City Weekly October 16, 2025

The Fat of the Lamb

How a small farm in Utah’s Rush Valley got noticed by a James Beard-nominated chef.

BY ALEX SPRINGER

S AP

BOX

“Look Out Below,”

Oct. 9 Private Eye

You’re either anti-fascist or pro-fascist. I am anti-fascist, just like my ancestors who fought in World War II.

MICHAELLE PEARSON Via Facebook

This is so they can label anyone Antifa. They’re going to round up citizens and hold them without due process. Without representation. Without trial.

RINKI DINKI DO Via Facebook

Why don’t they hunt down the Epstein files and release them?

MASSIMO DEL FRENCH Via Facebook

Contact me for the signup sheet for Antifa.

ANDREW MCMILLAN Via Facebook

Follow the money. Remember when pallets of bricks were strategically placed during the George Floyd fiasco?

DAVID W. JONES Via Facebook

[Antifa] is not a group. It simply means Anti-fascist, lol.

TI SHA METZLER ANDREWS Via Facebook

Come to my house, I’m anti fascism.

KEITH BATEMAN Via Facebook

I am Antifa!

KYLE WILLIAMS Via Facebook

They should look at the people organizing local Antifa groups, duh.

FLIP JOHNSON Via Facebook

You’re missing the point. This gives [Trump] the power to just wing it and go after anyone he wants! He doesn’t need logic. Welcome to tyranny!

RICHARD JUNG Via Facebook

Scary thing. They’ll make it up as they terrorize and kidnap innocent people.

MARY JO Via Facebook

Funny how those cretins attach labels but can’t see their own actions as debilitating.

KURT RAFFIELD Via Facebook

KKK = Antifa. just another hateful democrat organization.

JON DAVIS Via Facebook

Here I am, the head of Antifa. Come and get me, you fat orange f--k.

IAN WILLIAM PARISH Via Facebook

“Cast Your Vote,” Oct. 2 Cover Story

No wonder our city is a mess. Most of these people running for office have no idea of economics or how budgeting works. Rent controls, forcing landlords to sell a rental property to a tenant, more money for homelessness—tax and spend because it’s not their money. Good luck Salt Lake.

JEFF WALKER Via Facebook

Chris Wharton has my vote for my [City Council] district!

KCRAIGNSORENSEN Via Instagram

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

THE WATER COOLER

What has been the most important decade of your life?

Kayla Dreher

Since I’m 26, probably the current decade. I’ve established myself in a new city, graduated college, started my career and became a whole ass adult. Having fun, working hard!

Katharine Biele

1970s—my 20s when I left the United States and set out for Asia on my own. And no, I wouldn’t be so bold today.

Eric Granato

The current decade, it just gets better.

Scott Renshaw

Well, in the 1990s I got my first journalism job, started reviewing movies, met my wife, got married, moved from California to Utah, became a dad and started working for City Weekly. Feels like that fits the description.

Wes Long

I suppose in terms of weighty decisions and major life changes, it will have to be the 2010s.

Paula Saltas

The 70s: Bee Gees; disco music; Eagles; bell-bottom pants; muscle cars and my Ford Mustang; Farrah Fawcett hairstyles. Take me back from the twilight zone that we are in now.

BY CHRISTOPHER SMART

OPINION Naughty Bondi

While the Department of Justice was ramping up a bogus case against former FBI director James Comey— for allegedly making false statements to the Senate Judiciary Committee—Attorney General Pam Bondi was prevaricating and flat-out lying to the same committee. Her responses—or lack thereof—regarding the FBI’s “Epstein Files” on the late, convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein revealed more than she thought. When Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, asked if the FBI had recovered photos of Donald Trump with half-naked young women, she not only did not answer (she could have said, “No”) but went on to falsely accuse the senator of taking cash from Epstein’s buddies.

Nor did Bondi answer honestly about “Border Czar” Tom Homan taking $50,000 in cash from undercover FBI agents in 2024. Bondi shut the case down.

The list goes on, but perhaps Bondi’s most naked false claim was this: “The weaponization of the Department of Justice has ended.”

Trump claimed his predecessor, Joe Biden, had weaponized the DOJ when Trump was investigated for taking classified documents to Florida and for investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection. Bondi is also going after Trump enemies Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., New York A.G. Letitia James, former CIA director John Brennan, Fulton County, Ga. District Attorney Fani Willis and former national security advisor John Bolton. Weaponization? What weaponization?

GOP Legislators: “Equity” is a Four-Letter Word “Political language ... is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable and to give an appearance of

solidity to the wind.”—George Orwell. Well Wilson, here we are: up is down, right is left and words can mean anything—or nothing. Take the word “equity” for example.

According to Merriam-Webster it means: fairness or justice in the way people are treated. But in Utah, it’s practically outlawed because, according to some, it’s Marxist drivel aimed at destroying America.

Maria Garciaz, a tireless community servant who has spent four decades helping the disadvantaged, was voted down by Republican legislators for a second four-year term on the University of Utah’s Board of Trustees because she used the words “equity” and “inclusion” when describing her work.

The Salt Lake Tribune’s Courtney Tanner reported it this way: “You used ‘equity’ and ‘inclusion’,” complained Sen. Chris Wilson, R-Logan, referring to Garciaz’s remarks about why she should be reappointed. Sen. Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork, similarly added, “I did hear you mention ‘equity’ twice in the presentation.”

Last year, Republican legislators made illegal the utterance of the words “diversity,” “equity” and “inclusion” (or “DEI”) at state universities and colleges. “Political chaos is connected to the decay of language.”—George Orwell. Read it and weep.

President Donald Trump: The Buck Doesn’t Stop Here Hey Wilson, did you hear that President Trump isn’t done renaming things? This time he wants to rename the San Andreas Fault. Yep, from now on it’s Biden’s Fault.

But seriously, Trump can’t stop blaming Joe Biden for just about everything, as evidenced by one of his late night screeds. On Sunday at 12:38 a.m. he posted: “THE BIDEN FBI PLACED 274 AGENTS INTO THE CROWD ON JANUARY 6. If this is so, which it is, a lot of very good people will be owed big apologies. What a SCAM – DO SOMETHING!!! President DJT.”

He forgot that he was president on that fateful day in 2021. Nobody knows what goes on in Trump’s head. He’s a teetotaler, so how do you explain the all-night ranting?

He blamed Biden for the country’s shrinking economy. “This has nothing to do with tariffs!” he declared. When

American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter, killing 64, Trump blamed the tragedy on Barack Obama, Biden and DEI initiatives at the FAA.

And as you know, Wilson, Trump blames Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on—who else?—Biden. The list goes on and on.

President Harry Truman was famous for saying, “The buck stops here.” No Wilson, Trump doesn’t have a plaque on his desk that says, “The buck doesn’t stop here,” but he should.

Postscript—That’s going to do it for another strange week here at Smart Bomb, where we keep track of why stuff gets named the way it does so you don’t have to.

Anyway, Wilson, did you know that Christopher Columbus discovered the Bahamas and the Greater Antilles—Cuba and Hispaniola—which he thought were part of India? That’s why Columbus dubbed the indigenous people he encountered “Indians.”

No, he didn’t land at Plymouth Rock. So why do we celebrate Columbus Day?

Apparently, because Chris was the first European to sail into the Americas. (Actually, it was viking Leif Erikson, but whatever.) In Utah, we celebrate Columbus Day by closing banks and state liquor stores.

America was actually named for Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci, who is said to have determined the New World w as not part of Asia. Why don’t we celebrate Vespucci Day? Who knows.

Nonetheless, a while back some folks became disenchanted with Columbus Day, due to centuries of Europeans wreaking havoc on native peoples. So Columbus Day is now also called “Indigenous Peoples Day.” It has its roots at the 1977 International World Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas.

President Joe Biden formally recognized Indigenous Peoples Day in 2021. But it’s not an official holiday, and that’s the way it goes.

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

HITS & MISSES

BY KATHARINE BIELE | @kathybiele BY

MISS: Diversity Fire

If you know Maria Garciaz, you probably wonder, “WTH?” If you don’t, you need to be enraged by the mindless attack on diversity, equity and inclusion. Maybe you don’t know her because you have never needed the services she has made possible for communities on the west side of Salt Lake City and for the health of the city as a whole. For almost 40 years, Garciaz worked as CEO of NeighborWorks Salt Lake, a nonprofit working with youth and the communities they live in. She co-founded University Neighborhood Partners, building bridges with university staff. But a legislative committee didn’t like her— an educated Latina who advocates for the underserved and who, God help her, used the word “equity” and even the term “DEI” in her answers. Lawmakers refused to reappoint her as a University of Utah trustee. She apparently hasn’t been focused enough on the real underdogs—the white conservatives who simply cannot succeed in an atmosphere of, yes, diversity, equity and inclusion.

HIT: Traffic Jam

Frody Volgger isn’t wrong. “Making the freeway any bigger doesn’t solve the problem,” the Argyle Court resident told The Salt Lake Tribune. “It just causes more problems, more cars. It’s just stupidity. We need to have public transportation, not more cars on the road.” What’s happened is the Utah Department of Transportation decided to scrap its plans to widen Interstate 15 between 400 South and 600 North. For residents in the area, it’s a huge relief. Still, there’s more to come as UDOT moves to expand the interstate up to Farmington. It’s all about moving more vehicles up and down the Wasatch Front, but with little thought to the increased traffic and pollution. Salt Lake City is working to lessen the need for a personal vehicle, but many commuters lack reasonable transportation options. UDOT bringing more cars into the city just means more chaos. It’s simply not enough to tell people to stop driving without building alternatives.

