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WOOD RIVER WEEKLY
YOUR VOICE IN THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY
Free | Aug 25 - Sept 7, 2021 | Vol. 2 - No. 17 | woodriverweekly.com
“ H i t c h y o u r w a g o n t o a s t a r. ”
THE OLD NORMAL ~ R a l p h Wa l d o E m e r s o n
A highlight of the annual Wagon Days celebration in Ketchum, the 20-draft mule ore wagon “Big Hitch” makes its dramatic right-hand turn at Sun Valley Road and Main Street as the finale of Saturday’s Labor Day weekend parade—the largest non-motorized parade in the Pacific Northwest. Photo credit: Carol Waller
Wagon Days are here again, Sept. 3–5
I
By Eric Valentine
t’s like there isn’t even a pandemic going on. On the heels of a rescinded mask mandate and in the midst of warnings by health officials that the so-called Delta variant of the coronavirus will cause “grim” conditions across the state, Labor Day weekend in Ketchum is gearing up to be nothing but grins. Blaine County has, according to the latest Mayo Clinic data, remained relatively unharmed by the uptick, with an average of three new cases daily. However, that information is always a week behind and upticks, by definition, can get worse exponentially. Already, St. Luke’s is halting elective surgeries and procedures requiring overnight hospital stays, although Idaho remains in Stage 4 of the reopening. That means: ● No recommended limitations on gathering sizes, both public and private ● COVID-19 vaccine is encouraged for all eligible individuals ● All individuals, businesses and governmental entities should adhere to physical distancing and sanitation guidelines In other words, let the festivities begin—starting with Friday, Sep. 3, at 5:30 p.m. in Town Square with the Grand Marshal Ceremony. This year’s ceremony will be celebrating John and Diane Peavey, the Grand Marshals of 2021. There will be food and drink provided by the City of Ketchum. Continuing on Saturday, Sept. 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., there will be children’s activities on East Avenue as well as food and beverages available for purchase
from local vendors. Enjoy live music in Town Square from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. by Wes Urbaniak and the Mountain Folk. This all-original trio comes from Montana, performing mountain folk music filled with lyrical flow, and the harmonies of an upright bass and ukulele. The Big Hitch parade will kick off at 1 p.m. Limited reserved seating is available for purchase online, or in person from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at the Ore Wagon Museum. The reserved seating for the parade is available for the corner of Sun Valley Road and Main Street Ketchum. These seats allow for a perfect view of the entire parade and are located along the only area of the parade route where the Big Hitch 20-draft-mule jerkline “jumps the chain” to navigate the 90-degree turn. Seats for the best view in the house are $25 each. They can be purchased at the Wagon Days Headquarters, located inside the Ore Wagon Museum on 5th Street and East Avenue. Immediately following the parade, stick around for more live music performed by the “Guitarist to the Stars”—Gary Tackett. You will enjoy this guitar-driven, rockin’ style of roadhouse blues mix infused with sounds of Austin, Memphis and Nashville. And, don’t forget to stop by the Historical Display at the Wagon Days Headquarters located in the Ore Wagon Museum. This display will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day from Aug. 24 to Sept. 5. Grand Marshals Ketchum Mayor Neil Bradshaw selected Diane Josephy Peavey and John Peavey as the Grand Marshals for Wagon Days 2021 thanks to their significant and lasting contributions to Ketchum’s culture and educational
landscape, the city said. Together, they created the annual Trailing of the Sheep Festival, which is held each October in Ketchum and is now recognizing its 25th anniversary. Third-generation rancher John Peavey spent 21 years as an Idaho State Senator. During that time, he launched an initiative to create Idaho’s Sunshine Laws and protected water rights on the Snake River. Locally, Peavey supported the proposal for a paved bike path on the Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way to connect Blaine County and encouraged the shared use of the right-of-way, which had been used for decades as a stock “driveway.” Complaints over sheep on the bike path motivated Peavey to invite the public to help with the annual sheep drive. Participation grew from twenty people the first year to holding the first annual Trailing of the Sheep Festival in 1997. Peavey’s wife, Diane Josephy Peavey, is an author best known for her writings about her life on a sheep and cattle ranch in south-central Idaho—its people, history, and the American West’s changing landscape. Her own story is one of an evolution from a city girl to a rancher and writer. Her writings aired weekly on Idaho Public Radio for 15 years, and many are collected in her book, Bitterbrush Country: Living on the Edge of the Land. In addition to founding the Trailing of the Sheep Festival, Josephy Peavey has been an invited poet at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada; was the first director of the Idaho Rural Council; and the literature director for the Idaho Commission on the Arts.
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W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY
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AUGUST 25 - SEPTEMBER 7, 2021
THE 2ND ANNUAL
THE DRAPER RENDEZVOUS lion’s park ~ hailey, idaho
august 27 ~ 28, 2021
the( Featuring mother hips Scott Law ) THUNDERPUSSY rs
john craigie kitchen dwelle sarah shook & the disarmers Trevor Green rainbow girls daniel rodriguez laney lou & the bird-dogs milton menasco & the big fiasco brad parsons andrew sheppard Madeline Hawthorne blood lemon far out west jesse dayne & the sagebrush drifters ryan curtis st. terible & the gospel of nothingness town rose high mtn heard secuestrado artists ~ at ~ Large
scott law sean mclean lena marie schiffer molly sides alyssa joy claffey steph sloan michael rundle late night the red shoe 8/27/2021
Lore m
hardwood heart Water Tower special guest appearances from summer’s end
ipsu m
late night the red shoe 8/28/2021
www.drswanmusicllc.com/summer-s-end lost ox banshee tree special guest appearances from summer’s end www.drswanmusicllc.com/summer-s-end
DrSwanMusic
drswanmusic.ticketbud.com
W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY
• AUGUST 25 - SEPTEMBER 7, 2021
WRW STAFF 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 Christopher Seldon chris@woodriverweekly.com ACCOUNTING accounting@woodriverweekly.com DEADLINES Display & Classified Ads, Monday 5 p.m. Calendar Submissions — Friday 5 p.m. CONTACT Wood River Weekly P.O. Box 3483 Hailey, Idaho 83333 (208) 788-4789 woodriverweekly.com
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W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY
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AUGUST 25 - SEPTEMBER 7, 2021
THE 2ND ANNUAL
THE DRAPER RENDEZVOUS lion’s park ~ hailey, idaho
august 27 ~ 28, 2021
friday ~ August 27, 2021 schedule swan stage 12:00PM ~ 12:40PM 12:45PM ~ 1:30PM
hen stage high mtn heard
madeline hawthorne
1:40PM ~ 2:35PM
st. terrible & the gospell of nothingness
2:35PM ~ 3:30PM
far out west
3:40PM ~ 4:25PM
ryan curtis
4:35PM ~ 5:50PM
rainbow girls
6:00PM ~ 6:45PM
milton menasco & the big fiasco
6:55PM ~ 8:10PM
sarah shook & the disarmers
8:20PM ~ 9:20PM
trevor green
9:30PM ~ 11:00PM
artists - at - large
the mother hips (featuring scott law) scott law
sean mclean
alyssa joy claffey
molly sides
lena marie schiffer
steph sloan
michael rundle
hardwood heart late night ~ the red shoe 11:00PM ~ 12:15AM water tower 12:30AM ~ 2:00AM
saturday ~ August 28, 2021 schedule swan stage 11:00AM ~ 11:45AM
town rose
11:55AM ~ 12:40PM 12:45PM ~ 1:30PM
secuestrado andrew sheppard
1:35PM ~ 2:20PM 2:25PM ~ 3:25PM
hen stage
jesse dayne & the sagebrush drifters laney lou & The Bird-dogs brad parsons
4:30PM ~ 5:45PM
john craigie www.drswanmusicllc.com/summer-s-end www.drswanmusicllc.com/summer-s-end blood lemon
Lore m
3:35PM ~ 4:20PM
ipsu m
5:55PM ~ 6:45PM 6:55PM ~ 8:10PM
kitchen dwellers
8:20PM ~ 9:30PM
daniel rodriguez
thunderpussy
9:40PM ~ 11:00PM
artists - at - large
scott law
sean mclean
alyssa joy claffey
molly sides
steph sloan
lost ox late night ~ the red shoe 11:00PM ~ 12:30AM banshee tree 12:45AM ~ 2:00AM
summersenddraperrendezvous.com
lena marie schiffer michael Rundle
DrSwanMusic
drswanmusic.ticketbud.com
W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY
NEWS
•
AUGUST 25 - SEPTEMBER 7, 2021
5
EVENTS
MEN'S SECOND CHANCE LIVING HOUSE is hosting a hilarious evening with comedian
M
ar
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Lu nd ho lm
Women Of Courage
Granddaughter of Ruth Bader Ginsburg will accept women’s rights award By Suzanne Hazlett
“Conversations with Exceptional Women,” hosted by The Alturas Institute, is convening in Ketchum on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. At the event, a special tribute will be bestowed upon the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was expected to be the lead speaker at the 2020 program. The event is open to the public, and tickets are available through The Alturas Institute. Justice Ginsburg’s granddaughter, Clara Spera, is a prominent lawyer-activist dedicated to women’s reproductive rights. She will represent her family at the event, reminisce about life with her grandmother, and receive from The Alturas Institute the John and Abigail Adams Award, presented posthumously to Justice Ginsburg. The John and Abigail Adams Award recognizes work advancing women’s rights and equal protection of the law. “My grandmother helped reform our country so that discrimination on the basis of sex is no longer explicitly written into law. But her project of achieving ‘real change, enduring change’ is far from complete,” Clara Spera said in a recent interview. Clara Spera is an exceptional woman in her own right. She is a graduate of Harvard Law School, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Chicago. She is currently an Equal Justice Works fellowship attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union’s Reproductive Freedom Project. Spera has written about sexual assault law for the Brookings Institution and is a previous contributor to Lawfare’s leading national security website. On national media platforms, she has also written about her relationship with her grandmother, the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and appeared in the Oscar-nominated documentary “RBG.” When asked how being a woman of courage may be different in the present day compared with the past, Spera said, “In the legal profession, my grandmother and other lawyers of her generation built upon the work of women who came before them—women like Pauli Murray.” Anna Pauline “Pauli” Murray was an American civil rights activist who became a lawyer. Ruth Bader Ginsburg named Murray as a co-author of a brief on the 1971 Idaho-based case Reed v. Reed in recognition of her pioneering work on gender discrimination. Spera said, “My grandmother never considered herself to be a solo author. Teamwork and collaboration were essential. In her era in the ’70s, the most prominent forms of discrimination were those written into law. Lawyers of the present, in my generation, don’t have to work at dismantling those laws, though many vestiges of types of discrimination still exist. Women of the present generation are able to push forward to equity not just on paper but in practice. The only reason we get to do that is because of the steps laid by the generations before us.” While Spera says the next step in her career journey is yet to be determined. “I am very proud of the work I have been doing with the ACLU for the past two years. It is a key to furthering women’s equality and true emancipation, which can only be realized with the liberty of one’s own body,” Spera said. “Do I feel pressure to follow in particular my grandmother’s footsteps? The answer is complex. Any pressure I do feel is productive pressure. A pressure that makes me want to be a contributing person in this world and society. I sense a pressure to be of service to others in my current frame of a lawyer. I would feel the same in another career path, say, within the arts—that pressure has become a motivation that undergirds my family,” said Spera. The Alturas Institute will hold its 7th annual “Conversations with Exceptional Women,” featuring extraordinary leaders gathering from across the nation to celebrate “Women of Courage”— past and present. The event will take place at the Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum. Tickets are available for purchase at alturasinstitute.com.
