City Weekly June 12, 2025

SCREEN BREAK

Afraid of losing his son to the infinite algorithm, a fed-up Utah father tries logging off for good.

BY CHRIS JONES

S AP

BOX

Money Talks

Like most others in the U.S., I’m in the struggling middle class. And like most in this category, I can’t fully realize what I would do with gobs of money.

But I like to think that if I had the money of an Elon Musk, a Donald Trump or the Mormon Church, I’d see that no babies or children starve to death. I would also use my money to try to stop tribal wars in Africa.

I’d also work on disease prevention and illiteracy. I’d see to it that anyone wanting a college degree would have a

full scholarship. I’d further endow organizations to help cult members to become enlightened.

Owning one’s own 747, having multiple lavish homes and gaudy temples, or using my mega-wealth to take advantage of those with limited education would not be on my to-do list. And even with all of this, I might lay awake at nights worrying that I was not doing enough.

If elected officials really cared for their constituents, they would spend time in soup kitchens, county jails, state prisons, youth detention facilities and at food distribution sites. They would also spend time with single parents trying to get by on minimum wages—especially challenging in states like Utah, where politicians tout a good place to do business because of the low minimum wages.

I’d also want politicians to travel with the poor single women who have to travel hundreds of miles to seek a safe abortion. Just call me a dreamer, like in the John Lennon song.

TED OTTINGER

Taylorsville

“Making Babies,”

May 29 Cover Story

There’s more to life than being weighed down with the responsibilities of bearing and raising children in a country and state where cost of living keeps going up and our wages stay the same. Even if they give women $5,000 per kid, there’s still tens of thousands of dollars needed to raise a kid to adulthood.

_C_AM_I_

Via Instagram

I’m certain that if Mike Lee wants more Utahns to have kids, he just needs to make more tweets about it, since he doesn’t tweet nearly enough.

GULA.MAX

Via Instagram

Education, jobs, housing, insurance and childcare. Let’s address our already existing issues before we encourage people to bring down all these heaven babies.

DARBY S. HINTON Via Facebook

Can these folks stay out of our bathrooms, bedrooms and doctors offices please?

LUCYSCHOENFELD Via Instagram

I question the statement that the birth rate is falling—everywhere is full, daycares are full, schools are full. Doctors’ offices for kids and pregnant women are full. I feel like we’re procreating just fine. I feel like they just want us tied down with babies so we’re too preoccupied to fight the system.

BREWJA801 Via Instagram

There’s $3.5 million in school lunch debt. How about we work on feeding the children that are currently here living?

NICHOLE LAKIS 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

If you could have attended an historical event, what would it have been?

Mike Ptaschinski

Always fascinated with the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804-1806. I would like to know if I would have been tough enough to survive the two years exploring 8,000 miles of wilderness.

Bryan Bale

If I’m able to influence events, I might put myself in a position to prevent Kennedy’s assassination, or Hitler’s rise to power. If I can only be an observer, then I’d like to experience the Apollo program, including moments like “The Eagle has landed” and “one giant leap for mankind,” as well as “human calculators” and the handweaving of magnetic memory cores for the Apollo guidance computers.

Benjamin Wood

Maybe the 1862 battle between the Monitor and the Merrimack? Most accounts paint it as anticlimactic but I’ve always been charmed by the story.

Katharine Biele

July 2, 1964, when LBJ signed the Civil Rights Act.

Paula Saltas

Having been to Olympia, Greece, it would be pretty cool to see the first Olympics being held there where my grandparents were born and the importance of the Olympics today.

BY RON YENGICH

OPINION The Whole Truth

“The wicked have told me lies; but not so is your law.”—Psalm 119

According to recent news reports, Republican Utah lawmakers—led by House Speaker Mike Schultz—are demanding the resignation or impeachment of Judge Don Torgerson after he declined to send a man to prison who pleaded guilty to possession of child sexual abuse material. The case involved a 22-year-old man who had pleaded guilty to two second-degree felonies. This was a routine case of possession of truly harmful material, readily accessible on the Internet and elsewhere.

After five decades defending similar cases at the bar of justice, my experience is that most defendants—as in this case—show no evidence of acting out this type of violence on an actual child.

As well, comprehensive treatment is generally successful in helping the offender deal with the reasons for possessing this garbage, which comes from places unknown to the viewer. In this instance, the accused did not produce or manufacture the images.

First offenders—particularly those who are young and amenable to treatment—who accept responsibility by pleading guilty are placed on the sex offender list for a statutory period of time. The sentence typically includes a lengthy probationary period, with strict conditions. And that is exactly what occurred in this case.

Judge Torgerson followed the recommendation of adult probation and parole to the letter and placed the now-convicted felon on supervised probation with the conditions required. He followed the standard guidelines for such cases. These guidelines are the same approved—and ordered earlier this year—by the Utah Legislature, led by its blow-

hard House Speaker. He and his fellow Republicans comprise the overwhelming majority in that less-than-august body of political buskers.

Don Torgerson is a good judge and a dedicated public servant. I know him and have appeared in front of him in court numerous times. I previously watched him practice law in an honorable and effective manner in the same courtrooms over which he now presides.

He was told he should resign or be impeached for doing exactly what Schultz—aka Gov. Le Petomane—passed into law. For those of you deprived of the 1970s, Gov. William J. Le Petomane was last seen as the cross-eyed boob ogler in the Mel Brooks comedy Blazing Saddles. Brooks named the character in honor of a professional French comic who could fart on cue.

Equally on cue, Utah’s Republican Chorus sang along, including former majority whip Karianne Lisonbee who— while harumphing about malfeasance in office—also confusingly continued: “These things are not defined and are fairly broad categories.”

Well actually, no, Rep. Lisonbee—you defined what a Utah District Court Judge could do and gave him the discretion to do it. Yet when he did it to the letter of the law, following guidelines you gave him, you mischaracterized his ability to do it.

These bloviated political ramblings should actually be interpreted, as Brooks effectively did long ago, as: “Holy Underwear! We gotta protect our phony-baloney jobs, we must do something about this immediately.”

Le Petomane demanded harumphs from his sycophants in the fictional town of Rock Ridge, same as Schultz is doing here in Trumpistan.

The hypocrisy of Schultz and company is obvious. Their lack of knowledge of their own legislation is maddening and their sound-bite-grabbing play-acting should lead them to resign if they had a conscience. But they don’t and they won’t.

As Judge Torgerson said at the sentencing hearing, “I can’t send everyone to prison who views child pornography, there are not enough prisons.” He’s right, and the Grand County attorney who started this phony choral har-

umphfest knows that full well. In point of fact, so do all legal practitioners, probation officers, clerks, judges and police officers in the non-fictional “Great State of Utah.”

Schultz went on to savage not only Judge Torgerson, but also took a shot at our entire judiciary by describing the case as indicative of a “broader pattern” within the state’s judiciary. Harumph! Harumph! Harumph! Really, Mr. Speaker?

This nasty “pattern” is one wherein judges are approved after appointment and vetting by, yep, Schultz and the Utah Legislature. This phony lie of a stalking horse problem is the result of the Legislature’s own incompetence and that of their fellow Republican governor.

The governor appoints the judges, and the Legislature looks into their background and confirms them. The Legislature also sets the rules and guidelines, and when judges do exactly that, the chorus of Harumphites trash them for a sound bite parody of governance. But we should not buy into their own malfeasance, or a Mel Brooks parody of people like them.

For the criminal justice system to work efficaciously, it requires a desire for truth—not just punishment—from all to whom it is a vocation. That includes lawyers who argue the law in court, judges who pronounce judgement using the law, probation officers who recommend punishments according to the law and, yes, legislators who pass the laws.

Without a foundation of truth and honesty, our system will not function properly. This currency of truth cannot be treated as a commodity to be sold in the marketplace of ideas by political hucksters like Schultz-Le Petomane and other similar political jingoists.

Truth most of all must be simple, understandable and pervasive, dealing as it does with the lives and futures of those brought to face justice and not the harumphs of those high and mighty purveyors of Trumpian Poopatude in the Utah Legislature.

If anyone should resign, Mr. Schultz, it should be the guy you lovingly look at in the mirror—not a good man and public servant like Judge Torgerson, who honorably played the cards and script you gave him. CW

Private Eye is off this week. Send feedback to comments@cityweekly.net

HITS & MISSES

BY KATHARINE

MISS: The Bitter End

Can you spell L-O-S-E-R? Former state Rep. Phil Lyman, a multi-time loser himself, would really like to spell “loser” this way: “Spencer Cox.” The Utah electorate is probably tired of hearing Lyman try, try again but let’s face it, the electorate doesn’t always win. Lyman’s strange journey began when he ramped up to win the Republican convention, but just couldn’t make it over the primary finish line. Cox had gathered signatures, which the party’s fringe has never liked because it moderates the vote. Lyman launched a failed write-in campaign and has been hounding the courts to give him full access to Utah’s voter registration list. We mean “full” as in even the private and protected data, although they say they don’t want that. Lyman has aligned himself with the voter-fraud advocacy group Public Interest Legal Foundation. While he’s lost even at the U.S. Supreme Court, it’s not stopping him. He’s convinced that the lieutenant governor is hiding fraud because she’s aligned with Cox. Don’t be so sure your voter rolls will be safe. After all, the Supreme Court has released Social Security data to DOGE, so there’s that.

MISS: Dishonor Roll

Overdue Notice

The Ballpark neighborhood just opened a new library location.

Known as the Ballpark Library Lab and located at 1406 S. West Temple, the repurposed 750-square-foot space will serve the community until a permanent branch location is built.

A volunteer grassroots organization called the Ballpark Action Team— made up of neighbors, business owners and people who care about the neighborhood—has collaborated with the Salt Lake City Public Library to facilitate the opening of the lab since it was first announced in 2021.

Co-founder Fraser Nelson said the Ballpark Action Team’s role is to “make sure that people who live in the neighborhood have a voice when the decisions are being made about changes because of the Bees leaving, and to be supportive of each other as neighbors too.”