MISS: Hunger Pains

It’s probably not lost on you that COVID changed everything, and eating out may have been at the top of the list. Gastronomic Salt Lake City tries to keep track of the restaurant Armageddon, with some of the more recent victims being Laziz Kitchen Downtown and Café Niche. “Living bill to bill is tiresome, food costs have become unsustainable, construction for years on end and the ever changing economy,” the owners of Laziz wrote on social media. It’s bad, but maybe not as bad as it seems. While some think 90% of restaurants fail, only 17% actually do, according to industry watchers. CNN talks about rising costs from tariffs, inflation and the fact that people just aren’t eating out like they used to. One fan-favorite, Mazza, took out a GoFundMe after closing its 9th and 9th location, but is still struggling. The Deseret News threw it a bone recently with a glowing review of the intimate diner. We’ll see if that helps. CW

Play Time

Grassroots Shakespeare, a Utahbased theater company, is on a mission to perform in a way that is accessible, rowdy and true to the spirit of William Shakespeare’s time. Founded in 2009 by Utah Valley University students, the performing group adheres to an “original practice” method, which means their productions are directorless and fully collaborative among the cast.

Shakespeare was originally intended as populist entertainment, not as elitist art, and Grassroots Shakespeare aims to perform it as such.

“A lot of people look at Shakespeare and think it’s pretentious or it’s for an upper elite class, but it was never that way in Shakespeare’s time,” said Grassroots Shakespeare board member Kat Webb. “It’s like a rock concert—like a wrestling match.”

The company just finished up their summer performances of The Comedy of Errors and Romeo and Juliet. But October brings their special Halloween production—an annual tradition for the company—and this year’s selection of King Lear

“It’s always a super fun, exciting, spooky experience,” said Katherine Moulton, who plays the role of eldest daughter Goneril. “We do tons of fake blood and always pick a show with lots of violence and death or ghosts or craziness or whatever. So it’s just a fun Halloween tradition.”

King Lear includes a monarch’s dissent into madness, where different kinds of loyalty and generational relationships are juxtaposed in a profound way. Staging this story in a kinetic and collaborative style aims to make Shakespeare’s language more understandable and exciting for modern audiences.

For example, since the concept of a fourth wall did not exist in Elizabethan theater, the Grassroots Shakespeare actors perform directly to the audience and encourage interaction.

“The audience is always a scene partner in a Grassroots Shakespeare show,” Webb said.

This year, Grassroots Shakespeare is offering two tiers of tickets. The more expensive “Gallery” tier is for seating, while the cheaper “Groundling” tier allows for people to stand right next to the stage, which would have also been a less-expensive option in Shakespeare’s time.

The Groundling tickets offer audience members interaction with the actors and to be part of the extra special and extra bloody “splash zone,” where you’re pretty much guaranteed to get some fake blood on you.

Performances are scheduled from October 17 to October 24, as well as a double-header on Halloween night, which also features a five-person version of Macbeth performed by the company’s education team. Tickets and information can be found at grassroots-shakespeare.com, and interested readers can also use the discount code “SPOOKY.” CW

THEATER

Comedy of Terrors

Two local theatrical productions look for humor in their darker underlying subject matter.

BY SCOTT RENSHAW scottr@cityweekly.net @scottrenshaw

There are innumerable clichés about how hard comedy is—but however hard comedy might be in a larger sense, it’s even harder to integrate comedy successfully into something that’s thematically heavier. Do the jokes complement the underlying ideas, or blunt them? Is the balance right? And is the comedy … you know, actually funny?

Two local theatrical productions find themselves wrestling with that issue— and, impressively, wind up mostly successful at providing amusement without losing sight of the bigger issues the text is chewing on.

In Plan-B Theatre Company’s Just Add Water—a new original work by Utah playwrights Matthew Ivan Bennett and Elaine Jarvik—that big issue is the existential crisis facing the Great Salt Lake. And the writers take that concept in a fanciful direction, as ancient magic brings the lake to life in human form (Latoya Cameron), and she ventures into the city that bears her name trying to understand the reasons why her existence is in peril.

From the outset, it’s clear that this is going to be a delightful show to look at, if nothing else. Scenic designer Janice Chan crafts a set that evokes a shoreline through

simple white-painted props like milk crates and traffic cones, backed by a series of fabric banners that at times become waves, and offer the versatility to be tied back for access. Wild creatures come to life through simple puppeteering of pieces of cloth, or employing an empty three-ring binder for the flapping wings of a seagull. Meanwhile, the bold costuming by Victoria Bird—notably the streamers flowing from Cameron’s Lake, and the goofy brine shrimp attire for Amona Faatau’s Brien— provide additional charm. From a technical standpoint, there’s so much creativity on display in Just Add Water that it sets a high bar for the writing and performances to match.

And while it’s no easy task Bennett and Jarvik have set for themselves, they manage to pull it off. For all practical purposes, Just Add Water serves as a delivery system for data and factoids about the Great Salt Lake: its history, its growing and shrinking volume over time, the human-created factors that threaten it, and so on. Fortunately, there are better and worse ways to serve up that information, and there are many fun ideas here, including the multiple-choice questions in a game show, or a debate over agricultural use of water for feed crops like alfalfa that becomes a slam-poetry battle.

As Faatu, Alec Kalled and Isabella Reeder effectively circle through multiple characters, Just Add Water employs the familiar structure of a Sundance advocacy documentary—a lot of scary details building to a call for hope and action—with the understanding that a spoonful of humor helps the medicine go down.

The medicine in Jen Silverman’s The Roommate—currently being produced by Salt Lake Acting Company—is considerably less bitter, but still requires a delicate balance between melancholy and farce.

It’s the tale of two women who improbably find themselves sharing a house in Iowa City: Sharon (Dee-Dee Darby-Duffin), the home’s owner and an empty-nester recent divorcée; and Robyn (Annette Wright), just relocated from New York City and looking to make a big change in her life. What Sharon doesn’t know as she brings Robyn into her life is just what kind of past Robyn might be running from. And what Robyn doesn’t know is how that past might inspire unexpected changes in Sharon.

As a simple two-character piece, The Roommate depends a lot on the performances and chemistry of the two leads, and the two veteran actors are more than up to the task. Wright finds a sweet spot in making Robyn’s relationship with her own mysterious past a complex one, and Darby-Duffin turns in phenomenal work suggesting all the insecurities behind Sharon’s need to be more than the country mouse to Robyn’s city mouse. Their dynamic together is pure theater gold, and the show is at its best when they’re working together rather than separately.

It’s also a show with an edge in its voice when it comes to finding humor in the collision of these two unique per-

sonalities. Fundamentally, it’s a story about identities—there’s often confusion or uncertainty regarding how characters both on- and off-stage should be defined, whether it’s their sexual orientation or the name they go by—and how desperately Sharon needs to find one when being defined by career, marriage or motherhood no longer apply. There’s a danger involved in needing to have a purpose, since the purpose you choose might not necessarily be a healthy one, and The Roommate gives a satisfying and darkly comedic spin to the instinct—in the play’s words—to “burn it all down and start over.” CW

PLAN-B THEATRE CO.: JUST ADD WATER

Rose Wagner Studio Theatre

138 W. 300 South Through Oct. 19 saltlakecountyarts.org

SALT LAKE ACTING COMPANY: THE ROOMMATE

168 W. 500 North Through Oct. 26 saltlakeactingcompany.org

theESSENTIALS ENTERTAINMENT

Titanic: The Exhibition

More than 100 years after its legendarily ill-fated maiden voyage, HMS Titanic remains an object of an intense fascination. Surely a lot of that ongoing interest still comes from the legacy of James Cameron’s Oscar-winning 1997 film and its romantic storyline, but people are also compelled by the story of this “unsinkable” monument to engineering and hubris, the wealthy folks of the era who were among its victims, and those who managed to survive. It was a subject of fascination more than 20 years ago when a version of Titanic: The Exhibition came to Utah in 2004, and it remains so now as the exhibition returns.

Visitors to Titanic: The Exhibition receive their own boarding pass as they enter, with a chance to experience re-creations of the ship’s departure dock in Southampton, its famous grand staircase, interior hallways and a starry night scene on the deck. You can see more than 300 artifacts recovered from the wreckage site and from survivors, along with a gallery showing how salvage teams found items at that site. There’s even a VR experience with a look at the most up-to-date forensic research about the sinking of Titanic.

Titanic: The Exhibition comes to The Shops at South Town (10230 S. State, Suite #5), in the Marketplace near Target and next to Old Navy. Opening date is Friday, Oct. 17, currently scheduled to run through Dec. 30, open Thursdays – Mondays. Prices vary by day, with adult tickets beginning at $29.50 for the one-hour experience. Visit thetitanicexhibition.com for tickets. (Scott Renshaw)

An Evening with America’s Test Kitchen

The concept behind Cook’s Illustrated Magazine is such a simple one, yet one that’s utterly unique in the world of cooking self-help: It’s not about how to make the fanciest recipes, but how to make the most basic recipes in the best possible way. Wondering exactly how to pan-fry shrimp? They’ve got you covered. Does banana bread taste best with yogurt rather than with milk? They’ll let you know. The kind of tips and tricks you’ll use over and over again are fundamental to the magazine—and that notion carried over to its televised counterpart, America’s Test Kitchen, when it launched in 2001 on PBS.

It carries over yet again to An Evening with America’s Test Kitchen, a live presentation featuring America’s Test Kitchen co-hosts Julia Collin Davison and Bridget Lancaster. In a 90-minute show, Davison and Lancaster share all the behind-thescenes secrets that have gone into the program for nearly 25 years: their favorite recipes and tricks of the trade, their must-have kitchen gadgets, how the set gets prepped and cleaned, and much more. They’ll even be ready to answer audience questions. In the fine tradition of Cook’s Illustrated, it’s a great opportunity for those who are foodies, but also those who didn’t think it was possible for them to become great home cooks.

