WRW & Pet Section - 2 November 2022

By Eric Valentine

News that one of the Valley’s most cherished and utilized nonprofits‚ The Hunger Coalition, was requesting people cut back on its food pantry usage to twice monthly brought post-pandemic life into focus a little more harshly this week. Among other things, it triggered questions about whether an alleged influx of refugees or asylum seekers to the Valley was having unsustainable impacts to an area already battling a housing shortage.

What follows is The Hunger Coalition’s response to questions asked by Wood River Weekly.

Q: A couple of calls came into Wood River Weekly that indicated at least some people feel if the influx of Peruvian immigrants didn’t happen, there’d be no change in service happening. Can you shed any light on this?

A: We’ve adapted our emergency food distribution to provide the best possible experience for participants and make the increase in need more manageable for our staff. While there have been no cuts to our program ming, we have shifted our model; essentially sharing more food less frequently.

While we still have three weekly distributions, we are temporarily staggering traffic flow by asking our

participants to shop every other week and giving them more grocery points with which to shop. We hope this change will allow us to do what we’ve always done— provide emergency food to everyone who needs it effi ciently and compassionately.

No Blaine County resident who needs food is being turned away.

The recent changes to our distribution are in re sponse to a record demand for food. This is a result of

The publisher of the Wood River Weekly (WRW) hereby issues a retraction to an article titled “Grand Theft Water”, published on 9/21/22.

WRW acknowledges the writer failed to contact the defendant’s representatives for comment and clarification.

WRW acknowledges that all information for the story was obtained directly from a court filing in a case that is still pending. We did not verify the statements the plaintiff asserted in the lawsuit.

WRW acknowledges the use of legal and/or inflammatory language (‘theft’, ‘steal’, ‘cheat’, ‘kill’) was not warranted or supported by the facts of the case as they are known. The writer relied, and embellished on, the filings of the plaintiffs and did not do his due diligence in reporting both sides. We acknowledge that this language can be interpreted as prejudicial, and it is not in our purview as a publication to use such language.

WRW acknowledges that, in not being interviewed for their side of the story, the defendants felt the reporting unfair and detrimental.

It was not our intention to defame the defendants in any way and the story was not researched or published to offer a biased, sensational version of events. This was in no way intentional and we extend an apology to the Defendants.

The facts of this lawsuit are yet to be considered or adjudicated in a court of law and only the documentation filed by the plaintiffs was used by Mr. Valentine in writing the article. It is clear now that both parties should have been interviewed and able to provide their views regarding the pending case. We acknowledge this now and would like to clarify that all points reported in the story were taken directly from public records and public court filings made on behalf of the plaintiffs, much like a criminal case, which do not include the opposing view or explanation.

This case remains active in the in the Fifth District Court for the State of Idaho, Blaine County and WRW anticipates publishing another story to include the cases of both the plaintiffs and the defendants. Land use, water rights, and HOA agreements are complex and nuanced topics of concern for all residents in the Wood River Valley and ones that can inflame tempers. Fair, impartial reporting will be the watchword for the WRW in covering these types of stories in the future.

The Hunger Coalition, based in Bellevue, has seen its weekly numbers of households served jump

WRW STAFF

PUBLISHER

Christopher Seldon (208) 788-4789 publisher@woodriverweekly.com

MARKETING & SALES

Mandi Iverson (208) 721-7588 mandi@woodriverweekly.com

NEWS EDITOR

Eric Valentine news@woodriverweekly.com

CALENDAR calendar@woodriverweekly.com

COPY EDITOR

Patty Healey

PRODUCTION & DESIGN

Mandi Iverson mandi@woodriverweekly.com

Christopher Seldon chris@woodriverweekly.com

ACCOUNTING accounting@woodriverweekly.com

DEADLINES

Display & Classified Ads, Monday 5 p.m. Calendar Submissions — Friday 5 p.m.

CONTACT

Wood River Weekly P.O. Box 3483 Hailey, Idaho 83333 (208) 788-4789 woodriverweekly.com

FELIX

& FERRIS 101 Croy Creek Rd, Hailey mountainhumane.org 208-788-4351

Vote Nov. 8 ☑

Nov. 8

Nov. 8

"I’ve known Karma for many, many years. I find Karma has so much integrity. When she says she’s going to do something, she will get it done. She’s a great consensus builder and I feel we need a good balance in the Idaho legislature so I wholeheartedly support my friend, Karma.”

Cathy Gilbert Johnson, Richfield

"I’ve known Karma for many, many years. I find Karma has so much integrity. When she says she’s going to do something, she will get it done. She’s a great consensus builder and I feel we need a good balance in the Idaho legislature so I wholeheartedly support my friend, Karma.”

Cathy Gilbert Johnson, Richfield

Former Republican Lincoln County Treasurer

Paid for by Karma4Idaho, Lorie Race, Treasurer

Paid for by Karma4Idaho, Lorie Race Treasurer

PUBLIC MEETING: SH-75 TIMMERMAN TO TIMBER WAY PROJECT

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Can community services support its residents’ goodwill?

JOIN US

In Person: November 15, 2022, 3:00-7:00 pm

Community Campus Building 1050 Fox Acres Road, Hailey, Idaho Online: November 15-December 15, 2022 https://itdprojects.org/projects /timmerman-to-timber-way-project

QUESTIONS?

Email: info@SH75.com

Phone: Sarah Beardsley, Public Involvement Specialist, (760) 831-6227

REUNIÓN PÚBLICA: PROYECTO SH-75 TIMMERMAN A TIMBER WAY

El proyecto Timmerman a Timber Way se centra en mejoras a carreteras diseñadas para reducir la congestión y mejorar la seguridad a lo largo de segmentos de la State Highway 75 entre Bellevue y Timber Way. Las mejoras de diseño que se están considerando incluyen:

• Ampliación de la SH-75 para adecuar carriles de paso, camellones de seguridad, acotamientos más anchos y carriles de giro central

• Mejora de determinadas intersecciones de la SH-75

• Ubicaciones de paradas de autobuses

• Posibles ubicaciones de pasos subterráneos peatonales

El proyecto creará proyectos listos para implementarse en cuanto se obtenga un financiamiento.

