The Millionth Mile

Dan has been with Salt Lake Express since May of 2003 and is our bright eyed and bushy tailed, morning route driver from Rexburg, ID to Salt Lake City. Dan hit his “Millionth Mile” at the end of October, meaning he has driven one million miles (2,000 roundtrips from Salt Lake City) for this company alone. That means that he has driven enough miles to get all the way around the earth over 40 times!

He loves his job and is still going strong. He is a reliable, safe, hard working driver and we are proud to have him among our team of drivers. We would like to invite all who are willing and able to attend a luncheon in his honor Friday, Nov 12^th from 11a-2pm. It will be held at the AmericInn Hotel Banquet Hall in Rexburg, Id.

Friends and family are more than welcome.

Idaho Residents Invited to Vote Online to Help Select Next Year’s “All-American” Landmark to be Refurbished in Their State

McLean, VA, November 3, 2010 – With mid-term elections finished, Hampton Hotels is encouraging Americans to exercise their right to vote in a different way to help better their communities.  Residents across idaho are invited to visit hamptonlandmarks.com and cast their votes to determine which historical landmarks in idaho will be supported by Hampton Hotels’ Save-A-Landmark program in 2011.

In April 2000, Hampton Hotels launched Save-A-Landmark, a community outreach campaign dedicated to refurbishing historical, fun and cultural landmarks along our highways.  Since the program launched, Hampton Hotels and Save-A-Landmark have helped to preserve 55 historical landmarks in the United States, Canada and Mexico. In 2011, Hampton plans to preserve five more landmarks across the U.S., including one in Idaho.

According to the Idaho Department of Commerce, an estimated 20 million tourists visit the state annually (from visitidaho.org.)  Idaho residents and tourists can show support for their favorite local landmark by visiting hamptonlandmarks.com and voting for one of three “All-American Landmark” nominees by 11:59 p.m. EST, November 30, 2010.  The landmark candidates from Idaho are:

•          Idaho Potato Museum, Blackfoot, Idaho – This unique museum leads visitors through the revolution of the potato. Built in 1912, the museum is housed in the old Oregon Short Line Rail Depot, signifying the ties between the two industries. From exhibits about the first potatoes grown in Idaho to the display of the largest potato chip ever made, this museum provides all you need to know about America’s favorite vegetable.

•          The Romance (Historic Westwood Theater), Rexburg, Idaho – Built in 1917, this historic theater made its debut as the Rex, showing silent films and hosting Vaudeville shows. Later remodeled in 1935, it re-opened as the Romance and began showing “talkies,” or movies with sound. Later named The Westwood, the theater opened and closed several times before being purchased in 2005 by the City of Rexburg.

•          Rock Creek Station and Stricker Homesite, Twin Falls, Idaho – Willow-lined Rock Creek formed a welcome refuge for Native Americans, explorers, and pioneers for centuries. The settlement prospered during the 1840s when settlers traveled the Oregon Trail.  Today, visitors can tour the site including the old post office, log store, stone cellars, and cemetery. It is also on the National Register of Historic Places.

“We’re excited to discover which landmarks are most important to Idaho residents as we approach our 11th year of Save-A-Landmark,” said Judy Christa-Cathey, vice president, global marketing, Hampton Hotels. “Each year, Hampton and our employee volunteers donate countless hours and resources to help preserve and restore landmarks across the country. We’re thrilled to bring the program to Idaho next year.”

To date, the Save-A-Landmark program has provided thousands of hours and more than $2.5 million dollars toward the research and preservation of roadside landmarks for future generations.  In 2006, the Save-A-Landmark program was honored with the 2006 Preserve America Presidential Award – the first hotel chain ever recognized by a U.S. president for its preservation efforts.

For more information about the Save-A-Landmark program or to cast your vote, log on to hamptonlandmarks.com before November 30, 2010.  The winning landmark for each state will be announced on December 2, 2010.

Rocky Mountain Power Update on Current Price Adjustment

Staff from the Idaho Public Utilities Commission will be in eastern Idaho on Sept. 21 and 22 to conduct public workshops regarding a rate increase request from Rocky Mountain Power.

Last June, Rocky Mountain Power applied for an average 13.7 percent increase. The commission suspended the case for up to six months at that time to allow its staff of auditors, engineers and attorneys to review the request.

Part of that review process includes public workshops and hearings for customers. The first of those workshops in scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 21, at the Robinson Building, 186 W. Second North in Preston. The second workshop will be Wednesday, Sept. 22, in the Fremont County Annex Meeting Room at 125 N. Bridge St. in St. Anthony. Both workshops begin at 7 p.m.

