Midvale Journal | JUne 2024

PROACTIVE ENFORCEMENT URGED AS MIDVALE SETS FIREWORK BOUNDARIES

By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

As firework season nears, Fire Marshal Brad Larson gets anxious, enough for his wife to notice.

“As we get closer (to July), I get nervous for the safety of my community,” he told the Midvale City Council in April adding, “my wife says I’m a wreck” on July 4 and July 24, the two primary firework days of the year.

Larson is the Unified Fire Marshal, and he was presenting an updated map for firework restrictions this year. He had a little message to preach to the public.

“The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a professional shoot, such as Harvest Days,” he said. “Have kids use glow sticks instead of sparklers.”

The updated map, unanimously approved by the City Council, aims to better define firework boundaries along clear, identifiable lines such as roadways or trails.

Previously, the city restricted fireworks along Jordan River, over Salt Lake County parks within Midvale and most of the Jordan Bluffs neighborhood. While those restrictions remain in place, the new map expands restrictions creating a further buffer around the Jordan River by running the boundaries along roadways rather than the previous iteration that

went through some backyards.

Additionally, city parks will be included in the firework restrictions including Midvale City Park, Midvale Cemetery, Adams Street Park that runs along I-15 north of Copperview Recreation Center, Fire Station 125 Park, Fire Station 126 Park, Fort Union Park and the city hall property known as Constitution Park.

Though restrictions expanded, Councilmember Dustin Gettel—who lives near the Jordan River and says fireworks are still ignited there—urged proactive enforcement.

“If we expand the area of firework restrictions, we also need to have some form of enforcement that’s not reactive,” he said, since the danger will have already happened after the fact.

Larson said they will have staff patrolling restricted areas with funding set aside for overtime patrols on July 4 and 24. The focus will be to educate and be visible to the community while getting the word out on social media.

“Fireworks do make me nervous…these restrictions are very important,” he said.

Maps will be made available starting in June for the entire valley where fireworks are allowed: July 2-5 and July 22-25 between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. except for July 4 and 24 where

they can go until midnight. According to state legislation, people violating the restrictions can be fined up to $1,000. l

Fire marshal says safest way to enjoy fireworks is at a professional show, like the upcoming Harvest Days. (Stock photo)

SHE GAVE ME MY LIFE BACK

Local clinic has a modern, medical solution to treat your Peripheral Neuropathy and is seeing incredible results.

"It started out as a normal outing. My wife and I had to run to the grocery store. We were driving down the road, casually going over our shopping list, when the car ahead of me started to slow down anticipating the yellow light. I started to move my foot from the gas to the brake as any normal person would do when they see brake lights in front of them but I couldn't. I couldn't feel my foot. The car kept moving forward and I just couldn't get my foot on the brake. And CRUNCH! I finally came to a stop when I hit the car in front of me."

This tragic story was shared with us by Bob S., a Salt Lake resident who has peripheral neuropathy. And while no one was hurt in this accident, Bob had suffered almost everyday of his life with tingling and burning in his feet until numbness set in and he could no longer feel even the brake pedal beneath his foot.

“The first stage is pain,” shares Dr. Stephanie Scott of Salt Lake Acupuncture Clinic. “You feel burning, tingling, sharp pains; or you feel like you’re walking on tacks or marbles. This pain eventually subsides and the numbness sets in. Unfortunately the numbness brings with it a whole host of problems.”

This was the case with Bob. "I said I wasn't going to drive again. What if that had been a pedestrian?"

It is terribly common that peripheral neuropathy and its debilitating symptoms interfere with a person's ability to live their life. Bob was now reliant on his wife to drive him around, even the simple pleasure of cruising down Highland Drive or taking her out to dinner was outside his capabilities. And even more common, Bob's general practitioner and several specialists told him there was nothing they could do other than prescribe him pills that would ease the pain of his neuropathy.

That's where Dr. Scott and her staff at Salt Lake Acupuncture Clinic come in. "About 75% of our current patients come to us suffering from the same condition as Bob," tells Dr. Scott.

"They're in constant pain from neuropathy, and it prevents them from not only living their lives but more importantly, it prevents them from enjoying it. Depending on the severity of their nerve damage, we typically see tremendous progress in 3-4 months of treatment. I like to say we're in the business of making your golden years golden."

"I can't lie," confides Bob. "I was skeptical at first. The folks at the U told me there was nothing that could be done and then there's a doctor right here in Sandy who tells me she can help. Turns out she was right! About three months after treatment I was able to confidently drive myself to my appointments! My wife and I celebrated by buying ourselves a new car! It's hard to put into words how incredible this is, quite frankly [Dr. Scott] gave me my life back."

While Salt Lake Acupuncture Clinic specializes in acupuncture and it's definitely part of their protocols in treating neuropathy, the real secret is in a more modern medical solution called ATP Resonance BioTherapy™. "This technology was originally developed by NASA to expedite healing and recovery" shares Ariel, a Patient Care Coordinator at the clinic. "It's like watering a plant. ATP Resonance BioTherapy™ stimulates the blood vessels to grow back around the peripheral nerve and provide them the proper nutrients to heal and repair."

You can learn more about Dr. Scott and Salt Lake Acupuncture Clinic by visiting SLCacu.com. If you're ready to schedule a consultation, call 801-477-7966 and do so quickly. Salt Lake Acupuncture Clinic is a very intimate clinic, and the staff takes pride in their ability to take their time with each patient, so they are very limited in their ability to take on new patients.

What to know about visiting the E.R.

By Dr. Alex Drake

At CommonSpirit Health, our vision is a healthier future for all – inspired by faith, driven by innovation, and powered by our humanity. This extends to all the care we provide our patients, whether it be in our doctor’s offices, our clinics, or our hospitals.

