Skip to main content
All Posts By

Christie Porter

Christie Porter has worked as a journalist for nearly a decade, writing about everything under the sun, but she really loves writing about nerdy things and the weird stuff. She recently published her first comic book short this year.

Nov 29
Love0
GroupShredArchive

Experience Alta’s History Through Generations of New Skiers

By Adventures, Outdoors

Little Cottonwood Canyon cuts a steep, serpentine fissure through the Wasatch Range. In the winter, snow cleaves to sheer granite cliffs, stubbled with pine trees of such deep green they appear almost black. For more than 80 years, skiers have been driving the canyon road to reach the slopes of Alta Ski Area. When I started ski lessons at Alta during the 2022-2023 season, I had only a general knowledge of the long history of the area. I had no knowledge at all of how that history intertwined with mine and the histories of many Utahns who donned their first skis at Alta. For generations, Utah families of powder hounds have raised future ski pilgrims to learn the ways of the mountain faith, using Alta as their base and temple. When I learned I had unknowingly continued my own family’s Alta tradition, I prevailed upon them to share what it was like when they first skied those same slopes. 

Photo courtesy of Alta Ski Area

1940s Powder Hounds

“We’d go almost every weekend, not just once in a while, but we as much as we could,” My grandfather, Lloyd Bishop, started skiing with his friends as a high school student in Kaysville, Utah in the 1940s. There were not as many options then, and Alta had the best powder. He used second-hand equipment and, eventually, gear he bought “for almost nothing” from an Army surplus store after the war. (Alta served as a training ground for Army paratroopers to prepare for combat in the Alps.) To hear my grandpa tell it, nothing was more uncomfortable than heavy, 7-foot, Army-issue skis and boots. “They were just horrible,” he groans, but it was the only gear he could afford. 

To earn money for a ski pass, he played saxophone in a “dance band,” performing at churches and weddings. “I started playing when I was 14 years old because—this was the start of World War II—and all of the older guys that would normally be playing were gone,” he says. “I made about $3.50 for playing the night, which is about what it cost for a day pass to Alta!” He laughs, “We would beg, borrow and steal,” anyway they could get it, he says, to ski. 

The author’s grandfather, Lloyd Bishop, stops to pose for a photograph while skiing at Alta Ski
Area in 1947. Photo Courtesy Lloyd Bishop

My grandfather and his friends’ quest for powder and thrills saw them skiing all day in the warmest clothes they had—thermal underwear and denim jeans and jackets—until they were soaked through. Back then, Alta had just the Alta Lodge and one main lift. The old Collins lift opened in 1939, becoming the second chairlift in the West. While my grandpa skied Alta throughout high school and college, it grew with the conversion of the Rustler and Peruvian J-bars to single-chair lifts, the opening of the Rustler and Peruvian lodges and the expansion of the Ski School. 

The quest for powder drove them to hike in skins for half a day up the backside of Brighton (before there was a resort in Park City) to ski down the other side. They would spend the second half of the day skiing at Brighton for the cheaper, half-day rate. Similar ventures were made to Alta from where would eventually become Snowbird. “You were on absolutely virgin, fresh snow that nobody had ever skied. And the snow is powder, deep powder,” he explains. 

In 1950, my grandfather went to Germany for an LDS Mission, where he skied the Bavarian Alps on those “horrible” Army skis at Zugspitze and gained a little perspective. It remains a popular German skiing destination and, at the time, it made ski areas in Utah look downright “primitive.” “It’s because most people didn’t realize it back then, that Alta is one of the best ski areas in the United States,” he says. “But it was also very primitive, which is both good and bad.” For example, “The road up Little Cottonwood was a challenge by itself,” he says. The road to Alta was even more treacherous and frustrating than it is now—prone to closures and fraught with avalanches that we were still developing the techniques to mitigate. On the other side of that same coin, powder hounds of the era look back at the staggering number of runs they could do on nearly unbroken powder in a day at Alta, but nothing good stays secret for long. It’s a balancing act that defines and guides Alta still today—modernizing and growing to meet demand without sacrificing the quality and nostalgia of the Alta skiing experience. 

To that point, James Laughlin, the once owner of Alta Lodge is quoted saying, “You’ve got to keep some places like god made them. If you overdo it, you’ll destroy Alta…I take great pride in Alta because it is the one place that’s left that’s a little bit like the old skiing.”

Alta Ski
School Students in the ’80s. Photo courtesy of Alta Ski Area

1970s Powder Pilgrims

“I can’t remember the name of the mountain because it wasn’t a mountain. It was a hill. It was more like a pimple.” My grandpa moved the family to New Jersey when my mom was just a kid, and skiing there, once again, gave some perspective. “They get so much traffic coming down the ski run that, when you have a curve, all the snow had been worn off.” He shakes his head. “So, they would cover the mud with straw.” 

“After that, I said to the kids, ‘what would you rather do? Go to Utah and maybe only ski twice or three times a year, or continue to ski for a year here?’” It wasn’t even a question. That’s how my mom, Kellie, and her siblings ended up visiting Utah every Spring Break to ski. By then, the Goldminer’s Daughter had opened. New and expanded lifts at Alta accessed higher areas as well as some that were more beginner-friendly, as if to accommodate the cultivation of a new generation of Alta skiers.

Skiers at Alta, 1947. Photos courtesy of Utah Historical Society

“For me, Alta was like growing up.” Even though my mom had skied elsewhere before, she considers Alta where she really learned to ski and keep up with bigger kids on the mountain (including an older boy who was her first-ever crush). They would ski all morning, then go to the parking lot to scarf down some bagged lunch in the car, then back to skiing. “I couldn’t last all day back then,” my mom says. “I mean, granted, I would have been like eight or nine. I thought it was really cool that I could walk in my ski boots in the lodge and get hot chocolate and sit in there by a fire while I waited for everyone else to be done.” It’s one of her favorite parts of the experience.

While she remembers having to overcome her fear of heights to first ride the lifts, the transfer tow ended up being the real problem. “I would always keep my hair in a ponytail tucked into my cap,” she says, so it wouldn’t get in her face as she skied. With equal parts laughter and terror, she recounts grabbing onto the tow behind her older sister, Lynn, who wore her hair in a long, free braid. To this day no one is sure quite how it happened. The end of Lynn’s braid caught in the rope, pulling her hair as the tension increased with the addition of more riders. 

My grandpa was waiting nearby and looked over to see that “it was dragging her up the mountain by her hair. I rushed down to her and skied up as fast as I could before the rope tow came to an end and she could get herself tangled.” 

Not even a vindictive rope tow stopped the fun that day or the yearly pilgrimages to Alta, however, and the tale has become a piece of family lore. 

And Now

I’m not a powder hound or a pilgrim. My ski lessons at Alta last season marked the first time I had skied ever. But before I graduated to the beginner runs, Patsey Marley and Crooked Mile—some of the same runs my mother braved her fear of heights to ski—I shared my brief time on the bunny hills with parents teaching their young children, who in turn had been taught to ski by their parents on those same slopes. 

