South Jordan December 2015

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December 2015 | Vol. 2 Iss. 12

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Community Gathers at Fundraiser for Rape Recovery Center PAGE

By Rachel Hall

4

The Blue Tie Gala fundraiser ended a weeklong fundraising effort by Beta Theta Pi, which earned $10,800 for the Rape Recovery Center.

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Scan Here: Interactive online edition with more photos.

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quotable community:

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“We feel like our teachers need to be honored because they work so hard with the kids and just want to give them a small thank-you for the big job they do,� page 11

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Page 2 | December 2015

S outh Jordan City Journal

Scrooge and Second Chances

By Alisha Soeken

I

THE SOUTH JORDAN TEAM

n the timeless tale of A Christmas Carol, in “The Hungry Games” fulfilling my dream, can imagine that’s not much time, so the work Ebenezer Scrooge a callous miser is given a almost 10 years after I started working there. I is fast and furious. It’s a challenge but like it or second chance to live a better life. The Desert also gained experience in light and sound un- not, it makes you a better performer.”

Star Theater in Murray City was also given a matchable to any theater, made lifelong friends As proven by Williams, cast members are second chance at life when it was purchased and to this day love seeing the fun shows they not only great performers. “I wear a lot of hats and renovated instead of being torn down. Be- put on,” Actor Katie Terry said. at the Desert Star, I design scenery and props for fore that purchase the thethe shows, I occaater saw much of life and sionally run lights, many second chances. do sound, and manThe Desert Star Theage the stage. I’m ater has enjoyed a long also in charge of the life. In it’s infancy it was general store and called the Gem. It saw all the holiday decsilent movies accompaorations and lobby nied only by a piano, and displays.” Williams remembers a world when said. radios, refrigerators and Unlike what a woman’s right to vote, Williams and Larwere only a recent luxury. rinaga will do in In the 1930’s the their show, Charles Gem had it’s first second Dickens never chance, as it was rebuilt told of the life that and expanded into the Ebenezer Scrooge Iris Theater. With its Art lived after receiving Deco style facelift it was his second chance. a building like no other in The Desert Star was Murray. It showed blockgiven that chance busters like Gone With more then once, The Wind and rare Swedand for more then ish films for immigrants 85 years has seized brought to Murray by Dan Larrinaga, Ivin Conatser, Lee Daily, Ed Farnsworth, Jennifer Aguirre, and Kerstin Davis. Photo courtesy of it, as Scrooge did, the smelters. During the Desert Star Theaters to give of itself reGreat Depression owner markably to others.

The Desert Star’s current show is, Tony Duvall would let children see movies for Visit that historic building, watch a show, Ebenezer Scrooge: His Nightmare Before laugh and in the words of Larrinaga. “By the free or in exchange for scrap metal.

After the Great Depression the Desert Star Christmas. It’s about Ebenezer’s life after he end of that show, I hope people will simply continued to see change in its name and own- decides to reform. have been entertained, feeling better than when “I love the idea of a sequel to A Christ- they came in, and perhaps finding themselves ership. But in 2000 when Murray City recommended demolishing it, Mike and Alyce Todd mas Carol, exploring the other side of being more in the mood for the holidays. Catching a gave it it’s most crucial second chance, by pur- generous. The idea that just because you turn bit of the Christmas spirit that people felt way into Mr. Nice Guy on one Christmas morning back when, and now, as they read Dickens’ A chasing and saving it from demolition. l The value of a second chance is immea- doesn’t necessarily make up for years of being Christmas Carol.” surable, if seized as scrooge did to become a a compete jerk,” cast member Dan Larrinaga Ebenezer Scrooge: better person. Today the Desert Star is a dinner who plays Bob Cratchit said.

HIS NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS The effort that goes into producing a show theater known for its parody plays and family Plays November 12, 2015 friendly comedy. The proof of its positive roll at the Desert Star is enormous. Cast member through January 2, 2016 is observed in the lives of those who work at Tyrus Williams said, “We start working on all Tickets: aspects of the show five weeks before we open the theater past and present.

Adults: $22.95-$24.95, Children: $12.95 “The Desert Star has made a positive im- and have 15-20 rehearsals.” Larrinaga added, 4861 S. State Street, Murray, UT 84107 pact on my life in so many ways. It was my “Because we rehearse while the current show Call 801.266.2600 for reservations first job and where I had always hoped to per- is still in production and the new show opens www.DesertStarPlayhouse.com form. After auditioning many times I was cast only four days after the old show closes, as you

Creative Director Bryan Scott: bryan@mycityjournals.com Assistant Editor: Rachel Hall: R.Hall@mycityjournals.com Staff Writers: Julie Slama, Ron Bevan Ad Sales: 801-264-6649 Sales Associates: Ryan Casper: 801-671-2034 Melissa Worthen: 801-897-5231 Circulation Coordinator: Brad Casper: Circulation@mycityjournals.com Editorial & Ad Design: Trevor Roosa, Ty Gorton

Rocky Mountain Power Lowers Rates for Customers

By Rachel Hall

R

ocky Mountain Power provides electric service to customers in Idaho, Utah and Wyoming. The company’s Utah customers can expect to see lower rates, which went into effect on Nov. 1, on their bills. The reduction will reduce bills by an overall average of 0.8 percent or $6.14 for customers using 698 kilowatt-hours per month.

“This is done every year. It is part of the regulatory process,” Margaret Oler, a Rocky Mountain Power spokesperson, said.

The Utah Division of Public Utilities and the Office of Consumer Services supported the reduction in rates, which was part of a settlement approved by the Public Service Commission of Utah in October.

“Once a year, the customer bills are adjusted based on the actual cost of fuel and electricity purchases. In this instance, it was a reduction,” Oler said.

The Public Service Commission of Utah approves electricity prices based partially on the expected costs of fuel and electricity purchases, which are tracked in a special balancing account.

“These annual adjustments allow the company to more quickly adjust prices to reflect the actual costs of providing service to customers,” Bob Lively, Utah regulatory affairs manager for Rocky Mountain Power, said. “They help make sure our customers do not overpay or underpay for the energy they use.”

