City Weekly May 22, 2025

salt lake

FROM THE RUBBLE

Utah’s preservation movement was born when the Coalville Tabernacle died.

BY WES LONG

S AP

BOX

Swear It

In The Better Angels of Our Nature, Steven Pinker suggests that the very essence of language is warning. From the first grunts of our ancestors, words became tools to signal threats, convey dangers and bind groups together through a shared understanding.

John McWhorter, in Words on the Move, takes it further: even the vilest of profanities have their place. They are not random outbursts of vulgarity, but finely honed expressions of intensity. Still, both miss the deeper point. Pro-

fanity is not just a linguistic tool—it is the admission of language’s failure.

Kierkegaard once termed this “word angst”—the creeping dread that language is not just inadequate but actively misleading. We grope for metaphors and adjectives, but some experiences simply won’t yield. So, we swear. Not because we are crude, but because we are cornered.

The moment the brain’s elaborate syntax machine sputters and shorts out, we fall back on primordial sound. Swearing is not the domain of the unhinged—it is our most ancient, efficient way of saying, this is beyond words.

And in 2025, science is humiliating language faster than ever before. At CERN, particle accelerators can reveal what the universe looked like a trillionth of a second after the Big Bang. But here’s the kicker: in that same blink of a moment, a proton can travel a trillion times a trillion distances.

Think about that. Time and space become so elastic, so absurd, that our words, with their clunky human scale, have no chance. Stephen Hawking, too, confronted this with his “no-boundary” proposal—

the notion that the universe never actually began. Instead, space and time smear into a strange, infinite curve, erasing the need for a singular point of origin.

This is not merely hard to describe—it is fundamentally indescribable. A place where tenses break down and causality becomes slippery.

Faced with this, we swear. Not only in frustration but in awe. When you gaze through the James Webb Space Telescope and see light from stars so old they burned out before Earth had cooled, what is the appropriate response? “Fascinating”? “Breathtaking”?

Hardly. Something far cruder and far more human springs to mind. Because we have always known this truth intuitively—there are things for which words simply will not do.

This is the forgotten grace of profanity: it is not just for rage. It is for wonder, for grief, for disbelief, and, yes, even for love. It is the desperate syntax of the overwhelmed—linguistic whitecaps breaking on the shores of the ineffable.

Think about falling in love. You can try,

in your best poetry, to describe the feeling of being utterly wrecked by someone’s presence. Or, you can say, “I’m so f--king in love with you.” The latter, stripped of its pretense, carries more truth.

So, let’s do what English does best: adapt. Grow a new adaptation.

Just as we created new metaphors for the Internet age (we “surf” the web, we “friend” people), we need a vocabulary for the limits of vocabulary. Swearing should be reclaimed from its prudish cage and recognized for what it is: the boundary marker of the unspeakable.

When science drags us to the edges of comprehension, when love throws us into ecstatic disarray, when grief robs us of breath—let us swear, and swear boldly. Not because we are vulgar, but because we are honest.

BRENDAN RYAN

Salt Lake City

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THE WATER COOLER

Who was your favorite character in a sitcom

Paula Saltas

Susie on Curb Your Enthusiasm. The funniest sitcom in my opinion. She steals the show in every episode, berating her husband and calling out Larry David. She’s blunt and very witty, a bit obnoxious but it is hysterical.

Scott Renshaw

Steve Carell’s Michael Scott from The Office, not even a close call. Just a perfect portrayal of someone whose emotional neediness at times makes him profoundly kind to those he cares for, and at times makes him the human personification of cringe.

Wes Long

I’d say either Frasier Crane from Frasier, Lois from Malcolm in the Middle or Michael from Arrested Development

Mike Ptaschinski

Hard to beat Bruce Willis’ David Addison, the wise-cracking detective assisting Cybill Shepherd’s Maddie Hayes in Moonlighting. Quick with a witty comeback, he had that uncanny ability to solve a case and land on his feet, even after getting mired in the mud of his own making. Just reminiscing about the show is so refreshing compared to what’s on TV today.

Eric Granato

Karen from Will & Grace.

OPINION

BY BENJAMIN WOOD

Veni, Vidi, Kilby

Even the Roman emperors, at the height of their power and excess, couldn’t ride a bike to a Weezer concert. Salt Lakers can.

It’s certainly flawed—ludicrous even—to equate ancient Rome with last weekend’s Kilby Block Party. Caesar and his successors had chariots and great ships to traverse the known world, flanked by legionaries and roving courts of indentured jesters, cooks and artisans.

But after a long, hot day of conquest and pillaging, all the mead in Germania couldn’t make those lute-and-flute sessions sound as good as the guitar riff on “Buddy Holly,” and the wait for Cupbop was 2,000 years long. Hard pass.

I touched on this in last week’s intro to the 2025 City Weekly Summer Guide, but it bears repeating—Salt Lake City is blowing up, in all the best ways. Kilby Block Party just lit the fuse. For the next three months or so, a person can’t swing a dead cat downtown without hitting some great summer programming.

I shudder to even imagine the logistical nightmare of scheduling four days of top-shelf, outdoor, live music. Events like Kilby Block Party have so many moving parts, so many known unknowns, it’s a small miracle that they happen at all.

There’s a reason that the X96 Big Ass Show doesn’t exist anymore. There’s a reason SLC Twilight has devolved from the mass-appeal downtown mobilizer to a sporadic and inconsistent younger sibling of its lately-superior Ogden counterpart.

Big events—and big concerts in particular—are f--king hard. And yet, somehow, Kilby Block Party just made it look easy, bouncing from one hot set to the next while juggling a constellation of vendors, lounges, affiliate events and thousands of attendees of varying levels of social intelli-

gence and propriety. They did it in the rain, and they did it in a way that treated locals like royalty.

But the success of KBP goes beyond the hard work of its organizers and performing talent. It speaks to the broader quality-of-life strategies at play in Salt Lake City that are beginning to bear fruit.

I live in Poplar Grove, the west-side neighborhood directly south of Fairpark, and I was able to attend Kilby Block Party with my wife and son by utilizing the Jordan River Parkway Trail and the free valet service offered by GreenBike. This trail connection, made possible by the recently-constructed Archuleta Bridge, meant that my family’s two-mile trip to the Utah State Fairpark included only t wo blocks of blended traffic and the deadly hazards that drivers impose on non-drivers.

Other locals utilized the new protected bike lanes on 300 North, which have the added bonus of a bridge and elevator to get over parked trains. And I repeatedly saw groups of cyclists and pedestrians arriving on 1000 West, a better-by-comparison street that has recently been made safer and more inviting by the addition of traffic calming features and the closure of a railroad crossing near South Temple, which blocks cars while still allowing people to pass through and access the neighborhood. (Note to the City Council: this is called a “modal filter” and you need to make it permanent).

My friend Skyler and his wife rode Frontrunner down to Kilby from Layton, since the train stops less than one mile away from the Utah State Fairpark. I’d wager that a lot of folks who hunted for a “free” parking space ended up walking from as far or further away. And many other KBP attendees utilized Trax for a ride to Fairpark Station, a convenient option that is unfortunately undermined by the layout of the Utah State Fairpark, which forces transit and trail users to detour around the grounds and enter through a parking lot.

(Sidenote: The fairpark itself is governed by a board of state-appointed suburbanites who have long resisted calls to make the campus more productively urbanist. A few years back, this governing board also killed city plans to restripe and improve 1000 West, insisting instead that the roadway retain its design as a multi-lane surface highway

that contradicts the local street context. This story of local city government being overridden by entrenched state interests didn’t get much press at the time, because local media is also suburbs- and car-based.)

These new walking, biking and transit trends aren’t just niceties, they carry real economic and social value. More people attending KBP through multi-modal travel means less congestion and pollution, acutely in the Fairpark neighborhood but also generally in the broader city transportation network.

It also means more foot traffic in and out of the fairgrounds, which has spillover effects for adjacent westside retailers as well as the crime-deterring “eyes on the street” effect as folks make their way back home.

On the flip side, hosting incredible talent at a downtown-accessible location where large numbers of people can attend car-free means that more families like my own can spend their time and money supporting artists and having fun and not spend it supporting Big Oil and having road rage. Instead of paying Chevron $50 for a tank of gas, I refueled at Cluck Truck and Proper Burger.

Recent reporting suggests that one out of every four Utah jobs is located within Salt Lake City. And housing prices have dipped slightly as new units open up and relieve the pent-up demand in the market.

The people are already working in the city, they like to recreate in the city, and the data is clear that they’d love to live in the city if they could afford it. And contrary to what the NIMBY naysayers claim, building more homes and amenities for these newcomers will make life better for everyone—and legacy residents in particular—by facilitating healthier connections and filling in the gaps of our built environment.

We just have to remember the thing that makes being a local Salt Laker so great: The city. When so much of what you love is located so close to home, you don’t have to drive. Locals get to walk, bike and ride the train.

And for visitors to our fair city, remember the age-old wisdom: When in Rome, do as the Romans do. CW

Private Eye is off this week.

Send comments to bwood@cityweekly.net

HITS & MISSES

MISS: Reading Minds

Hello students. Hello especially to you students who only read on your phones and wouldn’t know what a book is anyway. Your parents will be delighted to know that there are now 18 books you must not and cannot read—in school at least. Smarter heads than yours have determined that books will turn you gay or trans or maybe even promiscuous. And frankly, it’s mostly books written by women—women who should be staying home and baking bread and changing diapers. They should not be writing prurient books that will only inflame your hearts, stoke your curiosity and broaden your perspectives on life. Please, please do not pick up one of these books from Utah’s banned book list. Water for Elephants is the latest bad choice. You can watch the movie on YouTube, or almost any streaming service. So get rid of all that and tell your parents you want to read the Bible, especially Genesis 19:30-38 about Lot and his daughters.

MISS: Rough Landing

Speaking of education, the word “public” is, apparently, misunderstood by our elected officials. It can simply mean “open” or “accessible to the public.” Rep. Celeste Maloy thinks Utah’s public lands are just sitting there wasting away while developer constituents are salivating over the vision of affordable housing or almost anything that could bring in money to private hands. The House Natural Resources Committee passed an amendment to sell off “only” a third of the public lands in Utah, as well as some in neighboring Nevada. No one will notice, right? The Las Vegas Review Journal calls it a blatant water grab from Utah “reviving concerns in the Colorado River Basin about a pipeline from the country’s second-biggest reservoir.” Obviously, the Southern Utah Wilderness Association isn’t on board. And let’s be clear, a one-time sale is only a one-time gain.