Oh, how we hate to watch higher education go low. Colleges and universities are bowing to demands from the federal government, and Utah universities are finding themselves in the crosshairs of our conservative lawmakers, who would follow Donald Trump—the anointed savior of mankind—to the cliff. It’s Make America White Again and more as Utah colleges wipe out any remnants of diversity, and certainly “liberal” arts. Sure, it’s about money that they will lose, but let’s talk about the loss of integrity and, of course, the brilliant minds who might have graduated in educational psychology, neurobiology, bioengineering or even modern dance. And because the powers that be disdain the individual, colleges will still be able to move forward with AI.

HIT: Tusks Up

Whether you like hockey or not, you’ve got to love the Utah Mammoth’s middle finger to the Utah Legislature. Layton Republican Rep. Trevor Lee—a little man who has long been horrified by gay and transgender people—passed a law outlawing Pride flags in government buildings—although it was couched as some kind of neutral issue. The Utah Hockey Club saw right through it and when they revealed their new name— the Utah Mammoth—and then their newest logo for Pride Month, it was indeed very prideful. Lee is apoplectic and is gunning for the Mammoth and, of course, any cities like Salt Lake that have dared defy his flag ban. Follow Lee on X for more of his slogan to “kill the rainbow.” He insists “Utahns overwhelmingly don’t support Pride month. We are the most kind people in the world and are taken advantage of because of that kindness.”

For example, the 13.5-acre Smith’s Ballpark site at the corner of West Temple and 1300 South will soon undergo redevelopment for use as a “cultural and civic landmark, blending art, performance and community-driven activities while preserving parts of the stadium,” according to Salt Lake’s Ballpark NEXT project. The library and Ballpark Action Team held meetings and conducted surveys to decide the future of both the physical stadium and surrounding area.

The community outreach and engagement resulted in the installation of WiFi, a 3D printer and a small collection of materials that patrons can borrow and, eventually, pick up holds and other reserved items.

Nelson praised the new library director, Noah Baskett, and noted the library’s innovation and thoughtfulness to include a 24/7 book pickup service at the lab based on community needs.

“The average number of jobs in a household in the ballpark is four. People in this neighborhood work hard, and they work a lot at jobs,” Nelson explained. “They’re setting up a kiosk and you’ll be able to put in your code and pick up your book 24 hours a day. So you’re coming back from a night shift and you could pick up your book.”

Board meetings at the new library lab will be held to develop a timeline for implementing computer access as well as final design elements for the permanent library facility.

In the meantime, check out the pop-up events and programs, such as Sunday yoga in the park and the Jefferson Jams concert series, as well as children’s storytimes, test prep and even makers’ space equipment workshops. Find more information about the library lab at services.slcpl.org/ ballpark, or follow the @ballparkactionteam on Instagram.

“Ballpark is a very innovative neighborhood,” Nelson said. “It’s a lot of artists, a lot of creatives live here, and it’s great that the library really embraces that feeling.” CW

Analytic Converter

Kelsey Osgood’s Godstruck explores the reasons people seek religious community in a more secular world.

BY SCOTT RENSHAW scottr@cityweekly.net @scottrenshaw

In 2012, while in her late 20s, writer Kelsey Osgood began a three-year process of converting to Orthodox Judaism, after being raised in a mostly non-religious household. Her new book Godstruck features profiles of several women like herself who undertook similar transitions from an absence of organized religion into faith traditions including Roman Catholicism, Islam and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. This conversation has been edited for length and for clarity.

City Weekly: Did the origins for this project come from the realization that you kept having to answer the same kind of “why” questions about your conversion?

Kelsey Osgood: I don’t know that every day, someone was saying, “Why would you do this?” But it came up often enough that I think there was some part of me that thought, when you’re a writer, having the space to really go into something, as opposed to when you’re having a conversation … I’m more articulate in writing than in one-on-one conversation with someone. But also … I think there was this idea in the water at the time—and it’s still there, but changing just slightly now— that the world is becoming more secular, or at least America was, and that it was a good thing. I can be a little contrarian,

so I thought, well, is it? In some ways, but in all ways? One of them was a personal, “yeah, here’s my chance to answer.” But it was also about doing that cost-benefit analysis.

CW: In terms of specific rituals that might seem archaic to outsiders, was there a part of you that just wanted to go, “I don’t really care if this makes sense to you, not everything needs to make sense to everybody.”

KO: There is a little bit of that. I think when you’re religious, people feel like it’s low-hanging fruit; I think there has been a little bit of a free pass to poke holes at things in religious ritual. And I get that. But there’s some aspect of that in everyone’s life. There are places in everybody’s life where we maybe do things because we feel some kind of internal or external pressure. It’s pretty normal to recognize that “this is the commitment I made, but sometimes it’s annoying.” There’s no taboo in saying that.

CW: There are some clichés about the zeal of the convert, yet that didn’t feel characteristic of the subjects you followed. Was that a deliberate choice on your part, or did it just work out that way?

KO: It’s not reality TV, where there were hundreds of people lining up to do this. But it would have been challenging of me to have somebody who was like that, because there’s no complexity there. If you have no qualms, and everything you do, you love it, there’s no nuance; that’s hard to write about.

CW: Certainly one reason a lot of people have become disillusioned with more mainstream faith traditions is the attitudes about things like queer identity. How do you feel about the fact that many of the ideas about the advantages of religious community you describe might be appealing, but that they come with a lot of baggage?

KO: When I converted, it was for many reasons an exciting time of embarking on a big personal change. But I have to rec-

ognize that had I been born into this life, I might have changed the other way, for any number of reasons. It’s hard for me to speak on somebody’s childhood wounds, as someone who doesn’t know what it’s like to grow up in that environment. … One thing is, everything kind of comes with baggage. It wasn’t maybe clear 10-20 years ago what the baggage of secularization is, but I think we know now: loneliness, not knowing how to get the help you need when you’re struggling. A lot of times, people say they want to live in a village. But villages come with rules. … Some communities just say, “It’s against the law, too bad, that’s the way it is.” But in my world, there are people who really try to make it so you don’t have to live with this big part of yourself that’s in the shadows or that you feel ashamed of.

CW: You end on a poignant note of worrying that your own children’s spiritual questing might possibly lead them away from the tradition that you chose. At the end of researching and writing this book, do you believe that there are any right or wrong answers if someone is seeking earnestly, whether that seeking ultimately leads them to God, or away from God?

KO: I’m an Orthodox Jew, so for my children, is there a right answer? Yes, the answer is to be an Orthodox Jew. If my kids grow up and they decide not to keep shabbat, will I be sad? Yes, I will be very sad. But … do I think there’s a right or wrong way of seeking? No, not really. I think there are ways that work better. But I don’t think there’s any way that’s wrong. CW

GODSTRUCK: SEVEN WOMEN’S UNEXPECTED JOURNEYS TO RELIGIOUS CONVERSION

Author Kelsey Osgood in conversation with Matthew Wickman, Coordinator of BYU Faith and Imagination Institute

The King’s English Bookshop 1511 S. 1500 East Wednesday, June 18, 6:30 p.m. $5 reservation via Eventbrite at kingsenglish.com

Gates: 7:00 PM | Show: 8:00 PM | Draper Amphitheater MAY 30, 31

JUNE 2, 6, 7, 9, 13 & 14

Gates: 7:30 PM | Show: 8:00 PM Draper Amphitheater

The Hills are alive this summer! The Hills are alive this summer!

RYAN SHUPE AND THE RUBBERBAND

FRIDAY, JUNE 20

Author Kelsey Osgood

theESSENTIALS ENTERTAINMENT

AJ Irving: The Bi Book

In 2023, when Salt Lake City-based author AJ Irving had just released her queer-themed picture book The Wishing Flower, she shared with City Weekly her sense for why she felt books of this kind were important for young readers: “I remember struggling to fall asleep at night because I loved girls. … Absolutely, I wish books like  The Wishing Flower had existed when I was growing up.” Clearly that mission still drives Irving, as her latest work, The Bi Book, in collaboration with illustrator Cynthia Alonso, again looks to introduce ideas about the range of human love by removing stigmas.

Nominally, The Bi Book is a primer on the concept of bisexuality, but in a way that centers language. It deals with two children on a beach trip who are exploring a lot of different words where the prefix “bi-“ means “two”: bicycle, biped, biennial, bilingual, biracial and more. And yes, it also addresses the idea of “bisexuality,” though in a way that de-emphasizes the “sexuality” part of the word, allowing for the beginning of conversations about the way people can love “in a rainbow of ways.” Filled with charming images emphasizing the colors of the “bi flag,” it’s yet another generous gift from Irving and her younger self to kids of all potential sexual orientations.

AJ Irving visits The King’s English Bookshop (1511 S. 1500 East) to read from and sign The Bi Book on Saturday, June 14 at 11 a.m. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is requested at Eventbrite; visit kingsenglish.com for more information. (Scott Renshaw)

Broadway at the Eccles: & Juliet

The concept of the “jukebox musical” is nothing new on Broadway, with songwriters as varied as ABBA’s Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus (Mamma Mia!), Billy Joel (Movin’ Out) and Neil Diamond (Beautiful Noise) finding their work gathered and set to a plot. Still, there are combinations of elements that might certainly feel bizarre when you hear them described—like, for example, taking William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet and asking the question, “What if we used that as a jumpingoff point for a bunch of pop hits by Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears and Katy Perry?”

