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“Community Radio,” April 9 Cover Story
KRCL’s first day on the air—December 4, 1979—was my last day on campus at the Yew of Yew. I happened to pick up a copy of the Chronicle, and there was an article about a brand new radio station, with no commercials. I tuned in on my drive home (missed the first hour) and I’ve been hooked ever since.
I confess I listen to a little Classical 89. But other than that, it’s KRCL—period. I never listen to commercial radio!
BILL JENSEN Via Facebook
A co-worker told me about KRCL after moving to SLC from D.C. almost 20 years ago when I asked about a good alternative station. My favorite still! Great news.
KATHRYN RUSSELL Via Facebook
Love to see it. Been a lot of changes. Thanks to all the volunteers/staffers keeping the dream alive.
JOE CULBERTSON Via Facebook
When I moved to SLC in the early 80s, they had a weekly punk rock show. It’s the only thing that kept me sane.
CHRISTOPHER PAUL Via Facebook
After moving to southern Utah, I find myself streaming KRCL less and less. The station has lost its cutting edge, now so bland. Without Democracy Now, no rudder to steer.
JOHN SABODSKI Via Facebook
Grew up on KRCL. My parents always had it on Friday Drive Time, Friday Night Hip hop and Saturday Reggae with Robert.
JOSEPH HERNANDEZ Via Facebook
This is huge for KRCL and all of us on the Wasatch Front and beyond!
KEVIN COYLE Via Facebook
“SLC Council rejects Sugar House hotel … ,” April 8 Online
As a Sugar House resident—truly, what on Earth do we actually want here? I would love a world where the city buys the parcel and adds it to the park, but I don’t believe that the city can actually afford the land. Without actual direction, we are coming off as unhelpful NIMBYs who can’t contribute meaningfully to our own community. To everyone cheering this decision, please tell me honestly: What do you realistically want for this parcel?
SARA WEBSTER Via Facebook
It appears the Salt Lake City government has made a NIMBY-style, anti-property rights move that resembles the failed anti-abundance policies that currently curse California.
I hope the battle for the hotel is only in its first stage. I am a Baltimore native and it saddens me to see an empty, dirty lot—just like the thousands I had to dodge in my past—be forced upon Sugar House. In terms of public policy and zoning, I can assure you that you want to avoid any outcome that puts you on a path to being more like Baltimore.
ADAM MEISTER Salt Lake City
Need a 21-story hotel with an In-N-Out drive-thru on the base level.
JASON BARTO Via Facebook
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
Name a Salt Lake restaurant that is closed that is missed.
Gavin Dahl
I miss Mestizo Coffee. Local and world class art, Mexican mochas, community meetings, and it was open later than most coffee shops.
Paula Saltas
Lamb’s Grill. Utah’s oldest restaurant where everyone “knew your name.” They had the best rack of lamb and rice pudding for dessert.
Carolyn Campbell
I really miss Cowboy Grub. They had the best cornbread.
Wes Long
Coachman’s has a special place in my heart, both for the filling meals and for the memories I made there with my family.
Zach Abend
Globe By Moonlight, Tipica, ACME Burger.
Aimee Cook
Lugano’s! Greg Neville brought rustic Italian and wine dinners to the culinary scene in Utah.
Chelsea Neider
Shanghai Cafe’s food was amazing! They had such a large selection of food, regular and vegan. I was so sad to hear they closed.
BY CHRISTOPHER SMART
OPINION Buzz Kill
It’s hard to believe, but legal marijuana sales are sharply down in Colorado. Talk about a downer.
It’s not necessarily that all the tokers are going straight. It’s complicated. There’s competition from nearby states that also have legalized recreational hemp, there’s an oversupply of weed and Colorado imposed taxes higher than other states.
In 2021, cannabis sales totaled $2.2 billion in Colorado. Last year, they plummeted to $1.3 billion and tax revenue was down 44%. Dispensaries are closing all over the place, along with greenhouses.
So far, 24 states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational marijuana. Utah is not one of them.
“Medical cannabis is legal for Utahns with qualifying conditions who have obtained Utah medical cannabis cards,” the website UtahStateCannabis.org explains. “Outof-State patients with temporary medical cannabis cards issued under the state’s medical cannabis program may also access medical cannabis in Utah.”
So, you might want to keep your dealer on the Christmas card list. Or you could take a little jaunt to Grand Junction or Cortez. But remember, once you cross the Utah state line, you’re outside the law.
We know, Wilson, you and the guys in the Smart Bomb Band have been outlaws for years.
Melania Trump: I Didn’t Even Know What’s-His-Name
The First Lady is no crook. And she didn’t steal cookies from the cookie jar, either. She resents the implication.
Just because there are photos of her and Donald and Ghis-
laine Maxwell and What’s-His-Name proves nothing. It’s a hoax by the Fake News.
“The lies linking me with the disgraceful What’s-HisName need to end today,” she said from the White House. Melania, in that cute accent of hers, insisted that she has never been to his island. Sure, she and Donald bumped into Ghislaine and What’s-His-Name at parties in New York and Palm Beach, but that’s just what happens among the stinkin’ rich. Rumors that she had sex with Donald on What’sHis-Name’s jet, the “Lolita Express,” are just rumors.
Pundits were scratching their heads after Melania’s nonmea culpa, wondering why—with the Epstein Files pushed off the front page by Trump’s War in Iran—she would yank the scandal back into the headlines. For his part, Donald said he had no idea Melania was going to publicly deny, deny, deny.
It appears like the First Lady doth protest too much. But as P.T. Barnum once said: “There’s no such thing as bad publicity.” Well, on the other hand …
JD Vance Campaigns for Hungarian Dictator
You know, Wilson, it was awfully nice of Vice President JD Vance to go over to Hungary and campaign for strongman Viktor Orbán, who has been prime minister there for 16 years. President Donald Trump also had thrown his weight behind Orbán.
They really like Orbán. Too bad he lost the election.
Orbán hollowed out Hungary’s universities, wreaked havoc on the news media, weakened the judiciary and rewrote election laws in the east European nation.
Sound familiar? Trump is following the same playbook here in the good ol’ USA.
Trump has withheld huge sums from universities, he’s sued them and has trashed institutions such as Harvard and Columbia University. He’s sued CBS, ABC and The New York Times, among others, trashed the courts and appointed unqualified judges.
Currently, he’s trying to mess with November’s midterm elections. Maybe he can top his Jan. 6, 2021, failed coup attempt.
Orbán has been a thorn in the side of the European Union and has sidled up to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. No, Wilson, it’s not much of a coincidence that Trump, too, is a big Putin fan. Meanwhile, our president has been trashing our European allies.
In TrumpWorld, up is down, down is up, and you just can’t believe your lyin’ eyes.
Postscript—“Donald the Christ.” In a meme on social media, President Donald Trump depicted himself as Jesus Christ. No, Wilson, we are not making it up. Our religious experts here at Smart Bomb say that if that isn’t blasphemy, they don’t know what is.
After Trump’s recent post where he said he would destroy the civilization of Iran, folks finally verbalized the obvious: Trump is mad. There was talk—even from the MAGAtes— of invoking the 25th Amendment to remove him from office. Now he’s trashing the pope and calling himself Christ. Who in his right mind would do that? Mad King George wasn’t that crazy. What’s it gonna take to remove Mad King Don from office? What’s it gonna take for Republicans in Congress to stand up to the crazy orange monster?
In a February Deseret News/Hinckley Institute poll, 50% of Utah voters said they approved of Trump’s job performance. The same poll found that, nationally, 42% approved. April polls find his national approval rating to be as low as 35%.
A TV ad for Trump’s 2024 campaign characterized him as being sent by God, something some Evangelical Christians believe to be true. Who knows, maybe the president and his minions are all on gummies. That’s as good an explanation as any.
Well shucks, Wilson, we’re living in crazy times. Remember the age of “Reefer Madness,” when people were getting locked up for years for selling marijuana? These days in Denver, they’re begging people to get stoned. The times, they are a-changin’. CW
Private Eye is off this week. Christopher Smart writes the weekly Smart Bomb column, available online at cityweekly.net. Send feedback to comments@cityweekly.net.
HITS & MISSES
BY KATHARINE BIELE | @kathybiele BY CONNOR SANDERS
HIT: Fixed Costs
It’s no wonder the Legislature wanted to sideline Utah State Auditor Tina Cannon, who is not only holding the state accountable for poor oversight, but also doing it as a woman in charge. In patriarchal Utah, that’s got to hurt. Cannon’s recent audit report looked at how Medicaid funds were being spent to improve nursing facilities. The audit found that over a 10-year period, less than half of $922 million was actually spent on nursing care, while the rest was retained for a “combination of owner compensation, administrative costs and hospital operating expenses.” But better than the Deseret News article itself were the reader comments. “How are the usual suspects going to tie this fraud to Dems and Somalians?” one asked. Another noted the intense backlash after headline-seeker Nick Shirley’s sensational claims of $100 million in daycare fraud in Minnesota were found grossly exaggerated. Utah’s reaction to a deeper scandal was basically “meh.”
MISS: Keeping the Faith
Schools are inching closer and closer to teaching religion. Our own Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, not only sponsored legislation to do that, but also wrote an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal. “Religion Belongs in American History Class,” the piece’s headline read. “Teachers tend to avoid the topic of faith. A new Utah law aims to remedy that problem.” Weiler wrote about how schoolchildren, hands over hearts, recite the Pledge of Allegiance with the phrase “one nation under God.” Oops, the phrase was added in 1954 during the Cold War to distinguish America from communist nations. And the debate goes on about what the Founding Fathers really thought of religion. While they were “Christian” in a sense, they emphasized a rational, benevolent Creator, in the broadest sense. But sure, when only half of our kids are reading at grade level, let’s focus on religion. We want to make sure they’re not getting socialized into socialism.
MISS: High and Dry
“Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink.” Yeah, that was the sad state of affairs in The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (1798) when a hapless sailor was surrounded by the undrinkable ocean. There’s no ocean or desalination plants near Utah, so apparently all we can do is pray. Whether it’s rain or snow, the state hasn’t got it. The monsoon season might help southern Utah but the north is still bone dry. Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall is asking residents not to water their lawns—and yes, why do they still have lawns?—until mid-May. There are small things going on to conserve, and some bigger ones. The federal government is discussing $1 billion to help save the Great Salt Lake. That’s mostly about the 2034 Olympics, but whatever works. Some Wasatch Front cities are looking at water leases to get water into the lake. It’s all about conservation and, of course, encouraging residents to do what’s right. We’ll see how that works. CW
Ice Age
The Utah Mammoth is headed for the Stanley Cup playoffs in just their second season in Salt Lake City after a 4-1 drubbing of the Nashville Predators on Thursday night.
Captain Clayton Keller provided three primary assists to lead the team to victory in front of a home crowd at the Delta Center.
“[Making the playoffs] feels good,” Keller told reporters after the game. “You want to play in the postseason and play against the best teams … I’m proud of the way we’ve fought all year.”
Sitting on 90 points, the Mammoth are the fourth Western Conference team to clinch their spot in the National Hockey League’s postseason. And with four games remaining in the regular season, the Mammoth is in the driver’s seat for earning home ice advantage for the first round of the playoffs—and three of those final four regular season games will be at home.
