ITD warns about DUI dangers
From Dec. 17 through Jan. 2, Idaho law enforcement agencies will be participating in education campaigns and high-visibility enforcement patrols statewide in a search for drunk or impaired drivers.
The Idaho Transportation Department’s Office of Highway Safety funds the campaign against impaired driving through a federal grant that covers overtime pay for law enforcement officers. State police, sheriff’s departments and local agencies will participate in the overtime patrols.
“Whether you’ve had one or two drinks, or way too many, it’s not worth the risk to you or your family,” said Kevin Bechen with ITD. “Last year, 66 people died in impaired-driving crashes on Idaho’s highways.”
Konditorei patisserie set to reopen
A restored Konditorei at Sun Valley Resort will reopen on Dec. 20.
“The grand reopening of the Konditorei has been long awaited,” Sun Valley spokesman Jack Sibbach said.
Under the guidance of Sun Valley’s new director of culinary operations, John Murcko, the 50-year-old German/Austrian patisserie will serve cocoas and coffees. Breakfast and lunch menus will feature crepes, soufflés, soups, salads, traditional open-faced sandwiches and spätzle.
Customers will be able to scan a 20-foot pastry display, be greeted by waitresses in custom-made Austrian outfits and be soothed by Kerry Christensen’s fireside zither performances from 4-8 p.m. during the holiday season.
Sun Valley tree lighting on Saturday
Sun Valley’s annual holiday tree-lighting ceremony, will take place Saturday, Dec. 15, at 5 p.m. at the Sun Valley Inn lobby terrace. Complimentary cookies, cocoa and cider will be served. A no-host bar will be available.
Following holiday carols sung by the Sun Valley Carolers, resort General Manager Tim Silva will offer a welcome before the tree lighting at 6 p.m.
Santa will then arrive by sleigh for photos. Ice carving demonstrations will follow.
Idaho gas prices decline
Idaho’s gas prices have been higher than the national average since the first week in September, and still are, but they declined at the second-fastest pace among all the states last week.
“For the most part, low demand and high inventories have helped push pump prices lower,” said AAA Idaho spokesman Dave Carlson.
But that wasn’t the case in Idaho for the past several months, when retail prices trailed market indicators, including lower oil prices and weaker demand. Another exception is the East Coast, where supplies are increasing but remain somewhat tight following the disruption following Hurricane Sandy.
Idaho’s average price today is $3.39, down 33 cents from a month ago. That’s still six cents higher than the national average of $3.33, which has dropped 11 cents in that same period. A year ago, Idaho’s average price was $3.30, and the U.S. mark was $3.28.
Looking ahead, AAA Idaho said U.S. demand for gasoline may increase slightly as motorists travel to visit family for the holidays, but demand should remain fairly muted to begin the new year, keeping prices in check.
Hailey consignment store to open
A grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at Sweetie Pie in Hailey on Saturday, Dec. 15, at 10 a.m. to noon. Sweetie Pie is located at 20 E. Bullion St., Suite C3.
There will be ongoing raffles until noon, as well as refreshments and hors d’oeuvres.
Sweetie Pie is the valley’s newest consignment store for kids clothes, shoes and gear. It pays cash for clothes and other items.
For more information, call the Hailey Chamber of Commerce at 788-3484.
Mountain School offers nature classes
The private Mountain School near Bellevue is offering an eight-week after-school “wilderness adventures” program for children grades 2-5 starting in January.
The program, taught by school farm and wilderness teacher “Mountain Man” John DeLorenzo, will be held each Tuesday from Jan. 8 through Feb. 26. Students not enrolled at Mountain School are invited to participate.
“In this session you’ll discover local wildlife, learn tracking and winter survival skills, work on primitive crafts and so much more while spending quality time outside with our highly regarded farm/wilderness teacher,” states a press release on the program.
The program is limited to 10 students.
Applications are available at www.themountainschool.info. For more information, call 788-3170.