Nevertheless, that exact notion formed the genesis of & Juliet, the 2019 musical written by Emmy Award-winning Schitt’s Creek writer David West Read and set to the hits written and co-written by Swedish-born songwriter/producer Max Martin. It’s a speculative tale that wonders what might have happened if the Bard had gotten a few notes from his wife, Anne, during the tryouts for the tragic romance that would become shorthand for star-cross’d lovers: Perhaps, Anne suggests, Juliet might not die at the end, and instead set off on an adventure of self-discovery. The resulting tale features a package of Millennial musical memories including “Oops! … I Did It Again,” “I Want It That Way,” “Teenage Dream” and many more. Broadway at the Eccles presents the touring production of & Juliet at the Eccles Theater (131 S. Main St.) June 17 – 22 for eight performances. Tickets are $99.52$257.07; visit saltlakecountyarts.org for tickets and additional event information. (SR)

theESSENTIALS

Complete listings online at cityweekly.net

SAW: The Musical – The Unauthorized Parody of Saw

Okay, I can hear you thinking: “Saw? The horror movie with all the complicated torture apparatus? Somehow, someone turned that into a musical, and a hella gay one at that?” Yes, it is indeed based on the original hit Saw that came out of the 2004 Sundance Film Festival—and yes, it is as unapologetically queer and Pride Month-appropriate as it is unapologetically gory.

Producer Cooper Jordan and his sister Zoe Ann Jordan (who wrote the script) looked at the premise—involving a killer psychotically determined to make people appreciate their lives—and turned it into a campy off-Broadway allegory about the relationship between these two men trapped together in a bathroom. In an April 2024 interview with Assignment X, Zoe Ann Jordan said, “[Horror is] maybe the genre where queer people have felt more represented than anywhere else, because of the Hays Code, and because of how queers were treated in the early days of cinema, when they were only able to be depicted as villains and as monsters. That sort of transformed itself into the representation now that they feel drawn to, because that has been the representation that they’ve had for so many years, and it’s a way that they’ve reclaimed it, is that there are all these queer subtexts and themes in horror films.”

The touring production of SAW: The Musical – The Unauthorized Parody of Saw runs June 18 – 22 at the Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center, Studio 5400 (2525 Taylorsville Blvd., Taylorsville), with tickets ranging from $36.50 - $137.50. Visit saltlakecountyarts.org for tickets and additional event information. (SR)

Dragon Us Down

How to Train Your Dragon does nothing to make “live-action remake” feel like less of a threat.

BY SCOTT RENSHAW scottr@cityweekly.net @scottrenshaw

Over the ocean near a distant land, a thousand years ago, someone rides on the back of a dragon—and it’s you. You dive and swoop, freefall and skitter over the surface of the water. … Yes, you become the character riding that dragon—which is a good thing, because you’re probably more interesting than the character riding that dragon.

I wrote the words in the above paragraph 15 years ago, about the original animated version of DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon—and it seemed like a good way to begin, because I figured, “If they’re not going to put in the effort to change anything, why should I?”

On the one hand, you can’t blame DreamWorks for taking a look at how Disney has spent the past 20 years printing money off of rehashing their classic animated catalog, and thinking that it would be nice to get a piece of that sweet, sweet action. On the other hand, they’re catching the end of a wave that has long since become exhausting, with another “liveaction” “remake” of a movie by the exact same filmmakers—Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois—appearing just a few weeks ago with Lilo & Stitch

So now here we are, revisiting the Isle of Berk for another iteration of the story of timid Viking Hiccup (Mason Thames), whose homeland is beset by dragon hordes, and who takes the unlikely step of befriending one of those dragons, a wounded Night Fury he calls Toothless.

CINEMA

And that story emerges in almost identical fashion to that of its predecessor—every camera position, every pause and hesitation in the line readings, every visual joke, every story beat, every montage. DeBlois—who has directed all the animated sequels in this franchise—is theoretically in the director’s chair here, so I suppose you could argue he’s only stealing from himself. It simply ends up feeling like such a naked attempt at “you liked this before, you should like it again” that it doesn’t even wrestle with why it doesn’t make more sense just to watch the original again, at home, on your streaming service.

Of course, it’s not literally true that this is an identical product, and the ways in which it feels different are instructive. Mostly, those end up being reasons why this movie loses whatever originality the 2010 movie had, even in its re-use of the popular “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” plot of a community outsider finding their eccentricities ultimately making them special. Certainly the human performances end up being less interesting than what the animators conjured up in the original, which

isn’t so much a dig at Mason Thames, Nico Parker (playing Astrid) and company as it is a recognition that animated faces are just more fun to look at in a context like this. It’s certainly weird to realize that Gerard Butler—reprising his own role as Hiccup’s father and village chief Stoick—was more entertainingly Gerard Butler-ish when we weren’t looking at his actual face.

And it’s also true that similar action sequences in a photorealistic environment with CGI creatures—even ones designed to look virtually identical to the same dragons in the original film—don’t feel the same. In 2010, watching Hiccup ride Toothless on an IMAX screen was exhilarating in its stylized specificity; taken out of the context of full animation, the same sequence here ends up feeling like an outtake from Avatar. The training sequences with Hiccup, Astrid and their young friends running from dragons similarly feel like they should be part of a Jurassic Park feature, and more of a tactile threat for young viewers. Repeatedly, you find instances where the filmmakers don’t seem to understand that some things that

work in animation just do not work in liveaction in the same way.

There is one somewhat significant shift in the plot, which re-imagines Berk as an island of immigrants, ostensibly to explain the many different ethnicities represented among the human cast members. Yet there’s a bizarre rationalization provided for that idea: They all moved to Berk specifically to fight the dragons, which makes it pretty confusing that they’re so outraged about having to … you know, fight dragons. Whatever moments of charm this movie has, they’re second-hand, and serving something that just doesn’t feel well thought-out. And I’ve already written more original words about this How to Train Your Dragon than the credited screenwriter wrote for it. CW HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

Mason Thames

Nico Parker

Gerard Butler

SCREEN BREAK

AFRAID OF LOSING HIS SON TO THE INFINITE ALGORITHM, A FED-UP UTAH FATHER TRIES LOGGING OFF FOR GOOD.

BY CHRIS JONES comments@cityweekly.net

He wasn’t himself anymore, and deep down, I felt the weight of that change was mine to carry. It’s hard to admit this now, but I used to let him watch for hours. Literal hours. Every day.

I was in the middle of a brutal divorce, emotionally underwater, and— if I’m being honest—I wasn’t the most present dad. I knew in my gut that the screen time was hurting my then 8-year-old son, William, but I didn’t want to face the truth. I’d scroll past the thought in my mind, like scrolling past a TikTok dance I’d seen before. But one night, as I lay next to him in his little bed, I couldn’t ignore it anymore. I watched as his big blue eyes— once vibrant and alive—were dull and darting frantically back and forth across the sleek iPad screen, like his head was being shaken by an earthquake. He had a half-grin plastered to his face as he tracked a tiny spaceship across the screen. The grin didn’t bring me happiness—it was plastered, unmoving, like it had been painted on. The game was “Geometry Dash.” It was William’s favorite. But really, he loved everything on screens. Especially YouTube.

Whenever I managed to pry the screen from his hands, it was an excruciating battle. He would shout, flail, slam doors. And often, I’d cave and give it back.

But on the rare occasions when I stood firm—when we had a “screen break”— he’d just lay on the floor like a junkie in withdrawal. When I managed to pull him off the screen, he was anxious. Jittery. Eager for nothing more than his next screen session—just like Dr. Anna Lembke, Stanford psychiatrist and author of Dopamine Nation, describes in her writing. She likens smartphones to “modern-day hypodermic needles.”

Even a few minutes on a screen would leave him irritable and overstimulated. Any attempt to touch or hug him triggered a meltdown—his entire body tense and reactive, like a tiny human porcupine bristling with invisible quills. During those breaks, he wouldn’t play; wouldn’t talk; wouldn’t read. He just waited, eyes glazed, until he could get his next fix.

I loved him deeply—but at the time, all he could talk about were things he’d seen on screens. Random, incoherent stuff like, “Mr. Incredible became uncanny.” He would randomly say things

like “Skibidi Toilet,” or talk endlessly about some YouTube video.

When he was off the screen, his behavior was not good. He was uncontrollable, incorrigible.

I was terrified. What, I thought, had I created?

A Widespread Crisis

My story isn’t unique—it’s one I’ve heard repeated by all my friends who are parents. All—not some. They talk about their kids going to war over screen time, the erosion of attention spans and the slow unraveling of friendships.

Corinne Johnson, a counselor with Desert Morning Counseling who also works closely with the Granite School District, has witnessed firsthand the shift in student behavior before and after screens became deeply embedded in daily life. And this current academic year stands out, she said.

“I think there’s been an uptick in anxiety—a big uptick,” she told me. “And really, an inability for students to calm themselves.”

She also says parents are handing over screens earlier than ever in a child’s development.

“It’s not unusual for a parent to show up to a meeting with a toddler—or even a baby who can’t yet walk—and hand them a device just to keep them quiet long enough to get through the day.”

The evidence is undeniable. According to researcher Jean Twenge, 14- to 17-year-olds who spend more than seven hours a day on a screen are twice as likely to have been diagnosed with depression or anxiety. Teenagers who spend more than three hours a day on social media are also twice as likely to face mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.

A January study by Sapien Labs suggests that smartphones are making teens age 13 to 17 more aggressive, more prone to hallucinations and more likely to detach from reality.

Jonathan Haidt’s paradigm-shifting book, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, is a flashing warning light to parents like me to recognize the alarming effects screens are having on our kids. He says that around 2010 to 2015, the brains of our kids underwent a “great rewiring.”

Haidt argues that the near-constant screen time that modern kids are ex-

Chris Jones and his son, William, read a book together.

Chris Jones says his family’s now twoyear-long effort to unplug has shown positive results.

posed to is dominating their lives and crowding out climbing trees, making friends and, just as important, making up with those friends after a fight. This time with peers is disappearing, being replaced by the sleek black screen that is shielding them from real interpersonal connections.

“Our kids lack a lot of the relationship skills that kind of keep one-on-one friendships going,” Johnson said, “because they are spending so much time behind the screen.”

Cold Turkey

The divorce was final, and I had met a new person, Niki, who I married just 2 months ago. One weekend, my (now) wife and I took William to her family’s cabin outside of Beaver.

