First-class cabin service returns to Idaho Falls

SkyWest began flying 76-seat Canadair RJ 700s in and out of Idaho Falls this week. This marks the first time a regular commercial service has offered a plane with a first-class cabin since 1997, when Delta quit landing 737s in Idaho Falls.

Since Delta stopped flying 737s into Idaho Falls Regional Airport in 1997, one of the major complaints from an economic development standpoint has been the lack of first-class cabins in the regional jets that took their place.

That ended Wednesday, when SkyWest began its early morning flight to Salt Lake City with a larger Canadair Regional Jet 700. The 76-seat aircraft has a first-class cabin, which means corporate types who would never fly coach under any circumstance may be likely to feel more at ease about visiting Idaho Falls to check it out.

It's also good news for people who fly all the time, said Airport Manager Len Nelson. "When you have people who are premium fliers, those upgrades are signficant," he said.

SkyWest, which operates the Delta Connection to Salt Lake City and the United flights between Idaho Falls, Denver and San Francisco, has brought RJ 900s into service, freeing up the RJ 700s for other routes. Right now it's only the plane that comes in late and leaves early in the morning, but if the flights are full a second RJ 700 could be added.

Idaho Falls was ranked second among 228 SkyWest locations for operations efficiency and on-time performance in April. "This is a good indication of the competency and steady performance of the SkyWest managment and staff here at Idaho Falls," Nelson said. "Given the volatile weather conditions we have from day to day, it is no easy task to keep flights running smoothly and on time."

A few facts about the Idaho Falls Regional Airport

This is kind of in the "Hey, did you know?" department. I'm looking into the economic impact of the Idaho Falls Regional Airport, and found these facts and numbers in the 2010 Idaho Airport System Plan.

• IFRA is the third largest airport in the state, behind Boise's Gowen Field and Hailey's Friedman Memorial.
• Total Employment: 1,269
• Total Payroll: $31.5 million
• Total Economic Output: $103.1 million

On the historical side of things (which I love) here are a few things worth noting:

• The airport first got its operating license in 1938, after the first hangar, administration building and tower -- all made of hand-hewn white pine -- were built by the Works Project Administration.
• The airport as we know it was laid out by H.P. "Pete" Hill, who was appointed manager in 1953. Hill, who died in 1999, was the son of an aviation pioneer and had a flying license that was signed by Orville Wright.

Sport Clips in Pocatello finds new location near Costco

Sport Clips in Pocatello has relocated to the Rail Crossings Shopping Center, near Costco. Offering quality haircuts for men and boys, Sport Clips is a sports-themed business with flat-screen TVs showing games throughout the salon.

The local owner is Larry Asay, owner of the Sports Clips in Idaho Falls also. Sports Clips' new address is 231 West Quinn Road.

"Sport Clips represents the high quality of tenant that we are attracting at Rail Crossing," said Eric Isom, chief development officer of BV Properties, which owns the shopping center. "We look forward to watching our tenant list grow as we offer attractive lease deals in this quality shopping center project."

The Pocatello Sport Clips' hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The salon is closed Sundays.

For more information on Rail Crossings, Sport Clips or BV Properties, call Liza Leonard at (208) 523-3794 or visit www.ballventures.com.

'Security is mostly a superstition ... "

There was an interesting piece in the New York Times this weekend, "My Faith Based Retirement," about financial planning and Baby Boomers. The largest generation in American history, of which I am part, is hurtling toward decrepitude. Let the weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth commence.

I like to think my wife, Karen, and I have done a semi-responsible job of planning for old age. We both have 401(k) plans that we have not raided (not that the temptation hasn't presented itself.) I wholeheartedly agree with the statement in this article that most ordinary people are not mentally equipped to handle their finances.

Helen Keller (1880-1968)

The biggest mistake I think we made was refinancing four years ago, switching from a 15- to a 30-year mortgage so we could get some cash to put a new roof on the house, replace the rotting deck out back and remodel a bathroom. Alas, we didn't have a family member who could lend us $20,000.

