Yes, siree, the Sundance Film Festival goes live one week from today. Til then, here’s what else is on the Salt Lake docket:

Turn Your Camera On: Tour the city with a Flickr group called Photowalking SLC. Or, take it up a notch and join the group’s latest adventure: a multi-studio shoot exploring studio lighting in Draper this Saturday. Catch the details here.

Public of Tea: Learn the ins and outs of the Japanese tea ritual at one of three Japanese Tea Ceremonies, held at the Main Library on Saturday at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. The demonstrations will be conducted by Cha-No-Yutah, a group of tea enthusiasts hoping to promote the “way of tea.” More info here.

Back Adcha: On Wednesday, the Utah Advertising Federation is hosting the third annual ADDY Awards at the Utah State Fairgrounds. You’ll get your chance to vote on your favorite print ads, billboards, websites and package design. Plus, there’s gonna be a battle of the bands, ad agency-style. The party goes live from 4-8 p.m. at the Bonneville Building.

On the Big Screen: Today marks your last chance to see “The Kite Runner” at Regency Theatres, and “Juno” and “The Orphanage” might be the last films you ever get to see at Trolley. (No more movies starting Feb. 1). We recommend “Juno,” not only because it’s our favorite film of the year, but also because we’re big time scaredy-cats.

Culture for Gamers: According to the Video Games Live website, the Utah Symphony will be playing the tunes from videogame hits like Donkey Kong, Tetris, Zelda (and lowering its standards?) on March 27-29. Just imagine the symphony of sound Mario Bros. might offer—especially that tune from the underground scenes. Get your tickets here. (Via newcitymovement.)

Beret. Say it in your head and you’ll conjure images of cigarette-smoking Parisians in striped shirts. Army dudes. Monica Lewinski. But in winter 2008, they’re all the rage, and not just for those with political or apolitical agendas. In aims of being a well-informed fashion citizen, here are some factoids you might not have known about the well-worn beret. Just for fun.

• A beret is a round, soft, brimless cap that fits snugly and is often worn angled to one side and usually made of wool or synthetic wool.
• Berets were first worn by peasants in the France-meets-Spain Northern Basque Country.
• Berets are worn by military and police units in so many countries that we don’t want to list them.
• In the United States, the popular scarlet-colored beret marks those on Combat Control in the US Air Force.
• Onion Johnny is a nickname for French farmers and laborers who sold onions door to door and traditionally donned the infamous beret. There is an entire museum dedicated to Johnnies.
• Members of the United States Army Special Forces are knowns as “green berets.”
• A green beret was also once a staple in the Girl Scouts of America uniform.
• Active members of the Black Panther party typically wore either a red or black beret.
• Berets are stereotyped trademarks of intellectuals, film directors, painters, beatniks, and bohemians.
• That guy from MythBusters always wears a beret.
• Pablo Picasso, chemist Linus Pauling and psychologist Jean Piaget were known to wear berets.
• The Roots Beret was the most sought-after “fashion” item during the Salt Lake 2002 Winter Olympics.
• You can learn to make your own beret right here.
• And let’s not forget Prince’s “Raspberry Beret” nor its video.

G.I. Joe, Girl Scouts, Pablo Picasso, White House interns, and let’s not forget El Che. Looks like you’re in good company when you rock this lil number.

Try Outs:

Urban Outfitters’ Over Sized Solid Colour Beret
Topshop’s Felt Beret
Modcloth’s Classic Beret
Hat Attack’s Wool Beret With Pom Poms

*Image via WhoWhatWearDaily.com; sources: Wikipedia.com and Dictionary.com

Are you resolving to become more of a music junkie this year? 2008 just might be your year to stay on top of that resolution, as many bands are coming through our part of the country.

First up is Alex Church’s Sea Wolf. This songster is oozing with creativity, and his inspiration and imagination stems from works by Jack London and John Steinbeck. (See “Winter Windows.”) Church released a five-song EP in May 2007 with a breathtaking array of strings as accompaniment. He’ll be in Salt Lake on Thursday, January 17 before rubbing elbows with other up-and-comers at the Sundance Film Festival.

Sea Wolf: Listen here. Suggested track: “The Garden that You Planted.”

And don’t forget to schedule in an evening with The Bravery. This band continues to tour in support of their latest release, “The Sun Became The Moon.” Since their self-titled debut album was released in 2005, The Bravery has converted many a fan with their use of punk-, dance-, and rock-infused tunes, though “The Sun” evidences a turn toward the band’s mellower side.

The Bravery: Listen here. Suggested track: “Bad Sun”

And finally, I couldn’t leave out Angela Correa who will be playing an early show at Area 51, of all places, on January 23. Correa recently appeared on the soundtrack for “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story,” performing a duet with John C. Reilly and she’s known for many a musical montage on “Grey’s Anatomy.” If you enjoy Rachel Yamagata or Gillian Wlech, you’ll probably appreciate Correa’s delicate voice and crescendo-ing melodies. I have a feeling she’s soon to become a household name—even if it’s an indie household.

