Cottonwood Heights Journal | January 2025 by The City Journals

RECAPPING 20 YEARS OF COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS HISTORY

By Cassie Goff | c.goff@mycityjournals.com

Moving out of the teenage years and into adulthood, the city of Cottonwood Heights will celebrate its 20th birthday on Jan. 14. Instead of celebrating during a single day, or birthday month, city leaders plan to recognize this milestone throughout the entire year with new activities every few months (at a minimum). City Manager Jared Gerber has been working to scour through the city’s history and compile important stories and dates to focus on.

Starting on the city’s actual birthday, Mayor Mike Weichers will deliver a State of the City address on Jan. 14 (with a reception following at City Hall, 2277 Bengal Blvd.). His tentative plan is to invite former city leaders and state legislators to come speak as well.

“The whole focus of the State of the City might be…how we have gotten to where we are,” Weichers said.

Before all of the many activities, recognitions and celebrations commence this year, it might be worthwhile to take a moment to reflect. Readers are invited to come along with this reporter on a quick journey (13-minute read) to visit some of the more significant moments in the city’s 20-year history.

Setting our time machine for Jan. 14, 2005 the electricity of Salt Lake City residents preparing to become residents of the 16th city in the state of Utah charges the amphitheater of Butler Middle School (7530 S. 2700 East). Lights dim and silence falls as then Gov. Gary Herbert swears in Kelvyn H. Cullimore as the first official Mayor of Cottonwood Heights. He celebrates with Gordon Thomas and

The Youth City Council has hosted a “Dinner with the Mayor” event each year where teens can chat with local government officials to learn about their local government. (Cassie Goff/City Journals)

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Don Antczak who will now alter their titles from committee members overseeing the census-designated place to Cottonwood Heights City councilmembers.

A few days later - Liane Stillman is buzzing as she begins her work as the first City Manager of the cityjumping from conversation to conversation and from office to office trying to figure out how the beginning of the city she’s been charged to manage.

Calibrating the month of our time machine to July 24 instead of January – a handful of residents are smiling in conversations with city leaders and workers at the very first Butlerville Days Celebration hosted through the city of Cottonwood Heights. If we zoom in and turn up the volume on one of those conversations, we may hear one of the most popular re-told stories about how the surrounding area and celebration came to be named.

Hold on now! We may get whiplash on this one as we travel all the way back to 1849 – dust tickles the nose (not from inversion in this time period, luckily!) as lumberjacks and miners inhabit a small room for an important town hall meeting. Each a member of the eight well-known families who are beginning to grow their homesteads in the area. A vote is happening tonight with the intention of naming the community. Tension in the room tightens as more and more votes are counted. It’s tied between the McGee family and the Butler family. Looking around, hints of smirks begin to fall across the Butler brothers faces as they realize they have one more member of their family than the McGee family. (Per the tale, if the McGees had one or two more members of their family, we would have been calling Butlerville Days the McGeeville Days today.)

Programming the chronological transporter to February 2013 – zooming into the City Manager’s office, a new face with a

contagious bright grin asks “How are ya?”

John Park is living in the legacy of Liane Stillman after her retirement last month. He’s not the only one getting his bearings. Panning over to the District 3 name plaque, newly-elected Councilmember Mike Peterson replaces the name of former Councilmember Nicole Omer (elected in 2009 along with Councilmember Tee Tyler). This marks a change in the city’s leadership (council and manager) dynamic as it’s the first time being entirely male.

Sequencing a montage of every Tuesday night… city staff members begin to pop into the council chambers (on the second and third floor of the business building at 1265 Fort Union Blvd.) in the late afternoon to set up name plaques, drop off important documents and packets, and account for the necessary technology and chairs. Councilmembers, department

chairs, and residents begin to filter in, marking the start of the weekly city council meetings. Scene change. A few hours later, all the characters return to their exact positions in the previous set. Hours pass. As the clock strikes 10 p.m., a few human figures begin to filter out. More stand to leave throughout the night until the last several exit around 2 a.m.

Let’s do the time warp again! Warping back to our 2000’s era to Dec. 15, 2015 –hundreds of Cottonwood Heights residents gather to voice their displeasure to the city council. Tonight’s crowd sets a record for one of the longest public comment sessions in the city’s history (causing an important edit within the city’s policy regarding public comment sessions that is still written today). It’s cold outside. Heavy snowfall covers the streets and begins to melt off of the tightly bundled puffer jackets. The main thread weaving together everyone in

the room – snowplowing.

Fast forwarding through the city council’s decisions and responses through July 2016 – the city cancels their contract with a third-party Public Works company after so many disappointments and failures with their snowplowing services. Setting the foundation for an in-house Public Works team quickly begins as equipment is purchased, leadership is hired and training begins.

Great Scott! Setting the time machine for Sept. 8, 2016 at the same location resulted in the city offices being cleared out with no one there! This isn’t right! Recalibrating for Sept. 29, 2016 – Blinding light pours into a big open room as blinds have yet to be installed. The smell of new carpet settles with each step of the crowd. We are at the open house of the new City Hall building. The excitement within the voices of city staff members, police officers, and

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EDITORIAL & AD DESIGN

Anna Pro Ty Gorton Stacey LaMont

COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS

PHONE: 801-254-5974

Butlerville Days has been an annual staple of Cottonwood Heights for over 20 years. (Cassie Goff/City Journals)

Councilmember Doug Petersen leaves a legacy etched into the 20-year history of Cottonwood Heights after being elected in 2020 and passing away in 2023. (Photo courtesy of Cottonwood Heights City)

councilmembers is apparent as their plans to have a permanent home for the city has been in the works for years. No longer will they have to work from a leased-out office space on the outskirts of the city.

Leaping to a date that marks an erachange in Jan. 2, 2017 – a conglomerate of voices and exclamations bounce through the council chambers as the swearing-in ceremony begins. Three new council members raise their hand in oath. This moment is significant to everyone in the room, but for different reasons. Mayor Mike Peterson accepts his responsibilities as mayor, reliving Cullimore of his over-decade-long mayoral duties. This is the first time the city has to get acquainted with a new mayor. Councilmembers Tali Bruce and Christine Mikell accept their responsibilities on the council. It’s been four years since the last female leadership. This is also the first time there’s been a majority turnover (as previous elections had only introduced one or two new members).

One year later – Park fully accepts his passion for cultivating unique relationships and makes a move to government work outside of a single municipality. Tim Tingey slides on over from Murray to fill the City Manager position for the city. He will continue in this role for six years.

Sequencing a montage of every Tuesday night… echoes of conversations initiated by Councilmember Tali Bruce and City Manager Tim Tingey rotating around mental health, burnout, time management and overtime pay narrate in the overture as we see city staff members begin to set up biweekly city council meetings in the early afternoon (at the new city hall building on Bengal Boulevard). Three hours pass before there is a scene change. As the clock strikes 7:30 p.m., staff members begin to trickle out of the shot with the last figure exciting the council chambers around 10 p.m.

Calibrating the apparatus to Oct. 15, 2019 – Mayor Peterson is in the middle of reading a Resolution to Gayle Conger, Jim Kichas, Don Antczak, Carol Woodside, Allen Erekson, Paul Brenner and Melinda Hortin. They’re excited and nervous to start their work as the first Cottonwood Heights Historic Committee. They will play an important role in documenting, preserving, sharing and publishing the city’s history. (In 2025, they will ask to help with the city’s 20-year anniversary celebrations.)

Adjusting the temporal devices for 2020 – the Cottonwood Heights population is recorded at 33,617. It makes Cottonwood Heights one of the biggest “little” cities. The tensions between continuous worry from state committee leaders about how the population is still expected to double by 2050, routine comments from city engineers about how the city is technically “built-out” and repeated priority from residents to preserve the “Cottonwood Heights character” weigh on the city council and

staff members more and more.

Taking a breath before traveling to an event that shakes the city’s history forever: July 2023 – the announcement of Councilmember Doug Petersen’s passing is shared. The city scrambles to figure out how to move forward. It’s the first time an election needs to be called outside of the routine voting schedule.

That’s all the time we are going to dwell on today though. Because if we remember Petersen, he’ll want us to live in the positives as he did. His knack for finding the positive in any situation, no matter how unlikely, sets a standard for daily interactions and mindsets. His bright smile and unfaltering understanding is his legacy.

It’s probably about time to get us back to our own time, huh? There are still a handful of important dates to visit that have had a lasting impact on this history of Cottonwood Heights and has helped to shape it into the city it is today. Twenty years is a long time to sum up in just one article. How about we rapid fire through some of these snapshots?