There will not be any specific credits given to customers on their monthly bills.

The reduction in rates is based on forecasts made by looking at historical data as well as at expected demand.

“This means customers will be paying less in the coming year,” Oler said.

For more information about Rocky Mountain Power, visit www.rockymountainl power.net

m i ss i o n s tate m e n t

The SJ Journal is distributed on the fourth Friday of each month directly to residents via the USPS as well as locations throughout South Jordan.

For information about distribution please email delivery@myutahjournals. com or call our offices. Rack locations are also available on our website.

For subscriptions please contact: delivery@myutahjournals.com This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the owner.

Our mission is to inform and entertain our community while promoting a strong local economy via relevant content presented across a synergetic network of print and digital media. free . community. papers .

South Jordan City Journal 8679 South 700 West Sandy, UT 84070 Phone: 801 264 6649

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December 2015 | Page 3

S outhJordanJournal.Com

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Thank You! I am very grateful and humbled to have been chosen to represent you on the South Jordan City Council. Because of you and your support, together we sent a clear message that it's time to return representative government to City Hall. Thank you for your votes, and for all that so many of you did to help during the campaign.

Please join me in viewing this resounding victory as the beginning, not the end. As I serve, I will reach out to community groups and neighborhood leaders to learn your views on the issues we face. I would like to discuss with you how best to keep our community great and strengthen it for future generations.

Please feel free to contact me any time. You can call me at 801.860.9500 or email me at bradley.marlor@gmail.com.

Thank you again for your support. I look forward to representing you on the South Jordan City Council.

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Page 4 | December 2015

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S outh Jordan City Journal

Community Gathers at Fundraiser for Rape Recovery Center

M

embers of Beta Theta Pi, a fraternity at the University of Utah, hosted a Blue Tie Gala benefitting the Rape Recovery Center (RRC) on Friday, Oct. 30 at Noah’s in South Jordan.

“The highlight of the evening would definitely be our wonderful keynote speaker, Elissa Wall. Her incredible story and experiences were greatly captivating and intensely emotional. Many of our guests connected with her story and realized the true importance of our work with the Rape Recovery Center,” Vincent Fu, vice-president of Beta Theta Pi internal programming and philanthropy, said.

Beta Theta Pi first formed a relationship with the Rape Recovery Center over two years ago when actively searching for a new philanthropic cause to support at the time. What started out as a fundraising effort quickly grew into a movement for social change, according to Fu. “Our chapter of Beta began hosting a sexual assault prevention forum series in an effort to support the RRC through on-campus activism as well as through financial means,” he said.

The Blue Tie Gala event concluded a weeklong fundraising effort by Beta Theta Pi, which resulted in over $10,800 being raised through a variety of activities.

“It is critical for college students to be active members of the community because of our

By Rachel Hall great abilities and resources. We are a group of millennials who are in the prime of our lives.

We can do a lot to help our community as individuals, but as a larger group of students we can enact a great deal of positive change and influence our peers and college community in such a large way,” Fu said.

Every dollar raised at the gala will help fund the mission of the RRC, which is to empower victims of sexual violence through advocacy, crisis intervention and therapy, as well as educating the community about the cause, impact and prevention of sexual violence.

“Beta Theta Pi is proud to contribute to the RRC not only through fundraising but also through a focus on all aspects of this mission – a goal that is accomplished through our sexual assault prevention forum series held twice a semester on the University of Utah campus,” Fu said.

Funds collected during the gala will be used by the RRC for numerous hospital response team call-outs, examinations and many sessions of therapy for individuals walking the path toward healing from sexual assault.

Other individuals can get involved with the RRC through financial donations, which are always appreciated at non-profit organizations, as well as through volunteering their time with the various services provided at the center. Volunteering on the 24-hour crisis line and helping to promote and advocate the cen-

The community gathered at a fundraiser held for the Rape Recovery Center at Noah’s in South Jordan.

ter’s mission are a few examples of how to join in on the cause.

“Although our main partnership is with the RRC, Beta also has positive relationships with the Center for Student Wellness at the University of Utah and with Students of the World, a national non-profit dedicated to enabling students to positively change their com-

munities and universities,” Fu said.

After the success of the Blue Tie Gala, members of Beta Theta Pi aim to host a similar fundraising event every fall for years to come.

For more information about the Rape Recovery Center, visit www.raperecoverycenl ter.com

December 2015 | Page 5

S outhJordanJournal.Com

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Page 6 | December 2015

local life

S outh Jordan City Journal

Preparations Have Been Made to Help Keep Wintry Roads Safe

By Rachel Hall

W

inter storms have already entered the local area, and that is why Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) showcased their equipment fleet in November – providing an opportunity for individuals to see the latest snow removal equipment that will be used throughout the winter season to help keep Utah’s roads safe and plowed.

“It’s something we do every year to just let people know that we are ready for the winter season, and to tell people what they need to do as well to make sure it is a safe season on our roads,” John Gleason, UDOT public information officer, said.

It is not uncommon for motorists to be taken by surprise during the first few snow storms of the season, since many people have not been driving in snowy conditions for several months. The first storms are a good reminder of what lays on the horizon with Mother Nature and that Utah can expect to see significant snow fall each year, according to Gleason.

“Typically, we plan on about 20 - 25 statewide snowstorms every year. Our budget is usually around $20 - $23 million every year, and usually we anticipate each storm is going to be about a million dollars to handle,” Gleason said.

Commuters should also use the start of the winter season to prepare for potentially dangerous road conditions.

One of UDOT’s snow blowers sits waiting for the first major snowfall of the season at the Cottonwood maintenance shed. Photo credit Nick Newman/Utah Department of Transportation

“You want to check your tires, your wiper blades, make sure that you have enough fluids in your vehicle – that you’re carrying water and nonperishable food if you do happen to get stuck in a storm,” Gleason said.

Most importantly, drivers should be aware

of their speed while traveling on any Utah roads during wintry conditions.

