City Weekly March 19, 2026

Readers choose the best health-care providers, medical institutions, fitness guides and more.

BEST OF UTAH Body & Mind

S AP

BOX

“On the Down-Low,”

March 12 Cover Story

It is frustrating that the Legislature won’t let Salt Lake City have things it desperately needs.

ROB CHESLEY Via Facebook

Our representatives have no honor or integrity to keep their oath of office. Every year they enforce more policies that violate their oath of office.

They should be focusing on enforcing policies on companies to protect the

people, not policies on the people, robbing them of their freedom and liberties.

JAY BURR Via Facebook

When the Legislature meets, the people weep?

DENNIS OGDEN Via Facebook

Limits on the bus and bike lanes [Salt Lake City] installed without listening to the people?

SUZANNE MCGUIRE Via Facebook

“Wet Your Whistle,”

March 11 Online

We need to have:

1. Parks with cafes that serve alcohol (like every park in Europe); 2. Wine sales in grocery stores and bottle shops (new businesses that deliver an underserved market); and 3. More rooftop bars.

JORDANVARELAPHOTOGRAPHY Via Instagram

Alcohol consumption is down all over the country and especially among young people—so there’s that reality. But sure, go ahead and spin hanging belief alcohol is SLC economic prosperity.

TROYRUSHTON.UT Via Instagram

Neighborhood bars reduce the risk of drunk drivers.

SKLRFNTN Via Instagram

This is how they open up the hotel by Sugar House Park.

FOODSHOOTR Via Instagram

Wait, Utah is thinking of allowing Adults to Adult almost anywhere?

JUSTIN BLACKBURN Via Facebook

There’s been a beer garden at the SLC farmers market for the last two years.

BRAD WHEELER Via Facebook

“Fuel to the Fire,” March 5 Cover Story

Reading this article just raised my blood pressure. Why on Earth would we give taxpayer dollars to wealthy companies? Indeed, giving our money to a company that produces a product that is destroying our environment?

With this unnecessary war that our current president has started, we are going to see the folly of having an addiction to fossil fuels. We should be increasing our development of green energy to offset the effects of burning fossil fuels.

We installed solar panels on our home in 2011 and have reduced our electric bill by 80%. I drive a fully-electric vehicle and save hundreds of dollars per month that I would have spent on gasoline.

Green energy can preserve our environment, save us money and provide good paying jobs.

It’s time to ditch the past and make a better future for all of us.

RIC LEE Sandy

THE WATER COOLER

If City Weekly were a movie genre, what would it be?

Paula Saltas

Only speaking of our past offices: A SciFi Thriller.

Zach Abend

It’s a western, but the weapons are public records requests and the villain is “no comment.”

Eric Granato

A little bit of everything.

Carolyn Campbell

City Weekly would be a Wes Anderson movie. A beautiful setting with some odd characters.

Bryan Bale

I think it would be a serialized independent documentary.

Pete Saltas

A Shakespearean tragedy. We’d have feuds, romance, highs, lows, drama, comedy. We’ve got it all! If you’d like to work at City Weekly email pete@cityweekly.net.

Benjamin Wood

It’s a superhero movie. We save the city every day ... and the county/state a couple times per year.

Wes Long

A crowdsourced indie with a quirky cast.

OPINION

BY CHRISTOPHER SMART

God and Country

OK, wait a minute. That guy from Texas, that James Talarico guy who’s running for U.S. Senate, is going around the Lone Star State talking about Jesus Christ. What? He can’t do that. He’s not a Republican. Only conservatives get to talk about Jesus and stuff like that. That’s like Bill Clinton saying the era of big government is over.

No wonder the GOP is freaking out. They’ve had a corner on Our Lord and Savior for quite some time. Remember Jerry Falwell and the Moral Majority, who played a big role in the election of Ronald Reagan? That’s right Willson, that was in 1980 and ever since, Christians and the GOP have been joined at the hip—or somewhere.

It’s no secret that evangelicals were key to the election of Donald Trump. Some of those voters say The Donald was sent here by the Big Man Upstairs whose son died on the cross. So now, all of a sudden, here comes this upstart from Texas quoting the Bible and saying things like Jesus loves immigrants?

“My faith teaches me to love my neighbor as myself,” Talarico said. “Not just my neighbor who looks like me.”

Whoa baby. On the other hand Wilson, maybe he can be a Democrat and a Christian. Who knew?

DOD Spent $10 Million on Crab and Lobster in One Month It’s true Wilson, war is very expensive. But get this, in September 2025 alone, Pentagon Pete Hegseth’s Department of Defense blew millions on luxury food items to maintain its gigantic budget.

See, if they don’t spend all their allocated funds by the end of the fiscal year, then Congress might think they’re getting too much. Use it or lose it.

So here’s the lowdown on the Department of Defense’s September spending, according to the government watchdog group, Open the Books: $2 million on Alaska king crab; $6.9 million on lobster tail; $1 million on salmon; $140,000 on doughnuts; $124,000 on ice cream machines; $26,000 on sushi preparation tables; and $15 million on ribeye steak.

You’re right Wilson, that’s a lot of meat. But that ain’t all. The DOD spent $1.8 million on musical instruments— all in the month of September—$12,000 on fruit baskets, and on and on. Grand total: $93 million.

Where is DOGE now? This, of course, comes at a time when Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” cut food assistance for the poor, including children.

Wonder if they like crab and lobster? They’d probably settle for doughnuts.

White House Videos of Iran Bombings Are Cool … Not Isn’t war cool? That’s the theme portrayed as the Trump administration turns to social media videos to sell its war in Iran.

The latest is a montage of nasty hits in pro and college football juxtaposed with bombs exploding. Is this fun or what? Another video looks to be a computer game, such as Call of Duty, where you can kill from the comfort of a Barcalounger.

Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense, pumps up the war effort like a Rambo movie aimed at 16-year-olds. “We are not defenders anymore. We are warriors, trained to kill the enemy and break their will.”

No Wilson, that wasn’t Sylvester Stallone puffing his chest out. That was Pistol Pete acting like this is some kind of a John Wayne B-movie. “Walk softly and carry a big stick”—not exactly.

Someone might want to tell Pistol Pete that not all the fatalities are combatants, like the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school that the U.S. struck with a Tomahawk missile, killing at least 175 people.

If that weren’t enough, Hegseth has taken to quot-

ing the Bible to show off the sanctity of Trump’s war. “Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle.”

No Wilson, we didn’t learn from our history in Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam—so we have to repeat it.

Postscript—That’s gonna do it for another historic week here at Smart Bomb, where we keep track of our undeclared war with Canada so you don’t have to.

After getting belittled, insulted and tariffed up the ying-yang, the Canadians have finally had enough of Donald Trump and the U.S.A. Mark Carney, the Canadian prime minister, has developed detailed trade plans that will make an economic pivot away from this country and toward Asia and Europe. That will also cost the U.S. trillions of dollars.

Unlike our leader, Carney doesn’t shoot from the hip. Among other things, he has served as the governor of the Bank of Canada as well as the Bank of England. Carney is everything Trump isn’t: learned, thoughtful, strategic and diplomatic.

It’s no secret that Trump is a bully with a cabinet that has adopted his nasty style. His administration’s attempts to paint Canada into an economic corner not only have not succeeded, but have backfired spectacularly. It will cost Americans untold wealth for decades and generations to come.

The U.S depends on Canada for steel, aluminum, lumber and crude oil, among a multitude of other things. Now this complex trade relationship will begin to unravel, simply because Trump and the United States can no longer be trusted.

If there is some good news Wilson, it’s that Democrats may be on the road to reclaiming Christianity. It’s not exactly the Road to Damascus, but it’s a start. And we could use a Savior about now. CW

Private Eye is off this week. Christopher Smart writes the weekly Smart Bomb column, available at city weekly.net.

HITS & MISSES

BY KATHARINE BIELE | @kathybiele

MISS: Stop the Presses

If you’ve never read Salt Lake Magazine, you might think it’s no big deal that the magazine laid off most if its staff. Culture, arts, food—you can find that stuff in other places. But think again; the magazine is a piece of a larger takedown of traditional media and you won’t recognize it until it’s too late. Before a bold decision to go nonprofit, The Salt Lake Tribune was on the brink. But there aren’t many billionaires willing to take that kind of leap of faith for the future of journalism. Jeff Bezos certainly wasn’t, as he stripped the Washington Post to its bare bones. “For the first time, social media has displaced television as the top way Americans get news,” the Nieman Lab reports. Too many local news organizations are closing each week, according to The Objective. Government officials are threatening, using legal means and limiting access to make their siloed points without pushback. And while the media is reaching younger people via video, the country can at least be assured by the 60% who still read the news—at least for now.

HIT: Eye of the Beholder

So let’s talk about the arts. Every day, we’re seeing some attack on what the administration thinks is “woke” information. And because our Legislature is largely made up of Ph.Ds … oh sorry, it’s not … bills were passed to cut millions from schools offering “inefficient degrees.” Sure, students want to leave college with earning potential, but education is not all about money. Utah’s Snow College was to cut $1.7 million, so bye-bye media studies, French and Italian. “We’d be foolish to ignore the arts,” Brad Taggart, the Utah Art Education Association’s higher educator of the year, told The Salt Lake Tribune. There are other intangible benefits to arts education like creativity, and Taggart has helped save that for now. We haven’t heard much of it, but a letter to the editor in the Tribune cautions that the state may close the Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts. It’s the only museum in the country displaying a state-owned collection of contemporary folk art. Maybe they should move it from Salt Lake City to Snow College.

MISS: Come, Ye Saints

Here come the Mormons. And of course, they should have a chance to see Temple Square and tour the capital city. The question is whether anyone else will be able to get around, at least in a timely manner. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is expecting millions of visitors downtown during a six-month open house next year. Remember the 2002 Olympics? This could be worse. Construction on a new West High School starts this week, and the massive revitalization of the convention center district will be ramping up, including the eventual reconstruction of 300 West as a pedestrian plaza over a vehicle tunnel. The city and other stakeholders are working on plans for transportation during the temple open house, like shuttles, buses and Trax. In the meantime, commuters aren’t holding their breaths. CW

Buried History

Last summer, Alta Ski Area was improving a water line when a cache of historical items from the mining days turned up with the soil. A review by the Forest Service, state archaeologist and Historic Preservation Office determined it was worthy of a dig.

Thus began the first partial excavation of the town, located under today’s ski area. It yielded thousands of artifacts that provide a look at life 150 years ago—leather items, ammunition, melted shot glasses, originating in Japan, China, Britain and South America, each telling a story about Alta’s past.

“It just shows how Alta was a boom town with people from all around the world,” said specialist Emma Farley. “It was very rowdy. We found a lot of spent bullets there, and a full bottle of alcohol, which is not the history of Utah people usually think of.”

In January, the first public presentation of the artifacts was standing room only. A second presentation in February started with Christopher Merritt, the State Historic Preservation Officer, giving the history of mining at Alta. During the Mormon War, the U.S. Army brought the first influx of non-Latterday Saints to Utah, and these soldiers became Utah’s first miners. “Brigham Young prohibited mining,” Merritt said. “He worried that would breed greed that would lure people out of the church, or bring people from outside the church and change Deseret.”

The excavation took place on what was once Walker Street. Merritt showed an old photo of the downtown hub and Sam Gee Washing and Ironing, corroborating the Chinese artifacts. He also shared old newspaper ads from an Alta restaurant offering fine wines, lager beer, Limburger cheese, caviar, herring, baloney and French mushrooms. “This changes our opinion of what a mining town was like,” Merritt said. “This was opulent.”

Anne Lawlor, collections manager at the Museum of Natural History, worked to rehydrate and clean a leather hat using some of the skills she had learned doing preservation work on Native American moccasins. Lawlor demonstrated how the hat was pierced by a candle on a spike—called a Sticking Tommy—and how its hat brim was worn turned up for more visibility underground. She corroborated her findings with photographs.

Isaac Winter, head distiller at High West Distillery, spoke about the bottle of alcohol. High West analyzed the contents in an attempt to recreate it for sampling. Several tests confirmed the liquid contained ethyl esters commonly found in ciders. “Deep down inside, I was really hoping it was whiskey,” said Winter, whose team included Uinta Brewing and the Aromatic Plant Research Center in Lehi.

The state plans to display some of the pieces in the new Museum of Utah on Capitol Hill, scheduled to open this summer. And plans are in the works for a second dig this summer, open to archaeology students and local volunteers. “It’s a great opportunity for the public to be involved with the history of the state,” Farley said. CW

March 2026 Gallery Stroll Roundup

Jill Saxton Smith, Benjamin Childress, Unbound: Art of the West, Grief Work.

BY SCOTT RENSHAW scottr@cityweekly.net @scottrenshaw

J

ill Saxton Smith: (un)contained: On Skin, Boundaries, and the Emotions We Hold and Benjamin Childress: Shadows and Alleyways @ Finch Lane Gallery

Two new concurrent exhibitions at Finch Lane take unique approaches to the idea of liminal spaces and boundaries both physical and societal, showcasing the work of exciting Utah-based artists.