1.• 10-year anniversary celebrations for the city were held on Jan. 16, 2015.

2.• Residents protested in droves to the first ever property tax increase on Aug. 28, 2018.

• Canyon Centre development began in May of 2018.

• Residents petitioned to save the Walsh Farm from high-density development in March 2019.

• Explicit conversations about how to account for and enforce Accessory Dwelling Units began in July 2017 and continued through May 7, 2019.

• The Parks, Trails, and Open Space Committee was formed on Aug. 28, 2019.

• The most significant protest the city has seen occurred on June 15, 2020.

• Tension between city officials and police officers spiked when responding to another protest on Aug. 2, 2020.

• Storm Drain fees funding repairs to the city’s water infrastructure were implemented on June 15, 2021.

• UDOT’s Gondola for Little Cottonwood Canyon was determined as the preferred transportation alternative on Aug. 31, 2022. Cottonwood Heights opposed it formally on Oct. 17, 2022.

• Ferguson Park and the attached offleash dog park (the first in the city!) was opened during Summer 2023.

• Councilmember Suzanne Hyland was sworn in on Jan. 4, 2024. She was the last to join the current city council of Councilmember Ellen Birrell and Councilmember Shawn Newell (along with Holton and Mayor Weichers).

Adjusting the temporal devices to risk future travel, in 2026 we see a shadowbox protecting the original printed article covering the incorporation of Cottonwood Heights displayed at city hall: following the precedent of this Historic Committee, additional historic signage has been strategically placed throughout the city.

Now, that signage includes QR codes so the youths can quickly scan and read more about the area.

(Councilmember Matthew Holton may have even spearheaded the sign along Danish Road as one of his favorite historic stories about the city involved the family who homesteaded in the area. They were immigrants from Denmark, hence the name of the road that now passes through what would have been their homestead.)

I missed our correct time! We are a few days off venturing into Jan. 16, 2025 – walking into Market Street Grill, a silhouette of a councilmember in the periphery is familiar. Leading into one of the restaurants’ meeting rooms, residents border the outskirts of the dining table, listening, as city councilmembers discuss with the city’s department chairs how to divvy the expenses within their $5 million budget (after accounting for operating and holding costs) during their annual council retreat.

Returning to January 2025 – it is now time, dear traveler, to end our journey. There is risk that you are still filled with questions and memories. I will be taking my time machine with me, but if you wish to share your memories from a specific moment in time, send them to me and I will be happy to view and pass along your memories. They may even impact future city celebrations this year. Who knows? (I do – “Back to the Future” mantra fades in the background.) l

As only two women had ever served on the Cottonwood Heights City leadership for over a decade, the 2015 election was especially monumental as Councilmember Tali Bruce and Councilmember Christine Mikell were sworn in. Their legacy lives on as Councilmember Suzanne Hyland and Councilmember Ellen Birrell were elected in 2021. (Dan Metcalf/Cottonwood Heights)

Some of our favorite photos from 2024

On the left, Bella Vista’s third graders share with other students and parents about famous people they portray in their class wax museum. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Cottonwood Heights Public Works Deputy Director Danny Martinez wasted no time cutting the ribbon as his excitement for the new public works building erupts. (Cassie Goff/City Journals)

A jubilant victory for Brighton over 6A Syracuse. (Photo David Mayfield @fortodayphotography)

Brighton football captains take the field versus Syracuse. (Photo David Mayfield @fortodayphotography)

Cottonwood Heights Mayor Mike Weichers and resident Madeline Melini cut the ribbon for the HAWK crosswalk in August accompanied by Councilmembers Ellen Birrell, Suzanne Hyland and Shawn Newell, Canyons School District Board President Amber Shill and Rep. Gay Lynn Bennion. (Cassie Goff/City Journals)

Actress Summer Sloan Alvey stars as Belle in the Cottonwood Heights Arts Council’s production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” (Photo credit Brighton Sloan)

Mural artist Whitney Horrocks works on the new Mountview Park mural. (Photo credit Kate Hoflich)

Firefighter crews work as a team to attack a fire from various sides while other firefighters secure the area. (Cassie Goff/City Journals)

Ridgecrest Elementary students raced the clock and were among 746,698 people sport stacking at multiple locations, helping to set a new world record. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Honoring service:

Canyons’

superintendent recognizes dedication of outgoing school board members

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Twelve years ago, when middle schoolers were born, pre-pandemic issues in education focused on teacher pay, need for increased technology and student college and career readiness.

Canyons School District’s Board of Education member and former president Nancy Tingey not only witnessed it all, but she worked to find solutions for them all.

Never one to focus on herself, but compliment those around her, Tingey led the board to increase teacher salaries and provide support for student learning and preparedness for their future.

She also navigated Canyons through the pandemic, often working with then new Superintendent Rick Robins.

“Through the pandemic with the different voices, the passion and the issues we faced, one thing I remember most is Nancy would always say to us, ‘Listen, listen to the silent majority; listen to those who are not speaking,’” Robins said. “I always took that to heart, because in these jobs, sometimes we get so many different voices from different angles, and we try to listen to all, but Nancy would always remind us to listen to the silent too. She’d

ask, ‘What are those who are not speaking really saying to us?’ Those people send their kids to us, they trust us and they love their schools and their teachers. They may not voice it in an email or come to a board meeting, but we need to listen to them too. That is something I learned from her in leadership, and it applies to keep balance in the issues we face in the district. She taught me that great lesson.”

Tingey is retiring from the school board at the end of this term, but she still plans to volunteer at Quail Hollow Elementary.

“Nancy’s impact and legacy is a true example of what a servant leader is,” Robins continued. “I've been fortunate to work with her as superintendent. To see her calm, steady hand guide the District all those years has been really impressive, and we're going to miss her leadership and her dedication to Canyon School District. If there's a person that really symbolizes the birth of this district and what it has meant to this entire community, it’s her.”

Fellow board member, Kris Millerberg, also will leave the board and has plans to help in schools. She stepped up

to fill the position after the February 2024 death of her husband, Mont Millerberg, who served the board since its infancy.

“Kris came in at a time when Mont passed away, when there was a lot of anxiety about his position as he was an icon in Canyons School District,” Robins said. “She stepped into her husband's shoes being a stalwart and it turned out, we needed her style of leadership. She stabilized the situation, bringing a calm leadership. I appreciate how she’s always positive and she’s often in our schools and at schools’ activities. Her commitment and dedication to the District is notable, and knowing Kris, she will continue to support Canyons Education Foundation. That’s something she and her family have really taken to heart. I see the Millerberg family continuing to be part of our District going forward.”

He said he appreciates their hours of service, their positive and calm leadership and willingness to serve.

“They’re both great servant leaders who support our students and our teachers,” he said. “We’re most grateful.” l

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At a Dec. 3 reception, current and former colleagues came to thank Canyons School District’s Board of Education member and former president Nancy Tingey for her 12 years of service. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Salt

Newly elected Lewis aims to amplify youth voice on school board

Lake Community College political science student

Jackson Lewis is easily Canyons School District’s youngest board of education member in the District’s 15 year history. He may be the state’s youngest elected official ever.

At 19, he was elected to office. Two months later, in January, at age 20, he will be sworn in.

The last time Lewis was elected to office was as a second grader at Canyon Rim Academy in Millcreek, when his class was learning about government.

He has been in meeting after meeting since being elected. Recently, in a meeting with other school board members, state legislators and city officials, he learned about gang behavior in schools from local law enforcement officers.

“There's an issue with our schools now, specifically with THC (vaping) cartridges, and it’s what gangs are doing to recruit in schools along the Wasatch Front,” he said.

As a 2023 graduate, he isn’t far removed from walking into the high school bathroom, smelling weed.

“I’m grateful to be able to sit in on this meeting because I'm elected to serve a constituency, and I was sitting there brainstorming the entire time, ‘how are we going to work to make it better?’” he said. “I live right next to Union Park, so I see kids hanging out at the pavilion often with drugs; they should be in school.”

He realizes he’s more under a microscope as the youngster on the school board unlike Katie Dahle, who also was elected for the first time this term or re-elected member Holly Neibaur. He plans to use his fresh, firsthand experience as a recent student to address issues important to current students and educators.

“During my campaign, I talked about chronic absenteeism because I had firsthand issues with it so I'm bringing that perspective to the board, where we can address these issues,” he said.

It was during high school when he attended Skyline High that he had some family issues which impacted him.

