August 2014 RSS Feed

We all have at one point in our life been judged by something we had little control over. Anne Frank was more than judged, but died because she was Jewish. The importance of human rights cannot be understated, and the Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial is a must-see for anyone concerned with the issue of human rights in society.  Anne’s belief in humanity inspired the nearly full-acre park in downtown Boise for residents of Idaho to remember her story.

Anne Frank: A Story that Should Never be Forgotten

Born Anne Marie Frank on June 12, 1929, Anne was 13 years old when German authorities began rounding up Jews throughout the Netherlands and sending them to Westerbork. Westerbork was a transit concentration camp on the way to Auschwitz. This is when Anne…

There are always fresh and interesting ideas that come to mind when you're planning for a room in a current or new home. But when you have ideas about how to use the space, deciding which one to use can be difficult. Why not consider adding a library? Libraries can serve a variety of purposes and add a feeling of warmth to a house. Whether you are looking to create a friendlier location to get work done at home, or a space where you can kick back and relax, a library may be just the right thing for you.

Uses For a Home Library

Something to keep in mind is that libraries are not just for reading. Think of the possibilities for the space. With the addition of a desk and comfortable seating, a library can also serve as a home office. If it can be…

The air itself seems to shine, as the nearly cloudless sky offers no resistance to the Sun’s steady stream.  People in a wide selection of swimsuits, t-shirts, and shorts stand in line to purchase a bus fare for later, all while checking the weather reports on their smart phones to have the facts repeated to them -- it’s hot.  Just a short distance away in the nearly-burning sand, the heat beats down on the necks, backs, and hands of the people bustling around the air stations. They’re racing to get a flock of colorful, inflatable boats, tubes, and pool toys as seafaring as possible.

Or, in this case, riverfaring.

When it’s hot here in Boise, you have about two choices. Take off all of your clothes and stand in front of the freezer (and risk…

The 2014 season features two comedic classics by the Bard of Avon; “As You Like It" and "The Merry Wives of Windsor." In addition to these, the ISF is producing the murder mystery classic, "Deathtrap," by Ira Lewin, the French opera "Les Misérables" (based on the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo), and the American comedy "Steel Magnolias" by Robert Harling.For those fortunate enough to live in the Boise, Idaho area, there are many cultural and artistic events in the community for entertainment. A long-standing fixture in Boise is the Idaho Shakespeare Festival. Not only does this acting company feature several Shakespearean plays throughout the season, they also perform contemporary plays, musicals, and participate in community outreach programs.

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House hunting can be hard, but in the great state of Idaho it is hard to go wrong. This is because houses for sale in Idaho are centered in beautiful landscapes, great communities, numerous opportunities for adventure. As you search for your next home, take a look at the houses for sale in Idaho.

Scenery

Residents of Idaho enjoy a varied landscape. The Rocky Mountains march through the northern and eastern portions of the state, shooting glacial mountains dotted with towering pine trees up into the sky. As you explore realty in this region, you will be amazed by its rugged, wild beauty. Glacial lakes, roiling rivers, abundant wildlife, and historic cities will take your breathe away. The Snake River draws a wide smile across southern Idaho and is the…

It seems that many California residents are making the move to Idaho lately. Whether it's finding homes in Boise, Meridian, Eagle, or Nampa, there are several great reasons to make the move to Idaho. Below are the top five reasons to relocate.

5. Jobs & Employment

Idaho boasts a diversified economy with strong growth areas such as retail, tourism, business and information services, healthcare, and high-tech industries. The top industries throughout this state are manufacturing and agriculture. There is something for every talent, and potential for even more. Boise, the state capital, and Nampa, the second largest community, have under 300,000 residents put together. A small-town atmosphere, combined with growth potential, make finding homes in…

If you purchased a home with less than the conventional 20% down, chances are that your lender required you to buy private mortgage insurance (PMI). For you, having PMI is another expense you can tack onto homeownership, but for the lender it's extra protection. PMI is designed to protect the lender in case the borrower defaults by using the money you paid into your PMI premiums each month to recoup some of their losses.

For example, on a loan of $250,000, PMI can cost you anywhere from $50 to $220 each month. It all depends on the size of the down payment you made and the length of the loan.

Why is PMI Necessary

For FHA insured home loans, PMI is required regardless of how much you put down as a down-payment. It can be 20% or even 90%, and FHA will…

Ah, the good old home inspection. It's a stressful thing. Even for the home inspector himself/herself. It's not an easy job, and requires a lot of well-versed knowledge & often times more than a little bit of psychology. The home inspector is often entering homes of strangers who may not always be happy... Hostile even. Inspectors should be experts concerning hundreds if not thousands of home characteristics including local codes such as electrical, plumbing, building/structural, and much more. We all know that the home inspection is a critical element of every home purchase and that buyers are well advised to get a professional on the task. The home inspection timing comes in many times just after difficult negotiations and often after months of efforts…

Idaho is not a forgettable state, despite what many like to believe. Hundreds of thousands of people have visited or lived here, influenced by the state's unique climate and diverse cultural identity. Even those who have never been to Idaho can find themselves breathless at the sight of Idaho's rustic mountainsides. Whether one has lived in Idaho for all of their life or seen it in the pictures, this state has had a fair share of influence in people's lives - including the lives of famous figures in history and pop culture. Here are a few notable people who, in one way or another, have included Idaho state in their lives. 

BORN IN IDAHO

Idaho is the birthplace of a large number of Olympic athletes, award-winning actors, acclaimed authors, and other…