Deals in Garden City

Pick up a copy of Boise Weekly, flip open the Idaho Statesman, or tune in to Boise State Public Radio, and you might catch Ophidia Studio’s owner, Allison Holley, spreading the gospel of pole dancing. "It feels fun," she told Boise State Public Radio's Scott Ki. "It's kind of like playing on a jungle gym, and adults don't get that chance." Along with a coterie of experienced instructors, Allison casts off the bad rap of an activity that she says some see as "demeaning or degrading" in pole-dancing classes that build fitness and self-confidence in a playful atmosphere. Inside a hot-pink studio peppered with stationary and spinning poles, Allison and her crew walk students of all levels through a number of creative pole-dancing moves, beginning with spins and working up to inversions, choreography routines, and ceiling-fan impersonations.

Their expertise doesn’t stop there, though. The instructors also offer an arsenal of other sensual classes such as belly-dancing, hoop dancing, poi fire dancing, and Curvesque, which helps whittle waists and define the feminine form through fluid, dance-inspired movements. They also offer the more-traditional fitness classes of Zumba and body blast, along with yoga and its elevated counterpart—aerial yoga, which suspends students in a fabric sling hung from the ceiling.

Jody Tulloch and her team of massage therapists address tension on all fronts with massage therapy and invigorating spa services. Clients recline across heated tables that are cushioned by layers of padding as a therapist gently relaxes stiff spines, using coconut oil and grapeseed oil to glide their trained hands over areas of tension and harnessing essential oils to boost relaxation ease tenderness. During hot-stone massages, toasted basalt river rocks send heat deep into muscles, allowing tendons to warm up their vocal cords and quietly yodel. For those with TMJ, headaches, and sinus problems, Tulloch herself uses specialized techniques to ease the pain of these stubborn ailments. Body scrubs soften skin while infusing it with scents such as raspberry champagne or chocolate, and airbrush spray-tanning sessions tint bodies with a summery hue. Once clients emerge peaceful and relaxed from their private treatment rooms, they can prolong the experience by purchasing custom-blended essential oils to take home.

At Gameworld, fun materializes in a variety of forms, from bowling to arcade games modeled after sporty endeavors and amusement park rides. Bowlers launch spheres down regulation-size lanes or the abbreviated alleys of a replica of Highway 66, featuring mini lanes striped with a highway median that cater specifically to toddlers, but can entertain competitors of all ages. After lifting bowling balls, gamers can cool down in the arcade, a haven for a veritable timeline of electronic adversaries from yesteryear's Pac-Man to modern Daytona racecars, as well as air hockey and a small climbing wall. The MaxFlight Simulator reigns supreme among its peers, emulating the jolting twists and turns of a rollercoaster ride without the annoyance of picking bugs off of teeth. Players refuel at Perky's Pizza with crispy slices or entire pies made to order, which can also power kids through bowling birthday parties that include bowling, gaming, and goody bags.

Sunlight filters in through Graffiti Hair Studio’s ceiling-high windows, reflecting off polished black shampoo basins that stand out in a space otherwise dominated by light and earthy tones. As stylists escort clients toward the studio’s row of plush salon chairs, their heels click against the hardwood floors, lending a rhythmic counterbalance to the lively chatter that so often fills the room. Once they set to work, the stylists spark up new conversations as they spread smoothing elixirs such as Alterna’s bamboo shampoo across scalps or prep strands for cuts and coloring treatments with Paul Mitchell’s keratin-infused serums. Just a few yards away but entirely removed from the bustle on the salon floor, the spa’s aestheticians hide evidence of aging or membership in underground mud-wrestling leagues with PCA skincare products and exfoliating microdermabrasion treatments.

As members of the NAPA AutoCare empire, Blaz?N Diagnostics Auto Care's ASE-certified technicians cannot work on cars without backing their services with a 24-month or 24,000-mile warranty. The crew uses top diagnostic equipment to sleuth out electrical issues and signs cars up for services that range from oil changes to complete engine rebuilds. The garage also partners with Enterprise Rent-A-Car to assist customers in finding transportation without having to call a cab or summon the town centaur.

What makes a chili recipe the best there is? The judges at this year's Chili & Salsa fest will have to figure that out for themselves as they award entries of chili—and salsa—in this year's competitions. At Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park, the scents of fall food mingle in the air, making it tricky for patrons to decide whose wares to sample. And as evening comes on, so does the crowd, as the event shifts to watching college and NFL football on the big screen.