April 10 - 16, 2019

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APRIL 10 - 16, 2019 | V O L . 1 2 - N O . 1 5 | W W W . T H E W E E K L Y S U N . C O M

Crime & Courts News Former Bellevue Deputy Indicted For Rape Of Child Under 16

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Environment News Warm Springs Avalanche Damages Two Homes

Idaho News Governor Little Takes A Big Stand

“Spring is when you feel like whistling, even with a shoe full of slush.” ~Doug Larson

PROFESSIONAL. FUNCTIONAL. COLLABORATIVE.

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

KINDERGARTEN AND PRESCHOOL

REGISTRATION

Alturas, Bellevue, and Hailey Elementary Schools

Hemingway STEAM School

Preschool and Kindergarten Registration Wednesday, April 10 11:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

Community Campus

Kindergarten Registration Wednesday, April 10 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at Hemingway School

Immunizations available!

1:00-5:00 p.m.

Must bring immunization record and insurance card. $20 one shot, $40 two shots, $60 three + shots (208) 578-5000

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Preschool Registration Thursday, April 11 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at Hemingway School

Blaine County School District #61

w w w.blaineschools.org

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T H E W E E K LY S U N • A P R I L 10-16, 2019

NEWS CRIME & COURTS

CONTROVERSIAL FORMER BELLEVUE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CHARGED WITH RAPE OF CHILD UNDER 16 Rene Rodriguez is facing life in prison if found guilty

“We mutually parted ways,” Gunter said.

On Monday, Lincoln County Prosecuting Attorney E. even felony counts, two of them for raping a child Scott Paul announced that Rodriguez had resigned from under 16 years old, were alleged against Lincoln his post as sheriff, effective immediately.

County Sheriff Rene Rodriguez in Blaine County Undersheriff Steve Phillips—who has been serving Magistrate Court, Monday, April 8. If found guilty for as interim sheriff during a now 60-day leave of abthe crimes, Rodriguez could spend up to life in prison sence by Rodriguez—was named interim sheriff. Linfor lewd acts that allegedly took place coln County Commissioner Rebecca from 2005 to 2014 across Blaine, Je“After reviewing Wood said Rodriguez requested a 30rome, Lincoln and Twin Falls counties. his resignation, day leave of absence with pay when it The seven charges include one count known by the county that he Lincoln County became of felony sexual abuse of a child under the was under investigation. It was grant16, four counts of lewd conduct with a Commissioners accepted ed. Wood said Rodriguez requested a resignation and second 30-day leave of absence with child under 16 and two counts of rape his of a child under 16. declared the office of pay, but the county denied it. He was Rodriguez has not yet made a plea Lincoln County Sheriff instead given a 30-day leave without regarding the charges. His next court pay at that time. vacant.” date is April 15 in Blaine County 5th In accordance with Idaho law, the District Court. He is being held on a county has officially notified the LinE. Scott Paul $500,000 bond. coln County Republican Central ComLincoln County Rodriguez was a controversial figure mittee to request a recommendation to Prosecuting attorney in the Wood River Valley, specifically fill the sheriff vacancy. In the Novemin Bellevue where he was a Marshal’s ber 2016 election, Rodriguez ran unOffice deputy from 2008 to 2013. Several Bellevue resi- opposed and as the Republican nominee for sheriff, but dents have expressed to The Weekly Sun concerns about barely edged out two write-in candidates. his demeanor while conducting his duties as a law enThe committee has 15 days to present three names to forcement officer in the city. Rodriguez left that posi- the county commissioners, then the commissioners will tion in March of 2013 in what Hailey Police Chief Jeff have 15 days to make a decision. A special meeting of Gunter said was a “personnel matter” that could not be the county commissioners will take place at 9:30 a.m. disclosed, but was “nothing criminal” in nature. on April 29 to name the next sheriff and make an anBY ERIC VALENTINE

Lincoln County Sheriff Rene Rodriguez. Photo credit: Blaine County Sheriff’s Office

nouncement to the public. That person will be in office until the next election.

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NOW HIRING: Bloom Librarian I The Community Library seeks a Bloom Librarian I. This position is responsible for a number of areas of library operations, including circulation, technical services, and customer and patron service for the Bloom Truck. This is a part-time seasonal position.

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We are seeking a creative, detail-oriented professional to manage the School District’s data systems. If you have a customer-focus and love to figure things out, please consider this career position with an innovative team.

To be considered, a fully completed online application is required. To receive an email notification of job opportunities, apply online for our Job Notification System. www.blaineschools.org (208) 578-5000 Jobs@blaineschools.org A Veteran’s Preference and Equal Opportunity Employer

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Programs and Education Manager The Community Library seeks a Programs and Education Manager to oversee all aspects of a robust yearround schedule of programs, special events, classes and educational outreach efforts to promote lifelong learning. This is a full-time, year-round salaried position with benefits.

Regional History Museum Intern The Community Library seeks a Center for Regional History and Museum Summer Intern. This position will primarily focus on museum operations. This is a paid part-time seasonal position.

Summer Reading Intern The Community Library seeks a Children’s and Young Adult Library Summer Reading Intern. This position performs a variety of tasks relating to the Children’s Library, the Young Adult Library, and the Bloom Truck.

There are three paid part-time seasonal positions available.

Application Instructions: Bilingual skills in English and Spanish are highly advantageous for all positions. For complete job description and application instructions, visit (comlib.org/about/employment-opportunities/).

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T H E W E E K LY S U N •

THE WEEKLY SUN CONTENTS

REGISTRATION

APRIL 10 - 16, 2019

KINDERGARTEN AND PRESCHOOL

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The Idaho State Fiddle Championships will return to the Wood River High School Performing Arts Theater for its two days of competition and entertainment. For a story, see page 12. Photo credit: Ernie Sites

THIS WEEK A P R I L 1 0 - 1 6 , 2019 | VOL. 12 NO. 15

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Nonprofit News

Camp Rainbow Gold Buys Soldier Mtn. Ranch & Resort

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Commentary

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Calendar

Award Winning Columns, Guest Commentary

Stay In The Loop On Where To Be

ON THE COVER

A speedflyer zooms down Carbonate Mountain in Hailey on Wednesday, April 3. Mountain Humane’s new facility can be seen in the background.

Photo credit: Steve Snyder 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).

Alturas, Bellevue, and Hailey Elementary Schools

Hemingway STEAM School

Preschool and Kindergarten Registration Wednesday, April 10 11:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

Community Campus

Kindergarten Registration Wednesday, April 10 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at Hemingway School

Immunizations available!

1:00-5:00 p.m.

Must bring immunization record and insurance card. $20 one shot, $40 two shots, $60 three + shots

Preschool Registration Thursday, April 11 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at Hemingway School

Go to blaineschools.org to find a registration checklist and to learn more about the BCSD Preschool and Kindergarten Programs.

Students entering Kindergarten or Preschool MUST be age five (K) or four (Pre-K) on or before 9/1/2019

Blaine Blaine District #61 #61 Blaine County County School School District District #61

(208) 578-5000 www.blaineschools.org

STAY CONNECTED!

NEWS IN BRIEF Blaine County School District Superintendent Makes Recommendation For New Hailey Principal Blaine County School District Superintendent Dr. GwenCarol Holmes has announced her selection for Hailey Elementary School principal. Her recommendation to the board of trustees will be to hire Ms. Toni Boush, who is currently the elementary principal at the American School of Brasilia, Brasil.

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 Eric Valentine • news@theweeklysun.com ARTS & EVENTS, SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Dana DuGan • calendar@theweeklysun.com COPY EDITOR Patty Healey STAFF REPORTERS • Aimée Durand • Hayden Seder • Emilee Struss news@theweeklysun.com DESIGN DIRECTOR Mandi Iverson • mandi@theweeklysun.com PRODUCTION & DESIGN Chris Seldon • production@theweeklysun.com 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

“Ms. Toni Boush was the interview committee’s unanimous top choice for the new Hailey Elementary principal,” Holmes said. “Ms. Boush brings a positive, high-energy leadership style and a passion for inclusive diversity. She has worked in both the Eagle and Roaring Fork school districts in Colorado and understands the dynamics and beauty of mountain communities.”

Boush is a 28-year veteran of the education world. She was the elementary principal at Ruamrudee International School in Bangkok, Thailand, for six years. For the past three years, she has been a principal at the American School of Brasilia, Brasil. Previous to her international work, Boush was the middle school principal in Minturn, Colorado, a part of the Eagle Colorado School District, for nine years. She was assistant principal for two years in the Roaring Fork School District, Colorado. Prior to entering administration, Boush was an elementary teacher.

Boush’s selection as the final candidate came after an extensive interview process that included Hailey Elementary parents, staff, and district administrators. The superintendent’s recommendation was scheduled for consideration at last night’s school board meeting. If approved by the board, Boush will begin her contract midsummer. Follow The Weekly Sun for an update on this story in our next issue.

Idaho Insurance Regulators Make Makina Health Shut Down The state’s insurance watchdog has issued a cease and desist order to Makina Health for soliciting health insurance clients without being properly licensed to do so in Idaho. The Department of Insurance order immediately prevents Makina Health or any entity with the word “Makina” in its name from engaging in the business of transacting insurance in the state of Idaho. Makina operates as a private purchasing cooperative based out of Texas.

Acting on a tip from the public, state regulators began investigating Makina this past December following an allegation the company was soliciting self-funded healthcare plans in the Gem State. The company maintained a website touting health plans labeled “fantastic options for the value.” Idaho law provides that self-funded plans, including multiple employer welfare arrangements (MEWAs) that operate within Idaho, must be registered with the Department of Insurance. Makina allegedly violated this code by acting as a MEWA in the state of Idaho.

“We have a responsibility to protect Idaho consumers by making sure the insurance producers with whom they do business are properly licensed under the Idaho Insurance Code,” said Department of Insurance Director Dean Cameron.

Makina may file a request for a hearing in this matter.

Mountain Humane Welcomes New Board Members And Officers Three new longtime philanthropic volunteers have been added to the Mountain Humane board of directors. They are Linda Potter, Rita Golleher and Maggie Sturdevant, all longtime supporters of the shelter.

