Observed Trials
No motorcycle risky speeds required

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…

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Points of View, What does successful parenting look like?

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…

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Idaho Reptile Zoo
Where families meet friendly creatures

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…

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Prepare your kids: Careers in an AI-driven future world

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…

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A tale of two choices: Dual options can produce one outcome

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…

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Finding Normal: Abnormal times require new strategies

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…

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