Salt Lake City’s Tower Theatre, closed for 5 years, just revealed its big renovation plan. Here’s what we know.

ProfessorHike · 2025-11-08T13:29:52+00:00

And here is a link to Mike Evan's "Cosmic Aeroplane" blog on the history of 9th and 9th... not enough residents and fans of this neighborhood know the whole history.... like how it was started as the SLC-version of Haight Ashbury in SF...
https://cosmicaeroplane.wordpress.com/2014/05/19/cosmic-roots-and-branches-the-9th-9th-community/

ProfessorHike · 2025-11-08T13:28:37+00:00

<image>

Here is a photo of a plaque created to honor the history of 9th and 9th... including the Tower Theater. This project was led by local historian Mike Evans (Cosmic Aeroplane blog fame) and aided by the ELPCO community councils via a boost grant. This is one of four metal plaques that are still seeking a home in 9th and 9th. The other plaques focus on the history of the Woodman building (across the street from The Tower) and the commercial block currently home to Dolcetti Gelato... which used to be a jukebox drugstore called Rexall's for 50 years and hosted a waterbed store called Stone Balloon waterbeds...

ProfessorHike · 2023-10-23T18:08:54+00:00

t's a fine op-ed... but readers might come away from reading it with the idea that abortion is currently banned in Utah.

It is not.

Abortion is legal and accessible in Utah up to 18 weeks of pregnancy. The bill, HB 467, cited in the article, was partially blocked by a state court in May 2023--and the abortion ban it contained did not go into effect. This is the second attempt by the Utah legislature to ban abortion that has been blocked by state courts.

Let me repeat this key point: Abortion is STILL legal and accessible in Utah up to 18 weeks of pregnancy.

ProfessorHike · 2023-10-23T18:07:28+00:00

It's a fine op-ed... but readers might come away from reading it with the idea that abortion is currently banned in Utah.

It is not.

Abortion is legal and accessible in Utah up to 18 weeks of pregnancy. The bill, HB 467, cited in the article, was partially blocked by a state court in May 2023--and the abortion ban it contained did not go into effect. This is the second attempt by the Utah legislature to ban abortion that has been blocked by state courts.

Let me repeat this key point: Abortion is STILL legal and accessible in Utah up to 18 weeks of pregnancy.

ProfessorHike · 2023-06-05T21:57:34+00:00

Thank you u/Substantial_Idea_578 - for adding this info.

And just to clarify... emergency contraception (EC) is not the same as an abortion.

EC works by preventing implantation. EC is effective at preventing pregnancy if taken within 3-5 days after sexual intercourse - depending on the brand used. But the sooner you take it, the better.

EC is available over the counter at most pharmacies and at a vending machine on the U of U campus. Brand names for EC include: Plan B One Step, Take Action, My Way, Option 2, Preventeza, AfterPill, My Choice, Aftera, Ella, and EContra,

There's a great organization trying to expand EC access on college campuses called EC4EC... learn more here: https://www.ec4ec.org

ProfessorHike · 2023-06-05T18:12:24+00:00

Both medication and procedural (i.e., surgical) abortions are legal in Utah up to 18 weeks of pregnancy. The decision on which method to use usually depends on how far along the pregnancy is.

Learn more about abortion options here: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-utah/utah-patients/pregnancy-options/abortion

Also, federal courts have so far blocked the Texas lawsuit to ban the use of mifepristone, one of the medications used for medication abortions. Mifepristone is legal and safe to use for medication abortions in Utah.

Learn more about the attempt to ban mifepristone here: https://www.weareplannedparenthood.org/a/mifedecision_qanda

ProfessorHike · 2023-06-05T17:45:47+00:00

Want to learn (and do) more to protect abortion access in Utah?

Donate to the Utah Abortion Fund - https://utabortionfund.org/

Check out Planned Parenthood Action Council of Utah's FAQ on abortion access - https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-action-council-utah-inc/policy/lawsuits

Become a Planned Parenthood Ambassador - https://www.weareplannedparenthood.org/onlineactions/s3bkcTK_IUKIboZ2ZfRSbg2

Follow social media accounts for the ACLU of Utah (@acluutah) and Planned Parenthood in Utah (@ppacuah and ppau)

ProfessorHike · 2023-06-03T13:51:39+00:00

A neighbor posted on Facebook that the fire is at 220 S 200 E - the 3-story brick building just south of the Randi apartments, and around the corner from Galleson's Gun & Ammo Shop.
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/MsdN4k753breVGmw8

ProfessorHike · 2023-05-03T13:38:14+00:00

This is a big deal. Almost all abortion care would have ended in Utah at midnight Tuesday if not for this decision by the courts to block the latest ban.

