City Weekly February 12, 2026

By Zach Abend

S AP

BOX

“What’s Yours is Mine,”

Feb. 4 Online

Bike lanes are one of the best things that have happened in SLC in the last decade. I enjoy them as a means to bike safely, exercise and have an alternative to driving. No to state takeover!

HERIN_ERIN_80

Via Instagram

Bro! Just one more lane. You gotta believe me bro!

CODYSHAWNELDRIDGE

Via Instagram

Having lived in Houston, where driver convenience is the priority, I know exactly how dangerous it is to be a cyclist. I had to learn to hop a curb because a giant truck was apparently offended that I dare to ride my bike to work. Not a week later, I had a friend nearly killed by being hit by a car not a mile away from where I had been run off the road.

We live in a city that is already lacking in sufficient public transportation, where many cannot afford a car. If the state gets its way on this, people will die. We will see white bike memorials all over this city.

Drivers already have the highest level of priority and privilege. Can we please not take away what little safety some folks have to ride their damn bikes?

SLC_GOAT_HEAD Via Instagram

I live on 2nd South and take 300 West on my commute to work. I love the bike/bus lanes as a driver, I literally never have to worry about pedestrians or cyclists sharing the road. It’s literally more convenient to have dedicated bike and bus lanes.

KYLIELIZZZZ Via Instagram

Why does our local government hate us so much?

CRNBRRYJUICE Via Instagram

Half the bikers barely even use the bike lanes, it’s insane. And most skateboarders just use the sidewalk.

FEO_104 Via Instagram

Coming from a household who was impacted by a driver-on-cyclist collision in SLC, this is so stupid. We are fortunate it was a financial burden and loss of work and not what it could have been—a death.

ERIN_A_KELLEY Via Instagram

UDOT failure rate is quite high. This would be a bad thing.

JAKELAWLOR Via Instagram

We should not be prioritizing driver convenience over safety. Bikers and

skateboarders need a safe place to commute throughout the city, and Utah drivers are notoriously bad. Please don’t make us share the road with them, we need a bike lane and for it to be a safe place for us to commute. If you’re going to make living in this city without a car impossible, at least be a little kinder to those on foot and without vehicles.

ROSESAREB14CK Via Instagram

Utah Legislature funded $2 billion in projects downtown to keep our capital vibrant and then SLC does idiotic traffic capacity reduction! We affluent suburbanites demand traffic lanes for our vehicles. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

TROYRUSHTON.UT Via Instagram

Care to sound off on a feature or about a local concern? Write to comments@cityweekly.net or post your thoughts on our social media. We want to hear from you!

THE WATER COOLER

Do you play board games?

If so, what are your top 3 favorite?

Eric Granato

1. Cards Against Humanity 2. Settlers of Catan 3. Mancala

Wes Long

I’ve long been fond of Clue, Scene It and 13 Dead End Drive. Lots of fun family memories associated with each of them.

Kayla Dreher

I am obsessed with Settlers of Catan. That’s really the only one. Otherwise, I play card games!

Aimee Cook

Yes! I love Scrabble, it makes me think. Monopoly, figuring out the best strategy each time, is fun. Clue, problem solving is good for the brain.

Eleni Saltas

Settlers of Catan, Monopoly and Risk. I clearly like games that take a while, are slightly nerdy and test friendships.

Scott Renshaw

We are a hardcore board game family. Wingspan is currently at the top of the rotation, with Settlers of Catan and Ticket to Ride occasionally in the mix, plus card games like Sea Salt & Paper and Skull King. It’s a crazy-interesting gaming world out there.

PRIVATE EYE

BY JOHN SALTAS

Snow Bunny Fishing

Iam seldom profound. Several years ago, however, I was thought to be profound after I told an angler on the Provo River to change her fly from a Zebra Midge to a Sow Bug.

In less time than it took to switch from one fly to the other, she’d snagged four fish. She said—and I’ll never forget it—“Wow. That was profound. Thank you!”

Somewhere out there in life’s ripples, I like to believe she’s sharing that profoundness. I remember everything about her—her gear, her attire and especially her Iona Gaels hat. I’ll never forget that day even though I can’t remember her face or hair. I remember her fish, though, Provo River beauties.

All I did was tell her to try something different. After all, as the wise men say, in order to keep making the same mistake, keep doing things the same way. If one doesn’t change what is going into the sausage grinder, what comes out will be the same old sausage. An outcome can only change if we change our habits or methods.

That’s why I’m calling on Utah Gov. Spencer Cox— again—to do better at this praying for rain game he’s playing. I’m getting nervous that the ice cubes for my daily cocktails will soon be lacking due to Utah’s miserably low water expectations for 2026, and Cox isn’t helping.

Not being judgemental, but Cox isn’t doing praying people any favors. It ain’t working, Spence! Change bait.

Anyway, I never really believed that Spencer was praying for everyone in Utah to have rain and snow, not at least until his own water needs and those of his neighbors are provided for first. That’s just natural—not a condemnation of praying, but what we tend to pray for.

I’m just a cynic about that, believing that most people pray first for themselves. People always pray for their own team to win or for their winning field goal to be guided by an angel’s wings through the goalpost as time expires. Same for Spence.

Maybe I missed it, but I didn’t hear him pray for the Cottonwood Canyons that bring waters to my home. That means his prayers for the snow that attracts ski dollars to those glorious ski canyons—and at nearby restaurants and clubs, where a good many skiers spend their apres ski dollars off of the Cottonwood Canyon resorts—may fall elsewhere.

Like the snow falling in North Carolina, where they don’t need it. I doubt they prayed for it.

It’s not snowing in Colorado or Montana, either. Did Spence enjoin that his water prayers fall upon those states as well as Utah?

If he didn’t, then he also whiffed at the chance to pray the folks downriver of us in Phoenix, Las Vegas and Southern California can be relieved of the thirst they are about to experience.

As they say: pray for rain, punt for snow. Spencer punted. Just in the nick of time—when we discovered that his prayers are unheeded when it comes to snowpack—he also changed the game, metaphorically, from fishing to hunting. And what better wild game to go hunting for than the media? Blaming the media when things go bad is the wild joker played by Republicans these days. Beats praying for snow, I guess.

At a press conference in Milan, Italy, where the 2026 Winter Olympics are being held, Gov. Cox said that he’s grateful to live in a country that allows people, including athletes, to speak their minds (and by extension to pray to the snow gods without hindrance).

Apparently athletes are to speak of good things only, as some feathers were ruffled when USA Ski Team members commented on life in the USA.

In a Salt Lake Tribune report, Spencer is quoted weighing in on political correctness at the games. “I hate that

you [journalists] ask the athletes. These kids are out there competing,” Cox said. “I think you should ask them about their sports and about their competitions and let the politics take care of the politics.”

One of those “kids” is 27-year-old Chris Lillis, a Utah resident and University of Utah student who told reporters he was proud to represent the USA, while adding that he feels “heartbroken about what’s happening in the United States.” Lillis said we all need to treat everyone with “love and respect.”

Lillis was simply disagreeing better.

But the mindlessly evil Utah Sen. Mike Lee said on X, regarding Lillis, “If you can’t stand up for your country while abroad—at the Olympics or otherwise, stay home.”

That’s rich coming from Lee, a man who is so poor at defending his nation and state that a favorite Utah prayer these days goes, “Grant us this, O Lord, that Mike Lee never comes home.”

Hunter Hess—another 27-year-old “kid,” Utah resident and SLCC student—also praised the USA, with the respectful caveat that “just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.”

That was all. That triggered President Trump to call Hess “a real loser.” Trump said “it’s too bad” Hess is on Team USA.

Point of fact: Hess has never snatched a medal or trophy from another athlete.

It’s too bad that Spencer Cox is on Team Trump. Instead of standing for his fellow Utahns and for a free speech that goes beyond his right to prayer, Cox switched to “clickbait” and blamed the media. He diminished the value of athletes who train decades for fleeting moments of success.

It will be interesting, eight years from now: Will Cox tell the media, and will Lee tell our U.S. athletes, to be silent while competing on Utah snow and ice? Or will they change bait and fish for snow bunnies? CW

Send comments to john@cityweekly.net

HITS & MISSES

BY KATHARINE BIELE

HIT: Trail Mix

Well, there’s good news and bad news on the legislative front. First, the bad news. Conspiracy theorists are alive and kicking at the Utah Legislature. The good news: It may just be that some lawmakers see reality as more than a TV show. Sure, we live in a polluted world, but the vapor that comes out of jets is, well, just vapor. Roosevelt Republican Sen. Ron Winterton has tried for years to criminalize the alleged release of “chemtrails” by airplanes. Indeed, there are technologies being developed to address the dangers of climate change. All this is because of “growing concerns about the lack of global efforts to cut emissions.” But Inside Climate News says it’s mostly speculative and “the only option we have is to actually address greenhouse gas emissions as a matter of urgency.” Too bad Winterton didn’t try to address those emissions. His bill SB23 failed in a Senate committee.

MISS: U.N. Believable

Back in 2008, a state senator named Margaret Dayton tried to stop funding for Utah’s International Baccalaureate programs, tying them to a U.N. agenda she called anti-American. Have you heard of the New World Order? A secret cabal of powerful people seeks to rule with an authoritarian “one-world” government. Dayton thought so, and apparently so does Rep. Lisa Shepherd, R-Provo. Shepherd’s recycled ideas are a bit different, fearing this cabal will create a global crisis—like COVID—to bring on the New World Order. So, she came up with HB85 to ensure that Utah doesn’t fall victim to any directives from an international organization. Of course, her co-sponsor was Sen. Winterton. The global government idea, while massively misconstrued, began under Woodrow Wilson and Winston Churchill. What was idealistic to begin with became a godless siren call that today reaches Utah. HB85 passed the House but failed 12-17 in the Senate.

MISS: Locked and Loaded

While Donald Trump may be coming for your guns, Utah is not. St. George Republican Rep. Walt Brooks—who’s never seen a gun he doesn’t like— wants to clarify the law so that it’s A-OK to conceal or openly carry a gun on college campuses. Never mind that 84% of gun deaths are suicides and college students are a vulnerable group. Meanwhile, Rep. Andrew Stoddard, a Sandy Democrat, wants to ban guns in daycares and K-12 schools. You know how that will go. Another bill seeks to limit guns near large gatherings. And Republican up-andcomer Rep. Candice Pierucci, R-Riverton, wants to make sure we stay a Second Amendment state, where venues that take public funds must allow concealed firearms. Maybe she didn’t hear the president say “You shouldn’t walk in with guns” to rationalize the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Pretti was licensed to carry.

Making Love

This is a short article on love, written as a reflection about Valentine’s Day. A career in higher education taught me that we teachers tend to teach what we need to learn. And like most of us, I continue to learn about love. Freud wrote that we are never as defenseless against suffering as when we enter romance. Perhaps that is because one must become vulnerable to love, and vulnerability makes us feel, well, vulnerable.

I have noticed that many of my clients and students refer to former partners as being borderline or narcissistic. I’ve done the same, maybe most of us have. But something feels wrong; is that really the end of the story?

