The July 24 holiday weekend is upon us. Go find someplace cool, and relax.
Media Watch
Perky. Very perky. That’s the best way to describe KSL Radio’s new “Nightside Project,” heard some nights beginning at 7 p.m. No info about the new program on the KSL Web site.
Podcast Watch
Jennifer Napier-Pearce’s InsideUtah.com podcast this week features Lin Alder (:40) with Citizens for Dixie’s Future on growing pains in Washington County; Marc Heileson (8:32) from the Sierra Club on a proposed TRAX tax; This Is the Place’s Matt Dahl (15:43) on the state park’s extreme makeover; and Aaron Syrett (24:30) of the Utah Film Commission on Utah as a cinematic backdrop.
2nd District Not in Top 50
NationalJournal.com has updated its rankings of the congressional districts most vulnerable to switching party control and Utah’s 2nd District once again didn’t make the top 50.
Wise Words
"There is a terrible lot of us who don't think that we come from a monkey, but if there are some people who think that they do, why, it's not our business to rob them of what little pleasure they might get out of imagining it." —Will Rogers (Source: The Federalist Patriot)
Late Night Humor
David Letterman: "Top Good Things About Having a Dog as a Governor": Can easily diffuse a tense situation by rolling over and playing dead; Want a bill passed? Scratch his head; You get novelty deck of cards featuring state's most wanted fleas and ticks; First Governor to wear a choke collar since McGreevey; All state offices closed during Westminster dog show; When he sticks his head out of the motorcade window, gives the impression he's a dog of the people; Fun to watch him sniff visiting dignitaries; Easier to understand than Schwarzenegger.
Jay Leno: Oil has hit a new all-time high. It's over $76 a barrel. They say it could go much higher in the event of trouble in the Middle East. Thank God we haven't had any of that! ... Washington, DC Police Chief Charles Ramsey declared a crime emergency in that city. He says crime in Washington is out of control. He says it is caused mainly by two viable gangs, the Republicans and the Democrats. It has gotten so bad that Ted Kennedy actually refuses to go into a liquor store after dark now. ... If Al Gore's movie is correct the polar ice caps are shrinking, the ozone layer is shrinking, and the glaciers are shrinking. The only thing not shrinking? Al Gore. ... You know the worst thing about the heat wave across the country? Al Gore walking around saying, "I told you so. I told you so."
Washington Post Political Trivia
Which president was never married?
A. Grover Cleveland B. James Buchanan C. Abraham Lincoln D. William Howard Taft
Blog Watch
At the Utah House Majority blog, Rep. Wayne Harper, in a post on tax reform, says: "It is time to adopt Utah's Electable Income Tax System. It is time to modernize and simplify income tax administration and compliance in Utah and adopt a system that responds to the new global economy"... Evangelicals for Mitt posts some observations from Mitt Romney supporter Jeff Fuller on Gov. Huntsman's tacit endorsement of Sen. John McCain's '08 presidential bid: "Huntsman's alliance with McCain is interesting. Part of it is 'self-interest' on Huntsman's part. Right now McCain is ahead in the race and the 'safest bet.' Another major factor is that if elected, Romney will be reticent to fill up his cabinet with Mormons. I'm pegging Sec. Mike Leavitt (former Utah Gov. and a Mormon) to get a high ranking cabinet spot if Romney wins so there won't be much room for many more Mormon pols. Huntsman is taking a political risk here. His father (Huntsman Sr. ... the billionaire) has said he would like to see Romney get the presidency ... I'd rather have him on my side than the Huntsman the Younger (OK, actually, I'd like both on my side). Also, (and maybe this is just making lemons from lemonade) this does prove that Mormons will not line up blindly behind Romney but will do what they think is right or best for them" (see also here and here)... Educating Utah says: "We have a teacher shortage in Utah that is rapidly becoming an emergency. Indeed, in the areas of Special Education, Mathematics and Science, we are past the breaking point"... At Plato's Cave, George Pyle says: "An editorial in Thursday's Tribune supports The Nature Conservancy's Living Lands and Waters Campaign. So, to his credit, does Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. But none of that is as important, probably, as the fact that Utah Agriculture Commissioner Leonard Blackham also supports the effort ... Blackham, like many others in agriculture, are coming to realize that they must make common cause with those who favor protecting the environment, or both of their causes will be swept away by pavement and ranchettes" (see also here and here)... The Utah Amicus says: "For far too long the LDS pulpit has been used by members of the Republican Party to marginalize members of the Utah