While the local "adults" are busy insulting each other in the op ed pages of the Standard Examiner over the proposed Recreation Center, gondola, Intelligent Design and of course—the war—what are our local youth doing and thinking in their "spare time?"

According to one worried citizen during the last Ogden city council meeting-- Ogden teens might decide to loiter around the new Recreation Center, heaven forbid, wanting to actually use the facility [—gee, that would be terrible.]

In fact, youth in the Top of Utah have been very busy lately. Ask any parent of Ben Lomond or Ogden High School Orchestra, Band, or theater students. Ask any parent of a child participating in the Imagine Ballet Theater, Curtain Call at the Ogden Amphitheater, Terrace Plaza Playhouse, Mt Ogden Middle School, or Bonneville High School. musical and theatrical productions during the past 10 months.

What I am talking about:  something equally as important—if not more—than the many issues we are thrashing over in the op ed pages and at city council meetings. I’m talking about our kids, and their present day activities--and their future. Our future.

After all, which generation will be most impacted by the economic development decisions we make today for Ogden’s future. It’s our children who will be trying to find employment and raising their families here—or somewhere else—if we cannot work together now to make this Top of Utah garden of ours productive and fruit-bearing.

The kids I have seen in the just the last two weeks of theater arts right here in Ogden, have been miraculous. And no—my child was NOT in either of these productions. Imagine Ballet’s Secret Garden premier at Peery’s Egyptian Theater last week should have had every seat filled with camera crews from the local Salt Lake stations covering a completely original musical score by Kurt Bestor, paired with choreography from artistic Director Ray Van Mason, former Ballet West principal. This production featured breath-taking costumes and set design, and the most amazing performances from youth dancers (ages 7 through 17) that I’ve seen.

Top that with "Singing In The Rain" at Ogden High School: A full arts curriculum in two short months since school started again: The orchestra/band performed the entire score (2 hours) for the production which included cinematic production (4 films were produced for the performance), set design (including actual "rain" onstage), plus acting, dancing and vocals from kids who are quickly becoming semi-professional "triple threats" under the theatrical direction of JD Stokes.

This area is so blessed with dedicated parents who sacrifice hours [and often paychecks] to give their uniquely talented kids a chance to showcase and develop their energy, imagination and dreams ….

Meanwhile, the local grown-ups are demonstrating our shameful lack of basic first-grade social skills: Always treat each other with respect—no matter what. Agree to disagree without throwing sand in each other’s eyes. Stop shouting once in awhile so you can hear the other side of the argument (you might learn something).

Our children are the only hope we have for any kind of future. We need to pay attention to them now—while they may still be listening. From my seat, it looks like they are channeling positive energy for their future through the arts education. Maybe we can still learn some basic skills from them before we tear apart the fabric of our community arguing about the[ir] future. Approval of the new Recreation Center is crtitcal for our youth--not necessarily as a venue for 'play'--but as a component in the economic devlopment of the City which they will inherit. There will be no new mall if there is not a Rec Center first. 'Dirt' will be the central attraction in Ogden for another five years--guaranteed. Ogden may never recover.

Instead of opposing positive momentum for the city, do something positive for yourself and your family: attend a local play, concert, musical performance, art show or lecture this holiday season and find out what is really happening in Ogden. For inspiration go online to Weber State University’s community calendar. The only people who still say nothing good is happening here are simply not plugged in to the real Ogden. They are missing out.

Robin Macnofsky
Arts Director: Downtown Ogden, Inc / Ogden City Arts / Historic 25th St Farmers & Art Market