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Clara Spera on her wedding day with her mother, Jane Ginsburg, and her grandmother, who officiated at the civil ceremony in 2017. Photo credit: Clara Spera
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W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY
NEWS
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AUGUST 25 - SEPTEMBER 7, 2021
THE ALTERNATIVE NORMAL
EVENTS, ARTS
Open art event fills temporary gap left by ‘closed’ studio tour
W
By Eric Valentine
hen the annual Wood River Valley Studio Tour closed up for last year’s lockdown, a number of local artists started up a temporary open studio tour. Then, COVID cases ticked up and the number of participating artists went trickling down. Translation: It all spells good news now for the 21 Valley artists from Sun Valley in the north to Bellevue in the south, champing at the bit to get things going in the direction of normal. Yes, the annual, larger art show—called the Wood River Valley Studio Tour—which also includes a typically well-attended kickoff event, has been canceled for a second consecutive year. In its place a more COVID-safe event—Wood River Artists Open Studios—will be going on. It starts Saturday, Aug. 28, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 29, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. both days. Clear as mud? “We’re really hoping the annual event returns next year,” said Ketchum-based artist Mary Rolland, who was instrumental in getting the alternative tour off the ground. “We tried this last year and then things got worse with the pandemic and we maybe had six artists” able and willing to take part. In recent weeks, of course, news of the delta variant and its impact on COVID cases has put a damper on the end-
of-summer excitement for some. But as of press deadline Tuesday, no artist has pulled out of the event. The studios are on private property and Rolland said each artist is responsible for setting their own safety precautions, if any, when it comes to requiring masks and keeping folks socially distanced. The open studio tour, in whatever format, has been more than an opportunity to hawk one’s paintings and wares over the years. It’s a Valley pride thing. Seeing the number of high-quality artists and artisans who have dedicated so much of their lives and their homes to their craft is remarkable, Rolland points out. “We have so many talented local artists, but the galleries here don’t represent them,” Rolland said. But the locals at least appreciate them, if annual public involvement is any indication. With the delta variant shadowing essentially any gathering these days, one change Rolland doesn’t see coming is turnout. “We think there’s going to be a good turnout of people this weekend,” Rolland said.
Wood River Artists Open Studios Saturday, Aug. 28 – Sunday, Aug. 29 – 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. COVID safety: Please respect any rules regarding capacity, distancing and face coverings set by each artist.
Location of the 21 artists’ studios participating in the 2021 open studio tour. Image credit: Kim Howard (map), Anne Jeffery (key)
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W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY
•
AUGUST 25 - SEPTEMBER 7, 2021
NEWS
By Eric Valentine
ope was dealt a heavy blow Monday when it was learned rescuers had recovered the body of missing hiker Tatum Morell, a Hailey native and Wood River High School graduate. She was 23. Morell’s body was discovered by climbers on Saturday, Aug. 21, well below the Whitetail Peak couloir. What follows is the report made public by Red Lodge Fire Rescue in Montana. “Two Bear Air and the Yellowstone County sheriff helicopter worked together with Red Lodge Fire Rescue and the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office to recover her body from the rugged mountains. The recovery teams were met by her family and Red Lodge Fire Rescue personnel at the Red Lodge Airport. “Rescuers believe that Tatum was climbing Whitetail Peak when she was caught in a significant rock slide and suffered fatal injuries. The area where she was located had been searched numerous times by rescue crews. However, due to the fact that Tatum was mostly buried under rocks, she was extremely difficult to find. “After almost two months of extensive search efforts, we are relieved that she is able to be returned to her family,” said Assistant Chief Jon Trapp with Red Lodge Fire Rescue. “The effort volunteers put into finding Tatum surpassed anything I’ve seen in my 17 years with search and rescue operations; it was absolutely incredible.” “Tatum Morell was an avid and experienced hiker who planned to climb five mountain peaks over 12,000 feet in the West Fork of Rock Creek near Red Lodge, Montana. She backpacked into the area, camped at Shadow Lake on Thursday, July 1, and contacted her family via an InReach satellite communicator that evening. This was her last communication with her family. It is believed that she left her tent on July 2nd and didn’t return.” What follows is the announcement made on the GoFundMe page set up in Morell’s honor. “Wanted to let everyone know that we were informed by the family that they believe it’s best to have the donations raised here reallocated to a
NEWS
O
7
IN BRIEF
Missing Hailey Hiker Found Dead
H
Hailey native Tatum Morell’s body was recovered in Montana, the apparent victim of a rock slide. Photo credit: Red Lodge Fire Rescue
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Rescue crews from Red Lodge Fire Rescue pay solemn respect as the body of Morell is brought back to base, ending a more than two-month search and rescue effort. Photo credit: Red Lodge Fire Rescue
scholarship fund in Tate’s name. It’s been a rough past week but seeing the generosity and warmth here has been incredible. We’ll leave the gofundme open in hopes of future donations to an annual Tatum Morell Scholarship Fund. It’s still very early but please know that the scholarship will be dedicated towards women in the Wood River Valley and Red Lodge areas of Montana just like Tate—strong, determined, and kind, with a never-ending passionate love for the outdoors.”
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FIRST RESPONDERS
Sheriff’s Office Reforms Itself Un Poquito By Eric Valentine
n the heels of last year’s Black Lives Matter demonstrations globally and this year’s TikTok video controversy by one Valley law enforcement officer, the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office is reaching out to one local ethnic minority group here. Sheriff Steve Harkins has launched a Hispanic Liaison Team last week “to promote positive relationships and communication within our Wood River community,” a press release from the Sheriff’s Office said. The goals of the Hispanic Liaison Team are to build relationships that increase trust between the Sheriff’s Office and the Spanish-speaking community, decrease the rate of victimization among the Hispanic community, and increase the level of confidence of those who are hesitant to report crimes. “By attending community meetings and events, deputies hope to increase the frequency of collaborative interactions between law enforcement and our Spanish-speaking community, promote cultural competency training as part of our standard training program, and brainstorm strategies to reduce language barriers,” Harkins said. The team currently consists of two deputies, Lt. Fabrizio Lizano and Deputy Cristian Gonzalez, and we hope to add additional deputies soon. Members of the public who are interested in learning more about the Hispanic Liaison Team can request to be contacted on the Public Safety Page of the Sheriff’s website. La Oficina de Alguacil Del Condado de Blaine se enorgullece en anunciar la creación de un Equipo de Enlace Hispano para promover relaciones positivas y comunicación dentro de nuestra comunidad de Wood River. “Siempre estamos buscando formas innovadoras de continuar generando confianza y cerrar la brecha con todos nuestros ciudadanos y visitantes. Es muy importante que no solo seamos líderes en la aplicación de la ley, sino que estamos comprometidos e involucrados en nuestra comunidad,” dijo. Sheriff Harkins. Los objetivos del Equipo de Enlace Hispano son
SALES REPRESENTATIVES
Sheriff’s deputies Lt. Fabrizio Lizano and Deputy Cristian Gonzalez have been assigned to the first Hispanic Liaison Team. Photo credit: Blaine County Sheriff’s Office
construir relaciones que aumenten la confianza entre la Oficina del Sheriff y nuestra comunidad de habla hispana, disminuir la tasa de victimización entre la comunidad hispana y aumentar el nivel de confianza de aquellos que dudan en denunciar delitos. “Al asistir a reuniones y eventos comunitarios, los agentes esperan aumentar la frecuencia de las interacciones colaborativas entre las fuerzas del orden y nuestra comunidad de habla hispana, promover la capacitación en competencias culturales como parte de nuestro programa de capacitación estándar y generar una lluvia de ideas sobre estrategias para reducir las barreras del idioma”, continuó Harkins. . Actualmente, el equipo está formado por dos alguaciles, el teniente Fabrizio Lizano y el alguacil Cristian González, y esperamos agregar más alguaciles pronto. Los miembros del público que estén interesados en obtener más información sobre el Equipo de Enlace Hispano pueden solicitar ser contactados en la página de seguridad pública de nuestro sitio web. Todas las solicitudes de contacto son confidenciales.
