Utah Stories Development Blog

Back From Europe - Jet Lag

2011-06-14T16:00:00.001-07:00

I'm back from three weeks in Europe and suffering from some serious jet lag. I woke up at 3 AM this morning, full of energy; and while it was very nice to watch the sun rise and have so much time in the morning, its terrible to be so tired at 5:00 PM.

What is the best way to get over jet lag? I've heard Red Bull was invented for this very reason. I just don't like Red Bull or the feeling I get when I'm amped up on caffeine. I've found the best method for recovering from jet lag is to stay awake with all your energy though exercise. When you bike or run or play tennis -- natural endorphins keep you awake. They run through your system and they have a powerful effect. After the ride is over watch an action movie like The Expendables.

Depression Cure Through Natural Remedies Definatly Not Always The Best Choice

2010-02-27T14:18:00.000-08:00

My Grandma called me last week to told me she had read our current issue of Utah Stories. She enjoyed the cover story on how big pharma has Utah on a leash. But she believed that I discredited the value of anti-depressants. She believes anti-depressants save lives.

I agree that in some cases anti-depressant medications are necessary. My mother certainly needs her anti-depressants and I know several other people who are certainly better off for taking them. But, as we pointed out: anti-depressants are way over-prescribed in Utah. They are treated like candy, and about as easy to obtain. This is wrong. Doctors and consumers need to seek other methods besides pills for staying happy.

I don't believe that most doctors are doing their jobs when it comes to warning patients of the harmful side effects of anti-depressants; and what patients may have to endure should they decide to take the pills for a long period then attempt to get off: suicidal thoughts, akasia, sexual dysfunction, panic attacks etc. But this isn't a blanket statement that anti-depressants should never be prescribed.

My Grandma also pointed out that I need to make a clear distinction between family practitioners and licensed and trained Psychiatrists — both of which have the ability to prescribe anti-depressants. Psychiatrists are much better educated about how psychotropic pills work in the body; and I agreed with my Grandma that they are probably a lot less likely to prescribe anti-depressants when they are not required. But I would be wary of either type of doctor telling you you need to take these pills. Use them as a last resort.

Also, when treating depression through diet and exercise (as I recommend)-- know-thyself. While taking foods that encourage health and happiness: chocolate, small quantities of high quality ice cream; fine pastries with coffee -- and of course all the nutritious stuff your doctor will tell you to eat -- examine your mood swings and behavior. If you are eating this way and also exercising regularly; getting plenty of sunshine -- and still feel depressed or suicidal; don't do the most selfish thing you can possibly do and attempt suicide. Like the brothers from Manti did. Instead, visit a trained professional and seek help. These boys have left behind parents who will spend the rest of their lives suffering misery and shame. Any parent who is doing their best to raise their children deserves better.

They have dishonored their parents and deserve to burn in hell. Sorry but I have no sympathy for suicidal idiots. If you want to die and are suffering from extreme depression, seek help from well trained professionals (not your family doctor).

Dogs and Spirituality

2010-01-27T21:13:00.000-08:00

My dogs are my spiritual gurus. They teach me a lot about life and enjoying what I have.

Everyone wants to train their dog to do exactly as they say. But I've found I need to obey my dogs once in a while.

My dogs have whined and complained all week because I've been too busy to take them on their daily morning walk. This morning they didn't complain they just looked at me sadly, like "this poor guy, he is caught up in the rat race."

Sometimes I get the sensation like I need to spend my entire day running around to get anything done. Usually I only get this when I haven't gone with my dogs into nature in a while. There is never any need to run around. There should never be a time when stress and anxiety rule my day. My dogs have taught me this. Instead of going on sales calls (like I always do a week before Utah Stories goes to press). Instead of doing payroll and collections-- I forgot everything and obeyed my dogs and took them for a run.

When I let my dogs off leash they are the most beautiful creatures. They enjoy everything: the dirt, the water, the unique aromas of everything. They take in with complete acceptance all that the world has to offer. They don't worry or stress.

Before my dogs were a big part of my life I had high blood pressure. Now I have very low blood pressure. Today was a great day because Louie and Keeks showed me that just being alive is the greatest gift I have.

Serving The Millennials New Media

2009-05-01T17:00:00.000-07:00

Jane Hirt gets it: How to serve and under-served audience in a niche market. She is the Managing Editor of Red Eye: Chicago's huge hit easy read newspaper. While Utah Stories has a much different idea about our coverage, she gets how important it is to listen to readers rather than dictate what to them what they should be reading.

Chicago Tribune Managing Editor Jane Hirt Explains What do Millennials want in their news?

Watch Jane Hirt, Chicago Tribune, What do Millennials want in their news? in Game Videos | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Alisa Miller of PRI bashes main stream media

2009-04-24T09:46:00.000-07:00

I usually love people who report about how the main stream media is missing the boat. How the news media has lost touch with what people want to watch. Alisa Miller did this recently in a 5 minute TED talk.

