Idaho falls life 2015w2

2015-2016 LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE & LOCAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Rodeo, Royalty & What it Takes to Reign -

An inside look at what it means to be a rodeo queen. pg. 46

Ghost Towns and Gold Mines - Idaho’s history is rich in minerals and miners. pg. 76

Rosemark Womens Care Specialists Best of Both Worlds pg. 92

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BIG Small College…

“

DIFFERENCE

Stevens-Henager was flexible enough to arrange my school schedule to coordinate with my work schedule.The instructors are great and are always willing to help. Within three weeks of graduating, I was able to land a job in my field.

”

Nancy Harris BS in Healthcare Administration Graduate, Boise Campus

We offer career-focused bachelor’s and associate’s degrees in the fields of: - Healthcare - Business - Information technology - Graphic arts Financial aid is available for those who qualify.

Stevens-Henager College, Idaho Falls, is a branch campus of CollegeAmerica, Flagstaff, Arizona.

Call (208) 528-7692

or visit us at stevenshenager.edu/idaho-falls

Stop by for a campus tour!

We are located at 901 Pier View Drive, Suite 105, in Snake River Landing

TA B L E O F

CONTENTS BUSINESS PROFILES Section A 18 22 28 34

Avery Law - Bankruptcy PTSD C & S Auto Body - Keeping it in the Family Broadway Ford - Beautifying Broadway Jon’s Auto Repair - Integrity, Trust & Honesty

Section B 44 Bank of Idaho - Committed to Community 50 The Body Lounge - Bodaciously Beautiful 52 Radiate Skin Care - Skin Deep

Section C 54 Snake River Rapid Wash - Clean Cars = Contented Customers

Section E 68 Affleck Eye Care - Seeing Eye to Eye

Section F 70 Ameriprise Financial - A Guide in Your Financial Future 74 Carpet One Flooring - Prepared to be Floored

Section G 78 Steel Gun & Pawn - Guns, Gold Panning, and Getting Outdoors

Section H 80 Apple Athletic - Transformations 84 Monarch Healthcare - Delivering Exceptional Care 92 Rosemark WomenCare Specialists - Best of Both Worlds 106 Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center - Time is Muscle

Section L

112 T & T Lawn Care - Green with Envy 120 RT Motorsports - Feel the Power

Section P 124 130 132 140 146

Stan’s Paint Clinic - Painting Perfected Capture the Moment Photography Idaho Foot & Ankle - One Foot, Two Foot ...

Mark A. Weight - Back in the Game Quick Print - Printing Perfected

Section S 160 4 Sight Security - Safe and Secure

Section V 176 Idaho State Veterans Hospital - Caring for America’s Heroes 4 | I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

TA B L E O F

CONTENTS 72

DEPARTMENTS 8 Editor’s Note 9 Contributors 10 Calendar of Events 11 People & Places 63 Guide to Downtown 148 Restaurant Guide 176 Why I Love Idaho Falls 178 Where on Earth

CONTENTS 20 Dog on Duty 37 Get Up and Drive 40 Classic: Cars & Conversations 56 Checking In with Check Ups 58 Staying True to Her Roots 72 The Long Haul 76 Ghost Towns and Gold Mines 82 Hope is Stronger than Fear 94 Make Your Workout a Party 96 Sounds Like a Great Place to Live 98 Spending the Golden Years

on the Go 108 Changing History One Student

at a Time 110 Raising a Brood 122 Used Goods, New Opportunity 126 A Cat with Cattitude 128 An Accidental Service Dog 163 Why the Y?

163

167 The Thrill of the Kill

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TA B L E O F

CONTENTS FEATURES 14 Wet, Wild and Wonderful Southeast Idaho - “The Snake

24

30

46

60 86

River is central to our history and is essential to our agricultural industry and as a natural resource the river’s value is unmistakable.”

Not Just for the Birds - “The duck race and all its accompany ing excitement is a big community-supported event that’s a wonderful experience.”

14

Traveling Back in Time - Don’t let the term “Motorway” fool you, however: it’s an old-fashioned term from when people didn’t take drives they “motored”.

Rodeo Royalty & What it Takes to Reign - “It’s not just a way of life it’s something that’s bred in me. It’s my roots.”

What’s Up Downtown - Its not what it was 10 years ago

46

In the Company of Women - “If I’m not working and I’m not crafting, then you know I’m sick!”

100 Giving Back - Many of the best reasons to live in Idaho Falls

are a direct result of the volunteers that make their presence known all over town.

114 A Division with a Vision - “When completed, I think the

new park is going to be one of the crown jewels of our community.”

134 Living the Dream - “We’ve always been a diverse group from

114

the beginning. We are very proud of that.”

142 Soup’s On!- “We had a mission in life and it was to

feed people.”

170 Living History - “I don’t know how many got killed, but

there were at least 12 guys that I didn’t see anymore.”

100 6 | I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

IDAHO FALLS LIFE 2015 Idaho Life Publications PUBLISHER Karleigh Deeds MANAGING EDITOR IdahoLifeEditor@gmail.com

If you’re looking for the best return on your marketing investment, build your business with Idaho Life !

Janie Budell CREATIVE DIRECTOR IdahoLifeDesign@gmail.com PHOTOGRAPHER Susannah Newsome Stacey Kelso CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ainsley McWha Alisa Clickenger Anna Silver Benjamin Chapin Jennifer Anderson Jodi Price Lisa Jensen Taylor Atchley Cover photo courtesy of Stacey Kelso We welcome your story ideas! Please submit your ideas to idaholifeeditor@gmail.com.

For advertising inquiries, please call 208.680.6713.

Idaho Falls Life is published annually by IDAHO LIFE PUBLICATIONS, LLC 3270 East 17th St., Suite 213 Idaho Falls, ID 83406 208.680.6713 Idaho Life Publications, LLC 2015. This issue of Idaho Falls Life is copyrighted under the laws of the Unites States of America. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission of the publisher is prohibited.

For permission to use any portion of this publication email:smueller@idaholife.net. All editorial and photographic submissions are accepted explicitly without risk to the publisher for loss or damage. Every effort is made to ensure accuracy in the information provided. The publisher assumes no responsibility or liability for errors, changes or omissions.

Idaho Falls LIFE • Pocatello LIFE Magic Valley LIFE • Interesting stories about life in your community • Annual community calendar of events • Business Profiles • Restaurant Section • Published annually - delivered free of charge to businesses and area residences

The only publication delivered free of charge to all homes and businesses in Idaho Falls & Ammon Numbers don’t lie— we have by far the biggest circulation per edition of any magazine in Eastern Idaho

Idaho LIFE Publications 3270 East 17th Street, Ste. 213 Idaho Falls, ID

208-680-6713 I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

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Contributors |

lisa jensen

STORYTELLER Lisa Jensen is a professional writer and Idaho native who enjoys cooking, working out and her extended family of pets, including a few special needs animals. Her credits include editing andpublishing a workout manual, and she currently writes for online and print magazines. Lisa doesn’t consider herself a journalist. She gets all the facts but enjoys putting them together in a creative way. Armed with a natural skill as a wordsmith, Lisa took every writing course she could squeeze into her schedule, including Creative Writing and Research for Writing. She then set up shop as a freelance writer, specializing in fitness, food and pets in addition to interview-style articles formagazines, both for the web and in print.

jodi price

THE NATURAL TALENT Jodi Price is a freelance writer who loves cooking, camping and spending time with her husband and dog, Boston.

Born and raised in Idaho, Jodi has had opportunities to live and study in both Utah and California. She attended The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles where she received her associates degree and struck an interest in creative writing.

Her new found curiosity propelled her forward into taking numerous writing classes and eventually helped her land a job writing articles for a business to publish on their website. Even though Jodi is not highly credited, it doesn’t seem to hold her back. Her strong wit and colorful flair drive her forward and boost her natural talent and love for writing. She continues to surprise herself every day. Jodi hopes to someday write children’s books.

janie budell

VISUAL MANIPULATOR Missoula born but Idaho Fall raised, Janie worked in corporate graphics for over 20 years before discovering her love of designing publications. From keeping travelers visually engaged in SkyWest Magazine and American Traveler Magazine, to making business less boring in Idaho Business Magazine, Janie knows how to lay out a story. Her design prowess can also be viewed in LIFE magazines across the state from Caldwell to Idaho Falls. When she’s not sorting through photos and adjusting column widths, she can found painting, reading, or spending time with her husband and dog. Oh, and she has three beautiful children she adores.

benjamin chapin

STORYTELLER Always clean. Always entertaining.

Benjamin Chapin is a writer on a mission of good will. He’s a Christian novelist who enjoys capturing the human struggle on the pages of his various crafted stories, such as: The Perfect Cast and Defiance. Ranging from contemporary romances to fantasy; Benjamin has a unique imagination that engages his readers across the world. He writes his stories under his pseudonym T.K. Chapin while reserving his own name for self-help oriented titles such as: Directional Thinking. He also freelance writes in his spare time, and enjoys meeting new people from all paths of life. He believes every person, no matter who they are, offer something of value to the world. When not writing, Benjamin enjoys reading, walking, and spending time with family and friends.

jennifer anderson susannah newsome

IMAGE CAPTURER Susannah got her first camera when she was about 10. It was a little Kodak 35mm, nothing special, but she loved it and carried it everywhere. That passion to capture each moment on a camera didn’t stop there. She loves working with clients to capture that moment for them.

Whatever the subject may be —wedding day, a family portrait, a new little baby or a high school senior—she loves being there to capture it.She has studied photography at Boise State University and The Aegean Center of Fine Arts Paros, Greece. She owns Capture the Moment Photography where she does what she loves, Capturing Moments. www.capturethemomentphotography.com 8 | I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

alisa clickenger

ADVENTURE GAL Never one to say no to adventure, Alisa Clickenger’s life is an eclectic mix of chasing leopards in Africa as well as conducting biodiversity studies in the Peruvian jungle with Biosphere Expeditions, traveling to the far ends of the earth on her motorcycle, leading motorcycle tours and writing about her “everyday” life. Alisa’s curiosity about the world around her shows up in delightfully insightful ways in all of her interviews and her writing. Follow Alisa’s adventures at: www.MotoAdventureGal.com.

WORDSMITHY Jennifer Anderson has been crafting stories and arranging words for as long as she can remember. A graduate of Brigham Young University with her focus on writing, she is most intrigued with helping others tell their stories through life histories. She recently sold the community newspaper she published in Eagle and Star to move with her family to Idaho Falls, and is enjoying the opportunity to expand her writing repertoire. A mother of five, two of which are in college, she finds herself with more and more free time and is anxious to begin writing some of the stories that are rattling around in her head waiting to be splayed and arranged in a more civilized setting. The key, she is finding, is learning to impose a deadline on herself.

ainsley mcwha

WRITER, COUNSELOR, BIRD WATCHER After living in New York City for over ten years, Canadian native Ainsley McWha recently relocated to southeast Idaho where she writes and works as a community-based counselor. When she’s not working, McWha spends as much time as possible outside—gardening, exploring with her dog, or spotting birds. She will never tire of seeing a bald eagle soaring overhead. McWha’s MFA in Creative Nonfiction is from The New School.

Editor’s note | Dear Readers,

I

recently attended an out of town wedding for a former Idaho Falls resident and while the wedding was in Boise, the IF turnout was amazing. The bride had friends in attendance that she’s known for 30 years. Most of them made the four and half hour pilgrimage across the state to show their support for her.

When the group got together it was as if they hadn’t missed a beat, even though the bride hadn’t lived in Idaho Falls since the late 1990s. It made me realize something about Idaho Falls as a community—you don’t give up on each other, you’re always there when a friend needs you, and you’re honest, reliable people.

As you read the stories on these pages you’ll find several examples of this. In Soup’s On!, Jennifer Anderson introduces to the kind hearts at the Idaho Falls Soup Kitchen who are dedicated to providing those in need with a hot meal and kind conversation. The employees at Bank of Idaho are donating over 8,000 hours of community service in 2015 because they are so dedicated to giving back. Read about what they’re up to in Committed to Community. The philanthropic attitude doesn’t end there. Meet the Idaho Falls African-American Alliance in Living the Dream to find out how a group of diverse people are working together to teach tolerance and raise awareness while simultaneously raising funds for their scholarship program.

We’re really excited to bring you the third issue of Idaho Falls LIFE magazine and share the amazing stories of kindness and determination that are so prevalent here. I genuinely enjoy sharing the stories of this community and learning more about what brings people together. A special thank you to all of our advertisers for supporting us and helping us produce these pages.

As always, I’m open to your suggestions, comments, critiques and praises. If you have something to share, please feel free to contact me at IdahoLifeEditor@gmail.com.

Happy Reading!

Karleigh Deeds Managing Editor

A SIDE NOTE If you’re inspired to stop by a business that you’ve learned about in this magazine, please tell them how you heard about their establishment.

We can’t bring you this publication without the support of our advertisers. Please consider supporting those that support us.

ABOUT ME: For the last eight years I’ve enjoyed bossing people around so that I could create magazines about Idaho communities. Outside of editing though, I lead a different life. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy bossing people around, though it’s questionable as to who’s really in charge in my family. (Right now, we think our 4 year old is ruling the roost.) When I’m not making a killer loaf of sourdough bread or winning chili competitions, I can often be found tooling around town Jeff Gordon-style as I run errands and deliver my children hither and thither. I enjoy a good glass of wine and insightful discussions about college football.

I’m a fan of most sports and camping. I like the Bee Gees, but I’m not a fan of Ke$ha. Guess which one of these events didn’t really happen to me. 1.) I’ve met Alice Cooper, Ben Harper, and Jakob Dylan (only one of those guys was charming). 2.) I’ve held a poisonous dart frog in my bare hand. 3.) I’ve floated Staircase on the Payette River with just a life vest and helmet.

Life is fun. I love sharing stories of how other people live it and enjoy making memories of my own—just keep me out of water.

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2015 Calendar of Events Ongoning Events Community Bingo - IF Senior Center (Saturdays) Free Admission Day - The Art Museum (TAM) (1st Saturday of each month) Free Senior Tuesdays - TAM (2nd Tuesday of each month) Fun with Art - ARTitorium on Broadway (Saturdays) Art for Scouts - TAM (1st Tuesday of each month) 7th Annual Idaho Falls National Exhibition - Carr Gallery (Mar. 19 - Jun. 7)

May 15th - 16th 15th - 17th 16th

18th 19th

23rd

23rd - 25th 25th 29th 30th

June

July Dirt Wars - Idaho Falls Raceway 2015 Snake River Fiber Fest - Arts Council Armed Forces Day at the Zoo Idaho Falls FOP five-oh 5k Fun Run BBBS “Diamonds in the Rough” Golf Scramble - Cedar Park Golf Course Marcie’s Dance Academy - Civic Auditorium Idaho Falls Music Club Membership Luncheon Arts Council Grin & Bear It 4K Fun Run - Zoo Bear Aware Day - Zoo Field of Honor Memorial Memorial Day - No School Date Night Fridays - Zoo May Motor Metal Madness Classic Car Show Good Samaritan Society

4th 5th

Last Day of School - Dist. 93 Last Day of School - Dist. 91

6th

9th

13th

14th

19th 20th

21st 26th

Duo West - Hart Auditorium World Oceans Day Mountain Brewers Beer Fest - Sandy Downs Color Vibe 5k - Snake River Landing Swing Junction Big Band Swing Dance Idaho Yoga Co-op Celtic Woman - Civic Auditorium 10 years with the Islanders & Starset The Peppertree Bike for Kids Idaho Free Fishing Day 37th Annual Eastern Idaho Chapter of VMCCA Swap Meet & Car Show Vida Guitar Quartet - Barrus Concert Hall Louis Romano Jazz Quartet - Carr Gallery Scenic River Classic Half Marathon Snake River Landing Father’s Day at the Zoo Date Night Fridays - Zoo

10 | I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

4th

11th 11th

17th

18th 23rd

24th 25th 30th - 31st 31st

August

1st - 2nd 1st 2nd 3rd 6th - 8th 7th 8th

14th - 15th 15th

22nd

24th 28th

Idaho Falls Cruise Night - Various Locations (Tuesdays, April - Oct. ) South Fork Disc Golf League - Russ Freeman Park (Thursdays, Apr. 23 - Oct. 1) Alive After Five - (Wednesdays, May 27 -Sept. 2) Live Horse Racing - Sandy Downs (Saturdays, Sundays May - August) Live United Concert Series (Thursdays, July 23 - Aug. 13) Idaho Falls’ Artisan Market (Saturdays, May 2 - Oct. 26) Idaho Falls Gallery Walk (1st Thursday, May - Oct.) Idaho Falls Chukars Baseball - Melaleuca Field (June - Sept.)

4th of July Parade 10th Annual Firecracker 5k The Patriot Bull Run - Sandy Downs Liberty Festival on the Falls Melaleuca Freedom Celebration Relay for Life - Bonneville High School Frontier Day - Zoo 6th Annual Bike for Kids Idaho Century, Duathlon, & Family Rides Wines in the Wild - Zoo The Great Race for Education Snake River Landing 5th Annual Grand Teton Gunfights Live United Concert Series Kickoff Snake River Landing Date Night Fridays - Zoo Idaho Falls MAD Marathon - Snake River Landing War Bonnet Round-Up - Sandy Downs Jason Hewlett, The Entertainer - Hart Auditorium

VW Invasion Car Show - Tautphaus Park 12th Annual Taste of Idaho War Bonnet Round-Up - Sandy Downs Snake River Tri - Snake River Landing Enrichment Day - Zoo Senior’s Day - Zoo Annual Snake River Roaring Youth Jam Poker Run The HeART of Idaho Century Ride, The Art Museum 25th Annual Great Snake River Greenbelt Duck Race Carmus Jamboree - Sandy Downs Cady Tucker Memorial Run/Walk Snake River Landing Snake River Animal Shelter Mutt Strutt Snake River Landing TPZS Annual Picnic Date Night Fridays - Zoo

29th

31st

September 7th 11th 12th

19th 25th - 26th

Community Appreciation Day - Zoo CommUNITY Festival - Tautphaus Park Friends Don’t Count Chromosomes Fun Run - Snake River Landing School Starts, all grades

Labor Day - No School Zoo Brews 9/11 & Fallen Heroes Tribute Snake River Landing Walk MS - Snake River Landing East Idaho Harvest Fest & Outdoor Expo Kingston Plaza

October

Rocktober Fest - Sandy Downs Race for the Cure - Freeman Park

Octoberpet - Snake River Animal Shelter

Trick or Treat Street 1st - 2nd Teacher Inservice - No School 4th Last Day of Regular Operations - Zoo 24th Idaho Falls Farmers Market closes 28th - 30th Boo at the Zoo - Zoo 31st Night Lights - Zoo

November

Veterans Day Awards Luncheon 41st Annual Festival of the Trees Downtown Holiday Artisan Fair - IFDDC 2nd No School - Dist. 93 24th Race to Feed the Hungry - Freeman Park 24th - 27th Thanksgiving Holiday, No School

December

Christmas on the River - IFDDC Santa Crawl - Downtown 19th - 23rd Christmas with the Critters - Zoo 21st - 1/3/16 Holiday Break, No School

parks in Idaho Falls Kate Fryer enjoys the

People and Places

Kids try harder race

Idaho MX State Championship RMX Rocky-Mountain Motocross-Series

With nearly 55,000 people living in Idaho Falls there are a lot of faces to capture. Add in the University and there are a ton of events to attend too! Do you know any of the people or events in these photos? Want to see yourself or your friends and family in our magazine? Share your photos with us! Submit your photos to IdahoLifeEditor@gmail.com by March 31, 2016. Be sure to include the names of the people in the photo and/or the event where the photo was taken. We love being a part of this community and we want to see your face in Idaho Falls LIFE!

Idaho Falls Hawkfest Craig Morgan at the

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Movie in the Park

m, Hunter -H Rackha is crowne d the 2015 War Bonnet Ro un d Up Queen.

North Highway Cafe

Christmas Gift 5-K

Yo uth Hockey

12 | I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

Petersen family white water raft ing!

Tyler Petersen catching some air

Laser Light Skate Night

Dave Hunte r an d Amy Kingston

their cousins rida having fun with The Ohlrichs fro m Flo tphaus Park Zo o Tau the Swensons at the I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

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Wild, Wet and Wonderful

South east

IDAHO

Opportunities abound for getting your feet or line wet.

By Alisa Clickenger

T

he Snake River is the 13th largest river in the United States and flows through six states in the West. Idaho sets claim to the largest portion of the river, and luckily for us here in Idaho Falls it flows right through the heart of our community. The Snake River is central to our history and is essential to our agricultural industry and as a natural resource the river’s value is unmistakable.

The Snake River isn’t the only water resource in the area, however. We have a great many lakes, streams and hot springs despite our high-desert climate. While the water of the area gives us life, and in many cases our livelihoods, it can also be a fantastic recreational resource. From boating to white water rafting to fishing, even paddleboarding, scuba diving and sailing in our land locked state, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the area’s aquatic resources.

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Fly Fishing

If fishing’s your thing, then Southeast Idaho is one of the best places to live. Idaho Falls is where two legendary fly fishing rivers come together—Henry’s Fork of the Snake and the South Fork of the Snake. Henry’s Fork is primarily a rainbow trout fishery and it’s a good river to wade, although if you can float in a boat you’ll have access to more fish. The Henry’s Fork is a wild fishery where you’ll also find some cutthroat and brown trout.

The South Fork of the Snake River provides 54 miles of big water that resident experts say is fished best out of a Mackenzie style drift boat. The South Fork is primarily a cutthroat fishery and since there’s no planted trout it’s considered the best wild trout fishery in the lower 48 states. Rainbow trout are gaining in numbers here and there is some concern that over time the cutthroat will be displaced. The Salmon River is further afield, yet offers a chance to fish for steelhead as well as salmon.

There are a profundity of great fishing lakes as well.

Palisades Reservoir is picturesque and easy to access from Idaho Falls, with the best fishing on the northwest side along U.S. Route 26. Nestled between the Snake River Range and the Caribou Range, it’s a beautiful setting and wildlife is abundant.

Henry’s Lake is a legendary fishing hole with shallow water and heavy weed growth. Island Park Reservoir and Upper Palisades Lake are also excellent places for anglers.

Ice Fishing

Ice Fishing is a great way to get outdoors in the winter time.

Deep Creek, Chesterfield, Devils Creek, Foster, Blackfoot, Weston, Lamont, Treasurton, Glendale, Hawkins and Johnson reservoirs, American Falls Reservoir at Sportsman Park, Edson Fichter Pond, Twin Lakes and Bear Lake are all popular ice fishing spots.

The rules for ice fishing differ a bit from other fishing seasons in that an angler can fish with up to five poles or lines at a time, and have up to five hooks per line.

Statewide the daily trout limit is six fish but there is no limit on perch, bluegill or crappie. Fishing is allowed only

The State of Idaho Department of Fish and Game runs stocking and counting programs, and information about licensing, release dates and counts can be found on their web site http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/. Trout Unlimited, whose mission is to conserve, protect and restore North America’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds, is very active in Idaho Falls and can be reached through their web site www.tu.org.

Getting Started

Each year the State of Idaho offers a free fishing day on the second Saturday of June. This is the one day of the year when you can fish without a license. Otherwise, licenses are required and limits apply. Becker Pond at Ryder Park is maintained by the City of Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation Department and is located at 2001 W. Sunnyside Rd. (just south west of the Sunnyside Bridge that goes over the Snake River). Parks & Rec also offers a three day clinic which is a great intro to fishing for only $35. In the clinic kids will learn or enhance their knowledge of spinning reel fishing techniques, species identification and environmental conservation.

Parks & Rec also offers Take Me Fishing Days at Ryder Park between June and August that are free to the public. The program is a great opportunity to introduce kids and their families to fishing. Kids, ages 3-13, who attend three out of the four fishing days will receive a free fishing rod (while supplies last). Phone (208) 612-8580 for additional information.

through a hole up to 10 inches in diameter, yet there is no limit on the number of holes. Fish and Game regional offices and some fishing groups organize local ice fishing clinics and tournaments, which can be a fun way to beat the winter doldrums.

Getting Started

Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife in Idaho Falls sponsors a youth ice fishing tournament every year. SFW’s mission is to promote the protection and enhancement of wildlife habitat, assist in providing quality wildlife management programs, educating the public about the role hunters play in wildlife conservation, and perpetuating the tradition of hunting and fishing. www.sfwidaho.org/

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Canoeing, Kayaking and Whitewater Rafting Paddling is one of the most common ways to enjoy our water resources in Southeast Idaho. VisitIdaho.org has an extensive list of lakes, rivers and streams where one can enjoy either a leisurely paddle or exhilarating ride down rapids.

Paddling is a great sport to do with a buddy because if you’re on a river your take-out location could be miles from your car at the put-in location. Commercial rafting trips abound in the area and are easily located. Group trips are fun for families, company team building exercises and special events.

Getting Started: Canoe and kayak rentals are available at most river outfitters and sports shops, including at Canyon Whitewater Supply in Idaho Falls. Lessons are widely available as well.

Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation offers open kayak pool sessions at the Wes Deist Aquatic Center Wednesday nights from 9 to 10:30 p.m. The WDAC does not have any kayaks, so you must bring your own equipment. The price is $6.50 per session.

Scuba Diving

Believe it or not, scuba diving is a very popular sport here in Idaho Falls and that’s mostly thanks to Idaho Dive Pirates on Capital Avenue.

Many people dive for treasure in the Snake River, finding hidden gems such as slot machines and old coins thrown overboard from riverboats during Prohibition. Other popular places to dive locally are the Firehole River, where one can do underwater rock climbing, and at the Ririe Reservoir.

A little further away and just over the border in Utah, the geothermals at Plymouth can only be accessed in the winter because of the temperatures, yet in Midway at the Homestead Crater folks can scuba dive year-round. The deeper you go the hotter it gets, however. Scuba divers also dive at the Bonneville Sea Base, although visibility there is only about ten feet.

Getting Started: Idaho Dive Pirates on Capital Avenue is a full-service dive shop. They offer scuba lessons, rentals and sell equipment, too. There are no age limits for scuba diving, although children under the age of ten have to have a parent in the water with them at all times. Idaho Dive Pirates’ owner Bret Stewart recommends parents wishing to scuba dive with their children learn it first and then take a Stress and Rescue Course. This helps parents be a great diving buddy to their children.

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Paddleboarding

According to Richard Napier, general manager of Idaho Mountain Trading, stand up paddleboarding (SUP) is the fastest growing water sport in the country right now. Considered a low-impact, whole-body workout, SUP originally developed as an off shoot of surfing. SUP can be done on lakes and rivers alike, riding breaking waves and gliding over long distances along sea coasts.

The rise in popularity of stand up paddle-boarding can partially be attributed to how easy it is to learn. Within a very short time, you can become comfortable in the water and on a board. “Stand up paddleboarding is a fun way to get onto the water,” says Napier. “It’s fun for couples and it can be a family sport. It’s good exercise and it’s a good time.”

Getting Started: With the right equipment and a bit of helpful instruction, SUP is something that nearly everyone anyone can do. Idaho Mountain Trading on Shoup Avenue downtown Idaho Falls offers rentals of boards, paddles and personal flotation devices.

Windsurfing and Sailing

Even in our land-locked state opportunity exists for sailors and windsurfers to seek their thrills. The closest sailing lake to Idaho Falls is on the American Falls Reservoir. Seagull Bay Yacht Club, located five miles east of American Falls, is open seasonally and is a recreational club and marina. Lake Wolcott State Park, 133 miles west of Idaho Falls, has good access, some nice breezes, and ramps and docks for day use.

Jackson Lake, just a couple hours east of Idaho Falls, is a natural lake that was enlarged by Jackson Lake Dam. Breezes sweep down from the Grand Tetons and add wind to many sails.

Other sailing centers in southern Idaho are Bear Lake, Lucky Peak, CJ Strike Reservoir, Lake Powell and Lake Cascade. Bear Lake is a popular boating center, and sail boating is no exception. A gentle breeze rolls off the lake in the afternoons, making it a popular place to unfurl the sails. At 20 miles long and eight miles wide, there is also plenty of space.

Lucky Peak is close to Boise and heavily used by power boats. Great sailing can be had early on summer mornings between Spring Shores and the dam, though.

CJ Strike Reservoir is located south of Mountain Home.

An early and late season favorite, the winds can be exciting and the water is warm when the lakes at the higher elevations are unusable. Lake Lowell is located southwest of Nampa.

Lake Lowell offers excellent sailing from the middle of April to July, with the best sailing at the west end of the lake. Last

but not least, Lake Cascade is one of Idaho’s premier sailing lakes. Cascade is a beautiful place to sail from June to September.

Getting Started: Southern Idaho Sailing Association hosts many regattas and events throughout the sailing season. http://www.idahosailing.com

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Let Avery Law minimize your bankruptcy trauma.

I

By Jennifer Anderson Photos by Capture the Moment

t may seem strange to think that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can be linked to bankruptcy and debt crisis, but money (or the lack thereof ) is often considered a mitigating stress factor. Imagine you have just gone through a painful divorce leaving you emotionally and financially scarred. Now you are beginning to get a constant barrage of phone calls from debt collectors hounding you for money. Maybe your investments have taken a nose dive and along with it your ability to pay back current loans. Perhaps you find yourself burdened with debt that feels like a tightening noose around your neck. Your best choice may be bankruptcy, but bankruptcy is often accompanied by feelings of despondency, denial, shame, and grief.

John O. Avery of Avery Law offers a different perspective.

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“We are fallible people and things happen to us. We get sick, we have relationship problems, someone who is supporting us dies, or technology changes. There are all sorts of reasons why people may owe money that they can’t pay back,” says Avery. “It’s usually that the world went a different direction than we expected.” Bankruptcy should not be viewed as shameful, but as a step toward a fresh start. The key to positive recovery is to recognize the problem before it gets any worse and seek the right help.

John O. Avery has close to 30 years of bankruptcy experience. Qualified as a Board Certified Bankruptcy attorney, Avery has met demanding requirements to specialize in his field. Typically you wouldn’t trust your knee surgery to a dentist, or your car repair to your grocer. Finding someone you can trust, who knows the law and uses it in your best interest, is paramount to a successful financial recovery. John O. Avery’s team is ready to exceed your expectations.

“A lot of people fear going to a lawyer, but we like to show clients that we’re approachable and we’re on their team,” says Avery. Knowing that you have someone in your corner, helping you fight through the process, goes a long way to moving you toward financial and emotional recovery. When viewed as a fresh start and not just a stay of execution, bankruptcy can take on a whole new feel. A client from Middleton writes, “I was so lost until I got help from Avery. They were so nice and helped me and my children. If you need help, or just need to find out what you can do, they are the people to call. They will be fair. Thank you so very much for everything you have done for us.”

Avery Law has offices in Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Twin Falls, and Meridian. Hailing from a farm in Eastern Idaho, Avery has a keen understanding of Idahoans and their struggles. Trust John O. Avery and his staff to see you through to sound financial footing and leave the trauma of debt where it belongs, in your past.

Avery grasps the complexities of bankruptcy law and understands the best course of action to set you on your road to recovery. He personally assesses your current situation and uses the latest technology and software systems to tackle the muck and mire of the bankruptcy process.

Devoting a minimum of 60 hours of continuing education over a three year period to keep their certification current, the staff at Avery Law are very knowledgeable regarding current policy and changes pursuant to bankruptcy law.

Additionally, they have seen and can help manage the emotional baggage that accompanies debt.

208-524-3020 IDAHO FALLS 770 S. Woodruff Ave Idaho Falls, ID 83401 averybankrupctylaw.com

208-232-3020

208-733-3030

POCATELLO to the South

TWIN FALLS to the West

410 Yellowstone Pocatello, ID 83201 pocatellobankruptcylaw.com

808 Eastland Dr. Ste B

Twin Falls, ID 83301

twinfallsbankruptcylaw.com

I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

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Dog on Duty Sniffing out bombs is just the beginning for this K9 officer.

S

By Lisa Jensen

tudents at Longfellow Elementary watch the athletic dog expertly check bins and carts piled with duffel bags and lunchboxes. Suddenly, he sits in front of a wagon and begins barking, looking excitedly from the wagon to his handler and back again. Officer Zeke has located the hidden C4 explosive.

As part of Blue in the School, exciting demonstrations like this have given Zeke a rock-star status among students.

“Hey, Zeke!” and “How ya doin’, Zeke?” kids call to the four-legged officer when he visits campus.

He isn’t alone, of course. He and his handler, Officer Jeanette Johnson, are always together. While Zeke has been with the Idaho Falls Police Department for approximately 8 1/2 years, Officer Johnson has served 21 years on the force.

She became interested in police work in high school but was hooked after serving in the IFPD reserve. After five years on the force, she got to work with her first K9 partner, a Belgian Malinois from Holland named Kira. When Kira retired seven years later, Zeke took over as Officer Johnson’s partner.

Also a Belgian Malinois from Holland, Zeke was just 1 1/2 years old when he met Officer Johnson for training in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Like Kira, Zeke had been through Koninklijke Nederlandse Politiehond Vereniging Training (KNPV). KNPV covers obedience, tracking and protection, so Zeke was primed and ready to become an explosives and patrol dog when he arrived at Alabama Canine.

“We had to tweak a few things,” says Officer Johnson.

“He learned his commands in Dutch but I switched some to German to simplify them. During training, we exposed him to the odors of explosives he needs to know, and taught him to associate them with his favorite toy.”

Zeke learned that he gets his toy when he locates an explosive so, to him, it’s all play. “Even when he’s tracking someone, in his mind that ‘bad guy’ out there is just a big, fluffy bunny,” Officer Johnson says with a smile.

The team works four 10-hour days a week. Every Wednesday they meet for ongoing training with the other IFPD K9 team, the three Bonneville County K9 units and police dog teams from Rigby, Rexburg, Fremont County and the State Police. However, Zeke is the only K9 bomb dog on the eastern side of the state. Consequently, he and Officer Johnson are on call 24/7, providing assistance nearby, like Blackfoot, and as far away as Jackson Hole, Challis, and Fremont County.

Zeke hasn’t found a bomb yet, but he’s located explosives on several occasions. The call that stands out most

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for Officer Johnson happened when the IFPD received a tip that a bomb was planned to be set off to provide a diversion for a bank robbery.

“The person who’d tipped us off knew where the suspects were, but didn’t know where the explosives were,” Officer Johnson recounts. “A search warrant was obtained and we went out with the Bonneville SWAT team. While searching the trailer, Zeke found the backpack with explosives in it. It hadn’t been made up into a bomb yet, but the det cord and C4 were there.”

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At nearly 10 years old, Zeke is close to retirement. For bomb-sniffing K9’s, the timing depends more on the dog and his health than his age. “It’s a physically demanding job. The handlers gauge how well the dog is aging,” Officer Johnson explains. “Kira was 11 1/2 when she retired, and Zeke will probably be about that age.”

Although the City of Idaho Falls technically owns Zeke, he lives with Officer Johnson, and she’s the one to provide daily care. He’ll continue to live with her after he retires.

“Zeke is pretty spoiled. He has a kennel and a dog house outside, but he’s very rarely out there,” says Officer Johnson. “He has a dog bed in the house, and his stuffed animals. He likes chewing them gently and carrying them around.”

That’s typical. The toughest guys are usually sweethearts when they’re not on the job. Zeke can apprehend and hold a bad guy before lunch and visit a school later that day. “It’s like flipping a switch. Although I always watch him because of his training, it’s nice to know he can distinguish between a legitimate threat and playful kids,” Officer Johnson says appreciatively.

Chasing down bad guys, sniffing out explosives and receiving admiring pets from students. It’s all in a day’s work—well, play— for Officer Zeke.

Most people expect to see a German shepherd filling the role of police dog, but Belgian Malinois are a similar, though slightly older, breed. Officer Johnson explains the difference between Belgian Malinois and German shepherds: “German shepherds are like a Cadillac, but a Mal is like a Ferrari. When you get someone behind a fence, the shepherd will try to figure out how to get around the fence, they think a little more. The Mal just goes through the fence. The mentality is the biggest difference.”

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TSWAWB has been dedicated to providing superior client service.

As a result, we have earned a reputation for providing our clients with what they value: exceptional legal skills, quick response and practical solutions delivered with the highest level of professional integrity.

Idaho Falls Office: 3480 Merlin Drive Idaho Falls, ID 83404

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65 S Main St #2 Driggs, ID 83422

208-354-0110 I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

| 21

Keeping it

in the Family

C & S Auto Body is committed to cars and family.

By Ainsely McWha Photos by Capture the Moment

T

wenty-seven years ago Todd Smith opened his first auto body shop out of two and a half stalls in the backyard of his house on the outskirts of Idaho Falls. Though Smith and his family still live in that house, after five years the auto body shop had to move to a different location. One day, Smith was busy working away on a brand new Cadillac when he heard some loud banging. He discovered his then 3-year-old daughter was “trying to help dad out,” by banging with a metal rod against the other side of the car. Fortunately, Smith—whose specialty is collision repair—was able to fix the car to look exactly as it had when it was brought to him.

And, he was able to share this amusing incident with the car’s owners.

Smith’s son Bret is the one who helps out now at the family-owned C & S Auto Body. Bret, 21, started assisting his dad when he was just 8 years old.

Bret holds an associate’s degree from Idaho State University in Auto Collision Repair, but Todd taught him a lot long before he received his degree. Todd, a proud father, tells of how Bret placed first in the statewide SkillsUSA auto collision competition and placed 17th out of 86 competitors at the national level. The competition rated a combination of skills from proper paperwork and understanding cars and metals, to repairing dents and straightening parts.

“The competition is very hands-on,” explains Todd— just like the work that’s done in his shop.

C & S Auto Body has been in its current location for the past 13 years. When a customer arrives, even a first timer, he is treated like family. Todd and his team greet everyone with a warm smile and a firm handshake, one that conveys the trust the customer can put in C & S. “C & S looks out for you, giving you the best deal possible,” says Todd.

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Customers don’t need to worry when they bring their car to C & S Auto Body. They’re in good hands.

“We treat every car the way we would treat one of our own cars,” explains Todd, a fact that is noticed by C & S’s repeat customers. In February 2015, Todd had a return customer whose first visit was six weeks after he opened his initial shop at his house—27 years ago. Talk about loyalty.

Automotive Repair |

The team of workers Todd employs is loyal, too. The newest employee has been working with C & S for six years, while the longest employed worker has 17 years under his belt at C & S. That’s a lot of collective experience.

Todd and his team, who specialize in collision repair with some custom restoration, happily take on the role of mediator between the customer and their insurance company. C & S even acts like an “older brother,” ensuring that the customer is not bullied by their insurance company into taking their car to a specific auto body shop.

