City Weekly October 30, 2025

S AP

BOX

“The Runaways,” Oct. 23 Cover Canada is perfect! It’s everything you dream about. They will welcome you with open arms.

ARNEL RIVERA Via Facebook

That is the beauty of free choice. The author’s ideals don’t fit with what the U.S. has to offer today. Enjoy Canada.

JAMES ABBOTT Via Facebook

Canada is not doing much better, but good luck to them.

MATTHEW HAWKINS Via Facebook

I love to see the MAGA idiots screaming that Canadian healthcare is “terrible” on a story of an American doctor fleeing to Canada. I’m pretty sure she knows exactly how things are there. I do. I actually talk to people outside of the country. I’m in healthcare. With the massive cuts and the antivax bullshit being pushed by these Trumpers, I don’t blame you. I may join you before the end of this.

ZACH TOMNEY Via Facebook

They are in for a shock when Trump conquers Canada.

JAKE GARN Via Facebook

I wish I could move. Canada is too cold for me.

KERRY JO SOLIZ Via Facebook

So moving to a place with less freedoms, higher taxes and an immigration process that most can’t get through. You’re a moron. It’s all grandstanding. Give up your citizenship and don’t come back.

DAVID CONELLY Via Facebook

I don’t blame them. I would move to British Columbia right now if I could. Our country is descending into a dictatorship, while having effectively killed the “American Dream” at the benefit of an oligarchy and the wealthy. The constitution stands on the edge of a knife. Health insurance is about to double in cost. Civil rights are under attack. I love B.C. and Canada in general after spending a significant amount of time there in my life.

SHANE WOODBURY Via Facebook

Why do people always feel the need to announce that they’re leaving? Just leave in silence, we don’t care.

CHRISTY LYNN Via Facebook

Don’t let the door hit you in the butt on the way out.

WADE R. HYATT Via Facebook

Stay and fight, we need everyone who isn’t insane, racist or homophobes.

KELLY PERKINS Via Facebook

Oh brother, cry me a river. Enjoy Canada, good bye.

SAK PASE Via Facebook

I pray they find what they’re looking for in Canada.

RYLAN CHESHIRE Via Facebook

Woot, get out of here. Maybe we can start fixing it with all the delulu gone.

STEPHEN TAYLOR Via Facebook

Oh no, we lost a retired doctor. RICHARD SCHOENFELD Via Facebook

Anyone who leaves the U.S. for Canada because they want more freedom is mentally ill.

RODNEY MORREIRA JR. Via Facebook

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

THE WATER COOLER

Are there any books, movies, or music you’ve been into lately?

Kayle Dreher

Project Runway. Specifically the early seasons. They are like time capsules.

Wes Long

It being autumn, I try to turn back to one of my favorites, Return to Oz (1985). Still a perfect film, in my opinion.

Katharine Biele

I miss going to movies. Books—I did read Frozen River, which speaks to strong women in our history and makes you wonder what the hell happened.

Scott Renshaw

I guess people could just read the rest of this paper to find out what movies I’m into lately.

Chelsea Neider

Ghost story documentaries and swampthemed country music.

Bryan Bale

I’ve long been a fan of “prog rock,” exemplified by bands like Yes, Rush and Kansas. A local Utah band called Advent Horizon is strongly influenced by these prog rock pioneers. In October 2024, they had the honor of playing at the ProgRock festival in New Jersey, and they just released a video of their performance on BluRay earlier this month.

BY KEITH BURNS

OPINION Following a Prophet

After the passing of former LDS church President Russell M. Nelson, his longtime colleague Dallin H. Oaks has taken the helm as prophet and president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—a transition that signals both continuity and conflict within the faith.

A complicated and often controversial LDS authority, Oaks is widely recognized for his stern ecclesiastical mantle and tireless defense of conservative family values—including frequent denunciations of LGBTQ relationships and identities. Less frequently noted, however, are his forward-looking positions on issues of race, gender and politics, including his subtle yet significant efforts to push back against right-wing extremism within the church.

Before becoming an Apostle in 1984, Oaks was the president of Brigham Young University during a period when the now-condemned practice of conversion therapy was conducted on gay students, including electric shock sessions. Equally disturbing, when asked about BYU’s fraught history with conversion therapy at a 2021 press meeting at the University of Virginia, Oaks denied it, stating that it “never went on under my administration.”

After serving at BYU, one major reason for his rapid ascension within church leadership was his legal expertise and ability to craft amicus briefs opposing the legalization of same-sex marriage. Not only was Oaks pulling ecclesiastical levers behind the scenes in fighting marriage equality, he also played a key role in constructing the faith’s oftencited 1995 document, The Family: A Proclamation to the World

In the decades since, Oaks has given dozens of addresses that revere the document and double down on the church’s pro-nuclear family and anti-LGBTQ positions, including his most recent October General Conference speech. Oaks also

consistently labels Satan as the author of “marriage distortion” and “gender confusion,” a rhetorical tool that he and other LDS leaders have employed for decades to frame same-sex marriage and gender nonconformity as counterfeit, sinful and illegitimate.

Furthermore, in constantly defending the Family Proclamation, Oaks has fervently criticized those who disagree with or have genuine concerns about it, often repeating variations of this line:

“Those who do not fully understand the Father’s loving plan for His children may consider this Family Proclamation no more than a changeable statement of policy. In contrast, we affirm that the Family Proclamation, founded on unchangeable doctrine, defines the kind of family relationships where the most important part of our eternal development can occur.”

From a policy standpoint, Oaks was a major actor in the church’s controversial policy of exclusion in November 2015, which prohibited children of same-sex couples from getting blessed or baptized and branded same-sex relationships as “apostate.” The policy was reversed just three and a half years later.

More recently, his fingerprints were all over 2024 changes to the church handbook—formal guidelines for lay leadership around the world—that doubled down on prohibitions placed on transgender members of the faith.

But while his rhetoric and attitudes toward LGBTQ individuals have caused real and lasting harm, Oaks has, in contrast, taken more measured stances on women, race and U.S. politics. In 2014, he was one of the first LDS leaders to publicly state that women, when set apart under priesthood authority (e.g., sister missionaries, female temple workers) “hold priesthood power.”

“What other authority can it be?” he reiterated.

And in a recent interview with acclaimed journalist Jane Clayson, Oaks gently acknowledged that the church has “not always been wise in using the great qualification and powers of the daughters of God.”

Addressing the racism that continues to plague the U.S., Oaks delivered a controversial statement during a 2020 BYU

devotional, offending many conservative members at the time: “Of course Black lives matter!” he affirmed. “That is an eternal truth all reasonable people should support.”

At the 40-year celebration of the lifting of the church’s infamous priesthood and temple ban on people of African descent, Oaks candidly acknowledged: “I studied the reasons then being given [for the ban] and could not feel confirmation of the truth of any of them.” While he did still defend the ban’s divinity, he “wept for joy” after it was lifted in 1978 and has since been consistent in publicly condemning racism.

Oaks has also urged restraint and peacemaking amid the current political contention and extremism in which we find ourselves. In a calculated manner that all but mentioned Donald Trump and his followers, he urged members in October 2020 to “obey the current law and use peaceful means to change it” and to “peacefully accept the results of elections.”

“We will not participate in the violence threatened by those disappointed with the outcome,” he said. That warning proved prescient, delivered just months prior to the insurrection of January 6, 2021—an event that, tragically, found support among a number of Latter-day Saints.

Matt Harris, a historian and scholar of Mormon Studies, shared a telling second-hand anecdote about Oaks on the Mormon Stories podcast that aligns with his above statement. One of Harris’ associates is a close friend of the Oaks family who, on one occasion, asked now-President Oaks what his greatest fears were about the Church. According to Harris, Oaks candidly replied: “right wing extremism.”

President Oaks now stands at a profoundly complex crossroads within the church, and in many ways, broader U.S. society. He simultaneously seeks to shield the faith from the pull of MAGA ideology and Christian nationalism while strictly upholding conservative doctrines on sexuality and gender that alienate many progressive members.

How Oaks navigates this increasingly untenable tension will not only be a defining mark of his presidency, but will shape the church’s next chapters. CW

Private Eye is off this week. Send feedback to comments@cityweekly.net

HITS & MISSES

BY KATHARINE BIELE | @kathybiele BY AIMEE L. COOK

MISS: This is the Place

If Alligator Alcatraz or Guantanamo Bay aren’t adequately inhumane, perhaps Homeland Security could consider something nestled by the Great Salt Lake. CNN reported that Utah will soon be the site of a new immigrant detention center, although details are scant. Finding new digs for the unwanted has long been an issue for lawmakers who first decided to relocate the state prison to a mosquito-infested area near the airport. That was done despite costly changes that include mosquito abatement. So it is unsurprising that the state is now considering a homeless “campus” (like they’ll be learning something) in an open field in Salt Lake City’s Northpointe area. That’s a feeding ground for mosquitos in the area, not to mention the transportation obstacles that accompany such a move. But it sounds perfect for the Trump administration’s vision of how to treat a “basket of deplorables.”

