Special Olympics - Fashion Show at Games Fan Festival

Downtown merchants will be hosting a Fashion Show including fashions from fifteen downtown stores. Each store is partnered with a Special Olympic Athlete that will lead the models on stage. The show goes on at 2:20pm on Sunday February 8th and will be emceed by FameFifteen.com.

Parking in public parking garages during the games from February 7-13 will be $5 maximum for the day. First hour remains free followed by $2.50 per hour to a max of $5.

Downtown Boise is ready to welcome the Special Olympics World Winter Games guests. The Downtown Boise Association along with many Downtown businesses has worked with the Special Olympics organizing committee to create a welcoming environment and activities for the many guests visiting our city.

For more information, please visit: www.2009worldgames.org or www.downtownboise.org

You will see many visual signs of the games including over 250 Special Olympic banners that are hanging on the historic street lamps, incredible art graphics on the mural at 8th & Main streets and on the windows along Capital Blvd at BoDo, and posters and unique decorations displayed in merchant’s windows and the impressive graphics on City Hall. In addition check out the banners in the Old Boise historic district that were created by the students at Mountain View High School Art Department under the direction of Art Teacher Laura Fitzer depicting Special Olympic themes.

Blue and white lights representing the colors of the games are on the trees in Grove Plaza and many building owners have left their holiday building lights on for the games, including the tree light on top of the US Bank building which has been dubbed the “giant party hat”.

Many downtown merchants will act as ambassadors for Downtown and will be wearing “Ask Me” ribbons to assist in way-finding and general information about the area. Athletes and officials of the games will receive a downtown map and directory and a downtown coupon book with over 40 offers from downtown merchants.

Michelle Obama's closet: Her fashion choices are inviting, not intimidating

Just how big a fashion icon has Michelle Obama become?

Well, every time she appears in public, there is a "sharp increase in searches for designers that she is wearing when she makes a public appearance," says Google spokeswoman Anne Espiritu. Google's data tracks the spikes on a graph, and hits were clearly highest during the Democratic National Convention in August, election night in November and after Inauguration Day in January.

The statuesque Obama has generated a fashion following enamored with her classic, yet modern, choices and her adeptness at mixing both high-end and affordable pieces. Fond of sleeveless sheaths, sweater sets and whimsical flower jewelry, the new first lady's closet seems more inviting than intimidating to American women inspired by her sartorial sensibilities.

This spring and summer, many of the trends reflect what Obama already wears.

There are bright shades of yellow, plum and blue and bold floral patterns. There are separates that can be worn several ways. And there's an emphasis on accessories that become a focal point of an outfit.