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Show Rehearsals are intense It's time to be an angel for kids Weve already been getting calls. This time of year, the kind of calls were talking about are from Davis County parents concerned about providing Christmas for their kids. And its not e easy for them to ask for assistance. We hear the in their oices but they're worried that they wont be able to do enough for their children to make Christmas memorable. Sometimes we think that everything's fine in Davis County. But officials tell us that 8 of the county's residents live in poverty That translates into nearly 20.000 needy people in Davis County alone. So there are plenty of people who could use a little help this Christmas We get these calls, hesi-tanc- because each year the Clipper and Clipper Today sponsor the Santa's Helpers program that brings community volunteers together with parents of deserving children. And we can't do it without you. The support from generous people all around the county makes this program work. It always amazes us how many of you are willing to make a little extra sacrifice to help someone in need. Like those needing help, we hear the concern in your voices when you call. Your concern is that there may be a child out there who won't get a Christmas unless someone steps forward. Many of the people who call are of average means who simply have a big heart. Sometimes people call us, worried that they dont have the funds to really help someone but they call anyway because they care. Tb all of you who' have have called us m years past and who have made the effort to help a little child, we are truly thankful. First, we usually hear from families in need. And sometimes it doesn't seem possible for us to find help for all those we'd like to assist. But as Christmas draws near, the number of people calling to offer help grows, and miraculously we seem to be able to match needy families with volunteers to be Santa's I Ielpers. Its nerve wracking for us, but we are greatly relieved when we can get everyone taken care of. And that's why we need your help again this year. We will be receiving calls from many families in the coming weeks. We won't be able to assure them that everything will be OK unless we have enough calls from businesses and individual volunteers in order to make a match. We are, therefore, looking for your help once more. If you can be of assistance, please call us at There are no special qualifications. All you need is a 295-225- 1. big heart , Inside Davis A few weeks ago. I mentioned that we would soon be adding a new feature called Inside Davis. The purpose is to spend more time on a story than we normally would so that our reporters can delve more deeply into a particular topic Our goal is to get deep inside an issue to tell the story from a very personal, human perspective. If we do the job right you'll understand a lot more about w hat really goes on in the lives of people here in Davis County The stories will be more personal, more penetrating; we hope you'll understand the people and what takes place in their lives a lot better. The topics will be eclectic One month, the stories may be about the personal lives of children caught in a web of child abuse and what the trauma means in their fives. The next month, the story may be of heroic efforts by Davis County people during their work day such as police and emergency crews. The first two parts of this monthly series have been identified and will be published in November and December. We'U tell you more about the topics as we get closet; but I wanted to give you a little progress report on where we are with this new feature Utah Spirit A few months ago, we announced that the Clipper had begun publishing Utah Spirit, a statewide magazine geared toward the growing 50 market. We're now past our fourth issue and it's been an interesting transition for our staff to focus on things happening throughout the state rather than just Davis County. Weve been getting reports back from our distribution company that circulates close to 40,000 copies to more than 650 locations from St. George to Logan, and we've been pleased at what theyve told us. Our first issue featuring Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch on the had a higher pickup rate than those of the cover preceding months when it was published by an company. What's more, we seem to be averaging in excess of a 95 pickup rate for the past three months. And for some issues, of the nearly 40.000 copies printed, there were only a few dozen copies left throughout the whole state. So we've been pretty pleased with the response so far. If any of you would like to receive a copy of the magazine and haven't been able to find it, you are welcome to drop by our Gipper offices both in Bountiful and in Layton and pick one up. We keep a few extras in our front offices, and you are welcome to take one. :opy during the lastfezv weeks before the opening of a new hit version of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol ABOVE. DIRECTOR TAMARA ADAMS (in green at edge of stage) works out a scene with actors (from left) Ron Gla'rttli (Bob Cratchit), Carolyn Stevens (Mrs. Cratchrt), and Spencer Forsey (Tiny Tim). At left, the chorus rehearses the opening number, "Jolly Good Time Tonight" for "A Christmas Carol" at Centerville's Rodgers' Memorial Theatre. Story and photos by Kim Madsat God bless us, everyoneT says Tiny Tim in the closing scene of Dickens tale, A Christmas Carol.