By Les Tanner

Cancellations or changes in calendar events 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. Details about many of the following events can be found at idahocalendar.com

Northern Idaho

1 Holiday Light Show: Coeur d’Alene Resort, Coeur d’Alene

2 How to Explain Something in Writing: Learn how to write an explanation for something through this free weekly class.  RSVP to 208-883-1045.  6:30 PM – 8:00 PM, Latah Recovery Center, Moscow

4 Free Idaho Park N’ Ski Day: 10:00 AM, Indian Creek unit of Priest Lake State Park, Priest Lake

4 Winter Spirit: The community lights up with interactive displays and dancing trees at Locomotive Park.  A large gas fireplace warms visitors while children are fascinated by the dancing lights.  Lewiston

11-26 51st Annual Snowshoe Softball Tournament: SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS.  Priest Lake

17-19 Banff Mountain Film Festival: Breathtaking adventure films, raises money for local and international good deeds.  Panida Theatre, Sandpoint

18 Crab Feed: This annual event will be held at the Greencreek Community Hall. The social hour is at 5:30 pm and dinner at 6:30 pm, followed by music and dancing around 8:30 or 9:00 pm.  Greencreek

18-20 MLK Weekend at Schweitzer: Special activities, including Saturday’s Northern Lights fireworks show and the torchlight parade.  Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Sandpoint

24 Baked Potato Bar Dinner: Traditional Delicious Idaho Baked Potato, with the works! Cheese Sauce, Bacon, Broccoli, Sauteed mushrooms, chives & more -The only bar in town that comes with a side salad & dessert!  $6.00 per Adult, $4.00 for children under age 8.4:30 PM – 6:00 PM, Lake City Center Banquet Room, Coeur d’Alene

25 George Hill Memorial Snowshoe Volleyball Tournament: 12:00pm, Hills Resort, Priest Lake

25 Winter Trails Day. Enjoy free access to snowshoe and Nordic ski trails at Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Sandpoint

25-26 Vintage Snowmobile Races: HWY 57 USFS Airstrip, Priest Lake

Southwestern Idaho

1-4 Winter Garden Aglow: Idaho Botanical Garden, Boise

2 Four County Art Guild: 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM, Puiblic Library, Weiser

2 Home School Day: 10:00-11:30 AM, Foothills Learning Center, Boise

2 First Thursday: 5:00 PM, downtown Boise

2-30 Children’s Story Time: THURSDAYS.  Perfect for children ages 3 to 5. 10:30 – 11:30 AM, Public Library, McCall

3 Potato Bowl Football: Albertsons Stadium, Boise

3-4 Wrestling: Rollie Lane Invitational, and Boys-Girls Varsity Wrestling, Ford Idaho Center, Nampa

4 Museum Work Day: Volunteers welcome; 8:00AM; Lunchtime Seminar (bring your own lunch), TBD.  O.J. Smith Museum of Natural History, Boone Hall, The College of Idaho, Caldwell

4 Saturday Family Movie: “The Missing Link”: An English explorer encounters a Sasquatch and must escort him to his Yeti cousins in the Himalayas.  Rated PG.  Free popcorn. 1:30pm – 3:30pm, Public Library, Nampa

7 Adulting 101: Workshops for ages 15+, focusing on the skills and resources necessary for successful adulthood.  Check the Web site   www.caldwellpubliclibrary.org  for this session’s topic.  6:30PM, Public Library, Caldwell

7 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

8 Movie: “Ulysses & Mona”: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Alpine Playhouse , McCall

8-29 Nature Stewards Club: WEDNESDAYS.  Ages 11-16.  Join this after-school club to hike, learn more about your ecosystem, serve your community and develop your leadership skills.  Information:  208-608-7680. Boise

9,23 Conversation Club: Want to learn English or Spanish?  Practice in a safe environment through conversation and activities.  All ages.  7:00-8:00 PM,  Public Library, Caldwell

10-11 Fly Fishing Expo 2020: Western Idaho’s Premier Fly Fishing Event, Expo Idaho, Garden City

11 Foothills Family Day: Learn about the chemistry behind snow and how most of our water in Idaho comes from snow! Indoor and outdoor activities.  Free.  10:00 AM – 1:00 PM,  Foothills Learning Center, 3188 Sunset Peak Rd, Boise

11 Make It–Embroidery Sampler: Ages 13+.  Learn the basics of embroidery.  2:00 PM, Public Library, Caldwell

11-12 Eagle Winter Flea Market: Expo Idaho, Garden City

11-12 The Great Train Show: This is the nation’s only coast-to-coast model train show, designed for the general public, modelers, hobbyists, families, and the just plain curious.  Expo Idaho, Garden City

15, 29 Conversation Club: Want to learn English or Spanish?  Practice in a safe environment through conversation and activities.  All ages. 11:00 AM-Noon.  Public Library, Caldwell

16 Auditions for “The Flower of Sunnymount Crest”: (See event listing for January 24-25). Jewett Auditorium, C of I campus, Caldwell

16 Tour of Boise’s Military Reserve: Sponsored by The Foothills Learning Center and Idaho Conservation League.  Free; for all ages.  5:30-6:30.  Information: 208-608-7680.  Boise

16 Computer Basics: Learn the basics of computers and tablets.  Come with questions.  For all ages.  2:00 PM, Public Library, Caldwell

17 Boise Philharmonic Concert: Admission: $23.20, but students at NNU, C of I, CWI, and TVCC, and all Canyon County High School students, get FREE admission w/student ID.  7:30 PM – 9:30 PM, Brandt Center, NNU Campus, Nampa

