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St. John Middle School students learn about wildlife, ecology at Teton Science School By Julie Slama / julie@mycityjournals.com
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Sixty-four St. John the Baptist eighth-grade students learned about wildlife and ecology during a three-day Teton Science School session. (Patrick Reeder/St. John the Baptist Middle School)
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LOCAL LIFE
PAGE 2 | DECEMBER 2016
DRAPER JOURNAL
Veterans Day ceremony honors current and former military members The Draper City Journal is a monthly publication distributed directly to residents via the USPS as well as locations throughout Draper. For information about distribution please email circulation@mycityjournals.com or call our offices. Rack locations are also available on our website. For subscriptions please contact: circulation@mycityjournals.com The views and opinions expressed in display advertisements do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions held by Loyal Perch Media or the City Journals. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the owner.
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By Kelly Cannon | kelly@mycityjournals.com
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raper City honored its veterans on Nov. 11 during a special Veterans Day at Summit Academy. The hour-long program included music and speeches given by both the mayor and a member of the Utah National Guard. The program is put on by the Draper City Parks and Recreation Department. “We realized we were lacking for a city celebration in Draper so the parks department decided to take it on and it’s gone on from there,” said Rhett Ogden, director of the Parks and Recreation Department. Ogden said the program, which has always been at Summit Academy, is a fairly simple one. “We’ve got a color guard by the police department and then we have professional band called the Letter Carrier Band,” Ogden said. “They’re going to play all the patriotic music and all the different hymns from the different branches of the military. Then we’ll have the veterans stand up and honor them.”
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After a speech from a representative of the Utah National Guard and Mayor Troy Walker, there was a special musical number from local Draper residents that Ogden described as “spectacular.” The ceremony concluded with a special message distributed by the federal government to be read on Veterans Day. The whole program lasted only an hour. “We try to be in and out within the hour for people who don’t want to take up the whole evening, but want to have a nice program and honor those who served in the wars,” Ogden said. The program is still fairly new, only drawing about 200 people. Ogden said it is still in its building phase. “We’re trying to get the word out more and encouraging people to come and try to build it every year,” Ogden said. “It’s by no means our biggest event or the most attended.” Ogden express hope that the program makes Draper vets feel their service was valued
by the city and the community at large. “This is an opportunity for us and for the residents of the city to recognize them and let them know we appreciate them and thank them for their service,” Ogden said. “Hopefully they’ll leave feeling that. That’s the hope and the goal.”
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LOCAL LIFE
PAGE 4 | DECEMBER 2016
DRAPER JOURNAL
New surgical robot makes debut at Lone Peak Hospital By Kelly Cannon | kelly@mycityjournals.com
Draper Chamber of Commerce Corner
Congratulations to the following members
Congratulations On your Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for Pilates Revolution, the newest home for fitness serving the Draper and surrounding area. Pilates Revolution is located at 13957 South Bangerter Parkway, Suite 102 in Draper.”
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2016 Draper Area Chamber of Commerce Community “Community Spirit Awards” Gala
Business of the year Draper PostNet - Linda Schiele
Citizen of the year- Debbie Ballard
Member of the Year” Mike Brooks-Boondocks
Inaugural Draper Fire Chief Recognition - Chief, Clint Smith
Sergeant Derek R. Johnson Memorial Community Service Business Advocate of the Year- House Speaker, Mr. Greg H. Hughes Award - Detective, Rulon Green
Draper Chamber serving the Draper Business Community Since 1994 Phone-801-553-0928 web www.draperchamber.com
Registered Nurse Pete Keiley looks on as a member of the Draper Chamber of Commerce tries out the Da Vinci robot. The robot will be used primarily for urologic surgeries. (Kelly Cannon/City Journals)
L
one Peak Hospital has started using a new surgical that is changing the way they help their patients. The Da Vinci S1 is a high-tech laparoscopic surgery tool with better visualization and articulation than traditional laparoscopic surgery. As opposed to creating a large incision so surgeons can see inside the patient, laparoscopic surgery works by creating small incisions and then inserting a camera and small tools to perform the surgery. The Da Vinci’s camera provides the visualization in high definition and 3-D. The tools used to perform the surgery are also improved. Traditional tools only have two ranges of motion: open/close and spin. The Da Vinci tools have a full articulation of motion similar to a person’s wrist. “You’re able to get deep down. And the vision, it’s incomparable,” said Pete Keiley, the coordinator for surgical robotics at Lone Peak Hospital. “If they needed to sew something, the old tools were next to impossible. Now it’s so easy.” The Da Vinci will perform urologic surgeries including hysterectomies, prostate surgeries and those related to lower pelvic cancer.
According to Keiley, the main benefits of using the Da Vinci are the increased precision of the surgery, the reduced amount of bleeding and, most importantly, a faster recovery time. Instead of staying in the hospital for a few days after the surgery, the patient is able to go home the next day. “Normally, that would be impossible,” Keiley said. The Da Vinci came to Lone Peak Hospital from the Good Samaritan Hospital in New York after they received an updated machine. Three surgeons at Lone Peak Hospital are ready to use the Da Vinci after receiving extensive training at St. Mark’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, a sister hospital of Lone Peak. Keiley praised the hospital for getting the Da Vinci because it offers surgeons and nurses versatility. “It’s really high tech,” Keiley said. “It shows forward thinking of the hospital.” Travis Smith, the marketing director of Lone Peak Hospital, echoed Keiley’s sentiments. “It’s newer tech. It’s one of the few in the valley,” Smith said. “It’s more accurate and more precise. It’s a new service we can provide.”
“It’s more accurate and more precise. It’s a new service we can provide.”