In Shadows and Alleyways, Benjamin Childress looks to the backstreets of Salt Lake City and its environs to bring into focus those who are often at the edges of our attention. In oil-on-canvas works like “Walkin Light,” “Shadows in the Alley” and “Pale Wall” (pictured), Childress foregrounds the human figures in bold colors, yet also turns them into layered, abstracted forms, suggesting both their vitality and motion and the way they can exist simply as blurry ideas at the corner of the eye. Jill Saxton Smith’s (un)contained, meanwhile, uses materials including plastics and found objects for mutable works to explore the concept of skin, as the artist describes in a statement: “Skin, in my practice, is more than flesh; it is metaphor and material, archive and interface. It marks where the self meets the world, where we are made vulnerable and where we find resilience.”

Shadows and Alleyways and (un)contained run at Finch Lane Gallery (54 Finch Lane) through April 10, with Gallery Stroll reception Friday, March 20, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Visit saltlakearts.org for regular gallery hours and additional exhibition information.

Grief Work @ Material Gallery

Grief is an emotion that we all experience at some point in our lives, yet which is still often too awkward or personal to express openly. A new group exhibition at Material Gallery allows artists to dig into the subject through a wide range of media, providing a communal space for these deeply personal feelings, asking how we can hold a space for pain.

More than 50 local and national artists are represented in an exhibition drawn from an open call, including Pablo Cruz-Ayala, Hannah Vaughn, Stephanie Liapis, Andrew Alba, Irene Nelson, Tyler Wilson, Esperanza Cortes, Beth Krensky, Jenny Chernansky and John Sproul (“ugh” is pictured). “Grief is pressing at every level of our lives—from climate crisis, political unrest, and displacement to the lingering effects of the pandemic and intimate personal loss,” shares guest curator Molly Heller. “Yet few cultural frameworks help us confront or process it. Grief Work offers a space where what is difficult to name can be expressed and witnessed without requiring resolution.”

Grief Work runs through April 10 at Material Gallery (2970 S. West Temple), with Gallery Stroll reception Friday, March 20, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.; a “grief circle” experience precedes the reception 5 p.m. – 6 p.m., with registration required. Visit materialartgallery.com for regular hours and additional exhibition information.

Unbound: Art of the West @ Modern West Fine Art

The decade-long history of Modern West Fine Art began a new chapter in 2026 with a new location, which was launched with this group exhibition titled Unbound: Art of the West, a fittingly wide-ranging exploration of artists inspired by the people and places of the region. As described in the gallery’s statement, “Looking to represented modernists Louis Ribak and Beatrice Mandelman, who left behind their New York City lifestyle to pursue their work in the vast Western landscape, to the stable of Modern West’s innovative contemporary artists, the exhibition is inspired by works that push the parameters of what art has been and how it can move forward—it is ambitious, inspiring and unbound.”

Featured artists include Shonto Begay, Michael Coles, Shalee Cooper, Angela Ellsworth, Phil Epp, Alexandra Fuller, Kiki Gaffney, Sheldon Harvey, Suzanne Hill, Jim Jacobs, Beatrice Mandelman, Ed Mell (“Canyons and Mesas” is pictured), Arlo Namingha, Stanley Natchez, Kevin Red Star, Louis Ribak, Billy Schenck, Woody Shepherd, Ben Steele, Eugene Tapahe and Mike Whiting. Unbound: Art of the West closes with the Gallery Stroll reception at Modern West Fine Art (242 E. South Temple) on Friday, March 20, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. The exhibition subsequently will move to the St. George Museum of Art to be on display March 28 – May 30. Visit modernwestfineart.com for additional information. CW

“Canyons and Mesas”

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Complete listings online at cityweekly.net

PTC: King James

Sports can be an intersection for exploring a lot of American issues, including race, money and the things to which we give value. For playwright and Cleveland native Rajiv Joseph, it seemed natural to use the passion for sports as a way to talk about male friendship. “In this country at least, there’s sometimes this notion that some men are only able to express their emotions when they’re talking about sports,” Joseph said in a video interview for Steppenwolf Theatre, where the play premiered in 2022. “And I think that’s what this play is about: Two young men who are friends, who have a hard time actually telling each other what’s on their mind, and their only sort of entry point into that deeper emotional exchange is talking about sports, talking about LeBron.”

It’s also, inevitably, a story about race, as the two men and Cleveland Cavalier basketball fans in question are Matt, a White bartender, and Shawn, a Black aspiring writer. The play’s four scenes track four key moments in LeBron James’ career with the Cleveland Cavaliers—his rookie season; his departure for Miami as a free agent; his return to Cleveland in 2014; and the 2016 Cleveland championship season— and a certain familiarity with the game might definitely enhance the experience of watching. But even without a detailed familiarity with assist-to-turnover ratio, it’s an insightful look at what can bring two friends together, or nudge them apart.

Pioneer Theatre Company presents King James at the Meldrum Theatre (375 S. 1530 East) March 20 – April 4. Tickets are $44 - $57 with discounted midweek student tickets, available at pioneertheatre.org. (Scott Renshaw)

John Mulaney

Early in his most recent Netflix special, 2023’s Baby J, comedian John Mulaney does a little song-and-dance number about the “weird couple of years” he had had, how his “reputation is different,” and ending with “likeability is a jail.” It was, of course, mostly a reference to his high-profile struggle with addiction, a star-studded intervention and a stint in rehab late 2020/early 2021— all of which he addresses in detail in that same special, which in part explains why his likeability hasn’t actually taken a huge hit.

Part of that likeability comes just from familiarity, as it feels like Mulaney has been around forever, despite being only 43 years old. His comedy career started in an improv group with fellow successful comedians Mike Birbiglia and Nick Kroll, and moved into high-profile gigs including a stint as staff writer for Saturday Night Live—where he co-created the beloved Stefon character with cast member Bill Hader—and his own short-lived, semi-autobiographical Fox sitcom Mulaney. In more recent years, he’s experimented with new formats like the live Netflix talk show Everyone’s Live, and written for the IFC parody series Documentary Now!. Still, it’s been in stand-up where he’s at his finest, using his gifts as a storyteller to create indelible characters. If his likeability is a jail, it’s one that a lot of people are happy to visit.

John Mulaney brings his Mister Whatever tour to the Eccles Theater (131 S. Main St.) for two shows on Saturday, March 21, at 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. Tickets start at $72; visit saltlakecountyarts.org to purchase tickets and for additional event info. (SR)

Hadestown

Any time a new musical successfully launches, it feels like a miracle. But there was a particularly unusual journey for Hadestown when its composer, Anaïs Mitchell, a folk artist who developed the concept for a story about the Orpheus/ Eurydice myth in 2006, began staging the show in New England for a couple of years, then virtually gave up on the idea of a production having further life when she released its songs as a concept album in 2010. In 2012, however, Mitchell and director Rachel Chavkin began a collaboration that took another seven years of development before its Broadway premiere in 2019, earning 14 Tony Award nominations and eight wins, including Best Musical.

The jazzy, New Orleans-influenced presentation gives a unique flavor to this ancient story about a gifted musician and poet who travels to the underworld to recover his beloved from Hades, and includes soaring numbers like “Wait for Me.” For Mitchell, her fascination with the story was always grounded in Orpheus’ passion, as she shared in a 2022 interview with the Hanover Theatre & Conservatory: “I think what inspired me most about retelling that story was the idea of pitting young, creative, optimistic Orpheus against an underworld where ‘the rules are the rules.’ … One of the main themes in  Hadestown is that there’s value in trying, even if we fail. Orpheus is a hero not because he succeeds—but because he tries!”

Broadway at the Eccles’ presentation of the touring production of Hadestown comes to the Eccles Theatre (121 S. Main St.) March 24 – 29, for eight performances only. Tickets start at $64.10 at saltlakecountyarts.org. (SR)

Irecently learned of an ancient proverb that says “the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” As I’ve started to make a few lifestyle changes of my own, this bit of wisdom has stuck with me. We all tend to fall into the trap of stopping a wellness journey before it actually starts, and I think a lot of us feel like it’s too late. While it would be great to hop into a time machine and develop healthier habits when we were younger, the truth of the matter is that the journey to self-improvement can start whenever we want it to start.

In this year’s celebration of Utah’s best wellness practitioners, I talked to a few Best of Utah winners about what they do to stay healthy.

How does an aesthetician like Callie Buttars unwind after a full day of helping people feel better about themselves? What does an acupuncturist like Rebecca Conde do to make sure she is at her personal best? What tips can a personal trainer like Jameson Mohammadi offer to those who seek his services?

How does a licensed clinical social worker like Dale Werner get the most out of life?

I spoke with all four of these local professionals about how they maintain their own wellness, and the insights they offered are fantastic. Mindfulness, gratitude, intentionality and taking the time to touch grass once in a while are the broad strokes, but each professional has their own brand of wisdom to drop for 2026. Coupled with the additional pieces I’ve put together here, I hope the information that follows helps you with your own journey.

For anyone in need of a wellness jumpstart as the weather warms up, this is the issue for you.

— Alex Springer

SELF CARE IS SO HOT RIGHT NOW

Pineapple

While it’s true what they say about how you only look as good as you feel, that doesn’t mean feeling as good as you look is out of the question. Indeed, that’s what Callie Buttars—founder of Pineapple Express Aesthetics in Cottonwood Heights—helps her clients achieve on a daily basis.

“This is where I’m meant to be,” she said. “I love making people feel confident.”

Under Buttars’ leadership, Pineapple Express has become a fixture on City Weekly’s Best of Utah lists, and Buttars has garnered all kinds of local buzz for her skills and enthusiasm.

Pineapple Express is a one-stop aesthetics shop that offers routine services like waxing and facials to microdermabrasion and Korean head spa treatments. The aesthetics spa is also authorized to sell IMAGE Skincare items, medical-grade products that reportedly offer a higher level of effectiveness. Fans of all-natural skincare will also appreciate the clinic’s selection of Fur Oil products, which are vegan, cruelty-free and non-toxic. The entire concept of Pineapple Express is built around making people feel good about themselves. Buttars sees beauty and wellness as a way to help others, something that has kept her on top of her game for all these years.

“When I see someone’s confidence change after doing something as simple as waxing their eyebrows, I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do,” she said. Still, that doesn’t mean there aren’t times when even she needs to unwind.

Discussing ways to cultivate good mental health habits with someone who actively navigates all the stress-

AND WELLNESS

ors of running a thriving business can yield valuable insight, and Buttars would describe her approach as making time to take time

“Thinking back to when I first started,” she recalled, “I wish someone told me that it was okay to say ‘no,’ and that it’s not going to affect your business that much if you prioritize yourself.”

As passionate as Buttars is about her role in the beautification of others, she has also come to realize that taking care of herself helps her to be more in tune with her clients.

“It’s hard right at the beginning because you’re learning a balancing act, and a lot of people will put the business before themselves,” she noted. “But your clients will feel that and your business will feel that too—it’ll come and bite you in the butt for sure.”

Buttars likes to take full advantage of Utah’s outdoorfriendly environment to keep her physical health and activity levels in good shape.

“The gym is just not my energy, so most of my exercise comes from hiking,” she said.

When not outside exploring the wilderness, she coaches her son’s soccer team, which keeps her active while also providing quality time with family.

In the end, Buttars’ perspective on a healthy lifestyle is simply about taking the time to check in with herself, her family and the world around her.

“I feel like sometimes I just need to reconnect with my roots and the planet,” she said. “Hiking and camping with my family really helps give me a recharge.”

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Getting Ahead with Scalp Treatments

Local specialty spas are starting to turn a few heads.

BY ALEX SPRINGER

From deep tissue massage to a good mani-pedi, there are all kinds of ways to pamper one’s body below the neck. But what about those days when the ol’ noggin needs a bit of TLC? For this line of care, the curious may wish to check out the scalp treatments and head spas that have proliferated along the Wasatch Front.

Relax and get head-healthy with a scalp treatment

If you’re the type of person who enjoys a scalp massage with your haircut, then a full-blown treatment might just be up your alley. Scalp treatments blend aspects of skin- and hair-care into one head-turning relaxation experience. At Salt Lake’s Scalp Ritual (scalpritual.com), for example, visitors can partake of a wide variety of services designed to optimize scalp wellbeing and cultivate a healthy hair growth ecosystem.

For those who simply want to pamper themselves, Scalp Ritual offers a casual “Unwind” experience which prioritizes relaxation through a mixture of sound therapy, scalp massage, gua sha and warm towel therapy. They also provide other comprehensive services like their titular “Scalp Ritual” entailing an in-depth analysis of scalp health to provide the basis of a custom procedure.

Scalp treatments range from straightforward routines designed to relax and refresh to in-depth procedures customized to achieve long-term wellness goals. Regardless of what your wellness goals happen to be, having a team of professionals pamper your scalp before getting a warm stone massage is going to make you feel good.

Your head does a lot of hard work during the day—it deserves a bit of the royal treatment.

Say

Hi to

Hydrafacials

This rejuvenating procedure is a must in Utah’s dry climate.

BY ALEX SPRINGER

Living in Utah means living with dry skin. Whether it’s the scorching sun or the bone-dry winters, there’s simply no getting around the toll our climate takes upon our faces. Those who have decided to fight back against Utah’s constant sapping of epidermal moisture know that hydrafacials are an important part of their arsenal.