While the experience has changed some since my grandfather’s formative Alta years (improved facilities, new lifts and much better gear) and since their annual family spring ski trips (yet bigger, better lifts and the addition of the Albion Day Lodge) much remains the same. It’s the balance that Alta and its collection of family-owned lodges are trying to maintain. The things that remain the same, the experiences we all share, are the things that connect us to the generations that came before: The morning ritual of loading up ski gear with family and friends. The awe-inspiring but oft-frustrating drive through Little Cottonwood Canyon. The search for thrills and untouched snow. The celebration of fresh powder. Resorting to creative methods to fund an expensive habit. Bagged car lunches. Pushing ourselves to go a little higher and faster. Laughing at our siblings’ misfortunes. The simple pleasure of sipping a warm drink in a mountain lodge.  

Alf Engen Ski School

In 1935, the ski school namesake, world-champion skier Alf Engen explored Alta’s slopes on behalf of the U.S. Forest Service to scout potential winter sports sites, ultimately recommending Alta as a place to develop a ski area. Engen (who also lends his name to the legendary run Alf’s High Rustler) helped found the Alta ski school and served as Ski School Director for 40 years, starting in 1949. The ski school has since become a model for others across the country. The program offers group or private lessons for adults and children of all skill levels, as well as camps and multi-week lessons with some of the best ski instructors around. alta.com/ski-school

Alan and Alf Engen, the namesake of Alta’s Ski School. Photo courtesy of Alta Ski Area

Nov 15
Love0
IMG_0634

Organized Labor in Utah Means Business

By City Watch

Organized labor is having a moment. After the highly publicized (and politicized) events of what some are calling “hot labor summer,” that much is clear. “We do see the events of new unions forming, even at the Starbucks stores here in Utah. That didn’t happen before,” explains Dr. Eunice Han, an assistant professor in the University of Utah Economics Department. Salt Lake City Public Library workers are seeking to form the first library union in Utah and the employees of Starbucks stores in Utah have voted to unionize. This is at a time when UPS averts a strike by meeting the Teamsters Union’s demands and United Auto Workers strike. Members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild—American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) picket the lots of major film studios. “So you can decide whether this is just one case of exceptional stuff, but if you see this everywhere, say, all across the Starbucks in the United States, then it’s some kind of a movement, right?” says Han.  

Why now?

This movement began building during the pandemic, and many in the fight point specifically to Amazon employee efforts to unionize led by Christian Smalls, who first organized a walkout at a Staten Island, N.Y. Amazon warehouse over unsafe working conditions as COVID-19 spread unmitigated. Amazon fired Smalls for his trouble. Other workers faced constant uncertainty and job instability. The pandemic exposed how many so-called “essential workers” felt unrecognized, unprotected and under-compensated, despite their work being deemed necessary for society to function. 

As the fear over the pandemic subsided, the hollow accolades for heroic essential workers evaporated, but their struggles did not. Meanwhile, workers’ real wages have been stagnant, while the corporations that employ them report record profits and pay out sky-high dividends and stock buybacks for shareholders. That only further highlights the overall growing economic inequality of the last 50 years, which is attributed in part to the respective weakening of the labor movement. These factors have been in motion for decades, but workers are emboldened now in ways they have not been during much of that time. 

Han says the messaging and visibility of strikes by high-profile unions like SAG-AFTRA and the WGA are likely inspiring workers across all industries. “They hear the news of writers striking in Hollywood and think, ‘Maybe it’s time for us to speak up.’” Historically, organizing collectively is one of the few ways U.S. workers have consistently been able to progress their interests. A strong labor movement put in place the worker protections we now take for granted—8-hour workdays, overtime pay, the ban on child labor, weekends, a minimum wage, etc. But, collective bargaining does not have the power it once had, in part because our work can be substituted much easier now through outsourcing or by machines. “If employers can go to other places easier instead of giving higher wages to workers, then the bargaining power of the union is lower,” explains Han. Rather than undermining the recent labor movement, the threat of being replaced has emboldened the movement and increased its urgency.

What do we want?

At an event where actors would normally be promoting their latest project to a mass of ecstatic fans, some voice actors instead held a somber panel discussion about the existential threat they face from the unchecked use of machine learning models, collectively referred to as artificial intelligence (AI). As a sign of the times, this year’s San Diego Comic-Con was bereft of the usual movie hype and big IP fanfare because of the ongoing Hollywood strikes, and some of SAG-AFTRA’s negotiators and striking actors instead made their case to reporters and fans. They highlighted the specific use of the technology that positions voice actors at the forefront of the AI issue—an issue that they believe could eventually impact the livelihoods of workers in every industry. 

Voice actors have had their voices recorded for one project and then replicated by AI without their permission in other projects. “What we’re interested in is consent and compensation of the people who are being used. So if you’re going to replicate me or any other performer, we should consent to that, and then we should be compensated for the use,” says ​​Zeke Alton, actor and a SAG-AFTRA negotiating member. 

“We’ll be fighting to make sure that AI doesn’t overtake the human element of creativity,” says Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator, alluding to the potential harm to society at large as profit-seeking drives companies’ attempts to remove humanity from the creative process. 

“There is the concept that these large algorithmic machines generate things. Well, they don’t generate anything new,” says Alton. In some cases, the technology scours the online landscape, takes content, runs it through an algorithm and generates an amalgamation. Alton says there needs to be more transparency of what those machines are taking “because it affects the entire labor force. If we can’t see into the machine, then we have no idea of whose life’s work and training are being taken for free, without consent and compensation, and turned into something that makes money for a billionaire sitting somewhere at a retreat. So that’s why this is important to us.”

The union members know the technology is here to stay, but they believe that the unmitigated and uncompensated use of machines to supplant human labor is not an inevitability. “When you look at things like the assembly line that changed the world, the internet that changed the world, that can go one way or the other,” says Alton. “It can be a tool to allow the population to rise, or it can be a tool in the hands of the masters to bring the wealth to a single point in the one percent.”

Ashly Burch, actor in Horizon Zero Dawn and WGA member, says this fight is necessary to ensure a future for the most vulnerable. “It is about protecting people who are new to the industries that they’re trying to enter, who don’t have the support or clout to be able to defend themselves from predatory contracts. That’s a big thing across all unions right now and all the negotiations.” As it stands, the majority of SAG-AFTRA members work day jobs and many don’t meet the union’s income eligibility threshold of $26,470 per year to qualify for healthcare. “I think having unions and being part of a union is a massive, massive movement right now and essential to protect against this kind of technology,” says Burch. “I believe that with collective bargaining you can make protections that ensure that your livelihood is not replaced.” 

When do we want it?

So, you have a union…how do you get employers to listen to your demands? Notably, some of the targets of recent unionization and strike efforts—Amazon, Starbucks and the major motion picture studios—have not come to the table to negotiate in good faith, even with the collective action of its employees. “Employers will always come to the meeting thinking that ‘I’m really not willing to sign anything today,’” says Han. “And the atmosphere is pretty heated. It’s not peaceful, as you can imagine. So unions need to be more strategic.” 

One of the most powerful strategies a union has is to get the public on their side. Public support for unions and organized labor is higher than it has been in decades. According to a Gallup poll from August of last year, 71% of Americans now approve of labor unions. That’s the highest rate of union support since 1965. Even with their more positive attitudes toward labor unions, Han says drastic action could be needed to increase visibility and attract public support. “Employees are going on a strike because they learned that the public actually understands their struggles better if they go on a strike.” 

