These are classic discussions published back in April 2006
The Playlist
I get a lot of work done when the phones aren’t ringing (like 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. yesterday/today and probably tonight). With 30 trials scheduled for March/April, typical legislative issues and lingering session issues, and soccer and baseball teams to be coached, the wee hours and I have been far too chummy this Spring. The goal was to survive until the end of April, and the good news is that we’re almost there. I hope to put some polish on a few things in May and, then, to sleep the entire month of June.
For what its worth, here are some newly-discovered and newly-remembered artists and sample songs that made the playlist from Pandora playing in the background during those wee hours. Because I’d grown thoroughly bored of my music collection, it has been fun to find some new sounds. I look forward to checking them out further during my few waking hours in June.
Golden... (read more)
Science Fair
My son brought home some first-place West Elementary science fair hardware this week for his cutting-edge experiment regarding the effects of different fat sources (butter, margarine, Crisco) in peanut butter cookie baking. You’ll read about it next month in Popular Science, no doubt.
My oldest daughter, on the other hand, who has a perpetual black cloud over her science fair efforts, suffered yet another lab disaster. Though she intended to study something else, she discovered that mice eat mice. “Oh, Dad! Come here! Dad! Oh, I think I’m going to be sick!” Disturbingly Willardian, the whole thing.
Tax Cut
The House Republican caucus met today and discussed tax cuts, among other things. In particular, we discussed the $70 million that was set aside for an income tax cut. Today, the House Republicans tallied 50 votes to return the money to taxpayers in the form of a simple rate reduction.
Though they have not taken a position, I hear that the Senate might not be too far from that position.
Unfortunately, the Legislature cannot call itself into a special session. That power is left exclusively to the Governor. However, the Governor has indicated that he will not call a special session to deal with any tax plan other than his “simpler, fairer” plan — meaning, as things stand now, there won’t be a special session and there won’t be an income tax cut. The numbers generated by the Tax Commission regarding the “simpler, fairer” plan were significantly off the mark (and, maybe more to the... (read more)
Accountability and Education
Before 2004, competency was assumed but not required.
So reads a Tribune editorial regarding Utah’s high school graduation test. The pronouncement reads:
When the Class of 2006 started first grade, spending the proper amount of time in class and earning the required number of credits were the only graduation requirements. Demonstrating overall proficiency was not part of the deal, for students or teachers. Before 2004, competency was assumed but not required.
Translation: prior to imposition of accountability requirements, according to the Trib, the expectation for students and their teachers was that Utah children only needed to warm a chair for a certain amount of time, regardless whether learning occurred. Expecting competency without accountability, according to the Trib, is not fair.
If the Trib favors our graduates being competent in math, reading, and science, which I assume it does, wouldn’t its underlying assumptions make the Trib’s editorial board an advocate for greater accountability in education?
Chili Cookoff
The International Chili Society hosted their Utah championship today in St. George. Before I lost all sense of taste and feeling in my mouth, I downed some of the finest chili I have enjoyed in years. Mmm Mmm.
Art Around the Corner
Sara is chair of the Dixie Arts Foundation. One of the Foundation’s projects is Art Around the Corner — the statues in downtown St. George. Last night was the gala event for installation of new pieces.
By any measure, the event is a huge success. Local businesses and individuals stepped up last year to fund the exhibition of 18 pieces (which are exhibited for a year and, if not purchased and donated to the permanent collection, rotated out). Six pieces were purchased, and 2 were added to the City’s permanent collection — an unbelievably good start for a project like this.
This year, 20 pieces will be exhibited (one already was purchased last night). The exhibit greatly beautifies downtown, and it provides a nice destination and diversion for school kids, tourists, shoppers, and anyone else who has a few minutes to enjoy some excellent art.
The City of St. George deserves enormous kudos for the way it has... (read more)
Skull Valley