STATE NEWS
BELLEVUE NEWS Food Icon Shifts Gears PG 4
Budget Bragging PG 2
SUN VALLEY
KETCHUM
THE REPUBLIC
HAILEY
A-Political Football PG 7
BELLEVUE
PICABO
CAREY
WOOD RIVER WEEKLY
YOUR VOICE IN THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY
Free | Jan 26 - Feb 8, 2022 | Vol. 3 - No. 2 | woodriverweekly.com
“One kind word can warm three winter months.” - Japanese proverb
TOXIC PLANTS KILL 5 LOCAL ELK Fish & Game says 2016 landscape ordinance falls short
D
By Erik Valentine
espite a 2016 Blaine County ordinance restricting the planting of noxious plants, including exotic yew, three elk—two cows and one calf—were found dead Jan. 18 after eating the toxic plant north of Hailey near The Valley Club. Two additional elk were found the next morning, a calf just north of Hailey and a yearling in Sun Valley. Fish and Game conservation officers who investigated the reported dead elk confirmed the presence of yew in the digestive system of all the elk but have yet to find the specific location of the plant or plants that were ingested. Residents should inspect the landscaping around their homes and remove all yew plants in an effort to keep wildlife and pets safe, especially during winter months when wildlife moves down into historic winter range, now occupied by community neighborhoods and private residences. If removal is not possible until spring, the bushes should be securely fenced so that wildlife cannot get access to the plants, or the plants should be tightly wrapped with burlap. A field necropsy of the elk showed that the elk were weathering the winter well, evidenced by ample rump and back fat reserves and healthy bone marrow, which reflects the body condition of wildlife such as elk. According to regional wildlife manager Mike McDonald, landowners need to be aware of the types of vegetation they purchase and plant on their properties. “I realize that it’s hard to dig up mature landscaping but everyone needs to do the right thing for wildlife, and even to protect your pets, by removing plants like exotic yew. It takes a surprisingly small amount of yew to kill an elk, deer or moose, which are all species that residents can see throughout the Valley, almost daily,” McDonald said. Many plants contain toxic chemicals which may be dangerous to humans, pets, and wildlife. Yew is an evergreen tree commonly used in ornamental plantings or landscaping that contains highly poisonous chemicals known as
A bull elk beds down in the snow in a residential area of Hailey. Due to deep snow in the mountains, local elk herds have been wandering neighborhoods in search of food — several recently ingesting toxic plants and later dying as a result. Photo Credit: Carol Waller
alkaloid taxines. Two species of yew, Japanese and European, are particularly toxic. Information gathered from the Blaine County website show that in February 2016 the Blaine County Board of County Commissioners unanimously passed County Ordinance Number 201601, declaring certain plant species as county noxious weeds, prohibiting the sale, planting, and possession of any plant on the county noxious weed list, and providing penalties for violations. The ordinance is a response to the fact that during the winter of 2015 and 2016 foraging wildlife consumed toxic yew plants in residential areas that led to the death of at least 20 elk throughout Blaine County. For more information, contact the Magic Valley Regional Fish & Game Office at (208) 3244359.
Yew plant that is toxic to both wildlife and pets. Photo credit: Ben Cadwallader, IDFG
Pieces of toxic yew taken from the digestive system of a dead elk. Photo credit: Ben Cadwallader, IDFG
2
W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY
NEWS
•
JANUARY 26 - FEBRUARY 8, 2022
BIDENFLATION
STATE
Gov. Little makes a big deal about budget balancing differences. Does it matter?
Gov. Brad Little. Photo credit: Office of the Governor
H
By Eric Valentine
ey @Idahoans … Check out your governor’s Insta. He’s totally dissing the president. #Bidenflation. Politicians—especially ones whose seats are being challenged within their own party—are supposed to play to their base whenever they have the opportunity. And given a Democratic stronghold on the Oval Office for at least a few more years, plus midterm elections fast approaching, plus the painful impact of current inflation, Idaho Governor Brad Little should be using social media and more to showcase his proposed balanced budget. But with a Friday, Feb. 18, budget setting session for FY2023 only a few weeks away, some fiscal policy conversations may sound freaky. That is, Republicans and Democrats may be switching up slogans or even finding a few things they actually agree—or can compromise—on. Case in point: In a January “Newsweek” article, Republican and Idaho’s Senate President Chuck Winder was quoted as saying, “It’s interesting that some of the public is saying, ‘No, I don’t really want tax relief. I’d rather see you put the money into roads and schools and do the deferred maintenance things that need to be done to keep our state and our universities and colleges run-
ning properly.’ So that’s going to be the debate—how best to do that.” In a state that is firmly implanted in the political red, Winder’s use of the phrase “some of the public” means Republicans—or the people who are going to vote for Winder—are OK with no tax relief on their personal IRS checks if it means the road they drive on or the teacher who educates their kid is a little better off. And as much as Idaho has going for it, there are a lot of improvements to be made. Research and surveys rate Idaho with less than stellar national comparison rankings. For instance, regarding Idaho, recent “U.S. News & World Report” rankings say Idaho is: • Number 26 in healthcare • Number 28 in transportation • Number 29 in infrastructure • Number 33 in education • Number 35 in opportunity • Number 41 in access to the internet And most eyebrow raising of all, the Gem State ranks below New Jersey in the category of natural environment. The number 15 ranking is negatively influenced by Idaho’s poor showing when it comes to drinking water violations (more on that later), but still, the following is not something you’re going to see bragged about by the Visitors Bureau any time soon: Idaho Water Quality— Hey, at least we’re not in Flint, Michigan! Government—A Socialist Enterprise In a country whose roots are tied to capitalism perhaps even more so than the other c-word (Christianity), it’s become customary and expected to be hawkish about things like deficits and debts (yes, there is a difference between the two), fiduciary responsibility, tax breaks for the working class (well, for billionaires and corporations and any so-called job creator, too). And it’s fair to say the national narrative—historically, at least—is that Democrats are the tax-and-spend party and Republicans are the adult-in-the-room party. In more local jurisdictions, where often someone’s D or R political affiliation is not or is at least less publicly known, leaders there are starting to focus more on “investment” versus “spending.” Case in point: Ketchum Mayor Neil Bradshaw’s take on his city’s yearly budget aims. “The law requires us to keep a reserve fund and when
there’s something left over we want to put that money to work, because that’s what government should be doing,” Bradshaw said. “I don’t believe the taxpayers want us to be a bank.” And therein lies the debate Bradshaw hopes governments (and voters) at any jurisdictional level start clearly having: a fiscal analysis of what is and what is not an investment or which investment should be priority any given year. “What we don’t want to be is frivolous. If we’re putting taxpayer money into a slip and slide on Mt. Baldy in the middle of a housing crisis, that’s frivolous,” Bradshaw said. Editor’s Note: To follow the Idaho State Legislature’s budget-setting process, download or link to the schedule at legislature.idaho.gov/lso/bpa/process
Special Section
Health& Wellness RATES (including FULL COLOR)
Quarter Junior Horizontal (5.78” x 3.875”) - $185 Quarter Junior Vertical (3.8” x 7.875”) - $185 Quarter (5.78” x 7.875”) - $275 Half Page (9.75” x 7.875”) - $475 Full Page (9.75” x 16”) - $775 Health & Wellness Services & Shopping Guide Ads Single: $55 (3” x 3.5”) Double: $105 (6” x 3.5”) Triple: $155 (9.15” x 3.5”) Advertorials (you write them, we publish them)* Single Advertorial (250 words plus logo OR photo): $55 Double Advertorial (500 words plus logo AND photo): $100
*Must purchase a display ad in the special section to qualify for advertorials
Contact Mandi at (208) 721-7588 or mandi@woodriverweekly.com
W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY
WRW STAFF
• JANUARY 26 - FEBRUARY 8, 2022
3
FLY SUN
PUBLISHER Christopher Seldon (208) 788-4789 publisher@woodriverweekly.com MARKETING & SALES Mandi Iverson (208) 721-7588 mandi@woodriverweekly.com NEWS EDITOR Eric Valentine news@woodriverweekly.com COPY EDITOR Patty Healey PRODUCTION & DESIGN Mandi Iverson mandi@woodriverweekly.com
MORE WINTER NONSTOP FLIGHTS! Alaska SEA 1-2x daily United DEN • LAX • SFO daily United ORD daily holidays; Sat/Sun Jan-Feb; daily March Delta SLC 2-3x daily, LAX daily holidays
Christopher Seldon chris@woodriverweekly.com ACCOUNTING accounting@woodriverweekly.com DEADLINES Display & Classified Ads, Monday 5 p.m. Calendar Submissions — Friday 5 p.m.