We want your visit to our care sites to be as comfortable as possible, and we know that visiting the Emergency Department (ER) is difficult for any patient and their loved ones. I would like to share some information about what to expect in the ER, so that you can be as prepared as possible.

Our emergency caregivers are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to serve our community. We accept all patients – regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. A typical visit to the ER can take two-to-three hours, but please know that in the ER we must evaluate and treat our patients based on severity of their condition. This might mean longer wait times in the lobby or even after being placed in an exam room. However, this also means that if you’re having a life-threatening emergency, you will have the undivided attention of our doctors and nurses.

If you have mild-to-moderate symptoms – such as fever below 103 degrees without a rash, flu-like symptoms without shortness of breath, or sprains and strains – you may wish to consider calling your primary care provider or visiting an urgent care center, as these options may be faster and are often less expensive. Symptoms or health issues that require immediate medical attention may include the following:

• Chest pain

• Sudden weakness or trouble talking

• Difficulty breathing

• Spinal injuries

• Severe head injury

• Major broken bones

• Major burns

• Sudden change in vision

• Heavy bleeding

• Large open wounds

You should never drive yourself to an ER if you are having severe chest pain, severe bleeding, if you feel like you might faint, or if your vision is impaired. When in doubt, please call 911 — what matters most is that you get to the emergency room quickly and safely. If you arrive by

ambulance, you will be triaged and we will determine the level of care required.

All emergency physicians at CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospitals are board certified in Emergency Medicine and have trained for many years to help you in your emergency. The doctors also have specially trained midlevel providers who can also help. Your provider may order tests like X-rays, CT Scans, Ultrasounds, bloodwork, urinalysis, an electrocardiogram (EKG), or others, depending on your health problem. After receiving test results, the doctor will discuss the findings and diagnosis with you. If needed, they will advise admission to the hospital. If your condition does not need admission, they will give you written instructions about treatment to be followed at home. This may include prescriptions, tips for home care, and any referrals needed for following up with either a primary care or specialized doctor. While we hope for the health and safety of those in our community, know that we are here if you need us. Our excellent doctors and nurses at CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospitals are ready to provide high-quality, compassionate, and timely care.

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SPONSORED CONTENT

By Dr. Alex Drake

Emergency Physician

CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital

Jordan Valley West

There are endless decisions we have to make in life—perhaps you are dealing with some right now: decisions about relationships, moving out of state and relocating, parenting, changing jobs, or even tough financial decisions. Many high school and college graduates can relate right now as to the decision of “what’s next?” It’s not just in our personal life either, but also in our working life we deal with tough calls every day— budgets, changing procedures, customer service decisions, promotions, development, and overall needs of a business.

President Theodore Roosevelt said, “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.”

So, what are some things we can consider when having to make tough decisions:

1. Take your time. Many decisions come with a deadline, but not every decision has to be immediate or a knee-jerk response. Sometimes there is growth to be had within the decision making itself—patience, grit, perseverance or even adaptability. Time may be your friend. Caution: don’t mistake procrastination for taking your time.

2. Make sure the wise person shows up not the foolish. We’ve all heard the phrase “do what makes you happy.” Well, sometimes the choice of what we want is not what we need. It’s the head choice over the heart choice perspective. Be cautious of in the moment emotional decisions. In fact, never text, post on social media or even reply to an email when you are tired, emotional or hangry. You could make matters worse, not realize the unintended consequences, or simply regret it. When we are dealing with tough weighty decisions impulsiveness is not the key, it’s being calm, cool and collected so that the wise person can show up.

Four tips to making tough decisions

By Holly Curby | hello@hollycurby.com

3. Seek wise counsel. One of the wisest things we can do is to surround ourselves with others who provide strength where we are weak. Instead of comparing ourselves with others, we can tap into learning from them in their area of expertise. We can prosper from their wise counsel. Look around you. Who has their life together in the area you want to improve? Who has proven themselves to be raw and real while level headed? Who has had to deal with a situation you are dealing with right now? As leader Ziad Abdelnour said, “Be strong enough to stand alone, smart enough to know when you need help, and brave enough to ask for it.” Seeking help and advice is not a sign of weakness or inability—it’s a sign of strength and determination to do well. It’s often a side of having a growth mindset and caring about the decision that is yours to begin with.

4. Sleep on it. Growing up my mom used to always tell me that if I had a hard decision to make, once I was leaning one way or another—sleep on it. If I woke up full of regret and panic I probably ought to rethink that decision. But if I woke up with a peace (not to say nerves won’t still be there sometimes), then I’m probably on the right track. So, before you make your next big decision in life sleep on it.

Now with decision making may often come added stress. Whether feeling anxious at the decision to be had, overwhelmed by the process of the decision itself, decision fatigue from having to make too many decisions, or even confusion as to what decision to even make, remember to take care of you in the process. Remove yourself from a situation, take a walk to get fresh air or simply catch your breath, exercise or plan a get together with friends to unwind. Whatever it is don’t let the stress of making tough decisions get the best of you.

If you’re finding decision making nearly impossible to do and it’s effecting your everyday this could be a good indicator to seek professional counseling or a medical adviser. It might even reveal the opportunity to work with a leadership or life coach so you can develop problem solving skills, figure out good coping skills for you, and improve self-awareness.

Whatever decision you are needing to make in life or leadership, may you be reminded to take the time you need in making

it, ensure that the wise person shows up and not the foolish, seek wise counsel, and give it a night to sleep on it.