We therapists often teach that we may unconsciously fall in love with people who remind us of our abusive parents, and there can be much truth in that. However, as author Marianne Williamson points out, we can also ask why we act a certain way with others. Instead of primarily focusing on blaming others, we can identify what barriers we use to avoid love.

Our culture tends to make Valentine’s Day about celebrating romantic love, which is only the first stage, the very beginning of the journey. Falling in love can be wonderful and there’s nothing wrong with rejoicing in the romance. However, this February perhaps we can also celebrate how love can gradually mature.

As most of us know, when we fall in love we often idealize our partners, projecting on each other the “good” and largely ignoring the “bad.” Probably nature intends this so that we might mate. However, as the illusions of romance inevitably fade, we begin to see each other’s faults, and idealization may flip to demonization.

In this second stage we switch from seeing the good to seeing more of the bad. We can also enter into a “power struggle” as we fight over who is suffering the most, a fight no one can ever actually win.

Fortunately, there is a third stage of mature love that can follow the initial illusion and then disillusion. Maybe Rumi was thinking about this when he observed, “Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”

Although Rumi’s wisdom feels true, I find my ego resists the shift that he counsels us to make; it seems easier to blame. But I still believe that we humans can gradually change our consciousness and co-create a mutual acceptance with our partners, the third stage in the human love story. Mutual acceptance does not mean we like everything about each other, or that we give up appropriate boundaries, but can mean that we affirm each other (and thus also ourselves) for who we actually are.

In our world now, so torn apart by shame, blame and violence, we might find that our potential ability to develop mutual acceptance in all of our relationships is especially important to celebrate on this Valentine’s Day. CW Dr. Dave Derezotes, PhD, is a professor emeritus at the University of Utah.

Valentine’s Dates

A slew of interesting options for an evening out with that special someone.

BY SCOTT RENSHAW scottr@cityweekly.net @scottrenshaw

Sometimes there’s a lot of pressure to find something perfectly romantic to do on Feb. 14. But it’s also worth thinking about how “romantic” can often just mean “thoughtful,” as in thinking creatively about how to spend time together. Utah businesses and organizations have come up with a wide range of options for how to celebrate; here are just a handful, including options for those who are unpartnered and want to share time with friends.

“My Darling Waltz” or Salsa Romance @ DF Dance Studio: Do you long to re-create every romantic dance scene you’ve seen in the movies? This opportunity for beginners offers a couples-only chance to learn the waltz or salsa in a low-pressure setting with other rookies. An on-site photographer can help capture the experience for you. 2978 S. State, Feb. 14, salsa @ 3:30 p.m./waltz @ 6 p.m., $70 per couple registration week of the event, dfdancestudio.com

Hogle Zoo Paint Night: Otterly in Love: Cute animals and romance are always a winning combination, and it doesn’t get much cuter than otters. In an experience designed for those who have no artistic experience at all, an instructor will guide participants in painting a pair of otters in an adorable scene—and you’ll get to meet one of the zoo’s animals for a little upclose-and-personal inspiration. Admission includes all materials, and you get the painting you produce. 2600 E. Sunnyside Ave., Feb. 14, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., $55 per person, hoglezoo.org

Heber Valley Railroad: Valentines/Gal-

entines Specials: The Heber Valley Railroad offers wonderful themed experiences on their two-hour round trips throughout the year, and this could be a perfect chance to see what it’s all about. The Feb. 14 Valentine’s Day experience includes drinks and a four-course dinner for table service, or charcuterie box and chocolates for other seating, with champagne and other drinks available for additional purchase. On-board hosts will entertain with songs and stories. If you prefer to party with friends rather than a lover, the Feb. 13 Galentines train includes charcuterie and dessert, plus karaoke. 450 S. 600 West, Heber City, tickets beginning at $100, hebertrain.com

“A Night of Love” Sober Valentine’s Gala: For a classy evening in an alcoholfree environment, consider this opportunity to enjoy a three-course dinner, live entertainment and dancing. Curated mocktail/soda bar is available, along with desserts and photo opportunities. VIP upgrades also available. Temple Terrace Event Center, 32 E. Exchange Place, Feb. 14, 6:30 p.m., tickets starting at $76, TWKBValentineGala.eventbrite.com

Valentine’s Day Stop Light Bar Crawl:

Whether you’re partnered or solo, you can get in a flirtatious mood with an event that includes covers at all locations, food specials at some locations, 2-3 drinks included, cup, bottle-opener lanyard and more. Dress in color-coded attire to signal your availability status, and enjoy a lively night. Begins at Shades on State, 366 S. State, Feb. 14, 4 p.m., tickets start at $26.08, facebook.com/events/1803095423676049

True Romance / Natural Born Killers @ Salt Lake Film Society: As part of its monthlong “Bad Romance” series, Salt Lake Film Society presents two early Quentin Tarantino stories centered on lovers on the run, unsurprisingly peppered with plenty of violence. 111 E. 300 South, Feb. 13 – 14, True Romance @ 7 p.m.; Natural Born Killers @ 9:20, $13.75 for each film, slfs.org

“Love Bites” @ Asylum 49/A Valentine’s Fright @ Nightmare on 13th: Anyone who’s ever gone on date to a scary movie knows the chance to cuddle up together for mutual protection is part of the fun. Now consider extending that notion to a traditional Halloween haunted house. The two local haunts present tales where cursed lovers and horrifying heartbreak provide a chance for making your heart go

Galentine’s Day karaoke on Heber Valley Railroad

pitter-pat in a variety of ways. For mature audiences. Asylum 49 @ 140 E. 200 South, Tooele, Feb. 13 – 14, 7 p.m. – 11 p.m., $20 general admission, asylum49.com; Nightmare on 13th @ 320 W. 1300 South, Feb. 13, 7 p.m. – 11 p.m., $29.95 general admission, nightmareon13th.com

Wasatch Theatre Co.: A Dozen Roses: On a similar theme of mixing hearts with horror, this new play offers a generationsspanning romance involving an immortal vampire and the love he discovers in different eras of history. It provides a meditation on mortality, eternity, gender and more. Regent Street Black Box, 144 S. Regent Street (at the Eccles Theater), Feb. 12 – 14, 7:30 p.m. & Feb. 15, 2 p.m., $25, saltlakecountyarts.org

The Most Heartless Ball: And if you have no interest in a romantic evening whatsoever, consider instead a “villaintines” experience celebrating darkness, treachery, malevolence and such. Dress as your favorite villain and enjoy dancing, mocktails and costume contest with prizes. Utah Cultural Celebration Center, 1355 W. 3100 South, West Valley City, Feb. 14, 7 p.m. – 11 p.m., $25, utahhachicon.com CW

theESSENTIALS ENTERTAINMENT

Plan-B Theatre Co.:

Dumbed Down

There’s a long tradition of dramatic work that plays on the trope of the “inspirational teacher,” based on the unique relationship between students and teachers. But there’s also the reality of professional exhaustion, especially for teachers working in at-risk communities. That’s the reality confronted by Darryl Stamp’s new play Dumbed Down, which tells the story of a veteran high-school teacher contemplating retirement, while wondering what his absence means for the kind of students for whom he has been a lifeline.

Stamp drew from his personal experience as a high school teacher for Dumbed Down’s protagonist, Kevin Simon. As he describes in a blog post for Plan-B, that experience was initially terrifying, but ultimately about his own choices: “After graduation, if I taught at least four years at a Title I, inner-city, low-standardized-test-scores high school, my tuition would be paid in full …. By Halloween of my first year of teaching, I wanted to quit and pay my own tuition! … My students knew that I genuinely cared about them. … I let them know that I knew what it was like to struggle, and what it took to succeed in the classroom: show up, bring paper and something to write with, pay attention, do the work, do your best, care about failing, care about succeeding.”

Plan-B Theatre Company’s world-premiere production of Dumbed Down comes to the Rose Wagner Center Studio Theatre (138 W. 300 South), Feb. 12 – March 1. Tickets are $19 - $29, with limited availability for most performances at press time at saltlakecountyarts.org. (Scott Renshaw)

Ballet West: Peter Pan

You can get a sense for the power of a story in popular culture by the number of different media in which that story manifests. From its literary origins, J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan has taken on the form of animated and live-action film, live theater, theme-park attractions—and even a ballet, first staged in 2002 with the Houston Ballet by Trey McIntyre and set to the music of celebrated British composer Sir Edward Elgar (best known for the graduation march “Pomp and Circumstance”).

PICKS,

If you know Peter Pan at all, however, you might wonder about whether the dancing will take place on the stage, or in mid-air. And you will discover that the little boy who refused to grow up, the fairy Tinker Bell and Peter’s young friends Wendy, Peter and Michael do indeed spend some time airborne. “This production requires extensive flying rehearsals—even more than our  Nutcracker and  Dracula productions, and the aerial choreography is truly spectacular,” notes Ballet West Artistic Director Adam Sklute in a press release. “With this version of  Peter Pan, McIntrye stays true to the original story in so many ways. It is a tale of the transition from child to adult, reminding us that we can maintain our child-like wonder as we grow older.”

Ballet West’s production of Peter Pan comes to the Capitol Theatre (50 W. 200 South) Feb. 13 – 21, with performances 7:30 p.m. Thursday – Saturday, plus 2 p.m. Saturday matinees. Tickets are $46 - $103; visit balletwest. (SR)

Brian Regan @ Delta Center

“Clean comedy” certainly draws big crowds in Utah—and for years, Brian Regan has been one of the prime examples of that success. In fact, he’s been doing it for so long that it seems like he pre-dated the whole concept of “clean comedy,” simply offering his own goofy perspective on life and his own peculiarities in a way that appeals across generations. Over the course of a professional comedy career that now spans 45 years, Regan has remained steadfastly himself. That number “45” just somehow seems wrong, considering the boyishness that has defined Regan’s on-stage persona. That’s why it seemed so startling a few years ago when he was suddenly sporting grey hair in his shows after the COVID lockdown—a fact he drew attention to in his 2021 Netflix special On the Rocks “COVID hit, I went into hibernation and came out a senior citizen,” he shared. “I’m at the age where I wake up and the first thing I do is try to remember what doctor I’m going to that day. ‘Ah, the dermatologist! Because of that splotch on my back!’ I don’t want to brag, but I have to put medicine on my back using a spatula.” Well, Brian, you may be getting older, but so are we all—and your vibe is timeless to your fans. Brian Regan plays the Delta Center (301 S. Temple) on Saturday, Feb. 14 for one show only at 8 p.m. Tickets are $55 - $144; visit seatgeek.com to purchase tickets and for additional event information. (SR)

MON-SAT: 10AM - 8PM SUNDAY: 11AM - 6PM 801-833-2272

MON-SAT: 11AM - 8PM SUNDAY: 11AM - 6PM 385-432-3600

HEART TO HEART

Ketamine therapy offers Utah couples a new tool for old relationship fights.

