Eagle Magazine July-August

The Origin Story of PetIQ

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@AleiMerrill

Make sure you talk to a professional who works every day in the local market you are interested in. The "Market" is a broad term. Every area, neighborhood, and individual property has forces of competing supply and buyer demand - these are things that change all the time. Be careful looking at general data or even stats more than 30 days old. If there is any part of the Treasure Valley market you would like to talk about call me at 208-900-2534.

"Alei, How do I know what is really happening in the market right now?"

WRITERS:

Chelsea Chambers

Jamie Hudson

Natalia DiGiosia

Tia Markland-Crabtree

Renee Van Ausdle

PHOTOGRAPHERS:

Tia Markland-Crabtree

Angela Bucchino

DESIGNER:

Angela Bucchino

FOR RESULTS-DRIVEN ADVERTISING em@eaglemagazine.com 208-484-8215

FOR GENERAL INFORMATION www.eaglemagazine.com 208-484-8215

EAGLE MAGAZINE IS AVAILABLE

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Eagle Magazine, Vol. 16, No. 2, is published 6 times a year by Idaho Media Publishing LLC, Po. Box 1878 Eagle, Idaho 83616. Copyright 2023, all rights reserved. Content of this publication is the copyright of Idaho Media Publishing LLC and/or respective copyright holders. Contents may not be reproduced in whole or in part without consent of the copyright owner. For subscription information please visit eaglemagazine. com. For editorial submissions please email em@eaglemagazine.com. For advertising, please email em@ eaglemagazine.com.

Happy Summer Everyone!

In this edition, there’s a common theme of perseverance and change. Over the last twenty years of publishing EM, we’re continuously astonished at the paths people have taken to fill a need, make a difference, or pursue a dream.

Aalisa Erpenbach, a kitchen assistant at Compass Public Charter School in Meridian, provided insight into how schools can make a huge impact with healthier food options. She’s been successful in implementing a program that hopefully other schools will follow – see photos of the delicious food she is serving children.

On page 18, you’ll learn the origin of Pet IQ and what sparked Cord Christensen to fill a need in the veterinary industry. The company went public and continues to grow and stay relevant as one of the top 5 businesses in Eagle. The incredible stories continue with Kerry Joln, founder and CEO of Bella Dahl, an international clothing company that started out of a garage with three employees.

Humans are remarkable in their efforts to overcome, work hard and succeed. We’re grateful to meet all the wonderful people in our community. Be sure to read cover to cover, and mark July 8th on the calendar for Family Fun Night at Eagle Fun Days! Eagle Magazine will be there with some Eagle Merch and some fun giveaways.

Tia Markland-Crabtree

Renowned Fashion IN EAGLE

AND BEYOND

You truly never know where your next big idea is going to come from. And sometimes, the greatest things have the most humble beginnings. For Kerry Jolna and his colleagues at Bella Dahl, that was exactly the case.

BY CHELSEA CHAMBERS

Kerry Jolna, CEO and Founder

Bella Dahl started in my three-car garage with three people and has grown into a worldwide distributed brand,” Kerry shared with us. “My family was in the retail apparel business for many years. I worked my way through high school and college in men’s retail apparel stores.”

And so, from working his way through school to a garage-born brand, Kerry—founder and CEO of Bella Dahl—continues to promote the company mission: Soft on you, softer on the planet. And true to their word, the Bella Dahl brand creates their own fabric, prints, styles, and washes to create an entirely original experience for their customers. They pride themselves on “traveling the high road” for their clothing, with responsible and sustainable product sourcing.

It’s truly refreshing to see a company that puts their consumer satisfaction first, rather than always looking to save a buck. “All end result products must be extremely soft in order for the consumer to enjoy wearing it; and all decisions on product and brand are made with the highest integrity level considering consumer over profits.”

Let’s say that again: Consumer. Over. Profits. Music to our ears!

“We take pride every time you put on our clothing and notice how great it looks and feels! Each piece is designed for comfort and easy care for an everyday look. At Bella Dahl, we’re committed to working towards a softer future. While we aim to create beautiful pieces, we also prioritize ethical practices and mindful choices to help lower the impact our clothing has on our planet.”

But Kerry doesn’t take all the credit, or even most of it! “We have an organization with some of the most talented people in the apparel business,” he said with pride. “Which allows us to create the success of growing the company dramatically every year.”