The purpose of the workshops is for commission staff to explain the company’s request and the process the commission must follow in considering that request. After the staff’s presentation, the public will be able to ask questions. Representatives of the company may also be on hand to answer questions, but are not part of the staff’s presentation.

A technical hearing in Boise is scheduled to begin Nov. 30 and public hearings in eastern Idaho will likely be scheduled, also in mid- to late-November.

The commission has received a number of written comments from customers asking that the commission deny the request, especially given the current economy. However, the commission cannot, by state law, arbitrarily refuse to consider utility rate increase requests. State statutes require that all rate requests be considered by the commission to determine whether the expenses the utility seeks to recover through customer rates were necessary to serve customers and, if necessary, were those expenses prudently incurred. The commission is free to accept, reject or modify the company’s request. The commission may deny expense recovery to a utility if the utility fails to provide evidence that adequately supports the new expenses as needed to serve customers and prudently incurred. All commission decisions can be appealed to the state Supreme Court by the utility, intervenors or customers.

Parties who have intervened in the case to present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, participate in settlement conferences and make and argue motions include Agrium, Inc. (Nu West), the Idaho Irrigation Pumpers Association, the PacifiCorp Idaho Industrial Customers, the Idaho Conservation League and the Community Action Partnership Association of Idaho (CAPAI). CAPAI represents primarily customers on low and fixed incomes.

Rocky Mountain Power states the increase is needed to cover expenses for more than $4 billion of new plant investment and $87 million in increased power supply costs. Investments proposed in this case are already serving customers or will be by the end of 2010. Those include eight new wind generation plants, a 345-kilovolt transmission line from Downey to Salt to Lake City, environmental improvements at the Dave Johnston, Huntington and Jim Bridger power plants, turbine upgrades at the Hunter, Huntington and Jim Bridge power plants and hydro power relicensing and upgrade investments.

About 30 percent of the requested additional yearly revenue requirement of $27.7 million is due to increases in power supply costs which include expenses related to fuel, purchases of power from the wholesale market and transmission wheeling. The largest contributors to the proposed increase in power supply are increasing coal costs and the replacement of older power supply contracts that had lower prices with newer, higher-priced contracts.

According to testimony filed by the company, lower load projections and current economic conditions have resulted in Rocky Mountain scaling back some transmission and distribution capital expenditures from previously planned levels. The company has reduced its 10-year capital budget from nearly $2.2 billion per year to $1.6 billion annually and plans no investments in new company-owned generation until 2014.

Despite those reductions, Rocky Mountain asserts it still must continue its multi-year program of investing in renewable energy, transmission facilities and environmental controls. “It is critical that rates reflect the current and actual costs of serving our customers,” said Richard Walje, company president. “Absent the increase requested in this case, the company will not receive the revenue it requires to fund the future capital investments necessary to provide reliable service to our customers.”

Responding to a directive from the commission after the company’s last rate case, Rocky Mountain is proposing a two-tiered rate structure for residential customers under which customers pay more when their use exceeds 800 kWh per month. Customers who stay below the company’s average residential use of 839 kWh year-round will pay only about 1 percent more per year under the company’s proposed rate. However, larger users will see substantially large increases if the application is approved.

The proposed winter rate (November through April) for the first 800 kWh of use is 6.55 cents per kWh. For use above that, the proposed rate jumps to 8.84 cents. The current winter rate for residential customers is about 8 cents per kWh.

The proposed residential summer rate for the first 800 kWh is 8.95 cents per kWh. Use above that is proposed to be about 12 cents. The current summer rate is about 10.4 cents.

Proposed increases for customer classes vary according to the cost the company incurs to serve each customer class.

The company’s proposed increase for residential customers, including all energy and customer service charges, is about 8 percent.

For residential customers who are on optional Time of Day Rates, the proposed increase is 15.6 percent. However, the average rate for a time-of-day customer would still be about 1.35 cents per kWh lower than standard residential rates, according to the company’s application.

The proposed increase for small general service customers is 10.8 percent, for medium- and large- general service customers, 14.6 percent; for irrigation customers, 9.6 percent; and large industrial from 15.9 percent to 19.6 percent. The proposed increases for Rocky Mountain‘s large contract customers are 19.6 percent for Monsanto and 15.9 percent for Nu-West.

The company’s last rate case was filed in September 2008 when Rocky Mountain requested a 4 percent overall increase. That case was settled in April 2009 when the company was granted a 3.1 percent increase.

