City Weekly August 10, 2023

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Best of Utah 2023 Ballot Is Live Voting open through Aug. 31 @ cityweekly.net/bestofutah

There are many people on the Best Utahn list that I proudly stand with every day! In fact, most of the people on that list deserve to win. This list is the best of Utah. The same was true for the worst Utahn. You really know how to make this difficult, City Weekly

DARLENE MCDONALD

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We are happy to once again announce our campaign to be the second best podcast

in the state. (Listen, we know we aren’t going to beat City Cast Salt Lake. Their dedication to production values, and … you know … being nice, just makes anything more than second place seem highly unrealistic).

BRIGHAM YOUNG MONEY PODCAST

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Really humbling piece of news this morning. I’m honored to have been nominated for Best Community Advocate in the Best of Utah 2023 by City Weekly [readers].

AVREMI ZIPPEL Via Twitter

Vote for Utah Homicide Survivors for best Utah nonprofit in Best of Utah 2023!

BRANDON MERRILL

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Fresh Living was nominated for Best of Utah. Please vote! We are under the Best Lifestyle/Talk Show category.

MCKENZY STAUFFER Via Twitter

Shameless plug: After seven seasons, The Hinckley Report is up for a Best of Utah award. Please vote for us!

NATALIE TIPPETS

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Vote for Eli McCann, Salt Lake Tribune, in Best of Utah 2023!

SHARON STEWART

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We’ve been nominated for Best Arts

Nonprofit and Best Arts and Crafts Studio or Classes in City Weekly’s Best of Utah 2023! If you love what we do, this is a great opportunity to support our mission and help us reach new audiences.

CRAFT LAKE CITY

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Vote for Utah Tech Leads in Best of Utah 2023!

SUNNY WASHINGTON

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Vote for The Spin Cycle with DJ Dave Perschon—weekday mornings on KUAA—

in Best of Utah 2023!

DAVID BURN

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Hey, go vote for my man DJ Will Wonder!

Vote for The Will Wonder Pod in Best of Utah 2023!

RYAN STIPANOVICH

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Vote for Voices for Utah Children in Best of Utah 2023!

MOE HICKEY

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“So Close,” Aug. 3 Cover Story

Read “So Close” last night. Excellent article, which delves into a subject most of us have experienced due to the horrors of cancer.

TROYRUSHTON.UT

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Care to sound off on a feature in our pages or about a local concern? Write to comments@cityweekly.net or post your thoughts on our social media. We want to hear from you!

THE WATER COOLER

What’s your favorite Utah beer, seltzer or cider?

Kelly Boyce

Currently, Kiitos Salt N Pickle. Perfect for pickle lovers in the summertime. Super refreshing—you’ll dream about it!

Bill Frost

Bohemian Brewery’s Sir-Veza Mexican Lager is my summer go-to, and Sugar House Distillery’s Raspberry Lemonade Vodka cans are fantastic. But I’m suspicious of hard cider—sounds like something you’d make with your militia bros in the woods.

Scott Renshaw

Uinta Cutthroat Pale Ale has been my goto for years now

Benjamin Wood

My favorite Utah beer is the combination of Kiitos’ Coffee Cream Ale and Coconut Stout, aka “The Sunday Driver.”

Pete Saltas

You’re asking this a week before the Utah Beer Festival that City Weekly is hosting— are you trying to get me in trouble?!

Cody Winget

Etta Place Cider

Kayla Dreher

Mango Blood Orange Seltzer by Roosters Brewing Co.

Eric Granato

I’ve been really enjoying Epic’s Chasing Ghosts double hazy, double IPA.

PRIVATE EYE No Goal

My conservative friends never fail to amuse me. Prior to this week, none had interrupted my drinking of a Bud Light to ask me, “Hey, did you see the women’s soccer team on that obscure cable channel last night? They really took it to those gals from New Zealand, didn’t they?” Not once.

So, I was taken aback when all sorts of hullabaloo on social media erupted after the U.S. Women’s National Team lost to Sweden in an overtime shootout this past Sunday and were thus eliminated from this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup competition. Conservatives everywhere, from the atrociously self-centered Megyn Kelly through the usual nasty social media suspects like the insufferable child Charlie Kirk and all the way down to a number of people that I know fairly well have all taken time to make this past week a living upside-down cake.

All those so-called patriots actually took time after the World Cup loss to root against America. That’s correct: shame and hypocrisy are the bedmates of modern conservatism. The trigger was that the soccer loss came when star U.S. winger Megan Rapinoe shanked a last-chance penalty shootout kick that sailed to the right and above the Sweden net. With her miss, the match ended with Sweden taking a victory lap.

It wasn’t long before our conservative patriot brothers and sisters began their laughable tirades against Rapinoe, the U.S. women’s team and, by blind-eye extension, our country, thereby revealing their own dismal relationship with the land of the free.

It’s not rocket science—that game of soccer. It’s a game where players far more fit than I am run for about three hours taking turns kicking the ball, falling down and bending over to catch their breath. That is my summation of

BY JOHN SALTAS @johnsaltas

soccer. I don’t understand the strategies or tactics, but I love watching it, especially when the soccer ball sails past the goalie and into the net, and especially in a tight match, when that goal results in a Spanish-speaking announcer coming out his shoes exclaiming, “G-o-a-a-a-l-l-l-l!”

I suspect that my understanding of soccer and that of my conservative friends who are searching for their wits this week are similar. What is not similar is that I respect Megan Rapinoe—she being not only one of the greatest female soccer players of all time, but someone who is also the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

That award remains pretty stout, even if Rush Limbaugh is also a recipient. Dolly Parton, another person I highly admire, turned the award down twice, by the way. The conservative right cannot abide that Rapinoe, a stalwart for gender equality, is thusly honored.

They can abide even less that while they weren’t paying attention to the game—only its aftermath—Rapinoe took a knee during the playing of the national anthem. She wasn’t the first, she won’t be the last. But it was all the sugar needed to send conservatives from coast to coast into a hyperbolic diabetic coma.

Have they forgotten—or are they blind?—that nearly everywhere you look at a conservative gathering, there are plenty of folks who sully the “flag and all it stands for” far worse than Rapinoe.

Those folks were actually cheering the fact that America lost at a game they can’t even spell. Yes, celebrating that America lost. Good God, what is wrong with them?

Call me old-fashioned, but I much favor an independently minded person who feels so strongly about an issue that she is willing to face the scourge of angry and less-brave people who do not color their hair purple or report as openly gay, than the persons who use facsimiles of the flag to wipe the snot of their noses or fashion it into all sorts of revealing, crack-crawling beach wear.

Never mind that all those nose-wipers didn’t care a whit about Rapinoe or her causes until this week. Had they looked up from their TV dinners, they’d have seen that Rapinoe is no stranger to taking the knee (primarily in support of racial equality) dating back at least to 2016. Where have those folks been? At a rally or something?

And what happened in 2016—that event that launched hatred and vitriol across the land? Yep, the Trump presidency. Cry about gas prices all you want (thank you for keeping them so low for so long, Obama), but I cry more for the rising cost of lost friendships, lost personal and business relationships and the loss of our nation’s very soul. Most everyone I know has had it up to here with the nonsense that America is “failing.” No, it’s not. If you believe that America is failing, then I pity you, but I don’t feel sorry for you in the least.

It is no surprise then that former President Donald Trump—on authority as being the world’s greatest golf cheat (look it up)—chimed in with his own shallow but ever-effective divisive commentary.

After the Sweden victory, he wrote on his failing social network, Truth Social, “The ‘shocking and totally unexpected’ loss by the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team to Sweden is fully emblematic of what is happening to the our once great Nation under Crooked Joe Biden. Many of our players were openly hostile to America—No other country behaved in such a manner, or even close. Woke equals failure. Nice shot Megan, the USA is going to Hell!!! MAGA.”

Huh? Really? Blaming Joe Biden? Let’s not have an election. I want a soccer shootout between Biden and Trump. Ten kicks each for the crown of presidency.

It won’t matter, he’ll still lose in the end, but watch for a Trump minion to cheat kick for him. His supporters adore that crap. CW

Send comments to john@cityweekly.net

HITS & MISSES

BY KATHARINE BIELE | @kathybiele

MISS: Marital Bliss

The Deseret News ran an opinion last week that was predictable in both the content and the comments. The premise: Utah is so great because … families! To be fair, it started out with the “Utah economic miracle” marked by “exceptional economic growth, a favorable business climate and high rates of economic mobility.” But the proposition came from the director of the National Marriage Project, Brad Wilcox. Founded in 1997, NMP has a “marriage-only” agenda. Wilcox claims that the share of married parents in a state can predict economic viability. The website Unmarried Equality says that NMP’s reports “misrepresent social science research in a politicized attempt to argue that marriage is the only acceptable way to form a relationship or a family.” Many of the comments on the article—those not telling readers to move if they don’t like Utah—took umbrage with the bragging. “It’s cloying, embarrassing, and most of all, falsely constructed propaganda,” one said. At least it was labeled opinion—not news.

HIT: Detour Ahead

Urbanites love a walkable community, even if it’s only in their dreams. Salt Lake has a few walkable ’hoods—9th & 9th, 15th & 15th, maybe even The Gateway. But they’re not downtown, where business has been boom and bust for decades. Now the Mendenhall administration has come up with a plan to permanently block off Main Street to cars from South Temple to 400 South, Fox13 reports. Pedestrians used to walk that corridor when it was anchored by the department stores of yesteryear, but shoppers had other ideas about malls—if not walking in general—and economic downturns took their toll. Main Street shops—the ones that are left—think a pedestrian mall will bring people back downtown. Never mind about parking, they say. There’s plenty on the side streets. Even if that isn’t true, the walkable area might be nice for visitors staying at hotels or anyone who can take Trax. This is the latest idea to revitalize downtown. Maybe it will work.