When he’s not expanding his globally renowned fashion brand, Kerry—founder and CEO of Bella Dahl— likes to spend his time with his family in Eagle golfing, playing pickleball, or honing his wine expertise.

To Bella Dahl can be found online at belladahl.com as well as 1500 stores worldwide. From stylish jumpsuits to dresses for every occasion, Bella Dahl truly has it all. Check out the Eagle Idaho locations Intuition Boutique at 94 N Fisher Park Way, Suite B, as well as ZuZu’s Petals at 463 S. Academy Lane.

WHAT’S NEW AT THE

EAGLE HILLS GOLF COURSE

A day out golfing makes a larger impact through charitable tournaments throughout the 2023 season.

With the Idaho mountains as a backdrop, Eagle Hills Golf Course in Idaho is more than just a beautiful place to tee off. Eagle Hills hosts several charitable tournaments throughout the season to support local organizations.

BY NATALIA DiGIOSIA

“Golf tournaments are a fantastic fundraiser and always fun for participants to compete in,” says Christy Radcliffe from Eagle Hills. The course hosts 15-20 charitable tournaments a year. The tournament calendar includes:

June 3rd:

Garrison Zimmer Foundation, supporting the mental health of teens.

June 9th:

The Jayden DeLuca Foundation, benefiting families affected by pediatric heart conditions.

June 10th:

Boise Hunt of Lifetime, supporting children with diagnosed life threatening illness by taking them on their dream hunting or fishing trip.

June 15th:

Idaho Fire Protection Forum, raising money for local burn out funds or fire victims.

June 22th:

ReDefined Gives Back

July 28th:

Laurel’s Legacy, supporting individuals and families who have been affected by cancer and other life threatening illnesses.

In the Fall, Eagle Hills host their major event—the Kris Kringle tournament—which they’ve organized for over 30 years. Partnering with Infinite Kindness, the tournament is held over Thanksgiving weekend, raising funds for nominated families during the holidays.

“We estimate each year these various tournaments raise hundreds of thousands of dollars combined for local charitable organizations and schools” said Radcliffe. Registration is available online through the website of each charity.

Eagle Hills Golf Course also hosts competitive tournaments, open to anyone with a GHIN handicap. These include the 2 Lady Best Ball/Scramble on July 8th and 9th, the Couples’

Chapman on September 2nd, and the Annual Ball Buster Scramble on October 15th. The golf course also offers Nine Hole Friday Night Couple’s Chapmans that start on June 9th. What else is new at Eagle Hills? In January 2023, they added indoor Trackman Golf Simulators. These simulators have replicas of over 300 premier golf courses that allow golfers to play as if they were really there.

“We’ve found serious golfers enjoy them for the technical detail and precision measurements for swing speed, launch angle, and club distance. New golfers like them because they can relax and have fun without worrying about having golfers behind them or finding lost balls” said Radcliffe.

Eagle Hills Golf Course also has amenities for those who are not golfing. The clubhouse restaurant and bar are open daily with Happy Hour from 4:00pm-7:00pm. Beverage carts run regularly over the weekends and during leagues and events. Additionally, Eagle Hills has a full-service outdoor event center with onsite catering, bar, event staff, linen, and bridal suite.

For those looking to play a round of golf at Eagle Hills Golf Course, discounted twilight rates begin after 3:00pm seven days per week, with $35 green fees for 18 holes. They also offer summer Beat the Heat discounts when the temperature rises. Active duty and retired military receive 10% off green fees.

Eagle Hills Golf Course is a great place to play a round of golf while also supporting local charities. With its indoor golf simulators and event center, the venue is excellent for events and gatherings.

To register for competitive tournaments and for more info, visit their website at eaglehillsgolfcourse.com.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HILL PHOTOGRAPHY

TheOrigin Story of PetIQ

ONE OF THE LARGEST COMPANIES IN EAGLE

PetIQ is one of the largest, most successful companies born and raised here in Eagle, Idaho. Passing by their headquarters on Highway 55 and Eagle Road, you may wonder, what is PetIQ all about?

We met with Cord Christensen, Founder and CEO of PetIQ, to hear PetIQ’s origin story, how they filled the gap of affordable pet care, and their business projections for the year.

BY NATALIA DiGIOSIA

PetIQ began with an expensive vet bill.

