By Ruby Tanner

Please note that cancellations or changes because of weather, illness of performers, and other such things, although rare, are bound to occur. Double-checking with the event coordinators about locations, dates and times is always a good idea. Details about many of the following events can be found at idahocalendar.com

1   The Great Polar Bear Challenge: Celebrate the New Year at Make-A-Wish Idaho’s 14th Annual Great Polar Bear Challenge at Lucky Peak; there will Moxie Java coffee or hot chocolate, and heated changing tents; there will also be a costume contest, Spring Shores Marina, Lucky Peak Reservoir, Boise

1   Science After Hours: Geared primarily towards adults and teens, and anyone with a curious mind, the Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute’s monthly series aims to provide the community with innovative perspectives on our natural world; 7:00-8:00PM, downtown Moscow

1-21   Water/Ways: This traveling Smithsonian exhibit brings the pop-up “Museum on Main Street” experience to Moscow, exploring a series of five water-related themes: Water is Life; Flow; Source; Quench; and Water is Eternal; designed for small and rural audiences; City Hall, Moscow

2,16   Reading at the Refuge: Preschoolers (and their parents!) are invited to listen to wildlife-related stories and do a related craft activity; at 10 AM and at 2 PM, Deer Flat NWR, Visitors Center, Upper Dam, Lake Lowell, Nampa

2   Souper Supper: Hot meal served for free; open to all; 5:30-6:30PM, St Charles Church, Hailey

2   Xmas Tree Collection: Recycle your decoration-free trees; 8:00AM-4:00PM, Moscow Recycling or Waste Transfer Station Compost, Moscow

3   Kilroy Coffee Klatch: Held on the first Tuesday of every month for coffee and conversation at the Warhawk Air Museum; this event is FREE for ALL veterans and ALL veterans are welcome; 10:00 AM-12:00 noon; Nampa

3,10   Winter Market: Shop from over thirty local artisan craft and produce vendors, 10:00AM-2:00PM, 1912 Center, Moscow

4   Birding Series–“Who’s Here Now?”: This free birding program is great for experienced and novice birders alike; Terry Rich, local ornithologist, will talk about where you can go to see birds that are year-round residents and overwintering populations, and tips on birds in the Boise area and beyond; Bird books and binoculars are available to borrow; 9:00-10:00 AM, Foothills Learning Center, 3188 Sunset Peak Road, Boise

4-27   Tutoring for Adults: WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS; For those needing help preparing for an important test, struggling in a college class, or just wanting a review of academic skills; FREE weekly tutoring; times vary; (208) 756.1551; Salmon

5   Job and Career Fair, Riverside Hotel, Boise

5   Evening Book Club: 6:00pm to 7:30pm at The Well-Read Moose; free; new members always welcome; check the web site wellreadmoose.com to see the book selection; Coeur d’Alene

6-27   Friday Game Zone: FRIDAYS; For kids ages 8-17; 4:00-6:00PM, Public Library, Moscow

6-7   Rollie Lane Wrestling Tournament, Ford Idaho Center, Nampa

6-7   Avalanche Awareness & Companion Rescue Clinics: Free Snowmobile Based Avalanche Awareness course; Register at   www.parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/recreation-safety-class-sign ; Sandpoint and Preston

6-27   “Happier Today, Happier Tomorrow” Workshops: FRIDAYS; Free; Based on the science of positivity founded by Martin Seligman; 10:00-11:00AM, Public Library, Eagle

7   Museum Work Day: Volunteers welcome; 8:00AM; Lunchtime Seminar (bring your own lunch): Dr. Barbara Ertter, OJSMNH – “Western Canada Transect: Prairies to the Pacific”; held at The O.J.Smith Museum of Natural History, Boone Hall, The College of Idaho, Caldwell

7   Western Idaho Scholastic Chess League Tournament, 8:30-2:00PM, Lowell Scott Middle School, Boise

7   Learn to Ski and Snowboard: FREE; Pomerelle Ski Area, Malta

7   Winter Trails Day: Enjoy free access to Schweitzer Mountain Resort’s Nordic trails plus cross-country and skate ski lessons and equipment rentals, Sandpoint

7   Free Park ‘n’ Ski Day: Free Lessons, Guided Snowshoe hike; Indian Creek Unit, Priest Lake State Park, Priest Lake

7   Depot Open House; Old Caldwell train depot, 12:00Noon to 4:00PM, Caldwell

7,10   Christmas Tree Recycle Program: Trees must be free of stands, lights, and all ornamentation; Trees will be turned into mulch and used throughout Nampa parks and pathways; 7:00PM, Kohlerlawn Cemetery, Nampa

9   “Living with Fire”: This newest exhibit explores fires in Idaho; it shows how Idahoans have dealt with this force of nature, from the Great Idaho Fire of 1910 to the Charlotte Fire in Pocatello a century later; Idaho Museum of Natural History, Pocatello

