Wealth of Voter Information
The 72-page Utah Voter Information Pamphlet has been mailed to Utah homes. It contains a wealth of good information, including statements and contact info from U.S. Senate and congressional candidates, contact information for legislative and state school board candidates, pro and con arguments for proposed constitutional amendments, performance ratings for judges up for retention elections, electronic voting instructions, and other general information about early voting, registration, etc. You can also find the entire voter information panel on-line in PDF format.
GenXers Invited to Network
Mike Winder, a West Valley council member, has invited Generation X Republican activists (born between 1968 and 1979, which means I’m 17 years too old to attend) to a “networking breakfast” on Oct. 24, 8 a.m., at the Cracker Barrel by the E-Center in West Valley City (2283 City Center Court). He anticipates holding networking events quarterly. Winder says there is no formal program: “It is all about GOPers who are active in politics and born between 1968 and 1979 (give or take), getting together to chat and keep in touch.”
While this event may seem benign, old codgers of the Baby Boom generation should beware. They want to take over. They’re tired of waiting. They are clearly plotting to overthrow the natural order of things, which is that Baby Boomers are in charge. I hope some old duffer sneaks in and takes notes. Watch this Winder guy. He’s dangerous.
Big $$ Selling to Government
Utah companies sell about $1.9 billion per year in products and services to government and military contracts, but have the potential to do in excess of $3 billion more, according to this week's issue of the Economic Review newsletter, published by the Economic Development Corporation of Utah. Consequently, the Governor's Office of Economic Development is holding the first-ever procurement Symposium, Oct. 19 at the SouthTowne Exposition Center, to help Utah businesses get into the contracting game.
Taxpayers Association Newsletter
The Utah Taxpayers Association has posted its October newsletter. This month's edition looks at Utah's new optional flat tax system and features a column by Association President Howard Stephenson on using congestion pricing and tolling to help fund transportation projects.
Podcast Watch
Jennifer Napier-Pearce’s InsideUtah.com podcast this week features Salt Lake City Councilman Eric Jergensen on downtown’s massive face-lift and what it means for the next five years; Brenda Case Scheer, dean of the University of Utah College of Architecture and Planning on the aesthetics of good design; and Neil Wilkinson from the Inn at Temple Square on saying goodbye.
Blog Watch
At the House Democratic Caucus blog, Rep. Ralph Becker says: "For decades, Republicans have ruled Utah. They have increasingly, brashly ignored the people of Utah -- whether in failing to create the foundation for a better Utah through a sound education system, failing to take care of the most vulnerable in our society or the earth that sustains us, or failing to operate government in a fair, open, and transparent way. This year let's get everyone we can find registered to vote, to the polls, and turn over government to fiscally responsible, caring Democrats" (see also here)... At the Senate Site blog, Sen. Howard Stephenson says: "Just to clarify, I have not endorsed, nor am I campaigning for democrat Stuart Reid in his bid for Utah Senate. Stuart and I are friends but, once again, Paul Rolly at the National Enquirer, er, I mean, Salt Lake Tribune has published misleading information. Rolly has my phone numbers. As often as I've appeared in his column, you would think he and I talk once in a while, even if it's just so he can verify important facts. I can't recall once in the past five years when he has contacted me to authenticate the negative stories he often writes. Other legislators tell me they have had the same experience with Paul. They wonder too, how he can report so authoritatively on meetings he fails to attend. Last session, Tribune reporter Matt Canham gave me a can of bee spray for occasions like this. If that doesn't work I'll get a big flyswatter ... wait, I'll just use these Stuart Reid doorhangers. SPLAT!"... Jeff Bell says: "Ok, so, you want to accuse me of using the [Mark] Foley Scandal as something political? Fine. Do it. I don't care. And, you want to know why? Because one of Utah's politicians said the most disgusting, irresponsible and overwhelmingly partisan thing about the Foley Scandal. Chris Cannon blamed the pages, the children, in an interview [last night] with [KSL Nightside and SLCSpin] political wonk, Ethan Millard" (see also here, here, and here)... At Out of Context, Thomas Burr reports: "Wannabe President John McCain may have a strategy to undermine Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's potential 2008 chances at the White House: Get Mormons, Romney's fellow faithful, to support McCain. McCain has already tapped Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., a prominent Mormon, to join his Straight Talk America PAC. (Romney still counts Huntsman's multimillionaire parents as backers.) Now, as Roll Call reported [yesterday morning], Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith, also a Mormon, has been participating in 'Senate kitchen Cabinet' meetings with McCain in anticipation of a 2008 bid. Roll Call didn't mention Smith's faith, but it's worth pointing out that of all the senators out there for McCain to consult with, he picks one of four GOP Mormon senators" (see also here and here).
Casual Friday
Outdoors Report
For the latest wildlife news and information and the fishing report visit the DWR website
-- Peter Hillary speaking in Utah. Find out more in the Tribune
-- Morning News reports on Utah’s big elk including a new record
-- Fuel up for the 24 Hours of Moab mountain bike endurance race in the Tribune
-- Conditions great for duck-hunting season in the Morning News
-- Take advantage of the Tribune’s Short Hike of the Week before winter sets in
-- 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
-- Use the Morning News’ interactive map of Utah to plan your outdoor pursuits across the state
New Films
-- The Departed: Rotten Tomatoes
-- Employee of the Month: Rotten Tomatoes
Concerts
-- Children of Agape, South African children choir, music and dance, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Eccles Center, 1750 Kearns Blvd., Park City
-- Salt Lake Symphony, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Libby Gardner Concert Hall, University of Utah
-- Moving Heaven & Earth, Repertory Dance Theatre, Saturday, 8 p.m., Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center
-- Autumn Classics Music Festival, through October 8, venues vary
-- Nova Chamber Music Series, Sunday, 3 p.m., Utah Museum of Fine Arts
-- Eccles Organ Festival, Sundays at 8 p.m. through October 22, Cathedral of the Madeleine
Theater
-- “All My Sons” through October 7, Utah State Theatre
-- “The Music Man” through October 7, Center Street Musical Theatre
-- “Once on this Island” through October 7, Kingsbury Hall
-- “Rabbit Hole” through October 8, Salt Lake Acting Company
-- “Chicago” through October 14, Pioneer Theatre Company
-- “Fat Pig” through October 14, Pygmalion Productions
-- “Footloose” through October 16, Hale Center Theater Orem
-- “Cats” through October 21, Tuacahn Amphitheatre
-- “Seussical the Musical” through October 21, Draper Historic Theatre
-- “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
-- “Wiley and the Hairy Man” through October 28, Egyptian Theatre Company
-- “Bed ... or Dead” through October 31, Gardner Village
-- “Frankenstein” through October 31, Academy of Performing Arts
-- “Insane Asylum” through October 31, Academy of Performing Arts
-- “Murder Room” through October 31, Bountiful Performing Arts Center
-- “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
-- 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
-- Sweetwater Rescue: the Willie and Martin Handcart Story Exhibition through October 31, Museum of Utah Art and History
-- Sideshow through January 28, Utah Museum of Fine Art
Et Cetera
-- 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
-- The Organ Loft Fall Silent Movie Series through November 16 |
