Hello my friends. I hope you are having a great week. Don't be fooled by the warmer temps next week. It's the first of at least two false springs.

On Tuesday I sent ya a story about local bookstores, and we forgot TWO! Bargain Books Boise is at 76 N Cole Rd, Boise, ID 83704, right by the aquarium. Thanks to Heather & Stacia for reminding me of this! And Kuna's Book Habit is at 102 E 2nd St, Kuna, ID 83634. Thank you Hanna for letting me know about that one.

You can listen to me talk about some fun things to do this weekend in today's podcast episode. Also if you have an event coming up please send it to me! You can send me your events anytime by using this form. Heads up that this form will be changing slightly in the near future because I am in the process of switching project management systems. I'll update you when that happens.

Ok, onto the fun stuff!

Weekend parties

Fri Jan 26: Groove on the Grove (closing weekend party) is going on at The Grove Plaza from 6-8pm. There will be free skating, a live DJ, disco lights, and dancing.

Sat Jan 27: Robert Burns Night is happening at The Riverside Hotel. Trust me, you need some haggis and bagpipes in your life. Read my story about it here!

Sat Jan 27: Barley's Legacy Celebration is happening at Hops & Bottles from 2-5pm. If you didn't get the chance to meet him, Barley was one of the best Boise dogs. He worked as the door greeter and friend to all at Hops & Bottles. To celebrate his legacy there will be Barley Browns draft special, donation drive for the Idaho Humane Society & dogs, of course! 21+

Barley celebrating his 14th bday in 2023. We miss you Barley! Credit Hops & Bottles

You need some lasagna

Breaking food news: Cucina di Paolo is closing at the end of April. I'm so sad about this but also really happy for MJ and her family.

If you don't know, Cucina di Paolo is a teeny tiny take out spot at 1504 S Vista Ave, Boise. Right by Betty the Washer Woman. They serve incredible homemade lasagna, salad, bread, pot pies, and the best desserts ever. MJ makes a new set of desserts every week! All of their food is absolutely phenomenal. It's my go-to for comfort food, new parent gifts, and dinner party contributions. You can read her post about closing here (and check out the menu).

Seriously, go get some while you can. A true Boise icon.

Tunes & shows

TONIGHT: David Henry + Ryan Curtis at the Shrine Social Club (basement)
TONIGHT: Buck Meek + Dylan Meek at Neurolux
TONIGHT: Bobby Dee Keys at Grants Sidecar Bar
Fri Jan 26: Squirrel Flower + Goon + Chief Broom at The Shredder
Fri Jan 26: Jens’ Jazz Residency at the Shrine Social Club (basement)
Fri Jan 26: Andrew Chappell + The Bitterroot Revival at The Sapphire Room
Fri Jan 26: We Are Young - Hipster House Party Shrine Social Club (basement)
Fri Jan 26: Reckless Kelly at The Morrison Center
Fri Jan 26: Jake Jacobson + Corey James Grubb Band at Heritage Social
Fri Jan 26: Boogie T + Ternion Sound + Distinct Motive + Skellytn at Treefort Music Hall
Fri Jan 26: One Direction Dance Night at Knitting Factory
Sat Jan 27: Moon Owl’s Mages + The Macks + Papas at Treefort Music Hall
Sat Jan 27: Keller Williams at Knitting Factory Boise
Tue Jan 30: Poolside + The Undercover Dream Lovers at Treefort Music Hall
Wed Jan 31: Polo G at ExtraMile Arena

