Get Ready to "Count Birds for the Record!"

Great Backyard Bird Count combines the fun of bird watching with conservation

New York, NY & Ithaca, NY, November 2006--What mid-winter activity is fun, easy, free, and helps bird conservation? What can parents and teachers do with children that connects them to a whole new world of natural wonders? This February, the tenth annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, will give everyone a chance to discover the birds in their neighborhood and "Count for the Record."

During February 16-19, 2007, people of all ages, from beginners to experts, are invited to join this event which spans all of the United States and Canada. Participants can take part wherever they are - at home, in schoolyards, at local parks or wildlife refuges. Observers simply count the highest number of each species they see during an outing or a sitting, and enter their tally on the Great Backyard Bird Count web site at http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc .

Visitors to the web site can also compare their sightings with results from other participants, as checklists pour in from throughout the U.S. and Canada. Together, these counts offer a real-time snapshot of the numbers and kinds of birds that people are finding, from Boreal Chickadees in Alaska to Anhingas in Florida.

"The Great Backyard Bird Count is a community celebration of birds, birding, and nature," said Janis Dickinson, director of Citizen Science at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. "We often fail to notice how rich our surroundings are, but counting birds, even for just 15 minutes, is not only educational--it can provide a lasting source of enjoyment, turning a daily walk into a treasure hunt."

"We are encouraging people to go outside and count birds for the first time this year," said Paul Green, Audubon's director of Citizen Science. "By submitting their counts online, birdwatchers can quickly see how the dots they put on the map form new patterns that tell new stories about the birds that share the world in which we live, including our own backyards and parks."

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the GBBC, and Audubon and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology are challenging people everywhere to "Count for the Record," by participating in greater numbers than ever before. Greater participation, with more checklists submitted, provides more information about bird population trends - and helps to better inform conservation efforts.

Last year, participants submitted more than 60,000 checklists - and reported 7.5 million birds overall and 623 different species. The count helped chronicle the early spring migratory routes of Sandhill Cranes, documented lingering migrants such as Orange-crowned Warblers and Tree Swallows, revealed the ongoing range expansion of introduced Eurasian Collared-Doves, and recorded declining numbers of American Crows.

Participants who want to hone their bird watching skills can learn more from the Great Backyard Bird Count web site, which offers identification tips and access to photos, sounds, maps, and natural history information on more than 500 bird species. People can also submit photos to an online gallery showcasing the dazzling array of winter birds found during the GBBC. Competitions add another element of fun, including a photo contest, rankings for most numerous birds, and the coveted "checklist champ" title for towns, states, and provinces with the highest participation.

The Great Backyard Bird Count is a free event, sponsored in part by Wild Birds Unlimited. For more information, visit http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc . The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a nonprofit membership institution interpreting and conserving the earth's biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds.

FOURTH OF JULY IN UTAH'S STATE PARKS

Salt Lake City - Utah State Parks and Recreation is preparing for a busy summer season. In fact, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Green River, Escalante, and Goblin Valley are already booked for Memorial Day Weekend.

Because state park reservation policy allows campers to reserve individual campsites up to 18 weeks prior to their date of departure from the park, reservation agents begin accepting reservations for the Fourth of July Weekend Thursday, March 15.

For reservations, call 1-800-322-3770 from outside the Salt Lake area or (801) 322-3770 from within Salt Lake.

"Savvy campers are booking early and reserving their perfect campsite," commented Emily Debois, reservation manager. "Due to the popularity of state park facilities, reservations are always recommended."

The Utah State Parks Reservation Center can also book group sites, pavilions, and boat slips. Agents may also recommend locations for golf tournaments, corporate outings, and family reunions.

Individual campsite reservations must be made at least two days in advance of arrival date. An $8 non-refundable reservation fee is charged for each site reserved. Group site reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance. A $10.25 non-refundable fee, along with a per/person fee, is charged for group sites and building rentals.

For more Utah State Park information, please visit http://www.stateparks.utah.gov .

CROSS-COUNTRY TRAILS CLOSE AT WASATCH MOUNTAIN, PREP FOR EARLY SEASON GOLF

Midway - Due to lack of snow and warm temperatures, cross-country ski trails at Wasatch Mountain State Park are closed for the season. Ski areas at Soldier Hollow and along Mirror Lake Highway remain open.

Because of the mild winter, park managers are hoping for an early spring opening at Wasatch Mountain and Soldier Hollow golf courses. Wasatch Mountain State Park hosts many events throughout the year, including naturalist programs and Junior Ranger activities. For more information, please call (435) 654-1791.

UTAH STATE PARKS RESERVOIR AND LAKE REPORT - FEBRUARY 12
Ice is melting at many lakes and reservoirs, please use extreme caution.

Bear Lake State Park Marina: Frozen, ice 8"
Deer Creek State Park: Frozen
East Canyon State Park: Frozen - but melting, ice 10-12"
Wide Hollow at Escalante State Park: Frozen
Great Salt Lake State Park Marina: Launch ramp open, 26 degrees
Gunlock State Park: Launch ramp open, 48 degrees
Huntington State Park: Frozen, ice 6-10"
Hyrum Lake State Park: Frozen, ice 9"
Jordanelle State Park: Mostly frozen, melting
Millsite State Park: Frozen, ice 6-10"
Otter Creek State Park: Frozen, ice 8-10"
Palisade State Park: Frozen, ice 6"
Piute State Park: Frozen
Quail Creek State Park: Launch ramp open, 36 degrees
Red Fleet State Park: Frozen, ice 16"
Rockport State Park: Frozen, ice 8-12"
Sand Hollow State Park: Launch ramp open, 37 degrees
Scofield State Park: Frozen, ice 12"
Starvation State Park: Frozen, ice 6"
Steinaker State Park: Frozen, ice 16"
Utah Lake State Park: Frozen
Willard Bay State Park: Some ice
Yuba State Park: Frozen, ice 6-8"
Strawberry: Frozen, ice 12-15"
Flaming Gorge: Mostly frozen, ice 0-18"

State parks offer day-use access and camping. Some facilities remain winterized. For more information, please call 1-800-322-3770.

UTAH STATE PARKS SNOWMOBILE GROOMING REPORT - FEBRUARY 12

Hardware Ranch:
February 8: South from SR 89 in Logan Canyon to top of Rock Creek where mud begins, approximately three miles north of Ranch. Returned to Logan Canyon Road Shed via Strawberry Valley. Snow was heavy and wet, not good conditions. No grooming until new snow falls.

