Friday to Friday

For Mom’s Day Weekend, the Treasure Valley’s pulling out all the stops. A free visit to the Botanical Garden, dodge ball (okay, that’s a stretch), Boise’s Race for the Cure (perfect for this weekend), a free concert at Kleiner Park, the Parade of Homes (she’ll love it), and a Wednesday night Farmers Market. More reasons than ever to get out there and treasure the Treasure Valley.

National Public Gardens Day
Fri., May 9, 9 a.m.
Idaho Botanical Garden 2355 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise
FREE admission to the Idaho Botanical Garden all day long, starting at 9 a.m. National Public Gardens day was created to highlight the many beautiful gardens throughout the United States. (Psst: Helpful Hint…You could take a mom with you to the garden. Big brownie points.) FREE
208-343-8649

Gingerfest
Fri., May 9, 6-10 p.m.
Old Idaho State Penitentiary 2445 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise
The gingers in my life…colorful doesn’t even begin to describe them. Never a dull moment with those folks around. So why not a Gingerfest to celebrate them and all they stand for? That’s what the Idaho Historical Society thought, too, and they’re throwing ginger ale and other red beverages, The Funky Taco, Free Range Pizza, and a few fun contests into the mix, too. Last admission at 9 p.m. $3-$5
208-334-2844

Family Night Dodge Ball Tournament
Fri., May 9, 5:30 p.m.
South Junior High School 3101 Cassia St., Boise
Did someone say pasta and dodge ball? South Jr. High came up with this one to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation and recipient and congenital heart condition patient Gabriel, age 11, who wants to go to Hollywood to learn about working on a film crew.
The cost is $3-$5 with dinner starting at 5:30 and dodgeball at 6.
208-854-6110

Boise Race for the Cure 2014
Sat., May 10, 9 a.m.
Albertsons Headquarters 250 Parkcenter Blvd., Boise
The event isn’t free and requires registration, but if you’re not participating, it will still be worth going downtown for, if only just to soak in that collaborative community vibe. I always mist up a bit to see so many people walking and running for such a great cause. 16th annual Susan G. Komen 5k and 1 mile run/walk. More information at komenidaho.org.
$10-$35

The Hills Are Alive
Sat., May 10, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Jim Hall Foothills Learning Center 3188 Sunset Peak Road, Boise
Art out with the birds, flowers, and local natural lovers and artists this Saturday.
FREE
208-514-3755

Mom in Mind Container Class
Sat., May 10, 11 a.m.
Madeline George Garden Design Nursery 10550 W. Hill Road, Boise
Want to make a container that sings of Spring? Make one with Mom or for Mom, with one day left before Mother’s Day to spare. Call ahead to get a spot in the free class.
208-995-2815

Boise Parade of Homes
Saturdays, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sundays, 1-6 p.m. and Mondays-Fridays, 5-8 p.m. Continues through May 11
Dream a little when you see what’s new on the local homebuilding scene, get your questions answered, and tour the latest in design and décor. And bring Mom. She’ll love it. FREE.
www.buildidaho.com

Come Together Concert
Sat., May 10, 1 p.m.
Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park 1900 N. Records Ave., near Fairview Avenue and Eagle Road, Meridian
Follow the music to the stage, as students, teachers, and friends of the Treasure Valley Music Teachers perform at the park.
FREE

Caldwell Farmers Market
Wednesdays, 3-7 p.m. Continues through Sept. 10
Indian Creek Park on Blane St and 7th St Caldwell Idaho, use TVCC parking lot.
Visit the veggies, sample interesting foods, smell the baked goods, and listen to live entertainment right smack dab in the middle of the week. FREE.

Tiny Houses
Thu., May 15, 7 p.m.
Boise Public Library Hayes Auditorium 715 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise
My author friend Nancy Peacock (New York Times’ Notable Book of the Year Award winner and author of “A Broom of One’s Own”) likes tiny houses. I think I do, too, although I’ve never lived in one as small as what Macy Miller will be talking about. She put hers together from reclaimed and recycled materials, turning it all into one tiny little place of her own. FREE.
208-384-4076

Have a great week!

*For more Idaho fun, visit the Appetite for Idaho Facebook page, where there’s always something new to see, eat, or do, and watch for the Appetite for Idaho book, coming out this summer.

~Amy