This year, we mark 50 years of Edward Abbey’s The Monkey Wrench Gang—a countercultural classic that helped ignite the radical environmental movement. First published in 1975, the novel introduced the world to Bonnie, Doc, Seldom Seen Smith, and Hayduke—and dared readers to imagine sabotage as sacred duty.

There’s no one better suited to lead this conversation than legendary bookseller and rare book expert Ken Sanders—a close friend of Abbey, a fierce defender of the desert, and a long-time voice in the literary and ecological worlds of the American West.

Through wine, words, and wide-open questions, we’ll explore Abbey’s complicated legacy and enduring impact. Expect sharp insights, spirited debate, and a space to reflect on radical environmentalism in an era of climate emergency.

Kim Bowsher and her family have a philosophy: “You can’t know where this yes is going to take you, but you say yes and it starts to line up.” She is currently Roosters Hospitality Group CEO, but she is much more than that. When she met with other Ogden business owners about local issues, she decided to do something about them. At 26 years old, she went to the mayor’s office to present a solution. That plan would eventually turn into the Ogden Downtown Alliance. Kim is a prominent figure in Ogden, Utah, known for her work with the Ogden Downtown Alliance and various other community organizations. She recently stepped down as Executive Director of the Ogden Downtown Alliance after nearly a decade of service, where she was instrumental in establishing the organization and driving its growth.

She was instrumental in establishing and growing the Farmers Market Ogden, which was named "Indie Ogden Best Project of the Year" and "Best Event". Besides her work with the Alliance, Bowsher has served on numerous community boards, including Visit Ogden, GOAL Foundation, Junior League of Ogden, and the Ogden Food Council. She also founded Ogden Young Professionals and served on the board of WomenMTB. She is currently. When Kim couldn’t find a company to work for that was busy with projects she was interested in, she started her own, kbENT. Which is a full scale marketing group.

Snag one, sip it, and smile! Another episode of the Lets Go Eat and Drink Show is here!

Violet’s story begins at another Violet in a bygone time. About 20 years ago, Myra and Troy Petersen met while they were both working at a restaurant named Violet in Santa Monica, California. She was a bartender and he was a server. After their first daughter was born, the family moved to Utah, where the Petersen's became involved in the industry locally as well as in the Utah food scene.

Troy Petersen, who grew up with the Caputo family and is a friend of Matt Caputo and the late Tony Caputo, worked at Caputo’s Market and Deli downtown and also helped open Caputo’s at 15th and 15th in about 2006. The family bounced between Los Angeles and Utah for a while, but eventually Myra and Troy Petersen decided that they wanted to raise their children in Utah, so they moved back for the final time in about 2012. Once the Petersen's were ready to open their own Violet in Utah, they contacted the restaurant’s previous owner, got his blessing to reuse the name, and went for it.

Find some bubbly, bust it open, and join us in celebrating one of Salt Lake City's finest 'Ma and Pa' restaurants!