City Weekly June 19, 2025

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THE WRITING WAS ON THE WALL FOR FORMER SALT LAKE CITY POLICE CHIEF

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No Kings Protests

Today, we witnessed thousands of people marching peacefully, respectfully and with purpose in downtown Salt Lake City. That unity and care for one another reflects the heart of our city.

It’s especially painful that such a meaningful and peaceful moment was followed by an act of violence.

We are deeply saddened by this tragedy and extend our heartfelt condolences to the victim, their family and everyone affected.

We are grateful to our first responders

for acting quickly to provide aid and support community safety.

Salt Lake City is a place where people care deeply, show up for each other and speak out for what they believe in. Violence has no place here—and it will never define who we are.

SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL

June 14, 2025

President Trump doesn’t like the idea of people protesting that he has become a king: “I don’t feel like a king,” he said recently. “I have to go through hell to get stuff approved.”

I think the chief executive is on to something here. If he were really a king, his unilateral edicts would be enforced on the nation with little to no pushback from anywhere. He is up to speed with the regular publishing of edicts, but he is getting a little bit of pushback here and there on implementing them, so his crown sits just a little bit precariously on his head.

But Number 47 is clearly chafing at the fact he has to get the help of others to get things done and that stuff takes an ex-

tended period of time to get done. A true king would have the full faith and credit of the people for whatever he wants to do, and it would get done pronto.

Yep, he would much rather be the real deal. The real deal has God, the established church and all the fawning, ignorant people worshipping him, not protesting against him.

Also, a real king’s statements cannot be contradicted without risk to health and property, even when the statement is made by a judge, a Congressperson, a newscaster, military brass, leaders of other nations … you get the picture.

A real king is King! Trump is not quite there yet.

KIMBALL SHINKOSKEY Woods Cross

I’m honored to have been able to attend with my son and use our white privilege to fight for those that are at risk here in our country! Everyone is welcome here!

TAYLOR VANCE Via Facebook

Please also vote in 2026. All 4 of Utah’s congressional seats are up. Amazing turnout, and amazing energy! Proud of our state today!

LAUREN LITTLEFIELD Via Facebook

Our city had more people at No Kings than Donnie had at his whole parade.

BBROWSBYJ Via Instagram

Never been more proud to be born and raised in Utah.

ANNEDASHMARIE Via Instagram

We were in Ogden and it was a great turnout too!

RICHARD CREEGER 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 I give you $1,000 to spend in 30 minutes, what are you purchasing?

Paula Saltas

Euros, to make a quick getaway to Europe if need be—which may be sooner than later.

Mike Ptaschinski

I’d buy all the Trump Crypto coin I could. This might put me in good standing, should I ever be involved in some Capitol insurrection, be convicted of embezzlement or defraud some institution.

Scott Renshaw

Whatever level of Disneyland annual pass that $1,000 gets me (and it ain’t much at this point).

Christa Zaro

I’ll have it spent in 1 minute—clothes from Name Droppers

Benjamin Wood

$400 in my 401(k); $400 in bitcoin; and a bunch of sandos from Central 9th.

Eric Granato

Real answer: Parts to fix my cars. Fun answer: a few plane tickets to Norway.

Bryan Bale

I’d likely use it to help pay for some parts my vehicle needs. Some replacements for those 23-year-old headlights and tail lights would be nice. The bulb sockets are starting to rust.

BY ALEXANDER RAMOS

OPINION Making a Baseball

Abuelo Enrique was my best friend. He taught me about mortality, living in the moment, diffusing tense moments with laughter and how to enjoy a coffee—even if it’s bad.

He died during COVID, but I had lost him years before. He wasn’t the same after his stroke. Or maybe I wasn’t the same. Maybe life hit both of us.

Whenever I called him, I could always hear baseball in the background, even in the offseason. He loved Los Doyers, but loved the game more. At times, we’d watch a couple of plays on the phone. I was in El Norte, but I could see him shaking peanuts like dice before popping them in his mouth—legs crossed, cold beer sweating.

I never asked him if he remembered any of the Dodgers’ World Series wins from ’55 to ‘88, but I’m sure he did. I also know we would have been on the phone crying after his hometown paisa Urias threw the last strike of the Series, had he not passed months before.

I think about Henru often, especially his dark humor. His ashes sit on my bookcase. I plan to hike Pico de Orizaba—Mexico’s highest peak—and spread his ashes. He was afraid of heights.

Every year on the anniversary of his death, I do something related to baseball. The first year, I bought a Louisville Slugger and my wife and I found a diamond and watched our 4-year old run the bases.

The following year, a broken-in glove was on the list. I searched online (mi abuelo would’ve hated that), and went to some used sports stores, but came up empty-handed.

Discouraged, I thought of doing something else—maybe buy some Big League Chew, sit on some bleachers, and talk to him.

Later that day, I waited for a friend inside the corridors of the strip-mall on the corner of 700 East and 2100 South. It smelled of pizza and urine-soaked concrete (courtesy of the unhoused, if you want to quote Othello).

I stared at the Dees sign in all its glory—barely spinning anymore, half its lightbulbs missing. I don’t know why or how, but I looked down at the brick flowerbed. And there it was, past the spider-filled juniper ground cover, something foreign. A smile in a room full of frowns.

I reached in and couldn’t believe it. Faded leather. Shoelaced webbing. Worn-to-hell lacing. A perfect, beautifully broken-in glove.

I looked around praying the owner wasn’t standing next to me. A smile crept in, then a chuckle. Then the levee broke, and a peal of laughter ensued. Anybody walking by would have thought I was having a mid-life crisis.

My son Knox has Sever’s Disease. It’s growing pains on steroids. When it’s bad, he walks as if his soles are sunburnt. One day, Knox told us he wanted to give baseball a shot: “I think it might be my thing.”

The next morning we got up and got his glove. He hadn’t used it since Henru’s first anniversary, his hands were as big as the glove.

At the store, Knox asked if I was going to get a glove. Henru’s glove was beautiful, but it was shot. I grabbed one from the rack and went to the cashier.

The glove had a sticker on it for less than what gloves went for, so I asked the cashier to double check. I was right. I passed—I’d rather repair the miracle glove.

We got to the diamond and started breaking in my kid’s glove. Back and forth the ball went. Back and forth we talked—teeter-tottering through small talk.

That’s the beauty of playing catch. Laughs, adjustments and smiles filled the space between each throw.

Then things slowed down. I was overjoyed. If you’ve ever looked at the guts of a baseball, you know what it’s made of: Layers of leather, stitching, seams, rubber and a cork center, all jumbled up by miles of cotton strings and yarn.

Love is like a baseball.

For the first days after my son was born, I would roam the halls of LDS Hospital, just looking at him while mama recovered. Like cork, my love was impermeable.

As he grew, our relationship was mostly one-sided— me making sure he didn’t die: a first layer of thick black rubber. Slowly, our relationship became more two-sided: second layer of rubber. He began teaching me how to be more than a father—a friend, a dad. He protected me from my dumbass self. Taught me how to be more forgiving.

While we had begun wrapping yarn around our relationship for some years, I physically felt our bond growing with each throw on that Spring night. I was experiencing a heart full of grateful (to quote Dierks Bentley).

I caught my kid’s damn-good throw and as I felt that, I paused. I told him that this was one of the best moments of my life. I told him I loved him and thanked him.

As we were calling it, he asked if we could play catch in the morning. I pulled up my work calendar and there it was: “ABUELO.” I had forgotten Henru’s anniversary.

“Do you think he was playing with us?” he asked. My eyes swelled. “Absolutely.”

I don’t know when the last stitch will be sewn in my life, but I’m looking forward to the jumbled miles of memories with my kid. Maybe he’ll look at the white shiny leather of a pristine pearl and feel what I felt that cool evening with the purple mountains behind us, just before he throws the ball to his kid and starts wrapping the yarn around their love.

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

HITS & MISSES

BY KATHARINE

MISS: Ballot Games

Hold on. The Legislature is in session— even if it’s only interim. Most years it’s about studies and diving deep into some issues that weren’t quite done in regular session. This year, we can see what’s coming. It’s anything from the national GOP. Utah used to be proud of its uniqueness—or as Gov. Spencer Cox calls us: “weird” or “different,” and we won’t get into “dumb.” No more. Last session saw Utah move from its established and well-run vote-by-mail system to one requiring voters to opt in and present documentation designed to confuse. That’s because national Republicans think voters need to feel more confident when casting a ballot. But let’s not get into ranked choice voting, which in most Utah municipalities and in partisan conventions has worked quite well. The Deseret News ran an article about the national conservative backlash to RCV. You know, it’s too confusing. But in fact, it’s just part of the package. “Along with mail-in ballots and voter roll cleanup, ranked choice voting has been thrown into the middle of a nationwide debate over how to increase trust in election results,” the News wrote. It’s not Utah, but it is about being dumb.

MISS: Wide Net

Astra-Nomical

Have you seen the new centerpiece in Salt Lake City’s skyline? Honestly, how could you miss it?

The Astra Tower—89 E. 200 South— was officially unveiled in May and has claimed its place as the tallest and most sustainable residential building in Utah. With 41 stories soaring over 450 feet, Astra Tower isn’t just reshaping the city’s skyline—it’s redefining urban living with a focus on innovation, wellness and community.

