February 2023 issue of Utah Stories

Worst Utah

Winter Date Ideas

Why Utahns

Unfriended Cupid

Short-Term

Rental Disasters

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Dung

Dung Hoang

Francia Henriquez Benson

Angelika Brewer

Kelli Christine Case

Laurel Dudley

David E. Jensen

Heather L. King

Richard Markosian

Amiee Maxwell

Cathy McKitrick

Morgan Olsen

COVER

Chris Bodily

Go to UtahStories.com to find exclusive online content:

• Find new dining experiences by following Ted Scheffler. In January, Ted visited Food On Film, and wrote about all the movies that make us hungry. He also wrote about two restaurants at Deer Creek; Lakehouse Restaurant & Bar, and Cast & Cut. Check out his weekly recipes and give them a try at home.

• Richard Markosian brought us the Untold Story of Downtown Salt Lake City’s Main Street.

COMING SOON:

• Look for Utah Stories podcasts and online exclusives from Richard Markosian. Coming up this month: shrimp fisherman on the Great Salt Lake, Big Brother in Utah bars, elitism and the outdoors, what would Jesus do with a billion dollars, SLC food hub, homeless recovery through farms, and tai chi.

Visit UtahStories.com for more stories and podcasts by Richard Markosian and restaurant reviews, recipes and events by Ted Scheffler.

Coming soon on our website will be an early release version of the Utah Stories issue Flipbook with additional online content. It will be available for a nominal fee.

BEHIND THE STORIES

Francia Henriquez Benson

Francia Henriquez Benson, is a Latina journalist, writer, blogger, and a film director. She is currently working on her short film, Our Life at the Cottage, which she wrote and directed. She travels around the world and documents her traveling experiences in her blog, Vagabond Brunette. Francia enjoys learning about cultures, people, and history. Last year, she graduated with a Master’s Degree in English and Creative Writing from Weber State University. She is working on her essay collection and delineating her plan to produce her next short film.

Kelli Christine Case

Kelli weaves a wide web of connection, traveling and living among communities in Utah and around the world. She grew up along the Wasatch Front and graduated from the University of Utah. She works as a freelance writer and community gardener. When she’s in Utah, you can often find her working in the garden or tending to the community at the Krishna Food Forest & Farm.

Amiee Maxwell

Amiee splits her time between Salt Lake City and Capitol Reef Country, where she reports on local government for the Wayne and Garfield County Insider, a weekly community newspaper covering 20 rural communities. She’s also a frequent contributor to Atlas Obscura and Lonely Planet. When she’s not writing, she’s out exploring obscure canyons with her hard-working Australian Shepherd, devouring out-ofprint Utah history books, or indulging in absurd amounts of coffee and pastries.

Comments from The Utah Stories Podcast: Homeless

Recovery Through The Earth And Farms

Travis David Johnson

I wish this interview could be heard by every single person in Salt Lake City, but also nationally, and listen to this gentleman explain how a different perspective besides throwing more money and funds could help individuals enjoy responsibility and have a positive impact on their day-to-day lives.

Comments from Facebook: Homeless Population Forces Prominent Business to Leave Downtown Salt Lake City

Laurie Daines

Valley House Inn of Utah

They need to bring back the shelters for the homeless. I understand that each situation is different, but once they started tearing down the shelters, homelessness became more of an issue in Salt Lake.

Laurie Daines

It’s so weird to me! I read an article while living for 15 years in LA (which obviously has an enormous homeless population) that said something to the effect that, “Utah has eradicated homelessness.” I was surprised to move back and see a major difference from that statement!

State of the city

Moving On From Winter

By Richard Markosian

“Put your little hand in mine and there ain’t no mountain we can’t climb … I got you babe! I got you babe!”

“Hello everyone, it’s Groundhog Day! So put on your booties before you step outside, because it’s cold outside!”

Maybe you recognize these lines from a comedy movie classic. Read to the end to find out what it is. If this article looks like a lot of words, I highly recommend cracking open a local Utah beer before reading it.

Does it feel like every day of your life is just like the last? Does February bring you down? It shouldn’t. We are now past the middle of winter and the days are getting longer. This has been an incredible winter season. The mountains are full of deep packed snow. The Salt Flats are full of water. God has answered our prayers! Except

that we still aren’t over our drought. But something great is happening this winter that hasn’t happened for a very long time — we will likely exceed 500 total inches of snowfall in our mountains, and that’s good news for everyone. In this issue, we want to show you how to best enjoy our mountains in the winter, and the splendor and joy of spending time in nature.

In an effort to not simply repeat ourselves (this being our 8th annual February Fun Guide), this year’s guide is quite different from years past. Life is more than just where to go and what to do. There are also some things not to do.

Inside this year’s issue, you will find a list of the worst possible winter dates. I don’t agree with all of them, but maybe for a first date with someone you found on Tinder, or Fishes, or Farmers Only, PHOTO BY

SAUL FLORES/UNSPLASH

it could be fun to see how they react to a cold-water plunge in a bikini or swimsuit. It might even be more revealing than deep, emotional conversation. I say, do it! But we also didn’t forget to include the best things to do and the best places to dine.

NBA All Star Weekend Guests

NBA All-Star guests, we have a note just for you. There is something very special about Salt Lake City, and it isn’t just our restaurants. We have antidepressants in our water supply, making us some of the happiest people on earth! This is unfortunately true, but we’re working on it.

What’s special about Salt Lake City is our amazing locally-owned bars, pubs, breweries, distilleries and restaurants. If you really want to know and experience the best of Utah, visit the folks on our updated listings of the best of local Utah food and drink, found on page 46-47.

State of the City

Last week, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall delivered her annual State of the City address in which she gushed about what her administration is doing to combat climate change. She encouraged Salt Lake City residents to trade in their gasoline lawn mowers for electric ones (at no cost to those who traded their mowers), and 531 total gas mowers were surrendered! That was the highlight of her speech, and perhaps Mendenhall’s biggest “mic drop moment” so far. That’s hard to top. After all, what could surpass that kind of commitment to clean air?