In 2009, Christensen went to a veterinarian and received an extremely expensive bill, an event that most of us pet parents have experienced at least once. “It made me wonder, how could we do it better and cheaper?”

Christensen has been an entrepreneur and self-starter, climbing the Albertsons grocery chain, working with major retailers, and starting his own companies. This question sparked his interest in researching the crux of pets and retail.

Christensen found that “Pet Care” was the second-highest-performing retail category during the recession of 2008. The trend was that people were not getting married as early, opting to have pets before kids, and treating them like members of the family.

Deepening this vast discovery, Christensen also realized that major retailers did not offer pet medications or formulas. Here was the business gem, founded in the gap between retail and expensive vet visits.

“We started the company to be the first large-scale distributor of all the major pet medications in both over-the-counter and prescription to the major retailers,” Christensen shared.

Christensen’s small team began by testing a few products in retail stores to test the demand. They found they were able to typically provide 20% to 40% discount on pet medications, a noticeable savings to consumers.

“Once we saw the reaction of the consumers to those savings and the retail reaction, we had a great idea to build this company that would focus on creating a more affordable way for people to access pet medications.”

The business model was to provide pet parents with more affordable pet medications in locations where they go more often. Pet parents go to the vet about 1.2 times a year. Yet they frequent Walmart, Costco, or Albertsons almost every week in some form. When PetIQ started, 95% of all pet calories were acquired in retail, but no medications. Christensen said, “It was very easy to see the pet parents were at these retail locations and would love to have savings and more convenience.”

After three years of success, Christensen and his team started to research how they could bring a portfolio of veterinary health products to retail shops at a mid-tier price point. They built out a strategy to have their own brands and manufacturers. Little by little, this strategy grew to where by 2019, PetIQ manufactured more than 1,000 of their own Pet-IQ branded items. PetIQ has manufacturing and distribution facilities in Utah, Texas, Florida, and Nebraska.

PETIQ opens Wellness Centers across the country.

PetIQ has taken accessible pet care further by opening pet Wellness Centers within retail stores.

In 2018, PetIQ acquired a company called VIP Petcare. They were the largest network of preventative care, walk-in, no-appointment-needed clinics. These clinics were located in pet specialty retailers such as Pet Supermarkets, Pet Supplies Plus, and Pet Food Express.

PetIQ then had the ability to transform these clinics into exactly what the market needed, filling the affordable needs of pet parents once again. Most commonly, pet parents visit their veterinarian for basic care. Whether a visit is for minor emergency care or preventative treatment, such as flea, tick, or heartworm, getting an affordable appointment can be hard to find. The cost of these services at a veterinarian’s office is typically too expensive.

“We felt like this was a huge opportunity,” said Christensen. Now PetIQ has a significant network of clinics. Last year they treated approximately 1.5 million pets, with an expansive goal to treat 6-8 million pets a year through their clinics.

“We think it’s a smart idea because you can walk into one of our clinics with no appointment and have all those treatments done.” Christensen explains, “Our average ticket for the things you really need to be doing for your pet is $100, which is very affordable relative to the industry averages across the country for similar types of services.”

PetIQ focuses on partnering with retailers to bring clinics inside Walmart, Tractor Supply, or other pet retailers. “We are always looking to put our products and services where people shop regularly, where they can see all the savings they get from that location.”

“I’m very proud of what we have built and all the great things we do for pets and pet parents.”

Cord

Christensen, Founder and CEO of PetIQ

PetIQ continues to grow as an Idaho- based company.

PetIQ has come a long way since starting on old State Street and a tiny office with only one employee. Now, 13 years later, PetIQ has close to 3,500 employees across the country and is in its fourth location, the newly finished building. The company went public on NASDAQ in 2017 to raise capital and have currency to make acquisitions and build new clinics, which it has successfully done. In 2023, PetIQ projects that it will cross the first year of a billion dollars in sales revenue as a company.

Throughout this growth, PetIQ plans to stay in the Treasure Valley, bringing jobs to Idaho. Christensen was born and raised in the Boise area, attended Centennial High School, Boise State, and has lived here for most of his life.

“Having seen other businesses built here, and moved out of state, we were pretty set on trying to make sure we could keep the company based here in Eagle, and be a significant part of the community.”

