Utah’s International Trade Highlighted
World Trade Center Utah keeps publishing interesting news about Utah's global trade. A snapshot in the latest issue of Global Utah says the Beehive State exported $7.7 million in goods to Peru in 2006, and it's Global Watch section says NAFTA has opened up Mexican borders to American pinto beans.
School Board Attorney in AG Race
Jean Hill, long-time attorney for the State Board of Education, says Utah state government lacks balance. She’s running for Attorney General against Mark Shurtleff. See press release and stories in the Morning News, and Tribune.
Educational Achievement
United Way of Salt Lake has posted its latest newsletter online. This issue focuses on the Educational Achievement Community Change Council, which was organized because educational achievement is fundamental to United Way of Salt Lake's goal of creating stronger, more prosperous families and communities. The council is chaired by Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Coroon and vice chaired by Steven Allnatt, director of public affairs for American Express. Read more about the Council and its objectives here.
Constituent Newsletter
Rep. Lori Fowlke, who represents District 59 in Orem, has sent out a lengthy newsletter to her constituents. The newsletter provides an overview of the legislative session, including issues like education, transportation, economic development, immigration, taxes, and other topics. Read the newsletter here.
Washington Watch
Matheson: No to Foreign N-Waste
Rep. Jim Matheson introduces "a bipartisan bill to ban the Nuclear Regulatory Commission from authorizing importation of foreign-generated nuclear waste" (see press release); Matheson call for the overturning of a proposed cut to a program that compensates counties for lost tax revenues from large federal landholdings (press release); a House committee approves a bill Matheson-sponsored bill that continues "a unique federal program designed to improve emergency medical services for children" (press release).
Hatch: Vote on FISA Bill
Sen. Orrin Hatch pens op-ed urging the passage of the Senate FISA bill, which the House has refused to vote on (Washington Times); Hatch introduces the Child Protection Improvements Act of 2008, which would "expand and make permanent a national child safety protection pilot program established in the 2003 PROTECT Act" (see press release); Hatch proposes a budget amendment "aimed at keeping Congress from scaling back Medicare recipients' health-care choices" (press release); a bill championed by Hatch that would create "a national strategy to research possible links between breast cancer and the environment" clears the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (press release).
Today in Political History
Mar. 14, 1900: The U.S. Congress passes legislation transferring all U.S. currency to the gold standard. [The Encarta® 2000 New World Timeline © Copyright 1998, Helicon Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.]
Mar. 14, 1964: A Dallas, Texas, jury finds Jack Ruby guilty of killing Lee Harvey Oswald, assassin of John F. Kennedy. (Source: Perspicuity)
Mar. 14, 1879: Albert Einstein is born. (Source: Inventors)
Wise Words
“An empty stomach is not a good political adviser.”
-- Albert Einstein (Source: Brainy Quote)
Utah History
City of Bountiful
Bountiful is Utah's second settlement and was named for one of the ancient cities described in the Book of Mormon. Perrigrine Sessions explored the area just three days after his arrival. In September 1847 Sessions gathered his family into their wagon and herded 300 head of cattle into South Davis Valley. Other families moved into the area and began planting crops the following year. Fifty-three families had established farms in the area by 1850.
Because of repeated Indian problems, a fort was constructed of dirt walls, three-quarters of a mile square, with the townsite being laid out within its boundaries. Each man from the area was required to put in a ten-hour day of labor toward its construction, and all settlers were urged to move within its fortified walls. Though the fort was never completed and its gates were not installed, portions of the walls stood until the turn of the century.
The settlement was first called "Session's Settlement," and later "North Mill Creek Canyon," which was shortened to "North Canyon." On 17 February 1855 the name Bountiful was accepted unanimously by the people of the community. (Source: Utah.edu)
National Politics
Best Stories From . . .
-- The Hill: "House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is throwing cold water on the idea of a 'dream ticket' on the Democratic presidential ballot that includes both Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) and Barack Obama (Ill.). 'Take it from me -- that won't be the ticket,' Pelosi said Thursday at her weekly press conference."
-- TIME: Columnist Joe Klein says of Geraldine Ferraro's comments about Obama's race: "Obama's Kansan-Kenyan heritage is obviously a plus for many voters -- especially younger voters--and people like me, who (a) who see American racial eclecticism as a great national strength and (b) think a President named Barack Obama would have a real advantage in dealing with the rest of the world (and more credibility delivering tough messages to assorted global miscreants than the current President does). But to say that Obama got to where he is because of his race like saying that Halle Berry got to where she is because of hers."
-- Roll Call: Columnist Mort Kondracke: "The rough treatment [Clinton] is giving [Obama] may be good, real-world training if he becomes the Democratic presidential nominee and gets elected, but in the meantime she's helping Republican Sen. John McCain (Ariz.). She may well have cut an actual campaign ad for McCain when she said at a national security event last week, 'Sen. McCain has a lifetime of experience. I have a lifetime of experience. And Sen. Obama made one speech in 2002.'"
