National Journal
Read Peggy Noonan’s thoughtful OpinionJournal.com column on Hugo Chavez’ speech at the United Nations.
Get a Ride to Vote
Carrie Dickson, Republican candidate for Salt Lake County clerk, has installed a service on her Web site that allows people to help others get to the polls, especially during the two weeks of early voting. The service connects people needing a ride to the polls with those willing to provide rides.
Turnout in this election is expected to be quite low, so anything that helps get voters out is a worthwhile effort. The voter transportation clearinghouse on Dickson’s site can be used by voters of both parties.
Blog Watch
At the House Democratic Caucus blog, Rep. Ralph Becker says: "Utah is in an education crisis. We are 51st in the nation in per-pupil spending and the gap to the next lowest state has been growing. The results, unfortunately, are showing with decreasing test scores, graduation rates, and the percentage of students going on to and completing college. Teachers are feeling the squeeze without decent wages to either move out of State, where wages are considerably higher, or leave their profession. And, teaching conditions are deteriorating with class sizes so big and a lack of support for educators. I hope that voters will consider who really represents them this fall at election time. Democrats favor tax reform and economic development, but we don't want to see our children fail and our workforce deteriorate for lack of basic investment in public education"... Rep. Craig Frank says: "Just when you thought the state was done collecting surplus tax dollars from you ... think again. The robust $355.5 Million surplus (shown as the excess dollars collected over and above February's Consensus Projection on the TC-23 report) just grew another $8.52 Million to a total of $364.02 Million**. And, remember, until all the taxpayers who filed six month extensions pay on October 15, these are still just preliminary estimates. Also, traditionally, the taxpayers who file for extensions are normaly those who owe a personal income tax. My guess ... it'll go higher" (see also here)... COL Takashi says: "The proposed 4th House seat for Utah is an illusion! Utah will NOT gain any power in the House of Representatives in the current deal. Those who are selling this deal are mathematical incompetents!" (see also here)... At Out of Context, Robert Gehrke reports: "Utah Republican Congressman Chris Cannon just missed cracking the Top 20 Most Corrupt Members of Congress in a list released by the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. He did, however, get a 'Dishonorable Mention' from the group, ranking him as a member to watch.”
Washington Watch
Hatch: Weber Needs More Water
Senate committee takes up legislation sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch that would authorize the Bureau of Reclamation to conduct a feasibility study on raising the height of the Arthur V. Watkins Dam in Weber County. Says Hatch: "Utah is the second-driest state in the country, and Weber County doesn't have enough water to meet its growth needs right now. Thousands rely on the Weber Basin reservoirs for drinking water and agriculture. Weber's one of the fastest-growing areas in the state, so it's crucial that we increase water capacity to meet the increased demand" (see press release); Congress approves legislation co-sponsored by Hatch that "would increase funding and financial accountability in federal child welfare services" (press release).
Local Watch
ULCT Special Session Recap
The Utah League of Cities and Towns has posted a recap Tuesday's special legislative session. To read it, click here.
Ogden Seeks Committee Candidates
Ogden City is looking for candidates to fill vacant seats on the city's Multicultural Advisory Committee. For more info, click here.
Downtown Alliance Awards
The Downtown Alliance is seeking nominations for its 12th Annual Achievement Award recipients, to be presented Nov. 2, at the Hilton Hotel, 255 South West Temple. The awards pay tribute to individuals and organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to downtown Salt Lake City during this past year.
Nominees (which must be located in the downtown SLC central business district) can be accepted in three categories:
- Advocacy: contributing to the progress, support and success of causes, policies and ideas that promote downtown SLC as the vibrant economic and activity center of the Intermountain West.
- Economic Development: contributing to the positive economic climate of downtown SLC, making it the regional destination for mixed-use business, commerce and investment.
- Lifestyle: contributing to the overall vitality of downtown SLC, making it the premier place for arts, entertainment, culture and live-ability for local and regional visitors.
For more information, contact Carla Wiese at 328-5043 or carla@downtownslc.org.
Casual Friday
For the latest wildlife news and information and the fishing report visit the DWR website.
Weekend Events & Outdoors Report
Outdoors Report
-- Strawberry River running red in the Morning News
-- Tribune on Utah’s youngest hunters and information on big-game hunting this season
-- Utah ski resorts get high ratings in the Morning News
-- Find out about upcoming events in the Morning News’ Outdoor Notes
-- Check out the Tribune’s Outdoor Notebook for recreation activities this week
-- Use the Morning News’ interactive map of Utah to plan your outdoor pursuits across the state
New Films
-- Fearless: Rotten Tomatoes
-- Flyboys: Rotten Tomatoes
-- All The King’s Men: Rotten Tomatoes
Concerts
-- Ririe Woodbury Dance Company’s “Tent,” Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Rose Wagner Center
-- Rockapella with the Utah Symphony, Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., Abravanel Hall
-- Eccles Organ Festival, Sundays at 8 p.m. through October 22, Cathedral of the Madeleine
Theater
-- “Crimes of the Heart” through September 23, StageRight TheaterCompany
-- “Pump Boys and Dinettes” through September 23, Grand Theatre
-- “Elektra” through September 24, Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre
-- “Miasma” through September 24, Plan B Theatre Co.
-- “Disney's Beauty and the Beast” through September 30, Hale Centre Theatre
-- “The Light Express” through September 30, Royal Palace Theatre
-- “Oklahoma!” through September 30, Heritage Theatre
-- “The Taming of the Shrew” through September 30, Wasatch Theatre Company
-- “It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Superman” through October 2, SCERA Center for the Arts
-- “The Music Man” through October 7, Center Street Musical Theatre
-- “Rabbit Hole” through October 8, Salt Lake Acting Company
-- “Footloose” through October 16, Hale Center Theater Orem
-- “Cats” through October 21, Tuacahn Amphitheatre
-- “Peg o’ My Heart” through October 27, Utah Shakespearean Festival
-- “Dracula vs. Jekyll & Hyde” through October 28, Off Broadway Theatre
-- “Johnny Guitar” through October 28, Utah Shakespearean Festival
-- “The Merchant of Venice” October 28, Utah Shakespearean Festival
-- “Little Shop of Horrors” through November 4, Desert Star Theatre
-- “Mission: Incredibles,” Desert Star Theatre
-- “The Scarlet Pimpernel” through November 11, Terrace Plaza Playhouse
Museum Exhibits
-- 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
-- Ancient Threads, Newly Woven Exhibition through October 17, Utah Cultural Celebration Center
-- Sideshow through January 28, Utah Museum of Fine Art
Et Cetera
-- “Hogs & Dogs!” Saturday, 2 – 10 p.m., The Gallivan Center
-- Snowbird Oktoberfest, August 26 through October 8, Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort
-- Downtown Farmers’ Market/ Downtown Art & Craft Market, Saturdays through October 21, 8 a.m.–1 p.m., Pioneer Park |
