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Washington Watch
Hatch, Bishop: Increase Ed Funds
Sen. Orrin Hatch and Rep. Rob Bishop introduce legislation "to help Utah and other Western states address chronic public education funding shortages -- shortages which are based in large part on vast federal land holdings in the West" (see press release).
Fund of Funds: Great Success
EDCUtah's weekly newsletter says the Utah Fund of Funds, which was created by the Legislature to maximize the amount, quality and diversity of capital funding available to early-stage and growth-stage companies in the state, has achieved "off the charts" success in its first 18 months:
· Over 160 venture capital groups have sought funding
· 300 Utah companies have been evaluated by venture capital groups
· 22 Utah companies have received $49 million in venture capital investments
· Those 22 companies have gone on to raise a total of $293 million in venture capital investment
· 974 jobs have been created among the 22 companies
· Average annual salary: $62,000
· The jobs are expected to contribute $75 million in tax revenue to the state over the next decade
Tax Preparation Help Needed
The United Way of Salt Lake (UWSL) says an estimated 40,000 qualifying Utah households leave $60 million to $80 million in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) on the table each tax season because they do not claim the EITC on their federal tax returns. To help hardworking Utah families keep more of their money, UWSL is seeking volunteers for its Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which provides free tax preparation for qualifying individuals and families. This past spring, more than 500 volunteers helped 12,933 Utah families file their taxes and claim millions in Earn Income Tax Credit (EITC) and other tax credits—money that would otherwise have never received. As the tax season approaches, more volunteers are needed. Read this week's UWSL newsletter for more information about how you can become involved in this worthwhile effort.
Smart Money Conference
Next week Zions Bank will hold its fourth annual Smart Women Smart Money conference, which is designed to help women become more savvy regarding financial planning, and specifically investing. The Zions Bank Business Resource Center newsletter says that despite making great strides toward financial independence in recent years, women remain largely uncomfortable with financial issues critical to their short- and long-term financial welfare. The conference will be held Sept. 27 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Salt Palace Convention Center.
Today in Political History
Sept. 21, 1966: The U.S. Senate votes to prohibit voluntary prayers in U.S. Public schools.
Sept. 21, 1996: Defense of Marriage Act" becomes law. (Source: Perspicuity)
Wise Words
“Let the American youth never forget, that they possess a noble inheritance, bought by the toils, and sufferings, and blood of their ancestors; and capacity, if wisely improved, and faithfully guarded, of transmitting to their latest posterity all the substantial blessings of life, the peaceful enjoyment of liberty, property, religion, and independence.”
-- Joseph Story, 1833, Commentaries on the Constitution
Utah Spotlight
The Oquirrh Mountains
The Oquirrh Mountains lie on the west side of the Salt Lake Valley, extending north and south about 30 miles. The highest elevation is Lewiston Peak at 10,676 feet. Communities located on the eastern slope include Magna, Copperton, and Cedar Fort; and on the west slope Tooele, Stockton, and Ophir. The name Oquirrh (pronounced O-Ker) was taken from the Goshute Indian word meaning "wooded mountain." Early visits to these mountains were undertaken by the Indians, mountain men, government explorers, and Mormon pioneers. They encountered heavily forested canyons with large maple trees, scrub oak, and red pine with trunks as large as three feet in diameter. (Source: Utah.Edu)
National Politics
Best Stories From …
-- The Hill: A Senate vote yesterday condemning the MoveOn.org "General Betray Us" ad "put Democrats in a bind by forcing them either to endorse an attack on the commanding American officer in Iraq or else condemn a group that raises and spends a lot of money to benefit liberal causes and candidates, is close to the Democratic leadership, and is playing a big role in the presidential nominating contest. Thursday's 72-25 vote split the party caucus nearly in half."
-- Weekly Standard: In an interview with a group of columnists, Pres. Bush says of the MoveOn.org ad: "When I saw the ad by the far left-wing people, I was incredulous at first and then became mad, because I -- it's one thing to attack me, it's fine. It's another thing to denigrate the integrity of somebody who's wearing this uniform, because I felt that this attack was not just on General Petraeus, it was on the military up and down the line. And I expected there to be people on Capitol Hill standing up and saying this was wrong. And I was listening for those voices from the leadership up there, from the Democratic Party, saying, this isn't right. I didn't hear many loud voices."
-- Los Angeles Times: "For the eighth time this year, Senate Republicans on Wednesday blocked a Democratic move to challenge U.S. policy in Iraq, turning aside a plan to give troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan more rest between deployments."