Angela Correa: Listen here. Suggested track: “Racing Tides”

Or, if you’re in Park City for the Sundance Film Festival, don’t forget to check out the festival-playing bands which include Gold Streets, Ha Ha Tonka and Meridian West. They’ll be playing on Main Street during the festival as part of Music on Main. But keep those eyes (or ears) peeled, because, who knows? Maybe we’re in for a surprise Radiohead concert, as was the case a few years back.

Now, repeat after me: I resolve to see more live music, I resolve to see more life music….

Here’s the rest:

It’s that time of year again. January means making preparations for your favorite celeb-sighting, movie-watching, cold-bearing parade: The Sundance Film Festival.

Locals-only passes and ticket packages sold out in September(!) and registration for individual ticket sales closed in December for the festival itself, held January 17 through 27. But there is still a chance for local ladies (and gents) to get their share of Sundance cinema, and all it requires is a stop by the ticket office, or some waiting-in-line, as per usual.

Best of Fest offers up our favorite way to get the lowdown on hot cinema, all in one apres-Festival display of award-winning shows. Stop by a Sundance Box Office this Saturday or Sunday to get tickets.

You’ll need: a current Utah driver’s license, or a current out-of-state driver’s license coupled with a bill for proof-of-residency.

{Best of Fest Ticket Sales}

January 12 and 13 (except Ogden)
Sundance Box Offices
Salt Lake: Trolley Square; 552 S. 602 East; 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on 12th, noon – 5 p.m. on 13th
Park City: Gatway Center, 136 Hever Ave.; 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on 12th, noon – 5 p.m. on 13th
Sundance Resort: North Fork Provo Canyon; 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. on 12th, noon – 5 p.m. on 13th
Ogden: 2415 Washington Blvd.; noon – 5:30 on 12th, closed on 13th

{Best of Fest Dates and Times}

Salt Lake: Monday January 28; Rose Wagner Center; 3:30, 6:30 and 9:30 p.m.
Park City: Monday January 28; Eccles Theatre; 6 and 9 p.m.
Sundance Resort: Monday January 28; Sundance Screening Room; 6 and 9 p.m.
Ogden: Tuesday, Januar 29; Peery’s Egyptian Theatre; 6:30 and 9:30 p.m.

More box office information for locals here.
Other ticket opportunities here and here.
2008 Film List, Film Guide and calendar here.

Thanks to all who let us know that we should be letting everyone else know about Pizzeria 712. We scurried on down to the Utah County pizza place as soon as we could—not only because we consider it our duty, but also because we love pizza and couldn’t wait to sample the area’s newest.

We soon discovered that 712 isn’t just your average pizza joint. It’s a bit more hip (yet cozy) and borders on the swanky side—most of the pizza joints we frequent don’t serve up short ribs and polenta, let alone house-made ricotta. But Pizzeria 712 offers this and more, and you’ll be happy to visit not only because the prices are reasonable, but also because the chefs are eager to chat it up with pizza-eating patrons. Overall, dining here is a friendly experience.

Ex-Sundance chefs Joseph and Colton dish out a pizza with a unique, sweet sauce. Though unusual, the tangy change in flavor is refreshing—especially when paired with margarita pizza staples like fresh mozzarella and basil leaves. And the crust, neither thick nor thin, is soft and chewy, just like we like it.

The menu is categorized simply, under headings like “A Little Something,” “Pizza,” “Panini,” “Sweet,” and “Drink.” We were treated to a pita-and-hummus plate (free like chips and salsa at a Mexican restaurant), as we waited for a starter salad of mixed lettuces, roasted squash, gorgonzola, pecans and vinaigrette ($6). Then we kept it simple and opted for a healthy-sized pizza of tomato sauce, hand-pulled mozzarella and basil ($9.50). We topped it off with Winder Farms buttermilk panna cotta with winter fruit ($6.50). We recommend all of the above, though we hear the short ribs and polenta aren’t to be missed.

Joseph and Colton credit their savory flavors to their motto, borrowed from Alice Waters: When you have the best and tastiest ingredients, you can cook very simply and the food will be extraordinary because the food tastes like what it is.

So why “712″? Turns out it’s a good temperature to cook pizzas at. Nice and hot, just like the restaurant itself.

{Take a Bite}

Pizzeria 712
320 S. State Street, Orem
(801) 623-6712
www.pizzeria712.com
www.pizzeria712.blogspot.com

Five sales to tell y’all about this week(end):

01. In conjunction with the Provo Gallery Stroll this evening, Mode boutique just kicked off a winter sale with lots of cool marked-down items. The sale will last til the items are all gone. Also, check out new artwork at Mode by cool local artist Jen Suflita.

Mode: 45 N. University Ave., Provo

02. Thanks to Tori, we heard that Modern Materials, home to cool and trendy home furnishings, is having a massive blowout in-store sale starting today, with everything (furniture and accessories) 30-70% off. Wowee. New decor for the new year, anyone?