An Evening with America’s Test Kitchen visits the Rose Wagner Center (138 W. 300 South) on Friday, Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $100.50; visit saltlakecountyarts.org to purchase tickets or for additional event information. (SR)

City Weekly’s Best Of Utah Top 10!

Adaptable to skill and need, countless practitioners turn to Pilates for a more balanced connection between the mind and the body. Trouble is, one doesn’t always know where to turn when looking for an effective space dedicated to these exercises. Breathe easy, dear reader, for our voters have found these locations to be particularly stellar.

Stay Tuned for the November 20 Best of Utah issue! Next week in the City Weekly's Best of Utah Top 10 Best Vietnamese Restaurant

Deep Love: A Ghostly Rock Opera

More than a decade ago, college roommates Ryan Hayes and Garrett Sherwood had a crazy notion for a dialogue-free rock opera built around a romantic tale from beyond the grave. The modest beginnings of that concept—the initial performance took place in the living room of one of the performers— have given way to a show that has become something of a Halloween tradition, always evolving with new songs and new flourishes.

The centerpiece of the story remains the narrative of Constance, a widowed woman trying to move on with her life and a new romantic partner, Friedrich. But Constance unexpectedly finds herself confronted by her dead lover, Old Bones, who expects her to remain faithful to him even beyond the grave. The story that follows emerges not from their words, but from the energetic soundtrack of songs, blending rock, blues and folk motifs.

As the production’s director Liz Whittaker notes, “While most of us haven’t experienced the things these characters do, who among us doesn’t have some part of our past that haunts us? Who among us hasn’t felt jealous? Who among us hasn’t been afraid of love? This story stands as a thrilling and engaging warning of what happens when we listen to the ghosts that whisper darkness to us, and believe darkness to be the only truth.”

Deep Love comes to the Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center (2525 Taylorsville Blvd., Taylorsville) on Oct. 20 - 21 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $36.50; visit saltlakecountyarts.org to purchase tickets and for additional event information. (SR)

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CINEMA

High Anxiety

Stresses of modern life fuel After the Hunt, Good Fortune and The Perfect Neighbor.

BY SCOTT RENSHAW scottr@cityweekly.net @scottrenshaw

After the Hunt BB1/2

Director Luca Guadagnino certainly signals from the opening credits—employing Woody Allen’s familiar white-on-black Windsor EF font and alphabetical cast listing—that he might be aiming for an Allen-style drama-of-manners morality play like Crimes and Misdemeanors, but this director’s busy style makes for an odd mix of earnest inquiry and melodrama. Set at Yale University, it focuses on philosophy professor Alma Imhoff (Julia Roberts), who finds herself in the middle of a scandal when one of her doctoral students, Maggie (Ayo Edebiri), accuses her friend and colleague Hank (Andrew Garfield) of sexual indiscretion. What follows initially seems intended to be a murky he-said/she-said tale along the lines of David Mamet’s Oleanna, cross-pollinating philosophical inquiries into the nature of truth with the “politically correct” environment of elite university campuses and questions of whether economic privilege always trumps racism and sexism. Yet while Roberts creates a great central character as a woman whose personal and professional history makes it hard for her to approach Maggie’s allegations objectively, the movie eventually breaks free of its naturalistic shell for bursts of dramatic scoring by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, and Guadagnino’s propensity for funky angles and extreme close-ups. The provocative “both sides” frame and strong performances—with Michael Stuhlbarg particularly terrific as Alma’s often-passive-aggressive therapist husband—make for an engaging in-the-moment watch, even if it’s not nearly as genuinely serious about its subject as it seems at first glance. Available Oct. 17 in theaters. (R)

Good Fortune BB1/2

Aziz Ansari shows thematic ambition in his debut (released) feature as writer/director, but it’s hard to get around the fact that the movie is most interesting when it has nothing to do with those themes. Ansari also stars as Arj, an

unemployed film editor living out of his car in Los Angeles and trying to survive working retail and gig jobs. As he reaches a point of despair, low-level guardian angel Gabriel (Keanu Reeves) takes the unconventional step of trying to show Arj that money doesn’t bring happiness by having him swap lives with wealthy venture capitalist Jeff (Seth Rogen)—except that it actually makes Arj pretty happy. Ansari demonstrates genuine sympathy for the perils of the perpetual-hustle economy—partly personified by Arj’s unionorganizer hardware store co-worker (Keke Palmer)—and wrangles some solid jokes out of it, including recognizing the downside of not being able to afford the ad-free version of an app. Unfortunately, the narrative is always best when it focuses on Reeves’ Gabriel, particularly once his actions earn him the stripping of his wings, and we watch his earnest first-time experience of being alive. Reeves simply kills it, while the arcs of Arj and Jeff, as they respectively learn their lessons about What Really Matters, tend not to deliver the emotional juice needed for the ideas to land. As welcome as it is to see a mainstream movie wrestle with the inhumanity of capitalism, it’s a better comedy when wrestling with the humanity of an angel. Available Oct. 17 in theaters. (R)

The Perfect Neighbor BBB1/2

There are any number of ways director Geeta Gandbhir could have told a documentary story about “Stand Your Ground” laws in general, or about the particular case she’s exploring—but the way she did choose proves remarkable both in its structural ingenuity and in the way it adds power to the narrative. That story involves an incident in Florida’s Marion County, in which Susan Lorincz shot her neighbor Ajike Owens through Lorincz’s front door, claiming she feared for her life, and Gandbhir allows that case to unfold almost entirely through public records: police body-cam footage obtained from the many times Lorincz called sheriffs with complaints about neighborhood kids playing in a field (which was not Lorincz’s property) adjacent to her home; recorded interviews with witnesses to the events; and ultimately, police interviews with Lorincz herself. The result is a remarkable portrait of the neighborhood “Karen” as a toxic, almostcertainly-racist presence in a multi-racial neighborhood, and one that never has to resort to melodrama to convey the potential consequences of laws that allow someone to argue that their fear might be more important than someone else’s life. There are emotionally devastating moments here, but perhaps nothing quite so disturbing as a fixed camera on Lorincz, caught in an obvious lie, trying to speak into existence how impossible it should be that she could be held accountable for her actions. Available Oct. 17 via Netflix. (NR) CW

THE FAT OF THE LAMB

HOW A SMALL FARM IN UTAH’S RUSH VALLEY GOT NOTICED BY A JAMES BEARD-NOMINATED CHEF.

BY ALEX SPRINGER comments@cityweekly.net @captainspringer

Anyone living within a three-mile radius of Manoli’s (402 Harvey Milk Blvd.) probably knows when Chef Manoli Katsanevas is hosting one of the restaurant’s spit-roasted lamb dinners. The intoxicating aromas of the slowly heated meat, spiked with a bit of salt and oregano, tend to waft their way into every nook and cranny of the neighborhoods around Liberty Park.

The spit-roasting and meal preparation happens right on Manoli’s front porch, with the attendees of these infrequent spring and summer events treated to Katsanevas holding court over a gorgeous lamb, glistening on the spit, that will feed the dozens of guests inside.

I was invited to one of these events over the summer, and it was a reflective experience on several fronts. Watching Katsanevas put every piece of the lamb to good use was a stark lesson in sustainability, but it also gave me the opportunity to discuss local farming with Josh Lambros of Lambros Farms.

This small Tooele County-based farm provides the succulent proteins and dried herbs that comprise the centerpiece of Manoli’s spit-roasted lamb dinners. And beyond a great meal, I had the chance to spend the evening chatting Lambros up at the restaurant bar.

It’s a rare opportunity to spend an evening with the person who raised your meal as well as the person who cooked your meal, and it was an experience that I will not soon forget.

L ambros began his agricultural journey five years ago, after completing service in the Navy. He works construction as his day job, so the time he spends on his farm is truly a labor of love.

He cited his Greek heritage and his experiences visiting Greece as one of the main reasons he got into farming.

“In Greece, everything’s fresh and locally produced, and I wanted to step that up a little bit in Utah,” he said.

When the time was right, Lambros purchased a homestead with five acres of farmland in Rush Valley—to the south and west of Tooele—and started small with dried herbs that he sold at farmers markets.

The farmhouse and property date back to the 1940s, and it happens to be in the middle of a desert. To say Lambros had a fixer-upper on his hands would be an understatement.

“I’m huge into restoration agriculture,” he said. “The land was overgrazed by horses, so I do a rotational grazing for my sheep. The land needs a lot of help because of the lack of water, but it’s been a fun challenge.”

Lambros also cited his own family values and blue-collar background as among the main reasons for getting interested in farming.

“We’ve always been in mining and my grandpa poured concrete when he came over from Greece,” Lambros remarked. “So I’m kind of a jack-of-alltrades and that’s really fun on a farm. I do some welding, I do some carpentry and I can build a fence—but it’s been a lot of growth for me.”

Farm life also appealed to Lambros from a more paternal perspective. As a single father of two, he saw a chance to create an educational opportunity for his children.

“When I had kids, eating clean and honest food

was a huge push for me,” Lambros explained. “To be honest, I started the farm mainly to produce food for my family, but it became something I wanted others to enjoy.”

Farm to Table

The operational realities of running a restaurant don’t always lend themselves to connecting with local suppliers.

When a restaurant makes the conscious choice to source from local farms, they’re making a bold statement about the kind of supply chain they want to foster for their business.

There are myriad ways to cut this particular corner, but the synergy between a James Beard Award-nominee like Chef Katsanevas and a talented local farmer like Josh Lambros really came through with the menu.

