The Treasure Valley:
- Boise urges residents to mow “greener”. This is a great idea, I wish I could get by with an electric mower for my yard, but I don’t think that would be the case.
- KBCI: Where’s the ammo?
- Boise area has one of nation’s highest foreclosure rates.
- Idaho Press-Tribune: Roundabout critics stall project. I really don’t understand the opposition to the roundabouts — this proposed roundabout is right down from my house. I like how the organizer of the No to Roundabouts claims to know what will work better; the traffic engineer I’ve talked to seems to think that roundabouts are the most efficient and safest traffic control devices you can have at an intersection. Oh, and the hyperbole from Stephen’s Nursery? We’ll, let’s just say that I won’t be shopping there anymore.
Idaho Politics:
- Unda’ the Rotunda: WWUD — What would Unda’ do?
- COMPASS Action Politically Linked To Otter.
- Sharon Fisher writing at New West Boise: Idaho Hostage Crisis, Day Three.
- Kevin Richert: Why Butch Otter is losing the battle.
- The Seventh Sense: Bryan Fischer’s Religious Right To Hate Is Being Threatened.
- Idaho Legislative session’s price tag rises each day.
- House, Senate to meet on Friday, decide that they’ve already wasted enough time and taxpayer’s money.
- Byron Yankey: Think About This.
- Ridenbaugh: After-effects and Otter.
Politics:
- Why Is The “Left” Still Angry?
- China vs. the United States — A Visual Comparison.
- Newly-Frugal Guy. How to break something down so the left behind can understand it; turn it into a cartoon.
Booze:
- FYI: Sierra Nevada’s Torpedo Extra IPA is at Fred Myer’s in Nampa. You surprised? ‘Cause I sure was.
- Top Ten Beer Movies. I’m sorry, but Beerfest has to be included in that list. It’s newer, but it’s a great one.
- Help pick the official 2009 Great American Beer Festival poster. Someday GABF! Someday…
- Cool read about mail ordering vino; Age Verification: Kansas Model The Right Step.
- In case you didn’t know; Idaho ranks 12th in the nation when it comes to breweries per capita; of course we only have 16, but still a cool tidbit of info.
- Indian Creek Winery from Kuna picked up 9 medals at the 2009 Idaho Wine Competition.
Grub:
- Went to Brick 29 again last night and I have to say it was the first time I have been disappointed. Had cod pan seared in panko bread crumbs with a strawberry salsa. It was very lacking in flavor and had a very mushy consistency. I guess one can’t expect it to be perfect every time. Still one of the best joints in the Valley.
- The world’s 50 best resturants. None from Idaho and I’ve never been to any of them. Nifty that two of Thomas Keller’s places come in the top 15; PER SE at #6 and The French Laundry at #12 — either one being a place I’ll eat at… someday.
- Bento boxes make toting your lunch cheap, hip and healthy.
- Artichoke Tapenade. Looks and sounds awesome.
- Indian-Style Potatoes and Spinach.
- Boise Foodie Guild: 2 Classic Sauces.
Misc:
- Good news is everyone else that went to Brick 29 last night enjoyed their meals; Mike Shipman of Blue Planet Photography, Rick Boyd of Brewtopian Beer Market, Heather Harrington of Home Mortgage Resources and Crissy Wallinga of Send Your Love Today. It was a TweetUp thang. Great conversation about beer, veganism and the best local bathrooms of all things. Wha? You’re still not on Twitter? Get on it — it seems asinine at first but once you get rollin’ with it you’ll love it. You can follow me here.
This is certainly going to make for some interesting elections next year. Short of perhaps Beiter running for Governor, I can't think of a Democrat that could beat a Republican, even if Otter lost the primary. Of course if there was a seven - nine person runoff, like how Sali won his congressional seat, a weaker Democrat might be able to beat the Republican candidate but I doubt it.
Yep. I agree completely. I'm going to go ahead and predict a GOP primary melee involving at least four Governor candidates. There will be blood.
It'll be interesting.
What should make it even more interesting will be to see if any of the arch-Conservatives decided to run as an Independent making the general a 3-way.
Beiter is the only Dem I can see winning the Gov — I've heard rumors of other Dems wanting to take a swing at it but they'd lose… bad.
Quit talking Dave into it! He is not the big Basque messiah. Quit feeding his ego cause it'll just cloud his judgment.
lol Now that isn't very nice.
