Great Migrations - "Waterhole"

One of my assignments for my travel writing class was to watch africam.com which is "live feed" of animals and wildlife. I watched as the elephants went to the watering hole and the activity in the trees. A second broadcast was the flamingos settling in for the night. We were to write a story about what we saw and additional research from the Internet... Great Migrations series starts tonight at six on National Geographic.

"Waterhole"
Sounds of wildlife and birds squawking drift across the waterhole with sparse trees on the other side. Caw – caw… “No one in sight.”
We watch as a solitary wildebeest appears and goes to the waterhole. He turns around and walks back to the trees. Where is the rest? It is time for the Great Migration. In the Masai Mara National Reserve, the migration is tentatively expected to arrive in August or September which is an unforgettable experience. Can you picture nearly two million animals moving through Tanzania and Kenya? Leaving a trail of dust behind them. Crossing the Mara River where the crocodiles lay in wait. First the strange looking wildebeest followed by gazelles and zebras. Nature has a life and death cycle, and the predators - jackals and hyenas are on their trail while the hungry lions wait for their arrival.
The cacophony of sounds swell… Up in the trees, something moves. I thought it was a leopard. A monkey swings to the next tree and he sits and waits. A second one appears, and they chase each through the intertwined treetops. The monkeys are calling each other, and the birds can be heard in the distance.
Later we watch two elephants with babies saunter by swinging their trunks as they go to the waterhole. It is hard for baby elephants to learn how to drink like their mothers. We watch while they put their mouths in the water. They sway side to side as they walk towards the trees. We wait not moving for the next glimpse.
When we arrived in Nairobi on our much-anticipated trip to Africa, the cosmopolitan city was a jumping off point for returning to nature and wildlife.
Lake Nakuru Lodge was one of our favorite stops with densely populated animals and a view of the flamingos for which it is famous. “As far as you can see are flamingos, all shoulder to shoulder or feathers to feathers.” Perched on the rocks at the edge of the lake. Other birds join them, flying and walking, swimming – Perpetual motion and sound. The lights come on in our Lodge, and they settle in for the night.
Last stop was Masai Masa Reserve where we stayed at Mara Sopa Hotel to hopefully await the Great Migration. The trip was wonderful even after we missed it, as it isn’t just about a large herd of wildebeest.

Update: It is about the wildebeests and other animals plus the people. The Mara River is drying up from the defoliation of the Mal Forest. Without water, there isn’t a Great Migration.
How many migrations are left?

“Kwaheri” – Goodbye in Swahili

"On the GO" - Free and/or Inexpensive activitities

“ON THE GO – FREE OR INEXPENSIVE”

 Homebound patrons who are unable to have access to library services may obtain a Homeward Bound Card by calling Barbara Johnston at the Whitmore County Library and leaving a voicemail at 801-468-3700. Items are mailed at the library’s expense. Homeward Bound cards are issued for mailing purposes only and are subject to review. If you are on the Meals on Wheels program, ask Barbara about the program to have your library materials sent with your meals. (Salt Lake County Libraries – slcolibrary.org)

 A Free library card opens up the many possibilities for books, music, movies, and magazines – in a variety of formats (Large Print, Audio books) – and much, much more to meet your needs for learning and leisure plus computers with FREE Internet access. To obtain a FREE library card for adults, 18 and over who live in the city or county and own property, go to any city/county public library to apply for a card. Present preferred proof of a current government issued picture-ID with address, verification of your name, address and signature and complete a library card application. Pick up your card at the library.
For online, go to (Name of county/city you live in) public library. Click on their web site and click on free library card and if applicable “apply for library card” (English or Spanish); follow instructions. (Salt Lake County Libraries – slcolibrary.org)

 Want to spend a day at a Utah State Park? A discount day pass for the Utah State Parks is now available for check out. The pass may be requested at the Reference Desk at each Salt Lake County Library, and allows you free day-use admittance to most Utah State parks and discounted camping fees. Ask at your neighborhood library for details, and please read all instructions that come with the pass.

