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Washington Watch
Hatch Amendment Approved
The Senate approves an amendment introduced by Sen. Orrin Hatch that would give states added tools to stop hate crimes (see press release); Sens. Hatch and Chuck Grassley say "there is significant support among Republicans for bicameral legislation to reauthorize the children’s health insurance program" (press release) (see also Hatch's related related floor speech on CHIP); Hatch praises the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act, which Pres. Bush signed into law yesterday and "which includes a number of provisions of interest to Utahns" (press release).
Cannon Condemns Ad
Rep. Chris Cannon votes to condemn the MoveOn.org "General Betray Us" ad (see press release); Cannon introduces legislation to extend the Internet Tax Moratorium for another 4 years (press release); Cannon introduces legislation to reduce taxes on satellite TV subscribers (press release).
Business People Law School
The Salt Lake Small Business Development Center is holding its 3rd Annual Law School for Business People on Oct. 2. It's a half day packed with small business/legal training from some the state's top legal experts. Aubrey Davis, event coordinator, says the Salt Lake SBDC has brought together 16 top legal experts, who will teach 50-minute courses covering every-day legal issues that have the most impact on your business. Cost is $50. Read the Zions Bank Business Resource Center newsletter for more information.
International Business Survey
World Trade Center Utah (WTCU) is collaborating with the University of Utah to collect input from the business community via an online survey, which will help the WTCU better identify local international business needs. You can read more about the survey and all of the other Utah-related international business news in this week's Global Utah newsletter, published by WTCU.
Regional Politics
Nature Tops Energy?
Associated Press: "The Rocky Mountains' natural amenities are more important to the regional economy than the booming oil and gas industry, according to a new report compiled by [The Wilderness Society] and supported by some regional economists."
Public Policy Job Opportunity
Job Opening: Assistant Director for Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah
Description: Serves as a resource to the local Plan regarding State and Federal legislative and regulatory policy positions that will advance Regence's goals. Responsible for developing and promoting Regence's legislative and regulatory issues at the State level. Responsible for coordinating with other Regence staff in developing and promoting Regence's legislative and regulatory issues at the Federal level. May serve on local boards of community agencies or other non-profit organizations that support Regence's goals. Develops and maintains appropriate lines of communication with major regulators. Apply online at: http://www.regence.com/careers
Today in Political History
Sept. 28, 1787: Congress votes to send the Constitution to the states for their approval. (Source: NBC5)
Wise Words
“There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want.”
-- Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes (Source: Quote Garden)
National Politics
Best Stories From …
-- The Politico: "Fred Thompson is failing to meet expectations that he would rally widespread support from Christian conservatives, and he almost certainly will not receive a joint endorsement from the loose coalition of 'pro-family' organizations, according to leaders of the movement."
-- Arizona Republic: "While Sen. John McCain is making headlines by pressing his case for victory in Iraq, one man is quietly putting back the pieces of the Arizona Republican's shattered presidential campaign. Rick Davis ... is reprising the role he played in 2000, when he helped coordinate McCain's well-remembered insurgent challenge to GOP front-runner George W. Bush."
-- The Hill: "Sensing that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) will win the Democratic presidential nomination, Republican Party operatives are stepping up their political attacks on the former first lady but are wary of going too far with their criticisms because she is a woman."
-- Washington Post: Columnist David Broder: "The spectacle Tuesday of 151 House Republicans voting in lock step with the White House against expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) was one of the more remarkable sights of the year. Rarely do you see so many politicians putting their careers in jeopardy."
Sutherland Researches Tuition
New research conducted by The Sutherland Institute shows that "the average tuition among the majority of voucher-eligible private schools in Utah is $4,520. And nearly 64 percent of these private schools are within the range of affordability for low-income families, having tuition below $4,500." Says Sutherland Pres. Paul Mero: "Affordability is a subjective term. But consider a low-income family that receives the maximum school voucher amount of $3,000 per child. The difference between the average tuition rate and the maximum school voucher is $1,520, or $127 per month. That is less than the cost of a car payment" (see press release).
