🌱 Boise Community Classes + Live Speech + New M&M Flavor

Morning, neighbors! John Braese here with the Monday issue of the Boise Daily.

To start off the week, the Boise Daily offers you an array of classes to get through the winter months. The Boise mayor has joined other mayors in urging voting rights and new plans are coming for a popular local hot springs. Idaho Governor Little will outline his plans for the upcoming session and take a look at the new flavor for M&M's.

First, today's weather:

Sun followed by clouds. High: 35 Low: 23.

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Here are the top stories in Boise today:

1. One way to beat these winter days is to learn something new. The Boise School District is enrolling now for over 200 Community Education personal enrichment classes. The classes are both in-person and online. Take a look at the offerings and sign up now. (Boise Patch)
2. Boise Mayor Lauren McLean is one of 150 mayors urging passage of two voting right bills before Congress. In an article penned by Idaho Press reporter Carolyn Komatsoulis but carried on KTVB-TV, Komatsoulis explains the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act. (KTVB)
3. A favorite soak for Boise is just up Highway 21 at Kirkham Hot Springs. The popular hot springs has seen closures due to misuse by the public. KIVI-TV's Steve Dent reports the forest service is now planning a redesign of the area in hopes soakers can enjoy the hot springs for years to come. (KIVI)
4. Walking through a local store yesterday, I noticed Valentine's decorations already on the shelves. For those thinking ahead, Taste of Home reporter Melany Love has the announcement of M&M's new flavor for the heart holiday-Black Forest Cake. (tasteofhome)
5. Unlike last year's speech, Idaho Governor Brad Little will deliver his State of the State address on Monday in person. The Idaho Capital Sun's Clark Corbin writes Little is expected to discuss kindergarten, tax cuts and the state's surplus. (idahocapitalsun)

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Today in Boise:

• The Garden City Chamber of Commerce will meet Monday. (6 pm)
• The Warm Springs Counseling Center offers a group for ALL girls to have a safe place for self expression. The purpose of the group is to maintain authentic connection with peers in the community, strengthen self-esteem, abandon self-doubt, and give opportunities for genuine self-expression through verbal sharing and creative activity. (6 pm)
• The Garden City City Council will hold a meeting Monday evening. (6 pm)
• The Planning and Zoning Commission for the City of Boise will meet Monday.(6 pm)
• The Household Hazardous Waste Collection site for Monday is Meridian Republic Services located at 2130 W. Franklin Rd. (Noon)

From my notebook:

• Zoo Boise: "Sometimes it’s better to slow down and take your time. Instagram user rvhoppy" (Facebook)
• Boise Little Theater: "The 2000 Boise Little Theater production poster is up again! See it again or for the first time with a new generation of players starting Jan. 21: boiselittletheater.org/tickets #farce #noisesoff #noisesoffblt #boisethings #funnymoments." (Instagram)
• Boise Weekly: "Minerva's Breakdown: Advice for Those on the Verge - 12 Years Too Long Link in bio" (Instagram)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Robie Creek: "UPDATE... - shes home! 4 hrs id love to know where she went. Cold tired thirsty and hungry. So glad shes home. Thanks for all the support. My dog took off following some type of mountain lion tracks." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, 3 Oaks: "My wife and I are wanting to install a gas stove to replace our 17 year old electric. - We have a gas line to our dryer but need to run a line to the kitchen. The stove arrives the 17th. Anyone have any contacts that are reasonable?" (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
• Get your local business showcased in front of readers
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at john.braese@patch.com

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you around!

— 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.