The sweet powerful vocals of Boise’s Steve Fulton provided a soundtrack to a perfect Idaho Saturday afternoon. The lazy mid-afternoon sun flowed over my shoulders and found me sitting on the patio at Dawson Taylor, a wireless Internet connection and a fresh hot cuppa’ coffee.

It was grand.� The scents of Caramel Corn and fresh basil swirled in the air as the polite masses roamed the Boise City Market on 9th Street. From carts, tables and �tents, Idaho vendors sold a cornucopia of squashes and other fall veggies. Early Christmas shoppers found candles, pottery, or homemade jams and salsa. You can spread the ancient wisdom with a bamboo plant or enjoy a 1 lb�elk�hot dog from the Black Canyon Elk Ranch at the market.

We wonder why musicians like to stand out on a sidewalk and play solo, usually just a guitar and the music, often in stark contrast to the big stage production of their bands. So, after his sidewalk serenade we asked�Steven Fulton why he plays at the market. Like Steven himself and the�music�he plays, his answer was to the point. “I do this because I want people�to hear what I have to say.” If you want to know more about Steven�and his music go to www.chakramission.com

The market, complete with street music, runs Saturdays mornings till December 18th. It is the perfect place to gather in the variety of Idaho.

Here are a couple of quick ones. . .

Kat�s House of Blues in Nampa is very hip. If you are missing the Blues Bouquet try Kat�s. Saw the Hoochie Coochie Men there on Friday and was very entertained.

HOOCHIE MAN BARNEY

Band Camp is the the new band to see. Singer Amy�s is as talented as she is fine.

Don’t have a story, just took this photo and wanted you all to see it. I took it the saturday before Halloween from the C.W. Moore balcony. Hope you like it.

It�s almost as if Dave Beiter was destined to become Boise�s mayor. Born in Boise and raised in the quiet tree-lined north-end neighborhood, Mayor Beiter recently spoke to the newly invigorated Fettucini Forum about �Growing Up Boise: Reflections of a Hometown Mayor.�

At the forum, Beiter spoke about life growing up in Boise– learning to ski at Bogus Basin and to swim in Boise City Recreation programs, walking to school or the store. “It was a good life,” the mayor said, one�that he is striving to retain in Boise,�a city that stays true to its roots.

The Fettucini Forum is a revival of a program started by Boise�s Pug Ostling. The forum was a staple at Pug�s old Noodles restaurant, where Pug wanted a way to inform his customers and employees on the issues of the day. Unfortunately, the forums ended when the downtown Noodles closed. The good news is that this winning combination of food and public discussion has recently been revived, with the help of the Boise State University Political Science Department. Now held in conjunction with downtown Boise�s First Thursday at the historic Rose Room in the Union Block, the new forum promises to continue the tradition. Future forums will feature Nancy Napier, �Creative Paths to Municipal Growth,� and Julie Numbers Smith, �The Arts and Economic Prosperity.�

The forum�s inaugural speaker, Dave Bieter, has always been a leader. In 1978 he was student body president at Bishop Kelly High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in international studies at the College of St. Thomas, then graduated from the University of Idaho with a juris doctorate. His early legal career included experience in both public and private practice. Unfortunately, it was a tragic accident in 1999, which took the lives of his parents Eloise and Pat, that thrust Beiter into politics. Dave was called to fill his father’s place in the Idaho House of Representatives. Voters elected him to a full term in November 2000 and reelected him in 2002. His legal experience and distinguished public service made him a prime candidate to help heal Boise after the difficulties of former Mayor Brent Coles. He was elected in November of 2003 and has quickly become an effective leader.

Beiter is a hands-on mayor; he often chooses to walk to work, and is quick with a handshake and a smile as he moves about town. With a steady hand the new mayor has indeed helped Boise heal.

At the forum, Beiter spoke with great pride about continuing the legacy of his parents. He will work hard to make sure Boise will continue to be a great place to live and raise a family. Pat and Eloise Beiter would be proud.

