Courtesy photo |
Help complete projects at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden
The public is invited to visit Indiegogo and be a part of making history at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden south of Ketchum, which has launched its first crowd-funding project, aimed at collecting $7,500. The funds are needed to finish construction on the Ellen Long Garden Pavilion, to be completed by June 21.
The pavilion is designed to be a unique, year-round event facility on the south lawn of the garden. Featuring a custom-made steel roof, it will have lighting, heating and a view of the garden and surrounding mountains. It will be used for garden events including Music in the Garden and other special occasions. It will also be available for rentals throughout the year.
The pavilion will be a memorial tribute from valley resident Ali Long in memory of her mother, Ellen Corning Long, who loved nature. Her work as a mother, botanist, biologist and teacher was marked by a fierce commitment to creativity and experiential learning.
The project is estimated to cost $175,000. Fundraisers already have $147,605 currently in-hand and a promised matching gift.
Donate at the $20 level for a garden membership and all of its benefits for one year; $25 donors will be recognized on a permanent decorative plaque in the garden; and, donors of $50 or more will receive an invitation to a private ribbon-cutting for the pavilion in June.
NAMI to host guest speaker
The National Alliance on Mental Illness’s local affiliate in the Wood River Valley is inviting people to an educational gathering on Friday, May 9. The event will include dinner at 5:30 p.m., and, beginning around 6 p.m., a lecture by guest speaker Dr. Tim J. Stoddard, of St. Luke’s Mental Health Services, on services available through St. Luke’s new mental-health clinic.
NAMI is asking that each attendee bring one of the following items: meat, main dish casserole, hot side dish or vegetable, salad (either green salad with dressing, potato salad, coleslaw or other vegetable-based salad), any other cold side dish, bread and butter, or some type of dessert. The gathering will be held in the Minnie Moore Room at the Community Campus in Hailey. There is a no-alcohol and no-smoking policy on the premises, including inside the campus, outside the campus and in the parking lot.
Please RSVP by noon on Wednesday, May 7, to Carla Young at namiwrv@gmail.com or call 309-1987.
See the works of Hemingway students
View the artistic and literary accomplishments of Hemingway Elementary School students in their 23rd annual spring showcase.
Artistic and literary works will be on display in the lobby of the Ketchum school on Thursday, May 1, from 5-7 p.m. Students will also share their writing personally.
The event is sponsored by the Hemingway Publishing House, a parent-staffed operation that publishes students’ stories.
Enjoy a free reading of the play ‘The Night Alive’ at nexStage
The nexStage Theatre in Ketchum is offering a reading of Conor McPherson’s new play “The Night Alive” as part of its ongoing series of top contemporary playwrights.
The reading will be held on Wednesday, May 7, at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free.
Complimentary wine and cookies will be served. The running time is approximately 75 minutes. The cast includes Keith Moore, Scott Creighton, Steve D’Smith, Charlotte Hemmings and Ben Flandro. The reading will be directed by Jon Kane.
McPherson is one of Ireland’s preeminent playwrights and is the author of “The Weir” and “The Seafarer.”
The story focuses on Tommy, a guy getting by. He rents a run-down room in his Uncle Maurice’s house, keeping his ex-wife and kids at arm’s length and rolling from one get-rich scheme to another with his pal Doc. An unexpected relationship opens up hope for something better.
Wild Gift taking applications from social entrepreneurs
The nonprofit group Wild Gift is seeking entrepreneurs between the ages of 21-35 committed to making a difference in the world.
“If you have a ground-breaking idea that can inspire positive social change and the passion to make it happen, Wild Gift can help you bring your vision to reality,” a news release states.
Wild Gift is a Wood River Valley-based nonprofit organization that helps emerging social entrepreneurs launch innovative ventures worldwide.
Informational meetings are scheduled for Monday, May 5, at 5 p.m. at the Coffee Grinder in Ketchum, and Tuesday, June 3, at 5 p.m. at the Ketchum Innovation Center.
Applications will be taken until July 15. Forms can be found at www.wildgift.org/apply. For more information, call Deborah Knapp at 471-5091 or write Deborah@wildgift.org.
Each year, Wild Gift selects a new class of young social innovators with their own transforming ideas. The 16-month fellowship provides mentoring, seed funding, networking and other related services to lift their ventures off the ground.
In addition, each fellow receives the “Wild Gift,” a wilderness immersion experience connecting them to the natural world, “where they unplug, incubate ideas, envision their work and lives, and gain the inspiration, perspective and balance critical to effective leadership,” the news release states.
Celebrating its 12th anniversary, Wild Gift has supported 43 leaders working in the areas of efficient energy, sustainable agriculture, education and more. Alumni are being acknowledged worldwide for their innovation and returning as mentors, board members and supporters.
