Stories

What: Volunteering for the Spring Break Snow School

Location: Sawtooth Botanical Garden (11 Gimlet Road, Ketchum, ID 83340)

Dates: Monday, March 15-Friday, March 19, 2010              

Time:  8:45 A.M.-2:30 P.M.

Contact: Teresa at (208) 726-9358 or teresa@sbgarden.org

More Information: The Sawtooth Botanical Garden could really use your help with our Spring Break Snow School! This program is designed to teach kids from ages 4-12 about seasonality, winter, snow, the water cycle, and how plants and animals survive in the winter. We will be having a blast making crafts and participating in outdoor games and activities, including snowshoeing and sledding. We need volunteers to help with set-up and clean-up of crafts and other activities, assist with leading games, and support us in ensuring that the program runs smoothly. Even a couple hours of your time would help us greatly! If you are interested, please contact Teresa immediately.

The Idaho Botanical Garden and the Sawtooth Botanical Garden are proud to announce the establishment of a reciprocal agreement between the two Idaho gardens.  Going forward, members of the Sawtooth Botanical Garden will receive FREE regular admission to the Idaho Botanical Garden.  Additionally, members of both gardens will receive discounted pricing for educational programs at either garden. 

Julia Rundberg, Executive Director of the IBG and Carter Hedberg, Executive Director of the SBG first met last December to discuss the idea.  Carter said, “Julia and her team were very open to establishing a relationship.  She’s been a wonderful partner and I’m confident that both gardens will benefit from working more closely together.  Eventually, we hope to collaborate on a number of events and programs as well as horticultural resources”.  This agreement goes into effect immediately for members of both gardens.

The Idaho Botanical Garden is a non-profit organization established...

(Ketchum, ID) –Monday night the Ketchum City Council unanimously voted to approve a creative solution regarding an in lieu housing payment past due to the City.  The late payment is a direct result of the economic downturn.  Slow real estate sales within the project have depleted project funds, resulting in low cash reserves for the development.

The “Lot 5A” project is a mixed-use building on the corner of Sun Valley Road and Leadville in downtown Ketchum.  The Mountain West Bank owns the majority of the ground floor space.  The developers of Lot 5A, LLC, signed an agreement wit the City in 2007 outlining an in lieu community housing payment to satisfy the City’s community housing requirements.  High real estate activity at that time made it easy for developers to commit to paying 150% of the cost per square foot of housing, approximately $420 per square foot for this project.  The first payments totaling $100,000 were paid to the City as outlined in the...

Update: The person who triggered this alert is now in custody.

The following message came from the Blaine County Schools:

Due to a threat made to a BCSD family, two schools have been placed in Perimeter Code Yellow. No direct threat has been made to our schools.

The following is the definition of the color code system the school district uses:

CODE RED - Red means "STOP".

Imminent Danger!  Lock Down.  Take Cover Immediately. 
IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE,  DO NOT ENTER BUILDING.

• Hide. Be as invisible as possible. Be silent. Stay calm.
• Guide students/staff quickly into nearest classroom.
• Lock room, lights off, turn cell phones to vibrate, close windows and blinds.
• Note extra and missing students/staff.
• Remain in place until further action is announced.

CODE YELLOW - Yellow means "CAUTION".

Lock Down. Work as Usual.
IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE, MOVE INSIDE QUICKLY.

• Take roll. Report extra and missing students/staff.
• Remain in place until further action...

What: Spring Break Snow School

Location: Sawtooth Botanical Garden (11 Gimlet Road, Ketchum, ID 83340)

Dates: Monday, March 15-Friday, March 19, 2010              

Time:  9 A.M.-2:30 P.M.

Cost: Member $20/day, Non-Member $25/day, with 10% off if you register for the entire week

Ages: 4-12

Contact: Teresa at (208) 726-9358 or teresa@sbgarden.org

More Information:  Spring Break is quickly approaching, so don’t forget to sign-up for Snow School at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden! Not only will we teach your kids about seasonality, winter, snow, the water cycle, and how plants and animals survive in the winter, but we’ll also be having a blast participating in outdoor games and activities, including snowshoeing. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity! Please sign-up today.

What: Fundamentals of Color Art Class

Location: Sawtooth Botanical Garden (11 Gimlet Road, Ketchum, ID 83340)

Date: Friday, March 12, 2010

Time:  2:00-4:00 P.M.

