ECONOMIC NEWS
STATE NEWS
Bills Still Raising Brows PG 5
New Routes, New Rules PG 4
SUN VALLEY
KETCHUM
MONEY MATTERS
HAILEY
Balancing Inflation, Deflation & Reflation PG 9 BELLEVUE
PICABO
CAREY
WOOD RIVER WEEKLY
YOUR VOICE IN THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY
Free | March 10 - 23, 2021 | Vol. 2 - No. 5 | woodriverweekly.com
“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” ~Edgar Degas
This mural, by artist John Zender Estrada, titled Raza Adelante, includes the image of César Chavez, center. Chavez was a Mexican-American labor leader and civil rights activist who dedicated his life’s work to what he called la causa (the cause)—the struggle of farm workers in the United States to improve their working and living conditions through organizing and negotiating contracts with their employers. Photo credit: John Zender Estrada
LOCAL ‘CHAVEZ DAY’ GOES BIG
Film director and grandson of Cesar Chavez coming to Ketchum
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By Eric Valentine
n an era of smaller gatherings and virtual shows, a celebration that’s a first in the Valley is going big. On March 23, one week before Cesar Chavez Day, Ketchum will be where Eduardo Chavez—the grandson of the iconic labor rights activist—promotes his documentary “Hail Cesar.” It will also be the locale of a one-hour march to honor the contributions of Hispanics to Valley life and beyond. And, it will be where muralist John Zender Estrada will present some of his most popular artworks during a gallery walk held on the same day. “It’s just the right time to do this,” organizer Herbert Romero said. “This is the first celebration (of its kind) that I know of. It’s history in the making.” Romero, who is best known for organizing Hispanic Heritage Month and connecting the white and Latino members of the community, said the event is being put on by a local group—the Hispanic LatinUS Leadership Task Force. But College of Southern Idaho is also, he said, providing resources to produce and promote different elements of the day. “With the college on board, things are really taking off,” Romero said.
Fiesta Facts With new COVID cases still arising and COVID restrictions still in place, the event will have to be limited in some ways; specifically, mask-wearing and limits on the number of people at the gallery walk at any given time. The gallery walk will take place at The Spot on March 23, from noon to 8 p.m. During much of that time, Estrada will be there in person to answer questions about his pieces. The California-based muralist has produced over 500 murals during his career, many of which have been seen in motion pictures and television commercials. Estrada, who attended the prestigious Otis Art Institute Los Angeles and received a Printing Certificate from UCLA, says the “Rodney King” Los Angeles riots of 1992 was his muse for seeing the need to create positive messages through street art. Estrada, who was a longtime friend of Romero back in California, had recently befriended Chavez, too. So, when he told Romero that his young friend wanted to promote a documentary about his grandfather, Romero couldn’t have been more excited. “We’re not just playing the film. He’ll be here in person talking about the film, too,” Romero confirmed. The screenings and Q&A will be held at The Spot SV at 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Details like starting and end points of the march were not confirmed by press deadline Tuesday. However, Romero did confirm the march would start at 5 p.m. and end around 6 p.m. “In between the screenings, we’ll be marching,” Romero said.
John Zender Estrada will have his murals on display at The Spot SV, March 23, in celebration of Cesar Chavez Day. Photo credit: Alexander Barclay/John Zender Estrada
Eduardo Chavez, the grandson of labor rights activist Cesar Chavez, will be in Ketchum for a Q&A on his documentary “Hail Cesar” March 23. Photo credit: @eduardomchavez1 on Instagram
Cesar Chavez Day Celebrations Gallery Walk—March 23, 12 to 8 p.m., 220 Lewis Street, Ketchum Film Screening + Q&A—March 23, 3 and 6:30 p.m., 220 Lewis Street, Ketchum Heritage March—March 23, 5 to 6 p.m., TBD Virtual Viewing—Contact ProjectToolSuccess@yahoo.com or call (208) 309-5902 for details and link.
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ITEMS
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March 10 - 23, 2021
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Wood River Weekly
WRW STAFF
•
March 10 - 23, 2021
3
Hispanic/LatinUS Task Force Presents...
“Past, Present and Future Voices”
PUBLISHER Christopher Seldon (208) 788-4789 publisher@woodriverweekly.com
“Artivism”
MARKETING & SALES Mandi Iverson (208) 721-7588 mandi@woodriverweekly.com
Join us
March 23, 2021 12-8 pm
NEWS EDITOR Eric Valentine news@woodriverweekly.com
As We Welcome
Eduardo Chavez,
ARTS & EVENTS, SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Dana DuGan dana@woodriverweekly.com
Director, Actor, Activist &
Grandson of Cesar Chavez &
John “Zender” Estrada,
COPY EDITOR Patty Healey
Famous Muralist/Artist
DOCUMENTARY SCREENING “Hailing Cesar” 3pm & 6:30pm
PRODUCTION & DESIGN Mandi Iverson mandi@woodriverweekly.com
Followed by Q&A with Chavez
GALLERY WALK 12-8 @ The Spot SV
Christopher Seldon chris@woodriverweekly.com
Showing of John’s Famous Works
La Marcha 5-6PM
ACCOUNTING accounting@woodriverweekly.com
March from The Spot to The Community Library
DEADLINES Display & Classified Ads, Monday 5 p.m. Calendar Submissions — Friday 5 p.m.
Limited Attendance Tickets available March 8, 2021
Escorted by Chavez & Monica Carrillo playing De Colores
“Watch at www.livestream.com/comlib” The Spot 220 Lewis St. Ketchum, ID—Gallery The Community Library 415 Spruce Ave. Ketchum, ID - Screenings
CONTACT Wood River Weekly P.O. Box 3483 Hailey, Idaho 83333 (208) 788-4789 woodriverweekly.com
https://crisishotlineidaho.networkforgood.com/events/27247-artivism-a-tribute-to-past-present-and-future-voices ALL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TAKEN-MASKS REQUIRED Brought To You through a collaborative Partnership with PROJECT.O.O.L.S. & PARTNERS, The Spot SV, The Community Library, The Crisis Hotline Sponsored by Cox Communication, Nosotros United, Latinos In Action, The Limelight, LaPerrona, “6 on Your Side”, Blaine County Charitable Foundation, The Alliance, La Cabanita, The Hunger Coalition, & Building Material Thrift
“Leadership and Diversity Driven”
PUBLISHER’S NOTE Dear Valley Residents, Winter is almost over, signs of spring are here, with summer right around the corner. Hopefully, the change of seasons gives us optimism and hope for this year to be better than the last. With any luck, combined with vaccinations and precautions, life this summer will resume its normal hectic schedule of events, activities and the general summer mayhem we all are accustomed to. The Wood River Weekly will still publish every other week, until such time that it becomes practical to resume our normal weekly schedule. We look forward to this day. It goes without saying that the past and present ramifications of COVID-19 will continue to be felt by our friends and neighbors, so let us keep up the effort to be compassionate and understanding. Take care,
Harrison Insurance
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Publishing / Airing
3 local news stories per day 3 local news videos per week (News & Features, Sports Highlights, Marie’s Kitchen, Art Beat and more!
