'Security is mostly a superstition ... "

There was an interesting piece in the New York Times this weekend, "My Faith Based Retirement," about financial planning and Baby Boomers. The largest generation in American history, of which I am part, is hurtling toward decrepitude. Let the weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth commence.

I like to think my wife, Karen, and I have done a semi-responsible job of planning for old age. We both have 401(k) plans that we have not raided (not that the temptation hasn't presented itself.) I wholeheartedly agree with the statement in this article that most ordinary people are not mentally equipped to handle their finances.

Helen Keller (1880-1968)

The biggest mistake I think we made was refinancing four years ago, switching from a 15- to a 30-year mortgage so we could get some cash to put a new roof on the house, replace the rotting deck out back and remodel a bathroom. Alas, we didn't have a family member who could lend us $20,000.

Still, that's nothing compared to the last six months, during which we've come face to face with how fragile any middle class family's finances really are. The week after Thanksgiving, we discovered a tumor in Karen's abdomen. Surgery and chemotherapy followed. Even with insurance, it has cost us $15,000 out of pocket. If we hadn't had insurance, we'd be pretty well wiped out.

In a situation like this, money takes on an unreal quality. What I think about more than anything is our dreams, what it would cost to realize them, and how little time we really have left. Should I take $13,000 and go to Nashville to record the 15 or 20 good songs I've written in the past 30 years? Or should I save it for the privilege of eating cat food when I'm 85?

You can spend your money on a dream or you can spend it on a nightmare.

My friend Patti Sherlock, a writer and cancer survivor, were talking Sunday morning at coffee hour about how illness acquaints a person with the fragility of life and the pointlessness of worry. She shared with me this quote from Helen Keller: "Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing."

Anyway, here's the Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/28/opinion/nocera-my-faith-based-retirement.html?_r=1#

And here's Todd Snider singing a song that addresses the subject:

Shaltry recognized locally as Administrative Professional of the Year

Diana Shaltry

Diana Shaltry, administrative assistant for the Very High Temperature Reactor Technology Development Office, was selected as the 2012 Administrative Professional of the Year by the Eagle Rock Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals.


Shaltry was nominated by the entire group she supports at the Idaho National Laboratory and was honored at the 2012 Administrative Professionals Seminar at the Red Lion in Idaho Falls.


Shaltry has worked at the INL for nearly four years. Her boss, David Petti, said the first interaction many people have with the VHTR program is through Shaltry. “She has exceeded all our expectations in successfully working not only on day-to-day affairs of the program, but also in interacting with stakeholders," he said. 


As winner of the award, she received a special gift package, recognition by her peers at the award luncheon and free admission to the seminar. Administrative Professionals Day marked its 60th anniversary on April 25.

Carl's Junior files for certificate of occupancy

We visited the city of Idaho Falls Building Department office Thursday morning to find out whether there was anything new to report. There wasn't anything big, but there were a few things worth relating.

Carl's Jr. filed Wednesday for a certificate of occupancy for its Northgate Mile restaurant. The opening was originally planned for April 16, but there were delays in getting the parking lot finished and engineering the storm water collection system. The restaurant is taking applications.

Teton Pharmacy has filed a site plan and building plan Wednesday for a new building on Jafer Court, south of Bonaventure Senior Living on Hitt Road. The main floor will be 5,350 square feet, the basement about half that size.

Rosemark Women's Care Specialists is looking at moving to a new location, at the corner of Potomac and Fountainbleu. The plat has been recommended for approval by the Idaho Falls Planning and Zoning Commission, and is scheduled to go before the City County at its May 10 meeting.

Last of all, Dr. Slaughter's House of Terror is moving to a new location at 680 First St., next door to Bowl-ero (the old Buttrey Food & Drug, later LifeLink). A sign has already been put up advertising a Friday July 13 opening. Thursday morning we stuck our head in to hear circular saws and hammers (though no chainsaws; that must come later), with plenty of framing already done. The city building officials were very curious to learn of this, since they had seen no permits. We're sure the matter will be resolved to everyone's satisfaction, if it hasn't been resolved already.

Celt Pub plans July 28 opening

The scene Wednesday at The Celt Pub, 398 W. Broadway.

Major renovation is going on at The Celt Pub, at the corner of Broadway and Park Avenue, in preparation for its opening this summer. Owner Janice McGeachin said she and her husband, Jim, are planning a July 28 opening.

Upgrading a building so old has its own special challenges and surprises. McGeachin said that cracks in the bricks and a lack of structural support made them decide to rebuild the walls. This necessitated the removal of the old wagon wheel windows, which have gone into storage.

"It actually will look more like the original, but also fit the look of an Irish pub," McGeachin said. "We think the wheels are cool, and want to incorporate them into the interior decor, any ideas?

The Celt's Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/index.php?lh=224c4949c17b84ab22ae5a180f19f4e4&

Allegiant flights to Bay Area begin Friday

Allegiant Travel Co., which currently runs non-stop flights between Idaho Falls and Las Vegas, Scottsdale, Ariz., and Los Angeles, starts its twice-weekly flights to Oakland, Calif., on Friday.

Fares for the first few weeks start as low as $40 one-way, although that applies only to certain dates. Using the booking program on Allegiant's Web site, if I wanted a round trip this weekend, flying out Friday and returning Monday, the cost would be $493.20 (that includes taxes). That's last minute, though. If I wanted to do the wine country for my birthday at the end of July, I could get a ticket and a room in Napa for as little as $542.83.

Other big news from Allegiant is that they are adding service between Las Vegas and Honolulu starting June 29. This doesn't mean you can book Allegiant out of Idaho Falls, change planes in Vegas and head for Hawaii.

"Our business model isn't based on connecting flights," said Sabrina LoPiccolo, spokeswoman for the company. Allegiant is more focused on offering travel deals to its customers by providing low-cost travel packages that include not only air, but hotel, rental car and attractions.