Browse: February 2008

G'day mate. A group of Australian gentleman give Lauren Uhlmann an entertaining description of their ski outfits at the base of River Run.

Plum celebrates ski and clothing designer as well as long-time Ketchum local Bobbie Burns for his contributions to the community.

Sun Valley Nordic instructor, Steve Haims, offers Nordic skiers a valuable tip on the correct way to stand on one's skis.

Plum went up to Galena to check out snowshoeing with Ranger Susan Kranz. We explored the wilderness and learned about the history of Galena.

Years before Sandra Hofferber became The Community Library’s Regional History Librarian, she was studying to become an actor under William Esper at Rutgers University. As her old black and white headshot shows, Hofferber was a bonafide babe. Yet her acting temperament did not match her looks; directors wanted her to be “a sweet-Polly-pure-bread, running around in [her] underwear on stage.” She was better playing what theater gurus call “the bitch.”

After time, she and her husband, Michael, decided New York City was not for them and the two headed west. They first relocated to Seattle, but were soon suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and moved to Prineville, Oregon, where Hofferber says they eventually “suffered from lack of cultural affective disorder.” Their solution: Sun Valley.

Michael Hofferber had been trying to drag the couple to Sun Valley for years. “For Michael who grew up in Boise, Sun Valley was like ‘Never Never Land.’” But Sandra always said no. “I thought it would be too cold.”

In Sun Valley, Michael took a job with the Wood River Journal while Sandra worked odd jobs around town until an opening for a Regional History Librarian came up. She applied and then waited, and waited, and waited. “I think they must have thought, ‘what is an actress going to do at a library?’ But with my MFA in acting, one of the things I studied was history and period histories, and I really liked it,” She says.

Six weeks later, in 1990, Hofferber landed the job. She worked at the Library for half a decade before relocating to Baker City, Oregon in order to spend more time raising her son. “Baker City was a beautiful place. Yet we just found ourselves being really homesick for Sun Valley.” So in 2007, they returned, remarking that “there is just something about driving over the top of Timberman Hill and seeing the valley laid out in front of you that just feels like home.” Last year, the Hofferbers returned and sure enough there was an opening at the Library when Chris Milspaugh, the former Regional History Librarian, retired.

Her two stints as Regional History Librarian have made Hofferber an absolute treasure chest of Idaho history. She knows fun facts about shady banking practices used to bankrupt farmers in the Midwest so they would move out West, and that most people on the Oregon Trail had moved before, meaning they either always thought the grass was greener or they had lost many farms already. Hofferber has grown to love the region and its history because it is so varied. “It really is a melting pot state. People came from all over, from different walks of life, different backgrounds, and different religions.”

And as for Sun Valley, she really doesn’t mind the cold. In fact, she doesn’t seem to notice it - - perhaps because she is too busy. “What I love about Sun Valley is that there is something to do anytime. If you are bored, well then, it is probably your own fault.”

To meet Sandra Hofferber and to learn more about Idaho’s history, visit the Community Library’s Regional History Department. There you will not only find Hofferber, but also over 500 oral histories, fantastic photographs of past avalanches, mining towns and Hollywood stars and much more.

We have the winners!

Picking a place to stay in Sun Valley just got easier. The results are in and you've decided who has the best service and the best amenities. Back to Main.

Affordable:

Winner: Best Western Kentwood Lodge

Runner Up: Wood River Inn

 

Ammenities:

Winner: Sun Valley Lodge

Runner Up: Knob Hill Inn

 

Room Service:

Winner: Knob Hill Inn

Runner Up: Sun Valley Lodge

 

We have the winners!

Want to know who is the Valley's favorite plumber, cleaning service and best architect? It's all right here. Back to Main.

