwellcommissionercampaign.com twitter: @kikitidwell
K i k i Tid we ll
SUN CALENDAR THE WEEKLY
EVENT FEATURE
The annual Firefighter’s Ball is a way for hardworking firefighters and the community they serve to gather together for a fundraising gala. Photo credit: Ketchum Sun Valley Volunteer Association
SCORCHING HOT BALL TO BE HELD
Ketchum Sun Valley Firefighter’s Ball will have jungle theme BY DANA DUGAN
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he 40th annual Ketchum Sun Valley Firefighter’s Ball will be held Saturday, Nov. 23, in the main lobby lounge at the Limelight Hotel in Ketchum. The event will include live music by Lounge on Fire, an extensive silent auction, creative costuming, dancing, and complimentary pizzas by the Limelight. Doors will open at 7 p.m., with music commencing at 8 p.m. The Ball is put on every year by the Ketchum Sun Valley Volunteer Association made up of volunteers and full-time firefighters. “It’s a ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ theme, so however you want to incorporate [costumes], it could be anything,” said Colleen Quindlen, a firefighter and EMT for Ketchum and Sun Valley fire departments, who is in charge of the silent auction. Donations from past firefighter’s balls have helped to provide the new training facility, upgraded rescue equipment for extrication from vehicle crashes, provided electric bicycles for paramedics with heavy medical packs to reach trail accidents more quickly, various tools, rescue training, equipment and snowmobiles. Co-coordinators for the ball are Keller Gibson, a volunteer engineer/EMT with Ketchum Fire, and Killarney Loufek, a volunteer firefighter for Ketchum Fire. “We have a whole host of people working behind the scenes to make things happen,” Gibson said. The auction includes 35 items, and packages such as a Sun Valley ski pass; gift certificates to many local businesses; dog goodies; a kids’ party; restaurant cards; airplane rides; a cabin stay off the Nordic trails, including a pass for a year; a trout sculpture valued at $8,000, and much more. “We are incredibly lucky in this community to have the backing that we do,” Gibson said. “Employers let us leave for calls, and co-workers understand when we come in a little late to the office smelling a bit like smoke.” Indeed, the KSV Volunteer Association is a vital part of the Wood River Valley, both in the services and the people who serve. The gratitude goes both ways. “The Firefighter’s Ball is a big thank-you party for the whole community,” Gibson said. “It also gives us a chance to introduce ourselves to people who may not know we’re firefighters—the person serving you coffee, building your house, walking your dog. We have a whole other life where we’re dedicated to helping and serving our community in every way we can.
Revelers dance at a masked ball during the annual celebration. Photo credit: Ketchum Sun Valley Volunteer Association
In support of the Ketchum and Sun Valley firefighters, attendees pose at a recent Firefighter’s Ball. Photo credit: Ketchum Sun Valley Volunteer Association
“We’re also a family. We don’t just come together for training and calls and then go our separate ways. We go out to dinner, go on motorcycle rides, and meet up for tea and coffee. The Ball is a chance for us to showcase our family and show thanks for allowing us to serve.” Tickets are available by visiting ksvva.org, at Atkinsons’ Market in Ketchum, or in person at the door. tws
WED NOV 20
T H E W E E K LY S U N • N O V E M B E R 20 - 26, 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 NOV 20
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
4:30-7PM / St. Luke’s WR Gift Shop / Ketchum The Chamber and St. Luke’s Wood River invite businesses and the public to attend this month’s special Business After Hours (BAH) and Holiday Open House. Festivities will include a variety of great holiday gift options, tasty treats from the hospital’s noted kitchen, adult beverages and updates on the latest news from St. Luke’s and The Chamber. The Volunteer Board will also offer free gift-wrapping, with all proceeds from the Gift Shop going to support local health-related programs. Food and beverages will be provided, Bring your business cards to enter in the raffle. For more information, contact The Chamber at Mike@ValleyChamber.org, visit ValleyChamber.org or haileyidaho.com, or call (208) 788-3484.
WED NOV 20
BROWN BAG HEALTH
12:15-1:15PM / St. Luke’s Clinic / Hailey This free Brown Bag Health Talk will feature a discussion on Open Enrollment and Health Insurance. Health Idaho representatives will be here to share the ins and outs of how to save on health coverage with Idaho’s health insurance exchange. Get knowledge about health plans, insurance terminology, how to save through the exchange, how and when to enroll, and how to get the most out of your plan coverage. Open enrollment for 2020 coverage is now through Dec. 16. Call (208) 727-8733 for details.