Para obtener más información, visite el sitio web del proyecto en: https://itdprojects.org/projects/timmerman-to-timber-way-project

Envíe un correo electrónico a ITD con cualquier pregunta o comentario a: info@SH75.com

TÍTULO VI DE LA LEY DE DERECHOS CIVILES DE 1964 – Se les recomienda a las personas que necesiten un intérprete o arreglos especiales que llamen al coordinador de participación público al (208) 3348884. Usuarios de TTY/TDD: Marque 711 o (800) 377-3529 para usar el sistema de Relay de Idaho.

economic pressures on our labor force—the root causes of hunger like wages, housing, and health crisis, compounded by the pan demic and an increase in working families seeking employment in Blaine County who are struggling to secure housing and fair wages.

There’s no one kind of person who experiences hunger and we are doing everything we can to rise to the needs of all families who need food.

Q: There are 20 full-time staff now. How many volunteers do you have now and how many more are needed?

A: We have an incredible team of volunteers who have made it possible for us to accommodate the record demand for food. How ever, after having to shut down our volunteer program during the COVID pandemic, we never quite regained the number of longterm volunteers we need to help run our suite of programs effi ciently.

Our programs go beyond emergency food distributions and in clude Community Meals, Bloom Youth Project, Volunteer for Veg gies, Children’s Food Programs, and more. All of these programs are made possible with volunteer support. In the last month, we have had 68 volunteers give an average of five hours each across all programs.

Our most urgent need is long-term volunteers to work weekly in the warehouse, packing food boxes, stocking shelves, breaking down cardboard, who are interested in a physically demanding op portunity.

Q: Can you give an example of how it’s a food distribution issue more than a food supply issue?

A: Our weekly service numbers have increased 240% since Jan uary 2020.

Q: Can you confirm this statement that was in the Mountain Ex press: “According to The Hunger Coalition, 586 new families have started utilizing its food pantry since January, which is 47% of the total number of families it serves.”

A: Of the new families, 322 are from Peru and are seeking asy lum; 156 of the families include children. About 40 to 60 of these families are living outside, while the rest are couch-surfing or have similar temporary arrangements. Our numbers fluctuate weekly, but we are seeing a substantial increase in need since January.

THC staff have been working hard to meet food needs across the Valley, and now the organization is revitalizing its effort to bring on more volun teers to assist. Photo credits: Jay Graham

Timber Way

Yellow Labs, owner is Shannon Avery.

Cellie, yellow Lab, owner is Jamie Ellison.

Lyla, mutt, owner is Leisa Hollister.

BY FRAN JEWELL

As we grow, not only in this Valley but throughout this na tion of dog lovers, more and more dogs and people come in close contact with unknown dogs. Often, people that consider themselves well versed in dog behavior will interpret a wagging tail as a friendly gesture toward a person or another dog. I wish it was that easy.

The wagging tail can mean many things. Without any other piec es of body language to consider, a wagging tail basically means, “I want to engage.” Engagement, however, is not always friendly. In fact, “engagement” can mean the dog wants or expects to be ag gressive! Let me say that again: ENGAGEMENT can mean the dog expects or wants to be aggressive!

No dog behavior is ever cut and dried. What we think means one thing may actually have several meanings. Just like human language, we have one word that might have several meanings. What gives us the cue as to meaning is the context. For example, if I use the word “float” all by itself, you might think it means to float on the water. In fact, float can mean a feature in a parade, even a tasty dessert! It is spelled the same and sounds the same, but you have no idea what it means unless you see it in context.

This is the same with ALL dog behavior. However, the tail wag can be the most deceiving. Where the tail is held is a huge clue about its meaning. If it is a low wag, it can mean the dog is scared or even submissive. It does not mean happy in any way! If the tail is held high along with hackles all along the back of the dog, this is almost always a sure sign of aggression. A tail held at mid-height while wagging with hackles across the back of the shoulder, but not along the length of the back, can mean excitement.

The absolute most important thing is to look at the entire dog. Over and over I see a high-wagging tail with teeth bared or a lip curled. If I am not looking at the entire dog, I won’t interpret his fully obvious language. Again, the wagging tail must be read in the context of the entire dog.

A dog coming straight on towards me or another dog, even with a wagging tail, is not usually friendly. A straight-forward, fast or slow approach is to intimidate. A softer body, softer eye with a tail in mid-height is much friendlier. The oncoming dog turning slightly to either left or right is even more respectful, and a ground sniff is excellent dog talk from a dog wishing for a friendly encounter.

We can do plenty to help nurture friendly encounters besides only watching the tail and shouting at another owner, “He’s friendly!!” Socialization is imperative to help cultivate respectful and appropri ate behavior. Socialization IS NOT letting your dog run up to every dog at full speed! Socialization is spending time with your dog (not with your cellphone in your ear) learning what his behaviors mean and teaching him he does NOT have to visit with every dog. Social ization means teaching a dog to ignore other dogs and obey your commands. If you AND the other owner decide your dogs can play after a nice discussion and having your dog in control next to you, then let them play, but not for long. Playtime with unknown dogs should be short and sweet. The longer they play, the more likely it is that one dog will offend the other and a fight will then ensue. Having your dog off-leash is a responsibility, not a right.

Work hard to read your dog’s language. It’s not easy for us hu mans. Most importantly, don’t expect that one dog’s behavior means one thing. It almost always can mean many different things. Watch and learn.

Readers Pets

Lumi, boxer/pit mix, owner is Muffy Ritz.

Elliot, boxer and Ricky, Leonberger, owners are Kris Bowman Hayes.

Front row, Katrina, Cooper, Maizey, Theo. Back row, Georgia and Abby, golden retrievers, owner is Alison Smart.

Left to right, Indiana Jones, mutt, Prince Oscar, mutt and Jersey Girl, Lab, owner is Gaby Bloomfield.

Gusto and Greta, German shepherds, owners are Don and Kaye Lofgren

Left to right, Bigly, Bernese mountain dog, Georgie, Swiss mountain dog, Breezy, Australian shepherd, Tucker, chocolate Lab, and Bailey, English mastiff, owner is Barb Miller

Jette, terrier mix, and the Australian cattle dog and Tatter, heeler, owner is Elise Faike.

Kioshii, red-nose pit, Gaia, American pitbull, and Kaine, American pitbull, owner is Jazmyn Tapia.