HIT: Ad Astra

Who doesn’t like a good mural, especially one that’s really big and bold? Remember the 2002 Olympics, when large murals were hung on buildings downtown? The Astra Tower has one of those—at 13,000 square feet, it’s visible from 200 South and incorporates designs from dozens of artists. Impressively, the tower will also be a signal for bad air, of which Salt Lake has plenty. The 41-story luxury apartment building stands more than 450 feet, making it the tallest in Utah. Let’s not talk about affordability—rent could be $10,000 a month, according to Building Salt Lake. But on the bright side, the Astra’s exterior crown lighting will change color to reflect pollution levels—similar to the old Walker Building’s weather forecast. So if you can’t actually see the pollution in the valley, you’ll know what’s coming—unless the smog obscures the tower itself. CW

Light and Love

On April 26, my daughter and I attended Encircle’s Only Love Gala at the Adobe Lehi Campus, a night that shimmered with warmth, compassion and a unifying theme— Welcome Home. And a highlight of the night was watching the radiant Kristin Chenoweth receive Encircle’s Ally Award.

Chenoweth—who grew up in the Oklahoma Bible Belt—shared a powerful story about her third-grade friend Jackie Bell, who was bullied for being different. She said that experience became the foundation of her lifelong allyship with the LGBTQ+ community. Chenoweth’s talent and wit are undeniable, but her greatest strength may be her compassion. When she introduced my daughter and me onstage, she embraced us both with genuine warmth. She leaned in close and whispered to my daughter, “You’re going to do great.”

It was a brief moment, but it meant the world to her—and to me.

Chenoweth spoke about how meaningful this award was to her. Her father had called earlier that day and told her, “This is by far your best award.” She wholeheartedly agreed. For someone with a shelf full of accolades, that says something profound about her values.

I also found myself charmed by Angie Katsanevas (or “Angie K”) from The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Though I don’t watch much television, I noticed her authenticity and generosity. She credited her best oneliners to the gay friends she’s loved for over 30 years. A mother herself, Katsanevas said that “all children deserve to feel safe, healthy, and loved.” I couldn’t agree more.

As we enjoyed the delicious food from Laziz and danced the night away to the lively beats of DJ Robot Dream, I felt overwhelmed with gratitude for the people who make Encircle’s mission a reality here in Salt Lake City. People like Fane, Eliza, Ollie, Nyx and Ty work tirelessly to create a space where LGBTQ+ youth feel at home. Their presence, care and leadership are felt in every hug, every laugh, every quiet moment of reassurance. I see the difference they’re making in so many young lives—and I’m endlessly thankful for their work.

Still, the most meaningful part of the night wasn’t the celebrity encounters—it was seeing my daughter shine. Dressed in her new purple suit, standing among mentors and friends, she radiated confidence and pure delight. On stage, she shared: “Encircle is a space that reminded me that I still had a future, even when the rest of the world made me doubt it.”

As a parent, those words washed over me, and my heart brimmed with quiet joy. Thank you, Encircle, for creating a place where LGBTQ+ youth feel seen, safe and celebrated. Your mission—no sides, only love— is more than a theme. It’s a promise, and this night, it felt like home. CW

Main Events

Midvale Main Art House attempts to anchor a new creative hub in the center of the valley.

BY ARICA ROBERTS comments@cityweekly.net

You may have noticed that Main Street in Midvale is becoming quite the artistic hub, with more than 40 murals and LED lights strung across the entire street. In 2022, Nate Rockwood was appointed as the Assistant City Manager of Midvale, but prior to working for Midvale City, Rockwood was the visionary for the Park City Arts and Cultural District, including the revitalization of its iconic Main Street. Will Midvale become the next Park City for the arts in Utah?

Located at the center of Salt Lake Valley, The Midvale Main Arts & Culture District is home to the Midvale Main Art House (7697 S. Main Street), which functions as a workshop space, gallery and community center. The building may be hard to miss, as it is nestled among new restaurants, cafés, tattoo shops and stores including a new third location for Cactus & Tropicals. Local artists Shantelle (Telli) Sommers and Ash Amos were among the first to join the Midvale Art House when it opened in 2024, helping to set up the space and infrastructure. Although the Art House technically opened in June 2024, it was not until September that it was ready for its grand opening.

“It has been a slow start,” Sommers notes. “Since our grand opening, we kind of didn’t do a lot until the beginning of the year. Me and Ash were super busy doing other projects.”

Sommers and Amos are known in Salt Lake’s music and arts communities, hosting pop-up galleries and interactive art installations at Mutiny Music Collective’s events, The Renegades at Fear Factory, live painting at BLAQ VOID events, and coloring-book mural walls at Midvale’s Trick or Treat on Main Street. As experts in community engagement,

Sommers and Amos are now hosting monthly art workshops at the Art House, with Sommers recently leading her first workshop on abstract painting in April.

“Community engagement is really important for our space, so we host a lot of events that have live music and art activities,” Sommers explains.

The Art House is also open for anyone in the community to walk in during operating hours (Tuesday – Thursday 5-8 p.m. and Saturday 2-7 p.m.) to talk with the artists, as well as peruse the galleries which showcase a variety of styles and media. While Sommers is currently working on acrylic and watercolor painting, printmaking and custom upcycled clothing, Amos is honing his skills in painting, printmaking, woodworking and more.

Amos was first contacted to apply for the Art House after contributing to the Hive Design Group mural by James Smith at 7711 S. Main Street in Midvale—which just so happens to be on the north-facing wall of the parking lot behind the current Art House location, and includes the words, “Focus on the Good.” Sommers worked on her first mural of butterflies at South Jordan Parkway Bridge last year.

While the murals on Midvale Main Street are an integral part of its ambience, the artists have noticed that there’s a trend among mural festivals, such as Midvale’s Los Muros on Main, to favor international artists over local ones.

“The cities are saying that they support local,” Sommers said, “and then they don’t always, or they’ll support local for the smaller things. And then when it comes to a bigger thing that would actually look really good on a résumé and help you get other mural jobs, they’re just like, ‘Well, we’re going to hire this international person.’”

Sommers and Amos plan to address this issue through a non-profit that advocates for local artists to be part of the art that’s in their community. “The traditional art world gatekeepers are becoming less relevant as artists can now directly connect with and build their own audiences,” Amos explains, and he himself offers support to other

A&E

artists through his new business called Penrose Artist Co., which showcases his own artwork and promotes community workshops at Midvale Main Art House.

While the city of Midvale is actively working to revitalize and promote the Main Street area, including the Midvale Art House, there have been some recent departures, so they are looking to add more artists to the space. “The Art House needs more artists,” Sommers says.

So if you have ever wanted a space to work on your own art, display and

sell from your own gallery, and lead art workshops, this is your chance. If you’re not sure, go check out the open space and spend the day creating. Midvale Main Art House is still an emerging and evolving space that needs community support. Go to engagemidvale.com/art-house to apply as an artist for Midvale Main Art House or just to stay updated on events. You can also follow Sommers and Amos on Instagram at @tellikinesis, @ashamosart and @pen.rose for workshop and event updates. CW

Complete listings online at cityweekly.net

Soldier Hollow Classic Sheepdog Championship & Festival

In 2024, after a 2023 hiatus during venue renovation, the Soldier Hollow Classic Sheepdog Championship & Festival returned to Midway, moving from its previous traditional Labor Day weekend time frame to Memorial Day weekend. But despite more than a year off, the fun was still on full display as crowds filled the bleachers to watch the fascinating sight of a sheepdog guiding a herd of sheep down a mountain, through various gates and into a pen, all while guided by a handler from great distances using only voice and whistle commands

A display of this ancient art of wrangling working dogs is back again this Memorial Day weekend, as more than 40 handlers from the U.S., Canada, Ireland, Wales, South Africa and Switzerland—including returning 2024 Gold Medalists Scott Glen and “Pip”—take on the challenging course. In addition to the competition taking place throughout the four days, the event includes a full festival, complete with children’s activities, petting zoo exhibitions of activities like sheep-shearing and weaving, agility-course demonstrations, vendor booths, a beer garden and food.

The 2025 Classic takes place at Soldier Hollow Nordic Center (2002 Soldier Hollow Lane, Midway) May 23 – 26, 8 a.m. – approximately 4 p.m. daily. Tickets are available online, with prices $12 ages 5 – 17, $22 adult and $17 senior age 65+, and on-site each day for $3 additional per ticket; family passes are also available for $70 - $80 that admit up to two adults and four children. Visit soldierhollowclassic.com to purchase tickets and for schedule and additional event information. (Scott Renshaw)

Utah Symphony: Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique

In December 2024, when Markus Poschner (pictured) spoke to City Weekly about his then-recent appointment as Artistic Director Designate for Utah Symphony, he talked about the connection he felt to the Symphony musicians during his first visit to conduct here, in 2022. “In music in general, it’s never about wrong and right,” Poschner said. “There are so many options and possibilities to interpret a symphony. And in the end, it’s always a question of trust in the conductor, this bond of trust, how to get more meaning, more emotion. ... You realize you’re speaking kind of the same language musically.”

Maestro Poschner and the Utah Symphony once again get a chance to show off the way they speak that same language when the conductor—fresh off of a busy spring conducting in Europe—comes to Abravanel Hall to oversee a program headlined by Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique. The 1830 composition offered a thenrevolutionary approach to incorporating narrative into a symphonic work, telling the story of a heartbroken artist who takes too much opium and experiences drugfueled hallucinations, full of murder, execution and a commune of witches. It shares the evening with For a Younger Self, a new concerto by contemporary composer and Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Kris Bowers (Bridgerton, Green Book) featuring violin soloist Charles Yang.

Utah Symphony’s program featuring Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique comes to Abravanel Hall (123 W. South Temple) May 23 – 24, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $14.50 - $100; visit saltlakecountyarts.org to purchase tickets, and usuo.org for additional program information. (SR)

With all the Jensens, Christensens, Hansens and the like who populate the state of Utah, it can sometimes feel like the Venn diagram of “23 & Me reports of Utahns with Scandinavian heritage” and “inhabitants of Scandinavia” is a single circle. It’s certainly true that folks with roots in Sweden, Norway and Denmark are a big part of the state’s overall makeup, and every year, the city of Ephraim brings a focus to that reality with its biggest-of-its-kind-in-the-American-West Scandinavian

This Memorial Day weekend is no different, with two days of entertainment, information and general merriment. Events include the annual Heritage Conference with history talks, art exhibitions, car show, chalk art and demonstrations of vintage trades like leather-making and blacksmithing. Live performances feature storytelling, traditional Scandinavian music from Madeline LeBaron, the Valhalla Viking Rock Opera Showcase, and music headliners like the ABBA tribute band ABBAFAB. A Scandinavian Village offers plenty of crafts to peruse and purchase, while dozens of food vendors provide sustenance for visitors. If you’re feeling particularly participatory, you can even sign up for the pickleball tournament, tennis tournament or—I am not making this up—a wifecarrying contest (marital status and gender-specific carrying not enforced).