“As a consumer, you should know that these big companies do care about what you think. Maybe not individually, but collectively, they do.” As SAG-AFTRA’s Chief Negotiator, Crabtree-Ireland says, he hears about company concerns over public perception every single day through back channels. “They definitely care about consumers turning away from the things that generate revenue for them. And so you have immense power if you just inform yourself and don’t let their spin confuse you.” 

As to making the decision to strike, “That kind of drastic action will bring more attention to the public. And, usually, the public view is a kind of weapon, a powerful tool, that workers can wield,” says Han. “But the strategy is kind of a last resort.” 

While striking may be a last resort, when faced with something they see as an existential threat, many workers are not backing down, and that is keeping this broader labor movement alive. “There’s a philosophical difference for how the workers feel and how the employers feel…they [the employers] don’t want to get caught at a competitive disadvantage,” explains Alton. “But they’re bargaining for a competitive and financial advantage. We’re bargaining for our very existence.” As a retired U.S. Navy test pilot and commander, Alton opts for the military metaphor. “We talk in negotiations, ‘Is this the hill you’re willing to die on?’ And we are at an inflection point in history right now. We can choose to fight and die on that hill, or we will be summarily executed there. That’s the only choice we have.”  

Nov 14
Love0
Boston-Topsfield.Chn-_BN_13-1-Sarah-Weaver

Mormon Apostle M. Russell Ballard Dies Amid Questions About Tim Ballard, O.U.R. Connection

By City Watch

One of the leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, M. Russell Ballard died Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, at 95 years old. The LDS Church (also known widely as the Mormon Church) announced Ballard’s death Monday. He was the most senior acting member of the church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles—its highest authority outside of its First Presidency.

According to the church’s announcement, after a recent stay in the hospital, Ballard returned home, where he “attended to duties as he was able,” before passing away at approximately 11:15 p.m. on Sunday, surrounded by loved ones. 

Elder M. Russell Ballard of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints passes away at 95 years old. (Photo courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
M. Russell Ballard and wife Barbara (Photo courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

Ballard is survived by his seven children, 43 grandchildren, 105 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Ballard’s wife Barbara passed away back in 2018. Those who knew him in the church remember Ballard’s singing Barbara’s praises, “She’s just an angel. It’s awfully hard to live with somebody that’s almost perfect.” In an address at the LDS Church’s general conference shortly after her death, Ballard said, “How grateful I am to know where my precious Barbara is and that we will be together again, with our family, for all eternity.” 

In his final general conference address before his death, Ballard recounted the current church’s version of how Joseph Smith founded the Mormon Church, extolled Smith’s virtues and reflected on his 50 years as an apostle and other leadership roles within the church. 

A legacy now shadowed by controversy

In the weeks and months before his death, Ballard appeared in dozens of news headlines because of his relationship with Tim Ballard (no familial relation), the former CEO of Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.), whom multiple people have accused of sexual misconduct and misleading donors. The LDS Church has distanced itself from Tim Ballard and insinuated that Tim Ballard exploited his friendship with M. Russell Ballard to further his personal interests (as originally reported by VICE News), the still-developing story casts a shadow on M. Russell Ballard’s legacy and raises questions about his dealings as a religious leader and a businessman. The words of the Bard might come to the minds of some, “I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.” 

M Russell Ballard (Photo courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
M. Russell Ballard (Photo courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

M. Russell Ballard became an LDS Apostle in 1985 and then Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 2018. His legacy as a leader of the LDS Church includes the creation of  Preach My Gospel, the instruction guide for all Mormon missionaries. In the church’s statement on Ballard’s death, LDS President Russell M. Nelson said, “He’ll be remembered as a wonderful husband and a great father. This is where his highest priority was. He set a good example for us on that, even though he’d had many, many demands upon his time. His family always came first.” 

In regards to family, Ballard is descended from a long line of prominent Mormon leaders. His grandfathers Melvin J. Ballard and Hyrum M. Smith were both apostles, his great-grandfather was LDS President Joseph F. Smith, the nephew of Mormon Church founder Joseph Smith. One of the possible stains on Ballard’s legacy is the allegation he used his position and authority as a leader of the church to promote his family’s business interests. An exhibit in an ongoing lawsuit against O.U.R. and Tim Ballard states that Davis County District Attorney Troy Rawlings had reason to believe, “Elder M. Russell Ballard’s son-in-law is involved in investing O.U.R.’s money and Elder Ballard and/or his family is benefiting from the investments.” 

The lawsuit also alleges “The Davis County Investigation, according to O.U.R.’s own internal documents, revealed that Elder M. Russell Ballard and other authorities from the Mormon Church, provided Mormon tithing records to O.U.R. to help O.U.R. target wealthy donors and wealthy Mormons,” and that Tim Ballard has met with M. Russell Ballard in the Church Administration Building to discuss O.U.R.’s work.

M Russell Ballard (Photo courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Ballard (LEFT) at the 2008 inauguration of President Barack Obama. (Photo courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

The LDS Church has denied that Ballard ever released tithing records to O.U.R. or any other organization. The church also denied it ever endorsed or supported O.U.R. or Tim Ballard. In defense of Tim Ballard, a wealthy member of the church and founder of ClickFunnels, Russell Brunson posted a video on social media saying M. Russell Ballard approached him, “he personally called me and asked me to help Tim Ballard and Operation Underground Railroad.” Going on to say, “I have literally sat in the room with Elder Ballard and Tim Ballard to discuss these things and these ideas.”

In his professional life before being called as an apostle, M. Russell Ballard was involved in the automotive, real estate and investment industries. His first car dealership failed when Ford shuttered the automotive brand Edsel. Ballard attributed the business’s failure to ignoring inspiration he received while praying. Later, Ballard became president of Keystone Securities Corporation, and not long after that, the Securities and Exchange Commission started investigating Keystone for fraud, ultimately charging the company with providing false statements to the SEC and revoking its broker-dealer registration. Another venture of his, the Valley Music Hall was a concert venue in Bountiful, Utah. According to the faith’s Church News, “After fire damaged the building in the 1970s, the Church purchased the building and converted it for conferences and other Church and cultural functions.”

On business and hard work, the church’s Monday statement quotes M. Russell Ballard as saying, “Ultimately, it works out to your satisfaction that either you win, and it becomes profitable, or you learn that it’s not going to work, and you step away from it, but you never leave wondering if you’re willing to stay with it.” 

Fellow Mormon apostle Dallin H. Oaks adds, “His business experience served him well in asking the probing questions that need to be asked when you propose a program or when you ask, ‘Are we using the resources effectively?’”

M. Russell Ballard (center) with Tim Ballard (right) (photo included within the legal complaint against Tim Ballard and OUR filed with the Utah Court)
This photo is included within the legal complaint against Tim Ballard and O.U.R., filed with the Utah Courts, showing M. Russell Ballard (CENTER) with Tim Ballard (RIGHT).

The O.U.R. lawsuit claims Tim Ballard said M. Russell Ballard gave permission for the use of controversial tactics in O.U.R. operations—specifically, a tactic called the “couples ruse,” which allegedly allowed opportunities for Ballard to sexually assault women who went undercover with him. The suit also asserts that Tim Ballard claimed M. Russell Ballard had given him multiple priesthood blessings. 

