Idaho Falls

NEW URBANISM ON THE RIVER
Off Broadway Avenue on South Utah Boulevard, a substantial “new urbanism” development called Taylor Crossing on the River is taking shape on 44 acres of riverfront property. The development is the brainchild of brothers Rollie and Lorin Walker, who visited the neglected area several years ago. They decided to clean it up and organized McNeil Development Company to pursue an urban renewal project. Plans include business offices, residential development, and retail space with urban residential on upper levels.

The development gets it name from the 1860s, when Matt Taylor built a toll bridge at the narrowest point of the river and called it Taylor Crossing.

The city that sprung up nearby was named Eagle Rock, but later on, its residents voted to rename it Idaho Falls and the change became permanent in 1891.

The new development of Taylor Crossing commemorates this history with an impressive water feature crowned with a bronze sculpture—a nesting pair of eaglets protected by an adult pair, one in flight and one landing to feed the youngsters. The sculptor is Vic Payne of Wyoming.

Artifacts from a traveling exhibit of historic Bibles is on view through May 28.

WHAT A ZOO!
Ray Thomas does his share of volunteer work photographing the animals at Tautphaus (pronounced Tot’fuss) Park Zoo while his wife, Jo, works as a docent and is certified to handle the animals. “We have the best little zoo here,” Thomas says. “We don’t have a lot of acreage, but the design is perfect. And we have tremendous community support.”

New at Tautphaus this year is a handsome male African lion named Dahoma, which means “long life” in Swahili. He joins the lioness Sukari with the hope that cubs will be forthcoming, advises zoo superintendent Bill Gersonde.

Tautphaus Park Zoo has more than 350 animals, the largest collection in Idaho. On any given day, visitors may watch the flock of African penguins, a threatened species, and see the wallaby mob on the move. Gibbons entertain with acrobatics, and a walk through the aviary, with the sights and sounds of exotic South American birds, is always a thrill.

Also new this year is an exhibit area for the hyrax, a small African mammal that is closely related to the elephant, and birds from Kenya in the new Mara Aviary, adjacent to the African research camp.

The summer season brims with special events. Especially popular is the Sheep to Shawl Day, June 2, when the zoo’s sheep are sheared, and spinners and weavers work their magic. Dr. Doolittle Day, July 21, finds zoo docents hosting a day full of education. A Photo Safari contest that runs through July allows amateur photographers of all ages to “zoom in on the zoo,” and enter as many photographs as they wish.

Members of Actors Repertory Theatre of Idaho

SACRED TREASURES OF THE BIBLE
The Museum of Idaho, the state’s premier national traveling exhibit museum, put Idaho Falls on the map in 2003 with its opening exhibit, “A T. Rex Named Sue,” which drew crowds from throughout the Intermountain West for nearly a year.

Now, “Ink and Blood: Sacred Treasures of the Bible,” here through May 28, tells the story of the Bible through one of the largest, most comprehensive exhibits ever. Visitors can see an amazing collection of artifacts, including actual fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls, first discovered in 1947 by Bedouin goat herders in caves near the shores of the Dead Sea. Also on view are pictographic clay tablets that establish the origin of writing and the greatest traveling collection of historic Bibles in the world.

A complete working replica of Johannes Gutenberg’s circa-1450 printing press is in daily use at the museum. Gutenberg’s press is considered the greatest invention of the last millennium because it brought the printed word, and thereby education, to the masses.

Dr. William Noah, the exhibit’s curator, worked for many years with Biblical scholars to gather the documents and artifacts that are on display. “These priceless documents continue to inspire us and came to us at tremendous cost,” he says. “The Bible has been transmitted to us through the ink of diligent scribes and the blood of martyrs.” (www.museumofidaho.org)

A THRIVING ARTS SCENE
During the past several years, with the devotion and determination of many, downtown Idaho Falls has become an enviable cultural center. A major player is the Colonial Theater, which brings in national bands such as “Asleep at the Wheel,” kings of Texas swing and winners of nine Grammy Awards (May 18).

The lively Actors’ Repertory Theatre of Idaho, now
21 years old, has taken up residence in the century-old Chagnon Building near the corner of Broadway and Yellowstone avenues. The season for this dinner theater is September through June. This year’s plays include Everybody Loves Opal (April 6 through 24), the story of three small-time perfume bootleggers whose business really stinks, and The Gay Deceiver, a zany comedy about family, publishing, sexuality, and politics (June 1 through 23).

At the Carr Gallery, a photography exhibit showcases
the artistry of Larry and Dot Beller (March 8 through May 3). Many of the photographs are of the pastoral Swan Valley, where the Bellers make their home east of Idaho Falls.

If there’s one word to describe Idaho Falls and her people, it’s exuberance. The people here are full of life—happy about what they are doing and excited about their community and its progressive direction. It tends to be a bit contagious.