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Dear friends & family,

If you read my "Editor's Notebook" column in the Dec. CATALYST, you know we're looking at new models of support. For the past 34 years it's been advertisers alone that pay the print bill, the writers, and my hardworking staff. It's time we bring the community into the equation. To that end, we've decided to apply for nonprofit status. Lots of work to do ~ and then, yes, if it all works out, we will have a crowdsourcing campaign. And some parties. And you will be invited.

We'll keep you posted.

Check out my picks for this week. Click on the cover at left for the December issue. Share this email with a friend. Send me comments.

I'm so glad you're here.

Greta Belanger deJong
Ed. & Publ,
CATALYST


P.S.: Below the events you'll find a note from John on the upcoming Senate vote on GMOs, and a call to action from Sophie ~ as well as the eternally popular Ralfee Finn horoscopes.
Event picks for
December 10-17

6th Annual CONNECT Gala 


Fri, Dec 11, 7-9pm
Urban Arts Gallery
137 S Rio Grande St (in Gateway Mall)
$12/$10 adv
 
Peruse the work of 38 artists selected over the past year at monthly Connect events. Vote on which artists will be awarded $2,000 and other prizes. Performances by Utah Symphony Youth Guild. Silent action, cash bar. 100% of proceeds go directly to Utah Arts Alliance programs.
 
 

Jared & The Mill (w/ Brumby)
 
Fri, December 11, 9pm/doors @ 8
The State Room
638 South State St


 
Founded in the summer of 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona, Indie/Fork artist Jared & The Mill have quickly gained traction in the music scene for their unique brand of country infused folk pop. "Touring the country and becoming dramatically closer as friends and musicians has molded the way we write about things. Those miles changed our music and our souls, and it has made our bond even stronger. Life gives to you and it takes from you, and we have written about the give and take. We've written about those sweet things and those bitter things, and that struggle to stay the course and try your best to carve yourself into a good man. We are also writing about our desert home, which has been such a huge influence on us. We can't wait to debut the new music."

Video: 
Channel 801: December Showcase

Fri, Dec 11, 8pm (doors @ 7)
Mod A Go Go
242 E S Temple
Free; 18+

Channel 801 is a curated showcase for local Utah film makers to premier their work and meet other film makers. This month it is hosted by Mod A Go Go. Presenting: "Preys," by Chris Adler, "Doll Face," by Jeffrey Goodey, "Charlie's Conflict," by Mario DeAngelis, "Theater Noir," by Andrea Kile Peterson, "It's A Wonderful Life?" by Brian Higgins. BYOB & snacks.
Climate Rally, March & Demonstration
 
Sat, Dec 12, 9am
SLC Main Library, 210 E 400 S, south side amphitheater
Wear red, bring money for TRAX



As the Paris climate negotiations wind down, people around the world are taking to the streets to have the last word. Gather at the library for a rally highlighting the Pacific Islander struggle at COP21; then march one block west for a photo op at the Matheson Courthouse, asking attorney General of Utah and the U.S. Dept. of Justice to investigate Exxon; and just after 10am travel by TRAX to an Exxon Gas Station to draw a red line around the entrances for 27 minutes, demonstrating the #ClimateRedLine to be defended. This line is consistent with science that indicates we must keep 80% of fossil fuel reserves in the ground and transition to 100% renewables by 2050. Why 27 minutes? Because Exxon, the world's largest fossil fuel company, has spent at least 27 years obfuscating the truth about climate change, even though--as recent reporting suggests--their own scientists have long known about the threat. Organized by Fossil Free Natural History Museum and Elders Rising joined by activists from Sierra Club, 350.org, Utah for Bernie Sanders and more.
 
 
Abortion Storytelling Workshop with Elna Baker of "This American Life"

Sat, Dec 12, noon-4pm; also Sun, Dec 13, noon-4pm (choose one or the other)
SLC Public Library, 210 E 400 S
Free; preregistration required


Join Elna Baker of This American Life and The Moth, as she teaches you how to craft and perform a dynamic short story about abortion. Your abortion story can be about having one yourself, supporting a friend or family member, being a clinic escort, or any other story touching on abortion care. Then you'll have a chance to perform your own story and receive notes. A handful of stories will be selected to showcase at the annual Roe v. Wade Celebration on 1-22-16. Sponsored by Planned Parenthood Assn. of Utah. 
 