Overall I can appreciate Miller's sentiment but I take issue with two points that that Alisa Miller speaks about:

1) Miller criticizes the fact that most people watch local news rather then national or international news. Miller comments on this natural trend for people to care about their local community most as a bad thing. People naturally pay more attention to what hits closest to home. Local news is important because it's this news that impacts the daily lives of most people. If local news coverage were less about accidents and about more issues that address daily life, community and the impact of government and or corporate abuse, then there would be no better news for people to pay attention to than local news.

2)Miller espouses that global warming coverage should be more widely reported: I believe we receive enough news on global warming. Also, Miss Miller attributes the lack of foreign news bureaus is due to the coverage of Brittany Spears and Anna Nicole Smith.

Journalists graduating from college are now much more likely to find a job coverage global warming over foreign news. Global warming or green news is now a huge chunk of NBC's (which is owned by GE) coverage. Much of this coverage is targeted at attacking those who don't accept cap and trade and other hindering Co2 limiting measures that restrict our freedom.

Miller makes a good point about how the American news media always is attracted to the most sensational stories. The Anna Nicole and Brittany stories are incredibly over covered. But the public main stream news media is also in the entertainment business. And since viewers want to be entertained while they watch their news, it's unlikely that this will change.

It's true that more people should know more about the world, but the Internet allows people follow any news they wish and the Internet is slowly but surely killing the main stream news.

Miller works for Public Radio International. It's very easy for people whose income doesn't rely on ratings and viewership to criticize those who must provide programs that draw viewers or go out of business. Miller shouldn't be criticizing the media but the viewers who support and watch glued to the mindless celebrity programming.

Utah Stories To Hire a Sales Person

2009-04-22T18:12:00.001-07:00

To hire a sales person is a huge step in the building of Utah Stories. I've personally maintained all of the sales myself. I met all the great small business owners who sponsor Utah Stories and I've had a great time hitting the road with my stories and meeting people telling them about Utah Stories mission: to protect, promote and preserve local Utah.

I've studied how small businesses start up. I've seen start-ups flush with cash, big offices that offer big salaries. I worked for one for about a month and it was lacking in character. The people who came in to work every day, were there for the carrot on a stick, with the hope of future stock dividends.

Then I've talked to a lot of people who either had micro-loans or almost no start-up cash who have boot-strapped their way into success. This has been the case for nearly every business that sponsors Utah Stories: Rico Brand, Squatters, Bohemian Brewery, Studio Soiree and all the rest.

These people had vision, whether it was simple: to offer better beans, as in the case of Rico. Or complex: to offer great internet hosting and private e-mail accounts, as in the case of XMission. Vision is key, and sticking to that original vision and seeing it come to fruition though hard work provides a business with deep roots in the local community in which it flourishes.

So now Utah Stories is to the point where we are seeing a whole lot of new visitors and loyalty to the great stories we are providing, but we aren't seeing a whole lot of new revenue, because it's hard for me to both be sales guy and editor at the same time.

So I'm considering hiring a sales person. Someone who can understand the vision I have in place. Someone who can work well with small business owners and offer great customer service. So if you know the right person for this important job see our craigslist ad

Why The Wall Street Journal Stays On Top

2009-04-13T09:29:00.000-07:00

readers seek insight into tomorrow even more than an account of yesterday.

read complete article

The Wall Street Journal has always been an ideal model of what a newspaper should be: not just informative but insightful. Helping readers navigate and understand how the news of today affects the world of tomorrow is the most essential function of providing news. Many local news providers have forgotten this. Gossip, bleeding news about car crashes and murders offer nothing but clutter in our daily lives.

Utah Stories: Born At The Right Time

2009-04-13T09:10:00.000-07:00

From the New York Times today:

‘Hyperlocal’ Web Sites Deliver News Without Newspapers

"The sites, like EveryBlock, Outside.in, Placeblogger and Patch, collect links to articles and blogs and often supplement them with data from local governments and other sources. They might let a visitor know about an arrest a block away, the sale of a home down the street and reviews of nearby restaurants. "

This New York Times article mentions how difficult it is for "hyper-local" websites to get produce quality work. This is because none of the sites featured in this article pay contributors for their work. The man featured in this story doesn't get this.

At Utah Stories we pay our writers and contributors generously and that's why we have been successful. The missing link in most hyper-local news is offering enough incentive to attract smart people and good writers to produce quality journalism.

This is just another example of how it's great to be born at the right time. Utah Stories is attracting such great local sponsors because we know there is a big difference between a blog (often containing half-truths, unverifiable opinions and rants) and quality local news and stories that offer true insight into important topics.

Save Me XMission-- Web Site Source Sucks!!

2009-04-09T08:25:00.000-07:00

Today I'm a victim of terrible web hosting.

For the second time in two weeks UtahStories.com has been down for over three hours. I've threatened to quit with website source but I've always had things higher on my list of priorities, so I've put it off.

