🌱 Shelters Need Staffers Like You + 600 Coats For SLC Homeless

Salt Lake City UT

24 December, 2021

10:14 AM

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Hello and Merry Christmas, neighbors! It's me, Joseph Peterson, your host of the Salt Lake City Daily, wishing you a warm and festive morning whatever you're celebrating. First, today's weather: Partly cloudy with the sun poking through some expected rain and snow showers. High: 45 Low: 36. Here are the top 4 stories today in Salt Lake City: In a heartfelt plea, Salt Lake Mayor Erin Mendenhall urged the public to apply for job openings assisting the homeless population. We featured a story last week on the Salt Lake City Daily highlighting the problem of staffing shortages for homeless resource centers and shelters, which has led to critical safety issues for unsheltered folks amid snow and cold winter weather. Many full-time jobs are open with organizations that service homeless populations. Michelle Flynn of the Road Home said even those who don't think they're qualified should take another look, adding "what we're looking for is people who care." (KSL.com) Enjoy an interview with Utah Children's authors (and husband-and-wife) Mark and Caralyn Buehner whose latest work is 'Merry Christmas, Mr. Mouse,' and see what they have to say about living and working in Sugar House, particularly their recommendations of what not to miss in the neighborhood during the Christmas Season. Namely, a drive down Christmas Street, SLC. (Salt Lake Tribune)Full of holiday cheer, staff at Shriners Children's got creative to celebrate the first Christmas of babies in their care, especially after the holiday party was canceled due to COVID-19 safety protocols. Little ones were dressed in festive onesies, and staff dressed up as well, visiting individual patients. Decorative casts were also applied to babies after corrective club foot procedures. (KUTV 2 News)Several community groups have united to distribute 600 coats to Salt Lake City's unsheltered, who are facing the critical situation of some heavy-duty winter weather with not enough shelters open to welcome them in from the cold. One group, Unsheltered Utah, began last year on social media as a collaboration among friends, highlighting one of the ways anyone can make a difference and find others to join in the effort. (KSL.com) Today in Salt Lake City: Santa Claus is hitting the slopes at Solitude Mountain Resort, this morning! Point your skis or snowboard to the lower mountain runs above Moonbeam Center and you just might see him carving up the groomers and handing out free candy. (9:00 AM)Head to the Discovery Gateway Children's Museum this morning to try out some candy chemistry to celebrate National Candy Cane Day! Visit the STEAM Lab to test out what happens to a candy cane when it is mixed in different liquids. Free with Admission. (10:00 AM)Salzburger Echo brings the Alps to Solitude Mountain Resort today with twelve-foot alphorns, Swiss cowbells, and harmony yodeling as they perform old-world and contemporary folk music from the Alpine regions of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Enjoy the free performance today at the Moonbeam base area and later in Solitude Village. (2:00 PM)It'll be a jazzy Christmas in SLC, indeed, when the Utah Jazz face the Dallas Mavericks tonight at Vivint Arena, downtown. (8:30 PM) From my notebook: See what certified sommelier and founder of Wine Academy of Utah, Jimmy Santangelo has to say about finding and pairing the perfect dessert wines with all the holiday treats you can't stop eating. (fox13now.com)Zebras, polar bears, and tigers, oh my! Learn more about how the various animals at Salt Lake's Hogle Zoo react to winter snow and behave in the cold weather. Or just watch this awesome video of a tiger prowling in the snow. (ABC 4) "We've seen quite a few questions about precipitation type along the Wasatch Front during this event. For the most part, snow levels will remain just above the valley floor/benches during the heaviest precipitation." (US National Weather Service Salt Lake City Utah) "Physical challenges can't hold these kids back. Meet three young skiers who have overcome physical barriers to find winter joy in the mountains." (Visit Utah) More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news! Events: Save 15 Percent On FTD's Christmas Collection (December 25) Social Security Seminar (January 6) Add your event Loving the Salt Lake City Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved: Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe Get your local business listed in front of readers Send me a news tip or suggestion at [email protected] Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday! See you all tomorrow for another update. — Joseph Peterson About me: Joseph is a writer and marketing communications strategist with a degree in Mass Communication and Public Relations from the University of Utah. He's keen on city life, public libraries, national parks, and promoting events that build community.