WRW 3 May 2023

Wood River High School Class of 2023 thrives despite COVID experience

BY Tristan Head

As we pass through phases of our lives, we often hear the subtle yet profound phrase, “season of life.” This message conveys the plethora of rotating cycles of life relying on a mere response of “Yes” when an opportunity to plant a seed arises. Too often hesitation will lead an individual down a stagnant path preventing growth, unless a catalyst arises. Often, for the masses to take notice, someone or something must impose this catalyst. The youth have consistently adopted the role of catalyst, yet adults dismiss the progress being made in preference of the familiar. The Class of 2023 should be recognized for initiating and guiding change in our community and, if the last four years are any indicator, they will continue to make a positive impact on the future.

Rewind to four years ago. COVID struck the week before spring break. These soonto-be graduates were just about to finish their freshman year. Immediately confronted with the demise of their “normal” due to a rapidly spreading virus, which shut down the world within the span of a couple weeks. I remember sitting on my deck during the cool, wintery spring as teenagers would gather at Deerfield Park abutting their cars while striving to maintain the six-foot guidelines to engage in face-to-face conversations. These kids were at a critical age, seeking guidance and support through relationships and connection, left to muddle through complex emotions and change neurology on a screen.

The Class of 2023 embraced the challenges presented to them, even as it evolved

into a plethora of variants drastically altering their entire high school experience. Sports, can’t compete outside of Blaine County. Choir, have you sung with a mask before? Orchestra, well, no trip to Disney. Your best friend, their last name is on the opposite end of the alphabet so you won’t see them in class.

A significant portion of students adopted the role of financial supporter, as parents lost their jobs and a 40-hour week at the local market was now deemed essential. This choice to support family and loved ones emphasized skills not easily taught in a classroom. These young adults learned that sharing serves the community in a selfless act conveying the versatility in their lives to become generous through the power of collaboration and respect.

When called upon to return to the classroom, a vast majority did; realizing their objective at this age was not to reap the yellow banana in front of them yet to opt for a green banana, awaiting possible opportunities developed through their pursuit of education. Comparable to other generations confronted with a life-altering experience, this group of students learned to advocate fiercely in support of their acquaintance, friend, or foe. This list includes, but is not limited to: Finn Rust, an individual who negotiated the hallways all while encouraging each person to become their own, genuine entity; Tenney Barrow, whose voice has matured into a level-headedness found in few people gracing our planet; Anay Gil-Salinas, glistening in Orange riding off into

El Dìa de Los Niños, organized by The Community Table conveys the possibilities when collaboration takes place amongst a diverse, committed community. Photo credit: Herbert Romero

Continued from Page 1

a sunrise emphasizing her resiliency to rise again; Daniel Virula, whose determination encourages anyone he comes in contact with to improve their life.

Some more confrontational than others. Some more outspoken than others. All, a student body that demands more from anyone who rejects the possibility of what a human may possess. These individuals continue to show up because they do not meet the primmed tree in a whitepicket-fence yard, preferring to let each of their branches and burls portray the story of their character. The Class of 2023 identified the purpose of the COVID experience: an opportunity to propel change upon a world reluctant to alter tradition.

Come June 2023, the Wood River Valley will feel the loss of these powerful young people as their pitter-patter riddled in trepidation exits the hallways of Wood River High School to pursue a new season of life. Some will leave, some will remain rooted, others will inevitably return. All have strengthened the connectedness of this valley. Our role now, as a community, is to honor these students and to continue to encourage their unbridled voice that will undoubtedly continue to demand more to ensure all individuals receive the life they deserve. This will only be obtainable through the vast root and support system developed through genuine relationships and connections across generations.

Now is the time — the time for adults to recognize the voices whispering through the quaking aspens. The time to finally offer adequate support rather than relying on their resiliency through the collective. Responsibility lies on older generations to create opportunity, not to limit or reject the core of a person’s identity. Scoot over, get comfy, and make room for more at the grove, the leaders of today demand a spot in the conversation. Listen before they take solutions elsewhere.

Albert Camus wrote, “There is no happiness if the things we believe in are different than the things we do.” If we believe that the youth deserve an opportunity to thrive, then we need to recognize that the society we not only develop but actively maintain is not sufficient without their voice.

Fatal Incident Still Under Investigation on SH75

Idaho State Police are still investigating a fatal accident that occurred at 3:32 p.m. Sunday, April 23, 2023, near the East Magic Road turnoff on State Highway 75 in Blaine County.

A 39-year-old male, of Hailey, was driving a 2013 Toyota Corolla northbound on SH75 when he apparently crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a Chevy Silverado. His passenger, Gloria Estrado, 39, also of Hailey, was pronounced dead at the scene. A juvenile was driving the 2003 Chevy Silverado pickup southbound on SH75.

The driver of the Corolla was transported via ground ambulance to a local hospital. The driver and passenger in the Corolla were wearing their seatbelts. The driver and passenger in the Silverado were not wearing their seatbelts.

The northbound and southbound lanes of SH75 were blocked for approximately four-and-a-half hours.

The driver of the Silverado was not transported; however, his passenger, a 46-year-old Shoshone man, was taken by air ambulance to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise.

The accident was the fifth head-on crash fatality on Highway 75 between Bellevue and the Blaine-Lincoln County line since 2018. Most of these accidents involve crossing the centerline. This number does not include incidents that have occurred at Timmerman Hill, a high crash location at the intersection of US20 and SH75.

According to a study done in 2016, that intersection is ranked as 16th on Idaho Transportation Department’s High Accident Location list in District 4, and 321st statewide.

