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S E P TE M B E R 2 02 6

Hearing better isn’t just about hearing conversations. It’s about staying connected—to the people you love, the moments that matter most, and the life you’ve worked so hard to create. A landmark Johns Hopkins study of 639 adults over nearly 12 years found that hearing loss was associated with a significantly higher risk of dementia. Mild hearing loss doubled the risk, moderate hearing loss nearly tripled it, and severe hearing loss increased the risk up to fivefold. The ACHIEVE Trial (The Lancet, 2023) later found that treating hearing loss slowed cognitive decline by 48% over three years in older adults at elevated risk. Sources: Lin FR, et al. Archives of Neurology. 2011;68(2):214–220. ACHIEVE Research Group. The Lancet. 2023;402:786–797.

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

Style Has No Rules Here

September 2026 PUBLISHER

Greg Gewalt | greg.gewalt@citylifestyle.com E D I TO R I AL C O O R D I N ATO R

Tricia Busalacchi | tricia.busalacchi@citylifestyle.com

Dear Reader,

STAF F W R I T E R

Style is one of those words that means something different to everyone who uses it. For some people it lives in the clothing they choose and the way they put it together in the morning. For others it shows up in the home they have built, the art on their walls, or the way they move through a room. Sometimes it's as simple as catching your reflection and feeling like it finally matches how you feel on the inside. What I've learned pulling this issue together is that style has very little to do with trends. The most interesting version of it is always personal. It gets built over time, shaped by experience, and it tends to show up most clearly in people who have stopped trying to look like someone else. This issue gave me a chance to spend time with people like that. People who have figured out their own language for who they are and built something meaningful around it. Some of them are in the business of style directly. Others just happen to live it in ways that are hard to look away from. Either way, I kept finding the same thing underneath all of it: a willingness to be specific about what matters to them, and the confidence to show it. The Treasure Valley keeps surprising me that way. Different stories, same instinct... to show up as themselves and mean it. I hope something in these pages does the same for you. Not a trend to follow or a rule to apply, but a reminder that the most compelling style is already yours. You just have to pay attention to it.

SAL E S S U P P O RT AS S I STAN T

Jordan Gray | editorial@boisecitylifestyle.com

Maria Serondo | support@boisecitylifestyle.com S O C I AL M E D I A C O O R D I N ATO R

Russell Detablan | editorial@boisecitylifestyle.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Aimee Cook, Tammy de Weerd, Grace Page, Courtney Stone Smith, Stacy Leach, Emmalee Rathsam, Cate Marian C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R S

Phil White, The 8th Street Studio, Aimee Cook

Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt President Matthew Perry CRO Jamie Pentz CoS Janeane Thompson AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier

With gratitude,

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas

G R E G G E W A LT, P U B L I S H E R @MERIDIAN.LIFESTYLE

Meridian Lifestyle is available for pick up at the Meridian Chamber of Commerce, 215 E. Franklin Rd.

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com//franchise. Proverbs 3:5-6 Meridian Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Meridian area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions.

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L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Meridian Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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inside the issue SE PTE M B E R 2 02 6 | STYL E

22 Featured

Print Prestige Meets Digital Power.

WHY CHOOSE BETWEEN PRESTIGE AND PLACEMENT?

Departments

The Science Behind Natural Beauty

The Treasure Valley is discovering what great aesthetic care feels like

The Stories We Wear

The Art of Staying Curious

How one Idaho woman is using fashion to help a changing community see one another.

At ninety-one years old, painter John Killmaster is still driven by one question: what’s next?

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Skin Care BEAUTY

Expert Help LIFE + CULTURE

Fashion Forward STYLE + BEAUTY

Travel Journal TRAVEL

Self Care TRAVEL

Artist’s Palette ARTS + CULTURE

How To STYLE + BEAUTY

Trend Setter STYLE + BEAUTY

Happy Hour FOOD + BEVERAGE

Our Town ENTERTAINMENT

On the Cover Style, for Carrie Kranz, has always been personal. The founder of 1st Miracle Boutique in Eagle sources every piece herself, shaped by a New York childhood and a mother who was a nationally renowned artist.

With City Lifestyle’s co-branded print + digital packages, your business captures attention wherever our community is looking. Build unmatched local credibility on the page, and drive immediate action online. Ready to double your local reach? Contact your local publisher by scanning below.

Learning will never be this easy for your child again. Or as wondrous.

Did you know 90% of a child’s brain develops in the first five years? At Primrose School of North Meridian, we make the most of this important time by helping children grow the mental, physical and emotional skills that will set them up for success in the classroom and beyond.

Now Enrolling Primrose School of North Meridian (208) 515-0122 | PrimroseNorthMeridian.com Each Primrose school is a privately owned and operated franchise. Primrose Schools is a registered trademark of Primrose School Franchising SPE, LLC. ©2024 Primrose School Franchising SPE, LLC. All rights reserved.

SEPTEMBER 2026

city scene WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1-3: Boise Lifestyle and Meridian Lifestyle hosted two special evenings at Olive and Vyne in Eagle and Chandlers in downtown Boise. The best gatherings don’t feel planned. The room filled with women who know the Treasure Valley not as a place they ended up, but as a place they chose. Dude DeWalt Cellars wine and energy that makes an evening stretch past when anyone intended.