 
Santacon 2015 Pub Crawl
 
Sat, Dec 12, 8pm
Gather at Lumpy's
3000 E Highland Dr

Calling all Santa's, Mrs. Clauses, elves, reindeer: Time to say Merry Christmas, give big hugs, hand out candy canes, and be jolly. Oh, and sing Christmas carols. Bring in an unwrapped toy to Lumpy's Downtown for the Toys for Tots program
Bar lineup: 8@Lumpys Downtown, 9@The Office, 9:30@The Green Pig, 10@Maxwells, Whiskey Street@10, Cheers to You@10, Bourbon House@10:30, Murphy's@11, Club Elevate@11:30. Sponsored by: Red Lotus Entertainment and OEM (One Eyed Monster Music Festivals). 

 
The Great Recession: How's the Recovery?

Sun, Dec 132-3:30pm
Salt Lake City Library 
210 E 400 S, 4th floor conference room
Free

The Forum for Questioning Minds presents William T. Carlisle, Ph.D. in the discussion: "The financial crisis and the Great Recession: How's the recovery?" Dr. Carlisle is emeritus professor of economics at the U of U.


Jazz Vespers Quartet
Sun, Dec 13, 7:30pm (doors @ 7)
First Unitarian Church, 569 S 1300 E 
 
 
 
Tribute to Louis Jordan, pioneering American musician, songwriter and bandleader in swing, jump blues rhythm & blues and big band music known as "King of the Jukebox." Hosted by Rev. Tom Goldsmith.

More on Louis Jordan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TxNsuZKtRE

 
SLC Green Drinks
Tues, Dec 15, 6-9pm
The Humane Society of Utah
4242 S 300 W
$5-10
 Informal networking, food, drinks. Tours and presentation by HSU.
Winter Nights at NHMU
Wed, Dec 16, 5-9pm
Natural History Museum of Utah
,
301 Wakara Way
 
Dec 5 & 610am-5pm
Red Butte Garden orangerie, 300 Wakara Way
Free; $5 for cookie/hot chocolate/ornament-making 
   
Musical performances by Bonneville Elementary Choir, Hillside Middle School Orchestra, East High Choir. Ornament-making, and cookies and hot chocolate. Discounts at the Museum store.
 

Young Democrats Social List
Thurs, Dec 17, 7pm (21+)
Dick N' Dixie's, 479 E 300 S
Have a beer or soda with the Young Democrats of Utah. There will be no speeches, no pitches, just a chance to talk to your fellow Dems. The Young Democrats of Utah promotes awareness and involvement of people under the age of 36 in the political process.

 
Meet Me in St Louis (1944) 
Thurs, Dec 17, 7pm
Salt Lake City Library, 
210 E 400 S, auditorium
Free
This classic MGM romantic musical comedy focuses on four sisters on the cusp of the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. The film spotlights the sisters' education in the ways of the world ~ learning about life and love, courtesy of the prototypical boy next door. In the end, love ~ accompanied by song, dance, and period costumes, all in glorious Technicolor ~ conquers all. The movie is a lovingly rendered still life of a family (and town) on the brink of great change. Starring Judy Garland and Margaret O'Brien. Full of famous songs.
 
Link to youtube video 

Blog Updates 
 
Some weeks, I do want to stick my head in the sand and make like an ostrich because it seems that the news just gets worse-at least the global broadcast news-and mustering the soul strength to deal with the potential for yet another wave of extreme violence just isn't easy. That's the curse of augury: How to frame the difficult news without adding to the problem. Of course, I could always lie, something a reader suggested in a text message last week: "I really, really wish that you would lie in your columns." Alas, lying about the planets isn't possible for me. Putting a positive spin on astral interactions is, but sometimes finding a wholesome balance interpreting planetary patterns is as difficult as finding a wholesome balance in just living life...(read more). 

 
"The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" is a poem from the B-side of Gil Scott-Heron's first single, "Home Is Where the Hatred Is" and was written in 1969. What a hard-hitting year: the war in 'Nam, Nixon, we landed on the moon, antiwar demonstrations, race riots, Woodstock, Charles Manson's cult murdered a couple of people, and Walmart was incorporated. Here we are in 2015, listening to this same song that delivers the still-relevant message that complacent media-consuming culture and capitalism are not going to witness a real change...(read more)

 
You might want to let your favorite U.S. senator know how you feel about the GMO anti-labeling bill sneaking its way through the Senate. The bill would prevent individual states from passing, or rather enforcing, laws requiring food companies to label foods that contain GMOs.
Just such a law is scheduled to go into effect in Vermont next year. The food industry raises the specter of expensive and confusing labeling if each state passes different labeling requirements. The truth is, states usually pass laws that reflect other states' laws, as is the case in most other areas of consumer protection. Maine and Connecticut have passed GMO labeling laws that go into effect when Vermont's law takes effect...(read more)