By Daniel Frandson, Idaho student, actor and guest blogger

The first annual Sun Valley Film Festival successfully got up and running on Thursday, March 15, 2012. Truly a great triumph, this festival brought film and the arts to a new level.

Daniel Frandson was one of the child actors in "Magic Valley."

Some of the new independent films featured were, “Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best”, “LUV”, “War Elephants”, “Soda Springs” and “Magic Valley”. Some of the shorts included, “Cabby”, “Star Waiters”, “Grandma Must Get Dry” and “Crawlspace”.

In celebration of a weekend of accomplishment, an award party was held in the Town Square. The “Vision Award” was presented to Heather Rae for “Magic Valley”. Jaffe Zinn was awarded the “Gem State Award” and the “One in a Million Award” for ‘Magic Valley”. “War Elephants” also received a “One in a Million Award’ and “Soda Springs” was granted the “Audience Award”.

The first Sun Valley Film Festival was very successful and achieved great praise from many people.

Actor’s Opinion:
By Daniel Frandson

The Sun Valley Film Festival was a great success and I think it will gain popularity in the years to come.

Jaffe Zinn receives the Gem State Award for "Magic Valley"

Being able to meet the directors and the producers of the films was very interesting and also a great experience. From an actor’s standpoint, it was beneficial to get feedback during the Question and Answer sessions.

All the volunteers and those who worked the festival were very considerate, kind and helpful. The filmmakers and the audience were very gracious.

The independent movies were very inspiring films because the plotlines were rarely repetitive, they worked with very low budgets and the directors always seemed genuinely concerned about the topics they were addressing.

Lodging at the Tamarack Lodge was great and even had pool. The scenery, as well as the snow, was beautiful. The only downside was there was very little food available before 4:30 p.m. or after 10:00 p.m. Luckily, The Pioneer Saloon went out of their way to accommodate us by keeping the kitchen open after closing.

The Sun Valley Film Festival was a wonderful experience – an experience of a lifetime – and I hope to attend many more. I thank Jaffe Zinn, Heather Rae and Laura Mehlhaff for giving me the opportunity to take part in this event.

1)  Sweetheart Sunset Dinner Cruise on Lake Coeur d’Alene
A romantic dinner on the lake that includes prime rib, chicken piccata, Caesar salad, au gratin potatoes, fresh fruit and a special Valentine’s dessert, served with a complimentary bottle of champagne.
Saturday, February 11th | 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Tuesday, February 14th | 6:30 – 8:00 pm

2)  Wine Tasting and Chocolate Pairing at Sawtooth Winery
Enjoy an array of Sawtooth Winery’s wine paired with
The “Chocolat” Bar’s chocolates, for a most enjoyable taste treat.
Saturday, February 11 |12:00pm to 5:00pm
Sunday February 12  |  12:00pm to 5:00pm

3)     Stay & Spa – Mountain Decadence at Shore Lodge in McCall
Steal away to Shore Lodge with the one you love. Shore Lodge has prepared the perfect evening of decadence for you and yours.  Decadence package includes: One-night stay in a Lake View Suite; Two one-hour spa treatments of your choice at The Cove, an authentic McCall Spa; in-room champagne and strawberries nightcap.
Be forewarned! The Decadence package is stronger than Love Potion #9.  Plan accordingly.

4)      Romance Package  at Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg
Luxurious condo, chilled champagne or huckleberry wine, two complimentary wine glasses, bath salts for the tub, souvenir candle and sweetheart chocolates. Deluxe romance package includes his and her massage and dinner for two at Noah’s Canteen.