We decided we’d try an experiment. We told Williams there was no internet—and that was only sort of a lie. He was furious. But something happened. He started to detox.

At the cabin, we made up a game where Niki and I sat on the couch while William spelled out words with the plushies—kind of like hangman. By the end of the weekend, we were sledding, laughing and making hot cocoa from melted snow.

He was different. Calmer. Kinder. He was himself again. Those big blue eyes were alive once again. Soon after, I made the decision: it was time to go cold turkey. I was in a real relationship, I felt grounded, and I was finally becoming the dad I was meant to be.

“Son, can we talk?” I called him into my room. “We’re about to go through some big changes.” “What?” he asked, furrowing his little brow. “We’re going to get off screens for good.” He squinted; brow furrowing even deeper. “What do you mean?”

“I mean no more screens. Permanently.”

He looked at me like a piece of drywall had just fallen on his head. His eyes welled up with tears. “No!” he shouted, then stormed out of the room, screaming, “NO!”

The Attention Economy

In the evolution of human communication, the

Counselor Corinne Johnson says she’s seen a “big uptick” in childhood anxiety.

domination of smartphones and tablets happened faster than a blink. When the iPhone launched in 2007, it changed everything. The world’s most powerful computer and communication device suddenly fit in your back pocket.

Then, just three years later, Apple upended the tech world again by introducing the iPad. The touchscreen interface was so intuitive that even a baby could use it. And before long, that’s exactly what babies were doing. Instagram (2010), Snapchat (2011), and TikTok (2016) didn’t just change how we communicate—they transformed the American economy.

These platforms rewired our brain’s reward systems, serving up dopamine hits in exchange for likes, views and endless scrolling. The more we used them, the more they rewarded us—and the harder it became to look away.

By 2012, schools across the country had begun adopting Chromebooks and iPads as part of classroom instruction. The trend accelerated during the pandemic, solidifying the presence of screens in nearly every academic setting.

With their widespread use came an implicit endorsement: screens weren’t just a part of life—they became the bedrock of it.

Just say “no”? It’s harder than you think.

Autoplay, notifications and infinite scroll have hijacked our attention and eroded our self-control, triggering a near-constant release of dopamine. Twenge, author of iGen, says the smartphone generation is simply “less happy” and “less prepared” for adulthood. Lembke draws direct connections between screen use and addictive behaviors in teens.

While Utah has taken steps to shield kids from some of the harms of social media, the federal government has done virtually nothing. And overwhelmed, overworked parents like me often choose the path of least resistance. We hand over the screen to avoid tantrums, fights and emotional withdrawal.

I did it constantly. But the divide created by screens isn’t just virtual—it’s painfully real.

“We also know how many families are rarely eating dinner together anymore,” says Johnson. “Or even when you go out to dinner, everybody’s on their screen waiting for the food to come.”

And as children become more and more deficient in their interpersonal relationship skills, she added, it

impacts the way they experience empathy and sympathy. “It’s like they’re getting this harsh little shell over the top of their tender little hearts,” Johnson said.

Real-World Solutions

■ Delay, Delay, Delay: In his book, Haidt recommends delaying device ownership and social media adoption—age 14 for phones and 16 for social media.

■ Practice What You Preach: At first, I was asking William to cut back on screen time while I was still scrolling TikTok in front of him. I was telling him one thing, but modeling something else entirely.

Eventually, I realized that it had to change. Against all my instincts—and honestly, my own habits—I deleted TikTok from my phone. It felt like a small gesture, but to William, it meant everything. His respect for me grew. And, just as important, it made his own transition easier.

■ It’s A Tool, Not A Crutch: I began reframing how we use technology in our house. Tech is a tool—not a crutch. We now encourage using devices for creativity or learning: making music, editing videos or researching questions that spark curiosity. But we steer clear of passive consumption: binge-watching, doomscrolling and mindless gaming with no purpose.

Recently, I allowed William 30 minutes of screen time to look up information about seals and chemical elements, two things he’s currently fascinated with. I always sit nearby.

We start each session with a goal. I’ll say, “Remember, we’re going to ask about different species of seals.” And I make sure he sticks to that. Focused, intentional use—not a free-for-all.

■ Be Fine With Being Bored: Instead of screens, we stretch out in the hammock, stroll down to the bird refuge by our house, or William rides his bike. He often complains that he’s bored—but after about 30 minutes, something always sparks his curiosity.

Just the other day, he lay in the front yard, pulling at blades of grass and quietly watching the fat bumblebees drift around a nearby tree. Also, the sensory overload has faded. Instead of recoiling from touch, William now curls up beside me, tucking into the crook of my arm with warmth and ease.

Becoming Ourselves

After William stormed out of my room that pivotal night, it took some time for his mind to adjust to the new reality. He was angry and snapped at me for a couple of days.

But then, one quiet afternoon in a fit of boredom, he picked up a LEGO set I had bought him for Christmas the year before—a complicated typewriter model with over 2,000 pieces.

For months, I had gently encouraged him to start building it. He always refused, often with frustration. But this time, without a word, he opened the box.

Four days later, the entire thing was assembled—2,079 pieces perfectly placed. That moment became a kind of turning point.

Two years have passed since we shut off the screens. Since just last May, William has devoured 51 books and the light in his blue eyes is back.

Has it solved every issue? Of course not. He still gets upset. He still only wants to eat mac and cheese. He still argues when I ask him to take a shower.

But now he’s a different child—more focused, more present, more … himself. CW

Many, Many Momos

The Dumplings Company goes all in on South Asian dumplings.

BY ALEX SPRINGER comments@cityweekly.net @captainspringer

I’m noticing a trend among up and coming South Asian restaurants to lean into their selection of momos, which are steamed dumplings filled with either protein or veggies. I first noticed it when I visited Bhansa Ghar, whose menu featured a “momo corner” in addition to a great lunch buffet. This welcome dumpling trend has taken another step in the right direction with The Dumplings Company. With its current selection of sauces, preparations and fillings, the dumpling possibilities are endless.

The Dumplings Company opened earlier this year as a new concept from the owners of The Kathmandu. It’s a team that is well-versed in South Asian cuisine, and The Dumplings Company has a few of Kathmandu’s recipes represented on the menu. I’m used to restaurants like this serving momos as more of an appetizer, but at The Dumplings Company, there’s no shame in ordering a few plates as a main course.

One half of the restaurant’s menu is dedicated to their momos, and the best way to wrap your head around its nuances is to divide the menu up into preparations and fillings. Preparation-wise, you’ve got your plain steamed dumplings, dumplings tossed in a masala sauce, chili dumplings (which are tossed in a fiery

DINE

sauce with peppers) and fried mango dumplings (which are topped with a sweet, mango-infused sauce). From there, each preparation can be ordered with a choice of chicken, pork, lamb, bison or veggies.

The best way to try all of these varieties and also get a whole lot of dumplings in the process would be the dumplings platter ($23.95-$28.95). You kind of have to stick with your filling of choice since they all come with different price tags, so I went with the bison, since I thought it was the most unique option. You get four sets of five dumplings, each of which represent the four preparations available. It’s a shareable dish for sure, but I won’t judge you if you just get one for yourself, because that’s what I did.

There are few culinary scenes that are more lovely than a multitude of steamed momos, and that’s exactly what you get with this dish. It takes a minute to arrive, but I saw that as a sure sign that my momos weren’t just mass-produced, frozen and then boiled onsite. The kitchen is making these little guys from scratch, and that effort really shows. With all four preparation options before me, I happily dug in.

I started with the plain steamed dumplings, which were executed to the letter— nice, chewy texture on the outside and a well-cooked filling on the inside. The downside here is that this preparation is a little on the bland side when served on their own. For this reason, I’d recommend the other options and their complement of flavorful sauces. I think my favorite was the mango sauce, as it was creamy and had a lovely mango flavor without being overly sweet. This pairs well with a cup of spicy sauce that the servers will snag for you if you want to crank up the Scovilles. The spicy condiment adds a dry sort of heat to the mix, which pairs very

nicely with the mango sauce.

The masala dumplings are also very good if you’re craving something in the middle of the sweet spectrum. It’s much improved with a dose of the spicy sauce, but if you’re a fan of masala, you’ll like this preparation. For those who are craving something more on the spicy side, it’s all about the chili dumplings. These are tossed in an angry crimson sauce along with some peppers and onions, and they do a great job of bringing both heat and flavor. You can also customize the spice level if you’re looking to do some damage to yourself.

On the other side of the menu, you’ll find plenty of South Asian dishes like noodles with a choice of protein, chicken wings or the sekuwa special of lamb ($12.95), pork ($12.95) or chicken ($11.95) skewers. It’s the same vibrant, flavorful cuisine you’d expect from the team behind The Kathmandu. In addition to all of these savory options, The Dumplings Company also has a lovely selection of desserts on display near the cash register. Pistachio cake ($6.95), tiramisu ($6.95) and mango cake ($6.95) are all ready for you if you end up having any room left after eating so many dumplings.

I’m always going to be a fan of dumplings no matter where they hail from, but I like how The Dumplings Company is just leaning into how fun these little savory bites are to eat. We’ve known all along that several plates of well-sauced dumplings can be an entree, so it’s nice to see a restaurant legitimize this culinary practice. CW

red

2 Row Brewing

73 West 7200 South, Midvale

2RowBrewing.com

On Tap: “Czech One-Two” Czech Pilsner

Avenues Proper 376 8th Ave, SLC avenuesproper.com

On Tap: Steamy Wonder Rye Steam Ale

Bewilder Brewing

445 S. 400 West, SLC

BewilderBrewing.com

On Tap: Pink Boots - Pink Pony Pilz

Bohemian Brewery 94 E. Fort Union Blvd, Midvale BohemianBrewery.com

NEW Releases: Kölsch, Dusseldorfer “Alt” Bier

Bonneville Brewery 1641 N. Main, Tooele BonnevilleBrewery.com

On Tap: Peaches and Cream Ale

Chappell Brewing

2285 S Main Street

Salt Lake City, UT 84115

chappell.beer

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

Corner Brew Pub Sugar House

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

On Tap:  Top of Main Mother Urban’s Parlor Blonde Ale

Craft by Proper 1053 E. 2100 So., SLC

Desert Edge Brewery

273 Trolley Square, SLC DesertEdgeBrewery.com

On Tap:  Centennial Steamer, California Common Lager

Epic Brewing Co. 825 S. State, SLC EpicBrewing.com

On Tap: 2024 Big Bad Baptist Imperial Stouts

Etta Place Cidery

700 W Main St, Torrey www.ettaplacecider.com

On Tap: Wassail Cider, Pineapple Passion Fruit Session Mead

Fisher Brewing Co.