MISS: On the Road Again

Transportation in the Salt Lake Valley seems to be all about cars—how to slow them or how to facilitate them. We won’t get into the gondola idea, designed to keep vehicles at the mouth of the canyon while moving skiers to two private resorts. The latest great idea is to expand Interstate 15 from Farmington into Salt Lake City and “include five general lanes, an express lane and an auxiliary lane in certain areas in each direction,” The Salt Lake Tribune reports. Salt Lake’s west-siders are not at all happy about it. The Rose Park Brown Berets rallied on bicycles to protest the plan which will impact residential properties and inevitably increase pollution. What happened to getting people out of their cars and into public transit?

BY BENJAMIN WOOD | bwood@cityweekly.net

Another Life

Iwas late to the State Street ghost rail party, since I was out of town at a Boy Scout camp when UDOT exposed the old streetcar line while working on new green medians. As a regular transit user, it was more than a little frustrating to catch up on the local media coverage, which largely treated the buried tracks as the archaeological ruins of some ancient and lost civilization.

It was only 100 years ago that rail travel was ubiquitous for Salt Lakers, as it was for most cities in the Intermountain West. Our country was built using trains—with Utah’s famed Golden Spike as the pinnacle of intercontinental connection—only to see those networks systematically dismantled by a manyheaded hydra of overlapping attacks, both public and private. For the sake of brevity, just know that it was far from the “free market” at work.

These days, we struggle to expand so-called “fixed guideway” transit. Salt Lake got a new Trax station at 600 South last year, and this month saw the launch of the Ogden Express, or OGX, bus rapid-transit service (see page 21). Each of those projects took roughly 20 years of planning, lengthy construction and considerable taxpayer cost.

But what if we didn’t have to start over from scratch on transit? What kind of city would we be if the streetcars— and passenger rail generally—had never stopped running?

As it happens, I was thinking about exactly that while driving home from scout camp. Utah, Idaho and Nevada are in the early stages of studying whether to restore passenger rail service between our states, and my route home from Wyoming’s Camp Loll happened to run parallel to an old Idaho rail line. As the miles rolled by, I daydreamed about how much better the trip would have been were I relieved of white-knuckling a steering wheel for five hours straight, and instead could read a book in the lounge car or take a much-needed nap after a week of stressful chaperoning.

Perhaps we could have had the Scouts’ families drop them off at Salt Lake Central Station. Perhaps we could have paid a small charge for assistance with our gear and luggage. Perhaps we could have deboarded in Rexburg, renting an economy van for the final leg of the journey and stopping for a bite at a local establishment instead of spending our money at the roadside fast food franchises that float revenues up the corporate chain and out of the locals’ hands.

In that world, driving would still be an option for those who prefer it. But for those of us who prefer not to drive, daydreaming about lounge cars in Idaho or streetcars on State is about as close as we’re ever likely to get. CW

Old streetcar rails are visible under State Street while the Utah Department of Transportation works on improvements.

VISUAL ART

Skin Deep

Tatau digs into the rich, sacred tradition of Samoan tattoo art

BY SCOTT RENSHAW scottr@cityweekly.net @scottrenshaw

The boundaries for what we call “art” are forever expanding, including folding in cultural traditions. But there’s a particular responsibility for an exhibiting institution when that art also incorporates an element of the sacred.

This month, the Utah Museum of Fine Arts presents Tatau: Marks of Polynesia, an exhibition developed in 2016 by the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles to showcase the millennia-old tradition of Samoan hand-tattooing. Some 170 images by photographer John Agcaoili capture the work of more than 20 artists in Samoa, Hawaii and California, particularly the legendary Sulu‘ape family of artists. According to Luke Kelly—Associate Curator of Collections for UMFA—the exhibition came about in the wake of an exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum looking at Japanese tattoo traditions, with curator/tattoo artist Takahiro Kitamura feeling that looking at Samoan tattoo was “a natural step forward.”

Verona Mauga, who co-chaired of the UMFA’s community advisory group on the exhibition, was one of the key partners in bringing Tatau to Salt Lake City, through her relationship with the Sulu‘ape family—but it was still no sure thing that it would come here. “It was not the normal, natural steps of bringing an exhibition to a museum,” Mauga says. “Because this work is so sacred and important, we had to go

A&E

ask the family for permission. They’re not going to say yes to just anyone.”

That sacredness is a key component of tatau, according to Mauga, who has received the traditional Samoan tattoo for women—the malu—on her legs.

“I [also] have a very modern a tattoo, done with a tattoo gun in a tattoo shop,” she says. “I thought it looked pretty, and I did that. With [tatau], it’s not that simple; there’s a lot of preparation involved.

I went around to the people who are important to me, and talked to them about this decision. Leading up to the day [of the ceremony], I was preparing spiritually and mentally for it, even making sure that my body was clear of distractions. … When you wear these markings, it’s a reminder of service—to your culture, your God, your family. It’s quite different from the flower on my back.”

For the tatau artists themselves, there is an additional level of understanding the art form’s connection to history, tradition and spirituality. While “Sulu‘ape” represents a revered family name in the tatau tradition, it has also become an honorific designation granted to artists like Sulu‘ape Steve Looney, a Hawaii-based artist who served a two-year apprenticeship before becoming a Sulu‘ape himself. “It’s given as a title to show your commitment,” Looney says. “I guess you could explain it like a guild; you all belong under this family name.”

Looney notes that one of the most significant elements that separates tatau from the kind of commercial tattooing more familiar to Americans is that it’s not about a client telling a tattoo artist what kind of art they want on their body. Instead, the traditional designs that are applied are diametrically opposite of that kind of personal, individual expression. “The actual process and design is under the leadership

of the artist,” he says. “You as the person receiving it, and the whole process leading up to it, your family chooses, it, and you need their blessing. … This layout has been around since the beginning of time. There are motifs that might show familial ties, like if you have a high chief title. We all wear the same tattoo, so we’re not individuals out there. You’re always in service to your family and your community.”

In keeping with honoring the cultural significance of tatau, Mauga says, the Tatau exhibition will open not with a typical kind of museum reception, but with a traditional ‘ava ceremony.

“We want this ceremony to be done right,” she says “It’s not just a picture hanging on a wall; there’s so much history and culture attached to it.”

Nevertheless, it is a museum exhibition, and there is a larger recognition attached to treating tatau not just as a cultural tradition, but as a vibrant, beautiful art form. “The fact that it’s in a museum really up-

lifts this art form,” Looney says. “It really legitimizes it to put it in that context. … Typically, as we know, tattooing has always had a bit of a stigma attached to it, of folks on the fringe of society. This being in a museum allows it to be more mainstream.”

“You look at this artwork these artists have done, and it’s as great as any hung painting,” UMFA’s Killy adds. “Even if you just have a layman’s appreciation, you can see the artistry. … A generation ago, a show like this might have been a harder sell, but today, it’s very much a part of the community. These are artists; the canvas is just a little different.” CW

TATAU: MARKS OF POLYNESIA

Utah Museum of Fine Arts

410 Campus Center Dr. Opening celebration Saturday, Aug. 12, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Exhibition Aug. 12 – Dec. 30 umfa.utah.edu

JOHN AGCAOILI

Tattoo work by Sulu’ape Steve Looney

Beetlejuice

Broadway is full of movie-to-stage versions that initially seemed like an odd fit, but “odd” certainly isn’t a place where the story of Beetlejuice is uncomfortable. The theatrical adaptation of the 1988 feature film from director Tim Burton—with songs by Australian composer Eddie Perfect and a book by the team of Scott Brown and Anthony King (Guttenberg! The Musical)—faced a bumpy path, as the original 2019 Broadway production was forced to close due to the COVID pandemic. But fittingly enough for the subject matter of the show, that which seemed dead had a way of coming back and making itself heard again in the world.

That story tracks fairly closely to the film version, involving a country home where two residents—married couple Adam and Barbara Maitland—die suddenly, and find themselves haunting their house. Eventually, a new family moves in—including goth kid Lydia, her father and stepmother—which disrupts the routine established by the ghost Maitlands. But there’s another guest in the house: a demonic entity named Beetlejuice, who only wants to rejoin the land of the living, if he could just get someone to say his name three times. The Tony Award-nominated version adds catchy tunes (like “The Whole ‘Being Dead’ Thing”) to the anarchic humor of the original film, while also adding a more heartfelt arc for Lydia’s grieving of her dead mother.

The current touring production of Beetlejuice takes up residence at the Eccles Theater (131 S. Main Street) through Aug. 13, with varying showtimes. Tickets begin at $89; visit arttix.org for tickets and additional event information. (Scott Renshaw)

Marc Maron

The personal and professional path of Marc Maron certainly hasn’t been a smooth one. After toiling away at a stand-up comedy career for more than 20 years, and being part of the launch of the leftleaning Air America radio network, Maron was facing an uncertain phase in his career in 2009 when he launched a podcast called WTF, which became one of the world’s most popular podcasts and a forum for everyone from standup comedians to world leaders. Then, in 2020, he faced the sudden death of his partner—filmmaker

Lynn Shelton—during the height of the pandemic. You could understand if a guy who has built much of his comedy around his anxieties was uncertain what to do next.

One result was his latest standup special, From Bleak to Dark, in which he dives right in by suggesting “I don’t think anything’s going to get better, ever again.” And from there he spins off into meditations on everything from climate change to the changing nature of dumb-ness (“I miss 10 years ago stupid, stupid that had a little humility. … Now there’s sort of a brazen, confident stupid that’s just loaded up with all kinds of bullshit information.”), before moving into a searing reflection on his experience with grieving. Even when things appear to be at their worst, there seems to be nothing that Maron can’t wrestle a laugh out of.

Marc Maron visits Wiseguys Comedy at the Gateway (190 S. 400 West) Aug. 11 – 12 for two shows nightly, 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 general admission; visit wiseguyscomedy.com for tickets and additional event information. (SR)

Material Gallery grand opening

When local artists Jorge Rojas and Colour Maisch were facing the need to relocate from the studio space they had long shared, they decided on something a bit more ambitious than simply finding another studio space. “I’m so sick of being a struggling, starving artist, not knowing if I’m going to be able to pay the rent the next month,” Rojas says. “The only other thing I’ve ever wanted to do besides make art is start a gallery.” Maisch adds, “Jorge said, ‘I have this hare-brained idea. … What do you think about showing all the work we want to have shown?’”