In his own words in a 2019 graduation address at BYU Idaho, M. Russell Ballard spoke of a trip he went on with his son Craig, son-in-law Brad and “family friend,” Tim Ballard: “I had the opportunity this past summer to travel to Plymouth, Massachusetts, with my friend Tim Ballard to learn more about what he had learned regarding Nephi’s vision of these early Pilgrims and how their history corroborates Nephi’s vision.” Mormons believe Nephi is an ancient prophet who came to North America from Israel sometime around 600 B.C. 

As far as where Tim Ballard received his insights on Nephi, the lawsuit against Tim Ballard claims “[Tim] Ballard would get ketamine treatments and have a scribe come in with him while he would talk to the dead prophet Nephi and issue forth prophecies about Ballard’s greatness and future as a United States Senator, President of the United States, and ultimately the Mormon Prophet, to usher in the second coming of Jesus Christ.” The lawsuit also alleges that Tim Ballard consulted a psychic medium (another defendant in the lawsuit) who also communed with Nephi. 

M. Russell Ballard (Photo courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
M. Russell Ballard portrait (Photo courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

Funeral services for M. Russell Ballard

Funeral services for M. Russell Ballard are scheduled for Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. MST, at the Tabernacle on Temple Square. The funeral will be open to the public ages eight years and older.The Temple Square gates and the Tabernacle doors will open at 9:30 a.m., and attendees should be in their seats by 10:30 a.m. The funeral services will also stream live on the Church’s broadcasts page as well as BYUtv. A private burial service will take place at the Salt Lake City Cemetery immediately following the funeral. There will be no public viewing. 

In lieu of flowers, President Ballard’s family has asked that donations be made to This Is The Place Heritage Park.

Nov 09
Love0
Screen-Shot-2023-11-08-at-5.14.45-PM

This Weekend: Wasatch Comic Con, A (Free) Comic Con to Meet Creators

By Arts & Culture

Hey, nerds! This weekend (Friday and Saturday, Nov. 10–11, 2023) Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City is the place to be if you love comic books, super heroes, gaming, pop art, collectible toys or any of that nerdy stuff. Wasatch Comic Con is put on by some of the nerdiest guys in town, who own and operate the longtime local comic shop The Nerd Store (it’s literally in the name). 

If you’re having a hard time getting over the idea of a comic convention held in a shopping mall, I kindly suggest you let that go and open your mind to the possibility of meeting some cool comic book creators and then tearing into a hot mall pretzel. Lean into the mall-culture nostalgia of the ‘80s and ‘90s and slurp an Orange Julius while perusing the comics spinner rack.  

Creators at Wasatch Comic Con

There’s a reason Wasatch Comic Con bills itself as a “Con For Creators.” Wasatch Comic Con has the flavor of a homegrown show, with a solid swath of local talent featured as special guests, but don’t let the hometown-vibes fool you. There is some top-tier industry talent right here at home, and they will be joined by some big name creators from outside of the state as well. Some of them are also open for art commissions, so it’s a chance to get your hands on some original art.   

Matt Wilson is one of the best comic colorists in the business, with acclaimed work at large publishers like DC and Marvel as well as multiple Eisner Awards for Best Coloring, for his work on Black Cloud, Paper Girls (Image), The Wicked + The Divine (Image); The Mighty Thor, Runaways (Marvel) in 2019 and, most recently, Undiscovered Country (Image); Fire Power (Image Skybound); Eternals, Thor, Wolverine (Marvel); Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters (Oni) in 2022. 

Drew Zucker is the co-creator and artist of Canto, an acclaimed all-ages fantasy series that has all-new volumes coming to Dark Horse, as well as The House (with Phillip Sevy) and Skybreaker. Zucker recently reunited with Canto co-creator David Booher for a new horror comic, The Feeding. 

The creators behind the popular Image horror comic series Stray Dogs (told from the perspective of dogs) are also coming to Wasatch Comic Con—writer Tony Fleecs and artists Trish Forstner and Tone Rodriguez.

Comic and horror writer Ryan Cady is known for his work on DC Comic’s Green Lantern and Batman: Urban Legends, as well as his creator-owned series with artist Andrea Mutti, Infinite Dark and Haunt You to the End.

Among the locals, comic book artist Chad Hardin will be there—he’s most well-known as the artist for DC Comics’ Harley Quinn. 

Doug Wagner writes comic books that bend toward the horror and dark comedy genres, notably Image Comics’ Plush, Vinyl and Plastic. He’s also the author of  Klik Klik Boom, Beware the Eye of Odin, Legends of the Dark Knight, World of Warcraft: Bloodsworn and so much more.

Phillip Sevy is a Utah-based comic creator known for his work on The House (with Drew Zucker), Kepler (with David Duchovney) and Dark Horse’s Tomb Raider.  Most recently, he’s worked on multiple titles on Marvel Unlimited, including X-Men Unlimited, as well Deadpool: Seven Slaughters for Marvel and The Headless Horseman for Dark Horse. (Editor’s note: Phillip Sevy is also an occasional contributor for Salt Lake Magazine.)

Mel Milton is a Utah-based artist and illustrator who works in comics and animation, for publishers like Disney, Marvel, DC, Image and Nickelodeon, and produces amazing character designs.

 Jess Smart Smiley is a local cartoonist and bestselling creator of more than 20 books, including Let’s Make Comics and the What Happens Next, series of interactive graphic novels. (Read Salt Lake Magazine’s profile of Smiley in our March/April 2023 issue.)

Also at Wasatch Comic Con, a handful of Utah creators who use the Beehive State and its culture for inspiration in their work. Travis Romney is the creator of “Utah’s Superman,” The Mighty Utahn, which spun out of a  That titular character spun out of long-running web comic, Salt City Comics. Evan Black is the creator of The Wasatch Wonders, who keep Utahns safe from local monsters like giant mutated brine shrimp. Matt Page is the author and illustrator of the Future Day Saints graphic novel series. Chris Hoffman and Andrew Malin are local comics publishers (Velleity Studios) and creators of the comic Salt City Strangers.

There are many more guests, and I’ve not included a lot of people I probably should have. Check out the complete list of guests at Wasatch Comic Con 2023. 

And More Creators

While it’s about the comics and the art and the creators, like any con, it’s also about the culture and the fans. And the perfect expression of nerd culture and fandom is cosplay, in my humble opinion. On Saturday, Nov. 11 at 5 p.m., Wasatch Con is hosting a cosplay contest, and attendees will also have the chance to meet cosplayer Joanie Brosas, whose cosplays have graced the covers of many comic books. 

For those looking to show their commitment to a particular nerdy obsession—permanently, on their bodies—there will also be a couple of local tattoo artists at Wasatch Con this year. Atticus Warner and Jeremy Thompson will be on hand doing flash tattoos at the con. And, according to the Nerd Store’s Instagram, “If you want to show your love for The Nerd Store, the store will pay for your tattoo of their signature logo!”

There will also be two days packed full of panel programming with the above creators and more. Find more information on wasatchcon.com about panels, guests, admission, registration and VIP packages. 


(Author’s note: Full disclosure, the author of this article is also a guest at Wasatch Comic Con, having written stories in a few comic anthologies, and some of the creators listed above are dear friends. That does not make them any less deserving of recognition and support for their work. But don’t take my word for it, meet them for yourself this weekend.)

