Why We Have February 29
Welcome to Leap Day. This interesting New York Times essay explains why we need Leap Year and includes some fascinating tidbits: “When Frederic, the hero of Gilbert and Sullivan’s ‘Pirates of Penzance,’ learns that his Feb. 29 birthday means that he is not 21 years old but 5, he figures he’ll have to serve out his apprenticeship to the Pirate King for 60 more years, and swears to the love of his life that he will return in his 80s and marry her. Such are the tales that have always been told about today’s date.”
Podcast Watch
Ohio, Texas Preview
At Podcasting at Weber, Weber State University political science professors Frank Guliuzza, Thom Kuehls and Leah Murray preview the upcoming Ohio and Texas primaries and discuss the possibility of a brokered convention.
Washington Watch
Bennett the Health Care Maverick
Columnist Ruth Marcus: "Away from the distorting glare of the campaign trail, away from the inflammatory rhetoric about socialized medicine and Hillarycare, garnished wages and millions left uncovered, a remarkable thing is happening in the national health-care debate. An unlikely pair, Oregon Democrat Ron Wyden and Utah Republican Bob Bennett, have assembled a group of 12 senators, equally divided between the parties, to sign on to health-care legislation far more radical than anything the presidential candidates have proposed. A dozen senators ... may not sound like much. But this is, Wyden says, the biggest bipartisan group of senators ever to sponsor a measure for universal coverage" (Washington Post).
Hatch: No to Troop Withdrawal
In a speech on the Senate floor, Sen. Orrin Hatch expresses his "opposition to a proposed bill that would require the Bush Administration to begin withdrawing U.S. soldiers from Iraq in 120 days" (see press release); Hatch reacts to the death of William F. Buckley (press release).
Cannon: Empower States to Fight Porn
Rep. Chris Cannon introduces legislation that removes challenges to state anti-pornography laws from federal courts. Says Cannon: "The Supreme Court consistently holds that the moral 'standards of the community' define what is obscene. It makes sense that the people of Utah, through their courts, be the final arbiters of what is morally acceptable. For too long, federal courts have created a dangerous climate for our children by overturning important decisions of state courts that restrict pornography consumption and distribution within its borders. Pornographers should not be able to shop for a federal judge in California with the authority to tell Utahns what is and what is not, obscene and unacceptable" (see press release).
Matheson Blasts FEMA
Rep. Jim Matheson sends "an angry letter to the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in reaction to a report the agency misspent millions of dollars meant for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts" (see press release).
Continuing Utah’s Expansion
Next month the Governor's Office of Economic Development will host the 2nd Annual Governor's Economic Summit at the Grand America Hotel. Despite a slow-down in the economy, Utah continues to grow at a rate faster than anywhere else in the nation. This year's Summit will provide insight into how business and community leaders can harness Utah's exceptional opportunities, continuing our present rate of expansion well into the future. You can read more about the Summit and what's planned for the event in this week's edition of the Economic Review.
Becker Defends Registry
The Salt Lake City Mayor's Office has posted Ralph Becker's remarks to the Senate Retirement Committee defending SLC's domestic partnership registry.
Today in Political History
Feb. 29, 1803: Ohio is admitted as the 17th U.S. state.
Feb. 29, 1845: Texas is annexed by means of a joint resolution of Congress;
Feb. 29, 1867: Nebraska is admitted as the 37th U.S. state.
Feb. 29, 1913: Federal income tax takes effect, as per the 16th amendment to the Constitution. (Source: Perspicuity)
Feb. 29, 1968: Pres. Lyndon Johnson's National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders (also known as the Kerner Commission) warned that racism was causing America to move "toward two societies, one black, one white -- separate and unequal." (New York Times)
Wise Words
“Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.”
-- Elbert Hubbard (Source: Quote Garden)
Utah History
Africans Americans in Utah
Although permanent settlement of African Americans in Utah began with the arrival of Brigham Young's advance party in July of 1847, men of African descent, including James P. Beckworth and Jacob Dodson, had been in the area some 25 years earlier as part of the fur trapping and exploratory expeditions that traversed the mountains and valleys of the territory.
The Brigham Young party that arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in July 1847 included three African Americans -- Green Flake, Oscar Crosby, and Hark Lay. These men were slaves of southern Mormons who sent them ahead to help prepare for the arrival of the Mormon caravans that were to follow. By 1850 there were approximately 60 blacks residing in the Utah Territory. The majority were slaves living in Salt Lake, Davis, and Utah counties. Although slavery was not sanctioned by law until 1852, the religiously homogeneous community accepted the servile status of the majority of black residents. Slavery officially ended in 1862 when the United States Congress abolished slavery in the territories. (Source: Utah.Edu)
National Politics
Best Stories From . . .
-- The Hill: Sen. Hillary Clinton's "senior staff sought to reassure donors and supporters Thursday afternoon while announcing that Clinton had raised $35 million in February. While excitedly announcing yet another eye-popping figure, the campaign staff also told about 560 supporters on a conference call that the media has painted an inaccurate picture of a campaign that is losing superdelegates and haunted by low morale."
-- Politico: "African-American superdelegates said Thursday that they'll stand up against threats, intimidation and 'Uncle Tom' smears rather than switch their support from [Clinton] to Sen. Barack Obama."
-- Washington Post: Obama "is engaged in a concerted effort to reassure Jewish leaders in the face of an increasingly aggressive Republican campaign to question his tolerance and his commitment to supporting Israel."
-- New York Times: The happenstance of John McCain's birth on a military installation in the Panama Canal Zone in 1936 is "reviving a musty debate that has surfaced periodically since the founders first set quill to parchment and declared that only a 'natural-born citizen' can hold the nation's highest office."
