Passports needed for Canada
Earlier this month, the Department of Homeland Security began requiring that all travelers have their passports when flying between the United States and Canada or Mexico. As of Thursday, Jan. 31, the requirement will apply to all travel, even by car. For more information, visit www.travel.state.gov.
Turnaround time for a passport takes approximately four to six weeks. Passport applications can be found at post offices or city halls.
YMCA launches innovative class
On Saturday, Feb. 2, the Wood River Community YMCA will host two special classes of a Deep Dance Experience from 10 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 4 p.m.
This music-filled, follow-the-leader-style dance event will be led by Treasure Valley YMCA fitness instructor Kris Duynslager.
The cost is $8 for YMCA members and $14 for non-members. Deep Dance is a class for all people who want to get in shape and have fun doing it. For more information on Deep Dance Experience or to register for the classes, contact the Wood River Community YMCA at 727-9622.
More trophies for debate team
Wood River High School's debate team brightened up its trophy display during last weekend's Eagle and Kuna High tournaments.
Matt Gappmayer claimed first place in Panel Discussion at Eagle on Saturday night, and Mark Estrebillo was first in Impromptu Speaking and third as Best Speaker in Student Congress.
The Novice Policy Debate team of Lily Pidgeon and Deven Duke took home a semi-final trophy for their debates on the need for water reform in sub-Saharan Africa to combat drought and health-related problems. They entered the semi-finals unbeaten with a 5-0 record.
Placing first in one of their rounds were Matt Lichtenberg in Extemporaneous Speaking on current news topics, and Tawni Padilla in Panel Discussion. Several debaters received superior speaking points: Allie Hesteness, Nicole Lichtenberg, Duke, Pidgeon, Jake Miczulski and John Siegel.
At the Kuna meet Jan. 11-12, Max Jones claimed second as Best Speaker in Super Congress. Gappmayer placed second in Panel Discussion, with Padilla placing fourth. Tenny Babcock and Padilla earned a quarterfinal trophy in Varsity Policy Debate. Also quarterfinalists were the Novice Policy Debate teams of Sara Cooley and Pidgeon, and Allie Hesteness and Nicole Lichtenberg.
Win a private day on Baldy
The Ketchum-Sun Valley Rotary's Baldy Balderdash is back, once again offering a private day of skiing on Bald Mountain for one lucky winner and 199 of his or her friends.
Tickets for the "Skiing for Scholars" raffle cost $100 each and are limited to 50 per person, group or organization. The proceeds will help fund the Rotary's Education Endowment. One thousand tickets will be sold, and the drawing will take place on Feb. 17.
The winner and invited friends will enjoy a catered lunch at the Warm Springs Lodge.
The private day will take place the day after the mountain's regular closing and the Challenger and Christmas lifts will operate with runs groomed on both sides of the mountain.
For more information or to purchase tickets, contact a local Rotarian or call 720-8858.
Sun Valley named Top 5 ski resort
Sun Valley was named a Top 5 Rocky Mountain Ski Resort by MSN Travel and Sherman's Travel Magazine, joining the other Western resorts of Snowbird, Jackson Hole, Aspen Highlands and Big Sky.
Sun Valley was noted for its "world-class skiing, fine dining, cozy, comfortable lodging and a myriad of amenities to suit any vacationer's needs."
Level 2 avalanche course offered
The Galena Backcountry Ski Patrol is offering a National Ski Patrol accredited advanced (level two) avalanche course, geared towards current and future ski patrollers, as well as search and rescue members and outdoor recreation leaders.
Classroom sessions will be held at Sun Valley City Hall from Tuesday to Friday, Feb. 19 to 22, from 6 to 10 p.m. Field sessions will take place on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 23 and 24, at 8:30 a.m. The meeting place for the field sessions has yet to be determined.
Cost for the course is $150 or $100 for registered patrollers. For more information, call 788-4668.
Ride the bus, save the planet
Mountain Rides will offer free bus service on down-valley bus routes Thursday, Jan. 31, in support of Focus the Nation Day.
Focus the Nation is a national movement aimed at creating global warming solutions for Americans. The effort will bring students and politicians together to make policy changes.
Additionally, Mountain Rides will donate several season bus passes to the Focus the Nation event, at the Liberty Theatre in Hailey, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Jan. 31.
At that event, the film "Kilowatt Ours" will be shown.
Mountain Rides will also work with the Wood River Middle School on an effort to get students and faculty to walk, ski or bike to school on Jan. 31.
For more information, call 788-RIDE, ext. 4.
Integrate knowledge of medicine
St. Luke's Wood River Community Health will host a "Brown Bag' lecture Thursday, Jan. 31, from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. with Dr. Andrea Girman on integrative medicine, what is it and how it works.
Set at the Wood River St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center Baldy Conference Room, the lecture is free and open to all.
For more information, call 727-8733.
How to co-parent after split
St. Luke's Wood River Community Health will host an evening parenting class on "Co-Parenting After Divorce" Tuesday, Feb 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Community Campus, Room 903, in Hailey.
Led by licensed clinical social worker Gay Miremont, it will focus on improving communication. The cost is $5 per person.
For more information or to register, call 727-8733.
Valley surgeon named to top list
Dr. Martin Durtschi, who is associated with St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center, was recently listed in "Guide to America's Top Surgeons 2007" by the Consumers' Research Council of America, a Washington, D.C.-based consumer group. The guide recognizes approximately 15,000 (the top 2 percent) doctors across the country selected as the best in their specialties.
The list of top surgeons in the U.S. is compiled utilizing a point value system, based on specific criteria including experience, training, professional associations and board certifications.
Durtschi is board-certified in general surgery. He was senior fellowship-trained in burn and trauma from the University Of Washington School Of Medicine in Seattle, where he also attended medical school and completed his residency.
Men's group to hold open house
Begun in 2004, a consciousness-raising group of 30 Wood River Valley men meets regularly to explore issues of men and power, personal growth and how to relate to women.
On Feb. 4, from 5 to 7p.m. an open house to welcome new men's group members to the informal association will be held in Gimlet subdivision south of Ketchum. There are 15 openings for new members to engage in an eight-week introductory course exploring men's issues.
To find out more, contact Cam Cooper at 726-6016, David Wilkinson at (206) 819-2387 or Jim Mulenos at 720-5433.
Targhee to host regional games
Grand Targhee Resort will host the Eastern Idaho Regional Special Olympics competition on Saturday, Feb. 2. The Eastern Idaho Region includes teams from Idaho Falls, Rexburg, St. Anthony, Salmon, Blackfoot, Pocatello, Rupert, Burley and Twin Falls.
Athletes will compete in Nordic track events, snowshoe and alpine competitions. Awards will be presented immediately after each event. BYU Idaho students and other area volunteers will be available to help coordinate races and assist athletes. Interested volunteers can call the Idaho Special Olympics office at (208) 323-0482 or Delyn Porter, area director with Special Olympics Idaho at (208) 406-6023.
