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Make Room to Wander
It’s easy to get caught in the rhythm of routines— emails, errands, appointments. But when was the last time you left space on the calendar for wandering?
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how often we approach time with an “efficiency mindset.” We aim to optimize, streamline, predict. Yet some of life’s most meaningful moments happen offscript—on a detour, at a dusty trailhead, or in a tiny café you didn’t plan to visit.
This July, we invite you to embrace the spirit of exploration. Whether it’s a walk through Celebration Park and Cleo’s Ferry Garden, discovering native flora with the Pahove Chapter of the Idaho Native Plant Society, or strolling Garden City’s art-lined Greenbelt, adventure doesn’t always require a plane ticket. Sometimes it’s as simple as taking a new trail, shopping a different Treasure Valley farmers market, or tasting something unexpected at a festival booth.
And July is full of ways to do just that. Celebrate freedom at the 4th of July Parade and Fireworks in Ann Morrison Park. Dance your heart out at Alive After 5. Discover local goods at the Gem State 208 Market. Feel the rush of the Boise Twilight Criterium. Experience Basque heritage at Jaialdi, artful reflection at Boise State’s Speaking Volumes exhibit, or a dose of mid-summer magic with “Christmas in July.”
This issue is your guide to local discovery—the kind that connects us more deeply to our community, Idaho’s wild beauty, and the people and businesses shaping where we live.
Here’s to stepping outside the schedule—and into something unexpected. May it inspire you to leave a little more room for wander.
VINCE GEWALT, PUBLISHER
July 2025
PUBLISHER
Vince Gewalt | vince.gewalt@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Tricia Busalacchi | tricia.busalacchi@citylifestyle.com
STAFF WRITER
Jordan Gray | editorial@boisecitylifestyle.com
SALES SUPPORT ASSISTANT
Maria Serondo | support@boisecitylifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Russell Detablan | editorial@boisecitylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Ashley Loeb, Tammy De Weerd, Pamela Kleibrink Thompson, Martha Channer, Denise Llorente, Jana Kemp, Chelsea Chambers
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ashley Loeb, Karie Pappani, Jana Kemp, Steve Smith, Jay Graham, Steve Dondero, Holsey Pierce
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell
Boise Lifestyle is available for pick up at the Boise Metro Chamber, 1101 W. Front St.
3:5-6
inside the issue
A Desire to Learn and Engage with Nature
The Idaho Native Plant Society - Pahove Chapter
When in Rome, Savor Everything
Two days in Rome reveal how food, art, and architecture preserve centuries of lived history
Explore Beyond the Market
Meet
Stretching through Boise’s backyard, the Greenbelt links neighborhoods, nature, and moments of quiet discovery— reminding us that adventure doesn’t always require distance, just a willingness to wander close to home.
Charles Knowles
NEWSWORTHY IN IDAHO
ARTICLE BY DENISE LLORENTE
HONORING THOSE WHO TURN EVERYDAY MOMENTS INTO MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES FOR VISITORS AND LOCALS ALIKE
Each summer, thousands visit Boise, but it’s the people behind the scenes who make the city unforgettable. The 2025 ROSE (Recognition of Service Excellence) Awards held this spring, celebrated those who bring warmth and care to every guest experience. Honorees include Lanai Hernandez of Hotel Renegade, Jerry Liu of The Grove Hotel, and Carlo Migliori of Bogus Basin. Brad Wilson of Bogus Basin and the Sullivans of Telaya Wine Co. were also recognized. Amy Frump, pictured here, received the Leadership and Learning Excellence Award for her dedication to growth in Boise State’s hospitality program. visitboise.com
2026 ARTS & HISTORY GRANTS
Boise’s 2026 Arts & History Grant program is offering $150,000 to fund cultural projects benefiting the community. Grants range from $1,000 to $5,000 and support projects taking place between October 2025 and September 2026. With a focus on celebrating Boise’s 2026 milestones, the program aims to empower creatives to bring their ideas to life. Information sessions are available to help guide applicants through the process. boiseartsandhistory.org
IDAHO’S HERITAGE CHAMPIONS
The Idaho State Historical Society recently celebrated twelve individuals with the 2025 Esto Perpetua Awards for their dedication to preserving Idaho’s history. Awardees, including Laurie Harris Mauser and Dr. Earl H. Bennett, were recognized for their work in restoring historic sites and inspiring future generations to engage with local heritage. The awards ceremony occurred on June 5, 2025, at the Idaho State Museum. history.idaho.gov
JUNIOR LEAGUE’S 2025 SERVICE PROJECTS
The Junior League of Boise launched its 2025 Impact Boise initiative by partnering with a different nonprofit each month for hands-on service projects. Volunteers helped with cooking classes at Boise Urban Garden School, cleaning at the Discovery Center, enrichment activities at Zoo Boise, and outdoor improvements at The Learning Lab. The effort highlights the ongoing role of civic organizations in supporting community needs across the Treasure Valley. boise.jl.org
The Old Idaho Penitentiary’s Behind Gray Walls podcast recently celebrated its 100th episode, exploring true stories of life inside the historic prison. Created by on-site historians, the podcast has reached nearly 150,000 listens since 2019 and continues to grow. Its latest milestone episode offers the first full audio tour of the penitentiary, revealing personal histories behind the prison’s stone walls. youtube.com
A Desire to Learn and Engage with Nature
THE IDAHO NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY - PAHOVE CHAPTER
The Idaho Native Plant Society (INPS) is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting interest in native plants by collecting and sharing information on all aspects of the botany of Idaho and undertaking projects and programs that promote the conservation of Idaho’s native flora. INPS aims to foster an understanding and appreciation of Idaho’s native flora and its habitats, encourage the responsible use of native plants in landscaping and restoration, and advocate for the conservation of this rich natural heritage for future generations.
