In response to the release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Moab Master Leasing Plan (MLP), the Center for Western Priorities released the following statement:
Jesse Prentice-Dunn, Advocacy Director:
“This common-sense plan recognizes that outdoor recreation is an economic engine for towns across the West and ensures a responsible approach to locating energy production.
“When it comes to balanced energy development and protecting Utah’s outdoors, Representative Rob Bishop should take notes on how to consult and compromise, rather than clinging to poison pills. The contrast between the Congressman’s Public Lands Initiative and the Moab MLP could not be more clear. The long-delayed PLI is nothing more than an effort to run out the clock on protecting the 100,000 archaeological sites in the Bears Ears region from looting and vandalism.”
The Public Lands Initiative would give the State of Utah jurisdiction over energy leasing on public lands, undermining the Moab MLP and any future collaborative efforts.
Jesse Prentice-Dunn is available for video and audio interviews. To speak with an expert about public lands in the West, contact Aaron Weiss at 720-279-0019 or aaron@westernpriorities.org.
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GLSEN Statement on NBA Announcement to Move 2017 All-Star Game Out of North Carolina in Response to HB 2
NEW YORK (July 21, 2016) – GLSEN’s Executive Director, Dr. Eliza Byard, made the following statement in response to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s announcement that the 2017 All-Star Game will not be held in Charlotte, N.C., as planned. The move is in response to HB 2, the anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) law passed by the North Carolina General Assembly and signed by Governor Pat McCrory after the Charlotte City Council passed an LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance.
"On behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth across the country, GLSEN thanks the NBA for sending a strong and clear message that discrimination is unacceptable. We know it was not an easy decision. The game would have been held in Charlotte, where the city council banned discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity last year, and where the school system has clearly demonstrated its support for its LGBTQ students, including those transgender students who are particularly targeted by HB 2.
"When the chips are down, true allies make the tough call. Right now, the defense of civil rights for all communities must be front and center for all of us. GLSEN is proud to have partnered with the NBA for many years to ensure its teams, players and staff members are vocal and visible supporters of LGBTQ youth and that all fans feel welcome. It is gratifying to see this long-standing partnership result in a unified front against legislation that is hateful, harmful and unnecessary.
“Sports leagues and other businesses have a vital role to play in upholding core values of diversity, individual dignity and civil rights, especially when elected officials do not do so. We have already seen many companies and individuals act on these ideals by removing their business from North Carolina in response to HB 2 or donating the proceeds of events to LGBTQ organizations. We call on all those corporations and sports leagues who have yet to do so to follow the NBA’s lead and tell legislators that they will not do business in places that discriminate, and where LGBTQ students do not have the opportunity to learn in safe and affirming environments and succeed in school and life.”
The latest edition of GLSEN’s National School Climate Survey found that LGBTQ students who experienced discrimination and bullying and harassment at school were more than three times as likely to have missed school in the past month as those who did not, had lower GPAs, and had lower self-esteem and higher levels of depression. GLSEN has created model laws and policies for schools, districts and states to ensure LGBTQ students are safe and affirmed at school, including a model district policy for accommodating transgender and gender nonconforming students that complies with Title IX.
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Virginia "Ginny" Graham McAloon releases ‘Jazzy and the Lizard’
ST. GEORGE, Utah – Three years ago, a 6-month-old Shih Tzu puppy came into Virginia "Ginny" Graham McAloon’s life and changed her. For the last 30 years, McAloon lives without responsibilities and now she has a partner. In this juvenile fiction book “Jazzy and the Lizard” (published by Xlibris), McAloon writes how her puppy changed her life.
Jazzy is a sweet dog full of energy and mischief, and the world is her play toy. McAloon shares the troubles that the dog gets into. “Anything and everything she can haul through the doggie door goes outside. I wanted to share with you some of her activities,” the author says.
Specially made for children, cute and great pictures are featured in this book. McAloon assures that this true story will paint a smile in the readers’ faces.
An excerpt from the book “Jazzy and the Lizard:”
“No! No! No!
You naughty girl.” I heard my people mommy yell at me…
…as I dropped a tiny lizard into my water dish in the kitchen.
I was happy I brought that lizzard inside through the doggy door.
I seem to get into a lot of trouble but I really don’t mean too.
“Jazzy and the Lizard”
By Virginia "Ginny" Graham McAloon
Softcover | 8.5 x 8.5in | 24 pages | ISBN 9781524505257
E-Book | 24 pages | ISBN 9781524505240
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble
About the Author
Virginia "Ginny" Graham McAloon has three sons: Danny in California, Kelly in Illinois and David in heaven. She attends St. George Community Church in St. George. Pastor Ray Schroeder is her pastor and mentor.+
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Jobe Announces “SUP 2 The People” Demo Tour
Paddleboarding Demo Tour Set To Visit six Western States In July And August
Pasadena, Calif. (July 05, 2016) – Jobe Watersports announced the details of its “SUP 2 The People” demo tour. The tour will launch on July 17, in Colorado, Calif. It includes stops in California, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Washington and Oregon before finishing on August 21 in Santa Barbara, Calif. The complete tour schedule is available at jobesports.com/sup2thepeople.
Visitors at each of the tour’s 25 stops will have the chance to try Jobe stand up paddleboards (SUPs) and experience products from tour co-sponsors Johnnie-O clothing, Bai Natural Drink, Eagle Eyes, CLIF Bar®, JoFit, Eagles Nest Outfitters, GU Energy Gel and Rockview Farms.
Local SUP groups, paddling clubs and dealers will support nearly all of the tour’s stops.
“We want to get more people on the water,” said Maud Broekmeulen, marketing manager for Jobe Watersports. “Whether they’re trying the sport for the first time, or trying out the latest technology, we want them out there having fun.”
Two Jobe brand ambassadors, Stephanie Lynn Martin and Taylor Reed Newton, will lead the tour. Martin and Newton were selected as part of a contest leading up to the tour.
“Spending the summer introducing people to a sport I love is a dream come true,” said Newton. “Add in the chance to see some of the most beautiful places in the country, and it’s hard to imagine a better summer ‘job.’”
Martin and Newton will share their experiences through Jobe’s social media channels, including @jobewatersportson Twitter, @jobesup on Instagram, Jobe SUP on Facebook and JobeSports on Snapchat.
Visitors who want to meet up with the “SUP 2 the People” demo tour can RSVP for a stop near them atjobesports.com/sup2thepeople
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Aiming for Harvard? A Perfect SAT Score Can Actually Backfire
Most students spend all of their time trying to earn the highest test scores and the highest grades they can, but by the time they’ve closed the books, there’s not a minute left to develop their unique interests and skills. The problem with that approach is that, these days, the top schools don’t want “vanilla” perfection; they want a unique, talented and interesting student body.
“I always tell my students that 50% of the college application comes from the essays,” says Elizabeth. “But unless you LIVE a great story, you’ll never be able to TELL a great story. And the only way to LIVE a great story is to develop a genuine sense of purpose and passion… Every student needs to develop a project that showcases something they love to do and, at the same time, also makes a difference in their communities.
I guarantee that whatever project you choose it will be so much more powerful than scoring a perfect SAT score.”
ONLINE PRESS KIT: www.ElizabethDankoski.OnlinePressKit247.com
WEB: www.DreamSchoolProject.com