For more in-depth discussion on this topic or for related episodes, check out Holly’s Highlights podcast Season 4 Episode 8 available wherever you listen to podcasts such as Spotify, Pandora, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts, as well as on www. hollycurby.com. l

The Midvale City Journal is a monthly publication distributed directly to residents via the USPS as well as locations throughout Midvale. For information about distribution please email hello@thecityjournals.com or call our offices. Rack locations are also available on our website. The views and opinions expressed in display advertisements do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions held by Loyal Perch Media or the City Journals. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the owner. © 2019 Loyal Perch Media, Inc.

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Buying a new car is one of life’s tough decisions. (Photo courtesy Jillian Meyer)

11 local farmers markets to visit this summer

By Rebecca Olds | rebecca.o@thecityjournals.com

Summer and fall bring the season of the farmers markets where vendors sell fresh produce, homemade products and more.

Several farmers markets in Utah, including those hosted by the Utah Farm Bureau on this list, are strict about each product being made or grown by local farmers to support farmers in the state— which ensures quality, fresh produce and goods for shoppers at the markets.

This list is in no way comprehensive or in any particular order, but are just some ideas on where to find some local farmers markets.

1. Sandy City farmers market

Starting June 15, Sandy City partnered with Empowered Community Markets will host a weekly farmers market every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sandy Amphitheater, 1245 E. 9400 South. With fresh food, shopping, live music, and a splash pad, Sandy’s farmers market will be on the fun to do list all summer long. The farmers market will go on until fall with the last day of the season on Oct. 19.

2. Draper City farmers market

Sunset Farmers Markets, which specializes in evening and weekday markets, runs the show for Draper City’s farmers market. This market is at Smithfields Park every Tuesday from 5 to 9 p.m. from July to September, and then 5 to 8 p.m. in October. More than 80 small local businesses will attend each week, featuring fresh flowers, produce, eggs, honey, milk, meat, baked goods, and art. Food trucks will also be there to offer even more choices for dinner and treats.

3. Suncrest farmers market in Draper

The neighborhood Suncrest Hills, located at 2016 East Village Green Circle in Draper hosts a farmers market on the second Wednesday of the summer months starting in June and ending in October from 5 to 9 p.m. In 2023, they had activities like petting zoos, live music and a s'mores station. Goodies such as fresh bread, homegrown vegetables and salsa, jewelry, soap and much more were also sold.

4. “9th West Farmers Market” in Salt Lake City

This is a market that’s been around since 2005 when The People’s Market was first started by Kyle LaMalfa. It’s hosted near the International Peace Gardens at 542 N. 900 West in Salt Lake City. From mid-June to mid-October, the market is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Sunday.

5. Downtown Salt Lake City farmers market

The farmers market in Salt Lake City runs nearly year round. The Saturday summer market runs in the summer and fall from June 1 until Oct. 21 at Pioneer Park (350 W. 300 South) from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. An art and craft market is also held during the same time, in the same place by Urban Food Connections of Utah.

6. Daybreak Farmers Market

Rain or shine, the Daybreak Farmers Market offers 60 booth spaces every week and is run by Empowered Community Markets. In the heart of the Daybreak neighborhood, the market offers local musical talent, locally-grown produce, homemade jewelry and artisanal crafts, and artwork. The market runs every Saturday

and starts on June 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and runs until Oct. 12, when hours change from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Four times during the summer youth entrepreneurs are invited to open their own store front and sell goods at the farmers market, on June 22, July 20, Aug. 17 and Sept. 28.

7. South Jordan City farmers market

Every Saturday from Aug. 3 to Oct. 15 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., South Jordan will host a farmers market at 1600 W. Towne Center Drive. Each week is focused around a different community activity, including a variety of crafts, a balloon animal artist and more.

8. Utah Farm Bureau’s South Jordan farmers market

This market is also owned and operated by the Utah Farm Bureau and features Utah farmers selling anything from produce, to salsa, fresh bread, jams and tamales. Unlike the Murray Park market, select Utah artisans who use “Utah-grown and raised agricultural products” will be permitted to sell items other than food.

The market is every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. beginning Aug. 3 and running until Oct. 12.

9. West Jordan food trucks, community market and “First Fridays”

Starting in May, food trucks come to usher in the warmer weather in West Jordan. On every second Tuesday of the month from 5 to 8 p.m. at Ron Wood Park (5900 New Bingham Hwy.) near the splash pad, a variety of food trucks come to the west side of the city.

In June through September, a commu-

nity market with vendors will accompany the city’s food truck event.

West Jordan “First Fridays” at the Viridian Events Center, 8030 S. 1825 West, are sponsored by Salt Lake County and West Jordan City, each first Friday of the month until the end of summer and will feature live, local music. Food trucks and a free craft also add to the fun. As the weather gets warmer, summer yard games will also be available to use on the lawn.

10. Utah Farm Bureau’s Murray Park farmers market

The Utah Farm Bureau owns and manages the farmers market every year at Murray Park, located at 296 E. Murray Park Way.

“This makes for a unique shopping experience focused entirely on Utah farmers and the great fresh produce that is available during our growing season,” stated the organization on the event page. This is a food-only market that begins on July 26. The market will be open every Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m., with the last day on Oct. 28. Food vendor applications are due April 30. 11. Bountiful farmers market

Starting on June 20 and ending on Oct. 17, the Bountiful farmers market will be at the Bountiful Town Square (75 E. 200 South) every Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m., excluding July 4. No animals or skateboards are allowed in the square. See which vendors and local musicians will be there on Bountiful City’s website, www. bountifulutah.gov. l

Fresh produce at Daybreak Farmers Market in years past. (Courtesy of Empowered Community Markets)

The Daybreak Farmers Market in years past has been a popular market with a variety of local produce and lots of visitors. (Courtesy of Empowered Community Markets)

East Midvale students connect with global culture at Living Traditions night

In the days before East Midvale Elementary’s annual Living Traditions night, students were talking about the languages, animals, houses, food, geography and other facts they learned about the countries they were presenting during the festivities.