C I T Y SC E N E

4-6: A second gathering at Chandlers Prime Steaks & Fine Seafood in downtown Boise picked up right where the first left off. Different room, same spirit. The conversation moved from work to family to what comes next, and nobody was in a hurry to leave. CONTINUED >

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city scene CONTINUED

7-9: Meridian Lifestyle is proud to have been part of both evenings. The women in this issue are building something here, quietly and consistently, in the ways that tend to last. We raised a glass to that. We’ll keep doing it.

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THE SCIENCE BEHIND NATURAL BEAUTY THE TREASURE VALLEY IS DISCOVERING WHAT GREAT AESTHETIC CARE FEELS LIKE

ARTICLE BY STAFF WRITER PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

S KIN CA R E | BEAUTY

There is a particular kind of confidence that has nothing to do with looking younger. It's subtler than that. It's the ease of catching your reflection and feeling like it matches how you feel on the inside. For a growing number of Treasure Valley men and women, aesthetic medicine is helping them get there. And the options have never been better. From neuromodulators like Botox and Dysport to dermal fillers, microneedling, and medical-grade skincare, today's aesthetic treatments are more

refined, more personalized, and more natural-looking than anything available even a decade ago. The results, when done well, don't announce themselves. They simply make you look like the best version of yourself. Rested. Refreshed. At ease in your own skin. "What I love most about this work is that it's both science and art," says Dr. Beth Haney, a Doctor of Nursing Practice with more than two decades of experience in aesthetic medicine. "When a treatment is done well, nobody knows you had anything done. You just look like you, on a really good day." Haney brings an uncommon depth of experience to that philosophy. Before relocating to Idaho, she spent 18 years building an award-winning medical spa in Southern California and served as Mayor of Yorba Linda during the COVID-19 pandemic. She now practices in Eagle, where she has found a community that takes care of itself seriously. That seriousness shows up in how Treasure Valley residents are approaching aesthetic care. More intention. More curiosity. More willingness to invest in treatments that deliver lasting results rather than chasing whatever's trending. Men, in particular, are showing up in greater numbers, drawn to treatments that sharpen their appearance without looking like they've had anything done. "Patients here ask great questions," Haney says. "They want to understand what they're getting and why, and I love providing information and options to help them achieve their goal. That makes for better outcomes and a much more rewarding experience for everyone in the room."

The best aesthetic consultations, she says, feel less like a medical appointment and more like a conversation. It's a philosophy she also brings to her faculty role at Boise State University's School of Nursing, where she teaches the next generation of clinicians, and to her work as Treasurer of the Nurse Practitioners of Idaho, where she helps raise standards across the profession statewide. In the treatment room, that same standard applies. A good provider listens first. To what you're hoping for, what you've tried, what feels right for your face and your life right now. The plan that comes out of that conversation is never a template. It's built around you. That individualized approach extends to the treatments themselves. Botox remains the most recognized name in the category, but today's options go well beyond it. Neuromodulators, dermal fillers, and microneedling each work differently, and a skilled provider knows not just how to use them but when, and on whom. The results, in the right hands, look less like a procedure and more like a good night's sleep that turned back the clock. CONTINUED >

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What holds all of it together isn't any single product or procedure. It's the relationship. The trust built over honest conversation between a patient who knows what they want and a provider who knows how to get them there. For Haney, whose textbooks on aesthetic medicine are used in clinical training programs nationwide, that trust is the highlight of her work. "I want every patient to leave feeling more like themselves," she says. "That's the whole point." In a season defined by style, that might be the most useful beauty advice anyone offers all year. Dr. Beth Haney, DNP, FNP-C, FAANP, FAAN, practices at Eagle Aesthetics, located within Ascend Dental in downtown Eagle. eagleaesthetics.net

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KNOWLEDGE 18

S KIN CA R E | BEAUTY

C R E AT I V I T Y

EXPERIENCE

Noteworthy in Idaho THE LATEST OPENINGS, MILESTONES, AND COMMUNITY MOMENTS - EDITORIAL@BOISECITYLIFESTYLE.COM

L I FET I ME AC H I EV EM E NT AWAR D IDAHO IN THE SMITHS ONIA N

Nominations are open for Idaho’s Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Bogus Basin GM Brad Wilson accepted last year’s honor at ICORT 2025; Governor Brad Little selects this year’s winner, recognized at October’s conference in Moscow. visitidaho.org

NE W LE ADERSHIP

The Smithsonian’s “From These Lands” exhibition, marking America’s 250th anniversary, opened June 18 and runs through December 2029. It features a historic Idaho mountain bluebird specimen collected in 1912, one of seven Idaho objects among 600+ artifacts representing all 50 states. naturalhistory.si.edu

FUNDSY presented $103,500 to Boise Contemporary Theater, closing its “Setting the Stage” campaign, while naming Nampa Family Justice Center its next beneficiary, extending reach into Canyon County. New leadership: Andrew Mitzel, Shane Plummer, Nicole Cantrill, Jessica Bilbao, Aaron McFarland. FUNDSY.org