LOCAL LIFE
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DECEMBER 2016 | PAGE 5
Utah Philharmonic Orchestra brings fall show to Draper By Kelly Cannon | kelly@mycityjournals.com
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very year, the Utah Philharmonic Orchestra performs four concerts at various locations around the county. This year’s fall concert, held on Nov. 12 at Draper Park Middle School, was a special combination of music from video games and an eclectic symphony. The video game music included renditions from “Halo,” “Civilization IV,” “Bounty Hunter” and “Kingdom Hearts.” The eclectic symphony is a Utah Philharmonic Orchestra trademark and works as a good introduction to the symphony. According to LeAnn Hord, executive director for the Utah Philharmonic Orchestra, the piece is a compilation designed by the conductor, Ty Turley-Trejo. “He’s taken different composers and put them into one symphony piece. It might be (Antonín Leopold) Dvořák’s overture or (Johannes) Brahms’s first movement or (Ludwig van) Beethoven’s second movement. It’s a unique combination of music,” Hord said. “We did the first one last year and it was so well received, the music director put together another one for this season’s concert.” Another unique aspect to this year’s season is each concert is only 60 minutes long without an intermission. Hord said this is so people have time to go to dinner or dessert with the family and then come and “take in a wonderful,
The Utah Philharmonic Orchestra performs four concerts a year, including a fall performance featuring its signature eclectic symphony. (UPO)
transcending moment and then be able to go about their busy lives.” The Utah Philharmonic Orchestra began in
1999 as the Riverton Metropolitan Orchestra and was later incorporated in 2005. The orchestra consists of 60 to 80 members, with 40 to 50
playing at a concert. Musicians are from either Salt Lake, Davis or Utah County. According to Hord, the purpose of the orchestra is to bring symphonies to small cities and communities that do not have their own orchestra. “We’ve been introducing them to live, symphonic, classical music. That’s our mission. What we’re doing is bringing wonderful music genres to the cities and bringing it locally to our cities where they’ve never had it, especially people with families,” Hord said. “They don’t have to take their kids downtown. They can hear wonderful music right in their own neighborhoods. That’s what we’re about.” The orchestra has identified 15 different cities without their own local orchestras. So far, the orchestra has been able to put on concerts in about 10 of the cities. “We move them around each season and do a few here and a few there. It’s been well received,” Hord said. “We’re still in the audience-building mode.” The next Utah Philharmonic Orchestra concerts is a free Christmas concert on Dec. 10 at the Midvalley Bible Church, 13985 South 2700 West in Bluffdale. For more information about the Utah Philharmonic Orchestra and their upcoming concerts, visit www.utahphil.org.
ENTERPRISE
PAGE 6 | DECEMBER 2016
DRAPER JOURNAL
Tumult for many for-profit colleges, why students still attend By Mandy Morgan Ditto | m.ditto@mycityjournals.com
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any students and graduates of ITT Technical Institutes didn’t expect a college to close so rapidly. However, that’s exactly what happened with ITT Tech on Sept. 6, right as the school year was beginning. ITT Educational Services, which operates ITT Technical Institutes — private colleges that have operated in more 140 locations across the nation for more than 50 years — announced closures after the Department of Education decided “to bar the chain of colleges from using federal financial aid to enroll new students,” according to the New York Times. The only ITT Tech location in Utah was in Murray, Utah, and students that planned to attend the 2016 fall semester on Sept. 12 were surprised to have plans changed a few days before. “It is with profound regret that we must report that ITT Educational Services, Inc. will discontinue academic operations at all of its ITT Technical Institutes permanently after more than 50 years of continuous service,” said ITT Tech’s official news release announcing the closure of the schools. “The actions of and sanctions from the U.S. Department of Education have forced us to cease operations of the ITT Technical Institutes, and we will not be offering our September quarter.” For Kevin Neff, a graduate from ITT Tech in Murray in 1998, the worth of his degree and the education he received is still entirely valid to him, no matter the school closure. Neff, who received an associate of applied science degree in computer-aided drafting and design technology, was looking for a school to help him get a secondary education degree and have time to spend with his family. “In speaking with the school, reviewing the schedules and looking further at the classes offered, I was pretty much sold from day one,” Neff told the City Journals in an email. He had considered the programs for computer-aided drafting and architecture at both Salt Lake Community College and the University of Utah, but the programs would take too much time while he was working full time, and he was hoping to get his degree in less than four years. “I feel the education and training I received at ITT Tech was as thorough as I would have received attending any community college,” Neff said. “There was never a time at ITT that I felt the curriculum or my instructors were sub-par when compared to my public community college options. I did feel that the algebra and physics courses at ITT were tailored more towards real-world applications faced in drafting and design scenarios than an overall study of each course.” Neff has worked for over the last 16 years in a position focused on “the utilization of both GIS and computer-aided drafting systems.” He and his family currently resides in Oregon. Though most graduates haven’t felt much impact from the closure of the school, it was jolting for some employees. Tony Rose, who worked at the Phoenix location of ITT Tech, was surprised to see an email several days after it was sent to his work account about the school closure, before the semester started. There was an email sent to all ITT Tech employees’ work accounts at 4:30 a.m. in Arizona, right after Labor Day weekend, he recalled. “Nobody had checked their email unless you worked in the offices,” he said. “I’m driving home from my day job, and I hear on the radio that they closed it.” He believes management was aware before other employees that the institute would close. He also said many people didn’t get their final paychecks due to scattered management of finances overall. Luckily, Rose has another job working as a network administrator in the Creighton School District in Phoenix, but he won’t have a chance at another community college job until potential hiring takes place before the next semester that starts in January. For those students who were hoping to finish their degree at ITT Tech, there is a process some qualify for to get their student loans through
A sign posted on the door of the ITT Tech campus in Murray announces the closure of the school. The national for-profit school closed all its doors in September. (Kimberly Roach/City Journals)
“It is with profound regret that we must report that ITT Educational Services, Inc. will discontinue academic operations at all of its ITT Technical Institutes permanently after more than 50 years of continuous service,” the school forgiven, Rose said, though some are simply going to have to pay off federal loans and find another school that may or may not take already earned credits to finish a degree. The sudden closure of ITT Tech hasn’t impacted Kyle Judson much, as he has security in his current job. Judson, who graduated from one of the previous two ITT locations in Massachusetts in 2007, was top in his class with a degree in computer networking. He is still living in Massachusetts. “I’ve never actually had a job in computer networking, but that’s the same old song and dance for all of us,” Judson said. “I work for a medical device company now, I’m a technical support manager after being in the engineering world for about seven or eight years after I graduated.” Why students choose schools like ITT Tech over four-year colleges is a question that can only be answered by everyone at these schools, who like Judson, have found factors that work best for them. Judson wasn’t exactly sure what he wanted to do after he graduated from high school; he attended a few universities before landing on ITT Tech. “I’ve always had an aptitude for math and science,” he said. “I knew computers were kind of a combination of the two, and I needed a degree and I needed one fast, so I said ‘ITT Tech, why not?’” The smaller class sizes and regular interaction with professors who worked in the industry all provided positives for Judson at ITT, which led to more connections and networking. There wasn’t, however, as much hardware to use and learn from at the university, which was something Judson said he saw as a bit of a problem, especially with the amount of tuition being paid. For being a technical college, it was the one thing that didn’t quite make sense — to not have the very equipment there all the time to help students really learn the trade they were studying. When it came to funding at ITT, Judson said “there were always some rumors and some whispers about — for lack of a better term
