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Vanocur’s 25th Anniversary Show
On Sunday, Aug. 12, ABC 4’s “On the Record” with Chris Vanocur will feature a two-hour show, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The first hour will be a Vanocur political group discussion. The second hour will celebrate Vanocur’s 25th anniversary covering Utah (most but not all with ABC 4). It will be a “Greatest Hits” show featuring some of the stories from the past century.
Taxpayers Assoc. Newsletter
The Utah Taxpayers Association has posted its August newsletter. This month's edition looks at why property taxes are going up and features a column by Association President Howard Stephenson on the threat Wal-Mart represents to Utah cattle ranchers.
Today in Political History
August 10, 1821: The state of Missouri is admitted to the Union.
August 10, 1949: The Department of Defense is created out of the former War Department.
August 10, 1977: United States and Panama agree to transfer Panama Canal to Panamanian control by year 2000. (Source: Perspicuity)
Wise Words
"And in the end it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."
-- Abraham Lincoln (Salt Lake Tribune Cryptoquote)
Utah Spotlight: Westminster College
Located in Salt Lake City, Westminster College, originally a mission school of the Presbyterian Church, is a significant part of Utah's history and educational heritage. It first opened in 1875 with 63 pupils, but grew in spurts to about 2,000 student enrollments today. The present campus, located at 1300 East and 1700 South in the Sugar House area, sits on 27 acres of land and includes 14 major buildings. Emigration Creek winds through the south end of the property, making it one of the most attractive campuses in the state. (Source: Utah.Edu)
National Politics
Best Stories From . . .
-- Daily Telegraph: The GOP presidential candidates are smelling blood as Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Edwards continue to pummel each other.
-- Washington Post: "South Carolina's Republican Party will move its 2008 presidential primary forward to Jan. 19, sources said yesterday, a decision almost certain to spark a cascade of calendar changes that could push the start of voting to New Year's Day or even to before Christmas."
-- San Francisco Chronicle: Editorial: "Partisan rancor and petty political games have not gone away with the Democratic takeover of Congress. If anything, last Thursday night's debacle in the House was a perfect illustration of what is wrong with the legislative process."
-- The Economist: "Thirty years ago Eric Hobsbawm, the dean of Marxist historians, chose as his subject, for the Marx memorial lecture, 'The forward march of labour halted?' Things turned out even worse, for his side, than he had expected, thanks in part to the rise of a very American brand of conservatism. But are we now witnessing Mr Hobsbawm's revenge: the forward march of American conservatism halted?"
Blog Watch
-- At The Senate Site, Sen. John Valentine says: "We've been at NCSL this week, but much of our attention has been riveted on the rescue efforts to recover the trapped miners in Huntington. Utah is not alone in our worry and concern; during my time here dozens of my colleagues from other states have approached me to express hope and condolence. I appreciate their sincerity and kindness. ... We deeply appreciate all those who are working tirelessly to recover the trapped miners. We also appreciate the Governor and the Consul General of Mexico for their concern and quick reaction. The miners and their families remain in our prayers."
-- Who gets to drive? At Out of Context, Dan Harrie writes: "A rental car speeding from Washington, D.C., to Boston and packed with Utah state legislative leaders was reportedly spotted weaving all over the New Jersey Turnpike [Thursday night]. It wasn't a case of DUI -- none of the lawmakers imbibe. Rather, it was purportedly a tussle over who got to drive. The Utahns were attending a National Conference of State Legislatures convention in Boston, but were called to a D.C. meeting on health-care reform. Weather problems caused the cancellation of their scheduled return flight to Boston, so they rented a vehicle for the 10-hour drive. With House Speaker Greg Curtis, Senate Majority Leader Curt Bramble and House Majority Leader Dave Clark among those aboard, the fight for the wheel purportedly involved thrown elbows, nose pinching, even biting. A conflicting report had the vehicle driving in a continuous circle -- ending up right back at the starting point at Reagan National Airport -- when the conservative lawmakers kept making right turns." (See also related Senate Site post.)
-- David Fletcher notes that HHS Sec. and former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt is starting a new blog next week at the HHS website.
-- David Rodeback attended Politic2.0's mayoral forum event Wednesday night at the Salt Lake City Public Library and reports on the proceedings.
-- Frank Staheli posts some "random thoughts about public education in Utah." (For more on the education issue, see Utah Taxpayer.)
Lighter Side
Top five congressional districts in numbers of hogs and pigs: Iowa 5th, 5,721,484 hogs and pigs (3,610 hog farms); Iowa 4th, 5,421,384 hogs and pigs (2,505 farms); North Carolina 7th, 4,849,633 (767 farms); Minnesota 1st, 4,315,775 (2,589 farms); and Iowa 3rd, 1,969,134 (1,647 farms).
Casual Friday
Outdoors Report
-- Bird watching by boat in the Tribune
-- Morning News forecasts the bowhunt conditions for next weekend
-- Explore The Canyons Resort during the summer 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
-- For the latest wildlife news and information and the fishing report visit the DWR website
New Films
-- Becoming Jane: Morning News review
-- Rush Hour 3: Morning News review
-- Vitus: Morning News review
-- Stardust: Morning News review
Concerts
-- Barry Hansen and Tanya Barkdull, vocalists, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Brigham Young Historic Park, free
-- Brigham Young Senior Dance Showcase, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Richards Building, Brigham Young University, Provo, free
-- Orchestra at Temple Square, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Salt Lake Tabernacle, free but tickets required
-- Courtney Smith Quartet, jazz, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Emma Eccles Jones Conservatory, Westminster College $12
-- 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
-- “Plaza Suite” through August 10, Neil Simon Festival, Cedar City
-- “Bye Bye Birdie” through August 11, Rodgers Memorial Theatre
-- “The Gondoliers” through August 11, Utah Opera
-- “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
-- “The Music Man” through August 18, SCERA Shell
-- “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)
-- “The Scarlet Pimpernel” through September 1, St. George Musical Theatre
-- “Sleeping Beauty” through September 1, Academy of Performing Arts
-- “Twelfth Night” through September 1, Utah Shakespearean Festival
-- “Something’s Afoot” through September 15, Terrace Plaza Playhouse
-- “Charley’s Aunt” through September 22, Hale Center Theater Orem
-- “The Secret Garden” through September 29, Hale Centre Theatre
-- “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
-- “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
-- 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 |
