Mid Valley Ketchum

It's springtime in the Wood River Valley -- the grass is greening up, the flowers are blooming, hikers, runners and mountain bikers are out on the trails getting exercise, and domestic sheep are beginning their annual migration into the high country.

The first bands of sheep are expected to move into the Croy Canyon area near Hailey on May 20th, and the Bullion drainage May 25, and more sheep will be moving into the Sawtooth National Forest and Sawtooth National Recreation Area by mid-June, officials said. All told, approximately 14,000 domestic sheep will be moving through the valley and side draws where hikers, bikers, joggers, dog-walkers and horseback riders go for recreation.

Sheep ranchers and officials with the Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission (IRRC), U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management want to remind recreationists to keep their dogs on leash when they encounter domestic sheep. And mountain bikers should dismount and walk through sheep herds to avoid antagonizing Great Pyrenees guard dogs.

"If you get off your bike and talk to the dogs, they'll leave you alone," says Carey rancher John Peavey. "But don't try to outrun them on your bike. They'll probably try to chase you."

"Guard dogs think mountain bikes are a critter, and they're trained to protect the sheep," adds Bill Whitaker, range conservationist for the Ketchum Ranger District. "It's important to identify yourself to a dog that you're human."

It helps to talk to the dogs and let them know everything is OK and that you are not a threat to the sheep, Whitaker and Peavey said.

Recreationists can find out where sheep are grazing in the Wood River Valley before they hit the trails by checking on the Blaine County Recreation District summer trails web site. The site shows sheep icons with specific dates for when the sheep are grazing next to particular trails in certain drainages.

"The idea here is for people to see in advance what they're going to see out there on the trails," said Greg Martin, Wood River Valley trails coordinator. "If they want to see sheep, here's where you can find them. Or, if they don't want to go through a band of sheep, then perhaps you pick a different trail for that day."

Adds John Kurtz of the BLM, "The great thing about the Wood River Valley is there's so many trails and so many opportunities, and the sheep are in areas for such a small amount of time, in one drainage or another, so you sit at home and check out the web site, find out where the sheep are, and you can avoid them altogether."     

The IRRC has worked together with public agencies like the Forest Service, BLM and recreation groups to develop a program called "Care and Share," which encourages people to care for public lands and share them respectfully with others. IRRC produced a YouTube video with tips for recreationists about the Care/Share program. Please share the video link. 

When the sheep are moving through heavily used recreation areas, Forest Service and BLM officials put up Care/Share signs at trailheads, indicating the time period when the sheep will be grazing in the area and reminding recreationists about leashing dogs and walking bikes.

The Sawtooth National Forest provides a trail report update in the summer on its web site so forest users can find out where they are likely to encounter domestic sheep herds.

If recreationists want to avoid running into sheep, Whitaker said recreation trails in Adams Gulch near Ketchum are normally a good place to go because the animals don't stay in there for long, usually just a day or two.

At the end of the summer, the sheep travel back to the low country through Main Street Ketchum for the popular Trailing of the Sheep Festival, held in early October.

Some other helpful reminders:

• Be sure to close gates after you pass through.
• If you see horses or mules coming up the trail, pull off to the side of the trail and let the pack stock travel through. Horses and mules can spook easily when confronted by strangers. Peruvian herders travel by mule and horseback with the sheep as they travel into the high country.  

For more information, contact Steve Stuebner, media inquiries, 208-484-0295, John Kurtz, BLM, 208-732-7296, Bill Whitaker, Ketchum Ranger District, 622-5371 or Greg Martin, BCRD, 208-720-3442. 

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Every gardener will tell you that there is nothing better than home grown tomatoes. From flavor to texture, the best place to find the tastiest tomato is in the garden. Many people in the Wood River Valley find tomatoes the most challenging item to grow due to our cold climate and short season. Key to a successful crop: start your plants early. To ensure you get plenty of gorgeous, ripe tomatoes, join the Sawtooth Botanical Garden’s upcoming class on the secrets of producing Wood River Valley tomatoes in your home garden from seeds and starts to harvest.

