5 September 2018 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 | SEPTEMBER 5 - 11, 2018 | V O L . 1 1 - N O . 3 6 | W W W . T H E W E E K L Y S U N . C O M

Environment News Fire In Camas County Continues To Burn

Health News Three Generations Find Help Through Health Program

Community News Oktoberfest To Take Place At Ketchum Town Square

“A camel is a horse designed by committee.” ~Alec Issigonis

Schools back in session... shouldn’t you be too? Flexible options to meet your workspace needs!

2018 Senior Connection Games

For information about this photo, see “On The Cover” on page 3. Photo by Dana DuGan

2018 2018 Senior Connection Games Senior Connection Games

onnection Games

The games will be hosted throughout the Wood River Valley and are specifically for adults 50 and up

September 15 & 16 The following events will be offered: Golf Tournament at Elkhorn Dollar Mountain Hill Climb Cornhole Bag Toss

Freestyle Swim Relay Race 8 Ball Pool Tournament Indoor Pickleball

T H E W E E K LY S U N • S E P T E M B E R 5 - 1 1 , 2 0 1 8

NEWS

IN BRIEF

National Suicide Prevention Week Starts Sunday During National Suicide Prevention Week, Sunday, Sept. 9, through Saturday, Sept. 15, the theme will be “#BeThe1To.” The message will help spread the word about actions everyone can take to prevent suicide. The Hailey-based Crisis Hotline and its partners work to change the conversation from suicide to suicide prevention, to actions that can promote healing, help, and give hope. Ask: Research shows people who are having thoughts of suicide feel relief when someone asks after them in a caring way. Findings suggest that acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce rather than increase suicidal ideation. Keep Them Safe: A number of studies have indicated that when lethal means are made less available or less deadly, suicide rates by that method decline, and frequently suicide rates overall decline. Be There: Individuals are more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful after speaking to someone who listens without judgment. Help Them Stay Connected: Studies indicate that helping someone at risk create a network of resources and individuals for support and safety can help them take positive action and reduce feelings of hopelessness. Follow Up: Studies have also shown that brief, low-cost intervention and supportive, ongoing contact may be an important part of suicide prevention, especially for individuals after they have been discharged from hospitals or care services. The Crisis Hotline is available 24/7 to provide a compassionate ear, encouragement and hope. It offers free confidential services through crisis intervention, for any type of crisis, suicide prevention, and referrals. For anyone needing information/materials about suicide, call the Crisis Hotline at (208) 788-0735 or visit thecrisishotline.org. For 24/7 confidential support, call the Crisis Hotline at (208) 788-3596.

JRM Foundation Announces 2018 Idaho’s Hometown Hero Medal Ceremony The JRM Foundation will celebrate its Idaho Hometown Heroes event on Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Stephens Performing Arts Center in Pocatello. This year’s Idaho Hometown Hero medalists include Azerbaijan refugee Liyah Babayan of Twin Falls; president of PTSD Veteran Athletes Russell Davies of Chubbuck; 11-year-old Serbian-born disabled athlete Bowen Toomey of Eagle; 13-year-old app inventor, human rights advocate and speaker Alexander Knoll of Post Falls; former Major League baseball player and sobriety speaker Christian Colonel of Pocatello; child advocate Lesli Schei of Chubbuck; Lt. Col. (Ret.) Reginald Reeves of Idaho Falls; community activist Nicolas Garcia of Pocatello; founder of the Family of Woman Film Festival Peggy Elliott Goldwyn of Sun Valley; and domestic violence prevention advocate Carrie Madden of Idaho Falls. This year’s keynote speaker will be Judge Randy Smith, a U. S. Circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, who is also a former Idaho’s Hometown Hero medal recipient. The celebration will from 4:30-6 p.m. with the Konner’s Car Show, open to the

public until 6 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center. At the same time, the Performing Arts Center will host the JRM Foundation’s Partner Expo from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Both events are free. These are followed at 6 p.m. by the free Idaho’s Hometown Hero medal ceremony. The dinner and gala event celebration will begin at 7 p.m. at the Stephen’s Performing Arts Center. For tickets, visit jrmfoundation.org.

Crews Perform Backcountry Rescue On Thursday, Aug. 30, at 4:14 p.m., Ketchum and Sun Valley fire departments, Wood River Fire and Rescue and Blaine County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for a backcountry rescue for a student in the Big Basin area of the Pioneer Mountains. The student was part of the Sun Valley Community School’s fall backpacking trip. He was injured during a fall and needed assistance to leave the area. The student slipped and slid approximately 15 feet down a slope while descending from a day hike to the group’s camp. The injury was assessed quickly and accurately by a Wilderness First Responder on Community School’s staff. It was decided that evacuating the student from the trip was necessary, which was a conservative and correct decision to ensure the student’s wellbeing. The rescue crew included 36 responders from local agencies. After hiking through rough terrain until nightfall, emergency personnel were unable to reach the injured student, who was located at an elevation of 10,500 feet. He was made comfortable with his group and spent the night warm, well-fed and in good condition. A successful rescue ensued on Friday, Aug. 31, at approximately 9:15 a.m., and the patient was air-lifted to St. Luke’s Wood River, where he was diagnosed with a contusion on the lower back.

Race Relations Expert To Deliver Three Talks A coalition of local nonprofits—The Advocates, Blaine County Education Foundation, The Community Library, Sun Valley Community School, CSI Nonprofit Education Initiative, The Hunger Coalition and Nosotros United—will host nationally-acclaimed racial equity trainer, Robin DiAngelo, Ph.D., to the Wood River Valley, for two free community presentations about “Why Is It So Hard for People to Talk About Race?” DiAngelo will present from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, at the Sun Valley Community School Theatre, and from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, at the Community Campus in Hailey, with translation in Spanish available. DiAngelo will also host a reservation-only racial justice workshop from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, at The Community Library in Ketchum. The workshop will focus on ways to differentiate between prejudice, discrimination, and systemic racism, and will explore the basic dynamics of current race relations in the U.S. The workshop is free, but pre-registration is required at comlib.org/events. DiAngelo is a two-time winner of the Student’s Choice Award for Educator of the Year at the University of Washington’s School of Social Work. Her work on “White Fragility,” a term she coined, has been featured or cited in Salon, NPR, Slate, Alternet, the Atlantic, The New York Times and The Seattle Times. For more information about the presentations, contact The Hunger Coalition at (208) 788-0121 or The Advocates at (208) 788-4191. For more information about DiAngelo, visit robindiangelo.com.

GET YOUR GERMAN ON, IDAHO STYLE

SEPTEMBER 14-15

Ketchum Town Square | KetchumOktoberfest.com Friday 4pm-10pm | Saturday 11am-10pm

T H E W E E K LY S U N • S E P T E M B E R 5 - 1 1 , 2 0 1 8

THE WEEKLY SUN CONTENTS

Caritas Chorale’s “Magic In The Air,” a festive benefit inspired by magic and light, will take place at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 16. For a story, see page 12. Photo courtesy of Caritas Chorale

THIS WEEK S E P T E M B E R 5 - 1 1 , 2018 | VOL. 11 NO. 36

Education News

Personal Project Teaches Student To Live Locally

Commentary

Calendar

Award Winning Columns, Fishing Report, Guest Commentary Stay In The Loop On Where To Be

ON THE COVER Ralphy, a 14-year-old camel owned by Jenine and Jeral Williams—who is atop Ralphy—of Idaho Falls, has come to the Big Hitch Parade for several years. There were about 70 entries in the 2018 parade, with about 17,000 spectators. Photo by Dana DuGan 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).

