Ahizpak. Sisters. Clearly a good description of Izar and Maite, two sisters who are immensely talented artists. Ahizpak is also the name of their joint studio, in which they showcase their work. Including sculpture, paintings, carvings, jewelry and more, they take their inspiration from their Basque heritage, incorporating Basque motifs such as the lauburu, Euskara, and dance. You will find them at any Basque gathering in Boise or the surrounding areas. You will also find their work at other events, contributing pieces for fundraisers for local businesses, such as the Basque Christmas tree they did for a hostipal in Boise.
Their website, Ahizpak Designs, showcases several aspects of their work. You can also subscribe to a newsletter describing what they are up to. So, take a look, and tell them Buber sent you.
I only met him a few times, in Seattle, in Boise, in Homedale, but he made a lasting impression. Always with a smile and with his txistu at hand, Aita Martxel Tillous always added something special to any Basque gathering, even if it was a bunch of northwesterners gathered in a hay barn, doing their best to recreate something of the Basque Country in the countryside outside of Seattle. All who met him always remembered him.
Andy Franco recently learned of his Basque roots and, since then, he has really immersed himself into all things Basque he could. A blacksmith, who owns Calico Forge in Nampa, Idaho, he was an integral part of the recent exhibit at the Basque Museum in Boise on Basque whaling. Andy forged the harpoons and other implements, including the lamps, that are part of the display. He has also contributed to local fundraisers, making some beautiful lauburus and other Basque-related items, some of which are also for sale at the gift shop at the Basque Museum.
First, on Sunday, March 1, elections where held in the Basque Country (as well as other parts of Spain) for the Basque Parliament, the body that governs in the Basque Autonomous Community (BAC) comprised of Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa, and Araba. Since the formation of the BAC shortly after Franco’s death, the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV-EAJ) has held power in the Parliament. On Sunday, while they still won more seats than any other party, they didn’t capture a majority. What’s more, a combination of parties that are not Basque nationalist in outlook, including the PSE-EE and PP, do hold a majority, and could elect the first non-nationalist, non-PNV-EAJ lehendakari (president) of the BAC since it’s formation. What this will mean for a number of Basque-related issues is unclear, including language policy, the proposed referendum for self-determination, and so forth. What is clear is that things will be different in the BAC in the future. There is a lot of talk about what this means for the future of the BAC; see 
Second, 
The other day, my wife and I were in Trader Joe’s and saw this display. As a good ol’ Vasco who loves chorizo (see my previous post), it just felt wrong to see soy chorizo.