Scenario:
Local restaurant opens for lunch on Saturdays. Owner not only wants to keep business up and thriving, but also wants to keep his staff on the payroll. At first it’s a hit and miss deal; more miss than hit, actually, with minimal customer participation.
One day, a young budding musician stops in. He’s a friend of the owner’s son. He sits at the piano and plays.
“I thought: Why don’t we do this every Saturday?,” says Berryhill & Co. owner John Berryhill. It’s not so much an out-of-the-box idea — in fact, Berryhill says, it’s old-school.
“It’s been known for years, if you can get the kids, you can get the parents. I was committed to getting the people in.”
So far, the Youth Piano Showcase Saturdays noon to 3, has been a roaring success. Young musicians — and their parents, friends and a room full of appreciative strangers — are keeping the restaurant and its staff hopping.
Plus, participating musicians get to keep all their tips and get a free meal on the house, to boot. It’s a win-win-win situation all around.
“We’re able to do something awesome for the community and these kids and it makes it a profitable venture for them, for us, the parents and the servers,” Berryhill says. “And it has that feel-good thing about it.”
It gives the kids “a real gig performing experience,” Ken Harris says. “It makes them think, ‘wow, I’m a real pro at this.” Harris, who is Berryhill’s main piano player, is also the resident music director — and scheduler. Anyone 18 or younger interested in performing in the showcase should contact him: at 440-4590 or kjharris1925@yahoo.com. And, if you want to check out the lineup, go to Berryhill’s Web site: http://www.berryhillandco.com/news
What do the kids and parents think? Twelve-year old Christian Klena, whose favorite pianist is Duke Ellington, enjoyed the experience, especially the tips and the free lunch. “’Angry Pasta’ — very delectable,” Klena said, adding that it was a different experience to perform for a room full of eating — and talking — people. “It made me wonder if they were talking about me.” Would he do it again? “Yes, definitely!”
Tim Klena, Christian’s dad, thinks the showcase not only brings success to the restaurant, but also gives the kids a real life experience they don’t normally get.
“It’s not video games,” Tim Klena says. “Music always promotes enjoyment for people. It’s a trait you can use the rest of your life.”
Ahh, just picture it: You’re Downtown with your honey on a beautiful, starry summer evening. You have a cocktail at The Modern but you have dinner plans with friends at Bardenay. Sure, you could walk… but hey, why not take a taxi — the BicyTaxi, that is!
The BicyTaxi is Boise’s first pedicab service, says owner Shawn Grossman. Grossman, who formerly ran Big Bikes in Hyde Park, is excited about BicyTaxi and points out it’s one of those businesses that works both ways. Not only is it a fun way to get around town on First Thursday, weekend eves and Saturday mornings at Capital City Market — and you can also take a tour at $30 per hour — but, says Grossman, “it’s a fantastic outdoor, mobile advertising vehicle.” In fact, “that’s its prime function.”
It’s like a slow-traveling billboard — and Grossman is looking to sign advertisers on to the plan. You can plaster your name on a BicyTaxi, have promotional materials to hand out in a BicyTaxi, or even offer rides — complementary rides in your name, that is.
It’s “highly visible advertising on outdoor mobile media” that “facilitates increased awareness and exceptional recall,” says BicyTaxi’s Web site.
For me and my friend Brad, it was a fun as heck ride from The Modern Art show to The Gamekeeper Lounge. The ride is not 100 percent pedal-power; Grossman’s three-wheeler kicks in with a motorized push on the uphill. But it IS a pretty good workout, he says. “I’ve had fantastic response so far. I pedaled around on Thursday ‘till I wore myself out.”
BicyTaxi is also looking for “drivers.” The Web site is looking for interested independent contractors for evening and late night shifts. You just need a commercial service drivers license, pay a nominal application fee to the city, and take a training course. Then you’re ready to put your mettle to the pedal.
“Anyone who thinks that working outdoors, meeting people, and getting a great workout while making a part-time income, should contact Shawn to find out more about this opportunity.”
“What would happen if we all stopped believing that so much was impossible?”
