Date Archives: November 2022

The festive season is on its way, and downtown Meridian is ready to celebrate. Our real estate agents love working in this city thanks to all of the exciting holiday events. There are plenty of these to look forward to in 2022. Here are just a few of the highlights! 

• Christmas in Meridian Winterlights Parade and Tree Lighting
  On Friday, December 2nd, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Meridian will be holding its local Christmas parade at the Generations Plaza downtown. This event kicks off with a screening of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" on a large projection screen next to the plaza's main stage. After this, the parade will begin its route through old town Meridian, accompanied by performances from the Treasure Valley Children's Theatre along the way. When Santa Claus reaches the end of his trek, he will light up the city's giant Christmas tree to signal the official start of Meridian's Christmas season. Food and hot cocoa will be available at the plaza's food court during the event to help paradegoers stay cozy while they wait for the grand finale.  
  
  
• Downtown Decorating Contest
  Every year, the many businesses of downtown Meridian dress up their storefronts for the city's Downtown Decorating Contest. This beloved tradition gives local entrepreneurs the chance to show off their Christmas spirit and gain some community goodwill, and many of them go all-out to create some truly impressive displays. Every resident can vote for their favorite display on the city's website. This year, voting for the contest opens on Friday, December 2nd, and closes on December 11th. Winners will be announced the day after the voting period ends. 
  
  
• Shop Meridian Downtown Night
  On Thursday, December 8th, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, downtown Meridian will host a special outdoor shopping event. Pop-up vendors from all over the city will gather in the streets to sell their wares to the people passing by. You'll be able to pick up one-of-a-kind treasures and gifts from local small businesses, sample some food and treats from the many eateries near our Meridian homes for sale, and even enter the Meridian Chamber's Shop Meridian prize drawing. 
  
  
• Children's Winterland Festival 
  On Saturday, December 10th, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, the Boys and Girls Club of Meridian will be hosting its annual Children's Wonderland Festival. Children from all over the community can come to the club building to enjoy games, arts and crafts, and a photo opportunity with Santa himself. This is a free event sponsored by Meridian Parks and Recreation and All American Insurance, so your kids can just show up and start having fun. 
  
  
• The 5th Annual Interfaith Food, Blanket and Toy Drive
  On Sunday, December 11th, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, volunteers will be running Meridian's annual food, blanket, and toy drive in the Vertical View Climbing Gym parking lot. Community members are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items, new unwrapped toys, and new store-bought or homemade blankets to the parking lot. All items go to benefit charities like the Meridian Food Bank and Star Outreach Food Pantry, Toys for Tots, and Blanket the World, as well as various local homeless shelters. 

This small city is full of culture and opportunity all year round. Contact us today to learn more about our Meridian and Boise homes for sale and find out how you can become a part of this exceptional community. 

Decorate Safely This Holiday Season

Delta Media Group

Decorating for the holidays is one of the fun perks of being a homeowner, because your whole property becomes a blank canvas. Decorating is a great opportunity to get in the spirit of the season, show off your sense of style, and get your kids (even more) excited for the holidays. No matter how you choose to decorate your home this holiday season, just remember that it's also important to keep home safety in mind as you deck the halls. We've put together 5 decorating tips to help keep your home safe, without cramping your holiday decorating style.

1. Check It Twice – Holiday lights are among the most popular decorations, and for good reason! They're bright, beautiful, and can transform the look of your entire property. Before you start stringing up those lights, however, be sure to check for any signs of wear. If there are broken lights or exposed wires, it's time to purchase some new outdoor holiday lights. Remember that outdoor lights are exposed to the elements, so even minimal signs of wear can pose a risk.  Bonus Tip: If you're in the market for new lights, try LED lighting rather than incandescent bulbs. LED lights are more energy efficient, burn cooler than incandescent bulbs, and come in just about any color you can imagine.

2. Don't Overload Outlets – Overloading a single outlet is a fire risk, even if you're plugging in new, energy efficient decorations. Avoiding tangled wires is also good for holiday decorating safety, and it's easier to do when you use multiple outlets. Always plug decorations into outlets with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters, which are designed to shut down the circuit automatically if certain signs of electrical danger are detected.

3. Indoor/Outdoor – That giant, inflatable Santa Claus won't fit in your living room, so it's probably a safe bet that he can be used outside. But not every decoration makes the distinction so clear. For any decorations that rely on electricity, always check whether they're rated for outdoor use before you plug them in outside. This is a great step to take care of while you're shopping for decorations, as the necessary info should be available right on the packaging.