The shop is now “supervised” by Todd’s chocolate labs, another father/son duo: 15-year-old Moose and 4-year-old Piston. Moose has been in the shop almost everyday since he was six-weeks-old and Piston seems poised to follow in his father’s pawprints as guardian and greeter of the shop. The dogs also treat customers like everyone else on staff at C & S Auto Body does—like family.

C & S Auto Body knows treating customers like family is the best way to go. And with an experienced team giving your car the best service at the best possible price, this is an auto body shop you can trust.

4028 N. 5th St. East Idaho Falls, ID

208-522-6703 I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

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Not Just For the Birds The Great Snake River Duck Race and the Idaho Falls Greenbelt are defining features of our fair city.

By Ainsley McWha Photos courtesy of Parks & Rec

T

hroughout the world, great cities are built on the banks of great rivers. Paris has the Seine, London has the Thames, Cairo—the Nile, New York City—the Hudson River; the list goes on and on. And Idaho Falls is no exception. At just over 1,000 miles long, the Snake River starts in Wyoming and ends in Washington where it joins the Columbia River, which then continues its journey towards the Pacific. On its way however, the Snake River surges through Idaho Falls and for five miles up and down its banks, Idaho Falls Greenbelt follows.

On any given day, more so when the weather is nicer, the Idaho Falls Greenbelt is teeming with life—both human and animal. Families out for a stroll, dogs and their owners on a walk, couples canoodling on one of the many benches (one bench is in the shape of an Appaloosa, another, called the “All You Can Sit Idaho Potato” is shaped like—you guessed it—a spud). There are bikers and runners, teenagers on both skate- and long-boards, and plenty of young mothers pushing strollers cradling sleeping babies.

In addition to the people who flock to the area, the Greenbelt is also home to various birds. Ducks and geese bask along the banks and take dips in the water, songbirds chirp down from the trees and flit between branches, bald eagles soar overhead.

But the rarest of birds migrates to the Greenbelt once a year and for one day only. This small species of duck arrives in a humongous flock—18,000 to 20,000 in number. It is bright yellow in color and is not 24 | I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

covered in feathers, but made of soft, squishy rubber. Some, it has been said, even wear sunglasses! The arrival of these ducks is an incredible (and smile-inducing) sight, and the only way to believe it is to see it by attending the annual Great Snake River Duck Race.

The duck race, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Idaho Falls, is now in its 25th year. In that time, the race has raised over $4.5 million (including matched funds) that has all been put towards the conservation and improvement of the Idaho Falls Greenbelt. This year’s funds will go towards the latest development: a 14-acre plot of land near the Sunnyside bridge that will become “Heritage Park.”

Each of the ducks is up for adoption—$5 for a single duck or a “Six Quack” for only $25.

Tickets go on sale around July 4th in various locations throughout Idaho Falls for the 2016 race.

The race begins at 4 p.m. as all of the duckies are hoisted up by a giant crane and spilled simultaneously into the river from a clean, freshly painted yellow dumpster. From the starting point, just north of The Driftwood Motel, the ducks paddle as hard they can downstream towards the falls. Depending on the river flow that day—and the amount of training each duck has put in—the journey generally takes about one hour. The first duck over the falls is announced the winner!

Each adopted duck comes with its very own official adoption paper with a code number that corresponds to the number written on the bottom of the duck. These numbers do not exactly match, but are rather a code. Kevin Call, event coordinator, explains that this is to prevent any pre-race tampering. The adoptive parent of a “Six Quack” will also get one number, and this will correspond to numbers on the bottom of six different ducks. Winners get a phone call shortly after the race is over.

too, but you need to adopt a duck to find out—prizes are listed on the adoption paper!

The ducks arrive in town about one week before race day, shipped each year (at no cost) by Western Transport, in boxes from a previous race in Washington State. In Idaho Falls, a select team takes over. Mike Obleness oversees a group of 100 or so volunteers from Development Workshop—a training center for those with special needs—and together they set to taking off the old numbered labels and putting on the new ones, then placing each duck, one by one, into the dumpster that is transported to the race site around 2 p.m. on race day.

The day is full of fun things to do, starting at 10 a.m. with the region’s largest car/truck/motorcycle show as well as high-speed boat races that continue until around 1 p.m. Other not-to-be-missed events include: water snowmobile races around the island (“Sometimes they make it all the way back before they sink!” says Call); helicopter and fire truck displays; a ping pong ball drop (with prizes) where 2,000 balls are flung into the air for kids to catch; an obstacle course set up by the Idaho Falls National Guard; and face-painting.

Everything—aside from various food and craft vendors—is absolutely free.

There are a slew of prizes. The Grand Prize (valued at over $60,000) is a 2015 Ford F150 Truck generously donated

by Broadway Ford. First place, care of Idaho Central Credit Union, is a Polaris Razor. There are other incredible prizes,

This year on race day, Idaho Potato Commission’s spudshaped semi will be making its first ever appearance in Idaho Falls, along with the bi-plane. This is definitely something to see!

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On-lookers anxiously watch to see which duck will cross the falls first.

The night before the race there is a rod run called the Poker Run where over 150 hotrods, antique cars and trucks drive through Idaho Falls. This event ends with a dinner at Broadway Ford for the participants.

Kevin Call proudly says, “We’re all in this together!” It’s not just the Rotary Club or Broadway Ford, it’s the whole community of Idaho Falls from the people who help put it all together to the people who adopt the ducks and those that are just there to watch. In total, between 15,000 to 20,000 people are on the river that day (spectators, volunteers, and vendors alike). “Next to the Fourth of July this is the biggest event on the Greenbelt,” says Call. “The duck race and all its accompanying excitement is a big community-supported event that’s a wonderful experience.”

Let the race begin!

For Those Not Crowd-Inclined You don’t need to wait for the duck race to enjoy the Idaho Falls Greenbelt, it’s available every day of the year. All along its trails, the Greenbelt boasts pockets of quiet spots perfect for taking a moment away from hectic city life to recharge, or for spending time with friends and family and having fun. Freeman Park, the largest of the Greenbelt’s parks, set at the northernmost point, features ball fields, picnic shelters, a bandstand, wildlife viewing areas, fishing, and disc-golf—everything you need for a perfect summer afternoon.

There’s also The Friendship Garden—that can be entered from either the west or east side of the Snake River, just south of Broadway—a Japanese garden whose sign says that it is: “a place of contemplation so walk slowly, relax and enjoy the garden’s beauty.”

The Greenbelt hosts the Idaho Falls’ Farmers Market—every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. starting in early May and going to the end of October. The market features locally grown fresh produce, nursery stock, meats, specialty foods, flowers, fresh baked breads and pastries, and handmade crafts.

For the nature lover, the Greenbelt offers a flower garden on its west bank and a Tree Walk that follows the entire trail loop, along which you can view over 20 different types of trees like Weeping Willow, Littleleaf Linden, Ponderosa Pine, and Thornless Honeylocust. A map of the walk—along with a lot of other information about the Greenbelt—can be found online at the Idaho Falls website.

In addition to the recreational activities, the Greenbelt is also home to several monuments and memorials such as the Russell A. Freeman Memorial, honoring the “City Parks Architect” who planted over 1,000 trees; the Parley Rigby

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The Friendship Garden

The Greenbelt is a great place to relax.

Memorial, honoring longtime Idaho Falls postmaster and civic leader; the Idaho State Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial and the War Memorial, both honoring those who served and fought for our country; and the Thomas V. Campbell Memorial, honoring Mayor Campbell who started the Idaho Falls Greenbelt trail system in the 1980’s.

The Greenbelt isn’t just about relaxing and contemplation; it also serves a very practical purpose—power. The Idaho Falls waterfalls, created by a diversion dam, are part of a major hydroelectric power project called the “Bulb Turbine Project.” A plaque at the site reads: “The original dam was installed in 1909. The dam you see today was constructed in 1982…This and three other hydroelectric plants help the City of Idaho Falls generate approximately 50% of its own electric power needs.” In addition, the

Bulb Turbine Project “is representative of the city’s long term commitment to electric energy independence, clean and cost-effective hydroelectric power, and the responsible use and preservation of the scenic Snake River.”

Next time you look at the falls consider that they are more than just a thing of beauty, they are actually helping provide electricity to the entire city.

In case you needed an excuse to visit the Greenbelt, keep in mind that relaxation has been proven to benefit the mind and body in many ways, including boosting your memory, lowering your risk of catching a cold or having a stroke, helping you make better decisions, keeping you safe from depression, and keeping you slimmer. So get out there! Wander the winding paths, enjoy a picnic lunch in the park, explore your own favorite secret spot, pay homage to great people from the past, or attend any of the numerous annual events—take some time out of your busy schedule to visit the Greenbelt.

And remember, adopting a duck for the race is an easy way to make a contribution to the ongoing upkeep and improvement of the Greenbelt, ensuring that this relaxing, scenic, and historic space will be preserved for future generations to enjoy its beauty and benefits, too.

Quack quack! (The ducks thank you in advance!)

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Beautifying BROADWAY

Broadway Ford’s new look dresses up their city space.

By Jennifer Anderson Photos by Capture the Moment

B

y early summer 2015, Broadway Street, just east of the freeway, had a new, more dynamic appearance. As Broadway Ford transitions into their new building, they tore down their old structure and replaced it with paving and landscaping. Their hope is to complement their new building with beautiful landscaping and also update and improve their strip of Broadway Street.

Broadway Ford is no stranger to contributing to their community. They donate a car or truck yearly to the Great Snake River Idaho Falls Duck Race where proceeds go directly to improving the greenbelt area along the river. They also participate regularly in fund raising projects, donating oil changes and more throughout the year to benefit different organizations. It is this commitment to the community of Idaho Falls and their effort to create a solid relationship with their customers that helps Broadway Ford connect on a deeper level.

Focusing on service after the sale, Broadway Ford looks to exceed all expectations regarding service, repeat business, repair, and customer communication. Robyn, a recent customer of Broadway Ford, expressed, “As a woman it can be a teeth clenching experience to have car trouble. Most places, in my experience anyway, treat you like a half-wit. Not so at Broadway Ford. Jason and Paul in the service department really listened to my concerns about my car. They were able to get me in quickly and found the root of the problem. I really appreciated being talked to like a person and not just another statistic to add money to their bottom line. Thank you for making my car trouble as painless as possible. I know I can count on the service guys at Broadway Ford to take care of any concerns with my car in the future. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!”

Sleek and sunlit, Broadway Ford’s new facility exudes a confidence that is completely deserved. Your car buying, servicing, and repair experience just took a turn for the better as you enjoy the expertise you’ve always counted on and cutting edge technology that is now available. Appreciate a full coffee bar and comfortable waiting room while you watch through pristine windows as your car is serviced.

The first step in the service experience is a full car scan, followed by detailed diagnostics. The process takes on an almost space-age feel as problems can be detected quickly and efficiently. Using state-of-the art equipment, qualified service technicians will have your car ready to go in a timely and professional manner. “Broadway Ford in Idaho Falls is an amazing experience. You will be truly satisfied with the excellent customer service in their Service Department as well as their New/Used Sales Department. James McCord in the Service Department not only paid his undivided attention to our detailed questions but provided exceptionally courteous, professional answers,” says Carol, another satisfied customer. However, if repairs are not what you need, the sales department can help get you into a new or certified used car to meet your needs and fulfill your dreams.

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Automotive-New Car |

Whether you want a fully electric car, a hybrid, a sport utility, a muscle car, something to safely haul your stuff and kids around in, or the best-selling truck of the year—the aluminum encased F-150— Broadway Ford has you covered.

If you can’t find the exact color or model specifications you want on the lot, the dedicated sales team at Broadway Ford will do their best to find or order in exactly what you want in your price range. Financing is available and trade-in’s accepted to make your buying and selling experience more streamlined and convenient.

With 30+ years of experience in the automotive industry, the team at Broadway Ford has learned that commitment to customer satisfaction is paramount to success. Stop by and see how they can exceed your motor vehicle needs!

Broadway Ford is located at 980 W. Broadway, Idaho Falls, ID. Check out their website for your new or certified used car at mybroadwayford.com.

980 W. Broadway Idaho Falls

208-525-8500 I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

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Traveling Back in Time

Motorway Road Camp at Indian Grave, 1934.

USFS photo

The Lolo Motorway offers visitors a glimpse at the past through breathtaking vistas.

W

inding through the Bitterroot Mountains in the northern part of Idaho is a well traveled motorway. It’s not the modern type of travel we’re accustomed to with smooth asphalt and well labeled road signs. There aren’t any food chains or streetlights, and you need to plan your journey there carefully. Traveling along the Lolo Motorway is like stepping back in time.

Don’t let the term “Motorway” fool you, however; it’s an old-fashioned term from when people didn’t take drives; they “motored”. The Nimiípuu, the Nez Perce Indians, forged the trail before white men ever set foot in the West. Used for centuries, the trail led to their buffalo hunting grounds on the eastern plain. The trail offered the Nez Perce access to hunting, gathering, fishing and trade with other Indian tribes.

The trail was preserved through natural use; grooved through decades of foot traffic, commerce and regional access it provided.

The Lolo Motorway is probably most well known as being part of the route followed by the Lewis and Clark

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By Alisa Clickenger Photos courtesy of USFS

Expedition. Their expedition followed the trail across the Bitterroot Mountains to the Weippe Prairie, where the exploratory party first met the Nez Perce in 1805. Lewis and Clark returned in 1806 using the same trail.

Early in the 20th century the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built a rough dirt road that traced a good portion of the original Nez Perce Trail. The CCC road is now known as the Lolo Motorway, winding about 100 miles along the mountainous ridges of the Clearwater National Forest east of Weippe, Idaho. The Lolo Motorway traverses the ridge while paralleling the more modern Highway 12 that navigates the deep valley carved by the Lochsa River.

The Lolo Motorway is also called Forest Road 500. It is a narrow, single lane gravel road with precipitous drops and unparalleled vistas. The roadway ascends the ridge tops, dips into the mountain saddles, and winds for 100 miles through some of the most magnificent scenery the state of Idaho offers. The sea of mountains that can be seen from the Lolo Motorway is simply breathtaking.

CCC Camp along the Lolo Motorway, circa 1932.

Exact location unknown.

USFS photo

left, Obia Meadows USFS photo

The Lolo Motorway is also part of the Nez Perce National Historic Trail. There’s a boardwalk in Weitas Meadows which takes you on a segment of the historic trail. The boardwalk protects a fragile mountain wildflower meadow that is ablaze with glorious colors in the summer time. Howard Camp is where both the Nez Perce and General Howard’s troops camped during the Nez Perce War and their 1877 flight. Near Howard’s Camp there are trees showing the scars of bark peeling, primarily on lodgepole pine. Indians and trappers peeled the trees as a food source as early as the 1630s.

To the Nez Perce these trails are part of their sacred land; land that they still use and is revered. All sites on the Motorway deserve our respect and protection. It’s up to us to safeguard and protect these special places if we want those who come after us to have a sense of history.

And perhaps even to feel the spirit of the ancients.

Subalpine variety of silvery lupine – Lupinus argenteus variety depressus I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

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Trip Planning Plan to take your time traveling the Lolo Motorway. The road is generally free from ice and snow by mid-July and usually accessible into October. While there are no formal campgrounds, there are plenty of places to camp in the Clearwater National Forest. It’s always best to utilize previously used camp sites, rather than creating new ones in the forest. Be prepared for rain, as thunderstorms can roll through in July and August. It can even snow early and late in the season.

Most passenger cars are too low for the Motorway.

The area is remote and towing is expensive, so make sure you choose the proper vehicle for the backcountry. Most stretches of the road are rocky and narrow, although in some places the Motorway can feel like a pleasant country lane. There are steep drop-offs beside the roadway at times, so be sure the driver is comfortable in these conditions.

Getting There From the East—Take Parachute Hill Road, Forest Road 569, a double-lane gravel road that leaves U.S. Highway 12 near Milepost 162 just east of the turnoff to Powell Ranger Station. Or take Saddle Camp Road 107 near Milepost 140 on U.S. Highway12, 27 miles west of Powell Ranger Station. (Caution: You may encounter logging traffic on these roads.)

From the West—Follow the National Forest access sign posted alongside U.S. Highway 12 by the bridge that crosses the Clearwater River at Kamiah. Turn right onto KamiahPierce Road 100 and proceed to Lolo Forks Campground. You’ll cross a bridge and turn right onto Forest Road 500. Fourteen miles and 45 minutes later you’ll come to Canyon Junction, a five-point intersection. Road 500 turns into a narrow, unsurfaced road at this junction, and remains that way as you continue eastward along the route.

subalpine or pink spiraea Spiraea densiflora 32 | I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

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Clearwater National Forest Supervisor’s Office Supervisor’s Office 12730 Highway 12 Orofino, ID 83544 208-476-4541 TDD 208-476-0129 Lochsa Ranger District Kamiah Ranger Station Rt. 2, Box 191 Kamiah, ID 83536 208-935-2513 Kooskia Ranger Station Rt. 1, Box 398 Kooskia, ID 83539 208-926-4274 Powell Ranger District Powell Ranger Station Lolo, MT 59847 208-942-3113 TDD 208-942-3120

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I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

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Integrity, Trust and Honesty One man’s natural talent benefits Idaho Falls car owners.

I

By Lisa Jensen Photos by Ramon Bailey & Capture the Moment

t’s a fortunate man who can turn a hobby he enjoys into a career. For Jon Hoover, opening Jon’s Auto Repair was the natural progression after his pastime had become his trade.

“I loved to tinker with cars as a kid, and even rebuilt some older cars,” Hoover says. “I had jobs working as a mechanic for about 19 years, but I got to the point where I didn’t want to work for someone else anymore. I wanted to establish a business and a name for myself.”

In 2007, with just $400 in his pocket, Hoover found a landlord who was willing to work with him monthto-month, rather than requiring a long-term lease. Hoover set up shop, started taking on his own customers and began flourishing.

“He didn’t take out any loans, just worked on cars and bought equipment as he could afford to,” says Crystal Simmons, the office manager at Jon’s Auto Repair. “Jon’s has never done a whole lot of advertising. Word-ofmouth has turned out to be the best type of promotion for us.”

Widespread word-of-mouth and the fact that Jon’s Auto Repair still has customers from day one who keep coming back is likely due to Jon Hoover’s character.

After all, he set out to run an honest shop that focuses on customer service alongside specializing in auto repair.

“There’s shops out there that know that you’re down and out and need your car. They know that you’ll do what it takes to fix it, but Jon doesn’t work that way,” Simmons explains. “He won’t recommend doing unnecessary work and doesn’t pad the labor. But he also keeps an eye out for developing problems and, if taking care of an issue now will save a customer time and money in the long run, he’ll point it out.”

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Automotive | The team of mechanics at Jon’s Auto Repair work on foreign cars as well as domestic automobiles, a detail that many people don’t know. The prices are typically better than you’ll pay at a dealership,too. All areas of auto repair are covered at Jon’s including:

• tune ups

• motors

• lube, oil, filter

• head gasket jobs

• brakes

• air conditioning charges

• struts

Essentially, Jon’s Auto Repair can help you with anything mechanical, and they can even take care of simple body work, too. Hoover truly enjoys helping customers with their automobile troubles, but stresses car maintenance as a way to avoid many problems.

“We compare it to buying a house,” Simmons explains.

“With a house, you don’t move in and never have up-keep.

There’s yard work, painting, plumbing repairs and things like that. With a car, you can’t just gas it and go without taking care of it. It needs oil changes, the timing belts need to be checked regularly and the spark plugs need to be replaced. Staying on top of maintenance will prevent a lot of emergencies.”

When you do have a problem and need to bring your car in, the team at Jon’s tries to keep the turnaround quick while still giving your car the level of attention it deserves.

“A lot of times, you can drop your car off in the morning and we’ll have it ready for you later that day,” Simmons says.

As part of the commitment to customer care, Jon’s Auto Repair offers free estimates and diagnoses and, if you bring your car to Hoover for a second opinion, he’ll try to match other auto shops’ prices, if not beat them. It’s rare to find a mechanic with the principals and dedication to customers’ satisfaction that Jon Hoover has, but it certainly explains his success.

As Hoover himself says, “Customer service is very important to having a successful business. Without great customer care, you don’t have a business.”

It might sound illogical to take a new car to an auto repair shop, but it’s always best to have a professional mechanic go through any car, new or used, before you purchase it. Before you make any deals, let Jon’s Auto Repair take a look at the cars you’re considering first.

“It doesn’t matter if you come in with one car or come back five times with five different cars,” Crystal Simmons says. “We’ll look at all the cars you’re thinking of buying and help you choose the best one.”

Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., it’s easy to schedule a convenient time to have a prospective car inspected. Call 251-9284.

2323 N. Quail Dr. Idaho Falls, ID www.jonsautoshop.com I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

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Get Up and Drive The requirements for obtaining a driver’s license may have changed over the years, but the excitement (and trepidation) hasn’t.

By Jennifer Anderson

Looking back on my first driving experiences, I have to wonder if things have changed much.

Do kids still accidently drive on the wrong side of the road, turn down a one-way street going the opposite direction, stall their Civic in the middle of the intersection as a logging truck is barreling straight for them with their father yelling, “Get it in gear!!”? How has the age old rite-of-passage, learning to drive, really changed throughout the years?

Austin Charboneau

S

pring of 1985, I was sitting around the dinner table with my family, when suddenly Dad says to me, “Let’s go.” I looked at him quizzically and asked, “Let’s go where?” He just repeated, “Let’s go. Get out to the car.” Reluctantly, I grabbed my jacket and walked into the night. I approached the passenger side of our gold Honda Civic, but he motioned me to the driver’s seat. I had never been behind the wheel of a car, except when Dad used to drive with me on his lap (like that was ever a good idea). Sitting behind the wheel created all kinds of anxiety for me. I had no idea what I was doing; no clue what most of the pedals, dials, and levers did; not to mention it was against the law for me to operate a motor vehicle.

Those facts did not sway my father despite repeated attempts to dissuade him from the activity I was sure would put us both into an early grave. To decrease our odds of living, the Civic was a standard, not an automatic.

Not only was I expected to learn to keep the car on the road, in a certain lane, at a certain speed, in the dark; now I had the added pressure of an extra pedal and a gear shift to maneuver. After nearly putting us into a ditch twice, stalling, stalling, and more stalling, we finally made it around the block. We were both done.

In 1913, you were considered speeding if you went over 30 mph for longer than a ¼ mile. Now, with freeway speeds topping out at 80 mph, it only seems prudent that getting a driver’s license takes a little more time than just walking in and filling out some paperwork. Sybil Leatham was 16 in 1952 when she first got her license. By then she had been driving for about three years on the farm, and was well acquainted with a stick shift. “The only time I had to take a driver’s class was when I got a speeding ticket,” remembers Leatham. She eventually took a defensive driving class through her insurance company to decrease her rates.

Maddie Swenson I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

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Driver’s licenses and licensing have changed drastically over the years. If you are over 21 you can purchase an 8-year license for $55 that includes a wealth of personal information including your legal name, address and a photo for starters. To get a license, you must submit a list of nine items verifying your identity and competence to drive to the Idaho Department of Motor Vehicles, and for most that includes a certificate of completion from a qualified driver’s licensing program.

The Graduated Driver’s Licensing (GDL) Program was adopted by Idaho in 2001 and puts certain restrictions on teenage drivers as they go through the process of learning to operate a vehicle. ITD indicates teens under 17 must take driver’s training which includes 30 hours of classroom instruction, 6 hours of in-car observation, and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel driving with an instructor. Additionally, once the license is obtained, the driver must complete 50 hours of driving (10 at night) with an adult age 21 or older over a 6 month period. Some passenger and time restrictions may also apply. Although the GDL is designed to ease teens into driving, there is mixed reaction for many teens when it comes to getting their driver’s licenses.

The Word on the Street Johnathon Beebe took driver’s ed in the fall of 2014 and is on the cusp of getting his driver’s license. He finished his online course in two weeks and the driver portion in three days.

His motivation—freedom. Johnathon says, “I was a little nervous beginning to drive.

Roundabouts and highways were new to me, and left turns.” He recently bought a Buick Rendezvous and is already feeling the strain of car ownership and the financial responsibility that follows.

Kimber A. (age 16 ½) is taking an online driver’s course. She looks at driving as a necessity, but is anxious about getting out on the road.

Megan A.’s first driving experience included her driving partner running the car into the curb, popping the tire, necessitating a tire changing lesson.

Sean A. learned to drive on an automatic, and had limited experience with a standard,

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only driving up and down a dirt lane at his Grandfather’s house a few times. When the opportunity to buy an old truck for $1,000 came up, he jumped at the chance (despite it being a stick shift). With irrational confidence he wrote out the check, and jumped into the truck’s cab.

It was dark and raining when he made his initial foray in his “new” truck. Several stops and starts later, with his mother looking on, he rolled down his window and asked how to turn on the headlights.

In the Cunningham household, three out of four children are now driving. Maurie, a senior, has been driving for two years and shares a car with her two younger brothers Zac and Tanner.

Zac just got his license and Tanner has his permit. Maurie and Zac take turns driving to and from school. Their Subaru was chosen by their father. Maurie says, “It’s a stick shift, and Dad wanted us to learn stick shift, it was his number one priority.” Being the oldest teen driver, Maurie finds herself pressing invisible brakes, and giving unsolicited advice to her younger brothers, but she also finds them doing the same when she is driving. Zac was in the car when Maurie, driving at the time, was hit by another car. Maurie still has trouble going that same way home from school, but Zac figures it wasn’t her fault and it hasn’t worried him.

Trepidation, excitement, fear, joy, and more are just some reactions I got as I spoke to teen drivers (with parents experiencing similar feelings).

For many teens and adults, driving means freedom. It gives us a feeling of independence and makes us see the world with new possibilities.

For teens it is a big, first-step to cutting their apron strings and venturing into dating, jobs, weekend trips to the sand dunes, and midnight runs to convenience store. It also means the added responsibilities of driving siblings around, paying for gas and insurance, making serious judgment calls, and running errands for their mom. Learning to drive is never easy on teens or parents, but I for one am happy to have my blue mini-van to haul me around from point A to point B, and when it’s old and beat up enough I will happily get something newer and pass it down to my next teenage driver.

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CLASSIC Cars & Conversations For car enthusiasts, the Idaho Falls Cruise Night is a place to talk about and see amazing automobiles.

By Benjamin Chapin Photos courtesy of Derek Whipple

C

ar enthusiasts around Idaho Falls and the surrounding area gather together every Tuesday night between the months of April and October to talk cars and the good ol’ days of yesterday. The young, old and the in between are all invited to come experience Cruise Night.

Roger Littleford, founder of the Idaho Falls Cruise Night, started the group 25 years ago. “I just like to come and hang out with all my friends and talk about cars,” says Littleford. “It’s a social activity.” And Littleford has a lot to talk about. He’s been a lover of classic vehicles for over 60 years and has thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.

Vehicles for Littleford and the others that gather on Tuesday evenings are not just a way to get to work and around, but instead are a passion and interest that they have had for decades. “It’s a lifelong hobby that’s a whole lot of fun,” says Littleford.

Light conversations, smiles and laughter filled the Dairy Queen at the opening night of the 2015 Classic Car Cruise Night. While the rainy weather outside kept everybody indoors where it was dry, it did not stop them from having a pleasant evening. The energy and life overflowed from the back side of the Dairy Queen that evening and it could be felt throughout the entire restaurant.

Craig and Hughie LePage are two patrons of the group and have been attending for the past six or seven years.

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Craig has two ‘55 Chevys: a two door sedan and a Nomad. While Hughie has a ‘55 Chevy truck he’s working on as a project. When asked, what his favorite car was of all time, Craig easily responded, “My own.” That’s a statement not many people have the luxury of being able to say, but Craig is one of those people who can say it with confidence. One of his ‘55 Chevys comes from his childhood. It was his very first car he received it from his father.

Like most of the attendees at Idaho Falls Cruise Night, the LePages started their obsession with cars as soon as they could get behind a wheel. “All us brothers were really into cars,” recalls Hughie. “Most of these guys have been into cars since back in their high school days.”

The 1950s birthed many of the classic cars you find not only at Idaho Falls Cruise Night, but amongst car enthusiasts across the country. It was a decade of transformation for the auto industry in the United States, and the car population on the road doubled from 1950 to 1960.

It was also the decade that the car industry began experimenting with a new concept that they referred to as “the sports car.” Classics such as the Corvette came about as a result of innovation and transformation in the industry.

Photo Courtesy Larry Vandel

General Motors, Ford Motor Company and the Chrysler Corporation had stiff competition to keep their top spots in the auto industry which forced their hand to create new and exciting innovations and features that would impress the public immensely. The ones who could make the consumer happy would be the ones who were left standing when it was all said and done.

The Classic Car Era itself started in 1946 as the

I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

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American people finished recovering from World War II and began to embrace their new found role as consumers. These consumer demanded new cars, and the auto industry responded with roll outs of bigger, better and more powerful cars. As the companies fought over the all mighty dollar, many of the smaller companies within the auto industry were forced to close up shop. While some might have found this disheartening others knew it had to happen as part of the growth for the industry. The weak and less successful die off, while the strong survive to live another day. The Classic Car Era ran until 1972.

These classic cars from the 1950s along with the others in the era were not only beautifully designed but represent a piece of American history. The people who gather for Cruise Night each Tuesday share their own piece of history and all the stories that come along with it.

Littleford and the other car enthusiasts at Idaho Falls Cruise Night are passionate about their hobby of classic cars, and that passion takes them into hobbies that stretch beyond owning a class ride. Littleford for instance, owns his own business in which he buys, sells and trades classic

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cars and car parts. The group of car enthusiasts’ collective knowledge at Idaho Falls Cruise Night most likely goes unchallenged in the Idaho Falls and surrounding area.

So whether you are interested in seeing some amazing classic cars or just looking for good conversation, Idaho Falls Cruise Night is the place to be every Tuesday night in the spring and summer.

The Idaho Falls Cruise Night is an informal gathering that happens every Tuesday, April through October starting around 6:00 p.m. The location changes but the fun stays the same. If you have an old car or hotrod, bring it; if not come anyway!

In 2015, they meet the first and third Tuesday at Dairy Queen on 17th Street.

The second and fourth Tuesdays at Arby’s on West Broadway. Each third Thursday of the month they meet at Five Guys, close to Edward’s Cinemas. On those few fifth Tuesdays, they meet at Dickey’s BBQ on 17th Street in Idaho Falls.

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When it comes to community service, Bank of Idaho is All In!

by Lisa Jensen

Bank of Idaho is dedicating a ‘Year of Service Banking and community service aren’t typically two concepts that get paired together.

However, the employees at the Bank of Idaho are dedicated to ensuring that their institution is readily associated with all the ways it benefits its customers, financially and beyond.

“There’s a reason we’ve added the new tag line to our logo – ‘Committed to Community’. Our perspective on investing in community extends beyond the reach of dollars and cents”, says Jarod Phillips, Vice President and Director of Market Development from the Capital Branch headquarters in Idaho Falls. “We want to send our employees out to support local causes and programs. We feel that’s a much better way to demonstrate our commitment to the communities that are home for us, too.”

The new motto can be backed up with hard data. Phillips estimates between 60 and 70 percent of the Bank of Idaho’s annual marketing budget goes toward donations, programs, sponsorships and events.

Since opening the first Idaho Falls branch in 1985, the Bank of Idaho’s footprint has

44 | I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

grown, spreading south to Pocatello, then north to Ashton, St. Anthony and Island Park. Bank of Idaho now has 7 full-service branches throughout Southeast Idaho, and a mortgage office in Twin Falls.

“Each branch has its own programs that it has a passion for, so the charities vary from city to city, but the involvement is consistent,” Phillips says. “After all, the employees at each branch are part of those communities.

They know better than ‘corporate’ how they can best serve their neighbors.”

Number of hours in a calendar year:

8760.

Also the number of volunteer hours pledged by Bank of Idaho employees in 2015.

Demonstrating how “Committed to Community” the Bank of Idaho truly is, the institution as a whole has launched a Year of Service campaign for 2015. Instead of simply highlighting what the bank and its employees do in a year, the focus of the campaign is to pledge and track a year of volunteer employee service to their various communities.

Bank |

e’ to give back to the communities they serve.

“We thought it might be a fun thing to raise our own bar,” Phillips says. “So the Year of Service concept is to take the number of hours in a 12 month period, which is 8,760 hours, and that’s going to be our institution’s goal for all staff combined to come together and donate at least that amount of time in 2015 back to the communities we serve.”

Nearly every employee across the bank’s branch network is involved in various service clubs and organizations. Phillips reels off an impressive list of service-related projects the bank can already count toward its annual goal.

The bank embraces support of organizations where there is an ongoing need – like the local Exchange Club that promotes causes for children and veterans, or the Red Cross, with a constant need for blood donations to support local hospitals, or the many educational, artistic, and civic endeavors up and down the valley.

The Bank of Idaho also remains open to any worthy project that might come along.

“Take the No Roof Left Behind Program for example,” says Phillips.

“It’s just the type of project we love to get involved in. We may not be great at laying shingles, but we can certainly help clean up messes and keep the volunteers fed and hydrated. We’re happy to help any way we can.”

In a world that has become so impersonal that often customers aren’t much more than an account number, it’s inspiring to see a business – a bank, no less – rolling up their sleeves and showing their commitment to their community the old fashioned way: hands on.

“The Bank of Idaho truly is Committed to Community,” Phillips says earnestly. “Beyond doing business, we want to be good stewards of the communities we serve.

We want people to know that our roots are here, we’re homegrown, and we’re making an effort to positively impact the lives of the people around us.”

Beyond doing business, we want to be good stewards of the communities we serve. We want people to know that our roots are here, we’re homegrown, and we’re making an effort to positively impact the lives of the people around us.

Jarod Phillips, VP/Director of Market Development I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 45

Photo by Stacey Kelso

Photo by Stacey Kelso

Photo by Stacey Kelso

Rodeo Royalty and What it Takes to Reign

Rodeo queens do more than just look pretty on a horse.

I

by Alisa Clickenger

t’s not common knowledge, but there’s royalty among us right here in Idaho Falls.

They’re not the type of royalty that are born into a particular family or inherit a title.

These royals work hard for their titles improving themselves, their communities and the world around them. These royals are good students, articulate and well versed on current affairs. These royals are Rodeo Queens.

A rodeo queen is a representative of her region and is the “face” of rodeo. Much of her reign is focused on professionally promoting the sport of rodeo and the western lifestyle.

She travels and speaks publicly at rodeos, parades, community and charity events.

She performs television and radio interviews, always dressed in her queen regalia: a crown, a cowboy hat and a banner with her title on it.

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Queen competitions are strenuous. Requiring the support of the entire family, these young women train for years in order to become a queen. Judged upon their horsemanship skills, rodeo knowledge, public speaking ability, appearance and personality, these contestants are continually in practice. Many hire a “Queening Coach” like Idaho Falls’ very own 2007 Miss Rodeo Idaho Morgan Anselmi.

Morgan Anselmi

Anselmi holds several titles including 2004 War Bonnet Teen Queen, 2006 Jefferson Stampede Senior Queen and the national title of Miss Rodeo Idaho. Anselmi held nine titles in nine years, and is currently coaching nearly a dozen local titled and untitled girls, as well as two title holders from Utah. Anselmi has six binders of knowledge that she quizzes her future queens on, and works with them on their public speaking, current events, modeling and confidence.

“Queening gave me a big confidence boost.

I am able to go into places and talk to people without it scaring me like it used to when I was younger,” says Anselmi, who works with the girls on being concise and learning to become more grammatically correct when they speak.

“We try to get rid of the ‘ums’, ‘ands’ and ‘likes’. The young women have to give two to three minute speeches at competitions, so their memory skills are enhanced as well.”

Rodeo queening takes family support. Everyone in the family usually gets involved—brothers, sisters, parents, aunts and uncles. “I had an entire entourage when I queened,” says Anselmi. “I had my grandparents too– my grandpa was always with my horse, and my grandma and my aunt were always helping me to dress. My cousin was always my photographer.”

Meet Some Queens IsabelWinder

Salmon Stampede Queen 2014-2015 “I love rodeo and rodeo queening because it’s a family sport,” says Isabel Winder, a multi-titled queen. “It’s a lifestyle, really. It’s something that is part of my life. I love to represent what I do and meet cowboys and cowgirls and be the link between the rodeo and the people out there in the world that want to know what rodeo is about. I want to be a good representation of that.”

Currently a sophomore at West Jefferson High School and a straight A student, Winder has won nine titles since 2010. She recently won War Bonnet Roundup Teen Queen in March and then she will be competing for Miss Teen Rodeo Idaho 2015-16 in July. While she doesn’t need another title to compete at Miss Teen Rodeo, the War Bonnet is one of her most loved local rodeos.

“War Bonnet is one of my favorite local rodeos and I love that I get to represent them at the state level,” says Winder.

Hailey Kelso Photography

In order to train for the competitions, Winder spends a lot of time riding a variety of horses. Her trainer Lisa Sayer has her ride many other horses, often younger ones. Horsemanship is an important part of queening. In the Miss Teen Rodeo Idaho competition the contestants do not ride their own horses.

Rather, they draw horses and have to show their skills on horses they are not used to riding.

In addition to becoming a better horsewoman, queening has tightened Winder’s family ties. Her entire family is extremely supportive and they all make sacrifices to help make her dream a reality. Her father, little brother and mother do a lot to help her succeed. “Queening takes a lot. It’s a very challenging and rewarding sport,” says Winder. “[My mom] is there for me and I know she believes in me. I could not do it without her. She’s given me the courage from the beginning. I never would have known that I have this sort of potential without her.”

I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 47

“I love rodeo. It’s my passion and it’s in my blood,”

Hunter Rackham Jessica Calderwood Photography

Miss National High School Rodeo For Hunter Rackham, rodeo and queening are not just something she does, they define who she is. “It’s not just a way of life it’s something that’s bred in me. It’s my roots,” says Rackham. “It’s one of those unspoken loves that I have. It’s rodeo, it’s horses, it’s quality time with my family.” At nationals she competed against 42 other girls from the United States, Canada and Australia. It was a record breaking year, and the previous national queen and Rackham made history by being the only two Idahoans to win the national title back-to-back as Miss National High School Rodeo 2013-2014.

A Rigby native, Rackham grew up with a western lifestyle caring for livestock. She owns a horse, Kirby, a buckskin gelding she’s had since he was one year old.

