november december 2012 issue

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THE VOICE OF THE VALLEY2

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

BRIAN SHIELDS

Follow Brian on Twitter @bigshotbrian

It’s been six long months since the last hard copy of Fusion Magazine was printed, and a lot has happened in that time. We had our first ever I am Fusion Awards, recognizing industry and business professionals around the Valley. I couldn’t be more proud of the team for pulling off such a large production! We have also transitioned into Fusion Media Group—a full service ad agency providing logos, websites, graphic design, business collateral, hi-def commercials, and just about anything else you can think of to help small business owners with their marketing needs.

Yet, despite our accomplishments, these past few months have not been a walk in the park. I almost told my operations director that the magazine was closing its doors. I had to look deep from within and ask myself if we could consistently deliver a quality magazine to the Valley. The magazine industry is a tough one—not for the faint of heart. When you combine the marketing and promotional aspects of Fusion to the equation, it can be a daunting task requiring huge personal sacrifice, and it takes a toll on you after a while.

I was on the verge of calling it quits, but the community and those close to me helped me realize the impact we are having on the Valley and the important role we play in the community for young urban professionals. I took a step back and looked at all we’ve accomplished in the last year and realized that our progress more than makes up for the hard times. So, I decided not to fold the magazine, but to take it to the next level.

And here we are—stronger than ever and ready to continue our role as the “Voice of the Valley.” We have made a few changes to ensure that we continue to provide a great publication for our loyal supporters. The first major change you’ll notice is our switch from a quarterly to a bi-monthly format. Now you won’t have to wait so long between issues because we will be cranking one out every other month! If you’ve visited www.fusion-mag.com lately, you’ll notice that our site is undergoing a few upgrades to bring its quality up to speed with our magazine. Over the next few issues, you’ll continue to notice other improvements as they unfold (so be on the lookout). As a staff, we want to thank you for your continued support. Now it’s our turn to reward you for your loyalty.

Thanks,

Brian Shields Editor in Chief

V.1.4 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012FUSION MAGAZINE 3

LEVI BETTWIESER “Creative portraiture is my passion. When taking stills of people, no two frames will ever be the same. The opportunity to manipulate light, to create something truly artistic, is unmatched by any other style of photography. I usually only see the flaws in my work, which constantly forces me to hone my skills, and improve with every shoot.“ Photo by Von Giltzow Photography

“FASHION KELLIE” LEVESQUE Born and raised in Idaho, Kellie was always a small town girl with big city dreams. Her interest and respect for style as a child transformed into her present love and obsession with fashion. With four years of professional experience in the field of styling, fashion journalism, merchandising, layout design, photo shoot direction, and image consultation, she lives for sharing her passion for style with the world. When Kellie is not styling, blogging, consulting, or shopping, she deeply enjoys her life as a wife and mother. Kellie truly believes that fashion is all about loving the way you feel and portraying who you want to be through the clothing that you wear. Wear what makes you happy and never forget that “Everyday is a fashion show, and the world is your runway!”

JESSICA DOHERTY joined Fusion over a year ago as Assistant to the Editor and quickly became a staple at the mag. Utilizing her background in advertising and event coordination, and her passion for the magazine, she now manages Fusion’s day-to-day operations. Jessica loves family, friends, her adorable mutt Pepper Potts, the Dallas Cowboys, eating out at great local restaurants, downtown shopping and most importantly--happy hour! Follow her on Instagram and Twitter: @jesdoherty

MELLISSA LARSON “I was born in Vegas but grew up in Southern Utah. I knew that I wanted to broaden my horizons so I decided to become a moderate transient and explorer. After living several very different places I somehow ended up in Boise. I do graphic design and marketing for a company called NLP Secure, which is a blast. If you haven’t heard of us yet, you will. My career allows me to pursue and enhance my passion of photography. My life experiences give me a unique perspective of the world and I love that I can express that through my photography. “


MAGAZINE STAFFEDITOR IN CHIEF Brian Shields

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Jessica Doherty

LITERARY DIRECTOR Jennifer Sanders Peterson

PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR Levi Bettwieser

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kelsey Hawes

FASHION DIRECTOR Shaylinn Thompson Barlow

FASHION EDITOR Kellie Levesque

SALES DIRECTOR Jonathan Segali

NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Melissa Hope Jones

CREATIVE SOLUTIONS Unlimited Media Group and Prestige Studios

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Ryan Rodriguez

MARKETING ASSISTANT Marcus Scott

INTERNS Aaron Haws, Katie Olsen Mitchell, Dylan Tapp, Klair Strom, Michelle Hernandez,Kali Sanders

EVENT PHOTOGRAPHERS Jacob Starr, Mellissa Larson, David Buetow, Shannon Voshell, Earl Martin, Kyle Basile, and Michael Doten

Our talented team of writers, photographers, and stylists are listed with their respective articles.

COVER PHOTO by Wendi Yvonne

www.twitter.com/iam_Fusion www.Facebook.com/FusionMag

208.891.4401

THE VOICE OF THE VALLEYWWW.FUSION-MAG.COM

STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS

MICHAEL GUILLÉN is a freelance San Francisco Bay Area film journalist recently transplanted to Boise and the Treasure Valley. He remains a member of the San Francisco Film Critics Circle, administers his own film site The Evening Class (http://theeveningclass.blogspot.com/) and writes for Film International and movieScope, as well as online venues MUBI, Fandor, Twitch and The Greencine Daily. He’s delighted to join the Fusion team. Check out The Evening Class at theeveningclass.blogspot.com

SHAYLINN BARLOW is the new Fashion Director at Fusion magazine. Following careers as a professional dancer, beauty consultant and real estate, she now acts as an Educator for Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics, and has been a featured hair model for Shear Genius’s Kim Vo. Shaylinn has also been a featured makeup artist for the renowned Kevin Murphy. She is passionate about all things creative and beautiful and Fusion is lucky to have her on board!

JENNIFER SANDERS PETERSON (aka JSP) is Fusion Magazine’s Literary Director, happily managing a diverse, talented team of writers and querying stories. She enjoys playing four chord songs on the ukulele, vintage dress shopping, California dreaming, finding any excuse to put on a costume, and attempting to do “manly” things with her boys. You can find her work online and in several literary journals, as well as catch her radio show The Writers’ Block on KRBX every Thursday from 12-1.

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COVER STORYPAGE 8

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TABLE OF CONTENTS08 COVER STORY

ThisIsBoise.com

13 MUSIC Andrew Coba

16 ART Patcasso - Art In Motion

20 STYLES & SUBSTANCE Fashion Flavors of the City

24 SUMMER MUST HAVE ACCESSORIES

26 FASHION

36 ENTREPRENEUR SPOTLIGHT Lunchbox - Debi Lane

38 FUSION FITNESS FOCUS Hardcore Finesse

42 FITNESS Making of a Strongman

44 I am Fusion Karen Sanders

46 TRAIL RUNNING

50 GRAEBER & COMPANY

55 SUB FEATURE Idaho Film Industry

66 ENTREPRENEUR SPOTLIGHT Fat Chance - Fatty’s Bar

69 HEALTH Good Floatations

72 IT WORKS!

74 SPECIAL INTEREST Bronco Bail Bonds

76 FOOD Grandiose Grilling

78 FOOD TRUCKS

84 IAMF AWARDS RECAP

88 SCENE


WRITTEN BY BRIAN SHIELDS PHOTOGRAPHY BY WENDI YVONNE

Whether it’s one o’clock in the afternoon or one in the morning, the need for entertainment spares no one. Even in a city like Boise which hosts myriad events ranging from improv comedy shows to large music festivals on a weekly basis, finding out about what’s going on around town in a timely manner can be difficult, often requiring several texts to friends, scouring the internet, or searching local newspapers. Until now, there wasn’t one single platform that encompassed both day and nightlife entertainment, coupled with in-depth features on local business. ThisIsBoise.com fills that void.

Jay Puente and his wife, Jennifer Puente grew tired of wasting time searching for events to take their young daughter to, only to find the next day they had missed several events that would have satisfied

their entertainment needs. “It came to a head one Easter when we spent an hour surfing the internet looking for an Easter egg hunt,” said Jennifer, who exudes excitement when she talks about their new site. It was that quest for an Easter egg hunt that caused her to pose the question, Why isn’t there one site to look for events suitable for everything from a Saturday afternoon out with the kids to a Saturday club night with friends? “A light bulb went off in my head (at that moment),” says Jay, an entrepreneur who’s been the driving force behind several successful businesses. After over a year of hard work, ThisIsBoise.com was born.

“We took our time researching ways to make the site advantageous for both consumers and businesses,” explains Jay. “We studied

THE FUTUREOF FUN

NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF INVENTION


what felt like every website and app out there, as well as polled everyone we could to find out where they looked to find out what’s going on in town.”

“We wanted make it a one stop shop for businesses as well,” added Jen. “We drew on our personal experiences as business owners to discover what tools businesses needed to effectively showcase themselves to the people that visit the site. We wanted it to be easy for business owners to constantly update what they featured, whether it was video, restaurant menus, or pictures of their establishment. “We knew the more control a business had in highlighting themselves, the easier it would be for consumers to make decisions on where they wanted to go.” At the conclusion of

their research phase, the couple had drafted a website that used elements of social media, search engine optimization, and an advanced calendar to provide its users with an in-depth view of what was happening in the valley at a moment’s notice.

After several test sites ThisIsBoise.com was born. “Although the site is unique, we knew that functionality would be crucial for its success. It had to be easy for users to navigate and effectively locate the information they were seeking without sifting through a bunch of clutter”, explains Jay. “The cleanliness in the graphic design was one of my biggest concerns. We went through several mock-ups of the site before we found one we were comfortable with”, adds Jennifer. Jay and Jennifer’s ideas and vision resulted

10


in an interactive website that is going to change the game when it comes to where Boise goes to find out what’s going on in the valley at any given time, as well as how local businesses personalize their interaction with customers.”

On the user side, you now have a source that allows you to check out everything from restaurants to community parks. The site also includes video spotlights of local businesses, giving users a visual on the full spectrum of what is offered.

If you are a business owner, ThisIsBoise.com gives you a platform to showcase your business the way you want, with a flexibility not found in some other forms of media. Pictures, videos, coupons, pricing service lists, and even menus are now accessible to your customers. Best of all, using these tools is as easy as clicking a few buttons. You gain the ability to take control of your advertising by providing up-to-the-minute deals and offers. “We understand how important advertising is for business, especially small businesses. We also understand how hard it is to tell your story through traditional advertising, not to mention how expensive it can be to advertise. Being local business owners, we wanted to create a community where all Treasure Valley businesses could advertise, not just the ones with big budgets,” says Jay.

The popularity of ThisIsBoise.com was established well before the site went live. “Our video host and reigning Mrs. Idaho, Kaley Sparling, is really involved in the community and helped us spread the word. Plus, we are all extremely active in the social media community. We do our best to support local businesses and they return the favor by spreading the word to their customers,” explains Jen. The need for, and anticipation of, the site by consumers and businesses alike was the formula for its instant success.

ThisIsBoise.com is the most comprehensive entertainment guide in the Treasure Valley featuring family fun, spa, nightlife and much more. And it’s about to get even better with the launch of ThisIsBoise.com Phase Two coming in mid-November. This phase will consist of the site being completely user-interactive, offering unique, up-to-the-minute special discounts. “We don’t want to give too much away, so let’s just say we will be launching the state’s first social networking and entertainment reporting platform,” says Jay.

Isn’t it nice to know that you can now effectively plan anything from a spa date for your mother-in-law to a play date for your daughter? Whether you’re 9 or 99, when it comes to local entertainment, ThisIsBoise.com is sure to be your only guide to finding the places and activities to put the ‘life’ back into your social life.


SWEET PRESENT, BRIGHT FUTURE

ANDREW COBAWRITTEN BY BY JENNIFER SANDERS PETERSON

PHOTOGRAPHY BY AUBREY BOWER


MUSIC

While most teenaged boys are perfecting their jump shot or trying to get to the next level of a video game, 16 year old Andrew Coba can play piano and sing a three hour set of jazz and pop standards, with a few of his original pieces thrown in for good measure. Not that Andrew isn’t a typical kid in many ways—he loves to hang out with his friends, watch movies, and ride his bike; but not every kid can say they’ve been named as one of the top thirty high school vocalists in the country by the Grammy Foundation.

Once you’ve heard his finely honed voice—somewhere between the simple emotional honesty of Chet Baker’s and the vulnerability of Paul McCartney’s—you’d hardly believe Andrew Coba was a shy kid who didn’t perform live until the age of 12.

“From a very early age I remember my parents telling me I had a nice voice, and encouraging me to sing around the house. Sometimes they would try and make me sing in front of company, and I’d be terrified,” says Coba. “In sixth grade something switched inside me. I was supposed to play a song at our piano recital, and I decided I would try and play piano and sing this time. It suddenly just felt right. The song was Wilson Pickett’s “Midnight Hour”, and I sang the song and the crowd loved it and I loved it and I was hooked. The very next year was a talent show at Fairmont Junior High, and I tried out, was asked to perform at the big show, and sang “Clocks” by Coldplay in front of the whole school. Again, it went really well, and not long after that I started attending Arts West Academy.”

Since its inception in 2007, Arts West Academy, a Boise school for the Performing and Visual arts, has sent graduating students out

to the best colleges and conservatories in the country, including the New England Conservatory of Music, Berklee College of Music, USC, the New School, the Manhattan School of Music, and others, and has allowed Coba to be challenged intellectually along with fine-tuning his craft as a jazz major.

“My mom is a teacher. A counselor at her school also worked at Arts West. This woman saw a video of me singing in my school talent show, and told my mom I should come check out Arts West for a day. In the middle of 8th grade I spent a day (there), and it was like I found my people. I immediately knew this was the place for me. I’ve been there two and a half years now, and it’s really changed my life.”

A typical day at Arts West for Coba consists of five to seven hours of music training, while taking an entire year’s worth of subject matter in a single semester. “It’s really tough sometimes, but totally worth it,” he says. “My music teachers are all world-class musicians. My vocal instructor, Jeff Baker, has sung around the world, and with many of the best jazz musicians of our time. Justin Nielsen, is not only one of the founders of the school, but also a phenomenal jazz pianist. These teachers really inspire us to be our best. On top of it all, my classmates are all great people and incredible musicians. We push each other. We root for each other.”

Striking out beyond Arts West, Andrew has also started to make a stir in the local music scene. He was hand-picked to perform in the Curtis Stigers annual Holiday Extravaganza, where he received a heartfelt standing ovation for his version of “I Heard the Bells on

“FOR SOME REASON, WHEN I’M ON STAGE IT FEELS DIFFERENT. I JUST FOCUS ON THE SONG. I JUST SING, AND IT WORKS OUT. REALLY I FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WHILE I’M SINGING THAN BEFORE OR AFTER I’M ON STAGE.


