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Show \ v....«., News m A8 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2009 TSPANISH FORK Covering what matters most Halvorsen: From WINGS • A l homes in the area. Next was a flight to Berlin to participate in candy drops at Templehof Airport, in nearly the same place Halvorsen first dropped candy in July 1948. He also spoke at several events, and during the entire trip he was being filmed by film crews for a commercial documentary on the "Candy Bomber" that will be released sometime in the near future. Halvorsen then flew back to Atlanta to participate in a panel on the Airlift hosted by the German Consul General, and to again give some speeches at local schools. He finally returned to Utah on May 17. In spite of the large number of appearances he gives, Halvorsen still has fun speaking and traveling, and said he finds great enjoyment in all the varied experiences he has on his travels. "In Berlin, there was a great program given by three schools, and the kids had a choir where they sang a bunchof songs about the Airlift — one is called 'Uncle Wiggly Wings/ and there are others about the Candy Bomber too," said Halvorsen. "When I arrived, the kids were just starting to practice, so I just went over and started leading them in the song. And then at the main event, the director said, 'Now we'll have Col. Halvorsen lead the music,' so I got up and did it again. It was a sight to see, me up there waving my arms like I was conducting the music, but it was a lot of fun." Halvorsen also enjoyed the reception after the Pentagon Humanitarian Corridor dedication. "They brought out a huge cake that looked like an enormous chocolate bar, and it was hooked up to this gi- ant edible parachute with strings," says Halvorsen. "That was pretty neat. And then with Secretary Gates I got to hang up an actual parachute that was used in the Airlift. That will be part of this permanent exhibit in one of the dioramas." After his busy month, Halvorsen won't be slowing down much, having done a phone interview on May 22 with NPR News, with a planned trip backtothe Pentagon to speak at a formal dinner on June 20, 2009, and with several family weddings and other events to attend. But Halvorsen remains cheerful and excited about everything he has coming up. "I have two rooms full of mail to catch up on, and I still haven't put my garden in, so I've got to get going on that pretty quick too," Halvorsen said with a laugh. "Sure it's tiring, but it's all a lot of fun. I'm not 89 years old yet, so I keep up the pace pretty well" Courtesy photo HAMMER HANDS: Spanish Fork's Shaun Barrowes, a.k.a. Hammer Hands, will be hosting a summer concert series in Provo. Barrowes to headline summer concert series Christene Choate STAFF WRITER Amy Baum / Spanish Fork News HELP IS HERE: The "Help is Here Express" assists people in finding discounts on their prescription medications. Prescription bus brings help to local residents Amy Baum STAFF WRITER The "Help is Here Express" bus arrived at Maceys on May 22 to help those struggling to pay for their prescription medications. After a brief 10-15 minute interview, residents are then given access to information on programs that will provide them with their medications either free or at a significantly reduced cost. The Partnership for Prescription Assistance is a nationwide assistance program that is sponsored by pharmaceutical research companies. They are able to access over 475 patient assistance programs with almost 200 of them being provided by the pharmaceutical companies. So far they have helped over six "The process is very simple." - Greg Lopes million citizens in all 50 states. In Utah alone they have helped over 32,000 find out if they qualify for these programs. "The process is very simple," said Greg Lopes, spokesman for PPA. "If you feel you might qualify, or want to find out if you do, bring us a list of your current prescription medications, your current income level, your name, birth date — just some simple information. And, within about 10-15 minutes we can generate a list of all the programs you may qualify for, print out the forms- and even help you fill them out and send them in." With the nation's rising unemployment rate, many facing unforeseen job loss, and loss of medical insurance, the PPA is here to help. "We also have information on more than 10,000 free health care clinics across the nation and have helped over 277,000 patients access these clinics and healthcare providers in their neighborhood," said Lopes. The PPA's last stop in Utah was in Provo later that day; they were then off to Montana. If you missed the bus this time, you can visit their website at www.pparx, org, or call 1-888-4PPANOW, 24 hours a day. Miss Salem: From SALEM • A l Sarah Alanis is the daughter of Scott and Janet Alanis. Her platform is "Getting To Know Our Special Needs and Disabled Neighbors " and her talent is vocal. Stephanie Ann Griffiths is the daughter of Steve and Gina Griffiths. Her platform is "Lovin' The Skin You're In," and her talent is dance/vocal. Brooklyn Hansen is the daughter of Rod and Ronda Hansen. Her platform is "Promoting Financial Literacy," and her talent is dance. Sandra Vega is the daughter of Fabio Vega and Sandra Cherry. Her platform is "Promoting