Ryan Shupe and Rubberband announces local Concerts

Nationwide country sensation, Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband is performing 8 p.m. Fri. Aug 5^th at the Sandy Amphitheater, located at 1300 East 9400 South in Sandy. Since his recent alignment with Capitol Records, he is not able to perform in the State of Utah as much as he used to. For tickets call (801) 568-2787.

Shupe noted, "We would like to thank everyone who has visited CMT.com to view our new video, "Dream Big."The response we've received from fans about this song has been tremendous."
Their video can be seen online at http://www.cmt.com . Shupe indicates that the more it is viewed online, the more it will be aired on television.

Their next Utah performance will be Sept. 23 at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi. For the full list of tour dates and details, visit their website at http:///www.shupe.net

Handgun Basics for Women Taught at Aug. 6 Clinic

Women interested in learning fundamentals of handgun shooting are invited to sign up for a Women's Handgun Basics Clinic scheduled Aug. 6, from noon to 5 p.m., at the Lee Kay Public Shooting Range, located at 6000 W. 2100 S. in Salt Lake City. The clinic is being offered by the Division of Wildlife Resources' Becoming an Outdoors Woman program.

Certified National Rifle Association and DWR volunteer Terry Tate will instruct women on handgun safety and shooting fundamentals. Participants will be introduced to and given the opportunity to shoot a variety of handguns.

The clinic cost is $20 and includes instruction, class materials, range fees, eye and ear protection, use of firearms, handgun safety certification and refreshments. Participants who receive prior permission from BOW Coordinator Nancy Hoff may bring their own guns and ammunition. Also, participants wishing to obtain their concealed-carry permit may do so for an extra fee and with prior approval from Hoff.

For more information or to sign up, contact Hoff at (801)560-9605 or e-mail her at NancyHoff@utah.gov

Antlerless Hunting Permits Not Available at Web Site

Despite what the 2005 Utah Antlerless Addendum says, antlerless big game hunting permits will not be available at the Division of Wildlife Resources' Web site this year. Judi Tutorow, wildlife licensing coordinator for the DWR, commented, "We're working to make all of our hunting permits available at our Web site, but unfortunately, we weren't able to work out the logistics needed to make antlerless permits available there this year."

Hunters can now purchase permits not taken in this year's Antlerless Draw from more than 190 hunting license agents statewide and the DWR's six offices. DWR offices open at 7:30 a.m. For more information, call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWR's Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.
Chance to Obtain a Second Elk Permit Begins Aug. 2

Elk hunters wishing to take an additional Utah animal this season may now obtain cow elk permits that were not taken in this year's Antlerless Draw. "This is a great opportunity for bull elk hunters to also take a cow elk this season," commented Judi Tutorow, wildlife licensing coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. "This opportunity also provides cow elk hunters a chance to take an additional cow elk." The following hunters may obtain a second elk permit:

* Hunters who obtained a cow elk permit in Utah's antlerless draw may obtain a second cow elk permit.

* Hunters who have obtained a bull elk or hunter's choice elk permit, but haven't obtained a cow elk permit yet, may obtain a cow elk permit.

* Hunters who haven't obtained an elk permit by Aug. 2 may obtain two cow elk permits. Hunters who do this are reminded that if they obtain two cow elk permits, they may not purchase a bull elk or hunter's choice permit this year.

Hunters who draw a cow elk permit in the antlerless draw have another option. Instead of obtaining a second cow permit, they may buy a bull elk or hunter's choice permit.
Remaining Cow Elk Permits On Sale now

Permits not taken in this year's Antlerless Draw are now available from more than 190 hunting license agents statewide and the Division of Wildlife Resources' six offices. DWR offices open at 7:30 a.m. Tutorow says hunters may have two elk permits in any of the following combinations:

* One bull elk permit and one cow elk permit;

* Two cow elk permits; or,

* One hunter's choice permit and one cow elk permit.

Hunters may NOT obtain two bull elk permits, or a bull elk and hunter's choice permit. For more information, call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWR's Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.
Nashville pays tribute to Joseph Smith with new CD

Pulling together celebrities such as award-winning songwriter Jason Deere, Diamond Rio keyboardist Dan Truman, second generation entertainer David Osmond and overnight country stars Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband, Joseph: A Nashville Tribute is rootsy, rural, and country. Other featured celebrities include Marshall Dyllon's Dan Cahoon, Highway Record's Mindy Gledhill, Little Big Town's Jimi Westbrook, and baseball legend Dale Murphy as the narrator.

This album, now in stores, presents stories of the men and women upon whose shoulders the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was built. Each song offers intimate views into the lives of such characters as Joseph, Emma (Joseph's wife), Hyrum (Joseph's brother), Porter Rockwell (Joseph's bodyguard), and the immigrants who left their homes to follow their prophet.

Deere began the album while serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1989 and eventually teamed up with Truman years later. Together they finished what Deere had begun 16 years previous. "This project was motivated by so much more than the other music we have worked on in our careers," Truman commented.