— some shady financial practice,” Judson said. “But at the time I didn’t really know about it, and I just wanted an education, but I’m lucky it worked for me. I got a great job after I graduated, and I was able to pay my student loans, but I also did really well in school so I got a really good job when I was done.” Judson graduated with $48,000 in student loan debt, after a two-year program, including two private loans that were $20,000 and $18,000, with high interest. His federal government loan was low-interest, and he has paid off every loan since. Though programs may end up costing students a lot at schools like ITT Tech, the quicker nature of getting degrees from them is often what brings students to their doors. As for accreditation, Judson feels ITT Tech never had any problems with that; most concerns came with finances, which is ultimately what led to the closure of the nationwide school. However, other colleges that have remained open in the valley are dealing with accreditation issues, since the Department of Education took away accreditation privileges from the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), the largest national accrediting organization of degree-granting institutions. Those like The Art Institute of Salt Lake City, Broadview University, Neumont University and Eagle Gate College are either waiting for the appeal to go through and provide ACICS with authority once again or are making plans to gain accreditation from another source. Though all schools accredited by ACICS will remain so through a transition period of 18 months, all will want to be sure students from their university will leave with valid, accredited degrees. Neumont University President Shaun McAlmont announced shortly after the announcement about ACICS that they were already in the process — months ago, in fact — of changing accreditors. Neumont is located in downtown Salt Lake City. “We’re already through the first two steps of the five-step process for changing accreditors,” McAlmont said. “This change will not affect the quality — or value — of education that has always set Neumont apart. Regardless of our accreditor, Neumont will continue to deliver a hands-on, rigorous, project-based and results-driven computer science education for all of our students.” Neumont expects to have a new accreditor in the next six to nine months. Since finding out about the possible loss of accreditation from ACICS, Broadview University — located in West Jordan — has also started on the process of being re-accredited with a previous accreditor as a backup plan. “The process is already in place as far as taking care of the front-end work, as kind of a preventative measure, just in case, should we need to use that,” said Michelle Knoll, senior marketing and communications manager for Broadview. “And then, should ACICS prevail, we would just stay with ACICS.” If any changes were to occur, Broadview University would inform students of the change, which would only mean they might have a different company accrediting the university by the time many of them graduated, Knoll said. “It’s kind of a tricky situation, but we know that the students are top priority, so we want to make sure that anything that impacts them they are aware of, but now it shouldn’t impact them, until there’s a decision,” Knoll said. If Broadview had believed that ACICS was doing anything they shouldn’t have done as an accreditor, they wouldn’t have stuck with them, Knoll said. The university supports ACICS and will stay with them if they win with the appeal. No one at the ITT Technical Institute, the Art Institute of Salt Lake City or Eagle Gate College responded to the City Journals for comment.
LOCAL LIFE
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DECEMBER 2016 | PAGE 7
Councilwoman Michele Weeks calls foul on tree commission dismissal By Kelly Cannon | kelly@mycityjournals.com
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ensions were high during the Oct. 18 Draper City Council meeting after Councilwoman Michele Weeks accused her fellow councilmembers of conspiring behind her back to get rid of all the existing members of the Draper Tree Commission. The motion came after accusations of misconduct from the tree commission, including possible theft of trees. The motion to remove the members was part of the consent agenda but Weeks removed it from the agenda to address her concerns. Weeks called the other members of the council “unprofessional” and accused them of meeting outside of open meetings to decide to get rid of the members of the tree commission. “Are you guys meeting in a quorum outside of this? Because this is not the only time you guys have made decisions and not included me. For instance, the fire chief. You all met with the fire chief. You were all invited to meet him,” Weeks said. “You need to include me. I need to know the reasons why you are eliminating all the members of my tree commission.” Weeks was angry she did not receive any notice before the meeting that the tree commission was being reconstituted. Mayor Troy Walker explained the decision hadn’t officially been made to get rid of the members of the commission, only to vote on it at the meeting. “To be clear, it hasn’t been decided. I don’t want the record to reflect that it’s been decided. What’s going on tonight is deciding it. That’s the very point you’re making and the discussion we’re making to have,” Walker said. “That’s why it’s on the agenda, so it can be decided. There was no other decision making other than the decision to put it on the agenda.” Weeks asked for a reason behind removing all the members of her commission. Walker censured Weeks for calling it “her” commission. “First of all, it’s not your commission. It’s the city’s commission,” Walker said. “Second of all, no one has to give you a reason for it. They just have to vote on it. You can ask for the reasons but they may not want to give it.” Councilman Jeff Stenquist revealed he was the one who put the item on the consent agenda after receiving concerns about the members of the tree commission from residents. “I felt like based on that feedback, I think it’s something that is fairly straightforward for us,” Stenquist said. “Rather than singling people out, just wipe the slate clean.” Weeks addressed the concerns voiced by residents, stating she had heard through the grapevine that members of the tree commission were accused of stealing trees off of 13000 East. Weeks said she talked to the Draper Police
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Michele Weeks accused her fellow council members of deliberately sabatoging her tree coincil. (Draper City)
Department and the case had been closed and the accusations had no foundation. Weeks said there were 29 extra trees left in a vacant lot and there was no discussion as to what was to be done about them. She went on to explain because they were left there, anybody could take them. However, 13 of the trees have been recovered. “If that’s one of the reasons (for dismissal), I think that’s sad. These individuals are all qualified. They’re all volunteers. I don’t think Draper has treated them very well,” Weeks said. “I don’t believe they get the respect from Draper City that they have in the past. Even in the ordinances they did have, they didn’t have control over those ordinances up until two weeks ago. Now you’re saying let’s start over. But I haven’t really been given a good reason why this is happening.” Stenquist said the council needs to make it very clear that all boards and commissions are appreciated by the council and the city. “We appreciate their service to the community. We have a lot of volunteers who do a lot of work for the city and we appreciate them very much,” Stenquist said. “But at the same time, it’s a responsibility of the mayor and the council to choose the members and make sure that we have the right people involved.” Weeks answered back saying the right people are already on the commission. “If you’re going to have these people volunteer, you need to respect what they do, respect what they say and respect their knowledge and just don’t eliminate them for no good reason,” Weeks said. “And then, at least, tell the city councilmember who looks over the commission what is going on and why it’s going on.” The motion to dismiss the members of the tree commission passed with Weeks as the only opposed vote.
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GOVERNMENT
PAGE 8 | DECEMBER 2016
DRAPER JOURNAL
The Parks & Draper Recreation Department presents:
The
Candy Cane Hunt
Changes coming to fire and police impact fees
Monday, December 12 Hunt will begin at 4:00 p.m. sharp Draper Historic Park (12625 S. 900 E.)
• Free pictures with Santa & Mrs. Claus under the Holiday Gazebo • Boys and girls ages 3 to 6 years old • Lots of Candy Canes to find hidden in the park...many specially marked for FREE Holiday toys & gifts!
This event is completely FREE!
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By Kelly Cannon | kelly@mycityjournals.com
he Draper City Council approved changes to the city impact fees during its Oct. 18 meeting. The changes include the fire and police impact fees, as well as modifying the geologic hazard reports. The fees for most categories were dropped significantly, as much as 90 percent. The proposed changes were presented by Bob Wylie, finance director for Draper. The changes include lowering fees for both residential and commercial developments that require fire protection systems. For instance, a single family residential fee was lowered from $309.68 per dwelling unit to $71 per dwelling unit. Impact fees for fire protection for an office was lowered from $541.82 per 1,000 square feet to $47 per 1,000 square feet. Police facilities impact fees were also lowered for nearly every category. The only category that saw an increase was multifamily residential where the fee went from $70.61 to $75.