A bouncy house at El Dìa de Los Niños celebration hosted at BCRD. Photo credit: Herbert Romero

WRW STAFF

PUBLISHER

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

MARKETING & SALES

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mandi@woodriverweekly.com

NEWS EDITOR news@woodriverweekly.com

CALENDAR calendar@woodriverweekly.com

COPY EDITOR Patty Healey

PRODUCTION & DESIGN

Mandi Iverson mandi@woodriverweekly.com

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ACCOUNTING accounting@woodriverweekly.com

ERC Celebrates 27th Annual Clean Sweep Event on Saturday, May 6, 2023

Come celebrate the Environmental Resource Center’s longest running program while making our community even more beautiful!

The 2023 Clean Sweep will take place on Saturday, May 6, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Participation is free and easy. Meet at one of the following locations starting at 9 a.m. to register and pick up garbage bags. We encourage you to bring a pair of work or garden gloves. Complimentary breakfast snacks and hot drinks will be provided. Costumes encouraged!

• ERC Office in Ketchum (471 Washington Ave.)

• Hop Porter Park, by the arch, in Hailey (126 W. Bullion St.)

• Memorial Park in Bellevue (between Cedar and Elm)

If you can’t make it and are interested in having your own Clean Sweep the week leading up to May 6, please contact the ERC for more information so that we can accommodate that request.

Once you have your gloves, fun costumes and trash supplies, fan out and pick up trash in your chosen area until 11:30 a.m. Participants can celebrate their good work with a lunch gift certificate, which is provided in the registration packet. All participants are also entered into a raffle with great local prizes.

Take pictures of your group, costumes, and any “interesting items” you find for a chance to win prizes. Email the pictures to info@ercsv.org and tag us on your social media accounts with @ ERCSunValley.

Teams can also participate in the Trash Challenge! Teams will receive one point for each member of their team, one point for each member that is dressed up, and one point for each full bag of trash picked up. After the event, points will be tallied up valley-wide, and the winning team will be announced and highlighted on the ERC’s website online.

Winners of the competitions, as well as the raffle drawings, will be contacted individually by the ERC.

If you are in a position to support Clean Sweep and the ERC’s recycling outreach programs financially, we encourage you to make a donation to the ERC through our homepage at ercsv.org, or by calling the ERC office directly. Local action makes a difference. Thank you for contributing to your community. We’ll see you out there.

For the Love of Photography with Nils Ribi

Hailey Public Library is delighted to host the talented Nils Ribi in a free slideshow presentation, “For the Love of Photography” on Thursday, May 4, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Hailey Town Center West. Ribi will use his images to illustrate that it’s not about the type of camera, it’s the perspective and the eye of the person making the photograph that creates a difference.

“Nils is an outstanding local photographer with a national audience,” commented Kristin Fletcher, the library’s programs and engagement manager. “His presentation will be a photo slideshow of outstanding images he’s taken, many around Central Idaho and the Wood River Valley. He’ll offer his perspectives on how anyone with a camera, from a phone to a DSLR, can think and learn about photography, using his images as examples.”

The multi-faceted Ribi has been an entrepreneur, business executive and recovering elected official. He has been a passionate amateur photographer since childhood, turning professional quite by accident.

A love for travel and the outdoors has allowed him to photograph everything from cityscapes to wilderness landscapes. His photos have been published in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Travel + Leisure, Forbes Magazine, Outside Magazine, duPont Registry, and numerous regional publications. He has also photographed for Associated Press articles with worldwide distribution.

Ribi also uses his passion for photography as an opportunity to help local nonprofit and governmental organizations with their photography requirements.

Town Center West is located across from the Hailey Public Library at 116 S. River St. in Hailey. For more information, contact the library at (208) 788-2036 or visit www.haileypubliclibrary.org.

Co-sponsored by the Sun

of

DOJ Indicts Four Americans For “Weaponized” Free Speech

The Biden administration's Department of Justice has just charged four members of the African People's Socialist Party (APSP) for conspiring to act as agents of Russia by using speech and political action in ways the DOJ says "weaponized" the First Amendment rights of Americans.

The Washington Post reports:

Federal authorities charged four Americans on Tuesday with roles in a malign campaign pushing pro-Kremlin propaganda in Florida and Missouri — expanding a previous case that charged a Russian operative with running illegal influence agents within the United States.

The FBI signaled its interest in the alleged activities in a series of raids last summer, at which point authorities charged a Moscow man, Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov, with working for years on behalf of Russian government officials to fund and direct fringe political groups in the United States. Among other things, Ionov allegedly advised the political campaigns of two unidentified candidates for public office in Florida.

Ionov’s influence efforts were allegedly directed and supervised by officers of the FSB, a Russian government intelligence service.

Now, authorities have added charges against four Americans who allegedly did Ionov’s bidding through groups including the African People’s Socialist Party and the Uhuru Movement in Florida, Black Hammer in Georgia, and an unidentified political group in California — part of an effort to influence American politics.

AFP reports that the conspiracy charges carry a sentence of up to ten years, with three of the four APSP members additionally charged with acting as unregistered agents of Russia which carries another five years.

“Russia’s foreign intelligence service allegedly weaponized our First Amendment rights – freedoms Russia denies its own citizens – to divide Americans and interfere in elections in the United States,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen in the DOJ's press release regarding the indictments, adding, “The department will not hesitate to expose and prosecute those who sow discord and corrupt U.S. elections in service of hostile foreign interests, regardless of whether the culprits are U.S. citizens or foreign individuals abroad.”

Looks like the United States has decided to dispense with those freedoms as well.

This fake and racist case flows from the Russiagate hysteria that convinced millions of Americans that Russia was paying dissident groups to destabilize the US political system

The FBI was unable to find anything real, so it went after the African People’s

Socialist Party https://t.co/C1fUn2pyuW — Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal)

April 19, 2023

The superseding indictment containing these charges consists of a lot of verbal gymnastics to obfuscate the fact that the DOJ is prosecuting US citizens for speech and political activities in the United States which happen not to align with the wishes of the US government. The grand jury alleges that the aforementioned Ionov "directed" these Americans to "publish pro-Russian propaganda" and "information designed to cause dissention in the United States," which is about as vague and amorphous an allegation as you could possibly come up with.