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SCIENCE OF PLACE
Skatepark Gets Scooter-Friendly PG 2
‘Nomadland’ Hits the Valley PG 5 HAILEY
‘Scapes PG 8
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WOOD RIVER WEEKLY
YOUR VOICE IN THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY
Free | June 2 - 15, 2021 | Vol. 2 - No. 11 | woodriverweekly.com
“ J u n e i s t h e g a t e w a y t o s u m m e r. ”
OH DEER CREEK ~Jean Hersey
Wood River Fire & Rescue crews battle flames from a May 29 blaze at Deer Creek Ranch north of Hailey. Photo credit: Wood River Fire & Rescue
Ranch property suffers severe fire damage
T
By Eric Valentine
he 7,000-square-foot home known as Deer Creek Ranch, located approximately two miles west of Highway 75 out Deer Creek Road north of Hailey, was victim to a five-hour blaze that took more than three dozen firefighting personnel to put down on Saturday. According to Wood River Fire & Rescue fire chief Ron Bateman, a passing motorist called 911 at 12:08 p.m. Saturday, May 29, after observing flames at the property. When the first crews arrived, they observed 10- to 15-foot flame lengths from the rear of the porte cochere (covered driveway) on the west side of the main living quarters. The fire was declared knocked down just after 5 p.m. There were no civilian injuries or deaths because of the fire, although one firefighter was injured and treated and released from St. Luke’s Wood River. “My wife and I were about a half-mile up the Marshall Lakes Trail when the call came in,” said WRFR Chief Ron Bateman. “I didn’t get to the fire scene until 2:30 p.m. By that time, the crews had been working incredibly hard for more than two hours. I am very impressed by the effort and thankful for all the agencies and personnel that helped out.” Crews remained on scene until 9 p.m. and, with the help of a private company, secured the scene. WRFR made checks
on the structure throughout the night. Multiple additional departments had to be called to put down the blaze. In total, more than three dozen personnel with a dozen fire apparatus were on scene. Wood River Fire & Rescue, Hailey Fire Department, Bellevue Fire Department, North Blaine County Fire & Rescue, Sun Valley Fire Department and Ketchum Fire Department were dispatched to the structure fire. The Carey Fire Department was requested later in the incident. Because of the size of the structure and the dollar loss incurred, the Idaho State Fire Marshal’s office was contacted to lead the investigation into cause and origin, Bateman said. The Idaho State Fire Marshal’s office arrived Sunday morning and determined the cause to be electrical in nature. No estimated property loss figure is available. Bateman noted that the deputy fire marshal commented on the “great stop” made by the crews preventing something much worse from spreading across the Valley. “I believe that we took some very specific lessons learned from a fire in East Fork late in 2020 and applied them on this incident with some success,” Bateman said. The property made headlines 30 years ago when the so-called “Donald Trump of the West” purchased it. An article from Aug. 24, 1990, in the “Lewiston Tribune” read as follows:
A host of Valley fire crews were needed to battle the flames from a blaze that severely damaged the main living area at Deer Creek Ranch. Photo credit: Wood River Fire & Rescue
Billionaire California developer Donald L. Bren has bought the 6,800-acre Deer Creek Ranch from Bill Burt. Hailey is located just south of Sun Valley. Bren said he plans to build a home and maintain the property as a working cattle ranch, Burt said. ‘’There were several people who offered me more money who wanted to subdivide,’’ Burt said. ‘’I picked him because he said he was not going to subdivide.”
Bren, 57, the son of the late Hollywood film producer, is estimated to have a net worth of $1.85 billion, making him the 16th wealthiest person in the country, according to Forbes magazine. He is the largest landowner in Southern California, with thousands of apartments, 11.4 million square feet of commercial space and the prevailing interest in a company that owns nearly one-sixth of the land in Orange County.
Email publisher@woodriverweekly.com Send a résumé, and/or ask questions.
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W O O D R I V E R W E E K L Y • A U G U S T 2 5 - S E P T E M B E R 7 , 2 0 2 1
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Magic Sword at Road To Summer’s End Concert Series July 24, 2021. Photo Credit: BackyArt Photography by Jodane
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The Quintessential Hailey, Idaho, Music Festival Is Almost Here!
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By Kreed Ray Kleinkopf
re you ready? Music festival season is in full swing and we couldn’t be more excited. What’s better than spending a summer evening listening to live music, watching a beautiful mountain sunset with a cold beer in hand? You couldn’t think of anything, could you? We couldn’t either… The Summer’s End ~ Draper Rendezvous is happening Friday and Saturday, August 27-28, 2021, in Hailey and, after a dismal 2020, we are more than ready. If you’re looking to get out and experience the best of what Idaho has to offer in terms of live music and the outdoors, here’s what you need to know. The second annual Summer’s End Music Festival will feature over 25 national, regional and local bands performing throughout the weekend. The main event will take place at the majestic Lions Park in the Draper Wood River Preserve, with two separate stages guaranteeing the music never stops. There will also be plenty of food, beer, wine and liquor sales, with unique arts and craft vendors throughout the venue. The Summer’s End will also feature some fun late-night festivities happening at the Red Shoe Bar & Grill in historic downtown Hailey. Topping off this year’s lineup is San Francisco Bay Area rock band, The Mother Hips, with special guest Scott Law. Seattle rock band Thunderpussy brings something heavy to the lineup this year, so be warned: they will knock your socks off! Keeping true to the festival’s bluegrass roots, singer/songwriters John Craigie, Colorado’s Daniel Rodriguez and Montana’s Kitchen Dwellers will round out this year’s diverse festival lineup with plenty of foot-stompin’ yet heartwarming acoustic sounds. With these artists, the festival is bound to be a good ol’-fashioned hoedown! The Summer’s End will also feature plenty of bands and musicians from Idaho. From Boise rockers Blood Lemon, the country-rock swooning of Stanley’s Andrew Sheppard, to familiar local acts like High Mtn Herd, St. Terrible, and Steph Sloan, the festival is proud to showcase some of the best musicians who currently call Idaho “home.” You can view the full festival lineup at summersenddraperrendezvous.com. From grassroots indie rock bands, to high-energy, psychedelic bluegrass bands, to funky fresh jam bands, the Summer’s End ~ Draper Rendezvous has something for everyone to enjoy this year. The best part is that tickets are super-affordable! Two-day passes are just $100 for adults and $20 for kids (children under 16 are free). You can even get a weekend festival pass for your four-legged friend for just $20. There are multiple camping options available for RV, car, and tent camping at Hop Porter Park.
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ADVERTORIAL
W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY
THE ALTURAS INSTITUTE
‘Conversations With Exceptional Women’
Former Idaho State Senator Cherie Buckner-Webb is a nationally recognized keynote speaker, consultant, certified professional coach and community leader.
‘Women Of Courage’
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he Alturas Institute will hold its 7th annual “Conversations with Exceptional Women,” featuring extraordinary leaders gathered from across the nation for a twoday convening to celebrate “Women of Courage”—past and present. The event will be held Aug. 31-Sept. 1, 2021, at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum. Tickets are available for purchase at alturasinstitute.com. “Our theme will focus on the efforts of courageous women to achieve their goals and missions, undaunted by the threats to cease their pursuits,” Dr. David Adler, president of The Alturas Institute, said. One such exceptional woman is trailblazing Idahoan Cherie Buckner-Webb. Buckner-Webb has spent her career breaking down barriers. She was the first Black woman elected to the Idaho Legislature, serving in the state House of Representatives from 2010 to 2012 and then serving three terms in the Idaho State Senate, completing her final term in 2020. She is a fierce human rights advocate who has dedicated much of her life to the Boise community. She worked tirelessly to create the Idaho Black History Museum in the historic St. Paul Baptist Church—her great-grandfather’s former church—now located in Julia Davis Park. Cherie’s philosophy, “leave a legacy,” underscores her work in every area of activity, and to that end she donates countless hours to a variety of community organizations. She is the recipient of numerous awards in acknowledgment of her commitment and devotion to volunteerism. Buckner-Webb currently serves on the Andrus Center for Public Policy boards, the Northwest Area Foundation, Women’s and Children’s Alliance, College of Western Idaho, and the Blue Cross of Idaho Care Plus Board. She is also the founder and principal of Sojourner Coaching, “Supporting highly motivated women and men to navigate the waters of their lives with purpose.” A certified professional coach and consultant, she brings a wealth of experience to the practice. The Buckner-Webb family has called Idaho home for seven generations. During that time, they’ve fought for civil and human rights. When Cherie Buckner-Webb grew up in Boise, a hate group burned a wooden cross in her yard. Her family was targeted not just because of the color of their skin, but for the work the family did as dedicated civil rights activists. In August of this year, the public park located at 11th and Bannock in Boise was named for Buckner-Webb. Cherie Buckner-Webb Park is the City of Boise’s newest downtown urban park. It replaced a private surface parking lot with a destination community space open to everyone. “Cherie Buckner-Webb’s life story is a monument to all those who have toiled to erect the principles of fairness, justice and equal protection as pillars of our society.” –Dr. David Adler Buckner-Webb says the park is not the end of her legacy, just a continuation of it. She says she has a lot more work left to do. “When you’re part of a community, you have a calling and a responsibility to contribute to the community.” Visit alturasinstitute.com for more information about “Conversations with Exceptional Women.”
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AUGUST 25 - SEPTEMBER 7, 2021
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ADVERTORIALS BETTER HOMEOWNERS NEWS
ANNA & MICHELLE
Homeownership Cycle and Inventory
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By Anna & Michelle
n interesting homeownership cycle begins with a starter home and progresses to larger and smaller homes throughout a person’s lifetime. Within a few years after purchasing their initial home, they might move up to a little larger house. The reasons could be that they simply want a larger home and can afford it, or their increased family size may be motivating the move. While the children are small, they can probably get by with less space, but as they grow and behave more like adults, even though they may not be, the need for more room becomes more pressing. Depending on the size of the family, this will last some time and then, as they go off to college, enter the workforce and find their own living space, the parents may find that they no longer need the larger home. In the interest of saving money or possibly convenience, they migrate from a larger home to a smaller home until they consider an assisted living facility or, possibly, a nursing home. Another alternative many homeowners are electing is to move in with their children or other family members. Some homeowners are even retrofitting their homes with equipment and safety devices that will allow them to continue to live in their homes in old age. According to the American Community Survey, a person in the United States can expect to move 11.7 times in their lifetime. When that person is 18 years old, they can expect to move another 9.1 times and by age 45, they can expect another 2.7 moves in their lifetime. One of the suspected reasons affecting the low housing inventory in America at this time is the group of homeowners who would move but are reluc-
tant because the home will sell and with the shortage of homes, they may not be able to replace it with what they want. The fact that builders have not kept up with the demand in the past 20 years has been a major contributor to the low inventory that housing is currently experiencing. It is estimated that it will take 2 million new homes a year for the next decade to get caught up, assuming demand doesn’t increase. There are also other factors involved, like the fact that since 2007, the owner’s tenure in their home has more than doubled from five years to 10.6 years. People are staying in their homes longer, which means the homes are not coming on the market for sale. Another consideration is that sellers with extremely low mortgage rates are reluctant to buy another house, which would have to be financed at a higher rate than they are currently paying. Regardless of where you are in the homeownership cycle, your agent can provide important information and experience that is essential to making a smooth move. Having the facts reduces the risk of unexpected outcomes.
