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Today in Political History
August 24, 1814: The British burn the White House and Capitol in retaliation for the torching of the Canadian capitol, York (now Toronto) by the Americans.
August 24, 1954: Congress passes the "Communist Control Act of 1954." President Dwight Eisenhower reluctantly signs the bill, outlawing the Communist Party. (Source: Perspicuity)
Wise Words
“Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”
-- Calvin Coolidge (Source: Quotations Page)
Utah Trivia/History
Utah Lake
Utah Lake is the largest freshwater lake in the U.S west of the Mississippi River. Covering about 150 square miles (96,000 acre) it occupies over one-fourth of the valley floor of Utah Valley and contains about 900,000 acre feet of water. It is a remnant of pre-historic Lake Bonneville which occupied nearly one-half of today's state of Utah between about 750,000 and 7,250 B.C. The lake receives water from four major streams and numerous smaller perennial and intermittent streams, springs, and flowing wells. The major streams feeding the lake are the American Fork River, Provo River, Hobble Creek, and Spanish Fork River. One river, the Jordan, empties out of the lake, flowing north into the Great Salt Lake. (Source: Utah.Edu)
National Politics
Best Stories From . . .
-- Washington Times: Editorial: "Many who oppose the [Iraq] war now see progress ... after the 'surge' of new troops. Sens. Carl Levin and Hillary Clinton have lent their voices to that chorus, and this poses difficult questions for their friends on the left. ... If the good news of the surge continues from Iraq, the [Pres. Bush's] critics will no doubt ask why he didn't send enough troops in the first place. It's a fair question. But if the good news continues there won't be a logical basis to continue the clamor for withdrawal." (See also related John Mercurio column.)
-- New York Times: "Rudolph W. Giuliani has showcased his record running the city of New York as he has campaigned for the presidency. But his performance as mayor is now being turned against him as two of his opponents have begun challenging him on two of the biggest issues in the Republican primary: gun control and immigration."
-- Detroit News: "Michigan's push to become a key state in the 2008 presidential election cleared its first hurdle Wednesday, when the state Senate voted narrowly to hold primaries for Republicans and Democrats on Jan. 15 -- among the first in the country and the earliest date in state history."
-- UVA Center for Politics: Columnist Rhodes Cook: "A whole generation of young Americans may be growing up with the impression that the nation's electoral map is locked into a rough balance between the Democrats and Republicans, with their states sharply etched in shades of blue and red. ... But the dramatic success of the Democrats in 2006 may be a harbinger that our familiar red and blue shadings are poised for a perceptible rearrangement in 2008."
SUWA: More Time to Review Plan
The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance says the 90-day public comment period scheduled for the new Moab Draft Resource Management plan is too short. Read their complaint here.
Lighter Side
“Never blame a legislative body for not doing something. When they do nothing, they don’t hurt anybody. When they do something is when they become dangerous.”
—Will Rogers
Casual Friday
Fishing Report
The news this week is that low water is making it difficult to launch boats at some reservoirs. At Deer Creek, both ramps are closed. You can still launch small boats but it is at your own risk. Willard Bay is extremely low and launching there is also at your own risk. See State Parks boating conditions report for info on other reservoirs.
Fishing is good to excellent at many waters. Strawberry is dynamite for people who fish deep using jigs tipped with sucker meat or part of a nightcrawler. Smallmouth bass fishing is excellent at Jordanelle, Pineview, Flaming Gorge, Sand Hollow, Lake Powell and other waters. At Powell, striped bass boils are common right now on the lower lake. Early September will be prime time to visit Powell. Fly fishermen are enjoying great action fishing hoppers and other terrestrials on many Utah streams.
Outdoors Report
-- Plenty of water at Lake Powell in the Morning News
-- Tribune delves into the wildlife of school mascots
-- Morning News discovers new products introduced at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market
-- 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
-- The Nanny Diaries: Tribune review
-- Resurrecting the Champ: Tribune review
-- Mr. Bean’s Holiday: Tribune review
-- September Dawn: Tribune review
Concerts
-- Shiaylee, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Brigham Young Historic Park
-- Utah Symphony and Linda Ronstadt, Friday, 8 p.m., Abravanel Hall
-- “Polynesia Under the Stars,” Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., SCERA Shell
-- Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company presents, “Momentum,” Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center
-- 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
- “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
-- The Art of Robert Sabuda: Travels in Time and Space Exhibition, through September 9, 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
-- Salt Lake American Muslim Cultural Festival, Saturday and Sunday, Washington Square
-- Oktoberfest, through October 7, Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort
-- Downtown Farmers’ Market, Saturdays through October 20, 8 a.m., Pioneer Park
-- Utah Shakespearean Festival, through October 27, Cedar City |
