WRW 7 October 2020

BELLEVUE NEWS

HEALTH NEWS

Small Town, Big Ballot PG 2

SUN VALLEY

KETCHUM

ARTS NEWS

Heroes During COVID, Beyond PG 7

HAILEY

Alturas Mural Makes The Grade PG 5 BELLEVUE

PICABO

CAREY

WOOD RIVER WEEKLY YOUR VOICE IN THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY

Free | Oct 7 - 20, 2020 | Vol. 1 - No. 23 | woodriverweekly.com

“Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.” ~Elizabeth Lawrence

Once again autumn lights up the Wood River Valley in brilliant shades of sun-yellow, crimson-red and flame-gold. Photo credit: Courtney Wangberg

GREENBERG OFFERED FOR US TO PAY UP TO 37% MORE IN OUR IDAHO POWER BILLS FOR THEIR PROJECT. I don’t agree.

We don’t even need this transmission line.

I have a track record of getting Idaho Power to sharply change direction.

KIKI TIDWELL Blaine County Commissioner Candidate www.tidwellcommissionercampaign.com • twitter: @kikitidwell

Paid for by Citizens For Kiki Tidwell, Cynthia Mann Treasurer

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Wood River Weekly

NEWS

•

October 7 - 20, 2020

BELLEVUE

The Bellevue Ballot

Both city council openings will be contested Nov. 3

B

By Eric Valentine

ELLEVUE—For the first time in years, both the mayoral seat and the openings for councilperson (called an alderman or alderwoman in Bellevue) will be contested elections in this south Valley town.

On Nov. 3, incumbent mayor Ned Burns, a Realtor in the Valley, will learn if the majority of Bellevue residents feel like he does: that Bellevue has changed for the better over the last 20 months.

“We have made significant progress on a number of priority items. We successfully upgraded some wastewater infrastructure, and we will complete the installation of the final water meters next year so that we will be able to more effectively manage our water usage as a city. Our finances are in excellent condition right now, and we are actively saving and planning for future capital needs across a number of departments.

There is still tremendous work to be done, but I feel that this council, the amazing city staff, and I have been able to make noticeable change for the good,” Burns said.

Challenger Jared Murphy, an officer with the Hailey Police Department, feels he’s proven he is the one to get that tremendous work done. The conservative activist group Central Idaho 4 Liberty feels the same. Murphy said they were the ones who recruited him to serve in public office.

Murphy has been serving Hailey via more than just law enforcement in recent

I had dreams of trying to put a bond or a levy in front of the citizens this election, but the pandemic and the economic uncertainty that followed blew that idea right out of the water. ” Ned Burns, Bellevue Mayor

years. By writing successful grants, Murphy has helped secure more than $60,000 in state and federal grants that have upgraded Hailey PD tech, equipment and alcohol-license compliance programs.

“Bellevue deserves a strong leader who can actually help bring in more funding without raising our taxes,” said Murphy.

Burns wanted to issue bonds to help get roads here up to snuff, but has since put that plan on hold.

“I had dreams of trying to put a bond or a levy in front of the citizens this election, but the pandemic and the economic uncertainty that followed blew that idea right out of the water,” Burns said. “We will continue to look at different mechanisms to try and find the funds to repair the streets, but in the meanwhile, the street department will patch and repair as our budget allows.”

Burnspublic rejects any ideaand that second he’s not being frugal. le government access amendment.

“I think that my top accomplishment has been to make real headway in our city finances. This council and I have made fiscal stewardship a real priority. We have emphasized capital planning and subsequently saving as well. Several departments will be able to outright purchase new equipment in the near term without having to lease

Jared Murphy Photo credit: Jared Murphy

Mayor Ned Burns Photo credit: Ned Burns

and go through that additional expense,” Burns said.

Burns v. Murphy is a rematch of the 2018 election. Bellevue voters are the judge.

All The Aldermen On the ballot for the three open alderman seats are four people: Robert R. Bradford, Doug Brown, Gregory Cappel and Tammy E. Davis. Filmmaker John Marsh also declared candidacy but withdrew from the race before ballots were printed. Brown, Davis and Cappel are the incumbents. The three winners of the election will join council president Kathryn Goldman and alderman Sean Mahoney.

Bellevue City Council Candidates Mayor (vote for 1) Ned Burns (incumbent) Jared Murphy Alderman (vote for 3) Robert R. Bradford Doug Brown Gregory Cappel Tammy E. Davis

ERIC PARKER FOR IDAHO SENATE parkerforidaho.com ERIC@PARKERFORIDAHO.COM

Paid for by the Committee To Elect Eric Parker

• • • • •

Pro life Liberty Responsible Government Public Access Second Amendment

Wood River Weekly

• October 7 - 20, 2020

WRW STAFF PUBLISHER Christopher Seldon (208) 788-4789 publisher@woodriverweekly.com MARKETING & SALES Mandi Iverson (208) 721-7588 mandi@woodriverweekly.com

cOMe in nOw TO PuT iTeMS On yOur wiSh LiST!

NEWS EDITOR Eric Valentine news@woodriverweekly.com ARTS & EVENTS, SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Dana DuGan dana@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

Save The DaTeS ThurSDay, OcT. 8 ~ 10 aM TO 6 PM 40% OFF FriDay, OcT. 9 ~ 10 aM TO 6 PM 50% OFF SaTurDay, OcT. 10 ~ 10 aM TO 6 PM 60% OFF 120 North main, Hailey • (208) 788-1123

PUBLISHER’S NOTE Dear Valley residents, As we move along in 2020, Wood River Weekly will continue to publish every second week, with a target of going back to our regular weekly schedule when the economic and pandemic environment improves.

We will continue to follow important local news, feature candidates in our local elections and provide interesting and entertaining content, along with our popular upcoming pets special section.

Thank you for your continued support.

Stay safe, stay strong, Chris & Mandi

“If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”

- Maya Angelou

FALL 2020 CLASS SCHEDULE ADULT CLASSES

Tuition $150/ four week classes plus $37 for Clay All Level Throwing Open to those with little or no clay experience.

Session 2: Tuesdays Nov 3, 10, 17, Dec 1 • 9:30am-12:30pm w/Sasha Barrett Tuesdays Nov 3, 10, 17, Dec 1 • 5:30-8:30pm w/Diane Walker Handbuilding with Bob Dix Learn all techniques from slab to coil to pinch.

Session 2: Mondays October 19, 26, Nov 2, 9 • 5:30pm-8:30pm

Beginning Sculpture with Aleta Taylor Focus on heads and busts.

Session 2: Wednesdays 9:30am-12:30pm • Nov 4, 11, 18, Dec 2

Lamp Making with Diane Walker Learn to make your own lamp. Some handbuilding experience required. $185 (includes lamp parts) Oct 19, 20, Nov 2, 3 • 5:30-8:30pm *Nov 9 for final wiring

Achieving Atmosphere and Surface Layers in Low-Fired Pots with Sasha Barrett Tuition $200/ $180 for members. Learn coil built vases, teapots, jars and lids.

Session 2:Wednesdays Oct 28, Nov 4, 11, 18 • 5:30-8:30

YOUTH CLASSES

Children’s Clay Daze with Bob Dix Tuition $135 for a 4 week session. Open to 1st through 5th graders.

Session 2: Mondays: October 19, 26, Nov 2, 9 • 3:30-5:00

Teen Throwing with Sasha Barrett Tuition $150. All Levels welcome. This class is open to middle school and high school students.

Session 2: Thursdays: October 22, 29, Nov 5, 12 • 4:15-6:15 Family Saturday Classes Tuition $45 for one adult and one child. $10 for each additional person Cornucopia: Nov 7 • 2:30-4:00 Holiday Candleholders: Dec 5 • 2:30-4:00 Last Kiln & Studio Potluck December 18th noon

**Registration is required for ALL classes 208-726-4484 bouldermtclay@gmail.com www.bouldermtnclay.org Boulder Mountain Clayworks is a 501©3 nonprofit organization . Partial Scholarships Available

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Wood River Weekly

•

October 7 - 20, 2020

NEWS

IN BRIEF

Blaine County COVID-19 Group Recommends Harvard Risk Assessment Representatives of St. Luke’s, South Central Public Health District, Blaine County, Blaine County School District, Visit Sun Valley and The Hunger Coalition are calling for widespread adoption of the Blaine County Risk Level Plan which is based on Harvard Global Health Initiative (HGHI) metrics and guidelines.

This group of health leaders and stakeholders—called the Adaptive Planning Committee (APC)—has been meeting over the past few months to collaborate on developing an adaptive plan for the community to navigate COVID-19. Their acceptance of one set of metrics is key to establishing effective COVID mitigation policy.

“Our Valley’s core identity is that we take care of each other and our community as a whole. The APC is working together to share relevant information such as the latest on testing capabilities and availability, best practices for businesses and schools and regarding emerging trends in our neighboring communities,” the committee said in a statement to the press.

The APC is also developing messaging and education on steps we can all take, such as following the 3 Ws (Watch your distance; Wash your hands; Wear a face covering), understanding how to protect ourselves from influenza and about being mindful while enjoying all that our Valley offers.

Jacob Greenberg, Blaine County Commissioner and co-chair of the APC, explained, “It is important for our residents and visitors to feel safe and supported, which is how we can have the best opportunity to thrive economically, emotionally and physically.

We are a unique community. COVID-19’s silver lining is that we can come together authentically, albeit from an appropriate distance, and show the world our strength and resiliency.”

Nonstop Flights From 6 Cities To Continue

THE

PET S E C T I O N

& ANIMAL

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Quarter Junior Horizontal (5.78” x 3.875”) - $185 Quarter Junior Vertical (3.8” x 7.875”) - $185 Quarter (5.78” x 7.875”) - $275 Half Page (9.75” x 7.875”) - $475 Full Page (9.75” x 16”) - $775

Advertorials (you write them, we publish them)* Single Advertorial (250 words plus logo OR photo): $55 Double Advertorial (500 words plus logo AND photo): $100

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Contact Mandi at 208.721.7588 or mandi@woodriverweekly.com

The prospects of traveling conveniently to and from Sun Valley are looking up. Six cities are scheduled for nonstop flights in the upcoming winter season. Those cities are: Seattle, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, and Salt Lake City.

Fly Sun Valley Alliance (FSVA), in partnership with Sun Valley Resort, recently announced the Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN) airline flight schedule for the upcoming winter season, which will provide travelers easy access to the Valley’s ski resort destination.

Sun Valley Resort recently announced it does not plan to implement a reservation system or limitations on visitation for season passholders or so-called Epic passholders this upcoming winter season.

“While the demand for air travel this winter due to COVID-19 remains uncertain, Sun Valley is well-positioned as a winter vacation destination,” Carol Waller, FSVA director, said.