For the record Omali Yeshitela, the founder and chairman of the African People's Socialist Party and one of the four Americans named in the indictment, has adamantly denied ever having worked for Russia. Earlier this month before charges were brought against him, the Tampa Bay Times quoted him as saying, "I ain’t ever worked for a Russian. Never ever ever ever. They know I have never worked for Russia. Their problem is, I’ve never worked for them.”

But it's important to note that this should not matter. Under the First Amendment the government is forbidden to abridge anyone's freedom to speak however they want and associate with whomever they please, which necessarily includes being as vocally pro-Russia as they like and promoting whatever political agendas they see fit, whether that happens to advance the interests of the Russian government or not. The indictment alleges that the four Americans engaged in "agitprop" by "writing articles that contained Russian propaganda and disinformation," but even if we pretend that's both (A) a quantifiable claim and (B) a proven fact, propaganda and disinformation are both speech that the government is constitutionally forbidden from repressing.

It's not reasonable for the government to just dismiss the First Amendment on the grounds that it is being "weaponized". You can't have your government dictating what speech is valid and what counts as "agitprop" and "disinformation", because they'll always define those terms in ways which benefit the government, thus giving more power to the powerful and taking power away from the people. You can't have your government dictating what political groups are legitimate and which ones are tools of a foreign government, because you can always count on the powerful set such designations in ways which benefit themselves.

Summer Fun in the Studio!

YOUTH CLAY CAMPS

Youth ages 6-12 will join us for our themed summer clay camps.

All classes 9:30-12:00. Tuition $148

June 19-23 Welcome to the Jungle; explore rain forests and all jungle life

June 26- 30 Walk Like an Egyptian; Pyramids, King Tut and tombs

July 10-14 Message in a Bottle; Pirates living amongst the sea life

July 17-21 Candy Land; make your own board game

July 24-28 Pokemon Universe

July 31-Aug 4 Wizards, Witches and Warlocks

Aug 7-11 Mountains vs The City?

TEEN THROWING CAMPS

Teens, ages middle school and older, will learn the basics of pottery throwing while making mugs, ice cream bowls and all things round. The potters with more experience will design their own projects and try a set of mugs, bowls, etc.

All classes 1:30-4:00, glaze days 1:30. Tuition $165

June 19-23 Glaze Day June 30

June 26-30 Glaze Day: July 7

July 10-14 Glaze Day: July 21

July 24-28 Glaze Day: Aug 4

July 31-Aug 4 Glaze Day: Aug 11

FAMILY CLAY AFTERNOONS

Families enjoy creating together. Fun for all ages.

Tuition $45 for 1 adult and 1 child, $10 for each additional person in your party. 1:30-3:00

June 28 Treasure Boxes

Aug 5 Flower Pots

208-726-4484

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

bouldermtclay@gmail.com www.bouldermtnclay.org

Boulder Mountain Clayworks is a 501©3 nonprofit organization

Partial Scholarships Available

AWESOME SUPER FUN SUMMER CAMPS

In addition to camps, SMAS offers gymnastics classes for ages baby-adult, open gyms, ninja kids, tumbling & tramp, cheer & fabulous birthday parties!!

Competitive Teams: Starts May 8th

DEMAND FOR KIDS’ AT AN

ALL-TIME

Plus: Last-Minute Day Camp and

BY LAUREL HOLLAND

With the close of the 2022-2023 school year a mere five weeks away, corner in the Wood River Valley. But for Valley parents, the scramble summer day camp has been well underway since March.

Much to the chagrin of many working parents in Blaine County, a large portion and most affordable –– children’s day camps in the area have filled entirely, among Community YMCA’s Nature Explorers Camp, the entirety of the BCRD’s Summer and Big Wood School’s Camp Bigwood. Parents like local realtor Erika Rixon, and 7, have turned to a hybrid arrangement of soccer clinics, day camps and a babysitter/tutor friends to diffuse the cost of childcare during the work week.

“There are so many options for kids in the Valley in the summertime, and it’s “But in recent years, given the limited staffing and resources a lot of local camps there’s been an increased frenzy surrounding summer camp registrations in March

Why is this happening?

“It’s a combination of things,” Rixon explained. “In part, it’s due to the influx the Wood River Valley in the wake of Covid-19 and the increased demand for activities. But it’s also due to stricter reservation and payment policies that Covid.”

One example Rixon cited was Sun Valley Resort’s summer day camp, which 5 to August 24. While the Resort still offers a substantial discount to employees $65 per child per day versus the advertised daily rate of $150 –– prior to Covid, child was $45. Moreover, parents were only charged for the days their children Today, not only does the Resort require parents to lock in their kids’ camp –– nearly three months before the sessions commence –– but once enrollment held financially responsible for all registered dates, regardless of their child’s event of illness.

This is perhaps one of the many reasons the wildly popular BCRD summer more sought-after in recent years. The camps, which run 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Monday weeks between between June 14 and August 25, are particularly accommodating and at a fraction of the price: $1,683 for the full 10-week session –– or $33.66 Valley’s $65 daily rate –– with need-based scholarships available for those who But this year, due to record-high demand, the BCRD was forced to control in waves and restricted the first round of registration to returning campers only. age bracket of the entire summer session had filled before the second round be opened to first-time campers.

“We never want to turn away campers,” a representative for the organization “Unfortunately, our current staffing situation limits how many campers we can this summer,” she added, noting a staff-wide push to expand the program to accommodate ers in the future.

