Mormons. And those formally known as.

Salt Lake City is a lot of things. Extremely polarized happens to be one
of them. I am fairly positive that in order to live in Rome, you do
not have to be an expert on the Catholic Church. In stark contrast,
in order to live in Saudi Arabia or Afghanistan you DO have to have
a somewhat basic knowledge of Islam or you will be very uncomfortable
there. I have to say, that Salt Lake City is much closer to the latter.

A good friend mine was recounting a very well known phrase that everyone
who has ever set foot in Salt Lake for more than 5 minutes risks hearing:
"Those that leave the church just can't seem to leave it alone"
This is true for so many more reasons than I can cover here(or ever)
but it did bring up a topic that is at the tip of the brain, and gag
reflex at all times as Salt Lake City residents who are not members
of the "dominant religion". This church refuses to be ignored and
if you live here, it is jammed down your throat by the faithful, the
formally faithful, the newspapers, hell even the bums do it AT EVERY TURN. Every dinner party, night out, lunch date and business meeting we have, even if it is
out of the country, when people hear we are from Utah it DOES NOT MATTER with whom or how much we drink it
inevitably turns to the MORMONS(or, the DAMN MORMONS as I like to affectionately refer to them as even while they are present)
Here is the worst part:

It is RUINING my social life, and my city.


You ALWAYS have to pick a side. It isn't one of those things that you can 'other' check box out of either. In Utah, you either mark Yes, Hell NO!, or Marie Osmond(the artist formally known as a real Mormon but now may be classified as Jack)
No but seriously there is no 'normal' box to check. You know, the one that doesn't reflect years of being either in or out. Acceptable or not. mysterious white undies or thong.

Being oblivious is not really possible.

Living here is like a big game of kickball where teams are picked by
whether you know the secret handshake or not. And it is EXHAUSTING and
a little anti-climatic. It's like this: when you meet someone new, whether
socially or in business you are constantly thinking: "are they or aren't
they?" Mostly because you can BET your next paycheck on the direction the
relationship will go based on the answer to that tiny little question and
it sucks(note: also true when dating and yes, the paycheck would have to
be AFTER tithing)

I live in a building where the answer to "are they or aren't they" has become
a game we play. Whenever someone new moves in, a group of us play the game(based
solely on what we can see in their moving boxes and through the windows before
they call the cops.) We do this mostly because we want to know if we should avoid inviting them over for Wine Friday. Mormons, after all, respond to such an invite with a visit from the local missionaries and then, well, let's just say it gets rather
ugly after that.

I think I lost my point.

Wait: There it is!

I want a Normal Box. The kind that doesn't inspect my undies or think of
ways to get me to join their team. Sometimes I feel like I am living
in the real life equivalent of a land-grabbing, hostage taking, diet coke
drinking, passive aggression slinging, experiment. Note to those in charge:
This outlier is thinking of relocating. And it is all your fault, although,
sometimes it seems intentional to root normal out and just leave the extremes.
This way, both sides win, at least in their own minds.

FREE Movies at the Capital! 2010

MOVIES UNDER THE STARS Schedule
July 1 - The Sandlot (1993) - Made in Utah
July 8 - Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (2003) - Made in Utah July 15 - Planet 51 (2009)
July 22 - Forever Strong (2008) - Made in Utah
July 29 - The Goonies (1985)
August 5 - The World’s Fastest Indian (2005) - Made in Utah
August 12 - The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)
August 19 - Monsters vs. Aliens (2009)
August 26 - The Blind Side (2009)

Foster Art Program featured Artist:John Sproul

Another piece that we have been fortunate to be fostering.
John Sproul's work was immediately intriguing to me because of the haunting nature of his subjects and the vibrant use of color--a strange and beautiful combination that made me want to see more, and more.
This piece has garnered universal dislike from all of our guests but for some reason, it calms me.
The comments have been mostly of intregue followed up universally with "what are they doing" many see athletes, some see slavery, others have commented on the strong same sex vibe of the piece. Me? I see common man and how we are all more the same than we are different--a lesson, sometimes the only lesson we should all learn over and over.

Foster Art Program: I am in LOVE

When I was invited to join in on the first Foster Art Program I was at once salivating. The list of artists was even more intriguing, and once the first meeting came along I already had my list in my head.

We ended up fostering several artists:
The first, and the spotlight today is Thomas Aaron

We have known Tom for a few years as a friend and have always admired his work.
When we went to pick out our piece to foster we knew immedietly which one we wanted.
When we realized that it would not fit in the Fit(a first for us--sad day) Tom told us just to carry it home--I was incredibly doubtful(plus I was in heals) but without many other options we picked it up and started the 2 block journey home.



