City Weekly August 31, 2023

Utah’santi-porn law has survived a legal challenge, but that doesn’t make it constitutional.Analysis

by Michael Dean McGrady Jr.

Cover Story

BOUNTY

Utah’s

Analysis by Michael Dean McGrady Jr.

Cover design by Derek Carlisle

S AP

BOX

@SLCWEEKLY @SLCWEEKLY @CITYWEEKLY

Make Politics Productive Again

In August 2015, I became the president of my university’s College Republicans chapter. I was excited about the prospect of talking about ideas with people across the political spectrum. I quickly reached out to my counterpart at College Democrats, seeking to do multiple joint events during the semester. He readily agreed. We needled each other about preferred candidates and the shortcomings of the both parties’ frontrunners. It was a productive relationship I look back on with fondness.

What felt normal in August 2015 has quickly become the exception to the rule. When Utah gubernatorial opponents Spencer Cox and Chris Peterson cut an ad talking about the importance of civil discourse, it received national and international headlines.

However, it shouldn’t ever have received international attention—it should have just been the norm. The temperature in our politics has been ratcheted up year after year, with every election being called the “most important election of our lifetime.”

We have reached a place where if a candidate from a different party wins an election, it is now viewed as suspicious by members of the other party. It is an unsustainable threat to the vibrancy of our democracy and institutions.

In the years since 2015, I have become determined to support candidates and causes who are committed to bringing the temperature down. Candidates who recognize elected office as a place to

build something better, instead of tearing down others for likes or retweets.

On Sept. 5, a special Republican primary election will be held to nominate a replacement to Congressman Chris Stewart. Becky Edwards is the only candidate I trust to find common ground and bring the temperature down.

During her 10 years in the Utah House of Represenatives, Edwards had a steadfast commitment to finding common ground. From the most conservative to the most progressive, her colleagues consistently lauded her for her willingness to listen and move the ball forward on critical issues.

She served as co-chair of the bipartisan clean air caucus, understanding that clean water and air is not a partisan cause. She advocated for women as the co-chair of the Women in the Economy Commission. She also served on the Affordable Housing Task Force, working to study and promote policies to ensure access to housing.

However, despite all of the impressive legislative accomplishments, the reason I so strongly support Becky Edwards for Congress is that I know her. I have had the opportunity to see her in action. She doesn’t just lend her words to collaboration—it’s where her heart is at. And that’s why I will cast my vote for her— and encourage every Republican voter in Utah’s 2nd Congressional District to do the same.

KYLE FRIANT Salt Lake City

“Wingin’ It,” Aug. 24 Cover Story I miss the Private Eye! But I’m so glad we still have John Saltas.

ASHLEE_CRASHLEE

Via Instagram

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 are your Labor Day plans,do you have traditions?

Scott Renshaw

When the kids were younger, we used to go on a group campout every year, but now I spend the holiday celebrating how much nicer it is for my back not to sleep on the ground.

Ben Wood

Labor Day weekend is my wedding anniversary, and this year, we’ll be attending the wedding of a family member (plus, hopefully, squeezing in some kayaking if there’s time).

Katharine Biele

I plan to labor on. I do wish more people knew what this “holiday” was all about—other than being a holiday. A “celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers,” should now be a call to action to preserve those achievements.

Wes Long

We have usually gone on a hike in the mountains. I really want to start a personal tradition of doing something for our local unions.

Eric Granato

I tend to labor on Labor Day.

Sofia Cifuentes

As the name of the holiday indicates, I’ll be doing anything but working.

Best Humanitarian

I’ve been told there’s been a rush on sales of pink shirts at the local men’s clothing stores this past week, thanks in part to my being pictured on the Aug. 24 cover of City Weekly wearing one.

The true color of the shirt is more of an Atlantic farmraised salmon than that of Barbie pink. But despite that slight nuance, I’ll gladly accept credit for moving male fashion forward. It’s the least I can do after an entire life of dressing like the inside of a bait fisherman’s creel.

As a result of discovering such newfound influence, I’m staying home today to write. I don’t want to be caught off guard like I was last week.

I was simply minding my own business at the office when City Weekly Art Director Derek Carlisle swooped in and bribed me—with the promise of a macaron from Fillings and Emulsions—to stand for a photo in front of the sign that used to hang off our former office building at 248 S. Main.

Less than 24 hours after publication, I was reminded of the impact City Weekly has on this city when I saw the first of many Atlantic salmon pink shirts meandering around the core of downtown Salt Lake. By Saturday, it was at its crescendo, culminating today with the news reports from the men’s department stores stretching from City Creek to Sugar House and down along State Street, where the outlets at the South Towne Mall are selling them faster than the dirty sodas at Fiiz.

Reports from Ogden and Park City are hazy, but that’s normal for both towns, known to be populated by more independent-minded folks than much of Utah. Down in Utah County, the only pink being worn is the rosy blush upon the cheeks of BYU fans, who believe pink is the

BY JOHN SALTAS @johnsaltas

grooming entry color to debauchery, gender confusion, communist socialism and the worst transformation of all—into a genuinely scary lover of all things Utah Ute Red. We don’t want that type anyway, and we’re gonna kick their football ass when the time comes.

Pink brings out the aggressive and reckless in me. So much so that I’m thinking of hitching a limo up into the foothills and calling on the Huntsman Corporation offices to see if my old friend Paul Huntsman, Salt Lake Tribune publisher, might join me outside for an arm wrassle. I remember him as more of a powder blue guy but whatever. I’ll remind him he can buy about 50,000 pink shirts for Salt Lake City’s homeless with just the salary he pays to his two top nonprofit executives, for starters, and we can go from there. Or he could hire eight news reporters, whichever community good deed he chooses.

He—but mostly his late father, Jon M. Huntsman Sr., who I flat-out admired—used to give me solace when I was getting my ass kicked to the curb when our own newspaper fortunes turned. I used to give Paul thoughts as well when he was unsure of how to deconstruct The Salt Lake Tribune into what it is today—whatever that is. I really don’t know.

First thing I’d do is head to the Huntsman Museum on the main floor, which houses all kinds of historical tidbits collected during the long and enduring history of Jon Sr. and his enterprises. Did you know Sr. found early success selling music albums from dollar bins in the likes of Grand Central? If you’re under 50 years old, you don’t remember the Grand Central stores (one is now the center of Chinatown on State Street and another is an auto dealership on 900 South). If you look close inside your granny’s album pile, you might find the likes of Ed Ames, Billy Joe Royal or the Boston Pops that was copped for a buck at Grand Central in 1968 and was placed there by Jon Huntsman Sr.

Last time I was at that museum, it was laid out so that before you get to all the plastic gizmos and pictures of Jon with important people from all over the globe, you’d find hanging what Jon told me were among his most prized accolades: The plaques that honored him in the annual City Weekly Best of Utah issue.

One such was his Best Utahn plaque. When he was awarded that in 2017, he called me to validate that he won fair and square, which he did, and on the spot offered to pay for our entire Best of Utah party, which I declined. He did come to our “gala,” however, at The Leonardo (the same place where Paul’s Tribune would later, lamely take credit for producing SLC’s “first, best, coolest, blah, blah” awards celebration ever).

At our gala, Jon Sr. soon took the microphone, humbly thanked everyone and said he was as thrilled and honored as he’d ever been and much relieved, he said, to be around real people. He then offered anyone attending who was fighting cancer assistance and to connect them into his Huntsman Cancer Center. Tears all around. That was a pretty stunning moment in the history of City Weekly So, while the unimaginative, pick-pocket dullards over at Tribune central operations are still thinking inside their box, before they again lay claim to something-orother that someone else in town has already done, I’m announcing an addition to this year’s City Weekly Best of Utah (which as of this writing has over 200,000 votes cast, so hurry!): The Jon M. Huntsman Humanitarian Award for whatever amalgam we choose, from fighter to visionary to pink shirt purchaser.

I know, I know, Sr. had his flaws. He made a fortune on chemicals. He did other things, too. I have a couple of folks in mind to honor in Huntsman’s name—guess who isn’t one of them? CW

Send comments to john@cityweekly.net

HITS & MISSES

BY KATHARINE BIELE

MISS: Block the Vote

Ask any Utahn why they don’t vote and you’ll see the power of one-party politics. What you hear most often is: “Why should I? My vote doesn’t count.” That may be the strategy for those looking to disenfranchise any non-Republican voters, but what’s happening now is even more insidious. The state GOP is wrangling to squeeze out its own voters, although the idea may be just to sideline moderates and probably women—at least in a presidential preference vote. Gov. Spencer Cox says the party moving to an in-person presidential caucus won’t impact turnout, but The Salt Lake Tribune’s Andy Larsen dispelled that notion with … facts! When Utah changed from caucuses to primaries, turnout jumped—at least among Democrats. The stats on who turns out for any vote were stunning: mostly white, older men with health insurance. “Instead of making it easy for all Utah Republicans to participate in the candidate selection process, the party is making it more difficult,” said Republican and Deseret News writer LaVar Webb.

MISS: The Apprentice

It’s no big secret that Bryan Schott is not Sen. Mike Lee’s favorite local reporter. Lee has ghosted and banned The Salt Lake Tribune’s political reporter whenever he could, not making a dent in the reporting on the senior senator. Schott revealed Lee’s @basedMikeLee X/Twitter account so people could keep up, and most recently told the world that Lee bought into one of Alex Jones’ conspiracy theories—that President Biden was preparing to “impose” COVID-related lockdowns in the fall. Oh, there’s so much more. Schott has been dogging Lee ever since the Jan. 6 committee found evidence that Lee participated in efforts to overturn the election. The Deseret News reports that Lee wishes Trump was still in office. Apparently, there are still Utah Republicans who do, too.

