Midvale December 2016

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Former Hillcrest football star makes collegiate waves on, off field

By Travis Barton | travis@mycityjournals.com

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Andy Harris intercepts the ball against nationally ranked Linfield College (Ore.) on Oct. 8. Harris was named to the academic all-district team. (Tanner Boyle/Pacific University)

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PAGE 2 | DECEMBER 2016

MIDVALE CITY JOURNAL

Former Ms. America seeks to serve “from the heart”

By Chris Larson | chris.larson@mycityjournals.com

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T

hings are just beginning to get started for Julie Harman.

Harman, a Midvale resident, recently passed on her crown as the 2016 Ms. America to the 2017 winner. Having concluded her time as Ms. America, Harman now looks forward to new opportunities.

“I always tried to serve from the heart with selfless service,” Harman said.

The Ms. America pageant is a servicebased pageant where the winner is crowned to participate in philanthropic endeavors. Ms. America is to “use the ‘crown for a purpose’ to make a difference.”

The platform advocates self-reliance in five sectors of society: businesses, charities and nonprofits, service providers, education and politics.

Harman found herself in many of these different sectors with her many appearances. She said Ms. America Pageant winners are supposed to meet a minimum of two public appearances a month. She made over 100 appearances.

She also assisted in more than two dozen charities whereas most contestants focus their efforts on one or two organizations.

“I found a way to make it empower me and let it help me serve with my heart,” Harman said.

The Ms. America Pageant is for women 26 years old and older who are of any marital status, with or without children.

Harman is a single-mother with two daughters ages 10 and 12. She graduated from Brigham Young University—Hawaii in international cultural studies and communications in 2003. Not too long thereafter, she found herself divorced with two young daughters.

She started her own image consulting and production business called High Style Company, which grew to include clientele from international businesses to celebrities, according to highstylecompany.com.

“I had to be on my toes all the time,”

Former Ms. America Julie Harman, center, with her parents, Dan and Janis Harman. (Chris Larson/City Journals)

Harman said. “People expect you to be available for any reason at anytime.”

One of the many lessons she learned was to “be the messenger of her own message” and exemplify her message of preparedness. That message was summarized in five points: act responsibly, be informed, create a plan, decide and deploy and encourage others.

With her many Ms. America appearances, she planned and managed the events on her own. She had to plan her own security, her own displays and presentations on top of managing all interaction with both event planners and the public. Additionally, since the Ms. America position is based on philanthropic endeavors, she was not paid by the pageant to fill her Ms. America duties and had to find sponsors to

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support her efforts.

“When I (was) out there being a single mom and representing women across the country as well as the women in my own pageant, I knew I needed to represent all of them as best I could,” Harman said.

Harman was recognized for her volunteer efforts with the gold President’s Volunteer Service Award, a presidential recognition for more than 500 hours of service to the community over the course of 12 months.

She was able to put her message to work firsthand when she was on her way to speak at PrepperCon convention in April. She came across a head-on collision near the WinCo Foods in Midvale. She was the first responder at the scene where the airbags in both cars had deployed.

Both cars were transporting young girls.

For one of the little girls, it was her birthday as well as a day where she needed to give a presentation.

“She even still had her cards in her hand,” Harman recalled. “That could have been one of my girls.”

She used her Ms. America crown to help calm one of the girls traumatized by the accident.

“This is why it is so important to be prepared and have those tools and skills to respond to each other when in need,” Harman said.

Looking to the future, she plans to merge her business with a tech company that focuses on 3D printing. She believes that 3D printing will have a major impact on both national and local economies.

She also plans to host her own empowerment events to help people who are weighed down with negativity or emotional instability.

Harman said that charity and service was a major part of who she was before she became Ms. America and plans to continue helping local efforts that “do so much good.” 

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GOVERNMENT

PAGE 4 | DECEMBER 2016

MIDVALE CITY JOURNAL

Reopened park scores assist from Utah Jazz

By Travis Barton | travis@mycityjournals.com

Utah Jazz forward Joel Bolomboy runs dribbling drills with Junior Jazz youth players at the grand re-opening of Bingham Junction Park on Oct. 27. The 5,600-square-foot court was painted in Jazz colors with six surrounding basketball hoops. (Travis Barton/City Journals)

Utah Jazz assistant coach DeSagana Diop works on passing with Junior Jazz youth players at the grand re-opening of Bingham Junction Park on Oct. 27. Travis Barton/City Journals)

“People can stop here as they walk or bike the trail…

It’s a great place for families to come here and grow up together.”

T

he Midvale Redevelopment Agency (RDA) joined with the Utah Jazz and Larry H. Miller Charities on Oct. 27 for the grand re-opening of Bingham Junction Park at 6980 S. River Reserve Court. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to unveil the 15th completed Jazz court along the Wasatch Front.

“We’re thrilled to have the Jazz, they love doing these courts and it’s a great investment for the community,” said Danny Walz, Midvale Redevelopment Agency (RDA) Director.

Hundreds of people were there to commemorate the event that included bounce houses, food trucks, balloon animals and face painting. About 30 Junior Jazz youth players were invited to participate in a short basketball clinic with Jazz forward Joel Bolomboy and coaching associate DeSagana Diop.

One of those youth players was Brody, 7. His mother, Marie Reed, said it was exciting for the kids to get to know the Jazz members like Bolomboy, Diop and meet the Jazz Bear.

“The clinic itself is really cool. My son doesn’t know how

A ribbon cutting was held to commemorate the new Jazz court and the renovated Bingham Junction Park on Oct. 27. (Travis Barton/City Journals)

to play basketball so to get a taste of what you can learn from the pros is even better,” Marie said.

Marie’s husband, Alan, said he liked seeing the Jazz committed to sparing no expense for the event. Alan remembered as a former Junior Jazz youth having Jazz players come to an event, but not as well conceived.

“I’m pretty sure when I did it, John Stockton or Jeff Hornacek showed up, dribbled the ball a few times, took a couple shots and walked out of the gym,” Alan said. “So now you can tell they’re invested in the overall experience.”

It wasn’t only the basketball court that was refurbished.

The park—originally constructed in 2006—suffered from poor drainage and a lack of amenities. Walz said the playground often had six inches of water.

“The new playground equipment is much better than the one we had,” Walz said. “We’ve got an active park that [the community] can actually come out and use.”

In 2014, the RDA began to allocate funds for improvements to the park with total construction costs reaching $1.5 million.

Tourism, Recreation, Cultural and Convention (TRCC) funds totaling $665,000 were received from Salt Lake County for the new softball field. The park will be owned and maintained

by Midvale City, but the county will program softball leagues on the field.

“With all the developments and skyscrapers coming in around here, [the park] will be great for the surrounding community,” Midvale City Mayor JoAnn Seghini said.

Additional amenities to the park’s redesign are a new play structure, sledding hill, expanded parking with improved

lighting, restrooms and a storage building. Located adjacent to the Jordan River Parkway, Seghini said it’s in a perfect location.

“People can stop here as they walk or bike the trail…It’s a great place for families to come here and grow up together,” Seghini said.

Walz said working with the Jazz, Larry H. Miller Charities and the county was an awesome experience.

A new Jazz basketball court came about from a $25,000 contribution from the Utah Jazz and Larry H. Miller Charities.

The contributions were made by employees with chairwoman Gail Miller making a matching donation. The 5,600-squarefoot court was painted in Jazz colors with the team’s logo in the center with six basketball hoops surrounding the court.

Jay Francis of the Larry H. Miller Group was on hand to express the group’s happiness at adding another Jazz court to the Wasatch Front.

“You can see with the housing around here, it’s just going to be used a ton and we’re excited to be part of this,” Francis said to the crowd shortly before the ribbon cutting.

City officials expect the renovated park to benefit the Midvale community for years to come.

“Our hope is that they come out here and enjoy it as an amenity and it gives them something they probably want and need in this part of the neighborhood,” Walz said.

Marie said the park is an excellent addition for the youth of the area.

“It gives [the youth] a safer environment to come play, to encourage them to get out…so it’s really nice that they have a place to come play,” Marie said. 

Cameron Peterson, Midvale youth of the year, stands between Utah Jazz assistant coach DeSagana Diop and forward Joel Bolomboy as they listen to Jay Francis of the Larry H. Miller Group speak to the crowd shortly before the ribbon cutting of the new Jazz court at Bingham Junction Park on Oct. 27. (Travis Barton/City Journals)

GOVERNMENT

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The Trax station at Midvale Center marks the transit oriented development area where mixed use and higher density residential use can be implemented such as the Station at Midvale Apartments being built. (Travis Barton/City Journals)

T

he Midvale City Council adopted the Midvale City General Plan 2016 during their city council meeting on Oct. 18. The ordinance repeals the current General Plan from 2000 with the 2016 plan now acting as the guiding policy document for land development.