GREAT NEWS! IMPROVED RELIABILITY ON ALL SUN FLIGHTS New instrument approach technology = fewer diverted SUN flights in bad weather for ALL airlines (Alaska, Delta, United)
CONTACT Wood River Weekly P.O. Box 3483 Hailey, Idaho 83333 (208) 788-4789 woodriverweekly.com
*Busing service will still be available if needed
«
Sign up here for airfare deal alerts and news too!
www.flysunvalleyalliance.com
Fly SUN. Nonstop to DEN • LAX • ORD • SEA • SFO • SLC ONE STOP TO THE WORLD
Voted “Best Asian Cuisine”
For the safety of the community and to slow the spread,
TAKEOUT & DINE-IN
Mon: 3:00pm - 8pm • Tue-Sat: 12pm - 8pm • Sunday CLOSED Thank you and stay safe!
310 MAIN STREET IN HAILEY
(208) 928-7111
LIL BIT Spayed Female 6 Years Old Lil Bit is a six-year-old Blue Heeler girl who needs a little more. Her dad passed unexpectedly, and she keeps looking for him. Lil Bit is quiet, walks well on a leash, loves cheese treats, and wants to be near people. We know that her true happy self will reappear when she has a new person. Could you be Lil Bit’s “Lil” more? 101 Croy Creek Rd, Hailey mountainhumane.org 208-788-4351
Wood River Insurance
A Member of Asset Protection Group
Check SUN fares first!
4
W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY
•
JANUARY 26 - FEBRUARY 8, 2022
NEWS
BELLEVUE
PANDEMIC PIVOT
Oak Street was a popular Bellevue eatery for 18 years. Photo credit: Kelly Choma/Google Maps
Popular Bellevue eatery to close public dining operations Feb. 1 By Eric Valentine
W
jane’s artifacts arts / / crafts / / papers / / office / / party
WE’LL TAKE CARE OF ALL YOUR VALENTINE’S DAY NEEDS • • • • • • • • • •
BALLOONS CARDS GIFTS STICKERS RUBBER STAMPS KIDS VALENTINES RIBBON PARTY GOODS CRAFTS PAPERS
CANDY & GIFTS
jane’s holiday house & gift
12 EAST BULLION, HAILEY • 208.928.7055 106 S. MAIN, HAILEY • 208.788.0848 • JANESARTIFACTS@COX.NET
KETCHUM DERMATOLOGY
Catherine A. Ramsay, M.D.
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Ramsay’s expertise is in the Diseases of the Skin, Hair, and Nails... as well as Anti-Aging treatments like Botox & Filler! Catherine A. Ramsay completed her Medical Degree at the University of California; where she served as Chief Resident in Dermatology. Bringing over 20 years of experience, Dr. Ramsay is looking forward to serving patients in the Wood River Valley. 100 S. Leadville Ave. Ste. 2, Ketchum, ID 83340
NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS 208.928.4413 | skinsv.com
hen Vicky Walker opened her South Valley eatery 18 years ago on Valentine’s Day, her labor of love never got tied down to one particular business model or menu or fad. The focus instead was on a quality product—lunch foods that split the difference between homemade and gourmet— and the ability to pivot when weather or inventory or customer schedules or market prices became the variables of the day. “What kept Oak Street afloat all these years was a fluid business plan,” Walker said, just 48 hours after announcing on social media that as of Feb. 1 the restaurant she and her husband launched nearly two decades ago would not serve walk-in, dine-in or take-out customers ever again. Numerous privately held restaurants across the country have gone under during the COVID-19 pandemic. And while Walker acknowledges there were business ups and downs the last two years, the lockdown and social distancing restrictions only made other parts of her business stronger. One example, her role as an artisan food provider for Kraay’s Market & Garden, a south Bellevue farm offering home delivery to customers in the Wood River Valley. “When the lockdown happened, Kraay’s absolutely boomed,” said Walker, who had been providing pre-made foods like chicken enchiladas, spring rolls, eggplant parmesan, and salad dressings to the farm for roughly the last six years. The farm, which launched commercially in 2015, had been humming along just fine, slowly growing its user base. Pre-pandemic, however, it’s easy for the market (i.e., food buying customers) to react to a business like Kraay’s as a sort of specialty item. In other words, the delivery of locally grown, organic produce and local artisan specialties—there are more than two dozen providers other than Walker—are special occasion nice-tohaves for the working class and perhaps even flaunting if you’re self-consciously wealthy. Enter a full-scale lockdown and the mandates and restrictions that followed and suddenly you have an entire Valley a little leary of grocery store crowds and a little tired of ordering takeout even if it’s done in the pandemic parlance of “curbside pickup.” It turned Kraay’s from a nice idea
Vicki Walker. Photo credit: Vicki Walker
you hope works out into the right idea at the right time, perhaps even a necessity. For the 64-year-old Walker, all this meant it wasn’t time to retire since her product was still in high demand. It did mean it was time to retire the idea that going even another year with Oak Street Foods as a traditional eatery made little sense. So the longtime Bellevue resident pivoted. “I will continue to be completely involved in creating meals, soups, sauces, dips, snacks, and sweet treats via Kraay’s,” Walker wrote in her social media post. “(Kraay’s) is an incredible and unique business in our Valley and I encourage everyone to use this resource. It is so convenient and brings so much locally sourced deliciousness to your home. You will be able to order all that Oak Street Foods has to offer and have it delivered to your home.” So what does that mean day in day out for Walker? “Semi-retirement,” she joked. Putting “semi” in front of retirement is hardly accurate for an artisan and entrepreneur like Walker. She estimates that she’s worked about 12 hours a day, six days a week the past 18 years. “I did the math when it comes to Kraay’s and I’m probably looking at working just under 40 hours a week,” Walker said. Walker had some parting thoughts for the community as she steps forward into new ground. When it comes to your shopping and eating out habits, it’s fine that so much that has changed because of the pandemic remains. But never forget to “go local” and support the businesses you want to see around next year that you know must be struggling. “Choose to help someone out,” Walker said.
W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY
•
NEWS
JANUARY 26 - FEBRUARY 8, 2022
5
IN BRIEF
“We ask the important questions and listen carefully until we understand exactly where your financial life stands today, and where you’d like it to be tomorrow.”