Well, I hate to sound like a know-it-all, but how about reducing the number of homeless people smoking crack on the sidewalks? Walking around downtown this past week, I witnessed brand new,

gorgeous apartments rising, with scores of homeless people lying on the grass watching construction while consuming crack, meth and fentanyl.

Hard-drug addicts on every corner, openly using, openly dealing, openly preying on the homeless who are easily victimized is an abysmal reflection on our city.

The Mayor praised the work her administration has conducted in “building more affordable housing, and spending more on affordable housing this year than all previous years combined.” Really? Los Angeles currently has more affordable housing than Salt Lake City. But I forgot, it’s not “affordable housing” that does the trick any more, it’s “deeply affordable housing” that we need.

The new term is required because apparently $1300 for a studio apartment is now the new “affordable.” Now that our dirty air is clean (thanks to all those dirty lawnmowers being gone), the new trees the city planted can be chopped down and used as firewood by the homeless.

Big changes coming

There are some nice developments happening in our city. The Granary District is becoming a reality. Take a walk around the area called Woodbine Food Hall, where the Mayor spoke. Stoll down and visit INDUSTRY, Slackwater Pizza and Kiitos Brewery. This area is almost unrecognizable. You’ll feel as if you are in a different, more cosmopolitan city. Indeed, these tall work/live/play/eat great food areas are becoming the new norm.

Salt Lake City is growing up fast. Buckle up, because this certainly doesn’t feel like Groundhog Day (the film starring Bill Murray), now that every day is a new adventure!

Gamer’s dilemma

Could Video Games Be Causing Young Adults To Be Immature?

By Francia Henriquez Benson

“After we got married, I realized that video games were his whole life, not just part of it. And there was no room for me,” Cherish McClellan said about her now ex-husband. McClellan recalls him gaming as soon as he returned from work, and gaming for the rest of the night. She gave him and the marriage almost fifteen years.

Even after trying marriage classes, addiction counseling, and therapy, the struggle was constant. Finally, one day, after he skipped Valentine’s for gaming, McClellan gave him an ultimatum: video games or her. Unbelievably, her husband chose video games.

“I couldn’t live like this anymore,” she expressed, “only having a small portion of my husband.” Now, he communicates and interacts with their four children through video games.

In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) included gaming disorders among mental health conditions. WHO defines it as “a pattern of gaming behavior characterized by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over

other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other interests and daily activities.”

Gaming disorder is now considered a mental health condition. It affects people’s finances, sentimental relationships, and social interaction. The video game addiction patterns are financial instability, broken relationships, and social isolation.

Some gamers and their families can agree that video games have some advantages. Autumn Killpack-Havey believes video games are “the new way of storytelling.” She says that some people would choose to get lost in video games. However, she says, “it is a stress release, social activity, or even just an opportunity to express yourself.”

The issue lies in the addiction component of video games and the lack of self-control as well. Miguel Juarez, an Ogden resident, says he never allows video games to interfere with his work life or studies. He is a high school graduate.

Cas Leavitt says she felt neglected in her previous relationship since her partner gamed too many hours and there was no communication. In her current relationship, Leavitt explains, both play together sometimes. It creates a bond, but most importantly, she says, is that she is allowed to express her feelings regarding gaming and the amount of time her partner plays. In both scenarios, self-control is a determinant factor.

Gaming, per se, doesn’t seem to cause issues. However, the lack of self-control and personality play an important role in how much harm gaming can cause a

person. Someone who has her priorities straight will not allow gaming to interfere with her success in life. On the other hand, those who do not have goals and set priorities could prefer to spend their time gaming rather than trying to achieve personal goals.

Losing oneself to video games can cause financial strains. Some people believe the younger generations live in their parent’s basement because they focus on playing and not on trying to thrive. Some gamers disagree. Mykel Adamans says it is a funny stereotype. However, he adds that “we have to look at the parents who enable that kind of behavior” for those who do live up to the stereotype.

LisaReina Delgado thinks there is some truth about people neglecting finances for gaming. Nevertheless, she says gaming and the equipment are expensive, “so gamers know they have to work to provide for their lifestyle.”

For her part, Killpack-Havey blames high rent on her generation for staying with their parents or moving back home.

While, in some cases, there is a connection between video games and adult kids living with their parents instead of moving out, the exorbitant increase in rent has obliged many to do so.

Another reason younger generations seem not to work as hard as the older generation did is because of a change of mentality. Millennials and Generation Z state that they want to live life rather than just work and sleep until they retire. They say video gaming is just a newer hobby.

video games are the new way of storytelling.

Winter wellness in utah

How I Learned to Love Utah Winters

By Kelli Christine Case

Igrew up nestled in the foothills of the Wasatch Front. While I enjoyed the snowy winters of my 90s childhood, the bad inversions and lack of sledding days in my early adulthood caused me to really hate winter here. I traveled a lot the past several years, largely driven by the urge to flee winter.

Utah winters might seem mild compared to the dark, gray, and freezing humidity of places like the northeastern US. Despite this, many Utahns feel depressed during this time of year and experience seasonal affective disorder — perhaps with the exception of those

who frequent the ski hills. However, I’m now pleased to say that I have come to really relish this time of year, and I don’t even ski! How? Certain lifestyle changes have made all the difference.

Foremost, I shifted my attitude to embrace cyclical living and accepted that the winter season is a necessary part of our beautiful Utah ecosystem and climate. I began prioritizing rest during this season and generally following a slower pace of life. In my diet, I prioritize nourishing and warming homemade meals like soups and stews with root vegetables and winter squash,

saving smoothies full of tropical fruits for the warmer months.

I make sure to view the sunrise as many mornings as possible, which is easier this time of year when it’s after 7am. I also make sure to step away from my work desk so I’m outside the last hour of the day, even when that’s around 3:30pm in December. I make sure to spend at least an hour outside everyday. When it’s snowing, I bundle up in layers that keep me warm and dry. I avoid bright overhead lights after sunset, opting for candles and soft lamps instead. And lastly, I do both cold plunges and heat therapy every couple of weeks.