HIT: Safe Spaces

When the Utah Pride Center suddenly closed, news spread and the Mondaymorning quarterbacking began. The Deseret News called its future murky amid “massive financial struggles.” Indeed, the center has had staffing problems and fundraising issues since the pandemic. But the loss of services is monumental. Some critics said the center earned its negative reputation. One commenter summed up their complaints: “Charging vendors 3X the money for booths and parade entries, alienating themselves from the actual SLC gay community, pushing away grassroots movements and groups like the AIDS Foundation, nonprofits, etc., CEO payments and high-end raises while lower staff gets little …” Michael Aaron of QSalt Lake magazine stayed hopeful—“I’m going to ask people who jump on and bash the Utah Pride Center two things: What have you done in the last year to help them thrive? And say something nice about them.” Many did, and Michael Repp of Club Verse responded to the closure by exploring ways to turn his bar into an all-ages safe space for the community.

Where’s the T?

Several weeks ago, I turned in a column about my experiences at the recent Utah Pride Festival, intending to address what I viewed as deficiencies by Utah Pride Center (UPC) leadership and to suggest where improvements could be made.

However, as you likely know, UPC recently announced layoffs and restructuring; I don’t want to kick the organization while it’s down. I hope that during this time, those in charge consider that there may be a dignified way to end the organization while honoring those who contributed to it or will find a way to revive and make it relevant again. Continuing as-is is simply no longer an option.

I love Pride. A lot. When I wrote my custody agreement, I didn’t ask for my kids on Mother’s Day or Christmas, but I did ask for them on Pride weekend. The march is one of my favorite annual traditions with my partner, and both my daughter and I spoke at the rally preceding it this year.

Pride is one of the few unapologetically queer spaces in Salt Lake City. But unfortunately, what I experienced in 2023 was also, largely, a binary space. As one example, at a drag brunch hosted by UPC, an outof-state emcee misgendered attendees and continually used the phrase “Ladies and Gentlemen.”

You may recall my frustrations with binary language as published in this newspaper. In short— non-binary folks exist, and I would hope Pride, of all places, would recognize that.

When I expressed my concerns to a Pride center representative, I noted that all members of the events committee were cis-gendered men.

Pride should be a place for everyone. Until it is, it isn’t a place for anyone—and UPC must diversify its committees. Pride must also insist on inclusionary language training for anyone who has the privilege of holding a microphone at the event in 2024.

We need more safe spaces where everyone feels heard, seen and valued. My hope is that when we get upset, we can build bridges and not burn them. More conversations need to happen because, whether I’m attending or not, Pride must be a space that is welcoming to everyone in our community, not just the cis-gays.

Our community has evolved and non-binary folks are an important part of it. Several of my gay friends expressed to me that they sit out Pride weekend, finding their community elsewhere. I don’t want to feel like I am in a hetero space when I am at a Pride event.

My love for Pride weekend will continue, but it’s essential that the Utah Pride Center doesn’t forget what the “T” in LGBTQ+ stands for, especially in these trying political times. Let us not forget what the first Pride was and the people who started it. CW

The Small Lake City column is home to local writers and their opinions.

Flashback 2013

BY BILL FROST comments@cityweekly.net

Remember 2013? Barack Obama was sworn in for a second term, Rush was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and there were only six Fast & Furious movies—good times. It was also the year when TV hits like Orange Is the New Black, Rick & Morty and Bates Motel made their debuts. You know those, but you probably don’t recall these obscurities from 2013. I barely do, and I reviewed ’em back then.

Banshee (2013–2016; Max): Before he became Homelander on The Boys, Antony Starr was Lucas Hood, a less psychotic (but still brutal) criminal hiding out in the Amish country town of Banshee. While he’s posing as the local sheriff, he discovers that his ex (Ivana Miličević) is also ensconced in Banshee under a fake identity—what a coincidence! The hyper-violent, little-seen Banshee is a gritty, twisty crime-noir action thriller that would have exploded on HBO, but instead floundered for four seasons on Cinemax.

Hemlock Grove (2013–2015; Tubi): Speaking of Pennsylvania, there’s weirdness afoot in the rundown steel town of Hemlock Grove (with a lovely name like that?). Hemlock Grove was one of Netflix’s first originals, so it didn’t have to make much sense. It just had to look cool—and no one looked cooler than perpetually-white-clad local heiress Olivia Godfrey (Famke Janssen) in 2013. The three-season series was a chaotic collision of science and the su-

pernatural, and probably best viewed with herbal enhancement.

Rogue (2013–2017; Prime Video, The Roku Channel, Tubi): After FX’s The Shield and AMC’s Mad Men, other cable networks jumped headlong into Original Programming looking for a hit; DirecTV even launched the exclusive channel Audience Network (narrator: There was no audience). A pre-Westworld Thandiwe Newton carried the hardboiled crime drama Rogue for three seasons, leading a sprawling cast of “hey, I know them” actors (including Yellowstone’s Cole Hauser). Rogue is The Wire for Dummies.

Orphan Black (2013–2017; AMC+): It’s the show you’ve heard about for years, but likely have never watched: Orphan Black, the critically-lauded sci-fi drama that should have made Tatiana Maslany a star, but instead only earned her an Emmy Award and a consolation prize in the Mar-

vel Cinematic Universe as She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Over five seasons, Maslany played 14 distinct characters, “sister” clones who escaped from a covert eugenics operation. Orphan Black is a wild, emotional ride, and a modern sci-fi milestone.

Under the Dome (2013–2015; Paramount+): In the summer of 2013, CBS promised a one-season-and-done thriller series in the form of Under the Dome, an adaptation of Stephen King’s 2009 novel. But then, the series—about a small town trapped in a giant dome (obvs)—became a hit, and CBS dragged it out for two more seasons. Greedy move, but Under the Dome is still a taut mystery early on, with excellent performances from Dean Norris (Breaking Bad) and even Rachel Lafevre (Twilight).

Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell (2013–2019; Adult Swim): This has been a drama-heavy list so far—time to lighten the Hell up. Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell is

an office comedy set in Hades, starring Henry Zebrowski (The Last Podcast on the Left) as a damned, khakis-clad soul working desperately to climb up the corporate underworld ladder … to what end? Why do any of us do it? Makes you think. Anyway: YPFIGTH is most notable for featuring the best Satan ever, Matt Servitto (also of Banshee, coincidentally).

Up Late With Alec Baldwin (2013; YouTube): At the height of his 30 Rock fame, MSNBC handed Alec Baldwin his own Friday late-night talk show in October 2013, Up Late. At the time, he said, “I’m going to do it for a year, then we’ll see what happens.” By November, MSNBC had canceled the show and fired Baldwin, much to the disappointment of his dozens of viewers. Also in 2013, MSNBC corporate cousin Syfy aired, and quickly canceled, a Joe Rogan conspiracy series—a real banner year for NBCUniversal. CW

The year 2013 saw the debut of many a classic TV series—but you may not remember these.

CREDIT MAX

Banshee

Complete listings online at cityweekly.net

Sammy Obeid

There were plenty of things Sammy Obeid could have fallen back on when, in 2010, he hit a career rut in comedy that had him considering giving it up. After all, he had a degree from the University of California-Berkeley in business and mathematics, and had turned down a job from Google to get into the laughter game. But instead of packing it in, he kept packing suitcases, and continued to hone his craft with a much-chronicled 1,0001 consecutive days of performing standup that finished in 2013.

A decade later, Obeid now takes the occasional night off, but that obsessive dedication to being on stage shows up whenever he’s in front of a crowd including playing off of his background coming out of Berkeley’s bastion of liberalism. In his 2022 special Martyr in a Safe Space, he notes that “Berkeley was woke before people were woke to woke. … Berkeley serves a function: We’re here to show you where the line could be. We always have social issues, and people are like, ‘Where’s the line?’ Berkeley is like, ‘It’s over here!’ It’s definitely not over there.” He even has a bit of a local connection, as he observes when talking about his parents: “My dad was born a few hours outside of Jerusalem; my mom was born in Utah. So, both places where Jesus got resurrected.”

Sammy Obeid plays Wiseguys Gateway (194 S. 400 West) on Thursday, Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30; visit wiseguyscomedy.com to purchase tickets and for additional event information. (Scott Renshaw)

ESSENTIALS

Complete listings online at cityweekly.net

Urban Arts Festival

For more than a decade, the Urban Arts Festival—presented by Utah Arts Alliance—has served as one of the best ways to demonstrate that Utah’s culture is not monochromatic or as simple as stereotypes about the state would have some people believe. And every year, it expands the boundaries of the kinds of activities and creative endeavors that should be thought about as “art.”

Many of the activities that have become synonymous with the Urban Arts Festival over the years return for 2023, including an artist marketplace with more than 90 working artists displaying and selling their work, a live mural-painting demonstration by more than 20 local muralists working throughout the venue, low-rider custom car culture event (with “hop-off” on Saturday at 5 p.m.), street basketball courtesy of the Hard-N-Paint Street Basketball League, kids’ zone, Food Truck League offerings for your dining pleasure, and the always-popular Skate Deck Art Competition, on display at Urban Arts Gallery through Oct. 1 with prize-winners announced on Sunday. Skate culture gets an additional showcase with the brand-new pop-up skate park all day Saturday and Sunday. Plus, you get a terrific lineup of live entertainment on two stages, including King Cyborg, Zac Ivie, DJ LED, Erasole James, Mousley, Prophecy, T-Mental and more.

The 2023 Urban Arts Festival comes to The Gateway (400 W. 200 South) Saturday, Sept. 2 (noon – 10 p.m.) and Sunday, Sept. 3 (10 a.m. – 6 p.m.). Admission is free to the public; visit urbanartsfest.org for additional event information, including transportation and parking options, and full schedule of entertainment. (SR)

Invincible Czars: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Nosferatu

Silent movies are a big cultural blind spot for most Americans in the 21st century, but even those who do choose to seek them out are at a disadvantage in terms of seeing them as they were truly meant to be seen: accompanied by live musical performance. That’s an issue that the Austin, Tex.-based experimental rock band Invincible Czars has been addressing for much of its 20-year history, one city at a time, and this week they return to Salt Lake City for a two-night stand as a sort of unofficial kick-off to this year’s “Tower of Terror” seasonal repertory screenings of horror films.