Today I'm certain we (Utah Stories) would have had a huge day. We have a great new story coming out on Mormon blogs. Yesterday was a good day. Utah Stories has been increasing traffic by around 20 percent a month for the past three months. We get between 400-500 visitors a day and I couldn't be more pleased with how people are responding to our great local coverage of local Utah events, politics, blogs, food, culture and more.

Today we are turning our loyal readers away; essentially telling them we can't get our act together to provide them the great stories they now crave and check in every day to read.

So today I'm focusing all my attention towards saying "bye bye" to Website Source and switching to a fine local Utah business that offers much better hosting: XMission. (who also happens to be a proud sponsor of Utah Stories)

Moab Done Right

2009-02-24T13:26:00.001-08:00

I've developed an opinion regarding the National Parks Control over our state's gems--It sucks.

I'm fed up with folks in green shirts with brown hats telling me I need to pay $25 to get into their park. Sure it's good that our national treasures be maintained and that places like Arches and Canyonlands are protected wilderness. But they could protect these areas with much less money and annoyance.

What benefit do the park rangers provide by paving the trails in asphalt. Do the wild jackrabbits and antelope prefer asphalt to dirt trails now? Do the additional signs telling me to stay on the trail and more info on the geology add to my appreciation? Not one bit. They block the view.

This past trip to Moab we didn't visit a single National Park and we had one of the best trips we have ever had. No entry fee, no excessive signs, no asphalt trails, just unregulated red-rock fun.

We hiked the Poison Spider trail off Potash road and there were mountain bikers, off-road trucks and runners all sharing the wide gorgeous trail having a great time. The folks in the brown shirt and green pants and big hats remind me of fascist dictators. I'm sure they are nice enough people, but they creep me out. I would prefer all of the National Parks in Utah to just go out of business. I'm sure we could do just fine maintaining the wilderness. Probably after 20 years their asphalt roads would begin to crumble and maybe the wildlife would return.

Deseret News Story on Inmates getting College Degrees

2008-12-14T08:55:00.000-08:00

The Deseret News reports Sunday December 14th, "Clinton Ellis used to cook meth," to paraphrase, now he has learned to cook gourmet chicken in prison. The article goes into depth about the wonderful programs the inmates of the Utah State Prison are receiving via the Salt Lake Community College. Deseret News writer, Ben Windslow interviewed the prison warden who said after these inmates get out,"They can instantly get a job." The article didn't go into much depth, it basically was a feel-good piece on how inmates are getting a second chance at life through prison programs.

But lets imagine meth cooker, Clinton Ellis, had a neighbor named Barney. Rather than cooking meth, when the job market became tough, Barney kept working for $6 per hour at McDonalds. Barney scoffed at Clinton as he saw his meth operation and knew eventually he would be caught and sent to prison. Finally, the day arrives and Clinton is busted and Barney feels relief in the fact that he never resorted to criminal activity to pay his bills like Clinton. Barney continues flipping burgers at McDonalds, with the hope that one day he can save up enough money to attend culinary school at the Community College, so he can earn double what McDonalds is paying, by finding a position as a chef.

What message will be sent to Barney after Clinton gets out Prison with his culinary degree and finds a great job? Barney stays on the straight and narrow path, Clinton didn't; but Clinton is rewarded with a degree. Clinton had to pay for this degree while he was in prison. But Clinton is likely earning money while he is in jail. He is also getting free health care, free board and probably some very good free food.

Barney is a fictional character. But there must be quite a few like Barney out there. what does this offer to all of the folks who live at the poverty level who are doing everything they can to get by within the law?

Was Ayn Rand wrong?

2008-11-05T12:16:00.000-08:00

Thoughts about Alan Greenspan's recent comments in believing that deregulation and Libertarian ideas don't work in a modern day economy.

Alan Greenspan recently bent down upon his sword, taking blame for the recent credit crisis which was caused by deregulation and lack of government oversight in the mortgage industry. Like other Libertarians, Greenspan believes in lasse-fair economic policy—allowing the free-market to flourish with as little government intrusion or oversight possible.

The powers that lasse-fair economic policy allow are simple Darwinism: allowing the fittest to survive and the weak to die. Its the basic belief that the same principles that apply to nature will also work in capitalism. So why didn't lasse-fair work in the mortgage industry? Why were so many mortgages handed out to people who could not afford them and should not have received them?

The blame should not be placed on the Government not being more involved. The disaster that the mortgage crisis has produced was caused by the government attempting to over-stimulate the economy in tandem with liberal policy makers eager to get more people financed for the dream of home ownership.

As the United States policy makers were working diligently to suppress a recession after 9-11 their answers were to lower interest rates and provide economic relief by making money much cheaper to borrow. At the same time liberals in the congress were working for their affordable housing policies by stopping legislation that could have put a tighter grip on outflow of mortgages. The result was the surge in home price values. With nearly everyone with a drivers license and a pulse now able to afford the dream of home ownership, the demand became much greater than the supply. Some ridiculous examples I witnessed were a $390 thousand home with a sign written "Ask how you can get this home for just $535.00 per month." This image stuck in my mind. If I were a renter paying $600 a month for a small apartment, I would jump on this.