Oct 30
Love0
Osprey-Point-Ponderosa-State-Park-McCall

Outdoor adventures to and from McCall Idaho

By Adventures, Travel

From Boise, take Highway 55 toward McCall. The Payette River Scenic Byway winds through the rugged mountains along the Payette River. This is an absolutely stacked outdoor road trip adventure in Idaho, with hot spring soaks and places to stay along the way to recover between watersports and hiking. 

Stop: Raft the Payette River

About 30 miles north of Boise, book a whitewater adventure on the Payette River at the Cascade Raft River Center (cascaderaft.com) or Bear Valley Rafting (bearvalleyrafting.com). Depending on which river fork you take, experience a chill adventure for the whole family (north fork) or a more intense guided river trip through class-IV rapids (south fork). 

Stay: Smith’s Ferry

Smith’s Ferry is a popular Payette River access point with a rustic lodge and gas station. During snowy months, there’s also access to snowmobiling and snowshoeing trails. Stay the night at Cougar Mountain Lodge (cougarmountainlodge-idaho.com), a throwback to the traditional mountain lodge. 

Stop: Lake Cascade State Park

Take the turn-off to Cascade Lake (parksandrecreation.idaho.gov), where you’ll find a serene blue lake surrounded by ponderosa pines and sandy beaches. Enjoy a cool swim or set out on a paddleboard on one of the largest lakes in the state. After a day out on the water, camp at one of the lakeside campsites. 

McCall Idaho
Payette River. Photo courtesy of Visit Idaho

Stop: Gold Fork Hot Springs

At Gold Fork Hot Springs (goldforkhotsprings.com), soak in one of the six tiered pools overlooking mountain meadows. Your feet will love the heated sidewalks and sandy-bottomed pools.

Stay: McCall

Continue to McCall, near the shores of Lake Payette, and stroll streets lined with cafes, boutiques and galleries. McCall is a charming mountain town with ideal access to the outdoors. Spend a day at the lake, where everything from kayaks to jet boats and pontoons are for rent or book a lake cruise. Find sanctuary for the evening at Shore Lodge (shorelodge.com), and, for winter adventures, check out the nearby Brundage Mountain Resort (brundage.com). 

Nearby hikes: Goose Creek Falls Trail is a short, 3-miles out-and-back, dirt trail. Once you reach the falls, you might have to do a little bit of rock scrambling to get an unobstructed view, but it’s worth it.

Stop: Ponderosa State Park and Payette Lake

Hike or bike the variety of trails at Ponderosa State Park (parksandrecreation.idaho.gov). Most of the park’s trails are interconnected, making it easy to navigate. The Ridgeline Trail can be accessed through the Lily Marsh Trail, an easy 2.3-mile out-and-back trail for the whole family. The Ridgeline Trail is a moderate-to-difficult hike that takes you up to the Narrows Overlook and Osprey Cliff Overlook to take in stunning views of Payette Lake.  

Oct 19
Love0
idaho1

Homegrown Adventures in Southwestern Idaho

By Adventures, Travel

From the grapevine-striped hills of the Sunnyslope Wine Trail to stretches of scenic highways, easy access to the great outdoors and a rich agricultural heritage, Southwestern Idaho is ready with homegrown adventures. This adventure takes us from the superior green spaces and cultural hub in Boise, then heads west to the Nampa/Caldwell area for eclectic farmers’ markets and wine tastings.

Ag-venture in Caldwell/Nampa

Photo courtesy of McIntyre Family Farms

Towns like Caldwell and Nampa sprung up in the late 1800s along the Oregon Short Line Railroad, which connected Wyoming to Oregon through Idaho. Wild and rustic, Caldwell also has the distinction of being the home of once-Idaho Governor Frank Steunenberg, who was assassinated by a bomb explosion at his home in retaliation to  his severe anti-union views and suppression of labor protests. 

The construction of irrigation canals and waterways provided the foundation for agriculture, which still largely supports the neighboring economies today, and you can take part in that persistent agricultural history. Both towns have stellar, locally focused farmers’ markets—Nampa Farmers’ Market (April–October) and Caldwell Farm to Fork Farmers’ Market (May–September). Downtown Caldwell has invested in revitalizing much of its urban center, restoring Indian Creek, which was encased in an underground tunnel. Now, it’s a central feature, along with walkable blocks, public art and local boutiques and restaurants.

Caldwell’s AgVenture Trail begins downtown and takes you to local farms and orchards, where you can pick fresh produce, meet farm animals and dine on farm-to-fork meals. Some of the stops on the AgVenture Trail coincide with the Sunnyslope Wine Trail. 

Nearby hikes: If hiking trails are more your speed than wine trails, 35 minutes from Caldwell you’ll find Jump Creek Falls trailhead. The trail is pet- and family-friendly, as a tight half-mile out-and-back trail to the falls. At the end, find a 60-foot waterfall at Jump Creek. The fall boasts vibrant rock walls that rise hundreds of feet above the canyon floor. The trailhead also has several fire rings and picnic spots.

SunnySlope Wine Trail — Vineyards with a View

Ste. Chapelle, Idaho’s oldest continually operating winery. Photo courtesy of Sunnyslope Wine Trail

Hop on the road and take a tour of the wineries in Idaho’s Snake River Valley. According to the Idaho Wine Commission, Southwestern Idaho’s four-season climate, ancient volcanic soil and abundant water supply make it an ideal place to grow grapes and make wine. The Sunnyslope Wine Trail represents the densest concentration of wineries within the region. Seriously, you can’t pop a cork here without hitting a winery: 

Stop 1

As farmers first and winemakers second, the Alger family’s Huston Vineyards harkens back to Southwestern Idaho’s rich agricultural history. Huston Vineyards’ Chicken Dinner Wine Series (named for the legendary street that borders the vineyard) has an impressive lineup of awards. Try a wine flight from the cozy tasting room.

Stop 2

Proudly anti-pretentious, Free Dog Wines proclaim, “Wine should not be hard!” Likewise, the brand name is inspired by the owner’s elderly dog, Tess, who was abandoned as a puppy. Try the excellent Albariño at one of their complimentary wine tastings. 

Stop 3

Williamson Orchards and Vineyards has been in the family since the early 1900s, and, over the course of four generations, their repertoire has expanded to wine grape varietals. The tasting room is a farmhouse full of family antiques and stunning views of the Owyhee Mountains. A glass of the Harvest Moon Red with a DIY charcuterie board will not disappoint. 

Stop 4

Two wineries, one stop! Ste. Chapelle is Idaho’s largest and oldest continually operating winery. The Ste. Chapelle tasting chateau evokes the famous French medieval gothic chapel of the same name. Its neighbor, Sawtooth Winery, sits astride the vineyards just a short distance below. Ste. Chapelle has a dangerously drinkable Soft Huckleberry wine, and Sawtooth’s outstanding Classic Fly Series Dry Riesling is a perfect sipper for enjoying panoramic views of the Snake River Valley from their tasting room.