Despite all the talk of astronomical registration numbers and full or wait-list-only parent looking for day camps and enrichment programs for your littles this summer, fantastic options and open slots available, a handful of which are highlighted though; space is limited and summer is just around the bend!

Summer DANCE

CampS

KIDS’ SUMMER CAMPS ALL-TIME HIGH and Summer Enrichment Recommendations

Boulder Mountain Clayworks

summer is just around the scramble to register their kids for portion of the most popular ––among them the Wood River Summer Camp programming Rixon, whose two boys are 5 babysitter/tutor share with it’s wonderful,” said Rixon. camps have been faced with, March and April.”

influx of full-time residents to childcare and kid-friendly weren’t in place prior to which runs 9 a.m.–4 p.m. June employees and local residents ––Covid, the local daily rate per children actually attended camp. schedules by mid-March enrollment is confirmed, parents are child’s attendance, even in the summer camps have grown even Monday through Friday for 10 accommodating for the working parent, per day compared to Sun who qualify. its 2023 camp enrollment only. In just a few days, every of registration could even organization emphasized Monday. can feasibly accommodate accommodate more campwait-list-only sessions, if you’re a summer, there are still some highlighted below. Reach out soon,

See MBC’s advert on the top left of this page for all the details. All ages. Contact B.M.C at (208) 726–4484 or bouldermtclay@gmail.com

Spirit ‘n Motion

See Spirit ‘n Motion’s advert on the left for all the details. All ages. Contact Spirit ‘n Motion at (208) 726–4484 or bouldermtclay@gmail.com

City of Ketchum’s Summer Youth Rec. Program at Atkinsons Park

See the City of Ketchum’s advert on this page for all the details, or contact Summer Youth Rec. All ages. Program recreation supervisor at (208) 726–7820 or nsheehan@ketchumidaho.org

Anderson’s USA Jiu-jitsu Academy

See Anderson’s USA Jiu-jitsu Academy advert bottom right of this page or contact Lee at (208) 720-3519. All ages welcome.

Sun Valley Resort Day Camp

Ages: 9–12

Dates: June 5–August 24 (no camp July 7–16)

Cost: $150/day (email playschool@sunvalley.com for employee and resident rates)

Contact: (208) 622–2288 or playschool@sunvalley.com

Day camps run 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Campers must bring their own lunch, snacks, water and sunscreen. Spots are filling up fast, but the Resort recommends completing a Camp Request Form with your child’s age and requested dates. Visit www.sunvalley.com/things-to-do/kids-youth for more information.

Galena Youth Adventure Camp

Ages: 8-12

Available Sessions: June 19–23, August 14–18, August 21–25

Cost: $650/week

Contact: (208) 471–4852 or info@galenalodge.com

Each session runs 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Pickup and dropoff in YMCA parking lot.

St. Thomas Playhouse: Company B presents The Phantom Tollbooth, Jr

Grades: Pre-K through 8

Available Session: June 12–23

Cost: $450/session (half-day campers); $595/session (full-day campers)

Contact: (208) 726–5349 or sgorby@stthomassv.org

Half-day campers (Pre-K through second grade) attend 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Monday through Friday; full-day campers (3rd-8th grade) attend 9am-3pm. Performances will take place June 22 and 23 at Sun Valley Community School. Payment plans and tuition assistance available.

Idaho BaseCamp Mountain Adventure Tours Day Camp

Ages: 4–8

Dates: June 12–August 24 (call for specific sessions)

Cost: $450–$595/week

Contact: (208) 720–1822 or info@idahobasecamp.org

Mountain Adventure Tours teach personal responsibility, life skills, and respect for the environment through fun outdoor and wilderness activities. Campers are transported to activities and sites in 15–passenger vans. Day camps run 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Scholarships available.

YMCA Summer Day Camp

Ages: 5–9

Available Sessions: August 14–19, August 21–25

Cost: $230/week for members; $325/week for non-members

Contact: (208) 727–9622 or info@woodriverymca.org

Each session runs 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Full–week registration required. Campers must bring their own lunch, snacks, water and sunscreen. Finan

cial assistance available.

COMMENTARY MULTIPLE DOG HOUSEHOLDS

By Fran Jewell

In just over three weeks Silver Creek and other local fisheries will open for the 2023 season. Here in the Wood River valley area we have been fortunate to have a huge winter and a healthy snowpack, and the 2023 season is shaping up to be a great one. If you haven’t made plans to come out here and fish Silver Creek, the Big Wood River, the Salmon River, or the Big Lost River, do so now!

When the season opens on May 27, don’t expect solitude if you plan to fish Silver Creek. With all freestone rivers running high and dirty, Silver Creek will be our most prominent fishery for the month of June… and likely into July. While the creek will certainly be popular, plenty of water is available for all anglers.

For Silver Creek, be sure to have a good selection of BWOs, PMDs, Callibaetis, ants, and beetles, and don’t be afraid to throw a streamer or mouse pattern during low-light conditions. Here at the shop we’ve got plenty of new, exciting patterns on hand.

We’ll start our annual brown drake watch at the opener. Keep your eyes on our fishing report and social media for up-to-date drake info.

As of this writing, the Big Lost River below Mackay remains fishable at 255 CFS. Don’t make the long drive (Trail Creek Pass is still closed) without checking stream flows first. Above 300-350 CFS, wading on the lower Lost becomes quite difficult. Look for good midge and BWO activity in the afternoons and be equipped with your favorite tailwater nymphs such as zebra midges, copper johns, and princes.

The Picabo Angler Opening Weekend Party begins on Friday, May 26 at 5 p.m. Sawtooth Brewery will be on hand to provide great local beers, and the kitchen at Picabo Angler will feature a great dinner. There will be plenty of great raffles, events, games, and leading flyfishing manufacturers and representatives at the party. Our fly shop will be bursting with new products. You don’t want to miss this event! Keep an eye out on our social media channels or give us a call at the shop for more information. The party will happen rain or shine!