Warm Springs Preserve Offered A New $500,000 Challenge
The campaign for Warm Springs Preserve received another boost with a new challenge grant. If the community can raise $665,500 more, an anonymous donor will contribute $500,000 to finish the campaign. Meeting this challenge will enable the city to purchase 65 acres of the Warm Springs Ranch property by the April 2022 deadline. Since the start of the campaign, and through the generosity of 731 donors, gifts and pledges now total $7,834,500. That total puts the city just $1,165,500 away from the full $9 million campaign goal, which includes $8 million for the purchase of the property and $1 million for a new irrigation system and essential site improvements. “The residents and visitors of this valley have gone above and beyond in their generosity toward this project,” said Mayor Neil Bradshaw. “We hit a $1 million end-of-the-year challenge. I hope the momentum continues so that we can match this new significant fundraising opportunity.” Last month, an incentive offered by the property owner lowered the sales price of the Warm Springs Preserve by $1 million, reducing the total fundraising goal to $9 million instead of $10 million. Warm Springs Preserve will be kept as open space in perpetuity for the community if the campaign to purchase the property succeeds. Priorities for the Preserve include off-leash dog access, creek and habitat restoration, new water-conscious irrigation system, walking trails, informal gatherings and activities, Nordic ski and snowshoe trails, and public restrooms. Development, organized sports and reserved private or commercial events would be restricted. What happens if not enough money is raised to buy the land? Currently, the property is zoned to allow significant development. However, a subdivision application and approval from the city would still be required. For more information and to find ways to give, visit www.warmspringspreserve.org. If you have questions about the fundraising campaign or the city’s plans for the property, email warmspringspreserve@gmail.com.
Dance Centre Sets Foot On School Tour Suzanne Hazlett, MBA, CIMA®, CFP® CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM Certified Investment Management Analyst®
HazlettWealthManagement.com 208.726.0605 675 SUN VALLEY ROAD, SUITES J1 + J2 KETCHUM, IDAHO 83340 Hazlett Wealth Management, LLC is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc.
Footlight Dance Centre, under the artistic direction of Hilarie Neely, is back performing live, starting with its annual school tour “Olympic Dances” from Jan. 25 through Feb. 4. The company of 15 dancers will present a show honoring the 2022 Olympic Winter Games being held in Beijing. For over 30 years Footlight has provided our Blaine County students with free professional educational dance performances at the end of January. It has been part of the organization’s mission to expose/experience dance and other collaborating art forms in an educational setting. The company will present our free community performance on Thursday, Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. This performance will be held at the Wood River High School Performing Arts Theater, 1050 Fox Acres Road, at the Community Campus in Hailey.
Narcotics Team Makes Fentanyl Arrest
On Thursday, Jan. 13, the Blaine County Narcotics Enforcement Team arrested three individuals on drug-related charges as part of an investigation. Priscilla Barrientes, age 39, of Boise, was charged with two felony counts of Trafficking in Methamphetamine and one felony count of Delivery of a Controlled Substance–Fentanyl. Barrientes was arraigned in Magistrate Court on Jan. 14, and was being held on a $150,000 bond in the Blaine County Detention Center. Martin Zavala Mendoza Jr., age 25, of Caldwell, was charged with one felony count of Aid and Abet Trafficking in Methamphetamine and one felony count of Aid and Abet Delivering in Fentanyl. Zavala Mendoza was arraigned in Magistrate Court on Jan. 14, and was being held on a $150,000 bond in the Blaine County Detention Center. A third individual was arrested for aiding and abetting Trafficking and Delivery of a Controlled Substance; however, those charges were dismissed at arraignment. That individual is being held on a felony agent’s warrant for a probation violation out of Canyon County.
Submit A Pet Obituary Honor the memory of your pet in The Wood River Weekly. This year, we’re offering 20% OFF our regular obituary rate for pet obituaries. Pet obituaries cost just 16¢ per word and include a large color photo.
Harrison Insurance
an authorized select independent agency “For All Your Insurance Needs!”
To reserve space for an obituary or pet obituary, call Mandi at (208) 721-7588
One-stop shopping for Business, Commercial, Home, Auto, Umbrella, Life, Health and Medigap insurance policies 208.788.3255 - nathan@harrisonins.com 101 E. Bullion Ste. 2A Hailey, ID
“Frankie” — 2003-2018
6
NEWS
W O O D R I V E R W E E K L Y • J A N U A R Y 2 6 - F E B R U A R Y 8 , 2 0 2 2
Library Lecture To Focus On Botox
The Hailey Public Library will host “Pick Your Poison – Botulism!” on Thursday, Jan. 27, at 5:30 p.m. The third in an occasional series with forensic chemist Cat Helms, the virtual talk will explore botulinum toxin, which some people may recognize as the drug Botox. “Botulinum toxins are the most poisonous substances known and amounts measured in parts per trillion can be lethal to humans,” HPL’s programs and engagement manager Kristin Fletcher said. “Cat is an engaging presenter and will explore how this lethal toxin has been transformed from a deadly menace to a therapeutic agent.” Helms has B.S. degrees in Psychology from Vanderbilt University and in Forensic Chemistry from Virginia Commonwealth University where she served as the Forensic Toxicology Laboratory manager. In 2008 she received a Master of Science degree in Molecular Medicine from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. Helms also has significant experience as a science and math tutor and currently owns Cat Does Science, which provides local academic support and study strategies in math and science to middle and high school students. RSVP to kristin.fletcher@haileypubliclibrary.org.
Ketchum Asks Residents To Attend City Meetings Online Only
As Blaine County moves through the current Omicron virus wave, the City of Ketchum is encouraging the public to participate virtually in upcoming public meetings. Idaho’s open meeting law requires that public meetings are open and accessible to people who choose to attend in person. People entering the building are required to wear masks in accordance with Ketchum Health Order 21-02. Seating in the Community Meeting Room for City Council, Planning & Zoning Commission and Ketchum Urban Renewal Agency meetings is appropriately spaced for 6-foot physical distancing.
IN BRIEF Remote meeting information can be found on the agenda for all public meetings and can be accessed at www.ketchumidaho.org/meetings.
Hailey Library Offers Free English Classes
The Hailey Public Library is offering a free, six-week conversational English class for native Spanish speakers of all abilities. Classes will be held on Fridays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. starting Jan. 21 and taught by tutor Leonardo Padilla Sacha. Registration is encouraged but drop-ins are welcomed. Masks and proof of vaccination are required. RSVP to kristin.fletcher@haileypubliclibrary.org.
Hailey Puts Restrictions On Dog-Friendly Trails
The City of Hailey in conjunction with the Bureau of Land Management Shoshone Field Office and Wood River Land Trust are implementing a no-dog restriction for the uphill activities in Red Devil/Hangman/Quigley/Cutter hillsides and Olympia Gulch immediately east of the Woodside neighborhood. Dog walkers can continue to use Quigley Road, the northern section of the Quigley loop trail, the flat trails at the base of the hills in Cutters and the Woodside Toe Of The Hill trail. The restriction is intended to minimize impacts to wintering deer and elk beginning immediately and will remain in effect until further notice. Signs have been posted at all main access points. Winter is difficult on wildlife and recreation with dogs off-leash in particular can increase stress on deer and elk. Dogs resemble a coyote or wolf, both of which have been natural predators of deer and elk for thousands of years. Restricting dogs from hillsides is a first step in protecting wildlife from human and dog disturbances. For additional information, see the wildlife smart communities website, https:// wrvwildlifesmart.org/seasonal-restrictions-for-wildlife/ or contact BLM Outdoor Recreation Planner John Kurtz at (208) 732-7296, City of Hailey Community Development Director Lisa Horowitz at (208) 788-9815 or Wood River Land Trust Lands Program Manager Keri York at (208) 788-3947.