MISS: Cutting Class

Despite Sen. Mike Lee’s call for couples to get birthing, a troubling trend of declining public school enrollment continues. For the third straight year, student numbers around the state have fallen and K-12 schools are being targeted for closure. There are lots of reasons, not the least of which is economic. Births were falling even before COVID, according to the Brookings Institute, but have continued with the high cost of living as well as increasing options for home-schooling and private education. “Public school enrollment edged up only 2% between 2012 and 2019, holding near 50 million students, while the U.S. total fertility rate had slipped to 1.7 births per woman—well below the replacement level,” Brookings writes. If things continue, it may “heighten long-standing worries about potential re-segregation and resource inequality.” Some states have committed to maintaining funding levels. Utah has not, so it’s up to the districts to come up with better longterm strategies than closing schools.

HIT: Hunger Pains

Let’s not get into the politics of the government shutdown, except to say that children could be its most powerless victims. Some 86,000 Utah households rely on SNAP benefits—the food stamp program—which the federal government totally funds. The Department of Workforce Services told recipients they wouldn’t be getting food stamps in November, but to buck up because if they have a balance in their account, they still could get their benefits through the month. “A quick reminder: hunger doesn’t shut down even when the government does,” Utahns Against Hunger says. When government fails, Utah predictably calls on the charity of others. This means food banks and pantries are taking up the slack. While it’s likely illegal for the Trump administration to withhold these funds, it’s up to voters to call Congress. CW

Lucky Number 7

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall joined community members on Oct. 16 to celebrate the grand opening of the Seven Canyons Refuge at Liberty Park, a reimagining of the Seven Canyons Fountain that encourages visitors to experience the intersection of art, nature and history.

The Seven Canyons Fountain was originally donated to the park in 1993 by O.C. Tanner, but had its water turned off in 2017 due to health and safety concerns. The space is now a dry, interactive art feature that uses light, sound and sculpture to create a broadly accessible, multisensory experience for people of all ages and abilities.

“To restore it as a working water feature would cost between 2 and 4 million dollars, plus 21,000 gallons of water per day to keep it running,” said Jana Cunningham, a spokeswoman for the city’s Public Lands department. “This newly reimagined space is not only sustainable and conserves water, but it honors the fountain’s history.”

Cunningham said the design honors the past while looking toward the future. “It shows how Salt Lake City can adapt, innovate and continue creating public spaces that belong to everyone,” she added. “It continues to be a gathering place, a teaching space, and a beautiful piece of art that will continue to inspire generations.”

The update was led by Stephen Goldsmith—one of the original fountain artists—in collaboration with the landscape architecture firm ArcSitio Design as well as SLC’s Department of Public Lands, Arts Council and Engineering Division. The project presents new works and interactive elements that focus on five key themes: water systems of the Bonneville Basin; the region’s First Peoples; relationships with sister species; stewardship and healing; and expanded access to multisensory experiences.

One goal for Goldsmith was to highlight the essential role of water in the seven canyon creeks that feed into the Jordan River and Great Salt Lake. He hopes the new space will inspire future generations to be more mindful about water usage and their connection with the environment and each other. “Water is life, water is restorative, water is what we’re made of,” he said.

Features of the new refuge include People Perches (cast bronze sculptures that allow visitors to explore birdsong through touch and sound) and shishi-odoshi (Japanese rocking water fountains that encourage hands-on water stewardship). In some cases, deteriorating elements of the former fountain were preserved and restored in a process inspired by kintsugi—the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery—to suggest resilience. The design also features etched granite tiles featuring Indigenous imagery and natural elements—one created by Rios Pacheco of the Northwest Band of the Shoshone Nation and a reimagined Great Salt Lake spiral, connecting play, learning and environmental awareness.

The new space was funded with $857,968 from the city’s Capital Improvement Program in 2020. CW

A&E

Revisionist History

Wakara’s America tries to reverse the erasure of a key Native figure from Utah’s creation narrative.

BY SCOTT RENSHAW scottr@cityweekly.net @scottrenshaw

When historian and University of Nebraska assistant professor Max Perry Mueller was first contemplating titles for the book that would become Wakara’s America—a profile of the 19th-century Ute tribal leader Wakara—he initially considered Wakara Remains. It was a bit of wordplay on the idea not just of how the robbery of Wakara’s grave played a role in the story, but an indication of how much of an imprint Wakara made—how much he remains—in the place that would become Utah, considering most Utah residents have never heard of him.

“Brigham Young enters the valley 1847 and apocryphally says, ‘This is the place,’” Mueller shares by phone. “The Mormon pioneers had encountered [frontiersman] Jim Bridger in Wyoming, and told him their plan to go to what is now Utah Lake, one of the most verdant spots in the Great Basin. Bridger says, ‘No, don’t go down there,’ because of Wakara’s reputation. So really, it’s not God who decided that Salt Lake is now the center stake of what would become Utah; it was Wakara and his Utes.”

That’s just one of the fascinating anecdotes about Wakara’s historical role in Utah and the rest of the American West, shared in a profile that explores him in all his complexity, including being a prolific horse thief and slave dealer who was infamous from coast to coast in his own lifetime. Mueller first learned about Wakara when researching his 2017 book Race and the Making of the Mormon People, and wanted to dig deeper into his story. “I described how the Latter-day Saints made him into a ‘paper Indian’: He became a literary figure, constructed in the Mormon imagination, rather than in reality. … I wanted to flip that gaze around, and understand how he saw the world.”

Understanding him completely and portraying him accurately, for Mueller, meant not ignoring the ways in which he was, to quote one of his sources, “a great man, but not necessarily a good one.” For example, Wakara would sell out other Native bands to settlers if it meant settling a personal score, or allowing him to expand his power and influence, in addition to his dealing in stolen goods and stolen people—none of which negates his importance.

“We have this understanding of Native Americans that has long served settlerAmericans’ literary interests,” Mueller told City Weekly. “They’re often portrayed either as bloodthirsty savages who slayed American settlers, or the ‘ecological Indian’ who lived perfectly in sync with the natural world, which also reduces Natives to animals, robbing them of agency. … [Wakara] is like Brigham Young: a founding father who some people believe may have done really good things, but also did horrible things.”

Mueller understands that such a comparison can get people prickly, in a way that often happens when sanitized and

whitewashed versions of history become accepted truth. Yet he considers it crucial to examine the lenses through which we view history, which in the case of Wakara’s America involves sharing examples from his own experience in discovering places where the settler narrative steamrolled over the significance of indigenous people.

“It’s a standard practice for indigenous scholars or indigenous people to tell people where they’re from,” Mueller says. “More and more, non-Native scholars like myself do so because we recognize the inherent wisdom of that: I’m from a place, and I’m from a people, so I see the world in a certain way.

“I’m also inviting, I hope, non-Native readers like myself to be implicated in the history, to show that we, because of our ancestry, have a stake in this history. We helped to create it. But hopefully not just to say, ‘My ancestors are horrible’ and to self-flagellate, because that centers me again. … We don’t have to feel bad about our ancestors having been human, just

like Wakara was a human. Brigham was a human. Instead of idealizing the past, which of course is one of the modes our politics is in right now, let’s recognize that the past is complicated.”

That complicated past is one in which Wakara was inextricably intertwined. His fingerprints are all over the history of Mormon-settled Utah, from the cartography that contributed to the maps of John C. Frémont, to his presence at the first official Pioneer Day celebration in 1849, to the fact that his literal DNA—from daughters of Wakara who became part of Mormon families—is all over the state: “There are lots of people in the Sanpete Valley who don’t know that they are actually descended from these Native American matriarchs.”

That’s the history Mueller wants Wakara’s America to bring into the light: One which clarifies that, as he puts it, “the most powerful myth of Manifest Destiny is that it succeeded—that it erased Native people and Native history from the American landscape. … [Wakara] was very much an American in the sense of wanting to expand his power and be upwardly mobile, but also wanted to defend his people’s sovereignty. He was fully American and fully Native in that way.” CW

WAKARA’S AMERICA: THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF A NATIVE FOUNDER OF THE AMERICAN WEST By Max Mueller Perry “Beyond the Book” event w/ Ute knowledge keeper Forrest Cuch University of Utah Hinckley Institute (GC Room 2018) 260 S. Central Campus Dr. Tuesday, Nov. 4, 5 p.m. Free and open to the public nativeexcellence.utah.edu

theESSENTIALS ENTERTAINMENT

Complete listings online at cityweekly.net

OCT 30-NOV 5, 2025

Chris Kattan

For many comedy performers, becoming a Saturday Night Live cast member feels like validation that you’ve “made it.” Yet for every  SNL alum who moves on to a big-name career in movies or television like Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus or Will Ferrell, there are those who seem to drift out of the spotlight—despite continuing to bring their talents to live audiences around the country.