The 2024 Scandinavian Heritage Festival takes place in various venues— including Snow College’s campus (150 E. College Ave.) and Pioneer Park (42 N. 100 West)—on Friday, May 23 (approximately noon – 9 p.m.) and Saturday, May 24 (approximately noon – 6 p.m.). Events are free and open to the public. Visit scandinavianfestival.org for full schedule and additional event information. (SR)

City Weekly’s Best Of Utah Top 10!

Whether hot or cold, as a starter or a snack, we do love our tapas. Classically Spanish in origin, these tasty appetisers come to us today in a variety of flavors, sizes and culinary styles. All the better for everyone, we say, for it just gives us an excuse to sample even more of them. If you’re looking for terrific tapa nearby, why not give the following a try?

Sip, savor and linger among great company and great wine.

BEST MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT

Drawn as they are from multiple cultural and ethnic traditions, Middle Eastern cuisine is remarkably diverse, its ingredients extensive. Salt Lake City is consequently blessed to have these delightful dishes so near at hand, prepared as they are by masters of this distinctive culinary realm. Our readers have noted the following locations to be especially skilled in this regard:

Each week, City Weekly will publish, email to our Best of Utah list and post on our socials an expanded version of our beloved Best of Utah issue. With over 400 categories to choose from, we selected our favorites to post from now til the Best of Utah issue in November. Remember, always

From the Rubble

Utah’s preservation movement was born when the Coalville Tabernacle died.

BY WES LONG wlong@cityweekly.net

COALVILLE —

The Daughters of Utah Pioneers (DUP) Museum is one of the first sights to greet visitors from Interstate 80. Situated beneath a signboard reading “Welcome to Coalville,” it’s hard to miss.

To its north lies the historic district, which retains a charming, small-town character. To its south is a clash of modern houses, trailer homes and Victorian originals.

“It’s a town where everybody knows everybody,” says Ramona Pace, Coalville’s DUP Camp Captain.

At their museum, the DUP conducts tours of historical sites and looks after an array of pioneer keepsakes. It’s a cause summarized by a sign above the entryway: “A people who forgets its heritage soon has none.”

In that spirit, Pace is currently engaged in preservation efforts for a white-frame chapel in the northeast of town. Completed in 1909, the Cluff House was built for the old Coalville East Latter-day Saint Ward and used for local events before falling into disrepair.

After previously forming a nonprofit—The Cluff House Inc.—to restore the chapel, Pace is eager to restart the project after some dormancy. Restoring and maintaining a historical building can be complicated, but Pace looks forward to what may be accomplished.

“We were working to raise funds but ran out of money, so things have paused,” she related to City Weekly in a recent interview. “I’m hoping to get back on that.”

The Cluff House stands on the threshold of renewed life as a modern community hub, and its preservation would add a new chapter to a fraught history of architectural preservation in Coalville.

Some of the town’s historic buildings have been saved through relocation and adaptive reuse, like the Old Rock Schoolhouse that now greets guests at Lagoon’s Pioneer Village. But others were lost—most notably the old Coalville Tabernacle.

Indeed, the Tabernacle episode forever changed Utah preservation by spurring specialists and locals into action during the early 1970s, after a Latter-day Saint stake president hastened the building’s destruction.

The debate over whether to renovate or replace the unique LDS meetinghouse split the Coalville community, leaving deep and lasting scars. According to Pace, it hinged on how “user-friendly” the Tabernacle building was for modern needs, highlighting the tension between practical utility and aesthetic/cultural value that underlines virtually every effort around preservation and redevelopment. After all, things inevitably do and will change—but a society that forgets its heritage might also someday awaken to find that something precious has been lost.

The Coalville Tabernacle was completed in 1899, after 20 years of planning and construction. It was demolished in 1971.

Collision Course

Settled in the 1850s, the community of Coalville organized into an LDS stake (or area diocese) in 1877 as the Summit Stake. The following year, the Stake (which extended into Wyoming at the time) launched an effort to construct a meetinghouse.

Designed by architect Thomas L. Allen (1849-1928), the Coalville Tabernacle was built of 600,000 hand-rubbed bricks and 75,000 feet of timber, with labor, supplies and produce donated from stake members. Fitted with 14 towers, sandstone trimmings, imported Belgian stained glass windows, a pipe organ and elaborate interior decorations by Norwegian artist Christian Olsen (1858-1942), the building was completed in 1899.

For the generations that followed, noted a 1966 history of the Summit Stake, the Coalville Tabernacle stood as “an edifice of imposing beauty,” the refined Gothic haven of the community.

Coalville resident Joan Judd certainly remembers the building that way. “The activities we had!” she exclaimed to City Weekly. “The Gold and Green Balls, Mutual Improvement Association, road shows. We did everything in that building.”

Judd was particularly struck by the intricate interior design, like the painted bust portraits of early LDS church leaders that adorned the ceiling. “I thought how lucky we were to have those things,” she recalled.

But even in her youth, Judd knew the building was having difficulty providing for the wards (local congregations) that used it. And by then, the Tabernacle had already been dramatically remodeled in the 1940s as a means of extending its lifespan. That renovation removed the organ and balconies, added classrooms and installed the floor of Coalville’s old opera house to bisect the main hall, creating a second level.

Judd can remember her father saying that “the day they took the balcony out, they destroyed the character of the stake center.” It was a problem that was apparent to many.

“Had the great single hall remained, and had it been properly maintained, it could have been incorporated into a new stake center complex without excessive costs,” wrote Edward Geary for the Winter 1970 issue of Dialogue. “Even in remodeled form, the Tabernacle failed to meet the needs of a two-ward chapel and stake house. The chapel was too small; the classrooms were cramped and few in number; the recreation hall was unsuitable for basketball and too far away from the kitchen (in the basement) for banquets.”

Utah’s Penn Station

Emily Utt serves as curator of historic sites for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Regarding the Coalville Tabernacle, she noted a number of factors that contributed to the building’s fate.

Some elements of the original tabernacle, like these stainedglass windows, were preserved.

Utt says that with a “backlog of maintenance” to aging infrastructure and a demand for new construction nationwide following WWII, the push by many Americans was for the “shiny and new.” New York’s demolition of Pennsylvania Station, however, galvanized a larger preservation movement that culminated in the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.

“When preservation becomes a sticking point in Utah, it takes us a few years to catch up and figure out what we’re trying to do,” Utt said. “The Coalville Tabernacle was our Penn Station. It was that moment when we realized locally this is not just ‘another person’ issue, this is our issue. It’s hard that you often have to lose something so monumental to realize that the conversation is local.”

Utt explained that in the 1960s, the LDS church was evolving as a corporation and—particularly with historical preservation—there was neither a clear policy nor professional preservationists in place. In a 1961 letter, the church’s Building Department communicated with Coalville’s ecclesiastical leaders to consider their options with the Tabernacle.

These being the days when local congregations chipped in a sizable percentage of project costs—and the rural stake’s membership then hovered around 2,100—the Building Department stated that “the entire local membership” would need to reach full agreement of whatever course they took: “This can be most effectively solicited at a special meeting, other than a sacrament service, where the members of the Wards may feel free to discuss the scope of the project and their obligations.”

Talks stalled for the next few years as church leaders mulled whether to remodel the building or just raise an entirely new structure elsewhere. By early 1970, Summit Stake President Reed Brown (1915-2000) reasserted appeals to the Building Department for a meetinghouse that would meet capacity needs, thinking that any decision on the Tabernacle could be delayed until after a new structure was completed. The Department responded that the older building had to be dealt with before they considered anything new.

According to Geary, local preservation officials kept in touch with Brown through the first half of 1970, even succeeding in listing the Coalville Tabernacle on the State Register of Historic Sites and the National Register. But then a period of “bad communications” and buck-passing ensued.

“Those who could have offered concrete proposals [about the Tabernacle] were unaware of what was happening, and as they gradually grew aware they were unable to reach Church leaders with their suggestions,” Geary wrote. “Those who were making the decisions were cut off from the expert advice of anyone besides the Church Building Committee, which has almost invariably in recent years preferred building anew to remodeling or adapting.”

is

Fall of a Landmark

On the advice of the Building Committee, Brown narrowed his choices: sell the building, as had been done at the time with Heber City’s tabernacle, or demolish and replace.

Seeing as the Heber building was then in poor condition under new ownership, Brown opted for the latter course, submitting his plan to the church’s First Presidency and Building Department and obtaining demolition approval by early December.

Presenting the plan publicly and claiming “unanimous” approval based on the perceived response at one Dec. 20 priesthood meeting, Brown forged ahead while others in the community were aghast.

“It saddens me,” remarked Utah Historical Society director Charles Peterson to the Summit County Bee, “that so many of the fine structures characterizing the Mormon achievement as founders of towns are being torn down.”

Bernett Smith (1894-1981), captain of the Coalville DUP, took action. With her associate Mabel Larsen (1898-1989), they circulated a petition among the stake membership in opposition to Brown’s plan.

Larsen reported that 55 percent of the stake’s adult members signed their petition. But Brown denied such a percentage accurately reflected the stake, later dismissing those who did sign as “inactive members.”

“I will not be intimidated by anyone, as long as I am standing up for what I think is right,” Larsen told The Salt Lake Tribune. “This action is in no way a criticism of the LDS Church … I don’t want to start something that will discredit our stake or our stake presidency, but so many people have told us that they want to sign but they are afraid of the reaction of their bishop or stake presidency.”

The issue was covered extensively by newspapers and broadcast nationwide. While Brown lined up bids for disassemblers, protestors picketed in Salt Lake City and the DUP retained lawyer Thomas Blonquist (1938-2011), who filed a temporary injunction to halt the Feb. 19 demolition. The request was granted by the Fourth District Court, pending a March 1 hearing.

Defensive against claims that a majority of the Summit Stake opposed demolition, Brown called for meetings to be held stake-wide on Feb. 28 for members to vote either for or against the proposed plan.

“This meeting will not be open for public discussion,” read the notice, attached to a statement listing why a new facility was preferable.

