ITD offers free guides for cyclists
Anyone who commutes by bike or just uses one for running errands might find two publications from the Idaho Transportation Department useful.
Two free publications are now available for order online. They include the "Idaho Bicycle Commuter Guide," which offers information about commuting rules and tips.
"Commuting by bicycle will save you money and quickly increase your fitness level," said ITD spokesman Mark McNeese.
To know the basic rules of the road, ITD offers "Idaho Bicycling Street Smarts," a 48-page booklet that focuses on teaching bicyclists to ride safely in a number of different situations.
Both booklets are available at itd.idaho.gov. Click on "Bike/Pedestrian" and then "Bicycle Commuting and Idaho Bicycling Street Smarts."
Use herbs for health
The Sawtooth Botanical Garden will present a workshop on Native Medicinal Herbs with Idaho plant expert, Darcy Williamson, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, July 31.
Williamson is Idaho's leading expert on native plants and their medicinal properties. The author of "Healing Plants of the Rocky Mountains" she has been a high mountain herbalist and instructor for more than 30 years.
This workshop will lead participants around the 5-acre garden highlighting native plants, their medicinal properties, and proper harvesting techniques. There will be a break for participants to have their packed lunches. Then they will move indoors to create a salve from the herbs collected.
The cost is $30 for SBG members, and $35 for non-members. Call 726-9358 to sign up.
Trails challenge party set
The Blaine County Recreation District (BCRD) and Mountain Rides invite the public to "Ride the Rails" Sunday, August 10.
Start the day by biking, walking, running or blading (any non-motorized use) the Wood River Trail, being sure to stop off at aid stations along the way from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants are encouraged to use the Mountain Rides Bus for shuttling and will receive a free ride on the bus. Maps of the trail are available along the trail and at most local outdoor retailers and visitor centers or at the BCRD office in the Community Campus in Hailey.
Participants are also invited to join in the fun at the Ride the Rails/Community Challenge party at the Wicked Spud in Hailey from 11:30 am-2:30 pm. Kim Stocking will serve up tunes and the Spud will offer food and beverage specials to participants.
For more information contact Blaine County Recreation District at 788-2117.
Legacy of public lands topic of talk
Dr. Alfred Runte will be the presenter at this week's presentation of the Sawtooth Forum and Lecture series. The informal presentation titled "Public Lands: An American Legacy" will take place at 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, at the Stanley Museum in Stanley. A fireside chat on the same topic will also occur at 8:30 p.m. that evening at the Redfish Lake Amphitheater.
Runte has taught at several universities, mostly in the West. His work focuses on parks, conservation and public transportation.
Dems to meet in Hailey
The August meeting of the Blaine County Democratic Central Committee will be held at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 12. It will be held at the party's new local headquarters at 313 North Main Street in Hailey, on the west side of the street between the Wicked Spud restaurant and the Hailey Paint Store. The public is welcome.
Comment sought on outfitter permits
Officials with the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA) are seeking public comment on a proposal to renew ten-year special use permits for their land-based outfitter and guide activities. These permits include rights to conduct horse and mule pack trips, single-day trail rides and guided mountain climbing in the surrounding mountain areas of the SNRA by Sawtooth Wilderness Outfitters, Valley Ranch Outfitters, Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch, Sun Valley Trekking, Sawtooth Mountain Guides and others.
Please send comments to Ed Cannady at the SNRA, 5 North Fork Canyon Road, Ketchum, ID, 83340, or by email to ecannady@fs.fed.us. For more information, including a complete list of outfitters seeking new ten-year permits, contact Cannady by email or phone at (208) 727-5004.