Thursday’s win extended the team’s current streak to five. This is the third time this season that the Mammoth have won five or more in a row, reeling off seven wins from October 15 to 28 and another five from January 13 to 24. “This is the most fun time of the year,” Keller said. “It’s fun to come to the rink when you’re winning especially.”
The win secures the franchise’s first appearance in the playoffs since the COVID-shortened 2019-2020 season, when the then-Arizona Coyotes were eliminated in the first round. That lone playoff appearance ended a seven-season drought dating back to 2011-2012.
In other words, the Mammoth have secured the franchise’s second playoff appearance in 14 years just two seasons after Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith purchased the team and moved them to Salt Lake City in April 2024.
After Thursday’s game, the National Hockey League Player’s Association awarded Keller player of the week. Keller had racked up nine points in that time, including an overtime gamewinning goal against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, propelling the team into playoff position.
“I will say this about [Keller], he’s really tuned in and playing rock solid,” head coach André Tourigny remarked. “He’s making the right decisions with the puck, and his ability has always been there to make those plays.”
The Mammoth took the lead late in the first period with a goal from Kailer Yamamoto. Keller then found Nick Schmaltz for a back post tap-in for a second goal in the second period.
But the Mammoth offense found an even higher gear in the third, slapping two pucks past the Nashville goaltender in the first six minutes of the period. Those included a stunning no-look assist by Keller to Lawson Crouse for the team’s third goal. The Preds managed to claw a goal back after falling behind 4-0, but it was too little too late.
The first round of the NHL playoffs are scheduled to begin on April 18. The Mammoth are likely to draw one of three teams in round one—the Oilers (with MVP candidate Connor McDavid), local rivals Vegas Golden Knights or the upstart Anaheim Ducks. CW
Planet in Advance
Celebrate Earth Day with activities at Hogle Zoo, the Natural History Museum of Utah, Ogden Nature Center and more.
BY SCOTT RENSHAW scottr@cityweekly.net
@scottrenshaw
I
t has been more than 55 years since the original Earth Day on April 22, 1970, and … well, let’s just say it would appear there’s still a fair amount of work to be done. But while this might seem like a particularly bleak moment in the history of the modern environmental movement, that’s no excuse not to find ways to celebrate the diversity of this planet.
Because April 22 falls smack-dab in the middle of the week this year, local events will be taking place throughout a span that includes the weekends before and after the “official” date. Here is just a handful of the ways you can mark the occasion, whether with a family or as an adult with your own love for Mother Earth.
Party for the Planet @ Hogle Zoo: Spending Earth Day with animals is always a good idea, and Utah’s Hogle Zoo (2600 Sunnyside Ave.) presents just such an opportunity with its annual Party for the Planet. You’ll find plenty of family-friendly activities and games, as well as recycling projects and themed crafts.
You and your family can also connect with other local organizations engaging in environmental causes. The event takes place Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., with all activities included as part of regular zoo admission. hoglezoo.org
Eco Arbor Day @ the Natural History Museum of Utah: With Arbor Day falling on April 24, the Natural History Museum of Utah (301 Wakara Way) offers a combined day for considering how to impact the environment. Families get a chance to explore sustainability through hands-on science activities and crafts, from creating art out of recycled and found objects, to learning how plants “drink,” to creating “seed bombs” that you can take home and plant yourself. Programming begins on Saturday, April 18 at 10:15 a.m., with on-site registration of $8 per person. nhmu.utah.edu
Ripple Effect Earth Day Celebration @ Millcreek Common: A terrific group of organizations—Friends of Great Salt Lake, Utah Rivers Council, Jordan River Commission, Red Butte
Earth Day at Ogden Nature Center
Garden and Millcreek Arts Council—collaborate on this day of events at Millcreek Common (1354 E. Chambers Ave.) mostly focused on water conservation efforts. Participate in a student-painted rain barrel auction, enjoy family-friendly water conservation activities, learn about Great Salt Lake preservation efforts and connect with a variety of community organizations. Free and open to the public Saturday, April 24, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.; roller skating at the Millcreek Common rink will also be free for the duration of the event. millcreekcommon.org
Party for the Planet @ Tracy Aviary Nature Center at Pia Okwai: If you’ve never gotten a chance to visit Tracy Aviary’s satellite location on the Jordan River, here’s a great reason to do so. The Nature Center at Pia Okwai (3310 S. 1000 West) hosts a day including a BioBlitz and iNaturalist workshop, a bird walk along the Jordan River with Salt Lake Audubon, bike ride with Bike Utah and a chance to connect with a wide variety of community organizations including Wasatch Mountain Institute and National Wildlife Refuge System. All events are free to the public on Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. tracyaviary.org
Kimball Junction Earth Day Trash Cleanup: Join Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter (1258 Center Dr., Park City) for the annual removal of garbage that has accumulated over the winter season in various Kimball Junction locations; unremoved trash can end up in the preserve area itself, becoming dangerous for wildlife. Coffee and light snacks will be provided for participants. Sign up for a volunteer shift for Saturday, April 25, 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. extension.usu.edu/swaner
Earth Day Celebration @ Ogden Nature Center: One of the Wasatch Front’s underappreciated assets for enjoying our wild and wonderful local environment, Ogden Nature Center (966 W. 12th St., Ogden) presents a day full of fun-filled activities centered around conservation. You can simply walk one (or more) of the many trails, sign up for a guided scavenger hunt, engage in hands-on activities or engage with local artists and organizations trying to bring awareness to a wide range of environmental issues. A “repair fair” offers a chance to learn a skill that will reduce your consumer footprint, and presentations throughout the day include animal encounters and live entertainment from groups like Oaxaca En Utah and Celtic Beat Irish Dancers. The day also serves as the culmination of the annual Birdhouse Competition, so you’ll get a chance to see and celebrate the winners as part of the festivities. Admission is $5 per guest, children 3 and under free. Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. ogdennaturecenter.org CW
theESSENTIALS
Complete listings online at cityweekly.net
Ririe-Woodbury: Vantage Point and Spring Forward fundraiser
Everyone comes to art, whether as creator or audience, with a unique perspective based on lived experience. That’s one of the reasons why it’s important to celebrate the variety of perspectives, including providing opportunities like Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company’s season-closing production Vantage Point, which centers the work of three female choreographers. Two of the three scheduled works have graced the RWDC stage previously: 2021’s Two Hearted by Keerati Jinakunwiphat; and 2010’s The Opposite of Killing by Tzveta Kassabova, which explores the emotions inspired by the loss and absence of a dear friend. Rounding out the program is a world premiere by artistic director Leslie Kraus, In-Kind Growth, which features collaboration with composer Harrison Lind and artist Megan Bertelsen of GALORE Floral creating avant-garde floral sculpture and costume design.
The RWDC weekend also includes the return of the annual Spring Forward benefit party, which continues the floral theme with a lively and colorful celebration. DJ dancing, cocktails, snacks and an immersive GALORE Floral experience. Attendees will also get to see a preview excerpt from the performance of In-Kind Growth, as well as emcee and local drag artist extraordinaire Sequoia, along with raffle and auction experiences.
Vantage Point comes to the Rose Wagner Center’s Leona Wagner Black Box (138 W. 300 South) April 17 – 18 at 7:30 p.m. plus an April 18 matinee at 1 p.m. General admission tickets are $35/$15 for students and seniors. The Spring Forward benefit takes place Thursday, April 16 at 6 p.m., with tickets $100 per person. Visit ririewoodbury.com for additional event information and to purchase tickets.
Sackerson/Lil Poppet Productions: Red
In 1958, artist Philip Rothko accepted a $35,000 commission to paint a series of murals for Seagram’s Distillery’s soon-toopen posh Four Seasons restaurant in New York; in 1959, having nearly completed the series that was intended to hang in the smaller of the restaurant’s two dining rooms, Rothko decided to return the money for the commission and reclaimed the paintings. This fascinating collision between art and commerce became the foundation of John Logan’s 2009 Tony Award-winning play Red, which focuses on the relationship between Rothko and his assistant as they engage in the process of creating the murals, and con-
Ririe-Woodbury’s Vantage Point
templating what the commission means.
According to local playwright Morag Shepherd, who directs a production of Red for Sackerson/Lil Poppet Productions, “After I read this piece, I could not stop thinking about it. Never have I read a play that grapples with the role of art in relation to the artist in such a profound, thoughtful and bold way. I especially am haunted by what Logan interjects about the audience, audience consumption, and how we have almost entirely failed to engage with art that we do not understand. We want our art to be easy and follow a simple, linear trajectory, when life is rarely that way. Rothko demands more, and indubitably, Logan does too.”
Sackerson/Lil Poppet Productions present Red at Westminster University’s Converse Hall (1840 S. 1300 East) April 16 – 26, with performances Thursday – Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday – Sunday at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25; visit events.humanitix.com/red-by-johnlogan for tickets. (SR)
Central Utah Astronomy Festival
While Earth Day (see p. 9) is certainly an important opportunity to think about the fate of our own planet, it’s also an opportunity to think about its unique place in the cosmos. The majesty of a starry sky allows a sense of perspective on our fragile green world, and everything we should do to preserve it. Consider kicking off your Earth Day with the inaugural Central Utah Astronomy Festival, exploring the stars from the human perspective of what they have meant culturally.
The three-day event takes place over three locations, each day including astronomy activities for all ages, solar scopes, evening “constellation tours” and telescope viewing (depending on cloud cover conditions), and 7 p.m. presentations. On Friday, begin at Territorial Statehouse State Park, where keynote speaker Dr. John Lundwall will address “The Cosmography of Clear Creek Canyon,” including how oral cultures like the Fremont peoples utilized rock art to integrate sky, earth and seasons. Saturday moves to Fremont Indian State Park, with Autumn Gillard speaking on the celestial views of the Southern Paiutes. And on Sunday, Piute State Park features Dr. Troy Allan on the importance of dark night skies to mental health, and how intentional engagement with dark skies can support emotional regulation.
The Central Utah Astronomy Festival takes place April 17 – 19, with all events free with park admission ($10 day-use fee); three-day passes are also available. Red-light flashlights only are recommended to preserve the experience. Visit stateparks.utah.gov/parks/ fremont-indian/astrofest/ for reservations and additional event information. (SR)
The Michelin Guide Comes to Utah
We’ve come a long way from green Jell-O, baby.
There are some days when I scroll through my Instagram feed of new local restaurants, and simply can’t hold back the excitement I feel about Utah’s dining ecosystem. I’ve been writing about local food and dining at City Weekly for nearly a decade, and I’m proud to say that I’m still a very long way from trying everything that our state has to offer—which doesn’t mean I’m going to stop trying, however. All it really means is that I’ve been covering our local hospitality sectors for long enough to see that downtown SLC and the food communities in West Valley, Park City and way down in Southern Utah are set to blow all the way up in the next few years.