Hydrafacials vary based on the clinic and service, but the basic concept of this wellness technique is about providing a deepclean facial with a moisturizing finish: ideal for the harsh desert environs.

Get your glow on with a hydrafacial

Murray’s Skin Spa Utah (skinspautah.com) is one of the state’s finest proprietors of the hydrafacial treatment, and newbies to the process should check out its signature service.

Using patented HydraFacial technology in all of their treatments, Skin Spa Utah provides the core benefits of a facial cleanse to target and remove skin impurities. They also offer red light therapy, eye rejuvenation and massage, which taken together makes for a rejuvenating and relaxing experience.

Skin Spa Utah’s signature procedure is ideal for those after a skincare treatment that leaves one feeling dewy and chill for the rest of the day. From pore cleansing and wrinkle removal to evening out skin tone and keeping things hydrated, the hydrafacials offered at Skin Spa Utah are an excellent defense against Utah’s dry climate and dusty wind.

PRESSURE POINTS

Self-care wisdom from Rebecca Conde of Earth Center Acupuncture.

Owned and operated by Rebecca Conde, Sugar House’s Earth Center Acupuncture has become a valuable resource for Utahns looking for an alternative medicine practice that tailors its treatments to the client. Conde’s credentials include a Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MAcOM), a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition (BSN) and recognition from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Under her leadership, Earth Center Acupuncture is currently treating everything from pain management and neurological issues to allergies and autoimmune conditions.

Conde first took interest in the healing and wellness arts through her own experience with naturopathy, a form of healthcare that focuses on optimizing the human body’s existing restorative capabilities.

“I started getting treatments from a naturopathic physician and I got such incredible care,” she reported. “I just felt really valued and I thought this was something I wanted to consider.”

Conde was studying naturopathy when she was introduced to acupuncture, which led her to shift gears entirely. “I began getting acupuncture treatments at one of the local student clinics and I was very responsive to it,” she recalled.

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“I felt all of my symptoms improve and I ultimately decided to switch my program.”

Though she was already headlong into her naturopa thy work at the time, the decision to switch to learning acupuncture was profound enough to manifest itself in Conde’s subconscious.

“My decision was actually solidified when I had a dream one night that I was practicing acupuncture completely in my element,” she said. “That was sort of like the icing on the cake for me.”

In terms of her own self-care, Conde sees personal wellness as a way to show up for her clients.

“It’s really important that I know my clients and make really good strides with them, so I want to be able to give,” she stressed. “To do that, I have to first make sure that I’m fulfilled and that I’m doing well.”

Balancing her professional life and personal life is key to that dynamic.

“I would say I’ve gotten really good at saying ‘no’ to things that don’t really contribute to my path or don’t really inspire me,” she remarked. “I really make sure I’m spending my time the way I want to and making sure I have the energy and mental capacity to help my clients.”

In her experience, Conde has found a strong connection between mental wellness and physical wellness.

“About three years ago, I started training in functional fitness which focuses on building strength and stamina and it’s really quite intense,” she said. “I have a family history of cardiovascular disease and I’m just starting to realize how important exercise is.”

As Conde has grown more proficient in functional fitness despite its intensity, she considers it a testament to her ability to step up to a challenge, which has been a net positive for her mental health.

“I’m finding that it’s carrying over into my personal life too,” Conde emphasized, “just having a positive attitude

1. Dr. Anthony Simone - Doctor Tony Chiro

2. Dr. Suzanne Cronin - Salt Lake Chiropractic

3. Dr. Cody Mecham - Mecham Chiropractic

Best Contrast Therapy

1. Glow

2. Evolve Wellness Collective

3. Cold Plunge Coffee

Best Crystal Shop

1. Dancing Cranes Imports

2. Native American Trading Post

3. Turiya’s Gifts

Best Doula

1. Robynne Carter - Birth Learning

2. Aleece Weaver - Eggbaby Doula Services

3. Beth Hardy - Heart Tones Birth Services

Best Float Tank

1. Evolve Wellness Collective

2. Float Spa 19

3. Pure Sweat + Float Studio

Best Halotherapy

1. Evolve Wellness Collective

2. Synchronicities-Light Energy Gift Emporium

3. Pain Free Acupuncture

Best Herbalist

1. Rebecca Conde - Earth Center Acupuncture

2. Josh Williams - Flow Acupuncture

3. Stephanie Orawiec - Gardenia Sky Botanicals

Best Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

1. Rising Health Specialty Clinic

2. Utah Sports and Wellness

Best Hypnotherapist

1. Joesephine Lawrence - Hypnoclarity

2. Chad Anderson - Crystal Healer SLC

3. Drew Melebeck - Influence Therapy & Coaching

Best Integrative Medicine Practice

1. Utah Natural Medicine

2. Cameron Wellness and Spa

3. Rising Health Specialty Clinic

Best Kinesiology Practitioner

1. Michael King - Transformative Energies

2. Jim Quist - SLOPE Recovery

3. Kate McDermott - Inside Edge Movement

Best Life Coach

can really be helpful.”

Throughout a career built on overcoming obstacles and being a valuable resource to locals on their own wellness journeys, Conde has come to see gratitude as one of her greatest allies.

“I think it’s important to just take a moment and appreciate what you’ve got,” she observed. “Having gratitude for things that come up in certain moments can help you keep a positive mindset.”

earthcenteracupuncture.com

1. Lyn Christian - SoulSalt Inc.

2. Kat Dickinson - Terra Firma Healing Arts

3. Jenna Hansen - Awaken Studios and Retreats

Best Locally Made Protein / Meal Bars

1. G2G Protein Bar / Good2Go Bar

Best Locally Made Supplements

1. Gnarly Nutrition

2. SALTT Electrolytes

3. Blank AM Nutrition

Best Massage School

1. Healing Mountain Massage School

2. Myotherapy College - Utah’s Therapeutic Massage Therapy School

3. Amber René Salon & Spa

Best Massage Therapist

1. Melissa Booth - Evolve Wellness Collective

2. Cassandra Francis - The Backline SLC

3. Lisa Colling - LC Bodywork

Best Medical Cannabis

1. Dragonfly Wellness

2. WholesomeCo Cannabis

3. Beehive Farmacy

- Utah Natural Medicine

Sinead Urwin - Rising Health Specialty Clinic

Lindsay LaPaugh - LVL Holistics

Best Reiki Practitioner

1. Meghan Hays - Meghan Hays Ayurveda

2. Kat Dickinson - Terra Firma Healing Arts

3. Chad Anderson - Crystal Healer SLC

Best Sauna

1. Glow

2. Evolve Wellness Collective

3. Sauna Public

Best Sound Bath

1. Terra Firma Healing Arts

2. Evolve Wellness Collective

3. Doug Knaphus

Regaining Balance with Ayurveda

Turning time over to a three thousand-year-old wellness practice.

Translated from Sanskrit, ayurveda means “knowledge of life.” Its practice is dedicated to the holistic study of the human body, mind and spirit. The basic concept of ayurveda is that three life forces called doshas govern certain aspects of the human body, which practitioners strive to comprehend to craft a wellness plan that will bring them into balance with one another.

Best Supplement Shop

1. Dave’s Health & Nutrition

2. Rising Health Specialty Clinic

3. Natural Law Apothecary

Best Weight-Loss Clinic

1. Rising Health Specialty Clinic

2. Cameron Wellness and Spa

3. Utah Natural Medicine

Best Wellness Center

1. Cameron Wellness and Spa

2. Evolve Wellness Collective

3. Utah Natural Medicine

Salt Lake’s local ayurveda practitioners offer consultations that assess a client’s needs. From there, the client receives a specific regimen of herbal remedies along with diet and lifestyle adaptations needed to facilitate a successful treatment. Like any health plan, success also depends on the factors that a client brings with them—those looking to explore an ayurvedic approach to wellness will need to make sure that their commitment to the process and living environment supports the approach.

Like other alternative wellness practices, ayurveda is an option for those seeking help outside of traditional Western medicine. As its core concepts revolve around activating the human body’s natural healing abilities, ayurveda tends to attract those looking for noninvasive approaches to meeting their wellness goals. The herbal remedies and regimens typically used in ayurveda have been employed for thousands of years.

The Salt of the Earth

The healing power of halotherapy.

Salt is a fairly large part of Utah’s branding—our capital city is named for the stuff, after all—so it makes sense that local wellness proprietors have begun to harness its healing powers. Such is the nature of halotherapy: the practice of inhaling salt particles to purify one’s lungs and respiratory pathways.

Halotherapy has been around since the 12th century when Eastern Europeans learned that hanging out in salt caves cleared the sinuses and helped prevent the sniffles. It also has plenty of external benefits, as saline-infused air can work all kinds of wonders on one’s skin and offer a general sense of calm relaxation during the process.

It seems like a simple solution, but salt has always been one of nature’s best preservatives and disinfectants. Using salt’s healing properties for our own health and wellness makes sense—especially in Utah where it is such a big part of our local, ahem, flavor.

As can be guessed, Utah has its share of halotherapy practitioners, and they’re ideal for those in need of a bit of respiratory R & R.

South Jordan’s Evolve Wellness Collective (evolvewellness.love), for example, provides a salt cave sanctuary where visitors can take a moment to pause while the salt-infused air rejuvenates their bodies and minds. The process is relatively straightforward, which only goes to enhance its restorative properties.

A proper halotherapy experience is simple—clients step into the salt cave, sit, breathe and repeat. For those after a new wellness experience that is also accessible, halotherapy is an excellent bet.

RISING TO THE OCCASION

Jameson Mohammadi of Rise4 puts the person in personal training.

There’s a vulnerability at play when one shops for a personal trainer, which makes the whole affair a tricky business. A trainer is someone you’ve got to hang out with on a regular basis, so you have to like them. At the same time, they’re someone who holds you accountable for your progress—and it’s hard to like a person if they seem like they’re on your case. That’s why Jameson Mohammadi, a personal trainer at Rise4, is all about tailoring his services to the individual needs of his clients.

“Creating a safe space where we can get to the outcomes together is the culmination of all the work that I’ve done,” Mohammadi said.

After studying exercise and nutrition science at the University of Utah, Mohammadi knew that helping others reach their fitness goals was going to be a big part of his life.

“As opposed to going into medicine, I wanted to help prevent people from going to the hospital in the first place,” he stressed.

He’s been a trainer for the last seven years and his presence on this year’s Best of Utah speaks highly of his abilities. Mohammadi attributes his commitment to helping others to the modern uphill battle that people have to endure in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

“At present, we seem a little too heavily pathologized toward anxiety,” he observed. “We’re experiencing things

as humans that don’t seem to be very sustainable; things like crippling depression and non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes.”

As the deck can often feel stacked against those who want to make big lifestyle changes—yet remain mired in the incessant mediocrity foisted upon them—Mohammadi makes sure he is part of the solution.

“The first thing I think of is levers like getting a specific amount of sleep or eating a certain diet,” he noted. “When I have something out of place in my life, I usually know it’s tied to one of these levers of getting proper sleep or checking in with my community.”

His solution is to help his clients find those “levers” and help give them a little pull if necessary. “If somebody came to me and said ‘I’m really struggling with my mental health’, my first question would be to take a look at those levers together,” Mohammadi said. “Human health is very simple, but it’s also very complex.”

In order to help discover what levers he and his clients need to focus on, Mohammadi likes to meet all of his clients at ground zero.

“What I’ve learned over the years is that the best chance of me helping another human being is by creating a safe space for them and meeting them exactly where they are,” he remarked. “Once you are in that safe space and you are gifted with a person across from you, all of a sudden they can trust your expertise and everything I’m asking is going to get us right to the outcome we are searching for.”

From there, Mohammadi likes to remain a resource for his clients. His own passion for health and wellness continues to be a factor in his vocation, and he’s constantly honing his craft.

“The reason I came into this is because I am disgustingly passionate about it,” he said. “In my free time, this is the

Best Fitness Pop-Up

Rebel House 3. Rumble Boxing

Best Circuit Training

1. Rise4 2. Brickyard Boxing & Conditioning

3. Seek Studio

Best Community Swimming Pool

1. Steiner Aquatic Center 2. Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center

3. Murray Aquatic Center Best CrossFit Gym

1. Salt Lake City CrossFit

2. CrossFit The Point

3. Ute CrossFit

Best Dance Classes

1. Ebb & Flow

2. Repertory Dance Theatre

3. Riot Dance Fitness

Best Fitness Influencer (Social Media)

1. Dillion Chase - SL Power Yoga

2. Juna Marz - BlackBox Pilates Co.

3. Joey Alatorre - PEAK|45

1. State Of Mind Summer Yoga at the Capitol - Salt Lake Power Yoga

2. Sugar Alley Outdoor Pool Rooftop Ride -

Torrent Cycle

3. Lagree on the Utah Jazz Court - PEAK|45

Best Fitness Studio: All Categories

1. The Backline SLC

2. Torrent Cycle

3. Awaken Studios and Retreats

Best Fitness/Aerobics Class Instructor

1. Dillion Chase - Salt Lake Power Yoga

2. Alison Dorenbosch - PEAK|45

3. Dan Cooney - Torrent Cycle

Best Gymnastics Training (Adults)

1. Kairos Fitness

2. Gymnastics Training Center

3. Salt Lake City Circus Center

Best Gymnastics Training (Kids)

1. The Little Gym

2. Salt Lake City Circus Center

3. Gymnastics Training Center

Best High-Intensity Interval Training

1. Rise4

2. Torrent Cycle

3. Rebel House

Best Hot Yoga

subject matter that I’m reading—I’m reading about running mechanics and how we should be eating and how we should be moving.”