We hung it and now have been enjoying for about a week. This piece speaks to me on so many levels: it's design aesthetic, color, complexity and size all make for a perfect statement for what we have deemed to be our "feature wall"
Thanks Tom!

Gallery Strolling it+Spring Fashion Show-TONIGHT! 7pm

Tonight's stroll is not to be missed!
a little food, a little art, a litte fashion show--what's not to like?
Plus you know you have been hibernating(and for good cause-the weather has been brutal!) but it is time to wake up, get out and see what is going on in the SLC art scene
Get a printable map here

What we all have been missing

This weekend Doug and I went to the new exhibit at the
Salt Lake Art Center. I am always thrilled to go to
this somewhat under appreciated resource in our city--
I was blown away and very happy to see the exhibits and
MANY opportunites to take part in art activites--everything
from free kids programs to continuing education--check it out
at their website


20 South West Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Phone: 801.328.4201
http://www.slartcenter.org/

Admission is always FREE

Tuesday - Thursday & Saturday: 11 am - 6 pm
Friday: 11 am - 9 pm
Closed: Sunday, Monday & Holidays


Stephanie Wilde: Harmed
All American:
Defining Ourselves in a Time of Change
through October 31, 2009

Tony's Localvore sure to be a hit!

From their website:
Miss the Farmers' Market? We do, too. That's why we started this mini farmer's market. It will be held every Saturday from 10:00am to 3:30pm.

We're hosting some of our food producing friends and showcasing some of the BEST food in the state. Best part -- they keep everything they make. We don't charge fees of any sort. So shop local!

THIS WEEK:
* Clifford Family Farms (Fresh eggs, produce)
* Beehive Cheese Co.
* Larson's Piedmontese Beef
* Slide Ridge Honey (high-altitude artisan)
* Choffy (Coffee like bev from single origin cacao)
* Creminelli Fine Meats
* Cibo Mushrooms (fresh wild and farmed mushrooms)
* Crumb Bros. Bread

This local crazed Urbanite is so there(early though-before the masses)

Me and My Groceries--all over town!

Yesterday was shopping day for me--why
Wed you ask? Well the biggest reason
is that it is SM's poker night with
the guys--other than that: I had time
to come up for air--OR DID I?

Yesterday was an open day with a busy
afternoon/night. Because of my WONDERFUL
neighborhood and neighbors I had my night
chuck full of events(who needs SM anyway--who?)

SO I went to Smiths, and then to Costco and headed
home only to discover that it was 6pm!! I was
supposed to be at the DCC meeting AT 6 and I still had
to drop off my car and groceries! SO instead of wasting
all that time on that I decided to drive over and let
the groceries wait in the car--an hour wouldn't hurt right?
It's not like I had icecream in my car and it was July.
So I went to the meeting and of course there were new
people to meet so I stayed for 1.5 hours, then, because
my sister lives in the hood now(which explains everything about
my apparent lack of posting the past few weeks)
so I stopped in to visit her for a sec(timer on groceries now at
2 hours) THEN i realized that I was supposed to be at the No Cookie
Left Behind Party at my neighbor's house at 7:30 SO--I packed all of
my groceries from my car, into the shopping cart that is provided by our
building and headed over to the party--with my groceries--
I planned, as always, to only stay for a few minutes(grocery timer
to be slightly over 2 hours, but if everything was still good it would
keep for another 20 minutes right--keep in mind that this type of
delusion fuels my life ;)) So I went, I partook and stayed for an hour--
grocery timer now at 3 hours--and all of my neighbors making fun of how
much food I actually buy for just the 2 of us--
The truth is--I have a feeling that this is one of the only neighborhoods
in Utah where something like this would happen--I am certainly not the
most busy person or the most social person in the state but I literally
know--outside of any church or work structure 20-30 people in my neighborhood--
WOW--love it!

New Store in the Hood Uptown Cheapskate

Uptown Cheapskate

According to their website:
"Uptown Cheapskate is more than a fashion exchange concept. It is an attitude, a personality, and an art form. Uptown Cheapskate empowers individuals to express themselves using brand name fashions and modern style without the typical price tag. The concept is simple really: we buy and sell your favorite brands at prices that everyone can get excited about. We’re not trying to change the world; just offer an exciting new way to shop it."

I am happy to have a NON chain clothing store in the area(I love the Gateway but c'mon that can't be all there is--RIGHT?) esp in this economy!
I stopped in today and was pleasantly surprised. Brands from Diesel to Forever 21 graced the
stuffed racks. The staff was friendly, they have a great selection and all their inventory is in really great condition.
I found shoes, hats, purses, JEANS(tons--starting at 14.99) tops, dresses(7.99) for both girls and guys.



