11 October 2017 by The Weekly Sun

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

F R E E | OCTOBER 11 - 17, 2 0 1 7 | V O L . 1 0 - N O . 4 1 | W W W . T H E W E E K L Y S U N . C O M

Community News Ski Education Foundation Assumes Rotarun

Transportation News Horizon Air Cancels More Than 700 Flights

“Autumn is a second spring, when every leaf is a flower.”

Election News Ketchum City Council Candidates Speak Up, Part III

~Albert Camus

The Siumni Polish Highlanders of North America take a selfie while presenting the folk music and dance of their ancestors—shepherds from the Tatra Mountains of Southern Poland—during the Trailing of the Sheep Festival’s… For more information about this photo, see “On The Cover” on page 3. Courtesy photo by Jennifer Simpson, 208 Images & Media

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OCTOBER 4 - 10, 2017

T H E W E E K LY S U N • O C T O B E R 11 - 17, 2017

THE WEEKLY SUN CONTENTS

An all-female cast will present “Love, Loss and What I Wore,” by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron, at 7:30 p.m. from Oct. 11-16 at Whiskey Jacques’ in Ketchum. For a story, see page 12. Photo by Yanna Lantz

THIS WEEK O C T O B E R 1 1 - 1 7 , 2017 | VOL. 10 NO. 41

Environment News

The Weekly Scene

Elk Herds Slow Traffic On 75

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This Week’s Top Photos

The Weekly Sun’s Calendar Stay In The Loop On Where To Be

ON THE COVER Continued from page 1: …Big Sheep Parade on Sunday afternoon in Ketchum. The Chicago-based group’s singing was once used to communicate from mountaintop pastures to valleys below. Courtesy photo by Jennifer Simpson, 208 Images & Media

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).

THE WEEKLY SUN STAFF 13 W. Carbonate St. • P.O. Box 2711 Hailey, Idaho 83333 Phone: 208.928.7186 Fax: 208.928.7187 AD SALES Brennan Rego • 208.720.1295 • brennan@theweeklysun.com NEWS EDITOR Dana DuGan • news@theweeklysun.com CALENDAR EDITOR Yanna Lantz • calendar@theweeklysun.com COPY EDITOR Patty Healey STAFF REPORTERS • JoEllen Collins • Dick Dorworth • Maria Prekeges • Jennifer Holly Smith news@theweeklysun.com DESIGN DIRECTOR Mandi Iverson • 208.721.7588 • mandi@theweeklysun.com PRODUCTION & DESIGN Chris Seldon • production@theweeklysun.com ACCOUNTING Shirley Spinelli • 208.928.7186 • accounting@theweeklysun.com

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T H E W E E K LY S U N •

OCTOBER 11 - 17, 2017

NEWS COMMUNITY

City of Ketchum Busy Fall Schedule at KIC The Ketchum Innovation Center has a full schedule this fall. All programs are open to the public and are held at the KIC building, 311 N. First Ave. View the full calendar of events at ketchuminnovationcenter.com. KIC programming is funded in part by the City of Ketchum. Proposal Request to Develop at 6th & Leadville` The city is requesting proposals for a development project that could consist of rental community housing and public parking or a public parking structure on city property at the corner of 6th St. and Leadville Ave. Visit ketchumidaho.org/rfp for full description.

Voter Information Available Election will take place on Nov. 7 for mayor and two city councilmember positions. For registration and absentee ballot deadlines, and other voter information, visit ketchumidaho.org/election.

Join the Ketchum Team! The City of Ketchum has a variety of jobs available. Visit ketchumidaho.org/jobs for full job descriptionsand application.

Public Notice DEMOLITION OF HISTORIC BUILDING: On Oct.11, a 60-day waiting period begins for the historic demolition of 260 N Main St. (Ketchum Lot 2A Block 3). The public is invited to comment through Dec. 11, 2017 at 5:00 p.m.

Public Meetings CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday • October 16 • 5:30 pm • City Hall PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING Monday • November 13 • 5:30 pm • City Hall

Keep Up With City News Visit ketchumidaho.org to sign up for email notifications, the City eNewsletter and to follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Email questions and comments to participate@ketchumidaho.org.

ANNE CORROCK for Ketchum City Council

SUN VALLEY SKI EDUCATION FOUNDATION ASSUMES OPERATIONS OF ROTARUN SKI AREA

BY DANA DUGAN

he nonprofit Rotarun Ski Area, located just west of Hailey, is a small-town, mountain community’s dream. Open-faced with short, nontechnical runs, Rotarun has appealed to parents with small children due to its convenience and affordability, those just starting out and, for a time, the Hailey Ski Team. Rotarun was founded in the early 1950s, and has been run by a board of directors for many years. But in order to manage the area and increase its usability, the board has partnered with the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation to take over its operation. An agreement to take over the management of ski operations will be in place for the 20172018 season. SVSEF will manage grooming, staffing, lifts and maintenance in order to continue to offer public session skiing, as well as SVSEF after-school alpine programming with a primary focus on providing affordable, learn-to-ski programs for south Valley residents. Jesse Foster, president of the Rotarun Ski Area board of directors for five years and a member of the board since 2011, said the two organizations have a symbiotic relationship beneficial for a transition at this time. “Rotarun is the perfect venue for SVSEF to achieve its mission,” Foster said. “Without SVSEF participation and programming, Rotarun is not able to complete its mission of providing a community-based seasonal activity facility and offering affordable day and night recreational activities and educational opportunities for people of all ages.” With the introduction of new programs and increased participation, SVSEF hopes to develop Rotarun’s sustainability. “SVSEF held its LASAR program at Rotarun last year, and while it was only two days a week for about two-thirds of the season, it counted for over half of Rotarun’s skier days,” Foster said. SVSEF will double the programs and access for south Val-