Marlee, Dorky, owner is Kathy Swanson.

Remington, Boykin spaniel, owner is Linda Dupar.

Jessica Popkee on Justo, left (owned by Putter Goodwin) and Kris Bowman on Biscuit.

Lucy, squirrel, friends Iverson.

Bowman and Suzy Mimmo, lagotta romanola, owner is Jay Platt. Ajax, pudelpointer, owner is Michael Dawson.

Buddy, Labrador, owners are Kellen and Andrea Chatterton.

Yankee, Jack Russell terrier, owners are Sunny and Patty Healey.

Tatter, blue

Charlie Bear, English golden retriever, owners are Kristi and Bob Diercks.

Tex, Jack russell Terrier, Rusty, rex rabbit, and Macie, border collie, owners are Aric and Mandi Iverson.

Taylor, German short-haired

owner is Diana Thomason.

friends with Mandi

Zeke, Anatolian Pyrenees, owner is Nick Doyle.

Ray, Lab mix, owner is Andrew Alburger.

Aengus, golden retriever, owner is Mary Ann Peters.

Macca, shepard mix, owner is Andrew Alburger. Miles, springer spaniel, Callie, German wire haired pointer, owner is Charlene Malone.

Stridder, Norwegian Fjord with Miss Lambchops, who is a sheep impersonator, submitted by Wendy Collins.

SV Resort Releases 87th Season Offerings

Sun Valley Resort, which was ranked as the No. 1 ski resort in the West by SKI Magazine for the third year in a row last month, kicked off November by announcing a slew of events and experiences for the 2022–23 season. The official opening day is Thursday, Nov. 24, Thanksgiving Day.

Prior to that, on Nov. 3, Sun Valley Opera House will screen the Brap Ski 2 film featuring Crazy Karl’s latest project and including local skiers like WingTai Barry more, McKenna Peterson, and Ridge Dirksmeirer. Immediately to follow, Matchstick Productions ski film “Anywhere From Here” will be shown.

On Nov. 12, the annual Pray for Snow party at River Run Lodge plaza will cele brate the coming season with vintage costumes and dancing. Bring healthy dried and canned goods and gently used coats to donate to The Hunger Coalition and re ceive raffle tickets for some awesome Sun Valley prizes in return for your generosity.

The Opera House will show other ski-related films from Nov. 17–19. Lift tickets and snow sport lessons have also been slated. More information can be found about all events on the Sun Valley Events Calendar.

Bellevue To Hire Local, Private Snow Removal Help

Like many businesses right now, the City of Bellevue is experiencing a staffing shortage.

The city’s Public Works Department, which normally has up to seven employees for snow removal operations, is down to three employees. To make up for the lack of staff, the city plans to contract with a local company, Pappas Pumping and Land Development Company, to provide on-call snow plowing services. The company will be tasked with plowing residential streets, especially those streets considered to be a top priority.

“By contracting with a private company to help plow residential streets, the city can focus its attention on removing snow from Main Street,” said Mayor Kathryn Goldman.

In addition to Main Street, the city’s top priority streets include Pine, Ash, Beech, 2nd, and Spruce Street from Main to 6th Street. Even with the additional resources provided by the local company, Mayor Goldman wants residents to know that there still may be delays in clearing streets this winter. In particular, residents should be aware that:

• When snow accumulations reach 3 inches, the city will plow Main Street and the streets near schools and other critical locations (e.g., city hall and fire sta tion) first.

• S ome roads will not get the same level of service and may be only plowed mini mally or will have snow and ice on the roadway for longer periods of time.

• Depending on the severity of the storm, it may take several hours to several days for life to return to normal. In the aftermath of the storm, be patient and self-sufficient, and travel only if it’s absolutely necessary.

“Public safety is our first priority. We need to focus our resources on clearing snow from streets deemed essential to provide public safety. In doing so, we may have longer response times getting to some of the secondary streets throughout the community,” Mayor Goldman said.

The mayor also encourages residents and business owners to help the city this winter by:

• Removing snow from sidewalks in front of your home and business. The best time to shovel snow is immediately after it falls and before ice can begin to form.

• After you clear the sidewalk of snow, consider applying an ice-melting sub stance. The city recommends the use of calcium chloride (sometimes called “hot melt”) rather than sodium chloride (rock salt) because it is less damaging to sidewalks and plants.

• Also, it works at a much lower temperature, so it is more effective in freezing conditions.

• If your home or business is at a corner, please remove the snow from the side walk ramps so children and other pedestrians can cross the street.

• If you can afford one, buy a snowblower, and help your neighbors.

• Make sure you blow the snow into your yard and not the street.

To view the city’s Snow Removal Policy, please visit the city’s website at www. bellevueidaho.us. For more information, please contact Mayor Goldman at (208) 788-2128.

Festival Responds To Low Sheep Count

What follows is an announcement Trailing of the Sheep Festival Executive Di rector Laura Musbach Drake sent out last week in regards to comments about the lower number of sheep at this year’s festival:

“We have had several comments and inquiries about why the Big Sheep Parade presented a smaller band of sheep this year. I would like to address this so everyone can understand the true-life scenario of Idaho sheep and ranchers.

As you may know, the Trailing of the Sheep Festival prides itself on the authen ticity of what we are presenting and that it is not a reenactment but Idaho living history.

This year, the rancher’s sheep who are historically in the Big Sheep Parade were displaced by fire up north and had to move south earlier than usual. There are many grazing rules and restrictions on public lands and a team of ranchers and Forest Service officials gathered to try and find a way to keep this band north to participate in the Parade, but it simply wasn’t possible and they had to keep moving south. Fortunately, another one of our local ranchers stepped in to organize a band of their sheep to participate in the Parade. (And, we were able to use the other rancher’s sheep, who are typically in the parade, at the Sheepdog Trials!)

While it was not the usual band of 1,200–1,500, there were nearly 1,000 sheep in the Parade this year. We are sorry if you were disappointed but hope you might understand how Mother Nature and climate change play a hand each year in the real-life world of the sheep, dogs, herders and ranchers.

Our Festival continues to be a celebration of the history, current life and future of the industry and we annually invite you into the lives of area ranchers to see, hear, learn and join in the living stories of sheep ranching life in Idaho.

