Monthly Archives: November 2011
Nampa Civic Center December Shows
The Nampa Civic Center is another great event facility that offers shows, musicals, and comedy acts. Many performing art companies book this facility for their shows.
Located at 311 Third Street South in Nampa, this facility opened in the 1970’s to provide an event center for the surrounding community. We enjoyed a local play there last year. It’s a great way to support area artists and be entertained at the same time! Here are some events coming up:
- A Christmas Carol:
Friday, December 09, 2011 07:30PM
Saturday, December 10, 2011 01:30PM
Saturday, December 10, 2011 07:30PM
Friday, December 16, 2011 07:30PM
Saturday, December 17, 2011 01:30PM
Saturday, December 17, 2011 07:30PM
Presented by Music Theatre of Idaho.
‘Charles Dickens’ classic gets the full Broadway treatment in Alan Menken’s Ahrens’-Mike Okrent’s adaptation of A Christmas Carol. This is the version that leaves New Yorkers and tourists alike gasping in wonder and merriment every year as the story unfolds on the stage at Madison Square Garden. The score is filled with beautiful melodies and emotional lyrics. Their song “A Place Called Home” has become a holiday standard. The MTI last performed this holiday favorite in 2008.’
- The Elvis Christmas Show
Sunday, December 11, 2011 07:00PM
‘Join Stacey Wayne as Elvis with His Blue Moon Boys Band in this entertaining and exciting Christmas Show. There will also be a tribute to Frank Sinatra by Adam Gottesman. Produced by Scorpion Entertainment and Music Theater of Idaho this show is sure to be a crowd pleaser’.
- The Bells of Christmas
Sunday, December 18, 2011 04:00PM
‘Come join in this annual tradition of beautiful Christmas music with an opportunity to support the Salvation Army of Nampa the 6th Annual “Kettle Koncert” This Bells of Christmas Show features Phyllis Tincher, handbell soloist and Sean Rogers, pianist; with special guests: SOUNDWAVE! (Advanced handbell choir from Gem State Academy) ‘
- New Years Eve with High Street
Saturday, December 31, 2011 07:00PM
‘High Street, a ten piece show band with a five-piece horn section, is known for their aesthetic appeal, their solid musicianship and their ability to get the place jumpin’ with their special brand of high energy and quality showmanship. One of the Northwest’s most entertaining bands, their repertoire includes cover songs and originals in a mixture of swing, blues, R & B, Latin, oldies, and ballads. Their music is infectious to crowds of all ages. Ring in the New Year with us! Enjoy dinner, a concert, and dancing as well as a champagne toast at the stroke of midnight.
This event sold out last year, so get your tickets early!!!’
Check out their events for the 2012 too. There are musicals and comedies as well as concerts: http://www.nampaciviccenter.com/events.php
If you are interested in renting this facility for your event go to:
http://www.nampaciviccenter.com/publicPage.php?pageId=9278F6B824B5CC86085C0D5A6286A300
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
This is the time of year when we all think about donating to our favorite charities.
I have donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in the past and I am so happy that I did.
Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, the spongy center of bones where our blood cells are formed. The disease develops when blood cells produced in the bone marrow grow out of control. I now have a very close friend in a battle with leukemia. The treatment is intense and difficult, but my friend is a fighter. We are thankful for the medical progress that non-profit charities like the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society have help make.
Here is the website to learn more:
In addition to donations, there are events that take place throughout the year that can help raise money. There are also volunteer positions that are greatly needed. AND on the site you can click through to stores that donate a portion of sales to this worthy charity.
Another way to help and super simple is to register for the national bone marrow transplant registry. Take some time to read some success stories on the site. Click here for more information:
http://registry.marrow.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=7601.16&dlv_id=12904
Together we can help even more people with blood and bone marrow cancer.
I would love to research your favorite charity too. Please send links and information to me!
The Egyptian Theatre Events
The Egyptian Theatre is a beautiful historical theatre located in downtown Boise at the corner of Main Street and Capital Blvd. It hosts many concerts, speakers, opera performances, film festivals, weddings, parties, benefits and more. It is available to rent for different events too.
If you have never been to the Egyptian Theatre, it has several venues booked through the end of the year that you may enjoy. Some of these sound like lots of fun!
November 17 – 19: Warren Millers Like There’s no Tomorrow, 7 p.m. $15/ticket: ‘This year, Warren Miller Entertainment offers your first stop for preseason powder stoke, with the introduction of its 62nd annual winter sports film, Warren Miller’s . . . Like There’s No Tomorrow. Narrated by Olympic Gold Medalist Jonny Moseley and shot on location on five continents, . . . Like There’s No Tomorrow celebrates the moments that make up a perfect winter. Tour the world’s most inspiring snowy landscapes, from the rugged peaks of New Hampshire’s Mount Washington to the legendary powder of Squaw Valley, California; from the striking Himalayas in Gulmarg, India to the southern hemisphere’s highest peak in Portillo, Chile. Alaska. Utah. Colorado. New Zealand. Norway. It’s all here, just waiting for you to fill in the blank’.
