🌱 Super Bowl Drawing + Cactus Upgrades + Freak Alley Award

Get on up, Boise! Here's everything you need to know to get this Tuesday started off right.

Welcome to the Boise Daily. We start with your chance to win tickets to the largest game of the year and all that is needed is a little blood. Travelers at the Boise Airport continue to have guns in their luggage, and we offer some advice for those struggling with the holidays. Boise's oldest bar will soon be able to seat more patrons, and a Boise outdoor mural receives an honor.

First, today's weather:

Times of clouds and sun. High: 37 Low: 30.

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Here are the top stories in Boise today:

1. Imagine sitting at the Super Bowl after staying at a hotel with all expenses paid and having $500 for extras. All someone in Boise has to do for a chance at this is to donate blood and save a life. The American Red Cross is offering blood and plasma donors a chance to win tickets to the Super Bowl and a home theater package during January. (Boise Patch)
2. For the 34th time this year, TSA personnel discovered a firearm at the Boise airport in carry-on luggage, according to CBS2 news staff. Earlier this weekend, officers found a flashlight stun gun and throwing knives in traveler's carry-on luggage. (Idaho News)
3. For most, the holidays are a happy time filled with family and fun. For some dealing with mental health issues and addiction, the holidays can be difficult. KTVB-TV's Tristan Lewis speaks with an expert on helping those struggling during these times. (KTVB)
4. Boise's oldest bar is set to receive some upgrades, but the history of the place will remain. BoiseDev editor Don Day reports the Cactus Bar is adding outdoor seating and to the delight of all, new bathrooms. The original 1936 building will see no changes. (BoiseDev)
5. A downtown Boise alley has been voted Idaho's most popular free attraction, according to one publication. LITE-FM looks at Freak Alley, the largest mural gallery in the northwest. (liteonline.com)

Today's Boise Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at Ring, the home security company. Ring does a lot more than doorbells: check out their full suite of smart home products at Ring.com. And thank you Ring for helping to make local news happen in Boise!

Today in Boise:

• Tuesday marks the first day of winter and for Patch readers, a special of 15 percent off FTD’s Sunniest Blooms. (9 p.m.)
• The Garden City Public Library offers a class on the making of dye candles featuring herbs on Tuesday. (6 p.m.)
• Capital High School will hold a band, choir & orchestra Winter Concert. (7 p.m.)
• Les Bois will also hold an orchestra holiday concert on Tuesday in the auditorium. (7 p.m.)
• Skyview High School will host Capital High School for a girls varsity basketball game Tuesday evening. (7:30 p.m.)

Boise Fact of the Day:

Boise's Cactus Bar offers an adult slushie machine during the summer months.

From my notebook:

• #BoiseBucketList: "Idaho State Capitol Tree. We recommend heading to downtown Boise and exploring the Capitol building. Inside is so decorative and puts you even more in the holiday spirit. And, of course, the tree!" (Instagram)
• US National Weather Service Boise Idaho: "Good luck finding our friends on the #McCall snow stake that are now buried under 10 inches of #snow. #McCall now has about 30 inches of snow on the ground with much more snow expected later this week." (Facebook)
• Boise State Public Radio: "A newly approved antibody cocktail, which could arrive in Idaho this week, can be given to people to prevent COVID-19 before being exposed." (Facebook)
• Boise Weekly: "Winter Garden aGlow is all about the numbers. It started with 10,000 lights decorating the Idaho Botanical Garden and now it’s up to 500,000 lights, across 4,800 strands, artfully hanging around the landscape. Link in bio" (Instagram)
• Radio Boise: "We are oh-so-jazzed to bring you the Top 10 Jazz Albums of 2021!" (Instagram)

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Events:

• Brighten The First Day Of Winter With 15 Percent Off FTD’s Sunniest Blooms (December 21)
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You're all caught up for today. I'll see you soon!

— 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.