BY ZACH ABEND comments@cityweekly.net

Clinical social worker McKinley Merchant had reached a professional impasse. She kept seeing the same patterns over and over again during her therapy sessions with couples at her Millcreek practice, and was afraid she’d burn out.

“People have such strong negative boundaries,” Merchant related. “I tried every back door, but I wasn’t getting through.”

According to Merchant, destructive relational patterns recur because many people are ineffective in communicating their needs.

But recently, Merchant began incorporating ketamine into couples therapy as a tool to bypass some of those repeated patterns that were resistant to traditional talk sessions.

“We mostly sweep things under the rug,” she said. “We don’t learn how to repair when there is a break.”

Ketamine helps people feel more psychologically flexible and take their partner’s perspective, according to Dr. Kayla Knopp, a licensed clinical psychologist in San Diego, CA, while increasing overall neuroplasticity. “It increases empathy and feelings of love,” she noted. “It eases a path.”

Knopp added that ketamine increases overall neuroplasticity, comparing it to a psychological lubricant. She emphasized that the only people who should work with couples are therapists trained to do that work.

“You need [an] evidence-based couples therapy

background,” she said. “Find someone who is experienced with couples and knows how to apply ketamine to that situation.”

Opening Up

Like Merchant, Kate Kincaid—a certified mental health counselor in Millcreek—also offers ketamine in her couples practice. She says it tempers the limbic system, allowing her patients to be “calmer and slower to react.”

Couples in Kincaid’s practice each receive a “psycholytic,” or low dose in their sessions. This allows for slower reactivity when they are talking to each other under the influence but still allows them to understand each other.

Dawn Binkowski, one of Kincaid’s clients, said she liked the experience of using ketamine in therapy because it reduced fear of judgment and activated empathy and compassion.

She said her partner, Scott Holmes, who participated in the ketamine treatments with her, was also able to open up to her in ways he hadn’t before.

“It’s about building a trust container that allows your ego, or vigilant part of yourself, to go offline,” said Binkowski.

Like his partner, Holmes found that ketamine lowered his inhibitions as well as his fear of judgment. This helped him develop a sense of safety that allowed him to be a better communicator, particularly in working through difficult subjects.

“It made me less defensive and made her less judgmental,” he observed. “I can approach some things more candidly than I used to.”

But Holmes also emphasized that ketamine is not a magic bullet. “It’s still necessary to do the work,” he said. “It’s a lubricant, a tool, but you still have to have the conversation.”

Hard Work

For Alicia Taverner, a licensed marriage and family therapist based in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, the key is preparation.

Taverner conducts between three and six sessions with a couple before ketamine is ever administered. Following every dosing session, there are between one and three hours of integration.

“It can be destabilizing if you don’t have the proper preparation and integration,” she said.

Couples’ mileage with ketamine may vary. If one person didn’t experience much when they took ketamine, this imbalance can act as a mirror of the relationship, according to Taverner. In that way, treatment sessions still provide valuable information, even if the individuals have different experiences.

Even for motivated couples, therapy work involving ketamine is time consuming and expensive—and most insurance providers do not cover it. Additionally, some pre-existing conditions can preclude the use of ketamine. Bipolar disorder, mania, and unmanaged high blood pressure are all red flags.

Moreover, if there is a pattern of intimate partner abuse like domestic violence or coercive control, ketamine should not be used at all, according to Knopp, because it could make the victimized partner less safe.

“Psychedelics make us more vulnerable,” she said. With healthy couples, that vulnerability is what can help them start to heal. Ketamine may have opened a door for Holmes and Binkowski, but they were the ones who had to walk through it.

“It still takes an extra level of work to broach certain subjects,” he said.

Holmes knows that they want the best for each other in a deeper sense now.

“We can still be reactive but we feel the underlying intent better and it makes it easier to deescalate.” CW

LOVE

ENDLESS LOVE

Past-life readers say old flames can accelerate or burn up today’s relationships.

BY CAROLYN CAMPBELL AND CATHERINE H. CHRISTMAN comments@citywekly.net

With the holiday that is singlemindedly devoted to love soon arriving, it’s the perfect time to ponder a few things—like whether you knew your current significant other in a previous lifetime and, if so, whether you two were a dynamic duo, even back then?

Youthful lust aside, why did the poster children for love—Romeo and Juliet—click so fast? Could it have been more than good vibes at the Capulets’ ball?

Burning with a desire to find the answers, our quest involved interviewing an array of past life regressionists. Here’s what we found.

“Love is the greatest power in the universe,” revealed Galena Ced, a psychic at Crone’s Hollow (3834 Main St). “It’s not surprising that so many of us are searching for it. Everyone seems to come away with an experience from the past. There can be a recognition of the possibility of fulfillment.”

Hypnotherapist and psychic Pepper Gregory echoed that notion. She said that most of her clients—both men and women—request past-life insights, with the subject of love easily being the number one topic.

Above everything else, she says her clients want to know a version of: “Do the flirty banter and butterflies in my stomach mean true love is lurking? And if there are magnetic moments now—before a relationship truly starts—could that attraction be due to something that might have happened in a previous life?”

Gregory said that when it comes to the subject of instantaneous love, she’s been there herself. Citing the sparks that flew the moment she caught sight of her husband, Skip, at Weber State College, she stressed that the instantaneous attraction was more than his good looks.

While she admits that “he was hot,” she said the initial attraction felt by both parties was by no means unique. “We tend to circle back together in

different lifetimes because the tie of love is very strong,” she explained.

Jennafer Martin, a professional psychic with Readings & More by Jennafer, says a past life reading is like a record of the soul’s activities. She noted that her clients often come for readings following the first flare of attraction, in order to gauge if their coupledom has a past, a future or a tangible reason to be together. Martin said that is because people sometimes fall instantly in love with a version of someone they know.

“Maybe they recall how they met in a particular circumstance,” she said, “or that they were co-workers.”

Still, it’s best to be prepared, Martin cautioned, because once you become a couple in this lifetime, it’s different. In fact, some married people seek out Martin when they’re at a crossroads in their relationship.

They want to know, “Did we do what we were supposed to do? Have I learned what I was supposed to learn? Is it time to move on?”

Meanwhile, Gregory said that a past-life reading she participated in showed a lifetime in the 1800s, where the woman who’s her current older sister, turned out to be her mom. Times on the prairie were tough, and her mother was forced to shoulder farm chores alongside the ranch foreman—who, remarkably, was an incarnation of Gregory’s current husband, Skip.

Gregory, who saw herself as a redheaded tomboy in that lifetime, said she passed away when she was only five, as a result of a snake bite. But what never died was Gregory’s affection for the ranch hand.

Maybe that’s why they’re together now, she’s concluded.

“I had a child’s puppy love for him,” she recalled. “Skip never got over losing me, from what we could tell.”

But even if a person is drawn to someone, their potential heartthrob can still choose not to act on it, or they can be afraid, Martin noted.

“What you are looking for is a feeling of recognition or continuing interest that doesn’t go away,” she said. “There’s a sense of, ‘oh, there you are,’ or ‘this person needs to be in my life’ or ‘I need to get to know this person.’”

Still, are some heartthrobs hard to break away from, no matter what life you’re in?

One of Martin’s clients, who was amicably divorced, couldn’t seem to date anyone else because of a lingering feeling for her ex.

That connection kept her from moving forward. “She wanted to ask why she was still stuck in this feeling when they weren’t together anymore,” Martin recalled.

It turned out there was a time in another life when he promised to be there to do something for her, but “he got all wrapped up in his own stuff,” Martin said. She explains that for this client, it seemed as if part of her soul was hanging around with a feeling of unfinished business, saying, “but you promised me.”

Martin points out another couple who felt they’d broken up in several previous lifetimes, and who decided to make their divorce in this lifetime as congenial as possible, in hopes of breaking the spell.

Gregory believes her instant attraction to Skip went beyond looks.

So, what’s the takeaway? Clean up your business in this lifetime—because you kids might very well be meeting again.

And finally—and perhaps most intriguingly, through her work—Gregory learned that just as people have had past lives, it’s possible to conjure up future ones as well.

Gregory points to a client who she read all the way from a past life in Roman times to a future where he piloted an exotic, translucent type of jet.

“The jet looked to him as one far beyond our own time,” Gregory said.

“At the end of the session, he confided that he is a pilot in this life.”

So, with past lives and future lives and tons of opportunities to fall in love at first sight, as this Valentine’s Day approaches it seems very clear— in the end, who can say where our flights of fancy might take us? CW

MATCH MAKERS

A new crop of singles events help Salt Lakers trade the apps for in-person connections.

BY NOEL SIMS comments@citywekly.net

Times are tough in the dating world. Times are tough even for making real, adult, human friends. One need not look further than the existence of running clubs to see the level of our desperation for human connection as people look for any alternative to spending more time liking Instagram stories or engaging in excruciating dating app small talk.

Though the outlook seems bleak, a new solution—one more humane than running clubs—is emerging.

Singles events have been cropping up all over Salt Lake social calendars, packing out clubs and bars with people looking for love. But this new generation of singles events offer more than just a room for singles to congregate in. They offer games, specially-created matchmaking algorithms and even the opportunity to be pitched to an audience of other singles.

Dating in 2026 can be brutal and plain old speed-dating isn’t going to cut it.

Riley Smith, a 25-year-old SLC transplant, said she found it challenging to make connections—platonic or romantic—after leaving the LDS church a few years ago.

“There’s so many matches at your fingertips. You can have access to anybody at any time of the day just by texting them, just by matching with them,” Smith said. “That alone makes you psychologically lose interest in approaching people in person, because it’s too hard.”

Issues with dating apps and so-

cial media are universal, but dating in Utah comes with its own set of unique challenges.

“I think here, there’s a lot of pressure to be perfect. I think that comes from a lot of the religious background,” Smith said. “So many of us are ex-Mormons in Utah, so we’ve kept a lot of the mindset.”

With the influence of dating apps and social media, and the general erosion of the ability to approach an attractive stranger and strike up a conversation, Salt Lake’s cupids have had to get creative.

Brandon Luong runs a popular singles event, Date My Mate, a monthly dinner club and an Instagram account that ranks SLC’s pho restaurants. His events function a bit like “Shark Tank,” with participants pitching their eligible friends to an audience using slideshow presentations, while that friend sits nearby, awkwardly, on a stool.

“All my social things I throw are kind of silly,” Luong said. “I think that actually works out really well, because it makes it feel lower pressure and just kind of casual.”

Luong said he was inspired to start hosting Date My Mate after seeing similar events in other cities.

“I just thought, ‘Wow, that’s so cool. I wish somebody would do that here,’” he explained. “And I was like, ‘Wait a minute, why don’t I just do it?’”

For Smith, hosting matchmaking events is a business—and as of a few weeks ago, her full-time gig. After founding the Love Club in May, Smith used her background in social media marketing to promote her first singles event in September, which sold out.

“It’s all of my passions and skills combined into one—one concept that I can actually feel fulfilled in and make money off of,” she said. “Like, that’s the dream.”