The meetings proved a disappointment to preservationists, resulting in a majority of attendants who favored Brown’s plan. That said, Chad Dobson, a student in atten-

Architect Allen Roberts said the fight to save the Coalville Tabernacle shaped his career.

dance, alleged at the time that children in arms had been counted in the tally and no alternatives to demolition were raised.

When Blonquist’s injunction died in court, Brown proposed a “cooling off” period before any other actions were taken. Blonquist deferred further injunctions while preservation committee member David Fitzen (1935-2018) negotiated with Brown.

But then, in the early morning of March 3, the citizens of Coalville awakened to find the Tabernacle’s dismantling was already underway by individuals surreptitiously selected by Brown. “The opinion and attitude of Coalville residents could be termed ‘bitter’ and ‘surprised,’ according to queries directed at local people,” wrote the Daily Utah Chronicle. “‘I hope a brick falls on their heads,’ and ‘we’ll never have anything like it again—they’re taking it from us,’ were some expressions.”

Others entered the building, bringing food for the workmen and to ask for mementos.

“Before work stopped 7 ½ hours later,” the Tribune reported, “they had stripped the interior of the tabernacle. All the furniture had been taken out, the stained glass windows removed, the carpeting lifted, and two of the five pictures on the ceiling were out and one other partially removed.”

Letters flooded into newspapers, including from Larsen, who thundered in the Summit County Bee: “Like thieves in the night you stole into a House of God, and crushed its heart out.”

Joan Judd’s husband assisted in removing the building’s glass and paintings, as did Ramona Pace’s father-in-law. Both assert that utmost care was pursued by the group, who rescued the relics for installation to the new building.

Judd can recall harsh sentiments lingering for some time after that day, but personally felt at peace once the modern meetinghouse was completed.

“Not everybody felt that,” she conceded. “Anger takes a lot of time to heal.”

Bernett Smith later wrote that she was “heartbroken” by the loss, “But there was nothing more I could do. I knew we needed a church, so after the new building was built, though it hurt, I attended church there.”

Loved and Lost

Allen Roberts never got to see the Coalville Tabernacle, but its destruction spawned his career. “I was a student at BYU,” the retired architect recalls, “a second year junior without a major.”

Drawn to the school’s architectural program and sympathetic to factions on campus in support of saving the Tabernacle, Roberts found his life’s work in preservation and restoration.

“It was this very event,” he emphasized. “If it hadn’t happened, I may not have gone in that direction. It caused me to think, ‘are there so many of these great buildings that we can tear them down with impunity and it doesn’t matter?’”

Latter-day Saint church curator Emily Utt says preservation must balance community values with practical realities.

For 50 years, Roberts was instrumental in preserving Utah’s historical architecture—including tabernacles and chapels. Whatever the structure, he points out, the key to its preservation is in finding a compatible use for it with a new occupant once its original purpose has been outlived.

“It’s actually less expensive to renovate a building than to build a new one,” he said, noting that the superstructure is already in place. Even with modern improvements and upgrades, he remarked that among the projects he’s worked on, “virtually all of them were less expensive to renovate and restore than to tear it down and build new construction.”

Roberts remains unconvinced that there were no alternatives for the Tabernacle. In the wake of the controversy, he and colleague Paul Anderson worked with church officials on the organization’s first preservation roster with an eye for architectural significance. It laid the foundation for a roster that has since expanded, which is “a lot more global and a lot more cultural,” in Utt’s description.

“There will be people who just care about the future and there are those on the other side who want to save everything,” Utt adds. “Somewhere in the middle is where good preservation philosophy happens. You have to demonstrate usefulness to those who don’t care and you have to give technical training to those who just love everything to help guide and focus their efforts.”

It’s a tension she considers “healthy” for any group.

“When I listen too much to the accountants, we lose something of value,” Utt explained, “and when I listen too much to the community I also lose a sense of [a building’s] usefulness.”

Even then, what’s considered “useful” shifts. For Utt, many of the greatest preservation successes have occurred outside public view, with buildings few knew were ever at risk.

Brandy Strand has experienced that “healthy tension” too. As executive director of Preservation Utah, she’s learned to be more approachable and collaborative with preservation advocates and property owners, for both have valid concerns.

“There is no one absolute way that a historic built environment should be preserved and protected,” Strand remarked. City standards differ and initiatives like the Utah Main Street Program go a long way, she said, but preservation really comes down to a local community, both to advocate for a building as well as in keeping it vibrant.

“I don’t believe you should do preservation work to communities,” Strand said, “you should do it with them.”

Roberts adds that good preservation education is essential “at all levels of every institution.” This sort of knowledge isn’t cumulative, he stressed, and has to be relearned.

A loss like Coalville “sets an example,” he says, “but so does a success.” CW

See Hunt

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning spends a bit too much time reminding us of its hero’s significance.

BY SCOTT RENSHAW scottr@cityweekly.net @scottrenshaw

I

n the opening minutes of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) plays a message from the U.S. President (Angela Bassett) which doubles as a “previously on …” reminder of the cliffhanger from 2023’s Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1 that left Hunt in possession of the only key to stop a sentient AI “Entity” from triggering nuclear Armageddon. But that “previously on …” ends up covering more than just the most recent series installment; it turns into a greatest-hits medley from the entire 30year, seven-other-films history of the franchise, one that reminds us how often the fate of humanity has rested in Hunt’s hands. Ethan Hunt has a legacy, and by God, we all need to know it.

If, in fact, this is the swan song for the Cruise-centric incarnation of M:I, it’s understandable that the series’ current overseer, co-writer/director Christopher McQuarrie, might want to celebrate that commercially and creatively successful history. The thing is, he’s also got a job to do in keeping viewers engaged with this particular movie. And while The Final Reckoning certainly manages to hit a few of its own high notes, it’s also a bummer that the heavy-handed insistence on placing the weight of the world on Ethan Hunt’s shoulders gets in the way of the fun.

As usual, a lot of that weight has to do with Hunt’s devotion to his team: Luther

(Ving Rhames), Benji (Simon Pegg), Grace (Hayley Atwell), plus newer additions Paris (Pom Klementieff) and Degas (Greg Tarzan Davis) and the unexpected reappearance of a minor character from one of the earlier films. That focus never reaches quite the absurdist “how many times will someone say the word ‘family’” dynamics of the Fast & Furious movies, and it often provides an interesting kick to these movies’ moments of high danger when Hunt has to balance protecting those he cares about personally with—in words repeated by Luther on a couple of occasions— “those we’ll never meet.” It does feel here, though, that McQuarrie and co-writer Erik Jendresen end up with far too many supporting characters to keep track of, bouncing us from one theater of action to another with such regularity that it’s easy to forget for nearly an hour of the movie that its theoretical main antagonist, Gabriel (Esai Morales), still exists.

All the character stuff notwithstanding, a Mission: Impossible movie has to deliver the goods when it comes to action set pieces, and there’s been a high bar set over the

years, from the CIA break-in of the original film, to the Burj Khalifa climb in Ghost Protocol, to Dead Reckoning Part 1’s dangling train-car finale. The centerpiece sequence here involves Hunt’s descent to the ocean floor to obtain the Entity’s source code from the wreckage of a Russian submarine, and it offers a great mix of ticking-clock tension as the sub threatens to roll from its perch on the edge of an undersea shelf, and in-the-moment problems for Hunt to solve. Yet there’s also a hat-on-a-hat problem as McQuarrie takes what should have been the big finish—a much-marketed bit with Hunt dangling from a biplane—and keeps cross-cutting to not one, not two, but three other life-or-death scenarios. There’s an overstuffed quality to a lot of Final Reckoning, one that feels even more noticeable when one of the cleverest action twists involves Hunt’s brutal dispatching of a couple of baddies taking place entirely off-screen, its extremity evident only through Atwell’s reaction takes.

It’s entirely possible that what feels a touch disappointing about Final Reckoning, despite its own undeniable pleasures,

is mostly a function of grading on a curve for a series that has demonstrated a remarkable consistency in quality over the decades. Recent weeks have seen folks on social media re-watching and ranking the previous installments, and you could make arguments for at least half of them belonging at the top. I guess it just would have felt like a more fitting conclusion if McQuarrie, Cruise and company had thought more about focusing on giving Final Reckoning its own reason to be ranked with a best, instead of spending so much time doing a victory lap. Tom Cruise has done plenty to establish Ethan Hunt’s unique cinematic heroism as force of pure indomitable will. We didn’t need all the characters around him to keep reminding us. CW

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE –THE FINAL RECKONING BBB Tom Cruise Hayley Atwell Simon Pegg Rated PG-13 Available May 23 in theaters

DINE

Bread and Budda

Budda’s Bakery & Breakfast brings the ono grindz to Pleasant Grove

BY ALEX SPRINGER comments@cityweekly.net @captainspringer

Though Utah can’t necessarily claim dinner rolls as one of its contributions to the local food scene, the amount of affection Utah diners have toward dinner rolls is legendary. As a born-and-bred Utah boy myself, I of course understand this. If a Thanksgiving dinner didn’t have a few dozen homemade dinner rolls dripping with butter, it was an abject failure. Even when I put on my food snob hat— a lovely yellow fez with a hot dog embroidered on it—I have to submit to the power of a warm roll with a buttery crust. Utah’s got a built-in market for good rolls, which is why Budda’s Bakery & Breakfast is right at home.

Pronounced “buttah’s”—the same way Tony Soprano would pronounce “butter”—Budda’s culinary roots go back to Hawaii. When you enter this Pleasant Grove bakery, you immediately see a sumptuous display case of macadamia nut cookies—called Chunkys ($5.49), if you’re truly embracing the Hawaiian vibe—slices of guava cake ($6.49), danishes ($6.99) and ube cheesecake ($6.99). The aroma of hot buttered rolls is ever present, as it inches in around you like a warm blanket. There’s nothing wrong with loading up on these ready-made items, but you’d be remiss if you didn’t grab a sandwich or two.

Budda’s touts itself as a breakfast

place, and it’s not playing around. It’s got a wide range of reasonably-priced breakfast sandwiches, as well as full bentos, which are breakfast plates that come with everything from Spam to Portuguese sausage. As I prefer my breakfast stuffed between toasty carbs, I went with a few of Budda’s sandwiches.

