| OCR Text |
Show Review New Utah - Thursday, April 29, 2004 - Page 2 Pleasant Grove ReviewLindon Opinion Trees are a lasting legacy Tomorrow marks the federally-designated Arbor Day, though when it's actually observed across the country varies according to the best ' tree-planting time for the local climate. Now a holiday in many countries, coun-tries, this tradition got started in Nebraska with Detroit transplant trans-plant Julius Sterling Morton (1832-1902), a journalist and . later politician who thought his adopted state could benefit from the widescale planting of trees. At first he simply urged this course of action personally among his neighbors and in the columns of his newspaper, but he had a chance to apply his idea on a bigger scale once he became a member of Nebraska's state board of agriculture. The first Arbor Day took place April 10, 1872, and it's estimated that more than a million mil-lion trees were planted in the state that day. It was later designated des-ignated a state holiday in 1885, and the observance soon spread to neighboring states as well. When Morton became Secretary Secre-tary of Agriculture for President Presi-dent Grover Cleveland, Arbor Day was adopted across the country along with many of the improvements in agricultural techniques that he advocated. President Richard Nixon officially offi-cially designated the last Friday Fri-day in April as National Arbor Day in 1970. Similar celebrations celebra-tions are now held in at least Australia, Japan, Israel, Korea, Yugoslavia, Iceland and India. Morton was proud of the success suc-cess of Arbor Day and is reported report-ed to have said that "Other holidays hol-idays repose upon the past. Arbor Day proposes for the future." He had another idea which deserves consideration as well. He thought trees were much superior to cold marble as a memorial to persons or events. "How much more enduring are the animated trees of our own planting?" he asked. This is the appropriate time for local homeowners, service groups and government entities to improve our communities through the addition of trees. A great deal of research is now available in the state about which trees will do best in this climate without overdrawing on scarce water resources. This information should be consulted by anyone contemplating adding a tree to the landscape. We encourage everyone with the means and the space to add a tree to the community this year as a lasting legacy for future generations. , Little tuba boy My reasons for joining the junior jun-ior high band can be summarized in one word: Ringo. Ringo Starr, the Beatles drummer, drum-mer, was cool. He looked cool. He talked cool. He played the drums cool. And since few things in the world are cooler to a 7th grader than being cool, signing up to play the drums in the school band seemed like a pretty easy call. Until I actually had to play the drums. Looking back, I should have realized I was going to have problems with an instrument that required hand-eye coordination. coordina-tion. I hadn't had a hit in three years of Little League baseball. My 7-year-old nephew regularly beat me in Tiddley Winks. My Scoutmaster had to have stitches after trying to teach me how to whittle. And at age 12 I already held the all-time record for consecutive consecu-tive losses at Pong - and the computer game hadn't even been invented yet. So it really wasn't a big surprise sur-prise when, after only a couple of practice sessions, Ron (or was it Don?) could lay down a perfectly crisp and clean ratta-tatta-tatta-tat on the snare drum, while I could only muster a muffled fum-bley-fumble-fuddah-fum. Somewhere in Liverpool Ringo cringed. In my view, the problem was my band director, Mr. Gibson. I tried to explain to him that I was sensational at home drumming along to Beatles songs with Mom's big wooden spoons (I also played a mean electric guitar on Mom's broom, but I didn't mention men-tion that). But Mr. Gibson insisted that I use the official Ludwig drumsticks drum-sticks and the new snare drum that the school had purchased. He wouldn't even let me demonstrate demon-strate my proficiency with the spoons. Instead he moved me to the bass drum, where the stick was bigger and the drum strokes less demanding. Then we tried the cymbals. Then the tambourine. Then the tympani. Then there was a frightening experiment with the V glockenspiel that we'd all like to forget. It was getting ugly. And definitely defi-nitely uncool. Then one day Mr. Gibson asked me to stay after band class. "Joe," he said, "I've got a problem." prob-lem." "Yeah," I said. "I know. But I'm trying. If you'd just let me bring those spoons . ." "Wait a second," he said, holding hold-ing up his hands. "You're not the problem. But I think you just might be the solution." "Me?" I asked. "The solution? To what?" "Have you been listening to our band?" he asked. "Can you tell me what's missing?" I thought for a second. "Uh . . talent?" I guessed. "No," he said, chuckling. "We've got lots of talent. But we're missing