Think Boise First – CityHarvest Locavore Dinner

Sometimes living in the Treasure Valley, we can take for granted the incredible abundance that we have of delicious food, amazing artisans, and neighbors who passionately love the area. On Saturday, August 30, all of these elements will come together in full force at the CityHarvest Locavore Dinner to benefit Think Boise First.

You will be able to view a public art show happening on the Boise Centre on the Grove Plaza, and then sit down to an amazing feast of either 3 or 5 courses. All food will come from local farms and providers, and it will be cooked by five of the best chefs in the Treasure Valley. The Ben Burdick Trio will be there, too, to set the right tone with outstanding jazz.

This fantastic display of community will help Think Boise First. The organization’s mission is to inform Boiseans about the importance locally-owned businesses have in our economy to create a more sustainable city.

Come together in community with your neighbors to delight all your senses and celebrate Boise.

Tickets are $50 each for the three-course meal (bring your own beverages), or $100 for the five-course meal with wine pairing, and tables for ten may be reserved. Seats are limited so be sure to purchase your ticket soon! To purchase your ticket, contact Karen Ellis at 345-9287 or Tamara Cameron at 433-5675/

Make-a-Wish Foundation of Idaho - Powell’s Sweet Summer Dreams Art Walk

Come with me and you’ll be,

In a world of pure imagination. 

Take a look and you’ll see

into your imagination.

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory Theme Song

Ever wish you could be transported to a magical world, without having to open a Wonka Bar to get there? You can. And just like in "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory," children's wishes will be granted in the process.

Powell's Sweet Shoppe proprietors Joe and Debbie Giordano have created the golden ticket for a fun family event in Bown Crossing, bringing together a unique farmers market, local musicians and artists to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Idaho.

The Powell's Sweet Summer Dreams Art Walk will open at 9 a.m. Saturday with coffee and pastries provided by local businesses. Spectators can stroll the sidewalks of Bown Crossing while watching professional artists create original pieces of art. The completed pieces are available in the silent auction held throughout the day, with all proceeds to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Idaho.

A farmers market will showcase fruits and vegetables from local farmers, plus floral arrangements and jewelry. A special art area will feature face-painting for children young and old. Of course, no event involving Powell's would be complete without samples of the nostalgic candies and treats that bring out the kid in everyone.

Nationally renowned chef Jon Mortimer also will conduct special cooking demonstrations in the Powell's Pantry.

Beginning at 6 p.m., 1950s music will be featured for the Candy Dance, a public sock-hop. Donations to the Make-A-Wish Foundation will be accepted at the entrance.

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Idaho grants wishes to hundreds of Idaho children who refuse to let sickness rob them of their dreams. For more information, visit www.idahowish.org

Bike MS - Road Sweat & Gears 2008

There are few activities more satisfying than a bicycle ride through the mountains on a summer day.  Add friends and festivities to the picture and you have the components for a perfect weekend.

The Idaho Division of the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society has assembled all the workings for such a perfect weekend with its 2008 Bike MS: Road, Sweat and Gears Ride in McCall and Donnelly.  On Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24th, more than 200 cyclists are expected to ride to raise support for this unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system.

Using Camp Pinewood in McCall as their base, participants can choose from 20, 40 and 60 mile routes offered on Saturday and 25 and 50 mile routes offered on Sunday.  There is also an intermediate mountain bike ride out of Jug Mountain Ranch being offered on Sunday.

After riding each day there will be entertainment offered at the finish line celebration.  Activities for participants and supporters at the camp throughout the weekend will include frisbee golf, miniature golf, river tubing, and volleyball.  Massage therapists will be on hand to offer relief for sore muscles.

Every rider is required to raise a minimum of $200.  Funds raised will support direct services for the more than 1,800 people with MS and their families in Idaho as well as to help fund national MS research.

Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body and stops people from moving.  MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S., and 2.5 million worldwide.

The Idaho Division of the National MS Society offers several programs including newly diagnosed support, educational programs, wellness programs, publications, self-help groups and financial assistance.

Entry fees for the ride are $20 team, $30 individual and $50 on the day of the ride. For more information, please call 388-1998 or visit www.msidaho.org

United Way - Flapjack Feed

The ultimate comfort food just may be the flapjack. And the ultimate comfort to the Treasure Valley is the United Way. For over 80 years, the United Way has been there for the Treasure Valley, acting as a safety net to our neighbors in need and providing a common way for us to join together.

Whether it is providing funding to a clinic to be able to serve more underinsured residents of the Treasure Valley, leading the way in informing parents and grandparents about the importance of quality learning experiences, or organizing an alternative spring break where area teens work together to create a safe and fun neighborhood gathering place, the United Way is there for all of us.

Through its extensive network of individuals and corporations, the United Way garners financial resources, community input and intellectual acumen to address the issues we face today. As their tag line says, it mobilizes the caring power of our community to improve lives.