Between Mohammadi’s individual enthusiasm for what he does and his ability to find the connection between his clients’ physical and mental health, he’s the type of personal trainer worthy of Best of Utah. rise-4.com

1. Salt Lake Power Yoga

2. Bikram Yoga SLC

3. CorePower Yoga

Best Kickboxing

1. Brickyard Boxing & Conditioning

2. SLC Muay Thai

3. Rumble Boxing

Best Kids’ Fitness Programs

1. Gracie Barra Sandy Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

2. Brickyard Boxing & Conditioning

3. Awaken Studios and Retreats

Best Martial Arts Instructor

1. Duayne Bowers - Gracie Barra Sandy Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

2. Alexis Whitney - SLC Muay Thai

3. Kelli Alvarez - Brickyard Boxing & Conditioning

Best Martial Arts School

1. Gracie Barra Sandy Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

2. SLC Muay Thai

3. Aikido Of Salt Lake

Best Personal Trainer

1. Jameson Mohammadi - Rise4

2. Lya Wodraska - The Backline SLC

3. Joey Alatorre - PEAK|45

Continued from page 23

Muscle and Flow

Unpacking the ancient art of qigong with Scott White.

When it comes to physical activity, images of crowded gyms and dingy rec centers are what usually pop up in our minds. While there’s nothing wrong with hitting the gym, the proliferation of “gym bro” culture and fitness influencers have a way of walling things off from those who are just there for their health. Those looking for a way to get physical in an environment completely devoid of treadmills and stairmasters may want to take a closer look at qigong.

Pronounced “chi-gong,” qigong is a combination of physical and mental activities that have been practiced in China for thousands of years. Like tai chi, it involves the use of intentional, focused movement to improve strength and balance. Whereas tai chi focuses on a series of deliberate physical forms, qigong is more about repeated breathing, posture and meditative actions for the purpose of achieving equilibrium in the body. Through his classes at Qigong and Tai Chi Utah (qigongutah.com), Scott White is one of the Beehive State’s current champs when it comes to both of these practices. It is here that those unfamiliar with qigong can get a taste for the very first time.

As qigong itself has a wide variety of nuances within its practice, clients can attend one of White’s classes and learn which type of qigong works best for them. Traditionally, qigong is a better fit for those looking for something more beginner-friendly, and White will cater to those needs.

Fitness Through Fighting

Which way of the fist is the

right way for you?

If you’re in the market for a good workout that will also give you the ability to defend yourself, martial arts just might be the ticket. Martial arts training provides a degree of self-confidence and discipline that one won’t get from a weekly spin class. From Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu to Brickyard Boxing & Conditioning, Utah is a great place to pick out the martial arts class that is right for you.

Those wanting to commit to a high-intensity full body workout may consider taking a muay thai class at SLC Muay Thai in South Salt Lake (slcmuaythai.com). Known as the “art of eight limbs”—and not to be confused with Mai Tais—muay thai is a martial arts discipline that originated in Thailand. It’s among the most hardcore martial arts to take up since it relies on core strength combined with heavy cardio and strength conditioning. Those who are already pretty active and looking for a new challenge will be right at home learning muay thai.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu like that offered at Gracie Barra is ideal for those who are after a mental workout along with a physical one. Practicing jiu-jitsu is a great way to increase cardio resilience and increase strength, but its sparring component is more aligned with mental strategy and quick thinking.

Boxing and kickboxing are also excellent entry-level options for those looking for a workout designed to increase strength and promote balance. Brickyard Boxing & Conditioning (brickyardboxing.com) is one of Utah’s most popular gyms for those interested in this particular style of martial arts. If you’re looking for a martial arts program that is accessible and effective, boxing is a great place to start.

•

THE HEAD AND THE HEART

Talking gratitude and mindfulness with Dale Werner.

It’s no secret that things are rough out there. Some days it feels like there’s no escape from the lure of doomscrolling, while other days see mental and physical exhaustion gobble up all of our motivation before we even get out of bed. When these barriers threaten to close us in and trap us within their own nightmarish echo chambers, it usually means it’s time to ask for some help.

The Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI) has been a valuable resource for locals looking to connect with mental health professionals since 1986 and its providers continue to set a high bar for the mental health practice. In 2024, the HMHI had over two hundred thousand patient visits from 45 states and reached over six thousand people through its organized outreach events.

They offer a wide range of services for children, adolescents and adults who are struggling with such issues as anxiety disorders, depression, substance abuse recovery or grief management.

Dale Werner is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with the HMHI, and he’s been helping the institute’s patients since 2018. Werner’s desire for a career change led him to the

MEDICAL & DENTAL

Best Addiction Recovery

1. Huntsman Mental Health Institute (University Neuropsychiatric Institute)

2. Odyssey House of Utah

3. University of Utah Hospital

Best Allergist

1. Dr. Mili Shum - University of Utah Health

2. Dr. Jonathan Olsen - Granger Medical

3. Dr. Rafael Firszt - Tanner Clinic

Best Arch Support/Orthotics

1. Perfect Feet

2. Final Kick Ankle and Foot Clinic

3. Mountain View Foot & Ankle Clinic

Best Assisted Living/Memory Care

1. The Ridge Cottonwood

2. Legacy Village of Sugar House

3. George E. Wahlen Ogden Veterans Home

Best Bariatric Surgery

1. U of U Health Bariatric Surgery Program

2. Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians

Best Cardiologist

1. Dr. Jared Miller - Intermountain Health

2. Dr. Toby Paulson - Revere Health

3. Dr. C. Michael Minder - LDS Hospital

Best Colonoscopy

1. Dr. John C. Fang

2. Gut Whisperer

3. Granite Peaks Gastroenterology

world of mental health practice after working in the retail world for an extended period of time.

“I think the reason for the journey was really to find out how I can understand myself and people better,” he said.

Working in mental health creates its own set of stressors, and Werner said he likes to keep ahead of the more trying aspects of his chosen career by practicing mindfulness.

“I take my job very seriously and I want to be there for people who need help,” he said. “The process of mindfulness helps keep me present in their lives and helps me be there for anyone I’m working with.”

As a therapist, Werner is well-versed in modalities such as acceptance and commitment therapy, mind-body bridging and mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement, all of which incorporate some element of mindfulness in their practice.

From a physical health perspective, Werner recognizes the symbiotic relationship between the body and mind.

“Exercise and nutrition are important, but one thing I’ve found incredibly helpful in my own life is taking care of my own sleep issues and learning how important that is to our mental health,” he noted. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, sleep disorders affect 50 to 70 million Americans and one in three adults fail to get a healthy amount of uninterrupted sleep.

Managing one’s mental and physical health is a balancing act that requires perhaps more attention than our busy lives can spare. During those moments, Werner recommends taking some time to pause and recalibrate.

“I think it’s really looking at those things that are creating difficulty in your life and moving toward whatever helps

Best Dental Implant Clinic

1. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons of Utah

2. Stubbs Dental Implant Center

3. The Dental Spa

Best Dental Practice

1. The Dental Spa

2. Kaleidoscope Kids Dentistry

3. Warr Dental

Best Dentist/Best General Dentist

1. Dr. Ari Hobfoll - Kaleidoscope Kids Dentistry

2. Dr. Kirkland Graham - The Dental Spa

3. Dr. Keith Warr - Warr Dental

Best Dermatologist

1. Dr. Angela Brimhall, DO - Sage Dermatology & Mohs Surgery

2. Allyson Sorensen, PA-C - University of Utah Health

3. Stephanie E. Frisch, MD - Intermountain Health

Best Dermatology Practice

1. Sage Dermatology & Mohs Surgery

2. University of Utah Midvalley Health Center

3. Swinyer-Woseth Dermatology

Best Doctor of Internal Medicine

1. Dr. Matthew Bryan - UAF Legacy Health

2. Dr. Kira Watson - University of Utah Health

Sugar House Center

3. Dr. Anne Cioletti - University of Utah Health Madsen Center

Best Dry Needling

1. Pinyon Physical Therapy

2. Converge Physical Therapy

3. Reborn Pelvic Health & Wellness

Best Ear, Nose & Throat Physician

1. Dr. Bryan Tagge - ENT Center of Utah

2. Dr. Jason Hunt - University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Hospital

3. Dr. Eric Slattery - ENT Center of Utah

Best Endodontist

1. Dr. Ryan Facer - Greater Endodontics

2. Dr. Ray Moser - Moser Endodontics and Implants

Best Experiential Therapist

1. Scott Frazier - Open Book Counseling

2. Aimee Hadfield - Hearten House

3. Caroline Pegram - Topaz Healing

Best Family Medicine Physician

1. Dr. Matthew Burnett - Utah Natural Medicine

2. Dr. Jacqueline Rohrer - Foothill Family Clinic

3. Dr. John Sanders - Voyage Direct Primary Care

Best Family Practice Clinic

1. Foothill Family Clinic

2. U of U Health Sugar House Center

3. U of U Health Madsen Center

you process those difficulties,” he said. Part of Werner’s process involves finding moments to acknowledge the good things in life.

“Showing gratitude and gratefulness and finding those spaces rather than feeling stuck helps people move through the difficult processes in life,” he observed. healthcare.utah.edu/hmhi

Best Gastroenterologist

1. Dr. John C. Fang - University of Utah Health

2. Granite Peaks Gastroenterology

3. Dr. Brad Trowbridge - St. Mark’s Hospital

Best General Surgeon

1. Dr. Ellen H. Morrow

2. Dr. Nickolas Byrge

Best Geriatric Physician

1. Dr. Natalie Sanders - U of U Health Madsen Center

2. Dr Nicholas Brening - U of U Health Sugar House Center

3. Dr. Barbara ChristiansenIntermountain Southridge Senior Care - Geriatrics

Best Hospice Care

1. Solstice Home Health, Hospice & Palliative Care

2. Rocky Mountain Home Care & Hospice - Salt Lake City 3. Symbii Home Health & Hospice

Best Hospital

1. University of Utah Hospital

2. Primary Children’s Hospital

3. Intermountain Medical Center

Best In-Home Nursing Care

1. Solstice Holistic

2. Quality Home Health and Hospice

3. Community Nursing Services

Best Independent Pharmacy

1. Jolley’s Compounding Pharmacy

2. University Pharmacy

3. Cottonwood Compounding

Best Invisalign Provider

1. Graham Orthodontics

2. The Dental Spa

3. Harris Orthodontics

Best Ketamine Clinic

1. Ketamine Therapy at Therapeutic Alternatives

2. Rising Health Specialty Clinic

3. The Lotus Center for Healing and Wellness

Best LASIK Center

1. Hoopes Vision

2. John A. Moran Eye Center

3. LasikPlus

Continued from page 26

Best Local Optical Shop

1. Image Eyes Optical

2. Wolcott Optical

3. Vis.

Best Men’s Health Clinic

1. Thrive Aesthetics And Wellness

2. U of U Health Sugar House Center

3. Rise Rejuvenation Center

Best Mental Health Treatment Center

1. Odyssey House of Utah

2. Huntsman Mental Health Institute

3. Open Book Counseling

Best Midwifery/ Birthing Center

1. Intermountain Medical Center

2. Wasatch Midwifery and Wellness

3. Olive Branch Midwifery

Best Migraine Help

1. Dr. Dan Henry - Foothill Family Clinic

2. University Of Utah Neuroscience Center

3. Dr. Karly Pippitt - U of U Health

Best Neurologist

1. Dr. Kelsey Barrell - U Of U Health Clinical Neurosciences Center

2. Dr. Lia Chebeleu - Intermountain Health

3. Dr. Kenneth Oliver - The Neuro Clinic

IN MEMORIAM

Dr. Walter Reichert, Best Neurologist 2026University Of Utah Neuroscience Center

Best Behavioral Neurologist

1. Dr. Christine Cliatt Brown - U Of U Health

Best Nurse Practitioner

1. Lauren Muir - Thrive Aesthetics and Wellness

2. Jessica Arbogast - Odyssey House Martindale

3. Tyler Okelberry - Primal Mountain Medical

Best Obstetrician-Gynecologist

1. Chelsea Mutscheller - Avenues Women’s Center

2. Steven Thackeray - Cottonwood OBGYN

3. Melani Harker - University Of Utah Health

Best Oncologist

1. Dr. Sarah Colonna - Kathryn F. Kirk Center for Comprehensive Cancer Care and Women’s Cancers

2. Dr. Robert Dood - Huntsman Cancer Institute

3. Dr. Daniel Ermann - Huntsman Cancer Institute

Best Ophthalmologist/Eye Surgeon

1. Dr. Majid Moshirfar - Hoopes Vision

2. Dr. Theresa Long - University of Utah Health

3. Dr. Darcy H. Wolsey - Apex Vision

Best Optometrist

1. Dr. Ross Chatwin - Sugar House Vision Clinic

2. Dr. Stephen Lundquist - Vis.

3. Dr. Conner Dewey - Sugar House Vision Clinic

Best Oral Surgeon

1. Dr. Adam McCormick - Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons of Utah

2. Dr. Michael Broadbent - Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons of Utah

3. Dr. Alvin J. Stosich - Aspire Surgical | Murray

Best Orthodontist

1. Dr. John Graham - Graham Orthodontics

2. Dr. Alan Jensen - Smile Ranch Orthodontics

3. Dr. Richard Broadbent - Broadbent Orthodontics

Best Orthopedic Rehab

1. Pinyon Physical Therapy

2. Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital - University of Utah Health