Chris Kattan made his  Saturday Night Live debut in 1996, and worked for seven seasons establishing popular characters like Mr. Peepers, Mango and, with castmate Ferrell, the head-bobbing, nightclub-frequenting Butabi Brothers (A Night at the Roxbury). After departing  SNL in 2003, Kattan went on to find success in voice work for animated films like  Delgo and  Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters, as well as a recurring role on the comedy series  The Middle Yet he has also spent the intervening years on stand-up stages, where he hasn’t been shy about turning to vintage  SNL work for both crowd-appeal and self-deprecation. “Do you mind if I talk about my  Saturday Night Live characters?” he asked a New York audience in 2019, to whoops of applause. “Good,” he responded, “because that’s all I’ve got.” That isn’t remotely the case, of course, as you can see for yourself when Kattan visits Wiseguys Gateway (190 S. 400 West) this week on Saturday, Nov. 1 (6 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.). Tickets are $30; visit wiseguyscomedy.com to purchase tickets and for additional event details. (Scott Renshaw)

iLuminate

Art forms of all kinds are incorporating more and more technology nowadays—but some performers are ahead of the curve. That certainly seemed to be the case for Miral Kotb, who combined her training as a dancer with her professional work as a programmer in 2009 to create iLuminate, an innovative dance company that brings Vegas-style flair to on-stage dance performance with wireless light-up costuming, creating fascinating routines and complex illusions. And Kotb did it all while surviving two bouts with cancer, as she shared with VoyageLA in 2019: “There were times when my journey was overwhelmingly challenging and I was ready to surrender. But, my family and extended iLuminate family lifted me up and showed me that it was possible to rise above any challenge.”

The unique mix of bold choreography and dazzling visuals have certainly lifted up iLuminate, beginning with a 2011 appearance on America’s Got Talent that landed them a third-place finish and a recognition as the Best New Act in America. Over the intervening decade, Kotb’s iLuminate has impressed audiences around the world, both in person and in appearances on TV shows ranging from Good Morning America to Dancing With the Stars, and on awards shows like the MTV Video Music Awards and the BET Awards.

Live at the Eccles brings iLuminate to the Delta Hall at the Eccles Theater (131 S. Main St.) for one night only on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40 - $83; visit saltlakecountyarts.org to purchase tickets and for additional event details. (SR)

David Sedaris

Literate observers and satirists seem to be in short supply these days. The era of such erudite individuals as Thomas Paine, James Baldwin, William F. Buckley, Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, Art Buchwald and Gore Vidal seems to be well behind us, replaced by politicos that spew halftruths and outright misinformation in order to serve their own selfish interests. Thankfully then, we can count on columnist, novelist, radio commentator and astute observer David Sedaris to put today’s daunting reality into pristine perspective.

Known for pithy yet pointed essays and best-selling books, he’s unafraid to tackle a full range of sensitive subjects, be it drug use, obsessive behavior, homosexuality, family dysfunction or his own middle-class upbringing, all approached with complete candor and self-deprecating humor. John Lennon once sang “Gimme some truth,” and while few folks seem willing to step up to the plate, thankfully Mr. Sedaris is all too willing to do.

An Evening with David Sedaris will take place at Delta Hall at the Eccles Theater (131 S. Main St.) at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov 5. Tickets for this 21+ show cost $37.50 - $91.50 at saltlake -

The Avengers

Political

prisoners seek vigilante justice in It Was Just an Accident , plus November special screenings.

BY SCOTT RENSHAW scottr@cityweekly.net @scottrenshaw

It Was Just an Accident BBB 1/2

Writer/director Jafar Panahi’s infamous status as a political prisoner in Iran becomes fodder for his Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or winner, a morality-play drama that weaves farce into an exploration of justice vs. vengeance. It opens as a man (Ebrahim Azizi) and his family have car trouble while out driving, and pull into a garage for assistance—but as one of the garage’s employees, Vahid (Vahid Mobasseri), hears the squeaking of the driver’s artificial leg, he becomes convinced that the man is Eqbal, the secret police officer who tortured Vahid while he was in prison. Actually, “convinced” is a bit of an exaggeration, as Vahid’s quest to be certain of the identity of the man he never actually saw leads him to bring in other former prisoners—photographer Shiva (Mariam Afshari); bride-to-be Goli (Hadis Pakbaten); furious Hamid (Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr)—in a scenario that grows progressively more absurd. Panahi’s premise is one that’s been done before (notably in Ariel Dorfman’s Death and the Maiden), but he incorporates it into a story that folds back the corruption beneath a society claiming a moral cause for its taking of political prisoners, as everyone here seems to be looking for a payoff. But the more sardonic elements fade into the background in a climax that emphasizes deep pain and the question of whether to be better than those who wronged you, with all the uncertainty that can come from a lack of “closure.” Available Oct. 31 at Broadway Centre Cinemas. (NR)

CINEMA

NOVEMBER 2025 SPECIAL SCREENINGS

Redford Remembered: With the passing of Hollywood legend and Sundance Film Festival founder Robert Redford in September, there’s an opportunity to reflect on his on-screen legacy. Salt Lake Film Society showcases a dozen of Redford’s most notable screen performances—his directing career will not be part of the program—in a month-long retrospective, beginning Nov. 2 with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The program continues with The Electric Horseman (Nov. 4), The Candidate (Nov. 5), All The President’s Men (Nov. 9), All Is Lost (Nov. 11), The Way We Were (Nov. 12), The Great Waldo Pepper (Nov. 16), Downhill Racer (Nov. 18), The Natural (Nov. 19), The Great Gatsby (Nov. 23), Jeremiah Johnson (Nov. 25) and The Sting (Nov. 26). slfs.org

FILMéxico @ SLFS: Salt Lake Film Society’s annual showcase of contemporary Mexican cinema returns to present eight screenings of fiction films, documentaries and short films, as well as Q&As and panel discussions. The kickoff event includes a screening of the 2023 documentary So Close to the Clouds about the 1971 Mexican Women’s World Cup soccer team, with inperson Q&A with director Manuel Cañibe and professional soccer player Dominique Estrada. Screenings run Nov. 13 – 20; details and tickets at the website. slfs.org

The Last Republican: Republican Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger found himself driven out of his own party when he spoke out against the Jan. 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol and served on the

committee investigating that incident. Filmmaker Steve Pink (Hot Tub Time Machine) follows Kinzinger through his final term in office, dealing with threats on his life, the end of his political career and the realization of what the Republican Party under Donald Trump had become. Utah Film Center (375 W. 400 North) hosts a screening on Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. that’s free to the public, RSVP required. utahfilmcenter.org

The Wizard of Oz in Concert @ Utah Symphony: If you want to see a big-screen experience of one of the most beloved movies of all time, you don’t have to travel five hours to the Sphere in Las Vegas or endure creepy AI changes. The Utah Symphony offers a play-to-screen performance of the original score by Herbert Stothart and the amazing songs by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. Follow the yellow brick road to Abravanel Hall (123 W. South Temple) Nov. 14-15 at 7 p.m., and share in the experience of vintage Hollywood magic. utahsymphony.org

Bring Them Home: Filmmakers Ivan and Ivy MacDonald chronicle the efforts by a group of indigenous Blackfoot people who attempt to reintroduce a buffalo herd on their ancestral homelands nearly a century after their near-extinction. Academy Award nominee Lily Gladstone narrates. The screening takes place at the Utah Film Center (375 W. 400 North) on Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m., with an online “meet the artists” opportunity on Thursday, Nov. 6 at 5:30 p.m. RSVP online for free access. utahfilmcenter.org CW

MAKING A MAKING A

THIRTY YEARS ON, LGBTQ UTAHNS ARE STILL FINDING A LANE WITH SALT LAKE’S QUAC SWIMMING TEAM.

BY WES LONG wlong@cityweekly.net

SUGAR HOUSE—The air is heavy with anticipation, as well as the smell of chlorine, around the 8-lane lap pool at Fairmont Aquatic Center (1044 Sugarmont Dr). Lifeguards are posted, large whirring fans cut into the balmy air, music is playing on the sound system and, little by little, incoming adult swimmers of varying ages congregate around benches along the eastern deck of the pool.

Friendly hugs and handshakes ensue while coaches Megan Kawaguchi and Pedro Huebner prepare white boards with specific agendas for particular lanes.

“I’ve never seen the pool like this,” Huebner remarks of the nearly 50 swimmers who have shown up to their August 19 practice. “This has got to be record attendance.”

With four lanes dedicated to new and returning swimmers and another four lanes intended for those with more experience, Kawaguchi notes that on each of their club’s three gatherings every week, several different practices are being run simultaneously. All of that activity is programmed under a prepared theme, but adapted to varying skill levels.

Some attend for recreation and others to improve their competitive edge, she says, but “the people are the reason to come back. These are the best people.”

Indeed, the friendly air of these practices evinces a warmth that exceeds the room temperature and is more pungent than the chlorine. The coaches encourage each group as they begin their sets in the water; lively chatter percolates among the participants; in between completed sections are high-fives and applause among lane mates.

Welcome to a “QUACtice” session with the Queer Utah Aquatic Club (QUAC)! For three decades, this organization has brought a buoyant spirit to the pools and populace of the Beehive State, but such a setting can nevertheless be intimidating to a visiting stranger. What follows, then, is a brief testing of the waters.

After launching in 1995 with a handful of swimmers, QUAC now sees dozens of participants at each of its three weekly practices at the Fairmont Aquatic Center.

Sink or Swim

QUAC’s origins can be traced to a 1995 collaboration between swimmers Doug Fadel and David Ferguson with activist/state legislator Wyllis Dorman-Li (19371998). Dorman-Li was straight, but put the wheels in motion, meeting Fadel and Ferguson on separate occasions at Steiner Aquatic Center.

