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New business, Fire and Fizz, opens in Rexburg | BYU-Idaho Radio

Logo of Fire and Fizz.

Fire and Fizz

BYU-Idaho Radio · Fire and Fizz opens in Rexburg

A new business called Fire and Fizz is now open in Rexburg. It gives anyone a chance to be creative not only with their drinks but also with pottery. There are a lot of soda shops in Rexburg, but this is something more.

"We're not necessarily trying to compete heavily with the other soda shops," said Brian Barton, one of the owners. "We just thought it would be cool to kind of have like a one-stop hangout spot where if they're painting and having a good time, they can just grab a soda while they're in there, just enjoy that."

Barton says customers can buy pottery like plates, mugs, bowls, and more than 200 different pottery pieces. Then, they can choose from 70 to 80 different glazes, and then they place their one-of-a-kind piece in the kiln to finish. The only limit is the customer's imagination.

"We've sold a lot of nativities just in the past week," Brian said. "We have little nativity sets. "We have Christmas trees, big and small, different shapes and sizes, as well as some plates, like gingerbread plates, Christmas plates, lots of ornaments as well."

Fire and Fizz is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. If you want to know more about the business, visit its Facebook, Instagram or the Fire and Fizz website.
Porter's Office Products holding food drive for Thanksgiving

Cody Miller with Rebecca Tibrand

BYU-Idaho Radio

BYU-Idaho Radio · Porter's Office Products holding food drive for Thanksgiving.

Porter's has been a part of eastern Idaho since 1915, when Arthur Porter founded his variety store on College Ave. in Rexburg. Its Office Products business was added in 1971, selling office products and more to people all over eastern Idaho.

Rebecca Tibrand, the brand manager, says the business left its mark on Rexburg as Porter's children took over.

"As his children grew up, they came back to the family business, and that main variety store branched off into three different businesses," she said. "One of those became the printing business that is now Artco slash The Occasions Group. One of them became the Standard Journal, and then one of them became the variety store known as Porter's Craft and Frame."

Tibrand says they sell office products like paper, pens, and more. They also sell office furniture and are the exclusive sellers of Steel Case Furniture. This month, however, they are organizing a food drive for people who are in need. For each person who donates 10 pounds of food or $10, they are entered into a raffle for a free gift basket or desk whiteboard.

Tibrand says they will accept donations like canned goods, pasta, rice, peanut butter, and cereal, even if the items are up to three years past their expiration date.

"We are also looking for foods that can help those who are food insecure, but also have dietary restrictions, gluten-free flour, gluten-free pasta, dairy alternatives like almond or soy milk to help those who need a little extra, who need an extra helping hand, who might not be able to otherwise eat from a food bank," Tibrand said.

The food drive ends Friday. To donate, visit their main location at 1050 N. 2nd E. in Rexburg or visit their website here.
Researchers may have found a bat hibernation location in eastern Idaho

The Harriman bat night.

Mikayla Khilobok

BYU-Idaho Radio · Researchers may have found a bat hibernation location in eastern Idaho

Students in BYU-Idaho's Wildlife Management program frequently work with local research groups and believe they may be the first to discover a bat hibernaculum, or hibernation spot, in the western U.S.

Mikayla Khilobok is one of the BYU-Idaho students who has coordinated with the Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park on researching bats and holding educational nights to teach about bats. One of the things they teach is how bats leave during the winter for hibernation.

"We get a lot of farmers that go to bat nights and talk about how that can't be true 'because I see bats all winter long out on my farm,'" Khilobok said.

They thought this was interesting because researchers don't actually know where the local bat populations go to hibernate.

"A lot of them were talking about some old lava tube caves along the river that they were convinced the bats had to be living in," Khilobok said.

The zoo researchers and students made a trip out to those caves along the east side of the Teton River and found significant evidence to support the caves being a bat hibernaculum.

In the next few days, they will place devices in the caves that can detect bat activity through the winter.

Eight of the 14 bat species in Idaho are considered "conservation concerns," or in other words, their population appears to be weak.

"It would help us protect those species and make sure that they are thriving and especially over those winter months that they're not being disturbed," Khilobok said.

If the caves turn out to be a hibernaculum, the caves will likely have restrictions placed on them to protect the bats.

Khilobok says protecting bats is important, especially for farmers.

"Bats eat so many of the pests that get into the farm fields," Khilobok said.

The researchers at the Idaho Falls Zoo and BYU-Idaho hope this discovery will lead to more similar discoveries of hibernaculum locations in Idaho.
Rexburg Community Theatre presents 'A Christmas Carol'

Scrooge is visited by a ghost in 'A Christmas Carol'

Elita Burnett

BYU-Idaho Radio · Rexburg Community Theatre presents 'A Christmas Carol'

The Rexburg Community Theatre is performing its annual presentation of "A Christmas Carol" this week.