Case in point: The prestigious Michelin Guide announced in late 2025 that it would be publishing the Michelin Guide Southwest, which means that restaurants in the Beehive State are finally eligible for Michelin Guide recognition, and perhaps even—gasp!—a Michelin Star or two. As I’m writing this, the publication date for the Michelin Guide Southwest has yet to be announced, but we do know that it will happen sometime this year.
In preparation for this momentous occasion, this year’s Dining Guide will be all about the Michelin Guide, and what Michelin recognition could possibly mean for our local restaurant scene. We’ll provide a rundown of the Michelin Guide’s history, along with plenty of the local prospects that we’re hoping to see make their way onto the Guide’s pages. From fine-dining classics to the restaurants that offer the most bang for your buck, let this year’s Dining Guide amuse-bouche to the smorgasbord of Michelin delights that are in store later this year.
—Alex Springer City Weekly food and dining critic
YOUR GUIDE TO THE MICHELIN GUIDE
The Michelin Guide Southwest is nigh. What does that mean for Utah?
BY ALEX SPRINGER comments@cityweekly.net
If your only frame of reference to the Michelin Guide happens to be the towering, doughy figure of the Michelin Man that you’ve seen at the tire shop—his name is Bibendum, by the way—you’ve got a pretty good start. The travel guide that is known for helping tourists find the very best in food and lodging is produced by the same company that gives us Michelin Tires. So how did a French tire manufacturer end up producing the world’s most famous hotel and restaurant guide?
More Road Trips meant more Tire Sales
The first edition of the Michelin Guide was published in 1900 as a way for the fledgling tire company to encourage automotive tourism. Owners André and Édouard Michelin reasoned that if motorists had more reasons to take countryside road trips, they would be able to sell more tires.
The brothers’ original purpose for the guide was to include information about gas stations, repair shops, restaurants and lodging—everything a road-tripper would need to know about driving through France. By the 1920s, the Michelin Guide started to employ anonymous diners to visit locations around the country.
The guide’s one-, two- and three-star rating system was established in the 1930s, and Michelin has been recognized as a world-renowned authority on good hospitality ever since.
Michelin Stars and The Michelin Guide
Both the Michelin Guide and the Michelin Star function as different ways to recognize excellence in the dining and hotel industries. If the Michelin Guide’s anonymous inspectors deem an establishment worthy of inclusion, that’s a huge win.
Listing in the Michelin Guide means a greater level of visibility for restaurateurs, and it lets potential visitors know that the place has been thoroughly vetted by professionals. While the correlation between finedining restaurants and Michelin recognition is easy to notice, the inspectors themselves focus all of their attention on the food that has been prepared. Classy table settings, mood decor and showy tableside presentations hold no sway over an inspector’s ultimate recommendation.
Michelin Stars are a bit more exclusive than inclusion in the Michelin Guide, and are typically reserved for true excellence. Again, it’s common to see fine-dining restaurants operating at their peak snagging Michelin Stars, but per the Michelin Guide’s website, “you can find Michelin Stars anywhere from street food stalls to grand palaces.”
While the geography of the Michelin Guide’s jurisdiction may imply that Michelin Stars are fairly common, it’s incredibly difficult to secure just one Michelin Star, let alone three. Of the thousands of restaurants operating in America, only 276 of them have Michelin Stars.
Back in the pre-internet days of the 1900s, getting your business’s name in a widely circulated publication like the Michelin Guide was a hot ticket marketing strategy. If your business happened to earn a Michelin Star— or two or three—it meant you were worth a special trip.
Even in our current timeline of interminable online reviews, however, a resource like the Michelin Guide retains its value. Not only has it expanded its reach to many of the world’s finest travel destinations, but its high standards and dedication to excellence make it vastly more reliable than the musings of unknown writers on Yelp! with handles like JediKnight69.
What does the Michelin Guide’s new Regional Edition mean for Utah?
In late 2025, Michelin announced its plans to produce The Michelin Guide Southwest, a new regional guide that will cover Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. An exact date is not yet known, but the Southwest Guide is scheduled to come out sometime later this year, and it will be a fairly huge deal for Utah’s tourism and hospitality industries. Savvy travelers keep close tabs on the Michelin Guide, and any local restaurants that pop up as part of the new Southwest Guide can almost be guaranteed a spike in business, both from locals and tourists. As much as we all want our local hospitality businesses to succeed, however, Michelin recognition can be a double-edged sword. National recognition runs the risk of crowding out the locals—or worse, overburdening the staff.
It’s too early to tell exactly how Michelin recognition will impact our local Utah restaurants, bars and hotels. But it’s a fairly safe bet that the end result, for most of those who make the cut, will be a net positive. Perhaps the bigger picture is the timing of Michelin’s expansion to the American Southwest. All four of the included states have been making fascinating contributions to American gastronomy, and Utah deserves a chance to show off its unique food scene. Local diners have watched the culinary landscape embrace local talent and celebrate the flavors of our diverse immigrant communities while watching high-profile restaurants—both national and international—expand into the market. Coupled with notable nods from the James Beard Foundation, it’s safe to say that Utah is going to be an exciting place to be for those of us who love a good meal. CW
An excerpt from the inaugural edition of the Michelin Guide.
FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION…
A
list of local restaurants that just might be Michelin Guide-worthy
BY ALEX SPRINGER comments@cityweekly.net
The last time I played craps, I accidentally bumped another player’s roll in midair, and it landed on ol’ big red himself. Everyone at the table lost their bets, and I spent the rest of my time at the casino looking over my shoulder. Though I did survive the faux pas, it made me realize that a career in gambling was probably a long shot for me.
That said, I do like the idea of some friendly speculation as to which of our local restaurants will end up showing up in the soon-to-be-unveiled Michelin Guide Southwest. Per the Guide’s website, the inspectors stick to five main criteria when evaluating restaurants: quality of ingredients; mastery of culinary technique; harmony of flavor; personality; and consistency.
Based on my nearly 10 years of experience on the Utah food beat, I think I can make a few decent guesses about what restaurants are most likely to end up in the Southwest Guide. I don’t think I’m brazen enough to speculate about our local Michelin Star potential—they’re notoriously difficult to secure, and I’m still a bit gun-shy from that experience at the craps table, after all. Place your bets, ladies and gentlemen.
Franck’s (6263 S. Holladay Boulevard, 801274-6264, francksfood.com): This little slice of culinary heaven near the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon is home to Chef Robert Perkins and his team. Known for its weekly
rotation of dinner menus that put creative twists on classic European recipes, Franck’s excels at engendering repeat visits. Even within the weekly rotation, Chef Perkins keeps things creative with his Tasting Tuesday and Burger Thursday menus, each one representing Franck’s commitment to creating memorable dining experiences for its patrons. I’m putting Franck’s pretty high on my list because it has always read “destination dining” to me, and its proximity to Solitude, Brighton and Alta ski resorts makes it feel particularly attractive to Utah tourists. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Franck’s gastronomic roots are well-steeped in the French cuisine that was found on the pages of early Michelin Guides.
Urban Hill (510 S. 300 W., Ste 100, 385-2954200, urban-hill.com): Longtime enthusiasts of downtown Salt Lake’s dining scene will most likely agree that Urban Hill is one of the restaurants to keep an eye on. Urban Hill has become known for its revolving menu and exciting culinary leadership from Chef Nick Zocco, but it’s set a new bar for Utah’s entire culinary scene. Zocco has been a James Beard finalist multiple times. Fingers crossed that this is the year he takes home the Best Chef Mountain Region award in June. Of course, James Beard recognition doesn’t always coincide with the Michelin Guide, but it’s the kind of thing that makes diners stand up and take note.
The secret to Urban Hill’s success is that it creates a fine-dining restaurant environment while strategically avoiding the things that people hate about fine dining restaurants. The prices are reasonable, the staff is welcoming and knowledgeable, and Chef Zocco’s culinary concept has always been one that delivers what he loves while keeping a meticulous eye on crowd-pleasing details. Personality is a big part of what you get at Urban Hill, and I think Michelin Guide inspectors will be just as charmed by Chef Zocco and his team as the rest of us.
Glitretind (7700 Stein Way, 866-9960034, steinlodge.com): Our dining community in Park City will definitely be under heavy
Among the many dishes served at Urban Hill
scrutiny from the Michelin Guide inspectors. While there are plenty of restaurants up the mountain that could hang in the Guide, my best odds are on Glitretind at the Stein Eriksen Lodge in Deer Valley.
There’s something timeless about the menu that Chef Zane Holmquist has crafted at Glitretind. And its French- and Europeaninspired menu is a wonderful complement to any Alpine visit. From locally-sourced veal courtesy of Niman Ranch to elk tenderloin that speaks to Utah’s access to game meats, Glitretind is the kind of restaurant that exudes a fine-dining atmosphere. It’s also the kind of restaurant that feels relevant to Utah’s ski culture. The “Greatest Snow on Earth” attracts millions of visitors to our local ski resorts, and there’s nothing quite like enjoying dinner within Glitretind’s celebrated halls for a bit of aprés-ski haute cuisine.
Junah (916 S. Jefferson St., Ste. B, 801382-9182, junahslc.com): It doesn’t happen very often, but when a restaurant knocks my socks off as spectacularly as Junah has, I’m a fan for life. So yes, I am speaking with a bit of a bias when I say that Chefs Felipe Oliveira and Hiro Tagai deserve to be in the Michelin Guide Southwest, and all other relevant culinary publications until the end of time. Objectively speaking, however, there’s no disputing the technique and creativity that are on display with Junah’s Japanese-Italian fusion concept. It’s a fresh culinary perspective for Utah, but I would also wager that there aren’t many other itameshi joints in the American Southwest.
Junah is a destination restaurant to be sure, and I think its consistency and creativity have done more than enough to justify it as such. CW
ALEX SPRINGER
BIB FOR YOUR BUCK
Michelin’s Bib Gourmand highlights economical excellence–here are a few of our local contenders.
BY LILY SPRINGER comments@cityweekly.net
Disciples of the Salt Lake foodie scene may already be aware of the Michelin Guide’s upcoming foray into the American Southwest, which is an exciting prospect for those of us who like keeping an eye on local culinary innovation. Admittedly, I’m a little out of my element once an establishment reaches a certain point of classiness, so I wouldn’t call myself much of an expert on the “Michelin Star” experience. However, I do consider myself a solid judge of those humbler neighborhood gems; the places that can really nail the staples, or put a compelling twist on them, without getting too pretentious.
This category happens to align with Michelin’s “Bib Gourmand” classification, a distinction for restaurants offering highquality cuisine at more accessible price points. As a self-described gourmand myself, I have a few personal favorites that I think are worth making the cut.
Bar Nohm (165 W. 900 South, 385-4654488, barnohm.com): Simplicity can be daunting. When relying on only a few ingredients, each element has to be in perfect balance for a harmonious, satisfying dish. Bar Nohm excels at just that.
Their Kushiyaki menu is simple, but every skewer—whether mushroom or meat—is an absolute bomb of smoky, savory, oh-soslightly sweet flavor. The seasonal small plates, too, are uncomplicated, but pristinely crafted, each ingredient present with careful intention. Diners looking for something more familiar can enjoy the crispy karaage chicken or fried rice, or could branch out to something like ssamjang pork jowl. The Asian pear salad is a perfect transition from winter to spring, with the bright tang of preserved Asian pear melding with a lingering coziness from roasted pepitas and goat cheese. The sleek, modern menu at Bar Nohm always manages to be thoughtfully put together and well-executed.
