About.com Salt Lake City

One Utah Soldier Killed, One Wounded in Ft. Hood Massacre

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:21:58 +0000

A 19-year-old soldier from West Jordan was among those shot and killed by U.S. Army Major Nidal Malik Hassan at Ft. Hood in Texas Thursday. Aaron Thomas Nemelka, a graduate of West Jordan High, was a combat engineer and had volunteered to be part of a team that would disable roadside explosive devices in Afghanistan.

Aaron's parents, Michael and Teena Nemelka, said in a prepared statement issued through the U. S. Army that they were "so proud to have him serve our country in the military." The family said Aaron was a "kind and loving son, brother, nephew, cousin and favorite uncle." Dozens of American flags filled the family's yard on Friday as Aaron's family, friends and fellow soldiers streamed in and out of the house offering their condolences.

I'm personally acquainted with members of the Nemelka family, and I want to express my heartfelt sorrow at their loss. I'm sure I speak for many Utahns and other Americans when I say my thoughts and prayers are with them.

Another Utahn, Joey Foster, was shot in the hip but helped pull others to safety during the incident. Both soldiers were at Ft. Hood's Soldier Readiness Center when the shootings occurred.

Comments from Aaron Nemelka's uncle and fellow soldier, Michael Blades

Comments from President Obama, Vice President Biden and U.S. Army officials on the Ft. Hood tragedy

Photo by Ben Sklar/Getty Images

One Utah Soldier Killed, One Wounded in Ft. Hood Massacre originally appeared on About.com Salt Lake City on Saturday, November 7th, 2009 at 15:21:58.

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Council Considers New Chicken Ordinance

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:13:26 +0000

We had a bit of drama and sadness at our house last week. One of our chickens died. Yes, we eat chicken almost every day, but things are different when it's a pet chicken you've named, played with, and raised from a fluffball. R.I.P., Willamina.

When my family and I started raising chickens earlier this year, I was only dimly aware that we were participating in an exploding national trend. We live in a neighborhood with large lots, and in our immediate area raising a few chickens isn't that unusual. However, raising chickens for eggs and as pets is becoming more popular in all kinds of neighborhoods, and the trend has caused city councils throughout the Salt Lake Valley to revisit chicken regulations.

At their meeting today beginning at 7 p.m., the Salt Lake City Council will hold a public hearing on proposed changes to the city's chicken keeping ordinance. If the changes are approved, the number of backyard chickens Salt Lakers can keep will be limited by lot size, with the minimum lot size for keeping chickens set at .11 acres. The council also proposes changing the required distance between the chicken coop and the owner's home from 50 feet to 25 feet. Chicken coops will still have to be at least 50 feet from a neighbor's home. The proposed ordinance also prohibits slaughtering the chickens.

I've closely watched debates that have taken place throughout the valley as several cities have revamped chicken ordinances in response to the chicken-keeping trend. I've been a little surprised at the attitudes of some Salt Lake Valley residents who eat eggs and chicken on a regular basis but still think chickens will spoil a neighborhood's pristine atmosphere. In my experience, chickens are no more of a nuisance than dogs and cats.

However, most of the Salt Lake residents who have commented on the proposed changes to the chicken ordinance have been in favor of chicken keeping. Many have requested that the minimum distance between the coop and a neighbor's dwelling be reduced from 50 to 25 feet and that the number of birds allowed be increased slightly. Others have questioned the ban on slaughtering, since chickens outlive their ability to produce eggs.

Read the proposed ordinance and citizen comments

Visit About.com's small farms guidesite for tips on raising chickens

Photo by Allison Maxwell

Council Considers New Chicken Ordinance originally appeared on About.com Salt Lake City on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 13:13:26.

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Swine Flu Vaccine Update

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:41:01 +0000

The Salt Lake County Health Department is now out out of H1N1 Swine Flu vaccines at its clinic locations, but they have distributed a limited number of doses to selected Smith's, Harmons, and Walgreens pharmacies around the county. Click here for a list of pharmacies that have the H1N1 vaccine. Not every Smith's, Harmons or Walgreens location has the vaccine, so be sure to check the list.

Only people who meet specific criteria can receive the vaccine. Those people include pregnant women, young people between the ages of 13 and 24, health care workers, people who live with or care for babies younger than six months old, and people between the ages of 25 and 64 who have chronic health conditions. Even though the vaccine is recommended for children between the ages of six months and 13 years, by law pharmacies can't vaccinate children.