Katsanevas and Lambros banter like old friends as the former slices a few choice cuts from the fragrant lamb.

At these dinners, Katsanevas makes a point to offer meat from different parts of the lamb so diners can experience the differences, like those between the tenderloin and the ribs.

It was his herbs that originally got Lambros in touch with Katsanevas.

“My cousin knew Josh because their kids went to school together,” Katsanevas recalled. “He called me and told me that Josh had amazing oregano, so I had him come drop some off at the restaurant for Katrina and me to try—and we loved it.”

Over the years, Lambros added chickens to his farm and started selling fresh eggs.

“I started the farm mainly to produce food for my family, but it became something I wanted others to enjoy.”—Josh Lambros

and other farm-fresh menu items.

“I don’t keep my chickens under heat lamps or anything like that; they’re out in the pasture,” Lambros emphasized.

His most recent endeavor is lamb. And based on his existing relationship with Katsanevas, Lambros Farms started supplying Manoli’s with lamb and eggs.

Before long, Chef Kyle Williams of Marcato Kitchen got word of Lambros Farms, which led him to become a customer as well.

“I talked to Josh and he explained how they raise their chickens, and I was super impressed with how they were treated,” he said. “The eggs we get have been laid within just days of when we receive them. We use their eggs to make our fresh pasta and the quality makes such a difference.”

Lambros also had the opportunity to supply a few of his lambs to this year’s popular Salt Lake Greek Festival.

“I’ve been going to the festival since I was a kid with my family, so having my lambs on the spit is going to be something else for me,” Lambros said, prior to the event. “They were super excited to get local produce, and it’s been a huge goal to get my lambs in the festival.”

The Salt Lake Greek Festival is one of the biggest cultural festivals that takes place along the Wasatch Front, and it provided Lambros with an extended opportunity to showcase his hospitality before locals.

“In Greece, when a lamb is brought to the village, it’s a big deal,” he said. “It’s all about community, and it’s the kind of thing that I think is still important with the Greek culture.”

Rediscovered Roots

After Lambros and I finished our meals, the conversation turned to the appeal of operating a small farm in today’s world of factory agriculture. Corporate farming oftentimes prioritizes convenience over quality, and it can be difficult for small operations to compete.

With more than 24,000 factory farms in operation within the United States, making the conscious decision to invest time and money into a small local farm is a daunting task.

“I think the food system is kind of broken here in the States,” Lambros remarked. “Even if it’s just a little piece, I want to bring something different here.”

With local restaurants like Manoli’s and Marcato Kitchen working directly with Lambros Farms, it creates a net positive for locals who appreciate what the state has to offer.

The same could be said of events like the Salt Lake Greek Festival. When these high-profile operations and institutions make the deliberate choice to work with smaller, locally-operated farms, it sends a powerful message to the state’s dining industry.

And once a customer gets the chance to try what these local chefs are doing with Lambros’ products, it becomes easy to see how much better the flavors truly are.

“Becoming part of the local food community is huge,” Lambros said. “We’ve got a really good community here, and we’re starting to realize that we don’t have to bring food in from outside the state. I’m all for being able to work with differ-

ent restaurants and get them on board with this movement.”

Not only does running a local farm create the opportunity for a community to seek out homegrown products, it’s also given Lambros a valuable chance to reconnect with his Greek roots.

“It ties back to the shepherd culture in Greece,” he noted. “Shepherds are nomadic, so they walk the sheep in the mountains and they’re very knowledgeable about the land. It’s very free, and I’ve always loved that.”

As I had just partaken in the carnivorous fruits of Lambros’ labor, I couldn’t help but ask about his perspective on raising the animal that ended up on our plates.

“It’s a deep thing for me,” he said. “I can’t tell you the amount of time and chores that it took to raise that lamb. And then to come to a nice restaurant like Manoli’s and see people enjoy it is a big deal—it’s a high I continue to chase.”

The entire experience of watching Chef Katsanevas carefully prepare a lamb that Lambros raised helped me to reconnect with that sense of due reverence reserved for those who provide our food.

It’s a feeling that was perhaps a bit more common in years past, when communities were smaller and internally sustaining, with less reliance on monolithic corporations.

Though it’s been awhile since I took a moment to truly appreciate the care that our local restaurants and growers put into raising and preparing food, I’m hoping it’s something that we can all take with us to our next meal. CW

Southern Comfort in South Salt Lake

Letting the good times roll at Creole & Sliders Cafe.

BY ALEX SPRINGER comments@cityweekly.net @captainspringer

Something about Utah’s mountains, its metro area and its dubious air quality keeps people coming back long after they’ve traveled the country. This unique fondness for the Beehive State is what prompted Frank and Jovanna Henry to return and open their Creole & Sliders Cafe, anyway.

Frank had a solid run as wide receiver on the 1977 - 1978 University of Utah football team, and he and his wife have been living in San Diego for the past several years. After the couple retired, they decided to bring their restaurant experience back to the Wasatch Front.

Creole & Sliders Cafe is a love letter to the recipes Jovanna Henry grew up with. The menu is packed with Creole classics made with fresh ingredients and no shortage of love. The sliders aspect of the restaurant comes from Frank’s affection for barbecue, so whether you’re after some smoked proteins or a big plate of red beans and rice, this restaurant is sure to have you covered.

The restaurant interior pulls a lot from its Creole influences in the furniture and décor; the purples and golds make you feel like you’re hanging out on Bourbon Street. U of U football fans will also dig the “Ute Nation” gallery wall, where Frank’s hung some framed memorabilia from his time playing for the Runnin’ Utes. He’s typically always on site, and he doesn’t miss a chance to talk shop about his football days.

While it’s always a good time chatting with Frank, eventually you’ll want to peruse the restaurant’s menu. Frank’s sliders can be made with brisket ($15) or chicken ($13), but both options get topped with a scoop of homemade coleslaw and a pile of baked beans. These are restaurant mainstays for a reason, and you’ll definitely be happy with your decision if you go this route. There is some solid slow-cooking game going on here, and this dish also calls attention to the extremely soft buns that are used for sliders and sandwiches.

I suppose “sandwiches” isn’t the correct term to be using at a Creole restaurant—that’s what a po’ boy is, after all. The restaurant has a full stack of po’ boy options, including shrimp ($15), catfish ($15) and oyster ($19). The fried catfish is delightful, and the remoulade imparts enough acid to any of the seafood pro-

teins to really make them pop.

If you’re after a po’ boy encounter but want to avoid the fried stuff, the house muffaletta ($16) is definitely worth your time. A good muffaletta is the stuff sandwich dreams are made of, and I very much liked this version. It’s got plenty of fresh tomato and thinly sliced onion, but it’s the olive salad that makes a muffaletta a muffaletta. The spread has plenty of acidic olive flavor and just the right amount of spicy kick, though I did wish there was more of it on my sandwich. The salami and ham blend works well with the other ingredients, and the soft po’ boy bun really makes this a pleasure to eat.

Plated meals at Creole & Sliders Cafe embody all the stick-to-your-bones goodness of the American South, with plenty of rice, beans and andouille sausage to go around. From here, it’s really all about whichever Creole classic speaks to your particular comfort-food spirit. I am a fan of the restaurant’s jambalaya ($15), which can also be made “pastalaya” style with pasta instead of rice. It’s served piping hot with plenty of sliced sausage, chicken, shrimp and veggies in a lovely tomato sauce that has just the right amount of kick.

Of course, it’s hard to skip a chance to sample the restaurant’s shrimp and grits ($13), which is something I find delectable for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In addition to the cheesy grits and juicy shrimp, you get some sausage, mushrooms and

onions on the plate, making for a soulful meal that will keep you warm long after you’ve left the restaurant.

There are two crown jewels of the plated dishes, both of which are worth your time. First is the catfish plate ($18), which covers all of your soul food bases. It’s a decently-sized catfish filet deep fried to perfection, and comes served with blackeyed peas or red beans, collard greens, yams and fresh cornbread. Everything comes together precisely as it should on this plate, and that cornbread is nothing short of divine.

Next, you have the gumbo ($18 for seafood, $15 for chicken and sausage), which is only served on Fridays because it’s the ultimate welcome-to-the-weekend dish. As is true of the catfish plate, every flavor and ingredient in this gumbo is arranged in just the right ways, making for a classic interpretation of this Creole favorite. While the food at Creole & Sliders Cafe is well worth your time, the Henry family have started to host live blues at their restaurant every Saturday. Their first coventure at a jazz and blues festival with nearby Chappell Brewing was a great look at how this local restaurant is bringing Southern party vibes—and plenty of excellent food—to South Salt Lake. CW

2 Row Brewing

73 West 7200 South, Midvale 2RowBrewing.com

On Tap: “Octoberfest” Lager

Avenues Proper

376 8th Ave, SLC avenuesproper.com

On Tap: Steamy Wonder Rye Steam Ale

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

Heber Valley Brewing

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

On Tap: Canyon County IPA (6%ABV) w/ fresh Comet & Mosaic hops

Helper Beer

159 N Main Street, Helper, UT  helperbeer.com

Hopkins Brewing Co.

1048 E. 2100 South, SLC HopkinsBrewingCompany.com

On Tap: Basic Witch on Nitro

Kiitos Brewing

608 W. 700 South, SLC KiitosBrewing.com

On Tap: Pumpkin Spice Latte; Nitro Pumpkin Spice Latte

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

NOW OPEN!

Level Crossing Brewing Co.