Comedy & storytelling

Fri Jan 26: Let’s Get Weird at The Balcony Club. Find yourself and then lose yourself and then find yourself again. Bring a crystal just in case. Show starts at 7pm. 21+.
Fri Jan 26: Watson’s Live Funny Feud is happening at Watson’s Mystery Cafe & Spirits. Watch great teams of local comedians debate audience-suggested topics in a bracket-style competition. Tix are $45, show starts at 8pm, and it’s 18+.
Fri Jan 26: Mrs. Kuhn will be performing Fri Jan 26 & Sat Jan 27 at 7:30pm at Surel’s Place in Garden City. Tix are $12. Sonya (aka Mrs Kuhn) has written a few From Boise stories, like this one about comedy in Boise and this amazing story about Food Land Market. We love Sonya!
Sat Jan 27: Death Rattle Literary Underground: Local Poetry + Fiction Show is happening in the Shrine Social Cub basement. It starts at 6pm, free or $5 donation. All ages!
Sat Jan 27: Comic of The Year 2024 Finals are going on at The Linen Building at 7pm & tix are $40.
Sat Jan 27: Aaron Woodall is performing live at Barbarian Brewing (Garden City Tap Room) at 8pm. Tix are $10 and the show is 21+.
Sat Jan 27: Comedian Zoltan Kaszas is at Lounge at the End of the Universe. Three shows sold out so they added one more at 9:30pm on Saturday. Tix are $25. 21+
Sun Jan 28: Comedy Night with Myq Kaplan starts at 7pm at the Sapphire Room. Myq Kaplan has appeared on the Tonight Show, Conan, Letterman, James Corden, Seth Meyers, Comedy Central, and Last Comic Standing. Tix are $24 and the show is all ages.

Death Rattle reading event, credit Death Rattle

Food finds & things to drink

It's nom-nom-nomination time, as in James Beard Award nominations, and three Idaho chefs are semifinalists! Dan Ansotegui of Ansots in Boise, Salvador Alamilla of Amano in Caldwell, and Ben Barlow and Heather Logan of Stanley Supper Club in Stanley have all been named as semifinalists for the Best Chef category. Cool!
TONIGHT: Beer Pong Tournament at VooDoo Cellar Boise! Entry is FREE and you have the chance to win $100. Be there before 8pm to sign up in person to compete. 21+
Sat Jan 27: Lost Grove Brewing is hosting Gelande Quaffing where teams compete against each other in a game of finesse, style, and beer chugging. Sign ups start at 1:30pm, and it’s $40 per team to enter. 21+
Tue Jan 30: Telaya Wine Co. is putting on a Blending Class where their winemakers will discuss the factors to consider when blending, such as barrel selection by varietal, new versus used barrel, and many more. The class starts at 7pm and tix are $30. 21+

Fresh chorizo from Ansots Basque Chorizos, credit Ansots

Things to do

TONIGHT: Check out Trivia Night with Cookie + Coco at Reef Boise. Starts at 7pm & it’s free!
TONIGHT: Join Idaho Conservation League & Clark Mountain Athletics at Idaho Mountain Touring as they host a conversation about snow camping and how to stay warm outside while recreating. Starts at 6pm. It's free!
TONIGHT: Join Idaho Public Television & the Idaho State Museum for a special screening of Kris Millgate’s newest documentary On Grizzly Ground. You can catch it at The Idaho State Museum. Tix are $5.
Th-Sun Jan 25-28: Go see Love…or Best Offer at Stage Coach Theatre. Tix are $25. The play is happening next weekend too.
Fri Jan 26: Watershed Studio presents Gems Of Idaho. Discover why Idaho is nicknamed “the gem state,” learn about more than 72 types of gems & create your own personal work of art. Fun!
Sat Jan 27: Murder mystery event Slain at the Speakeasy is happening at Watson’s Mystery Cafe at 7pm. Tix are $30-$75, dinner and drinks will be served.
Sat Jan 27: Join the Terrariums & Miniature Story Plant Garden workshop at North End Organic Nursery. So cute! It's free but you have to register by calling 208-389-4769.
Sat Jan 27: New to gardening? Join the Gardening for Beginners class at North End Organic Nursery! It's free! Register by calling 208-389-4769.
Sat Jan 27: Houseplant people, this one is for you. Join Coffee, Plants & Nerds at FarWest Garden Center! Bring your houseplant cutting to trade, learn more about houseplant care and meet other plant lovers. It's free! Starts at 10am.
Sat Jan 27: Idaho State Historical Society is hosting a photo & document preservation workshop this weekend. Interesting! Bring your family photos & documents and learn how to keep them in good condition for years to come. Tix are $35 for ISHS members and $50 for non-members, includes a preservation kit!

BFFs only

I need your help

I'm prepping my annual date ideas story. What's your favorite local date? It could be a romantic date, friend date, or parent/kid date. Here are my categories: