🌱 Bike Giveaway + H&W Departures + Hand Made Idaho Gifts

Morning, Boise! Here's everything you need to know to get this Sunday started off right. Here's everything happening around Boise today.

The spirit of giving is in the air and we feature bicycle giveaways and the generosity of the Boise Fire Department to start of the Boise Daily. One Boise man is not so generous as he stole a delivery truck, ending a chase on the high school running track. The staff party at Idaho Health and Welfare will have fewer revelers and if you are looking for gifts this week, consider handmade goods from Idaho.

First, today's weather:

Cloudy. High: 41 Low: 35.

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Here are the top stories in Boise today:

1. Christmas may still be a few days off, but some Boise children received their bikes early. KIVI-TV's Steve Dent was on hand as the Boise Bicycle Project handed out refurbished bicycles and new helmets to children needing a little help. (6 On Your Side)
2. Bicycles were not the only early presents in Boise. The Idaho Press and reporter Alexandra Duggan were with members of the Boise Fire Department as the red truck rolled up to the Boise Ronald McDonald House with a truck full of presents. (Idaho Press)
3. A Boise man is in jail after a chase involving a stolen delivery truck. Matthew McCulloch, 31, of Boise was arrested, taken to Ada County Jail and charged with four felonies: grand theft, burglary, eluding a police officer and malicious injury to property. (KTVB.com)
4. The turnover among mid-level social workers at Idaho Health and Welfare for 2021 is 36% making it the fourth-highest turnover rate across the agency. The Idaho Capital Sun's Kelcie Mosely-Morris reports those leaving say stress and workloads were the primary reasons they are walking out the door. (idahocapitalsun)
5. If you are looking for those last minute Christmas ideas, LITE-FM's Hannah may have the solution by way of Idaho made goods. Handmade Idaho has a Pop-Up Shop located in the Boise Towne Square Mall. (liteonline)

Today in Boise:

• The eighth official McCall Christmas bird count (CBC) will be coordinated virtually this year with participants assigned to groups or areas ahead of time. All levels of interest and experience are welcome. The count circle includes McCall, Payette Lake, Ponderosa State Park, N. Fork Payette River, and portions of Meadows Valley and Long Valley. Feeder, vehicle-based, and on-foot counting opportunities available. (8 am)
• The Boise Depot is a beautiful historic Spanish-style structure operated by the Boise Parks and Recreation Department as a public ceremonial or meeting space and historic site. Designed by New York architects, the building opened in 1925 to elaborate fanfare in the capital city. A free tour of the depot is offered every Sunday. (Noon)
• Watson's Mystery Cafe and Spirits will hold a Wicked Winter Wonderland Holiday Bazaar and Variety Show on Sunday. (5 pm)

From my notebook:

• Idaho Humane Society: "Five hundred sixty miles; that's the mileage our staff and volunteers cover to pick up and return pets to Duck Valley Indian Reservation every other week." (Facebook)
• Zoo Boise: "Zoo Boise’s sloth bear, Paji, has a lot of things on her holiday wishlist, but her two front teeth aren’t on there. Did you know that adult sloth bears don’t have their top two front teeth? They use their lips to suck termites." (Facebook)
• US National Weather Service Boise Idaho: "Snow is expected across Baker County and the West Central and Boise Mountains on Sunday. Look for winter driving conditions on highway 95 and 55 in Idaho along with I-84 in Oregon. #idwx #orwx" (Facebook)
• Boise State Public Radio: ""I think this is a great first step to getting the bureau back to where it should be – working with the other agencies back in Washington from the policy perspective while still keeping up the good work that they do back in the field."" (Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Hidden Springs: "Have a child that loves art, or wants to try something new with friends? - WINTER ART CAMP--ONLY 4 SPOTS LEFT. Contact me for a registration form & to hold your spot. backgatestudio@ymail.com 818-489-2272." (Nextdoor)

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That's it for today! See you tomorrow for another 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.