Karie Pappani has been involved in INPS for over 20 years, currently serving as the Pahove Chapter President, a role she has held for over 15 of those years. “I first joined INPS when I was in graduate school at Idaho State University in Pocatello,” Pappani shares enthusiastically. “Dr. Karl Holte, a botany professor there, offered these fun Friday classes to anyone who wanted to learn more about how to identify plants. Later, I came to find out that there was a Sawabi Chapter of the INPS and I immediately joined. The year was probably 2002.”
Pappani grew up in central Idaho and is grateful to live in a state with such a diverse landscape. “I feel fortunate to have spent time wandering and observing many parts of Idaho.” Pappani carries her mission of conservation and native plant enthusiasm with her in all aspects of her life, from her career and volunteerism, to her own home garden. “I have over one hundred different species of native plants growing around my home. While some plants are trickier to establish than others, if you keep in mind what soil type, drainage, sun/shade, and moisture regime they prefer, then you have a good chance of them surviving and flowering for years to come.”
Pappani encourages everyone to plant and to plant native! She loves that she can step outside her door and be immediately immersed in a whole new world “full of brilliant blooms, buzzing pollinators, crawling insects, and spiders of all sorts. There are chirping birds nesting and raising young, and changing colors that vary with the seasons. It’s like an oasis in a desert. Full of life.”
ARTICLE BY CHELSEA CHAMBERS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KARIE PAPPANI
Pappani in a field of Lupine on Mount Harrison
Sticky Purple Geranium
Golden Currant
Idaho's State Flower the Syringa and Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
Harebell
Showy Penstemon
Mat Buckwheat
Showy Fleabane
For those interested in INPS, the Pahove Chapter offers monthly presentations from October through April/May. They host an annual native plant sale and a Wildflower Plus Show. “This spring we hosted a table on ‘Planting with Natives’ at Franz Witte’s Spring Open House and we often chaperone wildflower walks from spring through the fall as weather and schedules permit,” Pappani explains.
The Pahove Chapter, and the Idaho Native Plant Society as a whole, is a warm and welcome group that fosters connection and conservation of Idaho’s beautiful natural landscape. “I have met and become friends with plant society folks and have known them for many, many years. I truly feel that they are the salt of the Earth—very good people.” She continues, “Anyone and everyone is welcome to join us! You don’t have to have a degree or know much about plants or have any particular affiliations. All you need is a desire to engage with and learn more about nature.”
Western Columbine
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY ASHLEY LOEB
When in Rome, Savor Everything
Two days in Rome reveal how food, art, and architecture preserve centuries of lived history
Stepping out from the airport onto the uneven cobblestones of Rome meant entering history resurrected through the people, places, and food of this ancient city which hummed with life amongst the towering architecture. With only 48 hours to explore and soak up the richness of Rome, the clock was already ticking as we watch the sun set over the city, its last golden rays of light bathing the historic monuments in an orange glow.
“Of all the meals I’ve had, I’ll always return to the spaghetti carbonara I ate in Rome.” With the wise words of Stanley Tucci
ringing in my ears, we weaved through history, passing the lively Trevi Fountain to find the best of the Italy’s fundamental food, pasta. Born out of economic hardship, pasta was made from cheap and easy ingredients to add substance to a meal, including the four styles for which Rome was known best, cacio e pepe, carbonara, amatriciana, and alla gricia.