Cost: Member $5, Non-member $7

Ages: Kids 7+

Contact: Teresa at (208) 726-9358 or teresa@sbgarden.org

More Information: Start Spring Break in a great way at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden! There is an early release from public schools on Friday, March 12

The Public Utilities Commission wants to hear from Idaho Power customers about the company’s plan to make its conservation cost recovery pilot program permanent.  Idaho Power also wants the PUC to approve a contract to purchase power from an anaerobic digester near Twin Falls. Meanwhile, Rocky Mountain Power is asking the PUC to raise its energy efficiency surcharge to expand its energy-saving programs, and the eastern Idaho utility is also seeking a rate hike to reflect higher fuel costs.  And we have the latest list of energy legislation in the Idaho Legislature.

I: PUC Taking Public Comments on Idaho Power’s ‘Decoupling’ Pilot

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission is taking public comments through March 23 on whether Idaho Power’s conservation program “decoupling” pilot project should be made permanent.

“Decoupling” is a mechanism designed to ensure the utility can recover all its “fixed costs” so it doesn’t lose money it&...

Breaking Story: We will post updates as they come in. Please add your comments below or email news@sunvalleyonline if you have any credible information regarding St Luke's in Ketchum serving the Sun Valley area. The following is an excerpt from Ariel Hansen's report:

St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center in Ketchum is in a partial lockdown following a "patient security issue," according to spokeswoman Tanya Keim. No details have been released about the incident that started the security issue, except that it began about 9:45 a.m., and the Blaine County Sheriff's Office has responded.

Update: St. Luke's remains in lockdown on Thursday, March 4. The school district has enacted similar safety measures at Hailey and Woodside Elementary due to a domestic violence concern.

The job interview process can be tricky for both interviewer and applicant.  The interviewer is anxious about effectively evaluating the applicant and the applicant is worried about performing well.  On top of this, the interviewer has to follow legal guidelines and not ask questions that challenge equal opportunity protection.  Here are a few tips to help the process go as smoothly and helpfully as possible.

 Treat the interview process as a time for you to learn about an applicant’s work experience, education and additional job qualifications, if any.  Ask for specific examples of what the applicant has done effectively in recent job situations.  Do not write on the employee’s application- use another paper to take notes.  Some general questions to ask include:

• Why do you want to work for this company?
•  Tell me about a time you provided great customer services.
• Tell me about a disagreement you’ve had with a co-worker.  How did you handle it?
• What do you foresee...

What: Spring Break Snow School

Location: Sawtooth Botanical Garden (11 Gimlet Road, Ketchum, ID. 83340)

Dates: Monday, March 15th - Friday, March 19th, 2010

Time:  9 A.M.-2:30 P.M.

Cost: Member is $20/day, nonmember is $25/day, with 10% off if you register for the entire week

Ages: 4-12

Contact: Teresa at (208) 726-9358

More Information:  If your family isn’t leaving this Spring Break, send your kids over to the Sawtooth Botanical Garden for our spectacular Spring Break Snow School! We will not only teach your kids about seasonality, winter, snow, the water cycle, and how plants and animals survive in the winter, but we’ll also be having a blast participating in outdoor games and activities, including snowshoeing. Have your kids say “goodbye” to winter the right way. Sign them up as soon as possible.

Idaho Energy Update

February 22, 2010

The Public Utilities Commission holds a workshop in Boise Thursday to discuss whether to create bidding guidelines for Idaho Power when the utility solicits bids for things like new generation plants. The PUC is acting in response to issues raised by unsuccessful bidders for the Langley Gulch natural gas plant after Idaho Power selected its own bid as the winner. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Land Management holds a lease auction for 17 geothermal lease sites, including 10 in Idaho, in Salt Lake City today. And U.S. Geothermal reports work has begun on a federally funded “enhanced geothermal” research project at its Raft River site in southern Idaho. And we have the latest list of energy legislation in the Idaho Legislature.

Thanks as always, and if you have any calendar items, please send them along!

Ken

Ken Miller

Clean Energy Program Director

Snake River Alliance

(208) 344-9161

kmiller@snakeriveralliance.org

www.snakeriveralliance.org

I: PUC to Examine Idaho Power’s Competitive Bidding...