EyeOnSunValley.com
The Eye On Sun Valley Show, Cox Channel 13
Chris & Mandi
Contact Leisa at (208) 450-9993 or leisahollister@gmail.com
BRON CO Neutered Male 1 Year Old
Hi, I’m Bronco! Most folks describe me as more of a sprightly young pup, and I’ve also heard that I’m quite the head-turner around here! Not only do I perform the best sit you’ve ever seen, but I also work really really really hard for treats! Throw a simple command and enticing cheese nibble my way, and I’m pretty sure I could do a backf lip! Well maybe not, but you get the picture! We promise Bronco will make you “buck” for joy! If you are looking for a happy-golucky, trainable pup, give us a call! 101 Croy Creek Rd, Hailey mountainhumane.org 208-788-4351
“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I’m possible.” - Audrey Hepburn
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Wood River Weekly
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March 10 - 23, 2021
NEWS
Your Local Independent Insurance Agency that Serves You First!
TOURISM
Ready For An Economic Boom?
Midmorning Highway 75 traffic near the airport sees only light traffic Tuesday, March 9. That may not be the case for long. Photo credit: Friedman Memorial Airport
Government stimulus, airline changes, vaccine distribution may spell good times, challenges
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Contact Mandi at (208) 721-7588 or mandi@woodriverweekly.com
F
By Eric Valentine
irst came additional direct flights. Six cities now fly direct to the Wood River Valley. And although New York is not one of those paths, last month JetBlue announced direct flights from JFK Airport to Boise, just a rental car ride away. While on the West Coast, Allegiant Air added a direct flight from Orange County to the Treasure Valley, too. Then came the now-hiring announcements from the TSA via Friedman Memorial Airport’s website iflysun.com: “The Transportation Security Administration is launching recruitment efforts nationwide to fill over 6,000 Transportation Security Officer (TSO) positions by summer 2021.” Next was the “light at the end of the tunnel” thanks to the COVID-19 vaccine. St. Luke’s is doing its best to distribute doses efficiently with a new registration process it rolled out March 8. And now there are fresh talks of airport expansion in Hailey, with consulting firm Mead & Hunt telling Friedman board members its counter space and parking lot aren’t big enough. Mead & Hunt was the architect that nearly doubled the size of the airport years ago. Finally, by end of week, you can expect to see a $1.9 trillion stimulus package become federal law. How big is that? It’s $300 billion more than the 2009 Obama stimulus and the 2008 Bush bailout, combined. So the question is: Are you ready for an economic boom? “When you look at certain economic sectors, we’ve been on the rise really since last summer,” said Mike McKenna, the Valley’s chamber of commerce executive director. “Real estate and recreation-based businesses are just booming at record levels.” Overall, that’s a good thing, but McKenna says when he fields calls from out-of-towners asking for advice on setting up a business there, his biggest piece of advice is to make housing part of any business plan. For instance, it’s very easy to hire someone from outside the Valley, and inadvertently put them in a position where it’s hard for them to find an affordable, commute-friendly, spacious-enough place to live. “There’s no work shortage here, but there is a housing one,” McKenna said. “Just a few years ago a waiter in the Valley could make $40,000 a year and possibly even buy a house. Now, they’d be lucky to afford rent if they could even find a place.” Some Solutions No one imagines that any plan of action is going to entirely solve the growing housing shortage the entire southwest part of Idaho has been seeing the past few years. But there are some steps that can be taken. An example? McKenna points to the recent decision by Hailey City Council to allow for more building of accessory-dwelling units (ADUs), commonly known as “mother-in-law apartments” or “granny flats.” Specifically, the new housing ordinance allows residents of Deerfield, Northridge and Northstar subdivisions, and more, to build this sort of housing. Other jurisdictions in the Valley could conceivably make similar zoning changes, all of which not only provide more affordable places to live, but contribute to the construction economy, too. Moreover, it sustains a wider spectrum of construction, since it’s a different type of build project than, let’s say, mega-mansions in Sun Valley. McKenna is not alone in his other hope for the Valley: for everyone, especially new arrivals, to relax. As COVID restrictions figure to continue being lifted and as more folks move to Idaho, crowds and traffic and parking constraints will rise. “The running joke I’m hearing a lot these days is how people now honk their horns at you to complain, not to say hi,” McKenna said. “We’re still a small Idaho town, we expect people to be friendly.”
Wood River Weekly
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March 10 - 23, 2021 Times-News
NEWS
Times-News
STATE
A11
Sunday, February 25, 2018 |
A11
BILLS OF RIGHT AND WRONG? Farmer, landlord, governor rights looked at by lawmakers
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Kindergarten to Graduation IN 9 WEEKS! Kindergarten to Graduation IN 9 WEEKS! • No Food treats • No Food treats • No shock collars • No shock collars • No whistles • No whistles • No clickers • No clickers • No paNic • No paNic • No leashes • (after No leashes week 6 of 9)
By Eric Valentine
hat follows is another summary of some recent higher profile bills being considered by Idaho lawmakers this session and where they stand in the lawmaking process. House Bill 45—Renters Are Reeling “A local governmental unit shall not enact, maintain, or enforce an ordinance or resolution to regulate rent, fees, or deposits charged for leasing private residential property.” That’s the crux of a bill in the House that isn’t very renter friendly. It’s not too different from existing law, which already prevents rent control, but it could make life harder on anyone seeking to rent. What it does is clearly add to the “not to be controlled” list: security deposits and other fees. It would negate a resolution passed in 2019 that capped such tolls at $30 and limited them to only cover hard costs, such as background check fees. “Currently, local governments are only prohibited from controlling rent. This legislation would add ‘fees and deposits’ to the list of items local governments could not regulate or control. This language would also create uniformity across Idaho’s 201 incorporated cities and 44 counties from having different laws and ordinances regulating such matters in a contract between two parties,” says first-year Representative Greg Ferch (R-District 21) in the bill’s statement of purpose and fiscal impact note. In other words, it’s “the sky’s the limit” for landlords. In theory, the market will control rent prices. No one is going to pay exorbitant rents and fees if they can find another dwelling that is priced more fairly. But that’s a big “if” when supply is low and demand is high. Status as of press deadline: Introduced, read and referred for printing, Jan. 26; Referred to Judiciary, Rules & Administration, Jan. 27. The full House and Senate must both pass the bill.
House Bill 126—Hemp Day Some Day? The purpose of this legislation is to legalize the production, processing, research, and transportation of industrial hemp in the state. That’s something that’s legal in 49 states, two territories, and more than 40 tribal areas. This legislation will allow Idaho farmers the opportunity to produce industrial hemp if they so choose. Although the bill was making its way through the House smoothly, the Agricultural Affairs Committee postponed a vote late last month. It was slated for a third reading on Monday, March 8. Industrial hemp is a type of cannabis with a concentration of less than 0.3% THC, the psychoactive compound found in marijuana.
(after week 6 of 9)
• No kiddiNg • No kiddiNg How obedient is your dog? How obedient is your dog?