 Salt Lake City Library – www.slcpllib.ut.us/ 210 E. 400S., SLC, UT 84111
Click on (Free or Inexpensive) events:
 Free Salt Lake City Library events include lectures e.g. Science Movie Night cosponsored by the Museum of Natural History or authors’ book readings, computer classes, and even Yoga sessions…. (Past events included dance lessons…)
 Great bargains at ongoing book sales including videos, CDs in every library location. Most materials are available for $1.00 or less.

 Ride the Trax to downtown – bus service to “park and rides” or park your car
$13.50 for a group pass is available for FrontRunner, TRAX and local bus for groups of up to four people of all ages. For trips beginning on a bus, group passes must be pre-purchased in advance at selected UTA Pass outlets – vending machines. https://buyapass.rideuta.com/
 Take a day trip on the Frontrunner to Ogden, have lunch, browse the train station.

"Halloween Parade"

“Halloween Parade”
Today was a great day; I was able to put on my half boots for the first time in over a year. I was a klutz, and fell down the stairs in July 2009 and broke my ankle in three places, and the doctor put it together with screws. I wore “Birkenstock” sandals for several months after taking my “Frankenstein shoe” off. “How great it is to wear my boots.”
I was off to school to see two of my great grandchildren in their Halloween parade. Several family members attended with me including Mom and another Grandma who both took the day off from work. The lines wound through the auditorium among the parents and families sitting there. 1st grade – Chloe as a pirate, 5th grade – Josie as Alice in Wonderland plus many goblins, ghosts, celebrities, samurais…
After the parade, went to Chloe’s room for a party. One of the Moms read an interactive story about a ghost mom and her ghost children. Chloe was picked to be one of the ghosts.
(My son is making a breakfast smoothie – apples, bananas, and strawberries, orange juice, frozen raspberries, grapes and a “touch” of spinach…)
Continued…. The story was entertaining; next, craft projects of a pumpkin picture frame and taking their pics to put in them. Everyone was having a problem getting the leaves and stems to stay put. Another Mom had a hot glue gun and fixed them while we were at lunch!
(“My daughter put my camera disk in a card reader and inserts into computer.”
Downloads the party pictures into a folder.)
Made witches’ brew with bats, “germs”; passed out treats including M and M cookies my granddaughter had bought for the party.
I sat with her as school continued and at 1:00, adjourned for lunch. Haven’t been to school lunch since I went with her mother. Entered the room we left earlier, and picked up our cartons of chocolate milk and a Styrofoam tray – followed Chloe, as we had a hamburger, fries, peaches, fruit salad, cupcake placed on our trays. Sat down on a bench and had to maneuver my body or squeeze in to sit at the table. There was one half hour to eat; one of the lunch monitors said, “Hurry up and eat, so you can go out for recess.”

Trains, Trucks, and Automobiles - South of Provo / Heber City

Don't miss the ever popular trip to the North Pole! A wonderful experience for the whole family. Elves serve hot drinks and treats while sharing favorite carols and holiday entertainment. Delight while your children tell Santa their Christmas wishes when he climbs aboard your coach!

Polar Express Train - Heber City, UT.
Tickets info, go to http://www.hebervalleyrr.org/


a href="http://www.utahvalley.com/events/details.aspx?ID=1894">
Trains, Trucks, and Automobiles - Springville, Utah - South Valley Area
Ends Dec. 31, 2010 FREE Click on Title...

Free Night at the theater, Story Telling, Book Festival

Setting up my schedule for Oct. I wrote a blog post - VibrantNations.com on Direct Line to Social Security – a Office Close By..” Tonight my Red Hatters and I are going to a Senior Review workshop for making the most of your Social Security.

I logged on a site for two free theater tickets for Oct. 14 freenightstheater.net. A special promotion – Free Night Of Theater 2010 across the US. Some are sold out, but they want you to go to a theater you haven’t been to before. I selected “The Coming Ice Age” by Pygmalion Productions at 1433 Kensington in Sugarhouse – Oct. 14 at 7:30. It is an open rehearsal, comedy about downsizing from a family home to a “senior citizen’s setting. 30 tickets left 6:00 – Sept 28.