“It’s a pretty dramatic reduction in most of these,” said Councilman Jeff Stenquist. Wylie explained some of the fees have been rolled into other categories. For instance, fees for hotels were combined into commercial. Changes to the geologic hazard report allow the city to change a fee for any geologic study that has to be done. Wylie said because of the soil composition of most of Draper, geologic studies are almost always required when building property. “The building department usually requires (builders) to go out and determine what the soil conditions are. If it’s determined that you have liquefaction or something like that, then a broader study needs to be done,” Wylie said. “These fees can be assessed so we can review the study that is done by their engineers.” The changes to the consolidated fee schedule was unanimous and was effective Oct. 19.
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DECEMBER 2016 | PAGE 9
City council approves preferred alternative for TRAX By Kelly Cannon | kelly@mycityjournals.com
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f the Utah Transit Authority ever expands its mid-Jordan TRAX line to Draper, the Draper City Council has a preferred line already picked out. The council adopted a preferred alternative for a mass transit line from the mid-Jordan TRAX line during its Nov. 1 meeting. “It’s basically the alternative that Draper wants to have,” said Russ Fox, assistant city manager. The presentation was given by Ted Knowlton, deputy director of the Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC). Knowlton described WFRC as working to develop a longreaching transportation plan on behalf of the communities in the Wasatch Front. “This has been an element in our existing transportation plan, to think about how we provide a high-quality transit connection from the mid-Jordan line over to commuter rail,” Knowlton said. “We’re delighted to see this move forward into the next steps.” Knowlton noted the preferred alternative is consistent with the regional transit plan. The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) conducted a study to help determine where a future TRAX line would connect to the Draper commuter rail system. According to Hal Johnson, manager of project development, the preferred alignment from the study
would connect at the Draper commuter rail station, head south through the future prison development site and then connect over to the north/south rail line. “It would provide the regional system a system connection. It connects our light rail line and our commuter rail line,” Johnson said. “We’re excited about having all of those system connections.” The UTA has done a lot of community outreach with the project including focus groups, public polling, individual meetings with businesses and open houses. “Generally, there was support for the alignment,” Johnson said. “We spent most of our time trying to figure out how to get out of South Jordan. That’s the area with the highest density.” Johnson said the South Jordan City Council, Herriman City Council and Riverton City Council have all adopted preferred alignment. “What we’re asking the cities to do is to adopt this element into your transportation plan and in your general plan so as development moves forward, we’re able to preserve the right of way,” Johnson said. Councilwoman Michele Weeks expressed excitement over the project but had questions regarding the line coming down through
The preferred alternative route would connect at the Draper commuter rail station, head south through the future prison development site and then connect over to the north/south rail line. (Draper City)
123000 South in Draper. “When you’re coming down 123rd in Draper, the traffic is horrendous going west,” Weeks said. Putting a train down 123rd is going to add more traffic jams.” Weeks also brought up the importance of letting residents know a TRAX line may be in their backyard. Johnson replied time is on their
side to work with the community. Johnson commented these plans won’t come to fruition for another decade. “Looking at what we’re trying to do in the future, most of our projects are trying to link commuter rail to the community,” Johnson said. “This project is really doing that.” The adoption was passed unanimously.
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EDUCATION
PAGE 10 | DECEMBER 2016
DRAPER JOURNAL
Local girl scouts earn top awards By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com
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everal Draper Girl Scouts recently earned the top awards at their level and were honored at the Girl Scouts of Utah awards recognition on Nov 5. Girl Scouting’s highest award is the Gold Award and can be earned by girls in ninth through 12th grades. Eight girls across the state earned their Gold Awards. The Silver Award is earned by middle school-age girls, and 121 Scouts earned that distinction. The Bronze Award is designed for fourth- and fifthgrade students, and 212 girls earned that honor. Each award is based on leadership, volunteer hours and a project that is sustainable and that will improve the girls’ community. “Girls have hopes, ideas and dreams that when put into action can make an impact on society,” said Girl Scouts of Utah Chief Executive Officer Janet Frasier. “Girl Scouting’s highest awards provide a platform for girls to make a difference.” Eleven Girl Scouts, who are members of Draper Girl Scout troops, earned their Silver Award. Ninth-graders Alysa Gribben and Sierra Bieling in troop 2406 helped supply the Autism and Behavioral Intervention Center in Draper with a bookshelf, books and funding. “We were asking around for ideas where we could help in our community and we were referred to the autism center that was just built,” Sierra said. “We asked if they needed anything and it was perfect timing since their bookshelf had just broke. I think they were really thankful and appreciative that we can and wanted to help. It’s not the first place people think to give service.” She said people in their parish, St. John the Baptist, were
Junior Girl Scout troop 2544 earned their Bronze Award by making 60 activity kits for patients at Primary Children’s Medical Center. (Trisha Shreeve/Girl Scout volunteer)
generous. “We raised $146 and Wasatch Furniture donated the bookshelf,” Alysa said. “We had totes for books and those got filled in two services. We also helped people learn what autism is.” The Scouts then painted the bookshelf before presenting it, filled with books, to the autism center. They also gave the
Delicious Food, Great Atmosphere
Autism and Behavioral Intervention Center a $100 check. But both girls said they liked reading to the children. “The kids really appreciated us. One boy felt so comfortable he sat on my lap so he could see the book better,” Alysa said. Other Draper Girl Scouts who earned the Silver Award include three girls in troop 2542 — Kylie Johnson, Lexi Spencer and Rachel Sweat — who babysat to raise enough money to donate 217 pair of socks to the Road Home homeless shelter. They learned that the homeless don’t have access to washing machines, so they can wear out a pair of socks each week. With the winter months being the greatest need, the Scouts delivered the socks last December. Six Scouts in troop 2543 earned the Silver Award for their project “Happy Nights and Pillow Fights.” The girls sewed, and in some cases, learned how to sew, 102 fun pillowcases for the children at Primary Children’s Medical Center. Then they delivered the pillowcases filled with activity and coloring books, crayons and a stuffed animal. These Draper Scouts include Nicole Delangis, Evee Douglas, Emily Gilliland, Addi Murie, Jade Ngu and Tonia Rosenberg. Eight Girl Scouts who are members of Draper troop 2544 earned their Bronze Award. The girls made 60 activity kits for Primary Children’s Medical Center to ease the anxieties of being in a hospital and having surgery. The Bronze recipients include Rebecca Bytendorp, Olivia Christensen, Sophia Christensen, Kelsey Joos, Kiersten Luther, Diane Prall, Stella Saul, Allison Shreeve, Sierra Strong and Ella Watkins.