Architect:

Winner: Riscutto/Latham/Blanton

Runner Up: Susan Desko

 

Cleaning Service:

Winner: Sun Valley Cleaning Service

Runner Up: Cross Valley Cleaners

 

Construction:

Winner: Engelmann

Runner Up: Grabher Construction

 

Electric:

Winner: Jones Electric

Runner Up: Silver Creek Electric

 

Interior Design:

Winner: Red Door Design

Runner Up: Topnotch

 

Plumber:

Winner: Evans Plumbing

Runner Up: Thomas Plumbing

 

We have the winners!

We love to get in shape and stay in shape here because we know it's good for our body and for our mind. And, now we all know where to go for the best massage, the best personal trainer and more. Back to Main.

 

Golf Course:

Winner: Sun Valley Golf Course

Runner Up: Bigwood

 

Massage:

Winner: Zenergy

Runner Up: Sun Valley Lodge Spa

 

Personal Trainer:

Winner: Benji Hill at High Altitude

Runner Up: Kyl Samway at Zenergy

 

Spa:

Winner: Spa at Zenergy

Runner Up: 24/7

 

Workout Facility:

Winner: High Altitude Fitness

Runner Up: The YMCA

 

Yoga Studio:

Winner: Hailey Yoga Center

Runner Up: High Altitude Fitness

 

 

We have the winners!

Sun Valley is all about being sporty whether its on the slopes, on the trails, or even at the gym. You've cast your votes and now we have the results for your favorite sports outfitters. Back to Main.

 

Bike Shop:

Winner: Elephants Perch

Runner Up: Sun Summit

 

Boot Fitting:

Winner: Tie, SkiTek and Sturtevants

Runner Up: Surefoot

 

Goggle Selection:

Winner: Board Bin

Runner Up: Sturtevants

 

Hiking Gear:

Winner: Elephants Perch

Runner Up: Backwoods

 

Ski Shop:

Winner: Sturtevants

Runner Up: PK's

 

Snowboard Shop:

Winner: Board Bin

Runner Up: Sturtos

Tune Up:

Winner: The Wax Room

Runner Up: Sturtos

 

 

We have the winners!

It’s easy to shop ‘til you drop in Sun Valley. The many locally owned shops around town offer everything from fine furniture, to kids clothes and shoes. Check out the winners for your favorite shops in Sun Valley. Back to Main.

 

Best Antiques:

Winner: Lone Star Antiques and Furnishing

Runner Up: Antiques and Country Pine

 

Books:

Winner: Iconoclast Books, Ketchum

Runner Up: Chapter One

 

Children’s Clothing:

Winner: Tater Tots

Runner Up: Chicken Lipps

Cowboy Gear:

Winner: Silver Creek Outfitters

Runner Up: The Goldmine

 

Eyeglasses:

Winner: Sun Valley Eyeworks

Runner Up: Shades of Sun Valley

 

Florist:

Winner: Ketchum Flower Company

Runner Up: Petals and Stems

 

Furniture:

Winner: Stuhlberg's

Runner Up: Bungalow

Haircut:

Winner: Vertu

Runner Up: Third Floor Salon

 

Jeans:

Winner: Burnsie's Boca

Runner Up: North and Co.

 

Jewelry:

Winner: Christopher & Company

Runner Up: Tie, Barry Peterson Jewelers and Jensen Stern

 

Men’s Casual:

Winner: Tie, North and Co. and Silver Creek Outfitters

Runner Up: Ketchum Dry Goods

 

Men’s Coats:

Winner: Elephant's Perch

Runner Up: Silver Creek Outfitters

 

Men’s Sophisticated:

Winner: Silver Creek Outfitters

Runner Up: Ketchum Dry Goods

 

New Store:

Winner: Susie Paperie

Runner Up: The Loft

 

Pet Supplies:

Winner: Thunderpaws

Runner Up: BasicsPlus

 

Shoe Collection:

Winner: Rue de Shoe

Runner Up: Ozzie's

 

Wine Shop:

Winner: Sun Valley Wine Company

Runner Up: DiVine Wine

 

Women’s Casual:

Winner: Burnsie's Boca

Runner Up: Panache

 

Women’s Coats:

Winner: Sheepskin Coat Factory

Runner Up: Brass Ranch

 

Women’s Sophisticated:

Winner: Elle Rose

Runner Up: Panache

We have the winners!

