Veterans Day is tomorrow, Nov. 11, so I'd like to take the time to thank members of the United States military, past and present, for their service and sacrifice. Click here for a list of Veterans Day events around the Salt Lake Valley.

President Barack Obama praised members of the United States military in a speech at Fort Hood, Texas today. "We need not look to the past for greatness, because it is before our very eyes," he said. Obama was in Fort Hood to honor victims of last Thursday's shooting rampage by Army Major Nadal Hasan, including Private Aaron Nemelka of West Jordan, who was killed, and Private Joey Foster of Ogden, who was wounded. "The stories of those at Fort Hood reaffirm the core values that we are fighting for and the strength that we must draw upon," Obama said. In talking about each of the victims, Obama mentioned that Nemelka was an Eagle Scout and came from a family with a tradition of military service.

This week's allotment of H1N1 Swine Flu appointments have been filled, according to the Salt Lake Valley Health Department's website and department spokesperson Pam Davenport. The appointments, which became available at 9 this morning, were all filled within about 15 minutes. However, more appointments will be available beginning at 9 a.m. next Tuesday, Davenport told me.

"The system we've been using has been working well for us," Davenport said. "Things have gone really smoothly, and we've received positive feedback from people."

The appointments will be available online through the SLVHD website and by phone at 801-743-7280.

The vaccine is only being given to select individuals considered at highest risk for complications from H1N1 (see below).

Eligible groups:

In addition to the upcoming SLVHD appointments, some Salt Lake Valley pharmacies still have H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine appointments available. Click here for a list of pharmacies that may have the H1N1 vaccine. I called a few of the pharmacies on the list, and most were out of the vaccine, but some still had doses available. By law, pharmacies are not allowed to vaccinate anyone under the age of 13.

The University of Utah Utes crushed the New Mexico Lobos yesterday at Rice Eccles Stadium, 45-14. The Utes' record is now 8-1, while New Mexico has dropped to 9-0.

Freshman Ute quarterback Jordan Wynn got his first start, and the Utes' offense looked good after a somewhat shaky first quarter. The Utes did score a touchdown in the first quarter on a 69-yard pass from Wynn to Jereme Brooks, but the Utes also fumbled three times and were -6 in rushing yards in the first quarter.

After that, the game was all Utes as the offense showed more variety than they have in past games. Besides Wynn's start, the other breakout offensive performance of the game was by Sausan Shakerin, who rushed for 100 yards on 16 carries. Running back Eddie Wide also rushed for over 100 yards for his sixth straight game, breaking a school record.

Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham has been analytical and candid about his reasons for switching quarterbacks from Terrance Cain to Jordan Wynn in the middle of the season. Plain and simple: even though the Utes were winning, Coach Whitt wasn't happy with the offense.

Here are some of Whittingham's quotes from the post-game press conference:

Opening statement:

"It's good to get another win under our belt. We performed much better in the second half. Jordan Wynn played well and we were happy with his performance. He's not playing like a true freshman. Eddie Wide had another big night and really got loose in the second half. We know next week we have a big game. It's going to be a big game next Saturday night [at TCU].

On the defense:

"The defense gave up a long drive early and near the end, but overall, they did what they should have."

On Jordan Wynn:

"He's a great decision maker. He understands the game and sees the big picture. He has a high football IQ and in that regard, I think he compares to Alex Smith. The most important thing that we have to do to help him next Saturday night is get the running game going and take care of the football. We put the ball on the carpet five times tonight, but we were fortunate to only lose one. That is something we definitely have to improve.

"Jordan is so savvy and he is able to understand everything that we throw at him. The playbook has been expanded. It's wide open now."

On the offensive line and long drives:

"They were able to wear out New Mexico's front seven. They helped us put together some long runs. The plays were called very well and we did a nice job of executing. But we have definitely become more consistent and have played with more of a rhythm than at any other time this season."

On Eddie Wide:

"Eddie's play has been the most important facet of our offensive production during the last six games."

On switching quarterbacks:

"From the get-go, we were looking for an opportunity to get Jordan in a game. We struggled on offense against Air Force and Wyoming and thought about making the switch. Just because you're winning, doesn't mean you can't improve. I don't regret not starting Jordan earlier this season but I'm happy with how things have progressed."