“A lot has changed since the old plan was adopted and we’re excited to have something new to work from with the changes that have occurred in the last 15 years,” said Lesley Burns, city planner.

Development of the new plan began in the fall/winter of 2014 culminating in the recent approval. The process included reviewing prior plans and policies with an analysis of existing conditions before assessing specific opportunities.

In the plan, it states it is “designed to be both an aspirational statement of the vision of the city’s residents and a practical tool to guide future decision-making by Midvale City staff and officials.” The document is meant to answer questions residents might have about Midvale’s future.

Burns said it was important to remember that the plan is a conceptual direction of where they want to be going rather than a zoning map.

“It’s providing some policy direction for decisions on ordinances and it’s the actual ordinances that end up being the mechanisms for development,” Burns said.

As a plan for the future of Midvale, the document is supposed to answer questions about household decisions, utilities, businesses and the city. Its usage will come into effect when elected officials have decisions to make regarding land use and updates to city codes.

City planning staff will be responsible for coordinating the plan’s administration.

Throughout the process, project planners strove to involve community as much as possible with representatives setting up tables at

neighborhood block parties, Harvest Days and other city events to receive feedback.

“We always wish more people would come out, but I think we got a good response from those we were able to go to and get information from,” Burns said.

While the plan is meant as an overview of policy going forward, it identifies areas where little change is expected and those where larger transitions are anticipated.

Burns said State Street was a consensus element among residents that they would like to see changes and development along the popular roadway.

In the general plan, State Street is given future land use goals, which include supporting the development of “higher-value commercial and business uses through the development of mixed-use and higher density residential uses.”

In the final city council meetings before the plan was adopted, residents told city council their appreciation for the general plan and also their concerns with specific areas. Most notably, the transit oriented development (TOD) zone near the TRAX station on Center Street where a new development is being constructed.

Brad Rosenhan, a nearby resident of the TRAX station, said he feels the general plan is reasonable, but he’s worried about its implementation in the TOD zone.

“The wording of the [zone’s] ordinance is not consistent with the general plan and is certainly not consistent with the wishes of the citizens of Midvale,” Rosenhan said during the city council meeting on Oct. 18.

The plan states its implementation will involve “additional planning on a more detailed level.” This will include small area plans for the neighborhoods adjacent to TRAX stops. Burns said that’s one of the goals in the general plan.

“The ordinances will come through that next level, which is a little more specific,” Burns said. 

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EDUCATION / GOVERNMENT

PAGE 6 | DECEMBER 2016

MIDVALE CITY JOURNAL

Midvale Middle School’s library programs enrich students’ reading, writing

Midvale City appoints new judge to city’s justice court

By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com

By Travis Barton | travis@mycityjournals.com

Midvale Middle School students learn how to develop a short story through the library’s “Writers’ Wanted” program. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

S

ixth grader Yash Archarya has been regularly attending Midvale Middle School’s “Writers’ Wanted” program this fall, because he likes to learn about writing.

“I love the way Mrs. Anderson teaches — simple and straightforward,” he said. “I have learned more in-depth how to develop characters and how draw the characters in. I’ve created a plot line and an outline for a short story.”

While many Canyons School District middle schools offer book discussion groups, Midvale Middle also offers the writing club.

Former librarian Becca Anderson began the program two years ago and current librarian Brenda Anderson now runs “Writers’ Wanted.”

“I’ve invited anyone who wants to learn how to write a short story or novel to come,” Anderson said. “We only have a short time during lunch, so we concentrate on different parts of the writing process.”

Anderson, who has taught high school English, said that the allure of the club is that everyone is welcome to participate in the nonjudgmental activity.

“There are no restraints. It’s giving them a voice to their ideas in a non-assessed environment and it gives a chance for kids to be creative and have fun,” she said.

Already this year, students have learned about how to organize their writing into an introduction, setting, conflict, challenges and a climax. They have studied, and watched video clip to learn about characters. They’ve outlined conflict analysis and even began writing their opening paragraphs, Anderson said, adding that she hopes by the end of the year, they will share their stories with the group.

“They’ve learned that the hook in the first paragraph is one of the most important parts of the story and have seen catchy examples of well-known writers. They’re learning how to brainstorm, draft, revise, edit and write again,” she said.

Anderson said that although the program is not tied into the students’ core curriculum, it still will benefit their writing skills.

“Anytime you write, it helps you become a better writer. Learning the writing process will open doors. Learning to write will help them with the vehicle of success in school, which can lead them to better jobs that can change lives,” she said.

Yash’s twin sister, Mahika, said that through “Writers’ Wanted,” she has seen a change in her writing.

“My story has become better and my writing has improved,” she said. “I know now where to put the rising action and conflict. Before, I had it in the wrong place.”

Mahika and Yash both attend “Pages and Popcorn,” the book discussion group that Anderson runs.

Each month, students will read a book of a different genre that Anderson choses, such as “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” for mystery and “Red Queen” for fantasy.

“There’s definitely some books I wouldn’t pick to read, but I’m learning about them. This month, we’re reading, ‘The Boy at the Top of the Mountain,’ and I’m not into historical fiction, but this is so interesting,” Mahika said.

Yash, who read “Miss Peregrine,” said he was unaware of the book until “Pages and Popcorn.”

“Mrs. Anderson picks out pretty good books and then makes good discussion questions, such as to look at something from a different perspective or what else could have happened,” he said.

All the while discussing the book, students munch on popcorn during their lunch period.

“We operate the book club like an adult book club, examining questions and looking at the book in different ways. These kids are smart, so it’s a real book club environment. It’s good for them just to relax and read for fun. It’s a nice break from reading for school, plus studies show readers make better thinkers,” Anderson said.

After the holidays, they will read a selection in graphic novels, romance, science fiction, realistic fiction and non-fiction.

“Research shows the more familiar kids are with genres, the more they will check out books in that area,” she said.

With the overdue library fines students pay, Anderson puts the funds toward the club. She purchases books and prizes for raffles.

There’s also a book discussion group for staff and faculty, reading the same books a month before the students.

Anderson also has the “Information Spies” program where students learn how the library is organized by finding a book for a small prize, such as a mechanical pencil. Students also play bingo for books and prizes during another lunch period.

Anderson said the programs are designed to help students learn and enjoy the library.

“I go to the library at lunch because it’s fun and there’s great activities to do. It’s quieter than the cafeteria and I’ve learned so much,” Yash said. 

George Vo-Duc stands next to Midvale City Manager Kane Loader at the Midvale City Council meeting on Nov. 1.

Vo-Duc was ratified by the city council to the Midvale City Justice Court. (Travis Barton/City Journals)

M

idvale City Council voted to ratify the appointment of George Vo-Duc in the Midvale City Justice Court. The appointment must be certified by the Utah Judicial Council before being finalized.

Vo-Duc, a prosecutor in the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s office, will replace Judge Ronald Wolthuis who is set to retire effective Jan. 1 2017.

“We were very impressed with [Vo-Duc’s] credentials and how he presented himself,” said Kane Loader, city manager.

Four nominees were selected from 50 applicants by the Salt Lake County Nominating Commission for the upcoming vacancy. Each nominee was interviewed by a committee assembled by Mayor JoAnn Seghini made up of Loader, assistant city manager Phillip Hill, assistant city manager Laurie Harvey and human resources director Rori Andreason.

Loader said while it was a difficult selection with four qualified candidates, it was a unanimous decision amongst the committee to choose Vo-Duc. “We feel very confident that we have chosen the right candidate and the right person to fulfill this position for Midvale City,” Loader said during the city council meeting.

Before the ratification, Vo-Duc had the opportunity to address the city council and answer any questions.

“I know in the end, your trust in me and your faith in me will be rewarded and the court in Midvale will have a good name because of my work,” Vo-Duc told the city council.

Seghini said she wanted someone who desired to be a part of the Midvale community and Vo-Duc, a Bountiful resident, asked her during the interview if he could come to the neighborhood picnics held in the summer.

“The professionalism of a judge on the bench is sacred, but I was looking for someone who wanted to meet people not in trouble as well as people who were troubled and I got that message from [Vo-Duc] loud and clear,” Seghini said.

“The lodestone by which I measure my conduct is the constitution and I think people will see that,” Vo-Duc said.

As a practicing lawyer, Councilman Quinn Sperry said it is important for the judge to have the proper disposition.

“It’s the temperament of the judge, in addition to the legal mind that makes a big difference for me,” Sperry said. After asking around the legal community, he said he heard reassuring comments about Vo-Duc. “Temperament is extremely important.