The result is Material (2970 S. West Temple, Unit B, South Salt Lake), a contemporary art gallery that will feature exhibitions, studio spaces and a place for artists to teach classes. “One of the things Jorge and I are passionate about, in addition to not living hand-to-mouth, is to find a new paradigm inside the commercial gallery system, a way to put money in artists’ hands,” Maisch says. “We’re early in this game, and still figuring all this stuff out, but we’re wanting this to be a collaborative effort with artists we’re working with.”

Material kicks off with a community-celebration grand opening on Saturday, Aug. 12 from 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m., with a reception for the space’s first exhibitions: collaborative project Las Hermanas Iglesias’ Loose Lips, and Utah artist Kathryn Knudsen’s Collaborating with Excess. “They’re established artists that we respect not just as artists, but as humans,” Rojas says. “We only want to work with artists we like as people. We’re too small to work with assholes.” (SR)

• Boulevard

• Deschutes

• Jiant

• Left Hand

• Kettlehouse

• Angry Orchard

• Dog Fish Head

• Truly

• Twisted Tea

• Belching Beaver

• Lagunitas

• White Claw

• Cayman Jack

• Schofferhofer

• Stone

• Firestone

• Denver Beer

• Guinness

• HUSA

• St. Killian’s

• Black Clover

• Beers of the World

• Moab Brewing

• Squatter’s

• Wasatch

• Salt Lake Brewing

• Strap Tank Brewery

• Bewilder Brewing

• Kiitos Brewing

• Mountain West Cider

• Red Rock

Saturday Line Up

Brewing

• Salt Fire Brewing

• T.F Brewing

• Talisman Brewing Company

• UTOG

• Grid City Beer Works

• Hopkins Brewing Co

• Level Crossing Brewing Company

• Roha Brewing

• Shades Brewing

• Park City Brewery

• Proper Brewing

• Salt Flats Brewing

• Silver Reef

• Scion Ciders

• Prodigy Breweing

• Chappel Brewing

• Sapporo

• Flying Embers

• Upslope

• Big Sky Brewing

• Heber Valley Brewing

• Ska Brewing

• Pure Madness Brewing

• Fisher Brewing

Sunday Line Up

Trivia all about Utah and Beer with: Mini-Golf with: IN SUPPORT OF

Summer happenings in Draper

OGDEN—Look, out on the street! It's a bus; it’s a train? No ... it's OGX!

While not quite as powerful as a locomotive—and certainly incapable of leaping tall buildings—bus rapid transit (BRT) is the next best thing. And beginning this month, the state’s second BRT line (after the Provo-Orem UVX and not counting the built-but-dormant MAX on 3500 South) begins operations between Ogden Station, downtown Ogden, Weber State University and McKay-Dee Hospital, with stops at grade schools, libraries, theaters and other community hubs along the way.

Roughly 20 years in the making, the Ogden Express (OGX) represents a major step forward for transit in northern Utah. While Salt Lake has Trax light rail to extend car-free journeys beyond the FrontRunner stops at Salt Lake Central and North Temple, most of the state’s other regional train stations can feel like dead ends, particularly for the uninitiated.

Enter BRT, a modern spin on transit that strikes a middle ground between buses and light rail. Cheaper to build in the short term but upgradeable in the long term, BRT combines the workhorse utility of a bus with the visibility and comfort of so-called “fixed guideway” transit—drawing a clear line between high-volume destinations and making it less intimidating for first-time riders and out-of-town visitors to get where they’re going.

And thanks to dedicated lanes and other train-esque infrastructure, OGX will be empowered to slice through rush hour traffic like a knife through butter. It’s also free to ride for, at least, the next three years.

Whether you’re a transit pro or a bus beginner, here’s what you need to know about using OGX to get around Ogden.

Express Pass

Caveats and Methods

The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) celebrated the launch of OGX on Aug. 2 with a ribbon-cutting and a round of speeches from assorted dignitaries. But in typical fashion for a large, bureaucratic, quasi-public agency, the party was a little premature—OGX doesn’t actually begin service until UTA’s “Change Day” on Aug. 20.

I traveled to Ogden on Aug. 3 and researched the new service by riding the 603 (a traditional bus that will be replaced and improved upon by OGX) and then biking back to Ogden Station along the express route. I was also born in McKay-Dee Hospital (OGX’s southeast terminus) and grew up in Weber County—as a result, I feel relatively confident combining first-hand observations with a few educated guesses.

Thus, the travel times described below should be taken as rough approximations, albeit ones that tend to be more consistent than private vehicles due to the pesky habit of cars clogging up every roadway they touch.

Prologue: FrontRunner

UTA’s flagship rail line currently extends north to Ogden and south to Provo, with Salt Lake City’s two regional stations sitting near the midpoint. While the end of the decade could see trains every 15 minutes, riders today should be warned that FrontRunner arrives in 30-minute intervals during the morning and afternoon rush hours and every 60 minutes otherwise. On Sundays, FrontRunner doesn’t arrive at all.

Salt Lake’s prime placement means that trains from

How to ride OGX, Utah’s newest rapid transit service.

By Benjamin Wood bwood@cityweekly.net

either direction arrive near the top of the hour all day, and near the bottom of the hour at peak. Southbound trains will hit North Temple first, while northbound trains will first stop at Salt Lake Central. But generally speaking, riders should aim for their arrival on the platforms to be around the ‘15s and ‘45s on the clock. Hive Pass holders can purchase discounted FrontRunner fares, but a ticket is required for travel. Once onboard, the trip to Ogden takes just under an hour—no matter what I-15 traffic looks like on that particular day.

Begin: Ogden Station

Ogden’s train depot is among the better-situated in the state, with Historic 25th Street located a short (albeit dangerous) walk across Wall Avenue and with community attractions like the Ogden Amphitheater (home of the Ogden Twilight Concert Series) and Lindquist Field (home of the Ogden Raptors) within three blocks. The area is also set to undergo a major revitalization in the coming years, restoring Union Station and filling in the adjacent land with mixed-use housing and retail.

Exiting the FrontRunner, riders will find the OGX platform immediately to the west beneath the retro “Ogden Welcome Center” sign and with a waiting area built out of an old train car, making it one of only a few transit stops in the state with a fully enclosed shelter, when open. Weekday OGX service will run as often as every 10 minutes, but the projected headways drop on the weekends. For trips into downtown, some riders may find it simpler to rent a GreenBike (Ogden’s are white) or to head out on foot.

+5 minutes: Walk Like An Egyptian

After departure, it takes very little time for OGX to pass through The Junction (Salomon Center, Megaplex Theatre, restaurants, etc.) along 23rd Street and arrive at Washington Boulevard, where a boarding platform has been added to the center of the street near Peery’s Egyptian Theater and the David Eccles Conference Center. This stop bookends the historic portion of 25th Street, with Union Station located three blocks west. It is also the nearest stop to the Ogden Amphitheater for concert-goers, or to Ogden City Hall and Ogden City Justice Court. From here, OGX turns east up 25th Street.

+10 minutes: Wide Cometh Before the Fall

After passing the Main Library, OGX turns south on Harrison Boulevard—aka Utah’s Highway 203—where new bus-only roadspace begins in earnest. Stops are conveniently located near Ogden High and Mount Ogden Junior High, offering a direct school-to-city connection for students. It’s at this juncture that we should pour one out for Harrison, a once-beautiful street turned inhospitable car sewer with 10 lanes at its widest sections.

In exchange for use of the public right-of-way, UTA will offer free service on OGX for three years (a similar arrangement makes UVX free for now and underpins Salt Lake’s Free Fare Zone). But the Utah Department of Transportation’s reluctance to give up an inch of car space meant that the addition of BRT lanes pushed Harrison Boulevard even wider than it already was—particularly around 36th Street—representing one step forward and two steps back for overall walkability.

UDOT would say that widening Harrison was necessary to avoid catastrophic traffic congestion. Every city in the world operating efficient fixed-guideway transit without 10-lane surface highways would say that UDOT is wrong. While the widening can’t be undone, it at least offers space to improve upon at some point in the future when cooler heads prevail.

+15 minutes: Great! Great! Great!

Weber State University is where the real magic happens, with OGX-exclusive driveways cut through the heart of campus where no car is permitted to follow. But sidewalks and bike paths are incorporated, planting the seeds for a people-first thoroughfare that could be primed to one day become a topshelf light rail line. And unlike the University of Utah, where Trax largely hews to the campus perimeter, OGX will deposit riders a stone’s-throw from the Shepherd Union building. From my seat on the 603—in the standard travel lanes—I watched an OGX training bus slip off of Harrison and disappear into campus through the express route, never to be seen again by my humble carriage. On the bike ride back, the pedestrian infrastructure offered a delightfully safe route passing through major campus destinations.

+20 minutes: Game Night

What OGX lacks in proximity to WSU’s Stewart Stadium, it makes up for in direct access to the Dee Events Center and Weber County Ice Sheet. The new BRT station also helps to visually break up the relentless surface parking, which has otherwise been an asphalt ocean during my lifetime. Depending on how quickly the university and county move to adapt themselves to OGX, this area could see considerable change in the coming years, akin to how development has exploded around the Central 9th and Old Greektown Trax stations in Salt Lake City. Land values being what they are, it’s hard to imagine the Dee Events Center being surrounded for much longer by a surface lot with a footprint that is roughly eight times as large as the center itself.

+25 minutes: Patients Are a Virtue

After the delights of the WSU stops, the OGX terminus at McKay-Dee Hospital can feel somewhat anticlimactic, though administrators there deserve praise for placing the platform close to the hospital’s entrance, rather than on the far side of the parking lot (see: Murray Central Station).

I wasn’t able to find a bike rack and had to lock up against a bench, which is a bad look for the end of a BRT route, as transit works best when integrated with cycling and other modes of active transportation. I was also nearly run over by a rightturning driver while exiting that parking lot on my bicycle, though we can hardly blame OGX for that.

When the BRT service is up and running, Weber State’s existing campus shuttle will follow the express route to McKayDee, offering even higher-frequency service between those two locations.

