Boise’s ‘Curb It’ street side no-sort recycling and automatic trash pick-up program is offering you a freebie!  For the week of April 26th-April 30th, you can set out additional ‘over flow’ refuse without using one of your overflow stickers!  It’s called the ‘Residential Cleanup Week’ and there are a few requirements to note:

• Make sure your trash and recycling are out by 7:00 a.m. on your regular service day.
• Extra trash must be in 20-32 gallon trash cans.
• Yard wastes must be in compostable paper leaf bags or in 20-32 gallon trash cans.
• The maximum weight limit cannot exceed 60 pounds for each extra trash can and paper leaf bag set out for collection.
• Bundle tree/shrub branches into 4-foot lengths. The weight of the bundle cannot exceed 60 pounds. No overflow sticker is needed.
• Large items such as appliances and furniture can be collected by calling Allied Waste at 345-1266 to schedule a free pickup.
• Televisions, computer monitors, and batteries must be taken to a household hazardous waste mobile collection site.
• Recycling is always unlimited—no “overflow stickers” required! Set extra recycling out in containers labeled “Recycling” or order a second recycling cart.

Not a bad deal considering that spring cleaning results in extra rubbish.

The Curb-It program started last year with an intent to make recycling easier and encourages Boise residents to “curb waste” by “promoting the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle.”  Since the program has begun, we have certainly enjoyed the ease of the no-sort recycling and are proud that Boise offers it to it’s residents!

How do you like the Curb It program?

Ok, I just left the polls and the ladies who were volunteering were nearly asleep.  In case you didn’t know, there are 3 seats up for Boise City Council and you need to vote for your favorite candidate who is going to represent your ideology and the City you live in.

A Few Important Issues

• The Trolley- (to nowhere) as some have put it is definitely a hot button issue and there are candidates who “might” support it and ones who definitely don’t.
• Smart Growth- It’s still up in the air what defines ’smart growth’ but undoubtedly, every candidate supports it.
• Public Transportation- In the coming years, good public transportation WILL be an issue, when energy prices rise (and you know they will) having a populous who can get to work might be important eh?  Personally, I think improving our Bus System is a far better investment than a 2 mile amusement park ride in downtown.
• City Services- They tax us…what do they do in return.  City services like the new curbside-recycling program make sense.
• Taxes- Who doesn’t love to pay taxes?  Should we be paying more or less?
• Transparency- There’s been a lot of garble about how transparent the City Council has not been…or have they.  Decisions have been made without public input which stinks of an apathetic public participation and controlling leadership.

Boise City Council Candidates

Here is a list of the Candidates, courtesy of the Boise Weekly.  Follow the links, do your research and vote on the issues not the fricking party line.

Where Do I Vote?

If you’re not sure where to vote click here!

Boise is a great city with so much to offer, and you should really be excited to get out an have a part in how the City of Trees is lead.  It just takes a moment and you’ll feel great for getting out and getting your voice heard!

If you’re planning on celebrating the 4th of July in the Boise area this year, you really ought to get out to see some of the Firework shows happening across the valley.  Of course you can’t see them all, but I’ve compiled a list of times and places where you can not only see the fireworks displays, but take part in some family fun activities as well.

Boise Fireworks Show

Again this year, the Boise 4th of July Fireworks Show will be held in Ann Morrison Park at dusk following some activities taking place throughout the day.

Parking in the area can be a bit rough, so, if you don’t want to hoof it far, get there early and plan on leaving late after the crowds clear out.

Meridian Fireworks Show

The City of Meridian will be having a 4th of July Celebration at Storey Park in Meridian starting at 1:00pm.  There will be live music all day, a climbing wall and inflatables for the kids.

At 9:00pm, there will be a “Safe and Sane” fireworks show for the kids then, there will be  a larger professional fireworks show launching at Meridian Speedway.

Nampa Fireworks Show

Even with an overall higher property tax rate in Nampa, they can’t seem to put together a fireworks show for its community and a recent phone call to the city of Nampa led me to the God and Country Festival which is actually tonight at the Idaho Center in Nampa.

