Community

It was twilight when we arrived at Allen Park—the end of the day it was officially designated a park by Mayor Erin Mendenhall. Only stragglers like us were wandering the semi-deserted street that led nowhere. A giant owl flew silently from one tree to another in the woods behind one of the broken-down houses. Eerie, but private and peaceful. People used to say a group of hobbits smoked their pipe weed and padded around on their furry feet in this little cul de sac off 1300 East near Westminster. Others claimed a family of Little People lived there and would chase away outsiders and curiosity-seekers who happened in.

But, actually, the eccentric street of tiny houses are on a wooded lot once owned by George Allen, a doctor and animal lover (he was instrumental in founding Hogle Zoo and Tracy Aviary.) He and his family lived in the log cabin and rented out the little houses to students or anyone who wanted to live in such a small space.

The good doctor regarded the area as a wildlife sanctuary—at one time, an elephant lived on the property—and he tended a flock of peacocks and other exotic birds. He advertised his gentle philosophy in a series of quotations, mostly from Romantic poets, that he shaped out of tile and set in stone. Allen Park was uninhabited and fell into disrepair and myth, but last October Salt Lake City Mayor Mendenhall declared portions of it a park and announced plan for restoration. Go take a stroll.

Holiday shopping season has begun (insert eye-roll). Can you believe it? I certainly can’t. Nonetheless, the holidays are here whether we like it or not, and shopping for our loved ones is an inevitable part of the tradition. And while we can’t put an end to consumerism, we can offer our favorite small businesses to try and localize holiday spending. We got each member of the Salt Lake mag team to pick their favorite local store and an item they believe would make a great gift.

Our picks:

• Ari’s Pick (Production Manager): A gift card to Fice Gallery – They have a great shoe selection for those who are into sneakers!
• Jodi’s Pick (Office Manager): Dammit Dolls from Hip and Humble – For a person who is a great but often last-minute gift giver, this reliable boutique on the eastern edge of 9th and 9th has saved the day on more than a few special occasions. 1043 E. 900 S., SLC, 801-467-3130, hipandhumble.com
• Jeanine’s Pick (Art Director): Utah Neighborhood Tea Towels from Salt and Honey Market. This is best gift ever! Each towel is designed and then hand screen printed  here in SLC.
• Kaitlyn’s Pick (Digital Content Manager): I have two different gift ideas…
  • One: Donate to a local organization that’s doing good things in your loved-ones honor. My choices are.. United Way of Utah County’s Sub for Santa Program: You can donate time, money or goods to this program or you can sponsor a child or an elderly adult in need. And Covid19 Mutual Aid-SLC: Salt Lake COVID-19 Mutual Aid Group is facilitating connections across the Salt Lake valley between individuals in need of support due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and individuals offering support to their community.
  • My second local gift choice is Monkey Wrench Gang beers by Fisher Brewing: Fisher Brewing hatched a plan to help out one of our state’s most beloved book shops: Ken Sanders Rare Books. A portion of the proceeds from these beers will be donated back to Ken Sanders book stores. Not a beer drinker? You can still support Ken Sanders by buying books or Monkey Wrench Gang t-shirts from his shop.