320 W. 800 South, SLC FisherBeer.com

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

Mountain West Cider

425 N. 400 West, SLC MountainWestCider.com

On Tap: Mango Basil Hard Cider

Offset Bier Co 1755 Bonanza Dr Unit C, Park City offsetbier.com/ On Tap: DOPO IPA

Ogden Beer Company 358 Park Blvd, Ogden OgdenBeerCompany.com

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

Park City Brewing 1764 Uinta Way C1 ParkCityBrewing.com

On Tap: Park City PalmerHard Iced Tea

Roosters Brewing

Multiple Locations

RoostersBrewingCo.com

On Tap: Cranberry Lime Seltzer

SaltFire Brewing 2199 S. West Temple, South Salt Lake

SaltFireBrewing.com On Tap: Everyone’s

Welcome Fruited SaisonPride Month Beer in can

Salt Flats Brewing 2020 Industrial Circle, SLC SaltFlatsBeer.com

On Tap: OPEN ROAD SERIES #3 - Barrel Aged Grand Cru

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

Strap Tank Brewery, Lehi 3661 Outlet Pkwy, Lehi, UT StrapTankBrewery.com

On Tap: “Blood For Ra” American Sour with Tart Cherry and Vanilla; “Pineapple Haze” Hazy IPA with Pineapple

Strap Tank Brewery, Springville

596 S 1750 W, Springville, UT StrapTankBrewery.com

On Tap: “Orange Hopsicle” Hazy Pale; “Trouble” American Sour with Mango and Passionfruit

TF Brewing

936 S. 300 West, SLC TFBrewing.com

On Tap: Twelve taps and high point cans available.

Grid City Beer Works

333 W. 2100 South, SLC

GridCityBeerWorks.com

On Tap: Cask Nitro CO2

Helper Beer

159 N Main Street, Helper, UT  helperbeer.com

Hopkins Brewing Co.

1048 E. 2100 South, SLC HopkinsBrewingCompany.com

On Tap: Guava Sour

Kiitos Brewing

608 W. 700 South, SLC KiitosBrewing.com

Now with a full bar license & draft beer cocktails!

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

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

LevelCrossingBrewing.com

On Tap: El Santo Mexican Lager

Level Crossing Brewing Co., POST

550 South 300 West, Suite 100, SLC

LevelCrossingBrewing.com

On Tap: Fruit Bat Sour Ale

Moab Brewing 686 S. Main, Moab TheMoabBrewery.com

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

Policy Kings Brewery 79 W. 900 South, SLC PolicyKingsBrewery.com

Prodigy Brewing 25 W Center St. Logan Prodigy-brewing.com On Tap: 302 Czech Pilsner

Proper Brewing/Proper

Burger

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

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

Red Rock Brewing 254 So. 200 West RedRockBrewing.com On Tap: Gypsy Scratch

Red Rock Fashion Place 6227 So. State Redrockbrewing.com On Tap: Munich Dunkel

Red Rock Kimball Junction 1640 Redstone Center Redrockbrewing.com On Tap: Bamberg Rauch Bier

RoHa Brewing Project

30 Kensington Ave, SLC RoHaBrewing.com

On Tap: Brewers Select Mercury Mustache Double IPA

On Tap: Scion Cider Mabel 5.3% ABV

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

On Tap: Blackberry Lime 6.5%

Shades Brewing 154 W. Utopia Ave, South Salt Lake ShadesBrewing.beer On Tap: Fresh Hop IPA (with homegrown local hops)

Shades On State

366 S. State Street SLC Shadesonstate.com On Tap: Six Wheat Under Hefeweizen; Black Cloud Lager

Silver Reef

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

Squatters Corner Pub –Valley Fair

3555 Constitution Blvd, West Valley City squatterscornerpub.com

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

Squatters Pub Brewery / Salt Lake Brewing Co. 147 W. Broadway, SLC saltlakebrewingco.com/ squatters On Tap: Salt Lake Brewing Co. Dog Lake Pale Ale

Talisman Brewing Co. 1258 Gibson Ave, Ogden TalismanBrewingCo.com On Tap: Viendo Rojo - red mexican lager

Thieves Guild Cidery

117 W. 900 South, SLC thievesguildcidery.com

On Tap: Garden Wall - lemon basil cider | semisweet | 6.5% ABV

Top of Main Brewery

250 Main, Park City, Utah topofmainbrewpub.com On Tap: Top of Main Brewery Off The Tree Juicy IPA

Uinta Brewing 1722 S. Fremont Drive, SLC UintaBrewing.com On Tap: Was Angeles Craft Beer

UTOG

2331 Grant Ave, Ogden UTOGBrewing.com

On Tap: Golden Grant 5% ABV.

Vernal Brewing

55 S. 500 East, Vernal VernalBrewing.com

Zion Brewery

95 Zion Park Blvd, Springdale ZionBrewery.com

BEER NERD

Citrus and the Cru

Two full-bodied beers that take your palate in entirely different directions.

BY MIKE RIEDEL comments@cityweekly.net

@utahbeer

Salt Flats - Open Road Series (Barrelaged Grand Cru): The term “Grand Cru” in beer parlance generally refers to beers of Belgian influence (though not always) that are stronger, richer, more intense versions of an existing beer. This beer’s patient maturation in freshly-emptied Bourbon whiskey barrels from Salt Flats Spirits certainly presents it as a beer of distinction.

The Grand Cru pours a deep, brooding mahogany with ruby highlights, capped by a resilient, mocha-tinged head that laces beautifully down the glass. The aroma is an immediate invitation to indulgence. Rich vanilla, toasted oak and a distinct waft of sweet, warming Bourbon lead the charge, elegantly interwoven with the dark fruit esters characteristic of a fine Belgian Quad; think figs, raisins and a touch of brandied cherry. Subtle notes of dark caramel and a whisper of spice add further complexity.

On the palate, the Grand Cru promise is delivered. The Bourbon barrel influence isn’t too assertive, yet it’s harmonious, bringing layers of caramel, vanilla bean and a gentle oaky tannin that complements rather than overwhelms the base beer. The ale’s inherent dark fruit sweetness, hints of toffee and dark chocolate meld seamlessly with the barrel character. Despite its formidable 9.7 percent ABV, the alcohol is remarkably well-integrated, providing a satisfying warmth that spreads through the chest without any harsh burn.

The mouthfeel is luxuriously fullbodied and velvety, with a soft carbonation that lends a creamy texture. The finish is long, complex and warming, with lingering notes of Bourbon-soaked fruit and a gentle, sweet spiciness.

Verdict: Barrel-Aged Grand Cru is a testament to what Grand Cru can signify in beer: a masterfully crafted brew that

elevates a strong, complex base with thoughtful barrel-aging. This is a sipper for a special occasion, best enjoyed slowly to appreciate its intricate layers—a true locally-made gem.

Shades - Coyote Ugli: This New England-style IPA pours a beautifully turbid, glowing orange-gold, truly living up to its “hazy” designation, crowned with a soft, pillowy white head. The first approach is met with an enticingly vague yet unmistakably great citrus aroma. It’s a soft, inviting cloud—less a sharp single fruit and more a delightful medley of sweet orange, tangerine and perhaps a whisper of passionfruit, promising refreshment.

The flavor delivers precisely what the aroma hints at, transforming into something akin to a sophisticated, adult version of Sunny Delight. It’s a veritable citrus cocktail on the palate— juicy, bright, and bursting with notes of fresh-squeezed orange, clementine and sweeter pomelo, all driven by a generous dose of citrus-forward hops. Crucially, a well-integrated malt backbone provides a pleasant, subtle sweetness and body, ensuring the fruitiness doesn’t become thin or overly acidic, while the malt adds a soft, bready counterpoint that rounds out the vibrant hop profile.

What truly elevates Coyote Ugli is its mouthfeel; it embodies the “fresh and silky” vibe perfectly, coating the palate with a smooth, almost creamy texture that is incredibly satisfying. Despite its 8.0 percent ABV, there’s no boozy heat or sharpness. Instead, the alcohol lends a gentle warmth and contributes to the full, rounded body, making it dangerously drinkable.

Verdict: Coyote Ugli is a stellar example of the New England IPA style—a fresh, vibrant, and remarkably smooth citrus bomb that balances its juicy hop character with a perfectly silky texture and a well-hidden punch. A truly delightful and crushable hazy.

Shades Brewing has moved on to 16-ounce cans from 12-ounce cans, and you’ll probably want every bit of that volume for this IPA. Salt Flats also presents in 16-ouncers, and is available now. Both of these are limited batches; though Coyote Ugli will make an appearance at select DABS stores, your best bets to find these are always at their respective breweries.

As always, cheers! CW

BACK BURNER

BY ALEX SPRINGER | @captainspringer

Policy Kings Relocates to Central Ninth

A Cedar City brewery by the name of Policy Kings (policykingsbrewery.com) recently moved its digs to the Central Ninth area at 79 W. 900 South. Owned by Deandre and Sara Ridgel, Policy Kings was able to secure a $75,000 Economic Development Loan from the Salt Lake City Council to aid in the relocation and reopening of the brewery. While Policy Kings was operating in Cedar City, it became known for its unique vibes and community involvement that included live music, craft cocktails and all kinds of cultural celebrations. Its location in the Central Ninth neighborhood will no doubt provide all kinds of new opportunities for Policy Kings to thrive.