I felt like it wouldn’t be a true Hawaiian experience if I didn’t try the Spam, egg and cheese sandwich ($8.99), so that’s where I kicked things off. Spam is an oftmaligned meat in the realm of food appreciation, but if someone tells you they don’t absolutely love grilled Spam served up with eggs, they are fooling themselves. For under $10, you get two thick slices of Spam, a fried egg and melty cheese inside one of Budda’s freshly-baked buns. The bun is sliced in half, buttered and tossed on the griddle alongside everything else, imparting that lovely buttered toast texture to a gorgeous, pillowy soft roll. It’s a true contender for one of the best breakfast sandwiches you can get locally; there’s something endlessly comforting about those hot breakfast fixins served within a soft, buttery bun.

If you’re the type of person who will deny their presence on the Spam bandwagon, you can always go with the bacon, egg & cheese sandwich ($8.99). It’s possessed of some high-quality thick-cut bacon that is cooked to perfection—not too crispy, not too chewy. No matter what breakfast sandwich journey you take, Budda’s secret weapon is that buttery homemade bun. It’s a sinful texture as is, but mere mortals are powerless against it when it gets a little toasty on the inside.

As the breakfast sandwich menu is killer, it stands to reason that Budda’s lunch menu would also be equally spectacular. Based on the success of the beef bulgogi sandwich ($11.99), I can confirm that lunch is also bangin’ at Budda’s. I hadn’t thought of how well bulgogi would fit into the Hawaiian barbecue schema, but it really works here: the beef is plentiful, tender and extremely well-seasoned.

The cabbage added a great crunch, and tied it back to its Korean bulgogi roots, all served on that miraculous homemade bun—so this one was a total hit.

Whether you’re stopping in for breakfast or lunch, you should always leave with a box of Budda’s famous rolls. They come in single orders ($2.50), half-dozens ($11.99) and dozens ($19.99), and there are around five or six different varieties, including seasonal offerings. The classic rolls are the ones you’ll want to serve alongside your favorite meat-and-potatoes dish, as they’re soft, buttery and absolutely decadent.

For dessert, the Sticky Budda and the Coconut Budda are excellent options. The Sticky Budda easily captures all the sugary charm of your favorite cinnamon roll. With a slightly hollow interior full of butter, cinnamon and sugar, these rolls can even re-create the satisfaction of biting into that interior cinnamon roll spiral. For a more tropical dessert vibe, the Coconut Budda adds plenty of coconut flavor to the existing buttery, sugary glaze. It’s composed of some peak summer vibes, and really hits the spot for fans of coconut desserts.

I have to say that I was completely charmed by Budda’s Bakery & Breakfast. It’s got all the characteristics of a warm neighborhood bakery, but it can also hang with some of the best breakfast and lunch sandwich spots in town. On top of all those high-quality eats, I noticed a bulletin board near the cash wrap where customers can pin a prepaid meal receipt. The purpose of this is for those less fortunate; if someone comes in and can’t afford to eat, they can grab a prepaid receipt and take someone else up on their generosity. It’s a clever and considerate way to pay a good meal forward, and I hope more local spots follow suit. CW

2 Row Brewing

73 West 7200 South, Midvale

2RowBrewing.com

On Tap: “Czech One-Two” Czech Pilsner

Avenues Proper 376 8th Ave, SLC

avenuesproper.com

On Tap: Steamy Wonder Rye Steam Ale

Bewilder Brewing

445 S. 400 West, SLC

BewilderBrewing.com

On Tap: Pink Boots - Pink Pony Pilz

Bohemian Brewery

94 E. Fort Union Blvd, Midvale

BohemianBrewery.com

NEW Releases: Kölsch, Dusseldorfer “Alt” Bier

Bonneville Brewery 1641 N. Main, Tooele

BonnevilleBrewery.com

On Tap: Peaches and Cream Ale

Chappell Brewing

chappell.beer

On Tap: Playground #13 - Hazy Pale with Lemondrop and Sultana

Corner Brew Pub Sugar House

2110 S. Highland Drive, SLC saltlakebrewingco.com/ wasatch

On Tap:  Salt Lake Brewing Co. Utah Beer: An American Light Lager

Craft by Proper 1053 E. 2100 So., SLC properbrewingco.com

On Tap: Steamy Wonder Rye Steam Ale

Desert Edge Brewery

273 Trolley Square, SLC DesertEdgeBrewery.com

On Tap:  High Pressure Haze, Hazy Pale Ale

Epic Brewing Co.

825 S. State, SLC EpicBrewing.com

On Tap: 2024 Big Bad Baptist Imperial Stouts

A list of what local craft breweries and cider houses have on tap this week

Etta Place Cidery

700 W Main St, Torrey www.ettaplacecider.com

On Tap: Wassail Cider, Pineapple Passion Fruit Session Mead

Fisher Brewing Co.

320 W. 800 South, SLC FisherBeer.com

On Tap: A rotation of up to 17 Fresh Beers!

Grid City Beer Works

333 W. 2100 South, SLC

GridCityBeerWorks.com

On Tap: Cask Nitro CO2

Helper Beer

159 N Main Street, Helper, UT  helperbeer.com

Hopkins Brewing Co.

1048 E. 2100 South, SLC HopkinsBrewingCompany.com

On Tap: Guava Goddess

Kiitos Brewing

608 W. 700 South, SLC KiitosBrewing.com

Now with a full bar license & draft beer cocktails!

On Tap: Fonio - 100% gluten free beer; Schwarzbier

Level Crossing Brewing Co.

2496 S. West Temple, South Salt Lake

LevelCrossingBrewing.com

On Tap: El Santo Mexican Lager

Level Crossing Brewing Co.,

550 South 300 West, Suite

LevelCrossingBrewing.com

On Tap: Fruit Bat Sour Ale

Moab Brewing

686 S. Main, Moab TheMoabBrewery.com

On Tap:  Arnie (Co-Lab with 2 Row brewing): cream ale base with Lychee black tea and fresh pasteurized lemon juice.

Mountain West Cider

425 N. 400 West, SLC MountainWestCider.com

On Tap: Mango Basil Hard Cider

Offset Bier Co

1755 Bonanza Dr Unit C, Park City offsetbier.com/

On Tap: DOPO IPA

Ogden Beer Company

358 Park Blvd, Ogden OgdenBeerCompany.com

On Tap: 11 rotating taps as well as high point cans and guest beers

Park City Brewing 1764 Uinta Way C1 ParkCityBrewing.com

On Tap: ALES for ALS - 5.0% hazy pale

Policy Kings Brewery

223 N. 100 West, Cedar City PolicyKingsBrewery.com

Prodigy Brewing 25 W Center St. Logan Prodigy-brewing.com

On Tap: 302 Czech Pilsner

Proper Brewing/Proper Burger 857 So. Main & 865 So. Main properbrewingco.com  On Tap: Steamy Wonder Rye Steam Ale

Proper Brewing Moab 1393 US-191, Moab properbrewingco.com  On Tap: Blizzard Wizard Hazy Pale Ale

Red Rock Brewing 254 So. 200 West RedRockBrewing.com

On Tap: Gypsy Scratch

Red Rock Fashion Place 6227 So. State Redrockbrewing.com

On Tap: Munich Dunkel

Red Rock Kimball Junction 1640 Redstone Center Redrockbrewing.com

On Tap: Bamberg Rauch Bier

RoHa Brewing Project 30 Kensington Ave, SLC RoHaBrewing.com

On Tap: Cowabunga IPA (Collaboration beer with SaltFire)

Roosters Brewing Multiple Locations

RoostersBrewingCo.com

On Tap: EL Doce Mexican Lager

SaltFire Brewing 2199 S. West Temple, South Salt Lake SaltFireBrewing.com

On Tap: Gette’s Mojioto Blonde - draft 5%

Salt Flats Brewing 2020 Industrial Circle, SLC SaltFlatsBeer.com

On Tap: FOG LIGHT - JUICY IPA

Scion Cider Bar 916 Jefferson St W, SLC Scionciderbar.com

On Tap: Scion Cider Anjou Perry - 6.1%

Second Summit Cider 4010 So. Main, Millcreek https://secondsummitcider. com

On Tap: Sangria Cider 6% ABV

Shades Brewing 154 W. Utopia Ave, South Salt Lake

ShadesBrewing.beer

On Tap: Fresh Hop IPA (with homegrown local hops)

Shades On State 366 S. State Street SLC Shadesonstate.com

On Tap: Six Wheat Under Hefeweizen; Black Cloud Lager

Silver Reef 4391 S. Enterprise Drive, St. George SGBev.com

Squatters Corner Pub –Valley Fair 3555 Constitution Blvd, West Valley City squatterscornerpub.com

On Tap: Salt Lake Brewing Co. Acapulco Gold Mexican Lager

Squatters Pub Brewery / Salt Lake Brewing Co. 147 W. Broadway, SLC saltlakebrewingco.com/ squatters

On Tap: Salt Lake Brewing Co. My Own Private Idaho IPA

Squatters and Wasatch Brewery 1763 So 300 West SLC UT 84115 Utahbeers.com

On Tap: 20 beers with 12 rotating small batch releases: Black Tea English Porter, Hazelnut Brown Ale, and more! Small Batch Series Release: Back Abbey Double Belgian Ale Strap Tank Brewery, Lehi 3661 Outlet Pkwy, Lehi, UT StrapTankBrewery.com

On Tap: “Blood For Ra” American Sour with Tart Cherry and Vanilla; “Pineapple Haze” Hazy IPA with Pineapple Strap Tank Brewery, Springville 596 S 1750 W, Springville, UT StrapTankBrewery.com

BEER NERD

Cloudy and Clear

How

body can affect your beer.

BY MIKE RIEDEL comments@cityweekly.net

@utahbeer

Offset - Nothing But Lasers: Nothing But Lasers is a mashup of Offset’s Laser Kiwi and All Black Nothing IPAs. It features a salad of New Zealand hops— Waimea, Nelson Cryo, and Riwaka, followed by a massive dry hop of Nelson, NZ Cascade, Nectaron, and more Riwaka.

I poured my 16-ounce can into a standard shaker, resulting in a well-hazed, nectarine-yellow body and a thick, frothy and creamy-white head. The cap stops rising at about an inch high, and has great retention; lacing forms with a few large sheets and plentiful drizzle. It’s laser-focused orange on the nose, also piney and grassy with some candied peach—really quite sweet, like yellow cake with orange jam substituted for the frosting. Some menthol-like freshness also emerged, as did fruity hops (as one might expect). It’s immediately noticeable, and much like Offset’s other New England IPAs, it has a very intense aroma overall. Stone fruits are big, with plenty of tropical and citrus notes as well—generally juicy, with notes of bubble gum, mango, peach, tangerine, grapefruit and orange juice. Dank herbs, weed and floral hops pop up as well with those hints of sweetness.

