PROTEST NEWS
Valley Residents Rally Behind Movement PG 6 SUN VALLEY
KETCHUM
EDUCATION NEWS
COVID NEWS
Big Libraries Stay Closed Little Ones Open Up PG 4
HAILEY
The Hidden Battles Of Coronavirus PG 5 BELLEVUE
PICABO
CAREY
WOOD RIVER WEEKLY YOUR VOICE IN THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY
Free | June 10 - 23, 2020 | Vol. 1 - No. 14 | woodriverweekly.com
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.” ~ J o h n F. K e n n e d y
Valley voices took a stand Tuesday in support of the Black Lives Matter movement against police brutality. Hundreds of residents walked along Highway 75 chanting and holding signs. Photo credit: Carol Waller
2
Wood River Weekly
NEWS
•
June 10 - 23, 2020
IN BRIEF
Traffic Stop Leads to Felony Drug Arrest
On Wednesday, June 3, at approximately 11:07 p.m., as part of a Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET) investigation, a Blaine County Sheriff’s Office deputy initiated a traffic stop. A white 2012 Chevrolet Malibu with four occupants, including a female driver, a male passenger, and two minor children, was stopped on Highway 75 near Woodside Boulevard in Bellevue. Upon investigation, the front-seat passenger, Abel Dominguez Rivera, age 33, of Hailey, was arrested and charged with one felony count of Trafficking Methamphetamine, one felony count of Fugitive to Idaho, and one misdemeanor count of Possession of Paraphernalia. Due to the close proximity of the children to the drugs and paraphernalia, Dominguez Rivera was also charged with two felony counts of Injury to a Child. Dominguez Rivera also had a felony warrant from the state of Nevada.
Dominguez Rivera was arraigned Thursday, June 4, 2020, in Magistrate Court where a bond was set at $290,000. He remains in the custody of the Blaine County Detention Center.
Ketchum Business Burglarized
On Friday, June 5, deputies of the Ketchum Police Division of the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a burglary at the Warfield Distillery in Ketchum. Deputies found an outside door had been pried open and two cash drawers had been stolen containing approximately $2,500. Upon investigation, Eric Aleksander Friedmann, age 28, of Sun Valley, was arrested and charged with one felony count of Burglary and one felony count of Grand Theft. Friedmann was taken into custody at the Blaine County Detention Center pending arraignment in Blaine County Magistrate Court.
YOU CAN FIND IT IN BLAINE!
SCOTT MILEY ROOFING
Advertise on this page for ONLY $35/week!
From Your Roof to Your Rain Gutter, We’ve Got You Covered!
americansealcoating5b@gmail.com
• • • •
Now Open
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 10 am - 6 pm Saturday & Sunday 10 am - 4 pm
SEAL COATING CRACK FILLING STRIPING POTHOLE REPAIR
Call for pick-ups Please Remember Us For Donations
(includes full color & free ad design)!
3930 S. Woodside Blvd Hailey, Idaho 83333
Space (208) 788-0014
208.788.5362
is limited, call today!
fully insured & guaranteed
Airport West | Hailey, Idaho 83333
se on thissun page forCall Mandi 208.721.7588 $ Advertise in this section LY 35/week! Your Voice In The Wood River Valley Single space 35/week the weekly
$
ull color(includes & free ad design)! full color & free ad design)! is limited, call today! Space is limited, call today! Call 208.720.1295 Call Mandi 208.721.7588
WANTED
Pick up your free copy of the Wood River Weekly at stands throughout Sun Valley, Ketchum, Hailey, Bellevue, Picabo & Carey.
(includes full color & free ad design)
FINE FINISH CARPENTRY Custom Cabinetry • Interior Finish Remodeling • Kitchen • Baths CAD Cabinetry Design Mike @ (208) 720-7250 Check out our Facebook page www.ffcid.com
Retirement horse boarding for geldings. Limited vacancy. Small family farm environment with excellent facilities. Experienced geriatric care. Veterinarian references. Text or call (208) 720-7252
From Challenging Dog... to Comfortable Companion. Sat/Sun June 20 & 21, Hailey ID. Force-free, innovative techniques to improve your dog’s behavior and well-being. For further info and to register, contact Clare Swanger, The Comfortable Canine LLC at c.swanger@icloud.com or (208) 309-0960.
beatrizq2003@hotmail.com
Email publisher@woodriverweekly.com www.woodriverweekly.com Send a resume, and/or ask questions.
208.720.5973
Shop Local
CLASSIFIEDS WORKSHOP
Free estimates available for: Homes, condos, offices.
SALES REPRESENTATIVES
For more information & advertising rates: Contact Mandi at (208) 721-7588 or mandi@woodriverweekly.com
Advertise on this page for ONLY $35/week.
RETIREMENT HORSE BOARDING
responsible, experienced and great references.
HOUSEKKEEPING
Responsible, experienced & great references, housekeeper now accepting new clients. Free estimates available for: homes, condos & offices. beatrizq2003@hotmail.com, (208) 720-5973
CROSSWORD
answer from page 12
Mandi 208.721.7588
PRICING
Double space $65/week
Housekeeper now accepting new clients.
Text (up to 25 words): $5 Additional Text: 20¢ per word Photos: $5 per image • Logo: $10 Deadline: Monday at 1 p.m Space reservations: classifieds@woodriverweekly.com
HANDYMAN
Jack of all trades. Reliable, insured, clean. Small jobs to large remodel projects, or the “honey-do” list. Call Mark, (208) 573-1784
CLASSIC SUDOKU answer from page 12
Wood River Weekly
•
June 10 - 23, 2020
3
WRW STAFF
PUBLISHER Christopher Seldon (208) 788-4789 publisher@woodriverweekly.com MARKETING & SALES Mandi Iverson (208) 721-7588 mandi@woodriverweekly.com Jennifer Simpson (208) 721-0658 jennifer@woodriverweekly.com 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
KEEPING YOU HEALTHY & SAFE St. Luke’s doctors, nurses and care teams are on the front lines, adapting day by day to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic while also bringing the best care to all our patients. From meticulous safety precautions to personalized video and phone appointments, your health and safety are our top priority. Never doubt that we’re in this with you.
DEADLINES Display & Classified Ads, Monday 5 p.m. Calendar Submissions — Friday 5pm CONTACT Wood River Weekly P.O. Box 3483 Hailey, Idaho 83333 (208) 788-4789 woodriverweekly.com
Let Us Protect YOU Like We Protect Our Own FAMILY
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Dear Valley residents, The Wood River Weekly is currently easing back into normality, as are all Valley businesses and residents. We will be publishing every two weeks during June, and will publish a regular weekly schedule in July. Thanks to all for your patience and support, Chris & Mandi
Your Independent Insurance Agency That Serves You First
Call us today!