-- Politico: "American public support for the military effort in Iraq has reached a high point unseen since the summer of 2006, a development that promises to reshape the political landscape."
Blog Watch
-- Paul Rolly reports: "For years a select group of Utah legislators have taken a junket after the legislative session to St. George where lobbyists have treated them to rounds of golf and milkshakes, and dined them for several days. It's always been a private tryst and the lawmakers and lobbyists have taken heat from the media about the apparent unseemliness of the cliquish frolicking. But Rep. Brad Last, R-St. George, has taken that traditional trip that symbolized the often-criticized practice, and turned it into an open, charitable and positive experience. Knowing many legislators and lobbyists would be coming to St. George this weekend for the annual bash, Last has initiated a benefit golf tournament where the players make contributions to a foundation he has set up to pay for hospice care for those in need who can't afford it. And he has invited everybody, not just a select few. The tournament, which will be held Friday, is for the Garth B. Last Foundation, which Rep. Last created in honor of his late father, a legendary country doctor in southwestern Utah who was known for making house calls throughout the region. Everybody seems to feel good about this event, and the lobbyists I talked to say they appreciate being able to spend their money while wooing legislators on a worthy cause."
Lighter Side
“The only difference I’ve found in Congress between the Republican and Democratic leadership is that one of them is skinning us from the toes up and the other from the ears down.”
—Huey Long (Patriot Post)
Casual Friday
Fishing Report
Utah Lake and Willard Bay now have open water. Walleye and largemouth bass fishing is starting to pick up on both waters and will become good during the next period of warm, stable weather.
Otter Creek and Piute reservoirs also have open water and rainbow fishing is coming on strong. Rainbows are cruising shorelines and can be caught casting flies, lures and jigs. Baits are also effective.
Action is now improving on many streams. If you want to fish dry flies, check with a local fly shop to identify productive patterns. On the bottom, small nymphs, glo bugs and streamers will work. Rapalas also work well on streams during the spring.
Walleye Seminar: The annual walleye fishing seminar by DWR and Rocky Mountain Anglers will be held on March 18, from 7-9 pm, Department of Natural Resources auditorium, 1594 W. North Temple in Salt Lake City. This is an excellent seminar -- the best single source for good info on Utah walleye fishing.
See the complete fishing report on www.redrockadventure.com.
Outdoors Report
-- Dogs make a splash at the Sportsmen’s Expo in the Tribune
-- Volunteers restore duck and goose nests in the Morning News
-- 60-year patrolman retires in the Tribune
-- Morning News skis Wolf Mountain Resort’s best features
-- 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
-- Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who: Tribune review
Concerts
-- Sizzling Strings, chamber music, Friday, 7 p.m., Murray High School, 5440 S. State, $5
-- Hagen Family, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall, free
-- “Ides of March,” Riverton Metropolitan Orchestra, Friday, 7:30 p.m., South Hills Middle School, 13508 S. 4000 West, $7.50
-- Salt Lake Symphony, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Libby Gardner Concert Hall, U., $8
-- Utah Premiere Brass, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Covey Center for the Arts, 425 W. Center, Provo, $7
-- “Hosanna,” Millenium Choir, Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
-- Utah Symphony Chamber Orchestra and Keith Lockhart, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Madsen Recital Hall, BYU, Provo, $15
-- BYU dancEnsemble, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; also Saturday, 2 p.m., Dance Studio, Richards Building, BYU, Provo, $5
-- BYU Singers and Concert Choir, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., de Jong Concert Hall, BYU, Provo, $10
-- Orchestra of Temple Square, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Cox Performing Arts Center, Dixie State College, $15
-- United States DanceSport Championships, Friday and Saturday, times vary, Marriott Center, BYU, Provo, $12-$50
-- Westminster College Chamber Singers, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall, free
-- Organ Recitals, every Saturday, noon, and every Sunday, 2 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall
Theater
-- “Cinderella” through March 16, Capitol Theatre
-- “Inherit the Wind” through March 22, Grand Theatre
-- “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
-- “The Hasty Heart” through March 24, Sugar Factory Playhouse
-- “Pirates of Penzance” through March 24, Valley Center Playhouse
-- “Big River” through March 29, Rodgers Memorial Theatre
-- “Forever Plaid” through March 29, Heritage Theatre
-- “The Heiress” through March 29, Pioneer Theatre Company
-- “The End of the Horizon” through March 30, Plan-B Theatre Company
-- “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
-- Taste of South Salt Lake, Saturday, 6 p.m., Columbus Community Center, 2531 S. 400 E.
-- International Sportsmen’s Exposition, through Sunday, South Towne Exposition Center |