It turns out, these are key practices for optimal circadian health, which is vital for thriving during the winter. Circadian health refers to how the body registers the cycles of the day as well as the cycles of the year, and how that impacts our health and wellbeing. Along my journey, I’ve come across some other Utahns who thrive at this time of year and are offering their services to the community.

Local Coaches to Support Winter Wellness

Shelley Mehr is the first certified Wim Hof instructor in Utah. She offers individual and group experiences facilitating ice baths, breathwork, and sound healing using crystal bowls. As a level two instructor, she educates about the science and theory behind cold exposure and breathing practices.

Rachel the Stoke Coach is an outdoor fitness coach offering a winter conditioning program designed for aspiring winter sports enthusiasts who want to enhance their strength, endur-

ance, and mobility before safely hitting the mountains.

Wild Women Tribe is led by Renee Huang, offering transformational outdoor experiences and wilderness workshops for women. Join her community for a morning hike, snowshoeing, or a group ice bath.

Quantum Visionaries is led by Burnell Washburn, a collective of creative community leaders around Utah offering services like darkness retreats, cold river plunges, breathwork, sound healing, and coaching to help you thrive in the dark and cold.

Hot & Cold Exposure Services

Verve Haus is a sauna and cold plunge studio in Farmington offering contrast therapy, so visitors can quickly alternate between cold and heat exposure.

Plunj is a Nordic-style sauna and cold plunge bath house in Provo, with plunge pools set to varying degrees of cold and a space to rest between visiting the sauna.

Plenty of spas and tanning salons offer red light therapy, which is a way to support circadian wellness when you’re exposed to red light in the morning (plus it’s nice and warm!).

And finally, if you’re looking for something free of charge, you might consider starting your own local community group to support your intention to be outside for sunrise and sunset, to go on winter hikes together, and to maybe even find private saunas available for use in your area. And of course, Utah has many rivers and hot springs providing “hot and cold therapy” for free. All you have to do is get out and visit them.

Five terrible winter date ideas

By Amiee Maxwell

The dark days of winter can be an especially challenging time when it comes to dating. The endless cold and snow this winter is making it darn near difficult to even want to leave the house, let alone come up with an exciting and creative date night idea. That’s why we’ve done some of the work for you … well … at least in coming up with a few date ideas you may want to avoid this winter season.

Plunging into a Mountain Stream

Despite being the latest rage, suggesting a soak in Mill Creek mid-winter may scare off a potential partner. Sure, diving into cold water together could be a wonderful bonding experience and there’s a good chance you’d need to snuggle closely after for warmth, but what if you wimp out and your date doesn’t — things could get awkward. Instead, opt for a winter hike to Fifth Water Hot Springs, or perhaps attend a Wim Hof Method breathing class together, and then try a cold water immersion once you’re both ready.

Sweating Profusely in Hot Yoga

Studies have shown that couples who sweat together stay together. Exercise brings about the same feelings as romantic attraction like a racing pulse, shortness of breath, and sweaty palms, and this phenomenon is so strong that people can easily mistake exerciseinduced feelings for attraction. Although hot yoga may sound like a great idea on a cold evening, it’s probably taking this idea a bit too far. Instead, opt for a more mellow restorative class or a partners workshop that is sure to have the same effect but without as much sweat.

Indulging in Garlicky Goodness

Suggesting a burger and beer afterward

at a casual joint like Lucky 13 isn’t a terrible winter date idea, but going with their garlic and rosemary burger probably isn’t the best plan unless you’re hoping the date ends shortly after dinner. Some dating etiquette experts say that avoiding garlic on a first date is outdated advice, but they obviously haven’t had one of Lucky 13’s Breath Enhancers. If you absolutely must, go all in and get the garlic fries as well and share with your date so you both end up smelling equally pungent.

Suggesting Something as Cliche as Hot Chocolate

Nothing says I put very little effort into planning this date more than suggesting going out for a cup of hot chocolate. But if you’re on a budget and can’t seem to see past it, pick up a few gourmet cocoa bombs, pack a thermos of hot milk, and head to a park or trail. Better yet, attend one of Caputo’s chocolate tasting classes, or, if you’re in Utah County, book a tasting experience at Taste Artisan Chocolate.

Attempting Any Outdoor Activity in Big or Little Cottonwood Canyons

I once agreed to a blind ski date at Snowbird, which wasn’t too bad until they closed the road for some avalanche work mid-afternoon and didn’t open it again until late that evening. Considering all conversation was exhausted by noon, it made for a very long and uncomfortable day. Given the Cottonwood Canyons’ high traffic congestion and potential for road closures, you probably want to avoid those areas altogether and opt for something with a better escape plan, such as checking out the newish Three Creeks Confluences Park, or taking one of the shipwreck tours offered by Great Salt Lake State Park.

Why do utahns hate valentine’s day?

By Morgan Olsen

“How’s your love life?” It’s a question we ask jokingly, but for people who are single by chance, divorced, widowed, or who were betrayed by a partner, it’s a vexing question that can’t be answered by a gushy card or a heart-shaped box of chocolates they may or may not have gotten. It can be a cruel reminder that they are alone, possibly just because Cupid’s arrow never found them.

Valentine’s Day is a holiday that is equally loved and despised by many Utahns. Terms like ‘Singles’ Awareness Day’ and ‘Galentine’s Day’ have shifted the idea of Valentine’s Day from being a holiday that celebrates romantic love to a holiday that gives reason to celebrate all types of relationships — particularly friendships, self-love, and family relationships. However, despite the positive connotations, many Utahns can’t get behind the idea of Valentine’s Day. Here are five reasons why:

Valentine’s Day is too commercialized

The results of a 2022 study performed by Vivint showed that 76 percent of American men and 68 percent of American women plan to give gifts to their significant other each year for Valentine’s Day. Some feel that this idea of buying gifts for their significant other simply because it’s Valentine’s Day encourages a commercialization of love and relationships.

“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve seen how the commercialization of Valentine’s Day has gotten in the way of relationships,” said Utah resident Isa Smith. “I think it should be more about spending time with that person rather than buying things for them.”