“I struggled a lot with my mental health,” he said, adding it continued when he transferred to Hillcrest his senior year and where his sister now is a senior. “There was a period of my high school time, particularly senior year, where I was absent for a good chunk of it.”

Lewis said by “endlessly” talking to his Hillcrest counselor, Kimberly Walters, they found a way to get him motivated to return to school.

“I started the school day at 9 (a.m.) so I got the sleep I needed. Instead of starting the day in a lecture-based classroom or sitting there doing a worksheet, I started in weight training. As a teenage male, I love going to the gym, and that brought me into the school building; it got me to graduate,” he said.

Now, Lewis wants the school board to focus on the issue.

“We need to meet students where they are, find what makes students excited to go to school, and focus on getting kids to school. A lot of students have a big issue with getting out of bed and going to school every day. It's a post-COVID world. It's not just here; it’s a nationwide issue. We need to find a way to make sure students want to be in school and it will pull a lot of kids out of chronic absenteeism,” he said.

It won’t happen with one big “swoosh,” said former Alta High history and government teacher Rique Ochoa, who has analyzed campaigns and elections with his students.

“It’s a good thing he's being more specific, but does he have a plan to solve chronic absenteeism?” Ochoa said.

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

“He's going to have to institute small solutions initially to get people on board. Once he gets that and it’s moderately successful, he needs to look at ‘How will we expand this?’ He can’t expect change to be immediate; it’s going to be small, incremental steps, and then get a broader picture later. At 19, you come in with a lot of inexperience and a lot of great ideas, but practicality also has to come into play.”

As a teenager who prefers riding a scooter to driving, Lewis advocates for the best routes for students and pedestrians, wanting to move the Safe Walking Routes away from busy arterial roads into neighborhood streets with lower speed limits. He wants students to be able to ride UTA transit for free and supports UDOT’s proposed bike freeway.

“I want to create a partnership between the District, Salt Lake County, local city governments and the state department of transportation so when new infrastructure projects go up in this area…we design new pedestrian pathways…in a way students also can use them. I want this to be a conversation over my upcoming term,” he said.

Lewis became curious about the school board during a college and career readiness day in Karla Moosman’s English language arts class. He remembers learning about education bills passed in the legislature and realizing how complicated it was for the school board to put some in place because “they don’t get the resources they need from the state.”

At that point, he looked up who his board member was and the 18 years old age requirement, which then he hadn’t reached. Later in the year, he worked for the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel when the local dem-

ocratic party offered their support for him to run.

“I was running for my community. I popped into the race expecting to lose to (then incumbent) Mont (Millerberg). He was an extremely important and major community figure,” Lewis said.

Lewis will serve in District 1, where Millerberg, a longtime member and board vice president, served until his unexpected death in February 2024. Lewis beat out Millerberg’s wife, Kris, who served in the seat following her husband, and ran as a write-in candidate. He also beat candidate Rainer Lilbook.

Lewis thinks he resonated with voters partially because of his age.

“A lot of the conversations I had were about my age. The perspective I bring to the board is of a former Hillcrest High School student and a lifelong resident of Midvale. I offered a perspective that has direct impact over thousands of very young people. Quite a few times I was told by voters, ‘a 19 year old on a school board makes perfect sense.’ People are just ready for new, young perspective,” he said.

Ochoa believes Lewis won for three reasons.

“First of all, many people don’t know school board elections. It’s like when you get your ballot and see all the judges to retain or not. Some people don’t know anything about them and start alternating yes and no because they don’t know,” he said. “The same thing may be true with school board members’ elections. Many people don’t know the candidates. For those who do, I think he may have resonated because he gave specifics on his campaign. He's going to make a ripple right from the start, because he's talking about specific problems. Others, who just talk generically, can take pretty much any action they want and say it supports teachers, or it supports education. Their campaigns deal with generalities, because who's going to say they're against supporting education, against the teachers, nobody is.”

Having Kris Millerberg as a write-in candidate also likely impacted the vote, and split the vote, he said.

In District 3, Dahle was elected to take the seat of longtime member and former board president Nancy Tingey, who is retiring. In District 7, Neibaur retained her seat on the board.

Canyons District Supt. Rick Robins said he welcomes the new board members and anticipates continued focus on students.

“I'm really excited for Jackson and for Kate, and I'm just so grateful to both of them for deciding to run for elected office,” he said. “The board has dynamics like a family as different people join. But our board has been great at assimilating and finding common ground and being able to stay focused on what's most important, students.”

That’s where Lewis is focused.

“My plan right now is to serve this full term; if Jackson Lewis, a year ago, got to look at the world now, he would not have expected anything that had happened this last year to happen,” he said. “I've always had a strong sense of what is right and wrong. I've always been into politics, I love policy. I want to leave the world a better place than when I was born, that's why I know politics is my calling; a great vessel for change is through politics. As a school board member, I have goals; I have plans. Obviously, compromise is not the enemy of progress, and I am not going to step on the District’s feet or my own feet for some purity test. That's not the politics. That's not the kind of person I am, but I do want to make a difference.” l

At age 20, Hillcrest High 2023 graduate Jackson Lewis will take the oath of office Jan. 7 and will become the youngest to ever serve on Canyons School’s Board of Education. (Photo courtesy of Jackson Lewis)

Brighton High School history documented in high-tech gift to the school

By Jerry S. Christensen | j.christensen@mycityjournals.com

Rune stones were used by ancient Vikings to make announcements and preserve history. Cave art and petroglyphs documented early human history. Brighton High School receives a gift from an alumnus that preserves Brighton history in a high-tech fashion.

Dane Christensen, a 2008 Brighton alumnus and Stanford MFA documentarian, created a digital link to Brighton’s 55-year athletic, academic and arts history. “I wanted to build a strong connection between the legacy of the original circular school and the state-of-the-art new Brighton High,” said Christensen during a brief visit to the school site in December. “This digital portal to Brighton’s history can serve as a link for current and future students to the generations that went before them.”

New technologies to preserve historical sites

Christensen created an augmented reality (AR) experience that is accessible onsite at Brighton. AR is an emerging technology that allows the viewer to view/experience a site as it was.

“Using 3D mapping, semantic segmenting, GPS and features common to most smart phones, I created a time machine that enables the viewer to step back and experience Brighton as it was before the decon-

struction of the circular school, during the rebuild and into the new building. The physical changeover is a key link for the Brighton community to celebrate the continuity of the school,” Christensen said.

The AR experience is not unlike what archaeologists in Athens or Israel have undertaken to allow viewers to step back in a virtual time machine and see ancient structures as they were. The Brighton AR experience gives alumni the opportunity to walk the concentric circles of Brighton High as they were from 1969-2021. The AR experience captures unique features of Brighton such as running out of the gym tunnel onto the football field with the football players. It captures a wrestling workout in the old wrestling room, a musical being performed in the old auditorium and an American Problems class discussion.

Five-years in the making

This ambitious project began five years ago, spurred by a call to the Canyons District Board and Superintendent James Briscoe to digitally preserve both Brighton and Hillcrest High before their demolition and rebuild. Canyons District CFO Leon Wilcox contracted with Christensen to digitally document the old buildings, the destruction, the rebuild process and the completed new schools.

“For the first time, we had technologies that allowed a detailed preservation of how the former building looked and functioned with students and teachers,” Wilcox said. “It would have been wonderful to have similar digital memories of the old Jordan High building, but the technologies used in the Brighton preservation didn’t exist back then.”

The 360-degree virtual reality (VR) capture of old Brighton is fairly comprehensive and serves as a basis for the AR adaptation that Christensen gifted to the Legacy Committee of the school. Not to be overshadowed, the portal also links to a wealth of 2D resources that document the unmatched sports accomplishments of Brighton’s alumni as well as the rich academic offerings and traditions at Brighton.

Unrelated to the Brighton historic project was a recent Cottonwood Heights Arts Council project to wrap mechanical/utility boxes along Bengal Boulevard with art from local artists.

Arts Council Chair Laura Garcia said, “Wrapping the utility boxes on Bengal Boulevard turned out to have a bigger impact on our community than the Arts Council expected. We were confident that adding beautiful and unique art would be appreciated and well received, but because Bengal Boulevard features our beautiful new high school, we were able to implement some historically significant pieces from Brighton.”

The art wrap project became a perfect platform for Christensen’s AR project. He

created art work for the utility box on the Brighton roundabout (Bengal Boulevard) that depicts old Brighton in its former glory nestled against the Wasatch mountains. Drawing inspiration from the Vikings method of preserving history, he made that art wrap into a “rune portal” that launches viewers into the AR experience through a QR code on the art.