10   Story Trail Adventure–“Stranger in the Woods”: For pre-schoolers, ages 3-1/2 to 6; register at (208) 608-7680; 10:00-11:00 AM, Foothills Learning Center, 3188 Sunset Peak Road, Boise

11   Morning Book Club: 10:00 to 11:30pm at The Well-Read Moose; free; check the web site wellreadmoose.com to see the book selections; Coeur d’Alene

11   Sunset Lecture Series: “Avian Adventures Abroad–Brazil” with Terry Rich, 7:00-8:30PM, Foothills Learning Center, 3188 Sunset Peak Road, Boise

12-15   Idaho Laugh Fest: Information at idaholaughfest.com , Boise

13   Music Walk: Downtown Coeur d’Alene

13   Cathedral Concert Series, Cathedral of the Rockies, Boise

13   Christmas Tree Bonfire: An ‘out with the old and in with the new’ campfire style event with cocoa; a community event, held at the Land of the Yankee Fork Interpretive Center, south of Challis

13   “Rayguns, Robots & Drones” Exhibit: Free opening celebration, 5:00-7:00PM, presented by Sun Valley Center for the Arts, Sun Valley

13   Kids Kayak: Kids, come out and get wet while you play on kayaks; It’s free, supervised and a lot of fun; for ages 6-14 (must be able to pass swim test); 6:30pm; Free with NRC admission, Nampa Rec Center, Nampa

13-14   Avalanche Awareness & Companion Rescue Clinic: Free Snowmobile Based Avalanche Awareness course; Register   parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/recreation-safety-class-sign ; Boise

13-14   Western Idaho Fly Fishing Expo, Expo Idaho, Garden City

14   Cinnamon Roll Sale: 10:00AM-2:00PM, Senior Center, Salmon

14   Foothills Family Day: “Winter’s Wild Animals”, presented by Brian Lawless; 10:00AM-1:00PM, Foothills Learning Center, 3188 Sunset Peak Road, Boise

14   Northern Lights at Schweitzer: Fireworks and a torchlight parade , Sandpoint

14-15   Treasure Valley Flea Market, Expo Idaho, Garden City

14-15   10th Annual Idaho Pond Hockey Classic: 4 on 4 double elimination tournament, no goalies; 6-person teams; Beginner and Intermediate players (Saturday) and Advanced players (Sunday); hefty price to play (208-726-7820), but no charge to watch; 9:00AM at Christina Potters Ice Rink at Atkinson Park, weather permitting; Ketchum

14-15, 21-22, 28-29   Snowshoe Softball Tournaments, Priest Lake

15   Vintage Snowmobile Races: 12:00PM, USFS Airstrip, Nordman

15   American Legion Hall Breakfast: Features their famous Sourdough Pancakes and Buttermilk Syrup and so much more; at Main and Third Street, Challis

16   “Art for Human Rights” Reception: Free; 5:30-7:00PM, Pend Oreille Arts Council Gallery, Sandpoint

17   Living Legends Concert, Performing Arts Center, Blackfoot

19   “Inside Earth, Wind, and Fire”: This Stage Door presentation features Jeff Fox and supporting artists in a multi-media presentation of live radio examining the evocative power of voice and recorded music; CSI Fine Arts Auditorium, Twin Falls

19   Hillside to Hollow Reserve Tour: A hiking tour, no more than 3 miles, free, and family friendly; pre-registration required–call 208-345-6933, Ext 16; N. Mountain Ln, Boise

19-21   Banff Mountain Film Festival, Panida Theater, Sandpoint

19-22   35th Annual Idaho RV Super Show, Expo Idaho, Garden City

19-22   6th Annual Teton Valley Great Snow Fest, Driggs

19-3/25 Sara Joyce Art Exhibit: The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho, Idaho Falls

20   BYU Young Ambassadors: 7:00 PM, Marsh Valley High School, Arimo

20-21   Avalanche Awareness & Companion Rescue Clinic: Free Snowmobile Based Avalanche Awareness course; Register   parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/recreation-safety-class-sign ; Idaho Falls

20-22   12th Annual Wild West WinterFest, Island Park

21   Family Story Time: 11:00-12:00 Noon, Moscow Public Library at the Palouse Mall, Moscow

21   Free boat safety course: Information– [email protected]@kcgov.us or (208) 446.2250, Hayden

21   BYU Young Ambassadors: 7:00 PM, Gem Valley Performing Arts Center, Grace

24   Youth Hoop Shoot: Free Throw Competition, Registration deadline January 23, Fee: $5; Call Recreation Office 208-455-3060 for more information; 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM, Lewis & Clark Elementary School, Caldwell

24   German Sausage Supper: Served Family Style, All You Can Eat, Free Will Offering, Congregational Church, Paul

24-25   Western Idaho Ag Expo, Caldwell

26   “Rayguns, Robots & Drones” Exhibit: Free evening exhibition tour, 5:00-7:00PM, presented by Sun Valley Center for the Arts, Sun Valley

