My Salt Lake Blog RSS

Salt Lake’s SLUG Magazine Celebrates 23 Years

Posted on by

Poster design by Maggie Zukowski

SLUG (SaltLake UnderGround) Magazine will be celebrating 23 years of much appreciated local music coverage with its Blue Dress Birthday Bash this Friday February 17, 2012. The party will be held at The Woodshed (60 East 800 South) near downtown Salt Lake City, and there’s an interesting, very SLUG-esque twist. You must, I mean MUST, wear a blue dress to be admitted entrance to the party. For those of you without a trusty blue dress in hand, sponsor Consignment Curcuit will be selling some of their best at the door ($5). You may ask why the strange clothing request, but there’s an interesting reason to require such a dress code.

A portion of the event proceeds will be donated to Volunteers of America’s Transitional Home for Young Men, a new home for Utah’s homeless, an often overlooked social problem. So if you aren’t comfortable wearing a blue dress, hopefully you’ll join the party in the spirit of charity! Local artists DJ Godina, Palace of Buddies, and God’s Revolver will be playing sweet tunes all night long clad in their own blue dresses.

God’s Revolver donned in blue dresses

Bottom Line: Five dollars at the door—and your prettiest blue dress—gets you in to see some great local music and supports homeless youth in Utah. And there’s going to be a special surprise at midnight… This is an event not be missed! Sponsored by PBR & Consignment Circuit.

Follow Nicole Mangino on twitter @nicolesnowbunny.


Powder Report: Snow in the Wasatch!

Posted on by
Snowbird’s photo of the day (02-13-12) should cheer snow-lovers up!

Since Salt Lake City locals have become accustomed to regularly scheduled winter snow storms, the 2012 season has been off to a rocky start. Literally. The conditions have forced everyone to be a little more cautious on the mountain.

However, ski travelers, don’t fear—things are beginning to shape up. This past weekend brought 12 inches of our favorite winter treat, and it looks like there’s more snowy weather on the horizon! Just in time for President’s Day Weekend.

Plenty of fresh snow to share at Brighton Resort

I spent the morning at Brighton Ski Resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon, and it was a beautiful, slightly sunny, fresh snow-filled day! Weekday powder days are my favorite: no crowds, no lines, plenty of fresh tracks. I’m exhausted, but I’m starting to get my powder legs back. The boulders, trees stumps, brush, and gullies are beginning to fill in very nicely, and there is some great skiing and riding to be had at all four of Salt Lake City’s amazing resorts.

Where will you be visiting this President’s Day weekend? Don’t forget to bring your helmet! Even though conditions are improving, I encourage anyone (familiar or unfamiliar with Utah ski resorts) visiting to buckle up.

Check out the latest snow report so that you can plan which gear to bring along for the ride to Utah. Happy skiing!

Sun & Fresh Snow = Perfect Combo

Follow Nicole Mangino on twitter @nicolesnowbunny.


Happy Valentine’s Day, SLC!

Posted on by

Valentine’s Day is almost here – how will you be celebrating? It’s not too late to plan a romantic night to share with your sweetie. There are plenty of theater, music, dance and dining events to consider, including Lady Antebellum at EnergySolutions Arena, Celtic Nights at Kingsbury Hall, dining specials at Salt Lake’s most romantic restaurants, and a lot more.

Salt Lake City Valentine’s Day Events

Salt Lake City Romantic Restaurants

Inexpensive Romantic Dining

SLC Sweetheart Dining Deals

Photo by Deborah Harrison. Read more from Marsha Maxwell at http://saltlakecity.about.com/.


Dojo: Fresh and Flavorful Asian Cuisine

Posted on by

The section of 300 South that stretches between 300 and 500 West is a treasure trove of great SLC eating spots, including Tony Caputo’s Market & Deli, Carlucci’s Bakery, and Bruges Waffles and Frites. Now Dojo Asian Inspired Cuisine and Lounge can be added to that list.