IRON MA N R E T UR NS

WAGON DAYS

Boise welcomed triathletes and fans for IRONMAN 70.3 on July 25, its newest addition to the 2026 IRONMAN Pro Series. Last year’s race generated $4.8 million in local spending. The course spanned Lucky Peak, rural roads, and the Boise River Greenbelt. VisitBoise.com

Ketchum’s Wagon Days returns September 4-6, celebrating the town’s mining heritage with the largest non-motorized parade in the West. The Big Hitch Parade features historic ore wagons pulled by a 20-mule team. Saturday, 1 PM. wagondays.com

EXP E RT H E LP | L I FE + C ULT U RE

THE STORIES WE WEAR HOW ONE IDAHO WOMAN IS USING FASHION TO HELP A CHANGING COMMUNITY SEE ONE ANOTHER. ARTICLE BY TAMMY DE WEERD I PHOTOGRAPHY BY PHIL WHITE, THE 8TH STREET STUDIO

Two cultures. One story.

FASH ION F OR WA R D | STYLE + BE AU T Y

Bracelets handcrafted by women in Kenya’s Umoja Village.

Before Winnie Christensen talked about fashion, she talked about the bracelets on her wrist. Handcrafted by women in Kenya's Umoja Village, they are daily reminders of the artisans behind them and the culture they represent. Wearing them is Winnie's quiet way of honoring those women while keeping a piece of home close. That was the moment, over our cup of coffee, I realized this wasn't really a story about fashion. It was a story about people. "Everyone has fashion," Winnie says. "It's an extension of yourself." To her, what we wear is often the first invitation to learn someone's story. The Treasure Valley has grown in ways few could have predicted, and with that growth has come a richness of culture and perspective that continues to shape who we are. Growth brings exciting opportunities, but it also asks something of us. It asks us

to know one another a little better. Winnie believes fashion can help. Not because clothing matters most. Conversation does. She first brought that vision to life through the Miss Africa Idaho pageant, creating a place where women could celebrate their heritage while building confidence and discovering their voice. That work led to an invitation to participate in WICON, a conference dedicated to empowering women. Standing on that stage, she shared a dream still taking shape — what would become the Culture for Change Foundation. People didn't simply applaud. They stepped forward. At the time, the Foundation didn't even have a bank account or nonprofit status. What it did have was a community willing to help build it. Today, in its eighth year, the Urban Cultural Fashion Show brings together designers, models, artists, and families from across Idaho and beyond. CONTINUED >

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Left: Winnie Christensen brings vibrant style to every room. | Right: Urban Cultural Fashion Show. PC: Anja Stoll Photography

"When you see it," Winnie says, "it takes your breath away." People arrive expecting a fashion show. They leave talking about the people behind the designs. For Winnie, that's the measure of success. That's where community begins. Winnie is quick to point out that neither the Urban Cultural Fashion Show nor the Culture for Change Foundation would exist without an incredible team who share the same vision. She sees both as community efforts, not individual accomplishments. When we arrived at the photographer's studio, Winnie explained why she had paired a tailored blue blazer with a traditional African dress. "This is me," she said. The blazer reflected the professional life she has built in Idaho. The dress reflected the Kenyan heritage she continues to carry with her. Together, they told her story. Later, she slipped into a striking yellow embroidered coat by Christina Chapman, founder of Kay Chula Designs, layered over a silk dress — a piece Winnie had admired on the Urban Cultural Fashion Show runway and immediately fallen in love with. Before the session began,

FASH ION F OR WA R D | STYLE + BE AU T Y

the photographer quietly wondered whether the outfit might feel too dramatic for the article. Once Winnie stepped in front of the camera, it made perfect sense. It wasn't simply something she wore. It was an expression of who she is. A few minutes later, the conversation turned to photo retouching. Winnie had one request. "Leave my smile lines," she said with a laugh. "I earned those." In her Kenyan culture, those lines are a sign of a happy, healthy life. That same desire to create opportunity led Winnie to help establish the Culture for Change Foundation, which today offers nearly a dozen programs that strengthen the community. Sewing is just one expression of that broader mission — helping participants discover confidence while creating something with their own hands. Even the clothing itself reflects her philosophy. Pointing to the traditional garment she's wearing, Winnie explains that the seams are intentionally designed so they can be let out or taken in as life changes. The garment grows with the woman who wears it. Nothing is wasted. Every stitch has purpose.

Every detail tells part of the story.

The 8th Annual Urban Cultural Fashion Show lit up TRICA Preschool of the Arts on June 6 — local talent, luminous design, Ethereal Reign. PC: Anja Stoll Photography

We all wear a story. In a growing community, learning to read one another’s may be how belonging begins. She describes her personal style with one word: Vibrant. Her wardrobe reflects the same warmth, confidence, and generosity she brings into every conversation. "Fashion is art," she says. "We should support designers." She points to Idaho-born designer Cartier Dior Eliasen — whose work transforming reclaimed materials like potato sacks into wearable art is exactly the kind of innovation Winnie believes deserves greater recognition — as proof that extraordinary creative talent already exists here. As the Treasure Valley continues to grow, Winnie hopes the Urban Cultural Fashion Show remains a place where people celebrate culture, discover creativity, and feel they belong. We all wear a story. In a growing community, learning to read one another's may be how belonging begins.

