Earth Day is here, which means it’s time to celebrate the amazing ball of water, dirt and people flying through the universe that we call home. This weekend, learn nonviolent direct-action training from Peaceful Uprising or check out an Earth Day festival. Later in the week, don’t miss an opportunity to comment on the national education-standards program that Utah is taking part in, along with 44 other states.
Nonviolent Direct-action Training
Saturday & Sunday, April 21-22
This weekend, go to school with the folks of Peaceful Uprising (see more p. 22) as they give a crash course on the basics of direct-action protests. Saturday will be a primer on the history of civil disobedience, and Sunday’s class will teach skills for how to prepare and successfully execute an action. Learn how to grab headlines and get gently arrested at these free trainings. Saturday, April 21, 3-6 p.m. @ Peaceful Uprising, 1361 S. Main; Sunday, April 22, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. @ Liberty Park, 600 E. 900 South, PeacefulUprising.org
Earth Day Festival
Sunday, April 22
Join the nuclear rebukers of HEAL Utah at this year’s Earth Day Festival, complete with the musical stylings of country-rockers Bronco, food, and plenty of diversions for the kiddies, such as balloon artists and face painting. More importantly, you can learn about some of Utah’s coming eco-battles, from the controversial Green River nuclear reactors to refinery expansions and more. Liberty Park, 600 E. 900 South, April 22, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., HEALUtah.org
Common Core Comment Period
April 23-26
The Utah State Office of Education is holding a weeklong comment period for Utahns to grade the office’s 2010 decision to transition Utah to voluntarily adopting national core standards for language arts and mathematics. Depending on your perspective, it could be a common-sense idea or a takeover by the feds. Speak up during the comment period this week or at the Thursday public forum. Granite School District Board Room, 2500 S. State, April 26, 6-8 p.m., comments accepted starting April 23 via contact@schools.utah.gov. CoreStandards.org
