Monday, July 29, 2013

What's New in Sun Valley?

If you are curious about what's new in Sun Valley, look no further. Always growing and moving forward, Sun Valley has quite a few improvements this summer season; new and remodeled restaurants, ground beautification, and green efforts are just a few.

The Sun Valley Resort’s beautification project continued to move forward this spring. Throughout the Resort you will find hundreds of newly planted spruce trees, crab apples, and outbursts of magnificent colorful flowerbeds. It seems that everywhere you look around the quaint Sun Valley Village, the never-ending color of new flowers, and the green of the trees is there to greet you.

Konditorei Restaurant
In the heart of our alpine village is the all new Konditorei Restaurant offering authentic Austrian patisseries and confections. This inviting shop offers old world charm along with scrumptious delicacies from Austria and Germany. I can personally validate the magnificent experience of the morning assortment of muffins, croissants, and pastries. The new Short Line Deli, located next door, offers delicious sandwiches and sides for those on the go. If ice cream, shakes, and original cocoas are more to your liking, then stop by A La Mode and indulge!

A La Mode
The Olympic pool now offers a Kids’ Splash Park, the play school has been beautifully remodeled, and improvements have been made at both ice rinks. 
 
Sun Valley Company continues its efforts to "go green" and have successfully opened a 21,500 square foot, green designed laundry/dry cleaning facility servicing all of the resort’s laundry and dry cleaning services. You won’t want to miss out on all these new additions!

Written by Carol Dorazio
Photos Courtesy of Sun Valley Resort

Thursday, July 25, 2013

How To Prepare for Rising Interest Rates - CNNMoney.com

"After years of decline to rock-bottom levels, interest rates are on the rise. The average rate for a 30-year mortgage was recently 4.35%, more than a point above the 2012 low of 3.3%," according to Money Magazine.

We all knew that record low interest rates could not last forever, but how do you prepare for what is to come? CNN Money highlights 5 things to know about rising interest rates in this recent post:

5 things to know about rising rates - Jul. 23, 2013

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Sun Valley Center for the Arts: Grand Wine Tasting and Picnic

As the Grand Wine Tasting and Picnic sponsor this year, we are overjoyed to be working with Sun Valley Center for the Arts on their annual fundraising event, the Sun Valley Wine Auction.

This year they have combined the Wine Tasting and Picnic Concert into one amazing event held at Dollar Mountain Lodge. Learn about wine and enjoy a picnic and concert, all during one evening.
In the words of the SVCA, "The Valley's favorite party just got better!"

Wine (of course) and epicurean treats will be served, while Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds entertain attendees with tunes.

Don't forget to stop by our tent, to play a game of ring toss and win fun prizes!

Join us in supporting this wonderful organization this Saturday night, July 20, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Tickets are only $75 and still available! Purchase them here.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Warm Springs Property Spotlight: 123 Exhibition Blvd, Ketchum, Idaho

This charming three bedroom, two and one-half bath craftsman-style home features an open floor plan, a large deck for entertaining, hardwood floors, a double car garage, enlarged deck and is energy efficient. Just a short distance from the YMCA and downtown Ketchum in a quiet desirable neighborhood.



For more information or questions on this property or others, please visit our website, www.sunvalleysir.com, or call us at 208.726.5300 to speak directly with an agent.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Summer 2013 Listing Catalog Now on Stands - Sun Valley Real Estate and Beyond

 

On stands and online!

Our bi-annual company magazine, Sun Valley Style, is here and features our firm's exclusive listings giving you a sneak peek into some of the most desirable homes on the market from Sun Valley to South Blaine County and beyond.
 
Click the picture to view our online edition.
 
Enjoy!

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Renewed Optimism in Ketchum, Idaho

New business activity in Ketchum offers a sign of renewed optimism about the economy and real estate market. Many new and or renovated retail shops, services and restaurants have given residents and visitors a variety of options when walking around Ketchum.

Longtime retailer “Sturtevant’s” stores in Ketchum and Warm Springs are under new ownership. The Main Street store underwent major renovations during spring slack and reopened Memorial Day Weekend.


The newly redone Station Building on Sun Valley Rd.
The Station building downtown hosting F-Stop, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Wise Guy Pizza and a variety of office suites upstairs is getting a new façade making an attractive addition to the central 4-way stop.
The Farmer’s Daughter a home accessories store has opened in the Mountain West Building on Leadville Avenue.
 

Remodeled interior of Enoteca
Enoteca Restaurant and Wine Bar opened this winter in the Historic Sun Valley Mercantile building on Main Street and features wood fire Napolitano-style pizza and homemade desserts.

Bun Valley the new Burger, Shakes, Fries, Beer and FUN place, is under the black and white tent in the Walnut Avenue Mall next to CavaCava.
 
The before and projected "After" of Lee Gilman Builders new office
Lee Gilman Builders Inc. purchased and is remodeling the old pet store building on the corner of East Avenue and Second Street, which will be used as their business headquarters.
Bigwood Bread has two projects going on in town right now.  A retail Café will open in the recently purchased and renovated building on the corner of Leadville Avenue and Fourth Street, and ground has been broken to build a new Bakery on Lewis Street at the former site of Sun Valley Garden Center.

Velocio, in the previously occupied Tully’s space in the Colonnade Building, is serving up Intelligentsia Coffee, 5 Mountain Tea, gelato, wine and tap beers.

Velocio
Rolling in Dough bakery is open at its new location at 580 Washington, offering indoor and outdoor seating and serving European pastries, lunch, and Sunday brunch.

