City Weekly September 18, 2025

UTAH’S CONFECTIONERS

CARRY ON A RICH LEGACY OF LOVE, LABOR AND ART.

By Wes Long

S AP

BOX

This is Who We Are

A Utah state official said about the Charlie Kirk shooting, “This is not who we are.” Who are we kidding? This is exactly who we are.

After 50 years of progressively declining civics, law and history instruction in public schools, and one large political party not wanting to remove battlefieldstyle weaponry from general use in society, we are exactly this today.

Our churches have failed to effectively convince the broader society that nonviolent spiritual values are important to instill in our homes, schools, cities

and political parties. The unchurching of America has happened apparently because Judeo-Christian theological teachings are so disconnected from our modern understanding of life and are therefore so unattractive to youth.

We don’t have the knowledge, wisdom or ethical tools available that would allow us to converse constructively, but we do have the mechanical tools available to impose our frightened or vengeful feelings on others, so that is what we do.

Politicians these days are getting into the swing of making pronouncements without presenting evidence to back themselves up.

For example, in the recent shooting of Charlie Kirk in Utah, the state’s Governor hastily announced at a press conference, “This was a political assassination.”

It seemed like one for sure. However, the suspect had not been apprehended yet nor anything about him known other than his visual identity.

What if the shooter was just a loner wanting to get a day of fame for doing something outrageous?

This kind of rush to judgment reminds me of our current commander in chief, who expects everyone to believe him just because he is the boss.

President Trump says the would-be immigrants he is scooping up are all hardened criminals.

Turns out, few of them are. Trump also says the Venezuelan boat he blew up was a drug boat, but did anyone inspect that boat before he blew it up?

Americans are looking at political leaders like they are God, based on faith rather than hard evidence. Not a good idea, folks.

KIMBALL SHINKOSKEY Woods Cross

Mass Psychotherapy

From the projection of his own behaviors onto others—such as lying, violent rhetoric, radicalism, law-breaking, vengefulness, killing innocents, demonizing and threatening others, name-calling, seeing himself as a victim and more—to the ready acceptance of that by his followers

(the Trumpistas), the popularity of Donald Trump’s comments about the recent Charlie Kirk shooting shows that we are an entire society in need of psychological adjustment and treatment.

Sadly for us, any agreement with Trump not only undermines our institutions and brutalizes our people, it allows his grab of dictatorial power to succeed.

In fact, as he has stated, the success of his policies is the key to unity in our divided country. Of course, as we can see, Trump’s success will result in division, not unity.

Wake up America! Trump’s path is not where we want to go. Believing in him exposes us as an entire people in need of psychological help. In other words, we need mass psychotherapy.

CHUCK TRIPP

West Valley City

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THE WATER COOLER

What’s your best, or worst, back-to-school memory?

Eric Granato

The worst memory has to be anytime I started at a new school with no friends.

Wes Long

I have plenty of happy memories, but one that really stands out is the switch to junior high when most of my friends suddenly didn’t know me anymore. A jarring change from over the summer. I got the last laugh, though, as I can no longer remember any of their names even if I tried. God bless senility.

Scott Renshaw

I started high school on crutches and in a cast because I had broken a toe over the summer. Not exactly traumatic, but not the best way to make a first impression.

Bryan Bale

My only fond memories from my school days are of band class, creative writing, and “computer science” class where we programmed in BASIC on an Apple II.

Terri Anderson

My freshman year in high school, we walked into the quad and saw posters all over the cafeteria windows for the first dance. The band was the local group, The Doobie Bros!

Benjamin Wood

Same answer for best and worst memories—True Aggie Night.

Power of the People

As Utah’s redistricting fight continues through the courts, majority-party legislators keep parroting the same talking points. They repeatedly make the same four arguments, claims that the courts have addressed and that don’t hold up to sound reasoning.

They say that the Utah Constitution gives them exclusive power to draw political boundaries. They say Proposition 4 “barely passed” in 2018, undermining its legitimacy. They argue the Utah Supreme Court created “super laws” when it clarified that voter initiatives can implicate constitutional rights. And they shout “judicial activism” whenever a ruling comes down that they don’t like.

Each of these arguments might sound reasonable, at first. But none hold up against the text of Utah’s Constitution and the basic principles of representative government.

Claim: “The Constitution gives the power to the Legislature.” Article IX, Section 1 of Utah’s Constitution says the Legislature shall divide the state into districts after each census. It does not say that only the Legislature may do so, or that it can do it without passing laws.

The Legislature has always used statutes to define and exercise this and every other constitutional authority. Each of the voting maps for Congress, the state Legislature and the Utah Board of Education has been enacted by a bill—debated, voted on and signed into law like any other statute. If this power were truly exclusive and self-executing, no additional legislation would be necessary.

Because legislation is necessary, the question becomes: who has the power to legislate? Article VI, Section 1 answers this question explicitly: “The legislative power of the State shall be vested in the Legislature … and the people of the State of Utah.”

The people of Utah have shared lawmaking authority with their representatives for more than a century. Voters can create laws—even ones about redistricting—by initiative and repeal them by referendum.

Proposition 4 was the people’s exercise of that constitutional power; it was not a constitutional amendment, nor did it claim to be, nor was it required to be.

Claim: “Prop 4 barely passed, so it doesn’t really count.”

Proposition 4 passed with 50.3% of the statewide vote. That’s close, but in a representative democracy, close wins are still wins. If 50.3% isn’t legitimate, then neither are the elected legislators who sit in the Capitol today after winning by narrow margins—sometimes with less than 50%. You don’t hear them questioning their own legitimacy.

And the argument that it passed “only in four counties” is irrelevant. Utah doesn’t run statewide elections by county. Ballot initiatives are decided by a statewide majority. Wasatch Front voters count just as much as voters in Beaver, Blanding or Box Elder. The geographic concentration of “yes” voters does not invalidate the result.

Claim: “Utah’s Supreme Court created ‘super laws.’”

This attack began after the state Supreme Court’s decision applying strict scrutiny to the Legislature’s repeal of Prop 4. Republicans continue to claim the Court turned initiatives into “super laws.” That just isn’t true.

The Court said that when an initiative implicates a constitutional right—in this case, the people’s right “to alter or reform their government” in Article I, Section 2—the Legislature can’t simply repeal it unless the repeal survives strict scrutiny. This means lawmakers must show a compelling interest and use the least restrictive means to achieve it. In other words, the Legislature would have to preserve the intent of the statute passed by the people.

That’s not new. Courts apply strict scrutiny whenever constitutional rights are at stake—from free speech to religious liberty to the right to keep and bear arms.

Initiatives are not “super laws”—they are ordinary laws that receive strict scrutiny when they carry out constitutional rights. The only “super power” at issue here is the one legislators wish they had: the unchecked ability to erase the people’s will whenever it becomes inconvenient. They tried to get voters to explicitly grant them this unfettered power by proposing Amendment D to the State Constitution last year.

Claim: “The courts are engaging in judicial activism.”

Whenever courts strike down or restrain legislative actions, politicians often cry “judicial activism.” But judicial review is not activism—it’s the courts doing the job the Constitution gives them. Utah’s courts have a duty to interpret the Constitution and enforce limits on all branches of government. When the Legislature repealed Prop 4, it acted against the people’s explicit constitutional right “to alter or reform their government.”

The courts stepped in to determine whether that repeal passed constitutional muster. That isn’t activism; it’s checks and balances in action. This argument rings especially hollow because the majority party is usually the one preaching restraint on government in favor of protecting individual rights. Yet when the rubber meets the road, and the people exercise those rights, suddenly the tune changes. Now the majority insists the Legislature’s power should be absolute and the people’s rights should give way.

The Big Picture

These arguments aren’t about constitutional fidelity. They’re about politicians trying to hold on to power. Utah’s Constitution was designed to empower both the Legislature and the people. Redistricting has always been carried out by laws, which means it is subject to the checks and balances of our system—including the courts and the people’s constitutional right to legislate by initiative.

Voters passed Prop 4 to make redistricting more fair. Lawmakers repealed it to preserve partisan advantages. The courts are now stepping in, not to create “super laws” or impose “judicial activism,” but to make sure the people’s rights are protected. That is exactly how checks and balances are supposed to work. Legislators sometimes respond that if voters don’t like their maps, they can “vote them out.” Prop 4 was designed exactly to make that accountability real. Fair maps would mean elections give voters a genuine choice, not a system where outcomes are predetermined by the manipulated lines of a gerrymander.

When the Legislature dismantled Prop 4, it wasn’t just redrawing maps—it made it harder for Utahns to hold their leaders accountable in the first place. CW

Private Eye is off this week—comments@cityweekly.net

HITS & MISSES

BY KATHARINE BIELE | @kathybiele

MISS: Going to Extremes

A sniper’s bullet has raised the profile of Charlie Kirk, someone you might not have heard of before. The coverage is akin to the assassination of John F. Kennedy. But enough said— let’s move onto the real and most terrifying issue: Extremism in the United States. A recent poll found that 1 in 5 Americans believe political violence is justified in some circumstances. That included 28% of Republicans and 12% of Democrats. While Gov. Spencer Cox tried to calm the waters, President Donald Trump continued to inflame. Certainly, his pardoning of the January 6 rioters sent a message. But no matter what the message, the facts remain—34% of college students think it’s OK to use violence to stop a campus speech. And while this wasn’t a mass shooting, 98.7% of the 172 shooters included in the National Institute of Justice database are male, and 52% are white. If you think the problem is the people and not the guns, then you’re going to have to address the male elephant in the room.

