🌱 Boise Blood Donating + Graduation Rates Fall + Fountain Design

John Braese
·5 min read

Happy Thursday, Boise! Here's everything worth knowing today in town.

Welcome to the Thursday edition of the Boise Daily. You now have the chance to save a life and grab an Amazon gift card at the same time right here in Boise. There are youth in the valley looking for mentoring and we provide you with the information how to step up. The number of those without a home in Boise is rising even as the state looks at a record surplus and graduation rates are falling across the state. Finally, we provide you a look at the proposed fountain in Ann Morrison Park.

First, today's weather:

Sunny, but chilly. High: 34 Low: 24.

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Here are the top stories in Boise today:

  1. The Red Cross supplies 40 percent of the country's blood supply and winter storms across the country and the pandemic have seen a decline in donors. Here in Boise, the organization is now offering a $10 Amazon.com gift card during the month of February. Boise Patch provides you a schedule of where you can donate the gift of life. (Boise Patch)

  2. January is National Mentoring Month and Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Southwest Idaho is celebrating the connections between Bigs and Littles and how those relationships can help kids reach their full potential according to a story by KTVB-TV's Brenda Rodriguez. (KTVB.com)

  3. As the state sits with $1.9 billion in surplus, Boise State Public Radio's George Prentice speaks with one of the 2,500 people who became homeless in Boise within the past year. Due to the economy, the pandemic, bankruptcy or any combination thereof, more Americans are closer to being without a home than any time in history. (Boise State Public Radio)

  4. IdahoEdNews reporter Devin Bodkin has the disheartening news Idaho's 2021 high school graduation rate fell to 80.1% after a year rocked by COVID-19. The number represents a 2 percentage point drop from 2020, when the rate climbed from 80.7% in 2019 to 82.1%. (idahoednews)

  5. Boise park visitors finally have a look at the design of the brand new fountain at Ann Morrison Park courtesy of BoiseDev managing editor Gretchen Parsons. The old fountain was shut down last year after operating since the mid-1990s. (boisedev)

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Today in Boise:

  • The Boise State Recreation Center will hold an 8-week not-for-credit program in which students discuss their business ideas and progress, learn new start-up concepts to build traction, and set weekly goals. (4 pm)

  • Have you ever wondered how penguins paint? Wonder no more. Join us for a special evening at Zoo Boise for a paint and sip with our Magellanic penguins at Kids Paint with Penguins. You’ll paint the background, enjoy drinks and snacks and be treated to a special zookeeper talk and tour. (4:30 pm)

  • Kuna High School will meet up with Capital High School on the mats for a varsity wrestling match. (5 pm)

  • The Egyptian Theatre premiers the Banff Film Festival's Maple. Traveling to remote vistas, analyzing topical environmental issues, and bringing audiences up-close and personal with adrenaline-packed action sports the 2021/2022 World Tour is an exhilarating and provocative exploration of the mountain world. (6 pm)

  • The City of Boise Citywide Advisory Committee meets Thursday afternoon. Citizens can also watch the meeting on YouTube. (3 pm)

Boise Fact of the Day:

Ann Morrison Park was constructed in 1959 on land purchased from the Boise School District. Workers from the Morrison-Knudsen company built the park with funds provided by the Morrison Family Foundation, and the park is named in memory of Ann Daly Morrison, spouse of Morrison-Knudsen cofounder Harry W. Morrison.

From my notebook:

  • Boise State University: "Last night, @boisestatembb won their 13th consecutive game and are 7-0 in the @mountainwestconference. Bronco Nation was loud and energetic from start to finish.Big BRONCO W!#BoiseState #BleedBlue" (Instagram)

  • Visit Boise: "79% of Americans believe vacations are important to their overall well-being. Recharge, refresh and reconnect—happiness sets in when you #PlanForVacation.We think Boise is a great place for a vacation with so many options for all ages." (Instagram)

  • US National Weather Service Boise Idaho: "And just like that, the inversion is back. The sun was nice while it lasted, right? #idwx #orwx #clouds" (Facebook)

  • Boise Contemporary Theater: "It’s that time of year again! Our Theater Lab: Mainstage spring session will be starting soon, so it’s time to start preparing for auditions! Auditions will be held in the afternoon on February 7. Classes are 4:00pm - 6:30pm each Monday." (Instagram)

  • Boise Parks and Recreation: "Our free series of tree, lawn and yard care classes start tomorrow, January 26. These virtual courses cover a variety of topics over the next few months from fruit tree pruning to lawn, irrigation and sprinkler maintenance." (Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today! See you all tomorrow morning 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.

This article originally appeared on the Boise Patch