When you show anger or arrogance, what you do is you lose everybody, most importantly the person in front of you whose case you have,” Vo-Duc said. He added he wants people who see him in the courtroom to be proud of what they see.

“Not a judge who yells at people and throws the book and acts like he’s just seen Judge Judy and decided to copy her,” Vo-Duc said.

Vo-Duc has been a prosecutor for almost 15 years and he said becoming a judge was the natural evolution for him.

“Over 15 years I’ve developed a good sense of myself, from early on I had a philosophy I wanted to adhere to and a reputation I wanted to develop not by tooting my own horn but by doing my job,” Vo-Duc said.

Vo-Duc said it takes many years to become secure in your judgment, which brings about experience “that you can’t just buy.”

“I think I’ve acquired perspective of the defendants I deal with, the crimes I deal with and how it impacts the community,” Vo-Duc said.

With that experience, Vo-Duc said he’s looked at judges he admires and wished to emulate along with ways to improve the position.

He said being a judge carries weight and it’s not something everybody can do.

“It’s a natural evolution [for me], I think that now I have the tools, the attributes, the experience and the perspective to provide my talents and services in the service of something greater,” Vo-Duc said. 

GOVERNMENT

M IDVALE JOURNAL .COM

DECEMBER 2016 | PAGE 7

A human touch: student of leadership becomes Midvale police chief

By Travis Barton | travis@mycityjournals.com

M

idvale City appointed Jason Mazuran as its new police chief in September to replace the retiring Tony Mason. As part of a family legacy, Mazuran’s great uncle was also the Midvale police chief in the 1950’s.

“Midvale is a great place to be and great place to work,” Mazuran said.

Mazuran arrived in Midvale City with a wealth of law enforcement experience. The Skyline High School graduate has worked a variety of positions since beginning his field training in the Kearns/Magna area.

Mazuran’s positions have included patrol, detective, motor group, internal affairs, watch commander, narcotics investigations, special operations, major investigations, sergeant, lieutenant and executive lieutenant commander of Unified Police Department. During the 2002 Winter Olympics, he worked as a SWAT team member. And, he knows the Salt Lake valley well, having worked in six cities.

Angie Mazuran, Jason’s wife of 20 years, said he’s done a lot in his career experiencing all levels of law enforcement. “[That experience] makes him very effective in leading others because he’s been there and done it,” Angie said.

“He’s very dedicated to whatever he’s been assigned to.”

While learning and enjoying each of his stops, the most formative may have been while working as a SWAT team leader where he learned the importance of leadership by example.

“It was like being in a leadership laboratory…people on SWAT are amazing people, but they don’t have to follow you if they don’t want to,” Jason said. The experience proved to be continuous fuel on an already burning fire Jason holds for leadership.

Considered all the more important in his new position leading a precinct.

True leadership is service, Jason said, and people who inspire and influence do so through “the power of their person.”

“You have to genuinely care about the people you work for. Leaders work for people, not the other way around,” Jason said. He likened the precinct to an upside-down pyramid where the most important people at the top are the officers on the street.

“If they’re not out there, the mission

Recently appointed Midvale Police Chief, Jason Mazuran. Mazuran replaces retiring police chief Tony Mason. (Unified Police)

doesn’t get done,” Jason said. “My whole job, in my opinion, is to facilitate, support and do everything I can to make sure the officer on the street has all the tools to get the job done.”

Lori Shaw, office coordinator of the Midvale precinct, interacts with Jason on a daily basis. She said he’s a great motivator which makes people want to come work for him, noting the large swaths of people who have told her how lucky Midvale is to have him.

An avid reader of history with more than 1,000 books in his personal library, Jason draws on multiple sources to learn about leadership, including books on George Custer,’s failure, Nathaniel Fick, Dick Winters and Marcus Luttrell to name a few.

Jason keeps a copy of a quote by Fick, a former US Marine Corps Officer, in his office wherever he goes. It’s about moral and legal authority, an essential concept to leading, Jason said.

“Legal authority is something bestowed upon you, that’s a rank someone’s given that to you,” Jason explained.

“Moral authority is completely different, it’s what you earn when you develop the trust of your people and you’re a servant leader and you care deeply about them and their families.”

Remembering the quote by John F. Kennedy that leadership and learning are indispensable, Jason said it’s an ongoing process to be in learning mode.

“Leadership is a really complex thing, it’s an art form, you never stop developing or learning and I still work on it every day,” Jason said.

Angie said she’s witnessed his growth as a leader.

“He’s very thoughtful about his

approach to leadership,” Angie said.

“He’s grown a lot over the years in terms of his teaching ability and his ability to work with others and work through problems and strategy for what’s best for the office, the people and the public.”

Shaw said Jason is respected by his peers because of his willingness to learn.

“He’s a great listener, he takes input from everybody,” Shaw said.

That human element is important to Jason. It’s evident in his main focuses for Midvale, starting with community policing—a concept he absorbed while on patrol in Millcreek and Holladay.

“When that team approach happens, there’s true interface between police and community, how effective it can be to solving problems and improving quality of life,” Jason said. This means that the precinct is providing good customer service and refining its humanistic policing.

“We’ve got to be cognizant all the time that we’re dealing with human beings and we have to have that human touch,” Jason said. “It’s really satisfying in policing when someone comes up to and says, ‘hey you saved my life or you changed my life,’ where you realize how profound an impact you had.”

With a national dialogue about police de-escalation tactics coming to the forefront over the past year, the ability to maintain humanistic policing has become critical.

Recently, a Midvale police officer dealt with a suspect who admitted to attempting to get an officer to shoot him.

“You’re dealing with real people in wildly dynamic moments, if you think every situation is going to go smoothly, it ain’t,” Jason said. He added that if you measure the amount of contacts police officers experience with the public every year, “the percentage of those contacts that actually end up tragically is so minute.”

While Jason admits police make mistakes, he said it’s important to remember the amount of people and factors that go into the job.

“If there’s a job in this planet that’s impossible to do perfectly every day it’s law enforcement,” Jason said.

As for his time Midvale, Jason said he really enjoys the people and the city.

“There’s a lot of soul in Midvale and you can feel that when you’re out in the  community,” he said.

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EDUCATION

PAGE 8 | DECEMBER 2016

MIDVALE CITY JOURNAL

Midvale Middle School, Hillcrest High instrumental students to perform winter concerts

By Julie Stama | julie@mycityjournals.com

S

ixth grader Maria Manousakis, who is learning how to play tenor saxophone in Midvale Middle School’s beginning woodwind class, is both excited and a little uncertain for her first concert at Hillcrest High School.

“I’m excited to see what music we’ll play,” she said. “I think the best part though will be when it’s done. I will have played and I won’t be nervous.”

Maria and her fellow Midvale Middle musicians will perform in joint winter concerts with Hillcrest musicians on Wednesday, Dec. 14 for orchestras and on Thursday, Dec. 15 for bands. Both concerts will begin at 7 p.m. at Hillcrest High, 7350 South 900 East in Midvale.

This also will be Maria’s first visit to Hillcrest High, which may be an option for her high school career.

“I know the stage will be a lot bigger. The whole school is bigger with more rooms for specialized classes, but it will be a great opportunity to play there,” she said.

Those are some of the reasons why Midvale Middle School Instrumental Director Lena Wood and Hillcrest High School’s Band Director Kristi Pehrson and Orchestra Director RaNae Dalgleish set up joint concert programs.

“This is an opportunity for middle school students to go into Hillcrest’s building and see what it might be like to go to that school,” Wood said. “They will get to meet new people and fellow musicians. Our students also will get to hear the high school students perform so they will learn their expectations.”

Wood said it will give Hillcrest’s music council officers a chance to showcase their leadership.

“Their officers will meet our students and help them set up and it gives our students a chance to ask them questions about playing or the program at Hillcrest,” Wood said.

Hillcrest senior and music council member Charlie Case, who plays bass clarinet in symphonic band and trombone in jazz band, said it will be a great experience for Midvale Middle students to perform at the high school.

“They will learn what to expect from a high school band class, get to know the band room, and what they need to work on to prepare for the Hillcrest Symphonic Band,” Charlie said.

“The diversity of playing abilities, instruments and age groups will only add to the overall learning experience. We have high-caliber players in our band and I believe that these young musicians will want to be able to achieve this in the future. They will truly be able to see how far they can come in a couple of years. We’re excited that Midvale will be able to perform with us and we’re going to have a great time.”

The concert has been done twice in the past, but this year, Wood believes her students will be better prepared and the date will better timing.

“We’ve done it in January, but it’s post holiday music and we haven’t yet prepared for our region festivals so it was hard to play appropriate music. We tried last year in October, but some of our beginning players only knew three notes. This year, by December, our beginning players will be able to play more with about eight notes,” she said.

