It’s Friday, Boise! In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: A veteran farm incubator, a balloon festival boost, and collector con treasures + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.
Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old) -- see what it covers.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Community festival partnership: Micron will sponsor the Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic for two years, helping keep the festival free. The balloon festival will return to Ann Morrison Park September 2 and 3 -- see the balloon festival plans.
New homes planned nearby: Roundhouse filed for building permits to build 300 market-rate apartments on 18 acres in the Bench’s Vista neighborhood, with a 9,000-square-foot clubhouse and paths connecting to streets and sidewalks -- check the apartment plans.
Growing new opportunities: University of Idaho Extension and Boise partnered to develop a farm incubator at Spaulding Ranch Park for veterans, offering free enrollment and hands-on instruction from veteran mentors -- meet the farm incubator.
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*.
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan -- see how it works.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor This summer, what if you didn't have to point at the menu?Not "menu Spanish." Not pointing at the photo and hoping. Ordering dinner like a local, talking the vendor down at the market, catching the punchline before anyone explains it. Babbel gets you there in ten minutes a day. Most people are holding real conversations within three weeks, because every lesson is built by 200+ language experts to get you talking early, not drilling flashcards you'll forget by lunch. And it works: 92% of users improved their proficiency in just two months, with 25 million subscriptions sold. Then there's the part that makes it a no-brainer. You pay once. A single lifetime subscription unlocks all 14 languages Babbel teaches, for every trip you'll ever take, with no monthly fee and no renewal quietly hitting your card next year. Get Babbel for 55% off through the end of June.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Dessert with a twist: Craving something fun this week? The STIL churns up creative scoops, legit vegan picks, and booze-infused flavors you can pair with local beer or wine, all made with real, locally sourced ingredients. Perfect for date night, kid-approved outings, or your post-errand victory lap.
Time to lace up: Treasure Valley Skate is the kind of retro-glow rink that turns a regular day into cardio with a grin, whether you're teaching tiny humans to wobble or rediscovering your crossover. Round up a few pals, cue the playlist, and claim some smooth laps before the crowds.
Wake up camera-ready: If your brows or lip color eat half your morning, Chloe at Willow Ink crafts natural-looking permanent makeup that holds up to real Boise life, from river walks to office marathons. Treat yourself this week, then enjoy a few extra snooze-button taps.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
What if a workout left your joints looser, not sorer? Most exercise trades a little pain now for results later, but it doesn't have to. Chair yoga keeps you seated the whole time, so your joints loosen and your strength grows without the excessive impact. A quick quiz shapes it into a personalized plan that meets your body where it is and adjusts as you loosen up. *Find your starting point →
Google your own name and you'll probably find your home address: It's sitting on a people-search site right now, next to your age, your relatives, and your phone number, free for anyone to look up. Incogni gets it taken down. It contacts 420+ data brokers on your behalf, uses privacy laws to legally demand deletion, and keeps resending requests so your information doesn't creep back online. No hours of opt-out forms, it runs quietly in the background. *Remove my data →
The card that pays you to pay down debt: Most balance-transfer cards skip the rewards. Most rewards cards skip the long 0% intro APR. This one has both — 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), plus 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and up to 6% in a category you pick. No annual fee, and there's a $200 bonus after $1,000 in spending in the first 90 days. *Worth a look →
Premiums are up roughly 46% since 2021: Home insurance has outpaced inflation for years, and renewals rarely move in your favor. Rather than take the new number on faith, FinanceBuzz lets you match your home with top-rated insurers and compare quotes side by side — free, in about two minutes. Even if you decide to stay put, you'll know you checked. *See your options →
Two sprays before bed, no more snoring? It really is that simple. No mouthpiece to wrestle with, no CPAP mask, no nose strips that peel off at 2am. This doctor-developed throat spray has been keeping sleepers quiet for 30 years, and first-time orders are 40% off right now. *See how it works → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Around town this weekendOur favorite events this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🚶 Take Steps @ Veterans Memorial State Park | Saturday (6/13) at 10:00 AM – If you're looking for a reason to lace up before the Boise heat kicks in, this is it. A community walk that turns small talk into support for people living with IBD, raising funds for research, treatments, and education, and making your steps count.
🚶 WalkAbout Boise Downtown History Tour @ Basque Museum & Cultural Center | Saturday (6/13) at 10:00 AM – Think you know downtown Boise? This guided walk peels back 150 years of grit, grandeur, and the characters who built it, from the Basque Block to stubborn brick beauties and surprise Art Deco. It is equal parts history lesson, neighborhood stroll, and I-live-here bragging rights.
⚽ All In! Street Futbol Fest @ JUMP Boise | Saturday (6/13) at 10:00 AM – JUMP turns into a mini fútbol arena as Boise’s kids run 3-on-3 like there are orange slices at halftime. Free to watch, loud in the best way, with Tropico FM spinning, skill challenges, local vendors, hydration stations, and blessed shade. Inclusive, upbeat, very Boise.
🃏 Boise Collector Con @ Boise Towne Square | Saturday (6/13) at 11:00 AM – Consider this your excuse to roam Boise Towne Square like it’s 1999. Boise Collector Con packs Pokemon cards, sports memorabilia, antiques, retro games, 3D-printed toys, and one-of-a-kind local goods, with sellers who actually care and stories you will repeat at dinner.
🥾 Citizen Science Walk @ Spring Shores Marina | Sunday (6/14) at 8:00 AM – Trade yard work for a stroll at Spring Shores Marina, where a guide teaches iNaturalist, Seek, and eBird. We start at the visitor center and wander the park collecting plant and critter observations for research, all ages welcome, and it counts as screen time outside.
🛍 Boise Flea @ Boise State East Stadium Lot | Sunday (6/14) at 10:00 AM – Ready to treasure hunt without driving to the coast? The June Boise Flea pops up at Boise State’s East Stadium Lot, with free entry, $5 parking, and aisles of vintage, artisan, and delightful oddities. It’s spring cleaning’s smarter cousin, with better stories.
🧘 Partners, Pilates & Prosecco: A Partner Pilates Workshop @ True North Yoga | Sunday (6/14) at 1:30 PM – Grab a friend and try partner Pilates that actually makes planks feel like teamwork, then toast your efforts with prosecco and snacks. No experience, matching outfits, or trust falls required, just a good laugh, a stronger core, and a low-key hang with Heather and Izzy. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — Announcement Your homeowners insurance has a blind spotIt covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old). *See what it covers → |
07 — The Boise report Weather forecastToday — High: 86°F — Low: 53°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 86. Northwest wind 1 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 53. West northwest wind 3 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 85°F — Low: 54°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 85. Later: Clear, with a low around 54. This house is wildThe Sicily delivers 3,973 square feet of single-level style in Harris Ridge, with 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, and a split 3-car garage. Its multi-gen suite adds a private entry, kitchenette, and bath, while the great room stuns with 16-foot ceilings. A courtyard, dual covered patios, and a luxe primary suite round out the appeal.
Take a peek inside → |
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