• obeys for food treats? • obeys for School food treats? Nursery Level Nursery School Levelto, • obeys when he wants • obeys when he wants to, or after repeated commands? or after repeatedLevel commands? Kindergarten Kindergarten Level • obeys with lightly held leash • and obeysnowith lightly held leash distractions? and no distractions? Middleschool Level Middleschool • obeys leash-freeLevel on first command, • obeys leash-free on first no command, with heavy distractions, shock collar withno heavy no shock collar and fooddistractions, treats? and no foodPINES treats?GRADUATE! A SCOTCH A SCOTCH PINES GRADUATE!
Representative Greg Ferch (R-District 21). Photo credit: Idaho State Legislature
Senate Bill 1054— Locking Down The Governor This legislation is another revision to existing law. Its aim is to clarify—and limit—the powers of the governor during emergencies. It provides limitations on the amount of time a governor may maintain an emergency declaration without the legislature’s approval, broadens the rights of businesses to operate during emergencies, and maintains the rights of individuals to peaceably assemble and bear arms. The bill also states that the term “extreme emergency” shall be canceled. In its place shall be the term “extreme peril.” And rather than saying the governor “shall have the power” to declare extreme peril, the new law would only say he or she “may proclaim” extreme peril. Some citizens and lawmakers deemed such revisions necessary after restrictive measures were put into place by Governor Brad Little during the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, the Senate has two joint resolutions on the docket ending Little’s 2020 declarations of disaster emergency and isolation orders. All three measures have yet to be voted on by the full Senate.
NEWS
m 1
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m 1
We build nest eggs.
IN BRIEF
Fish And Game: ‘Don’t Feed The Birds’ After reports of sick and dying birds began to reach biologists in northern Idaho, it appears that salmonellosis, also commonly known as salmonella, might have been detected in southern Idaho. Salmonellosis is a common and generally fatal bird disease. Wild birds that frequent feeders in the winter can be especially susceptible to outbreaks due to the large numbers of birds coming to the feeders. Over the last several weeks, Fish and Game biologists with the Panhandle Region have received reports of sick or dead wild birds. The current die-offs in that part of the state are thought to be from salmonellosis. Outbreaks that are associated with bird feeders may cause high mortality across large geographic areas. In an effort to reduce the transmission A female American goldfinch showing signs of salmonellosis in of salmonellosis, biologists recommend the Twin Falls area. Photo credit: Sarah Harris that those who have bird feeders in their yards temporarily discontinue all feeding of wild birds for at least a few weeks. While feeders are removed from use, they should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, and all spilled or soiled bird seed on the ground should be picked up and discarded. While bird feeders should always be cleaned on a regular basis with warm soapy water, a more rigorous cleaning is required during suspected outbreaks of salmonellosis. Feeders should be cleaned with a 1:10 ratio of household bleach to water. After soaking in the bleach solution, feeders should be rinsed and dried before refilling with seed.
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Sunday, February 25, 2018 |
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World ~ Exclusive Ferrari & Lamborghini Race Wear ~ One-of-Kind Designer Clothes ~ Cameras ~ Artwork ~ And So Much More!
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Wood River Weekly
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March 10 - 23, 2021
Bidding Closes March 17, 2021 @ 1pm High-end Furniture ~ Incredible Jewelry ~ Limited Edition Hublot, TAG High-end Furniture ~ Incredible Jewelry ~ Limited EdiHeuer + Rolex watches ~ Baccarat Drinkware ~ Guns ~ Collectibles from tion Hublot, Heuer + Rolex watches Baccarat Around the World ~Tag Exclusive Ferrari & Lamborghini Race ~ Wear ~ Oneof-a-Kind Designer ~ Artwork ~ AndAround So Much More! Drinkware ~ Clothes Guns ~~Cameras Collectibles from the World ~ Exclusive Ferrari & Lamborghini Race Wear ~ One-of-Kind Designer Clothes ~ Cameras ~ Artwork ~ And So Much More!
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NEWS
Tidwell Fares Well In Court
St. Luke’s To Vaccine Takers: Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You
IN BRIEF
Kiki Tidwell’s dedication to open space preservation may not have won her the Blaine County commissioner seat she coveted last election, but it did see victory in court last week. In a 25-page ruling, Judge Michael Tribe of the Fifth District Court found in favor of Tidwell in her lawsuit against Blaine County, ARCH Community Housing Trust, Inc., and the Blaine County Housing Authority asking for declaratory and injunctive relief against placing a duplex on a .61-acre parcel that had been designated for open space and/or recreational Kiki Tidwell use. The decision means the building permit for a duplex at 3702 Buttercup Road is no longer legit and the county is permanently prohibited from building any structure on the property that does not fit within the “open space” and/or “recreational use” categories. Specifically, the ruling states that the Jackie Heinricher is a leader withand/or a proven track record of success in fields that have county received only an easement to construct and maintain open space recreational uses on the parcel and that it had no right to transfer property rights science, entrepreneurship and racing. She is been traditionally dominated by men: sufficient enough to construct and/or maintain community housing. the Founder, Owner, and Retired Driver of Heinricher Racing. Jackie is also the Found“I have had affordable housing in my backyard, Agave Place, since 2005, and I ersaid. and“However, PresidentI do of have Booshoot haven’t had any issue with it,” Tidwell an issueTechnology. with Blaine Now Jackie is moving and offering items St. Luke’s Health is taking a new approach to how it schedules COVID-19 her exoticneed travels around thelaws.” world. 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PREVIEW: Mar 16th from direct result of feedThe Idaho Department Fish and Game is launching negotiated rulemaking back, and is designed to help reduce frustration and save people time. 10am 6pm Marabout 17th four fromdockets 10am to PICKUP process and wants to hearto from theand public of 1pm. proposed rule TIMES: Mar 18 from 9am to 5pm MST; Mar 19 from 9am to St. Luke’s is asking those interested in being added to St. Luke’s vaccine registry to 5pm changes. The comment period opened on March 3 and closes March 11. To view theMST. fill out a questionnaire in the patient online electronic health record portal known negotiated rulemaking notices, visit https://adminrules.idaho.gov/bulletin/2021/03. DOWNSAUCTION.COM as myChart or follow the instructions below. St. Luke’s registry is separate from the pdf. state’s online registry. People can view and comment on each of the rulemaking proposals by visiting 208.939.9456 “We would prefer that those choosing to be vaccinated by St. Luke’s stick to Fish and Game’s public comment page, or by following the respective links below. one list at this time to avoid double-booking. Those choosing to list on more than The deadline for comments for each is indicated under each individual proposal. one registry who are able to schedule an appointment are asked only to make one There will also be public negotiated rulemaking meetings for each of the proposappointment,” the hospital said. als. People have the option of attending the meeting via telephone/videoconferThose wishing to be included in St. Luke’s registry will need to complete a quesence, but are required to sign up in advance at idfg.idaho.gov/about/rulemaking. tionnaire online or by calling us. St. Luke’s asks that those who are not yet eligible Summaries of the potential rule changes include: to receive the vaccine wait a few weeks before filling out a questionnaire to ensure access for the most high-risk, eligible patients. Recodification and modifications to Idaho Fish and Game Commission practice and procedure rules: This rulemaking proposal would: People who do not have a myChart account, do not have Internet access or need Provide a delegation of director authority to regional supervisors to issue authori- interpretation services can call St. Luke’s at (208) 381-9500 to be added to St. Luke’s zation for control of wildlife or open special seasons to address wildlife depredation. vaccine registry. They will be contacted by their preferred method when it’s time to schedule an appointment. Replace the current “sign-up card” process for in-person testimony with a more flexible process for providing name and address for administrative record purposes.