PetIQ has further outreach in the Treasure Valley community. As part of PetIQ’s new headquarters in Eagle, they worked with the City to create an off-leash dog park on their campus. In addition to helping pet organizations, PetIQ also consistently sponsors the Boise State Sponsorship, Boise Timbers Soccer Club, Meridian K-9 Rescue, and Eagle High School.

“We have stayed pretty quiet as we build the business. We’ve tried to be humble, slowly grow, and get to where we are today. I’m very proud of what we have built and all the great things we do for pets and pet parents.”

Style KNOW YOUR

EM COVERS LOCAL BOUTIQUES IN EAGLE

Aimee Ricci, the owner of Urban Casuals, opened up in June 2016. The boutique offers on-trend women’s apparel that’s casual as well as affordable. Customers appreciate that they can get an entire outfit without breaking the bank. Ladies that shop there like the features of the ¾ sleeves on tops, comfy stretch bottoms, and travel-friendly fabrics. Top-selling brands include Tribal, TrueSlim, Et’Lois, and more. In addition, they carry men’s apparel and gifts in their other shop, Donnie Ricardo, which is located right next store.

The boutique is located on Aikens Road, just one block off Old State Street. The area is coined ‘Bridge Walk Village’ for the bridge pathway that connects to the Plaza Shopping Center behind Rice Thai Cuisine. The pedestrian walking path will soon be bustling due to the new mixed-used development going in –a reason why some tenants, like Wishing Wells Botanicals, recently moved to Bridge Walk Village.

Urban Casuals 123 E Aikens Street, Eagle @myurbancasuals, 1-800-800-9581

The way we dress is always changing, and it is an important part of self-expression. It’s an ongoing conversation in our house with a teen and a curvy forty-something figure myself. We ask ourselves, what’s hot, what’s not, and what is versatile, comfortable, yet fashionable and not dated? My latest dilemma was wearing an unflattering jumper to an Eagle social gathering – the photos about killed me. Jumpers are in, they just don’t look great on

me. Fashion provides us with a form of self-expression and individual identity, and I felt a little unconfident after that. Note to self, pay more attention to your wardrobe and what is most flattering.

In this issue of EM, we feature the styles and trends of Urban Casuals and The Side Door. Two local boutiques in the heart of Eagle.

The Side Door at Reclaimed has been open for just over a year. Their sister store Reclaimed Interiors has been open since July 2016. Vicki, the store owner, had the opportunity to expand to the space next door and thought adding a boutique clothing consignment shop would be the perfect fit for their high-end home consignment shop. Vicki felt that there was a need for more clothing consignment options in the Eagle area.

The Side Door carries high-end brands such as Coach, Kate Spade, Free People, Brighton, & Kenneth Lane to name a few. The boutique’s concept is to dress you to the 9s without stretching your wallet. They are very selective, carrying only very gently used, often brand new, designer clothing at prices well below original retail. You don’t have to head to the mall or The Village anymore to find beautiful brand-name clothing, handbags, and shoes. They’d like to note that they also carry vintage furs!

The boutique is located in the rapidly growing area of Eagle Lakes, over by JoVinos. Ten years ago, the area would have been considered the outskirts of Eagle. Now there are restaurant options, services, housing, and access to the Greenbelt. They’re right in the center of it all.

The Side Door 1045 S Ancona, Eagle @thsidedoorconsignment, 986-236-4229

URBAN TASTING ROOM

EAGLE BUSINESSES ARE

Feelin’theLove

with Feelin’ Groovy Tours

Red Chair Lavender Farm with Coffee and Supply Co.

After years of working corporate jobs, Michelle Keener shifted paths, traded her business suits for cowboy boots, and took her work on the road as a tour guide, allowing her to do what she loves most - spend time with people and share the joy of discovery with guests. Her business, Feelin’ Groovy Tours, was established in 2019 in Sandpoint, Idaho, to 5- star reviews, and has since relocated to the Treasure Valley. Guests can experience local tours with a vintage flare as they explore Boise’s hidden gems in an award-winning 1976 VW bus called “Georgie Girl”. It’s funky, spunky, and looks like a rolling postcard!

The Red Chair Lavender Farm Tour is always a crowd pleaser, which begins with a stop at Coffee and Supply Co. in Eagle, Idaho, where guests can enjoy complimentary lavender-infused beverages and baked goods made with Red Chair Lavender Farms food-grade Lavender.