Def stop in, def buy and sell here and def use the free parking in the back or ride trax(it is just across the street) or if you are an Urbanite like me casually walk over when you get a free minute(yes I love it--I know you are jealous)

THE place to be tonight-join us!

Couldn't have said it better myself!

Bars are about more than drinking

By Daniel Levin

Salt Lake Tribune
Posted:02/09/2009 07:31:00 AM MST

Several years ago, a graduate student told me that he was attending a conference in Madison, Wisconsin. Having lived in Madison while attending the University of Wisconsin, I told him that he'd never meet friendlier people and to enjoy himself. When he returned, I asked him how it had gone.

"Terrible," he said, "nobody ever wanted to talk about anything after the conference sessions."

I was surprised, and asked him whether they had invited him afterward for a beer.

"Oh yeah, every afternoon, but, you know, I don't drink." Suppressing my laughter, I could only say, "There's some pretty good root beer in Wisconsin, too."

In Madison, like every other place I know, one does not go to a bar simply to drink. One goes to a bar to be with other people, and perhaps to drink. It is far less expensive and more efficient to get drunk at home.

The current debate about what to do with Utah's peculiar institution of private clubs is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of what actually occurs in bars and in restaurants which serve alcohol. While some people do, at times, overindulge, the vast majority of patrons are social drinkers. To be a social drinker does not simply mean that one does not drink often or to excess. It means that drinking is simply part of one's life. And, as an old expression goes, "life is with people."

Bars are, first and foremost, centers of community, but they do not stand alone. Alcohol has long served as the quintessential symbol of religious community. For three millennia, Jews have celebrated Passover by drinking four cups of wine to celebrate their emergence as a people newly freed from bondage in Egypt.

For two millennia, Christians have made wine the center of the communion ritual, in which they not only accept Christ as their savior, but enter into symbolic union with the larger community of Christian believers.

Drinking establishments have long served as incubators of America's traditions of democratic self-government and our distinctive culture. There is no better place to find genuine political debate than a pub. The American rebellion against Great Britain was largely planned in taverns, and many of the most important discussions that led to drafting of the U.S. Constitution took place in City Tavern, across from Independence Hall, during the Constitutional Convention.

Speak-easies gave birth to jazz, Southern "juke joints" spawned the blues and honky-tonks nurtured country music, all authentic expressions of America's genius. American comedy, essential to our national sanity, is as much a product of nightclubs as it is of vaudeville.

Utah's current private club laws are most often derided because they are so inconvenient and so irrational as to be maddening. But I believe that they are most offensive for their chilling effect on Americans' constitutional right of free association. That right, foundational to any democracy, protects our ability to gather wherever we would please, and with whomever we may wish, to argue politics, to dance, to listen to music, to cheer for a football team on the big screen, or to laugh at a comic.

In a free society, the state may not demand that we account for our whereabouts or the identities of our associates. But in Utah, the state requires that private clubs compile membership lists, and make those lists available to the police for any reason which the police may devise. Recent proposals to replace those lists with centralized, computerized databases, now seemingly shelved, were not worthy of a free society.

Current proposals to require scanners to guard against the use of fake identification cards should ensure that that information is protected against disclosure for any purpose other than the proper enforcement of the liquor laws.

A free society trusts its citizens. That trust always involves risk, but one cannot eliminate risk without extinguishing liberty. A free society also requires an active civil society and a vibrant public culture. Bars and taverns serve as centers of community and cultural life. For that reason, they should be just as important to non-drinkers as to drinkers.

For even those who do not imbibe should be free to join in the arguments, watch the game, shake a leg or laugh at a comic without fear that they will have to register their names with the state. There's some pretty good root beer in Utah as well.

Dan Levin teaches political philosophy and constitutional law at the University of Utah.

Told Ya so---

I tried to tell you before the Trib told everyone else!
Now is a serioulsy great time to buy downtown--if you have ever
thought of getting in NOW is the time!

Downtown condo market falters after strong 2007
Economy » Recession, credit problems, consumer pessimism hamper sales.

By Paul Beebe

The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 01/23/2009 01:32:22 AM MST

A year ago, condos in downtown Salt Lake City were selling at a fast clip, averaging more than one sale per day.

The average time a condo was on the market before a buyer snapped it up was 28 days, according to figures from the Salt Lake Board of Realtors.

Sellers were in the driver's seat. Sale prices were 100 percent of list prices, suggesting buyers had little ground to negotiate a deal.

Twelve months later, the condo market is upside-down. It's a buyer's market -- except there are no buyers.

Sales "went from full throttle to a standing halt," said Babs De Lay, a downtown real estate agent.

Last month, condo sales fell 61 percent year-over-year downtown, to 14 units, according to preliminary Board of Realtors data. Condos that did sell languished 101 days -- almost four times as long as last year.