Follow us on online:
www.woodriverinsurance.com
4
Wood River Weekly
•
June 10 - 23, 2020
NEWS
EDUCATION
ASPHALT
CONTRACTORS
Free Estimates * Fast Service * Quality Work
OUR ASPHALT SEALER
Chrissy Johnson is letting folks know there’s a new library in town. Photo credit: Chrissy Johnson
Little Libraries Pop Up In Bellevue
Protects | Beautifies | Preserves ◆ Parking Lots ◆ Private Drives ◆ Hot Rubber Crack Filling ◆ Driveways Custom Installed ◆ Resurfacing Over Old Asphalt & Concrete ◆ Blacktop Pads for Boat & RV Parking ◆ Blacktop Approaches & Turnarounds ◆ Grading & Basework Chip Sealing
T
SEALCOAT ADVANTAGES
Safety | Maintenance Costs Reduced Easier to Keep Clean | Speedy Snow and Ice Removal
HOW DOES SEAL COATING HELP? Sealcoating seals the asphalt pavement by preventing oxidation and erosion of the top layer of asphalt. On older pavements it replaces fine particles lost from the surface due to oxidation. It seals the small cracks that can turn into large cracks and prevents water from seeping down to the base material. Helps protect the asphalt from the sun as well as the harmful
effects of chemical spills such as oil and gasoline. Sealcoating provides an attractive black surface that is ideal for painting lines and other markers. It leaves a smooth, clean surface ideal for sweeping, lowering cleaning costs. It costs pennies a square foot compared to the dollars needed to repair or replace damaged asphalt.
CALL JOHN TODAY 208-806-2121 OUR PROMISE TO YOU: We will beat any other licensed asphalt contractor’s written bid for the same job, if we do the job. 312507
NEWS
he concept of not having libraries fully open during the summer is a bummer for families who look to them as safe, educational and fun community centers where kids can hang out during the adult workday. The concept of not having libraries fully open during the summer for someone whose profession it is to get kids reading at their optimal level is unthinkable. That’s what triggered Bellevue Elementary reading support specialist Chrissy Johnson and other colleagues at the school to promote another concept: Little Free Libraries—small cupboards that can be erected around town to hold books that kids can take for free. As of now, there is one at the Gannett Fire Station that Johnson had installed with the help of Allen Allred of Allred Precision Millwork. The Bellevue Library has also installed its own, and Johnson said she is working with Atkinsons’ Market in Bellevue to install one outside the grocery store, too. “With COVID closing down the libraries, we just couldn’t imagine an extended period of time where kids don’t have access to free books,” Johnson explained. Valley libraries have been reopening, at least to some degree, but there’s no guarantee that an uptick in COVID cases couldn’t force them to close again. The normal summertime offerings also won’t be as robust this year. For instance, Hailey Library is only offering pickup and dropoff and no public computers or printers are available at this time. Additionally, the library stacks are not open for browsing. Given the nature of the coronavirus being able to stay active on surfaces for some time, Johnson is encouraging parents to let their kids take a book and keep it. “There’s no need to return the books. We’ll be making sure the libraries are fully stacked with books all summer,” Johnson said. Johnson is also encouraging members of the community to donate books to the little libraries. She said that the program is aimed at preteen readers and under. Donors can contact Johnson at cjohnson@ bcsd.org if they have any questions about what materials would be appropriate. “I’m happy to do any vetting, but really, anything that you could read to a baby or that is meant for a pre-teen to read is a good thing,” Johnson said. Next to the Little Free Libraries will be signage with a QR code people can scan with their smartphone. The code sends you to a website with reading resources parents and young readers may find helpful, Johnson explained.
Turner Gets Turn At Trustee
Blaine County School District trustees unanimously approved placing Dan Turner on their board to fill the Zone 4 seat left vacant by the resignation of Rob Clayton. Zone 4 represents district families residing in the northwesternmost area of the Valley from Deer Creek Road to the county line, west of Highway 75. Clayton vacated the seat last month when he announced he’d be moving his residence out of the area he was representing. The decision was made at the board’s June 2 session held online. Turner is not new to sitting on boards that impact youth. Since 2012, Turner has been a board director for the Wood River Community YMCA in Ketchum. He served as board chair from 2013 to 2016. Turner spent much of his career in finance and investment management in California, where he graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in political science. Of note are his roles as a member of the Board of Governors of the Pacific Stock Exchange from 1998 to 2002 in San Francisco and as a general partner for Rubicon Capital Group from 2002 to 2010 in Los Angeles. In his letter of interest submitted to the district, Turner said, “Last year I had the privilege of working on the BCSD’s Finance Committee while we formulated a recommendation to the Trustees regarding a much-needed Plant and Facilities Levy. Over the course of my committee involvement, I enjoyed my interactions with other committee members, BCSD school principals and district personnel. Currently the BCSD is facing several financial headwinds and uncertainties, and I am anxious to apply my 40 years of professional finance experience to help navigate a course to a
By Eric Valentine
IN BRIEF
strong and sustainable future.”
Superintendent GwenCarol Holmes and the BCSD Board of Trustees listen to Dan Turner (top right) explain his interest in taking over the Zone 4 trustee seat. Photo credit: Blaine County School District
Wood River Weekly
NEWS
COVID
Inside The Other Front Lines Of COVID While ICUs battled the most severe cases, other COVID-19 healthcare providers dug in too
P
June 10 - 23, 2020
jane’s artifacts
5
arts / / crafts / / papers / / office / / party
Of y t n e Pl
FATHER’S DAY
CARDS & GIFTS
106 S. MAIN, HAILEY • 208.788.0848 • JANESARTIFACTS@COX.NET
We Are Back Open
11 am — 8 pm Tuesday to Saturday Draft beer $2 - Bottled Beer $3
By Eric Valentine
resident Donald Trump has called it “the invisible enemy,” among other things. And while charts of case numbers and death tolls as well as images of mask-wearing healthcare workers and grocery shoppers flow freely, something we don’t always see is what goes on behind the COVID battles along the periphery—the healthcare providers not inside the Intensive Care Units. We spoke with two people about their firsthand experience with the novel coronavirus: a nurse at St. Luke’s and a private-practice physician’s assistant.
