Personal Blog 1

Every year that first snowfall is a special thing to most Utahns. The snowflakes slowly fall to the ground, and the world transforms. It changes the meaning of most of the aspects of a city that we have discussed in this class.

A great change, during snow storms or recently after them, is to the paths. They become less traversable and even dangerous. Roads are covered in snow or ice, making them slippery and precarious to even the most experienced drivers. Most consider the dangers of winter driving a necessary evil, though, because they are unwilling to walk or bike to places they otherwise would have due to the cold weather.

The nodes also undergo a change in the meaning. The Gateway mall, which is usually a bustling place during the warmer seasons, is less popular due to the fact that it’s an outdoor mall. Some of the nodes acquire sentimental value in the winter, especially during the Christmas season. Temple Square’s Christmas decorations are renowned, and a place that many families will visit during the holidays.

The Great Salt Lake: Personal Blog #2

Although I've lived in this area my entire life, I haven't known very much about our capitol's namesake: the Great Salt Lake. This landmark and it's islands provide amazing scenery and many recreational activities. It is also one of the most popular tourist attractions in all of Utah. The lake is actually remnants of what used to be Lake Bonneville, one of the largest lakes in the nation at that time. Today, the Great Salt Lake is the largest lake between the Great Lakes and the Pacific Ocean, and is the largest saltwater body in the Western Hemisphere.


Antelope Island State Park is located on the lakes largest island, accessible by either boat or car via causeway. Recreational activities available here include a variety of hiking, biking, sailing, kayaking, camping, picnicking, or simply swimming and sunbathing on the beaches available. The salinity here is 12%, much saltier than the ocean. This makes it possible for swimmers to actually float without support in the lake water!

Another interesting component of the Great Salt Lake is Robert Smithson's monumental earthwork Spiral Jetty, made in 1970. Using black basalt rocks and earth from the site, the artist created a coil 1,500 feet long and 15 feet wide that stretches out counter-clockwise into the lake's water (see picture below).

Personally I think that many locals take this amazing water form for granted and don't utilize the many features it offers. Not only does it have such a strong presence in our state's history, but it still exists today as a local retreat to nature. Residents of Utah ought to help promote the lake's presence and help protect it's many unique features.

Group 7: The Media is the Message

Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce

http://slchamber.com/

This week, group 7 examined the website for the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce. The Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce promotes business within the Salt Lake Corridor. The website has a colorful home page that includes a flashing headline/ promotion of the city box, other home boxes on things such as energy and voting. The home page is also the directory to the rest of the website, with tabs listing categories of the Chamber of Commerce such as membership, policy, events and programs, women's business center, community, come to Utah, newsroom, and blog tabs.

The website looks professional, modern, and colorful. It has a primary color scheme and is easy to navigate, and all pictures are colorful and display positive images. It is clear the focus of the site is on business and attracting business services, but the website it accessible for public use. There is a link on this website to a Forbes article ranking Utah as the best state for business. These are all aspects that lead a person to think of the city as an accessible, friendly place with much to offer.

The website was full of messages that that supported a positive image of the city. No bad news was included. It gives business people who are considering coming to Utah good options on where to live, play, eat and work. Every article centers around improving and promoting business throughout the valley. The chamber of commerce website wants people to think that Salt Lake City is a great place for business.

On our previous walkabouts, we did not experience the workings and promotion of business to such a high level. The only messages we got about the business of Salt Lake City were though subliminal messages: our views of the thriving and constantly under construction University, our witnessing of the wealth of the Upper Avenues, and the cleanliness that surrounds City Hall and the Library. Because of this website, we now are more aware that the city is such a welcoming corridor for business. Personally, I did not know that the city has recieved so much big-business growth in the past few years, but it is evident based on the clean area and many new or improved buildings and public systems (such as TRAX).

The underlying message of the Chamber of Commerce website seems to say that Salt Lake City is a powerhouse and hub for business, and that people should come here if they want to gain wealth.

Group 6 Blog Post: The Medium is the Message

For our walkabout, we explored the website for the Downtown Salt Lake City Alliance. It's a website designed to inform people about the great things Salt Lake City has to offer both tourists and residents. The Alliance's mission statement is, "The mission of the Downtown Alliance is to build a dynamic and diverse community that is the regional center for culture, commerce, and entertainment."