— “Plenty”
Allison Demarest is planting an organic community garden and it’s a doozy: on an acre plot on Fort Street between 11th and 12th, in the heart of the Northend in Boise, Allison is planting hundreds of veggies in 20 raised beds and four in-ground beds.
The Boise Downtown Community Garden is not your run of the mill community and/or organic garden. Families don’t have their own plats and anyone and everyone is invited to take part. It’s a sort of dream come true for Allison, who is definitely a dream-come-true maker. At 21, this former sociology student/South African volunteer worker/New York community garden resident, has come home to roost, if you will, in her own back yard. After living and working in lush gardens in upstate New York, Allison was increasingly appalled at the lack of greenery and the proliferation of concrete. “(It) overwhelmed me,” she says.
So, “by the time I rolled into Boise, I felt called to start a community garden where people would come together to nourish themselves while nourishing the earth.”
That’s pretty much the basis of this garden where Allison wants to create: “a community space in my beloved home, Boise, where people could share their lives, growing food and growing in spirit.”
So far, she’s convinced The Cathedral of the Rockies to donate the land, which, by the way, is smack dab in the heart of the Hays Street Historic District. She’s getting water donated by United Water, the seeds donated from Turtle Tree Biodynamic Seed Initiative. Cloverdale Nursery came and dumped mounds of dirt for the garden beds. A horticulture class from Bishop Kelly donated a bunch of seedlings. And scores of others have put in time and sweat equity, including Eagle Scouts and about 350 high school science students who pulled heaping mounds of puncture vine from the garden. Expected gardeners include low-income families and residents at the WCA, refugees from Baby Steps at St. Michael’s — and really, anyone who wants to help.
“After everything is all set up (end of May-ish), we will be welcoming active gardeners,” Allison says. There will be a sign-up time sheet and participating gardeners who put in three to five hours a week will reap the benefits of a box of veggies at every harvest!
“We’ll have ‘store hours’ to accommodate evenings and weekends,” Allison says. If you’re interested, there’s a schedule online at the garden’s Web site: http://www.boisegardenstogether.org
The garden is also taking donations, including garden tools. “The only tool we have right now is a hoe-dag,” says Allison, “it’s a great tool — but we could use a few more!”
Allison, who’s passion is love of her fellow humans — “I guess more than anything I’m a lover of people — hopes the garden will send out deep roots.
“People need food more than ever right now, but the money is scarce. And the people who are giving are the neediest — which is something that really inspires me. I know the garden won’t be forever for me — but I do want to make it sustainable.”
By the way, Allison is a vegetarian (not a vegan) and her favorite veggie? Eggplant. Here is her favorite eggplant recipe (and her favorite dish to make and eat):
Eggplant Parmesan
One big purple garden fresh eggplant
A big block (or two if you love cheese like me) of fresh mozzarella
A quart-ish of yummy tomato sauce
Olive oil
Bread crumbs
3 eggs
1. Slice the eggplant into thin rounds, about 1/8th of an inch thick.
some people like the skin, some don’t. after it’s cooked you can’t taste it, so I just leave it right on there.
2. Dip each round of eggplant into mixed-up eggs and then into bread crumbs. Warning: this is messy!
3. With just a touch of olive oil in the bottom of a nice pan, fry each piece of eggplant until golden brown on both sides. I like to have a receiving plate w/ a towel ready for the eggplant after it fries to catch the extra oil.
4. In a baking dish (I often use a 9×13-inch Pyrex one) stack the eggplant, sauce, and grated cheese in layers beginning with the sauce.
5. Cook for a while… maybe 45 minutes… at 350-ish. During the last 15 minutes of baking, add lots of cheese to the top.
6. Just like a lasagna, eggplant parm is great if you let it sit for 15 minutes before eating so that everything has a moment to congeal.
7. Enjoy!
Well, it’s Memorial Day weekend and if you plan on visiting a loved one you’ve lost, here is some news that may help you get where you want to go. And, even though it’s traditional to remember our troops, soldiers and others who have given their lives in battle, I like to remember my own fallen family members and take a moment to touch base with them and all the wonderful memories.
