Author: cnguyen

On Tuesday, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints annual Light the World initiative started its rollout of more than 28 Giving Machines worldwide beginning in Salt Lake City and Orem.

Among the guests to celebrate the start of the giving season were Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and other leaders from the church and across Utah. All eyes and ears though, were on Adassa, the 35-year-old singer who recently voiced Delores Madrigal in Disney’s “Encanto.”

Adassa helped share the church’s message — that the Giving Machines help those in need through donations of items from goats to medicine and from food to soccer balls. The donation machines are there to light the world through love and giving, according to the church.

“To do this in Salt Lake City means so much to me,” Adassa told the Daily Herald. “I lived here for a while and it’s like coming home.”

The Giving Machines are a beautiful thing, she said. “We can give a little of who we are and with a little of what we have to share and we can light the world together.”

As a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Adassa proudly shares the opportunities she has had to share her light and talents throughout the world.

Learning about love, light and giving came in an unexpected way for Adassa, now a mother of seven children. Six are her biological children with one more from her husband, Gabriel Candiani’s, first marriage. She said family is everything.

Just one day after Adassa got her call back for Delores, she fell extremely ill. She had COVID in January 2020 and then again in March. The effects were devastating, and made it so she couldn’t stand, move and could barely speak. Her husband had to carry her from the bathroom to her bed.

Adassa ended up in the hospital just three weeks before recording for “Encanto.” Her faith and desire wouldn’t let her give up on her dream.

“COVID changed everything for me,” Adassa said.

She started pondering her life, examining what she was doing. You start thinking about your values, what love means, she explained.

“It’s okay to be happy and sad,” Adassa added. “I just wanted to hold my kids.”

Adassa was born in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and was raised in St. Croix, Virgin Islands, and Houston. Both of her parents are from Colombia while her grandfather, and several generations back, are Africans who lived in Colombia. She says she is 100% American and 100% Latino.

Her parents didn’t have a lot of money, but Adassa had a dream. She wanted to sing. She even took the GED rather than wait graduate from high school and then went to college in Tennessee and continued to pursue her music career.

“When I heard Ariel from ‘The Little Mermaid’ sing she wanted to be ‘part of that world,’” Adassa said. “I wanted to be part of that world, but I thought the dream was over.”

But in reality, the dream was just getting started.

Adassa’s dynamic four-octave vocal range and artistry have resulted in her appearing on songs with Pitbull, Flo Rida, Snoop Dogg, Daddy Yankee, Ciara, Missy Elliott and Luis Fonsi, among others. She has performed in concert halls from New York City to the Hollywood Bowl.

Adassa’s debut as Delores brought her into the world of acting for the first time, and is giving her new opportunities and projects.

After working back from illness and turning down numerous opportunities so she can live her faith, Adassa wants to make a difference in the world.

With the love of her husband and children, the Gospel testimony and opportunities to share them, Adassa feels blessed — that she is doing the right things, for the right reasons.

“It feels surreal. I can share a movie that keeps going. Our daughter was one of the children in it,” Adassa said. “It gives a sense of joy to share.”

Just like the Giving Machines and the Light the World Initiative, Adassa seeks to share her light, talents and heart in a world that can be, too often, dark.

At the 7 p.m. Orem opening of the Giving Machines at University Place on Tuesday, the Truman Brothers shared their talents with guests as they unveiled the Giving Machines, which will be there until Dec. 31.

Ben and Chad Truman, brothers from Nashville, formed their group in 2005 while attending Brigham Young University.

Since 2017, Giving Machines have raised $15 million for humanitarian organizations in local communities and across the world.

More information about the Light The World initiative, Giving Machines and what can be done to “light the world this Christmas season” can be found at http://LightTheWorld.org.

Read full article here.

Utah County residents looking for Christmas lights and activities are in luck. Public events are scheduled throughout the valley for people to enjoy the spirit of the season.

On Friday, from 6-8:30 p.m, will be the annual Lighting of Shops at Riverwoods, which includes visits with Santa, ice sculptures and life-size photo opportunities. The lights turn on at 6:30 p.m. with fireworks closing out the night.

“We hope the lighting of the Riverwoods is a memorable holiday even for the whole family,” said JJ Haering, general manager.

The event will start with a countdown to light the Shops at Riverwoods with 1.5 million twinkle lights. Utah Valley philanthropist Jeanette Bennett will lead the countdown to begin the lighting festivities.