Modern Materials: 2815 S. Highland Drive, Salt Lake City

03. Head to Salt Lake’s Four and Twenty Sailors where you can get 30-50 and 70% off clothing for you and your little one. The Four and Twenty clan is looking to make room for spring inventory, and you’re looking for ways to get more for less. The sale will last as long as the goods are still around.

Four and Twenty Sailors: 2645 E. Parleys Way, Salt Lake City

04. If you’re in need of lil goods for your lil one, now’s a good time to peruse the ONEiTY racks, as it’s currently holding its 3-for-2 Sale … meaning you get three items for the price of two. (We got top scores in Math 1010). Many of the holiday looks appear classic enough to last through next year. Long-lasting and on sale? Count us in.

ONEiTY: 4010 S. 2700 East, Salt Lake City

05. You can get 40% off all winter clothing and shoes at The Children’s Hour. They’re calling it their best sale of the year. We call it an opportunity to get a steal on designer flats. Yes, please.

The Children’s Hour: 914 E. 900 South, Salt Lake City

*This post updated twice. Sales and more sales ’round here.

Six of our favorite picks from local Etsy-ans. Utah has skills!

Three Gray Purple Flowers Pillow Cover / $17 / Gallegos out of Orem

Set of Four Veggie Bean Bags / $24 / Evie Ivy Overstreet in Utah

Nesting Dolls Wall Decal / $11 / Vinyl Wall Art in South Jordan

Dove Baby Slippers / $15 / Piddies in Salt Lake City

Splatter Butterfly Natural Tote / $15 / Enferno in Utah

Original Menu Planner / $6 / Jot it Down in Herriman

Still trying to get over the fact that your favorite letterpress calendar is sold out? Have no fear, friends. Options abound, from online retailers to our favorite Etsy sellers, you can still make your dates. From the very small to the quite large, here are a few of our still-available-as-we-write-this favorites:

2008 Mini Calendar / $3.50 / Smosch

Bodoni Typgraphic Calendar / $15 / Retro Garden

Botanical Desk Calendar / $30 / Little Tree Press

2008 Desk Calendar / $14 / Cecily Ink

2008 Wall Calendar / $20 / Good on Paper

A Tiny Calendar / $15 / Sunali Design

Birds and Blooms Calendar / $14 / Papaya!

2008 Letterpress Calendar / $30 / C&A Letterpress Stuff

2008 Coloryear Desktop Calendar / $15 / SparklePower

Farewell, Warhol: Sunday marks your last chance to get your eyes on all the Warhol goodies at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. Also, the UMFA is now serving up “Highlight of the Collection” tours with no pre-registration required every Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. through the end of January. More info over here.

Red Hot Mango: Take heart, sports naysayers. Even if you get dragged to the Energy Solutions Arena against your will, you can enjoy the splendor of a super-delicious Red Mango dessert. The froyo stand makes its home in the northeast corner of the building, and makes a Jazz game ten times better—even if our guys are down. When the other locations in Ft. Union and Orem will open, we don’t know. But we wait anxiously: the flavor and texture are A plus.

Hill Can Cook: Hatched gal Nicole Hill is serving up a cooking class featuring a meal in under 30 minutes. (Now that’s our kind of entree.) Tuscan-style Steak with Parmesan over Arugula tops the menu for the culinary evening, scheduled for Feb. 2. Head to her blog to catch the details here.

Rock On!: Check out the handiwork of Salt Lake remodelers Jeff and Heidi, who are busy turning an unloved ’60s-era Mount Olympus home into a modern-day masterpiece. At Rock House Remodel, you can see first-hand the ups and downs of a design overhaul and learn how to cope with the loss of a pet hampster. Read it over here.

There’s a little treasure on 100 East in Lehi that you might pass by if you didn’t know better … or if you never ventured off Lehi’s main drag, or passed through Lehi at all. But 125-year-old Broadbent’s is the kind of place you’ll like knowing about, whether you’re looking for a porcelain collectible to add to your collection, or the hippest new fabric to top your latest project.

Broadbent’s Dry Goods has been around since 1882—same location, and operated by the same family. Only in 2008, instead of stocking the shelves with sugar from the Lehi Mill or denim overalls as in the days of yore, you see stuff like the cutest ensemble of vintage-inspired glass ornaments and tinsel tree-toppers (if it’s December), classic candies and a drool-worthy selection of fabrics—only a glass case of what appear to be handknit doilies and gloves show what Broadbent’s might have been like half a century ago.

But down to business. Our favorite thing? The fabric. You’ll see prints by Moda, Amy Butler, Free Spirit and Kaffe Fassett—even some Michael Miller, Anna Maria Horner and Alexander Henry. And we might have also gotten a crush on a rack of classic paperdolls that made us wish we were ten again. Whatever your thing is, chances are Broadbent’s nooks and crannies of odds and ends have something for you. Otherwise it wouldn’t be considered the legendary department store is is and was. If you’re like us, you’ll wish your grandma was around to peruse the shelves with you.

See for Yourself:

Broadbent’s General Store
128 N. 100 East
Lehi, Utah
(801) 768-9201