Rackham is gifted with a beautiful singing voice and has sung the National Anthem at many rodeos, including the War Bonnet Roundup to a sold-out crowd.

Earlier in the year Rackham spent time at a newly found facility training with Kirby, who took the winter off. She also connected with Anselmi again to fine tune her interviewing skills and prepare a two minute speech for the 2015 War Bonnet Roundup. Her hard work paid off. In March 2015, Rackham was crowned War Bonnet Rodeo Queen.

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Throughout her reign as Miss National High School Rodeo, Rackham focused on promoting rodeo and the Western way of life. “I love rodeo. It’s my passion and it’s in my blood,” says Rackham. “[As a society] we’re moving away from ranching and rural lifestyles to urban and that’s kind of scary if you think about it. It’s a great but terrifying thing. I like being able to promote agriculture and the western heritage and giving back to my community by sharing our western heritage.”

“Setting goals and striving for them is the only way you can succeed and you will grow from the experiences.” is a speech that she selects, blocks and performs from a previously written performance piece.

Hailey Kelso 2014-2015 Miss Teen Rodeo Idaho You could say that rodeo queening is in Hailey Kelso’s blood, too. Her mother, Stacey Martin Kelso, was a rodeo queen in her home town of Tooele, UT, and reigned as the Tooele Bit & Spur Rodeo Queen. Kelso’s aunt, Elizabeth Martin, reigned as queen for the Strawberry Days Rodeo in Pleasant Grove, UT. Both have been very supportive of Kelso’s aspirations. They let Kelso find her own way to rodeo queening and let her decide on her own whether or not it was for her.

Kelso started competing in rodeo queen competitions when she was 11, yet she didn’t win her first competition. She took a couple of years off and found she missed competing, so started back up again in the eighth grade. In 2013 she became the War Bonnet Princess, in 2014 she won the War Bonnet Teen Queen, the title she held going in to the 2014-2015 Miss Teen Rodeo Idaho competition. Kelso says she was honored to have won the title and is proud to represent Idaho, rodeo and her western heritage.

An Idaho Falls high school junior, Kelso is on the school’s debate team. She just won the qualifying round at the National Qualification Debate and Speech Competition, and will head to Dallas, Texas in June for the 2015 National Debate and Speech Tournament. She won first for dramatic interpretation, which

Kelso says that being on the debate team helps keep her speaking fluently all year long.

Mid-winter there is not too much rodeo going on, and the debate team gives her something to focus on and improve her speaking skills in the absence of formal competitions. “Debate has been a backbone in helping me to present myself to my best abilities at rodeo queen competitions,” says Kelso.

The best part of queening, according to Kelso, is fulfilling the highly social side of her nature. “My favorite part of queening is traveling and meeting people from all walks of life. I’m highly social and it’s an honor to talk to so many people about rodeo and our western heritage. It’s really an honor to be a walking billboard for rodeo and the western way of life.”

“The best advice that I can give to others is to shoot for your goals,” says Kelso.

“I lost a few times and I was hurt, but you learn from losing experiences. I continued along the path and ended up here, with the title I had hoped to one day earn. Setting goals and striving for them is the only way you can succeed and you will grow from the experiences.”

After finishing out her reign as Miss Teen Rodeo Idaho Kelso is contemplating a break from rodeo queening. The Miss Rodeo Idaho competition intrigues her, although she wants to wait until she is 20 or 21 to enter that competition. With several beauty competitions under her belt in addition to the rodeo queen competitions, she just may switch gears and compete in the Miss Teen USA pageant to keep her “in the loop”.

With or without a title, one thing is for certain: Kelso is already a winner.

I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 49

Pampering

The Place for

The Body Lounge offers a variety of businesses to make you look your best.

By Lisa Jensen Photos by Capture the Moment

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he Body Lounge in Idaho Falls is a spa-type boutique knows how to pamper people. It successfully combines the newest trends with the best of the tried-and-true services. In fact, inside The Body Lounge is Tan America, the city’s long-established tanning salon.

“I just bought the business about a year and a half ago, but Tan America has been in Idaho Falls for about 30 years,” Andrea Jeppesen explains.

the salon offers sunless spray tanning for those who crave a healthy, natural-looking tan but who want to avoid UV rays.

You can even indulge in red light therapy at Tan America.

The beds look like typical tanning beds, but they don’t give you a tan. Instead, the special non-UV bulbs promote collagen production and healing. Red light therapy is typically used for its anti-aging benefits as well as treating acne, eczema, psoriasis, joint pain, muscle and body aches, fibromyalgia, arthritis and depression—and it’s all done without side effects.

Jeppesen and Rebecca Lanier along with their professional staff have been trained to provide personalized recommendations when it comes to products and tanning times.

“We have a very controlled environment,” Jeppesen says.

“The first time a client comes in, we do an analysis of their skin type, and usually only start people out for a few minutes at a time. We use that as a baseline to determine how long they can go the next time, and control how quickly they build up.”

Though Jeppesen remodeled the facility and changed the name to the Body Lounge, the Tan America salon still has the high-quality UVA and UVB tanning beds that the company’s stellar—or is that solar—reputation was built upon. In addition,

You’ll find all of the indoor and outdoor tanning products you could ever want at Tan America, and they carry lotions and sprays that enhance the red light therapy, too. Plus, because they’re open 7 days a week, Tan America is the perfect place to maintain some color during the winter, and it’s the safer alternative to backyard tanning in the summer.

With per-tan pricing plus monthly and yearly unlimited packages, there’s a price to fit every need at Tan America.

“The unlimited packages aren’t contracts, so there’s no charges or penalties for skipping a month or two,” Andrea Jeppesen clarifies. “You just pay one price and can come in as often as you want to.”

Hours: 7 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. weekdays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends

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208-523-8267 1536 E.17th St.

Beauty |

Jeppesen’s newest addition to the Body Lounge is also the hottest new trend across the country. GLAMbar is the first blow-out bar in Southeast Idaho, and the appointment book was already filling up even before the doors opened in April 2015.

“Blowout bars have been popular on the East and West coasts since about 2009,” Jeppesen says. “They’re a really ‘girly’ type of experience, kind of the modern version of when your grandma or mother used to go get her hair shampooed and set once a week.”

At GLAMbar, there’s no coloring or perming, just shampoos, blowouts and cuts—but it’s the experience as much as the service that has women scheduling weeks in advance. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. The salon is set up like a bar, but when you “belly up,” what you get is 40 minutes of pampering.

It all starts with a ‘menu’ of a limited selection of hairstyles, then you’re whisked off for a luxurious wash and heavenly scalp massage. Back at the bar, you’ll be offered a refreshing drink to enjoy as you have your hair professionally coiffed while listening to the patented “chick-pleasing” soundtrack playing in the background— all done without a large mirror in front of them.

“At the end, there’s this great ‘unveiling’ moment where they get to see themselves with this really great hairstyle,” says Jeppesen with a smile.

What could be better than treating yourself to an afternoon of makeup, hair and pampering? For starters, getting the whole gang together to enjoy it as a group. GLAMbar is available to rent out for events such as: bridal showers, girls night out, baby showers, sweet 16 parties, little girls parties They even have an event planner to help arrange your party, including the refreshments.

Plus, you can arrange for an “out-stylist” to come do hair and makeup for you and your wedding party.

Make your next girls-only event one-of-a-kind— schedule it at GLAMbar. Call 208-680-2720 to book your appointment.

The ‘dos are done with a blowdryer and a round brush, and only occasionally will the stylist break out a curling iron. When it’s all said and done, you have a terrific blowout that can last up to a week, and your stylist will even show you how to style and care for it to ensure that it does last. Conveniently, GLAMbar also carries the styling products you’ll need to look blowout bar-fresh every day.

Housing a makeup and brow bar as well as manicure and pedicure stations, you can go in for a full day of pampering, head to toe. Considering that blowouts go for around $40 to $50 in bigger cities, the GLAMbar price of just $29 for any length of hair is another bonus.

GLAMbar is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, or anytime by appointment. They do take walk-ins but you’ll want to book ahead to ensure you get in or get a VIP membership and get priority GLAM treatment!! Considering they offer the perfect atmosphere, plenty of extras and fabulous hair at an affordable price, GLAMbar is as close to heaven on earth as you can get.

208-680-2720 I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 51

Skin Deep Radiate Skin Care is making people look and feel amazing.

By Ainsley McWha Photos by Capture the Moment

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ucked away behind a bright white door in the center of the Body Lounge is a magical room.

It has been said that those who enter emerge looking different, younger, and feeling better.

Some have even come out crying tears of pure joy for they can’t believe the positive transformation that has taken place and in such a short time.

What’s behind this door? Radiate Skin Care, a doctor-run aesthetics practice that focuses on skin improvement and rejuvenative processes.

Founded by Dr. William Eder in 2012, and formerly know as Physicians Skin Care, the business moved to its current location in February 2015 so that the doctor could concentrate on what he does best— aesthetics—and in a more aesthetically-pleasing environment inside the Body Lounge.

The Body Lounge is a cluster of small intertwined businesses that all focus on one thing: making people feel good about themselves by making them feel beautiful.

Working with Dr. Eder at Radiate Skin Care are three employees—Briana Grabow BS, Shasta Hansen LE, and Tyrie McWilliams RN. The doctor takes care of more medically oriented skin care practices such as mole checks and removal, mole biopsies, skin cancer screening, and injections (like Botox™). The three women are trained in an additional array of beauty-enhancing practices. All three perform Syneron laser skin treatments which help with acne, skin pigmentation and tightening, hair removal, and even lessening the appearance of varicose veins. They are also Dermapen™ and Micropen™ certified which are micro needling systems that are especially helpful with treating fine lines, acne scars, stretch marks, and overall improvement of the skin’s texture and tone.

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Beauty | There is definitely something for everyone, even for men.

Radiate Skin Care offers a treatment called PRP (platelet rich plasma) Microneedling that not only gives skin a smoother overall appearance, but after repeat treatments it has also shown improvements in hair re-growth.

Radiate Skin Care offers so many procedures in a variety of different cost options that it’s easy to see why business is booming. “Everyone has the opportunity to feel beautiful here,” says Grabow. “A lot of our business is from repeat customers. They come back because they trust us.” And trust is an important quality to have, especially when dealing with beauty. Radiate Skin Care is a warm and welcoming place that greets you like a friend and you leave feeling even more beautiful than when you first came in.

Grabow, McWilliams and Hansen (pictured above) are certified Ultherapists—this is what differentiates Radiate Skin Care from other aesthetic businesses.

Ultherapy is not offered in many places and is “the closest non-invasive procedure you can get to a facelift,” Grabow says. “It is the only FDA-cleared, non-invasive procedure that lifts the skin on the neck, chin, and brow, and improves lines and wrinkles on the décolleté.”

Meaningful results can be seen in just one 60-minute session. Because it is a non-invasive procedure there is no scarring and there is no downtime, meaning you don’t have to take any recovery days.

In addition to Ultherapy, Radiate Skin Care offers many other procedures that range from: facials, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels; body waxing; Botox™ and Xeomin™—two techniques that eliminate lines and wrinkles from the forehead and around the eyes by freezing your muscles. They also offer facial fillers such as Radiesse™, Restylane™, Perlane™, Juvederm™ and Juvederm Voluma™, and Belotero™ to replace volume lost in the face from aging. Radiate Skin Care also offers skin care lines such as Image, Layfin, PCA Skin, Youngblood Cosmetics, and Latisse, an eyelash enhancer.

1536 E 17th St in Idaho Falls, 83404 HOURS Mon – Fri: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

208-705-SKIN I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 53

Clean Cars

= Contented Customers

By Lisa Jensen Photos by Capture the Moment

Snake River Rapid Wash makes quick and easy work of a down and dirty chore.

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iblings and owners of Snake River Rapid Wash, Allison De La Rosa and Mark Mikesell, are committed to a cleaner, happier world, and they’re accomplishing that goal one car at a time. Mikesell and De La Rosa have created a family business that provides a useful service and also enhances the quality of life for customers, as well.

With over 25 years of car wash experience, the siblings obviously know what they’re doing. Having established the Country Corner car wash at 3465 E. 1st Street in Idaho Falls in 1990, they recognized the need for professional car wash services a few miles north and closer to the Snake River. In the summer of 2010, De La Rosa and Mikesell were able to fill that need by opening Snake River Rapid Wash.

In keeping with their philosophy of enhancing the world around them, De La Rosa and Mikesell searched out environmentally-friendly products to ensure that washing a vehicle at their facilities would be a “green” experience.

“If you’re driving a clean car, you feel better about yourself,” explains Mikesell. “When your car shines, you shine.”

Driving a sparkling-clean vehicle is a valuable advertisement for businesses, too. Mikesell also points out that whether you own one vehicle or a whole fleet, keeping them clean portrays your business in an enhanced professional light.

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“Washing your car (at Snake River Rapid Wash) is very environmentally friendly, more so than washing it in your driveway,” Mikesell says. “Not only does the runoff water go where it’s supposed to go instead of in the gutter, down the storm drain or in your neighbor’s lawn, but we use environmentally friendly products at our car washes, too.”

That’s good to know, especially considering soaps are where most other car washes cut costs.

Car Wash | Because your vehicle is one of the largest investments you make, it’s also nice to know that when you wash it at Snake River Rapid Wash not only are you making an environmentally-conscious choice, but you’re actively maintaining the exterior of your car or truck.

“Just getting all the dirt and grime off of your vehicle helps maintain it, but we use high-quality polishes and waxes which enhance the life of your paint job,” Mikesell says.

there’s always someone to prep your car and guide you into the car wash. Any other time, however, customers can feel free to use the self-service bays at either the Pancheri or the 1st Street location. High-quality products, a range of affordably priced services and two convenient locations spell out De La Rosa and Mikesell’s commitment to their customers, and goes a long way in keeping Idaho Falls vehicles spick and span.

The excellent customer service you’ll get at Snake River Rapid Wash is the icing on the customer experience cake.

ALL THIS AND CLEAN CANINES, TOO!

“We put our customers first, and go out of our way to do a lot of things others don’t, especially in the prepping stage,” Mikesell points out. Among those extras are bug removal in the summer and scrubbing away deicing agents and gently removing “fenderbergs” in the winter.

Snake River Rapid Wash also offers high-end clear-coat protectant, Tire Shine, Carnauba wax and free vacuums all year long.

Mark Mikesell and Allison De La Rosa want to do more than keep your car clean. They want to help keep the furry members of your family fresh and sparkling, too.

In looking for ways to improve the customer service experience at Snake River Rapid Wash, De La Rosa and Mikesell have come up with different pricing options to accommodate the variety of car-washing needs any family or business might have. They service fleet accounts and single car accounts with choices in extent of service. Washing services start at $5.99, and packages start at $19.99.

They even offer an option that gives customers an unlimited number of washes in a month, per vehicle.

“We have self-serve pet wash facilities that work kind of like a self-serve car wash,” De La Rosa explains. “You have a private room with a tub, a ramp and a spray nozzle. Just lead your dog up the ramp into the tub, attach his leash to the clip on the wall and deposit your money.”

Your pooch’s dog wash experience starts with a boutique-quality oatmeal shampoo and includes conditioner for a soft, shiny coat and a rinse. There’s even a de-skunking option for curious canines who can’t resist a skunk. No dog wash is complete without a blow-dry, and even that step is included with the pet wash at Snake River Rapid Wash. It’s “BYOT,” though. De La Rosa recommends that you bring your own towel to rub down your dog before blowing him dry to speed up the process.

“With unlimited you can wash your car 10 times a day, if you want to,” Mikesell says.

Sometimes people put off washing their vehicles because of the time factor, but De La Rosa and Mikesell even have the solution for that dilemma.

With a high-speed wash and automatic billing capabilities, all you need is Snake River Rapid Wash’s radio-frequency ID sticker (RFID) in your window. No digging for change or fumbling for bills, you just pull up to the car wash, the sensor reads the RFID and you get a clean vehicle in 3 minutes or less.

Snake River Rapid Wash is open 7 days a week year round. Summer hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and winter hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. During those hours

650 Pancheri

www.snakeriverrapidwash.com

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Idaho Falls, Id

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208-522-2101 I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 55

Checking In with Check Ups Being proactive with your health is important, and easier than ever.

By IFL Staff

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aking care of our bodies is important, and hopefully you’re already keeping tabs on your health with a yearly visit to your doctor for a wellness exam. But did you know that there are other providers out there who can identify when something is amiss with your body? By staggering appointments over the course of a year, you could potentially get a few wellness exams in instead of only one which just might keep you healthier longer. Here are a few options.

DENTIST

Does your dentist take your blood pressure? Ever wonder why he or she would do that? Well, they’re keeping tabs on your overall health. When a dentist peers into your mouth, they’re actually looking for more than just cavities. Studies have shown a connection between oral and overall health. Regular dental cleanings may help lower your risk for some diseases, like heart disease and stroke. Many medical conditions, some of them life-threatening, can be detected in their early stages by your dentist during a routine oral exam. Even your breath can give away health information such as as a local infection in the respiratory tract, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbance, liver or kidney ailment.

OPTOMETRIST

If you think you have pink eye, chances are you’ll head to your local doctor’s office, but not your eye doctor. You should reconsider. Your eye doctor will be able to accurately tell you which kind of pink eye you have and they’ll be able to see if anything else is going on. Like other systems in the body, you eyes can give away secrets of your health too. An annual eye exam is important even for people with perfect vision. A routine eye exam can help detect signs of serious health conditions, like diabetes, a brain tumor and high cholesterol. According to vision insurer, VSP, “Because symptoms of health conditions often don’t appear until damage has already occurred, eye exams are a great way to keep tabs on what’s happening in your body. Your eyes are the only place in your body that provide a clear view of your blood vessels, arteries, and a cranial nerve which can tell your doctor a lot about your overall health.”

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Chiropractic / Dental |

Gentle And Affordable Health Care For You And Your Family Auto Accidents, Work Comp and Sports Injuries • Back and Neck Pain • Headaches • Whiplash • Arm and Leg Pain • Numbness & Tingling

• Sciatica • Pregnancy Table • Most Insurances Accepted including Medicare and Medicaid

Dr. Thomas Murdoch D.C. Palmer Graduate

522-4274

2060 E. 25th. St. Idaho Falls

CHIROPRACTOR

We typically think about going to the chiropractor when our back is out of alignment, but many chiropractors actually specialize in preventative health as well. When your back is out of alignment or your posture is less than perfect, it can have an affect on the rest of your system.

Chiropractors generally believe that by keeping your back in perfect alignment, the rest of your body will function at it’s optimum efficiency.

With regular visits to the chiropractor you could notice overall improved health and less pain throughout your body.

NEW Patient Special!

Exam, X-Rays, Cleaning and Fluoride Treatment only $49.00.

John C. Burtenshaw, DMD Kory D. Bingham, DDS

“We are dedicated to providing the best of dental care and latest state-of-the-art dentistry, in a ‘child-friendly’ environment that makes it more personalized and fun for your child.”

3299 E 17th St., Ammon, ID

• Medicaid and Most Insurances Accepted • Special Needs Children • Parents Welcome to Accompany Child to Treatment Area • Sedation-Hospital Dentistry Available

We invite you to arrange a dental appointment with us!

www.idahokidsdental.com

208-529-3007 I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 57

© 2013 sarit photography

Staying True to Her Roots Heather Mason may not live in Idaho anymore, but “home” is never far from her thoughts.

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By Ainsley McWha

s a teenager growing up on 5th Street, a student at Idaho Falls High School, Heather Mason dreamed of working in the film industry. When Heather ran for student body president (and won), her slogan was, “Heather and the Last Campaign,” a tribute to the popular Indiana Jones trilogy, proof of her love of movies. Heather, however, was worried how she would break into this elite field, especially coming from Idaho Falls—not necessarily the country’s film Mecca. And yet, not long after heading off for college at Utah State, Heather found herself interning at both the Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals. How did she do this? By meeting people, and then meeting more people. Heather was persistent, never taking no for an answer if it prevented her from attaining her goal. And at times, she had to bet on herself, trust that taking some risks would eventually pay off.

The risks taken were worth it. Today, Heather confidently heads two businesses. Heather worked for Fox Studios for five years, was a project manager at the Olympics and had a successful marketing career in the early dot-com industry.

The second, Fire Brand Concepts, uses the conference format to bring together girls and young women to provide them with skills needed to become successful adults, skills they wouldn’t necessarily learn from school or their parents.

Heather’s tips for success apply to everyone—no matter where they come from or what their means. First, Heather says, “Find out what you’re good at, naturally amazing at.

It might not be something that you love but that doesn’t matter—if you’re good at it, it will be easy.” And if you don’t know what you’re good at? “Watch for when people around

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Dental |

you ask: ‘How did you do that?’” Then, figure out where that skill might be applicable in a business setting. For example, Heather knows that her brain is great at creating something from nothing, which makes her the perfect event producer.

Once you have found your greatest skill, you can then figure out how to combine it with your passion. “Passion comes from the fact that we only have so long to make a difference in the world—so why not make it a positive one,” says Heather. It is also important to keep in mind that being successful requires a lot of hard work, but hard work that in the long run will pay off.

In today’s ever-changing business world, Heather believes that Idaho Fallsians have a “leg up on the competition. They possess a consciousness of land, come from a creative and supportive community, and have a fantastic work ethic,” says Heather.

Though Heather currently lives in California, she never misses a Fourth of July in Idaho Falls, often bringing an out-of-state guest to proudly show off her hometown and its festivities—the picnics, the parade, the patriotism, and of course, the largest fireworks display west of the Mississippi—all of which, for Heather, represents “the embodiment of what is fun and amazing about celebrating the inspiring country that we live in.”

• General Family and Pediatric Dentistry • Emergency Services and After-Hours • Root Canal Therapy • Extractions and Minor Surgery • Temporal Mandibular Disorder (TMD) and treatment options • Dentures and Partials • Dental Implant Placement and Restoration • Cosmetic Dentistry • Crowns and Veneers

And the one thing that Heather cannot miss when she’s back home in Idaho Falls? Smitty’s Baby Dutchman—with lemon powdered sugar and real butter.

• Tooth Whitening

Heather Mason is proof that a hard-working girl from Idaho Falls can spread her wings and soar, making a positive difference on a global scale, while never forgetting where she came from.

640 S. Woodruff Ave. Idaho Falls, ID 83401

208-523-5400

Personalized & Comfortable Dental Care Look for us this August 2015 in our new Idaho Falls Location 1820 John Adams Parkway, updating to serve you better!

www.eaglerockdentalcare.com I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 59

What’s Up Downtown?

Idaho Falls’ downtown is thriving.

By Anna Silver Photos courtesy Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corp. & Idaho Falls Arts Counci

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alk down a street in downtown Idaho Falls and you’ll pass local businesses and shops, historic architecture, crowded bars and restaurants, art galleries, theaters, and museums. Peppered throughout will be window displays, landscaping, unique benches that are also works of visual art, signs to help you find your way, and people. That last one is the key; downtowns need people to survive, but it’s become increasingly apparent that cities need downtowns in order to thrive.

All around the country, communities are working to reinvent their downtown spaces. After decades of development geared away from the city’s heart and resulting in more than a few deserted strip malls, the momentum has started to shift back toward making the city center a priority.

Idaho Falls is no different. At the heart of the movement to revitalize our historic downtown is the Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation, a nonprofit organization with a board made up of downtown business owners, ex-officio members such as Mayor Rebecca Casper and representatives from local organizations like the Chamber of Commerce and the Planning and Zoning Department.

In recent years, the Development Corporation has worked with the city of Idaho Falls on the reconfiguration of Memorial Drive in order to make it more bicycle and pedestrian friendly and also to widen the Greenbelt for events. Along downtown’s eastern border, brick medians with trees were added to the center of Yellowstone Highway. Future concepts include new wayfinding signage, a zero-depth recreational water feature and an open-air amphitheater for concerts on the Greenbelt.

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Krisi Staten, Executive Director of the IFDDC since 2014, is a lifelong Idaho Falls resident who has a background in economic development and small communities. She believes her organization’s role is to promote, enhance, and beautify downtown. A large part of that involves promoting retail to help existing business thrive.

“We have such a great mix of stores right now … it’s all small business. People who live in your community,” says Staten. “Walk the streets; you don’t have to buy anything.

Just look in the shops, it’s something fun to do.”

Special events are another big draw to the downtown area and the IFDDC has organized several recently, such as January’s successful Winterbrew in the Civitan Plaza which featured local craft beers and live music. With over 10 events planned for 2015, including many geared toward families, there should be no shortage of downtown activities for Idaho Falls residents.

In order to make it easier for residents to know what’s going on in the heart of their city, the IFDDC also publishes a weekly newsletter which includes the special events, classes, shows, and sales local businesses or organizations are having. It’s a convenient one-stop shop for anyone who wants to be in the know and take advantage of all downtown

has to offer. The newsletter can be accessed on the IFDDC’s website (www.downtownidahofalls.com) or people can contact them directly to be added to the distribution list and have it delivered via email every Wednesday.

“Downtown has a little bit of everything,” says Staten.

“You can spend a Saturday and go through art museums and art galleries. You can create a piece of pottery, you can buy handmade jewelry from local artisans. You can have a delicious meal prepared with fresh ingredients … you can catch a show at the Willard [Arts Center]. There’s so much to do. People don’t realize how much variety we have.”

Directly related to the challenge of increasing the number of visitors downtown, Staten admits that one of the biggest hurdles the IFDDC is currently facing is the idea that the area lacks sufficient parking or that it’s too large to comfortably walk around. She wants to work to correct this misconception.

“There is no real parking problem downtown. There is a perceived problem,” she explains.

While you may not be able to park directly in front of the downtown business you are visiting, there are hundreds of parking spots available. Staten says that small city blocks mean that walking from a parking space one

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The IFAC’s latest project, the ARTitorium on Broadway, just opened its doors last summer. Newton realizes that it will take time for the community to understand what it is all about, but says that the response so far has been very positive.

Art You Can Sit On

block away when you’re downtown is no further a trek than your regular walk through the parking lot of a large chain store. Also, in addition to on-street parking spaces and several free lots, the IFDDC operates three paid parking lots, and many downtown businesses offer validation.

Another key player in keeping downtown buzzing is the Idaho Falls Arts Council. This private nonprofit runs the Colonial Theater, Willard Arts Center, and the ARTitorium on Broadway. Brandi Newton, executive director for the IFAC, also sits on the board of the IFDDC and stresses that one of the keys, to successfully getting Idaho Falls residents to engage in the community is pairing with other organizations to help spread awareness of events.

So what exactly is an ARTitorium? “We don’t use the term museum, mostly because museums are quiet. And usually someone has chosen for you an experience they would like you to have. ARTitorium is 100 percent based on you,” explains Newton.

In fact, the ARTitorium on Broadway is the only arts-based interactive center in the entire country. Designed by local firm Keith T. Kennedy Architecture, the center combines art and technology. It houses a 136-seat theater and a number of interactive stations where children and families can view over 300 images of famous art, compose music, perform in front of a green screen, or create sculptures and crafts. The average stay among patrons is 2 ½ to 3 hours.

“We have the wonderful problem that everyone who comes there loves it,” says Newton. “Art does not have to be pretentious. It is casual, it is fun. There are no ‘no running’ signs, there are no ‘no yelling’ signs. We want you to come and have fun with art.”

“Part of our mission is to advocate for other arts [organizations] in our community and really for the arts in general, says Newton.” The IFAC gets phone calls ev- Field trip to the ARTitorium Modern storefronts and parking ery week regarding community events, and she believes spaces aside, downtown wouldn’t be the same without its rich its members and staff should know everything that is history. If you’re interested in architecture, the Idaho Falls happening in town. “Any organization can ask to have Historic Preservation Commission has created a self-guided something put on our calendar,” she adds. walking tour through downtown highlighting well-known historic buildings like the former Idaho Falls Federal Building on Park Avenue, and the Shane Building on Shoup Avenue.

Many of these buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and are great examples of some varied architectural styles popular in the past. Walking tour brochures can be downloaded at www.downtownidahofalls.com or found at the Visitor Information Center at 424 N. Capital Avenue.

Staten says she has noticed an increase in foot traffic in the downtown area since she was first hired as executive director. She hopes that trend continues, and that more people in Idaho Falls choose to make downtown their destination for entertainment.

“Downtown [Idaho Falls] is different than it was 10 years ago. It’s so much better now, and if people haven’t come recently, they need to see what we’ve got,” encourages Staten.

“It’s time to come back downtown.”

Here’s a sample of what you will find downtown.

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Lily’s Selected Consignments

LILY’S SELECTED CONSIGNMENT 260 A Street 208.524.8014 M 11 am to 5 pm; Tu. - Sa. 10 am to 5:30 pm

Syringa Inc.

SYRINGA INC. 365 B. Street 208.525.8029 www.syringa.com M - F 8:30 am to 5:30 pm

Lily’s Selected Consignments is the number one destination for downtown shoppers.

We’re celebrating 20 years of being in business. We have a great selection of top name women’s clothing at surprisingly low prices. Come in and meet the friendly and very helpful Lily’s Girls and let us show you we have the best prices, the best selection and the best service in town.

Suffering from hormonal imbalance? For over 20 years Syringa Inc. has been offering women a natural alternative for their hormone replacement therapy. “Resolve” wild yam cream and “Balance” wild yam roll-on provide women the building blocks their bodies need to regain hormonal balance, naturally. Dry or irritated skin? Don’t forget Syringa’s very popular Replenishing Cream.

Leymaster Jewelry

Lords Chiropractic

LEYMASTER JEWELRY 351 A Street 208.522.4423 M - Sa. 10 am to 5 pm

Founded in 1944 Leymaster Jewelry has been serving Idaho Falls and the surrounding area for over 70 years. We repair and clean watches and jewelry, provide ring sizing and carry a large selection of beautiful gems, diamonds and all your jewelry needs. We also have fine china, stoneware, silverware, money clips and cuff links.

LORDS CHIROPRACTIC 335 River Parkway 208.529.5656 LordsChiropractic.net M - F 9 am to 5 pm

Dr. Craig Lords brings over 15 years of chiropractic experience to Idaho Falls. His focus emphasizes soft tissue function and proper joint mechanics through the use of the Graston Technique, which is a specialized technique for reducing and eliminating pain and inflammation.

Eliminating pain and restoring balance are his primary goals.

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Nate Blanchard State Farm

NATE BLANCHARD STATE FARM 690 W. Broadway Street 208.524.0287 nateblanchardSF.com M - Th. 8:30 am to 5:30 pm; F 8:30 am to 5 pm; evenings by appointment

Jerry Bergeman & Sons

JERRY BERGEMAN & SONS 325 S. Eastern Ave. 208.523.7857 M - F 8 am to 6 pm

At Nate Blanchard State Farm we believe that “Being a Good Neighbor” is not just a slogan, it’s a promise.

We specialize in insurance and financial services, with a distinctive approach to retirement planning. Everyone in the agency takes pride in helping others realize they can save money with State Farm and have the highest quality insurance available. We look forward to helping you “Get to a Better State”.

Jerry Bergeman & Sons is your full service automotive center. We’ve been in business for 40 years. We work on brakes, engines, transmissions, clutches, electronic diagnostics, full lube and oil filters, as well as bodywork, painting and 24/7 towing services. We are your one stop full automotive repair center.

The Collective

Park Avenue Mercantile

THE COLLECTIVE ARTISANS AND CRAFTERS BOUTIQUE We feature the finest 396 Park Ave. handcrafted items from 208.821.5146 local artisans.

M - Sa. hours vary, please call Blankets to beaded jewelry, for specifics goat milk soap to baby gifts. We also carry art, photography, home decor and so much more.

You will be amazed at all the creativity on display. Custom orders available on many items.

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PARK AVENUE MERCANTILE 312 Park Ave. 208.529.2731 www.parkavenuemercantile.com Tu. - W 10 am to 5:30 pm; Th. - F 10 am to 7 pm; Sa. 10 am to 4 pm

Your one-stop-shop for DIY supplies, leather working and outdoor fabrics and hardware.

We carry beer and wine supplies, cheese making, plus so much more! Coming soon - world spices, candle and soap making and old-fashioned candy. Proudly selling USA made and locally produced items.

Mike’s Automotive Repair

MIKE’S AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR 555 N. Yellowstone Ave. 208.390.0055 www.mikesautorepairidahofalls.com/ M - F 7 am to 5 pm; Sat. 8 am to 6 pm; Sun. 7 am to 6 pm

Ben’s Quality Cycle

BEN’S QUALITY CYCLE 152 Park Ave. 208.525.8183 www.bensqualitycycle.com M - F 9 am to 6 pm

You’ll get top-quality automotive repair at the lowest prices in Idaho Falls when you visit Mike’s Automotive Repair.

Whether you need new brakes, a tune-up, engine repair, transmission replacement or any other maintenance or repair, we’ll do the job correctly. All work is guaranteed. Service for all makes of cars, trucks, RV’s, boats and small farm vehicles.

Ben’s Quality Cycle has been working on motorcycles, ATVs and other small engines for 30 years. We are dedicated to our customers and pride ourselves on our quick turnaround and quality of work. We can also order any accessories you may need.

Rad Detail Pros

Infinity Coins

RAD DETAIL PRO’S INC. 540 N. Utah Ave 208.528.7851 M - F 7:30 am to 5 pm With over 30 years of experience, we specialize in complete auto detailing from the inside out. So whether you need complete interior shampooing, leather treatment, or odor removal for your interior or heavy scratch removal on your paint, undercoating, engine stem, airbrushing chips and scratches, or headlight repair on your exterior, you can trust us to treat your auto, RV, boat, plane and tractor trailer with care. Licensed, insured and bonded.

INFINITY COINS 545 Shoup Ave. 208.201.5007 infinitycoins.net M - F 10 am to 6 pm; Sa. 10 am to 5 pm

Southeast Idaho’s largest dealer in coins, precious metals, paper money and much more! Infinity Coins can take care of all of your collector needs, big or small! The Infinity Coins staff has a combined experience of over 40 years in the industry and is ready to help you with all of your coin collecting and investing needs.

I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 65

Dave’s Bike Shop

Evaporated Tech

DAVE’S BIKE SHOP 341 W. Broadway Street 208.529.6886 M - F 10 am to 6 pm; Sa. 10 am to 4 pm

EVAPORATED TECH 244 W. Broadway Street 208.240.7023 www.evaporatedtech.com M - Sa. 9 am to 9 pm; Su. 10 am to 7 pm

At Dave’s Bike Shop we have bikes for all interests and all ages. We provide service and repair on all bikes. We are very passionate about the sport of cycling and we want to help everyone get on a bike and have a great experience!

We are your personal vaporizer specialists and mod mechanics and your home for quality e-juices, mods, RDAs, RBAs, tanks, and regulated devices. If you aren’t into the advanced vaping scene, don’t worry. We have starter kits and other devices and tanks, as well.

Our biggest goal is to make you happy and help you quit smoking.

Don’t be intimidated. Our customer service reps are knowledgeable, friendly and will help you get a kit that meets your needs.

Possibly Picasso

SPLASH

POSSIBLY PICASSO 351 W. Broadway Street 208.251.7674 M - 12pm-8pm; Closed Tues; W - Th 12pm to 6pm; F - 12pm to 8pm; Sa. -10am to 8pm

Painting Pottery is a creative way to celebrate a special occasion, a girls night out or a family get-together. No experience needed. We will guide you through the entire process and supply everything you need.

Here, everyone is an artist. Feel good. Paint pottery! Located on Broadway next to Chesbros, downtown Idaho Falls.

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SPLASH SELF SERVE PET SPA 333 W. Broadway Street 208.881.1021 M - F 10 am to 6 pm; Sa. 10 am to 5 pm

SPLASH Self Serve Pet Spa is the place to go if you have a dirty, smelly pet.

We have everything you need to make your pet smell and look beautiful. SPLASH is proud to sell only American made products! Located in historic downtown, next to Chesbro Music.

Paisley Camel

Healing Hands

PAISLEY CAMEL 310 Park Ave. www.thepaisleycamel.com Tu. - W 10 am to 5:30 pm; Th. - F 10 am to 7 pm; Sa. 10 am to 4 pm

The Paisley Camel is a gift shop for all occasions, offering quality items produced by local artists here in Southeast Idaho. When you are looking for that one-of-a-kind gift for that hard to buy for person in your life, chances are The Paisley Camel has just what you’ve been looking for. One of a kind handbags, purses and clothing. Wool roving and yarn made from local sheep, goats and llamas. Handmade pottery, jewelry and Native American inspired arts and crafts, as well as much more.

The Crystal Hair Lounge

THE CRYSTAL HAIR LOUNGE 419 Park Ave. 208.227.8270 M - Sa. by appointment

The Crystal Hair Lounge is the new hip hair and nail salon located in the heart of of historic downtown. Whether you are looking for cutting edge or classic style we can provide it. You’ll feel beautiful when you walk out. Walk-ins welcome or call ahead for an appointment.

HEALING HANDS 429 B Street 208.542.5446 healinghandsreikiandmassage.com Tu., Th. - Sa. 10 am to 5 pm; W 12 to 5 pm

Besides our well stocked Metaphysical Store, we offer a Spiritual Center with classes, community gatherings and tons of support. We also offer Reiki, card, psychic and aura readings, energy work, mediumship, crystal therapy, space clearing, animal communication, counseling, attachment removal, as well as intuitive massage.

Silva’s Automotive

SILVA’S AUTOMOTIVE 695 Yellowstone Hwy 208.528.0092 M - Sa. 9 am to 7 pm We do general auto repair and maintenance including brakes, tune-ups, timing belts, flushes, tire service, and heavy duty repairs like engines and transmissions. We know you love your car and want only the best for it. Bring your car troubles, big or small to us—we’ll treat it right.

I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 67

Seeing Eye to Eye

By Jennifer Anderson Photos Courtesy Affleck Eye Care

The highly skilled and experienced Dr. Affleck is one of Idaho Falls’ best kept secrets.

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ost people don’t realize it, but when they come to Affleck MD Eye Care, they’re consulting more than just an eye doctor. Aaron J. Affleck is a board certified Medical Doctor in addition to being an ophthalmologist. As an M.D. he has the experience and education to check you from head to toe, but he specializes in caring for and treating your eyes.

Anyone simply flipping through the Yellow Pages in search of an eye doctor would have no way of knowing how comprehensive Dr. Affleck’s practice is. In an effort to provide his patients with the most complete care possible and without having to refer them to several other doctors, he’s mastered treating just about any eye-related issue you might have including:

“When I was in medical school, eyes fascinated me,” Dr. Affleck recalls. “We did a dissection exercise and I was so intrigued by how tiny and intricate the eyes are. I found I had a knack for working with them.”