The story is familiar. The miserly Ebenezer Scrooge receives a visit from his old, dead business partner, Jacob Marley, along with other ghosts who help him turn into a kinder, happier person who recognizes the true joy of Christmas.

Emily Crews is one of the cast members and she attends BYU-Idaho. She plays several roles, including one of the businesspeople in the Christmas future scene, a ghost extra from when Marley is talking to Scrooge and a dancer in the Fezziwig party scene.

In an interview with BYU-Idaho Radio, she gave props to the entire cast for all the work they've put in.

"Everyone has been phenomenal," Crews said. "We are going to blow you guys away. Everyone has been doing amazing. This is one of the best productions I've been a part of."

KC Davis is also a BYU-Idaho student, and he plays the lead role of Ebenezer Scrooge. He told BYU-Idaho Radio about his preparation process.

"I've read the book by Charles Dickens three times," Davis said. "I've watched 'Muppets: A Christmas Carol' and I've seen the Jim Carrey 'Christmas Carol' and the George Scott 'Christmas Carol.' There's a lot of reference material to study besides learning my lines and practicing."

Davis says learning the character of Scrooge is the hardest part.

"Understanding what led me to saying it, why I'm saying it, how I feel about the way that I'm saying it and how I feel about the person I'm saying it too," Davis said. "I've got pages of notes. Learning who Ebenezer Scrooge really is and why he is the way that he is, is way more difficult."

Crews says the story has had a large impact on her.

"It shows that Christmas is about our Savior and the birth of Him and His life," Crews said. "It also shows that Christmas is a time of giving and love and time to be with family and those we care about."

"A Christmas Carol" is happening Dec. 11-13 from 7-9 p.m. at Madison Junior High School. For tickets, visit Rexburg Community Theatre's website.

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Rexburg to host performance of Handel's Messiah

Handel's Messiah, performed in Rexburg

Heidi Pyper

BYU-Idaho Radio · Rexburg to host performance of Handel's Messiah

The city of Rexburg is hosting a performance of Handel's "Messiah" this weekend. It comes just a few days before Christmas to celebrate the life and mission of Jesus Christ.

"Handel's Messiah" is a three-part oratorio, or religious musical performance, that details the life and mission of Jesus Christ. For Rexburg, it will feature a choir made of community members along with four soloists who all make up a hybrid concert and sing-in for the audience.

Heidi Pyper is the music specialist for the Cultural Arts Department for the city of Rexburg. She helps to create arts and music-based experiences for the whole community to enjoy.

"It's a very famous piece of music that's much-loved," Pyper said. "It's one of the most performed choral works in Western music. There's always people doing it, both at Christmas time and Easter."

Pyper says the music in Handel's "Messiah" is both complex and historic.

"It's beefy music," Pyper said. "It's very challenging to sing and play. It's just beautiful and glorious. It's been around since Handel composed it in 1741."

The words sung in the performance are nearly 300 years old.

"It's a great way to focus on Christ," Pyper said. "The text is all from the scriptures and it's about Christ's life and mission and premortal existence and His role as the Savior and Messiah."

Handel's "Messiah" is usually a three-part performance that lasts around three hours, but the city is only doing highlights of the full show to make it easier for people with kids and larger families. The whole performance is expected to last around an hour.

Pyper says the show will uplift those in attendance.

"When it's all put together, it feels like a really good offering to the Savior in a small way," Pyper said. "I love the way that it feels elegant and worshipful and elevated. It's a great way to think about the Savior and worship Him at His birth."

Handel's "Messiah" will start Sunday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Rexburg Tabernacle. Doors open at 6 p.m., and admission is free.

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Soma Jiu Jitsu teaches families more than just self-defense BYUI Radio

James Emfield and Cody Miller

BYU-Idaho Radio

BYU-Idaho Radio · Soma Jiu-Jitsu teaches families more than self-defense

You may have heard of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu before, but do you really know what it is? For Soma Jiu-Jitsu in Rexburg and Idaho Falls, it's about teaching families how to defend themselves.

Soma Jiu-Jitsu was founded in Idaho Falls in 1994 and now has a location in Rexburg. Soma teaches a type of Brazilian jiu-jitsu called Gracie. It's considered an effective form of self-defense. But it's not aggressive in form.

"I teach kids and families how to defend themselves, but mostly teach them to be better people," said James Emfield, the owner of the Rexburg location. And jiu-jitsu means gentle art. And so, even in those scenarios where my students have to learn to defend themselves, we teach them how to take people down to the ground, sit on them, and wait for a teacher to come. And so, it's very, very gentle, not very violent."

According to Emfield, this kind of martial art is very Christian. They also teach the original style from Japan. They also teach the bushido code, and they have students from 4 years old to senior citizens. Emfield says this creates a positive mindset in his students that extends into the community.