The result was a huge increase in homes being built, bought and traded. In Salt Lake City's 84105 zip code, our property values increased by nearly 10% in 2006. Homes near Salt Lake City became unaffordable for middle-class wage earners, so places like Herriman, Woodscross and West Jordan began being developed at a massive pace.

As a landlord I found it nearly impossible to find decent renters for my renal house at $950 per month for a three bedroom, two bath, totally remodeled home. But we were riding the wave of prosperity. The housing market was booming thanks in large part to the great economists in Congress.

Ayn Rand had a revolutionary idea concerning economic policy: to separate the economy from the state just as church is now separated from the state. She did not believe that politicians should be in the business of setting government economic policy, because politicians by nature practice populism— often working towards producing a stronger welfare state and less of a true laissez-fair economy. Rand believed that if the government did not get out of the business of the economy we would eventually find ourselves living in an ever-more socialistic society. With much of the banking and mortgage industry now nationalized; with the big 3 US automakers now needing a government bail-out; with the promise of nationalized health care by a newly elected president, certainly Rand's prediction is coming true.

The basis of Rand's beliefs was that by allowing every man to work in his own selfish interests everyone would naturally benefit. Conversely, by telling every successful man that he has to work in the interests of his fellow man, very few are willing to strive for achievement. Punishing success and rewarding failure are the fundamental anti-Darwin tenants of a welfare state. The next four years should be a great example of what happens to an economy when reason is defied.

Who Do You Trust When the Stock Market Is Crashing? Nobody

2008-10-10T15:09:00.001-07:00

Politicians are the last people you want to trust when the stock market is crashing, because they actually believe that they can do something about it. One week ago Governor Huntsman appeared on KJZZ Cafe repeating something I read in the morning newspaper. Huntsman repeated somtehing said by the CEO of Utah Wells Fargo: "We lost over $1 trillion yesterday in the stock market. The economic bailout plan is only for $700 billion. Had we done the bail-out the losses would have but much less."

This immediately struck me as illogical because of something I learned a long time ago: The market is always right. The market has since crashed another $1 trillion, despite the bailout of $700 billion. So America lost close to $2.7 trillion due to failing to follow the simple wisdom that every economist should have tattooed on their arm: The market is always right.

The bailout makes no sense to me because I can see that the reason for the market correction was the over-inflated market to begin with. The market was inflated because anyone with a driver's license and a pulse could buy a home just a few years ago. This didn't make sense in our free-market economy. It should be very difficult to qualify for a loan to buy a house. Then when the economy slowed the market corrected this problem. Instead of letting the correction take its course— which might indeed be painful but necessary— our leaders are proposing that we decide that the only adage of free-market capitalism should be ignored in this case and we should instead partially nationalize our banking system.

I am ready to suffer a mini-depression. If politicians follow the same logic FDR did 60 years ago, I think we can count on another Great Depression. Obamma is proposing that the American Dream should end at $250,000. Once a person makes this amount, they shouldn't earn more and instead pay the highest tax rates our country has ever seen. I don't make this much money, but I know that many successful small business owners do. If we penalize small business success, not only do we weaken our marketplace but we set limits on the American Dream.

One last point. I'm happy to see corporate America take a nose dive. Its about time. Our city leaders have been in bed with corporate America for too long— Offering incentives, tax breaks, kick-backs etc—believing that filling our valley with corporations is the shortest path to filling their coffers. This was a false dream. Most national corporations have little room for policies that are good for a community. I'm not anti-corporate, but I am opposed to offering unfair advantages to corporations over our local businesses. (Which I find over and over again in my reporting on Utah Stories) I believe in local small businesses in Utah and the strength of our local economy will see us though the coming economic turmoil.

Utah Stories Slant: Protecting Preserving and Promoting Local Utah

2008-08-11T13:52:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love Costco, Home Depot, Best Buy or Lowes? Big-box stores are wonderful because they offer so much under one roof. I would be a hypocrite if I said I don't personally benefit from corporate America's investment in Utah.

With that being said, I want to make clear what Local First means to Utah Stories coverage statement (dedicated to protecting, promoting and preserving local Utah).

Its clear that places and communities are not defined by corporate America but by the local businesses and unique individuals who carve out their niche in their place. The free market economy is brutal and fierce, causing most new businesses to go under within their first year of operation. However, there are always wonderful success stories of entrepreneurs who have made it overcoming all odds to find success. Its our objective to highlight these stories and promote their well being and their interests over the interests of non-local or non privately owned businesses.

Utah Stories operates out of 300 South, otherwise known as Broadway. After an incredible comeback from being nearly completely devastated in the early 1980s, the Broadway shopping district is again full of local merchants, coffee shops and bars that attract pedestrians and small awning, street-side shops.