November 21: Michael McDonald: Two shows, 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., $29.50/ticket: PURCHASE TICKETS AT: http://www.ictickets.com/Event/Default.aspx?id=1114
December 3 and 4: Sung in English with English surtitles: Amahl and the Night Visitors. Saturday, Dec. 3rd at 2:30pm and 7:30pm and Sunday, Dec. 4th at 2:30pm. Various pricing depending on level. Family Passes are available! Visit: http://www.egyptiantheatre.net/ for pricing and details: Synopsis: Amahl, a disabled boy who can walk only with a crutch, has a problem with telling tall tales and, occasionally, lying. He is sitting outside playing his shepherd’s pipe when his mother calls for him (Amahl! Amahl!). After much persuasion, he enters the house but his mother does not believe him when he tells her there is an amazing star “as big as a window” outside over their roof (O Mother You Should Go Outside; Stop Bothering Me!). Later that night, Amahl’s mother weeps, praying that Amahl not become a beggar (Don’t Cry Mother Dear). After bedtime (From Far Away We Come), there is a knock at the door and the mother tells Amahl to go see who it is (Amahl … Yes Mother!). He is amazed when he sees three splendidly dressed kings (the Magi). They tell the mother and Amahl they are on a long journey to give gifts to a wondrous child and they would like to rest at their house, to which the mother agrees (Good Evening!; Come In!; Have You Seen a Child?). The mother goes to fetch firewood, and Amahl seizes the opportunity to speak with the kings. King Balthazar answers Amahl’s questions about his life as a king and asks what Amahl does. Amahl responds that he was once a shepherd, but his mother had to sell his sheep. Now, he and his mother will have to go begging. Amahl then talks with King Kaspar, who is childlike, eccentric, and a bit deaf. Kaspar shows Amahl his box of magic stones, beads, and licorice, and offers Amahl some of the candy (Are You A Real King?; This is My Box). The mother returns (Amahl, I Told You Not To Be A Nuisance!). Amahl is told to go fetch the neighbors (All These Beautiful Things) so the kings may be fed and entertained properly (Shepherds! Shepherds!; Emily! Emily; Olives and Quinces; Dance of the Shepherds). After the neighbors have left and the kings are resting, the mother attempts to steal for her son some of the kings’ gold that was meant for the Christ child (All That Gold). She is thwarted by the kings’ page. When Amahl wakes to find the page grabbing his mother, he attacks him. Seeing Amahl’s weak defense of his mother and understanding the motives for the attempted theft, King Melchior says she may keep the gold as the Holy Child will not need earthly power or wealth to build his kingdom. The mother says she has waited all her life for such a king and asks the kings to take back the gold. She wishes to send a gift but has nothing to send. Amahl, too, has nothing to give the Child except his crutch. When he offers it to the kings, his leg is miraculously healed. He leaves with the kings to see the child and give his crutch in thanks for being healed.
December 15 and 16: Menopause The Musical® In Concert. 7:30pm. $30.00/Ticket. ‘What happens when you give the four women in Menopause The Musical® the black lace bra and a microphone? Menopause The Musical® IN CONCERT, a unique experience in theatre entertainment. It is ALL the words, the jokes, the fabulous songs and staged in a concert format. The laughter-filled 90-minute production includes parodies from the classics of the ‘60s and ‘70s and ‘80s. Disco hit “Stayin’ Alive” becomes “Stayin’ Awake,” Motown favorite “My Guy” is transformed into “My Thighs,” “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” switches to “In the Guest Room or on the Sofa, My Husband Sleeps at Night,” and “Puff The Magic Dragon” becomes the anthem to exercise, “Puff, My God I’m Draggin’”. Each week women of all ages and stages find their spirits lifted by the show’s light-hearted look at menopause. No longer is it The Silent Passage’!
December 18 and 19: 6th Annual X-TREME HOLIDAY X-TRAVAGANZA Concert. $25/ticket: ‘For the 6th consecutive year, Curtis Stigers presents the event of the season: Two rollicking, no-holds barred evenings of entertainment at the historic Egyptian Theatre in Boise, featuring the finest talent Idaho has to offer, all to benefit The Interfaith Sanctuary, a shelter for the homeless. Over 20 acts a night hosted by Curtis and the The Fool Squad, with music, comedy, dance, origami, tumbling, claymation, animal tricks (no animals will be harmed, blah blah blah…) and much more!!! But seriously folks, this is a barnburner! Get your tickets now before they sell out (and they always do!)’.
Check out these events for your holiday entertainment!
For ticket information please visit: http://www.egyptiantheatre.net/
Veterans Day November 11, 2011
Tomorrow is Veterans Day, an ‘official’ day to thank and honor all who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
Friday Ceremonies
The Veterans Day National Ceremony will be held at 11:00 (Eastern Time – 9:00 Mountain Time) in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Virginia. It begins with wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns and continues inside the Memorial Amphitheatre with a parade of colors by veteran organizations and comments by dignitaries. I could not find where we have local coverage, but CNN usually has good coverage on this event. You can also try CNN online: http://www.cnn.com/.
