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Frightening Times
It’s Friday the 13th, but nothing to be scared of besides blistering weather, a state afire, bad immigration policy, Social Security crisis, the most unpopular Federal Government ever, and big-name Democrats invading the state. Presidential contenders Bill Richardson and Christopher Dodd will be stumping in Utah today and tomorrow as Utah Democrats hold their Jefferson-Jackson dinner and state convention. Barack Obama is expected on Aug. 5.
Winning Employee Loyalty
The Zions Bank Business Resource Center newsletter, "Taking Care of Business," has been running a series of articles about creating healthy workplaces. This week's newsletter features an article about the unique company culture at Redmond Inc., based in Heber City, and its CEO, Rhett Roberts, who's been called the "Dalai Lama of work/life."
Washington Watch
Bennett Secures Transportation $$
The Senate Appropriations Committee approves $120.3 million in requests by Sen. Bob Bennett for Utah's roads, airports, and public transportation systems (see press release).
Matheson Safety Bill Approved
The House passes bipartisan legislation co-sponsored by Rep. Jim Matheson that "will toughen safety monitoring of new medicines, even after they have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for sale to consumers" (see press release).
Today in Political History
July 13, 1954: In Geneva, the United States, Great Britain and France reach an accord on Indochina, dividing Vietnam into two countries, North and South, along the 17th parallel.
July 13, 1977: Electricity goes out for 25 hours in New York City due to a short in neighboring Westchester County. 776 looters are arrested, 100 policemen are injured, nearly 500 fires are reported, and $135 million worth of property is damaged or destroyed. (Source: Perspicuity)
July 13, 1985: Prior to surgery for colon cancer, President Ronald Reagan transfers power temporarily to VP George H.W. Bush, the first time the Constitution’s presidential disability clause is invoked. (National Journal political calendar)
Wise Words
“Duty is the sublimest word in the language. You can never do more than your duty. You should never wish to do less.”
-- Robert E. Lee (Source: Brainyquote)
National Politics
Best Stories From …
-- The Politico: "President Bush said security was improving in Iraq but admitted that political progress was slow as he sent a report on the situation in Iraq to an increasingly hostile Congress on Thursday."
-- New York Times: "In a video that is by turns emotional, scathing and at times factually questionable, the nation's largest union of firefighters is appealing to its members across the country not to support the Republican presidential candidacy of former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani."
-- CNN: "Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson is now likely to announce his presidential campaign in August, not mid-July as previously envisioned and will skip the Republican straw poll in Ames, Iowa, people familiar with Thompson's thinking [said]."
-- Time: The Democratic Party will seek to "level the praying field" by courting religious voters in '08, having realized "that it was sheer strategic stupidity to cede the values debate to Republicans for so long." But the new tack will only work "if Democrats can overcome concerns within their party. 'One-third gets it,' says a Democratic values pioneer, talking about the rank and file. 'A second third understands that this can help us win. And another third is positively terrified.'"
Blog Watch
-- At The Senate Site, Sen. Curt Bramble reports from China on Thursday's visit to Dalian, "a vibrant metropolis on the Liaodong peninsula," where the Utah delegation "saw exactly what Tom Friedman was talking about."
-- Rep. Steve Urquhart says: "The Utah Democratic Party is starting a new campaign: Say 'Yes!' I love it! Let's shout this from the rooftops for at least the next 4 months. Say 'Yes!' Vote 'Yes!' Yes! Yes! Yes! That's the word we love! First, we'll say 'Yes!' to vouchers, so that ALL children can have equal educational options. Then, we'll say 'Yes!' to differential pay, so that we'll have teachers for math and science classes and so that the best teachers will be willing to teach in Title I schools. Then, we'll say 'Yes!' to merit pay, so that the best teachers will be rewarded for the extra efforts. We'll say 'Yes!' to accountability, 'Yes!' to opportunity, and 'Yes!' to success!"
-- In response to this Rebecca Walsh column, Holly Mullen says: "Anything is possible if you set your course and figure out how to steer around the obstacles. And in all my naked bias for my stepdaughter's political aspirations, I'll say this: Jenny Wilson -- at work and at home -- is straight on course." (See also related Steve Urquhart post.)
-- Utah Taxpayer asks and attempts to answer the question: "Are massive local sales tax increases for transportation 'real' taxes or just 'pretend' taxes?"
-- At Out of Context, Thomas Burr notes: "[Mitt] Romney told a Massachusetts magazine in July 2002 that a single-party system like Utah's 'generates problems,' and 'in that state' the 'more extreme wing' of the GOP has more political clout and that de-energizes the mainstream public. Now there's video: see it here. 'I'm not convinced that a state would be better off with all Republicans,' Romney says in a new video montage put together by the Massachusetts Democratic Party. 'As a matter of fact, I've been in a state like that for the last three years. It's not a good thing.' While it may not be a good thing, Romney sure gets a lot of money from the dominant Utah party members. Maybe Utah Democrats would give too if they knew he was trying to help them."
Lighter Side
The nice part about being a pessimist is that you are constantly being either proven right or pleasantly surprised.
