WRW 30 November 2022

INSIDER’S GUIDE TO BALDY’S 87TH WINTER SEASON

By HAYDEN SEDER

Baldy officially opened for its 87th winter season on Thanksgiving Day, as is tra dition. Enthusiasts carved their first turns from top to bottom on the River Run side of the mountain, enjoying good conditions thanks to early snowfall and Sun Valley’s snowmaking skills. The Warm Springs base area is scheduled to open on December 9, as is Dollar Mountain.

The first destination ski resort in North America, Sun Valley continues to draw crowds each winter for some of its more distinctive offerings. This is the third year in a row that Sun Valley has been voted the best ski resort in the U.S. by SKI Magazine for taking the top spot in categories like Overall Satisfaction, Lifts, Dining, and Local Flavor. Other factors, like notoriously short lift lines, long, fast groomers, and steep terrain keep skiers and snowboarders coming back season after season. So, whether it’s your first winter on Baldy or your 30th, there’s new information this season for all.

New Partnerships

After experimenting with being a member of the EPIC Pass, Sun Valley Resort has joined the IKON Pass for the 2022–2023 season, which gives passholders access to 50 resorts across five continents, 10 countries, 15 states, and four Canadian provinces. There are a few options for those who want to ski at Sun Valley through IKON; the first is the original IKON Pass, which gives unlimited access to 14 destinations and up to seven days at 37 destinations, including Sun Valley. The IKON Base-Plus Pass is sim ilar but slightly more limited, with unlimited access to 13 destinations and five days at 32 resorts, including Sun Valley. Back this year is a partnership with the Mountain Collective, which Sun Valley has had an on-again, off-again relationship with. The Mountain Collective Pass is roughly $600 and allows passholders two days of skiing at 25 resorts, including Sun Valley, and 50 percent off tickets for any additional days skied.

Better

Tree Health = New Terrain

In summer 2022, a multi-year stewardship project in partnership with Sun Valley

Company, the National

and dying trees. Glading these trees also provides new terrain

snow boarders — this past summer’s efforts resulted in an additional 79 acres of new, in bound skiing, 54 of which are in the Flying Squirrel-Scorpion area of the mountain.

Can’t-Miss Eats

If this is your first year on Baldy, or maybe you just haven’t been too culinarily inquisitive, here are some of the best eats to fuel your next run. For lunch that won’t break the bank, the build-your-own tacos bar at the Lookout Lodge at the top of the mountain is hard to beat. For a more sophisticated lunch (or dinner) experience, you can dine at The Roundhouse, perched halfway up the mountain. The fondue is famous, so order that in addition to upscale entrées and cocktails; also, reservations are rec ommended. If your lunch break finds you at the base of Warm Springs, head across the street to local favorite Irving’s, a small red shack serving hotdogs that’ll only set you back $6. Down the street from the Warm Springs Lodge is one of the best après spots in town: Apple’s Bar & Grill. Grab a burger and a pitcher of beer or mimosas to split with some friends. Sitting on the pavers with a pitcher at either River Run or Warm Springs base when the weather is nice is also a great way to get some sun and run into friends.

Playing Host

It was recently announced that Sun Valley will host the 2023 U.S. Alpine Champi onships from April 2–5, 2023 (as well as April 2024, dates TBD). After the success of previously hosting the Championships in 2016 and 2018, and the establishment of courses on the Warm Springs side of Bald Mountain, Sun Valley was awarded the hon or for the 2023 event. Athletes, including local U.S. Alpine Ski Team members Ryder Sarchett, Jack Smith and Dash Romanov of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, will compete in slalom, giant slalom, and super-G events.

It’s going to be a great season in Sun Valley. Get after it!

Forest Foundation, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management kicked off to strengthen tree life on Bald Mountain by removing dead

for skiers and

An iconic, snow-covered Bald Mountain looms large and majestic on a recent sunlit, late-fall day. Sun Valley Resort opened for its 87th season on Thanksgiving Day. Photo credit: WRW

By Dana Du G an

In 1937, the Sun Valley Resort built a small but pic turesque outdoor ice rink for its guests. Famous for giving Swedish skating star Sonja Hennie a place to flaunt her talents (see “Sun Valley Serenade”), it has also hosted numerous Olympians and world champions as well as local children learning to skate. In the 1940s, Sun Valley created a refrigeration system that meant the rink could stay open all year. And, in 1975, an adjacent indoor rink, mostly used for the myriad of hockey pro grams, including by the Sun Valley Suns, was complet ed. Both rinks are part of one system. But late this past summer, one of the pumps that recirculates the brine under the ice failed.

“We’d been babying the system along for a while,” said Scott Irvine, ice rink manager and ice show pro ducer.

The resort was already considering upgrades. Ar chitects RLB Architectura had already drawn up plans

for a renovation of the rinks, and for chilling systems installed in 1956. With that head start, the entire sys tem is being replaced, with five miles of piping under each of the rinks, as well as upgrading the rink floors to concrete.

The excavation revealed some interesting tidbits about how it was planned and designed. The original manufacture plates on the chiller tubes showed that the system came from York, in York, Penn. York is supply ing the new system, as well.

“It was neat seeing this piece of history,” Irvine said. “We’re doing it all so that it will serve the needs of the community for another 70 years. We’re taking into ac count the warmer temperatures. And we want to make sure we have the highest quality rink we can build re gardless of being outdoor or not. It’s an iconic rink, it’s world famous.”