May your week continue to be filled with wonderful memories from Festival 2022!

Sabermetrics And Politics

By Eric Valentine

In the beginning was baseball, and the sport was good. That is, until science came along.

By the late 1980s, allegations of betting on baseball by its all-time hits leader— Pete Rose—and speculation about steroid use amongst the players rose. Incidentally, by the late 1990s, homerun numbers rose too. And it was great, to watch at least.

Ratings skyrocketed as two men—Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa—passed Babe Ruth’s legendary 60 homeruns in a season and then Roger Maris’s 61* too. By the 2000s, the famed New York Yankees had resurrected to dominate Major League Baseball, landing in the World Series in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001. They won all but the last one.

Baseball nerds were playing in fantasy leagues, creating a whole side industry. Meanwhile, real-life general managers— especially ones in smaller markets— were on their knees, begging for a salary cap across the sport, so that the likes of Oakland and Kansas City could compete against New York, Chicago, Boston, L.A.

The nerds with all their fantasy numbers became—for the most part—a part of the solution. That’s because as the players— for the most part—stopped using steroids, baseball statistics went on them. Advance ments in video technology, computing, statistical analysis, and more created—for the most part—something called saber metrics.

Sabermetrics is the data-driven analysis of baseball performance that uses statistics and physics—for the most part—to im prove player performance as well as pre dict player performance. It was invented— for the most part—by a genius statistician named Bill James using the objectivity of science to understand the game, rather

than the subjectivity of our eyes. And it works! For the most part, of course.

An early adopter of sabermetrics were the Oakland A’s. Soon after their adop tion, and right after losing three key allstar players to big-market teams, they switched over to a sabermetrics way of fielding their team. They won over 100 games that season and set what was then an American League record, winning 20 games in a row. The famed 1927 Yankees only had won nine in a row. However, un like those Yankees, the A’s never won the championship and they didn’t even get to the World Series.

The Odds Are Strange

Last summer, while vacationing in New York and waiting deep back in line at one of Manhattan’s most-prized bagel shops (Ess-a-Bagel), the man behind my friend and I struck up a conversation. His name was Andy Andres, a friend and colleague of James, who himself launched the first collegiate course on sabermetrics at Tufts University just outside of Boston and works as a datacaster and data analyst for Fenway Park and BaseballHQ.com, re spectively.

I was working on a screenplay at the time titled Ted’s Head. It was about the baseball legend and cryogenically frozen head of Ted Williams, wherein scientific advancements bring him back to life so he can do what eluded him his entire World War II-shortened career—finally win a World Series and pad his stats to prove he was the greatest hitter to have ever lived.

As if Andres’ baseball résumé wasn’t enough, his academic version includes a master’s degree in physiology from Har vard University and a Ph.D. in nutritional biochemistry and physiology from Tufts. Suddenly, I was having a bagel lunch on the Upper East Side with a potential tech

nical consultant for Ted’s Head. What were the odds?

Andres asked my friend and I a question about the 2020 World Series, which our fa vorite team—the Los Angeles Dodgers— won. He said, “Did the Tampa Bay Rays (the Dodgers’ losing opponent) make the right decision in Game 6, when they took Blake Snell out of the game?”

Some quick background: Snell pitched five scoreless innings and struck out nine Dodgers batters while walking none. He had given up just one hit. But enter saber metrics, something the small-market Rays used to its max all season long. The data makes it clear: once a pitcher goes through the opposing team’s lineup twice, his ef fectiveness drops off significantly. Snell was about to see the heart of the Dodgers lineup for the third time. So Snell was tak en out. The decision went against every thing anyone who ever played any sport would ever instinctively do. Long story short: Snell’s replacements got touched up for two runs and the Dodgers won the World Series.

So, the decision was wrong. Right? An dres said the decision was right, because it was made using the right information at the right time. Until we learn how to travel

into the future, making decisions based on the past is the only proper way to decide. Yet that’s problematic for me because of something else Andres said that day: “The teams who use sabermetrics the most are the Dodgers, Yankees, San Francisco Gi ants, and Tampa Bay Rays.” All of them have had remarkable seasons over the last several years, only one has garnered a championship.

I believe the problem comes down to sample size. Over a season—162 games— there’s a large amount of data. Over five games (early-round playoffs) and seven games (later-round playoffs), the sample size is too small. And, the stage is larger and louder, the stakes very high. Instincts take over and what matters at that point isn’t the math, it’s individual nature and team chemistry. Winners rise to the oc casion and are named champions well-de served.

On November 8, voters across the coun try will have to make a number of deci sions regarding who will champion their cause or two. Some will do so sabermetri cally, others by instinct and chemistry. Be aware of which type of voter you are, and may you get what you deserve.

Image credit: Independent Creativity

THE REPUBLIC

THE “WEEKLY” FISHING REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 2 - 15

FROM PICABO ANGLER

The weather forecast for the end of this week ushers in colder daytime temperatures and likely some snow. Anglers will need to adjust their tactics accordingly. No matter where you fish, when the weather changes, concentrate angling efforts during the warmest parts of the day, and look for fish in typical winter holding lies—soft current seams, slow, deep pools, and calm tailouts.

Silver Creek south of Highway 20 remains open until the end of November. North of the highway, the Creek remains open until the end of March. Note: duck hunters are active on Silver Creek this time of year, so anglers should be aware. Dry-fly activity can vary depending on the day, but anglers should ex pect small Baetis (BWO), midg es, and perhaps a few lingering October caddis. Throwing streamers to deep, dark water and undercut banks will take plenty of fish. The old adage of “bright day, bright fly, and dark day, dark fly” seems to hold true. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your favorite streamers!

On the Big Wood River, Baetis and midge activity remains strong given the right weather conditions. A size 18 or 20 Olive Gulper Special or Film Critic accurately imitates Baetis and will fool trout all along the Big Wood. To take fish eating midges (look to the foam lines!), fish a visible midge cluster imitation followed by a trailing midge emerger or adult. A white-winged Griffith’s Gnats in a size 16 or 18, trailed by a size 20 or 22 Tie-Down Midge, is an excellent choice.