W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY
THE REPUBLIC
A
By Eric Valentine
•
JANUARY 26 - FEBRUARY 8, 2022
A-Political Football
s noted before, the title of this ongoing column is in reference to Plato—he authored “The Republic” a gazillion years ago—who said what is glorified in a country is cultivated there. And we said we’d use these column inches to take a look at arts and entertainment to see from that lens what our society is honoring and therefore nurturing here. Are you ready for some football? As January bleeds into February, the sports world doesn’t get any more glorious than NFL football. And although the Super Bowl has become a defacto national holiday wherein Americans gluttonize on Doritos and Domino’s and debate which gazillion-dollar commercial was the best this year, it’s last Sunday and next that offer some of the best football you could ever see. By the time the NFL is deep into its playoffs, fans are left with only the very best teams playing their very best. Last weekend’s matchups did not disappoint. How evenly matched was the competition in the so-called Divisional Round of the playoffs? With the exception of one game, the underdog came out victorious. And in that one game—Buffalo Bills versus Kansas City Chiefs—the game needed overtime to be played for a winner to be named. Enter tragedy. American football—at least as the rules are now in the NFL—doesn’t ensure that both teams will get a chance for their offense to score. In what is an actual improvement to the former rules, the team that wins a coin toss can select to be on offense or defense (it’d be stupid to pick defense in this case). If your offense scores a touchdown, you win. If your offense only manages to get a field goal, the other team gets a chance to score with its offense. I know, it’s stupid. How stupid? Well, yesterday’s Bills/Chiefs matchup pitted two of the best young quarterbacks in football, Josh Allen (Bills) and Patrick Maholmes (Chiefs), against each other. It’s the Brady versus Manning of the 2020s. Toward the end of the game, both quarterbacks had their offenses firing on all pistons and it was pretty hard to imagine that the next time either offense would take the field, a touchdown would be the result. In other words, whichever team won the coin toss was going to vie for the Super Bowl this coming Sunday. The coin toss! It’s stupid. So, the Chiefs win the coin toss and select to go on offense, because they’re not stupid. And of course, they
score a touchdown and win the game. There were likely plenty of disappointed fans in Buffalo, but no known insurrections at the New York capitol. What is sure to follow on ESPN and sports talk radio programs and podcasts the next little while is how those rules should be changed. Sports fans, from winning and losing teams and everything in between, will actually put forward some reasonable ideas. These ideas will reflect a certain sense of fairness to all teams and a guiding ethical principle of making sure the better team always wins, that merit not mercy will determine who is victorious. Politics won’t be at play. These fans are the same ones (I’m talking about all of us now) who have picked a political team of sorts, whether it be registered establishment Republicans or Democrats or people who lean liberal left or conservative right. We will look at Build Back Better bills, fili-
OPINION
7
ERIC VALENTINE
buster rules, Supreme Court decisions and even criminal case verdicts through a mostly blue or mostly red lens. If you think you’re a true blend of the two, stop kidding yourself. Purple political lenses are more rare than a Minnesota Vikings entrance into the Super Bowl (it hasn’t happened since the early 1970s). I offer no solution to this psychological glitch: how come we can—even when our beloved football team’s championship is at stake—see what’s best for all teams, what’s best for the sport; but when our political ideals are in jeopardy, compromise has lost in overtime to a zero-sum game. An answer to the problem lies in whether both sides of any issue will ever wake up to the idea this glitch even exists for them. Like the NFL playoffs, we would be a lot better if we didn’t leave it up to a matter of chance.
CAITLIN JOHNSTONE
Anonymous Officials Claim There’s An Evil Russian Plot Again But The Evidence Is Secret Again By Caitlin Johnstone
Major western news publications are running a story about a sinister plot by the Russian government, and—you may want to sit down for this—the sources of the report are anonymous, and the evidence for it is secret. The New York Times reports that according to anonymous individuals within the US and British governments, Russia is currently plotting to topple the existing government of Ukraine in some way using some method and then somehow install a puppet regime that is sympathetic to Moscow using some sort of means. What specifically those means and methods might be are not revealed to us in this very serious news report. “The communiqué provided few details about how Russia might go about imposing a new government on Ukraine, and did not say whether such plans were contingent on an invasion by Russian troops,” the Paper of Record informs us. “British officials familiar with the situation, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the intent was both to head off the activation of such plans as well as to put Mr. Putin on notice that this plot had been exposed.” Sounds like Britain has taken what the US actually did to Ukraine in 2014, and rebooted it for Russia. Here’s Obama-Biden official Victoria Nuland & then-US Amb. Geoffrey Pyatt privately deciding to install Arseniy Yatsenyuk (“Yats is the guy”) as Ukraine’s next Prime Minister: https://t.co/PDoXBIY5kM pic.twitter.com/0fTraRMEvl — Aaron Maté (@aaronjmate) January 22, 2022 Now if you are hoping to be provided with some sort of evidence for these incendiary claims, I’m afraid I’m going to have to disappoint you, because get this: the journalists reporting on this story have not seen any evidence. Apparently they’re just passing on unverified government assertions made by unknown spies to their readers because they were told to, which I guess is something journalists can do now? I know, I know, I was a little surprised when I learned that too. But here it is, straight from the horse’s mouth: “The British communiqué provided no evidence to back up its assertion that Russia was plotting to overthrow the Ukrainian government,” the Times reports. You will be reassured however to learn that despite the actual evidence of the actual Russian nefariousness being kept invisible to us, anonymous officials within the US government have reviewed the intelligence gathered by anonymous British spies for us and concluded on our behalf that the evidence is solid. “In Washington, officials said they believe the British intelligence is correct. Two
officials said it had been collected by British intelligence services,” The New York Times informs us. You see that? These claims about a devious Russian conspiracy have been confirmed by anonymous government operatives in both the US and the UK. That’s two separate, completely unconnected governments independently verifying that these claims are true. That’s called independent corroboration, gentlesirs. Basically the same as ironclad proof. This story – which the British government has handed to media outlets – is so fake that it doesn’t sound remotely credible to anyone who knows anything about Ukraine. If Russia were to conjure a scheme like this, Moscow would choose someone from the largest opposition party. https://t.co/9JfyZ6Atb0 — Bryan MacDonald (@27khv) January 23, 2022 It does seem a little strange to me, though, that after taking great license to report anonymous government assertions without evidence The New York Times seems to take issue with the Russian government making unevidenced claims. “Russian officials have repeatedly denied any intention of launching an attack against Ukraine, dismissing such accusations as ‘hysteria’ and claiming without providing evidence that it is the government in Kyiv that is seeking to escalate tensions,” write the article’s authors. When this report came out I was a bit surprised by the way unproven claims by anonymous government sources are treated as actual news stories for grown adults to read instead of empty nothing stuff to be ignored and flushed down our mental toilet tubes, as I’m sure you were too. But I did a little digging and it turns out that this sort of thing is actually quite commonplace within western news media institutions, like when we were told without evidence that the Russians were plotting a false flag operation in Ukraine, or like when we were told without evidence that the Russians are using high-tech ray guns to scramble the brains of US diplomats and spies and it turned out to be baseless, or like when we were told without evidence that the Russians were paying Afghan resistance fighters to kill western occupying troops and it turned out to be false and wrong, or like when we were told without evidence that Russians interfered in the United States election and it monopolized all news reports and political discourse for years, or like when we were told without evidence for years and years that Russia was about to invade Ukraine any minute now and then it kept not happening. I’m sure this time is different, though. After all that practice and all that trial and error, I’m sure our trusted news media institutions have perfected their craft and are now masters at reporting the truth.