Boise:
- 11:00 a.m. State Veterans Service at Boise Veterans Home. Will be awarding the Spirit of Freedom Service Awards to 10 Idaho veterans: 320 North Collins Road, Boise ID 83702
- 11:00 a.m. Boise State University Veterans Day program. Features a reading of names of Idahoans who have died in service to their county in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past decade. South end zone of Bronco Stadium. A reception and dedication of Boise States new Veterans Services Center will be immediately after the ceremony at the Alumini Center: 1173 University Drive across from Bronco Stadium.
- 1:30 Boise Rescue Mission hosts a ceremony for veterans at the new VFW post at 8931 W Ardene Street (Overland and Maple Grove). The mission staff will give away more than 50 backpacks with winter gear to homeless vets who attend the ceremony.
- 7:00 p.m. Veterans Day Memorial Service at Boise Veterans Home: 320 North Collins Road, Boise ID 83702
Caldwell
- 11:00 a.m. Caldwell Elks Lodge No 1448 will be hosting a Veterans Day program. Retired U.S. Army Major Lyle Gessford will speak: 621 Cleveland Blvd in Caldwell
Mountain Home
- 11:00 a.m. American Legion Post No. 26 will lead Veteran’s Day ceremonies at Mountain View Cemetery in Mountain Home honoring all veterans and active duty military. The event will feature guest speakers and a presentation of wreaths honoring veterans. Col. Ronald Buckley, 366th Fighter Wing commander, is expected to be the featured speaker at the event.
Nampa
- 9:30 a.m. Nampa High School will honor local veterans and alumni who have served. Program includes speakers, Black Hawk helicopter flyover and dedication of war memorial: 203 Lake Lowell Ave, Nampa
To all of our veterans and active military service men and women, thank you for protecting our freedom.
Idaho Food Bank Needs Us
Although we are seeing a light at the end of the tunnel with the local job market (unemployment rates are gradually getting lower), many families are still faced with the difficulty of putting healthy, consistent meals on the table for their families.
The Idaho Foodbank is a non-profit organization with warehouses in Boise, Lewiston and Pocatello. They are the largest hunger relief organization and the largest distributor of free emergency food in Idaho.
“Food distribution is made possible by generous donors, thousands of volunteers and a network of more than 200 nonprofit partners that receive food from IFB’s warehouses and distribute it directly to people in need. Our partners include food pantries, senior centers, rescue missions, soup kitchens and other feeding sites. The organization also provides direct service through programs such as the Mobile Pantry, the Backpack Program and Picnic in the Park”. http://www.idahofoodbank.org website
It’s important for us to know that the shelves at the Idaho Foodbank are looking a bit bare right now. Struggling families that are going into winter have to pay to keep their families warm and sheltered and make sure they are fed.
Helping can be as simple as donating food, money or time to the Idaho Foodbank programs. So many people are now couponing, and could help by donating some of their pantry stable stockpile foods. Protein items are especially needed.
See this link for how you can help: http://www.idahofoodbank.org/?page=get-involved
Together we can help feed families in need in Idaho!
Pho Nouveau, Vietnamese Bistro: Downtown Boise
Thanks to my friend Patty, I recently discovered another gem in downtown Boise, Pho Nouveau. This restaurant is on Idaho Street between 8th street and Capital. Very delicious Vietnamese comfort food. I had the Lemon Grass Chicken: boneless chicken breast marinated in lemon grass, white wine, oyster sauce and garlic. Oh my, it was delicious! The Pho Bowls are excellent too as well as the Fresh Summer Rolls. I look forward to trying several of the other items on the menu like: Chicken Curry, Hot and Spicy Beef and the Summer Noodle Bowls.
Lemon Grass Chicken
November and December boast a lot of downtown Boise events. If you are looking for a delicious refuel spot, this would be a spot to check out.
Great Online Education Resource: http://Lili.org
I know this isn’t an activity that takes you out of the house, but this is a fantastic online resource for all ages.
This website was put together by the Idaho Government as an educational resource that is free to Idahoans. It is fantastic! You can find information to help children in elementary school search different topics, encyclopedias, books, and dictionaries. You can find practice tests for the ACT, SAT, PSAT, and AP information. If your child is struggling at any age level, the site has tests, practice information and ebooks to help them improve. The site also includes career information, workplace skills, tutorials and more.
Here is the content from the ‘About Us’ page of the website:
“The LiLI Databases (LiLI-D) are online services providing full-text articles from magazines, professional journals, newspapers, and reference books free to all Idaho residents.
There’s something for everyone – K-12 students, researchers, consumers – everyone! Best of all, LiLI is free to all Idahoans. (If you’re not an Idahoan, check with your local or state library to discover similar database offerings they may provide).
To start using LiLI, look up a database by subject, by name, or categorized by topic areas for kids or students. You’ll find links to numerous databases covering a wide range of subjects.”
This is a great resource at any level. Check it out!
Boise Area Activities 