She had already gotten Fadel in touch with gay and lesbian swimming meets in the eastern United States when Ferguson had a decidedly jarring introduction to Dorman-Li in the pool.

“Apparently, Wyllis did not appreciate how I was sharing the lane and scolded me in a way my mother never could,” Ferguson recalled for an organizational history. “Wyllis’ scolding was so frightening that it felt like she had cast a spell on me. I warned friends I would see at Steiner not to share a lane with ‘Wyllis, the witch,’ because the same might happen to them.”

Something enchanting had indeed occurred, though, for Dorman-Li subsequently invited Ferguson to work with her and Fadel in exploring the prospect of developing a gay and lesbian swim team in the Beehive State. It did not take long for the idea to attract participants.

“With a core of about nine swimmers, recruiting began at the Sun [a former SLC bar], with clipboards and personality,” Ferguson continued. “There was a core group of eight to ten folks and we sort of took over a lane or two at the old South High pool.”

In the 30 years since that time, thousands of Utahns have participated with QUAC. Long the largest club within the Utah Masters, they are simultaneously active at national Masters swimming competitions as well as with events held by the International Group of LGBTQIA+ Aquatics (IGLA). Such logistical benefits consequently provide QUAC with partnerships both near and far in queer and non-queer spaces.

With a set schedule every year and a slate of enthusiastic volunteer coaches and board members, current QUAC president John Wiest said there is relatively little, at present, that requires fine-tuning.

“It’s a pretty well-oiled machine,” Wiest said.

While he has served in his current position for the last year and a half, Wiest joined the team 10 years ago, still fresh from law school, newly out as a gay man and looking for both community and exercise. Not having swum since he was a kid, Wiest was initially intimidated by the prospect of exploring two alien landscapes at once.

“I was eager to learn but I’m a perfectionist,” he recalled, “so I would get frustrated when coaches would tell me to do something. One of them pulled me aside and said, ‘You’re not good at being not good at things, are you?’”

Wiest persevered, though, thanks to the encouragement of his teammates and coaches.

“I was very pleasantly surprised that QUAC was super welcoming to people of all ages [18 and up], ethnicities, body types and skill levels,” he said. “I make a point as president to make sure that it stays that way.”

Diving In

Em Saux moved to Salt Lake City from New Orleans at the start of last year. And while they have been swimming since a very early age, they have particularly appreciated the supportive atmosphere that QUAC creates for its members and guests.

“It’s a place that is safe for adults to learn a skill,” Saux told City Weekly. “You can’t not know how to swim on your first day, but if you only know freestyle, you can join QUAC.”

Saux joined QUAC to get some cardio exercise, but soon started swimming competitively for the first

time since high school in events like QUAC’s yearly “Ski-n-Swim.”

“None of us are going to the Olympics,” they stressed. “We’re competing against ourselves and not even really with each other.”

Tom Meyer has been with QUAC for the last couple of years, and as one of the older members of the group, he particularly savors gathering with QUAC’s other septuagenarian swimmers on Sunday mornings to improve his abilities. What’s more, Meyer enjoys competing in the U.S. Masters swim meets.

“Lap swimming and solo swim workouts can be lonely, so it’s great to get the support of others in your lane,” he noted. “It’s fun to meet other senior swimmers who are with all-ages, mixed-sex clubs like ours.”

For others, the social benefits that QUAC provides are an even greater draw. Josh Arndt joined QUAC three years ago, and since that time, he can say with confidence that the club “has given me like half of my friendships as an adult.”

Edwin Glass, on the other hand, has participated in QUAC for only a few months, but he too has noticed the strong welcoming environment that is fostered by his fellow “QUAC-ers.”

Originally from Houston, Glass sought to organize a queer western dancing event at the MILK+ nightclub. Shortly after joining QUAC, he mentioned the fledgling event in passing and, sure enough, a contingent of his fellow club members subsequently showed up in support.

Glass described QUAC as a “safe haven” and a “rock” upon which participants can build other parts of their lives.

“For the members, [the club] provides a space to focus on being healthy,” he said. “I think the world is a better place because QUAC is here.”

Staying Afloat

Queer communities, remarked Wiest, differ from many other minority groups in that one often has to proactively search out and discover their fellow members. “It is not something you’re simply born into,” he said.

Given those complexities—as well as the tendency of any group of people to skew to a certain type over time—Wiest and his colleagues emphasized repeatedly that women, transgender and nonbinary participants were not only welcome, but needed.

“We’re not just a male-identifying team,” head coach Kawaguchi said.

Especially in the last six months, QUAC’s membership has swelled in numbers to the point that those interviewed for this story commented on how packed the lanes are getting. This, however, is a welcome predicament for QUAC’s leadership.

After all, the monthly schedule is clear, new activities like open-water swimming are actively being explored, the club is a fixture at yearly Pride events and QUAC swimmers are preparing for an upcoming IGLA competition in Spain.

The challenge at this point is ensuring the membership’s composition remains diverse and inviting to everyone.

“I love when someone comes to the team for the first time,” Wiest enthused, “when I see them coming week after week and month after month, and making themselves a part of the group.”

As for the members, whether the motivation is to improve one’s lap times, improve one’s health, or improve one’s social network, in every case it also appears to have done wonders for both their confidence and wellbeing.

Thad Applegate has been a QUAC member since 2007. He is one of the few who have remained with

the club since the significant turnover that occurred in the wake of the COVID pandemic. In his 40s at the time of joining, Applegate had never been a swimmer in either college or grade school.

“I needed to get out of the house,” he recalled. “I needed an outlet.”

Now in his 60s, Applegate has traveled internationally with the team in competitive contexts and can say to himself upon the starting block: “I don’t give a f--k what others think of me.”

For Glass, however, he finds in his QUAC sessions a meditative respite from constant performative activities like talking—which are famously difficult to carry out underwater.

“I like that I don’t have to talk to anybody during practice,” he said. “Something about that feels safe to me. It’s meditative and quiet and a good workout.”

Whatever one is looking for, the pool is open to everyone. The water, after all, knows neither age, nor ability, nor background.

And as QUAC member Kyle Spicer says, “There’s always practice. Swimming never ends.” CW

TESTING THE WATERS

QUAC requires paid memberships, which cover swim practices, pool fees and participation in the U.S. Masters swim events.

A 30-day trial membership is available, with regular options being a “limited” membership (one practice a week) at $35 a month, or a “basic” membership (three practices a week) at $55 a month. Financial assistance is available to those with limited funds and donations are tax-deductible to this 501c(3) organization. Practices occur on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 - 8 p.m. and on Sundays from 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. Visit quacquac.org for more information.

Pasta and Pie,

Oh My PoPIE 1929 proves that pasta and meat pies belong together.

BY ALEX SPRINGER comments@cityweekly.net @captainspringer

E.C. Segar’s comic strip sailor Popeye had a gimmick where he would get his ass kicked and then pound a can of spinach to get back into the fight. He’s one of the few superheroes that gets his superpowers from a superfood, which is one of the reasons PoPIE 1929 has chosen the anvil-armed sailor as its mascot. The restaurant bills its food as energizing— and based on my visit, I would definitely agree with that assessment.

The capitalized “PIE” in the restaurant’s name offers the biggest hint as to what type of cuisine is in store for you. Ever since early last year, the PoPIE team has been preparing and serving its Korean- and Japanese-style meat pies, though it was primarily a Provo Farmers Market affair. Soon the team built enough momentum to open a storefront in American Fork, and the menu has expanded into some truly interesting territory.

With chilly autumnal vibes abounding and winter fast approaching, a meat pie is nothing short of magical. It was this sort of craving that led me to PoPIE, because I saw that the menu featured a meat pie stuffed with bulgogi. The thought of Korean flavors baked into buttery pastry was strong enough to warrant a trip south to American Fork, and it was definitely worth the effort.

I was expecting to see a good variety of meat pies on the menu when I first arrived, but what I did not expect was a stacked menu of Italian pasta dishes, as well as risotto. Meat pies and pasta don’t traditionally travel in the same culinary circles, which, coupled with the Popeye mascot, only heightened the restaurant’s intrigue. I only had eyes for pies, but I visited with my daughter, who ordered the Bologna pasta ($13.95).

Starting off with the meat pie menu, you’ve got the chicken ($7.95), the curry ($7.95), the pizza ($7.95), the bulgogi ($7.95) and the vegetarian ratatouille ($6.95). Each pie is about six inches in diameter, and there’s a pleasant heft to them. The restaurant has a drivethrough, so these would be ideal for munching on in the car; the crust is thick enough to prevent any spillage. It’s also buttery, flaky and delightful.

If you’re a fan of savory meat pies at all, you really need to check this place out, as I was floored by the quality. The bulgogi pie—with its tender pork, thick mushrooms and soft glass noodles—has a winter stew quality to it, and each bite is comforting and delicious. That pattern was present in all of the restaurant’s pies. The curry pie takes its cues from the rich Japanese curry with its pork, onions, potatoes and carrots. Fans of American pot pie will like the chicken pie, as it captures all the savory, creamy flavors of your favorite chicken pot pie in a handheld meal.

