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Table of Contents 5
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Longtime Friends Innovate Better Ways to Build in Boise
Editor's Letter Contributors
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Happy Holidays from Idaho's First Family
9 Beyond the Slopes Bogus Basin offers multifaceted adventure
11 Fashion with Purpose: One Person's Trash is Another's Tuxedo
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25 Life in a Mountain Town
27 Winter Camping The search for solitude
32 To Help Victims of Sex Trafficking in Idaho, it Takes an Army Idaho COBS and law enforcement work to tackle a complex problem
From Novel to Netflix Anthony Doerr's Pulitzer Prize winner adapted for television
Boise OG Remembers When
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Nine Rules for a Buckner Family Christmas
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Who's on First with AI?
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Love, Fury, and Christmas Carols A Conversation with Author Samantha Silva
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Dear Reader,
In 2021, my family chose to celebrate the holidays in relative isolation, the Covid-19 pandemic still knocking heavily on our doors. It was the first Christmas after my grandfather’s death, and I feared the impact it might have on my young sons, who’d previously spent every holiday with an assembly of friends and family, sneaking cookies off the counter in place of the elaborate meals we’d spent the day preparing. But, when Santa brought Lego sets and french fries, dino nuggets and sparkling apple cider, we spent the day in our pajamas building dinosaur paddocks and pirate ships and it was, truly, one of the best holidays I’ve ever had. My children shared the sentiment. Nathaniel, age five, told everyone for two years that his DNA was half mom, half dad, and half Santa. He felt the magic. We all did. As we prepare to gather together for a season of celebration, I want to acknowledge that, for some, this is the world at the worst they’ve ever known. Whether or not you’re personally impacted by one of the many atrocities happening across the globe, we’re all feeling the weight of things and it is important that, in joy or catastrophe, we hold space for one another.
H E AT H E R H A M I LT O N - P O S T Editor in Chief
The thing I’d forgotten as I anticipated Christmas of 2021, or was perhaps still learning, is that people, and children especially, are wildly resilient. They’ve grown up with N-95 masks, lockdown drills, and playground discussions of genocide and war. Which isn’t to say that these events don’t affect them, just that they’re perhaps better equipped to navigate them than we give them credit for, and certainly more equipped than we were at their age. This issue brings us a variety of stories about the human spirit. If it’s nourishment you’re after, fill your cup with a story about things to do at Bogus if downhill skiing isn’t for you, or learn about what Brundage has contributed to many generations of Idahoans. Alternately, pack your camping gear and head for the mountains, even in the snow. Look for a holiday message from Governor Little, and learn what makes life in the mountains so special. Want to stay warm? Dive into writer Samantha Silva’s novels or read about Cherie Buckner-Webb’s holiday traditions for a little festive fun.
If it is a tale of triumph you seek, check out our story on Flashpoint Building Systems, a cool company using technology in a new way and the winner of a recent pitch competition. And if you’re in the mood for something truly inspiring (though difficult), come with us as we explore a darker side of Idaho and meet some of the folks who have survived human trafficking, as well as those doing the work to prevent it.
We’re also diving into some stories of transformation. Remember Boise’s idyllic past with Boise OG, explore artificial intelligence, or check out some trash-turned-high fashion. Finally, we’ve got the story of Anthony Doerr’s novel, which has been turned into a fantastic series on Netflix. Happy holidays. I’m feeling lucky to be alive and here and writing for you this year, and I hope you’re finding that same cheer somewhere too.
In gratitude,
Heather www.idahomemagazine.com
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N OV E M B E R / DECEMBER 2023 publisher K A R E N DAY karen@idahorem.com editor H E AT H E R H A M I LT O N POST heather@idahorem.com art and design J A SON J AC OB SE N jsngrafix@gmail.com K A L E Y W R IGH T design@idahorem.com director of operations M A R IELLE W EST PH A L admin@idahorem.com staff photographer K A R E N DAY
cover art WA R D H O O PE R social media APRIL NEALE april@idahorem.com marketing, sales, and distribution AMBER EVE SEMPSON amber@idahorem.com IdaHome Magazine, LLC P.O. Box 116 Boise, Idaho 83701 208.481.0693 © 2023 IdaHome Magazine. All rights reserved. The opinions expressed by the authors and contributors to IdaHome Magazine are not necessarily those of the editor and publisher.
Community + Culture + Recreation + Real Estate
ON THE COVER Our holiday IdaHome cover features the art of Ward Hooper, a 1987 BFA graduate of Boise State University. Ward currently owns and operates a gallery/studio space at 745 W. Idaho Street in downtown Boise. His artwork is featured in public and private venues throughout the northwest and his design work has been commissioned by public, private, and government entities worldwide.
CONTRIBUTORS Drew Dodson, a Donnelly resident, is a newspaper reporter for the McCall Star-News, a try-hard ice hockey goalie for the local beer league, and a die-hard backcountry skier. He weaves tales on and off the ice, aspiring only to live life to the fullest and embrace happiness as it comes. Born and raised in the New Orleans area, Charles Pineda worked in the entertainment industry for about a decade before moving to writing full-time. He is currently an MFA candidate at Boise State University.
Sonya Feibert Kuhn is a writer, improv nerd, and performer in Boise. She's an avid Treeforter and an enthusiastic patron of and participant in the storytelling and comedy scenes. On sunny days, find her hanging at a local coffee shop or hiking in the foothills. Chris Langrill has worked at various writing and editing jobs around the Treasure Valley for years, including more than two decades at the Idaho Statesman. In addition to freelance writing, he manages copy for a national sports website. He enjoys daily walks with his dog, Murphy, and travel adventures with his wife, Chereen. Otherwise, look for him at a local golf course, loud concert, or craft brewhouse.
April Thomas Whitney’s career path has taken her on many professional adventures. After spending a decade as an award-winning journalist and newsroom manager in Portland, OR, she spent 17 years managing communications at Brundage Mountain before striking out on her current adventure as a freelance journalist, copywriter, and PR contractor.
April Neale is an entertainment features writer and has read her work on NPR and Spoken Interludes and writes for various industry trades and entertainment websites. Neale is a member of the Critics Choice Association, Alliance of Women Film Journalists, Hollywood Critics Association, Television Critics Association, and other professional entertainment organizations.
Jodie Nicotra is a freelance writer based out of Moscow, Idaho. She writes for a number of different magazines, including Boise State Magazine, Whitman Magazine, and Central Washington U’s Crimson & Black. Harper Crabtree is deeply committed to his studies in physics, the Boston Red Sox, and conquering ACL Ridge at Bogus Basin. His article on fusion procured his second entrance into the inner-sanctum of INL, the first being a tour to see and write about the phenomena of Cherenkov's Blue Glow. He resides in Boise with his American Eskimo dog, Yeti. Dave Southorn has lived in Boise since 2005 and has spent nearly all that time covering Boise State University for the Idaho Statesman, Idaho Press, and The Athletic. He married an Idaho girl, Lisa, and loves to explore the city and the surrounding natural beauty with her and their two dogs, Riggins and Rue. Cherie Buckner-Webb is a former Idaho State Senator, executive coach, speaker, business consultant, strategist, and fifth-generation Idahoan. In addition to her work in corporate and nonprofit environments, she assists institutions of higher education in the development of diversity curriculum and training and sits on a variety of local and national boards.