THU NOV 21
SAT & ACT
4:30-5:30PM / Community Library / Ketchum Teens may join the SAT and ACT Study Group with tutoring support through Dec. 12. Some materials will be provided, but students are encouraged to bring workbooks, computers or smartphones for this study hour. Free.
THU NOV 21
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SPONSORED HEALTH BEAT
MINDFUL EATING TIPS DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON BY ST. LUKE’S WOOD RIVER
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n average, Americans gain two pounds during the holiday season. During the last quarter of the year, we are faced with Thanksgiving turkey and pumpkin pie, Christmas dinner and cookies, and New Year’s celebrations. Overindulging can lead to weight gain, worsening blood sugars, and feelings of guilt. However, this year can be different if you choose and indulge carefully. 1. Everything in moderation. Choose carefully—you may not need to completely avoid or eliminate a delicious treat. Limit yourself to lowcarb meals. Decorate your plate with lean meat, such as lighter colored turkey, and vegetables. Skip the high-carb dinner roll or mashed potatoes if you want dessert. Limit eggnog or cocktails, as they may be very high in calories and carbs. Sip water or low-calorie seltzer in between. 2. Portion control. Stick with small portions. You might use small plates and split dessert with a friend or family member, making portions even smaller and more mindful. 3. Keep moving. If it’s a mild day, with no snow or ice, put on some warm clothing and get moving! A walk can be just the thing to keep you focused, reduce stress and help burn calories. Start a new tradition with family and friends that
can include dancing or a game of backyard football. 4. Stick to the list. Holiday shopping can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Make your grocery list ahead of time and stick to it. Eat a snack or light meal prior to shopping, as shopping on an empty stomach often results in poor choices. Avoid the grab-on-the-go type of shopping and ditch those delicious-looking holiday cookies near the checkout line! 5. Get the lay of the land. If you are at a dinner party or get-together, scope the buffet in its entirety prior to putting anything on your plate. This will give you multiple options and make sure you take an extra few seconds prior to deciding what to put on your plate. Remember, low carb, low sugar, salt or fat. If your holiday season seems to revolve around food, pave the way for some new opportunities with friends and family. Create new traditions and stay active. Most importantly, make sure that you enjoy yourself this holiday season. With some mindful eating tips and a plan, you just might be able to have your cake and eat it, too!
It’s your life. We help you live it.
‘SAGEBRUSH CURTAIN’ OPENING
SPONSORED SV INSTITUTE
The Center will present a free evening tour of its new visual arts exhibition, Behind the Sagebrush Curtain: Women Modernists in Montana and Idaho. Visitors can enjoy a glass of wine and take a guided tour of the exhibition with The Center’s curators. The exhibition will include prints, drawings, paintings and ceramics by seven 20th-century artists who were active in Montana, including Gennie DeWeese, Edith Freeman, Isabelle Johnson, Helen McAuslan, Frances Senska and Jessie Wilber, and Idahoan Sara Joyce.
BY STACY WHITMAN, CO-DIRECTOR
5:30PM / SV Center / Ketchum
THU NOV 21
CELEBRATING APOLLO 11
6-7:30PM / Community Library / Ketchum Margrit von Braun, an environmental engineer and daughter of German American aerospace engineer Wernher von Braun, will be on hand for a free celebration of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. Von Braun will share lessons from Apollo—why and how we got to the moon; lessons from Earth—how pollution and environmental health problems are connected to climate; and how we apply lessons learned from space and the Apollo mission to our current climate crisis. For more information, visit comlib.org/event/margrit-von-braun.
THU NOV 21
KIC OPEN HOUSE
5-6:30PM / KIC / Ketchum Ketchum Innovation Center (KIC) will hold an open house to meet fellow entrepreneurs and KIC networks. The fall party will offer refreshments, a local business spotlight, and plenty of opportunity to network. Bring canned food to donate to The Hunger Coalition. The event will take place at 180 West 6th Street.
