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CONTENTS FOOD, ARTS, AND CULTURE 19 Backwoods Backwoods Whiskey Trail 31 FARE Idaho Grows a Lifeline for Idaho's Independent Food and Beverage Companies 34 From Afghanistan, From with Love and a James Beard Nomination 36 IdaHome @ IdaHome Treefort 37 Food Trucks Keep Truckin'
COMMUNITY 9 Idaho's Finest Four 13 Things to Love About Our Great State 21 DoorDashing Through the Snow 25 Unusual Places to "Say I Do" 27 The Wetxuuwíitin' Collection Returns to its Ancestral Home 40 Listen Up: Life After ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 5 Publisher's Letter 7 Contributors
The sunflower is the national flower of Ukraine and a worldwide symbol of solidarity since the Russian invasion began.
DEAD MAN WALKING
Music by Jake Heggie
Libretto by Terrence McNally Commissioned by San Francisco Opera
April 24 & 26
Brutality Anguish Redemption
Music by Jack Perla
Libretto by Jessica Murphy-Moo Commissioned by Seattle Opera
May 27 & 29
Internment Lies Injustice
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Dear Reader,
In the ancient and exceedingly rarified print publication business, topics are assigned
months in advance to facilitate getting the magazine into readers’ hands. In December, our IdaHome staff is editing pictures of yellow daffodils and green gardening tips, while in July, we’re surrounded by deep powder skiing photos and holiday themes. My job as the publisher is a lot like a professional fortune teller, always staring into the future, hoping to guess half-right at what content will prove relevant and pleasing. And usually, with luck and experience, I’m half-right. However, my former occupation as a war zone journalist also proved that no one can predict what will happen tomorrow. Therefore, I wait to write this page until the day before the magazine goes to press, expecting the unforeseen. This month, heartbreakingly, it’s Ukraine. Rwanda, Iraq, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Myanmar–I’ve seen humans do more damage to other humans than most humans should ever have to imagine. I’ve also worked beside incredibly brave soldiers, facing mortal risk. Like them, I chose my job because my camera and reporting could save lives, dispute false narratives, document atrocities, and ignite moral outrage that could (hopefully, eventually) initiate peace. But now, safely isolated in Boise, I understand what it’s like to feel bereft and impotent as Russians bombs are falling and Ukrainians are dying. What to do? I asked a Ukrainian woman, Olga Bedrytska-Meier, who has lived in the United States for 17 years. Olga lives in Nampa, with her husband, Joseph. I met them standing in front of the Idaho Capitol Building, holding blue and yellow signs in support of Ukraine. They had taken a day off from fulltime jobs, hoping to raise awareness about the desperate situation in her home country, while their six-year-old daughter, Zoriana, attended school. “I have a sister, family, including my grandmother in Ukraine,” Olga says. “I talk to them every day but my heart hurts and bleeds for my country… and…” Tears well up, and Olga silently bows her head. “No one is sleeping,” Joseph says. “Not us. Not our family. Our six- year-old niece, and her parents, run to the bomb shelter several times a night. They live in the west of Ukraine. Nowhere is safe.” “It was very difficult for my mom even before the war, trying to feed us,“ Olga says. “I remember once in spring time, I didn’t have spring shoes…I had to wear winter boots to school.” Olga’s voice trails off in tears again. “But it is still my country. I love my country, and everything is being destroyed.” “I know it’s hard for others to feel the pain we Ukrainians feel,” she adds. “Yes, giving money can help, but Ukraine needs protection from the sky. We are strong and resourceful. We will fight and survive. I thank everyone who is showing us support. Please, do what you can, however you can, to help end this war.” Today, I received a text from Olga. “Thank you so much for hearing me out and sharing with the world.” I thanked Olga for giving me the opportunity to do what I can do. Here’s two things you can do. Support the efforts of the Full Gospel Slavic Church in Meridian, bringing essentials to Ukrainians. Donate to the World Central Kitchen, founded by humanitarian chef José Andrés, feeding Ukrainian refugees along the Polish border.
Karen Day
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M A R C H /A P R I L 2022 publisher K A R E N DAY karen@idahorem.com features editor H E AT H E R H A M I LT O N POST heather@idahorem.com copy editor C A R R I E L IGH T N E R technically speaking editor H A I L E Y M I N T ON art and design J S NGR A F I X K A L E Y BE LVA L design@idahorem.com director of operations and sales manager M A R IELLE W EST PH A L admin@idahorem.com staff photographer K A R E N DAY cover photograph MARK OLIVER social media APRIL NEALE Marketing, Sales and Distribution karen@idahorem.com IdaHome Magazine, LLC P.O. Box 116 Boise, Idaho 83701 208.481.0693 © 2022 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
CONTRIBUTORS Sonora Birnie is a freelance writer and reporter who has a particular interest in culture journalism. She graduated with a degree in media and journalism from Boise State University, and has spent the last few years exploring the stunning outdoor beauty that Idaho has to offer. Mark Oliver has focused his camera lenses on some of the most exciting places and events in Idaho for the last 20 years. He specializes in recreational photography and videography, recently working on feature and documentary films made in Idaho, including the 2021 feature film, MASS. Originally from the Wood River Valley, Mark moved to Boise in 2019. His work has represented the biggest recreational brands, including Smith Optics, Scott USA, Eddie Bauer, Skida, and Sun Valley Company. Arianna Creteau is a freelance writer based in Northern Idaho. A dessert enthusiast, avid hiker and amateur runner, Arianna spends her weekdays working a desk job and weekends chasing adventure. Her previous work has been published in Boise Weekly.
John Webster is an accomplished freelance photographer who resides in Boise. Being an Idaho native, the area surrounding the Treasure Valley has motivated him to capture the culture and lifestyle the West provides.
Micah Drew is a writer currently based in northwest Montana. A multiple Montana Newspaper Association award-winning journalist covering politics, sports, and the outdoors, he has written for Edible Idaho, Boise Weekly, and High Country News. When not in the newsroom, he can be found trail running throughout the West. Mike McKenna is an award-winning author and journalist from Hailey. Mike’s writing has appeared widely, from Forbes, People, and Trout to numerous regional newspapers. He has served as the editor of The Sheet and Sun Valley Magazine and is the author of two prizewinning guidebooks, including Angling Around Sun Valley. Heather Hamilton-Post is a writer and editor in Caldwell. She holds degrees in both agriculture and creative writing and is herself surprised by that. When she’s not writing, catch her at a sociallydistanced baseball game with her husband and young sons. Find her work across the web and buried in the lit journals you didn’t know you had. Samantha Stetzer holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and has written for newspapers, magazines, and blogs for nearly a decade. She loves writing about the stories that make us unique, and when she isn't weaving tales, she enjoys hiking with her husband and pups or visiting a local brewery. Sabina Dana Plasse is a professional writer and editor from Baltimore, Maryland, who moved to Idaho more than 15 years ago. Besides writing and editing, she launches start-up events, assists businesses with publicity and marketing, and is an active film reviewer. When not working, she is enjoying the outdoors, traveling, and watching movies. 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. 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. www.idahomemagazine.com
7
Best Snow In Idaho ™
Plan Your Best Days
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IDAHO’S FINEST FOUR In his quest to ski the 50 classic descents of North America, pro skier Cody Townsend knocked out four iconic, remote lines in Idaho’s backcountry. BY MICAH DREW PHOTOS BY @BJARNESALEN
Peak: Devil’s Bedstead in the Salmon-Challis National Forest. Inset: Cody Townsend on the descent of Devils Bedstead In April of 2021, Cody Townsend, a former professional alpine ski racer turned Hollywood blockbuster stunt skier, woke up outside of Glacier National Park in Montana. He emerged from his Mercedes sprinter van, with its ostentatious “The FIFTY” mountain logo on the door and sidled up to another van where Bjarne Salen was sleeping. Cody and Bjarne were just one night removed from a three-day sufferfest that involved climbing and skiing the northwest face of Mt. Stimson, a remote peak in the middle of Glacier Park with a sheer 5,000-foot inviting ski line that took the duo, and a third companion, to their breaking point to complete. “I’m not feeling too bad,” Cody told photographer and cinematographer Bjarne after asking how his body was holding up. “Which, I know it’s the day after we just had a mega-0mission, but… 10
it’s a full green light on avy conditions in Idaho right now.” So the two packed up their vans and headed south. Cody and Bjarne were heading to Castle Peak, the last of four lines in Idaho that Cody needed to ski. “It’s kind of the nature of this project, where I’m working on a few main lines but always keeping my eyes on conditions even outside the mountains I’m actually
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heading up,” Cody says about the quick turnaround. “I’d seen before we headed out on Stimson that there might be a weather window in Idaho, and you’ve got to just take advantage of those. But one thing I’ve learned is that you cannot count driving as a rest day. You just don’t recover, so that makes things more challenging.” The drive from Glacier Park down through Stanley towards Castle Peak is more than eight hours of winding river
roads. Along the way, Cody stopped on Galena Pass, where 16 years ago he hit a 90-foot road gap with a front flip 360. “That was back when I used to do dumb stuff,” Cody says in a video. “Granted everyone would probably think what I do now is pretty dumb too.” What Cody does these days is called “The FIFTY” project, a multi-year project to ski 50 iconic backcountry ski lines as laid out in the book Fifty Classic Ski Descents of North America, which Cody has been documenting in an ongoing YouTube series. Out of the iconic lines featured, four of them lie in the heart of Idaho: the north face of Devil’s Bedstead in the Pioneer mountains, two lines in the Sawtooths — the north couloir of McGowan Peak, the Sickle on Horstmann Peak — and the south face of Castle Peak in the White Clouds. Each of Cody’s project mountains has its own set of challenges and conditions to work through, as can be expected of epic ski-ventures, and the four Idaho
lines, the videos of which have all been released, showcase some of the best and worst of ski mountaineering. Viewing each of the films side-byside showcases not only the range of the lines themselves, but also the different challenges that arise in each trip. “One of the things is just to let the mountain tell the story,” Cody says from his home in Lake Tahoe. “I always try to identify what’s going to be most prominent about a mountain or line, but if it doesn’t necessarily have one, that’s where I get creative and tell a different part of the story.” It’s that extra angle that elevates Cody’s FIFTY project from a series of badass ski films to a series of badass ski films with emotional depth, personal perspective, and central characters who know how to share expertise with ease. Take McGowan Peak, for example, a mountain that by FIFTY project standards was pretty straightforward. “It’s beautiful and it’s a cool line, but I thought, ‘Here’s an opportunity to tell
people a little bit of what we’re doing behind the scenes,” Cody says. “For me that’s the stuff I found really interesting when I started getting into backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. It’s not just skiing a line, it’s the process, and I like to share that.”
