🌱 Boise NORAD Help + Xmas Music + Local Holiday Card Winner

Rise and shine, Boise! Let's get you started this Saturday with everything you need to know going on around Boise today.

As this is the Christmas edition of the Boise Daily, we attempted uplifting, positive stories. We start with a Boise company helping all of us keep track of Santa. A Marine family will be spending the morning opening presents in a new home and turn on the radio of 36 hours of holiday music. Those Boise residents near Park Center can sleep better after a Florida man's arrest and we congratulate a local, young artist for his holiday card work.

First, today's weather:

Cloudy with a snow shower. High: 40 Low: 30.

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Here are the top stories in Boise today:

1. Everyone needs a little help now and then and this includes Santa. For 66 years, NORAD has kept people across the world notified of Santa's trek towards homes in Boise. KTVB-TV's Shirah Matsuzawa reports a Boise company assists the government agency in keeping track of Saint Nick. (KTVB.com)
2. A local Marine will spend this Christmas in a new home thanks to a national charity. CBS2 news staff celebrates with Marine Corps Sergeant Jason Plank, his family and more than 100 people as they are surprised with the mortgage-free home. (Idaho News)
3. Christmas Day is not complete without the music to go with the holiday.LITE-FM's Michelle Heart announces the radio station will continue the tradition of 36 hours of commercial free Christmas favorites. (liteonline.com)
4. A Florida man will not be waking to hot chocolate and the unwrapping of presents this Christmas morning. Due to work of multiple law enforcement agencies, 23-year-old Favier Garcia was arrested and charged with multiple felonies related to reports of someone breaking car windows and stealing items from cars in a parking lot on the 800 block of E. Park Center Blvd. (Boise Patch)
5. As we wrap up this Christmas edition of the Boise Daily, a special holiday greeting goes to Oliver Hedrick of Siena Elementary School. IdahoEdNews reporter Kyle Pfannenstiel has the news Kedrick's portrait of a masked Santa Claus flying on an Idaho-shaped sleigh will be featured on the State Department of Education’s official holiday cards. (Idaho EdNews)

Today in Boise:

• FTD Flowers has charming bouquets and centerpieces to spread Christmas cheer — and right now, it's offering Patch readers a discount of 15 percent off retail price. (9 pm)

From my notebook:

• Idaho Humane Society: "These pups have their nose in the air trying to catch a whiff of Santa's reindeer. They are in full Christmas spirit and cannot wait to meet you. To learn more about each dog, click the link included with their picture." (Facebook)
• US National Weather Service Boise Idaho: "New wet snow has been piling up in the mountains above 5000ft today. Check out these webcams: 1. Brundage 2. Tamarack 3. Bogus 4. Big Creek (Valley Co.) #IDwx" (Facebook)
• Boise State Public Radio: "With the holiday season upon us, many Americans are grappling with grief after losing someone to COVID-19, isolation and depression, or diseases and accidents that would occur in any given year – and we’re not talking a lot about it." (Facebook)
• Boise Rock School: "Learn how to take your drumming to the next level with our Drum Camp! January 3rd-7th | 12:00-2:30 pm | Ages 6-18 During this 5-day camp, you will learn some new beats, new songs, how to use drum programming apps." (Instagram)
• Boise Parks and Recreation: "Boise Parks and Recreation's annual Kids Holiday Shopping Spree is still going strong! This year, about 225 children who participate in our community center after school programs received $40 to shop for gifts for themselves, friends and family." (Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new 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.