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Slow Down. Savor the Scenery. Sip Great Wine.

UR ST P L A N YO

C O L L E G E P L A C E • D AY T O N • M I LT O N - F R E E WAT E R • WA I T S B U R G • WA L L A WA L L A

AY T O D AY

WA L L AWA L L A . O R G

A Ut ah w r iter ’s f ir st t as te of Idah o w ine c ountr y lef t he r w ith r easons to r eturn

IDAHO’S OTHER GREAT ESCAPE ARTICLE BY AIMEE L. COOK | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AIMEE COOK + PROVIDED

I live in Utah, and I thought I had the West pretty well covered. I knew where to ski, where to hike, and where to find a great meal. What I did not have on my radar was Idaho wine country. That changed when a colleague mentioned Sunnyslope. A quick search led me to Mona Warchol, executive director of the Sunnyslope Wine Trail, who connected me with April Neale, the trail's communications lead and a familiar face in Idaho media, who arranged a tour of four of the trail's 21 wineries.

T R AV E L J OU R N A L | TRAV E L

The logistics are simpler than you'd expect. Angie Miles of Sunshine Wine Tours picked us up, mapped a custom itinerary through the Snake River Valley AVA just 30 miles from Boise, and arrived with a charcuterie spread already waiting. If you're coming from out of town, this is the way to do it. What surprised me first was the geography. The Snake River Valley AVA sits at roughly 2,800 feet, at a latitude that wine people will tell you compares favorably to some of France's most celebrated regions. Long hot days, cool nights, volcanic soil that drains fast and forces the vines to work for it. Seventy percent of the wineries here are owned by women. None of that was in the brochure I never picked up, because I had never thought to look.

THE PEOPLE ARE HALF THE REASON TO GO

Ste. Chapelle Winery has been here since 1975, the oldest in Idaho and still the anchor of everything that came after it. It was the right place to start. Jason Senior, general manager and president of the Sunnyslope Wine Trail Board, poured our first glass and offered

“I always tell my customers, you don’t have to be a wine expert, just enjoy it.” some context. The Idaho Wine Commission has declared 2026 the Year of Riesling, and at Ste. Chapelle, that feels less like a marketing decision and more like a homecoming. "This is the original site; we grow all Riesling here," Jason said. "One cool thing about Idaho, it's still in its infant stage; it is still developing." Famici Wine Company started in a garage in 2016. C.J. and Janet Northrup built it from scratch, and you can feel that in the place — the kind of boutique winery where someone is genuinely glad you showed up. They produce seven varietals, including the only estate-grown Vermentino in the Pacific Northwest, which took silver in the 2026 Idaho Wine Competition. That alone is worth the stop. "This is more than a winery; it's a place where people really want to be," Janet said. "Helping people feel good about being here and understanding more about wine, that is what matters to my heart." CONTINUED >

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Storm and Stephanie Hodge, Parma Ridge Winery

Kerry Hill Winery belongs to Mindy Mayer, who became the first woman McDonald's franchise owner in Oregon in 1990, eventually owning 14 restaurants throughout the Northwest. In 2007, Mindy survived a floatplane crash in Alaska that took the lives of several family members, a loss that set her on a path toward healing and, eventually, Idaho. Seeking healing and a fresh start, she was drawn to Idaho by her love of Border Collies and sheepdog competitions, which led her to breed Kerry Hill sheep and eventually restore a neglected 35-year-old vineyard. Kerry Hill Winery opened in 2019 and earned certifications including LIVE, Salmon-Safe, and Wildlife Habitat. "I always tell my customers, you don't have to be a wine expert, just enjoy it," Mindy said. Parma Ridge Winery and Bistro sits on a ridge above rows of grapevines, the kind of view that makes you want to stay longer than you planned. Storm Hodge is both winemaker and executive chef; his wife Stephanie's original artwork covers the wine labels and fills the tasting room walls. Their Cabernet Franc took double gold in the Idaho Wine Competition and the Cabernet Sauvignon gold at Cascadia.

Famici Wine Company

Kerry Hill Winery

The Lively in Boise

When Storm survived two strokes five years ago, the Sunnyslope community showed up for them. "The support from the community really did surprise me most," Stephanie said. "This is a very unique place to be." Four wineries, one afternoon, and more reasons to return than we had time for. The trail doesn't end when the tasting does.

T R AV E L J OU R N A L | TRAV E L

Plan Your Sunnyslope Wine Country Visit Where to eat, sleep, and raise a glass. THE LIVELY IN BOISE

After a day on the trail, The Lively is exactly the kind of place you want to land. The room is moody and intimate, the kind of fine dining that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Executive chef Edward Higgins trained under Tom Colicchio before traveling to Japan, where he was ordained as a Buddhist priest. The menu changes with the seasons and reflects it. Locally sourced, carefully considered, and worth every minute of the reservation you should absolutely make in advance.

HOTEL RENEGADE IN BOISE

Hotel Renegade, a AAA Four Diamond boutique hotel that opened in May 2024, pairs old-west character with refined comfort. Freestanding copper tubs, thoughtfully designed rooms, and a rooftop bar with sweeping skyline views make the end of a long wine day feel like a proper reward.