“The impact is emotional and very special to many students and alumni,” Garcia said.

The result is a museum-quality experience for the community. The Cottonwood Heights Historic Committee has created a series of neighborhood hikes that highlight historical sites in the community. This “rune portal” adds another historical marker to those tours.

Jim Kichas, Historic Committee chair said, "This project adds to the history and culture that we work to preserve all around Cottonwood Heights.”

Krista Cullimore (Brighton class of 1985 and Brighton alumni chair) sees the sought after link between former students, current students and future students. “The installation is truly a time machine. It’s such a fun way to preserve Brighton’s rich legacy and share it with future generations. Thank you, Dane, for such a great gift to our alumni and our community.”

The AR experience is geolocked to the art wrap on the Brighton roundabout at 2300 East and Bengal Boulevard and can be accessed at any time from any smart phone. l

wrap”

Brighton roundabout becomes a high-tech portal to Brighton histo-

Christensen/City Journals)

h ealth & W ellness

By Rebecca Olds

Moving and getting in shape doesn’t have to be a chore.

Finding something that you enjoy doing makes exercising and being active feel more like play rather than work, while still giving you the same or better benefits as visiting a normal gym.

Unique fitness experiences exist around Salt Lake County which offers unique excursions and experiences like a new underwater yoga flow, an educational and adventurous late-night snowshoe tour, and so much more.

Here are six fitness adventures including indoor and outdoor fun for all skill levels:

Yoga with the Sharks at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium (Draper)

There’s a certain type of Zen to obtain surrounded by shark-infested waters. Loveland Living Planet Aquarium offers an hourlong instructor-led class in front of a tank teeming with sea creatures on select Monday nights.

Allison Barker, director of development and chair of the Conservation Committee at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium said many participants have said the unique atmosphere creates a peaceful environment with many health benefits including “the gentle rhythm of the water and the mesmerizing movements of the sharks, fish and sea turtles” helping to reduce stress and anxiety.

“Ultimately, Yoga with the Sharks offers a transformative experience combining physical and mental benefits,” she said. “By practicing yoga in such an unusual and beautiful setting, participants gain a deeper appreciation for themselves and the natural world.”

The 2025 dates will be released near the end of December.

Included with the event is admission to check out the rest of the aquarium, but you’ll probably want to go earlier than

the class time from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. because the aquarium closes at 8 p.m. The class is open to 8-year-olds and older.

Registration is online and costs $25. The aquarium recommends bringing your own equipment but has some for new yogis.

Momentum Indoor Climbing (Millcreek, Sandy)

If you’ve never gone rock climbing, no biggie. It’s a new year to try new things and Momentum is a great place to learn. The Sandy location offers a variety of classes including belay instruction, rope climbing and even bouldering for any skill level.

“Our class structure is designed with progression in mind so that there’s always something for you to learn and work toward no matter your current ability,” is the Momentum mission.

If learning to climb isn’t your thing, the gym also offers yoga and group fitness classes. Sign-up is online.

Intro to aerial class at Aerial Arts of Utah (Salt Lake City)

Think Zendaya in “The Greatest Showman”—that could be you this year. Granted, it’s a beginners class for more than just trapeze, Aerial Arts of Utah is offering quite the deal at $90 for three one-hour classes every Wednesday night.

The class is an introduction to several different types of aerial fitness, including fabric and static trapeze for those aged 13 years or older. Sign-up is online. Onyx Pole and Aerial Fitness Studio, hoop, pole, silks and hammock classes (Sandy)

In one studio, there are at least five different aerial fitness classes to choose from. Onyx offers everything from pole workouts to silks and hoops for differing levels of ability. The hammock beginner class (1.0) is referred to as the “perfect

class to not only begin your journey but to keep coming back to build those forever essential movements.”

Most classes range from beginner (1.0) to pro (4.0).

Paddleboard yoga in a natural hot spring (Midway)

The name of the Midway Crater is becoming more well-known as a unique spot to visit in Midway, but did you know that you could not only swim in it but it’s large enough to do paddleboard yoga in?

Midway Crater offers a paddleboard yoga execution that offers a unique opportunity to find your Zen in one of nature’s beautiful (and oldest) yoga studios. Blue 95-degree Fahrenheit mineral water offers an inviting cushion if you fall in.

Booking can include just the paddleboard experience or be bundled with hiking, snowshoeing and more. Park City Yoga Adventures also offers yoga in a backcountry yurt, mountaintop yoga and winter forest meditation. Book online.

Cottonwood Canyons Foundation offers four types of snowshoe guided tours, with three open to the public. For the first time, the foundation is offering tours free of charge to celebrate their 25th anniversary, including a special treat with their moonlit tours.

“It's a wonderful night when you get to hear the great horned owls calling, and you get to see some good dark skies up there,” said Liz Anderson, Cottonwood Canyons Foundation education director.

Anderson said that tours start up again on Jan. 24 and are offered every Friday and Saturday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. in January and February, and 7 to 9 p.m. in March. All you need to do is bring some snow shoes and preferably a red flashlight, poles optional. Come ready to learn more about the native wildlife.

Registration opens one month before the event date on cottonwoodcanyons.org/events.

Guided full moon snowshoe tour by Cottonwood Canyons Foundation (Alta)

(Courtesy Loveland Living Planet Aquarium)

Creating healthy financial habits in the new year

By Holly Curby | hello@hollycurby.com

As we begin a new year many people set goals of unlocking their financial freedom as they strive to live a purposeful life. Sarah Fernandez, personal financial expert, claims, “The journey to financial freedom begins with acknowledging the importance of having a financial plan.” She emphasizes that a well-structured financial plan not only clarifies your current economic status, but also empowers you to make informed decisions. “Financial success is not just about numbers,” Fernandez said, “it's about mindset and discipline.” She highlights the importance of living within your means while still enjoying life's pleasures and encourages you to take control of your financial future in the new year through the following four ways.

1. A key indicator that money might be dictating your life is often referred to as “the vanishing paycheck phenomenon.” This is where you live paycheck to paycheck which can often produce a feeling of being overwhelmed by expenses. Fernandez suggests in situations such as this to focus on the concept of “having versus experiencing”

and how it affects spending habits.

2. Cultivating a mindset for financial success. Fernandez encourages people to adopt an abundant mindset and likens this to a growth mindset, where the belief that improvement is always possible fuels your financial journey. This mindset shift not only focuses on progress and improvement, but is essential for over-

coming financial stress and achieving long-term goals. Fernandez reiterates that this perspective shift allows individuals to live their best life at the moment while working toward a brighter financial future.

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Does your business solve a problem for your customers?

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Anyone who’s been frustrated in getting a ordable policies should have a conversation with me to review the options that are available to them through USHealth Advisors. I’m sure they’ll be genuinely excited at the possibilities before them!

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Children learn healthy financial habits at a young age. (Photo courtesy of Holly Curby)

Full interview with Sarah Fernandez available on Holly’s Highlights podcast. (Photo courtesy of Sarah Fernandez)

How assisted stretching helps relieve pain and improve mobility

By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com

As we get into the cold months and lose the desire to go outside, we can become stagnant, sitting inside all the time. While some people may have more upbeat jobs, moving around throughout the day, some people are stuck inside, sitting at a desk all day.

We’ve all heard the benefits of regular exercise and the importance of stretching afterward, Dec. 11 was even National Stretching Day. But what about assisted stretching?

It’s not something widely known, but it may have more benefits than regular at-home stretching. Stretch Zone is hoping to make it more well-known.

“We want to not be the best kept secret anymore,” said Jennifer Gibbs, general manager at the Draper Stretch Zone.

The company, founded in 2004 by Jorden Gold, started with an experience close to his heart. After watching his grandfather’s growing limitations due to diabetes, he decided to start helping his grandfather through assisted stretches. Within a year, his grandfather went from not being able to walk, to walking with a walker, to a cane, to dancing at his cousin’s wedding all through that stretching.

At this point, Gold knew he had to do something more, to help others that may be going through what his grandfather went through or to prevent them from getting to that point.

“The whole reason that I started Stretch Zone was sparked from watching my grandfather becoming immobile because of his diabetes,” Gold said in a statement. “It motivated me to develop a proprietary stretching method that I hoped would prevent others from having to see themselves and the people in their lives suffer in the same way.”

There are now four locations in Utah, one of them being in Draper, another in Cottonwood Heights. The practitioners at Stretch Zone offer a new approach to improving range of motion and flexibility. While traditional stretching methods

can make you more flexible, it may take some time. Assisted stretching can get you there faster because you don’t have to think about the stretches you’re doing, or worry about other muscles aside from the one you’re stretching.