Happy fishing, everyone!

(208)788.3536

www.picaboangler.com

When

I was a kid, it was extremely rare to see homes with more than one dog. In fact, we were the only family in the neighborhood to have a dog! Now, it is commonplace to have at least two dogs, if not more. I have been living with multiple dogs for 25 years. We learn a lot about dog behavior if we keep our eyes open and look through a dog’s eyes instead of our human eyes.

One of the biggest problems I see with having more than one dog is the human belief that all of our dogs should be treated equally. Quite often, I go to work with a new puppy where an older dog is enjoying retirement. The older dog is happy to just hang out, sleep on the sofa, or wake up for a walk or treats. The new puppy comes along and the owner feels compelled to allow the puppy the same privileges that the older dog has earned. The puppy is allowed on the sofa, to take a walk without a leash along with the older dog, or eat next to the older dog even if the puppy finishes first then pushes the older dog out. And the puppy is already sleeping in bed with the owners. When I ask the owners why, the response is usually, “How can I make Phoebe stay on the floor if Romeo is sleeping on the sofa or in our bed?”

The answer is sometimes hard for humans to swallow. In the dog world, life is not fair. Dogs have a natural hierarchy that most of us

SCIENCE OF PLACE

don’t really understand. In the human world, we are all equals, or at least we strive to be. In the dog world, older dogs should have the respect of the puppy or younger dog. Teaching a puppy to respect an older dog is just as important as it is to teach a puppy to respect people — not bite, not jump on us, not to growl, and so on. The way we treat puppies should make it clear to them that the older dog should be respected.

How? We feed the older dog first. The older dog can have privileges they earned long ago, such as sleeping in our bed or on the sofa. Go for walks without the puppy. Leave the puppy home when you go to the store, but take the older dog. Feed the older dog first and don’t let the puppy bother the older dog. Give the older dog special time and attention. And for the safety and wellbeing of the puppy, keep the puppy in a crate at night much like you would leave a child in a crib.

It’s also important for the puppy’s development to have time alone with you, too. Teach the dog to have a relationship with you alone so the puppy doesn’t learn to depend upon the older dog. If the puppy is always with the older dog or always with you, you could be setting the puppy up for separation anxiety. If you have had a friend that has had a dog with severe separation anxiety, or experienced it yourself, it can be so overwhelming to deal with and cost a fortune in destroyed items in your home.

What is imperative to remember, too, is

that a new puppy will learn from the other dog in the family. If the other dog is not well behaved, the puppy will learn the same behaviors.

Remember moderation in all things. The new puppy should spend time alone with you, time with the other dog, and time by itself. In the dog world, all things are not equal. Treat your older dog with special privileges the puppy doesn’t get.

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.

IDAHO: THE RATTLESNAKE KILLING STATE

BY LARRY BARNES

Idaho rattlesnakes are emerging from their winter’s sleep to some unpleasant new rules enacted by their human overlords. The serpents had spent the previous six months deep within their dens in companionable tangles, their hearts beating slowly, their metabolisms at rest in stable darkness, and their bodies warmed slightly by the earth. Here, Idaho’s rattlesnakes were safe from the killing cold just feet above them as they had been for millions of previous winters.

But on Earth’s surface Idaho legislators passed House Bill 156, the rattlesnake killing bill, which was signed by the governor on March 24, 2023. Previously, an Idaho hunting license entitled one to legally kill four rattlesnakes annually and even sell their skins, as hat bands, for example. But now, there shall be no limits. Counsel from the scientifically literate at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game was ignored (or not sought).

A senate sponsor of the bill, Cindy Carlon, explained that where she lives, in Riggins, “Idaho’s people need the ability to kill them without the threat of a fine” and that “this legislation removes the prohibition on killing rattlesnakes.” The two representatives that introduced the bill saw a need to make it legal for any Idahoan with a hunting license to kill as many rattlesnakes as they like.

We can assume that these politicians never had a class in ecology, and if they did, it made no sense to them. The Great Basin rattlesnake (Crotalus lutosus) is our only local venomous snake species. Compared to cars and guns, Idaho’s rattlesnakes are harmless; we don’t die when bitten by one and the few people that are bitten annually are usually messing with them. Veterinarians treat dogs bitten by rattlesnakes with antibiotics and send them home.

But as predators of small rodents, snakes are a force in our ecosystems. They unobtrusively spend half the year roaming the

lands around their den site, ambushing small rodents with a lethal bite. Using their forked tongues, they follow the scent trail to its end, where the energy in their prey becomes energy to the snake. Males range up to 2.5 miles from their den in their search for mating opportunities. During their quest for food and mates, the snakes must avoid predators, like badgers, and the scourge to all snakes: roads and wheeled vehicles.

The rattlesnakes’ plodding ways are mirrored in their biology. Females don’t give birth until they are 5-7 years old, when they produce only 5-10 babies in late summer. Giving birth uses so much energy that another 3-5 years may lapse before giving birth again. Their low fecundity is partially compensated for by their long lives — up to 25 years.

Before the rattlesnakes’ spring dispersal and fall return, they are vulnerable as they lounge together near their den’s entrance, moving between shade and sun to achieve optimal body temperatures. As night ap -

proaches, they retreat to their dens to escape the coming cold, emerging in the morning as the sun warms the land. Some dens offer winter refuge to hundreds of snakes and now it will be legal for one person to kill them all, turn them into hat bands, and end the ecological services the snakes provide as predators to rodents.

The sun has rained its energy down on Earth for 4.6 billion years, resulting in the food webs, trophic pyramids, and rococo exuberance of today’s natural world. We are all in the mix, humans to rattlesnakes, and all have a role in this beautifully tangled web of ecological interactions. Some humans, however, are asleep at the wheel and recklessly hack away at the fabric of life when they don’t understand it.