Dojo, a sleek, chic space attached to the Homewood Suites hotel near the Gateway, opened just over a year ago and quickly developed a reputation for fresh, top-quality sushi, killer ramen, and creative Asian appetizers, salads and entrees. It was named one of Salt Lake City’s best new restaurants for 2011 by City Weekly.

Full Review: Dojo Asian Inspired Cuisine and Lounge

Utah’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

Photo by Marsha Maxwell. Read more at http://saltlakecity.about.com/.


Genealogy Conference RootsTech 2012 a Hit in Salt Lake City

Posted on by

It’s hard to believe that another RootsTech conference has come and gone.  It was a whirlwind weekend packed full of genealogy, technology, and live social networking.

While at the conference held at the gorgeous Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City I managed to squeeze in interviews with the movers and shakers in family history between the classes I was teaching. (You can view the video of my Genealogy Podcasts and Blogs 101 presentation that was streamed live at RootsTech which is part of the Saturday Recap video on the RootsTech homepage.)

In this first video I’ll introduce you to one of the 4,000 genealogists and technologists that attended the event.  Carol is a Genealogy Gems Podcast listener and winner of a free RootsTech registration that we gave away on the Genealogy Gems Podcast Facebook fan page. In this interview, Carol shares her experience and what she learned at this innovative event.
YouTube Preview Image

Read more from Lisa Louise Cooke at www.genealogygems.com.


Inspiring ‘Ready to Fly’ Hits Theaters Feb. 10

Posted on by

Ready to Fly, a new documentary that chronicles the long battle to get women’s ski jumping included in the Winter Olympics, will premiere in Salt Lake City Friday, Feb. 10 as a part of the 2002 Winter Olympics 10th anniversary celebration.

The film tells the story of a determined group of ski jumpers and advocates, most from Salt Lake City and Park City, who lobbied and even sued the IOC for years to get a chance to compete in one of sport’s most prestigious events. At the time, ski jumping was the only Winter Olympic event to exclude women. Women’s ski jumping will be included in the Olympics for the first time at the Sochi games in 2014.

Ready to Fly focuses on Lindsay Van, a Park City, Utah native who was the first women’s ski jumping world champion in 2009. It also features Van’s U.S. Women’s Ski Jumping teammates and women’s ski jumping advocate Deedee Corradini, the former mayor of Salt Lake City. The film is written, directed and produced by SLC filmmaker William A. Kerig, director of the acclaimed 2009 big-mountain ski film The Edge of Never. The film will be screened Feb. 10-24, 2012 at all LHM Megaplex Theaters. Special screenings with appearances by the director and athletes will also be held in Park City, Ogden and Logan.

Ready to Fly screening schedule

Watch the Trailer

SLC February Events

Image courtesy Next Film, LLC. Read more from Marsha Maxwell at http://saltlakecity.about.com.


Ten Year Anniversary of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games

Posted on by

“The International Olympic Committee has decided we will award the delegation of the 19th Olympic Winter Games in two thousand and two, to the city of Salt Lake City!” – The date was June 16th, 1995. Local Utahns gathered to hear the decision from the International Olympic Committee as to where the 2002 Winter Olympic Games would be held. From the moment those words were spoken, cheers could be heard on every street corner, in every gathered crowd, and in homes across the state. With the official announcement came years of preparation and excitement, getting ready for the world to see how spectacular Salt Lake City really is. “Light The Fire Within” was the theme chosen for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

Photobucket

Me, my cousin, and my nephew pictured with Pat, one of those chosen to carry the flame in Kearns, Utah, in February 2002.

Fast forward to December 4, 2001. The Olympic Flame began its journey to Salt Lake City, Utah, from Olympia, Greece. It traveled across oceans, deserts, mountains and valleys to reach Olympic Cauldron Park in Salt Lake City on February 8, 2002, right in time for the opening ceremonies at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Local Utahns were chosen to carry the flame during the Olympic Torch Relay. Crowds lined the streets to get a look at the Olympic Flame and cheer for those that were honored to carry it.