BTW — if you’re planning on getting together with friends and/or family, don’t plan a river trip down the Boise river just yet — the water’s too cold!
MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS: Emmett Memorial Day ceremonies: 9 a.m. at Freezeout Hill Memorial off Idaho 16. The event will be followed by another ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Emmett National Guard Armory to dedicate a memorial wall in honor of two Japanese-American brothers from Emmett killed in action during World War II. Lt. Gov. Brad Little will be the keynote speaker for both events.
Boise Memorial Day Celebration: 10 a.m. at Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, 10100 N. Horseshoe Bend Road. The ceremony will feature speakers, a wreath-laying ceremony, bagpipes, the 25th Army Band and a rifle and cannon salute. There will be a military fly-over by the Idaho Air National Guard and a ceremonial release of white doves.
Caldwell Memorial Day Celebration: Noon at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, 15862 S. Indiana Ave. Highlights include keynote speaker Congressman Walt Minnick, Idaho National Guard fly-over and Nampa CAP cadets color guard.
Statue dedication: 1 p.m. in the first-floor rotunda of the Boise Airport, 3201 Airport Way. A bronze statue of a World War II aviator made by South Dakota artist Benjamin Victor pays homage to more than 6,000 aviators in the Army Air Corps stationed at Gowen Field during World War II. Boise Mayor David Bieter; Lt. Col. Dave Brasuell, Idaho Division of Veterans Services; Sue Paul, Warhawk Museum; Chris Borders, Idaho military historian; Chet Bowers, World War II veteran; Jim Tibbs, Boise city councilman/airport commissioner; and Victor are expected to speak.
The Idaho Civil War Volunteers: Civil War flag-raising ceremony, eulogy and gun salute at noon in Silent Camp at the Veterans Monument in Morris Hill Cemetery, and again at 2 p.m. at the Military Reserve Cemetery on Mountain Cove Road off Reserve Street in Northeast Boise.
CEMETERY HOURS
Staff at Morris Hill Cemetery, 317 N. Latah St., will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday.
The drive-through gate at Pioneer Cemetery, 466 E. Warm Springs Ave., also will be open during these hours.
The following column first appeared in the Idaho Press-Tribune:
My husband Bob and I recently went on a cruise aboard the “Ship of Opportunity.”
Now, this wasn’t a real cruise — it wasn’t on a real ship and we didn’t glide out into the sea. But we got “lei-ed,” ate rich Caribbean food, had a couple of cocktails, a lot of fun — and that Ship of Opportunity was as real as it gets.
It was the Nampa Chamber of Commerce’s annual shindig, Tuesday May 12 and for all of you who didn’t or couldn’t make it — you missed out on one heck of a good vibe.
And, while Bob and I live in Boise, for that night, we felt as at home as if we were on our neighbor’s front porch or plopped on a couch in their living room. The goodwill, high hopes and camaraderie were all palpable.
And the entertainment — well, what can you say when you’ve got so much high-powered talent in one room? There was Sonny and Cher crooning “I Got You, Babe” (actually, Sonny was Greg Mayes from Premier Alliance Financial Co. and Jeanine Fitzgerald from Advertising That Fitz was the husky-voiced Cher, and both sported spot-on S&C duds and wigs).
Tommy Dorsey made an appearance — hizzoner Mayor Tom Dale played the part, plying the trombone AND singing.
Sean Connery stopped by, played by a droll and goateed Brad Solberg, from Magic Valley Bank, who traveled all the way from Twin Falls to surprise Chamber president and CEO Georgia Bowman-Gunstream with a few 007 quips — and a rendition of “Georgia On My Mind,” natch.
The Supremes —29 of ‘em! — strutted their stuff as The Musettes, with a very blonde Diana Ross at center stage, performed a medley: “Baby Love,” “Stop in the Name of Love” and “You Can’t Hurry Love,” complete with stock Supreme hand jives, dance moves, and, oh, yeah, the grapevine.