From there, guests will enjoy a drive through Eagle’s beautiful countryside while learning about Eagle’s humbling beginnings, including some wayward robbers and big-name movie stars.

Once at Red Chair Lavender Farm, guests learn how to grow, harvest, and distill lavender, including its uses. Next, guests will craft a lavender wreath to take home and can stroll down beautiful rows of lavender varieties to cut their own. The tour closes with a serving of delicious lavender-berry ice cream from the STIL and time to shop in Red Chair Lavender Farm’s quaint boutique filled with bath, body, and home products made on-site.

This adventure is available in July and August only, so don’t miss out on scent-sational time here in Eagle, Idaho.

BY RENEE VAN AUSDLE

“My mission is to delight my guests beyond their expectations, offer joy, experiment, and lots of “ah-ha” moments.” Michelle said. “My desire is that my guests walk away with an experience they’ll remember for years to come, and I love being a part of that.”

Keener is a Certified Interpretive Guide and a Certified International Tour Manager with a commercial driver’s license. Michelle aims to bring miles of smiles to community members in Eagle, Idaho, including Treasure Valley visitors.

Feelin’ Groovy Tours offers several other tours, including the Hooked on a Feeling Urban Wine tour, in which guests can explore and taste award-winning Idaho wines as you sip your way across Eagle, Garden City, and Boise. Those wanting to know more about the City of Trees can brush

up on local history on the So Happy Together Tour – a hip way to experience the old, the new, the quirky, the macabre, the meaningful, and more.

Want something unique? Enjoy customizing a private charter, where the possibilities are endless. Have a group larger than seven? Michelle offers step- on guide services for larger vehicles. Including charter buses visiting the area. There is something for everyone on a Feelin’ Groovy Tour, and can be an excellent opportunity for family, friends, employee rewards, team building, and corporate events.

What’s next for Feelin’ Groovy? Michelle’s touring horizon includes a new Boise Brewery Tour starting this May.

To learn more or book a tour, visit the Feelin’ Groovy Tour website at Feelingroovy.tours. You can also connect with the Feelin’ Groovy team via Instagram and Facebook @ Feelingroovytours, or hello@FeelinGroovy.tours.

Healthcare Advances & Humanitarian Efforts

ALINEA HEALTH: YOUR EAGLE WELLNESS CLINIC

Have you heard about Alinea Health? They are a healthcare facility located here in Eagle, founded by husband and wife team Oneida and David Cohen. Both Oneida and David share a passion for helping people overcome challenges in their lives through natural remedies and effective treatments.

With a professional background in business and software, Oneida has always had an interest in healthy living and natural remedies. She learned about the power of natural remedies in the Fall of 2015 when she used them to overcome significant health challenges. Oneida’s passion for helping others and making healthy living choices more readily available in her community led her to open Alinea Health in November of 2020.

David Cohen, Oneida’s husband, is also an integral part of Alinea Health. He has been active in healthcare since 2017, managing businesses that work with clients to get to the root causes of their health challenges and provide effective treatments.

In addition to weight loss treatments and essential oils, Alinea Health offers the unique service of Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (mHbOT). This therapy involves breathing in concentrated oxygen in a pressurized environment, which has been shown to promote healing and improve overall health. They use state-of-the-art equipment and provide a comfortable and relaxing environment for their clients during their mHbOT sessions.

Although Oneida was careful not to suggest that the mHbOT treatment heals a variety of medical conditions, there have been hundreds of case studies and articles in medical journals showing the success of mHbOT may promote healing in Autism, Cerebral Palsy, migraine headaches, brain injuries, MS, and many more.

The process of mHbOT is painless and non-invasive. Clients simply breathe in concentrated oxygen while in a pressurized chamber. This increases the amount of oxygen that the body can absorb, which may promote healing and improves overall health.

One of the things that sets them apart from other healthcare facilities is their commitment to personalized care. They work closely with each client to develop a treatment plan that is tailored to their specific needs, including coordinating with medical professionals. They take the time to get to know each client and understand their unique health challenges, so that they can provide the best possible care.

Oneida is also very passionate about helping her local community as well as her home country, Venezuela. Working closely with the Venezuela Amiga Foundation, for example, they donate food, medical supplies, clothing, and personal essentials to those in need. Locally, they’ve also helped with donations to the Eagle High School’s Tennis Program. Along with other business donations, the school now has brand-new tennis courts.