ADVERTORIAL
NUNA KNITS
HATS EXPRESS YOUR TRUE SWAGGER
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inter hats are all about looking stylish while being bundled up in winter coats and scarves. Designer and hat maker Peggy Ehlers' hat designs reflect elegance, mystery, confidence, swagger, and sophistication. Exquisite European-made ribbons, feathered and leathered accents, vintage buttons, antique trinkets are part of the extensive palette that Ehlers draws from to give birth to her creations. Each hat has its own story, its swagger waiting for its wearer, its mate, to carry it into the world and stand out from the crowd. In a world of mass-produced fashion, Peggie Ehlers turns back the clock to a simpler time when nature was the genuine source of beauty and style. Her decades of experience in sourcing and working with natural fibers combine effortlessly with her passion to promote the qualities of the sustainable farm-to-fashion trend. As a meticulous craftsman, Ehlers' skills span the worlds of knitting, hand spinning, millinery, and teaching. She has forecasted trends for national and international fiber farmers, formulated the Wetherbie® wool wash brand, and created one-of-a-kind breed-specific blended yarns/garments/hats for private industry designers and farmers. Ehlers' exclusive collection includes elegant summer and winter hats, vintage garments, hand knits, and hand-span yarns, available online at www.nunaknits.com and shipped nationwide. Use code WRW21 to receive a 10% discount on your order.
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W O O D R I V E R W E E K L Y • A U G U S T 2 5 - S E P T E M B E R 7 , 2 0 2 1
ADVERTORIAL
VIENNA COOKIE COMPANY
HEALTH BEAT
ST. LUKE’S WOOD RIVER
BACK TO SCHOOL The Endless St. Luke’s Children’s System medical director Pleasure Of A Classic gives thoughts on the 2021-22 school year Linzer Tart Cookie
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s we look forward to a new school year, we must work together to keep Idaho schools open for in-person learning. To ensure Idaho students and teachers stay in the classroom: get your COVID-19 vaccine, continue to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines including wearing a mask and keeping your distance indoors, and do your part to bring Idaho’s COVID-19 positivity rates even lower. There are other important guidelines documented by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
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hen taking a bite into this buttery Linzer tart cookie, you taste a hint of orange zest, a touch of cinnamon, and the crunch of almond nuts. The cookies are filled with a tart raspberry jam and dusted lightly with vanilla-flavored confectioner’s sugar. They are truly a delight! Created by Austrian baker Heidi Riegler at her Vienna Cookie Company bakeshop, located on Long Island in New York, Riegler’s cookies are made from authentic Austrian recipes passed on through generations by her mother and grandmother. She makes her Linzer cookies with ground almonds, plenty of butter, and seasonings. Tradition dictates two of the fillings, raspberry jam and apricot marmalade, but a third Linzer gets a genius twist: lemon curd. Vienna Cookie Company offers attractive gift boxes with an assortment of Viennese cookies, including Linzer Tarts; Viennese Chocolate Kisses, a delicate melting bite; crispy Butter Cookies; and Vanilla Cookies, buttery, hazelnut orbs, rolled in powdered sugar or dipped in Belgian chocolate. The gift
NUESTRA VOZ CUENTA
Here are important thoughts to consider for this upcoming school year: Austrian baker Heidi Riegler at her Vienna Cookie Company bakeshop. Photo credit: Maggie Tittler Photography
boxes are inspired by the Wiener Werkstätte, Vienna’s fin-de-siècle design movement that prized the handmade over the mass-produced and simplicity over ornamentation. As does Vienna Cookie Company. Vienna Cookie Company products may be ordered online at www.viennacookiecompany.com and ship nationwide. Use code WRW21 to receive a 10% discount on your order.
MONICA CARRILLO
Viva Villalobos Brothers!
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By Monica Carrillo
OUR VOICE COUNTS With contemporary musical ensemble, The Villalobos Brothers, performing at Lago Azul in Hailey as a kick-off event for the public, it is an understatement to say that they wowed the crowd. The Villalobos Brothers performed at Lago Azul on August 13 at 6 p.m. for a kick-off event before their performance at the Sun Valley Pavilion and connected with community members with their music, their words and their charismatic personalities. As a musician myself, I loved being able to see all the musical instruments played, such as the ukulele and the violin, and how they use their techniques to create vibrant Latin pop musical styles—not only that, but to be so incredibly proud of their culture and use it to their advantage! Many audience members made music suggestions and enjoyed their time throughout the evening, while also having the option of getting food at Lago Azul to support the local business. Although this was just the kick-off event for their performance at the Pavilion, it was a pleasure to be able to see their passion for music and create a beautiful connection through the Sun Valley Music Festival. NUESTRA VOZ CUENTA Con el conjunto musical contemporáneo, The Villalobos Brothers, actuando en Lago Azul como un evento de inicio para el público, es un entendimiento decir que sorprendieron a la multitud. The Villalobos Brothers se presentaron en Lago Azul el 13 de agosto a las 6 p.m. para un evento de inicio antes de su presentación en el Sun Valley Pavilion y se conectaron con los miembros de la comunidad con su
By DR. KENNY BRAMWELL
Mom and Dad are in the front seats, having a blast. Photo credit: Herbert Romero
música, sus palabras y personalidades carismáticas. Como músico, me encantó poder ver todos los instrumentos musicales, como el ukulele, el violín, y cómo utilizan sus técnicas para crear estilos musicales vibrantes del pop latino. No sólo eso, sino que se enorgullezcan tan increíblemente de su cultura y la utilicen en su beneficio. Muchos miembros de la audiencia hicieron sugerencias de música y disfrutaron de su tiempo durante toda la noche, mientras que también tenían la opción de conseguir comida en Lago Azul para apoyar el negocio local. A pesar de que este fue solo el evento de inicio para su actuación en el pabellón, fue un placer poder ver su pasión por la música y crear una hermosa conexión a través del Sun Valley Music Festival.
COVID-19 vaccines will greatly reduce the risk of the virus spreading in schools. COVID-19 vaccines are a critical part of ending the pandemic. High vaccination rates in the community and our schools may influence whether school districts are able to maintain full-time, in-person learning. COVID-19 vaccines are proven to be safe and effective. Per Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, those testing positive for COVID, hospitalizations and death are overwhelmingly nearly 99%, occurring among those who are not vaccinated. About 80% of teachers and staff have rolled up their sleeves to get their shot of prevention. Many middle schoolers and high schoolers will also likely be protected by fall, as students 12 and older have been able to get the Pfizer vaccine since May. The same vaccine is currently being studied in children as young as 2 and could soon be expanded to children 6 months to 2 years old. The company expects to apply for an FDA EUA [Emergency Use Authorization] for kids 2 to 11 in September, depending on the results of their trials. Students learn best in the classroom. The resilience of students, staff, and families this year is a testament to our education community’s ability to face challenges and come together. Idaho schools rose to the challenge to keep our children engaged in learning last year through a combination of remote and hybrid learning models. However, educators increasingly worry the time outside brick-and-mortar schools has caused students to fall behind in academics and social-emotional skills. A collection of studies says students “made little or no progress while learning from home.” The importance of in-person learning is well-documented. Students interact with peers and tend to be more alert and engaged rather than losing motivation and self-discipline. Teachers can build relationships with students, better evaluate strengths, and mentor students that need support. School is a refuge for vulnerable children. Schools are safe places where caring adults provide healthy meals to hungry kids or give clothing and toiletries to children experiencing homelessness. Students with special needs receive physical, occupational and speech-language therapy. These wrap-around services are part of the additional services that schools provide. When school campuses close, children suffer. The financial and emotional stress of COVID-19 is believed to be triggering a sharp uptick in child abuse and child deaths in some communities, but a reduction in reports to law enforcement. Injuries to children go undetected, in part because kids aren’t directly in front of teachers who are often the first to recognize signs of abuse. The pandemic exacerbated the growing children’s mental health crisis. Imagine for a moment you are a child during this pandemic. You’re scared about the virus, worried Mom and Dad might get sick, maybe grieving the loss of a beloved grandparent who died from COVID-19, you can’t play with friends like you used to, or go to your favorite places like before. Everything predictable and familiar vanished instantly and it’s taking a toll on your mental well-being. Young people are suffering just off-webcam. Many are isolated, stressed, anxious, and pleading to come back to campus. Breaks in continuity of learning, changes in routines, missed healthcare visits, missed significant life events, lost security and safety due to housing and food insecurities, and increased exposure to violence and online harms are reasons the CDC says COVID-19 could have long-term negative impacts on children. We need to ease the burden for stressed-out families. Parents and guardians were thrown into this chaotic, shut-down world without warning or preparation. For more than a year, moms and dads have not only worried about protecting their children from a deadly virus, but also struggled to fill gaps in learning and childcare, while trying to maintain jobs and support families. Some parents were forced to make the difficult choice to quit working and supervise their children’s remote learning. Disproportionately, they are women. The Kaiser Family Foundation found 10 percent of working mothers with kids in school left jobs due to COVID. Half blamed school closures. Women of color and those making lower wages were almost twice as likely to have left a job. Lost or reduced earnings only exacerbate existing gender and racial disparities. For all of these reasons, we need to work together to support families and our communities. Like many parents, I am looking forward to this school year. If we really want to move safely back into schools, vaccinations are essential, along with following other infection prevention behaviors—like wearing a mask and social distancing when indoors. We can do this together. This is the way. Dr. Kenny Bramwell is the System Medical Director for St. Luke’s Children’s System and an emergency physician.