“Momma’s Billy Bob” (Greg Mayes back for a very odd, pretty hilarious and not quite totally uncomfortable hillbilly moment encore) didn’t as much wow the crowd as stun them — in a good way.
And, ending on a high note: Gloria Gaynor as played by admissions counselor Carly Peck from Northwest Nazarene University. She performed a heart-thumping “I Will Survive,” bringing the crowd to its feet as we all jumped in and sang along.
Here’s the point of the whole thing that struck me, and Bob, too: this was not your run-of-the-mill, rubber-chicken, boring-speeches business-gathering kind of night. It was a positive, uplifting evening, reflecting the Treasure Valley community with genuine, heartfelt goodwill. And the proceeds went to good causes, too: a mentoring program and scholarships.
Favorite quotes of the night:
“Just like everyone in this room, I’m optimistic,” said outgoing Chamber Chair Greg Braun.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunities that await us in the next year,” said incoming Chamber Chair Hollie Lindner, who went on to quote from a Danish proverb: “With hope and strive, we will continue to thrive.”
The evening’s mood was not necessarily an accident.
It was a way to push back the negative and bring out the positive, Bowman-Gunstream said, referring to the hard times many have felt due to the economy.
“The whole town’s not going to shrivel up, die and go away,” she said. With a good business plan in place and a forward-thinking, positive attitude, things can change for the good. “I think, I hope, that our community has felt the very worst of it,” said Bowman-Gunstream.
As for that Ship of Opportunity… “We decided this year, with the economy, people needed to have a good time and be able to talk and to laugh,” Bowman-Gunstream said. “As a business community, we all came together for the good of the community. It was all planned, all planned — so that everyone would leave on a real high.”
“I will survive. Hey, hey.”
— Gloria Gaynor
Jeanne Huff currently blogs at boisegoodnews.wordpress.com. She has been a writer and editor with the daily newspaper industry, most recently working at the Idaho Statesman. Send e-mail to her at jeannehuff@gmail.com.
Since I began writing this blog focusing on good stuff, I’ve had some good luck and have met some good people. One of those people is Geri Weis-Corbley
Editor and Publisher of The Good News Network (see my blog roll). I would like to introduce this special person to you. Without further ado, here’s an Q&A interview with Geri, via email. Enjoy.
Can you tell us a little about yourself? Background, etc.?
I am the founder and managing editor of the Good News Network, the #1
website for positive news and inspiration on the web. The website is
now in its 12th year. With two decades in TV, video and online news
media, I have the perfect background for social online media.
I grew up in Milwaukee and moved to the DC area in 1979, enrolling in
college for radio and TV. I left the news business after ten years to
raise a family and now have 3 unschooling teenagers. (They don’t go to
school full time. Instead for 7 years we’ve engaged in natural
learning.)
You started the Good News Network in 1997. Was there a compelling
reason, did something happen in your life to spur your decision?
Well, the Web came along, didn’t it? I had always had the idea for a
good news TV show, but realized with the advent of the web that I now
had no excuse for NOT creating good news programming. I also had a 6
year old in the house and when the news audible, and some graphic
horrible story was broadcast, I wondered how this could possibly be
good for a family.
Tell us about how the Good News Network has evolved. Has it
changed from what it was in the beginning?
The Web site is in its third iteration. First, as a straight html
simple website, second, in 2006 as a blog, using content management
software, and then in January 2008 as a full-fledged news portal with
specialized news software..
Where do you get your good news? All over. I get my news from
everywhere. Some of the sites and services that offer the best good
news are MSNBC video, Christian Science Monitor, CNN, and Associated
Press. Also, a lot of my news links are submitted by viewers across
the world. A few stories each month are original to the Good News
Network, written and compiled by viewers, authors or myself. I’ve
become a magnet for good news, and I know where to look. I have RSS
feeds and Google alerts set up to help me find the uplifting content.
5. What are your parameters for a good news story?
They can’t be too confrontational. I prefer content that illustrates a common groundbetween former foes or adversaries. I do tend to lean toward stories
that emphasize freedom and/or tolerance.