On Tuesday, March 6, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., tomato aficionado Paddy McIlvoy will be sharing tips from his extensive experience growing tomatoes in his Old Hailey garden as part of the Sawtooth Botanical Garden’s Vegetable Gardening Series.  Last year, McIlvoy grew over forty varieties of tomatoes suited to the Wood River Valley and has plans to expand to over eighty varieties this year. He will share what he has learned about seed varieties, starting your plants, soil temperature, transplanting, fertilizing your plants, and generally cheating Old Man Frost. Class participants will leave the class ready to employ tested techniques to grow luscious tomatoes for fresh salads, canning or whatever else is on the menu.

For more information or to register for the Vegetable Gardening Series or Tomatoes in the Wood River Valley, please call 726-9358.  The class is $20 for drop-ins or there is a special price for the entire series.  Tomatoes in the Wood River Valley will be held at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden, which is located at 11 Gimlet Road.

The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is a community resource showcasing native and cultivated plants that flourish at high altitude. The Garden connects people to the region's unique beauty and fosters environmental stewardship through education, events, displays and plant collections.

Don your favorite party disguise on February 24^th for a local celebration of Mardi Gras and dance the night away at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden. 

Join the Sawtooth Botanical Garden for their second Mardi Gras party on Friday, February 24, from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m.  Laissez les bons temps rouler (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 clean up, 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 Sawtooth Botanical Garden at 726-9358.  The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is located at 11 Gimlet Road.

The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is a community resource showcasing native and cultivated plants that flourish at high altitude. The Garden connects people to the region's unique beauty and fosters environmental stewardship through education, events, displays and plant collections.

Breast cancer survivor, pathologist and author to share her experience at Expedition Inspiration Fund's annual event on Saturday, Feb. 11.

 The Expedition Inspiration Fund for Breast Cancer research will welcome board member Kimberly Allison, MD, as guest speaker at their Seventh Annual Twilight Snowshoe, Dinner and Auction at the Valley Club on Feb. 11 at 5:00 p.m. Proceeds from the event support the 2012 Expedition Inspiration 16

Allison will offer insight to the breast cancer epidemic and the urgent need to find a cure as a breast cancer survivor. Allison is also director of breast cancer pathology at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle. Following her breast cancer treatment, Allison wrote “Red Sunshine” about her journey from physician to patient.

“As a breast cancer survivor, I know first-hand how terrifying a cancer diagnosis is and how challenging treatment can be. As a physician who specializes in breast cancer diagnosis, I also know that funding research is the key to developing future life saving and more personalized therapies.  Expedition Inspiration understands this. By funding breast cancer research and hosting a major conference with leading experts in the field, this relatively small organization has helped move the field forward in impressively large ways.”

The event will also feature an outdoor snowshoe and bubble bar, dinner and silent auction, live auction with Larry Flynn, and music entertainment from jazz vocalist Susan Fowler.

Live auction items include a 2012-2013 season ski pass from Sun Valley Company, two nights for two people at the Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch, four nights for four at Glacier National Park, trap shooting with All-American “shooting couple” Gary and Mari McStay and more.

Please call the office for individual tickets, $95, at 208-726-6456. 50/50 raffle tickets are also available online and will be sold at the event. Raffle tickets are $10 each or $100 for 12. The winner does not need to be present at the event.

To learn more about the Twilight Snowshoe and the Expedition Inspiration Fund, visit http://www.expeditioninspiration.org, “Like” the Expedition Inspiration Fund for Breast Cancer Research page on Facebook, and follow @EI_SunValley on Twitter.

The purpose of the Expedition Inspiration Fund is to sponsor an annual symposium to involve researchers in the free exchange of ideas to identify "breakthrough" projects and to accelerate the development of new, effective treatments for breast cancer. The Expedition Inspiration Fund also sponsors and organizes challenging physical activities for the purpose of raising funds for medical research and public education. Since its inception in 1993, Expedition Inspiration has been instrumental in calling attention to the breast cancer epidemic and the urgent need to find a cure.