MISS: King’s Speech

While the pundits talk about how Charlie Kirk emboldened free speech, those who practice it need to watch their backs. Paisley Rekdal should know. The former Utah poet laureate and PEN America Utah chapter leader wrote an op-ed in The Salt Lake Tribune after the Air Force Academy cancelled a speech for her new book “The Broken Country.” It wasn’t over the book, but rather her social media posts, for which Rekdal was accused of disparaging the commander in chief. If her book sales suffer, we can only imagine how Stephen King is thinking about the film The Long Walk, adapted from his novel. While King apologized for misstating a Kirk quote, the president’s MAGA men were having none of it, suggesting a lawsuit for defamation or the trashing of all of King’s works. It’s hard to overstate the damage that comes from living in an echo chamber.

HIT: Dust to Dust

The good news for the Great Salt Lake may be clouded in dust. A recent study of the lake confirmed that toxic pollution from dust storms, however small, disproportionately affect the areas to the northeast of Farmington Bay. And so it may be that monitors will now be placed there. The GeoHealth study also showed the harm coming to the brains of children under age 6 and how it’s not just the lungs that suffer—it’s also the stomach. We’ve long known that toxic dust from the drying lakebed is harmful, but now the findings show that activities like mining, smelting and fossil fuel refining continue to be major contributors. And sadly, Bountiful residents can blame the gravel quarries for the dust clouds. So while it’s great that Utah may be doing more monitoring around the lake, it’s unclear if the Legislature will take steps to proactively reverse the lake’s demise. CW

Sugar High

Last month, Sugar House residents packed a Community Council meeting to hear from John Potter, a developer with Magnus Hotel Management. Over a 15-year career, Potter has acquired and manages seven hotels in Utah. His next project? A planned 145room boutique hotel at the northwest corner of Sugar House Park.

Residents have been hesitant to accept new construction on the property—formerly the site of a Sizzler—and previously halted the construction of a gas station. The proposed hotel has faced criticisms ranging from aesthetics to an expectation of increased traffic congestion. But as the parcel is privately owned, neighbors’ ability to stop it hinges on zoning.

Community Council chairman Landon Clark told City Weekly that many residents wish the land could be incorporated into Sugar House Park. But he acknowledged the city’s limitations in competing for such a high-value piece of real estate. “The amount of email we’re getting is pretty negative. I just don’t think they’ll ever come up with a plan satisfactory for everybody,” Clark said. “But I think some of the people are pretty happy with the community benefits included in this.”

The site—at 2100 South and 1300 East—is currently zoned for buildings up to 40 feet tall. But to operate a functional hotel, Potter said his building needs closer to 90 feet. He is seeking a change to MU8 zoning under the city’s recent regulations. The extra height would allow for underground parking and retail space for local businesses, but would also mean a larger structure overlooking Sugar House Park.

“That site provides such a great opportunity to connect the city and the park and provide a guest/public experience for a high-quality, but local, feel,” Potter said. “What Sugar House neighborhood is so great for is that authentic, Salt Lake City experience. There’s a growing group of travelers of all ages that actually want to experience the town.”

Promises of a coffee shop, locally-owned rooftop restaurant and bike rentals are meant to appeal to neighborhood residents. Community feedback also guided the decision to over-build underground parking in an attempt to offset congestion concerns.

“I appreciate the vocal-ness of the neighborhood,” Potter said. “It’s a neighborhood worth fighting for.”

Potter acknowledged that securing approval would not be painless. If the re-zone happens, the hotel could be functional by late 2028. But failure to secure zoning changes could put the entire project in jeopardy. And Potter believes that some change to zoning requirements would be vital to any potential development of the property.

“[Without zoning,] my prediction would be the property sits vacant for the next 60 years,” Potter remarked. “I don’t think there’s anything economical that can be built under 40 feet.”

Clark shared a similar concern. “I’m afraid of it just becoming a parcel that looks like it does now and could for the next 10 years,” he said. CW

Audience With the Queen

Jessica L’Whor invites audiences to Ask a Drag Queen anything— and we take her up on it.

BY CAT PALMER comments@cityweekly.net

On Aug. 27, Salt Lake City had the honor of being one of the final stops on Jessica L’Whor’s nationwide A sk a Drag Queen tour— a bold, brilliant project that let audiences across the country ask a drag queen anything. City Weekly had the opportunity to ask Jessica a few questions ourselves.

Is there a question that comes up often, and what does it say about where we are as a culture right now?

The most common ones are about my favorite outfit, wig or performance. I love those, but I think it shows that people are scared to ask the tough questions. That’s why I started this series—to allow anyone to ask me anything. It’s a positive social experiment, not entrapment. Social media and politics have made people scared to say or ask anything, worrying it’ll be used against them. That is not what I’m about.

Do you approach questions from kids or conservative folks differently than the questions you receive from LGBTQ+ community members?

I handle every question the same: honest and open. Sometimes people outside the queer community [might] ask in ways that come off as inappropriate, so I redirect and respond in a way that informs while keeping it uplifting. With kids, I’m Miss Jessica. My answers are filtered, all-ages, positive and fun. I love complimenting them on their outfits, too—it brings them into the conversation.

That moment when someone asked to pray with you—how did that feel?

I was shocked, in the best way. Often when prayer is offered to my community, it’s to “fix” us. And a lot of us, myself included, carry religious trauma. But this woman simply wanted to pray for my well-being and praise the work I was doing. It was such a lovely surprise. I hope others take away that not every religious person has it out for us—many genuinely care about our well-being and survival.

Can you remember a performance or stop that was particularly memorable— where something unexpected or touching happened?

The Gemini in me won’t let me pick just one, because honestly every stop had its own magic. … In Salt Lake City, I felt truly connected and was asked some of the most thoughtful, memorable questions. There were surprises, too. I got to go back to my childhood home after 18 years, which was surreal and healing. And in Salt Lake, I was asked to speak on behalf of someone’s child who had passed away—that moment created a deep connection that really embodied what I see as my calling for community. Each stop had its own unique moment, and that’s what made the tour so beautiful.

What message do you try to embody for queer youth navigating difficult spaces?

There are people out there who want to help make your lives better. You just have to find your community. If that’s hard because of where you live, there are online resources and people who want to see you thrive. Please, please, please do not give up. It will get better. I promise.

Do you see drag as activism—or something more?

Absolutely. Sometimes that’s for an individual, sometimes for a whole community. Art as activism pushes the needle when governments try to push us back. Think about Florida—after the Department

of Transportation erased the rainbow crosswalk at Pulse, people immediately drew chalk rainbows over it and kept it going. Drag is similar. Especially when I show up in places that don’t normally see drag—Disney Springs, Downtown Nashville, Dollywood. Visibility matters. You can hate a concept more than a person, but once people meet me—or any queen—I hope the hate in their heart dies down a little each time.

What role do drag queens play in community healing, especially during times of division?

Drag queens have always been there. From Stonewall to Pulse, from dancing until 2 a.m. to reading stories about love at drag story hour, our presence represents hope and joy. There’s a reason they’re trying to legislate us away—they know how powerful we are, especially when we come together.

What have you heard or experienced about SLC’s drag scene?

This was my first time performing here, and I already want to come back. The fact that half a dozen local entertainers showed up just to support the show without performing— that’s how a scene should be. The community showed up so incredibly, from the hosting to the aesthetics to the energy of the crowd. Everyone came together—trans folks, nonbinary folks, people in and out of drag—and it was amazing to be part of. So entertaining, too!

SLCity has its own queer resilience— how do you see this community shaping its narrative?

I was filled with pride seeing the rainbow within the city flag flying in front of city hall. That’s the kind of creativity that pushes us forward. We are part of this community just as much as anyone else. We pay taxes, we grocery shop, we get traffic tickets. Why punch down? It’s not fair, and we will keep rising. CW

Jessica L’Whor

theESSENTIALS ENTERTAINMENT

Complete listings online at cityweekly.net

SEPTEMBER 18-24, 2025

Side Hustle Dance Project

Making a living as an artist isn’t easy—but that doesn’t mean seeking to work creatively is an all-or-nothing proposition. That’s one of the principles that led Elise Williams to form Side Hustle Dance Project in 2024, as an attempt to give opportunities for paid work to dancers who have to support themselves otherwise with full-time jobs.

Williams, a University of Utah dance program alum, learned the need for such a creative outlet after departing the world of professional ballet over frustrations with its overly-competitive nature, but also finding herself dissatisfied with a domestic life without dance. “I was miserable for years and years,” she recalls. “But after COVID, I realized, ‘No, I’m still a dancer. I’m always a dancer.’ I decided to reclaim that part of myself.”

Side Hustle Dance Project’s debut performance, Shadow Works, established a few important templates: the shows would be somewhat ad hoc in terms of casting, allowing for the differences in individual dancers’ schedules; dancers would get paid; and there would be a component of “arts activism” to the shows. This week’s Choices: History of the Hustle and What’s Next explores what Williams describes as “the history of capitalism over the past 120 years, and how it interacts with our politics,” as well as offering a vision for a more community-oriented economic future.

Side Hustle Dance Project’s Choices: History of the Hustle and What’s Next comes to the Rose Wagner Center (138 W. 300 South) Sept. 18 – 20, 7:30 p.m. nightly. Tickets are $23 - $28 at saltlakecountyarts.org. (Scott Renshaw)

theESSENTIALS

Odyssey Dance: Thriller

There was definitely a build-up of interest when Odyssey Dance returned to performances in 2024 after a nearly two-year hiatus for founder Derryl Yeager and his wife to serve an LDS mission. Shows for the annual Halloween spectacular Thriller regularly sold out as it came back to venues throughout the state. So now is the time to jump on the opportunity to get tickets in some of its slightly more farflung locations before October turns everyone’s thoughts to spooky stuff.