Obviously heroes and good Samaritans are worthy, unless it is the kind of story I see all the time — neighbor wakes up family when fire appears (which is something anyone would do for their neighbor, and I don’t have the time to be
adding the dozens of stories each week like this that are in the
news).
This is what I ask myself: How does it make me feel?
Indifference or the shoulder-shrugging is a telltale sign to let it
go. A strong feeling of warmth or pride, and it makes the news!
You’ve featured a lot of good news on your GNN. Are there any
stories that stand out? Can you share some?
— A free hugs campaign and video from Australia got the most hits
ever on my site. I caught it several days after it hit YouTube and it
became a huge sensation, landing the maker on Oprah, etc.
I would like to start not only a TV show, but an entire cable news
channel of good news, a radio talk show, and magazine!
How do you make money with good news only?
Last April I polled my viewers and 67% of more than 700 people said
they would pay for good news. So in May, the following month, I
launched a 100 percent subscription site, but with a free weekly
newsletter.
I always thought that if I got any national publicity, people would
find out about the Good News Network and be very excited. After I was
interviewed on NPR and the Washington Post last week, thousands of
people flocked to the site, and thousands of dollars flowed into my
Paypal account! I was right, and I will continue to pursue national
publicity as a way to reach more viewers — millions of whom still
don’t know anything like this exists, and would LOVE the chance to
subscribe to good news.
Have you seen an increase in readers/visitors since the economic
downturn?
Immediately! The traffic rose 45% from people simply
Googling “good news”. I’m #1 on Google so they found me… And, it
stayed up too. After the NPR and Post interviews, my subscriber total
was up by 42 % and saw more than 10,000 visitors in a single day.
Why do you think good news is so important?
It promotes in your
brain, your beliefs and your sub-conscience the idea that you should
expect the good — and that the good is likely to happen. The Law of
Attraction steps in with such beliefs and brings more health, more
luck, more prosperity and more happiness. Besides that, what we think
in our minds directly affects our health. Through the mind-body
connection, our thinking (leading to stress or happiness) determines
our health.
At the end of the day, what do you hope to have achieved? To inspire my readers, to spend happy moments with my kids – and inspired
them, as well, and to express creativity in everything I do – the true
artist.
On a more personal note, what music do you like to listen to?
Over the years I’ve been a big fan of Todd Rundgren, Francis Dunnery,
Steely Day, Van Morrison and Paul McCartney.
Favorite books? Harry Potter, The Four Agreements
Favorite food? Pasta Carbonara, a Tom Cruise recipe that I have
“made my own”, by substituting whole wheat pasta and adding Canadian
bacon or spiral honey ham, instead of the Italian bacon.
Movies?
Ocean’s 11, Lord of the Rings trilogy, Bull Durham
You use a lot of positive quotes at GNN. What is your all time
favorite quote?
“What you can do, or dream you can do, begin it;
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” (Once
attributed to Goethe, the quote is a paraphrase by John Anster of a
couplet from Faust.
Could this be the answer to our Downtown Boise parking prayers?
I just got the word from Adam Park, City of Boise communications director that come next week, there will be a new kid in town, as in new-fangled parking meter kid.
According to Park, a pilot project testing out this new technology in on-street parking meters will begin Monday, May 18 for those parking on Capitol Boulevard in front of Boise City Hall. The project features a single multi-space meter, located at the center of the block, which will regulate all of that block’s parking spaces. (The existing nine parking meters along that stretch will be hooded.)
Downtown drivers along that stretch get to be the beta-testers, using the multi-space, solar-powered meter — which sends its data via wireless transmission — to pay for their parking during the pilot period.
“The ‘pay-and-display’ meter will provide added flexibility to motorists by allowing more payment options – including credit and debit card transactions – than the existing single-space meters,” said the official press release.
Here’s how it works: you pay, then the unit spits out a receipt which you then proudly display on your curb-side dashboard so those antsy bike-riding, ticket-writing parking officers can see the little buggers and not write out those pricey parking tickets.