Dr. Affleck attended the Kresge Eye Institute, one of the United States’ leading medical centers for vision and sight and internationally renowned for its revolutionary eye research program. Attending school in the large urban sprawl of Detroit, Michigan, afforded Dr. Affleck the opportunity to deal hands-on with a diverse range of issues.

“When Dr. Affleck was at the Kresge Institute, he covered five hospitals,” explains Stephanie Affleck, Business Director for Affleck MD Eye Care. “So, when he was on call, he saw a lot of things that doctors don’t typically see on a regular basis. He got good at diagnosing issues that other doctors would miss.”

Another fact that not many people are aware of is that vision is tied to a lot of health issues. Your eyes are a window to the rest of your body and, with his background as an M.D., Dr. Affleck has the expertise to recognize issues with eyesight or the physical condition of the eyes that could indicate health problems elsewhere in the body.

Dr. Affleck began practicing in Idaho Falls in June of 2001, and in 2010 he opened his own practice. More than a general ophthalmologist, he can treat the entire family, from infants to seniors. Dr. Affleck is so friendly and personable that after just one visit most patients are so at ease they feel as if they’ve been life-long friends with him. Even kids have a special rapport with him.

“He makes a personal connection with them,” says Stephanie. “He listens to them and talks to them, not over them or about them to their parents. His pediatric patients can’t wait to see him and talk to him.”

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• • • • • • • •

general medical eye exams pediatric care, including muscle surgery dry-eye macular degeneration glaucoma diabetes-related eye conditions skin cancer around the eye LASIK and PRK

“He wants to be there for his patients every step of the way. Technology and treatment are always changing in eye care, so Dr. Affleck attends conferences and participates in wet labs,” explains Stephanie. “That gives him the training and hands-on experience with the things he gets certified for.”

Having earned his undergraduate degree in computer science, technological advances in treatment are of special interest to Dr. Affleck. He insists on providing his patients with the newest and best technology available, but only if it will benefit them. He’s not the type to talk a patient into a procedure just because it’s the new process on the block, especially if there’s an unnecessarily high price tag attached to it.

“We rent a laser for the LASIK procedures, which ensures our patients that the laser being used is always new because the company replaces them every few months,” says Stephanie. “In addition to having state-of-the-art equipment, though, if more conventional and less expensive procedures are better for the patient, Dr. Affleck will discuss that with them and allow them to make the choice.”

Eye Care |

When Affleck MD Eye Care moved to its current location at 2900 Valencia Drive in Idaho Falls, Business Director Stephanie Affleck was happy to see that there would be enough room to put in a full optical shop.

Regardless of the type of treatment, patients can count on Dr. Affleck to be there every step of the way, doing measurements, pre-procedure evaluations, the actual procedure and follow-up care.

“Typically, even with a simple procedure like LASIK, a patient ends up seeing three or four different providers throughout each step of the process, but it doesn’t have to be that way,” Stephanie reveals.

Having been with Affleck MD Eye Care from the start, Stephanie has had a front-row seat for the in-depth, personal care that is Dr. Affleck’s trademark, and she sums it up best: “Your eyes are precious, and you don’t want to lose them. Most people don’t realize how knowledgeable and experienced Dr. Affleck is, so it’s like he’s this hidden secret. But by coming to him, you’re protecting your vision and yourself.”

“Patients kept telling us they wished we would do optical because they saw better with Dr. Affleck’s exam, but then they couldn’t get the glasses to match up.”

Only patients whose ophthalmologists have an optical shop in-house know what a difference it makes. You would think that it wouldn’t be an issue to simply take the prescription your doctor gives you to any optical shop in town or even on the Internet.

However, a professional optician who works closely with your ophthalmologist knows how to take measurements and do a proper fit.

“When you’re in the examination room, the lenses the doctor has you look through are very small and focus a lot of light right where you need it to see clearly,” Stephanie explains. “You can’t really get that in the real world, though. Things like how far the lens is from your eye, the tilt of the lens and what you used to wear all work together to affect what you see.”

At Affleck MD Eye Care, you get a personalized prescription, custom measured and made for your face shape and dimensions and your specific vision prescription. The skilled and experienced opticians will work with you to select the material, design and features you want to create the perfect pair of glasses you’ll be pleased to see through and be seen in.

Don’t settle for seeing better when your vision could be great. Call Affleck MD Eye Care today to schedule an appointment for an exam and get the right glasses for you.

2900 Valencia Dr. | Idaho Falls, ID

208-523-6868 www.affleckeyecare.com I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 69

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

A Guide in Your Financial Future Douglas Murphy asks targeted questions to understand where you are today and where you want to be tomorrow.

By Lisa Jensen Photos by Capture the Moment

W

hen you consult a financial advisor, you want a loyal professional who understands your dreams and goals. Someone with the know-how to help you plan for the future, but who is savvy and skilled enough to change with you if your goals change.

That’s just the type of advisor you get when you come to Douglas Murphy, CFP®, for help navigating the challenging and sometimes confusing matter of your financial future.

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner* and advisor at Ameriprise Financial, Murphy doesn’t just take over the reins and do all the planning for clients. He collaborates with them, informing them so they can actively participate in providing for their own futures. Having worked in the financial services industry since 1986 as an independent advisor, training manager, district manager and business partner, Murphy has the background and experience to help people with a range of financial strategies including: • • • • • •

financial planning investing planning and asset allocation risk management through insurance planning tax planning retirement planning estate planning “My job is to compare my clients’ current circumstances to the financial goals they have,” Murphy explains. “I take everything into consideration such as living longer than anticipated, covering essential expenses, planning for increases in the cost of living and leaving a legacy for the family. Then I help devise a roadmap to steer them toward their goals.”

The fact that Murphy still has clients that have been with him for almost 30 years speaks to his professionalism and knowledge. Long-term relationships like that generally only

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happen when clients are comfortable with their financial advisor, and feel that they’re understood, listened to and informed. With a 2014 Ameriprise client satisfaction survey giving Murphy a 100 percent Client Satisfaction Score**, it appears that he’s been successful in his mission to inspire and positively affect his clients’ financial lives.

“The survey is not an end, but rather a tool to help make sure that we are delivering a great experience to clients in the way they desire. I want clients to help me redesign and change to improve what we do for them,” Murphy says.

Murphy is pleased with the services score but credits his staff with helping him achieve it.

“I believe they are so knowledgeable and experienced when it comes to the financial services industry,” Murphy says. “My paraplanner, Jaylene Meppen, has her Series 7 securities registration and takes care of the trading. Karen Houston is the client service coordinator. She handles the daily contact and interaction with clients, along with scheduling and other administrative work. We’ve worked together for years and have developed a rapport when

Financial Advisor |

“I help clarify the overwhelming amount of information that’s out there so [my clients] can make informed decisions.”

—Douglas Murphy

working with clients to understand their needs and help them reach their goals.”

Murphy believes his down-to-earth, friendly personality is another element that plays a part in his success as a Financial Advisor. Open and easy to talk to, clients have the feeling that he understands where they’re coming from and what their needs and concerns are. And why not? As a businessman with seven children and five grandchildren, Doug Murphy does understand them.

“I’ve experienced having four kids in college at once. My fifth grandchild was just born in March 2015. So I understand the concerns of planning for college funding, planning for the future and making provisions for my family.”

It’s important to Murphy that his clients get outstanding service through individualized attention. That’s why he takes on new clients selectively. He spends two hours or longer with potential clients in the first meeting to help determine whether he’s a good fit for them.

“Not everyone is a perfect fit, and I want to focus my resources on those people that I can impact. I want new clients to answer two core questions: whether or not I can help them, and whether or not they want my help. When I take on a client, I get to know them and their dreams. A relationship develops, one that is ongoing so that I can focus on their lives, their plans and their ability to achieve the dreams they have. Essentially, I’m looking for my next good friend.”

feeling to know that, when you feel overwhelmed with questions and apprehension, Douglas Murphy is just a phone call away, with an understanding of your situation and a strategy for getting you on the right financial track.

Ameriprise Financial cannot guarantee future financial results. **Client Satisfaction Score: The Client Satisfaction Survey score is based on response to the survey gathered within the preceding two years. Information since then may have changed. The survey rates advisors on the following criteria: overall satisfaction with the advisor, the advisor’s financial knowledge, the advisor’s ability to provide financial advice that suits the individual needs of the client, and the adequacy of the amount of contact with the advisor. An Advisor’s score is based on an average of all responses for the advisor. There is no minimum number of respondents required for an advisor to receive a score. Client experiences may vary and working with any Ameriprise financial advisor is not a guarantee of future financial results. Investors should not consider this rating a substitute for their own research and evaluation of a financial advisor’s qualifications. *Not all clients may respond to these questions. The numbers are averaged into responses to other survey questions to form the Client Satisfaction Score. *Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Investment advisory services and products are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., a registered investment adviser.

Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA and SIPC. ©2015 Ameriprise Financial, Inc., all rights reserved.

Douglas L. Murphy, CFP®, Financial Advisor 1522 Elk Creek Dr. Idaho Falls, ID 208.528.6700

When you have questions and concerns about protecting your family’s financial future, it’s reassuring to have a friend on your side who has walked the path you’re traveling. It’s a good

ameripriseadvisors.com/douglas.l.murphy I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 71

The Long Haul

By Jodi Price Photos courtesy Bree Jolley, Capture the Moment

The North Dakota oil fields may be over 600 miles away, but for Idaho Falls residents, Jake and Bree Jolley, it’s just another day at work.

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rude oil has been around for thousands of years, and it has been a key factor in the way our society and technology run today. The earliest known oil well was said to be drilled in China around 347 AD, and since then wells have continued to be drilled all over the world: Japan, Russia, the Middle East, and more recently, North Dakota, USA. For a lot of Eastern Idaho residents, working in North Dakota started out as just a job, but for most of the workers that are still there after four years, it has become their life— that’s what happened to Jake and Bree Jolley, anyway. Jake Jolley and his wife, Bree, have been working in the oil field business since 2010 and plan on working there for as long as they can. They own and operate a full-time water hauling trucking business called JJ Trucking, LLC that was established in 2012.

Jake is the main man in charge of operations. He moves the trucks, signs the contracts and keeps the work coming.

Bree, on the other hand, is in charge of all managerial work.

She is the backbone behind the financials, the licensing, HR, and any other minor details her husband may forget. Together, Jake, Bree and their employees run an exceptional company.

Besides oil and gas, a drilling operation generates large amounts of salt water and other waste that needs to be removed and disposed of properly. A large amount of water is used for the fracking and drilling procedures as well. This is what water hauling trucks are used for.

If there is one thing for sure, it’s that driving trucks in the oil field isn’t for everybody. It’s all about long hours, erratic weather, truck stop food and dirt by the pound. “I can relate to our guys that drive,” Jake says. “I drove for four years, so we try to make it as comfortable as possible.” Bree claims the hardest part about living in Idaho and working in North Dakota is not being able to actually be there all the time. They both like to check in with all of their employees and make sure everyone is doing ok and that the trucks are running smoothly. Living so far away can be trying in those areas.

It hasn’t always been oil and mud for the Jolleys. Jake, 30, grew up in Idaho Falls doing construction and Bree, 26, was studying at ISU and busy raising their two kids. Neither one of them ever dreamed they’d one day own a trucking business in North Dakota. “When I was younger I swore I would never own a semi,” says Bree. “I saw a movie where a semi ran some cars off the road and it freaked me out and I never thought I’d own one, but now I’ve got a whole bunch of them.”

With the trucking business, the Jolley’s were able to finally get a leg up in life and eventually feel a little more stable about the future of their family and kids. “We can make a house payment now when before even that was a struggle,” Jake says. They are able to afford reliable vehicles for the both of them, pay down some student loans and start a savings account for their three daughters. “It wasn’t easy.

We weren’t poor, but still far from an extravagant lifestyle,” Bree states.

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Financial Advisor |

Sure the Jolley’s are glad to be in control of their life financially, but they also are glad to be helping others in Eastern Idaho feel the same way. What a lot of people may not know is that the oil fields in North Dakota are helping stimulate the economy right here in our very own backyard.

The North Dakota oil fields have been supplying a large amount of Eastern Idaho residents with jobs and a lot of these employees are just that— employees in North Dakota but living in Eastern Idaho. These commuters travel far for a few days, weeks or months at a time while still maintaining a permanent residence in Idaho Falls and surrounding areas, so a very large portion of their paychecks are spent here. “We use local car rental dealers to rent cars for our drivers’ commutes,” Jake explains. “We know our employees buy houses here, cars. They buy more food for their families, clothing and now they can get insurance when they couldn’t before,” Bree adds. “We try to hire guys that have families and that actually need the job, they end up showing more desire and it helps everyone in the long run.”

As long as the oil keeps flowing in North Dakota, the Jolleys will be there for the long haul.

It may have taken them a few years to finally get their company going, but it just goes to show you the kind of hard work and determination the Jolley’s have. “People see us and probably think anybody can do it,” says Bree, “but I’m here to tell you it’s definitely not easy.”

Teton Financial, Inc. is a better alternative to high interest title loans.

We offer secured loans with affordable monthly payments. Our second chance rates are the best around.

We can help rebuild and re-establish your good credit.

Call us to start an application today!

1970 E. 17th St., Ste. 102 Idaho Falls, ID 208-525-9200

www.tetonidahofalls.com I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 73

Prepare to Be Floored Caring for customers, carpets, and all types of flooring is what Carpet One does best.

F

By Jodi Price Photos by Capture the Moment

or the past 32 years Steve and Judy Westergard have owned and operated one of the highest rated and most respected flooring companies in Eastern Idaho: Carpet One. With over 1,000 stores, Carpet One has tremendous buying power and can pass huge savings on to their customers. From picking out colors to professional installation, Steve, Judy and their staff take every step to make sure along the way their customers get the best product, excellent service and walk away smiling.

With nearly half of Steve and Judy’s family employed as staff, they strive to make sure that not only their employees are taken care of, but that customers feel like they are part of the family as well. Steve took some time to speak with us about the importance of proper floor care and what clients can expect from their experience at Carpet One. Here’s what he had to say:

IFL: What makes Carpet One so unique in comparison with other flooring stores?

Steve Westergard (SW): With Carpet One being the largest flooring co-op in the nation we have the best pricing, the best warranties, the best service, the best knowledge and we have the best installers. You can buy an expensive carpet but if it’s not installed right it won’t hold up as well and won’t wear as well, so you need our expert installation as well as our life time installation guarantee.

IFL: How does your staff help improve the customer experience?

SW: First off, we greet our customers within five minutes of walking into our store. We’ll ask quite a few questions about them and their home to get a feel for their needs.

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Our staff are all experts in their field and some of them have been with us for 20 years so they are very knowledgeable about the products. Everyone is very friendly.

IFL: Aside from service, what products does your store carry?

SW: We have a full line of flooring products: carpet, vinyl, hardwood, laminate, ceramic tile and luxury vinyl tile.

IFL: What incentives or special treatments do your customers get that someone wouldn’t normally get by going to a box store for flooring?

SW: We definitely cater to our customers to make them feel special. It’s not a one-time deal when you buy from us.

We reward with referrals; we keep our customers informed of sales; flooring maintenance; we send out warranties for

Flooring |

our customers as well as care packages on how to take care of your carpet. We also send out thank you notes to show our appreciation for trusting us with their flooring.

IFL:

What are some tips on taking care of your floors?

SW: With carpeting you need to vacuum at least once a week, and in your high traffic areas you need to go over it five or six times. Most people only go over their carpets two or three times when they vacuum, but in high traffic areas going over it more is very important because it keeps the dirt and residue out of the fibers. When too much dirt gets in to the fibers it starts to cut, causing traffic patterns. We also have great cleaning products in our store for all our flooring, including the wood floors, vinyl, tile and more.

IFL: What would you like your customers to leave the store knowing or feeling?

SW: That they have gained a friend and received the best flooring product for their needs. We do take care of our customers after the sale and we want everyone to be happy. We have what we call “The Beautiful Guarantee”; if you don’t love your flooring we’ll replace it free. This is why we have won the Post Register’s “Best Flooring Store” award every year.

IFL: How often should someone update their carpet or flooring?

SW: Around here, flooring is the most abused thing in your house and people don’t take care of it like they should. Most people change the oil in their car every 3,000 miles but for some reason they think carpeting is supposed to last a lifetime; and if you don’t take care of it, it’s not going to last. As I mentioned, vacuuming is the most important part of maintaining your carpet, and I would suggest having it professionally steame cleaned every 12 to 18 months. Don’t use grocery store products, because the chemicals will ruin your carpet. Another suggestion is using an adjustable beater bar vacuum. If you come into our store, just ask an expert and you can get a lot of tips and suggestions.

IFL: What is the overall atmosphere of Carpet One? SW: When people walk into our store it’s very neat, tidy and up-to-date, making them feel more at home. A lot of stores can be cluttered with samples here and there, and I know we tend to be more orderly and have a wider selection than most of our competitors. Also, even though we are a co-op, we are locally owned so all of the money stays within our community.

405 W. 17th St. | Idaho Falls, ID

208•529•1951 www.CarpetOneIdahoFalls.com

I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 75

The Empire Saloon in Custer

Ghost Towns and Gold Mines Idaho’s history is rich in minerals and miners.

by Alisa Clickenger

T

he Idaho Territory was created on March 4, 1863.

Gold had been discovered on Orofino Creek near Pierce, Idaho, and 15,000 to 20,000 gold prospectors flooded the area, spreading out through what would soon become the Montana Territory and Southeast Idaho. The Gold Rush was on in Idaho, and on July 3, 1890, Idaho became a state.

Prospectors pushed deeper and deeper in search of new gold fields, settling the state and cultivating the wilds. The completion of the cross-country railroad had a profound effect on the rapid settlement of the Territory, bringing even more prospectors, businessmen and settlers. By the time Idaho became the 43rd state, the economy, which had been primarily supported by metal mining, shifted towards agriculture, forest products and tourism.

Of all the Pacific Northwest states, Idaho was one of the hardest hit during the Great Depression. Idaho’s major crop prices plummeted, the metals weren’t as abundant, and many relocated during this time. Many towns, empty or nearly empty after the Gold Rush, emptied, creating ghost towns that survive to this day. Some, like Chesterfield, ID, are being dutifully restored. Others, like the Yankee Fork Gold Dredge, are now tourist attractions. These remnants of our colorful past are open to the public and can be seen within a short distance from Idaho Falls.

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Chesterfield, ID (1881) Located between Lava Hot Springs and Soda Springs, Idaho, nestled in the foothills of the Portneuf Valley, Chesterfield has a unique history. Unlike other, more typical Mormon settlements, the community was founded spontaneously in 1881 by its first settlers Chester Call and his niece’s husband, Christian Nelson, rather than settlers sent by LDS Church authorities.

Originally Call and Nelson built their homes down in the Portneuf River Valley. In 1883, LDS Church authorities visited the area to establish a branch and while there, the visiting leaders asked their members to organize into a central village away from the Portneuf River flood plain. The current Chesterfield town site was chosen up along the foothills. After a railroad line was built through Bancroft, Chesterfield lost some of its momentum and agricultural difficulties led to its desertion by the end of the 1930s.

Chesterfield is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district and is also on the Mormon Historic Sites Foundation’s Mormon Historic Sites Registry. The Chesterfield historic town site has been run by the Chesterfield Foundation since 1980. The LDS Meetinghouse, built between 1887 and 1892, is the most prominent and best preserved building in Chesterfield.

Currently most of the historic homes are restored to their original state, including most of the main town buildings. There is a museum, an RV Park, and the Amusement Hall and Pavilion are available for rent. Chesterfield also has 15 handcarts for rent. Chesterfield is open for tours Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. till 6 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day. www.historicchesterfield.org | 208-648-7177

The Custer Museum

Yankee Fork Gold Dredge

Bonanza and Custer (1877) Custer and Bonanza are two ghost towns located in central Idaho above the town of Sunbeam. The General Custer Mine was discovered in 1876 by James Baxter, E. K. Dodge and Morton McKeim, and the area flooded with miners. The three founding members, however, quickly realized that they didn’t have the resources to develop the mine and they sold out to an English company.

With prospectors camped out all over the area, Bonanza City was founded in 1877 by Charles Franklin. Located eight miles up the Yankee Fork of the Salmon River, the town became known simply as Bonanza, which is Spanish for “prosperity”. The first structures were crude log buildings that were gradually improved over time.

When the first saloon was built the miners celebrated and soon sawmills were constructed, more miners poured into the area, and plans were made to build a toll road between Challis and Bonanza in 1879. Though Bonanza never had a mine or a mill, it quickly became the hub of the area. By 1881 it hosted around 600 people and numerous businesses including Custer County’s first newspaper, The Yankee Fork Herald.

Custer City sprung up about two miles upstream from Bonanza. In 1889 a fire raged through Bonanza causing some of its merchants to move to Custer. A second fire destroyed an entire block of Bonanza eight years later, and most of the remaining merchants moved to Custer instead of rebuilding in Bonanza. By the turn of the century, Bonanza’s only remaining businesses were a boarding house, a saloon, a slaughterhouse, a few stables and several cabins.

Today, Bonanza has about seven structures left, all in various states of decay. A Forest Service Guard Station, built by the Work Progress Administration in the 1930’s, is located on a hill above the old town site, and is responsible for the care and maintenance of all the recreation facilities in the area. In 1981, Custer was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district.

The U.S. Forest Service purchased the area around Custer with the help of the Friends of Custer Society, and it is now being restored into a historic site. Several buildings have already been renovated and there are plans for more. The old school house hosts a museum and is the starting point of a self-guided walking tour that highlights existing buildings and important sites. parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/land-yankee-fork Land of Yankee Fork State Park Junction of US 93 and SH 75 Challis, ID 83226 | 208-879-5244

Yankee Fork Gold Dredge (1940) Located 22 miles from Salmon on the Yankee Fork tributary of the Salmon River, the Yankee Fork Gold Dredge is one of the best preserved dredges in the lower 48 states. The dredge is 112 feet long, 54 feet wide, 64 feet high, and has a draft of 8 feet. It weighs 988 tons—it has 71 eight cubic foot buckets and each one weighs a little over a ton. The Yankee Fork Gold Dredge was donated to the U.S. Forest Service by J.R. Simplot in 1966, and in 1980 the Yankee Fork Gold Dredge Association began providing guided tours to the public.

The dredge ran from 1940 to 1952, stopping once from late 1942 until early 1946 for WWII and then again in 1947 when Snake River Mining Co (subsidiary of Silas Mason) decided they were not making enough money and put it up for sale. J.R. Simplot and Fred Baumhoff, his partner in mining, bought the dredge in 1949. They paid $75,000 and started it up again in April of 1950.

They ran out of original claim two years later and leased a small section of land from the Morrisons. When they completed dredging that section they shut the dredge off and simply walked away. Morrison asked them to remove the dredge or pay rent as the dredge was left on Morrison’s claim, so Simplot’s men started it up and dug themselves to the current position where it has been ever since.

The Yankee Fork Gold Dredge is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. yankeeforkdredge.com

| 208-838-2529 I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 77

Guns, Gold Panning Steel Gun and Pawn is the best place in town for getting equipped for the great outdoors

By Alisa Clickenger Photos by Capture the Moment

E

veryone wants to strike it rich, but defining “rich” varies by the person. For some, like recreational prospector Phillip Iverson, it’s finding a nugget of gold in the rugged Idaho outdoors. “While this isn’t the gold rush of the 19th century, Idaho still has a good amount of money hiding in her rivers,” says Iverson. And when he does go out prospecting, Steel Gun and Pawn isn’t far from his mind. Iverson knows that Steel’s is the place to go for all of his mining equipment needs.

They’ll even buy the gold he finds—assuming he wants to sell it.

For others, striking it rich means bagging a trophy elk, deer, or moose. Hunting is a way of life for many Idahoans and when they need a gun, ammunition or other firearm accessory, they know the experts at Steel Gun and Pawn will be able to help.

Getting the right equipment to enjoy the great outdoors is essential and Idaho Falls’ Steel Gun and Pawn’s staff knows it.

Conveniently located across from the Wal-Mart shopping center, Steel Gun and Pawn buys, sells and trades both long arm guns and pistols, and is acknowledged all over town for their excellent selection of used guns.

The inventory at Steel Gun and Pawn is always changing so it makes sense to go there and browse often. The shop has an extensive collection of new firearms as well as the pawn items, and they can order anything your inner outdoorsman desires. They offer gift certificates as well as place special orders for customers.

Many folks like to hunt and then try their hand at panning, so Steel Gun and Pawn carries a selection of gold mining equipment too. They stock pans, sieves, sluice boxes and collection bottles. There’s a good selection of gold mining books and reloading manuals on the shelves and they also sell metal detectors.

Personal protection is an important theme here in the West, and Steel Gun and Pawn has a lot of customers that come in

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Gun & Pawn |

and Getting Outdoors shopping for their wives.

Caroline Phillips, who works at the shop almost every day, has been in the industry for over 16 years and really knows her stuff. Women love shopping with her. “A lot of the gals that come in here hunt and shoot,” says Phillips. “There are definitely more women buying guns than there used to be, and definitely more women carrying guns than there ever has been.” Phillips is easy to talk to, has great stories to tell, and is one of the most knowledgeable firearms people in all of Southeast Idaho.

The entire staff at Steel Gun and Pawn enjoys matching customers with a firearm that they feel comfortable with and confident operating.

All staff are firearms experts and can help you with proper selection, taking the time needed to make sure the right fit is made. “We all have experience shooting and can give good firsthand advice,” says Phillips, adding, “Everybody in here is nice and friendly. People enjoy coming in because it’s relaxing and they can ask questions without being made to feel stupid.”

If you need cash, customers can bring in any type of gun that is in working condition and pawn it. The way it works is simple: pawn customers receive half of what the gun will sell for. Pawn is a good form of fast cash and as long as the customer keeps making their monthly interest payment on the item, there’s no expiration date on the term of the pawn loan.

Whether your passion is hunting, trap shooting, long distance target practice, personal protection or gold panning, Steel Gun and Pawn makes it easy to get the right equipment for the great outdoors with expert advice you can’t get anywhere else. “That’s one thing we do in here, we’re honest with people. It may not always be what they want to hear, but we’re always honest,” says Phillips.

STEEL GUN AND PAWN 519 S. Utah Avenue Idaho Falls, ID

208-542-6223 www.steelgunsandpawn.com

HUNTER EDUCATION In order to buy a hunting license, all hunters must show proof that they have completed a hunter education course if they were born on or after January 1, 1975, unless they have held a hunting license from Idaho or another state. Not just for hunters and youth, these programs are for anyone who enjoys the outdoors and has an interest in conservation. Classroom courses and all Field Days are taught by certified volunteer instructors and are offered at locations statewide. The cost is $8.00 per class.

Hours: Monday 9-5, Tuesday-Friday 10-6, Saturday 9-5 I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 79

Transformations Apple Athletic Club is redefining what a gym is while helping clients define their bodies, too.

By Jodi Price Photos by Capture the Moment

Youth Activity Center

T

he Apple Athletic Club has been known for not just reshaping people’s bodies and improving their health, but their overall lives as well. In fact Apple stands for: Always the Place Peoples’ Lives are Enhanced. With a 60,000 square ft. building stuffed with the most advanced equipment and programs, a friendly atmosphere and highly trained staff, the Apple is anything but your regular gym; it’s a club and resort all in one.

Steve Vucovich, managing partner at Apple has spent the last year overseeing the improvements to the gym. “The remodel is meant to take Apple Athletic Cub to a resort type flair,” says Vucovich. “We have made a concerted effort to upgrade the club’s atmosphere to the point that our members will have the ultimate exercise experience.”

Some of Apple’s renovations include upscale locker rooms with mosaic tile showers, granite counter tops, mood lighting in the steam rooms and saunas as well as other spa-like amenities. With over 80 percent of the their building touched by the remodel, one step into the Apple erases the stereotypical grimy gym experience into something you’ve got to see to believe.

Although much of the remodel has centered around visual aesthetics, form follows function. Apple extended the facility to allow enlargement of their party and preschool room. The Youth Activity Center has been completely revamped to include scaled-down weight equipment and an adult style jungle gym so that kids ages 8 - 15 can receive a grown up exercise experience.

“Apple’s outdoor area includes as many improvements as the inside during this remodel,” Vucovich says. They have enlarged the pool to regulation lap length, installed a kiddie wading area as well as a unique adult only “in-water” sunbathing ledge. Plus a Splash Pad, complete with splash pad toys and a huge water dump! Need a little outdoor ambiance? How about a “fire rock” fireplace for Mom and Dad date nights?

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Health Club & Gyms |

Group exercise studio 1 The widely known Apple’s women’s center has also received a beautiful facelift of its own. There is new flooring, new paint, larger TVs and even a waterfall feature that has been put into the wall. “We’re feminizing it,” Vucovich states. It really ties in with the latest “spa-like” impression.

Womens Only Workout Room

Vucovich wants the decision of working out to be as easy as possible. He believes having a membership at Apple will make that choice even easier. “When people pull in the driveway of Apple Athletic, we want them to say, ‘phew, I’m finally here’, instead of ‘ugh, I’m here’,” says Vucovich.

Just like anybody else, Vucovich also works out to stay healthy so he understands the struggles and wants everyone to realize he’s in it with them. “We try to teach our staff that they are a consumer anytime they are not working here. We want them to think about how they’d like to be treated if they’re the customer,” explains Vucovich. And it seems to be working. “The Apple wouldn’t be what it is today without our staff.” The Apple’s dedication to being more service-oriented plays a major role in making the Apple a real health club and not just a regular gym.

With over 500 classes to choose from, personal training options, regular fitness equipment, two indoor pools, one outdoor pool, tanning, massages, sports leagues, a youth center and a nursery for your kids, there really is something for everyone here—and that’s not even naming everything the Apple has to offer. APPLE: Always the Place People’s Lives are Enhanced.

2030 Jennie Lee Dr. Idaho Falls, ID

208.529-8600 I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 81

Hope is Stronger than Fear The mentally ill have a new place to seek treatment.

By Ainsley McWha

I

f you break your leg, you know it. You can feel where the pain is coming from, you go to the hospital. Your friends know it, too. They ask for the story (it might be a funny one), they see you walk with crutches, they sign your cast. But what if you or someone you know is dealing with a less visible medical issue? How can you tell? How do you help? And what if that issue is a mental illness? Mental illness is often invisible and often undiscussed.

Luckily for Southeastern Idahoans, we have a center that provides answers to these questions. The first of its kind in the state, the Behavioral Health Crisis Center opened its doors in December 2014 and provides a safe and comfortable place to get help for a mental illness or addiction.

I visited the center on a Thursday morning in January.

Outside it was wintery, but inside it was warm with large windows letting the sunlight come in and shine across the floors. A smiling staff member greeted me. The central waiting room is cozy, with several large, padded chairs and some tables, giving it a living-room-like quality. There are smaller rooms—offices, bedrooms with enough space for 20 beds, and pristine bathroom/shower facilities.

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Capture the Moment

Capture the Moment

Most of the center’s clients are “self-presented,” meaning they come in on their own as opposed to having been brought in by law enforcement or another healthcare professional—a common practice when a patient doesn’t know where else to turn. Now people who have previously been suffering at home have a place to come, and they don’t have to break the law to get here. Crisis Coordinator Brenda Price hopes that anyone can let go of any fear they might have and seek help.

For those hoping to receive the center’s services, they would have to undergo an initial consultation to check vital signs and ensure that they didn’t need a higher level of medical care. Next, they would meet with a peer support specialist, a case manager, or a recovery coach—all part of the center’s team—depending on their concerns, to determine what the next steps would be to get started on a pathway to recovery.

“Some people are ready to take big steps, others are thinking about what they should do,” says Price, describing how patients initiate their treatment plan. “Some people need medication, others need to speak with a counselor. Sometimes it’s making different life choices.”

Regardless, BHCC will provide anyone with the necessary community-based resources, from counseling services to religious or spiritual groups to other support groups.

Price explains that they treat each person who comes to the center “holistically,” which means looking at the individual as a whole as opposed to separating the person’s health care concerns. This is one way in which the treatment of mental illness and addiction has changed over the years. “The healthcare field in general has started to recognize that all things interplay and the more you look at individuals holistically, the better outcome you’re going to get,” explains Price. When you look at everything that’s going on in someone’s life, sometimes, Price says, the solution can be as “simple as getting more sleep.”

Capture the Moment

Concerned friends and family can reach out to the center, too. “Our services are free and we are always more than happy to talk about options and connect people with possible resources,” says Price. Though the services are meant for those over the age of 18, the center will turn anyone under 18 in the right direction.

The center also makes things easy by being open 24 hours a day.

No matter who you are, Price says, “BHCC is here to encourage you and give you hope, and help you find the choices that are going to help you meet your goals.” It isn’t a secret that mental illness is often accompanied by a social stigma, but with more education and more open and honest discussions about mental illness, Price hopes that stigma can be erased.

Hope.

An important part of any recovery process.

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D elivering Exceptional

Care

Monarch Healthcare is dedicated to building relationships and providing cutting-edge care.

By Lisa Jensen Photos by Capture the Moment

E

ver since opening the doors in 2004, Monarch Healthcare has continually grown, both as an Idaho Falls-based practice and to stretch its wings to open clinics throughout the region. Currently, Monarch Healthcare provides services from a wide range of healthcare professionals who are able to meet any need a female patient might have. Dr. Margaret Huggins is the founding physician at Monarch with an impressive track record and a genuine love of what she does.

“I’ve delivered over 10,000 babies,” Dr. Huggins says with well-earned pride. “Every experience is unique and so special and it’s a privilege to be a part of changing a woman’s life forever. As we’ve expanded, we understand it’s the relationships with our patients that allow us to do what we love to do—10,000 times!”

For as proud as she is of her patients, Dr. Huggins is just as pleased with the practice she’s built alongside her administrative staff and fellow healthcare providers.

“We have a warm office environment and are accessible in Idaho Falls, Rigby and Victor. We’re just so grateful to be a part of this community.”

Dr. Margaret Huggins

In 2013, Dr. Chris Allphin joined the practice offering his OB/GYB services, but also helping women navigate various health concerns.

“The diversity and individualized care I provide our patients is what I’m passionate about,” says Dr. Allphin. “Women come into the office to discuss a lump or the frustrations of increasingly frequent urination. I enjoy being that listening ear for those personal concerns, but I’m also dedicated to offering treatment options and diagnoses so there’s a sense of comfort when patients leave our office.”

It’s great comfort for women to have a doctor who is committed to listening as well as finding solutions for their problems. However, Dr. Allphin claims it’s the providers who benefit from the relationship.

“I’m honored—we’re all honored—to be able to serve our patients in that unique way.”

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Health Women |

In October 2014, a husband and wife OB/GYN team joined the medical staff at Monarch Healthcare. Dr. Pamela Denson’s area of expertise ranges from adolescents to family planning and obstetrics and includes menopause management and related issues. However, she welcomes taking on challenges.

“I like treating infertility patients and high-risk pregnancies, too,” Dr. Pamela Denson says. “Idaho Falls doesn’t have a perinatologist, so there’s the opportunity here to step in and help with difficult pregnancies.”

Building and continuing the doctor/patient relationship throughout the pregnancy is the aspect Dr. Pamela Denson appreciates the most.

“I enjoy doing primary care, pregnancy and continuing to care for patients afterward. I also like being able to be in the O.R., if necessary. Here, we get to do all of it and see patients through many, many years.

That continuity, to have that relationship is important to patients, too.”

Dr. William N. Denson surgery, providing the dexterity we naturally have in our hands.

The visualization is improved, too. It’s more of a 3-D view, so it allows for better depth perception and a safer surgery.”

It’s reassuring to know that Idaho Falls has these accomplished providers with the expertise and focus to address various issues of women’s health throughout the stages of life. For the providers and staff at Monarch Healthcare, it’s all in a day’s work, and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

The opportunity to build relationships with patients is the smaller-town aspect both Densons appreciate about Idaho Falls. Dr. William N. Denson sees it as the ideal place to build a practice he’s always envisioned.

“I originally came into the field to work with people who are generally happy, sharing good news most of the time and being there for those Dr. Pamela Denson celebrations of family,” says Dr. William Denson. “I feel like the patients here are pretty special.

Everyone here is so appreciative and nice. They make the job pretty great.”

208.535.0440 Margaret Huggins, MD

Nicole Long, FNP-C

Even though Dr. William Denson actively works with obstetrics patients, he saw an opportunity just after his residency to provide a specialized service.

Chris Allphin, MD

Serena Adams, PA-C

“I did a year of fellowship training with robotic and pelvic surgery,” he explains. “It’s minimally invasive. Incisions are much smaller, and recovery time is dramatically reduced.

There’s less pain afterward and patients feel better faster.”

Nick Denson, MD

Lauren Sherick, PA-C

Pam Denson, MD

Scott Ulrich, PA-C

If you’re nervous about your doctor programming a machine to perform an operation on you, there’s no reason to worry.

“There are some misconceptions about it,” Dr. William Denson acknowledges, “but the robot doesn’t actually do the surgery. Like a scalpel or other tool, the doctor still controls it.

It offers better range of motion than traditional laparoscopic

2990 Cortez Idaho Falls, ID 83404 338 Mountainside Blvd. #4 Victor, ID 83455 426 Farnsworth Way #3 Rigby, ID 83442

monarch-healthcare.net facebook.com/monarchhealth I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 85

In the Company of Women Idaho Falls is lucky to have these fem phenoms bettering our society.

N

ora Ephron advised women to be the heroines of their own lives. In Idaho Falls, we’re fortunate to rub elbows with just such superwomen every day. They love unconditionally, live authentically and give tirelessly. They’re the ones who provide inspiration simply by living their best lives and being themselves.

Linda Neely What she does: Plays violin with the Idaho Falls Symphony

Lived in Idaho Falls: Since 1985, started with the Symphony in 1986.

How she maintains balance in her life: “I rest and give myself breaks.

I make sure to observe the Sabbath and visit with people.”

What she does to relax: “Read. I especially enjoy historical fiction. I walk, too.

The Greenbelt and our local parks are so nice. Another therapy for me is cleaning and organizing cupboards and closets.”

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By Lisa Jensen Photos by Capture the Moment

I’m happiest when: “So many things make me happy. I especially love reading stories with my grandchildren, but I also enjoy traveling with my husband, visiting family and giving church and community service.”

Her key to happiness: “My faith and family and dear friends.”

What inspires her: “Many things! One is beautiful music. It is inspiring to me to see how many people from diverse backgrounds work together to play these great works. I appreciate all the efforts of our Director, staff, board, donors, and audience members who collaborate to make it all happen.”