Still, that's nothing compared to the last six months, during which we've come face to face with how fragile any middle class family's finances really are. The week after Thanksgiving, we discovered a tumor in Karen's abdomen. Surgery and chemotherapy followed. Even with insurance, it has cost us $15,000 out of pocket. If we hadn't had insurance, we'd be pretty well wiped out.

In a situation like this, money takes on an unreal quality. What I think about more than anything is our dreams, what it would cost to realize them, and how little time we really have left. Should I take $13,000 and go to Nashville to record the 15 or 20 good songs I've written in the past 30 years? Or should I save it for the privilege of eating cat food when I'm 85?

You can spend your money on a dream or you can spend it on a nightmare.

My friend Patti Sherlock, a writer and cancer survivor, were talking Sunday morning at coffee hour about how illness acquaints a person with the fragility of life and the pointlessness of worry. She shared with me this quote from Helen Keller: "Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing."

Anyway, here's the Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/28/opinion/nocera-my-faith-based-retirement.html?_r=1#

And here's Todd Snider singing a song that addresses the subject:

Shaltry recognized locally as Administrative Professional of the Year

Diana Shaltry

Diana Shaltry, administrative assistant for the Very High Temperature Reactor Technology Development Office, was selected as the 2012 Administrative Professional of the Year by the Eagle Rock Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals.


Shaltry was nominated by the entire group she supports at the Idaho National Laboratory and was honored at the 2012 Administrative Professionals Seminar at the Red Lion in Idaho Falls.


Shaltry has worked at the INL for nearly four years. Her boss, David Petti, said the first interaction many people have with the VHTR program is through Shaltry. “She has exceeded all our expectations in successfully working not only on day-to-day affairs of the program, but also in interacting with stakeholders," he said. 


As winner of the award, she received a special gift package, recognition by her peers at the award luncheon and free admission to the seminar. Administrative Professionals Day marked its 60th anniversary on April 25.

Carl's Junior files for certificate of occupancy

We visited the city of Idaho Falls Building Department office Thursday morning to find out whether there was anything new to report. There wasn't anything big, but there were a few things worth relating.

Carl's Jr. filed Wednesday for a certificate of occupancy for its Northgate Mile restaurant. The opening was originally planned for April 16, but there were delays in getting the parking lot finished and engineering the storm water collection system. The restaurant is taking applications.

Teton Pharmacy has filed a site plan and building plan Wednesday for a new building on Jafer Court, south of Bonaventure Senior Living on Hitt Road. The main floor will be 5,350 square feet, the basement about half that size.

Rosemark Women's Care Specialists is looking at moving to a new location, at the corner of Potomac and Fountainbleu. The plat has been recommended for approval by the Idaho Falls Planning and Zoning Commission, and is scheduled to go before the City County at its May 10 meeting.

Last of all, Dr. Slaughter's House of Terror is moving to a new location at 680 First St., next door to Bowl-ero (the old Buttrey Food & Drug, later LifeLink). A sign has already been put up advertising a Friday July 13 opening. Thursday morning we stuck our head in to hear circular saws and hammers (though no chainsaws; that must come later), with plenty of framing already done. The city building officials were very curious to learn of this, since they had seen no permits. We're sure the matter will be resolved to everyone's satisfaction, if it hasn't been resolved already.

Celt Pub plans July 28 opening

The scene Wednesday at The Celt Pub, 398 W. Broadway.

Major renovation is going on at The Celt Pub, at the corner of Broadway and Park Avenue, in preparation for its opening this summer. Owner Janice McGeachin said she and her husband, Jim, are planning a July 28 opening.

Upgrading a building so old has its own special challenges and surprises. McGeachin said that cracks in the bricks and a lack of structural support made them decide to rebuild the walls. This necessitated the removal of the old wagon wheel windows, which have gone into storage.

"It actually will look more like the original, but also fit the look of an Irish pub," McGeachin said. "We think the wheels are cool, and want to incorporate them into the interior decor, any ideas?

The Celt's Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/index.php?lh=224c4949c17b84ab22ae5a180f19f4e4&