The cooler evening temperatures, twinkling lights, and familiar melodies disguised in Italian accent sung in harmony with an accordion, allured us onto patio at Il Fachetto. The words, “fruit-forward, full-bodied” were enough to summon a glass of red, hand-selected by the server, that quickly pleased my palate. Fresh, seasonal artichokes made for a delectable first bite, followed by a cheesy, peppery Cacio e Pepe and pancetta, redsauced Amatriciana. Tasting the homemade perfection that had resulted from generations of pasta-making was heaven.
Feeling light despite the illusion of a heavy meal the night before, we ambled to a tiny coffee shop for fresh donuts amongst the locals before we were whisked away on a golf cart for an incredible private tour of Rome, with the Colosseum as the centerfold amongst a backdrop of endless sites of historical events including ancient churches and panoramic views from the Villa Borghese Park.
After being swept off our feet in an afternoon rendezvous with the Eternal City, we stopped for a scoop of fresh, creamy gelato per the local tour guide’s recommendation before a short trek to a bustling eatery, Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina. We strolled the
deli counter and down the staircase to partake in a meal amongst the wine bottles. Garnished with an orange slice, an Aperol spritz with its bright, bubbly, fusion of bitter and sweet complemented the adventurous meat and cheese board followed by pillowy bites of potato heaven, gnocchi all’ Amatriciana.
After the sunset once more, a romantic evening stroll past monuments, columns, and the Pantheon lit up in all its glory, led us across the Tiber River to Spirito Divino in the peaceful Trastevere neighborhood and a final Roman meal. We relaxed on a bench in the narrow street until the Chef’s son exclaimed “Idaho!” when our table was ready. Perched atop the steps that led to a underground stone wine cellar that showed the age of this establishment, constructed hundreds of years before we were born!
The menu was curated with made-from-scratch dishes using ingredients sourced from small agriculture and local quality food producers. A tender, mouth-watering beef stew was the star of the show. We applauded as the 70+ year old chef appeared from the kitchen, with her backpack, for a familiar evening walk home. Delicious food memories danced in our minds as we headed for a chocolatey gelato night cap.
Leaving Rome the next morning left us pining to stay longer in a city that deserves more than the 48 hours we had to give, which served as a peekaboo into in this enchanting, timeless, and breathtaking city where the food is truly a way that its people keep history alive.
IDAHO ROAD TRIP
Time Travel in Nearby Canyon County, with or without kids
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANA KEMP
A drive to Celebration Park and Cleo’s Ferry Garden creates an on-the-road, time travel experience. Just under thirty miles from Boise and Meridian, the drive takes you through suburbia, past golf courses and the Morley Nelson Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, then through agricultural lands with crops, sheep, cattle, dairy cows and dairies, and on to wine country near Cleo’s. You'll likely see Idaho landscapes you have not seen before.
Cleo’s Ferry Garden
From twenty-first century subdivisions to early 1900s farmsteads and ranches, you’ll see Idaho’s agricultural history rolling past as you journey to see the petroglyphs at Celebration Park. This Canyon County Park was founded in 1989 as Idaho’s first and only archaeological park. A gentle, rocky hike takes you to the petroglyphs. A wooden boardwalk leads to the atlatl practice range where you can practice throwing the ancient atlatl tool used for hunting. Nestled in the parking lot area is a replica twig tent big enough to go into.
Celebration Park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. The visitor center is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Educational signage around the park provides CONTINUED >
Petroglyph Trail
Cleo's Bronze sculptures
Celebration Park
plenty of information about what to look for. Make a day of it: bring a snack or a meal and enjoy the picnic spaces. Bring your fishing license and your poles. Look for birds – flying, roosting, nesting, flitting from tree to tree. Depending on the season, you’ll see a variety of vegetation and wildlife.
Cleo’s Ferry Museum, near downtown Melba, is five miles from Celebration Park. Originally the site of ferry services across the Snake River in the 1800s and early 1900s, the permanent bridge obsoleted the once necessary ferry system.
In 1966, Dr. Samuel Swayne and his wife Cleo built the trails and populated them with whimsical joy. When exploring the cobblestone structures – homes, churches, buildings – watch for peacocks. Look for the white one, the traditional male-feathered and colorful, as well as the muted-color female peacocks. You may spot squirrels, lizards, and birds along the trails as well.
