Idahopress.com

More than 110 works created by approximately 70 members of the Nampa Art Guild are on display now through Monday at the Nampa Civic Center during the Guild’s 47th annual member’s Spring Art Show. Here, incoming Guild president Patty Bess (left) and current president Alice Marie Schmid, OP, display Schmid’s original watercolor entitled “Hollyhock Haven.”
Dan Lea/IPT
More Photo Galleries

Thursday, May 14th, 2009

Boise

Zoo Daze

Have your picture taken with "Diego" from Nickelodeon and enjoy the start of summer with games, face painting, fun jumps and special entertainment at the 30th annual Zoo Daze celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Sunday (May 17) at Zoo Boise.

Located in Julia Davis Park, near downtown Boise, Zoo Boise is home to more than 200 animals including giraffes, lions, hyenas, Magellanic penguins, Amur tigers, red pandas, an Asiatic black bear, komodo dragon, lemurs, gibbons and more!

Admission is $6.50/adults, $4/seniors age 62 and over, $3.75/children 4-11, and free for children three and younger. Friends of Zoo Boise members with pass and photo ID will be admitted free through a special gate.

For more information, see www.zooboise.org or call (208) 384-4260.

Boise Choristers 65th Annual Spring Concert at the Morrison Center

The Boise Choristers, a women's choral group, will present its 65th annual spring concert at 7:30 p.m. Sunday and Monday at the Morrison Center Recital Hall. The event is free, but donations are encouraged to help fund the Choristers' scholarship for Boise State University music students.

The spring program is "Ladies 'B' Good: From Bach to the Beatles." The Choristers were established around 1918 and have performed annual concerts in the Treasure Valley for more than six decades.

For more information about the concert or how to donate to the scholarship fund, call Lynn Melton at (208) 939-0756.

Nampa

Patriotic Parade America steps off

Join all the color and pageantry of the 43rd annual Nampa Exchange Club's Parade America Saturday as it wends its way along a 2.9 mile route from 12th Avenue to NNU. The event, one of the largest parades in Idaho, features colorful floats, clowns, marching bands, antique cars, precision horse units, antique vehicles and representatives from all of the military branches. Parade America annually commemorates Armed Services Day and salutes the men and women who have served and protected our nation. This year's theme is "In God We Trust."

 Organizers expect upwards of 10,000 spectators to line the parade route in this Stars and Stripes celebration. A flyover kicks off the parade at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Assistance League luncheon/fashion show

The Assistance League West Treasure Valley host a lunchoon/fashion show and silent auction in the former Steve and Barry's inside Karcher Mall Saturday. The event — 12:30 p.m.-2 p.m. is a fundraiser for the organization's "Operation School Bell" that provides needy elementary students from the Treasure Valley with back-to-school essentials. Each child receives clothing items (two pairs of jeans, two shirts, and underwear), a personal hygiene kit and a new book to start the school year. Assistance League members distributed more than 250 of the packages to youngsters last year and hope to eclipse that number this August.

Fashions from the Assistance League's "Cinderella's Closet," that provides free prom dresses to area girls, and a local bridal shop will be modeled along with children's wear.

Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased by calling 880-9257. The price includes a chicken salad luncheon with tomato bisque soup and a caramel pecan brownie, the fashion show and a chance to bid on more than 20 fabulous silent auction items.

Art Guild Spring Art Show

The Nampa Art Guild's 47th annual Spring Art Show runs today through Monday at the Nampa Civic Center, 311 3rd St. South. The show features works of art from more than 70 artists who are members of the Guild ranging from watercolors to oils, acrylics to calligraphy and sculpting. The how runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and tomorrow and from noon until 4 p.m. Sunday and Monday at the Nampa Civic Center, 311 3rd St. So., Nampa. Admission is free. More than 110 works of art will be on display, according to organizers.

Armed Forces Day at Warhawk

The Warhawk Air Museum honors Armed Forces Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Armed Forces Day recognizes, venerates, and honors America's military forces. Complimentary coffee and cookies will be offered all day. Warhawk Museum is located at the N Nampa Airport, 201 Municipal Dr. General admission is $8. Seniors are admitted for $6 and kids (5-12) for $4. M Military with ID are free.

Calvary Christian Fair & Auction

Calvary Christian School holds its annual Fair and Auction Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Calvary Chapel, 1210 N. Middleton Road, Nampa.