He said the new system will be “leaps and bounds better,” quieter, and energy-efficient, with safety fac tors built in. It will use less power, rather than running at 100 percent, so that it can be reduced depending on the need. Previously, the system was completely manu al. The new system will be computer monitored, which Irvine hopes will mean he can monitor it from afar.

Irvine knows these rinks as well as a person possibly could; he’s been involved since 1992. Not only does he oversee the whole rink operations, but has produced each of the high-end, tourist-favored skating shows since 2009.

When the pump failed late last summer, it was one of those “heartbreaking moments for everyone. We had to cancel the final show,” which would have featured skaters Jason Brown, a two-time Olympian, and Alys

sa Liu, the youngest woman to win the U.S. national senior title.

“It was an emotional day here, but it was for the safe ty of the skaters,” Irvine said. “We had a good run. It made more sense to shut down. When we lost that

We all love old facilities. When you come here, there’s this history.”

Scott Irvine

Sun Valley Co. ice rink manager

PUBLISHER

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

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

NEWS EDITOR news@woodriverweekly.com

CALENDAR calendar@woodriverweekly.com

Patty Healey

Mandi Iverson mandi@woodriverweekly.com

Christopher Seldon chris@woodriverweekly.com ACCOUNTING accounting@woodriverweekly.com

YOUTH SALMON PROTECTORS SEEKS TO BREACH DAMS, SAVE SALMON

New student organization takes on crucial regional issue

BY MATTHEW LETOURNEAU

When it comes to dams in the Pacific Northwest, Blaine County high-school ers give a damn.

Early last summer, two Wood River High School seniors, Lilia Page and Hazel Ludwig, decided to tackle a highly contested issue headon: dams that have been a part of the landscape for decades. While participating in their school’s environmental club, the pair learned about Youth Salmon Protectors (YSP), an engagement pro gram under the Idaho Conservation League that strives to breach dams, save wild salmon and steelhead populations, and honor tribal treaties through political activism and advocacy. For Page and Ludwig, this was the perfect opportu nity to make a regional difference in the fight for environmental issues. So, the two got to work, establishing a Blaine County chapter of the YSP, and quickly garnered the support of 10-15 high-schoolers who are dedicated to making a difference.

According to Page, the issue is more complex than just breaching dams. “It’s about climate change, human rights, and politics. There are just so many sides to it,” she said. The complexities of this issue are what make the dams critical to these high school students, but to truly make a difference, they understood they had to do more than just recognize the problem.

Coordinating with local Native American tribes, the chapter held their first protest on No vember 12, flying colorful banners off of Twin Falls’ historic Perrine Bridge. The paper and cloth signs sported illustrations of blue rivers and lively salmon, urging the government to breach dams, save wild fish species, and restore tribal justice. The 10 students who attended succeeded in spreading awareness, placing the signs in view

of hundreds of drivers, many of whom honked in support. Moreover, members of Blaine County’s chapter have attended similar protests in other places, working with chapters and tribes across the Pacific Northwest in Oregon and Washington. However, public demonstrations are only the tip of the iceberg for Blaine County’s YSP. Mem bers of the chapter recently met with a field rep resentative of Ron Wyden, a Democratic senator from Oregon, to ask questions and urge him to

take a stance on the issue. “The dams affect so many people and rural communities,” Page stated. “If we need to solve this issue, we need bipartisan support from the government.”

For politicians, however, demolishing dams is not a black-andwhite decision. The four Snake River dams provide barging and electricity for thousands of Idaho citizens, and replacing the ener gy of these dams may cost billions of dollars. On the other hand, the dams may further erode aquatic ecosystems, violating federal treaties which promised Native Americans viable land for fishing. Whichever way you want to look at it, the solution to this issue is not cut and dried.

However, the YSP actively reaches out to politicians to come up with compromises and brainstorm solutions. For example, the Blaine County chapter held postcard-writing parties in the fall. These parties, which consisted of YSP members and other con cerned members of the community, were dedicated to writing per sonalized letters to senators, legislators, and congressmen. These postcards proposed solutions and asked for constructive feedback. Whether it’s protesting, spreading awareness, or reaching out to politicians, Blaine County’s chapter of the Youth Salmon Protec tors is making waves. The new organization has a lot of plans for the future, including a possible collaboration with the Sun Valley Museum of Art, an education day at the Sun Valley Community School, more demonstrations, and more postcard-writing parties. However, this winter, the organization is focusing most on expand ing and finding new members. No matter what, the members are committed to making a difference. Page said, “Even after the dams are breached, we won’t stop fighting.”

The Youth Salmon Protectors held their first protest on November 12, flying colorful banners from the observation deck of Twin Falls’ canyon. Photo credit: Hazel Ludwig

The Youth Salmon Protectors held their first protest on November 12, fly ing colorful banners off of Twin Falls’ historic Perrine Bridge. Photo credit: Hazel Ludwig

NEWS RESORT

Sun Valley Co. upgrades ice rinks

pump, we were unable to keep the ice frozen. We have a very ro bust skating community in the Valley, from hockey to figure skat ing, This closure has impacted all those entities. Thanks to Sara Benson, of Hailey Ice, and John Kearny, Ketchum’s director of recreation, who’ve helped manage to bring these entities together, managing all schedules.”

Irvine said people talk to him about the character of the original rinks, which outwardly will not change at all. There’s a nostalgia about it.

“We all love old facilities,” he said. “When you come here, there’s this history. From as aesthetic view, it may be shinier and fresher, but it will be the same rink everyone has always loved. The new system will be reliable and efficient.”