Open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., this outdoor walk-through space with cobblestone buildings, and gnome, fairy, and sculpture garden spaces is a curious delight for all ages.
Clear, open paths, and tree-covered trails make for hours of enjoyment. History displays throughout the area take visitors back in time. The calm quiet here is a nice respite from today’s busy, noisy, traffic-filled world.
Open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., this outdoor walk-through space with cobblestone buildings, and gnome, fairy, and sculpture garden spaces is a curious delight for all ages.
Your twenty-first century electronic map provides options for one-trip or multi-trip routes that will take you back in time to a quieter era and landscape. Take water! Stay hydrated and enjoy these strolls along the Snake River, through geology, ferry history, and historic river bridge crossings.
Cleo's stone buildings
Guffey Bridge, Welcome to Celebration Park
Park trails leading to Guffey Bridge
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EXPLORE BEYOND THE MARKET
Meet the farmers, ranchers, and makers bringing Boise’s local food culture to life each week
Treasure Valley’s craft markets and artisan fairs offer a vibrant mix of handmade goods, local art, and gourmet treats—but not all markets are created equal. While many celebrate the full spectrum of creative expression, the Boise Farmers Market stands apart in its dedication to food—real food—and the people who grow, raise, and prepare it. From Somali-American farmers planting new roots to local ranchers and regenerative growers,
this is a place where what’s on your plate comes with a backstory. Here, food tells a story—and the community shows up to listen.
Each Saturday from April through October, a steady hum fills the parking lot at 1500 Shoreline Drive. Shoppers wander between rows of tents, reusable bags slung over shoulders, while vendors hand out samples of goat cheese, heirloom tomatoes, and fermented garlic honey. This is the Boise Farmers Market—a space
The Boise Farmers Market
that has become not just a shopping experience but a rhythm of the city’s weekends.
Set just off the Boise River, near Shoreline Park and the Greenbelt, the market’s location offers more than fresh produce—it opens onto the city’s natural flow.
After picking up a bouquet of basil or a pint of cherries, many visitors stroll or cycle along the riverside path, pausing at shaded benches or heading toward coffee shops and breweries along the way. The market isn’t
just a destination—it’s part of a Saturday rhythm that threads through Boise’s downtown and riverfront life.
Since its founding in 2013, the Boise Farmers Market has grown to include an average of more than 80 vendors each season, most from southwestern Idaho and eastern Oregon. But what draws people back each week goes beyond the produce bins and fresh eggs. It’s the stories: who grew the food, how it was raised, and why it matters.
A NEW WAY TO TELL A MARKET STORY
A ten-part video series titled More Than a Market: Why Farmers Markets Matter launched this spring, funded through a USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program grant. Each episode captures a different facet of market life—from the quiet innovation of solar-powered strawberry farming to the reasons longtime customers make the market part of their weekly lives. One episode follows Jo Anne and Byron Smith of Smith Berry Farm, whose strawberry harvests are as brief as they are beloved. But the deeper story is about their sustainability efforts—powering their farm with solar energy and committing to soil-conscious practices.
Another episode, In Love with Local , focuses on the community itself—those who return each week not just for food, but for a sense of belonging.
A fourth video, set to release in July, will spotlight one of the market’s most celebrated seasonal traditions: the Harvest Moon Dinner, a fall farm-to-table event held each September that brings together local chefs, farmers, and community members for
a shared meal under Idaho’s crisp autumn sky. The video offers a glimpse into what happens when seasonal abundance, community storytelling, and food culture come together in a single evening.
For a more hands-on way to explore the market, consider joining the monthly Shop with a Chef tour. Led by market chef Adan Callsen, each outing focuses on a seasonal theme—like “Brunch Basics”—and takes participants on a guided walk through the stalls to meet vendors, discover fresh ingredients, and watch a cooking demonstration. The tour includes a custom recipe card and market tote, but its real takeaway is the deeper connection to what’s in season and who grew it.
None of these efforts aim for gloss. They land somewhere more grounded—intimate, observational, human. The kind of storytelling that mirrors the market itself.
Attendance is up 6% this year, with a 26% rise in Drive-Thru orders. But beyond the stats is something more tactile: the voices of vendors greeting familiar faces, the sound of live music drifting
between food trucks, and the feeling that this space, and the people in it, matter.
The Boise Farmers Market doesn’t try to be everything. It doesn’t need to. What it does offer—transparency, seasonality, and a sense of rootedness—feels increasingly rare. And thanks to this year’s video series, more people are
discovering not just the market, but the people who make it pulse.