315 S Main St., Hailey, Idaho 83333 • (208) 788-0772 • thesmokeybonebbq@gmail.com
Harrison Insurance
an authorized select independent agency “For All Your Insurance Needs!” One-stop shopping for Business, Commercial, Home, Auto, Umbrella, Life, Health and Medigap insurance policies 208.788.3255 - nathan@harrisonins.com 101 E. Bullion Ste. 2A Hailey, ID
Karen P. Stevens, Ph.D., R.N., the as-
The Nurse sistant nurse manager for St. Luke’s For Karen Stevens, the assis- Health System, began her career in tant nurse manager for St. Luke’s the midst of the HIV-AIDS pandemic Health System, a pandemic is and is managing the front lines of nothing new. She began her the COVID-19 pandemic now. Photo healthcare career in the 1980s, credit: Karen Stevens when the HIV-AIDS epidemic was surging. And while the viruses have their distinct differences, Stevens acknowledges how similar the circumstances are when it comes to providing care. “It was the not-knowing that was so hard. That’s the challenge with novel viruses. We had a demographic of affected people but we didn’t have all the information (such as how the virus was transmitted and how contagious it may or may not be),” Stevens observed. “It took years to get it right.” The getting it right part isn’t about the diagnosis and the treatment; for a nurse like Stevens, it has to do with how to triage patients and how to provide care in the best possible way without spreading the disease. With the recent COVID-19 crisis, St. Luke’s was more of a testing and ER than it was an Intensive Care Unit. Patients that needed ICU were transferred to Twin Falls and Boise. But before someone would get transported, they’d be under the care of multiple doctors and nurses, all of whom needed to wear far more PPE (personal protective equipment) than in normal circumstances. And with every new patient, there needed to be new PPE put on, too. “We’re used to providing care,” Stevens said. “It’s the ‘change fatigue’ that can set in, too.” Change fatigue refers to the procedural changes (not just the changing out of PPE) that can happen weekly and even daily in healthcare
COLUMN
I
•
By Eric Valentine
when new guidelines come down from the CDC on how best to protect the spread of a disease. There is some positive impact in all of this. Stevens noted that normally nurses specialize in a particular department and type of care. But given the reconfiguration St. Luke’s had to go through to handle the pandemic, nurses had to work across departments. “I think it made us better healthcare providers,” Stevens said. “Individually, we have always had a great team of doctors and nurses. But the reconfiguring made us a better team.” The Private Practitioner For Nanette Ford, a physician assistant who has been practicing in the Valley for 24 years, there has been a combination of frustration and elation. “I can barely get masks and gloves. I was able to order four boxes of gloves last week. I couldn’t get masks,” Ford said as she explained one of the reasons she can’t provide COVID-19 testing and treatment in her office. “I have to turn away patients with acute symptoms, and to a healthcare provider, that feels like a mortal sin.” But Ford can—and does—provide antibody testing. The particular test she performs is a blood draw and has the highest possible accuracy rating. “That has been a godsend,” Ford said. The antibody test can be performed on an unlimited basis, unlike the COVID-19 diagnostic test, and it tells a patient if they have built up antibodies known to fight the virus. It’s the test most
people hope to be positive. “Most of them (patients with antibodies) start doing the happy dance,” Ford said. Like Stevens, Ford noted that so much is still unknown about the virus. That means we’re optimistically assuming that the antibodies will do two things: 1) Protect us from the virus, and 2) Stick around long enough to protect us from the virus down the road. “Testing again in the fall or winter would help us see if the antibodies are still holding,” Ford said. Also like Stevens, Ford said the pandemic has led to positives (other than test results). She noted how private practitioners are all coordinating and sharing information with one another regularly. In fact, one person providing the medical community with the latest data is a retired doctor, Scott McLean. We Haven’t Won Yet Although caseloads have gone down in the Valley and as businesses slowly reopen, both Stevens and Ford said if there was one thing they could let the community know, it is that we’re not out of the woods yet. Regarding the recent protests, Ford said, “People are risking their lives to be heard right now, and I don’t have any judgment on that.” Regarding a recent trip to the grocery store, Stevens said, “I noticed fewer masks, less distancing. I worry that we’re letting our guard down a little and it’s not yet time to do that.”
We Are What We Read
n his Eightfold Path To Enlightenment—the Buddhist prescription, if you will, for ending suffering—the Buddha says “Right Mindfulness” is one of the first things that must be achieved. How one defines “mindfulness” can vary, but at the end of the day it has a lot to do with what we choose to fill our mind with. When writing about the story of the Bellevue Elementary staff who put together “Little Free Libraries”— small book repositories from which toddlers to pre-teen kids can take and keep books—I found myself wondering what books I’d place inside if I were leaving them for teens and young adults. Well, here are my top five: —Sexual Personae by Camille Paglia Don’t let the title or the length of this 670-page tome throw you off. It’s captivating reading. Paglia is an Ivy League-educated art and literature historian who has made a career teaching at a humble arts school in Philadelphia. Her book explores human belief systems and male-female behavior by analyzing the art and literature we create, from the dawn of Western civilization to modern day. Her default worldview is that society is
mankind’s reaction to nature and that nature remains mankind’s supreme moral problem. Her writing is bold, witty and sometimes mind-blowing. —Fit for Life by Harvey and Marilyn Diamond Before fad diets became a dime a dozen, two nutritionists—Harvey and Marilyn Diamond—set out to write a book that focused less on calorie counting and what you can’t eat and more on how and when to eat the things you want to eat. The book has a lot of hacks for substituting the less healthy, processed foods in our diets with healthier, more natural alternatives, but it’s not about rigid, unsustainable health kicks. The main takeaway: Fat = stored nutrients; and by combining the foods we like in the most digestive-friendly way, we give our body time to use those nutrients rather than store them. —Getting the Love You Want by Harville Hendrix There are a number of theories—and poems—about the nature of love. Hendrix takes a look at some of the leading theories and how they fail to explain a lot, such as why we fall in love with people who are bad for us. Hendrix uncovers how, in so-called traditional couples, the resolved and unresolved relationships between ourselves and our opposite-sex parent are at play.
WELLNESS
—Daemon and Freedom Trademarked by Daniel Suarez OK, this is two books, but they are sequeled. Shortly after The Matrix captivated our imaginations with what could go wrong if artificial intelligence took over humanity, Suarez focused instead on something more likely: what could go wrong when a small set of humans took over artificial intelligence to take over the world. In the novel, the world’s foremost computer programmer has created a “daemon” (a computer program that runs in the background) that scours the internet for his obituary. Once found, it begins to hack computers and lives in an attempt to establish a new world order. By the time you get through the second book, the story offers up a complete paradigm shift that will make you question the trajectory of current society and culture. —The True Story Project by yours truly That’s right, if I get to select a book that will get into the hands of young readers, you bet I’m going to select mine. It’s a simple, self-published collection of about a dozen short stories. All of them are true, all of them are told from the heart, and I’d be honored if you ever gave it a read.
6
Wood River Weekly
NEWS
PROTEST
Making Sense Of A Movement
NEWS
•
June 10 - 23, 2020
Valley W
Police chief shares thoughts on ‘defunding’ the police, protecting the public
I
By Eric Valentine
f someone told you a month ago that Mitt Romney would march in a Black Lives Matter protest, that Idaho’s Capitol building would have 6,000 mostly white folks wearing black and raising their fists in a black power salute, and that hundreds of Valley residents would brave the coronavirus threat and block off Highway 75, you probably would have chalked it up to delusions from a COVID-19 fever. As of June 10, that’s the reality in these unprecedented six months we’re calling the first half of 2020. But in some circles, one of the most difficult things to wrap one’s head around is the call to defund— and in some cases—dismantle the police force. What follows is Hailey Police Chief Steve England the candid and forthcoming re- gets sworn in by Mayor Martha action by Hailey Chief of Police Burke back in March. Steve England. It’s important to note that as a Photo credit: City of Hailey courtesy, England was given the opportunity to take questions from Wood River Weekly and provide answers via email. He declined that perhaps safer option and answered all questions posed to him impromptu. No Fun In Defunding Across America, there have been calls for defunding police departments, and already some city councils are following through. Defunding refers to the reallocation of a jurisdiction’s resources so that other agencies, departments or individuals would bear the burden of providing particular services rather than law enforcement. England called the talk of defunding both a potential “slippery slope” and “a Catch-22,” especially when some advocates talk about disbanding or dismantling the police. “That’s a crime report I would not want to read,” England said, referring to a total removal of law enforcement officers from their beats. Whichever “d” word is used, the concept driving it is that certain police functions may be better managed and implemented differently by different agencies and individuals. For instance, fire departments may be able to deal with drug-overdose calls sans the police just as effectively. Mental health professionals and qualified social workers could respond to distress calls, like certain suicide attempts, without the presence of an armed cop. Unarmed neighborhood watch groups could monitor their own streets. In theory, that funding then could be diverted to youth programs, job-creation efforts, affordable housing, and similar areas that are understood to be socioeconomic factors that trigger crime. England noted that right now emotions are high and that his hope is that in the near future a careful analysis of what, if anything, gets defunded would take place. “What could work in Hailey would not necessarily work in L.A.,” and vice versa, England said. England also pointed out that the idea of being able to reallocate funds may not be as simple and straightforward as imagined. Calls for more officer training, more body cameras, more oversight as well as the costs involved with training other agencies and individuals to perform the duties that would be removed from cops’ to-do lists also have a price tag. And, England said, in a budget year already impacted by COVID-19, there would be some hard decisions to make. However, it should be noted that most advocates for defunding are not promoting it as a cost-saving measure but rather a public safety issue. And even England acknowledges that officers may be getting asked to wear “too many hats,” he said. Voices In The Valley Local protesting reached its peak on Tuesday when hundreds of residents walked the streets and at one point a group of them blocked off Highway 75. “We didn’t like that very much, but we understand,” England said. According to England, there were no incidents of vandalism resulting from the protests and the public was kept safe. “We consider that a success,” England said. The other element of local law enforcement England sees as a success is his department’s policies and procedures and that there was no need to “reinvent the wheel” for Hailey. England said he understands other frustrations associated with law enforcement, too, and that a lot of times it’s because what a citizen is dealing with is civil, not criminal, in nature. “I want people to know we do what we can,” England said. “I want people to know they have a voice, we take complaints, we hear suggestions and opinions; we take them seriously.”