This medium makes it easy for a visitor to the website to interact with the information. There are lots of helpful menus and everything is neatly organized. There is a poll near the bottom of the homepage which allows residents to express their opinions. Today's poll is about whether or not dogs should be allowed at the Farmers Market in Pioneer Park.

The website conveys many messages about Salt Lake City. There is specific information about upcoming events, concerts, and conventions open to the public. Some examples would be the Old World Christmas Market and the Holiday Window Wonderland. There is also information organized into five sections: Live, Eat, Work, Shop, and Play. There are links to the Downtown Blog and a Downtown Essentials Guide. Visitors to the site can sign up to receive Downtown E-News.

The website clearly means for its visitors to interpret Salt Lake City as a youthful, creative,and thriving metropolis. They accomplish this through the use of bright, happy colors, pretty photographs of the city's financial district, and an appealing logo. They portray the city as a successful hub of culture and sophistication.

Everyone who has access to the internet has access to this medium. Those who don't own computers can access the website using a computer at the downtown library. People of all social classes can benefit from this information. The website makes it clear that there are fun events for people of all ages and incomes to enjoy. It gives information about all sorts of restaurants, everything from fine dining to casual food courts. There are lists of jobs and lists of fun places to shop. It provides locations of churches of all denominations and statistics about housing in the city.

This sleek website conveys a particular message about the meaning of Salt Lake City and that message is that it is a place where everyone can get together and enjoy the best of what Utah has to offer, that the city is friendly and welcomes everybody from all walks of life.

Winter Changes: Personal Blog #1

Recently, there has been a tremendous amount of snow that has fallen in northern Utah. There was a school canceling blizzard last week, and on Sunday snow was falling all through the night. Once the temperature drops and the snow sticks to the ground, I've noticed that there is a change in behavior around both the city and the campus.

On the campus there are not as many people hanging out or lingering outside. Most of the clubs have moved their booths into the warmth of the Union to hide from the cold weather. All the students seem to spend less time outside as well, quickening their walking pace to get to classes faster. There are also a lot more people on the campus buses because nobody wants to walk from the dorms to President's Circle in 20 degree weather. The campus definitely seems a little quieter during the winter because people want to escape the cold.

The city has a rather interesting change. For public transportation, when I've been using Trax it is usually very busy during the day and rush hour times. Later at night though, I see very few other patrons using the lightrail and it seems that more people use cars to get around instead when the temperature starts dropping. Since there are fewer people walking around, it is much easier to notice the homeless people standing at a street corner with a sign or curled up in a blanket down at the park and they definitely make up a large portion of the people spending time outside.

Winter in Utah brings about many changes and the most obvious one to me is the drop in people spending time outside (except if they're skiing or sledding of course). Though a few people are used to the cold weather and still wear shorts outside, most people get bundled up in a warm coat before facing the chilly weather. Winter is a very different season in Salt Lake City.

AJ Anderson

Group 5- Brittney and Chelsea

For this walkabout, our group looked at signs around the University of Utah campus. Most of the signs we saw catered towards modes of transportation. This is due to the fact that the U is a commuter campus. These signs help the viewer be more cautious of their surroundings. Whether it is automobiles, bicycles, or pedestrians, these signs help direct the flow of traffic and direct people where to go. Many of these signs were relatively small, but they still stuck out. This is largely due to the vibrant colors of the signs. A lot of these signs used images to support their message.

While many of these signs were small, some were fairly large. These signs were university signs rather than government signs. They were either decorative or directory signs. This type of signage adds to the persona of the university. They help students navigate the campus and adds visual aesthetics to the campus.

As well as navigation signs, there were also many signs to help the handicapped people on campus. Many buildings had signs to help these citizens find a safe route to their destinations. These signs were often a brilliant, blazing red so they were easily recognizable. Come rain or shine (or in this case snow), these citizens would be able to find their way.

Even though there has always been signs on our walkabouts, this walkabout showed us just how important they are. The signs on the University of Utah's campus represent its inhabitants. Everyone is welcome to take part in campus life. These signs also show how eco-friendly the campus tries to be as they try to make public transportation the primary mode of transportation for the campus. While many people still drive, the U increasingly makes public transportation options available. This is apparent in the type of signs we saw on campus. All in all, the signs on our campus create an organized and beautiful campus.