NEWS IN BRIEF

Eighth-grade students gather at Rotarun last season. Courtesy photo from Rotarun

ley youth with the introduction of Rota-Rippers, an additional alpine after-school program. Much like LASAR, the Learn to Alpine Ski and Race program that saw a successful 2016-2017 season, Rota-Rippers is a developmental entry-level ski program for children 5 years and older. The new Rota-Rippers program will be particularly focused on entry-level and first-generation skiers. “We believe that every kid in the Wood River Valley should have the opportunity to engage winter sport, build confidence, and establish a lifelong relationship with the mountains around them,” said Scott McGrew, SVSEF alpine program director. “The ability to provide after-school winter programming is a critical role that Rotarun and its programs play. For families who are looking to have their children participate in a professional and high quality program, at an affordable cost, this is an amazing opportunity.” Both organizations are eager to maximize the venue’s potential. “In an effort to keep Rotarun vibrant, financially viable, and culturally impactful, it is critical that the programming is inspired and meets the needs of our lesser-served community,” McGrew continued. “Replicating what is already in place cannot be the vision; rather, leveraging Rotarun’s unique characteristics to expand the spectrum of opportunity for

all is the overarching aim.” SVSEF understands what’s needed at this location, “from how a surface should look, to what makes a hill safe when kids are ripping down the mountain,” Foster said. In continuing Rotarun’s mission of serving as a community hub and encouraging a healthy outdoor lifestyle through snowsports, public session skiing will be available with the purchase of a season pass through SVSEF. Community events such as the Arkoosh Cup will continue to be held at Rotarun, with an events schedule and public session skiing hours to be released later this fall. SVSEF created the First Turns Initiative, a donor-funded scholarship program to help young athletes afford team fees and gear. The First Turns Initiative has a simple one-page application process and is specifically geared toward Rotarun programs. If you would like more information about how you can contribute to the success of Rotarun Ski Area and the programs offered by SVSEF, contact SVSEF Director of Development Cynthia Knight at cknight@svsef.org. To purchase a season pass or find out more about Rotarun objectives and SVSEF programs associated with Rotarun, visit svsef.org/rotarun or call the administrative office at (208) 7264129.

‘Sock-It-To-Idaho Act’ Up For D.C. Hearing This Week

Knowledge u Experience u Commitment follow the campaign at: facebook.com/AnneCorrockForKetchumCityCouncil PAID FOR BY THE COMMITTEE TO RE-ELECT ANNE CORROCK, MACKENZIE HARBAUAGH, CAMPAIGN MANAGER

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On Thursday, Oct. 12, lawmakers in Washington, D.C., will weigh in on H.R. 3144, a bill Idaho conservationists have coined the “Sock-it-to-Idaho Act” for its attempt to wipe out progress made on behalf of endangered wild salmon and the people who depend on them. “This bill is a death warrant for endangered salmon,” Kevin Lewis, Idaho Rivers United executive director, said. “Idaho’s iconic salmon have been teetering on the brink of extinction for more than 25 years with little progress toward recovery.” H.R. 3144 is aimed at rulings by U.S. District Court Judge Michael Simon, overturning Simon’s opinion that federal agencies’ 2014 Federal Columbia River Power System Biological Opinion is illegal and enshrine the illegal document until 2022. It would then prevent expansion of spring spill, which Simon ordered in April 2017 to help salmon survive the perilous journey through eight federal dams while deliberations about the dams are ongoing. Liz Hamilton, executive director of the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association and a longtime ally of Idaho salmon groups, will represent salmon communities at the hearing. Hamilton plans to emphasize the economic contributions that recreational fishing make to the Pacific Northwest, as well as underscore just how bad for wild salmon H.R. 3144 would be.

T H E W E E K LY S U N •

OCTOBER 11 - 17, 2017

NEWS ENVIRONMENT

Wildlife-related case reports per month

This graph details the number of wildlife-related case reports per month since 2007. Image courtesy of Blaine County Sheriff’s Office

THE RETURN OF THE ELK

Wildlife accidents have increased on the highway BY JENNIFER HOLLY SMITH

s the cooler weather returns to the Wood River Valley, herds of elk have returned, too. These mystical animals are frequently seen on Highway 75 north of Hailey. The Blaine County Sheriff’s Office recently posted to its Facebook page to be “very alert and reduce your speed if necessary. Be advised that the speed limit between Hailey and the intersection of Highway 75 and Buttercup Road is 45 miles per hour after dark.” The presence of elk and other wildlife on the highway is no secret to locals, but to some it seems like they are more prevalent than in the past. “The population that lives there year-round is mostly on private property and it’s growing,” Daryl Meints, regional wildlife manager for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, said. “That population has very little influence from hunting. Elk are extremely intelligent—they’ll stay where they’re safe and not receiving pressure.” Meints said that in the summer months there are anywhere from 200 to 300 elk in the corridor between Bellevue and Ketchum at any given time, but in the winter that number increases by a few hundred, depending on the severity of the weather. “How many of these majestic animals and humans have to be maimed or killed before Idaho Transportation Department decides to put up a warning system that works,” wrote a commenter on the Blaine County Sheriff’s Facebook page. Others are calling for a wildlife overpass, an option that is being reviewed by the ITD in Island Park, which has a similar situation. “It’s an option that needs to be discussed, but it just doesn’t happen overnight or in the next year, and overpasses are not cheap,” Meints said. “We were talking about it several years ago and the cost was $3 to $5 million.” There is also an issue with logistics. “You have to guide the wildlife to the pass and that requires an 8-foot-tall woven wire fence on both sides of the highway from the overpass or underpass,” Meints said. “In a lot of cases these structures are built on public land. The ITD does have the right of way, but the valley through there is dominated by private property, where those people might have some concern about an 8-foot-tall woven wire fence. To be honest, they’re not very pretty.”