Epilogue: Many Happy Returns

To get back to Ogden Station, a transit rider can simply follow these directions in reverse. High-frequency service means that the delay at any particular stop will be minimal—at least during weekdays—but gravity and geography also offer an attractive alternative to waiting for the OGX to arrive.

Similar to how the University of Utah is perched above downtown Salt Lake City, Weber State is uphill from downtown Ogden, with any number of cycling routes (or scooter, or skateboard, or onewheel, or Rollerblades, or …) available to coast back down into the city with minimal effort.

The biggest hurdle is likely to be the wait for a southbound FrontRunner. With only hourly service (most times), it can be difficult to time a return trip to Salt Lake without knowing exactly when your business in Ogden will conclude.

While the wait is legitimately frustrating, perhaps the period between trains offers a chance to explore a little, or to patronize a local Ogden business. For what it’s worth, the Ogden River Parkway is located to the north of the train station, with a particularly sweet biking connection along Grant Avenue and with riverside dining just west of Washington Boulevard.

Studies show that retailers typically overestimate the percentage of their customers who arrive by private vehicle, while underestimating those who arrive by bus, bike or foot. So make sure to let them know that transit sent you and to leave a generous tip. CW

Bus-only driveways and walking paths bolster a central transit station at the heart of Weber State University’s campus.

Bikeshare rentals are available at Ogden Station through GreenBike.

Downtown stops like the Salomon Center and Peery’s Egyptian Theater will see highfrequency service on OGX.

An OGX platform offers direct access to Weber State University’s Dee Events Center and the Weber County Ice Sheet.

BENJAMIN WOOD

BENJAMIN WOOD

BENJAMIN WOOD

BENJAMIN WOOD

Round and Round

ANALYSIS BY KATHARINE BIELE comments@cityweekly.net

Ping-pong politics—that’s the game the Utah Legislature wants voters to play if they’re ever unhappy with their elected lawmakers and what they’re doing at the Capitol.

The League of Women Voters of Utah (LWV), Mormon Women for Ethical Government (MWEG) and several individual plaintiffs have sued the Legislature over its gerrymandered congressional maps. The case is now before the Utah Supreme Court, but no matter how the court rules, Utah’s voters should understand the Legislature’s reasoning.

In a nutshell, the Legislature and the League et al are presenting two competing constitutional arguments. The plaintiffs point to Utah’s Article I, section 2, which states that all political power is inherent in the people. “All free governments are founded on their authority for their equal protection and benefit,” the section states, “and they have the right to alter or reform their government as the public welfare may require.”

But the state’s lawyers point to Article IX, section 1, which explicitly grants redistricting authority to the state Legislature, arguing that it is the elected representatives—and not the voters who elect them—who have the sole power to establish district maps.

The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled against the fringe “independent state legislature” theory that purports to give state legislatures fully unrestricted powers to administer federal elections as they see fit, including the drawing of congressional boundaries. Because the U.S. high court previously said that federal courts couldn’t rule on partisan gerrymandering, that theory would have left both state courts and state constitutions powerless.

In a July hearing of the Utah Supreme Court, the Legislature—through its counsel Taylor Meehan—argued that citizens have the right to change or make law if they go through some kind of never-ending legal loop. Here’s how they claim that would work.

If citizens pass an initiative, the Legislature can “amend” it, because that’s what they do. If citizens don’t like the changes, they can lobby their legislators

to change their minds, or they can run another initiative—which again, the Legislature could override. They could also try to amend the state’s Constitution. But wait—constitutional amendments must start with the Legislature.

“If the public wants fair boundaries, they have a remedy to lobby the Legislature through the normal process or through Congress,” Meehan told justices on the state court. “They can lobby for a constitutional amendment, lobby their Legislature or go through a statutory change through initiative.”

But it takes two-thirds of each legislative chamber to vote in favor of a constitutional amendment before it goes before the voters for ratification. And with maps drawn to favor incumbents, the LWVMWEG suit claims, the public’s right to make and change laws is essentially moot.

“Although this court has never resolved the constitutionality of an attempt by the Legislature to nullify an initiative after enactment, the same logic applies,” the LWV lawsuit states. “The people’s initiative right would be meaningless if the Legislature could, as the district court reasoned, negate an initiative-enacted law ‘without limitation.’”

Meehan, the Legislature’s attorney, had a more academic take on this never-ending loop.

“First, if a statute passed by initiative constitutes an exercise of that right ‘to alter or reform’ government, then statutes passed by the Legislature must be too,” she argued, “for ‘[t]he initiative power of the people is parallel to and coextensive with the power of the state legislature.”

Let’s unpack that. Meehan must have used the term “co-equal and concurrent” dozens of times during her argument before the Utah Supreme Court. That’s just so you, the voter, gets it. You need to link arms with the Legislature and skip happily to any law they come up with.

And Meehan made it clear that the Legislature doesn’t think highly of Proposition 4 and its voter-approved independent redistricting commission. She pointed out that the ballot measure only passed by the barest of majorities in 2018.

“Second,” Meehan argued, “the people knew that the only way they could alter or reform governmental structures prescribed by the Constitution … was through the constitutional amendment process the people chose in 1895 and left unchanged in 1900 [by opting not to allow constitutional amendment by direct initiative].”

Indeed, Meehan was focused on the past. The year 1895 was very, very important because that’s when delegates drafted the Utah Constitution. Let’s not forget how overwhelmingly popular the new Constitution was, as it passed by a popular vote of 31,305 to 7,607.

Originalists always point to the beginnings. Just for perspective, the population of Utah in 1890 was 207,905. Today, it is well over 3.3 million.

Let’s move on to 1900, another important legislative date for Utah and Meehan. The wise people of Utah (200,000-plus of them) were then asked if they wanted to

amend the Constitution to add an initiative and referendum process. They said “sure,” but they didn’t leave it completely up to the people.

Meehan points out that while the people agreed on a citizen initiative process, they didn’t intend it to be used for redistricting. Well, we really don’t know what was going on in the minds of voters back then, but they might not have wanted to be bothered. With a little over 200,000 people, voters probably knew their representatives personally—or through church—and could slap them sideways if they didn’t like what they did.

Congress mandated in 1842 that districts would be used to elect our federal representatives. But Congress never told us how those districts should be drawn, except that they be based on Census numbers. Let’s just say that voting has changed a lot over the years.

For instance, slaves used to be counted as three-fifths of one person. That’s no longer the case and more recently, the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed rulings against racial gerrymandering.

By the way, the word “gerrymandering” is hardly official. It’s a slang term coined in 1812 after Massachusetts drew a salamander-looking district to help Gov. Elbridge Gerry’s party.

And it could be argued that Utahns, in voting for Proposition 4, didn’t think it was about gerrymandering. That word was never used in the voter information packet, which stressed “independent” maps.

“Third,” Meehan argued, “the people knew how to place limits or conditions on their ability to ‘alter or reform their government’ and in fact did so for certain aspects of their direct lawmaking power: refusing to authorize constitutional amendments by initiative; making the initiative process subject to conditions imposed by the Legislature; prohibiting

referenda on laws passed by a two-thirds vote in both houses.”

At the time, Meehan argued, Utah voters did not expressly limit the Legislature’s power to amend or repeal statutes passed by citizen initiative. She also suggested that if voters didn’t like the laws passed by a two-thirds majority in both legislative chambers, they just had to suck it up.

But again, that was in 1900. Since then, the Legislature has made and will continue to make it more and more difficult to pass initiatives.

Among the many requirements, an initiative must gather signatures in at least 26 of Utah’s 29 Senate districts, and the number of signatures required is significant—a percentage of active voters following the most recent regular general election. In 2022, an initiative required 137,929 verified signatures statewide.

Meehan says no worries. If your initiative gets amended—or repealed—you can always try again (because it’s so easy and inexpensive, apparently).

Finally, Meehan stated that voters can always hold their representatives accountable by voting them out. See how that works? The Legislature has drawn districts that ensure their survival, with electoral defeat seemingly the only clear remedy for disaffected voters, a dynamic that was noted by members of the court.

“Part of the problem is the Legislature always holds the trump card here,” Chief Justice Matthew Durrant said. “You argue the referendum process is available. That could continue indefinitely.”

And for now, it will. CW

Editor’s note: City Weekly writer Katharine Biele is president of the League of Women Voters of Utah, one of the parties suing the state of Utah over its congressional district maps. Her thoughts here are hers alone and in no way reflect those of the League or its legal council.

Lawyers for the Utah Legislature employ an endless circular argument in defending gerrymandered districts.

DEREK CARLISLE

In Sushi We Trust

Sandy’s Lee Sushi is a cozy destination for sushi and ramen fans.

BY ALEX SPRINGER comments@cityweekly.net @captainspringer

When conducting gastronomic research along the Wasatch Front, it’s important to let happenstance be your guide on some occasions. Don’t get me wrong: I love a nicely planned visit to a restaurant that I’ve been stalking on social media for weeks, but every so often you just have to look at where you are and how much time you’ve got to kill and just dive into the first place that catches your eye.

For me this happened while I was waiting to get my oil changed near the South Towne Auto Mall in Sandy. I spotted a place called Lee Sushi on my way in, and decided to mosey on over to check it out.

It’s a tiny establishment owned and operated by the Lee family, and it’s tucked away in the strip mall located on the southwest corner of State Street and 106th South. It shares a wall with the online gaming bastion known as Gamer Planet, which gave me an automatic inward grin. Loading up on some local comfort food before diving into a late-night Magic: The Gathering pre-release occupied a good chunk of my early adulthood, so whenever I see a hole-in-the-wall restaurant close to any kind of dimly-lit video-game dungeon or hobby shop, I get a kick out

of the notion of all those gamers whose nocturnal exploits would be fueled by the sushi burritos and potstickers next door. While sushi isn’t traditionally considered “gamer fuel” in most dining circles, there is something about Lee Sushi that bridges this gap. If you’re after the dainty, nibble-worthy sushi of the business-lunch crowd, then you can just keep walking. But, if you’re after sushi that has a healthy dose of Korean pomp, because you’ve got a long night of grinding in Diablo IV ahead of you, Lee Sushi has something special for you.