It’s your life, We help you live it
W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY
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AUGUST 25 - SEPTEMBER 7, 2021
COLUMN
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4TH ESTATE, HOUSING
California Problem, California Solution
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By Eric Valentine
s Valley cities scramble to put a dent into the local housing crisis that is making it—if you can even find a place—unaffordable for some folks to live here, I see an interesting irony. A partial cause of the problem is the influx of people to Idaho from California, and a potential (and partial) solution may be something from there, too. Rewind the clock to circa 2003. A young news reporter with still enough hair on his scalp to not so religiously wear hats (that’d be me) was covering education for a small, daily paper in Silicon Valley called The Gilroy Dispatch. Gilroy’s not a large city by any means—population 52,000 when I lived there. But it’s perhaps better known than my home town in California—San Pedro, one of the largest commercial ports in the world better known as the Port of Los Angeles. That ballcap you’re wearing? It might have been made by a 9-year-old Chinese girl partially against her own will, but it went through my home town before it got to you. Back to Gilroy. Through all my travels, it never ceases to amaze me how whenever people hear the word “San Pedro,” nothing seems to register. But say “Gilroy” to them, and nearly everyone responds, “The garlic capital of the world!” China may be the actual garlic capital of the world (it produces 75% of the world’s supply) but that bulb you just picked up at the local Atkinsons’ or Albertsons that looked pretty good and should stay fresh at least a couple weeks? That came from Christopher Ranch in Gilroy and when you buy it at stores there, it
looks as juicy as an apple and takes about two months before those thin green shoots start to sprout (it’s still good at that point, by the way; try it in a Chinese stirfry for best results). What isn’t ironic is that Gilroy, being in Silicon Valley, logically had the same issue our Valley has: the working class couldn’t afford to live there. It was a working-class town, not a resort, but so close to San Jose (a 35-minute drive) and San Francisco (a 1-hour-and-15-minute drive) the housing prices priced out people like cops, firefighters, teachers and, of course, the reporters (that’d be me) who were married to any of those true heroes. And for the record, I really couldn’t tell you without looking at Google Maps how many miles Gilroy is from those larger cities. Californians use time to understand commutes. And, incidentally, 35 minutes to just over an hour sounds like quite manageable a commute to my native ear. Manageable enough to actually brag about it to your pals: “Bro, you have to get a Beemer. I totally dig mine.” “Dude, I don’t need a Beemer, I got a 35-minute commute.” So, rather than me turn this knee slapper of a column into something wonky, I’ll let what might be the younger and hairier version of me tell you what the Gilroy school district did to help teachers live there. Visit gilroydispatch.com/aid-for-teacher-home-buyers to read an article that is now credited to “Gilroy Staff.” But when a subliminal weed reference to a school matter that takes place on Church street is suspiciously placed in the story’s lead sentence, you probably know who really
NEWS
Ketchum Launches Warm Springs Preserve Donation Campaign
Parker Begins Second Bid For Senate
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Undeterred by a 2020 campaign loss to Sen. Michelle Stennett—the incumbent state Senator for District 26—Eric Parker has announced he will make a bid for the Idaho State Senate once again in 2022. Parker made his announcement at Monday’s Blaine County Republicans event which was attended by Stephen J. Yates—an American political advisor and government official who last served as the president of Radio Free Asia, and previously served as deputy national security adviser to the Vice President to Dick Cheney and the chair of the Idaho Republican Party.
BCSD The Change You Want To See
Two seats on the Blaine County School District Board of Trustees will be up for election in November. The seats include Zone 2 (currently filled by Gretchen Gorham) and Zone 4 (currently filled by Dan Turner). Candidates must reside in that zone to declare their candidacy and for the duration of their term on the Board. Zone 2 includes areas east of Highway 75, north of Muldoon Canyon Road and south/east of Quigley and Fox Acres roads (includes Woodside Subdivision; excludes Deerfield, Bellevue City). It also includes areas north of Highway 20 and west of Highway 75 (excluding Bellevue City), Bend of the River Ranch, west of the Big Wood River to Colorado Gulch Road, and south of Colorado Gulch Road/Croy Creek Road/Camp Creek Road. Zone 4 includes east of Big Wood River, north of Deer Creek Road; north of West Meadow Drive to Buttercup, west of Buttercup to Highway 75, west of Highway 75 to Ketchum, west of Trail Creek to rejoin Highway 75 near the Bigwood golf course and north to the County Line. All candidates must file a declaration of candidacy and petition for candidacy. Once the forms are completed, the candidates must have the County Services manager verify the signatures on their petition prior to delivering it to the Board Clerk, Vicki Pitcairn, at 118 W. Bullion St., Hailey, ID 83333, no later than Sept. 3, 2021.
penned that gem. Hint: He wears a lot of hats and he could be a little socialist, too. But like garlic and American housing policies, he ain’t from Shanghai.
IN BRIEF If you have any questions, please contact the Board Clerk at clerk@blaineschools.org or (208) 578-5003. Once the documents are filed, the Board Clerk will certify the candidates to the County Services manager no later than Sept. 10. BCSD residents will vote to fill these two positions on Tuesday, Nov. 9.
Eric Parker (right), shown here with Stephen J. Yates, the former chair of the Idaho Republican Party, is throwing his hat back into the political ring. Photo credit: Election Campaign of Eric Parker
Gilroy, California, hosts an annual garlic festival that welcomes nearly 200,000 visitors over the course of three days. Photo credit: Eugene Kim
The City of Ketchum has launched its collection effort to preserve the 65-acre parcel of open space called Warm Springs Preserve. The property is currently part of the Warm Springs Ranch. Warm Springs Preserve is the only significant undeveloped property in the city where the floodplain and native riparian corridor can be restored. And the city seeks to raise $9 million to purchase the 65-acre parcel and $1 million for a water-conscious irrigation system and restoration improvements. To meet the purchase requirements in the Option Agreement between the city and the owner of Warm Springs Ranch, the city must raise $4.5 million by October 28, 2021, and the remaining $4.5 million by April 28, 2022. “This is our chance to preserve a special part of Ketchum, not only for ourselves, but for generations to come,” said Mayor Neil Bradshaw, who announced his reelection effort in recent days, too. “I hope the community can come together and seize this unique opportunity.” The city has contracted with the Spur Community Foundation to act as the custodian of funds. To make a donation or receive more information, contact Spur Community Foundation Executive Director Sally Gillespie at (208) 450-2507 or at sally@spurfoundation.org. Once the property is acquired, the following priorities will be established in perpetuity: • Preservation of green space and public access • Warm Springs Creek riparian zone and floodplain restoration • Water-conscious irrigation system • Connector trail • Informal gatherings and activities such as disc golf, Nordic ski • Snowshoe trails • Public restroom Restrictions on the property include development, organized sports and reserved private or commercial events such as weddings. After the acquisition of the property, the community will be engaged in a full-planning process to consider any other site improvement. To learn more about the Preserve, visit www.warmspringspreserve.org or email warmspringspreserve@gmail.com.
COVID Vaccine Booster Shot Dose Available To Some
St. Luke’s Health System has begun scheduling moderately to severely immunocompromised patients for third doses of mRNA vaccines Moderna and Pfizer.
St. Luke’s recommends patients who are unsure if they should receive a third dose consult with their primary care provider. For the best experience, individuals who have not received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine—or are immunocompromised and believe they qualify for a third dose—are highly encouraged to schedule through the myChart app. To access myChart or set up a new myChart account, visit Stlukesonline.org/ myChart or call (208) 381-9000. If a patient would like to schedule a vaccine and is unable to access myChart, they may call (208) 381-9500 to connect with a team member for assistance. Due to current patient volumes, there may be wait times at St. Luke’s clinic if a patient does not have a scheduled appointment. The health provider said it will continue to meet the need for walk-ins. Individuals should bring their vaccination cards with them at the time of their appointment. While the third vaccination is recommended for some people, it is not considered urgent. If someone feels they cannot wait, they can seek their third dose from a commercial pharmacy or other healthcare organization that is providing the safe, effective, free COVID-19 vaccines. At this time, an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose has not been recommended by the CDC for those who have received non-mRNA vaccines (e.g., Johnson & Johnson). Though it is recommended that the third dose be the same brand as the initial series, it is not necessary if that brand is not available. For example, someone who received a Pfizer primer and booster may receive Moderna for their third dose.
Public Schools Bring Back Masks
Valley public school staff and students started the 2021-22 school year Monday wearing masks after the trustees voted last Tuesday, 4-1, to adopt a COVID-19 safety plan strongly opposed by protestors who refused to put on masks during the first attempt at the special meeting, leading to an escort out of the Community Campus building by local law enforcement, some of whom were not wearing mask themselves. Trustee Amber Larna was the dissenting vote. As for the specific policy, masks will only be required indoors and will become optional if the Valley’s COVID-19 transmission level dips back down to “green”—the lowest risk designation by the state. The bottom line: All parents, volunteers, vendors and outside members of the public would have to wear masks to enter school buildings. The board decision comes on the heels of state health officials’ warnings that given the so-called delta variant of the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus, Idaho is projected to reach roughly 30,000 new cases per week in October. It’s something Kathryn Turner, the deputy state epidemiologist and chief of Idaho’s Bureau of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control, described as “very grim.” Unlike the initial virus that largely spared youth from easy transmission, the delta variant is estimated to be at least 60% more transmissible.
