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Aug 24
Love0

Judge Rules Against Commerce Director

By City Watch

Two former Utah DABC managers are popping champagne, at least metaphorically, over a jury finding that Francine Giani, executive director of the Utah Department of Commerce and the guv’s all-purpose hellhound, wrongfully terminated her executive assistant in 2013.

The 3rd District Court jury last week ordered the payment of $240,000 in total damages against Giani, the Commerce Department and the state of Utah for firing her assistant Rebekah Conner and denying her severance benefits. You can read the details in the Deseret News.

Brett Clifford, former DABC wine buyer, and Kerri Adams, a former DABC human resources official, argued in a letter to The Salt Lake Tribune, that similar Giani high-handedness has left the alcohol beverage agency demoralized and adrift:

“We also worked under Giani five years ago while she was interim director at the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, and both of us resigned in disgust over a shared perception of her abusive and misguided management. We watched in amazement as dozens of employees were falsely accused of corruption, inappropriately interrogated, many questionably fired or forced out. The damage done to that agency under Giani’s administration was significant. It’s no wonder the DABC remains largely dysfunctional to this day.”

Aug 23
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Preview: Jackson Browne at Red Butte

By Arts & Culture, Music

If there is a soundtrack to the ’70s, there is no doubt that Jackson Browne is prominently featured on it.

The iconic singer-songwriter mastered sweet melodies and introspective lyrics, becoming a key player in what is now known as Southern California sound as a songwriter long before becoming a star in his own right. The Byrds, Nico, Bonnie Raitt and Linda Ronstadt all recorded songs written by Browne early in the decade—but, you know him best for co-writing The Eagles’ “Take it Easy” and his own hits “Running on Empty,” “Doctor My Eyes,” and “Somebody’s Baby.”

Jackson.jpg

Jackson.jpg

Browne has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and he plays a sold-out show at Red Butte Garden on Wednesday night. Doors are at 6:30 and the music starts at 7.

Aug 23
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Making new friends with Park City Life

By Lifestyle

Ding!

Our receptionist was out for the afternoon so I was the one who  heard the bell and greeted an afternoon visitor to our offices in Trolley Corners. A pretty white-haired lady said, “My daughter told me I was in your magazine, so I wanted to see it and buy one.”

Sure enough, we looked through a copy of our latest September/October issue:IMG_2170 (1)

In the mini-mag Park City section, and there we found Anne Wilson, on the final page. The photo of the Marsac School second grade class in 1947, illustrated an article by Vanessa Conabee on the history of Park City Schools. Anne was born and raised in Park City. 

Here’s a picture of Anne, then and now. IMG_1848

Really, she hasn’t changed that much! At least, her smile hasn’t.

Made our day.

 

Aug 23
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Our Olympic Legacy Lives On.

By Community

Many Utahns, particularly journalists, came away from the Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Games a bit jaded. After all, the games—though well-run and successful (particularly in light of the Rio games)—also kicked off the never-ending Olympic site-selection scandals that in 2002 tarnished the reputations of dozens of local Oly boosters.

So, was it all worth it?

Based on economics and raising Utah’s profile, it apparently was, as evidenced in a New York Times article this week on “six former host cities worth visiting.” According to Bill Mallon, a founder of the International Society of Olympic Historians:

“For Winter, Lillehammer and Vancouver have been success stories, but probably none more so than Salt Lake City. They have really put the venues to good use.”

skijump

Exposure from the Games turned Utah into an international skiing destination, the article says. Resort visitors have grown from 3 million in 2002 to a record 4.5 million visitors in 2015. Not to mention that we’ve now got the largest ski resort in the U.S. in Park City,

Besides serving as training centers for future olympians, Utah’s sites pack tourists in year around.

“Getting to skate on the same ice as Olympians is an easy sell for locals and tourists, and braver visitors can ride a bobsled (no matter the season). Other summer activities at the park include extreme tubing, zip-lining and adventure courses.”

Aug 23
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Bryce Canyon Fly-in

By Adventures, Outdoors

Private pilots, many in classic aircraft, will be flocking into Bryce Airport this weekend, Aug, 26-27, for the annual fly-in and car show.

The remote airstrip is tucked into the spectacular scenery of Bryce Canyon National Park and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument 20 miles west of Panguich in Garfield County.

bryceap

Spectators can book scenic flights and tour the aircraft and car show, beginning at 10 a.m.

For more information: 435-834-5239 or online here.