White Horse (325 S. Main Street, 801-3630137, whitehorseslc.com): Back in business after a devastating fire last August forced a months-long closure, White Horse is firing again on all cylinders. The robust bill of fare has something for just about every appetite and every palate, running the gamut from simple bar food to elevated entrées. You can’t go wrong with malty, truffle-y, house-made potato chips and a 63° egg, all
shaken tableside in a brown paper bag. For me, though, the star at White Horse is the duck breast, served with roasted fingerling potatoes, crispy brussels sprouts and Utah sour cherries. I always appreciate when fruit can be integrated into a savory dish without becoming cloying, and the sweet-sourness of the cherries here pairs perfectly with the savory richness of the seared duck.
The braised short rib, too, is elevated comfort food done perfectly, with melt-inyour-mouth beef singing alongside creamy whipped potatoes under a unifying red wine demi-glace. While there seems to be no shortage of New American restaurants with exposed brick interiors and rustic-industrial aesthetic, White Horse’s menu stands out when it comes to creativity and gastronomic intrigue on an accessible scale.
Manoli’s (402 E. 900 South, Ste. 2, 801532-3760, manolison9th.com): Good food, and sharing good food, is one of the most time-honored ways of warming the human soul. Manoli’s brings fresh, lively interpretations of beloved Greek cuisines to a tapasstyle, community-focused menu. A generous array of vegetarian options highlights fresh, seasonal and locally-sourced veggie flavors—or you could simply go with a gorgeous, golden block of seared kefalograviera cheese. Of course, Manoli’s has its own spin on Greek classics like dolmades and souvlaki, bringing a sense of elevation to these Mediterranean comfort dishes.
It’s also impossible to go wrong with any dish at Manoli’s that features potatoes. Though I often feel that these tubers can act as a heavy, starchy placeholder without adding much real presence to a plate, Manoli’s is no such case. The savory Greek potatoes served alongside the delicate fileted branzino, for example, are pan-roasted to crispy perfection in chicken broth, lemon, butter and garlic, and my mouth is watering even thinking about them. Overall, Manoli’s lovingly homes in on what makes a small-plate situation really work: dishes that are easilyshareable, full of flavor and straddling the sweet spot of familiarity and originality.
Koyote (551 W. 400 North, 385-262-5559, koyoteslc.com): This ramen bar is one of those spots that manages to boil a concept down to its bare essentials until the pure components reach Nirvana. Koyote has no need to bother with showiness or excessive frills, as a bowl of their authentic Japanese ramen is an experience all on its own.
The amount of flavor packed into one of these bowls is unreal. The ramen broth itself is dense with layers of rich, savory umami that cling to the chewy egg noodles, and the toppings are consistently the freshest and highest quality I’ve had in Utah. Though every bowl of ramen I’ve tried at Koyote has been exquisite, I always end up going back to the American Shoyu ramen, with its generous portion of smoked brisket complementing the classic jammy marinated egg, tender bamboo shoots and thinly-shaved green onion.
The Japanese-style mapo tofu here, too, can’t be ignored, with its gentle heat, silky tofu and flavor-absorbing vegan mince. Koyote pays loving attention to all the little details that make a simple dish great, and every bite feels like a trip straight to Japan. CW
Manoli’s
White Horse
Bar Nohm
MICHELIN GUIDANCE
Chef Luis Perez of La Lola Taco talks about his own Michelin Guide experience.
BY ALEX SPRINGER comments@cityweekly.net
Iknow that while I and other locavores are nothing but excited about the prospect of seeing our favorite restaurants getting Michelin recognition, such culinary celebrity can often be a double-edged sword. I’ve spoken with a few of our local James Beard Award finalists and semifinalists about the virality of national recognition in our age of online influence, and none of them are blind to the potential negative aspects of increased visibility.
As Michelin Guide recognition is uncharted territory for most locals, I reached out to Chef Luis Perez of Murray’s recently opened La Lola Taco (lalolataco.com). His restaurant Lola Gaspar in Los Angeles was recognized by Michelin’s Bib Gourmand in 2024, and I wanted to get his insights on what that milestone meant to him and his restaurant.
“From a business standpoint, just being in the guide is a big deal,” he noted. “That initial day we were in the Guide, there was this jump, and business started skyrocketing.”
Like most chefs who get into cooking professionally for sheer love of the game, Perez didn’t have grand designs on getting national recognition. He described himself as a traditional SoCal kid who grew up in a community where cooking was an integral part of the social structure. “Being surrounded
by women, parents and grandmas just cooking all the time—you kind of get drawn to it because it’s become something magical and so important,” he said.
Perez opened Lola Gaspar in 2008 after an extended trip to Spain, where he forged a deep connection with the culture and cuisine. “Spain changed my life,” he recalled. “That was the inspiration for Lola Gaspar, which has more of a Spanish vibe.”
After working with a couple from Utah who suggested he pay the state a visit, Perez came and saw an up-and-coming food scene that captured his attention. “I checked out Bambino and saw what they were doing with the imported wood and their pizza oven,” he said. “Then I checked out Bar Nohm and saw what they were doing and was like, ‘Holy shit—what is going on in this town?’”
As our conversation turned back to thoughts of Michelin Guide recognition, Perez was quick to mention that Lola Gaspar’s presence in the Guide didn’t mean he wanted to do anything differently.
“As far as what we do in terms of quality and standards, it doesn’t affect me at all,” he remarked. “Lola Gaspar is a fraction of the size of La Lola Taco, and it’s just one cook.”
It’s a conversation that speaks to Michelin’s insistence that restaurants don’t try and “cook for the Guide,” but rather follow their own culinary vision. For Perez, that was always part of the plan. We discussed the distraction that striving for a Michelin Star can create for chefs, who already have so much on their literal and figurative plates.
“You just have to be aware of what fulfills you as an individual,” he said.
With a strong vision and a good plan of execution, the only thing really left is to get lucky enough to work with a team that has your back—which is something for which Perez is extremely grateful. In addition to La Lola Taco in Murray and Lola Gaspar, Perez also owns Chapter One in Santa Ana, Calif.
“They have such amazing teams out there, and that gives me the liberty to do other projects,” he said.
Perez’s relationship with his restaurant
teams is one of his secret weapons when it comes to building a strong culinary vision. “My anchors have been with me for an average of 12 years,” he said. “We see each other’s kids grow up, seeing them get married and go through illness, families, pets and everything.”
He and his team have cultivated a professional relationship that is based on mutual respect, and it’s helped them all contribute to a restaurant concept that emphasizes passion and creativity over awards and accolades. “We definitely back each other up,” Perez observed. “We get into an environment where it’s just positive and everybody wants to succeed, and it just radiates—it’s totally natural to just give positivity back.”
My conversation with Perez validated similar sentiments I’ve heard from others who own and operate local restaurants and bars. At the end of the day, recognition has the power to be good for business, and when a business is thriving, its survival rate tends to last a little bit longer. Beyond that, however, a restaurant’s true merit comes from the vision upon which it is based.
All any of us can really do in this life is to figure out who we are and how we want to show that to the world. Recognition is a tempting goal, but it’s also ephemeral, and its criteria can change on a dime. I’d say it’s much better to take a cue from Chef Perez and just stick to your guns. Sooner or later, the recognition will come. CW
pad kickoff, scavenger hunt, and free popsicles on Saturday (10 AM–12 PM).
WEEK 3: PLEIN AIR COMPETITION
Saturday, May 30 | 9:30 AM – 1 PM | Holt Farmstead – 1250 Holt Farm Ln. Watch artists paint live (10 AM–12 PM). Artist registration due May 17.
WEEK 4: CHALK ART FESTIVAL AT SOJO SUMMERFEST
Friday, June 5 – Saturday, June 6 | All Day | South Jordan City Park – 11000 S. Redwood Rd. Live chalk art from pros and amateurs. Viewing Friday night and Saturday.
WEEK 5: FAMILY PAINT WORKSHOP
Saturday, June 13 | 10 AM – 12 PM | East River Front Park – 10900 S. River Front Pkwy. Guided painting for all skill levels. Register by June 7.
WEEKS 6–7: GUYS AND DOLLS June 19, 20, 22, 25, 26, 27 | 7 PM | South Jordan Community Center – 10778 S. Redwood Rd. Evening performances with Saturday matinees at 2 PM.
Chef Luis Perez
PUTTING THE “AMEN” IN AMENITIES
A look at the hotel and restaurant combos we think will put Utah on the map.
BY AIMEE L. COOK comments@cityweekly.net
As a longtime observer of our culinary scene, I could not be more thrilled about Utah stepping onto the global stage with the prestigious Michelin Guide. If you are a food-lover, the anticipation is palpable. Michelin’s famously anonymous inspectors are out in force, dining across Salt Lake City, Park City and Sundance. In addition to restaurants, the Michelin Guide also evaluates hotels and lodging—and Utah has some primo hotel/ restaurant combos that would be excellent contenders for Michelin Guide recognition.
Combining the comfort of high-class amenities with a stellar restaurant or cafe is one of the great balancing acts of the hospitality industry. We’re confident these names will leave an impression on Michelin’s inspectors. Hotel dining in Utah has completely transformed over the past few years.
These properties are no longer just convenient spots for guests to grab a bite; they are culinary destinations mastering genuine hospitality. Based on Michelin’s rigorous criteria, here are the hotel restaurants I am keeping a close eye on during this evaluation period.
Remington Hall at Grand Hyatt Deer Valley (1702 Glencoe Mountain Way, 435-7314589, remingtonhalldv.com): There is an un-
deniable energy at the new Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, and Remington Hall is at the center of it. This space beautifully balances mountain luxury with authentic, heartfelt hospitality.
The restaurant recently reimaged its offerings as an elevated steakhouse. Executive Chef Viktor Merenyi and Chef de Cuisine Michael Bauer’s mastery of techniques and dedication to sourcing pristine local ingredients makes it a strong candidate to catch an inspector’s eye. The menu features game meats like bison and elk in various cuts, alongside premium additions like foie gras. Even the kitchen equipment got an upgrade to ensure a perfectly-prepared dish.
The Tree Room at Sundance Resort (8841 N. Alpine Loop Rd., 801-223-4200, sundanceresort.com): The Tree Room has long been a crown jewel of Utah dining. The restaurant drips with rustic elegance and the late Robert Redford’s personal art collection. But it is the kitchen’s harmony of flavors and unyielding consistency over time that makes it a true Michelin contender. Executive Chef Diane Davidson and Sous Chef Matt Nakpansue have created a menu that highlights the best proteins of the area and the season. The legendary Tree Room Pepper Steak remains, but the menu’s cauliflower is also having a moment. The food is as breathtaking as the surrounding alpine scenery.