Admittance to The Love Club

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

events is by application only. Interested singles fill out an initial form where they explain their intentions behind attending.

The Love Club is not for people looking to “F around,” said Smith. Once applicants prove themselves to be looking for a real connection, they’re asked to fill out a second form explaining their values, hobbies and what they are looking for in a partner. Then, the Love Club team puts the answers into an in-house algorithm to generate a list of other compatible attendees.

At Love Club events, attendees are encouraged to mingle with their matches, but stay open to spontaneous sparks during activities like board games and karaoke. A volunteer crew helps ensure that everyone is able to participate.

“Being included is such a big deal to me,” Smith said. “If anybody’s sitting alone, you know, [volunteers] go and help introduce them to people. They’ll help people find their matches.”

While the Love Club and Date My Mate are more narrowly focused on romantic connections, another SLC social club wants to bring people together, whether romantically or platonically, over one thing: books.

Bookish was started in 2024 by two sisters who were moving back home to SLC from bigger cities and looking for a social space where they could connect with people over their life-long love of reading. Eventu-

Attendees mingle at a Love Club event.

ally, they decided to just create one themselves, according to Amanda Zenger (who donned “horny for books” socks during her interview with City Weekly).

While they started hosting events that were a mix of quiet reading and social time to meet other readers, attendees soon began asking Bookish to specifically hold singles events, Zenger said.

Like the Love Club and Date My Mate, Bookish plans icebreaker activities to get conversation flowing. But Zenger also said bringing reading into the mix automatically gives some common ground.

“The piece that makes books really easy is you can talk about topics and themes and tropes—if you will—that are outside of yourself,” Zenger said. “So it almost makes it more approachable, because the small talk doesn’t really exist when you both have the subject matter to talk about.”

None of these events has invented a novel way of finding love—friends have always tried to get friends to date each other; the Love Club’s analog algorithm is not all that different from those used by dating apps; and how many movie meet-cutes happen in a bookstore?

But they do provide something else that can feel rare to a generation who never dated in a world without dating apps: a room full of strangers who actually want to talk to each other. CW

Bookish started as a literary meetup before expanding into dedicated events for singles.

SAVE THE DATE

Break out of the dinner-androses mold for a fun and memorable Valentines.

BY BRANDI CHRISTOFFERSEN COMMENTS@CITYWEEKLY.NET

Valentine’s Day is all about love and affection. And while it’s true that a five-star dinner, complete with roses and chocolates, is the quintessential Valentine’s date, there are other, less traditional ways to spend the holiday that can be equally romantic.

Here are some ideas for celebrating the day of love, beyond the typical dinner reservation:

Breaking the Ice

Outdoor Ice Skating at the Gallivan Center

There is something inherently romantic about ice skating—think Love Story and nearly every Hallmark movie ever made. Perhaps it’s because ice skating is intimate and fun, and gives you the perfect excuse to hold hands.

Picture yourself and your significant other gliding around the Gallivan Center’s outdoor rink, enjoying the night air, while warming up with a cup of hot chocolate from the concession stand. Skates are included with the cost of admission, but if you have your own pair, you get a discount. Also, the rink is open to the public so reservations are not needed—even on Valentine’s Day.

Starry, Starry Night

Take in the View From Antelope Island Starry nights and timeless love go hand in hand. The very act of stargazing encourages intimate conversations and vulnerability. One of the

Share a drink afterhours at Draper’s Loveland Living Planet Aquarium.

most memorable places to go stargazing is at Antelope Island, which is an internationally-certified Dark Sky park. (This means the island restricts upward-directed light, allowing the natural darkness of the night sky to be relatively free from light pollution.)

At Buffalo Point and Frary Peak, you’ll find beautiful sunset views that, once darkness falls, give way to spectacular dark skies. While enjoying the night sky, turn on a classic love song and search for your favorite constellations.

Kisses and Fishes

After-hours at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium With love right in its name, the aquarium provides an environment that, while a bit unconventional, makes for a great date night. Many couples find that the serene ambiance of an aquarium encourages intimacy and engagement.

On February 14th, the aquarium is featuring an after-hours event from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., where guests can explore the breathtaking marine exhibits. Additionally, bars will be set up throughout the event with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase. Whether you’re gazing into the deep blue sea or interacting with sting rays and penguins, the blend of adventure and beauty makes for a very memorable experience. Plus, the aquarium provides amazing backdrops for awesome photos.

Art and Love

Mosey Around Provo’s 33 Downtown Murals Art evokes strong emotions. It brings people together and creates lasting bonds. Our local communities are filled with wonderful galleries, exhibits and museums, which are amazing date destinations.

The rooftop terrace at Salt Lake City’s Main Library offers 360-degree views of the downtown skyline.

One of the most extensive and easy-to-access collections of public art is located in Downtown Provo. Here, among the city’s quaint buildings and shops, is a series of murals—33 to be exact—from varying artists that reflect an array of techniques and styles.

A map of all of the works can be downloaded right to your phone, so you can explore each of the pieces. These are not the type of paintings you typically see from graffiti artists and they are all free to both enjoy as well as admire.

Dashing Through The Snow Horse-drawn Sleigh Rides at Wolf Creek

Imagine it’s Valentine’s Day and you’re climbing aboard a horsedrawn sleigh. The jingle of silver bells and the clip-clop of hooves break through the night’s silence, as you wrap yourself in the large, plush blanket. Suddenly, a friendly cowboy chants, “Giddy Up,” and the crimson sleigh begins to glide across the snow. You slide closer to each other and marvel at the pristine beauty that surrounds you.

For 30 minutes, marvel at the snowy Ogden Valley and Wasatch Mountains while cuddling next to your loved one. You can book this romantic adventure through WolfCreekSleighRides.com and experience a one-of-a-kind Valentine’s.

Teeing Off

Hit

a Bucket of Balls at TopGolf

If you’re a couple that enjoys action and fun on your dates, then might we suggest visiting TopGolf in Midvale? This adult playground provides hours of laughter, amusement and friendly competition. Whether you are an aspiring golf pro with personalized clubs or a newbie that has never been on a green, this advanced golf complex

makes it easy to score, no matter how you swing.

There are games for all skill levels and you can bring your own equipment or use the venue’s complimentary clubs. Plus, their high-tech balls keep track of every shot, so you can relax and focus on each other. It may not be the most amorous Valentine’s setting, but it’s arguably one of the most interactive and fun.

On Top

Visit the Main Library’s Rooftop Terrace

For one of the best views of the city skyline, climb to the fifth floor of the Salt Lake City Library and enjoy the recently renovated rooftop terrace. This impressive promenade features stunning, 360-degree views of the Salt Lake Valley and Wasatch Mountains. Colorful artwork decorates the surroundings. There are plenty of cozy seats, which make for the perfect excuse to snuggle up. Bring along a blanket, a thermos of hot cocoa or coffee and a book of poetry to read aloud. Please note that the Rooftop Terrace is closed during inclement weather, and closes one hour prior to the library itself.

Otterly In Love

Release Your Wild Side at Hogle Zoo

If romance isn’t your top priority and you’re looking for something unconventional to do this year, we recommend registering for Hogle Zoo’s Paint Night. Enjoy an evening of creativity as a talented artist guides you through a step by step painting tutorial. You will be painting an adorable pair of otters holding hands and floating on glittering water. (See also page 9 of this issue.) No experience is necessary and all art material will be provided. This class is for adults only, so no children are allowed. CW

DINE

Hola, Lola

La Lola Taco showcases Michelin-grade talent in Murray.

BY ALEX SPRINGER comments@cityweekly.net @captainspringer

It’s always a little humbling when a small-time food writer like myself gets to bear witness to the local food scene as it evolves in real time. I’ve lived in Utah for long enough to remember how exciting it was for a Cafe Rio to open a location in one’s neighborhood, and we’ve come a long way, baby. Case in point, La Lola Taco, a badass new taqueria that recently opened on the corner of 6400 South and State Street near Fashion Place Mall. Not only was this little part of Murray in dire need of a hip new restaurant, but it came to us by way of Michelin-recognized chef Luis Perez.

Chef Perez made a name for himself with Chapter One and Lola Gaspar in Santa Ana, Calif., where his adherence to traditional street-taco culture and a keen flavor palate won plenty of accolades. Both The Orange County Register and The Los Angeles Times recognized Perez’s game—the Times listed his handiwork among the 101 best tacos available in Los Angeles back in 2024. A taco pedigree like this forged on the streets of Los Angeles gives local taco enthusiasts much to rejoice about.

There are many reasons to love the space that La Lola Taco has created in Murray. Its corner lot and wall-to-wall windows offer a great view of the State Street bustle, and it’s not long before the tempting aroma of carne asada steals your attention. The restaurant is designed as a fast-casual concept, but peeking at the

industry taking place behind the cash register reveals a fine-tuned tortilla making operation.

Each of the blue corn tortillas that lovingly wraps around each of La Lola’s signature tacos is rolled, pounded and griddled to perfection by the restaurant’s staff day in and day out. Like most of the hand-held food spectrum, the delivery system must provide both function and flavor to the dish. I went all in and got one of each taco, and those blue corn tortillas are simply gorgeous—perfectly pliant texture, but still strong enough to hold everything inside with each bite.

I thoroughly enjoyed each taco, but the belle of the ball was the pork al pastor taco ($4.75). I am, of course, biased toward slow-roasted pork and grilled pineapple, but this taco really does the classic recipe justice. It was the harmonious marriage of rich, savory pork and tart pineapple that really won me over. In my al pastor experience, these two complementary flavors will often share a courteous bow or sometimes a spirited handshake. At La Lola Taco, these flavors are passionately locked in the kind of ardent embrace that makes one feel a little hot under the collar.

In second place was the pollo asado taco ($4.75), which came as a surprise to me. My past experiences with chicken street tacos have made me wary that they’re just a throwaway, but that’s not the case at La Lola Taco. The chicken is well-seasoned and melt-in-your-mouth tender, but it’s the pickled onions and tomatillo salsa that really opened things up with each bite. Chef Perez’s recipes really play around with acid and tartness, which gives the mouth plenty of contrast with which to play around.

Those acidic flavors get put on blast with the gulf shrimp taco ($5.25), which was my number three pick. These tacos are dressed with a cilantro and chili crisp macha oil along with the familiar pickled

onions, and it’s a well-balanced combination. The shrimp are cooked perfectly, and the bite of the chili crisp worked very well with this protein.

The same chili crisp macha oil is also present on the grilled Brussels sprouts taco ($4.25), which was my number four pick. Ideal for those sticking to a plantbased diet, this taco is prepared the same way as the gulf shrimp taco, and it works well with the Brussels sprouts. The acidity and heat is still present, and the cruciferous veggie is hearty enough to be the main event in a taco situation.

My number five pick went to the carne asada taco ($5.25), not because this taco was bad in any way, but because the previous four better exemplify what I like in my tacos. The carne asada is tender and flavorful and comes with a hefty dollop of creamy guacamole, but I think the protein is more fully showcased either by the Los Angeles Burrito ($13.50) or the carne asada fries ($11.50), which both contain generous helpings of this flavorful protein.

