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A news release from the LDS church website, www.lds.org, reads, “With tender feelings we announce that Thomas S. Monson, president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, died this evening (January 2, 2018) at 10:01 p.m. in his home in Salt Lake City. He was with family at the time of his passing.  He died at age 90 from causes incident to age.”

Thomas S. Monson was born in Salt Lake City on August 21, 1927, to G. Spencer and Gladys Condie Monson. He was ordained an apostle on October 10, 1963, at the age of 36. 

Salt Lake Chamber Statement on the passing of President Thomas S. Monson

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH (January 3, 2018) – Lane Beattie, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber, issued the following statement regarding the passing of President Thomas S. Monson.

“The state of Utah has lost a great Leader. President Monson’s influence has far exceeded his religious responsibilities, stewardship, and love for the Latter-day Saints around the world.

As temperatures drop this winter, there are ten steps people can take to stay safe during the cold weather.

1. Layer up! Wear layers of lightweight clothing to stay warm. Gloves and a hat will help prevent losing your body heat.

2. Don’t forget your furry friends. Bring pets indoors. If they can’t come inside, make sure they have enough shelter to keep them warm and that they can get to unfrozen water.  Water is a must for the animals; just as important as food.

Some time ago, I was told about a story of a single mother who was raising two young boys, on her own, with very little money. Instead of watching their favorite tv shows after school, she told them to only pick 3 programs a week.

 With their extra time she encouraged them to read two books each week and, afterward, write about them.  Because of this, these brothers grew to be very successful, particularly the younger brother, Benjamin.  He became a neurosurgeon. 

We can all use a little help saving some money.  Here are a few ideas for making life easier and saving a little money at the same time:

·         Want to make your leftover salad last longer? Drape a paper towel over the top and cover it with plastic wrap. It will stay fresh for a whole week.

·         How to soften butter quickly, but not melt it:  Pour boiling hot water in a glass to heat the glass. Dump the water out and flip it over your stick of butter. I a few minutes it will be soft to use.

2017 is on its way out and 2018 is coming in! What will you do to celebrate? What traditions are in your family? 

As a kid, we celebrated by ordering a big Chinese dinner from “Eastern Winds” restaurant and eating on my parent’s fine china.  Afterward, we’d play “Spin the Bottle” and answer fun questions about the past year.  And lastly, we’d crank up the music and dance to ABBA-especially the song, “Happy New Year!” It was a big celebration and one I looked forward to every year!

Start your New Year off right this year while setting yourself up for a little financial freedom next holiday season.  I think we can all agree that we struggle every year to buy all the presents we would like.  Between the cost of presents and a holiday dinner, I find the struggle more difficult each year.

Pop a balloon every hour for New Years!

Don't Give the Gift of Food Poisoning for the Holidays

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides some holiday food safety tips. Here are a few:

·         Do not rinse raw meat and poultry before cooking

·         Use a food thermometer to make sure meat is cooked to a safe temperature

·         Refrigerate food within two hours

·         leftovers are safe for four days in the refrigerator

·         Bring sauces, soups and gravies to a rolling boil when reheating

Stay safe on the roads by taking action to protect yourself and your loved ones. In the United States, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for people aged 1‒54, and more than 37,000 people were killed in crashes in 2016. However, many of these deaths can be prevented. Buckle up, drive sober, and stay safe on the roads this holiday season.

Here are some tips to help keep you and others safe on the road over the holidays:

·         Use a seat belt in every seat, on every trip, no matter how short.