North Logan Downtown

I just ran across a reference to a development plan for a North Logan "downtown" in the Herald Journal. So I looked into it and found this plan online. Basically, there's an area along 200 E running from 1800 N to 2500 N that is charted to have mixed development including a hotel and luxury condos.

It strikes me as a bit odd because I associate mixed development with the near city communities in Arlington, VA (where I just moved from). I have a hard time understanding how a Ballston or Shirlington would work in Cache Valley. Looking at the plan, one big difference between the mixed development of Arlington and North Logan's is the vast amount of land devoted to parking lots. It's essential for that intensity of land use when parking garages don't make economic sense. It looks like they've done a decent job of hiding the parking lots except for a stretch along the east side of 200 E and the west side of 400 E. I just don't buy that the trees are going to hide much, not here.

I can't decide if it's completely ridiculous to plan mixed development here or if I should look into one of the condos. I do miss some of the conveniences of the arrangement.

This is such a huge change. I run down 200 E from 1400N to Hyde Park because it's relatively flat and there aren't too many cars to deal with. I guess that's going to change. No more horses and fields either. It's sort of neat to see a "downtown" being established. I generally think of them as just springing up naturally. I'm sure in some cases they did.

Newcomers Ad

The best way to find out about Logan Newcomers upcoming events is to go to their website, new2logan.com. But one of the founders will also ocasionaly put something on meetup.com. I know it's one of the first places I looked for stuff when I came to town. Maybe the ad will remind me to RSVP to events there, so other newcomers know there's activity there.

Lowest Crime in US

The Logan metropolitan area is the safest in the country. Read about it here.

SNOW!!!!

We have flurries in the valley! About time.

Sunday Beer

The big story this week in Cache Valley is the sale of beer at the Nibley Maverick on Sundays. It turns out that Nibley (town south of Logan) just doesn't have a law against it. There is discussion of expanding beer sales to other cities in the Valley and Nibley may decide to write an ordinance prohibiting Sunday beer. So, get it while it's hot.

BTW, Mickey did a post on the liquor laws. Seems to be consistent with what I've learned. I think he left out the bit about 1oz of liquor limit in cocktails. Or maybe that's myth.

The next challenge, the skinny on how drinks change by venue. E.g. the Corona at Chili's is standard. At Et Toro, it's 3.2, but the Negro Modelo is standard. Everything at the White Owl is under 4%. I'm not sure I got that right, but I'm coming to understand that it's a little more complicated than I thought at first.

Running Llama

Team in Training training runs started today. Afterwards the team got together to discuss fund raising strategy. First step, I have a web page. Check it out! I also drafted a letter. If I have your address, you'll be getting a letter sometime in the near future.

Other ideas:
We're planning a fund raising event in February. More details to come. I'm pushing the karaoke idea hard. We'll see...

I was also thinking about having some sort of bake sale. It would give me an outlet for my desire to cook. The missing piece is a place to set up shop. I could just make fliers offering to make stuff for people's holiday parties. I did hear something about people tailgating at Beaver Mountain on Sundays. Beer and caramel popcorn?

Ski Swap

I've been noticing these signs around town since last Thursday for a ski swap. I was going to look it up online. Thanks to John at NewComer's I got the inside scoop delivered to my inbox.

Ski Swap Thur-Sat, Nov 15-17Stan Laub Indoor Football Training Center (about 1050 E 1400 North) Half a football field (literally) of used snow equipment. Mostly downhill skis and snowboard, cross country,snowshoe, and clothing.

November 15, 2005 7-9pm
November 16, 2005 9am-10pm (Best Day)
November 17, 2005 9am-10pm

If you are thinking of trying out equipment this year before you buy:
Beaver Mountain has a good selection of rental Demo Downhill skis on themountain.
Sam's Club has snowshoes for $70 now
ORC rents snowshoes for $10 for the weekend
ORC cross country skis are $10 for the weekend


The other hint I've heard is that if you're willing to wait the college kids off load stuff like crazy in the spring before they go home. Here's to being a townie.