Developed by Kensington Investment Company and designed by HKS, Astra Tower is making headlines for more than its height. It’s a modern example of sustainability and creativity, paving the way for a greener and more connected future for Salt Lake City.

“Astra Tower is more than just a building—it’s a milestone in Salt Lake City’s evolution,” said Shane Rensmon of Kensington Investment Company, which built the Astra off a design by HKS. “Our goal was to create a place that elevates urban living while contributing to the health, vitality and long-term sustainability of the city. This project reflects our deep belief in the transformative power of thoughtful development and long-term community investment.”

It’s stunning to say the least that polls show some 54% of Americans approve of Trump’s immigration policies. That is, if you can call them policies. With a goal of arresting 3,000 people a day, the low-hanging fruit is at risk. A University of Utah student is in ICE detention somewhere in Colorado for, well, nothing really. “They are being encouraged to go after whoever they can find, and there have been quotas given out,” Brian Tanner, a Utah-based immigration and family law attorney, told The Salt Lake Tribune. No one is sure where “the worst of the worst” are hanging out, but it doesn’t appear to be in ICE detention. Will the protests make a difference? Republicans have their marching orders from the birthday boy in charge. And there are so many unintended consequences. Trump’s “pause” on visa exchanges is already threatening Utah schools with dual immersion programs.

HIT: Identity Politics

We’re pretty sure this isn’t what they’re thinking, but lawmakers may have stumbled onto a way to allow people to identify as transgender. Or whatever. The Legislature may consider SB260, which would change the rules around who defines identity by the use of a digital ID. “As it develops mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs) and digital identity cards, it aims to build a system that gives users sovereignty over their own data,” according to a story from BiometricUpdate.com. Utah is actually seen as ahead of the game, already using some mobile IDs. The question remains about privacy and age verification. For sure there will be some robust debates, but it’s not lost on some who see driver licenses as less than perfect for identification purposes. And who doesn’t love the idea of taking control of your own identification?

As locals know, Salt Lake’s mountain geography makes it prone to inversions and air pollution. Astra Tower takes this challenge head on by incorporating technology to improve air quality. The building features advanced, two-stage filtration systems, operable windows for natural ventilation and air quality sensors in every unit.

Astra takes its air-quality focus further with a community-first mentality. The crown lighting on the building will serve as a public air-quality indicator, changing colors to reflect real-time pollution levels. Through partnerships with Utah Clean Air (UCAIR) and programs promoting electric vehicles and bike sharing, Astra Tower hopes to use its prominent position to inspire sustainable habits citywide.

Astra Tower is designed to withstand seismic events, with an eye toward resilience and longevity. General contractor Jacobsen Construction led a team of 86 subcontractors, with up to 425 builders working onsite daily. During one building phase, the high-rise added one level every seven days.

In addition, Astra Tower boasts a 35% reduction in baseline water use, with its tenants projected to consume around 14 million gallons of potable water annually. This focus on reduced resource usage ensures the building contributes to both resident and environmental well-being. Astra Tower is also targeting LEED Gold certification, emphasizing Kensington’s commitment to creating spaces that are both luxurious and eco-conscious.

But Astra Tower isn’t just an architectural statement; it’s a canvas for creativity. The building features Utah’s largest mural, created by renowned artists Joseph Toney and Miles Toland. Spanning the western wall, this mural celebrates unity and the state’s stunning natural landscapes while adding vibrancy to the cityscape. CW

BIELE | @kathybiele BY AIMEE L. COOK

FESTIVALS

Change of Art

Utah Arts Festival emerges from a challenging year with feedback for new ideas.

BY SCOTT RENSHAW scottr@cityweekly.net @scottrenshaw

I

n August 2024, Utah Arts Festival executive director Aimee Dunsmore faced a situation no non-profit leader wants to face. After disappointing attendance at the 2024 festival resulted in a significant budget shortfall, UAF needed to figure out how to pay its bills. So Dunsmore did the only thing that made sense to her: She was honest.

In a press release, UAF laid out their situation in clear terms. “For all intents and purposes, the programming was great: well-received on site, very good energy,” Dunsmore said. “The issue was that we didn’t have enough people attend. … So it was a little disheartening, but we knew, in order to move forward, we needed to be transparent and tell the community where we were, and ask for help. … If we act embarrassed and keep this to ourselves, how will that serve us? It did feel like a risk, but it also felt to me like a better risk to be more honest and transparent about it than to act like everything’s fine, then still be in a difficult situation the next year.”

“That was probably one of the scarier things I’ve done in my career,” she added, “because the answer could have been, ‘Hey, you are where you are, we don’t really need this event, we’re not that interested.’ And luckily, that was not the result that we saw.”

After an outpouring of public support

and generosity from vendors, UAF was able to resolve its short-term financial troubles. Perhaps just as important, however, feedback received from that August 2024 press release provided a framework for changes that could improve attendance in the long term.

Among the most significant pieces of feedback was one that might seem difficult to address for an event that takes place in late June: It gets hot. “If I could order specific weather, I definitely would,” Dunsmore says; “any event director would.” But absent magical weather-control powers, there were still adjustments that could be made to festival layout that could allow for a more enjoyable experience, regardless of the temperature.

One key adjustment involved a decision that was also financial: not making use of the Amphitheater Stage. Shifting performances to other stages resulted in a ripple effect that allowed for optimizing the use of shadier locations. For example, Dunsmore noted, “We wanted to make Urban Arts more central—which then, why the Park Stage over there all by itself? Which got us moving to more of the West Side of the City & County Building [with] more shade, less pavers, more grass. So it was a little bit of a domino effect on some of those decisions.”

Dunsmore and UAF also decided to bring back Thursday after reducing to three days for a few years. That might seem like a counter-intuitive choice in a time of belttightening, yet it was another example of listening to public feedback. “We were hearing a lot from the public survey and from our artists that ‘we want Thursday back,’” Dunsmore said. “So then it was, should we do Thursday and Friday just in the evening; Friday we do have attendance during the day, Thursday’s a little

harder. So we thought, let’s keep Friday, do a heavy discount from noon to 3, we still want those people to come in, and do Thursday. And Thursday has been, online so far, our best-selling ticket.”

Accompanying that return to Thursday hours is a return to free youth admission, part of an emphasis on making the event as accessible as possible, including that discounted Thursday and early Friday admission. “We looked at the numbers and thought, we want people to access the arts, and we’re not making enough money on that to make it worth continuing to try to charge kids,” Dunsmore said. “It’s a value we hold, that the more people we can have get involved, especially young, [the better], and that [requires being] affordable for families. The benefit of bringing that back, compared to any financial loss? It was a drop in the bucket.”

This year also marks an expansion in the idea of having some artists not just selling their work, but demonstrating how they create it on-site. Along with shaking

things up with a diverse range of performances on any given stage, it’s an attempt to continue a mission of exposing people to the whole artistic spectrum. And after a difficult year, Dunsmore sees fulfilling that mission as a payoff for the challenges.

“This is a labor of love, not just for us, but for the coordinators, for the volunteers, for the captains and crews,” she remarked. “That’s what keeps me going. And this has probably been, personally, one of the hardest years of my career, to try to work these things out. I just feel like this is something the community wants and needs. There’s a lot going on in our community and in the world, and this is a place to come and celebrate, to have a little respite from that.”

CW

UTAH ARTS FESTIVAL

Library Square / City & County Building 200 East & 400 South June 19 – 22 Tickets start at $12 uaf.org

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

Attendees at the Utah Arts Festival

theESSENTIALS ENTERTAINMENT

Juneteenth Events

With Juneteenth now a state holiday, there’s a chance to use that day to truly acknowledge its historical significance in marking the end of slavery in America, and recognize how much work there is still to do. Here are just a few ways you can commemorate the date.

West Valley City’s 2025 Juneteenth Celebration “Fighting for Freedom” takes place Thursday, June 19 at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center (1355 W. 3100 South), featuring a discussion with PBS Utah Roots, Race & Culture hosts Danor Gerald and Lonzo Liggins in conversation with Robert Burch of Sema Hadithi African American Heritage & Culture Foundation, Dr. Richard Ferguson and Dr. Sidni Shorter at 7 p.m. about what it means to be “free and equal.” A pre-discussion reception at 6 p.m. will allow a chance to view the two Smithsonian poster exhibits A Place for All People and City of Hope. culturalcelebration.org

At The Gateway (400 West & 200 South), the Salt Lake City Juneteenth Celebration hosted by Beloved Community is an all-day experience beginning with a celebration walk from the Utah State Capitol at 10 a.m., and including live entertainment, kids’ activities, Black Art Gallery and Black-Owned Business Expo. saltlakejuneteenth.org

On Friday, June 20, the Marriott Library at the University of Utah (295 S. 1500 East) hosts the And Still We Rise panel discussion at noon, with panelists including Project Success Coalition executive director Betty Sawyer; Dr. William A. Smith, Strategic Initiatives & Mental Health Justice Chief Executive Administrator; Robert Burch; and mezzo-soprano Cynthia M. Harris. Online participation is available with registration at culture.utah.edu/events. (Scott Renshaw)

James Austin Johnson

When someone has been a public figure for as long as Donald Trump has, it would seem like there would be nothing new under the sun in terms of creating a comedic impression. Yet almost immediately upon joining the cast of Saturday Night Live in 2021, James Austin Johnson made it clear that he had a different angle on the blowhard-turned-president-turned-felon-turnedpresident. He described discovering his approach in an interview on Late Night with Seth Meyers: “He’s been around for like 100 years, we’ve been listening to him. So you have all these different impressions of him. When he came back in the 2010s, ready to be President, his voice had deteriorated, a lot. It was very gurgly … So, accessing sort of the dark dungeons of my throat was necessary, because he’s not the smooth ’80s guy.”