Although list and sale prices were the same in December, both were down about 8 percent from December 2007, when the U.S. recession officially began.

Condo sales began to weaken 12 months ago after a strong 2007, said Alan Wood, who built The Metro, a 117-unit project at 350 S. 200 East.

It was a precipitous reversal. Wood sold close to 80 units in 2007. In one month, February, he raked in $20 million. Then the bottom fell out. Last year, Wood sold 16 units.

"We were still selling units through 2008, but at a much slower pace," he said. "We started to see nervousness by the buyers with regard to the
subprime credit crisis, prices and recession fears.

"I would say it hit last August and September, and it's been very slow since then."

De Lay, a 25-year real estate veteran, said the market is as bad as it was in the early '80s, when mortgage interest rates shot as high as 22 percent and homes took as long as a year to sell.

One reason, De Lay said, is a new rule that says a condo building must be 51 percent sold before lower-income buyers can get loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration.

"So buyers have to go for a conventional [bank] loan and put 10 percent down or more," she said. "A buyer in an entry-level price range does not generally walk around with $15,000 or $20,000 in his pocket."

Barry Preusz, a realtor who assists condo buyers, said he continues to get inquiries from shoppers, but many people can't get mortgage loans because banks have tightened their lending standards.

Then there are people who would like to step down to condos but can't sell their homes for what they think they are worth, Preusz said.

"I get a lot of 'lookie-looks,'" he said.

Richard Gordon, who developed Westgate Lofts on 200 South between 300 West and 400 West, said the first 56-unit building sold so quickly last year that he didn't need help from real estate agents.

The second building, with 17 units, isn't selling as fast. One unit is occupied. Two or three others are under contract. To move the rest, Gordon is offering discounts on units that range in price from $239,000 to more than $1 million.

"People seem to be holding up," Gordon said. "We get excellent, qualified prospects every day. People come through, and they rave about them, [but] nobody is making decisions. They are just kind of sitting."

What effect the recession and credit crunch are having on the LDS Church's plans for 700 condos and apartments it plans to build in its City Creek Center project in downtown Salt Lake City is unclear.

Although the church has not released details such as pricing, spokesman Dale Bills said Richards Court, City Creek's first two residential buildings with 91 units, will be finished in early 2010. Additional units will be ready in 2011 and 2012.

"We've not concluded any sales," Bills said. "We are just starting."

He declined to say how much buyer interest there is for the Richards Court project.

Cowboy Partners, a Salt Lake City real estate developer, plans to build 100 condos in City Creek. Although the company officials said construction won't begin until around 2010, principal Dan Lofgren said the timing has never been precise.

"We continue to be in a posture of assessing the opportunity," Lofgren said. "It's a time to be very cautious, and we are taking that to heart."

Even so, the company continues to be "huge believers" in the downtown condo market.

"I have not lost faith in the downtown [market] at any level," he said. "It's still a compelling residential proposition."

pbeebe@sltrib.com

Downtown Living--NOW is the time!

I thought I would share this list of some of the new developments in the hottest neighborhood in town!

http://www.patrickdrygoods.com/
near the salt palace- These little units are ready for you to buy!
awe inspiring views, amazing location, and the characteristic Allen Millo knack for
making a space seem MUCH larger than it actually is make this a great investment property or primary residence.
(call me or email for prices and availability)
http://www.metroparkwest.com/
new construction on the west side of pioneer park....still taking reservations...hasn't broken ground yet
http://www.allenmillo.com/broadway/index.html
new construction on the N side of Pioneer park-next door to Tony Caputos just N of the park(think rolling out of bed and walking across the street to the Farmers Market) This building is nearly complete! Get yours today!
(email or call me for pricing)
http://www.wglofts.com/
Luxuriously lofty spaces at a discounted price!
You pick your custom finishes!
Perfect location and everyone likes $30/month year round heating and cooling
bills-go green without even lifting a finger!

Little did I know....

but very few of my friends and family know of this little site but
I plan to buy most of my gifts(holiday and other) at Etsy

It is like a farmer's market online with great one of a kind items for
reasonable prices.

My latest find was this:



and these:



Thanks to Salt Lake City's very own MD Sparks I now have a new jewelry staple(and source!)

Highbench-Awesome Band-Utah natives!

Highbench is the name of Utah native Dave Western's band. I had the privilege of meeting Dave and his gorgeous wife Shelley because I photographed their wedding a few years ago.
They have since become good friends and I have been watching Highbench waiting with baited breath for them to become the next Band of Horses or Death Cab.
With amazing vocals and depth that only comes from a talented bunch Highbench is one band you will definitely see much more of in the future.

Take a listen at their website and you will see what I mean!