They join existing directors Joseph Begovich, Christine Ferguson, Bobbi Hunt, Sally Onetto, Phil Usher, secretary Elizabeth Mathieu, treasurer Renee Faltings, vice president Dan Drackett and president Jan Main.

“We are truly grateful to the commitment and service of our board members,” JoAnne Dixon, executive director, said. “Without their leadership and support, Mountain Humane would not be able to fulfill our ambitious goal of making Idaho a no-kill state.”

Mountain Humane officially moved into its new animal welfare facility earlier this year, doubling the number of pets housed and continuing the current trend of increased adoptions. As the first no-kill shelter in the state of Idaho, Mountain Humane is joining forces with regional shelters to achieve the so-called No-Kill Idaho goal by 2025.

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T H E W E E K LY S U N •

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APRIL 10-16, 2019

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Former Students File Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit Against School District

A federal civil rights lawsuit was filed today by Dakota King Hutton and Emily Thayer, two former students of Wood River High School (WRHS) in Hailey. The lawsuit alleges violations of the students’ constitutionally protected rights to free speech by the Blaine County School District (BCSD) and several named administrators, including BCSD Superintendent GwenCarol Holmes.

At issue for Hutton is an opinion poll she conducted when she was a senior at WRHS. She asked 30 random students and staff about, among other things, the impact Superintendent GwenCarol Holmes had on the district. According to Hutton’s account, the poll was deleted We have been made because the school district aware of the lawsuit had claimed it violated Idaho and our attorneys are law as it was a “professional reviewing it.” evaluation” “I was shocked and frusHeather Crocker trated when I learned that School district spokesperson several administrators quickly moved to delete my assignment from the school’s Google Drive account,” said Hutton. “The questions, asking about how well a leader is doing, are the kind you see in polls all the time and they seemed very appropriate for a class on government. I ended up receiving a ‘no grade’ on the assignment, and I had to meet with the principal and several other school officials.”

At issue for Thayer is a monthly report she submitted in the fall of 2017 to the school board in her capacity as student body representative. In the report, Thayer noted that students wanted the board to reconsider their decision on the 2018 graduation date. According to Thayer’s account, the superintendent redacted that portion of her report.

"We have been made aware of the lawsuit and our attorneys are reviewing it," school district spokesperson Heather Crocker said.

When the controversy arose last year, the school board sent a one-page letter to Hutton refuting some of her claims and offering “guidance and support” if she wanted to revise her survey.

A Monday afternoon avalanche caused extensive structural damage to Board Ranch homes. Photo credit: Blaine County Sheriff’s Office

WEATHER CONDITIONS TRIGGER AVALANCHE IN WARM SPRINGS

Warning: There could be more to come

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BY HAYDEN SEDER

n Monday, April 8, an avalanche at Warm Springs and Whipsaw Lane in the Board Ranch neighborhood of Warm Springs in Ketchum hit two homes and narrowly missed a third, causing extensive damage to both buildings.

No one was hurt, as both homes were vacant.

The Sawtooth Avalanche Center warns that avalanche danger is high due to recent rain and multiple days of above-freezing temperatures.

The center advises staying off of and out from below all steep slopes.

How It All Went Down The Ketchum Fire Department received a call at 2:01 p.m. on Monday about the avalanche. Assistant Fire Chief Tom Ancona was the first on the scene and established Board Ranch Command. He was soon followed by Ketchum Engine 1 with four personnel on board with all necessary avalanche equipment, including snowshoes, poles and personal beacons.

“They came prepared to do a rescue inside the buildings,” said Tom Bowman, Ketchum’s interim fire chief. “At the time of dispatch, we were unsure whether there were occupants or not. Our initial reports said not, but we never take that first report as gospel. We always confirm on our own.”

As Engine 1 rolled out to the scene, Ketchum Rural Engine 2 and 3 responded with paid, on-call volunteers who were directed to Ketchum Station 1 to stand by until Ancona could make an assessment. Ancona spoke with a caretaker of one of the houses, who confirmed that no one was in the house. The caretaker also lives in Board Ranch and said that no one had seen anyone in the second house for months.

“We made the decision that this information was good enough—we weren’t going to put our firefighters at risk searching a collapsed building,” Bowman said.

After having assessed that the buildings had no one inside, the firefighters then directed their attention to securing the homes’ utilities, including shutting off a leaking propane tank inside one of the houses. After the utilities were turned off, yellow “Do Not Enter” tape was put up across

The week's avalanche was a reminder to prepare for more. Photo credit: Blaine County Sheriff’s Office

the driveways of the homes, ending the extent of the fire department’s response.

What To Look Out For A report from the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office said that Warm Springs Road is closed to non-residents at Penny Lake but that school buses are being allowed access.

The Sawtooth Avalanche Center has reported other recent wet avalanches and advises that similar slides are likely this week as warm temperatures and rain turn the snowpack to mush. The entire Wood River Valley has been given a 4 (high) avalanche rating by the center.

Ketchum and Hailey city officials reported no other flooding or weather-related incidents this past weekend. tws

T H E W E E K LY S U N •

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APRIL 10-16, 2019

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The scenic Soldier Mountain Ranch and Resort will become the home of Camp Rainbow Gold. Photo credit: Camp Rainbow Gold

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After years of seeking a permanent home, Camp Rainbow Gold buys Soldier Mountain Ranch and Resort sibling camps and family retreats, college scholarships and a teen support group. Its programs fter months of searching, the Boise/ are sustained by community fundraising, private Ketchum-based nonprofit that helps chil- donations and volunteer efforts. Camp Rainbow dren with cancer and their families has Gold provides services to more than 400 Idaho found a permanent home. family members, is supported by Camp Rainbow Gold anWe intend to more than 300 volunteers from nounced today its purchase of take this one step across the nation and has been Soldier Mountain Ranch and through the American at a time and be very accredited Resort in Fairfield. The site will Camp Association since 2002. eventually serve as a perma- thoughtful and fiscally Amanda Watson, board presthroughout ident of Camp Rainbow Gold, nent facility for Camp Rainbow responsible Gold’s oncology, sibling and the process.” said they also realize there are family camps. other organizations in the area “We feel confident we have Elizabeth Lizberg with similar needs for a mediconsidered every detail, reExecutive Director cally accommodating camp loviewed every inspection report Camp Rainbow Gold cation. and carefully taken the time to “Creating an Idaho-based ensure the right fit,” said Elizabeth Lizberg, exec- medical camp presents an enormous opportuniutive director. “We’re thrilled for this opportunity ty for Camp Rainbow Gold and other nonprofits to secure the future of Camp Rainbow Gold.” to collaborate,” said Watson. “We have seen and experienced a growing need for medically accesNow Comes The Heavy Lifting sible camp facilities. As part of our master plan, Camp Rainbow Gold said it is now forming a we intend to consider other medical-needs camps, development committee and establishing a master bring them to the table in the planning process and plan for construction and renovation of the proper- make the camp available to other organizations to ty. The organization’s last similar effort involving ensure this camp can have the greatest positive a parcel in the East Fork area north of Hailey was impact on Idaho possible.” met with concern from neighbors before it was After completion of a master plan, Camp Raineventually nixed. bow Gold will launch its capital campaign, “A “We intend to take this one step at a time and be New Place Like Home,” to bring this entire vision very thoughtful and fiscally responsible through- to life and has hired Lonni Leavitt-Barker, a Camp out the process,” Lizberg said. “As such, there is Rainbow Gold family camp participant, longtime not yet an expected move-in date and Camp Rain- volunteer and former board member, as campaign bow Gold will continue to hold camp programs as manager. scheduled at our current leased locations.”

For more information about the property and Camp Rainbow Gold is an independent nonprof- how you can get involved, visit www.anewplaceit organization established in the mid- ’80s as a likehome.org. week of camp for a handful of children diagnosed tws with cancer. It has grown to offer oncology camps,

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BY ERIC VALENTINE

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NEWS IN BRIEF

It’s Time To Register For Idaho’s Largest Online Fundraiser

A high-profile charitable giving campaign—Idaho Gives 2019— is just one month away. That means nonprofit organizations must register by April 15 in order to receive Idaho Gives donations and share in the nearly $50,000 in award pool prizes that will be given out throughout the day.

Last year, over 100 Idaho employers partnered with the Idaho Nonprofit Center to participate in Idaho Gives, which raised over $1.5 million. This year’s goal is to raise $1.7 million for nonprofits around the state.

Idaho employers can raise awareness for Idaho Gives in many different ways, such as hanging posters, signs, sending emails, posting on social media, and hosting Idaho Gives events. For more information, please contact Amy Little at alittle@idahononprofits.org or (208) 424-2229.

Idaho Authorities Asked To Require Hunters To Carry Bear Spray

A coalition of organizations today submitted petitions to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission proposing rules to require hunters in grizzly bear habitat to carry bear spray. The proposals follow years of high grizzly bear mortalities due to hunter-related conflicts the groups say do not have to lead to deadly results.

Although grizzly bear conflicts with people remain relatively rare, data shows increasing numbers of conflicts between grizzly bears and humans during the fall hunting season as grizzly bears are drawn to gut piles left by hunters or come face to face with hunters in surprise encounters. Researchers and wildlife managers overwhelmingly agree that bear spray is the most effective means of deterring bear attacks and preventing human injury when encounters occur.

“Bear spray has been proven time and time again to be the most effective tool in preventing injury to both people and bears in close encounters, including hunting conflicts,” said Bonnie Rice, senior representative for the Sierra Club’s Our Wild America Campaign. “It’s common sense to require hunters to carry bear spray, and agencies should act now to make it mandatory.”

Peer-reviewed studies have shown that bear spray is 98 percent effective at preventing human injuries during bear encounters. Firearms are only 50 percent effective.

buyer’s market; if it takes less than six months, a seller’s market.