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Fishing R epoRt
W O O D R I V E R W E E K L Y • A U G U S T 2 5 - S E P T E M B E R 7 , 2 0 2 1
COMM ENT ARY
NO BONES ABOUT IT THE “WEEKLY” FISHING REPORT FOR AUGUST 25 - SEPTEMBER 7 FROM PICABO ANGLER
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rab a jacket and waders when you head out to the water this week. The warm summer mornings of wet wading seem to be over, as we experience a drop in overnight temperatures. Cooler air paired with scattered evening thunderstorms has allowed water temps and flows to remain steady within our local fisheries. With the onset of chillier mornings, we are seeing bug action later in the morning than normal. Silver Creek: Fishing access on Silver Creek Preserve continues to be open, with time restrictions remaining in place, allowing access between 9 a.m. and sunset. Don’t forget to check in when fishing on the Preserve. When the air warms up and the wind stays down, expect a Trico spinner fall sometime between 9 a.m. and noon with a scattering of Baetis. In the afternoons and early evenings, look for Damselflies and Baetis on the water when the wind is down; if the wind is ramping up, you can expect fish to be looking for terrestrials, including Hoppers, Ants and Beetles. If you are fishing the Hopper, think pink! Pink Morrish Hoppers and Club Sandwiches are getting it done! Always remember when fishing a Hopper—if you fish lighter than a 2X tippet, you are going to be decorating fish with flies for no reason. We will say it here again… Silver Creek anglers are more leader shy than Silver Creek fish. There is no such thing as a leader-shy fish on Silver Creek when they want to eat a Hopper. Big Wood: The Big Wood River continues to fish well, but the low, clear water is requiring more stealth in your approach as you enter the water. Fishing downstream with longer leaders will allow for more opportunities. Mornings are generating Trico and Baetis action. Hopper/ dropper setups in the afternoons are productive, with Caddis flies and Rusty Spinners fishing well into the low light of the evenings. Lost River: Flows in the Upper Lost River remain low, but fishing continues to be productive. Terrestrial patterns, Hoppers and Ants, as well as caddis, are best bets from late morning on. BWO and PMD nymphs can also be effective for sight fishing with the low, clear water conditions or as a dropper to a large terrestrial. Walking a reasonable distance to cover more water will always produce more takes this time of year. Finally, with the cooler days coming, be sure you have the Western Red Quill in your fly box for the Wood and Lost Rivers. Happy fishing, everyone!
Hwy 20 in Picabo info@picaboangler.com (208)788.3536 www.picaboangler.com
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By Fran Jewell
Pain Insane
ain? What does that have to do with dog training? Plenty. First, dogs are by nature very stoic. They will not tell you when they are in pain so many of us miss this critical element in dog behavior. Why? Because when a dog shows pain, it makes it weaker to other dogs and it risks potential attack by another dog seeking higher status. In my line of work, I am called for help when a dog is suddenly aggressive with other dogs and even family members when they didn’t used to be. I also get calls when dogs have fights among themselves in a multiple-dog household. Sometimes I hear from people when they see the dog just seems different than they used to be. They might be now afraid of other dogs or children when that wasn’t the case before. Or, they hide in a closet for no apparent reason. One of the first things I recommend in most cases is that the dog be thoroughly examined by a veterinarian to see if there are any health issues that are not outwardly visible. There can be abnormalities in blood work. Often, I see dogs suffering from undiagnosed arthritis, or even joint problems that have slowly developed over time. If the PHYSICAL issue of pain is not addressed, trying to address the emotional and mental behavior problems created by the pain will not be successful. Once the pain is addressed, then the behavior can be addressed with professional help. Pain in dogs is very difficult for us to see. But it is a critical issue to pay attention to, even in young dogs when behaviors become defensive, aggressive or unusual. imagine yourself with a migraine. No one can see it. Many people don’t understand it, but after a migraine has lingered for many hours, sometimes days, you are no longer patient and you become irritated easily. Now imagine your dog unable to express his pain by saying,
My Mavis had tick-borne disease. I never saw the tick. The only symptom was that she was slow to get up. It could have been life threatening. Get your dog to the vet for anything suspicious. Photo credit: Fran Jewell
“Heh! I hurt!” What are some telltale signs of pain? Unusual behaviors—withdrawing or aggression; slowness to get up; less energy; panting when it isn’t hot out; a “look” in your dog’s eyes that says something is off; movement away when touched in a certain place; lack of interest in food; an area of skin that seems warmer than a nearby body spot; swelling; ears that don’t perk; lack of desire to do usual activities like go in the car or for walks. And, of course, there are obvious things like limping and crying. Pain is something that can be controlled or reduced for the most part in dogs and can help re-establish loving behaviors between you and your lovely companion. If you even slightly expect something off with your dog,
SCIENCE OF PLACE
please seek veterinary help. What seems slight to you is many times HUGE for the dog because they will mask their pain until it is no longer tolerable. There are many ways to address pain. Know that pain SHOULD be addressed and not left for the dog to “tough it out.” It is critical for a dog in a family atmosphere with children and other animals present. Asking a dog to be patient in spite of pain is simply not fair. 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.
Minnow Rumination
F
FRAN JEWELL
HARRY WEEKES
BY HARRY WEEKES
or as long as I can remember there have been little fish in my life, or what I always refer to as “minnows.” My mom spent her summers growing up in northern Minnesota, and when we visited her childhood cabin as kids ourselves, we always caught minnows. They were bait for our lake trout fishing expeditions, which were invariably a lesson in total futility and frustration for my grandfather. I would carefully drop the main weight on my line to the bottom of the lake, then reel it up a bit, and then spend the next—(insert the length of my grandfather’s patience on this particular night)—saying, “Was that a bite?” “Should I check?” “I think it took the minnow.” The short version of this long story: I have never caught a lake trout. When my parents moved to Idaho, a “cabin in the woods” was in their blood, so to speak, and in the early ’70s they bought a place on Pettit Lake; a cabin we visited as kids, and now visit with our kids, and where, in the middle of August, I was standing on a rock with hundreds of minnows swarming around my legs. They do this, the minnows of Pettit—they swarm you and then graze up and down your legs for just about as long as you will let them. Some people find this creepy. I find it both mesmerizing and bizarrely calming. One of the things I learned along the way is that not all little fish are minnows, even though all minnows are little fish. As is so often the case, the generalizations I remember from a kid are a bit more nuanced as an adult. Minnows, it turns out, are a specific family of fish, the Cyprinidae. And it’s a big family (actually, the largest freshwater family of fish in the world). So, there are a lot of minnows. And a lot of little fish called minnows. And even some fish named minnow that aren’t minnows. This doesn’t even mention the fact that different people will call the same kettle of fish chubs, shiners or minnows, and that these can all be the same thing or, in certain cases, different. If that’s not confusing enough, one of the great things about people is we can just use a name or a word wrong so often that the meaning changes. It turns out, you can call all small fish minnows as a catchall for, well, small fish. Sure, ichthyologists will do backflips at such crude characterization of our finned friends, but hey, backflips are cool. When environmental constraints are persistent and severe enough, different organisms adapt similar characteristics. If you think of wa-
The common shiner (Luxilus cornutus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae, found in North America. It ranges in length between 4 and 6 inches, although they can reach lengths of up to 8 inches. Painting by Ellen Edmonson, public domain, accessed via Wikipedia.
ter as really thick air, which it kind of is, then fish end up constrained much in the same way birds are by flying through the air. It is hard to fly, and swimming through water is difficult, generally pushing fish to similar torpedo shapes (in this case, it is more accurate to say that torpedoes are fish shaped). So, a lot of fish look really similar. If you want to talk about all the non-torpedo-shaped fish, I would love to talk about swim bladders. Remember my grandfather? We came back early for a reason. The point is this. There are tiny little minnow fish that spend their lives in alpine lakes, sampling every little and big thing that comes their way as a possible source of food in a pretty food-barren world. When this happens to be you, take a few moments to watch as they move up and down your legs, cleaning and eating their way around you. Another amazing little creature sharing our world, and maybe even sharing you. Harry Weekes is the Founder and Head of School at The Sage School in Hailey. This is his 50th year in the Wood River Valley, where he lives with Hilary and one of their three baby adults- Simon. The other members of the flock, Georgia and Penelope, are currently fledging at Davidson College in North Carolina and Middlebury College in Vermont.
W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY
MONEY MATTERS
•
AUGUST 25 - SEPTEMBER 7, 2021
SUZANNE HAZLETT
ON LIFE’S TERMS
THE INTELLIGENT INVESTOR B
T
By Suzanne Hazlett, MBA, CIMA®, CFP®
he Intelligent Investor and Security Analysis are books published in 1949 and 1934, respectively, authored by the legendary “father of value investing,” Benjamin Graham. Graham was a British-born American economist, professor and investor. While his life spanned 1894 to 1976, his sound viewpoints on investing still stand today. Warren Buffett, who credits Graham as his mentor, describes The Intelligent Investor as the “the best book about investing ever written.” Decades before the term “behavioral finance” was common in contemporary parlance, Graham’s philosophy emphasized the impact of psychology on investors’ potential for success or failure. Here are several of Graham’s sage and telling quotes that find validity in today’s market and economic environment. “Successful investing is about managing risk, not avoiding it.” “Investing isn’t about beating others at their game. It’s about controlling yourself at your own game.” “To be an investor you must be a believer in a better tomorrow.” “A great company is not a great investment if you pay too much for the stock.” “Always buy your straw hats in the winter.” “An intelligent investor gets satisfaction from the Suzanne Hazlett, MBA, CIMA®, thought that his operations are exactly opposite to CFP® is an investment advisor and financial planner. those of the crowd.” “The intelligent investor is a realist who sells to optimists and buys from pessimists.” “The investor’s chief problem—and even his worst enemy—is likely to be himself.” “The essence of investment management is the management of risks, not the management of returns.” “Never buy a stock immediately after a substantial rise or sell one immediately after a substantial drop.” “Abnormally good or abnormally bad conditions do not last forever.” “Buy not on optimism, but on arithmetic.” “High valuations entail high risk.” “A stock is not just a ticker symbol or an electronic blip; it is an ownership interest in an actual business, with an underlying value that does not depend on its share price.” “Confusing speculation with investment is always a mistake.” Just shy of a century ago, Graham said, “A sound mental approach toward stock fluctuations is the touchstone of all successful investment under present-day conditions.” More enduring words were never spoken.