“No matter what the speed limit says, if you are traveling on the urban interstate here in the Salt Lake County area, there is 70 mph, but that’s only when it’s optimal conditions. When

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it’s snowing, and even raining, you always want to drive for the weather conditions. Slow down, give yourself plenty of room between yourself and the vehicle in front of you, so that you give yourself enough room to break,” Gleason said.

Conditions may appear normal, but because temperatures are so cold and there is a lot of precipitation, there could be some icy areas that blend in with the road, and drivers don’t know until they have hit it and it’s too late. That’s why drivers want to take those preparations beforehand and slow down, drive for the conditions and have plenty of room to break, according to Gleason.

“The biggest thing that we would ask people to do is to check your UDOT traffic app.

That will give you all of the road conditions, and let you know when we are doing avalanche control as well,” he said.

On occasion, UDOT closes down the canyon and creates manmade avalanches targeted at spots that could become trouble, so that an avalanche doesn’t come down on people later in the day.

“We are out there 24/7. We are always prepared so that if a storm hits in the middle of the day or middle of the night, we have drivers staffed. We actually rely quite heavily on our weather center. They predict when and where the storm is going to hit, so they can tell us what hour we need to have our crews ready to go. So if we have a major storm coming through, we will send our men and women home to rest beforehand. We will get the preparations in place and we will be ready to go, and then we will hit it continuously until we are seeing black pavement,” Gleason said.

Motorists who find themselves in trouble on the roadway due to poor weather conditions are in a vulnerable position, and that’s why Gleason suggests people drive their cars out of the situation and get off the freeway at the next exit – even for minor fender bender accidents.

“If you’ve hit a patch of ice and you’ve slid off road, there’s a good chance that somebody else is going to hit that same patch of ice and slide right into you. You’re really vulnerable if you are staying in place there,” he said.

“We’ve had so many crashes that turn out fatal and they were just minor fender benders because people get out of their vehicles. It’s the natural reaction if you’re in a crash.”

Sometimes a car cannot be driven out of the situation that it is in, and that is when motorists should call for help and stay inside their vehicles.

“If you can’t drive your car out of the situation, get off as far over as you can. Do whatever you can to get off the freeway, but stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt fastened,” Gleason said.

For more information about road conditions and the UDOT app, visit www.udot.utah. l gov

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S outhJordanJournal.Com

December 2015 | Page 7

Honey Bees in Daybreak Producing a Delicious Product

By Aimee L. Cook

D

id you know the Daybreak community had honeybees? About 200 of them. Hives are located on the island in a temporary tree farm and also in the ‘Bingham Preserve,’ which is a 200-acre space filled with clover and a stream.

Skip Jones, of the Jones Bee Company, maintains the hives. From the 200 hives, the bees produce 2000 pounds of honey a year. The honey is packaged and currently sold at Swirly Girls Bakery located Honeybees from the Daybreak island are producing about 2000 pounds of in Daybreak’s SoDa Row. In honey a year. Photo courtesy of For the Hives Only-Daybreak. addition, Chef Jennifer Gilroy, of Meditrina and Porch restauthis, a mixture of clover was planted so the bees rants, uses Daybreak Honey in some of their recipes. Soon, Daybreak Honey had a plethora of nectar to help them produce.

“When the opportunity to do something will be available in other outlets.

“When we re-vegetated the unused land in sustainable for the environment and have a Daybreak, we planted a mix of plants that bees place for bees presented itself, we all jumped can utilize,” Skip Jones, beekeeper, said. “Bee- at the chance,” Jones said. “In addition, the hives pollinate a large variety of plants which beehives allow for agricultural use before helps the ecosystem remain diverse and sus- community development occurs on the land.”

The hives are moved to California during tainable. Daybreak is planned around building the winter months. The beeswax is also utia community that is forward thinking.”

Bees can fly one half of a mile from the hive lized to make a natural lip balm that is sold at without exerting too much of their energy. Day- the Nest, also on SoDa Row. Waste not want break bees are a Carniolan/Italian hybrid bee that not, the Daybreak bees are a welcomed resil thrives on water and flowers. To accommodate dent.

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Page 8 | December 2015

S outh Jordan City Journal

One Call is All it Takes to Reach South Jordan City

By James Luke

S

outh Jordan residents now need to know just one phone number to reach any city department or service: 801-446-HELP (4357).

The new, simplified-access phone number is part of recent efforts to make city government more open, accessible and helpful to people who live and work in the city.

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City communications coordinator Tina Brown noted that “the information center the city has is unique.” Rather than robots taking the calls from residents with questions or concerns about city services, she explained, “we have six agents who take the calls.”

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Page 10 | December 2015

EDUCATION

South Jordan Elementary Safety Patrol Takes Oath

I

n September, about 50 South Jordan Elementary sixth graders, in front of their peers and families, took an oath promising to keep the duties of their position on the school safety patrol.

“We had an officer from the South Jordan Police Department come and talk to the students and administer the oath so they realize it’s a responsibility and a privilege to hold this position,” Principal Ken Westwood said.

Sixth-grade teachers Megan Smith and Bonnie Crockett coordinate the safety patrol as an optional opportunity for sixth graders.

“We wanted to do something special that would help them understand the importance of the job they were doing,” Smith said, adding that Crockett came up with the idea to have the

police officer come for the ceremonies. “We felt that having an officer help out with the swearing in would give them the opportunity to hear firsthand from someone who is also involved with keeping people safe in the community.”

Since South Jordan Elementary is a yearround school, student volunteers from tracks A and B took part in the ceremony on Sept. 4, and the ceremony was slated for Sept. 25 for tracks C and D. This is the second year they’ve had students repeat the oath, which includes reporting for duty on time, performing their duties, setting a good example, reporting dangerous situations and striving to prevent accidents, obeying teachers and patrol officers and earning the respect of classmates.

S outh Jordan City Journal

By Julie Slama

“This makes it more formal and it’s a cool honor to be recognized,” Westwood said.

Smith said that when students sign up to join safety patrol, they make a year-long commitment that involves both before school and after school shifts. Student patrol officers will have duty for about 10 weeks during the year.