Happy Holidays from Idaho’s First Family
MICHELLE BLISS PHOTOGRAPHY
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e love all seasons in Idaho, but the holidays are always the most special. The holidays come with excitement, memories, and time to reflect on the past year and the one to come. We reflect this holiday season on gratitude. Life isn’t perfect, but despite challenges and setbacks, there is always something to be thankful for. For us, the gift of serving our fellow Idahoans has been a tremendous blessing. Like you, we love Idaho. We want to keep Idaho a special place for future generations, especially our children and grandchildren who are living here now. We are continually impressed with our fellow Idahoans and their shared passion for making Idaho the best place to live and call home. This holiday season, we wish you love, joy, and a renewed sense of appreciation for this wonderful place – Idaho. Best wishes for health and happiness in the new year. Brad and Teresa Little Governor and First Lady of Idaho www.idahomemagazine.com
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Mountain Recreation Area 10 lifts 16 miles Away Non-Profit. All Good.
BEYOND THE SLOPES
Bogus Basin offers multifaceted adventure BY CHRIS LANGRILL
When most people think of Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area, they think of downhill skiing. And for good reason. Bogus Basin features ten lifts, four high-speed quads, 2,600 acres of skiable terrain, and 90 runs. But it is no one-trick pony. Over the past several years, Bogus Basin has delivered on its mission of becoming
a year-round recreation destination. In the summer months, people can enjoy a ropes course, a mountain coaster, hiking, mountain biking, and more. “We see about 100,000 people up there each summer now,” said Susan Saad, director of customer and community relations. And when summer turns to winter, the focus might be on downhill skiing, but
there are still any number of activities that will lure people up to Bogus Basin. “It’s wonderful to see how much we’ve grown, and people have recognized that,” Saad said. “We’re excited to continue to expand the offerings we have up there.” Here’s a look at a few of those offerings that Bogus Basin has available during the winter months—in addition to downhill skiing, of course. SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
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TUBING HILL Tubing down a snowy slope is perhaps the most iconic family outing in the winter months. Who doesn’t enjoy the thrill of sliding down a hill on an inner tube? At the same time, who really enjoys the slog of climbing back up that hill for another run? Well, Bogus Basin’s tubing hill allows families to enjoy the slide without the slog. “It’s an 800-foot tubing hill and you slide down and then you have a conveyor lift to pull you back up to the top,” Saad said. “If you’ve ever climbed up a steep hill after a long tube ride then you know that conveyer belt is worth the price of admission, for sure.” SNOWSHOEING & CROSSCOUNTRY SKIING If you already own your own snowshoes, then you can head up to Bogus Basin and enjoy the trails. Never snowshoed, or don’t have your own pair? They have you covered. “We do snowshoe rentals out of the Frontier Point Nordic Lodge, and our snowshoe trails are right out of the Nordic Center there,” Saad said. “You can come up and rent snowshoes and take off
from there, or you can go on one of our guided tours and learn a little bit about the environment.” “We have a resident ecologist, Ray Vizgirdas, who offers snowshoe tours that are guided on the weekends…he offers a four-part winter survival series, talking about things like snowpack ecology and plant and animal adaptation.” The program was started for youths, but it has become so popular that Bogus Basin is expanding it for adults also. In addition to snowshoeing, crosscountry (Nordic) skiers typically take off from the Frontier Point Nordic Lodge. If you’re new to Nordic skiing, Bogus Basin offers both skate and classic rental packages. “And we have wonderful instructors that can take you out for a lesson,” Saad said. FOOD AND FUN AND GAMES Destination restaurants have become popular with travelers and tourists. What better destination than Bogus Basin? Head up the mountain for a variety of cuisines. Try a pizza at Front Side Pies in the J.R. Simplot Lodge or indulge in street
BELOW: Programs like Mountain Discover Camp and Snow School connect Treasure Valley youth to nature with activities like snowshoeing. TOP RIGHT: During winter inversions, grab a cup of coffee at JoJo Beans, best enjoyed with a wide open blue sky. BOTTOM RIGHT: Miss your daily hikes? Try nordic skiing, which allows participants to explore the outdoors in cooler conditions. PHOTOS BY LUKE TOKUNAGA
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tacos from La Cumbre Taqueria, which is adjacent to the High Peak Hangout, a lounge and gathering space in the Pioneer Lodge. Perhaps you’ll start your culinary journey with a coffee from JoJo Beans and finish it off with a cold beer from J.R.’s T-Bar. Speaking of J.R.’s T-Bar, if you’re a trivia nut, you might want to brush up on your Bogus Basin history (among other topics) and get ready for the Trivia Nights that will start in January on Thursday evenings. “It was a big hit last year,” Saad said. INVERSION THERAPY Finally, Bogus Basin offers residents some relief when the Treasure Valley is socked in with one of those nasty seasonal inversions. The views of the blue skies are free, but they are also priceless. “There’s a lot of reasons that we’re lucky and thankful to have Bogus up there,” Saad said. “One big one is to be able to get away from the inversions when they happen. To know that we have this amazing resource 16 miles away from downtown Boise is pretty incredible.”
FASHION WITH PURPOSE: One Person’s Trash is Another’s Tuxedo
BY SONYA FEIBERT PHOTOS BY KAREN DAY
ALUMINUM SWING DRESS, made of chainmail aluminum beer and soda pull tabs fastened together. www.idahomemagazine.com
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A model is walking down a runway wearing a long, black, strapless formal dress. Its hem just grazes the floor, and there’s a slight sparkle to its fabric. Only on closer inspection do you notice: the black ‘material’ that makes up the dress isn’t polyester or cotton. It doesn’t look like any type of material you’ve seen before. That’s because this dress is made from the film of hundreds of recycled video tapes. Harrison Ford videos, to be exact. That dress belongs in a museum. It’s just one of the innovative creations Shaun Muscolo has made in almost 20 years of designing trash fashion— clothing made from items that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill. “Each piece needs to be made of 80% garbage that’s destined for the landfill or the recycling center,” Muscolo said of her designs. “If I can get enough of one form of garbage, I try to make it into a gown, suit, or cocktail dress.” Everything Muscolo creates is made to be comfortable for a potential wearer. She’s worked with materials ranging from soda can tabs to plastic bags. “Plastic bags are pretty cool to work with,” Muscolo said. “I make them into one long strip, then knit them with knitting needles, into a stretchy dress, or whatever I’m trying to make, so it stretches. All my pieces fit a variety of sizes.” A former costume designer, Muscolo has been sewing since she was eight. “My mother had a sewing machine and said ‘Let’s make a dress. You can pick out the ping bags, the shop ic plast s rtson Albe from e Mad fabric,’” she described. “It was really fun.” AL. ABOVE: SUPERMARKET FORM pound onion sacks. BELOW LEFT: 50 from e mad rskirt unde an The project sparked what’s become a lifelong passion. atop sits knitted garment our family credit cards, gift cards, hotel it’s use beca tours r neve look “This “By the time I was in high school, I was doing all G. CHA-CHIN of that stuff is put in the landfill. But in this the costumes for the school plays. Sometimes it was room, keys, all kinds of information. Most EY it,” said Muscolo. BOTTOM RIGHT: MR. MON case, I made a little cocktail dress out of 12 costumes, sometimes 90,” Muscolo said. “I was the U.S. Mint. “As the change wears through BAGS. Muscolo used money bags from the sewing for myself and my sister’s friends. Along the money bags, they’re actual trash,” she said way, I learned how to make clothes that fit a person and how to make them look good. When I had my own family, I made costumes for my kids. It’s been all kinds of fun.” Muscolo’s foray into trash fashion began after she connected with the Haute Trash Artists Collective. “One of the members, Judy Nielsen, is one of my very close friends, ” she explained. Judy was looking for some additional expertise with fitting. “That’s my specialty,” Muscolo said. “I had the engineering, she had the art.” The Collective invited Muscolo to do a runway show, and from there, she was hooked.