Customers can track the progress of the case on the commission’s Web site where the company’s application, as well as testimony from several company officials, is posted. As the case progresses, testimony from commission staff and intervenors will be added as will customer comments. The Web site is http://www.puc.idaho.gov [http://www.puc.idaho.gov]. Click on the electric icon, then on “Open Electric Cases,” and scroll down to Case No. PAC-E-10-07

Please call if you have questions

Thanks

Glen Pond

Rocky Mountain Power

Regional Customer & Community Manager

25 East Main

Rexburg, Idaho  83440

208-359-4285   Telephone

208-356-8801   Fax

glen.pond@PacifiCorp.com

Wendy’s Celebrates 40th Birthday

Rexburg, IDAHO— Today, September 9, local Wendy’s Restaurants will be winding down their 40^th birthday celebrations with a special offer between 4-8pm.

To honor this milestone, Wendy’s Restaurants are offering 40 cent specials on all Jr. hamburgers, Jr. Cheeseburgers, value fries and value drinks. Today is the last day this celebration will be taking place in Eastern Idaho.

“We would like to thank our customers for all the support over the years and want to do something fun as we celebrate our 40^th year in business” said Robert Pincock, District Manager of Classic Foods. “We have had a fun time offering this special to customers each month during 2010.”

This event is being held in Pocatello, Blackfoot, Rexburg, Rigby, Idaho Falls and Ammon. To allow many participants in this event, there will be a 15 hamburger limit per car in the drive thru and a 15 hamburger limit per order in the dining room. Participants can go through the line as many times as they wish during the event.

Chocolate Fest Vendors

Food Vendors

Booth space is limited, so reserve early. In addition to the application, ALL vendors that plan to get reimbursed for  taste tickets or even provide free samples, MUST obtain approval from District Seven Health Dept.  They usually take 10-14 days to process an application so get approved early.   No food or drink products will be permitted without prior approval. For approval contact Nathan at District 7 Health Department at (208) 533-3128.

Please be advised this is a Chocolate Festival and that exhibitors who are working with food must either a Temporary Food License Permit or a Food License Exemption Statement.  See information below about each certificate and allow 2 weeks for processing your application!!!

Please make sure that you have ample supply of chocolate goods on hand for the public. We would like to make this year’s Chocolate Festival smooth and profitable for everyone. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.    All exhibitors are encouraged to focus their attention on treats but emphasize “chocolate” since it is Chocolate Fest. Again, we would like to discuss your samples with us prior to the event as sizes and variations do occur among vendors.   Please put in a request ahead of time to make sure your booth has been approved for samples and has the following permits chocolate readily available please do so by e-mailing greg@idahoweddingguide.com

SAMPLES and REIMBURSEMENT for TASTE TICKETS

Throughout the country at other Chocolate Festivals and food events they have used a ticket to get samplesfrom vendors. This way you don’t just give out samples for free without any reimbursement.

Samples and Taste Tickets work like this:

Events4Idaho will discuss with each food vendor hat item(s) you will be displaying or selling at Chocolate Fest.   We will then determine a sample count based upon the item(s).  We are trying to have each vendor supply a minimum of 500 samples.  You then showcase your samples to the public.  They buy taste tickets at the door or online at Events4Idaho.com.  Each taste ticket is valued at $1.00.    We determine the price of the item and number of taste tickets per sample.  At the end of the event you are reimbursed .25 for each taste ticket or 4 taste tickets for $1.00.

Example, Your business would pay $100 for a booth and provide 500 cupcakes for samples.   We determine each cupcake is valued at $1.00.  You receive 500 taste tickets for your samples.   You would then be reimbursed $125 for your 500 taste tickets at the end of the event.  If you have questions?  Call Greg at 403-4705.

I have made a copy from the Health Department of the Exemption Statement below and the Permit to make it easy for you to determine what is required on your end.  You can’t participate unless you have one of these forms  You can download the forms at http://www2.state.id.us/phd7/ then click where it says food on the left hand side and it will take you to the page to download the forms.

LICENSE EXEMPTION STATEMENT

(FOOD CODE 1-201.10 (36) (c))

A FOOD LICENSE IS NOT REQUIRED IN IDAHO WHEN:

A. An establishment offers only prepackaged FOODS that are not POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS;

B. A produce stand that only offers whole, uncut fresh fruits and vegetables;

C. Exempt, such as:

1. Private Homes for Non-commercial, family or personal use.

2. Fraternal, benevolent or non-profit charitable organizations which do not serve:

a. Non-potentially Hazardous Food (NPHF) more than five (5) consecutive days on no more than three occasions per year, or

b. All other foods more than one(1) meal a week.

3. Bed & breakfast establishments (10 bed maximum).

4. Low-risk food establishments, which offer only factory-sealed NPHF not sold to licensed food establishments and not advertised.

