Boise, ID – The Boise Phil is thrilled to announce its 65th season, "America at 250," a vibrant celebration of American composers and the rich musical heritage of the United States. This season also marks the 50th Anniversary of the Boise Phil Master Chorale (BPMC), adding an extra layer of significance to this special year.
 
The America at 250 theme underscores the orchestra’s commitment to celebrating the nation’s musical legacy. Each classical program opens with a piece by an American composer, including John Williams’ Liberty Fanfare, Jennifer Higdon’s ethereal blue cathedral, and a tribute to late Boise composer David Alan Earnest.
 
The 2025-26 Season will feature seven mainstage Symphonic Series concerts, performed at the Morrison Center, each opening with a work by an American composer, showcasing the breadth and depth of American musical talent. From iconic film scores to innovative contemporary pieces, the season promises to be a journey through the sounds of a nation.
 
"I'm thrilled to share the 2025-26 Season with our community," says Music Director Eric Garcia, "In creating it, I was honored to celebrate our nation's 250th anniversary with a series of dynamic American openers - including a tribute to Boise’s own David Alan Earnest. We also mark the 50th anniversary of our Master Chorale with Orff’s exhilarating audience favorite, Carmina Burana, and shine a spotlight on Boise Phil’s principal cellist, Philip Kettler, in Saint-Saëns’s gorgeous Cello Concerto No. 1.   Throughout the season, the Boise Phil will explore beloved classics by Bach, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Respighi, Tchaikovsky, and many more – joined, as always, by an inspiring roster of world-class guest artists. It’s a season that celebrates our nation’s rich musical heritage and the remarkable talent of our community, and I can’t wait to share these experiences with our audiences."
 
"For the 2025-26 Season, we are excited to be bringing three Idaho premieres to Boise audiences," says Executive Director Brandon VanWaeyenberghe. "Two shows in particular I am looking forward to seeing on stage, which will see the Boise Phil expanding into new genres. With Sailing, we celebrate the music of the 1970s and 80s with a full symphony orchestra. We are also pleased to welcome Boise-native Morgan James to join the Boise Phil in this second-ever run of this program. We are also thrilled to bring, for the first time in Idaho, the program Music of Queen. I have worked with this group with orchestras in Houston and Charlotte, and I know they will get the crowd on their feet and singing. This one-night-only event is something not to be missed. Our third Idaho premiere is Home Alone, pairing the iconic holiday film with the score played by a live orchestra. This title has been requested several times, and we are pleased to bring it to Boise to start the 2025 holiday season."
 
​​The seven-concert Symphonic Series balances beloved masterworks with contemporary voices. Highlights include Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, and Respighi’s epic Pines of Rome.
 
Symphonic Series, Performed at Morrison Center:
 

• Mozart & Tchaikovsky 4 (October 4 & 5, 2025)
  The season opens with John Williams’ Liberty Fanfare, Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5 (featuring Bella Hristova), and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4.
  
  
• Mendelssohn’s Italian (November 8 & 9, 2025)
  This program includes Clarice Assad’s Baião n’ Blues, Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor (with Joyce Yang), and Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony.
  
  
• Home Alone (film with live orchestra) (November 29 & 30, 2025)
  A special holiday treat featuring the beloved film with John Williams’ score performed live.
  
  
• Ravel & Strauss (January 24 & 25, 2026)
  This concert honors Boise composer David Alan Earnest with his overture Turbulence, and features Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto No. 1 (with Philip Kettler), Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin, and Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier Suite.
  
  
• Carmina Burana (with BPMC) (March 14 & 15, 2026)
  Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Boise Phil Master Chorale, this program features Jennifer Higdon’s blue cathedral and Orff’s Carmina Burana.
  
  
• Sailing: Soft Rock Hits of the 70s and 80s (May 2 & 3, 2026)
  A nostalgic journey through soft rock hits of the 70s and 80s, featuring Boise Native Morgan James, Doug Wamble and John Scarpulla.
  
  
• Pines of Rome (season finale) (May 16 & 17, 2026)
  The season concludes with Michael Torke’s Javelin, Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (with Stewart Goodyear), and Respighi’s Fountains of Rome and Pines of Rome.