Rime at St. Regis Deer Valley (2300 Deer Valley Dr. East, 435-940-5760, srdvdining. com): Taking a funicular up to your dinner reservation already sets the stage for something special. At Rime, the focus is on premium seafood and prime meats. Executive Chef Matt Fradera’s personality shines through the cuisine, offering favorite dishes like braised sassafras pork belly and the braised lamb shank. Paired with the perfect bottle of wine from their over-10,000-bottle cellar, you have a memorable dining experience that a Michelin inspector could get behind.
Rouser at Asher Adams (2 S. 400 West, 801-895-2858, rouserslc.com): Located in the spectacular new Asher Adams hotel in downtown Salt Lake City, Rouser is bringing a fresh, sophisticated edge to our urban dining scene. The menu showcases incredible flavor combinations and top-tier cooking methods. Dining in the main restaurant
The
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offers an inviting experience, but the Josper Counter Experience is special. The interactive, intimate event features the tradition of Spanish charcoal cooking, with six guests per seating, and offers a four-course dinner. Centered around the Josper grill, oven and rotisserie, each dish highlights smoky depth, bold flavors and the craftsmanship behind Spain’s celebrated culinary techniques. Executive Chef Mauricio Lopez changes the menu often, making it exciting each time. It is exactly the kind of ambitious, highly authentic concept that Michelin inspectors love to discover in an evolving city.
Sushi by Bou at the Peery Hotel (110 W. Broadway, 888-670-5996, sushibybou.com):
For something completely different but equally masterful, the Sushi by Bou omakase experience inside the historic Peery Hotel is
a must-visit. Intimate, energetic and highlyspecialized, this concept relies entirely on the quality of ingredients and the chef’s precision. Offering three chef-guided omakase menus, 12- and 17-course options, including the premium Bou Reserve, which includes a branded caviar bump, this 4- to 12-seat counter-timed tasting omakase experience is a showstopper housed in a secret speakeasy inside the hotel lobby. This dining experience checks all five Michelin criteria boxes. The arrival in Utah of the Michelin Guide is the ultimate validation of the hard work our local chefs, farmers and hospitality professionals put in every single day. I am looking forward to the big announcements coming later this year. Until then, get out there, support our local restaurants, and taste the magic for yourself! CW
A Taste of Sicily in Salt Lake City
Sushi by Bou at the Peery Hotel
Cinephile Spring
Reviews of The Christophers
and Normal, plus a preview of the inaugural event for Salt Lake Cinephile.
BY SCOTT RENSHAW scottr@cityweekly.net @scottrenshaw
The Christophers BBB
The chemistry between actors is a mysterious thing, but sometimes it manifests in the way that their performance energies are completely different. That’s the dynamic on display in the story of Lori Butler (Michaela Coel), a London-based art-restoration expert who’s employed by the offspring (Jessica Gunning and James Corden) of once-celebrated artist Julian Sklar (Ian McKellen) ostensibly to become Julian’s assistant, but really to complete a series of paintings that could fetch millions. Those two kids are truly awful buffoons, and it’s the one major misstep in Ed Solomon’s script that they feel less like financially-desperate actual people than the comic villains of a live-action Disney movie. Otherwise, it’s tremendous when the focus is on the two richly-drawn central characters: Julian, whose relevance has collapsed into bitchy reality-show appearances and even-bitchier paid video greetings; and Lori, clearly financially strapped but with her own fierce integrity about the idea of art. Director Steven Soderbergh shows a perfect sense for how to balance the performances, as McKellen leans into the comedy of Julian’s big personality (upon appearing inappropriately attired before Lori: “Weinstein has ruined the robe for the rest of us”), and Coel’s wonderful watchfulness indicates the extent to which Lori has his number. Notions about the emotional exposure of putting art into the world simmer without fully developing, but it’s enough to watch this odd-couple friendship emerge in a way that feels fully organic. Available April 17 in theaters. (R)
Normal BB
When interim sheriff Ulysses Richardson (Bob Odenkirk) arrives in the small Minnesota town of Normal for an eight-week gig to fill in for his recently-deceased predecessor, the late sheriff’s name is revealed as “Gunderson”—and if you’re going to set a bloodsoaked crime caper in a snowy Midwestern locale, it . In this case,
the trouble involves the town being tangled up with Japanese yakuza, and there’s at least a potentially intriguing notion in wondering to what extremes “Main Street U.S.A.” might have to go in order to survive the global economy. But screenwriter Derek Kolstad—best known for the John Wick series, as well as the Nobody features with Odenkirk—lacks the finesse to really be able to explore ideas like economic desperation vs. the bigotry inextricably linked to certain “heartland values” as manifested in a subplot involving a transgender character. No, he mostly enjoys a big blast’em-up romp, and director Ben Wheatley dutifully chugs through the carnage without much invention to the violence, unless you count multiple instances of Rube Goldberg-esque deaths to suggest some Final Destination cross-pollination. Odenkirk remains an interestingly counter-intuitive action protagonist, but the tragic backstory behind his hangdog demeanor doesn’t provide enough juice to balance what’s missing here, you betcha. Available April 17 in theaters. (R)
SPECIAL EVENT PREVIEW:
The Shepherd and the Bear
Anyone who’s ever been queued up for a Sundance screening knows how much people love talking about the interesting—or disappointing—movies they’ve been seeing. Sundance may be departing, but we want to continue building on the energy of a community of film-lovers who desire ongoing engagement with the works they’ve seen. To that end, Salt Lake City Weekly is launching Salt Lake Cinephile, dedicated to keeping people informed about the local movie scene and connecting people with events and opportunities to talk about movies with filmmakers, and with one another.
Our first event, in partnership with the Utah Film Center, is a special screening of the 2024 documentary The Shepherd and the Bear, which follows shepherds, farmers and other members of a small community in the French Pyrenees as their lifestyle comes into conflict with a government plan to reintroduce bears into the local ecosystem. It’s a fascinating story of clashes between competing interests that has plenty of resonance here in Utah. A screening of the film takes place at Utah Film Center (375 W. 400 North) on Thursday, April 16 at 7 p.m., and will be followed by a post-film Q&A with the film’s director, Max Keegan, moderated by yours truly and Utah Film Center programmer Russell Roots.
This event is free to the public, but registration is recommended at utahfilmcenter.org in order to guarantee seating availability. We welcome you to be there for the start of this exciting new chapter for local cinephiles. CW
2 Row Brewing
73 West 7200 South, Midvale 2RowBrewing.com
On Tap: Dos Filas - Mexican Lager
Avenues Proper
376 8th Ave, SLC avenuesproper.com
On Tap: White Out - White Stout
Bewilder Brewing
445 S. 400 West, SLC BewilderBrewing.com
On Tap: Pink Boots - Pink Pony Pilz
Bohemian Brewery
94 E. Fort Union Blvd, Midvale BohemianBrewery.com
NEW Releases: Kölsch, Dusseldorfer “Alt” Bier
Bonneville Brewery 1641 N. Main, Tooele BonnevilleBrewery.com
On Tap: Peaches and Cream Ale
Chappell Brewing
2285 S Main Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84115 chappell.beer
On Tap: Pie Hole - Strawberry Rhubarb Tart Ale
Craft by Proper
1053 E. 2100 So., SLC properbrewingco.com
On Tap: Paradise Lost - dry hopped rice lager
Desert Edge Brewery
273 Trolley Square, SLC DesertEdgeBrewery.com
On Tap: Edge’s Special Bitter ESB
Epic Brewing Co.
825 S. State, SLC EpicBrewing.com
On Tap: Billion Dollar Sculpin IPA
Etta Place Cidery
700 W Main St, Torrey EttaPlaceCider.com
On Tap: All-American Blend Cider, MangoHabanero Session Mead
Fisher Brewing Co.
320 W. 800 South, SLC FisherBeer.com
On Tap: A rotation of up to 17 Fresh Beers!
Grid City Beer Works
333 W. 2100 South, SLC GridCityBeerWorks.com
In a Can: Extra Pale Ale
Heber Valley Brewing
501 N. Main Street, Heber City, UT hebervalleybrewing.com
On Tap: Stellar Stream IPA
Helper Beer
159 N Main Street, Helper, UT helperbeer.com
Hopkins Brewing Co. 1048 E. 2100 South, SLC HopkinsBrewingCompany.com
On Tap: Raspberry Gose
Kiitos Brewing
608 W. 700 South, SLC KiitosBrewing.com
On Draft: Bliss IPA (Extremely Small Batch)
Kiitos Brewing Sugar House Bar 1533 S. 1100 East, SLC KiitosBrewing.com
On Draft: Bliss IPA (Extremely Small Batch)
Level Crossing Brewing Co. 2496 S. West Temple, South Salt Lake LevelCrossingBrewing.com
On Tap: Half a Weizen 3.3% ABV
Level Crossing Brewing Co., POST 550 South 300 West, Suite 100, SLC LevelCrossingBrewing.com
On Tap: Helles Munich Pale Lager
Moab Brewing 686 S. Main, Moab TheMoabBrewery.com
On Tap: “Big Drop” West Coast Pilsner
Mountain West Cider
425 N. 400 West, SLC MountainWestCider.com
On Tap: Hot Girl Summer (Pineapple Ginger Hard Cider)
Offset Bier Co
1755 Bonanza Dr Unit C, Park City offsetbier.com/
On Tap: DOPO IPA
Ogden Beer Company
358 Park Blvd, Ogden OgdenBeerCompany.com
On Tap: 11 rotating taps as well as high point cans and guest beers
Park City Brewing 1764 Uinta Way C1 ParkCityBrewing.com
On Tap: Smooth Operator Cream Ale
Prodigy Brewing 25 W Center St. Logan Prodigy-brewing.com
On Tap: 302 Czech Pilsner
Proper Brewing/Proper Burger 857 So. Main & 865 So. Main properbrewingco.com
On Tap: Saison du Ben (Saison)
Proper Brewing Moab 1393 US-191, Moab properbrewingco.com
On Tap: Saison du Ben (Saison)
Red Rock Brewing 254 So. 200 West RedRockBrewing.com
On Tap: Gypsy Scratch
Red Rock Fashion Place 6227 So. State Redrockbrewing.com
On Tap: Grand Bavaria
Red Rock Kimball Junction 1640 Redstone Center Redrockbrewing.com
On Tap: Bamberg Rauch Bier
Roosters Brewing Multiple Locations RoostersBrewingCo.com On Tap: Hibiscus
BEER NERD
Epic Dichotomy
The brilliant contrast of two new beers from Epic Brewing.
BY MIKE RIEDEL comments@cityweekly.net @utahbeer
Epic – 2-1/4: This beer is a response to the growing call for lighter, more calorie-conscious options, and it delivers exactly what you’d hope for in a well-made light lager. From the first pour, it presents a pale yellow, almost straw-like hue—bright, clean and inviting. The head forms briefly with a soft, airy foam before quickly dissipating, reinforcing its light and easygoing nature.
On the nose, it leans into subtlety rather than boldness. Gentle aromas of cereal grains and freshly cracked crackers come forward first, evoking a simple, comforting familiarity. There’s a faint lift of herbal character alongside a dose of lemony zest that adds just enough intrigue without overwhelming the senses. The flavor follows suit with impressive consistency. Crisp and clean, it opens with soft grain notes and a delicate crackerlike backbone. Mid-palate, a mild herbal quality emerges, accompanied by a light citrus zest that keeps things refreshing. The finish is dry and snappy, encouraging another sip almost immediately. What stands out most is the balance; nothing feels out of place or overdone. It embraces its role as a lighter beer without sacrificing structure or drinkability. The body is appropriately lean, the carbonation lively and the overall experience smooth from start to finish.