Sawtooth Winery Tasting Room. Photo courtesy of Sunnyslope Wine Trail

Biking Boise

No Southwestern Idaho experience is complete without a cruise on the Boise River Greenbelt by bicycle. The Greenbelt is a 25-mile tree-lined pathway that follows the north and south sides of the Boise River through the heart of the city. It provides scenic views of wildlife habitat, access to Boise’s riverside parks and some fun stops along the way:

Boise Comic Art Festival, boisepubliclibrary.org

  1. Fuel up for your ride at Push And Pour, a coffee shop with decor Inspired by the owners’ passion for skateboarding and set up in a renovated autobody shop.  

  2. Tour Telaya Wine Co. and taste local wines on a shaded patio overlooking the Boise River.  

  3. Kayak or surf Boise Whitewater Park, which uses wave-shaping technology.  

  4. Catch free, live music and grilled lunch on the outdoor patio at the Sandbar Patio Bar & Grill and stay the night at the on-site Riverside Hotel.  

  5. Check out the beer garden at Payette Brewing, where you can play a game of bocce or grab a quick bite from a local food truck.  

  6. Stop by 8th Street, an area of Downtown Boise closed to vehicle traffic and the enviable center of Boise’s nightlife and dining scene. The street is lined with restaurants, lounges, open-air patios, sports bars, late-night eateries and tap rooms.  

  7. Finish your day there, or continue on and take a walk on the wild side at Zoo Boise.  

  8. For glimpses of wildlife—like foxes, deer, mink and herons—take a stroll through the MK Nature Center. GreenBikes are available for rent from any of the stations scattered throughout town. There is some etiquette to keep in mind while cruising the Greenbelt, including yielding to pedestrians and keeping off unpaved paths.

Oct 18
Love0
Theater-2_Photo-by-Jutharat-Pinyodoonyachet

How Locals Can Enjoy The 2024 Sundance Film Festival

By Film, Sundance

Tickets for the 2024 Sundance Film Festival are now on sale. This year marks the festival’s 40th year and, with it, some new ways for local Utah residents to experience the hallmark event.

There’s a little bit of something for every appetite, whether you’re a diehard indie film buff, or more of a casual movie fan who wants to stick to events in Salt Lake City…Because, let’s face it, not everyone wants to schlep up to Park City in the dead of winter to fight for a parking spot to catch a random premiere. However, some of us most certainly do, and they will also arrive early to every Beyond Film discussion or filmmaker Q&A they can squeeze into their schedule. (Those conversations are really cool, too. To get an idea, check out the Beyond Film line-up from last year’s festival.)

With the 2024 Sundance Film Festival still a few months away, the festival has not yet released programming details, but we have details on the tickets packages that are on sale right now.

2024 Sundance Film Festival ticket packages for locals

Salt Lake City Pass
Get priority access to all in-person screenings in Salt Lake City with just one pass for the entire Festival. Enjoy screenings of award-winning films, select screenings with live introductions and Q&As by filmmakers, short films and episodic programs with this pass.
Price: $550
Dates Valid: January 18–28

Salt Lake City Youth Pass
Take advantage of a special offer for attendees aged 18–25 (age verification required for purchase). This pass includes unlimited in-person screenings and priority access at Salt Lake City theaters for the entirety of the Festival. Enjoy screenings of award-winning films, select screenings with live introductions and Q&As by filmmakers, short films and episodic programs with this pass.
Price: $225
Dates Valid: January 18–28

Locals Ticket Package
Utah residents, this exclusively priced package is just for you. Enjoy early access to ticket selection and 10 screenings over the course of the Festival at a reduced price.
Price: $650
Dates Valid: January 18–28

More festival ticket packages are available on the festival’s website. Packages are on sale from now until January 5, 2024.

More about this year’s festival

The 2024 Sundance Film Festival runs January 18–28. Ticket packages can be purchased for the whole festival or just the first half (January 18–23) or second half (January 24–28) of the festival. Films will screen online January 25–28. Film premieres screen during the first half of the festival and screen only in-person. Awards screenings run January 27–28.

As we said, there is a lot we do not know yet about this year’s festival programming, which is slated to be revealed December 2023, but there are some big events and updates to keep an eye out for. Such as, the Sundance Film Festival Opening Night Gala: Celebrating 40 Years will take place on January 18, 2024. Tickets to this event will go on sale in November.

Oct 16
Love0
voting-characters-set

What’s the Plan? A Q&A With SLC Mayor Erin Mendenhall and Candidate Rocky Anderson

By City Watch

This salt lake city Mayoral Election strikes a contrast to the election four years ago, but the issues that are on the top of voters’ minds are a return to many of the persistent, pre-pandemic concerns. This is the first SLC mayoral race to be decided by Ranked Choice Voting, and there’s no mad scramble to fill the void left behind by an incumbent stepping down, as former Mayor Biskupski did in 2019. Among SLC voters’ choices for their next mayor are the incumbent, current mayor and a former one; Mayor Erin Mendenhall seeks reelection after taking office in 2020, along with former SLC Mayor Rocky Anderson who first took office 20 years before Mendenhall. Priorities for the candidates include addressing homelessness, affordable housing, crime, air quality and the water crisis impacting the Great Salt Lake…But the devil is in the details, and how each candidate plans to address those issues could be the deciding factor. So, we ask the candidates, “What’s the plan?”

Editor’s note: Publication deadline preceded final filing deadline. Attempts to contact SLC mayoral candidate Michael Valentine before deadline failed

What are your top Priorities After Getting Elected/Reelected?

Mendenhall: My top priority would remain to address homelessness by continuing our record investments in affordable housing, building more permanent supportive housing beyond the 500 additional units currently in the pipeline, developing additional new ways to get support to people who are unsheltered, and addressing the impacts of homelessness on the businesses and other residents affected by it. I will also continue our aggressive strategy to improve our air quality, build on our commitments to conserve water and help save the Great Salt Lake, continue our work reducing crime and improve our roads while making them safer, always while protecting and expanding the city’s rebuilt partnerships.

Anderson: My top priorities are (1) for SLC to, once again, significantly eliminate chronic homelessness; (2) eliminate homeless encampments by providing sanctioned camps and housing; (3) never leaving anyone without adequate shelter; (4) make SLC friendly and clean, ensuring residents and workers are safe and can thrive here; (5) making city government more responsive to the interests of residents and businesses; (6) providing world-class affordable, mixed-income, non-market housing; (7) reducing crime and providing responsive policing; (8) restoring our city’s reputation as a major climate protection leader; (9) working collaboratively to ensure the Great Salt Lake’s sustainability; and (10) significantly improving air quality.

What’s the plan to Support local businesses?

Mendenhall: Local businesses are the heart and soul of SLC. While traditionally the city’s economic development staff has prioritized attracting new businesses to the city, I shifted its focus to supporting the city’s 17,000 existing businesses. We’re going to build on the hard work of our first term to develop a sports and entertainment district downtown, and we’re setting up an “innovation district” for the city’s burgeoning biotech and fintech sector. I will grow our new small business financing program, more than half of whose beneficiaries so far have been women. I’m also excited to implement the North Temple Area Revitalization Plan and make more city-owned property available for retail and commercial use.