In addition, the safety patrol meets every three weeks for about 20 minutes during their lunch recess to discuss any issues and sign up for duty for the next three-week block.

On Mondays of their shift week, students choose from 10 positions they want for the week, from helping at the main crosswalk to others scattered throughout the school grounds to ensure safety.

However, the captain of the week, who

sports a special vest, is selected by Smith and Crockett.

“We choose kids for the captain position who have exhibited outstanding behavior both while on safety patrol duty and in the classroom, and assign them to that post. In addition to having a regular post for the week, the captain helps to monitor safety patrol members’ attendance at their posts and helps to pass out reminder notes for members who have signed up for duty for the coming week,” Smith said.

Westwood said that students who volunteer for safety patrol learn leadership skills and a sense of duty.

“They know what is expected of them and they become leaders to fulfill their role and responsibility,” he said. l

EDUCATION

S outhJordanJournal.Com

South Jordan Chamber Honors Outstanding Educators

S

By Julie Slama

outh Jordan Chamber recently awarded 19 educators with certificates of appreciation for giving their time, love and expertise to students.

“We feel like our teachers need to be honored because they work so hard with the kids and just want to give them a small thank-you for the big job they do,” South Jordan Chamber business manager Shelley Potts said.

At the annual luncheon ceremony held Oct. 22, each of the 19 school principals or administrators spoke about the qualities that made the educator special to his or her school.

South Jordan principal Ken Westwood said it’s easy to understand why his school’s Lois Mortensen was honored.

“Lois is a second grade teacher who does a great job with the kids, but is most noteworthy for her positive attitude and influence school-wide,” he said.

Elk Meadows principal Aaron Ichimura said that his school’s award-winner, speech and language therapist Pixie Brock, was nominated by several people at her school with comments that she is respectful, supportive, dedicated, has a warm and positive personality and is the “rock” of Elk Meadow’s support services.

One nomination stated, “Most of the speech students she works with struggle academically, and she is always encouraging them to do their best and follow their teachers’ directions and rules.”

Ichimura added: “Parents appreciate how knowledgeable and helpful she is in working with their students.

The students are her No. 1 priority.”

In addition to the certificate, each recipient received a pencil holder with his or her name engraved on it, and a gift bag with donations from local businesses. In addition, several area businesses also helped sponsor the event.

“A lot of people and businesses were involved to make this happen.

We couldn’t honor our teachers without their help,” Potts said.

Those educators who were honored include: Jeanette Herrera of American Heritage of South Jordan, Breckon Heywood of Bingham High School, Josh Frampton of Daybreak Elementary, Darci Cordero of Early Light Academy, Brooke Mueller of Eastlake Elementary, Pixie Brock of Elk Meadows Elementary, Amanda Mair of Elk Ridge Middle School, LeAnn Nisson of Itineris Early College High School, Julie Huffman of Jordan Applied Technical Center, Tamara Baggett of Jordan Ridge Elementary, Amy Fullmer of Moßnte Vista Elementary, Alexie Baugh of Paradigm High School, Melanie Canick of River’s Edge, Tyler Rose of Roseman University, Lois Mortensen of South Jordan Elementary, Jennifer Jarrard of South Jordan Middle School, Lindsey Baxter of University of Phoenix, Bryan Burr of Valley High School and Lynette Blanchette of Welby Elmenl tary.

December 2015 | Page 11

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EDUCATION

Page 12 | December 2015

S outh Jordan City Journal

Mock City Gives South Jordan Middle School Students Perception of Reality

By Julie Slama

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R

eality Town is just that — a mock city where ninth-grade students have a chance to know what it is like to hold a job, be a student, be a parent, pay the bills.

About 520 South Jordan Middle School students got insight into that reality Oct. 7 as their gym transformed into a mock city, complete with housing, transportation, grocery stores, doctors, insurance agencies, utilities, entertainment and more.

“Most kids did really well,” counselor Spencer Young said. “This allows kids to be familiar with the cost of living and understanding when a parent says ‘No’ to something they want, why that is and how much that costs. It also is a big lesson in them thinking about what happens after school, and how well they do in schooling affects their jobs and lives.”

To illustrate the last point, students with the higher grade-point averages could select from more careers and see the greater variety offered to them in jobs than those with lower GPAs, Young said.

However, their life scenarios of being married, single, raising children, being a student versus working full-time, were assigned randomly.

“From there, they all had to work with their situation — how much money they were earning to how much they were spending. We averaged out real jobs’ actual salaries so our students would understand the money in today’s world and realize how much taxes are taken out of an annual salary, how much housing costs wheth-

er you rent an apartment or own a house,” he said.

After receiving a checkbook, students needed to visit all the required places such as housing, utilities, insurance and others.

Then, students could decide if they had money for optional activities such as owning a pet, going out to eat and to the movies or buying expensive name brand clothing, or purchasing clothes that will be suitable for their career.

“Students did get an extra $100 if they dressed their profession, so we had students in med- More than 500 ninth graders got their checkbooks from the bank at ical scrubs, athletic clothing and South Jordan Middle School’s Reality Town on Oct. 7. Photo courtesy even some students actually doing of Spencer Young hair styles during Reality Town,” Young said.

Many students still talk about how ex- ing it all. pensive things are that they weren’t aware of During the activity, students could fill out before, he said. their Reality Town booklet that asked them “They had no clue how much things cost to explain their experience and what they or how their families considered where they learned. There also were informal discussions lived, such as if it’s a safe neighborhood or if that followed. it is affordable even if one parent loses a job,” About 120 parent volunteers, community Young said. members and local businesses helped to proBefore Reality Town, students were to vide breakfast as well as staff the booths. make a list of jobs they were interested in, as “This is a great opportunity for students well as file an application. They also were in- to learn so much. We have a lot of community structed on how to use a checkbook and were support to help us make it a successful event,” advised to put aside savings instead of spend- Young said. l

December 2015 | Page 13

S outhJordanJournal.Com

GALE CENTER EVENTS Terrific Tuesday

Flint Knapping Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016 6:00 p.m.

