Regional Politics
Intermountain West is New Heartland?
Las Vegas Sun: "Las Vegas and much of the Intermountain West will supplant the Midwest as the nation's heartland over the next four decades as growth brings the region a diverse population, a thriving economy and political clout, according to the Brookings Institution think tank in Washington, D.C. ... Focusing on the Intermountain West, Brookings has identified five emerging mega-urban areas: Las Vegas, including northern Mohave County, Ariz.; Phoenix and Tucson; Utah's I-15 corridor; metropolitan Albuquerque and Santa Fe, N.M.; and Colorado's Interstate 25 corridor, including Denver."
World Trade Association of Utah
The latest issue of Global Utah, World Trade Center Utah's weekly newsletter, features Utah's World Trade Association. Says the newsletter: "From step-by-step guides on international banking to classes in foreign customs, the World Trade Association of Utah (WTA) aims to get that information out to business owners and entrepreneurs throughout the state. With a monthly luncheon featuring an expert in a variety of business topics and student scholarships in international studies, the WTA wants Utah’s businessmen and women to be informed before they venture overseas to grow their companies."
Delta Features Salt Lake
According to this week's newsletter from the Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah), "'Stunning' might be the best way to describe the recent 42-page Salt Lake portrait captured on the pages of Delta Air Lines’ Sky Magazine and carried on all of Delta’s flights this past October. "Of the nine million passengers Delta flies monthly, an estimated 3.4 million read Sky Magazine, according to Delta estimates—nice exposure for a state already receiving notoriety for its hot economy and low unemployment rate."
USTAR Prof Wins DOE Grant
Gov. Jon Huntsman and officals from USTAR will hold a joint press conference this morning at 9:45 a.m. in the Energy and Geoscience Institute (EGI) at the University of Utah to announce USTAR professor Dr. Brian McPherson's large grant award from the Department of Energy dealing with carbon sequestration. Huntsman will also tour the EGI facility beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Washington Watch
Matheson Measure Approved
The House approves Rep. Jim Matheson's PROTECT Our Children Act, which would provide "a much-needed law enforcement boost for the Internet Crimes Against Children task force" (see press release).
Today in Political History
November 16, 1907: The state of Oklahoma is admitted to the Union.
November. 16, 1933: The United States and the Soviet Union establish diplomatic relations. President Roosevelt send a telegram to Soviet leader Maxim Litvinov, expressing hope that United States-Soviet relations would "forever remain normal and friendly." (New York Times)
November 16. 1973: The Alaska pipeline bill is signed into law by President Richard M. Nixon. (NBC5)
Wise Words
“A man is not finished when he is defeated. He is finished when he quits.”
--Richard Nixon (Source: Think exist)
Utah Geography Spotlight
The Jordan River
The Jordan River is a northward-flowing, 40-mile-long waterway connecting Utah Lake with the Great Salt Lake. Returning from California in June 1827, Jedediah Smith crossed the Jordan with some difficulty, noting in his journal that he was "very much strangled" in his attempt. He was probably attempting to cross during the annnual spring flooding of what normally is a rather slow-moving river.
The river was named the "Western Jordan" in 1847 by Heber C. Kimball, soon after his arrival in Utah. He noted its resemblance to the Middle Eastern river of the same name: a river flowing from a "fresh water lake through fertile valleys to a dead sea."
During construction of the Salt Lake Temple, granite blocks were floated down the river to the city. The Jordan was again used to float construction materials in 1869, this time floating logs and ties for use on the Central Utah Railroad.
The communities of Utah and Salt Lake valleys have used the Jordan to carry waste and sewage away to the Great Salt Lake, but modern treatment plants now keep the river water reasonably clean. After the river overflowed its banks in 1952, Salt Lake County built a diversion dam and the Army Corps of Engineers enlarged a surplus canal. The channel has been dredged and straightened to reduce damage caused by periodic spring floods. In recent years major efforts have been made to preserve the river corridor and create a parkway. (Source: utah.edu)
National Politics
Best Stories From . . .
-- The Hill: "The Senate might vote Sunday on whether to take up a $50 billion war funding bill that calls for a troop withdrawal from Iraq in 12 months, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) warned Thursday."
-- RealClearPolitics columnist Victor Davis Hanson: "There's an old expression about war: 'Victory has many fathers, while defeat is an orphan.' But in the case of Iraq, it seems the other way around. We've blamed many for the ordeal of the last four years, but it is the American victory in Anbar province that now seems without parents."
-- The Politico: "Immigration is becoming for the 2008 election what affirmative action/racial preferences was 15 years ago -- the kind of emotional wedge issue that offers Republicans a way to split rank-and-file Democrats from their leaders."
-- Washington Post columnist David Broder: "As the Democratic presidential race finally gets down to brass tacks, two issues are becoming paramount. But only one of them is clearly on the table. That is the issue of illegal immigration. A very smart Democrat, a veteran of the Clinton administration, told me that he expects it to be a key part of any Republican campaign and that he is worried about his party's ability to respond."
Blog Watch
-- Rep. Steve Urquhart proposes some reforms for Utah's medical malpractice arbitration system, which he says currently "takes too long, costs too much, is unavailable for some legitimate claims, casts too broad a net, and doesn't efficiently dispense of bogus claims."