As well, the roads and driveways accessed from turnoffs from the highway would create openings in any fence and would fail to contain animals. In a report from Will Fruehling, chief deputy at the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office, wildlife-related traffic accidents have slightly and gradually increased since 2007; however, it is the warmer months and early fall that see the most cases reported. The report includes all wildlife, though primarily it refers to deer and elk. “There’s a lot of other spots besides the corridor between Hailey and Ketchum that are an issue,” Fruehling said. “My opinion is that when deer and elk are more active in the summer and fall, they tend to cross the roads more often and some congregate near water and food sources, which are often near roads. “I think the increase in deer and elk being hit during these seasons is more attributable to the increased number of elk and deer crossing roadways. I do believe that if people drove more slowly and paid more attention, they could avoid collisions of any kind. That being said, I have investigated crashes involving wildlife where the driver was go-

Warning signs on Highway 75 north of Hailey. Photo by Jennifer Holly Smith

ing well under the posted speed limit, on slick roads or even on Main Street, and I felt that speed was not a factor.” Idaho Department of Fish and Game says speed kills.

“The faster a person drives, the slower their reaction time is,” Meints said. “People have to slow down, especially at night and the early morning and evening. It is no secret that the Val-

ley has a lot of wildlife that goes back and forth on a daily basis. Be vigilant, be aware, slow down and give yourself plenty of reaction time.” tws

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NEWS ENVIRONMENT

EARLY SEASON STORM DAMAGES TREES

BY DANA DUGAN

n Wednesday, Oct. 4, trees in Ketchum, Sun Valley and Hailey experienced significant damage due to an early-season snow-

storm. In Hailey, there was substantial damage to a few small trees and a lot of branches came down, but no trees on public property were damaged. Dog walkers on the Draper Wood River Preserve report many downed large cottonwood branches. However, in Ketchum, city streets are lined with Patmore green ash trees, which were planted before 2004, when the city hired its first arborist. At least two trees were completely destroyed. According to Jen Smith, the City of Ketchum’s arborist, several factors contributed to structural failure of trees, including whole tree loss. The storm occurred prior to full leaf-drop and included high-water-content snow that began falling in the early morning hours and continuing through midafternoon. Ash trees have a structural defect known as “co-dominance” in which two or more main stems, about the same diameter, emerge from the same location on the main trunk. As the tree grows older, the stems remain similar in size without any single one becoming dominant. Co-dominant stems tend to fail much more often than others, especially in storms. The city’s facility maintenance and street department crews, along with the city’s private land-

Trees show damage around the Valley. Photo by Dana DuGan

scape contractors, dealt with the situation, while many business owners shook the tree trunks in an effort to rid the trees of snow to limit breakage.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Project Learning Tree Workshop Offered

The Growing Great Minds partner organizations—Environmental Resource Center, Sawtooth Botanical Garden, Sawtooth National Recreation Area, and Blaine County 4-H—will host a professional development Project Learning Tree workshop entitled STEAM in the Forest. It will be held from 4:30-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden, and from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Sawtooth National Recreation Area Headquarters. The workshop would be appropriate for classroom teachers, non-formal educators, interested parents and other adults who work with children. The workshop will investigate Idaho’s trees, forestry products and careers, identification and measurement of trees, papermaking and paper-quality testing. All workshops include activities that help educators accomplish curricular goals in meaningful ways. There is no prerequisite for these workshops. The cost of the workshop is $40 and includes all materials and snacks. Continuing Education credits are available. Preregistration is required at idahoforests.org/pgg01.php. For more information contact Alisa McGowan, ERC program director, at alisa@ercsv.org or (208) 726-4333, or Kristin Fletcher, Sawtooth Botanical Garden education director, at (208) 726-9358.

BY DANA DUGAN

ecause Horizon Air has a pilot shortage, the airline cut some of its short flight schedule from September through at least January. In October alone, more than 700 flights were canceled, according to The Seattle Times aerospace reporter Dominic Gates. His story, “Pilot crisis has Horizon Air grappling with industry’s new reality,” was published on Sunday, Oct. 1. To date, there have been no flights canceled in or out of Friedman Memorial Airport in Hailey, to Portland and Seattle. Representatives say newly hired pilots currently being trained to fly Q400 turboprop aircraft should graduate by the end of the year, allowing the regional carrier to return to its normal schedule, which mostly offers shorter flights throughout the Pacific Northwest. Currently, Horizon Air, a subsidiary of the Alaska Air Group, serves 45 cities in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana and Utah, as well as Alberta and British Columbia. Last week, a letter penned by a group of Horizon pilots along with the Horizon Air Pilots Executive Council and Airline Professionals Association, Teamsters Local 1224, was sent to Alaska Air chairman Bradley Tilden, and members of the board, saying they were “deeply concerned about the future of our airline and the crucial service it provides to communities throughout the Pacific Northwest.” The letter cites the length and expense of training pilots that has “worsened the economics of the profession,” along with comparatively low compensation. “Horizon management has been aware of the pilot shortage since 2012 or earlier, with internal managers, external advisors, and union representatives sounding the alarm about the likely impact to Horizon and Alaska Air Group,” the letter stated. Jeff Cox, a longtime Horizon pilot and Executive Council chairman of APA Teamsters Local 1224 is based in Seattle and has flown out of Hailey since 1988. Cox said