He said Sun Valley Resort is very optimistic about this multimil lion-dollar project. They’re shooting for a June 1, 2023, finish date, if not earlier, which is when Irvine will be ramping up the schedul ing, skating camp, ice shows and more.

The original York manufacturer nameplate from the chiller tubes. “It was neat seeing this piece of history,” Irvine said. Photo credit: Scott Irvine

The nonprofit organization Men’s Second Chance Living (MSCL House) will begin selling raffle tickets for its third annual holiday “Chance to Change” raffle on Nov. 24. The winner will receive a $10,000 gift certificate to be used at Jensen Stern jewelry store in Ketchum. A maximum of 500 tickets will be sold.

Funds raised from raffle tick et sales will support MSCL’s allmale sober houses and related recovery support services. The raffle is one of the organization’s annual fundraisers.

Tickets are $100 each, or 3 for $250. Tickets can be purchased beginning Nov. 24 on the group’s website at www.msclhouse.org (select the ENTER TO WIN button) or by calling Sonya 208-4810182 or e-mailing sonya@msclhouse.org. Ticket sales will end on Dec. 22 online at noon and will be available for purchase in per son before the drawing from 3 p.m. until 3:45 p.m. Spouses and partners are encouraged to purchase tickets for their loved ones!

The drawing will be held on Thursday, Dec. 22 at 4 p.m. at Jensen Stern Joaillier, 351 Leadville Ave. in Ketchum (The Galleria Building). The winner does not need to be present. The gift certif icate is valid for a year and not redeemable for cash.

Liberty Theatre Co. Does Sondheim

Directed by R.L. Rowsey, The Liberty Theatre Company will present “Sondheim Tribute Review” at the Sun Valley Opera House in Sun Valley, at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2 and 3, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4.

The Timmerman to Timber Way Project focuses

on highway improvements designed to reduce congestion and improve safety along segments

Timber Way

JOIN US

In Person: November 15, 2022, 3:00-7:00 pm Community Campus Building 1050 Fox Acres Road, Hailey, Idaho Online: November 15-December 15, 2022 https://itdprojects.org/projects /timmerman-to-timber-way-project

QUESTIONS?

Email: info@SH75.com Phone: Sarah Beardsley, Public Involvement Specialist, (760) 831-6227

McKercher Boulevard

Fox Acres Road Birch Street Gannett Road Intersection

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

Ampliación de la SH-75 para adecuar carriles de paso, camellones de seguridad, acotamientos más anchos y carriles de giro central Mejora de determinadas intersecciones de la SH-75 Ubicaciones de paradas de autobuses Posibles ubicaciones de pasos subterráneos peatonales El proyecto creará proyectos listos para implementarse en cuanto se obtenga un Para obtener más información, visite el sitio web del proyecto en: https://itdprojects.org/projects/timmerman-to-timber-way-project Envíe un correo electrónico a ITD con cualquier pregunta o comentario a:

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

ÚNASE A NOSOTROS

En persona: 15 de noviembre, 2022, 3:00-7:00pm Edificio del campus comunitario, 1050 Fox Acres Road, Hailey, Idaho

En línea: 15 de noviembre al 15 de diciembre de 2022, https://itdprojects.org/projects /timmerman-to-timber-way-project

¿PREGUNTAS?

Correo electrónico: info@SH75.com

Timber Way Fox Acres Road Birch Street

McKercher Boulevard

Men’s Second Chance Living 3rd Annual “CHANCE TO CHANGE” Holiday Raffle

Limelight Fund Accepting Applications

The Limelight Ketchum Community Fund is now accepting applications for its 2022 grant cycle. The Fund focuses on proj ects that support mental health, domestic abuse prevention, education, and crisis management. Eligible organizations include nonprofits, schools, and government agencies.

The Fund empowers Limelight Ketchum employees to support their neighbors, as folks from across operations are on the board. T hey learn about local community issues and, after their board tenure, many continue to play active roles in the organizations and issues they learned about during their service.

The Fund has donated $153,686 to nonprofits in the Wood River Valley since its inception in 2017. Funding comes from an o ptional employee paycheck deduction, guest donations, and $20,000 from the Limelight Hotel Ketchum. The hotel’s contribu tion will grow with the success of the property, and the money will be held by the Idaho Community Foundation in a donor-ad vised fund overseen by our employees.

After granting aid to the Limelight Condo Fire Victim Fund this year, the Fund has about $24,000 to distribute in grants. The average grant size is about $3,500.

The next deadline for applications is Dec. 1 by 4:30 p.m. Appli cants should contact Hannah Berman at hberman@aspensnow mass.com for an application.

A Caritas Christmas Concert

Caritas Chorale will present ‘A Caritas Christmas Concert’ on December 10 at 7 PM and December 11 at 2 PM at the Performing Arts Theater, Wood River High School. Director R .L. Rowsey said, “Caritas is so excited to share music during this festive season. We have been so proud to remain active in many ways that connect with our community over the past two and a half years, but the chance to sing a concert indoors this season is a real thrill.”

Musical numbers include: Jing-a-Ling, Jing-a-Ling, I Saw Three Ships, Something Told the Wild Geese, I Heard the Bells on Christ mas Day, Angels We Have Heard on High, Ding Dong Merrily on High, Good Christian Men Rejoice, Away in a Manger, Go Tell It on the Mountain.

In addition, you will find Caritas Chorale at the Hailey Tree Light ing on December 2nd at 5 PM at Town Center West.