Waller also noted that the increase of remote workers and second homeowners now living in the Wood River Valley on a more permanent basis will likely mean an increase in demand for outbound travel from SUN. “For both our visitors and local residents, maintaining all of our key flight routes and easy air access is critical to our successful economic recovery,” Waller remarked.

According to SUN, the total for the currently scheduled winter 2020–21 seats is 82,246, up 4 percent from the previous winter.

Flights are available for booking and the 2020–21 winter schedule is available at flysunvalleyalliance.com.

Flight Schedules From Seattle (SEA), Alaska Airlines will offer two weekly nonstop flights on Thursday and Sunday from October 1 – December 13, then increase to two daily nonstop flights during the holidays, December 17 through January 4 (one flight on Tuesdays/Wednesdays). From January 4 through April 11, Alaska will offer one daily flight and will add a second daily flight five days a week Thursday through Monday from Feb 11 through April 11.

From Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO), United will offer daily nonstop flights December 17 – January 4, two flights a week on Thursday and Sunday January 5 – Feb 10, and then four flights a week on Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday from Feb 11 – March 27. Delta will also offer a daily nonstop flight from LAX December 19 to January 10.

From Chicago (ORD), United will offer its nonstop service daily during the holidays, December 17 – January 4, and then weekly on Saturdays throughout the rest of the season, January 9 through March 27.

From Denver (DEN), United Airlines will offer daily nonstop flights from December 17 – March 27.

From Salt Lake City (SLC), Delta Air Lines, which serves Sun Valley year-round, has increased its schedule to four daily nonstop flights during the core winter season, offering easy connections to a multitude of cities. Delta has committed to 75 percent seat capacity limits on all system flights through January 6, which accounts for the increase in their flights, but frequency changes may happen during the season based on demand.

Wood River Weekly

•

October 7 - 20, 2020

NEWS

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ARTS

A colorful mural depicting Idaho history graces the fourth-grade classrooms’ exterior walls at Alturas Elementary. Photo credit: Lori Williams

Historical Mural Surprises, Inspires Alturas Elementary Students, Staff

A

By Lori Williams

colorful mural now greets students between the classroom doors of teachers Stephanie Brown and Kelly O’Neill in the fourth-grade hall at Alturas Elementary in Hailey, but because COVID-19 regulations have restricted the hall’s access, you’ll just have to take the word of staff and the lucky fourth-graders there that it has passed the “Cool! Amazing! and Wow!” test.

“The teachers have been really supportive and amazed at the mural. Staff in the building have made a special trip down the fourth-grade hall to check it out,” Brown said. “The students think it is very cool, and so does Principal Brad, who granted permission for the project.”

Upon arrival this new and unpredictable school year, students were greeted by the vibrant surprise on the wall in the alcove of the two adjoining classroom doors. The cobalt-blue-toned graphic panorama dramatically depicts a snapshot of Idaho state history, which is traditionally studied in fourth-grade Social Studies curriculum.

Brown’s son, Zack, a graphic digital designer, designed and painted the piece.

“It’s my first mural, and took about a full week’s time to complete,” said Brown.

The younger Brown is a team member at CRU, an interdenominational Christian organization providing global aid, worldwide ministries, and media evangelism, and headquartered in Orlando, Florida. Currently working remotely from his parents’ home in Idaho, Brown would finish his online Florida workday at 3 p.m. Idaho time, and then spend several hours into the evening working on the mural, plus a few weekends.

“It was finished before the school year started,” said Stephanie Brown, who gave her son complete freedom with the wall’s design, with the condition, of course, it be a reflection of Idaho’s history.

“I researched historical Idaho photos, and happened upon one of a woman from the Shoshone-Bannock tribe. I thought it was striking,” Zack Brown said. “The man represents a pioneer.”

He chose the vivid and brilliant color scheme thinking to incorporate the ambiance of alpenglow, highlighted in the pink and gold reflection on the mountains. From those colors, the rest of the palette expanded. Brown used regular house paint for the mural, except for the banner, which is whiteboard paint, allowing for the use of dry erase markers and the option to change out the message, which currently reads, “Education Prepares You for Life!”

It’s easy to imagine the Valley’s mountains, plains, rivers and forests within the depth of the mural. There’s a teepee, a wagon, an eagle—all reflective of local and state history and wildlife.

Fourth-grade Social Studies aims to expand a student’s knowledge and appreciation of their own local history, as well as American history. Fourth-graders also learn geography and how it affects a community. The mural speaks to their year of study.

Brown even added a whimsical touch with a last-minute sketch of a long-eared rabbit on one of the alcove’s short side walls. The other side has a tiny canoe disappearing down a river—Lewis and Clark no doubt aboard.

In addition to working for CRU, Brown also does freelance graphic and digital design. His work has been featured in Sun Valley Magazine and Territory, a quarterly magazine featuring the best of Boise life. He also illustrated the children’s book seen at retailers around town, Brownie and Bo at the Big Wood Diner.

Next up for Zack, he says he likely will be working remotely from Idaho for an extended period due to the pandemic. And that’s good news for fifth-grade teachers, who have commissioned him for a mural in their hallway.

Let’s take care of each other.

Times are stressful, but the only way through this is together. Watch out for each other.

Check in on your friends and neighbors. Be there for those in need and listen with an open heart.

Because these days, taking care of each other is more important than ever.

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Wood River Weekly

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October 7 - 20, 2020

NEWS

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Call Wood River Insurance — your local independent insurance agency, that serves you FIRST. Call us today!

IN BRIEF

Sheep Quilt Project Set For 2021 Festival

The Trailing of the Sheep Festival is planning a Sheep Quilt Project for the popular event’s 25th anniversary to be held next year. Organizers announced last week that the Festival is soliciting squares from anyone who wishes to have them sewn together to make a quilt. The finished product will be raffled off at the Happy Trails Festival Closing Party on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021.

This commemorative piece will help raise funds to produce the Festival and, depending on the number of squares received, multiple quilts may be created, organizers said.

Quilt squares can be made of any fabric and may be crocheted, knitted or felt. The theme is “sheep” and can include sheep ranching life, the Festival and sheep life. Below is a list of requirements: • All materials used must be prewashed to reduce shrinkage.

• If not washable, identify square as such.

• If made of any ‘see-through’ materials (like crochet), please attach securely onto a fabric backing.

• Finished squares must be 12 inches by 12 inches, plus allow at least 1 inch for seams. Submit a 13-inch-by-13-inch square with your image covering the full 12-inch-by-12-inch space.

• Include up to 50 words about you and your art and 20 words about your square. The Festival will be publishing the stories with the completed quilt.

Please contact Sheila Kelley via sheila@trailingofthesheep.org,

by Oct. 15, 2020, to let her know you intend to submit a square or with any questions. Squares, Bio and Square Stories need to be received by Dec. 31, 2020. Also, please let Sheila know if you are interested in creating a special Festival square. Once the squares are received, they will be sewn together with a wool batting by Festival friends. The quilt(s) will be completed, on display and raffle tickets will go on sale July 1, 2021.

Details on the Festival will continue to be posted at www.trailingofthesheep.org.

Ketchum Crosswalk System Approved For Spring

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The Ketchum Urban Renewal Agency (KURA) has approved funding for the installation of a so-called High Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) system. The signal will be placed at the corner of 4th and Main streets.

HAWK signals are pedestrian-activated traffic control devices that help make pedestrian crossings safer for people walking, biking or driving. The system works similar to other pedestrian signal crossings. Pressing the crossing button will activate lights signaling vehicles to stop and allowing pedestrians to cross safely.

For a driver, the HAWK signal appears differently than other traffic lights. At rest, HAWKs remain dark and drivers continue en route. Once triggered, it will then go through a series of yellow and red sequences requiring motorists to slow down and stop. When the pedestrian phase is complete, the HAWK will go dark again, allowing motorists to continue through the intersection.

The HAWK signal will synchronize with the signal at Sun Valley Road and Main Street, where the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) will be converting the stop light to a “pedestrian scramble.”

The scramble phase stops all vehicular traffic, thereby allowing pedestrians to cross an intersection in any direction, including diagonally, at the same time. Pedestrian scramble crossings enhance the safety and mobility of pedestrians, although wait times can be longer. This change to the stop light eliminates the right turn on red that is allowed at most intersections but enhances the safety of pedestrians in that no vehicles move through the intersection while pedestrians cross.

KURA adds the HAWK project to a list of others the agency has financed to improve pedestrian movements throughout the city.

The KURA has contributed over $1.1 million on improvements such as the Warm Springs sidewalk, sidewalk infill projects in the downtown core and the expansion of 4th Street next to The Community Library.

“The incredible amount of funding they’ve given to build and repair our sidewalks makes us a safer community for our residents and visitors, but also really improves the look of our city,” said Mayor Neil Bradshaw.

At the Ketchum City Council special meeting on Sept. 29, Council approved the contract agreement with Electric One West along with $20,000 in funding for the project. ITD has also partnered on this project by providing poles, mast arms equipment, personnel and various other items and expertise. Synchronizing these types of signals has not previously been done on the Idaho state highway system. ITD is contributing to this project to improve pedestrian safety and work toward better mobility and economic opportunity in the region. The total cost of the project is $183,617.

The city will begin outreach with residents and business owners as we approach spring to provide details on the schedule and operation of the new traffic configurations.

Wood River Weekly

NEWS

•

October 7 - 20, 2020

HEALTH

Frontline Heroes

Valley honors ‘Teacher of Year,’ 40-year nurse

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Seek a second opinion.

By Eric Valentine

ften lost in the daily reporting of COVID numbers and sometimes forgotten in the 24/7 news cycle of higher-profile healthcare givers and receivers is the fact that in communities like the Wood River Valley there are scores of frontline workers going unheralded. Well, not recently, in a couple of instances at least.

In recent days, both a local educator and nurse were honored for a career in two industries on the frontlines of keeping society—essentially—functioning. Jorge Pulleiro, a world language teacher at Wood River Middle School (WRMS), was named Idaho Teacher of the Year, and Barb Scher, a nurse at St. Luke’s Wood River, was celebrated by staff upon retiring after 47 years of working in healthcare.

For Pulleiro, it is another accomplishment in what is already an impressive career. For Scher, it puts to bed a career that saw everything from the emergence of the AIDS epidemic to the peak of the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The Teacher and a Ruse Pulleiro has taught Spanish at the middle school since 2012 and is part of the dual immersion world language team that helps students become biliterate. Last week, he was asked to leave that classroom for a few minutes and speak off the cuff about dual immersion at a principals’ conference being held on campus. It was a ruse.

Pulleiro got to the meeting, began speaking about dual immersion, and then Sherri Ybarra, the Superintendent of Public Instruction for Idaho, appeared. She announced that Pulleiro had been named the state’s Teacher of the Year.

“I saw my wife and my daughter come out with a check and a plaque,” Pulleiro recalled. “I was an emotional wreck.”

