The calcium markings on the rock formations in Lake Mead, a Colorado River reservoir, show the impact of a 18-year drought on water levels. If the level drops below 1,025 feet, a state report says Arizona will lose access to 480,000 acre-feet of water from the Colorado River, or enough water for about a million family households for one year. (Photo by Alexis Kuhbander/Cronkite News) House Speaker Rusty Bowers is blowing off a threat by the Gila River Indian Community to pull out of the drought contingency plan − and deny the state its water − if he pursues his own legislation on forfeiture of water rights. Bowers, in a statement late Friday, said he always has intended to push ahead with the plan to determine how Arizona should deal with the loss of water from the Colorado River because of declining levels of Lake Mead. And that plan, he said, should include the tribe. “But if they want to pull out of a deal that benefits both the state and the community, that is … [Read more...] about Bowers forges ahead with water bill that could torpedo drought plan
Guess what Tampa park will host the 50th Annual Gasparilla Festival of the Arts in 2020?
Artist rendering of the 50th Annual Gasparilla Festival of the Arts in Julian B. Lane ParkStudio MishouWhen I drove up to Julian B. Lane Riverfront park, I didn't know what to expect. I've attended events in Tampa's Curtis Hixon Park many times. But this is the first time I ever set foot in Julian B. Lane Riverfront park, set to host the 50th Annual Gasparilla Festival of the Arts in 2020. Julian B. Lane Riverfront park is Tampa's newest park. The city began construction of the $35 million park in July 2016, finishing about two years later in May 2018. The goal: to revitalize the west side of the Hillsborough River.Form of Wander, sculpture by Marc Fornes in Julian B. Lane Riverfront ParkJennifer RingThe 25-acre park, sitting across the river from The Straz, incorporates both the downtown and riverfront areas of Tampa. And it's already full of art — the city commissioned five different public art projects within the riverfront park, most notably Marc Fornes' "The Form … [Read more...] about Guess what Tampa park will host the 50th Annual Gasparilla Festival of the Arts in 2020?
Former President of Mexico Speaks At The U On Strengthening U.S.-Mexico Relations
On Tuesday, Feb. 12, former President of Mexico Vicente Fox delivered a lecture at Kingsbury Hall on “Building Bridges: Fixing the Immigration Issue and Strengthening U.S.-Mexico Relations.” Bob Goldberg, director of the University of Utah’s Tanner Humanities Center, introduced Fox and welcomed an audience of students, faculty and administrators from the U, Salt Lake Community College, Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University as well as from East, West, Hillcrest and Olympus High Schools. Drawing on his experiences as President of Mexico from 2000 to 2006, Fox spoke on a variety of topics ranging from immigration, trade, corruption, crime, U.S.-Mexico relations and leadership. He also aimed to speak on how efforts to solve global issues could be applied locally. “Walls divide, we must build bridges,” Fox said. He spoke on how Mexico and the United States need to work together to figure out immigration reform and that “just building a … [Read more...] about Former President of Mexico Speaks At The U On Strengthening U.S.-Mexico Relations
U’s Black Student Union Helping Students Love the Skin They’re In
This past Thursday, Feb. 14, the University of Utah Black Student Union held their fourth event of February to celebrate Black History Month. The event, “Love the Skin You’re In” took place in the U’s Union Equity Lounge. “The inspiration behind the event was to provide space and education for Black History Month to be a celebration of love,” said Ebony Tackie-Yarboi, a junior majoring in Interior Design at the U who led the planning for the event. Tackie-Yarboi also said, “I really wanted everyone that [came] to the event to take part in celebrating their blackness and what makes us who we are. Often times there are not spaces created for us to be in the community and celebrate the power, love and pride that we hold within our community.” “Love the Skin You’re In” offered a variety of activities for participants, including poetry readings, singing and other ways for students to showcase their talents, as well as … [Read more...] about U’s Black Student Union Helping Students Love the Skin They’re In
White Nationalist Group Holds Anti-Immigration Banner Over Block U
On Saturday afternoon, members of Identity Evropa (IE) — an organization categorized by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) as a hate group — were spotted holding a banner that said “Stop the invasion, end immigration” above the Block U overlooking the University of Utah campus. The group’s leader, Patrick Casey, tweeted pictures of the group with the banner and smoke flares “to let the university — and the world — know that we will not be stopped.” Casey and the group did not hang the banner above the Block U, but instead descended the mountain after posing for pictures. The pictures drew swift criticism from members of the U’s community on Twitter. U student Sydney Joy quoted Casey’s tweet, saying, “You are disgusting and disgraceful. You should be ashamed of yourself. This isn’t activism, this is a hateful spread of violent rhetoric. Please get it off my … [Read more...] about White Nationalist Group Holds Anti-Immigration Banner Over Block U