Monte Cristo:
February 12: 42" of snow at Dry Bread Pond and 52" at Monte Cristo
Grooming completed:
February 11: Arb's Basin and Wasatch Ridge
February 10: Wasatch Ridge and Arb's Basin
February 8: Red Spur
February 7: Wasatch Ridge, Arb's Basin
February 5: SR39

Bear Lake / Logan Canyon:
February 8: From Sinks to as close to Hardware Ranch as possible before lack of snow.
Grooming Completed:
February 9: Swan Flat
February 8: Sinks Trail
February 5: Amazon, Beaver Creek, Franklin Basin, Garden City, Tony Grove

Wasatch Mountain:
Regular grooming runs made Monday through Wednesday, other grooming canceled until new snow falls. Snake Creek remains open, but is extremely slushy and melting quickly at trailhead. Asphalt showing at Pine Canyon and Pine Hollow in American Fork Canyon.

Mirror Lake / Mill Hollow:
Snow conditions are poor. Groomed trails have snow, but it's melting quickly. Wolf Creek Highway toward Nobletts Trailhead has areas of asphalt.
Sno-cat will be moved from North Fork to Soapstone Trailhead due to lack of snow. February 10 grooming run canceled.

Bear River Service to Whitney:
Overnight temperatures are just barely cold enough to groom.

Uintah Basin:
No new report.

Scofield / Joe's Valley / Skyline Drive:
No significant snowfall in the last two weeks. Both Skyline Drive and Miller's Flat have seen little use. Grooming operations suspended until more snow falls.

Mt Nebo:
No new report.

Ephraim / Manti /12-mile:
No new report.

Fish Lake:
No new report.

Cedar Mountain / East Fork:
Grooming suspended, no new snow.

Strawberry:
No new report.

WILD TURKEYS SHARE HOME WITH FREMONT INDIAN RUINS

PRICE, UTAH--On February 7, 2007, the Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) released 20 Rio Grande wild turkeys at the Range Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in eastern Utah. Of the 20 birds, five were male and 15 were female. The birds had been trapped a day earlier at the Nash Wash WMA in the South Book Cliffs.

The Rio Grande subspecies is well adapted to life in low elevation riparian and agricultural habitats. They have flourished across the state in the last decade as a result of transplant projects sponsored by the DWR in partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation. Today, Utah is home to more than 15,000 wild turkeys.

The Range Creek WMA was purchased by the DWR because of its value as wildlife habitat. After the purchase, the DWR discovered a wealth of artifacts from the Fremont Indian culture. Ever since, Range Creek has been heralded as a treasure trove for archaeologists and anthropologists.

The DWR's role has evolved to include cultural resource protection as well as wildlife management. The Range Creek WMA is home to bear, cougar, deer, elk and even a few bison. The release of 20 wild turkeys will hopefully jumpstart the existing flock of birds, which has dwindled due to years of drought.

NEW DIRECTOR NAMED FOR FOREST SERVICE R&D STAFF

WASHINGTON, - Forest Service Deputy Chief of Research and Development Ann Bartuska today announced the selection of Dr. Carlos Rodriquez-Franco as director of the Forest Management Sciences Staff.

Dr. Rodriguez-Franco has a doctorate in forestry from Yale University and more than 25 years experience in research, academic, and administrative forestry positions. He has published a book, as well as several book chapters in the United States, Great Britain and Mexico, and more than 80 research papers in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Rodriguez-Franco is
bilingual in Spanish and English and skilled in promoting cooperation among stakeholders and staffers from several socio-economic backgrounds.

"Dr. Rodriguez-Franco brings an impressive knowledge of forestry research and issues, and an ideal mix of leadership and technical skills to this position," Bartuska said. "He also brings an enthusiasm about sustaining our precious natural resources that is inspiring."

Before joining the Forest Service, Dr. Rodriguez-Franco worked in the USDA's Agricultural Research Service where he was based in the Office of International Research Programs. In that position, he developed contacts and maintained professional relationships between the ARS and foreign research and educational institutions.

Dr. Rodriquez-Franco moved to the United States from Mexico, becoming an American citizen in 2003. He acquired many years of high-level government management experience before joining the U.S. civil service in 2003, including Director General of Forestry Research at Mexico's National Institute of Forestry, Agriculture, and Animal Husbandry Research. As an advisor on several multidisciplinary international groups, such as the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization-Montreal Process, he has addressed forest conservation management and criteria, and indicators for sustainable forest management.

PARK CITY MOUNTAIN RESORT TO HOST THE 5^th ANNUAL WORLD SUPERPIPE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Park City, Utah (February 8, 2007) - Park City Mountain Resort once again welcomes the world's top skiers and snowboarders to the fifth annual World Superpipe Championships on March 10 and 11, 2007. The invited riders will compete for a piece of the $90,000 purse in the Eagle Superpipe, the world's largest superpipe and the site for the 2002 Winter Games.

"This is our fifth year hosting the World Superpipe Championships and we couldn't be happier," said Jim Mangan, director of action sports marketing at Park City Mountain Resort. "Shaun White, Torah Bright and Tanner Hall will compete against the world's top riders in their respective fields, making this the best World Superpipe Championships we've ever had."

On Saturday, March 10, the best male and female snowboarders in the world will compete for a piece of the $90,000 purse in a best of three-run format. Shaun White, 2006 Olympic Gold Medalist, will compete for the first time in the World Superpipe Championships. Other invitees include: Mason Aguirre, Danny Davis, Kelly Clark and Antti Autti. On Sunday, March 11, the best male skiers, including Tanner Hall, will compete in the same three-run format. Other invited skiers include: Simon Dumont, Jon Olsson and Candide Thovex.

The event is free to the public and will include live music, food, and giveaways.

UTAH WINTER GAMES CURLING, RACING AND A JUNK SHOW

The Utah Winter Games have another big weekend on tap for Utah's amateur athletes.

The biggest surprise is the runaway popularity of curling. When Utah hosted the Olympics, practically no one in the state other than Canadian transplants had ever heard of curling. This winter, the Games offered two learning clinics in curling and both of them sold out. Demand was so high that another clinic was added for this Saturday at the Park City Ice Arena. Organizers expected 45 people to sign up, but when the number hit 75 they had to put the brakes on. There is now serious talk about a curling league involving several of Utah's ice rinks, and Games organizers say, "Let's do it." The curling action begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Park City Ice Arena and runs until everyone is worn out.

And then there's the Junk Show. Officially, it's known as the SLUG Magazine Junk Show Sponsored By Scion at the Brighton Ski Resort. The 20-year old cutting edge music magazine describes the event as one where skiers and snowboarders will flip into the hearts of millions of rails and jumps made of everyday inner-city junk. They are proud to say that last year's competition included a reckless path over a picnic table, a pig trough, and an aluminum fence. The magazine's own office desks have also served as rails. Everyone has to wear a helmet in case they don't make it over all of the junk. The Utah Winter Games notes that the beauty of this competition is that when it's over, everything gets recycled.