Members of the Bellevue Marshal’s Office kneel in support of the protest on Friday, June 5. Photo credit: Jenny Whyte
Residents of Hailey march in protest of police brutality and in support of Black Lives Matter. Photo credit: Carol Waller
Protesters in Ketchum gather in support of social justice and racial equality. Photo credit: Wood River Weekly staff
Wood River Weekly
•
June 10 - 23, 2020
Wide Evening Of Protest
e
Masked protesters, many carrying signs, filled the streets in Hailey in support of Black Lives Matter and against police brutality. Photo credit: Carol Waller
7
PROTEST PHOTOBOX
8
Wood River Weekly
•
June 10 - 23, 2020
C OM M EN T AR Y
Fishing R epoRt
NO BONES ABOUT IT THE “WEEKLY” FISHING REPORT FOR JUNE 10 - 23 FROM PICABO ANGLER
S
ee you next year, brown drake…
The annual brown drake hatch on Silver Creek happened last week to the delight of local and visiting anglers. We saw our first significant numbers of bugs on Sunday, May 31, and the hatch increased in volume and duration throughout the week. It seemed that the largest emergences occurred late; drakes consistently emerged after 10 p.m. each night. The hatch made its way quickly from the Picabo Road bridge, through Point of Rocks and the Willows, up to the Highway 20 access. Fishing was good throughout the entire stretch of lower Silver Creek, and anglers caught some exceptional fish. The brown drake event was enjoyed by many, and folks on the river were kind and considerate of their fellow anglers. Thank you to all who stopped by the shop and thank you for making it such a great time. The Big Wood River is dropping and flows in Hailey are at 700 CFS. The river is high and clearing, and will soon provide fishing opportunities in the softer-water side channels and braids. The green drake is coming soon, and the hatch and fishing should be exceptional. The Big Lost River below Mackay Reservoir is at 500 CFS; the river at this flow is very high and swift, and fishing access is limited. Once flows recede in late summer, the river will be in prime shape. Stay tuned! The South Fork Boise River below Anderson Ranch Reservoir continues to fish extremely well. Flows remain at about 1200 CFS, and at this level the river is best fished via drift boat, raft, etc. Anglers are eagerly awaiting the appearance of the Salmon Fly. These big bugs should begin showing up toward the end of this month, and you’ll want an arsenal of big, gaudy patterns to imitate the naturals. Size 6 – 10 Chubby Chernobyls in black, purple, orange, gold, and tan are great choices, as are Sofa Pillows, big Orange Stimulators, Rogue Stones, Dancing Rickys, and Water Walkers (the same colors and sizes apply). For nymphs, it’s hard to beat a black, brown, or olive Pat’s Rubber Legs, Montana Stone, or Girdle Bug in sizes 6 – 12. Our local stillwaters provide fun fishing for a variety of species; bluegill, perch, smallmouth, and trout can be found in Carey Reservoir, Little Wood Reservoir, Magic Reservoir, and Mackay Reservoir. Black leeches, Chironomids and Zebra Midges are all staple patterns. Happy fishing, everyone!
Hwy 20 in Picabo info@picaboangler.com (208)788.3536 www.picaboangler.com
D
By Fran Jewell
Canine Peacemakers
ogs display so many behaviors that are simply enchanting to watch. I spend every day watching dog behavior because it is so fascinating to me. I see their feelings, their hierarchy, and their distinct personalities. As an instructor and trainer, this is critical to helping dog owners understand their own dogs. I also spend a lot of time photographing these behaviors. One of my favorite behaviors is called “splitting.” It is done by the “peacemaker” of a group of dogs. It is usually the dog that is neither high in rank nor low in social rank. The peacemaker is usually right in the middle. There are many that do not believe in social rank in the dog world, but to understand how dogs think, one must accept that in every species on the planet there is a social rank, even among dogs. To understand splitting, that acceptance of social rank is important. I re-discovered this photograph recently and realized what a wonderful capture it is, especially looking at the dogs involved. On the left is my Brinx. He is what I call the “high-ranking male.” He is rather passive, clear, decisive, and every new dog that comes to my house will try to establish a relationship with him first. They will test his authority. They will see if he is playful or serious. As I see it, this is the new dog’s attempt to figure out where he is socially in the group. Brinx doesn’t need to fight. It’s like he has a general uniform on that all dogs recognize. Sometimes, just a lip curl is all he needs to establish himself with a visitor. And sometimes he just stands up when a puppy tries to mount him. He is a benevolent leader. A true high-ranking dog does not need to fight to establish position. Kalidor, my black, long-coat German shepherd, tried his best when he turned a
SCIENCE OF PLACE
A
FRAN JEWELL
The dog that plays peacemaker often “splits” other dogs. This can happen just about any time. Photo credit: Fran Jewell
year old to challenge Brinx, to see if he could climb the social ladder. In the photo (he is on the left), Kalidor was getting too rough in the water with Brinx. Sometimes a little scuffle is important to young lads trying to establish themselves higher in social rank. What is interesting is that Baewulf, the black-and-red, long-coat German shepherd, barges between Brinx and Kalidor, hoping to force the interaction to stop. This behavior is called splitting. In this particular case, Baewulf did not stop the interaction, but he did make it clear his discontent with the struggle. It further told me the determination of Brinx and Kalidor, and just how strong and confident each of their personalities were. Throughout the rest of their lives, Brinx
and Kalidor had a mutual respect for each other, and Baewulf kept an eye on their interactions, ready to intrude if needed. He was the peacemaker in my group. And without him, Brinx and Kalidor could have had more challenges with each other until their roles had matured. Baewulf’s role was imperative to the peace and contentment of my pack of dogs. Fran Jewell is an Idaho Press Club award-winning columnist, IAABC-certified dog behavior consultant, NADOI-certified instructor #1096 and the owner of Positive Puppy Dog Training, LLC, in Sun Valley. For more information, visit www.positivepuppy. com or call (208) 578-1565.