3. Converge Physical Therapy

Best Orthopedic Surgeon

1. Dr. Drew Van Boerum - The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital

2. Dr. Patrick Greis - Veterans Administration Medical Center

3. Dr. Michael Johnson - Orthopedic Specialty Group - Alta View

Best Pain Clinic

1. University of Utah Pain Clinic

2. Pinyon Physical Therapy

3. Doctor Tony Chiro

Best Pediatric Dentist

1. Dr. Ari Hobfoll - Kaleidoscope Kids Dentistry

2. Dr. Debbie Graham - East Bench Pediatric Dentistry

3. Dr. Tyler Hanks - Happy Tooth Pediatric Dentistry

Best Pediatrician

1. Dr. Cynthia Owens - Wasatch Pediatrics

2. Dr. Lisa Samson-Fang - Salt Lake Clinic Bryner Pediatrics

3. Dr. Bhanu Muniyappa - University Pediatric Clinic

Best Periodontist

1. Dr. Robert Wood - Utah Implants & Periodontics

2. Dr. Jeff Knight - Utah Periodontal Specialists

3. Dr. LaRisse Skene - Mosaic Periodontics

Best Physical Therapist

1. Sarah McNurlin - Pinyon Physical Therapy

2. Susan McLaughlin - Align Integration & Movement

3. Amy Frugé - Converge Physical Therapy

Best Physical Therapy Clinic

1. Pinyon Physical Therapy

2. Converge Physical Therapy

3. Reborn Pelvic Health & Wellness

Best Physician Assistant

1. Nazaneen Pack - Arlani Integrative Medicine and Medspa

2. Kiersten Swindle - University of Utah Health Madsen Center

3. AnnaRose Zampano - Foothill Family Clinic

Best Plastic Surgeon - Cosmetic/ Reconstruction

1. Dr. Thomas Oberg - Still Canyon Eyelid & Facial Plastic Surgery

2. Utah Facial Plastics & UFP Aesthetics

3. Angela Keen, MD

Best Podiatrist

1. Dr. Darren Groberg

2. Dr. Mark Grunander - McKay-Dee Surgery Center & Orthopedics

Best Prenatal Care

1. University of Utah Hospital

2. Avenues Women’s Center

3. Reborn Pelvic Health & Wellness

Best Psychiatrist

1. Dr. Scott Frazier - Open Book Counseling

2. Dr. Jeremy Thueson - Huntsman Mental Health Institute

3. Mandi Christensen - Healing Pathways Medical

Best Psychotherapist/ Counselor

1. Aimee Hadfield - Hearten House

2. Ted Winkworth - Cottonwood Professional Coaching

3. Amber Frazier - Open Book Counseling

Best Registered Dietitian

1. Colleen Shields - Converge Physical Therapy

2. Lauren Parrish - Sports Nutrition & Disordered Eating

3. Mary Clare Christopher - Pinyon Physical Therapy

Best Registered Nurse

1. Brittany Larson - University of Utah Sugar House Center Pharmacy

2. Mary Holje - Omega Aesthetics & Wellness

3. Paige Sallee - University Of Utah Hospital

Best Rheumatologist

1. Dr. Richard Gremillion - Granger Medical

2. Dr. Matthew Call - Utah Valley Rheumatology

3. Dr. Don L. Stromquist - University of Utah Farmington Health Center

Best Rural Utah Medical Center

1. Uintah Basin Medical Center

2. Brigham City Community Hospital

Best Spine Center

1. Doctor Tony Chiro

2. Converge Physical Therapy

3. Aspen Falls Spinal Care Center & Chiropractic

Best Sports Medicine Clinic

1. TOSH - The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital

2. Pinyon Physical Therapy

3. University of Utah Healthcare Orthopedic Center

Best Transgender Health Care

1. University of Utah Hospital

2. UAF Legacy Health

3. Rebirth OB/GYN

Best Urgent Care

1. U of U Health Farmington Center

2. U of U Health Sugar House Urgent Care

3. Fourth Street Clinic

Best Urologist

1. Dr. Peter Caputo - Granger Medical

2. Dr. Stephen Summers - University of Utah Health

3. Dr. Sarah Christianson - Intermountain Health

Best Wellness Podcast

1. “Odyssey House Journals”

2. “The Health, Healing, And Happiness Podcast”

3. “Uplift for Her”

Best Wisdom Teeth Removal

1. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons of Utah

2. Hopkin Oral Surgery

3. Utah Facial & Oral Surgery

Best Women’s Health Clinic

1. Planned Parenthood - Salt Lake

2. Pinyon Physical Therapy

3. University of Utah Hospital

Continued on page 30

CITY WEEKLY

DRIVER WANTED

City Weekly is looking for drivers. Drivers must use their own vehicle and be available on Wednesdays

Please Call:

Continued from page 29

Yassify Your Smile

Dental and facial beautification at The Dental Spa.

While visiting the dentist doesn’t typically evoke feelings of relaxation and pampering, there are a few enterprising clinics around town that have made interesting changes in the field of dentistry. Instead of stressing about periodontal probes poking at your gumline or the scream of a handpiece drill as it slowly approaches one of your molars, imagine a dentist experience that uses proven relaxation techniques to take the edge off.

Such is what the team at The Dental Spa (thedentalspa.com) has created with its clinic—it’s a place where you can take care of your pearly whites while taking care of your peace of mind.

Your teeth and face will thank you after a trip to The Dental Spa

The Dental Spa combines the technology and medical professionalism of a dentist office with an aesthetically-minded approach. One can get routine teeth cleaning and dental implants here, but it also serves those looking to make some cosmetic changes to their smile. With The Dental Spa’s design service, the team can work with a client’s existing facial structure to create a smile that is uniquely theirs through such enhancements as veneers, crowns and whitening.

Once you’ve got the perfect smile you’ve been chasing, The Dental Spa offers treatments to help the rest of your face catch up. Aesthetic procedures like microneedling, dermaplaning and chemical peels are also available, making it a one-stop shop for any facial touch-ups you might be after.

Regardless of the treatment, The Dental Spa prides itself on creating a positive, relaxing experience for all of its patients.

An Odyssey of Healing

The Odyssey House continues its crusade against addiction.

Since 1971, The Odyssey House (odysseyhouse.org) has been a dedicated resource for residential treatment and addiction recovery. It maintains a constant presence on City Weekly’s Best of Utah lists because it’s not only one of the most comprehensive providers of help, but it’s also among the most effective. In 2025 alone, Odyssey House saw 70 percent of those enrolled in its substance use programs complete their treatment.

Stacie Pett, Behavioral Health Tech Supervisor at the Downtown Adult Residential Program

The Odyssey House primarily treats substance abuse and addiction with both residential and outpatient services. Its residential programs treat the roots of addiction within each patient through a combination of mental health strategies, life skills and relationship coaching. Whether the patient is a single adult, an adult with children or a struggling youth, the organization aims to be a place of healing for all. Its outpatient services provide support groups for families, drug and alcohol assessments, DUI classes and therapy services for individuals, families and couples.

While The Odyssey House focuses on inpatient addiction recovery programs, they are also an excellent resource for those in need of clinical assistance with mental health issues. Its Martindale clinic opened in 2021 with the aim of providing public health supplies and services to those with limited options. Thanks to its outreach services, for example, hundreds of individuals had access to naloxone and wound care kits.

Between taking care of those struggling with addiction and creating resources that prevent addiction from taking root, The Odyssey House has held a crucial line for locals who are in trouble. It was, is and will always be a guiding light for those who need it.

DINE

Hot (Pot) To Go

Watch a tough day bubble away at these local hot pot joints.

BY LILY SPRINGER comments@cityweekly.net

Aphrase that’s come into regular use in my household is emotional support hot pot. This tends to be uttered with an air of gentle desperation, typically following the aftermath of a less-than-fortunate day, and calls for a remedial evening over a simmering cauldron of rich broth.

I’m always a fan of an interactive meal, and there’s a soothing rhythm to the process of hot pot: hand-selecting mountains of meats and vegetables to drop into the boiling broth, chatting with the table while everything cooks, and then enjoying the savory fruits of one’s minimal labor. A night out for hot pot hits the sweet spot between “family activity” and “bottomless comfort food” and never fails to soothe a weary soul. In my interminable quest to find the best emotional support in the form of piping-hot umami, I’ve narrowed things down to a few favorite spots around the valley.

UMI Japanese Shabu Shabu (2701 S. State, 385-229-4216, umishabu.com): UMI was my first introduction to hot pot, so I’ve got a soft spot for this little joint. “Shabu-shabu” (translated literally as “swish-swish”) is the Japanese iteration of hot pot, so named for the “swishing” of the ingredients as they cook in a pot.

The broths at UMI are lighter than the others on this list, but feel cozy and nourishing, gaining depth of flavor as each new ingredient is “swished” to perfection. Their miso and tomato broths are also vegetarian; overall, this is a great spot to accommodate most diners’ dietary restrictions.

Though the buffet selection is on the smaller side, it’s got all the essentials from blocks of ramen to leafy greens, and the meat options are high-quality, tender and flavorful. For diners less interested in the hot pot experience, sushi and yakitori options are also available, included in the dinner price. UMI also features robot servers with little light-up faces—and though it’s a bit gimmicky, I have to admit that their presence does tickle the fancy of one so easily-anthropomorphizing as myself. (Lunch: $18.99, Dinner: $29.99)

OMBU Hot Pot (3424 S. State, 385-3018732, Instagram: @ombu_utah): OMBU recently underwent a total refurbishment, which was a pleasant surprise upon my most recent visit. The spacious restaurant has adopted a sleek, modern vibe, and with the generous available seating and open hours extending to midnight, OMBU strikes me as a perfect spot to gather with a gaggle of friends.

Where I find OMBU to especially shine is with its veritable smorgasbord of a buffet. The tremendous island in the center of the establishment is piled high with seafood, an entire section devoted to various types of mushrooms (a personal godsend), arrays of fresh greens and veggies, and more types of noodles than I knew existed.

I’m also a big fan of OMBU’s broths; my litmus test for any hot pot place is the tomato broth, and OMBU’s is one of my favorites, with a deep, complex umami flavor I could honestly drink on its own. Since the recent refurbishment, OMBU also offers a combo option that comes with unlimited boba tea and desserts, a bonus for those of us with a sweet tooth.

(Lunch: $19.99, Dinner: $27.99)

Hero Hot Pot (3390 S. State, Ste. 33, 801-906-8573, Instagram: @herohotpotslc): My personal favorite hot pot spot, and one of the few places I think I can truly call myself a “regular.” Nestled in South Salt Lake’s Chinatown Supermarket, Hero Hot Pot has never let me down. Given the smaller size of the location, all ingredients at Hero are ordered via tablet and brought to the table, as opposed to the usual self-serve buffet. I generally focus on housing quadruple my daily recommended intake of proteins and vegetables when out for hot pot, avoiding any swiftly-filling carbs.

However, one thing that can’t be missed at Hero are the thick house-made noodles, which are fresh, chewy batches of rough-cut goodness that flawlessly soak up the bold, flavorful broths. The

spicy beef tallow broth is one of my very favorites, rich with mouth-tingling Sichuan peppercorns; Hero doesn’t skimp on the spice, so watch out if your heat tolerance isn’t on the prodigious side. Hero also offers a slightly lower base price point than other hot pot locations, due in part to certain menu options only being available for a “premium” cost. As someone who is wholly content with the standard menu, though, this works out great for me. (Lunch: $18.99, Dinner: $25.99) Happy Lamb (6562 S. State Street, 801290-2803, happylambhotpot.com): Happy Lamb is a known-and-loved chain nationwide for a reason. For me, the crux of the whole hot pot operation is the broth— I like my broth to be jam-packed with layers of complex flavors, carrying deeply into any ingredients fortunate enough to be dipped in it.

At Happy Lamb, there hasn’t been a broth I’ve not wanted to simply chug by the mug. The classic tomato, beef and spicy broths are all phenomenal, but the true gem here is the bright yellow, sourand-spicy cabbage broth. Savory, gently spicy and with a unique hint of sourness, I abuse the fried bean curd roll station here in particular just because they soak up so much of this liquid gold.

The meats at Happy Lamb are also of especially high quality, with a premium menu available for diners looking for more elevated cuts. Unexpectedly, this location also has a self-serve cotton candy machine. What’s not to love? (Lunch: $23.99, Dinner: $30.99) CW

2 Row Brewing

73 West 7200 South, Midvale 2RowBrewing.com

On Tap: Piney Peaks West Coast IPA

Avenues Proper

376 8th Ave, SLC avenuesproper.com

On Tap: White Out - White Stout

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

Grid City Beer Works

333 W. 2100 South, SLC GridCityBeerWorks.com

In a Can: Extra Pale Ale

Heber Valley Brewing

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

New release: KUMA Extra Stout 7.1% ABV

Helper Beer

159 N Main Street, Helper, UT  helperbeer.com

Hopkins Brewing Co.

