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Happy St. Patrick’s Day Tomorrow
Bad Irish jokes:
-- The Doctor was puzzled. "I'm very sorry but I can't diagnose your trouble, Mahoney. I think it must be drink." "Don't worry about it Dr. Kelley, I'll come back when you're sober."
-- "Hey, Patrick, do I hear you spitting in the vase on the mantelpiece?" "No, Nora, but I'm getting closer all the time!"
-- Murphy tells Quinn that his wife is driving him to drink. “You’re very lucky, Murphy. Mine makes me walk!”
Employer Guide Available
EDCUTAH has just released its annual Major Employers Guide, the most comprehensive list of Utah companies with 100 or greater employees. EDCUTAH's weekly newsletter says the guide lists over 900 businesses and is available on CD and may be purchased by phone or fax. Download the order form here, or call EDCUTAH (801) 328-8824 and ask for Trina Stanley, or email tstanely@edcutah.org.
Washington Watch
Hatch Opposes Withdrawal Plan
In a speech on the Senate floor, Sen. Orrin Hatch outlines "his opposition to a Senate resolution that would to bring U.S. troops home before they can carry out their new strategy for securing Iraq" (see press release and related San Francisco Chronicle story); Hatch introduces "bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the federal health centers program, which provides low-income and underserved patients access to affordable health care through community health centers" (press release).
Matheson is Troubled
Rep. Jim Matheson says of the U.S. Attorneys’ firings: "U.S. Attorneys are charged with ensuring that federal laws are enforced and that wrongdoers are fairly tried and when convicted, appropriately punished. There is nothing partisan about their responsibilities. It is very troubling that political pressure or intimidation was brought to bear on how these public servants do their jobs. It's duty to the law, not duty to a political party that should guide their performance" (see press release); the House passes a government accountability bill that includes an amendment authored by Matheson that "will help shine a bright light on federal contracting with foreign-owned companies" (press release).
Bennett: $$ for Courthouse
Sen. Bob Bennett announces that the federal government has committed the final $16.4 million needed to complete site and design work on the new Moss Courthouse in Salt Lake City. Says Bennett: "The current building is showing its age and the court system is feeling the pressures of growth, making expansion necessary. This funding shows a strong commitment from the government that this courthouse is a priority" (see press release).
National Politics
Best Stories From . . .
-- National Journal: Columnist John Mercurio says some GOP strategists see former Sen. Fred Thompson, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel as presidential front-runners-in-waiting, "strategically waiting for the current field of front-runners to fade before joining the race later this year."
-- The Politico: Columnist Roger Simon reports that DNC Chairman Howard Dean "has been quietly meeting with well-known Christian evangelical leaders in order to build new bridges between them and the Democratic Party. 'We're never going to convince them on civil rights for gay people or abortion rights,' Dean said. 'But we certainly can focus on the things that we both care about a lot: global warming, poverty and the materiality of our culture.'"
-- New York Times: In interview, Sen. Hillary Clinton says she "foresees a 'remaining military as well as political mission' in Iraq, and says that if elected president, she would keep a reduced military force there to fight Al Qaeda, deter Iranian aggression, protect the Kurds and possibly support the Iraqi military."
-- Roll Call: Columnist Mort Kondracke explains why "Republicans and Democrats owe it to themselves and the country to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill this year."
Today in Political History
March 16, 1751: James Madison, the fourth president of the United States, is born in Port Conway, Va. Sometimes known as "Father of the Constitution," he served two terms from 1809-17. (Source: NBC5)
Wise Words
“Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except all those others that have been tried from time to time.”
-- Winston Churchill (Source: Quote Garden)
Political Trivia
Which Utah county took a financial beating in the recent legislative session? If you answered Salt Lake County you were right to the tune of:
-- $35 million in hotel-room taxes.
-- $1.8 million from the Zoo, Arts and Parks program.
-- $850,000 a year in road funds to smaller cities and counties. (Source: Deseret Morning News)
Lighter Side
Daffynitions
Mosquito: An insect that makes flies look good after all
Egotist: Someone who is usually me-deep in conversation
Tomorrow: One of today’s greatest labor saving devices (Source: Tea Leaf Economic Update)
Blog Watch
-- Utah Taxpayer says in voucher law analysis that "[f]iscal conservatives are in a bind. How do we support the repeal of HB148 -- which improves the voucher law by getting rid of the so-called and unnecessary mitigation funds -- without sounding like we oppose vouchers?"
-- Michael Barone discusses the constitutionality of a bill that would give Utah a fourth House seat (for a related post, see Out of Context).
-- Pete Ashdown is unimpressed with the CP80 anti-pornography initiative.
Casual Friday
Fishing Report
Warm weather has spring changes coming a week or two early this year. The water at Lake Powell is starting to warm and that has prompted sport fish to start feeding more aggressively. Smallmouth, largemouth and striped bass are biting now and action should become very good by the end of March. Fast action will last until the heat of summer sets in. Fishing will slow a bit at that time, but still remain pretty darn good. In August the striped bass will be feeding (boiling) on the surface, and that brings some of the best fishing of the year. All indicators suggest this will be a banner year for fishing at Powell. Now's the time to plan a trip.