The format of the show has remained consistent for nearly 30 years, building lively sketches around energetic choreography with horror- and horror-adjacent themes: Frankenstein’s monster, Friday the 13th’s Jason, Child’s Play’s killer doll Chucky and, of course, the legendary Michael Jackson tune that gives the production its name. The company’s dancers showcase a variety of styles from modern dance to hip-hop, all in creepy costumes and giving a family-friendly twist to some of the most iconic spooks and ghouls in popular culture.

Odyssey Dance’s Thriller kicks off this week with performances at Weber State University’s Val Browning Center (Sept. 19 – 20), before heading to Logan’s Ellen Eccles Theatre (Sept. 23 – 24), Layton’s Ed Kenley Amphitheater (Sept. 26 – 27) and Park City’s Egyptian Theatre (Oct. 1 – 12). For those who want to stay local, you can catch the show at the Grand Theatre (1575 S. State) Oct. 13 – 25, before the season wraps in Tuacahn Oct. 28 – Nov. 1. Tickets begin at $28.50 depending on venue, $40 for Grand Theatre shows. Visit odysseydance.com to purchase tickets and for additional event information. (SR)

TEDx Salt Lake

City

“Thank you for coming to my TED talk” is a jokey meme construction about holding court on a subject of one’s expertise—a construction that feels so contemporary that it seems hard to believe that TED itself is an organization that dates back more than 40 years. But since those Silicon Valley origins of conferences promoting innovation in “Technology, Entertainment and Design,” TED has become a brand that has carried around the country and around the world, allowing opportunities for regional gatherings that continue the mission of “ideas worth spreading.”

The 2025 Salt Lake City installment of TEDx brings together a dozen speakers as one of 18 “TED countdown” anchor events worldwide focused on the issue of climate change. Emcee Daryl Lindsey (pictured), founder of YardFarmer, headlines a list of presenters also including Olokun Minerals founder Lacey Reddix; journalist, author and climate scientist Matthew LaPlante; environmental activist and former U.S. Senate candidate Caroline Gleich; Atim Enyenihi, Salt Lake City’s Strategic Industry Advisor for Technology & Innovation; plus music by The/Theys. As event co-organizer Joanne Gallagher told U.S. Insider, “Salt Lake City is experiencing significant growth in population and industry. At the same time, we have these incredible natural landscapes that draw people from all over the world. The balance between development, conservation, agriculture, clean energy, and recreation makes our area well-positioned to lead on climate solutions.”

TEDx Salt Lake City takes place Monday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre (50

and

YOGA STUDIO

You may be familiar with the posture forms and you may have even tried the breathing exercises, but unless you have experienced a yoga session with such skilled practitioners as those listed below, you’re missing out on all that the exercises can be. So what are you waiting for? Get your asanas over there!

SWEET SPOTS

UTAH’S CONFECTIONERS

CARRY ON A RICH LEGACY OF LOVE, LABOR AND ART.

BY WES LONG wlong@cityweekly.net

SUGAR HOUSE—As Veronica Ramirez puts the finishing touches on dozens of eclairs, her partner Conner Johnson assembles a line of carryout boxes. Every few minutes, the couple takes turns attending to the customers who enter Carol’s Pastry Shop at 1991 S. Lincoln St.

“It’s a family thing,” Johnson remarks of the business. “My grandpa and his brother started this place in 1948. It’s a legacy that I want to carry on.”

Previously a reporter for the Deseret News, Johnson has operated the pastry shop for a decade, having obtained the skills and memorized the recipes by following his grandfather Al Walkenhorst around. Ramirez has done likewise by learning from Johnson and, between the two of them, the family operation continues to provide what its principals most enjoy about a demanding and storied profession: feeding others with something sweet.

“You can make someone’s day with a pastry,” Johnson says with a smile. “When you get those big orders and you know you’re feeding a bunch of people and they’re all happy …”

Ramirez finishes the thought as she loads up the boxes: “It’s very fulfilling.”

Indeed, a confectioner’s fulfillment is often no less sweet than the pleasure of eating their wares is for the clientele.

Sweet foods like cookies, candy, cakes and pastries emerge from many traditions, and their makers have traditionally enjoyed a unique relationship with the public. Much like Carol’s Pastry Shop, the work of confectionery in Utah has proven remarkably durable over the years.

When Utah’s first confectioners set up shop, sweet items were less readily available and just one of several wares offered beneath a baker’s roof.

Perhaps the earliest known confectioner operating in the Beehive State was George Gibbins (also spelled Gibbons in some sources), who started advertising in the territory’s local papers of the early 1850s about his “California Bake House.”

Serving both the local residents and, especially, travelers passing through, Gibbins offered to make items from raw flour in an 1851 advertisement, while also having on hand various breads, crackers and “fancy cakes.”

Richard Golightly’s Globe Bakery (left), one of Salt Lake City’s earliest restaurants, pictured next to the Council House circa early 1850s. The Globe featured a public dining room, with a storefront selling candies and baked goods.

John Willis (1808-1880) took over for Gibbins thereafter, alongside other early confectioners like Daniel Greenig (1826-1888), George Goddard (1815-1899), Henry Arnold (1822-1888), James Gallacher (18291885), John H. Kelson (1833-1921), Henry Wallace (1840-1932), and one of Utah’s earliest Jewish residents, Frances Isabella “Fanny” Brooks (1836-1901).

Such local bakeries touted themselves as valuable destination spots for travelers en route to other climes—especially California.

Typical among them was Richard Golightly (18071872), who made a wide array of buns, pies, cakes and crackers at the Globe Bakery, one of Salt Lake’s earliest restaurants.

“Candies were made here as well as bakery goods,” Kate Carter wrote of the Globe in Heart Throbs of the West. “In the front room was a store for the sale of the candies and bakery goods; a public dining room was back of the store and the bakery was in the basement. … The public dining room was the popular eating place for conference visitors in those days.”

Even today, the demand to make confectionery venues a traveler’s waystation remains a vital concern.

Renee Backer has certainly seen that during her time at Mrs. Backer’s Pastry Shop, located at 434 E. South Temple. From the day that she started as an employee in 1972 and continuing through her decades as an owner, Backer recounted to City Weekly her team’s ongoing efforts to carve out a unique niche for themselves.

“We’ve had to try to be a destination place—somewhere you go to get something you can’t find elsewhere,” she said. “To survive, you have to adapt.”

Generational tastebuds have changed, Backer noted, and so they don’t make as much fruitcake as they once did.

Fluctuating baking supplies and the increased awareness of individual dietary needs have likewise changed the composition of traditional recipes, she said. Plus, they no longer make bread, due to what is provided at the modern supermarket.

“You just do the best you can,” Backer remarked.

The Art of Sweet

Beyond staying vital in the community, some confectioners derive their greatest pleasure from the sheer artistry involved in the work. This could be said of James Brown (1825-1890).

Originally from Scotland, Brown and his family converted to Mormonism and made their way to Utah in the mid-1860s. Living next door to the Salt Lake Theatre—which once stood at the corner of First South and State Street—the Browns took a long, narrow house and turned it into one of the most beloved confectioneries in Utah history.

“Grandfather was known throughout the city for his skill and handiwork,” wrote Isabelle McKenzie in a 1941 retrospective. “Not only could he produce a masterpiece in the form of a wedding cake … but they were decorated beyond description with icing in intricate patterns and original designs.”

Brown was also known for the colorful means of distributing his baked goods, as recounted by McKenzie. “Such a cake was delivered by balancing it perfectly on a board upon his head on his way through the streets,” she wrote, “without lifting a hand to keep it in place, much to the anxiety of passersby who stopped to gasp and admire.”

Besides pastries and formidable, multi-tiered wedding cakes—about which the Deseret News once remarked that they “almost tempt a bachelor to become a benedict”—the Brown family also made coconut bars, lemon drops, chocolate, taffy, candied seeds, intricate stick candy and animal crackers.

“He had a wonderful ability with his hands and should have studied with a sculptor,” McKenzie noted. “A piece of butter or dough quickly lost its identity and with a few turns of the fingers and wrists became a pretty lamb, a graceful swan or cow’s head.”

Others similarly excelled in their craftsmanship, such as Gregory Halles (1877-1951), who supplied countless confections for weddings, baptisms and funerals within Salt Lake’s Greek community, and Hazel Coult Hatch (1903-1985), who made chocolate by hand for various local companies and boutiques.

James Brown often transported his elaborate wedding cakes, like the one photographed above, by balancing them on his head.

Backer poses for a photo behind the counter at Mrs. Backer’s Pasty Shop.

“My grandmother dipped chocolates her whole life,” recalled Steve Hatch.

Hatch looks back fondly on the times he’d work alongside his grandmother as a child, handing out their finished creations to trick-or-treaters or during the Christmas season. It’s a legacy that lives on at Hatch Family Chocolates (376 8th Ave), which is co-owned by Hatch and his partner Katie Masterson.

“It’s a fun business,” Masterson said.

Any job will get monotonous, of course. But that’s when one can “play around” and see what results.

The confectioner duo note how experimentation can lead to discovery. What was supposed to be a creamcentered candy might turn out as a nougat or taffylike creation that, while received well by customers, could hardly be reproduced again.

“Sometimes your mistakes become your biggest seller,” Hatch added.

But regardless of whether the candies they produce turn out precisely as intended or not, at the end of the day, as Hatch and Masterson both point out, they work with butter, eggs and chocolate. What’s not to love about that?

“We sell joy,” Masterson observed, “and people are making an extra effort to come here. The smiles on their faces is all that matters.”

A Labor of Love

As artistically fulfilling as the confectionery profession can be, it is at its heart a trade—and a physically demanding one at that.

Backer described the long hours involved in operating Mrs. Backer’s Pastry Shop, particularly during holiday rushes. It is not uncommon for her children—who currently run things—to work a full day and then long into the night to complete the orders they receive.