an important part of the sound - the bass part. "That's the foundation of any band, and we don't have it. We've got trombones and a bassoon and a bass clarinet, and they're doing the best they can. But we need that low, brassy bass sound that only a tuba can make. And we need you to make it." "I don't have a tuba," I said, fumbling for excuses. I mean, tubas aren't cool, are they? "I do," he said. "And I'll be happy to teach you how to play it. You'll love it. Playing the tuba is cool! And you'll really help the band." How could I say "no" to that? Especially the "cool" part. And you know what? It turned out that playing the tuba WAS pretty cool. In fact, two years later I was marching down Main Street U.S.A. in Disneyland with a terrific high school band, having hav-ing the time of my young life because a good teacher refused to give up on me and kept trying to find a way for me to be successful. suc-cessful. And how cool is that? What is Redevelopment? One of the most frequently asked economic development questions is also the most frequently fre-quently misunderstood economic development topic: "What is redevelopment rede-velopment or RDA"? This week we'll cover the topic in question and answer format: Question: What does RDA stand for and what is it? Answer: RDA stands for redevelopment rede-velopment agency and its cousin EDA is economic development agency. Redevelopment is a process which uses anticipated future property tax revenues to benefit the area which generates them. Q: Who controls RDA's? A: Redevelopment agencies operate under Utah State law, but are directly controlled by a taxing agency committee. This committee, commit-tee, sometimes referred to as the "Mother May I Committee" is composed of representatives from the various government agencies which receive property taxes, namely: City, county, state schools, local school district, water agencies and other munici- pal organizations. Q: Business visitors to Utah don't use the word "RDA," but instead they say "TIF." What is that? A: The practice of using future property tax revenues is commonly common-ly called tax increment financing or TIF in other states. The practice prac-tice of tax increment financing in Utah is usually referred to as RDA or EDA. Q: What's the difference between RDA and EDA? A: Redevelopment areas include a common characteristic of blight and its removal. They also include the power of eminent domain or condemnation of property. prop-erty. EDA's are not established for blight removal nor do they include the power of eminent domain. Q: How does TIF or RDA work? A: In simple terms, RDA could be cpmnarpH with 10 COWS uA. more cows. He b0l : J """ new cow is secured by the the milk produced J!! COWS. ' In RDA practi established which J ment or redevelop, taxes current.1,, v.-. 01 area continue to fljf cies receiving th taxes above andbe rent tax revenue lev ,! ed to the area itself f,1 of years to pay fw merits to the area attract new business increased revenues In very simple" how it works. Vote: Paul Blanch Economic Develop tant I Director to p. City. Inquiries co, city's economic deueL gram can be senttohk-ant senttohk-ant Grove City Hall,C 608-1557 or via e-mail nessalliancemsn.con ' i BY ; Earl grove tfeighb Inward test. 1 On ' jpet an Lria fo tation i ! Last drough lir ch he Reader's Forum I UtaJ urday as the candid June 2 inatior The to-the- Show support for troops Editor: I invite everyone to show support for our troops, their families and veterans by recognizing and celebrating "loyalty day" this Saturday, May 1. Loyalty Day began in 1921. On May 1, 1930, 10,000 VFW members promoted Patriotism with a rally at New York's Union Square. In 1950, more than five million mil-lion people across Ameri ca held rallies. In New York that year more than 100,000 people rallied ral-lied for America. In 1958 Congress enacted Public Law 529 proclaiming "loyalty day" a permanent perma-nent fixture on the nation's calendar. May we all pause a 'ilvamfii !iijr- (ifimrniinitfts moment and rt-Count; the freedom T legisla today, and ihjhe ho' military forces:': islativi ing freedom r one coi courage, sacr: yentioi devotion to durr ' Afte Preside, tefc eransoffetopwi he doe ALPINE The Alpine City Planning Commission Com-mission has delayed preliminary approval for the Whispering Pines Senior Housing Development. Commission Com-mission members said there are still a few issues to be worked out by the developer before the project can move forward. Architectural designs, water rights issues, landscaping land-scaping designs, and homeowner regulations need to be finalized before the five-unit development can be approved. The Alpine City Council was scheduled to review the proposed project at its meeting on April 27 to allow its members to learn more about the project and provide city input to the developer. The informational review is intended to make the approval process move as quickly as possible. AMERICAN FORK American Fork High School will present "The Music Man" starting Thursday, April 