4. Rooftop and Ladder Safety – For many homeowners, the holiday season is one of the few times each year when we take our ladders out of long-term storage and venture onto our rooftops. Stay safe by taking your time, having a plan, and wearing sturdy boots (or sneakers) with strong treads. If you do plan on climbing on your roof or using a ladder to decorate, never do so alone. Make sure there's someone on the ground to "spot" you and aid if you run into trouble.

5. Clean Gutters – Since you're likely to be spending time up there anyway, it's a great idea to clean your gutters before stringing up any holiday lights. Dried leaves and plant matter in gutters can serve as kindling when a faulty wire leaks electricity. As a bonus, keeping your gutters clean is a great way to lower your risk of water-related roof damage throughout the year.

The biggest thing to remember for holiday decorating home safety is that electricity can be dangerous, especially if you're using older decorations. Check any decorations for signs of wear before putting them up, make sure that any decorations you wish to use outside are rated for outdoor use, and keep your gutters clean to reduce fire risk. And of course, don't forget to have fun!

'Tis the Season to Celebrate!

With the holiday season right around the corner, there's no reason your business shouldn't be in on the fun. Whether it's with your employees or the community, here are a few ideas for your business to celebrate the holidays:

Holiday Party

There is nothing more straight-forward than a holiday party. Host a staff holiday party or sponsor a holiday event within your community. Bring on the food, holiday music, and enjoy seeing everyone have fun together! A holiday party can boost employee morale and offers an opportunity to show your appreciation as an employer.

Volunteer

Volunteering and serving those in need makes the holidays even more meaningful. Take advantage of the opportunity to serve your community! Not only will this benefit your community, but it will also benefit your business by helping build meaningful relationships between your employees, business, and community.

Give away free samples and swag

'Tis the season to give! Give a gift that will also give back to your business! Choose products that are popular and useful, and then brand them with your logo and color scheme. Giving away free samples and swag can be the perfect way to spread holiday cheer while also promoting your brand.

Offer gift cards

Everybody loves gift cards! Make holiday shopping easy on your customer by providing a simple, easy way to purchase gift cards from your business. Giving a gift card is a great way to show you care, while also ensuring the recipient gets exactly what they want!

Host a giveaway or contest on social media 

Social media is a great way to engage your current customers and attract new ones. Hold a contest or give away a product or service related to your business. There are a lot of different ways you can structure your contest or giveaway, including comment to win, hashtags, or photo contests. Make sure to check that your contest is in compliance with social media contest rules, as they can vary by channel.

We hope you enjoy these tips on how to celebrate the holidays as an organization. Happy Holidays from all of us at Idaho Central Credit Union!

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We understand that no two paths to buying a home are the same. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned real estate mogul, we have a variety of products and loans designed specifically to meet your needs. We offer local underwriting and fast approvals to save you time and money. We have options for down payments and additional resources like our Finally Home! online program to help guide you through the home-buying process. Contact one of our home loan specialists to discuss your options today!

DOERS OF GOOD: Advocates Against Family Violence

For Realtors® and staff at Coldwell Banker Tomlinson, November means more than the start of the holiday season. For the past 29 years, this month has also meant an opportunity to participate in the company's annual Turkey Tuesday, a fun bowling tournament and fundraiser for a local charity or nonprofit. Past recipients have included food pantries, children's foster programs, and animal rescues. Coming together to serve is a cornerstone in CBT's foundation.

We are proud this year to support Advocates Against Family Violence (AAFV) and our November Doer of Good, CBT Realtor® Johnel Nunes. As a volunteer and financial contributor for over five years, Johnel was introduced to the organization by her son Nathan, who was serving as a board member.

"I believe there is such a profound need for women and children to have a safe place to go in their times of need," says Johnel. "Too many women stay in abusive situations because they have no safe place to go."

Indeed, in 2020, in Ada County alone, there were over 5,500 calls to 911 related to domestic abuse, sexual assault, and child abuse. (Stats from Ada County Sheriff's Office, 2021.) AAFV works to eliminate domestic abuse by helping individuals make positive life changes through counseling, adult and teen outreach, court advocacy, affordable housing, emergency shelter services, and community involvement. Help is available in Ada and Canyon Counties, as well as throughout other parts of the state.

Johnel explains, "There are many women who have transferred from an emergency shelter into homes, giving them new opportunities, not only to grow as a family, but to grow as independent individuals."