LAST WEEK

of performances—

DON’T MISS IT!

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

By Simon Stephens

NEWS EDITOR Dana DuGan • news@theweeklysun.com

Directed by Denise Simone

CALENDAR EDITOR Yanna Lantz • calendar@theweeklysun.com

A KISS IS JUST A KISS, BUT SOMETIMES…

COPY EDITOR Patty Healey STAFF REPORTERS • Dick Dorworth • Aimée Durand • Hayden Seder • Emilee Struss news@theweeklysun.com DESIGN DIRECTOR Mandi Iverson • 208.721.7588 • mandi@theweeklysun.com PRODUCTION & DESIGN Chris Seldon • production@theweeklysun.com

AUG 28–SEP 9 Liberty Theatre, Hailey

ACCOUNTING Shirley Spinelli • 208.928.7186 • accounting@theweeklysun.com PUBLISHER & EDITOR Brennan Rego • 208.720.1295 • publisher@theweeklysun.com DEADLINES Display & Community Bulletin Board Ads — Monday @ 1pm brennan@theweeklysun.com • bulletin@theweeklysun.com Calendar Submissions — Friday @ 5pm calendar@theweeklysun.com www.TheWeeklySun.com Published by Idaho Sunshine Media, LLC

Company of Fools’ 23rd Season Sponsors: Arrow R. Storage, Big Wood Landscape, Linda and Bob Edwards, Ginny and Peter Foreman, Marcia and Don Liebich, Kenneth Lewis, Mathieu, Ranum & Allaire, PLLC, Jane Rosen and Scott Miley—Scott Miley Roofing, Carol P. Nie, Priscilla Pittiglio, The Shubert Foundation, Richard Smooke and Family in loving memory of Judith Smooke, Mary Ann and John Underwood, Maryanne and Jerry Whitcomb, Barbara and Stanley Zax, and media sponsor The Weekly Sun

T H E W E E K LY S U N • S E P T E M B E R 5 - 11, 2018

jane’s artifacts

NEWS EDUCATION

arts / / crafts / / papers / / office / / party

FINAL SIDEWALK SALE DAYS From September 5th through 8th

SATURDAY WILL BE BAG SALE DAY

• $5 Bags • All You Can Fit! 106 S. MAIN, HAILEY • 208.788.0848 • JANESARTIFACTS@COX.NET

Wood River Jewish Community HIGH HOLY DAYS SERVICES

All services are held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 201 Sun Valley Road For these Days of Awe: Rabbi Cantor Robbi Sherwin

Sunday, September 9 7:30 p.m. Erev Rosh Hashanah Monday, September 10 10:00 a.m. Rosh Hashanah and Shofar services followed by Tashlich 4:00 p.m. Children’s Service and Tashlich in Halley (Draper Wood River Preserve along the river)

Tuesday. September 18 7:30 p.m. Kol Nidre service Wednesday, September 19 7:30 a.m.. Morning service 5:30 p.m. Afternoon service: Jonah’s Journey 6:15 p.m. Yizkor (Memorial Service) 6:45 p.m. Neilah (Concluding Service) 7:30 p.m. Community Break the Fast

Wood River Jewish Community 471 Leadville Avenue – Ketchum wrjc.org – wrjc@wrjc.org – Phone: 208-726-1183

Thanks For Partnering With Us!

Community. Compassion. Commitment.

www.woodriverinsurance.com

Carly Ching digs into her first backyard garden. Courtesy photo by Nicole Ching

STUDENT APPLIES ‘LIVING LOCAL’ THEME TO PERSONAL PROJECT

BY AIMEE DURAND

ailey native Carly Ching, 15, spent her summer digging in with a school-required personal project she calls “Living Local.” All sophomores at Wood River High School must explore interests outside of the classroom for this project. For Ching, this hands-on challenge blended a trio of unexpected interests: a green thumb mixed with culinary passion and a dash of Valley life. While exploring her options, Ching at first considered dance as her focus. With her background as a dancer with Sun Valley Ballet, it seemed the natural way to go. However, other passions began to emerge. “I love to be outside, surrounded by plants and trees and the world around me,” Ching said. “A garden seemed fun and I always wanted to start one, but I also had a newfound love to cook.” Ching, with her mother’s advice, decided to merge her love of cooking with a desire to start her own garden. The plan to use only locally harvested herbs, fruits and vegetables as ingredients set in motion Ching’s creation of a companion cookbook. “I am glad she found something she can be passionate about for this project,” said Nicole Ching, Carly’s mother. Planning the garden enclosure, preparing the materials, construction, soil arrangement, choosing seedlings and planting took Carly about 20 hours. All building materials she used were recycled or donated. “The process of tearing down several pallets was the most time-consuming,” Ching said. And it quickly became a family affair. The garden consists of two raised beds, each measuring 10 feet long by 3 feet wide. The beds are enclosed with wood and sheetmetal and are adorned with arches and cover material. Ching found relaxation in the growing green scene. Wandering about nature provided a connection to the world around her, she said. During this waiting period, ideas for dishes garnished with basil, cucumbers, green onions, tomatoes and radishes grew. The crop and recipes flourished, but some ingredients were missing. Realizing she couldn’t produce every item on her own, another local element was thrown into the mix. Ching’s field of vision expanded to the neighborhood farmers’ market and surrounding stores. She decided they could supply items such as regional cheese and eggs. Local staples became part of the “Living Local” plan. “This project opened up my horizons to the great things available in this Valley,” Ching said. “Taking care of my plants was very relaxing,” she said. “I could hear the birds and was surrounded by the greenery.” Basil, cucumbers, green onions, tomatoes and radishes are some of the items Ching grew. “Timing of the crop influenced my recipes,” she said. “I tried to build recipes around what was available. My mom said if Carly is cooking, we know it will be good.” From arugula to radish, all edibles were whipped up for taste trials. “A favorite fare in the household was a tomato bruschetta,” Ching said. The incorporation of homegrown tomatoes and basil with locally sourced Mozzarella is one meal for the book. “My goal for the cookbook is to develop 10 recipes, and so far I have four,” she said. The project is, in a way, without end, as Ching continues creating in the kitchen and dreaming about next summer. “I will definitely have a garden next year,” she said. tws

T H E W E E K LY S U N • S E P T E M B E R 5 - 11, 2018

NEWS ENVIRONMENT

mlcinemas.com for ALL movie information

Handicap Access

Closed Captioning (CC)

726-4274

Audio Description (AD)

WED-THUR FINAL NIGHTS SPY WHO DUMPED ME

INCREDIBLES 2

MAGIC LANTERN’S 29TH ANNUAL FALL FILM FESTIVAL begins Friday Sept 14 mlcinemas.com for details STARTS FRIDAY

Now Playing

Firefighters head into a dense area while working on the Stewart Creek Fire near Fairfield. Photo courtesy of Sawtooth National Forest