Last year, Invincible Czars launched a tour marking the centennial of F.W. Murnau’s seminal Dracula homage/rip-off Nosferatu, featuring their original score created in 2015. “People at our silent film shows had asked us for years to do a score for Nosferatu,” writes band founder/guitarist Josh Robins on the band’s website. “I was reluctant because it’s so ‘done,’ but I acquiesced and started formulating ideas with [violinist Phil Davidson]. … [Nosferatu] eclipsed everything we’d done previously.” Then, in 2019, they turned to scoring 1920’s The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, but that centennial tour was cancelled due to COVID. Today, the band has become dedicated entirely to silent film performances of their original work.

Salt Lake Film Society’s Broadway Centre Cinemas (111 E. 300 South) hosts Invincible Czars accompanying The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari on Wednesday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m., and Nosferatu on Thursday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 for each performance; visit slfs.org for tickets and additional event information. (SR)

In June, Salt Lake City Weekly published my feature examining the potential harms to civil liberties raised by Utah’s Senate Bill 287. Introduced this past legislative session by Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, and Rep. Susan Pulsipher, R-South Jordan, SB287 requires adults using Utah IP addresses to verify their age in order to access pornographic materials online.

The new law was challenged in federal court by the Free Speech Coalition—a trade organization and advocacy group representing the online adult entertainment industry—and a class of plaintiffs involved in the adult entertainment industry and its adjacent business segments. Plaintiffs claimed that SB287 violates the First Amendment rights of adult consumers and the firms that produce and distribute legal pornographic material, arguing the law is a means for social conservatives to censor forms of speech that they disfavor.

Litigants also accused SB287 of directly contravening long-standing case law in the U.S. judicial system and harboring disregard for the federal government’s constitutional supremacy in regulating interstate and foreign commerce.

The lawsuit targeted members of the administration of Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and other state leaders, alleging that their enforcement of the law would be tantamount to censorship. A federal judge ruled against the plaintiffs, however.

“Regarding the policy at issue, the innocence and safety of our children are paramount and worth protecting ardently,” Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes said on Aug. 1, after U.S. District Judge Ted Stewart dismissed the Free Speech Coalition-led lawsuit. The ruling was, in Reyes’ words, “a victory for the rule of law.”

But in characteristic fashion for the hyper-partisan Reyes, the Utah AG glossed over a crucial detail in Stewart’s order granting the state’s motion to dismiss. That detail is how Stewart noted in his memorandum that SB287 is structured as a socalled “bounty law,” which bars Utah’s state officials from directly enforcing the age-verification requirement.

Instead, enforcement of SB287 is contingent on private citizens filing suit against alleged violators, with Utah relying on the courts to set legal boundaries through case law by determining when and what penalties are warranted.

Bounty Hunting

ANALYSIS BY MICHAEL DEAN MCGRADY JR. | comments@cityweekly.net

In that sense, SB287 only has teeth so long as a state court chooses to issue a private civil enforcement action against violators of the age-verification requirement.

“While these laws are likely unconstitutional, lawmakers have created a situation where the laws are difficult to challenge due to the requirement that any challenger have legal standing to sue and that the court can redress the constitutional injury,” explains Larry Walters in an interview for City Weekly. Walters is a First Amendment attorney who often serves as counsel for adult industry clients. He is the managing partner of his namesake firm, Walters Law Group, and is involved in a vast array of litigation including Woodhull Freedom Foundation’s efforts to render unconstitutional the controversial FOSTA-SESTA statutes—adopted by indicted former President Donald Trump and ostensibly intended to combat sex trafficking. But that’s beside the point.

The point is that Walters is one of dozens of attorneys this journalist has spoken to in the weeks since Judge Stewart dismissed the SB287 case. And the issue at hand is whether it was a viable strategy for the plaintiffs to sue for a preliminary injunction against the bounty law when it was structured as such.

It was the narrative that SB287 could be blocked through more traditional legal remedies that prompted much of the reporting in my previous City Weekly piece, “The Holy Firewall.” With the Free Speech Coalition’s lawsuit failing on technical grounds, SB287 remains the law of the land without answers to the serious legal questions that surround it and similar efforts around the country.

“Until a third party brings a suit under one of these laws, the constitutional issues may remain unresolved,” Walters said. “The continued existence of these laws, without an effective method to challenge them, compounds the chilling effect as operators are forced to make risk decisions in an uncertain environment.”

Bounty laws aren’t new concepts, and it most certainly isn’t always a bad thing to allow private citizens to seek redress directly through the courts rather than relying on regulators. But recent years have proven problematic as lawmakers push these structures to their breaking point.

The negative connotation of bounty laws can be traced back to 2021, when the Texas Legislature adopted Senate Bill 8. Dubbed the “abortion bounty law” by its critics, it empowers private citizens to sue individuals and groups suspected of aiding or abetting an abortion within the state borders.

Pro-life activists have abused the law, which similarly bars all state officials from enforcing its provisions and even lays out a basic framework to punish medical providers and pro-choice activists for supposed violations. But Texas has failed to effec-

tively enforce SB8 through private civil enforcement actions, because state and federal courts over the past two years have ruled that it is overly broad and unconstitutional for various reasons.

This, however, didn’t prevent the debate on the efficacy of the Texas abortion bounty law rearing its head in the ruling issued by Judge Stewart in Utah and the case dealing with age verification.

At length, Stewart cites the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling in the case of Whole Woman’s Health v. Jackson, which was filed as an emergency appeal by local abortion rights activists seeking an injunction to block Texas’ SB8 at the time. The conservative-dominated high court ruled that the plaintiffs couldn’t sue Texas judges, court clerks, the attorney general or state officials, generally, to prevent the filing of private civil enforcement actions as is structured under the law.

Judge Stewart relied on this in his dismissal as justification, while dodging any advisory on the fundamental constitutionality of the state’s age-verification requirements, as outlined in SB287.

Reyes fawned over Stewart’s choice not to issue an advisory by stating that “a federal court may only decide appropriate cases or controversies and not issue advisory opinions concerning the law.”

This is standard practice, as the Supreme Court has previously determined that advisory opinions aren’t justified under the U.S. Constitution. But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a legitimate concern for the constitutionality of the law and how it is to be interpreted by first-level state and federal courts. A blueprint for adult industry activists and attorneys can be seen in a recent decision on the Texas abortion bounty law.

Rolling Stone reported on Aug. 8 about the latest chapter in the case of Zurawski v. State of Texas. The Center for Reproductive Rights filed this lawsuit against Texas, seeking much-needed clarification regarding emergency medical exceptions outlined in SB8, which effectively bans all abortions in the state.

A district judge rendered much of the law unconstitutional because it was too vague. Just hours later, the Texas attorney general’s office—currently led by Angela Colmenero after far-right Republican Ken Paxton was impeached by the state Legislature—appealed the ruling.

The lower court’s ruling was a small victory for reproductive rights activists, but it is clear that this sort of state law—a bounty law—requires a higher appellate court with greater purview to ultimately decide whether it’s constitutional.

“The interests of the adult entertainment industry, or the negative effects of these laws—such as infringement on free speech, the ghettoization of disfavored con-

tent, diminished privacy rights and increased likelihood of data breaches—are routinely ignored,” Walters said. “We are likely to see more of these efforts since bills were already introduced in other states but failed to pass. They will be re-introduced next year, and some new states will likely consider similar legislation. We have no reason to believe that supporters of these bounty laws will give up their efforts.”

Walters couldn’t be more correct. In my time covering the adult entertainment industry, politics and legal issues never seem to favor outcomes that present this segment as a legitimate avenue of law-abiding, tax-paying and country-loving Americans. On the contrary, the U.S. porn industry is as American as apple pie—no dirty joke or American Pie reference intended.

It’s sad that this form of expression is considered by social conservatives—including the Latter-day Saint-dominated GOP in Utah—not worth defending. This logic puts the right to free expression for everybody at risk.

In fact, the furthest-right of these people see porn as pure obscenity and wish to suspend all of the First Amendment protections for the producers and advocates of this type of speech. And while they might chafe at the comparison, this type of blanket condemnation would be akin to altogether outlawing the practice and worship of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In no conceivable case would progressives or conservatives—regardless of their views on the Latter-day Saint faith—go as far as outlawing an entire religion and stating that its adherents aren’t subject to First Amendment protections. That would be fascistic.

But that is what’s happening when social conservatives who are afraid of their own shadows try to impute their moral objections into actual web regulations, and onto a broad industry of diverse professionals.

Utah’s leaders have no right to regulate adults the way they are attempting to. Claiming it is for the protection of children is one of the oldest political lies in the book.

SB287 will continue to chill legit forms of speech until it is appealed. Luckily, the Free Speech Coalition has announced that it will appeal to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver to continue the fight against this terrible statute. CW

Michael Dean McGrady Jr. is a Colorado- and Missouri-based journalist and commentator focusing on the adult entertainment industry.

Utah’s anti-porn law has survived a legal challenge, but that doesn’t make it constitutional.

Rewind

Getting through the first year of any publication is difficult, but with Year 2 comes the pressure to match, if not exceed, what came before. And so the Private Eye headed into the summer and fall of 1985 with a little experience under its belt, but still finding its way in an evolving media and political landscape.

Remembering Vol. 2: In the news

Nick Yengich (1946-1984) was a sportswriter/columnist for the Deseret News and Maryland’s Baltimore Sun. He was beloved for his compassion and sense of justice. “He cared,” Richard Barnum-Reece wrote in January 1986. “Cats, dogs, and down-and-out people. It mattered to him.”

years of

salt lake

CITY WEEKLY

BY WES LONG wlong@cityweekly.net

When Yengich—the brother of attorney and Private Eye contributor Ron Yengich—passed away from heart failure at a young age, his loved ones believed that something should be done in his memory. Thus, the Nick Yengich Freedom of the Press Run was born. Aimed for the first weekend in December, the run sought to “benefit some person who had been kicked in the head by life.”

