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Valentine to Visit Kyrgyzstan
Utah Global, the World Trade Center Utah's weekly e-newsletter, says Utah Senate President John Valentine will be traveling to Kyrgyzstan this fall as part of an exchange initiated by the Kyrgyz Parliament. He’ll be hosted by Marat Sultanov, speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament, who visited Utah during the past legislative session. Valentine, who speaks limited Russian, will be meeting with the president of the country and the Kyrgyzstan Parliament. Travel dates and the agenda won’t be released to the public for security reasons. The edition also features an article on U.S. Translation Company, a successful Utah firm.
UESP Reaches 100,000 Accounts
The Utah Educational Savings Plan (UESP) attained 100,000 college savings accounts by the end of July, an increase of 22.3% from July 2006. UESP reached the 100,000 benchmark ahead of schedule and now has $2.3 billion invested for higher education. The UESP plan is considered to be one of the best college savings plans in the nation. “Families are preparing for the growing financial challenge of funding a college education. They see it as an important investment in their child’s future,” said Lynne Ward, UESP director. See the complete press release.
Guv Wants Bridge Review
Gov. Jon Huntsman has directed the Utah Department of Transportation to begin a comprehensive review of Utah bridges in light of the tragic situation in Minneapolis, Minnesota. See press release.
Washington Watch
Congressman Jim Matheson says a Utah project designed to save water and improve water delivery is included in the annual agricultural appropriations bill scheduled to passed the House this week. The measure - HR 3161-provides funding for the US Department of Agriculture as well as for rural development. See press release.
Today in Political History
August 3, 1492: Columbus sets sail from Spain on the first voyage of discovery. Arrives in the West Indies Oct. 12, 1492.
August 3, 1914: Germany declares war on France and invades Belgium. (Source: Perspicuity)
August 3, 1987: Iran-Contra hearings end after testimony from 29 witnesses. None directly link President Ronald Reagan to the diversion of arms. (Source: NBC5)
Wise Words
“You don’t make the poor richer by making the rich poorer.”
—Winston Churchill (Patriot Post)
Utah Media Trivia
The dean of newspaper historians, Frank Luther Mott, once said the Deseret News was the "first successful religious daily newspaper in the English language." Founded in 1850 as one of the first 20 newspapers established west of the Missouri River and north of Texas, the News has outlived all its contemporaries except for the Santa Fe New Mexican. (Source: Utah.Edu)
National Politics
Best Stories From . . .
-- Wall Street Journal: Peggy Noonan gives advice to the ladies who seek to become first lady. “It’s gotten catty out there,” she writes. “Jeri Thompson is a trophy wife, as is Cindy McCain. Michelle Obama is too offhand and irreverent when speaking of her husband, and Judith Giuliani is a puppy-stapling princess. Even Hillary Clinton was a focus, for wearing an outfit that suggested, however faintly, that underneath her clothing she may be naked, and have breasts.”
-- New York Times: The U.S. Senate is incrementally revisiting some of the less contentious pieces of the failed immigration bill, including border security and a temporary immigrant worker program for agriculture.
-- Washington Post: In his most comprehensive statement on terrorism, Barack Obama says he would take the take the fight against terrorism to Pakistan, even without that country’s permission, if necessary.
Blog Watch
-- At The Senate Site, Sen. Howard Stephenson writes: “Tomorrow the State School Board will approve or deny sub par math standards for Utah's schools. The House and Senate Education Chairs (Senator Dayton, Representative Hughes and I) have asked the board to reject new standards that are anything less than world class.”
-- Democracy for Utah says medical costs, not Social Security or Medicare, are the real budget problem.
-- At Fly on the Wall, photographer Trent Nelson shows photos depicting Utah, "Hot and Dry."
-- Rep. Steve Urquhart talks about politics and the Internet: “Republican campaign operatives don't use or understand the Internet. They're an older bunch that doesn't have time for it. Too busy cranking out mimeographs, I guess.”
Lighter Side
Santa Claus, the tooth fairy, a highly esteemed economist, and an old drunk were walking down the street together when they simultaneously spotted a $100 bill. Who got it?
The old drunk, of course. The other three are mythical creatures. (Source: “On One Hand … The Economist’s Joke Book,” compiled by Jeff Thredgold)
Casual Friday
Utah Fishing Report
Flaming Gorge is fishing very well right now. Big kokanee are being caught, along with small lake trout and smallmouth bass. The kokanee are being taken trolling deep using downriggers. They have not yet started to color up but some are developing a pronounced hook jaw. Mature kokanee turn bright red in late August and September before they migrate up tributary streams to spawn and die.
A huge striped bass was picked up at Lake Powell on July 24. Alphonso Gonzales found the fish in Last Chance Bay. It was about 49 inches long and weighed between 40 and 50 pounds. Apparently it was dead and floating when he found it. Had he caught it with a rod and reel it may have been a new state record. See photo in Dave Webb’s full fishing report. See also Morning News fishing report and the DWR fishing report.
We are now in the "monsoon season," with thunderstorms developing many days. Sportsmen need to use extra caution to minimize danger from flash floods and lightning. The flood that came down North Creek in Zion Park on Wednesday would have almost certainly killed anyone in the Subway (a popular Zion hike). Never enter slot canyons when there is a chance of thunderstorms in the drainage. If thunderstorms develop, get off high ridges and mountain peaks, and out of narrow canyons.
Outdoors Report
-- Utah State Parks celebrate 50 years in the Tribune
-- Morning News recreates at Utah’s reservoirs and provides their current ramp and water conditions
-- Local biker will race Jeep King series this weekend in the Morning News
-- Enjoy the views from Millvue Peak in the Tribune’s Hike of the Week
-- Biking events around the state in the Morning News’ Cycling Notebook
-- 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
-- The Bourne Ultimatum: Tribune review
-- Hot Rod: Rotten Tomatoes
Concerts
-- The Accords, accordion trio, Friday, 8 p.m., Brigham Young Historic Park, State Street and Second Avenue, free
-- Lyon & Healy International Jazz & Pop Harpfest, Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., Vieve Gore Concert Hall, Westminster College, $10
-- Deer Valley Music Festival, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Deer Valley Amphitheater
-- Twilight Concert Series, Thursdays through August 23, Gallivan Plaza
-- Pioneer Park Concert Series, Fridays through August 31, 6 – 8:30 p.m., Pioneer Park
-- Lunch Bunch Concert Series, weekdays, noon, Gallivan Plaza
-- Organ Recitals, every Saturday, noon, and every Sunday, 2 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall
Theater
-- “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
-- “The Memory of Water” through August 4, Pinnacle Acting Company
-- “Mamma Mia” through August 5, Capitol Theatre
-- “I Fall to Pieces: The Life and Music of Patsy Cline” through August 6, Bumbleberry Theatre, Springdale
-- “Plaza Suite” through August 10, Neil Simon Festival, Cedar City
-- “Bye Bye Birdie” through August 11, Rodgers Memorial Theatre
-- “The Odd Couple” through August 11, Neil Simon Festival, Cedar City
-- “The Prisoner of Second Avenue” through August 11, Neil Simon Festival, Cedar City
-- “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
-- Best of the Beehive, Friday, 6 – 10 p.m., Gallivan Center
-- Park City Gallery Stroll, Friday, 6 – 9 p.m.
-- Kimball Arts Festival, Saturday and Sunday, Park City
-- 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
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