Democratic Party ... I am constantly speaking to members from both Parties who understand and believe this ... Everyday people are waking up to this negative type of inappropriate, propaganda messaging. I also know that LDS Democrats are joining together, to remind those who would belittle us in public that we do have value, that we do matter, and that we are all Utahns first" (see also here and here)... At Out of Context, Robert Gehrke reports: "Mayor Rocky Anderson was given a warm reception at a climate change summit in Washington this week, but he couldn't help but throw cold water on the Utah Legislature. Anderson was praised for Salt Lake City's effort to reduce greenhouse gas and improve energy efficiency, but when asked if he's been working with Utah's governor on statewide projects, Anderson responded: 'I think he gets this. It's just that he's facing the most conservative, backward Legislature on the planet,' he said, drawing laughter from his audience. 'This isn't on C-SPAN or anything is it?' he asked. 'No. They already know what I think of them anyway.' Later, he was asked if The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been supportive of his crusade against global warming, and Anderson characterized the church's position as 'curious.' The mayor tweaked the church, noting it has spent millions trying to stop gay marriage, but on global warming has said it doesn't get involved in political fights -- an irony that was met with another good laugh from the crowd. 'Can you believe I'm mayor of Salt Lake?' Anderson asked rhetorically. Sometimes it is hard to believe" (see also here).
-- Compiled by Golden Webb
Washington Watch
The Hatch Report
Sen. Orrin Hatch says of his sex offender legislation, which was approved by the Senate Thursday: "Before this, we tracked library books in this country better than sex offenders. Now law enforcement will have the best means possible to throw the book at sex offenders and protect our nation's most precious natural resource: our kids" (see press release, San Francisco Chronicle, and Reuters); Hatch's bill includes a provision requiring "Hollywood studios to ensure that they keep records of the ages of the actors who pretend to have sex in motion pictures and TV shows" (Hollywood Reporter); Hatch says he intervened on behalf of music producer Dallas Austin, who had been jailed in Dubai on drug charges, because he wanted to make sure "that this really brilliant young man ... didn't get stuck in a jail over there where things are really, really bad" (ABC News); Hatch says of Pres. Bush's veto of legislation that would have expanded federal funding for stem cell research: "The only veto he has been willing to exercise up to this particular point is a veto against the most promising research ever devised to man. I think that's a terrible mistake" (The Guardian).
Matheson Hails Water Bill
Rep. Jim Matheson hails the Senate's passage of the Water Resources Development Act, which "moves funding for important water planning and infrastructure in several Utah counties nearly to the finish line" (see press release).
Casual Friday
Two New Record Fish
By Phil Douglass, DWR Conservation Outreach Manager A flurry of great summer fishing has produced two new fish records, with some additional close calls and short-lived records
Ogden -- Three record fish, including two new state records, were caught at Pineview and Willard Bay reservoirs during first two weeks in July. The first fish was a 49-inch tiger muskie caught by Kelly Parry of Bluffdale on July 4 at Pineview. The new record weighed in at 33 pounds, 10 ounces. The previous record (which can hardly be referred to as “old”) was caught at Pineview just five weeks earlier by Marc Anderson of Pleasant Grove. Anderson’s fish weighed in at 31 pounds, 11 ounces and was 49 inches long with a girth of 23 inches.
While Anderson’s record was short-lived, Utah’s new wiper record changed hands in even less time! The 7 pounds 7 ounces, 26 5/8 inches long wiper caught by Joe Huisu at Willard Bay on July 6 beat the old record by nearly a pound, but his record was short-lived. On July 13, John Volt of South Weber hauled in a new record that weighed in at 7 pounds 11 ounces, just four ounces heavier than Huisu’s fish!
View photos and get detailed information on how to land and release tiger muskies safely and efficiently from the DWR website.
Weekend Events & Outdoors Report
Outdoors Report
-- Tribune reports about volunteer angler program in Yellowstone National Park
-- Ranches offer visitors a chance to saddle up in the Morning News
-- Get outside and enjoy the Tribune’s Short Hike of the Week up Big Cottonwood Canyon
-- Find out about upcoming events in the Morning News’ Outdoor Notes
-- Check out the Tribune’s Recreation Roundup and Outdoor Notebook for sports and recreation activities this week
-- Use the Morning News’ interactive map of Utah to plan your outdoor pursuits across the state.
