"Toro" by Jacob Novinger photo by Marybeth Flower
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 City of Ketchum
P.O. Box 2315
480 East Avenue N.
Ketchum, Idaho 83340
"The Original Mountain Town"
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July 3, 2014
A Message from Mayor Nina Jonas: Celebrating the Fourth
 Fourth of July weekend is here, the day we celebrate the American "can-do" attitude with parades, rodeos and sparklers. Yet the best part of the weekend is the barbecue and family time we have all come to assume with this national holiday. Food, food, food and drink!
With the beginning of summer come the first fruits, and my favorite for Fourth of July is the cherry. Aside from simply eating cherries and launching the pits as far as one can across the yard, I like to make a cherry cooler for the party. Here is the very simple recipe; it is refreshing and if made with a soda stream, the ingredients are 100% regional!!
Nina's Cherry Cooler
5 muddled cherries (no pits)
5 muddled mint leaves
2 teaspoons honey
soda water
Enjoy and have a fantastic weekend!
Nina |
 Ketchum Art
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Six Locals Selected for Inaugural Art in City Hall Program
Works by five photographers and one printmaker, all from the Wood River Valley, are now on display in the first "Art in City Hall" program.
Mayor Nina Jonas suggested the project shortly after her inauguration in January. "What better place to showcase the breadth and quality of our local arts scene than the otherwise spare walls of City Hall?" she said. "The work will remind us what a great community this is, and why we choose to commit ourselves to improving it."
The Ketchum Arts Commission oversaw this initiative as well as ongoing programs: sculptures for "Art on Fourth," now in its sixth year; "Cover Art" on utility boxes; "StreetArt" on manhole covers and placement of donated sculptures throughout the city.
Art in City Hall includes works by photographers Joe Bauwens, Marybeth Flower, Stephen Heidel, Bob Law and Gerry Morrison and printmaker Abby Grosvenor. Most of the pieces show scenes from the Wood River Valley, and will be on loan for a year.
Art on Fourth
 Art on Fourth features six sculptures lining the Fourth Street Heritage Corridor from Washington Avenue to Walnut Street. Brochures with more detailed information are available at the Visitor Center and Town Square kiosk. Three sculptures are by Twin Falls' Jacob Novinger, who works primarily in metal. "The Scroll" is at Washington and Fourth streets, "Flaming Giraffe" is in Town Square, and "Toro," a red bull, is on Fourth Street between East and Walnut avenues.
"Eagle IV," a bronze work on a basalt base by Gwynn Murrill of Los Angeles, is at Main and Fourth streets. "Lady," a steel sculpture by the Wood River Valley's late Rod Kagan, is in Town Square. "The River Dance," a bronze of two fish by Oregon's Tim Norman, is at East Avenue and Fourth Street.
Cover Art & StreetArt
 One more utility box has been wrapped with original artwork, bringing to 12 the total number of "Cover Art" boxes. The new box, located at Main Street and Sun Valley Road, stands adjacent to the box with an ore wagon image and features a mountain bike by a stream. Boise artist Patrick Kilby designed both to recognize the historic and contemporary modes of travel. Under the StreetArt program, selected manhole covers are decorated with historical themes. Donated Sculpture
"Complementaros," a Corten steel sculpture by Spanish artist Joan Barrantes, is in Edelweiss Park, which links the bike path to Third Avenue. The former Gallery DeNovo and Steven Denholtz, one of the gallery's clients, donated this piece to the city.
The City now owns seven artworks with a total estimated value of over $100,000.
It is the focus on the arts that led Americans for the Arts, the leading nonprofit committed to advancing the arts in America, to hold its 2014 Leadership Roundtable in Ketchum and Sun Valley last month. This was the first time that Americans for the Arts' roundtable program has partnered with a community of arts leaders rather than a single partner institution.
Photos by Marybeth Flower.
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Frick: 'Thought Ketchum Would Be Fantastic Place to Work'
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 Suzanne Frick, who will begin work as Ketchum's city administrator on Aug. 18, has been a regular visitor to the Wood River Valley for 12 years.
"I always thought Ketchum would be a fantastic place to live and work," said Frick, who is now assistant city manager in Long Beach, Calif.
"I love everything Ketchum has to offer," she said. "I like the hiking and biking and the recreational opportunities in all seasons. When I saw that Ketchum was looking for a city administrator, I did more research on the community.