5)      Celebrate with your Valentine in Sun Valley
Forever Plaid will serenade your sweetheart in the Boiler Room.
Swing back through time to the 1950’s with the Plaids as they revive close-harmony hits such as
Moments to Remember, Crazy ‘Bout Ya Baby, and  Love is a Many-Spendored Thing!
Tuesday, February 14 | 7: 30 pm
Cocktails at fire pit 2 hours before show time

6)      Trinity on the Beach in Sandpoint
Enjoy live acoustic music, along with food and drink specials.
Tuesday, February 14 |  5:00 – 8:00 pm

7)      His & Hers Valentine Special at Hotel 43 in Boise
Spoil each other this Valentine’s Day with a special night .
You will be treated to two nights in a Capitol level room, “Hers” night is tickets for two on Friday, February 17th to La Bohme presented by Opera Idaho plus “His” night tickets for two on Saturday night to the Idaho Stampede basketball game. To top it off, enjoy breakfast for two on both Saturday and Sunday from the Metro Café.  Valet parking for two nights, plus special Hotel 43 Valentines treats will be waiting for you upon arrival.

8)      The Whole Ski Bang!
Skiing, pampering and tasty treats, this getaway to Aura Soma Lava Hot Springs in eastern Idaho promises quality couple time and a lot more!  The Whole Ski Bang! package for two includes: a two night stay at Aura Soma Lava Hot Springs; a day of skiing at Pebble Creek Ski Area; a half hour of facilitated stretching and sports massage, day passes for soaking in the hot springs pools, soothing massages after a day on the slopes; Grounds for Change brand organic coffee, Chocolove chocolate bars, bottled water; chilled champagne or cider and more!

9)      Inn-Credible Idaho!
Seeking a bed & breakfast that is intimate, romantic or rustic?  Browse through “Inn-Credible Idaho”  to find the accommodations that are right for you and your valentine!

10)   Sweet to Spicy at the Idaho Botanical Gardens in  Boise
Mustard is the king of condiments.  From Dijon, France to Boise, Idaho and from sweet to spicy, the possibilities are endless. Join Sylvie Ryan to discover the wonders of cooking with mustard. Sample different mustards, including local products, and prepare a few simple recipes that are sure to bring sweet and spicy inspiration to your Valentine’s Day Feast!
Thursday, February 9 | 6:30 p.m.

11) “The Chocolate Affair” in Downtown Coeur d’Alene
The sweetest ‘Walk’ of the year ~ for the chocoholic.   Join in the tasting.
Friday, February 10th | 5:00  – 8:00 pm.

12) Sweetheart’s Weekend at Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg
Speed dating session on chair 3 and cupcake tasting paired with wines from Cupcake Winery.
Saturday,  February 11

13) Oh Fudge!   Make your Valentine’s Day even sweeter with this decadent fudge.
Idaho’s “Black Canyon Fudge” makes mouthwatering sweets with real cream and butter.

Week 10: October 31st — November 6

Jack Frost paints a portrait of beauty
With colors so vivid and bright;
It’s framed with a purple misty haze
And draped in a frosty night.

Big, fat, bright orange pumpkins
Nestle snugly among shocks of corn;
Leaves flutter silently earthward;
Ice sparkles like glass in the dawn.

The nuts drop softly upon the ground,
Leaves fall and hide them there;
Squirrels work away industriously,
Their winter store to prepare.

A pale harvest moon sails serenely
Across a star-studded sky,
And smiles on a world full of color
Since Jack Frost has just passed by.
~unknown~

October 31: Happy Halloween. Prepare this tasty dish for visiting ghouls and goblins.

Apple Honey Crisp

6 cups thinly sliced Idaho apples
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ cup honey
¾ cup butter
¾ cup brown sugar
1 cup rolled oats
¾ cup flour
Wash and peel apples (about 6 large apples). Toss with lemon juice. Place apples in 9X13” baking pan. Drizzle honey over apple mixture. Combine brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, rolled oats and flour. Blend in butter until fine crumbs are formed. Sprinkle topping over apples and honey. Bake in 375° oven for 45 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Serve warm with ice cream.
Recipe from Idaho Preferred.

November 5 — 12: Nation’s Largest Steelhead Derby, Lewiston.
Grab your fishing pole and cash in on daily money prizes.

November 5: Winemaker’s Dinner, 6:00pm, The Narrows at Shore Lodge, McCall
Experience artisan wines paired with Executive Chef Eric Gruber’s Northwest cuisine. $125 per person for Winemaker’s Dinner or a special lodging package for the event priced at $349 includes dinner for two and one night’s lodging for two in a lake-view suite.

