Airport to conduct emergency drill
Friedman Memorial Airport will conduct a live emergency exercise on Saturday morning, June 11, from 9 a.m. to noon. The exercise—which will simulate a major airport disaster—will take place on the west side of the airport and will involve emergency responders from all Blaine County agencies. Authorities said there will be no interruption of traffic in the adjacent industrial park area or to/from the airport.
For more information, call Pete Kramer at 788-4956, ext. 24.
Learn and grow with the ERC
Through these programs of the Environmental Resource Center, residents and visitors can learn about the Wood River Valley:
( Wild Lunch in partnership with The Hunger Coalition. ERC provides this nature-education day camp during The Lunch Connection at Woodside Elementary School on Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 14 through July 7. It's for children ages 1-18, though those under 10 must be accompanied by a caretaker over 15. Free.
( Wild Connections at the Sun Valley Summer Symphony. A parent's night out when their children ages 5-13 can connect with nature, freeing them to enjoy the concert, Aug. 3,4 and 16, free. Register at 622-5607.
( River Romps. Children and adults can discover the ecology of the Big Wood River through hands-on exploration and learn about this aquatic wonderland, Aug. 5 or 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ERC members free, for others a suggested donation of $10 individual/$25 family. Register at 726-4333.
( Beaver Walks. Get to know this amazing rodent and, with luck, see them in action. Evening of June 30 or Aug. 18. ERC members free, for others a suggested donation of $10 individual/$25 family. Register at 726-4333.
Learn about head injuries
Closed head injuries (i.e. concussions) are common with athletics. Dr. Anthony Buoncristiani, a sports medicine fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon, will discuss the diagnosis and management of concussions and the safe return to sport on Thursday, June 9, from 12:15-1:15 p.m. at St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center's Baldy Conference Rooms.
All Brown Bag lectures are free and no pre-registration is required. Call St. Luke's Center for Community Health for information on this or other educational programs: 727-8733.
See 'a movie about a bike'
The Wood River Bicycle Coalition will show the film "Life Cycles," widely regarded as one of the best cycling films of 2010, on Thursday, June 9, at 6:30 p.m. at the Sun Valley Opera House. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under, at the door only.
The screening will be a fundraiser to help with development of a new trail called Forbidden Fruit, being built in Eve's Gulch. It is the first purpose-built, mountain-bike-only, one-way trail within the Ketchum Ranger District. According to a news release from the Bike Coalition, the trail will have berms, corners and a flowy experience like nothing else in the local trail system. The trail could be done as soon as July 1.
Details of the film and a trailer can be found at HYPERLINK http://lifecyclesfilm.com http://lifecyclesfilm.com.
Sunday night sangha offered
A sangha will be held on Sunday, June 12, from 5:30- 7:30 p.m. at the home of Valerie Skonie, 421 Deer Trail Drive in Hailey. People are invited to join for a gathering of community, spiritual practice and discussion. The goal is to meet regularly.
Tea will be available, and people can bring a beverage or a snack.
To RSVP, obtain directions or ask questions, call Skonie at 788-6373.
High country still loaded with snow
Snow surveyors from the Natural Resources Conservation Service recorded one of the deepest June 1 snowpacks ever measured in Idaho. This year's late-season snows and slow snowmelt create a potentially threatening runoff season, especially in the upper Snake and Bear River basins.
"In an average year, up to about two-thirds of the snowpack melts during April and May," said Ron Abramovich, Water Supply Specialist with Idaho NRCS. "This year, the cool spring temperatures prevented high-elevation snows from melting.
"Not only do we have more snow, but there's the potential for a quick runoff period. Warm temperatures in June will intensify the higher-elevation snow melt."
Generally, streamflows were above average in May and the peaks on most rivers are still to come. More than 80 of 120 Snow Telemetry sites that automatically measure snowpack conditions around Idaho showed June 1 snow-water content levels at or near record highs.
Forecasts around the state range from a low of 120 percent of average in central Idaho to more than 300 percent in the Bear River basin.
"The potential for extreme flows can't be overstated because of the enormous June 1 snowpacks and the continued wet weather pattern," Abramovich said.
For up-to-date information on specific areas, visit http://www.id.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/.