-- Wall Street Journal: Rudy Giuliani traveled to London Wednesday "to address one of the perceived weaknesses in his bid for the White House: a lack of sufficient foreign policy experience."
SUWA Welcomes Wash Closure
The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance hails news that "the Monticello Bureau of Land Management has temporarily closed Recapture Wash in southeast Utah to off-road vehicles, due to the damage to cultural resources resulting from ORV use" (see press release)
Blog Watch
-- At The Senate Site, Sen. Greg Bell discusses how Utah "McCities" are "taxing [themselves] into homogeneity."
-- At Out of Context, Cathy McKitrick notes that Murray Mayor Dan Snarr was recently featured in Esquire magazine.
-- Tim Beagley accuses the Legislature's Education Interim Committee of hypocrisy.
-- Lincoln Shurtz posts a ULCT legislative update.
Lighter Side
"Dear Mr. President, there are too many states nowadays. Please eliminate three. I am not a crackpot."
--Abe "Grampa" Simpson, "Old Man Simpson," aired April 15, 1993 (Source: James Taranto’s Best of the Web at OpinionJournal.com.)
Casual Friday
Fishing Report
By Dave Webb
Fishing pressure is down, now that most people have turned their attention to fall activities. Those getting out are catching a lot of fish; success is good pretty much everywhere. The canyons will be ablaze with color during the next couple weeks. Warm days, cool nights, beautiful scenery and great fishing -- this is my favorite time of year.
There is definitely a fall nip in the morning air. Water is cooling in our reservoirs, and that is good for trout fishing. The fish will start coming in shallow to feed and they will be easier to find and catch. Bass action will stay good in southern Utah, but will soon fade in northern waters.
No single fishery stands out right now. All our major waters should fish well during the next few weeks so take your choice. (See the DWR Weekly Fishing Report for specifics.)
Outdoors Report
-- 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
Concerts
-- Karsten Longhurst, vocals, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall, free
-- “Salute to Oscar and Tony,” Utah Symphony, Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., Abravanel Hall
-- “Synopsis,” Active Arts and SB Dance, Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center
-- Lenora Ford Brown and Gaye England, piano, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall, free
-- University of Utah Choruses, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Libby Gardner Concert Hall
-- Zone Azul: Bossa Nova, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Vieve Gore Concert Hall, Westminster College
-- The Fourteenth Annual Eccles Organ Festival, Sundays, 8 p.m., through November 4, Cathedral of the Madeleine
-- Organ Recitals, every Saturday, noon, and every Sunday, 2 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall
Theater
- “Charley’s Aunt” through September 22, Hale Center Theater Orem
-- “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” through September 22, Harris Fine Arts Center, Brigham Young University, Provo
-- “The Foreigner” through September 27, Rodgers Memorial Theatre
-- “Blithe Spirit” through September 29, Face Theatre Company
-- “Johnny Guitar, the Musical” through September 29, Grand Theatre
-- “The Man of La Mancha” through September 29, Heritage Theatre, Perry
-- “The Secret Garden” through September 29, Hale Centre Theatre
-- “Helen” through September 30, Classical Greek Theatre Festival, University of Utah
-- “The Foreigner” through October 6, St. George Musical Theatre
-- “The Sound of Music” through October 6, Center Street Musical Theatre
-- “Thaed” through October 6, Wasatch Theatre Company
-- “Moonlight & Magnolias” through October 7, Salt Lake Acting Company
-- “Cinderella” through October 17, Tuacahn Amphitheater
-- “My Fair Lady” through October 19, Tuacahn Amphitheater
-- “42nd Street” through October 20, Tuacahn Amphitheater
-- “Art” through October 26, Utah Shakespearean Festival
-- “It's Showtime!” through October 27, Bumbleberry Theatre, Springdale
-- “The Mousetrap” through October 27, Utah Shakespearean Festival
-- “The Tempest” through October 27, Utah Shakespearean Festival
-- “Twist the Night Away” through October 28, Bumbleberry Theatre, Springdale
-- “Harry Botter and the Curse of Dracula” through November 10, Off Broadway Theatre
-- “Once Upon a Mattress” through November 10, Terrace Plaza Playhouse
-- “Spamlet, Where Mystery Meats Comedy” through November 10, Desert Star Cabaret Theatre
Museum Exhibits
-- Life After Death: New Leipzig Paintings from the Rubell Family Collection Exhibition, through September 29, Salt Lake Art Center
-- The Bear River Exhibition through December 30, Utah Museum of Natural History
-- Minerva Teichert: Pageants in Paint Exhibition, through May 26, Brigham Young University Museum of Art
Et Cetera
-- 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
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