“So instead of walking around at 80% or 90%, super tight and stretched all the time, they can just live in a more manageable, normal, relaxed way and these changes become more lasting,” Gibbs said.

Assisted stretching can benefit everyone, even if you don’t feel like you have problem muscles. For those sitting at an office all the time, they are stuck in the same position, cramping muscles that should be able to stretch and move throughout the day. Stress can also play a large part in muscle tension.

Assisted stretching can help reduce everyday pain and help people move

more fluidly for longer periods of time. Gibbs said she’s seen a number of different types of people walk through the Stretch Zone doors. Office workers that need to get away from cramped muscles, gymgoers and marathon runners preparing for races, older adults, even CEOs that may be more stressed than others.

Gibbs said assisted stretching can also help when there’s been trauma involved, like a car accident or surgery.

“The body is so wise,” she said. “It develops all these mechanisms that get all tangled up. And then you have another thing and another thing, then it’s hard to unwind yourself.”

She said developing that range of motion back, assisting and breaking down scar tissue that develops prevents movement. She’s seen people in recovery and also people anticipating a sur-

gery. She said assisted stretching can help loosen muscles before they’re put through surgery to stop it from yanking something around that shouldn’t move.

“The body is so amazing,” Gibbs said. “How it can heal itself with something so holistic, like a stretch.”

Usually, clients at a Stretch Zone start going multiple times a week, maybe two or three times, then as time goes on and they begin to heal, they’ll only need to come twice a month for routine maintenance.

One of Gibbs’ favorite stories to share is a marathoner that started coming in 12 weeks before a race to stretch their muscles, mainly the hamstrings and hip flexors. Doing this routinely for those 12 weeks ended up helping the client cut down on their race time.

“It’s keeping them healthy, too,” Gibbs said.

Many of their clients say they’ll stick with assisted stretching their entire lives. Heather Hemingway-Hales shares this point of view. Hemingway-Hales is still as active as ever, doing regular exercise, yoga, cycling, mountain biking and participating in 50-plus races. She comes in regularly to Stretch Zone.

“Just coming in here and getting this deep stress really helps,” Hemingway-Hales said.

Stretch Zones are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and open for half-days on Saturday.

Gibbs said if you’re curious about assisted stretching, to try it out for a complimentary first visit.

“I just encourage open invitation to anybody to just give the studio a call,” she said. “So I just invite anybody to come in and try it out, because it is such a new concept.”

If you want to learn more about Stretch Zone and what they offer, you can visit stretchzone.com to find the location closest to you.

these differences, couples can work together to align their financial goals, foster a sense of unity and understanding while building a prosperous future. “By having open and honest conversations about spending habits and priorities, couples can create a financial plan that supports their shared dreams and aspirations,” Fernandez said.

4. Credit card usage is a double-edged sword that requires careful management. While the perks of earning

miles or cash back are enticing, it's important to use credit responsibly to avoid potential pitfalls. From personal experience Fernandez stresses the necessity of self-awareness in financial decisions.

“Setting boundaries and knowing when to steer clear of credit misuse are crucial steps in maintaining financial discipline” Fernandez said. Fernandez dives deeper into practical advice on how to navigate these challenges effectively in her interview on Holly’s Highlights podcast (season 3 episode 13).

“Financial freedom is attainable for anyone willing to put in the effort and make informed decisions” Fernandez said. “By cultivating a mindset of abundance, setting clear goals, and managing finances responsibly, individuals can transform their financial habits and pave the way for a successful future.”

Tune in to the complete interview with Fernandez on Holly’s Highlights podcast Season 3 Episode 13 for expert tips, personal anecdotes, and actionable strategies that will equip you

with the tools needed to master your financial journey. Whether you're single or in a relationship, young or old, Fernandez's insights will inspire you to take charge of your financial destiny and live a life full of purpose. Holly’s Highlights podcast is available wherever you listen to podcasts including Apple podcasts, Pandora, Spotify, Tune-in and on www. HollyCurby.com.

Stretch Zone patented their table with their “championship belt” to stop clients from falling off the table. (Bailey Chism/City Journals)

Turn New Year’s fitness goal into lasting habits

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Nearly half of the people worldwide set a New Year’s resolution to improve their health.

A 2024 Forbes survey reveals 23% of U.S. participants fail in the first week and 43% drop out by February.

This trend is something Steve Espinosa, a nationally certified personal trainer at VASA's Draper gym, sees firsthand when the gym sees a spike in attendance during January and February, only to taper by March.

“It's their New Year's resolution to start working out and they have a long-term goal, but usually, it’s not specific enough for them to stick with it,” said Espinosa, who serves as the gym’s lead trainer. “Often people’s resolutions are too general, like, ‘I want to lose weight,’ ‘I want to get into the gym to build muscle or do a pull up.”

One of the first things he asks new clients is “Why do you want to come to the gym?”

Many respond with a desire to lose weight, but Espinosa digs deeper.

“Often, it’s not just about losing weight; it’s about feeling more comfortable in their bodies and gaining confidence — and that’s the why,” he said, adding often the answer is tied to emotional reasons or to prevent

health problems they’ve seen in others.

One of Espinosa’s clients, a 60-yearold woman started training three years ago, fearing she was following the same sedentary path as her mother.

“Her daily life has become easier with improved fitness. She’s stronger, more confident and skiing — and doing activities she never thought she could do, without being worried about being sore or getting hurt,” he said.

Unlike the vague New Year’s resolutions which often lead to early burnout, Espinosa works with clients to set specific, achievable goals. He recommends writing down goals to make them tangible and breaking them into smaller, incremental steps.

“You need to have a specific goal. Ask yourself, ‘What am I trying to achieve every month?’ A goal of going to the gym three times a week is a more realistic and attainable goal,” he said. “Set mini-goals, whether it’s five minutes, or an hour to hit your weekly goal. Then, build toward monthly, six-month, and yearly goals.”

Espinosa emphasizes the importance of regularly reassessing goals.

“Check in with yourself: ‘Am I am I doing enough?’ If you’re not seeing results,

‘what am I not doing? Is my gym time efficient? Am I pushing myself as hard as I should be?’” he said. “Sometimes your goals may change, and you need to evolve with them.”

Espinosa talks from experience. He spent years strength training before running his first half-marathon.

“After I did one, it changed everything. I'm still working out, but my workouts changed with my goal to run more half-marathons,” he said. “Your training and your resolutions are going to evolve. The result is where you want to get to, but the journey is going to get you there.”

After being a high school athlete, Espinosa fell into unhealthy habits, including fast food and lack of exercise. Eventually he redefined his goals, embraced healthy eating, and became certified in endurance training, weight loss, muscle management and training for older adults.

“Pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone, being comfortable in the uncomfortableness of working out, makes you mentally stronger,” he said. “When I see that, it makes me happy. I want to help people.”

Other advice Espinosa offers:

• Use the gym as an escape: Espinosa said people join the gym because they need a break from the stresses of work and home. “Being in the gym helps you focus on what you're here for — yourself and your goals.”

• Be accountable: While personal trainers can provide motivation and customized workout plans, Espinosa emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility. “You need to be accountable to yourself.”

• Prioritize your fitness: “Make time for it. Don’t say, ‘When I have time, I'll do it,’” Espinosa said. “Schedule an hour twice a week to work out and build from there.”

Steve Espinosa, a nationally certified personal trainer at VASA Draper’s gym, said fitness goals should be manageable so they can be eased into routines and naturally, become habits. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

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From curiosity to careers: Butler Middle shows how drones help high-tech farming

Onedrone launched, then another and another.

Dozens of tiny remote-control planes without passengers raised from Butler Middle School’s playing field.

Learning to maneuver drones were sixth graders who were in a college and career awareness class taught by Missy Hamilton.

“The point of the class is for students to learn about what kind of careers are available in many different career clusters I teach,” she said. “This one is agriculture and natural resources, so I taught high-tech farming and using drones to dial into agriculture. I asked them, ‘How would you use drones on a farm? What would that look like? And what kind of education do you need to have to fly a drone?’”

Sixth-grader Grant Mucha said they discussed how drones could help farmers.

“They could be programmed to fly over the crops and see which area may need more fertilizer or maybe they don’t need it and that would save them from wasting it,” he said.

His classmate, Phineas Cottrell, said drones could also be used to check on livestock.

“If one of them was hurt or in distress, they could see on the drone what was happening, and then get all the materials for that situation to care for it and mend a broken fence, if that was the cause of the injury,” he said.