Community members’ musical performances provide the evening’s entertainment, including SPARK, Timpview High Drum Line, Mikah Wonders and BYU Mariachi Los Pumas. The Truman Brothers will be headlining the show.

“We want our guests to come and celebrate the beginning of the holiday season with us,” Haering said. “This event is performed by the community, for the community.”

On Monday at 6 p.m., Orem will hold its 13th annual Lights On holiday event. Residents are invited to have some free hot chocolate and doughnuts, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The first 450 children will also get a free giveaway.

There will be a short musical program that will feature the Timpanogos Bell Ringers and the Original Dickens Carolers. Nearly every tree across the City Center campus is lit up or decorated.

“Like unto the United States Postal Service, neither rain, nor sleet, nor heat nor gloom of night has stayed our crews in getting the lights installed for this year’s holiday celebration. We are pleased to play a small part in the holiday traditions of so many Orem families and want to make it special for them,” said Pete Wolfley, Orem spokesperson. “Santa’s reindeer are at a work retreat getting mentally prepared for their big night so we asked the Orem Fire Department to saddle up and bring Santa in on the brand new Tiller Truck. Santa likes to arrive in style.”

Following his arrival, Santa will hunker down in Library Hall to interested children.

Vineyard will kick off the season by hosting a tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 28 at Penny Springs Park. Trailside Elementary School’s choir will sing and the city will provide hot chocolate. The official lighting will be at 6 p.m.

Vineyard will also sponsor several families as part of United Way of Utah County’s Sub for Santa program. In the city office foyer, we will have a Christmas tree with tags of needed items, including clothing, books and toys. Tags will be available starting Dec. 1 and unwrapped gifts should be returned by Dec. 15.

Children may drop off their letters to Santa in a special mailbox in the Vineyard Children’s Library from Dec. 1-15. All letters receive a response back from Santa and his helpers!

Provo’s downtown Christmas activities will start at 5:30 on Dec. 3 at Pioneer Park Provo with a special light show against the walls of the new city hall. The annual Christmas Market will be help from 4-8 p.m. prior to the lighting in the park.

While the lights have already turned on at both the Provo Towne Centre and University Place there are many fun things to be aware of throughout the Christmas season.

Santa will arrive at the Provo Towne Centre mall on Wednesday and at University Place on Nov. 25 with a helicopter landing around 10 a.m. Both malls have events planned throughout the coming  weeks for any and all interested people.

Read Full Article Here.

As the days tick away and Christmas draws closer, Utah County residents once again have the opportunity to donate to the Light the World Giving Machines at University Place in Orem.

The big red machines, sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, have become a tradition of giving during the Christmas season throughout the world.

According to the church, the 2022 Light the World initiative invites people to ask and act on one question — “Who needs my light today?”

These giving-focused vending machines offer a unique way to share light by serving and caring for others around the world. Giving Machines include items such as groceries, fresh water, child vaccines, beds, hygiene kits, farming equipment, medical care, job training, educational supplies, beehives and livestock, the church noted.

This year, more people than ever can participate as Giving Machines will expand to 28 locations around the world.

In addition to Orem, boxes placed in the U.S. mountain west can be found in Salt Lake City, Colorado, Arizona and Nevada.

Joining the 20 permanent locations are eight additional cities in the United States that are participating in a mobile Giving Machine experience. These mobile Giving Machines will visit cities in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida and Arizona for a short stay before traveling to a new location.

As the number of worldwide locations expands, so does the number of participating nonprofit organizations. This year, nearly 125 local and global nonprofits will join with the church to care for and serve millions of people in need.

This year’s global nonprofit participants are:

• African Girls Hope Foundation
• American Red Cross
• Church World Service
• International Development Enterprises
• Lifting Hands International
• Mentors International
• UNHCR
• UNICEF
• Water For People
• World Food Program

Since the first Giving Machine appeared in 2017, total contributions have reached $15 million. As part of its ongoing global humanitarian efforts, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints covers all operational costs, ensuring that 100% of donations go to the charitable cause of your choice, according to a church statement.

Those unable to visit a physical machine can participate online at http://LightTheWorld.org/give.

Read full article here.

The first Christmas sale commercials have started, Thanksgiving dinners are being planned, but the holiday whose popularity is on the rise is right around the corner – Halloween.

