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Experience, Discover, Enrich
Purchase a Boise Museum Association Museum Pass and visit seven of Boise’s museums for a fraction of the combined admission price. Save up to 47 percent from regular ticket prices. Each pass provides one free admission to each of the seven museums listed below and discounts at four additional Museum Stores. The Boise Museum Pass is valid for seven days after its first use. Adult passes are $19 and child passes are $9.
Museums participating in free admission: Basque Museum and Cultural Center, Boise Art Museum, Discovery Center of Idaho, Idaho Botanical Garden, Idaho State Historical Museum, Old Idaho Penitentiary State Historic Site, World Center for Birds of Prey.
Museums with gift shop discounts: Idaho Military History Museum (free admission), Idaho Museum of Mining & Geology (free admission), Morrison Knudsen Nature Center (free admission), Zoo Boise (20 percent off gift shop).
Tickets may be purchased at scidaho.org, or in person at Discovery Center of Idaho, Basque Museum, Idaho State Historical Museum, World Center for Birds of Prey, and Boise Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The Power to Play
The Idaho State Historical Museum is hosting The Power to Play from ChildFund International through February 5, 2011. This exhibit features toys made by children around the world who live in poverty. The toys in the exhibit are created from items many would consider trash, such as old flip-flops, tin cans, grocery bags, and plastic bottles. Some toys are unique to their place of origin while others are as universal as a soccer ball or kite, connecting children across the world.
It has long been recognized that play is essential to the healthy development of children. Play helps them discover and explore, solve problems, and test new ideas. Even when circumstances are difficult, children show resiliency, imagination, and ingenuity in their play. For more information, visit history.idaho.gov/museum_exhibits.html.
Lose Weight, Get Fit, Win Big
The 3rd annual Treasure Valley Weight Loss Challenge, presented by Ladd Family Pharmacy and benefiting St. Luke’s Humphreys Diabetes Center, kicks off January 8, 2011. A total of $10,000 will go to those who lose the biggest percentage of weight— $3,000 to the top man and woman, $1,500 to the second place man and woman, and $500 to the third place man and woman.
Each week challenge participants receive fun nutrition and exercise tips via email, and motivational activities will take place in the first six weeks of the program. Participants are encouraged to form teams of five or more people to foster support and inspiration. The final weigh-in and cash awards will be held on June 2, 2011.
Individuals sign up, weigh in, and pay a $50 registration fee on January 8 at the St. Luke’s Humphreys Diabetes Center, 1226 River Street in Boise from 8am–1pm. For other registration options, full Challenge details, rules, and entry forms, visit www.hdiabetescenter.org or call 331-1155.
Music for Little People
Buckwheat Zydeco’s Bayou Boogie CD features the Grammy Award-winning worldwide ambassador of zydeco music in a family dance party collection from the bayou, featuring children’s music superstars Laurie Berkner and Dan Zanes.
Smoking accordion, rocking Hammond B3 organ, rollicking rub board, and sizzling guitar licks join together on this recording to create a musical gumbo of Creole culture that can almost be tasted. Buckwheat guides children and parents through a rollicking mix of some of the most family-friendly classic rock and roll tunes and great original songs performed in a zydeco style, as only Buckwheat can.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” Each year, Americans across the country answer that question by coming together on the King holiday to serve their neighbors and communities. The MLK Day of Service is part of United We Serve, the President’s national call to service initiative. It calls for Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems.
January 17, 2011 will mark the 25th anniversary of the Martin Luther King, Jr. federal holiday. This milestone is a perfect opportunity for Americans to honor Dr. King’s legacy through service. The MLK Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community.
To learn more about MLK Day, and for ideas on how you can participate, visit www.mlkday.gov.
Irresistible Mini Treats
What’s cuter than a cupcake? A cake pop, of course! Cake Pops: Tips, Tricks, and Recipes for More Than 40 Irresistible Mini Treats by wildly popular blogger Bakerella (aka Angie Dudley) has turned cake pops into an international sensation! Picture cute little cakes on a stick, from decorated balls to more ambitious shapes such as baby chicks, ice cream cones, and even cupcakes. These adorable creations are the perfect alternative to cake at any party or get-together. Martha Stewart loved the cake pops so much she had Dudley appear on her show to demonstrate making them. Now Dudley makes it easy and fun to recreate these amazing treats right at home with clear step-by-step instructions and photos of more than 40 featured projects, as well as clever tips for presentation, decorating, dipping, coloring and melting chocolate, and much more.
Lifelong Learning
The Boise School District’s 2011 Winter Community Education classes will begin January 25. Classes are led by volunteer instructors and offer the opportunity to explore a wide variety of topics.
You can find classes that focus on travel, gardening, home improvement, music, meditation, and much more.
Classes are held during evening hours at Timberline High School, Hillside Junior High School, West Junior High School, and Meadow Lake Village Retirement Community.
Registration for Community Education Winter Session begins January 3. To view a complete listing of course offerings and to register online, visit boiselearns.org. Registration is also available at the District Services Center, 8169 W. Victory Road, 854-4047.
Safe Winter Driving
The Idaho Transportation Department encourages travelers to use caution while driving on Idaho highways and roads this winter and suggests travelers plan in advance for the challenges of winter conditions.
ITD offers the following tips to help prepare for safe winter driving:
Plan ahead. Before heading out on the state’s roadways, dial 511 or visit 511.idaho.gov on the web for updates on winter road and weather conditions, emergency closures, and access to tourist information.
Slow down. Leave a few minutes early and allow extra time to get to destinations. It is better to be a few minutes late than put oneself and others at risk by driving too fast for the conditions.
Buckle up. Wearing a seat belt is one of the easiest safety precautions one can take. Also, children must be properly secured in a safety seat that is right for their age and weight.
Use extra caution. Be aware of potentially icy areas such as shady spots and bridges. Take caution against black ice. Drive less than the speed limit if conditions warrant.
Drive safely around snowplows. Keep at least two car lengths behind snowplows for every 10 mph of car speed. Do not pass a snowplow, and never drive through the snow being ejected from the plows because the force of the spraying snow can throw a car out of control.
Be prepared. Winter conditions increase the importance of a well-maintained vehicle. Keep car windows, mirrors, and lights clear of snow and ice. Make sure tires and brakes are ready for the extra demands of winter. Visit a mechanic and ensure car battery and fluid levels are good and heating units are working.
Keep emergency supplies in the car. Flashlights, extra batteries, first aid kit, pocket knife, blanket or sleeping bag, extra clothing, small sack of sand or cat litter for generating traction under vehicle wheels, small shovel, bottled water, booster cables, rope, energy bars or other food, brightly-colored scarf to attract attention in case of an emergency, waterproof matches or cigarette lighter, and a map of the area.
Carry a cellphone. Make sure the battery is fully charged and have a list of emergency telephone numbers available. Also, share travel plans with family or friends. Include estimated departure and arrival times, route, and destination.
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