STEWART CREEK FIRE GROWS OVER HOLIDAY WEEKEND

BY DANA DUGAN

he 2,234-acre Stewart Creek Fire continues to burn 13 miles northwest of Fairfield, in Camas County, to the west of Blaine County. The fire was 37 percent contained as of Tuesday afternoon. The fire was started by dry lightning on Monday, Aug. 20, in the Sawtooth National Forest. Weather conditions, dry fuels and rough terrain aided in the fire spread last week. Incident Commander Steve Goldman, of the Eastern Area Incident Management Team, has put crews at various spike camps to build fire lines where accessible, to help impede fire spread and guide the fire to the east and north. The Bureau of Land Management ground is closed for public and firefighter safety. Nearly 4,000 acres of BLM-managed land is impacted by the closure that includes areas south of the national forest boundary and north of State of Idaho endowment lands in the Chimney Creek area north of Hill City. Chimney Creek Road has been closed off by Camas County. “As fire crews are working in this area, it is important that members of the public avoid this portion of public land for the time being,” said Codie Martin, Shoshone field manager in a Friday news release. The fire is burning in standing timber and heavy downed and dead brush, with visible single-tree and group torching. The Eastern Area Incident Management Team took command of the fire on Aug. 31. “Threatened structures include two cabins, big game habitat, recreation/trail areas, grazing allotments and cattle,” said Julie Thomas, public service officer for the Sawtooth National Forest.

NEWS PHOTOBOX

HOTEL K

and

PRESENT St

HOTEL KETCHUM HOTEL KETCHUM and GYPSY MUSIC HOTEL KETCHUM

Working the fire are 404 personnel from OrePG-13 gon, Utah, Arizona and Alaska, as well as crews from Idaho. Available air resources are being used in inaccessible and dangerous areas where firefighters are PG-13 and unable to safely operate due to extremely steep terand rain or hazardous standing dead trees, also known as snags. and PRESENT Strange Hotels Similar dry weather conditions will continue this PG-13 Hotels PRESENT Strange week. According to the Sawtooth National Forest, GO TO mlcinemas.com for Strange Hotels and all SHOWTIMES ground and air resources will continue PRESENT firing opand erations, so expect to see more smoke and active and and and PRESENTand Strange Hotels use of aircraft. The resources on the southern part and and and and Live and of the fire will continue to secure and strengthen PRESENTand Strange Hotels PRESENT Strange Hotels and PRESENT Strange Hotels PRESENT Strange Hotels indirect lines in anticipation of continued firing PRESENT Strange Hotels PRESENT Strange Hotels PRESENT Strange Hotels and PRESENT Hotels PRESENT Strange Hotels operations in the coming days. PRESENT Strange Strange Hotels and PRESENT Strange Hotels PRESENT Strange Hotels The western portion of the fire will remain in a PRESENT Strange Hotels Portla monitor status. Friday In the north, aircraft will continue to be used PRESENT Strange Hotels H to slow the growth of the fire while still allowing September the fire to advance towards the Soldier Mountains, Live Music THE HANGOUT Live Music Live Music ATATAT THE HANGOUT THE HANGOUT Hot where it will run into natural barriers, minimizing Live Music AT THE HANGOUT Live Music AT THE HANGOUT fire spread. Portland Band with Ben Braden & Nick Sadler For more information, track the fire on Facebook Live Music FrAT THE HANGOUT iday Portland Band with Ben Braden & Nick Sadler Live Music AT THE HANGOUT Portland Band with Ben Braden & Nick Sadler Hookey R&B Pop with Retro Grooves Portland Band with Ben Braden & HANGOUT Nick Sadler at U.S. Forest Service-Sawtooth National Forest. Live Music Live Music Friday AT THE AT THE Portland Band with Ben Braden & Nick Sadler FrHANGOUT iday Fr iday Hookey R&B Pop with Retro Grooves September Live Music AT THE HANGOUT Hookey R&B Pop with Retro Grooves Hookey R&BLive Pop Music with Retro Grooves Friday AT THE HANGOUT LiveHookey Music Closures and restrictions remain in the Fairfield AT THE HANGOUT $5 R&B Pop with Retro Grooves September Live Music September AT THE HANGOUT Portland Band with Ben &HANGOUT NickHotel Sadler Ketchum, 600 North Main Street Live Music Live Music September 7:00-9:30pm AT THE Portland Band with Ben Braden &HANGOUT Nick Sadler Live Music AT HANGOUT Live Music AT Braden THETHE September AT THE HANGOUT Ranger District, Ketchum Ranger District, MiniFr iday Hotel Ketchum, 600 North Main Street Fr iday Portland Band with Ben Braden Nick Sadler Hookey R&B PopBen with Retro& Grooves Portland Band with Braden Nick Sadler R&B Pop with Retro&Street Grooves Hotel Ketchum, North Main FoodHookey &600 Drinks Available Live Music AT THE HANGOUT Band with Ben Braden &September Nick Sadler Fr iday Friday September Food &Pop Drinks Available 7 Hotel Ketchum, 600 North Main Street Hotel Ketchum, 600 North Main Street doka Ranger District and Sawtooth National Rec- Portland Hookey R&B with Retro Hookey R&B PopBen with Retro Portland Band with Ben Braden &Grooves Nick Sadler Portland Band with Braden &Grooves Nick Sadler Friday Food & Drinks Available Hookey R&B Pop with Retro Grooves Fr iday September September Friday Hotel Ketchum, 600 North Main Street Hookey R&B PopBen with Retro Food Drinks Available Hotel Ketchum, 600 North Main Street Portland Band with Braden &Grooves Nick Sadler Live Music Hookey R&B Pop& with Retro Portland Band with Ben Braden &Grooves Nick Sadler Portland Band with Ben Braden & support Nick Sadler AT THE HANGOUT reation Area, Sawtooth National Forest. September Food & Drinks Available $5 Donation at the door to Portland Band with Ben Braden & Nick Sadler Fr iday $5 Donation at the door to support September Friday Portland Band with Ben Braden & Main Nick Sadler September Hotel Ketchum, North Street Fr iday Hotel Ketchum, 600 North Main Street Food & 600 Drinks Available 7 Food &Pop Drinks Available 7 Hookey R&B Pop with Retro Grooves 7:00-9:30pm Hookey R&B with Retro 7:00-9:30pm Portland Band with Ben Braden &Grooves Nick Sadler Hookey R&B Pop with Retro Grooves iday There is a Temporary Flight Restriction Fr in effect Hotel Ketchum, 600 North Main Street Fr iday Idaho league Conservation league September Hookey R&B Pop with Retro Grooves Friday Food & door Drinks Available September 7with Food &September Drinks Available 7use Hotel Hotel Ketchum, 600Retro North Main Street Hookey R&B Pop with Grooves $5 at the to support Ketchum, 600 Main Street Hookey R&B with Retro Grooves Portland Band BenIdaho Braden & Conservation Nick Sadler $5 7:00-9:30pm Donation atNorth the door toDonation support Food &Pop Drinks Available September $5 Donation at the doorMain to support for the fire area. This restriction includes the7 7:00-9:30pm Food & Drinks Available 7 $5 Donation at theNorth door to support Hotel Ketchum, 600 North Street September Food Portland &September Drinks Available 7 7:00-9:30pm Band with Ben Braden &Conservation Nick Sadler Hotel Ketchum, 600 Main Street $5 Donation at the door to support 7:00-9:30pm Idaho league 7:00-9:30pm Idaho Conservation league Hotel Ketchum, 600 North Main Street Hookey R&B Pop with Retro Grooves Idaho league Fr iday $5 Donation at the door to support $5 Donation the door to support Idaho Conservation league Food & Conservation Drinks Available 7 Food & at Drinks Available 7 Hookey R&B Pop with Retro Grooves of drones. Hotel Ketchum, North Main Street Hotel Ketchum, North Main Street 7:00-9:30pm Hotel Ketchum, 600 North Main Street $5 Donation at600 the600 door7:00-9:30pm to support Idaho Conservation league Idaho Conservation Idaho Conservation league $5 Donation at door league to support Food & Drinks Available 7:00-9:30pm $5 Donation door to support Food & at Drinks Available Hotel Ketchum, 600 North Main Street &the Drinks Available 7Ser- September 7:00-9:30pm Food &the Drinks Available No fires may be built or lit outside of Forest 7:00-9:30pm Idaho Conservation league Food & Food Drinks Available Idaho Conservation $5 Donation at the door league to support Idaho Conservation league $5 Donation atHotel the door to support Ketchum, 600 North Main Street 7:00-9:30pm Live Music AT THE HANGOUT $5 at the door to support Idaho league vice-designated areas, and no smoking is7:00-9:30pm permitIdaho Conservation Conservation league Idaho Conservation league $5 Donation at the door to& support Food Drinks$5 Available 7$5Donation Donation at the door to support Donation at the league door to $5 support 7:00-9:30pm Donation at the door to support ted outside unless there is feet of barren7:00-9:30pm or7:00-9:30pm cleared Idaho Conservation Idaho Conservation league 7:00-9:30pm Idaho Conservation Conservation league $5 Donation at league the doorIdaho to support area surrounding the smoker. 7:00-9:30pm