Pulleiro, who served in the U.S. Army for six years, conThe award means Pulleiro now will travel gratulates a student at an event last year. Photo credits: across Idaho talking with other teachers, legis- Blaine County School District lators and policymakers about education in the state, meet with Teachers of the Year from other states, and serve as Idaho’s nominee for National Teacher of the Year.

Even a cursory look at Pulleiro’s career reveals how he got there.

Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pulleiro received a bachelor of arts degree in Spanish Translation and Interpretation from Brigham Young University, a master’s in Teacher Education from Eastern Oregon, and a master’s in Educational Leadership from Boise State University. He also served in the U.S. Army for six years, part of it in Heidelberg, Germany, which he describes as some of the best years of his life.

“I wanted to give back to my country and I thought what better way than to serve in the best military in the world,” Pulleiro said.

Pulleiro also enriches the experiences of his students beyond the classroom. He is a strong advocate for and active participant in the Latino community in Blaine County. He facilitates the involvement of Spanish-speaking families in the Blaine County School District. He serves on the Latino Staff Advisory Committee and has been instrumental in planning the Conferencia Educativa Para Padres for our Spanish-speaking parents, also serving as a conference presenter.

In 2014, Pulleiro founded the WRMS exchange program with Gredos de San Diego Schools in Madrid, Spain. Students from Spain visit WRMS each year for three to four weeks to be immersed in school and family life here in Blaine County. In addition, well over 100 students from WRMS have traveled to Spain for three weeks of immersion there. These students have received language acquisition while earning college credit during high school.

Today, Pulleiro has a legacy at WRMS, literally. Last school year his daughter was hired to teach Spanish there, too.

“But I’m not her boss. We are colleagues and it’s great,” Pulleiro said. “I was never expecting my daughter to become a language teacher.”

Bullied as a child, Pulleiro said it was in the third grade he realized he wanted to teach.

“My third-grade teacher was a terrific example for me. I’ve always suffered from bullying from peers and even from teachers, but my third-grade teacher was compassionate, loving, and caring. She made a huge difference in my life because she believed in me and let me know that I could have a bright future,” Pulleiro said.

What makes Pulleiro’s style unique is how he doesn’t just teach language, he exposes students to culture, letting language come to life.

“When it’s time to learn the culture, we don’t just read about it. We live it! My students will be found sharing a dish they cooked at home with their peers at school. We don’t just read about a particular country’s music. We get up and learn how to dance that country’s national dance,” Pulleiro explained.

So what’s next for Pulleiro? He says being an administrator is one potential course, which is why he earned his master’s degree in Educational Leadership. But Pulleiro says he’ll know when the right opportunity comes along and what will make it right.

“I want to be a co-teacher. It’s a little bit different than how we think of administrators. When I became an officer in the military, I rolled up my sleeves and I worked closely with the enlisted. I love the classroom and I don’t want to ever completely leave that,” Pulleiro said.

The Nurse and Her Doctor Barb Scher started her career as a nursing assistant in high school, went on to get her medical assistant certificate, and continued on to become a full-fledged registered nurse. Since June 1988, Scher worked for Dr. Kathryn Woods.

“Dr. Woods had just come to town to start her family practice, and married Dr. Paris. Back then, each doctor had their own nurse. So, it was a wonderful way to really grow and nurture patient care. We were always a team and that was one of the nicest parts of working together,” Scher said. “I saw Dr. Woods deliver many, many babies and we took care of a lot of kids as they were growing up. And now we even get to see third generations. It was wonderful to be a nurse all these years.”

At Scher’s retirement party last month, Woods was there.

“Working side by side with Barb Scher for 30 years has been a rich journey. Her sincere, loving and caring manner has benefited our pa- Longtime Valley nurse Barb tients every day, every visit or phone call. Patients would leave their ap- Scher at the beginning of her 40-year career. pointment knowing they had been heard and understood,” Woods said.

Not only has Scher dedicated her career to taking care of others, she has also volunteered outside the job. When St. Luke’s offered “Healing Touch” training, she eagerly participated.

The next stage of Scher’s life figures to be spent on her new mountain bike with her husband, Jerome, Scher said.

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Wood River Weekly

GUEST OPINION

•

October 7 - 20, 2020

ALI RABE

This Year, Local Politics Matter More Than Ever

By Ali Rabe, District 17 Idaho Senate candidate

I

n just over a month, we will cast our votes for what is potentially one of the most important elections of our lifetime.

I’m not just saying that because I’m running for State Senate in District 17. I truly believe the 2020 election represents a crucial turning point for our communities, right here in Idaho. Still, as I’ve been on the campaign trail, I’ve heard from lots of folks who aren’t planning to vote. Multiple times, people have told me, “I don’t vote.”

I do understand why many people don’t vote. The federal government feels so far removed from most of our day-today lives. While federal politicians debate our fates on extreme opposite ends of the political spectrum 2,000 miles away in Washington, D.C., many of us fall somewhere in the middle and simply want some form of compromise and meaningful action to improve our lives.

Presidential elections are what many of us have in mind when we think about voting. And while I certainly encourage everyone to exercise their right to vote, that’s not what I’m writing about today.

I’m here to urge you to get involved in your local elections.

Change happens slowly, in small increments. It starts from the ground up. Policy changes happen when groups of people are affected by an issue and decide to do something about it. Here in Idaho, where our state legislators are remarkably accessible, many of our laws start with voters. Our legislators hear from hundreds or even thousands of people about the issues that matter to them on the campaign trail and while they’re in session. It’s a legislator’s job to listen and act on issues that affect their constituents.

National policy is often informed by what happens at the community level. Criminal justice reform is a great example. Counties and states around the country take different approaches to mandatory minimum sentences and how to treat folks with mental health and substance abuse issues. In Idaho, we still have mandatory minimums for nonviolent offenders. But in Ada County, there are pilot programs like Mental Health Court and Drug Court, which give nonviolent offenders opportunities to divert prison and address the underlying issues that led them to court in the first place. These programs foster rehabilitation and encourage Idahoans to get back on the right path to positively contributing to their communities, which is a very important part of reducing recidivism and decreasing crime. There are innovative, effective programs like these occurring all over the country—and as they gather momentum, they have the potential to create real change at a national level.

I’m hopeful about the opportunity to restore balance and civility in the statehouse. I want to enact the policies that my community wants to see in Idaho. I grew up in rural Middleton; my dad was a Republican and my mom was a Democrat, so political debate was a common occurrence around the dinner table. I was taught at a young age that collaboration and compromise are the key ingredients to the best solutions. I grew up surrounded by people with very different beliefs, then went on to work in cross-cultural environments all over the world. From my diverse experiences working in law, for the U.S. government, and most recently in the nonprofit sector to keep Idahoans housed, I’ve learned to collaborate with people from all types of backgrounds. I believe each and every one of them deserves to have a voice.

That’s why, this November, I’ll be on the ballot along with many of your neighbors who have stepped up to run for office. We’re running because we care about you and about our communities. We’ve seen and heard your struggles, and we want to do something about it. Regardless of who (if anyone) gets your vote for president this November, I hope you’ll cast a vote for your neighbors who care.

Ali Rabe Boise resident

League of Women Voters of Idaho

Dear Editor, Election Day is Nov. 3 and many are voting early. To aid you in your decisions, the League of Women Voters of Idaho has published an online voter guide at VOTE411.org.

The League invited all congressional, legislative and county commissioner, sheriff and prosecutor candidates running in the State of Idaho to participate by answering questions posed to them. The hope is that you, as a voter, will get a better idea of who the candidates are prior to making a selection.

Participation by the candidates is voluntary and many have joined in. I invite everyone to check out the website. When you enter your address, you will find the voter information and can explore your ballot to find candidates information.

Every effort was made to contact candidates, but if there are any candidates who haven’t participated and would like to, please email me at lwvid1944@gmail.com.

Susan Ripley President, League of Women Voters of Idaho Moscow resident

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Re-elect Rep. Sally Toone

Representative Sally Toone is a leader that I want to represent me in Boise. During these challenging times, we need leadership that we can rely on. Rep. Toone knows the needs of our community and is willing to work hard on our behalf.

As a math teacher for 37 years in Gooding and Wendell school districts, Rep. Toone taught thousands of students. Her experience as an educator gives her first-hand knowledge about the education bills.

Alongside her husband and sons, Rep. Toone owns and operates a farm and cattle ranch in Gooding and Camas counties and understands the needs of the ag community.

Rep. Toone puts in the work day after day to be educated and aware of the most important issues to Idahoans. She is a woman of great integrity with strong morals and values that guide her decision-making.

Sally is a wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, farmer, volunteer, lifelong Idahoan, and a reliable representative for our district. We need her experiences and voice in Boise.

Join me in re-electing Representative Sally Toone!

Alexandra Babalis Ketchum resident

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Vote Stennett

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Proposed infringement on the Second Amendment

Proposed infringement on the Second Amendment by Michelle Stennett is code for registration, the California Experience.

Ms. Stennett called for mandatory "instruction" for firearms owners at the debate with Eric Parker, who rightly called any mandatory restriction an infringement on our Rights that Shall not be Infringed.

In 30 years in Malibu, I watched a series of incremental "sensible" restrictions on our rights become a night and day start point and end point through 2019, with bans of certain firearms and registrations of every purchase.

Ms. Stennett and other anti-Constitutionalists seek to destroy American's freedoms by chip, chip, chipping away at our hard fought freedoms.

Don't let them - vote Eric Parker.

As residents of Blaine County, we are extremely fortunate to be represented by Senator Michelle Stennett. Her legislative record speaks for itself. Senator Stennett votes to protect access to public lands and promote clean air and water. She also votes in favor of Idaho’s working class and supports creating economic opportunities for all Idahoans. In addition to her legislative priorities, Senator Stennett is a sincere, hard-working and kind leader, dedicated to her constituents in Blaine County and throughout District 26. She listens intently and models the type of leadership that our communities need. Please join us in voting to re-elect Senator Michelle Stennett.

Tory and Miles Canfield Ketchum

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Support Stennett

Watt Webb East Fork

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

It’s Time to Defund Democrats The Democratic Party and its radical platform have become unrecognizable to most Americans today. Long gone are the days where the Democratic Party of John F. Kennedy supported working Americans, individual liberties, and your right to defend your family and your home.

Today, Democrats’ key issues target defunding the police, open borders on immigration, and lateterm abortions. Even more frightening, Democrats are supportive of radical organizations, such as Black Lives Matter (BLM) and Antifa, who are primarily responsible for the rioting and violence in the streets across major American cities.

Republicans and Democrats used to disagree on issues of taxation, social welfare programs, and unions. To be fair, a faint ghost of the former Democratic Party may still exist in the current party today, however, the Democrats’ current platform issues have been overrun by radical and progressive socialists that desire the government to operate every aspect of their lives.