Vertical Deli Opens

Our friends at Vertical Diner (verticaldiner.com) recently opened a new project called Vertical Deli at 3245 S. State Street. I remember the space belonging to Dolly’s Donuts right by the Century 16 Theater in South Salt Lake, so the location will be perfect for a new Vertical venture. I also think Vertical Diner’s built-in brand and the high quality of its food will be a nice addition to the area. Per the Vertical Diner Instagram page (@vertical_diner_slc), Vertical Deli will function like a traditional neighborhood delicatessen, complete with sandwiches, desserts and sides that are all plant-based. At the moment, Vertical Deli is open seven days a week and will feature plenty of seasonal additions to the menu.

Savory Fund Acquires Southern Utah-based Patisserie

Savory Fund, the private-equity firm behind expansions of Swig, Mo’ Bettahs and Houston TX Hot Chicken recently broke the news that they would be adding Bonrue Bakery (bonruebakery.com) to its ranks. Formerly known as Farmstead, Bonrue Bakery opened in St. George back in 2021 and has since expanded to Hurricane and Springdale before joining Savory Fund. Founded by Chris Connors, Li Hsun Sun and the late Chris Herrin, Bonrue Bakery is a European-style bakery with Las Vegas sensibilities. With this new acquisition by Savory Fund, it’s a good bet that we’ll start seeing a few more locations pop up along the Wasatch Front.

Quote of the Week: “Baking’s meant to be a good time. It’s not about hoarding secrets–it’s about sharing them.” – Christina Tosi

City Weekly’s Best Of Utah

Whether roasted or smoked, liberally seasoned or swimming in sauce, barbecued ribs provide their ownspecial texture to the dining experience. Give any of the following locations a try and you’ll see whatdistinctive flavors can be wrought from such a seemingly simple portion of the anatomy.

BEST PUBLIC GOLF COURSES

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Multi-Tasking Trucker

Drive-By Truckers’ Patterson

Hood reflects on a busy, creatively fulfilling year.

BY DAVE GIL DE RUBIO comments@cityweekly.net

I

f you look up the word “multitasker” in the dictionary, it wouldn’t be much of a stretch to find Patterson Hood’s picture smiling back at you. The Drive-By Truckers’ (DBT) founding member not only spent the past year with his crew on tour playing the band’s 2001 double-CD concept album Southern Rock Opera in its entirety, but in February he released his fourth solo album, Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams, followed by a solo tour.

Now, Hood and the DBTs are getting ready to embark on The Charm & Decadence Tour (coming to Red Butte Garden on Tuesday, June 17) with good friends Deer Tick and Thelma And The Sleaze. With so much going on, the best place to start is to ask the gregarious, loquacious Hood about this slate of dates that will take the Georgia quintet through the fall.

“We’ve played shows with [Deer Tick] through the years,” Hood said in an early May interview. “I’ve always loved the band and their records, which I think are supercool. They kind of hit me in the same way Cheap Trick does, and I mean that as the absolute compliment that I hope it comes across as. John [J. McCauley] and I are friends, and I’m excited to spend time with that guy ’cause he’s super-cool. He’s hilarious, and we always have fun together. I’m hoping as it gets going, we can come up with something to do together as an encore-type thing. I’d also be making a mistake if I didn’t talk about how much I

MUSIC

[effing] love Thelma And The Sleaze.”

To say music is as vital to Hood as breathing isn’t an understatement. When talk turns to the experience he had recording Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams last year, he’s quick to say it was an excuse for him to do a project with good friend (and Portland, Ore. neighbor) Chris Funk of The Decemberists. It also allowed Hood to work with an array of special guests including Lydia Loveless, Steve Berlin of Los Lobos, Katie Crutchfield of Waxahatchee and the shoegaze/country-rockers Wednesday.

“I hadn’t made a solo record in a long time,” Hood explained. “The band is in a great place, so it’s not like I’m necessarily looking for an outlet outside of the band. Unlike when I did the one before, when it was good to have a break from the band, that’s not really the case these days. The band has never been in a better place as far as personally, musically and pretty much across the board. I wanted to do a project with Funk and we’ve played together enough to know that we had this crazy-cool chemistry, so it started with that. I started keeping a folder of songs that I thought would be fun to do with

him and approach in a different way than how I would approach doing them with my band.”

He added, “It gave me a chance to collaborate with people I love and admire that I normally don’t get to because I play in a band. A band is a pretty tight family, so there’s not a lot of outward collaboration necessarily. I got to hear my voice harmonizing with Katie from Waxahatchee, for Christ’s sake. I also got to do that with Lydia Loveless, who I’m old friends with and who I adore. And she ended up becoming part of my band that I put together to tour the record last month. That was just a joy. And I got to have Steve Berlin play on that record, as well as Kevin Morby, who I’m a huge fan of. It goes on and on.”

With Drive-By Truckers’ 30th anniversary coming up in 2026, Hood said there’s plenty to look forward to in the new year even as his outfit rushes to “pack a year’s worth of touring into six weeks of touring (with Deer Tick),” after which, the DBTs plan to go on a brief, unprecedented hiatus.

The other anniversary looming is that of Hood and guitarist Mike Cooley, who first met while both were attending University

of North Alabama where they formed the band Adam’s House Cat a decade before forming the DBTs. Hood is also looking to get some more mileage out of Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams.

“I’ve got a handful of songs left over from when I recorded the solo record and plan on doing something with those next year,” Hood said. “I’m not quite exactly sure what and if I’m going to record more stuff in the studio or combine them with some live stuff from the tour we did. But I’m definitely going to put out a companion piece to tie it all in with [Exploding Trees] next year. Beyond that, I’m in the early stages of trying to start writing for the next Truckers record. It’s just a matter of how long it takes to come up with enough songs that we feel like are worthy, and to do it. We’re all talking about it, but not actively doing it yet. Plus, this year in August is Cooley and mine’s 40th anniversary that we’ve been playing together. We’ll find some way to celebrate that milestone, too.” CW

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MUSIC PICK S

Subtronics @ The Great Saltair 6/13-14

If you love SUBwoofers and ELECtronics, then Subtronics (Jesse Kardon) is likely already your favorite DJ and producer. The Philadelphia artist started on the drums and discovered dubstep in high school, which is known for its heavy bass. Kardon’s debut album FRACTALS had a dedicated billboard in Times Square, but his String Theory album is his most well-known body of work, including songs like “Professor Chaos” and “Clockwork” alluding to the journey of his music, much like the scientific “strings” in string theory propagate through space and interact with each other. In his newest album, TESSERACT, Kardon’s music fuses dubstep and riddim, slowly bringing it to the forefront at major festivals like EDC Las Vegas and Lost Lands. His music is abrasive and even slightly maniacal, but still groovy. Kardon is a mega-superstar in the niche world of electronic bass music, and he’s also bringing a huge lineup of support this weekend. The special guest artist on Friday is Dr Fresch (Tony Fresch) with support from Muzz, Ahee, Lumasi and Veil. On Saturday, Tape B (Kemal Berk Alkanat) will offer direct support with Eazybaked, A Hundred Drums, Okayjake back-to-back with Stvsh and Flozone all playing as well. This is an 18+ two-day event taking place Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $93 for one-day or $156 for two-day General Admission. Go to v2presents.com for tickets and event information. (Arica Roberts)

SHOWS

MUSIC PICK S

Ras Kass & Tash @ Urban Lounge 6/13

Hip-hop has long been a diverse music defined by its spirit of innovation. It has effortlessly crossed boundaries, whether they be geographical, cultural or linguistic, in a way that no other genre has. West Coast artists Tash (of Tha Alkaholiks) and Ras Kass are still getting busy rhyming with reason to make something greater. Ras Kass stays working on one of his newest songs “Old Heads” and 2024’s powerhouse project, GUTTR (with RJ Payne & Havoc of Mobb Deep). Rico Smith (a.k.a. Tash) breathed new life into ’Liks classics with fresh re-recordings on this year’s Daaam! LP—and he did it sober. “I don’t think it was one moment, I think there was an accumulation of a whole bunch of moments,” Tash told revolt.tv. “I partied for like 12 years straight. Every day, I was waking up not serious about shit. So, my sweetheart pulled me aside and told me, ‘You’re better than that.’ I checked myself into a program.” As a primer for this one, I’d suggest Ras Kass’ album Soul on Ice, or his verse from “Come Widdit” (off of the Street Fighter soundtrack). As with Tash, you can’t go wrong queuing up the Likwit trilogy—21 & Over, Coast II Coast and Likwidation. Come for the beats, stay for the lyrics. Hosted by Lush One. Grvnola, Turntable Lucifer and DJ Juggy open. Catch these acts at the Urban Lounge on Friday, June 13, doors at 9 p.m. Tickets for the 21+ show are $25 at 24tix.com. (Mark Dago)

MUSIC PICK S

Courtyard Takeover @ Kilby Court 6/16

If you need to let loose and have a fun and carefree evening, you won’t want to miss the Courtyard Takeover at Kilby Court. Not only will you get to see an incredible lineup of local acts, but you can stop at some delicious food trucks, enjoy street magic, take a gander at some local art or have a tarot reading if you’re feeling adventurous. At the top of the bill is existential folk punk group Sean Baker’s Recycled Stardust, which started as a solo project by Baker in 2022, but has morphed into a full group who have an incredible chemistry. Also coming to party is SLC favorite Hockey House, who will bring their incredible blend of alt-rock, punk and psychedelic sound. Their newest single “Demons” is a punchy, trippy and rocking good time. Drunk in June is also making an appearance at this mid-week bash. They hit listeners with a fresh EP in March, offering listeners an earnest and endearing mix of indie-rock jams. Locals Judas Rose and Kade Bliss round out the incredible lineup. What are you going to do this coming Monday evening? Eat dinner and get ready for work the next day? Come out and party instead on June 16 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the all-ages show are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Grab tickets at 24tix.com. (Emilee Atkinson)

