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Show T9J0BM St^ Utah kitchen appliance makerLawmakers want to acquired by Illinois company reward seniors with BLUFFDALE, Utah (AP) - Back to Basics, a Utah company that makes kitchen appliances, has been acquired by the owner of the West Bend brand. Back to Basics products include an appliance that toasts bread, cooks eggs and warms sausages at the same time. The new owner is Focus Products Group of Vernon Hills, 111. "The small-appliance industry is made up of a lot of companies," Focus Products chief executive Keith Jaffee said. "But very seldom do you find a small company that has created as much excitement as Back to Basics. "Everyone looks to the company for innovation and excitement," he said. No financial details on the purchase were disclosed. Back to Basics will be combined with the West Bend Housewares division. They will operate under the name Focus Electrics Group, a unit with estimated annual revenue of $250 million. "Back to Basics really has a core competency in motor-driven products: food processors, blenders, anything with a motor," said Back to Basics chief executive Randy Hales, who will become chief executive of Focus Electrics Group. Back to Basics has'grown to 90 employees at its Bluffdale headquarters and a Salt Lake City distribution center. Three people will lose their jobs, Hales said. Brighton ski resort sold SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A Florida real estate investment trust bought one of Utah's oldest ski areas for $35 million. CNL Income Properties Inc. of Orlando, Fla., bought the Brighton Resort, but reached an agreement with Boyne USA Inc. to continue running the area at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon. CNL said it purchased the resort on Jan. 9- CNL said it reached the deal with Boyne on Jan. 9 and filed the acquisition with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday. Boyne will continue to operate the resort, its two restaurants, 20-room lodge, ski-rental facility and a small retail center. CNL also announced last week that it was buying seven theme and water parks from Six Flags Inc. Renowned architect tied to major development in Utah LEHI, Utah (AP) - High-end retail stores and a five-star hotel and convention center are in the works in Utah County as part of a major development designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, a newspaper reported. Gehry, a 1989 winner of the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize, designed the Guggenheim Museum in Spain and Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. In New York, he is designing an 18,000-seat basketball arena. The Utah project will be on 85 acres off Interstate 15 owned by software entrepreneur Brandt Andersen. "Utah is not well known for its architectural stature. Gehry will, with our help, create something that will stand as an architectural icon for our state," Andersen told the Daily Herald of Provo. Construction could begin this summer if approvals are secured, he said. The development would be near the Cabela's store in Lehi and the proposed Terrace at Traverse Mountain, Utah's largest outdoor mall, near Thanksgiving Point. "With Thanksgiving Point, Cabela's and now a Gehry-designed development, this is making Lehi a major locus of activity that no one, 15 years ago, could have imagined," said Bill Miller, professor of architecture at the University of Utah. "Small towns are places where you can do interesting buildings. And in this case, this is an interesting project by a forward-thinking developer and a world-renowned architect," Millei said. Andersen plans to announce more details about the project Friday. In 1999, he founded uSight, which develops software for small businesses. Part of the Provo company was sold to NMR Inc. of Kansas City. LAWSUIT From page 7 SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Granny in the big RV could be camping for free. Utah lawmakers are moving to give senior citizens lifetime privileges at state parks and campgrounds for a modest one-time fee under legislation modeled after similar discounts at national parks. The House approved the plan, 44-23, after much debate Thursday. Lawmakers worried about the hit in revenue to state parks. They also raised questions of fairness, noting many retirees have plenty of money. The debate briefly veered into complaints that retired couples are buying more and larger recreational vehicles that don't fit traditional camping sites, crowding out tents. And some lawmakers brought a practical analysis to the floor. "Are we aware that seniors are not going to state parks because of the cost?" asked Rep. Stephen Urqhart, R-St. George. Rep. Sheryl Allen, RBountiful, said anecdotal evidence suggests park fees, ranging from $3 to $9 a day for a carload, were keeping seniors away. Campground fees typically are $9 a night but higher for RV hookups. There's plenty of demand for a senior pass, said Rep. Glenn