Parking rates will remain unchanged at 25 cents per quarter-hour. And, you still get the “20 free minutes” feature — there’s no button to push to get it, you just get a print-out of a 20-minute receipt at no charge or you can automatically add 20 minutes to a longer parking time.
In addition to U.S. coins, the meter will take $1 bills, credit cards, debit cards, and Boise City Park Cards. You can also recharge existing Park Cards without paying a visit to City Hall or City Hall West.
TIP: This new, fancy parking machine cannot give change and refunds will not be available. Just so you know.
The multi-space meter is on loan from MacKay Meters and will be tested for a 45-day period. What do you think? Send your comments to: Parking Services, P.O. Box 500, Boise, ID 83701, or via email at parkingservices@cityofboise.org.
MAY THE FORK BE WITH YOU!
Just a while ago, in a galaxy just down the street, Luke Piewalker (aka Mitch Kohler) used the power of the fork (and a spear of broccoli, too) to battle the evil Darth Waiter and his Chocolate Dark Bar and Grill.
And you can be there for all the thrills, chills and, um, spills.
“Star Waiters,” an epic movie made ala Star Wars-style, will premier Saturday at the Egyptian Theatre.
It’s a dream come true for sixth-grader Mitch Kohler. Mitch, who has spinal muscular atrophy, a progressive muscular condition that affects his muscles and energy levels, is a huge Star Wars fan — and has always wanted to make movies. So the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the outfit that helps make wishes come true for children with life-threatening medical conditions, stepped in. So did Riverstone School’s One Stone Club and several volunteer film pros and film students — not to mention Lucasfilm, Ltd. When the original creators of the Star Wars movies heard about Mitch’s project, they donated the real Star Wars music and sound effects to add to the production.
Cast of Star Waiters on location in Boisewood.
So look out — that hyperspeeding Millini-Yum Falcon will be cruising right over the Connector in this 35-minute space epic as it hits the big screen this weekend!
Easter-egg extras include a behind-the-scenes movie and, of course, all the stars and filmmakers will be attending. You’ll even get to meet moviestar/producer Mitch Kohler himself as he arrives for his trip down the Red Carpet at 6:15 p.m.
Moviestar/producer Mitch Kohler on the set of Star Waiters.
Get there early! This promises to be a four-popcorn-box movie you won’t want to miss! You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll be dancing in your seats!
And remember: May the fork always be with you.
WHAT: STAR WAITERS, the movie, filmed in BoiseWood, Idaho WHEN: COMING TO YOUR GALAXY 6 P.M. Saturday, MAY 16 WHERE: THE EGYPTIAN THEATER, 700 W. MAIN STREET COST: Free. Donations will be accepted for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Coupon vouchers available at the event for parking.
The Brownie and Dr. Maybe at Reconstruct 2009. Who IS under that mask?
Just when you think it’s just not going to get better, something better comes along. Now, this is not just one of those “the glass is half-full, not half-empty” sort of thing and I’m not telling you to look through rose-colored glasses — and please, don’t call me Pollyanna (although I LOVE Pollyanna).
What I’m referring to is simply good news. And it happened right here in the Treasure Valley, in Downtown Nampa, as a matter of fact.
Good news, you say? Really?? In Downtown Nampa???
Yes.
On Saturday, May 2, at the Flying M Coffeegarage, the Third Annual Reconstruct Fashion Show was held to a packed crowd of Project Runway fans and wannabes. This year’s theme: “Superheroes/Supervillains” piqued about a dozen local designers and artists and the show was a dazzling display of sewing machine-gone-mad talent.
And now — wait for it — comes that good news: This year the show raised $1,450 for Dress for Success, a local organization that helps women get professional duds for those all-important job interviews and helps them land those all-important jobs. The amount raised is something to especially crow about because it’s a higher number — by $250 — than last year’s.
“That’s exciting,” said Lisa Myers, owner of the Coffeegarage.
Walk it off Looking for more good news? Try going for a walk or simply looking out your window. Springtime in the Treasure Valley is breathtaking and will bring a smile to even the diehard cynic. Lilacs are blooming and filling the air with their signature perfume, daffodils and tulips are strutting their stuff.