Anderson: I will (1) change the culture in permitting and licensing so the city works expeditiously and helpfully with local businesses and residents, instead of being an obstacle and cause of unnecessary, expensive delay; (2) eliminate homeless encampments; (3) allow police officers to “serve and protect” by enforcing laws and implement criminal justice programs focused on problem-solving; (4) ensure faster police response times; (5) restore free parking during the holidays; (6) provide fair, transparent processes for RDA loans or subsidies; (7) revive e2 Business program and promote participating businesses; and (8) provide grants or other financial assistance to businesses harmed by city malfeasance.

Whats the plan to address the need for more affordable housing?

Mendenhall: My administration has already increased the number of affordable housing units invested in by the city each year by 413 percent, investing $55 million so far to create 4,000 units—far more than every other mayor in the city’s history combined. We have also helped opened 240 units of permanent supportive housing for unsheltered residents with 500 more in the pipeline, and have partnered on a tiny home community. We need more housing of all types, but it’s just as important that we ensure more of our residents can stay in their existing homes. I’ve begun implementing a 22-point anti-gentrification plan to ensure the people who have made Salt Lake City such a special place can continue to live here and be a part of its incredible future. 

Anderson: I will, in collaboration with the City Council, (1) expand the areas where housing is permitted; (2) require that anyone displaced by any development will be provided equivalent affordable housing; (3) require that developers must increase the amount of affordable housing eliminated by any development; (4) provide non-financial incentives for housing developers to provide permanently affordable units; (5) expand housing funding significantly, utilizing it for the provision of thousands of units of affordable, mixed-income, non-market housing that incorporates world-class architecture and surrounding open spaces, thereby vastly improving SLC’s built environment and quality of life. 

What’s the plan to provide resources/housing to people experiencing homelessness?

Mendenhall: There is no issue on which I spend more time than homelessness, trying to meet the immediate needs of unsheltered individuals, support impacted housed residents and businesses, and reform the city and state’s long-term approach. Salt Lake City cannot and should not do this work alone and because of our new approach, the state and other cities are stepping up like never before. We’ve also deployed more Downtown Ambassadors, hired uniformed civilian Park Rangers, and sent teams to encampments to offer services. I support the state’s plan for a sanctioned encampment and am working to help make it happen.

Anderson: I will (1) ensure adequate winter shelter for unsheltered homeless people; (2) provide a temporary sanctioned camp remote from neighborhoods, with toilets, showers, security, laundry, food, and case management services for unsheltered people; (3) set and implement far more aggressive goals for the housing of homeless people and focus on employment training and placement; (4) work with philanthropic and corporate sectors, the VA, churches, other non-profit organizations, and governmental entities to once again fund the provision of abundant, cost-effective, supportive permanent housing; (5) provide professional, competent outreach and case management to facilitate the expeditious transition to treatment, permanent housing, and employment.

What’s the plan to improve community policing?

Mendenhall: While any crime is too much crime, by mid-2023, the overall crime rate in Salt Lake City was at its lowest point in seven years. In addition to reversing the attrition of sworn officers, constantly adapting policing strategies, and partnering with federal law enforcement, I enacted unprecedented reforms to reduce the use of force and make the city safer for civilians and officers. In 2020, we created a commission on racial equity in policing to make additional recommendations, which have helped modernize our use-of-force and body-camera policies, community-based training for officers, and utilize more trained civilians and social workers to free up officers to respond to emergency calls.

Anderson: I will (1) have many officers on foot, becoming acquainted with people and establishing constructive relationships; (2) provide job descriptions and a code of conduct, legally binding officers and the city to serve and protect, with full legal accountability; (3) restore the credibility of the SLCPD discipline process through reforms of the Civilian Review Board and insist on more efficient, fair discipline investigations (one claim of abuse has now been under investigation for over 3 years); (4) ensure that first-responders utilize their training and help those who are in need (instead of “supporting” officers who don’t provide aid to a person dying of injuries). 

What’s the plan to increase access to open spaces, city parks, trails, etc?

Mendenhall: As our city grows more dense with new residents, our access to open spaces and quality parks is becoming more important than ever. We bought the “Hobbitville” property and are turning it into Allen Park. Voters also overwhelmingly approved my plan for the largest single investment in our city’s parks and green spaces. We’ve already begun building the awesome new 17-acre Glendale Regional Park, are re-imagining seven neighborhood parks, making significant improvements along the Jordan River,  replacing the playground at Liberty Park, adding 11 pickleball courts, completing the Folsom Trail, and more. 

Anderson: I will (1) provide transparent, collaborative processes for the maintenance and development of hiking and mountain biking trails, then move forward expeditiously with the implementation of a final plan; (2) provide safe bathrooms, parking, and signage for what will be world-class accessible trails, open spaces, and parks; (3) expand open spaces, as I did when previously mayor (over 530 acres); (4) rid parks and other open spaces of homeless encampments and open-air drug markets by (a) providing for a sanctioned camp, adequate shelter, and more supportive, cost-effective, permanent housing and (b) enforcing the laws, with a restorative justice approach to help solve problems. 

What’s the plan to Expand sustainability programs?

Mendenhall: I was an air-quality advocate before being elected, so improving our air and protecting our environment are priorities I feel in my soul. That’s why city residents and businesses will finally receive net-100% renewable electricity by 2030 and why we’re building a solar farm to power city-owned buildings. We’ve added transit options, created Free Fare February, and partnered to provide free Hive Passes to all public school students in the city. New buildings that receive city investment must now be energy-efficient and emission-free, and we’re creating a one-stop program to help residents afford clean electric tech. We’ve also doubled the number of new trees planted each year and will continue expanding our canopy. 

Anderson: I will (1) restore the e2 (environmentally and economically sustainable) programs to reduce environmental impacts; (2) restore and expand the City’s greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction programs that, under my leadership, led to unprecedented reductions in GHG emissions and the EPA’s Climate Protection Award; (3) restore SLC’s system of quantifying GHG reductions and again make SLC one of the nation’s greenest cities; (4) revive Sundance Summit, bringing mayors from throughout the nation to learn best sustainability practices; (5) broaden free EV charging stations availability; (6) aggressively push for solutions to Great Salt Lake threats; (7) explore legal action against polluters putting SLC residents at risk.  

What are the best ways for Salt Lake City Residents to get more actively involved in their communities?

Mendenhall: Salt Lake City government has a host of boards and commissions that only work when residents participate. We need your perspective, your expertise, and your energy for moving our city forward. Please go to slc.gov to learn more. I host regular “office hours” for residents to share the issues on their minds, and my community engagement team regularly hosts “office hours” around the city to make it even easier for residents to be heard. Residents can also get involved in their community councils and participate in city council meetings. We want your input! 

Anderson: Community Council participation is an excellent way to become informed about what’s happening. Participation in city commissions and on city and non-profit boards is a powerful means for people to make a difference. As mayor, I sought as much input as possible from people of all points of view. Informed advocacy is a powerful tool for effecting change, especially if people are organized together to push elected and other governmental officials to bring about change. When elected officials want change, they need the support of people in the community.

Finally, whats is the most important thing for Salt Lake City voters to know about you?