18 Dodgeball Tournament: Come have a ball with us! First Annual Coed Dodgeball Tournament to benefit the Middleton Softball League. $50 per team, up to 10 players on the roster. There will be concessions available. FREE admission to cheer on the competitors! GMPRD Community Center, Middleton

18 Watershed Weekend: Topic, “Our Prehistoric Watershed”. View fossils and meet local paleontologists and geologists while participating in hands-on activities to learn about Idaho’s past – including erupting volcanoes and casting a fossil dinosaur claw! Free family fun.  10 AM – 1 PM.  A water renewal facility tour will be held at 11:30 a.m. (weather-dependent), ages 4 and up, closed – toed shoes required, no strollers please. Boise WaterShed, 11818 W. Joplin Rd., Boise

18 WISCL Scholastic Chess Tournaments: 8:30 AM, Lowell Scott Middle School, Boise

21 Home School Day: 10:30 AM, World Center for Birds of Prey, Boise

24-25 Children’s Theatre, “The Flower of Sunnymount Crest”: Scandinavia’s folk tradition comes to life in an enchanting tale of the deep woods where trolls, fairies, and witches keep their secrets. One small girl sets out on a journey to reach her only hope of happiness, an elusive flower on top of Sunnymount Crest.  Local children shine in this original musical, directed by Drama Kids International.  Friday, 7:00 pm, Saturday, 1:00 pm.  $6, $8, $12 Adult  $4, $5, $10 Child.  Jewett Auditorium, College of Idaho, Caldwell

24-2/2 Winter Carnival: McCall

25 Community Breakfast: Enjoy a delicious breakfast for only $5.00.  Enjoy your meal, meet new and friendly people.  Your meal donation will help us give a donation to one of the local charities.  Children are welcome at our breakfast, of course.  9:00-11:00 AM, The Eagles Lodge, Nampa

28-29 Western Idaho Ag Expo: 9:00-5:00 PM, Caldwell Event Center (O’Connor Fieldhouse), Caldwell

29 Trio Voronezh: A concert of the exciting sounds and compelling arrangements of classics—all played on Russian folk instruments (such as a balalaika, a dorma, and a bayan).  7:00 PM, Jewett Auditorium, The College of Idaho, Caldwell

30 Buy Idaho Capitol Show: Showcasing everything Idaho.  Over 100 booths will be on display, exhibiting and sampling products and services produced in our state.  Free.  8am – 3pm, Idaho State Capitol Building, Boise

30 Teacher Night: For teachers in the Caldwell and Vallivue schools.  Learn what the local library can offer your classes and schools.  Tours, door prizes, and a chance to visit the library’s Mobile Makerspace.  Kids welcome, too.  Light refreshments. 6:00-7:30 PM, Public Library, Caldwell

31 Luminary Walk: Free to participate.  Walk a luminary-lined, 1-mile loop trail.  Yak Tracks suggested, snow shoes/ poles available for deposit.  Well-behaved, leashed pets welcome.  7:00-9:00 PM, Golf Course, McCall

31-2/1 Scrapbook Show: Come shop the latest paper crafting products from local vendors, attend classes and spend some time on paper crafting/scrapbooking. Admission: $7. Hours: Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-5pm; Expo Idaho, Garden City

Southern Idaho

2,16 Bingo Night: 6:30PM-8:30PM, Lincoln County Community Center, Shoshone

18 Comedy Night: Bring the whole family for a night of laughs and fun! Lucas Bohn will headline this year’s comedy show! 7:30 PM, Wilson Theatre, Rupert

31 Concert: West Coast violinist Kimberlee Dodds Dray and Slovakian pianist Peter Fancovic.  7:30 PM – 9:00 PM, CSI Fine Arts Auditorium, Twin Falls

12 Ski Free Day: The Blaine County Recreation District offers Nordic and snowshoe trails free to the community, on all BCRD winter trails throughout the valley.  Ketchum/Sun Valley

13 Christmas Tree Bonfire: Yankee Fork Interpretive Center, Challis

14 Cat Cozy Club: Knit adorable and comfy cat cozies for our adoptable cats!  11:00-1:00 PM, Mountain Humane, Hailey

18-19 13th Annual Pond Hockey Classic: Christina Potters Ice Rink, Ketchum

24-26 6th Annual Sawtooth Outdoor Bonspiel: Stanley

25-31 Nordic Festival: Sun Valley

28 Humane Book Club: 4:00 – 5:00 PM, Mountain Humane, Hailey

Eastern Idaho

1-31 Darwin & Dinosaurs: Featured exhibit at the Museum of Idaho, Idaho Falls

4-25 Community Bingo: SATURDAYS.  For everyone ages 18+, not just seniors.  Help fund our nutrition program for seniors confined to their homes.  Senior Citizens Center, Idaho Falls

5 Ski for Free Day: Season kick-off event at the East Fork Mink Creek Nordic Center! Use our rental equipment at no charge, or bring your own.  Pocatello

7 Weaving, Spinning, and Fiber Arts Guild: Open Studio Night. 7:00-9:00 PM, 482 Constitution Way, Suite B-11, Idaho Falls

16 An Evening of Chamber Music: 7:00 PM  9:00 PM, The Downtown Event Center, Idaho Falls

21-23 Eastern Idaho Agricultural Show: Holt Arena, ISU Campus, Pocatello

25 Nature Art and Crafts: Ages 6-12.  Do you love animals and nature? Are you creative? Join us as we create nature themed crafts and one of a kind art projects each month. $10/person, $8.50/ZIZS Member. 10am-11am at the Zoo Education Building, 3101 Ave of the Chiefs, Pocatello

30-31 ISU Dance Concert “Configurations” : 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm, Stephens Performing Arts Center, Pocatello