MUSIC HOTEL KETCHUM GYPSY GYPSY PRESENT Strange HotelsMUSIC GYPSYHOTEL MUSIC KETCHUM HOTEL KETCHUM HOTEL KETCHUM HOTEL KETCHUM HOTEL KETCHUM GYPSY MUSIC HOTEL KETCHUM HOTEL KETCHUM HOTEL KETCHUM HOTEL KETCHUM GYPSY MUSIC HOTEL KETCHUM HOTEL GYPSY GYPSYMUSIC MUSIC GYPSY MUSIC HOTEL KETCHUM HOTEL KETCHUM KETCHUM GYPSY GYPSY MUSIC GYPSY MUSIC MUSIC GYPSY MUSIC HOTELHOTEL KETCHUM KETCHUM GYPSY MUSIC GYPSY HOTEL KETCHUM GYPSY MUSIC MUSIC GYPSY MUSIC GYPSY MUSIC and GYPSY MUSIC MUSIC GYPSY PRESENT Strange Hotels

7 7

tws

Friday September

Bellevue Residents 7

Place 2nd 7:00-9:30pm At International Jiu-Jitsu Tournament Bellevue residents Madison Hoskins, left-hand photo, and Meredith Hoskins, right-hand photo, each placed second in their age, skill and weight class at the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation’s 2018 Kids International Championship in Las Vegas on August 25. Both are students at USA Grappling Academy in Bellevue. “They trained all year in preparation for this event,” academy owner Lee Anderson said in an interview after the competition. “It’s pretty badass that they placed second in the world against all the best Jiu-Jitsu athletes on the planet.” Photos courtesy of USA Grappling Academy

Idaho Conservation league Portland Band with Ben Braden & Nick Sadler Hookey R&B Pop with Retro Grooves

Hotel Ketchum, 600 North Main Street Food & Drinks Available $5 Donation at the door to support Idaho Conservation league

T H E W E E K LY S U N • S E P T E M B E R 5 - 1 1 , 2 0 1 8

PET

THE

NEWS HEALTH

A FAMILY COMPLETES ST. LUKE’S CHIP PROGRAM TOGETHER

SECTION

Submit a photo of your pet to see it printed in this special section! RATES:

Quarter Junior Horizontal (5.78” x 3.875”) - $185 Quarter Junior Vertical (3.8” x 7.875”) - $185 Quarter (5.78” x 7.875”) - $275 Half Page (9.75” x 7.875”) - $475 Full Page (9.75” x 16”) - $775 Advertorials (you write them, we publish them)* Single Advertorial (250 words plus logo OR photo): $55 Double Advertorial (500 words plus logo AND photo): $100 *Must purchase a display ad in the special section to qualify for advertorials

Contact Brennan at 208.720.1295 or publisher@theweeklysun.com

sun the weekly

COVER YOUR COMMUNITY

Join Our Team Of Talented Wordsmiths The Weekly Sun currently seeks part-time news reporters to produce high-quality, responsible local journalism. • Flexible Hours • Improve Your Craft • Grow Your Income • Photojournalism • Professional + Fun Company Culture

To apply, email a résumé to: Publisher & Editor Brennan Rego at publisher@theweeklysun.com

sun the weekly

What To Know. Where To Be. Responsible Local Journalism

BY HAYDEN SEDER

he second session of the Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP) just ended at St. Luke’s Wood River. Among the participants in this CHIP session were three women from the same family, representing three generations, each with their own goals to accomplish. Arlene, Julie and Summer recently celebrated the completion of the educational program, along with the other participants, on Thursday, Aug. 30, with a vegan potluck. CHIP is an international educational program designed Summer Hoopes, left, Arlene Patterson and Julie Patterson, of Carey, to guide participants through participated in a health program through St. Luke's Wood River. Photo the challenges associated with courtesy of St. Luke's Wood River adopting a healthier lifestyle. Food and healthy eating aren’t the only aspects of the program, but also relationships, forgiveness, beliefs/hopes, movement, water, meaning/purpose, sleep/relaxation, choices/accountability, whole plant foods, sunlight/fresh air, and positive emotions/gratitude. Before beginning their session of CHIP, participants are weighed, measured, and have labs, including blood pressure and lipid panels, done. This session started in mid-June and included 18 one-hour sessions. Summer Hoopes, her mother Julie Patterson and her grandmother Arlene Patterson all signed up for CHIP for personal reasons ranging from weight issues to high blood pressure to cancer recurrence prevention. “We were all interested in the program,” Summer said. “I don’t think I would have done it by myself because it was a big commitment to drive up from Carey every week. It was nice to have the support of my family.” The women only had positive things to say about the program, especially due to their amazing results: Summer lost 24 pounds and 3.5 inches, while Julie lost 20 pounds, 3 inches, and dropped 70 points from both her LDL and HDL cholesterol. “The results have been terrific,” said Joy Prudek, communications and PR coordinator for SLWR, who also participated in the program. “The results last beyond the classes, as people have relayed that they feel so much better they don’t want to go back to their habits prior to class. Some say they were nervous about giving up meat, but were pleasantly surprised by how delicious and satisfying the food/ meals can be.” Helping the three women stay on track was the scientific support behind the CHIP program. “It helped that the program was through the hospital,” Julie said. “It gives it credibility.” Indeed, much of the program’s international success derives from its data-driven, scientifically-based form of intervention. Developed by the Institute of Lifestyle Medicine, CHIP has the most published clinical evidence to date compared to other publically available lifestyle medical programs, according to the program’s website. “I had already been trying for a long time to be healthy,” said Summer, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2014. “But there’s so much misinformation out there that it’s confusing. CHIP isn’t a fad diet, like high-protein or cabbage soup; there’s a lot of scientific research and backing.” All three women have seen such positive results and enjoyed the lifestyle changes that they don’t plan to ever go back to the way they were living before. “You feel too good to go back,” Arlene said. Julie, for one, has stopped counting calories and has felt a mental fog lift, making it easier to look at things like relationships, stress, and other mental factors that affect a healthy lifestyle. Even Summer’s two young daughters are reaping the benefits as their mother tries to impart the knowledge gained in the program to the next generation. “It’s about giving them the knowledge and empowering them,” Summer said. “They’re going to grow up and become mothers and it’s going to be important to them and their kids as well. You’re affecting generations.” For more on the CHIP program, visit chiphealth.com. tws