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EDUCATION
Draper Park students thank veterans for service By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com
R
etired U.S. Air Force Sgt. Kent Jex stood erect, saluting the American flag he helped defend during Vietnam, while attending Draper Park Middle School’s eighth annual Veterans Day breakfast. “I was stationed at the strategic arms base in Mississippi, where we supported B-52s that flew to Guam and Thailand,” Jex said. “I look forward to these programs as it gives us a chance to tell about our service to these kids, who don’t know what war was like. Vietnam was a nasty war. Nothing was resolved. Nobody wanted to be there; we were drafted. But today gives us a chance to reflect on some good memories and be appreciated.” Jex was joined by his son, Chris, and grandson, eighth-grader Sam. “This gives our veterans a chance to be recognized for what service they gave,” he said. After the Pledge of Allegiance and the national anthem, seventh-graders Eli Kimball and Hannah Kitterman shared readings of remembrance. Eli read, “Our country was founded on veterans willing to give their lives to anyone who wishes to be free in a nation of peace. They protect us from war, gave our country faith and hope for all we have been given.” He later told the active and retired military guests and their families that “all are heroes, in combat or not, all different people people united for a similar purpose,” Eli said. “Thank you.” Hannah read from her poem “Speechless.” Her poem thanks soldiers for being brave enough to die on a battlefield began with. “I don’t know how you do it, I’m too speechless to ask. I could never do such things, I could never even watch.” During the program, the concert band played “A Celebration of Taps” and the choir sang “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel.” Together, they performed the “Armed Forces Suite,” and asked each military member to stand during their branch’s song. Master Sgt. Clayton Miller with the Utah Army National Guard addressed the audience, first thanking the veterans, then the educators. “We’re here to thank the veterans, but also to those who have chosen the
Retired U.S. Air Force Sgt. Kent Jex salutes the American flag during Draper Park Middle School’s eighth annual Veterans Day breakfast. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
“Be grateful and say thanks. Be hopeful and optimistic. Find opportunities to serve others. All of this will help you be a great citizen.”
profession of education,” he said. “This is an opportunity to let our youth learn the importance of veterans. My mom was a teacher and she loved what she did. She was also a veteran. We wouldn’t be in the service without knowing how to read, write and do at least a little math. So make sure you find the opportunity to tell your teachers thanks for what they do,” he said. Then Miller recalled how Nov. 11, formerly known as Armistice Day to honor the end of World War I, didn’t become an official holiday until 1938, almost 20 years after it was first commemorated. It wasn’t until after World War II and the Korean War in 1954 that Congress changed the day to Veterans Day to honor all veterans. “I am proud to be an America and I hope you are too. This is the greatest
country in the world. It is our freedoms that make it so, and those freedoms were won and defended by veterans — the men and women who put the ideals of our country before themselves,” he said. Miller recounted a story of Private Martin Treptow, who left his job in a small-town barbershop in 1917 to go to France to serve. After he was killed, his diary was found. He had written, “America must win this war. Therefore I will work, I will save, I will sacrifice, I will endure, I will fight cheerfully and do my utmost, as if the issue of the whole struggle depended on me alone.” Miller said many veterans have approached their service the same way. “Our debt to these heroes can never be repaid, but our gratitude and respect must last forever,” he said. He also thanked military spouses and children who have had career and school disruptions and frequent moves, separating them from friends and family. Then he asked students for a few things. “Be grateful and say thanks. Be hopeful and optimistic. Find opportunities to serve others. All of this will help you be a great citizen,” he said. U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Lisa Berente retired from her position as a pilot of a KC-137 tanker last year. She wore her uniform proudly at the school’s breakfast, having served 29 years. “My first year, I was married; I was gone 220 days,” she said. “I was stationed near Pisa, Italy. I’ve been on several trips, but also have been able to come home to my kids.” That includes sixth-grader Hannah, who thanked her mother for attending her school’s Veterans Day program. Hannah’s grandfather also served in the Air Force. “It’s a great tradition in our family. It’s a chance where we can serve, but also thank those before us,” Berente said. Who said this? Is this the same Hannah talked about later in the story? (Lisa Berente’s daughter) The Hannah at the end isn’t given a last name, so I’m assuming it’s Berente. Just want to make sure they’re actually separate people. If they are the same person, there’s a discrepenacy in the grades--one’s in 7th, the other in 6th.
DECEMBER 2016 | PAGE 11
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PAGE 12 | DECEMBER 2016
DRAPER JOURNAL
St. John Middle School students learn about wildlife, ecology at Teton Science School By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com
L
istening to elk bugling, collecting data in streams and learning about ecology were some of the highlights 64 St. John the Baptist eighth-grade students experienced while attending a threeday session at Teton Science School. “It was a great learning experience for our students,” St. John Principal Patrick Reeder said. “I’d almost call it a sciencebased retreat. Every student came away with a greater recognition of Grand Teton National Park and the scientific method as they were immersed in asking questions, hypothesizing, collecting and analyzing data to see if it supported their hypothesis.” Once in the Tetons, students were divided into field groups of 10 to 12 students, each group having a field leader. These leaders explained to students about the ecosystems of the park. During most of that first day, Reeder said they hiked to a stream where field groups collected data. “The students took note of the temperature, water flow, velocity and noted macro invertebrates and the health of the habitat in their field journals. They learned how to observe ecosystems and then, share their findings,” he said. Reeder said students became better at the scientific method. “The more they engage in the scientific method, the better they are at it and in all their subjects. Technology, logistics, almost every discipline can tie back to the scientific method of using research to question, then testing to prove it,” he said. On another day, the field groups worked to repair trails that are maintained by the Teton School of Science. “We worked to clear the trails and improve upon them. Some of them were almost nonexistent, but in doing so, we taught students the valuable lesson of becoming stewards of our environment,” Reeder said. Students also worked with a naturalist to tie art with ecology as they created pieces of art, using bark, leaves, twigs, dirt and other
During their three-day session at Teton Science School, students spent time measuring the health of a stream. (Patrick Reeder/St. John the Baptist Middle School)
pieces of nature they found. “Many of the students made sketchings, some very detailed,” he said. Each night, students had different activities, but a favorite one was listening to elk bugle. The first rainy, windy night, Reeder sat with students in silence, listening. He said his group heard about seven bugles. On a later evening during a night hike by a pond, they heard geese landing on the water. “It sounded like a motor boat since there were so many,” he said. Later that same night, they heard a giant herd of elk and
numerous elk bugling. “Students who had field glasses saw males battling. It was just spectacular to be able to listen and observe this,” he said. Throughout the three days, students observed a variety of wildlife, including moose, elk, deer, owls, hawks, foxes and several species of macro invertebrates. However, the three days didn’t just teach students about nature. Reeder said many students learned other skills. “First, for many, they learned they can survive without technology each and every minute. Their phones and devices were taken from them when we reached the Tetons and for some, that was a hard lesson. Our students also learned responsibility. Each morning they had to pack their lunch and be ready with rain gear, their field journal and other items needed for hikes or for a bus to take them to a specific location. They also were responsible for helping in the cafeteria,” he said. Students learned about career opportunities in science that they might not have thought of previously, Reeder said. Through the role modeling of these scientists they worked with as field leaders and even an AmeriCorp volunteer, they learned they could teach as well as research in the field. Students worked together in partners and teams to do field research and tried a low-ropes course. “Their groups were assigned so students weren’t necessarily with their best friends. Students learned accountability and trust, and were placed in situations where they had to socialize with a different group from their usual peers. They learned to work together and as a result, many of them came away with making new friends. We now see that in the hallways as they talk to one another. They’ve built a bond on this trip. It was an unbelievable trip for them,” Reeder said.
