In honor of National Grandparents Day, September 12, The Senior Connection will be hosting a Grandparents Day Brunch on Saturday, September 11, 2010. If you haven't been to the Senior Connection in a long time, you MUST come check it out! The Grandparents Day Brunch will consist of Carved Ham, French Toast, Biscuits and Gravy, Bacon, Sausage, Scrambled Eggs, Fresh Fruit, Homestyle Breakfast Potatoes, Croissants, English Muffins, Shrimp Fettuccini Alfredo and so much more! The price is only $8 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under. A deal like that is hard to beat! Grandparents aren't in town? That's fine! Come and join us anyway, it's a great opportunity to see what we have been up to in the past two years during reconstruction! The Grandparents Day Brunch is a fun way to spend time with your family and eat a fabulous, homemade meal for a great price!  We hope to see you and your family there!

When: Saturday September 11, 2010 at 10:30 a.m.

Where: The Senior Connection: 721 3rd Ave.... (more)

Our son EricFlattery got married August 21st to Jennifer Weber. This is a picture of them" taking the plunge" into married life

By John Pluntze

Well, once again this week's Wood River Valley music offerings are sooo numerous and eclectic in nature -- including a hugely-popular singer-songwriter-guitarist from Minnesota who often immediately conjurs up images in people's minds of Bonnie Raitt and/or Melissa Etheridge -- we'll once again have to cover them in a two-part music column article, beginning with today's (Thursday) musical events.

This afternoon, from 2:30-6:30 p.m. at the Hailey Farmers Market (213 N. Main Street, next to Bank Of America), the local group Some Strings Attached will be the featured band there.

Also in the South Valley today/tonight, the seriously high-energy, country, alt-Americana band, Dallas Alice ( http://dallasalicerocks.comhttp://www.myspace.com/dallasalicerocks
http://www.myspace.com/alicerocksdallas
http://www.cdaby.com/cd/dallasalice ), performs at Mahoney's Bar & Grill in Bellevue (104 S. Main Street/ 788-4449), starting around 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. (Dallas Alice... (more)

Plum's Tara Bell heads to Nourish Me (new restaurant), Red Fish Lake, some fishing holes and has a preview of the upcoming Wagon Day celebration in Ketchum.

Labor Day Weekend 2010 in Sun Valley! Lots to do all over the Wood River Valley this weekend and Sun Valley Resort is no exception!

The final Sun Valley Ice Show of the summer featuring Olympic Silver Medalist and 2X World Silver Medalist Sasha Cohen with a cast of world-class skaters will sizzle on the ice Saturday night at dusk. Tickets on sale now online at: mySVfun.com or call 622-2135

International superstar pianist Misha Dichter will perform a benefit concert for the Sun Valley Artist Series at the Sun Valley Pavilion on Sunday night at 8pm. Tickets on sale now online at: mySVfun.com or call 622-2135 Sun Valley

Silver Car Auction Saturday & Sunday from 8am – 6pm Featuring vintage classics, sports cars, exotics, luxury and muscle cars. There may be some great deals this year, so don’t miss out! Located on the lawn next to the Sun Valley Pavilion.

Tesla Motors will be in Sun Valley Saturday & Sunday from 10am-4pm offering test drives of the new Tesla Roadster to prospective buyers.... (more)

Registration is now open for the first Trail Creek 12K Trail Run scheduled for October 30, 2010. A classic trail run with buffed-out single track, a few up's and down's and views that will make you want to run the loop twice. Race day is during halloween weekend so we are encouraging costumes. Best male / female costume, which must be worn from start to finish, will receive a special award!