This year, students learned about Africa— Chad, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zimbabwe—with each grade level presenting artwork and posters about their country. Annually, the students learn about a different part of the world, rotating discovering about the continents during their elementary years.

Lexie Hoffman was helping her two children, kindergartner Zayden and second-grader Deegan, fill out their paper passports that asked questions, such as “What desert is in Chad?” and “What are the colors in the Kenyan flag?”

Deegan learned there is a “really big waterfall called Victoria Falls. It has the most water in the world.”

Zayden liked learning about the musical instruments in Chad.

Their mother appreciated the exposure her sons were learning.

“They’re understanding the world is beyond their community,” she said. “East Midvale is a diverse school, and this kind of firsthand learning doesn’t come at every school.”

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

learned 30% of the country is national parks and thought they could tie that into their recent study of Utah’s national parks.

“We love making correlations. We didn’t have any of our families from there, but we had just learned about different ecosystems and Mount Kilimanjaro has a lot of ecosystems so they could make that connection,” she said.

Third-grade teacher Fiona Skenderi said it piques their curiosity.

“Every day when we were learning about Tanzania, they’d be like, ‘what are we learning today?’” she said. “They were eager to learn about other people and their cultures.”

Third-grade teacher Lisa Pereira said that students are not only excited to showcase what they’ve learned, but to learn about other grades’ countries.

“It’s cool to get them interested in areas that aren’t their norm where they get to learn about languages and ecosystems and animals,” she said. “I love how it makes the hallways colorful and students get to walk by every day and point out all the cool things that they’ve done and learned.”

In the hallway, the teachers were helping families learn about the different countries.

“We wanted the students to learn about the culture and about their different arts,” said teacher Jessica Iverson. “We wanted them to

understand their art may be a bit different from ours. So, we made little finger pianos, and we talked about pots they make because the Shona culture, which is part of Zimbabwe, makes a lot of pots, and we wanted to give them that understanding.”

Students also learned about the cultural dress that they wear for village celebrations, she said.

“It’s exciting for kids to learn about a bunch of different cultures because they see different cultures in our classroom. Today, for example, my kids who are native English speakers wanted to learn how to speak something in Spanish or Russian because we have kids in our class that speak those languages. Learning about culture is something different from normal school curriculum and the kids love it every year,” Iverson said.

One of the reasons the second-grade teachers picked Zimbabwe was because they

Third-grade teacher Lindsay Mazzella had checked off the last passport for the night.

“It’s one of the most fun times of the year,” she said. “I think that when they get a chance to learn about cultures that are different from their own, they get a chance to understand the world in a different way than they know.”

Also part of that night was a performance by Yvonne Nsabimana Baraketse and the Utah County-based nonprofit Ngoma Y’Africa Cultural Center she founded to spread awareness of African culture.

“Yvonne has come three times to talk to students about her Rwandan culture and some of the different cultures in Africa,” said Shelley McCall, community school facilitator and Living Traditions organizer. “She taught the students some dances and told them stories— and every part of the story had a motion and she put it to music so that the kids got it. They loved that.” l

At East Midvale Elementary’s Living Traditions night, Yvonne Nsabimana Baraketse and the Utah County-based nonprofit Ngoma Y’Africa Cultural Center performed for students and their families. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Schools’ Tuesday Fresh Produce Market requests support

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

At Canyons School District’s Title I schools, financial support is needed for the Tuesday Fresh Produce Markets.

“We’ve been able to get them going again after taking a break for the winter months,” said Jenna Landward, Copperview Elementary community school facilitator. “Over the course of 17 weeks in 2023, we distributed an impressive 16,000 pounds of fresh produce to 4,453 families.”

She said that is in thanks to the support from NBA Cares, Zions Bank and First Utah Bank.

“The feedback from our communities has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the significant impact these markets have had in alleviating food insecurity and promoting healthy eating habits, especially amidst rising food costs,” she said. “As we look ahead to continuing this vital resource in the upcoming seasons, we are reliant on the support of our community. While grant funding remains crucial, private donations and community involvement are equally essential. We are currently accepting donations through successfund.com/communityschoolfreshproduce.”

The Tuesday Fresh Produce Market

began in 2022. With a partnership from Get Healthy Utah, East Midvale initiated

the program and served 35 to 50 families weekly, offering a variety of seasonal

fruits and vegetables at no cost.

Now, it has expanded to Midvalley, Midvale, Sandy and Copperview elementaries and Hillcrest High School.

Landward said while the Utah Food Bank provides monthly mobile pantries and weekend food bags to send home with many students, the most noticeable food gap is an inability to provide fresh perishable food on a regular basis.

“The fresh produce market is open to anyone. We provide about 50 to 60 bags of food each week at each location,” she said about the first come, first serve produce.

Families receive produce items such as bananas, apples, tomatoes, onions, spinach, beets and carrots. It costs $1,000 weekly to provide produce for 250 families.

The market is scheduled to conclude at the end of the school year.

“We hope to provide it again when school starts again in August,” Landward said, adding that the program is dependent upon community donations to keep it operational.

Additionally, volunteers pack the food bags and manage the produce market, “which has been a great way to involve our community in the process,” she said. l

With the community’s support, Canyons School District’s Title I schools are hoping to offer the Tuesday Fresh Produce Market in the fall. (Jenna Landward/Copperview Elementary)

Paris Baguette Café opens first location in Utah

By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com

Paris Baguette Café opened its doors in Midvale, marking the first of the franchise in Utah.

Paris Baguette is a South Korean bakery and café chain offering a variety of pastries, sandwiches, salads and beverages. Paris Baguette has 4,000 units worldwide with 160 in the United States and more on the way. The new Midvale location is at 950 E. Fort Union Blvd.