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue @ Sandy Amphitheater 6/17

Genre mashups— say, rap and metal— have long been a recipe for making fascinating music, and the practice is now fairly commonplace. But what remains rare is the artist whose work effortlessly transcends genres, the artist who creates original music that draws liberally from various styles while avoiding any hint of dilettantism. At the front of that rather small pack is Grammy-winning artist Trombone Shorty. Born Troy Andrews, the New Orleans-based artist got his musical start in his Tremé neighborhood, where he was deeply immersed in the Crescent City’s rich and deep musical culture. While his principal instrument is trombone—a horn primarily associated with jazz—Trombone Shorty’s music explores blues, rock, pop, funk and hip-hop as well. His body of work

features more than a dozen albums under his own name, plus extensive contributions to the work of others (LeAnn Rimes, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, CeeLo Green, Dierks Bentley, Maceo Parker, Rod Stewart, Galactic, etc.). At its core, Shorty’s career celebrates American music. He appears with his band Orleans Avenue on Tuesday, June 17 at Sandy City Amphitheater. This allages 7 p.m. show features opener JJ Grey & Mofro. Tickets are $61.60 and can be found at ticketmaster.com. (Bill Kopp)

Judy Collins @ Egyptian Theatre 6/18-21

Like Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins can rightfully be deemed one of the First Ladies of Folk. And yet, with a career that spans more than 60 years, she’s well situated in the overall trajectory of not only folk music, but the pop pantheon as well. Her dozens of albums shared songs that helped introduce such storied songwriters as Mitchell (her rendition of “Both Sides Now” remains her signature song), Randy Newman, Ian Tyson, Bob Dylan, Fred Neil, Leonard Cohen and Stephen Sondheim. Her fame was furthered when she served as the muse for her paramour Steven Stills, resulting in the CSN classic

“Suite: Judy Blue Eyes.” Now, at age 86, she retains a sense of wit and whimsy as she continues to tour. “I can’t stop,” she once told a reporter for the Maryville Daily Times. “To stop for me would be to die, and I don’t want to die.” Then again, Collins is more than an exceptional artist. She’s also an activist who crusades for UNICEF, campaigns to curb gun violence, promotes suicide prevention and works on causes benefiting women and minorities.

“I’m very grateful for that,” she continued.

“Sometimes that’s all I have left—a soapbox, a guitar and the ability to sing.” Sing she does, with the good grace of an artist who pursues her muse with sweetness and serenity. Judy Collins performs at the Egyptian Theatre in Park City at 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 18 - Saturday, June 21. Advance tickets cost $49 - $79 including

company.org. (Lee Zimmerman)

Judy Collins

free will ASTROLOGY

BY ROB BREZSNY

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

Your definition of “home” is due for revamping, deepening and expansion. Your sense of where you truly belong is ripe to be adjusted and perhaps even revolutionized. A half-conscious desire you have not previously been ready to fully acknowledge is ready for you to explore. Can you handle these subtly shocking opportunities? Do you have any glimmerings about how to open yourself to the revelations that life would love to offer you about your roots, your foundations, and your prime resources? Here are your words of power: source and soul

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

Do you have any frustrations about how you express yourself or create close connections? Are there problems in your ability to be heard and appreciated? Do you wish you could be more persuasive and influential? If so, your luck is changing. In the coming months, you will have extraordinary powers to innovate, expand and deepen the ways you communicate. Even if you are already fairly pleased with the flow of information and energy between you and those you care for, surprising upgrades could be in the works. To launch this new phase of fostering links, affinities, and collaborations, devise fun experiments that encourage you to reach out and be reached.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

I’ve always had the impression that honeybees are restless wanderers, randomly hopping from flower to flower as they gradually accumulate nectar. But I recently discovered that they only meander until they find a single good fount of nourishment, whereupon they sup deeply and make a beeline back to the hive. I am advocating their approach to you in the coming weeks. Engage in exploratory missions, but don’t dawdle, and don’t sip small amounts from many different sites. Instead, be intent on finding a single source that provides the quality and quantity you want, then fulfill your quest and head back to your sanctuary.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

Let’s talk about innovation. I suspect it will be your specialty in the coming weeks and months. One form that innovation takes is the generation of a new idea, approach or product. Another kind of innovation comes through updating something that already exists. A third may emerge from finding new relationships between two or more older ways of doing things—creative recombinations that redefine the nature of the blended elements. All these styles of innovation are now ripe for you to employ.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

Leo psychotherapist Carl Jung was halfway through his life of 85 years when he experienced the ultimate midlife crisis. Besieged by feelings of failure and psychological disarray, he began to see visions and hear voices in his head. Determined to capitalize on the chaotic but fertile opportunity, he undertook an intense period of self-examination and self-healing. He wrote in journals that were eventually published as The Red Book: Liber Novus He emerged healthy and whole from this trying time, far wiser about his nature and his mission in life. I invite you to initiate your own period of renewal in the coming months, Leo. Consider writing your personal Red Book: Liber Novus

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

In the coming weeks, you will have chances to glide deeper than you have previously dared to go into experiences, relationships and opportunities that are meaningful to you. How much bold curiosity will you summon as you penetrate further than ever before into the heart of the gorgeous mysteries? How wild and unpredictable will you be as you explore territory that has been offlimits? Your words of power: probe; dive down; decipher

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

When Japanese swordsmiths crafted a blade, they wrapped hard outer layers around a softer inner core. This strategy gave their handiwork a sharp cutting edge while also imbuing it with flexibility and a resistance to breakage. I recommend a similar approach for you, Libra. Create balance, yes, but do so through integration rather than compromise. Like the artisans of old, don’t choose between hardness and flexibility, but find ways to incorporate both. Call on your natural sense of harmony to blend opposites that complement each other.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Scorpio Martha Gelhorn (1908–1998) was an excellent war correspondent. During six decades, she reported on major conflicts. But she initially had a problem when trying to get into France to report on D-Day. Her application for credentials was denied, along with all women journalists. Through subterfuge and daring, Gelhorn stowed away on a hospital ship and reached France in time to report on the events. I counsel you to use extraordinary measures to achieve your goals, Scorpio. Circumspection and ethical trickery are allowed. Breaking rules may be necessary and warranted.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

My spirit guides enjoy reminding me that breakthrough insights and innovations may initially emerge not as complete solutions, but as partial answers to questions that need exploration. I don’t always like it, but I listen when they tell me that progress typically comes through incremental steps. The Sagittarian part of my nature wants total victory and comprehensive results now It would rather not wait for the slow, gradual approach to unfold its gifts. So I empathize if you are a bit frustrated by the piecemeal process you are nursing. But I’m here to say that your patience will be well rewarded.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

“Sometimes I’ve got to pause and relax my focused striving, because that’s the only way my unconscious mind can work its magic.” My Capricorn friend Alicia says that about her process as a novelist. The solution to a knotty challenge may not come from redoubling efforts but instead from a strategic retreat into silence and emptiness. I invite you to consider a similar approach, Capricorn. Experiment with the hypothesis that breakthroughs will arrive when you aren’t actively seeking them. Trust in the fertile void of not-knowing. Allow life’s meandering serendipity to reveal unexpected benefits.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Are you interested in graduating to the next level of love and intimacy? The coming weeks will be a time to intensify your efforts. Life will be on your side if you get smarter about how to make your relationships work better than ever. To inspire you to venture into the frontiers of togetherness, I offer you a vivacious quote from author Anaïs Nin. Say it to your soul friend or simply use it as a motivational prayer. Nin wrote, “You are the fever in my blood, the tide that carries me to undiscovered shores. You are my alchemist, transmuting my fears into wild, gold-spun passion. With you, my body is a poem. You are the labyrinth where I lose and find myself, the unwritten book of ecstasies that only you can read.”

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

What deep longing of yours is both fascinating and frustrating? To describe it further: It keeps pushing you to new frontiers yet always eludes complete satisfaction. It teaches you valuable life lessons but sometimes spoofs you and confuses you. Here’s the good news about this deep longing, Pisces: You now have the power to tap into its nourishing fuel in unprecedented ways. It is ready to give you riches it has never before provided. Here’s the “bad” news: You will have to raise your levels of self-knowledge to claim all of its blessings.

Data Analyst (Job ID# DA0429) sought by IDFL

Laboratory and Institute Inc. in Salt Lake City, UT: Comprehensive data analysis for IDFL’s global offices & different departments, incl operation data & business data; Extract data from the d/base according to the needs of different departments or clients; Extract data from the d/base using SQL & utilizing Power BI & Tableau to create data visualizations; Data Visualizations & business analytics w/ different departments & global offices based on the performance of data & help mgmt to make decisions; Provide training to teams & gather their insights & suggestions based on data visualizations; Coord global Transaction Certificate teams efforts; Manage & dvlp the Transaction Certificate d/base & system. Help clients understand the system & solve system problems. Reqmts: Master’s Deg in Info Systems, Business Analytics, or rltd field; Proficient in SQL, R & Python, Data Analysis & data visualization, building & deploying data science models, & managing rltd systems; Ability to use Power BI, Tableau. Apply, mail CV w/ Job# to Kristin Lieber, 1455 South 1100 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84105.

urban LIVING

WITH BABS DELAY Broker, Urban Utah Homes & Estates, urbanutah.com

No. 1 Again

Living in a state with a strong economy might not be a major factor for your choice as to where to live, but it can certainly correlate to an improved quality of life for those of us in Utah. U.S. growth boils down to how well each state performs, and WalletHub just came out with a study of 50 states and the District of Columbia using 28 indicators of economic performance and strength with some surprising results—but not if you live here!