Whether it’s one of their hefty sushi burritos or a refreshing poke bowl, you’ll want some variety of sushi when you pop in—but let’s not get ahead of ourselves when there’s appetizers to be discussed.

Lee Sushi has some decent pork potstickers ($5.99) to speak of, but I absolutely love their jalapeño bombs ($4.99) as both a snack and a statement. If you’ve had deep fried jalapeño poppers filled with cream cheese before, you’ll know what you’re getting into with this appetizer— it’s a classic example of unpretentious party food. As a diner who appreciates a restaurant that knows how to please their core demographic, these tempura-fried jalapeño bombs are a thing of beauty.

As I mentioned earlier, the sushi rolls at Lee Sushi are bodaciously portioned, which gives you a lot of bang for your buck. If you’re after something that will wallop your taste buds, but don’t want to think too hard about the menu, the sushi combos are great. They vary in types and quantities of roll, but the Roll Combo #4 ($17.99) is a good way to try a lot of their rolls on one plate—though I wouldn’t recommend these combos if tempurafried rolls aren’t your jam.

The winner of the combo #4 is the traditional Vegas roll, but let’s not overlook the Spamtastic roll for its unrepentant

absurdity. The interior contains some fried Spam, a bit of cream cheese and a sliver of cucumber. It’s also deep fried and slathered in some creamy mayo and some smoky gochujang-adjacent ketchup. This is so crunchy, salty, tangy and sweet that it should be served on a stick at the state fair—and I say that as a genuine compliment.

For those averse to deep-fried rolls, the Sunset Roll ($12.99) is a decent option. It’s built on a California roll foundation and topped with salmon, spicy mayo and a thin slice of lemon. This is also a goodsized roll that combines a fun flavor profile—the fresh salmon, spicy mayo and lemon play very nicely on the tongue.

Beyond the sushi menu, you can find some decent ramen options. I like the Korean Spicy Ramen ($12.99), as well as the dumpling ramen ($16.99), which upgrades the former with some veggie dumplings. Both the broth and noodle games are on point at Lee Sushi; this stuff has “hangover cure” written all over it.

Another variation on the traditional ramen and sushi menu comes in the form of a Korean dessert called bingsoo ($8). It’s a pile of snowy shaved ice that gets topped with either chocolate or mango, and it’s quite refreshing during our toasty summer days. It eats a bit like a snow cone mixed with a sundae—cold, sweet and filled with nuanced flavors.

I’ve been back to Lee Sushi a few times since that first visit, and the food is consistently tasty while the service remains warm and welcoming. If you’re a longtime sushi fan or if you’re looking for a friendly place to see why sushi is awesome, Lee Sushi is a great place to visit. CW

ALEX SPRINGER

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: Krispie the Kid - Rice Lager

Kiitos Brewing

608 W. 700 South, SLC KiitosBrewing.com

Level Crossing Brewing Co. 2496 S. West Temple, South Salt Lake LevelCrossingBrewing.com

On Tap: Nitro Sinday Pale Ale

Level Crossing Brewing Co., POST 550 So. 300 West #100, SLC LevelCrossingBrewing.com

On Tap: Bat Country Blonde

Moab Brewing 686 S. Main, Moab TheMoabBrewery.com

On Tap: Golden Sproket Wit

Mountain West Cider 425 N. 400 West, SLC MountainWestCider.com

On Tap: Tropical Crush–POG–Passionfruit, Orange & Guava!

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

On Tap: DOPO IPA

Ogden Beer Company 358 Park Blvd, Ogden OgdenRiverBrewing.com

On Tap: Injector Hazy IPA

Policy Kings Brewery 223 N. 100 West, Cedar City PolicyKingsBrewery.com

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

On Tap: Tranquili-Tea HefeweizenEpic Collaboration

Proper Brewing 857 S. Main, SLC

ProperBrewingCo.com

On Tap: Whispers from Krakatoa - Helles Lager with Habanero and Mango

Proper Burger: Sour RangerBlackberry and Lemon Sour

Proper Brewing Moab 1393 US-191 Moab, Utah 84532

On Tap: Angus McCloud- Scottish 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 Redrockbrewing.com

1640 Redstone Center

On Tap: Bamberg Rauch Bier

RoHa Brewing Project 30 Kensington Ave, SLC RoHaBrewing.com

On Tap: Humpback Chub River Water IPA

Roosters Brewing Multiple Locations RoostersBrewingCo.com

On Tap: Identity Crisis Session West Coast Hazy Cold IPA – the name says it all!

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

On Tap: Deep Dive Series: Juicy Pale Ale

Salt Flats Brewing 2020 Industrial Circle, SLC SaltFlatsBeer.com

On Tap: Kiss Whoever You WantPride Month IPL

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

On Tap: Scion Cider Fuji-La 8.1% ABV

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

On Tap: Blackberry Lime Cider

Shades Brewing 154 W. Utopia Ave, South Salt Lake ShadesBrewing.beer

On Tap: Hellion Huckelberry

Sour Ale

Live Music: Thursdays

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

On Tap: Hellion Blond Ale, an ode to Ellie, manager at Shades on State

Karaoke: Wednesdays

Silver Reef

4391 S. Enterprise Drive, St. George StGeorgeBev.com

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

On Tap: Salt Lake Brewing Co. Tropical Thunder IPA

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

On Tap: Squatters & Kiitos Collab: Ginger Rye Lime Sour, 5% Strap Tank Brewery, Lehi 3661 Outlet Pkwy, Lehi, UT

StrapTankBrewery.com

On Tap: Spirit World Saison - Grid

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

BEER NERD

Body Language

Two lighter ales that are heavy on flavor

BY MIKE RIEDEL comments@cityweekly.net @utahbeer

Salt Lake Brewing - Tropical Thunder: This is the latest batch in Salt Lake Brewing’s rotating IPA series. Head Brewer Jason Stock simply calls this one a session IPA that blurs styles.

It has a soft peachy orange/yellow color that is hazy, but not as dense as some IPAs that I’ve come across. The pour yields a helathy two fingers of head on top, with some big soapy lace clinging down the glass—and it looks great as I frame it for a photo. Hot damn! Can you say tropical on the nose? There’s a good dose of mango and pineapple, like a whiff from a pack of tropical fruit Starbursts. Floral hops emerge on the other side of it, for a well-balanced nose that’s not at all malty.

The taste is bright, hoppy and citrusy—really flavorful, with a touch of sweetness. A lighter body drifts into a medium body with lighter carbonation that gives the body a less prickly feel, with a large creamy mouthfeel behind it. Huge amounts of residual citrus burst forth with pineapple and mango flavor. It’s creamy, hoppy and with just a touch of bitterness.

Verdict: You get a pretty nice show of hops for a session-style IPA. Toasted grain depth, fresh, citrusy hops linger not too long, showing a little bit of Mosaic hops with a good drink-ability rate. It’s a juicy flavor sure to quench that thirst for hops and lemonade tartness on a hot summer day, refreshing and boasting a solid repeat factor.

Bewilder - Smoked Peach Cobbler: The name gives you all the info you need, and it is pretty accurate for what’s

happening in this small-batch beer. I was happy to find out that Bewilder was offering this one on its nitro tap handle. The nitro gas provides a rich layer of ivory froth on top of this dense tangerine-and-orange-hued fruit beer.

Peaches pop up first in the aroma, with a pleasant smoky character. It’s really subtle, and you can tell that it’s the peaches that were smoked, rather than the malt. That scent is really genuine in the peach department, fleshy and wet, followed by a bit of wood and peach core. Light to medium rate of strength, which doesn’t hold on long.

The flavor is just as precise. Smoked peach flesh jumps out immediately, but it comes across as juicy and hydrated, not canned or syrupy. The peaches are paired with a surprisingly complementary smokiness. From what I understand, smoked peaches are indeed a thing, and are said to be quite delicious. Once the smokiness fades, you get some of those candied peach gummy-ring flavors, along with some vanilla bean to give it a hint of whipped topping as well. It has a light body, some of which may come from the nitrogen conditioning. The 5.0 percent alcohol is well-hidden, and fits the over vibe of the beer.

Verdict: Honestly, this is a beer I wasn’t in the mood for; it seemed difficult with the whole smoked peach thing. That said, it was executed so well that it easily won me over and quickly got me out of my pretentious beer-diva state of mind. If you need an attitude adjustment as well, this may do the trick.

Salt Lake Brewing is doing a nice job differentiating themselves from the Squatters beers that they used to make on Broadway. Tropical Thunder won’t change your life, but it’s well-executed, and only available on draft at SL Brewing. Smoked Peach Cobbler is only at Bewilder and only on nitro. If you’re not a nitro fan? Maybe it’s time to get your shit together. Just kidding.

As always, cheers! CW

MIKE RIEDEL

MIKE RIEDEL

BY ALEX SPRINGER | @captainspringer

New State Liquor Store Turns Heads

A new state liquor store recently opened in Sandy’s Cottonwood Shopping Center (1880 E. 9400 South), and it’s been a hit so far. Its spacious size, modern design and a whole wall dedicated to refrigerators is a welcome sight to shoppers of spirits. This location also boasts a “Utah Proud” section that features craft products made by our local distilleries, wineries and breweries. It’s similar in concept to the DABC’s pop-up liquor store in the Salt Palace during the NBA All-Star Weekend a few months ago. Apparently, the idea of celebrating Utah’s local producers of beer, wine and spirits caught on, and it’s on full display at Sandy’s new liquor store.

VIP Dining at Craft Lake City

Salt Lake City’s biggest DIY and crafting event, Craft Lake City (craftlakecity.com), is back for its 15th year of celebrating local makers (see also Music, p. ??). In addition to snagging locally-made arts and crafts, this event is an excellent place to sample local food, and this year promises to be no exception. This year, the Craft Lake City VIP area is curated by Utah’s Own, so VIP ticket holders will receive a luxurious experience that features 15 local food purveyors selected by Utah’s Own. The festival itself will feature appearances from CupBop, Maize Tacos, Salt City Sliders, Smoke-A-Billy BBQ and many others. The festival runs Aug. 11 - 13 at the Utah State Fairpark (155 N. 1000 West).