At the Boise Farmers Market, you won’t just find food—you’ll find the people behind it.
To explore the More Than a Market video series, visit youtube.com/@BoiseFarmersMarket or learn more at theboisefarmersmarket.com
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HISTORIC ECHOES
Five newly listed Idaho landmarks reflect our past, shape our future
ARTICLE BY STAFF WRITER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY IDAHO STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
In a state known for its rugged landscapes and rapidly changing skylines, preservation can often feel like a race against time. But thanks to the efforts of Idaho’s State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), five more threads of the state’s rich historical tapestry have just been officially recognized. These newly listed sites—spanning quiet rural schools, a modernist Boise home, and a steel bridge connecting two counties—were recently added to the National Register of Historic Places, a national program that protects places of historical and cultural value.
Each listing tells a different story about who we are and how our communities evolved.
MODERN LINES, LASTING LEGACY
In Boise, the 1961 Brookover House stands as a bold architectural statement, blending Modernist innovation with Japanese influences. Designed by Grider & La Marche, the home once belonged to J. Gordon and Barbara Brookover, whose retail clothing business helped shape the region’s mid-century fashion scene.
A SCHOOLHOUSE BUILT TO GROW
Just a couple of hours away, the Hammett School in Elmore County reflects a time when educational design considered both expansion and innovation. Built in 1911, it included advancements in lighting and safety—remarkable for its setting and era. Today, it continues to serve the community as a private residence.
LEARNING THROUGH CHANGE
In Idaho County, the former Riggins High School, completed in 1940, has worn many hats—from high school to elementary classrooms to community space. Its continued use underscores the flexibility of rural architecture in meeting shifting local needs.
BRIDGING TIME AND TERRAIN
Completed in 1908, the Sperry Bridge connects Latah and Nez Perce counties across the Potlatch River. As the oldest surviving pin-connected vehicular steel truss bridge in northern Idaho, it’s more than a feat of engineering—it’s a steel-bound link to early 20th-century infrastructure.
COLONIAL REVIVAL ON THE PRAIRIE
Near Weiser, the 1923 Sunnyside School—designed in the Colonial Revival style—offered education in both form and function until 1969. Today, the building is home to a private preschool, continuing its educational legacy.
What ties all five together isn’t just age—it’s integrity, utility, and the stories etched into their walls, beams, and foundations.
And more stories are on the way. SHPO anticipates a record year in 2025, with 13 additional nominations under review. As Idaho continues to grow and evolve, recognizing what’s worth preserving may be one of our most meaningful investments in the future.
To explore these listings and learn more, visit History.Idaho.gov
WRITE ON!
THE SUN VALLEY WRITERS CONFERENCE
ARTICLE BY PAMELA KLEIBRINK THOMPSON
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY SUN VALLEY WRITERS’ CONFERENCE
Founded 30 years ago, the Idaho nonprofit Sun Valley Writer’s Conference’s (SVWC) mission is “to bring together readers, writers, and artists of diverse age, background, and experience to be informed, enlightened, challenged, and inspired by a world-class literary program in the great outdoors.”
The goal of the SVWC is to inspire and challenge, uplift and enlighten, and to connect everyone through a shared love of literature. “It is our hopeful goal, that for a few magical days, each of
PC: Steve Smith
PC: Jay Graham
PC: Steve Smith
PC: Steve Smith
us will be filled with a sense of wonder, through the medium of words,” stated John Burnham Schwartz, SVWC Literary Director.
Passes are sold out, but you can still celebrate authors, books, and words, from Saturday, July 19 through Monday, July 21. The SVWC offers opportunities for every budget with free Pavilion Lawn talks, free live streaming from anywhere in the world, free online content in the digital media library available on the website, and a free school speaker series in local schools. “These programs were developed specifically for people in the local community, young attendees, and students and teachers in local schools,” shared Kate Elgee Haase, Marketing and Communications Manager. Some of the podcasts include S wamp Story: Dave Barry’s Florida , and Curtis Sittenfeld on Love and Comedy. Audio clips include Dennis Lehane on Writing TV series versus Writing Fiction . Video clips can also be seen on the website.
This year The Community Library in Ketchum will host free talks by Ruth Reichl on July 16 and Sonia Purnell on July 22. Reichl’s most recent projects are The Paris Novel , and a documentary, Food and Country, with Laura Gabbert (City of Gold), which premiered at Sundance. Purnell’s latest book, Kingmaker, is an electrifying re-examination of Pamela Harriman, one of the 20th century’s greatest unsung power players as well as an eye-popping tale of sex, money, politics and fabulous clothes.