Data from 2010 year-to-date report through mid-February versus the same period in 2009 indicates a significant improvement in units sold, dollar volume, and both average and median price. There was a home sold roughly every day and a half giving Realtors a reason for optimism. Given the positive start to 2010, the Sawtooth Board of Realtors is hopeful this year will continue to outpace 2009.

Though off of a decidedly dismal 2009, the # of units sold has increased 140% over last year with total dollar volume increasing 283%. The average price also increased 60% from $460,000 to $735,635.

Idaho Energy Update

February 17, 2010

 A growing number of Idaho cities are taking it on themselves to embrace new energy efficiency and renewable energy resources, sending signals that Idaho’s clean energy movement is percolating from the ground up. Read on for some promising initiatives reported in the past two weeks in Pocatello, Post Falls and Ketchum. Meanwhile, more than 30 citizen lobbyists filled the Idaho Statehouse Monday for the 2

Thanks as always, and if you have any calendar items, please send them along!

Ken

Ken Miller

Clean Energy Program Director

Snake River Alliance

(208) 344-9161

kmiller@snakeriveralliance.org

www.snakeriveralliance....

The Advocates for Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (www.theadvocates-aplacetogo.org) today announced the organization was awarded a $43,000 two-year grant from the Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecutors (STOP) Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program. This STOP grant was provided through the Idaho State Police and funded by The Federal Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“Government grants are an important source of funding for The Advocates and represent approximately 25 percent of the organization’s annual budget,” said The Advocates’ Executive Director Tricia Swartling.  “We are grateful for this Federal support through the Idaho State Police, which will help address an increased need for support services and a 2008-2009 decline in revenue due to difficult economic times.”   

The STOP Program encourages the development and improvement of effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies to address violent crimes<...

Hailey Chamber of Commerce Announces 130% Increased participation in Idaho Power Holiday Light Program

Incentive funds from Idaho Power to provide for efficient LED bulbs for City of Hailey holiday lights.

The Hailey Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that the collection of incandescent holiday lights during the 2009 holiday season increased by 130%.  2008 was the first year that Hailey participated in the Idaho Power LED Holiday Light Program.  To insure that power draining incandescent lights were taken out service, Idaho Power offered a cash incentive for each incandescent bulb submitted. The incentive money paid by Idaho Power must be used to purchase energy saving LED bulbs.  In 2008 the Hailey Chamber coordinated a collection effort in the community that resulted in $1,600 in incentive funds.  In 2009 approximately 34,000 bulbs were collected, resulting in $3,700 from Idaho Power for the purchase of energy efficient LED lights for the Hailey Holiday Lights program.  “The 2...

Lindsey J at the waxroom 1st day of SBX training Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Here's what happened with conservation issues in the Idaho Statehouse the week of Feb. 8.

Hailey Duke was born in Sun Valley to ski instructor parents and now is part of the U.S. Ski Team

Information courtesy of Hailey Duke's website.

BIOGRAPHY Taekwondo’s loss is the U.S. Ski Team’s gain as Hailey Duke competed in the martial arts nationals and team trials as a teenager before deciding to focus on ski racing. Her determination helped produce a breakthrough season in 2007, including a NorAm win and a ticket to the U.S. Ski Team. She's been climbing the ranks ever since.

UPDATE Duke blew open the season early with her first World Cup points, finishing 21st in slalom at the Aspen Winternational. It was a huge confidence boost for the young tech ace and propelled her to score in three more World Cup slalom's, including a career best eighth at Semmering, Austria in late December, and earn a spot on the 2009 World Championships Team. However, the numbers really don't depict the full story as Duke was in contention for numerous top-10 finishes and even possible podium finishes before bowing out in the second...

Hilary Knight became the youngest member of the US Olympics Hockey Team. After visiting Sun Valley growing up, her family recently moved here full time. Hilary's older brother Chip was also an Olympian in skiing. You can learn more about Hilary at the website her father created.

Come back throughout the Olympics as we provide updates on Olympians with Sun Valley connections.

Update: Heading into the Gold Medal game, Hilary has one goal and five assists.

Hilary’s BIO (courtesy of NBC)

Early bloomer
Hilary Knight, 20, is making her Olympic debut in Vancouver as the youngest member of the U.S. team. She has played in three world championships, starting in 2007 at age 17, when the U.S. team took silver. At the 2009 Worlds, where the U.S. team won its second-straight world title, Knight led the tournament with seven goals in five games, and added two assists for nine points. It was the third-ever gold for Team USA, and Knight was named one of the teams top-three players, at just 19 years old.