“They can’t keep doing this and they know it,” she said. “They can only do so much.”

Sharing the load with committed workers, then, is one of the greatest satisfactions that Concepción

Flores derives from her ownership of Pandería Flores, with locations in Poplar Grove and Rose Park.

“People ask me, ‘Why don’t you invest in a machine for this or that?’” she said, to which she quickly answered: “Then there is no more work for people.”

It’s an arrangement that seems to work for her, as her bakeries are consistently alive both on the sales floor and in the kitchen.

But even as the cakes and conchas continue to be crafted by her team of panaderos, Flores notes that the current landscape remains financially tricky.

“This is a critical time,” Flores said. “The prices we’re paying just for the eggs we need is twice the usual amount.”

Inflation was a recurring theme among all of the persons interviewed for this story. For Johnson and Ramirez, the cost of supplies have necessarily affected the price of their wares.

An eclair that now sells at slightly above a dollar might be negligible to most, but it does raise eyebrows among their customer base—some of whom have been visiting for more than 40 years.

“We’ve always been a really cheap bakery,” Johnson remarked. “There’s an expectation that they have— things used to be cheap back then and they’re not as cheap now.”

Felicia Hanson has also seen this in the rising costs of essential supplies for Sweet Hazel & Co. Bakeshop, located at 1000 S. Main.

Hanson’s business specializes in providing vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free alternatives for her customers, from cakes and brownies to her line of Break Free candy bars.

“The cost of chocolate has literally doubled, which is a bit concerning,” she told City Weekly by email.

Such concerns become an impediment to the goal that motivated Hanson and her team to enter this field in the first place, she said, namely “enabling people to eat things they haven’t been able to enjoy for years due to allergies or dietary restrictions.”

So the hours may be long, the physical labors can be wearisome and financial costs are often high. But like

Hanson, the above confectioners—and so many others like them throughout Utah—return to one main reason for why they do what they do: the people.

Characteristic is Backer’s memory of a customer who frequented her shop for years—first visiting the premises alone, then bringing a small grandson in tow, later being driven there by the grandson and eventually, the adult grandson dropping in one day by himself.

“All of those people enriched my life,” she said.

Good for the Stomach

Sugar, sweet as it is, nevertheless holds an ambiguous place in human history. As often as it has excited our creativity and taste buds, it has also left a legacy of addiction, excess and exploitation.

Utah’s first female union, after all, was organized by the chocolate dippers of James McDonald’s (18651940) candy factory in an unsuccessful strike for better wages in 1910.

Thus, a healthy amount of caution and care would not be unwarranted when working with—and eating—the sweet stuff.

“Yet the magic of confections is still alive,” writes Laura Mason for the Oxford Companion to Sugar and Sweets, “and brilliant displays of handcrafted sugar work, ingeniously decorated cakes, and boxes of truly delicious chocolates still amaze and delight.”

That magic emerges throughout Utah’s history and into the present—it is evident in the unique spaces that our confectioners create, the artistic excellence for which they strive, and the demanding exertions that undergird both.

It is a labor that retains a sprinkling of that old pioneer spirit, perhaps best described by McKenzie, regarding the shop of her grandfather: “where simple service, hard work and high standards of craftsmanship were more honored and desired than wealth or fame.”

And we know that reaching that sweet spot is always good for the stomach. CW

Veronica Ramirez and Conner Johnson currently run Carol’s Pastry Shop in Sugar House. The family business launched in 1948.

Renee

Doing Dough Right

MOZZ Artisan Pizza anchors its menu with a truly great sourdough recipe.

BY ALEX SPRINGER comments@cityweekly.net @captainspringer

The Wasatch Front is home to a wide variety of niche dining markets that have become a point of fascination for me as I bounce from restaurant to restaurant. Folks in Provo like their fast-casual chains, folks in Daybreak like a hot trend and folks in Salt Lake City like their food halls. When I was creating a sort of mental Venn diagram of these different markets, I was surprised to see how well MOZZ Artisan Pizza has integrated itself into these particular neighborhoods–not to mention the Delta Center food court–and become a true Utah classic.

MOZZ opened in 2019 under the leadership of Jared and Erin Neiswender. Their first store was in Downtown Provo and the restaurant’s commitment to incorporating a high-quality process into its menu was a local success. Despite weathering its share of storms during the 2020 pandemic, today the restaurant has four locations throughout the Wasatch Front.

Perhaps the secret weapon behind MOZZ’s success is the sourdough pizza crust. Not only is making this particular pizza dough a lengthy process, but it does a lot to set MOZZ apart from other woodfired pizza spots. One of the best ways to really appreciate this gorgeous dough

or the cheese bread ($9). While such items are typically little more than pre-carbs at other restaurants, you get more of the sourdough overall, which really lets you sink into the experience.

I prefer the cheese bread (because of course I do), but MOZZ blends gouda with mozzarella for something a bit more nuanced. The cheese bread comes with a side of smooth tomato sauce drizzled with olive oil, and both items present stark examples of how good MOZZ is at balancing flavors. The sourdough provides a great fermented tang to the initial bite, and it really brings out the nutty flavor of the gouda. A dunk into that crimson sauce imparts just the right amount of tomato acidity without being overly sweet. Yes, this is an appetizer, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t do a great job of celebrating the flavors of a good sourdough.

Knowing that more of this crust was in my immediate future with my pizza order, I started with the speck pizza ($18), mainly because I don’t think I’ve had speck before. A cured and smoked ham that is popular in Italian cuisine, speck is a bit like supercharged Canadian bacon. It’s a concentrated pork flavor that I absolutely loved, and it’s paired with a blend of mozzarella, ricotta and parmigiano cheese. There’s garlic confit, lemon zest and arugula as well, and though I didn’t get much of the zest, the peppery arugula and buttery garlic contrasted well with the speck. It’s definitely a win for any stripe of pork fan.

The sausage mushroom ($17) is also a nice option for something a bit on the simpler side. Its Italian sausage has just the right amount of heat, and the crimini mushrooms are also welcome additions to this particular party. Again, I can’t overstate how good the pizza crust is. The fact

that MOZZ has gotten this aspect of their pies so right really makes everything a safe bet, and they have plenty of variety as far as toppings go. This means that vegetarian options like corn pizza ($17) and cauliflower pizza ($16) slap just as hard as the other meat-based toppings. On top of that, MOZZ has a vegan pie ($17) that features the pizzeria’s tomato sauce and garlic confit combined with crimini mushrooms, red onion, arugula and a balsamic reduction. Those who don’t want to pre-game with more carbs–I know you’re out there somewhere–will dig MOZZ’s caesar salad ($16 for full, $8 for half) which has focaccia croutons and some of that delightful speck. It’s definitely a faithful riff on the classic caesar salad recipe, and I could eat that speck all day. There’s also a mixed green salad ($16 for full, $8 for half) that comes with summer squash, pickled beets, bell peppers and red onions. It’s got a light red wine vinaigrette and some pepitas for a bit of texture. Not a bad salad at all, but the caesar wins out for me. Pizza has always been something near and dear to my heart, and it doesn’t take a whole lot for me to find enjoyment in whatever pie I happen to be enjoying. That said, the pizza at MOZZ is unique because it’s vastly different from the pies that I usually slum with. The cultivation of an excellent sourdough recipe is the foundation here, but on top of that great pizza crust, you get all kinds of culinary experimentation that really works. The reason pizza is a near-perfect food is because it just overwhelms your senses with greasy delights, but when you get pizza at MOZZ, you’re in for a more sophisticated affair. CW

is to order either the garlic bread ($8)

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: Pie Hole - Strawberry Rhubarb

Corner Brew Pub Sugar House

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

On Tap:  Top of Main Coalition Hellfire Chili Pepper 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 DesertEdgeBrewery.com

On Tap:  Centennial Steamer, California Common Lager

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

On Tap: Imperial Pumpkin Porter

Etta Place Cidery

700 W Main St, Torrey www.ettaplacecider.com

On Tap: Imperial Cider, Fig-Tamarind

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

NEW: Cyotee Elvis Kolsh

Heber Valley Brewing

501 N. Main Street, Heber City, UT hebervalleybrewing.com

On Tap: 8 rotating beers

Utah ‘Heavy’s’ ToGo: Beer Thief/Lone Pine/Citrocumulus/Grunge

Helper Beer

159 N Main Street, Helper, UT  helperbeer.com

Hopkins Brewing Co. 1048 E. 2100 South, SLC HopkinsBrewingCompany.com

On Tap: Wolf Moon - Amber Ale

Kiitos Brewing

608 W. 700 South, SLC KiitosBrewing.com

On Tap: Fonio!!!

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

On Tap: Helles Munich Style Lager

Level Crossing Brewing Co., POST

550 South 300 West, Suite 100, SLC LevelCrossingBrewing.com

On Tap: Look Up! Amber Ale on Nitro

Moab Brewing 686 S. Main, Moab TheMoabBrewery.com

On Tap:  “Big Drop” West Coast Pilsner

Mountain West Cider

425 N. 400 West, SLC MountainWestCider.com

On Tap: Blueberry Pie 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: El Jefe - Hefeweizen

Policy Kings Brewery

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

On Tap: Kings Proper Kolsch

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: Grand Bavaria

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: FestBier

Roosters Brewing Multiple Locations

RoostersBrewingCo.com On Tap: Cosmic Pumpkin Chocolate Chip

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

BEER NERD

Inspiration and Innovation

Beers that are a fun and delicious departure from the norm.

BY MIKE RIEDEL comments@cityweekly.net @utahbeer

F

isher - Hop Back: A “hop back” is a filter of sorts, which is inserted between points when the beer is transferred and cooled from the kettle, into the fermentation tank. The main purpose of a hop back is to transfer delicate hop oils and aromas that would otherwise be boiled off in the kettle. For this ale, the Fisher crew used whole-cone Simcoe hops.