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Proceeds from the event support the 2012 Expedition Inspiration 16^th Annual Laura Evans Memorial Breast Cancer Symposium entitled “The Metastatic Process and Novel Opportunities for  Breast Cancer Therapy."

Expedition Inspiration Fund for Breast Cancer Research will host its Seventh Annual Twilight Snowshoe event at the Valley Club Feb. 11 at 5:00 p.m. The event will feature with an outdoor snowshoe and bubble bar, dinner and silent auction, live auction with Larry Flynn, music entertainment from jazz vocalist Susan Fowler and guest speaker Kimberly Allison, MD.

“The Twilight Snowshoe is a great way to get outdoors and promote a healthy lifestyle while also celebrating EI’s purpose to raise funds for research and education,” said Juli Watson, board member and director of the event.

Live auction items include a 2012-2013 season ski pass from Sun Valley Company, two nights for two at the Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch, four nights for four at Glacier National Park, trap shooting with All-American “shooting couple” Gary and Mari McStay and more.

A  "paddle up for cash" will follow the live auction to raise money for Young Investigator Awards.  These grants go to young scientists who have a harder time receiving funding for their research.

"Last year, we raised $15,000 for Young Investigator Awards and $75,000 in total," said Executive Director Katie Powell. "We hope to do that or a little better this year."

Individual tickets are $95 per person or $950 per table and are available online at the Expedition Inspiration Fund’s website, http://www.expeditioninspiration.org. You can also call the office at 208-726-6456 or mail ticket payment to P.O. Box 4289, Ketchum, ID 83340.

Powell said those wishing to attend should register "sooner than later, because we have sold out the last three years."

 50/50 raffle tickets are also available online and will be sold at the event. Raffle tickets are $10 each or $100 for 12. The winner does not need to be present at the event.

To learn more about the Twilight Snowshoe and the Expedition Inspiration Fund, visit http://www.expeditioninspiration.org, “Like” the Expedition Inspiration Fund for Breast Cancer Research page on Facebook, and follow @EI_SunValley on Twitter.

The purpose of the Expedition Inspiration Fund is to sponsor an annual symposium to involve researchers in the free exchange of ideas to identify "breakthrough" projects and to accelerate the development of new, effective treatments for breast cancer. The Expedition Inspiration Fund also sponsors and organizes challenging physical activities for the purpose of raising funds for medical research and public education. Since its inception in 1993, Expedition Inspiration has been instrumental in calling attention to the breast cancer epidemic and the urgent need to find a cure.

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Join chocolate enthusiast Joanna Carnes at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden on Thursday, February 2, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., for Something Sweet for your Valentine, a class on making decadent chocolates.  Ms. Carnes will guide participants through the how-to’s of creating truffles for the February 14 holiday.  Joanna is a graduate from the Grand Rapids Community College School of Culinary Arts and has worked as a pastry chef for Amway Corporation and throughout the valley.    

This delicious and informal evening is a great excuse for a night out with a friend during a cold winter evening.  The Garden keeps the class size small so all participants can try their hands at turning out a truffle to be proud of. All participants will, of course, be able to sample the results at the class.  

This class is $25 for members and $35 for non-members.  For more information or to register for the class, please call the Sawtooth Botanical Garden at 726-9358.  The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is located at Highway 75 and Gimlet Road.  

The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is a community resource showcasing native and cultivated plants that flourish at high altitude. The Garden connects people to the region's unique beauty and fosters environmental stewardship through education, events, displays and plant collections.

Many of our local feathered friends enjoy a little help in the coldest winter months, which provides great opportunities for backyard birdwatching. The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is offering two classes designed to attract and feed birds in your backyard, making it easy to enjoy and identify birds as they are visiting.

Join the Sawtooth Botanical Garden on Thursday, January 26, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., for a class on Winter Birds and Planting Your Own Bird Garden. Garden Designer Cindy Hamlin and birder Poo Wright-Pulliam are teaming up to teach about winter birds in the Wood River Valley and what to plant to attract these birds to your garden.  This class is $15 for members and $25 for non-members.

