CULTURE

“A DIFFERENT FOCUS”: BOISE FARMERS MARKET AND LOCAL AGRICULTURE

The market features a variety of food oriented local businesses

Hanalei Potempa | Culture Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

The Boise Farmers Market, located in the Midtown neighborhood, features farrming and agricultural vendors based in Boise and surrounding cities. Taya Thornton | The Arbiter

Located in downtown Boise, Idaho, the Boise Farmers Market provides a food-oriented marketplace that includes local small ers you can trust. Food you can trace,” is upheld by the market’s board, which is made up of its own vendors. “One of the requirements to be on the economy.” Acme Bakeshop has been a vendor with the market since the very beginning, selling various bread products and pastries businesses based in Boise and other nearby cities.

Boise Farmers Market, located in Midtown, is open every Saturday morning from April through October.

Boise Farmers Market manager Annie Garrett shared that the market split from the Capital City Market nine years ago to create a food-oriented market predominately made up of farm and agricultural vendors based in Boise and surrounding cities.

The market strives to create a supportive community for local food, farming and agricultural businesses.

The market’s mission statement, “Farmboard is that you have to be a vendor,” Garrett said. “It’s really helped with all of the decisions that we’ve made as a market to really have the vendor input, and the vendor opinion when we’re making guidelines, and writing rules and regulations.” Soraya Mazloomi, the market’s board president, is also the owner of Acme Bakeshop, a family-owned bakery based in Garden City, Idaho. “We really believe in this market because it has just such a different focus than any of the other markets in town,” Mazloomi said. “The people that come to shop [at] our market are there to buy food, and they’re there to support the local food as well as utilizing local flours and produce from other venues. Boise Farmers Market takes pride in its goals to support local farmers and participate in Idaho’s agricultural economy. True Roots Organics owner and farmer Ian Kilgore emphasized the sense of community between vendors at the market, as well as the support from the market in promoting more business for vendors. “Since [the market] started, they’ve grown quite a bit and so have a lot of businesses with them,” Kilgore said. “We’ve seen a lot of businesses start out at the market that have permanent locations downtown now.”

True Roots Organics is a longtime vendor with the market, selling herbs, fruits and vegetables farmed locally in Idaho.

The market also strives to grow new farmers in the community by providing a support system made up of already established farming vendors.

Katie Lanni, owner of Galloping Gertie’s Goatery, shared that this is her second year selling with Boise Farmers Market.

Lanni’s business, based in Gentry, Idaho, sells goat milk products such as goat milk caramels using other local ingredients from local farms, as well as goat milk lotions, goat milk soaps and beeswax products such as lip balms using local beeswax.

“Definitely the best farmers market I’ve ever worked at. It’s a lot more professional. People help each other out,” Lanni said. “It’s all organized really really well and set up well. They put a lot of work into making it run, you can tell.”

Lanni also shared that during COVID Boise Farmers Market organized a drive-thru style market that allowed vendors to still sell their products despite pandemic restrictions.

Boise Farmers Market creates a space for the community to learn about food sustainability and provides the opportunity for the public to support Idaho’s local food economy.

The market is open every Saturday morning from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at 1500 Shoreline Dr. Come out and spend a weekend morning downtown supporting small local businesses!

“We really believe in this market because it has just such a different focus than any of the other markets in town.”

-Soraya Mazloomi, board president

TAKING CARE OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH IN A CLIMATE CRISIS

Why it’s important to seek support when the future seems out of control

Naomi Priddy | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

As the effects of climate change become more prevalent, younger generations might feel the tangible effects of global warming more than any other generation. As it turns out, more than half are already facing mental health struggles.

In a 2021 survey conducted by the University of Bath, 10,000 individuals from ages 16 to 25 were asked to describe their feelings about the future in relation to climate change.

What was uncovered was frightening for the mental health of young people.

Over 50% of young adults reported feeling anxious, sad, powerless and guilty, while over 45% claimed that their fears of climate change impact their daily lives. What was least reported: optimism.

The term “climate anxiety” or eco-anxiety has come to light as the effects of global warming have continued to affect the health of predominantly younger generations, including Generation Z.

Climate anxiety is rooted in the uncertainty of the planet’s future and lack of control. This anxiety is often accompanied by guilt and shame, commonly leading to behavior, mood and cognitive difficulties.

Sarah Jaquette Ray, a professor of environmental studies at Humboldt State University, discusses the importance of addressing the guilt that comes with environmental damage when coping with climate anxiety in her 2020 publication, “A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety: How to Keep Your Cool on a Warming Planet.”