Ghost Leaves
HARRY WEEKES
BY HARRY WEEKES
white leaf drifted down from the tree and settled in the grass. Then another. Then another. The only problem—this was an aspen tree. I stood inside my house and wondered what I was looking at. The next leaf fell, fluttered left, then right, then exploded into dust. What? When the next leaf fell, it broke into multiple pieces, each fragment accelerating toward the ground. Then it dawned on me, literally and figuratively. It snowed during the evening (it was the morning of June 8th when this happened). By some quirk of temperature and timing, the snow settled on the leaves, individually—a kind of frost glazing. As the light came up, this covering slipped off of the leaves one at a time. These ghost leaves acted, in many ways, like actual leaves, or like the flower petals dropping from the crabapple trees blown by the wind. The aspen shook ever so gently, each time shedding a frost leaf. Some managed to make it to the ground intact. Others broke instantly, falling as a thin spray of ice. Each was something unexpected, something I had never seen before. In total, I spent maybe 15 minutes watching this unfold. I was the only one awake (except for the cat, who just stared at me), and I am confident I cannot accurately capture what this moment felt like. The little and powerful lesson that came away was this: I don’t have to describe it. I can be unsure and it is OK, even wonderful. With coronavirus, I have felt so much the opposite—wanting to know, wanting to be in control, wanting things to be certain. Even as I have longed for these, I have forgotten the opposite is powerful, too. That not knowing can be a good thing, that appreciating something for how it is in the moment is important and carries weight, that it is OK just to be. Coronavirus, very quickly, highlighted something that I took for granted—the future is an assumption. What happens tomorrow has always been ambiguous. Any certainty comes from the fact that, mostly, the environment stays the same. Yes, seasons change, but there is a regularity and rhythm to the world. There is predictability. Predictability breeds habits, and in those habits there is comfort. As these ghost leaves fell, I realized something else; there is won-
Large-toothed aspen (Populus grandidentata)
der and magic in the unpredictable and the unexpected and the inexplicable. It is OK not to know. I do not know, immediately, what gifts will come from coronavirus, what opportunities will emerge from this time. I have heard the phrase “silver linings” more than once in the past three months—related to time spent with family, in association with more time outside, about a chance we have to recognize that certain things are broken and now they can be fixed. As we step into these big tasks ahead, it is nice to be reminded of the small beauty that awaits us in the world if we take time to stop and stare for a while. Harry Weekes is the founder and head of school at The Sage School in Hailey. This is his 48th year in the Wood River Valley, where he lives with Hilary and two of their three baby adults—Penelope and Simon. The other member of the flock, Georgia, is currently fledging at Davidson College in North Carolina.
Wood River Weekly
MONEY MATTERS
KRISTIN HOVENCAMP
TO INCREASE FINANCIAL KNOWLEDGE: READ, READ, READ
I
By Kristin Hovencamp
my bookshelf, and well used.
am often asked, “What do you sugStoried Approaches gest I read to become more finanI enjoy reading almost every book cially literate?” In my opinion, here written by New Orleans native, Michael are some of the best books written on Lewis. Four of my favorites are Liar’s finance. Poker, Panic! The Story of Modern Financial Insanity, The Big Short and Historic Perspectives Flash Boys. The presence of brilliance can be An excellent book about the defunct found in Benjamin Graham’s founda- hedge fund, Long-Term Capital Mantional texts, Security Analysis (with agement, is When Genius Failed: The David Dodd) and The Intelligent In- Rise and Fall of Long-Term Capital vestor. Touted as the “faManagement, by Roger ther of value investing,” Lowenstein. Graham was a professor A more recent and genat Columbia University, uinely unbelievable tale of where he came to mentor financial fraud written by then-graduate student, Tom Wright and Bradley Warren Buffett. Hope, about businessman I’m drawn to everyand fugitive, Jho Low, Bilthing written by Warren lion Dollar Whale recalls Buffett—books, articles, Low’s swindling of govthe annual Berkshire Haernments, investment thaway shareholder letter, bankers, moguls, models, and essays. If I had to and the Hollywood elite. choose a book that most Whether you’re interinfluenced me, it is The Essays of War- ested in becoming educated on the ren Buffett. history of investing, increasing your When I first voiced my interest in personal financial literacy, or gaining working on Wall Street, I was given a a better understanding of today’s marcopy of Peter Lynch’s 1989 book, One kets, you may find these suggestions Up On Wall Street, which the author useful and entertaining. followed with publishing Beating the Street. To this day, I refer to relevant Kristin Hovencamp is an Investment chapters in these two books. Consultant and Director of Business Development at Hazlett Wealth ManAcademic Resources agement, LLC. HAZLETT WEALTH I love to reference Mark AnMANAGEMENT, LLC is independent of son’s The Handbook of Alternative Assets and The Handbook of Traditional Raymond James and is not a registered and Alternative Investment Vehicles: broker/dealer. Investment advisory Investment Characteristics and Strat- services are offered through Raymond egies he co-wrote with Frank Fabozzi James Financial Services Advisors, and Frank Joseph Jones. Fabozzi’s The Inc. Securities offered through RayHandbook of Fixed Income Securities is mond James Financial Services, Inc., my favorite. It provides explanations for member FINRA/SIPC. 675 Sun Valley any level of investor in understanding Road Ketchum, Idaho, 208.726.0605. the bond market. All three books are on HazlettWealthManagement.com
THE WAY I SEE IT
BY CHRIS MILLSPAUGH
•
June 10 - 23, 2020
9
INSPIRATIONS FROM MY HEART
SEPARATION BY DOVE
I
t has been shown that a baby given food, shelter and medical care will not thrive without the benefit of human touch. In order to thrive, humans must have contact with other humans. We are currently being challenged with the opportunity to have to love ourselves, as our connection to other humans is limited. The time has been given us to explore ourselves. This is truly a gift if we are courageous enough to take it on. I saw something on the Internet today that I want to share with you. It is by Elena Barnabé and expresses my sentiments of how to work through pain, be it physical or mental. “Grandma, how do you deal with pain?” “With your hands, dear. When you do it with your mind, the pain hardens even more.” “With your hands, Grandma?” “Yes, yes. Our hands are the antennas of our soul. When you move them by sewing, cooking, painting, touching the earth or sinking your hands into the earth, they send signals of caring to the deepest part of you and your soul calms down. This way she doesn’t have to send pain anymore to show it. “Are hands really that important?” “Yes, my girl. Thinking of babies: they get to know the world, thanks to their touches. When you look at the hands of older people, they tell more about their lives than any other part of the body. Everything that is made by hand, so is said, is made with the heart because it really is like this: hands and heart are connected. Masseuses know this: When they touch another person’s body with their hands, they create a deep connection. Thinking of lovers: When their hands touch, they love each other in the most sublime way.” “My hands, Grandma... how long haven’t I used them like that!” “Move them, my girl. Start creating with them and everything in you will move. The pain will not pass away. But it will be the best masterpiece. And it won’t hurt anymore. Because you managed to embroider your essence.” –Elena Barnabé If we can all observe all of the trauma going on and find our own way to shift it into a masterpiece, we will become whole and so will our world. I love this planet and every living thing on it. Choose to embrace all the light you can and spread it worldwide. We can do this and create a masterpiece of peace, gratitude and abundance, but that has to become our focus. Hold this energy and be the beacon for those around you to follow. Create a frequency that uplifts all humanity. I can hardly wait to celebrate when our smiles can again become visible. Life is a gift. The purpose is joy. Find yours. Dove
CHRIS MILLSPAUGH
The Interview
I interviewed a local man this week to see what has changed in his life since the events of the last two weeks—the pandemic, the death of George Floyd, the subsequent protests and demonstrations throughout the world, unemployment, and the mood of the country: - So, what is your opinion about the events in this country and the world? - What are you talking about? - Well, for one, the coronavirus. - Oh, I don’t care. - You don’t care about the pandemic and its effect on the people of the world? - Not really. - Well, at least do you observe proper distancing and wear a mask? - No. - You don’t wear a mask? - Not since Halloween. - Do you stay at least six feet from others? - No. I just walk through them if they’re in my way. - But what if you have the virus? - Well, they better get out of my way, shouldn’t they? - But… - Hey, I don’t have any disease. I know my own body. - But you could be a carrier. - So could my cat. It’s all a hoax. - A hoax? - Yeah. It’s coming out of China’s Wuhan Valley. - You believe that? - Yes, I do.