A great Scout activity.

Demonstrations of replicating stone tools and creating lithic art.

ART SHOW New dates for the 9th Annual South Jordan Art Show, located in the Gale Center auditorium.

Dates: January 18 – January 29, 2016

TOURS Schedule a tour of the Gale Center of History and Culture, an educational facility where children and adults can explore the past in a hands-on manner.

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HOLIDAY CLOSURE The Gale Center museum will be closed December 17, 2015 - January 1, 2016 for Docent winter break, cleaning and facility maintenance.

RENTALS The Gale Center Auditorium is a great facility for holiday parties, piano recitals and other gatherings. The room will fit 70 people with chairs only, or eight round tables to seat a maximum of 48. Weekday, daytime rates, are $25/hour and would be great for children birthday parties. Contact: Candy Ponzurick for rates and availability.

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EDUCATION

Page 14 | December 2015

S outh Jordan City Journal

Elk Meadows students were reminded on Nov. 12 about walking and biking safely through the Utah Department of Transportation’s SNAP Walk N’ Roll assembly. Through the four-member SNAP team’s upbeat rock songs, students learned the importance of following the safest routes to school and obeying traffic signs and signals, what to do in construction zones and how exercise can improve students’ focus and health. Photo courtesy of Aaron Ichimura

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About 1,400 South Jordan Middle School students gathered Sept. 11 in front of their school in honor and respect for military men and women, past and present, as part of their Sunrise Salute for Patriot’s Day. The event began with a flag raising ceremony by Boy Scouts, followed by a student-led tribute to those who served and are serving our country. Students sang “America the Beautiful” and “God Bless America,” and Principal Shawn McLeod spoke to students, parents and members of the community in attendance. Photo courtesy of Jordan School District

December 2015 | Page 15

S outhJordanJournal.Com

By Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams

How Salt Lake County expects to drastically reduce homelessness

W

hen I’m asked about homelessness in the county, the question can be either “isn’t the situation better than it’s ever been?” or “isn’t it worse than it’s ever been?” Both questions reflect truth. Over the past 10 years, Utah has nearly solved the problem of the chronic homelessness—defined as people who have experienced homelessness longer than one year and also have a disabling condition. The

number of chronically homeless in Utah has dropped 91 percent, to fewer than 200 people.

But the faces of homelessness are varied and are always changing. From the woman and her children who become homeless due to domestic violence, to the teenagers who “age out” of foster care, to the veterans who struggle with complex health needs, the causes differ. When you figure that out, it leads to a different conversation about what should be done about it.

A year ago, that conversation began. It was started among two groups led by Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County. The city’s group was chaired by former Salt Lake City Mayor Palmer DePaulis and community leader and philanthropist Gail Miller. They focused on the grow-

ing demand facing the Road Home shelter facility near Pioneer Park. I co-chaired a county effort which brought all the many excellent providers of homeless services together as one problem-solving group.

In October, that group, which includes the YWCA, the Crossroads Urban Center, the Housing Authority, Volunteers of America, the 4th Street Health Clinic, Catholic Community Services, the LDS church, the United Way, and the Pioneer Park Coalition (31 partners in all) unanimously agreed on 14 shared outcomes to guide our work moving forward. It begins with our commitment to ensure that everyone in our community has a safe place to live.

Today we recognize that even though we spend collectively $52 million a year on homelessness, we aren’t achieving these 14 outcomes. Everyone is trying hard. Everyone is doing good work. But until we agreed to come together and all pull in the same direction as a team, we can’t harness all that good work for the best results. We all want a system that makes sure people are safe, receive efficient service delivery and are able to focus on self-sufficiency so that they can live stable and rewarding lives.

The week of Thanksgiving, both groups came together to make an important announce-

ment. Any facilities that serve the homeless populations going forward must be built and located where services needed can also be delivered. We start with the outcomes we want to achieve, select indicators that honestly measure how we’re doing and then put the money and the programs in place to accomplish those outcomes, such as diverting individuals and families from emergency shelter whenever possible and working to prevent homelessness from happening.

The consequences of failing to measure the impact of our programs and continually improve the system’s effectiveness go well beyond wasting scarce tax dollars. Every time a homeless person participates in a program that doesn’t work—but could have participated in one that does—that represents a human cost.

We’ve pledge to move forward in unison to minimize homelessness in our community.

That’s what Utah is known for—a place where we come together to build a safe, healthy and l prosperous community for all.

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education

Page 16 | December 2015

Daybreak Fifth Graders Design, Test Building Models for Earthquake Safety

As Eye See It Information on Vision and Eye Health

by Dale F. Hardy, O.D. During summer vacation, I spent some time reading several studies related to children and vision and thought I would share some of the high points from them with parents as they prepare their child to go back to school.

One of the studies, which is not really very new, and is a repeat of a prior study done by Columbia University, looked at the various tasks performed in a classroom and how much of what is done requires vision. The number was over 85% of classroom tasks required vision, not just vision was nice to have, but was required to do the task. It follows in my mind, then, that not having good vision would handicap a child’s school experience. Hard to get things right when you are not sure if the teacher just wrote a 3 or an 8 on the board.

Another study that I found interesting indicated that up to 40% of children with a tentative diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder actually had uncorrected vision and/or hearing problems that made it difficult for them to attend to tasks. It appears that a tentative diagnosis means that it was not confirmed by a positive response to medication. The authors of this study were recommending that a multi-disciplinary approach to these cases would be the best method of assuring proper treatment.

The last study I am going to review related to school vision screenings and why they are not adequate as an eye examination. This study was done in Kentucky and all children in the study were given both a standard school screening and then a comprehensive eye examination.

1 out of 4 children who passed the screenings were diagnosed with an eye or vision problem that needed correction in the full examination.

The worst part of this report was that only 1 out of every 10 notifications sent home to the parents advising them that they needed to take their child in for a complete examination were ever returned to the school. When they followed up to see how many had been taken to the eye doctor, only 1 out of 8 parents had done that. Many reported never seeing the note so maybe it never got home, but it did show problems in school to parent communication.