Signs on 4th south-Group 1

Our specific medium that we researched were the many signs that line 4th south. The signs on 4th are very typical signs that you can find pretty much anywhere. The only difference was that there are so many of them here, one nearly every 30 feet. The signs are tall and they usually feature bright colors so that the visibility is heightened for drivers. We noticed as we walked east up 4th that the signs that lined the street were more geared toward those who are driving, our angle of the signs was skewed because of how tall they are.

The signs that we saw all centered around the many businesses that reside on 4th whether it was a store, fast food place, gas station, or bank. This tells us that 4th south is a major business area designed for those who work downtown. Signs are an essential part to any town as they direct us where to go and tell us where various places can be found. Anybody who can read can utilize signs for their personal gain.

Signs have been a part of every single walk about we have done so far, yet we never realized what an important role it plays. Signs are unique and usually offer a specific brand name, another way recognition of businesses are enhanced. Signs can be intrepreted any which way you want, but they all have one goal: to get you interested in the business it features. Oftentimes overlooked, signs are a crucial part to any community.

Personal Blog 1: Broadway St.

Being from the small town of Roy I’m not used to a “big” city. In Roy we have one main street that almost everything is on and you can get to everything from there; Salt Lake City is the complete opposite. It has taken me three months to finally understand how to get here and there, but I still use my trusty Google Map app on my phone. However, one day I stumbled across 3^rd South/Broadway and my whole attitude toward Salt Lake driving turned around.

Broadway has everything from little houses, antiqued apartments, modern skyscraping businesses, restaurants/cafes of all types, and at one point it runs into Pioneer Park. The streets are wide with parking on the side and in the middle; trust me with how many parking spots it looks to have they still need more. The architecture varies from sweet prairie homes to vintage shops and the now classic all glass buildings. Also, this street takes lots of pride in their local owned businesses.

When walking around I felt somewhat out of place. Then again it was lunchtime and all the business people in their serious work attire and brief cases were on the move. It made the whole feeling of this street come to life. Things like the Rose Wagner Performing Center and Nobrow coffee shop bring me back to the open minded street this is. But what makes Broadway the best street in town is the Broadway Center Theater, which is part of the Salt Lake Film Society. This theater is the place to see indie movies others wouldn't show. Most recently I saw Nowhere Boy, the tale of John Lennon. This place stand out to me because I'm a film junkie. I love everything about film, on screen and behind the magic. It's good to see a film where the production worked just as hard, even though it wasn't the hype of the season, yet might be the best of the year.

No matter what your interest is you are bound to find something on Broadway, I know I have.

Personal Blog #1 Chris Hom

Chris Hom

City as Text

11/26/10

LA Lakers Game

I decided to write a personal blog about the Utah Jazz LA Lakers because I, unlike Bradley, am a true die-hard Jazz fan. The Lakers have knocked the Jazz out of the play-off three times in a row and last year they swept the Jazz four games to none. This made me extremely anger and I was looking forward to some revenge.

This was during thanksgiving break so I had forgotten my lucky jersey and was only wearing a black sweatshirt. I immediately bought a Jazz hat to show my pride. The Utah Jazz started off very lethargic and at one point during the game they were down by nineteen. If you’ve have been watching all the rest of the Jazz games, like me, you’d know they’ve been named as the comeback kids so I wasn’t really worried. I went out to grab my ritual Red Mango and I went I came back they Jazz were tied.

The next thing I know there is only a minute left on the clock and Raja Bell is shooting free throws. I didn’t really have faith in Raja Bell but when he hit those free throws I high fived everyone around me. Now, its Lakers ball and they dump it down low to Paul Gasol their center. He chokes missing a five foot jumper and the Lakers get the rebound. Their point guard, Blake, goes up with an easy lay-up but he misses it too. The clock’s at 00.0 and I’m ecstatic. The Jazz beat their arch-nemesis the LA Lakers. Hell yeah!

Personal Blog #2: Sami Crouch

Utah is known for having a very physically active population. With the wide variety of topography across the state, almost all sports enthusiasts can find their niche. From the mountains to the deserts to the numerous national parks and lakes, Utah has it all.

