AMERICA250 AND BLACKFOOT125Did you figure out that a screever is a sidewalk artist? At least that is what Bert in Mary Poppins called himself. The next America250 event is the Chalk Art Festival that will involve decorating a square of downtown sidewalk to vie for prizes and praise. Creating the art happens on Friday Aug 7 from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. with touch ups allowed Saturday morning before being judging at 11 a.m. Then all the shoppers at the Broadway Market event will ooh and aah as they shop.

The winners will be announced two weeks later on Friday, Aug. 14 at 6 p.m. at the Candy Jar Art Gallery. There are cash prizes, btw. The Bingham Arts Council is running this opportunity so naturally it will be artsy and fun. Only one rule — no popping into the pictures and disappearing, even if Mary Poppins shows up herself!

ANNOUNCEMENTSThe Jason Lee Memorial United Methodist Church is passing out free sack lunches to kids 18 years old and younger. They are located at 168 S. University Ave. and distribute the lunches from 11:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. They are seeking to nourish kids, build community and share hope.

The Bingham County Humane Society was given a Pet Friendly License Plate Grant to help those with low incomes get their cats spay or neutered at a discount. But this offer must be used and completed by the end of September, so you need to get started now to be sure the procedures can be done in time. If the Society doesn’t use all of the grant money, they lose it and we lose the help with these costs. There is even an outdoor cat price of just $10, which could help control that roaming population. For more details, call 208-680-3881.

Remember this is the last week for the Summer Reading programs at the Snake River Community Library, the North Bingham County District Library in Shelley and the Fort Hall Boys and Girls Club. The Blackfoot Public Library will conclude their program with a carnival at Jensen’s Grove on Friday, Aug 14.

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGSWednesday:

Kids Day Powwow and BBQ starts at 5 p.m. with dinner and at 6 will be the grand entry. This social powwow is at the TBC lawn in Fort Hall. Bring your own chairs and celebrate youth through regalia, music and dance.

Music in the Park from 6:30-8 p.m. at Courthouse Park, featuring Trial and Error.

Thursday:

Shoshone-Bannock Youth Warrior challenge starts at 9 a.m. at the ShoBan Jr./Sr. High School where the contestants run around the track and then to the Chief Tahgee Elementary School where they grab their bike and ride to the rodeo grounds. The final leg of the challenge is to ride their horse around the race track. There are two age categories: 9-13 years and 14-17 years. Besides prizes for the challenge course there will be best traditional dress awards for boys and girls.

Friday:

After 22 years, Corporal Cliff Evans is retiring from being a detective. An open house will be at the Detective Division Building at 50 Lavon St. in Blackfoot, from 1-3 p.m.

Is it hot enough for cold ice cream? The Bank of Commerce, located at 624 Jensen Grove Drive, is giving away free Farr Ice Cream today from 2-4 p.m.

Day 1 of The Little Buckaroo Rodeo starts at 7 p.m. at the Firth Riverview arena. Come cheer on the cowboys and cowgirls 12 years old and younger in a variety of good fun challenges. All proceeds support the local FFA and 4-H.

Saturday:

Day 2 of The Little Buckaroo rodeo starts at 8 a.m. with a Cowboy Breakfast at the Firth City Park. Next comes a parade at 11 a.m. and then fun in the park — including the Makers Market of young entrepreneurs. Come experience 60 years of “pint sized” rodeo traditions — ever seen 4-year-olds chasing chickens or 10-year-olds work together in the Wild Goat Milking event? Now is your chance.

The Village is having a Back to School Bash from 10-12 p.m. at the Frontier Outreach Center located at 250 W. Judicial St. in Blackfoot. All foster families are invited to outfit their kids with a new backpack and supplies, free haircuts and lunch.

The Broadway Market has extra color this month. In between the stores and street vendors will be chalk art to enjoy as you browse and support local businesses and vendors. The market goes from noon to 5 p.m.

Sunday:

More challenges in Fort Hall. The Bannock Warrior Challenge is for tribal men ages 18+ years. The day starts with a sunrise ceremony at 6 a.m. and then the challenge at 8 a.m. The course involves rowing 3 miles, biking 3.6 miles, riding a horse 3.6 miles and running 1.7 miles for a total of 11.3 miles. Impressive. The challenge is in honor of Bannock Warrior Chief Tahgee.

And don’t forget these regular events:

The Village volunteer mid-day action, Wednesday, 10-3, 250 W. Judicial St. 208-569-6298.

Elks Lodge, public lunch, Wednesdays & Fridays, 11-1:30, 123 N. Ash St.

Zumba, Thursdays & Tuesdays, 2:15 p.m., Senior Center at 20 E. Pacific St. $4, all abilities.

Shelley Farmers Market, Thursdays, 4:30-7:30, at 184 N. Park. Expanding Grand Raffle.

St. Paul’s Episcopalian Church open Fridays, 7-7, at 72 N. Shilling.

Bingham County Humane Society spay/neuter voucher purchases Friday, 12-4 p.m. at 766 S. Broadway, next to Arctic Circle.

Zumba, Saturdays, 8:30 a.m., Blackfoot Rec Center, 1350 Parkway Dr. #31,$4, all abilities.

Blackfoot Farmers’ Market, Saturdays, 9-1 p.m., Jensen’s Grove, 793 E. Airport Rd.

Blackfoot Christian Fellowship XII Stones free, delivered dinners, 208-785-3247.

Bingham County Humane Society spay/neuter voucher purchases Tuesdays, 12-6 p.m. at 766 S. Broadway, next to Arctic Circle.

Folk Style Wrestling, Tuesdays, 7 p.m., at Blackfoot Jiu Jitsu, 1010 W. Bridge St. suite F.

If you have events or announcements to be included — contact me at jannmmneish@gmail.com. I need the information by the Friday before publication on Wednesday.