Open house set to meet Olson
An open house for Stan Olson, Democratic candidate for state superintendent of schools, will take place Saturday, Oct. 2, from 5-7 p.m. at the home of state Rep. Wendy Jaquet, D-Ketchum, at 510 Mesquite Lane north of Ketchum. The gathering will give people an opportunity to hear from Olson about his vision for Idaho's schools and provide an opportunity to ask questions and share their thoughts about the state's educational system. The event is free, though donations to Olson's campaign will be accepted.
Olson is running against Republican incumbent Tom Luna.
Library to host Community Night
Habitat for Humanity and ARCH Community Housing Trust will present projects to help Blaine County residents build and own their own home at a free Community Night at the Hailey Public Library on Thursday, Sept. 30, from 5:30-7 p.m. In addition, Anna Torres from Mortgage Solutions and Blaine County Housing Authority will attend.
For details, call 788-6102.
Opera receives Deer Creek grant
The Sun Valley Opera has received a $3,500 grant from the Deer Creek Fund of the Helen K. and Arthur K. Johnson Foundation. The grant will allow the opera to continue its mission of bringing opera voices to residents of the Wood River Valley. The Sun Valley Opera will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2011.
State recruiting riparian volunteers
Interested in improving wildlife habitat in the Magic Valley? The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is looking for volunteers to do just that.
Fish and Game is recruiting fish and wildlife habitat specialists who will focus on improving riparian habitat, which fosters mostly fish and waterfowl along waterways such as the Big Wood River. Previous experience is not required, as Fish and Game will provide training for those who wish to join.
The department stated in a release that it expects volunteers to commit to at least one training session and one improvement project during 2010 and 2011. Several training sessions and projects will be scheduled.
For more information, contact Ed Papenberg at (208) 324-4359 or by e-mail at ed.papenberg@idfg.idaho.gov.
Luke's offers depression screenings
St. Luke's Center for Community Health will provide free, confidential, one-hour depression screenings on Tuesday, Oct. 5, as part of the National Depression Screening program. Screenings are provided by a licensed mental health counselor in English or Spanish and are by appointment only.
The screenings will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon at St. Luke's Center for Community Health, 1450 Aviation Drive, Suite 200, in Hailey.
Call 727-8733 for an appointment.
Furry Trail Run/Walk scheduled
The Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley will hold its Furry 6K Trail Run/Walk on Saturday, Oct. 16, at 9 a.m. Dogs are required for the race; people who don't have one can reserve one from the shelter. All dogs must be leashed.
The race will begin at the practice fields across from the Wood River High School football field on Fox Acres Road in Hailey. It will be run primarily on trails through the Quigley fields and continue onto Quigley Road.
There are several prizes for top-placing dogs and humans, including memberships to 5B Crossfit and Doggy Spa services (for the top dogs). Participants are welcome to run or walk the 6K course. Refreshments, snacks and doggie treats will be provided post race and all racers will receive gift bags.
Registration is $20 and can be done online at www.active.com, the Barkin' Basement or the shelter. Registration is also available on race day starting at 8:30 a.m.
For more information, call Nadia Novik at 788-4351 or visit www.animalshelterwrv.org.
Absentee voting opened Monday
Blaine County voters wanting to get a jump on the election season could begin absentee voting as of Monday, Sept. 27.
Voting is open for all state and county elections, including county commissioner, state legislators and school superintendent. Those wishing to vote absentee may vote in person at the Blaine County Courthouse in Hailey, at the elections office on the first floor.
Voters must present a photo I.D. before casting their ballots. Absentee voting will be open until Oct. 29. Ballots can be cast during regular county hours, with the exception of Oct. 29, when the county election office will hold Friday hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. expressly for voters.
For more election information, visit the county website at http://www.co.blaine.id.us
Jason Miller named 'Top 40 Under 40'
Mountain Rides Transportation Authority Executive Director Jason Miller has been named an emerging national leader in public transportation by Mass Transit magazine.
Miller is among 40 people employed in the public transportation industry and under 40 years old who are recognized in the magazine's "Top 40 under 40" list. The honorees are featured in the magazine's September/October cover story.
According to a news release, "Honorees were nominated by their peers and judged on criteria that included job commitment, industry involvement and contribution, achievement and his or her position and innovation in the field."
Sawtooth Society honors contributors
The Sawtooth Society has announced that Stanley resident Nancy B. Williams and former Sawtooth National Recreation Area Deputy Area Ranger Kelly Jardine are the 2010 recipients of the Bethine Church Award.
The award is named for Bethine Church, the nonprofit society's founding president. It recognizes service toward the protection and betterment of the natural, historical and recreational qualities of the 756,000-acre Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
Williams is this year's winner of the private-sector award and Jardine won the public-sector award.
Sawtooth Society President Paul Hill said Williams has volunteered for 35 years for the SNRA, and was the initiating force behind numerous groups and projects in the Sawtooth Valley. He said Jardine consistently demonstrated a can-do attitude throughout his tenure on the SNRA.
