DENVER—What began as a trickle has become a flood, as more outdoor recreation businesses announced Friday they will skip the Outdoor Retailer trade show in protest of Utah politicians’ anti-public lands agenda. The twice-yearly trade show generates about $45 million annually for Utah’s economy.
The Center for Western Priorities issued the following statement from Executive Director Jennifer Rokala:
“Governor Herbert is telling outdoor businesses to ‘take the politics out of this issue,’ yet he is personally lobbying President Trump to roll back national monuments in Utah and threatening a lawsuit to force the American people to dispose of nearly all their public lands in the state.
“Now Utah is finally reaping what its politicians have sown. Outdoor recreation businesses, one of the state’s most important industries, are sick and tired of being taken for granted. Americans of all stripes, from sportsmen to conservationists to business leaders aren’t going to sit idle as Gary Herbert, Jason Chaffetz, and the rest of Utah’s politicians erode America’s parks and public lands.”
Both the Outdoor Industry Association and the Outdoor Retailer have indicated that they are seriously considering moving the trade show after its contract with Salt Lake City expires in 2018.
Name brand outdoor retailers Patagonia and Arc’teryx have followed suit, announcing that they would not participate in the Outdoor Retailer for as long as it is in Utah. Other brands—including Peak Designs, Kammock, Polartec, and Power Practical—are coming forward daily with their intention to boycott Utah.
For more information, visit westernpriorities.org. To speak with an expert on public lands, contact Aaron Weiss at 720-279-0019 or aaron@westernpriorities.org
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Welcome to Dave's Page
Team: Team Red
2017 Utah Tour de Cure
June 10, 2017
Donate to Me Join My Team
Hi everyone, I'm back again for the 7th straight year. I will be cycling 100 miles in the 2017 Tour de Cure for the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in Brigham City on the 10th of June. I will be cycling on the ADA's family and friends team, TEAM RED. Please help me become a Champion Fundraiser ($1,000 or more) for the 7th straight year!
I choose to ride and fundraise for the ADA because diabetes is very personal to me, I'm a pre-diabetic. With the help of the American Diabetes Association, Tour de Cure and my bicycle I've been downgrade from type 2 diabetes to pre-diabetic this year, Hooray! Lots of hard work & support made this goal achievable.
Thank you for taking your time to read my story and possibly making a generous tax free contribution on my behalf directly to the ADA for a cause that is so important to me! Feel free to contact me with any questions about my ride or the Tour de Cure.
EVERY PEDAL I PEDAL, EACH MILE I RIDE AND EVERY DOLLAR I RAISE WILL BE USED IN THE FIGHT TO PREVENT AND EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT DIABETES.
Dave
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Governor Herbert Takes on Red Tape
AFP-UT applauds Gov. Herbert’s call to help business by reducing job killing regulations
SALT LAKE CITY – Americans for Prosperity-Utah (AFP-UT), the state’s leading grassroots advocacy organization for free market reforms is applauding Governor Gary Herbert for calling on state agencies to review how they do business. Overregulation stifles job creation and holds businesses back.
“Governor Herbert's effort to reduce job killing regulations on Utah business should be applauded,” said state director, Evelyn Everton. “When government cuts burdensome red tape, entrepreneurs are freed to focus on growing their business and creating opportunity for more Utahns.”
BACKGROUND:
Gov. Herbert orders closer business-friendly review of new rules (Salt Lake Tribune)
At the same time, House Majority Leader Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, said he will push a bill, HB272, to similarly require a better, formal review of how all new legislation would affect the regulatory impact on businesses and individuals.
"Regulations sometimes really slow the flow for businesses,” Herbert said at a ceremony to sign the executive order. "It's like weeds in the ditch bank that kind of get in the way of commerce taking place.”
Americans for Prosperity (AFP) exists to recruit, educate, and mobilize citizens in support of the policies and goals of a free society at the local, state, and federal level, helping every American live their dream – especially the least fortunate. AFP has more than 3.2 million activists across the nation, a local infrastructure that includes 35 state chapters, and has received financial support from more than 100,000 Americans in all 50 states. For more information, visit www.AmericansForProsperity.org
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Non-Profit Organization is Seeking Local Host Families for High School Exchange Students
ASSE International Student Exchange Programs (ASSE), in cooperation with your community high school, is looking for local families to host boys and girls between the ages of 15 to 18 from a variety of countries: Norway, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Japan, to name a few.
ASSE students are enthusiastic and excited to experience American culture while they practice their English. They also love to share their own culture and language with their host families. Host families welcome these students into their family, not as a guest, but as a family member, giving everyone involved a rich cultural experience.
The exchange students have pocket money for personal expenses and full health, accident and liability insurance. ASSE students are selected based on academics and personality, and host families can choose their student from a wide variety of backgrounds, countries and personal interests.
