By Les Tanner

In spite of our efforts to ascertain that events listed in our calendar are described accurately, cancellations or changes due to weather, illness of performers, and other such things, although rare, are bound to occur. Double checking with the event coordinators about locations, dates and times is always a good idea.

Northern Idaho

1-7/7 Jae Yong Kim: “Donut Ever Forget Me”: Exhibit, Boise Art Museum, Boise

1-3/16 Women With Bait Fishing Tournament: An annual steelhead fishing tournament, Riggins

1-3 McCall Winter Carnival: One of Idaho’s premier winter events. Snow sculpturing and many other activities. Great fun for the whole family. McCall

1-3 Palouse Invitational Gymnastics Meet: University of Idaho Memorial Gym. Admission; $10. Moscow

2 Winter Market: 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM, Moscow

6-27 Happier Hour Story Time: WEDNESDAYS, Free. 4:00-5:00 PM, The Well-Read Moose, Coeur d’Alene

7 Evening Book Club: 6:00-7:30 PM at the Well-Read Moose, 2048 N. Main, Coeur d’Alene

9 Vintage Snowmobile Races: 12 noon. Hwy 57 Forest Service Air Strip, Priest Lake

22 Baked Potato Bar Dinner: Fundraiser. 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM, Lake City Center, Coeur d’Alene

Southern Idaho

1 Idaho Steelheads Hat Trick Reading Program: Ages 5-13 are welcome!. 3 GOALS, 3 PRIZES! All day, Public Library, Nampa

1-2 “Hot as Summer, Cold as Winter”: Caldwell Fine Arts Children’s Theatre presentation. Feb. 1, 7:00 pm; Feb. 2, 1:00 pm; Jewett Auditorium, The College of Idaho, Caldwell

1-2 Idaho Scrapbook Show: Shop for the latest paper crafting products, take classes, and spend time paper crafting/scrapbooking with family and friends. Expo Idaho, Garden City

1,8,15 DJ Skate Night: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM, ice rink, Indian Creek Plaza, Caldwell

2 Museum Work Day: Volunteers welcome; 8:00AM; Lunchtime Seminar (bring your own lunch): Speaker: William H. Clark, OJSMNH, “50 years of Baja California, Mexico, Entomology”; Location: the O.J.Smith Museum of Natural History, Boone Hall, The College of Idaho, Caldwell

2 Pokemon Club: For ages 7-18. Learn the trading-card game and test your skill against others. A few decks will be available to borrow. 2:00-3:30 PM, Public Library, Caldwell

2 Biscuits & Gravy Breakfast: 8:00am – 10:30am; $6.00. Senior Center, Weiser

4-25 BINGO: MONDAYS. 7:00 PM, Senior Center, Weiser

4-25 “Meet Me Monday”: MONDAYS. A family-friendly free weekly fitness walk/run event. 5:15-6:45 PM, Flying M Coffee, 524 E. Arthur, Caldwell

4-25 Storytime: MONDAYS, Stories for ages 0-2. !0:30 and 11:00 AM. Public Library, Caldwell

5 Kilroy Coffee Klatch: 10:00-12:00 at Nampa’s Warhawk Air Museum; FREE for ALL veterans and ALL veterans are welcome; Coffee and breakfast treats are served at no charge. No RSVP required – just show up; Nampa

5-26 Pajama Storytime: TUESDAYS, All ages, but geared to preschool. Stories, rhymes, songs,7:00 PM, Public Library, Caldwell

5-27 Storytime: TUESDAYS and WEDNESDAYS, For ages 2-5. !0:30, 11:00 AM, Public Library, Caldwell

6 Boise Birding Series: “What is the overall state of birds across North America?” Free program for experienced and novice birders alike. 9:00-10:00 AM, Foothills Learning Center, Boise

6 “The Club”: A group function for teens with disabilities. Join us for music, crafts, games, movies, and more! 2:00pm – 3:00pm, Public Library, Nampa

6-27 Just for Tweens: WEDNESDAYS. Crafts, games, board games, and fun activities for ages 9-12. 4:30 PM, Public Library, Caldwell

