Energy code back on table
The Blaine County Commission will continue consideration of a new, more efficient energy code on Tuesday.
Under the proposed code, new homes of more than 11,000 square feet would be required to have a Home Energy Ratings System score of zero, effectively meaning that all the home's energy must be produced by solar power or other renewable energy systems.
Smaller new homes would need to comply with a sliding scale of HERS scores on the amount of their energy consumption. The smaller a home, the more energy it's permitted to use per square foot. County Planner Shana Sweitzer said smaller homes could also comply by installing certain approved energy-efficient components.
The county held a meeting last month for the sole purpose of allowing public comment on the issue. More public comment will be accepted at the hearing's continuation on Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 2 p.m. at the Old County Courthouse in Hailey.
Sun Valley EDC to meet
The Sun Valley Economic Development Corp., the "action arm" of economic development group Sustain Blaine, will meet Monday, Feb. 14, at 8 a.m. in the Blaine County Annex Building in Hailey.
This will be the corporation's first meeting to include Harry Griffith, the group's new executive director. Griffith was hired last month to oversee the various projects the corporation is meant to carry out, as well as improve public relations and leadership.
The meeting is open to the public.
Crafts festival seeks applications
Applications for the 2011 Sun Valley Center Arts & Crafts Festival are due Monday, Feb. 28, at noon. The festival will take place Aug. 12-14 in Ketchum. Wood River Valley artists are encouraged to apply.
The festival will celebrate its 43rd year. It ranks as one of the top 100 outdoor juried festivals in the nation. For applications, visit www.zapplications.org or visit www.sunvalleycenter.org and follow links under the "Events" tab.
La Alianza holding poetry contest
People are invited to participate in a Mother's Day poetry contest sponsored by the La Alianza group. Poems can be written in English, Spanish or "Spanglish," with a two-paragraph minimum. Fifty dollars will be offered for first place, $20 for second place and $10 for third place. The winning poems will be read at the La Alianza Mother's Day celebration on Saturday, May 7.
The contest ends April 15. Bring poems to La Alianza Multicultural Center at the Community Campus in Hailey. For details, call 578-5408.
Garden welcomes new board members
Six new board members have been added to the Sawtooth Botanical Garden's board of directors. The new members include Mark Martens and Mark Palmer, both landscape professionals. Doris Roemer-Moress has rejoined the board and Helen Stone is a gardener who has been instrumental in creating, designing and maintaining many Wood River Valley gardens.
Liz Warrick has served on several valley nonprofit boards and was the president of the Sun Valley Garden Club. Kelle Weston is an Idaho native and sailor who has made awnings and sails for 30 years. Her home has been featured in the Sawtooth Botanical Garden tour.
Be happy at Marley in the Mountains
The Marley in the Mountains festival will take place over the weekend of Feb. 19-20. The event celebrates music, mountain culture, yoga and nature on Presidents' Day weekend. The events are:
The "Up Down-Get Down," Saturday at 8 a.m. on the original Harriman Cup course on Durrance Mountain. It will raise funds for Sun Valley Adaptive Sports and the Sawtooth Avalanche Center.
- Marley in the Mountains concert: "Shamrocks and Dreadlocks" will feature three acts: Ethan Tucker and the Grass Roots All-Stars, Carlos Jones & the Plus Band and Swagger.
- "Snow Salutations Community Yoga Offering for Winter Two Thousand Heaven": Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Hemingway Elementary School gym.
- "Sunday Night Reggae Hall": Lions Den Sounds International Sound System returns featuring DJ Vision. Roosevelt Tavern, 10 p.m., free.
Advocates' thrift store reopens
Hailey Mayor Rick Davis presided over a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the reopening of The Advocates Attic Thrift Store on Thursday, Feb. 10, at noon. The store is at 12 W. Carbonate St. in Hailey.
The expanded store has three times as much space as it did before to hold its wide range of used clothing, household items, toys, furnishings and more for children and adults. Since its opening in 2003, the Attic's retail sales have supported the nonprofit Advocates for Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault in Hailey.
REE-Construction offers scholarship
REE-Construction—a company that fixes structures damaged by floods or fires—is offering a $1,000 Southern Idaho Fire Fighter Scholarship, open to high school seniors with a parent with a local District 5 fire department.
Applications can be obtained from area high school counseling departments and are due by March 31. Part of the application is an essay explaining what the applicant hopes to accomplish in life and how getting a college education and degree will enhance his or her future. Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee and a telephone interview between the applicant and the committee will follow the initial screening process.
Mail all required application material to REE-Construction, Attn: Scholarship; 720 N. Main, Unit A, Bellevue, ID 83313.
Land trust board member earns award
The Wood River Land Trust board of directors has honored its longest-serving member, Clark Gerhardt, with its Founders' Award. Gerhardt stepped down in July.
The award is earned by people who have advanced the mission of the land trust and demonstrated a long-term commitment to preserving and protecting open space.
Gerhardt began his tenure in 1999 and held the office of president in 2006 and 2007, and was longtime chair of the fundraising committee. According to a press release from the land trust, he attracted new board members with skills, experience and professionalism, and brought a more vibrant approach to fundraising. With his help, the organization developed its focus on the big picture.
Call to artists: Wagon Days Poster
The organizers of the annual Wagon Days celebration in Ketchum are requesting submissions for the event's 2011 poster.
According to a news release from the organizers, many posters from past years have become collectors' items. Posters have featured photographs, collages, pastels, watercolors and oil paintings.
All art submissions are welcome, including preliminary sketches. The artist for the winning submission will receive a small stipend and will have the opportunity to ride in the Wagon Days parade.
Submissions are due by March 7. Artists should call Sun Valley Events at 720-4535 to get directions for submitting their work.
Humanities Council seeks teachers
Idaho teachers are invited to apply to attend the Idaho Humanities Council's weeklong summer institute, "Are You Now or Have You Ever Been: Fear, Suspicion and Incivility in Cold War America," from July 24-29 at the College of Idaho in Caldwell.
Successful candidates will receive lodging, meals, text and optional college credit. The deadline is April 1. For details, apply online at www.idahohumanities.org or e-mail Cindy Wang at cindy@idahohumanities.org.
Summer on the Sawtooth
The Sawtooth National Forest has summer openings for firefighters and dispatchers as well as range, timber and trails workers.
Work is available in numerous ranger districts, from Ketchum and the SNRA to Minidoka and Fairfield. Salaries range from $10.95 to $19 per hour. Housing is included for some openings. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years old.
For more information, visit the Sawtooth National Forest site at www.fs.usda.gov/Sawtooth.