Comment Period For Fish and Game Rules Fast Approaching
Wood River Weekly
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March 10 - 23, 2021
7
ADVERTORIALS
NUESTRA VOZ CUENTA
BETTER HOMEOWNERS NEWS
ANNA & MICHELLE
Skip The Starter Home
Herbert Romero and Tammy Davis. Photo credit: courtesy of Herbert Romero
‘Walking The Walk’ By Tammy Davis
I
OUR VOICE COUNTS
am proud to be the co-chair, together with Herbert Romero, of our Hispanic/LatinUS Leadership Task Force. This past year my role and impact in the Hispanic community has been taken to a new level through this task force and collaboration. Now, I am experiencing another new inspiring level of understanding and inclusiveness as we bring Eduardo Chavez, the activist and grandson of the famous Cesar Chavez, and John “Zender” Estrada, famous L.A. muralist and artist, to our community. We want to share the importance and not forget the path that was walked by Cesar Chavez to not only ensure our farm workers were treated properly, but, as I am experiencing, that we as a community recognize the value each of us brings to creating a healthy and diverse community. You will experience this through the art shared by John as well the documentary produced by Eduardo. This event means so much to me in that we see each other as valuable and no one more valuable than another. The vineyard owner creating and selling exclusive wine is no more important or more valuable than the worker picking the grapes… Our differences are meant to bring us together to make us a stronger, more diverse and inclusive community. Together, we can do it!!
F
BY ANNA & MICHELLE
or generations, people have begun their homeowner experience with a “starter” home. Part of the logic may be that by beginning with a smaller home, they can learn what it takes to run the home and discover some of the unexpected costs that come along with it. A slightly longer view into the future could suggest a different strategy. As of March 4, 2021, the average 30-year mortgage rate according to Freddie Mac was 3.02%; up .37% from the week of January 7th this year. At the same time, in 2020, the rate was 3.29%, and in 2019, it was 4.41%. That is a difference of 28 and 139 basis points. The principal and interest payment on a $300,000 mortgage would have been $236 higher two years ago and $44 more one year ago. Today’s low mortgage rates are saving buyers lots of interest, especially when you factor in the median tenure for sellers is approximately 10 years. Even though prices have
THE SENIOR CONNECTION
increased over the last two years, some people may be able to afford more now with the lower rates. Anticipating the future wants and needs now may present some opportunities for preparing for the inevitable. By purchasing a larger home today, a buyer can lock in today’s low rates and prices to allow themselves room to grow without the expenses of moving. Each time you sell and purchase a home, there are expenses associated with each side of the transaction. Purchase costs could be 1.5% to 3% while sales expenses could easily be 2.5 times that much. These expenses lower the value of your equity. Instead of looking at the low mortgage rates as generating a savings from the payment you might normally have to make, consider it an opportunity to purchase more home that will possibly meet your needs for a longer time while eliminating the cost of selling and purchasing in the transition.
MEALS-ON-WHEELS
Meals-On-Wheels Support Still Needed
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By Senior Connection
very March we join with organizations around the country to raise awareness and funds for our Meals on Wheels program. Although The Senior Connection has been providing home-delivered meals for many years, 2020 showed our entire community just how essential this service is for Blaine County seniors. We now deliver over four times as many meals as we did just one year ago! We are proud that this program not only helps seniors stay safe at home when the pandemic risk is high, but continues to provide the “hot meal, friendly face and safety check” that is the hallmark of the Meals on Wheels model. But we could not do it without your help. When stay-at-home orders closed our building last spring in the middle of this important fundraising campaign, the outpouring of support we received to help with increased costs allowed us to serve everyone who needed it. No one was turned away or put on a waiting list. We still need this level of support as we wait for the vaccine to move things toward normal. Our food and meal packaging costs are still double what they are historically and this campaign provides a significant portion of our yearly budget for this program. You can help neighbors like Maria, Tommy, Diana, and Charlie by donating today. You can donate online at www.seniorconnectionidaho.org/donate or mail a check to P.O. Box 28, Hailey, ID 83333.
NEWS
COVID Vaccine Pre-Registration Begins
If you still aren’t eligible to receive your COVID-19 vaccine, there’s now something you can do to potentially speed up your inoculation date. Pre-register with the state. Visit covidvaccine.idaho.gov if you are a resident of Idaho or work in Idaho, and then add your name to the state’s list so you can be notified when the vaccine is available, and you are eligible to receive it. What Is Needed Signing up requires a valid email address, and vaccine recipients will need to provide proof of Idaho residence or employment at the time they receive their vaccine.
IN BRIEF
Your age and risk factors will also be verified at the time you receive your dose. What You Can Expect You can sign up yourself as well as other members of your household. After you’re on the list, when a provider has an appointment available for you, they will contact you to schedule your vaccination. This system does not schedule appointments for vaccinations, and the timing of your appointment will depend on vaccine availability as well as your age and risk factors. You will get progress updates from the system so that you stay informed along the way.
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COMM ENT ARY Wood River Weekly
Fishing R epoRt
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March 10 - 23, 2021
NO BONES ABOUT IT
Do’s And Don’ts Of Owning A Fearful Dog
THE “WEEKLY” FISHING REPORT FOR MARCH 10 - 23 FROM PICABO ANGLER
M
arch fishing in the Wood River Valley can be some of the most productive, consistent fishing of the year. Rainbow trout in the Big Wood River, Big Lost River and Silver Creek are feeding aggressively as they prepare for the spring spawn. Area waters begin to warm as winter loosens its grasp, so fish become much more active. Brown trout in Silver Creek and the Big Wood will chase and attack streamers with a vengeance. Midge and BlueWinged Olive (BWO) activity increases as the month progresses, and we have excellent dry-fly fishing on local waters. Silver Creek is a tad off-color and the streamer fishing is on fire. The Picabo Angler custom-tied Sparkle Minnow is a top-producing fly, as are small black, brown or olive leech patterns. Fish the Sparkle Minnow and other baitfish imitations aggressively, and slowly strip or swing leech patterns. Do not be afraid to beef up your tippet and leader, as the takes can be violent. Flows on the Big Lost River below Mackay Dam are holding stable at about 105 CFS, allowing for easy wading and concentrating fish in winter holding areas. Nymph fishing is particularly productive, and midges will appear during the afternoons. When nymphing, concentrate your efforts on edges and current seams. Effective flies include Rainbow Warriors, Copper Johns, Zebra Midges and San Juan Worms. Hint – a bit of orange or red on your nymphs is a very good idea! Surface-feeding fish are often found in slow, skinny water; a stealthy approach is necessary. Baetis activity will ramp up toward the end of the month, extending through April. This can be some of the finest angling of the year on the lower Lost. Trail Creek Road is closed for the winter, but fishing the lower Lost in March is well worth the longer drive. Keep in mind that as the month progresses, there will be significant spawning activity on the river; be aware of fish on redds and let them do their thing. Fishing on the Big Wood River and South Fork Boise River remains very good. Anglers are having success nymphing, fishing midge dries, and throwing sculpin patterns for the river’s biggest fish. Look for the best midge activity to occur during the afternoons. Griffiths Gnats, Trailing Shuck Midges, Sprout Midges and Zebra Midges should all be in your Big Wood winter fly box. Happy fishing, everyone!