Su Kim, the franchisee over the location, immigrated from South Korea to pursue her master’s degree. She’s been in the financial industry working for Goldman Sachs for over a decade. Recently, she wanted to branch out and do something to benefit the local community, leading to her decision to open the bakery café franchise.

“Growing up back in my hometown, that store, Paris Baguette, was everywhere in the neighborhood given that the brand itself originated from my home country,” Kim said. “So I was very familiar with the brand and the product that it offers and the environment of the café itself.”

Kim said since opening day, she has seen continuous support from the community. On their first day, the café sold over 3,000 products and over 600 people. That continued as the week went on and Kim

said she was blown away by the reaction from the community. She spoke about a family that brought their own game to the

back home,” Kim said. “It reminded me a lot of those memories, great memories of our childhood, and seeing the smile on every guest. It was just amazing.”

Paris Baguette is working to expand through meaningful partnerships, hoping to have 1,000 locations in the U.S. by 2030.

Eric Lavinder, the CDO of Paris Baguette Café, said it was a natural progression to move from California, to Nevada and finally to Utah. He said it was a “long time coming,” but they didn’t want to move too fast and not have the café be the best it could be.

After the café in Midvale opened, he said it exceeded their expectations for how well it would do. Lavinder said they always hope for their cafés to do well, but the Midvale café went beyond their expectations.

It can take a year or longer to open one of their businesses, and they take their time with it. Lavinder said it’s “important to do it right the first time,” no matter how long it takes the franchise owner.

café and had fun while drinking coffee and enjoying the pastries.

“It's exactly what my family had done

Both Lavinder and Kim want to see the café expand into different parts of Utah, both looking at areas in Salt Lake City for the next location. l

Paris Baguette Café opened in Midvale on May 6. (Bailey Chism/City Journals)

Midvale Hospital closed after ‘strictest sanctions’ by state licensers

By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com

Afor-profit psychiatric hospital chose to shut down after years of discipline and patient safety concerns.

The closure announcement comes less than a year after Utah’s Disability Law Center released a report that accused Utah’s state licensing agency of “ineffectively” protecting vulnerable residents in long-term care facilities. The report cited multiple instances of neglect and described state regulators as “reluctant” to shut down facilities offering inadequate care.

Highland Ridge Hospital has been licensed with the state since 1984, according to state records. In the past few years, state licensers have threatened to shut the facility down three times if changes aren’t made. In the end, though, it was the hospital’s parent company Arcadia Healthcare that chose to close the facility.

The hospital’s closure comes three months after the Utah Department of Health and Human Services put the psychiatric hospital on a conditional license, requiring hospital administrators to hire a qualified medical professional who could serve as an independent monitor. They operated under a conditional license four times since 2021 due to noncompliance issues. The first was for four months in 2021, the second was for six months in 2022, and its current license, which would have run from July 2023 to January 2025.

DHHS licensing processes were based on the federal process from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). As that process was reviewed, DHHS employees found a gap between the CMS process and DHHS process, so they began creating a new process to be more effective.

“Our goal in implementing the new process was to work toward creating a system that results in licensed facilities consistently providing environments where people are safe, healthy, and treated with dignity,” said Katie England, public information officer for DHHS.

“As we continue to implement and train providers and DHHS staff on this compliance process, we won’t stop looking for areas where we can improve our processes even further to make sure licensed facilities are held appropriately accountable when their rule noncompliance puts the people they serve at risk.”

A qualified medical professional was initially required to be at the hospital for about 10 hours a week to oversee whether or not hospital staff were in compliance with state regulations. That was bumped up to 40 hours per week in March after licensers continued to find the hospital had violated safety rules.

The latest disciplinary action came after licensers found problems at Highland Ridge, such as staff failing to report allegations of sex-

ual abuse, not having enough nurses to change wound dressings and reports of patients being chemically restrained, put into seclusion or discharged from the hospital without their medications. Licensers wrote that the sanctions were necessary due to “repeated failures” to comply with state rules and significant discrepancies discovered that were “adverse to the public health, morals, welfare and safety of the people of the state.”

In response to news of the hospital closing, the Disability Law Center released a statement urging state leaders to “take a hard look at our system and make any necessary reforms to protect the health and safety of Utahns with disabilities in facilities.” The organization also urged state officials to hold facilities accountable when they don’t keep patients safe—before more “needless tragedies” occur. l

Highland Ridge Hospital was shut down by its parent company; it closed May 7. (Bailey Chism/City Journals)

Wellness services at Entrada Adult High make a difference in students’ lives and academics

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

WhenSamantha Ferrell-Schweppenstedde was hired in August as a student advocate at Entrada Adult High School, she imagined she’d be helping adult students with their academic schedules and coursework.

Entrada has educational programs specifically designed to meet the needs of adult learners so they can earn a high school diploma, prepare for the GED test, or even improve their skills in math, reading and writing.

Academic counseling and intervention, she discovered, wasn’t what was always needed.

“When students missed classes, I reached out to them asking if there was anything I could support them with,” she said. “What I heard over and over it wasn’t a lack of motivation to be at school, but it was difficult situations that they were dealing with that got in the way of be able to attend school,” Ferrell-Schweppenstedde said. “So, we’re supporting students to overcome those barriers so that they can focus on their education.”

Since January, Entrada has provided a three-tier wellness program for its 500 students that combines classes with mental health services, thanks to a one-time $22,000 supplemental grant from adult education department at the Utah State Board of Education.