That person was Michelle Nicoletti, who had been shot in the face that year by an unknown assailant on Salt Lake City’s west side. Race participants sought to defray some of the medical costs faced by Nicoletti, who had no insurance for her hospital bills. The race, reported Barnum-Reece, was “a chance to create an event that speaks to the best in human behavior in response to the worst.”

It continues to this day, now known as the Annual Nick E. Yengich/Grandma Gump/Jeff Jensen Memorial 5k Fun Run. And it still aims to raise funds and donations for individuals and organizations in need of support.

“[Nick] wanted us all to live in a better world,” BarnumReece wrote.“He was going about the business of actively trying to make the world a better place by writing stories to expose corrupt politicians, by picking up stray cats and giving them a place to live, and by always, on principle alone, taking the side of the person who needed a hand.”

In sports news, Jazz legend Karl Malone arrived in Utah just in time for a shoutout in the July 1985 issue of the Private Eye. “[The Utah Jazz] have a ‘Mailman’ that doesn’t need any mace to stop the barking dogs,” wrote Dan Pattison. “One look at him—6’9,” 250 pounds—and the dogs run away with their tails between their legs.

In the city

“Hey, girls (and guys after the show),” beckoned the Private Eye in July 1985, “this is going to be your last chance to see those fantastic male dancers, Bare Essence, for quite some time.”

The group in question was departing for a nationwide tour. The club Micheal G’s hosted Bare Essence for a bon voyage party, and the Private Eye was confident the occasion would not be a let-down.

“We have never been disappointed with their performance,” the newsletter declared, “and it seems that just about every lady in Utah Valley feels the same.” For the sake of those ladies, we hope everyone had a good time.

“Eye on Sound Advice,” a recurring advice section for professional women by Mina Johnson, made its first appearance in September 1985, which by the next month was already bringing the fire.

Responding to a submission for the “Gripe of the Month” about co-workers who waste company time with conversation and loitering, Johnson queried: “Are you sure your supervisors know or care about these problems? Also, I wonder, did you type this letter on your time or company time? A little introspection is in order here.”

Notable criticism was also directed by Private Eye writers upon contradictory visions of local justice, as well as the emerging “yuppie” (young upwardly-mobile professional) lifestyle. For John Saltas, in January 1986, yuppies were “creeps” whose only takeaway from the 1960s and 1970s was that “it is not only OK to seek status, it is also OK to flaunt it. So yuppies flaunt.”

As for columnist Ron Yengich, in November 1985, the shortsightedness of releasing nonviolent offenders of Utah’s liquor laws in honor of the holiday season (the “Christmas kick-out”) during the chilliest time of the year left him cold.

“Most return within a few hours either too drunk or too cold to accept the gratitude of their release, and are slapped in the drunk tank—home once again,” Yengich observed. “It seems a contradiction to me that we’re only concerned with freeing these people once a year when it’s too cold for them to stay free.”

In the ads

Tel-A-Comp, “America’s favorite answering service,” offered a free seven-day trial of its system, with the high-tech offer of “a cordless electronic telephone” if one entered into a six-month lease or purchased the service before the end of September 1985. One wonders how many took up the offer and whether they “never” missed another call, as Tel-AComp promised.

Gus Paulos (1941-2006), who helped turn a family car franchise into one of the leading dealerships in the country, had a penchant for humorous advertisements. In an October 1985 ad, Paulos demonstrated his fidelity to the University of Utah’s football team as only he could. Driving one of his cars out onto the field, Paulos is shown to have “hit” a player from a certain opposing team to the south.

Book addicts could rejoice—in May 1986, The Book Attic in Midvale advertised its willingness to exchange one’s completed volumes for future purchases: “Once you’ve read it,” the shop offered, “bring it in for credit.” Not a bad idea.

In the market

In June 1985, as the Private Eye launched its second volume, realtor Dave Jones was nervous about the national debt, which he suggested was the primary factor behind unstable interest rates at the time. “I know, you are sick and tired of hearing everybody cry about the national debt,” he wrote, before comparing the federal government to a person locked into a large house payment who then charges every whim to their Visa.

“Today’s debt is about $200 billion. Over the next five years, it’s expected to reach $1.5 trillion!” Jones wrote. “This equates to almost $3,000 per family, and it is happening without the family’s permission.”

The next five years would ultimately see the nation’s debt swell to $3 trillion, or double Jones’ warning. Today, in 2023, federal debt totals more than $32 trillion, which translates to almost $100,000 per individual citizen.

In the kitchen: Carl Rubadue—a professional chef who wrote a recurring, eponymous recipe section for the Private Eye—always had a delectable item for home cooks to try on their own, from fondues and sauces to main plate dishes. In one memorable entry for May 1986, he offered “a different kind of sandwich,” the Peanut Butter and Bacon Sandwich, as follows:

¾ cup chunky peanut butter

¼ cup mayonnaise

¼ teaspoon salt (optional)

1 chopped Claussen pickle

¼ medium tomato chopped Chopped bacon

Fresh ground black pepper

4 pieces bread toasted - 1 side only

“Mix items one through seven and spread on untoasted side of bread. Put under broiler til golden brown. Bon appetit!”

Fry Hard

Homecoming Southern Kitchen & Bar brings upscale comfort food downtown.

BY ALEX SPRINGER comments@cityweekly.net @captainspringer

Even when the restaurant space on the corner of West Temple and 200 South was an Olive Garden, it was still a pretty cool place to grab dinner. You’ve got the Capitol Theater to the north, Gallivan Plaza to the east and the Salt Palace to the west. As metropolitan as this particular Olive Garden was, something always kind of felt off about a gargantuan national chain restaurant having its mitts on such a primo piece of downtown real estate.

The space hasn’t been much of anything—until the BonPatt Restaurant Group snagged the spot and turned it into Homecoming Southern Kitchen & Bar, which is a concept worthy of this dope locale. For starters, the cornerstone of Homecoming is Southern food. Fried chicken, barbecue, banana pudding—it’s all here. As good as all that Southern comfort is even when it’s served in a red basket lined with gingham tissue paper, Homecoming’s goal is to put a downtown gastropub sheen on things. The space has been totally renovated since its Olive Garden days—it’s a much classier spot with velvet upholstery, a hip bar space and a spacious patio.

The menu is also a far cry from that of the chain restaurant thinktank. It’s simple, Southern and made for guys like me who crave the comfort-food aspect of meatloaf and fried chicken, while appreciating a bit of sophistication on our palates. It’s the kind of food that tricks you into thinking you’ve had it before, but surprises your tastebuds with new flavors, textures and aromas.

Whether you visit Homecoming for lunch or dinner, you’ve got a menu that accommodates your dining needs. For those who are after a good bang for their buck, the build-your-own combo is a versatile option. It lets you choose two ($37) or three ($42) options from mains like baby back ribs, catfish, crispy pork belly or fried lobster if you’re getting crazy, along with sides—mac and cheese, slaw and collards—and dessert.

My needs were different during my lunchtime visit, and I started things off with the eggrolls ($13). I find traditional eggrolls nigh irresistible, but a barbecue fusion variation? Sign me right up.

The eggrolls at Homecoming are filled with chopped barbecue pork and collard greens, accompanied by a pile of coleslaw

DINE

and some ranch dressing.

Now, it’s not necessarily hard to make a combo like this taste good—it’s a mix of fried and barbecued food, after all— but I have to give a special shout out to the collards in this dish. You’ve got the pork which is juicy, smoky and rich, and the eggroll wrapper that is crunchy and fatty, but the collards add the exact right amount of cruciferous funk to the mix. The eggrolls come slit diagonally, which makes them excellent spoons for the ranch dressing. I like to give them a dip and then scoop some of the coleslaw on top—it sticks to the dressing, which keeps it from spilling all over the place just in case you’re a little clumsy.

Next on my list was the Nashville Chicken Sandwich ($16), because no matter how many fried chicken joints pop up around town, I just can’t quit the stuff.

The version at Homecoming is slathered in a tangy sauce that veered a bit closer to Buffalo than Nashville, but it was tasty all the same. The chicken inside was perfectly battered and fried, and the morethan-two pickles on top helped balance things out nicely. Hand-held eats are also served with monstrous shards of steak fries that really make you wonder how shoestring fries became so beloved.

Homecoming’s dinner menu has a few similarities to lunch as far as appetizers go, but the entrees are simply bigger, and feature more bacon. I’m talking of course

about the bacon wrapped meatloaf ($21), which is quite the steal considering its caramelized bourbon glaze and fried egg. This one is excellent for your diner who wants a lot without spending a lot.

Those who dig seafood will want to try the fried fish plate ($36), a golden, crispy mélange of deep fried oysters, catfish, shrimp and a fried lobster tail. It’s got plenty of tartar sauce and some hot honey mustard for dipping—and it’s really a beautiful moment when it arrives at your table.

When a menu is filled with such elegantly executed comfort food favorites, you can’t help but fall in love with a place like Homecoming—especially considering the fact that it occupies a crucial piece of downtown real estate that just happens to be ideal for convention-goers or theater patrons hanging out on 200 South. I’ve always liked seeing a local restaurant take over a spot that was once owned by a national chain, but something feels particularly gratifying about Homecoming’s new digs. It’s the kind of concept that was always meant to be on that particular corner—and we’re oh-so-happy it’s there. CW

1048

2 Row Brewing 6856 S. 300 West, Midvale 2RowBrewing.com

Avenues Proper 376 8th Ave, SLC

avenuesproper.com

On Tap: Midnight Especial- Dark Mexican Lager

Bewilder Brewing

445 S. 400 West, SLC

BewilderBrewing.com

On Tap: Mango Goze

Bohemian Brewery

94 E. Fort Union Blvd, Midvale BohemianBrewery.com

Bonneville Brewery 1641 N. Main, Tooele BonnevilleBrewery.com

On Tap: Peaches and Cream Ale

Chappell Brewing

2285 S Main Street Salt Lake City, UT 84115 chappell.beer

On Tap: Playground 4 with 1019 & Madusa

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

On Tap: Purple Rain - Marionberry Helles

Desert Edge Brewery

273 Trolley Square, SLC DesertEdgeBrewery.com

On Tap: Munich Lager

Epic Brewing Co.

