Community & Lifestyle

Fly Fishing Banquet Scheduled in Twin Falls, Idaho

The Magic Valley Fly Fishers are busy preparing for their annual fly fishing banquet to be held  February 20th.    It will be an honor and a special treat for area fly fishing enthusiasts to  hear from Trout Unlimited’s On the Rise host, Frank Smethurst.   The Turf Club  always prepares a delicious dinner with choice of prime rib or chicken teryaki.  The evening will be filled with the program, games, and prizes. Ticket holders will also be treated to a morning Fly Tying Seminar given by Frank Smethurst.  The registration form misstated the location for the seminar which will be held in the College of Southern Idaho (CSI)  Desert Building Room 119 at 9 AM on the 20th.
This event is just one of the many outdoor recreation related opportunities available to the Magic Valley area in Twin Falls.  Be sure to check it out, you won’t be disappointed.

Gooding’s North Canyon Medical Center Update

Board members took a tour of the soon to be open North Canyon Medical Center in Gooding this morning.    With the ribbon cutting coming up on February 12th, it is all but complete with most of the equipment , artwork, and furnishings in place.    What an impressive facility!  Administration is to be congratulated for a great job.  The public will be able to take tours on February 12th following the 2 PM ribbon cutting and again on February 13th.  After public tours are complete the process of sterilization will begin to prepare the facility for its opening on March 2, 2010.  If you can’t attend the public tours, here are a few pictures to show you what to expect.

Fairfield, Idaho’s Soldier Mountain Reopens

Almost a year  ago the lodge at Soldier Mountain Resort, owned by Bruce Willis near  Fairfield, Idaho was destroyed by fire.    Friday the resort reopened with a newly build lodge and many of the regulars there.  When my childern still living at home we alternated skiing between Soldier Mountain and Pomerelle.   Both resorts have provided us with many great memories through the years.  The reopening of Soldier Mountain should be welcomed by area residents.  Times News reporter  Nate Poppino wrote about the reopeing of Soldlier Mountain Resort.

Southern Idaho Restaurants Touted

The communities in Southern Idaho offer a variety of good home grown restaurants.   Here is a report on five restaurants in the Magic Valley.  I have eaten at some of them and will have to try out the rest.  Check it out…

North Canyon Medical Center UPdate

Another Wonderful Update on our New Hospital

Earlier this week, we received fire & safety Certificate of Occupancy

Today, we received verbal approval by the Department of Health and Welfare for Hospital Occupancy (they were very impressed)

We have some final minor inspections for the pharmacy, but at this point we can occupy the facility and provide healthcare services.

Final signoff by administration will most likely occur late next week, after the contractor completes all the final painting and cleaning touchups.

Furnishings are 90% installed. Artwork shows up tomorrow, and our Big Rock with our logo has been placed at the front circle (go check it out!)

Final equipment comes now through the 3^rd of February.

Sunday at Midnight begins our big IT changeover. I wish everyone the best of luck!

Earl Fitzpatrick

CEO

Partners In Healthcare, Inc.

dba Gooding County Memorial Hospital

dba North Canyon Medical Center (opens 3-2-10)

1120 Montana Street

Gooding, ID 83330

(208) 934-4433 X1105

(208) 934-8760 (fax)

(208)

358-0733 (cell)

earl.fitzpatrick@ncm-c.org

“Quality Care Close to Home”

Magic Valley Fly Fishers Host Annual Banquet

Magic Valley Fly Fishers  will be hosting their 41st annual banquet on February 20th featuring FrankSmethurst, noted TV host and guide.   Register by February 17, 2010.  See details at Magic Valley Fly Fishers. This is a fun event, with raffles, silent auctions, awards, and a great program.   The Turf Club always provides a great meal.

Fly Tying Classes

Fly tying classes are being offered during the month of February by Ron Hicks.  See details at Magic Valley Fly Fishers site.

Fly Fishing Derby Planned

Clear Lake Country Club is planning a Fly Fishing Derby on February13th.  It sounds like a fun event.  Register early as there is a limit to how many can enter.  Read more at Magic Valley Fly Fishers.

Idaho Banks Strength Helps Support the State’s Economy

Robb Hicken wrote in an article in the Idaho Business Review that :Banks in Idaho look bright: Despite challenges, banks move forward”.  He discusses the benefits of having sound Idaho banks to Idaho’s economy and some of the challenges the state faces as the economy recovers.

Good News! Idaho has a Plan to Keep Parks Open

I was glad to read the article  in the Times News written by Ben Botkin that stated  “Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter and Idaho Parks and Recreation Department Director Nancy Merrill announced on Friday plans aimed at shifting the agency’s dependence away from the state’s general fund and making Idaho’s parks more self-sustaining through business plans tailored for each park. . . . “  This welcome plan should have been addressed years ago before they become a drain on our state’s general fund.  According to the article the plan will go before JFAC on February 1.  I have said in several conversations that if they raised the fees slightly, it would help with the cost.   I’m certainly willing to pay $1 more to camp in a state park.  The article didn’t mention any changes to the cost of the annual state parks pass, but a small increase there certainly shouldn’t affect sales.  Until now, I figured very few would even buy the annual pass, not knowing if there were going to be very many state parks still open.  Cudos to those who have worked hard and provided input to come up with a plan.  As a Hagerman resident I am pleased that we will not be looking at closure of the state parks in our area.  Read the entire Times News article.

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