While the meat pies are perfect for a quick grab-and-go lunch—remember that drive-through—the pasta dishes are ideal for a dine-in situation. The menu includes classics like carbonara ($13.95), along with some Korean fusion dishes like the K-Spicy ($13.95). The menu also includes some seafood pasta like the

shrimp basil ($16.95), but the true flex comes from the four different types of risotto. The crown jewel of this menu section is the tri-tip steak ($18.95), but all of them are impressive on their own.

It would be one thing if the restaurant had tacked on a mediocre pasta menu as filler, but the pasta at PoPIE is pretty impressive. I had some of my daughter’s Bologna pasta, which takes its inspiration from a meaty Bolognese sauce and adds it to spaghetti, penne and farfalle noodles. It was fun to see a multitude of pasta shapes in the mix, and the flavors struck me as classically Italian with a garlicky, smoky Korean twist. As the restaurant’s interior resembles a casual cafe, pasta of this caliber is totally unexpected, and definitely worth trying.

Those after something a bit less loaded with carbs will dig the restaurant’s salad menu, which includes a burrata cheese salad ($11.95) or the shrimp-and-avocado salad ($14.95). All of the salads are big enough to enjoy as a meal, and they’re packed with fresh ingredients and sophisticated flavor combinations.

In what began as a quest for humble meat pies, my daughter and I inadvertently stumbled upon a decent place to get pasta in American Fork. My experiences at Junah have opened my eyes to the wonders of Italian cuisine by way of Asian execution. I feel like the team at PoPIE 1929 is yet another good example of this awesome culinary subgenre, and I’m thrilled to see such creativity proliferating across the Wasatch Front. 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: I Am The Vvitch - golden ale with pumpkin and spices

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

Grid City Beer Works

333 W. 2100 South, SLC GridCityBeerWorks.com

NEW: DK Rice Lager

Heber Valley Brewing

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

Fresh Canned ’To-Go’: NZ Choice

IPA - Hazy IPA w/ New Zealand hops (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: 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!

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: I Am The Vvitch - golden ale with pumpkin and spices

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: Chasing Ghosts IPA

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!

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: I Am The Vvitch - golden ale with pumpkin and spices

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

On Tap: I Am The Vvitch - golden ale with pumpkin and spices

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

RoHa Brewing Project 30 Kensington Ave, SLC RoHaBrewing.com

On Tap: Recession Proof Hazy Pale Ale

Level Crossing Brewing Co. 2496 S. West Temple, S. 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: Forbidden Fruit Pomegranate and Blood Orange 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%

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. Strawberry Kolsch

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” Hazy Pale; “Trouble” American Sour with Mango and Passionfruit TF Brewing 936 S. 300 West, SLC TFBrewing.com On Tap: Twelve taps and high point cans available.

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: Blueberry Spruce Tip

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

Talisman Brewing Co.

1258 Gibson Ave, 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

Lager Love’n

Two regionally inspired lagers you’ll simply adore.

BY MIKE RIEDEL comments@cityweekly.net @utahbeer

Level Crossing - Unknown Legend:

This new Czech-style Pilsner looks to be part of Level Crossing’s standard line-up. Though the first Pilsners were brewed in what is now the Czech Republic, the Bohemian region back in 1842 was part of the Austrian Empire, so I’ll let you decide on who gets the bragging rights. For me, we’re all winners every chance we get to swig a couple of pints.

From the moment it hits the glass, a vibrant, golden hue gleams refreshment, hinting at the fun to come. The hop profile here is really fresh. While rooted in classic Czech lager tradition, it introduces a cool modern twist with a hint of Hallertau Blanc and X-14 hops.

This isn’t a bold, aggressive hop bomb; these additions weave a nice ribbon of flavor. The Hallertau Blanc contributes a hint of white grape and subtle floral notes, while the X-14 hops add a nuanced fruitiness—a touch of ripe pear or some soft stone fruit—that elevates the experience beyond typical expectations. This interplay creates that characteristic fuller body and luscious mouthfeel that dedicated Czech lager enthusiasts cherish. At 6.2 percent ABV, it carries a satisfying weight without ever feeling heavy. It’s perfectly balanced, offering a crisp, clean finish that invites another sip. The bitterness is present but restrained, acting as a counterpoint to the subtle sweetness and fruitiness from the hops, rather than dominating.

Verdict: You can tell that the brewers respect the heritage while subtly pushing the boundaries, delivering a supremely drinkable experience. For anyone who appreciates the artistry of a well-crafted lager, Unknown Legend is an absolute must-try.

Grid City - Drunken Kitchen Rice Lager: Ever since the genius propri-

etors of Drunken Kitchen took over the front-of-house operations at Grid City Beer Works, the chefs and have looked to collaborate on beer that would be the perfect one-two-punch. That time has now arrived.

This isn’t just a rice beer; it’s an experience that explores what a rice lager can be. From the first pour, its pale, almost ethereal appearance hints at the journey awaiting the palate. This brew combines pilsner malt with a massive amount of jasmine rice, laying a foundation of subtle sweetness and a uniquely smooth texture. The aromatic profile draws you in as a prominent “salad” of Huel Melon and Saaz hops blasts the nostrils, delivering an invigorating burst of lemon zest that dominates the nose; it’s bright and zesty without being overpowering. Beneath this vibrant citrus, an undercurrent of toasty grains grounds the aroma, adding a depth that belies its light appearance.

The taste follows through on this promise beautifully. The initial sip mirrors the lemon zest, crisp and refreshing, before the inherent sweetness of the jasmine rice and pilsner malt emerges. But what truly sets this lager apart is its body. It’s light but fortified, possessing a crisp-but-silky mouthfeel that defies its modest 5.0 percent ABV. This “crazy body” is a testament to the magic of the rice and hop bill working in perfect harmony, creating a sensation that is both airy and substantial. The finish is where this beer truly shines, though, wrapping up the experience with a unique, softly sweet character that gracefully transitions into a remarkably dry conclusion. It’s clean, refreshing and leaves a lingering impression of sophisticated craftsmanship.

Verdict: Drunken Kitchen Rice Lager is an innovative take on the rice lager, offering a truly distinctive profile that is both intriguing and incredibly drinkable. It’s a must-try for those seeking something different and balanced.

Both of these offerings look to enter their breweries’ respective regular line-ups. That can all change, so don’t be complacent—find these now and enjoy them. You’ll love how different they both are.

As always, cheers!

the BACK BURNER

BY ALEX SPRINGER | @captainspringer

Utah Food Bank Needs Donations

More than 87,000 local households will be without federal food assistance during the month of November as the government shutdown (still going at press time) has put Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding on hold. To prepare for this widespread lack of aid, the Utah Food Bank (utahfoodbank.org) is asking for a higher volume of donations this holiday season. The usual channels for donation are open—donations can be made to any of the Food Bank pantries directly, and local grocers like Harmon’s typically have donation bins for non-perishable items. Finding ways to volunteer at the Food Bank or support them with financial donations will also be welcome.

The Sunroom at Homestead Opens

The Homestead Resort (homesteadmidwayutah.com) in Midway recently announced the opening of a new dining concept called The Sunroom at Homestead. The restaurant has been set up in the resort’s historic Virginia House, which recently has been restored and remodeled. The Sunroom’s menu of small plates and entrees will pull liberally from the locally produced ingredients that Midway has to offer. During the morning and afternoon, the dining space will be open for Milk House guests and will transform into a swankier dining setting after 4 p.m. With a menu that includes everything from deviled eggs carbonara, lamb skewers and a six-ounce Wagyu tenderloin with boursin cheese, it’s shaping up to be quite the tasty addition.

Murder Mystery Dinner at La Caille

As local French restaurant La Caille (lacaille.com) has been a stand-in for palatial mansions in many Hollywood films, a spooky murder mystery dinner is right at home this time of year. From Oct. 30 - 31, the restaurant will be hosting a Hollywood Horror murder mystery from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. During this time, guests are encouraged to don their finest golden age Hollywood attire and attempt to unravel a chilling murder while enjoying some tasty bites and the timeless backdrop of La Caille. Anyone who fancies themselves an amateur detective—or simply loves to make French food disappear—will want to check out this spooky, stylish event.

Quote of the Week: “Leave the gun, take the cannoli.” — Peter Clemenza (Richard S. Castellano), The Godfather

Live and Unexpected

Local musicians share tales of the weirdest things that happened during performances.

BY EMILEE ATKINSON eatkinson@cityweekly.net @emileelovesvinyl

Not every live show goes exactly as planned—and SLC musicians know this better than anyone. Here are some stories from local favorites in response to the question, “What’s the craziest thing that’s happened at one of your shows?”

Tariq Abou-Bakr: “I played a show a day before my birthday here in Salt Lake City at Lake Effect. I had some friends in attendance. A waitress came and said it was one of the employee’s birthdays and asked me to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to them. I unsuspectingly started playing ‘Happy Birthday’ (which I hate playing, because it’s not a good song), and when the time came to say the name of the person whose birthday it was, all of my friends shouted my name. It turns out there was no employee’s birthday and it was a plan to make me sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to myself. It was super funny, super awkward and slightly embarrassing.”