Jackie Flowers What she does: General Manager for Idaho Falls Power

I’m happiest when: “When I’m in a service mode, benefitting others. I enjoy working on projects that have a meaningful, long-term impact on the community, whether it’s in my professional career or through personal involvement.”

Community involvement: Former president of the Idaho Falls Rotary Club. Past president of the Partnership for Science and Technology. Served as the Chamber Chair for Science and Technology Committee. Currently holds a state appointment from the governor as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Idaho Strategic Energy Alliance.

Best advice: “I’m a firm believer in pursuing what makes you happy. If you’re in a situation where things aren’t working out, take heart and make changes. You only get one shot in life, so don’t lose time to do something that isn’t fulfilling or that’s causing you stress. Choose to live happy.

Find ways to give back, too. That will benefit you as much as others. There are a lot of ways anyone can make a difference. We are all better because everyone has different strengths, so it’s fun to see people have such a positive impact when they give back.”

What she does to relax: “I like outdoors activities. Any season; kayaking, skiing, mountain biking. I like running the Grand Teton Relay, too, so it helps me to unwind when I find the time (make the time) to train.”

What inspires her: “The people I’m surrounded by. Being able to work side-by-side with folks that have such a huge impact on the community, the country and the world, both in my professional and personal life. They inspire me to be better and work more and reach and rise up. They challenge me to be part of the solution.”

Her keys to happiness: “Having a career that challenges me and a family that is as close-knit as we are. Being involved with the community. When I took this job, I moved here from Wyoming, but I came up to speed quickly on local issues. Choosing to live here is one thing and choosing to embrace it as your town is another. We love living here, so we enjoy getting involved.”

How she maintains balance in her life: “At my house, my husband jokes that I work hard, and he plays hard (laughs). My family is my counterweight. We’re very active anyway, so it helps to be able to get out and force the disconnect. Plus, I’ve still got kids at home for a couple of more years, so it helps balance me to make sure I have time for them.”

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Erin Stone What she does: Research and Development Scientist for Melaleuca

What makes her unique: Serves on the state board for Idaho Gymnastics. Used to be a gymnast in her teens, then moved on to coaching. Actively judges women’s gymnastics at the collegiate and Junior Olympic levels.

How she maintains balance in her life: “I love my work, but once I leave the office, I leave the work there and hit the golf course, or do other outdoor activities. I love that the company I work for affords me the flexibility to get out and do the things I love to do.”

She’s happiest when: “I’m happiest on the golf course, but it also makes me happy when my family is happy and productive.”

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What inspires her: “Creating new products that benefit our customers. I have a passion for that, and it inspires me to be able to be very creative in my job.”

Her keys to happiness: “To do my best in whatever I’m doing. Give it my best effort.”

Words of wisdom to live by: “Respect yourself. Know when to walk away from something that doesn’t serve you, help you grow or make you happy.”

What she does to relax: “I love to golf. My husband is a golfer, so we golf together a lot. I also enjoy skiing and fly fishing on the South Fork. I enjoy spending time with our basset hounds, too.”

Brenda Anderegg What she does: Recently graduated from ISU with a degree in Health Information Management. Also has a Bachelor’s degree in English.

What makes her special: Volunteers with the Hospice of Eastern Idaho, the only non-profit hospice in Idaho Falls, participating in patient care and fundraisers such as Purses with a Purpose and the Shank ‘n Shindig Goofy Golf Tournament. Also a member of the Civitans of Idaho Falls where she enjoys supporting and being involved with Alive After 5 and Pub Golf.

Her keys to happiness: “Spending time with family and friends, but I’m also an introvert, so I do need my alone time, too.”

What she does to relax: ”I’m a voracious reader.

Stephen King is my favorite. I’ll read just about anything, but I’m not a huge sci-fi fan.”

Describe yourself: “(laughing) Overeducated and underemployed!”

What inspires her: “Good people, a sense of humor, intelligence.”

I’m happiest when: “I’m busy.”

How she maintains balance in her life: “I’m not real good at it, honestly. I seem to go through days when there’s nothing going on, and then there’s days that I have too much going on. My scheduling capabilities aren’t that great. I am a procrastinator, so giving myself deadlines is what keeps me on track.”

Best advice: “Never give up. If somebody says you can’t do something, prove them wrong. If you set your mind to it, you can do anything you want to.”

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Alice Trumblee What she does: Children’s book author and artist What makes her unique: At 90 years old, she still paints, writes stories for children and is working on her great-grandmother’s story, as well as her own memoirs.

Also, taught school for 38 years and is still in touch with many of her students from over the years.

I’m happiest when: “One of the joys in my life is the first Sunday of the month. That’s when I get to tell missionary stories to the kids. They are so attentive. They just hang on every word I say. I also love spending time painting, but life gets in the way sometimes, and I don’t get to do that as often as I’d like.”

What she does to relax: “I read a lot and sometimes watch TV at night. I love playing board games, too. My family plays a lot of board games, and always has. I used to go to the National Game Convention in Maryland, and even placed third in the finals playing Rail Barron. “

Words of wisdom to live by: “Put God first in life and be friendly to everyone you meet. You never know what someone else is going through, and you can make a lot of friends that way.”

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What inspires her: “At one time, painting was the major inspiration in my life.

I’ve done children’s portraits all around the US and in Europe. My eyes aren’t good enough anymore, but I used to do children’s portraits for all the art shows. Those are two of my great loves, though: Children and painting.”

How she maintains balance in her life: “I have a schedule and a set way of doing things, and I try not to stray from it too much. I believe what helps me maintain my balance is keeping a focus on God and spirituality.”

Her keys to happiness: “I love my family and love spending time with them. I try to visit my kids every few months. My closest daughter lives in Pocatello, so I see her more often, but I have five others that I try to visit as much as possible.”

Rachel Zaladonis What she does: Businesswoman extraordinaire. A seamstress by trade, Rachel does custom sewing and alterations in addition to running the Park Avenue Mercantile and the Paisley Camel in Downtown Idaho Falls.

What makes her unique: Sits on the board for the Bonneville Humane Society. Works as a Tautphaus Park Zoo Educator and member of the Zoo Corps.

Member of the Spinners and Weavers Guild and active member and performer with the Snake River Taiko, a community-based Japanese drumming group. Serves as the head of the Downtown Merchants Association and is putting in for her second term as president of the board of directors for the Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation.

What inspires her: “Literally everything. I don’t take a day for granted. Everything I see can relate to something in my life whether I’m on the Internet, spending time outdoors or driving. Whatever I see, I can connect to my life in some way.”

How she maintains balance in her life: “I have great folks who work for me. I have wonderful, strong women in my life. I believe you should surround yourself with great friends and family. They help contribute to success. Also, remembering not to lose sight of who I am and concentrating on friendships helps me have a healthy, all around life.”

I’m happiest when: “I’m creating. I love doing all types of crafting including Japanese braiding and weaving, a Viking technique for making clothing called Nailbinding, sewing and crocheting. I also do leatherworking and tooling, native-inspired art, concrete work, tile, ceramics, plaster work, clay, both oven and kiln-fired, glass mosaics, stained glass and I make glass beads, too.”

What she does to relax: “If I’m not working and I’m not crafting, then you know I’m sick (laughs). So I always have something going, all the time. Even when we travel for vacation or business, sitting idle isn’t an option. It’s torture! I really love the outdoors, too, though. I enjoy camping, fishing and riding my motorcycle.”

Lived in Idaho Falls: Since 1991.

Words of advice and wisdom: “Find what makes you happy.

And, what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.”

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Best of Both Worlds From midwifery to surgical specialty, women can expect exceptional care at Rosemark Women Care Specialists.

W

hen Dr. Jeff Baker and Dr. Ty Erickson joined together 20 years ago to form Rosemark Women Care Specialists, their goal was to create a clinic that would offer patients the best female healthcare services along with personalized, compassionate care. A native of Idaho Falls, Dr. Baker started out specializing in OB/GYN/Infertility. With similar specialty training, Dr. Erickson offered complementary services that would expand the focus of the practice with his clinical interest in pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence.

By Lisa Jensen

as female patients are provided with information on nutrition, supplements and even medications so that they can begin and maintain a healthy pregnancy through their third trimester.

Additionally, as Idaho’s only Certified Integrative Medicine physician, Dr. Baker’s expertise in integrative holistic care gives Rosemark’s patients access to the best of modern medical prenatal care along with holistic methods that have been used for thousands of years. His approach is to treat the whole person, keeping mother and baby in optimal health throughout the pregnancy.

Roughly two decades later, Drs. One element that sets Rosemark Photo courtesy Shawna Pearce Photography Baker and Erickson have grown a pracapart from other women care providers tice that has reached their goals and gone far beyond. is the midwife services they offer. Midwives were delivering Today the clinic is proud to offer the services of 12 providers babies long before doctors were specializing in obstetrics, but including Dr. Jason Gunderson, who is the newest physician. it’s only been in the last century or so that midwifery has been Other members of the team include physicians assistants, recognized as a genuine medical profession. If the term makes nurse practitioners and midwives. As the practice has grown you think of an untrained labor coach assisting with home over the years, Dr. Baker developed an interest in integrative births, think again. Like most modern midwives, Susan Binegar holistic care. He completed a fellowship in the field becoming and Natalie Taylor are educated and certified with nursing adept at balancing holistic medicine with modern practices to backgrounds and extensive experience in the delivery room. give his patients the best of both worlds. Although Dr. Baker’s Additionally, Rosemark’s Certified Nurse Midwives provide integrative holistic care is now available—along with primary personalized care and education for their patients during care and aesthetic services—the providers at Rosemark pregnancy, consult with them on birth plans and are there still specialize in obstetrics and with continuous assistance during gynecology. It’s a field of medicine labor and delivery. the entire staff is passionate about.

The midwives at Rosemark When a woman’s healthcare requires surgery, the Rosemark specialists provide the most advanced techniques and excel in matching the best procedure for the patient. For example, Dr. Steve Robison and Dr. Matt Robison are Board Certified Specialists who are expertly trained in vaginal surgery, Natalie Taylor CNM minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgical procedures.

Whether its surgical expertise or the seasoned and gentle guidance through a pregnancy that is needed, patients can rely on Rosemark. With pregnancy, they begin with the basics 92 | I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

Women Care Specialists are just two of seven total women providers on staff. It’s understandable that, even with accomplished and caring providers at your service, sometimes it’s comforting for a woman to talk to a woman. Whether the issue is contraceptive care, Susan Binegar CNM UTI’s, well-woman exams, pain management or emergency care, Dr. Barbara Nelson, Melissa Bates, PA-C, Amber Masse, FNP-C, Audra Stevens, PA-C, and Lori Woodbury, PA-C, are all available to offer knowledgeable, compassionate care to Rosemark’s female patients.

Health Women |

Photo courtesy Shawna Pearce Photography

Existing and new patients will find that Rosemark cares about the experience a woman has when she visits her healthcare provider. That’s why last year Rosemark built a new facility. With the latest technology and Southeast Idaho’s most experienced technicians, moms-to-be can get stateof-the-art ultrasounds and share them live via Rosemark’s website with family and friends anywhere in the world. The new facility makes available a variety of in-house procedures that is not only convenient but may also eliminate a trip to the hospital.

The list of services Rosemark offers grows each year. It’s all part of the clinic’s objective to provide complete care for patients. When you can count on one group of providers for everything from primary care to obstetrics, gynecology, work-related physicals and even bone density assessments, there’s no need to go anywhere else.

3450 Potomac Way Idaho Falls, ID

208-557-2900 808 Pancheri Idaho Falls, ID

208-552-6900 w w w. R o s e m a r k . N e t

Setting the Standard in Urogynecology One in four women has a pelvic floor disorder, including urinary or fecal incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse. It’s far more common than most people realize because giving birth, being overweight and even aging all contribute to the likelihood of pelvic floor disorders. Conditions like that require the expertise of a specialist and, fortunately for women in Southeast Idaho, Rosemark Women Care Specialists have Dr. Ty Erickson on staff.

Dr. Erickson is the area’s only Board Certified Urogynecologist in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. His skill and knowledge has him in demand, periodically traveling the world to share his clinical experience and train surgeons in the U.S. in minimally invasive surgery techniques utilizing the da Vinci Robot. Back in Southeast Idaho, however, Dr. Erickson enjoys helping women whose lives are affected by bladder and bowel concerns.

Dr. Ty B. Erickson

“I don’t just treat my patients, but work with them to create a health care plan customized for each individual patient,” Dr. Erickson explains. “It’s rewarding to see them reclaim their confidence and previously active lifestyles.”

If pelvic organ prolapse or bladder and bowel issues are disrupting your life, Dr. Erickson will be happy to talk to you about treatment and procedure options. Call Rosemark today to make an appointment. Taking your life back is just a phone call away.

I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 93

Make your Workout Zumba rolls it’s way into Idaho Falls and has these sisters shaking it.

By Jodi Price Photos by Capture the Moment

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or the past five years, Tami Saunders, Amy Dungan, Holly Odell and Sara Howard have come together a couple of nights a week to pump up the music and shake their booties to the beat. No, I’m not talking about line dancing, I’m talking about one of the most energetic and fun exercise classes around: Zumba.

The Zumba Sisters’ workout sessions aren’t your regular aerobic classes. These ladies make sure everyone has a fun time, can understand the moves and become more part of a community. After one session, many find they want to continue to come back for more. The age range and gender classification of these Zumba classes is all over the board. If you can move, you can Zumba.

Zumba has been part of the fitness community for about two decades and has been in the USA since 2001, but really only became popular within the past five or six years, at least in Southeastern Idaho. Zumba is a mixture of dance and aerobic elements that come together to form outrageously enjoyable choreography. The dance portion incorporates hip-hop, soca, samba, salsa, merengue, cumbia and mambo, but you don’t need dance experience to benefit from Zumba. Of the four Zumba Sisters, not one of them had any prior dance experience before they became certified to teach Zumba. “Initially, we just thought, ‘we can’t teach Zumba, we can’t do that!’, but then we did it anyway,” says Saunders.

For these four ladies life can be very hectic juggling family, kids and a busy Zumba schedule. Classes are held three nights a week and one on Saturday mornings, not to mention all the extra time put into choreographing new routines to teach. “We have the most fun, actually,” Saunders says about coming up with new routines. “Yeah, we seriously can go for four hours when we choreograph,” adds Dungan. Some of the routines are put together through the Zumba brand and sent to the instructors, but some of them are made up all on their own.

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average Zumba class, participants take about 5,000 steps and can burn nearly 500 calories in a hour. Take that, treadmill!

Tami Garrison, a regular at the Zumba Sisters classes says she’s been coming for almost five years and has lost 35 pounds and kept it off. “I just love the music and the dancing,” says Garrison.

The sisters are also not shy to throw a good party. They have classes with contests, black lights, holiday costumes and even charities. Participants of these classes can win free Zumba classes, Zumba gear and much more. Black light parties are undeniably more popular.

a Party!

™

Get Your Zumba On! The reasons may be because you are in the dark and think no one can see you, or because the strobe lights are going, the glow sticks come out and the dancing can last up to an hour and a half.

Sometimes special guest instructors come to teach new moves and there have even been joint classes, where multiple instructors get together and form giant Zumba parties. A lot of times you completely forget you are working out.

Besides being a workout disguised as a party, Zumba classes also present the opportunity to give back. “Our favorite classes are charities for families that just need help,” states Saunders. “The community supports them so much and you can see the love toward the ones that need help.” Zumba also has helped with other problems such as people going through a divorce, adults and children struggling in school or the dreaded weight gain battle. Just the interaction during class with other people and getting out can make a big impact on the way you live.

The core of Zumba is focused on having fun while still burning calories. “Anybody can run on a treadmill all day, but you want to have fun,” says Dungan. Everyone has to remember to just laugh at themselves and with others, especially at Zumba because not many people are professional dancers.

Expect whooping and hollering, rump shaking, and lots of sweat. When was the last time you smiled during your workout?

Even though Zumba is a ridiculously good time, the Zumba Sisters recognize that dancing may not be for everyone, but being healthy should be. “Do a program that you love and that you stick to, if that’s Zumba that’s great if that’s running that’s great; as long as you want to do it and it keeps you going,” says Saunders.

Overall Zumba is a great alternative way to exercise.

It keeps you moving, it keeps you laughing and it truly changes your mood. “We’re a little bit different than other people in the way that we just want people to not take themselves so seriously, you know,” says Dungan. “Its real life and so sometimes you’re going to have a cupcake.” I can holler at that!

The Zumba Sisters aren’t the only ones teaching Zumba in town. Check out the variety of instructors, times and locations. Prices vary by instructor, though most offer punch cards and the first class is usually free. Some gyms require membership.

Mondays

6:30 to 7:30 a.m. Apple Athletic Club* taught by Sheandi 6 to 7 pm Idaho Falls YMCA taught by Idaho Falls Zumba 8 to 9 pm Extreme Ballroom/Eagle Rock Dance taught by Idaho Falls Zumba 8:30 to 9:30 pm at Sandcreek Middle School taught by Zumba Sisters 8:30 to 9:30 pm Super Fly Fitness taught by Tia Vargas 8:30 to 9:30 pm Apple Athletic Club taught by Sheandi

Tuesdays

4 to 4:50 pm Zumba Kids at Apple Athletic Club 6:30 to 7:30 pm Super Fly Fitness taught by Jennifer Steffa 7:30 to 8:30 pm Idaho Falls YMCA taught by Stuart Moser 8 to 9 pm Extreme Ballroom/Eagle Rock Dance taught by Idaho Falls Zumba 8:30 to 9:30 pm Alley Studio in Rexburg taught by Zumba Sisters 8:30 to 9:30 pm Apple Athletic Club taught by Kristina

Wednesdays

9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Apple Athletic Club* taught by Lizette 8:30 to 9:30 pm Super Fly Fitness taught by Tia Vargas 8:30 to 9:30 pm Apple Athletic Club taught by Sheandi

Thursdays

4 to 4:50 pm Zumba Kids at Apple Athletic Club 6:30 to 7:30 pm Super Fly Fitness taught by Jennifer Steffa 7:30 to 8:30 pm Idaho Falls YMCA taught by Stuart Moser 8:15 to 9:15 pm Extreme Ballroom/Eagle Rock Dance taught by Idaho Falls Zumba 8:30 to 9:30 pm at Sandcreek Middle School taught by Zumba Sisters 8:30 to 9:30 pm Apple Athletic Club taught by Sheandi

Saturdays

8:30 to 9:30 am Apple Athletic Club 9 to 10 am Sandcreek Middle School taught by Zumba Sisters 9 to 10 am Extreme Ballroom/Eagle Rock Dance taught by Idaho Falls Zumba *Membership required to attend this class.

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Sounds Like

a Great Place to Live

Idaho Falls has many distinct sounds. What do you hear?

By Lisa Jensen

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here are many things that make Idaho Falls a unique place to live, but any resident can tell you that there are distinct sounds they’ve grown accustomed to hearing. Every city emanates the din of traffic and crowds to some degree but, although many may share some noises in common, few have the specific, unique blend of the sounds that define Idaho Falls.

Church Bells Marking Time Though Holy Rosary Catholic School is located on 9th Street in Idaho Falls, people on Holmes Avenue and further can hear the rich toll of the bells that ring several times a day. The resonating chimes are timed with events of the school day, such as classes convening, lunch time and school letting out. The church bells also ring in conjunction with church services.

The River, Geese and Ducks, Oh My!

The Snake River makes a considerable contribution to Idaho Falls’ identity in general, but it plays a special part in the soundtrack of the city. Depending on where along the river you are at any given moment, you may hear the gentle rush of the water moving south or the slap of waves lapping against rocks and sandy shores. The greenways and parks along the river are natural draws for geese and ducks. The “thwap, thwap” flapping of wings and the birds’ trademark honks and quacks add to the noises the Snake River contributes to Idaho Falls’ unique sound.

Hear That Whistle Blowin’

The railroad has been a part of Idaho Falls almost from the start, running through the city since the late 1800s. Trains no longer have whistles, but citizens of Idaho Falls typically hear the plaintive blast of a train’s horn at least once a day. If you happen to be near the tracks at the right time, you’ll also hear the creak and groan of train wheels and experience the rumble and whoosh as the train speeds to its next destination.

Call of the Wild

Home to the most diverse assortment of animals in the state, Tautphaus Park Zoo provides a symphony of wildlife sounds for anyone visiting the park near the zoo. The creature-concerto is most audible, however, when you’re walking along the paths that wind through the compound. You may hear one of the big cats roar, such as the African lion or Amur tiger, but you’re more likely to hear throaty purrs or chuffing sounds from those contented cats. You’ll also be treated to birds squawking and nattering, otters’ high-pitched meowing, the chatter of monkeys, servals’ grumbling and the honking sound of flamingos. With over 325 different animals from nearly 120 different species, Tautphaus Park Zoo contributes its fair share to the sound of the city.

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Hearing Aids |

4th of July Fireworks

The Melaleuca Freedom Celebration on the Snake River along the Idaho Falls Greenbelt has become a defining element of the city, and the typical sounds that accompany it have grown familiar as well. Early in the day, the crowds begin gathering along the Snake River, causing a buzz of conversation and laughter that gradually grows along with the multitude. Various styles of music can be heard, broadcasting from boom boxes and car stereos. If you stake out a spot near the Shilo Inn, you can even listen to the stirring refrains of the Freedom Symphony. After dark, you’ll hear the whoosh and whizzing of fireworks shells being fired off into the night sky, and thunderous “pops,” sharp “snaps” and crashing “bangs” as they explode, showering glittering, colorful gasses over the Snake River. The show is even choreographed and synchronized with patriotic music and broadcast on a local radio frequency so everyone can clearly hear. The music, timed with the dazzling pyrotechnics, enhance the crowd’s overall experience on a 4th of July evening.

Play Ball!

Since the Chukars came to town, their baseball games have become the source of distinctive sounds that are as comforting and familiar as home fries and apple pie. The announcer’s voice over the PA system. The “whiff” as the batter swings his bat. The “crack” of the bat hitting the ball. The cheers of the crowd as they root, root, root for the home team. Even disappointed jeers when the ump makes an unpopular call. Each noise is part of the sounds that characterize Idaho Falls.

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3656 Washington Parkway, Idaho Falls, ID

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Spending the Golden Years On the Go Octogenarian Jerry Colvin isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

R

By Lisa Jensen Photos by Capture the Moment

etiring and taking it easy is what most people associate with their golden years. To Jerry Colvin, that type of retirement can be described in one word: boring!

A native Idahoan, Colvin has lived in Idaho Falls since 1959. At 82, she’s on the go and staying more active than most people half her age. Before retiring in 1995, Colvin worked overseas for the Army and spent the last 43 years of employment working at the INL. She was always the type to get involved.

“I’d been with the Bonneville Rescue Group since 1960, and was with Idaho Falls Search and Rescue years ago,” Colvin explains.

Colvin is currently a member and the executive secretary of the National Search and Rescue Association. She was the first woman to be elected as commander and is always up for helping with any search and rescue in the area, so it seemed logical to continue on after retirement.

“I had to be certified to do first aid, I ran the radio and my Jeep and helped direct traffic,” Colvin says. “I still go on searches whenever I can. I still run the radio and act as kind of a gofer, help out however I’m needed. I keep up on the training, too. We had a national meeting in St. George recently where we updated our helicopter training on landing procedures.”

In addition to her role with the National Search and Rescue Association, Colvin is also the Bylaws Chairman for the Idaho State Search and Rescue. All that would be plenty for the average person but Jerry Colvin isn’t your average retiree. She’s also active with the International Association of Administrative Professionals, currently serving as the Bylaws Chairman and Parliamentarian for the Idaho chapter of the IAAP. “I take care of changes to the bylaws, when necessary, and make sure the meetings are conducted properly. We meet once a month, and we plan for conferences and seminars throughout the year,” says Colvin. “I also help out with the Business Professional Association at the Eastern Idaho Technical College. I judge local competitions in speech, bylaws and parliamentary procedure to help competitors prepare to go to state.”

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Just hearing about the activities that keep Colvin busy these days is exhausting, but it’s only the tip of her iceberg.

“I’m also with the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program, serving as Chair of the Advisory Council under Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership. I run the meetings and help Helen Stanton, the EICAP representative, with anything she needs. The organization assists with the Foster Grandparents Program and home delivered meals and offers other various forms of aid.”

Don’t get the idea that it’s all work and no play for Jerry Colvin, however. She enjoys reading in her “free” time.

Murder mysteries, history and true crime are her favorites.

She loves spending time with friends and has traveled to Australia, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica and all 50 U.S. states. She also likes to play cards, having learned to play bridge at the Idaho Falls Senior Citizens Community Center. However, even that enjoyable pastime has turned into a job.

“We play bridge every Tuesday at the Center, and I’d been helping coordinate the marathon, where we play in different homes and sometimes in restaurants around the city,” Colvin explains. “So it wasn’t much of a transition when I stepped in to take over about six years ago when the group’s coordinator passed away.”

When she’s jokingly asked if that’s “all” she does, Colvin apologetically justifies her limited schedule, saying she used to get out a lot more.

“I had heart surgery in ‘04, ‘06 and ‘08, and there was a

Home Care |

cancer surgery in there, too, but I’ve been cancerfree for 5 1/2 years.”

Health issues would explain why Colvin has “slowed down” and only works part-time. Yes, you read that right. On top of her volunteer work, Colvin works at the Senior Citizens Community Center three days a week, helping out during the busy hours.

“I do enjoy it,” Colvin confides. “I love the staff. Everyone is so nice, so helpful.”

It is great to have co-workers and a work environment that you like. However, it just might be that, whether it’s in the office or at an organizational meeting, it’s having a likeable, inspirational go-getter like Jerry Colvin on staff that makes the job enjoyable for everyone else.

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Idaho Falls, ID 83401 Fax: 208-542-7503 I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 99

Giving Back Volunteer opportunities abound in Idaho Falls.

by Alisa Clickenger

ne of the most appealing aspects of living in Idaho Falls is the strong sense of family we all share and the dedication to our community felt throughout our daily lives. Whether we connect with others through work, school, church or play, Southeast Idahoans are generous by nature and connected to each other through a deep sense of giving back. Many of Idaho Falls’ best reasons to live here are a direct result of the volunteers that make their presence known all over town.

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The personal benefits of volunteering range from self satisfaction, the potential for learning new skills, relaxation, socialization, career opportunities and community improvement. If you haven’t yet found the right opportunity to give back to your neighbors or you find yourself in transition and wanting a deeper connection to those around you, here are some ways to become more deeply involved. Who knows? You just might make some new friends and come to know first hand why giving is always better than receiving.

Animals Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park http://www.idahofallsidaho.gov/city/city-departments/parks-recreation/parks-recreation-zoo/volunteer.html Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park offers three different volunteer programs. For those interested in working with animals and the public, a Zoo Educator (or docent) is an adult volunteer educator who participates in a variety of year-round public presentations both on and off grounds. For folks looking for more hands-on labor and not so much contact with the public, the Zoo Corps are adult volunteers who provide on-grounds support by working directly with staff on a variety of projects and daily maintenance. The Junior ZooCrew is a summer program for 13-17 year olds that work with the animal collection in the Children’s Zoo and Education Department. Contact the Zoo’s Education Department at (208) 612-8418 or (208) 612-8453.

Bonneville Humane Society www.bonnevillehumane.org The Bonneville Humane Society is a local, non-profit organization that has been serving the animals and the community since 1973.

Volunteer opportunities are available at their shelter and thrift store at 444 N. Eastern Avenue. Volunteers are also needed to foster animals until loving, permanent homes can be found. Call (208) 529-9725 for more information.

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Pet Partners/ Intermountain Therapy Animals www.therapyanimals.org Do you enjoy making conversation with strangers, extending yourself in often difficult moments?

Participating in animal-assisted therapy with your companion animal is a volunteer service with great potential satisfaction and reward, but it is not a casual undertaking and not suitable for everyone. It is a serious responsibility that involves health, safety, and extremes of emotion and behavior. Volunteers need to be able to deal appropriately with patient/ clients during the most difficult and challenging times in their lives.

As such, it requires an initial investment and then ongoing education, training, and commitment. Contact Connie Sharkey at Intermountain Therapy Animals at (208) 733-2733.

Snake River Search – Dogs and Handlers http://www.snakeriversearch.org/index.php/opportunities SRS dogs and handlers are competent, skilled teams that have passed rigorous testing to become certified by the National Search Dog Alliance in: Air Scent, Tracking, Water and Cadaver Search. SRS is always looking for new members to support their rapidly growing team. Individuals interested in joining SRS should call (208) 681-6814 or email casejr@cableone.net.

Arts Idaho Falls Arts Council www.idahofallsarts.org Current volunteer opportunities include being part of the ARTitorium Crew. Crew members monitor and assist visitors with interactive stations, help with events, and oversee activities. Volunteers need to be comfortable with technology and have good communication skills. Contact Lara Hill, ARTitorium Program Coordinator, at lhill@idahofallsarts.org or (208) 5521080 x202.

The 2015 Roaring Youth Jam will be in early August on the Snake River Greenbelt. Volunteers are needed to help with set-up and take-down, activities at the art tents and community art projects, and coordination of performances. Contact Georgina Goodlander, Visual Arts Director, for more information at ggoodlander@idahofallsarts.org, (208)522-0471.

Volunteers are needed at the Willard Arts Center to help with a variety of tasks at the Colonial Theater and Willard Arts Center, including show ushers. Email info@idahofallsarts.org or call (208) 522-0471 to find out about current opportunities.

Volunteer hours can be exchanged for show tickets, so this is great opportunity to help out and receive great benefits.

Idaho Falls Symphony Society www.ifsymphony.org The Idaho Falls Symphony Society provides quality live orchestral experiences of the world’s great music for the enjoyment, enrichment, and education of their audiences and musicians. Education and outreach efforts are central to the Symphony’s role in the community. To volunteer, drop off a volunteer application form at 440 N Capital Ave. Ste. B., call (208) 529-1080, or email office@ifsymphony.org.

Idaho Falls Youth Arts Centre www.ifyac.org Idaho Falls Youth Arts Centre is an organization literally born within a community of volunteers. A diverse organization needing volunteers with a wide variety of talents, skills and willingness to educate and enrich the lives of youth through the performing arts. To find out more about volunteer opportunities, call (208) 403-5166 or e-mail ifyac@live.com.

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Aviation Eagle Rock Composite Squadron http://eaglerockcap.org The Eagle Rock Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the volunteer Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force with 58,000 adult and youth members nationwide. Members serve their communities through three congressional chartered missions: Aerospace Education, Emergency Services and Cadet Programs. The squadron is located at the Idaho Falls Airport, off Foote Drive. Meetings are held at the airport the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. For more information please call (208) 680-2668.

Hands On Homes Habitat for Humanity Idaho Falls Area http://www.idahofallshabitat.org Habitat for Humanity Idaho Falls Area is a nonprofit, Christian housing ministry seeking to eliminate poverty housing in the community and to make simple, decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Volunteers from partner families, individual volunteers and volunteer groups from area churches, businesses, civic organization and schools have built 26 new construction homes throughout the Idaho Falls area. Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.

Call (208) 552-0491 or email habitat@datawav.net for more information.

Medical / Health Care Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center http://eirmc.com/about/volunteers.dot EIRMC has 135 volunteers including a Junior Volunteer program, where students over the age of 14 can volunteer and give back to the community. Volunteers serve in many areas throughout the hospital helping patients and families. A one year commitment is required.

Contact Volunteer Manager, Marchelle Jensen at (208) 529-6201 or download an application from eirmc.com.

Mountain View Hospital http://www.mountainviewhospital.org/volunteer-program Mountain View Hospital has over 30 volunteers, with the focus on serving the patient and their families first, as well as helping out the local community. There are several volunteer opportunities throughout the hospital to fit your talents and skills as well as the hospital’s needs. Volunteers will fill out an application and pass a background check. Training will be provided. The four different departments to work in would be the surgical waiting room, lobby, swimming pool area and a food cart for the waiting areas and labor and delivery. Also, they are currently trying to establish a volunteer group over at The Teton Cancer Institute.

For any questions, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Joni Lindberg, at (208)557-2700.

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Hospice of Eastern Idaho www.hospiceofeasternidaho.com Hospice of Eastern Idaho is a community based not-for-profit hospice serving the needs of the terminally ill and their families in Eastern Idaho by providing them with the highest quality of care. Trained volunteers provide support and care to patients and their families in every aspect of the hospice program. Volunteer services are determined by the needs and wishes of the individuals seeking support and are matched with the skills and gifts of those volunteering. Call Katie Weseman at (208) 529-0342 to find out more.

Search and Rescue Bonneville County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue http://www.bcssar.com The Bonneville Sheriff’s Search & Rescue Patrol is a team of dedicated volunteers who respond to requests from the Sheriff to assist people lost or injured in remote areas of Bonneville County. The patrol trains in many different areas, including technical rope, medical, ATV, snowmobile and logistics. Volunteers must be 21 years or older, have immediate access to a 4-wheel drive vehicle, complete a CPR and First Aid course and pass a physical fitness test of an unencumbered 1 mile walk in 16 minutes (some specialty teams have further physical fitness requirements).

Volunteers support the organization out of their own pockets. Call (208) 529-1340 for more information or come to a meeting on the 2nd and last Mondays of the month at 2365 Hemmert in Idaho Falls.

Snake River Search http://www.snakeriversearch.org SRS is always looking for new members to support their rapidly growing team. Minimum qualifications for membership include being at least 21 years of age, access to a four-wheel drive vehicle, passing a background check, successfully completing a 120 day probationary period, successfully passing the NASAR SARTech III examination and successfully completing HealthCare Provider CPR (or approved equivalent). Individuals interested in joining SRS should call (208) 681-6814 or email casejr@cableone.net.

Outdoors Idaho Fish & Game http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/about/volunteer/ There are many “hands-on” ways that volunteers can help, such as improving and restoring habitat for fish and wildlife, assisting biologists with surveys, teaching fishing skills and hunter safety and helping others discover the wonders of wildlife. Contact Tessa Atwood, Southeast Region Volunteer Coordinator at (208) 232-4703 or James Brower, Upper Snake Region Volunteer Coordinator at (208) 525-7290.

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Person to Person Idaho Falls Rescue Mission http://www.ifrescuemission.org Idaho Falls Rescue Mission prepares and serves a meal at 6:00 pm every night to residents and needy folks from the area, making about 80 servings. Food can be prepared and brought to the shelter, or prepared in the shelter kitchen. Volunteers are encouraged to serve the meal and eat with residents. Clean up is usually performed by COR residents as part of their routine chores. Volunteer opportunities also exist in the Thrift Store, which is open Monday through Saturday, with opportunities to greet the public, run the cash register and sort donated items. You could be a friend to a guest one hour per week, perform an electrical, carpentry, or painting project, answer phones or be a roving helper. Contact (208) 552-5575 for more information.

Idaho Falls Senior Citizens Community Center www.ifsccc.org IFSCCC delivers 200 + hot meals every day to home bound seniors and disabled adults.

Volunteers help with other items such as financials, fundraisers, silent auctions selling tickets, running programs and activities. For more information call Valisa at (208) 522-4357.

Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership (EICAP) www.eicap.org EICAP is a Community Action Agency. Partnering with a great many area organizations, in addition to providing direct aid, they provide both active support and crisis intervention. Through resources from the government, churches, individuals and the overall community, EICAP works to build a stronger community one life at a time. There are many volunteer opportunities for people ages 55+. For more information on volunteering with one of EICAP’s many programs call Helen Stanton at (208) 522-5370 ext. 1028 or email info@eicap.org.

The Rotary Club of Idaho Falls http://www.ifrotary.org/ “Service Above Self” is the Rotary motto. Rotary International is the world’s oldest service organization and Idaho Falls is the largest Rotary Club in Idaho. Meetings are on Wednesday at noon at Keefer’s Island Convention Center. Contact Idaho Falls President Russell Johnson (president@ifrotary.org) for more information on how to join and volunteer.

YMCA www.ifymca.org The Y serves the entire community – all colors, religions, incomes. One child at a time, one family at a time, their focus is strengthening our community’s foundation. To volunteer at the Idaho Falls YMCA drop by the main Y facility at 155 N. Corner to pick up an application. In addition to the main facility, the YMCA has an indoor soccer arena at 3500 S. Ammon Rd., the YMCA Climbing Gym at 751 S. Capital, the Reinhart outdoor Swimming Pool at 1055 Washburn and the Big Elk Creek Resident Camp in Irwin, ID. 104 | I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

Youth Girl Scouts of Silver Sage www.girlscouts-ssc.org Girl Scouts offers the freedom to tailor your level of involvement to fit your schedule and lifestyle. For instance, you can work directly with girls or support the adults who do. And, you can choose from either short-term or long-term assignments. Call (208) 524-4649 for more information.

Boy Scouts - Grand Teton Council www.grandtetoncouncil.org Scouting teaches young men and women values that will help them throughout their lifetimes. The Boy Scouts have over 11,000 scouting volunteers in eastern Idaho and western Wyoming. Call (208) 522-5155 for more information.

Around Town Adopt a city flower bed

If interested, contact Genene at (208) 612-8479.

Friends of the Idaho Falls Public Library

are always looking for new volunteers (background checks are required on all volunteers). (208) 524-3316.

Volunteers for the Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation Division can call (208) 612-8479.

I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 105

Time Is Muscle

For Sumerli Lynch, the experience and state-of-the-art equipment at EIRMC saved her life.

By Lisa Jensen Photo by Capture the Moment

A

ny patient’s prognosis after a heart attack depends on how quickly care is administered. Believing “time is muscle,” Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center averages a “door to balloon” time of 63.5 minutes.

That performance surpasses the national best practices standard of 90 minutes set down by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association. For patients like Sumerli Lynch, those precious minutes mean everything.

In 2009, Lynch gave birth to her second child via a planned cesarean section. Approximately a week later, a blood clot that had formed and broken free from the C-section area made its way to her heart.

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“One evening, my baby aspirated and went blue. I yelled for my husband, and it startled her into breathing again. But for the next six nights, I woke up and couldn’t breathe. I just wrote it off as a panic attack because of what had happened with my baby,” Lynch recalls.

The reality was that the blood clot was blocking the left side of her heart, but Lynch’s response is typical. Because signs of a heart attack in women are different from the “usual,” most women put them down to indigestion, sore muscles, stress or anxiety.

Thirteen days after her baby was born, Lynch woke again at 2:30 a.m. This time, her limbs were numb, she was experiencing excruciating pain and was curled into a fetal

Hospital |

position, unable to move. Her mother, who was there to help with the baby, called 911.