Donnelson, R-North Ogden. "I got four calls from my constituents wondering if we're going to do anything about this - and they all go fishing out to Willard Bay," he said. Allen would let the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation set a price for a lifetime pass for people 66 or older. Her bill doesn't specify an amount, but she suggested $35. Fiscal analysts project the state parks would lose $184,000 a year if seniors paid that amount each year for unlimited access. Allen's bill, however, calls for senior passes to be good for life for a single payment. The National Park Service offers the $10 Golden Age Passport, which grants lifetime access to federal recreation areas for U.S. citizens or permanent residents 62 or older. Others in the vehicle can benefit, too, regardless of age. REACTION From page 7 as well. When the government talked about weapons of mass destruction, she said, there was a miscommunication with the military leaders, but they "blew it out of proportion," sending the United States to war. Courtney Pace, a junior majoring in accounting, said, "I don't see why President Bush would make the effort for no reason. Obviously he thinks there is a need to send troops back in, and I trust him." Bush has the right intentions, he said. He's just trying to create peace and stop the terrorism. Lindsey said people need to understand the chaos going on in Iraq. He said there is no winning solution. "We're fighting flames by adding fuel, and it's not going to work," he said. "I feel more vulnerable now than I did four years ago." If the definition of terrorism is killing civilians, he said, then who is the bigger terrorist? There will be more needless deaths, he said. Hancey said, "If they would've left, it would've been less effective. It's OK to be on one side or the other as long as it gets resolved." It needs to be resolved quickly, he said, so it doesn't continue to cause problems. Hancy said it was a bad situation and there wasn't a perfect solution. Something needed to be done, he said. Cutler said she thinks people will look back on this and see that Bush did what he thought was best for everyone involved and he made the right decision. "The troops are there, and they know what they're fighting for," she said. Pace said the troops went in there and started to reform the government and it went awry, so our country needs to stay until there is stable reform. "Whether you agree or not, you need to support your government and whatever will ensure America's freedom," he said. ~shanmccl@cc.usu.edu From page 7 in class discussions, approach other students as friends or even attend a play or lecture if the student doesn't have access to a qualified interpreter. "If people come up and talk to me, that's what I like. Even if they only know a few signs it's good. I feel recognized," O'Hara said. She said people who are deaf know how to act but "can't function to full potential" in the hearing world without help. O'Hara recognizes the lawsuit as a way to work toward a solution of helping deaf students excel. She said she thinks a solution to the problem with USU and the isolation she and other students feel is in sight, but it's "not easy to come by." She said when USU has better skilled interpreters, deaf students will feel more comfortable approach- ing other students socially and as part of the academic world. Once the hearing and nonhearing world begin interacting, O'Hara said she thinks it will eventually reduce the dependence on interpreters and "will unite hearing and deaf." "We can work together," she said. "It's a long process, but I know it's possible." Ultimately, the question is one of discrimination, Boam said. By not providing the services deaf students need, USU is compromising their education. "I know USU really believes in diversity, but you need to meet those needs," O'Hara said. "You can't restrict that to the hearing world or American culture." -dilewis@cc.usu.edu ^Campus & Community cheap access to parks Science Council hosts UGANDA Statesman file photo TWELVE DEAF STUDENTS have filed a lawsuit against USU for discrimination because of their lack of cooperation with deaf students and their needs. Briefs own stories. We all have our own background, but we are all the same and we got to know them while working side by side." The group traveled during the winter break and marked the Christmas holiday by singing and dancing with the children from the school. Karras said she had taken candy to give to the children during their stay. "I took Tootsie Rolls and handed them out on Christmas. I felt like Santa Claus," Karras said. Grenney said they were able to provide a television and DVD player for the school children because of donations given by USU's Provost Office. The school did not have modern teaching equipment, so Grenney said he suggested supplying one, giving them the opportunity to view educational programs like "Sesame Street" and "Leap Frog" which would actively involve the children in