There is a Story telling Festival at Fort Douglas Oct. 23 for a $5.00 all-day pass. Details on the beginning of blog.

 13th Annual Utah Humanities Book Festival SLC City Library Oct 20 - 23.
http://www.utahhumanities.org/BookFestival.htm

Start: Tue, 10/19/2010 - 9:00am
End: Sat, 10/23/2010 - 11:30pm

Join us at the 13th Annual Utah Humanities Council Book Festival, Oct. 19-23, an annual celebration bringing readers and writers together.
This year, TKE is pleased to be presenting Thomas McGuane, Saturday, October 23.
The Book Festival is full of book-related festivities — celebrating literacy and IDEAS — including author readings, author signings, panel discussions, live music, exhibitors, family activities & more! Also, lots of activities for children, including book arts and a working replica of the Gutenberg press, the Festival features a “Mash-Up” writing competition to be judged by Quirk Publishing’s David Borgenicht.

The 13th Annual Utah Humanities Book Festival takes places in eleven different communities across Utah in October, National Book Month. The anchor festival in Salt Lake City (Oct. 1, 19, 20-23) features an all-star lineup of poets, fiction writers, historians and other presenters.

Special appearances include:
 Internationally best-selling author of suspense thrillers Tess Gerritsen - Rizzoli and Isles series, debuting soon on TNT
 Iraqi-vet/poet Brian Turner (Phantom Noise)
 Bi-lingual children’s author Rene Colon Lainez (From North To South:
Del Norte al Sur)
 New Yorker regular Ian Frazier (Travels in Siberia)
 Plus many other national, state and local authors

I want to listen to Domininque Browning 11:00 – 12:00 Oct. 23 at SLC library:
“Slow Love: How I Lost my Job, Put on my Pajamas, and Found Happiness.” 9/29/10

"Radio Hour" - 1942 - West Jordan/Midvale

'Radio Hour' airing starting Dec. 2

Celebrate the holidays with the nostalgic West Jordan Theater Arts production of "1940's Radio Hour".

West Jordan Theater Arts' Holiday Show takes you back in time. The year is 1942 in New York City and radio station WOV is presenting its Christmas show, the "1940's Radio Hour." In a time period when radio was the lifeline to news and entertainment, everyone gathered around the radio.

Come watch and enjoy wonderful music like "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," "Baby, It's Cold Outside," "I'll Be Home for Christmas," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and more. See Johnny Cantone the Frank Sinatra wannabe, and Biff doing his last show before he is sent overseas to join a fighter squadron. See Neal the comedian, waiting for his big break. You'll hear from BJ, Ann, Ginger, Geneva, and Connie (an 18-year old bobby sockser from Ogden who wants to be a star). Pops, Lou, Clifton, Wally the drug store delivery boy and other great characters fill out the radio station staff.

The amazing casts of vocalists and performers includes Ann-Megan Smyth, Ginger-Larrissa Villers, Geneva-Rossy Moreno, Connie-Nichole Omana, Johnny-Lucas Millhouse, Neal-Mike Muren, BJ-Cody Crabb, Biff-Dustin Chipman, Wally-Wes King, Pops-Lee Watkins, Lou-Dave Newton, Clifton-Tim Frost, Featured Dancer-Marcy Muren, and Usherettes-Vickie Chapman, Joanne Frost, Jesie Ibrahim, Ann Sharp and Stacy Snider.

Dave Newton has built an amazing set, and director Rosalie Richards and music director Harli Zaugg have brought the 1940's back to life. Music is provided by Cheryl Neilson and Ralph Faneus, and production assistance provided by Jen Crabb and Pat Oliver.

Performances will be at the Midvale Performing Arts Center (695 West 7720 South) on Dec. 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 13, 14, 17, and 18 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the West Jordan Maceys and at the door--Adults $7 and children, seniors and students $4.


CAPTION: Starring in "1940s Radio Hour" are, Allison Gardiner, Lauren Madsen, Shannon Boswell and Shyanne Williams,Dave Newton.