Nationally, the inventory of existing homes has been reduced to approximately 1.5 million houses, which is 10.3 percent lower than a year ago. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, 6 is a 5.7-month supply of new homes currently on the T Hmarket E W E E K LY S U N • A P R I L 10-16, 2019 there in Fiddlers the U.S. of Idaho Concert Night Featured Entertainer Ernie Sites NEWS IDAHO “The Janss Pro-Am Classic celebrates ski racing and mountain culture, and has for 21 years,” said Director of Locally, in February, we had 37 home sales (actual closings) Community Relations Jody Zarkos. Courtesy photo of Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation and there were 109 pending contracts (sales with a loan typically take 30-45 days). There were a total of 398 listings in February, of which six were new listings. So, we have 12.8 months of inventory valley-wide over all price points.

Of course, real estate is local, and even within a neighborhood or a price point we find differing levels of inventory and time on market. In certain price points, the existing inventory of homes is CampusRiver Performing Arts Theater at an all-time Community low in the Wood Valley.

Friday, Aprilimpact 12, 2019on Doors Open at 6:30 pm is constant Inventory has a direct price.

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BY YANNA LANTZ Buy Tickets at the Door Cash or Check but inventory is reduced, price tends to increase because the same number of people are trying to buy a smaller-than-normal number nown to the locals of homes. as “the best party on If you are thinking of selling this year, consider that we typically snow,” the 21st annual see the most listings in June-July-August. If you can get ahead of Janss Pro-Am Classic will be the masses, you will have less competition. Another thing to consider is that if mortgage rates increase as predicted, the cost to buy held Thursday to Saturday, is greater and, consequently, buyers can afford less home.

March 15-17 on Mountain.

BY Bald ERIC VALENTINE Brand New For 2019: The event is the leading Honor the memory of daho’s ballot fundraiser forinitiative the Sunprocess Valleywill remain unANNA MATHIEU changed.

Gov. Foundation Brad Little’s your pet in The Weekly Ski Education andpolitical legacy Realtor®, Associate Broker, GRI, MBA may not. is held in memory of former Sun. Thisofyear, we’re This Year’s Winner the Windermere The Valley first-year Republican vetoed a Sun Company ownergovernor Bill offering 20% OFF our Cup for Outstanding Performance highly partisan and contentious bill many conserJanss.

Windermere Real Estate/SV, LLC regular obituary rate vative lawmakers in both the Senate and House “A totrue man, (208) 309-1329 for pet obituaries. Pet wanted makerenaissance law and many Democratic leadJanss embodied the beston voters.” The AnnaMathieu@Windermere.com ers had been calling a “revenge obituaries cost just 16¢ 5b-realestate.com qualities decision of the indicates American high-profile the governor may tradition at Janss Pro-Am Classic is the incorporation of A long running per word and include a To subscribe to the Better spirit,” said a SVSEF press be more moderate than many of the Republican costumes.

This year’s theme is “Jukebox Heroes, Songs You Know and “Frankie” — 2003-2018 large color photo.

Homeowners newsletter: lawmakers in this redto state. release. “Named the 1940 Love.” Photo courtesy by Kat Cannell tinyurl.com/y8koftym Little’s decision effort that would Olympic Alpinethwarted Team, an Janss have—essentially—made it harder to get voter iniremained a lifetime enthusiast To reserve space for an obituary tiatives on ballots.ofSenate have in- be awarded for Best practice runs with team photos Prizes will and supporter skiingBill and1159 ski would or pet obituary, call Brennan creased the number of petition signatures required, racing until his death in 1996. Costume (first through third taken at Warm Spring Lodge. increased the required number of legislative disBecause of Bill – his attributes, place), Fastest Pros, Fastest Handicapping runs will follow at (208) 720-1295. tricts represented in the petitions, and decreased the ethos of and to our Amateurs, Fastest Team, Lee at 10:30 a.m. The annual Gala amount timecommitment to gather signatures.

Most Inspirational, Best Dinner and dancing will be community–the Sun Valley Ski Gilman It came on the heels of the November 2018 elecCrash and Education Foundation is proud tion which saw voters approve a ballot initiativeChampionship Team. hosted at the Limelight Room in Off-slope highlights include Sun Valley Resort that evening. host theMedicaid Janss Pro-Am Classic totoexpand coverage to more Idahoans. a hospitality tent at the base of The dual giant slalom race will Democrats said that was no coincidence.

Supportin his honor.” ers of the bill said the reconfiguration of requireNEWS IN BRIEF Warm Springs with breakfast be held on Lower Warm Springs During the Janss Proments had to do with properly representing rural at 10:30 a.m. On Saturday March and lunch on both race days, Am Classic, skiers and Idaho Governor Brad Little.

Photo credit: State ofceremony, districts that rarely see ballot petitions come their awards snowboarders of all abilities a welcoming cocktail party at 17, with the Sawtooth Society Names New ED Idaho way, since all legislative districts do not need to join forces with a celebrity pro Michel’s Christiania, a gala dinner and post-race party at The Sawtooth Society has named Hailey resident Greg Travelstead as be represented. The bill was seeking to double the at Sun Valley, and an the Warm Springs Headquarters and junior pro to form a team of dinner executive director. Through this summer, Travelstead will continue to amount of legislative districts represented by peti- have asked and introduce yet another bill to silence serve as the Sawtooth Society’s interim stewardship coordinator. après-ski party and barbecue Tent. six, and then go head-to-head tion signatures. the voters.”

Travelstead consults with clients on land and water planning issues, “ThethatJanss Pro-Am Classic live music atOne Headquarters’ in a dual giant slalom format “The governor made the best choice with for the peoof the bills required a citizen initiative and has worked for the U.S. Forest Service on trail maintenance. He celebratesa funding ski source. racing and Tent at the basehas of Warm Springs down the Rep. mountain.

Racing(D-Boise) ple of Idaho,” Mat Erpelding said. a fiscal note and identifies holds a B.S. degree in geology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and “It hours is merriment, mischief mountain culture, and has for is handicapped give theallhours and “When the legislaturetoignored “This year especially, the majority has proposed an MBA degree from the University of Colorado. ofparticipants testimony against this legislation, andgovernor magic allseveral rolled bills intowith one inaccurate 21 years, while supporting the opportunity to the or misleading fiscal The Sawtooth Society was formed in 1997 and has since invested was listening.” notes. Citizens should be held to more strict event,” thenotSun Valley Ski Education win, whether they’re World Cup fabulous three-day more than $750,000 in more than 190 recreational-related projects guidelines than the legislators,” Green argued. throughout the area. It also has been instrumental in preserving open statement.

Foundation,” said Director of racers or recreational skiers. boasted the SVSEF Monday A New Day space in the scenic Sawtooth Valley and Stanley Basin.

Even more the committee voted toJody Racer registration will contentious, take Community Relations However, the Janss IsSpeed Cup For more information, visit sawtoothsociety.org or Greg Travelstead

By Monday, Rep. Sage Dixon (R-Ponderey) send the legislation to the House floor without hav-is the is given to the fastest overall place at the Headquarters Tent Zarkos. “What I love to see at (208) 721-7665 or email greg@sawtoothsociety.org. brought four new bills that were formerly differ- ing a public hearing. Although this is just a recomSprings Lodge from comradery people experience after handicapping runs on atupWarm entteam parts of the old bill. By breaking the bill mendation, the Democratic members of the comand to see allinappropriate.” the fun they have noon to p.m., called Thursday, Friday. into separate parts, there could be an element or4 mittee this move “extremely March 15 with light fare and in this short three-day A long running tradition at elements of the bill the governor would not veto.

“I am saddened that the members of the event.” comlibations served.

Thevoted Opening To public’s learn more about the 21st Janss Pro-Ammembers Classicofisthethe The Democratic committee pointmittee to remove the ability to comPro-Am Rep. Classic, Celebration Pro Presentation of costumes. edincorporation out several procedural rules that were broken. andment on these piecesJanss of legislation,” Johnvisit “We are welltheme past the 4 deadline to insvsef.org or call should (208) 726-4129. will then take Gannon place at (D-Boise) Michel’s said.

“The public have This year’s is March “Jukebox troduce new Songs bills,” Rep. Green (D-Boise) intheKetchum opportunity to testify for and against bills, esChristiania from Heroes, YouBrooke Know said. peopleand haveparticipants spoken; they do want pecially when they are this contentious. The ma6-8not p.m. and“The Love,” the legislature to make the initiative process more jority March party is attempting to completely silence the On Friday, 16, are encouraged to wear their difficult. I cannot understand why legislators voters both inside and outside of the statehouse.” tws costumes on and off the slopes. participants will hold pre-race would fly in the face of what their constituents tws

GOVERNOR TAKES 21ST JANSS LITTLE PRO-AM CLASSIC A BIG STAND BALLOT Putting the funON in fundraising INITIATIVE PROCESS

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NEWS IDAHO

GOVERNOR SIGNS MEDICAID EXPANSION INTO LAW, WITH RESTRICTIONS Democrats vow to take the battle to the courts

BY ERIC VALENTINE

“When the Governor vetoed the Revenge on Voters Act last week, we were hopeful that he understood the importance of using his position to stop Idaho from being forced into embarrassing lawsuits. Clearly, we were wrong. We will waste millions of taxpayer dollars implementing barriers to Medicaid coverage and millions fighting those barriers in court. The Governor has made a decision that is both fiscally irresponsible and inhumane.”

That’s the collective comment the state’s Democratic leadership—specifically, the Idaho Joint Democratic Caucus—offered in response to Gov. Brad Little’s decision to sign restrictions on Medicaid expansion into law yesterday. Democrats said they will challenge Idaho Senate Bill 1204 in court where they believe the law will side with them.

At issue is how a ballot initiative to expand Medicaid will cost at least $3 million to administer and won’t make coverage to significantly more Idahoans should be car- much, if any, difference because Medicaid Expansion ried out. More than 61 percent of voters approved the primarily benefits the working poor who have jobs but initiative in the last November elecdon’t make much in wages,” Sen. tion. Now it’s time to fund it. And Grant Burgoyne (D-Boise) said.

The Governor has made to do that, Republican leadership in Democrats claim as many as a decision that is both 12,000 Idahoans could now lose the legislature has proposed a number of ways to quell their fiscal con- fiscally irresponsible and eligibility for expanded Medicaid cerns. healthcare coverage. inhumane.”