 
The Boise Phil is committed to serving the entire Treasure Valley and the greater Idaho region, offering a diverse range of musical experiences that enrich and inspire. In addition to the Symphonic Series, the 2025-2026 Season will include:
 

• Water Music: (September 8, 2025 at Idaho Shakespeare Amphitheatre)
• Handel’s Messiah: (December 19 & 20, 2025 at Cathedral of the Rockies, Boise)
• The Music of Queen (February 7, 2026 at Morrison Center)

 
Season subscriptions are now available, offering a range of benefits, including priority access, preferred seating, and discounts. Single tickets go on sale August 1, 2025. For more information about the 2025-2026 Season and subscription options, please visit boisephil.org.
 
For more information or to schedule an interview please contact;
Timothy O’Donnell, c. 208.329.0876 e. [email protected]
 
About the Boise Phil:
For 65 years, the Boise Phil has served as the Treasure Valley’s premier orchestral institution, delivering world-class performances and fostering community through music. The orchestra engages over 30,000 annual patrons through its mainstage, education, and outreach programs.

​Boise, Idaho — April 21, 2025 — Boise's culinary scene is about to welcome an exciting new chapter with the arrival of Hemlock, a boutique fine-dining steakhouse set to open on May 6, 2025 at the Inn at 500 Capitol. This highly anticipated venture is led by Scott Slater and Boise native Todd Ketlinski, the creative forces behind the celebrated Spitfire Tacos + Tequila. With their proven expertise and innovative vision, Hemlock is poised to redefine the steakhouse experience with an unapologetically bold approach, offering a fresh take on this timeless fine-dining tradition.

“As a Boise native, I’ve watched this city grow into a vibrant culinary hub, and it’s an honor to contribute to that evolution with Hemlock,” said Todd Ketlinski, Co-Founder of Hemlock. “This isn’t just about opening a new restaurant—it’s about reimagining what a steakhouse can be while continuing the legacy of this iconic space.”

A Menu That Marries Tradition and Innovation

Guests can expect a refined, elevated menu anchored by premium cuts sourced from esteemed ranches, including Riverbend Ranch in Idaho Falls and Snake River Farms in Eastern Idaho. Highlights include:

• 16-ounce Prime Ribeye – Pasture-raised Black Angus with abundant marbling and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
• 14-ounce American Wagyu New York Strip – Rich, buttery flavor with a deep, beefy taste.
• 8-ounce Prime Filet Mignon – Exceptional tenderness with a flavorful, rich beef profile.
• 40-ounce Prime Porterhouse for Two – A luxurious cut offering both filet and strip, balancing melt-in-your-mouth texture with a satisfying chew.
• 8-ounce Wagyu Skirt and 8-ounce Wagyu Denver – Richly marbled cuts, each delivering bold, savory flavor.

These standout selections reflect Hemlock’s commitment to precision, quality sourcing, and culinary craft. Complementing the steaks are inventive starters like the Table-Side Baked Potato for Two—Giant Spud with Irresponsible Additions and the Brontosaurus Bone—a 10-inch sous vide beef rib, dry-rubbed and hasselback’d. Seafood lovers will appreciate bold offerings like Chicken Fried Lobster Tail and a luxurious Caviar Board featuring Petrossian Royal Ossetra. Check out the full breakfast, lunch and dinner menus here. Elevated Mixology Meets Playful Innovation Hemlock’s bar program is as ambitious as its kitchen, featuring a curated selection of craft cocktails that balance sophistication with a sense of fun. Signature drinks include:

• Hemlock Old Fashioned: A robust blend of Old Forester 100 Proof Rye, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Proof, Frangelico, black walnut bitters, and a burnt end garnish.
• Sage Grouse: The Famous Grouse blended malt Scotch, elderflower, vanilla, lemon, passionfruit, cucumber, and a touch of absinthe—complex, bright, and wild at heart.
• Ponderosa Sour: Old Forester 1920, Disaronno, almond, and egg white, offering a nutty twist on a classic sour.

The beverage menu also features a thoughtfully selected wine list and elevated mocktails.