The fireworks show happens on July 1st following an evening of live music and celebration honoring the U.S. Military.  For more information, visit their site.

McCall Fireworks Show

If you are going to be in Vally County this weekend,  you’ll be able to catch a McCall Fireworks show at dusk on the 4th of July.

The McCall Chamber of Commerce is also sponsoring a number of events in Downtown McCall.  For more information visit their site.

Do you know of any other Fireworks Shows in the Boise area?

Post a comment and let us know!

I’d like to invite you out to the Eagle Chamber of Commerce: Open For Business Citywide Open House!  Its happening this Saturday from 10am until 5pm.

The Eagle Open For Business is a grass roots effort to help stimulate economic activity in the Eagle community, there will be many businesses citywide taking part in the event and will be identifiable with green balloons.

There will also be some Commercial Real Estate Open Houses as well as Residential Real Estate Open Houses!  You’ll be able to recognize participating Open Houses that have green balloons.

Do You Like Prizes?

Coat tailing the event will be a group of us at John L. Scott is doing a ‘Poker Run’ and the winner will get a FREE Mountain Bike!  I will be at ‘Open House #6′ on the Poker Tour.

How to Play:

1. Visit all 7 John L. Scott participating Eagle Open For Business Open Houses
2. Collect a playing card for viewing each home
3. Return your poker hand to the John L. Scott Booth by 5pm (Located at Old State Street and Eagle Road)
4. The person with the highest hand wins!

John L. Scott Eagle Open For Business Open Houses

Usually when the topic of real estate comes up especially in a certain area, many people ask, “How is the Real Estate Market in the Eagle area?’  Good question!

Click here to get the latest Eagle Real Estate Market Update!!!

I hope to see some of you out there, remember, I will be at Open House #6 on the Poker Run.  Come see me from 10am to 1:30pm!  The first 5 of you who come out and mention this article will get a gift certificate to Moxie Java!!!

A tomato can be either wonderful or, it can be like eating a mouthful of Kleenex.  Blame it on the advent of refrigeration and the supermarket.  On cold winter days however, being able to go the store to get a load of seemingly fresh veggies is great, but it wasn’t always that like that;  If you wanted veggies in the winter, you usually had to can them.

Today,  the produce you buy in stores has traveled many miles and most of it was picked prior to it being ripe in flavor and in color so that when it arrives it looks great, but in the case of the tomato, tastes terrible.

Fortunately however, we live in a very productive agricultural area and if your not a great gardener or don’t have the time for one, you’re not far from getting high quality great tasting produce!

Off the top of my head, I can think of 4 local farmers markets in the Boise area that sell fruits and vegetables grown locally and some organic.

Nampa Farmers Market

• Location- 12th Avenue between 1st Street South and along Front Street (Accross from the Canyon County Historical Museum)  Click here for a map.
• Time- Saturdays 9am -1pm Rain or Shine!
• Season- The market is open from the last week in April through the last Saturday in October

Kuna Farmers Market

• Location- Sandstone Plaza in Kuna.  Click here for a map.
• Time- Saturdays 9am to Noon.
• Season- May 9th through September 26th

Meridian Farmers Market

• Location- 1/2 Mile North of Ustick Road on Eagle.  Click here for a map.
• Time- Saturdays 9am to 1pm.
• Season- May 2nd through September 29th.

McFadden Farmers Market

• Location- In front of the Meridian City Hall.  Click here for a map.
• Time- Tuesday Evenings 5pm to 8pm.
• Season- Through September 30th.

Boise Farmers Market (Capital City Public Market)

• Location- 8th Street in Downtown Boise
• Time- Saturdays 9:30am to 1:30pm
• Season- TBA

Roadside Fruit and Vegetable Stands

If you can’t wait until the weekends to get your fix of fresh fruits and veggies, you can find plenty of fruit stands throughout the Treasure Valley.  I only know of one since its so close to my house, its next to the Office Max on Broadway and they usually have a really good mix of locally grown food.

Do you know of any other Markets or Vegetable Stands?

If you know of other Farmers Markets or Fresh Vegetable stands, let us know by posting below!