Press Conference to Sign Human Rights Proclamation  Event Marks 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
 
Salt Lake City – Mayor Ralph Becker will hold a press conference today Wednesday, December 10, 2008 in the first floor Gallery of the City & County Building at 2:00 p.m.  During the event, the Mayor will sign an official Proclamation commemorating the 60th anniversary of the day the United Nations endorsed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
 
In addition to signing the Proclamation, the Mayor will unveil a large Universal Declaration of Human Rights banner and invite the public to sign it to join in commemorating the anniversary.
 
WHO:             Mayor Ralph Becker and Walter Jones, Member of the Salt Lake City Human Rights Commission
 
WHAT:          Press Conference and Proclamation Signing
60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights                
 
WHERE:       City & County Building, First Floor Gallery
                        451 South State Street
                        Salt Lake City, Utah
                       
WHEN:          Wednesday, December 10, 2008
                        2:00 p.m.
 
The Salt Lake City Mayor’s Office of Diversity & Human Rights will be cosponsoring a variety of events throughout the month. For a schedule of events and more information visit http://www.slcgov.com/diversity or call Yolanda Francisco-Nez, 801-535-7734.

Mayor Ralph Becker and Mayor Peter Corroon Encourage Salt Lake County Residents to Donate Generously to Local Food Pantries During “Food Ride” Competition with Utah County
Mayor Becker to Participate in “Food Ride” from Provo to SLC with Provo Mayor
 
SALT LAKE CITY- Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon are urging all residents of Salt Lake County to give generously to the Utah Food Bank between now and December 13, as part of a friendly competition between residents of Salt Lake and Utah County.
 
The Mayors are hoping everyone will give to Salt Lake County area food pantries in the spirit of generosity and friendly competition between the two counties. Donations can be dropped off at any food pantry, Jiffy Lube or Smith’s location.                         
 
On Saturday, December 13, Provo City Mayor Lewis K. Billings will bike from Provo to Salt Lake City to make good on the challenge the two mayors made when they attended the BYU vs. UofU football game.
 
As mayor of the losing team, Billings will bike approximately 50 miles to Salt Lake City to deliver a donation for the Utah Food Bank.  Mayor Becker will join him for the ride. The two mayors are using the event to encourage the public to donate to local food banks in their areas, calling the event a “food ride” rather than a “food drive.”
 
The “Rivalry Food Ride” will begin at 11 a.m. on the north steps of the Provo City Center at 351 W. Center Street and will end at approximately 4 p.m. on the east steps of the Salt Lake City and County Building at  452 S. State Street.  The public is invited to join the mayors for any part of the ride.  A map of the route is available at www.provo.org.
 
Donations can be dropped off at any Salt Lake area food pantry, Jiffy Lube or Smith’s location.                         
 

My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin and members of the Latter-day Saint faith worldwide who gleaned from Elder Wirthlin’s enduring and positive spirit. He was a force for good in our community and will be dearly missed.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
A Phoenix Theatre Company Production
 
Salt Lake City – The Sorenson Unity Center is proud to showcase its new Black Box Theatre with The Phoenix Theatre Company/The Academy of Performing Arts holiday production of THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, December 5-22, 2008. This beautiful story filled with magical, mythological creatures unfolds against the backdrop of the mystical frozen land beautifully depicted in the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis and will play every Monday, Friday, and Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. at the new Sorenson Unity Center Black Box Theatre, 1383 South 900 West, SLC. Matinee shows are Saturday, December 13th and 20th at 2:00 p.m. Advance reserved seating is advised. Tickets can be purchased online by going to www.sorensonunitycenter.org  or calling the Academy Box Office at (801) 486-2728.
 
This original script for THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE is an adaptation by Academy Founder/Director, Collin Kreuzer. The production boasts a strong intergenerational ensemble consisting of amateurs as well as professionals, all passionate about their work. Veterans of APA and many talented new artists join together in bringing the Land of Narnia to the Sorenson Unity Center’s new Performing Arts stage. Collin Kreuzer artfully handles the challenging portrayal of the great Lion Aslan, Son of the Emperor Beyond the Sea. Brighton Sloan and Michelle Masefield reprise their shared role of the wickedly treacherous White Witch, Jadis. Logan Hunter (Peter), Kayla Armstrong and Sarah Anderson (share the role of Susan), Sasha Sloan (Lucy), and Asher Smith (Edmund) are the inquisitive Pevensie children whose curiosity leads them to discover a magical Wardrobe. Nicholas Nebeker is the delightfully playful, tea-drinking kidnapper Faun Tumnus and Jeff Spafford and Tanya Felkner play the supportive Mr. and Mrs. Beaver.
 
 
About the Sorenson Unity Center Information
 
          The Sorenson Unity Center is a 2300 square foot facility operated under the Department of Community and Economic Development of Salt Lake City Corporation which houses Salt Lake Donated Dental Services, Salt Lake Community College, a fitness and recreation center managed by Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation, computer center, youth programs, theater space and rental space. During the course of the year, the center will host collaborative free to the public workshops, films, performances, conferences and guest lecture series. For more information visit the Sorenson Unity Center website at www.sorensonunitycenter.com  or contact Nichol Bourdeaux at 801-535-6534.
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The Return of Free Parking in Downtown SLC for the Holidays
 
Salt Lake City – Mayor Ralph Becker will be holding a press conference Wednesday morning at 11:30 a.m. in downtown Salt Lake City to announce the return of free parking for the holiday season.  The Mayor will be joined by Jason Mathis of the Downtown Alliance and Scott Evans of Squatters Pub and Brewery to explain why the free parking not only helps shoppers, but downtown businesses too.
 
Festive bags will cover parking meters Thanksgiving Day through New Year’s Day, allowing Downtown visitors to shop and enjoy other holiday activities in the Capital City without paying to park.  Following the announcement the Mayor will ceremonially cover the first parking meter to kick things off.
 
WHO:             Mayor Ralph Becker
                        Jason Mathis, Executive Director of the Downtown Alliance
                        Scott Evans, General Manager of Squatters Salt Lake Pub and Brewery
 
WHAT:           Press Conference Announcing Free Parking Downtown for the Holidays
 
WHERE:        147 W. 300 S.
                        Salt Lake City
 
WHEN:           Wednesday, November 26, 2008
                        11:30 a.m.