Getting through January is the main thing. I heard someone say once that they’d like to kick January right in the teeth. By mid-February on, you’re thinking Spring, and it’s all going to be okay.
It’s McCall Winter Carnival time, and if you haven’t been up to see the snow sculptures, you need to go, but make sure you go with someone fun. Years ago I went with a date that was un-fun, (who wouldn’t let my friends and I do crazy poses near the snow forms), and that was a bummer. I only take entertaining people to McCall with me these days. It’s a rule. This idea isn’t free, but going tubing at the Activity Barn afterwards is a kick. If it’s an icy-ish day, you’ll have the tubing ride of your life.


In other news, the “Appetite for Idaho” book’s in e-form on Amazon, now, so if you’ve been wanting to see what the adventure+food thing’s about, click and buy, y’all.
Have a FUN week,

~Amy


McCall Winter Carnival, McCall

Through Feb. 8
So most of us have heard of the McCall Winter Carnival, but do most of us know how it got started?
A little trivia: When the Payette Winter Games were first held in 1924, a train from Boise brought 248 visitors up to McCall, and the idea of spectating has grown ever since, with an official-official Winter Carnival starting in the 1960s. These days the event attracts over 60,000 people who’ll get to see snow the famous snow sculptures, snowbike races, Monster Dog Pull, live music, comedy shows, and a whole bunch of other wintery-themed stuff. The Carnival runs all weekend through Sunday. For more info and a complete schedule of events, visit mccallchamber.org/winter-carnival.

Wild at Heart at Zoo Boise
2/7/2015, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
If you’re staying in town this weekend, you should definitely go to Zoo Boise’s “Wild at Heart” from 10 am- 5 pm. All of the Zoo’s residents will get special Valentine’s cards, made by visitors. There’ll be face painting and photo ops available for a small donation, and the last admission will be at 4:30. (My last admission will be at my deathbed, and will probably involve tales of ungodly amounts of Peanut M&M consumption). FREE admission.

Quilt Exhibition
Through Feb. 8
Idaho State Capitol Building 700 W. Jefferson St., Boise
Stitchworks by 37 quilters from the Boise Valley, Eastern Idaho, and Panhandle.
Through Feb. 8. FREE
208-433-9705

International Video Art Exhibition
Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Fridays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Continues through Feb. 18

Boise State Visual Arts Center Gallery 2 Hemingway Center, Room 110, 1819 University Drive, Boise

PROJECT 35 VOLUME 2 : Six continents’ worth of thirty-five videos, selected by thirty-five curators. Markus Hansen’s “Other people’s feelings are also my own”. Photography and video combine to portray the facial expressions, emotional state, and postures of others, mirroring what they’re feeling. Monday-Friday through Feb. 18. FREE

Swing Dance with Boise State Big Band
Fri., Feb. 6, 7 p.m.
Riverside Hotel Sapphire Room 2900 W. Chinden Blvd., Garden City
Want to learn to swing dance? Lessons by Joel Hunter of Heirloom Dance Studio from 6-7 p.m., and then more dancing until 10 p.m. $5
208-343-1871

Launch: 2015 Annual Student Juried Exhibition
Fridays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Continues through March 18
Boise State Visual Arts Center Gallery 1 Liberal Arts Building, Room 170, 1910 University Drive, Boise
Annual juried exhibition for BSU Art Department enrollees. 139 entries for juror-visual artist-assistant professor of Visual Communications at the College of Idaho, Alice Vinson, to view. She’s chosen 31 pieces by 25 artists for public display. Monday-Friday through March 18. FREE
208-426-3994

America’s Got Talent Open Call Auditions
Tue., Feb. 10, 12-9 p.m.
Taco Bell Arena 1910 University Drive, Boise State campus, Boise
Ready to be famous?!? America’s Got Talent nationwide search for Season 10 talent is ON, and Boise’s on the list. Any age, any talent. For updates, registration forms, audition tips, venue information and to submit an online audition, visit www.AGTAuditions.com. FREE
208-426-1900

Friends of the Historical Museum Brown Bag Lecture Series
Tue., Feb. 10, 12 p.m.
Washington Group Plaza 720 Park Blvd., Boise
Nothing’s more romantic than being convicted and sentenced to the Old Idaho State Pen with your beloved. Boise native,College of Idaho graduate, and current customer service rep at the Old Pen, Anthony Parry, who’s held many employment positions there, tells the story of four infamous couples in history during his Brown Bag Lecture that’s so interesting, it’s criminal. For a complete listing of 2015 Brown Bag Lectures, visit history.idaho.gov. FREE

Make Your Own Fairy Gardens
Tue., Feb. 10, 2-3 p.m.
North End Organic Nursery 3777 E. Chinden Blvd., Garden City
Want to become a member of the new Chinden Garden Club? How about discovering the latest garden trend, the Fairy Garden? Magical, whimsical, and a delightful way to bring a smile to your yard or window interior. Meet-and-greet to follow. Call to register. FREE
208-389-4769

Schmoozeday Tuesday Tue., Feb. 10, 5-6:30 p.m.
Boise International Market 5823 W. Franklin Road, Boise
If you haven’t been to the Boise International Market, you should hang your head. We just went to Kibrom’s, and it was seriously tasty and different. Get a number one there, network with Debbie Morris of Strategic Mobili, and get the lowdown on what’s new in social media. For more info, call Jim at 208-336-5533, ext. 344, email jmunkres@metaidaho.org or visit metaidaho.org/schmoozeday-tuesday. FREE
208-336-5533

Tuesday Dinner
Tuesdays, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Immanuel Lutheran Church 707 W. Fort St., Boise
Your turn to give back as a volunteer. Assist in preparing a nice hot meal for the area’s homeless and needy, and pitch in with quick clean up afterward. Nondenominational. FREE
208-344-3011

Book Chat Book Club
Second Tuesday of every month, 7 p.m.
Boise Public Library 715 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise
Got a favorite TV series? Read something (fiction, nonfiction, graphic novel, audiobook, ebook). And then chat about it.
FREE
208-384-4076

Boise Co-op Meridian Groundbreaking Ceremony

Wed., Feb. 11, 10-11:30 a.m.
Village at Meridian 3600 E. Fairview Ave. at North Eagle Road, Meridian
The Boise Co-op’s coming to Meridian, and we’re gonna party about it. Music from Transistor Send, and the Thomas Paul Band, FREE Boise Co-op and local vendor samples, prizes, giveaways (including two five-day passes to Treefort!), 10 tix to Alton Brown’s “Edible Inevitable” Tour, and more.
208-888-1701

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