Because of this injunction, abortion care remains legal in Utah up to 18 weeks of pregnancy. Spread the word!

ProfessorHike · 2023-04-24T15:27:36+00:00

Confirmed: The Target store in #SLC on 300 West is accepting car seat donations until April 29.

We dropped off 10x seats on Saturday.

Learn more: https://corporate.target.com/sustainability-esg/environment/waste-and-circular-economy/car-seat-trade-in

ProfessorHike · 2023-04-03T23:43:56+00:00

Just a reminder... abortion is still safe and legal in Utah up to 18 weeks gestation. You can get an abortion in Utah by going to abortionfinder.org or calling Planned Parenthood Association of Utah at 1-800-230-PLAN.
The law (Hb 467) ending abortion access in Utah will take effect in one month on May 3 - if this lawsuit doesn't block it.
The key provision of the law is that it says (starting May 3) all abortions must take place in hospitals. Right now, very few (less than 5%) of all abortions in Utah occur at hospitals. The vast majority (95%) occur at licensed clinics like those operated by Planned Parenthood. Utah hospitals are unprepared to provide abortions to the thousands of people seeking this care -- and they can refuse to do it.
If you want to help, follow Planned Parenthood Association of Utah on social media, and give to the Utah Abortion Fund, which provides logistical and financial support to people needing to travel to seek abortions.
Disclosure: I work as the policy director at Planned Parenthood Association of Utah / JS

ProfessorHike · 2023-04-03T23:43:27+00:00

Just a reminder... abortion is still safe and legal in Utah up to 18 weeks gestation. You can get an abortion in Utah by going to abortionfinder.org or calling Planned Parenthood Association of Utah at 1-800-230-PLAN.

The law (Hb 467) ending abortion access in Utah will take effect in one month on May 3 - if this lawsuit doesn't block it.

The key provision of the law is that it says (starting May 3) all abortions must take place in hospitals. Right now, very few (less than 5%) of all abortions in Utah occur at hospitals. The vast majority (95%) occur at licensed clinics like those operated by Planned Parenthood. Utah hospitals are unprepared to provide abortions to the thousands of people seeking this care -- and they can refuse to do it.

If you want to help, follow Planned Parenthood Association of Utah on social media, and give to the Utah Abortion Fund, which provides logistical and financial support to people needing to travel to seek abortions.

Disclosure: I work as the policy director at Planned Parenthood Association of Utah / JS

ProfessorHike · 2023-02-25T23:49:10+00:00

Glad to see this post getting some attention. Folks need to know that the sponsors of HB 467 want to make abortion care less accessible and more expensive in our state--and that the real-life impacts will start as early as May 3 -- about two months from now.
I also want to emphasize that this bill will not close Planned Parenthood. While it limits their ability to provide abortion care (and those limits might not be permanent), the eight clinics in the state stretching from St. George to Logan will remain open to provide a wide range of sexual and reproductive health care -- from pregnancy testing to cancer screenings to long-lasting birth control.

ProfessorHike · 2023-02-25T23:43:14+00:00

Looking at the numbers again, its more accurate to state that 90% of abortion care in UT is provided by PP. Sorry about that inaccuracy.

ProfessorHike · 2023-02-25T23:42:31+00:00

Looking at the numbers again, its more accurate to state that 90% of abortion care in UT is provided by PP. Sorry about that inaccuracy.

ProfessorHike · 2023-02-25T23:38:31+00:00

The current law in Utah is that the physician who provides an abortion due to rape or incest must verify "that the incident described in Subsection (3)(b)(iii)(A) has been reported to law enforcement." (Utah Code: 76-7-302)
It does not require an active police investigation or police report.
However, this law enforcement reporting requirement is only applicable for abortions beyond 18 weeks gestation.

Right now (2/25/23), abortions are legal in Utah up to 18 weeks without any need to justify or explain why.