Year round there are lots of literary events and opportunities from the SVWC. For example, you can listen to a free podcast called Beyond the Page. Judy Blume, the author of twenty-five books for young readers and four novels for adults, was recorded live at the 2024 Writers Conference, in conversation
“It is our hopeful goal, that for a few magical days, each of us will be filled with a sense of wonder, through the medium of words.”
with her friend Jeffrey Brown of the PBS NewsHour. svwc. com/media/podcast/the-radical-honesty-of-judy-blume
Besides the free events, there are single event tickets available for only $35 each to select Pavilion Talks. Tickets will also be available for a Live Watch Party at the Argyros Theater in downtown Ketchum. For more info visit svwc.com
John Lithgow PC: Steve Dondero
PC: Halsey Pierce
A City Grown from Gardens
A HIDDEN POCKET OF TREASURE VALLEY REINVENTS ITSELF THROUGH ART, FOOD, HISTORY, AND RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY CONNECTION
ARTICLE BY MARTHA CHANNER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY VISIT GARDEN CITY + PROVIDED
Oldspeak Book Beer Bar
PC: Visit Garden City
Garden City Mayor John Evans at Giraffe Laugh
Nestled along the Boise River, just a stone’s throw from the State Capitol, Garden City has always been a place of reinvention—first by soil, then by spirit. What began in the late 19th century as farmland leased to Chinese immigrants became a patchwork of produce gardens, hog farms, and eventually a haven for artists, winemakers, and creatives. Named for the “Chinese Gardens” that once flourished here, Garden City’s roots run deep beneath the now-bustling Chinden Boulevard—a name itself born from the blend of China and garden . In 1949, after Boise banned gambling, the city incorporated to allow it, attracting new business and energy along its main corridor. And though the gardens are long gone, the sense of cultivation—of people, ideas, and connection— remains vibrantly alive.
In this urban garden, new and magical things are breaking ground all over the place. What was once “The Chinese Gardens” is now a hot bed of talent, great food, delightful spirits, and river recreation that must not be missed.
The adventure begins at OldSpeak Book Beer Bar on Chinden meeting with Jodi Eichelberger, also known as the unofficial mayor of Garden City. We pour cups from individual press pots of delicious coffee and settle in for our talk. The book store theme of this drinks-only haven is library meets libations in speak-easy comfort. I buy a Hemingway novel for later and turn my focus to Jodi.
I ask him about his neighborhood, “I love living here — I walk to work and just about everywhere. There are so many fun things to experience.” What should I do first, I ask? “I’d start at Heron Park
off of Reed St. There are three special ‘Garden Sity’ (that is a pun, not a typo) art benches there to check out along with the beauty of the park. More benches are dotted along the green belt, all of them created by local artists. You’ll love the walk.”
Apparently, Garden City is full of art treasures and pleasures, so I lean in. Jodi is the Director of Programming for Surel’s Place; an artist-in-residence program that brings artists from all over the world to teach and exhibit in Boise. He elaborates, “The area between 37th Street and The Riverside Hotel is called the Surel Mitchell Live/ Work/Create district. This area includes the Visual Arts Collective, LED dance company and music project, Surel’s Place, The Common Well, and The Water’s Edge Gallery in the Riverside Hotel, plus Create Gallery as the newest arts venue in the district.”
Wow, now I’m really curious. I ask, is it easy to walk around and see all these places? Jodi smiles, “Glad you asked that question. We have something here called green belt signs at the foot of each road where they end at the river. Yellow is the create sign and will tell you what arts place is close. Red tells you where the wineries and food are in that immediate area, and the green signs show where to go to play—like parks and water adventures that are close by. I’m guessing you will love surfing at Whitewater Park at the end of 35th Street or maybe a mini river float.” Yes, indeed — how wonderful!
My Garden City guide has to move on to his next adventure, and I’m ready for a quick lunch before I walk the green belt. Jodi suggests Black Moon across the street for great salads and pizza like the Hunter Moon (pomodoro, goat cheese, kale,
Uncle Ben's Haircuts
North End Organic Nursery
Leo Bratenas, Create Gallery
Surel's Place
Sturman's Wine & Cigars
The Tile House
Bardenay Distilling Co.
Rolling Hills Urban Tasting Room
caramelized onions, Calabrian chiles, and spicy Italian sausage). I thank him profusely, not least of all for his pizza suggestion, and we part for now.