the cancelations and rescheduling of the flights affect pilots in a number of ways. “Your rest periods are cut shorter,” he said. “It may affect your circadian rhythms, and your quality of life. We’ve had limited feed back from Alaska Air and continue to discuss this. We have a meeting with them later this week.” The letter was also printed as a full-page ad last Saturday in The Seattle Times. In 2016, Horizon management asked its pilots to accept pay cuts and other concessions in order to compete with another airline for outsourced flying from Alaska Airlines. Horizon pilots “very reluctantly accepted Horizon’s demand for lower pay, even though they saw other airlines in the industry offering increasingly higher wages and better work terms. In return for these concessions, Horizon and Alaska Air Group guaranteed to us, by signed agreement, that Horizon would become the exclusive operator” for more than 30 new regional jets. According to the letter, “Horizon’s attempt to cut costs had backfired; the airline had lower pilot costs, yes, but lower costs also meant that the airline could not recruit and retain scarce pilots. In subsequent negotiations, Horizon and our pilots jointly agreed to modify compensation and other work terms. These efforts were too little, too late; the damage had already been done. “Recently, Horizon announced massive reductions in service, and elected to defer aircraft deliveries. Passengers have been stranded, and multiple communities in the Pacific Northwest have watched their air service disintegrate, compromising vital transportation links for countless businesses and loyal customers, while jeopardizing the economic health of small towns and rural areas.” The letter states that SkyWest—a competitor of Horizon— would fly new aircraft on contract for Alaska Airlines, in flagrant violation of the agreement inked in 2016. Alaska Air did not send a statement by press time.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Bergdahl Expected To Plead Guilty

Hailey native Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl is expected to plead guilty to desertion and misbehavior before the enemy, two individuals with knowledge of the case said. Bergdahl, 31, was held captive by the Taliban-associated Haqqani network for five years, after he left his base in 2009. Bergdahl’s decision to plead guilty was leaked to the Associated Press late last week. By forgoing a trial by a military jury, Bergdahl is opting instead for a judge to decide the case. By pleading guilty, he would avoid a trial altogether. The desertion charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and the misbehavior charge carries a possible life sentence. A guilty plea carries the possibility of a lighter sentence for Bergdahl, though it is not yet clear how much time he will face. A lesser sentence could reflect the time the Taliban held him under brutal conditions, the AP reported. The more serious charge of misbehavior before the enemy is described as a member of the armed forces who “before or in the presence of the enemy runs away, shamefully abandons, surrenders, or delivers up any command, unit, place, or military property which it is his duty to defend,” according to U.S. military law. Sentencing will start Monday, Oct. 23, according to the individuals with knowledge of the case.

T H E W E E K LY S U N • O C T O B E R 11 - 17, 2017

NEWS ELECTION

SHAWN PHILLIPS AND COURTNEY HAMILTON RUN FOR CITY COUNCIL

D. L. Evans Bank welcomes

Jennifer Cutler

BY DICK DORWORTH

hawn Phillips, a 1994 magna cum laude graduate of Middlebury College with a B.A. in American civilization with a visual arts focus, moved to the Wood River Valley right after graduation. “The day the country woke up to O.J. Simpson slow-driving the L.A. freeways with his CHP’s escort was my first day in Ketchum,” Phillips said. “My main career path has been graphic design and advertising, starting when Dave Stoecklein offered to train me as his art director upon my quitting as his stock photography salesman.” After going freelance, Phillips’s work expanded to handcrafting signs and trade show booths, filmmaking, website coding, and as a founding partner of a tech company in the field of human psychometrics. “I’ve coordinated dozens of volunteers on large-scale art projects, cooked and served food, built houses, upholstered, painted and fit ski boots,” he said. As a candidate, Phillips is “in a unique position to bring our community together, to chart an actionable strategy for adShawn Phillips dressing the accelerated pace of change Ketchum can expect to experience well into the 21st century,” he said. His candidacy motto is: “Community first… the rest will fall into place.” “Housing is the most critical issue facing our community, and we have the least leverage because the global economy drives real estate prices more strongly than our local economy does,” Phillips said. “This holds for commercial properties as well. Housing priced in-line with local wages must be available for full-time residents. Today, many long-term residents need help getting into stable housing, and the city should actively provide help for local workers and for entrepreneurs to make more money. We also need to hear as many ideas from as many quarters of the community as possible.” Courtney Hamilton was born and raised in the Wood River Valley. She attended Hemingway Elementary School, Wood River Middle School and graduated from Community School in 2009. “Throughout high school, I kept busy with cross-country running, tennis, Nordic skiing with the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, volunteering, summer jobs, and school work,” says a statement on her website, courtney4ketchum. She earned a degree in public policy analysis from Pomona College with a semester abroad in Madrid, Spain. Hamilton returned home in 2014, working for a software company, and then with local small businesses. She worked on the State Legislature campaigns of Dick Fosbury, Idaho State Senators Michelle Stennett and Donna Pence, and managed John David Davidson’s successful campaign as Blaine County treasurer. “It was working with these candidates that I truly began to understand the importance of local politics and the dedication Courtney Hamilton that local leaders have to making and maintaining the greatness of our Valley,” Hamilton said. She says she is a candidate because “Ketchum faces the challenging crossroads of a global/digital world intersecting with the dreams of small-town life. As Ketchum’s next generation questions the viability of their future lives here, we have the chance to directly participate in our community’s vitality. This situation, combined with Sun Valley Resort’s unknown prospects, makes now the best time to think proactively for the future of our town.” The three key issues Hamilton intends to address if she is elected are housing, collaboration and culture. “I’ve never felt at home like I do in the community and mountains of Ketchum,” she said. “I wake up each day ecstatic that this is the life that I’m lucky enough to live. Maintaining that quality of life and making Ketchum a place where people can stay and live meaningful lives throughout their adulthood is my goal in life and in politics.” tws

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PHOTOS THE WEEKLY SCENE

The sheep make their way along Main Street in Ketchum during the Trailing of the Sheep parade on Sunday, Oct 8. Photo by Rich Puddicombe Mason Johnson. Photo courtesy of Mason Johnson

MASON JOHNSON BY JOELLEN COLLINS

ood River High School student Mason Johnson is a senior carrying a GPA of 4.292. He has been a member of National Honor Society since his sophomore year. He was junior president of this organization last year, and he is also a National Merit Scholar semifinalist. Mason recently attended an environmental camp with local sixth-graders as a camp counselor. In addition, he serves on the Student Conservation Council of the Wood River Land Trust, where he plans and performs conservation projects for the benefit of the community. He is also a member of the WRHS Junior Varsity cross-country running team. “My favorite subjects are math and science, especially environmental science, as I intend to be an environmental engineer,” Mason said. “We need to work beyond short-term and keep long-range goals in mind when dealing with our crazy world.” Mason believes in flexibility. “This adaptability is one of the ways we can survive with a rapidly changing world full of opportunities and yet unexpected dangers and challenges,” he said. Mason moved to Hailey with his family from Twin Falls six years ago, when he was in the seventh grade.