825 S. State, SLC

EpicBrewing.com

On Tap: Hopsters IPA

Fisher Brewing Co. 320 W. 800 South, SLC FisherBeer.com

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

Grid City Beer Works

333 W. 2100 South, SLC GridCityBeerWorks.com

On Tap: Cask Nitro CO2

Helper Beer

159 N Main Street, Helper, UT helperbeer.com

Hopkins Brewing Co.

1048 E. 2100 South, SLC HopkinsBrewingCompany.com

On Tap: Autobahn Hefeweizen

Kiitos Brewing

608 W. 700 South, SLC KiitosBrewing.com

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

LevelCrossingBrewing.com

On Tap: Vienna-Style Lager

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

On Tap: Nitro Coffee Uncommon

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: Skippers Delight Amber Lager

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: Summer Lei Kettle Sour with Pineapple and Mando on draft

Salt Flats Brewing 2020 Industrial Circle, SLC SaltFlatsBeer.com

On Tap: Oktoberfest Vienna Lager

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.’s Slippery Otter Nitro Vanilla Porter 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 City Collaboration Sour Saison/ Wine Hybrid Strap Tank Brewery, Springville 596 S 1750 W, Springville, UT StrapTankBrewery.com

On Tap: Spirit World Saison - Grid City Collaboration Sour Saison/ Wine Hybrid Stratford Proper 1588 Stratford Ave., SLC stratfordproper.com

On Tap: Yacht Rock Juice BoxJuicy IPA

TF Brewing 936 S. 300 West, SLC TFBrewing.com

On Tap: Mango Raspberry Berliner Weisse

Talisman Brewing Co. 1258 Gibson Ave, Ogden TalismanBrewingCo.com

On Tap: King Slayer-Pilsner

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

BEER NERD

Foeder For Thought

Two new oak fermentation beers to ponder.

BY MIKE RIEDEL comments@cityweekly.net @utahbeer

Afoeder (pronounced “food-er”) is a large oak barrel used to ferment and age beer, wine, cider and even mead. Foeders are generally at least three times the size of an average oak barrel— or around 160 gallons—and are used all over the world to ferment both clean and funky beer.

Only three Utah breweries have utilized foeders in their beer production: Epic, Saltfire and The Templin Family Brewery. Epic recently mothballed their foeder program when they closed their Denver brewery earlier this year. This just leaves SaltFire and TF as the only two with the oak fermenters. Last week, the above-mentioned breweries each released a new, funky foeder beer, and they couldn’t be more different.

Templin Family - Circus Series Foeder Aged Yuzu and Budah’s Hands: This foeder beer utilizes 12 different Brettanomyces yeast strains, and is one of the more approachable Brett beers I’ve had in some time. It’s presented in a clear bottle; there are no hops happening in this ale to skunk it up. Its unfiltered burnt orange color carries an impressive sunset glow with a low-lying skirt of froth to frame the rim. Fruit stand freshness inhabits the aroma—which is cool, considering it’s been aging for quite a while.

There’s a radiant sweetness of Asian citrus that jumps out with a tangy, acidic, sweet, candied, winey and peppery fragrance; some ocean spray rounds out the nose. Its sweet taste is equal parts malt, fruit and yeast. White wine, doughy and savory citrus carry a light weight onto the early palate. As

the middle palate unfolds, its sweetness rapidly retreats, and the beer’s sour and fruit-forward taste begins to take over. Light peach flavor becomes that of macerated, stewed orchard fruit, with yuzu, Buddha’s Hands, lemon and light marmalade. As the tame sourness starts to rise, the beer’s oaken and funky character comes to life. Cider, chardonnay and gooseberry round the finish and provide a spicy, earthy closure.

Verdict: I’m starting to think that everything I get from Templin is going to be great. This 7.5 percent beer was more balanced and a touch better drinking experience compared to similar beers coming out of places like Casey Brewing and The Bruery. Perfectly flavored and balanced for this time of year.

SaltFire - Mobius Trip (Brett Saison): The first beer from Foeder #2 (yes, they have two foeders) is dosed with saison. It pours an amber-tinged yellow with just the slightest orange hues, giving it a depth of color—not terribly hazy, but also not completely translucent. A wonderful aroma of stone fruit is accentuated by underlying acidity and brightness from the Brettanomyces. The saison yeast from the previous fermentation is front and center, even though it’s been several months since going into the foeder.

The flavor very much follows the aroma here, with the funky stonefruitlike flavors leading the way. Providing support is a nice lemony, citric tartness that is enough to counterbalance the sweetness of the malt. Hiding in the background are more complex flavors evoking the funkiness and a woody mustiness. It’s medium-to-light-bodied, and the 8.0 percent ale has a moderate to light carbonation. The finish brings just enough pucker to give your cheeks that little pinch of sour.

Verdict: A nice representation of a sour saison. The phenolic yeast from the initial fermentation maintains its pepperiness, while the brett and oak provide the tannic and puckering final act.

I’d encourage any curious beer nerds to do a side-by-side with these two foeder beers. They’re a great education on the diversity of what oak fermentation can accomplish. As always, cheers! CW

MIKE RIEDEL

MIKE RIEDEL

2496 S. WEST TEMPLE, SLC LEVELCROSSINGBREWING.COM @LEVELCROSSINGBREWING

the

BACK BURNER

Laurel Brasserie & Bar Holds on to Summer

Chefs Fernando Soberanis and Tomas Olvera of Laurel Brasserie & Bar (555 S. Main Street, laurelslc.com) just can’t let go of summer. They’re clinging to the heat by getting the most out of their seasonal menu with a kind of swan song for summer. For lunch, diners can check out the summer lettuce salad with mixed berries and a lemon emulsion, or the spaghetti and grilled shrimp. Their rigatoni is also on the lunch menu, and it’s dynamite. For dinner, you can welcome the chillier months with a caprese made with heirloom tomatoes and burrata, or some pan-seared Scottish salmon with a fennel gratin and horseradish crème fraiche. If you’re not so eager to see summer go, check out the new menu at Laurel.

Utah Wine Festival 2023

Shakespeare isn’t the only festival that Cedar City is known for. I’m of course talking about the Utah Wine Festival (utahwinefest.com) that also calls this Southern Utah town home—I like to think the Bard would be proud to share the stage with a bit of the vino. This local festival celebrates the hard work and craftsmanship that goes into our local wineries and features plenty of local cuisine as well. This year’s festival includes the annual wine competition and features a wide range of educational events at area wineries along with plenty of food and wine pairings. The festival lasts from Sept. 1 – 4; check out the festival website for a full schedule and tickets.

Celeste Ristorante Closes

I’d only been to Celeste a handful of times, but each one was special in its own way. Paolo Celeste was one of those restaurant owners who enjoyed spending time out on the floor with his guests as they enjoyed his traditional Tuscan menu. I never quite made it to the status of one of his regulars, but I always thought the enthusiasm that he and his team had for their work was contagious—and the food was excellent. This was one of the first places where I saw how wine and food could work together, as their service staff was always very knowledgeable about wine recommendations to go with your food. This place will definitely be missed.

Quote of the Week: “With wine and hope, anything is possible.” –Spanish proverb

The Plot Sickens

Spoiler culture and how the focus on “what happens” kills film appreciation

BY SCOTT RENSHAW scottr@cityweekly.net @scottrenshaw

If you follow movie opinions in social media—and more power to you if you’re wise enough to do otherwise—you might have caught some discourse on the current hit film Oppenheimer addressing its sex scenes. Specifically, some folks online asserted that the sex scenes weren’t “necessary,” or didn’t “advance the plot.” And if you care at all about the art of filmmaking, the only possible response to these comments would go something along the lines of, “Oh noooooooo.”

This will not be a rant about Puritan attitudes surrounding cinematic sexuality, although there are entire books to be written about that subject. Instead, I’m concerned about this as a microcosm of a bigger problem, one that is absolutely murdering the ability to talk thoughtfully about narrative art forms like movies, television, theater and books: the way anything with a story has been reduced to a level of “what happens.”

If there’s any place where this idea manifests most prominently, it’s in the obsession with “spoilers” regarding any new piece of narrative storytelling. People like me who write about new releases often dodge talking about certain revelations as a matter of courtesy, but I’ve started to wonder if doing so is contributing to an infantilization of critical thinking. Every time we emphasize the fact that we’re not going to talk about certain things, we inevitably emphasize their role in the overall experience. It’s a cult of the “what happens,” at

the expense of the how it happens. This notion was at the forefront of my mind recently when I watched for the first time the classic 1949 film noir The Third Man. By virtue of being immersed in the world of film, I was aware that certain plot developments were coming, in the same way that even someone who has never seen The Crying Game or The Empire Strikes Back or The Sixth Sense has probably absorbed from popular culture their respective third-act bombshells. Yet it never once occurred to me that I shouldn’t watch The Third Man simply because I was already aware of some of the secrets of Harry Lime. There were so many other filmmaking elements to experience—performances, bits of dialogue, cinematography—besides those that could be contained in a Wikipedia plot summary. The movie was much more than that. Yet we’ve become obsessed—perhaps even more so in the era of eternal serialized storytelling like the Marvel Cinematic Universe—with the essence of a movie being the “what happens” part. This damages

aesthetic appreciation for a lot of reasons, but nowhere more clearly than with regard to movies and other stories where the artist is up to something more complicated than telling a simple story, as is the case with filmmakers like David Lynch. I studied literary criticism before getting into film, and there has always been a popular stigma around experimental works like James Joyce’s Ulysses, which while it certainly included components of a narrative—it is, in the most rudimentary sense, a novel about what happens to one man over the course of one day—did so in unusual ways. Does it “advance the plot” that Joyce spends an entire chapter of Ulysses describing events in the question-and-answer format of a catechism? Not remotely. It is, however, a fascinating creative choice with thematic significance, just like the stream-of-consciousness chapter that closes the book from the point of view of protagonist Leopold Bloom’s wife, Molly. Reading that chapter is an amazing experience for someone who loves literature, one that would be insanely

oversimplified if you first encountered the book after having someone tell you, “Spoiler alert: Molly Bloom has an orgasm.”