What is it about roundabouts making people's head spin like Linda Blair's in the Exorcist. You can show them study after study, how they actually enhance the look of a neighborhood, that they calm traffic and slow people down without the need for constant law enforcement and they just look at you like you're from another planet. I got new neighbors who adamant about putting a very expensive and ugly and laborious traffic light in instead. And its right at the end of one of Boise most historic boulevards which is currently quite dangerous but would be perfect for a roundabout. Things like this make me wanna move sometimes.
Nice has got nothin' to do with it. There are several of us that bend his ear on this issue on a regular basis. Dave is unknown outside the Treasure Valley and unless thou hast a plan for him to avoid the same numbers other Dems receive in North and SE Idaho quit offering him up like some sacrificial lamb lest we lose the very rudimentary Boise machine. Keith Roark has notions and has run a statewide race. We don't lose an office holder that way. Let's contemplate some other up and comers for constitutional offices like Amy Winn and Mike Kennedy.
What kills me is that they have a big ass sign that says “stop wasteful spending”, when, the roundabout cost less than the signals.
Therein lies the problem… Who the hell are Amy Winn and Mike Kennedy? They aren't really known.
Personnally, I think Beiter could drum up support better than any of the other candidates outside Boise/Ada County specifically because of his Basque ties. Not to mention his personality. You just can't help but like they guy when you talk to him. I certainly wouldn't wan thim running in 2010 though. Maybe 2014 or 2018. I was just pointing out that is the only real candidate the Dems could field and have a chance at winning.
I say it in jest because I don't see him running for guv… yet — besides, kinda doubt he reads this anyway. I just like Beiter and happen to think that he would make an outstanding Governor.
We've got a quite a few years until we have a slim (read: 51% chance in hell) that a Democrat could take the governors office. Idaho Republicans are in that “backed into a corner” stage where no matter what happens they'll be backing their guy, but the stage after that is meltdown, that's where when we have a chance. Fact of the matter is, for the next couple of gov. elections whoever the Democratic candidate is — will be a sacrificial candidate, it just isn't going to happen in the foreseeable future.
I'm with ya on Kennedy — but I'd think he needs a term or two as a legislator before he goes for one of the higher offices — he's pretty much unknown outside of Democratic circles.
I think if they just put them in, the people would see the benefit to them over lights. They are much cooler than street lights, I agree.
Actually, I think that's the crux of their antipathy. They're confused by them and they don't wanna learn. I know people that drive out of their way to avoid them.
T-Sal I deliberately chose the Mayor of American Falls and a City Councilman from CDA to illustrate the provincial nature of the statewide race. Both are well known in their respective areas but not so much here. And while Dave is known in this media market, you'll get a similar reaction to yours if'n you ask about Dave in Ashton or Athol.
But Chris nails it here. I'm a constant advocate of devoting resources at the precinct and district level and forgetting about the top of the ticket for a couple cycles. We need to concentrate on getting some fiefdoms before storming the King's castle. But the powers that be in the party keep throwing themselves at that wall while the Republicans keep farting in our general direction. And some of us are trying to determine the air speed velocity of a five ounce swallow in order to carry a one pound coconut to Mercia.
Those are good points and good anecdotes (lol), but Beiter was a legislator, if I remember correctly, which would give him some statewide exposure. Regardless, I do agree the best strategy for the Dems is to focus on gaining legislative seats to gain exposure and I agree it will be awhile before we see a real contender for a Democratic Gubernatorial candidate.
LOL at Sis, “What is it about roundabouts making people's head spin like Linda Blair's in the Exorcist”. You're dating yourself man.
I like the roundie rounds because driving straight lines and racing from red light to red light gets pretty boring and every once in awhile you just need to squeal the tires in a tight circle.
All kidding aside the roundabouts are “greener” due to the fact that all the vehicles are kept moving and not stopping at a red light, idling away and wasting gas waiting for the green light.
That and the whole it's-impossible-to-get-broadsided thing makes me like 'em even more.
Love me some roundabouts.
Sorry right back, I can't agree “Beerfest” belongs on the list of great beer movies. It was promoted with chugging contests and shows the worst of beer culture, frat boy excesses and cheap adjunct beer. I'm more interested in beer with flavor and a culture that gives good beer its proper due. Cheers, J
True, but one could argue that Oktoberfest is a central part of “Beerfest” and that, is a pretty well rooted part of beer culture. I do agree there are a lot of better activities/beers that are part of the culture, but an overindulgence of Bavarian swill is still a part of beer's illustrious history.
Nevertheless I really enjoyed your list.
Thanks for stopping by.