8
W O O D R I V E R W E E K L Y • J A N U A R Y 2 6 - F E B R U A R Y 8 , 2 0 2 2
Fishing R epoRt
COMM ENT ARY
NO BONES ABOUT IT THE “WEEKLY” FISHING REPORT FOR JANUARY 25 - FEBRUARY 8 FROM PICABO ANGLER
W
aterfowl season will be coming to an end this Friday. The end of hunting season on Silver Creek nicely coincides with the beginning of the year’s best Streamer fishing on the Creek. We have been living under gray clouds the past few weeks in Picabo, which will only enhance the fishing. These darker days mean more fish will be out in the open, hunting. It also means fish will be sitting shallow as they look to grab some radiant heat from above. The lower portions of the Creek will begin to fill with fish as the water temps from Highway 20 downstream to Picabo Bridge will be perfect. All of this spells Silver Creek Streamer fishing. There is no need to fish any weight on these flies. Again, the fish won’t be very deep. It is important to target the banks and then fish to the middle. These fish will chase the fly a long way, so the longer your fly stays swimming, the better. A quick note about the silt making the water go off-color. We want this! If you come to Silver Creek and see that it has a tint to it, or it looks more dirty than clean, don’t go anywhere! The murky late-winter water means epic Streamer conditions. If anything, super-clear water means you may want to look elsewhere, although the cloud cover will make up for cleaner flows. Fishing the Creek with no weight on your Streamer is a very visually appealing way to fish. It is very common to watch a fish pull off the bank and “wake” after your fly. About the time your brain is registering what is happening, you may see a big boil or swirl on the surface. That is the fish eating your fly! You may not feel the bite in this moment but go ahead and set the hook aggressively. Since you will be fishing 2X fluorocarbon leaders or stronger, you won’t have to worry about breaking off on the hook set. The hook set is mostly a strip strike with your off hand and then a lift of the rod while gaining your slack line. Elevate your rod once you are hooked up. This should keep fish off the bottom and on the line. The winter can be hard on some fish, so release yours while they are in the water. Limit your photos to the big ones and treat them well!
THE DOG PARK – THROUGH THE EYES OF A DOG By Fran Jewell
“Oh boy! We are going for a ride in the car! That always means something fun! I love running and playing! I especially like the river! “Oh boy! Here we are! Look at this big space for me to run! I hope mom brought treats, too. It’s so fun to play that ‘come’ game where she calls my name, and when I get to her she gives me treats. I love that game so much! “Oh no! What is happening? There are three dogs headed my way—all bigger than me! They are barking madly! They have hackles up! What did I do to make them want to charge me? I am so afraid! What should I do? I don’t know what to do! I am so afraid!” “They just want to say “Hello!” yells their owner. My mom says, “Please call your dogs! I have a puppy that is very afraid of your dogs barking and hackling at her!” “They’re friendly!” the other owner yells back. “This is not a friendly way for a dog to approach a puppy!” mom says. “Oh no! They are on top of me! I am going to roll on my back to let them know I am no threat. But, wait! All three of them are on top of me! One is biting my neck! I am so scared! I think I might get killed! I am going to stand up and nip at them to make them go away! Leave me alone! PLEASE!!! LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!” “Well, you sure have a nasty dog, Lady!“ screams the other owner to my mom. “Your dogs are obnoxious greeters and your dogs need to learn to come when they are called to avoid this! This is unacceptable! They are operating as a pack and see my puppy as prey! This could scar my puppy for life!” my mom says. Encounters like this happen every day when dogs are allowed to run off-leash. All dog owners want their dogs to have good experiences, especially here where there are so many places for our dogs to enjoy the outdoors. With this freedom and the beautiful surroundings comes a responsibility when we take our dogs with us. Please recognize social dog behavior and unsocial dog behavior. A dog that charges other dogs is not being friendly. It is bullying the other dog it is charging. Recognize that behavior for what it is and teach your dog to come when it is called BEFORE the bullying starts. Do not make excuses for your dog’s behavior by calling it “friendly”
SCIENCE OF PLACE
In this photo, the Bernese mountain dog wants to play, but is cautious. The German shepherd approaches with a relaxed tail and with her side toward the Berner, signifying she does not want to scare him. Photo credit: Fran Jewell
when it is not. When you have a puppy, the last place you want to go is somewhere that much larger dogs you do not know are allowed to run free. Puppies should be exposed to older dogs that have good manners with puppies. Not all older, larger dogs like puppies. If you are going to have a dog that you allow to run loose, be sure your dog DESERVES that freedom with good behavior so other dogs and PEOPLE are not injured in the process. Dog freedom is a privilege earned by good behavior, not a RIGHT. Take time to teach your dog right from wrong. Fran Jewell is an IAABC Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, NADOI Certified Instructor and the owner of Positive Puppy Dog Training, LLC in Sun Valley. For more information, visit positivepuppy.com or call 208-578-1565.
LARRY BARNES
SONG OF THE FIRST SIGNS OF SPRING
O
BY LARRY BARNES
ur bioregion is sleeping under winter’s white blanket, but already audible signs of spring are in the air. I heard them on January 13th coming from beneath a bridge over the Big Wood River. An American dipper had begun to sing. Some combination of increasing daylight and hormonal changes had probably caused this individual to take time out from foraging in the icy waters for food and broadcast its hopes over the white noise of its ice water world. We rightly associate bird song with spring. As Earth orbits the sun, more light sets the table with all the ingredients needed for the coming banquet. Ice melts, the land warms, sunlight ignites photosynthesis, buds swell and sprout leaves, insects come alive, and it becomes worthwhile for birds to migrate north toward the land of long days. A vernal abundance of food is coming and for many birds the benefits of reproducing here exceed the costs of migration. But the American dipper is largely non-migratory and begins its breeding season while snow covers the land. Why get started so far ahead of its feathered kin? Five species of dippers occur on Earth, two in the Old World and three here in the New World. They are the only members of their family and their genus – Cinclus. The dippers are members of the largest order of birds, the Passeriformes, which includes about 8,600 species, or 60% of all birds. All five dipper species evolved from one version, probably all sharing the same unusual characteristics. Dippers are the only full-time aquatic members of their order and it follows that they have evolved special adaptations as a result. Dipper bones are more solid than other bird species, most of whom have famously light-weight hollow bones. This increased density
Happy fishing, everyone!
Hwy 20 in Picabo info@picaboangler.com (208)788.3536 www.picaboangler.com
FRAN JEWELL
American dipper. Photo Credit: Larry Barnes
American dipper nest built uncharacteristically on top of a bridge, instead of under it. Photo Credit: Larry Barnes
may offset their extreme buoyancy thanks to an oversized uropygial gland – the source of the oil that makes feathers waterproof. While “flying” underwater, a dipper reflects a silver sheen from a layer of air trapped against its densely feathered body. Flaps on their nostrils close when they submerge. And their blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity exceeds that of their relatives. The American dippers’ world revolves around fast-moving clear streams that team with dragonfly and caddisfly nymphs, which they capture underwater like a tiny, frenetic diving duck. They build their dome-shaped nests of moss on streamside cliffs or beneath bridges. The sexes appear alike and both parents feed the young, but the female does the incubating. It takes about 38 days from egg-laying to chicks leaving the nest. So why the rush? Why start the breeding season in January rather than in April or May, like their more sensible bird cousins? The reason probably includes the fact that a dipper’s pantry is never empty. Streams that flow year-round always harbor aquatic insects and tiny fish. Also, dippers often produce two clutches per season; get an early start if you want to maximize your Darwinian fitness. Finally, dipper nests are sometimes built close to the stream, and nature would favor parents that nest early, before a June flood might wash their babies down the river. Larry Barnes retired from 26 years as a biology teacher at Wood River High School and is now transitioning to full-time amateur exploration of the natural world.
W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY
MONEY MATTERS
•
JANUARY 26 - FEBRUARY 8, 2022
KRISTIN HOVENCAMP
RINSE & REPEAT
Annual Financial + Estate Planning Checklist BY KRISTIN HOVENCAMP
F
or a year, how many times have you forgotten to revise an important document? Often, you can remedy a mistake. With an estate plan, there is a point of no return. Harvard Law School professor and expert in trust and estates, Robert Sitkoff, offers this advice: “Bad things happen, and you have to plan for that. Hope for the best and plan for the worst.” As we kick off 2022, a checklist can prompt your memory and help keep financial, and estate documents, current. Has your family had any major life events, and have you reviewed the beneficiaries? Events can include the birth of a child or grandchild, a change in marital status, or a family member’s passing. IRA beneficiaries trump a will, so it is essential to keep them current. Is your last will and testament relevant? Reviewing your will is an excellent habit to form. Do you have the appropriate powers of attorney in place? These crucial documents delegate authority to oversee your health, finances, and necessary legal signatures if you become incapacitated.