“Each piece needs to be made of 80% garbage that’s destined for the landfill or the recycling center.” 12
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“If an audience is looking at it, it has to be beautiful.” “Once people find out what you do with trash, they are willing to save things for you,” Muscolo said. She’s currently working on a wine cork dress and is already thinking about her next project, which is a dress made from hay bale twine that someone donated to her. “The bales of hay come wrapped in Bronco orange and blue twine. Irresistible, right?” Muscolo said. When she gets a material she hasn’t worked with before, she starts small. “I work on a hat, or a handbag, to see how the product fits together. How it drapes,” she said. For Muscolo, creating fashion from trash brings new meaning to ‘reduce, reuse, recycle.’ “Most of this is around the idea of recycling,” she said. “We have to reduce how much we make. If we try to recycle this much trash, there is no way we can do it cost-effectively. Reducing it can help.” In her years working with discarded materials, Muscolo has noticed that items she’d previously used to create clothing are no longer available, which she notes is a positive change. “Manufacturers have done a lot to reduce their volume of packaging,” Muscolo noted. “I made a dress that had a Las Vegas showgirl vibe out of transparent yogurt lids, the kind that had a plastic top with foil underneath. Now, they just have foil.” With Muscolo’s skills, plastic yogurt lid tops or soda tabs become something entirely new. Something beautiful. “If an audience is looking at it, it has to be beautiful,” she said. Muscolo’s creations go on display around Boise in runway shows and other events. “Last year, Boise State offered me about 100 feet of gallery space and that was a fun show,” she said. Creating something new from something old also brings out a bit of the past, a sense of the purpose the materials served before they were discarded. “There’s always a story. That’s what’s amazing about it all,” Muscolo said. A nurse who works with patients going through chemotherapy gave her empty infusion bottles. “They’re just beautiful,” Muscolo said. “They’re so clean and look like snow. You’d never know they were from chemo.” Another dress she designed came from aluminum tent poles from a family reunion. Muscolo doesn’t sell any of the clothing she makes. “It’s just for fun and awareness,” she said. “I hope it makes you look at your trash in a different way.” Once you’ve seen a dress made from Harrison Ford videotapes, you’re sure to look at trash a little differently, considering some of the many possibilities it contains.
e bags, which are e suit is made from Kohl’s stor TOP LEFT: Muscolo’s two-ton s a technique called on the Chanel bag, which use themselves recycled. The Cs LMART AFTER DARK. WA the bag. ABOVE RIGHT: o ont n sow are g, ttin kni r tubula white shopping bag stoll. de from Walmart bags and a This floor length gown is ma knitted into a garment. Made from shopping bags and BELOW: WEDDING DRESS.
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From NOVEL to NETFLIX Anthony Doerr’s Pulitzer Prize winner adapted for television BY APRIL NEALE
In the dim glow of a Budapest film set, Anthony Doerr watched the essence of his World War II tale come to life, words once confined to the page dancing before his eyes. Entrusted to director Shawn Levy and Emmy-nominated (Bleak House, PBS) production designer Simon Elliott, Doerr’s novel, All the Light We Cannot See, is now a four-part Netflix miniseries. The collaboration, which delves deep into the heart of storytelling, explores the remarkable alchemy that transforms imagination into cinematic brilliance.
COVER IMAGE COURTESY OF SCRIBNER
L-R: Hugh Laurie is Etienne LeBlanc, Mark Ruffalo is Daniel LeBlanc, Lars Eidinger is Reinhold von Rumpel. IMAGES COURTESY OF NETFLIX .
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Starring newcomer Aria Mia Loberti as Marie-Laure LeBlanc, a blind girl living during WWII, the adaptation, with Levy and Elliott at the helm, brings alive the house Marie inhabits, the grotto, and many other staged scenes in Hungary and France. Guided by Doerr’s rich prose, Elliott constructed sets that allowed Loberti, who is blind, to familiarize herself and safely navigate the locations. “The original intention was this would be a location shoot, but I got to build so much, like the grotto, which was full of challenges. Being someone who works within a visual medium and then sharing that experience with somebody who doesn’t was the most interesting aspect of this job. Introducing Aria to the world she would inhabit in a non-visual way was refreshing for me as a designer. It opened channels in my brain, which was rewarding,” Elliott said. He explained that, for Loberti, the experience involved touch, smell, and exploration. When Loberti came on the attic set, an old barn, she asked what she was smelling. “There was an intrinsic smell to these beams over a hundred years old. So texture became so important. It’s something Shawn and I had pulled for from the beginning, having that weathered patina of age and history. And it aided Aria’s experience,” he said. Loberti, in turn, delivered a masterful performance as the hunted voice of French resistance, proving herself a talented and dedicated actor. Doerr, who traveled to Hungary with his son Owen, knew Levy was the perfect creative to take on his expansive novel when he expressed enthusiasm to make the adaptation an extended series, rather than a film. Then too was the experience of fatherhood, shared by Doerr and Levy, whose own daughter had given him the book when it came out. “One of the most resonant cores of the stories is the relationship between Marie and her father Daniel (Mark Ruffalo),” Doerr said. “We could connect on being fathers, which was a big pull for me.” Fatherhood, and the lengths parents will go to to protect and nurture their 16
Director Shawn Levy (L) and Pulitzer Prize winning author of “All The Light We Cannot See,” Anthony Doerr (R) in Budapest on location during production. The village of Saint-Malo is recreated from scrapped wine crates. PHOTO COURTESY OF NETFLIX.