“If you’re like me,” said Caritas Board President Richard Stahl, “Christmas is not complete without the familiar strains of Christ mas carols. “

To learn more, go to www.caritaschorale.org.

Sun Valley Resort has best opening in years

Sun Valley opened its 87th season Thanksgiving Day, with topto-bottom skiing on 28 runs and five lifts on the River Run side of the mountain.

Named the number one ski resort in North America by SKI Ma gazine for the third year in a row, early natural snow, cold temperatures and top-notch snowmaking, Sun Valley opened with more terrain than any other opening day in over a decade. T he Resort will open the Warm Springs area of the mountain today, Wednesday, Nov. 30. River Run Day Lodge and Lookout L odge were also open for all-day refreshments and refueling and some guests were excited to find a new full BBQ offering at L ookout.

When snow conditions allow, Sun Valley Resort will also open 79 acres of new expert gladed tree skiing terrain thanks to a part nership between the National Forest Foundation, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service.

Group To Launch Landlord-Tenant Mediation Program

NeuroMediation Group LLC, proven international conflict resolu tion experts, today announced the launch of the Housing Media tion Project serving Blaine County landlords and tenants. The City of Ketchum, in partnership with Blaine County, contracted Neuro Mediation Group to develop, market, and administer the program.

“NeuroMediation Group possesses the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to execute a much-needed housing media tion program quickly and efficiently,” said City of Ketchum Housing Strategist Carissa Connelly. “We are experiencing extremely limited alternative housing options, and formal mediation could help stabi lize or assist over 90 households and landlords in Blaine County in the first year.”

Through the Housing Mediation Project, NeuroMediation Group will provide free mediation services throughout Blaine County to landlords and tenants, and mediation training to mediators, caseworkers, and stakeholders, as appropriate. On Tues., Nov. 29, NeuroMediation Group is presenting a free training on the compo nents and complexities of landlord-tenant laws in Idaho, led a top Idaho real estate attorney.

On Sept. 6, 2022, Ketchum City Council unanimously passed the mediation program, which aligns with Ketchum’s Housing Action Plan (HAP) goal no. 3 to expand + improve services to create hous ing stability.

US Officials Concern Troll About World Press Freedoms While Assaulting Them

By Caitlin Johnstone

Iwill never get used to living in a world where our rulers will openly imprison a journalist for telling the truth and then self-righteously pontificate about the need to stop authoritarian regimes from persecuting journalists.

Just today US State Department spokesman and CIA veteran Ned Price tweeted disapprovingly about the Kyrgyz Republic's decision to deport investigative journalist Bolot Temirov to Russia, where press freedom groups are concerned that the Russian citizen could face conscription to fight in Ukraine.

"Dismayed by the decision to deport journalist Bolot Temirov from the Kyrgyz Re public," said Price. "Journalists should never be punished for doing their job. The Kyr gyz Republic has been known for its vibrant civil society — attempts to stifle freedom of expression stain that reputation."

This would be an entirely reasonable statement for anyone else to make. If you said it or I said it, it would be completely legitimate. But when Ned says it, it is illegitimate.

This is after all the same government that is working to extradite an Australian journalist from the United Kingdom with the goal of imprisoning him for up to 175 years for exposing US war crimes. Price says "Journalists should never be punished for doing their job," but that is precisely what the government he represents is doing to Julian Assange, who has already spent three and a half years in Belmarsh Prison awaiting US extradition shenanigans. This is in top of the seven years he spent fighting extradition from the Ecuadorian embassy in London under what a UN panel ruled was arbitrary detention.

A UN special rapporteur on torture determined that Assange has been subjected to psychological torture by the allied governments which have conspired to imprison him. Scores of doctors have determined that his persecution is resulting in dangerous medical neglect. Yet he is being pulled toward the notoriously draconian prison sys tems of the most powerful government in the world, where he will face a rigged trial where a defense of publishing in the public interest will not be permitted.

All to establish a legal precedent that will allow the most powerful empire that has ever existed to extradite journalists from anywhere in the world for exposing incon venient truths about it. But sure, Ned, "Journalists should never be punished for doing their job."

Earlier this month US secretary of state Antony Blinken posted a tweet of his own commemorating the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journal ists, without the slightest trace of self-awareness.

"No member of the press should be threatened, harassed, attacked, arrested, or killed for doing their job," Blinken said. "On the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, we vow to continue protecting and promoting the rights of a free press and the safety of journalists."

Two weeks later, the Biden administration shockingly granted Saudi crown prince

"No member of the press should be threatened, harassed, attacked, arrested, or killed for doing their job."

Two weeks.

We are ruled by tyrannical, hypocritical freaks who do not care about truth and freedom; they care only about power and what they can use to obtain it. The only press they support are those whose persecution can be politically leveraged, and those who can be used to peddle propaganda like the notorious AP editor who recently said she "can't imagine" a US intelligence official being wrong.

Pointing out hypocrisy is important not because hypocrisy is an especially terrible thing in and of itself, but because it draws attention to the fact that the hypocrite does not really stand where they claim to stand and value what they purport to value. The rulers of the western empire care about press freedoms only exactly insofar as they can use them to concern troll foreign governments they don't like to advance their global power agendas. And not one molecule further.

Mohammed bin Salman immunity from lawsuits regarding the gruesome assassina tion of US-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi, thereby slamming the final door on all attempts to hold the tyrannical ruler responsible for his brazen assault on the press.

The travelling art installation “Anything to Say?” by Davide Dormino featuring bronze sculp tures of Assange, Snowden and Manning standing on chairs in Berlin on May Day 2015. Photo credit: Davide Dormino, accessed via Wikipedia

THE “WEEKLY” FISHING REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 13

FROM PICABO ANGLER

All of us at Picabo

Angler hope you had a healthy, peaceful and joyous Thanksgiving. Now it’s time to work off all of that turkey, mashed potatoes and apple pie by hitting one of our local rivers for some winter trout fishing.

Winter in the valley means midges, so your winter fly box (no matter where you fish) should include a robust selection of Brassies, Zebra Midges, WD-40s, Griffith Gnats, Para chute Midges and Tie-Down Midges in size 18–24 are great imitations. For midge larva and pupa, red, black, gray, olive, and brown are all excellent colors.

If you are nymphing rivers like the Big Wood, Big Lost or South Fork Boise, patterns such as Rubber Legs, Girdle Bugs, Copper Johns, and Rainbow Warriors are winter staples.

Streamer fishing on Silver Creek can be particularly effective during the winter months. Let the weather and water conditions dictate how and what you fish. When it’s really cold, you should be fishing your offerings low and slow; swinging a lightly weighted leech, bugger, or small zonker can produce some quality fish. When it’s a bit warmer out, or if there’s an overcast sky, fish a bait fish pattern such as a Sparkle Minnow, and fish it a bit more aggressively.

Typically, the most productive winter fishing occurs during the nicest part of the day; noon to p.m. is a good window. Concentrate your efforts then, when the fish are most active.

It’s important to make safety and comfort a priority when fishing during the winter. Warm layers, gloves and hats are essential for being comfortable, as are waders in good working order. Also, be prepared for winter travel. Have an emergency kit in your vehicle – flashlight, blanket, food, water, cellphone, shovel, tire chains, etc.

Keep in mind that waterfowl season is open, so be aware of hunters and use common sense when on the water.

Be safe, and happy fishing, everyone!

THE GIFT OF LOVE

By Fran Jewell

With the holidays coming up very quickly, many of us are looking for that special gift that is meaningful and very spe cial to let our loved ones know how much they mean to us. Giving the gift of a puppy or dog is something that crosses everyone’s mind, especially with all the ads in the paper urging you to give a puppy. There are adorable photos and incredibly sweet descriptions that just tempt us beyond belief!

But, WAIT! Giving the gift of a puppy or dog can be a wonderful idea; however, it is important to think it all the way through. Ask yourself: Is the person you want to give a puppy to capable of taking care of a very young dog? That person may not have enough room, or a backyard for a puppy to be in safely. They may work all day and not have time to train a puppy. Can that person afford the vet bills and dog food? And, very simply, do they WANT a dog or puppy in their lives? Do you really know what kind of puppy would fit for that person? If they have small children, a herding breed or mix may not be a good fit for them. Considering an appropriate breed or mix for the whole family may not be something you can determine easily.

Christmastime is a difficult time to bring a new dog or puppy home. Everyone is busy with decorations that can be VERY exciting for a puppy — grabbing ornaments off the tree or stealing cookies off the table, as an example. The attention a puppy or new dog de mands is very difficult to give when visitors are coming or the family may be gone for long periods of time, celebrating with others. A new puppy or new dog can be very stressed at the new situation and deserves special attention during that transition to a new home. It doesn’t matter if it is a puppy or an older dog.

If giving the gift of a precious animal is what you want to do, there are some very nice ways to make that happen without going out and selecting the dog yourself. Sometimes the best thing to do is to wrap a beautiful box and put a note inside that says, “Your gift is at the shelter and I want to go with you to pick out a puppy/dog after the holidays!” Or, you can do the same for a puppy from a breeder. Leave a note in the box that says, “Your gift is a new puppy of your choice! Let’s go together and find that special pup that fits for you!”

Other gifts might include a crate, dog bowls, leashes, a collar, a gift certificate for training, and a quality dog food to let them know what their gift is.

Getting the puppy or dog AFTER the holiday when all the com motion and decorations are gone can be such a special time to spend with that special person or family. Make another special occasion of going to get the puppy. Let the receiver of the gift have a part in choosing that puppy or dog. Then, you will have a better chance that the dog will be a good fit!

Galloping Ghost

BY HARRY WEEKES

At some point during last summer, a mountain lion had kits. These kittens then grew up to be medium-sized cats. I am not sure if the birth and growth happened in Indian Creek, or if they simply moved there along the way. My first encounter with the kits was coming across them shortly after sunrise, bounding out of the sage in front of me and disappearing into the willows. At first, I thought they were dogs. Then, I saw the size and length of their tails, and they disappeared. About a week later, one of the kittens (I assume it was one of the same) was just walking down the middle of Indian Creek Road. When I turned to see where it was headed, my headlights flashed across mama (I also assume), who slinked off of a side road and into the bushes.

All of this is context, as this piece is not about mountain lions, necessarily.

When I walk, it is dark. I do not carry a flashlight. Generally, I just shuffle along, lost in various thoughts or admiring the sky. Only once have I gotten “the vibe”— that strange feeling that I should not be walking. Enter above cats, who gamboled into my physical space and thereby entered my mind space in a very tangible way. Now, I knew there were mountain lions on my walk.

So I armed myself. With a walking stick. Actually, it is more of a walking staff made for hikers and flyfishers. To be sure I was appro priately menacing, I started carrying AND twirling it. That’s right, I figured a little spinning would be all that was necessary to deter a wild cat.