1048 E. 2100 South, SLC HopkinsBrewingCompany.com

On Tap: Irish Stout

Kiitos Brewing

608 W. 700 South, SLC KiitosBrewing.com

On Draft: Bliss IPA (Extremely Small Batch)

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

On Draft: Bliss IPA (Extremely Small Batch)

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

On Tap: Vienna Lager

Level Crossing Brewing Co., POST

Ogden Beer Company

358 Park Blvd, Ogden OgdenBeerCompany.com

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

Park City Brewing 1764 Uinta Way C1 ParkCityBrewing.com

On Tap: The Skootch Hazy IPA

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

Desert Edge Brewery

273 Trolley Square, SLC DesertEdgeBrewery.com

On Tap: Edge’s Special Bitter ESB

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!

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

On Tap: El Santo Mexican Lager

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: SpringThyme (Apricot Thyme Hard Cider)

Offset Bier Co 1755 Bonanza Dr Unit C, Park City offsetbier.com/

On Tap: DOPO IPA

On Tap: Bamberg Rauch Bier

RoHa Brewing Project 30 Kensington Ave, SLC RoHaBrewing.com On Tap: Bramble Brown

Roosters Brewing Multiple Locations RoostersBrewingCo.com On Tap: Dunkel Dan

SaltFire

BEER NERD

Hop Heroes

When your palate is in distress, these ales answer the call.

BY MIKE RIEDEL comments@cityweekly.net @utahbeer

Grid City - Extra Pale Ale: Some beers disappear for a while and quietly return; others make an entrance. This one definitely falls into the latter category. When the Bat—err, Beer Signal—went up announcing its return, it was pretty clear a visit was in order. After all, beers built around heavy-hitting hop tech like CryoCitra, Cryo-Mosaic and Lupomax don’t exactly slip back onto the scene unnoticed.

The pour reveals a rich, inviting hue supported by a sturdy head that releases a wave of citrus aromatics. The nose is wonderfully expressive, driven by bright orange and grapefruit notes that leap from the glass. It’s the kind of aroma that instantly signals a hop-forward experience, bursting with freshness and intensity. The first sip delivers exactly what the aroma promises—and then some. Citrus again leads the charge, echoing that vibrant nose with juicy orange and grapefruit character. But the flavor expands beyond simple citrus. A subtle strawberry sweetness begins to emerge mid-palate, adding an unexpected berry layer that softens the sharper edges of the hops. Shortly after, a bright smack of pineapple pops through, giving the beer a tropical lift that keeps each sip lively and refreshing.

Underneath all those expressive hop notes sits a beautifully structured malt backbone, as caramel-forward malts provide just enough sweetness and body to support the aggressive hop profile without ever getting in the way. Instead, they act as the perfect base, allowing the citrus and tropical flavors to shine while keeping the beer balanced and grounded. The result is an 8.2 percent double IPA that feels both bold and polished. The hops bring plenty of aroma and flavor intensity, while the malt character ties everything together into a cohesive whole.

Verdict: If the Beer Signal goes up

again anytime soon, the move is obvious: Answer the call. This one’s absolutely worth it.

Top Of Main - Dew

Drop Hazy

: This hazy beauty pours a striking turbid peach color, glowing softly in the glass with the kind of inviting opacity that signals a hop-forward experience waiting inside. A fluffy white head settles on top and releases an immediate burst of citrus-driven aromatics. The nose is vibrant and expressive, led by bright grapefruit zest and sweet peach, with layers of tropical fruit following close behind. Mango pulp and a subtle hint of pineapple round things out, giving the aroma a lush, fruit-basket character that practically leaps from the glass.

The first sip confirms what the aroma promises: This beer is absolutely loaded with hops. Grapefruit leads the charge initially, offering a subtle bitterness that keeps things from drifting too far into sweetness. Almost instantly, waves of juicy peach and ripe mango wash across the palate, bringing a smooth tropical sweetness that balances beautifully with the citrus bite. That faint pineapple note peeks through in the background, adding a touch of tangy brightness that keeps each sip interesting.

What really stands out is the texture and hop saturation. The beer has a full, tongue-coating quality that lets all those hop oils linger across the palate. It’s not heavy, but it carries a satisfying weight that amplifies the intensity of the flavors. As the sip fades from this 6.6 percent ale, a slightly resinous edge emerges, grounding all that fruitiness with a classic hop character that fans of modern IPAs will appreciate. Despite the sheer amount of hop expression packed into each sip, the beer never feels chaotic or overblown. Instead, it manages to keep its components in harmony, letting citrus, stone fruit and tropical notes weave together into a layered drinking experience.

Verdict: Bold, juicy, and endlessly flavorful, this is the kind of beer that reminds you just how thrilling a hop-forward brew can be. Simply put: Damn tasty. Though made in Park City you can find Dew Drop Hazy at all Squatters/Salt Lake Brewing locations. Extra Pale Ale is, however, only available at Grid City/ Drunken Kitchen. As always, cheers! CW

the BACK BURNER

BY ALEX SPRINGER | @captainspringer

Arepa & Beyond Fest at Tracy Aviary

Spice Kitchen Incubator (spicekitchenincubator.org) is rolling out its first arepa festival on March 21 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Taking place at the Tracy Aviary Nature Center (3310 S. 1000 West), the Arepa & Beyond Fest will celebrate all things arepa and arepa-adjacent. Venezuelan arepas will be served alongside Colombian pupusas, and the event will offer a wide variety of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. In addition to all the arepas you can eat, this free event will feature plenty of live entertainment. Vendors will include Namash Swahili Cuisine, Boca Dulce, Zoque and Los Cipotes, to name just a few.

Brownstone 22 Opens

Fresh off Felt Bar & Eatery’s James Beard Award nod, owners Richard Romney and Travis Herbert recently unveiled a new concept to downtown SLC. It’s called Brownstone 22 (brownstone22. com), and it looks to further expand upon Felt’s affection for high-quality raw bar fare and an expertly-curated cocktail menu. Some current menu luminaries include a chilled seafood tower of oysters, trout ceviche, crab claws and lobster tail, along with an uni cheeseburger that comes topped with fresh uni and caviar—excuse me a moment while I collect my jaw from the floor. From its NYC-inspired name and menu that looks like it could have been pulled from an episode of Mad Men, I’d say this new spot will be a must for those after a high-class metropolitan experience.

Kaiser’s Texas Bar-B-Q Closes

I got word that our friend Gregg Margaret and his team at Kaiser’s Texas Bar-B-Q made the decision to close the restaurant’s doors for good. Kaiser’s has been a local barbecue institution for 20 years, and it’s where many of us local barbecue enthusiasts got our first taste of genuine Texas ribs, pulled pork and brisket. Kaiser’s presence on the corner of 900 South and 300 West always made me smile; it was a ramshackle little spot full of unexpected tchotchkes, and you could smell the smoked meats from anywhere within a mile radius. Kaiser’s will always remind me of those special family-owned restaurants that just don’t come around anymore, and we’re going to miss this tasty slab of Utah dining history.

Star Powered

Ryan Gosling lends crucial humanity to the sci-fi procedural of Project Hail Mary.

BY SCOTT RENSHAW scottr@cityweekly.net @scottrenshaw

Andy Weir writes kick-ass situations; characters, he’s not so much concerned with. That’s what makes his books great beach-read page-turners, and also makes them so ripe for improvement with a real movie star in the lead.

If you’ve read either The Martian or Project Hail Mary—it’s less likely you read the intervening novel, Artemis—you know that Weir, a trained engineer, packs his stories with intriguing puzzles for his isolated protagonists to, in the immortal words of The Martian, “science the shit out of.”

Give those protagonists a human face, though—say, the face of Matt Damon or Ryan Gosling—and things get a lot more fun, and even surprisingly emotional.

Project Hail Mary casts Gosling as Ryland Grace, who wakes up on board a spacecraft after years in an induced coma as the only surviving crew member and with little memory of how he got there. Gradually, the mission reveals itself: Earth’s sun faces an existential threat from a mysterious phenomenon that is consuming its energy, and rebellious scientist Grace is part of the team sent to a distant star to find a possible solution.

Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (The LEGO Movie, 21 Jump Street) have a great comedic sensibility, and that serves them well in giving a bouncy energy to a narrative that runs more than two-anda-half hours. They retain nearly every key element from Weir’s story, including Grace’s encounter with an alien life form

whose planet is facing the same threat as Earth, yet there’s a propulsive forward motion to the plotting even as it occasionally flashes back to life on earth as Grace’s memories return in bits and pieces. What they’ve really got going for them, though, is Gosling, who feels like a nearperfect fit for the role. He’s convincing as a brilliant scientist with a bit of a wicked streak, and the playfulness in his acting persona perks up every new crisis in Grace’s journey. But perhaps most significantly, he’s got the chops to add humanity to developments that never felt particularly resonant on the page. Grace’s friendship with his alien cohort “Rocky” (voiced and puppeteered by James Ortiz) turns into a genuine tear-jerker, and even the arc of Grace’s character in terms of whether or not he can think of himself as heroic gets an added spark.

There’s a level on which procedural science-fiction like this can start to overstay its welcome with just one more threat to defuse with improvised ingenuity. When it does, it helps if it can look this good—sen-

PROJECT HAIL MARY BBB 1/2

Ryan Gosling

Sandra Hüller

James Ortiz

Rated PG-13

Available March 20 in theaters

ALSO OPENING

The Pout-Pout Fish **1/2

A feature film based on a picture-book is going to have to do some reaching to create a narrative beyond what exists in the source material, and this adaptation of the series by writer Deborah Diesen and illustrator Dan Hanna grabs at various animated-film tropes to greater and lesser success. It opens with the titular Mr. Fish (voiced by Nick Offerman), a curmudgeonly, self-isolating resident of a reef com-

munity, finding his home wrecked along with that of young sea dragon Pip (Nina Oyama), beginning an odyssey to find a mythical wish-granting fish to repair things. The creative team—led by directors Ricard Cussó and Rio Harrington— lean into a familiar odd-couple-on-aquest pairing that feels equal parts Finding Nemo and Up and the two lead vocal performances are perfectly solid on the way to an almost literal “the real wish-granting was inside you the whole time” moral. The rest of the running time is sprinkled with some fun supporting characters (notably a trio of pink dolphins all voiced by Amy Sedaris), an underdeveloped premise involving a colony of cuttlefish and plenty of puns based on sea life mixed with odd reference targets like Mean Girls. It’s got plenty of energy and its heart in a perfectly acceptable place, enough to make it a cute diversion for kids that also doesn’t know quite what to do with a 90-minute running time. Available March 20 in theaters. (PG)

Coffee House (Music)

Cozy Coffee Lounge aims to offer a European-style “third space.”

BY ARICA ROBERTS comments@cityweekly.net

At a time when the world is dealing with a constant negative news cycle and social-media addiction, the need for “third spaces” could not be greater. Third spaces are social environments that are separate from home (first place) and work (second place), such as cafes, parks and libraries, and are essential for communitybuilding. And Cozy Coffee Lounge (2580 S Main St) in South Salt Lake is the kind of functionable third space that owner Dzenef Beganovic felt the city needed.

Born in Berlin, Beganovic sought to make music—particularly house music— a key part of the coffee shop experience. “What inspired me to start Cozy Coffee was basically I wanted to bring a Berlinstyle, European vibe to Salt Lake that was missing with the massive patio, house music, third-space, community connections in a weird area,” he said.

While this dream began over the course of a decade, it wasn’t until three years ago that Cozy Coffee Lounge opened. With Beganovic’s vision for an alternative coffee shop in a less-developed area of the city, there were hurdles to overcome when facing local bureaucracy. He was first turned down to lease the building seven years ago when he was only 21 years old, but then, in 2023, he saw the building again and wouldn’t take no for an answer.

True to his design, the shop’s dual identity as a standard coffee shop on weekdays and a vibrant event space on weekends encourages social interaction. “Come to a

coffee shop Monday through Friday, come catch up with a friend Saturday or Sunday, but with a twist,” Beganovic explained. “There’s always going to be a twist on the weekends because put your laptop away, put your homework away. This is the real world. Have some fun with it.”

Music on the patio has been part of the shop where five car groups and a DJ brought a thousand people for its grand opening. Every weekend since, there have been different music events. For example, last month Cozy Coffee hosted a Galentine’s Day party featuring DJs Kainani Clark (Instagram: @aloha_kainani) and Julie Hull (Instagram: @ishtarra21). Not only were roses given to attendees, but the entire 2,000-square-foot patio space was beautifully decorated in red and pink roses, balloons and banners with a special Valentine’s setup in an igloo—perfect for photo ops with the gals.

This month was the inaugural Cozy Coffee Run Club. The all-ages event started at 9 a.m. on a Sunday and included a group run to Satori Yoga with a live house DJ playing decks on wheels. Cozy Coffee paid for an optional free meditation/hot yoga class for participants to reset and rewind. There was a $50 gift card for the first runner back, and then a raffle with free protein pancakes and oat milk being served.