On Tap: Pie Hole - Strawberry Rhubarb Tart Ale

Corner Brew Pub Sugar House 2110 S. Highland Drive, SLC saltlakebrewingco.com/wasatch

On Tap:  Top of Main Coalition Hellfire Chili Pepper Ale

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

On Tap: Steamy Wonder Rye Steam Ale

Desert Edge Brewery

273 Trolley Square, SLC DesertEdgeBrewery.com

On Tap:  Centennial Steamer, California Common Lager

Epic Brewing Co.

825 S. State, SLC EpicBrewing.com

On Tap: Imperial Pumpkin Porter

Etta Place Cidery

700 W Main St, Torrey www.ettaplacecider.com

On Tap: Imperial Cider, Fig-Tamarind Session Mead

Fisher Brewing Co.

320 W. 800 South, SLC FisherBeer.com

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

Grid City Beer Works

333 W. 2100 South, SLC GridCityBeerWorks.com

NEW: Cyotee Elvis Kolsh

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: Steamy Wonder Rye Steam Ale

Proper Brewing Moab 1393 US-191, Moab properbrewingco.com  On Tap: Blizzard Wizard Hazy Pale Ale

Red Rock Brewing 254 So. 200 West RedRockBrewing.com

On Tap: Gypsy Scratch

Red Rock Fashion Place 6227 So. State Redrockbrewing.com

On Tap: Grand Bavaria

Red Rock Kimball Junction 1640 Redstone Center Redrockbrewing.com

On Tap: Bamberg Rauch Bier

2496 S. West Temple, South Salt Lake LevelCrossingBrewing.com

On Tap: Helles Munich Style Lager

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

On Tap: Look Up! Amber Ale on Nitro

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: Blueberry Pie Hard Cider

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

Ogden Beer Company

358 Park Blvd, Ogden OgdenBeerCompany.com

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

Park City Brewing 1764 Uinta Way C1 ParkCityBrewing.com

On Tap: Pales for ALS - 5%

Policy Kings Brewery

79 W. 900 South, Salt Lake City PolicyKingsBrewery.com

On Tap: Kings Proper Kolsch

Silver Reef

4391 S. Enterprise Drive, St. George SGBev.com

Squatters Corner Pub – Valley Fair

3555 Constitution Blvd, West Valley City squatterscornerpub.com

On Tap: Salt Lake Brewing Co. Acapulco Gold Mexican Lager

Squatters Pub Brewery / Salt Lake Brewing Co.

147 W. Broadway, SLC saltlakebrewingco.com/squatters

On Tap: Salt Lake Brewing Co. Lil’ R&R Raspberry Rye Ale

Strap Tank Brewery, Lehi 3661 Outlet Pkwy, Lehi, UT StrapTankBrewery.com

On Tap: “Virgil the Guide” (Italian Pilsner); “Smiles und Sunshine” (German Leichtes Weizen)

Strap Tank Brewery, Springville

596 S 1750 W, Springville, UT StrapTankBrewery.com

On Tap: “Orange Hopsicle”

RoHa Brewing Project 30 Kensington Ave, SLC RoHaBrewing.com

On Tap: Recession Proof Hazy Pale Ale

Roosters Brewing Multiple Locations RoostersBrewingCo.com

On Tap: Cosmic Pumpkin Chocolate Chip

SaltFire Brewing 2199 S. West Temple, S. Salt Lake SaltFireBrewing.com On Draft: Master Control Program NIEPA

Salt Flats Brewing 2020 Industrial Circle, SLC SaltFlatsBeer.com

On Tap: OPEN ROAD SERIES #3Barrel Aged Grand Cru

Scion Cider Bar 916 Jefferson St W, SLC Scionciderbar.com

On Tap: Melonhead 5.6% ABV

Second Summit Cider 4010 So. Main, Millcreek https://secondsummitcider.com

On Tap: Spicy Thai Coconut

Shades Brewing

1388 S. 300 West, Salt Lake City

ShadesBrewing.beer

New Batch: Raspberry Pistachio Sour Ale

Shades On State

366 S. State Street, Salt Lake City

Shadesonstate.com

On Tap: Six Wheat Under Hefeweizen

Ogden TalismanBrewingCo.com

On Tap: Oktoberfest Marzen; Trustfall porter; Witches Brew

Thieves Guild Cidery 117 W. 900 South, SLC thievesguildcidery.com

On Tap: Crossbow - Bright apple forward cider w/orange zest | 5%

Top of Main Brewery

250 Main, Park City, Utah topofmainbrewpub.com On Tap: Top of Main Brewery Hop Carousel IPA

Uinta Brewing 1722 S. Fremont Drive, SLC UintaBrewing.com On Tap: Was Angeles Craft Beer UTOG

2331 Grant Ave, Ogden UTOGBrewing.com

On Tap: Golden Grant 5% ABV. Vernal Brewing 55 S. 500 East, Vernal VernalBrewing.com

Zion Brewery 95 Zion Park Blvd, Springdale ZionBrewery.com

BEER NERD

Salty Suds

SaltFire and Salt Lake Brewing Company’s single hop satisfiers

BY MIKE RIEDEL comments@cityweekly.net @utahbeer

SaltFire - Lupulin Dew (Mosaic): SaltFire’s Lupulin Dew Series of IPAs only appear during harvest time, and only showcases one hop varietal. Lupulin is the resinous substance that is the heart and soul of what gives beer its characteristic hop aroma, flavor and bitterness. This year’s version features Mosaic hops. Owner Ryan Miller and Head Brewer Don Moore personally drove to the Boise area to grab the freshest cones harvested, and get them into the beer in less than 24 hours.

This all-Mosaic wet-hopped IPA is an explosion of tropical and citrus notes, a true testament to this widely adored hop. From the moment it hits the glass, a blast of fresh tangerine and juicy mango wafts up, drawing you in. There’s also a whisper of vague berries in the aroma, adding a layer of subtle complexity that keeps your nose engaged.

The first sip confirms the promise of the aroma, delivering a wave of bright fruitiness that’s both refreshing and surprisingly full-bodied. The Mosaic’s tangerine and mango flavors are as authentic as can be, along with the berry notes dancing in the background. As the initial fruit bomb settles, the beer transitions, rounding out with an earthy and distinctly piney “zap” that cleanses the palate and leaves a pleasant bitterness. This isn’t a Juicy IPA; it’s got a backbone that reminds you it’s a wet-hopped IPA. The mouthfeel is smooth and moderately carbonated, making it nicely drinkable. It’s a very tasty singlewet-hopped IPA, showcasing the Mosaic hop in all its glory from its initial fruity burst to its earthy, piney finish.

Verdict: This beer is a fantastic choice for anyone who appreciates a well-balanced IPA that’s packed with fresh hop character as well as an impressive range of flavors.

Salt Lake Brewing - Fruit of the Lager: Occasionally, technical accidents occur while brewing beer. If you’re lucky, some of those may be considered happy accidents, where faux pas or acts-of-nature can create something beneficial. In the case of this beer, an electrical issue caused the fermentation temperatures to rise more than were desired. The results: The yeast gave off more estery or fruity flavors than was planned for.

This Czech lager starts by showcasing the versatility of Elani hops in an unexpected way. From the very first pour, a bright and inviting aroma of tangerine and some vine-like characteristics emerge, hinting at the fun to come. It’s an unusual but harmonious combination that piqued my interest.

The initial sip confirms the aromatic promise, with a burst of zesty tangerine and that unique vine flavor taking center stage. The vine qualities seem to come from the aforementioned “happy accident.” As these initial notes gently recede, a transition occurs, introducing a ripe peach sweetness that melds well into the palate. This is quickly followed by a medley of pineapple and guava, adding a tropical dimension that is both surprising and well integrated.

Just when you think the flavor journey is complete, a subtle yet invigorating hint of lime zest makes an appearance, adding a crisp counterpoint to the fruitiness and leaving a clean, refreshing finish. What sets this lager apart is its surprising toasted quality towards the end. This subtle drying effect adds an unexpected layer of depth, grounding the hop flavors with an untraditional lager character that is both comforting and incredibly satisfying. The mouthfeel is crisp and clean, as expected, making it incredibly drinkable.

Verdict: Is this a brilliant Czech lager? No. It is a great blend of traditional brewing with innovative hop use, along with a little luck, proving that lagers can be just as exciting and flavorful as any other style.

Fruit of the Lager is on draft only at Salt Lake Brewing Company downtown, but Lupulin Dew is available in cans and draft at SaltFire Brewing Co. As always, cheers! CW

the BACK BURNER

BY ALEX SPRINGER | @captainspringer

Laziz Closes 2nd South Location

In a recent social media post, the team behind Laziz Kitchen (lazizkitchen.com) announced the closure of the restaurant’s 200 South location along with the BackDoor, which was the restaurant’s bar-and-small-plates concept. The post cited a litany of operational obstacles including food costs, construction and economic volatility that have contributed to this decision. The post stated that the restaurant’s last day of operation will be Oct. 21 for those who’d like to swing by and share some love. While this location will be closing, the Central Ninth location of Laziz Kitchen will remain open. If it’s been a little while since you’ve visited our friends at Laziz Kitchen, now would be a good time to show some support.

Rouser and Ridge Vineyards Wine Dinner

Ever since Rouser (rouserslc.com) opened its doors, Chef Emilio Camara has been the mastermind behind several culinary collaborations. The next event in Camara’s itinerary is a five-course meal paired with wines from Ridge Vineyards (ridgewine.com). It’s the second gathering of the Rouser Wine Club, and with such a robust selection of wine, Chef Camara will be sure to dazzle attendees. The menu promises to take advantage of Utah’s local ingredients, and will feature dishes that showcase what Utah has to offer. The event will take place on Oct. 23 at 6 p.m.; tickets can be purchased via Rouser’s website.