The EMTs rushed Lynch to the emergency room at EIRMC, where an EKG was immediately performed.

Dr. Chambers, the cardiologist on call, was summoned, and they took Lynch into the catheterization laboratory to prep her for an angioplasty. Though her condition was deteriorating by the second, Lynch remained fairly coherent and, amazingly, even remembers hearing her own “code blue,” the standard code for cardiac arrest.

“I was talking to one of the nurses, and his voice was getting further away. At one point, I couldn’t see him anymore. I was in so much pain, and getting really sleepy.

Then I remember hearing the intercom announcement of a code blue in one of the cath lab rooms.”

Even as she was fading, Lynch remembers realizing someone might be dying, and felt sorry for the family who was losing a member. It wasn’t until after she woke from emergency open heart surgery that she learned it was her own family that she had sympathy for.

It’s impossible to convey how difficult the next five years were for Lynch and her family. Though Dr. Chambers saved her life, placing a stent in the front of the left side of her heart and reviving her when she flat-lined, the overall damage was extensive. Because of a rare antibody in her system, Lynch wasn’t a candidate for the transplant list.

Her condition continued to decline, so a Left Ventricular Assist Device was implanted to make the left side of her heart beat.

That alone imposed a major lifestyle change because the machine required continuous power from batteries or electrical outlets. LVADs aren’t intended to be long-term solutions, but Lynch ended up having two of them before placing herself on the transplant list and miraculously being matched with a suitable donor who also happened to have the same antibody that she does.

If such a traumatic event had to happen, Lynch is fortunate that EIRMC has a state-of-the-art cardiac cath lab.

Many may not realize how indispensable those facilities are, but the fact that 1,800 cardiac catheterizations were performed at EIRMC in 2014 confirms the necessity.

Roughly six years after first experiencing heart problems, Lynch is grateful to have survived to tell her story.

“I’ve made life-long relationships with the people at EIRMC. If that’s what I’ve gained from this, then that is a gift,” she says. “But I died three times, so figuring out why I am alive is the journey of this. I don’t want my story to touch just one person. I want thousands and thousands to hear my message. If your body is telling you something, you need to follow through, and take advantage of the medical care we have. It could totally save your life.”

Cardiac Catheterization The superior level of expertise Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center has for caring for patients with heart disease is documented with a prestigious chest pain accreditation through the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care.

EIRMC is the only hospital in the region that has a GE 730 IS, a high-tech cath lab system that offers the best visuals with decreased radiation exposure while complying with patient safety standards. Additionally, some cardiac patients have the option for a transradial catheter. Alternative to groin entry, the transradial catheter enters at the wrist and typically has reduced complications, decreased bleeding and a quicker recovery.

When symptoms such as Sumerli Lynch experienced, including chest pain and shortness of breath, indicates heart problems, cardiac catheterization is the emergency procedure that is ordered. It helps doctors:

“Overall, it was a horrible ordeal,” Lynch says, looking back. “At the time, I was just thankful to be alive and with my family. But it was hell going through it all, trying to be ‘normal,’ living hooked to a machine and never feeling good the entire time.”

• identify narrowed or blocked arteries of the heart

Lynch lived through more than most people could endure, experiencing organ failure and undergoing dialysis, induced comas and a serious infection after her heart transplant. In the end, though, she has a deep gratitude for the team at EIRMC.

• determine how well all four chambers of the heart are functioning

“Dr. Chambers saved my life, and Dr. Blake has been amazing. Dr. Wachter was on the transplant team in Utah, but she’s here in Idaho Falls now, and monitors my progress.

And the cardio rehab people are phenomenal,” Lynch says with sincere praise.

• measure blood pressure within the heart • assess how well heart valves are functioning

• check for congenital heart defects • evaluate an enlarged heart • choose an appropriate treatment For more information go to eirmc.com

I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 107

CHANGING HISTORY—One Student at a Time

Retired High School teacher James Francis had an impact on his students.

By Ainsley McWha Photos by Capture the Moment

“Mr. Francis has changed the life of every student who has taken a course from him. His passion is inspiring.

You’ll leave his class feeling like you can change the world; you just might.” - Anonymous 5-star review,

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human beings. He didn’t try to “change their value systems, but had them identify what their value system was and how to apply it in difficult situations.”

Francis, who last taught at Idaho Falls High School for 23 years, took the position of working with and shaping students very seriously. He explains that when teaching history, it isn’t enough to simply tell of what happened in the past, even though there are interesting stories. Francis made sure to set his lessons so that his students would come to understand themselves as

As a means of keeping the students invested for an entire course, Francis would begin with a huge question like, “What’s the best way to govern people?” (in his European course that focused on philosophers), or “What is the essence of democracy?” At the end of the semester, his students became the teachers, as they would have to defend their answer to these questions, in front of an adult audience.

hen asked to describe his career as a teacher, James Francis mentions Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper. Though most people may be familiar with this iconic image, they might not be aware of the technique that went into making it. First, under tutelage of his master, da Vinci marked the wall with geometric and mathematical lines. Then he painted. The result was pure genius: an image that seemed to double the size of the room the painting was in, an image that made its viewers feel as if they were existing within the frame. “Teachers teach the lines, students are the genius who figure out how to paint the subject,” explains Francis. According to Francis—who started teaching in 1972 and retired in 2011—a teacher is there to simply teach the structure.

“The teacher cannot and should not interfere with the genius that is unleashed by this structure.”

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Francis admits to adopting some of his teaching style from the film Dead Poets’ Society, often incorporating role-play and dramatization in his classroom, sometimes with costumes that he himself would wear as he portrayed a variety of historical figures—from Abraham Lincoln having a mock debate with John Calhoun, or a prosecutor against Galileo. “Costuming came from the need to communicate more than one side to an issue on an equal basis.” Francis would debate each side “from his heart,” pulling from actual speeches, helping the students see what the arguments were and then having them come to their own conclusions.

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Francis believes that teaching is “the most creative career there is.” Every day you’re designing. Once you design your course, “you’re completely open to what the students do with it.” It is constantly evolving. “The students modify a lesson by the way they respond to it,” says Francis.

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As advice to future teachers, Francis warns, “It’s time-consuming.” Whereas some enter the teaching profession with the promise of summers off, Francis tells of summer vacation with his family, sometimes sitting at a desk working, say in the hotel at Yellowstone while his wife and daughter visited the geysers. Francis also attended educational seminars during his summers and on Saturdays during the school year.

It is this dedication that got Francis recognized on more than one occasion. He was named Idaho Teacher of the Year in 1997—the only recipient from Idaho Falls in the award’s history—Outstanding Teacher of the Humanities by the Idaho Humanities Council in 2011, and was also the recipient of a Liberty Bell Award for the promotion of Democracy.

Though retired, Francis continues to teach classes at ISU at the collegiate level.

Anyone lucky enough to be taught by Francis is learning far more than the course description.

“Unlock the genius in every student— that’s the goal of a teacher.”

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2058 Jennie Lee Drive Idaho Falls, ID 83404 208-522-ALTA (2582) I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 109

Raising a Brood

The simple benefits of caring for your own chickens.

Photos and story by Anna Silver

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irst wedding anniversary gifts are traditionally paper. Second is cotton. Fifth, wood. Seventh is actually poultry, in case you were under the mistaken impression that it was wool. I know this because early in 2012 I celebrated my anniversary by becoming an accidental backyard chicken farmer when my then-husband discovered Idaho Falls has a city ordinance allowing residents to keep up to six hens.

better in family photos. We bought “Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens,” and armed with nothing more than an empty refrigerator box, straw for bedding and a heat lamp, we made the pilgrimage to Cal Ranch and brought home Woodpecker, Cheeto, Lumpy, Rosie

In February that year, my husband and our two boys returned from a trip to Cal Ranch with wolfish grins and shiny eyes, pleading for baby chicks. I thought they were joking.

When they were still bringing it up a couple days later the panic began to creep in. I called my father, who grew up in southeastern Idaho on a farm, and begged him to talk some sense into my family. His reply was an enthusiastic “chickens are great!” Et tu, Brute?

At that point I knew I was beat. While it can be difficult to gather reliable statistics about urban agriculture, hobbies such as raising backyard chickens, keeping bees, and maintaining gardens are rising in popularity, and why not? It seems a natural extension of things like farmers markets and the farmto-table movement. All the cool kids were doing it.

I figured I might as well, too.

My husband suggested we get just three hens, but the practical side of me suggested we get five, in case of illness or death and also because odd numbers look 110 | I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

and Posey. The girls lived in our basement where they kicked up lots of dust and feathered out (chicken adolescence is not pretty). I took them on field trips to the backyard and sang folksy songs to them while they chased after my red-painted toenails.

During this time, my husband and I also built a coop. You can buy one or build one using any of the hundreds of ideas available on websites like www. backyardchickens.com. The latter option is generally more affordable, but the initial set-up costs may still surprise you. However, most chickens I know don’t

care if their nesting box has a hinged lid and outside access, or is a simple milk crate on the floor of their coop, so it’s up to you if you want a chicken palace.

You probably don’t need to insulate it, wrap it in moisture barrier, install hinged windows and put a sheet of vinyl flooring down for easier clean up.

I mean, you could. I know someone who did, so I wouldn’t judge you.

Three years later my five hens are still laying and clucking. It was great fun for my boys to watch the birds grow and develop. Chickens are pretty inexpensive animals to keep. They really only need clean bedding like straw, good quality feed and possibly grit to help them digest their food, or oyster shells for calcium. They also love to eat your scraps, and mine are gluttons for plain Greek yogurt, raisins, strawberry hulls, watermelon rinds and lettuce cores.

Another bonus is chickens that are allowed to run around the backyard and peck produce healthier eggs than those raised in cages. Studies suggest their eggs have less cholesterol and saturated fat, more Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A and E, and beta carotene than standard grocery store eggs. And you can’t deny that they are fresh!

However, they have some drawbacks: Chickens are dirty. Their manure, while great for gardens, takes quite a while to compost before it is safe to use on plants. They will scratch up your prized petunias if you don’t keep them out of your garden. You may have to deal with illness, problems like bound eggs or prolapsed vents, and there’s the ever-present question of what to do when they stop laying. Do you toss them

into the stew pot? Do you pay someone else to turn them into meat? Do you release them into the sewers of New York to get eaten by alligators? And even with the relatively low maintenance costs, it may be a while before you recoup your initial investment, especially if you choose to let your older, non-laying hens live out the rest of their lives rent-free.

I can’t lie, baby chicks are cute. But so are tiny bottles of ketchup. If you’re considering a backyard flock, remember that they grow up. Do your research.

Watch your toes if you wear red nail polish. Find friends who will take your extra eggs. And prepare to laugh, because watching chickens run around is pretty good backyard barbeque entertainment.

I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 111

Green with Envy?

T and T Lawn Services has the secret weapon your lawn needs.

By Lisa Jensen

I

f you’ve looked with envy at your neighbor’s lush, awardworthy lawn and assumed that he just has a green thumb, you could be wrong. Maybe his secret weapon isn’t a knack for making things grow, but is instead expert help from a professional. In Idaho Falls, the experts to see are at T & T Lawn Services. Locally owned and operated, they’ve been making area yards showcase-beautiful since 1997.

T & T Lawn Services believes in quality over quantity. That’s why they’ve remained loyal to local clients all these years.

“We aren’t spread out across the state,” explains Jennifer Stanton, Office Manager at T & T Lawn Services. “Staying local allows us to concentrate on Idaho Falls clients to provide them with professional, timely service.”

It’s a strategy that has served T & T Lawn Services well. New clients typically come to them through word of mouth. Based on the business’s success, it’s a lot of good words from a lot of satisfied customers, both residential and commercial.

The philosophy that is at the bottom of that success centers on quality customer care and exceptional service. With state-of the-art equipment and services that cover basic to advanced lawn care, T & T Lawn Services often gets calls from clients who don’t even have a lawn yet.

“We provide fertilizing, aerating, power raking, overseeding and insect and weed management services,” Stanton says. “ But we also offer full-service landscape design if you’re starting from square-one with your yard. That includes planting, sod installation, putting in bark and rock and even installing sprinklers.”

The best part of the service clients get is that T & T Lawn Services works with them to cultivate the most beautiful yards in the most cost-effective way. Giving you a gorgeous lawn that doesn’t break your budget is all part of their goal of providing a high-level of quality and service.

Start the Spring Right If you want to give your yard the best chance to grow plush, velvety grass, opulent, blossoming flowers and healthy, thriving trees, you need to be proactive when springtime rolls around. Even if you are diligent about performing fall maintenance, putting in a bit of effort after the snow melts in the spring will give your lawn the edge it needs to be the envied yard on the block.

• Inspect your lawn. First, look for patches of matted grass. Often snow mold, a condition that prevents new grass from growing, will cause grass to bind together in matted sections. Raking the matted areas will break up the knotted grass to allow new growth.

• Check for pet damage. An ideal time to take

care of this task is while you’re raking. You can rake up any solid messes and make note of

112 | I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

Lawn Care |

Residential and Commercial Services: • Mowing and Trimming areas that might have severe urine damage. You may need to seed or re-sod some areas, but remember that with some time and a lot of water and TLC, grass usually recovers from pet urine damage.

• Mow your lawn. You’ll want to set your mower blades to 1 1/2 to 2 inches to remove the old grass and dead layers at the top to make way for new grass to grow.

• Do a second raking. After the first mow of the spring, you should do a light round of raking. This will get the old grass, dead leaves and any other remaining debris off your lawn. Go at the second raking with a gentle hand. New grass growth can be uprooted or otherwise disturbed by harsh raking at this stage in the season.

• Prune your rose bushes while they’re still dormant, removing the damaged, blackened and dead branches before sap starts running, but keep roses protected until the frost is over. Once the heavy frost is finished, remove the organic material you put down to protect the roots. Such material can harbor disease spores, especially when it comes in contact with springtime moisture, resulting in contaminated, sickly roses. Wait until temperatures are warm and the soil is no longer freezing at night before you lay down fresh mulch.

• Edging • Landscaping • Fertilization • Weed Control • Insect/Pest Control • Power Raking • Aerating • Sprinkler Systems • Sod Installation/Removal • Planting • Rock and Bark Applications • Spring/Fall Cleanups • Overseeding

• Examine the evergreens and woody plants in your

yard. It’s common for them not to grow over the winter, but sometimes they do increase a bit in size.

Remove any mulch you used to for protection. If you experienced problems with caterpillars and scale insects the previous year, spray dormant oil before buds open, to smother the egg cases. Wait for new buds to start opening before you remove any dead branches.

208-522-9887 www.tandtlawns.com

• Inspect your sprinkler heads. Run the system so you

can spot puddles and leaks. Cracked or broken heads and/or lines will need to be repaired. Make any necessary adjustments to the heads to ensure the entire lawn gets uniformly watered.

I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 113

A Division with a Vision

Idaho Falls Division of Parks & Recreation does more for the community than you might think.

I

n Idaho Falls we’re blessed to have a very active and community-conscious Parks & Recreation Division.

Headed by Greg A. Weitzel, our Parks & Rec Division might surprise you in terms of its reach into the community and what falls under its jurisdiction. The division works with seven different community boards and has more than 300 full and part-time employees. Not to mention the scores of volunteers that assist all over town.

By Alisa Clickenger Photos Courtesy of Idaho Falls Division of Parks & Recreation

Parks & Recreation is not just responsible for sport programs and good-looking parks, the Division also runs many youth and teen programs, the Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park, the Wes Deist Aquatic Center, three public golf courses, Sandy Downs Park, Idaho Falls Raceway and many other parks and trails, the Idaho Falls Activity Center, several cemeteries as well as weed and environmental control all over town. Parks & Recreation also is responsible for horticulture and urban forestry.

In 2014, the Veterans War Memorial on Memorial Drive was refurbished. The old tile facing was removed, a new subsurface was installed and a new rock face was put in place.

All the war murals were repainted and made historically correct. The Memorial Drive Outdoor Stage area was also improved to further enhance the concert experience for the Snake River Concert series. The first phase of the Rock Gardens at Taylor’s Crossing was also completed and Old Butte Soccer fields saw a new restroom and scoreboards installed.

There is a lengthy list of accomplishments that the division publishes every year, and the aforementioned completed projects only represent a small portion of what was accomplished last year. Parks & Recreation was also heavily

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involved in ‘Connecting Our Community’ (www.connectidahofalls.com) a master plan for connecting the Idaho Falls area through trails and bikeways, which was completed and approved by City Council.

The Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park was granted accreditation by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums last year. To be accredited, the Zoo underwent a thorough review to meet rising standards in animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education and safety. The Division was also awarded the 2014 Outstanding Facility and Parks Award for the River Gardens at Taylor’s Crossing by the Idaho Recreation and Park Association.

Irrigation control also falls under the domain of Parks & Recreation Division. This section of the Parks Department performs a variety of skilled duties related to the installation, maintenance and repair of the City’s irrigation system. The staff also designs and constructs irrigation systems and maintains the largest computer operated system

by Hunter Irrigation in the nation.

Last year the Parks Department installed two new irrigation projects at the Rock Gardens at Taylor’s Crossing and the Broadway I-15 Interchange.

System upgrades were also completed at the 20th Street Park, Sandy Downs,

Before and after of the Broadway I-15 Interchange beautification

Grandview I-119 on ramp area, Tautphaus Park, Saint Claire Estates Pond, Westbank, John Adams Parkway, 25th Street Islands, 14th Street Pond, I.F. tennis courts, Highland Park, Aquatic Center, Freeman Park and Antares Park.

Balancing maintenance of the parks with interesting programs for residents is what our Parks & Recreation Division excels at. It’s where infrastructure meets human recreation and our recreation department keeps it lively. In 2014, there were 340 registered basketball teams, 233 baseball/softball teams, 28 football teams and 29 volleyball teams. Plus 1,715 children were registered for summer camps and lessons and 9,021 people registered for activities at the recreation center throughout the year.

Parks & Recreation rock garden award I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 115

swimming The Recreation Department goes out of their way to make an active lifestyle even more accessible in the wintertime. There are many youth programs including dance classes, swim lessons, karate, jujitsu, basketball leagues and special clinics. There’s even an unforgettable cosmic skating experience via laser lights at the ice arena.

There are a variety of ice skating activities available at the Joe Marmot /Wayne Lehto Ice Arena including youth hockey, adult hockey and pick up hockey, where you bring your own gear and drop in for a game at a designated time. Freestyle skating sessions are available as well as skate and facility rentals.

There are several kid-friendly events such as the Daddy-Daughter Date Night, Boo at the Zoo, Christmas with the Critters and Breakfast with Santa. The Movies in the Park Program moves indoors in the winter time and is called Dive-In Movies. This innovative program brings the movies to the Aquatic Center, where families can come, swim and watch a movie at the same time.

flag football

movie night

basketball 116 | I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

zoo education

youth jam

In 2014, the Division of Parks & Recreation also raised more than $3 million dollars in grants, donated land and in-kind donations. Financial accountability has long been the standard for the Division, but even with aging infrastructure and increased responsibilities, the Division found ways to operate at existing staffing levels while seeing increased program participation.

What’s in store for 2015? The new Heritage Park. City Council approved development of the 9.41 acres of undeveloped, prime, riverfront property thanks to the Smith family, Ball Ventures and the Rotary Club of Idaho Falls through a Gift and Park Development Agreement, which included a donation of approximately $2 million in land, in-kind donations and cash. “When completed, I think the new park is going to be one of the crown jewels of our community,” says Weitzel. (continued on page 118)

ice skating

Did you know?

• Scuba, Snorkeling and Kayaking Classes are offered through Parks & Rec • You can bring your own boat and practice your kayaking skills at the Wes Deist Aquatic Center • Pinecrest Golf Shop is open during the winter • There is a Penguin Interaction Program at the Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park • Idaho Falls Shelters may be reserved for family reunions, company picnics, and other events for a fee. Call (208) 612-8480 to reserve a shelter or visit the Recreation Center at 520 Memorial Dr. • You can adopt a city flower bed • Idaho Falls has a USA Boxing sanctioned club Your input is valuable! Parks and Recreation Commission meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at 12:00 p.m. at the Skyline Activity Center, 1575 N. Skyline Drive. For other Parks and Recreation committee meetings visit, www.ifrec.org.

I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 117

New Things to Try PRE-SCHOOL GYM DISC GOLF What: A precision accuracy sport in which participants throw a disk at a target. The objective is to reach the end of the course with the fewest number of throws.

Where: Freeman Park disc golf course. (You can use a Frisbee if you don’t have discs, or you can purchase golf discs at various retailers around town.)

Who: Call Casey Kemmerer at (208) 241-2332 to join the disc golf club www.ifdg.webs.com

ICE SKATING

What: Play group on Tuesday and Friday mornings.

It’s only a dollar a kid and there are mats on the floor with balls of all sizes, hula hoops, a slide, sit-n-spin, hippity hops, tunnels and more.

Where: Recreation Center 520 Memorial Drive.

Who: 6 and Under.

www.ifrec.org

PARKS AND RECREATION VOLUNTEERS

What: Youth, Teen and Adult Ice Skating Classes.

With or without your own skates. Classes are 30 minutes per day, twice a week.

Where: Joe Marmo/Wayne Lehto Ice Arena, 390 Rogers Street.

Who: All ages. Call (208) 612-8480 to register. www.ifrec.org

Volunteers

TAIKO What: Taiko means “drum” in Japanese. You will explore an activity that you can do for your entire life, improving memory and fitness as you join with others to drum.

Where: Recreation Center 520 Memorial Drive (upstairs).

Who: Ages 16 and up. Call (208) 612-8480 to register. www.ifrec.org 118 | I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

Parks & Recreation Division Head Greg Weitzel calls Judy Seydel “the epitome of a volunteer leader”. Volunteer Project Manager of Idaho Falls Friendship Garden, Seydel maintains a list of over 250 volunteers and is able to call together 30 to 40 volunteers at one time. The secret to her success? “When I organize a work session I try to give people five to seven days’ notice. I also try to anticipate what they [the volunteers] need in order to be useful,” says Seydel.

“We couldn’t do what we do without our volunteers,” says Weitzel. In 2014, the Parks & Recreation Department saw a record number of volunteers. Volunteers engaged in everything from coaching sports and swim teams to planting flowers and helping with animals and education at the zoo.

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Here is a breakdown of the volunteer hours contributed in 2014:

Lawn - Tree - Pest Control - Sprinkler - Landscape

Enjoy Your Yard

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Zoo =

15,097 Recreation =

21,714 (208) 419-3931

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Parks =

714

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Friendship Garden =

4,217

LAWN FERTILIZATION AND BROADLEAF CONTROL

IRRIGATION

LAWN MOWING

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

TREES AND SHRUBS

Golf =

1,200

PEST CONTROL

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208.524-5245 I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 119

Feel the Power RT Motorsports makes lawn and yard maintenance an easy task.

By Alisa Clickenger Photos Courtesy Husqvarna

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selection of zero turn mowers for both professionals and homeowners alike. In fact, homeowners should come in to RT Motorsports to see Husqvarna’s new line of zero turn residential mowers.

RT Motorsports offers the largest selection and the best service in the area. They’ve got everything from snow blowers to leaf blowers, pole saws to chain saws, lawn edgers to leaf baggers. RT Motorsports has a wide

For homeowners RT Motorsports is easy one-stop shopping. With the entire Husqvarna line on display, shoppers can pick the model that’s just right for them and the job at hand—without further shopping or worrying about finding the best price. Because RT Motorsports is the largest Husqvarna dealer in the region they are able to offer consumers the largest

aving the right tool for the job is something that most professionals as well as Do-ItYourselfers really appreciate. RT Motorsports in Idaho Falls is the largest Husqvarna dealer in the area and they’ve got all the right tools for every outdoor job.

Their friendly and knowledgeable staff will make it easy to do your job, too.

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Lawn Equipment |

savings as well. If you are buying a new mower, RT Motorsports will even deliver it for free and give you a hands-on demonstration of how it works.

Thinking of staring a professional lawn care company? You can start building your client base right away with RT Motorsports’ Zero percent down for four years offer for folks with approved credit. RT Motorsports has a fleet of demo mowers which enables pros to try before they buy, too. They also offer commercial discounts for local businesses.

Area professionals know that RT Motorsports is a terrific resource for every type of equipment a contractor, lawn service, landscaper, construction company, or golf course manager could want. With priority service scheduling for commercial customers, there’s no reason to shop anywhere else. The RT Motorsports staff knows business owners’ needs, and they work hard to make the professional’s job easier.

Service on commercial equipment isn’t the only service RT Motorsports provides. They take good care of residential customers’ power equipment as well since they are the largest repair shop in the region with three full time mechanics. RT Motorsports offers pick up and delivery service for all service items, and since RT Motorsports is a Husqvarna authorized warranty center, you can bring them any small engines that need repairs –whether or not you bought the equipment from them.

RT Motorsports, previously known as Pro Power, has been serving Southeast Idaho customers for 19 years and is locally owned. With terrific customer service and the most knowledgeable parts manager around, there’s a reason they’ve grown to be the largest Husqvarna dealer in the area. This year they have more tools than ever, including the exact right ones to make your job easier.

555 S Utah Cir Idaho Falls, ID 83402 PHONE: 208-523-9942 FAX: 208-524-8491 I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 121

USED GOODS, NEW OPPORTUNITIES

by Alisa Clickenger Photos by Capture the Moment

How one thrift store is transforming the local job market, one employee at a time.

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any of us in Idaho Falls know about Deseret Industries as the inexpensive place to shop for second-hand furniture, clothing and home goods. The prices are good, the merchandise is quality, there’s great variety and a seemingly endless supply of new items arriving every day. What many people don’t know is that beyond the price tag on your purchase there’s a well-developed business with a focus as primarily a humanitarian service organization.

At the Deseret Industries retail store you’ll find a large selection of used clothing and household items. You’ll also find a wide variety of furniture, electronics and household devices.

You might even find supplies for your craft projects, baskets or perhaps even a lovely antique or two. In addition to the used merchandise donations, Deseret Industries also offers some new items such as socks, bedding, towels, suits, coats, shirts. They sell their own brand of new furniture, the Homestead Furniture Collection, as well as new mattress products.

Shopping at Deseret Industries supports their job training and placement program. Deseret Industries’ vocational training program helps unemployed and underemployed people become more self reliant through onthe-job training. The Deseret Industries program teaches

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workers, called associates, workplace procedures and practices by giving them a chance to work in retail, where they learn valuable skills. Associates at Deseret Industries learn transferable skills such as cashiering, warehouse, customer service, salesmanship and even forklift skills, depending on each individual’s aptitudes and interests.

“We help them with work behaviors that employers are looking for. We teach them to be timely and we teach them to work at an appropriate pace. We help them develop good work behaviors,” says Aaron Kelley, Manager of the Deseret Industries Idaho Falls store.

“We also teach an on-site decision making class to help

our associates think through how to make good decisions in life and in all regards.”

While the majority of the training is on-the-job, there are also in-house classes and workshops that associates attend. Each associate is assigned a personal job coach and attends weekly meetings to further their skills. Some associates are refugees. They might not have learning or development skills, but rather need to adapt to American ways and customs. Deseret Industries offers them a chance to learn language skills, and learn about our society vis–à–vis a workplace setting.

Training varies depending on each associate’s skill set and objectives. The program is highly focused and the average time that an associate works with Deseret Industries is five to six months, although each individual develops their skill and works through the program at their own pace. Among the specialized classes offered are ethics, career workshop, budgeting, decision making, self-esteem and new supervisor skills.

Deseret Industries at times arranges for internships at other local stores. It’s a win-win for everyone because partner companies get to try out an employee before making a commitment to employment. D.I. pays their wages while associates work outside the store, even as the associate receives training and new skills in addition to what they experience during the regular program. In this way jobs are matched to associates’ interests.

Confidence when it Counts Shauna Nebeker was looking for a job last year. Even though she applied to several companies, as a stay-at-home mom for many years, Nebeker lacked the skills and confidence to apply to jobs that matched her interests and her intellect. What little training she did have was from years prior, before she started her family.

Nebeker’s Bishop referred her to Deseret Industries.

Although she was extremely nervous, Nebeker entered the associate program and was immediately given a job coach, professional development coach and a mentor. Working at Deseret Industries in Idaho Falls she gained confidence and skills, and was encouraged to explore her vocational interests.

She set her sights on getting a job at Beehive Federal Credit Union, which she ultimately landed out of a pool of more than 100 applicants.

As Nebeker was advancing through the Deseret Industries program, working with her coaches, she was encouraged to do some aptitude testing. Nebeker found out that she was eligible to take certificate courses at BYU Idaho through Deseret Industries. Nebeker is now set up to take classes starting Spring 2015 in order to further advance her career.

“Deseret Industries gave me a chance to look at what I wanted to do and what I was capable of. And they let me put my own feelers out as well. By doing that I built up confidence even just applying for school,” says Nebeker, who now works at Beehive Federal Credit Union, just five months after starting the program. “My confidence has shot up through working with Deseret Industries just within that short period of time. It was a good shift, a good, dramatic change for me and my family.”

In addition to the training operations and retail operations, Deseret Industries also administers a community grant program. Families in need can be referred to the store in order to secure clothing, household goods and furniture. Referrals come from the LDS Church as well as other agencies in the area that provide services to underprivileged people.

As it says on the Deseret Industries website, when you make a purchase at one of their stores you are not just taking home a hidden treasure but you’re allowing others the opportunity to find treasure in their own lives.

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Painting Perfected Stan’s Paint Clinic is taking the guess work out of painting.

By Ainsley McWha Photos by Capture the Moment

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orty years ago Stan Howell opened the doors to Stan’s Paint Clinic. Though Howell himself has recently retired, the shop—now under ownership of Beth Anderson—remains open in its original location. No matter what your project, Stan’s Paint Clinic has everything you need to get the job done. And I mean everything. Their shelves are lined with every paint related product imaginable, some you might not even know existed.

The goal at Stan’s Paint Clinic is to make it easy for people to get what they want and provide every tool required to help the customer reach their finished goal. “If we don’t have it, we’ll find it,” says Robin Gold, daughter of Beth Anderson, who helps out part time at the store. Robin works sideby-side with her husband Hutch who acts as both shop salesperson and manager. He too assures that “if it’s not in stock, it can be ordered,” typically within a day or two. Also, Stan’s delivers: local, same-day service with a specific schedule to most of Southeast Idaho. No matter where you live, Stan’s will find a way to get you what you need so you can accomplish your painting project.

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Customers can expect to get the most personalized service available from a staff that really cares about their project. The expert team at Stan’s Paint Clinic has over 100 years of collective experience in both applying and selling paint. Hutch, Robin, and the staff have extensive background experience in automotive, commercial, and industrial painting. Employee Max Rose has over 30 years of automotive paint experience and runs the front counter along with Hutch. Ted Johnson covers outside PPG architectural and commercial coatings sales, while Kelsey Hymas covers automotive aftermarket sales which include Valspar, DE BEER solvent and water based coatings and House OF Kolor. In the rare occasion that the staff doesn’t know an answer to a customer’s question, they’re not going to make something up, they are going to go out of their way to find the answer.

Stan’s Paint Clinic isn’t just for professionals. They’re more than eager to help the novice DIY-er get exactly the look they want. “We’re happy to walk you through the process and give you guidance on any painting project you may have from industrial or commercial, to household or residential, even automotive,” says Robin.

Paint |

Did You Know?

Stan’s Paint Clinic doesn’t just sell paint, they also supply automotive glass like windshields, side glass and back glass for cars, trucks, and even big rigs!

If the Color Work Station doesn’t have the exact color you are looking for, the team at Stan’s has the capability of exactly matching any color brought into them. By taking a digital image of the swatch you want, as well as eye-matching it, Stan’s is able to ensure the finished result will be a uniform color. “We match a lot of colors for roofing and siding, pretty much anything and everything,” Robin says, including automotive paints and interior and exterior paints.

While the business may be 40 years old, the technology in the store is definitely 21st century. Paint has evolved over the years and so has Stan’s. They can custom fill aerosol cans and they are the only local business to have the PPG Color Work Station which boasts over 2,000 shades of colors. It is like having your very own personal interior decorator to select that perfect color. Every season, PPG has color consultants choose the latest color trends so you can be sure that you are in the know of the hottest color trends.

The Color Work Station features easy-to-use, touch-screen technology that allows anyone to virtually paint any space they desire in any color imaginable. By downloading the Voice of Color App you can virtually paint your own rooms too, so you’ll know exactly how a color will look in your house. Saffron might seem like a good idea, but with the App there’s no more guess work.

Stan’s Paint Clinic is a family-run business with a familiar feel—the team knows many of their regular customers by their first names. They are dedicated to carrying on the tradition that Stan started so many years ago—superb customer service. It is clear that at Stan’s the focus is on customer care and providing top-quality products. “We spend a lot of time thinking of ways to improve the customer experience,” says Hutch. And their dedication is as bold as their paint.

Stan’s Paint Clinic 430 Northgate Mile, Idaho Falls

208-523-0031 M - F 7 am to 5:30 pm; Sat.8 am to noon I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 125

A Cat with “Cattitude”

By Ainsley McWha Photos by Capture the Moment

Nigel the Shelter Cat won over so many hearts at the Idaho Falls Animal Shelter, they just had to adopt him.

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n the day after Christmas 2014, a cat was found wandering alone near Idaho Falls. His demeanor—cool, calm, collected—made it seem as if he had a home, that maybe he had simply walked farther off than normal.

Maybe he had been overlooked in the holiday hoopla. Maybe he had gotten lost. As is often done in this case—when a stray animal is found—the cat was picked up and brought to the Idaho Falls Animal Shelter, where he would wait patiently for his owners to collect him. For surely that would happen.

But, the kitty—a six-month old grey tabby—waited. And waited. And waited. No owner ever came to claim him. This story could have had a sad ending. Instead, this story has a very happy ending, for during the time that this cat waited for the owners who never came, he won over everyone who worked at the shelter. Danyelle Harker was there the day he arrived. She explains how the cat was so “chill” and seemed to just “lounge around.” He was allowed to wander wherever he pleased and after a while it was decided—though nobody can say exactly who made this decision—that the cat would stay.

And so, this once lonely stray became Nigel. Nigel the Shelter Cat. Now, not only does Nigel have a home, he has a series of responsibilities that he must undertake on a daily

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basis. Though mostly Nigel sits in one particular chair—“his throne”—and oversees the shelter activities, Harker insists “Nigel earns his keep.”

Nigel is the official shelter greeter. Every person and animal that walks through the front doors can be sure to get a friendly welcome from Nigel. While most of the animals are of the dog and cat variety, the shelter has also admitted both stray and owner-surrendered rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, goats, turtles and lizards, a pot bellied pig, even a peacock. Nigel has become a huge help in filling out admission forms especially when it comes to the dogs. It is necessary to tell potential adopters whether the dog is good with other animals, and Nigel has a knack of knowing which ones are good with cats: he refuses to even go near the ones who aren’t. In this way, Nigel has been dubbed the “official dog tester.”

Nigel can often be seen “supervising” the shelter, as he jumps up on the front desk to ensure everyone is doing his or her job. He gets along with everyone. Nigel takes his role as shelter morale booster very seriously. When someone is having a bad day, Nigel can tell and gives that person a little extra love, generally in the form of a furry cuddle.

Along with his thick grey stripy coat, Nigel has bright green eyes, and a mouth that seems to be set in a permanent smile.

He is one happy guy. And believe it or not, this kitty also has a favorite movie, Ice Age, or at least the opening scene that

Pet Care | “Owners of dogs will have noticed that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they will think you are God. Whereas owners of cats are compelled to realize that, if you provide them with food and water and affection, they draw the conclusion that they are God.” —Christopher Hitchens

features that squirrely Scrat. You can’t tear Nigel away from the screen.

Nigel is certainly never lonely with all the human attention he gets at the shelter. For a couple months he even had a feline buddy, a oneeyed cat named Nelson, but he was adopted into a loving forever family.

AMERIPET HOTEL & PET CENTER Full service pet care facility offering dog and cat friendly boarding, Doggy Day Care, Grooming and Training.

We also offer a full line of super premium, “Made in America” pet food, treats and supplements.

The Shelter is open to the public, Mon.- Fri. 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sat. 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. they are located at 2450 Hemmert Ave. Anyone can pop in to say hello to Nigel or take a look around at the other cats and dogs to see if maybe one of them is the right fit for adopting.

Nigel has no plans of going anywhere. He doesn’t even try to run for the open front door.

And why would he? For a cat, with “cattitude,” Nigel has it pretty good. Stop by and see for yourself.

Committed to providing the best pet care in the state!

208.524.3112 open 7 days a week 2464 E 24 N 6:30 am - 6:30 pm Idaho Falls, ID ameripethotel.com I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 127

An Accidental Service Dog Sometimes someone comes into your life who seems to need you, but it turns

By Lisa Jensen out you needed them even more.

Photos courtesy of Glen Two-Eagles Christy

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hen Glen Two-Eagles Christy’s dog passed away, he resisted friends’ well-intended urging to get another puppy. Of LakotaSioux descent, Two-Eagles had always had an affinity for “critters,” as he calls them. However, he missed his old dog too much. He didn’t know that when he grudgingly agreed to look at a litter of Australian shepherd/border collie pups, that he would find an invaluable treasure in a puppy named Nee-Chee.

Surveying the litter, it wasn’t any of eight or nine pups vying for his attention that caught Two-Eagles’ eye. Instead, it was a little pup calmly laying off to the side who interested him.

He looked more like a collie than the white and speckled puppies yapping and jumping around.

Two-Eagles’ interest was piqued, however, when the dogs’ owner revealed that the litter had been born on the same day his dog had died. together and, at times, the dog trained the owner just as much as the owner trained the dog.

“I didn’t have to housebreak him. From day-one, he would go to the door and look back at me if he had to go to the bathroom. I asked him what he wanted, and he would scratch the door or bark. Then I got it. He had to train me,” Two-Eagles says with a smile.

True to his shepherd/border collie heritage, Nee-Chee was highly intelligent and understood verbal communication well.

Though he’d come with no intention of adopting a puppy, the coincidence opened his mind to the possibility. When Two-Eagles learned that the owner planned to give the quiet little guy to someone who would use him to train pit bulls, he knew he had to take the pup himself.

“When I would tell him something, I could see him thinking it through, figuring out what I wanted and how he would do it,” says Two-Eagles with equal measures of amazement and pride.

Nee-Chee’s purpose was revealed when the pup was a little over a year old. Two-Eagles had developed diabetes, and it became clear that Nee-Chee knew when his master’s blood sugar was out of whack.