“We’re seeing many of our students coming from and facing adverse experiences like economic hardship, domestic violence and sexual violence; there are a lot of traumatic things going on in people’s lives. That’s the reason why many students initially dropped out of high school. Even coming back to adult ed, they’re still dealing with a lot of tough circumstances and trauma that those circumstances caused,” Ferrell-Schweppenstedde said.

The first tier of the program begins with students enrolling in a positive psychology class.

“This is a beloved class that focuses on learning how to build resilience and self-esteem, and why it is important; that’s really helpful for our students, given the backgrounds that they were coming from. It also looks at their strengths and how they can build upon those rather than focusing on the negative things,” she said, adding that Entrada is the only high school for adult ed in Utah that offers the course.

It’s taught by Steve Wrigley, a former school board member who has a degree in rehabilitation counseling.

“Basically, the goal is to have the students be able to take control of their life and learn a little bit about themselves,” said Wrigley, who has taught the course six times. “We talk about the psychology of happiness and do personality assessments. We talk about character strengths, gratitude, mindset, grit, resilience, and developing habits. They’re wanting to learn their values and their unique talents, and how to go about having a positive mindset.”

Building off that class, students can take a course taught by social worker Jesus Moreno, who also teaches at Diamond Ridge High; the class focuses on social and emotional learning. He’s taught district teachers skills they can use to support their students, particularly around behavior issues, Ferrell-Schweppenstedde said.

“The positive psychology class is a little bit more theoretical, where the social and emotional learning course is a skill-building class. They can look at ‘how do we put some of this into practice?’ For example, students may have anger management issues or they’re facing a lot of hardship. This class helps them learn how skills to deal with that,” she said.

The class also explores more complicated emotions and situations people find themselves in, Ferrell-Schweppensted-

de said.

“It’s not necessarily looking at the individual level, but it takes a broader picture. For example, if you find yourself in a situation where you feel you’re being treated unfairly and you’re getting angry, it can have negative impacts on relationships. This course can offer some skills or tools to help you manage that situation and using those skills in different settings to have healthy relationships,” she said.

Both classes are worth one-quarter credit, either health or an elective, of the 24 credits Entrada students need to graduate.

The last tier is counseling.

With the grant, Entrada offers small group and individual therapy. Currently a school therapist and social worker work part-time for Entrada, both coming to the school through a district partnership with Hopeful Beginnings, a local non-profit who focuses on mental health services.

“The therapy comes from a high need we were identifying,” Ferrell-Schweppenstedde said. “Some of our students don’t have insurance, so they didn’t really have any opportunity to access therapy without this support.”

She said while they realized there was a need, “we really weren’t sure kind of what the uptake would be. After the therapist introducing herself to classes, she had a full caseload almost immediately and she has a waitlist. We were blown away at how quickly students took advantage of these services.”

The grant’s funding pays for the therapist to see 16 students for an hour per session for six sessions. Twenty students are on the waitlist.

“To access the therapy, students first have a conversation with me as the student advocate or with a therapist directly to ensure this is a good fit,” she said, adding that they

are finding other low-cost counseling and therapy services in the community for students.

While there is no requirement to do one tier before accessing another, Ferrell-Schweppenstedde said that many students find it beneficial to do so. Entrada students can take advantage of the mental health services until end of school in June when the grant expires.

Entrada Adult Education Program Manager Mark Mataya said the funds were “offered to us to develop a program to see if we could fold these services into our base funding in the future. We are using this grant opportunity to establish services, identify needs, and to see how much these services will cost while also finding out how much of the services can be offset through student health insurance.”

While Mataya is uncertain what the program will look like next year, he knows continued support will be offered.

“After seeing the extremely high demand for mental health services with our students, we will be continuing this project in one way or another next school year,” Mataya said. “While I think that most realize that mental health services are in dire need in our schools, we are finding that the specific at-risk population that we serve, the services are in even greater need. Unfortunately funding for these types of services are often not meeting the needs.”

Ferrell-Schweppenstedde hopes the wellness services will continue as well.

“This has been a pilot program and we’re hoping it can serve as a model for adult education across the state,” she said. “We’re finding that if support is there, students are wanting to engage with it. I believe that not only is it going to help students be able to graduate high school, but it will help them in all areas of their lives and make a world of difference.” l

At Entrada Adult High School, wellness services are offered to support in the success of students. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

MIDVALE CITY DIRECTORY

City Hall

801-567-7200

Finance/Utilities 801-567-7200 Court 801-567-7265

City Attorney’s O ce 801-567-7250

City Recorder/Human Resources 801-567-7228

Community Development 801-567-7211

Public Works 801-567-7235

Ace Disposal/Recycling 801-363-9995

Midvale Historical Museum 801-567-7285

Midvale Senior Center 385-468-3350

SL County Animal Services 385-468-7387

Communications 801-567-7230

MIDVALE CITY ELECTED OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Marcus Stevenson 801-567-7204

Email: mstevenson@midvale.com

CITY COUNCIL

District 1 - Bonnie Billings

Email: bbillings@midvale.com

District 2 - Paul Glover

Email: pglover@midvale.com

District 3 - Heidi Robinson Email: Hrobinson@midvale.com

District 4 - Bryant Brown Email: bbrown@midvale.com

District 5 - Dustin Gettel Email: dgettel@midvale.com

WHO TO CALL FOR…

Water Bills

801-567-7200

Ordering A New Trash Can 801-567-7202

Permits 801-567-7213

Court 801-567-7265

Paying For Tra c School 801-567-7202

Business Licensing 801-567-7214

Cemetery 801-567-7235

Planning and Zoning 801-567-7231

Code Enforcement 801-567-7208

Building inspections 801-567-7213

Graffiti 385-468-9769

PUBLIC SAFETY & EMERGENCY CONTACTS

EMERGENCY 911

UFA Fire/UPD Police

> Non-emergency 801-840-4000

Uni ed Police Department

> Midvale Precinct 385-468-9350

Public Works 801-567-7235

Rocky Mountain Power 877-508-5088

In The Middle of Everything

City Hall – 7505 South Holden Street • Midvale, UT 84047

Marcus’ Message

Midvale City Summer Events

Midvale has many fun activities throughout the summer that I hope our community will take advantage of. These events showcase all that Midvale has to o er and is the perfect way to get to know your neighbors and our community. I hope you’ll join me at some of these great events this year.