This comeback was due to the will of the people to spend their money in places that were owned and operated by folks like them. If you are unfamiliar with what Broadway was like before today, I recommend you read Utah Stories series on How Main Street was Traded for Wall Street. How local culture was traded for corporate mall stores, neglecting the interests of local merchants on Broadway and Exchange Place; , all for the promise of a of mall tax revenue.

By saying that our slant in coverage is in supporting local merchants over the interests of corporate America, what we mean is that we will always examine the practices of favoritism and enticement that our city and state leaders so frequently exhibit when corporations are examining expansion in our cities. Obviously, corporate investment dollars are good for our economy and in no manner do we want to exclude those investments, but anytime those investments overlook the interests of local merchants or brush aside the complaints of the community Utah Stories is committed to highlight this practice.

Historic Preservation infringing on Personal Property Rights?

2008-08-08T09:37:00.000-07:00

The federal government is making a huge investment in Downtown Salt Lake City with their expansion of the Federal Courthouse located to the West of Main Street on 400 South. But this expansion is having some negative repercussions on local merchants in the area. Mainly, Port O'Call bar and restaurant owned by Kent and Janette Knowley. More on this story in the coming days. One of the themes this story boils down to is government infringing on personal property rights, presenting the following question:

Does is historic preservation need to infringe on personal property rights?

This is an ongoing problem that has presented itself in development stories Utah Stories has covered. The most recent example of this problem has presented itself with the expansion of the Federal Courthouse in Downtown Salt Lake City and their ensuing battle against GSA (Government Services Administration). This is a story we have been working on (off-and-on) for nearly one month. It seems that many of the same themes found in this story were also found in the story of the Sugar House Granite Block.

The progression of the problem usually goes something like this:

Building owner invests in blighted area wanting to improve a historic old structure

As a result of property owner investment- local community emerges and area becomes successful and flourishing

State Historic Preservation Offices comes calling wanting to get the building on the historic registry

Owner says thanks but no thanks, because owner sees the obvious conflict in not being able to make improvements and additions to his property as he wishes

Owner invests in his property but then becomes ultimately limited by the government on what they will allow him to do

Owner feels his constitutional personal property rights and infringed upon by the historic mandates and laws the government is shoving down his throat.

In the case of Craig Mecham the developer and owner of the Sugar House Granite Block, he decided to tare down the beloved block and build his own mixed-use retail community. In his case it could be argued that the great local retailers was every bit as responsible for the success of the block as he was. Therefore, I think that the merchants and residents had a right to complain when he decided to tare down his old buildings. Of course the buildings are his, however he had an obligation to his community to demonstrate his commitment to build in a manner fitting to the area.

In the case of the Federal Courthouse expansion project: Port O'Call, is being forced out by a government eminent domain case. Both cases are similar in that the owners feel the government's policies are stifling their entrepreneurial spirit and personal property investment.

The question comes down to where do personal property rights end in the case of owning historic buildings? Obviously, property owners should have a conscious to the local community and their wishes to protect history and sense of place. However, should it be the government's job to mandate this conscious? If the government does mandate and legislate an owner to preserve the historic character of their building at what point do their mandates become socialistic and unconstitutional?

This is a very difficult question to answer. In politics this is a very defining issue between liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans. Republicans believing in more rights for owners, Democrats typically believing in more rights for the Government to protect buildings and property that can be labeled as historic. I've always been in favor of historic preservation, however I believe strongly in personal property rights and freedom.

Monday or Tuesday Utah Stories will be releasing our investigation into the Federal Courthouse expansion project. Its a story that has been a fascinating study about how Federal Government Powers have trampled over the property ownership rights of the owners of the Port O'Call, Jannette and Kent Knowley.

Best Local Spots in Salt Lake City: Home Improvement: Plumbing

2008-06-10T14:22:00.000-07:00

When it comes to home improvement there used to be only one place that I would go-- Home Depot. Full of decent deals on everything a landlord could need to repair rental properties. Why go any where else? I never had a reason until I discovered some incredible home improvement shops that blow away Home Depot in customer service and expert advice.

England Do it Yourself Plumbing is a small shop on 33rd South and 970 East. The guys that work there have been there for at least seven years and they are all expert plumbers.

The typical routine with England is you have a leaky faucet or broken part. If you can take it apart, they can tell you how to fix it and equip you with the parts (often even doing the work in the store). If you can't take it apart then you need to provide a simple drawing or diagram. As the landlord of a 90-year-old rental home, with ancient plumbing, I have made good friends with the folks at England. After seven years of questions answered by their England's staff, I now consider my self a half-way decent plumber. England Plumbing has no doubt saved me thousands of dollars on plumbing alone.