Once people get off the mountain, it’s time to hit the Sun Valley nightlife. There is no shortage of bars, pubs, dives or swanky places to head to. Here are your top choices for Sun Valley’s nightlife. Back to Main.

Bar:

Winner: Whiskey Jacques

Runner Up: Tie, The Casino and The Cellar

 

Bartender:

Winner: JC at Whiskey Jacques

Runner Up: Matt at The Casino

 

Beer Selection:

Winner: The Cellar

Runner Up: Lefty's

 

Drink Menu:

Winner: Cavallino

Runner Up: Zou 75

 

We have the winners!

From smoothies to wine, we have your picks for your favorite drink choices in Sun Valley. Here are your picks for the best places to grab a cup of joe, or a glass of wine. Back to Main.

Apres Ski:

Winner: Apples

Runner Up: Sun Valley Wine Company

 

Coffee:

Winner: Hailey Coffee Company

Runner Up: Tully's

 

Smoothie:

Winner: Akasha Organics

Runner Up: Fresshie's

 

Wine List:

Winner: CK's

Runner Up: Il Naso

 

We have the winners!

There are plenty of places to choose from to get a quick bite in Sun Valley, but you picked your favorites. Here are the results for the best fast and casual food. Back to Main.

Affordable:

Winner: Grumpy's

Runner Up: Johnny G's

 

Pizza:

Winner: McClain's

Runner Up: Wiseguy Pizza Pie

 

Pub Grub:

Winner: Lefty's

Runner Up: Grumpy's

 

Sandwich:

Winner: Bigwood Bread

Runner Up: Johnny G's

 

Soup:

Winner: Bigwood Bread

Runner Up: Cristina's

 

We have the winners!

Sun Valley is full of great food, and the results are in for your favorites. We've got the best places for Asian cuisine, dessert, French fare, and much more. Back to Main.

Asian:

Winner: Rickshaw

Runner Up: Zou 75

 

Bakery:

Winner: Bigwood Bread

Runner Up: Cristina's

 

Breakfast:

Winner: Bigwood Bread

Runner Up: The Kneadery

 

Burger:

Winner: Grumpy's

Runner Up: The Pioneer

 

Carbo Load:

Winner: Bigwood Bread

Runner Up: The Kneadery

 

Caterer:

Winner: Cristina's

Runner Up: Raspberry's

 

Cheese:

Winner: Ciro Market

Runner Up: Atkinson's

 

Chinese:

Winner: China Panda

Runner Up: Shanghai Palace

 

Dessert:

Winner: Cristina's

Runner Up: CK's

 

Family:

Winner: The Pioneer

Runner Up: Desperado's

 

French:

Winner: Michel's Christiania

Runner Up: The Lodge Dining Room

 

Italian:

Winner: Il Naso

Runner Up: daVinci's

 

Group Dining:

Winner: The Pioneer

Runner Up: The Sawtooth Club

 

Mexican:

Winner: Desperado's

Runner Up: Lago Azul

 

New:

Winner: Rickshaw

Runner Up: CK's

 

No Reservations Needed:

Winner: The Pioneer

Runner Up: Rickshaw

Romantic:

Winner: Il Naso

Runner Up: Vintage

 

Salads:

Winner: Wrap City

Runner Up: Fresshie's

 

Seafood:

Winner: Sushi on Second

Runner Up: Chester & Jake's

 

Service:

Winner: Il Naso

Runner Up: The Lodge Dining Room

 

Steak:

Winner: The Pioneer

Runner Up: CK's

 

Takeout:

Winner: Bigwood Bread

Runner Up: KB's

 

Vegetarian:

Winner: Rickshaw

Runner Up: Fresshie's

 

 

We all know Warm Springs Lodge is the place to be, especially on warm, bluebird days in the spring. There is that fabulous patio with great live music and ice-cold pitchers of beer available at the bar. But what you may not know is that every day, at least once every hour, Warms Springs kitchen produces hot chocolate chip cookies fresh out of the oven.