Utah came in No. 1 for “Economic activity,” with our neighboring states coming in at No. 12 (Nevada), No. 13 (Arizona), No. 14 (Idaho) and No. 46 (Wyoming). What does this data mean for us? Generally, better job opportunities, higher income possibilities, increased tax revenues from businesses, access to healthcare and better schools.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS

1. Actor Rudd

5. “Perfect Strangers” cousin

10. Copenhagen resident

14. Cathedral recess

15. Festoon

16. “The Firebird” composer Stravinsky

17. Slimy creature

18. ___ averages

19. TV’s “Warrior Princess”

20. Boat vacation around the top of South America?

23. Silverware item

24. Eng. military award

25. Deep hollow where monikers are created?

32. Military gp. which pronounces “lieutenant” with an “F” sound

35. Kidney-related

36. Bit of gossip

37. Colorful computer

39. Fountain concoctions

41. ___ sci

42. Basketball venue

44. Electrical conduits

46. “I’m Just ___”

According to the survey, Utah has the overall second-best state economy, with a median annual income of $88,500—which grew 6.1% between 2023 and 2024. Hopefully, Utahns have a two-income household, because to comfortably afford a $450,000 mortgage, you’ll generally need an annual income of around $130,000 to $150,000.

We also have a very robust labor market, with Utah having one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country at 3.2% (meaning almost 97% of adults are working here). Economic development is critical in creating new job opportunities for existing and future residents, which we have seen with the massive growth in our tech industries here. This has given us the moniker of the “Silicon Slopes,” which plays on the name of California’s Silicon Valley, renowned for its tech firms, many of which have relocated here to take advantage of our workers.

Adobe, eBay, Qualtrics, Domo, Microsoft, Google, Oracle, PayPal, Goldman Sachs, Pluralsight and Overstock (now Bed, Bath & Beyond) have established a foothold in the state, drawn not just by the quality of our labor force but by tax incentives.

These firms have attracted (or drained?) a lot of talent out of California and into Utah and Salt Lake County in the past few decades, and more continue to scout Utah as a landing place for their companies to escape high taxes and workforce complaints of traffic issues, high insurance rates and complicated local rules to expand infrastructure. Plus, many new Utahns have come here to enjoy our amazing recreational possibilities along with good job opportunities.

Local firms also rank high as businesses that attract outside workers, such as Zions Bancorporation, Merit Medical Systems, Big-D Construction, Extra Space Storage, Health Equity, CHG Healthcare and O.C. Tanner.

U.S. News & World Report ranks Utah as the state with the best budget practices due to strong revenue growth through income taxes on individuals and corporations and the fiscal discipline of our legislators. We don’t have a great deal of state debt and strive to always have a balanced budget. ■

47. Pottery surfaces for a Sesame Street resident?

50. ___ Dew

51. “___ to be a little boy ...” (Smashing Pumpkins’ “Disarm”)

54. Generic placeholder phrase demonstrated by the three theme answers?

60. Hydrox competitor

61. Therapy emanation

62. Brewpub menu options

63. Unlike this clue

64. Be bold in effort

65. Bog contents

66. “Lord of the Rings” creatures

67. Piano practice piece

68. “At Wit’s End” humorist Bombeck

DOWN

1. Get by

2. High score?

3. Commandeer

4. Troop group

5. Checks counterparts

6. “Mythbuster” Savage

7. “The Floor” host Rob

8. McDonald’s founder Ray

9. Come ___ the cold

10. Disposable seen near a water cooler

11. A long time

12. Lacking quantity

13. A long time

21. Gritty film genre

22. Lyft alternative

26. Recognized

27. 1976 Olympics star Comaneci

28. A little morning music?

29. In a wild frenzy

30. Field mouse

31. Fox Sports broadcaster Andrews

32. Biryani base

33. Love, in Spanish

34. “Prelude to the Afternoon of a ___” (Debussy work)

38. Deep red shades

40. Citation that leads to a picture

43. Head of the Louvre?

45. Change direction abruptly

48. Make mad

49. Double-curved figure

52. Fisherman with pots

In the thick of 59. “Como ___ usted?” 60. Dedicated poem

Last week’s answers

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.

53. Lofty desire

54. Multivitamin ingredient

55. Lizardlike creature

56. Horse’s pace

57. Celebrity chef Matsuhisa, or his restaurant

58.

NEWS of the WEIRD

Wait, What?

Turkmenistan’s top tourist attraction is the “Gateway to Hell,” a huge gas leak that has been burning since 1971 in the Karakum Desert, Yahoo! News reported on June 5. The fire started when Soviet scientists accidentally drilled into an underground pocket of gas and then ignited it, starting a blaze that could be seen from several kilometers away. Officials announced this week that the fire has been reduced three-fold. “Today only a faint source of combustion remains,” said Irina Luryeva, a director at the state-owned energy company Turkmengaz. Wells have been drilled around the site to capture the methane from the leak, she said.

Great Art

Amsterdam has outdone itself with a new exhibit at the Rijksmuseum, the Associated Press reported on June 3. As part of an exhibition called “Safe Sex?” the museum is displaying a condom from 1830 that is enhanced with erotic art. The prophylactic is made from a sheep’s appendix and, the museum says, “depicts both the playful and the serious side of sexual health” with its image of a nun and three clergymen. The phrase “This is my choice” is written in French along its length, which may refer to the Renoir painting “The Judgment of Paris.” Historians believe the condom might be a souvenir from a brothel. You can see it until the end of November.

Saw That Coming

After performers debuted “Westphalia Side Story” on Paterborn Cathedral’s altar in Berlin, Germany, on May 15, more than 22,000 people signed a petition demanding that the archbishop apologize and reconsecrate the cathedral. The Associated Press reported that the production included a song and dance which featured two shirtless men and one woman displaying raw, plucked chickens wearing diapers while singing “Fleish ist Fleish” (“Meat is Meat”). The song was part of a larger production celebrating the 1,250th anniversary of Westphalia, Germany, a region in the country’s northwest. The finished show will premiere in September.

Least Competent Criminal

Richard Pruneda, 42, of Edinburg, Texas, managed to get himself arrested twice over the Memorial Day holiday in Eddyville, Kentucky, the West Kentucky Star reported. The Lyon County Sheriff was called on May 25 to a business where Pruneda was allegedly intoxicated and making “alarming” statements to an employee. The next day, after bonding out of jail, Pruneda called the sheriff’s office to ask about retrieving personal items from his impounded car. When the officer picked up and inventoried the items, he found cocaine in the trunk. Eddyville Police assisted as they went to Pruneda’s motel and arrested him for a second time.

Bright Idea

Here’s one way to disrupt government: At a Mecklenburg County (North Carolina) commission meeting on June 3, a protester released an “unknown” number of crickets, WBTV reported. “She dropped something from the balcony,” one commissioner said. Crickets were “everywhere on the walls, on the stairs” and “in the balcony,” commissioners said. Board chair Mark Jerrell stopped the meeting, saying, “It’s shameful. Shameful. You can leave, thank you very much, we appreciate it.” After protesters were removed, the meeting continued, but commissioners were forced to take a 10-minute recess so the environmental services staff could come in and vacuum up the critters. Jerrell said the commission was familiar with the protesters but that they lost all credibility with the stunt.

Florida

No Longer Weird: alligators in Florida. BUT this story caught our eye: Not one but two motorcyclists were injured on May 31 in Volusia County, Florida, after they hit an alligator crossing I-4, WFOL-TV reported. Cameron Gilmore, 67, said he and Brandi Goss, 25, were riding with a larger group when he saw a “big blob in the road.”

Goss elaborated: “I just seen something and ... it was too late,” she said. Goss sustained a concussion and cracked wrist bone; Gilmore had a broken foot and toes. The alligator’s fate is unknown.

Animal Antics

A 30-year-old elephant named Plai Biang Lek escaped Khao Yai National Park and went shopping on June 2 in Bangkok, Thailand, the Associated Press reported. The enormous male pachyderm ducked through the door of a grocery store and helped himself to snacks while park workers tried to shoo him out. When he was ready to go, he backed out the door, still holding a bag of treats with his trunk. The only damage to the shop was mud tracks on the floor and ceiling. Kamploy Kakaew, the owner, said he ate nine bags of sweet rice crackers, a sandwich and some dried bananas. This isn’t his first offense: He’s been known to enter homes in search of food.

The Continuing Crisis

The Montclair Elementary School in Oakland, California, is celebrating 100 years, and as such, the school’s PTA historian dug back into the archives to find historical items for the 2025 yearbook. But, as ABC7-TV reported, she might have been a little lax in her editing. One photo in the yearbook distributed to kindergartners through fifth graders shows a picture from the 1940 carnival, held annually at the school. “Boy and Girl Scouts will have charge of booths and many attractions,” read the caption, before providing one example: a game named after a racial slur. What?! Principal David Kloker sent an apology to families and suggested parents remove that page or put a sticker, supplied by the school, over the photo. The historian explained that she “made the critical error of only reading the first paragraph before including it.” The PTA will offer refunds for the yearbook to families. The historian said she will pass the baton to another volunteer for next year.

Weird in the Wild

On May 29 at Wekiva Island, Florida, one man was transported to the hospital after suffering a bite from ... nope, not an alligator, but rather from an “aggressive” otter. WSVN-TV reported that after biting the victim, the otter ran off, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers couldn’t locate it. Megan Stolen, a senior scientist at the Blue World Research Institute, advised residents in the area to keep their distance. She said the otter may have felt the person was too close, or it could be suffering from rabies, which makes them more aggressive.

News That Sounds Like a Joke

Police in Jacksonville, Florida, are looking for a suspect who “fondled” a $650 ferret for some time at a Petland store, then shoved the animal down his shorts and walked out. The Smoking Gun reported that on May 27, the man “browsed the ferret section of the store” before he left, holding “the crotch area of his shorts to support the ferret.” A Petland manager tried to chase him but couldn’t get the license plate number of the van he was driving.