UNITED WAY FLAPJACK FEED

The ultimate comfort food just may be the flapjack. And the ultimate comfort to the Treasure Valley is the United Way.

For over 80 years, the United Way has been acting locally as a safety net to our neighbors in need and providing a common way for us to join together.

Whether it is providing funding to a clinic to be able to serve more underinsured residents of the Treasure Valley, leading the way in informing parents and grandparents about the importance of quality learning experiences, or organizing an alternative spring break where area teens work together to create a safe and fun neighborhood gathering place, the United Way is there for all of us.

Through its extensive network of individuals and corporations, the United Way garners financial resources, community input and intellectual acumen to address the issues we face today. As their tag line says, it mobilizes the caring power of our community to improve lives.

On Thursday, Aug. 28, the United Way is gathering everyone together for a little comfort food at its first ever Flapjack Feed.

The goal is to make this "all you can eat" pancake feast an annual event.

Tickets are $5.

Join the fun from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at the Boise Centre on the Grove Plaza and take in fluffy pancakes and live entertainment.

Local celebrities will be flipping the cakes in this perfect kickoff to the United Way's annual campaign.

For more information, call 336-1070 or visit www.united waytv.org.

Pass the syrup, please!

BIKE MS: ROAD SWEAT & GEARS 2008

There are few activities more satisfying than a bicycle ride through the mountains on a summer day. Add friends and festivities to the picture and you have the components for a perfect weekend.

The Idaho Division of the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society has assembled all the workings for such a weekend with its 2008 Bike MS: Road, Sweat and Gears Ride in McCall and Donnelly.

On Saturday, Aug. 23, and Sunday, Aug. 24, more than 200 cyclists are expected to ride to raise support for this unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system.

Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body and stops people from moving. MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S., and 2.5 million worldwide.

Using Camp Pinewood in McCall as their base, participants can choose from 20-, 40- and 60-mile routes offered on Saturday and 25- and 50-mile routes offered on Sunday. (An intermediate mountain bike ride out of Jug Mountain Ranch also is being offered on Sunday.)

Entertainment will be offered at the finish line celebration at the end of each day's ride. Activities for participants and supporters at the camp throughout the weekend will include frisbee golf, miniature golf, river tubing, and volleyball. Massage therapists will be on hand to offer relief for sore muscles.

Every rider is required to raise a minimum of $200. Funds raised will support direct services for the more than 1,800 people with MS and their families in Idaho as well as help fund national MS research.

The Idaho Division of the National MS Society offers newly-diagnosed support, educational programs, wellness programs, publications, self-help groups and financial assistance.

Entry fees for the ride are $20 per team rider, $30 per individual rider and $50 per rider (regardless) on the day of the ride. For more information, call 388-1998 or visit www.msidaho.org.

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS

Regence Caring Foundation for Children - golf tournament and clinic: Friday; www.caring foundationforchildren.org.

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

Wishing Star - Playhouse Dream Show: Friday through Sunday, Aug. 24; www.wishingstar.org.

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

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

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

City Harvest Dinner/Auction: Saturday, Aug. 30; www.fallforboise.com.

Boise Art Museum - Art in the Park: Friday, Sept. 5, through, Sunday, Sept. 7; www.boiseartmuseum.org.

Children's Home Society of Idaho - Celebration for Hope: Friday, Sept. 5; www.childrenshomesociety.com.

Idaho Conservation League - An Evening on the River: A Gathering of Conservation Friends: Saturday, Sept. 6; www.wildidaho.org.

Albertsons Boise Open (benefiting numerous area nonprofits): Monday, Sept. 8, through Sunday, Sept. 14; www.albert sonsboiseopen.com.

Boise Contemporary Theater - season opening fundraising gala: Friday, Sept. 12; www.bctheater.org.

Boise Parks and Recreation AdVenture Program - Curt Recla Moonlight Golf Tournament: Friday, Sept. 12; www.cityofboise.org/parks.

Boise Urban Garden School - BUGS Harvest Dinner: Saturday, Sept. 13; www.boiseurbangardenschool.org.

Zoo Boise - Run With the Animals 5000: Saturday, Sept. 13; www.zooboise.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.