The obligatory nature of Valentine’s

Day has left some Utahns feeling like their love for their significant other doesn’t mean as much if it’s not validated by their partner with a monetary gift.

“Societal standards have created this mindset that if you don’t give a Valentine’s Day gift to your partner, you don’t love them enough,” said Utah resident Annie Pickard. “Then you have to find the right gift that is equal to the relationship. It creates a lot of pressure.”

Valentine’s Day is pointless

Some would argue that Valentine’s Day is a “pointless holiday” because love between partners should be expressed throughout the year, not just on one specific day.

“The whole concept [of Valentine’s Day] is that for one day we go all out for the one we love and show them how much we love them,” said Pickard. “But that’s what we should be doing for the ones we love in the first place. It becomes an obligation and a ‘one time thing’ instead of something we strive to do every day.”

Many Utahns feel that, in showing love for their significant other each day, there shouldn’t be a need for one specific day each year dedicated to showing love.

“I just think that you should love someone the same every day instead of a love overload on only one,” said Smith.

Valentine’s Day is too cliche

Another common critique of Valentine’s Day is that its traditions are too cliche and don’t promote meaningful ideas or practices in a relationship.

“I personally hate Valentine’s Day because I don’t think it promotes anything meaningful,” said Utah resident Katherine Pinheiro. “I also think most of the gifts, candy and flowers geared toward the holiday are tacky.”

Valentine’s Day puts too much pressure on relationships

When one specific day each year is devoted to showing how much an individual loves their significant other, pressure to do so perfectly can be a significant roadblock in a relationship.

“Valentine’s Day can be full of pressure on both ends of any relationship,” said Pinheiro. “Always asking questions like, ‘Did you get the right flowers? Is the restaurant the best? How early is too early to celebrate or get a gift?’ can create stress. If you want to do these nice romantic things, why should it all have to be squished into one night?”

The pressure of posting Valentine’s Day celebrations on social media is also something that adds to the pressure many couples feel on this day of love.

“We live in a world run by social media, which isn’t always a bad thing, but it does create a sense of competition,” said Pinheiro. “Everyone just wants to get the biggest bouquet and go to the best restaurant so they can post about it. It doesn’t seem genuine anymore.”

Valentine’s Day reminds single people that they aren’t in a relationship

For those who aren’t in a relationship when February 14th rolls around, Valentine’s Day can serve as a reminder of one’s single status.

“Being single on Valentine’s Day can be super hard,” said Pickard. “It was especially hard for me as a teenager and college student. I got to see everyone around me

give gifts, show affection, and do overthe-top things for friends or relationships while I was there alone.”

“People tend to think Valentine’s Day is only for romantic partners,” said Utah resident Mahlia Aznar. “But I think it can — and should — be for all sorts of relationships. It’s a good holiday to be able to strengthen all relationships and it can be a great opportunity for people to have experiences that bring them together.”

“I loved Valentine’s Day as a little kid,” said Pinheiro. “We would have parties in school and it didn’t focus on romantic that I’m older, I would change the idea that the point of Valentine’s Day is to celebrate a romantic interest or partner. I would probably enjoy the holiday more if it wasn’t so full of pressure and high expectations.”

Statistically, there is an corresponding rise in depression and suicide rates around Valentine’s Day. According to psychologists, this is not surprising considering that relationships, or a lack of them, are some of the biggest stressors in our lives. People who contemplate suicide may feel unloved or unworthy of love, or unworthy to love those they’re with. According to one doctor, “A day of love only brings awareness to those who are lonely.”

“People can take the holiday how they want to,” said Aznar. “You can find the bad in anything if you want to, but it can definitely strengthen relationships as well. It’s important to tell your partner and friends how much you love them and how important they are to you. I really think that’s what Valentine’s Day is all about.”

CardS, candy, & flower day

Love Is In The Air

By Cathy McKitrick

Valentine’s Day, widely celebrated around the globe with flowers, sweetheart messages and chocolate, has a bit of a checkered past. In ancient Rome, agricultural communities gathered for Lupercalia in mid-February, a festival that later fell out of favor with early Christians and Popes.

Dr. Eliza Rosenberg, who lectures on biblical history at Utah State University, described it this way: “Lupercalia was about fertility, both in terms of human fertility and fertility of crops,” Rosenberg said. “And it was kind of a naughty festival that could get a little sexy.”

The day got its current name from a liturgical feast in memory of the beheading of a third-century Christian martyr — not much romance to be found there.

In the 1300s, the day became associated with the first bird activity signaling winter

had begun to fade away. The English poet Geoffrey Chaucer memorialized this event in his lengthy Parliament of the Birds.

“Among the common folk there was this idea, especially in Britain, that February 14 or 15 was a day the birds chose their mates for the year,” Rosenberg said, acknowledging that it likely wasn’t true, but made for a nice legend.

However, Rosenberg said that today’s concept of a romantic Valentine’s Day gained currency among average folk due largely to one thing: “The invention of wood pulp paper.”

While Johannes Gutenberg is credited with inventing the printing press in 1436, the 1840 discovery of the manufacture of wood pulp made printed products much more affordable.

“That meant you could mass print these

PHOTO BY DEBBY HUDSON/UNSPLASH

fun little cards,” Rosenberg said, “and your average person could often afford them.”

Almost two centuries later, cards and chocolates continue to play a big part in marking the day, traditions that have held steady for well over a century. And for those with more expendable income, jewelry, flowers, dinner and dancing also rounded out the celebration.

The Salt Lake Tribune’s February 15, 1923 society page featured news of a Valentine’s Day dance for more than 200 guests — hosted by Mr. and Mrs. D.C. Turner at the Newhouse Hotel.

That same year, florists vied for customers with newspaper ads. The Miller Floral Co. touted its artistic arrangements and prompt deliveries, while Huddart Floral Co. suggested that bright and fragrant spring flowers were the best way to express the “charming spirit” of the day.

Huddart also offered out-of-town telegraph service, a feature that became obsolete as faster forms of communication evolved.

But the Great Depression of 1929 hit the U.S. hard, spanning the next decade. So store-bought flowers became frills that few could afford.