Register on line at www.active.com, $20 online through October 28, $25 day of. Run details can be found at www.sunvalleyrunning.com

The SVO Pet of the Week is Grasshopper! Sweet, handsome Grasshopper was apparently abandoned and decided to go looking for a new home on her own. Unfortunately, the home she selected was not in the market for a new dog! Therefore, Grasshopper came to the shelter to find her perfect, new home. Grasshopper loves to be “on the go” and would be a fabulous hiking or jogging partner. She would definitely excel in agility, frisbee, or fly ball, and she is ready to start having some fun. Even though Grasshopper is an active little girl, she still has a sweet cuddly side and can go with the flow. She has been friendly with the other dogs at the shelter and appears to be a bit tentative around cats.  As Kung Fu told his student… “Patience young grasshopper” -- your new home and family will find you soon.  Grasshopper is a medium size spayed female Labrador Retriever / Border Collie mix born around October 2009. For more information about Grasshopper or any of the other wonderful... (more)

The Wood River Land Trust closed on its largest land acquisition in the organization's history on August 13th. The 1,609-acre Timbered Dome Ranch was purchased in order to protect its critical wildlife habitat. The addition of this property equals an ever- growing total of 11,930 acres protected in and around the Wood River Valley by the Land Trust and its members. Timbered Dome Ranch is especially important for sagebrush-obligate species like pygmy rabbits and sage grouse.

The sage grouse is currently classified in Idaho as a species that warrants endangered species status and its habitat and population status are being reviewed annually by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Timbered Dome offers ideal sage grouse habitat and has active sage grouse leks on and near the property which needed protection.

The Pygmy rabbit is highly vulnerable to a loss in sagebrush-steppe habitat and Timbered Dome offers ideal habitat for its population of pygmy rabbits which are classified as a candidate for endangered species protection.... (more)

Those involved in this week’s much discussed beginning of direct discussions between Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were rudely introduced to the realities of the region when Palestinian gunmen shot and killed four Israeli settlers outside of the city of Hebron on the West Bank. Hamas, which in the recent months has observed a ceasefire, immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

The US main stream media has described the attack as an effort by Hamas to sabotage the upcoming talks, citing their refusal to recognize Israel’s “right to exist”. While only Hamas knows their reasons for initiating the attack, my take is somewhat different.

Based on my discussions with Hamas leaders, I believe that Hamas would accept a solution that was based on the 1967 borders, East Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestinian state, a just solution for the refugees and approval by the Palestinian people in a referendum. (Khaled Mishal said similar things to NY Times... (more)

By John Pluntze

FOX News' "Red Eye" early-morning host, and "The Bible Of Unspeakable Truths" author Greg Gutfeld ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Gutfeld http://dailygut.com  www.foxnews.com ) created another (perfect???) storm of controversy when he recently proposed on his widely-watched 3 a.m. (EST) FOX network program that New York City investors join him in helping build a gay bar next to the proposed Park51 Mosque -- sometimes referred to as the "Ground Zero Mosque" -- whose location will be just a few blocks from where the World Trade Center towers in lower Manhattan once stood.

"An as an American, I believe they have every right to build the mosque -- afterall, if they buy the land and they follow the law -- who can stop them?," Gutfeld said on his FOX News program.

"Which is why, in the spirit of outreach, I've decided to do the same thing. I'm announcing tonight that I am planning to build and open the first gay bar that caters not only to... (more)

Vital to all life, water is rapidly becoming the world’s most important commodity. Water is also the source (and theme and title) of the Sun Valley Center for the Arts’ new multidisciplinary project, which will bring visual artists, musicians, resource managers and environmentalists to the Wood River Valley to explore the beauty, power and transformational qualities of water.

“For those of us who live in the American West, water plays a role in every aspect of our economic and social life,” says Kristin Poole, Sun Valley Center for the Arts Artistic Director. “Traditional industries from ranching to agriculture to mineral extraction are dependent on water. Recreational activities—boating, fishing, skiing, golf, hiking—all rely on water. Of course, in other parts of the world it’s not only about economics—access to clean drinking water is a life or death proposition.”

This multidisciplinary project will include visual arts exhibitions, a lecture and a panel discussion, films, a musical performance, classes and artist... (more)

The Senior Connection is putting on our 1st Annual Roadrunner Family Fun Run (walk) September 18, 2010! The Senior Connection touches the lives of over 150 senior citizens per day through vital meals, transportation and other enriching programs.