To become an ASSE Host Family or to find out how to become involved with ASSE in your community, please call the ASSE Western Regional Office at 1-800-733-2773 or go to www.host.asse.com to begin your host family application. Students are eager to learn about their American host family, so begin the process of welcoming your new son or daughter today!
ASSE INTERNATIONAL (FORMERLY AMERICAN SCANDINAVIAN STUDENT EXCHANGE) IS A NON-PROFIT, PUBLIC BENEFIT ORGANIZATION. ASSE IS OFFICIALLY DESIGNATED AS AN EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM BY THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WAS FOUNDED BY THE SWEDISH MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, COOPERATES WITH THE CANADIAN PROVINCIAL MINISTRIES OF EDUCATION, and the NEW ZEALAND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
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In times for Valentine's Day, BackgroundChecks.org ranked the Most Sexually Diseased States in America. The report, released on February 10 2017, used a combination of STD data, local county and state health data, and social media surveys, to create a comprehensive look at the state of STDs in the US.
Utah was one of the ten best states in the country, ranking #5 on the list of states with the least STD problems.
The top 10 most diseased states in America are Alaska, Louisiana, North Carolina, Mississippi, New Mexico, South Carolina, Georgia, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Alabama.
The states with the least problematic STD problems were New Hampshire, West Virginia, Maine, Vermont, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey.
"Everyone should enjoy themselves this Valentine's Day", said Trent Wilson, co-author of the research. "We just want people to be a little bit more aware and take the necessary precautions. The amount of STDs out there are staggering, and it's all completely preventable."
STDs reached an all time high in 2016, according to data released late last year by the CDC. Much of the rise has been attributed to "hook up" apps such as Tindr and Grindr.
BackgroundChecks.org is an organization devoted to Public Safety, Online Privacy, Home Security, and Open Government. Their technology tools and resources are used by hundreds of thousands of users each to month. As part of their commitment to public safety, they constantly conduct new research to shed insight on issues that affect the public welfare.
The full research is available here: http://backgroundchecks.org/these-are-the-most-sexually-diseased-states-in-the-us.html
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Author Jane N. Vassil announces the publication of her book debut
WOODSIDE, N.Y. – The children’s fiction book “Martha and Me: A Handicapped Child with a Purpose in Life” (published by Archway Publishing) portrays a girl who is speech impaired and her struggle with being bullied and wanting to be accepted.
The book takes place in a neighborhood mixed with people of various incomes and ethnicities. Martha, a 6 year old, is smart and sassy, and speaks differently than those around her. Her classmates tease her about the way she talks. At night, Martha retreats into her imagination and finds happiness in her pretend play as a teacher who loves all her stuffed animal students. When Martha’s teacher asks her to read her paper in front of the class one day, her classmates laugh and bully her. Martha is devastated. However, she forges forward in life to find her purpose and teaches the world that being physically challenged does not define her, but instead makes her special.
Vassil believes that the book is important for readers who are being bullied to know that they are not alone. “Everyone deserves to live a full and happy life no matter what their differences are with themselves or with others,” she says. “Everyone should give and receive love and respect.”
“Martha and Me”
By Jane N. Vassil
Softcover | 8.5 x 8.5in | 62 pages | ISBN 9781480824560
E-Book | 62 pages | ISBN 9781480824577
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble
About the Author
Jane N. Vassil was raised by Italian and Greek parents that instilled morals, values and respect for all living things in her. Her parents taught her to love everyone no matter how different they were from her. Her childhood was full of fun and learning about the importance of God. “Martha and Me” is Vassil’s first book.
Simon & Schuster, a company with nearly ninety years of publishing experience, has teamed up with Author Solutions, LLC, the leading self-publishing company worldwide, to create Archway Publishing. With unique resources to support books of all kind, Archway Publishing offers a specialized approach to help every author reach his or her desired audience. For more information, visit www.archwaypublishing.com or call 888-242-5904.
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David Miliband's remarks on this evening's Appeals Court ruling
New York, NY, February 9, 2017 — Responding to this evening's ruling, President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee, David Miliband:
"I am heartened that the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals showed that care for refugees and commitment to American security go together. The confusion and chaos that resulted from the Administration’s hasty and harmful executive order should be a lesson to keep intact carefully developed procedures that have kept America safe. We are grateful that we can get back to work resettling refugees who have fled the terrors of war and violence, while also caring for those who remain trapped in conflict zones. As this ruling will almost certainly be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, in the meantime, the IRC remains committed to serving our refugee clients here in the U.S. and in more than 40 countries around the world.”