Verdict: This is the kind of beer that excels in its simplicity. It’s approachable, refreshing and highly sessionable, ideal for warm days, long afternoons or anytime you want something crisp without the weight. This 2.25 percent ABV lager doesn’t try to reinvent the style, but rather refines it, meeting expectations with quiet confidence and delivering exactly what a light lager should be.
Epic - Brainless Honeycomb: This Belgian-style golden strong ale blurs stylis-
tic lines in the best possible way, landing somewhere between beer, mead, and wine.
Aged in Chardonnay barrels and brewed with rosemary honey, it’s an ambitious concept that delivers on its promise.
From the first pour, it’s clear you’re in for something big, both in flavor and in presence. The aroma is driven by classic Belgian yeast character—bold, peppery phenols rise from the glass, giving it that unmistakable golden strong ale identity. Beneath that, there’s a subtle floral sweetness and a faint vinous note, hinting at the Chardonnay barrel influence waiting to unfold.
On the palate, this beer comes alive. A rich wave of honey sweetness leads the charge, coating the tongue without becoming cloying. The rosemary element of the honey is delicate but purposeful, adding an herbal complexity that elevates the entire experience. Then the Chardonnay barrels step in, contributing soft oak, light acidity and a gentle white wine character that ties everything together.
What’s most impressive is the harmony. With so many bold components— honey, herbs, barrel aging, expressive yeast—you might expect things to feel disjointed. Instead, it all integrates beautifully. The fruitiness from the yeast and barrel interplay is vibrant, offering notes of orchard fruit and a touch of citrus, while the finish remains smooth and slightly warming. Yes, it’s big. At 12.0 percent this is a slow sipper, no doubt. But it never feels overwhelming or chaotic. Each element has its place, and each sip reveals something new.
Verdict: At its core, this is a damn cool ale—creative, well-executed and memorable, a true hybrid experience that pushes boundaries while staying remarkably drinkable.
If these two new Epic beers aren’t enough for you, Epic is also debuting their new brewery bar this week at 825 S. State in SLC. The brand-new room features an expanded space, large windows, 10 new draft handles featuring brand new beers and an enclosed outdoor patio that is spacious and dog-friendly. Stay close for news on all the new Epic beers, along with the other new suds state-wide.
the BACK BURNER
BY ALEX SPRINGER | @captainspringer
2026 Ogden Beer Fest
Our Ogdenite neighbors to the north will be hosting the annual Ogden Beer Fest (ogdenbeerfest. com) on April 18 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Monarch (455 25th Street). This event has become Ogden’s premiere celebration of all things brewed, malted and hopped, and it’s a great way to give local breweries a try. Local brewery all-stars like Proper Brewing, Bohemian Brewery, Uinta Brewing and Sugar House Distillery will be present, along with Ogden Beer Company and Ogden’s Own Distillery. I saw that Vernal Brewing will also be there, so this will be the best way to get a taste of what’s going on in Vernal without taking a three-hour drive.
Via Veneto Opens
Sugar House recently welcomed Via Veneto Pizzarium (viavenetopizzarium.com), which had me wondering what exactly a “pizzarium” was. As it turns out, pizzariums are proprietors of pizza al taglio, Roman-style pizza known for its rectangular shape and airy, focaccia-like crust. As one who has long worshipped at the garlic-infused altar of pizza pies, the prospect of welcoming another niche pizza concept to our state is akin to a religious experience, and a pilgrimage will definitely be on the horizon. Via Veneto looks to be bringing all kinds of traditional Roman flavors to its menu—I am particularly attracted to the burrata, mortadella and pistachio pizza, but it all looks pretty amazing.
Last Day for Bohemian Bum Winter Farmer’s Market
The Bohemian Bum Winter Farmer’s Market will be concluding on April 19 at the Gateway (atthegateway.com). If you haven’t visited the winter season of this eclectic collection of local vendors, food trucks and other crafty finds, you’d better cancel your plans for the weekend and check it out. In addition to all the great shopping in store, this particular market is known for its unique roundup of performing artists and opportunities for attendees to create art of their own. If you can’t make it this weekend, the summer season of the Bohemian Bum Farmer’s Market starts up on May 3, and runs every other Sunday through October 18.
Quote of the Week: “Beer makes you feel the way you ought to feel without beer.”
– Henry Lawson
Music Mailbag
April 2026
New music from floatingaround, Cecret Souls, Krooked Kings, frick. and Jake Witt
BY EMILEE ATKINSON eatkinson@cityweekly.net @emileelovesvinyl
As the spring flowers begin to bloom, so too do the incredible local musicians in the area. It’s getting to be outdoor show season, and happily there are some great new releases to accompany the outdoor vibes. Here are a few to check out as you get outside and soak up the sun.
floatinground, “Shapeshift”: floatinground is a charming four-piece indie project headed by lyricist/ guitarist/vocalist Ether Warburton. Their influences draw from ’90s radio rock, alternative, jam bands and modern indie groups. Their newest single “Shapeshift” released on BandCamp in January and was just made available everywhere else on April 10. It starts with steady bass and has vocals and guitar effects fading in and out, creating a feeling of movement. This track is a slower, low energy track with contemplative lyrics like “They speak in whispers / and tongue twisters / Fake news / Real blisters / It’s the same old ball and chain / That keeps the mysteries at bay.” If you’re needing something on the chill side, “Shapeshift” is a great one to put on.
Cecret Souls, “Nevermore”: A newer rock project consisting of members who are not new to the music scene, Cecret Souls has steadily been building an audience since last January. With the dynamic duo of Pepper Rose and Dave Crespo in the group, it’s easy for rock fans to be drawn in by their
sound. They’ve been killing it with covers including “Sympathy is a Knife” by Charlie xcx and “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath (RIP Ozzy). Their originals are just as great, though, including the latest, “Nevermore.” The track and its accompanying video have a dark and mysterious vibe, the set of the music video adorned with raven feathers in reference to Edgar Allan Poe’s classic “The Raven.” “It’s like David Lynch made an indie rock song; this music video tells an intense story of a controlling force, suffocating the inherent beautiful energy of Lenore, played by Pepper Rose,” they note in the video description. “With gorgeous imagery of a house native to the oldest part of Salt Lake City. This neighborhood is known for having quaint houses with smaller houses behind them that used to be lived in by Mormon men’s second wives; a perfect environment for the nature of the song, ‘Nevermore.’” If you’re in the mood for something a little darker, don’t skip this new single.
Krooked Kings, In Another Life: “The past few years haven’t been easy for us as a band. Somewhere along the way, chasing trends and appeasing algorithms started to drain the passion we had for creating music,” indie rock band Krooked Kings said back in September. “It felt less like sharing art and more like chasing clicks. In that process, we began to lose the genuine connection with both our music and with you. Now, it’s time for a new chapter of Krooked Kings. One where the music comes first. No more noise, no more chasing trends, just honest songs and a renewed connection with the people who made this journey possible: you.” After that announcement, they began releasing singles from their latest album In Another Life. The album feels nostalgic yet fresh, and passion radiates from every line of
MUSIC
lyrics and strum of the guitar. Right after the release, Krooked Kings went on an East Coast tour, but hopefully a second leg includes SLC so their hometown can celebrate them as well.
frick., BE MAD. BE SAD: In uncertain times, it’s easy to feel a barrage of emotions— and the ones that are closest to the surface tend to be anger and sadness. One of SLC’s favorite bands with a satirical edge, frick., is well aware of those feelings, and released a new EP all about it. “Although the songs are political and serious at their core, there’s still plenty of tongue-in-cheek silliness that you’d expect from a frick. release,” they say of the new EP. “The band wants to show listeners that it’s okay to be mad and sad about the state of the country and world, but you don’t have to live in the doom and gloom of it all 24/7. It’s okay (and important) to still laugh and have fun too.” Titles like “Politicking Me Off” and “Orange Dicks” will probably give you a chuckle and offer some levity in the midst
of all of the craziness. The sound and lyrics are punk all the way though—scathing commentary of the world around us paired with chugging guitar gets the point across perfectly. If you feel like breaking stuff and headbanging out some anger, this is the perfect release for you.
Jake Witt, “Luck”: This list has some rock, punk and indie releases, so rounding it out with some Americana/country will make it far more complete. Witt is described on his website as “an Americana storyteller blending heartland roots with red dirt grit in the West.” His gritty, gravelly voice was made for the genre, sounding like a cowboy playing around a campfire with expansive desert behind him. “Luck” is the title track off of his upcoming album releasing May 1; he also released “Holdin’ On” last month ahead of the album. If you’re an Americana fan, definitely consider heading out to Witt’s album release show at Talisman Brewery in Ogden on Saturday, May 2. CW
TUESDAYS
WEDNESDAYS
BEST BAR IN UTAH!