Christmas Day,” which he also recorded for the Moxie Java ‘Idaho-Ho-Ho’ compilation CD. He’s writing and perfecting songs he’d like to see on his own CD one day, but he’s not in any hurry to see it put out. “I really love writing and recording, and I’m going to be putting some of my songs out on the internet for people to hear. I got good advice to not hurry things, to just focus on learning my craft. For now, I’m having a blast working on songs, playing them out. Down the road, when I have enough songs of quality ready, I’ll put out a solo album.”

While others would advise him to push forward and capitalize on the ‘novelty’ of his youth, Coba clearly has a talent and a voice that will only get better with age and skill. For now, he just takes things one step at a time. “One of my goals for this year was to become a better performer. I’ve tried to watch and learn from other singers. Curtis Stigers is awesome in front of a crowd. He makes it look easy. I hope to be as great a performer as Curtis someday. “

As for his former performance anxiety–the one that wouldn’t even let him sing in front of his Grandparents without “freaking out”, it seems to have disappeared. Usually sporting a dress shirt, tie, and fedora, Andrew settles in behind a piano and microphone as if he’s always been there. “For some reason, when I’m on stage it feels different. I just focus on the song. I just sing, and it works out. Really I feel more comfortable while I’m singing than before or after I’m on stage. The more times I perform, the easier it gets.”

When asked where he sees his future in music taking him, he answers, “In ten years, I hope I’ve played music all around the

world. I hope to have written amazing songs that will make a difference in people’s lives in the same way music has made a difference in my life.”

And as to being courted as a ‘jazz phenom,’ Andrew says, “For whatever reason, music comes pretty easy to me. I work very hard at it, study and practice music for hours at school every day, but I understand that music just makes sense to me. It’s a gift, and I’m very thankful.”

To learn more about Andrew Coba or to hear his work, search Andrew Coba (Musician/Band) on Facebook, and on YouTube. And keep his name on the tip of your tongue; you’ll be hearing it associated with increasingly greater things in coming years. For now, even with all his talent, we’re glad he’s taking time to just be 16.


PATCASSO

WRITTEN BY LIZZ ANNE NAUGHTON

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID BUETOW

Art in Motion

The underground art scene in Boise—and I mean underground because their studio is in the basement of a building on Fulton Street—has recently combined forces. “Patcasso,” an art performance company of varying genres, has started making a name around town, and the story starts in his home of Detroit Michigan.



ART

Our main character, Patrick Hunter, found himself drawing and doodling all the time but never thought he would be able to turn it into his career. In fact, after high school he headed to the University of Michigan to study engineering and ended up with a bachelor’s de-gree in computer science.

Hunter then left the big city in the Midwest, and came to Boise to ac-cept a job offer from Hewlett-Packard. Establishing himself as a lead-er with HP and in the community he continued to search for a use for his now displaced art talent. “My mother taught me that your heart and your passions will always bring you back to what you’re designed to do and why you are here”—and Hunter’s career path is proof that the late Mrs. Hunter knew what she was talking about. “I truly believe that talent is a gift, and gifts are meant to share.” With the encourage-ment of his mother and support from his pastor, Hunter decided to share his gift with the world and started painting. In 2007, his church provided his first platform to paint live which infused dance and he began to fall in love with art all over again.

Hunter explained, “Although I tried to circumvent the process by go-ing a different route, I came back to what I’m programmed to do—and that is art.” He said studying engineering helped him fine-tune his math skills and work the other side of his brain. This developed a balance which showed him that “an engineer and an artist can look at things in two different ways” –and he can now see both ways. “It helped me be structured, yet unstructured” he pointed out.

Hunter’s desire to introduce people to a multi-dimensional art experi-ence attracted the interest and support of talented and well respect-ed Boise based artists and friends “When I think about art and how I look at art for what I’m doing right now, it’s more than just the visuals of painting ; it’s the culture of art. And that is music, food, visuals—its how people express themselves creatively.”

Hunter came up with the idea of performance art from his roots in Michigan where he taught himself how to draw and listened to music ranging from gospel, to Motown, to Classical to hip hop. “Having expo-

THE ENTERTAINMENT OF ART FUSION“WHEN I THINK ABOUT ART AND HOW I LOOK AT ART FOR WHAT I’M DOING RIGHT NOW, IT’S MORE THAN JUST THE VISUALS OF PAINTING AND WHAT NOT; IT’S THE CULTURE OF ART. AND THAT IS MUSIC, FOOD, VISUALS—ITS HOW PEOPLE EXPRESS THEMSELVES CREATIVELY.”


sure to different types of music almost naturally put me in a space to be exposed to different types of cultures. So, what you get from my shows is a microcosm of me.” In Patcasso’s shows, Hunter wanted different kinds of art happening over the course of an evening to convey to the audience the idea of art that’s all around in our culture.

The Patcasso tag line is “The Entertainment of Art Fusion”—and their shows are exactly that. A Patcasso event may include pantomiming, modern dancing, ballroom dancing, live painting, food, music—all happening at once in a speak-easy atmosphere. Patcasso hosts events in secret locations that attendees can only find out about by RSVP’ing to their Facebook events. They maintain a cool and intimate vibe by relying instead on word-of-mouth efforts rather than posting flyers or advertisements.. Even trying to stay reserved in their promotions, Boise can’t stop buzzing about them. The more exposure the group gets, the more opportunities for shows they’ve had. Having done three shows in the past eight months , they have even started traveling which

Hunter hopes starts some “cross pollination” with the movement.

So, what should you expect during a typical Patcasso perfor-mance? While each show is its own experience, you can generally expect dancers that bend and turn to music that is in turn follow-ing brush strokes from Hunter’s hands. Iconic paintings such as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Mick Jagger and even Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. vibrate the black canvases that they are splashed on to. As you look around the room people are watching while eating food that is almost as beautiful as what’s going up on the canvas on stage. During their February “Red Affair” where all of his guests wore red, Patcasso featured a collaboration between a harpist from the Boise Philharmonic a dancer from Trey McIntyre Project who took the audience by surprise with a remarkable per-formance. Even ‘untrained’ ears couldn’t help but be struck by the performance—proof that Patcasso does exactly what Hunter wants to do: Experience and celebrate how things are “better to-gether” through use of art.

Although most of Patcasso’s performances are not widely adver-tised, there is a featured event coming on June 16th. Patrick Hunter will also be performing as a solo artist this summer in Boston and Las Vegas. Check out their Facebook page at facebook.com/Pat-casso for updates on the latest.


“FASHION IS LIKE FOOD. EVERYBODY HAS THEIR OWN PERSONAL TASTE, AND EVERY PLACE YOU GO YOU GET A LOCAL FLAVOR,” SAYS RON TORRES, OFF HAND. IT’S JUST ANOTHER COMMENT FROM HIS STREAM-OF-CONSCIOUS-STYLE CONVERSATION, BUT I THINK HE SAID IT BEST, AND IT MADE ME BEGIN TO WONDER… WHAT IS THE STYLE CUISINE OF OUR CITY? WHAT DO OUR DESIGNERS COOK UP AND SEE SERVED ON THE HUMAN-CLUTTERED SIDEWALKS OF DOWNTOWN? WHAT DO PEOPLE TASTE WHEN THEY SAMPLE THE LOCAL FASHION SHOPS?

TO TAKE A TASTE FOR YOURSELF, HERE’S A FASHIONISTA BUFFET OF SOME OF THE MOST FASHION-FORWARD AND STYLE-MINDED OF OUR CITY. ENJOY ALL THE FLAVORS THEY OFFER UP, AND THEN, WHEN YOU GO TO YOUR CLOSET TO PICK OUT YOUR CLOTHES FOR TOMORROW, GO AHEAD AND CHOOSE SOMETHING THAT WILL ADD A LITTLE SOMETHING UNIQUE TO THE MIX. LET’S KEEP MAKING BOISE A FLAVOR THAT CAN’T BE FORGOTTEN, ONE THAT MAKES PEOPLE COME BACK FOR SECONDS.


WRITTEN BY ALANNA LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMANDA MORGAN

& SUBSTANCE

FASHION FLAVORS OF THE CITY


ADRIAN SEIBOLD – HIS STYLE IS: “A cross between urban street fashion and GQ high fashion.”FAVORITE TREND OF THE MOMENT: “Polka dots.”WORST PERSONAL STYLE DECISION: “I used to have Polo brand denim overalls...Seriously, I did.”IN HIS FREE TIME: “Find a sweet spot to go shoe shopping! I have this thing for shoes; I stopped counting how many I had about 2 years ago—at the time I had 100 pairs!”THOUGHTS ON WOMEN’S WEAR: “Chandelier pants are bad. Period.”HIS STYLE ICON: “Pharrell.”TO GET HIS LOOK: “Check out websites like highsnobiety.com.” STYLE ADVICE FOR THE WORLD: “So I’m thinking selfishly here—but make taller clothes!”

RON TORRES – WHO: Onset coordinator/filmmaker/editor for Bodybuilding.com and dabbler in the film industry and comedy theater.HIS STYLE IS: “It’s like Jazz history—made of many different periods and lots of experimentation. It’s a greater form that I vary within that can only be appreciated after you step back and see the whole history of it.”FAVORITE TREND OF THE MOMENT: “At the moment, it feels like we’re getting a clean slate and going back to the hallmarks of fashion. I’m at the point where I’m ready to jump into a suit and feel

more tailored with a 50s look.”WORST PERSONAL STYLE DECISION: “There is no such thing as a fashion disaster. You just need to be patient enough to wait for the day when that ‘disaster’ can be acknowledged as a success.”IN HIS FREE TIME: “I love going to local coffee shops to write and read…maybe head over to a shopping center to browse the racks, then pick up something from a video rental store.”THOUGHTS ON WOMEN’S WEAR: “The most interesting trend I’m seeing is about embrac-ing a masculine aggressiveness while still being a woman—think ‘Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.’”HIS STYLE ICON: “Tom Ford, Steve McQueen, James Dean, Marlon Brando, Wes Anderson, David Lynch, and Todd Oldham.”HOW TO GET HIS LOOK: “Go to thrift stores. Always think, ‘Can I get this cheaper or make it more interesting?’ Oh, and embrace neon.”STYLE ADVICE TO THE WORLD: “Wake up in the morning and part your hair to a different side. Wake up in the morning and blindly pick two random things out of your closet to wear together. Don’t let how you look control you—YOU control how you look.”

& SUBSTANCE

THE VOICE OF THE VALLEY22 THE VOICE OF THE VALLEY22

COURTNEY KING –WHO: Stylist at Oliver’s for almost three years specializing in professional makeup artistry, highly customized hair artistry, extensions, and wedding hair/makeup services.HER STYLE IS: “Moody, sporadic, random, and totally based on how I’m feeling at that very moment.”FAVORITE TREND OF THE MOMENT: “Bright nails and orange anything!”IN HER FREE TIME: “I’m a collector of hobbies, so how could I possibly choose? A few of mine are drawing, sculpting, writ-ing, exercising, and making pretty people even prettier.”

WORST PERSONAL STYLE DECISION: “Thinking I could substitute bras with Band-Aids.”THOUGHTS ON MENSWEAR: “I like all the intricacies of men’s clothing—things like bow ties, cuff links, and all the different fabric textures. I actually like it so much that I sometimes wear men’s pants.”HER STYLE ICON: “Anna Dello Russo.”HOW TO GET HER LOOK: “Roll around in your closet, throw on a pair of heels, grabs some jewelry, and go!”STYLE ADVICE FOR THE WORLD: “Even if it seems weird, do it.”

MEGAN COZINE – WHO: Mac makeup artist for 11 years.HER STYLE IS: “Going with the trends and creating my own style through them.”FAVORITE TREND OF THE MOMENT: “Color blocking! That and tribal prints.”WORST PERSONAL STYLE DECISION: “I once dyed my hair blonde with pink streaks in it—that was a little crazy for me.”IN HER FREE TIME: “I am super chill on my days off. I love my alone time, since I spend so much time with people. I might hang out at home, catch up on TV shows, like The Kardashians, American Idol, and The Voice, and then clean the house.

THOUGHTS ON MENSWEAR: “I have this thing for the Justin Bieber style—super skinny pants tucked into boots.”HER STYLE ICON: “Courtney Kardashian.”HOW TO GET HER LOOK: “Put together items that people normally wouldn’t think of, then throw in other pieces and acces-sories.”STYLE ADVICE FOR THE WORLD: “Dress according to your body type.”

& SUBSTANCE

FASHION FLAVORS OF THE CITY

JIMMY FARRIS – WHO: Has played for the San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, and others. Is currently running for U.S. Congress.HIS STYLE IS: “Whatever I feel like on that particular day, but I prefer casual because I’m a pretty laid back person.”FAVORITE TREND OF THE MOMENT: “The return of sophistication.”WORST PERSONAL STYLE DECISION: “Those knit athletic wristbands.” IN HIS FREE TIME: “I’ll get in a workout or Google up on everything I’ve been missing. I could seriously spend all day online because I’m an internet addict.”THOUGHTS ON WOMEN’S WEAR: “I love women’s shoes, so much so that I have been known to spend a great deal of money on shoes for the women in my life! There is nothing quite so good looking as a woman in a white shirt, jeans, and heels.”STYLE ICON: “David Beckham and JFK.”TO GET HIS LOOK: “Never wear anything baggy—always fitted, and wear button-ups in simple colors like blues and greys.”STYLE ADVICE TO THE WORLD: “The number one thing is to wear clean clothes, keeping everything clean, crisp, and nicely pressed. Oh, and the drycleaner is your best friend.”

& SUBSTANCE

Visit http://benderbuckles.com to see how it works & order online!

Searching for that one perfect Fall accessory to give your per-sonal style enough edge to stand out? You’ve found it with Bender Buckles! More than just the basic mall-find, Bender Buckles is a modern, interchangeable, magnetic belt buckle system that accommodates and enhances every outfit—belt your jeans, your dresses, your cardigans, and those new long sweater coats that are everywhere this season. Boise-based and American-made, Bender Buckles makes changing up your style as simple as swapping out the face on a single base buckle and belt strap.

While many of the buckle designs are limited edition, you can create any design ranging from solid colors to attention-grabbing animal prints. Even bling! A highly durable resin cov-ers the buckle artwork to create a high-quality, lasting, and beautiful product. Collect as many different buckle faces as you want for a quick and easy change whenever your mood or outfit requires.

BENDER BUCKLES BY KATIE OLSEN MITCHELL

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More than just another great pair of shades, Proof Eyewear of-fers a comfortable, creative, new choice that is as kind to the environment as it is to your style. Though locally owned and Boi-se-based, Proof is growing rapidly with distributors around the world. Combining the best of modern and vintage looks, Proof offers sunglasses so unique that no two pairs are exactly alike. Organic and sleek, each pair is made from the finest hardwoods (yes hardwoods!) available. Offering different lens options with 100% UVA and UVB protection, all glasses are hand-crafted with stainless steel spring hinges that adjust to each individual face and feel custom made just for you. Finally, each pair of Proof

sunglasses is laser engraved with their logo, model name, and customized quote. You even have the option of choosing your own words to add to the frame.