"One of the things I love about the city is that everyone is engaged. There is a commitment to sustainability, alternative transportation and affordable housing, for example," she said. "There are also some challenges, such as improving the year-round business climate. I love working in the public sector because at the local level, you can really make a difference.
"I'm looking forward to joining the community," Frick continued. "I will have an open door policy where anyone can stop by and say hello, and I hope lots of people will do so."
Frick, who is single, has a standard poodle and two "rescue" cats.
One of 84 applicants for the position, she also has worked for the cities of Santa Monica and Anaheim, Calif., and for the National Park Service in Yellowstone National Park. She holds a B.A. from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and attended California State Polytechnic University Pomona, urban planning masters program.
"She has a comprehensive knowledge of municipal operations and budgeting and is community-oriented. She also supervised the Long Beach office of sustainability, which fits well with our goal of becoming a more sustainable community," Ketchum Mayor Nina Jonas said.
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Kassner Named as New Police Chief
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 Ketchum's new police chief is David R. Kassner, who has been with the Ketchum police department for 28 years.
Kassner, who most recently was a patrol sergeant, has taken management courses, as well as special training on pedestrian and bicycle safety issues. He created the mountain bike patrol program for the city and worked with the city and Blaine County to create a bike safety program for the Wood River Trail.
He also has completed a 21-week program on working with people with mental health issues with the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
"We all know Chief Kassner from his many years of service to the city, and his special understanding of our pedestrian and bicycles issues," Mayor Nina Jonas said. "We are pleased to have him as chief."
The city contracts with the Blaine County Sheriff's Office for police services. Kassner replaces Steve Harkins, who was appointed chief deputy in the sheriff's office in April.
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Avoid a $9,000 Fourth of July Celebration
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 It was not too long ago that a local resident set off a $9,000 bottle rocket near Ketchum. The pyrotechnic started a fire in dry sagebrush, and the resident was held responsible for the costs of extinguishing the fire.
Ketchum officials remind party-goers that aerial fireworks such as bottle rockets, mortars and Roman Candles are illegal in Blaine County, even though they are legally sold in parts of Idaho.
"Vegetation is so dry this year that we hope people will be particularly cautious," Ketchum Fire Chief Mike Elle said. "We've seen the effects of two major forest fires in the past decade. We are asking everyone to cooperate in preventing another one."
If a wildfire starts because of fireworks, the person responsible may be held liable for damages, he stressed.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, more than 32,000 fires occur each year because of mishandling of fireworks. Property damage averages more than $30 million annually, and hospital emergency rooms treat more than 10,000 people. A third of the injuries are to children under 14.
In Idaho alone, over the past five years, there were eight forest fires and more than 300 grass and brush fires caused by fireworks.
In addition, fireworks scare pets, with many getting lost after fleeing Fourth of July noise. For tips on taking care of pets, see the previous edition of the city of Ketchum's e-newsletter.
Any fireworks that go more than 20 feet in the air or travel more than 15 feet along the ground are illegal in Idaho. Sparklers, smoke bombs and "snakes" are legal, although the city urges people to take appropriate precautions to prevent fires. Details on the law in Ketchum are available here.
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Ketchum Gets Sidewalk Grants from State
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 Ketchum will receive state grants totaling more than $225,000 for sidewalk design and construction over the next three years, allowing it to fill in 17 sections of "missing" sidewalks.
The city next year will receive $53,024 from the Idaho Transportation Department for new sidewalks at the recently approved transit hub at East Avenue and Sun Valley Road. An additional $174,479 will be available from ITD in the following two years to install the missing links.
In the meantime, the city will fund minor sidewalk repairs out of its current budget. Work has been completed on East-West streets, and repairs on North-South streets are scheduled to be completed soon.
Winter climates with freeze-thaw cycles that cause expansion and cracking of concrete are particularly hard on sidewalks, according to Robyn L. Mattison, public works director and city engineer. "Unfortunately, the annual sidewalk repair budget does not allow for all the required repairs to be completed within one budget cycle," Mattison said. "The city is prioritizing sidewalk damage to determine which repairs are needed most."