T H E W E E K LY S U N • S E P T E M B E R 5 - 1 1 , 2 0 1 8

NEWS COMMUNITY

TAP INTO OKTOBERFEST Event will feature beer, food, music & fun

BY YANNA LANTZ

ike true Germans the world over, Oktoberfest will be celebrated this fall. Sawtooth Brewery’s 6th Annual Oktoberfest at Ketchum Town Square will be held from 4-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15. “Oktoberfest is a celebration of a great summer leading into a great fall,” said Paul Holle, Sawtooth Brewery’s CEO and head brewer. “It is about people coming together for a great party—great beer, great music, great food and a great place. Friends mingle throughout the event playing games, and relaxing in a familiar, comfortable atmosphere.” The original tradition of Oktoberfest dates back to 1810, celebrating the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen, in Bavaria. “For Sawtooth Brewery, Oktoberfest now starts in September to enjoy some better weather and is kicked off by the tapping of the keg by the mayor, which we will do on Friday, Sept. 14,” Holle said. “It’s a great event to bring everyone together post-summer to celebrate.” Anyone can walk into the event, but to drink, they must buy a beer stein. “We’ll have four different types of glassware, and that glass will get you into any future Oktoberfest events, as well,” Holle said. Oktoberfest boasts live music throughout the weekend. Friday, Snoozy Moon will take the stage at 5 p.m. and help locals kick up their clogs. On Saturday, enjoy tunes from the Hurdy Gurdy Girls at 2 p.m. and music from The Pan Handles at 6 p.m. Saturday, the Beer Olympics will take place at 3 p.m. The champions will walk away with a 2-liter glass boot. “The Beer Olympics is for teams of four to compete for Das Boot,” Holle said. “It is $40/team and includes beer and a pint glass for each participant. The teams will compete in stein-hoisting, cornhole, beer pong and the volume chug. Best score wins.” Pre-registration is suggested for the Beer Olympics. Sawtooth Brewery wants this festival to be more than just drinking beer in Town Square. “Yes, it is beer-centric, and under 21 or no ID will get you some great BuckSnort Root Beer from Boise,” Holle said. “But with no tickets required, anyone can come enjoy the festivities, play some games or enjoy some live music. We also want this to be family-friendly, so we will have food like Kobe beef hotdogs, shaved ice, games and activities for the kids. This isn’t a nightclub at 2 a.m., it’s Oktoberfest.” Holle counts Oktoberfest as one of the best weekends of the year. “For a town where there’s so much to do, to see 2,000 people hanging out in Town Square drinking beer is just a wonderful experience,” he said. “I love seeing the transformation of Town Square from a quiet coffee area to a big party under a web of Oktoberfest flags with hundreds of your closest friends. Seeing the beer garden come to life, the brats coming off the grill while friends compete in Hammerschlagen and hearing the sound of the Jenga tower crashing all at once—what a way to spend a weekend.” For more information on the Sawtooth Brewery’s 6th Annual Oktoberfest, visit ketchumoktoberfest.com.

Sawtooth Brewery’s 6th Annual Oktoberfest will return Sept. 14-15 at Ketchum Town Square. Photo courtesy of Sawtooth Brewery

FOR BANKING MADE SIMPLER AND EASIER

tws

Zions Bank is for you. Open a consumer checking account online in as little as 5 minutes To learn more visit zionsbank.com/checking or your nearest Zions Bank.

A division of ZB, N.A. Member FDIC

T H E W E E K LY S U N • S E P T E M B E R 5 - 11, 2018

LETTER TO THE EDITOR STERLING JONES

Mountain Humane? Not Quite

As the Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley re-brands itself as Mountain Humane and positions itself as a leader in Idaho in the no-kill movement, it’s important to know that Mountain Humane does, in fact, regularly kill young, healthy, adoptable animals. An animal shelter can destroy up to 10 percent of its population and still be considered “no-kill.” Mountain Humane kills approximately 10 percent of the animals in its care, particularly puppies, particularly pit bulls, and herding breeds. Animal shelters are not required to publicize the numbers of animals killed in their care, but both current and previous volunteers and staff of Mountain Humane have anonymously verified numerous circumstances of healthy puppies being put down within hours of nipping, resource guarding, or showing aggression of any kind in any situation. The reason for these animals being killed is directly related to the inability of Mountain Humane staff to appropriately work with animals coming to them with behavior issues, including fear, lack of obedience training, kennel stress, or proper socialization. It seems reasonable that animals coming to a shelter would have these and other behavior issues, and it seems reasonable that Mountain Humane would have a competent trainer(s) on staff to achieve the necessary behavior modification to ensure animals find a forever home, rather than be killed. An organization that has a $16 million building in the works, and at least two staff members making over $100,000 each per year, surely ought to have the resources to provide for a professional training staff ready to tackle the difficult issues shelter animals face. And yet, Mountain Humane is demonstrably lacking when it comes to achieving the behavior modification needed for shelter animals to be adoptable. The shelter’s default action too often seems to be to kill animals, without an adequate or thorough review process. It is the responsibility of our community, of donors, and of volunteers to hold Mountain Humane accountable and ask them for transparency when it comes to their animal behavior modification programs and euthanasia policy. “The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members” –Mahatma Gandhi

sun T H E W E E K the weekly

Colla Voce, Wood River High School’s all-girl choir, rides in the Bellevue Labor Day Parade on Monday. Courtesy photo by Max Stimac

Sterling Jones Ketchum resident Editor’s Note: According to Mountain Humane, last year, out of 929 animals, 18 were euthanized for either severe untreatable illness, or behavioral problems that were “too aggressive for us to safely shelter and/or adopt it into a home.” “No kill does not mean never kill,” writes JoAnne Dixon, executive director and head veterinarian of Mountain Humane. “We have an ethical responsibility to not adopt out animals into our community that are: 1. suffering, and have no chance of recovery to an acceptable quality of life; or 2. are dangerous to humans and other animals. We do not believe aggression is treatable. Our community expects and depends on us to adopt out animals that can be safe for them, their children and their other pets. We take this responsibility very seriously. If a dog has a history of biting a human or attacking/killing another animal, we cannot adopt that animal out. In those instances, euthanasia is sadly sometimes necessary. Our mission is to help and care for animals, so when the decision to euthanize has to be made, it is never easy. In the state of Idaho, there are well over 10,000 healthy, adoptable animals that we know of that are euthanized each year. With our new facility, we will have greater resources to help save more animals and achieve our greater goal to help the state of Idaho become no-kill by 2025.