But inexpensive homemade messages still provided a way to convey love. In February 1930, The Salt Lake Tribune published instructions on how to make a nifty Valentine’s Day calendar.

And there is also anecdotal evidence that schoolchildren exchanged notes and sweets in the 1930s. Born in 1923, my mother-in-law Renate’ McKitrick fondly remembered the thrill of cards filling her homemade Valentine’s box at Nora

Elementary School near Indianapolis, IN. She also reminisced about the boy who gave her a substantial box of chocolates.

“The Depression’s effect, in general, followed the broad pattern that on the one hand people were broke, but on the other hand things like cards and a little bit of chocolate were pretty cheap,” Rosenberg said. “People could write a pretty verse on a scrap of paper, or find some flowers.”

By 1939, World War II began, finally concluding in May 1945.

West Jordan resident Sherri Park shared a Victory Mail Valentine that her father Al — stationed in the Philippines — sent to her mother Rachel in 1944, saying he pined for his Valentine.

Park acknowledged that her parents later divorced after 40 years, and “it wasn’t a great romance.” But in early 1944, the very thought of getting home to his wife helped bolster the lonely soldier’s morale.

As a special education teacher in Sandy during the late 1980s and 1990s, Park remembers the school Valentine exchange being a big deal.

“Each child had a box and they all got valentines,” Park said, adding that candy might be included as well.

For whatever reason, Valentine’s Day continues to gain popularity, providing almost everybody with a much needed boost.

“In the last few generations, Valentine’s Day has gone global,” USU’s Rosenberg said. “It’s about romance and having fun — and an excuse to eat chocolate. Everybody loves it.”

VALENTINE’S DAY AS WE KNOW IT GREW IN POPULARITY AMONG AVERAGE FOLKS DUE TO THE INVENTION OF WOOD PULP PAPER FOR CARDS.

Casual valentine’s day dining

Five Restaurants You’ll Love

By Heather L. King

Other than Valentine’s Day, no other holiday comes with so much pressure for those in romantic relationships. February 14 is a day of hearts, flowers, chocolates and fancy dinners. It’s a lot of unnecessary stress for everyone involved, and often doesn’t live up to the hype.

Prix-fixe menus with triple-digit

price tags and pre-paid reservations are commonplace, and virtually every restaurant will be offering a nod to the day of amore to attract lovers to fill their seats. But if you’re looking for something less wallet-busting but still deliciously memorable, take a look at these five dining destinations you’re sure to love:

Avenues Proper

If local beer makes your heart skip a beat, then head straight to 8th Avenue for a proper pour and a proper meal at the original Proper location. A standout on the menu, the beef stroganoff is the finest representation of what this dish should be — beef tips braised in Proper beer, Intermountain Gourmet mushrooms, housemade fettuccine noodles with a dollop of crème fraiche and charred green onions.

For something a bit more adventurous, try the bibimbap, a colorful dish offering kimchi, cabbage and sesame rice topped with two poached eggs and optional protein like luscious pork

holds its own on the food front. Sharing a kitchen with Salt Lake Pizza & Pasta means you can certainly split a loaded Fiddler’s combo pizza with your basketball buddies as easily as indulging in dinner in a comfy booth.

Share some wings or nachos or get a little fancier with the baked spinach artichoke dip filled with plenty of tangy artichoke hearts and served with warm pita slices. Check the special board for the daily features or order up the hearty Italian sausage pappardelle pasta filled with portobello and shiitake mushrooms.

Alongside the 32 beers on tap, check out the winter cocktail specials like the spiced apple Sapphire combining Bombay Sapphire gin, apple cider and ginger beer with a sugar and cinnamon rim.

1063 E. 2100 S. #2349, Salt Lake City, 801-463-9393

fiddlerselbowslc.com

Tuk Tuk’s

belly. Plenty of creative salads, sandwiches and starters are also available for lighter fare. Pair it all with year-round or seasonal Proper beers.

376 8th Ave. Salt Lake City, 385-227-8628

www.avenuesproper.com

Fiddler’s Elbow

Perhaps best known to locals as a SugarHouse sports bar, Fiddler’s Elbow

Serving up some of the best Thai food along the Wasatch Front, Tuk Tuk’s is the perfect option for takeout at home with your favorite rom com on the TV. Have no fear, there’s plenty of heat happening in this kitchen as the spicy heat levels of the food are the real deal (choose from 0 to 5).

Start with the most delicious version of tom ka soup in the valley — a coconut milk base with fresh mushrooms and Thai herbs plus a choice of protein. Then try something new: nam khao, a Latoian salad appetizer that most closely resembles lettuce wraps filled with crispy rice and sour pork.

One of the restaurant’s most photo-

PHOTOS COURTESY OF AVENUES PROPER

Avenues Proper Beef Stroganoff.

graphed dishes is the pineapple fried rice seasoned with massaman curry that balances the sweetness of the pineapple and raisins perfectly. With the addition of plump shrimp, this makes a stunning (if dining in) and filling entrée.

2222 W. 3500 S., B7, West Valley City, 385-227-8347

http://tuktuks.co/

Vertical Diner

For vegetable lovers, Vertical Diner serves up masterpieces of the plantbased persuasion. And if breakfast food is your love language, then Vertical will speak to you with all-day sweet and savory breakfast options like French toast topped with berries and coconut whipped cream, or the Bombtastic Biscuit plate piled with a biscuit and gravy, hash browns and tofu scramble.

Vertical sources local produce whenever possible and pledges to use 30% organic ingredients so that items like the tempeh Thai salad with avocado, house kimchi and a delicious Thai dressing are both environmentally and physically good for you and the community. Pair your meal with a selection of local beers and cider or a cocktail.

234 W. 900 S., Salt Lake City, 801-484-8378

verticaldiner.com

Brick’s Corner

Brick’s Corner is dishing up Detroit-style steel pan pizza with plenty of bubbly, crunchy edges that everyone will love. The pizza crust makes Brick’s Sicilian-style pan pizza unique—with a double-proofed, 24-hour aging process for a light, fluffy and crispy crust that’s

unforgettable.