For people who aren't into sliding over piles of junk, the perfect event is the KSL Family and Friends Ski Race at Wolf Mountain. The resort northeast of Ogden bills itself as family friendly, and it's goal is to ignite the passion for winter sports in people of all ages. It's also a perfect mountain to learn on, so the race course is not as steep as the Olympic courses. That's handy, since most people don't ski like Olympic skiers, either. The entire family is invited to come out and enjoy a day on the mountain. The races are divided into age and gender categories, and anyone from five-years old and up can enter. Registration is from 9 to 10 and the racing gets under way at 11.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Statement on Bald Eagle Deadline; June 29 New Date

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Feb. 9 that the final decision on whether to remove the bald eagle from the federal list of threatened and endangered species will be postponed. The Service has reached a court-approved agreement allowing the agency to make a final determination on the eagle's status no later than June 29, 2007.

The additional four months will give the Service time to complete additional analyses related to the final rule and put in place management guidelines and procedures that will make it easier for the public to understand ongoing Bald and Golden Eagle Act protections, ensuring that eagles continue to thrive once delisted.

The Service had been under a court ordered deadline of February 16, 2007, to make a final decision on the eagle's status. In January, the Service approached the plaintiff in that case to request an extension of the deadline. With the agreement of the plaintiff, the Service requested and the court approved the extension until June 29, 2007.

During the extension, the Service expects to develop a proposed rule that would authorize incidental take of bald eagles under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. The Service also intends to finalize voluntary Bald Eagle Management Guidelines and a regulatory definition of "disturb" under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

More information on the bald eagle can be found on the web at: http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/baldeagle.html

The Roundup -- presenting the latest Monolithic news - February 9, 2007

EXTRA! EXTRA! - 2007 CONFERENCE NEWS - This morning Anne Sutherland, our Events Coordinator, received an alert from the DFW Holiday Inn in Irving, TX. Only two rooms are still available for Friday night, February 23. But if you call the Holiday Inn's sales manager, Wendy Bonds, at 972-815-0214, she will locate a nearby hotel and provide
transportation.

Tentative Conference Schedule - It's posted on our home page. Review the agenda for Friday, Feb. 23 that features eight different sessions for the morning, four others for the afternoon, followed by the MDI Advisory Board Meeting and the Banquet. Note the special presentations by FEMA's Chuck Gregg, Financial Adviser Connie Giffin and Architect Rick Crandall. Also note Saturday's activities that include a bus trip to MDI's headquarters and a tour of various domes.
http://www.monolithic.com/conference/schedule07.html

Monolithic's President David B. South asks: What would you like to see on our Marketplace? What additional products or information would you like us to include? Please give us your suggestions and comments. president@monolithic.com

NEW: A Master's Thesis on Monolithic Domes - Review this Master's Thesis, authored by Nanette South and submitted to Idaho State University, as a requirement for a Master of Science in Engineering Structures and Mechanics Degree. It's downloadable.
http://www.monolithic.com/technical/index.html

Ugly Houses: A Different Point of View - With photos and cartoons, David B. South shares his thoughts on what makes a house ugly and asks if you agree. http://www.monolithic.com/pres/uglyhouses/

Check It Out - For the latest on Monolithic Domes and related topics, check our website. New articles, profiles and discussions, as well as updates of old ones, are posted often. http://www.monolithic.com/

Fact Sheet: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Bald Eagle License Plate

Did you know that?

* About 90 percent of the funding to manage Utah's wildlife comes from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, federal excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment and other funds associated with wildlife management.

* Because hunters and anglers provide most of the funding to manage Utah's wildlife, most of the money they provide is used to manage wildlife that people hunt or fish for.

* Utah has a new Wildlife Action Plan. The plan will help the Division of Wildlife Resources and its partners conserve and manage the state's non-game and sensitive species for future generations.

* A total of 196 species are included in the Utah Wildlife Action Plan. They include threatened and endangered animals, state sensitive species, and species the DWR wants to learn more so the agency can protect their populations.

* Funding to manage the wildlife identified in the Utah Wildlife Action Plan is limited.

* The DWR designed the new bald eagle license plate to provide funding to help the wildlife identified in the plan.

* The new bald eagle license plate provides everyone in Utah - including those who don't hunt or fish - a way to help.

* DWR officials believe the bald eagle license plate will appeal to a broad group of Utahns - especially those who don't hunt or fish.

* There's another way to help wildlife identified in Utah's Wildlife Action Plan. You can write in a dollar amount on line 22a of your 2006 Utah State income tax form and donate money to Utah's Nongame Wildlife Fund.

Dedicated Hunter Application Period Ends Feb. 16

Applications are still being accepted to enroll in Utah's Dedicated Hunter program, but if you want to participate, you need to get your application in soon.

To enroll in the three-year program, you must complete an online Wildlife Conservation course, submit your application and pay the program fee no later than 5 p.m. on Feb. 16.

The course is available at http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/dh and takes about 45 minutes to complete. If you don't have access to the Internet, please contact your nearest DWR regional office. They'll make arrangements for you to take the course during regular business hours.

After completing the Wildlife Conservation course, you must pay a program fee by Feb. 16 to join. The fees are as follows:

Adult Resident $195 Nonresident $1,032

Youth (14 to 17 years old) Resident $120 Nonresident $799

Lifetime License holders Adult $75 Youth $37.50 (14 to 17 years old)

The fee includes your deer hunting permits, for the region of your choice, during the three years you're in the program.

Before you can obtain your first Dedicated Hunter permit, you must complete eight hours of volunteer service on an approved wildlife conservation project.

All of the 24 volunteer hours that the program requires, and attendance at a Regional Advisory Council meeting, must be completed before your second Dedicated Hunter Permit will be issued to you during your second year in the program.

To receive your third Dedicated Hunter permit, you must have completed all of the requirements for your second permit and not harvested more than one deer with Dedicated Hunter permits during the two years you've been in the program.

In 2006, Dedicated Hunters and other DWR volunteers donated more than 78,300 hours working on habitat and wildlife-related projects. These hours equate to $1.7 million worth of help.

Without the help from volunteers, some of these projects could not have been accomplished.

To learn more about the Dedicated Hunter program, please visit http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/dh on the Web or contact the nearest DWR office.

AAA OFFERS FREE CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSPECTIONS
80 Percent of Safety Seats Not Properly Installed Without Expert Help

SALT LAKE CITY, February 12, 2007 - AAA is now offering a free service that can help protect your child from the number one killer of children in the US: motor vehicle crashes.

As part of National Child Passenger Safety Week (February 12 - 16), AAA Utah is announcing it will now offer free car seat safety inspections at local AAA offices in many of the communities the organization serves.

Motor vehicle injuries kill more children in the United States than any other factor. A properly installed child safety seat significantly reduces the risk of death in a crash by more than 70 percent. Unfortunately, about four out of five car seats are not properly installed.