“I am very happy here and especially enjoy being outdoors and having the mountains so close,” he said. “Although winter is my favorite season, I spend a lot of time during the other seasons kayaking, fly fishing, and hiking. Idaho is really wonderful for sports and recreation.” Mason began swimming competitively when he still lived in Twin Falls. “My swimming coach, Brian Gallagher, has had a great influence on me, and while my participation in this sport may be over, I am thankful for the dedication and approach to hard work that it taught me.” he said. Even with his appreciation for Idaho and the Wood River Valley, Mason is looking forward to attending college in another state. “I am currently applying to schools like Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, the University of Southern California, and Stanford in California, and I am also interested in Duke,” he said. “Right now I am most excited and consumed with my college search, and even though the future is daunting and sometimes frightening, I hope to be open to life’s possibilities and help my generation succeed in surviving the difficulties ahead.” Mason cited one of his favorite lyrics, this one from U2: “It’s a beautiful day. Don’t let it get away.” tws

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NEWS IN BRIEF

School District Schedules Informational Meeting For Parents

Blaine County School District will present informational meetings for parents on social media and Internet safety for children from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, at the Community Campus in Hailey, and from 12-1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at the Wood River Community YMCA in Ketchum. Presenter Victor Dominguez, chair of the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Coalition, is a retired Anaheim, Calif., police officer and the original chair of the board of directors. The Coalition works closely with both the Boise Police Department and the State Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Task Force. The presentation will include information on bullying and sexting, as well as child pornography and enticement by Internet child predators. Parents will learn how to protect children by becoming familiar with their device apps, as well as software solutions, which monitor their children’s activity. Both events are free of charge.

International Rescue Committee To Host Two Events

The International Rescue Committee in Boise will partner with The Community Library in Ketchum to bring two very special and topical events to the Wood River Valley. There will be a lecture with IRC Senior Vice President of U.S. Programs, Jennifer Sime, “Humanitarian Efforts in Uncertain Times” from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday Oct. 21 at The Community Library. Sime’s talk will focus on the successful contingency planning that took place at the IRC leading up to, and after, the inauguration of President Donald Trump, how the IRC strategically chose to chart a bolder advocacy path in a new political climate, and what it’s like to operate under the current administration in contrast to prior administrations. Audience members are encouraged to ask questions that will allow for a deeper understanding of refugee resettlement issues. A photo exhibit at the Sun Valley Museum of History will run from Oct.18–Dec. 9, with a special opening reception from 4-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20. “The Lucky Ones: A Visual Story of Idaho Enriched by Refugees Arriving in Uncertain Times,” shot by Boise photographer Madeline Scott, is a unique photojournalism exhibit chronicling the arrival of refugees to Boise between February and April of 2017, and their subsequent integration into daily life in Boise. Some of those featured in the exhibit will be in attendance at the reception, allowing for personal storytelling and vivid connections between audience members and the subjects of the photographs. Presented with support from the Idaho Commission on the Arts, the exhibit features revealing and beautiful images showing powerful human emotions that transcend nationality or immigration status.

City Of Ketchum Seeks Artists for Bi-Annual Art In City Hall Exhibition

The City of Ketchum invites artists to submit up to five works of art for consideration for display in the Art in City Hall exhibition at Ketchum City Hall. Ketchum Mayor Nina Jonas initiated the Art in City Hall program to enliven the Council Chambers in 2014. The Ketchum Arts Commission subsequently juried exhibitions that have included photography and monoprints, fabric and encaustic art, and paintings representing Wagon Days. This year, the commission has selected “Winter Inspiration” as its

theme in celebration of Ketchum’s g ational pursuits, wildlife, and landsc Artists may submit two-dimensio to the idea of winter. Subject matte snow, winter landscapes, outdoor re The deadline for submissions is N receive a $350 stipend. Artwork wil six months. Artists who have previously been exhibitions are welcome to apply w been exhibited at City Hall. To view the Call for Artists, visit k Jen Smith, director of City of Ketchu at jsmith@ketchumidaho.org or (20 all artists, regardless of their state o

Meeting Planned Fo

The Wood River Land Trust will h the future of the Hailey Greenway f at Black Owl Coffee on River Street The meeting will help the Land Tr included in the final version of the M any of the public events can email c harmonydesigninc.com.

Nordic Trails Pas

Blaine County Recreation District are on sale at bcrd.org. Those who p adult BCRD Nordic trail passes throu are $205 for adults during the pre-s Children 17 and under ski free and p season pass for dogs to use approve season passes are available for $65. dic season pass is also available on t price during the pre-season sale. Continuing on the success of last Mountain Rides will offer bus servic trails and Galena Lodge, allowing sk The service will operate Friday, Satu from Dec. 15 through Feb. 25. A sea purchased for $65 on the BCRD web For more information about the B day-pass pricing, Nordic pins, Ride & events on the trails, visit bcrd.org.