I called my neighborhood Smith's, Harmons and Walgreens and found that each store is following a slightly different procedure for distributing the vaccines. Smith's is currently scheduling vaccine appointments for Thursday, Friday, Monday and Tuesday. Note: the SLVHD website says Smith's will accept appointments starting Thursday, but that isn't the case. They are scheduling appointments now, so don't wait until Thursday to call. The cost to receive the vaccine at Smith's is $10. The vaccine itself is free; the $10 is an administrative fee.

Walgreens locations on the list will distribute tickets for the vaccines Thursday morning beginning at 8 a.m. Those who receive a ticket will be told to come back to Walgreens during a specific one-hour block between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Thursday. The vaccine administrative fee at Walgreens is $18.

Harmons is currently accepting vaccine appointments for Friday, Nov. 6 between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. The cost is $10. Again, the SLVHD website says Harmons will start taking appointments Thursday, but they have started already.

If you miss this round of vaccines, there will probably be another shipment next week, but details are unknown at this time, pharmacists told me. Watch the SLVHD website for the latest information.

Photo by Getty Images

Swine Flu Vaccine Update originally appeared on About.com Salt Lake City on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 15:41:01.

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Don't Forget to Vote!

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:37:08 +0000

Cast your ballot today between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Find your polling place and view a sample ballot

Election information

Photo by Getty Images

Don't Forget to Vote! originally appeared on About.com Salt Lake City on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 09:37:08.

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Utes Survive Halloween Scare, Get a Wynn

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:38:31 +0000

With a full moon overhead, fans dressed in black, a scary-good performance by the defense, and the shocking surprise of a new QB emerging from the shadows in the second half, it was a memorable Halloween night at Rice-Eccles Stadium as the Utes beat the Wyoming Cowboys 22-10.

The Utes overcame a sluggish first-half offensive performance, with freshman quarterback Jordan Wynn making his game-time debut and replacing Terrance Cain after halftime. After the game, Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham explained his decision to put Wynn in the game by saying, "We were just trying to get some continuity on offense and rhythm." Whittingham said he wanted to find a way for the offense to finish drives, something they had struggled with in the first half, managing only one third-down conversion and scoring only two field goals.

True freshman Wynn had been the Utes' backup QB but hadn't seen any playing time all season, fueling speculation that he might redshirt this year. Wynn passed for 82 yards but more importantly threw a touchdown pass to Jereme Brooks in the third quarter. Eddie Wide rushed for another touchdown, and those two scores combined with spectacular defense in the second half allowed the Utes to pull off the win. After the game, Wynn acknowledged the defense's role in the Utes' victory. Utah's defense held Wyoming to only 202 yards total offense, and only 74 of those came in the second half.

It was the second annual "blackout" game at Rice-Eccles Stadium as game organizers tried to overcome a less-than-desirable Halloween Night home game by encouraging fans to wear black and come in Halloween costumes.

I had a great time at the game, and I wasn't really surprised to see Wynn get some playing time. It would be unusual for a team to get through an entire season without using a backup quarterback. What remains a mystery is whether Whittingham will start Wynn against New Mexico next week, something I'm sure will fuel lots of speculation in Salt Lake City over the next seven days.

Photo by Marsha Maxwell

Utes Survive Halloween Scare, Get a Wynn originally appeared on About.com Salt Lake City on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 at 17:38:31.

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Happy Halloween!

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:42:57 +0000

I hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween today! It's an exciting Halloween in Salt Lake City this year. Real Salt Lake will take on the Columbus Crew in the first leg of their Eastern Conference playoff match at Rio Tinto Stadium at 4 p.m. The University of Utah Utes take on the Wyoming Cowboys at Rice-Eccles Stadium tonight at 6 p.m. Organizers for both teams are encouraging fans to wear Halloween costumes and providing Halloween activities before the games. For the Utes, it's their second annual "blackout" game, with the fans encouraged to wear black and the team wearing black uniforms.

If you plan to get out and celebrate at a haunted house or corn maze today, check out my list of Salt Lake City Halloween events. But really, the greatest thing about Halloween is old-fashioned trick-or-treating. What could be better than getting the chance to wear an outrageous outfit and have all your neighbors to give you free candy? I love candy almost as much as the average kid, and if you feel the same I highly encourage you to check out About.com's candy site. Candy guide Elizabeth LaBau has the best job in the world!

Photo by Getty Images

Happy Halloween! originally appeared on About.com Salt Lake City on Saturday, October 31st, 2009 at 12:42:57.

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Salt Lake City Elections

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:22:21 +0000

I can't remember a quieter election season in Salt Lake City. There's no hot mayor's race or controversial social issue at stake this year, but on Nov. 3 voters will choose city council representatives for districts 1, 3 and 7 and also vote for or against Proposition 1, which would allow the city to issue $125 million in bonds to fund the construction of a new public safety building.