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Production designer Simon Elliott. PHOTO COURTESY OF NETFLIX.
children, is essential to the novel and the miniseries. Less than 20 hours into his trip to Budapest, Doerr was moved to see a shoot in which a young Marie (Nell Sutton) was moving her fingers, the camera following her hands as she moved through the city. “Mark Ruffalo is helping guide her hand, and you see this paternal relationship between him and Marie that had developed. It was emotional and incredible to share that with my son while we’re seeing this scene where the father’s taking care of his daughter,” Doerr explained. At its heart, All the Light We Cannot See is about, among other things, humanity and compassion, survival and resilience,
isolation and connection. Doerr, intimately familiar with the story, was still caught off guard by its tenderness in a moment when Jutta (Luna Wedler) says goodbye to her brother Werner (Louis Hofmann) outside the orphanage. “I thought, what’s wrong with me? I’m weeping in the theater. She doesn’t have a huge role but does a powerful job in that moment. It hits us; this system of disinformation and systematic hatred with people we’re used to thinking of as villains. I hope All The Light We Cannot See tells Werner’s story with enough complexity. Inverting the idea of who the villain is, and here I am, empathizing with him. There’s this complicated feeling inside of you,” he said.
Humans are evocative, messy, and complicated, and All the Light We Cannot See knows this. For everyone involved, it was a true labor of love. On set, in a house decorated for the 1930s, Doerr remembered entering a room with Levy. “And the model [of Saint-Malo] is right in front of us, and it’s made from old wine crates. The idea was there wouldn’t be a lot of wood for Marie’s father to build it. It’s an emotional moment because it doesn’t cost me any money to invent these things I create with words, but it costs somebody so much time and money to make them in real life. To see that rendered physically was super moving,” he said.
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Nine Rules for a Buckner Family Christmas My mom was serious about Christmas traditions. Dorothy Buckner’s zeal was infectious! Every inch of the house had to be immaculate—decorations placed with great care throughout— and tons of fresh greenery (which had to be refreshed with regularity as the fireplaces were blazing every day) added to the ambience required for the season. We all joined in decorating the tree early in December. Some of the decorations had been in the family for generations. Candles, poinsettias, orange pomanders, and beautifully decorated gift boxes were placed just so throughout our homes, all in preparation for the big day. Even now, preparation begins right after Thanksgiving, although the Fairyland Parade marks the kick-off every year. One especially memorable year, I got big props from my granddaughter, Zaida, when she and her dad got to join me in the parade—in a convertible, no less—when I served in the legislature! Now that’s a memory. Everyone has their marching orders, subject to change with whim and caprice, but the more crowded, noise, decorations, food, and laughter, the better! My family loves Christmas, and though we’ve been known to wear each other out with festivities, we celebrate in the spirit of Dorothy, who loved the anticipation and preparation for a house full of friends and family, and nurtured the excitement with lots of planning, scheming, coded conversations, and secrets. Presents had wrong names on them intentionally to keep the kids guessing. Some had none at all. And there were always presents for friends, neighbors, or guests that would drop in. Everyone gets a Christmas gift. But there were and are rules.
• Everyone in the family had to make at least one homemade gift. • Each child could open one present on Christmas Eve.
• Christmas Eve was a time for reminiscing, telling tall tales, eggnog, hot toddies, soft drinks, snacks, scoping out names on gifts, and sharing stories. My son Phillip introduced my dad to what became his all-time favorite Christmas Eve drink: eggnog with grape pop.
BY CHERIE BUCKNER-WEBB • Christmas activities officially begin about 6 a.m. This generation meets at my house, family by birth and by choice. The more the merrier. • We stack presents by recipient and take turns opening one gift and acknowledging and honoring the giver. Generations of our family have instilled the importance and significance of the process of giving, receiving, and giving thanks for the gift, recalling the “reason for the season.” • BREAKFAST! My son Sean and niece Shi have taken over cooking duties, and we have a huge breakfast for 15-20 people. Those two deliver!! Enough for an army! • Then, we honor tradition, gathering for music, laughing, reminiscing, evoking stories of our old folks, telling tales, calling relatives across the country, putting together toys, listening to stories, napping, playing games and celebrating. Yep—that’s a Buckner, Johnson, family Christmas.
• No ambushing Santa. My son busted me big time one Christmas Eve when I waited hours after everyone was asleep, then crept down to the basement to place “Santa” presents. The only light was from the stairwell, and Sean had skillfully strung string across the family room to “trip up Santa”! I nearly broke my neck! I, of course, tried to stifle a scream as Sean opened his door, laughing like crazy. I pleaded with him not to awaken his little brother, Phillip, then bribed Sean not to tell him what had happened!
• No labels on kids’ gifts. My kids, nieces, nephews, and granddaughter were so stealthy about checking out the present landscape, and I love to surprise them. www.idahomemagazine.com
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WHO’S ON FIRST with AI? BY HARPER CRABTREE
I’m Gen Z. This means I know who rules Tik Tok with a million followers, but I’d never heard of the farcical comedy duo Abbott and Costello and their skit, “Who’s on First?” until my mom referred to it when I showed her how ChatGPT works. The premise of their sketch is that Abbott is identifying the players on a baseball team, inspiring a cyclical repeat by Costello of the same question with no resolution. As artificial intelligence increasingly
becomes the silent hand behind our words, we find ourselves at a crossroads of ethical inquiry that mirrors Abbott’s repetitive question. Can we trust AI to be our wordsmith or are we sacrificing the essence of human expression in favor of efficiency and innovation, and to what end? Why should publishers keep paying writers like me when programs like ChatGPT can write quality works faster and for free? Since its inception in 1956, artificial intelligence has etched
itself deeply into the fabric of human society, providing indispensable tools for everyday life. We may take it for granted, but AI is now an integral part of our daily tasks, whether it’s asking Siri about the weather, requesting Alexa to play a favorite song, or simply searching Google for the nearest gas station. However, as we transition from casually using Grammarly to fully relying on AI programs for our writing, ethical concerns and limitations inevitably arise.
Microsoft Bing’s image creator, powered by AI, is a fun tool with a few kinks. The prompt for this image offers a look at the outer limits of AI imagination, but still struggles with interpretation: “Image of Abbott and Costello skit ‘Who’s on First?’ with a t-rex, shark, and pot of gold.”
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The prompt for this photo reads “Image of Abbott and Costello’s ‘Who’s on First?’” which yields predictable results.
In this image, the more challenging prompt reads “Image of Abbott and Costello skit ‘Who’s on First?’” that explores the complicated ethical relationship between human creativity and artificial intelligence.” The photo’s text is an example of some of the limitations of AI image generators.
Call it a self portrait? For this prompt, I asked for an image of Abbott and Costello on the cover of IdaHome Magazine, posing with a journalist.