"I have multiple students who will come in who are about to go on missions and they're going to some pretty scary places and just teaching them for a couple months, although that's not a lot, being able to teach them the skills that they need to be aware of their surroundings and be able to take care of themselves is just awesome."

Soma Jiu-Jitsu is accepting new students. It is located at 257 North 2nd East and is open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the weekends. To find out more, go to the Soma Jiu-Jitsu website.
Teton Bagel opens in new location

Cody Miller with Joe Fuhriman

BYU-Idaho Radio

BYU-Idaho Radio · Teton Bagel opens in new location.

Teton Bagel in Rexburg is growing. The local business focuses on breakfast and lunch, ready to be served. The business started in Ryan Bestor's house, moved to a food trailer , and then opened up shop inside the Barber Pop Shop in Hemming Village. Now, the bagel shop has its own location a few doors down.

Joe Fuhriman, the assistant manager, says they focus on what they call the C.H.R.B. mentality when making sandwiches.

"That stands for Comfort, Heal, Restore, and Bless," Fuhriman said. "And in every sandwich that we make, every customer interaction that we have, we try and focus on that key principle. And it's super helpful outside of work too. You know, it's helped me keep a better mindset in all that I do."

They not only serve bagel sandwiches, but Teton Bagel also works with other local companies to sell homemade flour and honey. They use these same ingredients to make their bagels. They make them fresh and ready each day.

"We're actually in conversations with a handful of people where we've got a food truck that operates in the Idaho Falls and Ammon area, I believe," Fuhriman said. "And then, we're in talks with a handful of people to start franchising out to other areas."

Those franchising potentials will likely be in Utah.

Teton Bagel in Rexburg is open Mondays through Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Their Rexburg location is at Hemming Village at the former Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory location. For more information, go to the Teton Bagel Website.
The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho offers unique gifts at its holiday market

BYU-Idaho Radio · The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho invites the community to find unique gifts at its holiday market

The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho's annual seasonal market, the Beaux Cadeaux Holiday Market, is being converted into the "Beaux-tique," a pop-up market that will remain open throughout the holiday season.

The pop-up market will be in the museum's lobby, and will feature jewelry, pottery, ornaments, holiday cards, photography and uniquely crafted home goods perfect for gift-giving.

Maya Peters, visitor services and registrar at The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho, says local artisans have been selling their artisanal goods to the community for many years.

Peters says some of the artisans are keeping certain art forms alive.

"We have a couple artisans who make soaps that are all natural, and they make them in town. We also have some artists who use other less traditional mediums, like spare room press. It uses a letter press to make holiday cards, which is a dying art," Peters said.

Other artisan crafts are made from glass, wire-wrapping, silversmithing and general beading.

Original artwork is also included in the art lineup from the current International Society of Animal Arts Exhibition, "Art & the Animal," which will be available for purchase.

Peters says the museum is lucky to be hosting the Society of Animal Arts Exhibition this year.

"All of the art is incredibly high quality, incredibly detailed and meticulous. And we have all sorts of mediums, watercolor, oil, colored pencils, scratchboard, bronze and other types of sculptures as well," Peters said.

Beaux-tique will be open through Dec. 27 during regular museum hours. Admission to the shop is always free.

For more information, find the museum online here, call 208-542-7777, or visit the museum in person at 300 S. Capital Ave. in Idaho Falls.

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The Family Crisis Center is ready to help | BYU-Idaho Radio

The Family Crisis Center is located on 16 East Main Street.

Family Crisis Center

BYU-Idaho Radio · The Family Crisis Center is here to help

Rexburg-- For those in need, The Family Crisis Center has been the place to go for decades in the Upper Valley.

Erica Battezzato, the public awareness coordinator for the Center, says the mission is to help victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, and stalking -- whether it be a family, individual or student.

"The main goal was to help the community, to be honest, and help the community know that if they were in crisis, if there was an individual, it doesn't have to be a family," Battezzato said. "If they were in a crisis, they knew that there was this place that they could trust. They could rely on."

Along with help for those in abusive, harmful, and dangerous relationships, the Center also runs a thrift store and a food pantry, all here in Rexburg.

"Anyone in need of food or clothes, they can just come here every day, and it's open to the public, open to the community, so anybody can come here and get what they need," Battezzato said.

Food is distributed on Wednesdays and Fridays. All you need is an ID. Anyone can get food once a week.

Even if you aren't in need, there are plenty of opportunities to help those who are.

"There's so many opportunities," Battezzato said. "They can be volunteer advocates and pretty much what they do., they are in charge of the 24-hour crisis line. So, if someone is in crisis and danger after our office hours, they can call this line and they can get help. We also have opportunities for volunteer at the food bank or, we have internships as well. So definitely there's a lot. And I would say the best thing is to always call our office and see what we need."