Enjoy local food and wine at these Idaho restaurants.
Farmers Market Guide
A Harvest Guideto farm festivals, pumpkin patches and corn mazes

Culinary Event Calendar for August 29 – September 5
Culinary Event Calendar for September 6 – 11
Culinary Event Calendar for September 12 – 17
Culinary Event Calendar September 18 – 25
Culinary Event Calendar September 26 – October 2
Culinary Event Calendar October 3 – October 9
Culinary Event Calendar October 10 – 16
Culinary Event Calendar October 17 – 23
Culinary Event Calendar October 24 – 30
Culinary Event Calendar October 31 – November 6

Guest blogger Brian Dickens wrote a piece called Broncologue that was posted in October 2010. Brian is back to update us on the Bronco pride he’s passed down to his children.

Original Post
My 2-year old Mia and I are psyching ourselves up for our trip to Idaho’s 3rd largest city this Saturday. I’m not referring to Pocatello, but to the gargantuan, multi-cultural, trans-economic, blue and orange tent city that materializes around Bronco Stadium coincident with any Boise State home-game. Tailgate sprawl has spilled across campus, across the Boise River, and at least a full block from the stadium in every direction and transformed this once-tranquil parking lot into a nearly square-mile RC Willey home-theater showroom. With an estimated population of about 55,000 at game-time this year, the tent-city—I’m going to go out on a limb here and simply name it “Petersen, Idaho” since that name doesn’t appear to be taken—has effectively taken up the #3 population ranking (coincidence?) whenever the Broncos are in town. Petersen trails only Boise and Nampa and with the planned stadium expansion and the possibility of a double-deck tailgate lot by 2015, Nampa could be in trouble.

Two Saturday’s ago, when College Gameday was in town, my 4-year-old, Reagan and I ventured into Petersen at about 5:30 am with what the ABC/ESPN sports crew said was about 13,000 of our closest friends (well, I saw lots of Vandal, Duck, Cougar, and Buckeye outfits in the crowd, so “friends” might be a stretch). We had a great time and hung around “town” most of the day, but by the time the game was over—we’ve been priced into the north end-zone—Reagan was so overwhelmed with post-euphoric crowd syndrome that he actually said that his baby sister Mia could go next time. This from a DIE-HARD fan who has been attending games and singing the fight song front-to-back since he was 2.

If you haven’t seen him yet, check out his you-tube video from two years ago.
Mia knows the whole fight-song by heart too now, but she’s not quite the performer!

Petersen itself is a great little town. I’m thinking that the town council must have passed some sort of ordinance or covenants about paint colors on dwellings and vehicles, but there doesn’t seem to be any building codes or standards for either one! You can find everything from beach umbrellas or lawn-chairs-only all the way up to 40 ft “tour” busses, all decked out in Orange & Blue. There’s lots of travel trailers, panel vans, and a few “renovated” Champion motorhomes from the 70’s that I never thought I’d see on the road again (and probably shouldn’t!). Some of the residential lots—on the north and west ends of town even have lawns! The economic strata represented in Petersen are remarkably proportionate to Boise itself. You definitely have the stainless-steel 20-foot backyard grill crowd that watch the pre-game on a satellite-fed, 65-inch flat panel—built in to the side of their custom motorhome—then ride the Broncovator up to their Stueckle penthouses to watch the actual game; but in the “lot” right next to them you’ll find three guys with their bodies painted blue, roasting Wal-mart hotdogs on a three-legged Kingsford while they play “redneck” horseshoes (or is it golf?) and they don’t even have tickets for the game—they tune in to Paul J. and Bob Beeler on AM radio and gauge the roars from the stadium to find out what happens.

Most of the rest of Petersen, Idaho is made up of middle-class blue- and white-collar (I prefer to be called “orange-collar”) folks like Reagan and Mia and me who bring burgers and dogs and steaks and salmon and cook ‘em on Webers and less-pretentious propane grills. While lots of us do have non-penthouse tickets for the game, a lot of us also prefer to just hang out in the parking lot and watch the game with some of our other 55,000 buddies on various sizes of TVs.