LOCAL OFFERINGS FOR THANKSGIVING LOCAL FOOD ALLIANCE SUN VALLEY INSTITUTE
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here are lots of options for enjoying local food in your Thanksgiving meal. Here’s your guide to what’s fresh and available. Kraay’s Market & Garden: Local pasture-raised turkeys are now available through Kraay’s Market & Garden but are likely to sell out—so get your order in soon! For Thanksgiving sides, salads, breakfast options, dressings, and more, email Sherry. Orders due by Nov. 20 and offerings will not be listed online. Piedaho: Piedaho is taking online orders for Thanksgiving pies, including Salted Caramel Apple, Strawberry Vanilla, Blackberry with a Thyme Crust and, for local delivery only, Pumpkin Cream with Candied Pecans, a Farmers’ Market favorite! Orders must be in by Nov. 20 at noon for Nov. 26 delivery. Piedaho offers free delivery in the Wood River Valley and ships nationwide. CK’s Real Food: Pumpkin and pecan pies, cranberry pear chutney, gravy, and other Thanksgiving Day fare will be available through CK’s Pantry Nov. 21 through Nov. 25. Keep an eye on CK’s Instagram and Facebook pages for holiday specials and news. CK’s also is taking reservations for its fourcourse Thanksgiving dinner.
Call (208) 788-1223 to reserve your table. Café Della: Join the Friendsgiving festivities on Saturday, Nov. 23, for a family-style meal, drinks, and merriment. $35/person, reservations required. Call (208) 913-0263, email, or stop by to book. Order a pie from Café Della’s kitchen, baked with local ingredients, before Nov. 23 for pick-up on Nov. 27. We are sorry that the deadlines have passed to order from Rasberrys or to reserve a nonGMO, antibiotic-free turkey from Vogel Farms in Kuna (ht t p://vogelfar mscount r ymarket.com). Make a note for Thanksgiving! Cooking at home? Make one of the LFA Thanksgiving squash recipes or classic mashers with winter squash or potatoes from Agrarian Harvest (available through Kraay’s https://kraaysmarketgarden. grazecart.com/store); sourdough stuffing with Hangar Bread (available at their new retail location in Hailey); and homemade pie with fresh local pumpkin puree.
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T H E W E E K LY S U N • N O V E M B E R 20 - 26, 2019
THU NOV 21
EVENTS CALENDAR, CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE MON NOV 25
BROWN BAG TALK
STORY TIME
12:15-1:15PM / St. Luke’s WR / Ketchum
10:30-11AM / Community Library / Ketchum
This free Brown Bag Health Talk, to be held in the Baldy Rooms, will feature a discussion on Open Enrollment and Health Insurance. Health Idaho representatives will be here to share the ins and outs of how to save on health coverage with Idaho’s health insurance exchange. Open enrollment for 2020 coverage is available through Dec. 16. Call (208) 727-8733 for details.
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.
MON NOV 25
BABY TIME
FRI NOV 22
12-12:30PM / Hailey Library / Hailey
APRÈS FOR SNOW
5-8PM / River Run Lodge / Ketchum
Baby Time will be held weekly for caregivers whose babies are aged 0-18 months. The drop-in program incorporates nursery rhymes, tickling and gestures to help parents teach babies language and motor skills. A registered nurse will be on hand the third Monday of each month. Details at haileypubliclibrary.org.
Brush off that old-school gear and come dressed-to-impress as ski legends of the past, from Warren Miller to Glen Plake, during the second annual Après for Snow Party. Awards will be given for different costume categories, and a first-ever King and Queen of Snow will be crowned. There will be dancing, a ski pass raffle, drink specials, a photo booth, live music, prizes and giveaways. A raffle ticket will be given for every five nonperishable items donated to The Hunger Coalition.
TUE NOV 26
NEW MOMS GROUP
12-1:30PM / St. Luke’s / Ketchum A support group for new parents helps with the basics of caring for newborns and infants. The presence of professionals makes this group a comfortable and valuable experience. Bring your baby and your lunch, if you wish. Tuesdays, noon-1:30 p.m., held in St. Luke’s WR Carbonate Rooms.
TUE NOV 26
SPECIAL SCIENCE TIME
FRI NOV 22
NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY POTLUCK
11AM / Community Library / Ketchum
7-9PM / Hailey Coffee / Hailey
Gaby Curtiz, the first woman safari guide in Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique, Africa, will join Ann Christensen in hosting a special free Science Time featuring African animals in the Children’s Treehouse.
The Wood River Chapter of the Idaho Native Plant Society will host a potluck, with a slideshow of 2019 field trips, and the election of chapter officers to serve in 2020. Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting. Ideas for 2020 field trips and lectures will be discussed. Guests should bring a supper dish to share, plus their own reusable plate, glass and fork from home. The Chapter will provide beverages. Hailey Coffee is located at 620 N. Main St. in Hailey. For more information, call Kristin at (208) 721-2583.