This hazy yellow ale pours with a modest white head, leaving an attractive lacing on the glass—a promising start for a flavorful experience. The aroma captivates with a medley of hop notes. Pine needles, bright grapefruit, and sweet pineapple leap forward, beautifully complemented by a subtle, soft stone fruit character. Beneath these aromatic hops, a clean, bready malt presence provides a grounded backdrop, allowing the hops and yeast esters to shine without being overwhelmed. It’s a harmonious nose that promises refreshing and dynamic tasting.

On the palate, a mild bitterness marks the initial sip, transitioning into a wave of juicy grapefruit and pineapple flavors. A slightly resinous pine edge then emerges, adding depth to the hop profile. True to its aromatic promise, the malt recedes into the background, providing just enough support to highlight the pronounced hop characteristics without ever becoming dominant. The beer finishes crisp and dry, with a satisfyingly moderate body that keeps it incredibly drinkable.

Verdict: This 5.0 percent pale ale is a great showcase of Simcoe hops. Its light body, coupled with an explosion of juicy and resinous hop flavors, makes for an incredibly drinkable ale. It’s a stellar choice for anyone seeking a vibrant, hoppy beer that doesn’t sacrifice drinkability for flavor. I wholeheartedly rec-

ommend this to anyone looking for a refreshing, hop-forward experience with a lot of personality.

Offset - PNW Pils: Named for the hop region that put American craft beer on the map, this isn’t your traditional German pilsner. Instead, it’s a damn delicious fusion that feels like the best pale ale from 2007 got together with a perfectly executed, contemporary Germaninspired pilsner.

The hop selection here is pretty cool, featuring HBC1134—a new experimental variety designed to mimic noble hops from continental Europe—alongside American Noble Cascade, a byproduct of Cryo hop production. Another cool aspect here is the brewing technique: No hops were added after the 40-minute mark in the boil. The Offset team’s use of these hops really shines here, delivering a fresh and vibrant hop presence.

This lager presents exceptionally well, showcasing this unusual approach to the style. The aroma is dominated by classic noble hop notes, primarily fresh grass and an inviting herbaceousness that promises a crisp experience. The beer presents what could be described as an almost dry-hopped character.

On the palate, this 5.0 percent beer reveals subtle hints of floral elegance, a whisper of pine and a touch of citrus that brightens the profile. These hop characteristics are well grounded by a foundation of toasty biscuits and a delicate touch of honey from the malt, providing a wonderful balance and depth.

Verdict: The PNW Pils is a fun and delicious departure from the norm. It’s crisp, clean and incredibly flavorful, offering a unique blend of old-world inspiration and new-world innovation. If you’re seeking a brilliantly executed lager that pushes boundaries and offers a distinctively American craft interpretation, this one is an absolute must-try.

I wish City Weekly had its own pub, where I could be your personal beertender and serve all these beers to you in one setting. For now, you’ll have to do the legwork yourselves. You can find Offset’s beers in SLC at places like The Bayou and Slackwater, but if you want beer to take home, Offset in Park City is the place. Fisher, of course, is always the source for their draft beers. Stay close— “wet hop” versions of these beers are coming soon. As always, cheers! CW

the BACK BURNER

BY ALEX SPRINGER | @captainspringer

Taste of Orem Festival

The city of Orem (orem.gov) will be hosting a food and cultural arts festival this weekend at City Center Park (300 E. Center Street). This celebration of some great Utah County restaurants will feature nearly 20 participants including Momo’s Gourmet Cheesecakes, Pitada Brazil, Hruska’s Kolaches and Tam’s Cream Puffs. Participants and vendors will be stationed at the park, and attendees can purchase ticket books that can be exchanged for some tasty eats at each food vendor. The festival will also feature live music and cultural performances along with an art market showcasing local artists and makers. The event takes place on September 20 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with a kickoff concert on September 19 starting at 5 p.m.

Mi Gente 2025 at Millcreek Common

While it’s not necessary to have an excuse to visit Millcreek Common (millcreekcommon.org), the Mi Gente Cultural Festival sounds like a good time. It’s shaping up to be an exciting gathering that celebrates our local Hispanic and Latinx communities. Mi Gente offers a celebration of

cultural dance, art and food along with some free dance and drumming workshops. Attendees can also enjoy an open dance floor, a full bar and a kids area with other games and cultural activities. Rollerskating will be free unless you need to rent a pair of skates. Mi Gente will take place on September 20 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

2000s Bar Crawl Hosted by Bar Crawl Nation

Those nostalgic for the Y2K era will want to check out the 2000s Bar Crawl happening this weekend. Hosted by Bar Crawl Nation (barcrawlnation. com), this particular bar crawl will be all about breaking out your Tamagotchi and low-rise jeans for a night out in Downtown SLC. The event kicks off at Studio by Soundwell (149 W. 200 South) and will take attendees throughout the city to locations like Boomerang’s Down Under Bar, Spritz and Sky SLC. Participating venues will be offering Y2K-inspired cocktails, 2000s-era tunes and no shortage of chunky belt buckles. It’s all going down on September 20 starting at 4 p.m.

Quote of the Week: “I don’t have a drinking problem except when I can’t get a drink.” –Tom Waits

Fall Movie Preview

TRON: Ares , Frankenstein, Wicked: For Good, Zootopia 2, Avatar: Fire and Ash and more.

BY SCOTT RENSHAW scottr@cityweekly.net @scottrenshaw

Fall movie season historically brings out the big guns of movies vying for awards consideration, though there are always some franchise favorites as well. Here’s a peek at what’s to come in theaters and on major streaming services before 2025 winds to a close; release dates are, as always, subject to change.

Sept. 19: HEADLINER - A Big Bold Beautiful Journey. The gifted artist/filmmaker Kogonada (Columbus, After Yang) casts Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie as two people whose meet-cute involves a fantastical journey through doorways into crucial past moments of their lives. Also: Him; The History of Sound; The Senior; Swiped

Sept. 26: HEADLINER - One Battle After Another Director Paul Thomas Anderson tells the story of an ex-revolutionary (Leonardo DiCaprio) who brings ex-pals back together to save his own daughter. Also: The Strangers: Chapter 2; All of You; Gabby’s Dollhouse; Eleanor the Great

Oct. 3: HEADLINER - The Smashing Machine. Dwayne Johnson stars in the fact-based story of mixed-martialarts star Mark Kerr. Also: Good Boy; Steve; Anemone

Oct. 10: HEADLINER - TRON: Ares. The grid comes to the real world as Jared Leto plays a program who enters our reality on a dangerous mission. Also: Roofman; Soul on Fire; If I Had Legs I’d Kick You

Oct. 17: HEADLINER – Black Phone 2. The now-teenage Finney (Mason Thames), after surviving the child serial killer known as “The Grabber” in 2021’s The Black Phone, deals with the fallout from his ordeal and a possible new threat. Also: After the Hunt; Good Fortune

Oct. 24: HEADLINER – Frankenstein The latest film incarnation of Mary Shelley’s legendary story of playing God brings together the talents of Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro, Oscar Isaac as Dr. Victor Frankenstein, and Jacob Elordi as the creature. Also: Mortal Kombat 2; Regretting You; A House of Dynamite

Oct. 31: HEADLINER – Bugonia Emma Stone continues her collaboration with director Yorgos Lanthimos (Poor Things, Kinds of Kindness) as she plays a CEO kidnapped by conspiracy theorists convinced that she’s an alien invader. Also: Hedda; Anniversary; Ballad of a Small Player

Nov. 7: HEADLINER – Predator: Badlands. Director Dan Trachtenberg—who already has two terrific entries in the Predator franchise under his belt in Prey and Predator: Killer of Killers—follows a young outcast predator who forms an unlikely alliance with a non-predator (Elle Fanning). Also: Nuremberg; Die My Love; Grand Prix of Europe; Train Dreams

Nov. 14: HEADLINER – Jay Kelly Writer/director Noah Baumbach (Marriage Story) follows a famous actor (George Clooney) and his long-time manager (Adam Sandler) as they both deal with the fallout from their life choices. Also: Now You See Me: Now You Don’t; Keeper; The Running Man

Nov. 21: HEADLINER – Wicked: For Good. Yes, it’s now time to hold space for the conclusion of the saga of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Galinda (Ariana Grande) as the two witches learn what happens after you defy gravity (and the Wizard). Also: Sisu 2

Nov. 26: HEADLINER – Zootopia 2. Disney returns to the animal-filled animated world of the hit 2016 original, as Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) team up again to solve a new case. Also: Eternity; Left-Handed Girl

Dec. 5: HEADLINER – Five Nights at Freddy’s 2. More nightmarish adventures of people trying to survive their encounters with the evil robotic inhabitants of a pizzeria. Also: Merrily We Roll Along; Oh. What. Fun.

Dec. 12: HEADLINER – Ella McCay. Oscar-winning filmmaker James L. Brooks (Terms of Endearment, Broadcast News, As Good As It Gets) returns for his first feature in 15 years, following the life journey of the title character (Emma Mackey). Also: Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery; Goodbye June

Dec. 19: HEADLINER – Avatar: Fire and Ash. Back to Pandora we go for the third installment in James Cameron’s blockbuster science-fiction saga, as Jake (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) encounter an aggressive new Na’vi tribe. Also: Is This Thing On?; The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants

Dec. 25: HEADLINER – Marty Supreme Timothée Chalamet and Gwyneth Paltrow team up for a period-piece drama about fame, destiny and … table tennis? Also: Song Sung Blue; The Housemaid; Anaconda CW

On Tracks

New album reviews from local artists Rachael Jenkins and OrcaMind.

