Comp plan committee loses driver
Recently appointed Sun Valley Comprehensive Plan Update Steering Committee Chair Lisa Stelck has withdrawn from the committee just before its first work session.
A news release from the city states that Stelck informed Mayor Dewayne Briscoe about her withdrawal in a letter dated Feb. 16, in which she wrote that her decision was based “entirely on personal reasons.” Briscoe had announced her appointment as the committee’s chair at a City Council meeting Feb. 7.
“Stelck expressed regret for the timing of her decision, as it comes just prior to the first working meeting of the committee,” the release states.
That meeting will take place Thursday, Feb. 21, at 4 p.m. at Sun Valley City Hall and is open to the public.
According to the release, Briscoe has accepted Stelck’s withdrawal from the committee and will “immediately” begin the process of selecting a new chair.
A city’s comprehensive plan is its master, guiding document. State law requires it be updated at least every 10 years.
Discuss animal behavior at library
Why do milk cows lick tractors? Is a “high-spirited” horse a more fearful one? Is it truth or myth that pit bulls and Rottweilers are more aggressive than other domestic dogs?
Clark Draney will lead a discussion of Temple Grandin’s nonfiction book “Animals in Translation” with the Let’s Talk About It book club at the Hailey Public Library on Thursday, Feb. 21, at 6 p.m.
Grandin used her gifts as an autistic person to understand and explain animal behaviors as never before. She considered domesticated animals, from cats and dogs to horses and cattle, and compared them to wild ones. Draney, a Twin Falls resident, is a professor of English and a writing program administrator for the College of Southern Idaho.
Stanley to hold annual WinterFest
Pond hockey tournament, winter triathlon, drag race, outhouse race, redneck triathlon and a street dance—if none of this entices, stop reading here.
But the locals in Stanley think their WinterFest has enough for anyone of any age to travel up the highway this weekend and share a good time in the Sawtooth Mountains.
In addition to the above mentioned activities, the fourth annual event will include a children’s snow play area, cocoa and coffee on the street, and live music throughout the weekend.
For more information, visit www.stanleycc.org. The festival starts Friday, Feb. 22, and continues through Sunday, Feb. 24.
Free playreading at nexStage
On Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 6:30 p.m., the nexStage Theatre in Ketchum will present a reading of award-winning Irish playwright Martin McDonagh’s viciously dark but funny new play, “A Behanding in Spokane.”
This is McDonagh’s fifth play to be read in Ketchum, and his first that is set in America.
The lead character, Carmichael, is a man on a grim mission—searching for his missing left hand for a quarter of a century. He encounters two bickering lovebirds with a hand to sell and a hotel clerk with an aversion to gunfire, setting off a comic roller coaster of love, hate, desperation and hope.
The cast includes Scott Creighton, Charlotte Hemmings, Keith Moore and Jon Kane, who will also direct the reading. Be warned: This play contains potentially offensive language and subject material. The reading will run about one hour and will be free of charge.
Call 726-9124 for more details. Wine and cookies will be served to guests at the reading.
‘Stone Soup’ in theater tour
Children and the young at heart will delight in the annual St. Thomas Playhouse Children’s Theater Tour production of the timeless fable “Stone Soup.” The short musical has been adapted by Andrew Alburger with a light, funny script as well as three original songs. The performing troupe consists of professional actors Alburger, Sara Gorby, Rich Rush and Cherie Kessler.
The story takes place in a small mountain town during a time of drought and hunger. Due to the lack of food, the villagers are fearful and have hoarded what little food they can grow or buy. A peddler arrives and cleverly teaches the residents the value of sharing by tricking each of them to contribute an ingredient to his “stone soup.” Each villager’s small contribution makes a wonderful large meal that feeds their bodies and also their souls as they realize the joy of community sharing and friendship.
The Children’s Theater Tour travels to the valley’s preschools and elementary schools to perform for hundreds of students. Public shows will be held at Iconoclast Books on Saturday, Feb. 23, at 2 p.m., the Community Library on Saturday, March 2, at 10 a.m., and the Hailey Public Library on Wednesday, March 6, at 10:30 a.m. and Saturday, March 9, at 2 p.m. The shows are free and families are encouraged to bring children from ages 2-10.
Crisis Hotline offers training
Volunteers are needed at the Crisis Hotline. By donating two days a month, people can make a difference, learn new skills and be a part of a team of volunteer crisis intervention telephone counselors. According to a news release from the Crisis Hotline, most of the work involves supportive communication with people struggling with difficult life transitions or situations.