Ends
MEDIA CONTACT
IRC Global Communications, +1 646 761 0307 communications@rescue.org
Learn more about the IRC's work resettling refugees in the US.
Donate to the International Rescue Committee.
ABOUT THE IRC
The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is at work in over 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. Learn more at www.rescue.org and follow the IRC on Twitter & Facebook.
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$5,000 College Scholarship and $8,500 in Runner-Up Awards for Utah Young Humanitarians
Salt Lake City, Utah – February 9, 2017 – If you are a Utah young person who volunteers, a $5,000 college scholarship could be the recognition you deserve for your community service.
“The Award not only recognizes Utah students who give back with scholarships, it allows them to reflect on their community service. As I filled out the application I felt very proud of what I’ve been doing because I put it in writing” says 2016 Finalist, Graciela Botello.
“Many of our applicants don’t think they are qualified for the Award,” says Youthlinc Local Service Director, Jerika Mays. “They often need a teacher or a service supervisor to encourage them to apply.”
Over the past twelve years, nearly 1,000 students have applied for the Award. Each young person has had a unique area of focus in helping others. Past winners of the award have volunteered mentoring youth, empowering refugees and immigrants, fighting for social equality, or simply spreading small acts of kindness.
Youthlinc is now accepting applications for the 2017 Youthlinc Utah Young Humanitarian Award.
Application deadline: Wednesday, March 15, 2017
To apply: Visit www.youthlinc.org and click on Young Humanitarian Award slider
The Award is open to high school juniors and seniors and full-time undergraduate students in the state of Utah. Graduate students are not eligible for this Award.
We are grateful for the George S. & Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, Robert D. Kent Jr. Trust, and Shaun & Annette Michel for sponsoring this Award.
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SARAH DARLING
EXCLUSIVELY STREAMS NEW ALBUM
DREAM COUNTRY
WITH POPDUST
LISTEN HERE
ALBUM OFFICIALLY OUT TOMORROW
"WHERE COWBOYS RIDE" FEATURED ON THE BOOT
VIDEO FOR "HALLEY'S COMET" PREMIERED BY
THE HUFFINGTON POST
February 9, 2017 - Nashville, TN - Singer-songwriter, Sarah Darling, is streaming her new album, Dream Country, exclusively today via Popdust. Listen HERE. Dream Country, which officially drops tomorrow, is the long-awaited follow-up to 2012's Home To Me EP. "This has been an opportunity to make a record with everything I've ever imagined, top to bottom", Darling explains. "It has made me quite attached to the songs and the experiences I had in the studio. It was pure magic." Fans can now pre-order the new album here: http://found.ee/SDdreamcountry.
Dream Country is an album for the optimist and dreamer, as Darling describes. Leading up to the release, the singer-songwriter unveiled a series of singles, including "Halley's Comet", which was praised as "another in a series of bright, shining moments for the humble but talented singer-songwriter" by The Huffington Post, and "Where Cowboys Ride", which was named an Editor's Pick by The Boot.
Sarah Darling is an American country music singer and songwriter based out of Nashville, Tennessee. After making her name known to the public in 2003 as a top-three finalist on E! Network reality show, The Entertainer, Darling went on to release two successful full-length albums, including Every Monday Morning and Something to Do With Your Hands, which featured popular singles like "Whenever It Rains" and "Something to Do With Your Hands".
In August 2012, Darling then released her Home To Me EP. The lead single/title track was released to digital retailers after being previously featured on Sirius XM's The Highway, and sold over 8,000 copies in the first week of release, becoming the top selling digital single from a new female artist since May 2011.
Over the total span of her career, Darling has reached over a half-million downloads worldwide and landed two #1 videos on CMT and GAC, in addition to appearances on TBS' CONAN, FOX & Friends, HLN Morning Express with Robin Meade, ABC's The Bachelor, Better TV and more. On top of this, her dream of playing the Grand Ole Opry came to pass in February 2011, when she made her debut. Since then, Darling has been a frequent visitor to the Opry stage.
Darling is now preparing for the release of Dream Country. From wishing on wandering stars, to never giving up, the new material captures the spirit of the ones who love to dream. Sarah Darling is sure to take you on whimsical ride through songs about stars, and when cowboys used to ride away into the West, with her new sound that she calls Dream Country.
For more information please visit:
Website: http://found.ee/SDwebsite
Facebook: http://found.ee/SDfacebook
Twitter: http://found.ee/SDtwitter
Instagram: http://found.ee/SDinstagram
YouTube: http://found.ee/SDyoutube
Dream Country (out 2/10)
1. Wandering Star
2. Where Cowboys Ride
3. Anchor
4. Tell That Devil
5. Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want
6. Starry Eyes
7. Montmatre
8. Halley's Comet
9. You Take Me All The Way
10. Stargazer