• Scott’s Pick (Account Executive): A knife set from Spoons N Spices. Such an essential gift! Most people don’t think to buy for themselves.
• Jeremy’s Pick (Managing Editor): Two of Utah Filmmaker Trent Harris’ most famous (or infamous) films have been released on Blu-ray (remember that). Either (or both) Ruben & Ed and/or Plan 10 from Outer Space are essential viewing for anyone who calls Utah home. The first is a buddy flick staring Crispin Glover (Back to the Future) and Howard Hesseman (WKRP in Cincinnati) who head out into the desert to bury a frozen cat. And if that makes sense to you Plan 10 From Outer Space, a send up of weird Utah lore, will make even less. This year give the gift of Utah Weird. Buy them directly from the director himself at http://www.echocave.net
• Scott P’s Picks (Assistant Art Director): A book from or gift card to Weller Book Works in Trolley Square.
• Josh’s Pick (Web Editor for Utah Style and Design): A box of caramels from V Chocolates. Give the gift of sweetness this holiday.
• Mary’s Pick (Executive Editor for Salt Lake mag): Signed & Numbered frame shop and gallery. Look through bins of already-framed, clever, quirky and affordable prints by local artists. Or have something framed for someone. 2320 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84115, (801) 596-2093
• Ashley’s Pick (Marketing Consultant): A mystery puzzle box subscription from Kings English Book Store. Subscribe a friend or loved one to received a mystery puzzle up to six months!
• Brad’s Pick (Editor for Utah Style and Design): A live plant from Cactus and Tropicals. Few gifts keep giving like plants do once the holidays are over. It’s like having a new friend in your home!
• Kristin’s Pick (Marketing Consultant): A necklace from Mineral and Matter. They also have so many other gift ideas that aren’t just jewelry!
• Cori’s Pick (Director of Sales): A gift card to Dancing Cranes Imports. They have a huge variety of gift options, from jewelry and crystals to oils and home decor.
• Don’t forget about our local restaurants in need. Purchase a gift card for your friend or loved one at their favorite local restaurant. 

Shop small and support local this holiday shopping season. For more city life, click here.

Sure, sure, holidays are synonymously linked with gift-giving. But if we’ve taken in anything from 2020 (or the Grinch), perhaps there is something more to all of this. Take the deeper dive into less material matter and more thoughtfulness. Here’s a switch: Give yourself some good karma. These gift ideas will give back way more than any scarf or air-fryer ever will.

For the adventurer: Support the National Park Service and buy an annual park pass. Not only does this give a reason to visit parks and make memories, but the fee keeps the parks running. Don’t have time to hit the road? Donate to the NPS in honor of your adventurous loved one, or any of these local environmental groups:

• Utah Chapter Sierra Club utah.sierraclub.org
• HEAL Utah healutah.org
• Save Our Canyons saveourcanyons.org
• Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance suwa.org

For the animal lover: Want to help animals in need and bring a smile to your loved ones’ faces? Adopt or foster a furry friend from Best Friends Animal Society or Nuzzles. Not ready to take that step in your relationship? No sweat. Both orgs accept loving donations.

For the foodie: 12 percent of Utahns don’t know where their next meal will come from. Instead of a dinner date, why not go on a grocery store date? Take your loved one out to the grocery store and fight hunger by purchasing and donating non-perishable food items to the Utah Food Bank.

For the artist: Support the arts and art educational programs by donating, volunteering or becoming a member at any of the local art museums such as:

• Utah Museum of Contemporary Art utahmoca.org
• Utah Museum of Fine Arts umfa.utah.edu
• The Leonardo umfa.utah.edu

Read more great ideas here.

It’s the season for celebration. And let’s face it—it was a bad year for cheer. Nevertheless, though masked and socially distanced, we will join together again this year in love and joy for one another. We will clink glasses, feast, toast to a better future and enjoy what we have, taking care to live in the moment. That’s what our cover story is about: remembering the good times in the midst of the not-so-good and pledging to support one another.

This year, Salt Lake magazine’s November Cocktail Contest (p. 63) is all about fun. We don’t think that’s frivolous, we think it’s important. Take all precautions, support our hard-working hospitality community. But remember to smile.

After all, we humans are ridiculously resilient. When we’re oppressed or treated unjustly, we push back. Read the sad story of Lauren McCluskey and the protests, outcry and, finally, change that her unnecessary death inspired. It all ties in with the consciousness-raising that have been 2020’s answer to injustice.

Political upheaval and bitter divisions have marked this year as much as the scars of forest fires, hurricanes, drought, windstorms and out-of-control disease. Lack of social contact, economic hardship and uncertainty have damaged our psyche. 