Beyond these events, Cozy Coffee offers something even more unique for Salt Lake City: Arabian Nights. Their resident belly dancer Wendy Melendez (Instagram: @arabiandancer.wendy) brings music and culture on scheduled evenings, which is something that no other coffee shop in the city really does.

“Diversity is our biggest thing that we’re trying to showcase this year,” Beganovic said. “You go to some coffee shops and it attracts only a certain group or only a certain clientele, which at Cozy Coffee, you would never know there’s a belly dancer here until you came in.”

The commitment Cozy Coffee has to diversity and inclusion continues this month

MUSIC

with their upcoming end-of-Ramadan celebration featuring an old employee of Cozy Coffee and “Arab Hijabi DJ & MC” DJ Nour (Instagram: @3arabeatz) on Saturday, March 21. Along with that event, attendees can also try a Dubai Matcha or Date Latte from their special Ramadan Menu this month.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, Cozy Coffee gives out free black tea and dates to break fast for the Muslim community, and their drive-through location Cozy Coffee 2 Go (435 S. 400 West)—situated across from Fourth Street Clinic—has a Ramadan charity initiative.

“During Ramadan, we’re giving back to the community at the drive-through that if you can’t afford a cup of coffee, just

swing by and grab one without any questions asked,” Beganovic added. Cozy Coffee is truly setting a new standard for local businesses in Salt Lake City with its European-style house music patio, its diversity and inclusion, as well as its commitment to fostering community and socializing as a third space gathering. It’s somewhere at which you can find music and dancing every weekend.

Check them out Mondays-Thursdays 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fridays 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Follow the Instagram profile @cozycoffeeslc for event updates. CW

TUESDAYS

WEDNESDAYS

BEST BAR IN UTAH!

GREAT FOOD

MUSIC PICK S

10,000 Maniacs @ Egyptian Theatre 3/19-22

Incongruously and inexplicably named after a 1960s horror film from exploitation director Herschell Gordon Lewis, 10,000 Maniacs make music that is undeniably tuneful and friendly. Based in upstate New York, the breezy alternative rock group debuted on record with 1983’s Secrets of the I Ching. That record and its 1985 follow-up were well-received, but did not chart. Everything changed with the release of 1987’s In My Tribe. Spurred in part by the charting single “What’s the Matter Here?,” the album eventually went doubleplatinum. Lead singer Natalie Merchant became the band’s focal point, and with the release of two more hits—1989’s Blind Man’s Zoo and Our Time in Eden from ’92—her presence eclipsed that of her band mates; after the group’s MTV Unplugged performance in 1993, she left for a solo career. But singer and violinist Mary Ramsey proved an inspired replacement, and the members of the band proved themselves capable songwriters. Chart success may not have continued, but the band has been consistent in turning out finely-crafted albums and compelling live performances. 10,000 Maniacs come to the Egyptian Theatre March 19-21 at 8 p.m, Sunday the 22nd at 5 p.m. At press time, all shows were sold out on parkcityshows.com; contact the box office for the waitlist. (Bill Kopp)

Software Developer (Draper, UT)

Research, design, and develop mobile application or specialized utility programs. Analyze Cupbop’s needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints. Confer with managers to obtain information on limitations or capabilities for projects. 40hrs/ wk, Offered wage: $80,538/yr, Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related required.

Resume to CUPBOP CO Attn: Yeiri KIM, 12184 S Business Park Dr, STE C, Draper, UT 84020

MUSIC PICK S

Dead Floyd @ The State Room 3/20-21

At first glance, it seems an unlikely mash-up—even from a group that squeezes covers of two very different bands into their repertoire. Even at second glance, it seems the same. Granted, both the Grateful Dead and Pink Floyd share a common bond in their affection for psychedelia. Still, it’s Dead Floyd’s unabashed enthusiasm and devotion to these two iconic outfits that set them apart from every other tribute band making the rounds today. It’s obvious that spontaneity, improvisation and the element of surprise in live performance—not to mention their unique interpretations of the Dead and the Floyd’s classic material—makes them truly special. Whether covering a standard or delving into some weird rarity, Dead Floyd carries both bands’ legacy forward while bringing back memories for older fans and offering a new experience for those unaware. Indeed, it’s little wonder that the band has been consistently voted one of the top tribute acts in their home state of Colorado. They’ve performed over 1,000 shows throughout the U.S., honing their chops with JJ Grey & Mofro, Derek Trucks Band, Mama Lenny and the Remedy, The Grippe, Musketeer Gripweed, Hot Gazpacho, The Maji, Wooleye, Orooni and many others. Still, it’s clear that their devotion to Pink Floyd and the Dead remains their focus. To quote both bands, “Keep on truckin’,” because if not, you’ll “wish you were here.” An Evening With Dead Floyd takes place at 8 p.m. at The State Room Friday and Saturday, March 20 and 21. Tickets for these 21+ concerts cost $27 all-inclusive at axs.com. (Lee Zimmerman)

MUSIC PICK S

Spice 1 @ Liquid Joe’s 3/20

Spice 1’s album 187 He Wrote is almost like a film of little vignettes. Each track boasts a strong narrative that really brings you into that world. The heartfelt rawness of songs like “Trigger Gots No Heart” and “187” (the title track) never fades, no matter how often you hear them. The Bay Area legend found an audience, as all good musicians do, and now thrives, but it almost wasn’t that way. “A lot of people felt like I wasn’t supposed to be in the position I was, but being around (Too) Short and the whole Dangerous Crew, it was all a big influence to keep going.” Spice 1 told KQED.org. “Everything and everybody who come into your life is either a blessing or a lesson. Every time you make a mistake, you gotta learn from it. Learn from everything.” Hip-hop, to me, is so much more than just music. The artist gets to choose what elements he/she decides to incorporate into the song. When rappers add real-world news and issues into their music, it forces listeners to fall out of any ignorance. Pull up the record AmeriKKKa’s Nightmare and give it a spin. Spice 1 is a culture-defining superhero. Do not miss this one. Ortega Omega, Bigg Ben and Donna Lucci open. Catch these acts at the STR8 Out Da 90’s event hosted by IMFROM ROSEPARK at Liquid Joe’s on Friday, March 20 at 8 p.m. Tickets for the 21+ show are $22.39 and can be found at 24tix.com. (Mark Dago)

Sultan and Shepard @ Soundwell 3/21

Some nights change your life forever. One such night in the early 2000s, Ned Shepard gave a mixtape to Ossama Al Sarraf (Sultan) when they randomly met at a dance club in Montreal. The next morning, Al Sarraf called Shepard expressing interest in producing music together. Their combined interest and talent has produced emotional, almost celestial music, such as their albums Something, Everything and Forever, Now. Known for progressive and melodic house music that contains layers of emotions, they’ve found success. Their remix of Bruno Mars’ “Locked Out of Heaven” was nominated for a Grammy in 2013, and now for more than a decade they’ve been able to continuously make music that is somehow both sad and uplifting. The song “Elenore” featuring singer Andrew Belle, includes the tragic lyrics, “To hear that you love me when you’re far away

/ Is like hearing from Heaven and never to go…” Whereas, their latest album Endless, Dawn includes the song “I’ll Be Here,” featuring the singer Elderbrook promising a lover they will always be there for them: “Head on mine, it keeps me heavy / I don’t mind, I don’t mind / I’ll be here / I’ll be here.” The lineup includes special guest Otherwish and support from local artists Nate Lowpass back-to-back with Jordan Zundel. Sultan and Shepard perform at Soundwell on Saturday, March 21. Doors open at 9 p.m. and tickets cost $55. At press time, tickets have sold out at eventliveus.com. (Arica Roberts)

Air Vent Dweller, BACKHAND, Transmitter, Mother of None @ Kilby Court 3/22

Fighting the Sunday Scaries can be tough. It’s hard to find the cure, but a fun show before the week starts over might just be the ticket. SLC’s Air Vent Dweller will be celebrating their latest album release, Race to the Bottom, with some awesome groups in support. Subgenres are always popping up in the music world, but if you have never heard of egg punk, you’re not alone! This is a subgenre I don’t know much about, but have definitely heard over the years. The genre came about in the 2010’s, serving up a mix of DIY punk and new wave sound, particularly that of DEVO. An interesting combo to be sure, and you can find it on tracks like “Westward 4 Winter” and “Nine Volt,” the last two singles released by the group back in 2023. It’ll be a blast to hear this new (wave?) music from Air Vent Dweller live. BACKHAND, or “God’s favorite band,” as they list in their bio, also offer exciting punk vibes in their music. It’s a more traditional brand of punk, with fast, chugging guitar and general stick-it-to-the-man attitude. While BACKHAND is “God’s favorite band,” Transmitter is “God’s last band,” as stated in their bio—very interesting combo there. Transmitter also categorizes themselves as punk, but utilizes a lot of electronic elements, showcasing again how subgenres vary. Last but of course not least is Mother of None, who, you guessed it, also plays epic punk jams. Come rock out on Sunday, March 22 at 6 p.m. Tickets for the all-ages show are $13 in advance and $15 at the door. Grab yours at 24tix.com. (Emilee Atkinson)

free will ASTROLOGY

BY ROB BREZSNY

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

In 1960, Aries primatologist Jane Goodall arrived in Tanzania to study the social and family lives of chimpanzees. Her intention was to engage in patient, long‑term observation. In subsequent months, she saw the creatures using tools, a skill that scientists had previously believed only humans could do. She also found that “it isn’t only human beings who have personality, who are capable of rational thought and emotions like joy and sorrow.” Her discoveries revolutionized our understanding of animal intelligence. I recommend her approach to you in the coming weeks, Aries. Your diligent, tenacious attention can supplant outmoded assumptions. Let the details and rhythms of what you’re studying reveal their deeper truths. Your affectionate watchfulness will change the story.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

Ancient Romans believed in a household deity called Cardea, the goddess of hinges and thresholds. She protected the pivot points, like the places where the inside meets the outside and where one state transforms into another. In the coming weeks, you Tauruses will benefit from befriending a similar deity in your own lives. I hope you will pay eager attention to the metaphorical hinges in your world: the thresholds, portals, transitions and in between times. They may sometimes feel awkward because they lack the cer tainty that you crave. But I guarantee that they are where the best magic congregates.

GEMINI

(May 21-June 20)

You are fluent in the art of fruitful contradiction. While others pursue one dimensional consistency, you thrive on the fact that the truth is too wild and multifaceted to be captured in a single, simple story. You make spirited use of paradox and enjoy being enchanted by riddles. You can be both serious and playful, committed and curious, strong and receptive. In the coming weeks, Gemini, I hope you will express these superpowers to the max. The world doesn’t need another person who separates everything into neat little categories. Your nimble intelligence and charming multiplicity are the gifts your allies need most.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

In traditional Japanese aesthetics, wabi-sabi celebrates imperfection, impermanence and the soulfulness that comes with age. A weathered wooden gate may be considered more beautiful than a new one. Its surface has a silvery grain from years of exposure to rain and sun. Its hinges creak from long use by countless passersby. Let’s invoke this lovely concept as we ruminate on your life, Cancerian. In my astrological estimation, it’s important that in the coming months you don’t treat your incompleteness as a deficit requiring correc tion. Consider the possibility that your supposed blemishes may be among your most interesting features. The idiosyn cratic aspects of your character are precisely what make you a source of vitality.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

In medieval Japan, swordsmiths would undertake spiritual purifications before beginning work on a new blade: absti nence, ritual bathing, prayer and fasting. They believed that the quality of their consciousness influenced the quality of their creation—that the blade would absorb the maker’s mental and spiritual state. I bring this to your attention because you’re in a phase when your inner condition will have extra potent effects on everything you build, develop or initiate. My advice: Prepare yourself with impeccable care before launching new projects. Purify your motivations. Clarify your vision. The creations you will be generating could serve you well for a long time.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Master chess players don’t necessarily calculate more moves ahead than amateurs. Their years of study enable them to perceive the developing trends in a single glance, bypassing complex analysis. What appears to be stellar intuition is actually compressed expertise. You’re in a phase when you can make abundant use of this capacity, Virgo.

