Culinary Walk-About – Meals on Wheels

For years they took care of us – wiping noses, preparing meals, and kissing our boo-boos.  Now they are older and need some care, and it is time for us to return the favor.

Hundreds of Treasure Valley senior citizens are homebound and unable to prepare their own meals.  Luckily, Meals on Wheels can bring them two things necessary for their health – nutritious food and daily contact and companionship.  The Meals on Wheels volunteer may often be the sole personal contact a senior could have that day, and studies show that maintaining connection with others is crucial for everyone’s health.  Even more necessary in these tough times, no eligible senior is turned away for an inability to pay or contribute to the cost of the meals.

Come sample the wares of 24 area chefs and support Meals on Wheels at the Culinary Walk-About on Thursday, April 9.  From 6-9 pm, the Center on the Grove will be filled with all sorts of delights, including the chance to win a diamond and groove to the tunes of Boise Straight Ahead Jazz Band.

Tickets are $50 each and they sell out fast.  For more information or to purchase tickets, call 327-7460.

Friends in Action – The Prom

When was the last time you went to a dance?  A good, kick-your-heels-up just enjoy yourself dance?  Think back… could it have been… Prom?  Well, it’s time to revisit that classic dance event concept but this time without the awkwardness of youth. 

Friends in Action is hosting their annual fundraising event, “The Prom”, on Saturday, April 4th.  They will be tearing up the dance floor of the Knitting Factory to the fabulous sounds of the High Street band.  With music ranging from Big Band to Rock, it will bring out even the most reticent of dancers.

The event starts at 8pm and features silent auction surprises and a no-host bar.  Black tie attire is invited, but not required.

Tickets are $50 or $375 for a reserved table of 6.  Tickets can be purchased at www.fiaboise.org or by calling 333-1363. 

All proceeds benefit Friends in Action, a collaborative organization dedicated to helping older persons and their families through education and volunteerism.  They offer services such as companionship, caregiver relief, shopping assistance, transportation, yard work, errands and simple home maintenance to the elderly.

Looking Back at a Fun, Generous 2008

The end of the year is a traditional time to reflect and review on all the wonderful things that have happened in the last 12 months. In that tradition, we would like to take a few minutes to highlight a few of the great events and moments that we saw in 2008.

MAGICAL MOMENTS FOR BIG BROTHERS, BIG SISTERS

The Magical Moments fundraising event for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Southwest Idaho was a perfect example of an organization matching money with mission. Nonprofits can often just plan an event that might raise some money but fails to convey to the donor the necessity and vitality of the specific cause. Big Brothers, Big Sisters has transcended this obstacle and is probably one of the best in the region in linking the cause to the event.

The fundraiser is traditionally planned by the high-school-age "Bigs" who plan activities that highlight what the mission of Big Brothers, Big Sisters is. This year, a fantastic team put together a great night filled with games that reminded adults of the great joy in playing with kids.

With testimonials from the high school organizers, they rounded out a perfect chance to let the attendees understand the Big Brothers, Big Sisters mentorship programs, and just how important it can be for every child to have an adult to look up to as a role model, a cheerleader and a friend.

TEAPOT LUNCHEON BREAKS THE MOLD

If you want to attend an event that is for a great cause and is filled with fun and surprises, Dress for Success's Teapot Luncheon is for you. It breaks the mold of the traditional live auction - with local celebrities donating great packages and acting as assistant auctioneers - and then keeps adding more and more goodies as the bidding continues.

You can just feel the generosity of spirit as these donors throw in more little "extras" to spur on the bidding. Many thanks to all of the generous donors to the Teapot Luncheon who make this a sparkling way to help out hundreds of women in our community every year!

FRIENDS IN ACTION WORKS FOR OUR SENIORS

Giving the senior class a helping hand was the theme of the Faith in Action (now Friends in Action) event The Prom in April at The Big Easy. Complete with the 16-piece big band orchestra The Kings of Swing, Friends in Action provided a great kick-up-your-heels party to raise funds and awareness for its work on behalf of senior citizens.

Friends in Action had several innovative aspects to its fundraiser. One of our favorites was that the event organizers lined up partnerships with a variety of Downtown Boise restaurants to give pre-event dining discounts or special offers. It was an excellent way to increase business for local restaurants while promoting both the organization and the business.

CURTIS STIGERS WENT ALL OUT FOR INTERFAITH SANCTUARY

One of Idaho's shining stars is internationally known pop and jazz musician Curtis Stigers. The fact that he and his family call Boise home is a gift to our community that keeps giving. Once again this year, Stigers pulled together more than 25 musical acts to create the Xtreme Holiday Xtravaganza to benefit Interfaith Sanctuary.

Lucky attendees to this sold-out show were taken on a rollickin' ride by the community's top talent. It was a cross-cultural celebration of the holidays, with acts from the Moody Jews to the African drumming and dancing of VIM, to young Travis McDaniel crooning a holiday tune, to New York City jazz pianist Paul Tillotson jamming to "Santa Claus is Coming to Town."

Stigers' unstoppable energy kept the show moving as he took turns singing, playing the saxophone, jamming on the drums and acting as the show's co-host along with The Fool Squad. It ended with all the entertainers singing "Silent Night" for the finale, led by Steve Fulton. Rarely has so much talent gathered to do so much good for so many needy people in our community.

