Author Archives: Jill Adler

New Look/New Era For Wasatch Beers

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Squatter’s Craft Beers is growing up and I don’t know how I feel about that. Same for its brother brand Wasatch Brewery. The two icons of the Utah craft brew revolution, the ones with the edgy sense of humor aimed squarely at the Utah way of life, are going for a cleaner, crisper and, in Squatter’s case, a more nostalgic look. It’s like the ski bum who now shaves and wears dress slacks. Squatter’s and Wasatch have matured.

By the time I got to Park City, Squatter’s Pub Brewery in Salt Lake City was giving Wasatch Beers and Brewpub, Utah’s first microbrewery est. 1989, a run for their money. They consistently one-upped each other with brews like the Wasatch 1st Amendment Lager (“Exercise your First Amendment right to a great beer”) created after Utah imposed a beer excise tax. Like most non-Mormons in Utah, I connected with the daring sense of humor. By 2000, the two companies merged to form Utah Brewers Cooperative; you distinguish between them as the maltier tasting Wasatch appeals more to younger palettes while the hoppy Squatters’ blends tend to attract the drinks and dinner crowd. The loud labels reflected the rebellious Park City past-mine and theirs. So does a tamer beer-look mean I too must mature? I drink wine now but I want my beer to be fun.

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The “old” look. Photo courtesy Wasatch Beers

I was reassured at today’s brand launch that the irreverence is still there. We’ll still see beers like Polygamy Porter (where you can’t have just one) or Provo Girl (enjoy her in a toolshed) but they will now be smartly dressed. And customers are buying it.

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“It’s been a whirlwind these last few months,” said Wasatch founder Greg Schirf. “Growth is over 43 percent year-to-date and that’s before all our new packaging is fully implemented.” Wasatch brews will now feature popping colors on a solid black label, while Squatter’s beers, in celebration of their 25th anniversary, recall a bit of history with sepia-tinged labels and artsy images. Squatter’s has also rolled out two new flavors for the summer- Bumper Crop Honey Ale and Wee Peat Scottish Ale.

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Last year, the Co-op introduced their beer in cans so you can take the party where bottles shouldn’t go. The new flavors are perfect for tubing on the Weber River and one-handed dancing at the local concert series at Deer Valley or Newpark. See? We don’t have to grow up just because the look changes.

Adios Stinky Feet

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If your kid is anything like mine, she lives in her sandals all summer. KEEN’s, if you really must know. KEENs rock as the ultimate outdoor shandal for kids. Easy to put on and comfortable to wear on a boat, the beach, out to dinner and out to hike. It protects tiny toes from stubbing on rocks or sliding out of the shoe altogether when she runs and kids love wearing them (3/4 the battle when it comes to wearing shoes). In fact, all three of us wear KEENs religiously.

The problem is that after a few days of constant wear they wreak. The smell is so bad that I won’t let Sage take them off because the odor about knocks me out. Her feet somehow block the putrid scent from wafting beyond the soles. But when she does kick them off, look out.

KEEN uses an antimicrobial material but not in the neoprene that’s used in the straps so the smell is a tough issue for many moms. Not much works when it comes to my daughter’s (and boyfriend’s) sweaty feet.

The rubber soles are like Petri dishes for bacteria and fungus to work their magic producing that stank. If you don’t keep up on regular washings, the odor can be unbearable.

Normally, I’ll take the shandels and shove them in the dishwasher on the ‘pots and pans’ cycle. This extreme measure works but can dull the color of your shoes. Plus, it takes them a day or two to dry out. Recently I came across some alternate solutions that really do work.

Baking soda.

Add one more thing to the list of useful purposes this handy white powder performs. Cover the soles with baking soda, leave overnight, shake it out in the morning and toss in the washing machine- cold water, gentle cycle, mild detergent. You still may experience fading and longer drying periods, however. Don’t throw them in the dryer unless you’re prepared to have them tighten up around your feet.

You can run a slightly more complicated experiment by sprinkling the baking soda inside each damp shoe after washing and spraying them down with a 50/50 blend of vinegar and water. Don’t forget the inside uppers. Let sit for about 30 minutes, rinse and air dry.

Dryer Sheets

Grab a dryer sheet, wipe all around the inside of the shoe, then stuff it in and leave it overnight. Rub down your feet with hand sanitizer before putting the shoes on and you should be good to go for a couple of days.

These suggestions may not work for everyone but I’m sure there are other ideas out there and I would love to hear them! Please share your cure for stinky feet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Endings in Park City Unlikely

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I’ve been holding out hoping that this whole situation would work itself out; like kids on a playground finally figuring out they’ll have more fun if they stop arguing and get along. Then I would only get to write about the happy ending. I still might get to write about the happy ending but it won’t be anytime soon.

The hammer’s coming down this afternoon and either Park City Mountain Resort will be required to pack it in and make room for Vail Resorts to take over resort operations or 3rd District Court Judge Ryan Harris will stay VR’s eviction order to give PCMR time to appeal the May 21, 2014, decision.