GREAT FOOD
MUSIC PICK S
The Bombshell Flowers, Internet Lover Boys, Lazy Loners @ Velour 4/17
SLC indie band The Bombshell Flowers is a trio of friends who have been playing music together since 2011 (that’s 15 years ago, which is insane). They’re high-energy and have an exciting surf-rock sound. In March, they released their latest album Something New, Something Familiar, and will be celebrating it at an album release party this weekend. The new album is full of cozy indie jams that flow so easily, you won’t even realize you’ve gotten to the end of it. Supporting the Flowers is the “hopelessly romantic and chronically online” band, Internet Lover Boys. Their most recent release, “Horseshoes,” is an indie delight with charming vocals and yearning lyrics. No new releases from the Lover Boys, but some good tracks nonetheless to support The Bombshell Flowers. Last and never least on the bill is another exciting indie rock group, Lazy Loners. Like the others in the lineup tonight, they make some of the coolest indie tunes in town. Come hang out on Friday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the all-ages show are $12.24 and can be picked up at 24tix.com. (Emilee Atkinson)
UPCOMING SHOWS 4/16 4/17 4/18 4/19 4/21 4/24
Uptown Sasquatch
Linda From Work
RCS EP Release
Date My Mate
Moon Farmer
Adam and the Cracker Jacks
MUSIC PICK S
Ty Segall @ Metro Music Hall 4/17
California-born Ty Segall is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and producer known for his prolific output—16 albums and counting under his own name plus numerous side projects—and his command of diverse musical styles. In the last two-and-ahalf years, Segall has released no fewer than three new albums: Three Bells and Love Rudiments in 2024, and 2025’s Possession. Working out of San Francisco in the late ’00s, Segall emerged as a leading light in the indie and garage rock scenes, with an unalloyed sonic approach blending punk, psychedelic rock and noise. His early efforts (beginning with a 2008 self-titled album) showcased his dual passion for lo-fi recordings and highenergy performances. Throughout his career, Segall has been praised for a remarkable facility for creating music that’s both abrasive and rooted in melody. A common thread throughout Segall’s work is his use of fuzz-laden guitar riffage, inward-looking lyrics and experimental, non-standard musical structures. An enthusiastic collaborator, Segall has worked with many bands including stoner-rockers Fuzz, GØGGS, Epsilons and Party Fowl. Ty Segall returns to Metro Music Hall—this time with opener Primitive Ring—Friday, April 17 at 7 p.m. Tickets for this 21+ show are $42.49 advance ($48.13 day of show) and available at 24tix.com. (Bill Kopp)
MUSIC PICK S
Disclosure with Chloe Robinson @ The Complex 4/19
The renowned British electronic music duo Disclosure (brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence) have found the perfect blend of house music and U.K. garage for pop dance music. “The misconception is that we were underground before. We weren’t; we’ve always written pop songs,” Howard Lawrence told DMY Magazine. Knowing exactly who they are and what they make has led to several Grammy nominations, including their 2013 album Settle, 2015’s Caracal, and 2020’s Energy. Their single “My High” from the latter album, featuring American rapper Aminé and British rapper Slowthai, was nominated for Best Dance Recording in 2021. It’s the two brothers’ contrast in music taste that set them on a path for success— Howard’s funk and soul influences mixed with Guy’s foundation in hip-hop and dubstep have helped them cater to a wide audience. They are less worried about fitting into perfect micro-genres, and more about the pop-structured formula with music written in the style of house and garage from the ’90s. For example, their most famous song, “You & Me” featuring singer Eliza Doolittle from 2013, is still repeatedly remixed by electronic artists, showing that they created something malleable and timeless, effectively securing their legacy. AEG Presents is bringing Disclosure with direct support from the U.K. DJ and producer of “tiger,” Chloe Robinson, to Rockwell at The Complex on Sunday, April 19. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $76.28 for Tier 1 at axs.com. (Arica Roberts)
Oklou @ The Depot 4/21
Marylou Vanina Mayniel is the French musician, DJ and producer Oklou. Taking off in February 2025 with her first full-length studio album, choke enough, Oklou is on a worldwide tour and making a stop in Salt Lake City. Oklou’s music is best described as dreamy and ethereal, with nostalgia for the ’90s shoegaze movement peeking through the sound waves. Similar to artists like Caroline Polachek and FKA Twigs, with whom she later worked on a project, her music doesn’t need a booming bass beat or hi-hat to go hard or be considered EDM; the mundane sound of each track is enough to satisfy the aching earworm. “Blade bird” and “family and friends” are among the tracks that are
reminiscent of the ’90s and early ’00s French EDM scene, combining electronic beats with acoustic instruments like the mandolin and guitar to create a sound that was achieved by Daft Punk in the early 2010s—it’s seamless, and sounds effortless. Oklou returns to the industry after a brief hiatus in 2020, when she released her debut EP Galore. Now with choke enough taking her to places like Coachella, Primavera Sound and Down The Rabbit Hole, she’s on the biggest tour of her career. Oklou visits Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 21 at The Depot. Doors open at 7 p.m. with supporting act Vickie Cherie. The event is all-ages and tickets are $40 - $60 at ticketmaster.com. (Laney Hansen)
Corrosion Of Conformity @ Metro Music Hall 4/22
Corrosion of Conformity have set the bar so high for so long that listening to the singles from their new double LP, Good God / Baad Man, might seem a bit familiar—but c’mon, there’s only so many times one band can reinvent the wheel. So many promising bands over the years have fallen into the trap of self-parody, overindulgence or failure to expand and progress their sound to the next level. Not only has C.O.C survived, and been successful both critically and commercially; they are revered by non-metal fans and critics alike for indulging in their whims and working in any direction. “The way we were thinking back then, the hardcore thing was getting so stale. It seemed that everyone was doin’ the same fuckin’ thing, and for us to write the song ‘The Albatross’ felt more punk rock than anything anyone was doing at the time,” guitarist/vocalist Pepper Keenan told Thrasher Magazine. “People were pissed off at us. But it finally felt real again. We were just evolving as musicians.” If you are drawn to this band for their punk/ hardcore roots, there is plenty of chugging heaviness and about a gajillion riffs to enjoy here. Eleven studio albums in, the quality and the quantity of what they produce remains staggering. This new project appears to be another masterclass from a truly incredible band. Do not miss this show. Subterranean Deth Lounge opens. Catch these musicians at Metro Music Hall on Wednesday, April 22. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and tickets for the 21+ show are $45.31. Get yours at 24tix.com.
(Mark Dago)
Oklou
free will ASTROLOGY
BY ROB BREZSNY
ARIES (March 21-April 19)
Anthropologist and author Clifford Geertz loved to use “thick description.” He wrote detailed reports that captured not just the surface level of what happened but the deeper levels of meaning. Here’s an example of thin description: “He winked.” Thick description: “He quickly closed and opened his right eyelid in a culturally specific gesture of playfully conspiratorial communication.” In the coming weeks, Aries, I invite you to enjoy the sumptuous pleasures of thick description. Unleash your wild curiosity as you dig down into the rich, complex truths about everything. Gleefully explore how the cultural, personal and historical contexts give each moment its specific, nuanced significance. (PS: This will enhance your options for responding.)
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
New beginnings and final chapters will be overlapping in the coming weeks, and they’ll push you in the direction of robust growth. It won’t always be obvious which is which, though, so you’ll need to sharpen your discernment to read the signs. Here are two contemplations to steer you: 1. Which long-running sagas in your life have finally played themselves out? 2. Which struggling, half-forgotten dreams are yearning to rise again and blossom as if they were brand new? Once you’ve listened deeply enough to answer those questions, move boldly: Feed and protect whatever is being born, and actively assist in the graceful dismantling of whatever is ready to end.
GEMINI
(May 21-June 20)
One of your go-to tools or assets is still functioning, but now is exactly the time to repair or refurbish it— before it breaks. Furthermore: A power outage of sorts may be looming unless you move to head off an impending overload. Wait, there’s even more! The monster in your closet is still deeply asleep, which is why now is the perfect moment to summon an exorcist or exterminator, before it stirs. Are you getting the picture, Gemini? The very fact that you’re reading this horoscope gives you all the advance warning you need to sidestep potential glitches and diversions.
CANCER
(June 21-July 22)
According to my reading of the astrological omens, asking the big questions is highly advisable right now. Why? Because you are unusually likely to get really good answers to those big questions. Want a nudge to get started in this noble enterprise? Here are three recommended queries: 1. “What is the wild meaning of my precious life?” 2. “Who the #@$%&!* am I, anyway?” 3. “Where is this so-called ‘God’ I hear so much about?” Dear Cancerian, I will also urge you to formulate humorous, satirical big questions that inspire life to be playfully revelatory with you. Here are three: 1. “How can I fine-tune my friends and loved ones to perfection?” 2. “Are there shortcuts to getting absolutely everything I want?” 3. “How do I sign up for a life of nonstop pleasure, free from all discomfort?”
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
When people finally grasped just how radical Einstein’s theory of relativity was, a journalist asked him how he had arrived at such a breakthrough. Einstein said it was simple: He had utterly ignored supposedly fundamental truths. Dear Leo, please notice what that might imply for you in the coming weeks. Einstein didn’t dismiss a mere opinion or fashionable theory; he set aside theories so deeply accepted that everyone treated them as obviously factual. He didn’t waste energy fighting them, but simply proceeded as if they didn’t exist. Consider doing the same: Set aside at least one seemingly incontestable assumption and be alert for the new realities that then become possible.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
The International Space Station orbits Earth every 90 minutes, so astronauts see 16 sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours. It’s a challenge to maintain their circadian rhythms. They must be disciplined as they stick to a sleep cycle that human bodies are accustomed to. But there’s a wonderful
trade-off: the rare privilege of witnessing the rapid cycling of total darkness and brilliant light, which provides a visceral sense of life’s deep cadences at work. Your routine may seem similarly unsettled these days, Virgo. Transitions are coming faster than feels natural. But I suspect this disruptive blessing is giving you access to patterns that aren’t intelligible when you’re moving more slowly. You’re beholding the way things change as well as the changes themselves. This is a valuable gift. The insights will be worth the disorientation.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
You Libras sometimes get accused of indecision, as if your careful weighing of possibilities were a weakness. But I see a different truth: You aspire to be fair-minded as you honor all the legitimate claims on your attention. So the problem isn’t your capacity for considering multiple sides of each story. Rather, I find fault with the culture you live in, which is obsessed with one-dimensional certainty. If I were your coach or therapist, I would give you permission to take your time and resist the rush to resolution. The most honest thing you can say may be, “I’m still deciding,” or “Both of these feel true.”
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
You’re not a flaming expert at turning tension into treasure, but you have modest skills at that art. And now I’m predicting you will grow these skills. Before you jump to conclusions, though, please know that I’m not implying you will be immersed in stressful melodrama. I’m suggesting you will handle differences of perspective with increasing aplomb and curiosity. Instead of treating conflict as a debilitating hassle, you’ll try to find value in it. Some debates may even feel stimulating and fun rather than tiring. To take maximum advantage, enjoy the controversies as exploratory missions rather than as showdowns you must win at all costs.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
I hope and predict you will be wildly resourceful as you experiment with love in the coming weeks. I hope and predict you will research the art of tender, inspiring intimacy in new frontiers. Reinvent passion, you subtle intensity freak! Be a bold explorer who breaks the boring old rules! Dare to break open new varieties of sweetness and companionship that require you to innovate and improvise!
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
If you were on a walk and spied a dime on the ground, would you bend down to grab it? Probably not. Would you feel differently about a quarter? Maybe you have decided that nothing under a dollar is worth your effort. But in the coming weeks, you will be wise to break such rules. Symbolically speaking, the act of stooping down to pick up a dime will set off a chain reaction that ends with you acquiring a hundred-dollar bill. By saying yes to small, unexpected blessings, you’ll position yourself to receive larger ones down the line.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
The coming weeks will be an excellent time to begin a building project on the scale of Egypt’s Great Pyramid or India’s Taj Mahal. You should at least initiate work toward some magnificent masterpiece or creation, Aquarius. According to my analysis, there’s a chance you could coax an armada of helpers to work on your behalf. And as you set out to accomplish your labor of love, I bless your quest.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)
Artists who specialize in origami create structures far stronger than the flat paper they’re folded from. The weakness of being made from thin, fragile material is overcome through strategic creasing. Engineers use origami principles to design everything from solar panels to artificial blood vessels. Let’s extrapolate these facts into a lesson for you in the coming weeks, Pisces. We’ll assume that your flexibility is a strength, not a liability. You will wield your pliability to produce a high degree of structural integrity.
