From coffee to cocktails, birds to bitters, and sled dogs to sunsets, there's a December activity for everyone. Instead of burrowing yourself deeper into the couch cushions this winter, why not spice up your dating routine or family night with one of these cold-weather date night ideas? From meeting dog sled pups and learning how to curl like a Canadian, to visiting the … [Read more...]
Archives for December 2021
Pete Marshall Recounts Plum Alley and The Chinese Tong and Mafia in Salt Lake
Downtown Salt Lake City’s Main Street is probably best known as the home of Temple Square, where millions of lights (usually, but not this year) shine around the reflecting pond that rests just outside of the 130-year-old Mormon temple. Downtown is the place where pious Latter-Day Saints worship and do billions of dollars of business, from banking, to insurance, to books, … [Read more...]
An Immigrant Woman Christmas Story: Triumphing over a Tragedy
As temperatures and COVID numbers keep falling, families across the valley look forward to enjoying every minute of the 2021 holiday season. But sometimes hardship and tragedy can make the holidays a desperate time. In 1984, after tragedy struck for Vasi Sergakis, the minutes couldn’t move fast enough. Earlier that year, her husband Mike passed away, making her sole owner of … [Read more...]
Meet Krampus, the Anti-Santa Who Seeks Disobedient Children this Christmas Season
There are various pieces of holiday lore scattered around the world that might seem to fall more in the traditions of Halloween than of the jolly contemporary versions of the winter and Christmas Holidays. But these Winter Holidays have darker historical trappings than most people realize, as there are all manner of grotesque metaphysical beings and beasties that lurk about … [Read more...]
Frank Page: A Local Author on His Latest Novel and the Murder at the Green Parrot
On May 17, 1992, two armed men with ties to neo-Nazi groups attempted to rob the Green Parrot Night Club in Salt Lake, and fatally shot an employee. The tragic event shattered many lives. Frank Page and his brother Paul were two of the lives most affected by the heinous and senseless murder, changing them forever, and forging an even stronger bond between them. … [Read more...]
HO HO HOLIDAY DINING: Xmas and New Year’s Restaurant Dinners
On both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the Aerie restaurant at Snowbird’s Cliff Lodge will offer a special holiday menu from 5 to 9 p.m., priced at $79 per person, tax and gratuity not included. Executive Chef Ken Ohlinger’s holiday dinner starts with Bay Scallop Potato Chowder, followed by Roasted Pear & Blue Cheese Salad. The entree is a choice of Skate “Meuniere” with … [Read more...]
Chicken Lettuce Wraps
I’m pretty certain that at PF Chang’s restaurants the chicken lettuce wraps are the most popular menu item. I sure do love ‘em. Well, the recipe for the chain’s wraps is a closely guarded secret, but I think this one comes pretty close. One difference is that I prefer not to include the crispy rice sticks that are used at PF Chang’s as filler, but you could add them … [Read more...]
An Affordable French Bordeaux
If you’re in the market for an affordable red wine to pour for the holidays (or any other time), I have a Bordeaux to recommend. Yes, I said Bordeaux. “Bordeaux” and “affordable” aren’t uttered in the same sentence all that often. However, I found a really well-made, affordable Bordeaux from France that is solid, tasty, and priced here at a mere $12.11. Bordeaux for 12 … [Read more...]
Where to Celebrate Great Food and Wine this Winter
Private Holiday Dining at Caffe Molise The good folks at Caffe Molise want to remind you for private holiday dining to “book early to avoid disappointment” by emailing [email protected] or calling 801-364-8833 for information and pricing. Caffe Molise’s private dining rooms can accommodate events and private parties from an intimate gathering of 10 to a celebration … [Read more...]
Are Small Local Shops Competing with Amazon this Holiday Season?
Consumers have been shopping online at an increased rate since Covid-19 swept across our country. Many local stores had to close their doors early during the pandemic, and some were able to remain open with limited hours. Items that are usually bought on a trip to the local grocery store or home improvement store are now being purchased online more … [Read more...]