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Happy Friday, Boise. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! In today’s edition: Winter Garden aGlow, a raw milk health warning, Christmas trees and Santa, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Boise swimmers get relief: Boise City Aquatic Center has reopened after an eight-month closure, following nearly $500,000 in repairs that included deep excavation. The Olympic-sized pool is open to the public without YMCA membership — get all the details.
Statewide warning on unpasteurized dairy: Idaho health officials report a spike in raw milk illnesses since August, with at least 23 Campylobacter and three STEC cases. Multiple children are sick and two have been hospitalized — read what officials advise.
Pickleball demand reshapes parks: After closing courts following a noise lawsuit, Boise targets 25% pickleball courts by 2027 and 40% by 2031, explores conversions to expand capacity, and will collect feedback starting Dec. 1 — get all the details.
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.
Scams are rampant: Last week, my step-dad got a call from someone pretending to be his grandson, all beat up and asking for bail money. They knew his grandson’s name, how old he is, and what city he lives in. How? Data brokers. They sell your info to anyone willing to pay for it (yup… anyone). Incogni removes your info from all of those sites so scammers can’t use it against you. Annual plans are 55% off until Sunday — check it out here.
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🫶 We got your back
Adjust your trail plans: Some Boise Foothills trails are closing for winter starting Dec. 1 to prevent erosion and protect wildlife habitat. Seven closures are planned, with more triggered by muddy conditions, and many could last through late March. Watch for on-site signs and check Ridge to Rivers’ interactive map, updated daily by 8 a.m. See how to track closures.
Art, community, and transformation: Idaho Art Gallery opened a second location on Idaho Street in Downtown Boise, expanding from Meridian. The grand opening drew hundreds and showcased local and national artists, from cake-loving painter Betsie Richardson to reclaimed-steel sculptor Gia Strang, underscoring the gallery’s mission to celebrate community stories and give artists a place to sell their work. Read the full story.
Spin and sip break: A Boise staple since 1977, The Record Exchange pairs crate-digging with a legit espresso bar and gift shop. New and used vinyl, CDs, and turntables line the bins. An in-store performance calendar keeps things lively, and dusty gems can trade hands for fresh spins.
Health drinks that don’t taste like grass: With tasty tea and matcha blends for everything from recovery and radiant skin to energy without the crash, a metabolism boost, and immune support, everything in Pique’s lineup tastes as good as it makes you feel. They’re clean, there are no additives, and all new monthly subscriptions are 20% off for liferight now. Yup… literally forever (or until you cancel).
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📆 Around town this weekend
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.
Today
🎅 Christmas Trees and Santa @ Franz Witte Landscape Contracting | Friday (11/28) at 9:00am – Skip the mall and swing by Franz Witte for a tree, live music, free kids crafts and treats, and Santa selfies, no purchase needed. He drops in midday, grab a pic, browse the gift shop, let them glue glitter to something, and call it tradition.
✨ Winter Garden aGlow @ Idaho Botanical Garden | Friday (11/28) at 6:00pm – Boise’s favorite winter stroll is back at Idaho Botanical Garden, every bulb hand-strung by volunteers with steadier hands than my morning coffee. Grab a ticket, enjoy the glow, and support the Garden’s biggest fundraiser for classes, youth programs, and concerts.
This weekend
🎄 GCRD Lighted Parade and Tree Lighting @ Gem County Recreation District | Saturday (11/29) at 6:00pm – This lighted parade rolls into town with a tree lighting to flip the switch on the holiday season. Expect twinkly floats, carols, and cheer that sneaks up on even the grinchiest. Bring a thermos, a lawn chair, and patience for adorable chaos.
💃 The Riverside Hotel Girl’s Night Out – Órale! @ The Riverside Hotel | Saturday (11/29) at 7:30pm – Got that over-the-top dress gathering dust? Dust it off, grab your crew, and let Órale fuse Motown, funk, soul, and Latin into the kind of dance night that reminds you Boise still knows fun. Cocktails, a sweat-friendly dance floor, and a staycation package, brunch included.
💃 Perreo Party @ The Olympic Venue | Saturday (11/29) at 9:00pm – Boise, get ready to perrear hasta casi medianoche as the Perreo Boys crank up the reggaetón and Latin beats. Think wall-to-wall bangers, sweaty dance floors, and zero chill in the best way possible. Grab your crew, lace up your dancing shoes, and come prove you can keep up till last call.
🎁 Merry Makers Market| Sunday (11/30) at 11:00am – This month-long pop-up corrals 20-plus Garden City makers for the 9th annual holiday market, all curated by the artists themselves. Shop gifts with a story, skip the big-box déjà vu, and linger for treats, guest artists, and hands-on workshops.
🐝 November Spelling Bee @ Boise Brewing | Sunday (11/30) at 5:00pm – Flex your inner word nerd at this month’s spelling bee, themed around holidays and celebrations from around the world. Expect friendly smack talk, festive curveballs, and bragging rights you can lord over the family group chat. Winner buys the next round, obviously.
Next week
🛍️ Holiday Market @ Art Source Gallery | Monday (12/1) at 10:00am – Skip the big-box chaos and swing by Art Source Gallery’s holiday market, where gifts are made by locals. Handcrafted pottery, apothecary goodies, dog treats, and whimsical ornaments await, plus a wood showcase by Cheri Henny, with artists to meet, wine to sip, and live music.
🎨 Olive Oil Decanter Painting Workshop in Hidden Springs| Monday (12/1) at 6:30pm – Upgrade your pantry aesthetic in Hidden Springs with a laid-back olive oil decanter painting workshop. No experience needed, just steady-ish hands, a little patience, and your inner Tuscan. Makes a classy holiday gift, or keep it and pretend you always decant.
🕺 MJ The Musical @ The Morrison Center for the Performing Arts | Tuesday (12/2) at 7:00pm – Whether you still know the Thriller choreography or just chair-dance, this Tony-winning MJ musical lands at the Morrison Center, spotlighting the genius behind the 1992 Dangerous Tour. Broadway-scale spectacle, serious talent on and offstage, and yes, 2.5 hours with one intermission.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🎶 Live music & entertainment
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🏠️ Price is right – Boise edition
How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).
Listed by: Joshua Shearer (Silvercreek Realty Group)
Steps from Boise’s Foothill Trails, this rare multi-gen setup stacks three living areas, two primary suites, two kitchens, and two laundry rooms, with separate parking and outdoor hangouts for each. Fresh upgrades include quartz counters, new flooring, stainless appliances, modern lighting, updated toilets and sinks, plus a walk-in shower. An upstairs bonus room shapeshifts into a fourth bedroom, studio, media zone, or game lair.
The lower level functions as its own unit, ready for income or privacy. An insulated powered shop handles hobbies. Blocks to Boise Co-op, St. Luke’s, VA, Downtown, Hyde Park, Military Reserve, Camel’s Back Park.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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