Utah Weekly Forum With Rebecca Cressman

Internationally acclaimed composer Kurt Bestor performed his first Christmas concert in Utah 36 years ago. Since then, attending A Kurt Bestor Christmas each year has become a beloved, local tradition. This season, Kurt Bestor brings another Utah star to the stage, singer David Archuleta and a special arrangement of Kurt's famous "Prayers of the Children" dedicated to children who are currently experiencing war and turmoil around the world. A Kurt Bestor Christmas will run Decemeber 14th-16th at Salt Lake's Eccles Theater. Performance details and tickets are at Live-at-the-Eccles.com.

On Friday, October 27th, Utah Valley University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences will host its annual UVU Conference on Mental Health. The hybrid on-line and in-person event offers the mental health community the opportunity to connect to each other, find resources, and to learn more about Suicide Prevention, Addiction, Interpersonal Violence, and Depression. In this episode, Extraordinary Options Board Member and Summit Counseling Solutions CEO, Kate Plato joins FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman to share why the day-long conference is important for mental healthcare and how it will also pay tribute to community members involved in this life-changing work. For more information, visit www.uvu.edu/chss/

Year after year, Utah earns national attention as an economic leader and because of it's business-friendly environment. Now a conference has been created to help the local business community learn from Utah's most successful executives and entrepreneurs. Utah Business Forward is on November 16th, 2023 at the Grand America. In this edition of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Utah Business Editor-in-chief Melanie Jones, Brandthropology Agency CEO Dr. Chelsea Shields CEO, and Lovesac CEO Shawn Nelson. They explain how this conference filled with breakout sessions featuring dozens of Utah's top business minds can help the local business community improve strategy, marketing, entreprenurship, international business, and gain insights about people and culture in the business world. Registration details at forward.utahbusiness.com

Many women in Utah are so busy taking care of work, families, and other responsibilities that they don't take time to care for their own personal physical and mental health. On October 12th, Spanish Fork Hospital will hold their 2nd annual Girls Night Out to make it easier for women to know what support, resources and screenings are available in their community at a festive event with giveaways, pampering, and swag bags full of gifts. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Hospital Nurse Administrator Megan Johnson and Lots of Love CEO Grace Ehinger who share how Girls Night Out can help women prioritize their health and wellness, learn more about breast cancer, and even schedule their mammograms during the event.

Breast Cancer Survivors in Utah have a chance to gather together to learn from each other, physicians, exercise specialists, surgeons, radiologists, and other care providers at the first ever PINK SYNC event on October 6th, 6-9pm at Utah Valley Hospital in Provo. This free evening of connection, resources, and support was created by Cami Kapp, a breast cancer survivor from Lehi, Utah. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Utah County breast cancer survivors Cami Kapp and Courtney Merrill who share why it was so important to create an event for newly diagnosed patients, those going through treatment, and those in remission. Register for free at PINKSYNC.org.

When the U.S. military pulled out of Afghanistan, the world witnessed news reports of men, women, and children rushing Kabul airport to escape the violence unleashed by the new regime. In the past 2 years, 80,000 Afghan refugees eventually arrived in the U.S., and many landed here in Salt Lake City, Utah. A new KSL Podcast unveils the story of the refugees from the moment they arrived in Utah without friends, family, or resources and how their lives changed as community members leaned in to help them start again.  In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by refugee volunteer Jennie Hua and journalist Andrea Smardon, host of the new KSL Podcast "Stranger Becomes Neighbor."

The United States Navy celebrates Navy Week throughout 13 communities in the U.S. to give Americans a chance to learn more about the Navy and its important role in our country. In mid September, Salt Lake City hosts its 3rd Navy Week showcasing sailors, crew, equipment and education at events throughout the city and at the Utah State Fair. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Utah native Captain David G Lang who explains why the Navy protects seas around the world and shares highlights of his Navy career as he served in military operations, natural disasters, and healthcare administration from Iraq to Guam and now as the Director For Administration at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington D.C. 

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is a frightening experience, but in the last few decades there has been real progress in cancer research and treatments. In this week’s edition of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host and cancer survivor Rebecca Cressman is joined by Dr. Margaret Van Meter, Associate Medical Director Oncology Services for Intermountain Health. Dr Van Meter shares the details on current cancer care at Intermountain Health’s integrated Cancer Centers and why LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah Valley Hospital in Provo, and Intermountain Medical Center in Murray were recently ranked among the best cancer hospitals in the country by Newsweek. For more information on cancer care, call “Cancer Answers” at 833-321-3332.

For 3 days of Labor Day weekend, Utah will have a chance to celebrate Polynesian heritage together during “Polynesian Days”. The celebration includes music, food, cultural exhibitions, and international dance competitions at Thanksgiving Point’s Electric Park. In this week’s episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Polynesian Days Utah Executive Producer Frank Tusieseina and Board Member and Attorney General Sean Reyes who dive deep into the Poly Days festival, its purpose and meaning to the wider community, and the special fundraiser offering “Kokua” for Maui. Ticket details are at www.PolynesiandaysUtah.com

For more than 20 years, the non-profit organization Alliance Community Services has provided vital health, legal, and social growth services to Utah’s underserved Latino community. Now, they are inviting all in Utah to join them to celebrate “20 Years of Empowering the Hispanic Community” at a gala fundraiser at the Little America on Sept. 7th, 2023. The gala will raise awareness of the organization, honor the achievements of the past, and provide future support for Utah’s only Hispanic breast cancer support group called “Las Triunfadoras.” In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Alliance Community Services C.E.O. and Founder Jorge Arce-Larreta and Cancer Program Director Gabriela Portugal. To connect for more information, resources, or gala tickets, call 801-265-1111 or visit Alliance-Community.org.