Have any changes been made to your retirement accounts? Did you make any significant financial transactions or execute a rollover from a former employer plan? Could potential changes to tax laws affect your estate?
Kristin Hovencamp is an Investment Executive and Director of Business Development with HAZLETT WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC.
Do you have adequate life insurance and long-term care insurance? Revisit your policies before their annual renewal date. You may want to increase or decrease coverage or discover an option that better suits you or your spouse.
Are your charitable giving vehicles accomplishing what you envisioned? Charitable goals can evolve, and your estate should reflect such adjustments. To avoid unnecessary consequences, review your estate plan at least every five years and more frequently when significant life events occur. Connect with your CPA annually to explore new tax strategies to take advantage of each tax season. HAZLETT WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC, is independent of Raymond James and is not a registered broker/dealer. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. 675 Sun Valley Road, Suite J1 + J2 Ketchum, Idaho 83340 208.726.0605. HazlettWealthManagement.com
INSPIRATIONS FROM MY HEART
THE WALK
T
ON LIFE’S TERMS
M
By JoEllen Collins
uch has been written praising Betty White, recently deceased just short of her 100th birthday. Watching “Golden Girls“ was a hint of what was to come for me, as long as I could keep laughing. I had met Betty White twice, when I was on “Password“ as a young bride in the late sixties. As Allen Ludden’s devoted wife, she happened to be there occasionally, and I recall her as very friendly. My partner for the game was Carol Burnett, who also was with me later when I was on the tournament of champions. In many ways, Betty White was a role model for me with her gumption and warmth. I also adored her sassy sense of humor and, like me, how she could joke about still enjoying men even if we no longer inhabited our formerly youthful exteriors. I don’t just miss HER: I also miss other women of her era who made me laugh: Bea Arthur, Mary Tyler Moore, and Phyllis Diller, among the vibrant spirits who broke the glass ceilings of entertainment in fresh and unique ways. I am grateful that Carol Burnett, who is more my age than Betty’s, is still living and thriving in our world. Thank goodness I can watch reruns of the Carol Burnett shows, with classic scenes like the one about the dentist’s first try at his craft, featuring, Tim Conway and Harvey Korman. By the way, when I said “memorabilia,” Carol got that clue for “attic,” enabling me to win JoEllen Collins—a longtime the first show, and then later was my partner with resident of the Wood River Peter Lawford on the championship edition. She Valley— is an Idaho Press Club award-winning columwas gracious enough to greet me by my name then nist, a teacher, writer, fabric and mention how much she had enjoyed playing artist, choir member and with me earlier. unabashedly proud grandma In examining why these women are so important known as “Bibi Jo.” to me, the most obvious truth is that I could giggle and laugh without the obscenities now used so frequently in comedy by both men and women. As a grown-up, I am not insulted by almost any language usage, unless it is racist, seriously demeaning, or completely thoughtless, and I laugh and have laughed at great comics whose repertoire included words that were no-no’s for my era. After all, I used to visit comedy clubs to see Mort Sahl and all the other vibrant rule-breaking comics of my mature years. I can’t put my finger on what it is—that “something” about these women who emerged from expected norms as I experienced in the times after World War II. Is it because of my wholesome upbringing? Was it their courage to be truly themselves and risk negative judgments against women who dared to succeed as they did? Or is it simply that they are funny women with whom I might have laughed in my own living room or at gatherings with like-minded friends? I don’t know why, but my life has been enriched by the intelligence and talent of these women who fed my desire for laughter through the changing tensions of our mutual world. Thank you, ladies!
DOVE
like diamonds sparkling in the sun. The atmosphere is quiet and peace pervades the whole area as I walk. I continue to sing my song. Sometimes I sing “Amazing Grace,” but I substitute soul for the word wretch. We do not want to think of ourselves as wretches. We are indeed made in the image of God and that needs to be celebrated. Become aware of the thoughts you think as you walk. One lady I passed did not even notice the elk 10 feet from the path until I pointed them out to her. Another lady was so busy talking on her cellphone that she also missed the gift that nature had provided. Take time to be present with the bounty of beauty we are blessed with and maybe sing to the universe also. It can only make you more connected to your guardian angels and those you love will benefit from the energy. And who knows, maybe an elk will join in with a bugle or two. Much love, Dove
JOELLEN COLLINS
THREE MAVENS
BY DOVE
here are so many blessings in our Valley. Yesterday I was out doing my daily constitutional, as I am blessed with time to just walk. The sun was shining and the temperature was about 30 degrees. I sing when I walk because I have the belief that the energy I put into the atmosphere can be positive. I sing “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” and it is one of the few songs I remember the lyrics to. As I walk, I am aware that the need to sing is present and I just let go of any embarrassment and sing. One time a person came outside because he thought he heard a bird singing. Did you know that singing opens up your “angelic telephone”? By singing, you open up your throat energy and the energy to hear is also activated, and that connects with angelic energy. Try it sometime. Don’t be afraid to sing out loud. On my walk I am blessed by nature. We have many elk in our neighborhood and they are so majestic. Part of me wants to feed them and the other part wants to do what is best for their species and I truthfully don’t know what that is. I called Fish and Game and they said absolutely do not feed the elk because you could make them very sick. So, I sing to them. They don’t seem to mind. As I continued on my walk, I met some people from the East Coast and explained to them that there were elk just up the path. They questioned if they were dangerous. I explained that they probably did not want to try and pet the elk, but that they could enjoy their magnificent beauty. The elk had bedded down close to the willows and were gently foraging for food. The lady I met says this area and the natural beauty really make you feel there is a God and I could not agree more. The pristine white of the snow, when hoarfrost crystals form, literally look
9
COWBOY POETRY
BRYCE ANGELL
BASHFUL BULL
Jackson Palmer raised his hand and breathed a loud exhale. He was bidding on a young bull at the Angus Farms bull sale. The auctioneer said, “Take him.” Jackson outbid all the rest. His good wife Jana hugged him. Said, ”Let’s put him to the test.” The bull sale was a grand success. Served prime rib for the meal. With bellies full the Palmers loaded up their bull sale deal. Jackson drove on home while Jana figured out the books. She said, “The price was fair. Let’s see how all his offspring looks.” Gabby was the youngest of the Palmer family. She said, “Let’s name him Chubby. He looks overweight to me.” So, Chubby he was given and forget his purebred name. He was ‘bout to start his legacy, one for the books of fame. They drove on through the pasture, backed up to the cattle gate. Then turned their prize bull out to an expected happy fate. The Palmers stood astonished, every face with raised eyebrows. ‘Cuz Chubby didn’t show an interest in the Angus cows. They had to wonder was he sick or just a bull’s off day? In all their years they’d never seen a bull who’d act that way. Jana called ol’ Sam, the vet. Said, “We could use you here. Maybe you can show us how to get our bull in gear.” Then Sam checked out their Chubby. Said, “He’s eatin’, drinkin’ fine. Bring an older cow who looks like she’s on borrowed time.” Jackson found an older cow. She’d been open for a while. Soon Chubby gained his courage. Said Sam, “I saw him smile.” Next day the vet was musing ‘bout what happened in the corral. And how the bull passed by the young cows for an older gal. Ol’ Sam in all his shameless smile said, “Next time try this trick. Gussy up the young cows with some old-gal red lipstick.” – 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.