Amrize Building Envelope LLC seeks a Senior Process Engineer in Salt Lake City, UT to design, develop, and implement new or revised processes to support new or legacy product innovation and drive continuous improvement initiatives including safety, product quality, consistency, cost reduction, higher efficiency, and greater machine utilization performance. Key job duties include: Transition new products through development of effective manufacturing processes and equipment operation working collaboratively with a multi-functional team to achieve success. Perform trials, studies and capability analyses as needed to effectively understand and improve process capabilities. Demonstrate use of statistical methodologies to understand, analyze and drive reduction in process variation in facilities. Lead in the Commissioning, Qualification & Validation (CQV) to ensure effective transition of new or modified products into manufacturing. Position requires up to 20% domestic/national travel. Apply online @ https://careers.amrize.com/ search (Search for Keyword: 16166)
Site Reliability Engineer (inContact, Inc.; Sandy, UT): Debug and troubleshoot issues
and Production environments. Fulltime telecommuting permitted pursuant to company
Resumes: marian.alvarado@ nice.com Ref: 00088155
urban LIVING
Save our H2O!
With a record weak winter and extreme drought in Utah, spring seemed to come on early and strong in many areas. When that happens, many rush to garden stores to get the first flowering plants into their yards. And yet, Mother Nature usually has a snow or freeze—or both—during March or April, sending those gardeners back out again to pull up frozen plants and to restock and replant.
Folks forget that the biggest snow storm of 2025 arrived in March, with 3.3 inches in the city limits. Then, a few weeks later, Little Cottonwood Canyon snow pushed Alta ski resort over the 500-inch mark for the season, picking up 22 inches in two days. We could still get a dumper for all you powderhounds before April ends.
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
ACROSS
1. More genuine
6. Mount St. Helens output in 1980
9. Former L.A. Dodger Chin-Hui ___ (first MLB pitcher from Taiwan)
13. Moisten, as a roast turkey
14. ___ 180 (turn around)
15. Lisa on the 2026 season of “The Traitors”
17. Online tracker of U.S. economic stats
19. “Citizen Kane” actress Moorehead
20. Portrayer of Lydia T·r
22. To opposite
24. Prefix with “gram” or “logical”
25. Bilingual world capital
26. Costumed IRL fantasy game
28. Pocketlike structure
30. Drudgery
31. With certainty
36. 157.5 degrees from N
37. Spot in the water
38. Invisible glow
40. ___-relief
43. “That’s ludicrous”
The disappointing winter snowfall is indicative of the lack of water the West now faces. And as we can see summer looming in our near future, we’re all going to have to cut back to save our resources.
The Utah Department of Natural Resources’ ConserveWater.utah.gov shows when we should water and how much water we should use. “April showers bring May flowers,” the site states, “not watering hours!” Many sites say that we should not start watering our lawns here—especially in Northern Utah—until May 15.
The basic guide is that if you have a lawn, water it efficiently by following weekly, weather-based recommendations, using one-half inch of water per irrigation while adjusting for the type of lawn, soil and season.
The run time on your sprinklers (if you have them) will differ between various systems, depending on the precipitation rate. For example, a system that applies 1.3 inches per hour needs about 23 minutes to deliver one-half inch of water.
In the spring and fall, apply one to two inches of water per week. In summer, double that almost to 2.5 or 3 inches of water per week.
The best time to water is after 8 p.m. at night until 8 a.m. in the morning. Overwatering not only wastes water but can lead to disease, weeds and pests in your grass. Measure your sprinkler output with a few empty cans placed near sprinkler heads to fine-tune your system so it’s efficiently doing its job.
Target dryer areas with a hose to soak the ground and watch the weather reports to turn off your system in case we get one of those crazy atmospheric rivers like the one that recently hit Hawaii.
I hate seeing sprinklers on when it’s raining outside and I must say that’s a common sight at many government buildings in the state. Also, you can capture rainwater to put into your gardens and even use repurposed household water from cooking. Put in mulch to reduce water evaporation and plant water-wise landscaping plants whenever possible. n
48. “The Simpsons” German exchange student (he’s Swiss in the German dubbed version)
50. Bob Hope tour gp.
51. Lotto prefix before “Millions”
52. Bring a library book back
54. Spice Girl married to David Beckham
58. Brewpub unit
59. “Anything could happen!” (or what’s happening with the circled letters)
62. Salon specialty
63. Root beer option (before it got rebranded as “Zero Sugar”)
66. Confused
67. Confusion
68. What colors may do in hot water
69. Crafty marketplace
70. Jennifer Lien’s Ocampa character on “Star Trek: Voyager”
71. Snow day rides
DOWN
1. “Not sure yet,” on a sched.
2. Songwriter Corinne Bailey ___
3. Item from a wall socket to a phone charger, familiarly
4. ___ Candy (ally of Wonder Woman)
5. Lead-in to “linear”
6. Acrobat software company
7. “Not quite!”
8. Dance for New Zealand’s All Blacks team
49. Moscow money
53. Utter
9. Parcel of land
10. Vacation highlights
11. Toughens, as metal
12. Boxing combos
16. “All the world’s ___”
18. Headed up
21. “Beats me”
22. Winter malady
23. Published, as an article
27. Mashed luau staple
29. Just ___ (minimal amount)
32. $, in exchange rate tables
33. Humorist Roy ___ Jr. (the writer, not the standup)
34. Big turnout for a birthday party
35. Soph., jr., and sr.
39. Spearfishing asset
40. “Carmina ___” (Carl Orff composition)
41. Dined at 9, perhaps
42. Songs to be played at a concert
44. Chief assistant to a politician, informally
45. Released
46. Airport near the U.S. Open site
47. Bark
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.
again 55. Snacks whose anniversary number is more than twice its calorie number 56. Collector’s goal
57. “Fast & Furious” pair ___ & Shaw 60. Badlands National Park st.
61. It arrives with an equinox
64. Proof-ending letters
65. ‘60s activist gp.
NEWS of the WEIRD
BY
See You Later, Alligator
Anthony Buhl, 56, and March Chadwick, 57, are awaiting arraignment after being charged in Florida for driving with a dead alligator on the roof of their car, The Smoking Gun reported. On April 4, witnesses and license plate readers tracked Buhl and Chadwick as they drove from central Florida to the Atlantic coast with the carcass in plain view. After learning that possession of an alligator is illegal in Florida, the two tourists came up with a solution: They covered the deceased with a white sheet. A Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC) commissioner finally caught up to them and pulled them over, but it’s unclear whether the pair still had the alligator at that point. The arrest report indicated that they had earlier called the FWC dispatch to inform them they had disposed of the alligator. The report also offered an explanation: Evidently, the duo “admitted taking the roadkill alligator and wanting to take it to a taxidermy office to have it stuffed.” They were booked into the Brevard County jail and released after paying a $5,000 bond. They are scheduled to appear in court on April 28.
Fine Point of the Law
Who knew? In Kentucky (and probably elsewhere), it is illegal to operate a non-motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. The Smoking Gun reported that on March 26, a police officer in Bowling Green noticed a man atop a horse around 6 p.m. Jorge Hernandez, 48, was reportedly “partially slumped over” as his horse galloped through a neighborhood; the officer conducted a traffic stop when the duo moved onto the sidewalk. The arrest report said Hernandez smelled of alcohol and had slurred speech; a bag from the liquor store was tied to the saddle. He was taken into custody but was released to federal agents pursuant to an immigration warrant. No word on the horse’s fate.
Diehard
There are sports fans, and then there are sports fans. Andy Milne, a 62-year-old retired teacher, is set to follow the 2026 World Cup around North America, The Associated Press reported on March 27, just as soon as he sells his second home to do so. Milne currently lives in Thailand and rents out a home in northern England, which he plans to put on the market for the equivalent of $465,000 to fund his World Cup dreams. “I definitely want to see the whole tournament. I am going to the U.S. on June 3 and will be there for seven weeks,” he said. “So it will cost quite a lot of money.”
Live, From Cincinnati WKRP is coming home to Cincinnati. D.P. McIntire of Raleigh, North Carolina, runs a media nonprofit that has been the proud owner of the call sign WKRP since 2014. McIntire, 56, recalled watching the first episode of the 1978 CBS sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati”: “I got up and I proclaimed, ‘I’m going to be in radio. And if I ever have the opportunity, I’m going to run a station called WKRP.’” According to The Associated Press, McIntire’s local broadcast WKRP-LP 101.9 FM went live on Nov. 30, 2015, and boasted “irreverent” offerings such as a show called “Weird Al and Friends,” and even an annual Thanksgiving turkey giveaway, where McIntire’s team gives out gift certificates to a local grocery store a nod to the sitcom’s famous Turkey Day episode. When McIntire sought bids on the call letters, Cincinnati answered. “I cannot, by contract, tell you when. I cannot tell you who. But I can tell you, direct to the camera, WKRP, after 48 years, is coming to Cincinnati,” McIntire said. “It has a special place in the hearts of an awful lot of people, and we have been very, very, very proud to have been a steward of that legacy.”
The Entrepreneurial Spirit
KFC isn’t just about chicken anymore. The fastfood chain is partnering with BYD, China’s electric vehicle company, to place car chargers at its locations across the country, CNBC reported on April 9. The ultra-fast (9-minute) chargers will provide just enough time for drivers to fill up on finger-lickin’ chicken and all the fixins. BYD will facilitate the visits with onboard ordering and location displays. KFC is, according to an industry report, China’s leading fast-food chain, with 13,000 outlets in 2,500 cities.
Unclear on the Concept
KABC-TV reported on April 6 that a man at an Orange County, California, gas station sat in his car and refused to leave until he was given $55 in gas. When Irvine Police Department officers arrived, he told them, “I sincerely believe that money as a unit of payment is not real.” Police tried to reason with him, but eventually he was placed in handcuffs and taken away.
Bright Idea
University of British Columbia engineering students have a tradition of placing Volkswagen Beetle shells in unusual locations, The Associated Press reported on April 6. But this year’s prank involved a Beetle shell precariously perched on top of a rock face above a highway in Squamish, B.C. Authorities have asked people to avoid the area as they figure out how to secure the old car and lower it to safety. Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford called the area a “sacred place” among the Squamish Nation and said what “may have felt like an innocent prank” has affected hikers and climbers, too. “This is an area that deserves respect, and that wasn’t the case here,” Armand said. Officials say the VW will be removed within the week.
The Passing Parade
On March 31 at Tokyo’s DisneySea amusement park, Rapunzel’s Forest took on the look of Hitchcock’s “The Birds,” the New York Post reported. As an animatronic Rapunzel leaned out of her tower window, singing merrily, two black ravens started pecking at her head and ripping out strands of hair. Of course, being animatronic, Rapunzel had no idea about the birds ravaging her signature feature, and she continued singing and smiling to onlookers. One commenter said, “I thought the birds were animatronic, too!” Rapunzel was removed from her perch temporarily for repairs.
In the Mood
In London, younger millennials and older Gen Zers are ditching the dating apps for slide decks. At “Date My Mate,” a live dating event hosted by a north London pub, participants create and present PowerPoint slides to pitch their close friends as potential dates for those looking for love, Reuters reported on March 27. Attendees adorn “Date” or “Mate” stickers, and friends boast about their pals. “A bit more about Lauren. She’s 30. She’s a structural engineer, so even though she will stop walls from falling down, she’ll always be there to support you,” said one friend at a recent event. All 150 tickets sold out within minutes, and organizers are already planning additional events. “Date My Mate” comes as satisfaction with dating apps has dropped across the U.K. in recent years. The wine company Nice helped organize the event and hopes to plan as many as one per week across the country.