learning letters and numbers. "The kids were awestruck when they first saw it. It was obvious immediately that programs of this type will really enhance what they are trying to do at school," Grenney said. "This was experimental. It hasn't been tried before in this area. I think it has potential." The TV and DVD player are powered by the solar panels taken by the group. Grenney said funding for their projects come from donations or from money out of their own pockets, costing $6,000 in addition to travel. Davies said, "We received a lot of help from our families, friends and the community. The government gives millions in aid, and we had just a few thousand dollars, but we were able to make a difference even to those few." While this was the last trip for many of the students, Grenney said Engineers Without Borders will continue to travel to Uganda. Grenney said there is still a lot of work to be done. All are welcome to work with Engineers Without Borders. For more information, contact the group at ewbusu@cc.usu.edu. -ariek@cc. usu.edu music competition Jot down those wicked sweet lyrics along with that crazy bad tune that's been coursing through your head and sign up for the USU Science Council's Jan. 25 "String Theory" Student Songwriting Competition. Held in conjunction with USU Science Week Jan. 22-26, the contest is open to all Utah StateUniversity students. Students who wish to enter the contest should submit a registration form and a $5 registration fee to Taggart Student Center room 326 by Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 5 p.m. The first 25 contest entrants will have the opportunity to perform their songs during the String Theory competition concert Thursday, Jan. 25, at 7 p.m. in the Taggart Student Center Evan N. Stevenson Ballroom. Additional entrants will be placed on a waiting list to replace any members of the first group who are unable to perform. Contest winners will be selected at the Jan. 25 performance by a panel of judges, using a point system based on such criteria as lyrics, technique, presentation, audience response, clarity and rhythm. The grand prize winner receives a new Fender guitar from KSM Guitars of Logan. In addition, the winner presents the opening act for visiting acoustic guitarist Nadene Zahr's performance, "Moonlight and Music," Friday, Jan. 26, at 7 p.m. in the TSC Sunburst Lounge. For complete songwriting contest rules, a registration form and further information, stop by TSC room 326. Special Olympics Polar Plunge The Special Olympics Utah Polar Plunge will be held between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. at 405 West 3oo South, Hyrum. The polar plunge is a great way for "cool people with warm hearts" to have fun and support a great cause, by dipping in the "icy" waters of Hyrum Reservoir on Saturday, Jan. 20. All plungers who register online at www.sout.org are guaranteed to receive an official "Freezin' for a Reason" long sleeve t-shirt with their pledge of $25. Participants also can win cool prizes! USU's Science Week begins on Monday USU's student-led Science Council hosts Science Week Jan. 22-26, with a variety of events for campus and community to increase awareness of scientific study and undergraduate research opportunities at the university. The week kicks off with "Science Information Day" Monday, Jan. 22, in the Sunburst Lounge of theTaggart Student Center on the USU campus. Exhibits of undergraduate research and study in biology, chemistry and biochemistry, computer science, geology, mathematics and statistics and physics will be on display from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free Aggie Ice Cream is served in the exhibit area at 1 p.m. The ever-popular Science Quiz Bowl returns TYiesday, Jan. 23, with student teams from each College of Science department participating. The competition is 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the TSC Sunburst Lounge. Following the Science Bowl, all students are invited to join the fun of "Elemental Bingo" from noon-l:30 p.m. in the TSC Sunburst Lounge. Noted physicist and writer Alan Lightman visits campus Wednesday, Jan. 24, to present the talk, "The Physicist as Novelist." Lightman's presentation is from 3-4 p.m. in the Kent Concert Hall of the Chase Fine Arts Center. That evening, "The Prestige" will be shown at 7 and 9 p-m. in the TSC Stevenson Ballroom. BYU zoologist Duane E. Jeffery offers two talks at USU on Thursday, Jan. 25. He presents "Humanoids" from 1-2 p.m., during which he will display his famous Humanoid skull collection, and "Evolution and Religion," from 3-4 p.m. Both presentations are held in the TSC Stevenson Ballroom. The Science Council hosts the "String Theory" Student Songwriting Competition Concert on Thursday, Jan. 25, at; 7 p.m. in the TSC Stevenson Ballroom, Science Week concludes Friday, Jan. 26, with a concert by acoustic guitar sensation Nadine Zahr. She performs at 7 p.m. in the TSC Sunburst Lounge. ^•Compiled from staff and media reports |