ENVIRONMENTALISTS SEEK TO PROTECT ‘SACAJAWEA’S BITTEROOT’
Three environmental groups filed an opening brief in federal court on April 26 in a lawsuit intended to halt mining exploration in central Idaho that the groups claim could harm Sacajawea’s bitterroot, a “critically imperiled” plant.
The three groups, Idaho Conservation League, Idaho Rivers United and Golden Eagle Audubon Society, also argue that the effects on water quality at the headwaters of the Boise River have not been adequately assessed.
The planned mining activities include the building of an extensive road network and the drilling of up to 259 underground exploration holes in the Boise National Forest about 14 miles north of Idaho City. The U.S. Forest Service approved the plan, submitted by mining company Idaho CuMo Corporation, in 2011. However, work has been stopped since 2012 after a federal judge ruled that the Forest Service had failed to adequately address water quality impacts in approving the plan.
In the lawsuit, the environmental groups are asking the court to overturn project approval.
According to the opening brief, the proposed mining activities would take place on land that is critical to the survival of Sacajawea’s bitterroot, which is found only in central Idaho near the headwaters of the Boise River.
“Sacajawea’s bitterroot is already in a perilous situation due to previous drilling and a recent wildfire at the exploration site,” said Bryan Hurlbutt, an attorney with Advocates for the West, which is representing the environmental groups. “The Forest Service must make sure that building roads and constructing drilling pads doesn’t push this rare plant closer to extinction.”
NAMI ANNOUNCES NEW STAFFFOR MARKETING AND FUNDRAISING
The National Alliance for Mental Illness Wood River Valley (NAMI-WRV) announced April 27 the appointment of Christina Cernansky to help the organization with marketing and fundraising activities.
“NAMI-WRV is excited to have Christina join the team,” said Tom Hanson, president of NAMI Wood River Valley. “She started volunteering over the holidays for our annual bell-ringing fundraiser, and we saw her dedication and hard work. We think she will bring a lot to the table and we are thrilled to start implementing some of her ideas.”
Cernansky moved to the Wood River Valley from Washington, D.C., in 2015. NAMI-WRV reported in a press release that Cernansky has 15 years’ experience with local, national and international nonprofits and has worked on numerous “issue-based campaigns.”
NAMI-WRV reported that Cernansky’s first tasks will be to help the organization with “May is Mental Illness Month” activities and the Idaho Gives campaign on May 5. She will also be coordinating the organization’s “Biking for NAMI in the Wood River Valley” fundraiser this coming fall.
SILVER CREEK GIRLS COMPETE AT NATIONAL CHESS TOURNAMENT
Silver Creek High School students Dylan Porth and Yayee Tongsiri competed the weekend of April 22 at the Kasparov All-Girls National chess tournament in Chicago. Joining Porth and Tongsiri in representing Idaho at the competition was Carmen Pemsler, a senior at Eagle High School.
Silver Creek chess team coach Adam Porth reported in a press release that “Yayee’s and Dylan’s combined score allowed the Silver Creek High School students the opportunity to earn a large, national trophy.”
The competition included six rounds of games that could last up to three hours. Porth and Tongsiri also competed in Blitz, or fast chess, and Bughouse, a team-oriented variation of chess.
“All the girls worked together and created a very memorable experience,” Adam Porth said. “This is a tremendous feat.”
BELLEVUE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO CLOSE
The Bellevue Chamber of Commerce announced plans Monday to disband because of low participation by its members in chamber activities and events.
“The volunteer nature of our board and staff makes it difficult for us to maintain momentum,” Bellevue Chamber Board Member Erin Crawford stated in a press release. “We are asking our members to consider joining the Hailey Chamber of Commerce to fulfill their needs.”
As part of the transition process, the Hailey Chamber of Commerce is offering all current Bellevue Chamber members a one-time introductory membership of $60.
“We’re hoping the Bellevue business community will take advantage of this great deal and learn about all the benefits a chamber membership brings their business,” stated Hailey Chamber Membership Director Jeff Bacon. “Our goal is to help build a vibrant business environment in all our communities.”
The Bellevue Chamber further announced that the city’s Labor Day festivities will continue to be produced “by an entity within Bellevue.” For more information on Bellevue’s Labor Day celebration, contact Bellevue City Hall at (208) 788-2128.