She also said it gives her more advanced students a chance to learn to play with each other as some are returning students

Midvale Middle school’s concert orchestra, under the direction of Lena Wood, prepares for the winter concert that will be held at Hillcrest High School.

(Julie Slama/City Journals)

“We practice in our classroom how to have proper concert etiquette and how to listen to each other during playing tests so they will be graded on their behavior and poise both on stage and in the audience at this concert.” and others come from several elementary schools that feed into Midvale Middle.

She said she expects each of her groups to perform two songs that will push them musically whether it’s more complicated rhythms, performing with dynamics or listening to each other for balance.

Midvale Middle’s beginning orchestra has about 35 members while its concert orchestra has 38 players, some who have played up to nine years. The school’s beginning band is comprised of 61 members and the symphonic band has 31 players, most who have played between one and three years.

Hillcrest High has a 32-member auditioned chamber orchestra with musicians having five to 10 years of experience and the non-auditioned 40-member string orchestra with members having studied one to five years of music.

Hillcrest has several different band programs including the 17-member auditioned jazz band, who have three to eight years of music experience; the 35-member auditioned symphonic band, who have three to eight years of music experience; the 45-member non-audition concert band consisting mostly of musicians with one to four years of experience; and the 20-member audition percussion ensemble.

Maria, who picked to play tenor saxophone because she wants to eventually play in a jazz band, was looking forward to

hearing Hillcrest play.

“I think they’ll play different music with more emotion,” she said.

Wood plans to have her students not only listen to the other groups perform, but to themselves as well.

“I will record the concert and have them listen to themselves and reflect on it. We practice in our classroom how to have proper concert etiquette and how to listen to each other during playing tests so they will be graded on their behavior and poise both on stage and in the audience at this concert,” she said. 

ORCHESTRAS Wednesday, December 14 BANDS Thursday, December 15 Both concerts begin at 7 p.m. at Hillcrest High 7350 South 900 East in Midvale

CITY of MIDVALE

In The Middle of Everything City Hall – 7505 South Holden Street • Midvale, UT 84047 MIDVALE CITY DIRECTORY City Hall Finance/Utilities Court City Attorney’s Office City Recorder/H.R. Community Development Public Works Ace Disposal/Recycling City Museum Senior Citizens Center SL County Animal Services Midvale Precinct UPD Police Dispatch Unified Fire Authority Fire Dispatch

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MIDVALE CITY ELECTED OFFICIALS MAYOR JoAnn B. Seghini Email: joanns@midvale.com CITY COUNCIL District 1 - Quinn Sperry Email: qsperry@midvale.com District 2 - Paul Glover Email: pglover@midvale.com District 3 - Paul Hunt Email: phunt@midvale.com District 4 - Wayne Sharp Email: wsharp@midvale.com District 5 - Stephen Brown Email: sbrown@midvale.com

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WHO TO CALL FOR… Water Bills Ordering A New Trash Can Reserving the Bowery Permits GRAMA requests Court Paying For Traffic School Business Licensing Property Questions Cemetery Water Line Breaks Planning and Zoning Building Inspections Code Enforcement Graffiti North of 7200 S Code Enforcement/Graffiti South of 7200 S

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EMERGENCY OR DISASTER CONTACT Public Works (7 am to 5 pm) (801)567-7235 Public Works On-Call (after business hours) (801)580-7274 OR (801)580-7034 Fire Dispatch – Unified Fire Authority (801)840-4000 Midvale Police Precinct (385) 468-9350 or Police Dispatch Unified Police Department (801)743-7000 EMERGENCY 911

DECEMBER 2016 CITY NEWSLETTER

As I See It

By Mayor JoAnn B. Seghini When I celebrated my 50th birthday I resolved to do something. I decided that if I thought something positive about a person I needed to say something. If you have a positive impression, say something to that person or people. This has been a wonderful journey for me to tell people that they are special whether or not they are people that you know. Now think back to the last week. Did you ever see someone that was dressed well, did you see someone help someone else by holding open a door, did someone help another with their children, and did you see a kindness somewhere? If you think something, say something.

Smile at people you don’t know. Thank others who take time to hold open a door. In a supermarket let a mother with a noisy child know that you remember when and let her know that you too had a bad day when your children were small. A compliment is an inexpensive gift but it is a gift and keeps giving because others may feel free to thank people and to recognize the good in others.

My granddaughter asked me why I speak to so many people. My response was to let them know that they are important and real. We are isolated by our technology. We text, we read emails and search the internet to find our answers and never really deal with real people. A smile, a hello, and the observation that someone looks nice, or that you appreciate a courtesy becomes more important than a text or a selfie.

Try this at home. Look for positive moments with family members.

Take time to really see each other and to have a conversation. As parents we know that a bedtime story builds a special relationship between parents and their children. It is real presence that makes a difference.

A text would not be a good substitute. Research shows that families who eat a meal together develop strong bonds and good communication skills. Children do much better in school and communication is better with children and their parents. If you can, leave your cell phones off during your meal. Take time to listen to each other and to share information about yourselves and others. Make your meal together a time to shape a better world through shared experiences and through shared observations. The gift of attention, of being listened to, is a rare gift. Please give this gift generously.

During this holiday season take time to see something and say something. Make sure that your observations are positive. Heaven knows

there is more than enough that is negative in the world. Make your observations be a positive way to make someone’s day special, if only for a moment.

The Holiday Season is also a time during which we can take time to serve others who are less fortunate. Midvale has a Homeless Shelter on 7300 South. This is a shelter for families with children. These families have few resources and they look for housing and employment. As winter nears they often need warm clothing. The shelter can use kits for parents that include shampoo, deodorant, combs, brushes, shaving cream and razors as well and lotions and skin care products. With the cold weather coming there is always a need for coats, sweaters, gloves, boots, and underclothes for children, adult men and women. There is also a need for diapers.

Many of you have been involved in preparing and providing dinners for the families in the shelter. Call the Midvale Homeless Shelter for information on how to schedule such an event. 801-569-1201, or visit www.theroadhome.org The Midvale Shelter houses men with children, women with children, and families with children. There are no single men or women in this shelter. These families can always use your help.

Happy Holidays to all of you and remember, if you think something positive, say something.

Midvale City Offices - Holiday Closures December 23rd December 26th January 2nd January 16th

Holiday Travel Tips – Staying Safe & Smart Everyone knows that the holidays are the busiest time to travel–and they can also be one the most dangerous. We want you and your family to arrive safe and sound to enjoy all of those fun family memories.

Here are some tips to help your family travel safely this holiday season: • Check your car seats. Experts estimate that nearly 75% of car seats are not used or installed correctly. When in doubt, get your seat checked by a certified technician. Call the Midvale Police Precinct at 385-468-9350 to make an appointment.

• Practice airplane safety. Bringing your child’s restraint may

be a hassle, but safety is important no matter how you travel.

Check the seat’s label to see if it’s “certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.”

• Use a booster. If your child has outgrown their forward harness, they still aren’t ready for a seat belt. They will be safest traveling in a booster seat that helps the seat belt fit properly.

• Beware of projectiles. You never know what road conditions may be like. Exercise extreme caution and put large items or hot foods in the trunk to reduce the possibility of projectiles.

• Buckle up every ride, every time. Traveling or not, everyone in the family needs to buckle up!

In The Middle of Everything Midvale Unified Police Officers of the Month

On November 15, 2016 at City Council Meeting the Unified Police Officers of the Month were honored and congratulated by the Midvale City Council.

Congratulations and thank you for your exceptional service to our community.

Left to right: Officer Kent Lundberg, Chief Mazuran and Detective Jeff Nelson.

WWW . MIDVALECITY . ORG Christmas Tree Recycling

During the first two weeks of January, Midvale City Public Works will be picking up your used Christmas trees for recycling. After Christmas, please place your used Christmas trees on the park strip by the curb and gutter so that Public Works crews can pick them up. Collection of the trees will begin on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 and continue through Friday, January 13, 2017. Absolutely no late pick-ups available. Please be sure to remove all decorations, icicles, lights, hooks, tree stands, etc. We will not pick-up any flocked/decorated trees or plastic wrapped trees. Trees over 8 feet tall should be cut in half to facilitate handling by our crews. Christmas tree recycling questions can be answered by calling Midvale City Public Works at (801) 567-7235.

Healthy Household Habits for Clean Water - Home Repair and Improvement • Before beginning an outdoor project, locate the nearest storm drains and protect them from debris and other materials.

• Sweep up and properly dispose of construction debris such as concrete and mortar.

• Use hazardous substances like paints, solvents, and cleaners in the smallest amounts possible, and follow the directions on the label. Clean up spills immediately, and dispose of the waste safely. Store substances properly to avoid leaks and spills.