BY EMILEE ATKINSON eatkinson@cityweekly.net @emileelovesvinyl

Rachael Jenkins, The Valley: For singer/ songwriter Rachael Jenkins, her debut album The Valley has been a long time coming. From performing at Weber State for songwriting classes to going viral on TikTok, Jenkins has been putting in the work and consistently wowing listeners with her deeply emotional and beautiful songs. Jenkins’ debut single “untitled,” released in 2021, has soared to nearly four million streams on Spotify, and she released a few more singles and an EP after that before finally releasing The Valley

The album feels like having one of those long, late-night conversations with a friend where you talk about everything, from the big things in life to the small and mundane. Jenkins wrote this album over several years, and says these songs are “tied together through time.” The Valley is a very relatable album—Jenkins touches on important memories and emotions lyrically while pairing it with music that match the tone perfectly.

“Written over the past four years, each track is an interpretation of my emotions, memories, and experiences,” Jenkins details on BandCamp. “I am, at times, an unreliable narrator in my own life, so all I have to go on are the words I trusted in these moments. These songs are parts of a whole, ripped apart and sewn together through the patterns I refuse to break.” The album begins with the title track, which feels contemplative, like the latenight conversation with a friend is just be-

ginning. It feels like easing in, with light and airy guitar paired with Jenkins’ captivating voice.

Emotions ramp up on the next track, “Bootlicker.” It’s imaginable that the inspirations for this track are intense, and err on the side of the mournful with lyrics like, “All around is a madhouse / And I’m a freak at your show / You sit down with a grimace as I lick up the dirt from the soles of your boots / Used and abused / I pretend like my life doesn’t depend on it.”

As you get to the end of the album, you’ll find two tracks Jenkins released as singles leading up to the album’s debut in September. “Body” was released over the summer, and closes out The Valley. This is one of the most memorable and earwormy tracks on the album—a beautiful anthem about learning to love yourself, which is probably one of the most universally relatable feelings.

The Valley showcases everything listeners have come to expect from Jenkins—heartwrenching and in-depth lyrics, incredible polish and stunning vocals. The album is streaming everywhere now, but you can also support Jenkins by buying the album on BandCamp.

OrcaMind, SeaBirds: Dreamy alt/electric pop trio OrcaMind are always hard at work at putting out music—typically releasing songs on a monthly basis, on top of nightly streams on Twitch playing tunes for the online masses. The group is the brainchild of singer Michelle Heafy and singer/guitarist Josiah Everhart; the two began putting out music in 2022, heavily inspired by retro video games like The Legend of Zelda and Chrono Trigger. Since then, they’ve added Matt Bane on drums, and recently released their first full-length album SeaBirds. The album contains singles the band has been releasing steadily, along with classics from earlier in their

MUSIC

library like “Midnight Clover” and “Dead Moons.” If you’re a fan of retro videogame soundtracks, or just love electronic elements in music, you’ll love OrcaMind and this album. It’s hard not to overuse the word “dreamy” while describing their music, but it truly elicits feelings of otherworldly vibes, much like the worlds of the video games that have influenced them.

While SeaBirds does feel like the same old OrcaMind, it also offers a more complete sound with Bane on the drums, and it’s evident the trio have been working hard on production, because the album sounds incredible. Lyrically, the themes are just as ethereal, with lines like “Stranger when you came here / Could you see the fracture in the ice? / Cause I saw it, haven’t told them / I get this feeling when we’re close enough,” as heard on “Europa.”

OrcaMind’s music will definitely help you drift away to another world, but the music is also incredibly whimsical and fun; it’s hard for that sensibility not to be pres-

ent when you’re so inspired by the world of video games. They let their vibrant personalities shine through each night online, but it also comes through clearly on their recorded material. Music doesn’t have to be overly serious to be good.

SeaBirds takes you on a delightful journey full of mysterious and vast waves, strangers and paupers, wells and leeches … and no, that’s not a ripped off description from a Zelda game. That’s just OrcaMind’s vibe. Catch SeaBirds wherever you listen to music, but definitely consider purchasing the album on BandCamp.

Oct. 5 is the next BandCamp Friday, a monthly occurrence where BandCamp gives 100% of the sales to the artists and labels, so mark your calendars and buy The Valley and SeaBirds for your collection. CW

Rachael Jenkins

THURSDAY

TUESDAYS

BEST BAR IN UTAH!

MUSIC PICK S

America @ Eccles Theater 9/19

Their name notwithstanding, tuneful and breezy folk rockers America got their start in London. Founding duo and mainstays Dewey Bunnell (born in Texas) and Yorkshire-born Gerry Beckley formed the group in 1970, releasing their self-titled debut album in 1972. Buoyed by the singles “I Need You” and “A Horse With No Name,” that record soared to the No. 1 spot on the chart in the U.S., doing nearly as well (No. 14) in the U.K. The group then began its somewhat idiosyncratic practice of naming all of its albums with words starting with the letter H, an approach they maintained through 1977’s Harbor. America scored nine Top 40 singles between 1972 and 1976; their laid-back and melodic sound exemplifies the California vibe with songs like “Lonely People,” “Tin Man,” “Sister Golden Hair” and others. The group released its most recent album, the semi-archival Lost & Found, in 2015; since that time America has continued primarily as a live act. Beckley retired from touring in 2024, but Bunnell continues with a lineup including musicians who have been with the band for decades. America comes to the Eccles Theater on Friday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $72.75 and up from saltlakecountyarts.org. (Bill Kopp)

MUSIC PICK S

The White Buffalo @ Commonwealth Room 9/19 - 9/20

Jake Smith, A.K.A. The White Buffalo, is as unpredictable as his somewhat obtuse moniker might suggest, yet he wouldn’t have it any other way. Over the course of eight studio albums, he’s consistently defied categorization, thumbing his nose at those that would try to pigeonhole him within any particular genre. White Buffalo remains a singular breed, whose passion for pursuing his muse not only broaches boundaries, but often ignores them entirely. “I want to push everything, and kind of abandon genre,” he once told this reporter when asked about his MO. “People always want to put me in a box, which I never really thought I belonged in.” Nevertheless, he continues to persevere. “It’s been a long journey, and it’s always been an upward climb, a slow growth,” he mused. “I’ve taken a very old-school approach to building a fan base.” So while The White Buffalo may not be part of a stampede, Smith is convinced he has what it takes to connect with listeners regardless. “The audience and performer relationship is something that’s important to me,” Smith continued. “That’s something that feeds my artistry. It’s important to have a show where there’s the extremes of all the emotions and the roller coaster ride that we can take people on. That’s especially true in a live setting. We never simply phone it in.” The White Buffalo performs at The Commonwealth Room on Friday, Sept. 19 at 8 p.m. with Theoretical Blonde, and on Saturday, Sept. 20 as Buffalo Vs. Train. Tickets cost $32$50 at axs.com. (Lee Zimmerman)

MUSIC PICK S

Howard Jones @ The Ballpark at America First Square 9/22

I’ve recently been on a nostalgia trip listening to Dream Into Action. The second album from Howard Jones was no sophomore slump, but contained great pop tunes with a serious side—a very delicate balance that works well. It’s bee four decades since its release, and the synthesizer-heavy record still stands out. “There are a lot of new bands who are drawing inspiration from that ’80s era of pop, but I just do it because I love synths and love writing songs, songs that have got middle eights and bridges.”

Jones told Classic Pop Mag in 2019 . “I’m a big fan of classic song structure and I love synths, so that’s really what this (Transform) is about, recapturing what I really love most, and I think that is why it has such an energy.” The 21st century has shown Jones to be no mere nostalgia act: The above-mentioned Transform is an outstanding LP (maybe his best), and 2022’s Dialogue has some absolute bangers on it. Pop-flavored sensibilities aside, Jones doesn’t snarl much in his songs, but when he sings, “You just try being free my friend / Everyone will hate your guts” on the title track from Human’s Lib, his normal genial delivery gives way to a bit of fury. Haircut 100 featuring Richard Blade opens. Catch these musicians as they celebrate the 40th anniversary of Dream Into Action ’s album release at The Ballpark at America First Square (Downtown Daybreak in South Jordan) on Monday, Sept. 22. Show at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for the all-ages show are $38.95 and can be found at ticketmaster.com. (Mark Dago)

Honey.Wavs, Ipseity, Calico, Glue Coast @ Kilby Court 9/23

Summer may be in the rearview mirror, but fall is still an excellent time to see your favorite local bands. As the temperatures drop, showgoers can wear their favorite hoodies while moshing and dancing to stay warm. This lineup of four local acts is going to help you get through that mid-

week slump. Who says a concert on a Tuesday night is a bad idea? SLC emo band Glue Coast will bring their signature brand of the genre, complete with a trombone, because why not?