For decades, Halloween was simply doing a trick — like singing or telling a joke — for a treat. Popular costumes of the day were mostly handmade ghosts, witches and old ladies. Treats included homemade candy apples and caramel popcorn balls.

Now you can wander into any department store or Spirit Halloween and you will see just much the holiday has grown. According to numerous online surveys and informational magazines, Halloween is now the “it” holiday.

In 2005, about half of all adults and young adults celebrated Halloween with parties, costumes and more alcohol than candy. That number quickly grew. By 2021,70% of adults reported partying on Halloween according to Conversation, an academic online magazine.

Locally, Utah County celebrates Halloween with a more modern touch, changing up some trick-or-treating traditions with the increasingly-popular trunk-or-treat where large groups like neighborhoods, churches and civic organizations hand out treats out of the back of their cars.

According to online survey website http://SmartAsset.com, the two best cities for trick-or-treating in the past five years have alternated between Nampa, Idaho, and Orem.

SmartAsset looked at data from the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting database and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for the following seven factors:

• Single-family housing density. This is the number of single-family houses per square mile.
• Percentage of residents aged 14 or younger.
• Median home value.
• Violent crime rate. This is the number of violent crimes per 100,000 residents.
• Property crime rate. This is the number of violent crimes per 100,000 residents.
• Precipitation probability. This is the chance it rains 0.5 inches or snows 0.1 inches on Halloween.
• Average temperature. This is the average maximum temperature on Oct. 31.

SmartAsset took special note that more than 26% of Orem residents, and those in surrounding areas, are under the age of 15. “That means it’s full of trick-or-treating spirit and kids will have plenty of friends to trade their candy with,” reads the report.

According to the National Retail Federation, which estimates what consumers will spend, it anticipates spending will be nearly $10.6 billion this year, or roughly $100 per person.

n Utah County, the partying and activities have already started. While individuals, families, schools, businesses and government offices all dress up for Oct. 31, month-long activities continue throughout Utah County.

Provo River Halloween Cruise

The cruise is like a hayride, but on a boat. There are over 100 pumpkins reflecting off the water, while a scary story is told. A wise-cracking pirate attacks the boat, tells a few jokes and hands out candy to the participants. The cruise line has two professional excursion boats that can accommodate up to 40 people each. Over 8,000 people come each year to enjoy this fun, family friendly event.

The round-trip cruise takes 20-25 minutes, with departures every 15-30 minutes. The boarding location is at CLAS Ropes Course, 3606 W. Center, Provo. Tickets cost $9 per person. The Halloween Cruise is open daily from 6:30-9 p.m. through Oct. 31 on weekdays and 6:30-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday.

Provo Towne Centre

A Trunk-or-Treat will be held from 3-5 p.m. on Oct. 29 and Oct. 31 in the main parking lot at the mall. Costumes are encouraged.

University Place

The Orem shopping and activity center is featuring a Pumpkin Arch Display through Oct. 31. Every evening, 750 hand-carved foam pumpkins will light up The Orchard during shopping hours. Six Utah-themed pumpkins will also be hiding throughout the display.

Orem’s truck-or-treat will be held Oct. 22, starting with a quiet hour from 9:30-10:30 a.m. before the main event from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Orem City is bringing out work trucks and vehicles for people to explore before stopping by the Orem City booth and picking up a treat. This event is loud, so 9:30-10:30 a.m. is reserved for more sensitive children and will be quieter. The event will open to the general public at 10:30 a.m. Hearing protection is encouraged and costumes are welcome.

The Night of Fright will be held Oct. 28 from 6-8 p.m. There will be yard games out and free s’mores while supplies last as residents get the change to take selfies with infamous bad guys. Hot apple cider will be available for purchase.

Cornbelly’s

Cornbelly’s now has two locations in Utah County, Lehi and Spanish Fork. The Cornbelly’s maze at Thanksgiving Point has been one of the top corn mazes in the United States for more than 20 years. There are dozens of activities for people of all ages.

Evermore Park

This new fantasy park in Pleasant Grove has changing themes to match the holidays. For Halloween, the living storybook village has become the World of Lore. Dressing up and choosing a character are encouraged.

Mazes, farms and pumpkin patches

Glen Ray’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch is a 6-generation family farm in Spanish Fork that welcomes families for the Halloween season. Top attractions include a pumpkin patch, kiddie corral and 7.5-acre corn maze. The maze is haunted on weekend evenings.