By combining weight loss and healthcare services at Alinea Health, you can unlock your optimal health and well-being.

To learn more or book an appointment, visit alineahealth.us or call 208-926-6613.

951 E Plaza Dr, Suite 140 Eagle, ID 83616

CHANGE IS WITHIN OUR REACH

SCHOOL FOOD AND THE OBESITY EPIDEMIC – PART 3

It has been argued that schools cannot improve the obesity epidemic by providing healthier food. Children learn habits at home and may throw away healthier options they are served. Why should schools go through the effort and cost of changing their menu offerings if kids will not eat it?

During and in-person interview, Aalisa Erpenbach, a kitchen assistant at Compass Public Charter School in Meridian, ID, provided insight for how schools can

make a huge impact. Erpenbach said the director listens to staff’s meal suggestions/ideas and student health is highly valued.

Four years ago, Compass was in a smaller building, no one really cared about the food, and they didn’t have enough staff to make improvements. Two years later they moved into a new building and hired additional staff. Now kitchen staff can cook and prep for the next day, producing most meals from scratch.

BY JAMIE HUDSON

With extra money provided by the Free Lunch Program, they purchased more vegetables and a variety of fruits including peaches, nectarines, kiwis, strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries. They purchased more kitchen equipment like a large food processor, knives, cutting boards, food warmers, and salad bars. Items made from scratch include whole grain pizza crust and tomato sauce, Pico de gallo, and muffins with seasonal ingredients.

Erpenbach enjoys creating new options and walks around getting feedback directly from students. Middle and high schoolers have healthier menus because most upper students enjoy them. Veggie bowls with rice are popular, and once the kids try it, they usually like it. Options include taco day with roasted veggies, vegan Buddha bowls, handmade veggie burgers, baked potatoes, Thai curry, falafels, bruschetta pizza, mandarin orange salad, and taco salad in hand-pressed taco shells. Older students enjoy ethnic, diverse varieties not normally found at schools.

When asked for improvement ideas, Erpenbach said, “There are so many things. I wish overly processed food wasn’t so popular and wasn’t served to students. I wish we made everything from scratch.” She believes young kids eat less variety due to learned behaviors. “Parent think, ‘My kid won’t eat this, so I won’t even bother’ or it takes too much work to prep and fight kids to eat it. Fast food is easier.”

Erpenbach stated that schools choose the food options and some pick what is easy rather than healthy. She notes that elementary kids eat more fruits like apples and oranges if they are sliced, which takes kitchen staff prep time. If given a larger budget, she would love to make chicken nuggets from scratch so “they had real chicken” and would be healthier for students. She doesn’t believe nutritious foods are much more expensive, but preparation requires more staff.

Erpenbach teaches Nutrition and Foods at Compass and assists with Intro to Culinary and Advanced Culinary. She said having these classes, especially for younger students and their parents, could help kids be more adventurous with food choices.

“…a child’s initial rejection of a food can be modified with repeated exposure to a food, but it may take between 5–10 opportunities to taste a new food before it becomes a preferred food… Learned food preferences are related to frequency of exposure to a food. Studies of animals and humans have shown that observance of others selecting and eating a food can induce consumption of an initially disliked or unfamiliar food.” (Citation? Scott)

Erpenbach hopes the new foods learned at school encourage students to ask for more healthy options at home. “Kids are more willing to try things than people think they are. I think having other kids try things with them is more important than their parents telling them to eat it. They’re more willing to try it when other kids are trying it than parents saying, ‘You should eat it.’”

Stories like this prove change is possible, even on a tight school budget.

In Scientific American, Patrick Mustain describes how it takes time for healthy lunches to gain wide acceptance because the things taken out of them are the things kids were trained to want. He goes on to explain that he hears people comment that if kids don’t like it then they must serve something else. He compares this to kids not liking math, and how there is a different approach to making decisions about what is good for children in the classroom than in the cafeteria.

Programs are popping up across the nation to reverse kids’ negative attitudes toward healthy food. Some have successfully shown students how and why to make

“A child’s initial rejection of a food can be modified with repeated exposure to a food, but it may take between 5–10 opportunities to taste a new food before it becomes a preferred food.”

healthier choices. One example is Slow Food USA which “aims to reconnect youth with their food by teaching them how to grow, cook and enjoy real food.”