And so it was that I was walking along one early morning during the full moon, the world lit up in that wonderful and magical way a full moon does on partially snow-covered ground. There were, per haps, a thousand shadows and pockets of dark on every side of the road as I came to the point farthest from my house. This is the place where the road narrows and moves along the edge of an old corral. It was here that the brush erupted.

OK, ‘erupted’ might be too strong of a word. The brush came to life with an immediate and explosive rattling that simultaneously brought my twirling to a halt and, somehow, let me know that the noise was neither coming towards me, nor threatening at all. It was

an animal running away. And not a darty kind of rabbit running, but some low-to-the-ground galloping. This was a creature running through thick stems and heavy dried grass. I quickened my step to follow the animal just as the badger shot out of the sage in front of me and onto the road.

Someone once described a badger moving like a carpet being dragged by ants. In this case, it was more of a scrambling shadow yanked from one side of the road that zigzagged across the path be fore quickly ducking off and heading up the near hill. When I got to where it left the road, the sounds suddenly stopped, and somewhere out in the bushes I had a feeling that the badger was in a nice, pro tected space listening for what I was doing.

I waited for a couple of breaths, then started back toward my house. “Galloping,” I thought. “That badger was galloping.” I smiled broadly, then started slowly twirling the walking stick.

Harry Weekes is the founder and head of school at The Sage School in Hailey. This is his 50th year in the Wood River Valley, where he lives with Hilary and one of their three baby adults—Si mon. The other members of the flock, Georgia and Penelope, are currently fledging at Davidson College in North Carolina and Mid dlebury College in Vermont, respectively.

An adult American badger. Photo credit: National Wildlife Research Cen ter, accessed via Wikipedia

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

Christmas puppies are just as special AFTER the holiday season is over!

Photo credit: Fran Jewell

GIVE A LITTLE LOVE

BY KRISTIN HOVENCAMP

In their 1986 hit song Give a Little Love, Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers sang the lyrics, “We got to give a little love, have a little hope, make this world a little better.”

The U.S. economy has a long road toward normalization, and donors are adapting their giving strategies to fit today’s climate. For instance, investors benefiting from the recent stock market rally are gifting a growing asset such as common stocks. Talk to a tax, legal or financial advisor to explore your alternatives in considering giving strate gies that may increase your donation’s tax benefits. Here are a few considerations.

• GIFTS OF APPRECIATED SECURITIES: Many donors fund charitable contributions with long-held, appreciated securities rather than cash. For some contributors, doing so may yield a more significant tax benefit. You may be able to deduct the securities’ total value while avoiding capital gains taxes on the increased value.

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

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

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

Each donor’s situation is unique. While this shortlist is just an introduction, familiar ity with these terms may help initiate discussions with your family, advisors, and chari table organizations you are interested in supporting. “Let’s do what we can do together.”

Kristin Hovencamp is an Investment Executive and Director of Business Development with HAZLETT WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC, which is independent of Raymond James and is not a registered broker/dealer. Investment advisory services are

Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Ser vices, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. 675 Sun Valley Road, Suite J1 + J2 Ketchum, Idaho 83340 208.726.0605.

DISAPPOINTMENT TO DELIGHT

BY JOELLEN COLLINS

Through an odd series of communications, I discovered two nights before Thanksgiving that my reservation had either been misplaced or ignored and I was not listed on any round-trip from Boise to Phoenix November 23 and back on Sunday, the 27th. The gory details are not interesting to explain, but when the alarm went off at 5 a.m. on Wednesday morning, when I had imagined I would drive to Boise at 5:30, I was hit by three emotions. The first was relief that I had not driven all the way to Boise to then be told that I had no ticket; the second a wave of sadness that I would not be sharing this hol iday in Scottsdale with my “new family” from Okla homa. I had looked forward to laughing with my brother and his wife, my two nieces and their four boys, and even, perhaps, lolling in warm weather by the swimming pool or reading a good book between conversations. It is hard to meet with my birth family because of the distance, so this was to be special.

However, my third emotion was different. I told myself that, of course, I would miss being with either that family or that of my grandchildren and kin in California, but I have learned to “roll with the punches,” an apt though relevant cliché. I needed to accept the circumstance of this weekend with positivity.

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

I called my friend who takes care of my doggy (Suki) to say I would pick her up shortly, since I was not going to Scottsdale and had dropped her off a day early due to my drive at the crack of dawn. My friend immediately invited me to share a dinner with them. While I had reconciled myself to a lack of turkey and cranberry sauce, I in stantly accepted their kind offer and spent the day getting to know both my friend and her significant other in a fresh and fascinating way. I left later with my cuddly dog in tow, relishing the feeling of thankfulness that filled my heart.

I also realized that friends were in town for the weekend and that now it might be possible to have a visit since I would unexpectedly be here, so I called to say “hello.” They invited me to visit on Friday at the condo they had rented not far from mine in Ketchum. Our relationship is unusual and too complex to review here, but it suffices to say that I spent one of the loveliest evenings of my entire life with them. We shared a deep friendship with someone we all knew for decades who died about this time last year. We recalled memories about the man who had influenced our lives so much, initiating hugs and emotions. I felt almost a part of their family, many of whom often visit Sun Valley.

I can’t think of a better reason for giving thanks: I experienced an unexpected and delightful ending, which lingers as a reminder of what is positive in my life.