It’s definitely a different career path from a guy who started his show-biz career acting in independent Christian films before making his way into stand-up comedy. And he has proved that his Donald Trump is only one arrow in his quiver of great impressions. He’s been known to pull out a Joe Biden, a Bob Dylan, even a Kamala Harris.

James Austin Johnson is taking advantage of the summer SNL hiatus by getting back to his live comedy roots, and his tour takes him to the Cabaret Room at Wiseguys Gateway (190 S. 400 West) on Friday, June 20 and Saturday, June 21. Showtimes are 6:30 p.m., and tickets are $30. Visit wiseguyscomedy.com for tickets and additional event information. (SR)

theESSENTIALS

Truth in Comedy @ Urban Arts Gallery

It has been a long tradition in stand-up comedy for performers to use some of the hardest events from their own lives as a source for laughs. Dallas-based comedian Byron Stamps considered a twist on that idea: What if storytellers shared from their heartfelt experiences, and other comedians used that as a creative prompt? “There’s a lot of tragedy in comedy,” Stamps shares by phone. “But can we take a story from someone else’s life, and find the funny in that?”

Born in 2017 out of Stamps’ own need to process the feelings arising from the death of his mother, Truth in Comedy finds individuals developing stories based on their own experiences and turning them over to Stamps’ troupe of comedians, who choose a story that resonates with them to be a source for material. Visual artists are similarly brought in, often from the local communities in which they perform, to create work similarly inspired by those stories.

“I never give anybody a prompt, ‘You have to talk about this or that subject,’” Stamps notes, “just to be open, honest and vulnerable. I’ve been blown away by what people want to share, and by the understanding people have for each other. … The comedians know to respect the stories. If you’re pouring your heart out, then somebody’s coming behind you roasting you, there could be furniture flying.”

Truth in Comedy comes to Urban Arts Gallery (116 Rio Grande St., The Gateway) on Sunday, June 22, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 - $25; visit truthincomedy.com for tickets and additional event information. (SR)

Back to Brokeback

Revisiting Brokeback Mountain on its 20th anniversary, to find if it’s still the best movie of 2005.

BY SCOTT RENSHAW scottr@cityweekly.net @scottrenshaw

On the evening of March 5, 2006, it felt like the improbable was about to happen: My favorite movie of the year was going to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Brokeback Mountain had already won three awards—Original Score for Gustavo Santaolalla’s plaintive guitar, Adapted Screenplay for Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana’s work on Annie Proulx’s short story and Director for Ang Lee—all of which pointed towards a Best Picture win. Then presenter Jack Nicholson announced the winner as Paul Haggis’ strident “racism is bad, m’kay” drama Crash, followed by a “betcha didn’t see that coming” gesture and a mouthed “whoah,” and … yes, “whoah” indeed. Earlier this year, I had a vague plan to revisit my Top 10 list from 2005, as well as other generally well-regarded films from that year, to see if I might find anything changing in where I would rank things. Hectic scheduling prevented pursuing that project in earnest, but revisiting Brokeback Mountain felt like a must, even before the announcement of a theatrical re-release to celebrate that anniversary (beginning June 20). There was some anxiety surrounding that prospect, since I hadn’t actually watched it in its entirety since 2005, and it’s hard not to wonder if something that struck me as so monumental at the time—and the obvious Best Picture of the year, Crash’s golden statuette be damned—would age well. Would it reveal itself as a timeless classic? Or would

it reveal me as a well-meaning straight progressive eager to champion a contemplative, heartbreaking queer love story?

Thus I returned to the world of 1963 Wyoming, and the summer in which Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) connect while herding sheep in the mountains, beginning an affair that would last for 15 years and through their respective marriages. Much of what I remembered from my initial viewing remained intact, specifically the magnificent pacing of the first act in which Ennis and Jack meet and fall for one another while working alone—or at least mostly alone, save for the occasional bear and an awkward visit from their employer (Randy Quaid). There was also the tangled exploration of masculinity which in 2005 might have seemed part of another age, but continues to stick out its chest in the conservative dudeosphere; it’s hard not to see scenes in which either man lashes out in anger as a way to prove that they’re still manly men.

Yet I also found myself fascinated by new

discoveries, particularly the ways in which Ennis and Jack are different. While Ennis clearly seems emotionally tied to Jack specifically, we see that Jack engages in other affairs with men—certainly with a street hustler he picks up in Tijuana, though also (it’s heavily implied) with a family friend played by a young David Harbour. As a result, their relationship takes on a more complicated shape, as it’s clear that while Jack definitely is attracted to men in general, Ennis’ feelings could be much more driven by the loneliness revealed in the story of his tragic family history. It’s a subtle recognition on the part of Proulx and the screenwriters about the spectrum of both sexual attraction and emotional need.

Perhaps just as heartbreaking as the central relationship, though, is the way Brokeback Mountain reveals the ripple effects of repression on the lives touched by these two men. We see much more of the disintegration of Ennis’ marriage to Alma (Michelle Williams) and its effect on their two daughters, as well as Ennis’ later

relationship with a diner waitress (Linda Cardellini). The fear Ennis expresses early on about any prospect of a life with Jack—the result of witnessing an anti-gay hate crime in his childhood—turns into a marriage that has no chance at being anything but curdled by what he gives up. And the closest he gets to his oldest daughter (played as an adult by Kate Mara) is when supporting her own marriage because it represents a kind of love he couldn’t have. Period pieces often have an advantage in terms of aging gracefully, because they’re not necessarily of their moment. Brokeback Mountain still feels vital, even if animosity is currently directed more at gender-nonconforming people. It’s still powerful to watch the shock waves of pain caused by people being denied the ability to live authentically. And it’s still the movie I wish had taken home one more gold statuette 20 years ago. CW

FOCUSFEATURES.COM/BROKEBACK_MOUNTAIN

TOP COP

THE WRITING WAS ON THE WALL FOR FORMER SALT LAKE CITY POLICE CHIEF MIKE BROWN

BY CHRISTOPHER SMART comments@cityweekly.net

Adecade as a metropolitan police chief is an exceptional run, one that Mike Brown can be proud of. But earlier this year, his tenure at the Salt Lake City Police Department came to an abrupt end.

The plague of homelessness on Utah’s capital city is metastasizing— taking a toll on businesses, neighborhoods and the unfortunate who find themselves without roofs or restrooms. As she entered her second term in January 2024, pressure continued to build on Mayor Erin Mendenhall from various quarters to get campers off the streets and crime rates down.

In November 2023, Mendenhall ordered a crackdown on homeless camps. “People don’t have to go into shelters,” she said, “but living in our public spaces is not an option.”

At the time, the mayor expressed confidence that Brown could get the job done. Asked by The Salt Lake Tribune if she intended to keep Brown on as chief if elected to a second term, Mendenhall demurred, saying that conversation was for another day.

Brown retired on February 28 of this year, after 33 years at the Salt Lake City Police Department.

“There is never a perfect time to step away from a career that has defined you, challenged you, and given you a profound sense of purpose,” Brown said in a prepared statement. “Policing has never been just a job for me—it has been a calling and a lifelong commitment to public service.”

Soon after Brown’s retirement announcement, the mayor said publicly that it was her decision—and hers alone—that he step down. But ob-

servers say the writing was on the wall for Brown’s departure since at least 2020, when the union representing Salt Lake City police officers overwhelmingly took a vote of “no confidence” in the chief.

Truth be told, no police chief can solve homelessness, said Wendy Garvin, executive director of Unsheltered Utah.

“That requires housing and right now, Salt Lake County is 1,000 shelter beds short,” Garvin reported. “There is no place for them to go.”

Garvin noted that Brown had lost the support of many homeless advocates and care providers. “No one trusted him,” she said.

Brown became chief in 2015, as homelessness in Salt Lake City was spiking. He took the post after his predecessor, Chris Burbank, was pushed out in the midst of a political storm, when then-Mayor Ralph Becker sought cover during a tight reelection bid that he ultimately lost to Jackie Biskupski.

Police chiefs come and go with the political winds, Burbank said recently. He noted that the average tenure of a metropolitan police chief is between 2 and 3 years.

Like Garvin, Burbank said that Brown’s ouster was a long time coming. He had heard over and over again from former colleagues in the police department and City Hall that the mayor was getting rid of the chief.

“I will tell you, [Mendenhall] said many, many times to her constituents she was going to get rid of Brown,” Burbank said. “Everyone was upset.”