Nymphing will be extremely productive throughout the winter months. Go-to double nymph rigs include large Rubber Legs, Princes, Hare’s Ears, and Copper Johns followed by more diminutive imitations such as black or red Zebra Midges, Pheasant Tails, Rainbow Warriors, or Brassies. Sculpin imitations such as olive Buggers, Zonkers, and Sparkle Minnows fished on a slow swing effectively imitate the numerous sculpin found in the Big Wood. This technique will yield quality over quantity, and produces some exceptional rainbows.

Today, DNA testing for breed is a commonplace and easy thing to do. There are many companies that offer testing at very rea sonable prices that are more and more correct. I have even DNA tested my purebred dog for breeding purposes to ensure identity. But, why would I DNA test a mutt or mixed-breed dog? Since the beginning of the domestication of the wolf to a dog, we humans have sought to breed for certain characteristics from the wolf to help us improve our everyday lives. We started breeding wolf/dogs with a higher sense of scenting ability to help us hunt and retrieve food — the hunting breeds such as the Labrador retriever, wirehaired pointer, golden retriever, and so on. We took the wolves with the most guarding instinct and bred them to help guard our livestock — the Great Pyre nees, Anatolian, and Akbash. We looked for the wolves with the most protective instincts to protect us, such as the black Russian, the Fila, and many of the mastiffs. When we decided we needed dogs to help us herd our livestock, we bred and created cattle dogs, Australian shep herds, border collies, and German shepherds. As you can see, there are many different breeds within a working group.

When we don’t know what that cute little rescue has instincts for, we may mistake some natural behaviors as bad behaviors, or even as aggression. A border collie that chases and barks at cars or peo ple on bikes may actually be manifesting his gathering-and-chasing herding instinct. This can be misinterpreted as aggression, or maybe instinct at first that then turns into aggression.

Now, let’s take this further. Suppose we have a cattle-dog-andLabrador-mix. The Labrador’s instinct is going to be to flush the birds for the hunter, then find the bird and retrieve it. Now, the cat tle-dog part is bred to bite, and bite HARD, on the heels of cattle to get them to move in the desired direction. Now we have what is called conflicting drives or instincts. A dog that looks mostly Labra dor but has more internal drive to chase and bite or nip is not going to be very gentle on the bird you were hunting. Let’s throw into the mix a rat terrier whose instinct is to go to the ground and kill vermin. What is this mix going to do in the field —hunt birds or chase and kill vermin? And what if this dog is never in the field with a hunter? What will he chase and kill? Will he have a soft mouth? Will he be good with small children that run and scream like prey?

There is nothing wrong with mixed-breed dogs, but understanding what their natural drives and instincts are will help you to decide if this dog will fit in your family. Size, coat length and friendliness are not the only things important when choosing a dog to live with for 14 years! Instinctual drives can be very difficult to control or redirect. It can be done; however, lots of training and understanding must also

By Fran Jewell

be a part of the consideration.

Why Should I DNA Test My Dog? WILD CATS

My first search-and-rescue dog, Tazzi was half-Rottweiler, one-quarter Husky and one-quarter German shepherd. She loved to run with boundless energy, and loved to use her nose to search. While she had mixed drives — from herding, to pulling, to guarding — her drives just happened to blend very well. However, she was not without tons and tons of work to direct her drives.

Just like buying a car, most people don’t just buy a car for looks. They want to know what is under the hood!

Fran Jewell is an IAABC Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, NA DOI Certified Instructor and the owner of Positive Puppy Dog Training, LLC in Sun Valley. For more information, visit positivepuppy.com or call 208-578-1565.

BY HANNES THUM

The two house cats that live at my house have been acting much more affection ate in the last week and a half. They’ve also been eating a lot more food and have been emptying their food bowls at a far faster rate than they had all summer. And they’ve both been acting much less interested in go ing outside.

I don’t mean to say that I can somehow tell what our cats, named Banjo and Lupine, are thinking, but I think there is something in teresting about the timing of these recent be havior shifts. Indeed, all of these new habits — the staying close and the staying inside, the increased consumption of food — started quite suddenly, and around the same time: the weekend of October 22.

You may recall that this particular week end marked a significant change in our au tumn weather. Overnight on that Friday eve ning, a potent storm swept in from the north carrying along with it an abrupt cold front, and the temperature range suddenly dropped nearly twenty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Snow arrived dramatically in the alpine. The high temperatures that weekend were less than any of the nightly low temperatures during the entire preceding week! A change in the seasons, for sure.

It strikes me at these times that Banjo and Lupine and their ancestors come from an

evolutionary lineage dominated much more by wildness and wild settings than by domes ticity. They carry genes shaped much more significantly, and through many more gen erations, by surviving the harsh pressures of nature — infamously “red in tooth and claw” — than by living amongst humans.

In other words, they’ve been wild cats for a lot longer than they’ve been domesticated cats.

So, would it be a stretch to say that Banjo and Lupine’s behavior in the past week and a half is related to some primal-type per ception that winter is imminent? And some primal-type understanding that the domesti cated lifestyle afforded them (by the humans that live in this house) ought to be maximally leveraged in their own favor, for their own safety and well-being, at this time of year in particular?

Would it be a stretch to say that they still have plenty of wild tendencies, akin to their feline counterparts out in the woods (our lo cal bobcats, for instance)?

Domestication can be thought of as a recip rocal relationship. A two-way street. A trans action (if unspoken): a species gives up its independence for some extra safety and se curity, developing some more human-friend ly tendencies in the process. A wolf becomes a cuddly dog to be assured a warm home and regular meals; a wild cat becomes a lap-cat. In the cutthroat game of evolution, many

strategies can be successful.

Winter is a profoundly ominous and threatening season for most species that ex perience it, and species, including cats, have been experiencing it in the wild for a very, very long time. Banjo and Lupine could be forgiven for being lax about our transaction al relationship during most of the year (per haps they know that we will feed them re gardless of if they are acting friendly or not), but I can’t help but wonder if the dangerous portent of winter still holds powerful sway over even domesticated critters.

Hannes Thum is a Wood River Valley na tive and has spent most of his life exploring what our local ecosystems have to offer. He currently teaches science at Sun Valley Com munity School.

FRAN JEWELL

Happy fishing, everyone!