Judge Harris heard motions from PCMR this spring, took time to mull over the evidence presented from both sides and ultimately ruled in favor of VR and partner Talisker Land Holdings, LLC. In short, Harris ruled the land lease between Talisker and PCMR expired in 2011. Last year, Talisker gave VR the right to operate both Canyons Resort and PCMR (pending the trial outcome) for the next 50 years for a whopping $25 million per year. With VR having no interest in extending PCMR’s lease or even issuing a new one, the Park City community has speculated on what will become of the business that just celebrated their 50th anniversary.

VR’s Rob Katz urged Powdr Corp. (owners of PCMR) to “do the right thing” and, what, walk away? Why is that the ‘right’ thing? That’s like someone who wants something from you calling you selfish because you won’t give it to them. That doesn’t make you selfish. It makes them selfish. It’s probably the legal thing, the pacifist thing, maybe even the smart thing to stop fighting this court battle. PCMR has the base area that will soon become a Woodward training camp for terrain park rats and they can lease to VR access to the rest of the mountain. Threats have been bantered around that PCMR will literally pull up stakes and leave the land bare of all usable chairlifts and lodges. According to last week’s court filing, PCMR plans to remove all of the Town, Crescent, King Con, Silverlode, Bonanza, McConkey’s, Pioneer, Eaglet and Silver Star lifts. Only the towers of Jupiter, Thaynes and Motherlode lifts would remain because they are “affixed to the land”. The resort estimates spending more than $7 million for the dismantling. There would be no 2014/15 ski season; instead there would be limited riding in the terrain park and off the lower terrain (Payday, Eagle and Three Kings would be modified for continued use). In the summer, there would still be hiking, biking, the Alpine Slide, an alpine coaster and a zip line.

 

Options

It doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom for Park City (although it’s more fun to pretend it does);

VR could buy the structures; if PCMR were willing to sell them.

VR could pay PCMR damages for the millions spent improving the resort during the time between when the lease had expired and VR spoke up about it… and then buy the structures off them.

VR could sign PCMR to a new lease (both sides say this will never happen)

PCMR could lease the equipment to VR and sell an easement to access the resort from PCMR’s parking lots.

PCMR could deny access and VR would be forced to sell tickets to both resorts from Canyons’ boundary and anyone with an Epic pass would have to hike (way) up past the Crescent and PayDay bases to catch a lift up the mountain.

VR spends millions installing new lifts after PCMR plays hardball and yanks everything from the upper mountain.

Am I leaving anything out? There are more moves here than a Chess World Championship.

 

Today, PCMR will ask Harris to postpone signing an eviction order so that the sides can figure out who owes what to whom. There’s back rent due to Talisker and damages owed to PCMR. Hopefully, those will offset each other. Both sides have already spent a small fortune on this power struggle. PCMR also wants Harris to wait until the outcome of their appeal to decide how to enforce an eviction order. Not to mention that if Harris doesn’t postpone and the eviction starts, like, yesterday, PCMR will have very little time to dismantle their facilities. Rumor has it that PCMR patrollers are on standby for swift demolition duties. VR says PCMR will have 60 days to vacate but that sounds optimistically generous under the circumstances.

 

Already, surrounding home and condo owners are contemplating an exit strategy. “We are looking at other real estate right now and thinking of selling [our Park City rental],” says one Utah local. “Not sure if ‘walking distance to Park City Micro Resort’ and ‘Woodward Park City at your doorstep” are much of a selling point. You can’t even get those dirtbags to buy lunch at Legacy Lodge.”

PCMR even hired an analyst to determine that if PCMR’s out-of-state skiers go someplace else, the local economy could take a $40-100 million hit, including a loss of more than 1,000 jobs. “The consequences are too dramatic if the court does allow the eviction to go forward,” Alan Sullivan, PCMR’s lead attorney, told the Park Record Newspaper.

 

It is now up to the Judge to decide.

 

Take the Bite Out of Summer

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It’s warm, it’s inviting and it’s all day. But playing outside in the summer isn’t always safe. Sure we get that the sun causes cancer, wrinkles and burns; that snakes bite and bees sting and ivy itches. However, a new report from the University of Missouri shows danger also lurks with man’s best friend. Approximately 4.5 million Americans—about half of whom are children—are bitten by dogs each year and the majority of those happen in the summer. We’ve got festivals, parades, farmers markets and days at the park. Hiking, mountain biking and trail running. All sorts of opportunities for clashing. Getting bitten by a dog is the fifth most frequent cause of youth visits to emergency rooms and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that about 27,000 reconstructive procedures were done to repair damage from dog bites in 2013. Summer puts a bite in the air.

The warm weather lures kids, people and dogs outside for what should be playful interaction. Unfortunately, even around “good” dogs, accidents happen. Any dog, any size, has the potential to bite but with a little forethought, the bites are largely preventable.

Here are some Don’ts to share with your family and friends:

Avoid a dog you know has a history of aggressive behavior. If you are visiting friends and family, politely ask them to put their dog in another room. Make sure your child tells you if a dog is acting strangely or growling.