It’s always a delight to find unexpected instruments in genres you wouldn’t normally associate together. Calico will also bring their eclectic sound to add a little more spice to the recipe of this weekday show. Ipseity (ip-say-itty) will spice it up even more with their signature heavy metal sound, so if you were wanting to mosh, add that to the checklist. Then of course headlining is Honey.Wavs, who will no doubt bring huge energy to finish out the night. There’s no way you could get bored at this show on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. Tickets for the all-ages show are $13.05 in advance and $15.14 the day of the show. Grab tickets at 24tix.com. (Emilee Atkinson)

Above & Beyond @ The Depot 9/24

Described by Q Magazine as “the world’s biggest cult band,” Above & Beyond has been a record-breaking group in electronic music for the past two decades—and you have the chance to see them live at The Depot. V2 Presents is hosting the legendary artists Jono Grant, Tony McGuinness and Paavo Siljamäki, who wrote and produced the song “Sun & Moon” with the bittersweet lyrics, “I’m sorry baby / You were the sun and moon to me / I’ll never get over you, you’ll never get over me.” Their emotive trance music has given them an amazing career including four acclaimed studio albums, 14 compilation albums, two acoustic albums, and many legendary club remixes. The songs from their 2011 album Group Therapy included songs like “Northern Soul” featuring singer Richard Bedford, and “We’re All We Need” featuring singer and songwriter Zoë Johnston, which earned the trio two Grammy nominations. Above & Beyond is also the founder of Anjunabeats and Anjunadeep record labels, which have signed many talented progressive trance and melodic artists like Seven Lions and Jason Ross. Above & Beyond brings a special vibe of celebrating togetherness and shared emotional experiences. This 18+ show takes place on Wednesday, Sept. 24 and begins at 7 p.m. You can get to The Depot by taking the

and

free will ASTROLOGY

BY ROB BREZSNY

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

Hindu goddess Durga rides a tiger and carries weapons in her 10 hands, including a sword, axe and thunderbolt. Yet she wears a pleasant smile. Her mandate to aid the triumph of good over evil is not fueled by hate but by luminous clarity and loving ferocity. I suggest you adopt her attitude, Aries. Can you imagine yourself as a storm of joy and benevolence? Will you work to bring more justice and fairness into the situations you engage with? I imagine you speaking complex and rugged truths with warmth and charm. I see you summoning a generous flair as you help people climb up out of their sadness and suffering. If all goes well, you will magnetize others to participate in shared visions of delight and dignity.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

Born under the sign of Taurus, Maya Deren first expressed her extravagant creative urges as a writer, poet, photographer, clothes designer and dancer. But then she made a radical change, embarking on a new path as an experimental filmmaker. She said she had “finally found a glove that fits.” Her movies were highly influential among the avantgarde in the 1940s and 1950s. I bring Deren to your attention, Taurus, because I suspect that in the coming months, you, too, will find a glove that fits. And it all starts soon.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

In medieval times, alchemists believed mercury was a sacred substance and divine intermediary. They knew that it’s the only metal that’s liquid at room temperature. This quality, along with its silvery sheen (why it’s called “quicksilver”), made it seem like a bridge between solid and liquid, earth and water, heaven and earth, life and death. I nominate mercury as your power object, Gemini. You’re extra well-suited to navigate liminal zones and transitional states. You may be the only person in your circle who can navigate paradox and speak in riddles and still make sense. It’s not just cleverness. It’s wisdom wrapped in whimsy. So please offer your in-between insights freely. PS: You have another superpower, too: You can activate dormant understandings in both other people’s hearts and your own.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

In the western Pacific Ocean, there’s a species of octopus that builds its lair from coconut shells. The creature gathers together husks, dragging them across the seafloor, and fits them together. According to scientists, this use of tools by an invertebrate is unique. Let’s make the coconut octopus your power creature for now, Cancerian. You will have extra power to forge a new sanctuary or renovate an existing one, either metaphorically or literally. You will be wise to draw on what’s nearby and readily available, maybe even using unusual or unexpected building materials.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

I invite you to contemplate the meaning of the phrase “invisible architecture.” My dream told me it will be a theme for you in the coming weeks. What does it mean? What does it entail? Here are my thoughts: Structures are taking shape within you that may not yet be visible from the outside. Bridges are forming between once-disconnected parts of your psyche and life. You may not need to do much except consent to the slow emergence of these new semiamazing expressions of integrity. Be patient and take notes. Intuitions arriving soon may be blueprints for future greatness. Here’s the kicker: You’re not just building for yourself. You’re working on behalf of your soul-kin, too.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

A supple clarity is crystallizing within you. Congratulations! It’s not a brittle or rigid certainty, but a knack for limber discernment. I predict you will have an extra potent gift for knowing what truly matters, even amidst chaos or complication. As this superpower reaches full ripeness, you can aid the process by clearing out clutter and refining your foundational values. Make these words your magic spells: quintessence, core, crux, gist, lifeblood, root. PS: Be alert for divine messages in seemingly mundane circumstances.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

The ancient Mesopotamian goddess Inanna was called “the Queen of Heaven.” Her domains were politics, divine law, love and fertility. She was a powerhouse. One chapter of her mythic story tells of her descent into the underworld. She was stripped of everything—clothes, titles, weapons— before she could be reborn. Why did she do it? Scholars say she was on a quest for greater knowledge and an expansion of her authority. And she was successful! I propose we make her your guide and companion in the coming weeks, Libra. You are at the tail-end of your own descent. The stripping is almost complete. Soon you will feel the first tremors of return—not loud, not triumphant, but sure. I have faith that your adventures will make you stronger and wiser, as Inanna’s did for her.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

In ancient Rome, the dye called Tyrian purple was used exclusively for garments worn by royalty and top officials. It had a humble origin: murex snails. Their glands yielded a pale liquid that darkened into an aristocratic violet only after sun, air and time worked upon it. I’m predicting you will be the beneficiary of comparable alchemical transformations in the coming weeks. A modest curiosity could lead to a major breakthrough. A passing fancy might ripen into a rich blessing. Seemingly nondescript encounters may evolve into precious connections.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Bees can see ultraviolet patterns in flowers that are invisible to humans. These “nectar guides” direct bees to the flower’s nectar and pollen, functioning like landing strips. Let’s apply these fun facts as metaphors for your life, Sagittarius. I suspect that life is offering you subtle yet radiant cues leading you to sources you will be glad to connect with. To be fully alert for them, you may need to shift and expand the ways you use your five senses. The universe is in a sense flirting with you, sending you clues through dream-logic and nonrational phenomena. Follow the shimmering glimmers.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

At the height of her powers, the Egyptian pharaoh Hatshepsut declared, “I have restored what had been ruined. I have raised up what had dissolved.” You now have a similar gift at your disposal, Capricorn. If you can harness it, you will gain an enhanced capacity to unify what has been scattered, to reforge what was broken, and to resurrect neglected dreams. To fulfill this potential, you must believe in your own sovereignty—not as a form of domination, but of devotion. Start with your own world. Make beauty where there was noise and evoke dignity where there was confusion.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

In the high Himalayas, there is a flower called Saussurea obvallata—or the Brahma Kamal. It blooms only at night and for a short time, releasing a scent that legend says can heal grief. This will be your flower of power for the coming weeks, Aquarius. The Brahma Kamal signifies that a rare and time-sensitive gift will be available, and that you must be alert to gather it in. My advice: Don’t schedule every waking hour. Leave space for mystery to arrive unannounced. You could receive a visitation, an inspiration or a fleeting insight that can change everything. It may assuage and even heal sadness, confusion, aimlessness or demoralization.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

The human heart beats 100,000 times per day, 35 million times per year and 2.5 billion times in an average lifetime. It’s the most reliable “machine” ever created, working continuously and mostly without special maintenance for decades. Although you Pisceans aren’t renowned for your stability and steadiness, I predict that in the coming weeks, you will be as staunch, constant, and secure as a human heart. What do you plan to do with this grace period? What marvels can you accomplish?

Senior Software Engineer @ RiskRecon Inc. (Salt Lake City, UT) F/T Dsgn, dvlp, & dlivr rsk assessmnt sftwre solutns wth a hgh lvl of innvtn. Wrk clsly wth the Prdct, Dsgn, & Bcknd teams to hlp envisn, pln, & implmnt the usr exp of our wb app. Reqs a Mstr’s deg, or frgn eqvlnt, in Cmputr, Elctrcl, Elctrnc, Mchncl, Indstrl Engg, Sftwre Engg, Mngmnt Info Systms, Bsnss Admnstrtn, or rltd & 2 yrs of exp in the jb offrd or as a Sftwre Engnr, IT Engnr, Sftwre Dvlpr, Tchncl Ld, Prgrmmr Anlyst or rltd. Altrntvly, ER wll accpt a Bchlr’s deg & 5 yrs of prgrssvly rspnsble wrk exp. Qlfyng exp mst inclde 1 yr wth ech of the fllwng: JS/HTML/ CSS; React JS; Redux Toolkit; Axios; React Router; Postgres; Elasticsearch; AWS. Rte of pay: $152,402 - $184,000 / yr. ER wll accpt any suitble combo of edu, trning, or exp. Optn to WFH-basd offce exsts. May rside anywhre wthn the US. Snd rsume to Fitzroy Thomas, Fitzroy.Thomas@mastercard.com, RiskRecon Inc., 225 Franklin St, 9th Fl, Boston, MA 02110. Ref MC162-2025.

WE SELL NEW AND USED AUTO PARTS

We purchase vehicles through auctions,

urban LIVING

The Millennials

The primary demographic of City Weekly readers is Millennials. And there’s interesting stuff coming out from RentCafe.com about the typical Millennial. Using a fictional male who is 35 years old—he graduated from college with a master’s degree in business, is tech-savvy and is optimistic about AI. He owns his home, where he lives with his partner and their dog, and is a caregiver for his parents. He spends time on YouTube watching videos and learning; loves to shop online from brands he knows and is generally optimistic about the future.

Nationally, 52.4% of the total Millennial population owns their home. But locally, that may not be the case. And about 43% of the group still has student loans—more than any other generation—with an average of $42,600 per person.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS

1. Red ink

6. One way to be taken

11. Basic skateboarding trick

12. Oil business boss

13. Recycling container

16. Bracelet fastener

17. “Crazy” singer Green

18. Mentalist Geller

19. French fry, elsewhere

21. Seafood selection named for the color of its meat

23. North American deer

25. Shapiro of “All Things Considered” (until September 2025)

27. Supposes

28. England’s westernmost cape

31. PepsiCo beverage brand with a twolizard logo

32. Country near the Strait of Hormuz

33. Minn. college named for a Norwegian king

35. Airport near OAK

38. Skater Lipinski

39. Where BTS originated

40. Saucy

Salt Lake City has a strong Millennial presence—at about 25.4% of the metro population. Roughly 40% of the city’s residents are between 20 and 39 years old. This is because we still have a growing economy, especially in the tech industry, which heavily recruits from this age group.