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 Ketchum, Idaho, 208.726.0605. HazlettWealthManagement.com
COWBOY POETRY
BRYCE ANGELL
My Favorite Pal
I took my place on horseback, riding next to the old man. He’d wrangled for my father. Everyone called him Old Dan. His wrangling days were done, yet rode the pack line at the end. My father said, “Stay by his side. He might just be your friend. “I know it’s hot and dusty, riding back there for a while. But this will do you good and since you’re with him, wear a smile.” So, Old Dan and I would always take our place there at the rear. Dan did all the talking and I gave a listening ear. I learned to call him Dan and Dan would call me Mr. Bryce. And every day I’d get a scoop of old cowboy advice. One morning he was reminiscing of his younger days. He said he missed the gals and all his flirting cowboy ways. I didn’t know of flirting and was bashful to the core. If a pretty gal would smile, I’d turn the darkest red, for sure. Dan could see my plight and said, “I’ve been there, Mr. Bryce. Most gals will see your bashfulness and turn from snub to nice.” He said, “I’ve got some sound advice and use it as your guide. When it comes to gettin’ married, find a farm gal for your bride.” I’d never even had a date, what’s more a full-time gal. But Dan’s advice came from his heart. By then, my favorite pal. The summer ended all too soon. My pal moved into town. I’d grab a six-pack, head on in. We’d slam a Pepsi down. My time went by from boy to man and Dan turned ninety years. He asked me ‘bout a farm-girl bride. Could not believe my ears! So I introduced my outdoor gal, Montana way upstate. And the twinkle in his eye showed me approval of first rate. — 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.
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JOELLEN COLLINS
WAXING POETIC By JoEllen Collins
efore you skip ahead, I am NOT talking about poetry, though I always like to. In this column I am “waxing poetic,” or communicating in a flowery or poetic manner, about another kind of art wherein one can find excitement, solace and wisdom: music. I do typically speak by waxing poetic, loving to tell stories, share experiences and be as colorful in the process as possible, which may lead to hyperbole, a slightly inaccurate exaggeration, or simply too many words. I often consider a delicious dinner “the best I ever had.” I admit to all. However, I can hardly be poetic enough in sharing my exhilaration about the recent performances of our Sun Valley Music Festival orchestra. Due to constraints of length, I will focus on Sunday, August 15, an evening where I felt floated on air by hearing Rachmaninoff in perhaps the most beautiful orchestral rendition of classical music I have ever experienced. I have traveled widely in my long life and have heard fine orchestras in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and London, among others. This evening, however, our assemblage of professional musicians from many other places than our “small” town topped them all. Certainly, Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No. 2 in C Minor for Piano and Orchestra is magic, a remarkably lyrical and rich rendition of two melodic themes. Also, the musicians seemed to possess an overtone of delight at making music together again, and a packed house expressed their appreciation for the presence of such skilled artists. Perhaps the most fortunate aspect of that evening was the brilliant performance of this challenging work by piano soloist Joyce Yang. Her evident genius as her hands JoEllen Collins—a longtime swept across the space of the Steinway reminded me of resident of the Wood River seeing Nureyev leap across the stage. I even noticed her Valley— is an Idaho Press appreciation of the strings as they provided the com- Club award-winning columplex and deep harmonies necessary to accompany her. nist, a teacher, writer, fabric I swear she often smiled at violinist and Concertmaster artist, choir member and unabashedly proud grandma Jeremy Constant after a perfect session of strings. Sometimes in my columns I have mentioned the bless- known as “Bibi Jo.” ings AND the tensions that arise from the wealth this community attracts. I was living here when our beautiful orchestra started to grow from the Elkhorn ensembles led by conductor Carl Eberl and his wife Julianne to the vast array of talented artists we now see at the Pavilion. It took effort, time and dedication to develop what we are privileged to witness today, but it also took money. Many of us volunteer for the many nonprofits our Valley has nurtured, and some of us have contributed also to the Symphony, but it is those magnanimous major donors who have succeeded in making this the kind of venue that welcomes such magnificence. I thank them for the moments I can escape from this troubled world and dwell in beauty, even in our tiny corner of humanity. I wish everyone could be transported as I was last week. Perhaps we can then be energized to accept our responsibilities to work toward changing the inequities outside our brilliant bubble.
INSPIRATIONS FROM MY HEART
DOVE
FEAR OF DEATH
W
BY DOVE
ho is the authority in your life? Is it you? Is it your spouse, your kids, your boss, your job, your friends? Is it the government, your religion, your medical professional? Sometimes we have to just get quiet inside and determine who we are allowing to be the dictator of our experiences. I know I make many choices in order to please the people around me, whereas if I just had to consider myself, I would make a less safe choice—or a more radical choice if I was the only one affected—but few of us really stand alone. We let the fear of others, to whom we have given authority, control our lives. I just want to know the Truth and it seems to me there must exist a truth that is common to all humanity, but what is it? The one truth I can come up with is that we are all going to die at some point. The when, how and where of that are yet to be determined. That is the only certainty I know. What does most of humanity do but spend their energy being afraid of death. This is the one certain thing in our lives and, for the most part, everyone lets the fear of death control their behavior. What if we didn’t fear death? What if we chose to live our lives fully for as long as we could? What if we were no longer victims of our fear? I think this is an experiment worth trying. Live fully, harming no one; love unconditionally—first yourself, and then others. What if we gave up trying to control others as long as they did us no harm. Right now, in our world, fear of death is
controlling our whole lives. We are being limited to such an extent by authority so that we can be given a life of isolation unless we take the orders of the few. There is something wrong with this picture and very little truth is being given. An agenda is in place that is being used to control you, limit you, just because you could possibly die or someone else could possibly die. There are many things worse than death, such as a lack of freedom, emotionally and physically. Why allow yourself to be controlled so you can live a life of limitation. We are being forced to make our lives smaller and smaller if we do not obey the mandates placed before us. We were given planet Earth as a planet of free will and we have given that up to the authority of a few, some of them well-meaning but most with an agenda that only has their interests at heart. Truthfully, if you follow the money, you find the agenda. This is a sad way to live and I apologize for the rant. But don’t accept the information given you at face value. Much is hidden, so use your own guidance on how to proceed. We have become a population of comfort-seekers and have let ourselves be trapped by an authority that says be a sheep, don’t think for yourself, we will take care of you. When you allow someone to take care of you, they get to make the rules and you have no one to blame but yourself for all the limitations. Find the truth. Give up fear of death so that you can live freely, fully and joyfully. Much love, Dove
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W O O D R I V E R W E E K L Y • A U G U S T 2 5 - S E P T E M B E R 7 , 2 0 2 1
NEWS
IN BRIEF
BCSD Arts, Social Studies Curricula Open To Review
The Blaine County School District is inviting parents and community members to take part in a curriculum review process for its 2021-22 Arts Education and Social Studies Education programs. Four community members will be selected to serve on a committee that will examine standards clarification and priorities, curriculum and assessment upgrades and the identification and selection of instructional materials to recommend to the BCSD Board of Trustees. “As we take a look at our curriculum in these two important subjects, we want our families and district residents to play a key role in the process,” said Adam Johnson, BCSD assistant superintendent. “We appreciate those who are willing to dedicate their time, energy and talents to this effort.” Those interested in serving are asked to apply by Wednesday, Sept. 8 by completing an online form. The district’s Teaching and Learning Team will select parents and community members to serve on the committee from the individuals who apply. The Arts Committee involves a one-year commitment, while the Social Studies Committee is a two-year commitment.
Deputies Shut Down Road To Detain Hailey Man
On Thursday, Aug. 19, at approximately 8:15 p.m., Blaine County Sheriff deputies responded to a report of a man with a gun who had threatened others at a residence on Broadford Road. After one and half hours, deputies’ attempts to contact Levi Scott Young, age 26, of Hailey, were unsuccessful and he was non-compliant with the officers’ instructions. Officers then closed the road to traffic for public safety. While deputies were taking Young into custody, he attempted to remove one of the officers’ stun guns. Young was charged with two felony counts of aggravated assault and one misdemeanor count of resisting arrest.
Young was arraigned in Blaine County Magistrate Court on Friday, Aug. 20, and as of press deadline Tuesday was being held in the Blaine County Detention Center on a $3,000 bond. Officers from the Hailey Police Department and the Bellevue Marshal’s Office assisted Blaine County Sheriff deputies in this incident.
Nature-Friendly Design Lecture Slated For Thursday
The Hailey Public Library will host “Introduction to Permaculture, Part 2” via Zoom on Thursday, Aug. 26 at 5:30 p.m. with Amy Mattias, a certified permaculture designer and the Sun Valley Institute for Resilience program director. Mattias will share examples of ways to integrate permaculture principles into daily life and answer design questions on participants’ specific projects, including her own home. Permaculture is a set of design principles aimed at working with nature rather than against it. The library requests that you RSVP to kristin.fletcher@haileypubliclibrary.org. As the program director for the Sun Valley Institute for Resilience, Mattias launched the 5B Resilience Garden initiative in spring 2020. She also serves as a volunteer board member for the Idaho Center for Sustainable Agriculture, FARE Idaho and co-manages the Wood River Seed Library. Mattias recently received a Permaculture Design Certification through Earth Activist Training, a Permaculture Institute of North America certified program. Over years of gardening, she has incorporated many permaculture principles into her personal garden as well as in her life as a whole. Aside from her gardening hobby, Amy is a food system reformist, spending her career building a stronger and resilient regionalized food system in southern Idaho.
COVID-19 Uptick Triggers Elective Surgeries Pause
Due to sustained high patient volumes in its medical centers and significant and increasing COVID-19 activity resulting in hospitalization in the community, St. Luke’s Health System announced a temporary pause in certain
OPINION
elective surgeries and procedures—specifically, ones that require an overnight hospital stay. It is a reactivation of a policy, the health system says, utilized earlier in the pandemic that assists in managing volumes and resources. This pause does not impact elective outpatient surgeries or procedures that do not require an overnight hospital stay. St. Luke’s will continue to monitor our capacity for care and adjust as appropriate. “We strongly encourage and are appealing to individuals to take measures to decrease the spread of COVID-19, including vaccinations for those who are eligible and wearing a mask indoors whenever you are around individuals who are not part of your immediate family. Providing care to all who need it is our priority and our mission; we hope everyone will take the necessary steps,” Dr. Jim Souza, chief physician executive at St. Luke’s Health System, said. As with prior surges, St. Luke’s will dial up and down on services dependent on overall capacity for care with safety for our patients and staff being the number one priority.