Students help St. Luke’s young patients
Inspired by WOW Students, a local nonprofit group that encourages student generosity, third-graders from the Community School, the Wood River Middle School Junior National Honor Society and Sage School eighth- and ninth-graders have all made significant contributions to the health and well-being of young patients.
The St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation worked with the students to customize their donor experience.
The Wood River Middle School Junior National Honor Society held multiple fundraisers, a “gift investment” event, and a presentation to the St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation board of directors. The students donated 80 gift bags, 12 toys and a check for $1,100 that will be used to reinvigorate Carter’s Corner, a kid-friendly waiting room in the hospital.
To help Sage School students become better acquainted with the hospital, the students toured the Emergency Department and then performed surgery on a turkey. Their activities will culminate in a student generosity video, book sets for young patients, and a check presentation.
After their tour, the Community School students went shopping at the Toy Store in Ketchum to select toys that will help comfort young patients.
Help reunite and rebuild Rotarun
Rotarun Ski Area west of Hailey is inviting supporters and all small-ski-hill enthusiasts to an afternoon of maintenance and socializing with new and old board members and departing staff.
Starting at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, volunteers can help with rebuilding downed snow fences. Afterwards, the public can join incoming and outgoing board members for free hamburgers on the deck at 5:30 p.m.
Information about Rotarun programs and how to get involved with the organization will be available.
The Rotarun Ski Area, a nonprofit organization, recently elected officers: Jesse Foster—president, Wesley DeKlotz—past president, Craig Johnson—vice president, Donny McQuary—treasurer, and Mike Landes—secretary. Departing board members include Jack Hill and former Rotarun president Jeff Smith. The 2014 board of directors also includes Joan Davies, Troy Thayer and Lisa Horowitz.
Rotarun will also be expressing its appreciation to departing administrative assistant Eric Wesley.
Rotarun is located at 25 Rodeo Drive, via Croy Creek Road.
Idaho Gives to spotlight work of nonprofits
The Idaho Nonprofit Center has announced the second annual statewide charitable giving day, Idaho Gives, on Thursday, May 1. Forty Wood River Valley nonprofits are participating this year.
The event is designed to spotlight the important work that nonprofits do in the state of Idaho, and encourage people to donate to the nonprofits of their choice. Donations can be made directly on www.idahogives.razoo.com or by visiting a local donation station, set up to help donors with online transactions.
Stations will be set up at Shorty’s Diner in Hailey from
7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and at Starbucks in Ketchum from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
A hosted Happy Hour is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. in Ketchum Town Square, complete with drinks and music.
More than 30 Wood River Valley nonprofits will be on site at the expo to provide information and share experiences on how their services affect the community. With a donation of $10 or more, donors (21 and older) will be served by the folks at Cellar Pub a free pint of Sunnyside Spring Seasonal Ale, donated by Sawtooth Brewery.
People who make donations at either of the two donation stations will also receive fun treats. Shorty’s Diner in Hailey will offer a free drink to donors and Starbucks in Ketchum will offer sampler pastries.
Last year, Idaho Gives raised more than $575,000 for 541 nonprofit causes across Idaho.
“We are very excited that so many organizations returned for Idaho Gives this year, and that a huge number of new nonprofits have signed up to join in this great day for Idaho,” said Janice Fulkerson, executive director of the Idaho Nonprofit Center. “There’s a nonprofit cause for every passion. Donors will find organizations and causes from arts and culture to youth development and everything in between.”
For a list of participating nonprofits,
visit www.idahogives.razoo.com.
ERC Clean Sweep challenge issued
Team Starbucks challenges businesses to be a part of ERC’s Clean Sweep on Saturday, May 10. If a group is ready to go head-to-head with Team Starbucks, get a team of five or more of your co-workers (or friends) together.
On May 10 at 9 a.m., volunteers can come to one of the parks listed below and register a team, grab their trash bags and hit the streets to pick up litter. Keep track of the number of bags you fill and hang on to the weirdest item you find.
At 11:30 a.m., organizers will serve a free lunch and volunteers may just win a prize in team and individual categories (such as largest team, most bags of trash, weirdest item, best costumes, widest age span of the team.)
Ketchum and Sun Valley participants can register at Atkinson Park from 9-10 a.m.; lunch will be at the Sawtooth Club at 11:30 a.m. Hailey participants can register at Hop Porter Park and Bellevue at Memorial Park, both from 9-10 a.m.. Lunch for Hailey and Bellevue will be held at KB’s in Hailey at 11:30 a.m.
For more information, contact the ERC at 726-4333 or ercsv.org or Facebook.com/ERC Sun Valley.