29, and continuing April 30, May 1 , 4 and 5, at 7 p.m. at the school, 510 N. 600 East. Cast members include Nick Stone, Julianna Boulter, Griff Briem, Jen Scanlon, Rick Rea and Madison Chase. Tickets are $4 for students, $6 for adults and $25 for a family pass. AMERICAN FORK A task force has given recommendations recom-mendations to the City Council for $8 to 10 million for recreation and arts facilities the community could build. Funds could come through the state from redevelopment moneys. mon-eys. The group made a master plan, then pared down initial suggestions to expanding the fitness center to an arts and fitness center, and putting recreation facilities in parks. CEDAR FORT Second grade Cedar Valley Elementary Ele-mentary student, Chloe McKinney, is making a positive difference in her school and community by encouraging encourag-ing recycling. She and her mom, Natalie, arranged to have a paper-recycling paper-recycling bin brought to the school. The school gets $15 per ton of recyclable recy-clable paper. Anyone interested in paper recycling for school or community com-munity can call Redi-Therm at 801-972-6551 . CEDAR HILLS The Cedar Hills City Council voted April 20 to deny funds for the Miss Timpanogos Pageant, taking place this summer. Because the city is not contributing money to the Pageant, Cedar Hills girls cannot participate. CEDAR HILLS The Cedar Hills City Council voted April 20 to deny contributions to the North Utah County Junior Miss Pageant, taking place this summer. Cedar Hills girls are still welcome to participate. Participants must be going in to twelfth grade next school year. EAGLE MTN. Kevin Rocque's Pony Express Elementary fourth grade class has managed to raise enough monetary donations to have a sculpture by artist Steve Streadbeck cast in bronze. Metal Letters, on State Street in Lehi, donated the bronze letters for the monument. The unveiling of the statue will be Tuesday, Tues-day, April 27, at Pony Express Elementary, Ele-mentary, 3985 E. Smith Ranch Road. The time is yet to be announced. party, was t the elementary school in :c1?0 ga Springs area, Sarate: Guard LEHI ! ht This may be the lar .candid Cedar Fort, Saratoga SrJicans Eagle Mountain young r-a prim be. able to participate it i Lor Lehi Scholarship Pager. R-Orei an. agreement is reacfe winne: and its neighboring ton'majli sponsor the event. Nicole :e Calvic co-chair with Diane Da'seat 1 eant, said that the sctesr' gram committee has ate girls' to participate in the " Re 'r Pageant if she was a v p' alumnus of Lehi High Sr::, eeP more than $7,000 inLetu'j paid towards the progrf become an issue of mo"5; pageant's bylaws defining TV. participate may soon be": unless Lehi's neighboring: Lehi City can reach an a:' co-sponsor the event. LEHI The annual Miss Contest is scheduled things huge torn 1 ';.Cox, the Covote Creek Recep" rmi. 8194 N. Sagehill Drive. L- g HIGHLAND Elizabeth Luntz, a frequent City wvji.ii mra nice, leau bevtJiai lei- 0 13' IN. oayc - ,.e sp ters from Highland residents to the Contest will begin at H - allows City Council on April 20 in favor of interviews, followed tyf:, A , recycling. She was asked to present pres-ent her ideas to council member p.m. Anyone interest inn needs to contact "3 . 7CR.S.-:i , nmna Anderson, " .imotc II I ICl VICVYJi , A J tions, impromptu spe be al modeling at noon. "".'study invited to attend this pad J;.newd test and stay for the ho er an, portion of the conw-wm , W IOC; .ship, i Anrlorcnn. I00'''.' UUIIIId nnuvw--. - John and Lacy Lewis, extra SARATOGA SPRING repor, . hroakino; the n wspapers ana a aruunu-u' - r free speech rinhts took dace April 1 5 ai ' ; juch the new elementary sc , none aa Shores Elerer ui, located at 1415 S. : parft"rr in time for the ... ...:.u .hd ra ew'"" "fjn ar, Willi U' - M: Steve King. Later in the meeting Luntz chastised the council for not allowing editorial comments in the city's newsletter or allow open discussions dis-cussions on the city's Web site. "You are obstructing my civil rights by not allowing free speech," she said. Mayor Jess Adamson advised her to write a letter to the editor in any of the area's newspapers and exercise ner free s there. HIGHLAND The Highland City Council voted to submit an application for a federal feder-al grant to construct a trail in the foothills. The trail in question will be extended up the hill from an underpass under-pass on SR 92 by the mouth of the canyon. , ' Z trailers for omd temporary trailer s StudentS.MSL tes WOUld De DUseu - 1q LEHI New schools under construction in the Lehi area were given a name by members of the Alpine School District board of education at their April 13 meeting. The new junior high school being built in west Lehi will be Willowcreek Middle School while the elementary in the Eagle Mountain area is Eagle Valley, and At the Saratoga f,, Council meeting, w t Tim Parker PelZ who was the Plan chair and is moving 'c na, a plaque avera city. Moore said ne state lor w - the council he w years ,ould' level, He |