Pre-gaming at Flanker Kitchen

If you’re a hockey or basketball fan and you’re looking to check out the game from environs a bit more exciting than your living room, Flanker Kitchen (flankerslc.com) has you covered. If you’re cheering on the Jazz, you can check out Flanker’s Full Court Nights, which will include Casamigos gameday cocktails while watching the game. Fans of the Mammoths will want to be there for Tusks Up Nights, which will feature hockey themed menus and over a hundred varieties of beer. Both evenings will be followed by post-game parties that include live DJs and plenty of good food and cocktails throughout the night.

Quote of the Week: “The worst thing about some men is that when they are not drunk they are sober.” – W.B. Yeats

The Greatest Show, Man

Local musicians share memories of their favorite live performances.

BY EMILEE ATKINSON eatkinson@cityweekly.net @emileelovesvinyl

Bands and singers spend a lot of time on the road playing for different crowds. They end up with hundreds of shows under their belts—and some are more memorable than others. Here are some favorite performance memories from local talent.

Lisa and the Missing Pieces: “As we often say, we write and play music because we believe music creates community and connection. When this happens, it’s electric. These are always my favorite performances, when the band, the audience and the folks working the space all feel that joy and connection and share in that moment. When we played the Davis Arts Council Sunday Concert Series this year, that happened. The amphitheater was full, with people on the lawn, too. People were dancing and singing, and the band, the audience and the crew were all involved in taking this journey together. Everyone there was creating something completely new—something greater than the sum of the parts it was made of. That is what makes the entire process of writing and playing music worth doing, so we can all participate in a sense that we share more than separates us and we can find that connection and community in music.”

Tariq Abou-Bakr: “When I was in college, I got to perform at my university talent show in front of thousands at the historic Hawai’i Theater (yes, I went to college in Hawai’i). It was an amazing venue, and

I won first place—and surprised my peers when they learned I could sing for the first time. It was a real springboard moment for launching a music career, and gave me confidence to move forward.”

Scott Lippitt: “My favorite performance so far was performing at Kilby Court in 2024 for the Me, You, and the Avenues album release. Given the album’s collaborative nature, I invited collaborators to join me on stage to play. Each song had its own flavor, and highlighted the uniqueness of the local artists I created with. For example, I’ll never forget singing harmonies with Rachael Jenkins when we performed ‘Thin Glass.’”

The Proper Way: “Every single time we get to make music with one another for people who are there to listen is our favorite show. With that said, and while we’ve played plenty of great festivals and private parties—and corporate things, and weddings, and parking lots, and rooftops, and trams, and buses—we still talk about our show at Carolyn’s in 2024 as a show that will never be beaten. Although the show at Haglund Ranch where Shane and Carrie both had horrible summer colds and Lori Haglund made them an incredible chicken chili verde soup was another one we still talk about. And the Tiny Porch show where like 300 people showed up. And and and … ”

Resonomics: “Early 2008. Yes, almost 18 years ago; I’ve been doing this rap thing a while. I had the great opportunity to open for a relatively bigger-named rap artist in Ogden. Bubba Sparxxx came to town to a little club called Teazers. Many relatively big names came through there during that era. … A friend of mine, Dusty, who was putting together a Mardi Gras show at Teazers, asked me if I wanted to open for Bubba Sparxxx. I most certainly did; this was big for me. I came up with an awesome set list that would go great for the club scene. I’m kind of a nerd and a huge Star Trek fan, so I made an intro using the original series theme song. I wasn’t quite

MUSIC

sure how that was gonna go over. Back in those days, there was a cable access show on channel 30 that I created the intro music for, called Crowd Surfing, and I got them lined up to come interview Bubba Sparxxx and myself. The big night came, and it was time to go on—a Star Trek intro was the best decision I ever made. The room was packed wall to wall, front to back. They loved the Star Trek intro. All these people were here for hip-hop music, and they soaked up every bit of what I had to give them. Most definitely my favorite performance ever.”

Rachael Jenkins: “One of my favorite performances was opening for San Fermin in San Francisco in April 2025. It was at The Independent, and I remember looking out at the crowd and being nervous because there were more people than I’m used to playing to! I was also playing new

music, songs from my album that would be released later in the year, so I was eager to see what reactions (if any) people had to new music. Opening can be tricky, because people attending may not know your music. And though that was the case at this show, the crowd was so attentive and quiet as I performed, listening to every word. It was so special to watch these people really take in the songs I was performing, at times even audibly reacting to certain lyrics or melodies. I felt so seen in that moment and afterwards, I had so many sweet people come up to buy merch and talk to me about my songs and my upcoming album! I met so many kind people who came for San Fermin, and left finding new music. Which is one my favorite parts of shows—reaching new people, and finding community away from home.” CW

THURSDAY FRIDAY

MASHPAD MONDAYS

TUESDAYS

BEST BAR IN UTAH!

GREAT FOOD

MUSIC PICK S

Penny & Sparrow @ The Commonwealth Room 10/17

Simon and Garfunkel set a precedent for Penny & Sparrow: two singers, one guitar and a sound that echoes beyond those limited confines. Nevertheless, given their somewhat low-key persona, it’s hard to imagine them peering that far above the radar. Theirs is a sound draped in a kind of nocturnal haze—lush, lovely, but also unobtrusive to the point where they practically beg their audience to lean in and listen. What makes this duo especially unique is that they are polar opposites. According to their bio, vocalist Andy Baxter has a love of books and prefers climate-controlled coffee shops, while composer Kyle Jahnke seeks outdoor adventure. The two were roommates at the University of Texas when they first began pursuing their shared musical interests. Armed with their initial DIY, self-released recordings, they began filtering through their emotions while attempting to find resolve and resolution despite uncertain circumstances. They used their limited means to foster confidence and creativity. Their songs provide a kind of dream-like distraction in times where noise, clutter and disruption seem to take precedent. With two new albums—one titled Lefty, and the other called Pancho (billed as an alternate to Lefty)—they demonstrate their dichotomy, while still maintaining their unembellished sound. Obviously inspired by the Townes Van Zandt song, these two efforts find a comfortable contrast. Like those two namesakes, Penny & Sparrow remain unconcerned and unperturbed, while carrying on just the same. Penny & Sparrow with guest Erin Rae perform at 8 p.m. at The Commonwealth Room on Friday, Oct. 17. Tickets cost $46-$105 at axs.com. (Lee Zimmerman)

Smokey Brights

MUSIC PICK S

Showtek @ Sky SLC 10/17

The Dutch electronic duo Showtek are brothers Wouter and Sjoerd Janssen, who are known for their larger-than-life energy. Their background in the purist European genres of hardstyle and trance has put them on a large global stage, and even in 2025, there are few producers who can elicit their level of energy and excitement. While they are best known for the 2014 track “We Like to Party,” they’ve dabbled in ranges of hardcore techno to the slower pace of melodic, euphoric hardstyle more akin to their track with David Guetta, “Bad,” featuring EDM singer Vassy. For fans of this kind of music, hardstyle is similar with its hard-hitting kick drums and aggressive baselines that supply its raw, unpolished, rough sound. Nearly two decades ago, their hit song “FTS” (Fuck the System) became a hardstyle anthem, and is now making a comeback this year as renowned techno artist Armin van Buuren included it in his sets, and techno giants like Charlotte De Witte and Reinier Zonneveld remixed the track. The song’s powerful riff sounds like hitting a punching bag, and is filled with passion and impulsive energy. As hardstyle grows in North America, the rebellious spirit of the song encourages an absurdist view, with lyrics like “Why should I take life so seriously?” now reaching the new generation. This Saturday, Oct. 17, check out Showtek at Sky SLC. Doors open at 9 p.m. and general admission costs $50 at tixr.com. (Arica Roberts)

MUSIC PICK S

Helter Skelter Fest @ Metro Music Hall 10/18

Spooky season is one of the most fun times in the local music scene. The costumes, the parties, the performances—all of it is a blast. This particular festival celebration started in 2018, and continues to feature amazing local acts. Helter Skelter Fest’s Instagram boasts that this year will be the biggest celebration yet. They have a variety of genres featured, making this event fun for everyone. This year you’ll be able to see Trip-Tex, Carter Kitten, Nosco, Citrine, Drusky, Hoodoo Mama and Socrates. The bill also mentions the event is hosted by Satan himself, so it should be a good time. Acts like Trip-Tex and Carter Kitten will bring insane EDM beats that will rattle your bones and get you off your feet. Trip-Tex has genre-bending beats that often have a spooky feel to them, like his track “CHEMISTRY TRAP,” which is perfect for this event. According to Helter Skelter’s Instagram, Carter Kitten is “known for her bold, feminine energy and deep love for rave culture.” While these two represent the flourishing EDM scene, you’ll also get to hear some great heavy rock/metal acts like Citrine, Drusky and Hoodoo Mama. The latter’s sound is melodic and has a classic rock feel to it. Helter Skelter Fest is going to bring an incredible blend of talent on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 6 p.m. Tickets for the all-ages show are $24.03 and you can grab them at 24tix.com. (Emilee Atkinson)

Beta Band @ Metro Music Hall 10/20

The Beta Band’s “Dry the Rain” came to worldwide attention when it was featured in the 2000 film adaptation of Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity. The song wasn’t simply included in the movie’s soundtrack; it figured into the story line, as John Cusack’s record-store employee character made a cocky promise that simply playing the music would get people to buy the record. Prior to that, the Scottish group was something of a cult act, largely unknown in the U.S. The band’s music deftly drew from trip-hop, psychedelia, folk and indie rock; the slowburn and hypnotic beat of “Dry the Rain” gained the band a dedicated following.