"If someone offered you a free inoculation that could cut your child's chance of dying by more than 70 percent, wouldn't you take it?" asked Rolayne Fairclough, spokesperson for AAA Utah. "That's exactly why AAA is offering this new service. Having a properly installed child safety seat can help save your child's life."

If you need another reason to move this to the top of your to-do list, consider these statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

* In the United States during 2004, 1,638 children ages 14 years and younger died as occupants in motor vehicle crashes and approximately 214,000 were injured.. That's an average of five deaths and 586 injuries each day.

* Car safety seats have been shown to be highly effective in reducing death and injury due to motor vehicle crashes. Car safety seats are 71 percent effective in reducing deaths for infants and 54 percent effective in reducing deaths for children ages 1 to 4 years. Belt-positioning booster seats reduce the risk of injury by 59 percent for children ages 4 through 7 years.

To make an appointment to have a child safety seat inspected call the nearest AAA office that offers the free service or AAA Traffic Safety toll-free at 800-637-2122. You do not need to be a member to schedule a free inspection.

Inspections are done by appointment only.

560 East 500 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84102
(801) 364-5615 x332

160 E. University Pkwy., Suite F
Orem, UT 84057
(801) 225-4801 x102

AAA Utah offers a wide array of automotive, travel, insurance and financial services to more than 150,000 members. AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers since it was founded more than 100 years ago.

Sky Should 'Turn White' at Snow Goose Festival

Delta -- The sights and sounds of thousands of pure white snow geese flying and feeding will be enjoyed at the Tenth Annual Snow Goose Festival.

Snow geese may be viewed at and near Gunnison Bend Reservoir, west of Delta. The festival runs Feb. 23, 24 and 25. Admission is free.

"Spotting scopes will be set up so participants can get a close view of the geese. Division of Wildlife Resources personnel will also be available to answer any questions you might have," says Bob Walters, Watchable Wildlife coordinator for the DWR.

On Saturday, Feb. 24, free wildlife-related workshops, and arts and crafts and photography exhibits, also will be offered.

Walters encourages visitors to view the geese with binoculars or a spotting scope. "If you get too close to the geese, you'll probably scare them away," he says.

When viewing from the side of roads, visitors are strongly encouraged to use caution and to watch for vehicles. You should also prepare for cold or wet weather by wearing the proper clothes.

The areas where you can see geese vary according to the time of the day. "The geese usually feed in fields that surround the reservoir early in the morning. Then they fly back to the reservoir before about 10:30 a.m.," Walters says. "They usually stay at the reservoir until about 4 to 6 p.m., and then they fly out to the fields again to feed."

Walters says DWR personnel will watch which fields the geese fly to and will direct visitors, who arrive after the geese have left the reservoir, to the fields where the geese are.

For more information about the 2007 Snow Goose Festival call Walters at (801) 538-4771; the Division of Wildlife Resources' Southern Region office at (435) 865-6100; or the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce at (435) 864-4316.

REI COMMUNITY CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR MARCH

CONTACT: Eric Spreng

EMAIL: espreng@rei.com

PHONE: (801) 486-2100 ext. 207

SANDY CITY - The following presentations are offered free of charge to the public at the Sandy City REI store. REI is located at 10600 South & 230 West in the northwest corner of the South Towne Mall property. For more information, please call (801) 501-0850 or visit our website at http://www.rei.com and click on the stores & events link. Attendance is limited to fifty participants on a first- come first- served basis.

THE BASICS OF ICE CLIMBING

Thursday, March 1^st, 7pm

This evening, Phil Schow from the Serac Club and Mat Gover, trainer and advanced ice climber, will be covering the basic skills and gear of technical ice climbing. In this presentation, they will feature; ice climbing equipment, the basics of beginning ice climbing technique, pro placement of ice screws, advanced ice and mixed climbing, safety issues, as well as highlighting local places to get out on the ice. Phil and Mat will also have some ice blocks so you can do some hands on placing of ice screws! A segment of "Comfortably Numb" a locally filmed and produced Ice Climbing movie will also be shown.

THE SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE TRAVEL

Thursday, March 8^th, 7pm

Join adventurer Gary Scott as he shares slides, stories and video of his latest adventures from the four corners of the world. Hiking in the Alps and in Patagonia, parasailing in France, bungee jumping in New Zealand, rafting in Patagonia, zip-lining and exploring in Costa Rica and a ton of other exciting adventures. Gary will surely inspire you to get out there and see more of the world!

BASIC BIKE MAINTENANCE

Thursday, March 15^th, 7pm

Maintaining your road or mountain bike can be a daunting task when you don't know where to begin. Tonight's presentation by REI shop techs will help to demystify the challenge of keeping your bicycle in good working order. By the end of the evening participants will be acquainted with the arts of flat tire repair, fine tune brake adjustment, and degreasing & lubrication.

HIKING THE WASATCH

Thursday, March 22^nd, 7pm

Looking for a local hiking group where you can meet others and explore the Wasatch Front and more? Join Sheryl McGlochlin this evening to learn how she started this successful group four years ago and to see photos and hear stories of some of her favorite hikes.

SALT LAKE CITY - The following presentations are offered free of charge to the public at the Salt Lake City REI store. REI is located at 3285 East & 3300 South. For more information, please call 486-2100 or visit our website at http://www.rei.com and click on the stores & events link and select Salt Lake City.

BACKPACKING SKILLS FOR YOUTH

Tuesday, March 6^th, 7pm

How do you prevent your hiking boots from causing blisters? What is the best way to load up your pack? What do you do if you encounter a moose on the trail? For answers to these questions and more, join the experts from REI tonight for some fun and useful tips on backpacking and camping. This evening's presentation, designed for the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts, will cover the ins and outs of gear essentials such as packs, tents, sleeping bags, stoves, footwear, and clothing layers. A special section titled "Respect It!" will highlight the seven principles of Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. Families, youth groups and scout troops are encouraged to attend!

THE SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE TRAVEL

Tuesday, March 13^th, 7pm

Join adventurer Gary Scott as he shares slides, stories and video of his latest adventures from the four corners of the world. Hiking in the Alps and in Patagonia, parasailing in France, bungee jumping in New Zealand, rafting in Patagonia, zip-lining and exploring in Costa Rica plus a ton of other exciting adventures. Gary will surely inspire you to get out there and see more of the world!

SKI TOURING THE ORTLER ALPS

Tuesday, March 20^th, 7pm

If you are looking for an outstanding Alpine ski touring adventure in the Alps or an alternative to the often crowded Haute Route join Lincoln Clark of REI for the inside scoop on the Ortler traverse. The Ortles group of peaks is situated in between the Bernina group of St. Moritz to the west and the Dolomites to the west offer some outstanding ski mountaineering terrain. This tour offers fantastic glacial traverses combined with wonderful on ski descents. Several peaks close to 4000 meters offer an additional mountaineering challenge. The great skiing is only punctuated by the magical time in the huts or Refugio. Here we share the stories of our days adventures and enjoy a family dinning experience sampling the finest cuisine of Italy.