Among those proposals: work According to Close the Gap Idarequirements—to ensure that Idaho Joint Democratic Caucus ho—a proponent of unfettered able-bodied Medicaid-eligible resiMedicaid expansion—a federal dents were holding down a job, or at least attempting to. judge ruled Medicaid work reporting requirements in Democrats, however, claim that enforcing those require- Kentucky and Arkansas unlawful because work-reportments would unfairly remove certain Idahoans from ing requirements violate the central tenet of the Medichealthcare coverage and would end up costing the state aid program and, therefore, coverage cannot be condimore money than it would save. tioned on work. tws “The mandatory work requirements added to the bill

T H E W E E K LY S U N •

APRIL 10-16, 2019

7

NEWS EDUCATION

IS COMMUNITY CAMPUS WORTH THE COST? School District Is Asking The Public To Weigh In

By Eric Valentine

E

fforts to focus spending taxpayer money on students in the classroom rather than subsidizing school district assets is raising questions about how much longer Blaine County School District can operate its Community Campus.

The district held a town hall session last night to hear from residents and—the district says—it has been hearing from multiple stakeholders since September 2017 when the school board began reviewing district property that was not being used for school purposes and determining if savings could be found. Some of these properties have been sold. Others are being reviewed for repurposing to better meet district needs. Enter: so-called non-school buildings like the Community Campus now being reviewed for possible cost savings.

“The Board of Trustees’ two main goals are to balance the budget and close the achievement gap. Blaine County School District staff continue to work relentlessly to ensure that all students have the same opportunities to succeed and they do this with less resources than in the past,” Superintendent GwenCarol Holmes wrote in a letter to the public.

According to Holmes, the trustees and the administration have heard from many stakeholders that the district should maintain two key priorities: 1. Providing a robust and wide-ranging educational program 2. Maintaining small class sizes But state funding alone does not provide enough funding to meet those expectations, so the district must rely on local funding.

The district is now asking its trustees, with the help of Community Campus tenants and the public at large, to provide guidance on how to proceed with the use of the non-school buildings. Options include, but are not limited to: • • • •

Maintain the status quo and continue to subsidize the operation of the Community Campus Notify tenants that leases for the Community Campus will be renegotiated within the next year to reduce the need for the district to subsidize this space Make plans for moving the technology office to the Community Campus in currently unused or minimally used spaces and then sell the current building and land Make plans for moving the offices at the district office to the Community Campus in currently unused or minimally used spaces and then sell the current building and land

Due to the proximity of the Community Campus to Wood River High School and Silver Creek High School, it would be difficult to relinquish ownership of the Community Campus while maintaining the safety of our students, Holmes noted.

“We have had many, many conversations and meetings with our tenants at the Community Campus. Now it’s time to also hear from additional stakeholders. This item is for discussion only and no action will be taken,” Holmes wrote in her letter.

If you have questions or concerns over the matter, you are encouraged to contact the district by email at amandalachance@blaineschools.org.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Organ Donation Organizers Celebrate Milestone

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More than 1 million Idahoans are committed to organ donation, making the state one of the highest per-capita donor registries in the nation. It’s a benchmark that was celebrated by the “Yes Idaho” Donate Life Coalition on Tuesday in Boise.

At the event Tuesday, the “Yes Idaho” Donate Life Coalition recognized local community partners who have been an integral part of saving lives through organ donation. In addition, Intermountain Donor Services Director Alex McDonald addressed the new $2 voluntary donation Idahoans can make to the organ donation program when they receive or renew their driver’s license. The money is used to educate Idahoans about the need for organ, eye and tissue donation.

The donor registry documents a person’s consent for organ, eye and tissue donation after death. An organ donor can potentially save 75 lives. Since the program started in August 2018, more than $4,000 has been raised.

For more information about organ, eye and tissue donation, go to the “Yes Idaho” website or call 1-866-Yes-Idaho.

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T H E W E E K LY S U N •

NEWS IN BRIEF

Health Officials Warn Of Hepatitis A Outbreak In Southern Idaho

Public health officials are investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A in southern Idaho. Twelve people infected with the hepatitis A virus have been reported to public health officials since the beginning of the year; three cases were in Blaine County. In 2018, only eight people were reported with hepatitis A in Idaho.

Epidemiologists are working to determine possible links between the cases and are encouraging people in high-risk populations to get vaccinated. Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for people who might be at increased risk of being exposed to the virus, including: • Men who have sex with men • People who use drugs (injection or non-injection) • People experiencing unstable housing or homelessness • People with chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C “We're monitoring the situation closely,” said epidemiologist Randi Pedersen. “The best protection is to be vaccinated, but everyone can reduce their risk by practicing good hand hygiene. This means thoroughly washing your hands after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before preparing or eating food.”

Hepatitis A is a virus that infects the liver and is easily spread by poor hand washing, close contact or sex with an infected person, eating or drinking contaminated food, and recreational drug use.

“Most Idahoans reported with hepatitis A this year have been so severely ill, they were hospitalized,” Pedersen said.

Hepatitis A can be prevented by being vaccinated, and also by washing hands with soap and water after using the bathroom and before eating or preparing food. Symptoms start 2-7 weeks after infection and can include yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, tiredness, lack of appetite, and dark urine or pale stool.

Hepatitis A vaccine has been routinely recommended for children since 1999. However, there are many Idahoans over the age of 30 who were not vaccinated as a child and are susceptible to hepatitis A. Lack of immunity among Idahoans over the age of 30 may be playing a role in the current outbreak in Idaho.

For more information about hepatitis A and getting vaccinated, talk to your healthcare provider or local public health district. Find your local public health district at http://www.idahopublichealthdistricts.org/ and Hepatitis A Facts at http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis.

Bug Zoo Is Coming To You

The Sawtooth Botanical Garden has set its dates for its 15th annual Bug Zoo commencing with the opening of the Bug Zoo Festival on Saturday, April 27. The 2019 Bug Zoo theme is “Survival!”

The yearly celebration and study of insects, reptiles and other critters at Sawtooth Botanical Garden allows people to connect with some of our strangest fellow creatures. This spring, participants will look at survival strategies of animals and plants, including migration, cooperation, and adaptation in the face of new challenges.

The educational fun begins on Saturday, April 27 at 11 a.m. with the Bug Zoo Festival. Inside and outside at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden participants will have opportunities to meet the critters, get a face painting, do a scavenger hunt, make art, learn about flowers, and how to garden with insects in mind.

Last year more than 1,500 people participated in Bug Zoo, a nearly two-week event hosted by the Sawtooth Botanical Garden each year.

For more information and the full schedule, visit www.sbgarden.org or call (208) 726-9358. The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is located at 11 Gimlet Road, four miles south of Ketchum.

Returning, New Student Enrollment Under Way

Returning student registration will open today for students currently attending a Blaine County School District (BCSD) school. New student enrollment for the next school year is currently open, too.

Returning student registration can be accessed through existing Skyward Family Access accounts. Skyward Family Access requires a log-in name and password; parents can use the same log-in/password as prior years. If parents have forgotten log-in names or passwords, they can follow the instructions on the log-in page or contact their child’s school secretary.

Students who enroll now will be able to sign up for classes for the upcoming school year. This includes students new to the district who plan on transferring from another school, such as The Sage School, Pioneer Montessori School, Syringa Mountain School or Sun Valley Community School, and for families planning to move to Blaine County, Idaho. Parents should begin by contacting the school their child plans to attend.

A registration checklist and more information is available at www. blaineschools.org under Our District/Registration.

APRIL 10-16, 2019

Organ Donation Organizers Celebrate Milestone

More than 1 million Idahoans are committed to organ donation, making the state one of the highest per-capita donor registries in the nation. It’s a benchmark that was celebrated by the “Yes Idaho” Donate Life Coalition on Tuesday in Boise.

At the event Tuesday, the “Yes Idaho” Donate Life Coalition recognized local community partners who have been an integral part of saving lives through organ donation. In addition, Intermountain Donor Services Director Alex McDonald addressed the new $2 voluntary donation Idahoans can make to the organ donation program when they receive or renew their driver’s license. The money is used to educate Idahoans about the need for organ, eye and tissue donation.

The donor registry documents a person’s consent for organ, eye and tissue donation after death. An organ donor can potentially save 75 lives. Since the program started in August 2018, more than $4,000 has been raised.

For more information about organ, eye and tissue donation, go to the “Yes Idaho” website or call 1-866-Yes-Idaho.

sun the weekly

Mountain Humane Welcomes New Board Members And Officers

Three new longtime philanthropic volunteers have been added to the Mountain Humane board of directors. They are Linda Potter, Rita Golleher and Maggie Sturdevant, all longtime supporters of the shelter.

They join existing directors Joseph Begovich, Christine Ferguson, Bobbi Hunt, Sally Onetto, Phil Usher, secretary Elizabeth Mathieu, treasurer Renee Faltings, vice president Dan Drackett and president Jan Main.

“We are truly grateful to the commitment and service of our board members,” JoAnne Dixon, executive director, said. “Without their leadership and support, Mountain Humane would not be able to fulfill our ambitious goal of making Idaho a no-kill state.”

Mountain Humane officially moved into its new animal welfare facility earlier this year, doubling the number of pets housed and continuing the current trend of increased adoptions. As the first no-kill shelter in the state of Idaho, Mountain Humane is joining forces with regional shelters to achieve the so-called No-Kill Idaho goal by 2025.

Students from USA Grappling pionships in Salt Lake City. David champions in their divisions. All o divisions. From left to right (stud Merridith Hoskins, Treagan Dowd end the group. Photo credit: USA

Idaho’s Nuclear Watchdog Has A New Pack Leader

Holly Harris will become executive director of the Snake River Alliance board, starting May 1. Harris comes to the grassroots organization after more than nine years as a staff attorney for Earthjustice in Alaska. Before that, she worked for the firm K&L Gates (formerly Preston, Gates & Ellis) in Seattle, focusing on environmental matters and renewable energy as well as supervising teams dedicated to Superfund cleanup design and implementation.

Harris has a B.S. in Biological Sciences from the University of Alaska, an M.S. in Public Administration with a concentration on Natural Resources Policy from the University of Oregon, and a law degree from the University of Oregon.

In 2018, the SRA led a successful campaign to raise public awareness about proposed plutonium shipments to Idaho. The Department of Energy abandoned the plan for those shipments.