Sierra Club Newsletter
The Utah Chapter of the Sierra Club has posted its Fall 2007 newsletter, which features articles on climate change and energy issues, among other things.
Blog Watch
-- Paul Rolly reports: "Salt Lake County Democrats can smell blood in the GOP and already are casting out lines in the hopes of capturing the majority on the Salt Lake County Council next year. The Democrats are recruiting Salt Lake City Attorney Sim Gill to run against Republican incumbent Mark Crockett. They feel that with Gill's county-wide name recognition after losing narrowly to Lohra Miller in the District Attorney's race last year and Gill's articulate style make him an attractive, and winnable, candidate."
-- Jesse Harris notes: "[Wednesday] night I had the chance to meet with Sen. Niederhauser after the meeting of the Government Competition and Privatization Subcommittee . ... While talking to him, I brought up the anti-spam law I had proposed back in July. I was pleased to find out that both he and Rep. Andersen are interested in such a law and have asked some legislative researchers to find more information on implementing it."
Lighter Side
A guy walks into a bar and shouts, “Economists are jerks!”
A man sitting at the bar jumps up and shouts back, “I greatly resent that!”
The first guy asks, “Whatsa matter, you an economist?”
“No!” the man responds. “I’m a jerk.” (The Economist’s Joke Book, by Jeff Thredgold)
Casual Friday
Outdoors Report
Several major hunts begin on Oct 6, including waterfowl, general any bull elk, general spike elk and the general buck/bull combination hunt. If you are a hunter you had better be pretty much ready by now... If you aren't a hunter you still should be aware that these hunters will be afield.
Lake Powell -- right now is my favorite time of year to fish the big lake. Success is very good. Air temperatures are still warm but not oppressively hot. The water has started to cool but is still nice for skiing and other water sports. And crowds are down -- not nearly as many people on the lake.
Major streams continue to fish well. Frost has now hit many areas and that will impact insect life. Nymphs and streamers are usually productive in the fall. If you want to fish on top, check with a local fly shop to find out what's working.
Strawberry and Flaming Gorge continue to provide good fishing most days. Many smaller reservoirs and streams also offer great action. See Dave Webb's complete report for more details
Outdoors Report
-- Utah’s tourism office gearing up for a busy winter in the Morning News
-- Debate continues about land use in the Tribune
-- Morning News takes a trip down the untamed Green River
-- Letterboxing gains popularity in the Tribune
-- Local cycling information in the Morning News
-- Visit Gobblers Knob in the Tribune’s Hike of the Week
-- 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 Kingdom: Tribune review
-- The Game Plan: Tribune review
-- Feast of Love: Tribune review
Concerts
-- Fry Street Quartet, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Performance Hall, USU, Logan, $5
-- Ron Brough, percussion, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Madsen Recital Hall, BYU, Provo, free
-- BYU Singers, Concert Choir, Men’s and Women’s Choruses, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Provo Tabernacle, $6
-- “Ballet Showcase,” U. Ballet Department, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; also Saturday, 2 p.m.
-- Summerarts Piano Festival with the U. Wind Ensemble, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Libby Gardner Concert Hall
-- “American Masters,” Utah Symphony and violinist Leila Josefowicz, Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., Abravanel Hall
-- 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
-- “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 Diary of Anne Frank” through October 6, Babcock Theatre
-- “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
-- “Paint Your Wagon” through October 13, Pioneer Theatre 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
-- “Dracula” through October 27, Academy of Performing Arts
-- “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
-- “Thoroughly Modern Millie” through November 24, Hale Center Theater Orem
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
-- Park City Gallery Stroll, Friday, 6 – 9 p.m.
-- Fall Harvest Festival & Bear River Heritage Fair, Friday and Saturday, Wellsville
-- 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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