“People are profoundly disturbed by climate change, and being told that it is the fault of our own moral failings is not only demoralizing but factually wrong,” Ray wrote in her field guide. “It does not help muster the stamina to stay involved in environmental work for the long haul. Instead, it can lead to various forms of self reassurance, or cause people to give up despair, choosing short term avoidance and apathy over long term climate justice.”

The “existentialist toolkit,” as quoted in the book, is available through the Boise State Library as well as other local book stores such as Rediscovered Books.

In understanding that the future of climate change does not solely rest on their shoulders, students must also allow themselves the opportunity to seek support.

Saleh Ahmed, a Boise State University environmental studies professor, addresses climate anxiety in his courses.

“I talk about environmental concerns and anxiety in my class. I also highlight what can be done, and how we can contribute to that process,” Ahmed said. “My class is designed to find solutions, not just to share challenges.”

In response to how students can maintain stamina while dealing with pessimistic ideals, he maintained the following:

“It’s about the approach. How are you approaching your and society’s future? Pessimistic ideals cannot give us anything extra to our life or overall life experiences. As an educator, I usually highlight the bright side of life and individual and collective capacity to achieve something better. I see optimism, passion, and excitement among students. If we can use those in the right direction, I see they can be instrumental in achieving sustainability in the short and long term.”

To help maintain the health of young people, they must change their mindset to be solution oriented rather than defeatist, while also giving themselves the opportunity to feel mental peace.

“Knowing we are part of the collective gives us permission to rest,” Ray wrote. “We all must take care of ourselves so that we can step up when others need to tend to themselves. The perception that social change happens only on an individual scale creates defeatism.”

Most importantly, maintaining quality mental health has a lot to do with a quality community.

“I think social bonding is critical. It is important to think not only about ourselves but also about the people around us. If they [students] are connected socially, they would find themselves mentally healthy,” Ahmed said.

Once students are able to feel mentally at ease, using that worry to engage in political change and action, big or small, can shift the tone of climate anxiety.

“By politicizing your angst, you can focus your energies on collective resilience and adaptation,” Ray said. “Making these stories true will require you to nourish, not deny your body and soul. Or to put it another way, reframing environmentalism as a movement of abundance, connection, or well being can help us rethink it as a politics of desire rather than politics of individual sacrifice and consumer denial.”

Over 45% of young adults say their fears of climate change impact their daily lives. Illustration by Alieha Dryden

ALL BANDS ON DECK: MEET VISTA KICKS

The band performed at Neurolux Lounge in Boise, ID on Aug. 30

Amanda Niess | Opinion Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Vista Kicks lead singer Derek Thomas (left) and bassist Trevor Sutton (right).

Photo courtesy of Conner Schumacher

The band from Roseville, California. Three friends from the playground and two sisters from Oregon.

Meet Vista Kicks.

The band’s name has no true source of inspiration, rather the combination of “vista” and “kicks” seemed to fit who these three men — guitarist and lead singer Derek Thomas, drummer Nolan Le Vine and bassist Trevor Sutton — wanted to be.

For Derek Thomas and Nolan Le Vine, jamming out was no foreign concept. The two have been playing music together since the ages of 15 and beyond.

The sisters from Oregon — singer Victoria Wymer and guitarist/singer Makayla Wymer — also known as the Hail Maries, joined Vista Kicks in March of 2022 and began touring with the band.

The two women in this supergroup seemed to be a perfect addition for what Thomas and the band were looking for.

“We started doing vocal lessons with Derek, and then we showed him some of our songs that we had written,” said Victoria Wymer. “We came up with the name Hail Maries together, started writing, and then when they needed some extra help on tour, we hopped on.”

Vista Kicks has a new album set to come out at the end of this year. The album has yet to be titled, but the group is still thrilled to release a new sound of both male and female harmonies to their listeners after such a difficult time during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The songs are really strong and I think they have a big sound that I hope connects with a lot of people,” Thomas said. “Thematically it’s got a more positive spin and outlook, and I think in a time where so many things are negative and changing, I don’t think it’s a bad thing. I think it’s a good thing. I think it’s a direction toward progress.”

The band, just like any other musical group, faced many challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it did not stop the group from recording and releasing two works — their 2022 EP “Sorry Charlie” and their 2020 album “Chateau Mae Mae,” which they recorded with singer Audra Mae.

“We are sort of a lucky group of people,” Sutton said. “I mean, we are really fortunate to be doing these things, especially when we don’t have a label. We’re not not funded by anything but ourselves and our ticket sales.”

With the autonomy that Vista Kicks has, they are very proud of the work they have produced and hope to reflect that upon their upcoming album at the end of this year.

“The pandemic was a trying time for us because we almost broke up,” Thomas said. “Not being able to perform and not being able to get all that extra energy out can be a really difficult balance because seeing how the world was changing and then not being able to perform was rough, but we made it through and I think we’re better for it.”