COMMUNITY CHEST TAKES OVER SV ROAD RALLY
Sun Valley Community Chest, a new organization dedicated to organizing local events to support youth programs and to provide local business stability and growth, has taken ownership of the Sun Valley Road Rally, an annual fundraising event previously owned by the Blaine County Community Drug Coalition. This year’s Road Rally is scheduled for July 22-23.
Community Chest reported in a press release that new ownership will allow for continued success of the Road Rally and will allow the Drug Coalition to focus on its mission of fighting substance abuse by young people in the Wood River Valley.
Community Chest was founded by Dave Stone, owner of Sun Valley Auto Club and one of the founders of the Sun Valley Road Rally. Now in its eighth year, the Road Rally was first held in 2009.
Stone is now president of Sun Valley Community Chest. In addition to Stone, the board of directors includes Mark Williams, Dave Stevens, Hal Lindquist, Peggy Baker and David Concannon. Staff includes Maya Blix as executive director and Whitney Werth Slade as director of development and communications.
Community Chest reported in the press release that the organization’s “mission extends beyond just generating financial donations. It is committed to fostering local talent by working with creative professionals who bring a fresh perspective to event production and community engagement. Sun Valley Community Chest also believes strongly in stability and growth of the Blaine County business community.”
“As a business owner, I know how often local businesses are approached for donations, product sponsorships, etc.,” Stone said. “Sun Valley Community Chest would like to support our local entrepreneurs. In fact, we promise to source locally first and not to solicit locally owned businesses for sponsorships. We want to work with the community and hope that local businesses see our organization as a partner in their endeavors.”
The Sun Valley Road Rally is held north of Ketchum on a 3.2-mile section of State Highway 75. In the event, the road is temporarily closed and racers are allowed to drive as fast as possible, often reaching speeds of over 200 miles per hour. The event has grown in popularity over the years and had an attendance last year of over 7,000 people. The event also includes the Ketchum Cruise & Car Show.
SYRINGA MOUNTAIN SCHOOL SELECTS NEW DIRECTOR
Syringa Mountain School, Blaine County’s only state-funded charter school, announced April 27 that Christine Fonner has been selected as the school’s new director. Fonner replaces co-directors Mende Coblentz and Svea Grover, who will be leaving the school prior to the start of the coming school year.
Syringa reported in a press release that Fonner is now working at the school with Coblentz and Grover to “ensure a seamless and effective transition.”
“I’m excited for the opportunity to inherit the legacy and culture of Syringa Mountain School and to lead the school into the 2016-2017 school year,” Fonner said. “Syringa creates the space for students to balance the Waldorf philosophy with the pragmatics of public education. It’s a space for students to explore, create and develop. For me to be an integral part of this experience will be a privilege. I very much look forward to the coming year.”
Fonner holds a Master of Science degree in School Building Leadership and Administration from St. John’s University in Jamaica, N.Y., and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and Bilingual (Spanish) Education from Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Wash.
Syringa reported that Fonner “has served as the English/Language Arts Director for Alliance Schools with specific emphasis in providing professional development and mentoring for teachers.” She was also the English as a Second Language and International Language program director and instructor for the Ross School. She has worked for the National Sports Academy, at the Hillside Children’s Center mentoring incarcerated high school students and as an elementary teacher and curriculum director at Charles J. Fox Elementary School.
“The Syringa board is thrilled to welcome Ms. Fonner to our school,” said Syringa Board Chair Greg Bloomfield. “As we begin our third year of operation, her skilled leadership will bring many opportunities for our students, staff and community at large.”
Syringa invites the public to contact Fonner at (208) 806-2880 or at cfonner@syringamountainschool.org.
FEDERAL AGENCIES RE-LAUNCH ‘ADOPT-A-TRAIL’
The Ketchum Ranger District of the Sawtooth National Forest and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management Shoshone Field Office announced plans in a joint press release April 27 to “reinvigorate” the area’s Adopt-A-Trail program.
The agencies explained that the program has been “on hold” for the past several years because of “wildfires and other pressing priorities.”
The agencies will be working with the Blaine County Recreation District to implement the program, and BCRD Wood River Valley Trail Coordinator Chris Leman has been appointed to coordinate the program.
Leman said that trails in the area are in need of work.
“Budgets for trail maintenance have been slashed year after year, and with the fires we’ve had, land managers have fallen further behind in their ability to keep our trail routes in good repair,” Leman said. “Yes, our most popular trails need attention.”