For the golf enthusiast, there is an abundance of magnificent golf courses from one end of the state to the other. But Salt Lake City in particular, is home to numerous public golf courses for anyone to play. These courses each have very distinct features and qualities about them. This allows dedicated golfers to vary their experiences on the course, and those new to the game to have a wide selection of courses to choose from.

As a competitive golfer, I have spent many summers playing most of the courses in Salt Lake City and beyond. From The Old Mill that slopes off of the mountains in the East, to the marshland of Wingpoint in the West, the landscapes of golf courses throughout the valley are amazingly distinct. In the south lies Thanksgiving Point, with stunning foliage blanketing every inch of the grounds. Bonneville takes the north side, shielded under thousands of century-old trees. Right in the center of the city lies Golf-in-the-Round which is perhaps the most unique facility of all. It offers an executive course with a semi-circular range that's open year-round. Rather than using simple flags as targets, this range has an old abandoned battered car placed right in the center of the hitting area and a 100-ft tall Pepsi bubble on top of a golf tee to be used as hitting targets. Heated stalls provide just enough warmth to take the edge off during the cold winter months in Utah.

One of the most fascinating aspects of these golf courses is the way that they mirror the town or area in which they are found in. It’s easy to get a great sense of the people's lifestyles living nearby, as well as their social class and environment. Playing these courses during my childhood allowed me to explore Salt Lake City with a particular vantage point which gave me a unique feel of what Salt Lake City is all about.

Personal Blog #1

Sami Crouch

One of the most distinguishable features of the University of Utah is the abundance of medical centers found near its campus. Generally, hospitals have an aura of uneasiness surrounding them. By no means do they have stunning architecture, nor are they enclosed by magnificent landscaping. I, however, was lucky enough to spend the better part of 6 months volunteering at a hospital that did not fit this mold.

Primary Children's Medical Center (PCMC) is located on the west side of University Medical Drive. It has a bridge connecting to both the Morgan Eye Center and The University of Utah Hospital to provide convenience and unity between all three facilities.

As soon as you drive through the entrance gate to PCMC, your eyes fall upon a small waterfall and river flowing halfway through the parking lot. Directly outside the front doors lays a courtyard where employees, parents, and patients are able to eat and enjoy the outdoors throughout the day. There is also a hidden garden area towards the east side of the building that is home to a variety of birds, plants, and trees. I have seen many distressed parents disappear into this safe haven to cope with troublesome news.

The inside of the hospital is clearly one that tries to be child-friendly. There is hardly a blank wall in sight, and the ceilings are covered in painted tiles that patients have exercised their artistic skills on. Various decorations blanket the desks, and toys are found around each and every corner. This allows kids to feel somewhat comfortable in such an otherwise intimidating environment.

The importance of the atmosphere surrounding and inside PCMC was not unveiled to me until I realized just how great of an effect it had on the patients. A child would normally be extremely anxious in a place like this, and yet I met many patients who insisted on staying for "only a few more hours" before going home. This was amazing to witness, and showed how different settings impact someone's overall experience. PCMC extends a warm welcome to those who may otherwise feel too nervous and frightened to enter.

Sarah Ward Personal Blog 1

I have never really liked the city of Ogden. Sure, I’ve lived there for eighteen years, but I never thought of it as a particularly lovely place. “I can’t wait to get out of here,” I said probably thousands of times during my years in middle school and high school. Ogden was always just sort of…bland. It wasn't a small town but it wasn't a big city. It was too big to walk to school but too small for it to be considered metropolitan. I always thought of it as a confusing mess.

After a few months of being in City as Text and learning to read Salt Lake City, I've opened my eyes and realized that Ogden is also legible.

There are definite paths. Harrison Boulevard is the main one, but there's also Washington Boulevard and Wall Avenue. These are the main arteries of Ogden.

There are no edges to Ogden. There is no coherent beginning and ending to it. This has always bothered me. It sprawls into North Ogden and South Ogden which merge into other cities or into the mountains.

Yet despite its sprawling, disconnected nature, Ogden has definite districts. For example, historic 25th Street with its shops, restaurants, and farmer's market during the summer.