Humans aren’t meant to be alone. We’re tribal creatures.

But we find relief—in raising our voices in protest and encouragement, in solo hiking, workaround ski vacations and, slightly absurdly, in playing games. (p. 78)

Because that’s what humans do: Make do in the hard times, keep hope for the future and—don’t forget this part!—laugh in the present.

Cheers!

Read more.

So, it’s that time of year again. The holidays. What will you do? Support your local economy, or throw your holiday budget at mass retailers who contribute large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions?

Utah Pride Center and Clever Octopus invite Utahns to be #localists this holiday season, by skipping online mass retailers and opting to shop at their second annual Not Yo’ Mama’s Winter Market instead.

This market, although usually in-person, will be virtual to accommodate the need to limit exposure due to COVID-19. The market will open November 9 and close December 18, allowing for more time to browse the selection, unlike the traditional, in-person two-day event.

According to this study, spending just 10% more at local businesses would keep approximately $1.3 billion in the Utah economy each year. By shopping at the Not Yo’ Mama’s Winter Market, you will be supporting a network of local artists who have also been hit by store closures, and send your family one-of-a-kind holiday gifts, without sacrificing quality.

Clever Octopus Creative Reuse Center is a retail shop that sells quality materials and art and craft supplies that would otherwise be destined for the landfill. As Utah’s only creative reuse center, Clever Octopus supports shopping local as a means of promoting environmental awareness and sustainability in business and favors artists and businesses that are dedicated to minimizing and reimagining how they produce waste.

Vendors who sell quirky, stunning, bold, fanciful or otherwise unique products are encouraged to apply to be included in the market. In the market application, vendors include a donation to be included in Utah Pride Center’s silent auction at a later date. Proceeds from the auction fund the work the Pride Center does to uplift, educate, and provide affirming programming and resources to LGBTQ+ youth and adults. For more information visit http://www.cleveroctopus.org/winter-market.

Live PC Give PC is back on Friday, November 6 2020. The annual day of giving is more crucial than ever as community groups throughout the state have been challenged by the pandemic and rely on public funding to fulfill their missions. Because of the aforementioned global scourge, the event will look a little different than in past years, but organizers with the Park City Community Foundation are still confident area residents and visitors will rally to support myriad good causes.

In 2019 Live PC Give PC raised nearly $2.5 million from a total of 5,102 donors for a variety of nonprofit programs. For this year, the tenth anniversary of the collective philanthropic effort, the Park City Community Foundation aims to up both of those numbers to aid in COVID-19 stabilization and recovery.

What is typically a 24-hour all-out push will look a little different this year. While virtual, online giving has long been a trademark of Live PC Give PC, a visible community presence with orange-clad volunteers throughout the town has been a hallmark that will be less present in 2020. You’ll still be able to donate in person with volunteers posting up at various area businesses, but you can skip the hassle and anxiety of in-person interaction by donating online here. Browse the participating nonprofit organizations to find one that that’s meaningful to you. Whether that’s helping animal welfare through Canines with a Cause, backing local arts through the Egyptian Theatre or supporting survivors of family violence and abuse with Peace House, you’ll find hundreds of participating organizations in need of your support.

Also missing this year will be the much-loved traditional Live PC Give PC party. The feel-good festivities as the evening wraps up may be gone, but in its place is a socially-distanced parade through town as part of a revised schedule. The parade will wind through town from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and all are encouraged to come check it out and cheer from the curb. It’ll be a Friday afternoon in the fall, so don’t hesitate to mix up a spiced warm beverage of your choosing with which to cheer on parade as it passes by.

Don’t let 2020 put the kibosh on a good time for a good cause. Make Live PC Give PC your own, and keep community nonprofits funded and doing their thing through tough times.

Read more of our community coverage here.

