Idaho Falls to start free text, e-mail service to public

Starting Monday, the city of Idaho Falls will begin offering free 24 hour city news alerts, designed to keep citizens informed and up to date.

“(This) is just another example where Idaho Falls is leading the way in governmental transparency and accountability," said Mayor Jared Fuhriman.

The new subscriber service will allow anyone interested to receive daily city updates and press releases, city calendar events, emergency notifications and weekly newsletters, delivered directly to their e-mail in-box or text-capable devices.

To subscribe, one needs only to forward their phone number (for texts) or e-mail (for e-mail alerts) or both to the Idaho Falls Public Information Office. They can be reached by calling 208-612-8122 or by e-mail at bhuerta@idahofallsidaho.gov.

'Hey, I saw you on TV ... "

In case you missed me Monday night on Local News 8 doing my best impression of an informed observer of local business development, here's a link: http://www.localnews8.com/news/Idaho-Falls-Ammon-see-upswing-in-retail-development/-/308662/16099336/-/agoffh/-/index.html.

It is worth noting that after this aired on the 10 o'clock news, my number of pageviews on Tuesday was more than double its previous high. Even though I'm an old print dog, I've learned to be "platform agnostic." I'm willing to take a story to print, web, radio or TV. It's pretty obvious that TV packs a lot of clout.

Thanks to Marissa Bodnar, who called me about doing an interview. Considering the number of eyeballs that little segment brought to this blog, let me quote the Marvelettes' "Beechwood 4-5789" and say, "You can call me up and have a date any old time."

Taste of Idaho poster offers Costco hint

A Taste of Idaho is Thursday evening, and I'd encourage anyone who likes food, sunshine and music to head down to Snake River Landing between 6 and 9 to experience the magic.

I'm posting the poster, however, because I noticed Costco Wholesale among the sponsors' logos at the bottom. You may read into this whatever you choose. If there is any news, I expect it to break next week while I am on the East Coast visiting my mother. This is what happened with Olive Garden. I got a call on my cell phone about it while I was on the ski lift at Grand Targhee during spring break.

Authors to sign books at zoo Saturday

The Tautphaus Park Zoo is now a selling a “Green Kids Club” book series, and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the authors will be available to autograph copies at the Tautphaus Park Zoo.

According to the Green Kids Club Web site (http://www.green-kids-club.com/), “The series was developed as a utility to teach children the importance of protecting habitats to sustain ecosystems, animal life and ultimately human life.” The books are written by local authors, Sylvia Medina and Saige Ballock-Dixon and illustrated by Joy Eagle.

“The Green Kids Club books and the mission of the Tautphaus Park Zoo really do go hand in hand.” said Beth Rich, zoo superintendent. “The zoo is dedicated to conservation and education on wildlife and wild places so these books help support our goals and mission very nicely.”

Business Review seeks Woman of the Year nominees

The Idaho Business Review (to which I occasionally contribute) is seeking nominees for its Woman of the Year award. Nominations are open through Dec. 1, with a banquet to follow in February 2013.

This will be the second year for the award, which seeks to honor women from the public, private, and charitable business sectors, focusing on both the accomplishments and struggles that have contributed to their unique experiences.

Highlighting work ethics, innovation and balance, the IBR honors 50 of the nominees at an awards dinner, which will be held Feb. 26 at the Riverside Hotel in Boise. The winner's name will be announced at the event. All honorees will be profiled in a special magazine, which will be available to subscribers and people attending the banquet.

Among the honorees earlier this year, there was at least one from eastern Idaho, Lorena Murdock of Bonneville Joint School District 93. Anyone wishing to make a nomination can go to this link: http://idahobusinessreview.com/events/woy/nominate/http://idahobusinessreview.com/events/woy/nominate/