The Bellevue Haunted Forest float was a winner at the Labor Day Parade, as the event is each fall at Howard Preserve in Bellevue. Courtesy photo by Tammy Davis

LETTER TO THE EDITOR KIM LARAGAN-URANGA

Vote For Public Services For some of us, it took longer than others to see a recovery from the Great Recession. Others are still waiting. It seems like the middle class is always getting squeezed. When it comes to state and local budgets, funding for teachers, police and firefighters, and others who work in the public interest, can be contentious. When times are tough, that is when priorities are really tested. I know Idahoans value their families, their kids, public education and safe communities. That is why I hope people will vote this year and vote for the candidates who will fight for the people who teach our kids, put fires out and keep us safe. Our communities are only as strong as the choices we make at the local and state level. That is where the decisions that affect our lives most are made. I’ll be voting for Muffy Davis, Michelle Stennett and Sally Toone for state Legislature, because they will fight for Idaho values and work for strong education policies and funding in Boise. Kim Laragan-Uranga Retired Special Education teacher Hailey resident

Cars line up before the parade Monday morning in Bellevue. Photo courtesy of City of Bellevue

K LY S C E N E

One little rascal in a raccoon hat walked the parade route. Photo by Dana DuGan

T H E W E E K LY S U N • S E P T E M B E R 5 - 11, 2018

A baby white buffalo was a big hit at the Big Hitch Parade. Photo by Dana DuGan

SPONSORED FEATURE STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Crowd-pleaser miniature horses pull all sorts of wagons during the parade. Photo by Dana DuGan

Jaime Avila. Courtesy photo

JAIME AVILA Aspires for academics

A member of the Northern Shoshoni and BanThe Horace C. Lewis “Big Hitch” Ore Wagons beautifully handled nock tribes demonstrated traditional dress and the parade route complete with a 20-mule-team jerkline. Photo by skills during the 61st annual Wagon Days Parade Dana DuGan in Ketchum. Courtesy photo by Krista Ray

BY EMILEE MAE STRUSS

aime “Jimmy” Avila, Wood River High School sophomore, has a 3.6 GPA and is enrolled in AP Spanish, Honors Geometry, and Honors English this year. He has played soccer for seven years. “I used to be shy until I started hanging out with my teammates more,” Avila said. “It has helped me grow a lot as an individual.” Avila also enjoys playing pickup games of basketball, and meeting new people. “I like spending summers with my friends,” Avila said. “I don’t think it’s good to isolate myself, and it’s fun to meet new people.” Meeting new people is Avila’s favorite thing to, and to inspire others. He is inspired by people like his sister, Diana Avila, who has demonstrated how to be open and socialize with new people. Avila likes to inspire his classmates to try harder in school, and to not give up. “Academics weren’t important to me in middle school, but now I understand that it’s important,” Avila said. “I really want to get a 4.0 this year, and maintain it.” Avila enjoys writing and uses it as a coping skill when he feels nervous or cannot get something

off of his mind. He writes short stories and navigates emotions through journaling. Avila also enjoys history, participating in the WRHS architecture program and mathematics. This summer Avila worked at the Sun Valley Resort in the laundry department and occasionally helped his father with masonry. His uncle, father and grandfather are all involved in construction, which has given Avila a basic understanding of the job. Avila’s uncle owns EE Enterprises, a local construction business, and has inspired Avila to build a picnic table for his personal project in school. Avila has grown up in the Valley with a special appreciation for how warm and welcoming the people are. However, Avila has hopes to eventually venture outside of the Valley. For now, his main mission is to meet more people. “More people means more happiness,” he said. tws Editor’s Note: Anyone who would like to recommend a Blaine County School District student for The Weekly Sun’s “Student Spotlight” feature should contact Emilee Struss at emilee.struss@gmail.com.

This Student Spotlight brought to you by the Blaine County School District

Muffy Davis, left, who is a candidate for the Idaho Legislature, chats with residents at a cocktail gathering at the home of Alan and Melinda Blinken in Ketchum last Wednesday. Speakers included Paulette Jordan, Idaho gubernatorial candidate; Aaron Swisher, candidate for Congress; Kristin Collum, candidate for lieutenant governor; Rep. Sally Toone; Jill Humble, candidate for Secretary of State; Sen. Michelle Stennett; Cindy Wilson, candidate for Idaho Superintendent of Schools, along with county candidates John David Davidson, candidate for Blaine County treasurer, Dick Fosbury, candidate for Blaine County commissioner, and Angenie McCleary, Blaine County commissioner.

Our mission is to inspire, engage, educate, and empower every student.

BLAINESCHOOLS.ORG

COMME N TA RY

T H E W E E K LY S U N • S E P T E M B E R 5 - 11, 2018

Fishing R epoRt

COLUMN NO BONES ABOUT IT THE “WEEKLY” FISHING REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 5 - 11, FROM PICABO ANGLER

he fish are adjusting to our new weather patterns, as are the anglers. Cooler mornings and evenings, coupled with perfect daytime highs, are making for some more outstanding fishing. The higher elevations are seeing a slowdown in the catch rates, but locally we couldn’t ask for better angling. Things should be nice and quiet on the water in the coming weeks, as school has started and the hunters are all out hunting. Silver Creek continues its magnificent run of Hopper fishing. It could be the best season we’ve ever had on Hoppers and we don’t see any reason this should stop before the first big frosts of the season. Some of the fall bugs are also starting to make their appearance, most notably the very early arrival of the Mahogany Dun. The Fall Baetis are showing in the mornings and evenings, as well. The brown trout are in fullblown, pre-spawn mode, so Streamer fishing, Mouse fishing and Hopper fishing should all produce nice-sized fish in the coming weeks. The Big Wood just finished a busy stretch of days with angler numbers, but that should all be in the past for the rest of the season. Expect the Western Red Quill to take over the Hopper bite in the coming week or two, and be ready for blanket hatches of Fall Baetis. Keep fishing Hoppers and Droppers until you see the fish actively taking the fall hatches off the surface. The Upper Lost River is the only water that is not fishing very well. We hope after the fish adjust to the cold water caused by low nighttime temps at elevation and the fall insects come out in force that we will get a little spike in the fishing here before winter sets in. The Lower Lost is fishing very well. Crane Flies and Hopper-Dropper setups are catching fish. In some areas, a double-nymph rig under a strike indicator is the way to go. Fish small flies deep if you are going to nymph. The color red is a key, and should be on at least one of your nymphs if your favorite nymphs aren’t working. Small Black Zebra Nymphs are also a great option. The South Fork of the Boise continues to fish well with Pink Alberts and Hoppers. Although angler numbers peaked the past few weeks, we should see a drop-off in people as more hunting takes place and kids get back to school. Happy fishing everyone!

