Boise Public Library hosts "Let's Talk About It," a special series of lectures to celebrate Boise's sesquicentennial. The lectures will focus on books that explore various aspects of history and culture in the West.

Each will include a presentation by an Idaho scholar, who will also lead a discussion.

The Idaho at 150 presentations and discussions are scheduled for the second Thursday each month, from March through July. Programs start at 6 p.m. in the Marion Bingham Room on the Main Library's third floor, 715 S Capitol Blvd., Boise.

• March 14 - "Traplines: Coming Home to the Sawtooths," by John Rember, with BSU scholar Jennifer Black.

• April 11 - "The Jailing of Cecelia Capture," by Janet Campbell Hale," with scholar Wendy Green.

• May 9 - "Thousand Pieces of Gold," by Ruthanne Lum McCunn, with BSU scholar Jennifer Black.

• June 13 - "A Victorian Gentlewoman in the Far West," by Mary Hallock Foote, with BSU scholar Louise Weitman.

• July 11 - "Sheep May Safely Graze," by Louie Attebery, with scholar Wendy Green.

"Let's Talk About It" is a program of the Idaho Commission for Libraries, made possible by the Idaho Humanities Council, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and U.S. Bank. The program began in 1985.

The library has several copies of each title available for participants to check out. Call 384-4076 for more.

GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR IDAHO HORTICULTURE PROJECTS

The Idaho Botanical Garden Lunaria Grant Program is accepting applications for a range of possible projects.

"Whether it be for planting and labeling Idaho wildflowers at an elementary school or providing funds for an irrigation system at a homeless shelter for growing fresh, healthy vegetables, we want to make a difference for Idahoans," IBG Director Julia Rundberg said.

Grant guidelines:

• Project needs to be within Idaho.

• Applications are due by Monday, April 1.

• The primary purpose of the project is botanical, horticulture, and/or plant-based education.

• The project demonstrates a high degree of impact in the community. For example, the project highlights collaboration, conserves natural resources, or reaches a significant educational or public audience.

• Nonprofit organizations, government agencies and schools are eligible to apply.

To learn more and to get your application form, visit www.idahobotanicalgarden.org or call 208-343-8649.

IDAHO MUSEUM OF MINING AND GEOLOGY NEEDS YOU

The museum is seeking volunteers who love rocks and minerals and appreciate the mining history of Idaho to help with a number of positions.

These positions are open:

• Museum Ambassadors: to greet visitors and handle Gift Shop sales.

• School tour guides: to help lead hillside geology hikes, and/or assist with indoor activities.

• Geo-camp assistants: to help with summer activities for children in grades K-6.

To learn more, come to a volunteer open house, 1:30 to 3 p.m., Saturday, March 30 at the museum, 2455 Old Penitentiary Road.

Note: the building is unheated, so dress accordingly. Questions? Contact Shirley Ewing at 283-3186 or shirleyewing@cableone.net.

FIELD TRIPS ARE BLOOMING AT BUGS

Boise Urban Garden School (BUGS) is now offering garden field trips for classrooms and youth groups, ages Pre-K through 6th grade.

Trips take place at the BUGS garden site, 4821 W. Franklin Road in Boise.

Lesson plans are themed for Early Learners (Pre-K to 2nd) and Mid-Learners (3rd to 6th). The field trips will be held at 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday's beginning April 1 and ending May 31 (and starting up again in the fall).

All program fees are $3 per person. There is a 12 student minimum, and fee assistance is available.

For more information on workshops or to sign up, contact Cass Meissner, the program coordinator, at 891-GROW (4769), ext. 101, or by email at cass@boiseurbangardenschool.org.

'HELPING WORKS' BLOG RETURNS

The blog will accompany this column at idahostatesman.com and will be a place to find more nonprofit news. Find the blog on the Statesman's homepage at idahostatesman.com.

Anna Webb: 377-6431