Normal Ice Cream Founder Launches Gourmet Candy Bar

Alexa Norlin is just about the closest anyone will get to a real-life Willy Wonka, and her new venture may just be the linchpin to her creating a wild chocolate factory of her own. The Normal Ice Cream founder recently launched a line of handmade chocolate bars called Hey Champ. At the moment, Hey Champ chocolate bars come in three flavors: pretzel shortbread with salted caramel and dark chocolate; brown-butter Rice Krispie with miso caramel; and coconut macaroon with salt-roasted peanuts and salted caramel. You can find these cool confections at local grocers and vendors along the Wasatch Front, or order them directly from heychamp.co.

Quote of the Week: “Chocolate plunges otherwise normal beings into strange ecstatic states.” –John West

Face Time

Lakota Nation vs. United States understands a documentary film’s power at giving an “issue” a sense of humanity.

BY SCOTT RENSHAW scottr@cityweekly.net @scottrenshaw

What is the point of a documentary feature in 2023? I apologize in advance to the filmmakers behind Lakota Nation vs. United States for turning them into my case study for this question; they didn’t ask to become a representative for an entire cinematic genre, but the Lakota Nation vs. United States happened to appear before me at the moment when these ideas were churning through my brain. It’s a serious movie about a serious subject, and I can’t stop confronting this question: Is our default approach to non-fiction filmmaking solely related to what it’s about, rather than how it’s about what it’s about?

The “what it’s about part” in this case isn’t hard to understand, as directors Jesse Short Bull and Laura Tomaselli explore a dense history of how the United States government repeatedly violated its own treaties in taking land from indigenous peoples, with an emphasis on the Lakota/ Dakota nations. To be even more specific, it’s a narrative about how those policies effectively seized the sacred Black Hills from treaty-designated Lakota lands upon the discovery of gold in the region, and how so many subsequent actions—from the infamous battle with Gen. George Custer’s troops at Little Big Horn, to policies of religious and language erasure— were connected to securing the Black Hills from Lakota resistance.

ries” often face two significant questions regarding their reason for being: Do they make a case for why a movie version is better/more interesting than an in-depth book on the same subject, and what do they offer to someone who might already be familiar with a majority of the basic facts? In both cases, it can become far too easy to pander to viewers, who can congratulate themselves on shaking their heads in all the right places and praise the movie for saying all of the right things, even if it isn’t saying anything new, or saying those things in a particularly interesting way.

But Short Bull and Tomaselli have a savvy understanding for how to shape their collection of facts and anecdotes into a particular story about a particular people, rather than a simple diatribe about mistreatment of indigenous peoples. Indeed, while Lakota Nation vs. United States isn’t remotely shy about calling America to task for its actions towards Native peoples, this is less a story about victims than it is about an unwavering refusal to surrender these lands. Tales of modernday activism—from the 1973 occupation

of Wounded Knee to the gatherings at Standing Rock in 2016—become part of a history of the Lakota people demanding change; dark chapters like the creation of the Christian residential schools become part of a recognition that chipping away at cultural identity might be more successful at subjugating a people who could not be defeated militarily. Even the 1980 Supreme Court decision that gives the film its title involves a “victory” that the Lakota are not willing to accept, because it means acknowledging that the Black Hills are no longer their land.

Perhaps more significantly, this is a film about giving voices to people for whom centuries of policy has represented an attempt to render them voiceless. As much as this same basic information could be contained in a scholarly history on the subject, that same book could not include Lakota poet Layli Long Soldier reading her meditations on what it meant—and couldn’t mean—for Lakota people to sign their “X” to a treaty they couldn’t possibly read in English. Nor would you get the emotion in the voice of activist Candi Brings Plenty when she talks

about trying to forgive her parents for the self-hating attitudes that the residential schools instilled in them.

Visually, documentaries like this can often be simplistic affairs, merely looking for places to insert pretty nature pictures in between archival footage and shots of the filmmakers’ interview subjects. There is some of that sensibility at work in Lakota Nation vs. United States, but Short Bull and Tomaselli understand the power of faces—both those from the past, and those wrestling with their legacies in the present. Unlike too many contemporary documentaries with a social conscience, this one isn’t content just to be on “the right side” of an issue for its intended audience. It’s a movie that reminds us that “issues” are about people, and part of what gives cinema its power is the ability to make those people real. CW

LAKOTA NATION VS. UNITED STATES

A reenactment of the Battle of Little Big Horn from Lakota Nation vs. United States IFC FILMS

Sweet Thirteen

Young singer/songwriter Carson Ferris writes beyond his years.

BY EMILEE ATKINSON eatkinson@cityweekly.net @emileelovesvinyl

Local musicians can sometimes face an uphill battle when it comes to getting their work out into the world. From the logistics of recording and publishing music to marketing themselves, a lot of work goes into being an independent artist. Another difficulty is being taken seriously as an artist—something singer/songwriter Carson Ferris knows only too well. As a young person, only 13 years old, he worries people won’t give his work the same credence as those older than him, but his work speaks for itself.

The Provo native remembers being interested in music at an early age. “The first musical thing I ever really did was guitar lessons,” he said. “I started taking those when I was six.” He was reasonably nervous to perform so young, but he realized how much he loved it, and the rest is history.

Ferris performs his music with charm and ease, entrancing listeners through not only the subject matter of his songs, but the well-produced sound and his unique voice. You can find him posting fun videos of his latest hits on his social media profiles, the beautiful Utah scenery providing a perfect backdrop.

His most recent single to release, “Crazy,” is a love song. “What does a 13-yearold know about love?” you may be asking yourself, but Ferris addressed this when the song came out back in June. “I wrote the song ‘Crazy’ when I was 11 years old

MUSIC

after being challenged to write a love song,” he explained. “I was unsure how to write a love song, so I decided to write about my love for music and what it’s like to be trying to make it in the music industry as an 11-year-old.”

“The song has a more crunchy, rock vibe than some of my other work. In the song, people are saying it’s crazy that I think I could ever be with the girl I like, that I’m too young, and stuff like that. But the song is actually about my passion for music and how I’m determined to make it as a musician, no matter what anyone says. The song is an anthem for anyone who has ever been told they’re too young, too inexperienced, or too anything to achieve their dreams. It’s a reminder that if you have a passion for something, you should never give up on it, no matter what obstacles stand in your way.” Spoken like a musician well beyond Ferris’ own 13 years.

“Crazy” was preceded by another hit from the young songwriter at the beginning of the year called “Speed Limit.” Once again Ferris dug deep and wrote a catchy, yet meaningful song about feeling the burnout of everyday life. “‘Speed Limit’ is very personal in a lot of ways,” he said. “I don’t always feel this way, but sometimes I do get overwhelmed trying to make it as a musician who also happens to be a kid.”

Ferris took a simple idea and turned it into an introspective track that’s relatable for nearly everyone. “We were driving in the car and I was looking out the window, and thought, ‘You know what? I should try to write a song based on the title first,’” he said.

“Before then, I’d mainly started with a melody and sometimes a concept, but never really a title. We just drove by a sign that said, ‘speed limit 25 miles per hour.’ I’m like, ‘‘Speed Limit.’ That would be a

good title.’”

There is no stopping this kid when it comes to turning a great concept into a song. Not only does he have fantastic ideas to turn into music; he’s also heavily supported by his family, and has the opportunity to work with local producers and record at local studios like Provo’s own June Audio.

Ferris has plenty of songs in the works, so there won’t be a shortage of music from the songwriter anytime soon. He also doesn’t plan on putting a stop to writing and recording music.

You can catch him belting his heartfelt tracks on all of his socials, and it’s more than worth it to give his material a listen, because Ferris will only get better with time. CW

CARSONFERRIS.COM

Instagram: @carsonferris

Carson Ferris

GABE TAYLOR

THURSDAYS

FRIDAYS DJ FRESH(NESS)

SATURDAYS POKER @ 2PM DJ DELMAGGIO

SHARK SUNDAYS POOL TOURNEY HOSTED BY JARED AND TANNER

MONDAYS REGGAE MONDAY WITH DJ NAPO

TUESDAYS

WEDNESDAYS KARAOKE

By Emilee Atkinson

Psych Lake City @ Urban Lounge 8/10-12

With summer comes oppressively hot weather, which isn’t super fun, but it also brings with it incredible music events that are super fun. Psych Lake City is a three-day event packed full with fabulous local acts as well as some great out-of-towners. Here is the full list of bands playing at the concert series: The Drums, Cold Hart, Dad Bod, Fonteyn, The Mellons, Hi Again, The Poppees, The Plastic Cherries, The Medicine Company, Cool Banana, Musor, Psychsomatics, Levelor, Lord Vox, Body of Leaves, The What-Nots, The Fervors, Daytime Lover, Sad Cowboy and The Psuedos. If this stacked list isn’t enough to bring you out to the show, I’m not sure what will. Perhaps the price point will convince you; you can see all of these acts over three nights for $35. There are options to buy tickets for each night individually at $10 on Thursday and Friday, then $28 for Saturday. A pretty good deal for some summer fun indeed. The event is 21+ only (sorry young’uns) and tickets are on sale at 24tix.com. Come out to see three days’ worth of incredible talent before the summer slips away. (Emilee Atkinson)

Fonteyn ROBERT SAGERS PHOTO

Silver Cup, Southernmost Gravy @ Kilby Court 8/11

Sometimes local bands grow and get popular to the point that they move away, tour and gain a larger fanbase. That’s what happened with SLC natives Silver Cup, an indie alt/pop group started as a family band in 2019. Siblings Hadley and Logan Nelson were born and raised in Salt Lake, and have been dazzling fans around the world with their catchy pop anthems over the last few years. “From songs about growing up with suburban roots to existential dread, Silver Cup embodies the concept of coming of age,” reads their website bio. “Welcome to the family, you will quickly discover an incredibly strong community and music that is ready to bring you in.” Silver Cup puts on an exciting and enticing show that’s inclusive with the audience and is not one to miss. Joining the set are fellow Utah natives Southernmost Gravy, a young group who came out of Draper. “We’re the spiciest thing to come out of Utah since fry sauce,” they joke on their Instagram, and their most recent release, Freshly Squeezed Lemonade, is an upbeat, entertaining romp that will complement Silver Cup’s alt/pop vibes. Don’t miss this epic local mashup on Friday, Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. Silver Cup will also be at Kilby on Aug. 12 at the same time for the same price, but with locals Seaslak. Tickets for the all-ages show are $15 and can be found on 24tix.com. (EA)

