Want to be a big brother or big sister?
The Blaine County office of Big Brothers Big Sisters is enrolling volunteers for its school-based program, which will begin in September. Volunteers need to commit to meet with an elementary school student for one hour, one day a week for lunch and recess activities. High school students are encouraged to enroll.
For details, call 578-5404 or e-mail bronwyn.patterson@bbbs.org.
YMCA benefit achieves success
The annual YMCA Classic Golf Tournament and Party on Saturday, Aug. 14, raised more than $450,000, which will be used toward funding membership assistance and programs. This year's benefit was held under a tent at the YMCA in Ketchum. It featured an after-dinner party, "Club 10," with entertainment by The MVPs.
State Farm Insurance to host BAH
The Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau monthly Business After Hours event will be hosted by State Farm Insurance, from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 12. The event will be held at State Farm's offices at 371 North Main St. in Ketchum, above Lost River Outfitters.
Businesses are encouraged to use this monthly event as an opportunity to network with other members, meet new business operators in town and get better acquainted with the company hosting the event.
Cow Says Moo in Ketchum
The band Cow Says Moo will play for the Thursday, Aug. 12, installment of the popular Music on the Square at the Ketchum Town Plaza.
The band plays a unique blend of cover tunes and original songs, fusing folk, blues, pop and classic rock. The trio features Danae Commons on vocals and percussion, Henno Heitur on guitar and vocals and Taylor Paslay on guitar.
The Thursday night "Music on the Square" concerts run from 6-8 p.m. and are free to the public. The events are sponsored by the city of Ketchum, the Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau and Hayden Beverage. Picnics are encouraged.
Flood insurance comes to Stanley
The city of Stanley has joined more than 21,000 communities nationwide that are now allowed to purchase federally backed flood insurance. This availability follows the community's adoption and enforcement of an ordinance to reduce flood losses and acceptance by the National Flood Insurance Program.
Residents of Stanley can now purchase flood insurance under the program. However, there is a 30-day waiting period before flood insurance coverage goes into effect.
For single-family dwellings, the building coverage limit is $250,000, and the contents coverage limit is $100,000. Renters can also protect their belongings by purchasing contents coverage. For commercial properties, the building and contents coverage limits are each $500,000.
The National Flood Insurance Program is implemented through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. There are more than 5.5 million flood insurance policies in more than 21,000 participating communities nationwide.
Idaho jobless rate holds steady
Another 2,300 workers dropped out of the Idaho labor force in July, while the number of unemployed held steady at just over 66,600, according to figures from the Idaho Department of Labor. That combination held the forecasted seasonally adjusted unemployment rate at around 8.8 percent for July.
June's unemployment rate in Idaho was slightly under 8.8 percent. July's rate was only a fraction above 8.8 percent. The rate peaked at 9.5 percent in February and had been steadily falling until July, which marked the first month the rate has not changed since it was 2.9 percent in June and July 2007. Idaho's rate in July 2009 was 8.2 percent.
Nationally, the July unemployment rate remained unchanged at 9.5 percent.
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Sun Valley access card to debut
Starting today, residents and visitors of the Wood River Valley can purchase a card to save money and support increased airline traffic into Freidman Memorial Airport in Hailey.
Called the Sun Valley Access Card, the membership card allows residents, part-time residents and visitors to get discounts throughout the valley on merchandise, meals and a variety of other services at participating businesses. More than 100 valley businesses are expected to participate.
The card will cost $150 annually. It will support the Fly Sun Valley Alliance. It can be purchased online at www.destinationsunvalley.com, at the Ketchum-Sun Valley Visitors Center on the corner of Sun Valley Road and East Avenue in Ketchum, or by calling (208) 309-5114.
Bugs and butterflies at sleepout
Once again, the Ketchum-based Environmental Resource Center is offering its popular "bugs and butterflies" walks led by Ann Christensen as a part of its Shooting Star Sleepout. The event, which takes place overnight on Friday, Aug. 13, also includes a variety of other nature workshops, a campfire program led by the ERC's education director, Lisa Huttinger, and a night of star-watching with Mark Nelson. McClain's Pizzeria and the Chocolate Moose have donated dinner. Perry's has donated breakfast.
Participants can sleep out under the stars or in cabins to celebrate the Perseid meteor shower during the event, which will take place at the Central Idaho 4-H Camp north of Ketchum. To register, call 726-4333.
Wagon Days parade accepting entries
Organizers of the 52nd annual Ketchum Wagon Days Big Hitch Parade, scheduled for 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 4, are accepting entries for the parade through Aug. 27. Each year, the parade draws more than 100 entries and 15,000 spectators from all around the region.
Prizes are given for a number of different categories, including original and restored wagons, stagecoaches, carriages, buggies, riding clubs, floats and carts. All parade participants are provided with a free picnic lunch immediately following the parade.
Entry forms for the parade are available at www.wagondays.com or by calling 720-4535. The deadline for entries is Aug. 27. There is no cost to enter the parade.
Galena weed control planned
The Blaine County Recreation District will soon begin its 2010 integrated pest management plan to control noxious weeds along the Galena Trails with spot applications of approved herbicides. Weeds that will be targeted include knapweed, dalmatian toadflax, thistle, puncture vine and koccia.
The Galena Trails north of Ketchum will be sprayed in the early morning hours during the week of Aug. 11-18. The project will be rescheduled if unfavorable weather conditions such as rain or wind occur. People are advised to keep their pets out of sprayed areas until odor from the spraying is gone. The Harriman Trail will not be closed during the spraying.
For more information on the spraying, contact Eric Rector at (208) 578-2273 or erector@bcrd.org.
Foundation adds to board
The Croy Canyon Ranch Foundation has added five members to its campaign cabinet. The cabinet, which is in charge of raising funds for a planned tiered-care senior living center, now includes 15 members.
Foundation Executive Director Kathleen Eder said the cabinet was not actively seeking new members, but had been approached by interested residents with a vested interest in seeing Croy Canyon Ranch built.
New members Anita Braker, Mischa Leendertsen, Dr. Carter Newton and Mary Newton, and Dr. Frank Fiaschetti join the current 10 members of the foundation's campaign cabinet. Fiaschetti, Carter Newton and Braker have medical backgrounds, while Leendersten and Mary Newton have first-hand experience with caring for elderly relatives.
Eder said the foundation will soon redouble its fundraising efforts for Croy Canyon Ranch. The facility, planned to be located west of Hailey, is projected to open in January 2014.