Sun Valley Slackers
By David Day

The locals call it slack–those periods in the fall and spring between ski and golf seasons. �I get a lot of ‘me’ time,� they say. A brief rest before a deluge of tourists, for my son and me it was the perfect opportunity to head out of Boise and see Sun Valley.

The drive up was spectacular. The aspens around State Highway 68�s old Toll Gate Cafe had turned a dazzling yellow and looked like a paint brush waiting for an artist to paint the sun. With a left on Highway 75, first Bellevue, then Hailey rolled by and we caught Ketchum.
img src=”http://www.boisee.com/fallskihillsml.jpg”
The Kentwood Motel turned out to be perfect. A spacious room overlooking Main Street and Sun Valley’s Warm Springs ski runs awaited us. We settled into our type of vacation: lots of R&R. No pony rides or long hikes for us. We read, slept, ate well, shopped a little and walked around the area. Sun Valley in the fall is great. Sunday night we went to a former favorite for dinner and to watch the Yankees lose. Negative reviews are not my style, so I won�t let on to where we ate.

Dad rose early to �the first snow.� Camera in hand, I roamed downtown as Ketchum awoke. The resort and mountains both came alive with the classic fall contrast of turning leaves, evergreens and new fallen snow. It was enchanting. I had a cuppa coffee at the very hip Java, then strolled by awe-inspiring photographs of Thomas Monigal at the Natures Expressions. Soon, it was back to the room to wake the kid for breakfast. Since dad had picked so poorly the night before, we needed good food. The Neadery delivered. �The decor looks like old Sun Valley and new combined,� was my son’s assessment. He�s right: politically incorrect trophy animals mixed with a more trendy style of hanging antiques and boats from the ceiling. The food was hardy, served quickly with a smile. We were one for one for cuisine.

After breakfast we briefly considered taking a trail ride or renting bikes, but we decided to head back to the room for a nap and an afternoon of reading, TV and a polite political discussion. What luxury.

By late afternoon we were restless and decided to hop in the car. We headed up Trail Creek. With a light rain falling, the blacktop was a glistening ribbon winding and spinning through the ever-wilder canyons and mountains. Civilized Idaho faded to wilderness as we climbed towards the Sawtooths. Later, as we drove back towards Sun Valley, the late afternoon sun reflected from the freshly whitened ski runs, creating a cornucopia of color as the dark evergreens mixed with subtle fall browns, reds and ambers.

We needed to get a bit of shopping done, so we naturally headed for the shops that stretch between the beautiful Sun Valley Inn and the classic Sun Valley Lodge. We picked up our gifts and wandered toward the lodge. There we marveled at the stylishly updated decor. The designers have done an excellent job of blending tradition with modern luxury. Thankfully they have kept the photos that line each hallway off the lobby. From Lucille Ball and her then young children, to now Governor Schwarzenegger and America’s elite athletes, politicians and stars grace the walls. Just off the lobby the now quiet Duchin Room beckoned, so we shared a drink and a discussion of Idaho history and the music of Boise native Paul Tillitson, who lights up the bar with his lively jazz piano each winter. We still hadn’t found a Sun Valley print needed to brighten up the son’s apartment, so it was on to Ketchum.

Patsy Cline the dog greeted us at the American West Gallery, where owners Jo and Allen Edison offer a fun kaleidoscope of shapes and colors. The posters and prints tempted our pocketbooks. A quick spin by Giacobbi Square and the Galleria center provided as much shopping as we needed.

After we checked out, we considered fancier fare for our early lunch. It was dad’s turn to buy, so he convinced the kid that it wasn�t a complete trip to Sun Valley without a stop at Grumpy’s. A recent feature on the Food Channel hasn�t changed the place a bit. Old signs from failed restaurants are still haphazardly displayed. Dented and stained beer cans line the walls, and an old Forest Service sign that shows the way to a ranch for Girl Scouts hangs over the grill. The two chefs were grilling, taking orders and bantering with the locals, like something out of a Saturday Night Live skit. Our food was perfectly prepared and presented on a sheet of paper that lined a classic red plastic basket.
Unfortunately, deadlines loomed back home and our quick Sun Valley vacation was at an end. Hopefully we will be back with more energy for ski season�after slack.