Hwy 20 in Picabo info@picaboangler.com (208)788.3536 www.picaboangler.com
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By Fran Jewell
ur hearts go out to the dog that is shy or even fearful about life. We are drawn to the dog in the back of the kennel at the shelter that appears to have had a rough life and is afraid to even come visit you. We instinctually want to nurture this dog back to a happy dog. Or we are drawn to the puppy that crawls into your lap seeking shelter from the other puppies. As humans, we have big hearts and want nothing more than to help. What is hard for us with healing hearts to fathom is that studies are now showing that temperament is mostly genetic. So, when we see the fearful dog, in the past we assume this little guy has been through some trauma of abuse. But the reality is that most dogs with solid temperaments can be horribly abused and still come out with happy tails. The key evaluation for any dog that displays fearful behavior is recovery. How fast can a dog recover from a scary event? Within minutes? Hours? Days? Months? The longer the recovery time, the more likely the fear cannot be conquered. There are other factors, as well. How we treat our fearful dog is paramount. If we nurture dependence and coddle the fear, our dog will more than likely sink into deeper fear. Dogs are literalists. If you pet the fear, this dog WILL see that as reward for that behavior. The DANGEROUS part is that a fearful dog that is dependent upon its owner is more likely to become possessive of its owner.
SCIENCE OF PLACE
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By HARRY WEEKES
Abused and fearful dogs can recover with slow, patient and loving guidance, not coddling. Here, one of the dogs I rescued, Hattie, learned how to heel using a touch stick, which helped her to build confidence and overcome her fears. Photo credit: Fran Jewell
With possessiveness comes aggression. Even a fearful dog that initially retreats when afraid may very likely start using its natural instincts to guard what he thinks is his. When you consider taking a fearful dog
into your life, one of the biggest questions you should ask yourself is, “Am I a natural leader or am I a softie?” If you are a softie, then you must ask yourself, “Am I willing to learn how to be a leader?” Leadership, or providing guidance and boundaries, is the only way that a fearful dog can learn to cope with fearful situations. As an example, a good leader will give their fearful dog a job to do in the face of that fearful situation. Instead of coddling him and petting him, telling him it’s alright, a good leader will refocus the dog and tell him what he SHOULD be doing. This helps the dog to trust in his owner and release some of his fear because he knows he is safe. A leader acts like a leader all day. Treating a fearful dog like a baby or a human is truly a death sentence for this dog. Controlling food, sleeping space, resources and possessions, height and, yes, even affection, is a must to help a fearful dog become self-confident. I did not say control love! It is a ballet to be compassionate, loving, and yet direct and firm in boundaries. If you have a fearful or shy dog in your life, to truly help your dog cope, leadership is the kindest and most humane thing you can do for your dog. 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 208578-1565.
Moose Questions
pulled out of school and headed north up Aviation Drive. It was dark, with the usual background city lights. When a car turned toward me, my first thought was, “Who put a giant cardboard cutout of a moose in the middle of the road?” About halfway between me and this car was a perfect silhouette of a moose—jet black, more an inky absence of light, as though the very animal was absorbing it. It was all moose. Comically long legs. A bulging snout. Knobs all over its head. And those great, twitchy ears. By the time I reached the spot, the animal was standing in front of Sun Valley Storage, casually looking over its shoulder as if deciding where to go. I’ve had a particularly moose-y couple of weeks. The above silhouette. Then, two mornings later a teacher asked me if I’d seen the big moose outside, nibbling on our crabapple trees. Then, there was the moose just kind of sauntering down Indian Creek Road one night that casually stepped over what seemed to be a 4-foot-tall snowbank as it moved out of our way. How something so big seems to just appear—and disappear—is very interesting to me, as much as the peculiar things the moose I see do. I could understand something that comes and goes, leaving no trace. But to set up camp in your yard and eat your crabapples? Or to walk the same path as you near the Bow Bridge and leave piles of telltale deer scat (moose and deer are in the same family—Cervidae). Or to walk up the road to my in-laws’ house, totally exposed, then have one of your kids lick the window of my car. Now that’s weird. Weird in a good way. Moose are that giant enigma. When I am lucky enough to see one with friends not from here, they are astonished. While I rec-
FRAN JEWELL
HARRY WEEKES
A bull and cow moose. Photo credit: Ryan Hagerty, accessed via wikimedia
ognize moose immediately—they are bigger than horses, after all—and there is a kind of familiarity in them, they also come with a curious distance, almost like they are some kind of walking tree. This distance is present in big things—whales, elephants, bison. As if, somehow, their size is linked to an ancient wisdom, a patience, I don’t fully understand. This is captured most acutely in the eyes— large, watery, blinking infrequently. It seems the animal is taking in the world, one it doesn’t fully understand. Or, perhaps more accurately, one I don’t understand. Invariably, I wonder about them in human terms: Why are you in the middle of the road? Why not just stay on the road? Are you the same moose? The same family? How much harder is it to even conceive of thinking of their world as they do? What questions does a moose ask? Does a moose have an inner voice? Or do they think in
images? It is hard for me even to fabricate a moose question that sounds like something a moose would ask. Maybe that deep look, that ancient understanding, is some kind of bedrock patience, simply waiting for me to catch up. Like the moose itself, this big idea comes along and, as quickly, disappears into the willows of my mind—a shadow, with some promise that I will encounter it again. Maybe next time, I will get it. Harry Weekes is the founder and head of school at The Sage School in Hailey. This is his 49th year in the Wood River Valley, where he lives with Hilary and two of their three baby adults—Penelope and Simon. The other member of the flock, Georgia, is currently fledging at Davidson College in North Carolina.