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The rapid advancements of this technology are urging societies and governments to establish policies to ensure that humans survive the potential risks and Stanley Kubrick does not prove himself a fortune teller in 2001 SPACE ODYSSEY. But AI also makes demands of each one of us, especially professional writers, to balance and harness this technology without relinquishing authorship or personal integrity. The incorporation of artificial intelligence into writing tools has greatly facilitated the creative process for writers like me, offering unforeseen advantages. Writer’s block, an all-too-familiar and exasperating experience, can often lead to mental barriers that inhibit creativity, productivity, and my paychecks. Thankfully, AI-powered writing applications provide endless and unique solutions like topic suggestions, idea generation, and paragraph starters. These valuable features allow writers to swiftly dismantle any mental roadblocks and stimulate our imagination in ways that were previously unimaginable. Furthermore, the integration of AI-powered tools within the writing ecosystem extends to every one of us. More universally accepted tools like spellcheck are powered by AI disguised as a disembodied copy editor on your phone. Overall, incorporating artificial intelligence into the field of writing has proved to be an invaluable asset for boosting creativity and elevating the standard of written communication, but when does it go too far? One of the foremost concerns is the potential loss of creativity, human touch, and originality in students, particularly in relation to plagiarism. Often, I find myself ignoring AI’s functions as a tool and using it as an effort-free shortcut on fact-based narratives. As AI tools become more sophisticated, students may rely too heavily on these technologies, compromising their ability to think critically and express their unique ideas to gain a good grade. Moreover, the rise of AI-generated content poses a threat to my job and all writers’ career security, since automated systems produce written works faster for less. This reality prompted the recent writer’s strike in Hollywood. Job displacement not only affects livelihoods but diminishes the diverse, individual voices that contribute to a vibrant literary and cultural landscape. Additionally, there are concerns about potential biases embedded in AI-generated writing. AI is trained on existing data, which may inadvertently perpetuate biases present in the data, leading to discriminatory content. As my best writing teacher said, “There is danger and magic in one voice.” These concerns are no competition to the evolutionary speed of AI technology. Tech moguls and political leaders are far behind in a scramble to balance risk versus benefits. This month, President Biden signed an Executive Order establishing standards for AI safety and responsible innovation. However, AI is a global tool and potential weapon. How do we ensure its ethical application is monitored, since experts warn this is already impossible? Like the atom bomb, legislation and negotiation can only serve as BandAids on humanity’s future. In regard to my chosen field of work, it may be too late to prioritize guidelines to preserve journalistic integrity. Fake news bots and major media sources have eroded public trust by ensuring truth is no longer its gold standard. Even without AI, human expression and a diversity of voices can inform, add value, and create art, or inspire chaos and warp perceptions. Every time I prompt ChatGPT, the technology proves itself a powerful and amazing creative writing ally. And yet, repeatedly, I’m faced with Abbott’s question, but it’s an ethical choice. The answer, for now, is “Who knows who’s on first?” Therefore, my advice is: don’t believe everything you read, because half of this article was analyzed and rewritten by AI. Can you tell the difference?
LONGTIME FRIENDS INNOVATE BETTER WAYS TO BUILD IN BOISE
PHOTO COURTESY OF FLASHPOINT
BY DAVE SOUTHORN
Nick Stoppello and Pat Churchman have been friends for most of their lives, first meeting while attending Seven Oaks Elementary School in Eagle. It never really entered their minds until five years ago, but it seems destined that they would eventually work together, too. “All birds fly home,” Stoppello said. Both University of Idaho graduates, Stoppello and Churchman pursued business and architecture, respectively, and started their professional careers in construction. Meeting up over a drink, the pair “commiserated” over their jobs and realized they noticed the same mistakes being made. “We talked about how building plans are very complicated, they’re literally thick, and you have so many people working on them, they aren’t bulletproof…errors happen and they’re costly for everyone involved,” Stoppello said. The duo had the idea to engrave (using a laser) the blueprints onto materials at a jobsite to show how the structure is put together. Flashpoint Building Systems was then formed in late 2018 in Boise. “The ultimate aim is to be more efficient…plan sets are getting more and more complex,” Churchman said. “It’s taking information out of a dense document and applying it in a usable way.” Having it etched with a laser right on the materials with a CNC (computer numerical control) machine makes it so there is no need for paper blueprints, able to handle high amounts of foot traffic, and even helps overcome some possible language barriers. In September, Flashpoint earned a utility patent for the process. “I sometimes describe it as how difficult it would be to see a photograph and redraw it on a blank canvas, as opposed to already
having the image on there, just needing to be put together like a puzzle,” Churchman said. Flashpoint was recently utilized at a large housing development, and once the homes were completed, Churchman noted that the average time to complete meant a small framing team could finish an additional one or two houses a year. As business has ramped up, so has Flashpoint’s profile in the Treasure Valley. In October 2021, they won a $10,000 prize from Boise State’s Venture College and Boise Entrepreneur Week’s “Hacking for Homebuilding” competition. Venture College director Cara Van Sant encouraged them to enter Boise Entrepreneur Week’s Pitch Competition this past October, which Flashpoint also won, earning a $50,000 prize. “To date, we’ve been operating at a single brick and mortar location. We are the entire staff, business development to manual labor,” Stoppello said. “…in lieu of multiple locations, we are hoping to use the money to where we can put our manufacturing facility inside of a shipping container. That way, it can be brought to the customer, teach them how to use it, while providing back-end support.” From a friendship formed two decades ago to a business partnership, Stoppello and Churchman are enjoying the ride and eager to grow their idea in Idaho and beyond. “We were limited to the confines of a piece of paper, but in reality, there’s an abundance of space on the site,” Stoppello said. “In a way, your materials resemble a stack of paper, but you can print right on the piece. After that, you don’t need a bunch of words, it’s pretty intuitive for the team putting it together.” www.idahomemagazine.com
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New Dates, Same Magical Memories
February 23 - 25, 2024
Go to visitmccall.org to plan your Carnival weekend
Life in a mountain town
PHOTO BY JON CONTI
BY APRIL THOMAS WHITNEY