A few days ago I discovered another shop similar to England that is in West Salt Lake City: M1 Specialties. 10th West and 1st South. This shop had a line of customers, going out the door and a take-a-number queue. I had a problem that even England couldn't help me with-- a stripped end on rare nickel-plated Pioneer faucet spout. Every place was suggesting that I likely had to buy an entirely new faucet --for close to $300. I new that would be a joke for just a stripped end to my spout. I was redirected to M1 from Standard Plumbing. M1 is a very old building, run down- but full of experts helping people like me. They solved my problem with parts totaling $4.67.

Home Depot and Lowes can't hold a candle to England Plumbing or M1 Specialties customer service and experts.

Sugar House going sour?

2008-05-16T08:13:00.001-07:00

, originally uploaded by regularchickens.

Yesterday I spoke to Craig Mecham about the lack of progress on the Granite Block. He told me a few things that have been neglected in all other stories I've read on the subject. Mainly, that he is attempting to make a wall to allow for a North-South corridor.

I know that sometimes developers will spin their plans to the public masking their true motives. (as the skybridge has been spinned) However, I don't get this notion with Mecham. I believe that his interests are to make something so when people look back on the demolition of the historic block they think, "this has been a nice improvement afterall."

Of course we will never really know until the project is complete, but Mecham is not a Boyer Company (of Gateway fame) or a Taubman Company (national mall developer) He is just a single wealthy land owner whose family has resided in Sugar House since for generations.

BTW, Does anyone know what is spilling out of the vase the man is holding? I could guess it is water but what is the symbolism?

Travis Hess Documentary (Rough Edit)

2008-05-06T16:10:00.000-07:00

I'm working on a commissioned documentary for the Travis Hess foundation. I'm posting the video here for review.

Interesting Comments on Utah Stories Videos

2008-04-24T17:42:00.000-07:00

A recent comment on our Munich travel journal video:

Ich habe sieben jahre in Muenchen gewohnt. Keine Stadt in Amerika ist so schoen wie Muenchen. Mein deutsch ist schlimm geworden, but life in Germany is much better than life in America. The German people were so nice and smart. "Ich liebe Deutschland."

see entire Munich article and documentary here

A recent comment on our Mexican Racism in Salt Lake City video:

no seas un perfecto inbesil...que no estas eskuchando el video.ellos no andan anbulando la ciudad les dio permiso para ponerse ai...o tu kres k un dia se lebantaron idijieron me kiero ir apornes alli i me bale madre lo k diga la jente..oh i el k no gana nada de discutir con tigo soi io wee

see entire article and all Utah Stories taco cart related segments here

I think they are both saying critical things about my videos. I find it great, however, that these Utah Stories have a least began to get some interest within the YouTube commmunity.

The Munich video has only recently recieved a lot of visitors since becoming a part of Deutsche YouTube. Many comments seem to think that I'm criticizing their lifestyle, when the exact opposite is true. My intended audience is Westerners who don't even have a clue what a non-sprawling city looks like. The Munich story was featured on Planetizen, the Taco cart story was feature on KJAZZ Cafe.

"Thank Goodness", Skybridge Saves L.D.S Faithful From Perils of Modern Culture

2008-04-10T08:02:00.001-07:00

Members of the L.D.S Church, can now breath a sigh of relief with the passage of the City Creek Center Skybridge. The bridge that has passed the Salt Lake City Council by a margin of 5 to 1, is now approved to be built over Main Street in Downtown Salt Lake City-- connecting the two ends of the City Creek Center development which is being financed by the L.D.S Church.

Had the skybridge not been passed, Main Street could have experienced a rejuvenation and revitalization unlike what downtown Salt Lake City has seen since the 1950s. This could have made the Main Street and downtown Salt Lake City very dangerous by offering pedestrians too many options and too much street life.

Main Street could have once again become alive with activity offering a little something for everyone, including non-Mormons. The L.D.S leadership, however, have protected all citizens of Salt Lake City by controlling and directing traffic by means of a bridge, which will make it very clear that all shoppers should remain in the church-owned property and not venture out into uncontrolled territory of Main Street. This prospect could have potentially inflicted irreversible damage to the shoppers who might venture into a restaurant or shop that isn't paying the church to be a tenant, it could have also offered many non-Mormon owned businesses a foothold in the downtown Salt Lake City economy, which could have further divided the city.

Utah Stories has covered this story from the very beginning interviewing, then Mayor Rocky Anderson. Its thrilling for many that Anderson's point, that "Main Street should be open and available to everyone, not just those who are in the mall. and the air-rights above a public street should not be sold to a private entity," was easily defeating. A comment on our YouTube video demonstrates how ecstatic that Anderson's view's were defeated:

City council ok'd the sky bridge! Suck it Rocky Anderson!"

visit source

In our one short interview with Bishop Burton, (presiding Bishop for the L.D.S Church) we asked Burton why when the rest of the country is taring down their downtown skybridges Salt Lake City is now building a bridge. Burton explains very clearly why the bridge was so "critical to the success of the overall project." Burton says that because of the "elevation problem of 40 feet the bridge is critical." (see Burton's Interview here) We are still a little unsure why an elevation change merits a bridge, but we trust that the Church knows best.