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PAGE 14 | DECEMBER 2016
EDUCATION
DRAPER JOURNAL
Summit Academy’s Speech and Poetry Festival gives students real-life applications By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com
W
ith the 13th annual Summit Academy Speech and Poetry Festival slated for Nov. 16–17, students spent weeks, months and years preparing for the contest. “It’s a long-standing Summit tradition, since the inception of the school, that we host this festival,” Principal Tyler Whittle said. “It’s student-driven, so they’re invested in presenting what they’d like. The students are wanting to do a good job so they put forth the effort and are giving it their best shot.” It begins with classroom competitions from which students are selected to compete on Summit’s stage under the spotlights using a microphone in front of judges. This year, former principal Bob Zentner will return to be a guest judge of the students’ recitations. “It’s a big deal and we want to showcase their abilities. Every year, we have students who surprise us and overcome obstacles to win a ribbon,” Whittle said. The seventh- and eighth-grade students compete in the speech festival with two choices — to present a dramatic monologue or to give a persuasive oratory. Both options are written by the students either in a theater class or in an English class. “This allows our junior high student to
showcase their writing ability as well as their speaking talent. By allowing them to research and write on a topic of their interest, that is approved by teachers, it allows them to be more independent in their thoughts,” he said. Whittle said students’ oratory speeches vary from the value of homework to current social issues. The dramatic pieces can include props and gesturing, but he said the oratories are “very formal.” In the elementary school, students regularly prepare poems for monthly classroom recitations. However, during early November, students have selected poems they would like to recite not only to their class, but possibly at the poetry portion of the annual festival. “There is no preapproved list; they just have to have teacher approval. We let them pick a poem that is appropriate for their age level and for third grade and up, one that fits into their one- to three-minute time length. Some are humorous and some are serious. There’s always a broad spectrum,” he said. In Whittle’s own house, his first- and fourth-grade children paged through poetry books before finding poems they liked. Then they worked with their mother in learning and reciting them.
Summit Academy students who compete in the school’s Speech and Poetry Festival spend about a month preparing for the annual contest. (Tyler Whittle/Summit Academy)
“My kids typically spend 15 to 20 minutes each night practicing, or my daughter will recite it while my wife braids her hair. It’s a fun thing at my house. My kids like it and are pushing themselves to not only memorize the poems, but to understand what it means and to
understand the language,” he said. In addition to learning about poetry, Whittle said his daughter, like many, is gaining confidence through the festival. “It’s a confidence-builder for the kids who are doing it. Two years ago, my daughter was selected as one of the finalists in the festival. She was randomly selected as speaker number 16. She had to boost her confidence to speak in front of her peers and also learned to manage her nerves while she waited for those in front of her to speak,” he said. Students also gain skills in memorization, projection and public speaking, all of which not only help them through their education, but also in real life. Junior high students add in writing skills. The panel of judges, which includes a timer and an accuracy-checker, have strict rules to review contestants. The presentation is judged on memorization, voice (enunciation, expression, projection), poise, and content (difficulty, appropriateness for grade level, time). “It’s definitely impressive to watch these kids strive to do their best. We set our expectations high and they are able to consistently meet it,” Whittle said.
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EDUCATION
DECEMBER 2016 | PAGE 15
Corner Canyon students earning funds to help local refugees By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com
130 Years
OF TRUST Taking Care of YOUR FAMILY’S NEEDS
EVERY STEP Corner Canyon High School student leaders will be doing odd jobs to help raise funds to benefit Refugee and Immigrant Center — Asian Association of Utah this holiday season. (Corner Canyon High School)
T
his holiday season, while other teenagers may be hanging at the mall or wrapping gifts in glittery paper, Corner Canyon High School students can be found doing yardwork, hanging up lights, cleaning garages and finding other ways to raise money to give to the Refugee and Immigrant Center — Asian Association of Utah. “All the class officers get together to decide who they want to benefit from our Chargers for Charity program,” said Jana White, who is the student body officer adviser along with McKay Ballstaedt. “We had two students who volunteer with refugees — sophomore Gray Jackson as well as senior Jack Jensen — who started a soccer program for them. They both saw the need and volunteered to help. We’re on the end of the valley so we don’t see these students as much as those in Granite do, but when our students learned about them, they wanted to help them since they’re part of our community.” In addition to doing spare jobs in the neighborhoods surrounding the school, the officers are planning to hold several events. New this year will be a 5K race as well as a children’s one-mile run. The race will begin at 9 a.m., Dec. 17 at Corner Canyon High School. Pre-registration can be completed at the school office before race day and the $15 fee will include a 5K race shirt. Day-of-race registration will be available, but shirts may not be available, White said. “Every year, the students add something to make it bigger, get more people involved in supporting them,” she said. The fundraising also includes restaurant spirit nights, where local
establishments will give the school a percentage of the night’s proceeds. There will be opportunities for local businesses to sponsor a day and match proceeds raised from a particular school activity, such as a “buy-out assembly,” where students are planning to charge classmates $5 to attend a mentalist performance. Other school events earmarked for the Refugee and Immigrant Center — Asian Association of Utah include a Mr. Charger pageant on Dec. 20, ping pong tournament, hot chocolate sales, teachers versus students dodgeball contest where people can make a donation to get a player back into the game once he or she is out, as well as the popular potato sales. “‘Spuds for Studs’ started last year and it became a hit. One week, we offered a raw potato for $1 and students all got together and bought potatoes for one teacher. We had to use a wheelbarrow to deliver them all. He was overwhelmed, but it was fun,” White said. Another week for an increased amount, students could purchase a baked potato to deliver to a friend or teacher. The third week, Mr. Potato Heads made from the potatoes were available at another price. “It was a great idea and everyone gets a kick out of them. The potatoes are donated to help raise funds and students know that these proceeds are helping others so at the same time as they’re having fun, they’re giving money to those who are in need,” she said. White said many of these refugees are learning how to adjust to the community and are in need of some funds. “The more they are immersed into
the community and culture, the more they’ll become part of it, but some of their needs are as simple as needing household supplies or goggles as they learn to swim. Or they may need to pay for English lessons or join Scouts and need a uniform. They also could encounter funeral costs and being new to a country, have no funds for that. The money we raise can help them with their needs,” she said. White said the four areas students are focusing their efforts in helping the refugees are helping the Sunnyvale Neighborhood Center with counseling services, providing English teaching materials, helping with after-school enrichment programs and creating personal hygiene essentials kits. This is the fourth year of the school and of Charger for Charity. Last year, students raised $43,000 for Millie’s Princess Foundation for children fighting cancer. Previously, the Chargers for Charity events raised funds for Primary Children’s Medical Center and Head Start. “Our kids still help with Head Start. Twice a year about 100 students go help. They help with National Reading Day and read with children in small groups, and then, in the spring, they help run booths at their carnival and field day,” White said. White said students are realizing the effect their contributions have to the community. “When they see the totals they are earning for someone else, to help things get better for them, they are so proud of their efforts. Half of them are in tears. It’s one of their favorite things to do and they get the difference they can make. Leadership is service for someone else,” she said.