You can feel as good as you look knowing a healthy percentage of Proof’s profits go to charities—in particular, organizations that provide eyesight surgeries in India. By giving back and tak-ing an active role in the first sunglass-recycling program, Proof is also a contributor of the “Plant a Tree” program. Gear up for the harsh autumn sun and stand out from the crowd in a new pair of Proofs today.

PROOF EYEWEAR BY KATIE OLSEN MITCHELL

Visit www.iwantproof.com for more information, style options and to find where to buy Proof Eyewear locally.

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Fall into FashionPHOTOGRAPHY: ERIKA BATES STYLING: SHAYLINN THOMPSON BARLOW & KELLIE LEVESQUE MAKEUP: SHAYLINN THOMPSON BARLOW HAIR: TIA LEE MODELS: CASSIE HAYES & MATTHEW WORDELL

Cassie: Scarf Vivante Model’s Own, Black Leather Jacket Collection B at Piece Unique, Lace Cami Piece Unique, Floral Hi-Low Skirt Asuyeta, Aztec Belt Bed Stu at Piece Unique, Earrings Weave Gold www.etsy.com/shop/WeaveGold, Architectural Wedge Boot Gee WaWa at Sole Struck.

Matthew: Green Military Jacket Vintage, Red Henley Tee Buckle Black at Buckle, Vest Buckle Black at Buck-le, Scarf Calvin Klein, Dark Slim Denim James Jeans at Piece Unique, Patterned Shoes Toms at Piece Unique.

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Fall into FashionCassie: Turquoise Necklace Unigon Specialties, Gold Headband Francescas, Paisley Shawl Cardigan Billa-bong at Buckle, Crochet Knit Top Gimmicks at Buckle, Leather Skirt Piece Unique, Leggings Asuyeta, Wedge Shoe Matiko at Sole Struck.

Matthew: Denim Shirt Vintage, Snowflake Cardigan Model’s Own, Black Slim Fit Denim James Jeans at Piece Unique, Distressed Boots District 3 at Buckle, Belt Piece Unique.

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Cassie: Red Crop Pants Francescas, Floral Lined Plaid Cape Asuyeta, Leopard Print Chiffon Blouse Frances-cas, Black Lazer Cut Vest Miss Me at Buckle, Double Buckle Combat Boots Jeffrey Campbell at Sole Struck, Wire Bracelet and Fringe Earrings Buckle.

Matthew: Tan Jacket BKE at Buckle, Stripe Scarf Fos-sil, Hoodie Pullover RVCA at Buckle, Black Shirt Robert Graham at Piece Unique, Denim Model’s Own, Brown Boots Model’s Own.

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Cassie: Scarf Vivante Model’s Own, Black Leather Jacket Collection B at Piece Unique, Lace Cami Piece Unique, Floral Hi-Low Skirt Asuyeta, Aztec Belt Bed Stu at Piece Unique, Earrings Weave Gold www.etsy.com/shop/WeaveGold, Architectural Wedge Boot Gee WaWa at Sole Struck. 29

Cassie: Headband Asuyeta, Sweater Coat Asuyeta, Cable Knit Sweater White+Warren at Piece Unique, Aztec Print Skirt Piece Unique, Gold Shimmer Leggings Asuyeta, Layered Bead Necklace Francesca’s, Stock-ings Buckle, Lace Up Platform Booties Jeffrey Camp-bell at Sole Struck. 30

Cassie: Turquoise Necklace Unigon Specialties, Gold Headband Francescas, Paisley Shawl Cardigan Billa-bong at Buckle, Crochet Knit Top Gimmicks at Buckle, Leather Skirt Piece Unique, Leggings Asuyeta, Wedge Shoe Matiko at Sole Struck.

Matthew: Denim Shirt Vintage, Snowflake Cardigan Model’s Own, Black Slim Fit Denim James Jeans at Piece Unique, Distressed Boots District 3 at Buckle, Belt Piece Unique.

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Cassie: Necklace & Earring Set Unigon Specialties, Leather Fringe Jacket Leather Techniques at Piece Unique, Denim Vest Cabi at Piece Unique, Orange Knit Sweater Francesca’s, Leather Belt Bed Stu at Piece Unique, Graphic Print Pants Francesca’s.

Matthew: Brown Corduroy Shirt Piece Unique, Long Sleeve Henley BKE at Buckle, Grey Button Up Shirt BKE at Buckle, Dark Denim James Jeans at Piece Unique, Bracelet Piece Unique.

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Cassie: Turban Head Wrap Asuyeta, Black Crochet Fringe Poncho Piece Unique, Brown Print Leggings Asuyeta, Purple T-Shirt Dress Asuyeta, Layered Chain Necklace Unigon Specialties, Canvas & Leather Wedge Irregular Choice at Sole Struck.

Matthew: Brown Cargo Coat Buckle Black, Woven Baja Pullover Hoodie Retro Fit at Buckle, Brown Long Sleeve Henley Buckle Black. Boots District 3 at Buckle, Black Slim Fit Denim James Jeans at Piece Unique.

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Cassie: Buffalo Plaid Shirt Piece Unique, Leopard Print Top Tees By Tina at Piece Unique, Necklace Set Unigon Specialties, Floral Vest Asuyeta, Color Block Leggings Asuyeta, Suede and Wood Platform Shoes Jeffrey Campbell at Sole Struck.

Matthew: Denim Shirt Robert Graham at Piece Unique, Plaid Tie Model’s Own, Grey Acid Wash Long Sleeve Tee Wicked Quick at Piece Unique, Yellow Matchbox Jeans A.G. at Piece Unique, Boots Bed Stu at Piece Unique.

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ENTREPRENEUR SPOTLIGHT

DARE TO BE BARE: LUNCHBOX (A WAXING SALON)WRITTEN BY KATIE OLSEN MITCHELL PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROB AYRES

DEBI LANE


For more information or to book online, visit www.lunchboxwax.com or call 1-866-333-9163 to find the nearest location.

When faced with flaws, you have two options: Embrace them or fix them. Unwanted body hair is more easily fixed than embraced, so if you’re tired of the stubble and irritating bumps from shaving, perhaps it’s time to take the plunge and give waxing a try. Gaining rave reviews around the Treasure Valley, and a recent winner of our very own iAMF awards for Best New Business & Entrepreneur of the Year, the LunchBox waxing salon offers waxing services specifically designed for the ultimate spa experience.

We’ve all heard ouch(!) horror stories about waxing, which can make it seem like an intimidating method--especially when your face and other intimate areas are concerned. But at the LunchBox, your comfort and modesty are their number one priority. By attempting to remove the pain stigma associated with waxing, the LunchBox wants to change the way you look at hair removal – forever. Their team of intensively trained, certified specialists provides each guest with care, confidentiality and respect. Held to the highest clinical standards, the LunchBox features ultra-clean, urban contemporary rooms, disposable table and body covers, and single-use waxing utensils (no double dipping!). Everything about the salon is geared toward making you feel comfortable in a normally uncomfortable situation, and their 90% client retention proves it’s working.

Owner, Debi Lane, conceived the idea for the LunchBox while perfecting her own unique waxing technique in Ketchum, Idaho. As the demand and popularity for waxing grew, Debi decided to launch her own vision of a perfect waxing salon in Ketchum in 2009. By December 2010, the LunchBox had opened its second location in downtown Boise, and a year later, a third in Eagle. Primarily growing by word of mouth, the LunchBox has become one of the most lauded businesses in both the Wood River & Treasure Valley. Excited to expand, plans are slated for a fourth location in Portland, Oregon in January 2013. “We believe in doing one thing, and doing it well,” said Debi. “I attribute that mission to our success.”

Competitively priced, the costs vary depending on the area being waxed. Regular customers receive special pricing and offers, and appointments are easily made and managed online. If you’ve been wary of waxing up until now, it’s time to give the LunchBox a try! They promise it will be the most pleasant waxing experience you’ve had, and if by chance you aren’t pleased with the results, they promise (jokingly!) to put the hair back on.

LunchBOX(A WAXING SALON)

38 THE VOICE OF THE VALLEYTHE VOICE OF THE VALLEY38

FUSION FITNESS FOCUS

BALLET IDAHO


Ballet, with its blend of artistic expression, flexibility, and technicality, falls within a narrow category amongst athletics. I was privileged to speak with professional ballet performers from Ballet Idaho who were generous in sharing some of the physical benefits experienced through the sport. Angela Gibson and Graham Gobeille filled me in on their year-round work ethic and body mastery, which are also two words that describe any of the shows performed by their tight-knit company. Ballet specifically requires incredible balance, not only of the dancer’s body on stage, but also during the cross-training-style exercise routines necessary to keep dancers in peak shape.

Dance and exercise practices differ only slightly between men and women. Both benefit from cardio endurance during strenuous rehearsals, not to mention the mental cardio involved when learning new choreography every other session. They also both require physical training to keep every muscle pliable and strong, but as Gobeille reminded me, “you don’t want to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger in tights.” If you did, pirouettes and kicks would not look nearly as elegant. Stretching all limbs, before and after strength training, is how the men keep their lifts high and their form flexible and how women are able to avoid the sprained ankles and broken toes associated with pointe shoes.

Gobeille utilizes a variety of supplementary exercises to stay on top of his game and limber for those precise movements. Aside from typical crunches and pull-ups, yoga keeps all muscles awake while creating clarity and peace of mind.

Remember, as a ballet dancer, not only do you have to know where you’re going three steps ahead of being there, but you also need to know where your partner is at all times, in addition to the locations of other flying bodies on the stage.

Angela Gibson, who is a Pilates instructor in addition to a ballet dancer, witnesses patrons of all ages discovering muscles and joints that haven’t moved in years, or sometimes ever. Holding difficult positions for extended periods of time creates a positive center and balance that anyone can use regularly. Yoga and Pilates will keep a body refreshed, while also allowing dancers to work out the sore spots from previous rehearsals. Practicing the same sport or activity, nearly year-round, means more liability for injuries; so, like a dancer, always stretch and stretch some more.

After the last show of the season, the performers still are not done perfecting their physiology. The off-season brings with it swimming and hiking for Gibson. During this time, “we are able to rebuild our muscles without the daily soreness” and maintain the cardio.

While most of you won’t be able to jump on the barre and star as the Swan Princess like a dancer, you can experience ballet as a valuable asset to support other athletic activities. The muscle orientation, alone, creates a physical self-awareness like no other which can help prevent injury. In addition, the process of memorizing choreography can quicken mental faculties that will aid with body placement and (in team sports) improve awareness of player orientation.

HARDCOREFINESSE

WRITTEN BY BY CTOPH SIEGMUND PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEVI BETTWIESER

BALLET IDAHO

40 THE VOICE OF THE VALLEYTHE VOICE OF THE VALLEY40

FUSION FITNESS FOCUS


The physical demands behind ballet serve as an excellent workout for anyone’s cardio and core muscles. “Core training is the most important,” said both dancers. Want summer abs? You may have found your answer.

Also keep ballet in mind as a possible activity or sport to involve your children in. Not every kid was meant for contact sports or guitar lessons, so don’t forget to include dance as another option. “I didn’t even like ballet until I was about 15,”

says Gobeille. There are plenty of beginner classes available for all ages to come and learn to appreciate the art.

So, stop hunching and dragging your feet and get your plié on. Then, show off your ballet-toned body when you go to see one of the highly anticipated Ballet Idaho shows this fall. You’ll look and feel amazing!

Visit www.balletidaho.org


I am a strongman competitor. I can press a metal log equal to my body weight over my head. I have flipped a 600-pound tire, end over end, 100 feet in under 60 seconds. I can deadlift nearly three times my body weight. In training, I have carried 160 pounds in each hand for over 100 feet. I can load a 200-pound atlas stone to a platform that is 48 inches tall. I have pushed this 130-pound body to its limits over and over, and I have found that I am capable of some pretty ridiculous things! Impressive? Maybe to some people. Are these things you strive to do? I would guess most people haven’t even considered strongman training, but there are techniques that I use to prepare for competitions that could benefit you.

As a business owner, wife, and mom of five, I don’t have hours a day to spend in the gym, but I expect big things from the workouts that I do put in. During the week, I typically spend no more than an hour a day focused on training. On Saturdays, I train strongman specific events with a crew of strongman competitors, so there’s more of a time commitment, but I love the energy that fills the gym when this amazing group of athletes comes together to

train. Typically, we will train heaviest on Saturday, focusing on two or three specific events. These events can include a tire flip, pulling or pushing a truck, overhead press, farmer’s carry, and loading atlas stones. If there is an upcoming competition, this is the day we work on our “weaker” events. We are there, not only encouraging one another but also working together to perfect technique.

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I do a “Sticks and Stones” group fitness class for conditioning. It is a 30-minute class that works my full body. Each day, there are five or six exercises that target different body parts. Some of the basics include: overhead dumbbell press, pushups, box jumps, chin ups, and crunches. We do 20 repetitions of each exercise for each round, with the goal being to complete five rounds within the 30 minutes. I have found it to be a great way to get in cardiovascular training while working on muscle growth.

In addition to “Sticks and Stones” classes, I train for a specific strongman event on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I

WRITTEN BY JOANN HAGADORN PHOTOGRAPH BY EARL MARTIN

MAKING OF A STRONG MAN

FITNESS


decide what events to train, based on upcoming competitions. It is pretty typical for me to work on my overhead press once a week, which includes bench press and triceps extensions. Deadlifting is also found in most competitions, so I focus on it once a week. Some weeks I will focus on lifting a weight that I can pull 20 repetitions; other weeks I will do working sets of one to three repetitions. Once a week I do some variation of squats. I focus more on front squats than other variations. I have found that front squats improve my form on overhead press as well as strengthening my legs.

My focus on Tuesdays and Thursdays is conditioning. There are a few ways I accomplish this. Again, I modify which exercises I use depending on what events I will face in upcoming competitions. Currently, I am doing a farmer’s walk/sled drag medley for one of my conditioning days. A farmer’s walk is an event in which you carry an implement in each hand and “run.” It is pretty standard to use a weight equal to your body weight in each hand. A sled drag is just what it sounds like; you walk backwards dragging a weighted sled. On conditioning days, I will repeat this medley 10

times with minimal rest, to not only work on my technique but to build up my endurance.

I am fortunate to have a gym nearby that caters to strength athletes. If you are in an area that doesn’t have this type of facility, it is still possible to supplement your work out with some strongman techniques. You can do a farmer’s carry using a heavy dumbbell in each hand. Most fitness centers have some selection of free weights, and a standard barbell can be loaded to do squats, deadlifts, and overhead press. If you are not familiar with proper form on these exercises, find a personal trainer to work with you. A knowledgeable trainer should be able to help you to perfect your form in one or two sessions. This could be a chance for you to find a new passion. So, even if you’re not quite ready for a strongman competition, here are some things to take away: Next time you are in the gym, I challenge you to start training with an encouraging group, mix up your fitness routine (on a regular basis), and put down those five pound dumbbells and push yourself a little harder. You may just surprise yourself!

