Scam Jam set for Aug. 8 in Idaho Falls; registration due Friday

Human nature hasn't basically changed. People have been defrauding the elderly since Jacob impersonated his brother Esau to get his blind father Issac's blessing.

What's different now is the tools are so much more sophisticated. If you want the full scope of what you need to look out for, the Senior Scam Jam will be Wednesday, Aug. 8 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Idaho Falls Hotel on the River, formerly the Red Lion and once upon a time The Westbank.

Scam Jam is designed to be an educational and entertaining forum that covers all he bases. From the Senior Medicare Patrol Program you will learn how to protect yourself from exploitation and the machinations of those who would seek to rob you with a few keystrokes on a computer.

The opening welcome and keynote address will be at 9 a.m. from Bill Deal, director of the Idaho Department of Insurance. There will be workshops in the morning and afternoon, free lunch from noon to 1 p.m. and a drawing for prizes at the end of the day.

Registration is required and the deadline is this Friday. Call (877) 926-8300 or visit this link: aarp.cvent.com/ID_ScamJamIdahoFalls, where a full agenda is also available.

The event is being sponsored by the Snake River Better Business Bureau, Idaho Department of Finance, Idaho Department of Insurance, Personal Finance Educators from the University of Idaho, OOA Adult Protection, Idaho Legal Aid, Senior Health Insurance Benefit Advisors, State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, AARP, the Idaho Commission on Aging, and the Boise State Center for the Study of Aging.

BizMojo Idaho passes 50,000 milestone

I've been waiting for the last day or two, but BizMojo Idaho appears to have logged its 50,000th page view early this morning. I'm guessing it was someone Googling "juicy burger," which is inexplicably one of the most popular search terms bringing visitors to the page. If so, who am I to quarrel? Also, it looks like we will break the 7,000 page view threshold this month. Thanks to all you loyal readers, and new visitors as well.

Museum of Idaho to award travel package prize to millionth visitor

The Museum of Idaho expects its millionth visitor this summer.

Now in its 10th year, the Museum of Idaho is expecting to hit another milestone this summer when it logs its millionth visitor.
In anticipation, the museum is offering a “Who Wants to Be the Millionth?" prize package getaway. Sponsored by Idaho Falls Regional Airport and Candlewood Suites, the winner will receive airfare to Chicago (valued up to $2,500), a three-night hotel stay and City Passes to five major attractions in Chicago, including the Field Museum, where "A T. rex Named Sue" was originally curated.

“Since we began our yearlong celebration by bringing Sue back, we thought, 'What better way to celebrate our millionth visitor than to send them to the very museum that brought us Sue? Chicago is a great museum city,” said David Pennock, the Museum of Idaho's executive director.

Based on projected attendance numbers and visitor trends, the museum anticipates the winner will be selected within the next couple of weeks. In order to be eligible to win, visitors must purchase an
admission ticket to the museum. (Members of the MOI will be considered as "purchasing a ticket" when they show their entry pass.) The contest is open to anyone who purchases a ticket, but not Museum of Idaho employees, family members of museum employees, and board members.

For more information, visit the Museum of Idaho's Web page, http://www.museumofidaho.org.

Chamber announces "Distinguished Under 40" winners

 

Britni Storer of the Museum of Idaho, one of this year's 10 "Distinguished Under 40" honorees. All 10 will have profiles and photos in the next issue of Idaho Falls Magazine. (Melissa Bristol photo)

The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday will honor 10 men and women with its annual Distinguished Under 40 award.

This year's winners are:

• Liza Leonard, marketing manager, Snake River Landing/Ball Ventures
• Kerry McCullough, programs and events coordinator, Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce
• Natalie Hebard, labor relations specialist, INL
• Gina Stevenson, director of development, Idaho Falls Arts Council
• Brad Christensen, director of trading, Yellowstone Partners
• Thomas Heuser, music director, Idaho Falls Symphony
• Lisa Burtenshaw, vice chair, Idaho School Board Association Region IV
• Adam Frugoli, agency sales force development manager, Leavitt Group
• Britni Storer, director of marketing, Museum of Idaho
• Ryan Meikle, attorney, Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo

The awards luncheon will be at the Hotel on the Falls from noon to 1:30 p.m. Reservations are required by Monday either by e-mail (kmccullough@idahofallschamber.com) or phone (208) 523-1010. Please indicate chicken or beef.

The event is sponsored by Teton Toyota, Idaho Falls Magazine, Premier Insurance, the Idaho Falls Arts Council and the Willowtree Gallery.

Melaleuca expansion expected following block grant to Bonneville County for sewer, road improvements

The stage is set for a major expansion of Melaleuca's operations in the New Sweden area with the announcement of a $399,000 grant to Bonneville County for sewer line extensions, a lift station and roadway widening.

The money, announced Wednesday by Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter, comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is administered through the state's Community Development Block Grant program. In addition to the block grant money, Melaleuca is contributing $1 million.

It is intended to support the construction of a new 350,000-square-foot business campus. Melaleuca already has a built a packing plant/warehouse and laboratory in the area, west Interstate 15, near Exit 113
. The new development is expected to create 40 jobs and make 6,600 acres more suitable for small business development.

"(The) state is pleased to be a partner in this effort,” Otter said. “Infrastructure improvements often are a key factor in helping a business expand or recruiting a new company to the area.”



Otter's approval came after an Idaho Economic Advisory Council meeting in Pocatello earlier this month, at which members approved the grant and also $175,000 for waterworks in Clearwater County.