DENVER—In response to today’s “energy dominance” speech by President Trump, the Center for Western Priorities released the following statement from Executive Director Jennifer Rokala:
“Make no mistake, when this administration talks about ‘energy dominance’ they’re talking about sending American-owned oil—especially oil extracted from U.S. public lands—overseas to power other countries. That means more drill rigs next to national parks, inside of wildlife refuges, and around outdoor recreation areas, all pumping oil to be shipped outside the U.S.”
Today’s speech continues a trend noted by The Washington Post this morning—that the White House’s “energy dominance” week has been dominated by one misleading claim after another.
Jennifer Rokala is available for video and audio interviews. To schedule an interview or speak with an expert on public lands, contact Aaron Weiss at 720-279-0019 or aaron@westernpriorities.org.
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The Center for Western Priorities is a conservation policy and advocacy organization focused on land and energy issues across the American West
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Save the Date!
Click each date to see all July 1, 2, 3 & 4 events.
Thursday, July 6: Draper Days at Draper City.
Friday, July 7: Princess Train at Heber Valley Historic Railroad .
Saturday, July 8: Wasatch Front Farmers Market at Gardner Village at Gardner Village.
Saturday, July 8: Lavender Day and 5K and 1K at Young Living Lavender Farm.
Sunday, July 9: Singing with the Birds at Tracy Aviary.
Monday, July 10: Summer Concert Series 2017 at Orem Public Library.
Tuesday, July 11: Heatwave Festival at Spy Hop Productions.
Tuesday, July 11: Draper Days Children's Bike Parade at Draper City.
Friday, July 14: DAYS OF 47 KUTV POPS CONCERT at The Days of 47, Inc.. Ends July 15.
Wednesday, July 19: Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo at OGDEN PIONEER DAYS. Ends July 24.
Wednesday, July 19: DAYS OF '47 RODEO at The Days of 47, Inc.. Ends July 24.
Friday, July 21: Bountiful Handcart Days Parade at City of Bountiful.
Friday, July 21: Bountiful Handcart Days Fireworks at City of Bountiful.
Saturday, July 22: Fireworks after the Salt Lake Bees Game at Salt Lake Bees.
Saturday, July 22: DAYS OF '47 OKLAND CONSTRUCTION FAMILY FESTIVAL at The Days of 47, Inc.. .
Saturday, July 22: YOUTH PARADE at The Days of 47, Inc..
Saturday, July 22: Bountiful Handcart Days Races at City of Bountiful.
Monday, July 24: Fireworks Near Liberty Park at City of Salt Lake City.
Monday, July 31: Wizards' Train at Heber Valley Historic Railroad .
Activities Celebrating Independence Day
The 4th of July is right around the corner, and since it's celebrated on a Tuesday this year, there are many celebrations the weekend before Independence Day.
Check out our KidsOutAndAbout list of local celebrations, fireworks, and more and celebrate 241 years of the USA.
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
Linda Sue Park's brilliant 2010 middle-grade short novel A Long Walk to Water details the real-life story of Salva Dut, an 11-year-old who, during the Second Sudanese Civil War in 1985, led 1500 other boys on a life-saving trek to a refugee camp. When he got older, Dut moved to the United States and became an activist to help build wells for communities back in South Sudan.
Park used A Long Walk to Water as her title in part because so much of life in South Sudan revolved around the daily walk to a far-away water source: One of the other 11-year-old characters, Nya, walks 2 hours twice each day just to procure enough water for her family to survive. That's right: 8 hours a day for a kid to walk in the heat to get just enough brackish pond water to cook with and keep the family barely hydrated.
A summer in prosperous North America is a very different enterprise for our kids than for Nya; we can actually enjoy it. Summer lets us experience the pleasures of sensory contrast: of heat and cold, sweet and savory, exertion and relaxation. If we slow down enough, we can revel in these sensory experiences, point them out to our kids, and reflect on our blessings.
Reading A Long Walk to Water several years ago changed how I experience the heat of summer: Now, any time I step up to a (free!) water fountain, or come inside on a hot day, fill up a glass with ice, and turn on the tap to fill it with clean, pure water, I am reminded of how lucky I am to live here and now, and how easy we have it. We even play in pools full of the stuff.
