Will they stay or will they go?
Wiseguy Pizza Pie’s new building construction is underway at 411 North Main Street in Hailey. But three mature linden trees at the location became the focus of a Hailey Planning and Zoning Commission consideration last month.
All along Main Street are mature linden trees planted nearly 20 years ago, creating a lovely, tree-lined Main Street corridor. Wiseguy’s owners applied to the Hailey P&Z to remove one of the trees under an Idaho request for reconsideration statute, Title 67 State Government And State Affairs, Chapter 65, Local Land Use Planning.
In order to remove a tree, applicants must provide an arborist’s report.
Derek Ruhter, of Webb Landscaping, found that each tree is worth between $2,630 and $3,970, said Lisa Horowitz, community development director for the City of Hailey. It is now up to Wiseguy’s owners to decide whether to remove the tree. If they decide to remove the tree, they will either need to replace it with one nearby or make a payment in lieu to the Hailey tree fund for the value of the tree.
The Hailey Tree Committee will meet at 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 13, at Hailey City Hall. If Wiseguy decides to remove the tree, the committee will decide whether they’d prefer payment or another tree.
Hunger Awareness Month
October is Hunger Awareness Month and The Hunger Coalition has suggestions for ways you can participate. Practice “Skip A Meal Day”
on Monday, Oct. 24,
in observation of National Food Day. The Hunger Coalition encourages you to skip a meal and donate the cost to help advance programs that support the food insecure in Blaine County.
The Wood River YMCA’s Speaker Series and the Local Food Alliance will present “An Evening With Chef Ann
Cooper,” 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 26 at the Community School Theater. Cooper will be in the Valley to share her experience and advice on how to create healthy school food and edible education.
Cooper was central to the 10-year process of implementing a revolutionary school food program in the Berkeley (Calif.) Unified School District.
During the month, The Hunger Coalition will collaborate with The Sage School in a door-to-door food drive.
For more information email Noel at njensen@thehungercoalition.org.
Successful mobile spay/neuter clinic held in Richfield
On Sept. 28, the Pets for Life program at the Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley held its first spay/neuter clinic in the town of Richfield. While the shelter has provided free spay/neuter clinics for Richfield residents since December of 2015, this was the first clinic done in town with the help of the Idaho Humane Society and their mobile spay/neuter trailer. The Pets for Life program altered more than 450 animals for free to residents of Fairfield and Richfield. It also provided vaccinations, pet food, and collars and tags.
Pet patients were picked up at their homes and transported to the mobile unit parked in the center of town. A veterinarian and licensed vet tech from the Idaho Humane Society, and a volunteer vet assistant provided by the Animal Shelter, performed the surgeries.
Ketchum residents Holly Mora and Rachel Sanker volunteered for the shelter and were instrumental to the success of the day.
In total, 38 cats and two dogs were altered.
The next clinic will be held Wednesday, Oct.12, and the folks at both the Idaho Humane Society and Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley hope to spay and neuter even more pets, and continue this great partnership.
For more information on the Pets for Life program, visit the Animal Shelter online at www.animalshelterwrv.org.
Housing Authority announces resignation of ED
David Patrie, longtime executive director of the Blaine County Housing Authority (BCHA), is leaving the organization to pursue opportunities in the private sector, according to a press release from Bobi Bellows, the acting director.
The BCHA advocates, promotes, plans and preserves the long-term supply of desirable and affordable housing choices in all areas of Blaine County in order to maintain an economically diverse, vibrant and sustainable community. For the last five years, Patrie played a critical role in the development and success of BCHA. He helped to more than double the number of rental units in BCHA stewardship. He added housing counseling services and additional professional certifications for staff, added biannual affordability analyses to stakeholder reports, and pursed and finalized donation of the Lift Tower Lodge.
An executive search committee has been initiated. For more information visit bcoha.org.
Ketchum’s Main Street named one of 15 Great Places
The American Planning Association named Main Street in Ketchum, Idaho, as one of five Great Streets on the organization’s annual Great Places in America list. The announcement marks the kickoff of the APA’s National Community Planning Month celebration.
Ketchum will celebrate its Great Places in America designation with local businesses, residents and visitors on Thursday, Oct. 20 in Town Square.
As part the APA’s special Planning Month celebration, Great Places in America recognizes streets, neighborhoods and public spaces in the U.S. that demonstrate exceptional character, quality and planning – attributes that enrich communities, facilitate economic growth, and inspire others around the country.
“This year’s designees highlight the power of a single well-planned street to stimulate economic activity and energize an entire community,” said Carol Rhea, president of APA.
The press release from APA states, “Nowhere is the quirky spirit of the Mountain West stronger than on Main Street in Ketchum, Idaho. The main thoroughfare of this tiny Idaho town hosts unique festivals that are only enhanced by a pedestrian-focused design.”
