Idaho Falls compiles development map for 2013

Here's a map of all the development that's been going on in Idaho Falls this year, prepared by Brian Tomsett of the city's Building Department. Click on it to enlarge. We know some of you development junkies can't get enough of this stuff. Don't say we never did anything for you.

Swagger boutique opens new location on 17th Street

Swagger, a women's boutique, opened Thursday at its new location, 2177 E. 17th Street. Owner Shantell Goodenough, above, said she plans to add clothing for little girls to the store's offerings. Hours are noon to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 11 to 3 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, call 390-8527.

California baby wrap company moves inventory to Idaho Falls warehouse

A mom with her baby in a Moby Wrap

Visiting last weekend with Lynn Pletscher at Lyn's in downtown Idaho Falls, we learned that Moby Wrap, Inc., a Chico, Calif., company that makes baby carriers, has moved its inventory to the Elevate Fulfillment warehouse in Idaho Falls.

Lyn's carries Moby Wraps, which is why Pletscher was privy to a company email bearing the news.

"With this move, we anticipate improved efficiency and accuracy, as well as a continuation of our famously quick order turnaround," it said. "As we settle in, there may be brief delays in shipping Moby Wrap and Lassig orders. We apologize for any inconvenience that may occur over the next couple of weeks."

Although our efforts to reach the company's owners have been stuck in phone tag limbo, we learned that the company is using Elevate Fulfillment, which has its warehouse at 795 Lindsay Boulevard. The company handles warehousing and shipping for a number of smaller companies. Its Web site can be found here: elevatefulfillment.com.

McCullough named to Idaho Falls public information position

Kerry McCullough

Kerry McCullough has been named the city of Idaho Falls' new public information officer, filling the position vacated by Brad Huerta when he left to take a job at Lost Rivers Medical Center.

McCullough has been program and events coordinator for the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce for the past three years. She has been serving as interim director since Robb Chiles resigned earlier this year.

Mayor Jared Fuhriman said McCullough was chosen from more than 60 applicants. She will work part time until after the Fourth of July.

When Brad left, it created a void," he said. "We want to get our message out. It's all about telling our story."

United Mailing Direct, Eagle Press merge

Lynn Smith of United Mailing Direct

United Mailing Direct and Eagle Press, neighbors on First Street for more than a decade, merged at the beginning of this month.

The business owners -- Lynn Smith of United Mailing Direct and Scott Moon and Gary Reinhardt of Eagle Press -- had been talking for about six months, Smith said. "With this we have separate businesses under one roof. We eliminated a lot of overhead for both of us."

Eagle Press does personal and business printing, including brochures and business cards, envelopes and letterheads, newsletters and announcements. United Mailing Direct does statement printing and mailing for banks and other business customers. In business since 1997, it was a spinoff of United Micro Data, a company that used to generate microfiche for banks and businesses.

In the age of search engines and digital data, it might seem far-fetched that people not long ago let their fingers do the walking through drawers full of celluloid sheets then put them under projectors to get the information they were seeking. I won't say it was easy or fun, and I am not a Luddite, but I'm proud to say I was pretty good at it. Smith said they did the last such data reproduction last month.

Road work delays traffic on 17th, Pancheri, Yellowstone

Crews are milling the tops of Yellowstone Avenue and 17th Street, so lanes will be closed this week. Expect delays.

I don't know how many of you were driving on 17th, Pancheri or Yellowstone this morning around 8:45, but anyone who was probably wondered what was going on. There were lanes blocked off and cars lined up for blocks and blocks.

Here's the most current information from the city of Idaho Falls Public Works Department:

17th to Pancheri: Crews began milling the top of the roadway Monday at 8 p.m. Today HK Contractors was to install traffic loops and Wednesday morning the plan is to mill up to Holmes Avenue. Milling involves taking the top of the roadway off and flattening it.

D Street Underpass: Cannon Builders will finish the demolition of the old bridge structure this week. One lane of Yellowstone will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

John Adams Bridge: Cannon Builders will be paving approaches off bridge this week and finishing concrete sidewalks.

ADA/Gutter replacement: At various locations throughout the city, curbs and gutters are being made compliant to the Americans With Disabilities Act.

If you don't like waiting in traffic, it would probably behoove you to find an alternate route this week.

Idaho Falls gearing up for annual July 4 festivities

Fireworks over the Snake River at the 2012 Melaleuca Freedom Celebration.

Hard to believe, but the Fourth of July is one month away. As usual, Idaho Falls offers a lot on Independence Day. Nothing as extraordinary as a dog fighting a badger, which actually was offered as entertainment in the 1920s (I wrote the Post Register's "Looking Back" column for 12 years, so I know these things), but nevertheless there's good, wholesome fun for people of all ages.

The Military Affairs Committee will start the day with the Firekracker 5K Fun Run, 7 a.m. at Tautphaus Park. Registration forms can be found at Firekracker 5k. Will the race be more fun than ever now that they're spelling its name with a "k"? I kan't wait to find out, but I need to do some serious roadwork in the next month if I hope to finish at all.

Once the run is over, South Boulevard will be cleared for the State of Idaho's largest Fourth of July parade. Beginning in the Idaho Falls High School parking lot, the route goes down Fourth Street, left on South Boulevard and all the way to Tautphaus Park. At 9 a.m., classic cars and Idaho Falls Police Department will start the parade, the theme of which this year is "Pride in Patriotism.” There are more than 100 floats signed up, and more 50,000 people are expected to line the route. This year's theme:  "Stay True to the Red, White and Blue."  Click HERE for Parade Rules & Guidelines.

The Liberty Festival on the Falls bridges the gap between the parade in the morning and the fireworks in the evening. Sponsored by Snake River Landing, Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, Apple Athletic Club and Melaleuca, the festivities will be located on Memorial Drive between Broadway and E Street in beautiful downtown Idaho Falls. Over 20 food vendors and 50 businesses, which include arts and crafts vendors, will showcase their products and services during the festival. Fair-like games and activities will amuse the whole family. There will be pie and watermelon eating contests for children and adults. Children will enjoy the inflatable jumpers which will entertain them for hours. And finally, it wouldn’t be a festival without live music by local bands:  Desert Harmony, Happyville, The Galaxy Forest and the Affection Collection.

In the evening at 10 of course comes the big show, the fireworks display, the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration, one of the most spectacular fireworks displays west of the Mississippi. which draws tens to thousands of people to town. Find your favorite spot early. Here's the Web page if you want to read about it: Melaleuca Freedom Celebration.