JoAnn Hagadorn is a mother of five, a personal trainer, group fitness instructor, and owner of Genesis Fitness in Nampa. She is part of the Cellucor Sports Nutrition Strongman Team. And she likes turtles.


I AM FUSION


WHO: Karen Sanders, Executive Director of the Downtown Boise Association (DBA) for the past eight years. Originally from South Africa, came to live in Boise in 1988.

WHAT SHE DOES: “Any day could include event planning, media relations, working with city officials, participating in planning for future development or projects, or creating and implementing new marketing ideas for downtown. And some days even include pouring beer at Alive After Five! Whatever it may hold, each day is interesting and busy.”

WHY SHE LOVES BOISE: “So many reasons! Downtown Boise has sidewalk cafes, the Capital City Public Market, the Greenbelt, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, the short commute to downtown, and the many fantastic cultural events, not to mention it is safe and provides easy access to the great outdoors. I have even taken up skiing, so I can keep up with my five-year-old son, and I bought my very first bicycle not so long ago. Oh, and I met my husband while floating the Boise River—a good reason to love Boise!”

WHAT BROUGHT HER FROM SOUTH AFRICA TO BOISE: “I had a wonderful opportunity to visit Idaho in 1988 with a group of South Africans that came to participate in the World Series Jet Boat Races. We toured some of the most beautiful areas of Idaho, including Hells Canyon and areas along the Salmon and the Clearwater Rivers. I fell in love with everything I saw, and I stayed.”

PERFECT DAY IN BOISE: “A walk or ride on the Greenbelt, followed by a cup of coffee from one of our local downtown coffee shops; and then a stroll through the Saturday market to buy fresh produce for the week, followed by lunch or dinner at a downtown sidewalk café.”

FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN BOISE: “I don’t have one favorite place, but I have favorite dishes from a variety of the many restaurants in downtown Boise. I am always excited to try new dishes that include locally grown ingredients or something that is unique to Idaho. I enjoy that we have so many options to choose from.”

IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS DOWNTOWN BOISE WILL BECOME: “I think that the next 10 years are going to be an exciting time for the area! The recent developments, including 8th & Main, Whole Foods, JUMP, and the CC Anderson Building Redevelopment, are just the beginning of the future. I envision many of the dirt lots will be developed, and many more residential units will be built, bringing more residents to the urban core. I see more urban-centric businesses choosing to locate in the city center and bringing a new generation of creative, entrepreneurial workers. I also think that the advent of more educational opportunities, like Concordia University School of Law, is a trend that is exciting for downtown.”

FAVORITE SHOPPING PLACE IN BOISE: “Downtown Boise of course!”

KAREN SANDERSIS FUSIONWRITTEN BY BY ALANNA LOVE PHOTOGRAPH BY TIM LOVE



I never thought I could be a runner. I mean runners were people who ate nothing but a handful of almonds for breakfast, researched shoes for fun and were always talking about their bad knees, right? Plus, there was actual rapid lifting of the legs involved in running, and my legs were perfectly content to lift at a normal--even leisurely--pace. But, I was and always have been committed to exercise, attending a gym four-five times a week for nearly 14 years, where I strolled on the treadmill while flipping the pages of an outdated fashion magazine or watching news on a TV set with the closed captioning on. I never thought there was any alternative to doing this or pounding uncomfortably down a sidewalk, inhaling car exhaust.

One morning on the treadmill, I found myself gazing out the oversized second story gym windows at the familiar panorama of the Boise foothills-- all awash in early golden light. I thought about how lucky I was to live in a city where such terrain could be accessed in a matter of minutes, what a gorgeous day it was, how nice it would be to get some fresh air and actually go somewhere on my walk. So, the next morning, instead of driving to the gym, I drove to Table Rock. I walked up, paused at the top to sit on the remains of what was once a bench, soaked in the sweeping views, and then walked down. In the 55 minutes it took

me to make the round trip, I felt I’d gotten a better, more effective workout than I had in years.

The next morning, I was back. I walked up, I walked down. I kept repeating.

Then, on about my tenth trip up Table Rock, something happened. Maybe it was due to the spike of endorphins, or the perfect tempo song my iPod had selected but walking simply didn’t seem enough anymore. My outside body wanted to match the enthusiasm my insides were feeling. As if acting independent of myself, I watched as one foot lifted off the ground a little faster than before, then the other, then again, and before I knew it, I was running. Me! Running! In fact, I ran nearly the entire two miles to the bottom. After that, I was hooked.

I branched out my trail runs to include longer but less steep trails found in Camel’s Back and Military Reserve Park. I invested in some simple insulated clothing and kept on trail running through the fall and winter. I even started to wonder if I couldn’t shave a few seconds off my mile time if I ate that handful of almonds for breakfast instead of my bowl of Cocoa Puffs...

WRITTEN BY JENNIFER SANDERS PETERSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY PETE GRADY


Needless to say, I’m not a perfect trail runner. Others regularly pass me with their sleek lycra outfits and calves that look to be made of steel rope. I still have to pause to get my bearings or read trail marker markers so I don’t get lost. However, in my year and a half of running the foothills, I have learned a lot:

First, it helps to think of the trail in front of you like a video game--complete with things to avoid and ‘power moves’ to utilize. On your way up, look for footholds that will help power you up inclines. Since you are less prone to falls going up than down, yield to downhill runners (and bikers) if necessary. Alert those you want to run around that you are passing on their left or right. Also, if you encounter a particularly steep portion, there’s no shame in walking until things even out again.

Going downhill can be thrilling but tricky. Keep your eyes open for boulders, gullies, ruts, and other spots that might need a little leaping to get over (video game, remember?). Take the path of most resistance—in other words, don’t run in the rivulets carved

out by water runoff that are often too narrow for a runner’s gait. Stay on the trail, but stay nearer the sides where ground is a little more level. When running down particularly steep portions, use a zig zag pattern to help control your speed. Also, always be on the lookout for slippery sandy patches. It often helps to walk the trail you want to run first to familiarize yourself with the terrain and possible hazards.

Be aware, too, that trail conditions change throughout the year. Following a rain or when temperatures reach just above freezing, trails get muddy. Stay off them. The biggest damage to trails comes from hikers/bikers/runners trudging through the mud or running through unmarked portions. Fall and spring are ideal times to run when dirt is generally firmly packed and trails are not as narrowed by vegetation. By the end of summer (August-September) trails are the most worn from continuous hikers and long, dry months. Be particularly cautious of loose dirt and sand conditions during this time as they’re notorious for rolling ankles or causing falls.


To check out the best hills in Boise to run, map out a route, see about taking your dog along, or to check trail conditions, look to the Ridge to Rivers website (ridgetorivers.org).

You don’t need a lot of fancy gear to trail run. In fact, I’ve seen people on the trails wearing jeans, bikinis, business casual clothing, and even one woman who was barefoot—but a good pair of running shoes is nice place to start. Don’t try to run in hiking boots--these are hills, not mountains. Make sure the shoes you select have good arch support, good traction, and stay tied—beyond that, what you want to spend on them is up to you. Good shoes can be found for as little as $35. Wear breathable, moisture-wicking clothing that can be layered in colder temperatures. Check end-of-season clearance racks, online closeouts, or second hand stores if you’re looking for a deal. A water backpack is also great to have as it keeps you hydrated, lets your hands stay free to help with balance, and provides a little extra storage for car keys, cell phone, a simple first aid kit, and a snack. Utilize your phone’s features and download free flashlight, compass, and map apps to use as necessary.

Mixing up exercises is always best for optimum health and results. So, no matter how much you love trail running, be certain

to do other things, too. I recommend alternate exercises that help improve balance and foot and ankle strength, including kickboxing, martial arts, snow/skateboarding, and yoga. You’ll feel the benefits of these types of exercises during your runs. Also, consider running with a buddy for motivation, conversation, and safety.

I can’t say what the benefits of trail running might be for you, but I have to say my backside has never been firmer; I have taken and kept off that pesky last five pounds; I have better cardio endurance than I ever have; I sleep more soundly and I have grown to love the outdoors and the beautiful seasonal changes that take place in Boise’s foothills.

So pick a trail, start hiking, and see if, after a few times, you, too, can’t help but run.


company serving the Boise community for 50+ years has more than just luck going for them. A company that has survived and thrived for so many years must be an institution of innovation and adaptability. From Graeber and Company’s first day of business in the lobby of the Imperial Plaza, to their Main Street location, and then to the ultra-modern 350 9th St. Suite 103, this salon and day spa has been a model of both innovation and adaptation for more than half a decade.

The moment you enter Graeber & Company it is evident that customer service is a point of emphasis. The front staff sets the tone with beautiful smiles, efficient scheduling, and product recommendations—they even offer every guest Aveda comforting tea. The salon is warm and inviting, especially the day spa area, where the calming décor instantly separates you from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. Graeber & Company offers full day spa services including massage, facials, waxing, nail care, and more. Like the salon staff, the spa staff believes in continued education, staying knowledgeable about the latest trends and techniques. They offer a high-tech product delivered with a high-touch approach.

Graeber & Company was the first in the Boise area to take advantage of the newest hair and spa technological innovations.

They were the first to use blow dryers in the 1960’s. They brought the Vidal Sassoon training to Boise. They were the very first salon in the valley to carry Aveda products. And when consumers, male or female, wanted a top quality salon, Graeber & Company adapted their service to be the first to take both male and female guests as well as have male and female stylists. It is these decisions that made Graeber & Company one of the leading salons in the Northwest. These decisions are testaments to the ownership and their team.

The business owners—Shelby Bills, Odell England, Joe Wheat and Robert Vasquez—press the importance of education and performance improvement on a daily basis. They bought the salon from the original owners, Bill and Jean Grabber, and out of respect of their legacy the name wasn’t changed.

Odell England and Joe Wheat are the manager stylists in the salon and from the beginning have led by example. Starting their day early, they dress professionally and build relationships with every guest that sits in their chairs. Wheat makes every guest feel at home. He spends time nurturing their hair as well as their heart. Odell makes sure that he meets every guest’s needs and enters the salon every day with a positive attitude

WRITTEN BY BRIAN SHIELDS PHOTOGRAPHY BY KYLE BASILE

INNOVATION & ADAPTATION


and the talent that lives up to his reputation. When asked about why the company keeps succeeding, England answers, “Stay smart, stay strong, and stay busy.”

Mat Slater is another reason why the company is able to innovate and adapt to change with ease. Slater, a 30-year Graeber & Company stylist and Aveda Global Educator, has helped the new and veteran stylists keep ahead of the trends by hosting educational classes twice a month. And that’s just the beginning. Mat travels the globe, training

Aveda salons and working back stage on hair shows. He’s been awarded Educator of the Year in 2003 and Best Stylist in Ladies Home Journal magazine.

In 2009, the ownership came to include its first and only non-stylist owner, Shelby Bills. Shelby bought out Carolyn Shelley and became the Managing Partner, bringing with her the skills of a sharp business mind as well as a vast bank of on-the-job training via working as the front desk receptionist since she was nineteen-years-old. Shelby has worked for Aveda Corporation, has a Marketing/Management degree from Boise

State University and knows that the day-to-day operations are what makes small businesses succeed.

In 2012, Shelby was awarded Accomplished 40 Under 40 in the Idaho Business Review, which recognizes 40 young, local business and professional leaders who have achieved success. Shelby’s ability to balance being a mom to two beautiful children, continuing her education at Boise State and running a successful business make’s her a role model for other business women. Her strong business development background, marketing, creative thinking and knowledge of the industry has assisted in Graeber & Company’s growth tremendously.

In 2011 Graeber and Company expanded it’s management team and hired Erin Thompson from Aveda Corporation where she had been an Aveda Salon Development Partner and Hair Color Educator for 16 years. In addition to helping manage and mentoring , she also helps educate. “Graeber and Company is all about people, the people who work here and the people we serve.

I am lucky to work in a place that values relationships so highly.” says Erin about her career at Graeber and Company.

INNOVATION & ADAPTATION


England, Wheat, Slater, and Shelby are exceptional at what they do, but they’re also part of a team that is exceptional as a unit. “Every team member of Graeber and Company brings something special and this allows us to go above and beyond every day,” says Robert Vasquez.

As impressive as their business is, it’s their remarkable dedication to community involvement and reinvestment that warrants the most praise. Throughout the years, Graeber & Company has been renowned for their support of the arts. They’ve assisted the Boise Philharmonic, the Idaho Shakespeare Company, the Trey McIntyre Project, Ballet Idaho, Opera Idaho, Boise Contemporary Theater, and Boise Little Theater.

Beyond the arts, they work with health and human service organizations such as the Idaho Food Bank, The Boise Urban Garden School, The Women and Children’s Alliance, Dress for Success, Look good and Feel Better Program, and countless more.

Every year they host a fundraising event that benefits a local environmentally friendly organization. This year it was The

Black & White Ball, where they raised $5000 for The Boise Urban Garden School. “It creates a sense of belonging and involvement for not just our guests, but our team as well,” says Shelby Bills.

It is evident that the team at Graeber & Company understands the key to adaptation and innovation. They show no sign of slowing down. In 2012 they were awarded Best Salon from Fusion Magazine and Best Local Hair Salon from the Boise Weekly. With a team of thirty-eight, they have a great mix of stylists to execute the modern edgy cutting, coloring, and styling techniques of today as well as the ability to capture classic and contemporary looks.

Adaptation and Innovation is so incredibly difficult for any business. It takes strategy, continued education and reassessment, and an all-star staff who know the business’ mission, vision, and values. Graeber & Company not only satisfies these criteria, they satisfy the criteria with style. Graeber & Company has displayed the ability to adapt and change with the times, has maintained generations of loyal guests, and has thrived over the decades. There’s no doubt that they’ll continue on, adapting and innovating, for the years to come.


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(208) 343-4915

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IDAHO FILM INDUSTRY REVEALED

CHANCES ARE THAT——THE GEM STATE MIGHT NOT BE WHAT FIRST COMES TO MIND. YET YOU'D BE WRONG TO DISMISS IT OUTRIGHT. IDAHO HAS BEEN INTIMATELY CONNECTED WITH THE SEVENTH ART SINCE ITS INCEPTION.