Peak: McGowan Peak in the Sawtooth Mountains. Inset: Cody Townsend and Tucker Patton skin up to McGowan Peak.
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Horstmann Peak lights up in an early sunrise.
“When I first had the idea for the project in my head, when it came to individual episodes, I told people it would be 80% not skiing, it’s going to be mostly everything else,” he continues. In his McGowan video, Cody details how he meticulously plans each trip — tracking weather near the lines he’s targeting, looking at avalanche condition trends across North America, and getting in touch with friends, avalanche forecasters, or anyone else with on-the-ground information about snowpack in a region. And those nitty-gritty details of planning a ski adventure prove as fascinating to watch as a few insane minutes of Cody’s skiing. Cody’s time in Idaho has not been extensive, but another of his intentions for the project includes exploring unfamiliar ski regions. “There are two things that stand out about Idaho. One, the amount of mountains in this state is, I don’t know, like one of the best-kept secrets, for literally how many backcountry lines there are,” Cody says. “The second thing is just the Sawtooths are so rad. It’s like the little brother of the Tetons — it’s a little smaller, but there’s also way less people.” 12
Cody says that of the four lines he skied in Idaho, the Sickle on Horstmann was by far the coolest one. Unfortunately, he ended up skiing it in some of the worst conditions. Horstmann towers above the north side of Redfish Lake, and the Sickle, a 1,000-foot curved couloir off the eastern shoulder of the mountain is clearly visible from Highway 75. Getting to the peak however, especially in mid-winter, is daunting. Imagine, traveling first two miles by snowmobile, four miles of ski touring, then climbing 3,760 vertical feet to the top of the line. Add that to the fact Cody was joined by his wife Elyse, a world champion freeride skier, on her first ski mountaineering trip. On camera. After setting out in the -5 degree, predawn darkness, and completing the final face of the climb with crampons and ice axes out, the group faced the reality of skiing down a narrow chute in bad snow conditions. “I literally thought going up would be the worst part, but [going down] is going to be the worst part,” Elyse says to the camera. “It’s just so steep and the snow is such crap and it’s so tight, it’s not going to look pretty for the cameras. It’s going to be survival skiing.” The Sickle showcases exactly what Cody said earlier: these films are 80% not skiing.
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And that last 20%? Side-slipping down the Sickle Couloir. “I just dragged my wife up there and totally sandbagged her because I didn’t think it would be as big of a day as it ended up being or as bad of conditions as it was,” Cody said. “It’s a long approach, but then, …It’s like five miles of flat at the end which is more walking than you want at the end of a ski mission. But regardless, the Sickle is just as legit, beautiful, amazing as a couloir anywhere.” In stark contrast, Castle Peak, the last of the Idaho lines, is one of the most relaxed of Cody’s projects. While the skiers received some faulty beta regarding the approach distance, it turned out to be the good kind of wrong beta: it was shorter and easier than expected. Rather than needing to spend a night out, Bjarne and Cody spotted their objective by noon. The next day they set out and within a few hours, sat on the summit. “When you get up high on a peak in Idaho, it’s just mountains as far as you can see,” Cody said, his tone wistful. “Looking around, just all of it has potential and I know none of it.”
THINGS TO LOVE
e m o H a An Id LOVE Affair
PHOTO BY JOHN WEBSTER
(or love to hate) (or hate to love)
ABOUT OUR GREAT STATE
I
dahoans live here for a variety of reasons, and now more people want to become Idahoans than ever before. Tensions arise with that, but tension is the opposite of “Idaho-y.” The reasons that we love living in Idaho, as well as a few things we might dislike about living here, are the exact same reasons other people might love it! Confusing? Yes, maybe. But let’s remember, the gripes that we Idahoans might have are inspired by our love of this amazing place. POTATO PRIDE Let’s tackle J. R. Simplot’s marketing genius first. Even if you hate to admit that you secretly like Idaho’s spud association–from Africa to China–the potato state is internationally famous for exactly that reason. We drop a giant spud on New Year’s Eve and the world’s largest potato chip sits in the Idaho Potato Museum in Blackfoot. Simplot made billions by first commercializing French fries for the U.S. Army and by 2005, supplying more than half of all McDonald fries! A favorite story of Idaho’s embracement of the spud goes back nearly a century. In 1928, Idaho became the pioneer in turning the standard license plate into an advertisement for the state, replacing the solid colored utilitarian plate with a green one adorned with a brown potato and the slogan “Idaho Potatoes.” Here’s the kicker: According to Idaho historian Rick Just, people thought it was such a cool license plate that they were routinely stolen off cars. So the next time someone asks about potatoes when you say you’re from Idaho, remember to take some pride that our starchy tubers hold as much history lore as calories.
PHOTOS BY KAREN DAY
PUBLIC LANDS AND WOLVES The Gem State ranks fourth in the nation in state lands that are publicly owned, behind Alaska, Nevada, and Utah, with more than 35 million acres (83,500 square miles) of state or federal land for public use. That patchwork of public lands offers 13 wilderness areas, including three that were designated in 2015: the Hemingway-Boulders, the Jim McClure-Jerry Peak, and Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds. At the center lies the jewel of Idaho: the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area, the largest contiguous wilderness in the Lower 48, sprawling across 2.4 million acres of central Idaho with the best whitewater on the Salmon River. But public land requires good management, and lots and lots of money. Representative Mike Simpson authored a large portion of the Great American Outdoors Act, which was signed into law in 2020. The measure permanently funds the existing Land and Water Conservation Fund, which increases access and maintains public lands by creating a new fund to address the backlog of deferred maintenance in National Parks, National Forests, Bureau of Land Management assets, Wildlife Refuges, and Bureau of Indian Education school construction. The purpose of wilderness is to sustain wildlife–our own and that of well, the wild animals that once roamed there. Reintroducing wolves (albeit Canadian) was a romantic notion and a necessary remedy to human exploitation–which created controversy, lawsuits, lots of press, and continual legal and management reevaluation to sustain this grand notion of reversing the clock. Love them or hunt them (yes, now due to overpopulation ranchers can shoot to kill), Canis Lupus are here to stay- proof that one person’s wilderness heaven can make another person’s life hell. 14
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HOT SPRINGS There’s something almost magical about the experience of soaking in a natural hot springs, which makes sharing geothermal secret pools a delight. At the same time, don’t ask me to share the location of the best spots, as I’ve seen bar room fights over such disclosures. My advice? Keep your eyes peeled for steam rising inexplicably from the snow and don’t get naked on someone’s private property. If you don’t count Yellowstone as part of Wyoming, Idaho is the most geothermically active state in the nation, with more than 200 thermal springs ranging from truly wild to built in style. The height of hot springs luxury can be found in Idaho City at The Springs, with massages and poolside cocktail service. Still public with a fee, Goldfork and Burgdorf offer more rustic pools for a soak. However, Idaho’s hottest hot springs secrets require some sweat just to get there. Along the Lochsa, Jerry Johnson demands a mile hike on an icy trail to a series of pools along a creek and Gold Bug, a personal favorite, is straight up two miles from Elk Bend and worth it. Think hot waterfalls, a snow-capped mountain view, cold beer, and good company. Just remember, don’t tag your Instagram photos. True hot spring devotees consider the soak as sacred. And most locals like to pretend that some things are still secret. By the way, my best spots will never appear in print.
EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE Most people associate Boise State University with bright blue football turf and the legendary Fiesta Bowl legacy of the Broncos. President Marlene Tromp, however, views all of that as the gateway to the rest of what BSU has to offer. “Our iconic blue football field is a powerful metaphor for our community’s path-breaking approaches to solving complex problems,” Tromp says, noting that the university was recently named a Top 50 Most Innovative University by U.S. News & World Report. “Boise State has developed new strategies for how we do the work of a public university — serving our communities, engaging with industry, and supporting the thriving of Idaho and Idahoans.” BSU is not alone in its educational excellence in the state. All of Idaho’s 11 colleges are doing their part to educate the next generation of leaders — and it’s a smart generation. In 2021, nearly 26,000 Idaho high schools earned dual credit in college-level courses. At the two- and four-year college level, last year saw 71,762 students enrolled in Idaho post-secondary schools, a solid rebound after the pandemic disrupted student numbers for the previous year. To continue the investment in Idaho’s education, Governor Brad Little recently announced a plan to increase community college budgets by 4.8% and university budgets by 7.1%. To inspire enrollment, the state department of education has frozen college tuition for the past two years.
OVERWHELMING BUT UNDER-ADVERTISED GEOLOGICAL PHENOMENA Without a National Park designation in the state (sorry Yellowstone, Idaho just really can’t claim you), many of Idaho’s coolest features remain under the tourist radar, and that’s a good thing, especially if you have ever tried to find a camping spot in any National Park in July. The Craters of the Moon lava field is visible from space and contains some of the most unique geological formations in America. Dozens of miles of lava tubes criss-cross beneath the blackened earth and the deepest open rift valley in the world, the Great Rift of Idaho, bisects the monument at 800 feet. Three miles northeast of Twin Falls, the Snake River plunges over Shoshone Falls, 1,000 feet wide and plummeting 212 feet, taller than Niagara Falls. A mile west of the falls, Evel Kneivel once attempted to jump the Snake River Canyon on his rocket-powered motorcycle. America’s deepest river gorge, Hell’s Canyon, is a stunning, 8,000-foot gash in the earth along the Idaho-Washington border. No roads cross this portion of the Snake River, ensuring that it remains one of the most rugged recreation areas in the state, harboring some grand-daddy rapids. Idaho has an embarrassment of scenic riches–the Bruneau sand dunes and the Sawtooth Mountains, for example–which should explain why it is called the Gem State, but that’s another story! Yes, Idahoans have a tendency to complain about out-of-state license plates at trailheads, but then again, there’s still a little less than eight square miles for every resident of Idaho! GROWTH “The secret is out; Idaho is a great place to live,” says U.S. Senator Mike Crapo. “There are numerous reasons why Idaho is one of the fastest-growing states. While our country is facing many challenges, Idaho, where sensibility prevails, attracts those looking for more prudent solutions to today’s most pressing problems.” LEFT: PHOTOS BY KAREN DAY / BELOW: PHOTO BY KRZYSZTOF WIKTOR, STOCK.ADOBE.COM
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Looking for solutions in Idaho, however, creates its own problem: exponential growth. In 2020, the Idaho Policy Institute at Boise State University showed that nearly 80% of Treasure Valley residents believed the area was growing too fast. And data actually backs up that fear. According to the recent census, between 2010 and 2020, Idaho grew 17.3%, the second highest rate in the nation. In the same period, Ada County grew by 26% and Meridian was the fourth fastest-growing city in the nation, more than doubling its population. And while the increased population offers some benefits, like increasing the tax base, helping fund public services and infrastructure improvements, and expanded job opportunities, too much growth too fast creates new problems. Think housing costs. Data from Boise Regional Realtors states that the median sales price of a home in Ada County in January 2022 was $540,000, ten times the mean annual income of $53,000 and up 20% from January 2021. In January of 2019, that price was just over $300,000. The number of houses in the county that sold for more than $1 million through August of last year was over 360; just five years ago that number was 38. As a homeowner, you may enjoy sky-rocketing appreciation, but remember, when you sell your dollar will buy less of home in Idaho than you may live in now! “The thing is, Boise’s not going to slow down at all,” says Nick Hampton, a realtor with Fathom Realty. “The trend line is just getting worse.” According to Hampton, Boise, like many places in the country, is dealing with low interest rates, supply chain problems, unit shortages, and a large influx of relocators with more cash on hand. Housing estimates predict that by 2032, the Boise area will have a housing shortage of around 23,000 units. And you can’t just blame the new transplants. Hampton says that developers are capitalizing on Boise’s popularity. “You could probably name any metropolitan area in the country and outside developers are eyeing Boise,” he adds. WORLD-CLASS RECREATION With the amount of public lands, world-class recreation in Idaho is unparalleled. Again, the list is as exciting as it is worrisome, since it explains why the state is so attractive to so many. PHOTOS BY KAREN DAY
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• Whitewater rafting • Rock climbing some of the 700 routes at City of Rocks, or the 300 routes in the Black Cliffs near Boise • Cycling along the Hiawatha Trail, the Trail of the Coeur D’Alene’s, or the Old Milwaukee Railroad Trail • 19 ski resorts (counting Grand Targhee), each with its own personality • 17 Park N Ski locations across the state that access more than 200 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails • Mountains to climb for every degree of fitness and skill • Ice climbing in the Snake River Canyon • BASE jumping from I. B. Perrine Bridge in Twin Falls And the list goes on… CONSERVATIVE GOVERNANCE When Governor Brad Little opened the 2022 legislative session with his State of the State address, he did so with a lot of enthusiasm, and for good reason. Idaho has a record $1.9 billion budget surplus. “Years of fiscal conservatism at the state level combined with a red-hot economy means we are able to provide Idahoans with historic income tax relief – both one-time and ongoing – which is more important than ever as gas prices and inflation continue to soar,” Little said in an email. “With our record budget surplus, we are also making unprecedented investments in roads, schools, water, and other key areas to keep up with the growth.”
PHOTOS BY KAREN DAY
As part of his new Leading Idaho initiative, Governor Little plans to give money back to Idahoans in several ways: $350 million in tax rebates, a $1.1 billion investment in education, a 10% raise for teachers plus a bonus to reflect increased workload during the pandemic, and a substantial increase in community college and university budgets. “My goal has always been to make Idaho the place where we all can have the opportunity to thrive, where our children and grandchildren choose to stay, and for the ones who have left to choose to return,” Little said. He believes that continuing the legacy of conservative governing practices will do just that. Indeed, whether a blue or red voter in this red state, some of the conservative initiatives churning through the legislature can make you feel as crazy as the proposals sound. Come on– the Sacklers are free billionaires despite killing hundreds of thousands with Oxycontin greed– but Idaho librarians should go to jail for allowing kids to check out certain books? No. Really. DARK SKIES The first International Dark Sky Reserve designated in the U.S. is in central Idaho, encompassing Stanley, Ketchum, and all the land in between. Have you watched the Perseids meteor shower in the darkness of the Sawtooth Mountains? Head up there this summer (the Perseids peak in early August), turn off your flashlight, and be awed. Just be sure to remind all the tourists to turn off their cell phones and Range Rover headlights!