DOVE
- Let’s change the subject. Do you believe in “Black Lives Matter”? - I believe in “My Life Matters.” - What about the death of George Floyd? - Sorry to hear that. - Really? - No. - No? Haven’t the protest marches and demonstrations affected you in any way? - No. - No?! - Good TV, though. - How can you be so apathetic by all this? - Practice. - Practice? - Uh, yeah. I don’t let anything bother me if it’s not about me. - You know, people would say that is incredibly selfish. - Yeah. I don’t care. - What about unemployment. Do you have a job? - No. I’m on unemployment compensation… get a check every two weeks. - And, you can live on that? - Sure. I got a stimulus check and I might get another one soon. - Have you been looking for a job? - No one’s hiring. - What do you do for work? - I’m a shepherd. - Come on! - Okay, I’m just kidding. - What do you really do?
- I’m an environment defacer. - What?! - Hey, if it wasn’t for me, all those “Save the Whales” people would be out of work. - So, you don’t care about the environment, the pandemic, unemployment and police brutality? - In a word... no. - How can you live with yourself? - Just fine. - Just yourself? - Right. - And you’re fine with that? - It’s “all the much” I have. - What about friends, family? - I don’t care about them. They have their own problems. I leave them alone. - What about everyone else on the planet? - What about them? - What if they said they didn’t care, either? - That’s up to them. I really don’t care. - Well, I think I’ll have to end this interview right now! - Knock yourself out. - I just can’t understand your apathetic and rebellious stance on everything that’s wrong in the world. - Did I mention that I don’t care? - Hey, we’re all in this together! - No, we’re not! You’re all in that together. I just don’t care! Folks, this is an example of the selfishness of mankind. We must rally together and “Make America Love Again.” Or do you really not care? Nice talking to you.
10
Wood River Weekly
COFFEE CHATS WITH KIKI
KIKI TIDWELL
•
June 10 - 23, 2020
ADVERTORIALS BETTER HOMEOWNERS NEWS
ANNA MATHIEU
Two-thirds of all local and state tax revenue is attributable to visitor spending on goods and services (including both Idaho residents and outof-state visitors). Travel businesses and employee tax payments include sales, income, and property taxes. Emp/Bus $95M 33.1% Visitor $191M 66.9% Total: $286M
Generate Electricity For Idaho In Idaho
P
BY KIKI TIDWELL
rior to the pandemic, according to the Idaho Department of Commerce, employees earned $1.1 billion in 2017 in the travel industry in Idaho and “travelers spent $3.7 billion in Idaho in 2017”1. That is going to be a huge hole in Idaho’s economy now with travel and tourism shut down in the state and the potential for being shut down through at least the summer season, if not through this next year. In parallel, we have found out through this shelter-in-place experience how important electricity is. We have been able to stay connected with each other, to educate our kids, and to work from home through our computers and Internet connections. Generating electricity in Idaho is the solution to Idaho climbing out of this economic devastation. Rather than buying power from power plants in other states and sending the income and property tax payments out of our state, we can build our own power plants here. Construction jobs here, property tax revenues paid here, and power plant income created in and circulating in Idaho. Right now, Idaho Power wants to build a huge B2H transmission project to bring power from Oregon plants 305 miles to Idaho, with a clearcut 250-foot-wide swath through forests to get here. This is crazy! For the same amount of money, Idaho Power could build its own wind and solar projects here with now technologically great and cheaper batteries that ‘firm’ the power to be dispatchable when needed. All the other states in the U.S. are replacing transmission projects with renewables/battery projects as it is cheaper for ratepayers. We already have transmission lines that we could use to sell excess power to states around us; the 2019 Integrated Resource Plan notes that Idaho experiences different peak demand times than neighboring states, so can profit off excess power at our low demand times. Let’s use the naturally occurring resources we have here in abundance—solar, wind and hydro—and build our own electricity-generating projects. This is how we can significantly rebuild our economy here in Idaho! •
63,000 Idahoans are directly and indirectly employed by the travel industry.
•
“Travel and tourism is a massive industry in Idaho—the third largest behind agriculture and technology.”
•
“Two of the biggest things that draw tourists here, according to Borud, is that they have a good experience and that they feel safe and secure.”
Danae Lenz dlenz@journalnet.com Travel Industry a boon to Idaho’s economy May 28, 2019 1
Blaine County Commissioner Candidate
www.tidwellcommissionercampaign.com twitter: @kikitidwell
Kiki Tidwell
Paid For By Citizens For Kiki Tidwell, Cindy Mann Treasurer.
Why Homebuying Begins With The Agent
I
t takes a team of professionals to buy a home— like the lender, the appraiser, the inspector, the property insurance agent, the title officer, and others—but the real estate professional may play the most critical role. Baking bread seems so simple. There are only four ingredients: flour, salt, yeast and water; yet, there are steps that should be followed as well as a certain sequence to get the proper results. Some people mix all of the dry ingredients before adding the hot water to activate the yeast. Other people will activate the yeast in the warm water first to allow it to “bloom.” Both methods can achieve satisfactory results but one knowledgeable person needs to be in charge of the bread instead of having multiple people to be concerned with just their one ingredient or contribution like mixing, kneading, fermentation, benching, shaping, proofing or baking. Similarly, in a home purchase, the buyer’s agent can be the one who puts things in the proper order and sees that no steps are missed. The buyer’s agent coordinates between the other professionals
with the common goal of getting the home closed on time according to the terms agreed in the sales contract. Even if a buyer has been through the process before and, possibly, multiple times, the buyer’s agent will most likely have far more experience because it is their job. They perform their job on a daily basis and are not personally or emotionally involved like a buyer is. Your agent understands what and when the various steps should be done and by whom. They have worked with enough of the other professionals to know who is good at their job and can offer recommendations. They have seen the things that make a transaction go smoothly and what can derail one. Experience is a great teacher, but the lesson does not have to be learned by going through it by yourself. Take the luxury of using your real estate professional’s experience acquired through years of study and practice. Allow your agent to advise you and coordinate the efforts to achieve the results you are expecting and deserve.