All proceeds from The Roadrunner 5K all go toward the Meals on Wheels Program. The day is also filled with other great perks such as a free BBQ lunch (with registration fee), Scoops Ice Cream Parlor will be open to purchase ice cream, sundaes, milkshakes and malts. Several great booths including, but not limited to, gifts from Monkeys and Mangos, Scarves by Kathleen Mardian, Massage and Structural Alignment by Travis Scott and The Well Life Center, Mary Kay products and MUCH MUCH MORE!

If that isn’t enough, we have prizes for the fastest “Roadrunners” in many different categories such as “fastest family,” “fastest corporate team,” “fastest male,” “fastest female,” “fastest senior,” and “fastest kid 12 years and younger.” If that STILL isn’t enough to get you out, we also... (more)

A couple weeks ago Ketchum-based, LOCAL DOG™ Sun Valley biscuits began arriving on the shelves of stores throughout the valley.  The company is owned by sisters, Leslie Doheny-Hanks and Robyn Watson-Hay.  Always gluten-free, the biscuits are healthy treats that currently come in three flavors: Spinach Lasagna, Veggie Pot Pie and Pumpkin Apple Cobbler.  Although dogs are carnivorous, many suffer from allergies brought on by foods such as wheat, meat products and preservatives. LOCAL DOG™ Sun Valley biscuits are made from healthy, natural and organic ingredients such as CHIA SEEDS, KELP POWDER, RICE FLOUR, MILLET FLOUR  and various fruits and vegetables for added nutrition that make up the different flavors.  “I had a little mixed breed Terrier who broke out in skin irritations one summer” said Robyn Watson-Hay. “She scratched so much her fur fell out. We learned that she was allergic to wheat (Gluten) and beef.  Once those were eliminated from her diet, her itching and hot spots... (more)

Gallery DeNovo presents
The Annex Show ~ $1,000 and Under
Upstairs Gallery
September – November, 2010

20+ Works $1,000 and under
30+ Works $500 and under
10+ Works under $250

Including Works from more than 20 International artists including Andrew Lui, James Rosenquist, Sjer Jacobs, Quim Bove and more.

“This exhibition is an effort to create a win, win, win. I'm excited to present The Annex Show - $1000 and Under, because it is a collaboration with my artists and will benefit clients”, states director Robin Reiners. It includes over 50 works from our artists and a few other works that Michael and I have had the opportunity to purchase.

Only a few years ago Gallery DeNovo exhibitions sold out or came close to selling out, and shipping work back to countries outside of the United States was a non-issue. In the last two years due to the economic conditions, sales have slowed, and although we continue to have the support of new and repeat clients, and participate in art fairs and cultivate markets outside of this Valley,... (more)

Jim Salestrom & Friends Remember John Denver at the Sun Valley Pavilion tomorrow, Tuesday, August 31 at 8pm. Tickets are still available! Rediscover the joyous spirit of John Denver’s music tomorrow night! .Jim Salestrom and friends, including special guests from John Denver’s previous band: Bill Danoff, Denny Brooks, Jim Horn, Alan Deremo, Chris Nole and Pete Huttlinger, will perform a John Denver tribute concert in the Sun Valley Pavilion Tuesday, August 31 at 8pm. Gates open at 7pm. Tickets are $20, $27 & 40 on sale now at the Sun Valley Recreation Center box office (208) 622-2135 or online at www.mySVfun.com

By John Pluntze

In yet another reminder that summer is steadily winding down, tonight will see the final "Hailey Night Of Music" of the season taking place there, from 5:30-10 p.m., featuring various bands at various locations throughout Hailey.

