Summer’s Last Stand

Welcome to August. Have a nice, sultry day, find some shade, and have a great weekend.

Political Campaign Slogans

Many politicians come up with slogans or themes for their campaigns. Here are a few we’ve noticed and pulled mostly from campaign web sites linked from the candidate list on the state election web site. If you come across a good campaign slogan (even if it’s your own), send it to us and we’ll publish another batch.   

-- Barack Obama: “Change We Can Believe In”

-- John McCain: “Country First”

-- Dr. Joe Jarvis, GOP, House 24: “The Healthy Choice”

-- RaDene Hatfield, Demo, Senate 16: “Progress. Not Politics.”

-- Jim Matheson, Demo 2nd District Congress: “Puts Utah First” (according to web site http://mathesonforcongress.com that badly needs updating)

-- Jason Chaffetz, GOP 3rd District Congress:  “Right for Utah”

-- Jean Welch Hill, Demo attorney general: “Justice for All”

-- Andrew McCullough, Libertarian AG: “Less Government! Lower Taxes! More Freedom!” (slogan of the Libertarian Party)

-- Mark Shurtleff, GOP AG: “Protecting Utah’s Families”

-- Richard Ellis, GOP treasurer: “The Competent and Qualified Choice”

-- Jonathan Fidler, GOP Senate 5: “Stronger Families Now.”

-- Karen Morgan, Demo, Senate 8: “It’s Time for Balanced, Responsive Leadership.”

-- Carlene Walker, GOP Senate 8: “Leadership. Service. Accountability.”

-- Chris Buttars, GOP Senate 10: “Defending Traditional Values”

-- Mark Madsen, GOP Senate 13, “Trusted Values. Fresh Ideas.”

-- Ken Peay, Demo Senate 13: “Put a Fighter on Your Side.”

Township Survey to be Released

Results of a long-awaited survey dealing with the future of townships will be released on Monday, 5:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers at the SL County Government Center, 2001 S. State, North Bldg. The township concept was created by the Legislature in 1995, providing unincorporated areas of Salt Lake County some protection from annexation by ambitious neighboring municipalities. In 2005, lawmakers passed HB40, extending the sunset provision of the original law to 2010 and requiring that local officials work together to determine the desires of residents and property owners within townships. With the township law expiring in 2010, residents of townships must decide whether to incorporate, be annexed, or remain unincorporated. In the Millcreek township, for example, some people want to incorporate, while both South Salt Lake and Salt Lake City would like to annex the area.

HB40 required that residents of townships be surveyed to help determine their attitudes toward the various options. The U. of U.’s Center for Public Policy & Administration was commissioned by Salt Lake County and the HB40 Working Group to conduct the study. The survey was mailed to more than 50,000 property owners and some 24% responded, a very good response rate. Survey results were verified by a telephone survey conducted by Dan Jones & Associates. The results of the survey will be released on Monday.

Federal Budget is Awash in Red Ink

Utah economist Jeff Thredgold’s Tea Leaf economic update this week focuses on the perils of deficit spending: “The annual budget deficit for fiscal year 2008 (which ends on September 30, 2008) is now projected at $389 billion (that’s $389,000,000,000 for effect).  Even more disgusting, mind-boggling, sinister, and/or embarrassing (choose your descriptor) is a projected record shortfall of $482 billion during fiscal year 2009.  Note: making matters worse is the fact that the $482 billion deficit projection does not include an estimate of Afghanistan and Iraq war costs next year.”

Washington Watch

Bennett Pushes Gas Price Reduction Act
In a speech on the Senate floor, Sen. Bob Bennett urges passage of the Gas Price Reduction Act of 2008, which would expand deep sea exploration, repeal the Democratic moratorium on oil shale, increase research for plug-in vehicles, and strengthen the U.S. futures markets. For audio and video of Bennett's speech, click here.

Hatch: Improve Pain Care
Sens. Orrin Hatch and Chris Dodd introduce a bill "that could bring relief to an estimated 75 million Americans who suffer from chronic or acute pain. The National Pain Care Policy Act of 2008 is aimed at overcoming obstacles to pain care by coordinating research, improving healthcare provider education and raising awareness of pain and pain management" (see press release).

Chamber: Yes to Housing Legislation
The Salt Lake Chamber  praises Pres. Bush for signing the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 into law Wednesday. Says Chamber Pres. Lane Beattie: "As Utah's business leader, the Salt Lake Chamber is thrilled with the prospect of strengthening our housing market. This new law contains provisions that we believe will inject some enthusiasm and build momentum in the Utah housing market. We anticipate the market and consumer confidence will build across the state through the end of the year and heading into 2009" (see press release).

Today in Political History

Aug 1, 1876:  Colorado is admitted to the union as the 38th state.

Aug 1, 1936:  The Olympic games open in Berlin with a ceremony presided over by Adolf Hitler.

Aug 1, 1946:  The Atomic Energy Commission is established.