On Wednesday, October 30, 2020, under a fading fall sunset, masked business leaders, bike aficionados, political types and a few random media folks, gathered (more like sensibly fanned out) at the GREENbike station on Rio Grande Street and 300 South to prove that yes, you can ride bikes when it’s cold. More importantly, the bike share donated a pile of winter clothing to Volunteers of America’s Utah Homeless Youth Resource Center (VOA).

GREENbike Executive Director Ben Bolte presents to a crowd of local leaders including (from left to right): Colmena Group Development Executive Aabir Malik, SelectHealth Risk Adjustment Coding Auditor Anji Lefler, Downtown Alliance Executive Director Dee Brewer, GREENbike Board Chair / Stadler Rail Director of Sales Matt Sibul, Salt Lake Magazine Managing Editor Jeremy Pugh, VOA Marketing & Communications Director Savannah Young, Utah Transit Authority (UTA) Trustee Beth Holbrook, UCAIR Executive Director Thom Carter, Azure Gaskill Quality Consultant at SelectHealth, Salt Lake City Council Member Darin Mano, 02 Utah Executive Director David Garbett, Salt Lake City Council Member Dan Dugan, Giv Group Executive Director Chris Parker, and Jordan River Commission Executive Director Soren Simonsen.

Who were those masked GREENbikers?

• Utah Transit Authority (UTA) Trustee Beth Holbrook
• Salt Lake Tribune Columnist Robert Gehrke
• Salt Lake City Council Member Amy Fowler
• SLUG Magazine Editor-in-Chief Angela H. Brown
• Salt Lake City Council Member Andrew Johnston
• FOX13 News Reporter Ben Winslow
• Salt Lake City Council Member Darin Mano
• Salt Lake Magazine Managing Editor Jeremy Pugh (I WAS!)
• Salt Lake City Council Member Dan Dugan
• UCAIR Executive Director Thom Carter
• 02 Utah Executive Director David Garbett
• Downtown Alliance Executive Director Dee Brewer
• Give Group Executive Director Chris Parker
• Jordan River Commission Executive Director Soren Simonsen
• Colmena Group Development Executive Aabir Malik
• SelectHealth Risk Adjustment Coding Auditor Anji Lefler
• Ray Quinney & Nebekar Attorney Pat Reimherr
• GREENbike Board Chair / Stadler Rail Director of Sales Matt Sibul

“We’re so grateful that all of these community leaders were willing to participate in tonight’s ride,” said GREENbike Founder and Executive Director Ben Bolte. “The goals of the ride are to remind people that you can bike in the winter, that SLC has great bike infrastructure and that the Volunteers of America is an amazing organization that we should all support.”

Out on the town: (From left to right): Ray Quinney & Nebekar Attorney Pat Reimherr, Colmena Group Development Executive Aabir Malik, SelectHealth Risk Adjustment Coding Auditor Anji Lefler, GREENbike Executive Director Ben Bolte and 02 Utah Executive Director David Garbett.

On behalf of the riders, GREENbike purchased 192 beanies, 192 pairs of adult gloves, 240 pairs of adult socks, 156 pairs of children’s gloves, 120 pairs of children’s socks, and 200 rain ponchos to donate to the Homeless Youth Resource Center.

“Because of the support of our amazing community, homeless individuals will stay warm this winter,” Kathy Bray, President of VOA Utah said. “Cold weather items go fast during the winter months.” Many of the youth served by VOA Utah, use GREENBike as a method of transit, Bray said, and the donations will help keep them warm as temperatures drop. The VOA has urgent need for more donations and has set up a wishlist on their website where you, your family or your organization can learn more about the specific needs and donate.

“Consider holding a charitable drive for our greatest needs,” Bray asked the gathered riders. To find out more visit: voaut.org/in-kind.

The riders set off in a gaggle across town, using the protected bike lanes of 300 South (The Becker Bike Highway, we like to call it) ending at one of GREENbike’s newest stations on the corner of 700 East and 300 South, Papa Murphy’s adjacent. From there, they dispersed into the twilight.