Moscow Celebrates In

The Moscow City Council passed Indigenous Peoples Day in place of C nized the first Indigenous Peoples D University of Idaho with a presentati nous Peoples Day: Indigenous Ideals enrolled member of the Chippewa-C Reservation and tribal administrato Moscow is the first city in Idaho t ty of Idaho recognized Indigenous P student government passed a resolu Indigenous Peoples Day earlier that Perce tribe-ceded lands.

Trapped Trout Relocat

Last Sunday, Trout Unlimited’s lo ed the collection of fish trapped in t ditch in the Howard Preserve, adjac

T H E W E E K LY S U N • O C T O B E R 11 - 17, 2017 n ed th e a n d ath YV EVA NS YV E EEVA NS

S UVNA V LY LEY T HTE HSEU N LA LE

HallelujahChorus Chorus Hallelujah under the direction of Patty Parsons under the direction of Patty Parsons p re s epnret sae n t a

PRE-JAZZ FEST GOSPEL CONCERT PRE-JAZZ FEST GOSPEL CONCERT

Tuesday, Tuesday, October October Wednesday,

thth 18 October 18 18 :00 4:00P.M. 46:30 at

The skill of sheepdogs was a pleasure to watch at the three-day Championship Sheepdog Trials in Hailey’s Quigley Canyon Field held Oct 6 – 8. Photo by Rich Puddicombe

glorious winter season—its recrecapes. onal artwork in any media related er may include, but is not limited to, ecreation, and/or wildlife in winter. Nov. 10. Each selected artist will ll be on display for approximately

n selected for Art in City Hall with artwork that has not previously

ketchumidaho.org/arts or contact um Parks & Recreation Department, 08) 726-7820. The calls are open to of residence.

or Hailey Greenway

hold one more meeting to discuss from 8-10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, in Hailey. rust prioritize projects that will be Master Plan. Those who can’t make comments to HaileyGreenway@

sses On Sale Now

t Nordic trail system season passes purchase online will save $50 on ugh Sunday, Nov. 19. Season passes season sale or $255 after Nov. 19. passes can be ordered online. A ed Nordic trails is $49. Snowshoe . A BCRD/Sun Valley Combined Northe BCRD website for a discounted

t year’s “Ride & Glide” bus route, ce from Ketchum to North Valley kiers public transportation options. urday and Sunday for 11 weeks ason pass for this service can be bsite. BCRD Nordic trails, season- and & Glide bus service, and upcoming

ndigenous Peoples Day

d a resolution on Oct. 2 declaring Columbus Day. The city recogDay Monday and celebrated at the tion by Pete Putra titled “Indiges and Beliefs for Peace.” Putra is an Cree tribe of the Rocky Boy Indian or for the Shoshone-Paiute tribe. to make the change. The UniversiPeoples Day in October 2016 after ution establishing Columbus Day as t year. The university is built on Nez

ted To Big Wood River

ocal Hemingway Chapter coordinatthe District 45 diversion irrigation cent to Bellevue. When irrigation

season ends, headgates are closed so that water no longer flows into ditches. Those irrigation ditches become disconnected puddles and trout that have strayed into the ditches become trapped and eventually die. “Installing fish screens on Big Wood diversions is quite costly and may be an option in the future,” said Keri York, Trout Unlimited Big Wood project manager. “In the meantime, efforts of the local Hemingway Chapter, in conjunction with Idaho Department of Fish and Game and local irrigation districts and canal operators, are helping to save our fish populations.” Using nets up a 60-foot stretch of the disconnected waterway, volunteers collected about 525 trout, then transported and released them to the Big Wood River. The largest fish was 18 inches long. The Trout Unlimited Hemingway Chapter holds meetings the first Thursday of the month at 5 p.m. at Whiskey Jacques’ in Ketchum. The public is always invited.

Sun Valley Proposes Infrastructure Bond

On the Nov. 7 ballot, the City of Sun Valley will propose the issue of a $17.5 million General Obligation Bond for the replacement, reconstruction, and improvement of roads, bicycle and pedestrian paths, bridges and related infrastructure throughout the city. The proceeds from the bond issue cannot be used for any other purpose and a twothirds super majority of voters is required to pass. If passed, work on the roads and paths would begin in spring 2018. There are approximately 30 miles of roads and paths in Sun Valley. Based on the rating system of the Asphalt Institute of America, 36 percent of street footage is in fair to very poor condition and 26 percent of multi-use paths are in fair to poor condition.

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Annual Norman Friedman Chess Tournament

The 2017 Annual Norman Friedman Memorial Tournament and National Chess Day Celebration will be begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Community Campus in Hailey. The cost is $25 per player, $20 for 60 years and older and 18 years old and younger, or $40 per family; 80 years and older are free. Side events include an open section blitz on Friday, Oct. 13, and an unrated scholastic on Saturday, Oct. 14. Participants can register online at idahochessassociation.com/register-online.

Third Standoff Trial Postponed

U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro, in Las Vegas, postponed the trial of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, two sons and others, including Scott Drexler of Challis and Eric Parker of Hailey, for their roles in an armed standoff with U.S. government agents. Defense lawyers argued that the Las Vegas mass shooting on Sunday, Oct. 1, could influence jurors. The case against Bundy and others stems from a 2014 standoff with BLM agents near his ranch in Bunkerville, about 75 miles northeast of Las Vegas. Last Friday, one of the co-defendants, Pete Santilli, of Cincinnati, reached a plea agreement to using his vehicle to block a BLM convoy. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the 52-year-old Santilli faces up to six years in prison when sentenced Jan. 11, 2018, but will receive credit for “time served.”