Tazzi was a mixed-breed dog with mixed drives, but with training she was an accomplished search-and-rescue dog. Photo credit: Fran Jewell

A collage of cats. Photo credit: Wikipedia

BY KRISTIN HOVENCAMP

Estate planning is an integral part of wealth management that often gets over looked. As you move through various phases of life, your financial and per sonal situations will also change. It is important to have estate-planning docu ments up to date, to reflect your current circumstances. Here are some essential items needed to complete a comprehensive estate plan.

Last Will and Testament. The cornerstone of any estate plan. A will details how you want your assets to be distributed upon your passing. The will can name the executor who will administer and settle your estate.

Revocable Living Trust. This powerful tool is in place to work while you are alive. A revocable living trust allows for the management of your financial affairs in trust during life and after death. Upon your death, the living trust can be used to determine the distribution of your assets and property. Since the trust is revocable, the grantor may revoke or amend it during their life.

Power of Attorney (POA). A POA is a legally binding document that allows you to appoint someone you trust, your “attorney-in-fact,” to handle financial, legal, and private affairs on your behalf.

Living Will. A living will expresses your wishes to withdraw or continue life-supporting treatment if you cannot act or speak for yourself. A living will is em ployed only for end-of-life conditions.

Kristin Hovencamp is an Investment Executive and Director of Business De velopment with HAZLETT WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC.

Healthcare Proxy. This proxy appoints another per son to make healthcare decisions for you and consent to medical treatment. Unlike a living will, the purpose of a healthcare proxy is to express your wishes with ongoing healthcare decisions.

Tax Planning. Income, estate, and gift-tax planning should all play an integral role in determining the structure used to build your estate plan.

Putting in place the necessary documents to help position your wealth and your legacy is essential to completing a comprehensive estate plan.

Kristin Hovencamp is an Investment Executive and Director of Business Development with HAZLETT WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC, which is independent of Raymond James and is not a registered broker/dealer. Investment advisory services are offered through Ray mond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. 675 Sun Valley Road, Suite J1 + J2 Ketchum, Idaho 83340 208.726.0605.

Where Does Your Mind Go?

BY DOVE

Iwas observing my own thoughts the other day, deciding how I wanted to use my energy. Was I going to cre ate something beautiful? Was I going to tend to my daily chores? Or was I going to try and second-guess what the outcome of our future is going to be?

As I noticed where my thoughts were headed, I realized how much energy I was using to make lists of all the things that I needed to get done before winter sets in. The garden needs attention, I need to remove all the clutter my house has collected in the last 30 years. I am concerned about the future of our chil dren, the education they are receiving. Are they being taught good habits of analytical thinking or are they being indoctrinated by an agenda that doesn’t teach them to think for themselves?

I put aside my thoughts and decided to create something beautiful. My consciousness was completely absorbed by the process and the creation pleased me beyond measure. I then understood that when we use our energy to do something we enjoy, we energize our bodies and souls. When we use our energy to worry about things that we can’t control or change, we deplete our progress in creating a world filled with love, hope, truth, freedom and compassion.

In using my energy to create something that took my whole focus, I added to the beneficial energy on the planet. Using my thoughts to try and change things I had no control over wasted my energy. So, I suggest that if we really want things to change, we must first change our own thoughts and turn them toward the things that fill us with joy. Otherwise, we are just adding to the chaos around us.

I may never get all the clutter removed from my house, but in taking it a little bit at a time, I find treasures I forgot had existed and, sure enough, I was just in the space to create with them.

Right now life is about as uncertain as it can get. The only security you have is your grounded self. Take a deep breath, take your shoes off, walk on Mother Earth and bless the beautiful air we get to breathe. Fill your soul with joy and you can help make this place heaven on earth. Let’s not deplete our energy doing things that drain our joy. Step up for yourself, breathe deeply and see the world becoming perfection. Much love, Dove

LIGHTING A CANDLE?

BY JOELLEN COLLINS

Lighting a candle has often been a metaphor for finding a way to function in a cruel world or to do something positive to make the world even slightly better. I always hoped my small corner of the earth would be filled with the light of compassion and tolerance.

Now, with the daily barrage of hurtful news, it seems naïve to think that lighting the small world around me might help. Many of my friends say they can’t watch the news. As people who want to understand a larger world, we feel we must be cognizant of the pain and devastation around us. But what can we really do, other than contribute money to “the right” causes or try to be honest and civil in our conversations with others.

I am more bewildered than ever about being a positive citizen of the world. My sense of even close control is slipping. I am lucky that I at least have this forum to express my view of life as one born near the tumult of WWII, the advent of the atomic bomb, more wars, and the rise of terrorism.

However, I am compelled to publicly ponder the ob vious reemergence of antisemitism. Frankly, as one who always seeks to be likable, in this case I don’t care if some one disagrees with me or is disturbed by my words.

Shortly after WWII I started reading more adult books and became fascinated with writings about Hitler, the Ho locaust, and the new fright over falling under our desks for possible nuclear-composed raids.

I never could grasp how any population could snatch babies from mothers and slaughter whole families because of their religious beliefs. I was raised in a Christian house hold, and remember that, even so, my parents never used negative cliches about the Jewish faith. For most of the rest of my life, my family has also consisted of my Jewish boyfriends and husband, in-laws, and cousins and friends I will cherish forever. I am personally offended when I see hateful acts of anger and prejudice directed toward this vital people of intelligence, hard work and charity that I have loved.

I am overwhelmed by my sadness at this historical re versal and remnant of a heartless society. I could hardly watch the three segments of Ken Burns’ Holocaust documentary; it was almost too sad. My naïve response was that every body should watch it, seeing the true depiction, emblematic of the violent hatred that is ours to witness and fear, whatever religion or politics or nation we inhabit.

The Dalai Lama believes the only way to true happiness is through inner compassion.

Do we possess that? Why don’t I feel I can light my little candle anymore? How do we deal with the hatred and violence hinted at around the coming election? How can I stand by and see young Iranian women beaten and imprisoned for their lack of head covering?

So, what can I really do? Elie Wiesel once stated that one-on-one friendship is the way to heal our distrust and hatred of others. How do we do this?

Being retired is worth the wait. I highly recommend it. And being retired allows you the possibility of working part-time if you desire. I work part-time at The Living Center where the residents come to recuperate from a life’s challenge or to spend the rest of their days being assisted and cared for with their daily needs.

Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are there to assist the residents or give 100% care, depending on the resident. They are very busy, sometimes to the point of frustration.

Jack, a retired Idaho farmer, was one of the residents. His son now runs the family farm. Jack was also a veteran of the Korean War. He had mentioned to me, on more than one occasion, being a farm boy had toughened him up and made the nightmare of war a little more tolerable.

Jack had fallen at home and broken his hip. Because he was a large man, it was impos sible for family to care for him at home — hence, The Living Center.

Jack had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh.

One evening after dinner, Jack was a little louder than normal. One of the tired CNAs berated him in front of his friends and staff. Jack looked devastated. I wanted to yell at her but realized that would be the same thing she did to Jack.

So, I asked all four of the CNAs to come to the front desk for a short meeting. That was the last thing they wanted to do, as it would put them further behind. They stood there, arms folded, and gave me a cold stare. I got right to the point and made my comments short.

I told them that, no matter what, we would be respectful to the residents and not raise our voices to them. Because of veterans like Jack, we now enjoy the freedoms we have. We owe him our deepest respect.

I then told of Jack’s time in the Korean War and how he and his buddies adopted an orphan boy who came to their base, saying, “No mama, no papa, no food.” They sewed together a uniform for the boy and made him part of their company. When the Ameri cans left the area, Jack and his buddies found a home for their little soldier. Jack said it broke his heart to leave the little boy.

I’m not sure I got through to anyone that night. Maybe the reminder was good for me. But one thing is for certain. Jack and all veterans need to know our appreciation for what they did for us. November 11 is just around the corner. Find someone who served our country and give them a heartfelt thank you and a firm handshake. That gesture alone might just make a veteran’s day. And if given right, it will make your day as well.

– Bryce Angell

Bryce Angell - The outdoors has always been a large part of my life. My father was an outfitter and guide for 35 years and I was there to shoe and care for the horses and help him do the cooking. We took many great trips into the Yellowstone area. Even now that I’m older, we still ride into the Tetons, Yellowstone and surrounding areas. My poems are mostly of personal expe rience. I am now retired and enjoying life to the fullest. I plan to do more riding and writing.

WRANGLER’S RECKLESS WRITINGSBRYCE ANGELL

JoEllen Collins—a longtime resident of the Wood River Valley— is an Idaho Press Club award-winning colum nist, a teacher, writer, fabric artist, choir member and unabashedly proud grandma known as “Bibi Jo.”

INSPIRATIONS FROM MY HEART DOVE

HispaniCares

BY MONICA CARRILLO

OUR VOICE COUNTS

After a full year of housing concerns, a continuous surge of people in the Valley has made community or ganizations and members complain about “why they are coming.”

Herbert Romero, community organizer in the Wood River Valley and founder of both the Hispanic LatinUS Leadership Task Force and Neighbors Helping Neighbors, believes this is a one-sided story to a scenario with multi ple situations at hand.

“We are paying attention more about the border and getting here to the Valley, but they aren’t just leaving ‘just because,’” said Romero, who is helping seven families directly. “This place has a deep history for the Peruvian community — shepherding as one of the reasons.”

He also mentioned that they are coming from Peru, from Central America, “already traumatized and victim ized.”

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, this was an ongo ing issue for the Wood River Valley and there was “talk” about bringing workers from other places.

“There was a lack of workers, but now that’s not true,” Romero said. “There was a lack of systems with employ ers that couldn’t work with undocumented people; now there are places that are making exceptions.”

The reality is that people were and are still not prepared for the amount of people that have come to this Valley. Regardless of if they come here legally or not, community members, including Latinos, are complaining.

“It’s been happening in Seattle, in Chicago, in so many places,” Romero said. “They’ll come here seeking asylum or with a visa, and still, people aren’t happy.”

People like Margie Gonzalez, executive director of Ida ho Commission on Hispanic Affairs, and Alejandra Her nandez, executive director of UNITY Alliances Idaho, have come to Romero to assist in magnifying the problem going on in the Wood River Valley and bring light to this humanitarian crisis.

A meeting will be held within the next week with Her nandez to present ways to help these families to come from the Valley.

“We are in emergency mode,” Romero said. “We need to understand this from the Latino perspective and from Latino leaders here in Idaho.”

In addition, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, St. Thomas Episcopal Church and the Protestant church are coming together to help assist families through hard times, providing use to the bathrooms, kitchens and shelter.

NUESTRA VOZ CUENTA

Después de un año lleno de preocupaciones en materia de vivienda, un aumento continuo de personas en el valle ha hecho que las organizaciones y miembros de la comu nidad se quejan de “porque vienen.”

Herbert Romero, organizador de la comunidad y fun dador del Grupo de Trabajo de Liderazgo Hispano Lat inUS y de Neighbors Helping Neighbors, cree que esta es una historia unilateral de un escenario con múltiples situaciones a la mano.

“Prestamos más atención a la frontera y a llegar hasta el valle, pero no sólo se van “sólo porque,” dijo Romero, quien está ayudando a siete familias directamente. “Este lugar tiene una profunda historia para la comunidad peru ana, el pastoreo como una de las razones.”

También mencionó que vienen de Perú, de Centroaméri ca, “ya traumatizados y victimizados.”

Personas como Margie González, directora ejecutiva de la Comisión de Asuntos Hispanos de Idaho, y Alejandra Hernández, directora ejecutiva de UNITY Alliances Idaho han conectado para ayudar a magnificar el problema que está ocurriendo y traer luz a esta crisis humanitaria.

Una reunión se llevará a cabo dentro de la próxima se mana con Hernández para presentar maneras de ayu dar a estas familias a venir del valle.

Waiting for the Mortgage Rates to Come Down?

BY ANNA & MICHELLE

Waiting for the mortgage rates to come down before you buy a home may not be a good decision.

If you are correct, and the rates do come down by two percent, the savings you benefit from at a lower rate will most likely be devoured by the appreciated price increase.

As of 10/27/22, the 30-year fixed-rate was at 7.08%, which is the highest level since April 2002. If the rate drops to 5% in three years, but the price increases by 5% a year, a $400,000 home today will cost $463,050 three years from now.