Utah Food Truck League Nights at Midvale City Hall

– May 21 through October 8

Enjoy amazing food trucks with the Utah Food Truck League at city hall every week throughout the summer. The weekly list of food trucks is updated on the Food Truck League’s website at thefoodtruckleague.com. Plus, throughout the summer, see our new city hall plaza come to life! Next year, we’ll have a beautiful new plaza where we can continue to enjoy food trucks and other community gatherings each summer.

Date & Time: Every Tuesday from 5:00-8:00PM.

Location: Midvale City Hall - 7505 S Holden St., Midvale, UT 84047

Midvale Arts Council: 2024 Summer Concert Series

– June 7 through August 2

Enjoy these FREE summer concerts at Midvale City Park, presented by The Midvale Arts Council. Bring a blanket, chairs, and a snack as you experience family-friendly and fun music!

• June 7 - Exit Strategy

• June 14 - Walker Brothers and The Belles

• June 21 - Vocalocity

• June 28 - City Jazz Band

• July 5 - 23rd Army Band

• July 12 - Channel Z

• July 19 - Soggy Bottom Tribute Band

• July 26 - Alta Hills

• August 2 - James Romero y Los Amigos Three Generations

Date & Time: Every Friday from 7:00-9:00PM

Location: Midvale City Park – 625 W 6th Ave., Midvale, UT 84047

Mural Walk & Ice Cream with the Mayor – June 6

Join me for a mural walk where we’ll meet some of this year’s muralists, witness live mural making, and uncover the stories and creativity behind how murals are made. We’ll nish our walk with some delicious ice cream from Altojitos, a local business on Midvale Main.

Date & Time: Thursday, June 6 from 6:00-7:30PM

By Mayor Marcus Stevenson

3rd Annual Los Muros on Main: Midvale City Mural Festival - June 8

Step into the vibrant Midvale Main Arts & Culture District and immerse yourself in the creative energy of the Los Muros on Main: Midvale City Mural Festival. More than just an event, this festival is a celebration of our local community’s diversity and a platform for artists - local, national, and international - to showcase their talents. Enjoy food trucks, vendors, and meet some of the artists!

Date & Time: Saturday, June 8 from 4-9PM

Location: Midvale Main Street

Harvest Days Week – July 29 to August 3

• Monday, July 29 & Tuesday, July 30 - Neighborhood Block Parties from 6:00-9:00PM. Connect with neighbors, old and new, as our neighborhoods come together as part of our yearly celebration! Sign up to host your own block party at EngageMidvale. com/block-parties.

Location: Midvale City Hall – 7505 S Holden St., Midvale, UT 84047

• Wednesday, July 31 - Midvale Arts Council: Hall of Honors & Art Show from 5:00-8:00PM at the Midvale Performing Arts Center (695 W Center Street). Enjoy art from local artists as they display a diverse range of artistic mediums. Plus, join us in honoring an individual who has made signi cant contributions to Midvale as a community, as the Arts Council inducts them into the Hall of Honors.

• Thursday, August 1 - Midvale Historical Society: Midvale Museum Night from 5:00-7:00PM at the Midvale Community Center & Historical Museum (350 W 7615 S). Celebrate the museum’s 45th birthday with fun activities and refreshments!

• Friday, August 2 - Midvale Arts Council Car Show & Free Summer Concert in the Midvale City Park with James Romero y Los Amigos Three Generations band from 7:00-9:00PM. Enjoy the nal Friday summer concert with great music and classic cars!

• Saturday, August 3 - Harvest Days fun run, parade, festival, and reworks!

o 7AM – Fun Run at Midvale City Park

o 9AM – Parade from Copperview Elementary to Midvale City Park

o 3PM – Festival begins at the Midvale City Park with food trucks, vendors, and fun activities for the whole family!

 3:00-5:00PM – Bingo

 3:30PM & 5:00PM – Scales & Tails Show

 7:00PM – Junk Percussion Band

 8:00PM – New Soul Brigade Band

 10:00PM – Fireworks

PEARLS – A Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives

Midvale Senior Center

Are you feeling down and out? Lonely or struggling with the loss of a loved one? Join us as we beat depression together and build the skills we need to thrive and live a happier, more ful lling life. An overview of the PEARLS Program will be taught at Midvale Senior Center by Valley Behavioral Health on Wednesday, June 12, at 1:00 pm and is for seniors aged 60 and over. Valley Behavioral Health also provides four one-on-one counseling sessions to seniors free of charge. Call Midvale Senior Center at 385-468-3350 to register or for more information.

In The Middle of Everything

UTAH. GOV

Midvale City Council Adopts New Water E ciency Standards

In a signi cant step towards sustainable water management, the Midvale City Council passed the Jordan Valley Water Conservation District’s Water E ciency Standards. This initiative is designed to conserve public water resources through enhanced e ciency in both indoor and outdoor water use.

Key Advantages of Water E ciency Standards

• Cost Savings - One of the major bene ts of these standards is the substantial cost savings. Installing water-e cient landscapes during new construction is ve times less expensive than retro tting existing landscapes. This makes the e ciency standards an economically attractive solution for both developers and homeowners.