Craft Lake City DIY Fest @ Utah State Fairpark

8/11-13

Another year, another Craft Lake City DIY Fest is upon us—the 15th, to be exact. For the first time ever, in addition to all of the events celebrating Utah’s creativity, DIY Fest is inviting national headliners to join local acts in the music portion of the festival. The Annual Craft Lake City DIY Festival is Utah’s largest local-centric art, music, science and technology festival. “We are celebrating our 15th anniversary with our biggest fest yet with over 350 local artisans, vintage vendors, foodies, youth entrepreneurs, performers, & STEM exhibitors over three days,” says the event’s website. National headliners include Warpaint, Haley Heynderickx, Courtney Marie Andrews and Gable Price & Friends. DIY Fest is the perfect event to gather up friends and family and explore interesting and unique work from residents all over Utah. Where else can you find art, music and science all in one place? A full calendar of events and programs can be found at craftlakecity.com, which is also where tickets are available. The festival goes from Friday, Aug. 11 through Sunday, Aug. 13. Tickets range from $10-30 and can be bought in packages or as individual passes. Responsible dog owners are also allowed to bring their well-behaved dogs in for $5. (EA)

MUSIC PICK S

By Emilee Atkinson

Xzibit @ Ogden Amphitheater 8/12

Back in the day, I watched a ton of Pimp My Ride on MTV. My favorite part of every episode was when they’d reveal the ridiculous number of screens they stuffed into a vehicle, and they’d all be playing Xzibit videos. Fast forward to today, and Mr X to the Z (Alvin Joiner) says that he only took the hosting gig because he just wanted them to play his music on the cable channel. Even further back before the weird era for build-based TV, Xzibit was part of the West Coast underground dedicated to creating authentic, lyrically innovative hip hop that’s oblivious to commercial trends. At the Speed of Life was a landmark debut in 1996; looking ahead to his potentially final outing, Kingmaker, Xzibit has enlisted some of the best in the game, including super producer Dr. Dre. “I trust him and respect him immensely,” Xzibit told Big Boy’s Neighborhood via Hiphopdx.com “Being able to be in that position as he feels your art is good enough to be in his universe is dope.” If the eighth solo effort really is the last for him, then it’s criminal we never got a Golden State Warriors LP with Ras Kass and Saafir. “3 Card Molly” is a certified classic. Kurupt, Big Omeezy and Krisdagong open. Catch these acts at the Ogden Amphitheater on Saturday, Aug. 12. Doors at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m. Tickets for the all-ages show range from $30 general admission to VIP packages from $75.00, and can be found at 24tix.com (Mark Dago)

Boz Scaggs @ Red Butte Garden 8/15

You have to admire an artist like Boz Scaggs, who still draws crowds nearly 40 years after his songs first hit the airwaves. Nevertheless, given that his repertoire is well stocked with standards that ruled radio from the mid ’70s to the early ’80s, that momentum never seems to lapse. The roll call of his hits virtually defined the adultcontemporary radio format back in the day, with songs such as “Lowdown,” “Lido Shuffle,” “We’re All Alone,” “Jojo,” “Look What You’ve Done To Me,” and “What Can I Say.” Likewise, the album Silk Degrees, which found Toto serving as his backing band, garnered several Grammy nominations and made him a star. Notably, Scaggs achieved a measure of success early on, as he served as a member of Steve Miller’s back-up band when Miller was part of San Francisco’s ’60s psychedelic scene prior to scoring his own commercial breakout. Like the Bee Gees, Scaggs went on to achieve credibility with soul and disco, realms rarely visited before by white performers. Legend has it that John Travolta practiced his dance moves for “Saturday Night Fever” using “Lowdown,” the song that brought Boz a Grammy for Best R&B song. Travolta even suggested its inclusion in the film’s soundtrack, but Columbia—Scaggs’ record label—declined because the song was already tapped for the movie Looking For Mr. Goodbar. Apparently no one got the lowdown on that until it was too late. Boz Scaggs performs at Red Butte Garden at 7:30 pm on Aug. 16. Tickets cost $55 for members, $60 for non-members at redbuttegarden.org (Lee Zimmerman)

ALEX CONST CHRIS PHELPS

Xzibit Boz Scaggs

free will ASTROLOGY

BY ROB BREZSNY

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

In Stephen King’s novel It a character named Beverly is in love with a man who projects a sense of authority but also listens well. He is strong-minded but receptive; confident but willing to be changed; self-possessed but open to influence. That’s an apt description of the allies I wish for you to attract into your life in the coming months. Whether they are lovers or partners, companions or collaborators, friends or colleagues, you need and deserve the high-quality, emotionally intelligent exchanges they offer.

TAURUS

(April

20-May 20)

Seventy-year-old Taurus-born Eric Bogosian is a prolific playwright and author renowned for his hard-edged satire. The title of one of his books is Pounding Nails in the Floor

With My Forehead But one critic speculates he may be softening as he ages, noting that he “seems more amused than disgusted by the decaying world around him, as if his anger has been tempered by a touch of hope.” The coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to cultivate a comparable reshaping, dear Taurus. Can you tenderize what has been tough? Is it possible to find redemption or entertainment in situations that have been challenging? Are you willing to add more levity and geniality to your perspective?

GEMINI

(May

21-June 20)

Decca is a UK-based record label that has produced the work of many major musicians, including Billie Holliday, the Rolling Stones and Tori Amos. They made a huge mistake in 1962, though. A fledgling group named the Beatles tried to get signed to Decca. An executive at the company declined, saying, “We don’t like their sound. Groups of guitars are on their way out.” Oops. The Beatles eventually became the best-selling and most influential band of all time. I don’t think you’re at risk of making as monumental a misstep, Gemini. But please be alert to the possibility of a key opportunity coming into view. Don’t underestimate it, even if it’s different from what you imagine you want.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

I’m a Cancerian who used to be overly reactive to people’s carelessness. If someone was in a bad mood and flung a rash insult at me, I might take offense too easily. If a friend misunderstood me, even with no malice intended, I may have sulked. Thankfully, over time, I have learned to be more like a honey badger, whose thick skin protects it well against stings and pricks. I bring this up because the coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to practice my approach. First step: Understand how people sometimes direct their frustration about life toward undeserving recipients. Second step: Vow to take things less personally. Third step: Give yourself regular compliments. Actually say them aloud.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

Now and then, there comes a time when I acquire an uncanny knack for seeing the totality of who you really are. I tune in to everything you do that few others know about or appreciate. I behold the big picture of your best possible future. One of those magic moments has now arrived. And it’s no accident that your energy matches mine. In other words, my power to consecrate you reflects your ability to bless yourself. So give yourself the ultimate gift, please.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

In the 17th century, Virgo musician Johann Pachelbel composed a piece of music he called the Canon in D. It soon went out of style and disappeared into obscurity. But over 250 years later, a French chamber orchestra rediscovered it, and by the 1980s, it was everywhere. Ever since, Pachelbel’s Canon has been used in many pop songs and is a common anthem at weddings and funerals. I’m predicting a comparable revival for you, Virgo. An influence, creation, or person that has been gone for a while will re-emerge as a presence in your life. Be decisive in adopting it for your benefit.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Author Iain S. Thomas tells us, “There is magic even in gridlock, in loneliness, in too much work, in late nights gone on too long, in shopping carts with broken wheels, in boredom, in tax returns.” He says it’s the same magic that prompted Joan of Arc to believe that God spoke to her and empowered her to lead an army. I wouldn’t agree that it’s the same magic. But I do advise us all to be alert for enchantment and interesting mysteries even in the most mundane affairs. I am a champion of the quest for holiness, delight and marvels in seemingly unlikely locations. In the coming weeks, Libra, you will have a special talent for finding these revelatory joys.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Poet Rainer Maria Rilke said, “Self-transformation is precisely what life is.” If that’s true, you are in luck. Of all the zodiac signs, you are the most skillful self-transformer. Moreover, you are entering a prolonged phase when your instinct and talent for self-transformation will be even more potent than usual. I plan to observe you closely in the hope of learning your tricks for changing into an ever-better version of yourself. Show us all how it’s done, dear Scorpio!

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Born under the sign of Sagittarius, Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) was one of history’s most influential composers of classical music. His elegant, lyrical works are still widely played today. He was also a revolutionary innovator who expanded the scope of many musical genres. One composition, Piano Sonata No. 32 prefigures elements of ragtime, jazz, and boogie-woogie—70 years before those styles emerged. In this spirit, I invite you to plant a seed for the future. You will soon get glimpses of creative shifts that will someday be possible. And you will have an enhanced ability to instigate the inventive momentum that generates those shifts.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Let’s be honest. Most of us—maybe all of us!—fail to grasp the world objectively. Our perceptions get filtered through our opinions and beliefs and habit minds. The events we think we see are shaped by our expectations about them. Our projections often overrule the possibility of unbiased impartiality. We are serial misinterpreters. But there’s no need to be ashamed! It’s a universal human tendency. Having said all that, however, I believe you will have a special knack, in the coming weeks, for observing reality with more clarity and open-mindedness than usual. You will have an unprecedented opportunity to see accurately and gather fresh, raw truths.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Is this a phase of your cycle when you’ll be prone to saying things like “Why do you take me for granted?” and “I’m feeling cranky” and “It’s not what you said, it’s the way you said it”? Or are you in a time when the following expressions are more likely to emerge from your mouth: “I have come to understand you in a totally new and interesting way” and “Life has blessed me by removing one of my unnecessary obstacles” and “I would love to learn more about the arts of cooperation and collaboration”? Here’s what I think, Aquarius: Which way you go will depend on how clearly you set your intentions. Life will respond in kind to the moods you cultivate and the specific requests you make.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

Our bodies are imperfect. They are often less than 100 percent completely healthy. They don’t always do what we wish they would. Yet even when we feel less than our best, our body continually carries out millions of biochemical marvels, mostly below the level of our conscious awareness. As the creation of an evolutionary process that has unfolded for eons, our precious organism is an amazing work of art that we have every right to regard as miraculous. According to my astrological reckoning, the coming weeks are the best time this year to honor and celebrate your body. What does it need to flourish? Ask your intuition to show you.