Walleye and catfish are biting at Willard Bay and Utah Lake. Willard also has some crappie action. Starvation Reservoir now has open water. Action there is slow for walleye but good for brown trout. Fishing will improve at these reservoirs during the next couple weeks.
The Green, Provo and Weber rivers now have good midge hatches for fly fishers who enjoy fishing tiny imitations. Fly fishing will get better and better now as the waters warm. See Dave Webb's full fishing report.
Livestock Grazing & Wildlife
A study to learn the ways livestock grazing might be used to improve wildlife habitat is among the many programs at the Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area this year.
Citizens can learn more about the work at the WMA by attending a public open house in Wellsville on March 24, noon-5 p.m. in the Reception Building at the American West Heritage Center, 4025 S. US-89/91 in Wellsville.
“As we look at the busy year ahead, we need to tell people what’s happening at the ranch,” says Dan Christensen, superintendent of the Hardware Ranch WMA, which is about 15 miles east of Hyrum. “Our programs are creating changes on the landscape, as well as in classrooms and in our community.” Read about more Hardware Ranch projects on the DWR website.
Outdoors Report
-- Learn about how ski runs are groomed to perfection in the Morning News
-- Tribune takes readers down the Colorado with a legendary Utah river runner
-- Sportsmen’s Expo this weekend in the Morning News
-- Morning News reports about a unique marathon on the slopes
-- Enjoy great views of Mill Creek in the Tribune’s Snowshoe Hike of the Week
-- 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
-- I Think I Love My Wife: Tribune review
-- Premonition: Tribune review
Concerts
-- Folk Music Ensemble, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU, Provo, $9 (801-422-7664)
-- Ruth Christensen, mezzo-soprano, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall, free
-- BYU Singers and Concert Choir, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU, Provo, $9 (801-422-7664)
-- U. Modern Dance Seniors, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Alice Sheets Marriott Center for Dance
-- Kristine Parker, flutist, Saturday, 7 p.m., Salt Lake City Library, 210 E. 400 South, $15
-- St. Patrick's Ceili, Celtic dancing, Saturday, 7 p.m., East Layton Elementary, 2470 E. Cherry Lane, Layton, $3
-- “A Bit ‘O Irish”, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., St. Paul's Church, 300 S. 900 East
-- Salt Lake Symphony, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Gardner Hall, U.
-- Timpanogos Chamber Orchestra, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall, free
-- BYU-Idaho Symphony, Saturday, 8 p.m., Abravanel Hall
-- Nova Chamber Music Series, Sunday 3 p.m., Utah Museum of Fine Art
-- Founders Day Concert, Sunday, 8 p.m., Cathedral of the Madeleine
Theater
-- “Distant Music” through March 17, Utah Contemporary Theatre
-- “Pot Pie the Sailor Man” through March 17, Off Broadway Theatre
-- “Lucia di Lamermoor” through March 18, Capitol Theatre
-- “Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business” through March 23, SCERA Center for the Arts
-- “Butch Cassidy & the Sunburnt Kid” through March 24, Desert Star Cabaret Theatre
-- “Damn Yankees” through March 24, Heritage Theatre
-- “The House of Bernarda Alba” through March 24, Jewett Center for the Performing Arts, Westminster College
-- “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” through March 24, StageRight TheaterCompany
-- “Nunsense” through March 24, Grand Theatre
-- “The Sound of Music” through March 24, Old Barn Community Theatre
-- “The Odd Couple” through March 26, Pleasant Grove City Library
-- “Lucky Stiff” through March 27, Sugar Factory Playhouse
-- “Frozen” through March 31, Pygmalion Productions
-- “Lost In Yonkers” through March 31, Pioneer Theatre Company
-- “Steel Magnolias” through March 31, Springville Playhouse
-- “Little Women, the Musical” through April 7, Hale Centre Theatre
-- “Lucky Stiff” through April 14, Hale Center Theater Orem
Museum Exhibits
-- The 3rd Annual Arte Lation: A Celebration of Latino Art in Utah Exhibition, La Loteria: An Exploration of Mexico Exhibition, both exhibits run through April 20, Kimball Art Center
-- New Narrative: Warhol, Stella, Marden, Fitzpatrick through March 17, Ascension Exhibition through March 17, Resonance and Return: Social Documentary Photography, 1935-Present Exhibition through May 19, Salt Lake Art Center
-- The Quiet Landscapes of William B. Post Exhibition through May 28, Museum of Art, Brigham Young University
-- Brian Kershisnik: Painting from Life Exhibition through July 1, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, University of Utah
-- From Above: Images of a Storied Land Exhibition through May 20, Utah Museum of Natural History, University of Utah.
Et Cetera
-- Gallery Stroll, Friday, 6 – 9 p.m., participating downtown galleries
-- International Sportsmen’s Exposition through Sunday, South Towne Expo Center
-- Snowshoe with a Naturalist, Cottonwood Canyons Foundation, Saturdays and Sundays through March 25, free, reservations required
-- Utah Fiber Celebration, through April 11, Utah Cultural Celebration Center |
Friday