Lisa and the Missing Pieces: “Our soundboard freaked out one night when playing Gracie’s. For reasons we still don’t fully understand, several of the channels were not working, though they had been working just a few days before at practice and worked subsequently after the gig. Board gremlins, perhaps! Our sound person, Steven, and all the band members were trying to troubleshoot the problem;

the show must go on! We got out a screwdriver and unscrewed a small, old board from the wall under the TV in the performance space, dusted it off and plugged in! It probably hadn’t been used in whoknows-how-long. ... It had some glitchy buttons, but Steven figured out what was needed to make it work, and we did the show. I believe these kinds of moments when you have to be thinking on your feet, problem-solving, knowing the show must go on are excellent training. ‘Live’ means ‘live,’ and whatever you have to do to make it work, you do! I think years of being in the theater increased my appreciation for these moments.

“Also, when we played the Utah Arts Festival this year, we were under two sideby-side canopy tents, the ones you usually see at outdoor venues where stages are set up in places that there are not more permanent structures. They work great, and we have played under many over the years. There had been a quick and heavy rain that had passed through SLC in the early morning hours. We arrived at the venue, set up and at the very end of the soundcheck, a strong gust of wind blew all the rainwater that had settled into the tops of the tents through the small crack between them. WHOOSH!!!! Water came pouring onto Mark the drummer, his drum kit, me, my guitar and my amp. An extra, cooling shower on a hot day! Our bass player Byron had a few towels with him and the guys working the gig, Dusk and Larry, helped mop up the stage, the instruments and amps. Took a few minutes, but then it was time to roll—and we did! With some wet clothes and hair (well Mark doesn’t have hair, but I do), we started the set, and laughed our way through the first few songs. These unexpected things can help increase the connection to the fun, joy and spontaneity of playing live!”

Scott Lippitt: “The first time I played at Urban Lounge, I was trying out in-ear monitors for the first time (musicians hear

MUSIC

themselves through discreet headphones instead of the on-stage speakers). In addition, I was playing accompanying backing tracks through my computer. When I performed, I thought everything sounded awesome! I found out later that none of my backing tracks made it to the audience. I was deeply embarrassed when I heard the news—especially because there were pauses in which I wasn’t playing guitar at all, so the audience just saw me standing there!!”

The Proper Way: “We did pick up a meth-head stalker, once. He heard us at a public and well-attended Christmas performance, and asked for a card. No big deal. And then he showed up at our next gig at a ski resort. He had an acoustic bass guitar with him, and he ‘played’ along with us. Then he showed up at our next gig, the next night, at a brewery in SLC. They told us he’d been there for hours, waiting on us; he had his bass again. Afterwards, he helped us load our gear back into the

Stalkers, bad weather and malfunctioning equipment have made for some strange local shows

truck. He also made some very bizarre and disturbing comments. We wound up taking our schedule off our website until he stopped following us around.

Once, in Wyoming, a bird pooped on Scott’s face. And his guitar. In the middle of a song. We couldn’t clean it up until we were done.

We once arrived at our house concert to find that there were seven guys there. We assumed that the women in the group were out doing something, and would be back later. Nope. It was just seven guys.

Once, we were playing at a certain SLC resort that has a huge event that ends in ‘TOBERFEST,’ and a woman pulled a tambourine out of her purse and played along—completely out of time with what we were playing.

We played a wedding on a ranch in a certain Wyoming destination town where a bunch of goats got into our truck. They ate all the crumbs off the floor mats, so overall it was a win.” CW

BEST BAR IN UTAH!

MUSIC PICK S

Feed Me @ Sky SLC 10/30

Just in time for Halloween weekend, Feed Me—who is known for intense and somewhat scary animated visuals—will be in town. The British drum-and-bass/dubstep artist Feed Me (aka Jon Gooch) excels in bass-driven electronic music, and has a unique ability to create an immersive audio-visual experience with his live performances. His shows are known for high production value, pulling audiences in by engaging the eyes as much as the ears; there’s really no separation between the video, audio and motion art. Gooch features heavy, aggressive basslines, such as in his song “Blood Red” that incorporates energetic guitar riffs and mixes genres like rock, pop and dubstep. While he was the first external artist to be featured on Deadmau5’s revered mau5trap label a decade ago, he has continued to stay relevant and fresh. For example, his song “Pyro” featuring fellow producer EMSKI was released last month, and is full of melodic maximalism that is heavy-hitting, keeping you interested with each beat drop. It also beautifully blends its intensity with moments of intimacy by layering sharp melodies and intricate textures that command attention. Come be mesmerized by his signature vibrant green monsters with sharp, teeth-baring grins full of insatiable hunger that visually scream, “Feed Me!” LNE Presents brings Feed Me to Sky SLC (149 Pierpont Ave.) this Thursday, Oct. 30. Doors open at 9:15 p.m. General admission costs $26.42 at tixr.com. (Arica Roberts)

MUSIC PICK S

Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist @ The Union 11/1

Freddie Gibbs deserves far more recognition in a world of one-note “A-pop” artists. To my mind, he’s responsible for some of the best rap records of the last 10 years. Taking into account two collabs with the beat conducta Madlib and two others with Al the Chemist a.k.a. The Alchemist, 20 mixtapes, solo long plays, assorted EPs as well as a Grammy nomination, Gangsta Gibbs has become a premier name in the underground, and quietly one of the most successful artists of today. “I’m just keeping it about the music, man, and doing what I gotta do. I don’t even pay no attention to all that Internet s—t,” Gibbs told Billboard.com. “I’m an artist. I’m not an influencer. I don’t care about no other rappers, nothing they got going on, man. It’s just about me in that booth and me doing what I gotta do. God bless everybody.” His use of wide vocabulary, wordplay, storytelling and imagery really does it for this listener. For the unfamiliar, I’d recommend both Shadow of a Doubt and Bandana as starting points. The former is a masterpiece in raw, hard-hitting lyrics and street level rap stylings; the latter is the record of an artist at the height of his powers—focused, detailed, intricate, precise and frequently awe-inspiring. MAVI and Sven Wunder open. Catch these acts for Alfredo: The Tour at The Union on Saturday, Nov 1. Doors at 6 p.m. Show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets for the all-ages show are $68.60 and can be found at ticketmaster.com. (Mark Dago)

Todd Snider Band @ The Commonwealth Room 11/1

Todd Snider has never been what one might refer to as predictable. He’s known for his sharp wit, insurgent attitude and a welldeserved reputation as a snarky smart-ass prone to poke fun at life’s little absurdities with what sometimes seems like a stoner’s perspective. Known to keep his listeners guessing as to his immediate intents, he’s an antihero of sorts, one who has little concern for political correctness or any sort of reverence for the norms. His various releases—his auspicious debut East Nashville Skyline, the intriguingly dubbed Peace Queer and 2012’s tellingly titled Agnostic Hymns and Stoner Fables—provide testimony to those arch ambitions, and yet, he’s also found a proud place in the pantheon of true Americana outlaws and proto-pioneers like Kris Kristofferson, Jimmy Buffett, Guy Clark, John Prine and Jerry Jeff Walker. Snider continues to carry their torch, although he admits in his bio, “I sing about dead friends more than girls these days.” Indeed, Snider’s latest album, High, Lonesome and Then Some carries on that tradition. He goes on to say, “I’ve never gotten to stop and go. I can’t believe I got away with that … I never did anything I didn’t want to do…. I just figured I’d be living in someone’s garage my whole life.” Had that been the case, there would likely have been plenty of people who would have invited him in. Todd Snider Band performs a 21+ show at The Commonwealth Room at 8 p.m. on Saturday, November 1. Tickets cost $43 - $82 at axs.com. (Lee Zimmerman)

AFI @ The Complex, 11/1

Lead vocalist Davey Havok formed the earliest version of punk band AFI (A Fire Inside) in Ukiah, Calif. in 1991; the band got its real start in late ’93 with a show at Petaluma’s Phoenix Theater. Moving to Berkeley, the group began a run of self-released EPs. Signing with Wingnut Records, they released their debut full length, Answer That and Stay Fashionable in 1995, and their good-natured take on hardcore won the group a dedicated following. AFI’s breakthrough came with Butch Vig-produced album number six, 2003’s Sing the Sorrow; that record hit

No. 5 on the Billboard 200, and was named by Alternative Press as that year’s most anticipated album. Subsequent releases have consistently earned critical praise, with 2017’s self-titled release (aka The Blood Album) coming in for special plaudits for its winning synthesis of punk, new wave and gothrock textures. In October 2025, AFI released Silver Bleeds the Black Sun, their twelfth album, to by-now-predictably rapturous critical response; some reviews called it the band’s best record in more than a decade. In support of that album, AFI comes to The Complex for an all-ages show on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 8 p.m. Advance tickets are $46.90 from thecomplexslc.com. (Bill Kopp)