• Purchase and use nontoxic, biodegradable, recycled, and recyclable products whenever possible.

WINTER STREET PARKING As we finally head into winter, just a quick reminder of parking regulations in Midvale City. These regulations are in place to ensure public safety and attractive neighborhoods.

November 1st to March 1st, no on-street parking for longer than 30 minutes between 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.

• No parking within 15 feet of a mailbox between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

• No parking within 30 feet of a stop sign at any time.

• Parking at a residence is limited to a driveway, carport, garage, or in an improved parking area in the side or rear yard. No parking is allowed in any other portion of the front or side yard or on any landscaped area.

Midvale residents are required to avoid parking on the street during winter months, and especially overnight, so that snow plow crews can safely clear the streets during storms. Midvale Municipal Code makes it unlawful to park on any City street during the months of November through February except for temporary loading and unloading of passengers and property. Please help us out by not parking on the streets as it will allow unobstructed access for our snow plow drivers.

• Clean paint brushes in a sink, not outdoors. Filter and reuse paint thinner when using oil-based paints. Properly dispose of excess paints through a household hazardous waste collection program, or donate unused paint to local organizations.

• Reduce the amount of paved area and increase the amount of vegetated area in your yard. Use native plants in your landscaping to reduce the need for watering during dry periods. Consider directing downspouts away from paved surfaces onto lawns and other measures to increase infiltration and reduce polluted runoff. * Remember storm drains connect to waterbodies!

DECEMBER 2016 CITY NEWSLETTER

WWW . FACEBOOK . COM / MIDVALECITY

Utah League of Cities and Towns Youth Essay Contest The Utah League of Cities and Towns is reaching out to schools to promote the ULCT’s annual Essay Contest for 4th and 7th graders.

Through the essay contest, the Utah League of Cities and Towns encourages the youth of our state to become more aware of their communities. The annual essay contest, “Why I Like My Community,” is open to students in fourth and seventh grades. Many teachers have commented that the contest enhances the social studies curriculum for these two grades by giving students an opportunity and some encouragement to look at their communities in new ways. Others have used the contest as a concrete way to use and improve their writing process skills.

Cash prizes will be awarded to students and their schools. First place winners will receive $100 and the school will receive $1000; second place, $75 and $750; and third place, $50 and $500.

We encourage you to participate in the 2017 ULCT Essay contest.

Employee Spotlight Tess

Paralegal/Executive Assistant Tess started as the Paralegal and Executive Assistant for the City Attorney a year ago. Tess’ duties include preparing and filing documents for court, being a Terminal Access Coordinator (TAC) for the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI), preparing the discovery for defense counsel, and assisting the Legal Team with all of their needs. Before working for Midvale City, Tess worked as a Clerk for the Taylorsville Court.

Tess likes to spend her free time taking care of her dogs. She also enjoys reading, listening to music, hiking, taking long drives and hanging out with friends and family.

When asked the following questions, Tess’ responses were…

What was your favorite TV show growing up?

Roseanne.

If you won a million dollars, what’s the first thing you would buy?

For more information, entry forms, and guidelines, please go to: www.ulct.org/ulct-youth-essay-contest

An animal rescue.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

News from the Finance Department Midvale City issued $4.49 million in Water, Sewer, and Storm Water Refunding Bonds on November 3, 2016. We issued these bonds to “refinance” outstanding Series 2007B Bonds, issued in 2007, which carried a higher interest rate. The interest rate on the 2007B bonds was 4.02%. The interest rate on the new bonds issued is 2.34%. The net present value savings for the Utility funds is $537,700. The resulting decrease in annual debt service payments is about $40,000 per year. The bonds mature in 2032.

In other bond news, on November 10, 2016, Fitch Ratings upgraded Midvale City’s Issuer Default Rate from AA- to AA. The key rating drivers were the City’s strong gap-closing capacity and solid reserves, resulting from a high level of revenue control, solid expenditure flexibility, and moderate long-term liability burden, supported by strong financial management practices and significant commercial sector with solid growth prospects. The definition of an “AA” rating is “very high credit quality”.

The Fitch Ratings upgrade will benefit the City as we look towards issuing sales tax bonds early in 2018 for road, sidewalk, and curb/gutter improvements.

Seattle.

Cats or Dogs?

Dogs.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?

The 60’s.

Muppet Show or Sesame Street?

Neither.

Do you believe in any Urban Legends?

Nope.

Where is the furthest from home you’ve ever been?

Mexico.

What is your favorite holiday and how do you celebrate it?

My Birthday, I like to spend it with family and friends.

At what age do you become an adult?

Never.

In The Middle of Everything Arts Council AUDITION NOTICE

WWW . MIDVALECITY . ORG Nominee Named To Fill Midvale City Justice Court Vacancy

Midvale, UT— The Salt Lake County Nominating Commission has announced the appointment of George Vo-Duc to fill the Midvale City Justice Court vacancy. The position will replace Judge Ronald Wolthuis who will retire effective Jan. 1, 2017.

George F. Vo-Duc is a veteran of the United States Navy and a graduate of the University of Utah, where he received a Bachelor’s of Philosophy in 1996 and a Juris Doctorate in 2001. Since 2002, he has been a Deputy District Attorney for Salt Lake County, where he has prosecuted narcotics, gang, special victim, and violent felony cases.

Vo-Duc’s appointment to the bench is subject to completion of the court’s new judge orientation and certification by the Utah Judicial Council.

Trans-Jordan Landfill Tours Just when you thought winter was getting boring, the Midvale Arts Council has solved ALL of your winter blues with this hilarious comedy: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged. We are looking for leading adults to bring hilarity to the stage that we have never seen before! Auditions will be held at the Midvale Performing Arts Center 695 W Center Street (7720 South), Midvale, UT on January 3, 2017 from 7 to 9pm; no appointment necessary. Callbacks to be held at the same location on January 4 starting at 7pm by invitation only. All roles are open and actors are volunteer.

Come to Auditions prepared with a comedic monologue, a Shakespearean monologue or a Comedic Shakespeare monologue (no longer than 2 minutes) and your conflicts between January 14 through March 11, 2017. A headshot and theater resume are awfully helpful, but not required.

Directed by Candice Jorgensen and Produced by Melody Chapman. “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged” runs March 3-4, 6, 10, & 11, 2017 at the Midvale Performing Arts Center.

Cast read through and first rehearsal to be held Saturday on January 14. Visit www.midvalearts.com for the audition packet. Email productions@midvalearts.com with questions.

Fall leaves can be a little pesky to deal with—shredding them will help them decompose quicker! For more recycling information visit www.slco.org/recycle or email us at recycle@slco.org

Trans-Jordan Landfill provides education regarding the critical role that landfills play in support of proper environmental stewardship in our communities. To educate our community, we provide free tours.

Tours are given to civic groups (i.e. Boy and Girl Scouts), businesses, schools, clubs, etc.

Trans-Jordan Landfill Tour Policy Tours are given by appointment only. We prefer that all appointments are arranged via email. Our email address is:education@transjordan.org • Tours groups must have a minimum of six (6) people. o For groups who do not have six people, we have established a collective tour on the third Thursday of each month at 4:30pm.

An appointment is still required.

• Due to safety concerns, the minimum age of tour participants must be seven (7) years old or attending the second grade.

• Tours are available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only.

• Tour start time must be no later than 4:30 pm. * • A tour lasts about one hour.

• Please contact us at least one month in advance to assure your preferred tour date is available. *If you arrive late your tour may be cancelled.

Send your tour schedule requests to education@transjordan.org Please include the following information in your email: • Number of people in your group • Age of attendees • Preferred tour date & time.

Tour Alternative Salt Lake County groups can request a free education package by contacting education@transjordan.org We will send you a PowerPoint presentation and materials related to landfill operations.

M IDVALE JOURNAL .COM

EDUCATION

DECEMBER 2016 | PAGE 13

Hillcrest Model United Nations students find solutions to today’s problems

By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com

S

enior Sara Diggins wants to become an international journalist and has an interest in foreign affairs so when looking for a club to join her sophomore year, Hillcrest High School’s Model United Nations club made sense.

“I’ve learned about countries, how the UN works and what a diplomat does,” said the vice president of the Hillcrest club.

“Through Model UN conferences, I have been able to practice diplomacy.”

Recently, Sara and her committee partner senior Emily Johnston, and about 32 other Model UN students, including 10 Spanish III students who participated entirely in Spanish, represented Hillcrest at the Model UN conference held at Brigham Young University. There, six two-member teams were presented certificates for outstanding preparation papers.

Sara said the preparation papers are written before attending a conference after the two-member committees research the two topics assigned and write positions on those issues. Sara said she usually looks at the UN website for the country and then UNICEF or the Security Council’s sites and see their opinions.