Ketchum Mayor Nina Jonas said the “investments the city has made in the community is a statement about the future of Ketchum. Community values and a strong sense of place have become priorities in the global economy. Ketchum, as a lively destination that focuses on quality of life, embraces sustainability, and promotes walking and transit access, has a distinct advantage in economic success.”
APA also recognized Coeur d’Alene’s Sherman Avenue; the Bronx’s Arthur Avenue; South 24th Street in Albuquerque, N.M.; and Main Street in Davidson, N.C.
Bloom Community Farm has successful opening
Run by The Hunger Coalition, the Bloom Community Farm has, in just a little over two months, harvested 375 pounds of produce, thanks to healthy soil and greenhouse starts gifted by Clearwater Landscaping.
Silver Creek High School students are interning through the fall at the Farm, helping plant, harvest, build, and create. Sage School students are volunteering weekly with farm maintenance, as well. The success of the Farm hinges largely on the support of volunteers, interns, and donors.
For more information call (208) 788-0121 or visit thehungercoalition.org.
BCRD Nordic Trails 2016-17 Season Passes on Sale
The Blaine County Recreation District announced that season passes for the BCRD Nordic trail system are on sale now through bcrd.org.
Those who purchase online will save $50 on adult BCRD Nordic trail passes through Nov. 20. Season passes are $199 for adults during the preseason sale ($249 after Nov. 20), $29 for youth ages 13-17, and $49 for dogs. Children 12 and under ski free. Snowshoe season passes are available for $65.
The 160-kilometer BCRD Nordic trail system is one of the largest in the U.S. and offers some of the greatest diversity of Nordic skiing. No tax dollars are used to groom the BCRD Nordic trails, with the exception of the Wood River Trail, which is offered free to the public. Show your support for Galena and the Trails by purchasing a Platinum or Gold Nordic pin.
For more information about the BCRD Nordic trails, season and day-pass pricing, Nordic pins and upcoming events on the trails, visit bcrd.org.
Public Invited to Hailey Elementary School Fundraiser
More than 100 prizes from local businesses are up for grabs at a silent auction raising funds for Hailey Elementary School. Bidding online is available now through Monday, Oct. 17.
Visit biddingowl.com/haileyelementary to choose from a plethora of merchandise and services. Be the highest bidder and feel good about supporting the Hailey Elementary Parent Teacher Association. For people who already have everything they need, the website offers a “donate” option, as well.
The HES PTA is made up of parents, teachers and staff, and spends all funds on classroom materials, playground equipment and trees, and student and teacher activities, including science fair, Earth Day “art attack,” Wagon’s Ho, skate night and more.
TEDx comes to Sun Valley
The first TEDxSunValley will be held Wednesday, Nov. 30, at the Sun Valley Opera House. The independently organized event is seeking applications from individuals with an idea worth spreading to speak or perform at the event.
Launched in 2009, TEDx programs are locally organized events aimed at bringing a community together to share a TED Talks-like experience. Some of the best talks from TEDx events have gone on to be featured on TED.com and garnered millions of views from audiences across the globe. No speaker is compensated and no one on the organizing team will make a profit. Applications should be filled out online and submitted by 5 p.m. on Oct.15 at tedxsunvalley.com/speaker-application.
“Our Valley is unique in that it is full of experts in an incredibly diverse array of subject matter – from technology to arts to athletics to obscure minutiae,” said co- organizer Kim Castellano. “I can’t wait to help spread the ideas that these amazing people have to share.”
Boise based nonprofit sends help to Haiti
Mission Aviation Fellowship, a worldwide nonprofit headquartered in Nampa, is playing a crucial role in getting aid to hurricane-ravaged Haiti.
On Monday, Mission Aviation Fellowship sent a mechanic from Nampa to Port-au-Prince to help with maintenance of its airplanes, which are used for relief flights into remote areas. Those flights include delivering food, water and medical supplies to people in Haiti.
“When a national disaster like this happens, we start to ramp up on issues like water purification kits to go in because water’s a real issue, food, medical supplies and medical teams because there’s such a drastic need, and most of the parts affected you can’t get there except by an MAF airplane, so we really are busy, flying and doing what we do best and that’s reaching out to the Haitian people,” said MAF president John Boyd.
Mission Aviation Fellowship has a long history in Haiti, with an operating base there since 1986. None of their staff was injured during the storm.
Latino voter registration drive to be held
The City of Ketchum will sponsor a Latino voter registration drive, 2:15 to 3:45 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 12, at Hemingway Elementary School.
Spanish-speaking representatives will be at a blue city tent in front of the school to register voters.
“Ketchum wants to encourage and increase the number of residents who regularly participate in the electoral process and who embrace the responsibilities of citizenship in a democratic society,” Mayor Nina Jonas said. “Voting by all is fundamental to healthy democratic elections.”