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Fighting Noxious Weeds with Goats & Weevils
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 Goats and insects are the latest ways to combat knapweed and other noxious weeds in the Wood River Valley. Four hundred goats are munching weeds along the Wood River Trail this summer as part of Blaine County Recreation District's efforts to limit the use of herbicides.
The Wood River Trail is ideal for targeted grazing, according to Jim Keating, BCRD executive director. The goats are hungry every day, they prefer high protein species like knapweed over desirable plants like grasses and they don't mind long days in the sun. Their digestive tracts also break down more than 95 percent of the knapweed seeds they eat, preventing the seeds from this noxious weed from taking root.
"Using goats for weed management as an alternative to pesticides and herbicides is an example of our commitment to the sustainability and the health of our community," said Jim Keating, BCRD executive director.
The BCRD hired contractor Prescriptive Livestock Services, based in White Bird, Idaho, and Kennewick, Wash. Additional information on Prescriptive Livestock Services is available by contacting Ray Holes at (208) 740-9264 or [email protected].
Meanwhile, a 20-by-50-foot bug nursery, or insectary, for weevils is near the Sawtooth National Recreation Area headquarters north of town.
The goal is to raise weevils to combat the spread of knapweed, a noxious weed that is a particular problem in the Wood River Valley. The weevils lay eggs in knapweed, and the larvae feed on the plants, destroying the roots. Assuming the project is successful, the weevils will be free to the public next summer.
Ketchum's Environmental Resource Center worked with the SNRA and Ketchum Ranger District to construct the enclosure.
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Business News
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Want to know whether your business is doing better, worse or about the same as others in town? Check the monthly local option tax report for a snapshot of economic trends, and compare data to previous quarters or years. You can find the information on the city website. Updates to the city's Business page are underway and will be an evolving resource of information. In the meantime, click on the following links and find out what these organizations can do for you.
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Around Town
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New interpretive panels are on the walls at Ketchum's Ore Wagon Museum, which contains six, three-ton ore wagons used in the 1880s to haul ore from the mines to the Philadelphia smelter once located on Warm Springs Road. The display was funded by grants totaling approximately $11,000 from the city of Ketchum and the Ketchum Urban Renewal Agency.
Ketchum Joins Colorado Association of Ski Towns
The city of Ketchum has joined the Colorado Association of Ski Towns to gain increased access to data from other Western ski communities, Mayor Nina Jonas said. Benefits include quarterly reports on comparative sales tax receipts, ability to survey other communities on specific issues, discounted subscriptions to various newsletters, and assistance in identifying short-term rental owners and collecting appropriate taxes.
City Asked to Purchase Bigwood Golf Course
The city is evaluating whether to purchase the Bigwood Golf Course. Representatives of owners told the city last month that they are accepting offers for the nine-hole course. It will be several months before any decision can be made, Mayor Nina Jonas said.
Transportation Hub Approved
The City Council has approved plans for a transit hub at the intersection of Sun Valley Road and East Avenue, with Mountain Rides bus system planning construction in September and October. Funds for the $461,000 project will come from the federal government, the Ketchum Urban Renewal Agency, Mountain Rides and the city of Ketchum.
Road Work Weary? Join your friends and neighbors on the bus. Rides on the Valley Route are free on Fridays through July 18 and monthly passes are reduced by $10 for July and August. The Sun Valley Story Tour, with a guide pointing out historical landmarks as you ride a local bus through Ketchum, is Fridays through Aug. 29. Join the tour at the Visitor Center at 10:15 a.m.
It's Official: RV Parking Is Available
Ketchum will offer short-term street parking for recreational vehicles this summer in hopes of attracting visitors for lunch or shopping. Free parking will be available in the center lanes on First Avenue between River and First streets. "We see many RVs drive through Ketchum on their way to campsites north of town," Mayor Nina Jonas said. "We're hoping that some of them will stop for a few hours if there is a convenient place to park."
Transferable Employee Ski Passes on Sale
Transferable employee ski passes, with proceeds going to support air service to Sun Valley, are now on sale with discounts for passes purchased by Sept. 2. Sun Valley Resort donates the passes to the Fly Sun Valley Alliance.
Ride Sun Valley Ends Saturday
Ride Sun Valley continues this week, concluding with the USA Cycling Marathon Mountain Bike Championships on Saturday, July 5.
City Budget Discussions Start July 9
The City Council will begin working on the FY2014-15 budget on July 9. The discussions start at 1 p.m. at City Hall.