Build a custom Detroit-style pizza or enjoy the granite stone oven creations as suggested. Try the Randazzo, a tribute to a pioneer of Detroit pizza, with a tangy slather of red sauce and double layers of pepperoni. Add black olives and roasted garlic for extra pizzazz. Brick’s has also crafted some shareable appetizers and salads sure to please any Valentine. Rosemary fried pickles and mushrooms are dipped and fried in Brick’s Czech Pilsner beer batter then tossed in parmesan and rosemary. To pair with your pizza, add the Brick wedge salad topped with hard-boiled egg and Applewood bacon dressed with creamy bleu cheese.

1465 S. 700 E., Salt Lake City, 801-953-0636

brickscornerslc.com

Craft Cocktails at Avenues Proper.

Small business problems

Local Businesses Still Recovering From COVID

By Angelika Brewer

2022 was a difficult year for small and local business owners. While still recovering from the trials that came with a global pandemic, many businesses were faced with significant economic pressures and staffing issues in 2022.

Many Utah cities were undergoing new infrastructure and building plans. The cost of supplies, shipping and rent increased drastically. Supply chain difficulties became widespread and difficult to operate

with. All the while, businesses were doing their best to keep up, while still trying to rebuild.

At the end of 2022, Big O Doughnuts, a community favorite doughnut shop in Salt Lake City since 2015, announced they would be closing in January of 2023. Ally Curzon, founder and manager at Big O Doughnuts, says “Prices have skyrocketed, in 2022 in particular. We have a handmade, labor-intensive product with a

PHOTO BY STEVEN VARGO

Michael Feldman, owner of Feldman’s Deli.

one-day shelf life.”

The issue is not exclusive to Big O Doughnuts, however. While some reports show inflation began cooling down in December of 2022, it exceeded 7.5% prior to December, according to Forbes. High inflation rates impact everyone involved in small business, from the owners’ abilities to purchase supplies and pay employees, to the employees’ needs for higher wages to keep up with the cost of living.

Feldman’s Deli, which opened in 2012, felt the ripple of the economic wave, according to owner Michael Feldman. He says that 2022 was “better than 2020 and 2021, as we started coming out of the big challenges of COVID — staffing, inflation, customer habits changing, [and] government restrictions.” Nonetheless, Feldman says that supply chain difficulties and prices of products were a new beast to tackle.

“Inflation on all of our supplies and shipping was the worst we’ve ever dealt with — meat, poultry, eggs, wheat products and produce all increased a lot. Shipping from New York doubled.” This, tied up with record-breaking fuel costs, made the delivery of goods an issue all over the country.

Feldman calls 2022 a “rebound year.” Adjusting to new challenges, restrictions and customer habits is something small and local businesses have gotten pretty good at over the last three years.

“Customers pulled back in early 2020, but our takeout business took off. More folks wanted to eat outside,” he explains.

With more consumers shopping online, and predictions that the preference of takeout will continue to be the norm,

companies with in-store and sit-down models are likely to have to continue operating in new ways in order to keep up with shopping trends.

Still, keeping up with the new ways of the world is much more difficult without a workforce to do it. “Shipping and construction industries picked off many of our kitchen staff,” says Feldman. “In 2022 we finally got back to full staff.”

Numbers of people quitting jobs, unfilled job openings and people classified as “job-seekers” reached a peak in 2022. The Great Resignation, named by Professor Anthony Klotz, was widespread. This inspired many businesses to focus on employee retention strategies, raised pay and new hiring models.

Inflation makes it more difficult for employers to raise employee pay and simultaneously makes employees more in-need of a pay raise. This catch can be difficult to navigate, but as with other 2022 difficulties, more businesses than ever have come up with creative plans to continue operations successfully.

“We had to eventually raise pricing, but our volume returned and most customers understood,” Feldman says.

With many factors at play, 2022 was a difficult year, but there is hope for improvement in 2023. As some things will return to their pre-pandemic state, others will be changed forever, but public support plays a big role in small businesses success.

Curzon gives a closing message to the public: “Support small, local businesses. They are all struggling and need the public’s support to continue.”

inflation on all of our supplies and shipping was the worst we’ve ever dealt with.

SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS

Noisy Neighbors Cause Community Chaos

By Laurel Dudley

OGDEN VALLEY, Utah—To Eva Dennis, there’s a good side to short-term vacation rentals and a bad side.

During a recent trip to Europe, Dennis used AirBnb to find places to stay — an old French farmhouse, a Tuscan villa, a small castle surrounded by a moat.

“You get these opportunities to stay in some pretty cool spots,” she said. “We’re a family of seven, so hotel rooms are not ideal.”

Dennis is also an AirBnb host. She uses the platform to advertise a condo she owns on 25th Street in Ogden, where short-term rentals — stays less than 30 days — are allowed by law.

Her AirBnb guests pay more per night than would long-term renters. They typically stay less than a week, which means Dennis can schedule more frequent cleanings and keep a better eye on wear and tear.

For the past two years, however, Dennis has experienced the flipside of short-term rentals. She lives 15 miles from her condo, in an area of Eden where rentals of less than 30 days aren’t allowed. Still, she says, a house nearby operates like a hotel, sleeping 25 people, according to the AirBnb listing.

“It’s a constant family reunion the whole summer,” Dennis said. People play games and make noise late into the night. Bright lights are left on and stream into her bedroom. Cars come and go in what’s usually a quiet neighborhood. When guests leave, garbage sometimes overflows from trash bins.

The property owner, who resides in Kaysville and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said he rarely receives

complaints. When he bought the home just over two years ago, he introduced himself to the neighbors and gave them his phone number.

“We really do want to keep our neighbors happy,” he said. “That’s our No. 1.”

After one noise complaint, he kicked the guests out and installed a noise meter. In the winter, he said, he pays to plow the area by the community mailboxes even though he doesn’t have to.

Dennis remains unsatisfied. “We would never choose to live by a short-term rental,” she said.

“The frustrating part is when we do complain about it [to the county], nothing happens. There’s no enforcement.” That’s about to change.