Hee Haw Farms has a corn maze, petting zoo, hay rides, pumpkin patch, and other activities.

Admission to Jaker’s Jack-o-Lanterns at Harward Farms is just $5, so the location is affordable for families. Admission includes a corn maze, petting zoo, hay rides, and fun farm play zone.

Rowley’s Red Barn is known for its apple crop, and when fall comes around this fruit farm opens up for a corn maze, pumpkin patch, giant slides, apple cannons and all the fresh-pressed apple juice a person can drink.

Wilkerson Farm is a seasonal amusement park in Orem. You’ll find a corn maze and hay ride, plus a bunch of rides that will thrill the whole family.

Thanksgiving Point in Lehi has several fun fall events for families through October.

Read full article here.

It has been more than 50 years that University Place (once University Mall) has been serving the residents of Orem and Utah County. From retail to food and entertainment to outdoor events, University Place has become a central point for working, living and playing in the city.

To keep up the tradition and to give early notification about upcoming plans, University Place announced Monday its holiday lineup of events, starting with fall and Halloween through Christmas and the end of the year.

All events are free to the public unless otherwise noted and located outside at The Orchard or inside in the shopping center.

OCTOBER

Pumpkin Arch Display

Now through Oct. 31

Every evening during shopping hours throughout the month of October, 750 pumpkins will light up The Orchard. Each foam pumpkin is hand carved and unique. Be sure to keep an eye out for six Utah-themed pumpkins hiding throughout the display.

Straw Bale Slide

Thursday through Oct. 29

During shopping center hours, bring the kids to enjoy a festive slide set up outside in The Orchard.

Scary Movie Night

Friday

6 p.m.

Kick-off the Halloween season with the movie “Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl” outside at The Orchard. Bring the family early to play on the life-sized Black Pearl pirate ship and take photos with (almost) real pirates. Bring your own chairs and blankets and enjoy free popcorn and s’mores while supplies last. Apple cider will be available for sale. The movie will start at 7:30 p.m.

University Place Harvest Health Fair

Saturday

11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Partnering with the Utah County Health Department, this is the first Harvest Health Fair held in The Orchard. Health department staff will be on hand to answer any nonemergency, health-related questions, give free blood pressure and glucose screenings and other health checks, and offer three fitness classes taught by Burn Boot Camp.

Halloween Spooktacular

Friday, Oct. 14

6-8 p.m.

An evening of live spooky entertainment in the Orchard. Stage schedule includes a Scales and Tails show, Mad Scientist show, Spooky Storytelling, Fire Dancing. Also enjoy free face painting, yard games and s’mores (while supplies last), and cider will be for sale. Come dressed for the costume contest for a chance to win prizes.

Orem City’s Truck-Or-Treat

Saturday, Oct. 22

9:30-10:30 a.m. — Quiet Hour

10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. — main event

Orem City is bringing out its work trucks and vehicles for you to get close to and learn how they work. Bring the family to explore all the city’s vehicles including dump trucks, fire engines, police cars and more. Then stop by the Orem City booth and pick up a treat. This event is loud, so 9:30-10:30 a.m. is reserved for more sensitive children and will be quieter. The event will open to the rest of the public at 10:30 a.m. Hearing protection encouraged and costumes welcome.

Night of Fright

Friday, Oct. 28

6-8 p.m.

Ever wanted a selfie with your favorite villain character? Come with your camera ready to meet and snap photos with 10 infamous bad guys. There will also be yard games out and free s’mores while supplies last. Hot apple cider will be available for purchase.

NOVEMBER

Orchard Lighting Event

Friday, Nov. 14

6-8 p.m.

Join University Place as lights are turned on, welcoming in the holiday season. Once the lights are on, stay to party with the Grinch, live music, treats and giveaways (while supplies last). The color-changing shapes and life-sized Lite-Brite games will be on the green. The lights will be turned on toward the beginning of the event.

The lights will remain on nightly through Dec. 31.

5th Annual University Place Gingerbread Competition

November 21-28

10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Every year, the annual University Place Gingerbread Competition grows bigger and bigger — both the gingerbread houses and the grand prize. This year, the first-place prize is up to $1,500. To enter, register at www.universityplaceorem.com/events. The gingerbread houses will be on display all week inside the shopping center.

Santa’s Grand Arrival

Friday, Nov. 25

9:30-10:30 a.m.