Hamilton designed an activity for students to fly drones around the field to take pictures of mock issues on the farm from irrigation to livestock.

On their first attempt, “we got blown away,” said Hamilton about the shift and increase of wind speeds while students were first getting the drones off the ground. “We went out another day and they were all able to get up, maneuver and land. The next time, I hope we’ll have more drones so we’ll be able to fly and take the pictures and map the area.”

She wrote a Canyons Innovation Grant request for $5,000 to purchase more camera drones with GPS so there would be enough for each student to fly, driven with an iPad. In the classroom, their discussion also extended to other uses of drones in careers.

“One student’s dad flies drones for the Department of Natural Resources, and another knows one who flies drones for a construction company. He flew it over the construction site, pinpointed several pieces of equipment that they missed, so they were able to recover it, saving them hundreds of thousands of dollars. The kids started brainstorming different ways that they could use drones such as soil scientists, genetic researchers, aviation pilots, chemists and biologists, and then we watched a video about careers in drones,” Hamilton said, adding that within the school district, four of the five high schools have an aviation pathway.

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Sixth-grader Lizzie Shaffer said after discussing using drone careers in agriculture, they further talked about how drones can be used in other careers.

“They could be used in many different forms of entertainment — taking photos of the mountains or overhead for shows or getting some cool angles at sporting events,” she said. “There also are drones shows and photos can be used for Google Earth.”

Phineas said he has seen a drone used to examine a vehicle accident.

“I’ve seen one used on a highway, scanning the area. It was there checking out an accident, seeing where it happened,” he said. “I watched this movie about surfers, and it showed them riding a wave from a bird’s eye view. It’s another way to film it besides getting in a helicopter; it’s easier with a drone, because you don’t have the hassle. Or if you were to climb a (utility) pole to check on something, using a drone would be safer.”

Phineas added it would be “amazing to use drones to film documentaries about animals.”

Lizzie has flown drones previously with her dad, who now only takes scenery photos, but also uses the drone to check out “if there’s stuff on our roof.”

Grant, who would like to work in the sports field, said he can see drones being helpful for football referees to have an angle on a play from the top-view.

“It would be great for sports journalism, too, to get a unique angle,” he said, adding that selling drone photos could help pay for college tuition. “Marching band directors could use it for their formations, too.”

The students already are excited for the next unit, architecture and construction, where they will use CAD software to draw blueprints of their home in 3D.

“We also have an interior design piece,” Hamilton said. “So they’re going to redesign their house, put in new couches, new furniture, new lights. I’m going to teach them how to pool electricity through their house with light switches on a closed circuit, and then, I’ll teach them how to plumb it. It will all be hands-on. Again, it leads to career choices in architecture — CAD, designing, engineering, electrician, plumber, landscaping.”

Phineas is excited about it.

“It’s sounds super fun. My mom watches a lot of DIY house shows and it’s cool we get to do some of that,” he said. “Our teacher told us Brighton (High School) has this woodworking class and someone made an amazing chessboard. I bet he could start his own side business.”

Other upcoming units include manufacturing where she has a guest speaker planned; transportation, distribution and logistics where students will program Spheros to get a product from point A to point B as well as learn to change a tire and jump start

a car “so they get in those life skills;” engineering and technology where they’ll take apart a Chromebook and learn how to repair it; cosmetology where they’ll learn from professionals about hair styles; tourism, arts, audiovisual tech and communication, where students will use podcasting equipment to create their own podcast and also make stop motion movies; business, finance and marketing, where students will learn how to do taxes; law, public safety, corrections and security, where she plans for students to be-

come First Aid and CPR certified; and several other units, their teacher said.

“I’m hoping they gain awareness of all of the different things they can be when they grow up,” Hamilton said. “Most kids this age, they’re like, ‘I want to be a professional football player.’ The reality of this class is you can expose them to many fields and the training and education they need. It opens their eyes, helps them identify their interests, gets them thinking to their future.” l

Butler Middle School sixth-grade students learn how to fly drones after learning about several careers that use them. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

A Butler Middle sixth-grade student practices flying a drone on the school’s field. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

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Most Common Winter Ailments & How to Prevent Them

With the winter season in full swing, so too are those pesky illnesses and ailments we all seem to catch this time of year. We’re sitting down with Dr. Jared Lambert, MD, at CommonSpirit Health West Jordan Family Medicine Clinic, to discuss what illnesses he treats during the colder months and how you can prevent them!

What are the most common winter ailments you treat year after year?

1. By far the most common illness seen this type of year are viral respiratory tract infections. This could be one of the many types of viruses that cause the common cold, RSV, inﬂuenza or COVID-19. Typical viral symptoms include sinus congestion, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, fever, and cough. These illnesses are best treated with over-the-counter medications to ease symptoms as our bodies ﬁght off the viral infection. Typically, symptoms last 1-2 weeks and some common medications include over-the-counter decongestants, cough suppressants, ibuprofen and Tylenol.

In the case of a COVID-19 infection however, higher risk patients (i.e. having a history of diabetes, asthma, age >50, or having COPD) are recommended to be seen by their provider to strongly consider utilizing the antiviral medication “Paxlovid”. This medication can decrease their risk of progression to a severe form of COVID-19 that could potentially warrant hospitalization.

This is also the time of year to obtain your influenza vaccination, which helps reduce the risk of complications from the flu, including post-influenza bacterial pneumonia.

Viral infections do increase the risk of developing bacterial infections including bacterial sinusitis and otitis

media (ear infection and bacterial pneumonia). These forms of infections do require treatment with antibiotics. Risks of untreated bacterial pneumonia can be severe and prompt treatment with oral antibiotics is warranted. If symptoms include a persistent cough, fever or prolonged chest pain, then an in-person visit for evaluation and consideration for a chest Xray would be considered.

2. Strep Pharyngitis (strep throat)

Strep throat can occur at any time of the year but is most prevalent in the winter and spring months, likely due to our increased time indoors – overall, it is more common in children. Symptoms including a sudden sore throat, tender neck, red swollen tonsils and fever are typical. This bacterial infection of the throat can lead to several complications and it is recommended that it is treated promptly with a course of antibiotics.

3. Arthritis-related pain

The cold weather is known to certainly exacerbate aches and pains related to arthritis (wear and tear of joints). The most common joints affected by arthritis are the knees, hands, hips and spine. First line management is staying active or considering structured physical therapy with a physical therapist, in addition to, as needed, over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inﬂammatory medications (i.e. ibuprofen). In addition, taking a 3000-4000 mg total daily dose of a turmeric supplement, divided into two doses, has also shown particular promise in being a potent anti-inﬂammatory in reducing arthritis pain; however this supplement (along with others) can interact with prescribed medications. It is recommended that you review this option with your primary care provider before taking it.

When is it time to see a physician?

Those common colds are best managed at home. However, if there are any concerns with prolonged or severe symptoms, evaluation would be recommended.

If a patient suspects they have strep throat, they should be seen by a healthcare provider. At our clinic, we have on-site testing to conﬁrm strep throat to aid with appropriate management.

Should patients have concerns for severe pain secondary to arthritis, more advanced interventions can certainly be considered for management. Those can be best assessed and discussed in-person at our clinic.

What are some tips to stay healthy throughout the winter months?

Hand washing, staying home when ill, staying active and ensuring a balanced diet throughout the winter season.

We are here for you – should you suffer from any of the symptoms outlined above, Dr. Lambert encourages you to seek care! “I love being a Family Medicine Physician, treating all ages, and greatly enjoy getting to know and caring for my patients,” said Dr. Lambert. “Our ofﬁce has some of the most caring providers and amazing staff I have had the privilege to work with.” You may reach Dr. Lambert’s ofﬁce at 801-569-9133.

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At CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all. Learn more about the services, care providers and missiondriven work of the Holy Cross hospitals and CommonSpirit Health at www.holycrossutah.org.

A Q&A with Dr. Jared Lambert, MD — West Jordan Family Medicine Physician

Dr. Jared Lambert, MD West Jordan Family Medicine

City to update Affordable Housing Plan by August

By Cassie Goff | c.goff@mycityjournals.com

The first half of 2025 will be focused on issues related to affordable housing, as the Cottonwood Heights City Council needs to update their Affordable Housing Plan before August. The council could decide to make minimum updates to the plan based on the current state of the housing market, or they could opt to implement more significant changes to accommodate more moderate and affordable housing within the city.

