Commerce Department adopts Main Street Program

The Idaho Department of Commerce has adopted the Main Street Program, created by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, as an economic development tool to encourage revitalization in historic business districts throughout the state.

The Main Street Program is already active in several Idaho communities, including Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Nampa, Lewiston and Sandpoint. The Commerce Department's action is intended to expand the program to smaller communities that might not have the resources to implement it on their own.

Department Directory Jeffrey Sayer said the Main Street Program has generated more than $51 billion in new investment and created hundreds of thousands of jobs in commercial districts across the nation. “Many of Idaho’s communities have historical assets in their downtown corridors, and the Main Street Program will enable us to leverage these resources to attract new businesses, while at the same time respecting the history of the buildings that currently occupy these districts," he said.

With partner agencies such as Preservation Idaho and the Idaho Rural Partnership and Idaho universities, the Commerce Department is offering local Main Street organizations training, tools, information and networking they need to be successful.

Gloria Mabbutt, a 33-year veteran of the Idaho Department of Commerce, has been named interim executive director of Idaho’s Main Street Program. Her job is to coordinate the designation and national accreditation of local Main Street programs and provide the support needed to help the local programs succeed.

For additional information, call her at (208) 334-2470 or e-mail Gloria.Mabbutt@commerce.idaho.gov

To learn more about Main Street programs, follow this link: http://www.preservationnation.org/main-street/about-main-street/the-programs/

Beaver Dick the Fifth Beatle?

Went out to take a picture this morning of the excavation work on Memorial Drive and what did we see? OMG! Yes, the work is proceeding, and traffic between Broadway and E Street is limited to two lanes. No, we didn't see John, Paul, George and Ringo crossing the road except in our fevered imagination, because the picture we came away with made us think of the iconic Abbey Road album cover, albeit with Beaver Dick in the background. With Adobe Photoshop at our disposal, we couldn't resist.

Tautphaus Park Zoo closes early July 19

The city of Idaho Falls' Tautphaus Park Zoo will close early on July 19 so the Tautphaus Park Zoological Society can prepare the grounds for a fund-raising event. The last admission will be at 3 p.m. and the zoo will close at 4 p.m.

“We wanted to get the word out that the zoo will be closing early so guests can plan their visit accordingly,” said zoo superintendent Beth Rich. The staff realizes this early closing could be disappointing to guests, so to help ease any frustration the zoo is going to discount admission that day, $1 for adults and 50 cents for children and seniors. The group admission rate and ciity admission rate will stay the same.

For more information, visit www.idahofallszoo.org or call 612-8552.

Three townhouse developments started in Idaho Falls

This is the first building going up on ground at the corner of John Adams Parkway and St. Clair Road. When the development is finished, there will be four four-plexes and two three-unit townhouses. The developers are Lance Mortensen and Dennis Hourany of Freedom, Wyo., going by the name of Parkway Partners. This year is looking to be a big one for townhouse development. Kent Wood is building three four-unit townhouses at the corner of St. Clair and First Street, and another 22-unit development called Lakewood Aspens is going in between Meppen Drive and 12th Street east of Hoopes Avenue.

Melaleuca gets its Freedom Celebration ready

We took a run around the Greenbelt Sunday (training for the Firecracker 5k), but paused long enough to snap this picture of the cannonade that will go into action Wednesday night for the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration fireworks display. As in the past, Melaleuca is out to top itself. Over 31 minutes, this year's  display will involve 17,153 shells, 571 more than 2011. Narration and music will be on KLCE Classy 97. Exit question: What's your favorite spot to watch the show?

Idaho Falls issues 'boil order' following water pressure drop

The city of Idaho Falls issued a “boil order” Monday afternoon for a large section of the city following the failure of a piece of equipment and a drop in water pressure over the weekend.

Residents on the city's northeast side are being instructed to boil any tap water before they drink it, brush their teeth or wash their dishes. Or they can use bottled water in the 24 hours the order is expected to be in effect. The order affects residents in the following areas:
• North of Anderson and Higham Streets between the Snake River and North Holmes Avenue
• North of 1st Street between Holmes Avenue and Woodruff Avenue
• North of East 17th Street between Woodruff Avenue and 25th East (Hitt Road), including the Woodbridge and Ivan's Acres Subdivisions

Here is a link to the map on the city's Web site: http://www.idahofallsidaho.gov/wwwroot/userfiles/files/pw/boil_water_advisory.pdf

City spokesman Brad Huerta said they don't know whether water quality was affected following the mechanical failure of a component responsible for water system communication and control. The boil order is precautionary because a drop in pressure could allow contamination to enter the system through backflow, backpressure or back-siphonage, he said.

Idaho Falls' water supply is chlorinated to help protect against contamination. City personnel were taking samples Monday to test the quality of the drinking water.

For more information about the order or to ask if it is in effect in your area, please contact the
Idaho Falls Water Department at 208-612-8471or visit www. http://www.idahofallsidaho.gov.

Local agency seeks donations for school supplies

This is a time of year when school supplies are least expensive, which is why F.I.S.H., an Idaho Falls non-profit, is putting out a call for donations so it can help outfit underprivileged kids with backpacks, pencils, rulers, paper, et. al.

The program has been a great success in past years, but right now the agency's school supply funds are at a low ebb. This past year they helped 157 more children than they did the previous year.

A basic setup for school is easily $40 without a backpack, and 90 percent of the people who approach the F.I.S.H. say they need a backpack. "We are requesting financial donations now so items can be purchased  at the best sale price," said Liz Herrmann, who coordinates the program. All donated items are appreciated, but be advised that they have a surplus of spiral notebooks.

If you want to contribute, give a check to your church or mail it directly to the Regional Council for Christian Ministries, P.O. Box 2236, Idaho Falls, ID 83403. Stipulate on the check, "FISH school supply program."  Herrmann said they expect to help 600 students before school starts in September, and that they will also need help packing and delivering the supplies. Call 522-0493 to volunteer or for more details.