Santa Claus always makes an entrance at University Place. Come welcome him as he arrives in a helicopter (weather permitting). There will be treats and live entertainment during the wait for Jolly Old Saint Nick to arrive. Santa will land around 10 a.m. in the parking lot in front of Tucanos Brazilian Grill.

DECEMBER

Santa & Friend’s

Tuesday, Nov. 29; and Dec. 6, 13, 20

5-7 p.m.

Not only will you get to meet and snap photos with Santa, but during these dates you can also meet some of Santa’s friends, including superheroes, princesses, cartoons characters and even some villains from the dark side. Pictures with the friends are free.

Christmas Carolers

Wednesday, Nov. 30; and Dec. 7, 14, 21

6-8 p.m.

Christmas carolers will deck the halls of University Place on select Wednesdays in November and December. Come shop and enjoy the festive music of the season.

Story Time with Mrs. Clause

Wednesday, Nov. 30; and Dec. 1-2

10 a.m.

New this year: Carols and cocoa with Mrs. Claus. She will read a book, sing carols, serve up treats and offer a holiday craft for the kids to take home. This limited event is by registration only; visit www.universityplaceorem.com/events closer to the event date.

Quiet Santa

December 5-9

8-11 a.m.

Quiet Santa is a long-standing tradition at University Place. One out of five kids in Utah experiences sensory sensitivity, so a safe, quiet place has been created for those kids to meet one-on-one with Santa Clause before the shopping center opens to the public. Appointments are expected to open starting Nov. 14; check the website for updates and possible date changes.

Live Nativity

Friday, Dec. 9

6-8 p.m.

University Place’s live nativity is one of the most attended holiday events of the year. Held outside in The Orchard, come and view the beginning story of Christ. Mountain View High School students will be staffing this event, and there will also be live animals including a camel. Refreshments available while supplies last.

Lite-Brite Nite

Monday Dec. 12

6-8 p.m.

This event is changing just a little — the annual Lite-Brite Nite is now one night only with a live DJ with a programed light show. There will also be face painting, fire dancers, LED light performers and, of course, a life-sized Lite Brite. Treats will also be handed out while supplies last.

Read full article here.

It has been about three months since the Rush Funplex at University Place quietly opened its doors.

According to Christian Woodall, business developer, Rush wanted to make sure the employees were trained and ready for the potential crowds that will eventually come.

Now, Woodall said, all 35 of his employees are ready to meet the public. Those employees will be kept busy with the number of activities offered at the University Place location.

The funplex was scheduled to open last summer, but after supply chain issues, COVID-19 and other problems, the opening was delayed until this year.

There are other Rush Funplexes in Syracuse, West Jordan and Kansas City, Missouri. While the fall and winter months are usually the busiest for the multi-activity indoor arena, the heat of summer is also bringing people inside.

The Rush Funplex offers 14 bowling lanes, bumper cars, laser tag, miniature golf, go-carts, rock climbing, arcades and more.

The mall’s free children’s play land had be reconfigured, so kids now enter through the funplex. That means the smallest children can play and be cared for while the rest of the family plays a round of miniature golf or bowling.

“We’re pretty packed,” Woodall said. “Reviews have been really positive. There are so many activities in one place. We’ve hit our stride.”

A three-hour pass is $25, while a full-day pass costs $30. Small groups can buy a 20 hour punch card and each person can get 2 hours for about $10.

“We are pleased to bring such a highly entertaining offering, with local ownership, to University Place,” said Randy Woodbury, CEO and president of Woodbury Corp. “The Rush Funplex will offer recreation for families with kids of all ages, and to the 74,000 students who are enrolled at the neighboring universities.”

The capacity of the funplex is about 900. They don’t take reservations, except for businesses, church groups or family reunions that could buy out the whole center.

The first Rush Funplex was built in Syracuse about 10 years ago, Woodall noted.

“All attractions are made to be self-sustainable and safe,” Woodall said. “Once the college students are back this fall it will get real busy.”

Read the full article here.

He has performed on the magician’s circuit, from the Sahara and MGM Grand hotels in Las Vegas, to the famous Magic Castle in San Francisco. He has opened for well-known magicians like David Copperfield. Now, by popular demand, he is bringing his show to Orem.

After a 40-year hiatus the “Dave Young presents: Grand Illusions” tour is performing July 23 at the Orchard at University Place as part of its Pioneer Day and Fireworks Celebrations.