My longtime neighbor, Senator Ed Mayne, was chosen as one of those selected to carry the Olympic Flame. You can see the excitement of the local community in the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-k_PQcGOyw

A fun way to celebrate the ten year anniversary of the Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City is to visit all of the venues where the Olympics were held. Visit Salt Lake has created an Olympic Legacy Tour on SCVNGR, where you can visit all of the olympic venues, and complete challenges on your smartphone through a free app. Download the free SCVNGR app on your phone, and complete all of the challenges:

Can you believe it is ten years later, and we are looking back to 2002 when the world came to Salt Lake City?! It almost doesn’t seem real. In the next month, there will be celebrations, displays and other events to celebrate the ten year anniversary:

Stay tuned to Enjoy Utah! for a look back at all memories of the 2002 Olympic Games.


Bar X: Don’t be fooled by the garish sign

Posted on by

Bar X, a downtown Salt Lake City staple since 1933, has been transformed under the guidance of savvy new ownership. Fun fact: You may have even seen of the owners, Ty Burrell, on ABC’s Modern Family. Once a seedy bar with a bad reputation, Bar X has now become a hip downtown hangout. Don’t be fooled by the flashy, Vegas-esque sign, the sole remnant of the old Bar X. The first time I walked into Bar X I felt like I was in an entirely different place.

Don't let Bar X's flashy exterior fool you

With no windows to reveal your modern Salt Lake City surroundings, Bar X has an almost speakeasy vibe to it. It’s dark, comfortable (even when packed with other patrons), unassuming, and swanky all at the same time.

Bar X is a great spot to grab a drink with friends, coworkers, or to bring a date. You can sneak off to a private corner booth or socialize in front of the building length bar.

Dim lights set the mood inside Bar X

Pick Your Poison

Bar X has an high-end cocktail menu to choose from. The drinks are a bit pricier than most Salt Lake City establishments, but I think the price is worth the ambiance.

My recommendation: The Moscow Mule (vodka, Ginger beer, lime, and a dash of mint) served in a traditional copper mug. Delicious.

Bottom Line

If price is your main concern when choosing an after dark destination, go next door to Johnny’s on Second. You can get a shot of well whiskey and a stein of beer for $5. But if you prefer a more quiet, hip, subdued, and sophisticated backdrop, give Bar X a try.

Bar X is located at 155 E 200 S in Downtown Salt Lake City. You really can’t miss the gigantic, glaring sign.

Follow Nicole Mangino on twitter @nicolesnowbunny.


SLC Sports Bars

Posted on by

With the NFL Super Bowl coming up and the Jazz on a hot streak, it’s an excellent time to check out one of the Salt Lake area’s favorite sports bars. There’s something about watching the big game on the big screen, with great friends and great food and drink, that you just don’t get at home. Click on the link below for a list of SLC sports bars, and enjoy the game!

Salt Lake Area Sports Bars

Like About SLC on Facebook

Follow Aboutslc on Twitter

Photo by Digital Vision. Read more from Marsha Maxwell at http://saltlakecity.about.com/.


Big Cottonwood Featured in Powder Magazine

Posted on by

The December 2011 issue of Powder Magazine featured an in-depth article about Salt Lake’s Big Cottonwood Canyon, home to Brighton and Solitude ski resorts. Compared to the popularity of Little Cottonwood Canyon, the glories of Big Cottonwood are often overlooked – so it’s nice to see Big Cottonwood get some attention in the ski world. It’s not as steep and prolific as Little Cottonwood, but if you know the right spots, it can be epic.

Here's a shot of Carston Oliver on the now famous "Sendy Wendy" cliff. There are lots of opportunities to go big at Brighton Resort. Photo by Adam Clark.

Here's a shot of myself at Brighton by Steve Lloyd. This photo was taken on the last night of night-skiing last year. What's funny is that this cliff is normally pretty big, but with the 20 foot snow pack shown here, it became much smaller.

Another shot of Carston by Steve Lloyd at one of our favorite backcountry zones outside of Brighton. If you look closely, you can see me lurking in the trees above the cliff.

Read more from Eric Balken at www.guttermeats.blogspot.com.