Never prolific, the Beta Band released a trio of EPs and three studio albums—all of which charted well in the U.K.—before splitting in 2004. Band members went on to other projects, all of which had a lower profile than the Beta Band’s activities. Yet to the surprise of many, in early 2025 the group announced a reunion. After a two-decade absence from the concert stage, a Beta Band tour of the U.K. began in March, with the group profiteering its acclaimed The Three EPs compilation album in its entirety. The Beta Band comes to Metro Music Hall on Monday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $48.87 at 24tix.com. (Bill Kopp)

Pachyman @ The State Room

10/22

I’m a student of Pachyman’s work. The Puerto Rican/Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Pachy García is a true original. While his sound draws heavily from classic dub traditions, his approach is anything but blasé, and his latest LP, Another Place, might be my favorite record of the year. Pachyman’s early albums have lost nothing of their initial freshness. Each one has its own particular charm, from the sonic futurism of Pachyman in Dub to the reverent golden era feel of The Return Of ... and the modern vintage melodies of Switched On. However, his fifth release is a testament to balance: a heartfelt tribute and a project that boldly pushes the genre into new territory. “I just kind of wanted to try different stuff, and not repeat myself. Dub has such a particular sound, but it’s crossed over into other genres, so I wanted to bring those small crossovers into my music as well,” Pachy told Grammy. com . “There are moments of post punk, and more keys, more synths, more electronic, more breakbeats, more spliced vocals and more of my personal routes. It sounds more Caribbean. I tried to reconstruct reggae patterns in new ways. I’m trying to evolve.”

Check out the song “False Moves” to get a taste of what this guy is on; it’s a fiercely articulate mix of poetry, sharp politics and spacey sounds. MNDSGN and Michi open.

Catch these artists on Wednesday, Oct. 22; doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m.

Tickets for the 21+ show are $32 at thestateroompresents.com. (Mark Dago)

free will ASTROLOGY

BY ROB BREZSNY

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

Life is tempting you to tiptoe to the brink of the threshold of the rawest truth, the wildest beauty and the most precious love. Your ancestors are conspiring with your guardian angels to lure you into the secret heart of the inner sanctum of spiritual truth. I am totally sincere and serious. You now have a momentous opportunity—a thrilling opening to commune with subtle powers that could provide you with profound guidance.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

In the forests of the Pacific Northwest, “nurse logs” lie fallen but fertile. These dead trees host seedlings, mosses and saplings that rise from their decaying trunks. I regard this as a powerful metaphor for you. Something old in you is crumbling, like outdated beliefs, outmoded duties, or obsolete loyalties. Part of you may want to either grieve or ignore the shift. And yet I assure you that fresh green vitality is sprouting from that seemingly defunct thing. What new possibility is emerging from what was supposed to end? Resurrection is at hand.

GEMINI

(May 21-June 20)

A deeper, wilder, smarter version of love is beckoning you from the horizon. Are you ready to head in its direction? I’m not sure you are. You may semi-consciously believe you already know what love is all about, and are therefore closed to learning more. It’s also possible that your past romantic wounds have made you timid about exploring unfamiliar terrain. Here’s my assessment: If you hope to get exposed to the sweeter, less predictable kinds of intimacy, you will have to drop some (not all) of your excessive protections and defenses. PS: At least one of your fears may be rooted in faulty logic.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

Princess Diana transformed the British monarchy because she insisted that duty should include genuine emotional connection. Her generosity wasn’t merely ceremonial but was expressed through hands-on charity work. She had close contact with youth who had nowhere to live. She walked through minefields as part of her efforts to rid the planet of that scourge. She hugged people with AIDS when many others feared such contact. “Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward,” she said. Her ability to maintain grace while remaining authentic reflected a genius for blending strength with sensitivity. Can you guess her astrological sign? Cancerian, of course. Now is a perfect time for you to draw inspiration from her example. Express your wisely nurturing energy to the max!

LEO

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Certain lions in Kenya have no manes. Scientists theorize it’s an adaptation to heat or a reflection of aggressive hunting strategies. But symbolically, it challenges expectations: Is royalty still royalty without the crown? I bring this to your attention, Leo, because I suspect you will soon be asked to explore your power without its usual accouterments. Can you properly wield your influence if you don’t unleash your signature roar and dazzle? Will quiet confidence or understated presence be sufficiently magnetic? Might you radiate even more potency by refining your fire? I think so. You can summon strength in subtlety and majesty in minimalism.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

During the next nine months, you will face a poignant and potentially inspiring choice: whether to wrangle with an endless tangle of mundane struggles, or else to expand your vision to the bigger picture and devote your energy intensely to serving your interesting, long-term dreams. I hope you choose the latter option! For best results, get clear about your personal definition of success, in contrast to the superficial definitions that have been foisted on you by your culture. Can you visualize yourself years from now, looking back on your life’s

greatest victories? You’re primed to enter a new phase of that glorious work, rededicating yourself with precise intentions and vigorous vows.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

I’m pleased to inform you that the coming weeks will be a time to make a big wish upon a bright star. But I must also tell you how important it is to be clear and exact. Even a slight error in formulating your wish could result in only a partial fulfillment. And aiming your plea at the wrong star could cause a long delay. Sorry I have to be so complicated, dear Libra. The fact is, though, it’s not always easy to know precisely what you yearn for and to ask the correct source to help you get it. But here’s the good news: You are currently in a phase when you’re far more likely than usual to make all the right moves.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

During World War II, Scorpio actor and inventor Hedy Lamarr developed frequency-hopping technology to prevent enemies from jamming torpedo guidance systems. Her solution switched radio frequencies in hardto-intercept patterns. The technology was so advanced, no one could figure out how to fully adopt it until years later. Engineers eventually realized Lamarr’s invention was essential for WiFi, GPS and cell networks. In the coming weeks, you have the potential to generate ideas that might not be ready for prime time but could ultimately prove valuable. Trust your instincts about future needs. Your visionary solutions are laying the groundwork for contributions that won’t fully ripen for a while.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

I guarantee you won’t experience a meltdown, crack-up or nervous collapse in the coming weeks. What unfolds may bring similar intensity, but in the opposite direction: a breakthrough, a cavalcade of illumination, or a surge of awakening. Be alert and receptive for relaxing flurries of sweet clarity; streams of insights that rouse a liberating integration; or a confluence of welcome transformations that lead to unexpected healing. Can you handle so many blessings? I think you can. But you may have to expand your expectations to welcome them all.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

In 1959, Swedish engineer Nils Bohlin designed the three-point seatbelt, revolutionizing car safety. Working for Volvo, he insisted the design must be made available to all car manufacturers. Bohlin understood that saving lives was more important than hoarding credit or profit. Your assignment now is to give generously without fussing about who gets the applause. A solution, insight, or creation of yours could benefit many if you share it without reservation. Your best reward will be observing the beneficial ripple effects, not holding the patent.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Your exploratory adventures on the frontiers have been interesting and mostly successful. Congrats! I love how you have avoided tormenting yourself with self-doubt and roused more boldness than you’ve summoned in a long time. You have managed to ignore useless and superstitious fears even as you have wisely heeded the clues offered by one particular fear that was worth considering. Please continue this good work! You can keep riding this productive groove for a while longer.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

In Korean tradition, mudangs are shamans who endure a crisis or illness and emerge with supernatural powers. They perform rituals to seek the favor of spirits. They heal the causes of misfortune and ensure good fortune, prosperity and well-being for the people they serve. I don’t mean to imply you’re following a similar path. But I do think your recent discomforts have been like an apprenticeship that has given you enhanced capacity to help o thers. How will you wield your power to bless and heal?

IT Platform Engineer (ITPE-SY) in

Salt Lake City, UT. Telecommute permitted from anywhere in U.S.

Must attend every other month meetings in SLC office. Config & admin of DevOps tool & Platform Engg proj on Azure DevOps, conduct migrations & build Azure boards for agile proj mgmt..

MS+3 or BS fllwd by 5 yrs prog rltd exp. Send resumes to Zions Bancorporation at ZionsCareers@ zionsbancorp.com. Must reference job title & code in subject line.

urban LIVING

WITH

Masked Intruders

Afew years back, my family decided to move from a condo to a house. We had been living near the Trax line and despite UTA’s efforts to mitigate the noise, our cats still jumped straight up in the air every few minutes from the screeching when the trains passed. My partner also wanted to start raising chickens.

Well, it worked out that someone had said, “Hey, if you ever want to sell your condo, I’ll buy it,” and we had said the same to another friend about her house. When she called to say she was ready to sell, we had a smooth back-to-back sale and purchase that got us into a new home with very little stress.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS

1. Part of a media campaign

7. Arrive

14. Oil used in perfumery

15. Galaxy alternatives

16. Like the first woman to win the Fields Medal

18. Show how it was

19. 2007 documentary featuring members of Green Day, Black Flag, Fugazi, and the Sex Pistols

21. Cardiac readout

22. Silicon Valley industry, briefly

23. Ripening medium

27. House document

29. “Everybody Talks” band Neon ___

33. Scope opener

34. French politician whose commission was key in creating the euro and modern European Union

38. Features of many TV dramas

40. Big number presented to the audience?

41. Bendy pipe

One time at the new place, in the middle of the night, I got up to do my business. As I sat on the toilet, I looked out the bathroom window and saw a masked man looking right back at me. My heart jumped!

I finished my business in a hurry and looked out again to see if he was gone. But now there were several masked men looking at me.

It was a family of trash pandas in the tree outside my window, where I had placed bird feeders earlier in the week. That was a new homeowner message to not feed the birds or, if I did, that I needed to raccoon-proof the feeder.

