Saturday, January 24, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Sorry this is a little late but we had a wonderful New Years Eve.
I Love the New Year and welcome 2009.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
I was in the Deseret News
Salt Lake celebrates First Night
By Clayton Norlen
Deseret News
Published: January 1, 2009
Salt Lake City wasn't sleeping last night.
To celebrate the birth of 2009, thousands of Utah residents crowded the usually sleepy downtown area to ring in the new year in the company of friends, family and fellow revelers. First Night, a festival celebrating the culture and community of downtown, connected the city via TRAX to events at The Gateway, Temple Square and the Gallivan Center. With warm drinks, music and dance, attendees welcomed 2009.
Evan Haslam, an architecture student at the University of Utah, described New Year's Eve as an opportunity to reflect on the important events that had transpired the previous year.
Jeremy Klehr, a resident of Salt Lake City, wants the new year to bring change, economically and politically, so the United States can get back on track and take care of its citizens again.
Jay Henderson, a singer with Band of Annuals which performed at the Gallivan Center, wants to continue not smoking.
Whatever 2009 will bring, Charlotte Frehner emphasized her hope that people use the new year as a starting point for goals and a chance to move forward.
"In the new year I want to get better grades," said Frehner, a first-year student in the U.'s architecture program. "Not that mine were bad last semester, but you can always try and do better."
For First Night, a group of U. architecture students created installation pieces to encourage viewers to question the definition, purpose and implementation of New Year's rituals. Using unread newspapers, salvaged lumber and recycled steel rods, Haslam's group created "Knock on Wood."
The works created by students were focused on sustainable living, and students were required to create them from at least 85 percent recycled or salvaged materials. Haslam hoped that his group's piece could inspire people to take care of the world.
"For the new year it's good to consider how to take care of the world," Haslam said. "It took a lot of junk to create these pieces."
Through the revelries and celebrations, most in attendance at First Night were focused on enjoying the moment. Across downtown, the energy made the city hum as people drifted between locations and filled the sidewalks.
Danica Fraley, an event coordinator with the Downtown Alliance for First Night, said that food, art and music can easily bring people together in celebration.
"First Night brings the communities of the state together because the theme is centered on everybody," Fraley said. " People can find something they can enjoy with activities from Latin dancing to ice skating. We've tried to create an event where any age can have fun in a safe, pleasant environment."
Live bands performed as artists painted behind them. Warming huts at The Gallivan Center hosted poetry reading, solo artists and dance performances. Outside there were fire dancers and free ice skating.
Fraley said First Night is an opportunity for people to become exposed to the life of downtown, its shops and its people.
"We wanted to have one night where people could come together, learn something and meet new people," Fraley said.
In attendance at the Joseph Smith Memorial building to hear Mama's Boys, a bluegrass folk group, was Pat Birrell, a resident of West Valley City. She said that she has always attended First Night to hear the music at Temple Square.
"To me the new year is the sun coming over the mountains to mark a fresh year to do the best we can with," Birrell said. "In 2009, I'll try to do things better than I did in 2008 and enjoy all the time I can with my family."
By Clayton Norlen
Deseret News
Published: January 1, 2009
Salt Lake City wasn't sleeping last night.
To celebrate the birth of 2009, thousands of Utah residents crowded the usually sleepy downtown area to ring in the new year in the company of friends, family and fellow revelers. First Night, a festival celebrating the culture and community of downtown, connected the city via TRAX to events at The Gateway, Temple Square and the Gallivan Center. With warm drinks, music and dance, attendees welcomed 2009.
Evan Haslam, an architecture student at the University of Utah, described New Year's Eve as an opportunity to reflect on the important events that had transpired the previous year.
Jeremy Klehr, a resident of Salt Lake City, wants the new year to bring change, economically and politically, so the United States can get back on track and take care of its citizens again.
Jay Henderson, a singer with Band of Annuals which performed at the Gallivan Center, wants to continue not smoking.
Whatever 2009 will bring, Charlotte Frehner emphasized her hope that people use the new year as a starting point for goals and a chance to move forward.
"In the new year I want to get better grades," said Frehner, a first-year student in the U.'s architecture program. "Not that mine were bad last semester, but you can always try and do better."
For First Night, a group of U. architecture students created installation pieces to encourage viewers to question the definition, purpose and implementation of New Year's rituals. Using unread newspapers, salvaged lumber and recycled steel rods, Haslam's group created "Knock on Wood."
The works created by students were focused on sustainable living, and students were required to create them from at least 85 percent recycled or salvaged materials. Haslam hoped that his group's piece could inspire people to take care of the world.
"For the new year it's good to consider how to take care of the world," Haslam said. "It took a lot of junk to create these pieces."
Through the revelries and celebrations, most in attendance at First Night were focused on enjoying the moment. Across downtown, the energy made the city hum as people drifted between locations and filled the sidewalks.
Danica Fraley, an event coordinator with the Downtown Alliance for First Night, said that food, art and music can easily bring people together in celebration.
"First Night brings the communities of the state together because the theme is centered on everybody," Fraley said. " People can find something they can enjoy with activities from Latin dancing to ice skating. We've tried to create an event where any age can have fun in a safe, pleasant environment."
Live bands performed as artists painted behind them. Warming huts at The Gallivan Center hosted poetry reading, solo artists and dance performances. Outside there were fire dancers and free ice skating.
Fraley said First Night is an opportunity for people to become exposed to the life of downtown, its shops and its people.
"We wanted to have one night where people could come together, learn something and meet new people," Fraley said.
In attendance at the Joseph Smith Memorial building to hear Mama's Boys, a bluegrass folk group, was Pat Birrell, a resident of West Valley City. She said that she has always attended First Night to hear the music at Temple Square.
"To me the new year is the sun coming over the mountains to mark a fresh year to do the best we can with," Birrell said. "In 2009, I'll try to do things better than I did in 2008 and enjoy all the time I can with my family."
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