If you have children in your home, whether you use my office or someone else, please make good vision a part of your back-to-school preparation. You can contact my office at 801253-1374. Dr. Hardy’s office is located at 10372 South Redwood Road, South Jordan.

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S outh Jordan City Journal

By Julie Slama

T

hey may not be modern skyscrapers, but 28 fifth graders at Daybreak Elementary had the opportunity to test their four-story buildings during an earthquake simulation.

Using mostly straws, pipe cleaners, marshmallows and popsicle sticks, small groups of students spent several hours on Nov. 13 creating their buildings that had to pass several tests on an earthquake table and withstand 10 grams of weight. During the process, they had to collaborate with their teammates and be able to adapt their plans if the original design failed.

Before they got to this point, students first had to learn about the engineering process and fill out a packet that included researching the project and finding a need.

“Their research will consist of the science of earthquakes,” fifth-grade teacher Diane Holland said. “They will learn how faults move, the different waves earthquakes make and how it affects the land. They will also learn about the different destruction earthquakes and faults can make.”

Holland said she began the project because, while teaching about earthquakes, she had students ask if their school was safe during an earthquake.

Fifth-grade student Erika Bond remem-

Daybreak Elementary fifth-grade teacher Diane Holland tests one student group’s four-story building on a shake table to see if it would have any structural damage during an earthquake. Through making the building, her class learned the engineering process. Photo courtesy of Julie Slama

bers Holland telling them that they should be safe if they go under their desks for protection during an earthquake.

Holland said that although the ceiling tiles will most likely fall, they shouldn’t harm stu-

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dents because they are made out of lightweight materials. The lights should sway and the glass windows should remain intact, Holland told students.

“We learned that earthquakes can’t kill us, but the buildings can, so we had to be thoughtful about how we’d stabilize our buildings when we designed them,” fifth grader Tayla Milkovich said.

Holland then asked them to identify a need and sketch out design plans.

“Once the group has decided on a design, they sketch it out using pictures and labels. I look over their designs, but I do not give them any construction plans. I want them to experience what real engineers face. Many times, they will need to redesign their project to be successful. I want my students to keep persevering in everything they do. They need to trying to improve their ideas, their learning and themselves every day. We welcome mistakes in my classroom because that is when we do our best learning,” she said.

During the design of his group’s project, fifth grader Spencer Henderson said they realized it wouldn’t be stable.

“We realized it wouldn’t hold the weight of a sand bag, so we changed our idea,” he said. “We looked at the supplies we had and thought of what else we could do to make our building more sturdy.”

Classmate Lauren Gilbride and her group realized that when they put three smaller coffee-stir straws inside a normal drinking straw, it would make their beams sturdier and also give it a little sway.

“We wanted our beams to be more stable, but also have a little flexibility so in an earthquake, it can bend, but not so much it would fall or break down,” she said.

Once groups completed their buildings, they tested them on Nov. 16 on a shake table

December 2015 | Page 17

S outhJordanJournal.Com that Holland’s husband constructed with $75 of their own money. To pass the test, the students’ buildings must stand for 30 seconds during a shake that resembles a small earthquake. Then, they are tested for medium and extreme earthquakes. Afterward, Holland asked students to review their processes and identify ways for improvement.

“I want them to learn the science behind earthquakes. They do need to know how earthquakes are a part of their life living here in Utah, and how earthquakes change the land,” she said.

Through the project and learning about the engineering process, Holland also hoped to spark an interest in students learning about the engineering field, as well as all the math and science careers.

Fifth grader Katie Mackay said that she has appreciated learning about what it takes to be an engineer and is thinking about becoming a process engineer, reviewing the best and most efficient ways in designs and methods.

“We all came together with our ideas in designing this building and realized that together, we could make it work,” she said about her teammates, Paula Gonzales and Jordan Benson.

In another corner of the room, Taygen Pounds and her teammates carefully constructed their building.

“I learned building the building is harder than I thought it would be,” Taygen said.

Her classmate, Kaleb Snarr, agreed since

he said he found the project “nerve-wracking” as everything didn’t go exactly as planned.

Still, he added he was having fun.

Across the room, Gabe Cook echoed the sentiment that even though his team’s straws kept bending while they were constructing the building, he was enjoying it.

“It’s a fun project and we get to do it with friends,” he said.

Holland said that her love of science and the desire to include STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) in her curriculum helped her decide to incorporate this project in the landforms unit that is part of the fifth-grade state core curriculum.

“I love learning about the science in my world. I don’t like just doing worksheets. I love teaching with hands-on lessons and the creativity of it. It gives the students a chance to use their senses to learn,” she said.

Parents also were on hand as students created their buildings. Marthe Henderson, who has had three students in Holland’s classes through the years, said she appreciates the hands-on learning.

“My kids are much more engaged and are learning through doing and simulating real-life experiences,” Henderson said. “They are having so much more fun while learning.”

Principal Doree Strauss said that through this project, students would understand and remember the engineering process.

“This is a great teacher who makes learnl ing come to life,” she said.

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S outh Jordan City Journal

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S outhJordanJournal.Com

SPOTLIGHT ON:

Y

our feet have a lot of work to do, and can carry more tension than you realize. You might be surprised just how much relaxation you can experience from a professional foot massage.

That’s where the Foot Relax Center in South Jordan comes in. What should you expect? A professional, convenient, and affordable way to relax. Once you step into Foot Relax Center, you will instantly feel more relaxed by the peaceful ambiance and clean surroundings. But it’s not just the serene atmosphere that customers love. The Foot Relax Center offers an array of different services from their

SPOTLIGHT ON:

ersonal family tragedy played a major role in the events leading to the creation of what is today Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary.

George A. Jenkins, a Midvale barber, and his wife, Annetta Pearl Williams, had lost five children, thus becoming familiar to Bank’s Mortuary in Midvale. As a result of their frequent--albeit unhappy--relationship, the mortician asked George to assist him with funeral services. Over a period of time, this led to the suggestion that the two become partners in the mortuary. On the eve of signing the necessary papers to make the partnership a reality, Mr. Banks passed away and the agreement never took place.