“We’re now trying to stop construction of 12 nuclear power reactors at the Idaho National Laboratory. Holly will be an excellent leader for this effort. And she joins us just in time for our 40th anniversary gala. This is a good way to face the future,” Julie Hoefnagels, president of the Snake River Alliance board, said.

Idaho Supreme Court Wants To Hear From You

The Idaho Supreme Court has released the Idaho Civil Justice Reform Task Force Report, an examination of Idaho’s civil courts that includes proposals aimed at improving access to the courts by reducing the length and cost of civil litigation.

The task force has recommended the court adopt 13 recommendations originally developed by the Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ).

The proposed changes include fundamentally altering how civil cases flow through the court system, creating three tracks a case can take depending on the resources required. The changes are meant to address rising court fees and declining filings of civil cases; signs that civil procedure costs often outpace the amounts in dispute. Rising costs also cause many meritorious cases to not be pursued.

Some of the proposed changes include:

As rain showers passed over Baldy o rainbow over Warm Springs. Photo c

• Judges and court staff, not attorneys, to control the pace of litigation based on schedules set shortly after a civil case is filed.

• Introducing case management teams made of a responsible judge and a support staff who can make routine case management decisions.

• Making litigation easier for the public to understand and navigate.

The changes would affect civil cases including collections, contracts, real estate disputes, employment, personal injury and medical malpractice. It would not affect family law or small claims cases.

The Idaho Supreme Court is asking for public comment on the recommendations before voting on whether or not to adopt them. The report and technical correction can be found at https://isc.idaho.gov/ files/final-report.pdf. The comment period is open through June 30 and all comments should be sent to CourtComments@idcourts.net.

A runner circles the large concrete c Wednesday, April 3. Photo credit: St

T H E W E E K LY S U N •

APRIL 10-16, 2019

T H E W E E K LY S C E N E

Academy in Bellevue competed in the Utah Open Jiu-Jitsu State Chamd O’Crowley, Kade O’Crowley and Lexiegh Dowd earned titles as state other USA Grappling Academy students placed in the top three in their ents): Tyler O'Crowley, David O'Crowley, Kade O'Crowley, Lexiegh Dowd, d and Maddison Hoskins. Coaches Lee Anderson and Julie Daniels bookA Grappling Academy

on April 5, the sun was peeking out through blue skies, revealing an amazing credit: Bruce McLean

cistern located partway up the south ridge of Carbonate Mountain in Hailey on teve Snyder

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Special Reserve plays Spanish-style rock at The Red Shoe in Hailey on Saturday, April 6. Photo credit: Brennan Rego

Top and bottom: Folks revel during traditional drinking games and other activities at the 6th Annual Sawtooth Regional Galande Quaffing Championships. The annual event is held in Warm Springs. It is billed as the ultimate game for snow and beer lovers.

COMME N TA RY

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T H E W E E K LY S U N •

Fishing R epoRt

APRIL 10-16, 2019

COLUMN NO BONES ABOUT IT THE “WEEKLY” FISHING REPORT FOR APRIL 10 – 16, FROM PICABO ANGLER

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ishing season is NOT closed on all our area waters. The waters that are closed, that you cannot fish until opening day, on May 25, include Silver Creek, the Big Wood, and the South Fork of the Boise.

Waters that remain open include the Lost River and Little Wood River, as well as the Salmon River for steelhead fishing. All lakes, reservoirs, ponds and canals remain open to fishing, as well.

The Lost River generally moves to the top of anglers’ lists in April and May, as it is open for fishing and can be very good fishing. Lately, the Lost River below the dam in Mackay has been fishing really well. Anglers are fishing nymph rigs with the color red and doing really well.

Red Copper Johns, San Juan Worms, Red Hares Ears and even basic egg patterns will work great.

There is also a great dry-fly opportunity on the Lost, given the right day and conditions.

Baetis (Blue-Winged Olives) are bringing fish to the surface. This hatch starts on warm days after the morning chill is long gone.

Fish Parachute Adams in a size 18 or your favorite Silver Creek Baetis patterns.

Please be sure to watch out for the rainbow redds (spawning beds) in the river and DO NOT step into these areas. These cleared gravel patches hold the future trout population on the Lost, so please be mindful. This exact same thing can be said if you look for steelhead on the Salmon River.

The Salmon River steelhead are getting caught in the upper reaches slowly but surely. Expect this action to pick up as we move further into spring weather.

These steelhead are best caught swinging a fly in the waters closer to Challis. Moving closer to Stanley, the strike-indicator trout method is your best bet as the fish enter large pocket water sections.

Don’t ignore the lakes and reservoirs in the spring, as the ice-out conditions make for fabulous fishing, from the deserts to the mountains. The inlets can be very good in the spring as fish stage to move up into feeder creeks as well as taking advantage of newly opened waters as the ice recedes.

Finally, the Richfield Canal has nice-sized fish in it. It is a matter of finding some of the deeper holes. If you can find the deep spots, you can find the fish.

Get out there and explore! It can be a very rewarding time of the season to fish.

Happy fishing, everyone!

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

‘SPRING’ INTO ACTION!

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BY FRAN JEWELL

hat does one have to do with the other? Right now, we are all excited about the longer days and warmer nights. For us, that means more time to spend with our dogs getting closer to the magnificent area we live in. Not a moment goes by for dog lovers of the Wood River Valley that they are not thinking about long hikes and getting back to nature, especially now after an incredibly hard winter.

A client and friend just called me about an event that shattered her nerves and brought her to tears. Her wonderful dog, that has 100 percent recall, had wandered a very short distance from home and was drawn to a nearby pond. Unable to hear her owner, the dog fell in at the middle of the pond and was unable to get out. A very brave passerby, Nina Tooley, saw the dog swimming in circles, trying desperately to get out of the water. Without hesitation or regard to her own safety, Nina ran over and crawled across the ice to rescue the dog. Already beginning signs of hypothermia, my friends rushed their dog to the vet. Her life was saved by the heroic actions of an amazing person!

Had Nina not been nearby, this incredible Labrador retriever would have never shown up back home and my friend would have never known what happened to her dog. We are all so grateful for this caring and selfless neighbor!

This near tragedy points out to us that we need to be incredibly careful this time of year when recreating near any water sources, such as rivers, streams, ponds or lakes. What might look safe to the dog may be a death sentence. Even a small stream or slow-moving river may be swollen with runoff and moving very fast and strong. Portions you may not see could still be ice-covered. A dog that loses its footing can be swept downstream and sucked under the ice, never to come out the other side. A place your dog may visit in the summer may now be more dangerous than

Elise’s pond. Photo credit: Mary Stoecklein

you can imagine.

As if spring water danger wasn’t enough, we are also surrounded by hungry wildlife that pose a danger to both our dogs and to us.

Another friend of mine has had a lynx hanging out on her front deck! Having a threeand-a-half-month-old puppy has caused her great concern. We all have heard the reports of mountain lions everywhere up and down the Valley. I live in Hailey and one neighbor reported a mountain lion on my street. And, another a few blocks from me had a moose in her yard! With the snow melting and the warmer days, the bears are coming out of hibernation and are very hungry!

Living here, among the incredible beauty and wildlife, we must remember that our dogs are not the top of the food chain. When we built our homes in this Valley, we invaded

the wildlife habitat. Golden Eagle [subdivision] used to be the winter area for all the elk. Elk now frequent Cold Springs and other spots along the Valley instead.

To protect ourselves and our beloved dogs and cats, be sensible. Please do not frequent areas of known waterways right now. Keep your dogs close to you. Use a leash more than the time you don’t. Even 100 percent recall cannot protect your dog from slipping through the ice!

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

A NEMOPHILIST, A HAUNTER OF WOODS

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BY LESLIE REGO

ecently, I came across the word nemophilist. It means someone with a love or fondness for forests, woods, or woodland scenery, or someone who often visits them, a ‘haunter’ of woods.

The word derives from the Greek ‘nemos,’ a wooded glade, and ‘philos,’ signifying affection or love. This is an old word and its first recorded appearance occurred in1838 in the Atlantic Monthly.

In 1923, the word was utilized in an article in the magazine The Swiss Cross, an old popular science publication. “To many persons, Spring means ‘ethereal mildness,’ and to such her coming is indeed slow in our land, but the nemophilist, who has listened through all the lengthening days of later winter for sound of earliest bird, is off to the woods before the snow has left the hollows.”

How wonderful and how perfect for our Valley!

The past few months I have suffered from severe tendonitis in my arms and I have not been able to grasp ski poles. Instead of skiing, I am snowshoeing. One thing I like about snowshoeing is that you slow down. I have become familiar with the different trees in each trail, remembering a few as my favorites. I love the paths that lead me through the woods. With the lengthening of the days, the light has been spectacular bouncing off the snow and trees.

Snowshoeing has allowed me to listen to the woods. I have been able to attune myself to the gentlest of nuances. Earlier in the winter,` when I snowshoed, the shadows were

Leslie Rego, “From my Sketchbook, Winter to Spring,” watercolor, nib pen and ink, white gouache.

deep and the light was low. But now, as I continue to snowshoe in April, I hear the quickening of the waters, the chirp of the birds, and the sweet rustle of the branches. I feel as if I can hear the sap awakening and coursing through the trees.

Many of us are haunters of our woods. We are nemophilists who have been listening.

We have heard the woods even though the snow has not yet left our ‘hollows.’ The shift from winter to spring is here.

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 •

APRIL 10-16, 2019

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SPONSORED FEATURE STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

COLUMN SCIENCE OF PLACE

ISAAC LOOMIS

Big city dreams loom for Loomis

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The Seychelles fruit bat or Seychelles flying fox (Pteropus seychellensis) is a megabat found on the granitic islands of Seychelles. Although it is hunted for meat on some islands, it remains abundant. Photo credit: Hubris. nemesis, public domain photo, accessed via Wikipedia

A STRANGE BIRD

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BY HARRY WEEKES

had the good fortune of traveling to the Seychelles at the end of March. After a journey that crossed 12 time zones, took place over four calendar days, and was equal parts disorienting and miraculous, I was standing on a ferry dock at Praslin Island in the northwestern arm of the Seychellian Archipelago in what are known as “the granitics.” This ancient part of the world is a unique cluster of 65-million-year-old granitic islands poking out of the western Indian Ocean.