An increasingly popular option that more buyers are considering is to purchase the home today with an ad justable-rate mortgage that could give them a 5.96% rate for five years. T hen, refinance to a fixed-rate when rates come down.

Not only will the buyer have lower payments with the ARM, but the buyer will also own the home, and benefit from the appreciated prices, which will build equity in the home and increase their net worth.

Mortgage rates have increased over 3% in the first three quarters of this year. Some would-be buyers are wishing they had a do-over so they could get into a home at a lower rate. The current differential between the fixed and adjustable rates are substantial and could lower the monthly payment.

T he lower adjustable rate would save a buyer $323.90 a month during the first period of five years. At any

point during that period, they could refinance at a bet ter interest rate should it become available. However, if the rates do start trending down, the homeowner might decide not to refinance because the rate on the ARM would have to go down at the next adjustment period to reflect the lower of rates in the market.

Mortgage rates have been low since the housing cri sis that caused the Great Recession. The government kept them low to build the economy. Then, the pan demic threatened the economy, and the government spent a tremendous amount of money to bolster the economy, which led to inflation, which is what is caus ing the rates to increase currently.

When inflation is under control and back to accept able levels, the rates should lower.

Home prices are a different situation. The recent rise in mortgage rates has caused home prices to moderate because it affects affordability. I nventories are still low and there is a pent-up demand for housing from pur chasers unable to buy during the pandemic.

This, coupled with millennials reaching household formation age, and insufficient home building to keep up with demand for the last decade, prices are expected to continue to rise. The rate of appreciation could even increase when rates come down, which would also in crease affordability and demand.

Buyers who feel they missed a window of opportuni ty to buy before rates started increasing should investi gate financing alternatives. Reach out to us and we can discuss the options that are available.

NEWS

Substance Abuse, Housing Top Healthcare Needs

Access to substance use disorder prevention and treatment, availability of mental and behavioral health services, housing stability, and accessible modes of transportation are the most significant health needs in Blaine County, according to the new 2022 Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs) released by St. Luke’s.

Every three years, St. Luke’s conducts comprehen sive research to understand the most serious health issues and trends in the communities that St. Luke’s serves, including Boise, Elmore, Jerome, McCall, Me ridian, Nampa, Twin Falls and the Wood River Valley.

Addressing the need for access to mental and behavioral health services is at the top of CHNA’s most significant health needs in every community. Other top health issues vary by each community and include nutrition programs and education, substance use disorder prevention and treatment, housing stability, services for children and families, healthy air and water quality, and accessible modes of transportation.

“Our CHNAs help us better understand the most significant health challenges our community mem bers are facing,” said Angie Gribble, Senior Director, St. Luke’s Community Health and Engagement.

The St. Luke’s CHNAs include a prioritized list of

health needs related to individual health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors and the physical environment. The input from community representatives and partners were used to rank the health needs. St. Luke’s analyzed more than 60 po tential health needs and health factors.

Learn more about the CHNAs and read the full report at Community Health Needs Assessments at stlukesonline.org.

Hailey Library Launches Midday Lecture Series

The Hailey Public Library is launching a new, occa sional, midday series called “Lunch & Learn,” inviting community members to bring their brown bag lunch to Town Center West and listen to a thoughtful, hourlong presentation. The first program, Wolves—Con flict and Collaboration, took place Oct. 25 highlighting new, non-lethal techniques for reducing conflicts between ranchers and farmers implemented in 2022 by Wood River Wolf Project field staff.

“We hope this new midday series will be of in terest to many people, retirees as well as workers, who’d like to get out of the office for lunch, and espe cially with our dark winter nights fast approaching,” commented programs and engagement manager Kristin Fletcher.

For more information, visit haileypubliclibrary.org.

ANNA AND MICHELLE

BETTER HOMEOWNERS NEWS

Photo credit: Herbert Romero

by MIKE MCKENNA

There are certain people in life that you real ly need to be able to trust. People like your partner, your mechanic or your doctor come to mind. And if you own a business or run a non profit, a good bookkeeper will also top the list if you ever want to get a good night’s sleep

That’s why it’s great to have Chamber members like Pat Bowton and Wood River Bookkeeping around.

“It’s really important to know who your book keeper is and what they’re all about. Check their references and make sure they actually know what they’re doing. If you get a bad bookkeeper, you’re asking for trouble,” said Pat, and she should know. She’s spent a lot of her career cleaning up people’s poorly done books.

Pat began her bookkeeping career nearly 40 years ago helping Jane’s Artifacts at the old Ketchum location. Pat’s career has included work ing as the Director of Certification for the Ameri can Payroll Association in Texas and working for a half-dozen years recently with the highly-re spected local CPA firm, Becker, Chambers and Company.

Pat has recently decided to go out on her own and is already thriving. Wood River Bookkeeping has a small staff and growing list of happy clients.

“It really has to be about the clients—what their needs are, what they’re concerned about. It’s our job to make those ‘pain-points’ go away and make sure things run smoothly,” Pat said. “The owners need to know that the finances are in order so they can focus on the other areas that they need to take care of to be successful.”

In addition to serving a variety of small- and medium-sized businesses, Pat has nonprofit expe rience, as well.

As is the case with any good bookkeeper, Pat is a self-confessed “numbers lover,” which is why she likes working with a variety of clients as well taking on special projects.

“I really enjoy working on special projects like

commission reports, organic farm reports and au dits,” Pat said. “There’s just so many things we need to know to be successful and looking at data in different ways can be very rewarding and sat isfying. It’s great to help make things work better and give customers something they really need. I love it when a client says to me, ‘I’ve been wanting to do this for so long.’”

Pat grew up in the Treasure Valley and decid ed to move back to Idaho in 2013 after her hus band—a Bronze Star recipient from his service in Vietnam—passed and she wanted to be closer to family.

“I really do love this place. It’s so quiet and peaceful. I love all the wildlife and being with my family,” Pat said. “I’m happy that I can offer finan cial services that help other local people be able to relax and enjoy life here and not have to worry about their books being messed up.”

To find out more about Wood River Bookkeep ing, call (407) 496-7665 or email Pat@WRValley Book.com.

Sign up for Hailey’s 19th Annual Turkey Trot at ValleyChamber.org.