Jonas’s remarks were incorporated in the resolution passed by the City Council proclaiming Sept. 15-Oct. 15 as Latino Voter Registration Month.
To be eligible to vote, one must be a U.S. citizen, have resided in Blaine County since Oct. 8, and be at least 18 years old. A current photo ID or copy of a current utility bill or other document with name and physical address is required to register.
The deadline for advance registration is Oct. 14. People also may register to vote at polling places on Election Day.
While the event is designed to encourage Latinos to register, other qualified residents may register as well.
Hailey Fire Department receives Select grant
Hailey Fire Department was one of 25 organizations, out of 180 applicants, to receive a $2,500 grant from SelectHealth. The grant will be used to teach CPR to all high school juniors in Hailey.
Hailey Fire Chief Craig Aberbach and Assistant Chief Mike Baledge attended the award ceremony.
Fellow grantees include organizations such as Meals on Wheels, Girls on the Run, Boys and Girls Club, Rescue Mission, and Crisis Center, all from other Idaho areas. The Select 25 award was created by SelectHealth in 2008 as a way to recognize organizations that improve health or serve individuals with special needs.
Discover Conscious Living with Kate Riley
Join local author Kate Riley as she illuminates essential themes within the living and dying process in a talk called “Conscious Living – Starting with the END,” at Light on the Mountains Center for Spiritual Living, 12446 Highway 75, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct 16.
Riley will speak on ways of practicing the awareness of our own inevitable death. By rethinking and recreating how we live and die, we have the opportunity to bring creativity and sacredness to both experiences.
Riley will guide individuals through a series of contemplative exercises.
Bring pen and paper or a laptop to write on, an open mind and heart. Handouts will be provided.
This workshop is for everyone.
The workshop begins promptly at 11 a.m. with a short film clip. Arrive early if you would like to share in a bowl of Kate’s chicken curry soup. No food allowed in the sanctuary.
Hailey Public Library Book Club to start
The Hailey Public Library will hold a scholar-led book club for adults that will meet 6 p.m. every Tuesday at the library. The first meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 18. The first book is Catch-22, by Joseph Heller. For more information, visit haileypubliclibrary.org.
Sun Valley featured in “Where to Retire”
Sun Valley was recently selected as a top retirement destination by “Where to Retire,” a magazine geared toward helping people with retirement relocation decisions. The city is profiled in the November/December issue, now on newsstands.
“Where to Retire” editor Annette Fuller said Sun Valley possesses qualities important to today’s retirees, including recreation. Each year, 700,000 Americans relocate to new towns to retire. Generally, relocating retirees are healthier, better educated and more affluent than those who choose to not relocate. They bring significant economic benefits to their new states and hometowns. Nationally, two dozen states and hundreds of towns seek to attract retirees as a source of economic development.
“Where to Retire” magazine, launched in 1992 with the goal of helping its readers find the ideal place to retire, is published six times a year.
Get ready for Hailey Halloween Hoopla
Hailey Halloween Hoopla will be held 3:30–5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, when
Dressed-up goblins, witches and monsters will be filling the streets of downtown Hailey to trick-or-treat.
Participating businesses will have orange and black balloons outside their storefronts to let trick-or-treaters know where to go. Jane’s Artifacts will supply the balloons – call ahead to reserve yours, (208) 788-0848.
A costume contest will be held at the Liberty Theatre every 15 minutes, with all ages included. The top three winners each 15 minutes will receive Chamberbucks.
This event is sponsored by the City of Hailey, Kiwanis of Hailey and the Wood River Valley, Jane’s Artifacts, Company of Fools at the Liberty Theatre, and The Chamber of the Wood River Valley.
Fire Prevention Week – don’t wait
Does your home have a smoke alarm? The majority of people answer yes to this question, but most people are not sure how old their smoke alarms are. This lack of awareness is a concern for the Idaho State Fire Marshal’s Office because smoke alarms don’t last forever.
Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter signed a proclamation declaring Oct. 9-14 as Idaho Fire Prevention Week. The focus of the effort is on smoke alarms, for the third year in a row. Public misconceptions about the value of smoke alarms may put families at risk in the event of a home fire.
“If a smoke alarm is 10 years old or more, replace it,” Knute Sandahl, Idaho State Fire Marshal, said. “Smoke alarms lose sensitivity after 10 years and can fail to alert you to a fire in your home.”
To find out how old a smoke alarm is, check the date of manufacture on the back of the alarm.
Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres.
Library Board has vacancy
The Hailey Public Library is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on the Hailey Library Board of Trustees. Applicants must be full-time residents of Hailey. The board meets once per month to make policy decisions, plan for the future, set the budget and advocate on behalf of the library. A letter of interest and résumé should be submitted to LeAnn Gelskey, library director, at lgelskey@haileypubliclibrary.org, mailed to 7 W. Croy St., Hailey, Idaho 83333; or dropped off at the Hailey Public Library.