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By Dennis Lopez Contrary to its formal name, Observed Trials, it’s a challenging motorcycle competition that, unfortunately, most people in the United States have never seen.Unlike most competitive motorcycle events, trials – not trails – riding doesn’t involve speed but rather is focused upon balance, riding skills and motorcycle control.A trials event is split into…

Possible pull-quote: “Starting with the end result, a successful parent is one who produces a reliable, responsible, respectful, resilient, loving human being.” By Gaye Bunderson Here’s a revelation: I was raised by two flawed human beings. And guess what? So were you! Looking back over the course of my life, I’d have to say that…

By Sandy McDaniel Along with all the other effects of Covid-19 disconnection seems to be a lack of empathy among children. Having worked with youth for over 60 years, I am certain that a youngster’s primary instinct is to notice and care about what other people are feeling. What has changed? Obvious answers include the…

Possible pull quote: I often hear the phrase “I just want my kid to be normal.” But normal is such a relative term. What does it even mean? I know I sure don’t feel ‘normal’ most days. If we were all the same, life would be so boring. Possibly pull quote: Every tiny finger that…

Caption for Lots of Purses: Launee Wolverton’s grandchildren sit with an array of purses donated to their grandmother’s ongoing project for women: Purses with a Purpose. (Courtesy photo) By Dennis Lopez I guess I can blame my mother.I was never allowed to touch my mom’s purse, let alone plumb the depths of its many pockets,…

Caption for Sting Ray Robb Pre-Race: Sting Ray Robb is an Idaho native whose passion for racing began early in life. At 20, he is a champion with lofty goals for more racing-track wins, but he remains steadfastly committed to his roots, his family, and his faith. (Photo courtesy of SR2 Racing) By Dennis Lopez…

By Dennis Lopez Listening to Tyler Messina, I almost forget that I hate snakes. His enthusiasm about reptiles is contagious…almost.Messina is the bright and knowledgeable owner and curator of what is perhaps Boise’s most eclectic zoo: The Idaho Reptile Zoo. Open for one and one-half years, the tidy 10,000-square-foot facility is located between an escape…

By Kimberly Blaker Many parents today never experienced a world where computers weren’t a standard household fixture, let alone a world without the internet. When the World Wide Web first became available to the public in 1991, it was archaic compared to today. Yet at the time, it was quite the phenomenon. But the rapid…

By Macaile Hutt As a pediatric occupational therapist, I see a lot of power struggles and attempts to gain control from our tiny clients in the clinic. Over my years of practice, I’ve noticed a trend with children impacted by medical involvements requiring lots of doctor’s visits, surgeries, procedures, or hospitalizations and the attempt to…

By Macaile Hutt As a pediatric occupational therapist, I help children find success and independence in any of their “occupations” – the things they do every day. Occupations could be as simple as bathing, using the bathroom, feeding ourselves, or dressing ourselves. They can also be more complex, such as the way we interact with…