Looking for a different flavor of Salt Lake the next time you’re in town? While there are a few outlets for the sugar, there’s definately one genuine spice factory.
The easy way to get the “other” scoop on what Salt Lake tastes like is to pick up a copy of the Salt Lake City Weekly. Tagged as Salt Lake’s Independent guide to news, arts and entertainment it often offers much more.
Distribution boxes, like the one across the street from the Salt Lake Convention Center, can be found around town.
Copies are free and have heaps of event listings, restaurant reviews, alternative viewpoints, classifieds and lots of scoop on what’s happening throughout the valley – most of which you won’t read about anywhere else.
While walking through downtown Salt Lake the other day taking in a cool spring day marked by the occasional rain shower, I took a look around and realized that the city felt alive.
Indeed the amount of construction relative to the Downtown Rising projects can seem overwhealming if your focus is there, but look around and you may agree with me that there is a lively vibe.
Although I’m no photographer, I hope these images capture that feeling. If you’ve not been downtown to walk around lately, I suggest this weekend you do so as temperatures reach back into the 80’s.
Some Notes:
The snow is really crusty (hence the shakyness of the camera) and this is my first go at Final Cut Studio 2 and using a helmet cam (hence the poor angle in some of the shots). I expect the quality of the footage and editing to improve as I get better at this.
If you are interested in Salt Lake City local music scene, check out the all-ages,Kilby Court. You know, an indi-venue that features indi-bands with indi-names like: Ladytron, The Schwas, Dirty Vespuccis, and Harry and the Potters (my favorite). Also at this venue, you’ll also find some of Salt Lake’s hottest acts like the now famous Band of Annuals.
Don’t Bother Knockin’ The House Is A-ROCKIN’. The door to Kilby Court.continue reading…
I received an e-mail from my buddy Tim who up until 5 years ago when he moved to Seattle was a Snowbird regular. It simply said:
“You’d better be getting May powder at Snowbird today!”.
Surely, I wouldn’t let a 17″ May storm pass me by when the lifts are still running.
Arriving around 8:30am this morning the crowds were already starting to stack up at the Peruvian Express Lift. Like clock work, at 9am the first chair ascended into the clouds above, a fresh blanket of white awaiting squiggly signatures.
I had been waiting for my buddy to show up but as the line began to surge forward, the lure of untracked lines was more powerful than the bond of friendship and I gave in. Aside from Peruvian, Snowbird still has the Mineral Basin Express and Little Cloud lifts open, the two later helped in keeping my first run down Upper Silver Fox into mid cirque and below one of predominately first tracks. continue reading…
Today I wanted to try something new. What I ended up with was something new for me but very old for Salt Lake.
We were walking towards a lunch destination on Main Street that I’ve now forgotten when I spied Lamb’s Grill Cafe. Telling my lunch partners that I’d never been to Lamb’s we made a bee line for Utah’s oldest restaurant.
After settling on the Cajun Salad with Blackened Salmon I couldn’t resist the desert menu. Our server raved about the Chocolate Mouse with Kahlua and now I know why. It’s a definitely a must!
An interesting bit about the bread that they bring you when you arrive. The bread is baked in rounds and then cut right there by the servers. This bread cooked by Great Harvest using George Lamb’s original recipe that he used from the day he opened the restaurant back in 1919.
I had along with me a Flip video camera and captured a few moments. Definitely check out Lamb’s on Main Street in Downtown Salt Lake when you’re in the area next.
There’s a new drink in town. Actually, there are two. They’re seriously stiff. And they’re made right here in Salt Lake City. No kidding.
The High West Distillery, where proprietor David Perkins oversees the production of his award-winning Rendezvous Rye Whiskey and his new offering, Vodka 7000, is the first distillery in Utah since the olden days — the days before the prohibition.
While High West may be the state’s only modern-day distillery, Utah actually has a long history with spirits. During the late 1800s, Mormons produced their own brand, called Valley Tan. It was considered one of the better spirits in the West and earned praise from many, including British adventurer Captain Richard F. Burton and Mark Twain, said Del Vance, author of Beer in the Beehive.
With over 11′ of base, Snowbird’s spring skiing season looks as though it may last well into June. Sure spring skiing means less powder days, but it also means less crowds, softer snow, and tee-shirt attire.
Also, spring means backcountry skiing conditions are prime so the adventurer in you can explore the out of bounds terrain with less fear of being caught in an avalanche or freak snowstorm.
Snowbird will be open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 8am-2pm through Memorial Day Weekend with extended Tram service into June pending snow conditions.
You can find me harvesting the corn in Mineral Basin with the rest of Little Cottonwood’s skiers who refuse to accept the end of winter.
In July of 1847, the Mormon Pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley after an arduous 1300 mile trek. Upon arrival, their leader, Brigham Young, looked over the expansive valley below and boldly pronounced “This is the place.” Two days latter, he and a group of other leaders hiked up to a prominent point on the north side of the valley to see the view of the valley. When Brigham Young arrived to the spot known as Ensign Peak, he paused, looked down at his feet and said, ” . . . and this is the place we shall play TENNIS!” At least, I think that’s how the story goes.
For a heavenly match of tennis and a beautiful view of the city, travel to a lesser-known corner of Salt Lake City. Find state street and go north up Capitol Hill atop which you’ll find the newly renovated capitol building. Follow the road around to your right that curves past the capitol building and continue north up the road. This is East Capitol Boulevard. Eventually, you’ll be met by a ritzy gated community. Follow the road left (Ensign Vista Dr.) and after a block you’ll, arrive at Ensign Peak park. continue reading…
May 12-19 is National Bike to Work Week and Salt Lake is participating in full force with our version, Cycle Salt Lake. Today, Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon headed up the joint city/county Bike to Work Day. They met up with a number of bike commuters at Liberty Park this morning and the whole lot of them rode a planned route to the Salt Lake County Government Center and then to the Salt Lake City and County Building downtown. The ride ended with a free breakfast and raffle for participants.
Ralph Becker rides his bike to work on a regular basis and is a strong proponent of bike lane additions and improvements in Salt Lake City. If approved by the City Council, he will also be hiring a Bike Commissioner to serve in his administration. County Mayor Peter Corroon has been a bike advocate for his entire tenure, and has worked with the Salt Lake County Bicycle Advisory Committee, to make significant strides in promoting bike commuting and bike safety throughout the county.
Salt Lake City Mayor, Ralph Becker, with Bike to Work Day police escorts.
Events
Looking for a different flavor of Salt Lake the next time you’re in town? While there are a few outlets for the sugar, there’s definately one genuine spice factory.