After a delightful lunch and deeply refreshing river walk, I decide to stop by Create Gallery to see what kind of art is currently on display. Invited to look around at my leisure by the owners Joan and Leo — “Let us know if you have any questions” — I feel comfortable and content to take my time. The gallery is huge and impressive, with a fine collection of surrealist-type paintings as the current exhibition. Leo, who is a painter, hands me a pair of 3D glasses to view one of his incredible works of art. “What do you see?” he asks. “The fish have come alive and are swimming off the canvas,” I quip as I move around the painting. These are fun people.
I have walked several miles, and I plan to circle back around to Proletariat Winery on my return journey and sip the 2021 Syrah that I have heard so much about. But before I do, one more art quest before I rest.
As I walk up to the old Culligan Water Factory that is now The Common Well, I feel the heat off of the building walls from the bright sunlight. By contrast, I am immediately soothed by the cool and quiet of the main gallery space as I enter.
Katherine Shaughnessy, co-founder and curator, greets me and I ask her a few questions about this unique Boise arts collective. “We like to show challenging art — cutting edge contemporary works such as installations and conceptual exhibitions of a high caliber — but the most meaningful aspect of The Common Well is the relationships and connections that are being forged among artists here. I was thrilled to realize that beyond our original plan for artist studios and shared workspaces, even beyond our residencies for emerging artists or our shows, a synergy of purpose bonds people who otherwise may not have connected.”
Looking around, I can see and feel that purpose. The artwork is profound in its creativity and scope. I feel embraced by a dual spirit of exploration and sanctuary. I find it hard to leave this place that nurtures the soul of me — but my Syrah is calling. I make a vow: I will return to you, Garden City. I have just begun.
• The Tile House | thetilehouse.com | (208) 314-7505
• Create Gallery and Frames creategalleryandframes.com | (510) 516-5260
• The Riverside Hotel | riversideboise.com | (208) 343-1871
• Linen + Loot | linenandloot.com | (208) 350-6010
• Flourish Bakery | flourishbakeryboise.com | (208) 912-3536
• Caffe Luciano's | caffelucianos.com | (208) 577-6010
• Grindz Coffee Shop | grindzcoffeeshop.com | (208) 297-3302
• Proletariat Wine Company | proletariatwines.com | (208) 344-1350
• Chicken In A Barrel | chickeninabarrel.com | (208) 872-1184
• North End Organic Nursery | northendnursery.com | (208) 389-4769
• Surel's Place | surelsplace.org | (208) 901-8498
• Bardenay Distilling Co. | bardenaydistilling.com | (208) 426-0538
• Split Rail Winery | splitrailwines.com | (208) 490-0681
• 34th Street Market facebook.com/34thStreetMarket | (208) 900-8028
• Push & Pour Coffee Shop | pushandpour.com | (208) 488-4747
• Belmont Brew House | belmontbrewhouse.beer | (208) 629-4585
• Sunflower Florist | boisesunflowerflorist.com | (208) 377-1491
• Sturman's Wine & Cigars | sturmansllc.com | (986) 200-4416
• Veer Wine Project | veerwineproject.com | (208) 254-0554
• Rolling Hills Vineyard | rollinghillsvineyard.com | (208) 948-3136
• Karuna Kava | karunakava.com | (208) 254-2055
• Parcero Wine Bar | parcerowinebar.com | (208) 336-2265
• Barbarian Brewing | barbarianbrewing.com | (208) 375-5639
• Pop's Popcorn | popspopcornfactory.com | (208) 322-6549
• Giraffe Laugh Early Learning Centers giraffelaugh.org | (208) 954-5454
• Uncle Ben's Haircuts | unclebenshaircuts.com | (208) 297-7622
• LED | ledboise.com
• The Common Well | thecommonwellboise.com | (208) 514-2785
• Water’s Edge Gallery riversideboise.com/waters-edge-gallery | (208) 331-4937
• Black Moon | heyblackmoon.com
• OldSpeak Book Beer Bar | 3640 West Chinden
ICONIC IDAHO PHOTO CONTEST
The Iconic Idaho photo contest on Outdoor Idaho’s Facebook page has a rich history and has become a significant bridge between people of all ages who share an interest in the outdoors.