A 19-year-old soldier from West Jordan was among those shot and killed by U.S. Army Major Nidal Malik Hassan at Ft. Hood in Texas Thursday. Aaron Thomas Nemelka, a graduate of West Jordan High, was a combat engineer and had volunteered to be part of a team that would disable roadside explosive devices in Afghanistan.

Aaron's parents, Michael and Teena Nemelka, said in a prepared statement issued through the U. S. Army that they were "so proud to have him serve our country in the military." The family said Aaron was a "kind and loving son, brother, nephew, cousin and favorite uncle." Dozens of American flags filled the family's yard on Friday as Aaron's family, friends and fellow soldiers streamed in and out of the house offering their condolences.

I'm personally acquainted with members of the Nemelka family, and I want to express my heartfelt sorrow at their loss. I'm sure I speak for many Utahns and other Americans when I say my thoughts and prayers are with them.

Another Utahn, Joey Foster, was shot in the hip but helped pull others to safety during the incident. Both soldiers were at Ft. Hood's Soldier Readiness Center when the shootings occurred.

Comments from Aaron Nemelka's uncle and fellow soldier, Michael Blades

Comments from President Obama, Vice President Biden and U.S. Army officials on the Ft. Hood tragedy

Profile of Aaron Nemelka, from the Austin American Statesman

Photo by Ben Sklar/Getty Images

We had a bit of drama and sadness at our house last week. One of our chickens died. Yes, we eat chicken almost every day, but things are different when it's a pet chicken you've named, played with, and raised from a fluffball. R.I.P., Willamina.

When my family and I started raising chickens earlier this year, I was only dimly aware that we were participating in an exploding national trend. We live in a neighborhood with large lots, and in our immediate area raising a few chickens isn't that unusual. However, raising chickens for eggs and as pets is becoming more popular in all kinds of neighborhoods, and the trend has caused city councils throughout the Salt Lake Valley to revisit chicken regulations.

At their meeting today beginning at 7 p.m., the Salt Lake City Council will hold a public hearing on proposed changes to the city's chicken keeping ordinance. If the changes are approved, the number of backyard chickens Salt Lakers can keep will be limited by lot size, with the minimum lot size for keeping chickens set at .11 acres. The council also proposes changing the required distance between the chicken coop and the owner's home from 50 feet to 25 feet. Chicken coops will still have to be at least 50 feet from a neighbor's home. The proposed ordinance also prohibits slaughtering the chickens.

I've closely watched debates that have taken place throughout the valley as several cities have revamped chicken ordinances in response to the chicken-keeping trend. I've been a little surprised at the attitudes of some Salt Lake Valley residents who eat eggs and chicken on a regular basis but still think chickens will spoil a neighborhood's pristine atmosphere. In my experience, chickens are no more of a nuisance than dogs and cats.

However, most of the Salt Lake residents who have commented on the proposed changes to the chicken ordinance have been in favor of chicken keeping. Many have requested that the minimum distance between the coop and a neighbor's dwelling be reduced from 50 to 25 feet and that the number of birds allowed be increased slightly. Others have questioned the ban on slaughtering, since chickens outlive their ability to produce eggs.

Read the proposed ordinance and citizen comments

Visit About.com's small farms guidesite for tips on raising chickens

Photo by Allison Maxwell

The Salt Lake County Health Department is now out out of H1N1 Swine Flu vaccines at its clinic locations, but they have distributed a limited number of doses to selected Smith's, Harmons, and Walgreens pharmacies around the county. Click here for a list of pharmacies that have the H1N1 vaccine. Not every Smith's, Harmons or Walgreens location has the vaccine, so be sure to check the list.

Only people who meet specific criteria can receive the vaccine. Those people include pregnant women, young people between the ages of 13 and 24, health care workers, people who live with or care for babies younger than six months old, and people between the ages of 25 and 64 who have chronic health conditions. Even though the vaccine is recommended for children between the ages of six months and 13 years, by law pharmacies can't vaccinate children.