While many health habits are formed in the home, the CDC states, “Students in the United States engage in behaviors that place them at risk for the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among youth and adults. These behaviors often are established during childhood and adolescence and extend into adulthood; therefore, it is important to prevent such behaviors at an early age. Because schools have direct contact with more than 95 percent of our nation’s young people aged 5-17 years, they play a critical role in promoting the health and safety of young people and helping them establish lifelong healthy behavior patterns.”

Parents can also ask the school to stand up a Wellness Committee made up of staff members and parents invested in creating and implementing goals for nutrition, health and physical fitness, health education curriculum, and coordinate this with the school’s food and nutrition services operation.

It will require school, parent, community, and district action to encourage healthier choices and increase children’s health knowledge. Giving access to healthy foods and discouraging unhealthy food choices is a big step in the right direction. Schools must provide healthier meals to have healthier students, and change must start now.

If you are passionate about your child’s health or the health of children in our community, you can write to your local legislature and demand change. Tell the West Ada school district there must be accountability in place to ensure healthy food is being served to our children. There are multiple nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping schools start garden programs, and parents and caregivers can work with school staff to apply for consideration. You can also visit organizations like The Chef Ann Foundation which provides free toolkits with information for approaching local school districts to advocate for healthier student meals. The Chef Ann Foundation also offers grants for schools to receive salad bars to improve food options. chefannfoundation.org

THE VAULT EAGLE

HIGH-END CIGAR AND WHISKEY LOUNGE

A group of three local entrepreneurs and community-minded souls came together to create The Vault Eagle. Josh, owner of The Vault Meridian, CJ an Eagle restaurateur, and Brett, the IT guy, created this high-end cigar and whiskey lounge.

When EM met up for an interview, CJ relayed that “It’s not about us. That’s why we created Don Williams, a faux celebrity to represent the brand, because it’s really about creating a community space for connecting – with fine whiskey and hand selected cigars.”

The space offers a luxurious experience crafted with the finest materials like Gucci wallpaper, plenty of comfortable couches and chairs, a full bar and a large array of top-shelf cigars and whiskeys.

Vault boasts a state of the art ventilation which brings in brand new air flow every 16 minutes, and can be adjusted up and down. The cigars are displayed in a bookshelf humidor for ease of browsing. They hold the largest selection of Whistle Pig whiskey. And for those who want a bit extra, they offer membership lockers for cigars and liquor, member only events, and master classes on cigars and whiskey pairings.

“Smoking cigars is like falling in love. First, you are attracted by its shape; you stay for its flavor, and you must always remember never, never to let the flame go out.” -Winston Churchill

Visit The Vault Eagle: 228 E Plaza Dr, Suite H, EagleMonday–Thursday: Noon-10PM, Friday: Noon-12AM Saturday: 10AM-12AM, Sunday: Noon-9PM thevault.live; 208.901.0217

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGELA BUCCHINO

“Smoking cigars is like falling in love. First, you are attracted by its shape; you stay for its flavor, and you must always remember never, never to let the flame go out.”

-Winston Churchill

VI R TUAL VIBES

A virtual reality birthday party is an innovative way to celebrate a your big day. This type of party is ideal for those looking for something unique, exciting, and memorable. At VR1 in Eagle, you can have a VIP experience!

We met with the owner Brendan Symthe and asked him a few questions.

EM: What’s the process upon arrival?

Brendan: First we all get settled in with our rules and VR tutorials, making sure everyone is comfortable and ready to play. Then we help the players get into the game of their choice. We specialize in multiplayer VR, so getting everyone into the same game is our top priority. At about an hour in, or halfway through the party, we stop for food, dessert, and presents. Then, with the remaining time, we hop back in and play some more. We make multiplayer VR easy and fun every step of the way.

EM: What are the benefits of having a birthday here?

Brendan: At VR1 Arcade, you get the entire arcade to yourselves with our VIP package. This means privacy and one-on-one attention. We are a 5-star birthday destination. There are no other places in town that offer this kind of service. We are also a local startup, founded right here in Eagle. We have an amazing menu, featuring appetizers, hot sandwiches, pizza, soda fountain, and even adult beverages like beer, wine and cocktails! Parents can kick back and chat while the kids play and have fun.