Former Mayor Rocky Anderson had been vocal about Mendenhall’s police

department and its inability to get homeless campers off the streets— something he highlighted in his unsuccessful 2023 campaign to unseat her. In a recent interview, Anderson said there was “no accountability whatsoever for police who had engaged in blatant misconduct and failure to do their jobs.”

Anderson faulted Mendenhall’s administration and the Salt Lake City Police Department for destroying homeless encampments and confiscating tents, sleeping bags and other necessities while providing no place for the unsheltered to go. In addition, Anderson explained that homelessness in Salt Lake City is having a severe impact on businesses, to the point where some packed up and left.

The former mayor pointed to Haven for Hope in San Antonio, Texas, as an approach that could serve as a model.

“Salt Lake City,” Anderson said,

“could quickly eliminate homeless encampments by providing a sanctioned campus that includes space for campers along with showers, laundry, meals and case managers.”

The Homeless Problem

More than 9,800 Utahns became homeless for the first time last year, marking a nearly 10% increase from 2022, according to Utah’s Office of Homeless Services. Across the nation, more than 771,800 people were homeless in 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). That is up from 653,104 in 2023.

Salt Lake City businessman David Ibarra began voicing concerns surrounding homelessness in a 2019 opinion piece in the Deseret News, months before Mendenhall took office in 2020.

Former Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown retired from the department in February.

Ibarra, who unsuccessfully ran for mayor that same year, was among a group that filed suit against Salt Lake City, alleging that the administration of then-Mayor Jackie Biskupski was “allowing homeless encampments to proliferate.”

The suit included images of damaged property, human waste, trash, tents and drugs. “Although this is a nuisance case,” the complaint read, “it is also a plea for sanity and common sense, and a plea to address the humanitarian crisis that the city’s intentional actions (and inactions) have caused and continue to cause.”

Nonetheless, the case was dismissed with prejudice in March 2024. Third District Judge Andrew Stone held that plaintiffs “failed to establish that (Salt Lake City) owes them a special duty to remedy or ‘control’ unsheltered encampments beyond that owed to the general public.”

A drumbeat of complaints persisted from residents, businesses and elected officials as Salt Lake City and state legislators grappled with homeless issues. Then, in December of 2024, Utah’s Republican leaders—Gov. Spencer Cox, Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams, R-Layton, and Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz, RHooper—threw down the gauntlet with a letter to Mendenhall.

“Local law enforcement is the front end of the system to appropriately address the disorder that we are experiencing in our capital city,” they wrote. “The ineffectiveness of [the police department] has become glaringly apparent.”

They demanded that Mendenhall create a new public safety plan before the Legislature convened on January 21, in effect telling the mayor to clean up her city or the state would intervene and clean it up for her.

The mayor responded in writing: “The system, as it exists today, is really not designed to create accountability or remedy the services for this population, so we see a cycling of people with

many arrests. It’s not one part of the system’s fault. It is a system as a whole that has to be changed.”

It was the last straw. In short order, Brown was gone and the mayor tapped Brian Redd as Salt Lake City’s new police chief.

Redd had been the director of the Utah Department of Corrections; he also is a former top official with the state Department of Public Safety and onetime Utah Highway Patrol trooper.

Salt Lake City’s new public safety plan calls for intensified patrols and consequences for repeat offenders of the “no camping” dictum, such as citations and arrests.

Redd-y and Raring

In a recent interview with ABC4, Redd said the public safety plan includes coordinating with treatment resources, deploying social services and increasing funding for affordable housing.

“You can still enforce the law and hold people accountable while treating them humanely and with dignity, he said.

For the past decade, Utah communities large and small have been wrestling with the growth of the unhoused population and the camps that spring up wherever there is open space. In June of 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that cities and towns can ban sleeping and camping in public places, overruling lower courts that had held it was cruel and unusual punishment to keep people from camping in public places if they had nowhere else to go.

Experts contend that communities cannot arrest their way out of homelessness. A group of 57 social scientists submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing against the criminalization of homelessness. “The enforcement of anti-homeless laws has wide-ranging and lingering negative impacts on those experiencing homelessness and creates significant barriers to exiting homelessness,” they wrote.

Salt Lake’s new plan is like the old plan, remarked Garvin. “There’s just more harassment [of homeless campers] right now,” she said.

The unsheltered population is being cited and arrested. They are usually released quickly, unless they have pending warrants.

What that means in essence, said Garvin, is that campers have to relocate more often: “The police are very aware that after homeless people get citations they will move a block or two away.”

The current crackdown on camping is not the first. In August of 2017, Salt Lake City police, along with the County Sheriff’s Department and the Utah Highway Patrol, launched “Operation Rio Grande,” arresting dozens for drug offenses near the homeless shelter on Rio Grande Street downtown.

The operation’s strategic plan called for “stronger camping restrictions and enforcement.” It also referenced a “ban [on] camping on public streets and waterways.”

An unintended consequence of Operation Rio Grande was that it pushed the homeless population into residential neighborhoods, particularly in Ballpark and on the west side along the Jordan River.

With the aid of state funding, Salt Lake City and County—along with area non-governmental organizations (NGOs)—embarked in 2019 on a plan to build three new homeless resource centers to replace the aging shelter on Rio Grande Street. The facilities were aimed at coordinating resources so people could find housing within weeks, rather than months. But real estate prices jumped, rents skyrocketed and the strategy was stymied for a dearth of affordable housing.

The homeless population is not static. According to PolicyMattersInc.org, “Various economic elements, including income inequality, housing affordability, job market fluctuations and economic policy contribute to the increasing rates of homelessness in the United States”—things over which police chiefs have no control. CW

Mayor Erin Mendenhall selected Brian Redd to replace Brown as Salt Lake City’s police chief.

Former Mayor Rocky Anderson is critical of the city’s response to unsanctioned camping.

Wendy Garvin of Unsheltered Utah said that camping enforcement has escalated in the city.

Club Life

Utah County’s Crust Club expands across the Wasatch Front.

BY ALEX SPRINGER comments@cityweekly.net @captainspringer

Considering the fact that cream of chicken soup, rotisserie chicken and pie crust occupy a prominent space on Utah’s culinary coat of arms, it’s surprising that we don’t have more local pot pies on the market. We have a few scattered around, each one offering their own riff on a classic pot pie, but I feel like it’s high time that pot pies became more prevalent within our fast-casual scene. It’s a vision that is shared by Crust Club, as they’ve begun opening storefronts from St. George to Logan. The restaurant has more central locations in Pleasant Grove and South Jordan, and it’s building the kind of momentum that could make it the next big thing.

Crust Club started off as the brainchild of Tyler and Valerie Kukahiko, who kicked off the menu with a chicken pot pie that made waves in the food blogosphere back in 2016. As the brand started taking off, they secured a warehouse for nationwide deliveries the following year. After opening their first storefront in 2021, Crust Club was acquired by Crumbl Cookies in 2024. With the fuel of an international franchise behind it, Crust Club is poised to have a major moment in the coming few years.

The concept behind Crust Club is pretty simple. The menu includes baby pies and

hand pies, both sweet and savory, along with a few other baked entrees and soups. Crust Club has larger family-sized entrees as well, but these are designed to be purchased from the shop and then baked up at home. I went with the chicken pot pie and the BBQ Mac pot pie in a meal deal ($22.99) that came with a sweet pie; I went with key lime, since that’s always polarizing. I like that Crust Club offers combos like this, as you’ll want to try something sweet and savory when you’re visiting a location.

Between the two savory pies, I was surprised to find that I found the BBQ Mac to be the superior of the two. It’s got plenty of barbecued pork that ran on the sweeter side of the sauce spectrum. The pie is also filled with a good amount of elbow macaroni, which presented a nice textural contrast to the buttery pie crust. From a texture perspective, it’s a crust that understands the assignment. It’s flaky throughout with a nice, goldenbrown crispness on the top and on the edges. The only thing that I thought was missing was a bit of salt to make the crust adequately pop. The combination of barbecued pork, macaroni and pie crust totally works as a midday carb bomb.

While I didn’t actively dislike the chicken pot pie, I was surprised at the lack of seasoning. The crust on this pie was also in need of salt, but the innards were uncharacteristically one-note. The chicken, potato and other veggies were all a bit on the dry, starchy side of things, making me think the filling just needed a bit of salt and pepper—which are thankfully provided at each table. Again, I still liked the chicken pot pie, but it would have been a bit more successful if the filling was a bit more gravy-centric.

On the dessert side of the menu, the key lime pie was a total win. Outside of a crust that was a little crumby, the lime filling was great. I always think key lime pie is a good litmus test for a pie establishment, as I’ve had plenty of variations that try and sneak some lime extract in and hope we don’t notice. This lime filling is the real deal, however—fresh and citrusy, with a nice silky texture. I wouldn’t have minded the lime’s tartness to have more of a bite, but it’s a pie that does nicely with the key lime formula.

While the baby pies might be a little tricky to eat on the go, Crust Club also offers both sweet and savory pie pockets ($5.49) that can be easily devoured while on the road. June’s seasonal offering is a strawberries & cream number that was an excellent sugar rush. The crust on the pie pockets remains structurally sound enough to hold all the fillings in place, but it also has the same buttery flavor that is characteristic of its baby pie cousins. While I was expecting a few bits of whole strawberries here and there, the filling is one hundred percent strawberry vanilla pastry cream. It’s not a bad thing at all—I found that it takes the pocket pie into filled doughnut territory—but the fruit pie purist in me missed that special pop of freshness.