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COMME N TA RY

T H E W E E K LY S U N • O C T O B E R 11 - 17, 2017

Fishing R epoRt

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

ll the fall bugs are in full swing right now. The next week should be incredible, and then we should begin to wind down our fall season. Do not fret! The fishing does not close and the fish still have to eat. Expect the cooler temperatures to shorten the fishing windows even more. The prime hours for dry-fly fishing will begin after noon and end as the sun sets. The Mahogany Dun and Fall Baetis have been spectacular on Silver Creek the past few weeks, but the true show has been put on by the October Caddis. We are still in awe over the way this hatch has taken over the airwaves on Silver Creek. What was once a meager hatch is now becoming “the” hatch on the Creek these days. Anglers can expect the Fall Baetis to continue and to continue strong as the other two autumn bugs begin to wane. The Fall Baetis will come and go until around Thanksgiving as long as Old Man Winter doesn’t show up too soon. The Big Wood River is also seeing a slow wind-down to the fall season as the Western Red Quill comes and goes and the Fall Baetis hatches begin to slow. The October Caddis found north of Ketchum is also beginning to slow a bit. A quick note to anglers not to overlook the importance of two minor hatches right now. That would be the Midges, that will appear this time of year on any of our waters, and the second is the Hopper. Yes, do not stop fishing the Hopper on any of our rivers. The fish were locked on them all summer and they continue to be, even as the cold mornings begin to knock the population back. This fly will still take plenty of fish! Fall Baetis continues to appear late in the day on the South Fork of the Boise and the Lost rivers. It is a short fishing window for a long drive, but it can be a great few hours of surface action. Finally, the brown trout have really begun to spawn now and that means lots of redds in our rivers. To review, a “redd” is a trout’s spawning bed. It is a spot in the river where the gravel has been swept clean. They are obvious areas. PLEASE avoid stepping in these cleaned gravels for the next month or two. Happy fishing, everyone!

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

BY FRAN JEWELL

MOUTHY DOGGIES!

have a very strong opinion about dogs that mouth people, even if it is in play or because of youth. Imagine yourself visiting my house. You come in and my 95-pound BIG German shepherd, Brinx, decides to put his mouth on your arm. Most people would be absolutely terrified. Yet, we let our puppies, who are learning and imprinting machines, chew on our fingers, grab our pant legs, play tug with our bathrobe, and on and on. We think they will grow out of it. I had a client with a fullgrown golden retriever grab his owner by her blouse and drag her to the back door to go out. Imagine my German shepherd doing that to you! Mouthing seems so cute to many of us, but the reality is that mouthing—even gentle mouthing—is not OK. What we allow and consequently teach our puppies to do, they will do when they are older. Mouthing is simply a sign of disrespect. It means the puppy or dog sees you as another puppy to be played with. Maybe that sounds cute to some, but the reality is that we should never be seen by a dog as an equal to be gnawed on. To have a healthy relationship with your dog, there must be respect, just like in human relationships. When dogs find it easy to put their mouths on people, it is much easier for them to never learn “bite inhibition.” Some will say that gentle mouthing is OK. Again, I bring up the comparison of a German shepherd, and

Imagine my 95-pound Brinx putting his mouth on you. The requirements for behavior should be no different for a sweet Maltese or poodle, or ANY dog.

many other large, protective breeds, coming up to you and putting their full-grown mouth on you. Even if you don’t mind it, someone visiting you might. I had an acquaintance whose German shepherd merely

jumped on someone, scratching them, and then got sued for an aggressive dog. Not only is mouthing offensive to many, it can land someone in the middle of a lawsuit or even in confrontation with the law. While you may interpret the behavior as cute, gentle, or affectionate, someone else probably will not. If you own a notoriously protective breed, it can be even more serious. I can’t think of any situation where mouthing is something that should be condoned. Ever. Even puppies can be taught that mouthing and biting is inappropriate. If you have a puppy that is older than six months and still mouthing and biting you, you must take this as a red flag. By then, it is almost impossible to stop without some serious intervention. Prevention is always the best method. Don’t allow it. Don’t encourage it. Teach bite inhibition as early as possible. How we interpret dog behavior is almost always different from how dogs actually mean the behaviors. Be sure that you are not encouraging mouthing and biting. This could be a serious legal sentence for your dog later on in life. 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.

ACTIVE ART COLUMN SKETCHBOOK HIKING

HARVEST MOON

BY LESLIE REGO

he crescent moon and I have been doing a dance together. I have seen the waxing moon during my afternoon hikes for many days. At first it appears like a smudge, but becomes more defined as the evening sky deepens. I have enjoyed situating myself strategically on a hillside to position the crescent just so between tree branches. I have moved from side to side so the arc points toward a tree or perhaps along the side of a hill, sketching the idea quickly as I walk along. This has been the year of rare moon events and this month we will be seeing a Harvest Moon. The harvest moon is the first full moon after the autumnal equinox. Most harvest moons fall in September, but occasionally they can occur in October. The last time a harvest moon was in October was in 2009 and the next time will be in 2020! The harvest moon rises early in the evening and thus can be seen near the horizon. Another name for the harvest moon is blood moon. When we view the moon near the earth’s horizon, we are seeing it through all of the accumulated atmospheric particles that have gathered throughout the day. It is as if we were seeing the glowing orb through a prism where light is scattered and only the reds and oranges are left visible to the eye. As the moon rises in the sky, there are fewer particles and the moon becomes its normal luminous color. Harvest moons are known by other romantic names. The ones I like are Blackberry Moon (Choctaw) and Moon when Quilling and Beading is Done (Dakota Sioux). A wonderful thing about harvest moons is that they rise near sunset for several evenings in a row. The moon travels through the zodiac, which is a band of constellations. At the start of the autumn season, the moon journeys through the section of the band that forms the most shallow angle with the earth, making the moon’s orbit almost

Leslie Rego, “Embraced Moon”, charcoal.