Team bonding
Knight doesn't...

Attention:  Sir Salman Rushdie lecture POSTPONED

 We’ve just found out that Sir Salman Rushdie will not be able to get to Sun Valley tomorrow. Most flights from the East are canceled because of this second huge snowstorm and it is impossible for him to arrive in time for tomorrow night’s lecture. We are trying to reschedule this lecture for this coming summer.

 If you are a ticket holder for the lecture you’ve got alternatives!

 1.       Hold on to your ticket and use it for the re-scheduled date.

2. You may either get a refund or donate your ticket back to The Center (we’ll give you a letter for a tax deductible donation of the full value of the tickets).            

a.       If you’d like either a refund or donation – you’ll need to bring your ticket in or mail it to us. We’ll take care of the rest.

We are sorry that...

Idaho Energy Update

February 8, 2010

 Idaho Power is holding public meetings this week to discuss its latest “Integrated Resource Plan,” which is pending before the Public Utilities Commission. The PUC also has accepted Avista Utilities’ 2009 IRP. And the NW Power and Conservation Council meets this week in Portland, where the four-state body is expected to act on the region’s Sixth Power Plan. And nearly a month into the Legislature, lawmakers have yet to take on significant energy legislation. Thanks as always, and if you have any calendar items, please send them along!

 Ken

 Ken Miller

Clean Energy Program Director

Snake River Alliance

(208) 344-9161

kmiller@snakeriveralliance.org

www.snakeriveralliance.org

I: Idaho Power Sets Public Meetings on Resource Plan

Idaho Power Co. will hold public meetings this week to provide information and to hear from customers about its 2009 Integrated Resource Plan, which was recently submitted to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission and which serves as a roadmap for the state’s largest...

Valentines DAY-North & Company can help you say I LOVE YOU

Free Flowers!!!!!

North & Company will wrap all your Valentines gifts and give you Flowers for shopping with us. For every purchase over $100.00 we will add fresh beautiful flowers to complete your gift of LOVE. New tops, sexy underwear, Brighton Jewelry and so much more..... How about the romantic new pair of Dansko Clogs? At North & Company we know so many ways to say I LOVE YOU!

See you in the store

Unstable employment conditions can take enormous time and resources from the employer.  Not just financial but also time and training commitment by the owner/manager, hurting productivity and service quality. With a large employment pool and the rising cost of commuting, things are not likely to get better quickly in our Valley.  To find out if helping the employee find a stable place to live would help - there are a few steps you can take:

1. Written or third party surveys (samples and people available to help you)

2. Bring in a credit/home- counselor to meet individually with your employee/s or in a brown bag lunch session with an expert.

3. Sit down with your bookkeeper, yourself! and your manager/s and quantify the cost to your business of unnecessary turnover  (methodologies and samples available to trigger your previously  unrecognized strains and costs to your business)

4. Determine what and how much help you can give your employees to attract the employees you need keep...

Militants in Afghanistan have threatened to execute the American soldier they’ve held since June if the United States does not release the Pakistani scientist convicted this week of attempted murder, according to Arab news outlets.

The Afghan Taliban threatened to execute Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl if the U.S. does not release Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani woman convicted Wednesday by a New York federal jury of two counts of attempted murder against U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, according to online reports coming out of Peshawar by PakTribune and Karachi News.

Read more at Stars and Stripes.

The Community School announces the addition of an Early Childhood Center (or ECC) to the Trail Creek campus for Fall 2010. Open to children ages 2 to 5, the ECC will include two, three and five-day programs, all with full and half-day options. Pre- and after-care will be available as well. Tuition for all program options will be competitive with other local pre-school offerings.

The ECC bases its approach on the Reggio Emilia philosophy, recognized internationally as an exemplary model of early childhood education (and currently gaining popularity across the United States). Hallmarks of Reggio education include a creative, stimulating and beautiful environment; an emergent curriculum drawn from the children's interests; collaborative project work including frequent outdoor experiences; in-depth art projects based in the 'atelier' or art studio; daily documentation of students' experiences; and parents as important and valued partners. We feel the Reggio philosophy is an excellent fit with The Community School’...