The Frontrunner Station could be considered a node. It's a junction of several roads and an area of high traffic. The bus station is located there as well.

There are many landmarks in Ogden. Ogden High School, built during the Great Depression and my alma mater, is easily recognizable.

Once I started noticing all this, I began to appreciate my home town. There are trees everywhere. The mountains are beautiful and there are great hiking trails close to my house. Snowbasin Ski Resort is only twenty minutes away. There are two great libraries and the beautiful Peery's Egyptian Theater. Turns out Ogden isn't so bad after all.

Kelsee Andersen Personal Blog #1

From Day 1 Group 4 was destined for epic adventure. The six of us girls have had a grand time on our walkabouts and I wouldn't trade our experiences for those of any other group. I have made lifelong friends and learned a few very valuable lessons, one of which I will share with you now.

There are a few things that make a person feel safe in a city. The first is a theory known as "eyes on the street" which basically means that having more people with more eyes to see what's going on makes a person feel safer. I would submit that the second is the judgment we make about the type of people on the road.

Our first walkabout involved a trip to Pioneer Park for the Farmer's Market. If there's one thing you should know about me, it would be that I have absolutely NO sense of direction. So it's really no surprise that we rode Trax all the way to the end of the line when we should have gotten off at the Gateway. Due to this unfortunate mistake, we were able to experience the back roads. For a while, there was not a person in sight. The atmosphere was eerily quiet. As we drew closer to our destination, we started to see a few scattered individuals who appeared to have been removed from their typical home (Pioneer Park). However, in this case, having more people on the road did not make us feel any more secure. So the six of us stuck together and decided to pick up the pace. Upon arrival at the Farmer's Market, we immediately felt safer due to the crowds of people who appeared to belong to more middle class walks of life. The atmosphere was completely changed by the increase in the number of people and the type of people we found ourselves surrounded by.

Our next walkabout was dramatically different. This time we experienced the tranquility of the quiet atmosphere surrounding the pristine beauty of the Salt Lake temple and its immaculate gardens. A family taking wedding pictures and a few tourists snapping photos all contributed to our feelings of comfort and safety.

On our third adventure, we made a trip to the giant Wells Fargo building that towers over downtown. Personally, Gallivan Center has never been my favorite Trax stop because of all the panhandling and smoking that goes on. Leaving all that behind, we rode the elevator all the way to the top of the Wells Fargo building. The building was spotless and silent. The few individuals we saw inside were business people whose attire demanded respect. I never felt as if my safety was compromised.

The People's Freeway Neighborhood provided another challenge as far as directions are concerned. We needed a Sandy train, but tried to switch a stop too early (again, my fault). On the short walk from the Library to Gallivan Plaza we were approached by Austin who tried to give us a spa deal. His appearance was quite neat and he was very friendly. Though we may have found him slightly annoying in his persistence, we didn't feel threatened by him. We made it to the Ballpark stop eventually. Wandering around, wondering if we were in the right spot, we followed a guy gettin' his swag on, cussin' up a storm, and rappin' down the street. Puzzled, we smiled and moved on Once we arrived at the streets behind the Salt Lake Bees stadium, the traffic significantly lessened and the types of individuals that approached us differed. Our money was no longer being used to make ourselves beautiful, it was benefiting someone who supposedly had none and was desperate to have it.

People make a city. The number and kind of people determine the atmosphere of different areas within the city. As a result of our walkabouts, I am more aware of this when walking around Salt Lake. Watch how people make you feel the next time you're out and about.

Person Blog 2- Chelsea Marshall

Capitol Theater is located in the heart of Salt Lake City. This breathtaking theater is on 50West and 200 South. It is home of many performaning groups including Ballet West, Utah Opera Company and Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company.

As a member of Chidlren's Theater Dance, I also got to perform on Capitol Theater's stage. Every April our company would perform an original production in front of over one thousand audience members. I still remember the feeling of nervous excitement as I stepped on the stage for the first time. I watched the older kids from backstage and tried to mimic their every move.

My favorite show we did was Repete with Pete Seeger. It was part of the 2002 Winter Olympics celebration. Our dance was called "Day Colores", which meant beautiful colors. It was amazing to be on the same stage as this folk legend.