It was late afternoon and hot and humid enough to warrant not moving at all. Fortunately, this “sit and wait” technique is a time-tested strategy that has worked for predators for eons. It is also a great field strategy for the nerd, as organisms as diverse as fish, birds, and humans can forget you’re there if you just stay really still. In this case, I was simply working on not bursting into flames as my body adjusted to, or tried to, a shift of about 60 degrees in temperature and an equal percentage increase in humidity.

I was taking things in in the way that I do when I am in a novel place—where there might be organisms with which I am generally familiar, but about whom the specifics are unknown.

In the water, I saw fish. And a school of “not fish.”

This little school was made of large-eyed, torpedo-shaped, tentacled members. Squid. A school of squid. What kind? I have no idea.

This is also how I go through birds in a foreign place. Bird. Dove. What kind of dove? A cooing one. It takes a bit of digging before I get to zebra dove, or Madagascar turtle dove.

And so it was that I was on a dock, looking skyward, and thought “bird.” Then crow, or possibly raven, due to the size. As I was wondering if either of these lived in the Seychelles, there was something not quite right. Something strange.

The brain is an amazing thing. Observations,

descriptions, events, experiences—all are introduced into our world, spend a bit of time getting acquainted with our consciousness, then settle into the vast landscape of our subconscious… and wait.

Wait until you are standing on a dock watching a tailless not-crow flap over a forest, and from somewhere back in time your mother mentions something that connects with field excursions in college and it all comes together—bat.

The Seychelles giant fruit bat is, appropriately, a megabat; weighing in at over 2 pounds, with a wingspan to match, it does indeed look like a crow, with a fox’s face, and a tail disguised in a membrane of skin stretched between its back legs. This is the same type of skin stretched between the bat’s fingers that make up the airfoil of their wings (incidentally, bats are in the order Chiroptera, which roughly translates as “hand wing” because their wings are membranes of skin stretched between elongated fingers).

It turns out, when a fruit bat flies over your head, it is like a living representation of the Gotham City signal to Batman, and somehow utterly appropriate for an introduction into the tropics after such a long trip. Yep, a megabat is flying over my head.

What is unusual, though, is that these strange birds are common enough to be unremarkable, which I mean literally. As in, not one person made any comment about them. Huh. Giant, diurnal, fruit-eating bats larger than my dogs. And one pasty Idahoan standing totally still on a jetty.

Welcome to the Indian Ocean.

Harry Weekes is the founder and head of school at The Sage School in Hailey. This is his 47th year in the Wood River Valley, where he lives with his wife Hilary and their three kids—Georgia, Penelope and Simon—a nice little flock.

BY EMILEE MAE STRUSS

saac Loomis, a senior at Wood River High School, is receiving many congratulations around school lately. He got accepted to Columbia University in New York City. His hard work, both in academics and school involvement, has paid off.

Loomis has a 4.28 GPA and the most Advanced Placement courses taken out of anyone in his entire senior class. This semester Loomis is enrolled in A.P. Calculus BC, A.P. English Literature, A.P. Comparative Government, A.P. Music Theory, and A.P. Government and War in the Modern World.

He is also involved in several WRHS clubs, such as Model UN—a club that models diplomatic disputes, and Business Professionals of America, which teaches students how to operate and manage different parts of a business.

Loomis is also a performer; he plays the drums and sings. He is involved in Jazz Band; Drumline; the B-Tones, an all-male choral group; Jenny and the Bets, a smaller jazz group; and is a part of a local band called “Tea in a Coffee Mug.” His time, he confides, is spread thin. Loomis stays active with diverse sports, such as basketball, lacrosse, swimming and track.

For his senior year, Loomis scaled back on sports to just basketball and track in a conscious effort to make more room for what’s really important to him.

“This year, I decided to focus more on my relationships with friends and family,” Loomis said.

“I realized what I really like about being in school is being a part of the community.”

Even in his work life as a swim coach and front desk manager for the Blaine County Aquatic Center in Hailey, Loomis says it’s all about community for him.

“I love that job because it allows me to talk to people in the community I may not otherwise converse with,” Loomis said. “I get to greet the families and engage with the kids. And then I might see them around town and ask how the family is doing and it makes me feel like I’m contributing to a part of the community.”

Loomis is also an Every Teen has a Choice intern for The Advocates. The ETC interns visit schools in the area and give talks about what a healthy relationship looks like.

Loomis has his roots dug deep down in the Wood River Valley’s rich community soil. He says this place has provided him with more opportunities than he could ever have asked for. And next year he

Isaac Loomis is proud to be a part of the Wood River Valley community—a place that he says has given him more opportunities than he could ever have asked for. Photo credit: Jack Flolo

is going to the ‘Big City’ for, as Loomis says, “opportunities on steroids.”

At Columbia University, Loomis plans to major in economics or government and then attend law school. His ultimate dream is to become a lawyer in New York City.

“I like the law because, unlike politics, where there are strong opinions, it’s the nonpartisan way of getting involved,” Loomis said.

“The law is very concrete.”

He plans to attend a lot of musicals on Broadway, immerse himself in a different community with a greater diversity of culture, and be open to new opportunities that may present themselves.

Loomis has a long list of teachers who have helped him grow as a student and mature as an individual thinker.

“There are so many teachers,” Loomis said, “who have helped me along in my journey.”

As for his character, he says no doubt his mother and father have inspired him.

“My mom and dad have been huge influences on my character and how I see the world,” Loomis said.

Loomis also says that his brother, Asher Loomis, has taught him how navigate the social world, and he hopes that his little sister, Charlie Loomis, is able to learn from parts of what make him who he is.

“I’ve loved growing up here,” Loomis said. “Somewhere else I might not have as many opportunities to do all the things I want to do because there’s more competition, but here there are so many things to try and be a part of.” 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.

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SPONSORED BETTER HOMEOWNERS NEWS

QUALIFIED CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION

APRIL 10 - 16, 2019

SUN CALENDAR THE WEEKLY

EVENT FEATURE

I

f you’re at an age where you need to be taking Required Minimum Distributions (age 70.5) from your IRA, a Qualified Charitable Contribution and some planning may allow you to lower your overall tax liability.

Let’s say that a couple’s 2019 itemized deductions include $8,000 in property taxes, $4,400 in interest and $20,000 in charitable contributions. That would total $32,400 which exceeds the 2019 $25,300 standard deduction for married couples, 65 years of age or older, filing jointly.

Their required minimum distribution from their IRA is $40,000, which will be taxed at ordinary income. If this couple is in the 24 percent tax bracket, the tax liability would be $9,600.

Alternatively, if they made the $20,000 in charitable contributions from their IRA as a Qualified Charitable Contribution, it would not be taxable in the withdrawal. The balance of the RMD of $20,000 would be taxable at 24 percent, which would have a tax liability of $4,800.

The couple’s $32,400 worth of itemized deductions would be reduced by the $20,000 because it was paid from the IRA, which makes their itemized deductions $12,400. The $25,300 standard deduction would benefit them more by an amount of $12,900 increased deductions. At 24 percent, this would reduce their liability by $3,096.

In the first instance, they would owe $9,600 in taxes due to the $40,000 RMD from their IRA. In the second example, because of the increased amount by taking the standard deduction, the net tax liability would be $1,704 ($9,600 – $4,800 – $3,096 = $1,704).

This example shows how shifting contributions to a Qualified Charitable Contribution will get the same amount to the charity but lower the Required Minimum Distribution that must be recognized as ordinary income. The shifting also gives the taxpayers the advantage of a higher amount of the standard deduction than the itemized deduction.

As always, before taking action, you should get advice from your tax professional on how this strategy may impact you. There is information available on www.IRS.com for IRS Required Minimum Distribution FAQs (www.tinyurl.com/tws-mindist) and Qualified Charitable Distributions (www.tinyurl.com/tws-chardist).

ANNA MATHIEU

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

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

NEWS IN BRIEF

Idaho WIC Receives ‘Organization Of The Year’ Award

Every year, the Idaho Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics selects an organization in the state that has gone above and beyond to improve the lives of Idaho children. This year, they selected the Idaho Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program as their Organization of the Year.

The award recognizes WIC for its years of dedication to supporting moms and babies with education, breastfeeding support, and nutritional support.

“We work in WIC because we care about the families and children in our communities,” said Tammy Walters, WIC program coordinator at the South Central Public Health District. “Every day we get to see the positive difference it makes. It’s wonderful to see this hard work recognized on the state level.”

In 2018, South Central Public Health District served 8,245 clients, provided over $2.9 million in food vouchers, and helped all of these clients learn how to incorporate healthier diets into their lives. WIC also promotes breastfeeding as the optimal infant feeding choice.

If you or someone you know could benefit from WIC, visit signupwic.com to find a location near you. South Central Public Health District manages nine WIC locations in Twin Falls, Blaine, Minidoka, Cassia, Jerome, Lincoln, Gooding and Camas counties.

Idaho native and well-known musician Ernie Sites, the “yodeling cowboy,” will entertain Friday night as part of the opening night show. Photo credit: Ernie Sites

FIDDLING INTO IDAHO HISTORY State Fiddle Championships to be held in Hailey

F

BY DANA DUGAN

rom gypsies to cowboys, fiddling is an artform that transcends boundaries, cultures, gender and even age. And Idaho comes by its fiddling reputation from years of grassroots activity. In fact, Weiser, Idaho, is known as the fiddle capital of the world during its annual National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest and Festival each June.

Hailey has also joined the ranks as the place to be for those who play, and those who love fiddling, as the Idaho State Fiddle Championships will be held Friday and Saturday, April 12 and 13, at the Wood River High School Performing Arts Theater located at the Community Campus in Hailey.

“This event is a strong Idaho cultural event,” said Richard Fife, the business manager of Fiddlers, Inc., which hosts the event. “The number of children who participate in this state is phenomenal. That they can come play, compete, and make friends is wonderful. They want to have fun. Our largest division is in intermediate level, youth as well as adults, who’ve played for about five years.