Wood River Weekly
MONEY MATTERS
KRISTIN HOVENCAMP
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Balancing Inflation, Deflation And Reflation
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What’s the story with inflation? Inflation is an increase in the overall price level of goods and services across the economy. “Historically, inflation has been driven by a combination of strong demand growth combined with widespread supply constraints,” explains Blackrock’s chief investment officer of Global Fixed Income, Rick Rieder. Over time, inflation reduces the purchasing power of your savings. Modest inflation is healthy for an economy. If left unchecked, inflation can get out of hand. Is deflation in the rearview mirror? Deflation occurs during a general decline in asset and consumer prices, often caused by a tightening in the money or credit supply. Continued price decline can create a dangerous deflationary cycle and lead to a recession. Rising unemployment, higher interest rates, a reduction in lending, and shrinking incomes are all associated with periods of deflation. To combat these effects, the Fed may commence reflationary measures. Will reflation spark inflation? Reflation is the act of stimulating the economy by increasing the money supply or lowering interest rates following an economic downturn. To stop deflation, the Federal Reserve will loosen its monetary policy and expand its balance sheet in hopes of fueling lending and boosting consumption. Inflation concerns heighten when prolonged easing in monetary policy is combined with a rapid surge in fiscal stimulus and too much government intervention. What’s missing from today’s inflation equation are the usual culprits—a tight job force and rising prices. To monitor early signs of inflation emerging, set your sights on upward movement in wages, commodities, precious metals, utility stock prices, and factory utilization capacity. Kristin Hovencamp is an Investment Executive, and Director of Business Development with HAZLETT WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC, independent of Raymond James and is not a registered broker/dealer. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Securities are offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. 675 Sun Valley Road, Suite J1 + J2 Ketchum, Idaho 83340 208.726.0605. HazlettWealthManagement.com
INSPIRATIONS FROM MY HEART
God And Apple Pie BY DOVE
magine yourself creating a beautiful, organic apple pie. The crust is just perfect, crisp and delicious; the apples are just the right tartness. You place a large scoop of homemade organic vanilla ice cream on top. You have made this wonderful creation and you don’t eat it, you just let it sit there and spoil. So, I ask you, was there any point to the creation? I don’t think so. Now imagine you have planted an amazing organic garden. The vegetables are perfect—succulent and sweet—but you just let it rot. You do not harvest the garden. Was there any point to the creation of the garden? Did you actually go to all the work of creating the above items and then not have the experience of them? Was there any joy to the creation without the experience of the creation? Was there any point to the creation? Now, take a look at the human form. It is extremely complex. It did not occur by chance. Everything works together so you can move, dance, ski. It is unbelievable that all the enzymes needed to digest food just occur in your body without your instruction to do so. You don’t think about telling your diaphragm to move so you can breathe. The human form is an amazing creation. I can’t believe that it just evolved from a single-celled organism. The detail is so precise. Something or someone had to create the complex organ-
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ON LIFE’S TERMS
JOELLEN COLLINS
Signs Of Life In San Francisco
By Kristin Hovencamp
nvestors are rightfully concerned that efforts to reflate the economy, following last year’s depressed levels, will cause inflation to rear its ugly head. However, the Federal Reserve does not intend to raise interest rates or taper its bond-buying stimulus anytime soon. Chairman Jerome Powell confirmed, “The economy remains a long way from our employment and inflation goals, and it is likely to take some time for substantial further progress to be achieved.”
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March 10 - 23, 2021
By JoEllen Collins
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n the last Saturday of February, I was enjoying a gentle scene on the front steps of my family’s duplex located in the Presidio (the National Monument, formerly a military base at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge). As it started to cool down near an early dinnertime, I noticed that the neighbors from most of the street had also come out to sit in the fading sun. I have not been in this area during the past year, when most of the city was closed due to the pandemic, so the sight of friends sharing food, barbeques and beverages in a cautious COVID-inspired way was inspirational. I am in California for my annual winter trek to spend time with my grandchildren and other family members living in that state. My granddaughter turned nine two weeks ago, and I was lucky to be able to be here for the festivities; I received my second dose of the vaccine just before I flew here but still wear a mask whenever I am away from my family. Although some restrictions are being gradually eliminated, the city streets are eerily devoid of heavy traffic and, in general, there is a sense of quiet everywhere. The birthday party was revelatory for me in many ways. On another lovely sunny day, the eight invited girls continued to wear masks the whole time. Each had her own cup with her name on it for water, and then, when eating cake, several of the girls moved farther away from each other so they could take bites. I JoEllen Collins—a longtime resident of the Wood River was impressed. More notable to me, as one who has Valley— is an Idaho Press witnessed many children’s birthdays, was the absence Club award-winning columof the usual need to have special venues like go-cart nist, a teacher, writer, fabric speedways, gyms, or expensive equipment like bouncy artist, choir member and houses. The girls made up their own obstacle-course unabashedly proud grandma game and took turns being an “informer” as they ran known as “Bibi Jo.” around this stretch of homes. I witnessed a day that recalled my generation’s birthday parties. In short, without fanciness and expensive locales, the party was a huge success. My grandson and a few friends have been able recently to arrange occasional play dates in spite of the pandemic and, in the process, I have also noted more free play, physical challenges like shooting basketballs, and games involving movement and imagination, like the scavenger hunt as the main activity at another earlier birthday party. Cellphones and iPods are temporarily absent. Many California children are still only experiencing virtual education, but some schools have been able to have some of their students attend their buildings on rotating days. As a teacher, I always felt that a positive social interaction between students and teachers and positive communication with their peers helped assure a successful academic education as well as motivated pupils. Kids need to be and learn together. I hope we see a return to pre-pandemic pleasures. It may be a bit premature to anticipate the same kinds of social lives we once shared, but the signs of life here are heartening.
DOVE
ism that is human. Now, I ask you, “What is the purpose of this creation if the creator does not have the experience of being human?” You are not an accident, and God, Source, Creator, Being is a part of you. Why? For the experience of being physical and feeling. When I first connected with my higher consciousness, I was told by a voice outside my head that “Life is a gift, the purpose is joy.” The purpose is not struggle or a lesson. In my opinion, it is simply to have the experience. You are in charge of the experience you create. Become conscious of the experiences you are creating. Do you like it or is it a burden? You can change anything by changing your mind and your actions. This is not for the faint of heart. It requires great effort but it is your choice. We are not victims of some unknown being. We are God’s creation having an experience. Make yours joyful or not. Educate yourself to the reality you want. Wake up and become joy and love. This is not easy, but you can do it or you can watch TV. We live in a place of delightful beauty. How can you doubt the magic of creation? You are powerful. Claim your power! What do you want? Do you even know? Let’s rid ourselves of separation and help everyone to find a joyful life. A little action every day changes the frequency. Do acts of random kindness. Become the reality you want. Become the joy of the world. Dove
NEWS
PHOTOBOX
Eric Parker donates his hair to the Wigs For Kids charity
Blaine County resident Eric Parker donates his long mane of hair to the Wigs For Kids charity, a nonprofit organization that has been serving children suffering hair loss due to illness, since 1981. Photo credit: Eric Parker
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Wood River Weekly
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March 10 - 23, 2021
4TH ESTATE
ERIC VALENTINE
Cancel Culture: Fake News Or Opposing Views?