I am all for a fast-casual pie spot like Crust Club starting up around the state; I believe that most problems can be solved when the people have easy access to pie. I am looking forward to seeing how far the combo of Crumbl and Crust Club will end up going. CW

A personal tin of baked goodness from Crust Club

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

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 properbrewingco.com

On Tap: Steamy Wonder Rye Steam Ale

Desert Edge Brewery

273 Trolley Square, SLC

Epic Brewing Co.

825 S. State, SLC EpicBrewing.com

On Tap: Matsumoto Japanese Rice Lager

Etta Place Cidery 700 W Main St, Torrey www.ettaplacecider.com

On Tap: Wassail Cider, Pineapple Passion Fruit Session Mead

Fisher Brewing Co.

320 W. 800 South, SLC FisherBeer.com

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

Grid City Beer Works

333 W. 2100 South, SLC

GridCityBeerWorks.com

On Tap: Cask Nitro CO2

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

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

Policy Kings Brewery

79 W. 900 South, Salt Lake City PolicyKingsBrewery.com

Helper Beer

159 N Main Street, Helper, UT  helperbeer.com

Hopkins Brewing Co.

1048 E. 2100 South, SLC HopkinsBrewingCompany.com

On Tap: Autobahn Hefeweizen

Kiitos Brewing

608 W. 700 South, SLC KiitosBrewing.com

Now with a full bar license & draft beer cocktails!

On Tap: Sake Rice Lager (collab with Tsuki Sake); Tropical Haze IPA

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

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.

Mountain West Cider

425 N. 400 West, SLC MountainWestCider.com

On Tap: Berry Me in ThymeRaspberry Thyme Hard Cider

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

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

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.

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. Kreator Kolsch Pilsner

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

squatters

On Tap: Salt Lake Brewing Co. Go Easy Session IPA 2.9%

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

Making a Statement

These beers have something to say, in different ways.

BY MIKE RIEDEL comments@cityweekly.net @utahbeer

Fisher - Triticale Blues: Triticale (pronounced trit-ih-KAY-lee) is a hybrid grain created by crossing wheat (Triticum) with rye (Secale). To be honest, I haven’t had much experience with this grain, malted or otherwise, so I was really looking forward to tasting this beer. It’s made in the fashion of an Americanstyle wheat ale: more toasty, with none of the banana and clove associated with its German Hefeweizen cousin.

This new ale pours a hazy, sun-kissed golden straw, typical of an American wheat ale, crowned with a fluffy, persistent white head that leaves attractive lacing. The aroma immediately distinguishes itself. Alongside the expected soft bready notes and a light, lemony citrus hop character often found in American wheats, there’s an intriguing undercurrent—a gentle, almost peppery spice and a subtle nutty earthiness that whispers of rye’s influence, courtesy of the triticale. The palate delivers classic American wheat refreshment. A clean, grainy sweetness forms the base, brightened by a touch of citrusy hop flavor that doesn’t overpower. But it’s the triticale malt that truly shines, weaving in that intriguing nutty character and a delicate, almost sweet rye-like spice that lingers pleasantly on the mid-palate. It’s not as overtly spicy as a pure rye beer, but offers a more complex and slightly rustic grain profile than a standard wheat ale, adding a welcome depth.

The mouthfeel is delightful: mediumlight in body with a crisp, effervescent carbonation that keeps it lively. There’s a remarkably smooth, almost silky texture, likely enhanced by the triticale, making it incredibly quaffable. The finish is clean, with a lingering hint of nutty spice and a refreshing dryness.

Verdict: Triticale Blues successfully marries the familiar comfort of an American wheat ale with a welcome, nuanced twist. The triticale adds a wonderful depth and a subtle rustic charm without sacrificing the easy-drinking, thirst-quenching 5.0 percent qualities of the style, resulting in a thoughtfully crafted and enjoyable ale.

SaltFire - Punch a Nazi: The label is straightforward, unapologetic and to the point. This American pale ale pours a clear, inviting golden amber, crowned with a persistent, creamy white head that leaves attractive lacing as it recedes. The aroma is a classic APA greeting: a bright and lively bouquet where zesty citrus peel, particularly grapefruit and orange rind, takes the lead, closely followed by notes of freshly-cut grass and a pleasant, resinous pine character.

The first sip delivers on the aromatics. Those upfront flavors of sharp citrus peel, crisp grassy notes and a distinct piney bite make an immediate, refreshing impact. But this isn’t a one-note hop assault; there’s a commendable malt character providing a solid foundation. Subtle biscuit and light caramel tones emerge mid-palate, offering a gentle sweetness that balances the hop bitterness and adds a welcome depth and body to the brew.

As the initial hop punch subsides, the experience transitions smoothly, riding what can only be described as an “herbal hop slide” towards the conclusion. This nuanced herbal quality, perhaps hints of dried oregano or a subtle minty character, carries through to a finish that is decidedly bitter—clean, palate-cleansing, and assertive—yet it doesn’t overstay its welcome or become astringent.

Verdict: At 5 percent alcohol, Punch a Nazi is wonderfully drinkable, a wellcrafted American pale ale that showcases a bright, multi-faceted hop profile grounded by good malt structure, culminating in a satisfyingly bitter, yet crisp, finish. It will also make a grand statement at your next summer gathering.

Punch a Nazi is available at SaltFire Brewing, and you may also find it at some of the better beer pubs around SLC. Fisher’s Triticale Blues is only available at Fisher on draft or to-go in crowlers. As always, cheers! CW

BURNER

BY ALEX SPRINGER | @captainspringer

PoPIE 1929 Opens

As I’ve always got my eye on the comings and goings of Utah’s meat pie scene, I just got word about this new spot in American Fork that is making some Korean-inspired pies that look awesome. PoPIE 1929 (popie1929.com) had previously been a farmers market darling, and the team recently opened a storefront in Utah County. Per the menu, the restaurant is serving up a pizza pie, chicken pie and curry pie along with some strawberry- and blueberry-filled scones. The menu has a few other Korean surprises in store—the restaurant’s website touts pasta, salad and fresh juices in addition to its menu of pies.

La Comida es Cultura Event at Wasatch Community Gardens

Wasatch Community Gardens (wasatchgardens.org) will be hosting an interactive workshop focusing on a selection of edible plants that have a strong tie to Mexico’s indigenous population. In partnership with Artes de México en Utah, this workshop will provide both practical information about sustainable ingredients and some unique insights into some traditional dishes belonging to Mexico’s history and culture. The event will be presented in Spanish with English translation available. It will take place on June 26 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Wasatch Community Gardens campus (629 E. 800 South).

Summer Solstice Flame-to-Table Dinner

In honor of the summer solstice, Deer Valley’s Goldener Hirsch Inn (aubergeresorts.com) will be welcoming Michelin-star Chef Klemens Gold from Austrian restaurant Rau for a two-day dinner series. Per Bavarian tradition, summer solstice is welcomed with a series of bonfires that light up the valley basin of Ehrwald-Lermoos-Biberwier. On June 20 and 21, Chef Gold will prepare a multi-course meal inspired by this tradition, incorporating dishes from his own background prepared with locally-sourced ingredients. With the alpine backdrop of Goldener Hirsch as the evening’s scenery, Chef Gold will strive to take diners to the Austrian mountains with his unique menu. The dinner series will take place at Goldener Hirsch at 6 p.m. both evenings.

Quote of the Week: “The only thing I like better than talking about food is eating.” – John Walters

City Weekly’s Best Of Utah Top 10!

One of the simplest forms of fun are those often spent in the company of loved ones. Add to this the rejuvenating sensation of being outside, and you’ve got the makings of a truly stellar day. Utah can justly exult in the many outlets available for such excursions, from human-built spaces to the natural wonders of the mountains. All they need are intrepid seekers of wonder and memories to complete the picture.

LEARN MORE AT

ARTS & CRAFTS STUDIO

What better way to further hone—or even discover for the first time—one’s creative skills in eye and hand than by taking a class? Whatever your medium of choice, Salt Lake’s flush with quality venues to train the artistic practitioner regardless of experience. Give ‘em a look; you may just find a world of beauty awaiting you there!

Festival Tunes

Nearing 50, the Utah Arts Festival presents a killer lineup of national and local music.

BY MARK DAGO comments@cityweeklyl.net

Now in its 49th year, The Utah Arts Fest has made some changes to its programming and footprint. One of the main goals for this year’s festival is a more intimate atmosphere, providing bonkers works of art, silly games, side activities and of course, music. The 2025 musical lineup of Utah’s longest-running summer festival is a varied billing of some of the best local acts around alongside bigger names of yore. Over four days, treat yourself to unique and diverse voices, multiple genres and 200-plus performances on five stages. Here is a quick rundown of each day’s headliners, along with local acts that you do not want to miss.