As unique as this collaboration of entertainers is, it reflects the same unusual collaboration that created Interfaith Sanctuary. In 2005, faith-based organizations and other community groups joined together to shelter and serve individuals and families who are homeless in Boise.

Audience members were encouraged to help Interfaith Sanctuary not only through their attendance at the event and participation in the silent auction, but also through volunteering at the shelter. In these uncertain days, there are few things more rewarding than giving the gift of time to help those in the most dire of straits.

We applaud the artists who gave their time and energy to this event in order to support our most vulnerable citizens. Because of their efforts, there will be warm beds and meals for many families in our community. Now that's making a difference!

Intergenerational Choir – Concert to Benefit Corpus Christi House

As the holidays grow near, we draw together as families and as humans.  We call upon traditions that remind us of who we are, where we came from and what we are creating for the future.  Like a chord that repeats itself through a melody, these traditions weave their way through generations, bringing continuity despite disparate themes.

One of the most joyous activities that can be shared across generations is singing together.  Whether it is singing by the campfire, in a car, or around a piano at the holidays, it is a skill that can be called upon to bring happiness to all who participate.  And it’s free!  Truly, there are few such activities that grandparents, parents and children can share together.

The Intergenerational Choir was created to provide an opportunity for generations to come together in song.  In their second season in Boise, they have 70 members ranging from age 1 – 80+.  They have 3 generations participating in some family instances.  As one choir member put it, “This isn’t a serious choir but it is a chance to experience music the way it should be experienced!” 

According to founder, Vashti Summerhill, “there is a statistic that states that the average American family knows only 5 songs they can sing together such as ‘Happy Birthday’ and ‘Twinkle Twinkle’.  After participating in the Intergenerational Choir, they have a whole car road trip repertoire!”

The Intergenerational Choir fall concert will be held on Sunday, November 23rd at 3pm at Boise First Presbyterian (950 W. State Street).  Admission is free.  However, as part of fulfilling their mission of building community through the arts, donations will be gratefully accepted for Corpus Christi House, a day shelter for homeless in Boise.

More information on the Intergenerational Choir is available at www.opendoorchildrenstheatre.org.  Information on Corpus Christi House is available at http://corpuschristi.wordpress.com/

Having a Blast at the Prom

We dressed, we dined, we danced. What fun it was on Saturday night to join Faith in Action at their annual fundraiser, “The Prom.”

We knew when we walked into the Big Easy and saw the 16-piece big band The Kings of Swing set up on the stage that we were in for a treat. This was not your daughter’s prom! Attendees were on the floor dancing up a storm and we Divas were only too pleased to join in.

We enjoyed talking to many of the board members including Dawneen Blakeslee, Sue Saldin, and Charlie Sety and finding out about the excellent work they are doing on behalf of the “senior class” -- senior citizens and families dealing with ailments such as Alzheimer’s.

Speaking of class, this event was all class -- from the décor to the music to the dancing to the attendees. Tables were decorated with red feather boas, red roses, and chocolate. A silent auction and raffle added to the fun of the evening.

We would also like to commend Faith in Action for lining up partnerships with a variety of restaurants such as 8th Street Wine Co., Angell’s Bar & Grill, Barbacoa, Chef Lou’s at 8th Street, and The Melting Pot.

It was an excellent way to help drive people to supporting businesses and encouraging the businesses to offer a special treat such as a complimentary dessert with dinner.

Really, event organizers left no detail unturned. At the end of the evening, they even had Ziploc bags so that attendees could take the flower centerpieces home. Way to give people a nice parting gift without having to repurchase the vases next year! We loved it -- what a great idea!

Everyone in our party agreed that this was one of the most fun events we have ever attended. We’re even looking into taking some dance lessons to prepare for next year’s event. Way to go, Faith in Action!  Kudos to you for putting together such a great event and for all you do for the senior citizens in the area.

In other news, we heard that Ballet Idaho’s Artful Living event was a big success. They plan on adding more tables next year since they sold out this year. It was a great way to build up excitement for new Artistic Director Peter Anastos upcoming move to Boise and for their new theme of “Creating Classics Everyday.”

Meals on Wheels - Culinary Walkabout

Have you ever wished that you could have a buffet of some of the best dishes that the Treasure Valley’s restaurants have to offer? Visit the Culinary Walkabout on April 10, 2008 at Boise’s Centre on the Grove to help out Meals on Wheels and your wish is granted!

You will also help grant the wish of over 600 senior citizens around the Treasure Valley who are housebound and unable to prepare meals. Many of our senior friends and neighbors rely on the nutritious meals delivered by Meals on Wheels every week.

Through Meals on Wheels, they get a visit from a friendly face and a great dinner, helping their health and well-being. No eligible senior is turned away from the program.

This year over 20 of the Treasure Valley’s favorite restaurants and bakeries will be offering samples of their wares at the Culinary Walkabout! Enjoy treats from places such as Berryhill, Blue Moose Café, Brick 29 and Chef Lou’s. You can make your taste buds dance and dance to some great live jazz.

The event also features a live and silent auction. Tickets are $50 and are all-you-can-eat from 6 to 9 p.m. Table sponsorships are also available starting at $500. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 327-4760.