Flooding possible, county says
Despite a six-week dry spell earlier this year, the Big Wood River is flowing at 120 percent of normal, prompting Blaine County to warn residents of flood risk.
"Given the right temperatures and precipitation events, we could still have unusually high water," said Chuck Turner, the county's disaster services coordinator.
Water levels are still below those in 2006, when record flooding hit the valley, but cooler than normal temperatures have left a significant amount of snow in the mountains awaiting runoff.
Turner urges valley residents to avoid high or fast water, and to make certain children and pets stay at a safe distance. Low areas can experience sheet-flooding and flash-flooding after heavy rains.
Help map your district
The state is asking voters for suggestions on its planned redrawing of electoral districts this summer.
A new computer program known as Maptitude will help members of the non-partisan 2011 Idaho Redistricting Commission draw the revised congressional and legislative boundaries. However, the public can use the online version of this software to submit redistricting maps to the commission for consideration.
The program is available at www.redistricting.idaho.gov until June 7, when the commission will convene. The site also provides information on redistricting rules and regulations.
Kudos for Healing Touch program
The Healing Touch Program at St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center has been recognized as a statewide award winner for Excellence in Healthcare Quality for work in 2010.
This recognition is awarded by Qualis Health, a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care delivery and outcomes.
Healing Touch is an energy-based approach to health and healing. Practitioners use their hands, either above the body or on the body with a gentle touch, with the intent of affecting the body's energy fields.
St. Luke's has been tracking audit data since August 2009 and has found a 51 percent decrease in pain levels and a 69 percent decrease in tension levels after healing touch treatment.
"We are extremely proud that Healing Touch has been recognized for our ability to decrease pain and tension levels among patients," said Mary Kay Foley, the program coordinator, who received the award at a Boise ceremony.
New use for retail store?
An out-of-state building contractor is seeking to open a ground-floor, street-facing office at 271 East Sun Valley Road in Ketchum, the former Bobbie Burns store. That use in that location, in Ketchum's retail core, would require a conditional-use permit.
The Planning & Zoning Commission determined at its Monday meeting that the 300-foot notification radius required by state law is sufficient because a future public hearing could be extended if interest warrants it. Commissioners had considered doubling the notification radius.
Although the project is of small impact—less than 700 square feet—the site's location and history give weight to the issue.
"It represents something that's been there for a long time," said Commissioner Rich Fabiano. "The square footage might be small, but that means nothing to me."
The agenda item pertained only to the permit notification issue—an initial step in the process. The permit itself is yet to be discussed. That item will come before the P&Z, likely on May 23.
Fishing retreat for men with cancer
Reel Recovery, a national nonprofit organization that conducts free fly-fishing retreats for men with cancer, is accepting applications for its 2011 summer retreat. This year's local Reel Recovery retreat is scheduled for Aug. 5-7 at Wild Horse Creek Ranch near Mackay.
The organization welcomes men in all stages of cancer treatment or recovery for a weekend of fly fishing in a supportive environment. St. Luke's Wood River Foundation is a partner with Reel Recovery in supporting the retreat.
For more information, contact Megan Thomas at St. Luke's Foundation at thomasme@slhs.org, or Dick Wilson, Reel Recovery's Idaho state coordinator, at RWilsonID@cableone.net or by phone at 208-866-2415.
Recall signatures adding up
The Committee to Recall Tom Luna has collected more than 18,500 signatures—but that is far from the committee's goal.
Campaign manager Morgan Hill reported on Friday that the organization has collected 18,500 signatures since its campaign kickoff April 16. The committee is up against a deadline of more than 158,000 signatures before June 30 if it hopes to place a recall vote on the November 2011 ballot.
Hill said the organization increasing the number of signing locations in order to double or triple the daily signature rate.
"Our immediate goal is to collect between 2,000 to 3,000 signatures per day statewide," Hill said in a press release. "We have a very dedicated team that will be working hard."
Petitions can be signed at the local post offices.
Learn about 'Heart Smarts'
Being smart about your heart not only includes a good diet, exercise and stress management, but also knowledge of how to recognize emergency cardiac symptoms and how to access cardiac services in the community.
Deborah Robertson, M.D., St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center emergency medicine service chief and medical director, will speak at a Brown Bag lecture on "Heart Smarts" tomorrow, May 12. She will discuss conversations to have with your doctor about heart health, how to recognize heart attack symptoms, and what to do in a cardiac emergency.
The program is from 12:15-1:15 p.m. in St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center Baldy conference rooms.
All Brown Bag lectures are free and no pre-registration is required Additional information is available on this and other programs by calling St. Luke's Center for Community Health at 727-8733.
Magic show benefits YAK!
A performance of the Jay Owenhouse magic show, "Magic on the Edge," will be held Saturday, May 21, at the Wood River High School gymnasium. Proceeds will benefit Blaine County's Youth Adult Konnection, commonly known as YAK!
Owenhouse spent last winter touring China and Japan, where he's received the "Best Touring Family Show in Asia" award. Now back in the United States, he is working on his new TV series for the ABC Family Channel. He can also be seen on Fox TV's "Magic on the Edge" and "Masters of Illusion," a program profiling the best magicians in the world.
Hollywood entertainment journalist Mark Ebner recent wrote that "with apologies to P.T. Barnum, (this is) the greatest touring family show on earth."
Advance tickets are $15 for adults and children and may be purchased by calling (800) 779-8600. Tickets at the door will be $20 for children and $25 for adults.
See 'Snow White' in Stanley
Venture into the terrifying Black Forest with Snow White and her friends this Friday and Saturday, May 13-14, when the Missoula Children's Theatre, the Stanley School and the Pioneer Montessori School perform "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." A musical adaptation of the classic tale, the performance is suitable for audiences of all ages.
"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" will be presented at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 13, and 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, at the Stanley Elementary School. Admission is free, but donations to cover the cost will be accepted.
The Missoula Children's Theatre residency in Stanley was arranged by the Stanley School Parents' Association with support from the Pioneer Montessori School. For more information, call Maryellen Easom at the Stanley School, 774-3503.
Hailey Armory to reopen
The Hailey armory will reopen Memorial Day weekend with three days of activities after an 18-month, $1.26-million remodeling.
The ribbon-cutting for the building, now known as the Idaho National Guard's Hailey Readiness Center, will be at noon on Saturday, May 28, with Mayor Rick Davis and Idaho Army National Guard Commander Brig. Gen. Alan Gayhart participating.
Refreshments will be provided. The event will include speakers and a "Remember Ceremony" for prisoners of war and those missing in action from all conflicts.
The day's activities also will include the unveiling of an historical mural by Ralph Harris and volunteers from the local community. It depicts soldiers from the Revolutionary War through the present.
An open house from 1-7 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday will include military vehicle and equipment displays, a weapons simulator, a rock-climbing wall and a "bouncy" house for youth.
From 7-10 p.m. Saturday, there will be a community dance with Idaho National Guard's 25th Army Band performing.
On Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, there will be a ceremony at the Hailey Cemetery from 11 a.m. to noon. Following the ceremony, retired Col. Gail Halvorsen will give a presentation at the armory from 11 a.m. to noon on the Berlin Airlift of 1948-1949.
Hunger Coalition launches food drive
The Blaine County Hunger Coalition has launched is annual spring corporate food drive. Wood River Valley businesses can compete for the Golden Can Award by donating non-perishable food items and cash to help the hungry.
The Hunger Coalition relies on the support and generosity of the community.
For details, visit thehungercoalition.org.