SUNNYSLOPE WINE FESTIVAL

The 2026 Sunnyslope Wine Festival takes place Sunday, September 6, from noon to 5 PM on the festival lawn at Ste. Chapelle Winery in Caldwell. More than 20 wineries will be pouring, with live music, food trucks, and a pop-up artisan marketplace rounding out the afternoon. Standard tasting tickets include a commemorative wine glass; designated driver tickets are available at a reduced rate. This is the best single afternoon to experience everything the trail has to offer in one place. The Sunnyslope Wine Trail and September festival details live at sunnyslopewinetrail.com

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THE SUNNYSLOPE

WINE FESTIVAL I N T HE H E ART O F IDAHO WINE COUNTRY

Be a part of our celebration!

SEPTEMBER 6th | 12pm - 5pm Hosted at Ste. Chapelle Winery | Sunnyslope, Idaho

20+ Wineries • Live Music • Food Trucks • Artisans

$55 Tasting Tickets More Information and Tickets at SunnyslopeWineTrail.com *Designated driver tickets available.

Scan QR Code or Visit Us at SunnyslopeWineTrail.com @SunnyslopeWineTrail

TAKE YOUR NEXT VACATION WITH EFFORTLESS FLAIR

YOU WORK HARD ALL YEAR—YOUR VACATION STYLE SHOULD FEEL CINEMATIC, EFFORTLESS, AND UNMISTAKABLY MAIN CHARACTER. ARTICLE BY COURTNEY STONE SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

S ELF CA R E | TRAVEL

CONTINUED >

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Effortless vacation style isn’t about having the perfect outfit for every moment—it’s about having the right foundation to make every moment look intentional. When you know how to build a capsule travel wardrobe, you’ll avoid agonizing over what to wear and spend more time actually enjoying your getaway, all while looking like you have a personal stylist tucked in your carry-on. Here’s your go-to list for this season’s travels:

1. THE EFFORTLESS STATEMENT SET A coordinated two-piece (linen, silk, or cotton) that transitions from day to night. Sets are easy to wear, photograph, and offers effortless ways to look put together. Bonus: you can mix and match the pieces with other items that you pack. I would recommend packing multiple sets to make it even easier to mix and match. For both men and women, simply focus on neutrals and, if you want to add color, make sure it coordinates well with other items in your luggage.

2. THE MOOD-ALTERING PIECE A sweeping dress in a bold print or luscious fabric that makes you feel sensual, grounded, and free. Find something that moves with you and captures light beautifully. This is your dreamy piece— flowy fabrics with movement that captures the eye and works for any kind of event.

3. THE LUXE FLAT OR SCULPTURAL SANDAL Find footwear that balances style and comfort. Look for interesting shapes or materials (like leather with architectural cutouts or metallic finishes). More than shoes—they’re anchors for adventure, grounding your aesthetic wherever you land. This goes the same for men. Your footwear can also make an impact through the braided details of your sandals or the canvas of a casual slip-on loafer.

4. THE TRANSITIONAL THIRD PIECE Think: kimono, over-sized linen blazer, a lightweight duster, or a gauzy button-down left open. This is your layering hero that adds polish without effort. It’s an aura amplifier that instantly makes your outfit feel styled and intentional.

5. INTERESTING AND IMPACTFUL SUNGLASSES Sunglasses with personality is a must. They could be over-sized, cat-eye, or tinted lenses that feel more like “cinematic escape” than “just functional.” Because you’re not sightseeing—you’re starring in your own travel film.

S ELF CA R E | TRAVEL

6. A SCULPTURAL CARRYALL A bag that holds your essentials but looks like art— think woven textures, unique shapes, or buttery leather. Practicality meets poetry. You deserve a vessel that carries your dreams...and your SPF.

7. SIGNATURE SCENT OR TRAVEL CANDLE Pack travel-sized fragrance or a tiny candle that evokes your essence or complements the location. Scent is meant to ignite memories and set the tone— infuse your travels with an olfactory signature.

8. ACCESSORIES WITH A STORY A few intentional pieces such as a ring from a market you found during your travels, a layered necklace that serves as an easy throw-on, or a straw hat to protect your face from the sun (even if it’s a cooler climate, because remember, safety first: don’t get burnt).

Unmatched Academic Results Come tour a campus and see for yourself! Challenger School offers uniquely fun and academic classes for preschool to eighth‑grade students. Our students learn to think for themselves and to value independence. The results are unmatched at any price! Boise Bloom (PS–G1) (208) 338-9500 5551 West Bloom Street Boise, ID 83703 Everest (PS–G8) (208) 846-8888 2020 W. Everest Lane Meridian, ID 83646

Scan to schedule a tour. An independent private school offering preschool through eighth grade © 2026, Challenger Schools Challenger School admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.

