EIRMC honors three with Frist Humanitarian Awards

Nate Esplin

Nate Esplin, the Rev. Dennis Alexander and Dr. Flint Packer recently were awarded Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center's Frist Humanitarian Awards for 2012.

Esplin is a radiology technician at EIRMC's Cancer Center, Alexander is a volunteer chaplain, and Packer is a primary care physician.

The annual award recognizes physicians, employees and volunteers who have demonstrated "remarkable concern for the welfare and happiness of patients, have performed extraordinary acts of kindness, have been committed to community service and have a positive effect on others," the hospital news release said.

The Rev. Dennis Alexander

Esplin has traveled to Haiti twice to help rebuild an orphanage and organized several events to raise funds for the special cause. At EIRMC, he is renowned for making Cancer Center patients feel special by celebrating their last day of treatment with a disco ball and colored lights, industrial bubble blower and cranked-up music.

Alexander serves more hours at EIRMC than many employees, the release said. He works four shifts each week in the emergency room and also is the volunteer chaplain on Saturday.

Dr. Flint Packer

As a volunteer chaplain, Alexander offers support to people who are nervous, frightened or grieving. Away from EIRMC, Alexander is the director of Saints Alive (Saints Adult Ministry) at Calvary Baptist Church.

Packer has helped his neighbors many times with medical advice -- even after hours and usually without compensation, the release said. He coaches youth sports and is a Boy Scout leader. He also served six years as an EIRMC volunteer board member at EIRMC.

EIRMC donated funds to each honoree's charity of choice, including Haitian Roots (Esplin), the Calvary Baptist Church Benevolence Fund (Alexander) and FreeMed (Packer).

Business owner plans to rent studio space, equipment to photographers

Darrin Petersen

Darrin Petersen, owner of D&L Cleaners and Signature Party Rentals, is opening F Stop Studio Rental at 1568 West Broadway.

It will be a place where photographers can come in to shoot in a 26-by-36-foot studio with a cyclo wall. With 4,400 square feet, there will be a changing room, offices, production rooms and storage space. Lights, high-end camera bodies and specialty lenses and computers will be available to rent as well.

"We'll be set up for still photography and video," he said. "I want it to be practical and affordable. "I hope for this to make shooting and teaching while shooting easier than it has ever been in Idaho Falls."

Located in what used to be the Spiders Web tattoo parlor, Petersen is looking toward a grand opening in mid-July.

Petersen is a photography enthusiast, but never wanted to be a professional photographer. With two service businesses already, he recognizes he will be on a learning curve with F Stop. "Your customers tell you when you're getting it right," he said. "I don't want to make it my way, I want to make it their way."

That's a big axe

The guitar exhibit opens Friday at the Museum of Idaho. This gi-normous Flying V is actually playable.

Bill's Bike Shop sets grand opening events through June

The new Bill's Bike Shop, on Pier View Drive in Snake River Landing.

With the days getting about as long as they get here, it's finally bike riding weather (even though it's still not a bad idea to wait until the wind dies down in the evening.)

Bill's Bike Shop, which opened earlier this year at Snake River Landing, has put off its grand opening until this week so that all possible customers can visit and enjoy what they have to offer in the fine weather.

Grand opening events will continue through June. Here is a partial schedule of what they are offering:

• Family Rides - Monday evenings in June. Enjoy half-price Rentals and the Snake River Landing trails with the entire family.
• Father's Day Parking Lot Sale - Friday June 14 and Saturday June 15. Massive selection of merchandise from the old Holmes Avenue store.
• Women's Night with Giant Bikes on Thursday June 13.
• Demo Days - Time to play with all the gear you've been eyeing: June 21 and 22.
• Group Road Rides - Wednesday evenings in June, beginner and experienced riders welcome.
• Daily Facebook Offers and Giveaways starting today - Must "Like" to be eligible. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bills-Bike-Shop

For more information, visit the Facebook page or the store's main site, www.billsbike.com.

Package trips to Laughlin, Nev., resort to begin July 13

Idaho Falls has joined more than 60 cities offering air service to Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort, in Laughlin, Nev., 90 miles south of Las Vegas on the Colorado River.

Starting July 13, the resort and Sun Country Airlines of Minneapolis, Minn., will be flying from Idaho Falls will be flying Boeing 737-800 series jets seating 159 passengers.

A special introductory price of $250 per person round trip air and hotel package is being
offered. The package includes four nights at the resort, round-trip airfare, all taxes,
fees, luggage handling, plus airport ground transfers.

This will be the first of several packages to be offered to eastern Idaho residents, a press release from Idaho Falls Regional Airport said. For more information, call (800) 227-3849, or visit RiversideResort.com.