“That made me angry,” he recalls. “I picked him up and said, ‘This pup belongs to me.’ I figured even if it didn’t work out, I would find him a home with someone who would take care of him.”

“One day when I first started having sugar trouble, Nee-Chee jumped up and started sniffing around my mouth,” Two-Eagles says. “I tried to push him away, but he kept nudging me with his nose and whining. It turns out my sugar was crashing. I didn’t know it, but he did.”

Finding Nee-Chee a home never became an issue. He slipped into life with Two-Eagles as if they’d always been

Nee-Chee had a different signal when Two-Eagles’ sugar spiked.

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Pet Care / Physician |

Pets are our passion

“I learned real quick to check my blood sugar if he started licking my ear and, sure enough, it would be high.”

Dog and man were rarely apart. Nee-Chee accompanied Two-Eagles to work daily. They traveled together to North Carolina to visit family and they frequently went camping and fishing.

“I’d ask him if he wanted to go fishing and he’d start barking, ‘Rrrr-rrwoww-rwowf!’ So we’d go fishing. He would play in the water and run along the bank, and he really loved eating fresh fish,” Two-Eagles chuckles.

Over time, Nee-Chee began having trouble walking. The problem was a tumor that had grown on his hip. When he was around 13, he began having seizures and Two-Eagles and Nee-Chee both knew it was his time.

After he passed, Two-Eagles honored his companion in a traditional Native American way.

Because red is considered the burial color, he asked a friend for a red blanket to wrap Nee-Chee in. Then he laid him to rest facing the east.

“It took me awhile to get over it,” Two-Eagles says quietly. “People started telling me again I needed another pup, but I put a stop to that. I couldn’t replace him any more than someone could replace a child or a brother.”

Dog and Cat Grooming Doggy Playcare Dog Boarding Small Pet and Reptile Boarding Grooming Supplies

208-523-2464 Grooming and Daycare hours Monday - Friday 7:00am - 6:00pm Saturday 9:00am - 3:00pm

4372 E 17th Street Ammon, Idaho 83406

In fact, the name Two-Eagles gave his dog comes from the Lakota-Sioux word for brother: niciye ki (nee-chee-yea kee). The special pup that he’d never intended on adopting became so much more than a pet or a friend, and had carved out a spot in Two-Eagles’ life that would be hard to fill.

As Two-Eagles looks at pictures of Nee-Chee, the memories are painful but sweet.

“I didn’t realize how much I still miss NeeChee until I started looking through the pictures,” he says. Then he admits with a small smile, “I think I’d like to get another dog someday.”

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fine art photography

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Photography |

family • children • high school seniors • business

I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 131

“One Foot, Two Foot . . . “ Experience what the right doctor can do for your blue foot.

By Jennifer Anderson Photos by Capture the Moment

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unshot wounds, limb salvage, foot and ankle reconstruction and diabetic wound care were typical fare during Dr. Kylin Kovac’s three year residency at Detroit Medical Center. Long shifts of intensive surgical work refined his skills during his time in Detroit, but Kylin Kovac DPM, MHA is doubly excited to bring his skill set to Southeastern Idaho. Whether you have a complex foot deformity, foot or ankle pain or injury, or a troublesome ingrown toenail, residents of Eastern Idaho can take comfort in knowing that they can receive exceptional care close to home.

Dr. Kovac’s education includes a Bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University, a four year medical degree and Masters in Healthcare Administration from Des Moines University. Followed by three years of intense training at one of the best residency’s in the country. “Podiatry as a whole has progressed over the last 10 years,” explains Dr. Kovac.

“During my training I worked alongside medical and surgical residents of all specialties rotating in areas such as medicine, infectious disease, vascular surgery, orthopedic trauma, general surgery, plastic surgery, emergency medicine, and wound care. I also spent time at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan in the orthopedic department treating children for all types of foot and ankle conditions including children with birth defects such as club feet.”

Now Dr. Kovac is developing a solid relationship with hospitals in the area. He treats patients at each

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of the hospitals in Idaho Falls and Rexburg.

His practice offers a convenient, on-site, accredited, ambulatory surgical center. The out-patient facility is located in the same building as the clinic, adding to the convenience of the surgical experience. The surgical center is also a more cost effective way of treating patients, often saving them thousands in hospital charges. With his extensive experience and well-equipped surgical center, Dr. Kovac is a step above the norm, but patients come back for another reason— his personalized care.

From the moment a patient walks through the door, they receive exceptional treatment.

“Each exam room is assigned a medical assistant (MA) who will personally be with the patient through their entire visit,” explains Dr. Kovac. Additionally, Dr. Kovac strives to be personal and thorough, answering questions and spending

Physicians |

1540 Elk Creek Dr Idaho Falls, ID

208-529-8393

IdahoFootAndAnkleCenter.com

time addressing concerns and worries that patients might have. His elderly patients especially appreciate the interest and care Dr. Kovac demonstrates during their visit.

It’s time to visit Dr. Kovac at Idaho Foot & Ankle Center to see what he can to do get you up and running again. Idaho Foot & Ankle Center is located at 1540 Elk Creek Dr., Idaho Falls, but Dr. Kovac also sees patients in Rexburg. Call 208-529-8393 to make your appointment, or visit IdahoFootAndAnkleCenter.com to learn more about how Dr. Kovac can help you.

Dr. Kovac’s interest in the elderly began as a boy through his association with his grandfather who lost both his legs due to diabetes. In an effort to spare others the same fate, he has made an effort to educate people and has extensive training in diabetic wound care.

Treating all forms of foot and ankle pathology, Dr. Kovac says, “Foot pain is not normal.” Some of the conditions he focuses on include: • Sports injuries • Ankle Sprains & Tendinitis • Foot & Ankle Fractures • Arthritis • Flat Feet & Deformity Correction • Pediatric Foot Care • Bunions • Heel Pain • Ingrown or Painful Toenails • Skin Lesions, Warts & Athletes Foot • Diabetic Foot Care & Limb Salvage • Neuropathy I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 133

Living the Dream

Story by Lisa Jensen Photos Courtesy of Keith Morse & Allan Klingler, Teton Video Services

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“With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.”

— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., August 28, 1963

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hough society has made progress concerning the issue of diversity, the symphony from Dr. King’s dream isn’t quite playing in complete harmony yet. Many in Idaho Falls would proudly declare that diversity and discrimination aren’t a problem. However, that may simply be because they don’t see it first-hand. The majority of citizens are open, friendly and welcoming, but a gap remains in the understanding between races.

Promoting diversity and expanding awareness and understanding is exactly why the Idaho Falls AfricanAmerican Alliance was started.

where you can get products and services, and to introduce our culture to the community.”

The group began their mission with manageable activities, such as offering tutoring services and financial assistance for students. Because the message of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., has always been central to the mission of the IFAAA, honoring him with a banquet to raise money for the assistance they provide was a natural development. It spotlights the IFAAA and its message of understanding, respect and acceptance among all races.

In 2006, a group from the INL came together to help an Idaho Falls teen, and the idea of an official organization focused on providing assistance and advancing diversity was born.

“One of the managers at the INL was talking to me about this African-American kid who was an incredible debater,” recalls Dave Snell, the current president of the IFAAA. “He’d won all sorts of preliminary competitions in debate, but he didn’t have the financial means to travel to the regional finals. So we got together and raised $300 and passed it on to this student. It made me think how nice it would be if we could help out the kids in the area who are in need.

We’re blessed with great jobs. We 2014 Martin Luther King, Jr. Banquet. From left: Eloise Snell, Dave Snell, Joyln Thomas, Dr. Lucretia have the means to help others. Why Murphy, Robert Brooks, Linda Hahn, Dennis Patterson, Lavonna Patterson. not do it?”

“Dr. King’s dream was bringing people together.

If anyone could unite people to support such an We decided that is one thing we could do with our undertaking, it would be Dave Snell. Personable and banquet,” says Snell. pleasant, he’s a classic “people-person” who enjoys “It’s probably the one event in Idaho Falls throughtalking to, being with and helping others. out the year where you can go and see such a diverse Having grown up in Utah, Snell remembers group,” agrees Dennis Patterson, former IFAAA moving to Idaho Falls 31 years ago, and the difficulty president and current member. “Native Americans, he had even with things as simple as finding a place to Asians, Hispanics, Caucasians, all alongside Africanget a haircut.

Americans and all coming together to celebrate “Idaho Falls is a great town,” Snell says. “But, Dr. King and his message.” it’s a community that doesn’t have a lot of AfricanAmericans in it, so one of the initial goals for us was that we wanted to be a resource for information about

Nine years later, the IFAAA is still growing, and the annual banquet has developed to the point that planning takes up most of the year. The group meets

I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 135

Allan Klingler, Teton Video Services

2015 Martin Luther King, Jr. Banquet. Top row from left: Dave Snell, Robert Brooks, Marcus Thomas, Dennis Patterson, Don Patterson, Alfred Johnson. Bottom row from left: Linda Hahn, Senator Cherie Buckner-Webb, Jolyn Thomas, Sheila Johnson.

once a month and starts early sending out invitations to potential speakers. Over the years they’ve been proud to host such prestigious people as Dr. Walter Massey, the president of Morehouse College, Pete Miller, the Undersecretary of Energy, and Freeman Hrabowski, one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2012. For the 2015 banquet, the IFAAA was pleased to have Senator Cherie Buckner-Webb speak. Being the first African-American woman elected to the Idaho Senate, her message of being purposeful in leaving a legacy was timely and well-received.

Annual attendance at the banquet averages between 300 and 400 people and the proceeds have afforded the IFAAA the ability to provide scholarship assistance to students as well as give back to the community through supporting other local non-profit organizations. In 2015, the Developmental Workshop has been chosen to receive a portion of the proceeds from the group’s banquet. The funds will be used to further the Workshop’s mission of providing skills training, job placement and on-the-job coaching to disabled citizens or those who are disadvantaged.

“As an organization, we try to contribute where we can. We’ve been able to give out around $17,000 in scholarships and about $13,000 to the community,” Dennis Patterson says. “It’s been a privilege to work together to accomplish a common goal.”

Reception Table - Robert Brooks (AAA) member, volunteer, Sheila Y. Johnson (AAA) member

Dave Snell concurs on that issue, saying that it was important from the start to bring together men and women of varying backgrounds. He believes the assets each person can bring to the table will strengthen the organization and will, in turn, strengthen families, churches and the community. In Snell’s estimation, that’s how you strengthen the world. All of the IFAAA members add value to the organization’s efforts to promote diversity, and four, in particular, are ideal examples of offering one’s talents and experiences to benefit the group and the community.

Despite the organization’s name, the group itself is made up of people of different races serving as members.

“Being an African-American was part of who Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was,” Snell explains. “He was a man and a pastor first, though. That’s why I wanted to bring Pastor Don Patterson in to be part of this.

I always want to remember God in what I do. He gave me the talents and abilities I have, so I wanted to make sure we had spiritual counsel included in what we were doing.”

“We’ve always been a diverse group from the beginning. We are very proud of that,” Patterson says, pointing out that the group is open to anyone to join.

Having lived most of his life in Southeast Idaho, Pastor Don Patterson has always felt as if he was in a position to teach.

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“Going to school here from kindergarten through high school and attending Idaho State University, I always tried to share of myself to educate others,” Pastor Patterson says. “That’s one of the biggest parts of our mission (with the IFAAA), too. To educate and bring awareness to remove the stereo images that people have primarily about African-Americans, but we also want to remove the stereo images of all people.”

Pastor Rick Brown of Watersprings Calvary Chapel and wife, Tammy.

Jolyn Thomas (AAA Member) with Guest Speaker Dr. Lucretia Murphy 2014 Guest speaker, Dr. Lucretia Murphy

Keith Morse, the Executive Secretary for the IFAAA, is another person whose strengths have been serving the group well for the last three years. He’d worked in managerial positions for most of his career, working for the State of Washington and the Boeing Company.

“What I contribute to the IFAAA is that I am really big on planning and organization,” Morse says. “I like to provide facts and data and make things happen. You always get great returns from serving others, and I really believe in the organization’s message of understanding that we are all equal, encouraging people to treat each other with love, respect and consideration. There are a lot of rough edges in society. This brings us together as one in purpose in everything we do.”

Jolyn Thomas is another excellent example of not only diversity within the IFAAA, but of how different people’s skills and backgrounds can be useful. Thomas hosts a radio talk show on KEIR 101.1, formerly News-

talk in Idaho Falls. Like many, she was moved at a young age by Dr. King’s legendary “I Have a Dream” speech.

After attending an IFAAA banquet, she reached out to Dave Snell to see how she could get involved.

“My goals and beliefs were the same as Dave’s and the organization’s,” Thomas says. “I loved how much Dr. King’s philosophies were so significant to the IFAAA’s message of diversity and acceptance.”

Her job as a talk show host has allowed Thomas to be able to explore issues with diversity and get the conversation in Idaho Falls going. With national attention on race issues in other cities, such as Ferguson and the New York police shootings, Thomas brought in Sergeant Doug Matcalf from the Sheriff’s Department and Dave Snell as guests on her show.

“The purpose was to look at how national events were going to impact our local community and how we can strengthen our community. You don’t think it would happen in Idaho Falls, but it can have a trickle-down effect. We focused on the positive things the Sheriff’s

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Linda Hahn, a AAA member and her husband

Office is doing to build strong relationships between citizens and law enforcement. It’s better to be proactive instead of waiting for things to happen,” she says.

Thomas is also a firm believer in promoting diversity by example. She’s a mother of three: Marcus, 26, Jacklyn, 13 and Jordan, 9. Marcus’s father is African-American, and Thomas knows firsthand how important it is to help kids understand that part of their heritage. Thomas says that, even though the organization has always endeavored to be a resource for African-American and mixed-race families, it’s something the members of IFAAA want to develop further in the coming year.

Dennis Patterson (AAA Member) dishing up food

“Some of us as members have had experiences that can be helpful to other families, such as Caucasian families who have adopted AfricanAmerican children. I know, person- “As an organization, we try to contribute where we ally, the things involved in (blending can. We’ve been able to give out around $17,000 in a family), and I’ve been able to talk to families in similar situations. It’s a scholarships and about $13,000 to the community,” great opportunity to help the families and help kids not lose that part of - Dennis Patterson their culture or identity.”

Reaching out to youth through the school system is an additional way the IFAAA is promoting diversity.

Many of the group’s members have gone to schools to speak about diversity and equality, and some are playing a role simply through their presence. Dennis Patterson has given talks in schools about diversity and inclusion, but he recently began substitute teaching in the Idaho Falls school district.

“Enhancing diversity in the school system was one 138 | I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

Reaching out to youth through the school system is an additional way the IFAAA is promoting diversity

of our concerns when we started talking about forming the IFAAA. We felt it was important to provide a presence in leadership and educational roles,” Patterson says. “Since I began substitute teaching in December, it’s been rewarding building relationships with all of the students. The minority students’ response to seeing someone who looks like them is visible surprise, but it’s been valuable to be able work with them.”

With the outreach to families and increased efforts in schools, the IFAAA’s momentum has created an excitement and enthusiasm for the organization to try to do more. Education is at the top of everyone’s priority list, though the group is still looking at different ways to increase understanding and acceptance.

In the coming months and years, the city will likely see the IFAAA’s profile become more prominent as they sponsor and participate in more activities that bring the community together. The group recognizes that Dr. King’s historical message is still relevant and important today, and they have made it a priority to share that message with everyone. Taking their cue from another great spiritual and political leader, the Idaho Falls African-American Alliance has taken the initiative to be the change they want to see.

If you’d like to join the Idaho Falls African-American Alliance, you’ll be welcome regardless of race, religion or national creed. The group is always open for more to join, and whatever time or talents you can offer will be appreciated. Just contact one of the current members if you have questions or want to get involved: David Snell, President, 208-569-6768 Dennis Patterson, former President, 208-351-1638 Keith Morse, Executive Secretary, 208-522-4896 Don Patterson, committee member, 282-7927 Jolyn Thomas, committee member 569-5410

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Back in

the Game

Face the world standing up, not flat on your back.

By Jennifer Anderson Photos by Capture the Moment

P

icking up your grandchild, a sudden wrenching pain shoots through your back. Batting in the ninth inning, bases loaded, you swing for all you’re worth, and pain drops you to your knees. Numbness in your legs and sometimes your arms is becoming a constant reminder of the fall you took from your bike a year ago. The situations go on and on, but the results are the same: you are in pain and it’s not getting better. Whatever your scenario is, isn’t it time you did something about it?

Millions of people suffer from back pain. Sometimes the pain is chronic leaving patients little choice but to learn to live with it, but many times there are concrete, real solutions. Dr. Mark Weight of the Western Spine Institute says, “Typically patients come to us when things aren’t getting better after a reasonable amount of time. If symptoms aren’t improving after four to six weeks and it seems to be a continuing problem then that’s a good indication to go see a specialist.”

and recommended he visit Dr. Weight. “Mark Weight is quite a guy,” says Sprague about his initial visit and impression of Dr. Weight. “He is not overstated and very conservative. I asked some tough questions about his success rate, operating time, recovery time, and point blank, how good he was.” At the end of the interview, Sprague was satisfied and confident he had found the right guy for the job. Doctors performed what is referred to as a roto-rooter (multi-level decompression) where they cleaned out Sprague’s spinal canal of debris and scar tissue as well as removed a cyst. “I have a new life as a result of my surgery,” says Sprague. “I spent a year in a lot of pain (before the surgery), not being able to walk. I am really thankful to Dr. Weight and his staff.”

Del Sprague loved to walk, travel, and take the world standing up, but a year after his knee replacement surgery he could barely stand longer than four minutes. Trolling some of his favorite stores, he would have to find spots to sit and rest, all the while reassuring employees he wasn’t having a heart attack. His knee doctor did some research

Dr. Weight is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon highly experienced in spinal surgery.

After earning his medical degree at Chicago Medical School, Dr. Weight did his residency in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and then completed a fellowship in Rochester, New York focused specifically on Spine Surgery. During his decade of real work experience, Dr. Weight has seen patients from newborn to end-of-life with spinal situations runnng the gamut from scoliosis, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and more.

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Physicians |

Dr. Weight says many come out of surgery expressing profound relief regarding their diminished pain.

However, Dr. Weight takes a very conservative approach to back care, performing surgery when necessary, but not as a first option. “Surgery works really well for a lot of the problems that we treat, but it’s not an answer for everything,” says Dr. Weight.

Each patient is evaluated on a one-on-one personal basis. A detailed history is discussed such as prior back problems, injuries, family back issues, when they are bothered most (day or night), where the pain is located, and how it is affecting their day-to-day work. Once Dr. Weight has a solid idea of how the patient’s injury may have occurred, what their prior treatment has been, and their pain level, then a physical analysis is performed.

Mark A. Weight, M. D. 2355 Coronado St. | Idaho Falls, ID

208-523-0303

Investigating sensory deficits, muscle strength changes, reflexes, and range of motion within their joints also helps Dr. Weight understand best how to formulate a treatment plan. When needed, x-rays, nerve conduction studies, CT-scans, and MRI’s can be used to help diagnose and treat.

Some back and joint issues are just normal wear and tear, but weakness in arms or legs, tingling in the extremities, loss of function or mobility, and pain limiting abilities and strength should not be ignored.

When surgery is not an option, Dr. Weight does all he can to suggest alternate ways for individuals to find relief from their pain whether it’s physical therapy or other medical treatments that may help minimize chronic suffering. Diet, weight management, stress reduction, exercise, stretching, good posture, proper lifting, good shoes, and an ergonomically correct workstation can go a long way to reducing back pain issues for many.

Back pain doesn’t have to keep you down. Get the help you need from someone you can trust. Call Dr. Mark Weight of the Western Spine Institute.

I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 141

Soup’s On!

The Soup Kitchen celebrates 30 years of community outreach.

By Jennifer Anderson Photos by Capture the Moment

T

he Soup Kitchen, like many great stories, has humble beginnings. Over the years it has blossomed into much more than originally intended and has helped, inspired, and touched more lives than just those who come in from the cold for a hot meal. With their 30 year celebration in June, it’s a great time to find out more about The Soup Kitchen, and the impact it is making in the community.

When Lois Greenwood and Joanne Galbraith attended a convention on hunger in Boise in 1985, they probably never imagined their initial efforts would go from feeding a handful of people a couple of times a week to feeding upwards of 50,000 individuals yearly.

The two parishioners of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church initially approached the Bishop of Idaho and were given $500 to seed their vision of serving lunch Saturdays and Sundays to whomever needed a meal. Operating out of a store room in the church and cooking on a single hotplate, they prepared soup, boiled eggs, and fruit as a side. The first day they only served two, but the number slowly began to increase. Within the first 18 months, they had already served 1,805 meals and were able to pay back their original gift of $500 with church and community donations.

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It was community involvement that really allowed The Soup Kitchen the ability to truly become an outreach program. Dan Sanow and his wife Marilyn began working at the soup kitchen, then called St. Mark’s Christian Sandwich Kitchen, stocking the store room and purchasing food (a responsibility that has grown significantly over the last 30 years). Sanow mentions that along with their own congregation, other groups and churches began wanting to help. “The first thing we had to do was a cost analysis to find out if we could support another day,” explains Sanow. “Our goal was to always have a year’s worth of financial resources to cover fluctuations in donations.

We analyzed it and found we could support another day, and maintain our financial reserves, and keep up the day-to-day operations.”

The St. Paul’s and Trinity Methodist churches took over cooking and serving lunches on Mondays, and within about a year the Lutherans and Catholics each wanted a day as well. After another cost analysis it was determined they could add two more days.

Fortunately the donations picked up right about that time. “The message was clear to us, open two more days,” says Sanow. “It was like magic, our donations started increasing, and that’s what always happens at this soup

kitchen. It was one of the first times that it dawned on me that if you just pay attention, you are being told what to do and how to do it.”

By this time, the church had undergone some renovations. A new heating system allowed The Soup Kitchen to move from the storage room to the old boiler room, and add a much needed kitchen to their growing operation.

For several years the soup kitchen served lunch five days a week. Despite the need, they struggled with how to expand.

The LDS church began taking Fridays, but it was apparent that despite plenty of volunteer help, The Soup Kitchen was outgrowing its space.

Expansion finally came in an unusual way. St. Mark’s was an aided parish, and with two episcopal churches six blocks apart, the Diocese decided to merge the two and sell the building. At the time Sanow felt like it was an economical decision and was not happy, openly opposing the idea. In the end, it was decided the congregations would merge, but the funds from the sale of the building could be used by the congregation. They began earnestly looking for a new soup kitchen property.

“It was probably the second or third meetings of the vestries discussing all this, and I was sitting there listening, and it was another divine moment. It was like someone walked up behind me with a baseball bat and

whacked me in the back of my head. Everything finally became perfectly clear as to what was going on and why,” explains Sanow. “We were feeding 60-70 people (a day) by then and we had outgrown our building and it (The Soup Kitchen) needed a new home. We were being told what to do. We were going to end up with a new soup kitchen. We had a mission in life and it was to feed people.”

In October 2003, with funds from the sale of the church, a grant from the Community Hospital Corporation, a change in name to “The Soup Kitchen,” and an extensive remodel, the Community Outreach Center (COC) opened for use.

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Now, almost 30 years from its inception, The Soup Kitchen offers lunch daily to anyone who needs a meal.

Its growth over the years has felt miraculous, though sometimes painful, to those who have been in the trenches fighting for its continued survival and for what it facilitates daily: food, warmth, and companionship.

What started out as two women’s desire to feed those within their reach has grown to an entire community reaching out to feed and serve. A small act of kindness has touched hundreds of thousands of people and lives through the years, creating a positive ripple effect throughout the entire community.

Cooks at The Soup Kitchen receive two directives: feed everyone that walks in the door and feed them all they can eat. Judy Sahr has been volunteering at the soup kitchen since almost the beginning. “When you get a hungry child in here who eats anything you put in front of them, it really makes it all worthwhile,” says Sahr. She goes on to say that although many come to eat, some just come for warmth and fellowship.

The Soup Kitchen is located at 301 S. Boulevard in Idaho Falls and is open daily from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. You can support The Soup Kitchen with food donations or financially by sending a contribution to: 301 S. Boulevard, Idaho Falls, ID 83401.

No questions and no judgments are made of those that frequent The Soup Kitchen. Their statistics show that about 70 percent of guests attend regularly and are from very diverse backgrounds. Homeless, migrant workers, elderly, under-employed, handicapped, mentally challenged, and transient are just some individuals and families that make up The Soup Kitchen population. “It isn’t just a place to feed hungry people,” says Sanow. It’s not only touching the lives of those who eat at The Soup Kitchen, but those who serve and volunteer.

Due to generous donations from the community through monthly and yearly financial donations, groups organizing fund-raisers and canned food drives, and Civic and Federal aid The Soup Kitchen continues to be a daily resource to those who might otherwise go hungry.

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“When was the last time you were hungry and had no place to go?” asks Sanow. He hopes never.

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208-524-7244

alpineearnoseandthroat.com I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 145

Printing Perfected From formal invitations to business solutions, Quick Print makes printing and mailing a simple task. By Jodi Price

Photos by Capture the Moment

I

f you are starting your own business or taking part in a growing company, you know that designing the business and standing out can be very tough. Coming up with business advertisements and producing memorabilia can get pricy and overwhelming—just thinking of a logo could take days, but not with the help of Quick Print. It’s been almost two years since Eagle Press and United Mailing Direct joined forces to form Quick Print in Idaho Falls, and the business couldn’t be doing better. From designing to printing and mailing, Quick Print can do it all.

of their graphic design team members have had experience in the field for over 10 years, and at least one member has more than 20.

Not only will Quick Print help with your business needs, but much of this print shop’s expertise goes into personal requests as well. If your community is having a bake sale, Quick Print will happily aid in the design and printing of your flyers. If your child has a school basketball game, it’s no problem for the printing team to come up with a poster or banner for the event. These guys

The merge between the two companies has brought nothing but positive benefits for the Idaho Falls community in the printing world. They are able to do one, two and four color printing in house and by combining the two corporations, the Quick Print staff is able to bring more to the table by generating ideas and creating new experiences for their customers.

The highly experienced and trained professionals at Quick Print are able to help your company get on its feet with simple startup essentials like business cards, letterheads, brochures and stationery. The graphic design team is also there to help you design your own logo, whether it is from scratch, or a simple redesign for a nice update.

Gary Moon, co-owner of Quick Print, says that some 146 | I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

specialize in wedding invitations, graduation announcements, birth announcements and Christmas cards; and they don’t stop there. This print shop is one of just a few places in Idaho Falls that binds books for any business or personal use. The skillful staff is proficient in book layouts, making it

Printing |

easy for any customer to put together a business manual, a recipe book, a genealogy binder or family photo album.

Printing is one side of this business but we can’t forget to mention the other half, mailing. Originally, United Mailing Direct would print and mail statements from the local banks and credit unions, along with other professional documents that needed to be dispatched. Even with the merge, Quick Print continues to mail bank statements regularly, but will also help mail items for your business or personal use as well, such as mailing to specific addresses, sending out invoices and customizing postcards. They can even send birthday invitations.

Quick Print takes pride in assisting their clients and values the relationships they form. “My favorite part of co-owning Quick Print is working with excellent people and helping the customers,” says Moon. Building those relationships and understanding the consumers’ needs and wants is what keeps this business booming year after year. Quick Print will continue to create and inspire people to come up with new ideas and help their business and personal lives grow. When it comes to the printing and mailing world, there really isn’t anything Quick Print can’t do.

565 1st Street • Idaho Falls, ID 83401 DESIGN

208-529-0775 • Office PRINT

MAIL

208-529-1969 • Fax

www.idahoquickprint.com I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 147

Restau

A GUIDE TO SOME BEST PLAC

148 | I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

urants

Restaurant |

E OF IDAHO FALLS’ CES TO EAT

I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 149

A Five-Star Experience Friendly, courteous staff; lively atmosphere; fresh, delicious food.

By Ainsley McWha Photos by Capture the Moment

A

s I stepped into Texas Roadhouse on a Saturday night (for the first time ever), I was worried that I was walking into a restaurant so raucous that I would need to shout across the table to my dinner companion. Instead, a smiling hostess greeted me and immediately asked whether I would like some fresh-baked bread. Yes, please. I sat at the bar counter to get a complete view of the space and because there was a wait in the dining room, (had I known, I could have used the Texas Roadhouse’s Call Ahead Seating that ensures there’s a table ready for you when you arrive).

The dining room was full of people of all ages having a great time. The décor is definitely reminiscent of a true roadhouse, with wood-paneled walls, some taxidermied animals, and several brightly colored painted murals, many of them featuring the two restaurant mascots, Andy the Armadillo and Iggy the Iguana. Country music played but not too loud that I couldn’t have a conversation.

The bartender was welcoming and knowledgeable, and surprised that I had never been to a Texas Roadhouse before—as she should have been, there are over 400 locations across the country. But Texas Roadhouse is not your typical chain restaurant. Here, the staff is more like a team of family members than simply employees. They are all looking out for each other and so is the company. I learned about Andy’s Outreach Fund, which encourages every employee to donate a minimum amount of his or her paycheck every month. Then, when a team member finds him or herself in a financial situation too large to handle, the fund pitches in to help.

It was hard to know what to order. All steaks are handcut in-house and are on display in a front window case.

The sides are made-from-scratch every day, meaning no preservatives. If you choose, all this can be washed

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Texas Roadhouse

Steakhouse

2535 S. 25th St. E. 208-542-9988 www.texasroadhouse.com M - Th. 4 to 10 pm; F - Sa. 12 pm to 11 pm; Su. 12 pm to 9 pm down with an ice-cold beer or one of Texas Roadhouse’s Legendary Margaritas. I opted for some ribs, which were accurately described by the menu as fall-off-the-bone. Delicious! There was only one thing I wish had been different about my visit—that I had gone with a bigger appetite!

Taster Comment:

“I absolutely love Texas Roadhouse. It has excellent steak. Cooked to perfection. Really good service and a great price for the quality of food.” – Urbanspoon

Manager Says: “What’s

important is the consistency— when you dine at Texas Roadhouse you are always guaranteed food of the highest quality.” Sandi Salinas – Legendary Store Marketer

You Gotta Try This!

House Salad made with fresh greens, cheddar cheese, tomato, eggs, and made-from-scratch croutons and accompanied by made-from-scratch dressing Rattlesnake Bites: rounds of diced jalapeños and jack cheese, hand-battered and lightly fried, served with a Cajun Horseradish sauce for dipping Legendary side of Award-winning homemade Texas Red Chili Slow-cooked Fall-off-the-bone Ribs with a unique blend of seasoning and smothered in Texas Roadhouse’s signature BBQ sauce

Restaurant Guide

Pub and Catering

Pizza

Bee’s Knees Pub & Catering Co.

MacKenzie River Pizza Grill & Pub

T

W

Bee’s Knees Pub & Catering Co. 850 Lindsay Blvd.

208-524-1669 www.beeskneespub.com M - Su. 11 am to 11 pm

wo local sisters inspired by fresh and non-traditional ingredients make crazy good food and drinks. Fun local vibe, good music, daily specials and comfortable atmosphere.

We do catering on and off-site and are available for large or small events. So come in and try our amazing mac-n-cheese, ahi nachos, or fire-grilled steaks—your taste buds will thank you!

Taster Comment

: WOW!!!, surprised with some awesome food during an overnight stop in Idaho Falls. Mandatory stop for super yummy food anytime I’m anywhere near here again. Ahi Nachos as an appetizer followed by a Heaven’s Turkey Club. Both were fantastic, flavors are amazing. If you are anywhere within 100 miles do yourself a favor and check this place out.--reviewed by Jim W. on Yelp.com

Chef /Owner Says:“Our focus is taking old favorites and adding new twists. One of the greatest passions we have is really pushing people to step outside of the box and try new flavor combinations that really intensify their senses.”

—Devan

1490 Milligan Rd Idaho Falls, ID 208. 932.2987 mackenzieriverpizza.com Sun. - Thurs. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

F - Sat. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

e’re transporting you to the very heart of the Northern Rockies! With a casual, rustic atmosphere featuring Montana Lodgepole furniture, stunning panoramic canvas and historic photographs, the tone is set for distinctive, creatively prepared food served by vibrant employees renowned for passing their upbeat attitudes on to our customers. The acclaimed gourmet pizzas are offered on a variety of crusts— sourdough, natural grain, thick and thin—with toppings from classic pepperoni to pesto, ricotta, and sun-dried tomato.

Taster Comment

: My family went to celebrate a birthday.

The food was again top notch.

We like the great variety of pizzas and burgers. I liked the fact they are offering new items and limited time items (the velvet cake slice was huge).

The night we went, they featured the rancher pizza and their wings with a garlic Parmesan sauce. We tried both as well as their Reuben sandwich. All of the items that we had tasted wonderful. We had the Mack Lovin’ for desert. It was five chocolate cookies baked together with Vanilla Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce - fantastic. Great Job Guys. I will be back soon.”—reviewed by NewEnglandBred78 on TripAdvisor.com

Chef Says: “The menu features an incredible array of delec-

table dishes, always flavorful and fresh and served up in heaping portions. With nearly two dozen pizzas on the menu, you are bound to find at least one you’ll love.”

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Restaurant Guide

Coffee

Java Espress

1250 W. Broadway - 208.552.7664 530 E. 17th Street – 208.529.6699 2139 E. 17th Street – 208.552.5282 www.javaespress.com M - Sa. 5:30 am to 7 pm; Su. 7 am to 5 pm

J

ava Espress is gourmet coffee on the go. With three locations serving Idaho Falls, our patrons can drive in and grab a cup of the best, hand selected coffee from around the world. We offer thousands of flavor combinations to please everyone from the coffee connoisseur to the person seeking a sugary buzz. Speed up your day with a delicious gourmet coffee from Java Espress.

Taster Comment:

“This is one of the best iced white mochas I’ve ever had, and my wife could not stop gushing about how great her dry cappuccino is. Where I come from there’s a lot of Starbucks around, and I was a little concerned there wasn’t one here. That concern was totally unfounded. Take the time to go here!” reviewed by Jerry D on Yelp.com

Owner Says:“Java Espress has been serving coffee in

Idaho Falls for over 20 Years! We have amazing customers who have become a part of the Java Espress family and have been loyal to us for decades. Stop by one of our locations to see why so many people stuck with Java Espress.” - Shane Murphy

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Coffee House

Kool Beanz Café

901 Pier View Drive, Suite #103 208.552.5665 M - Th 6:30 am to 8 pm ; Fri.- Sa. 6:30 am to 9 pm Su. 7 am to 5 pm

K

ool Beanz Café takes the gourmet-on-the-go concept that has been perfected at Java Espress and converts it to the much anticipated sit down, personal neighborhood hangout location.

We specialize in quality products on-the-go. All of our menu items (aside from beer, wine and appetizers) are served in to-go containers so our customers have the option to get on their way or relax and dine in our café. We focus on speed, convenience and quality, serving only the best coffees from around the world and using the freshest ingredients in our Juice Jungle smoothies. So whether you’re looking for a steamed egg bagel sandwich, an artisan panini or a fresh baked pastry, you’ll find gourmet quality food and beverages at Kool Beanz.

Come meet the Kool Beanz family and discover Idaho Falls’ coolest place to be.

Taster Comment

: I absolutely loved my Berry Good Salad and Iron Recovery Protein smoothie! This was the perfect meal to keep me on track after my morning workout!

Chef Says:

“Kool Beanz Café is the sister company of Java Espress. As such, I designed a food menu that would complement what our customers love and expect from our drive-through locations. We serve fast, healthy and delicious lunch and breakfast options. Our artisan Panini Sandwiches are crafted using premium ingredients and house-made spreads then grilled to gooey perfection. Try the melted Kool Club Panini or one of our signature Entrée salads”- Seth Roth

Restaurant Guide

Fine Dining

Keefer’s Island Restaurant

780n Lindsay Blvd.

208.523.4318 keefersisland.com Daily 6 am to 10 pm; Breakfast 6 to 10 am; Lunch 11 am to 4 pm; Dinner 5 to 10 pm; Sunday Brunch 10 am to 2 pm

A

t Keefer’s Island Restaurant you’ll find the rooms are spacious, the service professional and the chefs are highly trained and innovative. This is quality dining in a relaxed and casually elegant atmosphere. We provide a spectacular setting in-house with a beautiful view of Keefer’s Cabin and the Greenbelt. Choose from meeting or banquet rooms, full service restaurant and bar, or experience our quality service at the location of your choice. With five TVs, a bar menu, live music and other weekly events, a breakfast buffet, as well as a regular menu to choose from, you’ll see why we were voted “Best Place to Hold an Event”.

Taster Says:

“I was in need of a local restaurant to cook a buffalo prime rib and a buffalo tenderloin with all the fixings for a very important dinner with some potential customers. Keefer’s not only blew them away but had them asking if it would be possible to take the leftovers home with them on their jet! If you have not tried the new groove at Keefer’s, you have got to give them a try!” —reviewed on Urbanspoon

Chinese Cuisine

New Hong Kong

1820 Jennie Lee Drive 208.528.8883 www.idahofallsnewhongkong.com Open Daily 11 am to Close

A

t New Hong Kong Restaurant we serve the finest American and Chinese food in town. We’ve been serving the Idaho Falls area for years. We have authentic Chinese specialties, family dinners and even some of your American favorites. So whether you’re in the mood for dine-in or take-out, you won’t be disappointed with our selection, service and flavor.

Taster Comment

: “New Hong Kong is my absolute favorite Chinese restaurant. The wait is short, the prices are good and the food is awesome! Definitely should try.”—reviewed on Google

Chef/Owner Says:

“When you want excellent Chinese food, call New Hong Kong. We have delicious Mandarin Chicken, Special Fried Rice, and mouthwatering Broccoli Beef, along with all of your other Chinese favorites.”

Chef/Owner says: “We are committed to providing a

warm, friendly, fun atmosphere with quality products at a fair price with genuine, friendly and considerate service.

This commitment to excellence is an integral part of your enjoyment.”

I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 153

Restaurant Guide

American Diner

Scotty’s Drive In

560 Northgate Mile 208.523.6382 Summer M - Sa. 10:30 am to 10 pm; Winter M - Sa. 11 am to 9:30 pm

S

cotty’s is the local hang out. We thrive on only using the best quality beef, potatoes, real ice cream and local produce. Because we are local we support local events, schools and local programs and charities. For 50 years we have been a local traditional restaurant.