10
W O O D R I V E R W E E K L Y • J A N U A R Y 2 6 - F E B R U A R Y 8 , 2 0 2 2
HEALTH BEAT
ST. LUKE’S WOOD RIVER
ADVERTORIALS BETTER HOMEOWNERS NEWS
ANNA AND MICHELLE
I WISH I KNEW THEN…
STAY COOL — WINTER SAFETY W
BY ST. LUKE’S WOOD RIVER
e love to get outside with our families and enjoy Idaho’s beautiful winters. But across the U.S., kids rack up more than 42,000 injuries every year from winter sports. Follow these tips to keep the whole family injury-free and having fun while you play in the snow: •
•
• •
• • •
• •
Always wear a helmet when you ski, snowboard, sled, snowmobile, or play ice hockey. Make sure it’s the right type of helmet for the activity and Two marines taking part in what meets federal safety stan- will be a 70 person study on hypodards. Have an expert fit the thermia and rewarming methods. helmet correctly. This is also a day of training for the Wear sport-specific, properly Marines. In this photo the water is 0 degrees C and the marines will fitting safety gear. Dress in layers and wear stay in the water for a total of 10 minutes. Photo credit: Adorabutwarm, close-fitting clothes. ton, accessed via Wikipedia. Tuck in long scarves so they don’t get tangled in ski lifts. Stay hydrated and wear sunscreen with a rating of SPF 15 or higher. Never sled down a hill headfirst. If children become distracted, irritable, or begin to hyperventilate, they may be suffering from hypothermia or altitude sickness, or they are too tired to participate safely. If you notice these signs, head indoors, rest, and warm up. It’s time for a hot chocolate! Children under age 6 years should not ride a snowmobile, and no one under 16 years should drive one. Teach kids how to protect themselves if they fall through ice: Stretch arms out wide and kick as if swimming, shout for help, and try to crawl backwards.
W
BY ANNA & MICHELLE
e have all heard this expression that implies that had a person known earlier in life what they know now, they would have done things differently. The subject possibilities are endless. While no one has a crystal ball to see into the future, it may be possible to learn from people who have experienced similar situations. In the late ’60s, mortgage rates hit 8.5% but before the decade had finished, the rates had come down to 7% where they stayed for some time. Homeowners who purchased at the higher rate could buy a larger, more expensive home for the same payment if they could get out from under the obligation of their existing mortgage. FHA and VA mortgages, up until the late ’80s, could be assumed by anyone, regardless of credit worthiness. Since these homes were purchased one or two years earlier, the sellers didn’t really have much equity in them, and many homeowners were willing to “give” them to investors so they could qualify on a new, lower-rate mortgage. It was a fantastic opportunity for investors who could afford the negative cash flow because the homes wouldn’t rent for the payment. As the ’70s economy started heating up, so did inflation. Most people consider inflation an undesirable thing, but for people who owned rental property, it meant the values were going up and so were the rents. Soon, the rentals no longer had negative cash flows and the investments turned the corner. If you talk to investors who purchased those homes during that period, you’ll very likely hear, “I should have bought more of them.” If we could fast forward into the future to see how people will be talking about the period we’re currently in, we might see an even greater opportunity in our present time. Interest and mortgage rates have been on a downward trend for 30 years. In the past 10 years, they hit an historic low. They are trending up currently and it appears they will continue to do so. Homes are in short supply, which has caused
the prices to go up. Builders haven’t returned to the number of new units needed to meet demand and that has been going on for over 10 years. Even when the supply does increase, it will take a long time to catch up with demand. Combine that with supply chain shortages due to the pandemic and prices look like they are unaffordable. Many Millennials and some Gen Xers believe the “window of opportunity” has closed. For tenants, rents are continuing to increase due to the same causes that home prices are increasing. Buyers, by acting now, can lock in their mortgage rate and the purchase price of the home. As prices continue to increase and the amortization of the mortgage pays down the unpaid balance, homeowners’ equity increases and so does their net worth. Unfortunately for tenants, the rents will continue to rise, along with prices that will make it more difficult in the future to purchase. Their rent is used to pay the landlord’s mortgage, who benefits in the principal reduction for each payment made. The market is changing and people who don’t own a home currently must find a way to buy one. The longer they wait, the harder it will be to buy one. People wanting to purchase a home in today’s market must educate themselves with facts and not hearsay. There are all sorts of programs available to address low down payments, varieties of mortgages, credit issues and other things
NUESTRA VOZ CUENTA
If you have questions or find yourself in need of resources, contact St. Luke’s Children’s Injury Prevention at (208) 381-1719 Safe Winter Walking Snow and ice conditions caused by winter weather can change our normal environment. To decrease personal injuries because of snow and ice, we need to change our everyday behaviors and habits. How to walk on ice: Do: • Slightly bend your knees • Keep your center of gravity over your front leg • Walk flat-footed • Extend your arms Don’t: • Walk fast • Take big steps • Put your hands in your pockets Take charge of the conditions YOU can affect by doing the following: • Wear appropriate winter footwear such as snow boots; avoid high heels and leather soles. • Use a ski or trekking pole with a tip that will not slip. • Maintain a clear view in front of you and avoid carrying items that block your view or are heavy. • Avoid talking and texting on your phone while walking. • Know how you go; walk slowly and deliberately (think duck or penguin style) and use handrails. • When exiting OR entering a vehicle, maintain three points of contact between you, the ground and the vehicle. • Expect to encounter surfaces that could be slippery. They likely look shiny or have a smooth appearance. • If your location has not yet been cleaned, use snowmelt supplies at critical areas until service arrives. • Ask for help
It’s your life We help you live it
Photo credit: Herbert Romero
J & J PROACTIVELY RESPONDING BY KRIS DONDERO
OUR VOICE COUNTS As a local landlord and property owner who is redeveloping a property where the current tenants will have to relocate, there is a difficult and emotional aspect to this process. Alerting tenants that they will be required to relocate is a daunting task that no compassionate landlord enjoys. When I issued the six-month eviction notices at the end of last November, my focus was how to best assist the tenants with their transition. I knew the process of relocating was going to have its challenges. However, I quickly learned how many incredible individuals and organizations there are in our community who are here to provide their assistance. From nonprofit organizations to county officials, our Valley has no shortage of caring individuals who want to help and have volunteered to do so. As a local community and family advocate for the Latin community, Herbert Romero is one of these helpful, caring individuals. I
have become acquainted with Herbert through phone and in-person conversations. Herbert has been assisting the Hispanic tenants navigate this transition. As an advocate who can bridge the language barrier, he is able to keep me up to speed with their progress and pass along any questions the tenants might have. An important aspect of our working together is encouraging the tenants to stay proactive in looking at various options for their housing solution. As I actively search for solutions and other housing options, I know Herbert is working with the tenants and helping them navigate challenges and answering questions they have. With the shared common goal of making this transition as smooth as possible, Herbert’s suggestions are valued and his dedication to this cause is admirable. I respect Herbert’s can-do attitude and appreciate his willingness to help guide the tenants during this transition.
YOU CAN FIND IT IN BLAINE! W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY
•
JANUARY 26 - FEBRUARY 8, 2022
SUN VALLEY 3D PHOTO
SCOTT MILEY ROOFING
3D Virtual Tours Real Estate Custom Videos XYZ Files for autoCAD SCAN FOR 3D VIRTUAL TOUR
From Your Roof to Your Rain Gutter, We’ve Got You Covered!
WWW.SUNVALLEY3DPHOTO.COM sales@sunvalley3dphoto.com
208.788.5362
208.720.0252
fully insured & guaranteed
Marc Longley
Airport West | Hailey, Idaho 83333
STORAGE • • • •
Autos RVs Boats Trailers Contractor Yards
Competitive Pricing
responsible, experienced and great references.