GPS 101

Thursday, March 22nd, 7pm

A Global Positioning System is a fun and accurate tool that can help you navigate through backcountry terrain or even down city streets. Join REI navigation expert John Higgins as he unveils the mysteries of this fun and fascinating piece of technology. This presentation will cover basic GPS functions such as determining latitude and longitude, programming routes, and recording travel.

THE SUPER SHERPA EXPEDITION OF EVEREST

Tuesday, March 27^th, 7pm

Apa Sherpa, the man who has stood on the top of the world a record 16 times, and Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa, who has summitted Everest in the record time of 10 hours, 56 minutes, and 46 seconds have announced that they will be joining together to make a summit attempt this spring. Their talk at REI this evening will be their send- off presentation in anticipation of this historic event. Both men will speak tonight about their life stories, the crucial role Sherpas have played in extreme altitude mountaineering since Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa climbed Everest in 1953, as well as provide insight into Nepali culture & the recent changes in Nepali politics. A question and answer session will follow. This event is free and open to the public, and seating will be based on a first come first serve basis for 180 attendees.

REI SPECIAL EVENTS:

REI EMPLOYMENT OPEN HOUSE

Saturday, March 3^rd, 11:00am

REI in Salt Lake City, one the world's leading outdoor equipment retailers will be holding an Employment Open House on Saturday, March 3, 2007. The hour presentation begins at 11:00 a.m. Seasonal and part-time positions are available in Sales, Cashiering and Shop Services. Drop by to learn more about this exciting company. Applications will be accepted at this time. In 2007 REI placed #27 among the "100 Best Companies to Work for in America." in Fortune Magazine's Annual Survey. Please call (801)-486-2100 for more information.

REI ADULT CLIMBING NIGHT

Thursday, March 15^th, 6:30pm-8:30pm

We would like to invite you to attend Adults-only (16 & up) climbing night at the Salt Lake City REI store. This is a perfect opportunity for beginners as well as experienced climbers to climb our one-of-a-kind wall on routes ranging from 5.5 to 5.13 in difficulty. You are welcome to invite your friends & family to attend. Please RSVP via email to espreng@rei.com so that as many of our REI certified belayers are available as necessary. Climbing harnesses of all sizes will be available at no charge, and climbing shoes can be rented for the evening at the low cost of only $2.00. Whether you are looking to start climbing, train for next summer, or meet people with similar interests come enjoy an evening of climbing & camaraderie with your friends at the Salt Lake City REI.

COMMUNITY EVENTS:

RADICAL REELS

Wednesday, March 14^th, 7pm

Faster, steeper, higher, deeper - the Banff Mountain Film Festival Radical Reels tour is coming to Salt Lake City. Catch the steepest and deepest in high-adrenaline outdoor sport films when the 2007 Radical Reels Tour comes to Kingsbury Hall at the University of Utah. Growing out of the famous Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, Radical Reels screens the best in action sports filmmaking, audience-tested and programmed for maximum excitement. Tickets are available at Kingsbury Hall, REI Salt Lake City and Sandy and The Outdoor Program and are $7.50. For more information on the Radical Reels tour, visit http://www.banffmountainfestivals.ca/radicalreels .

CLASSES:

WINTER WILDLIFE TRACKING

Saturday, March 24^th & Sunday, March 25^th

The vast and ever-present array of wild "signatures" scattered about our local landscapes offer us an underused encyclopedia of behavioral, ecological, and evolutionary information. Through the mind of an animal tracker, we can make discoveries about animal behavior, adaptation, and inter-species relationships. Learn about animals' feet and how they move, when and where they rest, what they eat, and how animals in the wild make a living in their own specific way. Indoor and field sessions focus upon wildlife adaptations, diversity, and sign types complemented by firsthand explorations of the animals' habitats on or off-trail in various uneven terrain. Field session will be done on snowshoes (provided by REI at no extra charge). Appropriate footwear, warm clothing, a day pack, lunch, and a filled water bottle will be needed for field sessions. Field guides and cameras welcome. Tuition is $75 per participant; proceeds benefit the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation. To register, please call REI at 486-2100 and ask to speak to our Customer Service department.

STAY SAFE IN THE OUTDOORS; WILDERNESS FIRST AID CLASS

Saturday, March 10^th & 31^st, 9am

Created for all outdoor enthusiasts, the Basic Wilderness Life Support® certification is a one day course designed to help you prevent and treat injuries and illnesses common in outdoor activities. Developed at the University of Utah, School of Medicine the course will teach you to prepare for your outing, assess injuries and scene safety, decide whether to evacuate or treat a patient, and methods of evacuation. The curriculum was developed from our advanced course used to train medical professionals and will be taught by one of our certified instructors. The course includes morning lectures at REI and an afternoon outdoors (weather permitting) participating in hands on scenarios. At the end of the day you will receive your BWLS certificate. Please register by calling REI's customer service department at (801) 486-2100. Cost is $95 per person. For more information, please contact Bob Richards at AdventureMed, 801-990-2800 or visit http://www.bwls.org .

AVALANCHE AWARENESS CLASS

Friday & Saturday, March 9^th & 10^th

An introduction to rescue skills & avalanche beacon searches, route finding, snow pack evaluation and minimizing hazards. Cost is $99 per person. Please contact 801-550-EXUM (3986) or visit http://www.exum.ofutah.com for more information.

LEVEL 1 AVALANCHE COURSE

Friday March 23^rd through Sunday March 25th

Learn safe travel in avalanche terrain; recognition of weather, snow pack and terrain factors contributing to avalanche hazard; dig snow pits and perform field tests to recognize weak and strong layers in snowpack and practice efficient rescue with avalanche beacons. Please contact 801-550-EXUM (3986) or visit http://www.exum.ofutah.com for more information.

COMMUNITY GROUP MEETINGS & PRESENTATIONS

UTAH NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY PRESENTS: DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY WILDFLOWER WORKSHOP

Wednesday, March 7^th, 7pm

The Utah Native Plant Society is dedicated to the appreciation, preservation, conservation and responsible use of the native plant and plant communities found in the state of Utah and the Intermountain West. This evening, Ray Taggart, owner of Pixel's Foto and Frame Shop in Sandy, will present a program on the fundamentals of digital photography and the applications of digital in wildflower photography. Following, Dr. Paul Zuckerman will give a brief presentation on the use of alternate lighting. This presentation is free and open to the public. Visit http://www.unps.org for more information.