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

THE NATURE OF DOG LEARNING

BY FRAN JEWELL

other Nature has provided all animals with the necessary tools to learn how to survive and thrive. She uses her environment and gives elders the ability to give baby wildlife important information for their growth and, ultimately, survival of the species. At first, the mother and/or father provide food for their young, from birds to bears, squirrels to skunks. As the babies mature, they learn important lessons about hunting and foraging. If they hunt for prey that is improper—say, the fox hunts for the skunk— the skunk sprays the fox—a definitive consequence for hunting the wrong prey. If foraging animals forage near predators, they lose their lives. Some lessons are harder to learn than others, and so, survival of the species. Those animals that are quick learners and can understand their environment are the ones that survive and thrive. The coyote that can successfully hunt and capture a squirrel has a great meal—the ultimate positive reinforcement. Mother Nature is full of positive reinforcement as well as consequences. In order to survive, every creature must have both to learn and survive and thrive. How does this apply to training your dog? Many New Age methodologies have abolished all forms of consequences, forsaking the natural order of things. There is lots of thought now that when one dog snarls at another for inappropriate behavior, the snarling dog is labeled “aggressive.” One trainer I listened to recently felt that if his dog did not perform whatever activity he was teaching through positive reinforcement only, that he had failed the dog. The fact of the matter is, when we provide ONLY positive reinforcement for the desired behavior, the dog has less information to learn from, and if we are honest, this form of learning can actually be MORE stressful than providing thoughtful consequence along with the positive reinforcement. The other thought in dog training is to

Dogs will discipline each other, fairly and firmly. They don’t fear political correctness. Photo by Fran Jewell

completely “control the environment.” This is so that we can control that the dog only receives positive reinforcement. While we have some capability to do that with such things as fences and leashes, I ask, does Mother Nature only provide positive reinforcement? If our dog chases the porcupine and bites the porcupine, our dog’s face and mouth become filled with quills that, ultimately, can even be deadly. Is it feasible for us to ever completely control the environment so the dog never has a bad experience with anything from the environment? Can I keep my dog in a vacuum to protect him from ever receiving a natural consequence from the environment, such as the skunk that might decide to make her nest under your deck? When we consider training with our dogs, we must understand nature and the “nature of learning.” The key in natural learning for our beloved dogs is understanding that not only MUST dogs have “YES!”, but they must also have “THOUGHTFUL” consequences

that are meaningful to the dog so the dog will consider no longer pursuing that behavior, yet also delight in performing the desired behavior. Thoughtful consequences depend on the dog and his/her responses. Some consequences might need to be firmer or more definitive, especially where life and death is involved, like car chasing or potential injury to the owner. Mother Nature would also provide varying degrees of consequence much the same way. Following Mother Nature and her wisdom in our training can assure that we indeed have a healthy, respectful, and happy relationship with our dogs. Fran Jewell is an Idaho Press Club award-winning columnist, IAABC-certified dog behavior consultant, NADOI-certified instructor #1096 and the owner of Positive Puppy Dog Training, LLC, in Sun Valley. For more information, visit positivepuppy. com or call (208) 578-1565.

COLUMN SKETCHBOOK HIKING

THE LONE PINE TREE

BY LESLIE REGO

illiam Wordsworth, an English romantic poet (1770–1850), wrote:

“While with an eye made quiet by the power Of harmony, and the deep power of joy, We see into the life of things.”

These words flitted through my mind as I came across a tree. Why was I so taken by this tree? Was it the swooping shape? Maybe it was the balance of straight and curved lines. Maybe I was entranced by the branches that stretched out into the vastness of the space surrounding the tree. My eye was seeing harmony. My being was embracing joy. Ask yourself why you love a particular tree. Is it because the tree sports an odd shape? Or is it because the tree perseveres, even under adverse conditions? Maybe a tree within a group of trees has caught your attention. Visit your tree in the early morning before the sun peeks over the mountains. The tree will appear flat. An hour later, as the sun streams down the mountain slope, the tree trunk will split into dark, medium and light tones, creating a rounded mass. What previously appeared flat will now have form. The leaves will sparkle. At midday, with the sun overhead, the contours and textures appear quiet. The tree is not as divided into dark and light, but primarily resides in the light sphere. Then evening comes. The tree is backlit against a beautiful sunset and it becomes a silhouette against the sky. Ask yourself again, why do you like this tree so much? Do you love the large mass of foliage against the bright noon sky? Or do you prefer the silhouette of the trunk and branches in the lower-light hours of the day? Often I come across a lone pine tree, one majestic tree clinging to a sagebrush-filled hillside. It is the only tree for miles, and yet there it grows and thrives. The lone pine tree tends to be enormous

Leslie Rego, “The Lone Tree Series,” charcoal and charcoal wash on cold pressed paper.

because it is not competing with other trees for sunlight. The trunk is massive. The branches are hefty and extend for a sizable distance. The tree commands the hillside. On this particular day, the lower sky was luminous, encompassing the top branches of the tree I was admiring so much. The trunk was starting to appear round, still mostly in dark, but one edge had a slash of sunlight. The branches were in silhouette, making them appear immense. This is the moment I began to draw, the moment when the tree entered my soul. 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 •

SEPTEMBER 5 - 11, 2018

COLUMN ON LIFE’S TERMS

FOLLOW THE BOUNCING BALL

stored, frame by frame. I could not attend the 7 p.m. showing, so I went ince as a little girl I was scared to death at at 4:30 p.m., sure that it would be jammed with seeing “Snow White,” I have loved going children and happy parents as well as old sentito the movies. I still enjoy the shared terror, mentalists like I am. I was happy when the words sadness, joy, outrage or other communal releases popped up after an enticing introduction to the of emotions watching films in a large, darkened Blue Meanies, with lyrics under a fat bouncing theater. Even sitting alone, I can sense the moods ball, but soon realized I was the only singer in the around me, better than at home. three rows around me. Thus my excitement at the opI can understand why the few portunity to sing with the Beatles kids there may not have joined my in “Yellow Submarine” last week. voice. They hadn’t felt the lifelong How well I remember my delight influence of the intoned words, and when my parents and the whole ausome of them probably couldn’t dience followed the bouncing ball read them. But where were all the in movies of the ’50s, my dad’s rich others I had pictured raising the baritone often leading the crowd. (I roof with our exhilarating vocals? also remember my chagrin when As the movie progressed, some he laughed too loudly at slapstick adults joined in. I actually moved comedy, even though I cherished to be nearer the few voices I heard. his warm laugh at home.) As I reEven there, though, only weak, call, almost everyone tried to join JoEllen Collins—a longtime perhaps embarrassed sounds driftthe rest of the singers—a connect- resident of the Wood River ed around me. ing experience for all. Later, I wondered if it was better Valley— is an Idaho Press To me, singing with others is Club award-winning colum- at the later showing. I missed the a joy wherever it occurs. When nist, a teacher, writer, fabric wallowing in nostalgia, but perI took my small daughters to the artist, choir member and haps others were embarrassed or Flying E (dude) Ranch in Arizona unabashedly proud grandma afraid to be a lone voice in those during spring breaks, we spent the known as “Bibi Jo.” around them. long drive raucously joining artists Sometime I’d love to see anlike Simon and Garfunkel, Linda Ronstadt or other showing with plenty of Beatles fans who, Dolly Parton from the tapes we inserted in our while not seeing bouncing balls to show them the dashboard. I am still tempted to break into song words, probably have spent a good time vocalizwhenever “Nine to Five” plays. ing or humming to “Eleanor Rigby” or “All You This recent occasion also played on my mel- Need Is Love,” two of the several pieces I know ancholy for the “good old days” of my youth be- many attendees have known. cause the graphics and sounds were all about the If I had a huge home, I would love to invite Beatles… their distinct harmonies, imagination, unafraid fans of that era to join me, even if we and bright colors in images recently hand-re- blushed. BY JOELLEN COLLINS

