Kirkham named REDI CEO

Dana Kirkham

Regional Economic Development Inc. (REDI) for Eastern Idaho has named former Ammon Mayor Dana Kirkham as its new chief executive officer. Kirkham had been the organization's Science, Technology and Research director since September 2017, and is replacing Jan Rogers, who is retiring as her three-year contract expires.

"My experience working on behalf of Eastern Idaho and growing the region's economy as STAR Director will enable me to move seamlessly into the CEO position," Kirkham said in a news release from the organization. "REDI will continue to promote economic development and market the region to ensure economic growth in the years ahead."

REDI chairman Park Price said Kirkham is a natural successor. "During her time as STAR Director, Dana has demonstrated she is a quick study and a trusted leader. She has the full and enthusiastic support of the board," Price said in the release.

REDI represents 14 counties in eastern Idaho and is focused on job growth, industry retention and business development.

Ahhhsome Relaxation adds Halotherapy Cabins

Halotherapy cabins at Ahhhsome Relaxation in Ammon

Ahhhsome Relaxation has added three Halotherapy Cabins to its facility at 939 South 25th East #115 in Ammon. These Halotherapy Cabins were imported from Estonia and the first to open in Idaho.

Centuries ago, European monks noticed when they treated respiratory ailments in natural salt caverns, their patients got better faster. The monks produced salt dust by grinding salt rocks against each other, which the patients then inhaled.

Dr. Felix Bochkowsky, the state authority for occupational health in Polish industry in the 1840s, saw the same thing was true with miners: while metal and coal miners battled relentless, deadly respiratory ailments, workers in salt mines were healthier than average people, let alone other miners.
In 1843, he published a book about the health benefits of salt dust. His successor, Mstislav Poljakowski, followed by establishing the first salt clinic near Krakow, Poland, which is still in operation today.

By the 1950s, scientific studies (primarily in the USSR) were proving how effective salt therapy is in treating respiratory ailments. Manmade, above-ground Saltrooms provided a controlled environment, and Halotherapy (from “halo”, Greek for salt) became a new option for respiratory treatment.
The first Halotherapy salt chambers opened in the 1960s in Eastern Europe. They were destination health sanatoriums and respiratory hospitals, paid for by the socialized medical system of those countries. As Halotherapy grew more popular in the 1980s and 1990s, health and beauty resorts throughout Europe and Scandinavia began to install Saltrooms and offer Halotherapy as one of their restorative treatments.

Halotherapy is an exposure to kinetically activated dry salt where the micro sized particles are being inhaled while the large salt particles are spread on the top of the skin.  Since dry salt is antibacterial and super absorbent it actively kills bacteria, reduces the inflammation in the respiratory system, and widens the airways for better breathing.

Medical studies in Europe and Russia have confirmed that Halotherapy is safe and that the benefits of Halotherapy are accumulative.  It helps children effectively manage existing respiratory conditions, support better breathing, and build a stronger immune system.  Regular Halotherapy, two or three times a week, can help prevent the common coughs, colds, runny noses, earaches and skin rashes. In addition, regular Halotherapy also calms the nervous system and helps children to focus better in school as well as sleep better at night.  Many adults and children suffering from asthma, allergies, cystic fibrosis, COPD, or other respiratory conditions found that Halotherapy sessions  helped manage respiratory problems and reduce the intake of respiratory medications.

“Our mission has always been to help our members improve their health and now we have another way to specifically help with many types of respiratory conditions without the negative side effects often experienced from prescription drugs,” said Alyce Jeppesen, co-owner of Ahhhsome Relaxation, which has been open since November 2015. More information can be found on their website at www.ahhhsomerelaxation.com.

Visiting Angels of Eastern Idaho hires marketing director

Wendy Spradley

Visiting Angels of Eastern Idaho has hired Wendy Spradley as director of marketing. A seasoned marketing and sales leader in the senior home care industry, she was responsible for market expansion for First Choice Home Health & Hospice in Ogden, Utah. She has worked in various capacities in multiple Visiting Angels locations in the Salt Lake City market, including marketing, administration, community relations, partner channel development and caregiving.

Spradley is also founder/owner of Signature Marketing, a marketing consulting agency in Northern Utah (now operated by her daughter). Wendy’s passion to serve the senior and veterans communities is represented through her service with the Alzheimer’s Association, Round to Honor, The Inn Between and other charitable organizations.

“I was a part of Visiting Angels previously in my career and have always had a love for the service they provide our seniors,” she said. “Visiting Angles of Eastern Idaho has a very kind and caring approach in the way they serve the senior community. That, combined with the way their caregivers talk about loving to work there, told me I want to be a part of this journey.”

Melaleuca taking applications for free IT Boot Camp for teens

This is the third year for Melaleuca's free Information Technology Boot Camp.

Melaleuca is now accepting applications for high school students to participate in a free Information Technology Boot Camp this summer.

Twenty-five high school students from across eastern Idaho will be chosen to attend the free five-day workshop, which offers a hands-on IT experience. Now in its third year, the camp will run July 30-Aug. 3 at the Melaleuca Global Headquarters, south of Idaho Falls.

Returning to lead the camp is Rex Barzee, who chairs BYU-Idaho's Computer Information Technology Department. Under his direction, students will spend the week learning how to create their own smartphone apps and build interactive webpages that use animation, calculations, Visual Studio software, and other IT tools.

"Melaleuca created this hands-on technology camp in an effort to help students develop into leaders of innovation while educating them about the exciting and meaningful opportunities within the field of information technology," said Melaleuca's Chief Information Officer Todd Sorenson. "We want more of Idaho's students to be thoroughly prepared for these opportunities, and we believe that strengthening their foundation in computer science will serve them in securing rewarding careers in science and technology."

Throughout the week, Barzee and two teaching assistants will help the students develop their apps and create webpages using a variety of software, including C#, .NET, and iOS. Students will also be treated to guest lectures and personal tutoring from Melaleuca's IT executives.

Melaleuca relies heavily on IT innovation and implementation to achieve its business goals. Camp attendees will gain an inside look into the various ways technology is used at a $2 billion global enterprise.

"Based on the high level of interest and students' positivity about this program, we know that many Idaho students are passionate about innovation and technology," Sorenson said. "This has been a fun program, and we are regularly impressed with the previous students' ingenuity and abilities."

Because space is limited, the camp is designed specifically for students intending to graduate high school by 2020. As the camp's host and sponsor, Melaleuca will select applicants based on their interest in IT, their experience with computer programming, relevant coursework and GPA.

Applications are being accepted until June 27 and can be submitted online by visiting melaleucajobs.com/current-openings. If you are interested or have questions about the camp, email ITBootCamp@Melaleuca.com.

Cardamom Restaurant planned for downtown Earl Building

The inside of the building at 501 Park Avenue late last week. This is where Pachanga's used to be.

The remodel going on in the Earl Building, at 501 Park Avenue, is for the Cardamom Restaurant. A building permit for remodeling of 2,945 square feet got the OK from the city of Idaho Falls Building Department in mid-May.

The business owner listed on the building plans is Sheba Bakshi-Sofi, who according to her LinkedIn profile, spent close to 10 years at Melaleuca before leaving in April to pursue this endeavor. Before that, she was with ConAgra Foods and Nestle.