If you’re interpreting all this as a blanket endorsement of letting loose with every possible plot revelation, you’re missing the point. On any number of occasions, a narrative’s impact on me has been amplified by lack of foreknowledge, and a sense of discovery. But the balance has been tipped too heavily in the direction of emphasizing plot—whether that means people behaving as though a story has been ruined by knowing something in advance, or by resisting aesthetic choices that are there simply to be aesthetic choices.

We can have a discussion about whether any given element of a movie, including a sex scene, works in the way the filmmakers intended. What we can’t do is turn the discussion into one where that element is judged exclusively on its merits as a plotdriving mechanism. There’s a whole world of art to experience beyond synopsis—and it’s a world that can’t be spoiled. CW

Florence Pugh and Cillian Murphy in Oppenheimer UNIVERSAL PICTURES

FEATURE MUSIC

Finding a Missing Cat

Singer/songwriter releases enchanting debut album, with a lot of help

BY EMILEE ATKINSON eatkinson@cityweekly.net @emileelovesvinyl

Sometimes in life, the stars align. Every once and a while, things come together so nicely that all of the pieces fit perfectly together. When things do come together so easily, you have to just take it, and run with it. “Honestly, this is a thing I never dreamed of,” said singer/songwriter Angela Isaacs.

She was playing guitar and casually writing songs before taking lessons with local folk/Americana singer/songwriter David Burchfield, when the lessons turned into so much more. “It was something I was just doing,” Isaacs explained. “I had written a handful of songs before we started working together, so I brought him those handful of songs and we kind of started looking through them and getting used to each other. We kind of just got to a point where I had a bunch of songs with him, and we were kind of on a roll.”

One moment that really cemented the working relationship was when Isaacs brought a few ideas to a lesson one day, and she and Burchfield hammered out the details until a whole song was completed. “We ended up co-writing that day, like a true cowrite. We were in flow state, writing back and forth, and by the end of the hour, we had one of the songs that’s on the album. We both were in love with it; we wrote all these songs basically with me as his student and him as my coach,” Isaacs said.

That is how Missing Cat! was born—a truly collaborative collection of songs that take you on a journey of happiness, heartbreak and magic. Isaacs was already writing music on her own, but Burchfield and all of the other local talented musicians and producers who helped with the album truly helped bring her ideas to life. “It was kind of just a really happy and awesome accident that all of the cards kind of fell into place for me to be able to do this,” she said.

Writing the songs was a smooth process, but when it came to actually recording it, it somehow went even smoother. Burchfield and the rest of his band, The Fire Guild, got together in the studio and just felt the music together, creating an enchanting experience for Isaacs. “As soon as they were given the go ahead, every single one of them brought the most amazing ideas, the most amazing edits,” she said. “They really put themselves into the music.”

Burchfield confirmed that the album truly came together with as much ease and charm as Isaacs has described. “She is one of my favorite people—so full of life and love, and that shows in her songs,” he said.

“I knew that the biggest thing would be hiring the right people and then letting go of the reins and letting the horses run,” he added. “Once we had the team put together and the dates scheduled, it all truly just came together so easily. The band (which was mostly composed of my own live band) brought great ideas and great playing.”

Songs like “Earthquake” were co-written by the duo, with a lot of creative push from Burchfield. “It was a really emotionally hard song for me to write. And David just kept pushing it, and pushing it, and pushing it in the most frustratingly supportive way,” Isaacs said.

The title track came as a late addition to the album, even though it’s the first track you’ll hear when you press play. Inspired by a missing cat poster in Liberty Park, Isaacs started singing in her head as she walked, and eventually brought it to

Burchfield. “I thought at first it was just a funny little song,” she explained. “We played around on it. It felt like it became more and more profound to me, and then as we kept playing it, it kept sort of rising to the top.”

The song perfectly encapsulates the story of the album—a story of hope and dread. “Missing Cat!” ending up at the top of the song order was a “happy accident,” as Isaacs put it. After this series of happy accidents, and stars aligning to create a perfect outcome, it’s important to ask: What comes next?

“Angela and I are already writing her next album and thinking about what we’d like to do with it in terms of production. That’s probably still at least a year out, but it’s fun to start dreaming,” Burchfield said. “We’re super happy with this production, but it’s fun to think about how

we might do things differently—maybe a more stripped-down record? Or a bigger band? Or a lot of string arrangements? Anything is possible. That’s part of the fun. I look forward to figuring it out along the way with her!”

Isaacs continues to express how on one hand, she can’t believe she was able to create an album beyond her dreams, and on the other, that it came together in such a serene and beautiful way. “It would not be the music it is without the magical collaboration that it was,” she said. “Whatever thing I may have come up with on my own would’ve been mine and would’ve been cool, but I can’t imagine it could have been more magical than this.” CW

angelaisaacs.bandcamp.com @angjisaacs

Angela Isaacs

AMELIA THORN

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

Phantogram @ Ogden Amphitheater 8/31

When it comes to pop music, no one else has done it in quite the way that Phantogram has. The “indietronica” duo of lifelong friends Josh Carter and Sarah Barthel has never been defined by a specific genre. Sure, they’ll get comparisons to what has come before, but anyone calling them derivative is selling them way short. With four studio LPs and a handful of extended-plays deep in the game, Phantogram still continues to reinvent what it is that they do. “Certain bands kind of pigeonholed themselves into a specific place where they couldn’t work much further,” Carter told Billboard.com. “But also, we worked our asses off and we care so much about the band, it’s like having a kid. Phantogram is our child, and we’re trying to keep him, her, them alive.” Obviously Barthel is the main event, but ever since their first album, Eyelid Movies, I found myself really connecting with Carter’s songs the more I listened to them. It’s a nice yin/yang dichotomy they’ve got going on. With this level of songwriting, emotionally devastating soundscapes, monster grooves and some loud-as-hell production to carry you along, they really go hard sonically—fantastic on albums (even when it’s someone else’s album, i.e., Outkast’s Big Boi ), fantastic doing stripped-down acoustic sets and fantastic live. “Bill Murray” is so Mazzy Star 2014, I absolutely love it. Blonde Redhead opens. Catch these acts at Ogden Amphitheater on Thursday, Aug. 31, doors at 5 p.m. Tickets for the all-ages show are $15 and can be found at 24tix.com. (Mark Dago)

Phantogram ISOLATED

By Emilee Atkinson

Poolhouse, Antelope Island, Lazy Loners @ Velour 9/1

Seeing bands play at the venues they spent time at as a kid is a beautiful full-circle moment. Provo natives Poolhouse grew up seeing shows at beloved local venue Velour, and love to put on an amazing show each time they revisit. “I remember when I was growing up and I’d go to shows there, and I just thought, ‘This is so sick,’” bassist Lucas Olivier told City Weekly in April. “It’s cool to just be able to be the one who’s actually playing there, because I remember really looking up to everyone who played there when I was growing up.” The trio has done a lot in the short time they’ve been putting out music. Since their debut in 2020, they’ve cranked out great hits, found a dedicated fanbase and made a name for themselves in the local scene. Joining Poolhouse are local indie rockers Antelope Island, a group that brings dreamy electronic elements to the mix. Their most recent releases include a short collection of live recordings entitled A.I. (Live From Your Mom’s House). Not only does the two-song collection feature a cheeky name, but it offers a great glimpse into what Antelope Island is all about: fuzzy vocals, reverb, electronic buzz and floaty guitar solos. It’s great music to vibe to at home, but live, it’s sure to be a treat. Rounding out the bill is another lovely local group, Lazy Loners. One of their most recent singles, “She’s Indifferent,” has a colorful and energetic music video that’s a must-see. Come jam out at Velour on Friday, Sept. 1 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the all-ages show are $10, and can be found at 24tix.com.