Single-Vehicle Crash North of Smiley Creek
On Wednesday, Aug. 18, at approximately 3:03 p.m., Blaine County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 75 near milepost 167, approximately 1.5 miles north of Smiley Creek Lodge. Crash scene investigation determined that Laura Hardin-Peterson, age 61, of Corvallis, Ore., was traveling southbound on State Hwy. 75 in a grey 2011 Toyota Highlander. While negotiating an outside left-hand curve in the roadway, the Toyota’s passenger-side wheels left the roadway, and the vehicle traveled off the southbound shoulder through the barrow pit, striking a culvert and side swiping a power pole. Hardin-Peterson was flown from the scene by air ambulance to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise. The vehicle sustained major damage and was towed from the scene. It is unknown if Hardin-Peterson was wearing a seatbelt.
SAM PIZZIGATI
MERCHANTS OF DEATH THEN — AND NOW
M
By SAM PIZZIGATI
ore Afghan-like tragedies will be inevitable until we squeeze the personal profit out of prepping for war. We denizens of the 21st century have become somewhat accustomed — inured might be the better word — to the murderous mass violence of modern warfare. We shouldn’t find that at all surprising. The 20th century that gave most of us birth, after all, rates as the deadliest century in human history. Upwards of 75 million people died in World War II alone. Millions more have died in “little” wars since, including the nearly quarter-million who perished during the 20 years of the U.S. military war in and on Afghanistan. But for our forbears, back in the early decades of the 20th century, the incredible deadliness of modern warfare came as something of a shock. The carnage of World War I — with its 40 million dead — left people worldwide searching for new international arrangements that could prevent any repeat of modern war’s horror. The Paris Peace Conference of 1919 launched the League of Nations and sparked a series of additional global parleys. The Washington Disarmament Conference of 1922. The Geneva Arms Control Conference of 1925. The Geneva Disarmament Conference of 1927. In 1928, the world’s top nations even signed an agreement that renounced war as an instrument of national policy. All these steps would prove hopelessly inadequate to the task at hand. By the mid-1930s the world was swimming in a weapons-of-war sea, and people still reeling from World War I — the “Great War” — wanted to know why. In the United States, peace-seekers would “follow the money” to find out. Many of America’s moguls, they soon realized, were getting ever richer off prepping for war. These “merchants of death” — the era’s strikingly vivid label for war profiteers — had a vested interest in perpetuating the sorts of arms races that make wars more likely. America needed, millions of Americans believed, to take the profit out of war. On Capitol Hill, the Democratic Senate majority set up a special committee to investigate the munitions industry and named a progressive Republican, North Dakota’s Gerald Nye, to chair it. “War and preparation for war,” Nye noted at the panel’s founding in 1934, had precious little to do with either “national honor” or “national defense.” War had become “a matter of profit for the few.” The tag “merchants of death” has long since disappeared from our American political lexicon. But the problem Nye named remains. Our contemporary corporate moguls are continuing to get rich off the prepara-
tions that make wars more likely and massively multiply death counts when the actual shooting starts. America’s longest war — the war in Afghanistan — offers but the latest example. Our contemporary corporate moguls are continuing to get rich off the preparations that make wars more likely and massively multiply death counts when the actual shooting starts. We won’t know for some time the total haul of our corporate executive class off the Afghan war’s twenty years. But Institute for Policy Studies analysts Brian Wakamo and Sarah Anderson have come up with some initial calculations for three of the top Department of Defense contractors active in Afghanistan over the 2016-2020 years. The total compensation for the CEOs at these three corporate giants — Fluor, Raytheon, and Boeing — amounted to $236 million. The overall personal haul for our current-day “merchants of death” from the carnage in Afghanistan? We would need a modern-day special congressional committee to get at that number, partly because many of the enterprises facilitating death and destruction remain privately held and need not release the annual executive pay figures that publicly traded companies must release. A modern-day, high-profile panel on war profiteering might not be a bad idea. Congressional members of that panel could start their work by reviewing the 1936 conclusions of the Senate’s original “Special Committee on Investigation of the Munitions Industry.” Munitions companies, that committee found, have exploited “opportunities to intensify the fears of people for their neighbors and have used them to their own profit.” They have ignited and exacerbated arms races by constantly striving to “scare nations into a continued frantic expenditure for the latest improvements in devices of warfare.” “Wars,” the Senate panel summed up, “rarely have one single cause,” but it runs “against the peace of the world for selfishly interested organizations to be left free to goad and frighten nations into military activity.” Do these conclusions still hold water for us today, a new special committee could ask, and, if they do, what can we do to remedy the situation? Some members of the original Senate panel apparently wanted to nationalize what we now call the “defense industry.” That didn’t happen, and today’s complex of military contractors dwarfs the size of the merchants-ofdeath network that Americans faced back in the 1930s. Our Pentagon and military, Lindsay Koshgarian of the National Priorities Project points out, currently “take up more than half of the discretionary federal budget each
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year,” and over half that spending goes to military contractors. Most of these contractors, adds Heidi Peltier, the director of the “20 Years of War” initiative at Boston University’s Pardee Center, essentially operate as monopolies. The excessive profits that status helps them grab are widening America’s core inequality: Lockheed Martin’s executive chair, at last count, is making $30.9 million a year. In 2020, execs at Lockheed and four other contracting giants — Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and General Dynamics — spent $60 million on lobbying to keep their gravy train going. Over the past two decades, the Center for Responsive Politics reports, the defense industry as a whole has spent $2.5 billion on lobbying “to influence defense policy” and directed another $285 million to political candidates friendly to contracting business as usual. How can we upset that business as usual? Reducing the size of the military budget can get us started. Contracting out fewer necessary functions — keeping defense work in-house — and reforming the contracting process itself will also be essential. But executive pay needs to be right at the heart of that reforming. No corporate execs dealing in military matters should have a huge personal stake in ballooning federal spending for war. Current federal government contracting regulations do limit how much executives can grab directly in salary from the cash their companies pocket for contract work. But corporate execs don’t particularly mind these limits since they get the overwhelming bulk of their total compensation from their stock-based rewards, not their salaries. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and the Congressional Progressive Caucus have a better approach. Their newly proposed Patriotic Corporations Act would, among numerous other promising provisions, give extra points in contract bidding to firms that pay their top execs no more than 100 times what they pay their most typical workers. Few defense giants these days come anywhere close to that 100-times ratio. At Raytheon, for instance, the chief exec last year pulled down 193 times the pay of the company’s most typical worker — and that relatively “modest” gap, by U.S. corporate standards, came only after the Raytheon CEO took a temporary Covid-time pay haircut! Sam Pizzigati co-edits Inequality.org. His recent books include: “The Case for a Maximum Wage” (2018) and “The Rich Don’t Always Win: The Forgotten Triumph over Plutocracy that Created the American Middle Class, 1900-1970” (2012).
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AUGUST 25 - SEPTEMBER 7, 2021
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1 hour complementary assessment and Wood River Weekly Classifieds (Buy Stuff, Sell Odds & Ends, Whatever): 4 hour session custom tailored to your needs. 1 hour complementary1 assessment and Stuff, hour complementary assessment and organize. transition. move. 4 hour session custom tailored to your needs. 4 hour session custom tailored to your needs. Up To 25 Words $5, Each Additional Word 20¢, Image $5, Logo $10 Classifieds organize. transition. move. organize. transition. move. www.tasknw.com 877-564-TASK Value: $660.00! Value: $660.00! Value: $660.00! 503-305-6556 www.tasknw.com www.tasknw.com www.tasknw.com 503-305-6556 503-305-6556
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W O O D R I V E R W E E K L Y • A U G U S T 2 5 - S E P T E M B E R 7 , 2 0 2 1
WOOD RIVER WEEKLY WINTER + SPRING 2022
Hard way Pipeline
101 THINGS TO DO Day Trips | Winter Checklist | Free Fun | Family Friendly | Start Your Story Here...
MAGAZINE
Steel Fencing
Kelly Wardell 208-309-0916
How To Play Sudoku
10,000 copies distributed to over 250 locations for 6 months! Day Trips | Free Fun | Family Friendly | Winter Wonder-List | Start Your Story Here...
101things to do winter + spring 2019/2020
Day Trips | Free Fun | Family Friendly | Winter Wonder-List | Start Your Story Here...
to do 101 things winter + spring 2019/2020
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.
Day Trips | Free Fun | Family Friendly | Winter Wonder-List | Start Your Story Here...
101things to do winter + spring 2019/2020
CLASSIC SUDOKU See answer on page 15 THE Insider’s Guide To The Best Kept Secrets Of The Wood River Valley & Beyond Explore: Bellevue, Carey, Hailey, Ketchum, Stanley, Sun Valley & Everything 5B
THE Insider’s Guide To The Best Kept Secrets Of The Wood River Valley & Beyond Explore: Bellevue, Carey, Hailey, Ketchum, Stanley, Sun Valley & Everything 5B
THE Insider’s Guide To The Best Kept Secrets Of The Wood River Valley & Beyond Explore: Bellevue, Carey, Hailey, Ketchum, Stanley, Sun Valley & Everything 5B
Rates
Full-Page Glossy ........... $450 Full-Page ....................... $349 Half-Page....................... $269 Quarter-Page ................. $189 Space is limited. Call now for ad reservations
Mandi: (208) 721-7588 mandi@woodriverweekly.com
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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 15
WOOD RIVER VALLEY 7-DAY WEATHER FORECAST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Partly Coudy 6%
high 79º
low 48º WEDNESDAY
Partly Coudy 2%
high 75º low 45º THURSDAY
Sunny 0%
high 75º low 43º FRIDAY
Sunny 0%
high 74º low 44º SATURDAY
Sunny 0%
high 77º low 48º SUNDAY
Sunny 0%
high 81º low 49º MONDAY
Sunny 2%
high 78º low 49º TUESDAY
SKI. BIKE. LIVE!
Elevate your experience. 340 N Main Street in Ketchum sturtevants-sv.com • 726-4501