February 7 2022 Update

I hope you enjoyed a little time away this weekend.  As I mentioned before, Julie and I are semi-isolating because she is scheduled for a medical procedure later this week and we are trying hard to keep her healthy.  So our weekend was pretty quiet, but we really enjoyed getting a couple of nice walks in with the sunny weather and clear skies and also watching several of the early Winter Olympic events.  We weren't much of winter sports fans until Salt Lake City hosted the games 20 years ago, and now we can't get enough.  

Things are continuing to move at the State Capitol with legislation we are following.  Speaking of the Winter Olympics, Salt Lake City is working toward hosting the Games again in 2030 or 2034, and we are working to secure funding from the State to make some needed improvements to the Peaks Ice Arena so we can be a venue city once again.  So stay tuned on that front, and read the Hot Button item below for more background.

UPCOMING CITY EVENTS

Morning Star Native American Ensemble I February 7 7:00 pm

Conversaciones I February 8 7:00 pm

The Audacity to Write a Great Story: Tips to Ignite and Sustain Your Writing Practice This Year I February 10 7:00 pm

Valentine's Ball I February 12 6:00 pm

Coppelia by Utah Metropolitan Ballet I March 3 - March 5

YOUR VOICE

Keep submitting information about your department or your life.  Let us know about weddings, new babies. vacations, etc.  Use the link on the right, and then click below to submit photos.  We love to hear about all that is happening in your world.  

UPLOAD PICTURES HERE!

NEWS YOU CAN USE

• The Utah Department of Health on Sunday announced it will temporarily pause the use of on-site rapid antigen tests at all state-operated testing sites starting Monday because of high false-negatives. 
• UVU President Astrid Tuminez wrote that Utah should keep its engineering momentum going. Substantive investments and the right strategic partnerships will allow Utah to shape itself into a game-changer in the modern economy. 
• Our own city councilor George Handley wrote a piece for the Deseret News talking about "the myth of the irreparable Utah Lake."

PROVO SOCIAL MEDIA

HOT-BUTTON ITEMS IN PROVO

Given that the Winter Olympic Games are underway in China, let's talk about the efforts and the decision process to potentially bring the Winter Games back to Utah in 2030 or 2034.  Those of us who remember the 2002 Games in Utah probably have a lot of nostalgia about experiencing the Olympic magic.  It really was incredible.  It put Utah on the map as a winter sports mecca, which really helped a lot of economic development and job creation in Utah.  It was also a source of community pride, and has been since 2002.  

Hosting the Games also brings a lot of expenses to the state and local governments.  Fortunately, most of the winter Olympic venues are still in place and operational.  In Provo, that includes the City's Peaks Ice Arena.  For us, the world of hockey has changed, and our facility would need to be upgraded and expanded to accommodate the higher level of expectation.  As mentioned above, we are working on securing some state funding to cover all or a significant part of the cost of upgrading our venue.  Other venue cities like Salt Lake, West Valley, and Ogden are in the mix as well trying to find venue enhancement funding.

We are likely looking at 2030 or 2034, but Olympic organizers are somewhat more pessimistic about 2030 since the 2028  Summer Games are in Los Angeles, which would put two consecutive games in the United States.  Brisbane, Australia will be hosting the summer games in 2032 so it would be more likely for North America to host the winter games in 2034 - opening a bigger door for Salt Lake to be the designated host.  

If you would like to read more about the Salt Lake efforts, here is a great article from the Deseret News.  

FUN STUFF

So - back to some of my eclectic music tastes - let me introduce you to Carlos Santana, who has been one of my favorite artists over the years.  He has a definite Latin, blues and sometimes reggae beat and is a gifted guitarist and songwriter.  Some of my favorites over the last 40 years or so include  Black Magic Woman and Do You Remember Me?   Santana and Chris Stapleton recently collaborated on an album called "Blessings and Miracles."  This piece called Joy found a home on my playlist last week.  I hope you enjoy this new and soon to be classic number from an incredible musician.  

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I hope you enjoyed a little classic Santana.  Have a great week and stay safe!

 Wayne