Parties wanting more information or that would like to adopt a trail should contact Leman at (208) 720-7713 or at cleman@bcrd.org.
Parties adopting a trail will be expected to provide ongoing maintenance of their trail and to stay in close communication with Leman. The federal agencies stated that “work will include the cleaning out and maintenance of drainage structures, keeping the trail brushed back and free of downed wood, and other regular maintenance chores required to keep the trails functioning well.”
ORIENTATION REQUIRED FOR NEW CSI STUDENTS
The College of Southern Idaho announced this week that student orientation, advising and registration, a program referred to as SOAR, is now required for all new degree-seeking students or for students returning to CSI after a two-year absence. Those students must attend a SOAR session in order to register for fall 2016 classes.
The CSI Blaine County Center in Hailey will offer Soar sessions on Wednesday, May 18, and Thursday, June 16. SOAR sessions are also available weekly at the CSI Twin Falls campus.
The Blaine County Center sessions will run from 1-5 p.m. The cost per student is $25. Students must apply to CSI online before registering for a SOAR.
CSI reported in a press release that “students are strongly encouraged to participate in SOAR as soon as possible as classes for fall will fill quickly.”
During SOAR sessions, students will be provided with information on their rights and responsibilities, learn about CSI resources, meet with an advisor and register for classes.
Additional information on SOAR is available from the Blaine County Center at (208) 788-2033 and at the CSI Office of Admissions at (208) 732-6221. Information for new students and their families is also available at www.csi.edu/soar.
LOCAL ‘GRAPPLERS’ COMPETEIN ‘SUBMISSION CHALLENGE’
Eight students from the USA Grappling Academy in Bellevue competed April 22-23 at the Northwest Submission Challenge in Boise.
Five-year-old Maddison Hoskins took second place in the kids white-belt division, earning a silver medal. Six-year-old Carlos Martinez took second place in the kids white-belt division also earning a silver medal. Seven-year-old May Vargas won fourth place in the kids yellow-belt division.
Earning a gold medal with a first place win in the kids white-belt division was 8-year-old Meredith Hoskins.
Nine-year-old Christian Vargas took fourth place in the kids yellow-belt division and 11-year-old Jose Martinez took third place in the kids white-belt division, earning a bronze medal.
In the adult white-belt division, Greg Knoepfel finished in the top five. In the adult blue-belt division, Dustin Levesser also finished in the top five.
All eight local competitors train under second-degree Jiu-Jitsu black belt Lee Anderson, a former professional cage fighter.
Grappling is a fighting form using various techniques to force an opponent to submit without striking the opponent.
HAILEY GARDEN TOUR SET FOR JULY 9
Friends of the Hailey Public Library announced on April 28 that after a four-year hiatus, the Hailey Garden Tour will return this year on Saturday, July 9. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proceeds will be used to benefit the Hailey Public Library.
Friends of the Hailey Library reported in a press release that the tour will feature 12 gardens in the city. Included are The Hunger Coalition’s Hope Garden and Webb Nursery on Main Street. Featured will be “the best of Hailey’s hidden gems, from established perennial beds to amazing garden vegetables.”
“The Hailey Public Library has a funding need, so we brought back the garden tour,” said tour organizer Robin Crotty. “This is a great fundraiser for the library and allows access to some of Hailey’s most beautiful gardens. We look forward to a great day of learning, music, art and, of course, wonderful plants.”
Tickets for the tour are $20 and will be available in June at Webb Nursery. To volunteer, or to learn more about the tour, contact Crotty at (208) 721-2368 or at crotty@live.com.
ARTS LEADERSHIP ROUNDTABLE SET FOR AUG. 7-9
For the third year in a row, Americans for the Arts, a national organization committed to the arts and arts education, will hold its annual Leadership Roundtable in Sun Valley. The event is scheduled for Aug. 7-9.
The organization reported in a press release that the roundtable will “bring together a select group of approximately 30 distinguished artists, philanthropists, corporate and thought leaders in a proactive dialogue exploring how the arts can be utilized as a positive force for change.” The theme of this year’s event is ‘Creative Problem Solving: The Arts, Business and Innovative Ideas.”
Local organizations involved in organizing the event include Sun Valley Center for the Arts, Sun Valley Gallery Association, Ketchum Arts Commission and Wood River Valley Studio Tour.
Additional information is available from Inga Vitols at Americans for the Arts at (202) 371-2830 or locally from Trina Peters at (208) 440-5561.