Aug 1, 1957:  The United States and Canada reach agreement to create the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD).  (Source:  NY Times) 

Wise Words

“The successful person makes a habit of doing what the failing person doesn't like to do.”

-- Thomas Edison  (Source:  Woopidoo) 

Utah History Vignettes

Dry Farming Started in Utah

Utah is credited with the origination of modern-day dry farming. It developed from a lack of arable land and the immediate need for more agricultural output. Dry farming is done without irrigation on the edges of the valleys or at higher elevations to take advantage of heavier precipitation and cooler summer temperatures.

The first dry farm experiment occurred in 1863 in the area known as Bear River City. Scandinavian immigrants turned the alkaline water of Malad Creek onto their crops and the crops failed. In desperation, they dug up sage brush, planted grain, and waited for the results. Surprisingly, the crops gave a fair yield. A year or two later, Christopher Layton, an early pioneer, plowed land on the Sand Ridge between Salt Lake City and Ogden. He successfully grew wheat in the sandy soil without irrigation.

Since that time dry farming has become an established practice in Utah, using a set of techniques for raising crops in a semi-arid climate. It involves the maintenance of soil conditions that encourage moisture conservation, including tillage and drought resistant crop varieties. Dry farm areas follow a summer fallow cropping practice and are tilled every other year to conserve moisture. Only a few crops are produced in quantity on dry farms, winter and spring wheat being the predominant crop. Other dry farm crops produced are alfalfa hay, wild hay, barley, oats, corn and rye. (Source:  Utah.edu)

National Politics

Best Stories From . . .

-- Politico: "Republican faithful have grumbled in recent weeks about the lack of a consistent message from John McCain's campaign on key issues, leading observers to wonder what McCain's top advisers are thinking. ... [T]he ideological mishmash in McCain's Kitchen Cabinet lends itself to questions about who's crafting the campaign's message and highlights the tricky policy record McCain is struggling to navigate on the campaign trail."

-- Wall Street Journal: McCain and Barack Obama "both appear to be seizing the roles in which they have been cast: Sen. Obama as front-runner and Sen. McCain as underdog. The approach carries perils for both men."

-- The Hill: "The criminal trial for Sen. Ted Stevens will begin just weeks before the November election, Judge Emmet G. Sullivan announced Thursday. ... Stevens wants the court to 'clear his name' before voters decide whether to send the longest-serving Senate Republican back to the upper chamber for a seventh full term ...."

-- RealClearPolitics: Columnist John Avlon says the Stevens scandal offers McCain "an opportunity to revive his reputation as an independent reformer. ... [McCain] has been a constant critic of the unprecedented levels of pork barrel spending that took hold of the Republican Congress during the Bush Administration. And there is no better symbol of that excess [than Stevens]."

Blog Watch

Call SUPERDELL

Blog post titled "SUPERDELL is the ONLY choice!!!!" by Dell Schanze, Libertarian candidate for governor: "I'm dead serious about running for governor; . People have only one choice. I mean the real joke would be voting for either of the two clowns. What person in their right mind would vote for more and more taxes and more and more restrictions on their freedoms?? . You have no choice but to vote for me. Yes I like to goof around and have some fun, how could you possibly vote for someone that doesn't? How can someone as stale as the other candidates possibly sympathize with the average Utahn?! . Who's to blame if I don't get elected? The voters of course! Only total morons would vote for the other 2 candidates. . You have no choice but to vote for me. It doesn't matter how many lies the media has spread, people have brains, they can discern for themselves if they try. Ask God who you should vote for, I dare you! It is the people's moral obligation to vote for the candidate that best will stand up for what they truly believe in. . You know for darn sure that I am a real person. My phone number is 801-631-1731 and I really answer it myself. You know the government is seriously screwed up and you know that I will fix it. . I am the American you were led to believe existed when you were a kid. . I'm me and if you don't like me you ARE working with false information fed to you by the socialist media because I am the nicest person there is and if you don't agree then give me a call. . If you don't vote for me you are simply clueless. . I may be a goofball now and then but I'm definitely not a phony. You have 2 choices, you can vote for the phony, gutless socialists or you can vote for SUPERDELL. . The other 2 guys should scare you so badly you start to shake. The definition of insanity is voting for the same people while expecting change. Are you insane or are you voting for SUPERDELL???"

Lighter Side

“A fool and his money are soon elected.”

—Will Rogers (Patriot Post)

Casual Friday

Fishing Report

During August, the heat of summer drives fish deep and action slows in many areas. Our larger streams are an exception. Green River, Provo River and other Utah waters are fishing well. The quality waters in the Yellowstone area will provide very good fishing during the coming weeks.

Uinta Mountain lakes offer exceptional fishing right now. Take bug repellent because mosquitoes are horrible this year. Boulder Mountain, Skyline Drive and other high areas also offer good action.

