Happy Tuesday, Boise. In today’s edition: From kennels to careers, dance it yourself Nutcracker, the holiday market, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

From kennels to careers: Meridian’s Boise Bully Breed Rescue and the PAWS prison program are reshaping lives, with two graduates on staff and one launching a mobile dog training business, saving dozens of dogs — read the full story.

Evolving technical education offerings: Boise’s Dennis Technical Education Center has discontinued its mechatronics program due to low enrollment, but 21 other career and technical programs remain, with key skills still taught across offerings — read the full story.

Public square and shops planned: Planning and Zoning approved the Barnwood Village plan for Southwest Boise, adding 118 homes and a village center, while commercial and multifamily pieces await design review and City Council approval — get all the project details.

Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since January. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week

• Jeff Crosby Band headlines festive Honey for the Hive event
• Bless single mothers, widows with Christmas gifts
• Meet Santa and shop local gifts
• Experience Handel’s Messiah in Boise
• Enjoy The Snow Ball Benefit Show
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• A home warranty that actually pays is 30% off

🫶 We got your back

Heritage on the menu: Boise’s new International Cuisine Trail spotlights immigrant-owned eateries via a free digital passport. Check in at participating spots for a shot at a $25 gift card while tasting stories, from Sunshine Spice’s Afghan pastries to Food Land Market’s Middle Eastern staples and Tangos Empanadas’ Latin twists. A delicious way to meet the neighbors. Get all the details.

Boise’s biggest block party: Boise’s Treefort Music Fest has dropped a massive second lineup for its 14th edition, returning March 25–29, 2026. More than 120 new artists from 20 states and seven countries join the downtown takeover. Expect eclectic sets plus Foodfort and Alefort, mild spring weather, and that signature community-first, discovery-filled vibe. Read the full story.

Cozy indie movie night: Craving a screen that isn’t blasting capes every five minutes? The Flicks keeps it intimate with four screens of indie, foreign, and under-the-radar gems. Sip a glass of wine from Rick’s Cafe Americain and carry it into the theater for peak cozy vibes.

Hear me out: My mom’s been asking people to repeat themselves 5,281 times too many for years. She always avoided hearing aids like the plague — they’re clunky, obvious, expensive, not really worth it. I always thought “she’s not wrong” until I saw these new invisible hearing aids going viral. In the same boat? Now’s a great time to check them out before unused health benefits expire on the 31st.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now + you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.

📆 Around town this week

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

This week

☕ A Night for Jane Austen and Tea @ Library! At Bown Crossing | Tuesday (12/16) at 6:00pm – If you’ve ever wished your book club had better snacks and less small talk, celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th with tea, trivia, and civilized fun at the Bown Crossing Library. Expect light refreshments, relaxing activities, and, yes, you should register before the Bennets fill the room.

💃 Dance It Yourself Nutcracker – 2025 @ Jack’s Urban Meeting Place (JUMP) | Tuesday (12/16) at 6:00pm – Whether your last dance was a wedding sway or a kitchen shimmy, this Nutcracker hands you the starring role at JUMP’s PIONEER Room. Free, family-friendly, and full of giggling kids, brave grownups in tutus, and Tchaikovsky joy. Comfy shoes, spirit, and willingness to dance required.

💎 Solitary Band – The Neil Diamond Experience @ Treefort Music Hall | Wednesday (12/17) at 7:30pm – Think you still know every word to Sweet Caroline? Our holiday tradition returns as Solitary Band’s Neil Diamond Experience hits Treefort Music Hall, with 15+ local musicians, table seating, gift baskets, and classics. It feels like 1976, minus the gas lines, plus better chairs.

📖 Let it Snow Storytime @ Garden City Public Library | Friday (12/19) at 11:00am – Round up the littles and pop into a snow-themed storytime that actually makes it snow, no shovel required. Expect cozy read-alouds, a STEM-based snowy experiment, and giggles you can hear from the parking lot. Perfect for ages 3-7, and for adults who enjoy sitting.

🦉 Mini Owl Macrame Hanger @ Treasure Valley Artisans | Friday (12/19) at 5:00pm – Downtown Caldwell is knotting up fun with a mini owl macrame class at Treasure Valley Artisans. Make an air plant hanger with cotton cord on a wood ring, an agate bead, a ceramic owl pot, and a faux plant, because watering is optional, tickets required.

This weekend

🛍️ The Capital City Public Market Holiday Market @ The Grove Plaza | Saturday (12/20) at 10:00am – If you still think The Grove is just for summer markets, come prove yourself wrong at the holiday edition. Local makers, custom-crafted gifts, and free gift wrapping so you can pretend you tried. Santa and Mrs. Claus swing by on closing day, rain or shine.

🐧 Paint with Penguins (Adults Only) @ Zoo Boise | Saturday (12/20) at 3:30pm – Take a break and paint with tiny tuxedoed co-artists at Zoo Boise. You do the background, Magellanic penguins add flair, with wine, soft drinks, and snacks included, plus a zookeeper chat and tour. It is a fundraiser, $100, 18+, and spots disappear quickly, so register.

🕯️ Lumina: A Winter Solstice Gathering@ Zen Riot Yoga & Wellness Studio | Saturday (12/20) at 5:00pm – On the longest night of the year, skip the chaos and sink into a candlelit reset with breathwork, a sound bath, and warm, spiced golden milk. Jenn Crawford, Ashley Betz, and Cara Gormley guide the way. Gentle, nourishing, and exactly what your nervous system ordered.

🌈 Boise Gay Men’s Chorus — Global Harmonies @ First Presbyterian Church | Saturday (12/20) at 7:30pm – Consider it a world tour without TSA, just holiday harmonies ringing through First Pres as the Boise Gay Men’s Chorus carries you from the Americas to Europe to Africa. Seats are limited, so grab tickets early, enjoy the music, and eye that Wall of Wine.

🎮 Game Design Fest @ Jack’s Urban Meeting Place (JUMP) | Sunday (12/21) at 5:00pm – Trade Candy Crush for making something of your own. Game Design Fest hits JUMP with immersive workshops, collaborative tinkering, and creative camaraderie for curious newbies, seasoned pros, and anyone who remembers blowing into NES cartridges. Build worlds, meet sharp folks, and leave with ideas.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/16 Connor Jay Liess @ The Riverside Hotel – 5 pm
• 12/16 The Moody Jews of Boise @ The Riverside Hotel – 7 pm
• 12/17 The Nutcracker @ Morrison Center – 2 pm
• 12/17 Billy Braun @ Vintage ’61 Wine Bar – 6:30 pm
• 12/18 Michele Eastland @ Vintage ’61 Wine Bar – 6:30 pm
• 12/18 The Rae Gordon Band @ The Sapphire Room – 7 pm
• 12/18 Oklahoma! @ Visual Arts Collective – 8 pm
• 12/20 Dark Harvest III @ Knitting Factory – 7 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: Erich Hamm (Keller Williams Realty Boise)

Just over an acre off Holden Lane in SE Boise, minutes to downtown, the river, and the airport. City-close, country-quiet. Down a private lane, find a seasonal creek, generous garden space, and RV parking. A massive Trex deck merges indoor and outdoor living, with natural light and privacy.

Inside, the great room has vaulted post and beam ceilings, rock walls, and wood tones. The primary suite adds a lounge with built-ins and a roomy bath, and a main-floor bedroom doubles as an office. Upstairs, a second living area, two bedrooms, and a bath. Four-car garage plus shop potential.

Take a peek inside →