7 Four County Art Guild meeting, 12:00 Noon, Public Library, Weiser

7 Social-Icing: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Indian Creek Plaza ice rink, Caldwell

7 Mid-Winter Author Series: All ages. Writing Workshop with author Rick Just. 7:00-8:00 PM, public Library, Caldwell

7-28 AARP Tax-Aide Tax Preparation Service: THURSDAYS. Free tax preparation service to the Caldwell community. 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Train Depot, Caldwell

7-28 Teen Thursdays: Ages 13-18. Creating, building and tinkering. 4:00 PM, Public Library, Caldwell

8 Daddy Daughter Dance: Presented by the City of Eagle. 6:00 PM, City Hall, Eagle

9 Sing Along with Don Ritchey: 12:30 PM, Meridian Library at Cherry Lane, Meridian

9 Family Movie: 2:00 PM. (ages 4+); free popcorn. Community Room, Public Library, Caldwell

9 Foothills Family Day–Idaho Explorer Day: Create a naturalist journal, learn to identify plants, orienteering scavenger hunt. Free. 10:00-1:00 PM, Jim Hall Foothills Learning Center, Boise

9 Community Dance: $5 per person, finger-food potluck. Music by Just for Kicks. 6:00 – 9:00 pm at the Weiser Senior and Community Center, Weiser

9 Daddy Daughter Date Night: 7:30 PM, Nampa Recreation Center, Nampa

12 Indianhead Fly Fishers, 7:00 PM, Idaho Pizza, Weiser

12 Story Trail Adventure, “Big Tracks Little Tracks”: You and your preschooler (ages 3-1/2 to 6) will walk the quarter mile trail with us and read the story pages posted on our platforms together. Then,  get creative with our story-related craft! Children should dress for the weather and be accompanied by an adult. $3.00. 10:00-11:00AM, Jim Hall Foothills Learning Center, Boise

12 Reading Tails: Come read to a cute four-legged friend. 3:30pm – 4:30pm, Public Library, Nampa

13 International Guitar Night: This is North America’s premier mobile guitar festival, bringing together the world’s foremost acoustic guitarists. 7:30 PM, CSI Fine Arts Auditorium, Twin Falls

13 Home School Day: Intro to Raptors. Sessions 10:30-12:00, and 1:30-3:00. Interpretive Center open house 12-1:00 and 3:00-4:00. Cost $3 per person. Members and children under 4 admitted free. Pre-registration required: 208-362-8260. The World Center for Birds of Prey, Boise

15 Crafter’s Club: Knit, crochet, embroider, you name it–with other crafters. Ages 18+. 2:00-3:30 PM, Public Library, Caldwell

15-24 Sandpoint Winter Carnival: Parades, Fireworks, Skiing and more, Sandpoint

16 WISCL Scholastic K-12 Chess Tournament: 8:30 AM, Lowell Scott Middle School, Boise

16 Chinese New Year Celebration: You’re going to love ringing in the Year of the Pig. 1:00-3:00 PM, Public Library, Caldwell

16 The Science of Snow Sports: Participate in fun, active events, observe the science behind sliding on snow or ice and enjoy learning about winter recreation opportunities in Boise. There will be activities and winter crafts for all ages. 10:00-1:00 PM, Boise WaterShed, 11818 W. Joplin Road, Boise

21 Mid-Winter Author Series: All ages. Writing Workshop with author Amanda Bonilla. 7:00-8:00 PM, Public Library, Caldwell

22 Magic Valley Symphony February Concert: 7:30 PM, CSI Fine Arts Auditorium, Twin Falls

23 Local Author Panel: Discuss the writing process with three Idaho authors: Rick Just, Renee Settle, and Margo Kelly. 1:00-2:00 PM, Public Library, Caldwell

23 Idaho’s Geothermal Gold: Learn about Boise’s geothermal heating from the City’s Geothermal Program Coordinator and then head out to soak in the Roystone Hot Springs. $15/person. Entrance and transportation included. Pre-Registration is required: parks.cityofboise.org/register-for-classes. 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Boise WaterShed, Boise

24 Nature Explorers Preschool Program: Preschoolers (3-5) use their natural curiosity to investigate nature. Free. 10:30 AM. Visitors’ Center, Deer Flat NWR, Nampa