Mendenhall: I am more committed to policy results than political fights. When I ran for mayor in 2019, I promised to change the tone of our city government and rebuild the burned bridges of our past. Anger is not a strategy and we don’t have to go it alone. We’ve been through a historic set of challenges—earthquakes, an inland hurricane, months of protests, the pandemic, the statewide homelessness crisis, and the nationwide surge in crime—and those crises 

Anderson: I am passionate about, and capable of, making SLC a far more livable place, as it was when I was mayor. I will pursue compassionate, evidence-based solutions, helping homeless people transition to better lives, end the heartache experienced by businesses as a result of the lawlessness caused by the Mayor’s leadership failures, and improve the quality of life for all. I’ll make certain everyone can safely use our parks. I’ll fix our roads and maintain our parks, as my administration did for 8 years. I can and will restore SLC’s reputation as one of the greenest cities, provide international leadership on climate protection, and clean up our city. 

Ranked Choice Voting

SLC’s Mayoral Election will be decided purely by Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). The SLC City Council voted to use RCV without a primary election back in March of this year, taking advantage of a thus-far successful RSV pilot program utilized for municipal elections scattered across the state.

How does it work? The RCV system allows voters to cast their vogtes on their ballot for their preferred candidates as well as backup choices, ranking them accordingly. If a candidate wins a majority of first-preference votes, they are declared the winer. If no candidate wins a majority of first-preference votes, the candidate with the fewest first-preference votes is eliminated. First-preference votes cast for the failed candidate are eliminated, lifting the second-preference choices indicated on those ballots. A new tally is conducted to determine whether any candidate has won a majority of the adjusted votes. The process is repeated until a candidate wins an outright majority.

Oct 10
Love0
delta

What’s Old is New Again: The Delta Center

By Community

The Home of the Utah Jazz is getting a new name! Well, actually an old name. In the world of sports venue corporate sponsorships, the name of a beloved sports team’s home court (or field, rink or pitch) goes to the highest bidder, and the price was right for Delta…again. What can we say, nostalgia is trending right now. 

It’s good news for people who never stopped calling it the Delta Center. With the unfortunate change to EnergySolutions Area in 2006, many stubbornly refused to update their vocabulary rather than sully their lips with the name of a nuclear waste disposal company. Then again, 10 years later, they still called it the Delta Center, rather than the mouthful “Vivint Smart Home Arena” (although the resulting renovations weren’t too bad). Even when the name was shortened to just “Vivint Arena” in 2020, many of us crossed our arms and muttered under our breaths, “You mean ‘the Delta Center.’” 

After all, EnergySolutions was long at the center of controversy, through its attempts to store increasingly radioactive waste or ship in nuclear waste from out-of-country to a Utah landfill. In 2021, the FTC fined the home security company Vivint Smart Home a record-setting $20 million for using identity theft to boost sales. And earlier this year, A federal court ordered Vivint Smart Home to pay $189 million due to accusations of “deceptive practices.”

We also dare not speak of the brief era when the International Olympic Committee tried to force us all to call it the “Salt Lake Ice Center.” It’s as if the collective energy of that mass obstinacy cast a spell, ensuring that, one day, the Delta Center would return. 

Prior to the return, by what name someone calls the Delta Center was a solid barometer for pinpointing the date range of a Jazz fan’s formative years (and determining which team roster broke their hearts the first time). If it’s EnergySolutions to you, you were cheering for Boozer and Williams. If it’s Vivint, you never shut up about Gobert and Mitchell. A Delta Center person is still cursing the name of Jordan and has posters of Stockton and Malone on their basement walls over their much-abused bean bag chair. 

If you’re up for a real trip down memory lane, talk to someone who still clings to the days when the Utah Jazz played the Salt Palace. They’ll regale you with exploits by Griffith, Eaton, Dantley or Green—an era of nicknames like “Dr. Dunkenstein” and “Pistol Pete.” They also might try to impress you with their old-school Jazz facts like, “Did you know that, before they finished building the Franklin Covey Complex in West Valley, the Jazz trained in the Payne Gymnasium at Westminster College?” 

Now, all of that is out the window. A Delta Center person could be an old fan or a new one (assuming the Utah Jazz can start to attract new fans), but we don’t think you’ll hear us Delta Center people complaining about it. 

Oct 06
Love0
bead

The Art of Family Tradition: Indigenous Fashion and Beadwork

By Arts & Culture

Codijo “Chebon” Yazzie’s beadwork draws the eye with bright colors, bold patterns and beautiful textures. Only an up-close look at his designs reveals the attention to detail and intricacy of the beading. Each “seed bead” is millimeters in size and hundreds of them are strung together to adorn hats, neckties, vests and shoes. The skills he uses in his art are in his blood, carried on through a family legacy.

Many beadworkers incorporate “sacred animals” in their designs, says Yazzie. “My family members use patterns like circles to represent the four seasons, the heavens, the earth the universe and the cycle of life.” Photos courtesy Codijo yazzie (@ codijochebonarts

Codijo Yazzie’s mother, Rosine Tree, and his sister are both fashion designers, focusing on Native designs, and they showcase their work at fashion shows around the country. Last year, they were invited to have their designs in the first annual Indigenous Fashion Show at San Diego’s Sycuan Powwow. Yazzie attended the fashion show as a photographer. “I was inspired by all the designers that attended the fashion show, and I loved all the different styles and seeing the models walk down the runway,” says Yazzie.

Yazzie grew up in the Navajo Nation in Upper Fruitland, N.M. He’s Diné (Navajo) and Kiowa Camanche and identifies his clan as Tsenjikini Ta’baaha’ (Honey Combed Rock Edgewater) Tachii nii (Red Running into Water). He later moved to Logan where he creates his beaded designs. Yazzie’s older sister, Cheyleen, taught him how to bead. They started first with single-needle stitches, then graduated to two-needle stitching. “She also showed me how to do different techniques while working with seed beads,” says Yazzie, who practiced beading on small items for years. 

“As soon I got a hang of beading, I [started] making dream catchers, beaded necklaces, beaded handbags, beaded horse masks and beaded elk masks for my close friends and family for gifts.”

In teaching Yazzie how to bead, his sister continued a rich tradition in their family, which has a history studded with artists and designers (going back to his great, great, great grandfather, Haungooah, who has some of his hide paintings in the Smithsonian). “Growing up, [I saw] how talented my family is—watching them doing all kinds of Native American arts, painting, sewing and beadwork and Native American designs,” he says.

photos courtesy Codijo yazzie (@ codijochebonarts)

Yazzie’s beaded ties and hats are made with seed beads, buck skins and deer bone. “I wanted to do something different for Native fashion,” he says. “My ties and hats can be used for nice events, like weddings and graduations.” He directs photoshoots of his own work using local Native Americans in Cache Valley as his models. He sent some of his photographs to the organizer of the Indigenous Fashion Show in San Diego. Yazzie says she was looking to put more men’s fashion designs in the show this year, and she loved his beadwork and invited him to participate.

As he was inspired by his family and the Native American designers in the fashion show, Yazzie hopes his designs in the fashion show will inspire others. “I want our Indigenous young people to understand how it is important to carry different arts to express who we are,” explains Yazzie. “Our culture is important. This talent needs to be carried on.”  

Trading Post 

Native American designer Codijo Yazzie says he gets his art supplies, including the colorful seed beads for the beadwork on his projects, from the Native American Trading Post in Salt Lake City. The Trading Post also sells Powwow supplies, crafts, jewelry, blankets and music. Native American Trading Post, 3971 S. Redwood Rd., SLC, natput.com