In an effort to find out more about Sun Valley’s hot cookies, Plum did a little research. Our first stop was, of course, Warm Springs Lodge. We did not go just once or twice, but multiple times a day and multiple times a week. Lucky for us, the cookies were always there and they were always good, with or without a pint of beer. And you will know that there is a fresh batch coming straight out of the oven when you hear bells chiming at the lodge. After satisfying our sweet teeth, we decided to go to the source: the head pastry chef of Sun Valley’s Bake Shop, Ray McCullum.

McCullum has been Sun Valley’s head pastry chef for almost five years. Before coming to Idaho, he spent time working in Seattle, and then the Windsor Hotel in New Orleans. In an effort to be closer to family, he decided to move back west and alas, he stumbled upon Sun Valley. McCullum doesn’t just bake for the Sun Valley Inn, but for the entire resort. And he doesn’t just bake chocolate chip cookies, he bakes pastries, pizza dough, bread and every other kind of baked good you could imagine.

McCullum took Plum behind the scenes and into the Sun Valley kitchen. What we found were numerous chefs hard at work making mounds of pizza dough and pastries with larger than life mixers that can produce 68.89 pounds of cookie dough in just fifteen minutes. That’s right, each batch of chocolate chip cookie dough weighs a whopping 68.89 pounds and that manages to produce 365 four-ounce cookies. On average, McCullum and his staff make 4-6 batchers per day, depending on the season. Yet it takes only 15 minutes to make the dough and forty minutes for one chef to spoon it onto cookie sheets. Now that’s some serious skill. The cookies are then either baked at Sun Valley or sent out on trays to be baked elsewhere. While Warm Springs Lodge does the actual baking on location, the Lodge does receive pre-made cookie trays from McCullum’s kitchen.

So remember next time you are on the slope, stop by Warm Springs Lodge to treat yourself and the kids to a cookie or two. And be thankful not only to the Warm Springs cooks, but also to the folks back at Sun Valley Resort who are probably still there, scooping away.

It’s a weekend full of Sun Valley traditions, many with the kids in mind. Enjoy the 52nd annual Kindercup on Saturday, the Share Your Heart Ball on Saturday night, and the 23rd Annual Paw and Pole on Sunday, among other fun events. Check our calendar for more events.

Thursday

Get educated at the Hailey Public Library. Humanitarian/activist Theresa Grant will discuss Tanzania and Zambia and the importance of reading programs at 6pm. Then, watch the Yoga College of India take on Gumpy’s/SV Auto Club in the Senior Hockey League at the Sun Valley Skating Center. The puck drops at 9:50pm.

Friday

If you don’t have to be in the office this Friday, try Dev Khalsa’s digital photography workshop at Sun Valley Center for the Arts from 9-5pm. Then, head over to Iconoclast Books for a night chock full of events. First up is surfing legend, Nat Young. Young will present his newest book, “The Complete History of Surfing: From Water to Snow,” at 7pm followed by an open mic night. Prose, poetry and music are all welcome.

Saturday

Forget skiing on Baldy, head to Dollar Mountain for the 52nd annual Papoose Club and First Bank of Idaho Kindercup Alpine Ski and Snowboard Race. Children ages 3-13 are welcome to compete and registration begins at 8:30am. Later, attend the Share Your Heart Ball benefit for Camp Rainbow Gold and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Enjoy a live and silent auction, dinner, music and of course, dancing at Sun Valley Inn’s Limelight Room.