The Family Crisis Center is located at 16 East Main St. in Rexburg. To find out more about the Center, search "Family Crisis Center Rexburg, Idaho." To get in touch with the Center any time via the hotline at 208-356-0065.
New First Presidency announced | BYU-Idaho Radio

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced a new First Presidency in a broadcast from Salt Lake City, Utah today.

Tuesday morning, President Dallin H. Oaks was sustained and set apart as the 18th president of the Church. He chose President Henry B. Eyring as his first counselor and President D. Todd Christofferson as his second counselor.

While President Eyring has had experience as a counselor for the last three presidents, President Christofferson is new to the role.

Each of them spoke briefly during the announcement. President Christofferson said he wasn't expecting this to happen when he got up this morning. He said he knows President Oaks has been called of God and shared his testimony of Jesus Christ.

"It is Jesus Christ who is the head of the Church. I know that. I bear witness of it. I'm more sure of it every day. I know Him, I honor Him, I pledge my life and discipleship to Him," President Christofferson said.

President Eyring also said he was surprised. He's been in the First Presidency since 2007. He shared his witness of President Oaks being called as the prophet of the Church.

"I love him and know him and can testify that I know that he is the head of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by inspiration. I have seen the power of God come upon him," President Eyring said.

President Jeffrey R. Holland, the president of The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, briefly spoke before President Oaks shared his testimony. President Oaks said he accepts the call with humility and talked about how the ministry of the church is for all the world.

"There is much to be done, for our ministry is a ministry of all the children of God on the face of the earth. We pray for all, we seek to serve all, and we invoke the blessings of the Lord Jesus Christ upon all who seek to serve him," President Oaks said.

You can watch the announcement on the Church's YouTube channel.
Ballet Etude Hosts Peter Pan Ballet in Rexburg | Radio

Peter Pan | Photo Courtesy, Kiersten Lewis

Peter Pan | Photo Courtesy, Kiersten Lewis

BYU-Idaho Radio · Pixie Dust and Crocodiles: Ballet Etude Hosts Peter Pan Ballet in Rexburg

REXBURG--Ballet Etude is bringing the magic of Neverland to Rexburg this weekend in its portrayal of Disney's Peter Pan. The show will incorporate the studio's company and academy dancers to bring the show to life.

"We've had increasingly more children joining our academy, and the idea of a show that they could have a fun role of lost kids in really stood out to us early on, and pirates also, pirates felt like fun character that adult academy students could be a part of. We love creating a production that highlights our company dancers. It gives them an opportunity for the main roles and the challenge of those main roles," Artistic Director, Kierstin Lewis says.

That was Kierstin Lewis, Ballet Etude's Artistic Director. She says she and her team try to produce a show where all levels of dancers are featured, and that those who've professionally studied dance can also appreciate.

"We love creating a production that highlights our company dancers," Lewis says.

The production hosts a lot of female dancers, and most of the character roles in the storyline have been changed to female characters to accommodate the cast. The storyline however keeps Peter as a boy, but the role is played by company dancer Sarah Winiecke, and Captain Hook is played by the studio's co-director Madissen Fujimoto.

"So our Captain Hook is a female character.... The pirates are all women, so Mr. Smee is now Mistress Smee. We changed John and Michael to be Jane and Millie... the lost kids are all girls, so they go by Lost Kids not Lost Boys, and they will correct you on that... Our Nana is actually a man that takes class with us dressed as Nana the dog," Lewis says.

Lewis says there are things that the audience can look forward to in the show that she appreciates as the choreographer.

Captain Hook and Her Cronies | Photo Courtesy, Kiersten Lewis

Captain Hook and Her Cronies | Photo Courtesy, Kiersten Lewis

"I love how we've made Peter, and Tinker Bell, and the Darling Children, the Darling Sisters fly, we've done some fun things with that. I love the Peter and Shadow pas de deux, I really love that one. The pirates! I feel like we have just captivated a really fun dynamic with all of these pirates, and I'm just so excited to bring that to the stage," Lewis says.

Stage props for the show mainly consist of Beds in the Darling Children's bedroom, and the Lost Kids' hideout tree. Images will be displayed from a projector onto a backdrop.

"We have beautiful mermaid costumes, the crocodiles are adorable, the lost kids, they are so much fun," Lewis says.

"The whole production. Everything about it has just been so fun and meaningful to put together, and I'm just so excited for it to be presented on the stage and for people to see the magic that we've created together," Lewis says.

The performance will be Friday, May 30 at 6 p.m. and Saturda,y May 31 at 1 p.m.at the Romance Theater in Rexburg. Purchase tickets online at balletetude.com.