-- At Out of Context, Thomas Burr reports: "Country music legend Lyle Lovett dropped by the Senate Judiciary Committee this week to press more protection of music copyrights. Good thing that Sen. Orrin Hatch, Utah Republican and music writer extraordinaire, was on hand to help push Lovett's cause. The Washington Post's always-on-key columnist Dana Milbank caught this fun exchange between Hatch, Sen. Arlen Specter, Lovett and his warm-up act, Alice Peacock: Hatch made clear that 'as a songwriter,' he felt a special bond with the other artists in the room and recalled the delirious reception he received at the song writers convention when he showed them his first royalty check, for $57. Specter needled his colleague. 'Ms. Peacock, you say you perform for passion, not for money -- sort of like senators,' he said, putting his arm around Hatch. Hatch wasn't amused. 'Can I interrupt?' he later asked Specter. 'I have one gold and one platinum record, but I've been told I would have more if it wasn't for piracy.' Asked what Lovett thinks of Hatch's music, the songwriter laughed, then stammered. 'Ah,' he finally said. 'Music is such a subjective thing.'"
Lighter Side
Get Ready for Turkey Day
It’s less than a week away. Everything you want to know about Thanksgiving, and a lot more, compiled from the New York Times archives: lots of recipes, articles, and other T-Day tips, put together by the editors of the Dining section.
Casual Friday
Fishing Report
We salute the Utah Stonefly Society and the Cache Valley Anglers for raising $10,750 to help improve Utah's Blue Ribbon Fisheries. Federal matching funds will allow DWR to make significant habitat improvements. More details.
Ski season is now beginning, with Solitude opening tomorrow (Friday). Other resorts will quickly follow suite. Early skiing will be on man-made snow but that could change next week, if the weather forecasts hold.
Ice fishing is just around the corner now. Small, shallow lakes at extremely high elevations will be the first to freeze. Puffer Lake on Beaver Mountain, Huntington Res along Skyline Drive and accessible lakes in the Uintas should develop safe ice by the end of November. Scofield is usually our first major water to freeze, and it should become safe during the first or second week of December. Don't take chances - make sure ice is safe before venturing out. Here are tips for ice fishing.
Meanwhile, our trout streams and lakes continue to fish well. Read the full report on www.redrockadventure.com.
Outdoors Report
-- Ski resort opening days reported in the Morning News
-- Nordic skiing gaining speed, according to the Tribune
-- Morning News mines for history of ski resorts
-- Utah students get fit with triathlete in the
Tribune
-- Morning News reports on buffalo herds on Antelope Island
-- Ski and boarding notes highlight Utah’s resorts in the Tribune
-- Tribune’s Hike of the Week takes readers to the Grand Staircase
-- 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
Weekend Events
New Films
-- Beowulf: Tribune review
-- Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium: Tribune review
Concerts
-- Ruth Wilson Fransisco, soprano, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall, free
-- Svengali Jazz Quartet, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Flynn Artipelago, 3474 S. 2300 E., free
-- St. Cecilia Day Concerts, Choir of the Cathedral of the Madeleine, Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., Cathedral of the Madeleine, free
-- Utah Symphony with llusionist Lyn Dillies, Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., Abravanel Hall
-- Utah Music Teachers Association State Piano Competition Winners, Saturday, 7 p.m., Libby Gardner Concert Hall, University of Utah, free
-- “Belshazzar’s Feast,” U. Choirs, BYU Concert Choir, Philharmonic Orchestra and BYU Singers, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Salt Lake Tabernacle, free
-- Viva Voce!, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall, free
-- Fry Street Quartet, Saturday, 8 p.m., Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center
-- Utah Ballet, through November 17, Alice Sheets Marriott Center for Dance, University of Utah
-- NOVA Chamber Music Series, Sunday, 3 p.m., Utah Museum of Fine Arts
-- Organ Recitals, every Saturday, noon, and every Sunday, 2 p.m., Temple Square Assembly Hall
Theater
-- “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” through November 17, Empress Theatre
-- “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” through November 17, Center Street Musical Theatre www.csmtc.com
-- “I Love a Piano” through November 18, Capitol Theatre
-- “The Winter’s Tale” through November 18, Babcock Theatre
-- “It’s Christmas Time Again” through November 19, Valley Center Playhouse
-- “Cinderella” through November 24, Children’s Theatre & School of the Arts http://www.childrenstheatreandschool.org/
-- “Thoroughly Modern Millie” through November 24, Hale Center Theater Orem
-- “Once On This Island” through November 24, Hale Centre Theatre
-- “Billion Dollar Baby” through December 2, Salt Lake Acting Company
Museum Exhibits
-- The Bear River Exhibition through December 30, Utah Museum of Natural History
-- Picturing the West: 19th Century Landscape Photography Exhibition through December 30, Andy Warhol’s Dream America Exhibition through January 6,
Cinderella: Masks, Magic, and Mirrors Exhibition through March 31, Utah Museum of Fine Arts
-- SF Recycled and Masters of West Coast Assemblage and Collage Exhibitions through January 26, David Kimball Anderson: To Morris Graves Exhibition through February 2, Salt Lake Art Center
-- Minerva Teichert: Pageants in Paint Exhibition, through May 26, Brigham Young University Museum of Art
Et cetra
-- Free Ice Skating, Friday, 6 – 11 p.m., Gallivan Center
-- Salt Lake City Gallery Stroll, Friday, 6 – 9 p.m., Downtown
-- Moab Bighorn Sheep Festival, Friday and Saturday
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