Sunday

Put on your best costume and head to the trails for the 23rd annual Paw and Pole Nordic and snowshoe races for children and adults. There is even a Silly Pet Trick contest to boot. Prizes will be awarded and all profits go to the Wood River Animal Shelter. Or, watch the Sun Valley Snowboard Team’s superpipe event at Warm Springs. Then, prep yourself for the first full week of March with gentle restorative yoga at the Wood River YMCA. Class begins at 4:30pm and is free for YMCA members.

This Weekend Channel 13

Start the weekend right with Fresh Tracks. Get the latest mountain, Nordic and backcountry reports starting at 8am on Friday, and 7:30am on Saturday and Sunday. Then, grab your coffee, snuggle up on the couch and enjoy Plum’s signature MorningNoon&Night Show. Last week we brought you Stanford ob-gyn and humanitarian, Dr. Armeen Husain, as well as the delightful actress, Lynn Cohen. This weekend, enjoy an interview with Sun Valley Magazine publisher Laurie Sammis as well as Mark Mast, a member of the US disabled team who will be competing at the Disabled Nationals at Soldier Mountain this Monday, Mar. 3.


It’s a weekend to enjoy Sun Valley classics and rest up for the big weekends ahead in March because before you know it, we’ll be jamming to live music and watching the pros on snow thanks to 48STRAIGHT. And remember, if you catch the weekend action on film, send your photos to Plum.

Brewmaster and owner of the Sun Valley Brewery, Sean Flynn, sits down with Plum and takes us into the hoppy, malty world of beer-making.

Actress Lynn Cohen talked with Plum about working with local acting troop Company of Fools and the play "Rabbit Hole".

Plum sat down with Grant Swindle and his mother, Reggie Grant, to get the scoop on life in Sun Valley and Swindle’s Alpine Skiing debut. For more, click here.

Esta semana tenemos noticias sobre Obama y Clinton en Idaho y tambien Castro en Cuba. Para mas.

Raul Castro Ruz

El 24 de Febrero, el Parlamento Cubano, ha elegido como presidente del país a Raul Castro Ruz, en sustitución de su hermano Fidel Castro.

Obama y Clinton

Después del reecuento de los votos, emitidos el super martes 5 de Febrero realizado por el partido democrata del Blaine County, la Senadora Hilary Clinton alcanzó a obtener 2 delegados. Con este ajuste el Senador Barak Obama solamente obtiene 9 delegados del partido - Democrata Local. (Recuerde que los 11 delegados habían sido asignados a Obama).

 

"UNA OPINION"
EN LA LIBERTAD, FIDEL A MUCHOS CUBANOS CASTRO

El hombre que ha tenido la atención del mundo por casi medio siglo por su diferente forma de gobernar, por la manera en la que llegó al poder, por el apoyo de quienes lo ayudaron aderrocar a Fulgencio Bautista, aquel 2 de Diciembre del año de 1959, y quien tuvo (en su momento), el apoyo del Pueblo, a quien quería defender de la opresión de su gobernante, de ese personaje que quería la igualdad para su gente y que luchó dentro y fuera del país para lograrlo de aquel Fidel Castro que queria la Revolucion como instrumento de superación de los Cubanos. Aquel Fidel idealista, el curso de politicas, principalmente externas, poco a poco lo fueron convirtiendo, en un lider que superó con creces lo que había combatido con lo que había estado en desacuerdo.

Fidel Castro, fue cediendo paso, al hombre vanidoso, al hombre autoritario, que ha convertido a su pueblo, en un pueblo lleno de desesperanza, ansioso de libertad, de poder viajar , de poder - expresar su opinion, de disentir, de poder decidir por si mismos el rumbo que a su vida y anhelos quisieran imprimir, a ese pueblo que él decía defender, lo convirtió en su esclavo, en alguien sin capacidad de poder tomar decisiones. El ansia de poder, aunado a la sumisión (por conveniencia), de su grupo de colaboradores, lo convirtieron en un Emperador (con título de Presidente) en el que solo su palabra es ley, religion, y el único instrumento por el que el pueblo debe ver el mundo exterior, sumiendolo en una politica, en la que el más beneficiado ha sido el propio Fidel y su equipo de colaboradore.