American Bar & Grill

The SnakeBite Restaurant

401 Park Ave. Idaho Falls, ID 208.525.2522 www.snake-bite-restaurant.com M - Sa. 11 am to 3 pm; Tu. - Sa. 5 pm to 9 pm; Bar open all day

L

ocally owned and operated from day one, The SnakeBite Restaurant is a downtown mainstay. Our food is created with the best quality ingredients available locally or afar, while recipes are prepared and served with enthusiasm.

With 20 ever-changing beers on tap, a fine wine list, and your choice of a casual cozy bar or dining room atmosphere, you’ll see what has kept the locals supporting us since 1994.

If you’re not eating at The SnakeBite, you’re just not eating.

Taster Comment:

“My absolute favorite eatery! Fantastic menu and amazing staff!”

—reviewed Camille Crnkovich on Facebook

Taster Comment:

“Nice to have an old fashioned drive-in burger joint. The fries are good! The shakes are to die for! They also have some good alternatives to just burgers.” —reviewed on TripAdvisor.com

Chef /Owner Says: “It’s not fast food but great food fast.”

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Chef/Owner Says:

“Todd and Gina Thoulion, a husband and wife team, work together to welcome and offer their guests a place for good food, good service, and a great atmosphere. They want to make everyone feel like they are at home.”

Restaurant Guide

Frosty Gator

American Bar & Grill

Frosty Gator 298 D. St. 208.529.3334 www.frostygatoridahofalls.com M - Sa. 11 am to 1 am; Su. 11 am to midnight

W

hen you just want to go out with some friends, eat some delicious food and play some trivia, the Frosty Gator is the place to be. With a homey, casual atmosphere, a wide variety of adult beverages, and food made from scratch you’ll want to hang around for awhile. We smoke all of our own meat, use only fresh produce, and have a varied menu featuring everything from pastas to sandwiches, baskets and appetizers. With 20 TVs, video games and pool tables, there’s entertainment for the whole family.

Taster Comment

: “I never miss a chance to hit The Gator when I’m in town and I have yet to find somebody who went with me who didn’t like it.”

Chef/ OwnerSays: “The Gator is definitely

a fun and upbeat atmosphere! Our menu items are made from scratch, we have our own homemade sauces, spices and dressing, all of it. The Gator has it all!”—Jake

American Diner

Mitchell’s Restaurant

615 E. Iona Rd. 208.525.8834 www.mitchellsrestaurant-idaho.com Su. - Th. 5:30 am to midnight; F - Sa. 24 hours

M

itchell’s is REAL home cooking. We make our soups, biscuits, and rolls from scratch. At Mitchell’s you’ll find daily lunch and dinner specials as well as your favorites like our Country Breakfast of two eggs, biscuits and gravy and bone-in ham steak.

We have great portions at a great price. No one does breakfast better and you’re guaranteed not to leave hungry.

Taster Says:

“This has the best breakfast in Idaho Falls. I’d know, I’ve been to every breakfast place in town and this place is by far the best. Large portions, flavorful options. I always get the ham and cheese omelet and I’ve never been let down. If you are an out-of-town-er or a local that’s looking for an awesome breakfast spot, come here and thank me when you arrive. Tell them Aaron sent you.”

—reviewed by Aaron S. on Yelp.com

Chef/ OwnerSays: “We are easy to find and a

great place to eat when you’re in the mood for great made-from-scratch food at reasonable prices. With long hours and breakfast anytime, you’re sure to find what you’re craving for any time of day.”

I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 155

Restaurant Guide

Irish Pub & Grill

Deli

The Celt

The Sandwich Tree

E

F

398 W. Broadway Idaho Falls, ID 208.881.5128 www.celtpub.com M - Th. 11 am to 10 pm; F - Sa. 11 am to 1 am mbracing the traditions of Ireland and Scotland, The Celt provides an atmosphere to the area with 24 beers on tap, the largest whiskey selection in town and unique cocktails. The menu consists of appetizers, Celtic cuisine, sandwiches and burgers, with weekly specials so there is constantly something new to try. The Celt is also a venue for live music and special events, creating a lively hangout for both locals and travellers. Located in historic downtown.

500 W. 17th St. 208.529.5875 M - Sa 9 am to 8 pm

or the past 21 years we’ve been serving only the freshest ingredients, making our award winning sandwiches the best in town. Your sandwich will be piled high with delicious meat, creamy cheeses, and fresh veggies. No order is too large for us—from weddings to school functions or even just a family picnic basket—we’ve got you covered. Try us! You’ll be glad you did.

Taster Comment:

“Great once again. I have had lunch here a few times and have never been disappointed. Today there were 3 of us and we had a wonderful relaxing lunch. We started with the fried dill pickles and they were the best I’ve had. Then we ordered the Red Snapper fish and chips, the grilled corned beef and cheese and the choice of sliders. Beers were a Milk Chocolate Stout, a caramel and sea salt stout and Mac and Jacks. They were all great. The Beer selection is unbelievable. There is a large menu selection also. Service was great...can’t wait to go back.”—reviewed by hannah1230 on TripAdvisor.com

Chef /Owner Says:“Food is a proud Celtic tradition,

and we do it right by mixing local favorites and traditional Celtic dishes to create a unique menu full of options. It’s a party in your mouth!” - Mark, Head Chef

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Taster Comment:

“If you’re in the mood for an excellent sandwich you should try out the Sandwich Tree.

The prices are good and you don’t feel like you’re being herded through the line like you do at Subway. This is my go to place for a sandwich.”—reviewed by kysmiley on TripAdvisor.com

Chef /OwnerrSays: “The Sandwich Tree has been a

huge part of my life. I have owned and operated it for 22 years now. I have grown to love my community and know so many people because of this business. I would like to thank my customers for their support. I am still serving many of them who first supported me 22 years ago. I am so grateful. Thank you Idaho Falls! I love you.”

—Linda Hyster

Restaurant Guide

Deli

Cafe & Catering

Rusios

North Hi-Way Cafe’

R

N

1610 E. 17th St. 208.542.1111 M - Th. 11 am to 8 pm; F - Sa. 11 am to 9 pm

usios is a locally owned and operated restaurant that was born right here in Idaho Falls. We use the freshest ingredients and strive to give every guest great food and a fantastic experience. We have free Wi-fi, an incredible meeting room and a very comfortable dining area.

Whether you are dining in, taking it home, or having us cater your event, we offer you the best!

Taster Comment:

“Great salads, amazing soups! I just love this wonderful food joint!

Great place for lunch! I love the sausage soup with kale and the salads and grilled sandwiches! The dessert bars at absolutely scrumptious as well! Great price for great food!—reviewed by Sveta on TripAdvisor.com

460 Northgate Mile 208.522.6212 northhiwaycafe.com Open Daily 5 am to 8 pm; F until 10 pm

orth Hi-Way Cafe has been serving Idaho Falls for over 80 years! As Idaho’s longest running cafe, they are proud to serve homemade meals that will fill you up. Our catering expertise ranges from banquet to full catering services, small and large-group gatherings, to pickup and delivery services. We also specialize in creative menu ideas with home cooked goodness, friendly and professional wait staff.

Taster Comment

: “Great salads, amazing soups! I just love this wonderful food joint! Great place for lunch! I love the sausage soup with kale and the salads and grilled sandwiches! The dessert bars at absolutely scrumptious as well! Great price for great food!—reviewed by Sveta on TripAdvisor.com

Chef/Owner Says:

“We make it so you don’t have to! Thank you to everyone that has made us a success!”

Chef/Owner Says: “Our Rare Beef Sandwich is like no

other. Known as the Rancher’s French Dip, our chefs start with freshly cooked roast beef, sliced to order, served on a toasted hoagie roll with plenty of au jus for dipping.”

I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 157

Restaurant Guide

Steakhouse

Billman’s Steakhouse

2565 E. 17th St. 208-523-6700 www.idahofallssteakhouse.com M - Th. 11 am to 8 pm; F - Sa. 11 am to 10 pm

B

illman’s Steakhouse is a true family owned business that serves nothing but the highest quality beef.

We have been in the food business for over 23 years.

We have a full bar, country dancing, and entertainment on the weekends. Billman’s has a large banquet room, mobile catering trailers and can cater groups up to 10,000 people. So if you’re looking for a great meal either at a restaurant or in your backyard, call Billman’s at 208.681.1059.

Indian Cuisine

Tandoori Oven

3204 S. 25th E. 208.522.8263 www.tandooriovenif.com Daily 11:30 am to 2:30 pm; 4:30 to 9:30 pm

N

amaste! Are you ready for some great Indian food? If so, then Tandoori Oven is the place to be. Family owned and operated since 2004, we opened our Idaho Falls location in 2014. We are committed to providing you with great food and service. We offer a wide variety of chicken, lamb, seafood, and vegetarian entrees. Come experience the culture of India in Idaho Falls.

Taster Comment

Taster Comment

: “It was excellent as always! Perfection is always their motto!! I have never had a bad meal here in six years.

Thanks everyone.”

: “We LOVE this place! Never had a bad meal or service.

My favorite is vegetable kurma, my husband’s is butter chicken, my son’s is shrimp saag, & my daughter-in-law’s is chicken tikka! Yummy!” Reviewed by Julie T. on Yelp

Owner Says:

“Great food, great staff, and an overall excellent dining experience.”

Chef Says:

”We prepare all of our entrees using the oldest traditional methods of Indian cooking which includes the use of TANDOOR (clay oven) in which charcoal is at glow at all times. All of our meat is grilled and delicious naans baked in the tandoor.”

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Restaurant Guide

Mexican Cuisine

Tapas Bar

Jalisco’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

Republic American Grill & Tapas Bar

L

T

2107 E. 17th St. 208.552.2021 325 River Pkwy 208.612.0102

jaliscosmexicanrestaurant.com M - Th 11 am to 10 pm F - Sa 11 am to 11 pm Su 11 am to 9 am

ocally owned and operated Jalisco’s Mexican Restaurant has been serving Idaho Falls authentic Mexican cuisine since 2000. Our mission is to provide you with a little piece of our Mexican culture with our food, service, and atmosphere.

Our menu features something for everyone in your family, whether you like it spicy or mild, American style or more authentic. With imported Mexican decorations, and the best authentic food this side of the border, you’ll feel like you went to Mexico without the hassle of travel.

Taster Says:

“Jaliscos will not disappoint you. I love the food and the service. I am not a horchata fan but my wife is and she’ll tell you it is the best she has ever had. I love the pollo fundido but with shredded beef. So delicious and the atmosphere is always fun. As of 02-01-2015 there is a reason it has no poor and no average ratings. Best food around.”—reviewed

by Greg H. on TripAdvisor.com

Chef/Owner Says: “You have to try our Burrito

Asada. The meat is cooked to perfection with our special blend of spices and wrapped in a fresh flour tortilla with rice and beans, and served with homemade pico de gallo and guacamole. Delicious!”

355 River Pkwy 208-523-3355 RepublicAmericanGrill.com M - Sa. 11 am to 10 pm (Bar is open until midnight)

he Republic American Grill & Tapas Bar is a brand new restaurant that features chef inspired, casual contemporary, American cuisine and Tapas style small plates. Being creative with his menu development chef Joel is able to present a unique selection of diverse entrees and small plates that are sure to impress! With a reinvented space within that is modern, contemporary and local, it creates an atmosphere that complements the adjacent falls outside. We believe food should be visually enticing, made from scratch using fresh ingredients and infused with an abundance of flavor!

Taster Says:

“Pleasantly surprised to find a quality tapas bar/restaurant in southeast Idaho. Creative menu; fresh, locally sourced ingredients; carefully prepared; inventive presentation.

Comfortable ambience with nice local art pieces on display. Great beer selections from a variety of northwest, boutique breweries--enjoyed the wine selection as well. Our favorite tapas were the crab cakes, surf-n-turf with sweet chili sauce, and the stuffed jalapeño. Service was prompt and attentive. Would highly recommend and will definitely return.” reviewed on Yelp

Chef Says:

“As a chef-driven, full service establishment, we hold ourselves to a higher standard than anyone else could. Every aspect of what we do at Republic is driven by creativity from art, cuisine, spirits and service. We are here to break the monotony.”

I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 159

SAFE AND SECURE 4 Sight gives peace of mind with integrity.

N

ew construction or existing structures, security, integrated home automation, high end access control, 4 Sight Security can do it all and at affordable prices.

When Mark Blackburn was looking for a way to spend his spare time after retiring from the insurance industry 11 years ago, taking a job in security seemed like a natural move. After all, security systems are essentially insurance policies.

“Hopefully you won’t ever have to use it, but you have the peace of mind that it’s there if you need it,” Blackburn explains.

Today’s cutting-edge technology makes it possible for homes and businesses to be more safe and secure than ever before. Unfortunately, that’s also what’s made it possible for a number of security companies to take advantage of customers, providing minimal equipment and service for a maximum charge.

“Working for someone else’s security company showed me that many times people were less than honest. I liked working the business, but I wanted to make a difference and give people good, reliable security systems at a fair price,” Blackburn recalls.

As a result, Blackburn opened 4 Sight Security and started installing comprehensive systems developed with the latest technology, and at a fraction of what other companies charge for far more limited systems.

His approach gives Blackburn’s customers the peace of mind they crave, enhanced with the integrity he feels is lacking in the industry.

Blackburn started 4 Sight Security with basic home security in mind, but the first few jobs he landed ended up being more commercial than residential and opened up an entirely different market for the company.

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Story by Lisa Jensen Photos by Capture the Moment

“Those jobs revealed what was possible with the commercial end of the business,” Blackburn says. “Very few people know how to include cameras effectively, but we specialize in cameras and closed circuit TV. It enhances the overall system and it falls in line with virtual security, so we’ve integrated it together to offer customers the perfect system for their needs.”

4 Sight Security offers basic to advanced security packages and recognizing that each client’s needs are different, Blackburn’s team can customize security systems to fit every customer. “Whatever you can think up, we can do. The only limit is your imagination,” says Blackburn.

The technology and systems have come a long way from the days of wired alarms on doors and windows.

Today, the 4 Sight Security crew will not only install wireless protection at building entrances, but they also put up cameras and connect it all to a security system in the Cloud.

“With properties strategically surrounded by cameras inside and out, we can watch a property 24/7 for less than half the cost of a security guard,” Blackburn explains. “Plus, unlike a security guard, a camera system can see the front, back, sides and inside of a building all at the same time.”

For businesses that need to control building access, 4 Sight Security partnered up with Brivo Access Control systems. A step above the rest, a Brivo system doesn’t require a dedicated computer or an expensive program license. It allows business owners to control different degrees of security and, like the rest of Blackburn’s security, Brivo is Cloud hosted, with automated upgrades to the system included as part of the package.

Security |

Systems that are hosted and monitored in the Cloud are more than a convenience. They give business owners more control, and they can rest assured that their properties are safe and secure whenever they’re not on the premises. Plus, in the event of a breach or break-in, the authorities will be notified and on their way immediately. Extending that level of protection to homeowners offers a different yet vital type of peace of mind.

“We can install systems similar to the commercial ones for homeowners so they can see what’s going on in their house from anywhere in the world,” Blackburn says. “Plus, our systems can be used to automate a house. So, as long as they have access to the Internet, a homeowner can physically monitor their house as well as lock and unlock doors and windows, turn lights off and on, adjust the thermostat and arm and disarm their security system.”

The home automation packages include heat, smoke, water and frost detectors that will send a notification to your smartphone when something is amiss at home. “Years ago only the elite and wealthy could automate and secure their homes. With the advances in technology prices have dropped and now it is affordable and available to everyone,” Blackburn says.

You may not want or need all the bells and whistles but it’s nice to know that whatever you want, 4 Sight Security can get it done within your budget and they’ll do it right.

“I want to make sure that when we finish a job and walk out, customers are actually protected,” Blackburn says. “To me, it’s less about the money and more about building relationships and taking care of families.”

You’ve seen the commercials for the emergency pendants for senior citizens. “Help! I’ve fallen and can’t get up!” What’s so disappointing is that they’re only effective inside the house and in close range of the transmitter.

“Most people think it’s a great idea, but they aren’t aware that if you go outside to work in the yard and fall, you won’t be close enough to the base unit to call for help,” Mark Blackburn reveals.

4 Sight Security has the solution. They can set you up with an emergency pendant system that allows you to go up to 200 to 300 feet from the house and still be able to call for help when you need it.

Call 4 Sight Security today to learn more about all of the security and automation packages available, including emergency pendant systems that truly keep help within reach.

208-403-1434 www.4sighthomesecurity.com I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 161

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208-524-0500

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Why Your neighborhood YMCA offers countless opportunities to build character while strengthening minds and bodies.

By Taylor Lee Photos by Capture the Moment

T

he YMCA is a community staple known throughout the U.S. In Idaho Falls, it has been supporting the lives of citizens for over 65 years. If all you know is the catchy 70’s song then it’s about time to check out the facility. It really is “fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A!”

The Y is proud of its contributions to strengthening the foundation of Idaho’s communities.

The YMCA extends a helping hand to our local community with a scholarship program that makes attending the Y more affordable. “We are a huge part of the community,” says Jo Lawrence, Membership and Fitness Director. “We help those with families that can’t do a lot on their own.”

This includes the scholarship program with financial aid to those wanting to be members. The Y understands making healthy life changes shouldn’t break the bank which is why they have memberships available for all income levels for individuals, students, or families.

Improving the lives of youths is a big part of Y’s core focus. They offer a great after school program, complete with transportation from school to the Y if needed. The programs are designed to encourage fitness and health as well as provide a variety of numerous learning centers.

I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 163

So whether your child is into getting physical in the open gym, or being creative with arts and crafts, or something more studious like science and math, they’re sure to get plenty of opportunity to excel.

There are several programs with different times, days, and rates that you can explore and find what accommodates your family and schedule.

Another great program geared towards youngsters is the Child Care program. It is available weekdays for toddlers to Kindergarteners, providing meals and snacks for them. To create an atmosphere for children to achieve future success in life, the program exposes the kids to learning healthy habits and brain exercises.

Lawrence is proud of all the programs the Y offers and she sees the effect that they have on the participants. “When the kids are wanting to come back we know we’re doing something right,” says Lawrence. Employees at the YMCA mirror the enthusiasm of their members, making it a friendly and helpful environment.

For kids ages 6-12, the Y offers incredible team building opportunities from youth summer camps to swimming; there’s something for everyone. The summer camps are filled with tons of outdoor fun with different activities such as nature walks and rock climbing. There will always be games and crafts to get the kids to bond, as well as the unforgettable lovable camp songs! It’s an entertaining and rewarding experience, which gives kids the best childhood memories.

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“Great summer activity!” Andrew Millet, a previous member declares. “I remember wanting my parents to put me back in the YMCA.” Millet was a a member at the Y when he was 7 years old. It has been almost 20 years, and he still remembers his experience. He explained his insecurities with school sports—his peers seemed to all have athletic skills that he hadn’t seen in himself yet. “I really enjoyed soccer and the Y taught me social skills and team building skills that I took with me to school,” explains Millet. Millet’s time at the YMCA helped him pursue soccer because learning the basic skills, getting fit and having great supporters gave him confidence. “I was really young so I don’t remember every detail, but I do remember feeling like I could do sports, and it wasn’t as scary. I also remember the leaders were really nice and attentive.”

The YMCA can serve so many purposes to each individual, even for a child just needing a little boost to make friends and play soccer. If you are wanting to participate, volunteer work and opportunities are also available with the Y. Anyone is welcome to donate to fundraisers that the Y participates in by simply going online. The Y hosted the Jump, Jive, and Wail Fundraiser on February 28th. The event provided entertainment, dinner, and auctions with all proceeds going to supporting the YMCA in providing continuing aid to the community.

Schools/Storage |

Now Enrolling!

All Day Early Childhood Program with Preschool and Pre-K All Day Kindergarten - 6th Grade Extended Care Program Safe, Secure & Christ-centered Environment • Teaching the whole student in multi-age classes Emphasis on individualized instruction & student ownership Family atmosphere strengthens student, teacher & parent relationships

The Y is also involved with The Hungry Kids Community where kids are given nutritious meals during the summer. A lot of the focus is on the children, but adults are also considered. It’s hard on parents these days especially when both parents are working to support their families. The purpose of the Y is to help create a solid foundation for families as a whole, in health and in life. It is open to everyone without discrimination of any kind. The YMCA wants everyone, whether they’re struggling with crazy schedules or health choices to reach their goals.

• High academic standards & curriculum including: Art/Drama/Music Athletics/P.E. Community Service Field Trips/Clubs Technology

Bible Study Library

• Accredited School & State certified teachers • New, more competitive tuition E-mail hlcs@allabouthope.org or call to meet teachers and to arrange a tour.

Hope Lutheran School admits students of any religion, race, color, and national or ethnic origin.

529-8080 • www.allabouthope.org 2071 12th Street, Idaho Falls, ID 83404

Howard Equipment and Supply • • • •

Purina Feed & Pet Food Organic Fertilizers Farm Supplies Lincoln and Longevity Welders

1424 N. Hwy. 91 Shelley, ID 83274

• • • •

Hardware and Bolts EdenPure Heaters Electric Fencing Generators

208-357-3200 I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 165

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You’ll get only the work you need done quickly and efficiently from highly trained specialists who do the job right the first time — so you can get back on the road as fast as possible.

210 Constitution Idaho Falls, ID 208.522.2132

166 | I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

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The Thrill of the Kill A look at what motivates people in Idaho to hunt.

By Benjamin Chapin

W

hether you are an experienced hunter or never held a gun in your hand before, chances are, if you live in Idaho, you know someone who hunts. For many Idahoans, hunting is a way of life. A tradition passed on from generation to generation and often tinged with great pride. Most hunters have wild stories about the one that got away—or didn’t and ended up nearly exhausting the party trying to retrieve it from that insane ravine. But aside from the cultural implications of hunting, why do some people love it so much? What drives them back into Idaho’s beautiful back country year after year, often in horrible weather?

Rick Perry, an outdoor enthusiast and hunter says, “It’s for the thrill of the hunt.” Perry’s

response is one that you’ll find time and time again when you ask a hunter why they hunt.

Whether it’s a game of cat and mouse or man and elk, the reasons why the cat and man will continue that hunt turns out to not be very different at all. According to research that was conducted at Stanford University

by Brian Knutson (Seppala, 2013), the reason why is because dopamine in the brain is not only being released when we capture our desire, but in the anticipation of doing so.

If you are pointing binoculars down over a mountain and spot an elk you are going to be tracking for the next few days possibly, your brain sends off a signal similar to the way it does when you make that final shot and down your elk. The thrill begins when your eyes first fall upon your desire, the elk.

I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 167

Knutson’s research thus helps explain why hunters have the ability to spend sometimes upwards of a week out hunting and tracking with no reward when they return home. But the same hunter can feel a sense of satisfaction with their time they spent hunting. This also helps explain why the hunters go back time and time again.

When asked why else he hunts, Perry was kind enough to offer up an additional reason: “I prefer big game meat over any other kind.” While most people that shop in the grocery stores for meat don’t typically have the slightest clue where it came from, hunters in Idaho know exactly where their elk meat came from, right here in the wilderness and they’re proud of that fact. Hunters know their meat wasn’t treated with growth hormones or raised on some farm. It was through their own determination and grit that they’re able to put that meat on the table.

And what a bounty! Hauling home an elk that has been harvested can produce an average upwards of 35 percent of the total weight of the animal.

Depending on its size, that can result in about 175 to 200 pounds of meat! Perry himself enjoys making steaks, roasts and hamburgers with his elk meat that he brings home. Other swear by the back strip or enjoy making jerky with their elk meat, but the taste of big game is a luxury not everyone has.

Some hunters come from out of state to Idaho for a hunt, knowing they could return home empty handed so knowing where to hunt is vital for success.

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“In a civilized and cultivated country, wild animals only continue to exist at all when preserved by sportsmen.”

—Theodore Roosevelt

Tires |

Tires Alan Steel, owner of Steel Gun and Pawn is no stranger to hunting either. Like many hunters, Steel has his favorite spots to hunt, “Not Telling Ridge,” he confides with hearty laughter. Steel isn’t alone in his protectiveness of his favorite locations to hung. If a good hunting location is revealed to too many people, it no longer becomes an excellent place to go.

Perry on the other hand was willing to give a little bit away, but not without being vague about it to keep his secrets too. One of his beloved and favorite spots in all of Idaho to hunt is up in the Spencer Idaho region. He loves the land, the terrain and everything there is about it.

Perry is an early riser on his hunting days, waking up as early as 5 a.m. to get a good head start on the day up to Spencer. His choice to rise early allows Perry and his party time to trek up the mountain and get into position before sunrise.

When the sun finally begins to come up, the deer and elk are starting their journey back up the mountain which is the perfect time for Perry and his companions to scope out their targets. Once they spot the deer or elk they’ll be stalking, the thrill of the hunt begins.

Hunting is a way of life for many residents of Idaho. It’s fueled by the desire to achieve something, be self-sufficient and enjoy the great outdoors. With lush forests, mountains, rivers and streams right in their backyard, many Idaho residents find hunting to be in their blood.

Alignments Brakes Struts Shocks Service & More 265 Northgate Mile Open Sundays 9am-3pm

208-523-5544 3193 East 17th

208-523-4465

I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 169

Living History A few residents of Idaho State Veterans Home open up about their time in service.

T

he veterans at the Idaho State Veteran’s Home in Pocatello have the distinction of not only witnessing history, but also being part of historical events. Even if you’re not a history or war buff, you’ll still find an afternoon spent talking with any of the veterans at the facility to be fascinating and educational.

The bonus of making a friend is the icing on the cake.

Prisoner of War Vern Byington has plenty of stories to share. He served as a Private, First Class in the Army in World War II and was a Prisoner Of War for almost eight months.

Still, he will greet you with a smile and an upbeat attitude, and is happy to relate accounts from his time of service.

Vern joined the Army in 1942 and was initially sent to Africa. His company didn’t spend much time there, however, before being sent to Italy, where they marched north through the country and saw plenty of action along the way. Some of it, unfortunately, was “friendly fire.”

“One time we got shelled by our own guys,” Byington recalls. “I remember one guy sailing up in the air like he’d been on a trampoline. The enemy was coming towards us with tanks, so they were really trying to get the tanks and they did with the next shell.”

The enemy had their sights on Byington’s company though, and was relentless with the attacks.

“I got shot at a lot. I would lay on the ground and shoot off two or three rounds, then I’d have to move because they would figure out where I was and start shooting back at me,” Byington says. “One time, before I realized I had to keep moving, I got shot in the foot.

Well, really, it was through my shoe, through the edge of the sole. That shot didn’t hurt me, but I was hit plenty with bomb fragments and still have shrapnel in my back.”

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By Lisa Jensen Photos by Brooke Richardson

Byington was fortunate enough to survive the trek northward, but not all of his fellow soldiers fared as well. One by one they would disappear and fresh troops would be sent in to restore the dwindling numbers.

“I don’t know how many got killed, but there were at least 12 guys that I didn’t see anymore, and then they’d send in new guys, but they were less and less experienced,” he remembers with a frown.

“Pretty soon, it got to where they didn’t even know what the enemy looked like or how to shoot a gun. That’s how we were captured.”

After evading the German troops across most of Italy, Byington’s company was cornered by the enemy in October of 1944. He tried to get the inexperienced soldiers around him to fight back and shoot their way out of the situation, but it was in vain.

“I was trying to get them to do something, anything, but they said they didn’t know how,” Byington says, incredulous.

Rather than using his experience to escape alone, he remained with the company and was captured, loaded onto a boxcar and sent to a prison camp. For the next several months, the prisoners were put to work, cleaning up streets, building railways and even laboring on civilian farms. Little attention was paid to the Geneva Convention’s guidelines at the time, and Byington and his fellow POWs went without proper heat, changes of clothing or laundry facilities and only got two meals each day.

“We got ‘barley coffee’ for breakfast, that was burned barley steeped in hot water. Sometimes you’d get a few kernels of barley floating in your coffee, and that was a bonus. For dinner, they’d give us a loaf of bread for six or seven guys, and

“We had to deal with the situation we were in.

Things would have been so much harder if we hadn’t kept our spirits up and tried to get fun out of everything as much as we could.”

—Vern Byington

Living at ISVH allows Vern Byington and other residents an opportunity to give back.

we’d each pull off a chunk and that was it.

I lost a few pounds as a prisoner,” Byington chuckles.

came through, dropped off some C-Rations and pushed on. Then they loaded us up and took us to France.”

It’s surprising that he can laugh about it now, but Byington reveals that a sense of humor was their secret to surviving the ordeal.

At a hospital in Le Havre, the soldiers were weaned back onto a regular diet and, happily, given fresh clothing before being shipped back home.

“We tried to make fun out of everything. We’d make a game of the clean-up jobs we were assigned, sorting trash into ‘good’ and ‘junk’ piles. One day one of the guys came out of the barracks showing off his uniform like he was wearing something new and said, ‘Like my new clothes?’ That’s how we got through the hard times.”

“We were so happy to get those new clothes,” Byington says. “After all those months, the others plumb wore out!”

Those hard times finally came to an end in May of 1945 when the Germans surrendered, and the war was declared over.

“The guards just dropped their weapons where they were and left the camp,” Byington recalls. “The American troops

Many soldiers understandably return from battle mentally and physically scarred. In Byington’s case, however, the appreciation for the good things in life, like clean things to wear and sufficient food, along with the value of a positive attitude are the souvenirs he keeps from WWII. “We had to deal with the situation we were in. Things would have been so much harder if we hadn’t kept our spirits up and tried to get fun out of everything as much as we could.”

ISVH residents know how to have fun.

Here are a few fishing.

I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 171

Building Bridges in North Korea and Viet Nam Albert “Bud” Osborne is the veteran to see if you’re interested in the Korean and Viet Nam wars. Friendly and thoughtful, Osborne will tell you that he doesn’t have much of an exciting story. Having served in the National Guard building roads to the front lines, though, his experiences are more interesting than he lets on.

Osborne joined the National Guard in Ashton when he was 18. The year was 1948, and it provided a job that paid well compared to the other work available in the area.

“When I joined up, it was in the infantry and we went to Fort Belvoir (VA) for summer camp. When we came back they 172 | I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

made us engineers, and we started learning how to operate tractors and road graders, so I had experience with equipment in addition to the rifles,” Osborne remembers.

Understanding of engineering ended up serving the U.S. troops well, as Osborne was assigned to build roads when he was shipped overseas in 1951.

“Roads were needed to get people and equipment to the front lines, so we built roads in North Korea,” says Osborne.

“We graded them and had to repair bridges that had been blown up. We’d have to drive poles into the mud and rocks, and that’s what we started out with to put a bridge across a river.”

Decades later, at least one sample of Osborne’s handiwork is still standing.

“We built the Colonel Sorensen bridge, and one of the fellas that flew over there in the fall of 2013 said that he took a tour, and the bridge is still there,” Osborne modestly admits.

After a year in North Korea, just before the war was over, Osborne came home to Ashton. He remained in the National Guard, performing work that included operating a road grader for the Forest Service in Ashton. When an opening came up for a full-time job as a maintenance man in the National Guard, Osborne applied and got the job.

“We knew how to do our jobs, and I guess we did them right because some of that work is still there today.”—Albert “Bud” Osborne “That kept me in Ashton for a little while, but when personnel was being cut back in certain areas, I got transferred to the field maintenance shop in Boise.”

After three years, Osborne was transferred to Idaho Falls. He worked in the maintenance shop and continued to spend summer training at Fort Belvoir, where he received specialized training on road equipment and moved up to the rank of Sergeant First Class.

In 1969, the Viet Nam war broke out, and engineers and mechanics were needed near the front lines. Osborne was shipped overseas again and found himself once more on a road crew, but in a supervisory position this time.

“We were building roads, but I mostly stayed in the camp and supervised the boys as they did their maintenance on the tractors and graders,” Osborne recalls.

He may not have been traveling to the front lines, but the camp was close enough to the action that they had to deal with mortars frequently.

“One time mortars were being fired in and everyone was scrambling, trying to get into the shelter,” Osborne recounts.

“There were so many, so I just stood back and let others go in, but I knew I needed to find another place where I’d be safe. I was standing next to a jeep, trying to think where I could go, and a mortar hit on the other side of the vehicle. I still have shrapnel in my knee from it.”

The experience earned Osborne a purple heart and, when troops were being removed the following year, he was one of the lucky ones to be sent home. He stayed with the National Guard for awhile but opted to leave the service when a command change resulted in the loss of his job. He likely would have stayed if circumstances had been different, but Osborne is still proud of his time of service.

“We knew how to do our jobs, and I guess we did them right because some of that work is still there today.”

I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 173

Veterans Home |

Caring

for America’s Heroes

At Idaho State Veterans Home it is just as important to give as it is to receive.

“H “

By Lisa Jensen Photos by Brooke Richardson

ow do you define a hero?” asks Josiah Dahlstrom, Administrator of the Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello.

residents involved in volunteer work and service opportunities gives them the chance to do what they’ve done for much of their lives: serve their fellow citizens.

“A hero is somebody who has done something significant for you. My heroes may be different than yours, but we can agree that they appear to be larger than life,” says Dahlstrom. “Our home has the unique opportunity to care for America’s heroes and when you get to know these residents you quickly realize they have done some amazing things. These are individuals who have answered the call of duty and given much without the expectation of receiving something in return.”

“I’ve worked in nursing homes for over 10 years and there can be a lot of heartache and grief for the residents, their families, and the staff that care for them,” explains Dahlstrom. “The remedy to cope with these challenges can often come from giving service to others. The industry and its regulations have taught me to look at different coping methods. Often when we focus on someone else and their needs, we can regain a positive outlook on life and its trajectory.” Our Home offers numerous volunteer opportunities.”

Caring for America’s heroes is not just a motto for the staff at the Veterans Home; it’s a goal they focus on every day, for each and every resident. For Dahlstrom, “caring” extends beyond providing medical attention and physical comfort. It means enhancing their time at the home to give them the best quality of life possible, showing them that what they have done for our country is appreciated.

“We want to enrich the residents’ lives,” explains Dahlstrom. “I think we can accomplish this by allowing them opportunities to serve their peers, their care givers and their local community.”

What Dahlstrom is talking about is volunteerism and the two-way street it has become at the Pocatello Home.

Volunteers are always welcome and needed at the home and certainly add to its rich culture, but getting the 174 | I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

“[Veterans] have served their country well, and they continue to want to give back.”—Josiah Dahlstrom Carrie Leavitt, Activities/Volunteer Coordinator at the home, sees it the same way.

“Part of life, no matter what age we are, we love to help others. Our veterans here still love to do for other people.

They’ve made baby quilts for the hospital, to give to babies that might not have a blanket to go home in. They make baby doll quilts and cradles to give to Toys for Tots at Christmastime. Our residents even did a book drive to send books to the troops overseas, and included handmade bookmarks with each one.”

www.veterans.idaho.gov | 208-235-7838 | 1957 Alvin Ricken Drive, Pocatello, ID

Dahlstrom and Leavitt would like to expand the volunteer program to encompass more opportunities for the residents to get involved in the community.

As much as the residents of the Veterans Home in Pocatello enjoy serving the community, there is still a need for volunteers from the community to come in and help out.

“Sometimes you don’t think you have time to volunteer, but you don’t need to schedule a full day,” Leavitt says.

“It can be an hour or even less. People can volunteer as individuals, but organizations, businesses, students and families can also volunteer to come and visit with the residents, read to them, play games, do arts and crafts or even play music for them.”

previously?” We can also guarantee a history lesson that will rival any you have received in a classroom if you take the chance to sit one on one with any of our War Time veterans and allow them to share their stories.”

Favorite volunteer activities at the home include: · Attend a local ballgame · Visit the museum · Go to the local movie theater · Fishing in the outdoors · Attend outings at a local park · Listening to musical talent · Playing a favorite card game

When you volunteer at the Idaho State Veterans Home, you might set out to perform a charitable service.

Don’t be disappointed, though, if it ends up feeling as if you are the recipient of the goodwill. Dahlstrom has personally experienced the “return on investment” effect and is aware of the valuable impact the Veterans home residents can have.

“You may not feel like you have the resources, but if you have a little bit of time that is all that it takes. The smiles and respect you will gain from those who live in our home will certainly brighten your lives and beg the question “Why didn’t I do this

Volunteering at the Veterans Home The Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello welcomes volunteers on any scale: a couple times a year, a few times a month or even a few times a week. There are opportunities to work in the canteen, help with activities, visit with the residents, play cards, board games or even video games. If you have a special skill or interesting hobby, such as cake decorating or fly fishing, you could even present a one-time demonstration.

People who volunteer as often as once a week are required to fill out an application and undergo further screening and training but there is no cost.

If you would like to volunteer on any level please contact Carrie Leavitt at: 208-235-7800 or email her at carrie.leavitt@veterans.idaho.gov.

I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 175

Why I Love Idaho The Idaho Falls LIFE staff took to the streets to find out why people love living here. What’s your favorite reason for living here? Send your response and photo for our next issue of Idaho Falls LIFE to idaholifeeditor@gmail.com

Johnson Family “We love that its just a quick drive to get to the river or lake for some fishing with the kids! ”

Anette Gregory, BeechTree Photography I love Idaho Falls! I consider it my home away from home and spend time up there every year. Some of my favorite things are the summer thunderstorms and awesome sunsets. The sweet smell of hay on the night breeze drifting in the window is something I look forward to every summer.

BeechTree Photography

Angie and Katrina Homer I love Idaho Falls because it offers a quality of life most places can’t even imagine.i like driving down a country road and waving to stranger or sliding off the road and having five people stop to help you.

Neighbors become family and friends are easy to make.And the surrounding area offers so many adventures it just doesn’t get any better.

176 | I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

Falls Gary G. “Taking my twins golfing at all of the different golf courses in and around Idaho Falls ”

Abby Hill “I love Idaho Falls because the people are friendly, the sunsets are beautiful and the mountains that surround us are breathtaking!”

Kurt Hill “It’s been a great place to raise our family, and besides that, there’s great fishing nearby!”

Lauren Wilson “I love that on the warm days of summer the streets are filled with kids playing and selling lemonade and that the parks are filled with families.”

David Newsome “It’s big enough to have a great variety in shopping, restaurants and all you need, but small enough to have that home town feeling.”

I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015 | 177

Where on Earth?

You may have lived in Idaho Falls your whole life, but how well do you really know the City?

Email IdahoLifeEditor@gmail.com if you know where this photo was taken. All correct answers will be entered into a drawing for a free Idaho Falls Life T-shirt! Please be sure to include your name, address and t-shirt size. Submissions must be received by March 31, 2016.

178 | I DA H O FA L L S L I F E 2015

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