On Thursday, August 28, the United Way is gathering everyone together for a little comfort at the First Annual Flapjack Feed. Tickets are just $5 for this “all you can eat” pancake feast, with the goal of making it accessible to anyone.

Join the whole community from 7:30-10:00 a.m. at the Boise Centre on the Grove Plaza to take in fluffy pancakes, and share your goodwill and spirit with all. There will be live entertainment and local celebrities flipping the cakes. This will be the perfect kickoff to their annual campaign.

For more information, please call 336-1070 or visit www.unitedwaytv.org .  Pass the syrup, please!

Basque Museum & Cultural Center - WineFest

The Basque culture is alive and kicking in Boise, thanks in part to the Basque Museum & Cultural Center.

On Friday, August 15th, you can support the museum’s work while enjoying wonderful wine and food at the annual Basque Museum WineFest. 

Held from 5:30pm on the Basque Block in downtown Boise, the event is filled with activities to delight your senses.  Over 100 domestic and imported wines will be available for sampling along with food from participating restaurants.  The Oinkari Basque Dancers will be kicking up their heels to add to the revelry.  There will also be a silent auction to help raise money for the museum’s mission.

The Basque Museum & Cultural Center was established in 1985 to help preserve and promote awareness of Basque history and culture.  Their accomplishments include establishing Boiseko Ikastola, the country's first Basque preschool.
WineFest is the Basque Museum and Cultural Center's only major fundraising event for the year.  All proceeds raised from auction items and ticket sales benefit the museum.

Advance purchase tickets are available at the reduced price of 4 for $100.00 until Friday, August 8.  Individual ticket prices are $27 in advance and $30 on the day of the event.

For reservations and more information, call 343-2671.

Regence Caring Foundation for Children – Golf Tournament

Most of us can recall going to the dentist as a child, wondering if our Halloween candy gave us cavities, and how long we would have to sit still in the chair.  Sometimes we might have dragged our feet wondering why our parents made us do this, not knowing how important healthy teeth and gums were for our overall wellbeing.

Studies have shown that a lack of proper dental care for children can lead to speech impediments, life-threatening infections, school absenteeism, and many other problems.  Having access to basic dental care now can help children avoid severe health problems when they are older, such as kidney, heart and liver disease. 

In 2007, the Regence Caring Foundation for Children provided 634 uninsured Idaho schoolchildren with dental care.  These exams, cleanings, and other treatments provided helped ensure a brighter, healthier future for all of these children. 

On Friday, August 15, you can enjoy a great day of golf and help the Foundation continue bringing much-needed dental care to Idaho’s uninsured children.  Think you can hit a hole-in-one?  Tee up for better dental health for our kids, and a chance to win a Lexus!

Registration at BanBury Golf Course opens at 7 a.m., with a golf clinic on the driving range at 8 a.m. and the start of the tournament at 9 a.m. 

Individuals can register for the tournament and clinic for $250, and teams of four can enter for $1,000. Registration includes green fees, use of a cart, barbecue lunch, beverages and prizes, which will be awarded to winning teams and also for men’s and women’s longest drive and men’s and women’s closest to the pin.  For more information, call (208) 395-7741.

BCIFH & Idaho Youth Ranch - Blue Cruise Wheels for Wellness

A summer bicycle ride with friends and family is a favorite summer activity for many Idahoans. Whether as a leisurely ride or a more strenuous one, it is a great way to get in shape while enjoying the outdoors.

You can promote wellness while helping Idaho families by participating in the 6th annual Blue Cruise Wheels for Wellness on Sunday, August 10. With routes that range for recreational riders to the ardent athlete, this is a fun event for all.

The ride benefits the health education programs of the Idaho Youth Ranch and the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health.

The Idaho Youth Ranch (www.youthranch.org) provides help to troubled children and families. They maintain six residential treatment homes throughout Idaho, assisting youth with issues such as alcohol or drug abuse; abuse or neglect (physical, emotional, sexual or mental); family conflicts; mental health issues; consistently in trouble—at home, at school, or with the law; runaway or homelessness.

Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, promotes and encourages the health and wellness of all Idaho residents.

Event festivities include an after-ride party complete with live blues music. Each registered rider will receive a tshirt and will be entered into a drawing for great prizes. Lunch tickets for non-riders are $5 each.

The bike ride is a part of the Treasure Valley Charity Bike Series (http://www.tvcbs.org). The series of four bike events to raise money for various charities also includes the Cycle for Independence, the Bob LeBow Bike Tour, and Bike MS.

Riders can choose from routes of 100 miles, 50 miles, 30 miles, and 15 miles. All routes start and finish at the Blue Cross of Idaho campus at the corner of Eagle Road and East Pine Avenue in Meridian.

Registration for riders age 16 and above is $35; under the age of 16 is $25. There is a $5 credit if you sign up before August 8.

Registration is available at http://www.bcidahofoundation.org/Events/Blue_Cruise/bluecruise.asp