— George F. Will (Tea Leaf)
Casual Friday
Fishing Report
Utah is smokin’ but fishing is good. The Neola fire temporally blocked public access to a large area on the South Slope of the Uintas, but most of that land has been reopened. At this writing, there is a closure between Uintah Canyon and Mosby Mountain Road. Other fires also block access to recreational spots, so check conditions before you head out. This website has current wildfire info.
The Green, Provo and most other streams are fishing well. Strawberry produced a 5+ pound kokanee recently and big lake trout are being caught at Flaming Gorge. Lake Powell continues to offer very good striper and bass fishing. See Dave Webb’s full fishing report.
Outdoors Report
-- The Kaibab Forest on the Arizona Strip south of St George has been closed because of high fire danger. Some developed recreational areas remain open but basically, “all activities will be prohibited on the Kaibab National Forest, including camping, hiking, biking and motorized vehicle use.” See the Forest news release for details.
-- Morning News finds out what the fish are biting
-- Tribune discovers glow in the dark scorpions at Sand Hollow State Park
-- Joint effort to clean up American Fork Creek in the Morning News
-- Plan your Pioneer Day celebration with the Tribune
-- Warm-water fishing gains popularity in the Morning News
-- Take in the view from Circle All Peak in the Tribune’s Hike of the Week
-- Check out the Tribune’s Outdoor Notebook and Recreation Roundup for sports and recreation activities this week
-- Find out about upcoming events in the Morning News’ Outdoor Notes
-- For the latest wildlife news and information and the fishing report visit the DWR website
New Films
-- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Tribune review
-- You Kill Me: Tribune review
Concerts
-- Jon Schmidt, piano, Friday, 8 p.m., Sandy Amphitheater, 1300 East and 9400 South
-- Upsidedown, Gaelic and folk, Friday, 8 p.m., Brigham Young Historic Park, free
-- “Ballet Under the Stars” Ballet Centre, Friday and Saturday, 8:30 p.m., Murray Park Amphitheatre, 500 East and 5300 South
-- Astle Family, classical, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall, free
-- Jay Lawrence Quintet, jazz, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Vieve Gore Concert Hall, Westminster College
-- Twilight Concert Series, Thursdays through August 23, Gallivan Plaza
-- Lunch Bunch Concert Series, weekdays, noon, Gallivan Plaza
-- Organ Recitals, every Saturday, noon, and every Sunday, 2 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall
Theater
--“Fiddler on the Roof” through July 21, Woodland Park, Farmington
-- “Kiss Me, Kate” through July 21, SCERA Shell
-- “The Little Shop of Horrors” through July 28, Terrace Plaza Playhouse
-- “The Rainmaker” through July 28, Hale Centre Theatre
-- “The Spitfire Grill” through August 1, Old Lyric Repertory Company
-- “Cash on Delivery” through August 2, Old Lyric Repertory Company
-- “Picnic” through August 3, Old Lyric Repertory Company
-- “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” through August 4, Hale Center Theater, Orem
-- “The Member of the Wedding” through August 4, Old Lyric Repertory Company
-- “I Fall to Pieces: The Life and Music of Patsy Cline” through August 6, Bumbleberry Theatre, Springdale
-- “Saturday's Voyeur: The Rocky Show” through August 12, Salt Lake Acting Company
-- “CTR Superstar” through August 18, The Off Broadway Theatre
-- “Little Shop of Horrors” through August 18, Egyptian Theatre, Park City
-- “Less Miserables: A Revolution of Comedy” through August 25, Desert Star Cabaret Theatre
-- “Candida” through August 31, Utah Shakespearean Festival
-- “Coriolanus” through August 31, Utah Shakespearean Festival
-- “King Lear” through September 1, Utah Shakespearean Festival
-- “Lend Me a Tenor” through September 1, Utah Shakespearean Festival
-- “The Matchmaker” through September 1, Utah Shakespearean Festival
-- “A Pirate's Life: Groovin' on the Seven Seas” through September 1, Pickleville Playhouse, Garden City (Bear Lake)
-- “Twelfth Night” through September 1, Utah Shakespearean Festival
-- “Cinderella” through October 17, Tuacahn Amphitheater
-- “My Fair Lady” through October 19, Tuacahn Amphitheater
-- “42nd Street” through October 20, Tuacahn Amphitheater
-- “It's Showtime!” through October 27, Bumbleberry Theatre, Springdale
-- “Twist the Night Away” through October 28, Bumbleberry Theatre, Springdale
-- “Nunsense A-Men,” Desert Star Theatre
-- “The Taffetas,” Desert Star Theatre
Museum Exhibits
-- Head Trip: Around The World in Forty Hats Exhibition, through August 12, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, University of Utah
-- Life After Death: New Leipzig Paintings from the Rubell Family Collection Exhibition, through September 29, Salt Lake Art Center
Et Cetera
-- Founders Title Company Folk and Bluegrass Festival, through Sunday, Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort
-- Llamafest, Saturday, Spanish Fork
-- Sundance Outdoor Film Festival, Mondays through August 20, Gallivan Center
-- Downtown Farmers’ Market, Saturdays through October 20, 8 a.m., Pioneer Park
-- Utah Shakespearean Festival, through October 27, Cedar City |