Debugging Democracy and Government

2008-04-08T20:45:00.000-07:00

Letter from a fellow democracy debugger Philip Palij

link to Pilip's article

I like your analogy of looking at citizens as objects, and democracy as the program architecture. I think that the bug is in how easily citizens are swayed by the media. I think the media used to work as a debugging device and now the media is more like a virus. Time and again I see these idiotic policies passing, where there isn't proper media coverage or the media is protecting their corporate sponsors or "good reputation" with corporate america so they don't want to examine policy in-depth.

I think the root of many of the bugs is the lack of analysis or trying to pass off fluff as analysis. Few citizens take the time to understand issues outside of what the media is feeding them. The "new media", or "the blogisphere" is our hope for people waking up. I'm not anti-corporation but I am anti-government corporate collusion. As this happens more we get closer to becoming a fascist society.

"exploiting the weaknesses in the American Democratic Model" is exactly what corporate empires are doing with their stong partnerships with the politicians they have working for them.

I heard Ron Paul say recently, today we have a corporate industrial complex just as we have a military industrial complex. Both the government and corporations are working together to make money. Pharmaceutical companies also work hand-in-hand with the government and doctors to get their pills pushed on the public. That is what I covered in my last story on Paxil.

I've also examined why it is that in one part of Utah you can't drive more than 10 blocks without there being a Wal-Mart. What I found is that It comes down to every city and township enticing Wal-Mart so they can feed of the tax base they provide. Then it gets to a point were the tax incentives these cities and townships are offering Wal-Mart are: free land, very little taxes just to open in their area. Then this happens with Costco, Lowes, Home Depot, McDonalds etc. Thus we have every city looking like every other city and the local landscape is lost and local merchants are snubbed out.

Keep up the good work. I think you are on the right path.

Corporations are becoming the new Feudal Lords of America

2008-04-08T16:09:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about the idea why people aren't involved locally. Why there doesn't seem to be a big concern over the local physical environment. I think that a physical environment is a representation of the values of the people who inhabit that environment. And I think that most people in Salt Lake just don't really care about the physical environment around them because they don't think they can do anything about it.

When we had a giant Wal-Mart erected in front of our old condo, which would block the view we had of the mountains. I never had a second thought about fighting against it being built. All of my neighboors complained about the new building, but not for a moment did we consider starting a petition, because there was no hope in stopping Lord Wal-Mart.

I think the corporate landscape disenfranchises citizens. How can citizens ever make their physical landscape the way they want it? They can't because it always comes down to starting a battle against a corporate power. Corporations are the new feudal Lords of America. Citizens are becoming more like the helpless peasant surfs. There is too much collusion between government and corporations.

I heard Ron Paul talking about this, he called it the Corporate Industrial Complex. Just as there is a Military industrial Complex, where the government and military contractors work very closely together to have their agendas succeed; the same holds true for corporations and government. Until citizens understand that by supporting corporations for every thing they buy they are actually selling out their sovereignty, I think voter apathy will increase and citizen involvement will continue to decrease.

Corporate Pharmacies Gag their Employess

2008-04-05T09:17:00.000-07:00

I think we need to feel blessed that Salt Lake City still has a few independent retail merchants, banks, grocery stores, car dealerships, bike shops and jewelery shops. In our on-going coverage of "How Main Street Was Traded for Wall Street" I found every corporate retail outlet where I attempted to film or gain access to interview employees, I was repeatedly told I must first gain permission from the district office. After calling the district office I was always told to write to the corporate office. I never had the patience to speak to corporate, but I know it would take potentially months, if not years, just to gain permission to speak with a representative of one of the many corporate national chain stores that we all patronize.

In effect, the people working at these corporate chain stores in our valley are silenced. They have no free speech, they have no sovereignty under the bureaucracy of their ruling authority.

I was again reminded of this problem yesterday when I attempted to film a pharmacist counting and processing Paxil for our story on the chemical dependence myth. I first tried my neighborhood Walgreens "You will have to call our district office, I can't grant you permission or speak to you without their consent." Then I tried Rite Aid only this time they said, " Sure, I would be willing to discuss Paxil, but let me have you talk to the Pharmacist here...Oh he says you would need to get a statement from our district office and that's the best we can do, sorry."

In both cases I was also unable to gain permission to film them counting pills. How does the free press operate when all the corporate retail stores are bound and gagged by their corporate offices? Where is the sovereignty and marketplace of opinions when workers aren't allowed to even offer their stance on such an important issue of the chemical dependence of our population?

Finally, I called the independent local pharmacy on 200 South below the University of Utah. The head pharmacist was out of town and the fill-in named Trip granted me access to film. The employees were courteous and helpful; despite my coming at a very busy time of day. Unfortunately, Trip was too busy to discuss Paxil, but he invited me to return next week.