Congenital heart defects are one of the most common kinds of birth defects. They can alter the way a child's heart works and depending on how mild or serious they can make a big impact on day-to-day lives of the child and their family. The non-profit organization Intermountain Healing Hearts provides support, resources, events, and help to families of children and adults with congenital heart defects and childhood onset heart disease.  In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Melissa Andrew, Executive Director of Intermountain Healing Hearts, and Alex Howard, IHH President, who share more about how families can get support from Intermountain Healing Hearts and the details on the upcoming Walk for Healing Hearts on the morning of September 9th in Sandy, Utah. Learn more at Intermountainhealinghearts.org. 

It is wildfire season in Utah and, after a wet winter and spring, there's even more shrubs, growth, and trees that could catch fire. But, most wildfires are preventable, especially since up to 80% of those fires are human caused.  In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Karl Hunt, the Public Information Officer of Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, & State Lands who explains how to protect our homes and our surrounding hillsides, mountains, and valleys from wildfires. More information is at Utahfiresense.org.

Bolivian folklore dancers are famous worldwide for their stunning costumes and high-energy "Caporales" dance that traces its beginnings to the Andean mountains in Western Bolivia.  On August 5th, the Bolivia Utah Association is inviting the public to  join them at this year's Bolivia Independence Day celebration at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center in West Valley City. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Edgar Zurita, Musician and Bolivia Utah Association Chairman, and Patzi Calbimonte, Bolivia Utah Association Board Member who share the details and the importance of the event that includes a Caporales dance competition with professional dancers from throughout South America, traditional food, live music by groups like Los Hermanos De Los Andes, and a family-friendly latin dance. 

The original cast of the sketch comedy show "Studio C" bring their comedic genius to Utah movie theaters for Utah's Pioneer Day Weekend. The new movie filmed in Utah called "Go West" has a 2 week run in Utah and follows the funny mishaps, misfortunes, and comedic moments a fictional band of pioneers experience along the Oregon Trail.  In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman laughs with original cast members Mallory Everton and Adam Berg who share the behind the scenes comedy on and off camera in the making of the film.

Guy Roche has volunteered for many years organizing charity golf tournaments to raise crucial funds needed for cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute. This year's "Golf Classic" on July 10th in Provo will have an even greater impact as it's now part of "5 For the Fight", a crowdfunding charity created by Qualtrics to increase the number of scientists working in cancer research. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Qualtrics Head of Social Impact Lori Kuhn and Guy Roche who explain how an extraordinary golf tourney is making it possible for everyone to donate to help defeat cancer. For more information, visit 5forthefight.org.

In 1857, Utah settlers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints were at war with the federal government. During the heightened hostilities, Iron County militiamen deliberately massacred a wagon train full of more than 100 men, women, and children traveling west from Arkansas. The Mountain Meadows Massacre was one of the worst atrocities of the American West and of the church's history. But how did it happen? And what do new details just published about the aftermath of the tragic event tell us about the risk that comes from current day hostilities and polarization in the country? In this week's episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca talks with historian Richard E Turley Jr., co-author, with Barbara Jones Brown, of the new book "Vengeance is Mine; The Mountain Meadows Massacre and its Aftermath."

Ireland's Emmet Cahill is one of the most acclaimed Tenors in the world and Utahns have a chance to hear him perform songs that celebrate Irish and American heritage on June 29th in Ogden, June 30th in Murray, and July 1st in Salt Lake City. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman talks with Emmet Cahill about his musical journey that began in a small village in Ireland and led to some of the world's biggest stages. More info at EmmetCahill.com

Gender Bias is behavior that shows favoritism toward one gender over another, and in Utah there's a big difference between how men and women see it's prevalence in the workplace. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by USU Professor Dr. Susan Madsen, Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project, who explains how new research with Dr. Helen Knaggs called "Perceptions of Gender Bias in the Utah Workplace" shows many men are unaware of the bias, obstacles, and limitations women experience on the job. For more info visit, Utwomen.org

Summer is often a time for kids and families to relax and recharge. This summer Utah's First Lady Abby Cox is encouraging Utah families to also give a day or more of service to help out the many non-profit organizations in the state that need support. On Monday, June 5th,  the First Lady is hosting the Show Up for Summer Service, a free family festival from 4-8pm at Thanksgiving Point's Electric Park. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Abby Cox and Kirsten Rappleye, Director of First Lady's Initiatives, who explain more about the event and all the ways to make a difference in the community. More info is at ShowUpUtah.org

In Utah, pregnancy related deaths are increasing. Studies show many of those deaths occurred up to a year after the mother had given birth and that 92% of those deaths were preventable. In this episode, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Mandi Schill, a Utah stroke survivor and American Heart Association advocate, whose own pregnancy illustrates why women need quality medical coverage before, during and after pregnancy.  Fortunately, thanks to support from the Governor’s Office and the Utah Department of Health, state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 133 extending postpartum Medicaid coverage to those eligible from the current 60 days to 12 months. Learn more at www.yourethecure.org