Don’t pet a dog on a leash or tied up without the owner’s presence and permission. Dogs that are generally well-behaved and friendly can become Tasmanian devils on leash. A dog can get excited by his outdoor surroundings yet frustrated and angry by the physical restraint. He may also be fearful of tiny bodies wildly approaching them, hands outstretched and mouths screaming. Because he can’t run, he’s unable to avoid an encounter and may fight back to protect his space or himself.

Teach your child the right way to approach a dog. Make sure he understands to ask, “Is it ok if I pet your dog?” Offer the back of your hand to his nose. If he sniffs or licks it, it’s now ok to pet the top of his head. Don’t reach around by his ears or his feet; don’t try to make them roll over and don’t get eye to eye and smile. Dogs see teeth and think they’re being threatened.

Do not run or scream if a dog approaches you. Stay calm, still, avoid direct eye contact and, if the dog is aggressive, in a firm, strong, calm voice say something like, “NO! Get back! Bad dog.” Put your hands to your sides and curl your fingers into fists. If you are already on the ground, curl into a ball and protect your head; still keeping your fingers tucked in.


Pet owners who know their dog can be aggressive should do more than lock away their animals and avoid the situation:

  • Socialize and train your dog! Teach the dog submissive behaviors like rolling over and giving up food without growling.
  • Don’t play aggressive games with your dog (e.g., tug and wrestling).
  • Spay or neuter pet dogs.


Half of all children will be bitten by a dog by the time they are high school seniors and the bites frequently occur to the face, which can result in severe lacerations, infection and permanent scarring. If you or your child is bitten, clean the affected area with soap and water, wrap it with a clean bandage or dressing, and head straight to the ER and demand a plastics specialist. Make sure that you request proof of rabies vaccination from the dog owner and get the owner’s name and contact information for follow up later. But most importantly- Try not to blame the dog. If it was hot and you were cornered and someone had their hands all over you, you’d probably lash out too.

Vibram Settles Lawsuit

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Did anyone really think that running (close to) barefoot was good for your legs? Short of being Taharumara where you have to run barefoot because there’s no money for $170 Hoka’s, logic and common sense should steer you toward cushioned insoles. Duh. But just last week Vibram decided it wasn’t worth the headache to fight against claims that it was the company’s fault for making you believe their shoes could decrease foot injuries and strengthen foot muscles. Vibram, though not admitting guilt, has agreed to a $3.75 million settlement to reimburse anyone who bought a pair of FiveFingers between March 21, 2008, and May 27, 2014. According to the lawsuits: Bezdek v. Vibram USA Inc., et al., De Falco v. Vibram USA Inc., et al., and Safavi v. Vibram USA Inc., et al, Vibram falsely advertised certain benefits associated with their FiveFingers footwear.

I use my Vibram FiveFingers the way that nature intended- to keep me from slipping off things like a paddleboard, surfboard, boat deck, you get the idea. But if you thought you would be a healthier, better runner and deserve money back on your FiveFingers’ purchase, well, then you deserve to be unfriended.

The 2009 book Born to Run and several “scientific” studies celebrated barefoot running. They dissed traditional running shoes and a new (stupid IMHO) trend was born. ‘Minimalist’ footwear sales grew by 303 percent between November 2010 and November 2012 and now makes up 10 percent of the $588 million U.S. running shoe market. If you bought a pair of FiveFingers then you bought into this trend. The shoe was not only favored by thousands when it hit the market but people still buy them for a variety of uses including everyday walking and standing. I remember seeing them on a massage therapist during a session as his feet danced around my table. “I will not be participating in this farce,” touted one FiveFingers fan. “FiveFingers are good shoes as long as you know what the hell you are doing. I have three pairs and use them for even long runs when I have built up enough tolerance for them. Good company. This lawsuit is a joke!”


 

The lawsuit claims that Vibram oversold the shoes’ abilities. Both Skechers and Reebok faced similar reproach after the Federal Trade Commission charged they had misled people about the weightloss and toning benefits of their shoes. The companies agreed to pay out $40 million and $25 million, respectively, to buyers. But those shoes were ugly and did nothing for your butt. I understand why the FTC might want to keep a lid on the sales of snake oil but just because their shoes didn’t work for you personally doesn’t mean you’ll prevail in an actual lawsuit. Just return the damn shoes to REI and move on. Vibram technically didn’t fraud anyone but defending themselves isn’t worth the battle. Unfortunately, if they went to court they would have to basically prove that barefoot running is better and, excuse the pun, the jury’s out on that one.

If you do happen to own a pair of FiveFingers you can do one of FiveThings:

  • Submit a Claim Form by Sept. 24, 2014, and probably get between $25-50 per pair depending on how many boneheads want a buck (the overall settlement will be divided among all the claimants;
  • Exclude Yourself from the case by Aug. 15, 2014
  • Object to the Settlement, in writing, and served by Aug. 15, 2014; (too much work!)
  • Go to a Hearing by submitting a notice of Intention to Appear form, in writing, and file it with the Court on or before August 15, 2014; (again, too much work.)
  • Do Nothing

Of course you can also go out and buy yourself a new pair on sale. They really are great water shoes!

 

 


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