The Art of Staying Curious ARTICLE BY GRACE PAGE PHOTOGRAPHY BY IDAHO ART GALLERY

"Self Portrait" | Acrylic on Canvas | John Killmaster

At ninety-one years old, John Killmaster possesses the rare kind of energy that has very little to do with age and everything to do with curiosity. Some people seem to grow older while remaining fundamentally unchanged; others continue to evolve so persistently that age becomes almost beside the point. John belongs firmly in the latter category. His accomplishments are easy enough to list. As a painter, printmaker, illustrator, sculptor, enamel pioneer, educator, innovator, and mentor, John’s work has appeared in museums and exhibitions across the country, and his contributions to the field of enameling helped expand what many artists believed the medium was incapable of becoming. The moment I stepped through the front door of his home, I found myself immersed in a world shaped by a lifetime of making. Every room seemed filled with evidence of his artistic journey, from landscape paintings and abstract enamel works to early automotive illustrations that traced the beginnings of his career. John greeted me with the warmth of an old friend, and before we had settled into our seats, he was already reaching for books, photographs, and catalogs, eager to share stories.

The son of a school principal and teacher in Michigan's Copper Country, John spent his childhood surrounded by long stretches of wilderness. In the 1940s, life there required a certain degree of self-entertainment. John’s small town consisted of one school, one store, and endless woods. Nature became his playground, his refuge, and eventually one of the deepest wells from which his artistic life would draw. As he spoke about those early years, it became clear that his relationship with the natural world was never simply visual. Being in nature, he explained, was a hobby in itself. While many artists treat representational and abstract painting as separate pursuits, John speaks about them as different ways of investigating the same mystery. His landscape paintings explore the visible beauty of the world, while his abstract works search for the underlying structures beneath the visual world. This forces John to not just look, but to really see what exists beyond the surface. When John was still a teenager, his world changed with the loss of his father. The years that followed demanded sacrifice. He spoke of sleeping on a screened porch while attending art school, completing his homework on a bay windowsill, working long hours, and sharing living spaces with other young artists trying to find their footing in the world. None of it was easy, but there was never any indication that he considered another path. That spirit followed him to Mexico in the 1960s, where he studied for eight weeks at the University of Guanajuato. The vivid landscape, vibrant culture, and exposure to new techniques introduced fresh possibilities into his work while deepening his understanding of painting and form. Even then, John was never interested in arriving at a final answer. He was interested in discovering what came next. After graduate studies at Cranbrook

A t n i n e t y- o n e ye a r s o l d , p a i n t e r a n d e n a m e l p i o n e e r Jo h n K i l l m a s t e r i s s t i l l d r i ve n by o n e q u e s t i o n : w h a t’s n e x t ?

A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | ARTS + CU LT U RE

"Salmon River Canyon Walls" | Acrylic on Canvas | John Killmaster

Academy of Art and a brief teaching position in Michigan, that search eventually brought him to Boise in 1970, where he joined the faculty at Boise State University and helped shape generations of artists. Throughout our conversation on his years teaching, the emphasis was placed never on instructing students what to make, but encouraging them to discover what was possible. The philosophy that shaped his teaching was the same philosophy shaping his own studio practice. Perhaps nowhere is John's spirit of experimentation more evident than in his relationship with enamel. At its simplest, enameling is glass fused permanently to steel, a medium that captivated him through its unique marriage of science, industry, and fine art. A commission for the Boise Art Museum in the 1970s led him toward enamel on steel, a medium largely unexplored within the contemporary Western art world. The deeper he ventured into the medium, the more possibilities he discovered. He explored watercolor, oil, and acrylic enamels, helped pioneer enamel crayons inspired by childhood memories of drawing on an enamel-coated icebox in the Michigan woods, and continually sought new ways to bring the language of drawing and painting into the permanence of fired glass. Later in the afternoon, John led me toward his studio. What should have been a short walk became another conversation as we passed artwork hanging from fences, attached to trees, and resting against sheds and garden structures.

At the studio door, he stepped aside and laughed, "Well, walk in." Inside, he settled into a chair and invited me to ask whatever I wanted. By the time our conversation ended, I found myself thinking less about John's remarkable career and more about the quality that has sustained it for so long: curiosity. When I asked what he hoped his legacy would be and what he hoped visitors might take away from his upcoming exhibition at Idaho Art Gallery, he laughed first. "Well, I hope they buy a painting!" The joke came easily, as it often does with John, before he offered something more reflective. More than anything, he hopes people understand that he loves painting and loves the places he paints, whether they are landscapes he has lived, people he has known, or places that exist only in his own head. As Idaho Art Gallery presents work by John Killmaster this September, visitors will encounter landscapes shaped by a lifetime of looking closely at the natural world, abstractions that seek the structures beneath appearances, and enamel works born from decades of fearless experimentation. But the exhibition points toward something larger: the enduring power of curiosity, and the belief that creativity remains alive only when we stay willing to explore. Now & Then, Idaho: A Living Exhibition by John Killmaster is on view at Idaho Art Gallery in downtown Meridian September 1-September 26, 2026. With an artist reception on Wednesday, September 9th, 4-8PM. Idaho Art Gallery is located at 830 N Main St #110, Meridian and is open Tuesday - Saturday 11AM-6PM.

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ARTICLE BY STACY LEACH PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Wear Colors That Truly

LOVE YOU A quick guide to finding flattering shades for life.

KNOW YOUR UNDERTONE Your undertone doesn’t change with the seasons. Check your wrist veins: blue means cool, green means warm, and unclear may be neutral. Cool tones love jewel colors; warm tones glow in earthy, rich shades.