And, lucky for all of us in the Treasure Valley, we still have the beautiful iris show waiting in the wings. Take a trip out to see Sharon Touchstone’s iris garden at 1222 Morehouse Road in Emmett (call first: 365-6112). She has from 500 to 1,000 varieties! “I got the ‘iris virus’ — my husband hasn’t realized how many I have around,” Sharon chuckled. Sharon is also the chairperson of the Gem State Iris Club.
Other local iris gardens include: The Sandhollow Iris Gardens at Sandhollow Nursery, 14000 Oasis Road in Caldwell and Joann’s Garden at 1325 N. Hesse Lane in Eagle. You can even buy some of the rhizomes ($4.50 each) if you take a fancy to any of her 450 varieties (my favorite is the Starship Enterprise). You can visit her garden daily after blooming begins.
The point is, get out there and enjoy the Treasure Valley’s treasures.
Keep it coming
In the meantime, send me any good news items you have, from good deeds to good folks, good ideas to good ways to help manage our money and time.
And if you hear of any good jobs for an out-of-work but excellent and extremely personable features writer — well, send those my way, too.
“He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother.”
— Bob Russell, Bobby Scott
The quote above is from a song made popular in the 1960s, but the origin of the powerful phrase can be traced back through time. A soldier carrying a Vietnamese on his back during the Vietnam war supposedly said it and a photo was clicked of the event. And Father Flanagan used the phrase, accompanied with a line drawing depicting a little boy carrying his brother. The original drawing by Van B. Hooper was done in gold and black ink and the caption read: “He ain’t heavy, Mister — he’s m’ brother.” Father Flanagan got permission to use it for his Boy’s Town and changed the line to: “He ain’t heavy, Father — he’s m’ brother.”
All that said, I think it’s time to bring that sentiment back — and bring it on home.
The Interfaith Sanctuary, possibly the only home for the homeless in the country supported by so many different faiths and spiritual groups — about 25 — is our brother who needs a little help. The roof leaks, there’s no insulation; there’s a garden to tend — and between 1,000 to 2,000 homeless men, women, children and families per year who need that roof over their heads.
On April 25, 75 Leadership Boise and Leadership Boise Academy (high-school age) members rolled up their sleeves and banked a little sweat equity — they painted walls, put in doors, pulled up old (gross!) carpe, rolled out linoleum, built shelves, did a little landscaping and more. But there’s still plenty to do.
And about that roof… “”We lose a few beds whenever it rains,” Interfaith Sanctuary board member Ed Keener said. It leaks everywhere “we have to put buckets out and the black and brown stuff runs down the walls. It’s ugly, it’s bad.”
The total cost of the roof is around $70,000 and that includes the much-needed insulation, Keener said. In the winter, the 10,000-square-foot Sanctuary’s heating bills go, well, through the roof and ditto for AC bills in the summer. And, even with the air conditioning running, because there’s no insulation, “it gets awfully hot,” Keener said.
So far, the Sanctuary itself has raised about two-thirds of the roof’s cost through fundraising, grants and generous donors. And Leadership Boise, one of the oldest Chamber-sponsored leadership programs in the U.S., has pitched in to the tune of about $8,000 — and don’t forget all that sweat equity.
But that still leaves about $17,000 more to go and Leadership Boise is committed to the cause. So, through the month of May, the group hopes to get that roof paid for, “One shingle at a time,” said Kelly Barbour, incoming vice-president for Leadership Boise class of 2008-2010.
Yep, you can buy a square foot of the new roof for a measly $3. C’mon — that’s parking meter money — something we can all afford. Let’s make this good news story together.
Go to the Sanctuary Interfaith Web site and get your shingle: http://interfaithsanctuary.wordpress.com/. Make sure to put “Roof Project” in the “designation” area. To see what Leadership Boise did through their “sweat equity” project at Interfaith Sanctuary, watch this video on Youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwdNnLRS214.
Editor’s note: This column also appears in the current edition of the Idaho Business Review.
First, the good news... 