🌱 Ada Omicron + Boise Grinch + Second Lemon Tree

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

Sunday, the day for a big family breakfast, watching football and taking in the Boise Daily. The COVID variant we have heard about is now in Ada County. Some news staff were caught off guard with a very generous drive-up donation and Boise has a Grinch. Two local inmates apparently were not happy with their jobs and walked while a second Lemon Tree is soon coming to Boise.

First, today's weather:

A morning shower; cloudy. High: 45 Low: 40.

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Here are the top stories today in Boise:

1. CBS2 news staff report the Omicron variant of the COVID virus has been detected in a lab sample in Ada County. The person is over the age of 50 and has recently traveled out of state. (idahonews)
2. KTVB-TV staff were taking donations at the Eagle Island Marketplace when a vehicle drove up and handed the staff a check to help those in need. When staff looked at the check, the Melvin Huter Charitable Trust had handed over a check for $50,000. (KTVB.com)
3. Many local news organizations are writing headlines of two inmates escaping. In truth, two inmates, released from prison each morning and driven to Fruitland, walked away from their jobs, whereabouts unknown. KIDO-AM's Nikki West provides an update on the situation. (kidotalkradio)
4. Boise has a Grinch. LITE-FM's Chris introduces the dastardly character and where he can be found right here in the capital city. (liteonline)
5. One area booming in our city is East Boise. With that growth comes new opportunities and the Lemon Tree, an artisan sandwich shop already in Boise, will open a second location on Eckert Rd according to BoiseDev editor Don Day. (boisedev)

Today in Boise:

• Celebrate the sounds of the holidays together with your loved ones and the Boise Philharmonic. (2:00 pm)
• The classic holiday movie, Miracle On 34th Street, will again be on the big screen on Sunday at the Idaho Historical Museum. (1:00 pm)
• Celebrate the 2021 season with Downtown Boise’s Holidays in the City events and promotions. (8:00 am)

From my notebook:

• US National Weather Service Boise Idaho: "Heading into the mountains this weekend? Make sure you check 511.idaho.gov for Idaho and tripcheck.com for Oregon road conditions before you go! Roads in the mountains, including US 95 and ID 55, are becoming snow covered." (Facebook)
• Boise's Best Bites!: "A #Boise #Hamilton wine/beer/concession peek. If you haven’t been to the Morrison Center for their Broadway in Boise series you can buy wine and beer before the performance and at intermission." (Instagram)
• Boise Weekly: "The Modern Hotel and Bar is having a bit of a renaissance. It’s still the same iconic hotel but there’s a new menu. It features seasonally appropriate, locally-sourced dishes with depth and unexpected taste notes." (Instagram)
• Zoo Boise: "Can you give local children the experience of a lifetime? We've run out of space for our education programs. These children will be our future zookeepers, teachers, scientists, park rangers, and supporters of wildlife conservation." (Facebook)
• Idaho Shakespeare Festival: "Listen in (or read) for an enticing 2022 season preview. Thank you George Prentice and Boise State Public Radio!" (Facebook)
• Boise State Public Radio: "Latinos face high rates of COVID-19 and diabetes. But one community clinic in Reno is seeing sharp decreases in patient numbers, deepening the risk for people with chronic illnesses." (Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, River Heights: "A big thank you to my neighbor, who ever you might be, in the River Heights neighborhood who shoveled my walk this morning. - That’s a very kind and helpful task and an amazing help for me." (Nextdoor)

Loving the Boise Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
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• Send me a news tip or suggestion at john.braese@patch.com

Alrighty, you're all good for today! See you tomorrow for your next update.

— 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.