5. Agricultural market foods.

6. Licensed Outfitter/Guide and similar operations for which:

a. A special activity is the main attraction;

b. Food is incidental to the main attraction;

c. Admission is by advance reservation; and,

d. The activity is not available to walk-in customers.

7. Day care providers.

8. Establishments licensed by other agencies.

A FOOD LICENSE AND A LICENSE FEE ARE REQUIRED IN IDAHO WHEN:

A. The food service or establishment is not exempt.

B. The operation meets the FOOD CODE definition of a Food Establishment, A Food Service Establishment, or a Food Processing Establishment.

C. The food establishment meets the FOOD CODE definition of Medium-risk or High-risk (cold holding, heating, or cooling of Potentially Hazardous Food).

These criteria apply equally to temporary, mobile, fixed-location, or home-based food establishments for profit or not.

Types of Food Licenses: Full or Seasonal (annual) and Temporary (14 days maximum).

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

1250 HOLLIPARK DRIVE

IDAHO FALLS, ID 83401

PHONE: (208) 523-5382

FAX: (208) 528-0857

www.idaho.gov/phd7

To: All Temporary / Intermittent Food Service Vendors

From: Environmental Health Section/Food Program

Subject: Temporary or Intermittent Food Service License Application

A $65 food license fee is required for all establishments handling potentially hazardous foods. Applications without the license fee will not be processed. Idaho Code §39-1604 states, “No person, firm or corporation shall operate a food establishment that handles potentially hazardous foods, for which no other state or federal food safety inspection or license is required, without a license approved by the director of the department of health and welfare or his designee.”

No additional fee for events within the same calendar year and with the same menu will be required, however; declaration of events / locations must be declared and placed with license along with copy of menu.

When operating in another district than that which issued license, that district will require the vendor to show proof that he’s paid a fee for that calendar year and is serving the same menu. Proof of local commissary (if required) may also be required.

An Intermittent food service establishment is one that operates at a single, specified location in conjunction with a recurring event. Examples of recurring event may be a: farmers’ or community market or a holiday market.

NOTE: Fraternal, Benevolent and Nonprofit Charitable Organizations – see attached.

*** Please complete all questions on the application, attach a complete menu, a letter from your commissary, (which includes the commissary’s name and license number, address, telephone number) – signed and dated by the owner, and submit with the $65 license fee.

Applications must be submitted to this office for review within 2 weeks prior to the event if event has a coordinator, 1 week prior if no coordinator. An incomplete application may cause a delay and/or disapproval of your application. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted and the applicant will not be allowed to operate.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact this office. Thank you.

Nathan Taylor at (208) 533-3128

Chocolate Fest Challenges and Competitions

High School Chocolate Challenge and “So You Think You Can Bake Awards”

High School Chocolate Challenge

The Idaho Health Guide has partnered with the American Public Health Association to Build a Foundation for a Healthy America by creating Healthy Communities throughout America.  What better way to get Eastern Idaho to participate then creating Chocolate Fest.  The emphasis of this event is the prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD).  This is the theme since it is the fourth leading killer in the United States and has to do with a variety of diseases that affect the respiratory system such as chronic bronchitis, asthma and emphysema.     The solution to the problem begins with prevention!

Rules

The local high schools will participate in this challenge and submit entries that relate to the theme of COPD.  Each high school will have a sponsor at the event that has donated $75 to pay for supplies to make their entry.  The high schools may use a variety of treats (cookies, candy, cake, chocolate, etc. )  to represent their school and the theme.  The high schools need to use their creativity to tie- in their school  with the theme.  It’s that simple!

Events4Idaho will provide a display space that has an 8 foot by 3 foot buffet table with a white linen on it.

Your high school will decorate the space and the table.  We will have the public judge the event and your table display will be auctioned off via a silent auction by the public.  The public will judge your displays and trophies will be provided to the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place teams.   Benefits of the silent auction goes to further prevention of COPD and publication of the Idaho Health Guide.

Set-up

Chocolate Fest takes place on October 9^th, 2010 at the Shilo Inn from 12PM-9PM.  You may begin by setting up your display at 7AM but please have it ready and properly displayed by 11:30 AM on October 9^th,

^{Judging, Disqualification and Awards}

Judging by the public will occur from 12:00 PM -8:00 PM.  This is a friendly competition and it is imperative that students of the school work together on the display and not parents of the students. Disqualification may occur if adults are decorating the display.

Winners will be announced and trophies will be awarded at 8:30PM.

Entry Forms

Entry forms will be provided by Events4Idaho and must be filled out by a school representative and turned in to  Events4Idaho.

Silent Auction

The tasty table displays will be auctioned off with the silent auction beginning at 5 PM until 8 PM.  The winners of the silent auction will be announced at 8 PM and can take their table display home with them.