Again and again, your accumulated experience will crystal lize into immediate knowing. So don’t second guess your first assessments, OK? Trust the pattern recognition that you have cultivated through the years.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

The cosmic powers have granted you a triple s trength, extra long, time release dose of sweet, fresh certainty. During the grace period that’s beginning, you will be less tempted to indulge in doubt and indecision. A fountain of resolve will rise up in you whenever you need it. Though at first the lucid serenity you feel may seem odd, you could grow accustomed to it—so much so that you could permanently lose up to 20 percent of your chronic tendency to vacillate.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Crows can hold grudges against individual humans for years. But they also remember acts of kindness and bring gifts like shiny objects and buttons to those who’ve helped them. They’re capable of both revenge and gratitude, and they never forget either. I suspect you’re entering a period when you’ll need to decide which of your crow like qualities to emphasize, Scorpio. You have legitimate grievances worth remembering. You have also received gifts worth honoring. My counsel: Spend 20 percent of your emotional energy on remembering wrongs (enough to protect yourself) and 80 percent on remembering what has helped you thrive. Make gratitude your primary teacher, even as you stay wisely wary.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

More than any other zodiac sign, you Sagittarians can be both a discontented rebel and a sunny celebrant of life. You can see clearly what’s out of alignment and needs adjust ment without surrendering your wry, amused tolerance. T his double capacity will be especially useful to you in the coming days. You may not find many allies who share this aptitude, though, so you should lean on your own instincts and heed the following suggestions: Be joyfully defiant. Be a generous agitator and an open hearted critic. Blessings will find their way to you as you subvert the stale status quo with creativity and kindness.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Your persistence and endurance are among your great est gifts to the world. You’re committed to building useful s tructures that outlast transitory moods and trends. On behalf of all the other signs, I say Thank You!, dear Capricorn. You understand that real power comes from showing up consistently and doing unglamorous work, refraining from the temptation to score quick and superficial victories. May you always recognize that your pragmatism is a form of lov ing faith. Your cautionary care is rooted in generosity. Now here’s my plea: More than ever before, the rest of us need you to express these talents with full vigor.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

One of your power symbols right now is the place where two tributaries blend into a single river. A second is where your favorite tree enters the earth. Here are other images to excite your imagination and stimulate your creativity: the boundary between cloud and sky; the darkness where your friend’s shadow overlaps yours; and the time between when the sun sets and night falls. To sum up, Aquarius, I hope you will access extra inspiration in liminal areas. Seek the vibrant revelations that arise where one mystery coalesces with another.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

Poet Mark Doty wrote, “The sea doesn’t reward those who are too anxious, too greedy or too impatient. We should lie as empty, open and choiceless as a beach—waiting for gifts from the sea.” This quote captures your Piscean genius when it’s working at its best. Others may exhaust themselves try ing to force results, but you know that the best gifts often come to those who are patient, open, and relaxed. This is true right now more than ever before. I hope you will prac tice intense receptivity. Protect your permeability like the superpower it is. Be as supple and responsive as you dare.

OPERATIONS MANAGER:

to coordinate operations at two English school campuses. Oversee document control, student registration files, compliance reporting, & accreditation records. Support campus managers w/ scheduling, facilities, & staff logistics. Mon–Fri, 40 hrs/wk. Req. Bach. deg. (or foreign equiv.) in Bus. Admin., Management., or closely related field. Mail resume to Lumos Language School, Inc., 220 E 3900 S, Suite 1, Salt Lake City, UT 84107.

urban LIVING

WITH BABS DELAY

Broker, Urban Utah Homes & Estates, urbanutah.com

Free Bus Service

The Utah Transit Authority was created in 1970 to provide public transportation to the state’s growing population. It took over routes and services from the former Salt Lake City Lines, which ran buses in the 1950s that were painted light blue and white, with a red belt rail.

Today, UTA operates buses and trains from Brigham City to Santaquin and out west to Grantsville.

Funding is the biggest challenge to expanding public transportation, and it wasn’t until 1973 that our Legislature took some profits from liquorstore sales to initially fund the buses. In that year, Davis and Weber County transportation services joined up, with Ogden coming on board in 1974 and then Utah County joining in 1984.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS

1. Words after “give” or “lend”

6. Beginning of an idea

10. Octagonal sign

14. Use crayons

15. Buttery substitute

16. Zanesville’s state

17. Dance with a lot of moving parts?

19. Part of a telescope

20. And others, in a footnote

21. “Sure thing”

23. 1970s-’80s sketch comedy show with Catherine O’Hara

25. “No seats” letters

26. “Drugs are bad” ad, e.g.

29. “Gymnopedies” composer Satie

31. Video chats, in the 2010s

36. Play opener

38. One of the Inner Hebrides

40. Before the kids’ bedtime, say

41. Investigated further

44. Sharpened

45. Nearly nonexistent

46. “Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1” rapper ___ Fiasco

Monies from sales taxes were thrown into the pot and soon, annual ridership reached 600,000 passengers. Ridership has since grown to roughly 40 million passenger trips per year.

Note too that bus service to Snowbird and Alta came in the late 1970s and cost a mere 25 cents at the time. Trax light rail service launched in 1999 and initially ran from Salt Lake City to Sandy and back, but it has expanded in virtually all directions since then.

Here’s what many people don’t know about our public transportation in Salt Lake City—the downtown area is a free fare zone that has been in place for 40 years! UTA doesn’t advertise this much. It is labeled on some signs located downtown, but in my opinion should be much more visible and printed on flyers handed out to all conventioneers. Simply Google “UTA Free Fare Zone” and you’ll see the map or go to RideUTA.com.

Working downtown, I see many convention attendees trucking along our sidewalks in the hot summer sun, sporting their badges around their necks as they encounter our huge city blocks between the hotels and the convention center. And have you ever tried to park a car by or near the state Capitol during the 45 days of our legislative session? Yikes! And yet, anyone can hop on a route 200 bus, which goes from downtown to Capitol Hill and back.

If you begin your ride in the free fare zone but plan to disembark outside of it, you will have to buy a ticket. And if you board outside the zone and travel into it, you will have to provide proof of payment if asked. If you use an electronic fare card, you must still tap it on both ends of your trip.

Standard fares are $2.50, with added fares for some things like the $5 express buses and ski service. A day pass is $5 and a monthly one is $85.

Next time you’re downtown and don’t want to walk so much, hop on a bus or Trax—easy peasy.

And hey, UTA: advertise this better and you’ll get more fans of public transportation around here! ■

47. Takes without asking

49. Letters before Q, often

51. ___ Moines, Iowa

52. Not feeling so great

54. Funny reaction

56. Place for knock-knocks

61. Discuss again

65. District

66. Korean simmered rice cake

68. Puzzle’s central focus?

69. URL-starting letters

70. Patch or pipe material

71. District

72. Flue powder

73. “Please?”

DOWN

1. Dull pain

2. Owl sound

3. ___-Seltzer

4. Caroler’s tunes

5. Frozen CO2, familiarly

6. Nonspecific semiliquid

7. City northeast of Reno

8. Stinks up the joint

9. White House Press Secretary and PBS

journalist Bill

10. No longer in stock

11. One of the TV Huxtables

12. Pen noise

13. Prepare for pics

18. “Speed 2: Cruise Control” star Jason

22. One who teams oxen

24. Renaissance string instruments

26. Walkways

27. Hightail it

28. Make amends

30. Grassy spot at Dallas’s Dealey Plaza

32. Southern collective?

33. Beaming

34. Run off for romance

35. Stand-up comic Wanda

37. Store whose Djungelskog toy was adopted by a Japanese monkey in a viral video

39. Heave ___ of relief

42. Wing it

43. Set sail

48. They’re sorted by two or three toes per foot

50. Broadcaster of “University Challenge” and “Ludwig”

53. Powerball, essentially

55. Now, in Nueva York

56. Esperanza Spalding’s genre

57. Cookie that for some reason has a cookies & cream variety

58. Acute

59. Simplify

60. High-fat, low-carb diet

62. Similar (to)

63. Misrepresent, as data

64. Put on the staff

67. Make a decision

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

9. No math is involved. The grid has numbers, but nothing has to add up to anything else. Solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic. Solving time is typically 10 to 30 minutes, depending on your skill and experience.

Bright Idea

NEWS of the WEIRD

Lonely? If you’re a college student in Boston, you can stop at the Call a Boomer phone booth on Commonwealth Avenue in Brookline and, free of charge, connect with an older person living in a senior housing facility in Reno, Nevada. Boston.com reported on March 10 that biotech company Matter Neuroscience set up the phones as part of a social experiment, based on data that show young people and seniors are the loneliest among age groups. “The goal of this project is to inspire generational connection through meaningful conversa tions,” a plaque on the phone booth reads. Calls work either way, and if no one picks up, the caller can leave a message. Matter set up another set of phones earlier this year in San Francisco and Abilene, Texas, designed to connect people across the political spectrum. The Boston project is set up to operate for a month; if it’s successful, Matter hopes to extend it.

Suspicions Confirmed

■ Tommy Lynch, 42, of Derbyshire, England, went to the hospital after waking up with blue skin, People magazine reported on March 10. Lynch’s roommate, who works as a carer, saw his skin and whisked him to the emergency room, thinking he might be deprived of oxygen. Doctors there assessed him and, prudently, rubbed his arm with an alcohol wipe, revealing his “ailment”: sleeping on new unwashed dark blue sheets. “I never knew you had to wash your sheets before you slept on them,” Lynch said. “I looked like an avatar.” Lynch said he spent the next week trying to get the blue dye off his skin.

■ Stephanie Faure of Saskatoon, Canada, underwent brain surgery more than a year ago to remove cancer tumors, the CBC reported. But on March 8, she woke up feeling an odd pressure in her head and saw what she thought was a screw trying to push through her skin. At Royal University Hospital, Faure waited for over five hours to see a doctor, who told her the bump was a cyst and sent her home. “He wasn’t even looking at it,” Faure said. “He was just telling me it wasn’t what I was seeing.” That evening, Faure’s boyfriend used tweezers to pull out a tiny screw. “It was moving as the day went,” Faure said, “so it wasn’t too hard (to remove) by that time.” She plans to file a formal complaint against the doctor so that he might “realize that’s not how you treat people.”

Awesome!

■ A restaurant in Mobile, Alabama, has advertised an offer for nearly 100 years, but never had to honor it until the end of February, when Jimmy Rush, 80, and James Rush, 99, walked in. The New York Post reported that Wintzell’s Oyster House promises “Free Oysters to Any Man 80 Years Old Accompanied by His Father,” and until the Rushes arrived, they’d never had a taker. “We felt like our dad was going to make it to 100 because he’s in great health,” said another son, Carl. “We’ve been talking about it as a family for 25, 30 years.” Carl will be 80 in two years, and they plan to come back for another dozen oysters.

■ March 10, for those who don’t celebrate, is Mario Day, after the Nintendo game character. At a GameStop in Manhattan’s Union Square, 270 people costumed as Mario gathered in hopes of setting a world record, United Press International reported. “He’s a remind er of people’s childhoods and a carefree time,” said GameStop director of communications Nicolle Robles. “And you know people still play video games well into adulthood.” Participants got a $5 store credit, but the real winner was Ross Martinez, who dressed as the solid gold Mario from New Super Mario Bros. 2

It’s Come to This Japanese people seeking zen are trying a novel offer ing: coffin lying. The New York Post reported on Feb. 25 that a funeral home in Chiba Prefecture started the trend, but now other businesses are providing options from a wooden box to “cute” coffins for patrons to have “a meditation experience where you can gaze at life through being conscious of death.” Customers can choose either an open or closed casket, healing music, video projected on the ceiling or complete silence. Fans of the experience say it has a profound impact on mental health.

Cheaters

In February, the 2026 Camel Beauty Show Festival, held in Al Musanna, Oman, was disrupted after veterinary inspectors discovered that 20 competitors had been subject to cosmetic procedures to enlarge their humps, the Independent reported on March 5. The camels’ humps were injected with dermal fillers similar to those used on humans. Injectables were also used to cre ate poutier lips and soften the camels’ faces. Festival officials said that they would impose “strict penalties on manipulators.” Camels are judged on coat, neck, head and humps.

Unclear on the Concept

The Waterfall Therapy massage spa in Mays Landing, New Jersey, was searched on March 11, Patch.com reported, and two people, Cuie Chen, 50, and Wen Juin Zhou, 60, were charged with prostitution and conspiracy to commit prostitution. The Township of Hamilton police said they had conducted a lengthy and detailed investigation, in spite of a glaring clue: a line on the business’s website noting that it offers massages with a “happy ending.” The women were later released on summons.

Going to Extremes

That old springtime pothole trope is a thing : A New Jersey Transit bus became engulfed in fire on March 10 after it hit a pothole on the New Jersey Turnpike, WABC T V reported. When the bus struck the pothole, a back tire blew out, and passengers rushed to the front of the bus to report that it was on fire. About 30 pas sengers piled out of the bus and moved away from the burning vehicle.

Ewwwww

I bet you didn’t know that March 15 is recognized as National Espresso Martini Day. Well, Buffalo Wild Wings knows, and in celebration, they’re introducing their wing flavored Espresso Proteini. USA Today reported on March 9 that the featured beverage is made with 10 grams of protein and a Buffalo Dry Rub, which will also line the rim of the glass. But act fast: The Espresso Proteini is available only from March 12 to March 15 and it costs $12.

Oops

James Prante of North Port, Florida, is facing a DUI charge after an incident that occurred on March 1, WWSB T V reported. Around 9:30 p.m., police received a call that a woman had fallen from a golf cart; Prante explained to the officers that he and his wife had been “partying at the club” since noon and that she had hit her head after falling from the golf cart. The wife was unconscious and was transported to a hospital. Prante failed a sobriety test, and officers found empty alcohol containers in the golf cart. He was charged with DUI with serious bodily injury.

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Bri-ZAY,

Brizzee

Software Engineer (inContact, Inc.; Sandy, UT): Work as a member of an agile team to design, develop, and enhance software products and features. Telecommuting permitted pursuant to company policy. Resumes: marian.alvarado@ nice.com Ref: 00086897