NEWS
BRIEFS
Kudos To Sun Valley Community School Sun Valley Community School earned a first-place recognition as a 1A Division II School of Excellence from the Idaho High School Activities Association (IHSAA) for 2019-20, the pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade day and boarding school announced. Sponsored by the Idaho Army National Guard, the award is part of a year-long, voluntary program in which schools earn points based on their student-athletes’ performance in athletics, academics and sportsmanship. The top three schools in each classification with the best overall programs will be recognized at the IHSAA annual meeting, Aug. 5. In addition to the primary awards, schools that score 90 percent on the Citizenship Component and have no player/coach ejections throughout the year or incidents of unsportsmanlike school behavior at state tournaments will receive an “Award of Excellence” certificate.
Wood River Weekly
•
June 10 - 23, 2020
NUESTRA VOZ CUENTA
TEACHERS AS EQUITY PARTNERS
W
OUR VOICE COUNTS
e, the teachers of the Wood River High School Equity Task Force, are committed to confronting systemic inequalities and racism by taking action to ensure that ALL students have access and success in our school. We are learners and activists for our students and families of color. As such, we will be out on the streets, dropping a knee or raising a fist in support of Black Lives Matter and an end to brutality against people of color in this country. But protesting alone will not fix the systemic racism that is built into our institutions. It will take the conscious examination and reformation of systems at the local and state level to bring real change. Public schools are one of many places where bias has been built into our bureaucratic systems and is largely responsible for major inequalities in our nation and our Valley. All of this was highlighted in the COVID-19 health crisis when we discovered how truly divided our own community is with regard to access and resources to perform digital learning. While it is easy for some students and families to pivot and learn online, for many, not having reliable Internet, time or finances made that pivot nearly impossible. Last fall, 25 Wood River High School educators, supported by building and district administrators, began to examine our own school data regarding homework and grading policies, discipline and suspensions, course failures, AP/honors participation rates, and gifted identification demographics. From there we identified areas where we could affect change within our school and began advocating for policies, practices and procedures to produce more equitable outcomes for students who are marginalized because of race, ethnicity, linguistic heritage, gender, sexuality, immigrant status, income, or (dis)ability. These decisions will be data- and research-driven and aim to elevate academic opportunities for all students. This is just the beginning and we know we cannot change overnight but we also know that our words are hollow if not followed by concrete action. We are not perfect but we are holding up a mirror and having hard discussions about race and our own biases in the classroom, school and community. Moving forward, we are focusing on dismantling tracking systems to engage all students in high levels of learning. We are evaluating the usefulness of homework and shifting our grading policies from punitive to proficiency focused, reflecting what students actually know and can do. We are working with LatinX community advocates to improve outreach to LatinX parents and families. We write this to inform you of the work that has already begun and to ask for your support in this work going forward. For some of you, this support may require you to listen more and say less to center new voices and ideas. For those of you who have felt excluded from our education system (as parents, students, former students, community members), we are sorry our system
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
did not welcome you. We welcome you now and invite your feedback and suggestions to build a school system that supports and educates all of our children. We must change our systems so that all learn and thrive. Socially and economically, how can we survive as a community or as a nation if we don’t? Sincerely,
N
NUESTRA VOZ CUENTA
osotros, los maestros del Equipo de Educadores Luchando por la Igualdad de la escuela secundaria Wood River High School, estamos comprometidos a combatir las desigualdades y el racismo del sistema. Nosotros estamos tomando las medidas necesarias para asegurar que todos los estudiantes tengan acceso y éxito en nuestra escuela. Nosotros somos facilitadores y activistas de nuestros estudiantes y familias de color. Y es así como nosotros saldremos a las calles, nos arrodillaremos y levantaremos el puño en apoyo por Las Vidas Afroamericanas Porque Sí Importan; y así terminar con la brutalidad que existe en contra de las personas de color en este país. Pero protestando solos no solucionará el racismo sistemático que se encuentra en nuestras instituciones. Lo único que logrará un gran cambio definitivo será una examinación consiente y una reforma al sistema tanto a nivel local como estatal. Las escuelas públicas es uno de los lugares en donde la discriminación ha sido construida por nuestro sistema burocrático y es la responsable de la mayor inigualdad en nuestra nación y en nuestro valle. Todo esto se pudo evidenciar con la crisis sanitaria del Coronavirus-19. Descubrimos que realmente nuestra comunidad está dividida con respecto al acceso y los recursos para llevar a cabo el aprendizaje a distancia. Mientras que para algunos estudiantes y familias es fácil proveer y aprender en línea; para muchos otros fue casi imposible proveer una línea de internet confiable y rápida. Las familias y los estudiantes no tenían suficiente tiempo para enfocarse en los estudios; y además, las finanzas fueron otro inconveniente. Durante el otoño pasado, veinte cinco educadores de la escuela Wood River High School, apoyados por la administración de la escuela y el distrito escolar, comenzaron a examinar las estadísticas de la escuela con respecto a las normas de tareas y calificaciones, disciplina y suspensiones, clases reprobadas, participación en las clases avanzadas como AP/Honor y la identificación demográfica en el programa GIFTED para estudiantes sobresalientes. Nosotros identificamos diferentes áreas que se podrían cambiar y mejorar dentro de la escuela, para promover normas, prácticas y procedimientos con resultados más igualitarios para los estudiantes. Ya que algunos son marginalizados debido a su raza, etnicidad, herencia lingüística, género, sexualidad, estado migratorio, ingresos o discapacidad. Las decisiones que tomaremos serán impulsadas por estas estadísticas e investigaciones que estamos haciendo para promover
RICH GOULEY
Flying Heart Ranch Parking Issue
As I watch the comments related to the parking issue at the Flying Heart Ranch continue to claim the loss of access to the river, I feel it is necessary to log in and clarify a few things. First, I am intimately familiar with the Flying Heart Ranch as I and my wife lived on the ranch between 1973 and 1976. I also served on the Blaine County Planning and Zoning Commission at the time the Flying Heart Subdivision was approved in 1979. I have spoken with Nick Purdy, chairman at the time, in regards to parking. Our collective recall of the situation is the developers offered an easement for access to the river and an easement along the east edge of the river. At no time was a parking issue discussed. The road was to remain private and maintained at the homeowners’ expense. These are included in the plat notes approved in 1979. There is no mention of public parking because it was never discussed or addressed. The plat for this subdivision has been amended no less than 18 times since 1979 and at no time in any of those amendments, many of which were lot splits, did the county ever seek to address the parking issue. Now, some 41 years after the original plat approval, the county is claiming parking rights. This issue is not about access, as an access easement was granted in 1979. This issue is about the county dropping the ball for 41 years and now deciding they are entitled to something that was never part of the original plat. The county is going after a parking lot that never was and likely never will be. This is certainly an issue of private property rights. The county can spend all the money they want but the evidence from the original does not show a parking lot anywhere. There are other subdivisions in the county that have private roads with no parking—Gimlet and Griffin Ranch, to mention two. As Kiki Tidwell has stated, this would likely have been resolved through discussions with the Flying Heart HOA. The county prosecutor has elected to spend over $150,000 with the most expensive law firm in the state of Idaho over the outcry of a few fishermen who are unwilling to walk from a parking area at Highway 75. This will surely occupy a place in the court system for several years to come. And likely with a negative outcome for the fishermen. I believe it is never too late to negotiate, and now would be the time to stop spending $425 an hour with Chris Myers of Givens Pursley in Boise and find common ground with the Flying Heart HOA. Rich Gouley Bellevue
