Holiday Stroll planned
The Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau will organize a Ketchum Holiday Stroll event on Dec. 22 from 5-9 p.m. Retail stores will stay open for extended hours, and carolers and Santa will stroll through town. Local non-profits are invited to have booths in the town plaza during the evening and to sell gift certificates and refreshments to raise money.
To participate, call CVB Membership Services Director Stefany Mahoney at 725-2105 or smahoney@visitsunvalley.com
Prescribed burn continues
The U.S. Forest Service will be continuing the prescribed burning of slash piles on the hillside above Warm Springs Ranch until Friday, Nov. 14, at the latest, according to North Zone Fire Management Officer Bill Murphy.
Murphy said the Forest Service had been waiting for the right conditions of cold weather and snow to begin the burning to make it as safe as possible. By clearing out dead brush and undergrowth, the Forest Service is able to decrease the intensity of any wildfires that might occur in the future, he said.
Murphy said that while some smoke will be visible, the Forest Service is trying to minimize the impact on nearby neighborhoods.
Get clued in on Ketchum events
As part of Ketchum's new rules surrounding its so-called "Festival Area," members of the public are invited to sign up on the city's Web site to receive e-mail notification of upcoming events.
The designated areas include the Community Core and Picabo Street in Warm Springs. The code implemented new fees for different-sized events, requiring $50 for events with fewer than 300 people and not requiring a street closure.
Permits for events that require a street closure for one day or have more than 300 people attending are $100. Events that require a street closure for more than one day or weekly events that take place more than four consecutive weeks require permits costing $300.
For more information, call the Ketchum Planning Department at 726-7801.
Writer published in Idaho Magazine
Hailey resident and author Julie Weston's story "The Perfect Day" was published in the November issue of Idaho Magazine.
The story centers on a day of skiing powder snow on Bald Mountain and reflects back to her ski racing years in northern Idaho.
Also included are pictures by her husband, Gerry Morrison.
Ms. Senior America Pageant to come to Hailey
The Hailey Chamber of Commerce, the city of Hailey and the Blaine County Senior Connection will host the 2009 Idaho Ms. Senior America Pageant. The event will take place May 2 at the Community Campus in Hailey.
The major requirements are women 60 years or older who have been Idaho residents for at least six months. The pageant theme is "Age of Elegance."
For details, call 788-3484.
Open burning OK in Ketchum
Ketchum announced on Monday that open burning is once again allowed within the city and the Ketchum Rural Fire District.
City officials ask that anyone involved in open burning be fire wise at all times.
Still missing a tax refund?
The Internal Revenue Service announced that 1,523 Idaho taxpayers did not receive their economic stimulus checks due to mailing address errors.
In total, Idaho taxpayers are due $456,711 in refunds and stimulus payments, with individual checks averaging $932 and $580 respectively.
Taxpayers are being asked to update their addresses with the IRS by Nov. 28. Taxpayers missing checks should visit the Web site IRS.gov or call (866) 234-2942.