Certified winners are those who end up going to the national contest. This is one of the most fun jobs I’ve ever had.”

The competitions will be held throughout the weekend, and there’s no charge to spectate. Among those competing will be novice, intermediate and certified fiddlers, from age 5 to 95. The adult divisions will compete Friday afternoon from 3 to 6:30 p.m. The youth divisions will compete on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and the open championships will be held Saturday evening from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

On Friday, the entertainment will begin at 7 p.m. featuring several youth twin fiddling duets, and performances by contest judges Tim Hodgson of the Bar J Wranglers, Kelly Buckley and Taylor Buckley of Missoula, Mont.

Sandra Cooper, executive director of the National Oldtime Fiddlers Contest, will be awarded the third annual Blaine Stubblefield Memorial Award.

Stubblefield was the founder of the National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest in Weiser.

Topping off the entertainment will be a performance by “the yodeling cowboy,” Ernie Sites.

Raised on a ranch in Wendell, Sites is a career musician who helped found the Western Music Association, and was inducted into the Idaho Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2018. Along the trail, he has performed with Riders in the Sky, Roy Rogers & Dale Evans, Gene Autry, and Sons of the Pioneers, among others. He now lives in Connecticut, where he works with an educational outreach program called Young Audiences of Connecticut.

The Idaho State Fiddle Championships were held for years in various locales, from Twin Falls to Shoshone, but “by 2013, at the end of the contest, Shoshone couldn’t continue supporting it,” Fife said.

Competitors of all ages compete in the annual event at the Community Campus in Hailey.

Photo credit: Mikayla Shippy / Fiddlers, Inc.

“We looked at different places we could go— Hagerman, Twin, and Gooding—but they didn’t have suitable places,” Fife said. “We met with the chambers, and mayors’ offices. The attitude toward bringing it to Blaine County was absolutely positive. We made the decision to bring it up here as a trial, went to the Community Campus, and then we knew the facility was suitable. It’s the best facility in the state to host the contest due to the contest requirements.”

Fife added that the Blaine County community “really helps with our sponsorship funding. Without that, we couldn’t do it.”

Fife said the event is growing, both in reputation and in the number of competitors.

“Last year we had 70 youth and 15 adults compete,” he said. “This year we hope to have 80 youth and about 20 adults. Some of the adults we haven’t seen in quite some time, and there are some new names in youth division, as well. These are new fiddlers getting their feet wet in the competitions.”

New this year will be the inclusion of twin fiddling—two people playing the same piece.

Fife said that the organizers—Fiddlers, Inc.— want to try it out as a demonstration first. They sent invitations to each of the youth fiddling groups in the state and several organizations. “It gives us an opportunity to see what twin fiddling is all about,” Fife said. “We may have to grow the competition if it’s as popular as we think.”

Fife said a main component in being able to stage the championship at the Community Campus is the rooms available backstage, for segregating judges from the competitors and in which to practice.

Theater doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Tickets are $15 adults (18-59); $12 seniors (60 and above); $10 veterans; $10 youth (7-17); children 6 and under are free; and the family package is $55.

There is no admission charge to watch the competitions. For more information and concert tickets, visit fiddlersofidaho.org or at the door.

tws

T H E W E E K LY S U N •

APRIL 10 - 16, 2019

EVENTS CALENDAR, CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

STORY TIME WED APR 10 & FRI APR 12

10:30-11:30AM / HAILEY PUBLIC LIBRARY Story Time is held weekly on Wednesdays and Fridays at the Hailey Public Library. All ages are welcome. Parents should plan on staying with their children. For more information, call (208) 788-2036.

SPONSORED HEALTH BEAT

WHAT COMPRISES A HEALTHY MEDIA DIET FOR CHILDREN?

BY AMY DRUMM, M.D.

KETCHUM COMMUNITY DINNERS WED APR 10

6-7PM / CHURCH OF THE BIG WOOD / KETCHUM Free hot dinners are provided weekly to everyone. Find Ketchum Community Dinners on Facebook for more information and weekly menu updates.

LINE DANCING WED APR 10

6-7PM / THE MINT / HAILEY

Dust off your boots and join Vicki Aberbach for a rip-roaring session of line-dancing lesson. The fee is $10. There will be an open dance afterwards to practice getting those boots movin’.

DORRANCE DANCE WED APR 10

6:30PM / THE ARGYROS / KETCHUM Dorrance Dance will present “SOUNDspace,” a tap dancing riff, by the hot young company out of New York City. Dorrance has performed all over the world, including at The Joyce Theater and Lincoln Center Out of Doors in New York City; Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in Becket, Mass.; Carolina Performing Arts in Chapel Hill, N.C.; Vail International Dance Festival; and The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. For tickets, visit theargyros.org.

DIGGING DEEP WED APR 10

5:30PM / WARFIELD / KETCHUM Sawtooth Avalanche Center forecaster Ethan Davis will discuss spring avalanche conditions. You’ll learn what snow conditions to anticipate as well as online resources to reference after the SAC closes for the season. This discussion-style series is aimed at the intermediate to advanced backcountry user that’s looking to add some tricks and knowledge to his/her playbook.

TRIVIA & COCKTAILS WED APR 10

7-9PM / HOTEL KETCHUM / KETCHUM There will be two trivia games every Wednesday night through the season, along with drink specials and prizes for place winners. There is no entry free. Bring yourself and your friends, because you deserve a night of games and specialty cocktails.

BREATH OF THE BEAR WED APR 10 6:30-8PM / LIMELIGHT / KETCHUM

Wildlife behaviorist Buck Wilde will present a multimedia talk, “Breath of the Bear,” on survival strategies in the Alaska wilderness. When “Great Bear Stakeout” filmmakers were challenged by a 1,200-pound grizzly, Wilde and his crew were able to ‘talk’ the one-eared bear into backing off by communicating with body language. Likewise, when confronted by wolves, Wilde’s learned the same cue means something quite different.

Wilde’s next filmmaking adventure, “Talking with Bears, Dancing with Wolves,” explores wilderness survival at the top of the food chain to discover what unarmed hunter-gatherers may have learned from canine and ursine foraging strategies and how they negotiated face-to-face encounters with these apex predators.

Presented by Zenergy, all proceeds will benefit the Idaho Conservation League. For tickets, visit eventbrite.com and search for Breath of the Bear.

GENTLE YOGA THU APR 11

5:30-6:30PM / ST LUKE’S CLINIC / HAILEY This class will teach a gentle yoga practice based on specific needs, unique health conditions and personal goals. Participants will learn the foundations of yoga and how to use yoga as an approach to physical and emotional wellbeing preventatively and in healing. It will be held every Thursday through May 30.

BROWN BAG LUNCH

THU APR 11

12:15-1:15PM / ST. LUKE’S / KETCHUM BIG therapy helps those with neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s. This can make basic daily activities such as dressing, standing up, or maintaining balance while walking quite challenging. LVST BIG movement therapy focuses on the amplitude of movements and specific high-intensity training meant to elicit neuroplasticity in the brain. Kjersten Grinde, physical therapist and LVST BIG certified clinician, will discuss the science and successes of LVST BIG movement therapy and give a sample of exercises to use at home that can help those with these conditions.

For more information, contact Erin Buell buelle@slhs.org or call (208) 727-8733.

13

ST. LUKE’S WOOD RIVER

I

FAMILY MEDICINE

n an era when access to media is ubiquitous, it is difficult to control the hours our children spend in front of a screen. Excessive and improper media use has been linked to obesity, fewer hours of sleep, developmental delays, and more parent-child conflict.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) announced new recommendations, released in October 2016, which allow for some screen time for children younger than 2 years old and emphasize parental involvement for all kids.

In a nutshell: • Avoid use of screen media other than video-chatting for children younger than 18 months.

• If you choose to introduce media to children 18-24 months, find high-quality programming and co-view and co-play.

• Limit screen use to one hour per day of high-quality programs for children age 2-5 years.

To ensure quality screen time, consider these tips: • Preview programs, games and apps before allowing your child to view or play with them.

• Seek out interactive options that engage your child rather than those that just require pushing and swiping or

staring at the screen.

• Use parental controls to block or filter Internet content.

• Make sure your child is close by during screen time so that you can supervise his or her activities.

• Ask your child regularly what programs, games and apps he or she has played with during the day.

• Play a video game or explore a new app with your child.

• When watching programming with your child, discuss what you’re watching and educate him or her about advertising and commercials.

Remember that, at some point, your child will be exposed to content that you haven’t approved beforehand and devices without Internet filters.

Talk to your child about the possible situations that could come up and the behavior you expect.

To learn more, contact your local pediatrician or family medicine provider. Need help finding the right doctor?

Contact St. Luke’s Center for Community Health at (208) 727-8733.

It’s your life.

We help you live it.

NEWS IN BRIEF

All-Day Kindergarten, Dual-Immersion Kindergarten And Preschool Registration Period Opens

Parents can register today for all-day kindergarten, dual-immersion kindergarten, and preschool for Alturas, Bellevue and Hailey elementarysSchools as well as at Ernest Hemingway STEAM School. On Thursday, Ernest Hemingway STEAM School will allow parents to register for preschool.

For students attending Alturas, Bellevue, and Hailey Elementary, parents can register their children at the Community Campus (1050 Fox Acres Road) from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. For students attending Hemingway Elementary, all-day kindergarten and dual-immersion kindergarten, parents can register their children at Ernest Hemingway STEAM School between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. On Thursday, April 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., parents can register for preschool.

For students attending Carey School, parents can contact the school at (208) 578-5040.

Parents or guardians need to bring an original state-certified birth certificate and documented proof of residency with a physical address in Blaine County. Parents also need to bring immunization records. South Central Health District will offer immunizations at the Community Campus from 1-5 p.m. Cost is $20 for one shot, $40 for two shots, and $60 for three shots.

For information on the preschool and kindergarten programs in Blaine County, and for details on proof of residency and immunizations, go to www.blaineschools.org or call (208) 5785000.

Wood River Women’s Foundation 2019 Grant Recipients Named

Eleven local nonprofits will be awarded a total of $267,918 in grants from the Wood River Women’s Foundation (WRWF) in 2019.