His denial of the allegation wouldn’t do. Where, then, is the line in the sand? Surely, most folks elax. Mr. Potato Head isn’t gender neutral. agree that some behavior is so egregious in and of itChill out. Dr. Seuss books are not being burned. self that if committed by someone holding an important If you read what actually happened—the pro- post, that person’s got to go. Most folks also seem to gressives say—you’ll learn that the Hasbro corporation agree that certain behavior that may be perfectly legal simply changed the brand name to Poand even acceptable—let’s say, high tato Head, and that Mr. and Mrs. Potato stakes gambling—should tender the resHead are still as is as always. And, those ignation of, let’s say, the CEO for a debt no-longer-to-be-published Dr. Seuss consolidation company. books were not the ones you ever read But do we really need to remove, let’s anyway. So, since they had some verbal say, an actress from a TV show because and visual slurs, the estate of the author she compared her Hollywood lot in life exercised its free speech in a free marto that of Holocaust Jews? If “apologize ket. Now, don’t you have bigger politiand rectify” isn’t good enough in a situcal-cultural green eggs and fish to fry? ation like that, then maybe she actually Yet, take a few scrolls through your had a (very poorly articulated) point. It’s news feeds and it seems like a plethora not like she was a now-Congresswomof folks are resigning, firing, and at the an promoting the idea that the historic very least apologizing for things they— amount of wildfires in California were or someone in their circle—did or said caused by laser beams from space fundin private, sometimes many years ed by Jews on Earth. ago. And it spans the action-thought Don’t worry Idaho, potatoes are Ah, that’s the rub, isn’t it? The actress not looking for gender identity. spectrum. Ask left-leaning politician But some are being paraded as works directly in the world of capitalMario Cuomo, progressive comedian symbols of “cancel culture.” Pho- ism. She has a product (the show) that Louis C.K., and Democratic comedi- to credit: Wikimedia Commons could stop making money if enough regan-turned-politician Al Franken if the ular folks are turned off enough to turn words “cancel culture” ever rang a little true. College her show off—an organic boycott. The Congresswoman football coach Les Miles had to part ways with his Uni- doesn’t have a product, because she is the product. She versity of Kansas team this week because he was inap- won’t play well in certain circles, but find a demographic propriate with a girl years ago when he coached at LSU. niche, and you can be elected in the U.S. House of Rep-
R
By Eric Valentine
OPINION
resentatives. Caution: You might have your committee seats canceled. But your cushy office and instantaneous press coverage stays! If conspiracy theories are your thing, do the following searches on your favorite (and incognito of course) web browser: • •
Value of Hasbro shares after name change Chick-fil-A sales after boycott
When a society values the dollar over morality, its morality will be conformed by the dollar. That is not a way-too-righteous political statement, it is an economic truth. How do I know it’s not a political statement? Because I don’t think a full rebuke of capitalism would be the appropriate answer. Yes, as someone who leans to the left, my tolerance for little rebukes of capitalism (so it doesn’t go unhinged) is higher than those of you who lean to the right, perhaps. But in no alternate universe can I imagine humanity doing better morally if the means of production and the right to ownership only existed in the hands of the government. History has taught us that doesn’t stop businesses from being corrupt, it just makes the government corrupt. Humans are a broken species looking for systems that might make us better. The culture war can’t be won in politics because politics is like a boxer’s speed bag, forever seeking equilibrium to the punches of art from the left and the punches of economics from the right. So here we are, with ratings, readerships, and dollars to cast our votes. And the show must go on.
CAITLIN JOHNSTONE
The Left Will Never Achieve Its Goals Until It Prioritizes Countering Establishment Propaganda
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by Caitlin Johnstone
new Gallup poll finds that Americans' opinion of Russia and China have plummeted to historic lows this year, with 79 percent of the population now reporting an unfavorable view of China and 77 percent reporting an unfavorable view of Russia. The hate predictably falls along partisan lines, with Republicans showing more disfavor toward China and Democrats reserving more of theirs for Russia, but there is plenty of overlap. China is only seen positively by 10 percent of Republicans compared to 27 percent of Democrats, while only sixteen percent of Dem voters view Russia in a positive light compared to 25 percent of Republicans. Unfavorable opinions of both nations dominate across the board no matter how you slice it. In a recent Mintpress News article titled "After Years of Propaganda, American Views of Russia and China Hit Historic Lows", Alan MacLeod points the finger at the obvious culprit in this shift in public opinion: “Last year, American military planners advised that the U.S. should step up its campaign of psychological warfare against Beijing, including sponsoring authors and artists to create anti-China propaganda. The Pentagon’s budget request for 2021 makes clear that the United States is retooling for a potential intercontinental war with China or Russia. It asks for $705 billion to “shift focus from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and a greater emphasis on the types of weapons that could be used to confront nuclear giants like Russia and China,” noting that it requires “more advanced high-end weapon systems, which provide increased standoff, enhanced lethality and autonomous targeting for employment against near-peer threats in a more contested environment.” ... “Russia, meanwhile, has been the focus of Democratic Party ire since their defeat in the 2016 election. Prominent Democrats have accused Vladimir Putin of being behind the rise of Bernie Sanders, paying Afghans to kill American soldiers, and of helping spark the January 6 insurrection on the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. RussiaGate — the belief that Moscow managed to hack the 2016 election, swinging the result for Trump — has hardened liberal attitudes towards the country and drastically increased suspicion and fear of Russians. This was crystallized by former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper’s comments on NBC’s Meet The Press, where he claimed that Russians are “typically, almost genetically driven to co-opt, penetrate, gain favor.” As with China, the U.S. government has attempted to score diplomatic points, taking up the case of imprisoned politician Alexey Navalny.” According to a new Gallup poll, Americans' view of Russia and China has crashed to all-time lows. This has followed years of negative press about those two nations.