In Strawberry and other reservoirs, fish deep during the heat of the day. At this time of year people do well trolling pop gear and a worm or fishing bait near the bottom. You can also find success jigging deep and working flies and lures near inlets and near the surface in the early morning and late evening hours.

Flaming Gorge kokanee fishing often improves in August, as bigger fish begin to school. You need troll or jig deep to catch them. Lake Powell success has slowed in most areas, but action is still good on the upper lake (Hite and upper San Juan). Success should pick up in 2-3 weeks and become very good going into fall.

Hunting seasons begin in mid-August (archery deer and elk and some limited entry hunts begin August 16). Take your fishing pole with you on the hunt. When you get tired and bored, relax by a high mountain reservoir while you catch feisty trout. See the complete fishing report on RedRockAdventure.com for more information.

Outdoors Report

-- Local ultra-marathoner takes on the Appalachian Trail in the Tribune
-- Deseret News fishes higher and deeper to beat the heat
-- Utahns take on extreme sports in the Tribune
-- Enjoy ski resorts during the summer in the Deseret News
-- Tribune’s Hike of the Week takes readers high above the Green River
-- Find out about upcoming events in the Deseret News’ Outdoor Notes
-- Check out the Tribune’s Outdoor Notebook  and Recreation Roundup for sports and recreation activities this week

-- For the latest wildlife news and information and the fishing report visit the DWR website

New Films

-- Swing Vote: Tribune review

Concerts

-- “Brassworks for Kids,” classical, Friday, 2 p.m., Murray Park Gazebo, Murray, free
-- “Imagine Ballet Theatre,” Friday, 7 p.m., Peery’s Egyptian Theatre, Ogden
-- “New World Symphony,” Utah Symphony, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Deer Valley Amphitheater, Deer Valley, $25-$50
-- On the Air, big band jazz, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Brigham Young Historic Park, State Street and Second Avenue, free
-- “Broadway Rocks;” Utah Symphony and Bravo Broadway, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Deer Valley Amphitheater, Deer Valley, $30-$60
-- “Families Making Music,” Bastian Family, piano and accordion, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall, free
-- Murray Concert Band, Saturday, 8 p.m., Murray Park Amphitheater, 495 E. 5300 South, $5 (264-2614)
-- Organ Recitals, every Saturday, noon, and every Sunday, 2 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall

Theater

-- “Altar Boyz” through August 2, Egyptian Theatre
-- “Beau Jest” through August 2, Old Lyric Repertory Company

-- “Deathtrap” through August 2, Old Lyric Repertory Company
-- “Into the Woods” through August 8, Utah Festival Opera
-- “Manon Lescaut” through August 8 Utah Festival Opera
-- “1776” through August 9, Utah Festival Opera
-- “Aida” through August 9, Utah Festival Opera

“Around the World in 80 Days” through August 9, Heritage Theatre
-- “Prometheus Unbound” through August 9, BYU Experimental Theatre Club

-- “Twelfth Night, or What You Will” through August 9, Babcock Theatre

-- “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” through August 11, Empress Theatre

-- “Pride & Prejudice: A Musical” through August 16, SCERA Center
-- “Honk!” through August 23, St. George Musical Theater
-- “Indiana Bones: A Whip-Cracking Parody” through August 23, Desert Star Theatre
-- “Peter Pan” through August 23, Draper Historic Theatre
-- “Thoroughly Modern Millie” through August 29, Pickleville Playhouse
-- “Othello” through August 29, Utah Shakespearean Festival
-- “The Taming of the Shrew” through August 29, Utah Shakespearean Festival

-- “Chuck Wagon’s Wild West Showdown” through August 30, Pickleville Playhouse
-- “Cyrano de Bergerac” through August 30, Utah Shakespearean Festival
-- “Fiddler on the Roof” through August 30, Utah Shakespearean Festival
-- “The School for Wives” through August 30, Utah Shakespearean Festival
-- “The Two Gentleman of Verona” through August 30, Utah Shakespearean Festival

-- “The Hasty Heart” through September 13, Hale Center Theater Orem
-- “Lucky Stiff” through September 19, Terrace Plaza Playhouse
-- “Big: The Musical” through September 20, Hale Centre Theatre
-- “The Sound of Music” through October 15, Tuacahn Amphitheatre
-- “Les Miserables” through October 18, Tuacahn Amphitheatre

Museum Exhibits

-- Wayne Thiebaud: 70 Years of Painting Exhibition through July 27, Springville Museum of Art

-- Masterworks of Victorian Art From the Collection of John H. Schaeffer Exhibition through August 18 Brigham Young University Museum of Art

-- Monet to Picasso from the Cleveland Museum of Art Exhibition through September 21, Utah Museum of Fine Arts

Et Cetera

-- Rock & Blues Festival, Friday and Saturday, Snowbird Resort
-- Kimball Arts Festival, through Sunday, Park City
-- Utah Shakespearean Festival, through August 30, Cedar City
-- Downtown Farmers Market, Saturdays through October, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Pioneer Park