Where Idaho’s Heritage Meets Socratic Spirit

The name Hemlock is a nod to both nature and philosophy. It honors the Hemlock tree, native to Northern Idaho, long valued for its strength, resilience, and practical uses by Native American communities. It also references the story of Socrates, who drank hemlock as a final act of integrity and conviction. At Hemlock, that spirit lives on in a bold approach to hospitality—blending tradition with innovation, and sparking connection through curated Socrates-inspired cocktails. The venue’s vibrant atmosphere will feature striking interior design, a lively bar scene, and unexpected moments—like a grand piano playing ‘90s hip-hop and Top 40 hits.

 Honoring Legacy While Embracing the Future.

Beyond its dining offerings, Hemlock will serve as the exclusive caterer for all events at the Inn at 500 Capitol, providing exceptional culinary experiences for private gatherings, weddings, and corporate events. The restaurant will also offer room service to hotel guests.
For more information and reservations, visit www.hemlockboise.com. Follow @hemlockboise on Instagram.

(CLEVELAND) April 7, 2025 - In celebration of KeyBank’s Bicentennial, the KeyBank Foundation is proud to announce a special grant program designed to strengthen Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) that play a critical role in advancing affordable housing and small business development. This milestone initiative reflects KeyBank’s enduring legacy of service, resilience, and commitment to fostering economic opportunity and strengthening communities.

Through this program, the KeyBank Foundation intends to award one $200,000 grant to an exemplary CDFI in each of KeyBank’s 27 markets. These grants will provide flexible funding to help CDFIs in achieving their broader mission – whether through expanding services, enhancing infrastructure, or deepening their community impact—ensuring long-term sustainability and continued support for underserved populations.

“CDFIs are at the heart of economic empowerment, creating pathways to homeownership, business growth, and financial stability in the communities that need it most,” said Eric Fiala, Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer at KeyBank and CEO of KeyBank Foundation. “As we celebrate two centuries of service, we are proud to support investing in organizations that share our mission of creating lasting, positive change in the communities we serve.”

To be eligible, applicants must:
· Be a certified CDFI in good standing.
· Operate as a nonprofit or for-profit CDFI headquartered in a KeyBank primary market.
· Have a strong track record of advancing affordable housing and/or small business development.
· Demonstrate the capacity to effectively manage and deploy grant funds in alignment with the Foundation’s goals.

For-profit CDFIs applicants should note that additional reporting requirements related to expenditure responsibility will be required if selected.

Operating grants will provide flexible and unrestricted funding to support the broader purposes of:
· Affordable housing: Expanding access to safe, affordable housing for underserved populations.
· Small business development: Supporting the growth and sustainability of small businesses, particularly those owned by low-income entrepreneurs.

By offering flexible operating support, this grant is intended to enable CDFIs to apply funds strategically where they are needed most, fostering long-term growth, resilience, and impact. CDFIs interested in applying must submit applications by May 16. More details, including how to apply and submission requirements can be found here.

ABOUT KEYBANK FOUNDATION
KeyBank Foundation is a nonprofit charitable foundation that supports organizations and initiatives aimed at improving financial wellness, education, and community development. Through strategic philanthropy, KeyBank Foundation works to create thriving communities and drive meaningful, lasting change.

ABOUT KEYCORP
In 2025, KeyCorp celebrates its bicentennial, marking 200 years of service to clients and communities from Maine to Alaska. To learn more, visit KeyBank Heritage Center. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $187 billion at December 31, 2024.

Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC.

 Dear friends,
 
We can all remember being a high school senior ready to move on from childhood into the freedom of adulthood. It is a milestone that comes with much excitement but also apprehension about the future. We are fortunate our state and our country offer so many different paths for our young people to choose as they enter an independent stage of life.
 
Here in Idaho, we are making the transition into rewarding, productive careers even smoother with Idaho LAUNCH. Our innovative new workforce training program is connecting students with careers and helping employers like you fill in-demand jobs that create prosperity and strengthen our economy.
 
There is no doubt Idaho LAUNCH has been tremendously successful.
 