- The same thought is on everyone's mind at Rodgers Memorial Theatre in Centerville, as rehearsal schedules escalate, cosand production crews gear up tume designers sew non-stofor a Thanksgiving weekend regional premier of a based on the Dickens classic Written in 1994 and debuting at the Paramount Theater p, l at Madison Square Garden, this version of A Christmas Carol has become a favorite with New York audiences. With music by Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast. Aladdin. The Hunchback of Notre Dame) and lyncs by Lynn Ahrens (Once on this Island, Ragtime, Anastasia), it's like a Christmas Joseph according to Glenn McKay, an RMT Board of Trustees member. music of People who love the energy and non-sto- p Santa's Helpers are true angels for Davis kids at Christmas Fmm SSms Davis County Emergency Services falls under the direction of the Davis County Sheriff's Office. The Davis County Emergency Services Director is Captain Anderson. He is assisted in his responsibilities by the Emergency Services Coordinator, Deputy Brian Law The primary functions of county emergency services personnel are to plan and prepare for disasters that may occur in or affect the county and to act as a liaison between each of the cities in the county and the State Division of comprehensive Emergency Management. To accomplish these functions, both the director and coordinator have attended many training sessions in emergency management at the state and federal levels. Examples of these classes are Emergency Management Training. Disaster Recovery Resource Management. Mass Fatalities Incident Hazardous Management, Materials Contingency Planning and Public Information Officer Training. With this training, the county Plan and Emergency Operations , Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' will love Madison Square Garden's A Christmas Carol; said McKay d and told compointing out the shows are both pletely through song. And both have a heart a message that is uplifting according to Marilyn Montgomery choreographer for A Christmas Carol." and regionally renowned for her popular v ersion of Joseph. We are very lucky that Dave Checketts (President of Madison Square Garden) has been our advocate and done all that he has to give us the opportunity to stage this work. said McKay. It was a long process, since the work was still being revised in New ork. Last season. RMT thought they would be able to produce the show, but difficulties in obtaining scripts and scores delayed the premier until this season. In New York, the show is staged in a venue with a stage the size of a football field and a cast of 90. Here in fast-pace- Once again, the Davis County Clipper and Clipper Today are sponsoring their annual Santa's Helpers program. Davis County residents willing to help needy children have a Merry Christmas are urged to call the Clipper offices at 295-225- 1. Those wishing to help will be matched with a family that has come to our attention, either through direct contact or via referral from local organizations. The object is to provide gifts and clothing for children who otherwise wouldn't receive much on Christmas morning. Already, the Clipper has received numerous calls requesting assistance, so Santa's Helpers are needed to ensure that these needs are covered. Those who don't have the time or ability to provide Christmas presents directly may also participate by donaUng funds or gifts in kind. As in Centerville, directors John and Tamara Adams have tnmmed the cast to around 40 including adults and children. All shows at RMT are double cast That means many of the actors play more than one role, and a kit of coordination m costume and scenic design is necessary to facilitate the many changes and fast pace. Music director Steve Smith began rehearsing the cast m September. Leslie Warwood. costume designer, created a costume construction shop on the theatre premises and has several stitchers working with him recreating period costumes. A Christmas Carol" opens at Rodgers' Memorial Theatre. 292 E. Pages Lane. Centerville, on Tndav. November 26, then plays Mondays through Saturdays unul Christmas Eve. For ticket information and show times, call 298-130- 1 past years, the Clipper and Clipper Today will see that these items reach the proper families. Each year, the help of business, civic and church organizations is key to the success of the programs, as well. Employee groups or companies themselves have offered to sponsor larger families that may be beyond the reach of individual participants. The Gipper management encourages business and civic groups of all types to participate 1. again this y ear by calling 295-22-5 Individuals are needed to participate in the program even if they don't have large amounts of extra funds. Arrangements can be made for assisting smaller families with more modest needs, so everyone's contribution is welcome. Sign up to be a Santa's llelper youll really be someone's angel" on Gmstmas morning Preparing for the worst Hazardous Materials paredness. flooding, avalanche safety household Operations Plan have both been developed. These plans hazards, hazardous materihave been distributed to als. family disaster planning. each city to county officials, kits, and others. and the state. It is the responThese pamphlets and videos are available to the public sibility of the County Services Both the director and Emergency Coordinator to yearly review coordinator are involved in and update these plans. numerous committees and Providing information to organizations which prothe public and preparing for mote emergency planning disasters takes up a great and preparedness. Some of deal of the time and effort these are the Davis County Fire Officers expended by these personMeeting. I CERT I nel. Utah programs, Numerous requests are Seismic Safety Council meetreceived weekly for informa- BUD E. COX, ings. the Davis County Local tion on emergency prepared- Davis County Sheriff Emergency Planning ness. Many also request Committee. Hazardous Materials Training, state and county Y2K speakers for emergency preparedness seminars and fairs. These speaking assignments preparedness groups and many others. are generally carried out by the coordinator. They are also involved in planning and They have many brochures, pamphlets conducting exercises for emergency responand videos on a variety of emergency preders, such as the exercise at Chevron Refinery last fall. Two other exer paredness subjects such as earthquake pre 72-ho- full-sca- ases are planned this year in South Weber and Syracuse. Responsibilities with the Davis County LEPC (Local Emergency Planning Committee) takes a significant time for Deputy Law. He is the chairman of that committee. The committee, which consists of kval emergency managers, aty and county officials. business representatives and atizens meets monthly to discuss issues relating to emergency preparedness and hazards to the community He is also responsible for hazardous materials records submitted yearly by users of specific hazardous materials in the county In addition, he coordinates any protects undertaken by the committee. This year, for example, the committee assisted in organizing and sponsoring both training and an exercise for all CL'RT trained atizens in the county on hazardous materials. Persons interested m further information should contact Deputy Brian Law at the Sheriff's office. |