Attention LOVERS of CHOCOLATE!

“So You Think You Can Bake” Awards

Rules

It’s a friendly chocolate culinary competition, sweet sampling session, and generously supported fund-raiser for COPD and the Idaho Health Guide.  Purchasing Taste Tickets will allow the public to try samples for “So You Think You Can Bake” Awards entries and from vendors at Chocolate Fest,   $1 per taste ticket or 25 taste tickets for $20 enables you to sample a wide variety of  delectable treats offered by our talented entrants:

Professional Creations

• Brownies
• Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Chocolate Cakes
• Chocolates
• Fudge

So You Think You Can Bake” Awards will be awarded to 1st,  2nd  and 3rd place in each category.

A trophy will be presented to first place in each category.  Medals will be awarded for 2^nd and 3^rd Place.

Winners will auction off their entries in the Silent Auction. A number of non-dessert items may also be auctioned and raffled off at Chocolate Fest.

♦ Who can enter and how are they judged?

The majority of entrants are Amateurs – everyday people who like to dabble in the kitchen and enjoy testing their talents or sharing a favorite decadent delight. Amateur entrants will not compete with professionals.

Entries are judged and the top three are selected in each category (Chocolate Cakes, Fudge, Chocolates, Chocolate Chip Cookies and Brownies.

Amateur Group –Aunt Susan, my neighbor Joanie, etc. basically people who don’t sell treats and goodies for a living.

Professional Group –Caterers, pastry chefs, culinary arts students and restaurateurs make up the. .

Judges will consider taste, texture, appearance/ presentation, and creative use of chocolate in selecting the award-winning entries.  Judges will be made up entirely from the public during this competition.

♦ How much of my entry should I make?

Please donate “two” (or more) items or batches of whatever you’re entering.

1. One will be left intact for sale in the silent auction:

For the auction item, provide a quantity that makes sense for the recipe (i.e., one cake, pie, tart) or would be a nice amount for someone to take home, depending on the size of brownies, chocolates, cookies, etc.

Presentation counts in the judging so knock yourself out to make the auction item look attractive!

2. The rest will be for tasting by judges and attendees: The tasting part of your entry will be cut into small pieces so it doesn’t need to be beautiful. It’s more important that this part be easy to serve (i.e., for a cake, a large sheet cake instead of round is much easier to cut). Mini-cookies, brownies and chocolates are suggested. It helps our set-up crew greatly if you cut your tasting entry into bite-sized samples before delivering it to the Shilo Inn.

For tasting quantity, keep in mind that numerous people will attend the Chocolate Festival and the more people who taste your entry, the more chances you will have to win “So You Think You Can Bake” awards

♦ And some Final Important Rules

No desserts requiring refrigeration can be accepted. Be sure that your entry can tolerate a warm environment from the time that you deliver it until at least 9 p.m. No raw eggs

Entry Forms

Entry forms can be found and downloaded at Events4Idaho.com and must be sent in prior to the event.

Send forms to:

Events4Idaho

13576 N. 105 E.

Idaho Falls, ID 83401

Need more information call 403-4705

Chocolate Fest Events Schedule

Local businesses providing Chocolate and Treat Samples for public pleasure

12:00 PM to 9:00PM

Indulge in tasty treats and see beautiful displays of chocolate and treats.  Check out other area vendors booths.

Buy TASTE TICKETS at EVENTS4IDAHO.com or at the door.  Each ticket is equal to $1.00.

Raffle Drawings for Prizes

12:00 PM to 8:45PM

Enter to win our Grand Prize a 2 hour limousine rental from Black Knight valued at $350 and other amazing giveaways

“So You Think You Can Bake Awards” sponsored by

12:00 -6:00 PM

Silent auction begins at 6:00PM

A friendly culinary competition judged by the public.

Participants will bring in chocolate chip cookies , chocolate cakes, brownies, fudge  and chop suey -other desserts ( to be judged by the public and auctioned off by a silent auction to raise money for COPD.

Wedding Cakes and Sugar Art on display from the Eastern Idaho Sugar Art Show

Displayed from  12:00PM -9:00PM

Get Rid of the Sugar High-  Bounce House and 3 in 1 Combo Slide  sponsored by Bounce Your World

Let the kids bounce around and waste energy –lose the sugar high!

Free for kids from 12:00PM to 8:00PM

Movie- Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory  -

First showing begins at 12:15 PM and continues throughout the day.