I called my neighborhood Smith's, Harmons and Walgreens and found that each store is following a slightly different procedure for distributing the vaccines. Smith's is currently scheduling vaccine appointments for Thursday, Friday, Monday and Tuesday. Note: the SLVHD website says Smith's will accept appointments starting Thursday, but that isn't the case. They are scheduling appointments now, so don't wait until Thursday to call. The cost to receive the vaccine at Smith's is $10. The vaccine itself is free; the $10 is an administrative fee.

Walgreens locations on the list will distribute tickets for the vaccines Thursday morning beginning at 8 a.m. Those who receive a ticket will be told to come back to Walgreens during a specific one-hour block between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Thursday. The vaccine administrative fee at Walgreens is $18.

Harmons is currently accepting vaccine appointments for Friday, Nov. 6 between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. The cost is $10. Again, the SLVHD website says Harmons will start taking appointments Thursday, but they have started already.

If you miss this round of vaccines, there will probably be another shipment next week, but details are unknown at this time, pharmacists told me. Watch the SLVHD website for the latest information.

Photo by Getty Images

Cast your ballot today between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Find your polling place and view a sample ballot

Election information

Photo by Getty Images

With a full moon overhead, fans dressed in black, a scary-good performance by the defense, and the shocking surprise of a new QB emerging from the shadows in the second half, it was a memorable Halloween night at Rice-Eccles Stadium as the Utes beat the Wyoming Cowboys 22-10.

The Utes overcame a sluggish first-half offensive performance, with freshman quarterback Jordan Wynn making his game-time debut and replacing Terrance Cain after halftime. After the game, Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham explained his decision to put Wynn in the game by saying, "We were just trying to get some continuity on offense and rhythm." Whittingham said he wanted to find a way for the offense to finish drives, something they had struggled with in the first half, managing only one third-down conversion and scoring only two field goals.

True freshman Wynn had been the Utes' backup QB but hadn't seen any playing time all season, fueling speculation that he might redshirt this year. Wynn passed for 82 yards but more importantly threw a touchdown pass to Jereme Brooks in the third quarter. Eddie Wide rushed for another touchdown, and those two scores combined with spectacular defense in the second half allowed the Utes to pull off the win. After the game, Wynn acknowledged the defense's role in the Utes' victory. Utah's defense held Wyoming to only 202 yards total offense, and only 74 of those came in the second half.

It was the second annual "blackout" game at Rice-Eccles Stadium as game organizers tried to overcome a less-than-desirable Halloween Night home game by encouraging fans to wear black and come in Halloween costumes.

I had a great time at the game, and I wasn't really surprised to see Wynn get some playing time. It would be unusual for a team to get through an entire season without using a backup quarterback. What remains a mystery is whether Whittingham will start Wynn against New Mexico next week, something I'm sure will fuel lots of speculation in Salt Lake City over the next seven days.

Photo by Marsha Maxwell

I hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween today! It's an exciting Halloween in Salt Lake City this year. Real Salt Lake will take on the Columbus Crew in the first leg of their Eastern Conference playoff match at Rio Tinto Stadium at 4 p.m. The University of Utah Utes take on the Wyoming Cowboys at Rice-Eccles Stadium tonight at 6 p.m. Organizers for both teams are encouraging fans to wear Halloween costumes and providing Halloween activities before the games. For the Utes, it's their second annual "blackout" game, with the fans encouraged to wear black and the team wearing black uniforms.

If you plan to get out and celebrate at a haunted house or corn maze today, check out my list of Salt Lake City Halloween events. But really, the greatest thing about Halloween is old-fashioned trick-or-treating. What could be better than getting the chance to wear an outrageous outfit and have all your neighbors to give you free candy? I love candy almost as much as the average kid, and if you feel the same I highly encourage you to check out About.com's candy site. Candy guide Elizabeth LaBau has the best job in the world!

Photo by Getty Images

I can't remember a quieter election season in Salt Lake City. There's no hot mayor's race or controversial social issue at stake this year, but on Nov. 3 voters will choose city council representatives for districts 1, 3 and 7 and also vote for or against Proposition 1, which would allow the city to issue $125 million in bonds to fund the construction of a new public safety building.

To help you cast your vote on Tuesday, I've rounded up a few good sources of information on the upcoming Salt Lake City elections, now posted under "Government & Issues."

Photo by Getty Images