-- The latest wildlife news and information and the fishing report on the DWR website
New Films
-- Lady in the Water: Tribune review
-- Monster House: Tribune review
-- My Super Ex-girlfriend: Tribune
-- Clerks II: Tribune review
-- Best Movie Bet for Families: Cars. Read the Tribune review
Concerts
-- Pioneer Concert, Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Conference Center
-- “Classical Favorites”, Utah Symphony, Friday, 8 p.m., Sundance Outdoor Amphitheater
-- Concert in the Park: The Tumbleweeds, Tuesday, 8 p.m., Brigham Young Historic Park, free
-- Park City International Music Festival through July 23, venues vary
-- Jazz on the Plaza, Thursdays at 6 p.m. through July, The Gateway
-- 4Play Concert Series, Wednesdays at 8 p.m., through August 2, Gallivan Center
-- WorldStage! Under the Stars Concert Series, Mondays at 7:30 p.m. through August 21, Utah Cultural Celebration Center
-- Twilight Concert Series, Thursdays at 7 p.m. through August 24, Gallivan Center
-- Lunch Bunch Concert Series, weekdays at noon through September 22, Gallivan Center
Theater
-- “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” through July 21, Center Street Musical Theatre
-- “Family Matters” through July 22, Babcock Theatre
-- “Once on This Island” through July 22, Center Street Musical Theatre
-- "The Rivals” through July 22, StageRight TheaterCompany
-- “1856” through July 26, Capitol Theatre
-- "Crazy for You" through July 29, Hale Center Theatre, Tribune review
-- "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" through July 29, Terrace Plaza Playhouse
-- "Route 66” through Aug. 2, Old Lyric Repertory Company
-- “Postmortem” through August 3, Old Lyric Repertory Company
-- “Dames at Sea” through August 4, Utah Musical Theatre
-- “Noises Off” through August 4, Old Lyric Repertory Company
-- “Two by Two” through August 4, Utah Musical Theatre
-- "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" through August 5, Terrace Plaza Playhouse
-- “Relative Values” through August 5, Lyric Repertory Company
-- “Paint Your Wagon” through August 10, Rodgers Memorial Theatre
-- “The Nerd” through August 12, Heritage Theatre
-- Utah Festival Opera through August 12, Logan
-- “You Can’t Take It With You” through August 19, Hale Center Theater Orem
-- "Saturday's Voyeur 2006” through August 20, Salt Lake Acting Company, Tribune and Morning News reviews
-- “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” through September 1, Pickleville Playhouse, Morning News review
-- "Peter Pan" through September 1, Tuacahn Amphitheatre, Ivins
-- "South Pacific" through September 2, Tuacahn Amphitheatre, Ivins, Tribune review
-- “Tied to the Tracks” through September 2, Pickleville Playhouse
-- Utah Shakespearean Festival through September 2, Cedar City
-- "Pirates of the Caribbean 2: The SeaQuel," Desert Star Theatre
-- “Desperate Homemakers: The Big Fat Sequel to My Big Fat Utah Wedding,” Desert Star Cabaret Theatre
-- "The Rat Pack Remembered," Desert Star Dinner Theatre
Museum Exhibits
-- The Face of Utah Sculpture Exhibition through August 24, Utah Cultural Celebration Center
-- Wind Pieces: New Sculpture Exhibition through August 26, Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art, Utah State University
-- In Focus: National Geographic Great Portraits Exhibition through September 23, Utah Museum of Natural History
-- Material Culture: The Art of Fine Textile Exhibition through September 30, Looking Back: 75 Years at the Salt Lake Art Center Exhibition through October 14, Salt Lake Art Center
-- Rooted In Tradition: Art Quilts from the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum through October 15, Utah Museum of Fine Art
Et Cetera
-- Gallery Stroll, Friday, 6 - 9 p.m., downtown
-- Sundance Outdoor Film Festival, Mondays at sunset through August 21, Gallivan Center
-- Utah Shakespearean Festival through September 2, Cedar City
-- Downtown Farmers’ Market/ Downtown Art & Craft Market, Saturdays through October 21, 8 a.m.–1 p.m., Pioneer Park |