At first, the juicy stone fruits really come out in the forefront of the taste, as the sweetness present seems to accentuate that character very well—peach, apricot, mango, grapefruit, melon, clementine, dank herbs, floral, lime, sweet orange zest and tangerine hops, all very juicy and sweet. With time, that orange zest character builds and takes over, but all in all, it’s more of a juice blend. A creamy and silky 8.0 percent medium-

bodied brew, it includes moderately high carbonation and a texture with some nice chew to it. It ends with a clean and medium level of bitterness.

Verdict: The citrus from the hops comes out big here despite opening up with plenty of stone fruit initially and hints of tropical fruits. The orange character gets a bit strong, and in the end, that is just a bit much and it doesn’t feel very well rounded or balanced, at least in the taste.

SaltFire - Slickrock Session: The beer pours a mostly-clear golden color with some amber highlights; a single finger of white foam adorns the top. The head fades very quickly, leaving just a bit of foamy lace on the sides of the glass. The aroma of the brew is rich with an herbal hop smell mixed with some aromas of a tropical fruit nature. Along with these smells comes some aromas of grass and hay, plus a bit of a grapefruit hop rounding it out.

The taste begins with a smooth, bready flavor that has a decent sum of tropical fruitiness as well as some nice herbal hop tastes. As the taste advances, more and more grapefruit hop plus some other sweet tastes of caramel and orange come to the tongue. Some lighter grassy and hay tastes come in at the end, along with a rather big increase in an almost orange juice-like taste, leaving a very pleasant, nicely hopped and rather fruity sweet taste to linger on the tongue. The body of the brew is average for a 5.0 percent session IPA, with a rather average carbonation level. For the mix of sweet fruit and hop, the feel is very nice and creates quite a pleasant-drinking brew.

Verdict: This is a brew that I really enjoyed. It has a great sweet body that is balanced nicely by the hops and just enough bready/malty taste—a smooth and flavorful drinker.

You should soon start seeing Slickrock Session in cans and on draft at various beer pubs and restaurants around town, and of course at the brewery. Nothing But Lasers was found at The Bayou, Slackwater and of course at Offset Bier in Park City. As always, cheers! CW

Take Me to the Ballpark

BY AIMEE L. COOK

The highly anticipated

Ballpark at America First Square opened on April 8 in the Downtown Daybreak entertainment district. This new ballpark delivers a fan experience that still blends the charm of the Wasatch Range backdrop with state-of-theart amenities for an unmatched game-day vibe.

Alongside classic baseball traditions, fans will discover modern offerings that reimagine ballpark dining. Operated by Levy’s minor league division (PSC) and retail arm (Rank + Rally), with rustic yet innovative bites, The Ballpark offers something special for every spectator. Whether you want a classic hot dog, the longtime fan favorite All-Star Dog, or opt for the club section with a buffet at your disposal, fans will be pleasantly surprised at what is in store for their game-day experience. Dynamic signature menus curated by in-house executive chef Leonard Love will debut throughout the season.

In addition, there’s a self-serve marketplace using new technology powered by Amazon’s Just Walk Out system, one of the coolest things I have seen yet in a baseball stadium. The technology allows customers to enter the marketplace, scan their credit/ debit card, pick up items and leave without stopping at a checkout counter. Through AI, sensors and computer vision, the system tracks shoppers’ selections and automatically charges them upon exit.

Game-day offering highlights include:

The Rodeo Burger: A modern cowboy-inspired burger featuring ground steak, crispy onion rings, pepper jack cheese, bacon and the ballpark’s own special sauce. Plus, monthly specialty burgers celebrate the cuisines of visiting teams.

The All-Star Dog: A unique twist on a Chicago Dog, this Bees staple was a favorite of the late Larry H. Miller, topped with grilled onions and peppers, bread and butter pickles, tomato and signature cheese sauce.

Hummus Nachos: A Mediterranean and vegetarian delight of house-made hummus, crispy chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, tzatziki and feta on a bed of pita chips.

The Bratwurst: Locally sourced Tooele Meats brat with beer-braised sauerkraut on a toasted bun, with a generous helping of deli mustard.

The Philly Cheesesteak: Shaved ribeye loaded with grilled onions, peppers, and a house-made creamy cheese sauce, served on a toasted baguette.

“I wanted to change the culture of the food and the feeling in this [new] stadium,” explains Chef Love. “My goal was not to reinvent the wheel because everyone loves a hot dog, but to make everything fresh and somewhat new.” CW

In His Feelings

The now-uncommon experience of listening to a whole album benefits Richard Tyler Epperson’s Fragmented Night.

BY EMILEE ATKINSON eatkinson@cityweekly.net @emileelovesvinyl

When listening to a new album from an artist you enjoy, you want it to take you on a memorable adventure. That’s what I seek when listening to one, anyway—like I’m about to embark on a journey that’s noteworthy, that will cause my thoughts about it to linger for a while. Listening to an album in its entirety can often feel like reading a book; there’s a story being told through not only the choices in lyrics, but also each decision made with instrumentation. A lot can be said about the modern music industry, and how folks don’t listen to whole albums anymore but there are still plenty of us out here who do just that.

SLC singer/songwriter Richard Tyler Epperson’s new album Fragmented Night is an album as described above—something to be experienced in its entirety, especially because Epperson considers its contents to be some of the most personal tracks he’s ever written.

This style of writing isn’t new to Epperson; his catalog is full of heartfelt and deeply meaningful music where he has poured his heart out for all to hear. His 2023 release A Wandering Mind addressed topics like depression and difficult endings to relationships, but above all, the album was about hope. Fragmented Night, mean-

while, is an eclectic yet cohesive group of songs that combine intricate compositions, beautiful contributions from a crew of other musicians and, of course, Epperson’s own signature earnest and evocative sound and writing style.

The album opens with one of the first singles released ahead of the album: “December Night.” It’ll immediately draw you in with its gentle piano notes that merge effortlessly with driving, electric guitar. “I want to leave but I can’t go / Feeling froze like I’ve lost all control,” Epperson sings. This song has a hauntingly beautiful quality with a hint of a chill to it, but the chill isn’t negative; it’s that the track is solemn, and the light piano notes in the background give a feeling of snow falling lightly in the background. This track offers relatability and vulnerability, diving into sentiments regarding the emotional weight of being caught between yearning and the fear of loneliness.

“I Love it When It’s Cold” will easily pull in listeners who enjoy indie/pop/rock and dream pop sounds. The metaphorical chill in this track dives into the complex feelings of tension between inner warmth and mental paralysis. Many can relate to the struggle of having so much desire for something more, but never quite being able to get there because you’re stuck where you are. At the same time, there’s a comfort in staying in such a position because you’re used to it, and there’s no risk of failure if you continue to stay frozen. Even though this album is making its debut as we transition into summer, many understand not being able to escape the clutches of depression’s icy grip.

It’s hard to put those complex feelings and emotions into words, let alone into a cohesive song. Epperson does it so seamlessly here, singing “I love it when it’s cold / But I hate it when I’m froze / My mind can’t seem to figure out / What this life’s supposed to be about.”

As you get to the middle of the album, you’ll come to “All My Life,” originally a demo recorded by Epperson’s father, but

MUSIC

transformed into a fully-realized song years later. This heartfelt tribute blends Epperson’s artistry with his father’s legacy. Lyrically it dives deep into themes of regret, longing, introspection, reflecting the struggles of chasing dreams, facing fears and the passage of time. The use of heavier guitar here makes the lyrics more poignant and adds significantly to the emotional weight of the song. Most can relate to the feelings of loss and life’s uncertainties, making “All My Life” a track you won’t want to skip over. It would be easy to go on for several hundred more words about Fragmented Night. It’s full of some of the most relatable and difficult feelings out there. That’s what Epperson is best at—taking these complex themes and turning them into bite-sized pieces of escapism that listeners can see themselves in as they listen.

While these topics can feel a bit heavy, you don’t feel that weight when listening to Epperson’s music. Yes, there are tough questions posed and sensitive subject matter raised, but you come out on the other end feeling more hopeful than before—even if that hope is just knowing that you’re not the only one out there who feels this way.

Hopefully these ramblings about Fragmented Night make sense, but in summary: If you’re looking for a highly introspective album that blends elements from different genres in a masterfully artistic way, this one is for you. Every album tells a story, and this is one that takes you on a journey of love and loss, pain and healing, and offers listeners a place of refuge in an everchanging and crazy world.

Fragmented Night is a must-listen when it releases everywhere on May 22. CW

TUESDAYS

WEDNESDAYS

BEST BAR IN UTAH!

GREAT FOOD

MUSIC PICK S

Flowdan @ Soundwell 5/22

The first grime MC ever to win a Grammy is coming to Salt Lake City this weekend. Flowdan (Marc Veira) is best known for being a founding member of Roll Deep, the British grime crew from the early aughts that was one of the pioneer grime groups evolving from U.K. garage; the genre incorporates jungle, dancehall, and hip-hop with super-fast beats and lyrical flow. You may be familiar with Roll Deep’s singles “Good Times” and “Green Light,” which both hit number one spots in the United Kingdom. Flowdan has gone on to be a successful solo artist, securing a Grammy in 2024 Best Dance/Electronic Recording on his collaboration “Rumble” with internationally renowned legends Skrillex and Fred Again. The dark dubstep song with Flowdan’s distinctive vocal flow embodies what he’s known best for—London grit. Flowdan has continued to MC for more electronic artists, and his talent is bringing greater recognition to grime on this side of the pond. The hit song “Baddadan” with drum-and-bass producers Chase & Status and Bou features Flowdan’s signature gruff and rumbling quality. This song spent 20 continuous weeks on the U.K. Singles Chart, and is well-loved in the United States as well. Flowdan is a veteran of grime music, a “bass siren,” and always reps his East London roots. This show takes place on Thursday, May 22, at Soundwell. Doors open at 9:30 p.m. for this 18+ show. Tickets cost $20 at soundwellslc.com. (Arica Roberts)