Here’s a snapshot of how LAUNCH moved the needle in just one year:
 

• Community college enrollment increased by a staggering 18%
• Overall student enrollment in postsecondary programs increased by 11%
• A whopping 15% increase in economically disadvantaged students going on
• A 5.6% increase in Idaho resident students at our institutions, showing we are focusing on IDAHO students
• An outstanding 19% increase in students with a 2.7% GPA or less going on. These are students who may have never considered pursuing a rewarding, in-demand profession.

 
That last statistic really hits home for me. We have so many bright young Idahoans who offer much promise for our state but who simply don’t perform as well in traditional academics, resulting in lower GPAs. These students have as much to offer as a 4.0 student. Idaho LAUNCH is motivating those students to go on to training programs for jobs our business community desperately needs.
 
I can say with confidence that Idaho LAUNCH is changing lives. Together, we are ensuring Idaho kids STAY in Idaho. We have you, our business community, to thank in part for that.

​I appreciate the strong support we’ve received from Idaho employers on Idaho LAUNCH. With your help, we have been able to pioneer new workforce training strategies that are clearly WORKING!

Brad Little
Governor of Idaho

Boise State University College of Business and Economics
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
3:00-4:15 p.m., Skaggs Hall of Learning (MBEB room 1301)

Kristi Saucerman is an entrepreneur with a passion for transforming nonprofit fundraising. As Founder and CEO of Auction Frogs, she revolutionized fundraising through online bidding platforms and event management tools, helping nonprofits raise millions throughout North America.

Kristi also serves as Executive Producer of Nonprofit MVP, a television show spotlighting nonprofit stories and fundraising challenges. She oversees the show’s strategy, content creation, and partnerships, making it a key platform for awareness and community support.

A dedicated mentor and educator, Kristi hosts bootcamps, webinars, and coaching sessions, empowering nonprofits with strategies for sustainable growth. Her work continues to drive impact, innovation, and lasting change in the nonprofit sector.

The event is open to the public and no ticket is required. Parking is free in the Brady Garage.
Take these steps for free parking:

1. After parking your vehicle, take down your license plate number and proceed to a parking payment machine.
2. Enter your license plate number.
3. Select: 1) Purchase Ticket.
4. Select COBE E-Connect for the event name.
5. The process is completed and a receipt will print (you do not need to place this receipt on your dash).

For more information, visit: https://www.boisestate.edu/cobe/community/entrepreneur-connect/​

Join the 10th Annual United Way Book Drive – Help Kids Build a Brighter Future!

Reading by third grade is a game-changer. It’s the #1 predictor of a child’s future success in school and life. Before third grade, kids learn to read—after third grade, they read to learn. But 61% of families facing financial instability don’t have books at home, making it harder for children to build strong literacy skills.
That’s where you come in.

The Children’s Book Drive is a community-wide effort to put books into the hands of kids who need them most. Led by United Way of Treasure Valley in partnership with Book it Forward! Idaho, this initiative collects and distributes books to children across Idaho. From early learning centers and Title I schools to juvenile detention centers, we're getting books into the hands of children who need them.

Our goal: 25,000 books. With your help, we can get there!

​Donate new or gently used children’s books to help ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed. We encourage book donations in all languages! Drop off your books between March 1st through March 27th at any Treasure Valley Albertsons, CapEd or WaFd. Check our website for additional information on how you can make an impact!

https://www.unitedwaytv.org/ChildrensBookDrive2025

Make Valentines Day last all month long by Sharing Your Love!

Valentines Day is all about expressing your love for the special people in your life. This February, show them just how much they mean to you by making a donation in their name to The Idaho Foodbank and make a difference in the lives of those facing food insecurity.

$25 Donation: Donate online in the name of your Valentine and show you care for our neighbors in need.
$50 Donation: ​Receive heart and entered into drawing for pearl earrings and an evening at the ballet. 

The campaign runs through the month of February and provides local Idahoans the opportunity to make a donation to The Idaho Foodbank in the name of a past or present loved one.
Each person that donates online receives a heart on our heart wall located at the Meridian location and an opportunity to enter a raffle.  Simmons's Fine Jewelry is offering the winner a set of pearl earrings as well as tickets to the ballet. 

​Learn more and donate here: https://idahofoodbank.org/share-your-love/idahofoodbank.org/share-your-love/