.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

INL Space Center chief travels to NYC

The Idaho National Laboratory's Dr. Steven D. Howe went to New York City in late October as one of five finalists for the World Technology Awards in the Space category.

The award went to Gwynne Shotwell, president of a company called Space X, but Howe, director of the Center for Space Nuclear Research, wasn't going with inflated expectations. He told KPVI-TV earlier in October that he was honored to be going at all. "(The) co-finalists are pretty big names and have major accomplishments. So I think I'm the runt of the litter on this group," he said.

Howe has been director of the center since 2005. Before that, he part of the Thermonuclear Applications group of the Applied Physics Division at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. His research interests include antiproton physics and applications, nuclear rocket propulsion, hyper-velocity aerodynamics and thermodynamics, and non-equilibrium X-ray emission. He also writes fiction. His novella "Wrench and Claw" appeared in Analog Magazine and his novel "Honor Bound Honor Born" is about the possible development of the first commercial base on the Moon.

Howe has appeared on numerous television programs about space and rocketry. He holds five patents involving the storage and application of anti-protons, and he is the co-founder of Hbar Technologies.

If you would like to view his presentation at the World Technology Awards, this is the link:
http://fora.tv/2011/10/25/Dr_Steven_Howe_Presents_CSNR#fullprogram

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Pocatello the dirtiest?

I heard on the Today Show this morning that Pocatello had been rated "the dirtiest city in America." Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda were yukking it up, reporting the name as "Pocatello, Indiana" (which ought to tell you a lot).

Though I've lived in Idaho Falls for nearly 30 years, I'm partial enough to Pocatello to have taken umbrage at this. Turns out the rating comes for a site called www.alice.com, and the numbers were based on the amount of money spent on cleaning products such as Tide, Lysol, Cascade, etc.

Knoxville, Tenn., came in first with a grand total of $66.95. Pocatello came in last with a measly $9.88.

It doesn't take an M.B.A. to spot the hole in this. The only numbers registering in such a survey are the brand name products being scanned at the supermarket, with the information going straight to the national database that keeps track of every Slim Jim and roll of toilet paper you buy.

But Pocatello, dirty? This is the home of Don Aslett, who has made a fortune selling cleaning products and telling people how to keep their homes clean. I tried to reach Aslett on Thursday but couldn't (no surprise), but I managed to speak to Jared Sampson, a customer service rep at Don Aslett's Cleaning Center.

"That's absolutely ridiculous," he said. Upon reflection, we both decided the number might have been skewed for any number of reasons.  "Everyone I know around here does not buy name brand cleaning products," he said.

Pure Wood moving to 17th Street

If you're looking for unfinished furniture, Pure Wood is a store in Idaho Falls you want to visit, but if you're looking for Pure Wood the business has moved.

After 11 years on Skyline Drive, owners Gary and Barbara Gautier have moved back to 17th Street, where they started in the late '90s. They are hopeful that the new location in the Teton Plaza, 2135 E. 17th St., will serve them and their customers better.

The Gautiers stock solidly made furniture made of alder, birch, maple, cherry and pine -- chairs, dresserass, desks, bookcases, tables, cabinets and bedroom sets. They also carry a full selection of wood finishes and stains. Most importantly, if you've never done anything like this before, they have the expertise and knowledge to help you get the job done right.

Their Web address is: http://www.purewoodunfinishedfurniture.com/

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Coffee shop opens in Mountain View Hospital

The world of coffee suits Jen Brooks, who is now managing Higher Grounds, the new coffee shop in Mountain View Hospital.

The coffee shop opened to hospital employees Oct. 24 and to the public on Monday. Brooks, who worked at The Villa Coffeehouse in downtown Idaho Falls for three years, heard about the opportunity over the summer and jumped at the chance to be running her own shop.

Higher Grounds serves locally roasted coffee by Steve and Harry’s, muffins from Perkins, and cupcakes from Love at First Bite. They plan to be serving soup and paninis from Bella Vita in Snake River Landing. Customers are welcome to get what they like and enjoy it in the hospital lobby.

Brooks said she is excited by the reception Higher Grounds has gotten. Mochas are selling particularly well.

“We’ve hooked most of the employees, because we’re here and our prices are lower than Starbuck’s and Java,” she said.

Jen Brooks, manager of the Higher Ground coffee shop in Mountain View Hospital

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Developer lines up Domino's, Subway for retail center

Compared to a few years ago, business construction in Ammon has slowed to a crawl, but to hear Dean Mortimer talk one would think the sun is beginning to shine again.

Mortimer’s company, Comfort Construction, is building an 11,000-square-foot retail strip center at 3379 E. 17th Street, next door to Ace Hardware. His other company, Command Properties, has three tenants lined up for it: Domino’s Pizza, Subway and Salon Suites.

“What gave us the confidence to move forward was good solid tenants,” Mortimer said. He added that he’s seen quality retail space filling up in the past 12 months. The project is slated to be finished in May 2012.

Domino’s will own its own part of the building, while Subway will lease. Salon Suites, another one of Mortimer’s companies, leases beauty salon and massage therapy spaces to contractors who want to operate on their own.

Pointing to the Idaho Falls Labor Market Area’s September unemployment rate of 7 percent -- 2 percent below the statewide average -- Mortimer said he is optimistic about the local economy.

“The businesses we have are somewhat recession-proof,” he said. “We have the Idaho National Lab, Melaleuca’s a strong employer and agricultural prices are doing really well. Compared to some other places, we have a diversified economy.”