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MUSIC PICK S

Always Her, The Drought, Nightdays @ Kilby Court 5/23

What does a good love song sound like in 2025? In some ways, it may feel like our artistic drive as humans is slowly being dulled by the relentless barrage of digital information constantly coming our way and AI on the rise, but that’s where the earnestness of indie artists come into play. SLC alt/indie band Always Her released their single “Timeless” at the beginning of the year, giving listeners a delightful and heartfelt love song perfect for sending to your crush. “She’s a timeless work of art / She’s the main attraction / In the museum of my heart / An exhibit of pure perfection,” the song opens. Whoever “she” is, hopefully she knows this song was written about her, and that someone else feels that way about her, because words like that are cause for potential swooning. The band has other great songs, including their acoustic EP from last year and “Airport Girl,” which has similar vibes to “Timeless.” Also coming to party is The Drought, whose most recent indie jam “BLB” has the tastiest of bass lines and smooth, lovely vocals. Rounding out the bill is SLC indie pop trio Nightdays, whose latest single, “The Current,” is going to be a treat to hear live with its dreamy, atmospheric sound. Come hang out with this impeccable local lineup on Friday, May 23 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the all-ages show are $10 and can be found at 24tix.com. (Emilee Atkinson)

MUSIC PICK S

Revisiting Creedence @ SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre 5/24

One of the most celebrated bands of the rock era, Creedence Clearwater Revival was one of the great American singles groups. Though they never landed a number-one single, they came close, placing more than a dozen songs in the Top Ten. A major influence on roots rock, CCR released seven albums during their 1968-72 run; all but one earned Platinum status. The group split in acrimony, and for many years thereafter, leader and primary songwriter John Fogerty refused to play CCR songs in his solo concerts. Taking up the mantle of Creedence’s beloved catalog, the band’s rhythm section—lifelong friends Stu Cook (bass) and Doug “Cosmo” Clifford on drums—launched a sort-of tribute/ legacy project, Creedence Clearwater Revisited in 1995. That group toured and released albums over a 25-year period, playing to enthusiastic and nostalgic audiences on five continents. When Cook and Clifford retired the group in 2020, guitarists Dan McGuinness and Kurt Griffey continued as Revisiting Creedence. With nearly three dozen live engagements already booked for this year, Revisiting Creedence is a testament to the enduring appeal of CCR’s music. The group comes to the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre on Saturday, May 24 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $26.50 at tickets.com. (Bill Kopp)

The Wailers @ The Egyptian Theatre 5/24

The late, great Bob Marley founded The Wailers, and they served him well as his back-up band throughout a sadly curtailed career. Though Marley’s been gone nearly 45 years now, The Wailers continue to maintain Marley’s legacy, sharing the classic songs they recorded with him. To be sure, none of the original band members remain in the current lineup due to the fact that some are also departed and others chose to retire. However, a common bond remains, courtesy of drummer Aston Barrett Jr., son of the band’s original bassist and longest-lived participant, the late Aston “Familyman” Barrett. So too, the connection continues to be well served through the songs Marley made famous prior to his premature passing. It’s also worth remembering that it’s not uncommon for a band

to tour under the name they were known by in an original incarnation, especially when it serves to preserve the great music that was made early on. Besides, the current crop of Wailers has clearly come into their own, courtesy of the Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album that was accorded their most recent LP, 2020’s One World, which was also the first release in 25 years. Notably, their current tour marks the 30th anniversary of their classic Natural Mystic: The Legend Lives On and the 40th anniversary of the compilation called Legend. In that respect, consider their upcoming concert nothing less than a Wailers revival. The Wailers perform at the Egyptian Theatre in Park City at 8 p.m., Thursday, May 22 - Saturday, May 24. Tickets cost $39 at tickets.egyptiantheatrecompany.org.

(Lee Zimmerman)

Bouncing Souls @ The Depot 5/27

Out of every youth movement, the creative artists force themselves to be noticed—and many “punk” musicians were very good and very creative, in spite of the absurd splutterings of the headline-grabbers. With more than 12 studio LPs and three decades in the game, punk icons The Bouncing Souls have left more than a mark on music, as their DIY approach paid off.

“When we started the band, we’d do everything and anything we could to just have anyone pay attention to us at all, because it took us a long time for anyone to care,” Pete Steinkopf told NewNoiseMagazine.com. “And then you get to a point where you start getting a little bit of popularity maybe, and you can go on tour, and you can sustain yourself and you can even start making money at it.” For those of us who grew up with them, The Bouncing Souls—belting out punchy, sing-along punk tracks like “East Coast! Fuck You!” and the unmistakably Jersey-proud

“So Jersey”—can instantly bring back the magic of the boardwalk: the chocolate sensation of Yoo-Hoo, the grease of White Castle sliders and the salty breeze rolling off the Atlantic. The Bouncing Souls never fail to entertain and electrify live, so this show is not to be missed. H2o, Adolescents and The Jack Knives open. Catch these musicians on the “East Coast! F#ck You!” Tour at The Depot on Tuesday, May 27. Doors at 6 p.m. Tickets for the all-ages show are $45 at livenation.com. (Mark Dago)

free will ASTROLOGY

BY ROB BREZSNY

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

I think you’re ready to establish new ways of nourishing and protecting what’s valuable to you. Your natural assertiveness will be useful in setting boundaries and securing resources. Your flourishing intuition will guide you to implement adjustments that safeguard your interests while remaining flexible enough to permit legitimate access. Be extra alert, Aries, for when you need to balance security with accessibility. Your best defenses will come from clever design, not brute force. Do what you need to feel secure without feeling trapped.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

In July 1971, 26-year-old Taurus poet Bernadette Mayer kept a scrupulous diary. Every day, she shot a roll of 35 mm film, wrote about the day’s events and recorded herself reading her accounts. By August 1, she had accumulated 1,100 photos and six hours of readings. One of her goals in doing the project was to learn more about how her memory worked. What was worth remembering, and what wasn’t? She also hoped to gain an objective perspective about her routine rhythm. Years later, she acknowledged that though this was a narcissistic experiment, she had no shame about it. Inspired by Mayer, and in accordance with astrological omens, you might find it worthwhile to lovingly and thoroughly study the details of your daily life for a while. It’s an excellent time to get to know yourself better.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

Gemini writer Raymond Carver (1938–1988) established a reputation as a master of terse minimalism. One critic noted that he practiced the “Theory of Omission”—an approach to writing fiction that mandates the elimination of superfluous narrative elements. But it turns out that Carver’s editor Gordon Lish had a major role in all this. He deleted half of Carver’s original words and changed the endings of half his stories. Years after his death, Carver’s widow, Tess Gallagher, published the original versions, with the omitted material reinstated. I believe the coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to make comparable restorations, Gemini. In every way you can imagine, tell the full story, provide the complete rendition, and offer elements that have been missing.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

Even if you don’t regard yourself as a psychic or prophet, I suspect you now have an uncanny knack for deciphering future trends. Your intuition is operating at peak levels, especially when you focus it on the big picture of your longterm destiny. As long as you’re not overconfident about this temporary bloom of expansive vision, you can trust your ability to see the deep patterns running through your life story. To make the most of this gift, take a loving inventory of where you have been and where you are going. Then devote relaxed meditations to adjusting your master plan.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

River deltas form where rivers meet the sea, creating fertile and complex ecosystems that nourish abundant life. Some of my favorites are the Rhône River Delta in France, the Po River Delta in Italy and the Shinano River Delta in Japan. In the coming weeks, Leo, I will visualize you as the metaphorical equivalent of a river delta. I’ll call you the Leo Delta, trusting you will be inspired to celebrate and cultivate the rich intersections that characterize your life—areas where an array of ideas, paths, and relationships converge. Be open to synergizing different aspects of your world: integrating emotions and logic, connecting with diverse people, blending personal and professional goals.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Your natural inclination is to solve problems through detailed planning and careful analysis. On occasion, that process dead-ends in overthinking, though it often works pretty well. In accordance with current astrological omens, however, I suggest an alternative approach for you in the coming weeks. Instead of trying to figure everything out, how about if you simply create a relaxed spaciousness for

new things to emerge? Experiment with the hypothesis that progress will come not from doing more, but from allowing more.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

As they climb, mountaineers carefully assess every handhold and foothold. Unfailing concentration is key. I recommend adopting their attitude in the coming weeks, Libra. You are entering a phase when ascension and expansion will be among your main assignments. The best approach to your adventures is to make steady progress with precision and thoughtfulness. Rushing rashly ahead or taking needless risks could be counterproductive, so be scrupulous about planning and preparation. Trust that the most efficient path to the summit will be via small, deliberate steps. Your winning combination will be ambition leavened with caution.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

At age 42, Scorpio painter Georgia O’Keeffe left her busy art career and traveled to New Mexico for the first time. The landscape’s beauty overwhelmed her. She wandered around the desert for three months, creating no art at all. A few critics accused her of wasting time. She rejected their ignorant misunderstanding of her process, replying, “To see takes time. I had to learn the country first before it would let me paint it.” Her most iconic paintings emerged after this phase of pure observation. I’m recommending a similar period for you, dear Scorpio. While your instincts may tempt you toward a flurry of activity, I believe now is a time to wait and see; to pause and ponder; to muse and meditate.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

By the 20th century, the 483-mile-long Seine River in France was so polluted that most of its fish were gone. But clean-up efforts have been successful. Now there are 32 fish species, including the Atlantic salmon. The Seine is also very close to being completely safe for humans to swim. I would love it if you were inspired by this success story to undertake a comparable project in your own life, Sagittarius. What would you most like to see revived and restored? Now is a good time to begin the effort.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Until she reached her 70s, Capricorn visual artist Louise Bourgeois was a peripheral figure in the art world, modestly respected but not acclaimed. Then New York’s Museum of Modern Art presented her work in a major show. In response, the New York Times reviewed her work, saying it was “charged with tenderness and violence, acceptance and defiance, ambivalence and conviction.” I bring this to your attention, Capricorn, because I suspect the coming months will also bring you recognition for labors of love you’ve been devoted to for a while—maybe not in the form of fame, but through an elevated appreciation by those whose opinion matters to you.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

An old Talking Heads album is named Stop Making Sense

One of its many implications is that we periodically derive benefit and relief from being free of the pressure to sound reasonable and be consistent. According to my detailed, logical, in-depth analysis of your astrological omens, now is a perfect time to honor this counsel. I hope you will give yourself a sabbatical from being sensible, serious and overly sane. Instead, please consider a sustained pursuit of pure pleasure, fun foolishness, and amazing amusement.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

Be on high alert for fleeting intuitions that flow through your awareness. Good ideas may rise up only briefly and only once, and you should be ready to catch them in the ripe moment before they fade away. Do you hear my urgency? Pay attention to passing thoughts or sudden insights. They may contain more value than initially apparent. I will even speculate that seemingly ephemeral inspirations could become foundational elements in your future success. Document your hunches, even if they seem premature.