Blog Watch
-- At A Good Beer Blog, Alan McLeod says: "This is getting out of hand. You know there is an anti-Pigovian tidal wave out there when the state of Utah is considering dropping an important fee related to beer .... Here is the bill as amended [Thursday]. Nice open government style of amendment presentation which shows the text as changed with the old text still also shown. Good to see that there is a 200 gallon maximum -- a reasonable amount of home brew if you think about it. Some jurisdictions allow only fifty which is a little nuts. But ... good to see we can't mix friendship and home brew as it can only be used for 'personal or family use and consumption; or an organized event where fermented alcoholic beverages are judged as to taste and quality.' We can't just have people doing what they want, you know." (For more on the Legislature, see The Senate Site, Salt Lake Crawler, Out of Context, KVNU's For The People, Lincoln's Legislative Blog, Salt Blog, and Utah Moms Care.)
Lighter Side
Favorite Headlines
(From James Taranto’s Best of the Web at OpinionJournal.com)
We Blame Global Warming
"Putin's Anointed Heir Shows Hints of Less Icy Style"--headline, New York Times, Feb. 28
A Fashion Train Wreck
"Amtrak Warns of Bad Ties in Northeast"--headline, Associated Press, Feb. 28
World's Shortest Book
"New Eminem Book to Detail His Thoughts"--headline, Associated Press, Feb. 27
News You Can Use
"Rats' Whiskers Have Feelings, Too"--headline, Time.com, Feb. 27
Casual Friday
Fishing Report
Hope you have a chance to get out and enjoy this beautiful weather. We will certainly get more cold and snow, but right now fishing, hiking and camping conditions are improving daily.
Utah Lake and Willard Bay will probably thaw during the next week or so. Fishing will be tough until the water warms a bit -- by mid-March there should be some good walleye and largemouth bass action.
Ice will probably come off Deer Creek, Jordanelle, Echo, Rockport and many other waters during the next few weeks. Trout fishing can be very good as the ice pulls back and after a reservoir first opens up, so it is worth paying attention.
Stream fishing is getting better and better, mainly because snow is melting and more areas are becoming accessible. Winter angling challenges are described in this Deseret Morning News article.
Ice fishing is still good at Strawberry and other high-elevation waters. But waters those waters will probably have slush over the ice, and there may be thin ice or open water for a few feet along shorelines.
Best bets for the coming week: Hit the streams -- the Green, Provo, Weber or other streams. The Weber may start to pick up color from runoff below Echo, but conditions should be good between the reservoirs. Tiny midge patters are the order of the day on top. Standard nymphs and glo bugs work well dead-drifted along the bottom, and streamers often take nice trout. Marabou jigs and Rapalas often work very well on streams during the early spring.
See the complete fishing report on www.redrockadventure.com.
Outdoors Report
-- Winter angling challenges in the Morning News
-- Tribune takes a trip to Lees Ferry
-- Morning News skis Sundance’s famous runs
-- Find out about upcoming events in the Morning 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
-- Bonneville: Tribune review
-- The Other Boleyn Girl: Tribune review
-- Penelope: Tribune review
Concerts
-- Group for New Music, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Madsen Recital Hall, BYU, Provo, free
-- Shae Bunker, soprano, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall, free
-- U. Symphonic Band, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Libby Gardner Concert Hall, U., $7
-- Utah State University Wind Orchestra and Symphonic Band, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Kent Concert Hall, USU, Logan, $5
-- Wassermann Festival, Yundi Li, piano, Friday, 8 p.m., Performance Hall, USU, Logan, $40
-- “Bravo Broadway,” Utah Symphony, Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., Abravanel Hall
-- Orchestra of Sandy City, Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 700 E. 8600 S.
-- Utah Music Teachers Association Concerto Winners, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Temple - Square Assembly Hall, free
-- “Out of the Box,” Studio D, Saturday, 8 p.m., Rose Wagner Center
-- Organ Recitals, every Saturday, noon, and every Sunday, 2 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall
Theater
-- “Forever Plaid” through February 29, Terrace Plaza Playhouse
-- “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” through March 1, Pioneer Theatre Company
-- “Singin’ in the Rain” through March 1, Draper Historic Theatre
-- “Menopause the Musical” through March 2, Rose Wagner Center
-- “Tristan and Yseult” through March 2, Babcock Theatre
-- “George Washington Slept Here” through March 8, Springville Playhouse
-- “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” through March 22, Center Street Musical Theatre
-- “The Miracle Worker” through March 22, Academy of Performing Arts
-- “My Valley Fair Lady” through March 22, Desert Star Theatre
-- “Pirates of Penzance” through March 24, Valley Center Playhouse
-- “Big River” through March 29, Rodgers Memorial Theatre
-- “Cabaret” through April 5, Egyptian Theatre Company, Park City
-- “She Loves Me” through April 5, Hale Center Theater Orem
-- “The Sound of Music” through April 11, Terrace Plaza Playhouse
Museum Exhibits
-- The 11th Black & White Statewide Art Competition Exhibition, Photography by Randy S. Chatelain Exhibition through March 29, Eccles Community Art Center
-- Bravo! The Tortilla Paintings of Joe Bravo Exhibition, Wasatch Back Student Art Show Exhibition through March 30, Kimball Art Center
-- Masks, Magic, and Mirrors Exhibition through March 31, Natural Revelations: Paintings by Susan Swartz Exhibition through April 13, Utah Museum of Fine Arts
-- Masterworks of Victorian Art From the Collection of John H. Schaeffer Exhibition through August 18; Minerva Teichert: Pageants in Paint Exhibition, through May 26, Brigham Young University Museum of Art
Et Cetera
-- Park City Gallery Stroll, Friday, 6 – 9 p.m.
-- Snow Goose Festival, through Sunday, Delta |
