Utah Weekly Forum With Rebecca Cressman

Award-winning composer and music artist Kurt Bestor will perform his annual A Kurt Bestor Christmas concerts on December 5-7, 2024 at the Eccles Theater in downtown Salt Lake City.  Bestor's shows will be one of the only Christmas concerts in the state that feature a full, live band comprised of some of Utah's and the country's most talented musicians. In this episode FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Kurt Bestor who reveals who this year's special guests will be and gives us a sneak peak of songs he'll be performing from his brand new album, "Etches." For show information and tickets, visit Artix or Live-at-the-Eccles.com.

From emergency food and shelter services to recovery programs, the Rescue Mission of Salt Lake has real and compassionate solutions to homelessness. In this episode, FM100.3 Rebecca Cressman is joined by Chris Croswhite, the Pastor and Executive Director of the Rescue Mission of Salt Lake and Curtis, an inspiring graduate of the programs that turn lives around. The Rescue Mission of Salt Lake receives no government funding and needs more community support to continue to change lives. To learn how to help, visit https://rescuesaltlake.org/

The legendary story of Jekyll & Hyde opens Ballet West’s season from Oct. 25 – Nov. 2 at the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre. Though the adult psychological thriller is just in time for Halloween, audiences will see the company dance and act out the complex story in a new and surprising way. FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Ballet West's Artistic Director Adam Sklute who explains how the innovative storytelling in this new portrayal of Jekyll & Hyde pushes the boundaries of classical ballet while connecting the audience to modern themes like addiction, mental instability, and the complexity found within ourselves. For ticket info, visit balletwest.org.

Utah breast cancer survivor Cami Kapp has created "Pink Sync", offering free support and events for breast cancer patients dedicated to helping them connect and manage their lives while fighting the disease.  The main event is the free "Pink Sync: Lift & Support" gathering on Saturday, October 12th, from 10am-1:30pm at the Experience Event Center at 1440 Moon River Drive in Provo, Utah. In this episode, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Pink Sync Founder Cami Kapp and Volunteer Board Members Brenda Sanjuan and Toni Allman. All breast cancer survivors, they share the details of the event that provides classes and discussions about every stage of breast cancer with Intermountain Health physicans, nurses, local therapists, and provides local resources, a catered lunch, and time to meet and connect with other survivors experiencing similar treatments. To attend the free event, register at PinkSync.org. 

CEO Allyse Jackson founded Beehive Meals in her northern Utah kitchen in 2019. Now the woman-led business delivers thousands of sets of fully prepped freezer meals throughout the state (and beyond) making Beehive Meals one of America's fastest growing private companies as named by Inc. 5000. The success hinges not just on the recipes, but on how Beehive Meals freezer meals make it quick and easy for families to have dinner together. In this episode, Beehive Meals Founder Allyse Jackson joins FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman and talks about how she and her husband, Adam, have created a business that is not only successful but grounded in giving back to the community. Beehive Meals is FM100.3's Think Pink Breast Cancer Awareness partner helping to lighten the load of those whose lives are affected by breast cancer.

Freight, passenger, and Frontrunner trains and light rail crisscross across Utah's roadways and neighborhoods. The trains travel at forceful speeds, yet many drivers and pedestrians underestimate the danger of crossing and trespassing railway tracks.  For Rail Safety Week, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined in this episode by Vern Keesler, Executive Director of Utah Operation Life Saver, who shares why approaching railway crossings with extra caution is vital to saving lives. To learn more about how to avoid tragic collisions at Utah's railways, visit UtahOperationLifeSaver.org.

All across the country, community gardens create a space for people to connect to each other and to enjoy helping each other plant and harvest healthy, locally grown food. Community Action Services and Food Bank in Utah County now has 3 community gardens in Provo City and 1 in Spanish Fork City created with partnerships with local cities and volunteers. In this episode, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by CASFB Community Garden Program Manager Hillary Wittaker and Angie Hatch, the volunteer leader of the Spanish Fork Community Garden. They share how the gardens are just one of the many supportive programs and resources that Community Action Services and Food Bank offers to help individuals and families gain self-reliance, financial stability, and food security. To volunteer or to learn more visit,  https://www.communityactionprovo.org/

Some of Utah's best dancers are now zombies, vampires, and other Halloween villains as Odyssey Dance Theatre reprises it's legacy show 'Thriller' to the stage. In this episode, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by ODT Founder and Executive Director Derryl Yeager who shares what new  surprises have been added to the family-friendly show. Thriller, the Musical is touring in 5 Utah cities but will now have an extended theatrical run from October 14th-26th at the Grand Theater in Salt Lake City. For more information, visit https://odysseydance.com.

Expectant mothers have many decisions to make before they welcome a baby, like who will provide her prenatal care and where will she labor and deliver her baby. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Elaine Thompson - Certified Nurse Midwife and Family Nurse Practitioner at Intermountain Health Sanpete Valley. As a skilled provider in obstetrics and midwifery, Thompson shares the benefits of community hospitals where mothers can choose Certified Nurse Wives or OB-GYNs for pregnancy care and opt for low-intervention childbirths in smaller settings, closer to home, and with the safety net of advanced expertise and higher-level care if needed. Learn more about Pregnancy and Baby care options on Intermountainhealthcare.org.

