Community & Lifestyle

North Canyon Medical Center in Gooding, Idaho Will Provide . . .

. . . Medical care in an all new, spacious facility using state of the art equipment openning 3/2/10.  This 50,000 square foot medical center will house 15 spacious private inpatient rooms with wireless access and family sleeping space, digital diagnostic imaging, and an emergency room with 2 trauma bays and 6 exam rooms.  Also available will b e 2 spacious operating rooms in the large surgical suite for the 8 surgeons who will be providing services at the facility.  These services will be provided  with paperless electronic charting  enabling integrated clinic and hospital records. Also available will be a Charity Clinic for the working poor or recently unemployed.  The clinic will be provide a variety of services through volunteer efforts of physicians and nursing staff.  The Charity Clinic is slated to start in mid-March 2010 operating on Thursday evenings except Holiday for 2 hours.  Learn more at your community hospital’s new website and from this presentation:  North Canyon Medical Center and Charity Clinic.

Burley Ethanol Plant Reopens

Almost a year after it closed the Ethanol plant in Burley, Idaho has reopend.  The company’s plans to hire 35 employees should help the area economy.  Read the article in Idaho Business Review.

Bald Eagle Thrill

There are so many opportunities to view wildlife in the Magic Valley.  I’ve really enjoyed these wildlife viewing opportunities this winter.  I hope you enjoy this picture of a mature and immature bald eagle that I saw in a field  this weekend.  It is always a thrill to watch bald eagles within the striking contrast of the black ond white on the mature eagles. Click to see pic. Watch for more area wildlife pictures.

Fly of the Month – CDC Shuck Biot Body Sparkle Dun

Late fall/early winter is a great time to start tying up some patterns to restock the fly boxes depleted by another year on the water, lets not abandon the fishing quite yet.  I have had several great days on the river this past month.  It does get a bit hit and miss as the weather and the water temps cool but when you hit it right the fishing can be outstanding.  I have still been running into some great baetis hatches around here and so with that in mind I thought I would share my favorite pattern when fish are sipping the Blue Winged Olive Duns off the rivers surface.  This pattern is basically a Sparkle Dun with a biot body, and I use a CDC feather for the trailing shuck instead of Z-lon. I like the Sparkle dun because it is so versatile.  I think fish feeding on emergers, duns, and spinners could all find a reason to take a well placed Sparkle Dun.  This version is quite simple to tie, it floats well, and is fairly easy to see even in the small sizes that will often be required.

Lets get started with the materials:
• Hook: #18 or smaller Tiemco 100 or equivalent dry fly hook
• Thread: Olive 8/0
• Wing: Olive Deer Hair
• Tail/Shuck: One Natural Brown CDC feather
• Body: Gray Olive Turkey Biot
• Thorax: Medium Olive Fine Dry Fly Dubbing

1) In the winter months the bugs that do hatch tend to be small.  For our rivers in Southeast Idaho I usually tie this pattern in sizes from #18-#24.  You can definitely go larger or smaller if needed.

2) Tie in a clump of deer hair about 2/3 down the shank of the hook.  I make about 3 good turns while holding the back of the hair so it stays on top of the hook while the tips flare out.  Then clip the backs as close as you can at a 45 degree angle.

3) Next I pull up about 1/3 of the hair and make a wrap in front of it, then proceed to pull up another third, again making a wrap in front of that, then finally pull the remaining hairs straight up and wrap in front so that all the hair is standing up on the fly.  Then be sure to build up a good thread dam in front of the wing as if you don’t, when the fly gets wet the wing will lean forward on you.  Then wrap the thread back to behind the wing and tie down the loose ends on that side.

4) Now tie in the CDC feather on top of the hook shank.  I don’t worry about how long the tail sticks out as I cut it later.

5) Continue securing the CDC feather wraping back to where the shank meets the bend.

6) Now I trim the tail to about 3/4 hook shank length.

7) Next tie in a Goose or Turkey Biot Quill with the notch facing left.  Advance the thread to just behind the wing.

Wrap the biot using nice even wraps toward where you stopped the thread, then tie it off and clip the excess.

9) Next I simply dub a nice football shaped thorax using 2-3 wraps behind the wing and 3-4 in the front of it.

10) Finally make a nice even thread head and tie off the fly.  Dab some head cement on there and you are ready to fish.

Play with the color scheme to match other mayfly hatches in your area as well.  I like this pattern tied in appropriate colors for the summertime PMD hatches too.  Most of all have fun and catch some fish!