The current Democratic Party wishes to destroy rather than build. Democrats seek to dismantle the justice system they claim is unfair, tear down our society founded upon law and order, and rewrite history by ignoring or defacing the parts to which they disagree.

These policies are not a platform for peace and harmony, but rather chaos and anarchy.

We must remember that America is beautiful as we appreciate our history, in addition to acknowledging that we haven’t always been perfect. America is strong because we rely on our rugged individualism and community ties. America is unique because we blend countless cultures into our own American success story.

America is great because we will elect four more years for President Trump.

Sharon Bockemohle Sun Valley

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

For those who observed last month's debate between political novice Eric Parker and 10-year District 26 state senator (and Idaho Senate minority leader) Michelle Stennett, there was an enormous gulf between the two candidates; Parker isn't remotely on the same playing field regarding Stennett's understanding of, and experience with, the vast complexities of legislating.

For that reason alone—plus many others—I am enthusiastically supporting Michelle Stennett.

While Senator Stennett has spent a decade working her tail off for ALL the citizens of District 26, and ALL Idahoans, Parker chose a much narrower constituency: During a 2014 Nevada rangeland stand-off between Cliven Bundy's supporters and federal law enforcement agents, Parker was observed/photographed (by dozens of witnesses) in a sniper position with his loaded rifle trained on U.S. Marshals. (So much for "Law and Order" and "Pro-Life", right?)

Although indicted by a federal grand jury on ten felony offenses related to this event, Parker eventually took a deal and pled guilty to only obstruction of a court order, a misdemeanor. (While Parker downplays the seriousness of his crime—"It's a misdemeanor, like jay-walking", quipped Parker during the debate—no one questions the photos and eye-witness accounts of his life-threatening actions.)

While I truly hope that Eric Parker is turning a new leaf, several of his debate answers—on guns, health care, and following the law— suggest that he has a ways to go. As such, I simply can't support his campaign to represent me, my family, and all of District 26.

Jeremy Fryberger Ketchum

HISTORY

W

Wood River Weekly

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October 7 - 20, 2020

9

Backbone of the West

by Karen Crowson

hen examining the history of Idaho, the Chinese are often overlooked, but Chinese immigrants were an integral part of the history of the American West, building railroads, clearing the land, and mining for gold. The culture of the Asians was extremely different from that of the European settlers, with music, food, and religious customs vastly differing.

During the California Gold Rush of 1848, the Chinese began immigrating to the West Coast and many of these immigrants arrived as indentured servants with an ‘agent’ in China that had purchased their ticket to the United States. The agent would then sell the indentured servant’s contract to Union Pacific or other companies in need of laborers.

The indentured servant would then pay off their contract through their labor and once the contract was paid off, the indentured servant was free.

Famine was making its mark on China, thus many Chinese left, making their way to America, and in 1850 the Taiping Rebellion began, lasting until 1864. The Taiping Rebellion was led by Hong Xiuquan, claiming himself to be the younger brother of Jesus Christ and led the rebellion to unseat the Qing Dynasty while focusing on land socialization, social reform, opposing strict gender separation, and abolishing foot binding. The rebellion took an estimated 20 million lives and in 1862 a religious uprising began, lasting until 1877, and was named the Dungan Revolt, taking an estimated 10 million lives.

Upon arriving in America, the Chinese were welcomed, due to providing cheap labor, but over time they became unwelcome. In Idaho, with the discovery of gold in 1860 in Pierce, the Chinese were among the thousands of miners flocking to Idaho.

Living conditions in Idaho were dangerous, and it wasn’t considered a desirable destination. There was a short supply of teachers, nurses, doctors, and women, thus prostitution was common and families scarce, and because of this, most Caucasian miners avoided Idaho, but this opened the way for other minority miners, including the Chinese.

When the Nez Perce Indians encountered the Chinese for the first time during the 1860s, the Nez Perce attempted communication with the Chinese but only received a blank expression and so the Nez Perce named the Chinese ‘zelmin,’ which translates to ‘blank stare.’

In 1863, the Idaho Territory was formed and miners opened their camps to the Chinese due to the Chinese meticulous work in sifting through gravel and sand using cold water and their willingness to excavate placers. The Chinese worked as cooks, servants, helpers and laborers for the Caucasian miners. Nearly every mining camp, boarding house, hotel, and restaurant employed Chinese cooks and launderers while the married Chinese females worked as housekeepers and the single females as prostitutes.

Most of the Chinese in Idaho were of working age, ranging in years from early 20s into early middle age. In wealthy households, the Chinese were employed as servants who were treated as members of the family. It was believed that the Chinese sent the majority of their earnings back to China while living only on a few cents a day.

The Chinese worked in large groups, using their knowledge of using water in agriculture, which differed from Caucasian miners, the majority of whom worked alone. The Chinese miners were known for gleaning the tailings of abandoned mines.

By 1865, sentiments of the Chinese was fading, and on September 14, the Idaho Tri-Weekly Statesman reported, “That interesting sight so familiar to old Californians, of long trains of celestials on the move in single file, supporting the middle of their long-handled shovels or a bamboo stick with pendant sacks of rice, chopsticks, rockers and gum boots, filed along Idaho Street yesterday morning.”

On September 30, the Idaho World reported, “...the Chinamen are coming among us.

Lord, deliver us from the ‘Locusts of Egypt!’ They devour all before them. If destiny has so shaped it, let them come.”

By 1870, over 6,000 Chinese moved to Montana and Idaho, and in Idaho, the Chinese made up to 28.5 percent of the population. According to the 1870 Census, there were 312 Chinese living in Alturas County, with 309 males and three females. All three females’ occupation was listed as prostitute. The census also shows 153 Chinese throughout the territory that had accumulated personal assets of several hundred dollars.

On May 10, 1872, the federal government passed the Mining Act of 1872, limiting ownership of property and mining claims exclusively to citizens of the United States.

This was the beginning of laws to come in stifling the Chinese population.

Chinese males’-styled long pigtailed hair and peasant clothing was known to the Qing Dynasty, but as time passed many of these customs were discarded as they were deemed impractical for mining and by the 1880s many Chinese males sacrificed their hairstyles.

The cutting of their hair was considered a sacrifice because their belief in Confucian ideologies is that the human body (including hair) comes from the parents and any harm inflicted upon the body will dishonor the parents.

The 1880 Census shows 128 Chinese in Alturas County, and throughout Idaho many of the Chinese males worked as placer miners, but occupations such as cooks, barbers, gardeners, launderers and gamblers doubled amongst the Chinese. The census also identified 11 Chinese doctors in Idaho, with one of these doctors being C.K. Ah Fong. Fong arrived in Atlanta in Alturas County by 1866, even working at Rocky Bar. Fong wore Western clothing and had short hair and a well-groomed mustache, indicating the changes to appearance the Chinese were making. Fong was also an herbalist, and while in Rocky Bar dealt in sugar, tea, silk handkerchiefs, and wedding and birthday gifts.

During the 1880s, at Rocky Bar, it was recorded that two Chinese men were in a quarrel over a woman, both believing her to be of their own property and resulting in the death of one of the men while the other turned himself over to the authorities. It is unknown what became of the woman.

There was also the death of a Chinese male working at what was known as the Hardscrabble Mine. The man was a victim of a cave-in and died. Many of the Chinese mined along Steel Creek at Rocky Bar. The Chinese were beginning to dominate the service industry as they moved away from mining due to the Mining Act of 1872. In 1881, the Idaho Statesman argued that the “Chinese are taking too much money back to the ‘Flowery Kingdom’.”

In the same year, the American Federation of Labor declared “the presence of Chinese and their competition with free white labor is one of the greatest evils with which any country can be afflicted,” announcing the “absolute necessity of passing laws entirely prohibiting the immigration of Chinese into the United States.”

The following year showed more than 100,000 Chinese through the American West’s mining locations. Congress then passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, and without Chinese miners, the decline of placer mining began as well as the descent of the Chinese population.

In June of that same year, much of the Chinese population in Atlanta lived in fear of their lives after a fire destroyed the Old Buffalo Mill. The cause of the fire had been blamed on a Chinese cook named Ho Hope, who mysteriously disappeared the night of the fire.

The Chinese miners used derricks in Atlanta and left a sea of tailings at the placer

Illustration, "Across the Continent. The snow sheds on the Central Pacific Railroad in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. From a sketch by Joesph Becker." Originally printed in Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, Vol. 29, February 6, 1870, p. 346.

mines. The following month, much of Rocky Bar was destroyed by fire.

In Hailey, in 1882, it was recorded that 75 of the Chinese immigrants were members of a Chinese Masonic Lodge. The City of Hailey had its own Chinatown on River Street and is today known as China Gardens.

On River Street, the Chinese worked for the prostitutes, ran eating establishments, and provided laundry services. West of the original city limits, the Chinese also maintained gardens and sold their produce from horse-drawn wagons. It is estimated that there were around 75 shacks located on River Street as the residences of the Chinese and it is noted that young children would sell their buckets of berries over the alley fence to the residents of River Street.

On Sept. 8, 1883, Sheriff D.H. Gray and his deputies raided the opium dens in Hailey’s Chinatown, arresting eight Chinese males and one Caucasian male. After confiscating pipes and paraphernalia, a trial was held two days later where two of the Chinese males were fined $20 and another $5. It is said that the raid by Sheriff Gray was the first drug bust in the Wood River Valley.

Opium was legal until 1909 unless banned locally and a finger-sized amount equivalent to three puffs cost .25 cents.

By 1885, a Chinese man named Kuck Wah Choi, also known as Ah Sam, was sentenced to hang in Hangman’s Gulch after being found guilty of murder in the first degree.

All across the West, in the late 1880s, the once-welcomed Chinese were now becoming unwelcome, and in 1886, both Hailey and Ketchum formed ‘anti-Coolie’ leagues, organizing economic boycotts against the Chinese.

By the late 1890s, racial violence against the Chinese had escalated across the West and the populations of the Chinese dwindled.

The 1900 Census for Blaine County shows 78 Chinese and 20 Japanese, with occupations such as laborers, launderers, laundry keepers, restaurant workers, cooks, farmers, gardeners, domestic servants and students.

In Bellevue, a population of Chinese miners lived just below the bench, including what is now the Howard Preserve. The ‘bench’ is the hill behind the present-day Mahoney’s Bar & Grill. China Rock mountain in Slaughterhouse Canyon is believed to have been the burial grounds of the Chinese just at the base of the mountain. When water lines were installed at the base of China Rock, unmarked Chinese graves were relocated.

It is believed by the Chinese that a soul never rests until the body of the soul is buried in the homeland.

Dewain Forbis, originally from Bellevue but now a resident of Richland, Wash., says, “The bench by our old house was covered with old cans and bottles when we moved there in the ’70s; took us a long time to haul them up to Ohio Gulch; some interesting finds when we dug into them.”