Typically, the conversations about moderate and affordable housing throughout the state and local governments are categorized and defined using the mathematics of the AMI (Area’s Median Income). Per the State of Utah’s guidelines, affordable housing should be available to those who make 80% of the community’s area median income.

For example, the median household (family) income within Salt Lake City’s metro area has been reported at $115,500 (in 2023). Eighty percent of $115,500 results in $92,400. That $92,400 would be the affordable basis for the area.

“Housing is considered affordable when the overall housing costs do not exceed 30% of the overall household income,” said Community and Economic Development Director Mike Johnson.

In Cottonwood Heights, the median household income has been reported at $110,197 (in 2022). The median home cost with the city has been reported at $770,100. Eighty percent AMI, averaging throughout the city’s areas, results in $88,157. Breaking that down even further, housing costs that are deemed as affordable within Cottonwood Heights result between $2,448 and $3,061 per month.

Constrained households are defined though the state’s guidelines as having housing costs that exceed 30% of the household income. In Cottonwood Heights, 27% of all the households can be considered constrained per that definition.

“If we want working people to be able to live here, we need to be looking at the household averages in Salt Lake County,” said Councilmember Ellen Birrell.

The Cottonwood Heights development team reached out to property owners and developers with the city in response to these numbers with the intention of gathering some preliminary research to grasp how much affordable and constrained housing is realistically within the city.

The Santa Fe complex (1550 Fort Union Blvd.) was the only one to respond with useable information. Out of their 492 housing units, they deed-restrict 173 units at 50-65% AMI.

“They do have a few other apartments set aside (for affordable housing too) but not as a deed,” Johnson said.

Luckily, the city’s development team members have been keeping track of the

plans for affordable housing within upcoming high-density developments. The gravel pit’s construction plan (northern) will keep 15% of all their total developed units for 80% AMI with an additional 40 units on top of whatever the 15% amounts to be. Additional upcoming developments plan to keep 10% of their total units slated for affordable housing too.

Per the State Code (10-9a-480), municipalities need to update their Moderate Housing General Plan every five years. The code does include a menu of 26 different strategies each city can opt to adopt. Each specific municipality is required to adopt at least three different strategies from the menu. However, municipalities are incentivized to adopt five or more of these strategies by promising prioritization on different funding opportunities through the state like TIF (Transportation Investment Fund).

Currently, Cottonwood Heights has four of those specific strategies implemented into their plan to help accommodate for affordable housing within the city. One of the city’s development team’s main recommendations to the council is to develop varied and detailed implementation plans within each strategy.

For example, one of the previously identified strategies is to zone or rezone for higher density or moderate-income residential development in commercial or mixeduse zones near major transit investment corridors, commercial centers or employment centers.

“Mixed use is the vision for most of the areas within the city,” Johnson said. “I think it’s key that mixed-use housing options continue to be codified in various non-residential zoning districts. It’s a trend in land use for placemaking to mix uses within areas.”

The council could opt to include an implementation plan of ensuring mixed-

In other words, the synthesized version of the recommendation here is to consider local financial incentives for development of targeted housing types. For example, the city could deed-restrict some of the areas within housing projects so TIF could be incorporated in new home investment properties.

“It’s not on one entity alone to try to solve this burden. It’s not the development companies or the state’s,” Johnson said.

Of course, the city’s development team highly encourages the council to identify two additional strategies to incorporate into their plan so they can have that minimum of five to be prioritized for funding opportunities. Two of which directly relate to how vital this interconnectedness of different markets, municipalities and partnerships is.

use housing options are codified in various non-residential zoning districts.

Another one of the previously-identified strategies references ADU (Accessory Dwelling Units) conversations and policy decisions from years prior: create or allow for, and reduce regulations related to, internal or detached ADUs in residential zones.

Narrowing in on detailed implementation plans regarding ADUs might include developing some pre-engineered building plans that can expedite review times and expenses as well as streamlining regulations for detached ADUs within the city.

Currently, the Cottonwood Heights City Code does allow for internal ADUs but they have to be permitted (which requires a license and inspection). Detached ADUs are also permissible within the city’s boundaries but they are conditional and require approval from the city’s Planning Commission.

“It might be an onerous project so people might not be doing it the legal way,” said Councilmember Matt Holton.

Only 15 ADUs have been licensed through the city so far. Johnson speculates that some of the hurdles required to get permitted or approved are creating a boundary where ADU owners do not want to go through the process of getting those legalized.

The two additional previously-identified strategies are written toward developers. Since including affordable housing is typically a risk or outright loss for developers, the city planers suggest some incentives to counterbalance that risk: implement zoning incentives for moderate-income units in new developments and demonstrate utilization of a moderate-income housing set aside from a community reinvestment agency, redevelopment agency, or community development and renewal agency to create or subsidize moderate income housing.

Team members would like to be able to help the city council identify development strategies to utilize private resources, public-private partnerships, and other state and federal level programs to implement goals in addition to proactively working with private sector/nonprofits/adjacent municipalities on creative solutions.

“Partnerships with multiple sectors and levels of government is key,” Johnson said.

Additional recommendations forward to the council target the burden of rising housing costs on the homeowners and residents. The city council could explore programs/ policies to assist with ongoing housing expenses (like neighborhood improvement funds).

“The cost of maintaining and keeping up existing housing is so costly,” Johnson said, mentioning how some homes within the Cottonwood Heights boundaries date back to the 1930s.

As Johnson anticipates the related follow-up conversations to be rather detailed and lengthy over the next few months, he highly encourages the city council to be coordinating.

“If you have ideas, or if constituents bring up things they are dealing with, pass those along,” Johnson said.

To view the full Cottonwood Heights Affordable House Plan, and related annual reports, visit the city’s website. Once there, hover over the “City Servies” tab until a full menu appears. Navigate to the “Community Development” header, and click on the “Adopted and Special Plans” link.

Residents can find the contact information for their city council representative through the city’s website. Once there, hover over the “Your Government” tab until a full menu appears. Navigate to the “Elected Officials” header and click.

Cottonwood Heights City website is www.cottonwoodheights.utah.gov. l

The Cottonwood Heights Affordable Housing Report states “Cottonwood Heights provides realistic opportunities for moderate income housing to meet the needs of people of various income levels living….” (GSBS Consulting/Cottonwood Heights)

A fighter, a writer, an avid skier and an optimist—nothing stops Harriet

By Rebecca Olds | rebecca.o@thecityjournals.com

Harriet Wallis is a fighter, a writer, an avid skier, an optimist and so much more.

She’d tell you she’s led an “average” life as the girl who was the last to get picked to do any team sport in school.

You would have never guessed her life would be what it is now given where she started in school—but she has been an active adventurer with a life full of outdoor activities and skiing the slopes.

Despite having two artificial hips and knees at the age of 84, Sandy resident Wallis continues to ski and maintain an active lifestyle, including walking daily, swimming weekly, participating in local bike club activities and working in her yard.

Skier

Her passion for skiing is really what started it all for her in her 30s when she first learned how to ski with her then-husband and two young children.

“My husband said, ‘I'm going to learn to ski,’” Wallis said. “Now, I thought that was something crazy people on the other side of the planet did. So I'm processing that thought and then he said, ‘And you can babysit the kids.’ And I said, ‘Over my dead body, we're all going to learn to ski,’ and so we did."

Learning to ski was a game-changer for how she saw herself for the rest of her life.

“I didn't think of myself as being athletic with volleyball and team sports,” she said. “When I learned to ski, I realized, ‘Hey, I can do this.’”

She has been skiing recreationally ever since and so have her kids.

Eventually, Wallis worked as a ski instructor for two different ski resorts on the East Coast before moving westward.

In Utah, even in her off years she still finds time to ski at least 40 days out of the season. Metal hips and all.

Outdoorswoman

Not too long after learning to ski, in 1974 Wallis and her family completed a challenge they’d accepted as members of the Appalachian Mountain Club to climb the 100 tallest mountains in New England.

“By world standards, they are not that high,” she admitted. But “the highest is 6,000feet Mount Washington, but it gets some of the worst weather in the whole world.”

For three years, she and her family would drive every weekend, hike 25 miles on Saturday and head home on Sunday, just to do it all over again the next weekend.

She added mountaineering to her growing list of hobbies, including fishing, camping and biking.

She also describes herself as an avid fisherman and goes camping and biking regularly with her housemate Laurie when the weather is warm.

“I am not macho,” Wallis said. “I'm an average person who enjoys doing things outdoors and being active.”

This past year, the housemates volunteered to be a part of the safety team for the annual Bonneville Bike Club's 3,000 all-women fundraiser for Huntsman Cancer Institute.

