For many years, the sleepy town of Helper, Utah was only a place to stop for fuel on the way to and from the world-famous Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. In fact, many drivers didn’t even notice the little city tucked in along the mountainside nestled among the trees and river. But that wasn’t the case for Cindi Curry, the owner of Balance Rock Eatery and Pub, who … [Read more...]
The Evolution of Main Street in Moab, Utah
Barreling south on Highway 191, following the Old Spanish Trail, drivers cross the Colorado River to arrive in Moab, a town made up almost entirely of hotels and tourist traps, T-shirt shops, and eclectic cafes, all surrounded by stunning natural beauty. In the days of horse-drawn carriages, there was a precipitous 25-foot drop that required skillful maneuvering to gain … [Read more...]
The Rapidly Changing Face of Downtown Salt Lake City
Downtown Salt Lake City — The new Hyatt Regency has become a new crown jewel of Salt Lake City, resting beside the Salt Palace Convention Center. A block to the east, on Main Street, the former Pantages Theater has been sadly demolished. Soon to be rising in its place will be a 45-story luxury apartment tower funded by the Hines Corporation ― which has just over $90 billion in … [Read more...]
The Legacy of The Man Who Photographed Women Wearing Body Paint in the Utah Desert
The human body has always been the most popular subject in contemporary art, and Utah artist, architect and photographer, Paul Butler, became famous for his remarkable nude figure drawings and photos of women wearing body paint. During photography and painting sessions, his female models often shared with him their insecurities and discomfort regarding their … [Read more...]
Will Former Sugar House Sizzler Site Turn into a Gas Station? Sugar House Residents Kept in the Dark.
Gas Station proposed for corner property. In February earlier this year, Nathan Abbot, representing Galloway US, submitted a conditional use proposal to the SLC Planning Commission to build a Kum & Go convenience store and gas station on the parcel adjacent to the Sego Lily Plaza and the Draw at Sugar House Park (2111 South 1300 East). If the proposal is approved, it is … [Read more...]
Five Ways Utahns Can Save Water
Utah is in full-blown drought mode. Reservoirs and storage systems are desperately low, and even the Great Salt Lake, that paragon of salty buoyancy, is only slightly more than a shallow, briny puddle, instead of the vibrant desert ecosystem it is supposed to be. The evaporative effect of a full GSL is vital for normal weather patterns and the snowfall that fills the … [Read more...]
Green Phoenix Farm Helps Homeless Women in Salt Lake Get Back on Their Feet through Gardening
“I have nothing but good things to say about this program. I have been homeless for five years. This is the first time I’ve received a housing voucher, and it’s thanks to this program.” — Kate, Green Team member “I still volunteer there once a week because I love it so much. I give back because I’ve received so much.” —Teressa, Green Team alumni “Being of service … [Read more...]
The Last Ride on Number 6 Bus: 100 Years Long Mass Transit along Sixth Avenue in Salt Lake City Ends
It's the end of the line for the Number 6 bus. More than half a dozen people gathered at UTA's central station on August 6 to mark the occasion and take one last trip. "Commemorating a bus route that is about to be discontinued is a very fun idea," said rider Sam Thomas. The route's closure marks the end of mass transit along Sixth Avenue, which has seen public … [Read more...]
Five Things in Utah That Need To Go
#1 Lack of affordable housing A friend of mine recently vacated an apartment in hopes of finding another where she didn't have to pay a shared $1,400 rent for a two-bed, two-bath unit. Unfortunately, she hadn't done her homework, or she would have known that Salt Lake County's apartment vacancy rate is at an all-time low of 2 % and that the average rent for that size in Utah's … [Read more...]
Demise of Port O’ Call and Why Did the Borg Arrive In Utah?
The hidden story behind why Salt Lake City's most iconic bar of all time was replaced by a Borg cube. The GSA (Government Services Administration) decided in September 2006 that they would demolish one of Salt Lake City’s most popular non-Mormon destinations to assemble a massive cube-like building: a Federal Courthouse that looks just like the Borg spaceship from Star … [Read more...]