The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is also holding a Winter Bird Workshop for kids on Saturday, January 28, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.  This class, for children ages four to ten, will have several stations set up for children and their families to create bird houses and feeders for our feathered friends.  Materials are included; just come prepared to create!  This class is $10 per child for members and $15 for non-members.

For more information or to register for these classes, please call the Sawtooth Botanical Garden at 726-9358.  The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is located at Highway 75 and Gimlet Road. 

The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is a community resource showcasing native and cultivated plants that flourish at high altitude. The Garden connects people to the region's unique beauty and fosters environmental stewardship through education, events, displays and plant collections.

There is snow on the ground, but the most serious gardeners know there is no better time  to start thinking about a successful backyard vegetable patch than the dead of winter.  Beginning January 24, the Sawtooth Botanical Garden and the Sustainability Center  are partnering to offer a Vegetable Gardening Series that will help you plan a productive garden, purchase the best seeds, and ensure a quality harvest.

With classes running through May, the Vegetable Gardening Series will offer eight classes specifically designed to prepare gardeners for the short growing season in the Wood River Valley.  Classes will include subjects such as seed starting, transplanting, season extension, growing in small spaces, and techniques to select and grow luscious, ripe tomatoes.  Taught by local gardeners with specific experience in our unpredictable mountain climate the classes will be held on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 5:30 p.m., at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden and the Sustainability Center.

The Vegetable Gardening Series costs $135 for members and $150 for non-members.  Drop-in classes are $20 each.  There is an additional materials fee for the seed starting days and Guide to Rocky Mountain Vegetable Gardening, by Robert Gough, is required reading for the class. 

For more information about the Vegetable Gardening Series, a complete class schedule, or to register for the series, please call the Sawtooth Botanical Garden at 726-9358.  The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is located at Highway 75 and Gimlet Road.  The Sustainability Center is located at 308 South River Street in Hailey.

The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is a community resource showcasing native and cultivated plants that flourish at high altitude. The Garden connects people to the region's unique beauty and fosters environmental stewardship through education, events, displays and plant collections.

Though it is the middle of winter, the Sawtooth Botanical Garden is blooming.  On Tuesday, January 17, the Sawtooth Botanical Garden will be hosting a class on orchids to ensure you have gorgeous, showy blooms at home.  From 5:30 to 7:30, the class will help answer all of your questions about growing and maintaining orchids.

The workshop will be led by Alan Porter, locally known as the “Orchid Doctor.”  Alan has been growing orchids for the past 35 years after choosing orchids as a 4-H project.  Alan taught a seminar about orchids at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden fifteen years ago and caught the attention of Webb Nursery where he earned the name “The Orchid Doctor.”  Since then, Alan travels once a month to the Ketchum Webb Garden Store to give advice to orchid enthusiasts throughout the winter.  The Garden is excited to welcome back Alan after fifteen years and learn from his experience and enthusiasm about the exquisite world of orchids!

We welcome participants to bring their own orchids to the garden for specific questions for Mr. Porter. 

Orchids, the largest flowering plant family, have been treasured by many cultures in society as far back as Confucius.  There are approximately 30,000 identified wild orchids species and more than 100,000 hybrids reported to date with new discoveries made each year. They range in size from plants an inch high with tiny flowers to vines reaching up to 50 feet long with flowers reaching a foot wide.  There are orchids that are semi-aquatic, with blossoms above the water surface and other species grow completely underground.  They grow in habitats from tropical rain forests to alpine meadows, from bogs to semi-desert areas and from sea level to 14,000 feet in elevation.  Many species of orchids including lady slippers, coral roots, and the phantom orchid are native to Idaho.  

The class is $10 for members and $15 for non-members.  For more information or to register for the class, please call 726-9358.  The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is located at Highway 75 and Gimlet Road. 

The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is a community resource showcasing native and cultivated plants that flourish at high altitude. The Garden connects people to the region's unique beauty and fosters environmental stewardship through education, events, displays and plant collections.