Earl Sweatshirt @ The Complex 11/5

Earl Sweatshirt, whose real name is Thebe Neruda Kgositsile, may be a chip off the old block in more ways than one. Considering he’s son of a university professor and South African poet, it’s no surprise that words and lyrics are second nature to this California native. Earl’s run of projects since 2013, both solo and collaborative, is pretty unbelievable. Doris, I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside, Some Rap Songs, Sick!, Voir Dire and the recently released Live Laugh Love all prove he doesn’t miss. He has really come a long way, subverting the stereotype of hip-hop through outrageous music videos, songs and interviews. “That’s what rap did, it came as the first genre that said, ‘We got room for everything,’ by way of what was initially dealt with as theft and piracy,” Earl told DazedDigital.com. “Rap is the number zero, you can multiply it, throw anything in it and it’s just zero. It can be folk, it can be gospel, it can be anything. It’s forever.” Such a creative rhymer with such a unique flow, Earl continues to grow with each project in a seemingly effortless way. I’m genuinely excited to see where he goes next, because I have no idea what to expect—but I’m all here for every bit of it. Liv.e, Zelooperz and Cletus Strap open. Catch these musicians at the Complex on Wednesday, Nov 5. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets for this all-ages event are $46.90 at thecomplexslc.com (Mark Dago)

free will ASTROLOGY

BY ROB BREZSNY

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

Outside a village in Ghana, a healer gathers plants only when the moon says yes. She speaks the names of each leaf aloud, as if to ask permission, and never picks more than needed. She trusts that each herb has its wisdom she can learn from. I invite you to emulate her approach. Now is a time to search for resources you need to heal and thrive. The best approach is to be receptive to what life brings you and approach with reverence and gratitude. Halloween costume suggestion: herbalist, traditional healer, sacred botanist.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

A well-cut ship’s sail is not a flat sheet. It has a gentle curve that sailmakers craft stitch by stitch so the wind will convert invisible pressure into forward motion. Too taut and the cloth flaps, wasting energy; too loose and power dissipates. The miracle lies in geometry tuned to unseen currents. I invite you to be inspired by this approach. Build curvature into plans so that optimism isn’t an afterthought but a structural feature. Calibrate your approaches to natural processes so movement arises from alignment rather than brute effort. Make sure your progress is fueled by what you love and trust. Halloween costume suggestion: Wear a sail.

GEMINI

(May 21-June 20)

All of us benefit from phases of purification: periods when we dedicate ourselves to cleansing, shedding and simplifying. During these intense times of self-healing, we might check our integrity levels to see if they remain high. We can atone for mistakes, scrub away messy karma and dismantle wasteful habits. Here’s another essential practice: disconnecting ourselves from influences that lower our energy and demean our soul. The coming weeks will be a perfect time to engage in these therapeutic pleasures, Gemini. Halloween costume suggestion: purifier, rejuvenator, cleanser, refiner.

CANCER

(June 21-July 22)

Deep in the Pacific Ocean, male humpback whales sing the longest, slowest, most intricate love songs ever. Their bass tones are loud and strong, sometimes traveling for miles before reaching their intended recipients. The coming weeks will be an excellent time to compose and unleash your own ultimate love songs, Cancerian. Your emotional intelligence is peaking, and your passionate intensity is extra refined and attractive. Meditate on the specific nature of the gifts you want to offer and receive in return. Halloween costume suggestion: singer of love songs.

LEO

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Between 1680 and 1725, Italy’s Antonio Stradivari and his family made legendary violins that are highly valued today. They selected alpine spruce trees and Balkan maple, seasoned the wood for years, and laid varnish in painstaking layers that produced sublime resonance. Their genius craftsmanship can be summed up as the cumulative magic of meticulousness over time. I recommend their approach to you, Leo. Be in service to the long game. Commune with people, tools and commitments that age well. Act on the theory that beautiful tone is perfected in layers. Halloween costume suggestion: a fine craftsperson.

VIRGO

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Trained women dancers in Rajasthan, India, perform the ancient art of bhavai As folk music plays, they balance on the dull edge of a sword and hold up to 20 clay pots on their head. They sway with elegance and artistry, demonstrating an ultimate embodiment of “grace under pressure.” I don’t foresee challenges as demanding as that for you, Virgo. But I suspect you will have the poise and focus to accomplish the metaphorical equivalents of such a feat. Halloween costume suggestion: regal acrobat or nimble dancer.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

In 1968, Stanford researchers conducted the “marshmallow test.” Children were offered a single treat immediately. But if they didn’t quickly gobble down the marshmallow, postponing their gratification, they were awarded with two candies later. Kids who held out for the double reward didn’t do so by sheer willpower. Rather, they found ways to distract themselves to make the wait bearable: making up games, focusing attention elsewhere and adjusting their surroundings. I advise you to learn from their approach. Cultivate forbearance and poise without dimming your passion. Harness small triumphs of will into big, long-term gains. Diligent, focused effort invested now will almost certainly lead to satisfying outcomes. So please prioritize incremental, systematic grunt work over stunts and adrenaline. Halloween costume trick: carry two marshmallows.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

In the late 18th century, Balloonomania came to Paris. Large crowds gathered to watch inventors and impresarios send hot air balloons into the sky. Spectators were astonished, fearful and filled with wonder. Some wept, and some fainted. I suspect you’re due for your own exhilarating lift-off, Scorpio—a surge of inspiration that may bewilder a few witnesses but will delight those with open minds. Halloween costume prop: wings.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Don’t be too shocked by my list of materials that might turn out to be valuable: grime, muck, scuzz, scum, slop, bilge, slime and glop. Amazingly, this stuff may conceal treasures or be converted into unexpected building materials. Dive in and explore the disguised bounty. Proceed on the assumption that you will find things you can use when you distrust first impressions and probe beneath surfaces. Halloween costume suggestions: sacred janitor, recycling wizard, garbage genius.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

In the tidepools of the Pacific Northwest lives the ochre starfish, a keystone species that keeps mussel populations in check. Remove the starfish, and the ecosystem collapses. Let’s make this creature your power symbol, Capricorn. The visible effect of your presence may not be flashy or vivid, but you will hold a stabilizing role in a group, project or relationship. Your quiet influence can keep things harmonious. Your gift is not to dominate the scene, but to keep the whole system alive and diverse. Halloween costume suggestion: ochre starfish.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

For hundreds of years, the Blackfoot people of North America built buffalo jumps. These were steep cliffs where bison could be guided and driven over the edge during a hunt. It required elaborate cooperation. Scouts tracked the herd, decoys lured them toward the drop, and teams waited below to process the meat, hides and bones for the community’s sustenance. I hope you will engage in smaller versions of this. Now is a time to initiate, inspire and foster shared efforts. Make it a high priority to work with allies you trust. Halloween costume suggestions: shepherd, sheep dog, cowboy, vaquero.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

In the ancient Greek world, oracles spoke in riddles. This was not because they were coy, but because they understood truth must often arrive obliquely. Directness is overrated when the soul is in motion. Mythic modes of perception don’t obey logic. In this spirit, I invite you to make riddles and ambiguities your allies. A dream, overheard conversation or misheard lyric may contain an enigmatic but pithy code. Be alert for messages that arrive sideways and upside down. Tilt your head. Read between the flames. You will understand when your heart recognizes what your mind can’t name. Halloween costume suggestion: oracle or fortune-teller.

urban LIVING

WITH BABS DELAY

Broker, Urban Utah Homes & Estates, urbanutah.com

Hamburger Helper

Iam definitely a foodie. My mother was a food columnist and my grandmother was one of the first women to cook on television. Both aunts were food stylists for major magazines as well as the Betty Crocker label, and my uncle and his wife had a very famous chefs store in NYC that catered to folks like Julia Child and James Beard.

I grew up cooking, but in college I was poor and ate 10-cent ramen and 40-cent boxes of Hamburger Helper. Yeah, the meat cost extra, but ground turkey had become a thing and was super cheap to add as a protein.

The Today Show recently reported on the “Hamburger Helper Index.” Basically, when sales of that product go up, it indicates that our economy is in trouble. Well, Hamburger Helper, the cost-effective comfort food, is seeing a surge in popularity, highlighted by the economic pressures consumers are facing at the dinner table.

A box of the stuff now costs around $2.50, and there are more than 40 varieties of Hamburger Helper products— including beef, chicken and tuna options—in a wide range of flavors and pasta or rice shapes (the exact numbers can vary, as new flavors are introduced and others are discontinued).

It got noticed recently on the TV series The Bear, when Chef Sydney helped a teenager elevate a box of the stuff by adding onions, heavy cream and freshly grated cheese, finishing it with toasted panko breadcrumbs for texture. Yum! That show may have sparked more interest in the product, as sales have increased this year by 14.9%.

People are looking for cheaper food options—I know I am. Hell, every time I buy a single bag of groceries, the charge is close to $100 or more!

There’s also an informal economic indicator called the “cardboard box index,” which uses box production and shipments as a measure of consumer spending and overall economic health. According to the Monday Morning Economist newsletter, almost every product we buy spends time inside a box. Former Fed Chair Alan Greenspan even followed the index when he held the post from 1987 to 2006.

Over the past few months, several U.S. box makers have announced closures or cutbacks, with an estimate of 9% of box production set to shut down, putting thousands of workers out of jobs. Fewer orders equals weaker demand, and weaker demand suggests we’re heading into a recession.

How to survive? Try more budget meats. I love the carniceria at Rancho Markets for deals. Split ground beef with canned beans or lentils. Don’t add meat and, instead, break an egg or two over the pan of noodley goodness, cover it and cook til done. Add cheap nutritional yeast for a savory flavor and cottage cheese for the lasagna box.