WHEN CONSIDERING

A THRIVING FILM SCENE

^

Not only was “The Cowpuncher” filmed in Idaho Falls in 1915, but silent cinema pioneer Nell Shipman ushered in the 20th Century by producing several short films out of her studio in Priest Lake, and her legacy continues into the 21st century with the work of Heather Rae, whose recent project “Magic Valley” (2011)—a study of disaffected youth in Buhl—swept the inaugural Sun Valley Film Festival a few months back, winning the Vision Award (in recognition of a producer's ability to keep a dramatic feature-length film in focus during the journey of the project), the Gem State Award for the film's director Jaffe Zinn (in recognition of an Idaho filmmaker whose work best reflects the beauty and diversity of the state), and the One In A Million Award

(honoring a feature length story made for under a million dollars).

In between such high profile and visible success stories, however, are the multiple efforts of committed individuals to advance film culture in Idaho, creating opportunities within the state to express their professionalism and explore their creativity without making the expected sacrifice of leaving home to work in industry towns like Los Angeles. Fusion Magazine has decided to profile a few of these individuals and organizations as a sampling of what makes filmmaking in Idaho such a progressive enterprise that—at the same time—remains proudly rooted in the Treasure Valley and environs.

WRITTEN BY MICHAEL GUILLÉN PHOTOGRAPHY BY PETE GRADY


The IFO has been tasked with attracting film and video production to the state in order to accrue locally realized benefits from hiring local crews and talent, renting local equipment, using hotel rooms, rental cars, catering services, or any number of goods and services supplied on location. In other words, the IFO ensures Idaho capitalizes on such production activity from what Owens characterizes as “business travelers.”

It's a task that has been complicated by the economic challenges of the recession. Although the Idaho Media Production Rebate was passed by the State Legislature in 2008, it remains unfunded due to state budget deficits. In theory, the program was designed to provide a 20% rebate for qualifying productions on all goods and services purchased in Idaho, if at least $200,000 was spent in the state and at least 20% of the crew were Idaho residents (with the intent of sliding up to 30% over time). Capped at $500,000 per production, the rebate was intended to include feature films, television pilots and episodes, documentaries, and commercials. Patterned after a comparably successful rebate program in neighboring Utah, Idaho filmmakers have not had the chance to take advantage of its intended incentives.

In early December 2011, filmmakers met for an Idaho Business Review roundtable discussion on their industry and were given a reality check by former Idaho State Sen. Joe Stegner (now the newly anointed lobbyist for the University of Idaho). “The Legislature doesn't care about your industry,” Stegner advised. “They have no reason to, particularly. Why in the world would the state of Idaho, through the Legislature, ask the taxpayers in the state of Idaho to subsidize your industry in a manner they wouldn't consider for any other industry?” Owens countered, however, that without such incentives in place, Idaho can't compete.

The conversation about tax incentives for Idaho film is far from over, however, and—until the Legislature is convinced—the IFO has “been making lemonade.” In a strategic change of direction, they've decided to pay more attention to Idaho's indigenous filmmakers by developing programs that significantly help them in their efforts at their careers. Money previously spent trying to woo production from out of state has now been redirected into a $30,000 grant program for local film production and increased educational opportunity through workshops on various crafts throughout the industry. Funded, along with tourism, from Idaho's 2% lodging tax, the IFO has maximized the funds available for their grant program by eliminating advertising to Los Angeles and applying their energies to cultivating a local workforce.

To that extent, they launched their Grant Program in 2010 and last April held their first Cineposium, named after a comparable cinema conference organized by the Association of Film Commissioners. In an effort to reinvent itself in “the post-incentive era,” the IFO has organized the Cineposium to be held annually in the spring with a two-day workshop in the fall, as well as working with productions all throughout the year. As this issue of Fusion Magazine goes to print, the second annual Cineposium will have been held mid-May in Coeur d'Alene, inviting such industry professionals as Kenny Chaplain, who trains professional production assistants to cope with big Hollywood requirements on set, and Linda Nelson, who runs Indie Rights, a film aggregator in digital platforms and an expert on social networking for filmmakers.

The Idaho Film Office COME AUGUST, PEG OWENS WILL HAVE BEEN HELMING THE IDAHO FILM OFFICE (IFO) FOR 25 YEARS. BROUGHT INTO EXISTENCE AFTER TWO CLINT EASTWOOD FILMS—“BRONCO BILLY” (1979) FILMED IN BOISE AND “PALE RIDER” (1984) FILMED NEAR KETCHUM—SPURRED GOVERNMENT INTEREST IN CREATING A FILM COMMISSION AS AN OFFSHOOT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE'S DIVISION OF TOURISM.

THE POST- INCENTIVE ERA


ZACH VOSS

THE POST- INCENTIVE ERA

58 THE VOICE OF THE VALLEY58

GREGORY BAYNE


When the IFO launched THEIR GRANT PROGRAM IN 2010, GREGORY BAYNE'S APPLICATION FOR COMPLETION FUNDS FOR “JENS PULVER / DRIVEN” (2011) SCORED THE HIGHEST. “JENS PULVER / DRIVEN” IS AN EMOTIONALLY CHARGED DOCUMENTARY PORTRAIT OF NAMPA MIXED MARTIAL ARTS CHAMPION, JENS PULVER.

It scored an unprecedented distribution deal with several cable video-on-demand providers and streaming services such as Netflix Instant Watch and Hulu Plus. Owens praised Bayne for having been successful with crowd-source funding through Kickstarter. He raised $27,000 from over 400 people in 30 days and has, in effect, pioneered the practice in Idaho. Subsequently, Bayne has engineered 4 successfully funded Kickstarter campaigns and has shared his experience in a series of popular columns for Filmmaker Magazine.

Currently, Bayne is in production on “Bloodsworth: An Innocent Man,” focusing on the remarkable story of Kirk Noble Bloodsworth, who—after being wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit—became the first individual in the United States to be exonerated by DNA evidence. By the time this issue of Fusion Magazine hits the streets, Boise will have had the choice opportunity to engage with Kirk Bloodsworth, when he makes an appearance at a special fundraising event for the film at Boise's Egyptian Theater, again in mid-May.

Accepting that it is an odd but nice anomaly to be identified as an Idaho filmmaker out there in the world, Bayne says his Idaho origins have helped his cachet somehow “because it's not like I'm just another guy from New York or Los Angeles.” He admits his maverick personality plays into his identity as well. “It's not just being from Idaho and it's not just the aesthetic of the work,” Bayne explains, “but the work aesthetic that's based on my personality. I really do enjoy doing things not in the usual way.”

“One of the difficulties in courting a film industry in Idaho,” Bayne opines, “is that the state is so remote, however way you cut it. There's not a large truly professional infrastructure of people, and I wouldn't say there's necessarily a community here. The community that I interact with more is the agencies that do creative work—they're my friends.”

Another basic aspect about being an Idaho filmmaker is that Bayne loves living in Idaho. He and his partner recently bought a house in Nampa, which he considers “a blessed situation.” He lives in Nampa but commutes to New York, where his girlfriend lives. “So I have one foot in, one foot out,” he describes. “I maybe have a little easier time than most navigating the landscape; but, again, that wasn't always the case. I can actually do that because I decided to do it this way.”

As for what might not be available for him as a filmmaker in Idaho, Bayne counters, “There's always a creative benefit to having a lack of resources. You have to be more creative. You have to think around things. Also, too, the nice thing about Idaho is that—with making a film or whatever creative project you're involved with—you can pretty much do anything.” He argues that the problem filmmakers run into with filming in Idaho is that—while they're benefiting from the ease of local resources and the opportunity for people to still get excited about actually making a movie, which is not an ongoing everyday process—they're still looking for that next step. They're looking to “break out,” which is fine because everyone wants to break out on some level, but he wonders if these people realize the benefit of independence granted by working in Idaho or whether they see it “as something they have to slog through.”

“That's the point that I came to,” he admits. “I get to choose my projects. I do the ones that I want to do, and I do them the way I want to do them. I don't have to ask for permission. I have to raise money, but I don't have to raise so much money that it's impossible to make it back or impossible to raise in the first place. All the things that

people are trying to move beyond, I see them as great things that I enjoy. I like being able to do things this way.”

Converting disadvantage into advantage, Bayne adds, “When it comes to thinking about what Idaho does not do or does not have available, I think it has everything available if you know the right people, and if you are kind and generous and do good work. I'm pretty sure I could call almost anybody and get a favor. The reason the Kickstarter campaign for “Bloodsworth” got picked up all over the place was because the Idaho State Tourism Board sent out a press release for me. I called them and said, ‘Hey, remember that time you said that you really liked what I was doing and to call on you if you could ever be of help?’ And they said, ‘Yes!’”

I GET TO CHOOSE MY PROJECTS — ONES THAT I WANT TO DO


Recent IFO Grant Recipients DURING THEIR LAST GRANT PERIOD, THE IFO RECEIVED 20+ APPLICATIONS, WHICH INCLUDED 5 NARRATIVE FEATURES, 8 NARRATIVE SHORTS, 4 DOCUMENTARY FEATURES, 2 DOCUMENTARY SHORTS, AND 1 ONLINE INTERACTIVE APPLICATION.EVER TO INDIVIDUAL PLAYERS AND THEIR PROSPECTS TO COMPETE IN THE PROS.

One of the IFO's 2011 grant recipients is Seth Randal, self-identified as a “scrappy, grassroots-type of filmmaker” who enjoys looking into funding avenues that will help him share his projects. He insists, “There are resources out there and—if filmmakers or other creators want to have access to those funds—it's a matter of applying themselves and then applying.”

Seth not only received a $5,000 IFO grant to further his documentary short “Sgt. Paine,” but an 8th Street Artist-In-Residency from the City Department of Arts and History to create a studio installation for his other film-in-progress, “Wake Island.”

Randal asserts, “I am an Idaho filmmaker, perhaps more than many other filmmakers who work in Idaho because the topics of my films have all featured something related to Idaho. I've done projects that featured interviews that were conducted elsewhere, research that was done in other states, but I'm an Idaho filmmaker in that the majority of my effort happens in Idaho. I'm also an Idaho filmmaker in that my perspectives and viewpoints are somewhat shaped by the fact of having lived in Idaho for most of my life, having been born here, having grown up here, and learning Idaho values when I was young.” That being said, Randal still tries to find stories that have a local connection and interest but are interesting and appealing to people in other places for other reasons.

Seth's residency lasts for six months, and, during that time, his studio is open to the public every First Thursday throughout the Summer, so that people can wander in and view clips from the film in progress, trailers, and historical items on display. It's a great way to pique interest in the film, develop a fan base, and allow people to help out through donation.

Zach Voss, a student fresh out of BSU has hit the ground running. First, he won last year's I48 in several categories: best film, cinematography, sound, actor, and actress—a sweep of five of the seven available awards. Voss took his prize money and astutely used it to match requested grant funds from IFO for his upcoming short “Mandrake Estate.” He scored those funds, along with one of The Boise Weekly's $500 Cover Art Auction grants—not bad for someone who hasn't even started the principal photography for his narrative about a prestigious golf course and the man relinquished from his position as groundskeeper. “It becomes a tale about the value of the craftsman,” Voss pitches.

As for his education at BSU, Voss describes it as “a hybrid of my own interest and pursuit of the subject as well as my employment at

Boise State Student Media, where I did journalism and multi-media work. They're the parent group of The Arbiter, which is the school newspaper, The Pulse, which is student radio, and this new video vein that I've been spearheading and exploring. That was the parent group that gave me the tools, such as computers and equipment, and the privilege and freedom to go out and use that digital media to create content.”

Along with starting on a filmmaking career, Voss has started up his own company, Retroscope Media, as “a creative media vessel specializing in video production. I formalized as a business to offer my services to a market that I think is alive and growing in Idaho but under-resourced with qualified people doing production work.”

As to whether he's an Idaho filmmaker, Voss says, “It's pretty early in my pursuit as really being a filmmaker, so I feel that attaching myself to Idaho is a good move. I feel really respected and supported and safe in this environment and want to continue to develop myself within the context of this state and this community.”

David Butterfield has been involved with IFO since its inception and even before. He was part of the group who hired Peg Owens as Idaho's film commissioner. Stretching away from his advisory capacity, he decided to apply for one of IFO's grants to help finish his feature documentary “The Sun Valley Story.” The grant allowed him to provide mentorship to three up-and-coming filmmakers who served as production assistants on his film: Cara Frost (archival research), J.R. Richards (sound, music, and mixing), and Tyler Hendricks (graphics). Recalling how difficult it was for him to make films in the 80s and 90s, Butterfield says that everything he needs is here now, and the drawbacks are few for filming in Idaho. “Idaho is a package that suits me well,” he asserts proudly.

On track with the IFO's initiative to develop and mentor a local workforce, the grant recipient, Andrew Ellis, admits that he and his longtime collaborator, Will Schmeckpeper, plan to film “Honor Among Thieves,” their neo-noir heist film, involving as many people as they can (both experienced and inexperienced) and to “give them an actual opportunity to—not just talk about making a movie—but make a movie.” The IFO grant will allow Ellis the opportunity to pay people, which is something he hasn't been able to do before. “It's important for our film scene that people can start to expect to get paid something, if not much.”

I FEEL RESPECTED, SUPPORTED & SAFE IN THIS ENVIRONMENT


SETH RANDAL


ANDREW ELLIS


I48 / H48 ELLIS IS ALSO THE INDIVIDUAL STEERING BOISE'S I48 AND H48 FILM COMPETITIONS. IN ITS 9TH EDITION, I48 RUNS IN EARLY JUNE AND IS, AS ZACH VOSS PUTS IT, “PROBABLY THE SINGLE MOST COLLECTIVE VIEWING EXPERIENCE FOR IDAHO FILMS THAT HAPPENS ANNUALLY. IT'S THE ONE PLACE WHERE EVERYONE GETS TOGETHER ON ONE WEEKEND AND DOES THE SAME THING RELATED TO FILM. IT'S A COMMUNITY-DRIVEN, COMMUNITY-SUPPORTED EFFORT. YOU GET TO SEE A LOT OF FACES AND GET TO SEE HOW THE OVERALL QUALITY DEVELOPS EACH YEAR.”

Ellis explains the format: “You have 48 hours to make a film, and we give you certain aspects of the film that you don't know in advance. Everybody gathers on Friday afternoon. They get a packet where they're given a character, a line of dialogue, the genre of their film, and a prop they have to use. Then they have 48 hours to write, shoot, and edit a story and turn it into us.”

Both competitions have two divisions: an open division for participants experienced in making films and a novice division for participants with little or no experience. Cash prizes are awarded in both categories, plus 22 total awards granted in recognition of best cinematography, best sound and music, best actor and actress, and other categories.

H48, which had its inaugural edition last year, was created to circumvent the PG restriction of I48 and to allow filmmakers interested in exploring the horror genre more leeway in playing with the genre's mature tropes. The horror-themed H48 will return to Boise around Halloween.

“I like to make films because it is one of the most fun and pleasurable ways that I know to recreate with my friends,” Ellis says, but he admits he doesn't identify as a filmmaker. “What I do identify myself as—both in my day job and my filmmaking pursuits and with I48 and H48—is as a community builder. At the end of the day, I'm far more proud of my contributions to building a community than necessarily the films that I have made. I'm proud of them too, but I feel that my time on Earth will be valuable not for the films I leave behind but because of the connections that were made and the community we've built.”