Larry Barnes retired from 26 years as a biology teacher at Wood River High School and is now transitioning to spending more time exploring the natural world.

Multiple dogs can be so much fun and so rewarding, but treat your new puppy like a puppy, not like an older dog that already knows the rules. Photo credit: Fran Jewell

A common racer amicably joins a juvenile and adult Great Basin rattlesnake at a den in Blaine Count y. Photo credit: Larry Barnes

WHAT IS YOUR CASH WORTH?

By Kristin Hovencamp, CPWA®

Whether to hold funds on reserve as part of an asset allocation strategy or for a future liquidity need, investors have cash balances for various reasons. But what if your money is worth less today than it was yesterday? Conservative fixed-income mutual funds, or Money Market Funds (MMF), are a consideration in a higher interest rate environment as a cash alternative.

For investors seeking to generate income from cash, MMF offers the following:

• Safety and Stability – Investments held in MMFs may have minimal price volatility, high credit quality, and low levels of risk. MMFs can also help offset the volatility of bonds and equities. The FDIC does not insure MMF.

• Liquidity – Assets are commonly available the following business day. It is good to remember that MMF can impose redemption fees or suspend an investor’s ability to sell their shares when selecting the fund(s) that meet your investment objectives.

• Shorter duration – MMFs are subject to less interest rate risk due to the types of debt instruments and their short maturity dates. MMF buys securities that mature within one year. However, the fund’s return is not guaranteed to keep up with the inflation rate.

THE SOUNDS OF “L”

BY JOELLEN COLLINS

For a required college essay, I read an astounding document, Edgar Allen Poe’s “Philosophy of Composition.” I could envision my high school English teacher, Theodosia Wilkinson, a tiny, immaculate little lady with chignoned white hair, and her artistic renditions of Poe’s poems like “The Bells.” The varied tones of bells rang from her exquisite voice. She exhibited energy and a love of poetry seldom excelled even in my graduate school professors.

When I later encountered Poe’s criticism, I could appreciate the intense care with which he constructed his poetry. The construction of “The Raven,” as expounded in the cited essay, was complex, powered by an unusual and daring imagination.

Over the years I have enjoyed, when appropriate, sharing with the mothers of new babies that Poe thought the letter “L” evinced a positive response in a reader. His heroines’ names with l’s in them — the lost Lenore, Ulalume, Annabelle Lee, Helen — were names designed to stimulate emotions. Recently, a new grandmother and I talked about the beauty of lullabies (note the “l”s) and missing singing them and cuddling as we had with our own babies.

Kristin Hovencamp, CPWA®, is an Investment Executive and Director of Business Development with HAZLETT WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC.

• Diversification – MMFs hold many different debt securities from various issuers. Do due diligence on managers, fund objectives, and underlying securities.

• Taxable or tax-free income – MMFs can invest in securities exempt from federal and potentially state income taxes.

• Yield – MMFs can offer incremental yield in comparison to bank savings accounts. Debt-based securities commonly held in MMF are government securities, short-term treasury securities, taxable and tax-exempt municipal paper, commercial paper, repurchase agreements, and certificates of deposit (CD).

For investors seeking the preservation of capital while taking on minimal risk in exchange for a modest return on cash balances, MMFs could be the right strategy to include in your investment portfolio.

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

LABELS

BY DOVE

Anumber of years ago I was in a seminar with Dr. Richard Bartlett. It was a Matrix Energetics class and one of the people that was presenting had been a VP with a large pharmaceutical company. She explained to us that the company had developed a product but had no market for the product they had created. The question became how do they sell this product and recoup their money. They decided to create a new problem called ADD. They did not make enough money giving drugs to kids with this created new malfunction of humanity, so they developed ADHD. At this point the person could not be in integrity with herself and she quit her job.

I ask, how many individuals have been affected by the labels placed on them for a problem created to market a pharmaceutical product. How do kids learn to handle their energy levels when they are never allowed to experience them due to being drugged out. How do you learn to focus your energy when you never experience who you truly are. Has society come to a place where everyone must march to the same range of frequencies in order to have the accepted, regimented behavior? It is hard to be different, but what if the energy level you came in with is meant to cause an advancement in abilities or advanced creativity? We miss the opportunity of experiencing the true person.

When I was growing up, there was no TV. We were outside playing ball, creating forts, putting on plays, running, riding bikes. We could only play after chores were done. Consequently, we did not have clogged-up excess energy that needed to be directed.

I have a friend whose 10-year-old son was put on drugs for his behavior; they finally institutionalized him in Salt Lake City. My friend came to me and said she wanted her son back. She made the decision to take him out of

Last week, I sadly noted the passing of one of my favorite entertainers of all time, Harry Belafonte, a human not only of remarkable talent but of great compassion and wisdom. I thought, ironically, about three singers whom I was able to hear as a teenager in Southern California, and, quite suddenly, the mellifluous tones (including “l”s) of their names resonated: Belafonte, Nat King Cole, and Ella Fitzgerald. I had a few moments of gratitude for my youth in a time when these artists flourished.

I can unashamedly don rose-colored glasses to remember the artists who shaped me, even in my more conservative generation. I heard all three of these singers while sitting down fairly close to them in The Greek Theatre. That venue was just THERE for us: inexpensive, cozy, and located at the edge of Griffith Park, the audience enjoying balmy summer evenings before the influx of population and smog.

When I felt romantic at my high school dances, held in our self-decorated gyms, I could recall the expression on Cole’s face as he reminded me of the thought of young love. Even though those sweet visions weren’t necessarily fulfilled in my grown-up life, I still feel a warmth of tenderness and comfort when I listen to those artists. Lucky me, to have been a teenager of that time, with a loving family, and loyal and funny friends who piled into my old heap of a car to drive to Hollywood in our best clothes to see the latest movies at the Pantages or the Egyptian or Grauman’s Chinese theaters. In spite of the tensions in the outside world, we maintained an innocence which I treasure… schools and churches were sanctuaries, not killing fields, and we could believe, even if only for a few years, of the sweetness of life that I imagined lay before me.