EM: How many on staff to help facilitate?

Brendan: Anywhere from 2-4 staff members are ready to assist on any given day. The owners are usually in the building overseeing everything. We provide a white glove service with every guest.

EM: Are there any party gifts?

Brendan: At the end of the party, every player levels up with our wrist bands. These can be collected and traded up for rewards and prizes. The birthday kid will get a gift card to our store to come back by themselves.

EM: What games do you have?

Brendan: So many games to choose from for all ages. We have over 300 games to pick from, but we usually use our top 10 games with birthdays. You can protect a castle with bow and arrows, have a laser tag battle, shoot dodgeballs, drum to music with lightsabers, find the Impostor in Among Us, mine and build in Minecraft VR, or play racquetball in space! All of these can be played together. On our website we have a catalog of games that you can choose from and switch games at any point of your session.

EM: Anything else you want to add?

Brendan: We are extremely busy. Our Saturdays are booked for almost 3-4 weeks out. We encourage to never walk in, and to always reserve online – this guarantees you a spot. We also recommend each player get their own headset. If you have any questions, visit our website, or call anytime. Step beyond! For more information visit vr1arcade.com or call 208.807.2319. 1225 E Winding Creek Dr,

Eagle

VR1 ARCADE IS A GREAT PLACE TO HOST A BIRTHDAY PARTY OR SIMPLY COOL OFF IN THE SUMMER HEAT

Family Fun Night

EAGLE FUN DAYS COMMUNITY EVENT

Every year Eagle comes together as a community to enjoy the Eagle Fun Days Festival. This July 7th and 8th, be ready to stroll the parade and have fun with all the activities. One key event is the Family Fun Night at Guerber Park on July 7th from 5pm to 8pm. Here, local businesses, community organizations, and government entities provide some amazing activities for everyone.

This year, the Eagle Fire Department will be spraying down kids while they frolic in the state-of-the-art splash pad while also passing out fireman hats near the inflatable obstacle course. Additionally, the Idaho C.O.P.S. Foundation is pitching in with a dunk tank, so bring the kids a change of clothes. Families will also be able to climb a rock wall, grab a meal at the local food trucks, and even devour a snow cone or two. And the City of Eagle would like to thank Sparklight for being the sponsor of this event so be sure to visit and thank them for helping make it so great.

Lastly, you can’t have an outdoor fun family night without music. Joey and Lauren from 102.7 will be there, blasting tunes, and hoping to see all your dance moves!

For the full schedule of Eagle Fun Days, visit cityofeagle.org.

PHOTOGRAPH BY ANGELA BUCCHINO

THE MAKING OF ART

Matt Heim, furniture-maker and main artist, along with David Gosse and Tim Jorgensen are co-owners of WoodLab. They were commissioned by Idaho resident Nancy Williams to recreate a photo of the Teton landscape out of hand-selected wood, epoxy, and paint.

They scoured the inventory of slabs to find a large piece that would translate well to the photograph once carved and poured. Next, they created a photo-to-slab image for a digital comp for approval. In this case, the client provided a lot of specific detail to dial in the digital comp. “We sculpted the wood to create the mountains, the foothills, the river, and the foreground. The Tetons were the focal point of the photo since this is the view out her back door,” mentioned Gosse.

BY TIA MARKLAND-CRABTREE

The process involved stencils that they transfered to the wood. This allowed them to stain the wood and keep the individual stain colors from bleeding into each other. Once the wood was sculpted, sanded, stenciled, and stained, they begin the complex layering of the epoxy pours to give it dimension. Some element, such as the clouds, were done separately and then layered into the epoxy pours. “We wanted the 3D nature of the sculpture to be emphasized and noticeable without looking unrealistic. This is a 3D sculpture encased/suspended in epoxy,” said Heim.

The vision and art were immeasurably complex and took over six months to create. The creative process required dozens of intricate pours which each took many days to cure before the next layer could be poured. “It was a long process and well worth it. It’s the most eye-catching piece. Nancy was nice enough to let us show it off for a while,” says Heim. “This is definitely a masterpiece”, “This is a true work of art”, and “I’ve never seen anything like it” are a few of the comments they hear from admirers.

For questions on this particular piece or to inquire about wall art, visit woodlab.co.