In January, the Weber County commission unanimously approved new regulations for shortterm rentals. The ordinance, which applies to the county’s unincorporated areas, details stricter rules for owners and renters and levies larger fines against violators. It also aims to halt short-term rentals occurring in zones where they aren’t allowed.

“I want to create a hammer to make sure people stay compliant,” Commissioner Jim Harvey said during the Jan. 10 meeting. “We don’t want bad actors.”

Lee Schussman, an Eden resident, has followed the issue closely for the past two years and advocated for better, more effective oversight.

“The new ordinance is, I think, a reasonable plan to address a really difficult problem,” he said.

But Mike Ulrich isn’t happy. The Salt Lake County man bought a home in Eden last year for getaways for his large

it’s a constant family reunion the whole summer.

family. He rented it to short-term guests on occasion, even though zoning didn’t allow it.

Since it’s his second home, he pays a property tax rate 45 percentage points more than primary home owners. The majority of that goes to Weber County schools, which his kids don’t attend.

“And now I can’t even generate an income to pay my mortgage,” he said. “How is that fair?” Ulrich has since found a long-term renter, but he says the rent doesn’t cover his mortgage.

With a full-time job and four kids, Ulrich said, he doesn’t have time to go to the county or community meetings. He said his older neighbors often do.

“The people that don’t have time to go to all these meetings, we’re getting ruled by this retired class of people.”

Short-term rentals have caused so much debate that state lawmakers are also drafting a short-term rental bill, led by Rep. Calvin Musselman, a Weber County republican. If passed, he said, it will require owners to obtain a sales tax license and clarify what evidence cannot

be used to fine violators, among other items.

Whatever state legislators decide, counties will have to comply. This makes Eden resident Jan Fulmer worried. In two months, she collected over 450 signatures on a petition urging county commissioners to regulate short-term rentals.

By her count, Ogden Valley now has just over 1,000 legally zoned short-term rentals, amounting to nearly 25 percent of all dwellings. Area developers continue to request zoning changes that would allow for more which means the potential for 900 more legal short-term rentals.

Not all of Ogden Valley’s short-term rentals are actively rented, but Fulmer said they still threaten the community.

She points to famous ski towns throughout the West where locals can no longer afford to live. She also notes that Utah’s No. 1 city for short-term rentals is Park City. Last November, officials there announced a potential pilot program that pays homeowners not to rent their properties short-term.

big profits in “vintage” shoes

Even Ugly, Used Shoes Can Fetch Top Dollar For Sneakerheads

By David E. Jensen

“You have brains in your head; you have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.” —Dr.

Seuss

Keaton Larson is a sneakerhead. Like others his age, the 16-year-old high school sophomore sees shoes as a social statement — the more expensive their shoes, the more elevated their social status — and due to a trend in second-hand fashion, those shoes don’t have to be new — or good-looking.

There is a global market that connects

sellers of trendy used shoes to buyers who want name brand athletic footwear at any price. It’s a win/win for both parties.

Larson doesn’t have a website — not yet anyway. Right now, most of his customers are friends at school and on social media. His first transaction was a pair of Jordan’s that he bought for $70.

“I didn’t even think about selling them until about a year later,” he recalls. I bought another pair because I got tired of the first pair and I wanted a change. When I got the second pair, I sold the first pair for the

PHOTO BY DUNG HOANG

same amount I paid for them, even though the condition was way worse.”

That’s when the lightbulb came on, and now, Larson walks the walk. He once paid $120 for a pair of shoes, traded them for another pair, and resold those for $900. Not bad for a part-time hobby.

“Most people buy shoes as a status symbol,” says Larson, “but I personally see them as an investment — and I like to look good. But most sneakerheads are in it for the money.”

When did used shoes become a status symbol, and why are teens and others so eager to buy them?

While many people might balk at the thought of wearing someone else’s shoes, there are bargains to be had, and those “used” kicks that are calling your name may have only been worn a few times.

Some brands and styles of must-have shoes are purchased by retailers like The Doused Shop in Salt Lake, directly from manufacturers in a limited quantity. They are quickly snatched up and resold by entrepreneurs like Larson for double or triple the original price to buyers who weren’t lucky enough to grab them at retail.

Shoes and other clothing items have high retail markups that don’t reflect their real value, and they depreciate significantly after a single wear. This is known as VNDS (very near deadstock), meaning that a $2000 pair of new Michael Jordan’s may lose $1200 in value after very little use. But there are folks out there who will still pay $2000 if it’s the only pair they can find.

This is the kind of deal that sneakerheads like Larson are looking for, whether for their own use or for resale. Larson can buy a pair of limited edition shoes, wear them for a while, then resell them and still make a profit.

I don’t buy from retail stores,” he says,

“because they charge too much.”

Larson buys his shoes online, which carries its own set of risks. He recently bought an expensive pair of shoes from an online vendor that turned out to be counterfeit.

Because he has very little inventory and almost no overhead, Larson can sell a semi-rare pair of shoes for a lot less than the online stores, and he only buys shoes in his size. That way, if he can’t resell them right away, he can wear them himself until the right buyer comes along.

Surprisingly, the biggest demographic is not just high school and college populations. People from all vocations and age groups are into the high-priced sneaker trend, even though, according to one curious customer named Ashley, “Most of these shoes are not what you would call fashionable-looking, and some of them are downright hideous. I accidentally walked into one of their [retail] events. I have never seen a group of people dressed worse than they were. I could only think that they paid lots of money to dress so badly. It got me wondering about this new trend in designer running shoes, and I can’t believe that anyone would pay so much money for something so ugly. It does not make sense to me.”

Nevertheless, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and one person’s ugly shoes are another person’s prized possession.

If you find the sneakers of your dreams at a reasonable price, good for you! But if you don’t want to pay good money for ugly shoes from your friendly neighborhood sneakerhead, just run the other way!

most people buy shoes as a status symbol.

faith-crisis lighthouse closes doors

After 60 Years of Ministry Providing Books to Ex-Mormons, Lighthouse Ministry Will Close

By Morgan Olsen

After more than 60 years serving the ex-Mormon community, the Utah Lighthouse Ministry bookstore will close its doors for good at the end of February. Sandra Tanner and her late husband Jerald Tanner have been the sole owners of the Utah Lighthouse Ministry bookstore since they started the organization in the 1960’s as a

newly-married couple.