IAM Engineer (IAME-VC) in Midvale, UT (Telecommuting permitted from anywhere in U.S.) Provide dvlpmt support for the enterprise Identity Tool, SailPoint IIQ. MS+3 yrs rltd exp. Send resumes to Zions Bancorporation at ZionsCareers@zionsbancorp. com. Must reference job title & code in subject line.

IAM Engineer (IAME-VK) in Midvale, UT (Telecommuting permitted from anywhere in U.S.) Ensure security & availability of our enterprise appls through IAM processes & tools. MS+3 yrs rltd exp. Send resumes to Zions Bancorporation at ZionsCareers@zionsbancorp. com. Must reference job title & code in subject line.

Beauticians that come to you in the comfort of your own space

ACROSS

1. Frequent hairstyle for Diana Ross and Tracee Ellis Ross

5. “Star ____”

9. ‘90s hip-hop purchase

14. Scott in an 1857 case

15. Eke ____ living

16. “The ____ Holmes Mysteries” (young adult detective series)

17. Physician’s equipment ... or a good clue for 71-Across

19. “Raspberry ____” (Prince song)

20. Dover’s state: Abbr.

21. “It’s nobody ____ business”

22. “Go ahead, shoot!”

23. Some MMA wins

24. Regret

26. Street crosser, for short

27. Supervised

31. Ricky Martin’s “____ La Vida Loca”

34. Beatty and Rorem

35. Essay, say ... or a good clue for

71-Across

39. Frozen waffles since the 1950s

41. “Am ____ brother’s keeper?”

42. “Straight Outta Compton” actor ____ Jackson Jr.

43. Common stir-fry ingredient ... or a good clue for 71-Across

46. Thin batteries

47. It’s hot

48. Akhenaten’s kid

50. Wander (about)

51. Hernando’s “Huh?”

54. Scot’s “no”

55. Earns a dog treat, say 58. Italian cheese city

60. Implore

63. Fish tank buildup

64. Pattern recorded by an EEG ... or a good clue for 71-Across

66. Portraitist with a Baltimore museum named after him

67. Lena of “Chocolat”

68. Judicial order

69. German steel city

70. Noah of “ER”

71. Want this puzzle’s theme explained to you? Never mind ... you get the ____

1. Possible diagnosis from a child psychologist, for short

Inspect It!

Now that $20,000 grants through the Utah Housing Corporation are available for 2,400 potential homebuyers who purchase new construction priced under $450,000, some lucky folks will be buying homes that might be almost finished inside. If you are so lucky as to have found something in these times of low inventory, congrats! But just know before you sign the final paperwork to close escrow, it’s essential to get a full inspection.

2. Unoccupied

5. Labors over

6. Persians, e.g.

7. Anesthetic since the 1840s

8. Chicken ____ (Japanese dish)

9. Country great McEntire

10. Hydrocarbon suffixes

11. Buster Keaton trademark

12. Two-time French prime minister Georges

13. Out of style

18. They’re

Last week’s answers

Over the years, I’ve found that buyers of a new home or condo—either one about to be built or one under construction—are often not counseled to have an independent home inspection prior to closing. They generally have several meetings with the builder’s reps and trust that the builder’s subcontractors are terrific and will do or have done a great job. Well, not always.

Earlier this spring, I was representing buyers who were working with a developer in a newer community in south Salt Lake Valley. The husband had some building experience and went to the construction site every few days to watch the progress. As the concrete was poured and the framing started, problems began to surface.

The concrete in some places cracked immediately, and it was very notice able with the front stairs pulling away from the house. He noticed that sev eral beams in the roofing trusses that had been delivered to the site had large cracks in them. More things about the construction process became notice able, and he called local officials and engineers to come inspect the work. Lo and behold, they agreed with his concerns and wrote up the builder to fix them.

SUDOKU 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.

Sadly, several subcontractors hid their shoddy work and continued to install broken trusses. The buyers wanted out because they had lost all faith in the builder. For a moment, the company wasn’t going to allow them to bail and get their earnest money back. With a call from the buyer’s attorney, the money was refunded immediately, and they bought another home.

Another time, my buyers and I found out that a home they were about to purchase had never been connected to a gas line, nor had a gas line been stubbed into the lot!

Just before closing escrow, I suggest buyers hire a home inspector to conduct a “roof to foundation” inspection. They’ll ensure that the roof looks to be installed properly, the main electrical panel does not have a lot of “double tapping,” the HVAC and water heater appear to be working properly, etc.

A home inspection can cost around $300 to $500, and you’ll get a 30-plus page report with photos. I suggest getting a radon test if there’s a basement and even a sewer line scoped to make sure the pipe wasn’t cracked or isn’t sagging following installation.

Be careful and protect yourself before buying any home or condo—new or used. It will save you a ton of money in the long run. n

NEWS of the WEIRD

BY THE EDITORS AT ANDREWS MCMEEL

Suspicions Confirmed

Zookeepers at the Columbus Zoo in Ohio were taken aback on July 20 when Sully, an 8-year-old western lowland gorilla whom they had assumed to be male, gave birth. Sully has lived at the zoo since 2019, United Press International reported. “It’s hard to tell the sex of younger gorillas,” the zoo said in a statement. “They don’t have prominent sex organs.” They said Sully had been healthy and did not need any procedures or medical care that would have clued them in to her gender. “Sully is taking good care of (the baby),” zookeepers said, adding that eventually they’ll do a DNA test to find out which of three males is the father.

Saw That Coming

... or not. At 11:55 p.m. on July 22, a speeding boat with eight people aboard left the water at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri and crashed into a home along the bank. KMIZ-TV reported that Adam Ramirez, 47, was driving the boat when the accident happened. After the boat hit the home, it overturned and ejected all eight passengers, who were taken to a hospital, six of them in serious condition. Two people in the home at the time were uninjured. Ramirez was charged with boating while intoxicated. Travis Coleman with Tow Boat US Lake of the Ozarks said crashes on the lake are common, and alcohol and darkness can play a large role.

Nature Gone Wild

A bird rarely seen in the Northern Hemisphere dropped into Pebble Beach, California, on July 21, KSBW-TV reported. The Nazca Booby, which at this time of year is usually living and breeding in the Galapagos Islands, was delivered to the SPCA of Monterey County; officials there said it was emaciated, cold and injured. Beth Brookhouser said the bird had to be kept in an incubator and fed through a tube while it recovered. It had wounds on its back that appeared to be from fishing hooks. Once the bird has healed, the SPCA hopes to reintroduce it to the wild.

Bright Idea

Hong Kong’s health minister, professor Lo Chung-mau, is urging public shaming as a remedy to unlawful tobacco use, Sky News reported. “Cigarettes can harm the health of all of us,” Lo told a meeting of the Legislative Council’s health service panel on July 14. “When members of the public see people smoking in nonsmoking areas ... we can stare at the smokers. Everyone on the premises can stare at that person.” He believes this behavior would help create a nonsmoking culture in the city. He also said authorities would use surveillance footage to crack down on smokers flouting the rules.

The Passing Parade

Barbie mania has taken the world by storm—including in Brazil, where Burger King is selling a sandwich with a bright pink sauce that looks like “chewed bubblegum” and has a “smoky” flavor, according to Burger King.

CNBC reported on July 13 that the BK Barbie Combo comes with a cheeseburger, a pink vanilla-flavored milkshake, a doughnut sprinkled with pink frosting and an order of Ken’s potatoes (also known as fries). The combo is not expected to be offered in the United States.

News You Can Use

Trader Joe’s announced on July 21 that it is recalling two types of cookies that may have rocks in them, National Public Radio reported. The Almond Windmill Cookies and Dark Chocolate Chunk and Almond cookies have been removed from the grocery chain’s stores and destroyed, the company said, but those who had previously bought them can return them for a refund. “Please do not eat them,” they urged customers. The company didn’t specify how the rocks came to be in the cookies.

The Golden Age of Air Travel

In late July, a woman on a Spirit Airlines plane hit her limit, the New York Post reported. “The plane is stopped ... I cannot hold the pee!” she shouted in a video as she pulled down her pants and squatted in a corner to relieve herself. “I need to (urinate), two hours ... you close the (bathroom) doors,” she said, telling a crew member she should “blame yourself.” The video was posted on July 20, but it is unclear where the incident took place.

Special Delivery

Cindy Smith of Prince William County, Virginia, definitely did not order hundreds of headlamps, glue guns and children’s binoculars, WUSA-TV reported, but still they showed up at her home in more than 100 Amazon boxes.

“I would drive around with headlamps and glue guns in the car,” Smith said. “I gave them to everybody I met.”

WUSA learned that sellers from China that need to get their merchandise out of Amazon’s warehouses are “just picking random addresses,” according to an attorney who represents companies that sell on Amazon.

“They’re just having them sent there, because it’s just cheaper for them to do so.” Amazon said it has closed its account with this particular seller.

Awesome!

On July 22 at Tracouet, Switzerland, 100 alphorn players gathered for the 22nd International Alphorn Festival, Yahoo! News reported. (You know alphorns: Think Ricola commercials.) The competitors are judged on interpretation, musicality, accuracy and rhythm, said festival founder Antoine Devenes. “It’s easy to play but difficult to play it well,” said Marcel Henchoz, 85, one of the participants. He was joined by players from France, Germany, America and Canada. The youngest competitor was 11 years old. Adolf Zobrist, 58, from Brienz, Switzerland, took the title for the fourth time. “It’s my hobby and it’s my passion. I’ve been playing since I was 12,” Zobrist said. “It’s the sound of the mountains.”

Send weird news items to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com