Another recent study by CommercialCafe.com reported that the median yearly income for Millennial households in Salt Lake City was approximately $115,000, much higher than other large cities along the Wasatch Front. Yet the reality is that the high cost of housing is keeping more Millennials away from home ownership, marrying and having children.

The average cost of a home in the capital city was somewhere between $559,700 and $572,000, depending on the source, during July. If you make $115,000 and want to put 5% down, you probably can’t afford a home price higher than $345,000 at current mortgage rates. Given that statistic, a Millennial could possibly buy a condo in the city, but not a home without a huge down payment or going in with a partner to buy the average property.

Hint: use “The Rule of Three” to figure out what you could afford by dividing your gross income by three, then divide that number by 12 (months). That gives you an idea as to how much of a monthly payment you may be able to afford. In this case it would be about $3,200 a month. For those who don’t own, the average rent in the city, according to RentCafe.com, is now $1,596.

How do you save for a downpayment? 1. Set a goal for how much money to save; 2. Tighten your budget; 3. Save raises or windfalls; 4. Take a second job; 5. Work with a local lender to make a plan and see if there’s any local first-time buyer assistance programs.

Everyone loves house porn—looking at homes on the web. Suggestion? Use UtahRealEstate.com and nothing else. Why? Because that is the website where all properties for sale by a realtor are loaded—it’s where the data starts.

Other websites will grab the data and manipulate it with their algorithms, which often are wrong when doing calculations of payments and home values.

6. Basic beginning

7. Main squeezes

8. Concert setting

41. “Exit full screen” key

42. “Walk This Way” rap trio

43. It’s light, but not a saber

44. “Happy Birthday” writer

46. One who agrees

48. Subject of a neighborhood flier

51. “Scratch that,” in texts

52. “If you think you can’t remember the prefix for three, just ___”

53. Submitted, as completed homework

55. A head

57. “Despicable Me” supervillain

58. Protective gear

60. Actor Christopher

63. Wise one?

64. Adult Swim fare, for short

65. Beach house feature

66. Jack of nursery rhymes

67. Online administrator

DOWN

1. G.P., e.g.

2. Line leader?

3. 1947 film set in India with Deborah Kerr as a repressed Anglican nun

4. Miley and Noah Cyrus’s manager mother

5. Vintage photo prints

9. Title location for an “Adventure,” per a 1976 interactive text computer game

10. Is familiar with

13. Snakes native to Southeast Asia but considered an invasive species in Florida

14. “Dies ___” (Requiem movement)

15. Bits of roasted cocoa beans

20. Barometric indicator of upcoming rain, maybe

22. Ursine baby

23. Mexican street corn

24. “Falcon Crest” star

Lorenzo

26. UB40’s “One ___”

29. Strand stuff

30. Surname of an early TV marionette

34. Unit of light brightness

36. Having more leeway

37. “SNL” alum Cheri

40. Pot pie veggie

42. Echoes

45. Dollar divs.

47. “You’re killing me, ___” (“The Sandlot” quote)

Last week’s answers

Complete the grid so that each row, column, diagonal and 3x3 square contain all of the numbers 1 to

No math is involved. The grid has numbers, but nothing has to add up to anything else. Solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic.

48. Nelly Korda’s org.

49. Rowing equipment

50. East ___ (U.N. member since 2002)

54. Hendryx of the “Lady Marmalade” trio Labelle 56. Modeling medium

Q-U connector

7’6” NBA star ___ Ming

Party food

NEWS of the WEIRD

BY

Defies Categorization

In Manchester, England, a band called Bionic and the Wires is on the cutting edge of fun-guy (fungi) music, Metro News reported on Sept. 2. Jon Ross and Andy Kidd are producing music by attaching sensors to mushrooms and plants to turn their electrical signals into musical notes. The sensors are attached to bionic arms, which strike the instruments. The different organisms create different beats. “It’s a really good way to connect with (plants and mushrooms) and a really sort of emotional experience,” Ross said.

That’s Not How You Play

In a new twist on Ding Dong Ditch, German authorities have identified the culprit of late-night doorbell rings in Schwabach, Bavaria, United Press International reported on Sept. 9. Police were called to an apartment building where several residents complained of the unexpected doorbells, but they couldn’t see anyone on their front-door cameras. They suspected that kids were pranking them, but authorities discovered that a slug was crawling across a panel and triggering several doorbells in the process. Officers relocated the slug and declined to press charges.

Animal Antics

A baby raccoon that was dubbed Otis Campbell (after the town drunk on “The Andy Griffith Show”) was rescued from certain death by a nurse in Whitesburg, Kentucky, in early September, Lex18-TV reported. Misty Combs works at the Letcher County Health Department, right next door to Kentucky Mist Moonshine. She and her co-workers noticed a raccoon running through the parking lot, then heard commotion in a nearby dumpster. The moonshine company “had put some fermented peaches in their dumpster,” Combs said, “and I guess the baby raccoons had gotten in.” The mother raccoon was frantic, so the RN got busy. One of the babies was rescued with a shovel and ran to its mom, but the other one was face-down in water at the bottom of the container. Combs pulled it out by its tail and started chest compressions, and the animal started breathing again. Fish and wildlife officials transported the drunk baby to a local vet for sobering up, and it was released back to its mother the following day.

Least Competent Criminal

As the Rhapsody of the Seas cruise ship pulled into port in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sept. 7, one passenger chose to disembark in a most unusual way, USA Today reported. Jey Gonzalez-Diaz jumped ship with his backpack, a criminal complaint alleges, which contained $14,600, two phones and five IDs. Two passing jet skis picked him up, and Customs and Border Protection later detained him near the Puerto Rico Capitol. GonzalezDiaz told CBP that he went overboard because “he thought he was going to be taxed duties for bringing in the currency,” but it turned out he also had a $16,710 debt with the cruise line, “almost exclusively associated to casino and gaming expenses,” CBP said. GonzalezDiaz could face a fine of $250,000, a five-year prison sentence or both.

Questionable Judgment

Sean O’Donnell, 46, of Harris County, Texas, was charged with murder in late August, NBC News reported on Sept. 2. When deputies first responded on Aug. 17 at O’Donnell’s home, they found Aaron Pratt, 34, with a gunshot wound to his head. He died from his injuries. Authorities first believed his death was a suicide, but then said “things weren’t adding up.” Allegedly, O’Donnell and Pratt were taking turns shooting each other in the head with a rifle while wearing a Kevlar helmet (and while being under the influence of alcohol). O’Donnell was held on $300,000 bond.

Can’t Possibly Be True

An 80-year-old woman from Sapporo, Japan, is the latest victim of an online “astronaut,” the South China Morning Post reported on Sept. 5. The man met the octogenarian on social media and claimed to be aboard a spaceship orbiting Earth. He went on to convince her that his ship was “under attack” and he was running out of oxygen—which could only be remedied by the transfer of 1 million yen to his bank account so he could buy more. Investigators said her communications with the fake spaceman showed she had developed “romantic feelings” for him.

Recent Alarming Headline

Richard Catrone, 67, a resident of the retirement community Belmont Villas in Long Island, New York, was walking his dog on Sept. 9 when 76-year-old Kathleen Schuman emerged from her apartment and shot Catrone in the face with a flare gun, NBCWashington reported. As seen on home security video, Catrone let go of his dog’s leash and lunged at Schuman: “My next inclination was to get the gun and I knocked it out of her hand ... I wanted to protect my dog,” Catrone said. “She claimed I was the devil, that I tried to murder her.” Neighbors said the two have feuded before over Schuman sitting outside with her cat, which was “always upsetting his dog.” “I just asked her can you keep the cat inside,” Catrone said, “and that started the situation.” Schuman was charged with assault and pleaded not guilty; her attorney said she would temporarily live with a relative.

The Neighbors

“Gorilla-obsessed” Adele Teale, 58, is battling the council of Wakefield, Yorkshire, where she lives over a 4-foot-tall resin gorilla that she installed on a secondstory platform on the front of her house, the Daily Star reported. The “cherished” gorilla, named Caesar, has been deemed “out of character with the surrounding area” and “an obtrusive feature” by the council. “He’s nothing more than a garden ornament,” Teale said. “He is secure up there—he has been screwed and glued in place. I own the house, it’s mine, so surely I can have whatever I want outside to decorate it. Caesar makes me smile—he makes me happy.”

Awesome!

Have no fear, if you live in Greenville, South Carolina— Spider-Man is on the job! The 18-year-old superhero is filling his down time with picking up litter, meeting fans and listening to his police scanner, WYFF4-TV reported on Sept. 10. Lately, though, he’s been particularly busy, recently saving two people who were stuck on a waterfall at Falls Park. “So, I saw one of them almost slip and fall ... and I jumped over some rocks to get over there.

... And then they grabbed my wrist, and I pulled them up,” the man, known as a “friendly downtown SpiderMan,” explained. “My intention is to help the people of Greenville, protect and honestly spread kindness along the way,” he said.

But Why?

All of the king’s horses and all of the king’s men are looking for two men who allegedly nabbed a Humpty Dumpty statue from Ocean Putt Miniature Golf in Cape May, New Jersey, on Sept. 7. NBC4-TV reported that the thieves were captured on surveillance video as they climbed a fence and removed the character before dropping it at a property a few doors away. Police hope the public will help them identify the bad eggs who vandalized the statue.