Art walk to support learning
"Inspire Your Heart With Art Gallery Walk" is an event showcasing the masterpieces by the next generation of hopefuls from the Big Wood School in Ketchum.
Creations will be on display Tuesday, Feb. 21, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood. There will also be a cake walk, bounce house, hors d'oeuvres and music.
The event will be a fundraiser for the Big Wood School, Live and silent auction items include a guided fishing trip for two on any local water, a stay at the Amangani Resort in Jackson Hole, a stone sculpted bowl by Gabriel Embler, ski lift tickets and a "sweetheart staycation" package with theatre tickets and a restaurant dinner.
To purchase raffle tickets, contact the school at 726-9053.
Historical Society board gets new members
Heather Flood Daves, Kathy Carson and Holley duPont have been named to the Ketchum-Sun Valley Historical Society's board of directors. The board oversees the operation of the Ski and Heritage museums in Forest Service Park. The museums are supported by memberships, grants and donations.
Food-allergy group forms
After her son was diagnosed in December with a severe food allergy, Erikka Gray looked around for help.
"I asked the allergist if there was a support group, and he said no," she said. "I said, 'Well, I'll start one.'"
She launched the Blaine County Severe Food Allergy Support Group, sponsored by allergist Dr. Gregory Wickern, which will have its inaugural meeting next week.
People recently dealing with severe food allergies can have difficulty when traveling—think airplane peanuts—grocery shopping and establishing general nutrition.
"Hopefully, people will show up and support each other," she said.
The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 23, from 7-9 p.m. in room 211 of the Community Campus in Hailey.
For more information, email blaineallergy@gmail.com.
Free screenings offered for people with diabetes
The Magic Valley Diabetes Coalition will conduct free "head-to-toe" clinics for people with diabetes in Bellevue, Fairfield and Shoshone. The clinics will include eye screenings, foot exams, blood pressure tests, hemoglobin a1c tests, dental screenings and nutrition education.
The Bellevue clinic will take place Thursday, March 1, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the South Central Public Health District office, 117 E. Ash St. Call 737-5946 to schedule an appointment.
The clinic in Fairfield will also be held March 1, from 9:30-11:30 a.m., at Family Health Services, 401 Camas W. Call 732-7156 for an appointment.
The clinic in Shoshone will be at the Shoshone Family Medical Center, 113 S. Apple, on Thursday, March 22, from 9 a.m. to noon. Call 944-4747 for an appointment.
The clinics are for people with diabetes who are newly diagnosed, have no insurance or insurance with a high deductible, or who have never received any of the offered services.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Idaho Diabetes Prevention and Control Program recommend that people with diabetes receive a dilated eye screening, a neurosensory foot examination and a hemoglobin a1c test at least once a year.
For more information about diabetes, contact Susie Beem at South Central Public Health District, 737-5946.
Idaho Independent Bank gets new manager
Dale Chaney has been appointed vice president and branch manager of Idaho Independent Bank's Ketchum branch.
Chaney has more than 32 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is past president of the Hailey Rotary, and has volunteered on various fundraisers for The Nature Conservancy, Hailey Ski Team, Elks Foundation and Ducks Unlimited.
Call to artists for Wagon Days poster
The organizers of Wagon Days are requesting submissions for the 2012 Wagon Days poster. Previous posters have been created from 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 Feb. 28. Artists should call Sun Valley Events at 726-2777 or email Heather LaMonica Deckard at heather@sunvalleyevents.com to get directions for submitting their work.
'Laissez les bons temps rouler'
Don your favorite party disguise on Friday, Feb. 24, to join a local celebration of Mardi Gras and dance the night away at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden.
The second Mardi Gras party will take place from 6:30-10 p.m. Let the good times roll in the greenhouse to the music of DJ Marlin while enjoying New Orleans-style food, king cake, wine and beer. Costumes and masks are required.
All party attendees will have the opportunity to bid on donated services for spring lawn and yard cleanup, with proceeds to benefit the valley's only public garden. Mardi Gras tickets are $30 per person. For more information or to buy tickets, contact the garden at 726-9358.
The garden, at 11 Gimlet Rd., is a community resource showcasing native and cultivated plants that flourish at high altitude. It fosters environmental stewardship through education, events, displays and plant collections.
Talk offered on dementia care
Carolyn Nystrom, a registered nurse with Hospice and Palliative Care of the Wood River Valley, will give a lecture called "Understanding Dementia" today, Feb. 15, from 12:15-1:15 p.m. in the Carbonate Rooms of St. Luke's Clinic in Hailey.
Nystrom will share information about caring for or visiting someone with dementia, and give advice about self-care for the caregiver.
All Brown Bag talks 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.
Build your ride for Snow Box Derby
Break out the cardboard and creativity for the Snow Box Derby at Rotarun Ski Area on Saturday, March 3, sponsored by the Hailey Kiwanis Club.
Artists wanting their creations to take flight on the snow and fun-loving sledders have a place to share their enthusiasm. Medals will be awarded for fastest, most creative and most inspiring racers. Cameras, dinosaurs, race cars, corn dogs and tanks have slid (or been pushed) down the slope of Rotarun in previous years.
Construction requirements limit materials to cardboard, paint, tape and glue. All snow boxes will be inspected on the day of the event. Participants must also demonstrate that they can stop their snow box if needed. The Soap Box Derby is open to anyone 5 and older. Sledders must go feet first and wear helmets.
The entry fee is $10 per individual or $25 per business. Registration will be on at Rotarun Ski Area from 9:30-10:15 a.m. the day of the race. Racing will begin at 10:30 a.m.
Rotarun is a nonprofit, affordable, winter recreation area three miles west of Hailey via Croy Creek Road.
For more information and registration forms, look under "events" at www.facebook.com/RotarunSkiArea or call Eric at 788-1350.
Idaho exports continue growth trend
Idaho exports reached $5.89 billion in 2011, the third record year for exports in a four-year period, the state Department of Commerce announced this week.
Exports increased by more than 14.3 percent compared to 2010, and all of Idaho's major export sectors experienced significant increases. Idaho exports account for about 10 percent of Idaho's gross state product and more than 30,000 jobs statewide. Idaho is one of only 17 states to maintain a trade surplus with the world.
Top Idaho export sectors include semiconductors, industrial equipment, precious and semi-precious metals, agricultural commodities and processed food, fertilizers, paper and forest products and personal-care products.
Demand for Idaho products continues to be strongest from trading partners in North America and East Asia.
One way the state maintains strong trade ties with foreign markets is through international trade missions. In December, 17 Idaho organizations traveled to Brazil and Mexico on a mission led by Lt. Gov. Brad Little. Projected sales from that mission were valued at more than $30 million. The state's next mission is scheduled for the week of April 14-21 to three cities in China, Idaho's fourth-largest export destination.
Help needed for suicide-prevention benefit
Volunteers are being sought to help with a benefit concert for suicide prevention to be hosted by the Sun Valley Artist Series on March 10. Proceeds will benefit the Crisis Hotline, NAMI Wood River Valley and The Speedy Foundation.
The event is sponsored by St. Luke's Wood River and St. Luke's Wood River Foundation.
Anyone who would like to get involved can contact Steve Gannon at steve@svartistseries.org.