TUE NOV 26
TREKHUB FOR TWEENS AND TEENS
FRI NOV 22
LIVE MUSIC
3:30-4:30PM / Community Library / Ketchum
9:30PM / Silver Dollar / Bellevue
In the library’s Teen Lounge, tech-minded kids will explore and problem solve with various technologies. TREKHub stands for Technology, Resources & Exploration for Kids. Come learn, experiment, and create. Free. For more information, visit comlib. org.
Local favorites Nekkid Rednecks will play at the iconic Bellevue saloon. There is never a cover charge, and there’s a free shuttle home if needed.
SAT NOV 23
TUE NOV 26
FIREFIGHTERS BALL
CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
7PM / Limelight Hotel / Ketchum
5:30-6:30PM / St. Luke’s Clinic / Hailey
The 40th annual Ketchum Sun Valley Firefighter’s Ball will include live music by Lounge on Fire, an extensive silent auction, and a jungle theme. For more information, see story on page 8.
This information and support group will provide a connection to other people who have been diagnosed with cancer. Occupational therapist Kristin Biggins do a yoga demonstration, and discuss lymphedema, a common side effect of cancer treatments. Call prior to attending first time, (208) 727-8733.
SUN NOV 24
SUNDAY MENDING CIRCLE
TUE NOV 26
12-5PM / Community Library / Ketchum
‘ULYSSES’ SHORT FILM SCREENING
4-5:30PM / Community Library / Ketchum
The library will be open once a month on Sunday. All regular library services for adults and children will be available. The free Mending Circle will be going on all day in the Idaho Room. Bring your (clean) clothing to this workshop to learn mending basics. For all ages, from tweens to adults, there will be supplies and information to help you learn to fix your own clothes in a social setting.
There will be a free screening of the short film “Ulysses: A Greek Epic in an Irish World” followed by a guided tour of Dale Chihuly and Seaver Leslie’s Ulysses Cylinders, which relate moments from the novel in glass. For more information, visit comlib.org/event/ulysses-cylinders-short-film-screening-and-docent-tour.
SUN NOV 24
TUE NOV 26
LIVE: JOE FOS
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
7-10PM / Duchin Lounge / Sun Valley
6-8PM / Community Library / Ketchum
The inimitable Joe Fos, with Brad Hershey, will play live jazz piano at the classic Duchin Lounge in the Sun Valley Lodge. For more Sun Valley Resort events, visit sunvalley.com.
Free English as a Second Language for adults, cada martes. Abierto a todos los idiomas que quieren aprender ingles o mejorar sus habilidades. ¡Gratis! Open to adults of all languages who want to learn English or improve skills.
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T H E W E E K LY S U N • N O V E M B E R 20 - 26, 2019
SPONSORED CHAMBER CORNER
THE CHAMBER HONORS OUR COMMUNITY Annual awards handed out BY MIKE MCKENNA
T
he Chamber of Hailey and the Wood River Valley honored the community with our annual awards celebration last Thursday night at Mountain Humane. Penny’s Barn was packed to celebrate some of the local people, businesses and nonprofits that make our Valley the special place that it is. Festivities kicked off with music from the beloved R.L Rowsey and an impressive performance from Wood River High School’s Enchante choir. A local trivia contest rounded out the entertainment before the awards were presented. All nominees were chosen by Chamber members and the general public. The nominees for Outstanding Customer Service were Jane’s Artifacts, Iconoclast Books and Ketchum Kitchens. Jane’s took home the award with the 80-year-old matriarch of the store and the community thanking her dedicated and hard-working staff. The nominees for Community Improvement Award were D.L Evans Bank in Hailey, Gravity Fitness, Mountain Humane and Silver Creek Hotel. Mountain Humane won and fittingly received their award in their stunning facility. The nominees for Nonprofit of the Year were the Bellevue Artist Alliance, Caritas Chorale and St. Thomas Playhouse (STP). The community theater organization, STP, was selected as winner and has been enriching our community since 2001 with numerous productions each year including the Main Family Stage, Summer Youth Theater Project and Company B music camps. The nominees for Business of the Year were Copy & Print, Eye on Sun Valley and The Mint. The rebirthed Hailey hotspot, The Mint, was selected as winner. Offering tasty food and drinks, a fun seasonal patio and live music and dancing upstairs, the new version of The Mint has been a big hit in the South Valley. The nominees for Outstanding Community Service were former Hailey Fire Chief Craig Aberbach, retired Naval submarine Lieutenant Commander Richard Fife of the Idaho State Fiddlers Championships, The Kiwanis Club for their ongoing work improving playgrounds throughout the Valley, and Kelli Young of D.L. Evans Bank.