We invite you to submit your stunning photos and become a part of an incredible monthly contest that celebrates the iconic landscapes, creatures, and moments that make Idaho truly special. TO
Tina is keeping Tina keeps her power bill lower and a wave of good energy flowing through her space by swapping bulbs to LEDs. More tips at idahopower.com/save.
in
CLAUDIA SANDERS
KATY PRESTWICH
CHERI GUINN
Boise + Eagle Events
JULY 2025
1-30 — ALIVE AFTER 5
Grove Plaza: 38 years of free summer concerts! downtownboise.org
1-31 — SCHICK-OSTOLASA HISTORIC FARMSTEAD OPEN EVERY SATURDAY
Dry Creek Valley: Explore 1860s Idaho life. visitboise.com
1-31 — SPEAKING VOLUMES: TRANSFORMING HATE TOUR 2025
Boise State University: Discover how hate transforms into hope through powerful art. speakingvolumes.net
2 — SUPER SOAKER SHOWDOWN
Indian Creek Plaza, 11 AM: Face off with Caldwell firefighters in the ultimate water battle! indiancreekplaza.com
3 — FIRST THURSDAY IN DOWNTOWN BOISE
Downtown Boise, 5 PM: Experience local culture with art, food, and live fun. downtownboise.org
4 — 4TH OF JULY PARADE
Andrus Park, 7 AM: Celebrate freedom as Boise’s downtown comes alive! boise4th.com
4 — 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS
Ann Morrison Park, 6 PM: Watch the sky light up synced to 107.1 K-HITS! cityofboise.org
4 — 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION
Bernie Fisher Park, 6 PM: Fun, memories, and patriotic spirit await! kunacity.id.gov
4 — RED, WHITE, AND BREW BAR CRAWL
Downtown, 5 PM: Celebrate Independence with friends in patriotic style! pubcrawls.com
4 — LAKESIDE LIBERTY FEST
East Park Street, 10 AM: Bring your red, white, and blue! mccall.id.us
4 — VEA 4TH OF JULY PANCAKE BREAKFAST
Andrus Park, 7 AM: A Boise tradition celebrating freedom and honoring our veterans. vealliance.org
5 — CALDWELL LATINO NIGHT MARKET
Indian Creek Plaza, 7 PM: Food, culture, and community every Saturday! indiancreekplaza.com
7-11 — PHENOMENAL PLANTS
Idaho Botanical Garden: Discover and care for unique plants through hands-on exploration and gardening. idahobotanicalgarden.org
11 — DARKNESSCON
Expo Idaho, 8 AM: Where horror, cosplay, and pop culture collide! boise.darknesscon.com
12 — CHRISTMAS IN JULY
Expo Idaho, 10 AM: Get a taste of holiday magic this summer! iblevents.com
12 — GEM STATE 208 MARKET
Farm Estates Park, 9 AM: A vibrant Saturday gathering of artisans, farmers, and more! Gemstate-208-market.square
12 —LOVELY HOLLOW FARM: OPENING DAY
Lovely Hollow Farm 8 AM: Food, drinks, live music, and a vibrant mini market! lovelyhollowfarm.com
12 — MUDDY DASH
Expo Idaho, 7 AM: Epic, mud-filled adventure! fb.com
13 — 13TH ANNUAL KIDS’ TRIATHLON
Nampa Park, 7:30 AM: Swim, bike, run, and cross the finish line with pride! nampaparksandrecreation.org
19 — 13TH ANNUAL KIDS TRIATHLON
Lincoln’s Swimming Pool, 7:30 AM: Swim, bike, and run at Nampa Rec’s Kids Triathlon! lincolnma.myrec.com
19 — BOISE TWILIGHT CRITERIUM
Downtown Boise, 10 AM: One of the nation’s top criterium events. boisetwilightcriterium.com
21-25 — TAKING FLIGHT
Idaho Botanical Garden: Explore how birds, seeds, and humans take flight through fun, hands-on experiments! idahobotanicalgarden.org
24 — BONNER COUNTY FARM TOURS
Shingle Mill Blueberry Farm, 9 AM: Fresh flavors and farm stories on the Panhandle Farm Corridor tours! panhandlefarmcorridor.com
24-27 — CANYON COUNTY FAIR
Canyon County Fairground: Four days of fun, food, music, and memories. cofairs.com
25 — 2025 HANDS AROUND THE CAPITOL
Andrus Park, 10 AM: Celebrate 35 years of the ADA. idahoaccessproject.org
29-31 — JAIALDI
Basque Block: A week of vibrant Basque traditions, flavors, and performances! jaialdi.com
31 — 5TH ANNUAL PFC FARM FESTIVAL
Red Canoe Farms, 4 PM: Blueberry picking, farm shopping, live music, and family fun. panhandlefarmcorridor.com
