Dancing With The Idaho Falls Stars coming Feb. 20

I will be back on the Idaho Falls Civic Auditorium stage Feb. 20 to participate again in Dancing With The Idaho Falls Stars. This is no lie: I created quite a sensation last year, and I hope so to do again. I want people to say, "Wow, he's either got phenomenal nerve or he's the most ridiculous person I've ever seen."

It was a lot of fun, and it was particularly meaningful as my wife, Karen, was about to start chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. A year later she's got a full head of hair and is looking and feeling great. It is possible to fight cancer, but it takes a lot of courage and you need a mess of help.

If you want to donate in my name, here's a link to the American Cancer Society/Relay for Life page: http://www.relayforlife.org/. Or come by the Civic Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. and I will personally shake you down.

Facebook likes benefit critters

Schatzi, slightly nervous

Here's a nice example of social media in action. If you like Teton Volkswagen's Facebook page between now and Feb. 25, owner Mario Hernandez and his black lab Buddy will donate $5 to the Snake River Animal Shelter. How hard is that? With help from my miniature dachshund, Schatzi (whom we adopted five years ago right about now), I've already done it. You can too. Here's the link to Teton VW on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/TetonVolkswagen?fref=ts.

Just because she's so darned cute, here's a picture of Schatzi, perched on the sofa. I would nominate her for mascothood, but she isn't terribly comfortable around strangers and she's even more ill at ease with children.

Third Carl's Jr. planned for Idaho Falls

Good news for everyone who loves juicy burgers: Carl's Jr. No. 3 is planned for Idaho Falls.

Carl's Jr. will be building a third restaurant in Idaho Falls, at the corner of West Broadway and Utah Avenue.

The city of Idaho Falls Engineering Department received a site plan Thursday for the project, showing details for a 3,177-square-foot restaurant and surrounding landscaping and parking. City departments will review the plans for compliance with city regulations. After that, the company will submit a plat for final approval.

Ever since the first two Carl's Jr. restaurants were built in Idaho Falls, in 2011 and 2012, there have been rumblings that a third was being planned on the site where Arctic Circle was.

Kelly Grieve, spokeswoman for CKE Restaurants, said the company doesn't have a date set for the opening. It is more than three months away, however, because that's how far their calendar looks forward, she said. CKE has 14 restaurants in Idaho.

EITC Foundation eyes busy spring

Spring is approaching, which means it's getting to be a busy time for the Eastern Idaho Technical College Foundation.

Everything is prelude to the Great Race for Education in July, the fund-raiser of the year, but here's what's on the plate for the near term:

From Feb. 11 to March 11, you can donate canned food items at any building on campus, where boxes are being put inside the main building entrances. This is happening because Erika Rico, an EITC scholarship recipient, heard the Soup Kitchen on South Boulevard is serving more than 100 meals a day and was in need of donated food. Erika asked to partnered with the foundation to host a food drive.

On Feb. 21, EITC Foundation will host a Greater Idaho Falls Chamber Business After Hours from 5 to 7 p.m. at DB's Steakhouse, 216 First Street. All are welcome to attend this fun evening of appetizers and networking, regardless of Chamber member status.

On April 10, the foundation will hold its annual scholarship ceremony, a special evening where our benefactors and selected students come together to celebrate their collective community achievement. This happens from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Shilo Inn Convention Center.

For more information about EITC and the EITC Foundation, visit http://www.eitc.edu/

I.F. Advertising Federation awards banquet set for Friday night

The Idaho Falls Advertising Federation is holding its annual Gem Awards Banquet this Friday night at the Idaho Falls Elks Club. Tickets are $40 a person, $70 a couple or $195 for a table of six. To buy tickets online, go to this site: http://ifadfed.wordpress.com/ and then click on the red type that says ‘available here.’ To simply RSVP, contact Lisa Fischbach at (208) 705-7845 and tell her how many you are bringing, then plan on bringing your cash, checkbook or credit card to the door.