Scarecrow Showdown 2011

What: Scarecrow Showdown

Location: Sawtooth Botanical Garden (Highway 75 & Gimlet Road, Ketchum, ID. 83340)

Entry Deadline: October 24

End of Competition: November 21 

Cost: Free

Come one, come all and join the garden as we celebrate fall!  Enter to win fabulous prizes!!!  Do you have a creative idea for a scarecrow?  Then construct and submit an original scarecrow to the garden where it will be put on display through the end of November.  Visitors will decide who wins the contest as they stroll through the garden. Votes will be tallied November 21 and prizes will be awarded to the winning business and public scarecrow categories.  To enter complete a registration form and bring your scarecrow to the garden by October 24 @ 5pm.  Registration Forms can be downloaded at http://www.sbgarden.org/children.html.  For more information call the garden at (208) 726-9358. 

The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is a community resource showcasing native and cultivated plants that flourish at high altitude. The Garden connects people to the region's unique beauty and fosters environmental stewardship through education, events, displays and plant collections.

Join the Sawtooth Botanical Garden’s Board of Directors at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 30, for their spring clean-up party.  Now that the snow has melted, it’s time to get the Garden in great shape for summer.

Bring a pair of gloves and the Garden will have the rest.  The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is located at 11 Gimlet Road.  For more information about the spring clean-up party or to volunteer for the 9

The Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley has purchased 17 acres from the federal Bureau of Land Management in Volberg Gulch, directly west of the current shelter location on Croy Canyon Road. 

After 29 years of operation in the current building, the shelter is overdue for additional space and improved facilities, said Jan Main, president of the board of directors.  County zoning regulations prohibit expansion at the current location because of its proximity to hillsides.  Without expanding and upgrading the building, the non-profit organization, the first “no-kill shelter” in Idaho, could be forced to decrease its level of service to the community, Main said.

The shelter began negotiations to purchase the Volberg Gulch land three years ago.  Now that the purchase is complete, the board will begin to consider the possibilities and timeline for a new facility.

Executive Director Jo-Anne Dixon said, “We’re incredibly excited to start planning for a new facility.  Our goal will be to create a healthy and efficient building for the temporary care and housing of animals, a state-of-the-art medical facility for our spay/neuter clinics and medical services, comfortable visiting rooms for families to get acquainted with potential new pets, and more.”

Dixon cautions that a feasibility study and thorough planning process will need to be completed before any concrete plans are presented to the community.  However, she welcomes input on what an ideal shelter would look like for the Wood River Valley.  Suggestions may be sent to Development & Communications Director Brooke Bonner at brooke@animalshelterwrv.org.

About Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley

The Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley, the first “no kill” shelter in Idaho, promotes companion animal welfare by providing temporary shelter for homeless animals, adopting them to qualified homes and reducing animal abuse, neglect and overpopulation through community education and spay/neuter services. More than 90 percent of its funding comes from private donations.

In 2010 more than 1500 animals received services from the shelter. This includes 388 animals that were adopted, 257 lost animals that were reunited with their owners, 247 shelter animals that were spayed/neutered, and 363 privately owned animals that were spayed or neutered at no cost to their owners, and over 6000 pounds of food distributed through our Paws for Hunger partnership with The Hunger Coalition. On an average day, the shelter cares for 35 dogs and 31 cats.

Additional information is available by calling 208-788-4351 on the Internet at www.animalshelterwrv.org.

The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is already gearing up for spring—they can’t believe it either, but the snow will melt before you know it.  Their Go Native Spring Gardening Series is beginning with the basics.  Join the Garden on Tuesday, February 8, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., for Planning your Native Landscape with Kelly Weston of Native Landscapes.

The Garden is asked so many questions about native gardening that they thought it would be easier to let the valley’s premiere expert, Kelly Weston, answer your questions.  Weston owns Native Landscapes and has been gardening in this unique climate for years.  He will guide you through the basics on how to make your dream of native landscaping a reality.  Now is the time to start planning before the snow melts away and you start scrambling to get plants into the ground. 

The class is $10 for members and $15 for non-members.  To find out for information or to register for the class, please contact the Sawtooth Botanical Garden at 726-9358.