Grants awarded this year strongly support local youth and families through academic, food security, mental health and outdoor education programs. Funding requests for safe housing for both men and women who are facing critical transitional housing needs were also awarded.

“The requests are so compelling, and every nonprofit is deserving whether they make it through to the end or not,” said Gina Wolcott, chair of the WRWF grants committee. “The nonprofit work that happens in this Valley is highly impactful and our community is truly fortunate for all they do.”

The 2019 grantees will be honored at the WRWF Grants Celebration & Annual Meeting Luncheon to be held Aug. 7 at Trail Creek Cabin. The next round of applications for WRWF funding will begin this fall.

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APRIL 10 - 16, 2019

EVENTS CALENDAR, CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE THEATRE & FILM SCHOOL AUDITIONS THU APR 11

SEED & PLANT EXCHANGE SAT APR 13 10AM-2PM / GRANGE HALL / HAILEY

The Sun Valley Ballet & Arts Center will hold open auditions for its Children’s Theater And Film School, every Thursday or call for appointment. The Sun Valley Ballet & Arts Center is located 111 N. 1st Ave. in Hailey.

For more information, call (208) 366-4008 or visit svbartsdirector@gmail.com.

Sponsored by the Wood River Seed Library and Upper Big Wood River Grange Hall, the seed and plant exchange will feature local gardeners’ saved seeds, potted plants and starts, and dug-up perennials. The WRSL seeds are distributed free of charge, but donations to The Hunger Coalition are encouraged.

Locally produced seeds are adapted to our local environment and weather. By preserving and sharing these seeds, our seed library maintains a vibrant and diverse supply of open-pollinated varieties for local gardeners. This becomes an asset for a resilient community. The next exchange will take place on May 25, in conjunction with Earth Day. For more information, visit woodriverseeds.net.

3-5PM / BALLET & ARTS CENTER / HAILEY

FOOD POLICY THU APR 11

5-6PM / SAWTOOTH BREWERY / KETCHUM The University of Idaho’s James A. and Louise McClure Center for Public Policy Research will present Policy Pub: The Future of Food, with farmer Fred Brossy; Mark Davidson, director of conservation initiatives, The Nature Conservancy of Idaho; Lauren Golden, associate professor and Blaine County Extension educator, University of Idaho Extension; and Amy Mattias, co-director, Local Food Alliance, Sun Valley Institute and board member, Blaine County Food Council.

McClure Center Director Katherine Himes will moderate the discussion on sustainability, water, food and agriculture in the Wood River Valley. A question-and-answer period will follow.

To register for this free event, visit eventbrite.com and search for “Food Policy.”

FAMILY DAY SAT APR 13 3-5PM / SV CENTER / KETCHUM The Center will offer its free family day: “How I Remember It…A Chance to Consider Another Version of a Story” as part of the BIG IDEA Unraveling: Reimagining the Colonization of the Americas. For more information visit sunvalleycenter.org.

BALDY BASH SAT APR 13 ALL DAY / WARM SPRINGS LODGE / WARM SPRINGS Everyone is invited to celebrate another amazing year on the slopes during the annual Baldy Bash, with live music by Andy Frasco & Casey Kristofferson.

FLOURISH BOOK CLUB THU APR 11

6-7:30PM / FLOURISH FOUNDATION / HAILEY EASTER EGG-STRAVAGANZA SAT APR 13 10AM-6PM / WR MIDDLE SCHOOL / HAILEY

The Flourish Foundation and NAMI-WRV will host a talk about the Brené Brown book “Daring Greatly” for the Words of Wisdom book club. It will be held at Flourish located at 1030 Airport Way, in Hailey. RSVP to paige@flourishfoundation. org.

Blaine County Bots will present an Easter Egg-stravaganza kids’ carnival with craft show, silent auction, prizes, food vendors and much more.

The Easter egg hunt will take place at 11:30 a.m. All are invited.

This event is a fundraiser for the Wood River Middle and High School robotics teams, who will compete in the world championships in Kentucky.

LOOK, PLAY & CREATE THU APR 11 6-8PM / SUN VALLEY CENTER / WARM SPRINGS

RIVER RUN CLOSED SUN APR 14 ALL DAY / BALD MOUNTAIN / WARM SPRINGS

The free Look, Play & Create program introduces younger children— age 1–5—to art through a series of looking activities and age-appropriate messy fun art projects. This week will be collage. This program is held on the second Thursday of each month.

For more information, visit sunvalleycenter.org or call (208) 726-9491.

Sunday is the final day of the season for River Run skiing and riding. Head to Warm Springs and continue enjoying Baldy for another week.

SOUPER SUPPER MON APR 15 5:30-6:30PM / ST. CHARLES CHURCH / HAILEY Weekly free hot dinners are provided to anyone who wishes to join. St. Charles Catholic Church is located at 313 1st Ave. S. in Hailey.

LIVE MUSIC THU APR 11-MON APR 15 6PM / THE LIMELIGHT/ KETCHUM

ART HISTORY LECTURE TUES APR 16 5:30-6:30PM / SV CENTER / KETCHUM

Free live music is held in the Lounge every Thursday through Monday night through the season. Food is available and children are welcome as there are lots of games and fun to be had.

The Idaho State Fiddle State Championships will return to the Community Campus Performing Arts Theater for its two-day event of competition and entertainment. For more information, see story on page 12.

The Center will present an Art History lecture called ‘The World Turned Upside Down’ with Courtney Gilbert, focusing on 17th-century drawings by don Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala. These provide an intriguing glimpse into life in the Viceroyalty of Peru and also illuminate Guaman Poma’s synthesis of European visual techniques with indigenous Andean systems of symbolism and spatial concepts.

The cost is $10 for members and $12 for nonmembers. For more information, visit sunvalleycenter.org.

LIVE MUSIC FRI APR 12 9:30PM / SILVER DOLLAR / BELLEVUE

PING-PONG NIGHT TUES APR 16 7-10PM / THE MINT / HAILEY

Corey James and the Passengers will play at the iconic Bellevue saloon. There’s never a cover and patrons have access to a free shuttle home, if needed.

Guests can enjoy free ping-pong games at The Mint. For more information call (208) 788-6468.

LEARN TO DANCE: SALSA FRI APR 12 6-8PM / SV BALLET / HAILEY

SAWTOOTH TRIVIA TUE APR 16 7:30PM / SAWTOOTH BREWERY / KETCHUM

Sun Valley Dance Club Series will offer salsa lessons this week. The fee is $25 per couple or $15 single. Light refreshments will be served. Sun Valley Ballet is located at 111 N. 1st Ave. in Hailey.

For more information, call Lyn at (501) 944-2448 or Aimee at (208) 490-0199.

Sawtooth Brewery presents free trivia games for the season. Games start at 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday and all ages are welcome. Sawtooth Brewery Public House is located at 631 Warm Springs Road. For details, visit sawtoothbrewery.com.

FIDDLE CHAMPIONSHIPS FRI APR 12 & SAT APR 13 VARIOUS / COMMUNITY CAMPUS SCHOOL / HAILEY

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T H E W E E K LY S U N •

APRIL 10 - 16, 2019

SPONSORED CHAMBER CORNER

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KICKING IT INTO HIGH GEAR

The Chamber And KIC Team Up

BY MIKE MCKENNA

W

e are certainly blessed here in the Wood River Valley.

Sure, we’re blessed with natural beauty and one of the best backyard playgrounds on the planet. But we’re also blessed with an amazing community that’s full of talented, successful and benevolent people.

Tapping into this talent pool and helping connect our business community is what the Ketchum Innovation Center (KIC) is all about.

“We try to harness the power of experts in our community and help them connect with entrepreneurs and local business owners,” Christy Anna Gerber, executive director of KIC, said.

Christy Anna explained that although KIC started as an incubator for entrepreneurs in 2014, the nonprofit has evolved into a more educational and connection-based organization.

“KIC has expanded our mission to be a multiplier of connections for people and to offer businesses more educational opportunities to support a more stable economic community,” Christy Anna said.

To help fulfill their mission, KIC offers a variety of programs as well as work and meeting space options at their facility on West 6th Street in Ketchum.

One of KIC’s most popular programs is their Momentum Meetings, where world-class

consultation is offered in a oneon-one setting. Their Young Innovators program focuses on locals in their 20s and 30s and provides a hub for the up-andcoming young business owners and freelancers. KIC also offers a Women’s Network Group and regular business-focused free workshops covering everything from finance to marketing to professional development.

“We help businesses and people with the whole life cycle of business, from startup, to growth and management, to closing or selling the business,” Christy Anna explained. “We want to help raise the business acumen for individuals.”

KIC has also become a resource for businesses in need of services like places to work or meet in Ketchum or those in need of skills like graphic design. KIC Community Members share their freelance skills and connect with business owners in need or who share like-minded ideas.

The newly formed Sun Valley Records company is a perfect example. Elizabeth Hendrix is a KIC Community Member. After she was introduced to Don Zimmer, recently, they decided to team up to create Sun Valley Records, which is a collaborative music platform celebrating local

15

Hard way Pipeline

Steel Fencing

Kelly Wardell 208-309-0916

How To Play Sudoku

music communities and artists.

“It’s really exciting when something like Sun Valley Records happens and it’s happened several times,” Christy Anna said. “A lot of freelancers connect and find opportunities through KIC.” The Chamber of Hailey and the Wood River Valley is proud to help support and market all of the opportunities KIC is providing. That’s why we couldn’t agree more with the KIC philosophy. As Christy Anna put it, “We believe a high tide raises all ships.”

For more information about the Ketchum Innovation Center, please go to KetchumInnovationCenter.org or call (208 ) 9287825.

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

CLASSIC SUDOKU See answer on page 2

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

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See answer on page 2

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

Cloudy 0%

PM Rain/Snow Showers 60%

low 26º WEDNESDAY

low 27º THURSDAY

high 46º

high 42º

Snow to Rain 30%

high 44º low 24º FRIDAY

Mostly Cloudy 40%

high 47º low 32º SATURDAY

AM Snow Showers 40%

high 44º low 26º SUNDAY

PM Showers 30%

high 43º low 28º MONDAY

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