Ethan Tucker ( http://www.myspace.com/etuckermusic ) will be performing at The Wicked Spud (305 N. Main Street/ 788-0009); the Str8 Up! band ( www.myspace.com/str8up ) will be performing at the Sun Valley Brewery bar & restaurant (202 N. Main Street/ 788-0805); Finn Riggins ( www.finnriggins.com /  www.myspace.com/finnriggins ) will be at Fresshies (122 S. Main Street/788-3621); Cow Says Mooo ( www.facebook.com/cowsaysmooo ) will be at the KB's/Wise Guy plaza (121 N. Main Street/ 788-7217); Hangar 17 ( www.myspace.com/hangar17 ) will be at The Hailey Hotel Bar & Grill (201 S. Main Street/ 788-3140); and FourStroke Bus ( www.fourstrokebus.com ) will be performing at the Lago Azul Mexican restaurant (14 W. Croy Street/ 578-1700).

Live music is... (more)

Amy Alexander Ostrofe of Sun Valley, Idaho won the overall fastest women’s amateur title at the inaugural San Francisco Triathlon at Alcatraz.  This was a grueling race that included a 1500 meter swim that started near Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay.  Amy’s time 2:46:18 (swim 36:08, bike 1:16:35, run 51:17) was fast enough to place her in 7th place had she competed as a professional female and ahead of 4 other professional women competitors.  Her closest amateur competitor in her age group was 14 minutes behind.  Commenting on her race, Amy said “I was a little worried about the swim, but I actually found it enjoyable and was almost disappointed when it was over so fast.”

No stranger to the podium, Amy’s triathlon titles include first place in the Idaho Best of the US in 2009 and first place in the Maryland Best of the US in 2008.  She’s also been named an All American by USA Triathlon for the years 2007 -2009.  After collecting her first place... (more)

Trout Unlimited, Hemingway Chapter

September 2010 Open Meeting

Teton Dam — A Wild Legacy at Risk

and

Transfer of Local Water Rights — A Controversy

Thursday, September 2, 5 to 7 P.M. at the Roosevelt Restaurant in Ketchum

Free Admission

Teton Dam

Almost 32 years ago, the Teton Dam in southeastern Idaho failed against the force of a 17-mile long, 270-foot deep reservoir. Eight months of stored stream flow and snowmelt crashed down the valley in less than six hours, swallowing the communities of Rexburg, Teton, Newdale and Sugar City. Eleven people died and the wall of water caused as much as $1 billion in damage, according to local reports.

Now, the dam may be resurrected.

Kim Goodman, the director of the Idaho Water Project, will update our audience on the study that Trout Unlimited launched a couple of months ago regarding this issue, and will show a film that was produced last year to illustrate both the history of this tragedy and Trout Unlimited's perspective on the proposal to rebuild this dam.

Before coming to TU,... (more)

By John Pluntze

No TV show this past year regularly coaxed more laughs, tears and smiles out of me than FOX's hit musical-comedy series, "Glee," did.

Sooooo -- just how many of the 19 primetime Emmy Awards ( http://www.emmys.com / http://www.emmys.tv/ ) it's nominated for will FOX's hit musical-comedy series, "Glee," take home tonight??? (The Emmy Awards air tonight on NBC, from 6 to approximately 9 p.m., MST).

Self-confessed "Gleeks" (what avid fans of the show, including myself, often proudly and eagerly call themselves) seem a bit divided on that -- as does at least one Los Angeles-based TV/film industry insider I talked with recently about this hugely-successful series.

However, since this internationally-acclaimed show is the most nominated of any of them this year (HBO's WWII mini-series, "The Pacific," snagged 24 noms, but "Glee" easily bested all the other primetime series with a whopping 19 noms), it's probably verrry safe to say that it won't exactly go home empty-... (more)

[Editor Note: This archived article from 3  years ago originally had an error when you went to the page so if you had a problem before, it is now fixed. Thanks again to Charlie Webster for the great imagery!]

By Charlie Webster.

Forgive some of the drama in this blog, maybe I should re-write the whole thing, but I'll let it stand with some editing. There was a little heat of the moment hysteria going on.