THURSDAY (6/19) - Leftover Salmon: Based out of Boulder, Colo. and the standard-bearers of “JamGrass,” Leftover Salmon are still picking it forward and drawing bigger and bigger audiences. Anchored by founding members Drew Emmitt and Vince Herman, the band features the anything-can-happen banjo work of Andy Thorn, with a tough duty rhythm section made up of bassist Greg Garrison, drummer Alwyn Robinson, and the skilled Jay Starling on dobro and keys. With total immersion in their instruments, there is a strength in their tone and a sense of melody which shows a consciousness of tradition, something that some of today’s super-pickers lack in their pursuit of thousand MPH, lick-ridden renditions. Leftover Salmon dabble with a few styles and the ability to balance tightly composed classics with freewheeling jams. I am completely in awe of what they do.

Don’t Miss: Salt Lake City’s own fivepiece powerhouse, Theoretical Blonde. Their know-how and sounds of not-sostrictly bluegrass send harmonies to perfection. Be sure to also stop by to see 1520 Arts as they celebrate hip-hop culture with a producer battle, emcee showcase and DJ exhibition.

FRIDAY (6/20) - Robert Randolph: Before I witnessed the styles of Robert Randolph, I would have argued that it’s near impossible to funk with a pedal steel guitar. I was so terribly wrong. Hailing from Orange, N.J., Robert Randolph is a Gandalflevel wizard of this labyrinthine device; he has mastered the art of summoning every screech, growl, swoop and roar as an extension of his body and soul. The sacred steel-playing may be somewhat rooted in tradition, but the genre mashup most definitely frees the instrument from familiar surroundings. Seriously, every solo he lays down is an absolute ripper. Watching him do his thing—that leg action and all—I’m not sure how he doesn’t lose his balance. Randolph is backed by his family band, featuring Marcus Randolph on drums and Daniel Morgan on bass—both cousins—as well as his sister, vocalist Lenesha Randolph, who effortlessly blends gospel, rock, blues and soul. When this outfit hits the stage, it’s nothing but a party.

Don’t Miss: Sister Wives. The band, not the reality show. Rocking for over two decades, these blues artists put the musicianship first, however the fun isn’t far behind. Also, the School of Rock House Band’s tight performances are on point.

SATURDAY (6/21) - Souls of Mischief:

Having released six albums over the course of a three-decade career, plus three other records as part of the legendary Hieroglyphics collective, Souls of Mischief are among the most influential groups of hip-hop’s “golden era.” The chemistry from all of those albums is right there on stage, as A-Plus, Opio, Phesto and Tajai are still setting mics on fire. The music that Souls create makes you realize why

you love the culture. Sure, the Bay Area’s underground hip-hop scene in the early aughts was a magical time and place, but SOM consistently levels up when they put out new music that makes you realize why you love it in the first place. Still, the title track off of their debut, 93’ Til Infinity is the holy grail of beats. Come on out and see a truly UNREAL performance by these masters of ceremonies.

Don’t Miss: Utah rap heavyweights House of Lewis, who always manage to move the crowd. Fellow local singer/songwriter Brother Chunky will no doubt serve up soulful roots-infused bluesy grooves.

SUNDAY (6/22) - MV Caldera: Venezuelan singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist MV Caldera can’t be pigeonholed into a category. Sure, she can fuse contemporary sounds with Latin rhythms. However, her music is much more than that. In a realm where resonance so often dazzles for its own sake, Caldera is deliberate with her song structures and graceful minimalism. Her stunning, powerful voice side-

steps getting lost in translation. In fact, there’s so much expression that the language barrier doesn’t enter the equation. Her sound is joyful, exciting and beautiful. If you need a primer, take a listen to her latest project, Alma Libre. Every second has been thought through. It is inventive, engaging and everything that proper “pop” music should be. If you have never seen her live on stage, now is the time.

Don’t Miss: SLC’s New Orleans-style jazz sextet, Flamingo. They will no doubt have you crooning along with genre standards. And be sure to see Fezmaster as he navigates all the plinky bleeps and bloops of his improvisational and one-of-a-kind approach to all things electronica and trombone.

Festivals are a great reminder that life exists outside of your mobile phone. Stop looking at your phone and go touch grass or something.

For more information about the festival, go to UAF.org. CW

THURSDAY, JUNE 19

FRIDAY, JUNE 20

SATURDAY, JUNE 21

TUESDAYS

BEST BAR IN UTAH!

GREAT FOOD

Mini Trees, Love, Audrey, Josaleigh Pollett @ Kilby Court 6/19

Life is full of highs and lows, and while the highs are always worth mentioning, sometimes the lows are overwhelming. Mini Trees, a solo pop project by singer/songwriter Lexi Vega, experienced a roller coaster a few years ago, after the release of their debut album and subsequent tour. “Suddenly, Mini Trees—a project Vega started on a whim in 2018—had become a career,” her BandCamp reads, and her 2024 release Burn Out explores the feeling of struggling after things are going exceptionally well. “The thing no one talks about with periods of time that are exceptional is that they are often equal parts amazing and draining,” the Burn Out description reads. “When Vega returned home to Los Angeles after almost two years of touring, she found herself tired and dejected. Rarely do musicians talk about the emotional toll exacted behind the scenes—the energy it takes to connect with audiences night after night in strange towns; the industry’s insistence on synthesizing your identity into something consumable; the struggle to find joy in commodifying the thing you once did purely for love.” The five tracks on Burn Out are poignant and relatable, especially on the title track when she sings, “I’m not worth keeping around.” Joining Mini Trees are local lovelies Love, Audrey and Josaleigh Pollett. Come enjoy this delightful mix of alt/indie/pop sounds on Thursday, June 19 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the allages show are $15 in advance at 24tix.com and $18 at the door. (Emilee Atkinson)

MUSIC PICK S

Herb Alpert @ Capitol Theatre 6/19

It’s only a slight overstatement to call trumpeter Herb Alpert the king of 1960s easylistening music. Alpert, of course, led the staggeringly successful Tijuana Brass; if you’ve ever been in a thrift shop, you’ve probably seen the Whipped Cream and Other Delights record with that famously racy cover photo. As the “A” in A&M Records, Alpert also cofounded the world’s largest independent record company. He’s best known, however, as the man who brought a kind of pop-jazz into the homes of millions; as Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass, he released 11 albums between 1962 and 1968; six of those LPs went to #1 on the Billboard charts. Alpert’s chirpy, up-tempo style was effectively the soundtrack for a certain segment of the ‘60s lifestyle. After the Tijuana Brass years, Alpert largely left the south-of-the-border style behind, continuing his successes via a smoother mainstream jazz sound. Now coming full circle, Alpert’s current tour celebrates the 60th anniversary of Whipped Cream. Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass come to the Capitol Theatre on Thursday, June 19 at 7:30 p.m. At press time, the show was sold out; resale tickets may be available from saltlakecountyarts.org. (Bill Kopp)

MUSIC PICK S

Get Funky @ Great Saltair 6/20-21

Well-known electronic producers Nitti Gritti (Ricky Mears) and Party Favor (Dylan Ragland) teamed up to create a side project known as Sidepiece in 2019. The now-Grammy-nominated duo will headline Friday for the highly anticipated house and techno festival, Get Funky by V2 Presents. You probably already know their single “On My Mind” featuring Diplo, or “Who Created Love” featuring vocalist Midian. These songs mark pretty drastic shifts away from their trap and bass music roots, but it’s the more feelgood, groovy vibe of Sidepiece that draws listeners in. Friday also includes artists Green Velvet, Acraze, Girl Math (Vnssa B2B Nala), Airwolf Paradise, and up-and-coming local RYOUUP? Saturday switches gears with headliner duo Sofi Tukker (Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern). Known for their eclectic, Brazilianinfluenced beats, you can expect the energy of Carnaval perfect for this summer-time festival. Like their song “Soft Animals” (inspired by Mary Oliver’s poem “Wild Geese”) says, “You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves.” Saturday also includes Duke Dumont, Disco Dom (Dombresky), Omnom, Dreya V (Formerly known as Miss Dre) and a local favorite, Obayashi. Doors open at 7 p.m. at The Great Saltair on Friday, June 20 and Saturday, June 21. This is an 18+ show. Friday general admission costs $88.44, Saturday general admission costs $99.81, while two-day general admission costs $155.45. Charging lockers are also available for purchase. Go to getfunkyfestival.com for further information. (Arica Roberts)

Pierce the Veil @ UFCU Amphitheatre 6/20

This San Diego-based band has a flair for the dramatic—which just so happens to be the name of their first album ( A Flair for the Dramatic) released in 2007. Started by brothers Mike and Vic Fuentes (now just Vic), the band also includes lead guitarist Tony Perry and Jaime Preciado on drums. Pierce the Veil got pushed to the top of the post-hardcore, pop-punk music industry around 2012 with their major single, “King for a Day,” featuring Kellin Quinn (Sleeping with Sirens) from their album Collide with the Sky. Not only did they headline Warped Tour that year, but also solidified a sub-genre called “mexicore,” alluding to their Mexican heritage. In an interview with Alternative Press, Vic Fuentes says that the band tries to “incorporate at

least a hint of Latin influence in every song.”

