🌱 $25 Dinners + Christmas Tree Shortage + Boise Last Names

Get on up, Boise! Let's get you started this Thursday with everything you need to know going on in town today.

Hey Boise: As you may know, Amazon Web Services experienced an outage on Tuesday that affected the Boise Daily. Some of you might have received a late newsletter on Wednesday, or no newsletter at all. Please know this was unfortunately beyond our control but know that we are fully back in business! -John L. Braese

Now that the Boise Daily is back, here is what we have to offer today. A $25 meal may not go far for your family, but for the Idaho Foodbank, that amount could mean 100 meals. Our local university continues to struggle with comments made by a staff member, and Christmas trees are in short supply locally. A local woman truly lived through Pearl Harbor in her backyard, and take a look to see if your last name is common in Boise.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 37 Low: 28.

Here are the top stories today in Boise:

1. As you go out for dinner, what is available for $25? A pizza? Couple burger meals with shakes? At some places in Boise, an appetizer with a drink? CBS2 news staff report a $25 donation to the Idaho Foodbank can provide up to 100 meals for those hungry in Boise. (Idaho News)
2. Boise State University has a public relations problem that is not going away and now, according to IdahoEdNews reporter Kevin Richert, the problem could turn into loss of funding at the state level. BSU Professor Scott Yenor's recent comments concerning females as “medicated, meddlesome and quarrelsome” when in the workplace could result in Boise's higher education school not finding increased funding as the Legislature hits town. (Idaho EdNews)
3. If your tree is not already up and decorated, you may be out of luck. According to Boise State Public Radio's George Prentice, many vendors in the capital city are already reporting all trees are sold out, big and small. (Boise State Public Radio)
4. Rusty Anderson was a 9-year-old girl living in Pearl Harbor 80 years ago. Hearing an explosion, Anderson and her brother ran outside and witnessed the bombing of Pearl Harbor firsthand. KIVI-TV's Don Nelson speaks with Anderson, recalling her memories of a day that changed America. (kivitv)
5. If your last name is Smith, Johnson or Brown in Boise, you are one of many, according to LITE-FM's Michelle Heart. Heart takes a look at the 25 most common last names in Boise. I looked and my odd last name did not make the list. (liteonline.com)

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Today in Boise:

• Capital High School will hold picture retakes for seniors on Thursday. (10 a.m.)
• The Boise State Recreation Center will hold a discussion on 'How to Build Habit-Forming Products.' (5 p.m.)
• Join the Idaho Nonprofit Center on Thursday to celebrate 20 years of building stronger nonprofits. (6 p.m.)
• The Household Hazardous Waste Collection site for Thursday is Fire Station 3 located at 2202 S Gekeler Lane. (Noon)
• Meridian Downtown is staying open for a night of holiday shopping fun! On Thursday, businesses will be open all over downtown. Come down and walk around, vote for your favorite decorated business and shop local. Encore Theater Carolers will also be wandering around downtown singing Christmas Carols. The TVCT Youth Ambassadors will perform holiday monologues and songs for 30-minute sets on the stage in Generations Plaza. (5 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Idaho Humane Society: "Last week, 142 animals joined their forever homes: 83 cats, 51 dogs, 2 ferrets, 2 chickens, 2 rabbits, 1 hamster, 1 guinea pig. Delilah (in the middle) is one of the animals who found her forever home." (Facebook)
• Visit Boise: "This is your seasonal reminder to get outside and enjoy the Boise Foothills, but to always check the Ridge to Rivers report before you do. Follow Ridge to Rivers on Facebook or check out their website: ridgetorivers.org." (Instagram)
• Blue Galleries at Boise State: "Last day for Fall 2021 BFA Exhibition! @bluegalleries boisestate closing at 6 p.m. Detail of print and ceramic work by @daniellemittenart" (Instagram)
• Studio Boise Photo Center: "We just wanted to give a huge thank you to everyone in our community who has shown up to the past several events and galleries we’ve had this fall and winter!" (Instagram)
• Boise State Public Radio: "U.S. Forest Service researchers examined data from heat-sensing satellites dating back to 2003 and found that increases in nighttime fire activity outpaced daytime increases." (Facebook)
• Zoo Boise: "Winter and spring zoo camps and programs are now open for registration! There are programs for homeschoolers, preschoolers, stroller safaris, school break day camps, adult nights, and more!" (Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you soon. If you're enjoying these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— John Braese

About me: Welcome to the Boise edition of patch.com. I am the community editor in this exciting endeavor for the Boise area. I was born and grew up in Boise, attending Bishop Kelly High School before graduating from Borah High School more than a few years ago. I have seen Boise grow substantially in the last few years, but still maintain my hometown appeal. I want to hear about what is important to you and the stories you wish to see on patch.com. Feel free to reach out to me via email at john.braese@patch.com or drop me a phone call or text at 208 954-9585.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Boise Daily? Email me at john.braese@patch.com.