“The Tanners are authors of more than forty books on the subject of Mormonism. They are well-known for their extensive research into Mormon history and doctrine. Utah Lighthouse Ministry provides these books and research, as well as photocopies and reprints of original Mormon docu-

PHOTOS BY JOHN TAYLOR

Sandra Tanner prepares to close down Utah Lighthouse Ministry after 60 years.

ments to the public,” according to the Ministry.

“It all started with my husband and I as newlyweds,” Sandra Tanner said. “We had questions about early Mormon history. We got researching the early history of Mormonism and Utah, and spent lots of time in the libraries to find and research these documents. Over time, we found that if we had a publishing business, we could make photo reprints of these early Mormon historical documents relating to the rise of Mormonism that anyone researching Mormonism would be interested in … We started the company and called it Modern Microfilm Co.,” said Tanner. “The goal was to supply photo reprints and documents at a very inexpensive price. That grew into a little bookstore in our front room in the parlor of our old Victorian house here on West Temple. The parlor became a little bookstore.”

Although the company was successful, it became hard to solely live on the profits of the bookstore. After 20 years, the Tanners turned the Modern Microfilm Co. into a non-profit organization and the Utah Lighthouse Ministry was born.

“In the 1990’s, we were getting more activity in the bookstore and decided we needed to expand,” said Tanner. “We bought a little house next door to our Victorian house and remodeled it into the bookstore. We moved the store there in 1995 and it’s been there ever since. It will remain there until we close our doors on February 28.”

The Tanners both grew up members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but through their own faith journeys, found it troubling that

the Church didn’t publish much of its history in a way that was easily accessible to the general public.

“Our goal in starting the Utah Lighthouse Ministry was to provide information about the Mormon Church that the Church wasn’t providing themselves,” said Tanner. “We thought the Church had too tight of control on who could see which documents. By providing these publications to the public, we wanted to open the bottleneck of people being able to have access to important information.”

The Utah Lighthouse Ministry bookstore is full of books the Tanners themselves have written, history they have compiled, and books written by other religious scholars that present a variety of opinions surrounding Mormon history.

“‘Mormonism: Shadow or Reality’ is a major book we wrote and sold in the bookstore,” said Tanner. “It’s a 600-page research book on all sorts of things that have been changed throughout the years in Mormonism.”

“Through it all, our point has been that members of the Church deserve to know both sides of the story,” said Tanner. “We felt that people couldn’t make informed decisions without all the information. That has been our motivation through the years. People had a right to know what both sides of the issue were in deciding if the Mormon church is what it claims to be.”

Despite the pushback from the church, the Utah Lighthouse Ministry bookstore has been beneficial for many going through a faith crisis or searching for their own answers regarding Mormon history.

“It’s been a real joy to see people

come through their faith crisis and end up with a positive view of God and Christianity. We’ve seen people who come from generations of Mormonism have a major life switch with a faith crisis ... They find their own integrity in following what they felt to be true, and that’s beautiful.”

Although Tanner is retiring and closing the physical location of the bookstore, she will continue to run the online portion of the Utah Lighthouse Ministry.

“I didn’t see how the bookstore could succeed if I stepped away from it,” she said. “Part of the success was having an ex-Mormon sit behind the desk that could relate to the struggle that people were going through.”

Tanner is excited for her future and will always value the lessons she learned through her time running the Utah Lighthouse Ministry bookstore.

“When I got married, I assumed I was going to be this simple little housewife, have three kids, and do the Mormon thing, and then life went a different direction,” said Tanner. “I ended up with a fulltime job running a bookstore and a ministry and it’s certainly taught me a lot. I’ve learned compassion and patience and concern through listening to everybody’s stories of their struggles. It’s helped me grow a lot and my ability to be welcoming to people of all different points of view has increased, even if I don’t agree with them. It has helped me a lot in learning respect and honoring people for their own journey and their search for truth.”

The Utah Lighthouse Ministry bookstore is located at 1358 South West Temple in Salt Lake City, and is open to the public through the end of February.

February Activities

February 9

Local & Live at Fort Desolation, 916 S main Street. This annual fundraising event for local music artists will support Morgan Snow of Triggers & Slips. The proceeds will go to help with expenses for Morgan’s son’s chemotherapy expenses. Live music, food & drink, cash bar and more for a $25 admission fee.

February 10-12

Acorns Antique & Vintage Show. Held at the Weber County Fairgrounds, Golden Spike Events Center, 1000 N 1200 W, Ogden, on February 10 from 5-9pm, February 11 from 9am to 5pm, February 12 from 10am to 4pm. Find antiques, collectibles, farmhouse decor, glassware, jewelry, and more. Admission is from $7 to $10.

February 11

Cupid’s Chase 5K. This national race series was founded in 1989. Volunteers raise funds and awareness to support housing and employment for people with disabilities. The Salt Lake race is held in Sugar House Park and all funds go to local

support. Check-in starts at 8am and the race will start at 10am. This is a pet-friendly event. Register in advance at raceplace.com

February 11

Valentine’s Dance at Salt Lake County Viridian Event Center. This free event at Viridian Event Center, 8030 S 1825 W is for adults to enjoy a night out with live swing music, dance instruction hour, photos, mocktails and more. Tickets are required. Register at eventibrite.com

February 11 & 14

Valentine’s Dinner Dance at Thanksgiving Point, 3003 N Thanksgiving Way, Lehi. The event will include a three-course dinner, music, dancing, and more from 6 to 9pm. Register at thanksgivingpoint.org

February 17-19

Valentine’s Dinner Dance at Thanksgiving Point, 3003 N Thanksgiving Way, Lehi. The event will include a three-course dinner, music, dancing, and more from 6 to 9pm. Register at thanksgivingpoint.org

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