“We need to fill in the gaps as those sites are designed for people from the country. We need to be able to understand their stand so we can write what we believe the country would want to do in the situation,” Sara said.

Then, she and others turn their preparation papers into the club president, senior Alvin Tsang. Alvin, Sara said, maintains the club’s leadership from running meetings and their website to helping coordinate participation at the four Model UN conferences.

At the conferences, the two-member committees first attend a general assembly, then break out into different areas: security council, commission of women, UNICEF, environmental plan, peacekeeping and others. Each has issues for students to address such as combating climate change, biodiversity, privacy on the internet, combating human trafficking, stopping poaching and closing the gender gap in STEM — science, technology, engineering and math.

Each Model UN conference is different, so students will be assigned to different countries and the issues they research and write preparation papers on may change, said Hillcrest Model UN adviser Scott Stucki.

Stucki said that students’ research on the countries and their issues pays off.

“They’re looking at real-world issues and representing countries’ viewpoints on those issues,” he said. “Some committees have emailed representatives of the countries asking questions and we’ve had some great responses. Sometimes our kids come up with better solutions than those people who are actually looking at the issues.”

Sara said that committees get together to solve these world problems on issues — and trying to do so within the time limits they set.

“Once we get a resolution, we write a resolution paper and try to market it so it will get passed,” she said.

By doing so, she works with powerful countries that she can count on their support. But at the same time as writing the paper, she is trying to successfully lobby to pass the resolution.

“One of the hardest parts is that you have to get the

Hillcrest High Model United Nations students are all smiles after receiving certificates for outstanding preparation papers at the first Model UN conference of the school year. (Sara Diggins/Hillcrest High School)

“These kids are having fun and are intrigued by solving world problems. For some kids, they shoot for the NFL or want to debate, but many of these students are writing plausible solutions and are doing great stuff.”

resolution paper done so you’re in a time crunch and you’re stressed because you want the paper to be good. At the same time, other countries are coming up asking what you’re working on, so you pause to tell them because you need their support, so it’s a balance act,” she said.

Another difficulty for students can be acting on opinions and viewpoints other than their own.

“Sometimes we disagree with the views or positions we’re representing because it is those of the country we’re representing and not our own. For example, North Korea believes in violence more than diplomacy, so we can’t act on our own conscience, but what they’d do and refute many of the issues,” she said.

Stucki said that being part of the delegation is a highlight for these students.

“These kids are having fun and are intrigued by solving world problems. For some kids, they shoot for the NFL or want to debate, but many of these students are writing plausible solutions and are doing great stuff,” he said.

Judges, who often are college students, look at students throughout the conference to see how well they are working, but

often Stucki said they miss them in their caucuses.

“They’re working and trying to get support for their position, but that’s hard to see. It’s really not about the end result, but about the process from writing the resolution to building a consensus,” he said.

He said students are learning about countries and gaining lifelong skills.

“They’re getting outside their own lives and into the real world. Teens tend to be so egocentric, so it’s forcing them to look at perspectives from others in different situations throughout the world. As a result, they’re going to be better researchers, writers of persuasive papers, speakers and are able to work as a team under pressure. They’re going to become more well rounded, which will help them in college,” he said.

Sara said that already she has used her skills in writing resolution papers in her history class at Hillcrest.

“We’ve learned to be organized and prepare our ideas concisely and professionally. I’ve become more knowledgeable and have learned diplomacy. At the same time, I have fun and enjoy doing this with my friends,” she said. 

ON THE COVER

PAGE 14 | DECEMBER 2016

MIDVALE CITY JOURNAL

Former Hillcrest football star makes collegiate waves on, off field

By Travis Barton | travis@mycityjournals.com

A

ndy Harris, a former Hillcrest football player, was named to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic AllDistrict Football team for the second straight year. Harris is a senior defensive back at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore. Harris was also named to the all-Northwest Conference second team for his efforts on the field.

The academic award is given to the nation’s top student athletes for their combined performances both athletically and academically. It’s chosen by sports information directors across the nation.

“It’s always exciting to be recognized for doing anything well, no matter if it’s the first, second however many times you get it,” Harris said.

A three-time Northwest Conference Scholar-Athlete and four-time member of the Pacific University Dean’s List, Harris holds a 3.89 grade point average as an accounting/finance major. He also co-authored a research paper with one of his professors that was published in “The Review of Business Journal.”

“For all the effort he puts in both academically and athletically, it’s just a thrill for us [as parents] to see him recognized for that hard work,” said Mike Harris, Andy’s father.

Andy has played football since he was 11 and Mike said they tried to instill in their son the relationship between the two fields.

“Good grades will get you the opportunity to play football,” Mike said.

Living the life of a student-athlete

can be time consuming. With mandatory practices and team meetings, Andy said balancing his life both inside the classroom and on the field requires time management.

“It’s mostly about making sacrifices, maybe not doing the fun stuff that you want to do…it’s just sacrificing some of those activities to make sure school work gets done,” Harris said.

Coming to college and being on your own naturally presents varying choices.

It’s important for incoming student athletes, Harris said, to remember the priorities that got you there — academics and athletics.

“You can go a bunch of different routes [in college] but you need to maintain the things that are most important,” Harris said. He added that social distractions can be the common noise to divert attention away from those priorities.

While Harris has always been a good student GPA-wise, it wasn’t until he returned from serving a two-year LDS mission to San Antonio, Texas that he developed the academic focus that he has now.

“He’s a humble kid, he leads by example and he just works hard and I think that’s the most important thing,” Mike said.

His work ethic is not limited to the classroom, through eight games in the 2016 season, Harris had 20 tackles, eight pass breakups and 10 pass deflections.

The cornerback became the first Pacific Boxer football player in over three years to have two interceptions in one game

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when he did so against nationally ranked Linfield (Ore.).

In Andy’s four years at Pacific, his parents have missed a total of four games.

“We’ve been fortunate and blessed to watch him grow and progress,” Mike said. He noted the challenge it was for Andy to transition to collegiate athletics.

“At every other level he’s always been able to step and perform well, but he really had to work hard,” Mike said.

Coming to Pacific University afforded Andy opportunities he might not otherwise enjoyed had he chosen not to pursue an athletic career at a smaller school.

Athletically Andy was able to “learn more of the fundamentals of football and gain a greater appreciation especially spending so much time with it.” While academically he said he enjoyed smaller class sizes and more one-on-one time with professors.

“It’s really been an experience that’s shaped a future for me,” Andy said. With the help of his professors and coaches, Andy said he discovered his affinity for business and financial analytics.

“I really gained a passion for it and I feel like it’s something I could enjoy doing for the rest of my life,” Andy said.

As for his future, Andy said he’s keeping his options open. Graduate and Ph.D. programs are being considered as well as different career choices in the financial industry and a professorship.

“Hopefully the competitiveness that he’s learned…he’ll carry on with it and it’ll help in whatever he chooses to do moving forward,” Mike said. 

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Andy Harris intercepts a pass against Linfield College on Oct. 8. (James Perez/Pacific University)

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SPORTS

M IDVALE JOURNAL .COM

Dogs jump, catch balls, socialize at Flyball events

By Travis Barton | travis@mycityjournals.com

DECEMBER 2016 | PAGE 15

Whatever the

emergency...

F

lyball is a dog sport and Thunder Paws, a local club based out of Murray, is aiming to take Flyball by storm.

The sport sees teams of four dogs compete in a relay race.

Dogs jump over four hurdles to a spring-loaded pad where the dog releases a tennis ball for them to catch and return over the hurdles to their handlers.

“I just love working with the dogs. You become close to the dogs, you feel their passion,” said Jenny Woods, president of Thunder Paws.

Thunder Paws holds practices every Sunday at various parks. The location generally rotates between Midvale City Park, Bluffdale Park in Riverton, Browns Meadow Park in West Jordan and at one of the member’s houses in Herriman. During winter the club utilizes space in the Intermountain Therapy Animals building in Holladay for practice. The team also goes to competitions in places like Hurricane or Las Vegas.

Dianne Roberg is the Thunder Paws vice president and has been involved with Flyball since 1998. She said they discovered it at a national guard event before the club’s founder, Lori Thomson, eventually started Thunder Paws.

“We just started it as something fun for us and our dogs,” said Geri Rich, whose participation also began in 1998.

The club was officially put together as a non-profit about five years ago with Woods becoming the president. Woods initially got involved in the sport due to a rambunctious blue heeler named Ralph. “[Ralph] was a fruit cake, a nut job and drove us crazy. He wouldn’t settle in the house and I thought, ‘this dog needs a job,’” Woods said. Members said the sport is great for canines with a high drive and boundless energy.