Craig Graham, a resident of Phoenix, Ariz., describes with further detail what some of these finds were. Graham lived for a time in the old Palace Club and says, “Beautiful view of the canal and Wood River basin; dug out Chinese vials I assumed contained narcotics, where they lived for a long time, working at the mine, and such in a dig below the home.”

Graham discovered these vials digging near the canal and says, “I do not know what became of those treasures.”

In 1920, a bootlegger by the name of Monkey Frank was operating his still when it exploded, causing a fire that then destroyed Hailey’s Chinatown. After the fire, underground tunnels were discovered with hats, opium bottles, and even the remains of Chinese banks.

The Blaine County Historical Museum, in Hailey, has not only a pipe possibly connected to the opium dens but also an array of other Chinese dishes and artifacts.

Robert C. Wright, resident of Fairfield and the great-great-nephew of Dr. Robert H. Wright of Hailey, enjoys sifting through old dumps to see the history left behind.

“Well, every spring after the snow melts,” Wright says, “you can walk along the river

by Little Indio at the base of Carbonate Mountain there and across the street where Lions Park is and generally you’ll find little pieces of pottery shards and the dump at Lions Park is probably not all Chinese stuff but across the street at Little Indio is where the Chinese dump reportedly was.”

Wright says he’s found a lot of nails and junk but does come across small blue-andwhite Chinese pottery.

Hailey also had a section of their cemetery established solely to accommodate the Chinese, but during the 1930s the wooden grave markers of the Chinese were destroyed by fire and it wasn’t until 2009 that efforts were made in identifying the graves for placement markers. A ground-penetrating radar survey identified 120 unmarked graves.

According to the 2010 Census, the Asian population for both Hailey and Bellevue was less than one percent.

The Chinese shaped the Western United States and many of their efforts are being recognized today for the large and positive impact they have had on the American West. In Hailey, China Gardens still stands, a reminder to some of a people that shaped the backbone of the West.

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Wood River Weekly

•

October 7 - 20, 2020

GUEST OPINION

SEPTEMBER IS CELEBRATING CONNECTIONS

THANK YOU!

Exposing War Crimes Should Always Be Legal Committing And Hiding Them Should Not

T

For more information visit www.MSCLhouse.org and click on Recover Strong Challenge.

CELEBRATING CONNECTIONS

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CAITLIN JOHNSTONE

By Caitlin Johnstone

he Kafkaesque extradition trial of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange continues, with each frustrating day making it clearer than the day before that what we are watching is nothing other than a staged performance by the U.S. and UK governments to explain why it’s okay for powerful governments to jail journalists who expose inconvenient truths about them.

The Assange defense team is performing admirably, making the arguments they need to make to try and prevent an extradition that will set a precedent which will imperil press freedoms and creating a chilling effect on all adversarial national security investigative journalism around the world.

These arguments appear to fall on deaf ears before Judge Vanessa Baraitser, who has from the beginning been acting like someone who has already made up her mind and who has been reading from pre-written judgments at the trial regardless of the points presented to her (an unusual behavior made all the more suspicious by her supervision under Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot, who has a massive conflict of interest in this case).

And while it is essential to fight this fight with every intention of winning, I’d also like to issue a friendly reminder that this entire trial is illegitimate at its very foundation.

Amid all the pedantic squabbling over when is and is not legal under U.S. law for a journalist to expose evidence of U.S. war crimes, we must never lose sight of the fact that (A) it should always be legal to expose U.S. war crimes, (B) it should always be illegal for governments to hide evidence of their war crimes, (C) war crimes should always be punished, (D) people who start criminal wars should always be punished, (E) governments should not be permitted to have a level of secrecy that allows them to start criminal wars, and (F) power and secrecy should always have an inverse relationship to one another.

The Assange case needs to be fought tooth and claw, but we must keep in mind that it is so very, very many clicks back from where we need to be as a civilization. In an ideal situation, the public should have governments too afraid of them to keep secrets from them; instead, here we are begging the most powerful government in the world to please not imprison a journalist because he arguably did not break the rules that that government made for itself.

Do you see how far that point is from where we need to be?

It’s important to remember this. It’s important to remember that the amount of evil deeds power structures will commit is directly proportional to the amount of information they are permitted to hide from the public. We will not have a healthy world until power and secrecy have an inverse relationship to each other: privacy for rank-and-file individuals and transparency for governments and their officials.

“But what about military secrets?” one might object. Yes, what about military secrets? What about the fact that virtually all military violence perpetrated by the world’s largest power structures is initiated based on lies? What about the utterly indisputable fact that the more secrecy we allow the war machine, the more wars it deceives the public into allowing it to initiate?

In a healthy world, the most powerful government on earth wouldn’t be trying to squint at its own laws in such a way that permits a prosecution of a journalist for telling the truth.

In a healthy world, the most powerful government on earth wouldn’t prosecute anyone for telling the truth at all.

In a healthy world, governments would prosecute their own war crimes instead of those who expose them.

In a healthy world, governments wouldn’t commit war crimes at all.

In a healthy world, governments wouldn’t start wars at all.

In a healthy world, governments would see truth as something to be desired and actively sought, not something to be repressed and punished.

In a healthy world, governments wouldn’t keep secrets from the public, and wouldn’t have any cause to want to.

In a healthy world, if governments existed at all, they would exist solely as tools for the people to serve themselves, with full transparency and accountability to the people.

We are obviously a very, very far cry from the kind of healthy world we would all like to one day find ourselves in. But we should always keep in mind what a healthy world will look like, and hold it as our true north for the direction that we are pushing in.

208.788.3255 - nathan@harrisonins.com 101 E. Bullion Ste. 2A Hailey, ID

Demonstrations for Julian Assange’s release are continual. Photo credit: Elekhh, accessed via wikipedia.

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October 7 - 20, 2020

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COMM ENT ARY Wood River Weekly

Fishing R epoRt

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October 7 - 20, 2020

NO BONES ABOUT IT THE “WEEKLY” FISHING REPORT FOR OCTOBER 7 - 20 FROM PICABO ANGLER

W

e are into our fullblown autumn hatches these days. Be sure you have all the right bugs in the coming days and weeks. The fall is a great time to fish; the fish turn a little greedier as the water cools and the fish feel winter coming. They know to pack on the calories right now!

Silver Creek hatches are already leaning toward fall bugs.

The Mahogany Dun as well as the Fall Baetis are the main hatches on the Creek. There is still some residual Trico, and Callibaetis and Baetis from the summer on the right mornings or afternoons in the right place.

The middle of the day is the best fishing. There are still Hoppers out and anglers can always fish Ants and Beetles. With the brown trout on the verge of spawning, now is also a good time to fish streamers during the low-light periods. Be sure you have your October Caddis in the coming weeks, as this bug has put on quite a show over the past two seasons.

The Big Wood hatches in the fall consist of Fall Baetis, Western Red Quills and October Caddis—the latter found mostly north of Ketchum. The Fall Baetis and Red Quills are heat-ofthe-day bugs, so no need to get out early. If you do fish early, try Sculpin patterns fished on the swing, and even try drowning a few Grasshopper patterns in the heavy water.

The South Fork of the Boise is in Fall Baetis mode. These can be spectacular hatches on the right day, and they can blanket the water. If you go, start late and fish late. A lot of anglers will head down the canyon and will not see a bug before noon, so they quit for the day. By 1 p.m. the river could be on fire.

Fish the South Fork well into the late afternoon.

The lower Lost is a great fall fishery and a wonderful place to catch rainbows on Fall Baetis.

This bug is a little bigger on the Lost River and a bit easier to fish than other places. The upper Lost River will also have Fall Baetis and Red Quills. It is a lot of walking this time of the season on the upper Lost, but it can also be really rewarding for those willing to put in the effort.

Happy fishing, everyone!

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FRAN JEWELL

Kalidor’s Puppy Diary Week 2

K

By Fran Jewell

alidor has been home almost a week.

We have worked on housetraining by using a marker method and food to let him know that going outside is what I want.

He has also learned that sitting by the door is how I open it. Now, when he has to go, he immediately goes and sits by the door.

The other part of this is that Kalidor is not allowed to run free through the house unless I am just watching him or playing with him.

When he is in the house, he is on a leash next to my chair, whether I am watching TV or working on my computer. If I cannot watch him, he is either in his crate (where he gets all his food and other treats), or in an exercise pen I have in the living room. If he is awake in the house, I take him out about every 20– 30 minutes.

He has been sitting for his food. He gets Kong toys filled with cream cheese, hard cheese or canned food. Since he loves his food, sometimes I freeze the Kong already stuffed so it takes him longer to eat it. Now he is chewing on ME less and less.

Every day we work on “Leave it,” where I

SCIENCE OF PLACE

wait until he backs his mouth away from my hand with a treat in it. When he backs away, he gets the treat and I say, “Leave it.” Now he learns that taking his mouth OFF my hand is rewarded.

I’ve spent lots of time just watching him and when he does something I want, like “down,” I say, “down” and give him a click/ treat on the floor in front of him. I do this all the time while he is on the leash tied to my chair at the computer.

I have been taking Kalidor everywhere in the car IN A CRATE. I don’t want him finding any joy in chewing my van! I get him out ON A LEASH for even 5 minutes at new places, and ask him to practice the essentials of “watch,” “sit” and “down.” We go to the store, at my lessons, everywhere. When people want to pet him, I always let them, but I stand on his leash so he CANNOT jump up on anyone. Now he gets petting from strangers and doesn’t get any positive reinforcement for jumping. He just gets lots of treats for meeting new people and sitting.

My goal right now is for Kalidor to meet at least three new people every day. Next week we are going to introduce greeting children!

he rhythms of the year show up in all sorts of ways. We see some of them in our own daily lives and some of them out in the natural world.

Annual birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. The ups and downs of seasonal work. Traditions and trips. The starts of school years (even unique years, like this one), the starts of sports seasons; the first time you can (comfortably) sit out on a deck in the afternoon in the spring, and the last time you can do so in the fall.

All of these things are ways we mark the year with human events.

Then, there’s the natural moments of the year. The changing colors of the leaves. The first frost. The first snow. The first REAL freeze. The first BIG snow. The pace of winter storms. The way that the sun warms up at the end of February. The last freezing night.

Runoff and swollen rivers in the spring.

Birds that arrive and then leave. Animals that prepare for winter, that hunker down or hibernate, that become active again, that enjoy the fruits of summer ecosystems, that again prepare for winter.

The insects that appear above the river’s surface, seemingly out of thin air, and then disappear the next week, in the same order every summer.

The way the smells in the air change throughout the year. The sounds, like elk bugles, that highlight a certain turn of the season.

Warming up and cooling down. Lengthening and shrinking. Towards the sun, and away from the sun. Moons. Stars. Seasons. Solstices and equinoxes.