(Emilee Atkinson)

MUSIC PICK S

By Emilee Atkinson

Tiny Moving Parts, Melancholy Club, Grounder @ Kilby Court 9/1

When you Google “Tiny Moving Parts,” you’re greeted with pictures of three happy, smiling dudes who look like they’re having the time of their lives. The trio have been putting out music together since 2008, and in that time, they’ve stuck to their delightful emo/alternative/indie vibes. Nothing says 2010’s like emo anthems that ooze angst. That’s not to say that their music has become irrelevant over the years— there’s always room for emo angst. Their most recent selftitled album dropped last year, and features many of those alternative elements lovers of the genre will enjoy. There are references to the Midwest, exaggerated/screaming vocals, driving electric guitar and meaningful lyrics throughout. Joining Tiny Moving Parts is Utah’s own Midwest emo band Melancholy Club, who do an equally great job of keeping this genre fresh for the modern day. They made their debut with their single “Pistols” in 2019, and have continued to grow since. Their most recent release, Delete This, is a fantastic five-song romp to listen through when you’re in your feelings and need to let your little emo heart feel all of its emotions. Last but certainly not least is another SLC band, Grounder. The quartet has dubbed themselves a four-piece who write “Mountain West Emo,” certainly on brand for this show. Head out to Kilby Court on Friday, Sept. 1 to catch these great acts. Tickets for the all-ages show are $22 in advance and $25 at the door. Snag tix at kilbycourt.com. (EA)

Kenny Loggins @ Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater 9/2

The history of popular music is littered with singing duos who famously split up, with one partner finding solo success and the other more or less floundering. After all, what was Sonny without Cher, or Ike without Tina? Or for that matter, Messina without Loggins? Granted, both men had storied histories, but once they split, it was Loggins who powered on and found a solo stardom. That’s not to demean his efforts as part of Loggins and Messina; indeed, they sold more than 16 million records, making them one of the most successful duos of the 1970s, surpassed only by Hall and Oates. Nevertheless, it was Loggins who had the more prolific solo career, even while working with others. He scored the mega-hit “Whenever I Call You Friend” alongside Steve Nicks, cowrote the Grammy-winning Doobie Brothers standard “What A Fool Believes” and “This Is It” with Michael McDonald, the latter earning him his own Grammy for Best Male Vocal. He was the original choice to co-star with Barbara Streisand in the 1976 take on “A Star Is Born,” but still made an emphatic cinematic impression courtesy of such soundtrack stand-outs as “I’m Alright,” “Footloose” and “Danger Zone,” all of which brought him to the top of charts. Given that this goround is dubbed “This Is It — The Final Tour,” only a fool would believe there might be another chance to catch him in concert. Kenny Loggins performs on Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. at Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater. Tickets cost $178 - $630 via eventticketscenter.com. (Lee Zimmerman)

Janelle Monáe @ The Complex 9/6

Janelle Monáe is a free-ass motherfucking inspiration. Their latest LP, The Age of Pleasure, dropped earlier this summer, and while the story of her fictional alter-ego Cindi Mayweather is still being written, it’s an exciting time (fictionally or otherwise) to be in this universe and on this timeline. “I wanted to create a soundtrack to our lifestyle. I think this album, like all my albums, reflects exactly where I am at that time,” Monáe told AP. “Each album will let you know where I was in my evolution process, what things I had to unlearn, what things I learned. I love that. I love that you can always look at an artist working, sort of see what they were on at that time.” It’s interesting to hear the progression from the ridiculously good one-two punch of “Tightrope” and “Cold War” off The ArchAndroid to the playful 14 songs on this fourth studio album. While Monáe switches up the Metropolis references for pool-party summertime vibes on The Age of Pleasure it all feels like a coda, an acknowledgement that, even if their discography lacks an overt narrative, it’s kind of impossible to listen without feeling like you’ve been on a massive journey, and you have earned yourself some quality end-credits music. Jidenna, Flyna Boss and Nana Kwabena open. Catch these musicians on the Age of Pleasure Tour at The Complex on Wednesday, Sept. 6. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets for the all-ages show are $57 general admission to $182 for the VIP package, and can be found here thecomplexslc.com (Mark Dago)

GABE GINSBERG

Tiny Moving Parts Janelle Monae

free will ASTROLOGY

BY ROB BREZSNY

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

Climate change is dramatically altering the Earth. People born today will experience three times as many floods and droughts as someone born in 1960, as well as seven times more heat waves. In urgent efforts to find a cure, scientists are generating outlandish proposals: planting mechanical trees, creating undersea walls to protect melting glaciers from warm ocean water, dimming the sun with airborne calcium carbonate and covering Arctic ice with a layer of glass. In this spirit, I encourage you to incite unruly and even unorthodox brainstorms to solve your personal dilemmas. Be wildly inventive and creative.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

“When love is not madness, it is not love,” wrote Spanish author Pedro Calderon de la Barca. In my opinion, that’s naive, melodramatic nonsense! I will forgive him for his ignorance, since he worked as a soldier and celibate priest in the 17th century. The truth is that, yes, love should have a touch of madness. But when it has more than a touch, it’s usually a fake kind of love: rooted in misunderstanding, immaturity, selfishness and a lack of emotional intelligence. In accordance with astrological factors, I assign you Tauruses to be dynamic practitioners of genuine togetherness in the coming months: with hints of madness and wildness, yes, but mostly big helpings of mutual respect, smart compassion, tender care and a knack for dealing maturely with disagreements.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

Gemini author Iain S. Thomas writes, “There are two things everyone has. One is The Great Sadness and the other is How Weird I Really Am. But only some of us are brave enough to talk about them.” The coming weeks will be a favorable time to ripen your relationship with these two things, Gemini. You will have the extra gravitas necessary to understand how vital they are to your full humanity. You can also express and discuss them in meaningful ways with the people you trust.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

A self-fulfilling prophecy happens when the expectations we embrace come to pass. We cling so devotedly to a belief about what will occur that we help generate its manifestation. This can be unfortunate if the anticipated outcome isn’t good for us. But it can be fortunate if the future we visualize upgrades our well-being. I invite you to ruminate on the negative and positive projections you’re now harboring. Then shed the former and reinforce the latter.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

The holy book of the Zoroastrian religion describes a mythical mountain, Hara Berezaiti. It’s the center of the universe. The sun hides behind it at night. Stars and planets revolve around it. All the world’s waters originate at its peak. Hara Berezaiti is so luminous and holy that no darkness can survive there, nor can the false gods abide. I would love for you to have your own version of Hara Berezaiti, Leo: a shining source of beauty and strength in your inner landscape. I invite you to use your imagination to create this sanctuary within you. Picture yourself having exciting, healing adventures there. Give it a name you love. Call on its invigorating presence when you need a sacred boost.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Virgo journalist Anthony Loyd has spent a lot of time in war zones, so it’s no surprise he has bleak views about human nature. He makes the following assertion: “We think we have freedom of choice, but really most of our actions are puny meanderings in the prison yard built by history and early experience.” I agree that our conditioning and routines prevent us from being fully liberated. But most of us have some capacity for responding to the raw truth of the moment and are not utterly bound by the habits of the past. At our worst, we have 20% access to freedom of choice. At our best, we have 70%. I believe you will be near the 70% levels in the coming weeks, dear Virgo.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Libra poet T. S. Eliot wrote the iconic narrative poem “The Wasteland.” One part of the story takes place in a bar near closing time. Several times, the bartender calls out, “Hurry up, please—it’s time.” He wants the customers to finish their drinks and leave for the night. Now imagine I’m that bartender standing near you. I’m telling you, “Hurry up, please—it’s time.” What I mean is that you are in the climactic phase of your astrological cycle. You need to finish this chapter of your life story so you can move on to the next one. “Hurry up, please—it’s time” means you have a sacred duty to resolve, as best you can, every lingering confusion and mystery.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Addressing a lover, Scorpio poet Margaret Atwood says, “I would like to walk with you through that lucent wavering forest of bluegreen leaves with its watery sun & three moons, towards the cave where you must descend, towards your worst fear.” That is a bold declaration. Have you ever summoned such a deep devotion for a loved one? You will have more power and skill than usual to do that in the coming months. Whether you want to or not is a different question. But yes, you will be connected to dynamic magic that will make you a brave and valuable ally.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Sagittarian theologian N. T. Wright writes, “The great challenge to self-knowledge is blind attachment to our virtues. It is hard to criticize what we think are our virtues. Although the spirit languishes without ideals, idealism can be the greatest danger.” In my view, that statement formulates a central Sagittarian challenge. On the one hand, you need to cultivate high ideals if you want to be exquisitely yourself. On the other hand, you must ensure your high ideals don’t become weapons you use to manipulate and harass others. Author Howard Bloom adds more. “Watch out for the dark side of your own idealism and of your moral sense,” he writes. “Both come from our arsenal of natural instincts. And both easily degenerate into an excuse for attacks on others.” Now is a good time for you to ponder these issues.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Capricorn playwright and novelist Rose Franken said, “Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly.” That’s interesting, because many traditional astrologers say that Capricorns are the least likely zodiac sign to be silly. Speaking from personal experience, though, I have known members of your tribe to be goofy, nutty and silly when they feel comfortably in love. An old Capricorn girlfriend of mine delighted in playing and having wicked good fun. Wherever you rank in the annals of wacky Capricorns, I hope you will consider expressing these qualities in the coming weeks. Romance and intimacy will thrive if you do.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18

As I work on writing new books, I often draw on inspirations that flow through me as I take long hikes. The vigorous exercise shakes loose visions and ideas that are not accessible as I sit in front of my computer. Aquarian novelist Charles Dickens was an adherent of this approach. At night, he liked to walk around London for miles, marveling at the story ideas that welled up in him. I recommend our strategy to you in the coming weeks, Aquarius. As you move your body, key revelations and enriching emotions will well up in you.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

The coming months will be an excellent time to build, discover and use metaphorical bridges. To get in the mood, brainstorm about every type of bridge you might need. How about a connecting link between your past and future? How about a nexus between a task you must do and a task you love to do? And maybe a conduit between two groups of allies that would then serve you even better than they already do? Your homework is to fantasize about three more exciting junctions, combinations or couplings.

ACROSS

1. Caretaker for the Banks household

6. Lickable candy since 1931

14. Solo couple?

16. Czech painter ____ Mucha

17. “Plus the foul, baby!”

18. “Don’t worry about us ... all good!”

19. Food label fig.

20. Roth ____

22. Group of whales

23. Take to court

24. Sell illegally, as tickets

26. Meat in a Cuban sandwich

28. Savings and checking, for two: Abbr.

31. “I do,” e.g.

33. Emperor after Nero

37. Beyonce’s role in “The Lion King” (2019)

38. They don’t play the net in tennis

40. Stench

41. Bandleader Shaw

42. Picture of health?

43. Four-sided dice, e.g.

45. Morse ____

46. Tony winner Merman

47. “Superman II” villain General ____ 48. Biblical verb with “thou” 49. Little bit of cream 51. Unit in gemology 53. She, in Portuguese

urban LIVING

Movie Trivia

This year marks the 30th anniversary of a little film shot behind several homes in Glendale, just west of downtown Salt Lake City. The story about kids who play baseball on a dirt lot in the summer of 1962 has become, over the years, a sweet cult film.