Cigarettes for Suckers Campaign –STOP SMOKING and PLEDGES by kids not to smoke (Raise Awareness of COPD)

12:00 PM to 8:00PM

• Kids from ages of 1 to 13 get a free home- made sucker from Jorgenson’s Old Fashioned Suckers   and sign a pledge not to smoke and enter a raffle to win a Gigantic Sucker
• Adults can trade in Cigarettes for Suckers and pledge to quit smoking.

High School Chocolate Challenge –The general public judges the displays presented by local high schools based upon the theme of prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD)

Registration 11:00 AM

Silent Auction for Table Displays starts at 5:00PM

Silent Auction ends at 8:00PM

“Kiss them Goodbye”  Hershey Kisses Eating Contest - Unwrap Hershey Kisses  fast as you can and eat as many as you canin a timed eating contest

Free admission – First 10 people who register in each category will participate -Winners get a prize and ribbons

Registration to sign up for the event begins at 1:30 PM

( 5 years old to 7 years old/  8 years to 12 years old  / 13 years to 17 years old   / 18 years old and above)

Event start time at 2:00 PM

“Down the Oreos”…Oreo Eating Contest  only one glass of milk per contestant -sponsored by

Free Admission- Registration begins at 3:30 PM ( 8  contestants in each division ( 5 years old to 7 years old/  8 years to 12 years old  / 13 years to 17 years old   / 18 years old and above)

Event start time at 4:00 PM – winners get ribbons

“Puddle of Pudding”  Chocolate Pudding Eating Contest  – Don’t bother washing your hands – you can’t use them ! sponsored by

Free Admission- Registration begins at 5:30 PM

Event start time at 6:00 PM – 5 contestants in each division ( 5 years old to 7 years old/  8 years to 12 years old  / 13 years to 17 years old   / 18 years old and above)- winners get ribbons

“Mystery Matter”  Eating Contest  -Only for the serious contestants!  Blindfolds and mystery food covered in chocolate.  Prizes and a trophy  for the winners of this event.  Sponsored by

Free Admission- Registration begins at 7:00 PM

Event start time at 7:30 PM – 5 contestants in each division ( 5 years old to 7 years old /  8 years to 12 years old  / 13 years to 17 years old   / 18 years old and above)- winners get ribbons

Silent Auctions begin  of High School Chocolate Challenge Table Displays sponsored by

Auction begins at 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM

The public bids on the table display to raise money for COPD and the Idaho Health Guide

Silent Auctions begin  for the “So You Think You Can Bake Awards” sponsored by

Auction begins at 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM

The public bids on the tasty treats  to raise money for COPD and the Idaho Health Guide

Raffle Drawing for Gigantic Sucker sponsored by Jorgenson’s Old Fashioned Suckers 8:30 PM

Raffle Drawing for free 2 hour Limo Ride valued  at $350 sponsored by Black Knight Limousine 8:45 PM

Chocolate Fest at Shilo Inn, Idaho Falls

October 9^th, 2010

Held at the Shilo Inn in Idaho Falls

12:00 PM- 9:00PM

Why wait for Halloween….Come to Chocolate Fest and experience sweet treats early this year!

Free admission! However, tickets must be purchased to sample treats. A good cause to benefit COPD,  a great time and fun for your entire family!  Who doesn’t like Chocolate?  Featuring thousands of samples from area vendors and the Largest Chocolate Fountain manufactured will be on display.  Sweet treats, eating contests, So You Think You Can Bake Awards, High School Chocolate Challenge, giveaways for treats and a limousine ride and much more at Chocolate Fest.  Educational emphasis on prevention of smoking!!!

Buy TASTE TICKETS online to sample treats at Events4Idaho.com or at the door!

OBJECTIVES of CHOCOLATE FEST:

1. Raise money and awareness for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) the fourth leading killer in the United States. Subsidize the distribution of the Idaho Health Guide a free publication designed to improve the health of people in Eastern Idaho.  Stop Smoking Campaign -Cigarettes for Suckers!
2. Promote local businesses in Idaho that work with chocolate, desserts and other services.

3. Provide a creative atmosphere and develop and enhance relationships between the festival vendors, guests, and the media.

4. Recognize and award participants in a culinary contest featuring chocolates, cakes, cookies, brownies and other desserts.

COST: The event has FREE ADMISSION to the general public.  However, TASTE TICKETS can be purchased at Events4Idaho.com or at the door.  TASTE TICKETS will be used to sample items from food vendors at Chocolate Fest and will have a value of one dollar.

PROCEEDS- FUND RAISING: Proceeds from Taste Tickets are dispersed back to vendors and used to raise money to continue education and awareness of COPD and to print out another publication of the Idaho Health Guide.

