Making coast to coast look like butter and toast, Mike Ehredt is just doing what comes naturally by taking it one step at a time.

If you haven’t already heard, Mike is the retired postal clerk from Driggs who is running across the United States of America, placing a small roadside flag for each solider who died in the Iraq War. He started in Astoria, OR on the first day of May. By last Friday, Mike ended his day in the afternoon shadow of the Sawtooth Range by honoring Army Private 1st Class Roy L. Jones III. Jones’ roadside monument was the thousandth along Ehredt’s route so far.

Placing Roy Jones’ flag on mile marker 35 just north of the INL site near Lone Pine, Idaho, Mike snapped a salute, nodded, smiled and called it a day, knowing he had only 3,514 miles to go.

For more than a month, Mike has been hosted by veterans and other supporters of his journey across the nation, people providing room and board for the man who has taken on the challenge of running roughly 30 miles a day until he hits the Atlantic Coast in Rockland, Maine. What sounds like the first circle of Dante’s Inferno to many is actually made to look enjoyable by Mike, a guy who is pushed by a sense of purpose and fueled by honor for others and pride in his nation. He has the patience of Job and the inner strength of Hercules.

Mike Ehredt’s not likely to stop until every life is accounted for in his trek across the nation.  Astoria to Driggs marks the first section of Project Run America. The second section takes Mike from Driggs to Crested Butte, Colo. Section three runs from Colorado to Rock Falls, Ill., and section four ends in Rockland, Maine. For more information, visit www.projectamericarun.com.

Once again Teton Valley, Idaho comes alive for the July 4th holiday weekend.  The festivities begin on July 1st and run through the evening of July 4th.  Below you will find the schedule of events.

July 1:

5:00 - 9:00am Hot breakfast sponsored by
Seniors of Teton Valley, at Teton County Fairgrounds.
$5 per person.

6:00am Preparations, launch, and flight of hot air balloons
for Media Day guests from TV, Radio, Newspaper, Magazine,
Public relations, and Freelance authors and photographers. 
Spectator are welcome.
Come meet Gizzmo, Bud E. Beaver, and Pumpkinhead,
the character-shaped balloons. Entrance and parking
$5 per vehicle or group of pedestrians. Individual public
rides may be purchased, subject to reservations.
For info:Chamber of Commerce at 208-354-2500.
Sponsored by Idaho Travel Council and
Teton Valley Chamber of Commerce.

9:00am – 6:00pm Victor Mountain Arts & Crafts Fair.
Victor City Park. Sponsored by City of Victor. Free.

9:00am – 6:00pm Antique and Fine Arts Show and Sale.
Pines Motel and Guest Haus, Driggs. Free.

10:00am Grand Opening Huntsman Springs Golf Course.
By Invitation Only and for media participants in the
balloon media day.

6:30pm Pilots & Festival Sponsors Community Dinner.
Teton County Fairgrounds Building. Sponsored by
Teton Valley Chamber of Commerce. Public welcome.
Tickets may be purchased at Chamber office; Corner Drug,
The Beverage Shoppe, Horn Gallery.

July 2:

5:00 - 9:00am Hot breakfast sponsored by
Seniors West of the Tetons at Teton County Fairgrounds.
$5 per person.

6:00am Preparations, launch, and flight of hot air
balloons for balloon rally sponsors. Individual public
rides may be purchased, but reservations are required.
Call Chamber 208-354-2500. Spectators are welcome.
Come meet Gizzmo, Bud E. Beaver, and Pumpkinhead.
Entrance and parking $5 per vehicle or group of pedestrians.
Sponsored by Teton Valley Chamber of Commerce,
Huntsman Springs, and various community businesses.

9:00am - 6:00pm. Victor Mountain Arts & Crafts Fair.
Victor City Park. Sponsored by City of Victor. Free.

9:00am – 6:00pm Antique and Fine Arts Show and Sale.
Pines Motel and Guest Haus, Driggs.

3:00 – 5:30pm Wild Flower Walk. Sponsored by
The Hole Hiking Experience. Meets and leaves from
Broulim‘s parking lot in Driggs.

7:00 – 8:30pm. Musical Talent Show.
Teton Valley High School

7:00 – 10pm. Tetonia Rodeo at Tetonia Rodeo Grounds.
Sponsored by Teton Valley Saddle Club. $12 adults,
$5 children (7-12),6 and under free.

July 3:

5:00 – 9:00am Hot breakfast sponsored by SeniorsWest
of the Tetons at Teton County Fairgrounds.
$5 per person.

6:00am Preparations, launch, and flight of hot air balloons for
balloon rally for sponsors and paid public riders.
Reservations required. Call Chamber 208-354-2500.
Come meet Gizzmo, Bud E. Beaver, Pumpkinhead
and Thrill of a Lifetime. Spectators are welcome.
Entrance and parking $5 per vehicle or group of pedestrians.
Sponsored by Teton Valley Chamber of Commerce,
Huntsman Springs, and various

community businesses.