In anticipation of the partnership, George sold his barbershop. Determined that he would become a funeral director, George and Annetta Jenkins decided to open their own mortuary in Murray. His first call was on Dec. 15, 1915.

Twenty years later, in February of 1935, the Jenkins and Soffe families became one.

George and Annetta’s daughter, Mary B. Jen-

F

use these regions to access the corresponding body parts. Imagine it as an internal massage.

While a regular massage deals with the fascia and muscles, reflexology deals with internal structures like organs and glands.

“I want people to know it is for all ages.

Young people and elderly people, as well as adults can all benefit from [reflexology],” Rachel said passionately. “We really want people to come and feel better!”

With chairs for foot massage and reflexology, and private rooms for full body massage, the Foot Relax Center has something for everyone.

The Foot Relax Center is located at 10334

South Redwood Road in South Jordan.

Don’t miss their affordable pricing of just $40 for a full hour of foot massage, or $60 for a full body massage.

You can contact them at 801-234-0566 for an appointment or just drop l in. You’ll be glad you did.

believed,” said Terry Hansen, Micah’s grandmother. After struggling for a few days in the hospital, he passed away. “He could make friends with everybody and was so accepting of everyone he met. He could make friends with strangers within minutes,” his grandmother said.

“We are so touched that Jenkins-Soffe and the Boys & Girls Club have done this for Micah and our family.”

Kurt L. Soffe, owner of Jenkins-Soffe, said, “As a young boy the Murray Boys & Girls Club gave me and my friends a positive environment to grow and learn. As our Jenkins-Soffe family celebrates 100 years in Murray, we pay tribute to the positive values offered by the Murray Boys & Girls Club. Micah Hansen was part of that family and we honor his memory for the influence he made in his friends and in the lives he touched.”

With over 100 years of experience and

service to the communities of Utah, and five generations of family dedication, the name Jenkins-Soffe represents tradition, commitment to the community, and personalized service to individuals and families. With locations in Murray and South Jordan, and comprehensive experience in all areas of funeral service, Jenkins-Soffe provides affordable options in arranging services. They also offer a grief group on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month at their Murray location. Bring the whole family to see what Jenkins-Soffe is all about at their Live Nativity on Dec. 12. Enjoy hot chocolate, a memory ornament, and the Waffle Love l truck at their South Jordan location.

Jerkins Soffe

P

SPOTLIGHT ON:

massage therapists to gratify your needs.

“We want people to really relax the body after a busy day,” said owner, Rachel, while speaking about foot reflexology. “It’s not just [people’s] feet that can benefit, but the whole body system.”

Reflexology is a popular form of alternative medicine, wherein sophisticated foot massage techniques are used to trigger relaxation and healing throughout the entire body.

The scientific theory behind this practice is that certain regions of your feet are connected via your nervous system to other parts of your body, and a trained reflexology therapist can

Foot Relax Center

kins, and Vaughn C. Soffe of South Jordan, met at Utah State University. Vaughn and Mary married and were blessed with three children: Carol Ann, Jaren and Gregg. Vaughn joined his father-in-law in 1938: thus, the blended name of Jenkins-Soffe.

It’s now 2015, the 100th anniversary for Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Homes & Cremation Center, the oldest business in Murray. As a way to celebrate, Jenkins-Soffe is giving back to the community. They coordinated construction of a new garden area at the Boys & Girls Club in Murray, which was dedicated on Sept.

1, 2015 to memorialize Micah Hansen, a very special 11-year-old boy who died in a tragic drowning on April 17, 2014.

Micah was playing in the pool with his cousins while on vacation in Southern California, when the game they were playing went tragically wrong. “They were holding their breath under water to see who could hold it the longest, when his two cousins noticed that he was holding his breath way too long to be

Merit Medical Promotes Innovation

ounded in 1987, Merit Medical Systems is a world-wide company engaged in the development, manufacture, and distribution of disposable medical devices. These devices are used by client hospitals in procedures for both diagnosing and intervening in medical conditions, particularly in cardiology, radiology and endoscopy.

Headquartered in South Jordan, Utah, Merit Medical employs approximately 1,600 people in Utah, and approximately 3,700 people worldwide. “Merit Medical is very proud of our South Jordan headquarters” states Fred Lampropoulos, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Merit Medical. “It’s from here that we run our global business, providing important medical devices to improve healthcare around the world. We’ve purchased more than 50 acres in the area to so that we can expand our campus as needed, yet keep some open, green space that is appreciated by the community.”

Their goal as a company is to support the

doctors around the world who are in direct contact with patients. They strive to offer this support by developing products with a “listen-first” approach. They are proud to provide doctors with what they ask for and need by way of continually evolving medical devices.

Merit Medical not only listens, they act.

They are a major leader in the movement promoting the use of the radial artery, located in the wrist, instead of the more traditional technique of using the femoral artery, found in the groin, as the entry point for cardiac catheterization and peripheral procedures. Using the radial artery for these measures gives the patient less discomfort, fewer complications, and a shorter recovery time, which results in less time in the hospital. When all is said and done, the adoption of radial access procedures could mean significant cost savings for the U.S. health system each year.

Powered with this knowledge, Merit Medical has established an international program, ThinkRadial™, which provides radial

training, resources, and products for physicians.

The program offers hands-on training at a renowned two-day immersive course at the Merit Medical campus in South Jordan. Many doctors and patients are benefiting from this education and training. “The Radial Approach has many patient benefits, including less bleeding risks and early ambulation. Because of these advantages, my hospital group, Mountain Star, supports the radial approach. We are also seeing a trend in patient preference for the radial approach,” states Dr. Pawan Sharma, an Interventional Cardiologist at the Heart Center at St. Mark’s Hospital. “Before attending Merit Medical’s ThinkRadial™ course, I used the radial approach in a very

limited number of patients. After attending the Course, I will start using this approach in more patients. I was fortunate to have such a great training opportunity in Salt Lake City.”