As for the value and appeal of working so quickly, Voss explains, “You have to develop an idea you think will work and then commit to it and move through it no matter how bizarre or loose it

becomes throughout the weekend. You don't really have a lot of time to go back on what you thought was good earlier. It pushes you to continue to mold, re-shape, and develop your content as it happens. There's not really time for regret, which is kind of refreshing. Filmmaking can be a pretty extensive process, and this is over before you have a chance to reconsider.”

EDUCATION

Along with the elements of mentorship and workforce development ingrained into the IFO's grants initiative and its Cineposium workshops, film education in Idaho exists predominantly in its collegiate environments. Through the vigilant efforts of actress-turned-producer, Heather Rae, and Oscar®-winning documentarian and BSU adjunct professor, Ben Shedd, BSU's Communications Department has recently implemented a Cinema Certificate to augment a communications degree. Whether this will develop into a full-fledged film program remains to be seen, though for now it's an interdisciplinary program with a curriculum that includes classes from the Business College, the Communications Department, and the Theatre Arts Department.

EXHIBITION

Admittedly, the IFO is affiliated with exhibition only in a peripheral way. The IFO views exhibition as a means to bring in filmmakers who have not been to Idaho before to screen their films and to build up relationships with those filmmakers, so that they might consider shooting on location in Idaho for their future films. Although the IFO may not fund exhibition or apply much effort towards exhibition directly, they are wholly supportive of film festivals and help them financially to bring in guest filmmakers. Their willingness to help out in this regard extends to special events that have been held at Boise's lauded independent art house cinema, The Flicks.

continued on next page


Winner of the Audience Favorite at the inaugural Sun Valley Film Festival and the opening night film for the second annual Cineposium, organized by the Idaho Film Office and kNIFVES, the dramatic feature “Soda Springs” (2012) has lassoed the hearts of Idaho audiences. Co-produced, co-written, and starring Idaho native Jay Pickett—whose handsome performance as prodigal son Eden centers the film, “Soda Springs” is solidly directed by Michael Feifer and showcases Jeffrey D. Smith's accomplished cinematography of Idaho's beloved sagebrush desert country. There isn't a single dishonest note to any of the film's performances, including a heartbreaking appearance by veteran actor, Tom Skerritt as Eden's father. A classic narrative about fathers and sons, mentors, and guiding spirits, “Soda Springs” speaks to classic—nearly mythic—themes of sacrifice and redemption.

Actor/screenwriter, Jay Pickett grew up on a ranch in Caldwell, Idaho in a close-knit family with four siblings. Sports and rodeo took up the majority of his time during his youth, even as he felt a pull in another direction. A graduate of Caldwell's Vallivue High School, Pickett pursued a theatre arts degree from Boise State and then headed south to Los Angeles, where he earned a masters of fine arts degree from UCLA.

He has guest starred in numerous television shows, including “China Beach,” “Matlock,” “Perry Mason,” and a two-year contract on “Days of our Lives.” In 1997, Jay originated the role of Frank Scanlon on the ABC Drama, “Port Charles.” He played the character for the entire 61/2 years that the show was on the air. Most recently, Jay has appeared on “Desperate Housewives,” “Saving Grace,” and “Dexter.” Along with producing, starring, and co-writing the feature film “Soda Springs,” he also had leading roles in the feature films “Abandoned” (2010) and the soon to be released “The Perfect Student” (2012). He Lives in Woodland Hills, California with his wife Elena and their three beautiful children, Maegan, Michaela, and Tyler.

Fusion Magazine recently had the opportunity to talk to Pickett about “Soda Springs” and his film career.

FUSION Let's talk about your origins in Caldwell, Idaho, before we launch into

discussing your return to Idaho to accompany the film at the inaugural Sun

Valley Film Festival. It's my understanding that your ease with horsemanship

in “Soda Springs” came about from a background in ranching and rodeo work?

PICKETT Yeah, that's right. I basically grew up on a ranch and started

riding horses at an early age, probably two or three. I started competing

in rodeos when I was seven or eight-years-old. All my brothers and sisters

competed. I went through the ranks of the junior rodeos, high school

rodeos, and college rodeos, on into amateur professional rodeos. So, yeah,

I have a long background around horses.

FUSION And yet you began to want more than a ranching life in Caldwell?

What drove you to veer away towards acting?

PICKETT I always felt a pull in another direction, even though it was hard to

define back then. I remember watching John Wayne in “The Cowboys” (1972)

where he had this crew of kids on horseback. I can't remember the movie that

well, but I do remember at the time I thought, “That would be the coolest thing

in the world to be able to do something like that.” So I was really young when I

already felt that pull towards acting and performance, but it was something I

couldn't really nail down. I took some theater classes in high school, where I

started playing around with it; but it wasn't until I went to college at Boise State

that I began to think about it seriously. I had one professor, Fred Norman ,who

was a mentor, and he helped me make the decision. He said, “If you really like

this, you should commit to it because you're good at it.” So I did that. I changed

my major and pulled my focus away from rodeo and football and made acting

my primary thing. I never looked back after that.

I went to UCLA and I was pretty lucky early on. I started working shortly after I

graduated with my masters degree. I spent a long time on soap operas, but I

felt that they weren't going to get me where I needed to go. I knew I had to find

another way to promote myself and to get myself out there. I thought the best

way to do that would be to tell my own stories, and, so, that started me down

the path of making my own movie.

FUSION One of the taglines for “Soda Springs” is “Coming home is easy. It's

staying that's the hard part.” That tagline could serve as an overarching

comment on the state of film culture and filmmaking within Idaho. Your career

exemplifies this ongoing conundrum in Idaho with regard to film talent. To

achieve opportunity, you had to leave Idaho?

PICKETT You're exactly right. I did have to leave Idaho, but going back to make

a film in Idaho reminded me that I've always had a fondness for Idaho. I love

the state and am proud to be from the state. My producing partner for “Soda

Springs,” Gary Hollie, felt the same way. He's also from Idaho. We both dreamed

of going back there to shoot a film; but, there's not a lot of film production in

Idaho, so it was difficult. There's not a lot of incentive. I don't know all the ins

and outs—we were a lean production and weren't looking for a lot of incentives

or anything; our plan was to film in Idaho just because we wanted to go back.

But to respond to your question, you have to sometimes go away and learn.

Even though I know the film industry is spreading out across the country,

there's still so much going on in L.A., and it's where you can learn. You're around

a lot of other talented people. Then you can take what you've learned and go

back "home" and spread what you've learned around.

FUSION Did you always have in mind that the script for this story was

going to be set in Idaho? Did you always intend to return to Idaho to

make your first feature?

WRITTEN BY MICHAEL GUILLÉN INTERVIEW WITH JAY PICKETTSODA SPRINGS


ANDREW ELLIS Cont... .

PICKETT Yeah, that was always our primary objective; we wanted to go

back. As I said, I love Idaho. It's a beautiful state. I have so much family

here that I could call on for favors, which I did, and not just family but

friends came out of the woodwork. We were overwhelmed by the

generosity of the people of Idaho, and it truly was the experience of

a lifetime. There will never be another experience like making your

first film. There were so many synchronicities and happy accidents

that happened along the way and I think that good vibe—that good

energy—shows up in the movie.

We used folks from both places. We brought people from L.A. and they

worked so well with the people we found in Idaho. Steve Fulton, the

talented musician who scored our film, went to high school with me

and my producing partner, Garry Hollie. We wanted to involve people

who we knew from our past. Our cinematographer, Jeff Smith—who

did such a great job—is from Pocatello and went to Boise State, even

though I didn't know him in Idaho; I met him here in L.A. He was the

perfect choice to take back with us.

FUSION You're not the first person to mention how important a role

the generosity of Idahoans has played into making a low-budget film in

Idaho. This generosity is one of the main calling cards the state has to

draw in production. Can you talk a bit about how you coordinated that

production? Did you go through the Idaho Film Office to find local talent?

PICKETT It was a little of both. We worked with Peg Owens and she

helped point us in the right direction in a number of different ways.

She helped us find Catrine McGregor, who used to be an L.A.-based

casting director, and then she moved up to Idaho. She casts a lot of

people out of Salt Lake and Boise. She helped us find a lot of talent. And

then it was just word of mouth. We'd meet somebody, and then we'd

hear about somebody else through them and follow up on it. There

wasn't any one way that we went about coordinating everything;

there were actually a lot of ways that we found people.

It's not only the generosity of the people of Idaho, it's their friendly

nature. Idaho is a friendly part of the country. Yes, Idahoans were

generous, but they're just good people. That's why Gary and I went

back, because we knew that. We knew that people there would bend

over backwards. There's also—I don't want to call it naïveté—a kind

of innocence to the people of Idaho. They haven't had a ton of movies

shot around there so it's new and refreshing to them. If they were in a

place where people were bothering them all the time to make movies

in this location or that location, it might be different; but, right now, it's

still new. They don't get a lot of that, so everyone was willing to help.

But it even went beyond that. It went from us asking, “Can you help us

out?” to their asking, “What can we do to help you?”

For example, last summer, the IFO put Carole Skinner of The Flicks in touch with filmmaker, Frederick Marx, and the two of them arranged a screening of his film, “Journey From Zanskar,” with a Q&A session afterwards. Not only did the value added enhance the audience appreciation of Marx's film, but the IFO arranged for Marx to conduct a workshop for local film professionals.

Film festivals have negotiated a more complicated presence in Boise. Gregory Bayne organized the True West Film Festival and kept it running for five years, before becoming absorbed in his own film projects, and then the Idaho International Film Festival (IIFF) lasted for seven years before losing its corporate sponsorship, though hopes to revive it in coming years remain strong. Owens would like to see the IIFF return to Boise, affirming, “Downtown Boise has a perfect configuration for a film festival with the proximity of the theaters, the hotels, the nightlife, and the restaurants all in walking distance in such a safe area.” Skinner questions Boise's need for an international film festival, suggesting that—until Boiseans have watched all of the foreign films and independent features she's programmed at The Flicks—there's no real need for an international film festival. Filmmakers like Andrew Ellis disagree, however, stating festivals like IIFF provide a necessary social opportunity for filmmakers to engage in each others' projects. The inaugural edition of the Sun Valley Film Festival proved the value of enticing business travelers to Ketchum, with hotels and restaurants operating at capacity and liaisons with the Weinstein Company promising exciting developments in years to come.

THE BALANCE OF POWERSProduction, education, and exhibition are the three powers that inform a vibrant film culture. With IFO's committed focus to workforce development and in-state production, several local production companies are offering opportunity to up-and-coming film professionals as well as valuable assistance to outside agents considering Idaho locations. A thorough review of these services exceeds the scope of this article, but by way of mention services, such as Wide Eye Productions, North by Northwest Productions, Silverdraft Mobile Viz, Peppershock Media, Retroscope Media, Idaho Cinematic Equipment, Rocky Mountain Audio Visual, and Production Services International, which are only a few of the valuable resources contributing to the growth of film production in Idaho. Further, groups such as Boise Cutters, Idaho Media Professionals, and kNIFVES are creating peer opportunities for social networking, all aimed at creating a film community in Idaho, one individual at a time.


FAT CHANCE: HOW FATTY’S BAR IS WINNING BY PLAYING WITH A DIFFERENT SET OF RULESWRITTEN BY DREY CAMPBELL PHOTOGRAPHY BY MELLISSA LARSON



Sometimes, two things that are not predicted to mesh go together very well. I can imagine people probably once thought, why would you put smashed peanuts with pureed grapes? Others probably imagined cameras would be useless on a phone. Two men, who initially didn’t know each other, running a bar that isn’t even in the nightclub district of Boise sounded like a terrible idea, but it is working, and working well.

Fatty’s is a bar that’s going on its second birthday this fall. It’s owners, Justin Zora (34) and Clay Roman (29), are two very different men with one fused mission: To make people feel comfortable while socializing—with or without a drink. Yeah, that’s right, they don’t care if you come in with money or not; they just want you to come say hi. And that is why they are full six nights a week.

Fatty’s has faced the odds and survived. Located on the second floor of a historical building, it is much further away from 6th and Main than one would think a bar could be and still survive the Boise nightlife. But that is some of the charm. “It is close enough to feel downtown, but far enough to feel that it isn’t,” Clay says. I kind of relate it to the charm of Boise, where people enjoy the fact that it has a big city feel on a small scale. The venue is a large upstairs locale, which helps customers feel like VIPs, since climbing stairs to enter is necessary. Yet, there is not one VIP in the crowd. Instead, Fatty’s brings in people from all across the social spectrum with its varied events each night, from beer pong to comedy and musical performances. “It’s like a community mixer where everyone can feel comfortable and know that they can be themselves,” says Clay.

I gave Fatty’s a try on Friday night, and it was evident that the there was no one “clique,” as some bars have unintentionally acquired. “Fatty’s has one of those Cheers-like atmospheres. “But instead of one Norm, we have 27,” Justin says to me as we sit in his back office. It is obvious Justin is a happy person. He always has a smile on his face and makes others feel like he might bring them in for a bear hug at any moment, which he says is actually a good quality for a bar owner to possess. “Do you know how many guys end up fighting in your bar, if you go up to them when they are about to throw blows and ask them their name (with eye contact) and if you can hug them?” he asks with a smile.

Authenticity is rare in the bar industry, but that is what makes Fatty’s different. Justin and Clay are there, every night, talking to their customers and doing the hands-on work. I personally watched Clay carry all the alcohol in for the weekend, himself. He had to go up and down all those steep stairs, and when I asked if he needed help, he proudly replied, “Nah man, this is what I do!”

Bars are what they do. Clay is a driven entrepreneur, with bar experience in Boise that is hard to compete with. He has a keen sense for the subconscious flow of bar psychology, which helps make people feel comfortable in the nighttime environment. Fatty’s has a huge layout, but it is set up like a house. There are different “rooms” for different moods and interests, but a sense of safety and camaraderie unifies the entire bar. This is not the case at all pubs in Boise. And Fatty’s doesn’t have a beefed up staff looking to push patrons around. Rather, they pride themselves on remembering names and offering a selection for each character that comes through the door—from 40ozs. to black label.


Fatty’s bar is one that is predicated on the concept that if people feel like they matter (because they actually DO matter), then they will feel welcomed, have a good time, and come back with others. Justin and Clay felt that the base to create this social system was a set of authentic employees. By hiring people who were “real” and by being “real” themselves, which Clay asserted was not entirely common in the majority of the bar industry, people would sense that they were accepted for who they were and would feel at ease. The staff even plays on a kickball team, as just another way to build rapport and genuine relationships. Justin says that the bar is successful because their belief in people first starts from the top and works its way on down. “People actually come to our bar to help us pay our bills and survive,” says Clay. Fatty’s customers are never viewed as dollar bills with legs.