11
HERBERT ROMERO
oportunidades académicas para todos los estudiantes. Esto es sólo el comienzo de nuestro aporte, y sabemos que no podemos cambiar esta situación de la noche a la mañana, pero también, sabemos que nuestras palabras serán en vano, sino se continúan con acciones concretas. No somos perfectos, pero nos estamos auto evaluando y teniendo bastantes conversaciones acerca del racismo y nuestros propios prejuicios en las clases, la escuela y la comunidad. Seguiremos enfocándonos en eliminar las segregaciones que ocurren en las clases, de acuerdo a las habilidades de cada estudiante, para que así todos los estudiantes tengan la oportunidad de aprender a un nivel de aprendizaje más alto. También, vamos a evaluar la funcionalidad de las tareas diarias y haremos cambios en las normas de evaluación que pueden ser punitivas para así incrementar el aprendizaje de los estudiantes; también, reflexionaremos en lo que realmente saben y pueden hacer los estudiantes. Estamos trabajando con promotores de la comunidad LatinX para mejorar el acercamiento a las familias y padres LatinX. Escribimos esta carta para informarle a usted del trabajo que ya ha comenzado y pedirle su apoyo para continuar. Para alguno de ustedes este apoyo significará que deberá escuchar y expresar su voz e ideas. Para aquellos que se han sentido excluidos de nuestro sistema educativo, ya sea como padres, estudiantes, ex - estudiantes y miembros de la comunidad. Les pedimos disculpas si en nuestro sistema no se sintieron bienvenidos. Ahora, le damos la bienvenida y le invitamos a que nos entregue sus comentarios y sugerencias para construir un sistema educacional que apoye y eduque a todos nuestros niños. Debemos cambiar nuestros sistemas para que todos los niños aprendan y progresen. ¿Cómo podemos sobrevivir económicamente y socialmente como comunidad o como nación, si no lo hacemos? Sinceramente, Sarah Allen Hillary Biggers Rhett Broderick Julie Carney Chris Cey Pamela Donoso James Foster Kathleen Gherman Summer Gilmore Julia Grafft Erika Greenberg Tristan Head Alex LaChance
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Eleanor Jewett Heidi Kaminski Amy McCabe Amy McGraw Matt Phillips John Radford Michel Sewell Kat Thorp Maritt Wolfrom Susan Worst Joel Zellers Eric Toshalis
KIKI TIDWELL
Spend Our Limited County Resources To Help Our Citizens
I’m not sure that Alan Richardson, as a retired person from a successful career and with a nice residence on the river as his adopted community retirement home, understands the pain that our working population is going through right now. The April unemployment data showed that at least 21.7 percent of our 13,899 local workers were out of work and filing for unemployment insurance in April. And I say at least because I understand that many people have been trying to file for months and have not heard anything from the state yet, much less received any unemployment funds. I asked the County Commissioners on March 17th to use county resources to help citizens apply for unemployment insurance, as I could see how such a crush of applicants would swamp the system. New claims at the rate of 2,500 to 8,000 per week every week have been officially filed by Idahoans in the month of May. As well, many of our Blaine County citizens are small-business owners who have had no or little income for three months. I have been working hard to get information out to these business owners that there are SBA loans, Idaho state grant funds, and crowd-funded Kiva. org loans with zero interest. But, there again, many have not received their loans, or only received reimbursement for a small portion of their expenses. Who knows when any ‘normal’ level of business can come back. So many of our neighbors are experiencing unbelievable fear, uncertainty and anxiety about how they are going to survive. I think Alan is being a bit tone-deaf to his co-citizens in advocating to spend more of the county’s limited funds on additional outside attorneys during an economic crisis that has decimated our recreational/visitor economy. The county already spends almost 9 percent of its budget on its legal department. That should be more than enough. Let’s spend our limited county resources to help our citizens get through this crisis. Kiki Tidwell Blaine County
12
Wood River Weekly
CHAMBER CORNER
•
June 10 - 23, 2020
MIKE MCKENNA
Hard way Pipeline
Reasons To Celebrate
ArborFest and the Fourth of July return By Mike McKenna
There hasn’t been a lot to celebrate in recent months. But now that we have begun to crush the COVID curve locally, it’s about time we found some reasons to rejoice. That’s why The Chamber is happy to announce that two hallmark Hailey events will be returning—albeit in mellower and more socially-distanced ways than normal. The Hailey Tree Committee (HTC) will be celebrating ArborFest 2020 by giving out 135 tree seedlings this Saturday, June 13th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at both The Hope Garden and Roberta McKercher Gateway Park. In exchange for the trees, the HTC is asking for donations for The Hunger Coalition to help feed local families in need. Acceptable food donations include non-perishable canned goods as well as pasta, rice or grains, and healthy snack items. Monetary donations made out to The Hunger Coalition will also be accepted. The trees have been grown at the University of Idaho and include Ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, Rocky Mountain juniper, and the Idaho State Tree, the Western white pine. Tree care information and a suggested tree list for Hailey will be available. Members of the HTC will also be happy to answer any questions. “I love the fact that this year for ArborFest we will offer a wide variety of trees and shrubs, which are mostly native species and drought tolerant,” said Linda Ries, chair of the HTC. “This variety will improve the diversity of our urban Hailey forest. I also think it is a special connection to be helping out The Hunger Coalition with donations of food items as part of our seedling exchange. If we can help out our community in this small way, it will be so satisfying in this year of so many challenges!” Despite being the hotbed of the coronavirus at one point, our community has risen to the occasion and we have much to celebrate. That’s why the City of Hailey and The Chamber are honored to announce that we will have an Independence Day celebration after all. Events will include a special parade that will wander
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.
through some of Hailey’s oldest neighborhoods and the night will end with a spectacular fireworks display. The parade will feature local heroes, including healthcare workers, essential employees and you! The public is invited to be part of this year’s special parade. Hailey and Blaine County would not have been able to handle the pandemic without your help and we would like to honor you. This year, instead of horses, floats and big crowds on Main Street, our parade will star local heroes of every age in decorated vehicles and bicycles. “We live in the greatest place on Earth,” said Hailey Mayor Martha Burke. “We did what we had to do to. We did the right things here. We care and appreciate one another and we want to honor and show gratitude for our community on this Fourth of July.” For more information about either event or to register for the parade or make a donation for the fireworks, please go to HaileyIdaho.com or call (208) 788-3484.
CLASSIC SUDOKU See answer on page 2
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 2
THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY 7-DAY WEATHER FORECAST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Sunny 0%
high 73º
low 47º WEDNESDAY
Mostly Sunny 0%
high 88º low 52º THURSDAY
Mostly Coudy 0%
high 81º low 46º FRIDAY
Partly Cloudy 20%
high 60º low 38º SATURDAY
Partly Cloudy 10%
high 63º low 41º SUNDAY
Partly Cloudy 10%
high 71º low 48º MONDAY
Partly Cloudy 20%
high 75º low 48º TUESDAY
SKI. BIKE. LIVE!
Elevate your experience. 340 N Main Street in Ketchum sturtevants-sv.com • 726-4501