Lovely lullabies to those long-ago artists.

THIS OLD HAT

The other day I considered, was it time to buy a new hat? And one that would make me look skinny. I’ve heard of miracles like that.

I perused the cowboy hats on the wall. There were black ones and gray ones alike. I wanted to leave with a brand new hat but would soon hear about the price hike.

I picked out a Stetson, at least the right name. And pointed it out to the clerk. He snatched it so fast, it made my head swim. I was thinking he might be a jerk.

He said, “You sure you want this hat? It’s got a hefty price.” I asked how much. He said, “Three hundred!” Didn’t have to tell me twice!

the institution — cold-turkey him off all the drugs, put him on a supplement of blue-green algae to help ground him. In a week, his behavior was normal. He is now 40 years old and a very successful chef.

What if the medical and educational system has not yet discovered a way to work with the kids that come in with these erratic energy patterns. A quick fix is not always the answer. They are not broken, nor are all the adults with these problems broken; in my opinion, they just don’t fit in the boxes society wants to put them in. Grounding works amazingly for focusing these energies along with natural nutrition.

Get rid of as much electronic time as possible and be outside. A huge campaign was energized to create ADD and ADHD. When you are told something frequently enough, it becomes your reality. If you had trouble focusing, the answer was drugs. When enough energy is focused on a problem, the problem becomes a reality. Why can’t we embrace the perfection of each person. It is up to them to experience their energy field and manage it. Maybe we need to look at all of the pills and injections promoted by the drug companies and ask, “What is the agenda?”

Follow the money, love yourself, know yourself enough to throw away all the labels and experience who you truly are. Ask for guidance from your higher self to guide you to the nutrition that will keep you in balance. You are a gift just as you are. Know thyself and embrace the reality of you. Blessings, Dove

The doggone clerk was wearing his smirk. Said, “Your hat’s a sad sad story.” But I won’t call him jerk, ‘cuz he sounded more like a snollygoster in glory.

This hat of mine was given to me some fifty years to date. A 10X Stetson from my folks, in hopes I’d graduate.

My hat ain’t got a fancy shape like Yellowstone or Gus. Not every hat is Hollywood. So pardner, what’s the fuss?

This hat has kept my head warm from the frigid winter days. And blocks out all the sunburn from the sunshine’s hottest rays.

I remember the day when old Jake tossed me high. I came slamming hard to the ground. But my hat stayed in place. There is no disgrace for a lid that keeps your head sound.

Now the top of my head ain’t seen a hair’s thread since forty-odd years passed me by. But my hat don’t complain. It stays just the same, slightly cocked there above my right eye.

To my daughter’s despair, I wore my hat to see my grandson born. Yet I did take it off when Grandma passed, hat in hand we all did mourn.

I’m wearing my old hat again. How long will it be around? Each morning it’s still on the hook. I know where it can be found.

I’ll dust the dirt and grime off from my Stetson cowboy hat. And treat it much more kindly than a plain old head hat rack.

It’s more than just a hat. My Stetson’s full of history. It don’t matter ‘bout its looks, my hat is good enough for me.

So with luck for years I’ll keep this hat. It’s a classic at this place. ‘Cuz it fits down snug, guarding my mug. Yes, I think it adds grit to my face.

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

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

Let’s talk! Hablemos!

BY RUBY GARCIA

OUR VOICE COUNTS

With the help of some teen leaders in our community, local organizations got together to create a program to learn about healthy relationships and gain confidence to speak to their parents or guardians about this sensitive topic… a way to help open doors to these conversations between parents and children.

Let’s Talk About It! took place Saturday, April 22. This diverse, fun, half-day program with Spanish interpretation included conversations with local educators and medical professionals on boundaries and communication, sexually-transmitted infection prevention, HIV, and teen pregnancy, and included amazing raffles and prizes, games, free lunch and activities.

The organizations involved were St. Luke’s Center for Community Health, The Advocates, ETCs, Valley Apothecary and Project Tools Success and donations received from Idaho BaseCamp, The Boba Place, and Valley of Peace Lutheran Church.

Thanks to everyone involved we had a successful program with a total of 22 youth participants and seen parents. We look forward to duplicating this program in the future!

NUESTRA VOZ CUENTA

Con la ayuda de algunos líderes adolescentes en nuestra comunidad, las organizaciones locales se reunieron para crear un programa para aprender sobre relaciones saludables y ganar confianza para hablar con sus padres o tutores sobre este tema delicado. Una manera de ayudar a abrir las puertas a estas conversaciones entre padres e hijos.

¡Hablemos! Se llevó a cabo el sábado, 22 de abril. Este programa de medio día, divertido y diverso con interpretación en español, incluyó conversaciones con educadores locales y profesionales médicos sobre los límites y la comunicación, la prevención de infecciones de transmisión sexual, el VIH y el embarazo adolescente, sorteos y premios increíbles, juegos, almuerzo gratis y actividades.

Las organizaciones involucradas fueron St. Luke’s Center for Community Health, The Advocates, ETCs, Valley Apothecary y Project Tools Success y recibimos donaciones de Idaho BaseCamp, The Boba Place y la iglesia Valley of Peace Lutheran Church.

Gracias a todos los involucrados, tuvimos un programa exitoso con un total de 22 adolescentes participantes y 7 padres. ¡Esperamos duplicar este programa en el futuro

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

SHOPPING MORTGAGE RATES

BY ANNA & MICHELLE

Nobel Prize recipient, Richard Thaler, in his research into seemingly irrational economic behaviors, “found that consumers generally search too little, get confused while evaluating complex alternatives, and are slow to switch from past choices, even if it costs them.” “Why are consumers leaving money on the table?”