Y debido a su incapacidad física, cede el mando (AL MEJOR ESTILO DE DINASTÍA) a su hermano menor (76 años de edad) Raul Castro. Lamentando el hecho, los pocos que se atreven a levantar su voz de inconformidad, esta forma de pasar la estafeta familiar, de opresión en una democracia fingida, en un Parlamento sujeto a solamente una decision la de Fidel y su Hermano Raul que lo defiende ante el mundo, por encima del Pueblo que poco interesa a este grupo de serviles, beneficiados por la revolución particular de cada uno de ellos.

En fin casi medio siglo de escuchar y ver el nombre de Fidel Castro en los medios de comunicación, ahora veremos el nombre de Raul Castro que gobernará y dirigirá al País Cubano acatando la orden del Emperador Mayor, que continuará comandando (hasta su deceso, o incapacidad mental) por encima de su hermano, y del parlamento, la política interior y exterior de Cuba, porque en ese pueblo, solamente hay una voz "FIDEL".

 

 

Recuerde que esta pagina sera actualizada cada semana. Gracias a Wendy Ruiz.

 

When you tell people you live in or are visiting the great state of Idaho, they often look at you kind of funny. (Some people even confuse Idaho with Iowa.) But if someone gives you a hard time about your ties to Idaho, just recite these fun facts and remember you're in Sun Valley, America's first ski resort.

• Few states are bordered by as many states as Idaho. Idaho’s neighbors include Canada (a whole country at that), Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and Montana.
• Idaho has 3,100 miles of river, which is more than any other state. And, Idaho's Salmon River near Riggins is the longest free-flowing river that heads and flows within a single state.
• The Statehouse building is heated geothermally from underground hot springs.
• In addition to potatoes, Idaho is the number one producer of trout, lentils and Austrian winter peas.
• Idaho is home to the deepest gorge in North America called Hells Canyon, which drops 7,900 ft., which is deeper than the Grand Canyon.
• Known as the Gem State, Idaho produces 72 types of precious and semi-precious stones.
• Shoshone Falls (212 feet), near Twin Falls, drops 52 feet further than Niagara Falls.
• The first alpine chairlift was used in Sun Valley. In 1936, the fee was 25 cents per ride.
• 63% of Idaho is public land and the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness is the largest in the lower 48 states with 2.3 million acres of backcountry.
• Idaho is home to Sun Valley. Need we say more?

So remember, folks, when you are here in Sun Valley you are not just living the alpine dream, you are also in a state that has more claims to fame than just potatoes.

Welcome back to Verbatim. Plum's stage for amateur and professional writers. This week we hear from Marly Morgus, winner of the Wood River Land Trust's Heart of the Valley essay contest.

 

Eternity

As the sparkling, dancing firelight plays off my face leaving darting shadows on the wall behind me, I stare out the window into the cold night. A playful grin slides across my face as I see a fresh layer of snow starting to accumulate on the already white ground outside. My pitch black cat smiles up at me, feeling the same joy, until the smell of his breath reaches my nose and I push him off my lap. As soon as he’s gone, I miss the warmth of his little heart beating against my leg, and I go chasing after him and scoop him into my lap again. He purrs just as contentedly as before. There is the clank of a wooden spoon hitting a metal bowl as I turn my head towards the kitchen. An amazing smell is wafting throughout the house as my mom bakes a delicious pie for tomorrow’s desert. I close my eyes for a second. God, that smells good.

As the clock ticks behind me I can hear my brothers back in their shared room, talking about some kind of hockey statistic that I will never understand. I grow bored, and even though I know it will be futile, I go to their room and try to understand their conversation. Walking through the door without bothering to knock, I enter their nearly empty room. The walls are practically bare except for a picture of a zebra hanging from the door that connects their room to our shared bathroom. That zebra has a cheeky look on his face, and I have always hated him, standing there in the lake without a care in the world, eating his grass. He has no business here in our home in Hailey, Idaho. I take my usual spot perched on the top bunk overlooking the almost lifeless room. Any personality that the room ever possessed had long since vanished like the flame of a snuffed out candle. They spent so little time at home now that there was no point in personalizing their bedroom. The only parts on them that were left were a few broken dishes that I painted for them at Local Color years ago. All their friends, and most of their life was back at their school.