The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is a community resource showcasing native and cultivated plants that flourish at high altitude. The Garden connects people to the region's unique beauty and fosters environmental stewardship through education, events, displays and plant collections.

The Sawtooth Botanical Garden invites you to join them for an Edible Bird House Class.  On Thursday, January 27, at 5:30 p.m., Colleen Pace, owner of For the Birds!, will be teaching a class on edible bird house design.

Bring home a gorgeous birdhouse for your feathered friends to enjoy! You will not only improve bird sightings in your backyard but will also have fun making a unique piece of garden art.  This class is open to adults and families. Colleen is generously donating a percentage of the proceeds to the Sawtooth Botanical Garden.

This class is limited to twenty participants, so please sign up early.  The class is $30, which includes materials.  Please call 726-9358 for more information or to register for the class.

The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is a community resource showcasing native and cultivated plants that flourish at high altitude. The Garden connects people to the region's unique beauty and fosters environmental stewardship through education, events, displays and plant collections.

Join Sandra Willingham, Floral Designer at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden on Monday, January 17^th for a fun filled evening of floral design.  Participants will learn about design and composition while creating an arrangement to take home.  This is a great class to learn the secrets behind floral design.  It is also a great way to lift your spirits during our dark winter evenings! This class is limited to 15 participants, so register early! Call 726-9358 to register and for more information. $30M/$40NM (Includes the cost of Materials)

The Sawtooth Botanical Garden has decided to allow contestants to enter scarecrows until Halloween (Sunday, October 31). All you have to do is gather with friends and family, pull out some creativity, old clothes and hay, submit your scarecrow and registration form to SBG and wait to become a winner of spectacular prizes! Scarecrows have been friends to farmers and gardeners alike for thousands of years. Be a part of this great tradition by submitting your scarecrow today. For more information or to download a registration form, go to http://www.sbgarden.org/children.html or call Teresa at (208) 726-9358.

Prizes have been donated by Zynergy, Zou 75, NexStage Theatre, Sego, BCRD, Big Wood Cinema, Gary Wilson of Infininaut, and Business as Usual.

October 4, 2010 – Ketchum, Idaho—Next week the Sawtooth Botanical Garden’s Scarecrow Showdown begins, so hurry and start stuffing that hay. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the season, have fun, and get creative with friends and family.

Make your scarecrow and submit it to the Garden with a registration form by Tuesday, October 12, at 5:00 p.m.,and we’ll do the rest. Visitors of the Garden will vote for their favorite scarecrows and prizes will be awarded for winning entries.  For more information or to download a registration form, go to http://www.sbgarden.org/children.html or call Teresa at (208) 726-9358.

Prizes have been donated by Zynergy, Zou 75, NexStage Theatre, Sego, BCRD, Big Wood Cinema, Gary Wilson of Infininaut, and Business as Usual.

The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is a community resource showcasing native and cultivated plants that flourish at high altitude. The Garden connects people to the region's unique beauty and fosters environmental stewardship through education, events, displays and plant collections.

Saturday, October 23rd @ 6pm

Celebrate the Harvest in style while supporting the Sawtooth Botanical Garden! Savor a full course meal catered by Randi and Mike Diem in the Greenhouse while enjoying the stars, full moon and pleasant company.  While enjoying the delicious food, Chef Diem will share the secrets of each course.  The evening wines will be introduced by wine enthusiast, Al McCord .
 Bring a friend and come savor Chef Diems sumptuous autumn cuisine!   
 
Hors d'oeuvres
Stuffed Mushrooms, Mini Rock Shrimp & Crab Cakes drizzled with a Chipotle lime sour cream sauce and Anti-pasti & Crudités
 
Soup
Butternut Squash 

 
Entree
Chicken breast stuffed with goat cheese & herbs, served with a wild mushroom sauce. Served with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables.
* Vegetarian option available upon advanced request.
 
Dessert

Poach Pear Tart with Crème Anglaise
 
Wines selected to accompany fare.