So if you’re out for a weekend drive in Idaho sometime this fall, take the University Drive exit off of the Chris Petersen Parkway (aka Broadway) and visit Petersen, Idaho. Unless your team happens to be playing the Broncos that weekend, you’ll be glad you did!

Note from Brian
Mia’s turned 3 ½ and Reagan’s 5 since I posted this last year, and even big Sister Olivia (almost 12) got into the act when we journeyed to “Petersen, Idaho” for the Tulsa and Nevada games the past couple of weeks. It just keeps getting bigger with fancier-and-fancier “homes” and “mansions.” I haven’t noticed if maybe this doesn’t already exist, but perhaps the local police, EMS/fire departments, and hospitals should each park one of their fancy motorhomes in the middle of Petersen somewhere each home game! I know they’d probably be taking up valuable real-estate, but better to be on the safe side.

Lately there’s lots of talk of stadium expansion and multi-decked parking facilities which should change the complexion and skyline of Petersen considerably, but if the 8-story parking garage near the Georgia Dome is any indication, it will just mean a much taller party! Georgia can teach us a lot about how to celebrate football. I would estimate that 70% of the Georgia fans at the game in September were dressed “business casual” and most of the ladies were dressed like they were going to a cocktail party—dresses, jewelry, make-up—the whole nine…er…ten yards. I get that we’re a lot more laid back in Idaho, but it was still impressive to see the Bulldog faithful supporting their team with style. On the other hand—about 60 percent of the “Bulldog faithful” got up and actually went to that cocktail party about the middle of the 3rd Quarter—so there is that!

Go Broncos—13-0!

Brian Dickens is a guest blogger and avid Boise State Football fan.

Week 5  September 26 – October 2

Get-togethers and festivals are synonymous with the fall season. The cool crisp temperatures combined with the fall harvest create a celebratory atmosphere.  Our taste buds crave warm hearty dishes paired with full-bodied libations.  We hunger for a “last summer hurrah.”  Savor the season.  Tap into the local flavors and celebrations and Harvest Idaho: One Bite at a Time.  Cheers!

September 28th: Fall Tapas Class, Basque Market, Boise
This class will feature one of our most popular tapas, green olive tapenade.  Classes begin at 6pm and include tapas, a tasting of 3-4 wines, and of course, you get to eat whatever we make during the class.  

September 30 – October 1:  Oktoberfest, Coeur d’Alene
Festivities include: 12 tasting stations featuring over 20 craft brews, traditional German style food, live music, and a variety of contests.

October 1: Farm to Table ~ Year of Idaho Food, College of Idaho, Caldwell
Dinner will feature a delectable meal prepared with local foods, followed by a Farm to Table presentation, and concluding with local comedy-acting duo, The Fool Squad (Joe Golden and Tom Wilmorth).  Local food never looked so foolish!

October 2: Oktoberfest  and  the First Annual Amateur Wine and Beer Competition, Woodriver Cellars, Eagle
Bring your homemade brews to be judged by our very own winemaker. This is the perfect chance to put your wine making and beer brewing to the ultimate taste test. Enjoy Idaho’s local brews, authentic German food, and dance the afternoon away to the sounds of the Treasure Valley’s Musik Meisters Omm Pa Pa band.

October 2 – 8:  7-Day Wine Tasting Getaway, Red Horse Mountain Ranch, Harrison.
Sample over 30 regional wines, be delighted with chef prepared meals, and enjoy a wide range of guided adventures including: horseback riding, sporting clays, kayaking, and boat tours.

Culinary Calendars and more information:

Farmer’s Market Guide.

A  Harvest guide to farm festivals, pumpkin patches and corn mazes.

Culinary Event Calendar for August 29 – September 5.

Culinary Event Calendar for September 6 – 11.

Culinary Event Calendar for September 12 – 17.

Culinary Event Calendar September 18 – 25.

Culinary Event Calendar September 26 – October 2

Culinary Event Calendar October 3 – 9
Culinary Event Calendar October 10 – 16
Culinary Event Calendar October 17 – 23
Culinary Event Calendar October 24 – 30
Culinary Event Calendar October 31 – November 6