"This seemed to matter to us," Deere added. "My desire for this project has always been for us to see these main characters without judgment, with all due respect, and with the utmost appreciation for their sacrifice and endurance. When I began to see them this way, I began to love them. This is our purpose. This is our testimony."

Boaters reminded to wear Life Jackets

In light of two recent boating fatalities, Utah State Parks and Recreation boating officials strongly encourage the use of life jackets. "Of the five boating accident drowning victims in Utah this year, all were over age 13 and were not wearing life jackets. A life jacket could have made a difference," said Utah State Parks Boating Education Specialist Richard Droesbeke.

All vessels on Utah's lakes, reservoirs and rivers must carry a wearable, Type I, II or III, properly sized U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket for each person on board. A U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket must be worn by those under age 13, anyone boating on a river, anyone on a personal watercraft (PWC), and anyone being towed behind a boat.

A vessel is any type of watercraft used as a means of transportation on water, which includes canoes, kayaks, float tubes, inner tubes, kick boats, rubber rafts and many inflatable toys.
"While Utah law requires children under 13 to wear a properly sized life jacket when on a boat, it is a safe and smart practice for everyone to wear a life jacket," added Droesbeke.

Utah and national boating accident statistics over the past five to six years indicate that approximately 75 to 80 percent of the people who have drowned from a boating accident would have likely survived had they been doing one thing -- wearing a life jacket.
Utah Combined Trails Meeting Scheduled

A meeting of the Utah Combined Trails Council (UCTC) awaits Tues., Aug. 9 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in conference room 1060 of the Department of Natural Resources, located at 1594 West North Temple.

UCTC is composed of motorized and non-motorized trail users who make recommendations to Utah State Parks and Recreation regarding the federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP). The RTP is a federal aid assistance program, through the Federal Highway Administration, helping city, municipal, state, and federal agencies develop and maintain recreational trails for both motorized and non-motorized use. For more information, call John Knudson, state trails program coordinator, at (801) 538-7344.

In compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, persons needing auxiliary communicative aids and services for this meeting should call (801) 538-7220, giving at least three working days notice.
Temportary Closure of Eagle Beach announced at Willard Bay

Eagle Beach at Willard Bay State Park is temporarily closed Tues., Aug. 9 and Wed., Aug. 10 for a special event. This event is for pre-registered participants and requires a wristband to enter. All other areas of the park remain open to the public. For more information, call (435) 734-9494.
Boaters should be aware of summer Thunderstorms

Utah is well known for severe afternoon thunderstorms during the summer months. Provided are tips to avoid being caught in bad weather while boating:

* Obtain a weather forecast before heading out. Track changes in barometer readings- a rising barometer indicates fair weather, and a falling barometer indicates foul weather.

* Be alert to weather you can see. Developing clouds, shifting winds, and graying skies all may be indications of danger. Watch the weather to the west, the direction from which most bad weather arrives. However, be observant of weather from all directions.

* Watch for shifts in wind direction. This usually indicates an approaching weather change.

* Listen for distant thunder. Watch for lightning and rough water. Remember that vessels, particularly sailboats, are vulnerable to lightning if they are not grounded.

* For the safety of all on board, return to the launch ramp, marina, shore, or another safe area before the onset of severe weather conditions.

If you are on the water during severe weather, here is what you should do:

* Have everyone on board put on a personal flotation device (PFD). Utah law requires children under the age of thirteen to wear a properly sized PFD at all times when on a boat, however, it is a safe and smart practice for everyone, including adults, to wear a PFD.

* Close all hatches, windows, etc. to reduce the chances of swamping. Remember, smaller boats and vessels with low freeboard have a higher risk of taking on water and swamping than other larger vessels.

* Locate the bailing bucket. Be prepared to remove any water by bailing if needed.

* Operate the boat at a reduced speed, but keep enough power to maintain headway and steering. Head into the waves at a 45-degree angle. Personal watercraft should head directly into the waves.

* Head for the nearest shore that is safe to approach. Depending upon boat size and type, it may be best to ride out the storm in open water rather than trying to approach a shore in heavy wind and waves.

* If the engine stops, drop an anchor from the bow of the boat, not the stern, to ride the storm out. Without power, most motorboats will turn with the stern facing into the wind and waves. Boats can be easily swamped by taking waves over the stern.
Photos on Display at Antelope Island

Antelope Island State Park , near Syracuse is presenting an Art Exhibit: John D. Van Natter displays his landscape photographs at the visitor center art gallery through Sept. 30. This collection features Antelope Island, Goblin Valley, Dead Horse Point, Snow Canyon, and Kodachrome Basin state parks, as well as Utah's national parks and the Wasatch Mountains. To learn more about John D. Van Natter and his artwork, visit http://www.slicesoflight.com . For more information, call (801) 725-9263.