A TECHNOLOGY PAST AND FUTURE Tech and Idaho were not usually referred to in the same sentence in the national press until recently, with Amazon and Facebook suddenly bursting the small-town seams of Nampa and Kuna. But, in 1921, Philo Farnsworth, a 15-year-old student at Rigby High School, worked out the principles for an image dissector, the precursor for his invention of the television. Today, Idaho is replete with tech firms like Micron, the third largest private employer in the state, which experienced 35% revenue growth last year, partly due to the company’s role as a leading producer of DRAM – Dynamic Random Access Memory – a type of semiconductor memory used in computing, smartphones, big data, and autonomous driving. With a 20% global market share, Micron is well placed to keep pace as one of America’s leading tech firms, attracting the best talent. Flipping from global to a local niche with global potential, Lumineye was founded in Boise by Megan Lacy, Corbin Hennen, and Rob Kleffner. The company produces 3-D printed radar devices powerful enough to see through walls and detect a heart rate. This technology empowers first responders and soldiers in hostage situations or structure collapses, speeding rescues and keeping personnel safe. Additionally, companies like Clearwater Analytics, a softwareas-a-service fintech company headquartered in Boise, has offices around the world. Of course, big tech always brings big salaries, which can create unprecedented problems. For example, the owner of Clearwater constructed an unwelcome private airport on his multi-million dollar ranch in the pristine Sawtooth Valley. Sometimes success can swing a mighty sharp sword. IDAHOANS Admittedly, my list of reasons to love Idaho is complicated and long. In the end, no matter if you are part of the old guard, born and raised here and wishing that our state remain forever the same, or you’re a member of the newly arrived, or a longtime transplant, or part of the second-home crowd, I promise that Idaho always proves one thing to everyone. “The best gems in Idaho are our people,” says Representative Russ Fulcher. “We are home to some of the hardest-working, most friendly, down to earth, conservative, devoted, and genuine folks.” It would be a challenge to read that line and not hope to find yourself included. www.idahomemagazine.com
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DISCOVER WOOD RIVE R
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FOLLOWING THE
BY MIKE MCKENNA
WHISKEY TRAIL
Idaho is home to some of the most wild and rugged country left on earth. The middle of the Gem State is covered by mountainous terrain better suited for elk and mountain goats than it is for humans. But humans have always been drawn to such places, especially when you can steady nerves with a shot or two of whiskey. That’s probably why three of the towns that are gateways to Idaho’s wilderness have long been home to some pretty unique watering holes. Challis, Ketchum, and Salmon make up part of the “Whiskey Trail” that circles the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area—the largest contiguous wilderness area in the Lower 48. Each of these small towns is home to at least one timeless Western bar, the ideal kind of place to kick one back before heading off into the wilderness.
AROUND THE IDAHO WILDERNESS BACKWOODS BARS OF IDAHO PHOTO BY F CRABTREE
Bux’s Bar Main Street Challis, ID
YOU CAN’T BE AWESOME! The Casino on Main Street in Ketchum has a long and storied history. Originally built out of logs harvested from the now famous ski slopes of Bald Mountain in 1926, the Casino is more than just a bar. It’s a true landmark, it’s an institution, and it’s usually a foggy memory for anyone who was there the night before. The PHOTO BY DANA DUGAN place hasn’t changed much since it Matt Gorby: Awesome @ Ketchum Casino first opened or when Ernest Hemingonset of COVID, to the ski and summer way used to drink there. And that’s part of tourist crowds. “I used to know 90% of the its appeal. people who came in here. But now it’s less Matthew Gorby has been bartending at than 50%,” says Gorby, who stopped drinkThe Casino for over a quarter-century now. ing years ago and is happily married and a “It feels like home. It’s like my living room proud father. now,” Gorby says. “I love the clientele.” The long, j-hooked bar sells lots of The Casino is popular with everyone from Jameson’s whiskey and Hamm’s beer and longtime locals, to the new “Zoomtown the latest trendy shot is a “Huck Bomb,” locals” who have fled big cities since the
Idaho vodka mixed with NAS energy drink and splash of cranberry. The low-ceilinged and low-light establishment is known locally as “The Casbah” in honor of the old Clash hit, “Rock the Casbah.” It’s also jokingly referred to as “The Can’t Say No” and “The Can’t See Now.” Part of the personality of the bar is undoubtedly its loyal clientele. When Gorby first started slinging drinks at The Casino, he worked the day shift. When he would open up every morning at 10:30am, some of the regulars would be waiting for him. After Gorby let them in one morning, they asked how he was. “I’m excellent,” he said. “You can’t be excellent. Woody is excellent.” “Okay then, I’m awesome,” he responded. “You can’t be awesome. Neil is awesome.” “Okay. Then I’m two thumbs up and an atta boy.” And that’s what Gorby and many of the patrons at The Casino have been ever since.
FAREWELL COCKTAILS Bux’s Place is tucked at the top of Main Street in Challis. The building’s history dates back to around 1878 and became Bux’s back in 1949. Instead of following the old saying, “If only the walls could talk,” the backbar is really what you’d like to hear stories from. The Brunswick Bar was made in New Hampshire and came around Cape Horn and then spent time hosting cocktails in Blackfoot and Ketchum before settling in Challis. Newspaper publisher Ted Carleton first cut his teeth in the industry while working for the Challis Messenger a couple of decades ago. Bux’s hasn’t changed much since then.
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“Having a bar like that across the street from a newspaper office is never a good thing,” jokes Ted, who now runs a newspaper and publishing house in the mountains of California. “Back then, the bartenders would never shut anybody off,” he says, “which is why the streets are so wide there—so people could swerve their way home safely.” The walls of the old bar are adorned with deer, elk, and antelope mounts and they even offer a book swap library. The clientele consists of agriculture, mining, and ranching folks as well as tourists during the summer and plenty of retirees willing to spin a yarn or two for you. While Bux’s doesn’t really have any popular or exotic cocktails, it does have “The Board.” It sits behind the bar with a simple purpose. Every time a local passes away, someone will buy him or her a drink and it will sit up on the board for a while as a tribute to a drinking buddy who’s moved on to that great bar beyond.
PHOTO BY MIKE MCKENNA
The Lantern watering hole , Salmon, ID PHOTO BY MIKE MCKENNA
Annie and Cam Leady enjoy The Lantern’s green glow. PHOTO BY MIKE MCKENNA
PHOTO BY F CRABTREE
Left: Bux’s Place in Challis, ID; Left: Owl Club, Main Street, Slamon
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LIGHTING THE LANTERN Even though it’s best known for being a river town and the launch spot for countless rafting trips, Salmon is one of the best hockey towns in the country as well. Salmon’s small, outdoor rink rocks for several months each winter. Meanwhile, smack dab in the middle of Main Street, The Lantern has been rocking every day for decades. Originally known as The Green Lantern, the long and narrow classic Western bar has been in its current location since 1965. It’s been in Gary Barrett’s family since 1954 and he’s been working there since he was 13. “You have to be brain-dead to run an operation like this,” Gary jokes, as a group of regulars enjoy coffee and Gary’s famous Bloody Marys on a Sunday morning. Sundays are good days in The Lantern, because not only does Gary serve as the owner and bartender, he’s also the President of the “Church of Lantern Day Saints,” as the congregation of local clientele is known. “Your identity really gets tied to the place,” Gary says, while fixing a busted pool cue. “I had an ex-wife who used to say, ‘The only thing you’ve ever been married to is this bar.’” The décor in The Lantern is fairly sparse and the lighting is a dim, day-glo green. There’s a wood–burning stove and numerous lanterns hang from the ceiling. The customers consist of local ranchers donning cowboy hats all year, river guides wearing sandals in the summer, and hockey parents in puffy jackets in the winter. “This is a working man’s place. Good old boys and girls come here,” bartender Autumn Kaber says. Autumn almost died not too long ago and has the scars to prove it. Doctors say that she is “nothing but a walking miracle.” In some ways, it’s a miracle that bars like The Lantern, Bux’s Place, and The Casino are still around. They are carrying on the history and character of these rustic Idaho towns. It’s good to know there are still timeless places to grab a shot or two of whiskey before you take on the wild world outside their doors.
DoorDashing Through the Snow (and Wind and Rain and Ice)
PHOTO COURTESY OF DOORDASH
BY HEATHER HAMILTON-POST
Scrambling to prepare for a weekend trip, I ordered a pair of sneakers from Dick’s Sporting Goods, set to be delivered to me via InstaCart. My groceries, which appear on my doorstep courtesy of DoorDash, were early, which meant that the two drivers met in the driveway. When I answered my door, an older woman asked me if there was anything else she needed to do, holding her screen out in front of me. I shrugged my shoulders– for all the ways I utilize such delivery services, I have very little knowledge of how they operate, save the magic of not doing it myself. Her frozen screen stared back as she asked the grocery driver if he knew Instacart–he did, since many drivers work for competing services. Like folks around the country, I began utilizing grocery delivery at the onset of the pandemic, when working full-time from home in the company of my two preschool-aged children plus shopping became too much. The pandemic signaled an increase in usage of such delivery services, as well as an increase in the number of drivers, and while I was ordering items for delivery because my kids were home, others began driving for that very reason. “Delivering for DoorDash was a good way for my children to see how to earn money. Most of the time, I would drive them around and let them do the work and earn the money,” says Malika Thaete. Driver Shay Short-VanderLinden’s daughter Abigail joins her when she makes deliveries too. Both women began driving to make a little extra income– Short-VanderLinden pays for preschool tuition, car payments, and pet medication, while Thaete was looking for a fast way to earn money (she also drove for Uber Eats). And, although the money CAN be good, it takes some work. Locally, DoorDash offers $2 to $4 per order, so Dashers rely heavily on tips. “Places like Walmart have a yearly rate for grocery delivery, and many of my deliveries are flower deliveries where the recipient has no idea they’re receiving flowers–especially at funeral homes,” explains Short-VanderLinden. For orders that require significant mileage, both women say it isn’t worth it if the customer doesn’t tip.