Yes, Dave Young — as in Orem Mayor Dave Young — will be performing illusions and magic tricks for his hometown.

Long before Young was elected mayor, and before being the founder and president of a number businesses, he was a traveling magician performing 300-plus shows in a matter of three years from 1978 to 1981.

His love of magic, however, came much earlier than that.

“When I was a kid I was pretty ambitious,” Young said. “One day I was eating a bowl of cereal – Trix. On the back of the box they offered a free magic kit.”

That was when Young was 8-years-old. He soon started studying magic, after all, “what else was there to do for a kid living in Roswell, New Mexico?”

Young said he would save up his money and, when he would come to visit his grandparents in Ogden, would hitchhike to Salt Lake City and buy magic books at Loftus Magic. It was there he purchased the Tarbell collection of magic encyclopedia books.

Those books broke down magic effects and became Young’s training guides.

Young got good enough to begin doing magic tricks for small parties around age 11. He did that until he was 16 when he was also performing magic tricks in local clubs — even though he was underage.

Like other young men in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the mayor served a mission. His magic career in the states took a break as he was called to Australia.

“I was leaving and had a briefcase with magic stuff,” Young said. “I took it on the mission against my mother’s wishes. I used to do magic when knocking on doors.”

Young said he did about four or five magic shows for the wards “down under” in the first year.

“The second year, I was sent to Tasmania. There was a lot of anti-American sentiment because of the Vietnam War. No one would talk to us,” Young said. “We’d ride our bikes and kids would throw rocks at us.”

Young said that, although there were 40 missionaries in Tasmania, the missionary work was not happening. His mission president recognized Young’s magical talent and told him to make the missionary work happen, but to not break any rules.

Young prepped for his assignment and even learned how to eat fire. He planned a family home evening show and spread fliers all over with pictures of him eating fire. Eventually, 300 people showed up.

Tasmania also had a contest for Best Magician of the Year, which Elder Young subsequently entered and won.

“We started setting up magic shows and did them all over the island,” Young said. “We were known as the ‘Fire Eating Mormons.’”

Young became famous, and started doing radio call-in shows for free on the promise the station would run 12 weeks of Mormon ads.

“The missionary work turned around,” Young said with a smile in his voice.

The perception of his magical missionary work was purely positive until he came back to Utah and performed for two stakes in Springville. The morning after the show, he got a call.

As part of his act, Young had what he called a “Zombie Ball” and would levitate it around the room.

“The stake president called the day after saying that some of the sisters in the stake had been talking and wanted to know if the Zombie Ball was of the devil,” Young said. “I told him that it was magic.”

While Young was on his mission entertaining, his father was at home becoming his manager and booking shows for when Young got home. The father-son duo started building traveling sets, which included escape boxes and other boxes of illusion. He recruited his sister to help and they even did television shows.

Young had a great sound system for his show, so he would do a 90-minute act and then use the sound system for disco dances.

By this time, Young was attending Brigham Young University, and over a period of time had done a half-dozen shows on campus.

He noted that, after each show, he would bring some kind of controversy to the pages of the campus newspaper, The Daily Universe. Not because of magic, but because he had school permission to wear his hair longer as a student because he was a performer — just like the Osmonds. Apparently, other students felt he was taking advantage of the rule and should have been required to cut his hair short.

He and his new wife would travel the circuit and spend time together, then they had their first child. Young continued doing shows while his family stayed in Utah.

He had been gone for two months and flew back into town for his daughter’s first birthday party.

“She didn’t recognize me. That is when I stopped (doing magic shows) and started my own businesses,” Young said. “In 1986 I started Paragon so I could manage my own money.”

So now the rabbit is out of the hat. Mild-mannered Mayor Dave Young led a previous life of excitement and intrigue.

Through the cajoling — and several pretty-please requests from the folks at University Place — Young agreed and will be doing a 20-30 minute magic show as part of the July 23 festivities.

The University Place schedule of events for July 23 begins at 5 p.m. with food, games, pie eating competitions and stick-pulling competitions.

At 6 p.m. will be the “Dave Young Presents: Grand Illusions” magic show. At 6:45 p.m. Utah’s Madilyn Page will perform, followed by the Current Band concert at 8 p.m. A fireworks show will complete the night at 9:30 p.m.

The public is invited to bring chairs and blankets to sit on for all performances. The entire evening is free to the public.

Read the full article here.