For reservations call 208.726.9358

 $75/Plate

The Hip Replacement, a new musical group focusing on an eclectic mix of Baby Boomer favorites, made its Sun Valley debut at a private party in the East Fork neighborhood this weekend.

 The reaction at the event, planned to precede the sold-out Sun Valley Summer Symphony performance of Garth Brooks, was enthusiastic.  “I had heard about the group for months, and the performance even exceeded my expectations,” said Linda Edwards, attorney from the entertainment center of Los Angeles.

 “It was the sort of performance that most visitors to the area rarely have the opportunity to hear,” said Marilyn Nesbit, who represents a high-end vacation rental agency.

 Longtime resident Cunnie McGowan agreed. “I haven’t danced so much in years,” she said. 

Lead musician Jerry Drake described the group as “exploring a variety of styles and traditional vocal music based on folk, ballads, rock standards, blues and anything we all like to play.” Other group members are Jay Noyes, Roger Foreman, Stu Schwartz, and vocalist Sue Kwapich, who was recruited for the group after other members heard her perform at a holiday party.

 The group’s second CD, Live at East Fork, will be released in late summer. Additional Sun Valley appearances are scheduled for next year. 

Please let us know if you see or find our border collie/aussie mix, Sneaker.  He's a bit shy but very sweet.  Lost late afternoon on Thursday in Gimlet.  Call 481-0434 with any information.  Thank you!

Plum TV caught this interaction between a wolf and 3 malamutes in Greenhorn not far from Sun Valley and Ketchum a year ago at this same time last year.

Read the full story here.

Join the Sawtooth Botanical Garden and Maryann Chubb Thursday, March 18th @ 5:15pm for an informative talk, Behind the Prayer Wheel. Munch on some apetizers and learn more about our community resource and the significance of Prayer Wheels. This lecture is free to the public .

Maryann Chubb will be explaining the significance and history behind prayer wheels in eastern culture. A fantastic opportunity to learn more about the cultural gem we are so honored to host in the Wood River Valley.

During a private ceremony on September 13, 2005, the Dalai Lama consecrated and blessed the Tibetan Prayer Wheel at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden. The 400 pound, hand carved Prayer Wheel was crafted by Buddhist monks in Dharamsala, India and is one of only two prayer wheels in North America blessed by His Holiness. The gift of the Prayer Wheel was accompanied by a larger message of healing in the wake of the September 11, 2001 tragedies. It serves as a reminder for community members and visitors alike to promote global peace and harmony through their daily actions. The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is honored to be chosen as the site for the Prayer Wheel and to have the opportunity to create a very special place for people of all faiths to come, reflect and find peace. Prior registration suggested and walk-ins welcome. To register, call 726-9358

Participation in the training is free of charge, and 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, alcoholism, codependency, depression, child abuse and neglect, mental illness, sexual assault, suicide and more. 

The training sessions will be given by professional health care specialists.  Those involved in the training will also find out about the many organizations within our community that offer services and support such as The Advocates, St. Luke’s Center for Community Health, NAMI, Hospice, Public Health, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, and many more. 

The training runs from March 2nd to March 30th every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, at the Light On The Mountains Spiritual Center,  12446 State Highway 75, just north of Gimlet Road.

Please call the business office of the Crisis Hotline 788-0735 to sign up for the training.

What: Fundamentals of Color Art Class

Location: Sawtooth Botanical Garden (11 Gimlet Road, Ketchum, ID. 83340)

Date: Friday, March 12^th, 2010

Time:  2:00-4:00 P.M.

Cost: Member $5, Non-member $7

Ages: Kids 7+

Contact: To register or for more information, call Teresa at (208) 726-9358

More Information: Spring Break is right around the corner! Have Blago, a gifted contemporary artist from Blagojce Fine Art Gallery, help your kids get their break started in a great way at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden. There is an early release for public schools on Friday, March 12^th, so come to the Garden to have an awesome time learning basic painting concepts in our beautiful greenhouse. The last class Blago taught was a hit, so you don’t want to miss out this time. Sign up today to join in on the fun!