Merit Medical Systems is definitely making an impact. We are proud to have such an innovative and influential company as part of our community. To learn more, visit www. l Merit.com or ThinkRadial.com.

Page 20 | December 2015

S outh Jordan City Journal

The South Jordan Chamber of Commerce welcomed the following new and returning members in the last month:

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December 2015 | Page 21

Page 22 | December 2015

S outh Jordan City Journal

Are Bargain Hunters too Dang Cheap?

By Joani Taylor

W

hile chatting the other day with a friend of mine, that owns a popular downtown Salt Lake restaurant, we got into a conversation about deals and coupons they offered through various advertiser mediums.

This restaurateur friend of mine has promoted many times through these marketing avenues and I was picking his brain for insight on what works and what doesn’t.

I mentioned that I had been reading on Yelp.com (a popular customer review website) a plethora of negative comments about various restaurants (including his) and how MANY of the negative reviewers start their review with “I had a coupon or deal voucher for this company and decided to give it a try”. Then the reviewer would launch into a rant of negativity bashing the food or service provider.

As my friend and I further discussed this, he stated that sometimes bargain hunters are terrible customers and that “it is not uncommon for them to complain, under tip and even attempt to mis-use their certificates or coupons”.

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I’m finding this trend sad and disturbing!

Most of these businesses are local to our economy. They employ our families, friends and neighbors. They support not only their families but the employees that count on it too. When they discount their product it’s in the hopes of getting new and loyal customers. Then, in addition to having to pay the advertiser, they watch as we, the consumers berate them publicly for future customers to see. SAY WHAT?!

I’m sad to say, that many merchants I’ve spoken with, view deal user as classless and cheap. I recently had the marketing director of a popular Utah location, tell me they did not want coupon and deal users at their place of business, leaving their, and I quote, “McDonalds bags and dirty Diapers all over their lawn”. OUCH! That hurt! After all I rarely eat fast food and my kids are adults. Of course, one has nothing to do with the other. It was the stigma she attached to the bargain hunter that bothered me.

When I use a deal voucher or coupon, I take a much different approach. The first thing I do is to thank the manager or owner (if possi-

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ble) for providing me with this great chance to try their services or product. Or, I will immediately let the waiter, cashier or other employee know that I have the deal voucher and then ask them to thank their boss on my behalf. I’m happy, kind and courteous and do my best to make the service employee have a better day.

This small gesture of kindness will set the tone for your entire dining or shopping experience.

It will make the merchant proud and glad they offered YOU this discount.

This holiday season, I hope you’ll join me in saying thanks to the merchants you have received special savings from. Leave comments on their Facebook pages, tip extra, make a purchase without a coupon even if there is one, or simply smile and show graduate to our small local Utah businesses, for giving us a dis-

count on their products and services, that we might not have discovered otherwise. If you do go back to the business, let them know you found them through a coupon or deal, and you are so glad you did.

December 2015 | Page 23

S outhJordanJournal.Com

Have Yourself an Eco-Friendly Christmas

By Peri Kinder

I

t turns out that some scientists think we’re headed for a mass extinction. Merry Christmas!

I guess our greedy attitude about the world’s resources is taking its toll on the oceans, rain forests, various ecosystems and the ability for celebrities to own a different fur coat for every day of the week. In order to reverse this Christmatasrophe, we need to change our wasteful habits. I’ve put together some new holiday rules that might just save the planet. (You can thank me later.)

• Due to the inversion, chestnuts can no longer be roasted on an open fire. Chestnuts can instead be microwaved and then sprayed with a chemical-free Roasting Chestnut air freshener.

• In accordance with PETA guidelines, reindeers will not be allowed to fly for 24 hours without a bathroom or smoke break.

• Naughty children will no longer receive lumps of coal, but will instead be given a

stocking full of organic Brussel sprouts.

(Much worse than coal.)

• Colorful Christmas packages can only be wrapped in old newspaper, making them neither colorful nor timely.

• Thanks to global warming, dreaming of a White Christmas is no longer allowed.

• No Christmas trees can be displayed unless they’re made from reclaimed barn wood.

• With the rapid rise in STDs, mistletoe can no longer be hung at office parties. (All other unacceptable behavior has been canceled.)

• Christmas carolers can only go door-to-door with the proper permits and background checks.

• The phrase, “Let your heart be light” only applies if your heart is powered by solar panels.

• Because of the increasing number of people with diabetes, cookies for Santa are no longer allowed.

• No family can send out Christmas newslet-

ters. (Not to save the planet. I just don’t want to read them.)

• Due to the melting of the polar ice caps, Santa’s workshop is being relocated to Canada.

While these changes are great, it’s not just our harmful environmental attitudes that need a holiday makeover.

Unregulated capitalism in America has created a society of materialistic little buggers (i.e. teenagers) who are never content. Cutting back on holiday extravagance could remind your family the importance of the season. As Thoreau once said, “Simplify, simplify.” (Although you’d think he could have said it once.)

You can tell your kids you’re trying to save money or you can tell your kids that Putin has “annexed” the North Pole and put a sanction on gifts made in Kris Kringle’s workshop. Whatever works.

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pine boughs (cut from your neighbor’s tree) can add a beautiful touch to a mantel or centerpiece. I went in my backyard to find some nature but only discovered little piles of Christmas spirit left for me by my dog.

For Christmas dinner, whip up a delicious batch of grass fed, locally-grown, free range sweet potatoes. Forgo the annual ham or turkey and try a fresh holiday green salad. (Don’t cook reindeer burgers, unless you want PETA to jump out from behind your couch and smack it out of your hand.)

You could even give your guests a paper bag full of food scraps as a Start Your Own Compost Kit. Then, on Christmas morning, while you’re sitting with your family amidst piles of gifts made from recycled soda cans, old socks and discarded toilet paper rolls, you can bask in the warmth of an eco-friendly Christmas. Or, according to scientists, it might be the warmth of poisonous gases trapped in the earth’s atmosphere. Happy l holidays.

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