ANDERSON’S US SA Jiu-jitsu Call Shon Academy (208) 450-9411
Free estimates available for: Homes, condos, offices. beatrizq2003@hotmail.com
208.720.5973
KIDS & ADULT
Advertise on this page for ONLY $35/week!
Call Mandi 208.721.7588
Advertise on this page for ONLY $35/week. (includes full color & free ad design)
Jiu-jitsu classes
(208) 720-3519 713 N Main St. Unit A, Bellevue
Shop Local
Mandi 208.721.7588
Advertise in FiB for ONLY $35/week!
Wood River Weekly Find It In Blaine
(includes full color & free ad design)
CLASSIFIEDS WANTED
I am looking for someone who would like to share their River Run ski locker for the season. I am a trustworthy, retired nurse. Please call Judy at (206) 498-7220
LOTS FOR SALE
4 lots for sale north end of Bellevue. $160,000 each. (208) 309-0917
TIRES FOR SALE
Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow 265/50 R19 110V. Used one winter. $250 all four. (208) 481-0660
CERTIFIED LITERACY TUTOR Reading/writing/spelling/vocabulary Grades 4-10 35 years teaching experience 1-on-1 or small group Call Barb @ (208) 721-3556
Sun Valley: Wildflower condo. Nice, clean, quiet bedroom. Enjoy furnished, private 1 BD with a private 1BA, private entry, private balcony and kitchen nook, no kitchen. Refrigerator, microwave, Mr. Coffee, WD, large cable TV, wifi, 2 large closets. $1,500/month. $400 deposit. No smoking, no pets. Perfect for anyone working in Sun Valley. Call 916-838-3370.
Wood River Weekly Classifieds
Housekeeper now accepting new clients.
(includes full color & free ad design)
Anderson Drive, Bellevue Text 208 481 1715
FOR RENT
11
Firewood for Sale
HANDYMAN
Jack of all trades. Reliable, insured, clean. Small jobs to large remodel projects, or the “honey-do” list. Call Mark, (208) 573-1784
PRICING
Text (up to 25 words): $5 Additional Text: 20¢ per word Photos: $5 per image • Logo: $10 Deadline: Monday at 1 p.m Space reservations: classifieds@woodriverweekly.com
CROSSWORD
answer from page 12
FINE FINISH CARPENTRY Custom Cabinetry • Interior Finish Remodeling • Kitchen • Baths CAD Cabinetry Design Mike @ (208) 720-7250 Check out our Facebook page www. FFCid.net
HOUSEKEEPING
Responsible, experienced & great references, housekeeper now accepting new clients. Free estimates available for: homes, condos & offices. beatrizq2003@hotmail.com, (208) 720-5973
SUDOKU
answer from page 12
Stay Warm!
Classifieds (Buy Stuff, Sell Stuff, Odds & Ends, Whatever): Up To 25 Words $5, Each Additional Word 20¢, Image $5, Logo $10
12
W O O D R I V E R W E E K L Y • J A N U A R Y 2 6 - F E B R U A R Y 8 , 2 0 2 2
CHAMBER CORNER
MIKE MCKENNA
Hard way Pipeline
DR. MARIA’S LIGHT TOUCH TO WELLNESS By Mike McKenna
W
hen most of us think about chiropractors we envision quick twists and loud popping noises. While some of us don’t mind the jarring alignments, others do. Thankfully, there’s another way. Dr. Maria Maricich offers a “light touch” style, known as Network Chiropractic. “The method we use activates very specific neural pathways to the brain, so that the brain is actually making the shifts. We use the amount of pressure you’d be comfortable with on your eyeball, so it’s great for people who don’t like that startling pop,” Dr. Maria said from her offices in Ketchum above the Gail Severn Gallery. Dr. Maria is best known locally as a “Ketchum kid” who became an Olympian. Dr. Maria was born and raised in the Wood River Valley. Her father, Herman Maricich, was the patriarch of skating and hockey in Sun Valley. He arrived in the 1930s to run the now legendary ice rink for Sun Valley Resort. His daughter, Maria, would go on to represent America as a downhill racer in the 1984 Olympic Games in Sarajevo. Dr. Maria retired from competitive ski racing when she was just 22. She then turned to a meditation technique she used to use in racing to help find her new path. It took a few months before she discovered the answer to the big question: What are you going to do with your life? Dr. Maria originally had to go the library in Ketchum to look up what a chiropractor was, but she immediately knew it was the right profession for her when she found this description: “chiropractic removes the interference so the body can heal itself.” “We all accumulate stresses. It’s part of the aging process. What we do is to help shift the body out of stress response and into healing,” said Dr. Maria, who took pre-med at CSI in Twin Falls for two years before
Steel Fencing
Kelly Wardell 208-309-0916
How To Play Sudoku
The Classic Sudoku is a number placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once.
completing her doctorate in Georgia. Dr. Maria began practicing in Idaho in 1991 and the former Olympian is now known best locally as the “Wellness Doctor.” In addition to chiropractic work, Dr. Maria and her team offer functional medicine. “The goal is to enhance the body’s ability to heal itself,” she said. Dr. Maria’s team includes Dr. Tomomi Ikawa, who hails from Japan and specializes in light touch chiropractic, and Hailey Sutton, who also grew up here and coordinates programing for clients. They offer a variety of services, from functional neurology to metabolic assessment to sports medicine, lab and allergy testing as well as offering a large variety of high-quality supplements. They help with everything from brain health, to injury recovery, to weight loss, as well as simply guiding clients to stay as healthy as possible. “We are all highly motivated by pain and crisis, but we don’t need to wait for those things to happen to do good things for ourselves,” Dr. Maria said. “We need to remember to be proactive about our health and take care of ourselves.”
CLASSIC SUDOKU See answer on page 11
For more information or to book an appointment, go to DrMariaMaricich.com or call (208) 726-6010.
CROSSWORD SPONSORED BY
THETRADER TRADER THE THE TRADER Consignment for the home
Consignment for the home
Consignment for the home
Wednesday - Friday 11 to 6 Saturday 11 to 4
TRADER EADER TRADER
Always available by appointment and if we’re here.
Wednesday through Saturday 11:00 to 5:00 Always available by appointment and if we’re here.
ent for the 720-9206 or 788-0216 signment forhome the home
720-9206 or 788-0216 509 S. Main Street Bellevue, Idaho
the home
509 S. Main Street • Bellevue, Idaho
Wednesday through Saturday Thursday Wednesday - Friday Wednesday - Friday 11:00to to 5:00 ednesday - Friday 11 to 611 to 6 available by appointment 11 to 6AlwaysSaturday Saturday Saturday and if we’re here. Saturday 11 to 4 11 to 11 or to 788-0216 44 720-9206 11 to 4
Always available by appointment and if we’re here.
509 S. Main Street • Bellevue, Idaho Always available by le by appointment andappointment if we’re here. and if we’re here.
720-9206 or 788-0216 or S. 788-0216 -9206 or720-9206 788-0216 509 Main Street S. Main Street 09 S. Main509 Street Bellevue, Idaho Bellevue, Idaho Bellevue, Idaho
See answer on page 11
WOOD RIVER VALLEY 7-DAY WEATHER FORECAST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Partly Coudy 6%
high 24º
low 6º WEDNESDAY
Sunny 4%
high 28º low 10º THURSDAY
Mostly Sunny 3%
high 32º low 14º FRIDAY
Partly Coudy 4%
high 33º low 16º SATURDAY
Partly Coudy 9%
high 33º low 19º SUNDAY
AM Snow Showers 35%
high 29º low 16º MONDAY
Partly Coudy 24%
high 28º low 13º TUESDAY
SKI. BIKE. LIVE!
Elevate your experience. 340 N Main Street in Ketchum sturtevants-sv.com • 726-4501