INSPIRATIONS FROM MY HEART

I

Having a plan to start each week with helps you to accomplish amazing things with your pup, form a trusting bond, and give your pup an enriching start.

Fran Jewell is an IAABC Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, NADOI 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.

Times Of Change

BY HANNES THUM

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Kalidor is learning to greet people without jumping on them. Photo credit: Fran Jewell

BY DOVE

find myself reluctant to give up summer and move into fall. Normally this would not be the case, as I love all seasons of the year, but this year is different. Nothing is the same.

The Broncos are not playing and all the distractions and pleasures one usually has in the fall are not there. School schedules are random and there is no familiar routine to ground my energy. So that leaves me with space to create something new I have never done before or I can just be like the trees outside with no resistance. They don’t wonder how to change color or resist the temperature changes—they just go with the wind, lose their leaves, so what; become a different color, no problem. They just send their roots a little deeper into the earth and become quiet inside. No resistance allowed.

Maybe I can take a lesson from the trees

HANNES THUM

All of these things are ways that the world marks the year with its own events, regardless of what we ask or expect.

But, of course, it is hard to separate our human events from the natural ones. When the frost approaches, we cover our gardens.

When the snow comes, we adjust our routines. When the big snow comes, we gaze at it and play in it and remark on it (and shovel it).

When the sun warms again, we bask in it. When the ground clears, we plant our crops and feel the dirt again. When summer arrives, we let our students out of school again to run and play and swim, to work and to live the life of long days.

To focus, though, on today: this, right now, is the season of change.

If you’ve noticed the mornings and evenings getting darker and the days shortening, it’s because the lengths of days change faster at this time of year. One day makes a lot of difference around the equinoxes (the autumnal equinox was a couple of weeks ago).

Temperatures change faster during this time of year. Animals go through more transitions during this time of year, as do the plants (you’ll surely have noticed the changes in leaves by now). Weather patterns shift.

I saw snow on Glassford Peak last week. The elk have been bugling. The Swainson’s hawks will be leaving soon, or have already left.

The season of change has arrived.

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

Resistance

and just focus on being quiet inside. I don’t always have to be involved or doing something. I can just walk and feel the beauty around me. I can try and feel the peace of Nature and then become that peace. A blanket and a good book can consume my energy. Or, I can make a pumpkin pie with perfect crust, maybe some soft gingerbread cookies, and a pot of soup. With all that is going on in the news, I suggest we all take time to not listen to the chaos; that only makes our energy chaotic.

I want to be the calm in the middle of all this. I am aware of all the drama but I am not going to be part of it. The best thing I can do is create a frequency of peace within myself because that is what I want in my world.

What you expect is what you get. I am going to expect peace, love, laughter, good health, freedom from restriction and, most of all, integrity. If I want these things, I must become these things.

DOVE

I will ride my bike until it is too cold and then I will bundle up and walk the hills with love and peace in my heart. I will watch the chipmunks as they continually gather their feast for the coming winter. Nothing can make me part of the chaos unless I choose to be.

Love to you all as we venture into a new way of being. Be easy on yourself and all those around you.

Wood River Weekly

MONEY MATTERS

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October 7 - 20, 2020

SUZANNE HAZLETT

By Suzanne Hazlett, MBA, CIMA®, CFP®

By JoEllen Collins

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GIFTS OF APPRECIATED SECURITIES: Many donors fund charitable contributions with long-held, appreciated securities rather than cash.

For some contributors, doing so may yield a more significant tax benefit. You may be able to deduct the securities’ full value while avoiding capital gains taxes on the increased value.

DONOR ADVISED FUNDS: A donor advised fund (DAF) is a charitable giving account that is relatively inexpensive to establish and maintain. A DAF allows you to immediately contribute and reap allowable tax deductions.

CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUSTS: With a charitable remainder trust (CRT), you donate assets to the trust and receive an immediate tax deduction. During your lifetime, you receive an income stream. Upon your death, your designated charitable organization will receive the remainder of the assets.

PRIVATE FOUNDATION: Establishing a private foundation provides similar benefits as a donor advised fund, although at a higher cost and with more complex administrative responsibility. In establishing a foundation, you are creating an institution. It is not for the casual charitable giver. The upside is you will have greater control in achieving your giving goals.

Each donor’s situation is unique. While this shortlist is just an introduction, gaining familiarity with these terms may help initiate discussions with your family, advisors, and with charitable organizations you have an interest in supporting.

Suzanne Hazlett, MBA, CIMA®, CFP®, is a Certified Investment Management Analyst® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Raymond James and its advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Donors are urged to consult the appropriate professions regarding the tax-deductibility of contributions. Charitable giving strategies may incur fees, charges, and costs. HAZLETT WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC is independent of Raymond James and is not a registered broker/dealer. 675 Sun Valley Road Ketchum, Idaho, 208.726.0605. HazlettWealthManagement.com

I

JOELLEN COLLINS

Development Dichotomy

ccording to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, charitable giving declined 6 percent during the first quarter this year. In their 1977 hit song Give A Little Bit, British rock band Supertramp sang their famous lyrics, “Now’s the time that we need to share.”

While the U.S. economy has a long road toward recovery, many investors have benefited from the rallying stock market. Some donors may want to consider giving away a growing asset, for example, common stocks. In considering giving strategies that may increase your donation’s tax benefits, talk to a tax, legal or financial advisor to explore your alternatives. Here are a few considerations.

COLUMN

13

ON LIFE’S TERMS

‘GIVE A LITTLE BIT’

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nyone who spends much time in this part of Idaho must be aware of our pride in our communities. We are usually known as hospitable to visitors and grateful for our still small-town feel and history.

Since the pandemic, I have noticed some currents of divisiveness in our paradise, some brewing for a while and some growing deeper and more obvious. I have commented in earlier columns about the need for us to keep our open and friendly attitude toward each other and our guests, because our tourist economy requires a welcoming attitude—the warm and generous natures this place encourages.

However, I am seeing more hostile messages directed at people now thinking of moving here, many citing accelerated home costs.

In part, this is understandable given the hideous circumstance of this time, but I also cringe when I see people espousing that Californians go home or rich people should get out. This negativity speaks from some thought about the changes to our Valley that are occurring but also of the kind of closed minds that insist only the people already here should reap the benefits of our lifestyles.

One emerging and valid problem, my reaction to this spurt of negativity, is that, indeed, we do have to try to preserve the area as the lovely area it is. We’ve certainly read of the advent of hotel after hotel, but now we are being informed of the elimination of JoEllen Collins—a longtime our small-town feel by huge and probably imper- resident of the Wood River sonal projects that will replace some of the delights Valley— is an Idaho Press we have enjoyed for so long. I could list so many Club award-winning columlittle businesses that I will miss as locations where nist, a teacher, writer, fabric my visiting friends and family were always wel- artist, choir member and come. I have to also admit that the thought of bigger unabashedly proud grandma and more sterile buildings in, at least, my town of known as “Bibi Jo.” Ketchum, appalls me.

I understand that we need economic growth, but we also need places for people to park, places for us to stroll down tree-lined and cozy streets, places that reflect the nature of the small cities we have moved here to enjoy. Ketchum has forestalled big-box businesses like Costco. As a result, I think we can really enjoy getting a hotdog at Irving’s, even if in warm months only. I also admired Jim Cimino for giving the city his potentially profitable plot of land on Ketchum’s 6th and Main streets to feature a beautiful, small, child-friendly park. Certainly, there would have been material profit in that corner housing an office building, but the laughter of children cannot be manufactured.

I am fearful our historical and charming heritage is on the outs. I encourage everyone who is a resident to ponder this dilemma and speak up about your concerns. This is a puzzle not easily solved. We want the energy and the financial gains of our tourist towns, but we also want to keep them as the places we love. We may even lose our tourists if we become another sterile conglomeration of big buildings.

VISION 2020 / FOOD

Two Chili Recipes For Chilly Times

By Eric Valentine

recently lost 12 pounds. And I plan on losing a dozen more. That makes me an expert on all things dietary and now I can preach freely and you have to listen.

OK, fine. It makes me a guy who can now wear some shirts that didn’t used to fit well and whose belt is now fastened two notches tighter. And that means I’m spending a little more time and energy focusing on how to keep my meals really healthy and really delicious, too. So, with fall now here and colder weather fast approaching (and who the heck knows what else after Nov. 3 regardless of result), I’d like to share two comfort-food recipes that can be done in a health-friendly and budget-friendly way, involving absolutely zero tofu* substituting, veggie burger usage, kale chip appearances or anything else unnecessary and disgusting. *Some tofu recipes are great, like authentic agedashi; I’m referring to using tofu to replace meat.

Classic Chili Most folks think of chili as comfort food that’s fattening. Well, if you eat it with chips and cornbread and other high-carb foods, those folks are right. But if you can commit to a simple side salad or nothing on the side, this recipe will bring high-protein, high-fiber and low-fat good times.

Meat—Rather than using ground beef, which is high in fat content, get a little more authentic and healthy. Find flap steak, skirt steak or round steak and cut it into slices. It will be far tastier and a little easier to control fat-to-protein ratios. Also, marinate it in a simple blend of olive oil, soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, salt and pepper. After it’s been marinating, add it to the pot you’ll be making your chili in, and then sear it up real good in olive oil.

Vegetables—Start with onions (I prefer yellow, white or sweet for this) and toss them in with that meat, add some olive oil, oregano, salt and pepper. Then crush some fresh garlic cloves once the onions turn translucent. In a minute, you’re ready for the tomatoes—canned are fine. In fact, canned tomatoes are nothing short of a gourmet product, not a shortcut. I like using diced tomatoes. Add more oregano, salt and pepper. Another way to get extra flavor on the cheap without adding “bad” calories is to use diced green chilis (canned) and canned jalapeño salsa by El Pato. It’s not as hot as it sounds, but it will add a lot of flavor to the beans.

Legumes—Now for the beans. No need to gunk this up with a whole bunch of different types. Pinto beans are the way to go. Canned is fine. Add as much as you like, toss in some more oregano and chili powder as well as salt and pepper and some cumin.

Let it slowly boil for as long as you want and then serve it with some fresh cilantro.

You can also add a little bit of queso fresco (white cheese).

Chili Verde Now for something on the green side of things, chili verde.

Meat—Try to find pork stew meat. It’s pre-cut and super cheap. Marinate it in a simple blend of olive oil, soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce, oregano, salt and pepper.

After it’s been marinating, add it to the pot you’ll be making your chili in, and then sear it up real good in olive oil.

Vegetables—Think green. Tomatillos (several), onion (green or white/yellow), poblano or Anaheim peppers, a couple jalapeño peppers, and garlic cloves (skin removed). Place them on a baking sheet or in a baking dish and roast them in your oven on a medium temperature for 10 to 20 minutes. Basically, you’re looking for them to get a little brown and juicy.