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PAGE 16 | DECEMBER 2016
DRAPER JOURNAL
“Nutcracker: Men In Tights” Is A Holiday Treat
T
ired of the same old shows every Christmas season? Treat your family to a delightful comedy that will knock your toeshoes off: “Nutcracker: Men in Tights.” This jolly holiday romp opens November 10. It’s Christmastime, and the small Utah town of Slagville is in financial trouble. The town council has come up with a tremendous plan to save them from disaster, they’ll put on a show! And what better show than “The Nutcracker?” Hoping to draw big crowds, they sign up a once-famous dancer, Maurice Money, who is trying to revive his career. But when a crabby town member, Candy Kancor, is overlooked for the show, she sets out to ruin everything. Chaos and hilarity ensue, culminating in the craziest production of “The Nutcracker” you’ve ever seen!
“Nutcracker: Men in Tights” is written and directed by Scott Holman and combines wacky gags and zany characters with Desert Star’s famous brand of screwball comedy. This show will run from November 10 to December 31. The evening also includes one of Desert Star’s signature musical olios following the show. The “Let It Snolio” features many of your favorite, heartwarming Christmas songs, served up with a helping of Desert Star’s holiday comedy. Desert Star audiences can enjoy gourmet pizza, fresh wraps, burgers, scrumptious desserts, and other finger foods as well as a full selection of soft drinks, smoothies and a large array of iced and hot steamers and coffees while they watch the show. Food is available from an á la carte menu and is served right at your table.
CALENDAR: “Nutcracker: Men in Tights”
Plays November 10, 2016 through December 31, 2016 Nov 10 - Nov 30: Mon, Wed, Thurs at 7:00 PM Friday at 2:30PM as scheduled, 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM Saturday at 11:30 AM, 2:30 PM, 6 PM and 8:30 PM Dec 1 - Dec 31: Mon through Fri at 2:30, 6:00 and 8:30 PM Saturday at 11:30 AM, 2:30 PM, 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM Tickets: Adults: $24.95-$26.95, Children: $14.95 (Children 11 and under) 4861 S. State Street, Murray, UT 84107
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DECEMBER 2016 | PAGE 17
D RAPERJOURNAL.COM
Moto United
M
oto United opened its newest location at 98 E. 13800 South in Draper on Aug. 20, providing the good people of Salt Lake County access to a stellar showroom and pre-owned inventory for everything powersports. The grand opening featured pro UTV racer Tanner Godfrey taking customers and their family’s around the custom-designed dirt track at the dealership. The grand opening also featured the inaugural “RZR Show-n-Shine.” Powersports enthusiasts show off their customized RZRs. The best win get prizes at an event that already was a big hit and will likely be a new annual tradition for powersport enthusiasts and pros alike. Moto United – Draper carries some of the best brands in the business: Polaris, Can-Am, Timberselds, and Yeti MX Sleds. Moto United is also the newest and most accessible Polaris dealership in both Utah and Salt Lake Counties. The Moto United – Draper showroom is twice as large—if not larger—than any other deanship in Utah. More space means more machines; and, that means
they can give customers more options. The dealership features have amazing rebates and incentives on Polaris and Can-Am to get the best deals out there. Polaris released some of the best prices they have ever given. They also have a full service department for all powersport vehicles including new and used boats. Moto United mechanics provide more than 30 years of repair experience to customers. Moto United cnn test boats on-location, rather than wasting time and driving to the lake to test it. This service is a year-round service. The test area is basically a pool. “Come into our dealership and see what we have for you,” Chandler Higgins said. “We promise, once you meet us and experience our service, you’ll never go anywhere else.”
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PAGE 18 | DECEMBER 2016
DRAPER JOURNAL
The Holidays: Time to Start Giving Back…. Or, is it?
P
ay it Forward, Serve, Give Back, Random Act of Kindness, no matter how you spell it, it’s that time of year where we are all thinking about giving. What a relief! After the troubled times of November, I for one am looking forward to the positivity the holidays bring. But, this leaves me pondering, what is all the excitement about. After all, December is just one month out of an entire calendar year. Studies show that people that help our fellow man are more successful in life, have improved health and happiness. Plus, children who volunteer are more likely to grow up to volunteer and serve as adults. Communities with more volunteers are typically more stable and better places to live (USA Today). So why are we saving all those positive benefits for only 1/12 of an entire year? Lets face it, in today’s world we need to make the effort to put a smile on the faces around us everyday. So, I’m proposing, in addition to the plans you already have to serve this holiday, you add just one more thing, a big cardboard box. For years I’ve had a box that’s plunked right next to my front door. It’s become a bit of joke for friends, as every time they stop by, I make some excuse for the tripping hazard. To the untrained it could look like a pile of unorganized junk waiting to be hauled out to the trash, but my charity box is actually a dropping ground for denotable food and clothing, household items or children’s niceties. I’ve found that having the box right where I enter and leave encourages me to add to it and reminds me to drop it of. To get you started here are a few things that have landed in this years box. January: Hot Cocoa Mix A little treat to enjoy with a neighbor after shoveling their sidewalk
February: Oatmeal Did you know February is National Hot Breakfast Month? What a great time to do a neighborhood Oatmeal Drive for the Food Bank. March: Books, Puzzles and Board Games It’s national reading month, so how bout encouraging a little reading? Volunteer at the Library; donate books to children in need. Senior homes also enjoy donations of books, puzzles and games. April: Pet Food Pet rescues, such as the Humane Society, Best Friends Animal Society and Rescue Rovers not only need pet food, they also need for paper towels, garbage bags, and old blankets. May: Pantry Staples Because of Memorial Day sales not only is May a great month to break out the coupons for grocery shopping. It’s also the month we see both the Boy Scouts Scouting for Food and the Letter Carriers Stamping out Hunger. I like to buy extra so I’m ready for them. June: Tomato Plants and Pots Plant patio tomatoes in flowerpots and deliver them to an elderly neighbor or retirement home. July: School Supplies Kids all over Utah need school supplies and teachers love getting them too. Donate to your local school or participate in Stuff the Bus and help fill backpacks for kids. (stuffthebus.uw.org) August: Personal Care Items Even the casual coupon user knows that personal care items like toothpaste; soap and hygiene products are easy pickings. Instead of
piling these products on shelves in the basement, I pile any extras in the box and drop them off at the Road Home or a Women’s Shelter. For more about how to get these items with just a little effort and out of pocket expense, make sure you are following the Grocery section of Coupons4Utah.com. September: Craft Supplies Sharing Place is a place where children that have lost a parent can go to learn coping skills, share stories and learn to deal with grief. They are in constant need of arts and craft supplies. (thesharingplace.org) October: Diapers Families all across Utah are need of diapers, diapers and more diapers. Visit utahdiaperbank.org to find a list of drop of locations. November: Holiday Wrapping Paper, Tape and Gift Cards Remember all of those donated gifts need to get wrapped. Most charities collecting gifts also have a need for wrapping supplies. One idea would be the Holiday Gift Box. They provide individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families who are in need gifts for Christmas. More info at uaidutah.org/holiday-giftbox While I may trip over my charity box every now and again, it helps me remember to make those important little donations the entire year. And as for my friends that stop by, well… I’ll just let them continue to think I’m a little unorganized. Wishing you the happiest of holidays, all year long.
