Like Ed Sheeran, people have long been fascinated with shapes.
From clouds to mountains, our brains are naturally wired to identify patterns, trends, and meanings in the things we see and experience.
It’s called pareidolia, and our quirky tendency makes us see familiar shapes in random objects—like a mountain range that resembles a woman’s breasts, hence Idaho’s Grand Tetons.
Searching for shapes in random objects is nothing new.
Our pattern-seeking behavior dates back to our ancestors. Back then, it was a survival skill that helped them differentiate between threats and opportunities around them. Today, most of us find it fun when our brains pick up on cool pictures in nature and the emotions and associations they evoke.
POV: yours truly has a cute, tiny birthmark five inches above my left knee that looks like a heart, and I swear up and down it represents love and connection. Call me crazy, but I love my quirky birthmark. It’s unique, amusing and adds a touch of whimsy to my figure.
Advertisement
You can see Hercules in the stars & Joe Biden’s profile etched in Idaho’s border.
Think about the shapes of the great constellations and their place in Greek mythology. The stroke of a creative mind’s pen transformed clusters of stars into complex, fascinating narratives passed down from the Minoan civilization of Crete that existed from about 3000 to 1100 BCE.
It’s not on the same level as the cosmos, per se, but the story behind how Idaho got its Joe Biden-looking shape. Love him or hate him, it’s a pretty interesting story. It’s also one of 10 fascinating Idaho facts in the gallery below.
Scroll for…
A look at how Idaho’s border ended up looking like Joe Biden
11 laws & regulations we wish Idaho would adopt
How Idaho’s Border Ended Up Looking Like Joe Biden + 9 More Quirky Facts
Have you ever wondered why Idaho’s Montana border looks like Joe Biden’s side profile? Or how the Gem State got its distinctive, gun-like shape? Maybe you’re curious to know how Idaho got its nickname?
We’re explaining all that & more in the gallery below!
Gallery Credit: Ryan Antoinette Valenzuela
11 Spectacular Laws We Wish Existed in Idaho
Pitching a fresh law might sound a bit overwhelming, but it’s a core part of how us regular folks get in on the democratic action. Here are 12 laws we would propose to Idaho lawmakers!
Advertisement
Gallery Credit: Ryan Antoinette Valenzuela
Scroll for…
9 really weird & wrong ideas outsiders have about Idaho living
The to 8 reasons Idahoans are calling the cops on their neighbors
9 Really Weird & Wrong Ideas Outsiders Have About Idaho
Do you ever get the feeling that America thinks Idaho was born yesterday? Or that we’re nothing more than a giant field of potatoes? Do you ever get a little tired of the same old warn-out stereotypes?
Rather than complain, we decided to address nine of them and have a little fun along the way!
Gallery Credit: Ryan Antionette Valenzuela
8 Reasons Idahoans Call the Police on Their Neighbors
You could say calling the cops on your neighbors isn’t the most neighborly thing to do. But what about when it’s absolutely warranted?
POCATELLO — The sounds of roaring car engines will rumble across the tarmac of a Pocatello airport this weekend.
Outlaw Street Drags, a drag race for local car enthusiasts, will take place at the Pocatello Regional Airport all day Saturday and Sunday. Brad Andres, event organizer, said that many drivers prepare their engine for months on end, all for six seconds of racing.
“I’m a fan of competition. I just love to see somebody giving it their all,” Andres said. “It’s football, it’s hockey, it’s basketball, it’s competition. We like watching people give it their all and compete against each other.”
Courtesy Pocatello Car Club
Andres is the administrator of the Pocatello Car Club, which has over 2,000 members on Facebook. The group was started only in spring last year, and he attributes that success to the inclusivity of all vehicle lovers.
Advertisement
“It’s just car enthusiasts. It’s not classic cars, it’s not import cars, it’s not race cars, it’s everybody. All car enthusiasts are welcome,” Andres said.
While members of the public can show up to watch the races, the group asks for a $5 to $10 donation. Drivers who would like to enter the race still have time to do so.
Drivers who would like to enter are expected to show up before races start at around noon to 1 p.m. with a helmet, racing clothes and a car that’s ready to go. Andres created a google document with all of the race rules listed.
It costs $25 to enter for existing club members, $50 to become a new member and race or $65 for non-members.
Andres aimed to make this drag race friendly for first time racers. On Saturday, drivers can register for bracket racing, where they’ll do time trials and be sorted by speed.
Advertisement
“(This race was) set up for the new guy,” Andres said. “He was curious, he went out there and spent a little extra money and got a performance vehicle, but he’s never really raced it.”
Drivers will also be able to throw money into a pot, and the final two racers in that category can decide whether they’ll split the money between the two of them or they can race one last time for all of it.
Racers can begin showing up at 8 a.m. and the racers will go continue late into the night on Saturday and “as long as it takes” on Sunday.
=htmlentities(get_the_title())?>%0D%0A%0D%0A=get_permalink()?>%0D%0A%0D%0A=htmlentities(‘For more stories like this one, be sure to visit https://www.eastidahonews.com/ for all of the latest news, community events and more.’)?>&subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20EastIdahoNews” class=”fa-stack jDialog”>
Sections of State Highway 3 and U.S. Highway 12 remain closed as part of the ongoing emergency response as several wildfires sparked by Wednesday’s lightning storm continue to burn across North Central Idaho. All lanes on SH-3 are closed from Julietta to Arrow. US 12 remains closed from Spalding to Peck at the time of this release.
For current information, please continue to reference the following sources below:
Advertisement
Status of the fires:
Local sheriffs are responsible for ordering evacuations:
ITD resources and personnel have been mobilized from Coeur d’Alene to Lewiston to assist with the fires. Coordination with county and state law enforcement partners continues as well.
The safety of the public is a priority so please avoid the area. Therefore, only essential travel at this time is encouraged. The department and first responders appreciate your cooperation during this dynamic and evolving situation.
IDAHO FALLS — Shari’s in Idaho Falls abruptly closed this week with no plans of reopening.
The restaurant, located on Broadway Street right off the I-15 exits, served its final meals on Wednesday. Employees tell EastIdahoNews.com they were notified Sunday that the eatery would be closing.
Customers are now greeted with a sign taped on the doors that says, “To our Idaho Falls Guests: We appreciate your patronage. Please note that this location is permanently closed. We invite you to visit us at our other locations. Sincerely, Shari’s.”
It’s unknown why the Idaho Falls location suddenly shuttered but the last Shari’s in Tacoma, Washington also stopped operating this week. The Lewiston, Idaho restaurant went dark at the end of May and Shari’s in Boise closed in April after 30 years, according to the Idaho Statesman.
Advertisement
Shari’s opened its first restaurant in 1978 and is the largest family-style brand in the Pacific Northwest, according to the company’s website. It’s headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon and has restaurants in California, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. The last four remaining Shari’s in Idaho are in Twin Falls, Garden City, Meridian and Nampa.
Messages left at Shari’s corporate office have not been returned.
=htmlentities(get_the_title())?>%0D%0A%0D%0A=get_permalink()?>%0D%0A%0D%0A=htmlentities(‘For more stories like this one, be sure to visit https://www.eastidahonews.com/ for all of the latest news, community events and more.’)?>&subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20EastIdahoNews” class=”fa-stack jDialog”>
