Empowerment coach Rebecca Evans offered members of the local National Association of Women Business Owners chapter inspiration and good advice at a recent meeting. You don't have to own a business to join, by the way, president Meg Carlson told me, "but we do celebrate women business owners and encourage them to share their journey," she said. "For nobody is it just a smooth road. Many times it's tempting to just close down and say, ‘Enough already.'"

Rebecca, who left an abusive household at age 14, joined the Air Force and shared a tent with 35 women during the Gulf War, said "I learned most of my business skills there," she said.

Among her keys to life:

• Keep a sense of humor even in crises.

• Know what to say no to and choose the best thing for YOU (only you know what you're drawn to, love and have passion for).

• Have a five-year mission statement and say no to anything that doesn't bring you closer to your long-term vision; everything you pay attention to will grow, so don't pay attention to "crazy-makers."'

• Get a support group.

"Ask yourself what would change in your life if you won the lottery. If a lot would change, you should re-evaluate your life," she says.

Al Gore's inspiration

Yvette Sedlewicz's Hobble Creek patio sports a new amenity: a five-line, high-tech retractable clothesline she bought online. After hearing Al Gore speak at BSU, she asked me to do an article about energy conservation.

I'm happy to oblige. My husband, Gary Richardson, and I have employed the "solar dryer" that came with our Foothills home almost exclusively since 1986.

Gary, who once worked for the Public Utilities Commission, did a little research and found that to run an electric dryer in Idaho for an hour, about six pounds of coal are burned at a power plant in Wyoming, Oregon or Nevada, releasing some 16 pounds of carbon dioxide into the air with enough sulfur dioxide to make half an ounce of sulfuric acid.

In the winter, we set up two collapsible drying racks near our living room windows, which face south. Not only does our laundry dry fast, but also it humidifies the air.

Yvette said she has replaced all her incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, which last four times longer and use about a quarter as much energy as conventional bulbs.

"We are anxiously awaiting our next utility bill to see what difference it might make," she added.

Wolf film producers at The Flicks

Jim and Jamie Dutcher have been filming and studying a wolf pack in Idaho for six years.

At 7:15 p.m. on April 1, they will be at The Flicks, 646 Fulton St., to answer questions at a screening of their award-winning film, "Living with Wolves." It's part of Treasure Valley Community Television's documentary series.

Richard's morphs into Bungalow

Tonight is the last night to eat at Hyde Park restaurants Richard's and Taste. They will close Monday and reopen April 6 with a new identity: Bungalow.

"Our mission at Bungalow is to be a true neighborhood restaurant, serving everyday dining needs of our North End neighbors and those who love the North End," says owner Erik McLaughlin.

Partnering with Chef Fred Moffitt, Erik will offer "more accessibly priced" local, all-natural "New American Cuisine" and cocktails (thanks to a new liquor license). Visit www.boisebungalow.com for information.

E-mail freelance writer Diane Ronayne at dronayne@cableone.net.