Even though my CDT days are now over, I will continue to enjoy this beautiful space. Capitol Theater has a wide diversity of shows that will suit everyone in the family. I strongly reccomend spending time in this historic building.

Kajsa Vlasic: Personal Blog No. 2

Pierpont Avenue is a hidden treasure within Downtown Salt Lake City. I spent a good portion of my younger years exploring this area because my mom worked in an office there. To this day I find it one of the most majestic streets in the valley.

Just a block away from the Gateway, most people pass this by as they soar down 400 West in their cars. Pierpont is home to an amazing group of small boutiques, lofts, studios and offices.

On one side of the street are loft studio apartments. They provide downtown access but are

still protected from big street traffic. On this same side is Higher Ground Learning - a place where I met some amazing people during high school. Higher Ground provides tutoring and SAT prep classes for high school students. The studio space provides a great place to study and helped me meet many incredible people.

On the other side of the street are smaller boutique spaces ranging from art galleries

to costume shoppes to the MJSA Architecture firm (where my mom worked when we first moved to Salt Lake.) It is an exciting area to walk around because the buildings all show their individuality through their different color schemes. They range from orange and blue to yellow and green.

On the backside of Pierpont Avenue is a similar area featuring restaurants, like Tony Caputos and Bruge's Waffle House, and a bicycle shop.

This area is one of the warmest streets in downtown and I feel lucky I got to spend so much time there during my youth.

Kajsa Vlasic: Personal Blog No. 1

Whenever I travel to a new city, I always find myself wandering into a local coffee shop to get a sense of the community and the people who inhabit it while enjoying a cup o' joe. I have lived in Salt Lake City for the majority of my life, but I still find it interesting to explore our community through our variety of cafes. I oftentimes find myself studying in a cozy corner late at night and on the weekends, bunkered down with my textbooks and an Americano or a mug of green tea. Over time I have come to notice the differences in people who make their way through these coffee shops and how cafes are an incredible way to learn m

ore about the different neighborhoods of Salt Lake, or any city for that matter.

Local coffee shops are inviting meeting points in communities. They offer a neutral setting for people to gather and catch up, read the morning paper, or stop by on the way to work.

By watching people who enter coffee shops it is easy to get a sense of the part of the city where it is located. Downtown coffee shops tend to get business workers running in at lunch time, Sugarhouse cafes tend to gather younger people (college students, young adults and young

families), and cafes like Two

Creek in the Avenues are hits among neighborhood residents.

Coffee shops also tend to reflect the neighborhoods where they are located and the kinds of events that take place in these areas. Cafe Marmalade, located just below the Salt Lake Pride Center, brings in local young bands, has Poetry Slams and is open to the LGBTQ community of Salt Lake. Cafe Nostalgia, located on 100 South and 300 East, is a quiet downtown cafe that allows for easy studying and working for both students and working adults. Cafe Mestizo in Rose Park is part coffee shop/part art gallery and hosts Chicano art exhibits in this culturally diverse part of town.

My favorite cafe is the Salt Lake Roasting Company, located on 400 South just off of the Trax line. The two-story building offers a quiet upstairs to hide out in and watch traffic on the busy street below. Because of its central location (a block away from the Main Library) and easy access from the University of Utah, the SL Roasting Co. receives a high amount of traffic from college students and people who work downtown. The upstairs is relatively quiet and is where most people work on their laptops

for hours. Downstairs is a bit more active and loud with people catching up and spending time getting to know each other. The building is permeated with the aroma of roasting coffee and the quiet background music creates a very peaceful atmosphere.

My neighborhood cafe, the Coffee Garden, is located at 9th & 9th. The Coffee Garden is a very easy-going place but is quite a bit more lively than the SL Roasting Co. Its location in the 9th & 9th neighborhood makes it a very accessible and family-friendly spot. I find it harder to study there, but it is a wonderful place to catch up with friends.

Coffee shops are charming places that serve as a great way to view communities and the people who inhabit them.

Individual Blog


I grew up in Boise my entire life. Moving to Salt Lake was a definite eye opener, but as I live here more and more, I realize how Boise is similar. It seems that Boise is a smaller scale Salt Lake.

