Obama’s whole political platform is built around finding common ground that all Americans can feel good about moving toward. In a less attractive package this has been called “baby splitting” and even “triangulation.” But that we now see Obama embracing the competing ideals of gun control and gun rights, of church and state separation and federal funding for churches’ charitable works is the whole point. It’s not either/or. It’s both/and. Together. Forward.
From Seattle's Hale's Ales Brewery.
Wolf Parade and "I'll Believe in Anything".
...That promoting Treasure Valley wineries would turn valley residents into a bunch of stumbling winos.
I'll cheers to that.
And if you compare these two new reviews with the two reviews from 2005, things aren't looking so hot for Downtown Nampa's House of Kim.
Also don't forget that in 2006 Sara Bietia, a BW staffer said that House of Kim would be her final meal if she was able to choose it. I wonder if she's been lately?
From my last (and maybe final) visit to House of Kim.
Bruce Skaug's last day as a member of the Nampa Public Library Board.
snicker.
Dear Downtown Nampa Nights,
If you fail to provide refreshments for Downtown Nampa Nights goers don't be surprised when they don't come back.
Thanks,
Downtown Nampa Nights goers
It was a perfect day to eat outside (in the shade) in Nampa today.
This is the taco truck on Garrity Blvd across from Jalopy Jungle -- good stuff.
While yes, technically not in Idaho, Owyhee Reservoir on the Idaho-Oregon border is pretty damn close.
One of my favorite places to hit up, but it was really, really hot this weekend. Hot to the tune of about 10 bags 'o' ice every 12 hours in order to keep the beer coolers cold -- but the water was perfect.
"Leo's Song" by Kelly Meador & Daniel Elwing.
"Once agin, the young would lead the old and fight common fear with common sense."
A disproportionate amount of its population is really, really, stupid.
God, I present you with exhibit #958 from the Idaho Statesman's comment section regarding the sudden closure of 7 Round Table Pizza's in the valley:
Just the Beginning!
Submitted by saveelk on Thu, 06/26/2008 - 2:33pm.This is just a sampling on what’s going to happen with the dems in control of this country. There will be many more failed businesses if something isn't done very soon to curb the high cost of gasoline and high commodity prices. Unfortunately the dems are in control of Washington and it is their intent to not allow any new exploration and to force this country into a deep recession. The uniformed will blame the Republicans when in reality the Dems are creating and controlling legislation. The Dems believe driving this country into deep recession will guarantee not only the house and senate, which they currently control, but will guarantee that the "empty Suit" liberal Marxist Obama will be elected president. "Good-by Freedoms" welcome Communism. We might as well brace ourselves and plan on moving to Canada as with the dems in control of the country we are definitely going down the tubes.
One of the replies:
saveelk, very good point and
Submitted by terigro on Thu, 06/26/2008 - 2:42pm.accurate. We have a lot to be worried about. But if we keep saying this we are only attacked more for it.
Oh, and I hate pizza snobs. It takes a lot to really make a pizza inedible, hell, even Totinos has its place in life. Some pizzas may be better than others, but to claim that certain pizzas lead to regurgitation is unrealistic and a little too high on the snobby meter for me.
That being said; for the record, Guidos Pizzeria makes the best pizza in the Valley (Flying Pie is second and they have the best beer selection).
...And all of that being said; we really need a good pizza joint in Downtown Nampa.
And hey, it only took 9 people to die trying to get groceries in order to get it done.
Nampa crosswalk work under way
NAMPA — Construction of a new crosswalk began last week in Nampa’s north side.
[...]
For the first phase of the project, luminaries have been installed on existing light poles on 11th Avenue North from 6th Street North to 1st Street North.
“When we did the engineering studies on 11th, one of the things we determined is the lighting is not bright enough,” city spokeswoman Sharla Arledge said. “Phase one is changing out the light fixtures. That has made a big difference.”
Work has also begun on the actual crosswalk — a state-of-the-art, lighted pedestrian crosswalk at the intersection of 11th Avenue North and 3rd Street North. Pedestrian-activated flashing lights in the pavement are one of the safety features.
Grilled sweet & sour pork w/ grilled onions, green peppers and sugar snap peas.
I made my own sweet & sour baste with ketchup, soy sauce, pineapple juice, garlic powder and cayenne. While the pork was grilling I used this base then after the pork was plated I put some Kona Coast Sweet N' Sour sauce on it (cause it's one of my favs). Oh, and the rice, it is just Minute Rice, the whole thing took about 20 minutes.
Quick and easy patio dinner.