Yes, Hamburger Helper is not the healthiest meal alternative (have you read the ingredients?) but it’s cheap, done in 20 minutes and tastes okay! I’ll admit that I bought a box last week and I ate every bit of it. Dinner was under $8 for two of us. Winning! ■

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS

1. No longer dangerous

6. Cut (down)

9. “Take ___ from me ...”

13. Pizza topping, technically

14. “Lucky Jim” novelist Kingsley

16. Salacious

17. True to a cause

18. “Archer” character Kane

19. Night, at the MusÈe

20. 2002 Disney title duo

23. “Much ___ About Nothing”

25. 1960s TV Tarzan Ron who died in 2024

26. “Didn’t see you there!”

27. Almost there

30. Kyoto currency

31. Think ahead

32. Title for Galahad or Guinness

33. Singer Sumac

35. Place to get the highlights?

37. Statute

39. Make happy

43. Grass roll

45. Brain activity meas.

47. Volunteer’s offer

48. Abbr. in many Black church names

51. ‘70s sitcom character always talking about “the big one”

54. 1930s world heavyweight champion whose son was on “The Beverly Hillbillies”

56. Mid-afternoon drink

57. High points

58. Terrain that’s tough to predict, or a representation of the circled letters

61. “Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday” writer Jacques

62. Cold cuts shop

63. Out of style

66. Ht. above sea level

67. Aspiring DA’s exam

68. Greek salad item

69. Mineral deposit

70. U.S. Election Day, e.g.

71. Command to an attack dog

DOWN

1. Gallaudet University subj.

2. Confucian principle

3. Support small businesses, perhaps

4. Berry in a bowl

5. Former Fed head Janet

6. Kuala Lumpur’s country

7. Muscat’s country

8. Schedule space, metaphorically

9. “L.A. Law” character Becker

10. Without slack

11. Christmas tree decoration

12. Slithering constrictor

15. Strut about

21. Former American automaker

22. Herb in stuffing

23. Hooded vipers

24. “3 Feet High and Rising” group ___ Soul

28. Hawaiian mackerels

29. Took a curved path

34. Arabic alphabet starter

36. Jack Sprat’s dietary rule

38. Experiment area

40. Word that forms a retronym when appearing before “guitar”

41. Baseball field cover

42. Concludes

44. Hanukkah toy nobody actually plays with, spelled more Yiddishly

46. Earth goddess of Greek mythology

48. Beer brand from Holland

65. FDR or JFK

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

BY

The Entrepreneurial Spirit

On Oct. 18 in Bangkok, Thailand, Pittaya Moolin, 51, was arrested as he conducted a delicate procedure in the backseat of his vintage Toyota Corolla, the Daily Mail reported. Moolin, also known as Chang Yai Modify, allegedly offered genital enhancement treatments to men in the region in spite of the fact that he is not licensed to perform such services. He promoted his business on TikTok, offering penis enlargement, circumcision and pearl implantations, saying he learned how to do the surgeries by watching social media videos. “I became interested in this kind of work, so I studied and developed it as a side hustle to supplement my income,” he said. Authorities found no sterilizing equipment in the makeshift operating theater, but they did find local anesthetics, surgical blades, needles and other equipment. He was charged with practicing medicine without registration and authorization, which could land him in prison for three years.

Animal Antics

Ray Ray the cat did not want to be left behind when his family left home in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, for Keene, New Hampshire, on Sept. 26, The Washington Post reported. After driving about 100 miles, Tony Denardo, Ray Ray’s owner, stopped the family van for a bathroom break and discovered the 8-year-old cat clinging to the vehicle’s roof. “How did this cat stay on there?” wondered Tony’s wife, Margaret. “And he was completely unfazed.” The family believe Ray Ray lodged himself in between luggage strapped to the van’s top as they sped along the interstates. The Denardos leaned in, stopping at a pet store for a leash, harness, backpack and food for Ray Ray, and he joined the adventure. Tony carried him across the finish line at a marathon in Keene, and Ray Ray “seemed to really like Times Square at night,” Margaret said of their stop in New York City. She plans to write a children’s book about her pet’s adventure.

Suspicions Confirmed

You may have heard that gold prices are at an alltime high, so it’s no wonder people are willing to go to extreme lengths to get their hands on it. Or, in this case, their private parts. Three women from Hong Kong were arrested in Japan on Oct. 20 for trying to smuggle about 8 kilograms of gold powder in their underwear, The Mainichi reported. The women were recruited by Masamori Nishimura, 34, they said, to conceal pouches of gold powder on a flight bound for Tokyo last summer. The precious metal was valued at about $650,000. The smugglers’ payment? Cash and travel expenses.

The Passing Parade

Kira Cousins, 22, of Airdrie, Scotland, allegedly misled family and friends for months about her pregnancy and the Oct. 10 birth of her daughter, Bonnie-Leigh Joyce, the Daily Star reported on Oct. 20. She wore a prosthetic baby bump and introduced a plastic Reborn doll as her newborn—even to the baby’s supposed dad. Cousins also claimed the baby girl had health problems including a heart defect, which was why she wouldn’t allow anyone to hold her. When her mom discovered the doll, Cousins messaged the would-be dad that Bonnie-Leigh had passed away, but the deception was soon revealed. “Everybody believed her,” said friend Neave McRobert. “We were all so happy. I feel totally used and drained.” Another friend said she had “noticed straight away that her bump wasn’t real. You could see the straps on her back holding it on.” Cousins declined to comment.

What’s in a Name?

When police responded to a call from a home in Crawford County, Kansas, on Oct. 18, they found a red pickup truck that had been stolen earlier in the week, KAKE-TV reported. Officers were told that the truck had pulled into the property and the driver had asked the resident for gasoline, and to “not call the cops.” So they called the cops. The driver, Michael Jackson—”and not the one who sang ‘Billie Jean,’” they said—was arrested for possessing stolen property.

Inexplicable

Residents of the Rockridge area of Oakland, California, are on high alert, KTVU-TV reported, after someone keeps throwing rocks through their homes’ windows. The attacks have been going on for almost a year. Luis Aguirre said that his home was targeted three weeks ago, after which he installed security cameras. On Oct. 6, video caught the man throwing a rock through Aguirre’s car window. “We got footage of the individual who did it,” he said. “Just aimlessly walking in the middle of the street.” Another homeowner said her duplex was hit six times in the last year. Neighbors have spent thousands of dollars repairing the damage. Oakland Police are investigating but can’t confirm that the incidents are related.

Compelling Explanation

The trial began on Oct. 17 in Houston for Kristina Chambers, 34, who is accused of manslaughter, the Houston Chronicle reported. In 2023, Joseph McMullin, 33, was leaving a doughnut store with a date when he was struck and killed by Chambers’ Porsche 911 Carrera. Police said Chambers was four times over the legal alcohol limit and had baggies of cocaine in her car and purse, and they estimated she was driving about 70 mph when she hit McMullin. He was thrown about 30 feet and died at the scene. Chambers’ attorney, Mark Thiessen, however, posited that it was Chambers’ Christian Louboutin shoes that caused the accident, claiming the heel got stuck on the car’s gas pedal. Chambers could serve up to 20 years in prison if she is convicted.

Nature Gone Wild

Residents of Christmas Island, about 900 miles from Australia, are carrying rakes in their cars and avoiding driving at certain times as the annual red crab migration begins, ABC reported on Oct. 21. Each year, 100 million crabs leave their forest burrows and make their way to the ocean, where they lay eggs. “We have to put rakes in our cars and leaf blowers to ensure the crabs have a safe passage,” said Christmas Island National Park acting manager Alexia Jankowski. “A lot of people, if they can, will work from home,” said resident Megs Powell. “It’s one of the most amazing wildlife experiences you can see on the planet,” said Oliver Lines, director of community services.

News You Can Use

Denise Bacon, 65, of East Sussex, England, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2014, The Washington Post reported. The condition affected her ability to walk, swim, dance and play the clarinet. Doctors at London’s King’s College Hospital recently revealed that Bacon underwent deep brain stimulation in July—and played her clarinet during the procedure. As she played, doctors stimulated her brain, one electrode at a time. Neurosurgeon Keyoumars Ashkan said the effects could be seen immediately. As the right side of her brain was stimulated, he said, her left fingers were “flying,” while her right-hand fingers were “stiff and slow and couldn’t move.” Bacon is “delighted” with the outcome and said she’s “keen to get back in the swimming pool, and on the dance floor to see if my abilities have improved there.”

Saw That Coming

An accidental shooting left an 89-year-old woman with an injury to one of her legs on Oct. 20 in Flanders, New Jersey, the Daily Record reported. It happened at Frank’s Pizza, where 70-year-old William H. Schmieding was having dinner with two friends. Schmieding unholstered his handgun and moved to clear the ammunition from it, but a bullet was fired, ricocheted off a chair and struck the woman. Schmieding, of White House Station, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault, violating safe carry firearm requirements, and prohibited carrying of a firearm.

IHC Health Services, Inc. (dba Intermountain Health) seeks a Business Analyst - Digital Products, 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: $105,000.00 - $115,000.00/yr.