11
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 Brennan At (208) 720-1295 Or publisher@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. Jane’s Artifacts and Jane’s Holiday House owner Jane Drussel, left (posing with Chamber president Todd Hunter), won the Outstanding Customer Service Award. Photo credit: Jennifer Stahl
Kelli is also the current president of Hailey Rotary and an ever-present local volunteer and her name being called as the winner elicited a great ovation from the packed crowd. A special Lifetime Achievement Award went to Bart Lassman, recently retired chief of Wood River Fire & Rescue after 34 year of service that began as a volunteer firefighter. And the Outstanding Public Service Award went to outgoing Hailey Mayor Fritz Haemmerle. Mayor Haemmerle is stepping down after serving one term on the Hailey City Council followed by two more terms as mayor. The Chamber would like to congratulate all the worthy nominees and thank everyone who made this fun night happen. We are especially grateful to Chamber board members Richard Stahl and Jenni Riley, as well as Chamber ambassador Kimberly Shurtleff. We’d also like to thank Warfield Distillery and Brewery and 5B Vino Valet for providing tasty adult beverages, while the handsome awards were donated by Northwest Trophy and Awards.
CLASSIC SUDOKU See answer on page 12
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 12
THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY 7-DAY WEATHER FORECAST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Mostly Cloudy 0%
high 45º
low 25º WEDNESDAY
Mostly Sunny 0%
high 44º low 22º THURSDAY
Sunny 0%
high 44º low 21º FRIDAY
Mostly Sunny 10%
high 43º low 23º SATURDAY
Partly Cloudy 20%
high 43º low 20º SUNDAY
Mostly Sunny 40%
high 36º low 16º MONDAY
Partly Cloudy 10%
high 31º low 20º TUESDAY
SKI. BIKE. LIVE!
Elevate your experience. 340 N Main Street in Ketchum sturtevants-sv.com • 726-4501
T H E W E E K LY S U N
•
NOVEMBER 20 - 26, 2019
NEWS IN BRIEF
Former U.S. Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Court Says Bergdahl Appeal Should Be Reviewed
Embattled former U.S. Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl could be catching a break, thanks to—among other factors—a deceased senator’s threats and the current president’s tweets. Could be. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces announced earlier this month it has granted the one-time Taliban hostage a review of his case to determine whether its outcome was affected by comments made by President Donald Trump regarding the Idaho native’s sentencing and vows to hold hearings by then-Senator John McCain if Bergdahl went punishment-free. In 2014, Bergdahl pled guilty to desertion and misbehavior for leaving his post in Paktika province, Afghanistan, in 2009, where he was held captive by the enemy for five years. He received a dishonorable discharge, had his rank reduced to private, and had to forfeit $10,000 of pay. Enter the Trump campaign and a vocal, one-time military hostage in McCain, now deceased. Bergdahl’s attorneys are arguing that Trump’s comments regarding the sort of punishment he felt Bergdahl deserved (execution) and McCain’s threat to hold a Congressional hearing if he deemed Bergdahl’s punishment inappropriate constituted an unlawful command influence that tainted their client’s due process. Now, Bergdahl’s team has until Dec. 4 to file a brief requesting oral arguments to be heard, the Court of Appeals said. The Armed Forces then has 30 days to respond, as well. Both sides can request extensions. In other words, the Bergdahl matter will not likely be heard until early 2020, if at all.