The Baja battered fish taco ($4.75) came in last for me; maybe it had to do with the fact that I tend to see fish tacos as an exclusively summer dish. The fish itself was crispy and flaky, but I found myself looking for a bit more seasoning on the protein. I’ll try this one again once the weather heats up a bit.

While it’s true that La Lola Taco is the kind of taqueria that not only curates a stellar menu of traditional taco flavors, there’s plenty more going on at this Murray restaurant. Chef Perez and his team have brought a welcome vibe of coastal panache that is quite refreshing to see in our landlocked state. CW

Avenues Proper

376 8th Ave, SLC avenuesproper.com

On Tap: Paradise - Green Tea Rice Lager

Bewilder Brewing

445 S. 400 West, SLC BewilderBrewing.com

On Tap: Pink Boots - Pink Pony Pilz

Bohemian Brewery

94 E. Fort Union Blvd, Midvale BohemianBrewery.com

NEW Releases: Kölsch, Dusseldorfer “Alt” Bier

Bonneville Brewery 1641 N. Main, Tooele BonnevilleBrewery.com

On Tap: Peaches and Cream Ale

Chappell Brewing 2285 S Main Street Salt Lake City, UT 84115 chappell.beer

On Tap: Pie Hole - Strawberry Rhubarb Tart Ale

Craft by Proper 1053 E. 2100 So., SLC properbrewingco.com

On Tap: Paradise Lost - dry hopped rice lager

Desert Edge Brewery

273 Trolley Square, SLC DesertEdgeBrewery.com

On Tap: Edge’s Special Bitter ESB

Heber Valley Brewing

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

On Tap: Freshly canned - ‘435’ American Pale Ale 6% ABV

Helper Beer

159 N Main Street, Helper, UT  helperbeer.com

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

On Tap: Coffee & Cream Stout

Kiitos Brewing

608 W. 700 South, SLC KiitosBrewing.com

On Draft: Japanese Style Rice Lager

Kiitos Brewing Sugar House Bar 1533 S. 1100 East, SLC KiitosBrewing.com

On Draft: Japanese Style Rice Lager

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

On Tap: Vienna Lager

Level Crossing Brewing Co., POST 550 South 300 West, Suite 100, SLC LevelCrossingBrewing.com

On Tap: El Santo Mexican Lager

Park City Brewing 1764 Uinta Way C1 ParkCityBrewing.com

Freshly canned: The Last Dance Lager

Prodigy Brewing 25 W Center St. Logan Prodigy-brewing.com

On Tap: 302 Czech Pilsner

Proper Brewing/Proper Burger 857 So. Main & 865 So. Main properbrewingco.com

On Tap: Orange you Glad (Hazy pale ale)

Proper Brewing Moab 1393 US-191, Moab properbrewingco.com

On Tap: Orange you Glad (Hazy pale ale)

Red Rock Brewing 254 So. 200 West RedRockBrewing.com

On Tap: Gypsy Scratch

Red Rock Fashion Place 6227 So. State Redrockbrewing.com

On Tap: Grand Bavaria

Red Rock Kimball Junction 1640 Redstone Center Redrockbrewing.com

On Tap: Bamberg Rauch Bier

Epic Brewing Co.

825 S. State, SLC EpicBrewing.com

On Tap: Tropical Chasing Ghosts IPA

Etta Place Cidery

700 W Main St, Torrey EttaPlaceCider.com

On Tap: All-American Blend Cider, MangoHabanero Session Mead

Fisher Brewing Co.

320 W. 800 South, SLC FisherBeer.com

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

Grid City Beer Works

333 W. 2100 South, SLC GridCityBeerWorks.com

On Tap: Barrel-aged Imperial Brown Ale

Moab Brewing 686 S. Main, Moab TheMoabBrewery.com

On Tap:  “Big Drop” West Coast Pilsner

Mountain West Cider 425 N. 400 West, SLC MountainWestCider.com

On Tap: Juice Shot (carrot ginger hard cider)

Offset Bier Co 1755 Bonanza Dr Unit C, Park City offsetbier.com/ On Tap: DOPO IPA

Ogden Beer Company 358 Park Blvd, Ogden OgdenBeerCompany.com

On Tap: 11 rotating taps as well as high point cans and guest beers

RoHa Brewing Project 30 Kensington Ave, SLC RoHaBrewing.com

On Tap: Bramble Brown

Roosters Brewing Multiple Locations RoostersBrewingCo.com

On Tap: Dunkel Dan

SaltFire Brewing 2199 S. West Temple, South Salt Lake SaltFireBrewing.com On Draft: Oenobeer

Salt

BEER NERD

Mountain Time

Quenching beers in a Park City style.

BY MIKE RIEDEL comments@cityweekly.net

@utahbeer

Park City - Last Dance Lager: Brewed as a fond farewell to the last Sundance Film Festival in Utah, this American light lager proves that “light” doesn’t have to mean bland. It presents a clean, pale golden body topped with a bright white foam that screams classic lager precision. The aroma sets it apart from the style’s lowest common denominator. Toasty malt rises first, evoking baked bread and a hint of cracker, followed by a sweetness that feels natural rather than sugary. There’s a faint herbal note lingering in the background.

On the first sip, that toasty character comes through clearly, delivering a medium-light sweetness that gives the beer a satisfying backbone without weighing it down. It’s smooth, rounded and remarkably flavorful for a beer designed to be highly drinkable. The balance here is impressive—nothing feels excessive, and every element has its place. The hops then make their presence known in a way that’s pleasantly surprising for an American light lager; they’re somewhat aggressive relative to the style, adding a crisp bitterness that snaps the beer back into refreshment mode. Grassy and herbal notes flash across the tongue, creating a subtle “zap” that keeps the palate engaged and prevents the malt sweetness from lingering too long. The mouthfeel is light and clean, with lively carbonation that enhances the beer’s refreshing nature. The finish is dry, brisk and faintly herbal, inviting another sip almost immediately. This is a lager built for repetition, yet it never feels boring.

Verdict: This beer walks a fine line, showcasing real malt character while allowing assertive hops to add personality and edge. It’s an American light lager that respects tradition but isn’t afraid to push just enough to keep things interesting.

Offset - Centennial: Centennial hops have been a cornerstone of the American craft beer movement. Developed in the 1970s and released in the 1990s, they bridged the gap between old-school European varieties and the bold, citrusy profiles that defined modern IPAs.

This Centennial-hopped pale ale is a wonderful example of how intention can turn a single hop into a complete, deeply satisfying beer. From the moment it’s poured, it signals classic pale ale vibes— bright golden with a clean, inviting clarity and a modest white head that lingers just long enough to tease what’s coming next. The aroma is where Centennial really flexes its muscle. Herbal notes lead the charge, fresh and slightly resinous, followed by soft citrus tones that lean more toward lemon peel and subtle orange zest than aggressive grapefruit. It’s expressive without being loud, a nose that invites repeated sniffs rather than demanding attention all at once.

The first sip confirms this is a textbook single-hop execution. Centennial delivers a crisp herbal backbone, layered with light citrus that dances across the palate rather than overwhelming it. There’s a gentle bitterness—firm enough to remind you this is a hop-forward beer, but never sharp or abrasive. What really makes this pale ale sing, though, is the malt bill. A well-judged malt presence provides a touch of biscuity sweetness and body, anchoring the hops and keeping everything in perfect balance. Mouthfeel is mediumlight, smooth, and highly drinkable. The carbonation lifts the flavors just enough, enhancing the hop character while keeping the finish clean and refreshing.

Verdict: This is the kind of pale ale that rewards attention, but doesn’t require it—a beer equally suited for thoughtful sipping or easygoing enjoyment. For fans of classic American hops and well-balanced pale ales, this Centennial showcase hits all the right notes, and then confidently speaks for itself.

Occasionally, Offset’s beers will make their way into some SLC pubs, but often your best bet will be to visit their new brewery located at 4175 N. Forestdale Dr., Park City. The same goes for the Last Dance Lager, which is only available at Park City Brewing, 1764 Uinta Way, Park City. As always, cheers! CW

BURNER

BY ALEX SPRINGER | @captainspringer

Take-home Valentine’s Eats From Hill’s Kitchen

While Hill Top Hospitality (hill-top-hospitality.com) restaurants like Hearth and Hill and Urban Hill will be offering swanky prix fixe menus for those who want to, like, go outside on Valentine’s Day, Hearth and Hill has you introverts and homebodies covered. Both the Park City and Sugar House locations of Hill’s Kitchen will have take-home shareable snacks for you and your special someone to enjoy while you watch Heated Rivalry on the sofa. The items include gift boxes of chocolate-covered strawberries, heart-shaped macarons or a four-inch heart-shaped cake. The Sugar House location will also be offering a heart-shaped pizza with soppressata and hot honey that is perfect for sharing with that hot honey of your own.

PETA Praises Piper Down Pub

Before the Super Bowl, PETA released a list that recognized several eateries across the nation for their work in the field of vegan chicken wings. Our own Piper Down Pub (piperdownpub.com) made the list with its Spicy Tiger Wings. The vegan wings come with a variety of tasty sauces like spicy buffalo, teriyaki, orange chicken, BBQ, agave sriracha or lemon pepper dry rub. These wings even come with a side of vegan ranch dressing for your dipping needs. The key to a good wing has always been the sauce or rub, and not only does Piper Down make a mean buffalo sauce, but its vegan wings are crispy and tasty enough to stand on their own.

Princess Tea Returns to Grand America

High tea in the Grand America Lobby Lounge (grandamerica.com) has always been a hit with younger audiences, but throwing in a pair of princesses really seals the deal. As winter draws to a close, the Grand America will be hosting the return of its Princess Tea events that will start on Feb. 20 and take place every Friday from March 6 - March 27. Guests for this experience are encouraged to wear attire fit for a royal audience, and two princesses will be in attendance roaming from table to table. While this is a great event for kids, princes and princesses of all ages are welcome to attend.

Quote of the week: “A cup of tea is a cup of peace.” – Soshitsu Sen XV

Crazy Times

Three new features have no trouble going for the weirdness.