“It gives the dogs something to do,” Rich, who’s had four different dogs participate, said. “You get these high bred dogs where they have to have something to do or they get destructive.

To them it’s like a job and they thrive doing it.”

Woods said the sport can go against typical obedience training, but it is useful for herding breeds. “[Normally with obedience] you’re all about keeping them quiet and mellow and calm. Here we’re building up their energy, then they’re tired at the end of the day,” Woods said.

Nicky Perkins is new to Flyball with her Australian shepherd, Callie. She said Callie fell in love with the sport the first time she did it.

“Running and balls is perfect for her, it’s everything her world revolves around,” Perkins said.

A bond is forged through the sport between owner and dog.

Woods said Flyball helped her develop a stronger relationship with Ralph.

“It’s with dogs that will drive you crazy, but it unites you so you learn to really love your dog. That’s how it was with Ralph, but by getting into this I learned to love him,” Woods said.

It’s not only herding breeds or dogs with high energy who participate in the sport. One dog, Apache, is deaf and does the sport by seeing hand signals from his handler. Poodles, dachshunds and Shar-Peis have participated with the Thunder Paws. Perkins said it doesn’t matter if it’s a purebred, rescue, tiny or big dog. Any kind can do it, even breeds typically known as lap dogs.

“If I can teach my little Chihuahua to do it, any dog can. It

Callie, an Australian shepherd, runs toward her owner as Ralph, a blue heeler, finishes running through the course. Both dogs participate in Flyball with the Thunder Paws club. (Travis Barton/City Journals)

just depends on your dedication,” Woods said. Woods has four of her five dogs playing Flyball.

Woods said the experience is a really good way to bring rescue dogs out of their shells. It helps them build confidence and get used to random people. Dogs are kept in kennels when not participating to avoid disruptions.

“It’s a good way of getting dogs to socialize with each other without forcing them all to be together,” Woods said. She added that it doesn’t require dogs to be super obedient, but it does help if they have a good recall or if the dog comes when called.

Originally invented in the early 1970’s in Southern California, Flyball became official when the North American Flyball Association (NAFA) was established in 1984 with its first official rule book written in 1985. Thirty-one years later, there are more than 400 active clubs and 6,500 competing dogs.

Thunder Paws has about 15 members with about 30 dogs.

It’s that team spirit that Woods appreciates.

“I like that it’s a team event rather than just you and your dog. I like the team camaraderie with everyone,” Woods said.

Sunday afternoon practices can serve as a dog community with the animals and their owners.

“It’s fun to do with my friends and make new friends and see all the dogs,” Perkins said.

Woods said people are always welcome to come watch and they’ll even work with anybody’s dog for three free sessions. In order to maintain equipment, which includes hurdles, gates, and springboards, the club has a yearly fee of $75.

“Come out and watch, see what your dog loves to do. If they love balls or if they love to run or tug, you can come see if you like it,” Perkins said.

To learn more, go to thunderpawsflyball.com. 

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SPORTS

PAGE 16 | DECEMBER 2016

MIDVALE CITY JOURNAL

Seniors serious about pickleball at center

By Travis Barton | travis@mycityjournals.com

E

very weekday you can find a community within a community at the Midvale Senior Center: pickleball enthusiasts.

“If [the center] was open on the weekends we’d be here too,” said Mary Lou Damjanovich, a retired schoolteacher.

Monday through Friday, an average of eight to 10 people converge on the multi-purpose room of the Midvale Senior Center to play pickleball for a few hours.

“It’s an absolutely wonderful activity for anybody from—I say—six to whatever. Age does not affect your ability to win and have fun,” Damjanovich said.

Pickleball is a mixture of tennis and badminton played with wooden paddles and a perforated Whiffle ball. The sport has been a recent addition to the center’s calendar.

Damjanovich discovered the game last year in Draper when she heard people whacking a Whiffle ball during one of her Zumba classes.

After suggesting it at the Midvale Senior Center, a sign-up sheet quickly filled up and equipment was provided.

“I never thought pickleball would be as big of a hit as it is,” said Ken Donarski, center manager. “I would wager that if we had pickleball open 24/7, we’d have people playing 24/7.”

Win Hardy, who worked for Utah Power before retiring, said he came to watch one night in May and just had to pick up a paddle.

“This is the funnest game I’ve found in a long time,” Hardy said. The group’s enjoyment has even taken a few to watch or participate in tournaments in Brigham City and St. George.

Players highlighted the fun of an athletic endeavor and the social interactions as the reasons they enjoy playing so much. The sport has created a community of friends committed to playing. Players often schedule their chores or doctor’s appointments around the center’s allotted pickleball time.

“This game has really brought us together, it’s like our little family,” Damjanovich said.

Physical improvements have come not only in their abilities, Damjanovich said, but also with their health. “[Pickleball] gives you that adrenaline rush, it gives you those endorphins that you just feel great doing it,” Damjanovich said. “And you know you’re helping your body.”

Hardy, who has Parkinson’s disease, said the sport helps with his hand eye coordination and keeping his feet moving and cardio exercise is almost benefit enough for Damjanovich.

Combining pickleball and Zumba, she generally

records more than 13,000 steps a day.

Damjanovich has played an instrumental role in bringing the popular sport inside the senior center. She recruited various schoolteacher friends like Francis Pendley.

“She’s the ambassador that recruited us all and taught us,” Pendley said.

Added fellow participant Roy Anthony, “This wouldn’t be what it is without Mary.”

For a sport invented in 1965 in Washington state, the game has experienced an increased popularity over the last couple years with pickleball specific courts being constructed in Cottonwood Heights, South Salt Lake and Murray to name a few.

Hardy said he thinks an increased number of young people playing the game has led to spiked interest with pickleball being played in schools.

Hardy told the story of seeing two teenagers playing against two 65 year olds at a tournament.

“Utah’s been slow to pick up on it, but we’re gaining,” Hardy said.

The multi-purpose room doesn’t allow for a full-size court, it’s two feet too short. Members have played on a concrete space across the street from the center, where they painted lines, but proved to be too costly on the participants’ shoes.

Midvale has set aside $30,000 to build

Win Hardy and Mary Lou Damjanovich prepare to return a serve at the Midvale Senior Center on Wednesday, Oct. 26. Pickleball players at the center play for a couple hours Monday through Friday.

(Travis Barton/City Journals)

pickleball courts and are currently searching for locations to build it.

For Damjanovich, who appeared before the city council to express her desire for pickleball courts, a court next to the senior center would be in constant use.

“We are most appreciative that the city has heard us say we’d like a pickleball court,” Damjanovich said. “If they need help digging grass out of there, we’ll help. I’m serious, we want it.” 

A personal touch: Joshua Creek brings storytelling music to Midvale

By Travis Barton | travis@mycityjournals.com

J

oshua Creek is bringing its Christmas music to Midvale for the holiday season. The band will be performing at 7 p.m. on Dec. 16 and 17 at the Midvale Performing Arts Center for its eighth annual Christmas concert, but first in Midvale.

“We’re excited to expand and do that in Midvale,” said Quint Randle, bassist/backing vocalist.

Based out of Provo, Joshua Creek has performed in Midvale before, most recently during the city’s outdoor summer concert series.

And with a significant number of their fan base in Midvale, the group felt it was the perfect location.

Randle said they prefer playing in smaller venues with more nights giving their performances a more personable feeling.

“We like this intimate setting where it’s like we’re in our living room,” Randle said. Rather than one large show, they decided to hold four smaller ones—two in Midvale and two in Lehi on Dec. 22 and 23.

“An intimate setting really fits our performance style and makes it a more meaningful holiday experience for us and our audiences,” said Ron Saltmarsh in a press release. Saltmarsh is the band’s producer and lead guitarist.

While the group has performed in front of 10,000 people at Vivint Arena or other large

Joshua Creek plays at the American Fork Symphony. The band will be playing on Dec. 16 and 17 at the Midvale Performing Arts Center. (Joshua Creek Music)

venues like Abravanel Hall or The Tabernacle at Temple Square, Randle said the living room setting better matches their storytelling style.

“The nature of our songs are very storytelling [so] we like this idea of just talking with audience and playing for the ‘one’ so to speak as opposed to the mass,” Randle said.

“Maybe we’re not set out to be rock stars but storytellers, and we like that.”

The Christian-country group has been together for more than 12 years with their first album release coming in 2005. In 2008, they won the Pearl Award for “Songwriter of the year,” from the faith-centered music association.

This year saw Joshua Creek release their seventh album, “Pieces of Time,” with each song aimed at capturing different moments in time.

Randle said the group has grown musically

over the previous 12 years. This new album reflects the next step of progress with their sound and vocal harmonies, discovered while performing various house concerts over the past year.