Fast forward a few years and we find out the next-door neighbor’s dog had run into a porcupine, which apparently was living under our shed. The fearless Frenchie went after the creature but, sadly, he died shortly after some puffed up quills punctured his lungs.

We called animal control and they brought a trap, which we could use for 3 days. But nothing was trapped and we never heard again about a prickly animal living at our house.

Fast forward again to a few weeks ago. The same neighbor texts me to say she had heard growling coming from under our shed. This time, I had seen the prints of trash pandas all over our patio so I called a local business to come trap the creature.

Once again, we have the same kind of trap outside. The company says that when we do catch the masked creature, they will retrieve and release it, unless it’s sick, in which case they’ll have to put it down.

There are private companies (we’ve hired one now) and you can call Salt Lake County Animal Control for help removing unwelcome critters. As cute as they are, they are a nuisance and can nest in chimneys or crawl under roofs and defecate along attic floors, causing quite a bit of damage as well as a horrible stench from the feces.

Most larger cities have an Animal Control service—Salt Lake City’s is reached at (385) 468-7387. ■

42. Promotional piece

43. Couple

46. 1990s “Bond girl” portrayer

48. Feet, slangily

51. Academic suffix

52. 1965 John Coltrane album set up in four parts

57. Personalize, perhaps

60. Shout of respect

61. More catchy, as music

62. Midwest state capital not on the Interstate Highway System

63. Words of regret

64. Became a snooze

DOWN

1. Threw barbs

2. Powdered wig

3. Wobbly citrusy option

4. Rolling Stones hit “Honky ___ Women”

5. Top roster

6. Steak namesake

7. Prepare (oneself)

8. Olympic gear that weighs about 27 ounces

9. “Queer as Folk” actress Gill

10. Accord promoter

11. “Coronation Street” character ___ Sharples

12. DVR button

13. Suffix for record holders

17. Specialty of Chopin or FaurÈ

20. Close NASCAR position that may result in a photo finish

24. 1990s “murder ballad” by the then-Dixie Chicks

25. French 101 word often seen after d’

26. “Dress for Less” chain

28. “The BFG” author

30. “Morbius” director Daniel

31. Change copy

32. Casual meetup?

35. ___ Tower (Telegraph Hill landmark)

36. Je ne sais ___

37. Install, in a way

38. Follow

39. Pale green shade

44. Revere

45. Faced off, maybe

47. Silent comedian who wasn’t in silent films

49. Nervous noises 50. Blackjack option 53. Hibernation location 54. Transcending

Last week’s answers

Complete the grid so that each row, column, diagonal and 3x3 square contain all of the numbers 1 to 9. No math is involved. The grid has numbers, but nothing has to add up to anything else. Solve the

NEWS of the WEIRD

Sign of the Times

Ohio state Rep. Thaddeus Claggett, of Licking County, introduced a bill in the state house in late September that would declare AI systems “nonsentient entities” and ban them from gaining legal personhood. WCMH-TV reported that the bill seeks to prohibit people (or other AI systems) from marrying AI. Claggett said the legislation would prevent AI from holding power of attorney or making decisions on another’s behalf. He said Ohio is “attempting to put some guardrails in place so that we always have a human in charge of the technology, not the other way around.”

Least Competent Criminal

Dude, don’t confess your crimes to ChatGPT. In Springfield, Missouri, 19-year-old Ryan Schaefer went on a crime spree on Sept. 28 in a Missouri State University parking lot, The Smoking Gun reported. The college sophomore allegedly shattered car windows, ripped off side mirrors, dented hoods and broke windshield wipers. When Springfield police officers visited him at his apartment the next day, Schaefer admitted that the person on surveillance video did bear a “resemblance” to him and turned his phone over as evidence. Investigators found a conversation between Schaefer and ChatGPT, which included questions such as “what if I smashed the ... outta multiple cars” and “is there any way they could know it was me.” Schaefer went on to make vague threatening statements to the AI tool; he was charged with felony property damage.

Hair Today, Gone

If you haven’t made it to Leila’s Hair Museum in Independence, Missouri, time is running out. Huff Post reported on Oct. 9 that the 30-year-old museum is re-homing its displays after the death of founder Leila Cohoon last December at 92. Museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Museum of Funeral History are collecting items from Ozzy Osbourne, Marilyn Monroe and, reportedly, Jesus. Cohoon’s granddaughter, Lindsay Evans, said the process of finding new homes for the collection is helping her grieve: “Every time I come here, I feel her here.” Cohoon concentrated on finding items from the 19th and 20th centuries, when people kept hair of the dead in jewelry or coiled it into wreaths. She worked with antique dealers all across the country to locate the pieces. “If it had hair, she got it,” said Evans. “When this is empty, it’ll break my heart a little bit.”

News You Can Use

The El Cortez Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas has a sure bet for you: Casino.org is offering $5,000 to one person to spend a full weekend in the hotel, trying to scare up ghosts. The New York Post reported that the 84-year-old hotel, located on the “old strip,” reportedly has in the basement the cremated remains of former employees who died without family, among other creepy features. The lucky winner will be furnished with “ghost-hunting gear” including EMF meters, EVP recorders and thermal sensors, and the ghost hunter will be expected to take photos and videos for evidence.

Awesome!

On Sept. 25, when an 86-year-old Oskaloosa, Florida, woman took her granddog for a walk, she didn’t return after 10 to 15 minutes, as she generally does, her husband said. He called 911 and reported her missing, ABC News reported, and a sheriff’s deputy set out to look for her. Deputy Devon Miller soon came upon Eeyore the dog, standing in the middle of the road. The dog “practically dragged” Miller to where the woman had fallen, and help was summoned. Recovering from her hospital bed, the woman was amazed that Eeyore had saved the day. “You’re such a good boy. Grandma loves you,” she said.

Don’t Eat That!

■ An elderly woman named Zhang in Hangzhou, China, heard a rumor that swallowing live frogs could alleviate back pain, Oddity Central reported on Oct. 8. She asked relatives to capture some frogs for her (without explaining why) and consumed five in one day, and three the next. When her stomach pain became unbearable, her family rushed her to the hospital, and doctors determined that “Swallowing live frogs damaged the patient’s digestive system and allowed parasites to enter her system,” one physician announced. She was suffering from a Sparganum tapeworm. Zhang recovered and was discharged after two weeks.

■ Nathan Rimington, 33, a truck driver from Yorkshire, England, got a craving for gummy candies and went all in, ordering a 6.6-pound bag of Haribo cola bottle sweets, the Manchester Evening News reported on Oct. 1. Then Rimington went all in on eating them, finishing off the bag in three evenings—all 10,461 calories. A couple of days later, terrible stomach cramps sent him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with diverticulitis caused by the gelatin in the candies. After six days of IV fluids, he went home and hasn’t touched a gummy since. “It was my own stupid fault, I’ve not eaten a cola bottle since,” he said.

Repeat Offender

A business in Greenmount, Maryland, has been victimized three times by the same burglar, the owner, Tia Hamilton, believes. According to WMAR2-TV, Hamilton’s store, DiGi Business Center, was broken into on Feb. 6, Sept. 30 and Oct. 2. “I noticed my register is gone; it’s the same MO, he’s not destroying anything,” she said. “There are bars on the window, so you have to be super skinny to fit through those bars.” Baltimore police are investigating, but the perp wears gloves and a face covering during the intrusions. “It’s a violation to me when you steal,” Hamilton said.

The Aristocrats

As if the idea of toddlers driving motor vehicles wasn’t breathtaking enough, now you can purchase a luxury car for your wee one, Oddity Central reported on Oct. 1. For the low, low price of $49,000, your tot can proudly sport around in a Russian-made scaled-down Mercedes-Benz SL300 with a top speed of 28 mph. The model, popular in the 1950s and ‘60s, features adjustable leather seats, functional lights and a subwoofer, for the kids’ refined listening tastes. Happy motoring!

Bright Idea

Stephan Marcum of Stanton, Kentucky, is in hot water for his choice of Halloween decorations, LEX18-TV reported. Police were called to Marcum’s residence on Oct. 4, where they found five “bodies” in trash bags with labels on them. The labels were “district judge,” “mayor,” “SIS,” “C.A.” and “zoning mgr.” Marcum has reportedly had an ongoing dispute with the city over failing to hook up legal water, sewer and electrical services. The threatening decorations were erected sometime after a Sept. 30 court hearing about those violations. Marcum was charged with intimidating a witness in the legal process and third-degree terroristic threatening.

What’s in a Name?

Avon and Somerset Police in England are hunting for Morgan Freeman, the Somerset County Gazette reported on Oct. 8—no, not THAT Morgan Freeman. This fugitive is 27 years old, white, 5-feet-4 and has light brown hair.

“He is wanted on recall to prison after failing to comply with license conditions,” police said. Maybe he’s on the beach with Andy Dufresne.

EMPLOYMENT

SelectHealth, Inc. seeks a Data Analyst - Technical - Senior in Murray, UT. This is a hybrid position requiring in-person presence three times per month. Position may telecommute within reasonable commuting distance of Murray, UT. Apply at https:// imh.wd108.myworkdayjobs.com/ IntermountainCareers or email resume to mary.hansen@imail.org. Salary: $97,386.00 – $107,386.00/yr.

EMPLOYMENT

IHC Health Services, Inc. (dba Intermountain Health) seeks a Software Engineer - Senior in Salt Lake City, UT. This is a hybrid position requiring in-person presence once per month. Position may telecommute from any state in the US except CA, CT, HI, IL, NY, RI, VT, and WA. Apply at https:// imh.wd108.myworkdayjobs.com/ IntermountainCareers or email resume to mary.hansen@imail.org. Salary: $128,440.00 - $138,440.00/yr.