The event, “Chocolate Fest” will feature the following:

The event, “Chocolate Fest” will feature the following:

Educational Emphasis:

COPD is a leading killer in the United States. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, refers to a group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems. It includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and in some cases asthma. COPD is a leading cause of death, illness, and disability in the United States.

	COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. and is projected to be the third leading cause of death for both males and females by the year 2020. The total estimated cost of COPD in 2002 was $32.1 billion.  $18 billion were direct costs and $14.1 billion were indirect costs. It is estimated that there may currently be 16 million people in the United States currently diagnosed with COPD. The NHBLI reports 12.1 million adults 25 and older were diagnosed with this disease. It is estimated that there may be as many as an additional 14 million or more in the United States still undiagnosed, as they are in the beginning stages and have little to minimal symptoms and have not sought health care yet.

What are we doing about it (COPD) at Chocolate Fest and beyond? EDUCATION- We put articles and information about COPD in the initial edition of the Idaho Health Guide to increase knowledge, understanding and awareness of COPD.  Material will be distributed at the event regarding this disease.   Proceeds from this event will help to publish the next edition of the Idaho Health Guide with additional emphasis on COPD INTERVENTION – A “Stop Smoking” campaign will emphasize “Trade your Cigarettes for Suckers at Chocolate Fest!   The Suckers are homemade and feature a variety of cool flavors (root beer, raspberry, pina colada, cherry, watermelon and blue raspberry and of course CHOCOLATE.  People who currently smoke are welcome to trade in their cigarettes for suckers and sign a pledge to stop smoking. PREVENTION –    (children)   All kids ages from 1 to 14 who attend Chocolate Fest will get a free sucker from Jorgenson’s Old Fashioned suckers and sign a pledge not to smoke and enter to win a GIGANTIC SUCKER!  (teenagers) The High School Chocolate Challenge is a fun contest among local high schools to display their artistic talent and create a display made from treats that corresponds with our theme to prevent COPD.   Each High School that participates will be given $75 to use towards this display.   The area high schools will display their presentation at the event and the public will judge the High Schools and determine a winner based upon presentation and theme.    Schools can incorporate their school colors, use different treats and sweets to make their display, etc.

	COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. and is projected to be the third leading cause of death for both males and females by the year 2020. The total estimated cost of COPD in 2002 was $32.1 billion.  $18 billion were direct costs and $14.1 billion were indirect costs. It is estimated that there may currently be 16 million people in the United States currently diagnosed with COPD. The NHBLI reports 12.1 million adults 25 and older were diagnosed with this disease. It is estimated that there may be as many as an additional 14 million or more in the United States still undiagnosed, as they are in the beginning stages and have little to minimal symptoms and have not sought health care yet.

What are we doing about it (COPD) at Chocolate Fest and beyond? EDUCATION- We put articles and information about COPD in the initial edition of the Idaho Health Guide to increase knowledge, understanding and awareness of COPD.  Material will be distributed at the event regarding this disease.   Proceeds from this event will help to publish the next edition of the Idaho Health Guide with additional emphasis on COPD INTERVENTION – A “Stop Smoking” campaign will emphasize “Trade your Cigarettes for Suckers at Chocolate Fest!   The Suckers are homemade and feature a variety of cool flavors (root beer, raspberry, pina colada, cherry, watermelon and blue raspberry and of course CHOCOLATE.  People who currently smoke are welcome to trade in their cigarettes for suckers and sign a pledge to stop smoking. PREVENTION –    (children)   All kids ages from 1 to 14 who attend Chocolate Fest will get a free sucker from Jorgenson’s Old Fashioned suckers and sign a pledge not to smoke and enter to win a GIGANTIC SUCKER!  (teenagers) The High School Chocolate Challenge is a fun contest among local high schools to display their artistic talent and create a display made from treats that corresponds with our theme to prevent COPD.   Each High School that participates will be given $75 to use towards this display.   The area high schools will display their presentation at the event and the public will judge the High Schools and determine a winner based upon presentation and theme.    Schools can incorporate their school colors, use different treats and sweets to make their display, etc.

Vendors:

• “Sweet” Vendors who make desserts, chocolate and other tasty goodies their full-time occupation.   We will have numerous vendors allowing you to sample great treats.
• Non food vendors who will display their amazing products and services.

Entertainment:

• We will be showing the new version of the movie  Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory starring Johnny Depp
• - High School Chocolate Challenge- local high schools compete in a contest against each other to display their presentation made out of treats.   The theme that the presentation is based upon is “Prevention of COPD” .  Each high school will be given $75 towards their presentation.   The public will judge the presentations based upon presentation and theme.  The high schools will win trophies for ^1st, ^2nd and ^3rd place.

