Lots going on at the nonprofit purveyor of botanical beauty.
First, the Idaho Botanical Garden holds a plant sale, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 3, 2355 Old Penitentiary Road in Boise. General admission to the sale is $3.50; kids get in for $2.50; kids ages 4 and younger get in free.
If you’re an IBG member, you get a special, free sale preview, 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 2.
You can also support the garden on National Public Gardens Day, Friday, May 9.
The grounds are open from 9 a.m. to dusk. Admission is free.
The purpose of the day is to promote environmental awareness, plant and water conservation and education.
Several organizations will be on site from noon to 5 p.m., including Boise WaterShed; United Water; Madeline George Garden Design Nursery and others. Representatives from the Tomato Independence Project will offer a list of interesting tomatoes to try in your own garden (and their best uses, from canning to eating fresh).
The garden will serve free cake at 1 p.m. to help thank departing executive director Julia Rundberg for her work. Rundberg is leaving the IBG to take a post at the City Club of Boise.
During National Public Gardens Day, the nearby Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology (housed at the Old Pen) will also offer free activities. They include 30-minute geo-hikes each hour from 2 to 5 p.m. and guided 30-minute museum tours every half hour from 2:30 to 5 p.m.
Every visitor gets to take home a free mineral and is invited to stick around for a lecture, “Out of the Deep Dark: Lessons Learned from the Sunshine Mine Disaster” with historian Troy Lambert at 7 p.m. at the museum.
Lambert’s talk is based on the book “Deep Dark” by Gregg Olsen, which gives an account of the infamous Northern Idaho mining disaster 42 years ago.
One more note: The IBG is offering its annual free wildflower walks, 6:30 p.m. on two Thursdays, May 8 and May 15. Tours last close to two hours. The walks are leisurely, on trails behind the Old Pen.
Walkers must register ahead of time Call 343-8649.
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY AT THE LIBRARY!
Yes, it’s true. National Free Comic Book Day exists in America. What’s even better, is that Boise Public Library is playing along.
The library will give away free comics, including Guardians of the Galaxy, Teen Titans and Spongebob on a first-come, first-serve basis on Saturday, May 3.
Giveaways begin at the Main Branch (715 S. Capitol Blvd.) at 10 a.m. and at noon at the three branch libraries:
Library! at Cole Ustick, 7557 W. Ustick Road.
Library! at Hillcrest at 5246 W. Overland Road.
Library! at Collister at 4724 W. State St.
More information: 384-4076.
ALZHEIMER’S IDAHO INC. GARAGE SALE NEEDS DONORS, SHOPPERS
Alzheimer’s Idaho is a local grassroots organization (not affiliated with national organizations). All proceeds from this garage sale on Saturday, May 3, will help local families affected by Alzheimer’s pay for home care visits.
The sale is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Heatherwood Retirement Community, 5277 Kootenai St. in Boise.
The group is accepting donations of items for the sale until May 2. Call Lisa Kukay at 345-2150 to coordinate drop-off time.
The sale will include a variety of items along with a bake sale. The group’s “Sweet Magnolia” cookbook will also be available to buy.
All donations are tax-deductible.
‘FUNDSY4ALL’ PARTY OFFERS ANOTHER CHANCE TO GIVE
The FUNDSY 2014 Gala is May 3 at the Riverside Hotel in Downtown Boise. But if big galas with big price tags aren’t your scene, this new pre-party may be.
The inaugural “FUNDSY4All Party” is from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 1, at Beside Bardenay, 612 Grove St. in Boise. Suggested donation is $25, with all proceeds benefitting this cycle’s recipient, Create Common Good.
Here’s what you do: Make your donation at the event’s One4All fundraising page (find a link through this column at idahostatesman.com. New One4All users will need to create an account using their Facebook or email information).
Guests will be able to meet FUNDSY and Create Common Good teams while enjoying appetizers, a no-host bar, and a raffle for special prizes at this First Thursday event.
FUNDSY, founded in 1967, is one of the oldest charitable fundraising organizations in Boise. It helps local nonprofits with bricks and mortar projects. In its nearly five decades, it’s given more than $7 million to the community.
Create Common Good is a local nonprofit that helps train refugees and others in the community for the work force through healthy food programs.
FINAL REMINDER: IDAHO GIVES IS MAY 1
It’s nearly here, the one-day online charitable giving extravaganza. Hundreds of organizations representing every cause dear to every heart are poised to receive your donations.
In 2013, the first year of Idaho Gives, donors gave more than half a million dollars to 541 nonprofit causes.
Give online through idahogives.razoo.com. Link through this column at idahostatesman.com.
Anna Webb: 377-6431