On this episode Celia Alario talks with Mike Popejoy, the Land Conservation Director of Grand Canyon Trust about a new agreement signed in January 2026 between the Utah Governor and the United States Forest Service, which gives the state more control over the management and oversight of USFS lands in Utah. Then This Week in Moab Host Christy Williams shares insights from her trip to Mexico, and we hear clips from the late Martin Luther King Jr. on this celebration day of his life.

On this week’s episode of Juniper Hour, we visit with the Director of Collections at the Moab Museum to learn more about an upcoming behind-the-scenes experience — a special tour and workshop exploring the museum’s storage facilities. We talk about the process of collections care, how items are organized and preserved, and the important stories held in artifacts that aren’t currently on display.

Later in the show, we speak with Deena Executive Director of 100 Years of Silence, to share updates on the exhibit now on display at the Moab Museum through April. Deena discusses the Indigenous perspective and the importance of Indigenous involvement in the exhibit’s presentation and storytelling.

We also share a few community updates, including highlights from the Native American Club, where students are cooking their way through a cookbook featuring Indigenous-inspired recipes and meals. And to close out the hour, the USU 4-H Community Coordinator joins us with upcoming updates, events, and summer sign-ups for youth and families.

Tune in for community stories, culture, and local connections — right here on Juniper Hour.

Cozy up with Jessic and Lily as we talk Waste Navidad. We dive into the not-so-merry side of the holidays: waste. From food waste to $11 billion dollars of packaging material, we explore how holiday habits contribute to excess. Along the way, we’ll share some creative, fun and even nutritious ideas to help reduce waste, rethink traditions, and make the season a little more sustainable but still 100% festive.

December Codd’s World was a mix of guests, holiday music, and a bit from radio archives in 1947 by the comedy team, Burns and Allen, about shopping for the perfect gift. Guests included:

Andy Bathemess from Wabi Sabi and Isobel Lindsay from Grand County 4-H. Ella Fiztgerald’s musical portion was deleted after airing.

Andy Bathemess (3:15) came on the show to discuss the Wabi Sabi Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner which was held at the Grand Center on Thanksgiving Day. Andy, a member of the Wabi Sabi Board of Directors, said over 900 meals were served at the dinner! He noted over 700 guests had dinner at the Center. Almost 100 volunteers helped set up, cook, serve, and cleanup following the dinner! Wabi Sabi along with several corporate sponsors provide the dinner free to all attendees. The dinner has become a celebrated tradition in Moab.

Isobel Lindsay (9:23) joined the show to talk about Grand County 4-H and its upcoming holiday event, Posada. Posada’s roots are Hispanic; it is primarily observed in Mexico and other countries. Ms. Lindsay said the event, which runs for nine nights, commemorates Mary and Joseph’s nine-day journey to Bethlehem. Codd and Lindsay also discussed the benefits of 4-H in Grand County and talked about ways to get more people involved in the program.

Burns and Allen Radio Show (24:25)

The final segment of Codd’s World featured a rebroadcast from the Burns and Allen from December 1947. Burns and Allen were two of the most popular characters on the radio beginning in 1934. They worked together in vaudeville, film, radio, and television for over 40 years! In the spirit of the season, Codd played a clip titled “Gracie’s Last Minute Christmas Gift” which aired on December 18, 1947. The show follows George as he tries to decipher Gracie’s hints regarding the gift she wants Geroge to get her for Christmas. Nothing goes easily for George as he scrambles around New York City trying to figure out just what he’s supposed to buy for Gracie!

The Artist Speaks-Atariame by KZMU Public Affairs

On this episode of This Week in Moab (and Bluff!) we speak with Daniel McNeil and Laura-Lee Green about the Grand Area Mentoring program for Grand County Utah youth (https://grandmentoring.org/) about the program, and upcoming orientations for potential new members. We also learn about the upcoming 27th annual Bluff Balloon Festival coming up in Bluff UT January 16-18th (https://bluffutah.org/bluffballoonfestival/) with Diana Davidson and Steve Simpson. And the Bears Ears Partnership’s Visit With Respect program is celebrating its 10th year, we talk with Semira Crank who directs the program about the celebrations ahead, and opportunities to become a program Ambassador. (www.visitwithrespect.org)

Jessie from Grand County Public Library is joined by Nat and Olivia from Back of Beyond Books to share the best of what they've been reading, and discuss Moab's hottest titles in 2025.

Books we reviewed:

The Orchard by Peter Heller

The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman

Train Dreams by Denis Johnson

The Bread of Angels by Patti Smith

Winter Stories by Ingvild H. Rishoi

The Years of Rice and Salt by Kim Stanley Robinson

Between Two Rivers: Ancient Mesopotamia and the Birth of History by Moudhi Al-Rashid

Your hosts Nat Smith from Back of Beyond Books and Jessie Magleby from Grand County Public Library discuss what they've been reading, and a few of the books that made the biggest impressions this year.

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones

Is a River Alive? By Robert McFarlane

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower Vol. 1 - 8,

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrick Backman

Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton

1177 B.C. by Eric Cline

After 1177 B.C.by Eric Cline

Sparrow by James Hynes.

Bless Me Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya

SPQR Mary Beard

The Maidens by Alex Michaelides

The Good Liar by Denise Mina

Heart the Lover Lily King (also Euphoria)

The American Revolution by Ken Burns

Link to books in library catalog

For the first part of the Juniper Hour, we speak with Jesse from the Grand County Library about upcoming Native American Heritage Month events and the importance of working respectfully with Indigenous communities.

Next, we interview Taylor from Seek Haven, who shares details about their partnered events with the Grand County Library, including a Native American Heritage Month trivia game, prizes, and additional insights on engaging with Indigenous communities.

We are then joined by special guest Sandra Billies from the Moab community, who reflects on the Veterans Day butchering of a churro sheep and the cultural teachings shared between elders and younger generations, highlighting kinship and cultural significance.

To close the hour, we interview Adam from Desert Soul Villas in the Spanish Valley area, who discusses affordable housing opportunities for Moab’s workforce.

On this episode we speak to Andrea Rodgers, Deputy Director of U.S. Strategy for Our Children’s Trust, and Utah Plaintiff Natalie Roberts about their climate lawsuit on behalf of the futures of Utah’s youth; and then we are joined by Steve Bloch, Legal Director of Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance and Cory MacNulty, Campaign  Director for the Southwest Region of the National Parks Conservation Association about plans to open up areas around the Mighty Five National Parks to coal mining.