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DECEMBER 2016 | PAGE 19
D RAPERJOURNAL.COM
O Tidings of Comfort Annoy
N
ow that Facebook has become a year-round newsletter, packed with enough posts to make us feel miserable all year long, can we finally call it quits on those dreadful holiday letters? I understand a family newsletter can be a highlight of the season, recapping all your adventures with witty repartee and candy cane clip art, but to many people, this bragalicious tradition is lemon juice in the paper cuts of life. Reading about how you cured black lung disease or saved an endangered species makes others’ successes look like table scraps. My newsletter would go something like this, “Dear family and friends, I did not get arrested this year. Happy New Year! Love, Peri.” (Disclaimer: The year’s not over yet.) So, first of all, don’t write a Christmas letter. However, if you feel you must write an annual message or your life won’t be complete, here are tips to make it bearable for friends and family. Let your children do the writing. I would LOVE getting a Christmas message that read, “Mom cries in the bathroom and tells us to eat Froot Loops for dinner. Dad has a special ‘drinking mug’ in his garage. Aunt Ethel spent Thanksgiving in the county jail for walking streets. Happy Holidays!” Use your letter as a weapon. A Christmas newsletter can encourage friendly competition amongst your offspring. Announce who had the most As, the best-cleaned room
or who peed the bed the least amount of times. Be sure to embarrass the *&%$ out of them so they’ll be on their best behavior next year. Create an acronym. For instance, NOEL can be Notice Our Exceptional Lives or No One Enjoys Letters. Quote Quiz. Choose the funniest quotes said by your family during the year and have your readers guess who said it. January--”Who left the %&@* lights on?!” February—“Is there a reason there are a dozen shoes by the back door?” March—“Who left the %&@* lights on again?” Write from your pet’s perspective. “This is Peri’s dog, Ringo. I was taken to the vet three times this year and had to get shots. She forgot to give me a treat twice last week, even after I sat under her feet for three consecutive episodes of Westworld. She also didn’t pet me long enough after she got home from work, but she gave me a steak bone, so all’s forgiven.”
Share a family recipe. If people ask for your sugar cookie recipe, put it in your Christmas newsletter. But don’t be like my neighbor who leaves out key ingredients so my cookies never taste quite the same as hers. Not cool. Don’t recount Family Disasters 2016. Your water heater broke, your car died in the desert, you have rats in the basement and bats in your belfry. You lost several jobs, were abducted by aliens and SWAT kicked in your door at 3 a.m. Newsletters are not catastrophe competitions. Next! Don’t brag. For every straight-A accomplishment, for every award-winning dance competition and for every highersalary promotion you exclaim over, your letter will be read by a man with kids struggling in school, a daughter with no noticeable rhythm and a woman in a dead-end, mind-numbing job. Take it down a notch, will ya? Even better, since I never receive mail anymore (except for Hickory Farm catalogues and postcards from mortgage companies), maybe save all your glowing updates for Facebook and Instagram where you can gush all you’d like. You can even add clip art.
“Dr. Smith’s Confession Saga Reveals Shocking New Info”
Dear FriendOver the past 13 years, I’ve sent out literally millions of flyers with a picture of my family and usually I’m in there somewhere. I shared personal details of my back pain, my struggles with weight gain, and how I watched my cute wife get in shape by running. I shared my drama of trying to run to get healthy, but how my low back and knees didn’t agree with the running thing…and ultimately how this led me to discover how awesome Chiropractic care can deal with problems like mine. The long and short of this journey is that I eventually lost the weight, ran some marathons, and completed the 7 years of college required to become a Chiropractor. But Here’s What I Didn’t Tell You… As time passed I continued to do what I could to be healthy, such as exercise and get regular chiropractic treatments. But as much as this helped me be active and pain free, I began to be aware of something that started bugging me. And the reality was I couldn’t stop it nor could I control it. The fact is…I WAS GETTING OLDER…time and gravity were creating problems for my back. To make matters worse, working as a chiropractor to fix other’s, ironically puts additional stress on my back. So, even with my regular personal chiro treatments and exercise, I started hurting again. And to be open and real, I struggled with it. Not because of the pain, but because I felt that maybe there was some contradiction that I was treating and teaching patients how to get rid of their back pain.... but meanwhile I was having mine. The Real Truth is This... After taking X-rays of my back, I discovered that one of my spinal discs was in bad shape and that I also had arthritis. It took me only seconds
to see that my low back was going to need more than just chiropractic adjustments to get better. So as much I as believe in what chiropractic adjustments can do, I needed something more effective for this problem or else my back was going to be in serious trouble. If this took place 10 to 15 years ago, I would have just had to live it or roll dice with surgery. But the REAL TRUTH and the REAL BLESSING is now days there is great technology and time tested protocols that have excellent success with these types of serious problem. And the good news is that solution to my problem was already sitting in my office. We use powerful protocol that includes the LiteCure class IV non-surgical laser (to help reduce pain and stimulate healing), the DRX 9000 Spinal Disc Decompression, and a unique exercise program that stabilizes the surrounding muscles. This specific combination has literally helped hundreds of my patients with severe disc and sciatic problems. I’m happy to report first hand that it worked for me as well… I now feel great.
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