These trying times allowed the three young men to collaborate with Victoria and Makayla Wymer and eventually add them into what we know as Vista Kicks. Things slowly began to fall into place.

As for independent projects, Thomas publishes work under the name DRT, pronounced “dirt,” of course. Thomas wanted to conjoin his love for soil and music into one being and created DRT, which stands for his initials. With that, he was able to start a record label for which the Hail Maries could record under called “In The Drt.”

“I have this analogy for soil and for people because I see it as sort of the same thing in nature, where dirt is just a medium for life to connect and then from a soil you can grow anything,” Thomas said. “I think the same with people — if I can be dirt and bring people together, then I can make a community and grow anything from that. I want to bring together musicians [and] poets.”

DRT’s newest single was released Sept. 1, 2022.

For the Hail Maries, their record “Unrequited Love Part Two” is set to hit all listening platforms in three weeks.

Vista Kicks will be touring across the U.S. until the end of October. Their new music will not be released during this time, but they will be performing new songs off their untitled album.

“I think that we would have landed here eventually, but I don’t think it would have been as seamless or fun or adventurous if it weren’t for the pandemic because it gave us time to make room for things that we didn’t have before,” Makayla Wymer said.

SPORTS & REC

September 15, 2022 | ARBITERONLINE.COM THINKING OF TRYING CLUB SPORTS?

Club sports have a number of benefits

Marlei Soderquist | Sports & Rec Reporter | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Club sports is a great way to meet students with similar interests while also gaining leadeership experience. Mackenzie Hudson | The Arbiter

Club sports is one of many amazing opportunities students can utilize at Boise State. Club sports is one of the ways Boise State offers a way to connect with fellow students who have similar interests and passions.

Club sports are student-run organizations for those who have a passion for a particular sport or want to try something new.

Some of the sports that are offered include baseball, golf, hockey, lacrosse, rugby, volleyball and soccer.

Students who are interested in joining a club sport can contact the club president to receive more information. After joining the team, students will be able to attend related events, join the practices and jump right in.

A few eligibility requirements must be met in order to participate in club sports. Students must be enrolled in at least four credits, be in good academic standing, carry health insurance and submit a yearly participation waiver.

If Boise State doesn’t offer the particular sport a student is looking for, they can also establish your own. “I transferred last semester and [club sports] quickly provided me with a community,” said junior women’s club soccer player Brennah Friesen. “Not to mention I feel more in tune with university sports because I am in the loop now.” This organization also offers unforgettable moments, which Friesen attested to in sharing her fondest memory with the soccer club “[Scoring] my first goal was really exciting,” Friesen said. “First goal on the new team … It was a needed confidence boost.” Club sports programs place emphasis on leadership, education and service through the sport it offers. Students can become a president, vice president, treasurer or secretary for any particular club. These experiences can help build a better foundation for the future, and also cultivate leadership skills.

VOLLEYBALL TEAM WINS THIRD GAME

Where do the Broncos stand early into the season?

Marlei Soderquist | Sports & Rec Reporter | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

The Boise State women’s volleyball team captured their third win of the season against Notre Dame on Sept. 2, putting them at a 4-1 record.

“It was good to see a response and the toughness of our team to come out and play a much better match from start to finish,” said head coach Shawn Garus after the win against Notre Dame. “I think the team is excited about where we’re at and focused on getting ready for the next match.”

Last season, Notre Dame volleyball finished 34th in the nation, while Boise State finished 78th.

With a steady start to the season, there is much more to come from Boise State volleyball.

The Broncos are set to face tough competition. Their competition includes the University of Washington, San Diego State, Air Force, Fresno State and Colorado State.

“We just played from behind early, and that’s not our style,” Garus said after their win against Saint Mary’s. “We want to be the aggressor out there.”

As the season progresses, the Broncos look to create more rhythm on the court. Garus started many lower classmen, including some freshmen, at the beginning of the season. With more games to play, the starting lineup will likely be solidified.

Returning senior outside hitter Lauren Ohlinger has played a key role in the Broncos’ early success in their season. Racking up 60 kills in five games, Ohlinger is on pace to break her single season record of 405 kills.

Last season, the Broncos finished with a 24-11 record overall and won the Mountain West Championship. After securing success in the regular season and part of their post season, they lost to Brigham Young University in the first round of the women’s volleyball National Championship.

Hoping to become back-to-back Mountain West Champions, the Broncos are ready to take on the next part of their season.

The Boise State women’s volleyball team is starting the season strong and currently sits at a 4-1 win record. Claire Keener | The Arbiter