In Thaete’s experience, some days are slow, and people don’t always tip. In a good week, she made around $200 when she was going every day and getting fast orders. Another week, she made $23. This is likely influenced by the high number of local drivers, as well as poor organization within some grocery stores and restaurants, which prohibits drivers from getting orders out in a timely way. Delivery can be an interesting way to experience your community, and while it is mostly positive, Short-VanderLinden has had doors slammed in her face, called 911 after witnessing a domestic assault, and been followed by an angry commuter. Luckily, those things aren’t the norm, and Short-VanderLinde says that DoorDash offers a reward beyond money. “I’ve helped elderly, disabled, and COVID-stricken people,” she says. And, while most folks prefer the “leave it at my door option,” she loves interacting with people, and happily takes groceries into their homes. “I’ve made a few elderly friends, and I truly enjoy helping them,” she says. Thaete also describes experiences with customers as pleasant. “They’re super nice–always friendly,” she says. The best way to thank your driver? Kindness goes a long way, but ultimately, “We really depend on tips,” both say.
For Dashers Shay ShortVanderLinden and her daughter Abigail (pictured right) and Malika Thaete and children Topanga, Bryant, and Triston (pictured below), delivery provides a chance to earn money, work together, and even spread kindness.
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UNUSUAL PLACES to SAY “I DO”
to & Film, LLC Servatius. Photos by Wilds Pho Brides: Racquelle and Laticia
BY: ARIANNA CRETEAU
When getting married in the State of Idaho you can simply visit your county recorder’s office with $30 cash and proof of identity to obtain a marriage license. Where couples say “I do” afterward is entirely up to them. More people find themselves challenging tradition and embracing memorable moments by exchanging vows in unique places. Laticia and Racquelle Servatius had their moment at the top of the Tamarack Express chairlift. “It’s our favorite place,” says Laticia. “I just had the idea and said, ‘What if we got married on the top of the mountain in our dresses and then snowboarded down?’” “It was freezing cold,” says Laticia. About seven degrees in the middle of February. Celebrations kicked off with morning mimosas in a nearby cabin. By noon the brides were strapped into their snowboards and ready in their dresses to catch a chair up the mountain. Mercedee and Logan Wilds, the team behind Wilds Photo and Film, skied alongside the brides, capturing special moments throughout the day. “This was definitely a
“We just wanted to do something that really represented our relationship and we wanted to keep it intimate. more unique wedding, focusing more on them, what they wanted and loved to do together,” Mercedee says. “Incorporating that into their elopement was extra special.” At the top, the brides exchanged vows, took photos, and snowboarded back to their cabin where close family and a handful of friends were waiting to greet the newly married couple. “When we were planning and wondering if we could make it happen we decided to keep it super secret,” says Laticia. According to Mercedee, how people perceive weddings and elopements can be skewed by styled shoots that go viral across social media. One of her goals was to focus less on styling for photos and to emphasize raw feelings in the moment. “This day was truly about the brides. I love getting good photos and preserving memories but it wasn’t a photo op,” Mercedee says. “You don’t really need to spend a lot of money. It comes down to what resonates with the
couple and matters the most to them.” Despite expected delays, low temperatures, sick kids, and a speedy search for vendors, Laticia and Racquelle pulled off one of the most eccentric elopements of the winter this year. Their advice to others looking to do the same? “Dress accordingly under your dress. Or better yet, do it in the summer,” jokes Laticia. Washington locals Rachelle and John Baughman met at their local Eagles club nine years ago. Over the years, visiting the Coeur d’Alene Resort became one of their favorite getaways. Rachelle and John knew once they were engaged that it was where they would have their wedding, a wedding on the lake, a cruise boat to be exact. “We just wanted to do something that really represented our relationship and we wanted to keep it intimate. Not so much about catering to people who are attending the wedding, but more of a memory for ourselves,” says Rachelle.
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“It was the perfect day. Everything just went so smoothly.”
Bride and Groom: Rachelle and John Baughman Photos by Jacie Van B Photography
Four months in the making, Rachelle and John married on top of a Coeur d’Alene Resort cruise boat witnessed by only their two children, an officiant, and the photographer. What they expected to be a cold and snowy day turned out to be exactly the opposite. Guests waited on shore while their private ceremony began. The same officiant’s business from
Rachelle’s grandparents’ wedding presided over theirs. “I was very close to my grandparents,” says Rachelle, “so I wanted to remember them in that way. They were married for 62 years.” Guests joined the newly wedded couple on the boat for refreshments and food. “It was the perfect day. Everything just went so smoothly, and it was easy and enjoyable to spend time with our family and friends,” says Rachelle. “It was relaxing.” “Oh my gosh, it was beautiful. It was minimal, there was no cake cutting or first dance and it was still fun,” says Jacie Van Blaricom, their photographer. Although Jacie had photographed at the resort many times before, she found this wedding to be different. “A lot of people are looking for more unique types of weddings, especially since COVID. People want less stress and
less expensive. They are just excited to be married,” says Jacie. Couples from far and wide have found that Idaho offers unique places to elope, including Tasha and William Williams, who traveled nearly 2,000 miles from Florida to say “I do” in a foot of fresh snow. “When Billy proposed he said, ‘Let’s get married in Idaho,’ so that’s what we did. It wasn’t even a question,” says Tasha. “It felt perfect.” During their trip, they were accompanied by the groom’s cousin, their two daughters, and their photographer Karlie Larson.“They probably could have said their vows on the side of the road because they were just so ready to be married and excited to be in Idaho,” says Karlie. Tying the knot at Ponderosa State Park the day after a February snowstorm, the group scouted for the perfect spot near the frozen lake on the day of the ceremony. “It actually didn’t feel as cold asI anticipated. However, wearing a gown in knee-deep snow was a challenge,” says Tasha. Following a small ceremony and photo session, the group ate pizza at a local shop and spent the rest of their trip adventuring around town. “I think social media has made people think they have to have these large weddings, but really the day is about two people. None of that other stuff matters,” says Tasha.
“Couples from far and wide have found that Idaho offers unique places to elope.”
Bride and Groom: Tasha Williams an d William William Photos by Karlie La s rson Photography
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The Wetxuuwíitin’ Collection Returns to its Ancestral Home •••••
A Reversal of Fortune for the Nez Perce Tribe • • • • •
BY SABINA DANA PLASSE PHOTOS COURTESY OF ZACH MAZUR
The Nez Perce Tribe in north-central Idaho consists of more than 3,500 citizens in Lapwai, Idaho, on the Nez Perce Reservation, which covers 770,000 acres. The aboriginal land of the Nimiipuu people, who are the Nez Perce Tribe, once comprised portions of Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Montana in a vast area that was more than seven and half million acres. In 1836, Presbyterian Reverend Henry Harmon Spalding and his wife joined a mission to the Nez Perce land, now known as Idaho. Spalding arrived in the area as a minister and became a trader, but also tried to inform Nez Perce Tribe members of the prospects of being a Presbyterian. Nonetheless, he managed to obtain Nez Perce Tribe items and historical relics. Between 1841 and 1846, Spalding acquired Nez Perce [Nimiipuu] clothing, artifacts, and horse gear, which he shipped to his friend and supporter of his Presbyterian mission, Dr. Dudley Allen, in Ohio. Dr. Allen, in exchange, sent back commodities that Spalding needed to continue his mission work. What became known as the Spalding-Allen Collection, a collection of Nez Perce Tribe member items representing artisans in their prime, offers an accessible history and an understanding of the Nez Perce people. In 1893, after Allen died, his son, Dudley, donated the Spalding-Allen Collection to Oberlin College. In time, Oberlin College loaned most, but not all, of the collection to the Ohio Historical Society (OHS) for safekeeping, but unfortunately, it languished at OHS for decades. Finally, in 1976, curators at Nez Perce National Historic Park (NEPE) rediscovered the collection. Through negotiations, OHS loaned most Spalding-Allen artifacts to the National Park Service (NPS) in 1980 on renewable one-year loans. However, in 1993 OHS abruptly demanded the return of the collection. In negotiations, NPS learned that OHS would sell the collection, but only at its full appraised value of $608,100 with a six-month deadline to provide the money. Diligently, the Nez Perce Tribe raised the money within six months with help from thousands of donors and purchased the collection in 1996. In a turn of events in November 2021, the OHS, now The Ohio History Connection, returned the $608,100 to the Nez Perce Tribe. In June 2021, the Nez Perce Tribe renamed the Spalding-Allen Collection the Wetxuuwíitin’ Collection, which means “returned after a period of being away.” Cultural Resources Program Director of the Nez Perce Tribe and historian Nakia Williamson-Cloud says, “The renaming of the collection is a significant step to reclaiming ownership of one of the most important ethnographic collections in existence.”