This article by: BaseCampLegends.com

See the original article at TeamHuntress.com

Keep Thousand Springs State Park Open

One of the concerns when the State of Idaho bought several properties along Billingsley Creek was the on going maintenance that would be required to keep the properties from becoming weed patches and thus eyesores.  The state combined these properties with other parks in the area to form what became known as Thousand Springs State Park. The park is an asset to the community of Hagerman, providing a venue for Blues in the Park, a weekend Flea Market, Annual 1000 Springs Art Show, fun runs, and chamber events to name a few.  If the state closes the many segments of this park it is in jeopardy of becoming the eyesore that was feared and thus a detriment to this delightful community.  There are enough challenges to small communities in these times, that we don’t need the state to through another cog in the wheel.  It is important to find a way to keep the park system open.

A Times News article today says, “everything is on the table as the state of Idaho tries to shrink government services to fit declining tax revenues. But we’d hate to see Thousand Springs State Park — truly one of the Magic Valley’s natural treasures — become one of the casualties.  .  .  . The Thousand Springs complex is a second home for many Magic Valley families during the summer months, and a significant source of income for the Hagerman area. It’s worth saving, even if someone other than the state has to do it.” Read entire article.

Gooding Hospital CEO Speaking Schedule

Hear about the services that will be available at the  North Canyon Medical Center in Gooding, Idaho, opening in March 2010 and the upcoming Charity Clinic at several community meetings where CEO, Earl Fitzpatrick will be speaking.  The schedule is:

Thursday, 12/3 – 7 PM Wendell City Council

Monday, 12/7 – 7 PM Gooding City Council

Wednesday, 12/9 – 12 Noon Hagerman Chamber

Monday, 12/14 – 7 PM Richfield city Council

Wednesday, 12/16 – 7 PM Bliss City Council

Thursday, 12/17 – 7 PM Fairfield City Council

Monday, 1/11 – 6 PM Gooding Lion’s Club

Tuesday, 1/12 – 7 PM Glenns Ferry City Council

Wednesday, 1/13 – 12 Noon Wendell Chamber

Gooding Hospital Progress Report

Construction of the North Canyon Medical Center in Gooding, Idaho is 90% complete on on schedule for the February 12, 2010 ribbon cutting and March 2, 2010 opening.  Completion of flooring is in progress, with final coat of paint being applied in some areas.  Kitchen equipment is in place, and the two reception desks are installed.  Exterior construction is substantially complete with the landscaping completed and flag pole to be installed.  The residents and medical providers of Gooding County and the surrounding area are anticipating the completion of their new hospital and the enhanced “quality healthcare, close to home” that we be available.

Gooding County Memorial Hospital Festival of Trees

Festival of Trees Schedule:   10: AM – 5:00 PM daily

• Gala celebration & Silent auction
  • Thursday, December 10th
  • 7:00 – 9:00 PM
  • Light Appetizers & Wine Tasting
  • $20 per person
• Ladies Luncheon & Style Show
  • Friday, December 11th
  • 11:15 AM & 1:00 PM seatings
  • $10.00 per person
• Santa Visit & Photo plus Live Entertainment
  • Saturday, December 12th
  • 10 AM – 4 PM

The Gooding County Memorial Hospital Foundation helps the community through scholarships and tuition assistance for students entering the medical field, and enhancing hospital serves through fund raising efforts which include the Festival of Trees.  This year’s festival will be held December 10 – 12 at the Gooding Fairground Community Room located at 203 Lucy Lane, Gooding.

341 W Salmon, Hagerman, Idaho 83332

Comfortable, low maintenance brick home with wide hallway and spacious rooms. The mature landscape offers shade, apple trees, and plenty of space for a garden, with room to add a shop. The covered patio offers shade near the Buckeye ditch which borders the property.

Twin Falls FSA Newsletter on “Selling Land”

I just received a newsletter from Twin Falls Farm Service Agency (FSA).  It included an article about some issues to be aware when selling farmland that is in a Conservation Program.   The article said,  “If you are planning to sell farmland, there may be some program consequences you should be aware of.  Fore example, if you’re planning to sell land that’s enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program, the buyer must agree to continue the enrollment.  If the buyer doesn’t want to continue the CRP contract, you might have to refund all the payments you’ve received to date.

Reviewing program implications with your local Farm Service Agency staff before completing a sale of farmland is always a prudent precaution.”

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