Been a hard, sad week. Even missed photo Friday!

Downtown Boise is sad tonight. Good friend Lisa Villano has passed way to young.

Lisa’s big smile and hearty laugh are gone.

As with so many others I was blessed to call her my friend. She will be sorely missed.

There is a memorial in the works, most likely July 9th at the Rose Room

Caught Jazz hotshot Curtis Stiegers at the Band Shell during the Julia Davis celebration. Curtis charmed the crowd with tunes and stories from Boise and his world travels.

There was something wonderful about seeing Curtis in a band shell named for his musical mentor Gene Harris.

For Happy Buying and Selling!

Thanks Don O. for sending this!

In honour of her birthday celebration

Looks like Chef Lou Aaron is set to take over the beleaguered Bodo Bistro location. The slow decline from the Koffee/Kluture Klatch days at this location has been sad. The West Side star will open a mid level dinner style restaurant. Think Goldy’s with more room and food all day. Should work.

From Lori B! Thomas
Music in Boise

While sitting at the carwash, waiting for my car, I noticed the newspaper sitting on one of the tables. I saw the “Scene” with Alive After Five on the front cover. I opened it up to see the AAF schedule and much to my surprise (or after last year, NOT) there was not one local band listed on the schedule for 2007. I can’t tell you my disappointment, especially after the Downtown Boise Association (hereinafter DBA) brought in mostly outside music for 2006, and in attending some of the events, not such great music at that.

I moved to Boise in 1998 and AAF was the first event I attended and have since attended almost every Wednesday. I have made many friends and have had a lot of fun. Last year was not so fun and this year, well, I guess I won’t be attending at all. It seems that DBA stated they were “excited” to bring in music from outside Idaho. I don’t know about you, but I am in a Boise band and I know the incredible talent/music we have in our own community. Why do we need to go outside Idaho and get music when we have such great music/talent here? I know that great bands like Soul Purpose, Rebecca Scott, Cyndie Lee and Streetwise, Lori B! and the Boys, Hoochie Coochie Men, John Nemeth, (just to name a few,) drew great crowds. I have had several people come up to me and ask why there aren’t any local bands playing this year? DBA?

In looking at DBA’s website, they set forth their “Vision” as follows:

Downtown Boise is diverse and vibrant; it is the political, business and financial capital of the state.
Downtown Boise is an active pedestrian-friendly place, a social and visual focal point for the community, providing opportunities for living, dining, entertainment, shopping and personal services, as well as providing areas for hosting community events.
Downtown Boise is the model for progressive urban growth and development.
Downtown Boise is the central location for cultural and civic facilities, welcoming to visitors and a source of community pride for residents and businesses.

If we as Boiseans are trying to bring in outside visitors to our great city, why don’t we show them our great local talent instead of bringing outside talent? I know when I travel to other cities, I want to hear their local talent as I believe local bands are what make that city. (Example: “I was in Boise, heard this band, am going back to Boise to hear them as I had such a great time.”) You know what I am trying to say.

Idaho is a great place to live and Boise is exceptional. (look at the national statistics) DBA is paying musicians from outside our state to travel to Boise, play “music,” then take our money back to their state and spend it. How much is DBA paying each of those groups to travel to Boise and play? Our musicians are every bit as good, if not BETTER, than those from out of state. Our musicians live in this area, pay taxes, rent, utilities, buy food, shop at local merchants’ stores, etc. Why aren’t we supporting them? DBA?

I don’t plan on attending AAF again until DBA starts booking local talent again and keeps Boise money in Boise. I hope all of you will join me in letting DBA know, not only do you feel the same, but you won’t be attending AAF until we get our local event local again (or at least mix it up) and our money spent in our own community.

cc: Downtown Boise Association
Mayor’s Office/City Counsel
Idaho Statesman
Boise Weekly
Boise Blues Society
Local Musicians
Friends

Nancy M. McIntosh writes . . .

Greetings BBS Members and Friends: Duffy Bishop is coming to town - THIS WEDNESDAY at TERRAPIN STATION! Let’s all show up to give Duffy a packed house!

Duffy use to slay us at the Blues Bouquet. She is a gracious as she is talented. I would not miss this one for love or money. If I don’t see you there-you will miss a great show. You don’t have to be a BBS member(but why not), just smart enought to enjoy a powerful singer with style and sass.

BTW it is South not Lowell

What could be cooler than owning a signed Carroll Shelby-John Bolin designed guitar? Being the rock star Nathan Jay Moody who plays it.

They both look grand from down here on the dance floor!! As close as I’ll ever get.

After a reported FIVE million dollars the old Jakers location on Park Center pond is headed for an opening as Barbacoa. We are hearing of cheap drinks and fun by the water.

Could be cool, but it takes a lot of two for ones to pay back that debt.

After weeks of assorted turmoil, things have gone quiet. Good for the blood pressure not so good for finding interesting stories. Think I will post a cool racing picture that is a collaboration with with racing photographer Warren Busse. Image my Warren, a little photoshop magic by me.

This is such an inflammatory rumor that I will disclose very little. Apparently, owner/management of one of the downtown bar groups is under suspicion for forgery and fraud. It involves fake ID’s. IF this is true, a well know business person will go to jail. More if I get more confirmation. At this point let’s just call it “heard on the streets.”

Got a martini with the super star John Nemeth 1st Thursday night. Happy to report John looks and sounds great. When I ask about sales of the new CD he told me.“It’s doing great! Especially in europe. Blind Pig is happy and so am I” John’s been on the “BBQ circuit” since early in the year promoting Magic Touch. By the time you read this he will be back out on the road.

John and Jonah and Pengillys
Travel well my friend see you, next time your buyin’.

One of my favorite success stories in Boise is Motive Power. This is a WabTec company that has come a long ways from the old MK rail days. I’m lucky enough to get to work with this great group so I knew that a locomotive would be parked by the depot tonight.

This beautiful UTA # 8 was built by from the rails up at MP in Boise. If you get a chance, swing by the depot and take a look at what the neighbors out off of Federal Way are up to.

The DBA has a new slogan.

“Boise 20 years in the making.”

Twenty Years? Must be a shock to the soldiers, merchants, politicians and residents that came before 1987. Apparently the D.B.A. believes that only they have “made” Boise and in only a couple of decades.

It is just this sort of myopic thinking that has brought us Steamy Cracks, gaping holes and orchid winning zero set-back brick BODO monstrosities.

Next? How about a glut load of condos and no buyers.

Been getting a bunch of e-mails asking me to lobby congress to have the gas companies stop “Gouging” us with “high” gas prices. As long time readers of Boisee.com know this is a pet peeve of mine. Here was my response to one e-mail.

In real inflation dollars gas costs about what it did in the 60’s!
Remember the 60’s? When a Cadillac cost way under $10,000.00. A gallon
of bottled water, or ice cream now cost more than gas by the gallon. In the
old days, water was free and ice cream was a nickel a scoop. Those
evil water sellers should be STOPPED.

Wouldn’t it be easier to stand up to our government. They profit the
most from gas prices. In most states, Idaho included-at least SEVENTY
FIVE CENTS of your gas price is TAX. Guess that isn’t as politically
correct as bashing business!  As John Stosel says . . .Give me a
break!

I added the box since it is Monday!!

Who makes the best Classic Martini in Boise? No surprise here. Classy guy and and all around great friend Kevin Farney took home the prize for best “Classic” Martini at the Mix-off party Saturday Night.

Keven and Mix-off organizer Karen Ellis

Pair’s Christine Reid

Another good friend Jen Koble and her bar Pair took most of the other prizes. Other winners included Red Feather, Bardenay.