{cáwtiwaanin’ wispóolsam’x, Woman’s Dress, Nez Perce} A Nez Perce woman’s cured deerskin dress with attached yoke extensions and hem inserts decorated with glass beads, elk teeth, dentalium shell, thimbles, and fringe. The dress was made circa the 1820s to 1840 and is part of the Wetxuuwíitin’ Collection.
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{walíim’lapqat, Moccasins, Nez Perce} Made by the Nez Perce circa 1836.
{sac’ásniin sám’x, Man’s Shirt, Nez Perce} A Nez Perce man’s cured hide shirt decorated with quill work, Venetian glass beads, wool cloth, and fringe. The shirt was made circa 1820.
The Elk Antler Quirt (whip) was made by a male member of the Nez Perce Tribe 1840-1845.
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From this recovery, the Nez Perce Tribe celebrates its history, value, and existence along with providing an understanding of what it is to lose, reclaim, and be honored. Associate Dean for Digital Initiatives and Special Collections at Washington State University Trevor James Bond, Ph.D., who works closely with Williamson-Cloud, says, “There has been a trend of many native nations to negotiate in different ways to claim sacred items that can never leave a community,” says Bond. “However, in this particular situation, it is fairly unprecedented to have items and money returned.” There are 21 items that have been returned and there are still missing items, which Williamson-Cloud and Bond are tracking down. The handwork, adornments, and craft of each item in the Wetxuuwíitin’ Collection tell a story about the Nez Perz Tribe’s life on land in the waters of the Pacific Northwest that is key and important. “It is not uncommon to have items returned to the tribe,” says Williamson-Cloud. “Sometimes things are not authentic, but returns do happen on smaller scales. The importance and provenance of the Wetxuuwíitin’ Collection is that there’s nothing else like it from the Nez Perce or Columbia River Plateau. It’s on par with early collections that ended up in Europe regarding age, vintage, and quality of the items. With something like the scale of the Wetxuuwíitin’ Collection, many questions arise about the ownership and rightful place of purpose with historic collections.” For the renaming ceremony of the Wetxuuwíitin’ Collection in June 2021, an invitation was sent to Ohio to all those involved to be part of the event. This was an important action toward reclaiming ownership, as the collection is considered one of the most “ethnographic collections in existence.” “Nobody had heard about the sale,” says Bond. “They were shocked and horrified about it. In 1995 the public thought it was wrong to sell the collection back to the Nez Perce Tribe, so many people helped to raise the money to buy it back. Today, the Ohio History Connection is very different. They have a Native American board member and a Native American director of Native American Indian relations. There’s a new level of awareness and spirit of change.” However, Bond points out that there’s still a private worldwide marketplace for collectors who can buy anything they want, and Native American communities don’t have the assets to bid against billionaires. “Recognizing each other’s basic humanity and asking why it is ok to dig up the Nez Perce people but not your own family members are points to understand,” says Bond. “The more people who recognize events and the injustices that surround them, the more we can do to change them.” In an ongoing conversation, Williamson-Cloud recognizes the remnants of a colonial past, but also works hard to establish good relations with institutions for the
Nez Perce. “Education is constantly evolving, and it is about basic human rights,” he says. “How we relate to the land and broader society is very different where everything has a price tag, which means everything is for sale.” The Wetxuuwíitin’ Collection can serve many. In the context of those items included and what they mean, Washington State University is very excited to support the transformation of museums and establishing relationships. “I speak with Trevor almost every week, and we do a great deal of work together,” says Williamson-Cloud. “Tribal communities can add to the contextualization of these items and their true meaning outside of their aesthetic value. It allows for a bridge to access materials and be more accessible to the communities from where they come, and it works both ways.” The Wetxuuwíitin’ Collection is accessible via the Plateau Peoples’ Web Portal, a digital platform online. This is an example of working relationships with tribal communities, organizations, universities, and access for all. “There’s tremendous knowledge that’s within the community around these materials,” says Bond. “I love these community records that Nakia shared because it shows with an item like a saddle or shirt that there are so many levels of interpretation and understanding.” Along with the website, there’s also a book on the Wetxuuwíitin’ Collection, which Williamson-Cloud and Bond collaborated on while creating the digital platform with videos and more interpretative information. “There’s more to come that we are working on all the time,” says Williamson-Cloud. “We are going to Ohio to search for the missing items and researching the mounds with other tribes in the area too. The Ohio Historical Connection is living up to their name, and we hope it persists and continues.” Bond adds, “These are living pieces. We don’t know what the next story is going to be, and I am excited about the next chapters. This all needs to be back and part of the community as it recognizes the deep connections that go back thousands of years, which is very special. There’s a lot of joy in working and collaborating. It’s also very powerful.” When you view items in the Wetxuuwíitin’ Collection you immediately connect to the materials and craftsmanship of the Nez Perce Tribe and how each detail is linked to daily lives and existence, from elk teeth and antlers to the color of the dyes, from animal organs and bison hide for stringing together objects and clothing. It’s a fascinating education of living from the land and understanding one’s existence. Preservation and cultural connection are items that extend beyond the Nez Perce Tribe—they are a connection to the world. “It’s about human rights and respect. We all rely on the same elements of life,” says Williamson-Cloud. “What we are trying to preserve is what everyone needs to continue as people. It’s a fundamental idea for all.” To access the Wetxuuwíitin’ Collection, visit plateauportal. libraries.wsu.edu/collection/wetxuuwiitin-formerly-spalding-allencollection-nez-perce.
{tiké s, Cradleboard, Nez Perce} A teardrop-shaped cradleboard with buckskin and decorated with glass beads, dentalium shells with elk teeth attached to the top fringe. Made circa 1846.
{ imá spalx, Cornhusk flat storage bag, Nez Perce} The cornhusk flat storage bag was made by a female member of the Nez Perce Tribe circa 1835.
{k’úusey’ne sapo saapó s, Nez Perce Woman’s Saddle} The earliest documented Nez Perce saddle from the Wetxuuwíitin’ Collection. www.idahomemagazine.com
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From Field to Fork: FARE Idaho Grows a Lifeline for Idaho’s Independent Food and Beverage Companies PHOTO COURTESY JD’S BODEGA
Josh Davis, owner of JD’s Bodega, was an early advocate of FARE Idaho. BY: SAMANTHA STETZER
What if there was a way for Idaho’s independent food and beverage businesses to create meaningful networks of support, advocacy, and connection — an opportunity to have a seat at the proverbial table while simultaneously providing the menu for it? As of March 2020, that’s the mission of FARE Idaho. Executive Director of FARE Idaho, Katie Baker, explains that the advocacy and support group is a 501(C)(6) organization born out of the pandemic. “We realized that we had to turn a moment into a movement and just not let the pandemic or crisis go to waste,” Baker says. “We created FARE to advocate on behalf of independent food and beverage businesses.” Its mission is mirrored in the name. FARE means “food, agriculture, restaurant,
and beverage establishments. Members pay a fee to join and in return, they receive major support. FARE has done everything from partnering with independent food and beverage companies across Idaho and creating opportunities for local sourcing within restaurants and stores, to lobbying
Bodega in downtown Boise, joined FARE at the group’s inception, and he’s been integral in looping in other members, including Spacebar Arcade co-owners Will Hay and Zack Rowland. As a local, small business owner in Boise, Davis says he sees a proactive connection between FARE and the local economy, ensuring that consumers, producers, and sellers can support each other. “We just needed a place where we could find information and share resources,” Davis says. “They were looking specifically after the independents, and it seemed like a natural fit to get involved.” Davis admits that JD’s Bodega is slightly out of the scope of FARE, but that’s the beauty of the network. As a retailer, Davis explains that FARE has helped partner the bodega with local producers to procure local products for the store.