BY SCOTT RENSHAW scottr@cityweekly.net @scottrenshaw

Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die BB 1/2

Often it takes a lesser version of a great movie to appreciate how great that predecessor is—and while this ersatz Everything Everywhere All At Once has its charms, it also goes to show what a small miracle the aforementioned Oscar-winner was. It opens with an agitated man (Sam Rockwell) barging into a diner, claiming to be a visitor from the future, in need of a group of volunteers to help save the world from a coming A.I. apocalypse. Eventually he puts together a ragtag bunch—a high school teacher (Zazie Beetz) and her substitute teacher husband (Michael Peña); a depressed party princess (Haley Lu Richardson); a grieving mother (Juno Temple); etc.—and their quest is sporadically interrupted by their individual back-stories. Screenwriter Matthew Robinson uses the premise as a vehicle for lots of notions about the perils of the terminally-online era, and he throws in some solid bits of dark comedy, particularly surrounding a business that offers clones of teens killed in school shootings. But while director Gore Verbinski (the Pirates of the Caribbean series) understands how to build spectacle around an eccentric lead—and Rockwell is funny as the group’s reluctant leader— there’s an ambition here that exceeds the story’s grasp in an attempt to be a cool action movie and social commentary and emotional drama. Sometimes a bunch of weird, loopy stuff all thrown together creates a magical formula, and sometimes it just ends up feeling like a bunch of weird, loopy stuff all thrown together. Available Feb. 13 in theaters. (R)

GOAT BB

It had all the makings of a Steph Curry vanity project—the NBA legend executive-producing and doing voice work for an animated sports movie about an undersized player with dreams of greatness—but instead the creative team managed to take components from a bunch of animated and sports features and cobble them into something lively and satisfying. Our hero is Will Harris (Caleb McLaughlin), a literal goat in an animal-populated world who longs to be like his idol Jett Fillmore (Gabrielle Union) and

get a chance to play in the basketball-adjacent, biganimal-dominated ROARball league—which happens when he’s in a viral video, and the owner of Jett’s team (Jenifer Lewis) signs him as a kind of novelty act to generate fan interest. What follows pulls most obviously from Zootopia and Space Jam, with a generous seasoning of elements from Major League, Gus and other underdog-sports tales, yet the vibrant animation, goofy supporting characters and the craziness of the actual ball games—played on geographicallyspecific courts ranging from ice floes to an active volcano—never allow the energy to flag. And while Will as a character is clearly Curry-coded, as fans will recognize his trademark celebratory shimmy and mouth-guard chewing, the story plays just fine as a more general “believe in yourself” narrative with effective tension between Will and aging superstar Jett. Maybe it’s not the most original thing you’ll see, but it’s a pleasant surprise that knows how to find a solid joke in cats being afraid of squirt bottles. Available Feb. 13 in theaters. (PG)

“Wuthering Heights” BBB

Writer/director Emerald Fennell has made a point of emphasizing the quotation marks in the title of her “adaptation” of Emily Brontë’s novel, and if that’s just an excuse to allow her to go wild with her interpretation of the basic premise … honestly, I’m fine with that. Because where her previous features (Promising Young Woman, Saltburn) found her trying to be a provocateur who also had some kind of Serious Message, here it’s simply a provocateur party. And thus the story of Cathy Earnshaw (Margot Robbie), her sort-of-adopted-brother Heathcliff (Jacob Elordi) and their tragic love story on the 19th-century Yorkshire moors kicks off with what seems to be sex noises eventually revealing themselves to be the death throes of someone hanging from the gallows, and only gets more over-the-top horny from there. Fennell fully embraces the premise as protoHarlequin romance, with a shirtless Elordi embodying “lusty stableboy,” Robbie playing Cathy with gusto as an unrepentant drama queen and plenty of naughtiness sprinkled throughout. It’s also a delightfully wild movie from a visual standpoint, as Fennell has a blast with shots like a bride walking across a landscape with a trailing train, and a room’s walls adorned with leeches. The story veers from the source in a way seemingly purpose-built to give purists palpitations, but if you want a period romance that turns Heathcliff and Isabella (Alison Oliver) into a full-on dom/sub relationship complete with dog collar, here’s a movie for you. Available Feb. 13 in theaters. (R) CW

Lu Richardson, Sam Rockwell and Juno Temple in Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die

Margot

Silly Love Songs

For Valentine’s Day, local bands talk about what makes a good romantic ditty.

BY EMILEE ATKINSON eatkinson@cityweekly.net @emileelovesvinyl

While there are many universally cherished love songs, what makes for a good love song can be different depending on who one asks. Local bands/ musicians weigh in on what makes a good one and what some of their favorites are.

The Proper Way: We may be the worst band around to ask this question to. When we released our last collection of original music, my college roommate messaged me and said, “Hey, are you guys OK?” As a band, we’re not typically drawn to love songs. Or happy songs.

The other thing is that “proper” love songs aren’t usually all that complex. The Beatles began with Paul McCartney singing “She loves you / Yeah, yeah yeah” and then McCartney sings “You’d think that people would’ve had enough of silly love songs / But I look around me and I see it isn’t so / Some people want to fill the world with silly love songs / And what’s wrong with that? / I’d like to know / ‘Cause here I go again / I love you.”

We tend to be drawn to love songs that are about mistakes or regret or loss. They’re still love songs, but they contain some kernel of difficulty or trouble that provides some degree of tension or complexity to the emotion being described. We’re sort of John Prine-ish in this sense. I once read an interview with him where he was asked why his songs are all so sad. He said, “Hell, the last thing I want to do when I’m having a good time is to stop and write a song about it.”

The closest we get to a proper love song is probably “Where This Water Takes Us.” It’s not actually a love song, though. It’s about shop-vacuuming water out of my flooded basement.

Lisa & The Missing Pieces: A great love song opens the heart. It may sound counter-intuitive, but I think the chords might top lyrics in importance. If the chords and song structure draw out feelings and images from the vault of your own experiences, it touches you. Conversely, if the song has poetic lyrics but the chords don’t support that creation or add to it, I don’t think the song would work.

For example, The Beatles’ “And I Love Her”.... Look at the lyrics of this song. Lovely in their simplicity. But no turn of phrase in and of itself is deeply moving. But the riff and subsequent chords elicit deep feeling. The song starts with that nowfamous riff in a minor key then moves to a major key in the bridge and back to minor for the rest of the song, with a half-step modulation that occurs in the guitar solo and is carried into the final, fourth verse. The very last chord of the song moves back into major, with all of these pieces of the chord arrangement ramping up the emotional intensity. There is an instrumental version of the song by Pat Metheny that (I think) drag the tears and longing from any shut-down, armored heart—even without hearing the lyrics. The chords and structure are what make this love song haunting and evocative.

Favorite love songs of mine that have both chords and lyrics working together include “The Island” by Ivan Lins, “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” by The Beach Boys, “Case of You” by Joni Mitchell, and “One Less Bell to Answer” by Burt Bacharach/ Hal David, which is a love song/breakup song (often the same thing). ... Does the song touch and inspire you, affect you and stay with you? Does it make you remember your own lovers, bring your own desires and heart into your conscious experience? Then it’s a great love song.

MUSIC

Scott Lippitt: What makes a love song stand out amongst the masses is relatability. If the song’s story is too perfect and conflict-free, it suffers and stays put in the land of fantasy. If it includes some of life’s messiness, then we see ourselves in it.

A fantastic example of this is “Lucky” by Dora Jar. The song speaks to a love that froze after a fight that wasn’t resolved before bed. With time, though, the love thaws and warms with a deep gratitude for one’s partner and the bigger picture.

Number One Babe Team: When it comes to love songs, the more heartbreaking, the better. Music’s the shoulder you can always cry on. Favorite love song: “Shut Up I Am Dreaming Of Places Where Lovers Have Wings” by Sunset Rubdown.

Richard Tyler Epperson: I’m probably the opposite of most people when it comes to love songs. A lot of people focus on lyrics and how they remind them of someone, but that always comes second for me. It’s the music. It’s the vibe. When the melody comes in, you don’t even know what they’re saying yet, but it already makes you feel something.

My favorite love song changes all the time, but there are a few I always come back to. “Something” by The Beatles is hard to beat. I’ve heard it thousands of times and still love it. Between George’s melody and Paul’s insane bass line, it always gets me. A close second is “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys. CW

BEST BAR IN UTAH!

GREAT FOOD

MUSIC PICK S

Anti Amor @ The DLC 2/14

Many will be out having a lovey-dovey evening on Valentine’s Day, but if you don’t have a Valentine, or are perhaps a bit salty about a romantic situationship, this awesome show is for you. The lineup is not only fun, but the act names are so fitting, including Val/In/Time and Satan Himself. Val/In/Time specializes in goth/rock/folk tunes, offering a wide-ranging and well-honed sound. It’s crunchy, it’s loud and it’s just plain cool. “Come to the barcade in the basement where not only shady-eyed singles can mingle, but couples have dark corners to enjoy local talent,” he said of the show on Instagram. As mentioned before, Satan Himself is a perfect choice for this show because of his cheeky and amusing songs and performances. “I am Satan. I sing silly songs. I no longer torture people for God,” he says in his Instagram bio. His song “I Don’t Know Why” starts out with the lyrics, “Well I don’t know why you think masturbating brings you any closer to me.” If you’re feeling a bit down in the dumps, Satan Himself will cheer you up. (I’ll take “sentences I’d never thought I’d write for 200” please, Alex). Youch! and DJ Dazzle will also be there to hang out on Saturday, Feb 14 at 8 p.m. Tickets for the 21+ show are $12.76. Grab yours at 24tix.com. (Emilee Atkinson)

WEEKLY

TUESDAYS

WEDNESDAYS

MUSIC PICK S

Branden Estrada @ The Downstairs 2/14

Local artist Branden Estrada is playing house music this weekend on Valentine’s Day at Park City’s iconic, high-energy dance club Downstairs (625 Main St). Estrada boasts an impressive ability to seamlessly blend infectious beats and soulful melodies which transport listeners to a realm where time slows down and inhibitions fade away. His mastery of the electronic genre is evident in his ability to create intricate, layered compositions that are both sonically rich and emotionally evocative. Estrada says he will play around 85% of his own edits and remixes in the set. “I’ve been having very unique sets with House, Pop House, Top 40 remixes and surprise underground records that catch people off-guard,” he said. A DJ’s success really emerges from the balance of mastering innovation and timelessness. In the realm of electronic music, Estrada’s unique blend of house music is groovy; you may have caught one of his sets at Sky SLC this past summer. Check out his “Branden Estrada at Sunday School” house mix from the Rooftop Sunday series for a taste. For the upcoming show, Estrada asserts, “People will fall in love that night.” This is a 21+ show at The Downstairs on Saturday, Feb. 14, the perfect place to go buy a drink and dance the night away with friends or a lover this Valentine’s Day. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. and tickets cost $11.83. Table reservations are also available at tixr.com. (Arica Roberts)

Event & Marketing Coordinator

(Draper, UT) Plan and execute K-Culture themed events incorporating Korean traditional music, such as pop-up events, cultural food festivals, and live performances at restaurants and food trucks. Develop and produce promotional content for social media platforms (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok), integrating signature menu items with traditional instrument performances. Coordinate community-based marketing initiatives in collaboration with Korean cultural centers, local festivals, K-pop fan clubs, and university K-culture organizations. Collaborate with internal teams to manage schedules, logistics, and resources for events, ensuring smooth execution and alignment with overall brand strategy. 40hrs/wk, Offered wage: $31,242/yr, Bachelor’s degree in Music or related required. Resume to CUPBOP CO Attn: Yeiri KIM, 12184 S Business Park Dr, Draper, UT 84020

