How to talk like a Utahn

SLC 2034 Winter Olympics

Salt Lake City has been named the preferred host for the 2034 Winter Olympics by the International Olympic Committee, and France announced as the preferred host for 2030. While it’s not an official designation, this comes as a huge win for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games who have been trying for more than a decade to bring the Olympics back to our city. [Salt Lake Tribune]

• Related: Should we really be hosting? [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

Brine Shrimp in the Classroom

Attention all teachers! The Great Salt Lake Institute is looking for classrooms to test their new brine shrimp growing kits. Fill out the form by Friday, Dec. 1 at 5 p.m. MT to sign up. Kits will be ready after winter break. [GSL Institute]

• Related: Why should we care about brine shrimp? [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

Birthday Party Ideas For Kids

This is the time of year when money feels the tightest, but it’s a parents worst nightmare to not be able to provide joy for their kid. Amidst Christmas and Hanukkah, winter birthdays can be forgotten (and more expense). With help from Hey Salt Lake readers and clever mom Shireen Ghorbani, we brainstorm cheap and creative birthday parties for kids. Plus an etiquette guide for adults and tips for tackling gifts. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

The different ways we communicate regionally is one of the quirks I love most about humans. We surveyed the Hey Salt Lake audience to see just how much our hometowns impact how we talk. And here are the results!

Note: Out of those who responded to our Utah Dialect quiz, 47% grew up in Utah, 7% in California, and the rest were other places.

👟 Sneakers vs. Tennis Shoes

My mom called these tennis shoes growing up but I call them sneakers.

Tennis shoes: 65%

Sneakers: 28%

🍭 Lollipop vs. Sucker

This one was controversial. Some people say they call the swirly rainbow ones lollipops and everything else suckers. Do you agree?

Lollipop: 50%

Sucker: 49%

🥤 Soda vs. Pop

What do you call the 44-ounce diet beverage in your Stanley cup?

Soda: 81%

Pop: 13%

🥪 Hoagie vs. Sub

Hoagie: 76%

Sub: 17%

Related: Salt Lake’s best sandwiches. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

🐞 Roly Poly vs. Potato Bug

Who was obsessed with these bugs as a kid and loved the show “Rolie Polie Olie?”

Roly Poly: 52%

Potato Bug: 41%

Blue Copper Chess Club ♟ Thursday | 6:30 p.m.

Chess players of all ages and skill levels are welcome at the Blue Copper Chess Club at Blue Copper Coffee. There will be smashburgers! [Free entry, Marmalade]

Human Rights Day Celebration 🎉 Saturday | 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Celebrate Human Rights Day at the Gallivan Center. There will be food and performances. RSVP required. [Free, Downtown SLC]

The Sound of Music 🎶 Saturday | Various Times

The hills are alive with “The Sound of Music.” Sing-along to the classic movie at the Broadway on Saturday, Dec. 2 or Dec. 9. [$20, Downtown SLC]

Cheap and Creative Kids Party Ideas

Planning kids birthday parties can be difficult, especially around the holidays when money is already tight. So, let’s get creative! Salt Lake mom Shireen Ghorbani joins host Ali Vallarta to give her best tips and tricks for throwing the ultimate kids birthday party this season and beyond — without breaking the bank.