As the summer progresses, you'll find yourself beckoned by all kinds of interesting things to do with your family, as well as lots of ways to separate your money from your wallet. But a sensory summer doesn't have to cost anything to be memorable: It can be as simple as finding a good book, filling up a glass at the sink, and settling in for a read with your kids. If you're especially lucky, it might even be a just short walk to your local library.
--Debra Ross, Publisher
Hooray for Summer
Long, hot days. Time outside. Exploring and playing. No school. You and your kids will love all that summer has to offer. And to make sure that you don't miss out on any fun, be sure to check out our Master Guide to Local Summer Fun.
Worried the kids will spend the day watching Netflix and playing video games? We have plenty of ideas for good, old-fashioned summer fun in our article 50 Ways to Love Your Summer.
If you're interested in your kids having a summer camp experience without sending them to day or overnight camp, check out our timeless article It's Their Vacation and You're the Tour Guide: How to Organize Camp Mom. That piece provides almost endless ideas for things to do and how to structure your day. But remember: a little boredom is good for kids, too!
Congratulations to #1 The wAIRhouse Indoor Trampoline Park!
The wAIRhouse Trampoline Park is Salt Lake's premier family fun center for ages 2-82 with 2 HUGE Open Jump Courts, 2 Dodgeball Courts, 4 Slam-Dunk Basketball Lanes, and a Foam Pit. Grab a snack at our Vertical Café or let kids ages 1-6 play in our Kids' AIRena.
Click here to see the rest of the winners.
101 Day Trips for Salt Lake City Families
Free activities and splurges that are worth it. The coolest stuff for a staycation in town and day trips for less than a tank of gas. KidsOutAndAbout has tons of ideas for places to explore, learn, and have fun!
Find the whole list, plus a map to start planning your trips, HERE.
It's time to enroll your kids in summer camp!
What are your kids doing this summer? We've got your week-by-week guide to day camps, overnight camps, and specialty subjects like music, theater, technology, science, history, sports, and fitness! It's a summer camp calendar where you're sure to find something amazing for your kids, whether they're trying something new, honing their skills, or just having fun outside! Click here for our Week-by-Week Guide to Local Summer Camps.
Summer Camp of the Week: Utah Conservatory
Instructors at the Utah Conservatory, located in Park City, teach the fundamentals of singing through the use of children’s Broadway songs in a three-day camp. They celebrate characters from Annie, Gypsy, Matilda, Lion King, Mary Poppins, Les Mis, and more. Dress-up is encouraged. Each class, July 5-7, is 9 am to 2 pm. Please bring a packed lunch. Cost is $129. Visit utahconservatory.com to learn more.
Tips to Maximize Your Visit to Lagoon
If you’re like many Utahns, you’ll visit Lagoon Amusement Park, located in Farmington, Utah, a few times this summer. Or maybe you’re from another state and you’ll just visit once. Whatever your plans, Kerry Smith, our Salt Lake City editor, has some tips that can help you make the most of your visit to this favorite local destination. Click here to read.
It's Time to Pick Summer Fruit!
Here is the KidsOutAndAbout big list of where to pick summer fruit. Make sure you call ahead before you head out unless the web site of the farm is very clear and current, because you don't want to be disappointed. Picking availability depends on the current weather conditions.
New to picking? Read 10 Tips for Berry Picking with Kids from our Albany editor, Katie Beltramo. Overwhelmed with berries? Here's How to Make Strawberry Freezer Jam from our Salt Lake City editor, Kerry Smith.
Would you love to go on a cruise vacation? Of course you would! They're wonderful. But there's also a wide variety of choices among different cruise lines, styles, and destinations. So how should you choose your perfect, just-for-your cruise? Luckily, KidsOutAndAbout has an in-house expert, our Vice President of Operations, June Santini. June has ventured on a wide variety of cruise vacations (she's packing for another one right now), and she's got great advice on choosing the best trip for your family in her list of Top 8 Tips for Picking a Cruise.