There is a new Goldmine consignment shop in the log cabin on Fourth and Walnut; proceeds benefit the privately funded Community Library.

Written by Hollie Hunter 








Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Sun Valley Gallery Walk Featuring Brooke Bonner, Helen Bonner and Sarah Long

Please join us as we host local artists Brooke Bonner, Helen Bonner and Sarah Long during this weekend’s Sun Valley Gallery Walk. The artist reception will take place during the July 5, 2013 Gallery Walk, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Expect to see a variety of different work from the artists with mediums including sculpture, photography, drawing and painting. The artwork will be on display the entire month of July, free of charge to the public seven days a week from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.


Brooke Bonner:
My photography ranges from large landscapes to what I call “intimate landscapes,” close-ups of natural objects that highlight texture and form.  I also have a fondness for man-made structures and items taken over by nature.  While I strive to make beautiful images, meaning continues to be equally important to me.  I want to cause people to think and feel or have a subconscious reaction to the images I find—everyone sees something different and the magic of the art is what’s created between the image and the viewer.

Helen Bonner:
I spend much of my time riding horses in the desert, hills and mountains where I am inspired by the beauty of my surroundings.  The relationship of plants and animals, to each other and the elements of the earth, are the subjects that motivate me to create artwork.   I try to capture the unique spirit of animals (often horses) and nature in my drawings and paintings and share the connection I feel with them.
Sarah Long:
Sarah works in various sculpting mediums:  ceramic, concrete, plaster, bronze
and wood.  Her work is always figurative, with an abstract quality that adds the right
measure of mysterious beauty.
Sun Valley, Idaho is well known as a destination resort for their winter and summer outdoor activities, but the area also boasts a sophisticated art scene. Sun Valley Sotheby’s International Realty is an avid supporter of local artisans, opening their doors free of charge for five different shows per year. Each artist shows their work from 1 to 3 months, with artist receptions held during five Sun Valley Gallery Association Gallery Walks.

About Sun Valley Sotheby’s International Realty
With offices offering unmatched local expertise, Sun Valley Sotheby’s International Realty delivers comprehensive real estate services to buyers and sellers of top quality real estate in all price ranges. When combined with the marketing and referral services provided by our global network of offices, we bring our clients unrivaled advantages. Sun Valley Sotheby's International Realty serves the needs of Sun Valley, Ketchum, Hailey, Bellevue, South Blaine County, Stanley and the surrounding areas. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Monday, July 1, 2013

Sun Valley Insider Secret: Hiking with Lynne Stone

Do you love hiking and the outdoors, but are unsure of the trails and terrain in the area? Why not try a guided hike with one of our local non-profit organizations, the Boulder-White Clouds Council.

Since 1989 the Boulder-White Clouds Council has hosted a summer outings program. Trips go into the Boulders, White Clouds, Sawtooths, Smokeys, Pioneer and Salmon River Mountains. All events are led by volunteers, although donations are accepted to help defray program costs. To learn more about the Boulder-White Clouds Council and their work, please visit http://www.wildwhiteclouds.org/aboutus.html.

Saturday July 20 – Way Back When in Smiley Creek with mining historian Tom Blanchard. We’ll visit the sites of Sawtooth City and Vienna, mining settlements of the 1870’s. What was it like back then? Miners who came here pursuing a dream of gold or silver, left their legacy in many ways including place names like Smiley, Hyndman and others. We’ll observe stacks of cord wood, hand hewn over a century ago to fuel the boilers at the Vienna Mine. There’s also an unusual, stunning creekside flower that grows on Smiley Creek, called Case’s Fitweed (Corydalis caseana) in the Fumitory Family. Smiley Creek is an important biological corridor linking the Smoky Mountains with the Sawtooth Valley and White Clouds. Short walking at historical sites, easy. We’d love to see BWCC supporters who used to go on our tough, long hikes but no longer can, join us on this morning outing!

Wednesday July 24– Lake 9520 Adventure in the White Clouds. We had to cancel this trip last year because the Halstead Forest Fire north of Stanley smoked out the White Clouds. We’re hoping to accomplish this hike before any fires this summer. The approach to the trailhead is through 4th of July Creek canyon, which burned in the 2005 Valley Road Fire. Regrowth of aspens is stunning and also fireweed and other species which flourish after fire. The first 2 miles of the hike is on trail, the rest is delightful cross country trekking. 7 miles round trip, 1000’ elevation gain. Moderate. High Point 9800’.

Saturday August 3 – Wolves of Sun Valley. Through the winter we observed the wolf packs officially called Hyndman and Red Warrior. We prefer to call the six Hyndman wolves the Sun Valley Pack. By August, we may know how many pups the pack has (last year it was five – two black and three gray). The Red Warrior Pack out Warm Springs doesn’t live on Red Warrior Creek but somewhere else. Join us for an early morning foray into wolfdom. Leaves the Sun Valley area at 6 am. Hiking distance depends on where we have need to go to have the best chance to see wolves or sign. For late sleepers, we will repeat this outing upon request, later in the day and a different date.
 
Hikers – come prepared for any type of weather like chilly ridge top winds and thunderstorms. Bring lunch, plenty of water, insect repellent and sunscreen. Carpooling is encouraged. We adore dogs but not everyone does, and prefer dogs be left at home. However, if you must, drive your own car and keep Fido on a leash.


To help defray the cost of this program, they are asking a donation of $5.00 for BWCC members and $10 for non-members. Annual membership is $30. Your support is appreciated. BWCC is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. Our Federal Tax I.D. Number is 82-0433602.

Check out their website for photo galleries on past outings! http://www.wildwhiteclouds.org/events.html