UTAH STATEWIDE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY PRESENTS: ANASAZI/FREMONT BIOLOGICAL AFFINITY

Wednesday, March 14^th, 7pm

The Utah Statewide Archaeological Society (USAS) is an organization conceived for the individual who is curious about or wants to learn more about archaeology and the state's prehistoric cultures. It is dedicated to the study and preservation of Utah's past. This evening's talk is titled Anasazi/Fremont Biological Affinity. Dr. Carlyle will discuss his dissertation work which consisted of extracting ancient DNA from several Anasazi (Ancestral Pueblo) museum specimens, utilizing variation in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to discern temporal and geographical lineage stability among the Anasazi in prehistory. The comparison of Great Salt Lake Fremont with various Anasazi groups reveals close biological affinity between the two groups--a fact that should not be surprising given the strong correlation between the Anasazi and Fremont noted in the archaeological record. Meetings and presentations are free of charge and open to the public. Visit http://www.utaharchaeology.org .

COLEMAN LAUNCHES 2007 COLEMAN EVEREST 5.5 CHALLENGE
Project to Motivate Kids To Get Outside More

WICHITA, Kan. - Faced with the growing number of children who spend more time indoors with electronic devices than they do exploring the outdoor world, coupled with the depressing rates of childhood obesity due to poor eating and exercise habits, The Coleman Company, Inc., makers of outdoor recreation gear, will sponsor a spring 2007 expedition to Mount Everest designed to motivate kids to get outside and recreate more.

The 2007 Coleman Everest 5.5 Challenge will be a major focus of the expedition by Denver schoolteacher and veteran mountaineer Mike Haugen, 30, and will be directed toward American schoolchildren facing the problem of bnature deficit.b Haugen, who also represents ColemanB. ExponentB. gear as a field tester and ambassador to the outdoor community, will depart Colorado in March for a summit attempt in May.

During training, on the approach, at Everest Base Camp and then higher up the mountain, he will transmit a series of educational e-mails, blogs and videos, posting them to a specially developed Web site - http://www.colemaneverest.com . Visitors to the site will be able to sign up for regular e-mail updates from Mike, and kids will be invited to submit questions for him to answer.

Schoolchildren nationwide and others who are interested will be able to access the Web site to track Haugen's progress and learn about the mountain environment and the sport of climbing. Included will be a series of physical activities for kids that will revolve around the 5.5 Challenge theme - corresponding to the exact height of Everest in miles.

As the company's outdoor advocate, Haugen will take part in a nationwide tour of Coleman retailers after his return to meet with schoolchildren who followed his climb and to present a motivational slide presentation on his experience.

Haugen will climb Everest as part of a trip organized by International Mountain Guides of Washington
state, the organization that answered one of climbing's greatest mysteries when in 1999 climbers located the body of George Leigh Mallory, lost on Everest in 1924.

Haugen, who met with President George W. Bush last summer to thank him for his support of Great Outdoors Month, will take to Everest a variety of technical Coleman Exponent products including stoves, lanterns, tents and mummy sleeping bags made for extreme environments.

Upon his return, he will meet with the Coleman product team to assist with the development of new technical gear for the outdoors.

'Nature Deficit' Threatens Health of Children

"'Nature deficit' is a real threat to the health of our children," said Gary A. Kiedaisch, Coleman President and CEO. Studies have shown that exposure to nature and being active outdoors may be just the right antidote to an epidemic of obesity and many other problems kids face today. By setting an example in what is arguably the most extreme outdoor adventure on earth, Mike will motivate young people to learn lifetime outdoor skills early, benefit from those experiences, and create memories that last forever."

Mike Haugen has been rock climbing and mountaineering since his teenage years and has climbed in many parts of the world. He is an enthusiastic traveler, having explored and climbed in more than 30 countries. He is a Wilderness First Responder, holds Avalanche Level II certification and is a Leave No Trace trainer. A full-time eighth grade science teacher in an inner city Denver school, Haugen is an avid skier and sailor and is experienced in nearly every other outdoor sport. He holds a master's degree in evolutionary physiology from Ohio State University.

His climbing resume includes more than 50 ascents of Mount Rainier; four expeditions to Mount McKinley; an expedition to Aconcagua, Argentina (highest peak in the Americas); a trip to Vinson-Massif, Antarctica; two expeditions to Mexico's Pico de Orizaba volcano; an expedition to Ecuador, where he climbed Cotopaxi and Tungurahua; and a one-day climb of Mount Olympus in Western Washington. In addition, he has made winter ascents of New Hampshire's Mount Washington, as well as numerous climbs in the Rocky Mountains and the Cascades.

Haugen has also worked with young people at the Denver Public Schools Outdoor School, a 700-acre preserve near Boulder, Colo., where he has led many fifth grade classes on daylong adventures to learn outdoor skills and gain confidence.

For more information, visit http://www.colemaneverest.com .

The Coleman Company, Inc. is an international leader in the innovation and marketing of outdoor products, including its legendary lanterns, as well as stoves, tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, coolers, furniture and grills. Its products are sold and used all over the world. Coleman embraces its leadership role as an advocate for the outdoors, contributing to outdoor causes and inspiring people to get outside. Founded in 1900 and based inWichita, Kan., Coleman is a wholly owned subsidiary of Jarden Corporation, and can be found online at http://www.coleman.com . Consumers can contact Coleman by phone at 800-835-3278 or by e-mail at consumerservice@coleman.com .

FOREST SERVICE PUBLISHES NEW RULE FOR ENERGY-RELATED PERMITS

WASHINGTON, Feb.9, 2007 - The Forest Service today announced a new rule that permits it to respond quickly to applications for oil-and-gas exploration on Forest Service land already under federal leases.

The rule is a categorical exclusion for land under lease that has already undergone environmental analysis consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) guidelines. The additional analysis previously required by a new oil-and-gas exploration and development application took a minimum of six months. With the new rule, an application can be processed much faster unless there are extraordinary circumstances such as the presence of threatened or endangered species or their designated habitat, wilderness areas, inventoried roadless areas, wetlands, and archeological or historic
sites. The categorical exclusion will not apply in these areas.

This change in policy is a response to Executive Order 13212 to expedite the increased supply and availability of energy to the nation. It allows for streamlining the application process for permits to drill and other energy-related permits in an environmentally sound manner.

The Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) acts as the onshore oil-and-gas leasing agent for the federal government. The BLM schedules and conducts competitive bid lease sales, collects the bonus bids and issues leases to the successful bidders. No permit for oil-and-gas exploration for development on National Forest System lands will be approved by the BLM without the Forest Service analyzing and approving the proponent's surface use plan of operations covering proposed surface-disturbing activities within the lease area.

The new rule was published in the Federal Register for public review and comment on Dec. 13, 2005. There was a 60-day comment period and comments received during that period were considered in the preparation of the final rule. The final rule will be effective immediately upon its publication in the Federal Register.