And, I mean, of course. Of course this is the case. There is no rational reason for anyone to hold particularly negative views of either of those countries based on actual facts in evidence, and there is certainly no rational reason to perceive them as a threat. The idea that China or Russia pose a threat to you is so self-evidently ridiculous, so transparently absurd, that the only way to make you believe it would be to propagandize you. And if you do believe it, that's exactly what has happened. You can expand this principle to include the entirety of US foreign policy on the global stage today. No ordinary American benefits from the US having troops in Syria, sanctioning Venezuelans to death, supporting Saudi Arabia while it rapes Yemen, circling the planet with military bases and working to destroy any nation which refuses to bow to its dictates. The only way to get Americans to consent to any of these agendas is to propagandize them into doing so. Indeed, you can also expand this principle to include our entire financial/economic/ political system as a whole. Normal people would not accept as normal a system in which they have to toil long hours just to feed themselves while parasitic middlemen hoard all the profits and use their immense wealth to shape the political paradigm. The only way to get them to accept this exploitative, oppressive and intrinsically unjust system as normal would be to propagandize them. And that's precisely what is happening. That's the only reason our world is ordered in
the way that it is. Propaganda is the single most overlooked and under-emphasized aspect of our society, bar none. It's so pervasive that most of us don't even notice it, like that old joke about the two fish who are asked "How's the water?" and then turn to each other and say "What's water?" Vast fortunes are poured into buying up media outlets, paying media bribes in the form of advertising, funding think tanks, manipulating online algorithms, buying the loyalty of influential politicians, and other forms of narrative control. Immense resources are dumped year after year after year into manipulating the way the majority of people think, act, and vote, and yet hardly anyone ever talks about this extremely important fact. Seriously, think about that for a second. How often do you hear your average citizens discussing the fact that billionaires own the mass media which is consistently used to manufacture consent for the agendas of the plutocratic class, compared to how often you'll hear them talking about, say, the next presidential election? Even among the well-read and relatively aware people you know, how often do you hear them discussing the fact that public perception is being continually manipulated against the interests of the public? Probably not too frequently compared to other issues. Even among leftists (by which I mean anti-imperialist socialists) this is a severely under-discussed issue, when it should be the most discussed, because leftist agendas will necessarily be incapable of advancing as long as the majority of the working class are being manipulated at mass scale into consenting to the agendas of plutocrats and warmongers. All socialists and anti-imperialists worth their salt are at least somewhat aware of the fact that the mass media are propaganda operations, but directly discussing this absolutely foundational problem occupies only a very small slice of overall leftist discourse. This will necessarily have to change if there is to be any meaningful leftward movement in our society. Until fighting the empire's propaganda engine becomes the agenda the left focuses the bulk of its energy on, none of its other agendas will ever come to pass. People will never rise up and revolt as long as they are being successfully propagandized not to. They won't even vote for anyone with sufficient numbers if their words diverge too sharply from the consensus worldview they've been manipulated into espousing as true. It doesn't seem to matter how badly the people's material conditions deteriorate, because they can always be manipulated into blaming someone else and consenting to the status quo anyway. How To Defeat The Empire "What I do advocate, in as many different ways as I can come up with, is a decentralized guerrilla psywar against the institutions which enable the powerful to manipulate the way ordinary people think, act and vote."https://t.co/4F5dWaURdq — Caitlin Johnstone (@caitoz) September 10, 2019 How do we do this? We just do it. We begin focusing our efforts, for the first time ever, on drawing public attention to the fact that the mass media have been deceiving them. For the first time ever, we begin in sufficient numbers to prioritize above all else the disruption of public trust in the plutocratic media and the imperial narrative management scams which keep everyone from clearly seeing what's wrong with the world. We seize control of the narrative. This has never been tried before. Whenever I bring up prioritizing a grassroots media rebellion I'll get a few leftists telling me "We're already doing that!" No you're not. You've never come anywhere close. At no time in the information age has killing trust in imperial propaganda been the foremost priority of western leftists. At no time has it ever been our collective priority to use our newfound ability to network and share information to weaken public trust in the mass media and tell the public the truth about economic injustice and the kleptocratic depravity that is western imperialism. Our energy has been spread all over a variety of issues which have nothing to do with this far more crucial one. Information has never been more democratized, and trust in the mass media has never been more low. The opportunity to expand awareness of what's really happening in our world has never been riper; all we need to do is seize on this opportunity and wake the working class out of its propaganda-induced coma before the window on that possibility closes on us forever.
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answer from page 12
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CLASSIC SUDOKU answer from page 12
12
Wood River Weekly
CHAMBER CORNER
•
March 10 - 23, 2021
MIKE MCKENNA
Hard way Pipeline
Finding A Home At The Grange By Mike McKenna
M
ost of us don’t actually know what The Grange is. Sure, we know The Grange’s little sage-green building tucked next to the fire stations on South 3rd Avenue in Hailey. But we don’t really know what it’s all about. Manon Gaudreau was once one of us clueless folks. That changed in 2014 when she decided to join and soon realized the invaluable—and often overlooked—roles The Grange plays locally. “To me, The Grange means community,” Manon said in her French-Canadian accent. Manon is a certified master gardener who grew up Quebec. She moved to Hailey in 2010, but didn’t begin to truly connect with the community until she joined The Grange. “Grange people are very welcoming and caring,” said Manon, who now serves as the organization’s treasurer and webmaster. “I love the sense of community involved with The Grange.” The Upper Big Wood River Grange #192 was founded in 1924. Part of the national, nonprofit Grange foundation, Hailey’s branch was originally focused around connecting farmers and ranchers. After a bit of a lull, the Hailey Grange has been invigorated recently, playing roles in the local food movement, creating a massive seed library and hosting a wide variety of events. Events held at The Grange’s “Hall”—which will hopefully return soon—include 4-H meetings, veterans’ luncheons, the Fourth of July pancake breakfast, family and life celebrations, craft workshops, and a variety of music and dance events, from the pros at Footlight Dance Centre to swing dance lessons. The Grange is also home to the Wood River Seed Library. The Seed Library’s purpose is to grow, save and share seeds for free within the community. Locally produced seeds are adapted to our local environment and weather and by preserving these seeds it allows for a diversity of plant species for the future. The Seed Library’s role has been especially important recently as there has been a worldwide seed shortage. Seed and plant exchanges have been planned for both April and May. The Grange also supports the local food movement through education. The Grange is teaming up
Steel Fencing
Kelly Wardell 208-309-0916
How To Play Sudoku
with the 5B Resilience Initiative, Local Food Alliance and the Hailey Public Library to offer a series of free online gardening webinars this spring. The Grange has created a new Community Garden behind its building. The garden will be used as an educational facility. The large Rocky Mountain Douglas fir that stands next to The Grange has recently been named the first Heritage Tree in Hailey. Estimated to be 65 years old and 55 feet tall, the native, drought-tolerant tree is a beautiful symbol for The Grange and all it quietly does to make our community stronger. The Grange is always welcoming new members and donations of any kind—money, materials or time. “There are so many people who have become dear to my heart because of The Grange,” Manon said. “Helping people realize they belong to such a kind and caring community is what The Grange is really all about.” For more information about events and/or becoming a member, go to grange.org/upperbigwoodriverid192 or check out the organization’s Facebook page.
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.
CLASSIC SUDOKU See answer on page 11
CROSSWORD SPONSORED BY
THETRADER TRADER THE THE TRADER Consignment for the home
Consignment for the home
Consignment for the home
Wednesday - Friday 11 to 6 Saturday 11 to 4
TRADER EADER TRADER
Always available by appointment and if we’re here.
Wednesday through Saturday 11:00 to 5:00 Always available by appointment and if we’re here.
ent for the 720-9206 or 788-0216 signment forhome the home
720-9206 or 788-0216 509 S. Main Street Bellevue, Idaho
the home
509 S. Main Street • Bellevue, Idaho
Wednesday through Saturday Thursday Wednesday - Friday Wednesday - Friday 11:00to to 5:00 ednesday - Friday 11 to 611 to 6 available by appointment 11 to 6AlwaysSaturday Saturday Saturday and if we’re here. Saturday 11 to 4 11 to 11 or to 788-0216 44 720-9206 11 to 4
Always available by appointment and if we’re here.
509 S. Main Street • Bellevue, Idaho Always available by le by appointment andappointment if we’re here. and if we’re here.
720-9206 or 788-0216 or S. 788-0216 -9206 or720-9206 788-0216 509 Main Street S. Main Street 09 S. Main509 Street Bellevue, Idaho Bellevue, Idaho Bellevue, Idaho
See answer on page 11
THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY 7-DAY WEATHER FORECAST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Partly Cloudy 6%
high 39º
low 18º WEDNESDAY
Partly Cloudy 13%
high 40º low 18º THURSDAY
Sunny 3%
high 42º low 19º FRIDAY
Sunny 2%
high 46º low 25º SATURDAY
Partly Cloudy 24%
high 45º low 22º SUNDAY
Partly Cloudy 24%
high 41º low 19º MONDAY
Partly Cloudy 17%
high 38º low 17º TUESDAY
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