It’s a mix of heavy music with a little Spanish feel—most notably in “Bulls in the Bronx,” where the interlude includes a Spanish guitar solo. The band has gone on to make two more albums since then: Misadventures and The Jaws of Life. This weekend at Utah First Credit Union (UFCU) Amphitheatre, their “I Can’t Hear You” World Tour features songs from every album in the band’s discography, so it’s a treat for the super fans. This show takes place on Friday, June 20 at 7 p.m., with openers Sleeping with Sirens and Beach Weather. General admission for the lawn (no seating) costs $42. Prices go up for reserved seating. Visit ticketmaster.com.

(Arica Roberts)

James McMurtry @ Commonwealth Room 6/26

Populism has always strived within the realms of popular music, beginning with such esteemed folk laureates as Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and their guitar-strumming brethren. In more recent times, the mantle’s been carried by another breed of folk hero—musicians like Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp and John Fogerty, each one an Everyman artist able to sum up the feelings and frustrations of ordinary individuals and turn them into anthems that anyone, regardless of social standing, could appreciate. James McMurtry has taken up that mantle and, in effect, made it his own. In a sense, he comes by that ability naturally, as the son of the legendary western novelist and Oscar-winning screenwriter Larry McMurtry. Yet, his songwriting skills are clearly in his genes—or jeans, if you will—courtesy of the niche he’s carved out over the course of his career. The music is uniquely his own—impassioned, anecdotal and flush with iconic imagery. They offer tales of hard-luck heroes and ne’er-do-wells forced by fate to find their own way in a world where the odds are stacked against them. McMurtry’s most recent album, The Horses and the Hounds, offers yet another striking example of that tattered template. It’s an edgy, overcast set of songs as affecting as they are enticing, offering a clear combination of honesty and insight. Irascible to a degree, but proficient and profound, James McMurtry is an artist to be reckoned with. He performs a 21+ show at the Commonwealth Room at 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 26. Tickets

at axs.com. (Lee Zimmerman)

James McMurtry

free will ASTROLOGY

BY ROB BREZSNY

ARIES

(March 21-April 19)

Aries writer Joseph Campbell was a world-renowned mythologist. His theories on the classic hero archetype inspired many writers and filmmakers, including Star Wars creator George Lucas. As a young man, Campbell crafted the blueprint for his influential work during a five-year period when he lived in a rustic shack and read for nine hours a day. He was supremely dedicated and focused. I recommend you consider a similar foundation-building project, Aries. The coming months will be an excellent time for you to establish the groundwork for whatever it is you want to do for the rest of your long life.

TAURUS

(April 20-May 20)

In Japan, komorebi refers to dappled sunlight that streams through tree leaves. It names a subtle, ephemeral beauty that busy people might be oblivious to. Not you, I hope! In the coming weeks, I invite you to draw on komorebi as an inspirational metaphor. Tune in to the soft illumination glimmering in the background. Be alert for flickers and flashes that reveal useful clues. Trust in the indirect path, the sideways glance, the half-remembered dream, and the overheard conversation. Anything blatant and loud is probably not relevant to your interests. PS: Be keen to notice what’s not being said.

GEMINI

(May 21-June 20)

In Finnish folklore, the Sampo is a magic artifact that generates unending wealth and good fortune. Here’s the catch: It can’t be hoarded. Its power only works when shared, passed around, or made communal. I believe you are close to acquiring a less potent but still wonderful equivalent of a Sampo Gemini. It may be an idea, a project, or a way of living that radiates generosity and sustainable joy. But remember that it doesn’t thrive in isolation. It’s not a treasure to be stored up and saved for later. Share the wealth.

CANCER

(June 21-July 22)

Tides don’t ask permission. They ebb and flow with an ancient gravitational intelligence that obeys its own elegant laws. Entire ecosystems rely on their steady cyclical rhythms. You, too, harbor tidal forces, Cancerian. They are partially synced up with the earth’s rivers, lakes and seas, and are partially under the sway of your deep emotional power. It’s always crucial for you to be intimately aware of your tides’ flows and patterns, but even more than usual right now. I hope you will trust their timing and harness their tremendous energy.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

Some jewelers practice an ancient Korean art called keum-boo, in which they fuse pure gold to silver by heat and pressure. The result is gold that seems to bloom from within silver’s body, not just be juxtaposed on top of it. Let’s make this your metaphor for the coming weeks, Leo. I believe you will have the skill to blend two beautiful and valuable things into an asset that has the beauty and value of both—plus an extra added synergy of valuable beauty. The only problem that could possibly derail your unprecedented accomplishment might be your worry that you don’t have the power to do that. Expunge that worry, please.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Some Indigenous cultures keep track of time not by clocks but by natural events: “the moon when the salmon return;” “the season when shadows shorten;” “the return of the rain birds.” I encourage you to try that approach, Virgo. Your customary rigor will benefit from blending with an influx of more intuitive choices. You will be wise to explore the joys of organic timing. So just for now, I invite you to tune out the relentless tick-tock. Listen instead for the hush before a threshold cracks open. Meditate on the ancient Greek concept of kairos : the prime moment to act or a potential turning point that’s ripe for activation.

LIBRA

(Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Botanists speak of “serotiny,” a plant’s ability to delay seed release until the environment is just right. Some pinecones, for instance, only open after a fire. What part of you has been patiently waiting, Libra? What latent brilliance has not been ready to emerge until now? The coming weeks will offer catalytic conditions—perhaps heat, perhaps disruption, perhaps joy—that will be exactly what’s needed to unleash the fertile potency. Have faith that your seeds will draw on their own wild intelligence.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

One of your superpowers is your skill at detecting what’s unfolding beneath the surfaces. It’s almost like you have X-ray vision. Your ability to detect hidden agendas, buried secrets, and underground growth is profound. But in the coming weeks, I urge you to redirect your attention. You will generate good fortune for yourself if you turn your gaze to what lies at the horizon and just beyond. Can you sense the possibilities percolating at the edges of your known world? Can you sync up your intuitions with the future’s promises? Educated guesses will be indistinguishable from true prophecies.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Sagittarius-born Wassily Kandinsky (1866–1944) got a degree in law and economics and began a career teaching those subjects at the university level. But at age 30, he had a conversion experience. It was triggered when he saw a thrilling exhibit of French Impressionist painters and heard an enthralling opera by Richard Wagner. Soon he flung himself into a study of art, embarking on an influential career that spanned decades. I am predicting that you will encounter inspirations of that caliber, Sagittarius. They may not motivate you as drastically as Kandinsky’s provocations, but they could revitalize your life forever.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

The ancient Egyptians revered the River Nile’s annual flooding, which brought both disruption and renewal. It washed away old plant matter and debris and deposited fertile silt that nourished new growth. In the coming weeks, Capricorn, I suspect you will experience a metaphorical flood: a surge of new ideas, opportunities and feelings that temporarily unsettle your routines. Rather than focusing on the inconvenience, I suggest you celebrate the richness this influx will bring. The flow will ultimately uplift you, even if it seems messy at first.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Medieval stonemasons worked not just in service to the immediate structures they made. They imagined eternity, laying foundation blocks in cathedrals they knew they would never live to see completed. I think you are being invited to do similar work: soulful construction whose fruits may not ripen for a while. A provocative conversation you have soon may echo for years. A good habit you instill could become a key inheritance for your older self. So think long, wide, and slow, dear Aquarius. Not everything must produce visible worth this season. Your prime offerings may be seeds for the future. Attend to them with reverence.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

In the frigid parts of planet Earth, some glaciers sing. As they shift and crack and melt, they emit tones: groans, pulses, crackles, and whooshes. I believe your soul will have a similar inclination in the coming weeks, Pisces: to express mysterious music as it shifts and thaws. Some old logjam or stuck place is breaking open within you, and that’s a very good thing. Don’t ignore or neglect this momentous offering. And don’t try to translate it into logical words too quickly. What story does your trembling tell? Let the deep, restless movements of your psyche resound.

Account Manager Americas to gather data, analyze market

and optimize product messaging. Develop solutions and implement new systems. Manage key customer relationships. Mon-Fri, 40 hrs/wk.

Req: HS Diploma AND 48 mos exp as Management Consultant, Channel Manager, Business Development, or related occupation. Mail resume to Camline USA Inc., 8410 S 700 E Sandy, UT 84070.

urban LIVING

Museum of Utah

Thinking of not traveling outside of the state this summer for a vaycay? Rather stick around for a staycay and maybe explore what we have here in the state?

Utah has over 260 museums covering a range of topics, from art to culture, history and science. There’s a ski museum in Park City, a science museum in Provo, the mining visitor center at Rio Tinto’s mine, the classic car museum in Ogden and a ton of historic buildings around the state that have become museums, like the Camp Floyd Stagecoach Inn located in Fairfield, the Chieftain in Santaquin and big and small museums throughout the state.

For

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS

1. Tee off

5. Bouncy music genre

8. “Know your rights” org.

12. Co. offering insurance to military members and their families

13. Biblical mountain (hidden in “offshore banking”)

15. Court litigant

16. Literary tilter at windmills

18. Baseball card datum

19. Ostentatious

20. Hosp. workers

22. Ending for cyan

23. Shoulder muscle, briefly

24. September 22, 2025 occurrence

28. “Feliz cumpleaÒos ___” (“Happy birthday to you”)

29. “You’ve got mail!” co.