MUSIC PICK S

Berner @ Soundwell 2/17

San Francisco native, rapper and entrepreneur Berner (AKA Gilbert Milam Jr.) is a modern-day mogul. Parlaying his love of music and weed into a cannabis empire, the founder and CEO of Cookies was ahead of the curve when it came to the green rush (pioneering the “Girl Scout Cookies” strain back in the early 2000s). Unless the quality and potency are good, there’s no reason to buy celebrity-branded marijuana, yet Cookies is possibly the biggest brand worldwide. Mainstream audiences seem to agree, as there are retail stores that stretch from the Great White North to Southeast Asia. “Let’s keep the positive energy going. Let’s keep the cannabis industry strong—it doesn’t have to be so competitive, like it is now,” Berner told Forbes. “All the legacy players still in the game like me are blessed. So let’s just remember one thing, marijuana unifies. It keeps people united. So let’s just try to celebrate that a little more.” With a discography that boasts 22 solo albums and 29 collaborative projects, Berner knows rap, and you should know that. Songs on songs on songs for a generation that accept imperfection and understand there are flaws in humans, but we got to keep pushing. Respect the hustle when you see it. Yung Chowder, Drodi and Bo York open. Catch these artists on the Still Smokin’ Tour at Soundwell on Tuesday, Feb. 17. Doors at 8 p.m. Tickets for the allages show are $38.05, and can be found at eventliveus.com. (Mark Dago)

Samm Henshaw

@ Urban Lounge, 2/17

London-born singer, songwriter and producer Samm Henshaw launched his recording career with his 2015 EP, The Sound Experiment. A year later, The Sound Experiment 2 followed; the two releases showcased Henshaw’s stirring and catchy brand of gospel-flavored, soulful R&Bmeets-pop. Displaying influences ranging from Stevie Wonder to Usher and *NSYNC, Henshaw’s original music manages the feat of feeling fresh and contemporary while building on the sounds and textures of classic soul. Rather than following up his early EPs with an album, Henshaw took a different route, releasing an impressive series

of singles—12 between 2018 and 2022— both as a solo artist and in collaborations. Henshaw finally released his debut album, Untidy Soul, in 2022; his second full-length, It Could Be Worse, followed in January 2026. Henshaw’s touring has seen him opening for James Bay, Tori Kelly, Chance the Rapper and Allen Stone. His current world tour takes him from Japan and Southeast Asia to North America—including dates in major U.S. markets—before heading across the Atlantic for concerts in Europe and the U.K. Samm Henshaw comes to the Urban Lounge on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the show are $42.49 and available from 24tix.com. (Bill Kopp)

Damien Jurado @ Urban Lounge 2/18

Based in Seattle, singer/songwriter Damien Jurado can sometimes seem a bit aloof, especially due to the fact that while he tends to point out life’s absurdities, he resists being pulled into any sort of quagmire. He wraps his sound in an atmospheric ambiance, underscored by hushed vocals and understated arrangements. An unabashed outsider, he boasts an intriguing demeanor, shared courtesy of a sensual and seductive approach that challenges audiences to lean in and listen even as he keeps them at bay. Still, such scenarios can make it difficult to understand the understated irony. Not surprisingly, Jurado initiated his career in a lo-fi manner, courtesy of various self-released cassettes under the auspices of his own Casa Recordings. Over the course of a more than 30 year career, he’s produced some 30 albums—nine of which appeared in one form or another last year alone—and recorded for several leading indie labels, allowing his eccentric attitude to come across in such unlikely titles as  Horses On The Runway, Sometimes You Hurt the Ones You Hate, I Lost My Wig, What’s New, Tomboy? and The Monster Who Hated Pennsylvania. He’s a curiosity, of course, and even his “greatest hits” are out of the ordinary. Nevertheless, Jurado’s a gem, and the allure he offers is entirely his own. Damien Jurado plays his greatest hits at the Urban Lounge on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. Tickets for this 21+ show cost $42.49 in advance and $45.87 day of show at 24tix.com. (Lee Zimmerman)

free will ASTROLOGY

BY ROB BREZSNY

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

“The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them,” wrote Ernest Hemingway. This Valentine season, I propose you experiment with his approach. Take a smart risk with people who have shown glimmers of reliability but whom you haven’t fully welcomed. Don’t indulge in reckless credulity, just courageous and discerning openness. Be vulnerable enough to discover what further connection might bloom if you lead with faith rather than suspicion. Your willingness to believe in someone’s better nature may help bring it forth.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

Taurus singer Barbra Streisand addressed her legendary perfectionism. She said that truly interesting intimacy became available for her only after she showed her dear allies her full array of selves, not just her shiny, polished side. In alignment with astrological omens, I encourage you to experiment with the daring art of unfinished revelation. Let the people you care for witness you in the midst of becoming. Share your uncertainties, your half-formed thoughts, and your works in progress. Surprise! Your flaws may prove as endearing as your achievements.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

Author Anaïs Nin wrote, “Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” I believe this understanding of camaraderie should be at the heart of most Geminis’ destinies. It’s your birthright and your potential superpower to seek connections with people who inspire you to think thoughts and feel feelings you would never summon by yourself. You have an uncanny knack for finding allies and colleagues who help you unveil and express more of your total self. Now is a good time to tap further into these blessings.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

Poet David Whyte said that “heartbreak is unpreventable.” It’s “the natural outcome of caring for people and things over which we have no control.” But here’s the redemptive twist: Your capacity to feel heartbreak proves you have loved well. Your shaky aches are emblems of your courageous readiness to risk closeness and be deeply affected. So let’s celebrate your tender heart not despite its vulnerability but because of it. You should brandish your sensitivity as a superpower.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

Choreographer Twyla Tharp said she fell in love with her husband partly because “he was the only person who didn’t seem impressed by me.” I will extrapolate from that to draw this conclusion: Our most valuable allies might show their most rigorous respect by seeing us clearly. This Valentine season, Leo, I invite you to test the hypothesis that being thoroughly known and understood is more crucial than being regularly praised and flattered. Enrich your connections with the perceptive souls who love you not for your highlight reel but for your raw, genuine self.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Famously kind and caring author Anne Lamott confessed, “I thought such awful thoughts that I cannot even say them out loud because they would make Jesus want to drink gin straight out of the cat dish.” That’s a liberating insight. She revealed that even kind, caring people like her harbor messy internal chaos. This Valentine season, I dare you to share a few of your less-than-noble thoughts with soulful characters whom you trust will love you no matter what. Let them see that your goodness coexists with your salty imperfections. Maybe you could even playfully highlight the rough and rugged parts of you for their entertainment value. What’s the goal? To deepen spirited togetherness.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

How do we eagerly and daringly merge our fortunes with another person while maintaining our sovereign selfhood? How do we cultivate interesting togetherness without

suppressing or diluting our idiosyncratic beauty? In some respects, this is a heroic experiment that seems almost impossible. In other respects, it’s the best work on the planet for anyone who’s brave enough to attempt it. Luckily for you Libras, this is potentially one of your superpowers. And now is an excellent time to take your efforts to the next level of heartful grittiness.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Here’s a quote by the character Carrie Bradshaw from the TV show Sex and the City: “The most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you that you love, that’s fabulous.” I invite you to make this a prime meditation, Scorpio. To begin, get extra inspired by your own mysterious beauty: captivated by your own depths, fascinated by your mysterious contradictions, and delighted by your urge for continual transformation. The next step is to identify allies and potential allies who appreciate the strange magnificence you treasure in yourself. Who devoutly wants you to fulfill your genuine, idiosyncratic soul’s code? Spend the coming weeks enriching your connections with these people.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

This Valentine season, I propose that you infuse your intimate life with a fun dose of playful curiosity. Visualize your beloved allies, both current and potential, as unfolding mysteries rather than solved puzzles. Ask them provocative questions you’ve never thought to ask before. Wonder aloud about their simmering dreams and evolving philosophies. (Brezsny’s Togetherness Rule No. 1: When you think you’ve figured someone out completely, the relationship withers.) In fact, let’s make this one of your assignments for the next five months: Heighten and nurture your nosiness about the beautiful people you love. Treat each conversation as an expedition into unexplored territory. (Brezsny’s Togetherness Rule No. 2: A great way to stoke their passion for you and your passion for them is to believe there’s always more to discover about each other.)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Ecologists studying symbiosis know successful partnerships aren’t always between similar organisms. Some bonds link the fortunes of radically different creatures, like clownfish and sea anemones or oxpeckers and buffalo. Each supplies resources or protection the other lacks, assuring they live more successfully together than on their own. This is useful for you right now. At least one of the allies you need looks nothing like you. Their genius is orthogonal to yours, or they have skills you don’t. The blend may not be comfortable, but it’s the precise intelligence you need to achieve what you can’t accomplish alone.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Poet Mary Oliver asked her readers, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” This Valentine season, I propose a collaborative version of this prod: Ask those you care for to help you answer Oliver’s question, and offer to help them answer it for themselves. Now is an excellent time to act on the truth that vibrant intimacy involves the two of you inspiring each other to fulfill your highest callings. Do whatever it takes to make both of you braver and bolder as you learn more about who you are meant to be.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

Can you care for stressed people without making it your duty to rescue them? Can you offer support without being taken advantage of? I hope so, Pisces. Life is inviting you to be more skilled about expressing your love without compromising your own interests. How? First, offer affection without signing up for endless service. Second, don’t let your empathy blur into entanglement. Third, monitor your urge to care so it doesn’t weaken your sovereignty. Your gift for soothing others’ struggles evokes my deep respect, but it’s most effective when it’s subtle and relaxed. Give people room to carry out their own necessary work.

EMPLOYMENT

IHC Health Services, Inc. (dba Intermountain Health) seeks a Machine Learning Operations Engineer - Senior in Salt Lake City, UT. Position may telecommute from home within reasonable commuting distance of Salt Lake City, UT for 50% of total workdays. Apply at https:// imh.wd108.myworkdayjobs.com/ IntermountainCareers or email resume to mary.hansen@imail.org. Salary: $151,819.00 - $161,819.00/yr.

EMPLOYMENT

SelectHealth, Inc. seeks a Data Architect - Senior in Murray, UT. This is a hybrid position requiring in-person presence once per quarter. Position may telecommute from any state in the US except CA, CT, HI, IL, NY, RI, VT, and WA. Apply at https://imh.wd108.myworkdayjobs. com/IntermountainCareers or email resume to mary.hansen@imail.org. Salary: $158,787.00-$168,787.00/yr.

EMPLOYMENT

The Larry H. Miller Company seeks a Cybersecurity Analyst in Sandy, UT. This is a hybrid position requiring in-person presence three days per week. Position may telecommute from home within reasonable commuting distance of Sandy, UT. Apply at https:// www.lhm.com/careers. Salary: $80,371.00 – $95,000.00/yr.

Instructure seeks a Sr. Software Engineer (SSEKQ) in Salt Lake City, UT. Contribute to the frontend & backend SW dvlpmnt of Canvas Career, a web-based Learning Management System. Telecommuting permitted. Reqs BS fllwd by 5 yrs progressive rltd exp or MS+2 yrs rltd exp. Email resumes to askhr@instructure. com. Must ref job title & code.