To help you cast your vote on Tuesday, I've rounded up a few good sources of information on the upcoming Salt Lake City elections, now posted under "Government & Issues."

Photo by Getty Images

Salt Lake City Elections originally appeared on About.com Salt Lake City on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 12:22:21.

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What's in Your Belly?

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:32:53 +0000

There's a lot of Halloween fun to be had around town this week, and last night I went with my young son to Cornbelly's Corn Maze and Pumpkin Fest, a corn maze and Halloween carnival at Thanksgiving Point. I'd never tried a corn maze before, but it was a lot of fun and surprisingly challenging. Cornbelly's has a kids' play area, storytellers, laser tag, games, and lots of other activities in addition to the corn maze. You can take either a long (1 hour) or a short (20 minute) path through the regular maze, or you can try the scarier "haunted" maze. The maze design this year is a tribute to the late Larry H. Miller.

Cornbelly's is closed when it snows, but it will reopen when the weather clears up. Friday looks good, weatherwise. My favorite thing at Cornbelly's was the Jack O'Lantern tree, a display of about 200 elaborately carved Jack O'Lanterns. Some of my favorite Jack O'Lantern designs were Napoleon Dynamite, David Archuleta, and Hello Kitty (pictured).

Where have you been for Halloween fun this year? I'd love to hear about it. Click on the link below to leave your comment.

What's in Your Belly? originally appeared on About.com Salt Lake City on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 19:32:53.

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October

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:39:18 +0000

I felt almost wistful enjoying a supremely lovely fall day Monday, knowing that the cold weather is coming. I stopped to look at our spectacular Wasatch Mountains dusted with snow and framed by the sparkling clear blue sky. I traveled down streets lined with sycamores, maples and locust trees dressed in their richest, mellowest shades of red and gold. I even walked out to smell the roses in my backyard, knowing they won't be there much longer.

That's why I was delighted Monday evening while helping one of my daughters with her homework to rediscover this Robert Frost poem that perfectly expresses how I feel about this time of year in Salt Lake City. Enjoy, poetry lovers.

October

O hushed October morning mild,
Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;
Tomorrow's wind, if it be wild,
Should waste them all.
The crows above the forest call;
Tomorrow they may form and go.
O hushed October morning mild,
Begin the hours of this day slow.
Make the day seem to us less brief.
Hearts not averse to being beguiled,
Beguile us in the way you know.
Release one leaf at break of day;
At noon release another leaf;
One from our trees, one far away.
Retard the sun with gentle mist;
Enchant the land with amethyst.
Slow, slow!
For the grapes' sake, if they were all,
Whose leaves already are burnt with frost,
Whose clustered fruit must else be lost--
For the grapes' sake along the wall.

Photo by Getty Images

October originally appeared on About.com Salt Lake City on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 01:39:18.

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Tough Win for Utes

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 02:03:37 +0000

The University of Utah Utes faced one of their toughest challenges so far this season but were able to defeat the Air Force Academy Falcons 23-16 on Saturday, thanks to a red-zone defensive stand in overtime.

Linebackers Stevenson Sylvester and Mike Wright stopped the Falcons' Connor Dietz on a fourth-down quarterback keeper that started at the Utes' 7-yard line to end the game. It was a disappointing loss for the Falcons, who dominated the Utes in both time of possession and total offense but weren't able to score the points they needed for victory.

It's amazing the Utes put up 23 points, considering the team managed only eight first downs in four quarters plus overtime. Aside from the game-ending defensive stand, the most exciting play for the Utes was a 90-yard pass play from Terrance Cain to David Reed that ended in a touchdown early in the third quarter. Reed caught a short slant pass from Cain, broke two tackles and ran 90 yards for the touchdown. It was the second longest pass play in Ute football history. Reed caught seven passes for 149 yards. Eddie Wide had another outstanding game, rushing for 121 yards. Wide has rushed for over 100 yards in each of the four games he has started since replacing running back Matt Asiata.

Fans who subscribe to DirecTV weren't able to see the game, which was broadcast on Versus. DirecTV has dropped Versus from its lineup due to a contract dispute. The same dispute prevented DirecTV subscribers from watching BYU suffer an embarrassing 38-16 loss to TCU Saturday evening. The TCU-BYU matchup pitting the No. 7 and No. 16 teams was considered the biggest game in the country Saturday. ESPN's "College GameDay" broadcast from Provo Saturday morning, even though ESPN wasn't carrying the game.

Photo by Rob Gray

Tough Win for Utes originally appeared on About.com Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 25th, 2009 at 02:03:37.

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