“...our goal was to create a more resilient food system here in Idaho, and connect our retailers with our producers.” for grant money and liquor license fairness, even hiring a lobbyist. Among its recent accomplishments, FARE partnered with insurance agents to provide health insurance options for restaurant employees. As it has grown, membership has expanded, too. Josh Davis, owner of JD’s
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As Baker explains, there is only one criteria for membership in FARE. “We represent everything from field to fork, so our goal was to create a more resilient food system here in Idaho, and connect our retailers with our producers,” Baker says. Local sourcing is a pressing need, explains Happy Day Restaurants President Tobe Finch. Happy Day operates
at first, that he was unsure if the group could offer him benefits. The motivation to connect with FARE came from his growing concerns about supply chain demands and the reliance restaurants have on sources outside Idaho. Indeed, these issues were exacerbated during the pandemic. Happy Day had preparations in place, but Finch knew there had to be another solution.
economy. “Everyone is joining and knows things need to change. Becoming a unit with one voice is how to get those things done,” Hay says. Hay is hoping that FARE takes on lobbying for change with Idaho’s liquor licensing. Right now, the state only allows two liquor licenses and one more license for every 1,500 residents in each municipality. Boise currently only has 150
Right: Spacebar Arcade in downtown Boise was an early member of FARE Idaho. Below: FARE Idaho Executive Director Katie Baker poses for a photo with The Funky Taco co-owner Justin Archambo.
PHOTOS COURTESY MARI ISAAC/FARE IDAHO
franchises, their own restaurants, and a catering and event business out of Lewiston, Idaho, with restaurant locations across northern-central Idaho. Finch was introduced to FARE through a peer restaurant owner, but he admits, 32
“We need to strengthen our small communities,” Finch explains. “This really serves to strengthen our economy. Our position here is that… all of our money goes somewhere else [when we don’t source locally]. It’s going to California or Seattle or Portland. That money is being invested there.” For other owners, the problems they need assistance with lie within the state of Idaho. Spacebar’s owners joined FARE after learning about the group from Davis. Hay explains that he saw FARE as an opportunity to create a much-needed voice in the Treasure Valley’s
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licenses, and aspiring applicants must join a very long waitlist. As a bar owner, Hay calls the law unfair, but he recognizes that other independent owners may disagree. Regardless, it’s one issue among dozens that fall within the scope of FARE. As Baker says, as long as it’s an issue within “food to fork” among Idaho’s independent growers, sellers, retailers, and producers, FARE will be there. “I don’t know that I’ve been involved with too many organizations that have been as proactive in trying to provide resources for independent businesses, lobbying to make sure we get the protection or support we need,” Davis says. You can learn more about FARE Idaho online at FAREIdaho.org and read more stories at ProjectFARE.org. Independent citizens can become members of FARE, too.
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FROM AFGHANISTAN, with Love and a
James Beard Nomination DUMPLING / PHOTO BY BAHAR AMIR
BY APRIL NEALE
Hollywood couldn’t script a more heart-stopping story of an escape from the Taliban. A family with four Afghan sisters escaped the oppressive regime back in 2003 and wound up in Boise. How the Shams sisters—Bahar Amir, Khatera, Narges, and Homeyra—became small-business owners is an epic tale of tenacity and luck. Their hard work has earned them the esteemed James Beard Foundation 2022 nomination in the category of Outstanding Baker, for sister Khatera. Could they ever have imagined this honor as children, when their journey out of Kabul was fraught with danger at every turn? They walked all night, passing borders illegally in Iran and Turkey. Their father hid them in a hearse, put them in trucks, and then when faced with a cold river, they had to swim across to escape the Taliban that had come knocking on their door one fateful day. They were looking to take girls of marriageable age, and their father, whose portrait hangs inside the Sunshine Spice Bakery & Cafe today, instinctively knew he had to get his family out of Afghanistan to safety. Homeyra Shams describes how they all came to Boise, saying, “In Turkey, we applied for the UN as refugees, and America was the country that accepted our case. It took one whole year to finish the interviews and testing. They asked if we had any family in the United States, and in which state, but since we did not know where our relatives were living in 34
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America, they chose Idaho for us to live because we were all young girls. They said that Idaho was safer for our family.” The Shams family arrived in 2003, and the sisters grew up in the City of Trees and eventually opened their business, Sunshine Spice Bakery & Café, in Boise’s bench neighborhood on Fairview, back in 2019. Then COVID threw them a huge curveball, but they reopened in August 2019 after a five-month closure and have been serving excellent small meals and specialty treats ever since. Boise now has an extensive Afghan population that also supports and spreads the word about this tasty eatery. Bahar and Khatera are the creators of their addictive baked goods and recipes infused with Afghanistan’s flavors. The front of the cafe, when you walk in, boasts the arresting art and jewelry designs of Narges and Homeyra, including the portrait of their late father. The sisters have also raised funds for women in Afghanistan. However, Bahar says they continue to worry for relatives, including one sister left behind. “Boise is our home now. We love it here,” says Bahar, whose sister Narges has created an iconic poster featuring something her birthplace and her new home in Idaho have in common: a skyline filled with snow-capped mountains. The artsy vibe and tempting food are addictive qualities that keep regulars coming back to their cafe as Bahar walked us through some of their most popular and favorite items to order. Namely the dumplings, the saffron pudding, pistachio baklava, and the saffron green tea.
FROM LEFT, NARGES SHAMS, KHATERA SHAMS, HOMEYRA SHAMS, AND BAHAR AMIR / PHOTO BY ANGIE SMITH
SAFFRON PUDDING / PHOTO BY RASE LITTLEFIELD
“Mantu are Afghanistan-influenced dumplings–wonton wrappers filled with spiced ground beef mixed with yellow onions and steam-cooked, served with tomato sauce, seasoned yogurt sauce, cilantro, green onions, and a little dry dill to give it the last touch. Mantu is not an everyday dish, but one of the popular dishes throughout Afghanistan often served in celebrations.” “Saffron pudding (Firnee) is a traditional Afghan dessert made with whole milk, cornstarch, sugar, rosewater, saffron, cardamom, and pistachio. Firnee is one of the desserts often made for celebrations, too.” “Pistachio baklava is a sweet Turkish dessert made with phyllo dough, finely ground pistachios, butter in each layer of the phyllo, and the syrup is a blend of sugar, water, and lemon juice. In Idaho, Sunshine Spice Bakery & Cafe is the only place that makes fresh pistachio baklava.” The sisters’ humanitarian efforts are growing as Sunshine Spice Cafe sells Saffron Green Tea. As Bahar noted: “This is solely to support Afghan women in Afghanistan. Saffron grows in deserted regions of Afghanistan, and its main harvesters are Afghan women. In Afghanistan, women do not have the freedom to work outside their homes like women in the West and are dependent on the men in their lives to provide financially for them. Widowed women do not have any other options
PISTACHIO BAKLAVA / PHOTO BY BAHAR AMIR
SAFFRON GREEN TEA / PHOTO BY RASE LITTLEFIELD
but to work in the fields of saffron to support themselves and their children. Every purchase of our saffron tea supports these women.” As for the 2022 James Beard nomination? It caught them all by surprise. Homeyra says, “The day the award nominations were announced, we received a phone call from one of our customers who visited us once when we first opened. He was the one who informed us about the James Beard Nomination and that my sister Khatera was the nominee. We didn’t believe it, but then he said to search online and that was when we were shocked. We were never reached directly from the James Beard Foundation. We do not know how they found out about us and we do not know which pastry item was judged.” The 2022 future is all sunshine for these sisters as downtown Boise is where they plan to expand this year. Homeyra says, “We are planning to open our second location in downtown Boise and already have the space, and we are just waiting for the current tenant to move out.” Sunshine Spice Bakery & Cafe is at 6911 West Fairview Ave, (208) 991-3920. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM, Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 4 PM. www.idahomemagazine.com
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Welcome Back Boise’s Best
IdaHome @ Treefort
PHOTOS BY MARK OLIVER
Food Trucks Keep Truckin’ BY SONORA BIRNIE BY SONORA BIRNIE
PHOTO BY JOE DYER PHOTO BY JOE DYER