Sun Valley Resort Announces Revised Uphill Policy On Bald Mountain
Skiing and riding are a little more than two weeks away at Sun Valley Resort, which means snowmaking and slope preparation are underway on both Bald and Dollar mountains. In getting ready for the season, the uphill and downhill traffic guidelines have been updated to enhance the safety on the mountain. The changes are in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM). “Our goal is to find a reasonable balance among users who share a common interest in recreating within Sun Valley Company’s Special Use Permit area in a safe and sustainable manner,” said Peter Stearns, Sun Valley Resort’s director of mountain operations. According to the Special Use Permit guidelines with the USFS and BLM, Sun Valley
Resort may restrict access to permitted areas when concerns of public safety arise. The snowmaking and grooming teams are doing slope construction, snowmaking, snow-pushing, and cable winching, which are happening day and night. Hiking, skinning, dog walking, and general snow play on the mountain are activities that may put people at risk during this time. Sun Valley Company allows uphill and downhill traffic with limited restrictions at designated times. Guidelines have been developed to promote safety and to minimize conflicts between mountain operations, which can include, but not be limited to: grooming machinery, snowmobiles, motorized vehicles and equipment used for mountain maintenance, and downhill skiers and riders. Sun Valley Company Special Use Permit Uphill and Downhill Travel Guidelines: • Uphill and downhill traffic must follow the designated routes. These routes will be marked with yellow markers indicating the path of travel. Users not adhering to the specified way and in violation of this policy may be subject to removal and other penalties. • Users must yield the right of way, and stay clear of ski area machinery (groomers, snowmobiles, and snowmaking equipment). When encountering areas undergoing winch operations, users are required to re-route their path of travel to avoid potentially unsafe situations. • Users must wear reflective clothing, a headlamp, and blinking lights at all times. • Users must adhere to the trail and run closures (Blaine County Ordinance 86-4). Dogs are prohibited on Bald Mountain from Nov. 1–April 30 every year. Any persons with dogs, except for Sun Valley professional avalanche and rescue dogs, in violation of this policy will be asked to remove the dog from the resort area immediately, and may be subject to other penalties. Mountain bikes are not allowed on Bald Mountain from Nov. 1–April 30 every year. Users are allowed to hike up before 9 a.m. and after 4 p.m. when uphill restrictions are not in effect. People hiking up early in the morning must be descending the mountain by 9 a.m. The uphill/downhill policy and route maps: www.sunvalley.com/things-to-do/ mountain-safety/#uphill-policy The latest mountain conditions, uphill/downhill notifications, and additional information: www.sunvalley.com/mountain-snow-report Opening day for Sun Valley’s 84th winter season is Thursday, Nov. 28 at 9 a.m.
Wellness Festival To Create Wellness Path In Ketchum
The Sun Valley Wellness Festival & Conference (SVWFC), widely recognized as the longest-running wellness festival in the world, is moving—to downtown Ketchum for its 2020 event, taking place June 26–29. SVWFC will utilize the Argyros Performing Arts Center, the Limelight Hotel, Forest Service Park and Washington Avenue and envisions the use of these adjoining locations as the SVWFC Wellness Path. “This exciting move is being made to take advantage of the extraordinary new facilities in Ketchum and to accommodate the space needs of the expanding event,” Andria Friesen, SVWFC board president, said. “While we immensely enjoyed our past two years at Sun Valley Community School, change is continuing as our well-received programming and new June event date have created the need for a larger footprint.” Specifically, The Argyros will be used for featured and key speakers. The Limelight will accommodate SVWFC speakers, visiting attendees and serve as SVWFC headquarters. The Limelight Lounge will feature the SVWFC In-Sight Stage, which offers— free and open to the public—brief lectures and Q&A from our presenters. Forest Service Park and Washington Avenue will be transformed into the SVWFC Experience Park, with vendors lining the perimeter, movement classes in the center, and music throughout. The Festival has hosted speakers among the world’s greatest thought-leaders on wellness and is an anticipated annual event attracting attendees from around the nation. The 23rd annual event will feature more than 50 presentations, workshops, and movement classes by top wellness experts addressing diverse aspects of body, mind, spirit, and environmental wellness. The SVWFC also offers a Movement Studio, Experience Park, The In-Sight Stage, film screenings, music, and more.
SUN BULLETIN BOARD THE WEEKLY
HOUSEKEEPING
m Responsible, experienced & great references, housekeeper now accepting new clients. Free estimates available for: homes, condos & offices. beatrizq2003@hotmail.com, (208) 720-5973
RETIREMENT HORSE BOARDING
Retirement horse boarding for geldings. Limited vacancy. Small family farm environment with excellent facilities. Experienced geriatric care. Veterinarian references. Text or call (208) 720-7252
FINE FINISH CARPENTRY Custom Cabinetry • Interior Finish Remodeling • Kitchen • Baths CAD Cabinetry Design Mike @ (208) 720-7250 Check out our Facebook page www.ffcid.com
HOME CARE EXTRAORDINAIRE
HANDYMAN
Kudos to the beautiful weather we are having this November.
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
CLASSIC SUDOKU answer from page 11
CROSSWORD
answer from page 11
Jack of all trades. Reliable, insured, clean. Small jobs to large remodel projects, or the “honey-do” list. Call Mark, (208) 573-1784
KUDOS & SASS
PRICING
12
Going out of town? Property management while you’re away. Pet care. Experienced, lots of references. Call Christopher at (208) 720-5127