Better Business Bureau has released a study on the prevalence of fake checks in this era of electronic financial transactions. Fake checks are used in a variety of frauds, from employment scams to prize and sweepstakes fraud. In all cases, victims deposit the check and send money back to scammers. BBB warns consumers to be on guard against these serious and pervasive frauds and their perpetrators.
The investigative study-- “Don't Cash That Check: Better Business Bureau Study Shows How Fake Check Scams Bait Consumers” -- looks at how fake checks dupe consumers. It digs into the scope of the problem, who is behind it, and the need for law enforcement and consumer education to address the issue. Read the complete report here.
In addition, there's a great graphic "elements of a fake check" on the website which can help consumers know if their check is real or fake.
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Conservative Group Files Petition Requesting Withdrawal of
117,000 Acres of Public Land from Future Oil & Gas Leasing, Including Over 23,000 Acres in Utah
Today, Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship (CRS) formally requested that the Department of Interior withdraw approximately 117,000 acres of public lands in five Western states from future oil and gas leasing. The Trump Administration recently made all of the parcels contained in this petition available for lease without success.
“These lands include critical big game habitat, migration corridors, trout streams, popular outdoor recreation areas, drinking water sources, and significant historic sites. They should now be released so they can serve the purposes for which they are best suited,” said CRS President David Jenkins.
“It certainly makes no sense to lock up these important public resources, which rightfully belong to all of us, for an oil and gas industry that has shown no interest in them,” Jenkins added.
The lands listed in the petition represent a small subset of the 11.4 million acres of public lands that the administration – in an effort to make oil and gas drilling the dominant use of America’s public lands – has unsuccessfully attempted to lease.
“Responsible stewardship and multiple use are conservative principles that have guided America’s public land management for more than a century. The Trump administration has turned this tried and true approach on its head, threatening the public access, resource quality, and diverse revenue stream that western communities depend on,” said Jenkins.
Many of the parcels CRS is asking to be withdrawn were put up for lease over the objections of state and local government agencies that better understand the true value of these lands.
In Utah, the petition includes almost 5,000 acres that BLM attempted to lease around Otter Creek State Park in June 2017, prompting a letter of concern from the State of Utah. Also included are over 18,000 acres along the western edge of the San Rafael Swell, one of the most popular recreation destinations in central Utah, if not the entire state.
Through this petition, CRS seeks to highlight the pitfalls of the administration’s so-called “energy dominance” policy, characterized by a blanket approach to leasing that subordinates all other values to oil and gas production.
As great conservative icons from Theodore Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan understood, the truly conservative path is a balanced approach, where conserving our fish and wildlife habitat, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation, and protecting our drinking water sources are on equal footing with development.
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout.com readers:
When does a new baby mean a new umbrella? When it's KidsOutAndAbout.com's new baby, which actually IS a new umbrella!
As of this week, KidsOutAndAbout.com is part of the EntertainmentCalendar.com family, along with our sister site, BeyondTheNest.com, which is for grownups who want to know what's happening in local arts, culture, and recreation.
What does this mean for you? We have a nice new layout, which includes video on every page. Don't worry, the videos will NOT autoplay. (Don't you hate that? I do!) But both our readers and our advertisers have expressed the desire for us to celebrate each local region using video... and if you talk, we listen, and voilà, a new layout!
This umbrella is a fairly wide one, too. So being part of the EntertainmentCalendar.com family means that more calendars, for different audiences, are coming soon, as well as new features for both our readers and the great organizations that keep the creativity flowing in each and every community we celebrate. Stay tuned, and stay dry!
—Debra Ross, Publisher, EntertainmentCalendar.com
Enjoy the classic story of Pinocchio like never before!