Granite Construction Company seeks Engineer II in Salt Lake City, UT to provide tech engr’g & cost info to ensure construction compliance with engr’g standards. Reqs. Bach deg. or foreign equiv in Civil Engr’g, Constr. Mgmt, Eng’g Tech or rel. field. Coursework must incl. Plane Surveying & GPS; Estimating & Bidding; Civil Design; Building Codes & Ethics; Heavy Civil Construction. This position requires up to 70% travel to client worksites within the state of Utah. Salary $82k/yr. Apply at www.graniteconstruction.com/careers Requisition number R0000005771.

Regulatory Consultant/Engineer to ensure compliance w/ ISO 9001/ SiAC Level A via implementation, audits & QMS mgmt. Duties incl. employee training, regulatory submissions & comms, ensuring adherence to regs & guiding corp compliance w/ evolving stds. Mon–Fri, 40 hrs/wk. Req. Bachelor’s or foreign equiv in electrical engineering, industrial engineering/rel. field of study OR 24 mos exp. Also, Req exp w/ ISO 9001 & QMS. Mail resume to Delta Professional Cleaning, Inc. (dba Delta Pro Clean), 13863 S 2700 W Ste 202, Bluffdale, UT 84065.

urban LIVING

Sun and Air

The first day of summer is about one month away. It’s certainly time to pack up your winter sweaters and heavy coats and say goodbye to cold days and cabin fever!

Summer means tons of fun in the sun, right? I’ll bet you weren’t aware that—per the City of Hope research center—Utah leads the nation in skin cancer cases, and we might all want to pay closer attention to how much our skin gets exposed to the sun’s rays.

Researchers found that Utah and northern states rank among the highest risk of melanoma cancer rates. We have a high population of fair-skinned people, and we love to hike and bike and enjoy our outdoor adventures. But without proper sun protection, clothing and goo, we put ourselves at risk for melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

For

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS

1. Foldable food

5. Drops on the lawn

8. In this manner

12. Smartphone sound

14. On the Caribbean, for example

16. Banish

17. Longtime syndicated radio host and voice of Shaggy on “Scooby-Doo”

19. Elation

20. Meal prep box

21. Dairy product with a straining process

23. Request for help

24. “Blueberries for ___”

25. Body of beliefs

28. Texting protocol initials

31. Phobias

35. Just terrific

38. Flying mammal

39. Jonas who developed a polio vaccine

40. Creepy

41. Output of Kilauea

42. Sugar suffix

43. One who often knows what foods they like

45. Filmmaker Russ

Several notable people have died of skin cancer, like Bob Marley, Suzanne Somers, Richard Simmons, Jimmy Buffett, Donna Summer and Burt Reynolds. Marley had a very rare form of it that began under his right big toe toenail. He thought the dark spot was from a soccer injury and paid no attention until it was too late.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer and can be prevented in many cases by following simple practices, like avoiding the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., wearing protective clothing, hats and sunglasses, and using sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, which you should apply every two hours when you’re outside. Also, tanning beds that emit UV radiation are especially harmful. Check yourself regularly for any changes in moles and if you can, get to a dermatologist for skin cancer screening if you can.

The old Walker Center tower downtown acts as a weathervane, of sorts. It lights up each night either steady blue, flashing blue, steady red or flashing red, indicating the next day’s likelihood for clear skies, clouds, rain and snow. The sign has been updated with LED lighting and, like the Empire State Building, it can be programmed for other colors during holidays.

This local landmark predicts the weather, but there’s a new signal in town one block away on the 41-story Astra Tower, now the tallest skyscraper in Utah.

Located at 89 E. 200 South, the Astra features crown lighting at the top of its tower, tied to live air-quality monitors. The lights are primed to shine white, orange, red or purple, depending on prevailing pollution levels.

A white color displayed at the top of the building means good or moderate air quality, while orange signals that the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups and precautions should be taken. Red, purple or maroon colors indicate even more hazardous air quality levels, with the recommendation that the public stays inside and refrains from outdoor activities.

We just had really strong winds in

week and for days, the

9. “Letterkenny” streamer

10. Manual reader

11. “Cancel that deletion”

48. “I know kung fu” role

49. Bohr who won a Nobel

50. Movie studio expanse

52. Throw in

53. Couple’s parting gesture

59. ___-Locka, Fla.

62. Pointless

63. Some pivotal song moments, or what the other five theme answers literally contain

65. Complete fiction

66. Singer Fitzgerald

67. Jalisco sandwich

68. Push to the limit

69. Rep.’s colleague

70. Low, as a voice

DOWN

1. Poster fastener

2. Jai ___ (fast-paced game)

3. Play personnel

4. Minecraft resource

5. “The Phantom of the Opera” heroine Christine ___

6. In ___ (intrinsically)

7. Time period

8. Switch back and forth

13. “Holy cow!”

15. Organic brand for soups and frozen entrees

18. “I Got Next” rapper ___-One

22. Awkward one

23. Item that sticks to other laundry items

25. Salt that’s high in magnesium

26. Make fun of

27. “Roots” author Alex

28. Coil of yarn

29. Dance company founder Cunningham

30. Japanese watch company

32. Back off

33. “Bolero” composer

34. Constellation components

36. “That’s right, pardner”

37. Former Ohio congressman Bob

41. Installed, as floor tile

44. Concludes by, in a day planner

46. Firstborn

47. Steal from

51. Little kid

52. Incinerator stuff

56. Wiggly swimmers

57. Actor MacLachlan

58. “___ see clearly now ...”

59. Folkloric fiend

60. Staten Island Ferry co-purchaser

Davidson

61. “Hurry it up” letters

64. Doze (off)

Last week’s answers

X

Complete the grid so that each row, column, diagonal and 3x3 square contain all of the numbers 1 to

9. No math is involved. The grid has numbers, but nothing has to add up to anything else. Solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic. Solving time is typically 10 to 30 minutes, depending on your skill and experience.

NEWS

Unconventional Weaponry

Aidan Orion White, 25, of Auburn, Nebraska, went to jail on April 28 on charges of felony assault after he struck Saundra Lunzmann, 37, and her daughter, 7, with his “Star Wars” light saber. The little girl was playing with other children when White allegedly hit her, The Smoking Gun reported. When the mother yelled at him, he charged her and struck her in the arm with his weapon. Both victims said they experienced pain from the attacks. Police seized the “higher quality device ... constructed of metal and thick plastic” after White admitted hitting the victims, whom he blamed for a rise in his rent. A judge has ordered a competency evaluation.

Police Report

Los Angeles NBC4-TV sportswriter Michael Duarte arrived at his home in Echo Park on May 10 to find it had been ransacked, the station reported. While taking in the damage, Duarte went into his bedroom and discovered a naked man sleeping in his bed. Duarte told a friend, who was waiting in a nearby car, to call police. Strangely, the intruder had clogged the toilet with towels, eaten a box of ice cream sandwiches and a box of Beyond Beef burger patties, and chewed 60 pieces of gum, which he had then spit out in a “big wad of gum about ... the size of a softball,” Duarte said. He had also killed a possum with a statue and left it on the back patio. Duarte said as the suspect was being led away, “he was yelling to me and my friend and also the officers, ‘I’m going to kill you.’”

Family Values

Ashley Pardo, 33, of San Antonio was arrested on May 12 and charged with aiding in the commission of terrorism, CNN reported. The charges were related to Pardo allegedly supplying her middle-school son with ammunition and tactical gear in exchange for him babysitting his younger siblings. Police were called to the home on May 12 after the grandmother saw rifle and pistol magazines “loaded with live ammunition” in his room, along with a homemade explosive device. Jeremiah Rhodes Middle School had clocked his interest in violence, but Pardo “expressed to the school her support of his violent expressions and drawings and does not feel concerned with his behavior,” the affidavit read. On May 12, he went to school and then left the campus, after which extra security was put in place. He was later located elsewhere and charged with an undisclosed crime.

It’s Come to This

Authorities in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, have arrested 44-year-old Christina Solometo of Ridley Park after a crappy incident on April 29, NBC Philadelphia reported. Solometo and another driver took part in a road rage event that ended with Solometo exiting her car, backing up to the front of the other car and defecating on the front grille. As seen in a witness video, she then walked triumphantly back to her car and drove on. She was taken into custody on May 1 and charged with indecent exposure, disorderly conduct, harassment and depositing waste on a highway.

the WEIRD

Employee of the Month

Seth Davidson, 24, an employee of Oaklawn Memorial Gardens in Fisher, Indiana, was arrested on May 12 after he dug up a grave to retrieve a gold ring from an urn, WTHR-TV reported. Officers patrolling the area that evening noticed an empty car parked nearby. As they investigated, Davidson walked out of the woods covered in dirt and said it was his car. He told officers he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about the ring, which he intended to pawn. Prosecutors charged him with cemetery mischief, criminal trespass and theft.

Precocious

A kindergartener in the Greater Johnstown (Pennsylvania) School District brought treats to school on May 14, WJACTV reported. Sweet! Unfortunately, the tasty items were Jell-O shots, with alcohol, that three fellow students enjoyed. When school officials learned about the shots, “immediate action was taken,” with the kids going to the nurse’s office and then to a local hospital for evaluation “out of an abundance of caution.” The district said it is working with authorities to find out how the student came into possession of the shots.

Questionable

Judgment

A Slidell, Louisiana, Lowe’s home improvement store was the site of a startling discovery on May 11, when 66-yearold James Kalliavas of Jasper, Georgia, was found in a display storage shed at the store with his pants around his ankles and a tub of Vaseline at hand. The Smoking Gun reported that Kalliavas admitted pleasuring himself while watching YouTube in the shed. He was arrested for obscenity and booked into the county jail.

The Spectacle of It All Folks in Richmond, Virginia, were treated to a starchy sight on May 13 as a 4-ton potato made a stop as part of its 13th year of cross-county touring, WRIC-TV reported. The tour, sponsored by the Idaho Potato Commission, started in 2012 as a one-year campaign, but it was so popular the tater has been on the road ever since, promoting the American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association. (But where are the weird sprouts that potatoes in my pantry shoot out?)

Great Art

Veteran New York City denizens are familiar with a character called Kevin Carpet who has reportedly been around since the early aughts, according to the New York Post Kevin is a performance artist who likes to wrap himself in a piece of carpet and lie on the ground where people will step on or over him. “This is not a fetish for me,” he said. “It’s a Zen-type state. I’m feeling the people, hearing what they’re talking about.” Some even remember him from the club scene. “It’s amazing he’s still around,” said one commenter on a May 4 TikTok post. Others call him “perverted” and “sick,” but one deadpanned, “That’s just Kevin Carpet.”

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