As March arrives and Idaho begins to thaw, Treasure Valley As March andpromise Idaho begins to thaw, Treasure residents canarrives smell the of warmer weather and Valley outresidents caninsmell the promise of warmer and outdoor events the delicious aromas waftingweather from a thriving door eventsscene. in the delicious aromas wafting from a thriving food truck food truck scene. In Boise, local food trucks have been gaining loyal customers Incuisine Boise, local food trucks have been gaining loyal customers and credibility for about a decade. One food-on-wheels and cuisine for about decade. of One food-on-wheels expert is Sidcredibility Guarby, owner and aoperator Slow River Coffee, expert is Sid Guarby, owner and operator of Slow River Coffee, serving walk-up customers successfully for about 13 years. Most serving walk-up customers successfully for about 13 years. Most mornings, his truck can be found at 6th & State Streets–but parkmornings, his truck can be found at 6th & State Streets–but parking permanence wasn’t always the situation. ing“The permanence wasn’t alwaysGuaby the situation. culture has changed,” says. ”People are now looking “The culture has changed,” Guaby says.trucks. ”People are now for food trucks, not just settling for food Early on, itlooking was for food trucks, not just settling for food trucks. Early on, it was very hard to get people to think that they could get a quality very hardout to of getthe people think(Think that they qualitycandy product food to truck.” hotcould dogs get andacotton product outfair.) of the food truck.” (Think hot dogs and cotton candy at the state at Guaby the stateand fair.) his truck were one of the first members of the now Guaby and his truck were one of the first members of the now well-established Southern Idaho Food Truck Association. He was well-established Truck Association. Hewere was the president forSouthern years and Idaho recallsFood the beginning, when there the yearsthe and recalls the beginning, when there were onlypresident 12 trucks.for Now, statewide association supports over 45 only 12 trucks. Now, the statewide association supports over 45 trucks. According to Guaby, the mobile food truck owners can trucks. According Guaby, the other; mobileunderstanding food truck owners can nowtorely on each the success now rely on each other; understanding the success of one truck supports the growth of food truck of one truck supports the growth of food truck culture as a whole. culture a whole. who operates the Green Acres AnnyasFrampton, Anny Frampton, who operates Green food park with her husband Sean,the echoes thatAcres food park with her husband Sean, echoes that Boise sentiment. Located next to the well-trafficked sentiment. next to the well-trafficked Green Belt,Located their park operates all summer withBoise a Green Belt, their park operates all summer with rotating lineup of food trucks, live music, and an a rotating lineup of food trucks, live music, and an on-site bar. on-site bar. Green Acres officially opened for operation on Green Acresand officially opened for that operation May 28, 2021, Frampton notes one ofon May 28, 2021, and Frampton notes that one that of the main goals of the park is to offer a place the main goals of the park is to offer a place that supports the hometown economy. “Food trucks supports thejust hometown economy. “Food trucks are literally mobile, small businesses,“ she are just mobile, businesses,“ she says.literally “We hosted over 51small different trucks (last says. “We hosted over 51 different trucks (last year), over 120 local live music shows and events year), over organizations… 120 local live music shows and events with local with local organizations… it’s all these local partners.” it’sThis all these localpark partners.” year, the is opening on April 22, earlier This year, the park is opening on April than in the past. Frampton attributes this22, to earlier the than in the past. Frampton attributes this to the community’s outpouring of love and support of community’s outpouring of love and support Green Acres in bringing together some of theofbest Green Acres Idaho: in bringing together some of the best things about passionate chefs, dedicated things about Idaho: passionate chefs, dedicated www.idahomemagazine.com
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musicians, and fun-loving, hungry people. “I think it’s… just one of those places that people appreciate,” Frampton says. “They get to… check out different local businesses and support the local economy versus just going to a box chain.” An added bonus–dogs are also invited! So what is it about food-on-wheels from a sliding window that captivates Idahoan’s hearts and tastebuds? Mark Turnbow, the owner of the event-based food truck MELT, offers an answer. “A good food truck creates a sort of buzz and excitement,” says Turnbow. “It adds to the festive sense of community out on the street that enhances an outdoor event.“ Turnbow also runs an organization called Boise Food Trucks, which connects trucks with customers and would-be clients. “I felt like the food truck and trailer owners were one big family,” he says. “I wanted to create a free site that customers could reach out to for their event and I could connect them to the particular cuisine or food style they were looking for.” Not every food truck project has prospered. Brian Ramos recently faced disappointment after his much-anticipated Cart Life site, on State Street, hit a roadblock. The conceptual food truck pod planned to host permanent trucks and had gathered support and excitement with a wide social media following. “I would get emails like every other day, wanting to know when it’s opening,” Ramos says. “Our Facebook page had a ton of likes and our Instagram was over 500 followers. We had a web page and had people sending us emails… we even had trucks lined up.” Despite permits being ready and Boiseans looking forward to a new mobile chow-down locale, the project shuttered before it opened due to a conflict with the property owners. Still, Ramos maintains his avid love for food trucks. “They’re making this food because they love it, and they want you to love it. The food is always better when you’re helping a family versus helping the corporation get their stock price up,” he says. Owners and patrons have proved equally devoted. The past year brought many business obstacles, including employee shortages. During a time of need, Rhi Hoisington, the owner of Mad Mac food truck and restaurants, had to temporarily close their brickand-mortar storefront. Hoisington knew she could rely on her truck to save them. “We stayed in business because our regular
PHOTO COURTESY GREEN ACRES
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customers made it a commitment to constantly come to us once a week,” she remembers. “If they were going to go out they would message us and ask, ‘Where’s the food truck?’ A lot of people didn’t want to go to sit-down restaurants or far from home. It became something that felt safer for them, which also helped our food trucks to stay in business.” Larger cities like Austin, Texas, and Bend, Oregon, are often touted as food truck utopias, but nothing beats the special sauce that Idaho trucks are dishing out. As Hoisington puts it, that’s one of the great things about Boise. All of the area’s different cultures come together in a delicious way, from daily truck pop-ups, to the Green Belt, to festivals like Treefort. In its tenth year, Treefort will again feature the legendary relationship between great food and music on the streets of Boise. David Roberts organizes the food trucks and ever-popular Alefort. Here’s his tasty and definitive Treefort truck food guide. Step right up and ENJOY!
• Bochi Bochi: Japanese Eats: Serving up Japanese-style street food that is delicious and filling. • Kanak Attack: A Boise favorite, you can expect delicious Hawaiian cuisine. • Calle 75 Street Tacos: With two permanent restaurants, the truck offers classic and specialty tacos. • Mad Mac: Nothing hits the spot after jamming to your favorite bands like their creative twists on mac and cheese. • Riceworks: Having been in the food truck business for 12 years, this crew specializes in exceptional, authentic flavors and a range of Asian street food to pick from. • Tony’s Tamales: Stop by this truck for some of the best classic Mexican food. • Lime and a Coconut: This truck offers unique and delicious Thai cuisine that is sure to keep your hunger at bay. • The Void: Hungry and vegan? The Void has you covered with artisanal, plant-based food. • Neckar Coffee: For a quick and satisfying energy boost, just follow the enticing aroma of coffee to the Neckar Coffee truck.
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Life After Over the last two years, I have been communicating with my elders almost daily. I’m speaking of those who have passed on. I say communicating “with” because their stories, their legacies, strength, and faith sustain me in these times of crisis. When I feel uncertain or fearful, I hear my grandmother, Pearl Johnson, humming as she tended her garden, stoked three wood stoves, canned lush fruits and vegetables, washed linens (with soap, bluing, starch, and bleach), and ironed them to pristine for the boarders she took in. Grandmother Pearl worked, but never complained. She insisted on making things special for the “colored soldiers” stationed at Gowen Field. She was proud of them for serving and deeply aware of what they had gone through to do so. I learned powerful lessons from my grandparents. The Johnsons and the Buckners intentionally moved to Boise from Arkansas and Oklahoma. As a teen, I just didn’t get it–there
were next to no Black folks in Idaho. I was confused. Leaving family, friends, and culture–for Idaho? Years later, I learned that one of America’s forgotten mass lynchings occurred in Arkansas, not far from the family homes. The Johnsons joined many in making preparations. They prayed and invoked scripture: “We must work, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” (King James Version) And work they did. As an adult, I understood the yearning to escape the persecution of the Jim Crow South. The hunger for self-determination and opportunity to exercise free will is powerful. A lifetime of living as “less than,” under the control of another, being denied personhood– this experience robs you of your humanity. Today, when I hear of the oppression and violence against the Ukrainians, I think back to my family’s stories. I envision mothers and fathers, children–human beings– stifled and killed by those who value
BY CHERIE BUCKNER-WEBB
money, power, and status. It’s personal for me. And whether you’ve noticed or not–war, COVID, political nastiness, climate change, discriminatory laws–are personal for all of us. And so, I’ve been talking to my elders and feeling their responses. “Get up, girl, and get busy! Lift your voice! Take action!” In other words, there is much to be done for when this crisis passes–there will assuredly be another and another and life after goes on.
“...whether you’ve noticed or not– war, COVID, political nastiness, climate change, discriminatory laws–are personal for all of us.” 40
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