Writer

Writing was a pastime that stemmed from her love of pottery and shaping nearly five tons of clay into homemade goods each year while she lived in New England as her kids were growing up.

She lived in Connecticut and began writing for a local newspaper on different topics from the art she made and to how to cut costs on an expensive energy bill. Wallis worked her way up from a freelancer to a full-time paid writer for the paper. During her time there, she wrote on a “checkerboard” of topics including weddings, gardening and eventually skiing.

Wallis started writing for the City Journals when it was still the Valley Journals and still contributes to the online Cottonwood Heights Journal regularly.

Every year, she writes a year recap for friends and family.

Optimist

What’s driven her to keep going even when many people she knows have long given up on the active lifestyle she enjoys, is her optimism and willingness to adapt and change to her circumstances.

“It's thinking outside the box, finding ways to do things, and having a positive attitude,” she said. “It's much more fun to have a positive attitude than it is to be a downer. I think those are three things that make me tick.”

The health challenges that come with living a long life can’t stop her; she refuses to let them.

In recent years, despite a cancer diagnosis and difficult treatment, Wallis has continued to walk as she is able and adapt her activity to how she is feeling. But she doesn’t stop. She continued to ride her bike through the “agonizing side effects” of her chemo treatment.

Overall, Wallis strongly advocates for an optimistic, adaptable mindset as a key to overcoming challenges and continuing to live an active, fulfilling life.

“I think it's come about kind of as a lifelong thing,” Wallis said. “It's nothing that just popped up. But it's crucial to me now.”

Every year for the past few years, Wallis has chosen a new mantra she writes in her yearly Christmas letter which she plans to live by for the year to come.

Her 2025 mantra will be similar to those of years past—a positive one. She shares with family and friends a yearly letter stating 2025 will be a year in which she "expects the best— and works hard to achieve it.”

Her mantra for the year is “Quit looking back. You're not going that way.”

Wallis’s 85th birthday is on Jan. 7, and who knows what adventure she’ll be on. l

Despite having two artificial hips and knees at the age of 84, Sandy resident Harriet Wallis continues to ski and maintain an active lifestyle. (Courtesy of Peak Photo Alta)

Among her many outdoor hobbies, Harriet Wallis is an avid fisherman in the summer months and often uses her inflatable canoe. (Courtesy of Harriet Wallis)

Young chef battles for sweet victory in Kids Baking Championship

The heat is on for 11-year-old Arielle Yang from Sandy. She was chosen to participate in Food Network’s new season of Kids Baking Championship where young bakers face animal-inspired challenges as they compete for a sweet prize package that

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

includes the title of Kids Baking Champion, $25,000 and a feature in Food Network Magazine.

Arielle is one of a dozen contestants from the U.S. and Canada who will use their creativity and baking skills to impress the

judges and hosts, Duff Goldman and Kardea Brown. She said although the competition was awkward and intimidating at first, she soon jumped into the fun of the show.

“My favorite part was probably the friends I made,” Arielle said. “We had really good friendships. I think we became friends pretty quickly, because we already had something that we could bond over: baking.”

Arielle attends Waterford School and has been interested in baking for several years. She liked watching her mom, Grace Dong, when she made birthday cakes and cupcakes. That inspired her to explore different parts of baking and decorating.

“When I was 7 or 8, I was watching some YouTube videos of people piping flowers, and I got really interested in it,” Arielle said. “So one day I wanted to try it and I did. Even though they weren’t the best, they were kind of floppy, I liked baking a lot and started baking more and more.”

Kids Baking Championship challenges the contestants to create animal-themed treats, featuring everything from sea creatures to jungle dwellers to farm animals. Chicken the parrot and a cockatoo named Teva make an entrance in the first show that kicks-off the 10-episode season.

The first test the kids faced was creating a tart with an animal texture like scales,

feathers, fur or fins, plus they had to add an edible tail in a late-breaking twist. The final challenges include creating cookie animal houses with an edible water trough and baking zoo-inspired cakes.

“Kids Baking Championship is a celebration of the amazing things kids can do in the kitchen, not only with their baking and decorating skills but also in how they support each other even while competing,” said Betsy Ayala, head of content at Warner Bros. Discovery. “With animals as the inspiration the creations are adorable, and the kids are exceptional in the most heartwarming way.”

Arielle learned several life lessons during the taping of the show that premieres on Monday, Jan. 6 on Food Network and streams on Max the following day.

“I think that my biggest lesson is that when things don’t go right, you need to find creative ways to fix it,” Arielle said. “When you’re working under pressure, you can make mistakes. When you make mistakes, you have to find a creative way to solve it and just not cry.”

Dong encouraged her daughter to submit an application to be on the show because she knew Arielle would be up to the challenge. She said she’s watched Arielle learn life skills that will help her in the future where she’d like to open her own bakery selling cakes, eclairs and macarons.

“She’s always enjoyed baking,” Dong said. “For the last two or three years, she taught herself so much about baking and decorating. I was super impressed by what she’s made, especially for my birthday. I was really impressed by her ability to work under pressure. Even adults have problems working under pressure with a time limit.”

Arielle’s favorite animals are dogs and pandas, but she can’t say yet if she was able to incorporate those creatures into the baking competition. She hopes other kids will watch the show and be inspired to experiment with different types of baking and decorating.

Follow Arielle’s journey on Kids Baking Championship at Foodnetwork.com. l

Sandy resident, 11-year-old Arielle Yang, competes on the upcoming season of Food Network’s Kids Baking Championships. The show premieres on Monday, Jan. 6. (Photo courtesy of Food Network)

Arielle Yang presents her creation to hosts Duff Goldman and Kardea Brown on Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship: Amazing Animals. (Photo courtesy of Food Network)

Remember in the Looney Tunes cartoons when Wile E. Coyote runs off the edge of a cliff and hangs suspended in midair before he realizes there’s no ground beneath his feet? That’s how I feel going into 2025.

The holidays offered a jolly buffer between the U.S. presidential election and the official transfer of power this month, but now I’m looking down at the canyon floor, holding up a sign that reads “Help!” and preparing myself for the plunge where I hit rock bottom. Then, as I’m lying in a coyote-shaped hole, an anvil will land on my head.

Historically, January in Utah is not for the faint-hearted with its frigid temperatures, smoggy inversions and lack of holidays that involve celebrating with pie. Nothing screams January like buying a pound of peppermint chocolate bark on clearance and scarfing it down while binge-watching “Bridgerton” in sweatpants.

But for those of us still reeling from the election, every batty presidential cabinet pick, each mention of mass deportations and every promise to roll back environmental regulations is another anvil to the head.

Peri

Kinder Life and Laughter

“BEEP BEEP!”

I’m not a person who gets amped about “A new year!” and “A better me!” but my goal this month is to change my mindset. I need to put down the leftover Christmas candy, change out of my sweatpants and do what I can to bring about positive change.

Maybe I’ll make a vision board or start repeating daily affirmations. Perhaps I’ll exercise more, although the gym will be as crowded as Times Square for the next six weeks. I will definitely not observe Dry January.

I could learn how to use the tech I got for Christmas or take up a new language. Like Russian. I could try to enjoy winter activities and make an effort not to groan when someone suggests a winter hike or a sledding trip at the local park.

One way to change my mindset is to volunteer with organizations that support causes dear to my heart. Getting out of my

head and into the idea we can all make a difference could make this dreary month (or year) bearable.

I should also take a social media break because the algorithm on my feeds stokes the flames of my angst and frustration. Haha! Just kidding. I’m not giving up TikTok until the government rips the phone from my grasping fingers. That platform brings me instances of joy with its mischievous pets, hilarious cooking vids and comic relief.

Maybe taking up a new hobby could put me in an optimistic state of mind, but not crocheting because that’s ridiculously hard. Perhaps I could start ballroom dancing or interpretive cake decorating. It’s conceivable I have a hidden talent for base jumping or parkour. I guess we’ll never know.

Some readers have suggested I take a writing class. I guess I could look into that.

Chasing that elusive Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote faced catastrophes every day. His ACME explosives blew up in his face, he was smashed by boulders over and over, he fell off cliffs and spent thousands of dollars for Road Runner traps that inevitably went wrong. His rocket-powered unicycle experiment didn’t end well.

But every day, he showed up to try again, creating ingenious ways to catch the Road Runner. He never stopped believing one day he would succeed, that one day he wouldn’t be crushed. That’s where I am. I’m peeling myself off the boulder and starting over, never giving up hope that one person can change this world for the better.