CONSIDER CONTRAST Do you have high contrast between your hair, skin, and eyes (like dark hair and light skin)? High contrast looks great in bold, clear colors. Low contrast (like blonde hair and fair skin)? Softer, blended tones often suit you best.

THE WHITE VS. CREAM TEST Hold a white and ivory shirt near your face. If white flatters, you're likely cooltoned. If ivory glows against your skin, you're likely warm-toned. This quick test reveals your undertone with ease.

BUILD AROUND YOUR “WOW” COLORS Once you identify a few colors that make you look and feel amazing, use those as the base of your palette. These are your power colors—build your wardrobe and makeup around them!

PRO TIP You don’t have to follow rules perfectly. Your color palette is a guide, not a limit. Mix, match, and most importantly—wear what makes you feel beautiful.

H OW TO | STYL E + BEAUT Y

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMMALEE RATHSAM

MORE THAN

a Bag

A BLEND OF FASHION AND FUNCTION 44

T R E N D SE T T E R | STYL E + BE AU T Y

A purse does more than hold your phone, keys, and wallet. It quietly pulls an outfit together while also handling the practical side of everyday life. That balance between fashion and function is what makes a great purse feel less like an accessory and more like part of a personal style. Some bags are designed to stand out. A bold color, metallic detail, or structured shape can instantly become the statement piece of an outfit. Even with simple jeans and a white T-shirt, the right purse adds personality and intention. Other times, a purse works best when it blends in. Neutral tones, soft leather, or minimalist designs create a polished look without stealing attention from the rest of the outfit. These subtle bags are often the ones people reach for every day because they work with almost everything. CONTINUED >

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Of course, style only goes so far if a purse is impractical. The best bags are the ones that fit real life. A roomy tote helps someone move from work meetings to errands without missing a beat. Even a small clutch has a purpose for evenings out when only the essentials matter. Fashion trends may change every season, but the role of a purse stays the same. It adapts while still serving a purpose. That’s why people often invest in bags they truly love. A good purse is dependable, but it also can make a fashion statement. In many ways, a purse is one of the few accessories that people use every single day. It carries necessities, reflects personal style, and can completely change the tone of an outfit. Whether bold and eye-catching or simple and understated, a purse proves that fashion and function can exist beautifully together.

FASHION TRENDS MAY CHANGE EVERY SEASON, BUT THE ROLE OF A PURSE STAYS THE SAME. 46

T R E N D SE T T E R | STYL E + BE AU T Y

THE WOMAN BEHIND

the bags For Carrie Kranz, a great purse was never really just about the purse

ARTICLE BY STAFF WRITER

Carrie Kranz will tell you she didn’t plan any of this. That’s hard to believe once you walk into 1st Miracle Boutique at Eagle Plaza in Eagle. The place has a point of view. Colorful without being chaotic, personal without being precious, and warm in that specific way that only happens when the owner is actually there, actually paying attention to who comes through the door. Which Carrie usually is. The purses above come straight from her shelves. A Gucci tote. A pink python purse that stops you mid-step. Or a leather crossbody you’d reach for every single day. She sources all of it herself, and it shows. Growing up in New York with a mother who was a nationally renowned artist will do that to a person. You either develop an eye or you don’t. Carrie did. She’s also raised six kids, homeschooled for eighteen years, and built multiple businesses alongside her husband Victor. She calls her New York-born kids her “apple heads” and her Idaho kids her “potato heads.” When their last business sold, 1st Miracle followed. She says it came from her love of the Lord, family, fashion, and a glass of wine. That tracks. What you notice after spending any time around Carrie is that the store reflects her actual values, not just her taste. She dances at the Treasure Valley Dancing with the Stars gala to raise money for the American Cancer Society. She donates bags to Purses with a Purpose, a nonprofit that fills handbags with essentials for women and teenagers in need. She shows up for Your Voice is Heard, a Boise organization supporting crisis survivors. For her, a bag has always carried more than just the practical stuff. It carries how someone feels about themselves when they leave the house. That’s what she’s really selling.

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DRESS UP YOUR DRINK THESE BEAUTIFUL BEVERAGES ARE SURE TO TURN HEADS

BLU E M A RTI N I

W ITH FLOR A L ICE CUBES

H AP PY H OU R | FO O D + BE VE RAGE

BOLD COLORS. Fresh florals. An eye-catching shimmer. The perfect embellishment. We’re talking cocktails, not the catwalk. But like fashion, the art of mixology is full of ways to push the limits with creative twists on classic recipes, and unique adornments guaranteed to turn heads. There’s no reason your personal style can’t extend to the drink in your hand, and this botanical beverage is bound to taste as delicious as it looks.

INGR EDIENTS: • • • • •

2 ounces Absolut Citron 1/2 ounce Blue Curaçao 1/2 ounce lemonade 1 ounce Sprite Edible flowers such as rose, lavender, hibiscus and nasturtiums

DIR ECTIONS: Pour Sprite into ice cube trays and add edible flower combinations. Let freeze overnight. Combine Absolut Citron, Blue Curaçao, lemonade and ice cubes in martini shaker. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Allow ice cubes to melt, gradually filling the glass with Sprite and garnishing the drink with beautiful botanicals.