September marks the beginning of free classes and neighbor-to-neighbor service projects at West Valley City's My Hometown Community Resource Centers (CRCs) in Northeast Granger, Central Granger, West Granger, & Central Valley View. The centers are staffed by neighborhood volunteers who help coordinate Days of Service to improve local homes in need and who teach everything from English as a second langauge to parenting, and from pathways to citizenship to piano. The goal? To help others, expand opportunities, and to form friendships and connections within WVC communities. The My Hometown Initiative is expanding to other cities along the Wasatch Front. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by West Valley Mayor Karen Lang, My Hometown Initiative leaders Craig and Linda Burton, and WVC My Hometown Chair Randy Whitehead who share the impact of this partnership between the city's community members, the Interfaith Council, local businesses, local churches, and The Church o

Utah's Spanish-speaking population is growing and their financial needs are as diverse as their backgrounds. So, how can an organization or business develop strategies that will better serve, engage, and connect with Hispanic communities?  In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Ileana McDonald, Granite Credit Union's Director of Community Relations, and Juan Londono, Marketing & Communication Specialist, who share how the credit union created initiatives and thoughtful outreach to give Hispanic Utahns greater access and connection to local financial services & resources.

The month of August marks the 85th anniversary of the escape of LDS missionaries from Germany just one day before the Nazi invasion began. In this episode, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Utah Filmmaker T.C. Christensen. Christensen shares how his latest movie Escape from Germany draws from the personal diaries of the real missionaries who escaped to Denmark in 1939 and why he believes this film, shot in Utah and in Europe, has had continued success at the box office 4 months after its release in April.

It's common to experience dark times and dark feelings, so common that every 40 seconds someone dies by suicide. And for every death, there are 25 attempts. There's a global movement to change that by encouraging people to make a promise to reach out for help. In this episode, FM100.3's Rebecca Cressman is joined by CEO and Founder Brandy Vega who shares how her experience as a mother inspired her to create Promise2Live and the details on an upcoming Global Live Stream & Gala on September 10th with well-known musicians, actors, and hosts who are coming together to save lives. More details at Promise2Live.org.

Each year hundreds of wildfires in Utah are caused by people who may appreciate the beautiful outdoors, but make critical mistakes that ignite fires.  And, this year, the number of human caused wildfires is on the rise.  In this week's episode, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Kayli Guild, the Fire Prevention and Communications Coordinator for the Utah Division of Forestry Fire and State Lands who explains how using Fire Sense or taking common sense precautions the next time they go camping, boating, target shooting or hit the roadways can prevent roughly 70% of Utah wildfires. For more fire prevention and safety information, visit UtahFireSense.org or UtahFireInfo.gov.

The Salt Lake City Library launched its Super Summer Challenge giving beginning and advanced readers new experiences and adventures on and off the pages of their favorite books. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Salt Lake City Public Library's Director of Marketing Quinn McQueen and Copy-Editor Bryton Sampson. They explain what prizes are in store for those who complete the challenge and encourage parents to bring their children to a City Library branch to pick-up this year's free adventure-themed activity tracker. The colorful, interactive tracker is published in English and Spanish. Readers can also track their progress online on the Beanstack Tracker app. For more information, visit https://events.slcpl.org/supersummer

Most people are familiar with foreign exchange student programs, but students at Utah's Mountain Heights Academy are exchanging places with students across the United States. It's part of the American Exchange Project and it's giving students nationwide a chance to travel to communities throughout America for free with the hope of connecting a divided country. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Mountain Heights Academy Executive Director DeLaina Tonks and recent high school graduates Ben Parr of Portland Maine and Brodie Harris of Cedar City who share what they learned from their own American Exchange experience and how it gave them hope for a more united country. To learn more, visit MountainHeightsAcademy.org or AmericanExchangeProject.org.

The theatrical non-profit dance company that entertained generations of Utahns is back with Thriller and more world-class dance. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, Executive Director Derryl Yeager joins FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman to share how, after a short hiatus, Odyssey Dance Theatre is back with plans to make contemporary dance even more accessible to a wide audience. For more info on season tickets and upcoming productions, visit OdysseyDance.com.

Getting involved in service helps us form meaningful connections, develop better mental health, and make a positive impact in the world. So to give Utah families the chance to get involved, Utah's First Lady Abby Cox is hosting the free Show Up for Summer Service event June 3rd, 4-8pm at Thanksgiving Point's Electric Park with over 60 local nonprofits in need of service, plus lawn games, food trucks, raffles, and bouncy houses for entertainment. In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by First Lady of Utah Abby Cox and her Deputy Director of Initiatives Tania Hansen who explain why this event is perfectly timed to kick-off the summer and how it can help friends and family learn new skills and build new relationships within the community. Register for your free ticket through Show Up for Service instagram link or on ShowUpUtah.org.

Nearly 45% of women over 20 years old are living with some form of cardiovascular disease.  Yet, many women don't prioritize taking time to care for their own health leaving them vulnerable to cardiovascular disease, the #1 killer of women.  In this episode of Utah Weekly Forum, FM100.3 Host Rebecca Cressman is joined by Intermountain Healthcare Cardiologist Dr Amanda Donohue for an informative discussion on what both younger and older women need to know now about their own heart health. Dr. Donohue also explains how important it is for women to learn to manage stress, to adopt healthier lifestyles, and to get regular blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose screenings to help prevent heart attacks and stroke. For more heart health tools and resouces from the American Heart Association, visit GoRedforWomen.org. 

Utah has the highest rate of melanoma in the country. So, understanding how often to get screened, how to take care of your skin, and how to lower your risk of any type of skin cancer is very important. In this week's episode of Utah Weekly Forum,  FM100.3's Rebecca is joined by Josh Winters, a PA-C with Swinyer Woseth Dermatology, who explains what you should know during Skin Cancer Awareness Month and what steps to take to safely enjoy the sunshine. You can find more helpful information at www.dwoseth.com.