parallel to the horizon for several nights. The moon can rise as little as 23 minutes later for several nights in a row! Wednesday night I tried to see the moon at sunset when it is low to the horizon, but the mountains obstructed my view. I woke several times during the night and saw the moon from my windows fading in and out of the billowing clouds in the sky. Finally, I decided to get up and go outside to get a proper viewing. I found a beautiful location where the moon appeared suspended between two mountains. As dawn broke, I watched the moon descend. As the moon approached the summit of the range, it appeared to be floating behind the pine trees, the branches cre-

ating an etching upon the glowing surface. I watched the moon until the boughs encased the radiant orb. The moon nestled into their embrace. The light glowed through the needles of the branches. The day unfolded and the moon continued its journey until just a pinprick of light was visible through the trees. A moment passed and the light was gone. 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 •

OCTOBER 11 - 17, 2017

COLUMN LIVING WELL UI-BLAINE EXTENSION TIPS

4-H TEEN ADVOCATES HAD BUSY SUMMER

BY SARAH BUSDON

niversity of Idaho Blaine County 4-H Healthy Living Teen Advocates (HLTA) had a busy summer calendar resulting in 266 hours of educational/ teaching hours reaching over 700 youth, most of which received more than one hour of education on health, nutrition choices, and well-being. Blaine County HLTA incorporated 4-H Food Smart Families curriculum into their daily classes and activities. In 2011, UnitedHealthcare and 4-H partnered together to deliver healthy living programs to more than 340,000 youth and their families in 14 states, Idaho being one of them. According to National 4-H, “Nearly 16 million children live in households that are food insecure, meaning they don’t have consistent access to food throughout the year. 4-H Food Smart Families creates more food-secure homes by teaching families how to shop for and cook nutritious meals on a budget.” Coupling partnerships with 4-H research-based, innovative, and relevant programming greatly expanded health and nutrition education, well-

being, and physical activity throughout Blaine County. Below is a glimpse at the HLTA program impact that took place during summer 2017: Blaine County 4-H’s generous donors assisted in funding an outdoor kitchen, located at the Bloom Garden. The kitchen allowed for expanded programming and offerings at the garden. The I Have a Dream Foundation (IHAD) youth participated in several gardening activities, nutritional education, 4-H Junior Master Gardener programming, and a service learning project. The location of the HLTA’s classes and activities at The Hunger Coalition’s community gardens brought more youth and potential volunteers into the Hope and Bloom gardens. Youth participants harvested ingredients fresh out of the garden and experienced hands-on learning on how to prep and cook nutritional and delicious meals and snacks while participating in Junior Master Gardener programming. Blaine County Recreation District (BCRD) joined The Hunger Coalition and Blaine County 4-H partnership, allowing HLTA to lead classes

each week with youth participating in the BCRD summer day camp. The addition of Blaine County 4-H arts and crafts sessions, led by a UI intern, complimented the Bloom food truck lunches throughout the summer. Junior Master Gardener curriculum was used for each crafting session, which featured molding clay flowers to using pasta to recreate the life stages of a butterfly. If you or someone you know is 14 years of age or older and would like more information on becoming a Healthy Living Teen Advocate, click the link below. Return the completed application to Kathi Kimball (kkimball@uidaho.edu) at the Blaine County Extension office (302 S. 1st Ave., Hailey): http://www.uidaho.edu/extension/4h/programs/healthy-living. Sarah Busdon is an administrative assistant with University of Idaho’s Blaine County Extension office. For more information, visit extension.uidaho.edu/blaine or call (208) 788-5585.

COLUMN SCIENCE OF PLACE

SUNSHINE OR LACK THEREOF

will enjoy their summer while we take our turn at winter. n September 22, we passed an annuThese twists and turns of our solar system al milestone known as the autumnal are why some of us, this time of year, find equinox. That occasion marked (as it ourselves waking up for work when it is still always does) the point when dark outside. The nights are the positioning of the earth getting longer and the days and sun is precisely such that shorter. Each day, the sun daylight hours were equal to appears to hang closer to the nighttime hours, everywhere horizon, radiating most of its on the planet. Actually, the energy far to the south of us, geometry of the enormous out of sight. objects involved makes the Lengthening nights will be timing more complex than a the pattern until the winter simple 12-hour day and 12solstice in December. At that hour night, but this date was time, we in the Wood River as close as we ever get to that Valley (along with the rest balance. On that day, in our of the northern hemisphere) Valley, the sun cleared the will get the longest night, the horizon a little bit before 7:30 most indirect sunlight, and a.m., and set again just after the shortest day of our year. 7:30 p.m. The day will be around nine The word equinox, by the Courtesy photo hours long here; some places way, comes from the Lat- Hannes Thum is a Wood River to the north of us will have no in aequus (equal) and nox Valley native and has spent most daylight whatsoever. Then, (night). the days will gradually begin of his life exploring what our local For a brief moment on that ecosystems have to offer. He curto lengthen again. date, no matter where you rently teaches science at CommuniAll of this is to say that the were on earth, the strange ty School. universe is a complex place. tilts and wobbles of this planEven on the stillest night, we et (which are the reason that (being passengers on this giwe have seasons) didn’t matter at all—the ant rock, f lying through space) are traveling earth and the sun were in the delicate, elusive at incredible speeds as we hurtle through the spatial alignment in which the sun was direct- galaxy together. It is no surprise that things ly over our equator. Just for an instant. Then, are constantly changing. the universe spun along. The darkness left behind when the sun is Starting with that autumnal equinox in Sep- gone is a cold darkness and the thought of the tember and finishing with the vernal equinox coming months of solar shortage ought to send in March (which is the other annual moment a shiver up one’s spine. Luckily, we can trust when the sun is directly over our equator), the that we’ll swing back around to the sunny side sun’s path moves to the south of the equator, of things after March. Stay warm. and so the sun shines more brightly and directly on the southern residents of earth. They

BY HANNES THUM