Cloud Architect (inContact, Inc.; Sandy, UT): Implement technology solutions for delivery in the cloud in AWS. Telecommuting permitted pursuant to company policy. Resumes: marian. alvarado@nice.com

Ref#: 00071693

urban LIVING

WITH BABS DELAY Broker, Urban Utah Homes & Estates, urbanutah.com

Downtown Doings

Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City has been in and out of the news lately over basically one question: Should the county rehabilitate it or tear it down?

In 2024, the Salt Lake County master plan found that it would cost between $199 million and $216 million to renovate it. What’s needed? Acoustic upgrades to enhance the sound quality, accessibility enhancements such as elevators, ramps and ADA requirements, modernizing the HVAC and electric systems, expanding the lobby and backstage areas and making the exterior grounds more inviting for outdoor seating. The original estimates also did not include seismic retrofitting, which would cost a fortune more.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS

1. It may be served with gravy

8. Comparative phrases

15. Over a third of Earth’s land area

16. “Will it happen to me?”

17. Austin Powers villain who’s way more malicious than quirky?

19. Things to show newbies, as the saying goes

20. Elmo’s foil

21. “Before,” if before

22. It’s usually blue, green, or brown

23. Sandwiches served with tzatziki

24. Tide type

25. Rogue

26. Computer file, informally

27. Bayer cramp relief brand

28. Margaret Mead study site

30. German state whose capital is Dresden

31. Inspector Gadget villain who grabs plush toys at an arcade?

34. Gave a creepy glance

Abravanel Hall opened in September 1979, part of the Utah Bicentennial Arts Project, which also included funds for the Capitol Theater. Local FFKR architects oversaw the design and acoustical consultant Dr. Cyril M. Harris helped create the almost perfect interior atmosphere for the best possible sounds.

People remember Harris “playing” the wood-paneled walls in the building, similar to what he did when New York’s Kennedy Center was built. (He was the acoustician responsible for the acoustics and auditoriums of the venue.) Harris designed what was called the “box within a box” structure to keep noise away from the music.

To keep out the sound of nearby airports and helicopters, he helped design the building to separate the performance halls away from the exterior structure with heavy plaster and wood surfaces. He previously worked on the Metropolitan Opera House and Avery Fisher Hall as well.

As we know, the symphony hall has stood the test of time. Maurice Abravanel served as the music director and conductor of the Utah Symphony for 32 years (1947 to 1979) and brought Utah’s ensemble to the forefront of classical music in this country. He led the orchestra in more than 100 recordings, including the first-ever complete recordings of Mahler’s symphonies.

The building was named in 1993 to honor Abravanel and his legacy. The 27-foot-high Chihuly glass sculpture there was installed for the 2002 Olympics and was then bought for $625,000 to display permanently.

Plenty is happening downtown these days. The Plaza Hotel, directly west of Temple Square, is being torn down. The former JB’s Restaurant has been demolished and soon, the high-rise part of the building and its parking garage will be gone.

I haven’t seen plans for what may be replaced there, but The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is expecting between 3 and 5 million people to visit the capital city once the Salt Lake Temple reopens prior to its formal dedication. They plan on using the site as a parking lot for visitors next year, same as the next block to the west.

The way it looks, the blocks from West Temple to 300 West will be mostly parking next year, with the Church announcing later what it plans to build on these sites. ■

35. Night noise

36. “___ if I never left!”

37. Square root of nove

38. Army officers, for short

41. Persist in

42. Acrobatic

45. Take a big risk

46. “I heard him exclaim, ___ he drove out of sight ...”

47. Frasier’s surname

48. Blender button

49. Spider-Man villain reading apprehensively through social media?

52. Genre for many boy bands

53. Enlighten

54. “In all likelihood ...”

55. Greek counterpart of Ceres

DOWN

1. Comedian called “The Entertainer”

2. Illinois’s second-most populous city

3. Apprehensive (with a more common opposite starting with “in”)

4. #1 picks

5. Suffix for many sicknesses

6. OPEC’s concern

7. Source of unpasteurized milk

8. 1920s anarchist in a prominent trial

9. Late-’90s Apple products now in their 7th version

10. FundaciÛ Joan ___ (art museum in

Barcelona)

11. “Newhart” establishment

12. Jumped atop

13. Spare

14. At an alarming angle

18. “___ should you!”

23. Lose it

24. Undeliverable letter, in post office slang

26. Secluded valleys

27. 1984 Olympic slalom champ Phil (and not the talk show host Bill)

28. Abandon, as a project

29. Breakfast hrs.

30. “Success!”

31. Hindered

32. Sowed again

33. Like a moose

34. Did with relish

38. Cowboy movie prop

39. Thirty, in Paris

40. “If I Had a Hammer” cowriter Pete

42. Mail for a knight

43. Quebec city, its peninsula, or its bay

44. It may be seen at the

Last week’s answers

Complete the grid so that each row, column, diagonal and 3x3 square contain all of the numbers 1 to 9. No math is involved.

NEWS of the WEIRD

Creme de la Weird

Rangueil Hospital’s emergency department in Toulouse, France, had to be evacuated on Jan. 31 after a man showed up with a World War I-era explosive ... in his rectum. The Irish Star reported that the 24-year-old man was complaining of discomfort because of an “inserted object,” but doctors didn’t realize what it was until they had begun to treat him. Hospital staff alerted police, who locked down the facility until bomb disposal experts determined that the device was harmless. Surgery proceeded, and the 8-by-2-inch shell was successfully removed.

It’s a Mystery

If you are the woman who dropped off a human skull at the Goodwill Donation Center in Chelsea, Michigan, on Jan. 26, the Chelsea Police Department would like a word. CBS News reported that a woman, who was caught on the store’s surveillance camera, brought in a skull wrapped in a shirt. The skull appeared to be intact and didn’t have any “visible damage.” Officers turned it over to the county medical examiner, who forwarded it to the anthropology department at the University of Michigan for further study.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

At a high school boys’ basketball game in Frederick, Oklahoma, on Jan. 29, an official made the unusual move of ejecting the home team’s entire fan section, KFOR-TV reported. The game between Frederick and Mangum was late in the fourth quarter when an official called a foul. One fan stood up to yell at the official, then left. The referee conferred with the school administrator on hand, who announced, “The officials ask that the whole side clear.” Play didn’t resume until all the fans had cleared the gym, but radio announcer Chad Fox said some were standing outside the doors, trying to peek inside. “The official might have been called a few names for a while,” he said. The Frederick superintendent provided a statement, saying the district “reaffirms its commitment to upholding sportsmanship standards.”

The Tech Revolution

Tasmania Tours owner Scott Hennessy admitted that “Our AI has messed up completely” after the technology hallucinated tourist destinations in Tasmania, Australia, that do not exist. ABC reported on Jan. 21 that the site had directed travelers to the Weldborough Hot Springs, offering a “peaceful escape” and “authentic connection to nature.” One small issue: The website did not provide directions, so many people stopped at a pub for guidance. Pub owner Kristy Probert set them straight: “The Weld River, which runs through Weldborough, is freezing cold. It’s definitely, definitely not a hot spring.” Hennessy said the company had outsourced its marketing materials, and that company used AI to produce some of the content. “We’re not a scam, we’re a married couple trying to do the right thing by people,” he said.

Least Competent Criminal

An unnamed Passaic County, New Jersey, man who got a ticket on Jan. 28 called the police department on Jan. 29 to complain about it, NJ.com reported. Because of the disturbing comments the 38-year-old made on that call, East Rutherford police went to his location for a welfare check. The man was sitting in his car and saw officers approaching; “the driver accelerated at a high rate of speed illegally, passing several vehicles, putting the motoring public at risk,” police said. Police declined to chase him, and shortly afterward, the suspect “made several phone calls to the East Rutherford Police Department, bragging about being able to elude the officers,” Capt. Jeff Yannacone said. The next day, the man was arrested at his home and charged with thirddegree eluding police, along with many traffic citations.

Awesome!

Thirteen-year-old Austin Appelbee is being called a hero after he swam through rough waters off the coast of Western Australia to summon help for his family, CNN reported. The family had gone out on Jan. 30 to paddleboard and kayak, but the waves swept them out to sea. Austin, who has been swimming since he was young, decided to swim the 2.5 miles back to shore to get help. “The waves were massive. I hit the bottom of the beach and I just collapsed and then after that I had to sprint 2 kilometers to go get the phone,” he said. Volunteer marine rescuers found his mom and two siblings clinging to a paddleboard, and they were rescued and returned to shore. Marine Rescue commander Paul Bresland called Austin’s feat a “superhuman effort.”

The Continuing Crisis

At the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Nick Dwyer submitted 160 images made through collaboration with AI to an art show, The Sun Star reported on Jan. 14. Dwyer said his work “explores identity, character narrative creation and crafting false memories of relationships ... after a state of AI psychosis.” Fellow student Graham Granger, 19, wasn’t a fan. On Jan. 13, Granger was found “ripping artwork off the walls and eating it in a reported protest,” the UAF police said. He chewed and spit out at least 57 of the 160 images in Dwyer’s exhibit. Granger said he opposed Dwyer’s use of ChatGPT and the school’s AI policy. “I’m surprisingly fine,” Granger said after chewing up the photos. “I’ve eaten paper on, like, dares before, so I’ve learned a method, like, over the course of my life.” Granger was arraigned on charges of criminal mischief and will appear in court in March.

Bright Idea

If you want to make an impression on your Valentine, check out the McDonald’s McNugget Caviar Kit. USA Today reported on Feb. 2 that the burger chain is offering a free kit when you sign up online, which includes chicken nuggets (of course), a 1-ounce tin of caviar, a $25 McDonald’s gift card, creme fraiche and a mother of pearl caviar spoon. Sign-ups begin Feb. 10 at 11 a.m. The combo was inspired by a dish served at the U.S. Open in August. That kit, however, set diners back $100.

In (Probably Not) Related News ...

KRCG-TV reported on Jan. 30 that Fort Leonard Wood in Pulaski County, Missouri, is offering a $5,000 reward for recovery of an explosive device that was stolen from the base’s Ammunition Supply Point late last year. The “demolition shaped charge” uses “a specially shaped, explosive-filled cavity to focus the effect of the explosion,” according to the U.S. Marines website.

That Calls for a Bronze Medal

Just four minutes into the mixed doubles curling competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics, the lights went out, the Associated Press reported on Feb. 4. Four matches came to a halt as the athletes waited for the power to come back on. Olympic officials said the interruption was “due to an energy-related issue” (really?), and the lights were back on within about three minutes.

The Entrepreneurial Spirit

On Feb. 1, as a freak snowstorm blanketed parts of North Carolina, former Little Caesars employee Jonathon Hackett, 41, broke into a Little Caesars store in Kinston and started making pizzas to sell, The Charlotte Observer reported. Correction: Hackett broke in twice The first time, he made and sold pizzas to customers, keeping the proceeds for himself. The second time, employees were still in the store and tried to stop him from entering, police said. Hackett was charged with three felonies.