...such as booze.
KTVB:
Economy reeling, liquor sales in Idaho on the rise
BOISE -- A troubled economy and sky-high gas prices are forcing people to change the way they spend their hard earned money.
But one item that hasn’t been cut from most adult budgets due to tough times is liquor.
With an estimated $132 million in liquor sales this year, the numbers are already up nearly nine percent over last year, and there's still more than six months to go before the fiscal year ends, plenty of time to increase even more.
[...]
Part of the reason liquor sales have increased is because last year 27 of Idaho’s 44 counties started selling liquor on Sundays.
The liquor dispensary says those sales alone account for a $2 million increase in sales.
I'd also think that more and more people are opting to entertain "in" instead of going out to restaurants and bars, you get a heck of a lot more mileage out of your dough that way. Let's face it, you can buy a Crown & Coke for 5-6 bucks a pop at a bar, or buy a fifth of Crown for 23 bucks and a 12 pk of Pepsi (that's how I roll) for 3.50 and have 15 Crown & Cokes.
We have some friends that we eat "in" with quite a bit simply because we can enjoy more/better wines than going out to eat. Frankly, I have a hard time buying a bottle of wine in a restaurant for $65 when I know I can pick it up at a shop for $25. That and a lot of the times we can cook food that is just as good as we'd get in most moderately priced eateries -- there are, of course, exceptions.
While I think it's safe to say that this is a good thing, I think it's also safe to say that there will be some backlash from Idaho's Conservative community.
Federal abstinence funds find fewer takers
Idaho decided to opt out of the grants because the money was uncertain - and because the program didn't seem effective.Idaho and other states are saying no to millions of federal dollars for abstinence education, skeptical of how well the program works and worried about on-and-off funding.
The Bush administration touts the abstinence-only program as a way to slow teen sexual activity. Barely half the states are still in, and two more say they are leaving.
I will say this; abstinence is the best method to prevent against STDs and teen pregnancy, it is the only fool-proof method. That being said, it is not realistic, as in; based in reality. Teens are going to have sex, they've been having sex for thousands of years, they certainly aren't going to stop now because mom, dad and teacher all tell them to not do it. So it is best that teens are educated in the proper methods to protect themselves against STD's and pregnancy. Sure, it'd be a good thing to reduce teens having sex overall, but this has to be combined with proper education about contraceptives.
Personally, I'm all for the graphic STD pictures -- we used to get these slides in the Army during Safety Stand Down days that showed graphic photos of just what STDs can, and will do to your genitals. I do believe that they used to use them in public schools until whiny parents didn't want to scare their little non-sex-having children -- they should bring it back. Nothing like a puss filled image of what your goods could end up looking like to make you think twice about doing something you probably shouldn't be doing in the first place. Or at least make you think about taking the proper precautions -- if you know how.
Just in time for those summer parties.
I mean, we wouldn't expect that any ethical lapses in our state government would lead to scandal... would we?
I find just a touch of irony in the news that Gov. Otter met with the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry at Tamarack Resort this morning.
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter spoke at the annual conference of the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry this morning at Tamarack Resort, and he offered some budget warnings. “Now, don’t get me wrong: We are doing better than a lot of other states,” Otter said in remarks prepared for the event.
I mean, you'd think they'd would find somewhere besides a near-bankrupt resort owned in part by men from France and Mexico to have their pow-wow.
Will they please quit calling themselves "Fair and Balanced" now? Isn't there some sort of law about truth in advertising?
A good read for this gorgeous summer morning in the Valley.
Idaho Statesman headline today:
High gas prices drive surge in scooter use among Idahoans
It should have read:
High gas prices cause the surge of idiots driving scooters on Idaho roads
"The Modern Man":
Camping and BBQ. A weekend just doesn't get much better than that. I smoked 30 chicken legs and a dozen bratwurst in the new smoker, turned out pretty good for an amateur -- far better than my last foray into smoking.
I picked up this smoker this past week for our excursions up north, I figured camping was the best time to do some BBQ experimentation as we've got plenty of time -- might as well have some slow cooked grub. I was actually very impressed with this Char-Broil smoker, it maintained a temperature of 220 degrees spot on for about 2 and a half hours.
It is Sigur Rós and their new track "Gobbledigook" off of the upcoming album Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (With a Buzz in Our Ears We Play Endlessly).
You can, as the video says, download this track for free at their website. You can also see the full version of the video there. And if you'd like you can click here to stream the whole album so you can hear it before it comes out June 23rd.
Recent Comments