25 Home School Day: Explore Engineering: Design and build with pipes, learn about engineering careers and more! A FREE program for home-school children ages 3 – 13. Pre-register at least one week in advance (208) 608-7300. Boise WaterShed, Boise

28 Babby Farms: Come see an interesting animal from Babby Farms! All ages welcome! 4:00pm – 5:00pm, Public Library, Nampa

Central Idaho

2-30 Storytime: WEDNESDAY and FRIDAYS. Books and crafts designated for children ages of 2- 4 will be available. All ages are welcome. 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM, Public Library, Hailey

3 4th Mexican Mardi Gras, Challis

15-17 Stanley-Sawtooth Winterfest: Keep ‘cabin fever’ at bay, come out and play! Activities and fun for all ages. Stanley

16 Winter Tracking Workshop: Ann Christensen introduces participants to local winter animals, their life-histories and winter adaptations. Participants then have a snowshoe tracking adventure through fields and woods north of town. Bring snowshoes, warm clothes, water, and your curiosity. Suggested donation of $10/ERC members and $20/non-members. Space is limited, so register today at 208.726.4333 or [email protected]. 11:00 AM – 2:00 ERC office, Ketchum

Eastern Idaho

1-3 Lava Hot Springs Fire & Ice Winterfest: Bring the family and celebrate winter with the Portneuf River Polar Bear Float, Running of the Bulls, Kids Water, and lots more, Lava Hot Springs

2 Swing Junction’s Big Dance: 8:00-11:00 PM, American Legion Hall, Idaho Falls

2 Free Admission: Art Museum of Eastern Idaho, Idaho Falls

2-23 Snowshoe Walks: SATURDAYS. A short introduction to the winter environment followed by a trek through the park on snowshoes. Snowshoes are available for use, and there is no charge for these events (donations accepted). Reservations are required (208-527-1335 or [email protected] ) Participants must be 10 years of age for this moderately strenuous walk. Group size is limited to 30, so sign up your group early. 9:00-12:00 Noon, Craters of the Moon, Arco

5 Free Senior Day: Free for 65+, Art Museum of Eastern Idaho, Idaho Falls

5 The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho. Free admission. 11:00 AM, Idaho Falls

5 Swing Junction’s Big Band Dance: A community swing dance. No partner is required and beginners are welcome. 8–9 p.m. swing dance lesson, 9–11 p.m. dance. Veterans Memorial Building, Idaho Falls

7,21 Acoustic Musician’s Open Mic Night: All ages evening to promote and showcase their musical talents. 7:00 PM, Kool Beanz Café, Idaho Falls

8-9 Family Fun Fair,: Enjoy non-stop fun and entertainment at the fair. Pinecrest Event Center, Idaho Falls

9 ISU Civic Symphony Valentine Concert: 7:30 PM, L.E. And Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center, Pocatello

14 Little Learners: Growing STEM Strong: Learn a new topic each month through crafts, games, songs, and snacks in this class for parents and toddlers ages 2-4. Free with pre-registration online. 10:00 AM, Museum of Idaho, Idaho Falls

14 Valentine’s Day at the Rink: 11:00 AM -2:00 PM, Tautphaus Park, Idaho Falls

14-16 Simplot Games: Over 2,100 athletes from 19 different states, Canada and Australia will compete. Olympic legends like Dick Fosbury, Andre Phillips, Willie Banks and Stacy Dragila will be there. Everyone is welcome at the Games. Holt Arena, ISU Campus, Pocatello

16 “Wild, Wild West” 30th Annual Snowball Dance: Lots of fun with live music, door prizes, raffle items, and goodies for the whole family. $10 adult, $25 family, $5 student. All proceeds go toward the purchase of an in-house MRI suite at Bear Lake Memorial Hospital. 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm, Bear Lake Middle School, Montpelier

17 Meet a Scientist / Discovery Day: At 1:00, bring the kids to meet a scientist and learn STEM topics, then at 2:00, kids ages 6-12 who pre-register online can enjoy Discovery Day activities on the same topic. The Museum of Idaho, Idaho Falls