AAFV is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), supported by grants, foundations, and individuals who have invested in their mission. Individuals are welcome to learn more about Advocates Against Family Violence and ways to help by visiting their website, www.aafvhope.org, or by joining them on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. They are happy to have those interested attend AAFV In Action to learn more.

"We all go through storms in our lives," Johnel says, "and sometimes we just need the support to muster the strength it takes to heal and prevail."

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Check back in at the end of the month for some photos of our Turkey Tuesday event and to find out how much we've raised for AAFV so far!

Join us in celebrating our Doers of Good by getting involved in one of the programs we will spotlight over the next several months or tell us in the comments below about what lights your fire when it comes to making our communities better. 

BEST-EVER PUMPKIN SOUP 

'Tis the season to warm your body and soul with hearty comfort foods. Nothing says autumn more than a pot of wonderful, homemade soup simmering on the stove. Give this seasonal favorite a try. Pumpkin isn't just for lattes!  We think you're bound to love this soup. 

INGREDIENTS 

• 3 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups pumpkin puree
• 1 small onion, chopped
• ½ tsp. fresh thyme, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp. freshly ground ginger
• ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
• ⅛ tsp. ground nutmeg
• ½ cup heavy whipping cream
• 4 pieces cooked bacon, chopped (optional)
• Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt (optional)
• Roasted pumpkin seeds (optional)
• Chopped green onion (optional)

In large pot, combine the first 8 ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, uncovered. Using a food processor or blender, puree soup in small batches. Return soup to pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for another 30 minutes, uncovered. Remove from heat and stir in heavy cream. Pour into bowls and garnish with as many toppings as desired.

From Our Friends At Boise Regional REALTORS^®

If you dread the thought of leaving the house without your dog, you're not alone. Our real estate agents love their pets and are always on the lookout for local adventures to take them on. Our furry friends are part of our families, and so we enjoy spending time outside the house with them whenever possible – even in the winter!

Both you and your furry friends benefit from outdoor exercise all year, so don't let colder weather stop you from exploring. Get that winter gear (for both of you) out of the closet and get outside. From beautiful parks to trails and fenced dog parks, there are tons of options around the Boise area. If you're planning a pet-friendly weekend around town, here are some of our favorite destinations your pup is sure to love:

• Ann Morrison Park - 1000 S Americana Blvd, Boise, ID 83706
  "Dog Island" is one of the coolest dog parks in the valley! This year-round fido-friendly park includes a 5.4-acre "active" dog area, a fenced "shy dog" area, and, weather permitting, opportunities for your four-legged pal to swim in the surrounding pond. Beginning November 1st, all of Ann Morrison Park is an off-leash area, so if your pup is well-behaved with great recall, grab your "Chuck-It" and head out!
   
• Kathryn Albertson Park - 1001 S Americana Blvd, Boise, ID 83706
  Just across the street from Ann Morrison lies one of Boise's best parks. Kathryn Albertson Park is the perfect place to take your pup for a peaceful, on-leash stroll. This 41-acre park has beautiful scenery and is very well maintained. You'll find picturesque ponds and greenery that make great photo ops. Plus, you never know what type of local wildlife you'll encounter on your walk. 
  
  
• Morris Hill Dog Park - 10 N Roosevelt St, Boise, ID 83705
  If you want to give your furry friend the opportunity to run around and socialize with other dogs, head over to Morris Hill Dog Park. This off-leash park is about 1 acre and has separate sections for small and large dogs. There are even fire hydrants, agility toys, and a doggie drinking fountain.
  
  
• Boise River Greenbelt - 150 North Capitol Blvd, Boise, ID 83702
  This 25-mile path runs on both sides of the Boise River through Boise and includes many parks to explore. Bundle up, leash your pup, and head out for a great adventure. The Greenbelt Map outlines some of the highlights so you can plan ahead for your journey.
  
  
• Bowler Park - 4403 S Surprise Way, Boise, ID 83716
  A Southeast Boise jewel, Bowler Park includes a 1.25-acre enclosed park and a smaller "shy dog" area. There's a great covered area inside the large area to sit and sip your coffee while your pup plays.

As a reminder, when taking your dog out for an adventure, make sure to keep them on a leash unless the area specifically allows them to be off-leash. Bring water and food if you'll be out for a couple of hours. And don't forget to clean up after them if needed.

Spending a day out on the town with your dog is one of the best ways to unwind and get to know the area. Thankfully, it's easy to do in Boise. Contact us today for more information on the area's local businesses and amenities that your whole family can enjoy.