Bedtime stories for the digital interactive age

The dot patterns on Smart PJ's can be scanned for all sorts of fun when it's time to go nite-nite. (Photo by Melissa Bristol)

In the past year a lot of people have been learning about QR tags -- coded images that can be scanned with a smart phone to bring information to the phone's screen.

Juan Murdoch

But while many said, "Wow," Juan Murdoch said, "What if?"

"What if you put these on kids' pajamas so that they could bring up pictures and bedtime stories?" he wondered. Murdoch, an Idaho Falls real estate agent with Keller Williams, said he got so excited by the idea he had to leave the meeting. "I was just shaking," he said. "I had to find out whether anyone had thought of this before me."

With the due diligence done, today he has a patent and 3,000 pair of Smart PJs he's confident he can sell as soon as the word gets out.

Murdoch learned early that QR codes were difficult to scan off fabric. Luckily, he also learned that a simpler pattern would scan just as well, if not better, for his purposes.

Every pair of Smart PJs has 47 dot patterns on it. Each one brings up a picture of a different animal and information about it.

With the app working and easy enough for a 6-year-old to use (it can be loaded for free onto an iPhone, and iPad and Android apps are close), his plan is to expand the content to stories and cartoons and develop the Web page, www.smartpjs.com.

Locally, Murdoch is planning to roll his Smart PJs out Saturday at the Christmas Craft Fair at Bonneville High School. "This is our first big event," he said. "We should have our platform ready with other stories, cartoons, etc., by then."

Idaho Best Places to Work program seeks entrants

There's still time to enter the Best Places to Work in Idaho for 2013, a survey of the state's employers conducted by POPULUS, an independent marketing research company, the Idaho Business Review and PacificSource Health Plans.

Since 2009, 20 companies have been named Best Places to Work in Idaho, divided evenly into large companies (over 100 employees) and small companies (under 100).

Rankings are based on employer practices and an anonymous survey of associates, who are asked to agree or disagree with dozens of statements about the firm, their work environment and their satisfaction.

Enrollment in the program is open through the end of January. Here is a link to the program's Web site, with information about 2013: https://www.bestplacestoworkinidaho.com/howitworks.

For four straight years, Edward Jones, a financial services firm based in St. Louis, has been named the No. 1 large company. The company provides financial services for individual investors in the United States and, through an affiliate, Canada. Every aspect of the firm's business, from the types of investment options offered to the location of branch offices, is designed to cater to individual investors.

There are 13 advisers in Idaho Falls and Ammon, and with Rigby, Rexburg, Shelley and Blackfoot included the number jumps to 19. "For the most part, we each have our own office which makes it seem like there are more of us," said Kevin King, who has an office in Idaho Falls.

Here is a full list of the Best Places to Work in Idaho for 2012 (awards are given at a banquet in April):

Top 10 Small Employers
1. CBH Homes
2. Lochsa Engineering
3. Moneytree, Inc.
4. MetaGeek
5. Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce
6. TitleOne Corporation
7. D.A. Davidson & Co.
8. Fisher's Document Systems, Inc.
9. Thornton Oliver Keller
10. Grubb & Ellis Catalyst

Top 10 Large Employers
1. Edward Jones
2. Idaho Central Credit Union
3. Primary Health Medical Group
4. Bodybuilding.com
5. T-Mobile
6. Idaho Housing and Finance Association
7. West Valley Medical Center
8. D.L. Evans Bank
9. MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc.
10. Alliance Title & Escrow

Sho-Ban Hotel and Event Center names Kristi Lyn Hansen sales director

Kristi Lyn Hansen

The Shoshone-Bannock Hotel & Event Center at Fort Hall has named Kristi Lyn Hansen its director of sales. Hansen was previously employed as sales director of O’Callahan’s inside the Idaho Falls Shilo Inn. Before her 14 years of sales experience in the hospitality industry, she worked in the travel industry for six years, specializing in leisure destinations, international travel, and training. A native of Blackfoot, she attended the International Air Academy in Vancouver, Wash.  

“We are fortunate to have found the skill set that Kristi brings to the property; a genuine care and commitment to clients, the ability to serve, and the regional awareness of the market and trends in the area,” said Jim Metzger, director of hospitality for the center.  “She is a welcome addition to our management team.” 

Ruby Ranch Barbeque to open Wednesday on Utah Avenue

Here's some news on the local food front, in which we're well aware everyone shares a passionate interest.

On Wednesday, Shawn Benjamin and Rachel Taow will be opening Ruby Ranch Barbeque in a food truck on Utah Avenue, near the west side Wal-Mart. Even if the weather gets cold, they're hoping what they serve is hot enough to keep you coming back.

Here's the link to their Facebook page (which, of course, they invite you to "like"): https://www.facebook.com/RubyRanchBbq.

Benjamin has several years experience in food, most recently at the Frosty Gator. Taow, a U.S. Army veteran and also the bassist for the popular punkabilly band Whiskey Sassmouth, handles the business and marketing.

The truck, which has been parked on Marjacq Avenue the last few weeks (the same street on which I live, and a pretty clear tip-off something was afoot), came from Cut Bank, Mont. Benjamin said they were prepared to go to the coast for something until they happened upon the Montana Craigslist posting that took them north.

They will be opening from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with plans to expand to breakfast. "It's been a dream of mine for a long time," Benjamin said.

Teton Toyota to award truck to Wyoming wildlife non-profit

Teton Toyota will be presenting a 2013 Toyota Tundra pickup truck at noon Tuesday to Craighead Beringia South, a non-profit wildlife research and education organization based in Kelly, Wyo.

The event is part of the Toyota 100 Cars for Good program, under which the car company awards organizations for the work they do in their communities. To enter, an organization is required to make a five-minute video explaining its mission and post it on social media. Winners are determined by the number of votes they get. Vehicles are awarded at the nearest Toyota dealership.

This is the second award to be made at Teton Toyota, said Doug Swanson, the dealership's business development manager. Earlier this month, the Lemhi County Humane Society was given a 2013 Toyota Sienna van.

Here is the video that Craighead Beringia South made in May:

Refreshments will be served at the reception. "We'd love to have people here to learn about this," Swanson said.