Living in a mountain town means embracing the shifting of the seasons. While winter brings a blanket of snow and exhilarating skiing, spring ushers in a burst of wildflowers and new life. Summer invites long hikes and leisurely afternoons by the lake, while autumn sets the landscape ablaze with fiery foliage. The challenges of a dramatic seasonal change tighten the bonds in a close-knit community, where you expect to run into neighbors stocking up on firewood in the woods and carving lines into the ski slopes. The weather is not the only thing that changes with the seasons in a town like McCall. Our daily lives can’t escape the influence of the ebb and flow of traffic up and down Highway 55. In recent years, that seasonal flow has grown from a trickling stream to a rushing current. U.S. Census data shows Idaho’s population rose by a whopping 17% between 2011 and 2021. During the same period, the population of tiny McCall spiked by an astronomical 24%, from just short of 3,000 permanent residents to nearly 4,000. While the permanent population grew by a quarter, tourist visitation has more than tripled during peak periods. A common metric to measure tourism in McCall is the city’s LOT collections, which are based on lodging receipts. Over the ten-year period from 2012 to 2022, summer LOT collections rose 274% when adjusted for inflation. Winter LOT collections were up 345% from 2013 to 2023. While much of Idaho is experiencing growing pains, those effects are magnified in small communities that serve as gateways to recreation. Severe shortages in long term rental housing, skyrocketing home prices, overburdened infrastructure and public services, and a dramatic drop in the availability of employees are forcing uninvited change. McCall is not alone in these struggles. Jake Powell is the director of an initiative at Utah State University called GNAR. It addresses the
unique challenges of communities in what they call Gateway and Natural Amenity Regions. “When we have a place that facilitates an adventure lifestyle, that’s becoming attractive to people living elsewhere, you start to see amenity migration, people moving to the community who are there for the outdoor amenities,” said Powell. Powell said it’s crucial for growing communities to identify what makes them special and to build policies that preserve those attributes or risk losing their individuality. “The pleasure of finding that unique special thing is evaporating,” said Powell. “We’ve binged on homogenization for so long that people are seeking something unique, authentic, and special.” Holding on to what makes McCall special while managing the unprecedented flow of people through the area is a tough balancing act, but the community is facing the challenge. Local restaurateurs are finding ways to serve more guests with fewer employees. Businesses are building dedicated workforce housing. Municipalities are working to improve roads, sewer facilities, libraries, and access points to recreation. Local ski resorts are investing in strategies to accommodate a heavier flow of visitors. Brundage Mountain is expanding chairlift capacity and lodge facilities and Tamarack Resort is adding more skiable terrain and snowmaking. The McCall Chamber of Commerce is changing the format of the town’s historic Winter Carnival to help businesses keep up with the surge of visitors while holding on to treasured traditions. Change is a constant in a mountain town, but so is community spirit and pride. As you look forward to your next day on the slopes, in the powdery backcountry, or soaking in a hot spring, remember to savor the offbeat allure of your favorite mountain town and acknowledge the efforts underway to keep that quirky charm alive. www.idahomemagazine.com
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WINTER CAMPING The Search for Solitude
BY DREW DODSON
Dan Noakes often drifts back to the moment that winter camping captured his heart. Noakes, a Donnelly resident, first forayed into winter camping last year as part of a 14-night, 110-mile solo ski traverse across the Frank Church – River of No Return Wilderness. It was there, camped along a ridgeline overlooking a high alpine lake in the far eastern reaches of Valley County, that Noakes said he found paradise.
Dan Noakes’ hike across the Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness last winter took him 110 miles from Johnson Creek east of McCall to Challis. PHOTOS COURTESY/DAN NOAKES BACKGROUND PHOTO BY DREW DODSON
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“The clouds parted and I could see the moon coming up over the mountains,” he said. “I was the only one out there for so many miles, and it was my thing. If I could’ve captured that moment and sold it, it would sell for a million dollars.” Although Noakes was completely immersed in solitude that cold winter night last February, he is far from alone in discovering the appeal of winter camping. The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) has seen this trend first-hand within its network of 30 state parks. “Last year at Priest Lake State Park, someone set up a hard-sided tent in the snow and stayed for several days,” said Chelsea Chambers, an IDPR spokesperson. “What is coined the ‘shoulder season’ has grown exponentially shorter. Historically, the shoulder season
was anything outside of the Memorial Day to Labor Day timeframe, but people are now seeking camping sooner in the year and later into the year.” Chambers does not see this paradigm shift as much of a surprise. In fact, she said it makes perfect sense, given that most campers covet privacy and the chance to see wildlife. More Idahoans are seeing winter as a chance to find the outdoor solitude that can be fleeting during warmer months, when the concept of a secret camping spot is often only a memory of yesteryear. Among them is Jordan Messner, who goes camping five or six times each winter. “It’s really cool because the same spots that are loaded with campers during the summer camping season are completely empty in the winter,” Messner said.
ALL-INCLUSIVE ADVENTURE While long distance treks like Noakes’s trip across the wilderness aren’t for everyone, winter camping and the slice of solitude it offers can be catered to outdoors-lovers of all skill levels. Messner regularly takes extended winter camping trips on hunting and skiing expeditions, but also enjoys winter camping with his two young sons, 6-year-old Hayes and 4-yearold Jackson. Family winter camping trips typically take Messner to lower elevations with milder conditions. It’s also not uncommon for him to pack a large canvas wall tent, which holds heat better than standard three-season tents. Many canvas tents can be equipped with small wood stoves, though Messner prefers to use a pellet stove.
Left: Jordan Messner tows his son’s friend into a high-alpine yurt at the top of Lost Trail Pass in northern Idaho. PHOTO COURTESY OF JORDAN MESSNER Below: Digging fire pits in the snow and laying pine boughs beneath his tent were critical to keeping Dan Noakes warm on his 14-night winter camping expedition. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAN NOAKES
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Dan Noakes hiked and camped along the corridor carved by the Middle Fork of the Salmon River for much of his journey across the Frank. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAN NOAKES
“The best part about having a pellet stove is you don’t have to chop a bunch of wood, and you don’t have to feed it all night long to stay warm,” he said. “I fill the stove hopper with pellets before we go to bed and it’s still toasty warm in the morning when we wake up.” Like any true outdoorsman, Messner declined to disclose his favorite winter camping spots, but he did suggest the South Fork Payette River corridor near Garden Valley as a good place for beginners to try out. “There are lots of hot springs, hiking trails, camping spots, and tons of wildlife there in the winter,” he said. Within the state park system, Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park near Mountain Home and Three Island Crossing State
Park near Glenns Ferry are ideal for campers who are willing to endure cold temperatures, but would prefer little to no snow. COZY RETREATS High alpine outings are also not off limits for beginners. A network of rental cabins and yurts make winter camping accessible for those who long to take in the majesty of snow-blanketed mountains, but with the warmth of a nearby fire crackling in a wood stove. “When the boys were little, we would ski into these yurts and tow them behind in a sled,” Messner said. “As they’ve gotten older and can ski themselves, we hook up a bungee tow strap behind us and pull them on their skis.”
Messner described the yurts as “luxurystyle” camping accommodations, complete with a full kitchen, beds, pit toilets, and wood stoves. Idaho City boasts six of the most popular rental yurts in the state. The yurts can be easily accessed on groomed trails with snowshoes, cross-country skis, or touring skis. Each yurt can sleep up to six people and can be reserved for $115 per night through IDPR. The Boise National Forest also offers rental cabins year-round, including the Beaver Creek Cabin near Idaho City and the Warm Springs Guard Station near Lowman. Each cabin requires a 1.5-mile hike in on snowshoes or touring skis and can be reserved for less than $50 per night.