Next time I buy drugs I'm going to the University Pharmacy. Thank your local merchants and patronize them, they contribute to the health and well being of our democracy and free press.

Feel Sorry For all the Rich People

2008-03-29T15:32:00.000-07:00

Economic health doesn't translate to mental health. Also, according to a recent research study, materialim produces depression, unhappiness and low self-esteem. So next time you see a rich guy, give him a hug, because he's probably not very happy.

Intrinsic self-worth is what matters most. Extrinsic beauty, and material things only cause people to feel value from the stuff they surround themselves with. They must know all too well their stuff, isn't helping them feel better, so most rich folks donate money to universities so their names can be put on buildings. We have a lot of buildings with names on them. The University of Utah loves the Eccles and BYU loves the Marriot family. But don't wish you were in one of these two families because they are probably depressed. click here to read full story

Utah has the strongest economy in the nation but the highest levels of depression per-capita. I definatly don't believe this has anything to do with Utah as a place, Utah is amazingly beautiful. We have canyons, mountain streams, ski slopes and waterskiing, all within 20 minutes of downtown Salt Lake City.

Another argument that sort of disqulifies this statistic in terms of the population, is how Utahns percieve treatment for mental health problems. Utahns prefer drug treatment to thereputic options. To get the drugs you need to be labeled. So if you just ask your doctor for Paxil, hes not going to give it to you unless you say you are depressed. Then he can give you the label and Paxil and all can be well.

Another factor to Utah's high rate of mental labels is the number of qualified mental health practicioners in Utah is far too low for our population. Dr. Lili Wagner, pointed out both of these things to me in her interview with me about the statistics release on Mental Health America.

So rather than focus my next segment on why Utah is making people depressed, which I think would be an invalid approach. I want to find out what is wrong with the way people are living, that is causing them to be depressed. I kind of think its because we don't spend enough time just doing nothing. Doing nothing makes people more happy.

The Suburban Utopia Myth

2008-02-23T16:14:00.001-08:00

"The City" (1939) was a film sponsored by the The Regional Planning Association of America just as the United States was emerging from The Great Depression. The film if from an era when the United States Government saw the power of tapping into cinematic propaganda to fulfill an agenda. The Natzis had used propaganda films to rally public support. Leni Reifenstein "Triumph of the Will" made Hitler appear like a God. Mussolini had done the same always pointing at what the Government could offer to improve their lives.

Now it was Americas turn. Roosevelt and his New Deal architects had a vision for how America would progress. Their vision was to make America into a nation composed more of smaller communities than large cities. Big ideas were turn our cities into gardens, full of walking pathways. The goal was to reduce pollution and congestion. They believed the way to accomplish this was to make populations less urban and less centralized. The result, however was the fragmenting of city centers and rampant urban sprawl.

The early suburbs and initial plans and prototypes were excellently planned communities, with community centers and neighborhood shops, remeniscient of small town life. However, like any idea or vision, mismanaged or copied too many times. the xerographic quality diminished. The reality of the envisioned "utopia" became far less then the dreams they imagined. Why? Because like any government initiative the ideas and plans were mismanaged--and ultimately special interest power got in the way.

As the suburbs spread like wild fire, sustaining ever-increasing automobile traffic became the primary concern of most short-sighted city leaders. The cure: widen highways, offer more parking, raze historic city buildings so everyone could drive to work. Of course this only worsened the effect. People continue to move further and further away from cities, causing more car dependence, more pollution and greater need for huge sums to maintain highways. What happened to the vision?

"The City" demonstrates the common sentiment felt at the time- for nostalgia for a more simple life. The beginning of the film shows this idealic life from perhaps the early 19th century. It describes their lifestyle:

Art isn't something foreign we look at in a showcase, its in the blankets that we've spun and woven right at home. Its in the patchwork quilts sewn by our daughters at a quilting bee for someone's bridal chest. Its in the locks and hinges that the blacksmith shapes."

The return to simplicity has been a reoccurring movement found in the very complex American society. However, every attempt to a return to simplicity has had the paradoxical affect of making our lives more complex. Thanks to the suburban-sprawl movement many folks live in a discombobulated world without any center. Strip malls and big box stores are all most Americans know. People spend more time in their cars then they do with their families.

The Utopian city dream can be managed better when the state has complete control and regulates all commercial activity. Socialism however has the adverse reaction of a population lacking in innovation and economic stimulus-- I fear too many believe are beginning to believe we need Socialism to solve our problems. What we need is much better regulation.

A balance between well planned communities, tax incentives for those who don't commute long distances and more transit options will reverse the affects of the problems the Suburban sprawl caused. Our leaders need to listen to real city planners-- build communities, offering centers for most retail activity, supported by transit and bicycle/pedestrian pathways. High density living can offer many of the benefits of small town life. This is entirely possible when people aren't car dependent. Less dependence on automobiles is the best way to simplify our lives.

watch "The City" here
see our Wal-Mart at Quarry bend story here
see how Main Street was traded for malls here