COLUMN SCIENCE OF PLACE

BY HANNES THUM

MAKING HAY

e humans have invented all sorts of implements for making hay. Farmers drive combines, swathers, and windrowers. They swing scythes and hay rakes. They harvest, condition, and stack—all to produce a simple product: dried grasses for animals to eat. But, one of the greatest hay-makers around is a small creature that lives high up in our local mountains: the American pika (Ochotona princeps). Close cousins to rabbits, our local pikas are unique critters that live in high scree slopes throughout the Rockies, at the very edge of a survivable altitude for mammals. One of their most notable attributes is the way that they spend most of their summers harvesting and stacking hay in piles within the scree (biologists actually call the piles “haystacks”), and most of the winter burrowed comfortably under the snow, eating the hay. You’ll usually hear a pika before you see one. The noise they make is surprisingly hard to describe with words on paper, but I’ll try: it sounds like a CHEEP or a BEEP or a MEEP. In the scree and talus fields where these critters live, they are constantly on the move in late summer and autumn. A hillside can come alive with pikas if you sit long enough to spot them. The easiest way is to sit at the bottom of a scree slope, binoculars in hand, and just wait. If they are there, you’ll hear

OP ED STENNETT, TOONE

Time to Take Action Against Exploding Targets

BY SEN. MICHELLE STENNETT AND REP. SALLY TOONE

ore than 500 wildfires raged across Idaho this season. That number will no doubt increase as we head into the fall. The reminders of these blazes literally hit us in the face when we walk outside in the morning and linger in our nostrils the entire day. The constant haze that blankets our communities for large chunks of the summer is Idaho’s version of smog. An increasing number of these fires are being caused by exploding targets. Fire officials say these explosive devices caused a half-dozen wildfires in July alone, burning tens of thousands of acres across eastern Idaho. The Sharps Fire, which began near Bellevue, burned nearly 65,000 acres at a cost of $9.4 million. In addition, these human-caused blazes are destroying important resources: private property, wildlife and wildlife habitat, access to public lands, and livelihoods based Sen. Michelle Stennett on the land and tourism. They also require hundreds of firefighters to risk their lives. Given Idaho’s summer climate, Mother Nature can find plenty of ways to generate fire on her own. She doesn’t need any help from us. Exploding targets are not illegal in Idaho and we would not propose to make them so. However, there is a “season” for shooting at these devices, much like there is a season for hunting or fishing. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) prohibits their use between May 10th and October 20th when our climate is becoming hotter and drier than in the past. The penalty for doing so is a misdemeanor. We believe that individual accountability or responsibility must be a larger part of the equation in the aftermath of these human-caused blazes. Therefore, people who start these fires should complete community service in the areas they have destroyed. We need to examine how to create educational outreach programs that will teach the public about exploding targets, mechanical equipment failures and other activities that spark human-caused fires. We should also Rep. Sally Toone look into a standard moratorium on campfires and outdoor burning during our hottest and driest months. Our federal, state and local tax dollars will be used to foot the bill for the Sharps Fire and the other human-caused wildfires around the state. That’s important to keep in mind. These fires are costly to all of us! We have served the people of Blaine, Camas, Gooding and Lincoln counties for years. We have lived in this area even longer. We know that our constituents value access to their public lands. They value the rights that come with owning property. And, they value the right to make an honest living. This is not an explosive idea, it’s common sense. And, it’s the right thing to do. Sen. Michelle Stennett is the Democratic Leader of the Idaho State Senate and represents Blaine, Camas, Gooding and Lincoln counties. Rep. Sally Toone is a member of the Idaho State House of Representatives representing Blaine, Camas, Gooding and Lincoln counties.

NEWS IN BRIEF American pika (Ochotona princeps) carrying forget-me-not flowers and grass to build its nest. Creative Commons license

them. If you wait long enough, you’ll see them—hopping from stone to stone, ducking beneath the rocks for cover, down out of sight in a tunnel one moment and then back up to the pointed top of an outcropping to survey their surroundings the next, looking for vegetation to cut and pile into their hidden haystacks. The title of “toughest species” is something that comes up quite a bit in my world. My students often wonder about the concept, especially when it comes to surviving winter. Wolverines are a popular choice. So are wolves, elk, and ermine. But, we would be remiss to not consider the pika as one of the top contenders for toughness. Reason number one: they are tiny and thus very vulnerable to cold (small critters, by the nature of geometry, lose body heat exponentially faster). Reason number two: they

maintain high metabolic rates throughout the entire winter (unlike some of the “cheaters” in the animal kingdom who escape winter by slowing down their body systems to make it through in a coma-like state). And, reason number three: they survive winter with a kind of classy demeanor that tempts me to anthropomorphize them, even though I know I shouldn’t. I picture them spending the winter, kicked back in comfort with that chubby-cheeked smile intact on their faces, unperturbed by the storms that rage around them—calmly, serenely chewing on their hay while they wait for springtime. Hannes Thum is a Wood River Valley native and has spent most of his life exploring what our local ecosystems have to offer. He currently teaches science at Sun Valley Community School.

Professional Dancer To Teach Workshop For Students

Alex Stabler, a 2003 graduate of Wood River High School, will return to the Wood River Valley, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 7 and 8, at the Community Campus, Footlight Dance Studio. Stabler will share his knowledge and experience as a professional dancer and actor. He is currently a principal dancer with the “Le Reve,” the Cirque du Soleil Las Vegas show. The workshop is free for students and has been made possible by a grant from the Papoose Club, and fundraising by Annabel Jenson, who held an event through her Montessori classroom last spring. “Come with an open mind and be ready to work hard,” Stabler said in a phone interview. “I’ve done similar coaching work for people to prepare for professional careers. I’m excited to come back for the first time in 15 years and meet some new talent who are interested in having dance careers.” This workshop is sponsored by the WRHS Dance Honor Society, which is part of the National Dance Educators Organization and is an approved student program from the Secondary Schools Principals. The WRHS chapter is one of more than 300 chapters across the United States that supports excellence in the dance arts, academic achievement and leadership. WRHS teacher Joyce Pratt will be the workshop’s faculty advisor and Hilarie Neely and Kassidy Thompson will be the program assistants. To register for the workshop, call (208) 578-5462 or email footlightdance@gmail.com.

T H E W E E K LY S U N •

SEPTEMBER 5 - 11, 2018