CALIFORNIA QUAIL MOVE TO HUNTINGTON GAME FARM

PRICE, UTAH--On Saturday, February 10^th, the Division of Wildlife Resources transplanted 33 California quail to the Huntington Game Farm in Emery County. The new arrivals, consisting of 19 males and 14 females, had been trapped along the Wasatch Front.

California quail are relatively numerous along the foothills of the Wasatch Front. In some cases, they have become nuisances where they meet with urban sprawl and help themselves to ornamental plants and vegetables. In such cases, the DWR steps in to remove excess birds and transplants them to locations where they are more appreciated.

Quail have been present in small numbers at the Huntington Game Bird Farm for more than a decade, but the population there has struggled from years of drought, poor chick production and the effects of predation. The DWR hopes that the 33 new arrivals will bolster the existing flock.

Couple Abandons Day-to-Day Life to Walk 2,175-Mile Appalachian Trail for Israel's Needy

DALLAS, TEXAS, February 12, 2007 -- On Nov 13, Shlomo and Chava had an after-dinner discussion that started like many others. Both felt there must be something more than the daily grind of corporate life.

But this time the conversation took a different bend when Chava shared a secret she'd been harboring for months. She wanted to do something to make a difference sell everything and walk the Appalachian Trail. She d read about others who'd made the trip and experienced the soul-awakening benefits and she wanted to incorporate charitable giving in the effort.

So the couple are putting their home and belongings up for sale, resigning from their jobs, and heading east. They will leave on May 1 to walk the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine, expecting to arrive on Oct. 1, with their efforts to benefit Meir Panim, a non-profit organization dedicated to the 22 percent of Israel's residents that live below the poverty line.

Before taking a step, they've already raised more than $10,000 through the buzz from Shlomo's one radio interview and blog,
http://www.walkingforisrael.com

Shlomo is a marketing manager for a procurement services company and Chava is a senior human resources administrator.

"There is more to life than just the day-to-day earning and spending, worrying and moving about," said Dennis. "We want to make a difference and this seemed like a way to do that, to have meaningful time together, and to share an adventure."

Meir Panim, with offices around the world, was founded in 2000 by Dudi and Rivka Zilbershlag in memory of their son Meir who died at the age of 13. At first a modest soup kitchen on the outskirts of Jerusalem, it has now sprouted into 29 relief centers country-wide serving the needs of Israel's indigent population with dignity and compassion.

Fifteen free restaurants serve 5,600 hot meals each day and deliver another 3,200 to the homebound. Fourteen equipment centers collect, refurbish and distribute home furnishings and appliances to the needy. Children and youth at risk are welcomed to nine after-school youth clubs where they receive academic enrichment and activities in a secure environment.

"We are thrilled that Shlomo and Chava have found Meir Panim worthy of their support and hope they will spread the word during their 2173 mile trek," said Chaim Bushinger, administrative director of Meir Panim. This is indeed awe-inspiring that they are under-taking this adventure for the sake of Israel, showing solidarity and healing to feed hungry people."

Shlomo and Chava who are both originally from Maine will make that their home when they complete the walk but are keeping their minds open to the possibility of making aliyah to Israel. The couple believes they can create a bridge of tolerance and understanding, generating a spirit of community among all types of Jews and non-Jews as "we are all created in the image of God."

"What better way to support the people and state of Israel," said Shlomo who with his wife has begun training for their adventure with 10-mile walks through Cedar Hill Park in Dallas. Soon the two will be packing 40-lb packs to bring some reality to their training.

The couple plan to average 16 miles per day and will sleep in sleeping bags, in a tent, hiking 6 days a week, resting on Shabbat.
It is reported that over 2000 people attempt to complete the Appalachian Trail each year with only about 200 actually finishing
the route, which is the longest trail in the world. Much research and planning is happening over the couple s dinner
table, including how to eat Kosher along the route.

The couple is hoping to raise $250,000 to purchase five trucks that are greatly needed by Meir Panim. For more information or to make a donation, visit the couple's web site at http://www.walkingforisrael.com

News from the Utah Rivers Council

This is a busy week for Utah Rivers Council! Don't let these opportunities pass you by to become more involved with the Council and to become better educated about issues that affect you. Also, be sure to check out the News/Events section below for up-to-date information on bills that the Council is watching during this legislative session.

All of us at Utah Rivers Council wish you a wonderful President's Day weekend!

Happenings at the Council

TOMORROW! Make your voice heard at the Capitol: Write a letter to your legislators to let them know how the decisions that they make affect you! Writing letters to elected officials about the issues that face Utah's rivers allow you to argue for action and remind elected officials that they represent the people. Join the Council for our Advocacy Letter Writing training on Thursday, February 15 at 6:00 p.m. Space is limited to 10 people. RSVP to Chantal at 801-486-4776 or chantal@utahrivers.org now.

TOMORROW! Learn about Wild and Scenic Rivers in Utah: Join URC staff member Mark Danenhauer as he presents on Wild and Scenic Rivers Act protection of Utah's most beloved rivers. Utah has many remarkably beautiful rivers, but none are protected under this powerful Act. Mark will discuss the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, explain the implications of designation, and takes listeners on a brief tour of some of Utah's best candidate rivers for protection, focusing on the Green River. SLC REI at 6 pm, Thursday, February 15.

SATURDAY. Attend the Mapleton City Water Conservation and Landscaping Fair. Utah Rivers Council will host a booth at this annual fair and will educate attendees about our many projects, including Rip Your Strip and Smart Sprinkling. The fair is scheduled from 10-4 and will be held at the Mapleton Community Center (125 W. 400 N., Mapleton, UT 84664). If you are looking for a fun Saturday activity for yourself or your family, come and check it out.

News/Events

A bill to create a State Facility Water Conservation Program is having a public hearing Thursday morning! The House Government Operations Committee will be considering HB 380 - State Facility Water Conservation Program, Thursday morning at 8:15 am. This is the first major obstacle that the bill will have to overcome in order to become a law. The main points of this bill, being backed by the Council, would ensure that all state facilities in the future are designed and constructed according to water conservation principles and would appropriate $500,000 of one-time, non-lapsing funding to the Division of Water Resources to administer the program and implement water conservation projects at State facilities. Please contact your Representative and let them know you support HB 380 - State Facility Water Conservation Program. For more information contact Mark at mark@utahrivers.org or read the summary at: http://www.utahrivers.org/home/content/view/30/143/

Bill aims to revoke the authority given to the Fish and Wildlife Service in 1929 to manage the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge! Representative Ben Ferry and Department of Natural Resources Director Mike Styler want to repeal the legislation that allows the Fish and Wildlife Service to manage state lands on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. If passed, this bill leaves the Refuge in a precarious position relative to its future management and water rights. The State's rationale that the existing legislation gives the Fish and Wildlife Service authority over lands far outside the Refuge is only partially true. The fine print actually says that the federal government only has the state's permission to use "state" lands; these lands are few and far between outside of the Refuge. To speak out about this bill, use our easy on-line action alert center at: http://www.utahrivers.org/home/content/view/37/74/ . See the newspaper coverage at:
http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,660193383,00.html
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_5166199
http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_5209674