Special Appearance: “Thrill of a Lifetime”
Cluster Balloon launch by John Ninomiya

as seen on CBS Evening News ABC,
History Channel, and MTV.

7:30am – Breakfast at Victor City Park sponsored by
City of Victor.

9:00am - 6:00pm. Victor Mountain Arts & Crafts Fair.
Victor City Park. Sponsored by City of Victor. Free.

9:00 – 6:00pm Antique and Fine Arts Show and Sale.
Pines Motel and Guest Haus, Driggs.

10:00am – 10:00pm God Bless America 4th of July BBQ
at Victor Knotty Pine.

10:30am Victor Independence Day Parade, Main Street Victor.
Sponsored by the City of Victor. “The Best of Little America.“

1:00pm 14thAnnuai Wydaho Cross Country Bike Race,
Grand Targhee Resort. Sponsored by Grand Targhee Resort,
Teton Valley Trails & Pathways and Peaked Sports

7:00pm “Celebrate America”

Featuring a 90-member BYU-Idaho symphony concert.

Welcome by Jon Huntsman

Special Appearance: Glenn Beck, Fox News commentator

Location: Huntsman Springs.
Sponsored by Huntsman Springs.

10:00pm Independence Day Fireworks Display
at Huntsman Springs.
Sponsored by Huntsman Springs, Teton County, Cities of
Driggs and Victor, Teton County Fire Protection District,
and residents and businesses of Teton Valley.

July 4:

5:00 - 9:00am Hot breakfast sponsored by Seniors
West of the Tetons at Teton County Fairgrounds.

$5 per person.

6:00am Preparations, launch, and flight of hot air
balloons for sponsors, crew, and paid public riders.
Come meet Gizzmo, Bud E. Beaver, and Pumpkinhead.
Reservations required. Call the Chamber 208-354-2500.

Spectators are welcome. Entrance and parking $5 per vehicle
or group of pedestrians.
Sponsored by Teton Valley Chamber of Commerce,
Huntsman Springs, and various community business sponsors.

9:00am- 6:00pm. Victor Mountain Arts & Crafts Fair.
Victor City Park. Sponsored by City of Victor. Free.

9:00am – 6:00pm Antique and Fine Arts Show and Sale.
Pines Motel and Guest Haus, Driggs.

7:00pm – Concert by Widespread Panic,
Spud Drive In, Driggs

www.tetonvalleychamber.com

July 3, 2010 between the hours of 8:00 PM – 10:30 PM, Huntsman Springs in
Driggs, Idaho will host a holiday celebration with special guest host and speaker Glen Beck along with the BYU Idaho Band. Celebrate America in the shadow of the Tetons for an evening of entertainment, fireworks and American Pride!!

This one of a kind event is FREE to everyone. Parking is  available on site , please follow signs off Highway 33. Bring your blankets, chairs and a picnic for the family to enjoy! Soft drinks and water will be available for purchase on site.

Want more information on Huntsman Springs?  Visit: http://www.huntsmansprings.com

The Obama Administration’s Making Home Affordable Program includes opportunities to modify or refinance your mortgage to make your monthly payments more affordable. It also includes the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program for homeowners who are interested in a short sale or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure.   Call 1-888-995-HOPE (4673) for help with the Making Home Affordable Program and to speak with a
HUD-approved housing counselor for free or go to makinghomeaffordable.gov for more information.   Below is a brief description of the options available.

Home Affordable Refinancing
Many homeowners pay their mortgages on time but are not able to refinance to take advantage of today’s lower mortgage rates perhaps due to a decrease in the value of their home. A Home Affordable Refinance will help borrowers whose loans are held by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac refinance into a more affordable mortgage.

Home Affordable Modification
Many homeowners are struggling to make their monthly mortgage payments perhaps because their interest rate has increased or they have less income. A Home Affordable Modification will provide them with mortgage payments they can afford.

Second Lien Modification Program (2MP)
Many homeowners may be struggling to make their monthly mortgage payments because they have a second lien.  The 2nd Lien Modification Program (2MP) offers homeowners a way to lower payments on their second mortgage when their first mortgage is modified under the Home Affordable Modification Program.

Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives
Many homeowners may feel that they can no longer afford their home, but want to avoid the negative effects of foreclosure. The Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program offers homeowners $3,000 to help transition to more affordable housing when they complete a short sale or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure.

Chris Runyan, Broker of Alta Realty, enjoys the numerous riding trails that abound in Targhee National Forest.  He is riding a Missouri Fox Trotter, known for their fast yet gentle gaits.  If you’re looking for a fabulous mountain horse, call Sleepy Hollow Ranch in Alta, Wyoming at 307-353-8206 or call Chris directly at 208-351-4447.