Based on this behavior, a borrower securing a mortgage might depend on their existing banking relationship or a single referral from a friend or agent rather than shopping multiple lenders.

When shopping for a lower mortgage rate, consider that not all lenders share the same business practices. Some may lure unsuspecting borrowers to a rate, knowing full well that they cannot deliver on it. After making a loan application and supplying information necessary for approval, they reveal that the rate is not available for “whatever” reason.

They’re counting on the borrower wanting to get into the home because the closing date is near and they’ll compromise by accepting the higher than quoted rate.

Shopping for a mortgage rate can result in savings because rates are set by individual lenders. To get an apples-to-apples comparison, the terms of the mortgage being shopped should be consistent among the lender candidates.

Consumers can make additional savings by not only shopping for better rates but for better terms and fees, which can vary widely among lenders.

The amount of savings can be affected not only by the difference in rates, but the size of the mortgage and the length of time borrowers expect to keep it without refinancing or selling.

• Advertised rates are generally for A++ borrowers and the determination is the lender’s based on many factors. It may be unlikely those rates are offered to you.

• A recommendation for the best lender from a friend or family member will not necessarily be the best for you.

• I nstead of accepting the first offer received, shop for at least three to five offers.

• Your personal bank may be convenient but it may not offer you the best rate, terms, and fees.

• Ask if there is room to negotiate the rate or fees.

• Ask your real estate professional for recommendations of several trusted lenders for you to shop a rate, terms, and fees.

JUST SAY NO TO LOT TAX

I oppose this tax and urge NO VOTE for the following reasons:

• T here is absolutely no need for this tax. In the interest of sound governance in compliance with the rule of law, it must be ended now.

• T he LOT tax is phony economics and foolish taxpayer subsidizing large, for-profit companies, with no benefit. To date over the last decade, the Ketchum taxpaying public has given many millions of dollars to very successful for-profit corporations who have war chests of funding for marketing. Enough is enough.

• Subsidizing rich companies is a bad way to market. The incredible uniqueness of our area markets itself. Discounting and subsidization is counterproductive to market economics and sabotages the premier market position we enjoy. We want visitors and investors who play by the rules and don't expect incentives and subsidies. We must insist on the rule of law and no special accommodations, especially for society’s economic elites.

• Be clear: there is no chance the airlines will pull out of Hailey, Idaho, as certain fearmongers suggest. Also, the notion that we should feel good that the airlines are willing to accept 50% of what we have been giving them over 10 years is ludicrous. Also ludicrous is the notion of taxing to create more funds for so-called “affordable housing” which, as pursued by Ketchum City Council and its seriously illegal entity “KURA,” whose existence is intended to end run Idaho law mandating municipal fiscal responsibility, is fraught with legal error and administrative stumbling. The Ketchum public has learned the hard way that Ketchum city government is ill equipped and way out of its league. Net of all costs, its

JIM HUNGELMANN

affordable housing projects will turn out to be the most expensive housing for workers ever developed anywhere: “No Confidence” is a polite way to put it.

• W hen the prospect of a serious recession looms as it does today, the last thing a sane and responsible society does is create more tax and/or continue ones whose purpose, if there was anything legitimate in the first place, has long disappeared.

• Ketchum city “leaders” are keen to ramp up city government and to create layers upon layers and new staff positions for this and that, for the purpose of embedding their tenancy ad infinitum. This crew is not whom you want to hand millions of dollars to. They have an abysmal track record of project mismanagement, non-responsiveness to public concerns, and lack of transparency.

• Last year's mayoral election was telling. This administration is on borrowed time, on its last leg, and soon to be sent packing.

• T he question must be asked, what could have been accomplished with the many millions we handed over? And, how many times do we need to say no? The city put an initiative to increase LOTs charged in Ketchum before voters last May, but the measure was resoundingly defeated. But low and behold, that doesn’t stop them from asking for more, again.

Just Say No to stumbled government taxation and market intermeddling. VOTE NO on May 16.

Thank you.

Jim Hungelmann Ketchum

Photo credit: Herbert Romero

“Weaponized” Free Speech

Continued from Page 5

The US through the National Endowment for Democracy has created armies of organizations carrying out malign influence operations around the world including here in Thailand.

When the Thai government attempts to stop this activity, the US embassy shouts "free speech." https://t.

co/5MeXFlyzEO

— Brian Berletic (@BrianJBerletic) April 19, 2023

There's also the brazen hypocrisy of it all. The US government is constantly engaging in foreign influence operations with outfits like the National Endowment

for Democracy, which was set up to help foment coups and color revolutions and advance US information interests overtly in ways the CIA used to do covertly.

As commentator Brian Berletic noted on Twitter, "The US through the National Endowment for Democracy has created armies of organizations carrying out malign influence operations around the world including here in Thailand. When the Thai government attempts to stop this activity, the US embassy shouts 'free speech.' Thailand's government and others around the world could easily cite this move by the US Justice Department to target and uproot US-funded organizations doing exactly this and worse."

So for the US government to now claim it's legitimate to start throwing US citizens in prison for a de -

WRITERS WANTED

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cade because they published "propaganda" for another country is absurd, and more than a little scary. The most powerful government in the world needs more political dissent at home, not less, and here they are trying to turn it into a crime.

When they claim the members of the APSP published "propaganda" and promoted "dissention", what they really mean is that they engaged in speech and political activism that the US government does not like. The spinmeisters will try to spin it, the legal mumbo-jumbo will try to obfuscate it, but that's what's happening. Don't let them conceal this from you. They're not worried about Russian propaganda, they're worried you'll stop listening to US propaganda.