Hi neighbor!

If you're anything like me, you're torn — the snow has been great, but that wind and chill this week was something else. My dog barked straight through the night, my kids somehow slept through all of it, and there was simply no keeping my partner warm despite the impressive number of layers she had on. But it was sure fun to play in the snow again!

There's a lot to cover this week, including some City Hall news worth your attention and a certain new restaurant that apparently caused quite a scene on its first day. Let's get into it.

Weather this week:

⚾ Baseball registration closes Saturday, Feb. 21. If your kid wants to play this spring, don't let the weekend sneak up on you. — Learn more

🗓️ Mark your calendar: The City has set March 5th as the public hearing date for the proposed $220M water and sewer bond. More on that below — See Calendar

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers officially opened yesterday at 3567 E. Pony Express Pkwy, and if the lines are any indication, this city has been waiting a long time for a decent burger stop.

A few things worth knowing before you head over:

The restaurant is still in its opening days, which means expect some wait times and occasional hiccups as the crew finds its footing. (By 6:30pm Tuesday, they had already stopped taking orders for the night — so plan accordingly, especially on evenings.)

The good news beyond the food: through March 18, 10% of all frozen custard treat sales will benefit Early Learning Essentials, a local nonprofit. So your shake habit is technically charitable.

Hours are reported as 10:30am–10pm, though those may shift as they settle in. Read more from the Cedar Valley Sentinel.

Just like everyone here, my heart sank when I spotted fluid pooling beneath my Dodge Grand Caravan. And just like everyone here, my anxiety spiked when I found out what it was going to cost to fix.

That's when I found David Calderon at B4L Automotive Repair. He diagnosed the problem quickly, quoted me about 20% less than other mechanics, got me on his schedule without any runaround, and had my van back to me before I expected it. Oh — and he came to me, so I didn't have to arrange a drop-off or find a ride home.

If you're looking for a local mechanic you can trust, David's your guy. He doesn't have a website, but he has a Google Business profile with 60 five-star reviews, and you can reach him directly at (385) 212-5937.

Monday's Council meeting was one of the more consequential ones in recent memory. Four major items:

1. A proposed $220 million water and sewer bond. The Council passed a resolution authorizing up to $220M in Water and Sewer Revenue Bonds (Series 2026) to finance system improvements. This doesn't mean the money is spent yet — the public hearing is set for March 5, and residents will have a chance to weigh in. Infrastructure bonds of this size affect utility rates and long-term city finances, so it's worth understanding before that hearing.

2. A new Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) map. The Council adopted an ordinance establishing Eagle Mountain's Wildland Urban Interface Area Map, required under House Bill 48. This map designates areas of the city where wildfire risk is elevated and affects building and safety standards for properties within those zones. If you own property near the foothills or undeveloped areas, this is worth looking into.

3. A new Community Services Board. The Council created a new Community Services Board to consolidate five existing advisory boards. This board will advise on projects affecting resident quality of life, including Parks & Recreation and how Recreation, Arts & Parks (RAP) Tax dollars get spent. Applications are open now — more on that in the next item.

Full agenda and documents here.

Tonight: Sourdough Basics Class — Eagle Mountain Library, 6pm.
If bread is your thing, the Library is hosting a Sourdough Basics class tonight at 6pm. Last-minute but worth knowing. More info here.

Thursday–Sunday: Disney's The Little Mermaid — Eagle Mountain Community Theatre.
Eagle Mountain's own community theatre is performing The Little Mermaid this weekend at Sage Canyon Middle School. Showtimes: Thursday Feb. 19 at 7pm, Saturday Feb. 21 at 2pm and 7pm, and Monday Feb. 23 at 7pm. Ticketed event — grab seats before they're gone. Tickets here.

Saturday: Chinese New Year Celebration — Sage Canyon Middle School, 6pm.
Sage Canyon Middle School is hosting a Lunar New Year celebration this Saturday evening. Family-friendly and free. Details here.

Saturday Night: Street Kings Car Meet — Cory B Ride Park, 8pm roll-in.
Car enthusiasts are gathering at Cory B Ride Park this Saturday starting at 8pm. Whether you're rolling in a show car or just want to come look, it sounds like a fun late-night local event. (Event posted on Eagle Mountain City Citizens Facebook by community members — confirm details before heading out.)

Tuesday, Feb. 24: $5 Tuesday at Thanksgiving Point.
All venues at Thanksgiving Point are just $5 per person all day Tuesday. One of the best family deals in the corridor, and worth the short drive. Plan your visit.

Tuesday, Feb. 24: Planning Commission Meeting.
Work session at 5:30pm, policy session at 6:30pm at City Council Chambers. A public hearing is on the agenda. If you follow development in Eagle Mountain, this one is worth watching. Meeting details here.

Monday, Feb. 23: Senior Pinewood Derby — The Barn at Overland, 5pm.
The Eagle Mountain Senior Center is hosting a Pinewood Derby for residents 55+. It's exactly what it sounds like, and it's at one of the city's best venues. Details here.

Thursday, Feb. 26: Dog Man Celebration — Eagle Mountain Library, 4pm (ages 8+).
The Library is throwing a themed celebration around the Dog Man book series. Good one to put on the calendar for the kids. Note that space is limited, so check this out sooner rather than later. See event here.

Thursday, Feb. 26: Interview Smarter, Get Hired Faster — Silicon Slopes, Lehi, 11:30am.
A free career workshop at Silicon Slopes focused on interview skills. Worth the drive if you or someone you know is job hunting. Check Eventbrite for registration.

I was playing in the snow yesterday with my kids, when I heard a very loud and distinct HOOT coming from my neighbor’s tree. Sure enough, a pair of Great Horned Owls were perched right in the backyard. I grabbed a few photos and posted them to the Eagle Mountain Wildlife Facebook group. If you haven't joined that group yet, it's a great little corner of the internet for seeing what's living alongside us out here. Check out their page here. (And keep a look out for my post!)

That's it for this week! If you found something useful here, the best thing you can do is forward it to a neighbor who'd appreciate it (or send them THIS LINK). And if there's something happening in Eagle Mountain that I should know about, hit reply or email me at [email protected] — I read everything.

Have a great weekend!

And see you around,

— Colten