City Layout:
Both cities have merging cities by them. For example, Salt Lake has cities like Sandy, Holiday, and numerous small cities, that seem to connect to Salt Lake, without much notice. Boise, too has little cities that merge. Examples include, Eagle and Garden City. As you look out at the city, it is a huge expanse of homes, and development which includes many little cities with no or little seams with the big city.









Salt Lake City (on left) and Boise (on right) both showing the expanse of the city.
Also these pictures show the cluster of skyscrapers. In both cities they are close together and not spread out.

Natural Barriers:
Both cities are lined with mountains, the cities rest in a valley.

















Mountains surround both cities, Salt Lake (left); Boise (right).

Religion:
Both cities have various religions, but in Salt Lake City the prevalent religion is LDS. Salt Lake holds the Temple as well as Temple Square. Boise, holds a large temple for the Mormon religion.






Salt Lake (left), Boise (right).

Highways/ Transportation:
In both cities the highways are on the outskirts. They ride the cities' edge, and of course are always under construction. There are great bus systems in both cities, that will get you just about anywhere you need to go. Salt Lake has Trax, but Boise has a bill suggesting to add a train system throughout the city.

Recreation:
Both cities accommodate the adventurer type. Boise has a cement belt called the Green Belt that runs along the Boise river, that allows bikes and pedestrians to enjoy the outdoors as well as travel anywhere in town. Salt Lake has trails for biking and hiking on the outskirts of the city. Both cities are lined with ski resorts. Salt Lake has more than Boise, but both cities indulge the cravings of ski goers.

This is a brief description of the similarities between my two homes. I will admit Boise is smaller than Salt Lake, but it is one of the top five fastest growing cities in the United States. So will Boise by the next Salt Lake?


By: Annah Frisch

Elise Maxwell Personal Blog #2

I absolutely love to read. If I feel like I have extra money to spend, I'll most likely spend it on a book. However, I find that I don't feel very comfortable in huge chains like Barnes and Noble or Borders. Perhaps this stems from an early exposure to the movie You've Got Mail, but I'd much rather go to "The Shop Around the Corner" than "Fox Books."

Because of this, there will always be a special place in my heart for locally-owned bookstores. The pictures in this post are of my four favorite bookstores around Salt Lake City: King's English, The Central Book Exchange, Ken Sanders Rare Books, and Sam Weller's Books. Each has a different atmosphere. Each is located in a unique community. And I love each one of them.

King's English is on 1500 South and 1500 East. It's nestled in a tiny shopping area that is densely surrounded by homes. When you walk in, you're immediately helped. If you so please, you can be left alone to wander among the mishmash of rooms filled from floor to ceiling with books. Each Christmas, they have various parties where you can meet authors or listen to different readings (last year I had Pat Bagley sign a few books). This is just in addition to the readings and discussions they host year-round.

The Central Book Exchange is actually located less than a block north from the Sugarhouse location of Barnes and Noble. Unlike the other bookstores in this post, this bookstore sells used books. You can bring in old books to exchange, or simply buy ones they have on shelf. All of the books are in excellent condition for being used. You can often find out-of-print books or books for a unique taste. Or if you're a poor student like me, you can find novels for cheap.

Ken Sanders Rare Books is a bookstore I was just recently introduced to. It's downtown, located on 268 South and 200 East. Although it doesn't look like much from the outside, this bookstore is filled with amazing books. With an eclectic feel, the owner and workers will always help you find what you want. They also have a collection of postcards and maps. I spent almost an hour just looking at postcards. Some were new and never written on, but other still held the messages that people had sent years ago.

Sam Weller's Bookstore is in the heart of downtown on 254 South and Main Street. It's highly accessible as it's right across the street from the Gallivan Plaza stop on both lines of Trax. Inside the store, there's a small coffee shop (The Coffee Garden, which has its main location on 9th and 9th). There are three levels of books to browse, with mainstream books on the first and second level. If you venture downstairs, to the basement, you'll find bargain books and old magazines and textbooks. While I was there for my group's Gallivan Plaza walkabout, I got two works of Shakespeare for $4. Because of it's location, Sam Weller's is full of all kinds of people, whether it be business people on lunch breaks, college students browsing, families shopping, or even the occasional homeless person. Sam Weller's is welcoming to all, and I've never left without making a purchase.