ARTICLE BY CATE MARIAN

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50 0 S Cap it ol B lvd . Bo ise , I D 83 70 2 S EP TEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / M E R I D I A N

Meridian + Valley Events SEPTEMBER 2026

2–6 — SPIRIT OF BOISE

Ann Morrison Park: Mass balloon launches, Nite Glow Spectacular. spiritofboise.com

3 — IAG ARTIST RECEPTION

Idaho Art Gallery, Boise, 5 PM: ‘Archeology: Hidden Treasures’ by local artist Martha Channer. idahoartgallery.com

3 — BOISE ART MUSEUM

Boise Art Museum, 10 AM–7 PM: Entrance by donation, open-studio art explorations. boiseartmuseum.org

3–5 — KUNA STAMPEDE RODEO

Crooked 8 Event Center, Kuna: PRCA bull riding, barrel racing, Mutton Bustin’, and nightly Grand Entry parade. kunastampede.com

4–5 — IDAHO MEAT & TATER BBQ FEST

Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park: KCBSsanctioned BBQ competition, food vendors. willinghams.com

4–6 — WAGON DAYS

Ketchum: Largest non-motorized parade in PNW. visitsunvalley.com

4–6 — WORLD VILLAGE FESTIVAL

JUMP Boise: International food, dance, art, Treasure Valley heritage. globallounge.org

4–25 — ALIVE AFTER FIVE

Thursdays, 5 PM: Free outdoor concerts at the Grove. downtownboise.org

5-26 — MERIDIAN MAIN STREET MARKET

7 — BASH ON THE GRASS KUNA

18 — CARNIVAL OF THE STARS

7-28 — MERIDIAN MONDAY NIGHT MARKET

18–19 — EAGLE JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL

Discovery Park, 1–8 PM: Live music, food trucks, beverage tents, family-friendly park games. allevents.in

Storey Park, Mondays, 4–9 PM: Artisan booths, food trucks, live music, outdoor bar, free kids’ activities. basicallybrilliantevents.com

9 — IAG ARTIST RECEPTION

Idaho Art Gallery, Meridian, 4 PM: Idaho artist John Killmaster’s full gallery exhibition. idahoartgallery.com

10 — BONNIE RAITT WITH JON CLEARY Outlaw Field, 7:30 PM: Blues, folk, and rock. Bring a picnic. extramilearena.com

11 — MILES OF REMEMBRANCE RUN

Ann Morrison Park: 9/11 memorial race open to all skill levels. cityofboise.org

11–13 — ART IN THE PARK

Julia Davis Park: 240+ artists, food vendors, live entertainment, kids’ crafting. cityofboise.org

11–13 — BOISE MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL

Eagle Bike Park (Friday) / Bogus Basin (Saturday): Skills clinics, group rides, and 30+ outdoor brand booths. thisisboise.com

12 — MERIDIAN SYMPHONY CAR SHOW

Saturdays Downtown Meridian, 9 AM: Local vendors, artisans, food, produce. meridianmainstreetmarket.com

Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park, 9 AM: Classic cars, hot rods, muscle cars, food trucks, Meridian Symphony brass pop-ups. meridiansymphony.org

6 — SUNNYSLOPE WINE FESTIVAL

12 — BOISE FALL FESTIVAL

Ste. Chapelle Winery, Noon: 20+ wineries, live music, food trucks, pop-up artisan marketplace. sunnyslopewinetrail.com

O UR TOWN | ENTERTAI NME N T

Expo Idaho, 10 AM–4 PM: Artisan markets, live music, food trucks, kids’ entertainment. expoidaho.com

Blake Haven Park, Star, 4–11 PM: Bounce houses, dunk tank, games, food trucks. Free. staridahochamber.com

Downtown Eagle: Multiple outdoor stages, jazz ensembles, blues acts, and wine and craft beverage gardens. eaglejazz.org

18–20 — HYDE PARK STREET FAIR

Camel’s Back Park: 200 vendor booths, two stages, food court, beverage gardens. Free. northendboise.org

18–20 — ANNUAL GOURD FESTIVAL

Franz Witte Garden Center, Nampa: Live music, food trucks, parade, and family crafting workshops. franzwitte.com

19 — MERIDIAN GUIDED WALKING TOURS

Meridian City Hall, 10 AM: Free historic walks. meridiancity.org

19 — ROCK ORCHESTRA BY CANDLELIGHT

Morrison Center, 8 PM: A 14-piece orchestra performs rock and metal anthems by candlelight. morrisoncenter.com

19-20 — SCOTTISH HERITAGE FESTIVAL

Expo Idaho: Bagpipes, Highland dance, heavy athletics, Celtic food, crafts. scottishsocietyswi.org

25–27 — NAMPA HOME & LIFESTYLE EXPO Center at Canyon County Fair, Caldwell: Interior design exhibits, demonstrations, and lawn and garden landscapes. Free. idahopress.com

26 — FITONE 5K, 10K & HALF MARATHON

Ann Morrison Park: One of largest family fitness events. fitoneboise.org

26 — GODSMACK

Ford Idaho Center Arena, Nampa: “Rise of Rock” World Tour. fordidahocenter.comç

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