Then, add some cilantro and put all the vegetables in a food processor. Blend until smooth and liquidy.

Now pour that sauce over the pork and let it slowly boil for as long as you want.

Serve it with a splash of fresh lime juice over white rice (jasmine is my favorite).

This is a complete meal and doesn’t need extra items like tortillas or salads with heavy dressing. But if you insist, consider a simple side salad with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

THE WAY I SEE IT

CHRIS MILLSPAUGH

Nothing At All

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BY CHRIS MILLSPAUGH

ou know, this week I was going to write about that fiasco called “The First Debate,” but then I learned that the POTUS had tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).

My mother once told me, “If you don’t have anything nice to say about someone, it’s better to say nothing at all.”

Nice talking to you.

Editor’s Note: Mr. Millspaugh lives in a log cabin with his cat, Myles; is retired; does absolutely nothing; and is tied to a landline.

14

HEALTH BEAT

Wood River Weekly

ST. LUKE’S WOOD RIVER

What Level Of Risk Are We Comfortable Taking?

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n March, we learned how quickly COVID can spread in our community. As we discovered more about this coronavirus, we worked to develop a better picture of the prevalence of it in our community. This understanding has been pivotal in developing strategies for protection, mitigation and suppression of COVID. Over the past several months an adaptive planning committee was formed comprised of members representing government, business, schools, nonprofits and the medical community. This group has shared information, established metrics and delivered corresponding recommendations that can be easily understood and adopted. Thanks to the implementation of the recommended procedures and protocols by our community, Blaine County has been able to slow the spread of COVID as well as protecting our economic wellbeing.

Regardless where we stand now, the preventative measures need to continue on into our daily lives. Safety must remain a priority (distancing, hand washing and mask wearing). Detection of cases of COVID -19 is also top priority. The ultimate goal would be to have mechanisms to understand our current state, to look ahead 2-3 weeks and to have guidance on how we stay healthy and safe while conducting our daily life with this virus.

One of our biggest risks for future COVID-19 flare-ups is the makeup of our community. We are a tourist destination with a highly transient population. We celebrate the vitality and vibrancy inherent in being a tourist destination. Asymptomatic people account for about half of the transmission of COVID, and visitors may unknowingly be infectious or travel from areas of community spread.

Given this, we believe a proactive and conservative approach is warranted for the Wood River Valley.

After careful review, we believe that the COVID-19 Blaine County Risk Level Plan*, which is based on the Harvard Global Health Institute’s (HGHI), is the best plan of action to continue to perpetuate the positive tract in suppressing COVID-19. This plan comes with more specific and conservative initiatives than others, yet it allows us to protect our health and way of life more adequately. South Central Public Health District endorses utilizing Harvard Global Health Initiative’s guidelines, particularly for Blaine County given the nature of our demographics and transient population. Blaine County School District is also utilizing the HGHI model in order to give students the greatest chance of success of being able to conduct in-person learning. Having a unified system that gives an easy-to-understand barometer to our community and visitors has the ability to not only inform, but also set a plan in place to mitigate any progressions of the virus. For instance, depending on the level of virus, scaling up and down on occupancy or size of gatherings or virtual vs. in-person learning or worship can help avoid a complete shutdown or shelter-in-place.

It’s important to keep in mind how quickly and dramatically our health and welfare were impacted in March. This plan will help avoid a recurrence.

We know the community and our leaders are fatigued by this virus, but it is still young, and we are still learning. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to do everything in our power to suppress COVID for the health of our residents, family, friends and neighbors as well as for the vitality of our businesses, in-person schooling and our way of life.

Adaptive Planning Committee Members: Blaine County St. Luke’s Wood River Visit Sun Valley Blaine County School District Hunger Coalition South Central Public Health District *https://www.co.blaine.id.us/DocumentCenter/View/13048/ COVID-19-Blaine-County-Risk-Level-Plan-draft-9242020

It’s your life We help you live it

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October 7 - 20, 2020

ADVERTORIALS BETTER HOMEOWNERS NEWS

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Selling Or Buying Smart Homes

ore and more homeowners are employing smart-home technology within their homes. It may start with a video doorbell or lights and progress to other devices. The smarthome device market is rapidly growing and Forbes research expects it to grow from $55 billion in 2016 to $174 billion in 2025.

The popularity of these high-tech features will require a few additional steps to consider when selling a home. The seller should determine which items will and will not stay with the sale of the home and identify them in the listing agreement.

Confusion can arise when a home’s marketing mentions its smart-home technology and is unclear if a piece like the hub, which is easily considered personal property but is integral to the working of the system. Some might consider it an accessory and others a component.

A smart home can contain multiple technology devices connected to the Internet that allow them to be controlled or accessed from computers, tablets or, most commonly, on mobile apps. Many of the devices can also be accessed through a hub like an Amazon Echo or Google Home.

Thermostats and lights may have been some of the first such devices but the video doorbells added a new level of WOW factor by being able to see and talk to the person at your door and even get a video recording. Porch pirates are now seeing their images on social media caught in the act, thanks to these devices.

Homeowners sometimes start with one item like a smart sprinkler system control. When they find out how cool it is and that it actually saves

NEWS

ANNA & MICHELLE

them money, not to mention how convenient it is, they starting planning their next smart-home device purchase. Some of these items absolutely are permanent and become real property while others border on personal and real property.

If the seller is including smart devices with the sale of the home, they should have administrative access and any personal information removed and return the devices to the default settings. The seller should also review the privacy settings and delete the permissions for their personal mobile devices. For the benefit of the buyer, any manuals or warranties should be left for the new owner.

Equally as important, the buyer should verify that the smart devices have been returned to their factory settings and no longer coupled with the seller’s mobile devices. The buyers can create their own account to register the devices in their name. Then, as security updates are available, they will be notified. At the same time, the buyer will want to create new access codes and preferences.

Local TEDx To Host Climate Change Event

IN BRIEF

TEDxSunValley will host a global warming awareness event solely focused on accelerating solutions to the climate crisis. Called TEDxSunValley Countdown, it is a local opportunity to be part of TED’s launch of its global initiative to fight climate change.

In addition to an “on stage” video program, participants will have the opportunity to connect to local and state organizations working to advance climate change solutions. The event seeks to answer five fundamental questions to help inform and shape a cleaner future: • How rapidly can we switch to 100 percent clean energy?

• How can we upgrade the way we move people and things?

• How can we reimagine and remake the stuff around us?

• How can we spark a worldwide shift to healthier food systems?

• How can we better protect and “re-green” the earth?

“We are excited to collaborate with local sponsors and partners to bring this powerful program to our community where together we can learn, be inspired and connect to the organizations across our community and state making a difference on this critical global challenge and opportunity,” said Aimée Christensen, curator of TEDxSunValley Countdown.

TEDxSunValley Countdown will be held Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Argyros Performing Arts Center in person as well as outdoors at the Christensen Global Strategies office (close to the Argyros) and online via Zoom. Attendance at the event will be free. To reserve a seat and register for the online event, go to www.argyros.com. Attendance is also available on the day of the event—first come, first served—and limited to ensure social distancing.

Here’s The Skinny On St. Luke’s New Dermatologist

After 30-plus years of practice and taking excellent care of so many in the Sun Valley area, Dr. Steven Karassik has retired from the St. Luke’s Dermatology Clinic in Ketchum. Filling his role is Dr. Garret Coman, a Boise native who is excited to return to Idaho.

After receiving an undergraduate degree in economics from Pepperdine University, Coman earned his medical degree at the University of Utah School of Medicine. When not working, Dr. Coman enjoys outdoor activities like skiing, mountain biking, trail running, backpacking, river trips, and fly fishing.

“The access to the outdoors and public land here is unbeatable. Being able to live and work in Ketchum is a dream come true. I have a 16-week-old puppy, a pudelpointer named Duke, who is keeping me busy with training and exploring our new home. If you see us on the trails, say hello,” Coman said.

The Dermatology Clinic will be moving later this fall to another convenient location as the City of Ketchum will begin their transition to 191 W. 5th Street.

“We have been conducting a thorough analysis of our options for the right space. Our search has focused on Ketchum as well as the campus of St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center. We expect to have an announcement shortly, and while our location will change, our commitment to provide clinical dermatological services with exceptional outcomes and experiences remains steadfast,” Dr. Matthew Reeck said.

Wood River Weekly

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October 7 - 20, 2020

15

KIKI TIDWELL

COFFEE CHATS WITH KIKI

How I Will Be different As Commissioner With my past experience and expertise, I will lead Blaine County into a resilient future

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BY KIKI TIDWELL

en Miller submitted this nomination for me in 2013 and has allowed me to reprint it here:

“As a leading Idaho energy advocate and investor; a philanthropist with a proven nonprofit and angel investment background; a successful Kauffman Center for Venture Education fellow and an accomplished businesswoman, Kiki’s energy leadership background and potential is appreciated by those who work on clean-energy issues in Idaho. She is known as a tireless and accomplished mid-career innovator and strategic thinker, and her dedication as an energy philanthropist and her relentless pursuit of continuing education and career advancement have established Kiki as one of our foremost leaders and mentors for those following in her footsteps.

Kiki is dedicated to pragmatically and creatively navigating what many of us view as a challenging yet promising political and economic climate in Idaho. She is highly regarded in and beyond Idaho for her ability to leverage her considerable financial talents with her knack for identifying unmet sustainable energy potential in potential new clean-energy entrepreneurs and investors, but also her support of Idaho’s most effective energy advocates. As a pioneer in the arena of corporate shareholder activism, Kiki’s counsel is regularly sought by those of us who work to effect energy and climate action at all levels—including in corporate boardrooms.

Kiki was involved in clean-energy work well before 2009, when she attracted national acclaim through her organization and financing of the nation’s first successful corporate shareholder resolution to direct a U.S. electric utility to reduce its climate-changing power plant emissions. Underwriting a 2009 shareholder resolution in partnership with green investment nonprofit As You Sow and also with key clean-energy allies, Kiki initiated a successful dialog between one of the Northwest’s largest electric utilities, Idaho Power, and state and regional clean-energy advocates. Her shareholder resolution made electric utility history by winning actual approval of the resolution over the utility’s fierce opposition. At the same she forced Idaho Power to write a low-carbon energy strategy, Kiki helped unite Idaho clean-energy entrepreneurs—notably developing wind and solar

power businesses—to establish themselves across Idaho and also to overcome fierce utility opposition to meeting their federally imposed clean-energy acquisition requirements under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) of 1978.

Kiki convened meetings of wind and solar energy developers, tirelessly briefed Idaho’s governor and other decision-makers, and galvanized clean-energy advocates such as the Snake River Alliance, the NW Energy Coalition, Climate Solutions and others in developing a landmark sustainable energy roadmap for Idaho despite resistance from the state’s climate change-denying political establishment.