“So You Think You Can Bake” Award Contests   The public will bring in professional creations of

• Brownies
• Fudge
• Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Chocolate Cakes
• Chocolates

These fabulous desserts will be judged and then be auctioned off to the public in the evening by a  silent auction

• Fun music and a Free bounce house and slide for children
• Some wedding cakes and sugar art from the 2010 Eastern Idaho Fair -Sugar Art Show will be on display for your viewing pleasure.

Giveaways

• There will be many giveaways at Chocolate Fest including our Grand Prize-  A two  hour limousine ride from Black Knight Limousine valued at $350-  Enter to win there at Chocolate Fest!  There will be many more giveaways at this event.

Eating contests:

• “Puddle of Pudding” -Chocolate Pudding –No need to wash your hands –you can’t use them  for this contest .This one is a little messy.
• “Down the Oreos” Oreo Cookie –“Got Milk” for this contest.
• “Kiss Them  Goodbye” Hershey Kisses –unwrap them and kiss them goodbye as you stuff as many as you can in your mouth.
• “Mystery Matter” – Our favorite!   Mystery Matter!….Come to Chocolate Fest and find out what the mystery items are and participate in this unusual eating contest.  We have some unique morsels covered in chocolate.  It’s going to be awesome!!!

Trophies and prizes will be awarded to the winners of these contests. Be a vendor, support our cause and tell your friends to come to Chocolate Fest.  Buy your TASTE TICKETS on-line at Events4Idaho.com or call 403-4705 for more information or email greg@idahoweddingguide.com.



SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby Offers Emergency Preparedness Tips

Rexburg, ID (Grassroots Newswire) September 1, 2010 — Throughout

September, in recognition of the seventh annual National Preparedness

Month (NPM), activities and events will take place across the country to

highlight the importance of emergency preparedness and to promote

individual involvement in preparation for emergency response. Local

restoration company SERVPRO® of Rexburg/Rigby is proud to be offering free preparedness materials for NPM.

The focus of this year’s campaign – “Plan Now – Work Together – Be

Ready” – is to encourage Americans to work together to take concrete

actions toward emergency preparedness. Skylar Price, owner of SERVPRO of

Rexburg/Rigby, often sees the benefits of emergency preparedness. “A

disaster like a flood, fire or blizzard can be such a stressful situation

to homeowners and business owners,” Price said. “When we service people

who have taken steps to prepare for such a catastrophe, we realize their

chances for staying safe and recovering quickly certainly increase.”

Rexburg-area residents can begin to prepare for a natural or man-made

disaster by taking the following steps to lessen the impact on their

families and their communities if disaster strikes.

Prepare an Emergency Supply Kit – You should plan for 3 days of supplies,

so you’ll need water – a gallon per person per day – and non-perishable

foods. Then add basic tools (wrench, pliers, can opener, matches), fire

extinguisher, flashlight and radio with extra batteries, a first aid kit,

extra clothing and hygiene items, garbage bags and duct tape, copies of

important documents (insurance policies, ID, bank accounts), cash and

local maps.

Establish a Family Emergency Plan – Designate an out-of-town contact as

your family’s centralized, emergency communications facilitator in case

your family is not together when a disaster strikes. Add that person’s

number to your emergency contacts on each family member’s cell phone. If

you can’t reach that individual with a call from a cell phone, try

texting.

Stay Informed – Learn about your community’s emergency procedures and

participate in activities planned during National Preparedness Month. You

can also request checklists and other disaster preparedness tools from

SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby or at ready.gov.

While it’s common for individuals to insure their homes, cars and

possessions, and even to prepare living wills to protect their families in

the event of some unthinkable accident, only 36 percent believed there was

a high likelihood of a natural disaster ever happening in their community,

according to a 2009 Citizen Corps National Survey.  And yet, disasters can

and do happen every day. In fact, FEMA has recorded 63 declared disasters

to date this year alone, up from 59 for the whole of 2009.

“Being prepared for an emergency requires a team effort,” says Price.

“First, families need to make a plan, and each family member needs to know

what to do. Then, communities and businesses need to have contingency

plans in place to ensure their residents and workers stay informed. By

working together, individuals, families, businesses and communities can

make a real difference in minimizing the impact that a disaster has on

their lives and their livelihoods.”

If disaster does strike, leaving fire, water or mold damage in its wake,

SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby offers an assortment of services to help local

residents quickly restore damaged property. Within four hours of the

initial notification, a SERVPRO Franchise Professional will be on-site to

start the mitigation process. (Exceptions may apply under certain

conditions, such as a catastrophic event or a storm situation.)

For more information about SERVPRO of Rexburg/Rigby or to receive free

emergency preparedness materials, please contact Skylar Price at (208)

356-0263.