Playground

Speaking of swag*, the Warren Miller annual film was last week, Playground. I went with the Logan Newcomers. It's basically a swagfest (with more todo about swag than actual swag) with the main give away being a lift ticket to The Canyons, which is apparently so difficult to use that I haven't met anyone who's actually used it. There are also some door prizes, stuff from Al's Sporting Goods and a season pass to Beaver Mountain. I didn't win anything, but give it up to the announcer from Al's who actually made other people winning seem fun. As for the movie, it made me content with my baby skis and add a water weenie** to my Christmas list.

* Out of respect, I separated this from the missionary post.
** I can't believe there isn't any footage on You Tube of the BYU Water Weenie Squad.

My First Visit

It was really only a matter of time, right? I got my first visit from Mormon missionaries tonight. They knocked quite vigorously, so I thought it might be my fam making a surprise visit. But when I looked through the peep hole (purely a screening process, I've been getting a lot of salesmen -sooo not worried about criminal types here), there were a couple of guys in the suits. One of the guys was waving. How'd he know I was looking through the peep hole?? That completely freaked me out -- thinking he could see my eye and all -- so I opened on up.

I let the guy get through a bit of his spiel before explaining, I'm not buying what he's selling. We dialouged a little. "If God had sent his son to die for our sins wouldn't it be nice if he told us?" " Makes sense." "Do you live alone?" "Who's asking?" But I didn't want to lead them on. It's a bit too cold to be wasting time standing outside talking to someone who isn't going to convert.

I did get some cool swag, my own Book of Mormon. I'm actually pretty jazzed about it. Not just because all swag is good, but because I'm genuinely interested in knowing more about the locals. They asked me to read the intro and told me they'd be back. Awesome. I plan to do the homework. Next time I'd like to ask for some literature besides the book (like cliff notes and Mormon theology for dummies), but I'm a little concerned about giving the wrong impression.

I need to keep my apartment more picked up, so next time they come I can think about inviting them in. It's cold.

Team in Training: Logan Team

We've got 3 (almost 4) people on board with a Team in Training in Logan tonight. I know it doesn't sound like a lot, but it's enough to get the ball rolling. I'm hoping that we'll be able to get some others to join. Our captain is hoping to announce it at the monthly Meet and Greet for Logan Newcomers next week.

Some of the details:

• Long runs on Saturdays - in the valley most of the time, but we'll probably try to hook up with the larger Salt Lake group every so often
• Group fundraising events - some of the suggestions in their pamphlet sound like a lot of fun.
• Chapter Event Kick Off - November 13, 2007; 7:00 pm (or 6:00 pm if you want to get additional info and register)
• Fundraising goal - $1700 per person
• Honored Teammate: Omar F.; 7 years old with Hodgkins Lymphoma; currently undergoing; loves dinosaurs
• Salt Lake Marathon - April 19, 2008; 26.2 miles

Article on how close researchers are to finding a cure for Hodgkin's disease.

TNT

In case anyone reads this, TNT is having a meeting tomorrow. It's going to be fun! Come on.

We will be meeting at the Sports Academy & Racquet Club (1655 North 200 East North Logan ). The meeting will begin at 6:30 PM and last for no longer than 1 1/2 hours.

About the Leukemia Society:
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. The Society's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has invested more than $550.8 million for research specifically targeting blood cancers.


The Society is committed to curing leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, and helping patients and their families. The support you provide is invested wisely. In fiscal year 2007, the Society invested $64.7 million to support more than 480 researchers and projects in 15 countries on five continents. The Society also provides financial assistance to patients; sponsors scientific conferences around the country; produces educational materials and videos; and runs dozens of Family Support Groups nationwide.

Team in Training

A fellow newcomer is helping to put together a Team in Training (TNT) group for the Logan Area. Team in Training raises money for the Lukemia Society. Participans agree to raise a certain amount of, and TNT will train you to run/walk the Salt Lake City Marathon or Half Marathon.

I'll provide further updates after the informational meeting on this Wednesday (November 4, 2007 6:30pm Sport's Academy). As a newcomer, this should be a fun way to meet people. This should be great encouragement to keep running through the winter.