Elise Maxwell Personal Blog #1

I'm consistently amazed by the versatility of the city. I believe this to be exemplified by the plazas of the Salt Lake City downtown library and the City County building as well as the street that runs between them.

On any average day, the plazas are relatively empty. People are will walk through, on their way to various destinations, rarely, if ever, stopping to talk to anyone. People rarely stop and stay, for any reason. The plazas are open and welcoming, but rarely social.

A few times a year, however, the plazas are completely transformed. The plaza hosts a variety of festivals. When the Utah Jazz Festival has free concerts, they are held there. Each summer, the plazas host the Utah Arts Festival. The Utah Gay Pride Festival has started being held there, as well. During these times, the plazas come alive. Street vendors and booths line the street and make their own grids. Every kind of person can be found, all enjoying the atmosphere and the entertainment.

I remember specifically a few years ago a performance I saw at the Utah Arts Festival. A performance group repelled off the glass wall of the City Library. With a crowd gathered below, the group danced at sunset. On the glass, you could see the reflection of the dancers. As a member of the crowd, I remember feeling as if I was a part something. People who didn't know each other began to interact, losing their social barriers because they were joined by something amazing.

City Creek Center Project: Personal Blog #1

In 2003, Salt Lake's previous Crossroads Mall was purchased by a real estate division of the LDS church, and is now undergoing the development of what is to be City Creek Center. Plans for the center call for shopping and residential elements, with foliage-lined walkways and streams covering three blocks in the heart of downtown Salt Lake.

The new mall will offer an open-air design, similar to the outdoor Gateway mall. The current City Center Trax stop will also provide access to the area. Department stores such as Nordstrom and Macy's will be integrated, as well as a Harmon's grocery store. Businesses such as Beneficial Financial Group and possibly even Global Exchange Place have also been included in the design. Residential options include over 300 units, both condos and apartments. The City Creek project is scheduled to be completed in 2012.

Appearance and Atmostphere-Personal Blog 2

Recognize this place? Yes, it is a bit blurry but that is the Energy Solutions Arena. Looks a bit different doesn't it? No court is visible for it has been replaced by a stage. Half the arena is blocked off and while things looked very similar, there was definitely a different atmosphere. Tonight, there is no basketball game. Tonight there is a performance. Tonight, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra is in town.


The normal atmosphere in the Energy Solutions Arena is generally excitement. A feeling of competetivness lingers as the Jazz get ready to play. A very different atmosphere permeated the arena when TSO prepared to play. Awe and wonder filled the air, and as soon as TSO stepped out onto the stage music resonated and lasers cut through the fog. A hush fell over the audience that lingered throughout the 2 1/2 hour performance.

What is it that allows for the sudden change of atmosphere in the same building that the night before held an NBA basketball game?
Well appearance is most definitely the biggest factor: a huge stage, catwalks that come down from the ceiling, countless flashing lights, and pyrotechnics.
But there is something else that goes unaccounted for and I just can't put my finger on it. Maybe its just a feeling. Either way TSO put on one of the greatest performances I have ever seen.

Personal Space-Katie Caruso Personal blog 1

This class focuses on individual buildings, structure, setting, and community but I feel that maybe at times we overlook that what is inside the building is just as important (if not more.....)

Bedrooms are very personal spaces. Many times, a person will be upset if someone went in their bedroom without their permission. So what makes any one person's bedroom so special?

For me, its a depiction of who I am. Starting with my outside door (which features my name and various artwork I have completed in my younger days) but as soon as you walk in you're going to find out more than you thought you knew.

Simply put, my room is blue. This room was never supposed to be mine, it was set up for my brother but things change. I have my sound system that allows me to play my music when and how loud I want. My trophies from Jr Jazz and softball line the top of my shelves. My room is my own personal space in which I can hang out and be alone. That is what makes it special for me.

The single greatest thing about my room is the fact that I can decorate it however I wish to. I have lined all my walls with various posters and photos of basketball because it is what makes me happy. As you can see there are some blank spaces because I have brough some with me to the dorms in order to make it feel more like home. Thats the great thing about bedrooms, no matter where you are, you can always make it your own.

Whether its a bedroom, an office, or even a business, making it personal to your style will add a comfortability thats all your own. Perhaps thats the key to a successful job.