LET’S MOVE BOISE

        Let’s Move Boise is a coalition of organizations working together to combat childhood obesity by increasing physical activity and making healthy food accessible. The Mayor’s Council on Children & Youth and their partners, including Treasure Valley Family Magazine, are working together to identify local solutions to improve the health of the community.

        The movement is affiliated with first Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Initiative, letsmove.gov, which is mobilizing cities around the country to:

•   Reduce the risk of obesity in early childhood

•   Make healthy food more accessible

•   Provide healthy food in schools

•   Increase physical activity

        These goals, or Four Pillars, will help communities solve the problem of obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and be able to pursue their dreams.

        Each week Let’s Move Boise updates their website with a new Healthy Tip—providing suggestions on how to get kids and families moving! Visit letsmoveboise.com for more information and weekly tips. You can also follow Let’s Move Boise on Facebook.

                Let’s Move Boise $1 Day! Get your family moving, and have a great time at Idaho IceWorld on Sunday, December 4. The public can skate for only $1 (including skate rental) from 12:30–3:30pm. Go to www.idahoiceworld.com for details.

A TREE FROM THE FOREST

        The Boise and Payette National Forest offices and vendors are selling Christmas tree permits valid through December 24. Each permit allows one tree to be cut, with a limit of three permits per family. The cost of a permit for one tree is $10, and the maximum height of a permitted tree is 12 feet. All purchasers are provided with information about where a Christmas tree may be harvested, restrictions, and helpful tips. Make sure to be prepared for a winter outing, traveling with plenty of food and water, and safe driving information. This could be the beginning of a wonderful holiday tradition—don’t forget the hot cocoa and marshmallows!

                The Interagency Visitor Information Center, 1387 S. Vinnell Way, sells permits for the Payette and Boise National Forests (call 373-4007). For listings of other vendors and offices that sell permits, visit http://fs.usda.gov/boise or http://fs.fed.us/r4/payette/.

MUSIC FOR A FESTIVE SEASON

            Award-winning children’s recording artists Danny Adlerman, Kevin Kammeraad, and Yosi have joined together to create an inspiring CD for the holiday season. The songs included on …and a Happy New Year will delight the family. Ranging from winter season originals to remakes of Christmas classics and Hannukkah songs, the album has a little something for everyone.

HAPPY HOLIDAY TIPS                           

            The holidays are an exciting time of year for kids, and to help ensure they have a safe holiday season, here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics, www.aap.org.

•   Clean up immediately after a holiday party. A toddler could rise early and choke on leftover food or come in contact with alcohol or tobacco.

•   Remember that the homes you visit may not be childproofed. Keep an eye out for danger spots.

•   Keep a list with all of the important phone numbers you or a baby-sitter is likely to need in case of an emergency. Include the police and fire departments, your pediatrician, and the national Poison Help Line, (800) 222-1222. Laminating the list will prevent it from being torn or damaged by accidental spills.

•   Traveling, visiting family members, getting presents, shopping, etc., can all increase your child’s stress levels. Sticking to your child’s usual routines, including sleep schedules and timing of naps, can help you and your child enjoy the holidays and reduce stress.

PLEDGE TO IDAHO’S CHILDREN

            Idaho Voices for Children and the Idaho Business Coalition for Education Excellence are supporting the Pledge to Idaho’s Children. LeAnn Simmons, Idaho Voices for Children’s Executive Director, explains, “The Pledge to Idaho’s Children is a roadmap for the child- and family-centered values we aspire to in Idaho. As the state and its citizens address issues that affect Idaho children, these shared values can act as a common framework for discussion. With alignment, we can begin to address the how, with evidence-based programs, strategies, and tactics that support the vision.”

                To read the pledge and add your signature, visit www.pledgetoidahoschildren.org. All signatures will be presented to our state leaders and policy makers this month as a lead-in to the 2011 Legislative Session.

SOCIAL GOOD                    

            Two Boise entrepreneurs have launched a web start-up company, Social Good Network (socialgoodnet work.com).

        According to co-founder Russ Stoddard, all people have to do is sign up and shop through the site, and their purchases will generate donations that can be directed to nonprofits. “Our members get to direct these donations to the nonprofits of their choice,” he says.

        The Social Good Network website features more than 100 partnering retailers, including leading brands such as Amazon, iTunes, Expedia, Build-A-Bear, and Shutterfly, and expects to add hundreds more.

        Each nonprofit posts a profile with pictures or video, along with a project fundraising goal. Social Good Network members can explore the profiles, shop, and then direct donations to the cause of their choice. The program launched with about 20 partners including the Treasure Valley Family YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs of Ada County, Learning Lab, Boise Bicycle Project, Idaho Voices for Children, and Create Common Good, a relatively new nonprofit that teaches life and occupational skills to refugees.

        So, when it comes time for your online holiday shopping, go to www.socialgoodnetwork.com and generate some donations for local nonprofits!

CHRISTMAS CAROL GIVEAWAY!                       

        A Christmas Carol is Charles Dickens’ timeless tale of old Ebenezer Scrooge. Part of the 2011 Family Reading Series, children of all ages (3 to 103) will delight in listening to Scrooge’s ghostly journey to find the meaning behind the celebrations of Christmas. In just one night, Scrooge will fly from the past to the future in a race to save his shrinking heart! This is a splendid story and a wonderful way to ring in the holidays with music, laughter, and wonder.

        Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 18, at 2pm & 4pm in the Morrison Center Recital Hall, mc.boisestate.edu.

        Enter to win a chance to share in the reading (tickets for a family of 4) by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . One entry per family, the winner will be selected at random December 9.