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ROUGHIN’ IT For those seeking a more rustic experience akin to Noakes’s trek—or at least a night or two like it—the 20.4 million acres of National Forest in Idaho are your playground. All seven of Idaho’s National Forests are open for free dispersed camping all winter, including in campgrounds. “For many campgrounds there is a gate across the access road in the offseason, but people can park their vehicles and walk in and camp,” said Michael Williamson, a spokesman for the Boise National Forest. However, many standard campground amenities are not available during the winter. Vault toilets may be open, but are unlikely to have toilet paper. Drinking
water pumps are also turned off, so campers should bring plenty of water or come prepared to melt snow for drinking water. Noakes recommends using iodine tablets to sanitize water, which can help conserve fuel for camp stoves and firewood. He also swears by using cotton balls soaked in Vaseline as fire starters, which can save a lot of time and shivering. “You’ve got to kind of pick the cotton ball apart so some of the fibers can catch, but once they do, it will produce a good flame and it burns for longer,” he said. No matter where or how you plan to enjoy winter camping in Idaho, the basic rules of entry remain the same—pack to be warm. Down jackets and highly-rated
sleeping bags are a must. Also consider bringing a 48-ounce Nalgene bottle to fill with hot water before crawling into your sleeping bag for the night. If you are tent camping in alpine conditions, always start by packing the snow within the footprint of your tent. It’s also a good idea to lay a mat of pine boughs beneath your tent to provide extra insulation, in addition to bringing a sleeping pad with a high R-value rating. Most of all, don’t forget to stop and enjoy the unique silence, solitude, and sanctity of Idaho’s winter wilderness. “It’s just really clean and really peaceful, you know?” Noakes said. “It’s like the ultimate freedom.”
A hot meal before bed is another tried and true way to keep the cold at bay when winter camping. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAN NOAKES
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To Help Victims of Sex Trafficking in Idaho, it Takes an Army
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Idaho COBS and law enforcement work to tackle a complex problem BY JODIE NICOTRA
If you’re like most Americans, you’ve likely heard the term “sex trafficking.” You may know that it is often called a form of modern slavery, involving the use of force or deception with the aim of exploiting people for profit. But you probably think of it as something that happens somewhere else: overseas, or maybe only in big cities. Sadly, the ugly business of trafficking is everywhere, including right here in the Gem State. It happens at highway truck stops and rest stops, in campgrounds, hotel rooms, and “trap houses,” where illegal drugs are sold. It happens to a surprising extent within families. It affects men, women, and children of all ages and backgrounds. But some Idaho nonprofit organizations and members of law enforcement have been working hard to combat this entrenched, complex problem and secure justice for trafficking victims and survivors. 32
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LOCAL SUPPORT FOR TRAFFICKING VICTIMS Paula Barthelmess was working as a trauma therapist and director of a community mental health agency in Boise. At the time, she said, she wasn’t tuned into human trafficking as an issue until she and other therapists in the agency started seeing evidence of what she called “a maladaptive sexual behavior” among some of her clients. After some investigation and training, she began focusing on supporting sex trafficking victims. In 2014, seeing an unmet need, Barthelmess founded Idaho Community Outreach and Behavioral Services (COBS). COBS provides food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and other basic safety needs for victims of trafficking. The organization also offers trauma therapy and addiction treatment for clients, and runs three safe houses that have served 76 women and children. At any given time, COBS has contact with 40-60 victims and survivors, and Barthelmess meets three to six new clients in a typical week.
Many COBS clients find their way to Barthelmess via referrals from law enforcement officers who have been trained to recognize victims of trafficking. One trafficking survivor, “Grace,” ended up in the hospital after complications from giving birth in a trap house caused her to hemorrhage. A sympathetic officer, recognizing her as a victim of trafficking, called Barthelmess. The combination of medical attention and intensive therapy at COBS helped get Grace back on her feet. Now, she’s graduated from the COBS safe house system and is living in an apartment with her toddler. Barthelmess meets most of her clients in prison, after they’ve been arrested for prostitution, drugs, or other offenses. She met one survivor, “Billie,” when a fellow inmate and trafficking victim who already had contact with COBS recognized similarities in their stories. Billie’s mother had sold her when she was 16 to a drug dealer, who got Billie hooked on methamphetamines. She lived with the drug dealer until she was, as she said, “saved” temporarily by getting arrested and sent to juvenile corrections. “And then it became a cycle, where the only safe place I had was prison,” Billie said. “So I kept reoffending and reoffending. I had no resources, no support, no nothing.” Billie contacted Barthelmess, who became a “lifeline,” supporting her through the rest of her prison sentence. After she got out, Billie moved into one of the COBS safe houses and began undergoing intensive therapy to address her decades-long trauma. Now she is transitioning out of the safe house, working in the community, and planning to move into her own place.
SEX TRAFFICKING AND THE IDAHO JUSTICE SYSTEM Prison may seem like insult added to injury for victims of trafficking. But so far, shortcomings in Idaho state law have given law enforcement officers little choice. Nampa Police Detective Chad Benson, who first began working on sex trafficking cases in 2014, has been an advocate for changing Idaho law to recognize and support victims of trafficking. “In law enforcement we’re trying to work on a paradigm shift in the way we look at human trafficking,” Benson said. “Right now, the laws say ‘prostitute,’ not ‘victim of sex trafficking’. So, in a trap house, if you are harboring multiple girls or boys to use for commercial sexual activity, then according to the law you’re harboring them for the purposes of prostitution. So as law enforcement you need to label and identify them as prostitutes, which doesn’t account for the fact that they’re victims.” Some basic training and awareness of human trafficking helps law enforcement officers recognize that the victims typically suffer from a host of issues, including addiction, complex trauma, medical issues, and more. “Typically, as law enforcement we arrest people and put them in jail. And we’re realizing with human trafficking that a lot of these girls and boys are needing not to go to jail—they need these wraparound victim-centered services that law enforcement can’t offer,” Benson said.