27   Splash ‘n’ Dash, Rec Center, Nampa

27-28   Avalanche Awareness & Companion Rescue Clinics: Free Snowmobile Based Avalanche Awareness course; Register at   www.parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/recreation-safety-class-sign ; Coeur d’Alene and Cascade

27-28   Missoula Children’s Theatre’s “Treasure Island”: An original adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s epic novel; 7:00PM Friday, 1:00PM Saturday, Jewett Auditorium, The College of Idaho, Caldwell

27-29   Sawtooth Outdoor Bonspiel: Curling competitions, Stanley

28   Ice Fishing Derby, Winchester Lake State Park, Winchester

28-29   Teen Workshop: Creating theater props; 12:00-3:00PM; $10 pre-registration fee; (208) 726.9491; presented by Sun Valley Center for the Arts, Sun Valley

28-29   Remodeling and Design Show, Boise Centre, Boise

28-29            “Klim the Mine”: This is the second annual Hill Climb sponsored by the Sawtooth Snowmobile Club; race starts at 8:00AM; $5.00 per person entry fee; Minnie Moore Mine, 350 Broadford Road, Bellevue

February 2017

1     Peking Acrobats, CSI Fine Arts Auditorium, Twin Falls

1     Birding Series–“What is the overall state of birds worldwide?”: Presented by Terry Rich, local ornithologist; free; 9:00-10:00 AM, Foothills Learning Center, 3188 Sunset Peak Road, Boise

1,3,8,10     Adult Tutoring; Free; times vary; (208)756.1551; Salmon Valley Business and Innovation Center, Salmon

1-28     Young Artist Show: Annual juried exhibit for artists from the ages of 12 to 24; MadDog Gallery, Main Street, Challis

2     Science After Hours: Geared primarily towards adults and teens- and anyone with a curious mind- the Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute’s monthly series aims to provide the community with innovative perspectives on our natural world; 7:00-8:00PM, downtown Moscow

3-4     Avalanche Awareness & Companion Rescue Clinics: Free Snowmobile Based Avalanche Awareness course; Register at   www.parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/recreation-safety-class-sign ; Grangeville and Pocatello

3-4     Invitational Wrestling Tournament CHS Gymnasium, Norse Way, Challis

3-5     Fire and Ice Winterfest, Lava Hot Springs

3-6     Winter Festival, Pierce

3,10     Friday Game Zone: For kids ages 8-17; 4:00-6:00PM, Public Library, Moscow

4     Western Idaho Scholastic Chess League Tournament, 8:30-2:00PM, Lowell Scott Middle School, Boise

4     Winter Market: Shop from over thirty local artisan, craft, and produce vendors, 10:00AM-2:00PM, 1912 Center, Moscow

4     Museum Work Day: Volunteers welcome; 8:00AM; Lunchtime Seminar (bring your own lunch): Seminar: Dr. Roger Long, Biology Dept., C of I – “Effects of Grazing and

         Agriculture on Native Plant Communities in the Sagebrush Sea.” The O.J.Smith Museum of Natural History, Boone Hall, The College of Idaho, Caldwell

4     Cabin Fever Reliever, Karcher Mall, Nampa

4-5     U.S. Pacific Coast Championship Sled Dog Races, Priest Lake

6     Reading at the Refuge: Preschoolers (and their parents!) are invited to listen to wildlife-related stories and do a related craft activity; at 10 AM and at 2 PM, Deer Flat NWR, Visitors Center, Upper Dam, Lake Lowell, Nampa

7     Kilroy Coffee Klatch: Held on the first Tuesday of every month for coffee and conversation at the Warhawk Air Museum, this event is FREE for ALL veterans and ALL veterans are welcome; 10:00 AM-12:00 noon; Nampa

8     Sunset Lecture Series: Winter Tracking–Reading Signatures in the Snow; Learn from Ray Vizgirdas how to investigate the scenes and signatures of animals in the snow; 7:00-8:30PM, Foothills Learning Center, 3188 Sunset Peak Road, Boise

8   Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas Concert: Fraser, long regarded as Scotland’s finest fiddler, and the sizzingly-talented young California cellist Haas, unleash their dazzling teamwork and shared passion for the infectious melodies and grooves of Scottish music; 7:00PM, Panida Theater, Sandpoint

9-12     Treasure Valley Boat Show, Expo Idaho, Garden City

10     Music Walk: Downtown Coeur d’Alene

10     Cathedral Concert Series, Cathedral of the Rockies, Boise

10     Adam Trent Performance: An incredible magic show using state-of-the-art techniques; for the whole family; King Fine Arts Center, Burley

10     Inner Tube Water Polo, Rec Center, Nampa

10-11     Avalanche Awareness & Companion Rescue Clinics: Free Snowmobile Based Avalanche Awareness course; Register at   www.parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/recreation-safety-class-sign ; Moscow and Sun Valley

10-12     Canyon County Spring Home Show, Ford Idaho Center, Nampa

10-12     Golf and Travel Show, Expo Idaho, Garden City