COWBOY OR COUNTRY

BY DOVE

Every morning I consider the blessings of my break fast and I contemplate the number of people in volved in providing all the elements that go into the creation of my breakfast. When I start considering all the people who contributed to the egg production, the grain production for the bread, the honey for my toast, the butter on the bread, the convenience of going to the grocery store to buy the products, the truckers that transported all of the above, I realize that multitudes of people contributed to the ease with which my breakfast was provided in a short period of time. How lucky we are to have such ease in our lives.

When I was growing up, we went to the hen house to gather the eggs, the bread or biscuits were created and, of course, the butter was churned. Was the food good! It was amazing. Now the food is still amazing and convenient but the connection to the animals that provide the sustenance is missing.

With all the advances in technology, we have lost the true connection to nature that can bring such peace and joy. There is a part of me that misses this connection to the life forces of all that nature provides. As we journey into this Thanksgiving season, let us reflect on the simplicity that can be found in doing the little things. Give gratitude for all that you have, whatever that is. I am grateful every day for a body that works, the warmth of a cozy home, and the ability to create food that nourishes my mind and soul. I have the luxury of being at an age where I don’t have an agenda that must be met. I can greet each morning with a sense of relaxation and discovery. I am truly blessed.

My prayer for each of you, no matter your age, is that you set a little time aside each day to process your blessings. Identify and move beyond the old habits that keep you trapped in emotions that are less than gratitude. Stay in the present moment, for that is truly all that is. When the mind starts to spin, take a deep breath, and focus on the present moment. Figure out where your ego keeps you trapped in old patterns and free yourself. This is truly the magic of life—to find beauty in all things. Work to see the magic in each moment.

If we all can embrace the best part of our lives rather than energize the parts that aren’t working, you will find that the parts you are struggling with come into balance. You must first focus on the higher thought. If you focus on the lower frequency, you only give it more energy and keep it functioning in space. This takes a bit of mental discipline, but you can ask God to give you a sign that all is in divine order. I have repeatedly done this and it has helped me move beyond the troubling aspects of my life.

“Life is a gift, the purpose is joy.” See the perfection in the bloom of a flower. Find the smallest joy, focus on it and change the world. Much love, Dove

He tipped his hat and calmly smiled. Said, “How ya doin’, ma’am?” She blushed, then stood there looking sweeter than strawberry jam.

What is it ‘bout a cowboy some say, “Takes your breath away!” My wife says, “Wranglers keeps a cowboy looking good all day.”

If you’re a cowboy are you country? Is it just the hat you wear? I was raised a country boy but blessed with cowboys everywhere.

I sat in my own saddle when I turned to five years old. A gift from my dear father, it was Grandpa’s, I’d been told.

I’ve saddled up more horses than I ever care to count. And bucked off, kicked, then stomped down by a brand-new ornery mount.

I’ve packed a string of horses many times through Yellowstone. I rode from dawn to dusk, then stayed the night there all alone.

At eighteen years my father told me, “Learn to shoe a horse.” So, I picked up on the old-time skill. I’ve never felt remorse, Even though I feel arthritic pain from bending way too low. Is this the life a cowboy wears? This country boy should know.

I’ve felt the pangs and heartache when we put a sick horse down. Yet, I’ve shared the joy of watching a new filly run around.

I don’t know how to throw a rope. I haven’t rodeoed. Is that what makes a cowboy or at least what I’ve been told?

The dictionary says a cowboy chases cows all day. I’ve never herded cows but scared the horses through our hay.

When cows get out and spend the day in someone else’s field, you catch ’em in a hurry ’fore they ruin the farmer’s yield.

When you find your horse is feeding off of Grandma’s garden bed. You try to move her quietly ‘fore Grandma shoots her dead.

Cowboys like to have some fun and country boys as well. Our preacher warned us, “Keep it down. You might end up in Hell.”

When comparing similarities of country and cowboys. We share a lot in common. And we all have grownup toys.

Well, maybe country boy and cowboy are a bit the same. So, please forgive me if I claim the cowboy for a name.

– Bryce Angell

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

offered through

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

WRANGLER’S RECKLESS WRITINGSBRYCE ANGELL

INSPIRATIONS FROM MY HEART

CONCESSIONS MAKE YOUR HOME MORE MARKETABLE

home. For that reason, they are forced out of the market until rates come down.

To counteract this dilemma, sellers are willing to consider making concessions, something that builders have successfully used for years to sell their invento ry without lowering their prices that will have a direct impact on comparable sales, which affects appraisals.

Concessions can take on different forms. A sell er could offer to pay the buyer’s closing costs or pay points for the buyer to get an FHA or VA loan. Another option would be to pay for a 2/1 buydown that would lower the buyer’s payments in the first two years of the mortgage.

Any number of improvements could be offered to the buyer, like appliances, floor covering, countertops, roof, fence, etc.

Typically, these would be included in the listing agreement and promoted in the listing description through MLS and other public media. W hen a sales contract is written, it needs to be included so that there is no misunderstanding between the parties and that the lender is completely aware of the concessions.

BY ANNA & MICHELLE

Sellers offer concessions as an incentive to encour age buyers to purchase their home. The conces sions, paid for by the seller, benefit the buyer in ways that may be more appealing than possibly being able to purchase the home for a lower price.

In some situations, buyers have good income, credit, and even the down payment to purchase a home but not necessarily enough cash reserves to pay their clos ing costs. Another possibility is that there could be a feature in the home that the buyer wants replaced but can’t afford to do it themselves. If the seller agrees to make that improvement, it could cause the buyer to act favorably.

Concessions could include paying the buyer’s clos ing costs, buying down the interest rate, or any possible combination of physical improvements or upgrades to the property.