No experience is necessary and participation is free. It is open to anyone interested in developing listening skills, including listening to youth, and learning about the dynamics of crises such as family violence, suicide, substance abuse, depression, child abuse and neglect, mental illness, domestic violence and more. The sessions will be given by professional health-care specialists.
The classes run from March 5 to April 2 every Tuesday and Thursday from 6–8 p.m. The classes will be held next to the old Hailey Chamber office downstairs meeting room on the north side of the Blaine Manor parking lot, 706 S. Main St. in Hailey. For more information, call 788-0735.
Foundation to hold education forum
The Wood River Women’s Charitable Foundation will host its annual Winter Education Forum on Wednesday, March 6, from 2–4:30 p.m. at The Valley Club clubhouse north of Hailey.
Guest speaker will be Nancy Napier, a professor of management and the executive director of the Centre for Creativity and Innovation at Boise State University. Her wide-ranging experience includes managing BSU’s $8.5 million nine-year Capacity Building Project at the National Economics University in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Her most recent book is “Insight: Encouraging Aha! Moments for Organizational Success.” In 2008, she published “The Creative Discipline: The Art and Science of Innovation.” Her newest book, “Wise Beyond Your Field,” will be out in the spring. It is co-authored by people from widely different fields including arts, business, law enforcement and sports.
Pre-registration is encouraged. Call Andrea van Every at 726-6011 or e-mail her at wrwcf1@gmail.com. A $10 donation is appreciated for guests. Staff members from nonprofits are invited free of charge.
Learn about sports injuries
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Glen Shapiro will address prevention of and treatment for sports injuries during a talk today, Feb. 20, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at St. Luke’s Clinic in Hailey.
All Brown Bag talks are free and no pre-registration is required. Please call St. Luke’s Center for Community Health for information on this or other educational programs, 727-8733.
Chamber to hold February BAH
The Hailey Chamber of Commerce is inviting businesses and the public to its February Business After Hours event on Thursday, Feb. 21. It will be hosted by Silver Creek Ford and Sun Valley Title, at the car dealership at 920 S. Main St. in Hailey from 5-7 p.m.
Food and refreshments will be provided. Bring business cards for the monthly raffle. Call 788-3484 for more information.
Rotarun schedules Snow Box Derby
Kiwanis of Hailey and Rotarun Ski Area are inviting cardboard craftspeople of all ages for a day of racing in early spring conditions. Artists and fun-loving sledders can slide, glide, roll or tumble their creations on snow in the Kiwanis Snow Box Derby, set for Saturday, March 2, at Rotarun.
Win, place or show medals will be awarded for each division, Junior (5-12), Teen (13-17), Adult (18+), and Business, along with the Most Creative Sled and the Most Inspirational Rider.
Entry fee is $10 per person or $25 per business. Registration and inspection of the racing rigs will begin at 9 a.m. and close at 10:15 a.m. at the Rotarun lodge. The race will begin at 10:30 a.m.
Past entries can be viewed hanging from the rafters at L.L. Greens in Hailey. Cardboard cameras, trains, dinosaurs, race cars, corn dogs, various tools and even a Sphinx have all made the journey in years past.
Snowboxes can only be made from cardboard, tape, paint or glue with enclosed sides. No epoxy, plastic or metal is allowed.
Participants must also wear a helmet, ride feet first and demonstrate that they can control and stop their snowbox. Weather and course conditions will determine the start location and course layout. Latest information and complete set of rules can be found at www.facebook.com/RotarunSkiArea/events or by calling the ski area at 788-6204.
Horticulture grants are available
The Idaho Botanical Garden’s Lunaria Grant Program is accepting applications for horticulture projects that impact a community. Projects can highlight collaboration, conserve natural resources or reach a significant educational or public audience.
“The Idaho Botanical Garden wants to give folks from around the state a chance to get their hands dirty and cultivate a lifelong interest and appreciation for gardening,” said Idaho Botanical Garden Executive Director Julia Rundberg. “Whether it be for planting and labeling Idaho wildflowers at an elementary school or providing funds for an irrigation system at a homeless shelter for growing fresh, healthy vegetables, we want to make a difference for Idahoans.”
Application deadline is April 1. Nonprofit organizations, government agencies and schools are eligible to apply. To learn more and complete the grant application form, visit www.idahobotanicalgarden.org or call 208-343-8649.