“What that allowed us to do…it helped us become really tight vocally. The new thing about the album is the vocals are different, there’s more three-part harmonies,” Randle said adding that the album is a little more produced and less acoustic than some of their previous albums.

Those stripped down shows granted the group a better understanding of its vocal options than lead vocalist Jeff Hinton, who Randle described las a mix of John Denver and James Taylor.

While the band has had their songs played from Utah to Missouri and throughout the south,

Joshua Creek hopes their collection of singles resonates with different markets.

“There’s an ‘anthem’ for our home state of Utah, something for the LDS or Christian markets, a song for contemporary Nashville and so on,” said James Hollister, Joshua Creek’s drummer.

“When we write great songs,” Saltmarsh said. “Doors open and good things happen.”

The band decided to take a different approach to the second half of their album with five karaoke tracks and a downloadable guitar fake book with chords and lyrics.

Randle said they’ve received multiple requests from fans around the country for karaoke tracks for people to play at church or other settings. He noted that artists are experimenting with different ways for audience interaction and this was their way to do it.

“In the end, it’s all about making connections with our audience. And that can happen in a lot of different ways,” Hinton said in the press release.

That connection also exists with the band’s other songs as Saltmarsh said their songs take both them and the listeners places. The places can be literal or figurative.

After the two-night performance in Midvale, the group will then take its talents to the Lehi Arts Center for two shows on Dec. 22 and 23. Tickets are $7.95 and may be purchased at joshuacreekmusic.com. 

SPORTS

M IDVALE JOURNAL .COM

DECEMBER 2016 | PAGE 17

Olympic hopeful elevates status in climbing world

By Travis Barton | travis@mycityjournals.com

E

veryone aims to climb the ranks of their given passion.

Nathaniel Coleman is literally doing it.

As a competitive climber, Coleman is enjoying a successful 2016. Earlier this year, he won USA Climbing’s Bouldering Open National Championship and the Youth Bouldering National Championship in Madison, Wis. In October, he took second representing the United States at the inaugural International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) World University Championships in Shanghai, China.

“I feel honored really to be at a level where I’m able to win these competitions,” Coleman, 19, said. He also won the collegiate national championship in bouldering in May as a member/coach of the University of Utah climbing team.

“This year has been a picture-perfect way for him to complete his youth career,” said Jeff Pedersen, CEO and co-founder of Momentum Indoor Climbing—where Coleman began training at age nine. Pedersen was one of Coleman’s first coaches.

With the sport of climbing approved by the International Olympic Committee to be included in the 2020 Olympics games, Coleman’s success figures to see him as a prime contender to represent his country.

Coleman said he definitely has aspirations for the Olympics.

Already getting a taste of it by representing USA at international competitions around the world, Coleman said competing in China gave him a “team feeling.”

“It was cool to have that sense of team that you usually don’t get in such an individual sport,” Coleman said. “I was just excited to do well and have my team be proud of me.”

Olympic climbing will be a combination of sport climbing, bouldering and speed climbing. As a specialized boulder climber, Coleman said many world cup climbers specialize in one discipline rather than all three. Each discipline requires different types of training.

“It’s kind of up in the air whose gonna be best at that time, with four years to train I’m sure I’ll be able to get pretty decent at all three,” Coleman said.

Considering his career accomplishments, his parents, coaches and competitors expect him to continue his “incredible journey” because of his talent.

“He knows how to move his body, he knows his strength.

He can execute moves that a lot of climbers can’t because of his strength and body awareness,” said Rosane Coleman, Nathaniel’s mother and Momentum competitive team manager.

This natural talent has led to sponsorships and compensation for doing what he loves. Nathaniel has sponsorship deals with Prana clothing company, Five Ten footwear and Petzl, a climbing gear manufacturer based out of France.

Nathaniel doesn’t earn enough money to make a living,

but there remains a level to which he can make a living off of climbing. Something he realized a possibility at age 15 when he won the Youth Bouldering Nationals.

Nathaniel said the victory motivated him to train harder and get more comfortable in the competition setting. But it was when he took fifth at the adult nationals at age 18 that he took it seriously.

“At that point I knew this was definitely worth considering doing for the rest of my life,” Nathaniel said. “When I was 15 I knew it was a possibility, and at 18 I knew it was happening.”

“I see a lot of climbers get on a route,” Rosane said. “And then I see Nathaniel do it and he makes it look so easy that I think I could do that and then I go, ‘no never mind.’”

Introduced to climbing at age nine by his friend Palmer Larsen, Nathaniel started on the Momentum youth team.

Nathaniel said once he tried it out, he loved it and has been climbing ever since.

“It just fit my style of athleticism really well and my body type,” Nathaniel said. The challenge of the sport always gives him something to progress to, which plays a big role in his love for the sport.

“There’s seemingly endless rock in the world, you can always find a bouldering rock that’s harder,” Nathaniel said.

Rosane said he was a very independent and hyperactive child.

“Once he knew what he wanted, he went for it,” Rosane said.

His affinity for the sport incorporates the mental aspect as well. Nathaniel said it appeals to him that every time he climbs, he’s faced with a puzzle.

“You really do need to be able to work through these puzzles in your mind to be a good competition climber,” Nathaniel said.

He said he’s noticed many climbers he competes against attend ivy league schools.

Having taken third place in a state chess tournament in third grade, Nathaniel’s aptitude for general problem solving, he said, has developed his ability on the climbing wall.

“Climbing will help with my chess, chess will help climbing and it’ll help with my schooling so it all circulates back,” Nathaniel, a computer science major, said.

Physicality is just as essential to the sport with Nathaniel noting the importance of finger strength, bicep pulling power and core stability. He trains four days a week for anywhere from three to three and a half hours.

Training consists of lifting weights, body weight exercise, climbing different problems back-to-back, rings gymnastics, and hanging onto a ledge with weight hanging off him. He also works mobility exercises to make sure his stretching is being applied well.

Nathaniel recently aged out of the Momentum program, but attributes much of his success to his time there.

“Wouldn’t be where I am climbing without Momentum.

Even if I lived in a different state with a different climbing gym, I might not be climbing as well as I am today,” Nathaniel said.

He added that for youth considering climbing, joining a climbing gym provides needed technical knowledge.

“The more you get involved with climbing, the more obsessed with it you’ll become,” Nathaniel said.

One of Nathaniel’s coaches at Momentum, Kyle O’Meara, said their climbing program helps kids prepare for life.

Nathaniel Coleman, a Murray High School graduate, was The North Face’s 2016 Young Gun Award recognizing up-and-coming climbers. (Vincent Monsaint)

“From problem solving to long-term goal setting, climbing offers young people an opportunity to develop traits that are easily transferrable to college and the workplace,” O’Meara said.

Nathaniel’s parents have been an important part of his progress, whether it was coming to his competitions or paying for expensive climbing gear. “[They’ve] been the most supportive people in my life for sure…even when they though it was just going to be a hobby, they were sending me to Wisconsin and Atlanta for nationals so I could pursue what I loved,” Nathaniel said.

Rosane said he’s very humble so she’s constantly bragging about him with everything he’s done in his short life.

“He just has a very natural ability, it’s been an incredible journey watching him get to where he’s getting,” Rosane said.

Climbing has affected every aspect of Nathaniel’s life from the places he’s seen to his own maturation. The Murray native has competed all over the world from France and Italy to Wisconsin and Georgia.

“What I eat, how I sleep, the things I do with my free time. Other people might be playing video games, I’m usually watching climbing videos,” Nathaniel said. “When I’m at a public event I try to remain professional instead of making fart jokes with my friends.”

Rosane said the sport has helped to focus him from the hyperactive child he was growing up.

“When he gets on a climbing wall, it’s like nothing else exists,” Rosane said. “It’s made his life have more purpose, so that he’s able to set goals and reach them.”

It’s an inherent connection to it that means Nathaniel will climb until he is too old and “breaking bones when [he] falls.”

“I just feel it was what I was meant to do. I think I can achieve a lot in it. So I think it’d be a waste if I didn’t pursue this thing I was born to do,” Nathaniel said.

The University of Utah sophomore almost didn’t attend the local university. Rosane said many suggested he take a year off to just let him climb. Nathaniel chose to go to school and get a degree in computer science that not only can he fall back on, but he hopes he can do work while traveling the world.

“It would’ve been easy for him to just say, ‘I wanna climb,’ but he’s got goals and he wants a degree,” Rosane said. 

Nathaniel Coleman, 19, stands on the left side of the podium after taking silver at the IFSC World University Championships in China. (Josh Larson)

PAGE 18 | DECEMBER 2016

MIDVALE CITY 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

M IDVALE JOURNAL .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. 