Fatty’s is a bar that genuinely cares about bringing fun into the local community. Partnering with Wild 101, they’ve to brought in “celebs,” such as Titus Young, Doug Martin, and Darren College as guest bartenders to just have fun—people can come in, see friendly faces, and feel comfortable in their own skin.

I know it seems difficult to think that a nightlife establishment cares about its customer base, but this is the reason that Fatty’s is doing well—they do care. From the owners to the doorman, everyone can do everyone else’s job as necessary, and the family feeling behind the bar has leapt over into the customer’s psyche. Fatty’s is a place where people can go to have a conversation and a thirst-quencher without mean mugs and pressured sales. They will remember who you are, talk to you, and treat you like kin. Cheers!



Our entire lives, we deal with a constant gravitational pull on our bodies. Have you ever stopped to contemplate the effects of an ongoing fight to upright our bodies? Even as you sleep, your body is being pulled on. Your brain constantly works to repair the effects, which can create excess fatigue and stress. Other than the traditional popping of pharmaceuticals to rid ourselves of pain, unwanted depression, anxiety, toxins and sometimes just to relax—is there another, simpler, non-chemical answer? Brant L. Schlaich decided to look for healthier ways to help people outside often pill-dependent traditional medicine. After months of work, a trip to Portland Oregon offered an answer as Schlaich encountered Floatation Tank Therapy for the first time. Enthusiastic about feeling the effects of the therapy almost immediately, Brant decided to bring Good Flotation’s to the Treasure Valley.

By recreating a womb-like state that relaxes your entire body, Floatation Tank Therapy reduces unwanted stresses. Ten inches of Epsom salt solution, heated to body temperature, and filtered by a triple UV filtration effortlessly keeps you afloat. The tank is also completely dark, making it easier to relax and shut off the outside world. While immersed in such an environment, you become almost unaware of your own body, not to mention relieving the mind from all other constant, external stimulus. Nearly all users completed the therapy report feeling a surge of newfound energy. One hour floating in the tank is equivalent to about four-six hours of sleep, but the difference between sleeping six hours in a bed and floating for one-two hours is vast. Once relaxed to a state where even gravity’s pull on you is almost non-existent, the body

can focus on deep healing. This means tank therapy can have amazing pain-reducing benefits for those dealing with constant aches. Some people also use regular float therapy time to reflect, clear their mind, and spark creativity. Recovering cancer patients also use float therapy as a healthy alternative on their path to healing. There are even studies underway on this therapy being used to alleviate the effects of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) on soldiers.

Owner Brant Schlaich himself was a benefactor of the healing benefits of float therapy after being hit by a car while biking through Boise. With his arm having been badly broken near his elbow joint, he began therapy for three hours a day, three times a week for two weeks and saw vast improvement in his arm’s range of motion as well as pain reduction at the conclusion of 3½ weeks. The affirmation given to Brant from his own experience solidified his belief in Floatation Tank Therapy.

So whether you suffer from chronic pain; are in recovery from a disease or illness; or just one the everyday, over-stressed, over-scheduled, always-tired people looking for a break and a much needed boost of energy, Flotation Tank Therapy could be just the answer you’re looking for. Currently, there is only one tank available by appointment, but Schlaich plans to expand to a more spacious building that will allow convenient therapy sessions for larger numbers. For now, Good Flotation’s (208-989-4723) is located at 1317 W. Jefferson St. Boise, Idaho and taking appointment at your convenience.

FLOATING AWAY WHAT AILS YOUWRITTEN BY SCOTT LEVESQUE PHOTOGRAPHY BY KYLE SUTTON


THE VISION. At the newly expanded Oliver Finley Academy Salon & Spa, you’ll enjoy a large variety of hair, skin and nail services, provided by qualified, supervised students in a cutting edge environment. As an independent Idaho business, the 25,000 square foot academy is a unique professional yet indulgent experience for students and clients alike.

Located on the corner of Glenwood and State, Oliver Finley opened the doors to their new location just last month. Double the size of their previous location, the facility is broken into two areas:

The Salon & Spa features a dedicated makeup room, professional photo area, and a beautifully appointed service area with a cozy fireplace & water features.

Practice makes perfect. While receiving the personalized, luxurious attention to detail you deserve as a salon client, you’ll also feel good knowing you’ve helped a talented, hardworking student refine their professional training. And while the pleasant setting will likely make you forget you’re in a school, make the most of your visit by keeping the following checklist in mind:

• Ask plenty of questions and be open and clear about what you want. Bringing pictures from magazines or other online sources such as Pinterest is the best way to help your student-stylist give you the exact look you’re after.

• Inform the instructor of any wants or concerns during the service consultation. This helps the instructor focus on the of most relevant input for their student.

• Budget a little extra time for your visit. Students work slowly and carefully, and utilize this extra time to make sure everything goes smoothly.

OLIVER FINLEYEXPANDING ON A VISIONWRITTEN BY KATIE OLSEN MITCHELL PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID SCHOLER

A larger teaching annexAuditoriumRunway

Salon & SpaClassroomsAdministrative Offices


• Quiz students about what they have recently learned and what they are working on. By doing this, the student can offer beauty tips that will help with any issues you may have.

• Finally & Most Important-- If it’s a radical change you’re looking for (cut or color), Oliver Finley can help you with that BUT make sure the loved ones in your life are prepared for the change once you get home. This is a great tip for any salon visit.

HAVE A CAREER CHANGE IN MIND? Ready to make a living by doing something you can be truly passionate about? As a beauty professional, you are in a position to enhance, and even completely change someone’s life by helping them look the best they can. Oliver Finley takes great pride in challenging their students with distinctive programs in Cosmetology, Esthetics and Nail Technology while helping them to become creative, well-trained professionals. With hands- on experience and advanced spa techniques, Oliver Finley graduates are among the most sought after professionals in the industry.

So whether you come in as a student, a client, or both--the new Oliver Finley Academy Salon and Spa is ready to help you expand on your vision of the best you.


When hair stylist Kimberly Essmaker embarked on a seven week cross-country, salon-hopping journey in search of inspiration and creativity last summer, she didn’t know the experience would result in a life-changing—and life-improving—business opportunity.

Essmaker attended classes, hair shows, and visited numerous salons throughout the country on her trip, but it was in St. Augustine, Fla., where she met her first It Works! ® Representative. It Works! Global® is an international direct-selling company whose flagship product—The Ultimate Body Applicator™—improves skin texture while hydrating, tightening, toning, firming, and reducing the appearance of cellulite.

“I’m standing outside, and this little blonde girl comes up to me and tells me about a ‘wrap,’” said Essmaker

Essmaker listened to her pitch about the product. Essmaker, a seasoned stylist and well-versed in beauty and body products, was skeptical.

“I battled my weight for years and I knew if she wrapped me in something, it would just be a loss of water weight. We argued about it back and forth, until finally the girl said she would ‘wrap me’ for free. So, I agreed. Then I found myself walking to a hotel room with a person I’d never met. Weird right?”

“So, I got ‘wrapped.’ Then, I rode the train for a couple of hours around town and met her at a restaurant to take it off. I could not believe what it did to my stretch marks!”

Essmaker was intrigued.

“It was shocking. I was still skeptical and told her I was traveling the East Coast for the remainder of my trip. I purchased a couple of wraps and a facial to-go, because I had several salons to visit in New York and Chicago. To my surprise, it helped minimize the puffiness you get while traveling long distances, not to mention how smooth it made my skin. With all the excitement of my journey, I forgot about the wraps until about two weeks after I got home.”

Essmaker realized It Works! Global® is more than just the wraps; they have a full line of premium nutritional supplements, body washes, lotions, and gels made from all-natural, doctor-approved ingredients. Essmaker started collecting products and combining them with the wraps.

Essmaker shared the Ultimate Body Applicator™ with her family and friends to see if they had the same results. Virtually everyone Essmaker has introduced these products to has fallen in love.

“After my daughter’s last baby, she had some bad stretch marks. The wraps, combined with the Stretch Mark & Moisturizing Body Cream™, gave my daughter almost instant results.”

Wraps are site-specific and can be used on many areas in need of tightening, including the arms, tummy, thighs, back, and chin.

“As I was researching, I got interested in their supplements. I’m the kind of person who goes to all the local health food stores and spends a bunch of money on other vitamins and supplements, because I know how important they are.”

It Works! Global® supplements are safe and all natural. When combined with the Ultimate Body Applicator™ and a healthy diet, the It Works! Global® system can improve overall health.

It Works! No really... it works!WRITTEN BY LIZZ ANNE NAUGHTON

Looking for a healthier lifestyle? Contact Kimberly Essmaker to get wrapped up in It Works!® Throw a wrap party to share It Works!® with others (208) 353-9864 or [email protected]


One of Essmaker’s favorites is Greens™, a drink powder with over eight servings of fruits and vegetables per serving which promotes pH balance within the body and includes 38 herbs and nutrient-rich superfoods. She took the list of ingredients to her doctors to see what they’d say.

“They looked at the list and said, ‘looks good to me! This seems like a really good way to get your nutrients.’” Greens™ is also one of her best selling products in the Treasure Valley.

“I HAVE BEEN A PERSONAL TRAINER FOR OVER 10 YEARS AND HAVE COME ACROSS MANY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES THAT I PERSONALLY TRIED FOR ADDITION TO MY BUSINESS. I HAVE SEARCHED FOR AN ALL-NATURAL, HEALTHY AND ALL ENCOMPASSING WELLNESS PROGRAM THAT IT WORKS!® GLOBAL OFFERS. ITWORKS!® IS THE ONLY ONE THAT I HAVE FOUND AND INTRODUCED TO MY CLIENTS.” – Kerry Reagles Holscher, Beyond Fit Personal Training

I learned the hard way that there’s nothing more embarrassing than sitting in the back of a police car:

I teach at the high school and was on my way to work that morning. Like most days, I was running a little behind, stressed because my boss had called me in last Friday to scold me about being late.

“Keep this up,” he said, “and we’re going to have to talk about how serious you are about your future here.”

Those words added weight to the gas pedal as I tore through traffic. I weaved back and forth across lanes, moving toward the front of the pack. I smiled inside as I felt myself beating the clock. And that’s when I saw the lights in my rear view mirror. Damn! Not another ticket. I pulled over to the side of the road and started fishing through the glove box for my insurance and registration. I thought I could speed up the process if I was ready. With papers in hand, I rolled the window down when the officer approached my door.

He took a long look at my Drivers License. I expected him to ask if I knew how fast I was going, but instead he said, “I’m going to need you to step out of the vehicle.”

My heart sank, I knew this wasn’t right. I stepped out of the car and as soon as I did I was told to turn around and put my hands behind my back.

My muscles tightened with the closing of the cold cuffs around my wrists, and I wondered how many of the drivers passing me were parents of my students.

There had been a warrant for my arrest for missing court is what the officer told me. I was supposed to appear for a ticket I’d received last month, but I’d completely forgotten about it. I couldn’t believe this was happening to me. I had only missed court for a traffic ticket. I’m a good citizen—a teacher. I don’t deserve to be getting arrested.

The drive to the jail felt like an eternity. I tried to explain to the officer that it had been an honest mistake, but he said I’d have to take it up with the judge. When I got there, they took my phone and other belongings, made me change into what I can only describe as orange jail pajamas, and took my fingerprints. Next they took my photo—which I knew was going to end up on the Sheriff’s website.

Suddenly it dawned on me: I am here, alone, with no way out. I felt nauseous, and afraid that through some terrible circumstance I would be here for days. They put me in a cell with everyone else who had been arrested that morning. I felt like an animal. My heart began to race as I realized that I could very well be stuck here for a long time.

The judge wasn’t as forgiving as I’d hoped. I thought if I was reasonable with him, explained my side of the story and relied on

ILLUSTRATION BY KELSEY HAWES

SPECIAL INTEREST


75

my good reputation, he’d just dismiss the whole thing and let me go on my own recognizance. But I guess that’s only how it works in movies. Instead he set my bail and the officers took me to a phone to call a bondsman. The list was long, overwhelming almost, but one named looked familiar to me—Bronco Bail Bonds. Someone answered the phone and for the first time that morning I felt like this was going to be ok.

She said her name was Michelle and that she would love to help get me out of this. Her voice was warm and she assured me that it was going to be all right, that I was a normal person and that everybody makes mistakes sometimes.

Michelle came right away, just like she said she would. I was still tense, but she made me feel like I could begin to get past all this. She explained to me that she would be my dedicated agent and advocate, and I wouldn’t be dealing with anyone else. I was asked to pay 10% of the bond amount, but because I didn’t have it all up front (teachers salary...), they were able to work out a payment plan with a co-signer I provided. She also said I could use my car or property as collateral if I couldn’t get enough cash to put down. I knew my sister would help, but I told Michelle I didn’t have her number, since it was in my cell phone that the police had confiscated. She said that wasn’t a problem and that she’d get a hold of my sister. She even asked me for the name of my boss, so she could give him a call to let him know what had happened.

I was glad that I had chosen Bronco Bail Bonds to get me out. I didn’t realize how lucky I was until I got back to the cell and started hearing other guys complain about their bondsmen. They had the same problem with phone numbers and got the run around from their bondsmen, plus many of them said they were confused because they would call the same place but kept getting passed around to different people and none of them seemed to know what they were doing.

I was released from jail just a few hours after talking to Bronco. It felt so good to leave jail behind me so quickly and get back to my life. I’ve still got some barriers to get past, but everyone there at Bronco gave me the tools and information to get past them.

A week after I was released, I was told that had I called Bronco before I was arrested, they could have gone to the jail with me, filled out some paperwork, and I wouldn’t have had to go through the embarrassment of getting arrested and spending the morning in a cell. I’ve been kicking myself since they said that, but now I know that if I, or anyone else I know, are ever in that situation again, there are people I can trust to take care of me.


FOOD


PREPARATION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESSFUL GRILLING

WRITTEN BY CTOPH SIEGMUND PHOTOGRAPHY BY TIM LOVE

What makes people decide on one menu item over another? Usually, a familiar taste or particular flavor enjoyed before helps make the decision. Rarely, do I see people stray away from their taste bud’s comfort zone. However, other than my vegetarian/vegan/miserable friends (I kid, I kid), most folks get suddenly adventurous in their eating when offered grilled food. I think it’s that primal instinct humans have had for centuries—meat cooked over fire. Now, it’s been refined, obviously, and there’s definitely a multitude of degrees when considering someone a grilling master. However, adding a few key ingredients to your hot repertoire will separate you from the amateurs.