Enjoy the classic story of Pinocchio like never before as Hale Centre Theatre proudly presents Disney’s My Son Pinocchio: Geppetto’s Musical Tale playing July 7 – September 8. Told through Geppetto’s eyes, the musical follows the timeless tale and explores loving life lessons the father and son duo learn as Pinocchio grows up into a real boy. Hear familiar songs like I’ve Got No Strings, When You Wish Upon a Star and additional music from Wicked composer, Stephen Schwartz. This special engagement is open to ages 3 and up, a new play full of entertainment for the entire family! To order tickets, go to: www.hct.org/Online/default.asp
The 6th ANNUAL FAIRYTALE FESTIVAL - CENTERPOINT LEGACY THEATRE
“This is the strength of fairy tales. They are filled with promise. The weak can be strong; evil can be turned to good; the ugly can become beautiful; Cinderella can become a princess, the frog a prince. Every human being can rise to his true stature. Even the smallest child can realize this and rejoice at future victories.”
Join us in the enchanting world of fairytales. Hop “Into the Book” at our Great Storytelling Tent sponsored by, KSL Read Today. Come and meet your favorite Fairytale Characters and enjoy fantastic foods from around Utah. Take a ride on the Story Train or trade a book at the “Bibbidi-Bobbidi Book station! You won’t want to miss the Mermaid Lagoon in Neverland or the “Participlay” where you can be a star in your own play. Admittance to the festival is FREE as are many of the activities! We invite you to come and join the magic!
For more information, please visit us at: https://www.facebook.com/Fairytale-Festival-CenterPoint-Theatre-238527189681267/
From livestock shows to carnival rides, the Utah State Fair has something for every member of your family. Every year the State Fair hosts musical guests and other entertainers during the Fair. From the Grandstand Line-Up to the demolition derby,truck pull and PRCA Rodeo. The Fair offers mostly free entertainment with a few of the bigger concerts at a price.
Click here for more information.
2018 Timpanogos Storytelling Festival - Thanksgiving Point
The Timpanogos Storytelling Festival is one of the nation’s premier storytelling events. Attendees from across the United States and Canada come to hear stories from unforgettable performers in an unbelievable setting at the Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point. The new location at Thanksgiving Point will provide attendees a beautiful and convenient location for Festival events.
Click here for more information.
In this class children will explore numbers and other pre-math concepts, use coins, and pretend money, as children learn how money works. This is a developmentally appropriate approach to financial literacy for young children. Made possible by the Lawrence T. and Janet T. Dee Foundation and the Ruth Eleanor and John Ernest Bamberger Memorial Foundation, Fidelity Investments, and Sallie Mae Bank. For children ages 3 years and older. Parents must remain with their child during entire session. Sign up to participate at the Info Desk. Limit 12 students per class.
Click here for more information.
H.M.S. Pinafore - The Off Broadway Theatre
That’s right, the OBT is going back to the sea. In the wake (see what we did there?) of the OBT’s rambunctious production Pirates of Penzance, we have decided to bring back another Gilbert and Sullivan classic in our wacky style.
Click here for more information.
Blues, Brews & BBQ - Snowbasin Resort
Join us on the lawn at Earl’s Lodge on Sundays for the Blues, Brews & BBQ Concert Series! Bring the family to Snowbasin Resort for award-winning BBQ, family-friendly activities and free live music for all ages! Every Sunday in the summer 12 pm - 5:30 pm.
Click here for more information.
It's time to choose enrichment classes and programs for the 2018-2019 school year!
There are so many opportunities for extracurricular programs in all kinds of subjects in our area! Kids can choose from academic enrichment and tutoring, to technology, sports, exercise, dance, music, performing arts, and fine arts. There are classes for preschoolers, elementary age, 'tweens, and teens.
Check out the options on KidsOutAndAbout's master list of after-school and Saturday classes.
Where can you combine the great outdoors, exercise, problem-solving skills, and family bonding? Why at a corn maze, of course! Autumn means corn maze season: get out there and get lost!
Re-visit an old Favorite or Check Out a New Place with Our List of Local Corn Mazes.
Looking for some Corn Maze Tips? We've got them for you.
How to Cure the Drop Out Rate in Youth Sports
Children who play youth sports have higher grades and greater involvement in volunteer work than those who don't. They have greater confidence, self-esteem, and build stronger relationships with their peers. Young athletes also have greater family attachment, more frequent interactions with parents, and are less likely to engage in risky behaviors.
Yet, over 70% of youth athletes drop out of sports before they enter high school. Veteran soccer coach Chris McConnell offers parents some ideas to keep kids in the game.