August 28th, 2007

It can’t be happening, but it is happening. Did you ever think you would see these images? For years locals have whispered to each other, “boy, it sure seems like there is a lot of fuel lying around in the woods.” A very mature forest, the pine bark beetle, heavy fall of snow laden branches which occurred several times in the past decade, drought, beetles, heat, wind have combined to give us this: [Scroll way down to see all images]



[youtube]XxE_tfbZVps[/youtube]

Over 1600 firefighting personel under the leadership of Jeanne Pincha-Tulley and Joe Reyes struggle to contain... (more)

The Sun Valley Ice Show continues with its dazzling lineup of champions on ice this Saturday, August 28 featuring Olympic Gold Medalist, World Champion, 2X World Champion and 4X United States Champion Brian Boitano.

Brian Boitano captured his first National title in 1985 and went on to win two World titles and the 1988 Olympic gold medal. Boitano’s competitive record is unmatched. He has won more professional titles than any other skater in the history of the sport. Among those titles are six World Professional Championships. In addition, Boitano starred in his own tour, won a Primetime Emmy award for his starring role in Carmen on Ice (HBO), and was inducted into both the World and US Figure Skating Halls of Fame. In 1994 he formed White Canvas Productions, the company where he serves as Artistic Director. In June of 2008, Brian was inducted into the USOC Hall of Fame.

The Sun Valley Ice Show sizzles every Saturday night at dusk through September 4. Tickets online at: www.MySVFun.com or at the Sun Valley Recreation... (more)

By John Pluntze

9/11 isn't exactly a date on the calendar that in previous years has inspired smiles or joy in many people -- but it definitely will this year, when Saturday, September 11th, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., will mark the grand opening of the newly-expanded The Dollhouse consignment boutique (100 E. 5th Street/726-8332/ www.dollhouseconsignment.com ).

This very eagerly-anticipated grand opening will feature, among many other things, a newly-created "Starlight Room" that is geared toward middle school-aged girls (i.e, "tweens" sizes 8-16), a raffle for a $300 pink-glitter "Daisy Rock"-brand guitar, a Fall Footwear Fashion Preview show (courtesy of Sun Valley Shoes owner Jennifer Bernbaum), a myriad of soulful and inspiring musical selections from different eras and genres (courtesy of KSKI's own kick-ass DJ/Program Director, Jamie Canfield), and a variety of delicious free refreshments (courtesy of The Dollhouse's unapologetically avant-garde owner, Lara Spencer).

In fact, between now and when the Sept.... (more)

Notes Music and the Alley Cat Clothing Co. are getting ready for fall.  New this fall to the store is a new Teen/Tween Fashion Den with adult fashions in the front room.  The new back room will open August 31st. and will host children's, teen / tween clothing, shoes and fashion accessories and a great place to hang out in and listen to music.  We will also continue to carry a small line of summer fashions for those who enjoy quicky getaways to warmer climates during our long winter season.   REMEMBER.......you get 50% cash back on all purchases the day it sells.  One of the only places you can shop and collect money at the same time!  ALSO.....don't forget that we have music, new instruments and band rental programs.  Also check out our rent to own program on all instruments in the store.  Clothes, shoes, purses, guitar strings, tuners, pick, instruments, music lessons and so much more....We Have It All at Notes Music and Alley Cat Clothing on Main Street... (more)

By John Pluntze

Well, for those of you who didn't get enough live music last night at The Wicked Spud, during their very last "Back Alley Party" of the season there -- seriously, was that Finn Riggins concert not the most crazy-good one you've been to anytime in recent memory or what (even the ants in the grass were dancing!!!!!) -- there's certainly plenty more out there that's worth eagerly and happily seeking out today and this weekend.

"Death" can take many forms, and this evening (Thursday) will see two of them visit us -- in the form of the Old Death Whisper band (aka, Valley fave The Damphools:  http://www.myspace.com/thedamphools / http://thedamphools.com/home.html ), who'll be performing in the Ketchum Town Square (directly across from Giacobbi Square) from 6-8 p.m ... the second-to-last free Thursday evening concert of the season there. (Bigggg thanks, btw, not only to Stefany Mahoney there at the SV-Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau -- who selected the various terrific music... (more)