It's Carnival time

The annual Central Elementary School Carnival runs 5-9 p.m. with a dance from 8-9 p.m. with live DJ. The carnival features an Astro-jump, face painting, cake walk, balloon animals and many other attractions. Central Elementary is located at 1415 5th St. S., Nampa.

Caldwell/Meridian

Volunteer fairs brings workers, nonprofits together

 People wanting to use their time to volunteer for worthy causes can meet with representatives of charitable and other nonprofit organizations in southwestern Idaho during special Spring Volunteer Fairs Saturday in Meridian and Caldwell.

 "Volunteers offer Idaho nonprofit businesses a reservoir of experience and ability that can be invaluable, especially in the challenging times of an economic slowdown," said Lynn Hoffmann, executive director of the Idaho Nonprofit Center.

 With so many unemployed workers in the region, the fairs provide them and others the opportunity to explore volunteerism as a way to use their skills to benefit of others and remain actively connected and productive in the communities where they live.

 The fairs run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Meridian School District Service Center, 1303 Central Drive, and concurrently at the Caldwell Armory, 1200 S. Kimball. Both fairs are sponsored by the Idaho Department of Labor, the Southwest Idaho Directors of Volunteer Services, the Idaho Nonprofit Center and the Governor's Commission on Service and Volunteerism.

  More information on the Spring Volunteer Fairs is online at labor.idaho.gov or available by telephone at 332-3575 ext. 3424 for the Meridian event and 364-7781 ext. 3296 for Caldwell event.

Celebrate Youth Mental Health Fair

Children's mental wellness is the focus of Saturday's "Celebrate Youth" mental health Fair from noon to 5 p.m. on the lawn of the Caldwell Family YMCA, 3720 S. Indiana Ave. Free information booths, free T-shirts, children's activities, free food and fun are all part of the event sponsored by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Region III in observance of mental Health Month.

Organizers say the event is designed to heighten awareness of the support networks that exist in the community. Helpful information  on a wide range of mental help services for children will be available at Saturday's event.

Meridian

Roaring Springs Opening Day

Weather permitting, the first official day of the 2009 Roaring Springs season debuts Saturday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Come usher in the summer season in style at all the Roaring Springs attractions including the brand new and exciting Thunder Falls. Roaring Springs is located off the I-84 exit at Meridian Road.

Kids Day America

Saturday's 15th annual "Kids Day America, Health, Safety, and Environmental Awareness Day" event, sponsored by Anaker Clinic of Chiropractic, is from 12 noon until 3 p.m. at the Meridian Boys and  Girls Club, 911 N. Meridian Road.

The event provides essential information on crime prevention, internet and child safety, and environmental awareness. Small Smiles will donate a toothbrush to every child who attends. Dr. Anacker's office will donate special child ID cards to every child who attends, and the Meridian Police Department will be on hand to provide FREE fingerprinting of all the children. Additionally, there will be special appearances by "McGruff" The Crime Dog and "Sparky" the Fire Dog, who will be joined by "Doby" the Roaring Springs Dolphin. The Fire Department is bringing a fire truck and will teach fire safety tips to the children. Small Smiles Dental Clinic of Boise will be providing free dental screening, and will be distributing vital information on disease prevention and health promotion. There will be free balloons, food and fun for everyone. There will be special give-aways and free prize drawings every half-hour!  In addition, the event is raising money for The Bridge.

Call Anacker Clinic of Chiropractic at 288.1776, or go to chiroforliving.com for more information.

6th Annual MDA Ride for the Cure

High Desert Harley-Davidson is excited to be hosting the 6th Annual MDA Ride for the Cure. Last year the event raised over $14,000 and over 420 riders lined the freeway to support this great cause.

This Sunday organizers hope to race past 2008's efforts and raise $20,000.  All bikes are welcome to follow our police escort, as we hope to have 600 riders lead the way to finding a cure.

Registration is from 9-11a.m. and kickstands up at 11:15 a.m..  A $20 registration fee gets you a ride pin, breakfast, one ride card and dinner provided by Joe's Crab Shack. Please join us at 2310 East Cinema Drive in Meridian for live music, food & fun--all while helping support the MDA!

Wilder

Chili cook-off

The Wilder United Methodist Church is where to be for red-hot fun Saturday from 5-7 p.m. at a free Chili Cook-off. Sample homemade chili whipped up by local residents. Prizes are awarded to the best cooks. The event honors service men and women on Armed Services Day. Wilder UM is located at 4th Street and B Avenue, Wilder.