“...it became a cycle, where the only safe place I had was prison. So I kept reoffending and reoffending. I had no resources, no support, no nothing.” SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
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That’s why Benson and other members of law enforcement started working with groups like COBS. Transferring victims first to COBS and similar groups allows time for rehab, medical care, and therapy. Later, officers will revisit victims to interview them about criminal matters. The Idaho legislature has just begun to address some of the issues with current law. In April, they approved revisions to Idaho House Bill 341. The revised bill makes it a felony to profit from someone else’s engagement in Survivors of human trafficking, connected through trauma, gather together in support of victims and survivors. prostitution, what in PHOTO COURTESY OF PAULA BARTHELMESS other states is known as a “pimping law.” It allows law enforcement to arrest human Barthelmess and Benson offer regular workshops about traffickers and gives courts the ability to prosecute those who trafficking around the state to law enforcement officers, schools, profit from trafficking. churches, and hospitals. Benson called HB 341 “a big step forward” in recognizing and But most of all, Barthelmess said, it’s the trafficking survivors taking steps to resolve the problem and put the emphasis on the who can advocate for themselves and for those still trapped in real criminals. the trafficking system. “It’s easy to charge someone with sexual battery, lewd and “I tell the girls in the house, ‘Save a bed,’” she said. “I’m teaching lascivious conduct, or rape,” Benson said. “It’s tougher to work them to be strong and resilient because we’re creating an army to the human trafficking angle because the cases are so complex. go save the rest. And they know they’re out there by the hundreds. The problem is when we only charge traffickers with lesser Our jails are full of them, our streets are full of them. Our hotels offenses, victims don’t feel they’re getting the justice they are full of them. And we’re going to go get them.” deserve. We needed this newer code to allow a quicker response Paula Barthelmess (farthest left) and Detective Chad Benson stand with three at a trap house or hotel, so we can arrest the right person.” COBS clients and trafficking survivors. PHOTO COURTESY OF PAULA BARTHELMESS
MOBILIZING AN ARMY OF SURVIVORS Barthelmess joked that her clients call her the “Trauma Mama.” “I’m a mother figure over at the homes,” Barthelmess said. “Even though we laugh a lot, I can call them on their bad behavior. We’re working on getting them to that healthy mindset they’ve never had before. They’ve been beaten, starved, burned, locked in cages. So sometimes they don’t know how to recognize what’s not appropriate.” All indications show that the COBS system is working. While statistically victims of trafficking will go back to their old life five to seven times, the combination of medical care, therapy, and secure housing at COBS has helped reduce that number. Idaho COBS is connected to a national network of organizations aiming to combat trafficking. And more locally, 34
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Open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas
BY HEATHER HAMILTON-POST
Gathered for a family dinner at Ben’s Crow Inn (Ben is my grandfather), my sisters and I discussed the annual field trip to Camel’s Back Park, with the variety of long slides carved into the hillside, hot in the summer sun. We begged for a birthday party at Skate World and planned a trip to Kuna Caves, Bogus Basin, or Simplot Hill on prom night, ice blocking down the steep slopes in our dresses. Years later, I’d birth my first son in the same hospital where I was born. Boise OG speaks to me on a deep level because I am the proverbial recipient of the ‘Born in Boise’ trophy I contemplate buying on the site. Like sibling founders Kelly Knopp and Heidi Tilby, who have lived here most of their lives, I am a Boise OG. “I love watching someone look at our stuff for the first time because they’re so happy to see all of it. And then there’s a kind of sadness as they realize it’s all gone,” said Knopp, who is also the designer. The brand, born over drinks and conversation in Fall of 2020, seeks to celebrate that nostalgia and preserve both that past and present Boise charm. “Sometimes I look at Boise OG like a local Mad Magazine. We poke fun, but it’s a way to preserve things in a tangible way,” said Knopp.
Boise OG co-founder and designer Kelly Knopp recently released a board game featuring Camel’s Back Park, the shop’s most popular location.
Overwhelmingly, the response has been positive, which is the goal. Knopp explains that, from its inception, Boise OG has aspired to avoid the anti-outsider approach, instead appreciating the more fragile, fleeting part of Boise that we’re keen to hang on to.
So what does it mean to be a Boise OG? Knopp said that the designs are based on things original, in some way, to Boise at the time. From Larry Gebert to Joker’s Wild and Donnie Mac’s to Wild Waters, Boise OG recognizes all manners of local treasure. And while the designs largely come from the
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community, some even predating Knopp’s memories, they’ve got to have some level of recognizability and universal appeal. In the beginning, Knopp was releasing around five designs a week. Now that he’s got a core set of designs, he’s focused on quality over quantity. In addition to stickers, hats, and shirts, Boise OG also recently released a puzzle and another book, which Knopp said is filled with weird Idaho history that even native Idahoans might not know.
There’s also a brand new board game, called Surviving Camel’s Back Park, and later, there will be a Park After Dark card set for adult players. The game, which features Boise OG’s most popular design, will explore the intricacies of Boise’s most reformed playground. For Knopp, the Camel’s Back designs represent what is great about the brand—a joke that you might not get unless you were there, then. “Each
sticker is a talking point which unlocks so many memories from people,” he said. “That’s the funnest part about it.” Knopp’s all time favorite design is the Bogus Basin troll because it opens up the conversation in interesting ways. “It’s such an urban legend, and everyone has a different way of observing the ceremony of letting trolls into their car,” he said. “Most of this stuff is so dear to my childhood. It feels good to bring it back.”
ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF BOISE OG
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Love, Fury, and Christmas Carols A Conversation with Author Samantha Silva
BY CHARLES PINEDA
Boise-area local Samantha Silva may be best known to readers for her historical fiction novels Mr. Dickens and His Carol (Flatiron Books, 2017) and Love and Fury (Flatiron Books, 2021), but she’s the first to explain that at the start of her writing career, there was no intent to be a ‘traditional’ writer at all. “I didn’t set out to be a novelist,” she said. Rather, as she puts it, she ‘cut her teeth’ on scripts and screenplays, which is readily apparent in her vivid, evocative portrayals of such colorful eras as early 1840s London. Her prose is a banquet for the senses, creating whole-cloth the ghostly quiet of a near deserted city square near midnight one moment, segueing smoothly into raucous sounds and the sweet and savory smells of a grand Christmas party just a few chapters, or even pages, later. “My relationship with Dickens is long—and has a lot of twists and turns in it,” Silva said. In fact, her debut novel, Mr. Dickens and His Carol, wasn’t ever supposed to be a book. It was first sold as a screenplay on four separate occasions. Only after what Silva describes understandably as “some heartbreaking near-misses with the big screen” did she decide that it was time to regroup. “I had to re-think my writing life, so I decided to try my hand at novel-writing. I knew that the story worked, so I thought that I ought to be able to turn this into a novel, which didn’t sound that hard. It turns out, going from novelization from screen to prose is really hard,” she laughed. Though difficult, Silva remained undeterred. Where Mr. Dickens and His Carol offers a semi-comedic, lighter air, she was ready to tackle something different. In her acclaimed follow-up novel, Love and Fury, the central character is Mary Wollstonecraft, mother of Frankenstein creator Mary Shelly. Despite the similar time period, Love and Fury’s heavier, heartfelt themes explore the ferocity of love, loss, and the power of reclaiming one’s narrative for generations to come. Silva admits that the second book was a different sort of challenge. “You have to find the part of you that lives inside of them, and the part of them that lives inside of you, and then it’s freeing, and the work can begin to sing,” she said. It’s how she writes about historical figures, which might seem daunting to some. “They (Dickens, Wollstonecraft, etc.) begin as icons, they begin as avatars, and then, they end as friends,” Silva said. Talking about the future is difficult for writers, especially in the age of artificial intelligence and book banning, and Silva is no exception. While her concerns are for the literary world at large, she’s also fearful for literature in Idaho, which she says is changing. “There’s cognitive dissonance living in a state that claims to prize individual freedom, but would ban a book. As a writer and a reader, I worry for our future,” she said. 40
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PHOTO BY GLENN LANDBERG
Still, the page must turn. An artist is driven to create, afterall. Without putting too fine a point or date on anything, Silva says that a story collection, long in the works, will hopefully be making its way to eager readers soon. “I want readers to have the same experiences as myself—to find part of themselves in these characters,” Silva said.
COVER IMAGES COURTESY OF FLATIRON BOOKS
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