Sellers, occasionally, question why they should pro vide concessions to a buyer. It should be obvious; it improves the marketability of the home. With less than

the normal number of homes on the market, it may ap pear that the seller has the advantage and may not need to offer concessions.

Today’s market is different. The decreasing number of sales and increased days on the market are result ing from a smaller than normal pool of buyers. Inter est rates have more than doubled in 2022, which has made houses less affordable. Buyers who qualified last year but couldn’t find a home to buy may be able to find a home today but their debt-to-income ratio has increased significantly, causing them to qualify for smaller mortgages.

Most buyers, especially in lower priced range homes, can’t afford to put more money down and human nature tends to discourage them from considering a smaller

To avoid possible disputes, it is also recommended that a dollar limit is attached to the concession. For in stance, “Seller to pay up to 3% of the sales price in buyer’s financing concessions” or “Seller to escrow up to $5,000 for appliances at buyer’s discretion.”

Concessions have not been used much in the past 15 years, but changing times requires us to use different methods to be successful. Sellers can offer concessions and buyers can ask sellers to make concessions in the purchase agreement.

If your agent is not familiar with concessions, it may be that they have never used them before. They are commonplace and legal, within limits, if they are disclosed. T he benefit is that concessions can improve marketability of a home and put a transaction together between parties that would not be possible otherwise.

LATINO YOUNG ACHIEVER

BY MONICA CARRILLO OUR VOICE COUNTS

A17-year-old student from Wood River High School has been involved in the community through known organizations like The Hunger Coalition, St. Luke’s and even The Advocates ETC (Ev ery Teen Counts) program as an intern. But it wasn’t always that way for Joseph Egoavil. “I didn’t know how to get involved at first,” Egoavil said.

WIth the help of his mother getting involved in the community and the support from The Advocates when his family lived there for a while, he decided he wanted to give back “for the good of his heart.”

Although he has been a community leader from the start of his high school years, Egoavil credits some of his advocacy and the recent work he has done with Herbert Romero, outreach community organizer, and emphasiz es the importances of saying “yes.”

“Don’t be afraid to look out for yourself and for what you believe,” Egoavil said. “Think for yourself and not for your friends.”

In addition, he and other ETC interns wrote a book about healthy relationships, including breakups, differ ent stages in denial and other resources in intimate rela tionships; he noted this as one of the most “memorable moments with The Advocates.”

“This book managed to reach out to different states,” Egoavil said. “Health classes have also used this book, as well.”

Graduation for Egoavil is just around the corner and he hopes that with his leadership and his accomplish ments, other Hispanic/Latinx students will follow his lead.

“There’s always this stigma that Hispanic/Latinx students aren’t good at school or are troublemakers,” Egoavil said. “Remember that what’s trending doesn’t matter.”

NUESTRA VOZ CUENTA

Un estudiante de 17 años de Wood River High School ha estado involucrado en la comunidad a través de or ganizaciones conocidas como la Coalición contra el Hambre, St Luke e incluso The Advocates ETC (Cada adolescente cuenta) programa como interno.

Pero no siempre fue así para Joseph Egoavil.

“Al principio no sabía cómo participar,” dijo Egoavil.

Con la ayuda de su madre involucrándose en la co munidad y el apoyo de The Advocates cuando su famil ia vivió allí por un tiempo, decidió que quería retribuir “por el bien de su corazón.”

“No tengas miedo de mirarte por ti mismo y por lo que crees,” dijo Egoavil. “Piensa por ti mismo y no por tus amigos.”

Además, él y otros internos parte de ETC escribieron un libro sobre relaciones saludables que incluye ruptur as, diferentes etapas en la negación y otros recursos en las relaciones íntimas; señaló que este era uno de los “momentos memorables” con el programa.

“Este libro logró llegar a diferentes estados,” dijo Egoavil. “Las clases de salud también han utilizado este libro.”

La graduación de Egoavil está a la vuelta de la esquina y espera que con su liderazgo y sus logros, otros estudi antes hispanos/latinos sigan su ejemplo.

“Siempre existe el estigma de que los estudiantes hispanos/latinos no son buenos en la escuela o son al borotadores,” dijo Egoavil. “Recuerda que lo que son las ‘modas’ no importan.”

NUESTRA VOZ CUENTA MONICA CARRILLO

Joseph Egoavil.

Photo credit: Justin Astuhuaman

by MIKE MCKENNA

The 19th Annual Hailey Turkey Trot was an other fun-filled success. A record number of runners and walkers of all ages enjoyed our local Thanksgiving tradition.

The Chamber would like to thank everyone who helped make this year’s Turkey Trot possible, es pecially Blaine County Title, Clif Bar, Mountain West Bank, the City of Hailey, the Wood River Land Trust, as well as our tireless volunteers: Kim Bryson, Meg and Hunter Brantley, Jane Dyndiuk, Annie McConnell, Marlon Peck, Sonya Wilander and Men’s Second Chance Living. We would also like to thank and offer a heartfelt cheers to the Corwin and Thompson families for providing special refreshments on River Street and to Rob

ert Shuford for the post-race beers in honor of The Senior Connection and Blaine County Charitable Trust.

DON’T MISS the annual Hailey Holiday Tree Lighting – Friday, Dec. 2nd from 4–6 p.m. at Town Center West. Meet Santa, enjoy live holiday music, cocoa and cookies, and shop for holiday gifts from local craft vendors.

Find out more about the Tree Lighting and about everything happening locally at ValleyChamber. org.