30. Hog noise

31. Muscles above the abs

The Daughters of Utah Pioneers have over 80 satellite museums in our borders—all of which are free to visit. The state’s largest and most-visited museum is next to Red Butte Garden—the Natural History Museum, with over 163,000 square feet of exhibits of archaeology, botany and paleontology. If you travel up to the State Capitol building in Salt Lake City, you can visit the main Daughters of Utah Pioneers museum just west of the state building. And inside the capitol there are many exhibits that are also free to visit.

The biggest news in museums, though, is the upcoming Museum of Utah, which will officially become the first state history museum, celebrating our unique history, culture and art through world-class exhibits. It is currently being built directly behind the Capitol building and will share the space with Utah legislators when completed in 2026.

The new museum with have four permanent galleries: “Becoming Utah,” which will explore the people who have always been here and our unique history of statehood; “Inspiring Utah,” which will highlight our state’s distinctive achievements, attractions and innovations; “Connecting Utah,” which illustrates Utah’s sense of community, character and thriving culture; and “Building Utah,” which honors the works of Utahns in its many forms— from agriculture and mining to homemaking and railroad building.

All of this is being brought to the world by the Utah Historical Society, which has a massive collection of precious and unique objects and artwork from our past that will rotate through the museum over future years and can be stored there as well.

Unique artifacts owned by the UHS include the Shipler Collection of photographs, considered the best and most significant photographic collection in the state, the Ellis Shipp anatomical chart, which belonged to one of Utah’s first female doctors, the Carbon County Cookbook from the 1920s, Sanborn Maps and City Directories, rare Utah films documenting things like river rafting, skiing and parades, and digitized copies of most of the state’s various newspapers, and artifacts of textiles, housewares, farming, mining and the military.

33. Dropped prop

34. River starting in Switzerland

35. Sudden getaway

38. Noise

40. “Dynamite” K-pop group

41. “Ditto”

45. Louvre Pyramid architect

46. Spam-sending software

47. Negative vote

48. Modern phrase for high-quality elegance over showiness

52. Beats by ___ (audio brand)

53. “Psych” cable network

54. Cerumen site

55. Add carbonation to

57. “___ Be in Love” (song by Kate Bush)

59. Japanese publisher of the “Final Fantasy” series

62. “Aqua ___ Hunger Force”

63. “Boyhood” actor Ethan

64. Peak near Palermo

65. Latin for “to be”

66. Sargasso, e.g.

67. Game side

DOWN

1. Semi-protector?

2. Leave alone

3. Enthusiast

4. Help sections on some websites

5. Chicken ___

6. Gold, in Granada

7. “Stormy” sea bird

8. Beast of burden

9. Interrupt, as a dancing couple

10. Galena, e.g.

11. Composition’s original form

13. “Greetings!”

14. Taiwanese maker of Mobiuz gaming monitors

17. “Weird Al” Yankovic movie with janitor Stanley Spadowski

21. Food on a conveyor belt

25. Not of the clergy

26. Secure storage space

27. Monogram pts.

32. Excited cry

33. Average, as the kids say

34. Walgreens pickups, for short

36. Bring together

37. “___, Brute?”

38. Presses together

39. Sleep-inducing drugs

42. Medium tempo

43. Navratilova of tennis

44. Test using a Snellen chart

50.

51.

58.

60.

61. “Wanted” poster abbr.

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.

45. “The exact words were ...”

46. Muslim coverings

49. Lid hair

Like pricy collectibles

“___-haw!”

56. “___ Petite” (1957 Jackie Wilson song)

Yellow pool ball

Director Boll

NEWS of the WEIRD

BY THE EDITORS AT ANDREWS MCMEEL

Unclear on the Concept

At Chicago’s O’Hare Airport on May 17, a lost DoorDash driver made it past a security gate and onto the tarmac, driving a significant distance before being stopped by airport personnel, WKRC-TV reported. The 36-year-old driver stopped near a grounded aircraft and showed the food receipt and meal he was trying to deliver; he was released without any citations. However, the security employee at the gate was relieved of her duties after letting the car pass through her post.

That’s

Punny

In London’s Brockwell Park, the annual Lambeth Country Show kicked off on June 7 with livestock competitions, sheep shearing and, most notably, a vegetable sculpture contest, the Associated Press reported. “Every year, this is what we get so excited about, is the vegetable sculptures,” said fairgoer Maddy Luxon. “We love the political ones.” And, her friend Marek Szandrowski added, “The puns.” For example, one sculpture featured Catholic cardinals made of corn: “Cornclave.” Another called “Cauli Parton” was shown in a scene from “9 to Chive.” President Donald Trump was depicted in butternut squash form.

To Your Point

Lake of the Isles, a neighborhood in Minneapolis, marks the start of summer by sharpening a pencil—a 20-foot-tall wooden pencil sculpted from a tree damaged in a storm several years ago. The Associated Press reported on June 7 that residents John and Amy Higgins wanted to give the tree new life, so they enlisted wood sculptor Curtis Ingvoldstad to fashion a No. 2 pencil. “Why a pencil? Everybody uses a pencil,” said Amy. Every year, they sharpen it with a custommade sharpener carried up to the point on scaffolding, taking off 3 to 10 inches. The Higginses know that one day, their pencil will be a stub, but they’re OK with that. They just want the ritual to pull the community together. The party includes entertainment and music, and people dress as pencils or erasers.

The Golden Age of Air Travel

At Milan’s Malpensa Airport on June 8, a Chinese woman went full-on toddler tantrum after being told her carry-on bag was too heavy to fly, News.com. au reported. The woman was boarding a flight when staff tried to check her carry-on suitcase, but when they told her it was over the weight limit, she hit the floor, rolling around, stamping her feet and yelling. Authorities eventually removed her from the flight, and she later rebooked after calming down. Videos of her antics have since gone viral, provoking comments such as “This is shameless and disgraceful behavior” and “This is so embarrassing.”

Questionable Judgments

■ Well, it’s that time of year again, when people with less sense than animals head into the wild and carelessly approach large, dangerous wildlife. So it was in Yellowstone National Park this month, when 1) a 30-year-old New Jersey man was gored by a bison on June 10 after getting too close, and 2) bystanders caught a video of a woman walking a toddler right up to a grazing bison at the same park on June 2, according to KDVR-TV. The New Jersey man was treated at the scene for minor injuries. The bison, thankfully, ignored the adult and toddler. “Bison will defend their space when threatened and have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal,” wildlife officials said.

■ Fox 2-TV in Detroit reported on June 9 about a Zoom court hearing that went viral. The hearing was overseen by 36th District Court Judge Sean Perkins, who was talking with Asja Outerbridge about her misdemeanor open container violation. On the Zoom video, Outerbridge could be seen wearing a robe and making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich while she spoke to the court. “Put whatever you’re trying to prepare down,” Perkins instructed her. “Put your proper dress on. I don’t do robes.” Outerbridge explained that her 3-year-old daughter was home sick from school and the sandwich was for her, then showed the judge that she was dressed in a T-shirt and pants. But he wasn’t having it: “Bye, Ms. Outerbridge!” he said before booting her off the call. Outerbridge said she “could have came dressed better and more prepared. I do genuinely, with a serious face, apologize to the judge.”

But Why?

A woman shopping “in aisle 18 at Sam’s Club” in Orlando, Florida, got an eyeful on May 30 when she caught Patrick Mitchell, 70, urinating on two pallets of canned Spam and Vienna sausages, The Smoking Gun reported. Police said the witness snapped a photo and reported the incident to store employees, who confirmed that the pallets, worth $10,584.54, had been “contaminated with bodily fluids.” After relieving himself, Mitchell strolled around the store and tested some patio furniture before checking out and leaving. Mitchell was arrested at his home in The Villages, a retirement community, and charged with disorderly conduct and criminal mischief.

Kindness Counts

A woman stopped an Osceola County (Florida) Sheriff’s deputy on June 9 to report that her brother had been stabbed with a machete, WESH-TV reported. Oh, also, that the assailant was driving the victim to the hospital. Sure enough, officers found Angel Ramos-Arce, 35, at the hospital, where his truck yielded the victim’s blood and the machete. The two men had gotten into an altercation over Ramos-Arce repeatedly harassing the victim’s sister at the Circle K where she worked. He was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon; it’s unclear whether he’ll get any Brownie points for transporting the victim to the hospital.

Bright Idea

Tiron Alexander, 35, of Florida is facing up to 30 years in federal prison after being found guilty on June 5 of wire fraud and unlawfully entering a secure airport area under false pretenses. CBS News reported that between 2018 and 2024, Alexander falsely claimed to be a flight attendant with seven different airlines to take advantage of free flights. He created about 30 different badges and boarded 34 flights without paying. He will be sentenced on Aug. 25.

Heh, Heh, They Said ‘Naked’

At a public bathhouse in Incheon, South Korea, stickers in the elevator direct guests to the men’s or women’s baths, which are on different floors. The Korea JoongAng Daily reported that on May 27, a woman in her 20s entered the elevator around 2 a.m. and pressed the button corresponding to the women’s bath, but when she exited the elevator, naked, she entered the men’s bath. CCTV footage showed two men, believed to be in their 20s, switching the stickers in the elevator around 11 p.m. Police said they are tracking the suspects.