Promotion Specialist(Draper, UT)

69. Snack brand since 2008 ... and this puzzle’s theme

70. Drink whose name consists of two synonyms

DOWN

1. Tree in the willow family

2. Frog habitat

3. “____ Cluba” (#1 hit for 50 Cent)

4. Oxfam or CARE, e.g.

5. NBA team that drafted Kevin Durant in 2007

6. Observed, to Tweety

7. Designer Cassini

8. One-named “Queen of All Media”

9. Biblical group bearing gifts

10. Phillipa who was the original Eliza in

“Hamilton”

11. Tattoo parlor supplies

12. Jacob’s twin

13. Comics character with “muskles”

15. “Buona ____!”

21. Walter ____, geologist credited with the theory that dinosaurs were killed by an asteroid impact

24. Played the lead

25. Ph.D.’s next hurdle

27. Feline breed from an Irish Sea isle

28. Make ____ of (jot down)

29. West Pointer, e.g.

30. Like old-fashioned diapers

32. “Polka Face” singer Yankovic

34. The “L” of Samuel L. Jackson

54. Like some church matters

55. “Alice’s Restaurant” singer Guthrie

57. The “E” in DOE: Abbr.

59. Just slightly

60. Wallace who co-founded Reader’s Digest

61. Cold treat on a stick

63. Continent to go to to go to Togo: Abbr.

64. ____-backwards

66. Spanish “that”

Last week’s answers

The simple premise of The Sandlot is that Scotty Smalls, a new kid in town, is encouraged by his mom to make friends. He ends up joining a ragtag bunch who play ball at a neighborhood lot. After one of the kids smashes the cover off their only baseball, Scotty gets his stepdad’s ball without permission, and it gets hit over a fence where a scary dog guards a house.

Scotty didn’t realize he’d lost his father’s most valuable possession—a ball signed by the one and only Babe Ruth (“You’re killin’ me, Smalls!”). And, of course, Scotty has to get it back before his dad finds out it’s gone—and therein lies the plot.

Leigh von der Esch was the Utah Film Commissioner when the movie was being made and remembers hir ing a helicopter to find the perfect place for the sandlot. Von der Esch then had to find a tree to hold the treehouse in the film. She found a live tree on Beck Street that was dug up and moved to the site of the film.

The director loved Vincent Drug in Midvale because it had a real soda fountain needed for the film. Some considered Vincent’s long counter to be one of the best and most wellpreserved soda fountains in the state.

Plan and prepare advertising and promotional material to increase sales of products or services, working with customers, company officials, sales departments, and advertising agencies. Monitor & analyze sales promotion results to determine cost effectiveness of promotion campaigns. Coordinate with the media to disseminate advertising. 40hrs/ wk, Offered wage: $51,397/year, Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing / Management or related required.

Resume to CUPBOP CO Attn: Yeiri Kim, 12184 S Business Park Dr, #C, Draper, UT 84020

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.

The drugstore opened originally in 1911 as a saloon, but with Prohibition, Willis Vincent—the owner— was forced to convert the bar into a drugstore, which became known for serving up ironport and sweet or tart cherry phosphates. The place was still open during filming in 1993, and the film’s young actors could line up for shots as they ate ice cream in the store.

Vincent Drug was also used in Utah-based movies and series such as Halloween 4, Halloween 5, The Stand and Touched by an Angel. Von der Esch also remembers that the film was going to be shot in Kansas, but they needed mountains in the background. San Diego was also under consideration, but lucky for Utah, we won out.

The cast is still alive, as is the director, and they hold regular reunions here. The dirt lot is on private property behind houses on Glenrose Drive. Film fans often try to get access for photos, and tons of folks would love to see the site preserved for future generations. The Hook & Ladder diner in Glendale has its own replica of the sandlot behind its business. n

NEWS of the WEIRD

BY THE EDITORS AT ANDREWS MCMEEL

Americans Abroad

Sigh. Security guards at the Eiffel Tower in Paris discovered two American tourists sleeping near the top of the structure on Aug. 14 as they prepared to open to visitors, Yahoo! News reported. Paris prosecutors said the two dodged security the night before and “appear to have got stuck because of how drunk they were.” Firefighters were dispatched to collect the men, who were questioned by police; Eiffel Tower management company Sete said it would file a criminal complaint, although the pair didn’t “pose any apparent threat.”

Police Report

More from Paris: An “experienced climber” got to the top of the Eiffel Tower early on Aug. 17 and parachuted off before guards could stop him, The Guardian reported. The unnamed man landed safely after the leap from about 1,100 feet and was promptly arrested for endangering the lives of others. “This kind of irresponsible action puts people working at or near the tower in danger,” scolded Sete, the tower’s management company.

Least Competent Criminal

Sure, Mountain Dew has been compared to battery acid, but one suspect thought a can of the stuff could save her from being fingered as a killer. Fox35-TV reported that on Aug. 5, Nichole Maks, 35, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of her 79-year-old roommate, Michael Cerasoli. Cerasoli was discovered beaten and stabbed in the home they shared in Daytona Beach, Florida, on July 1. Officers tracked down Maks around 3:30 the next morning at a Krystal’s restaurant, where she had blood on the side of her leg and part of her shirt had been torn or cut away. As they approached, she dropped a knife and hammer she’d been carrying; she told officers she often carried such items. Police said that as they questioned her about her roommate, she became “agitated” and asked for a drink; they gave her a can of Diet Mountain Dew, which she poured over her body and hair, hoping to eliminate any evidence on her person. Unsurprisingly, that stunt didn’t work, and her DNA was found on the knife used to kill Cerasoli. She currently resides at the Volusia County Jail.

The Weirdo-American Community

TikTokker Michaela Witter was on Day 20 of a series she was posting about “100 solo dates”— activities like reading in the park or buying herself flowers. On Aug. 7, as she browsed in Barnes & Noble in Burbank, California, Witter inadvertently captured a stalker on video as he followed her, kneeled behind her and sniffed her (and another woman) repeatedly. Fox News reported that Witter’s post unleashed a torrent of similar experiences—even with the same stalker. “Bro that same man was crouching behind me and following me thru Marshalls today,” one commenter posted. “The same thing happened to me at Ralph’s in Burbank,” another said. One TikTokker had the same experience in the same bookstore. Glendale police arrested Calese Carron Crowder, 37, on Aug. 11, but a judge placed him on probation and released him on Aug. 15. Los Angeles County Jail records show Crowder has been booked there 41 times.

Ummmmmm

n Street performer Lino Tomasen, 32, of Havana, Cuba, retired from boxing after a blow delivered to his opponent fractured the man’s skull and killed him instantly, he told Reuters. Tomasen gave all his fight winnings to that man’s family and took to the streets, where the “Ironman” now beats on himself and collects tips. He uses a sledgehammer to slam his wrists, elbows and forearms for horrified onlookers, but seems to be unharmed by the abuse. “It’s all real, nothing fabricated,” said Edward Carbonell, who watched Tomasen’s “show.” “I want to be remembered as someone who pushed the limits of what was possible,” Tomasen said.

n At a sunset “furmeet” on Aug. 12 in Huntington Beach, California, one furry took offense when a man in street clothes started filming the spectacle on his phone, the Toronto Sun reported. Someone in a black wolf costume asked the filmer to stop, then amplified his message with a megaphone: “Leave or we will make you leave.” When the filmer didn’t budge, the wolf hit him over the head with the megaphone. Others jumped into the brawl, which was finally broken up by California State Parks officers.

The Tech Revolution

The California Public Utilities Commission voted in early August to allow the companies Cruise and Waymo to offer paid driverless rides to customers during daytime hours, The New York Times reported. But on Aug. 15, as Paul Harvey, 74, looked on, a Cruise vehicle in San Francisco drove into a city paving project and became stuck in wet concrete. “I thought it was funny,” Harvey said. “It illustrated how creepy and weird the whole thing is to me.” Rachel Gordon with the San Francisco Department of Public Works noted that no one was hurt, but added, “That portion of the road has to be repaved at Cruise’s expense.” Paul Leonardi, a professor of technology management at the University of California, Santa Barbara, chalked up the experience to a teaching moment: “It needs to experience a diverse set of use cases so it can learn, and driving into wet concrete is one of those use cases.”

Clothing Optional

At Stoke Fruit Farm on Hayling Island in England, the sunflowers have been in full bloom for several weeks. The colorful fields offer a perfect background for photo shoots, but, the BBC reported, the farm has seen an “increase of reports of naked photography taking place” since July 28. “People are having fun and taking pictures for their Instagram, but we just ask that they keep their clothes on,” said Sam Wilson, who runs the site. In an Aug. 11 Facebook post, the attraction cautioned that “this must not happen during our public sessions please.” One commenter said her son “got a right eyeful” after stumbling across a woman wearing just a thong. “Should have seen his face!”

It’s (Not) a Mystery

When the European Space Agency shared a composite photo taken by the James Webb Telescope in late July, highlighting two actively forming stars, another shape in the photo caught the attention of Earth-bound gazers: an orange formation in the shape of a question mark. Kai Noeske, ESA communication program officer, explained to NPR what scientists think the shape is: “a group or a chance alignment of two or three galaxies. The upper part of the question mark looks like a distorted spiral galaxy, maybe merging with a second galaxy.” Galaxy mergers result in “all kinds of beautiful shapes and structures,” said Macarena Garcia Marin, a Webb project scientist. They are “a normal phase in the life and evolution of galaxies.”

Questionable Judgment

An unnamed man called his dangerous stunt “a joke” after being arrested in Ostrobothnia, Finland, Sky News reported on Aug. 9. The man allegedly stored 26 pounds of dynamite in his friend’s two cars before calling the owner and telling him. The owner wasn’t laughing: He alerted police, who evacuated nearby buildings. “In addition to the dynamite, detonators were also confiscated from the cars,” said Tony Rauma, detective chief inspector with the Ostrobothnia Police. The jokester told police he did not intend to blow up the cars, and links to terrorism have been ruled out.