Nature transcends language with Tracy Aviary's bilingual bird walk
On a gray Saturday in September, Jess John led a group of seven people along the shores of the Jordan River looking for birds. As she used a laser pointer to direct the group’s attention to various birds and noted their calls, Estrella Segovia repeated the information in Spanish.
Tracy Aviary’s Pai Okwai Nature Center, 3310 S. 1000 W. in South Salt Lake, hosted the bilingual bird walk during Latino Conservation Week, a first step in its effort to reach out to residents in western Salt Lake County. The nature center is currently working on translating into Spanish descriptions for its exhibits and posters detailing common birds in the area, as well as including indigenous names of wildlife on labels. In fact, the nature center adopted the indigenous name for the Jordan River, Pai Okwai.
“Having the indigenous names be highlighted and prioritized, I think, is very important to recognizing just how long these bird species have been here,” said John, the tour leader. “That they've been here significantly longer than most of us have alongside our indigenous communities.”
The bilingual bird-watching tours launched a few years ago as a pilot program and have continued annually, said John, a conservation outreach ecologist.
A new creative era rises at Salt Lake City’s historic Art Castle
On Salt Lake City’s Westside, a 125-year-old landmark is entering a new chapter. The Art Castle, formerly the historic 15th Ward Chapel for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has long stood as a symbol of the neighborhood’s layered history. Built in 1900, the Victorian Gothic revival structure has served as a chapel, a playhouse, and — most famously — a world-renowned recording studio used by artists such as Dolly Parton, Elton John, BB King, and Eminem. Now, thanks to the Utah Arts Alliance (UAA), the building is being transformed into a center for creativity, community, and cultural preservation.
Richard K.A. Kletting: Reexamining the legacy of Utah’s quiet architect
When Poplar Grove resident and researcher Nan Weber began looking into the history of her own neighborhood, she wasn’t expecting it to turn into a decade-long endeavour. But one building — an out-of-place mansion near the Jordan River — caught her attention and eventually pulled her into the life and work of one of Utah’s most influential architects: Richard Karl August Kletting.
Weber’s work later became a major contribution to Richard K.A. Kletting: Utah Architect and Renaissance Man, written with preservation architect Alan Dale Roberts, FAIA. But the project started much smaller — with simple curiosity.
“I bought my little frame house, which was [built in] 1902,” Weber said. “And I was really curious about the workers that worked in all these single-dwelling homes. Then I came across the Fisher Mansion… and I thought, well, this is really different than the rest of the architecture here.”
From that point on, Weber was hooked.
Madsen Park reopens after playground renovation, other park enhancements
A local park in the Fairpark neighborhood is welcoming back neighbors of all ages after recent renovations. Madsen Park, located at 9 N Chicago Street, has evolved from once-empty land donated by private citizens to a full-fledged park. Now, it’s received upgraded amenities including a new playground and open green space.
Culture Coffee holds 1st night market: “Grab A Cup & Catch A Vibe”
Cafes that seek to build community offer much more than just a good cup of coffee. They create a space where people come to connect, share, and create. These places don’t only serve coffee, but they serve their communities by making everyone feel at home. And that's exactly what's been brewing at Culture Coffee.
On August 1st, Culture brought the community together with coffee, art, and good vibes at their first-ever local night market.
Westside Dance Company: Teaching Mexican heritage and tradition through Folklorico
A dance group established in 1997 continues to thrive and make moves on the Westside and beyond in Salt Lake valley as they explore becoming a 501(c)3 organization. The move is coming with its own challenges, but Westside Dance has overcome many other trials as they expanded over the last 25+ years.
The message behind Utah’s Wildlife Walls
Art is powerful. It can transform how a place looks and feels, but it can also transform our own personal emotions. Wall art — murals — hold this type of power in the place we live in. But we often pass murals without really understanding their meaning. We don’t really consider how the artist isn’t just simply adding color to a blank wall, but they are transforming the space by creating an experience for those who engage with the art.
The Other Side Donuts to celebrate one-year anniversary on June 28th
On June 28, The Other Side Donuts (760 S. Redwood Road) will celebrate its one-year anniversary from 9 am to 8 pm. The Salt Lake City business is a social enterprise of The Other Side Village.
Spring into Summer: Local events and happenings on the Westside
Summer means adventure, road trips, late nights, and early mornings enjoying the weather. There’s something about those summer nights that makes everything feel a little more exciting. And with summer approaching, it’s the perfect time to check out what’s happening locally and possibly discover new hobbies.
South Salt Lake to hold annual Mural Fest
All artists from Salt Lake City’s Westside are invited to a mini art festival
The 8th Annual Mural Fest, sponsored by the South Salt Lake (SSL) Arts Council, is quickly approaching. It will be held May 10 from 4-8pm and will feature the unveiling of 13 new murals throughout South Salt Lake. Participating artists from around the world are scheduled to begin their work on May 5 with final completion of each mural occurring at the festival.
Play ball! Rose Park Baseball kicks off 70th season of sports and community on the Westside
70 years – that’s how long Rose Park Baseball has been supporting Westside youth through the iconic American sport. On April 12th, the latest season kicked off at Riverside Park.
Fairpark’s Culture Coffee offers a unique blend of coffee and community
Local chef Miles Ellis recommends Fairpark’s Culture Coffee for the food, drinks, and community — and the music and arcade games aren’t bad, either.
Rose Park community festival and interfaith roundtable foster unity
A community festival and interfaith roundtable aim to foster unity and build connections between Rose Park neighbors.
SLC Public Lands reviewing input on future of Glendale’s Peace Labyrinth
Salt Lake City’s Department of Public Lands is seeking input from Westside residents on the future of the Peace Labyrinth Open Space.
Love Your Block provides mini grants to Westside residents for community improvement projects
Love Your Block mini grants give Westside residents funds to complete community improvement projects. The next application period opens in January.
Roses in the Garden mural installation features women with lasting Westside legacies
A mural series in Rose Park celebrates women whose legacies are contributions to Salt Lake’s Westside. Meet each one of them here.
Public art project scheduled in the Fairpark neighborhood
A new art project to beautify traffic infrastructure has received funding in Fairpark. The only thing missing is the artwork’s topic, which community input will determine.
City seeks Westside input on project to create “iconic public art”
Salt Lake City seeks input to help design and place a new public art piece that celebrates the Westside’s cultural impact on the city.
Local glass art to tour world, promote eco-consciousness
Two Salt Lake City glass artists are sending their pieces on a world tour. The pieces, depicting elaborate scenes of honey bees and ocean life, raise awareness for eco-consciousness, and will be permanently housed in a new facility at Thanksgiving Point after the world tour.
Jordan River murals to honor Westside women
Local non-profit Better Days and artist Bill Louis will unveil four murals of historically significant Utah women in the Rose Park Community Garden this June.