They had no idea how much I missed sitting on their bed just listening to them ramble on, arguing about if Sidney Crosby or Alexander Ovechkin is the better hockey player. My vote is for Crosby, even though I don’t say it. They don’t know how much they mean to me. They don’t know that if I’m ever sick, I go sleep in one of their beds for comfort, and they don’t know how much I love to just sit there listening to them talk. Once again I stare out the window into the black night. The only thing I can see now is the steady flood of snowflakes, as the wind whispers through the window, promising an amazing day for skiing. Even though I would love to sit in the company of my brothers for an eternity, I begin to feel sorry for my mom working alone in the kitchen. She smiles up at me as I drag myself into the kitchen, sniffing the apple scented air. I grab a dirty bowl, and we scrub the pans in a companionable silence. When all the dirty dishes are sparkling, she tells me to go join my dad, sitting on the couch watching his favorite TV show and laughing his head off at the antics of the fake news caster. His giant bowl of ice cream is perched on his lap, and he is oblivious of my cat licking at it. Never having been a fan of the show, I decide to return to my room. When I get back to my room I sit on my bed, staring out the window. I can hear the comforting murmur of my brothers laughing and joking in the next room, and the raucous laughter of my dad drifting from the family room. All the while the snow is falling outside, creating a thick blanket over the valley. A lazy calm falls over my house and the whole valley, causing a sleepy peace. I live for nights like this, shut in my house, looking forward to ski team the next day, and dreading the thought that school will ever start again. If I could I would stop time and live in that night forever. Family is the heart-beat of our community, uniting all of us on those special winter nights. It doesn’t matter if you’re my brother or a complete stranger. The nature of this valley is kind and calming, and we all operate as a huge family, supporting each other. When there is a disaster, the whole valley reacts to help everyone in trouble, reaching out just like a family would in a time of need. We live to help and be kind to each other, and together we form a giant beating heart, creating strength and warmth for our loved ones, and those we have never spoken to.

 

Want to see your work on Plum? Email your writing with a little blurb about yourself to sveditor@plumtv.com.

Check out Sun Valley Center for the Arts' current exhibit, "The Seditious Stitch," featuring four talented textile artists.

Sun Valley native and U.S. Snowboard Team member, Graham Watanabe, rode to victory at the Nokia Snowboard FIS World Cup snowboardcross competition in Gujo, Gifu, Japan this February. Watanabe is a SVSEF Alum and currently one of two members on the SVSEF Snowboard Olympic Development Team (ODT). Lucky for us, Watanabe shared his thoughts on the race and life in general with Plum.

 

1) The course: Initially, I found it to be short, flat, slow, and boring. The type of course on which I don't excel. By race day, with higher speeds, bigger jumps, and rollers the whole way down, I found it still to be flat and short, but now it was more technical and fun!

2) My win: Part of me is still in shock. Part of me has been expecting it for some time now. I've been riding really well this season, but just haven't lined up with the best of luck. I definitely expected a podium sometime soon, but the win was exceptional and probably what causes that element of shock.

3) My state of mind: Not much has changed there... I'm still a little bit aloof, on my own program, and enjoying life! It's hard not to be a little more confident with each good result, but especially with Snowboard Cross, I can never get too comfortable. One person can only control so much, and with Snowboard Cross, there are probably fewer things you can control than those you can. Either way, I'm still as happy as I've been and motivated to keep the ball rolling! State of mind? I don't know it can be named. We'll just call it "THE State of Mind."

Look for more from Watanabe this season on Plum. You can also check out other snowPRO coverage here.