I had the opportunity to dine with a local, underground celebrity chef—Alan Gergen (seriously, at work, we play the Six Degrees of Alan). Whispers of his culinary genius trickled through coworker conversations on a daily basis. I had to have a taste. Immediately upon arrival, I learned the first lesson without words—space and area. The beautiful cookout deck in front of me was made up of open air and a comfortable space before each workstation. Alan is accustomed to cooking for several guests and knows that if you trap yourself in a corner, the job can become more stressful than enjoyable. He says to have at least a five-foot radius in front of each grill/fryer/prep station. Ability to react, position, and move yourself (and the food) will be noticeably simpler. My charcoal grill that sits against the house with stale rain atop would blush redder than its shell, in sight of Alan’s grilling patio. Sink, prep-table, buffet, fryer, and of course the grill, all had their own floor and counter space on

either side. It doesn’t mean you have to build a commercial grade facility, but—if you can spare it—let your creativity have enough work space for cooking, not hasty heating.

After the setting has been staged, you need props, which take time and preparation. “You need to always be prepared (motioning towards the wall o’ spices),” says Alan. The outside smells indicated more flavors than Dr. Pepper. “Oh, I’ve used that as a base for barbecue sauce...but, Coke is better. Here, try it!” On hand and better than “on demand;” the tangy sauce was a one-and-only. Preparation is the key to successful grilling. The guys just pouring beer over sizzling, unseasoned rumps at the park may look cool, but you can’t taste “cool.” Instead, make a marinade a few days before with a sangria base and results will improve dramatically.

The right season mixture or marinade is what will give you flair and style. “Find flavors that you really enjoy, and experiment.” The latest chapter in his soon-to-release cookbook has been consumed with raspberries and lime. “I’ve put them in everything!” On this occasion, they could be found in our raspberry limeade, the RL chicken, and the berry-jam mash topping the hot cobbler for dessert.

While you may not start out at the same level as Alan, a few trial and error sessions alone (or with brave friends), will soon give you less crispy cookouts and more delectable delicacies. Don’t be afraid to be original and step up to the next level in pro grilling.

GRANDIOSE GRILLING

78

They’re everywhere. Stationed on quiet street corners, parked in front of downtown high rises, and scattered across the unoccupied parking spaces of Boise. I’m talking about food trucks. Once considered subpar to restaurants, the food truck industry is receiving wide spread attention across the nation (including the Treasure Valley) as the latest in chic and trendy culinary offerings.

One advantage a food truck has over a full-blown restaurant is the ability for the owner to develop a highly honed, often daring menu, and link it with a unique personality--creating a fun dining experience and unforgettably tasty food.

One thing that has further fueled Boise’s food truck fetish is the popular and ever-growing Food Truck Rally. Held every second Friday of the warm months in rotating locations, it’s a magical night fit for any foodie where various food trucks gather from all their usual haunts in the Valley and create a cornucopia of flavor options and temptations. Rounded out by a Beer Garden from Payette Brewing and live and DJ’d music from Radio Boise, the Rally offers everything from Mexican to Italian, pub fare to cupcakes.

To give you a sneak peek of the food truck fare offered at the Rally and around Boise, here are profiles of six of the most happening venues:

GOOD EATS ON THE STREETS: BOISE’S FOOD TRUCK REVOLUTION

WRITTEN BY ALANNA LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY BY PETE GRADY

FOOD TRUCKSFINDING GOOD EATS ON THE STREETS

79

WRITTEN BY ALANNA LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY BY PETE GRADY

BROWN SHUGA SOUL FOOD ARCHIE’S PLACE: SOUPS AND JOES

Truck Profile: Brown Shuga Soul FoodOwner: Yvonne Anderson-Thomas Cuisine: Southern Soul FoodMost Popular Item: Homemade macaroni and cheese.Behind the Name: Spent two months trying to pick a name.How It Got Rolling: This type of food is a part of Yvonne’s family heritage and was the food she grew up eating and loving. When she couldn’t find the taste of those memories anywhere in the Valley, she decided to start serving them up herself.Random Fact: Yvonne’s heart is as warm as the food she serves up, taking the Brown Shuga Soul Food truck out to serve guards at the prison and service men at Gowen Field. Also, a future expansion into breakfast may be in the works!

Truck Profile: Archie’s Place: Soups and JoesOwner: Jason FarberCuisine: Neo-AmericanaMost Popular Item: Sloppy grilled cheeseBehind the Name: Jason named his truck after one of his greatest sources of drive and inspiration, his son, Archie.How It Got Rolling: Being a part of the food industry ever since he was 19, cooking in restaurants from California to Boise, Jason decided to branch out on his own to try out his own unique ideas and menu items.Random Fact: The truck is actually a re-designed postal truck. Another of its famous offerings is “unicorn meat”—a tasty vegetarian version of the popular sloppy joe.

www.brownshugasoulfood.com www.archies-place.com

SAINT LAWRENCE GRIDIRON A CUPCAKE PARADISE

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Truck Profile: Saint Lawrence GridironOwner: Brian GarrettCuisine: Barbecue and pub fareMost Popular Item: Pulled pork sandwich Behind the Name: Saint Lawrence is the patron saint of chefs and is usually associated with barbecue because of how he was martyred--which just happened to be slow roasting on a gridiron. So the name is a blend of both ancient tradition and a slightly morbid sense of humor.How It Got Rolling: Brian had always loved trying new approaches to barbecue. One day a friend suggested he should start selling his cuisine because it was so good. He tested the waters at local markets, and when he (and his food) were met with a warm reception, decided to jump feet first into the food truck scene.Random Fact: Brian worked as an architect before starting the food truck, and sees both his architectural designs and his food as creative outlets.

Truck Profile: A Cupcake ParadiseOwners: Bob and Jennifer McFaddenCuisine: CupcakesMost Popular Item: Their signature Sunset Paradise, a blue carousel cupcake filled with pineapple and topped with rum coconut frosting.Behind the Name: Bob and Jennifer wanted the truck to be named something that they personally found inspirational, and nothing seemed to inspire them more than a tropical island paradise in the Caribbean where they could sit on the beach and listen to the waves. And eat cupcakes.How It Got Rolling: The two went on a quest to find a really good cupcake in the Valley and felt they never quite found it. So, they decided to make those great cupcakes…themselves.Random Fact: Most of the cupcake flavors are inspired by items found on drink menus.

www.saintlawrencegridiron.com www.acupcakeparadise.com

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CALLE 75 STREET TACOS RICEWORKS ASIAN FOOD

Truck Profile: Calle 75 Street TacosOwner: Mike and Rosie WeemsCuisine: Mexican Street FoodMost Popular Item: Carne AsadaBehind the Name: The truck first opened while parked along highway 75 in Hailey. “Calle” means “street” in Spanish.How It Got Rolling: Both Mike and Rosie loved cooking and enjoyed feeding friends and family. At one point, gatherings featuring their food got so big they decided they might need to start charging--so why not start a business as well?Random Fact: Rosie’s mom and dad both had some amazing recipes they decided to keep secret. They made Rosie and Mike guess at the ingredients and how to make them. After lots of experimenting they finally got it right! These family secrets are now what give the food truck its distinctive flavor.

Truck Profile: RiceWorks Asian Food Owner: Phu TranCuisine: Asian FusionMost Popular Item: Teriyaki chickenHow It Got Rolling: The truck was built by the family back in 2001 and used for catering and deliveries. After being forgotten for a little while, Phu and his brother decided to reinvent it in 2010 into what we know today as RiceWorks.Random Fact: I ate enough of their Spicy Korean Tacos to seriously consider starting an addiction support group.

www.facebook.com/Calle75Streettacos www.facebook.com/RiceWorksAsianFood

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.959$permonth

GET STARTED!208-323-13537211 W COLONIAL ST

BOISE, ID

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2158 Broadway St. (208) 384-9000

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I AM FUSIONAWARDS

On July 21st, the Egyptian Theater in downtown Boise provided the perfect Old Hollywood backdrop for the first annual “I am Fusion Awards” presented by Fusion Magazine and Boise Premier Real Estate. After a public nomination and voting process, the next industry standards for Treasure Valley businesses and services were set apart from their competition by receiving the prestigious award.

This red carpet, black tie, Hollywood glam event showcased entertainers Shaun B & Co., Steady Rush, and Jimmy Bivens, who rocked the house along with other entertainers. To keen laughter and applause, hosts Amy Compton and Justin Zora presented the winners of the following categories:

WRITTEN BY KATIE OLSEN MITCHELL

BEST PHOTOGRAPHER

BEST VIDEOGRAPHER

BEST ATHLETE

BEST BARBER

BEST GRAPHIC DESIGNER

BEST COMEDIAN

BEST DJ

TOP FEMALE FITNESS MODEL

TOP MALE MODEL

BEST BAND/MUSICAL GROUP

BEST COCKTAILER

BEST NEW BUSINESS

TOP EVENT PROMOTER

BEST DRAG QUEEN

AUBREY BROWER

DANISH ISHAQ

KRISTIN ARMSTRONG

CHRIS CRAWFORD

SPENCER LLOYD

MATT BRAGG

NATHAN FAST

CARLIE YOUNG

AARON MINEGAR

BUILT TO SPILL

KAYTI HALLAMORE

LUNCHBOX SALON

MAYA RENEÉ

MINERVA JAYNE


WRITTEN BY KATIE OLSEN MITCHELL

AUBREY BROWER

DANISH ISHAQ

KRISTIN ARMSTRONG

CHRIS CRAWFORD

SPENCER LLOYD

MATT BRAGG

NATHAN FAST

CARLIE YOUNG

AARON MINEGAR

BUILT TO SPILL

KAYTI HALLAMORE

LUNCHBOX SALON

MAYA RENEÉ

MINERVA JAYNE

BEST FEMALE BARTENDER

TOP FITNESS TRAINER

BEST BARBER SHOP

FAVORITE NEWS ANCHOR/TV PERSONALITY

BEST WEB DESIGNER

BEST DAY SPA

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

TOP FEMALE MODEL

BEST MALE BARTENDER

TOP MAKEUP ARTIST

TOP HAIR STYLIST

MS. SOCIAL MEDIA

TOP CHEF

FAVORITE RADIO PERSONALITY

MR. SOCIAL MEDIA

BEST TATTOO ARTIST

BEST WAITER

FAVORITE SOLO ARTIST MUSIC

BEST FASHION DESIGNER OR CLOTHING BRAND

BEST TOP MALE FITNESS MODEL

FAVORITE ARTIST (PAINT, SCULPTOR, ETC.)

FAVORITE HAIR SALON

TOP HUMANITARIAN-SOCIAL WORKER

DALLAS DINWIDDIE

JONATHAN SMITH

CLIPPERS

MAGGIE O’MARA

DAVE QUINTANA

TWO RIVERS SALON AND SPA

DEBI LANE – LUNCHBOX SALON

TIFFANY COOK

DAMIR DELIC

JAMIE VERNER

TOD ALAN

BRANDY HARBISON

JOHN BERRYHILL

KEKE LUV

TJ THOMSON

DARCY NUTT

SHAUN B.

BRANDON PRITCHETT

NENA EARL – BOURGEOIS CHIC

AARON MINEGAR

PATRICK HUNTER- PATCASSO

GRAEBER & CO

KARALIE DELUCA

Along with receiving his or her valued recognition, each winner was given a distinctive award made specially by Amber Conger of Refinerii, designed to celebrate the hard won success of these local artists, businesses, and individuals. An equally glamorous after party held at Barbacoa provided an opportunity for attendees to relax with cocktails and mouth-watering food, and mingle with nominees and winners. Fusion Magazine would like to thank all of our sponsors: Refinerri, American Revolution Vodka, Protector Services of Idaho, Newko Sports Nutrition, Prestige Studios, Charles Crafts, The Boise Hotel & Conference Center along with Castle Ranch Steak House for helping us to make this event happen. We look forward to making the next annual iAMF awards even bigger and better!



LOCATION Discovery Center of IdahoDATE September 29th, 2012

As a proud media sponsor for the prestigious, Bodies Revealed Exhibition, Fusion magazine was excited to be a part of the wonder and celebration of human body. With displays running until the end of December, expecting to draw over 100,000+ people, don’t miss the chance to experience the wonder of our muscular, nervous, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, endocrine, and circulatory systems by being a part of this historical event!

BODIES REVEALEDEXHIBITION

September 29, 2012 through march 31, 2013

presented by at the

dCIdaho.org | 131 Myrtle st., boise | 208.343.9895For information about private parties, call Jane at 287-4231 or email [email protected]

real human bodies This striking exhibition showcases real

human bodies, dissected and preserved through a revolutionary

process allowing visitors to see themselves in a fascinating way like

never before.

BODIES REVEALED will enlighten, empower and inspire.

real human bodies,

meticulously prepared and

respectfully Displayed.

hOUrsSunday – Thursday: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm

Friday & Saturday: 9:30 am to 8:30 pm

tICKet prICesAdults (18 & up): $18

Youth (age 4 to 17): $14Children under 4 are free

tICKet prICes FOr dCI MeMbersAdults (18 & up): $8

Youth (age 4 to 17): $6Children under 4 are free

sUppOrted by R


BOISE FASHION WEEKHOSTED BY ROB AYERSJuly 28th, 2012LOCATION The Powerhouse

Fusion Magazine was a proud sponsor of the Boise Fashion Week that featured the finest designers, boutiques and retailers during this three-day event. With the mission to unify and promote the growing fashion community in Idaho, the Boise Fashion week showcased some of the best, local, emerging talent and artistry in the area.

FASHION WEEK


iAMF AWARDS

I AM FUSION AWARDSPRESENTED BY BOISE PREMIER REAL ESTATEJuly 21st, 2012LOCATION Egyptian Theatre

As the next industry standard for local businesses and individuals, this red carpet, black tie, Hollywood glam event, showcased the frontrunners of the Treasure Valley in a public nomination and voting process known for being the best-of-the-best in Boise.Musical entertainers, Shaun B & Co., Steady Rush, & Jimmy Bivens, rocked the house along with other entertainers and political faces. Winners of each category received unique awards made especially by Amber Conger of Refinerii.


iAMF AFTER PARTY

I AM FUSION AWARDS AFTER PARTYPRESENTED BY BOISE HOTEL AND CONVENTION CENTERJuly 21st, 2012LOCATION Barbacoa

With additional red carpet treatment, cocktails, music and mouthwatering food, Barbacoa hosted an exhilarating after party presented by Fusion Magazine and the Boise Hotel and Convention Center. This free, chic event topped off the night by celebrating the hard working success of all the nominees, and winners of the iAMF awards.ya! A line out the door meant a packed dance floor, busy bar, and a night that set the bar high for next year.

94

DIRTY DASH

LOCATION Bogus BasinDATE August 25th & 26th, 2012

The Dirty Dash made its return to Boise and runners came out in full force. This year’s 5K mud-run attracted over 9,000 participants, many of them in costumes ranging from ballerinas to chefs. Runners scaled walls, low-crawled tunnels, and mastered monkey bars, all in the name of good, dirty fun!

DIRTY DASH PRESENTED BY BOISE PREMIER REAL ESTATE


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Documents

november december 2012 issue