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Show Volume XXX Issue VIII The Ogden Valley News Page 3 February 1, 2023 Editor’s View Let’s All Do Our Part to Care for Ogden Valley and Her Dark Skies Last week as I drove into Eden after dark, I was taken aback by the amount of light pollution glaringly illuminating this end of the Valley. It seems I’ve been holed up after dark too much this long, stormy winter. When you drive into the Valley after dark day after day, month after month, year after year, perhaps the addition of a few new lights here, a few more there, week after week, the gradual increase isn’t so alarming—much like the antidotal frog placed in cold water in a pot on the stove where the water warms so gradually, the frog, unable to notice the gently rising temperatures, unalarmed, slowly cooks to death instead of jumping out of the pot while he still has a chance. As I completed my last leg from around Pineview Reservoir, making the final approach to the four-way stop at Valley Market, there were Christmas/resort lights everywhere! They were adorning long fence lines, trees, property lines, and rooftops. The hillside, looking up toward Wolf Creek… nothing but a blanket of light. Condo lights, house lights, flood lights, more Christmas lights. Lights, lights, lights. It’s all that welcomed me back home—gaudy, tacky, brash, loud commercial lighting, and tawdry commercial condo lights. No majestic, magnificent Milky Way, no noble Big Dipper, no stately Orion, no stunning Jupiter. Sad. Why do humans continue to think that cheap manmade commercial creations can outshine and compare with what Mother Nature has to offer? Really? You would trade the beauty and wonder of God’s creations for garish manmade materialism? It’s like comparing nature’s imperial jewels with cheap plastic costume jewelry and trinkets. On darkskyparks.org, we read, “We are creatures of light, but in recent centuries our technology has enabled us to push back the frontier of darkness…. We tend to forget, however, that ecosystems and wild species operate 24 hours each day, seven days each week. They have evolved to cope with, depend on, and take advantage of natural darkness. A night sky without artificial light is therefore vital to the proper functioning of natural ecosystems. Artificial lighting affects species migration patterns, predator-prey relationships, and the circadian rhythms of many organisms, to name just a few of the consequences of light pollution…. “There are at least ten reasons to reduce light pollution and to protect a natural night sky. They go beyond nature conservation to touch upon urban design and sustainable development policies. • To preserve the ecological integrity of natural environments. • To ensure the full enjoyment of a wilderness experience. • To appreciate the integrity, character and beauty of rural landscapes. • To protect and present the authenticity of cultural sites (tangible heritage). • To help preserve cultural practices and ceremonies related to the night sky. • To help preserve the intangible heritage that relates to mythology, traditional navigation and cultural heritage related to the night sky. • The protect human health, both medical and psychological. • To contribute to energy efficiency. • To benefit scientific and amateur astronomy (starlight tourism) and the right for all people to enjoy a clear, unpolluted night sky. • To improve personal security through nonglare lighting in urban areas.” Let’s all make a concerted effort to clean up, wipe off, and de-clad this cheaply dressed and adorned, prostituted Valley so we can once again enjoy her true, shining natural beauty? Please… take down the glitzy, cheap lights wrapped around your trees, strewn along your fences, hung along your rooflines. Turn off the lights when you’re not using them—both inside and out. Change out your high-wattage bulbs for softer, low-wattage bulbs. Make sure outside lights are shielded and directed downward. North Fork Park is an internationally recognized dark sky park. Let’s make sure we don’t jeopardize the park by continuing to increase light pollution in Ogden Valley. As guests living here, we all have a responsibility to do what’s best for the community. Light pollution isn’t good for North Fork Park. Light pollution isn’t good for the mental and physical health of humans. And light pollution isn’t good for the environment and the wildlife it continues to struggle to support—primarily, ungrateful, ill-mannered, and impolite human guests who keep leaving the lights on! Let’s all take inventory and see what we can do to better care for this beautiful valley and her grand dark skies, which we all love. Please turn off the lights…. Power Pole in Ogden Canyon Replaced After Breaking According to eyewitnesses, a semi pulled into the Alaskan Inn parking lot January 9, 2023 and hit a power pole. The parking lot pole was connected by power lines to the pole at the south side of Highway 39 in Ogden Canyon. Apparently, the tug of power lines from the parking lot pole was enough to snap the roadside pole, causing it to break and lean precariously over the primary access road leading in and out of Ogden Valley. Crews worked to replace the pole and restore power to the area. Photo by Stephanie Allen Wimmer. Photo by Cheryl Messer. VALENTINE’S LUNCH AT THE YURT February 11th 11 am - 2 pm, $25/person Lunch, drinks & dessert included. 2-Mile hike/bike/ski to the new Cutler Creek Yurt. Limited tickets available for purchase until Feb 9th. For more information visit ogdennordic.com All proceeds go to Ogden Nordic Valley Elementary Kindergarten Registration for 2023-2024 School Year Once again, it is time for “Kindergarten Round Up” at Valley Elementary. This is for all children who will be 5 years old before September 1, 2023. If your child qualifies, you can find the registration paperwork online at “Valley. wsd.net.” Registration paperwork needs to be returned to Valley Elementary as soon as possible. Also, the school needs the student’s official birth certificate, immunization record, and a copy of Verification of Residency. A “Meet and Greet,” where new kindergartners can meet their teachers, will be held Wednesday, April 19 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at the school. The staff at Valley Elementary looks forward to serving your child in the upcoming year “Where Children Come First.” For additional information, contact Valley Elementary staff at 801-452-4180. ----- Public Notice of Vacancy for Ogden Valley ----Transmitter & Recreation Special Service District Notice is hereby given that applications are being accepted by the Weber County Commission to fill (1) position on the Ogden Valley Transmitter and Recreation Special Service District Board (Ogden Valley TV Board). The board is responsible for providing over-the-air television broadcast to Ogden Valley residents. Applicants shall be registered voters within District boundaries and a resident within the District. One of the board positions will be filled by the recommendation of the Huntsville Town Board. Applications can be requested by contacting the Weber County Commission Office, 2380 Washington Blvd., Suite 360, Ogden, UT 84401, 801-399-8403. Applications will be accepted at the Weber County Commission Office through February 25, 2023. Board appointments will be made subsequent to the deadline at a public meeting of the Weber County Commission. Huntsville Winter Carnival Slated for February 4 2021 Huntsville Carnival photos by Sam Crump. The Huntsville Winter Carnival is happening again on Saturday, February 4, weather permitting. After last year’s incredible participation, we’re looking forward to seeing you all compete in your favorite events once again— regardless of age or skill level. Events will include speed and figure skating, barrel jumping, snow sculpting, cross country skiing, the return of the bare-skin belly slide, and, new this year, a three-on-three hockey tournament after the main festivities have concluded. And, for those not feeling athletically inclined, please come to cheer on friends and neighbors and warm participants’ hearts during their daring feats of frozen fortitude! The event will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Huntsville Park. Register early, dress appropriately, come hungry, and be prepared to smile because we’ll have food, hot cocoa, and competitions for everyone! Sign up using either the QR code or at huntsvilletown.com. Hope to see you there! |