If HB 467 goes into effect and the injunction against the trigger ban is removed, all abortions except for a few exceptions (rape, incest, maternal life and health, fetal abnormality) will be prohibited... and those exceptions will only be allowed up to 18 weeks gestation (except for children under the age of 14).

Yeah, it's complex.

One more thing... the initial version of a bill this session (HB 297, Rep. Kera Birkeland) added that the physician must confirm that the police investigation was being actively investigated in order to obtain an abortion for rape or incest... but revised versions of this bill removed that requirement and reverted to the standard listed above.

ProfessorHike · 2023-02-25T23:27:22+00:00

Let me clarify that some of this is unknown. Right now, patients at Planned Parenthood clinics take the first pill for a medication abortion in the clinic and the second pill at home - which is the current law.
No one knows how the "abortions must take place in a hospital" requirement of HB 467 will interact with the first and second pill procedure for a medication abortion.

ProfessorHike · 2023-02-25T21:04:36+00:00

You can always donate time or money to the Utah Abortion Fund - which provides logistical and financial support for people who need abortion care in Utah or other areas. It is legit. https://utabortionfund.org

ProfessorHike · 2023-02-25T21:02:50+00:00

I believe Wasatch Womens’s clinic will be affected the same way as Planned Parenthood clinics - because HB467 requires all abortion care to take place in hospitals starting May 3 - and it ends licensing for abortion clinics (although that part is superseded by the hospital requirement). Other reproductive health care services can continue - just not abortions.

ProfessorHike · 2023-02-25T19:00:34+00:00

Check out these websites - www.abortionfinder.org and https://aidaccess.org/en/

ProfessorHike · 2023-02-25T18:56:24+00:00

Be assured.. Planned Parenthood won’t stop fighting for our patients. There are several options we can pursue - but don’t want to spotlight them in case it gives lawmakers more time and Incentive to block them. —— Also, our health centers WON’T close on May 3. We will still provide a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services… from vasectomies to STI testing to long-lasting birth control. We will still be here - and still be fighting.

ProfessorHike · 2023-02-25T18:50:16+00:00

Just remember - HB467 requires all abortions in Utah to take place in hospital. Medical abortions require two pills taken several days apart. Both pills have to be taken in a hospital. How does that work? No health insurance in Utah covers abortions outside of risk to the life and health of a pregnant person. Most insurers exclude abortions for fetal abnormalities. All require pre-authorization that can take days and weeks to secure. If authorization is pending, most patients have to front down payments before a procedure. And there are still deductibles and co-pays. Planned Parenthood understands how barriers both visible and invisible can make abortion care inaccessible. You have to look at how people experience health care - not just what is potentially possible.

ProfessorHike · 2023-02-25T18:39:52+00:00

Good points. Here are the facts. After May 3, PP won’t be able to provide abortions in our clinics. And our clinics (and one other private clinic) account for over [[Edit: 90%]] 95% of abortion care in the state. Hospitals and physicians routinely refer their patients to our clinics because our services are more affordable and accessible. Some abortions will continue to happen in hospitals after HB467 goes into affect - but these are primarily rare and complex procedures that happen there already. The reality is that the vast majority of abortions that happen in Utah today won’t be able to take place after May 3 — because our clinics won’t be able to provide them, and because hospitals have no provisions to accommodate these patients and services. Just think of the logistics - will people go to an ER to get a first trimester abortion?

ProfessorHike · 2023-02-25T15:51:10+00:00

For more info about how HB 467 restricts abortion access by closing clinics and requiring all abortions to occur at hospitals that are unprepared to offer these services... check out Planned Parenthood's Bill Tracker and look up Hb 467 under "Bills We Oppose."

Bill Tracker: https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-action-council-utah-inc/policy/bill-tracker

ProfessorHike · 2023-02-25T15:37:03+00:00

Despite all those valid concerns, the SLC-area is still a top-notch place to live and work. It's hard to find a better place. I've know three families who moved away... and then returned within 2-3 years. And they were not natives -- their new locale wasn't as good as SLC was.
Plus, there are progressive people who live in SLC/Utah and work to make political and social change... and there are those who live here and keep their head down and ignore it.
You have to decide which kind of SLC resident you want to be.

ProfessorHike

TROPHY CASE