SB 29 - Instream Flow to Protect Trout Habitat bill just barely passed out of the House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment committee on a 7-6 vote. The bill met more opposition in this committee then it met in any of the debates on the bill in the Senate, where it passed unanimously. SB 29 now moves to the House floor where it will be debated and faces another hurdle - hopefully the bill's finally vote before going to the Governor for signature. To view a summary of the bill visit: http://www.utahrivers.org/home/content/view/30/143/

Utah Congressmen propose to raise Willard Bay Dam to store more water! Senator Orrin Hatch and Representative Rob Bishop want to funnel $1 million for research into expansion of Willard Bay reservoir. Such action would facilitate the construction of diversions on the Bear River for storage in Willard Bay - a project the Rivers Council has determined is unnecessary in its report entitled Alternatives to Developing Bear River Water. Find coverage of the proposal at: http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_5181917 .

Low snowfall means less water in our rivers. Randy Julander, the Utah Snow Survey supervisor, predicts that based on the amount of snowfall that Utah has had the state will be below average this coming year. The Wasatch Front receives a large proportion of its water from the Jordan-Provo river drainage. This drainage is currently at the lowest in the state at 55% of normal. Other basins range from 61% for the Bear river drainage up to a high of 85% for the Green River drainage. Read the article at: http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/1%2C1249%2C660192846%2C00.html

Lake Powell Pipeline to secure water for St. George. At a conference of the Utah Bankers Association in St. George officials stated that St. George will run out of water by the year 2020 unless the Lake Powell Pipeline is constructed. According to Ron Thompson, manager of Washington County Water Conservancy District, the current supply of 72,000 acre-feet will only last another 13 years, serving 200,000 people. The entire project, which will deliver a total of 100,000 acre-feet of water to Washington, Kane, and Iron Counties, is estimated to cost $500 million. View the story at: http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/1%2C1249%2C660194053%2C00.html

UTAH WINTER GAMES AREN'T WORTH DYING OVER BUT DON'T TELL RUSSELL BAKER!

Park City, UT (February 14, 2007) -- Many sorts of organizations couldn't function without the crucial contributions of volunteers, and it's a truism that volunteers often give their hearts to the causes they put their time into. In the case of Utah Winter Games volunteer Russell Baker; he almost literally gave his heart to the cause of amateur winter sports.

Russ had a constricted coronary artery and was scheduled for angioplasty, a medical treatment which involves the mechanical widening of the artery so it can move blood freely away from the heart. While it is considered minimally invasive, it still involves hospitalization. Without any treatment, of course, he could have died of a heart attack at any moment.

Only Russell didn't let that get in the way of his volunteer assignments with the Utah Winter Games.

He had chest pains around New Year's and doctors scheduled the angioplasty for Monday, January 15th. Russ is the Volunteer Coordinator for the Games and has enjoyed being a part of the nation's oldest and largest Winter Games for eight years. He also takes his position seriously enough that he says he had no intention of taking time off from his volunteer position.

Two days before his operation, he oversaw the organization and registration of 140 ski racers at Alta. He said he was there because he just didn't want to let down Alta's veteran marketing director Connie Marshall, who is also an enthusiastic supporter of the Games. She would have had to register the racers without him if he had stayed home and he didn't want to stick her with that much work. His wife forced his only concession to his health that day by insisting that he leave his skis at home so he wouldn't be tempted to carve a few turns against doctor's orders.

Russ' operation came out successfully and he spent only one night in the hospital. It's certain that no one would have faulted him if he had stayed home for a while to recover. After all, he had three stents inserted in his artery. Instead, four days after surgery, he was at Soldier Hollow to oversee a big day of events in cross-country and biathlon with 200 competitors. He explained rather lamely that he was at Soldier Hollow because they needed his computer. Then he adjusted that to admit that he was somewhat embarrassed that he was several volunteers short and felt the only way to cover the problem was to get out there himself and get involved.

Russ likes to get involved. His "day job" is as a computer-aided designer for military sonar systems. His "night job" is in a small woodworking shop he owns. He's also a Scoutmaster and a range master for the Lee Kay Center for Hunter Education in all of that free time he has.

So why is he so enthusiastic about helping the Utah Winter Games? It's simple, he says, "I love to race." He used to ski race in the old Coca-Cola Cup series. When that went belly-up, he turned to racing in the Utah Winter Games. After enough racing, he felt it was time to give back something positive to an organization that had given him so many good times.

UWG's Executive Director Heidi Hughes says she was astonished and humbled at what Russ had done for the Games while he was facing a potential heart attack. She laughs that she would have been more than happy to give him the day off. Russ shrugs and says with a smile, "You gotta have heart."

The Utah Winter Games are the oldest and biggest amateur winter sports event in the country. They continue the legacy of 2002 in Utah by making it possible for large numbers of people of all skill levels to have a wonderful time with winter sports.

In the 2005-2006 20th anniversary season, more than three thousand people took part in 20 competitions in 15 sports and 32 instructional clinics.

The Utah Winter Games: All Ages, All Abilities, Always Fun.

For more information on the Utah Winter Games, please contact Christa Graff at 435-640-7921 or christa@graffpr.com or visit the Utah Winter Games web site at http://www.utahwintergames.org.

Utah Tourism Board Approves Co-op Marketing Project for Tuacahn

Salt Lake City *Members of the Utah Board of Tourism Development have approved a $50,000 Special Opportunity Cooperative Marketing proposal to promote events at the Tuacahn Center for the Arts in southern Utah. The group must provide local matching money for the $100,000 project designed to publicize Tuacahn s 2007 Broadway in the Desert theatre season to out-of-state residents.

The Cooperative Marketing program has been a great way for us to partner with non-profit tourism entities in almost all of Utah s 29 counties to market events and destinations to leisure travelers, said Leigh von der Esch, managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism. We are grateful to the Utah Legislature for approving our increased advertising budget to promote the Utah Life Elevated brand. Twenty percent of the marketing budget was set aside this year for cooperative marketing projects.

Tuacahn s advertising campaign will include direct mail, print, billboard, online, and radio advertising in the surrounding states of Arizona, California, Idaho, and Nevada. Theater patrons will enjoy Rodgers & Hammerstein s Cinderella, My Fair Lady, and 42nd Street this year in the Tuacahn Amphitheatre, located in Ivins just outside of St. George. For ticket information, visit http://www.tuacahn.org or call (800) 746-9882.

Guidelines for the state s Cooperative Marketing program can be found online at http://www.travel.utah.gov . For questions on the program, please contact the Utah Office of Tourism, 300 N. State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84114, (801) 538-1900 or (800) 200-1160.