Ski Museum to Reopen
Ketchum Innovation Center Sponsors PR 101 Leigh Barer, founder/owner of Barer Communications and account manager for Plat4orm Public Relations, will give her top tips for start-up companies and entrepreneurs in "Public Relations 101 for Entrepreneurs" on Thursday, July 11, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The program at the Ketchum Innovation Center is free.
Visit Art Galleries July 11 The Sun Valley Gallery Association's next gallery walk will be Friday, July 11, from 5-8 p.m. Join your friends to meet artists, see the newest installations, sip wine and stroll through town on a summer evening.
Try Our QR Codes
The city of Ketchum is printing QR codes, rather than the full agendas of City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission meetings, in newspaper advertisements. A QR code, originally known as a quick response code, is a machine-readable label that contains information or links to a website. In this case, people can read the agenda by scanning the QR code with a smart phone application. "We are making the change for two reasons," Ketchum Mayor Nina Jonas said. "One is that more people are using smartphones and other mobile devices. It is more convenient for them to read the agenda on a phone. The other is budget. We anticipate that this change will save the city more than $10,000 a year." Agendas also will continue to be on the city website. QR codes for upcoming meetings also will be included in this e-newsletter.
Ketchum Arts Festival Opens July 13
The Ketchum Arts Festival returns to Festival Meadows on Sun Valley Road, with booths open July 11-13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Vote for Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn Farrington, the 2014 Olympic gold medalist in women's snowboard halfpipe, has been nominated for an ESPY Award for "Best Female U.S. Olympian." Winners will be announced at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 16 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. Click here to cast your vote.
Call for Entries for Wagon Days Posters Submissions for artwork for the 2014 Wagon Days poster should be submitted by July 21. Previous posters for the annual Labor Day event have featured photographs, pastels, watercolors and oil paintings. For additional information, contact [email protected] or call 720-4535.
Town Hall on Electricity Set for July 22 The Ketchum Energy Advisory Committee will hold a "Town Hall" meeting on Tuesday, July 22 from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. The goal is to discuss ways to ensure the future availability of electricity. Topics include whether Ketchum needs a second power transmission line serving the Wood River Valley and the potential power available from local energy sources.
Enjoy Music & Picnics Three Nights a Week You can enjoy live music and a picnic with friends three nights a week. "Town Squares Tunes" are Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. in Town Square, East Avenue between Fourth Street and Sun Valley Road; "Ketch'em Alive" is Tuesdays from 7-9 p.m. in Forest Service Park, 131 E. River St., and Jazz in the Park is at Rotary Park, Warm Springs and Saddle roads, on Sundays from 6-8 p.m. Chip-Sealing to Start July 28
Chip-sealing of streets will be in residential areas of West Ketchum July 28-30 this year. Click here for a detailed schedule. There will be no downtown chip-sealing this year. Business After HoursThe next Ketchum/Sun Valley BAH will be held on Wednesday, July 30, from 5-6 p.m. at the UPS Store patio, 220 East Ave., and is a collaborative event of the businesses in the building. A donation of $5 per person is suggested. A $1,500 advertising package from Neuhoff Communications will be the prize in a free raffle. It covers production and airing of a 30-second commercial on KSVT-Fox 14 television. For more information, contact Gary Hoffman at [email protected] or 725-5522.
KDPI Radio - "For A Cause"
Tune in to KDPI 89.3 FM to hear from Mayor Nina Jonas. The half-hour program is held on Tuesdays following Council meetings from noon to 12:30 p.m. Next week's show will be on Tuesday, July 8 at noon. Listen live at 89.3 or visit www.kdpifm.org.
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Meeting Information
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City Council
 Attend the next City Council meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 7. City Council meetings are held on the first and third Mondays of each month in Ketchum City Hall. Click here to see the agenda and staff reports or scan the QR code.
Planning and Zoning Commission
Planning and Zoning Commission meetings are held on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. The next P&Z meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 14 in Ketchum City Hall. Click here for agendas and staff reports or scan the QR code.
Public Comment
If you cannot attend the Council or P&Z meetings and have an opinion, please submit your comments via email to [email protected]. Your input and engagement is encouraged. All comments will be reviewed by the Mayor and Council.
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Fireworks: Know the definitions, the law and your responsibility.
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