See more of our Citylife coverage here.

Halloween, the best holiday in my opinion (mostly because I love having a reason to dress up as Mia Wallace from Pulp Fiction and eat endless amounts of Twix), will unfortunately be a lot different this year due to covid-19. Classic door-to-door trick or treating has been altered to be covid-friendly and those annual Halloween costume parties will have to be reimagined or canceled.

According to the CDC the safest way to trick or treat is to:

• Stay at least 6 feet apart from other trick or treaters
• Wear a mask. Costume masks DO NOT COUNT. Make a cloth mask a part of your costume!
• Sanitize hands before and after handling treats
• If you’re giving out Halloween treats, be sure to do it outdoors
• Set up a station outside with individually bagged treats for trick or treaters to take
• Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before eating any treats

Not feeling comfortable taking your kids trick or treating? Hide little treats around the house or yard and have a Halloween scavenger hunt! Instead of indoor Halloween parties/typical Halloween activities, try these alternative ideas:

• Carve pumpkins outside with your friends – 6 feet apart
• Do a corn maze
• Have a spooky Halloween movie night with the people you already live with and/or tell your friends to join a “watch party” and watch scary movies together while apart.
• OR go see a scary drive-in movie at SLFS Motor Cinema (buy tickets in advance, they sell fast!)
• Host a virtual costume party
• Have an outdoor costume contest

These precautions might not sound as thrilling as our traditional Halloween festivities, but they are the best substitutes we have to keep everyone safe and healthy while still celebrating one of the best holidays of the year.

Have a safe and spooky Halloween and remember to shop local for all your Halloween treats and treasures and support small businesses:

• Caputo’s for all your chocolate needs
• The Children’s Hour for kid’s Halloween goodies
• Baking Hive offers take home baking classes and kits for Halloween family fun
• Kiitos Brewing or Grid City Beer Works for any Halloween hops
• Sugar House Distillery for any BOOzy drink needs

For more health and wellness, click here.

The ongoing battle between Park City and Breckenridge for world-record shot ski supremacy is on hiatus for the 2020-2021 season, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still have a little fun this fall. Like most things, this year’s communal shot-ski effort is evolving into a COVID-friendly, socially distant event, but it’s still an opportunity to benefit the Park City Sunrise Rotary’s grant programs for 20 community groups while showing those wannabes from Colorado that we have not only better snow, but also better parties.

The event’s presenting sponsor, High West Distillery, is offering two at-home shot ski packages for anyone who wants to praise Ullr and welcome the coming winter season without incinerating a bunch of toxic fluorocarbons and epoxies in a bonfire of old skis. The first is your general admission shot ski kit, which includes two custom 2020 shot glasses, a bottle of High West spiced lemonade mixer and two shot mounts to put on your own ski for $25. Those who really want to get into the spirit can splurge for the VIP shot ski kit, which includes three 2020 shot glasses, spiced lemonade mixer, a 2020 logoed limited edition wrapped shot ski with three shot glass mounts and a High West beanie for $200.

On Saturday, October 24, participants are invited to tip one back in the comfort and relative safety of their own homes and upload photos and videos of the revelry to Instagram while tagging @PCSunriseRotary and @DrinkHighWest while using the hashtag #PCHomeShotSki. Sure, we may not have the opportunity to publicly embarrass ourselves in person like in years past, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do the same from home. The person with the best, most elaborate, most creative post will win an exclusive High West prize basket.

2020 has been an impossibly dumb and awful year, so let’s not let it steal this burgeoning pre-ski season tradition from us, too. Plus, we need to get our reps in so we can come out swinging next fall when those Breck folks come out of hiding while trying to steal our idea for a semblance of ski culture relevance. Sign up for your virtual package by visiting parkcitysunriserotary.org, and stay on top of event updates at parkcityshotski.com.

Read more of our community coverage here.