Involvement with Impact International," and. her talent is dance. Alyssa Stones is the daughter of Dave and Jody Stones. Her platform is, "Promoting Healthy Lifestyles to Prevent Childhood Obesity," and her talent is vocal. Minuet Anderson is the daughter of Timothy and Teresa Anderson. Her platform is "Inspiring Patriotism," and her talent is dance. Photos courtesy of Young Photography. Local musician Shaun Barrowes will be hosting a concert series in Provo every Tuesday in June, July and August from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Tahitian Noni Gardens, an outdoor venue, located at 333 Riverpark Dr, Provo. Admission is $5 for all ages. This family-friendly concert series is called "Hammer Hands LIVE Play list Concert Series," due to Barrowes' heavy-hitting piano style. The concert series will feature four artists along with Barrowes who will rotate every song creating a live playiist, allowing the audience to have more variation. Barrowes is also working on juxtaposing the concert series with some visual art, such as dancers and a big screen in the backdrop. Some of the artists featured in the concert series include: Truman, Ryan Innes, Nicole Sheahan, Michael Wine and others. For a complete weekly lineup go to www.shaunbarrowes. com. Music will range from acoustic and alternative rock to jazz, blues and folk. "I thought it would be a good idea to bring together the music community by providing everyone with a musical event that features local and touring singersong writers as well as a few selected local high school musician and dancers," said Barrowes. Barrowes has worked hard in coordinating with all the different artists as well as sponsors, promoters and some of the local high school musicians. Barrowes hopes to continue the concert series year after year. Barrowes was born in Salt Lake City and attended Spanish Fork High School, and currently lives in Provo. Barrowes has been playing music since he was six and is currently . involved in many films, TV shows, video games and! other productions in addition to the Performing Arts Center tour, European Tour and other individual performances. "I really hope that people will learn, to appreciate music and the talent these local communities are producing," said Barrowes, "With this concert series, I'd really like to shed some light on all of the talent many of us don't notice." County planners still discussing rural rezone Jeril Bills STAFF WRITER On Tuesday, May 19, 2009, the Utah County Planning Commission continued discussion on Paul Southam's proposal to have 75 acres of land near Utah Lake in the Lake S hore/Benj amin area rezoned from agricultural land to residential . Southam wishes to connect these 75 acres to a previously re-zoned 75 acres on which developer Cole Cannon plans to build. The commission did not vote on the issue at the meeting, choosing instead to continue discussion for another month. Several residents that live near the proposed development site voiced their opposition to the proposed re-zoning during the public hearing at the meeting. Among them was Lake Shore resident Kent Wetzel, who pointed out several instances in which he believes Southam *s development plans violate guidelines set forth in the Utah County Land Use Ordinance and the Utah County Developmental Plan. Among the guidelines i Wetzel mentioned is a clause stating that developments not be approved without full emergency services — Wetzel argued that the closest emergency services to the proposed development would be 10 miles away. Wetzel also cited a clause outlining priorities for the placing of developments as first inside municipalities, second in areas within annexation boundaries of a municipality, third in unincorporated communities with existing dense settlement and central water systems, and fourth in unincorporated communities with existing dense settlement and some services. Wetzel also argued that the current roads are inadequate, and voiced doubt that the county or the developer would do anything to change that.. Val Kofoed, who lives adjacent to the proposed development and is a licensed civil engineer, expressed concerns about the quality of water for those now living in the area if the land proposed for re-zoning is developed, since residents would likely have to dig deeper wells in order to get water. Kofoed explained that water quality worsens the deeper one goes to draw it out of the ground. He also argued that the county needs to work with the state to ensure that decisions such as this one agree with state guidelines and objectives. As an example, Kofoed mentioned that a development this size would need its own wastewater treatment facility, and that the state does not approve individual wastewater treatment facilities. Kofoed also expressed concern that the commission would consider approving a zone change before exhaustive research is conducted to make sure development is legal and feasible, something planning commission chair Dale Miner, Jr. said they do because developers hate to go to that expense if the project may not be re-zoned anyway. Still, Kofoed encouraged the county to "get those questions answered now before you change the zoning." The next planning com- * mission meeting is scheduled to be held at the commission chambers-on Tuesday, June 16, at 6 p.m. |