MEETING OF THE MINDS: LEGENDS OF IDAHO BASKETBALL CLASSIC

The squeak of the parquet. The swish of the net. The roar of the crowd. On Friday, you can see many of Idaho's legends joining together for tip-off at half-court at the Meeting of the Minds: Legends of Idaho Basketball Classic to benefit the Idaho Black History Museum.

The Idaho Black History Museum is the only museum in the Pacific Northwest dedicated to presenting the history of African-Americans in the region. It is housed in the St. Paul Baptist Church building in Julia Davis Park, which was built in 1921 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

The museum's exhibits and programs are vital to preserving and expanding Idaho's cultural diversity. From York, the slave who accompanied Lewis and Clark in 1905 (and who is said to be the first of that expedition to set foot in Idaho), to current legends such as Cherie Buckner-Webb and Gene Harris, the Idaho Black History Museum educates all of us on how African-Americans have played a vital part in building our state's moral and civic fabric.

Come together with your family for this incredible event featuring 30 of Idaho's top high school and collegiate players. Paul J. Schneider will give the play by play of the moves by Orlando Lightfoot (University of Idaho), Geoff Goss (Boise High, Gonzaga University), Danny Bower (Caldwell High, Brigham Young University), Brian Sperry (Wallace High, Boise State) and other legends of Idaho basketball.

Tickets are $8 for children 12 and under and seniors (55 and up), and $12 for adults. A family four-pack (two adult and two children's tickets) is $35. Tipoff for the Pro-Am Championship (Gametime International) is at 6 p.m. at Qwest Arena. Tipoff for the Legends Classic game is at 7:30 p.m. To reserve tickets, call 433-0017. For more information, visit www.ibhm.org.

WILD AND WACKY WOMEN'S WHITEWATER ADVENTURE

Ladies, grab your sunscreen and your water shoes, and get ready to hit the river to help those in need.

Patricia Kempthorne and Twiga Foundation's annual Wild and Wacky Women's Whitewater Adventure is hitting the waves on Friday, Aug. 22. This fun event is designed to raise money for Dress for Success, an organization that helps low-income women make tailored transitions into the workforce.

Patricia Kempthorne and her Twiga Foundation have been supporting Dress for Success since it began. The program provides women with an interview outfit, shoes, hair tips and make-up, but most importantly, a very large shot of self-esteem.

"Our numbers are up, and our funding is down. Everyone is struggling with this economy," said Dress for Success Executive Director Debi Foster. "A lot of these women have to choose between putting food on the table or putting gas in their car. They need jobs.

"We don't just provide them with an outfit. For one hour we get to pamper them, encourage them and help them put their best foot forward for an interview," she said.

The women have to come through a referring agency and must be actively in the job market.

The idea for the raft trip, now in its eighth year, started when Kempthorne included a float trip with governors' wives in the Teapot Extravaganza auction. It was such a hit that she decided to create an annual rafting trip for women to help Dress for Success through her Twiga Foundation, a nonprofit corporation dedicated to promoting family-consciousness at home, in the workplace and in the community.

"It is great fun," said Foster. "Debbie and Tom Long of Cascade Raft and Kayak Company have been fantastic. They provide the boats, the guides and a fabulous lunch. Several years ago they offered to cover all of the costs of the event so that all proceeds go to Dress for Success."

The raft trip will be down the Cabarton Run, a fun and safe section of the the Payette River that includes some Class 3 rapids.

The event starts at 9 a.m. and will conclude at 3 p.m. at the Cascade Raft and Kayak Company. Cost is $75.

If you can't join the gang on the river that day, you can be a "phantom floater" by making a donation of any amount to Dress for Success through the Twiga Foundation at www.twigafoundation.org.

Dress for Success, www.dressforsuccess.org, is at the Capital Christian Center in Meridian. It is open from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Donations are gladly accepted during those times. Items must be gently worn and on hangers.

E-mail Debidfs@aol.com to reserve your tickets for this fun event with these self-proclaimed wacky and wild women.

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS

University of Idaho - governor's gala: Thursday; www.vandalscholarshipfund.com.

Sun Valley Center for the Arts - wine auction: Thursday through Saturday; www.sunvalleycenter.org.

Easter Seals-Goodwill - Ally & Brady's Gift of Hope Golf Tournament: Saturday; www.esgw-nrm.easterseals.com.

Epilepsy Foundation - second annual dodgeball tournament: Saturday; www.epilepsyidaho.org.

McPaws - Auction for the Animals: July 31; www.mcpaws.org.

Ride for Joy - Christmas in July: July 31; www.rideforjoy.org.

St. Luke's - Scramble for the Kids Golf Tournament: Aug. 1; www.slrmc.org.

Ronald McDonald House - charity golf tournament: Aug. 7-10; www.rmhidaho.org.

Idaho Youth Ranch & Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health - Blue Cruise Wheels for Wellness; Aug. 10; http://www.bcidahofoundation.org/Events/Blue_Cruise/bluecruise.asp.

Regence Caring Foundation for Children - golf tournament and clinic: Aug. 15; www.caringfoundationforchildren.org.

Basque Museum and Cultural Center - WineFest 2008: Aug. 15; www.basquemuseum.com.

Wishing Star - Playhouse Dream Show: Aug. 15-24; www.wishingstar.org.

Twiga Foundation benefitting Dress for Success - Wild and Wacky Women Whitewater Adventure: Aug. 22; debidfs@aol.com.

Make-a-Wish Foundation - Powell's Sweet Summer Dreams Art Walk: Aug. 23; www.idahowish.org.

The Idaho Foodbank - Hot August Night Fun Run: Aug. 23; www.idahofoodbank.org.

Boise Young Professionals fundraiser for the Idaho Humane Society - Great Gatsby Gala: Aug. 23; www.boiseyp.org.

Multiple Sclerosis Society - Bike MS: Road Sweat & Gears 2008: Aug. 23-24; http://main.nationalmssociety.org/IDI

United Way - Campaign Kick-Off Flapjack Feed: Aug. 28; www.unitedwaytv.org.

Do you have fundraising events for your 501(c)(3) organization you would like the divas to hear about, or nominations for spotlights on shining stars who make Treasure Valley nonprofits sparkle? E-mail info@divasforadifference.com.