| Some Supermarkets Pull Copies of Enquirer |
Saturday, June 22, 2002 |
Several Salt Lake City supermarkets struggled Friday with whether to display and sell this week's National Enquirer, which features a lurid story about the Elizabeth Smart kidnapping. Albertson's corporate office e-mailed Salt Lake City-area stores and directed them to pull the Enquirers and stack them in a back room until they could be picked up. Smith's Food and Drug store managers were told to move the Enquirer from the check-out stands to behind customer service counters, said spokeswoman Marsh Gilford. "We have made the decision to move this particular issue out of concern for the trauma to the community and sensitivity to the family," Gilford said. "We will be happy to make it available for people who want to purchase it." Dave Davis, spokesman for Associated Retail Stores, which owns 16 Dan's Foods and Macy's markets on the Wasatch Front, pulled the Enquirer completely from its Foothill Boulevard store. "That was the closest store to Federal Heights," the neighborhood where the Smart family lives, he said. At other Dan's and Macy's stores, the Enquirer will be available at checkout stands, but turned around so the cover is hidden. "We are not making a judgment on whether it [the Enquirer story] is correct or incorrect," Davis said. "But because people at the check stand don't have a choice about what they see on the racks, we feel somewhat of an obligation to not force upon people things they would rather not read. But if its something they want it, they can buy it." Salt Lake City police chief Rick Dinse declined to discuss the Enquirer article, and members of the Smart family would not comment. |
| Harpists to Play for Elizabeth |
Saturday, June 22, 2002 |
About 40 harpists will gather tonight at 8 at Exchange Place in Salt Lake City for a free, hour-long concert. The idea, said harpist Megan Jones, is to raise money -- and hope -- in the search for Elizabeth Smart. The performers, many of whom have played with Elizabeth, have selected several classical numbers, including a solo cantina band piece that was one of Elizabeth's favorites. "All of us have felt so helpless," said Jones. "We just wanted to contribute in some way." Donations are not necessary, but appreciated, she said. Monday, a community music vigil to support the families of Elizabeth Smart and other missing children will be held from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Salt Lake City's Liberty Park. Church and community choirs, performers and soloists will appear before a community sing-a-long. |