Bob Firman Invitational September 20, 2008 at Eagle Island State Park, Boise ID a DyeStat featured meet Donna on the Side by Donna Dye

BOISE ID 9/20/2008 -- Boise is the home of the Firman Invitational, the capitol of Idaho and the City of Trees.

Boise is a city of about 163,000 people. But when the Boise Valley metropolitan areas are included, the population rises to 1.4 million people. Boise is called the "City of Trees." That name came from French Canadians who were surprised to see the Boise River flanked, thick with cottonwood trees. The referred to the area as "Les Bois" or "The Woods." The name stuck.

Boise is also one of the "Gem Cities" (Boise, Nampa, Caldwell, Meridian, Kuna, Eagle) and set in the "Treasure Valley" (southwest Idaho--surrounding the low-lying lands of the Boise, Payette and Snake Rivers). Boise is a sophisticated urban area complete with downtown loft living, upscale shops, downtown traffic, thriving businesses, a variety of attractions, lots of parks, a 25 mile greenbelt area that flanks the Boise River, active nightlife and lots of places to eat and drink.

Treasure Valley has its roots in the gold and silver mines in the Boise Basin and Owyhee Mountains. This treasure hunting lured miners as well as settlers looking for productive farmland. Some of the settlers were dropouts from those heading west on the Oregon trail. With Improvements in transportation and irrigation the area prospered and towns and cities were founded to fill the needs of the growing area. Boise was founded in 1863 and continued to grow with opening of the Oregon Short Line Railroad and the Boise Diversion Dam which heads the New York Canal. A complex irrigation system throughout the Treasure Valley was completed in 1909 enabling population and economic growth.

Today, the city is a major regional center for business and industry including engineering, agricultural, building materials and high-tech firms.

The area has plenty of recreational areas and interests.  One of the major recreationa areas is Eagle Island Park, the site of the Firman Invitational. 

Hospitality of the Nez Perce Indians. The piece portrays discussions about geography between Nez Perce Chief Twisted Hair and Lewis and Clark in 1805	The restored 1927 Egyptian Theater
	The Old Penitentiary
The Lucky Peak dam and reservoir and park

For those who like to run, the Boise Greenbelt is a must. The Greenbelt is a long, 25 mile walking and/or jogging trail through Boise that follows the Boise River and connects most of the major city parks. It starts at Lucky Peak Reservoir in the east and continues to the Idaho Fairgrounds in the nearby city of Eagle. It goes through Julia Davis Park, Kathryn Albertson Park, and Boise State University.
Another spot for runners and walkers is the Bandanna Running Store and a major local meet sponsor. Bandanna is a store providing running and walking supplies to the entire area. It's a place filled with staff passionate about running. Bandanna was founded in 2004 by Rich Harris who now co-owns the storewith Gregg Mizuta. Together Rich, Gregg and staff keep running enthusiasts up and running. So where does the name Bandanna come from? Back in the 1970's Rich started using a bandanna to keep his long hair in check. He became the “the guy who wore the yellow bandanna." And so he continued to run bandanna and all. You can find more about Rich and Bandanna at their web site: http://www.bandannarunning.com/.

From July 12 through November 9, 2008, there is an exhibit by Catherine Chalmers at the Boise Art Museum called Catherine Chalmers:  American Cockroach.   The exhibition highlights Chalmers' photographs, sculpture, and video work in which she explores the question of what it is to be human and what is man's relationship to the insect world, examining preconceived notions about insects and specimens.

Within this fabulous atmosphere, on to the meet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!