In her more than 10 years of clean-energy activism, Kiki has not only helped redefine how Idaho’s utilities view their clean-energy obligations, but she also provided the earliest frameworks for our developing clean-energy advocacy work and Idaho’s formative energy developers. Subsequent to leading the Idaho Power “shareholder revolt,” Kiki has immersed herself into the world of angel investing and venture capital. She continues to build on her Kauffman Fellowship experience and in multiple clean energy “angel investment” endeavors.

Kiki believes that developing more wind and solar, while increasing energy conservation through a fleet of recently installed smart meters, could give Idaho counties tax revenues while saving consumers money.”

Kiki does not seek accolades; her leadership stems from a tenacious, strategic, and factually sound and respected body of research. She is a conduit for sustainable energy resources and imparts that information to those around her, whom she supports financially and as a mentor. This is particularly important for women in Idaho’s fledgling clean-energy field, which continues to be populated primarily by skilled males. Outside of her energy work, Kiki has a record of grant-making, board, and other leadership capacities with the likes of the Idaho Community Foundation, K-12 Grants Committee Social Venture Partners, the Governor’s Coordinating Council for Families & Children, and the Blaine County Foster Parent Support Group.

Kiki’s education, business and environmental life, work and passions continue to be exemplified and informed by her belief that mid-career women must have a greater voice in the green energy field in

NUESTRA VOZ CUENTA

Voting Is Vital!

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OUR VOICE COUNTS

fter watching the very, very messy first presidential debate on Sept. 28, the most popular searched question on Google for many states like Michigan was, “how to get a citizenship in Canada?” Now, I don’t blame anyone for wanting to leave this country in this moment in time. However, this is why elections, voting, and staying informed is immensely valuable right now.

As a DACA [Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals] recipient, I do not get this privilege. And it’s quite unfortunate that many who do have this ability don’t care for it or take advantage of improving what is being challenged in our growing minority groups. It’s time we change that with this election. I don’t want to continue to see people struggling to get healthcare. I don’t want to continue to watch families and children in cages. I don’t want to continue to see Black communities being looked down upon just because of the color of their skin. I don’t want to continue to see the LGBTQA+ community struggling to gain approval for something as simple as using the restroom that personally feels most comfortable to them. I don’t want to see any of that anymore. And in order for that to happen, we need to vote.

If you are unsure where you might be able to do so voting in Idaho, it can be done in person, by mail, online and frequently promoted on apps like Snapchat, Facebook and Instagram, so there is no excuse. Vote for someone who will fight for us and the people in our communities.

D

NUESTRA VOZ CUENTA

espués de ver el primer debate presidencial muy, muy desordenado el 28 de septiembre, la pregunta más popular de búsqueda en Google para muchos estados como Michigan fue, “¿cómo obtener una ciudadanía en Canadá?” No culpo a nadie por querer salir de este país en este momento. Sin

which she has been a pioneer for more than a decade.

This is a field not often known for recognizing the work of women, and that’s doubly true in the utility industry.

Kiki’s work on behalf of sustainable energy practices and her still-unfolding story is a beacon for aspiring women in the prime of their careers.

As much as any clean-energy advocate in our state, Kiki has shown many of us in our field how to effectively navigate a tough business and one always known as gender-blind. Yet she has been at the center of what for nearly a decade has been a tectonic shift in the world of clean energy in Idaho. She is a nimble, tactful, and effective pioneer in Idaho’s sometimes rough political and cultural landscape. Her accomplishments and leadership for those of us advancing progressive climate and energy policies is valued throughout our field. As a veteran of the “clean energy wars” in Idaho and the West, and as a former board chair of the NW Energy Coalition, the Coalition’s first Idaho clean-energy advocate and its Idaho caucus chair, and as the Snake River Alliance’s former clean-energy program director for nine years through November 2016, I wholeheartedly support Kiki Tidwell’s nomination for the Clean Energy Education and Empowerment (C3E) Award for 2017 and for recognition of her work in the field of advocacy.”

www.tidwellcommissionercampaign.com twitter: @kikitidwell

Kiki Tidwell

Paid For By Citizens For Kiki Tidwell, Cindy Mann Treasurer.

THE SENIOR CONNECTION

FUNDRAISER

Welcome To The 5th Annual Cocktails For A Cause!

T embargo, esta es la razón por la que las elecciones, el voto y mantenerse informados son inmensamente valiosos en este momento.

Como destinatario de DACA, no obtengo este privilegio. Y es bastante desafortunado que muchos que tienen esta habilidad, no la cuidan o se aprovechan de lo que se está desafiando en nuestros crecientes grupos minoritarios. Es hora de que cambiemos eso con estas elecciones. No quiero seguir viendo a la gente luchando por recibir atención médica. No quiero seguir vigilando a familias y niños en jaulas. No quiero seguir viendo comunidades negras siendo despreciadas sólo por el color de su piel. No quiero seguir viendo a la comunidad LGBTQA+ luchando por obtener la aprobación de algo tan simple como usar el baño que personalmente se siente más cómodo para ellos. No quiero ver más nada de eso. Y para que eso suceda, tenemos que votar.

Si no estás seguro de dónde podrías votar en Idaho, puedes hacerlo en persona, por correo, en línea y promocionado frecuentemente en aplicaciones como Snapchat, Facebook e Instagram así que no hay excusa. Vota por alguien que luchará por nosotros y por la gente en nuestras comunidades.

Blaine County Commissioner Candidate

THE SENIOR CONNECTION

his year we are proud to present our annual fundraiser in a virtual format so everyone can enjoy in whatever way they choose. You can watch the program live from the comfort of your couch.

During COVID, we have successfully kept our seniors safe and nourished at home and more recently re-engaging with each other at the center. The need for our services has grown by 420 percent during this time and we need your support now more than ever!

It’s easy to participate. Visit the event website: cocktails. afrogs.org (no need to type www!) or text the word “seniors” to 22454 to have the link sent to your phone.

Register on the website to be able to donate and also be entered to win a season ski pass from Sun Valley Resort!

On the evening of Oct. 14, there will be a button on the website to view the live event.

You can donate on the website, or by calling The Senior Connection that night like an old-fashioned telethon, or we always accept checks in the mail.

If you would like more details on how to donate on the website, simply ask a staff person for a flyer or visit the blog on our regular website, www.seniorconnectionidaho.org/ blog.

We hope you will join us as we celebrate our seniors!

16

Wood River Weekly

CHAMBER CORNER

Catching A Dream

•

October 7 - 20, 2020

MIKE MCKENNA

Hard way Pipeline

Kacie Flolo gets invited to join Team USA

By Mike McKenna

I

n many ways, playing sports has never been more important for kids than it is right now.

COVID has turned the world upside down and things have been especially hard on our local youth.

But a softball is still a softball. A grassy field is still fun to run on. Scoring a goal or run still feels great. Being part of a team is still full of magical moments.

“Sports is a big outlet, especially right now. Being part of a team is a big deal,” Kacie Flolo said, while donning a mask. “I want to stay safe, but playing sports gives us a chance to be normal.”

Kacie is a sophomore at Wood River High and has recently been selected as one of the best softball players in the country. Team USA invited her to be part of the Olympic-style Down Under Games in Australia next summer. Kacie is working hard to raise the $6,000 she’ll need for travel expenses.

And Kacie is taking the same positive, can-do attitude she takes to the field to her fundraising efforts. When asked how the rest of us could help, Kacie simply said, “I can earn it. Give me a job.”

Kacie started playing softball through the Blaine County Recreation District and soon moved up to travel ball with the Wood River Baseball & Softball Association.

“I wasn’t amazing, but I caught on pretty fast,” Kacie said. “I like the pace of the game, playing with friends and being part of a team.”

Kacie primarily plays catcher and likes being behind the plate. It allows her to see the whole field and how her teammates are doing.

“Attitude is important. When one person is upset, it can impact the whole team. All you can do is try to lift your teammate up. You can’t undo the error or make someone hit,” Kacie said.

“In softball, everyone has to be on the same page to make it work. Team chemistry really matters for success,” said Kacie, who has served as team captain. “Leadership is fun, but it’s also nice to be on a team where everybody is a leader, where you can have fun but still stay focused and playing well.”

Steel Fencing

Kelly Wardell 208-309-0916

How To Play Sudoku

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

CLASSIC SUDOKU See answer on page 9 Kacie’s ability to play well obviously caught the eyes of college coaches who anonymously nominated her for Team USA. When she first got the email with her invitation, Kacie thought it was a scam. But it was real and she thanks coaches like Matt Nelson and Ashley Adams for their help.

There are several ways to help Kacie get to the Down Under Games. You can make a donation or you can hire her to watch your kids or pets or even go to the market. Between school, playing softball, basketball and cross-country, as well as volunteering for 4-H, she will find a way to make it work.

There’s no doubt Kacie will raise the money.

She’s got the perfect attitude, effort and team behind her—the Wood River Valley.

For more information, contact Kacie’s mom, Julie, at (208) 720-1206 or flolos@msn.com

CROSSWORD SPONSORED BY

THETRADER TRADER THE THE TRADER Consignment for the home

Consignment for the home

Consignment for the home

Wednesday - Friday 11 to 6 Saturday 11 to 4

TRADER EADER TRADER

Always available by appointment and if we’re here.

Wednesday through Saturday 11:00 to 5:00 Always available by appointment and if we’re here.

ent for the 720-9206 or 788-0216 signment forhome the home

720-9206 or 788-0216 509 S. Main Street Bellevue, Idaho

the home

509 S. Main Street • Bellevue, Idaho

Wednesday through Saturday Thursday Wednesday - Friday Wednesday - Friday 11:00to to 5:00 ednesday - Friday 11 to 611 to 6 available by appointment 11 to 6AlwaysSaturday Saturday Saturday and if we’re here.

Saturday 11 to 4 11 to 11 or to 788-0216 44 720-9206 11 to 4

Always available by appointment and if we’re here.

509 S. Main Street • Bellevue, Idaho Always available by le by appointment andappointment if we’re here. and if we’re here.

720-9206 or 788-0216 or S. 788-0216 -9206 or720-9206 788-0216 509 Main Street S. Main Street 09 S. Main509 Street Bellevue, Idaho Bellevue, Idaho Bellevue, Idaho

See answer on page 9

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

Mostly Sunny 0%

high 75º

low 44º WEDNESDAY

Partly Cloudy 0%

high 74º low 44º THURSDAY

Partly Cloudy 0%

high 72º low 42º FRIDAY

Partly Cloudy 20%

high 64º low 37º SATURDAY

Partly Cloudy 20%

high 50º low 31º SUNDAY

Partly Cloudy 10%

high 54º low 35º MONDAY

Partly Cloudy 20%

high 53º low 32º TUESDAY

SKI. BIKE. LIVE!

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340 N Main Street in Ketchum sturtevants-sv.com • 726-4501