Environmental Bene ts - Implementing more e cient landscapes and home appliances allows more water to remain in natural water bodies such as rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands. This helps to avoid severe environmental impacts and supports the health of local ecosystems.

Aesthetic and Functional Landscapes - The standards promote landscaping styles that use less water while maintaining high curb appeal and manageable maintenance. This ensures that communities can look great while also being water e cient.

Sustainable Water Use - Early adoption of water e ciency standards helps create a balanced regional water solution. It prevents the need for extreme measures or actions in the future, fostering a more sustainable approach to water use.

Water E ciency Standards Overview

• Purpose - The purpose of these standards is to conserve water resources by establishing conservation guidelines for indoor plumbing xtures and outdoor landscaping.

• Applicability - These standards apply to all new residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial construction. Homeowners undertaking new landscaping projects must also comply with the outdoor landscaping standards.

• Indoor Fixture Recommendations - It is recommended, though not mandated, that all new constructions and future renovations use WaterSense-labeled plumbing xtures, including faucets, shower heads, and toilets.

Outdoor Landscaping Requirements

Key landscaping standards include:

• Irrigation E ciency: Use drip irrigation or bubblers for non-lawn areas and ensure each irrigation valve caters to landscaping with similar water needs.

• Smart Controllers: All irrigation systems must have WaterSense labeled smart controllers with automatic rain shut-o capabilities.

• Mulch and Plant Coverage: Use mulch in planting beds and ensure at least 50% plant cover at maturity.

• Lawn Restrictions: Limit lawn areas in park strips, slopes, and small residential lots. For larger residential landscapes, lawns should not exceed 35% of the total landscaped area.

By adopting the Water E ciency Standards, Midvale residents can now bene t from Utah Water Savers’ water-saving programs, such as water-smart landscaping, toilet replacement, and smart sprinkler controller installation. To participate, properties must meet speci c project area requirements. Programs like the Turf Removal Project o er incentives of $3.00 per square foot for eligible lawns, while the Switch to Drip program provides $0.50 per square foot for converting overhead spray irrigation systems. Additionally, planting beds must cover at least 50% of the ground with perennials and shrubs and use proper mulch and drip irrigation systems.

The Treebate program o ers $100 per tree for up to ve trees when done in conjunction with qualifying turf removal or drip projects, ensuring trees are correctly planted and irrigated. All projects require a landscape design, before photos, an initial site visit, and compliance with speci c irrigation and planting standards. Hardscape limitations and lawn requirements ensure e cient irrigation and sustainable landscaping practices, with nal inspections mandatory for incentive payments.

MIDVALE. UTAH. GOV

Help Deliver Mid-Day Meals to Isolated Seniors

There are seniors right in your communities – both home and at work – who are isolated, and many cannot prepare their own meals. This is where Meals on Wheels Volunteers step in and make a huge di erence. Volunteers not only deliver meals, but they provide much needed social connections that are often the only interactions these seniors receive through the course of the day.

Volunteers deliver only once a week, and can deliver any time between 10am and 2pm, MondayFriday. Routes consist of 6-13 clients and are designed to be delivered in that lunch hour timeframe, taking 60-90 minutes. Meals on Wheels provides the supplies, all you need is your own transportation, a smartphone to access your route information, and a warm smile for the clients who are waiting for you. All volunteers must pass a background check, which we provide, and attend a new volunteer orientation. The need to provide meals and connection to ever-more isolated older adults is growing daily, and we need you to help sustain our current deliveries, avoid waiting lists for service and help the program grow. Join the Wheelers today!

Call Salt Lake County Aging & Adult Services Meals on Wheels at 385-468-3086 or email agmowvolunteers@slco.org

Hot Weather Do’s & Don’t for Dog Safety

Salt Lake County Animal Services

Ensure you’re the ultimate pet owner and prioritize your pup’s comfort this summer! You and your furry friend deserve to stay chill and safe, steering clear of scorching cars, sizzling pavement, and sweltering balconies or patios.

Hot Cars: Don’t underestimate the danger. Once the mercury hits 70 degrees, car interiors can soar past 116 degrees in just 10 minutes. Even on a mild 75-degree day, cracking a window or seeking shade won’t save your pet from the lethal heat inside. Heatstroke, brain damage, and worse can result. If you spot a distressed pet in a vehicle—panting excessively, not responsive, drooling, or lethargic—act fast. Dial Salt Lake County Animal Service’s Animal Dispatch at 801-840-4000. Avoid breaking windows yourself; instead, document the situation by taking down the license plate, taking a photo of the pet and providing details to Animal Control O cers.

Hot Pavement: Protect those precious paws. Summer sidewalks can scorch, causing painful burns. Before stepping out, test the pavement with the back of your hand. If you can’t endure the heat for ve seconds, it’s too hot for your pup. Plan to walk your dog during cooler morning or evening hours and skip outings to crowded events like festivals or markets.

Hot Balconies: Even shaded balconies can become danger zones. High temperatures can quickly make them unbearable for pets left unattended. Anxious and dehydrated, they may attempt risky escapes. If you witness a distressed pet on a balcony, reach out to Animal Control at 801-840-4000 immediately.

For additional information, please visit AdoptUtahPets.org or reach out to animal@slco. org. Keep your pet cool, safe, and happy this summer!

Inside look into unified basketball: What athletes say about the experience

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

They want to be like Mike—dishing, swishing, jamming.

“I want to slam dunk like Michael Jordan,” said Bingham High sophomore Josh McDonald as he was playing in a regional basketball tournament.

Hillcrest High senior Dax Bowen also likes Jordan’s moves as does Corner Canyon High senior Jadon Medina.

The student-athletes all play for their unified high school basketball teams.

In unified coed basketball, there are five players on the court—three athletes and two partners. Teams play against other squads of the same ability in two eight-minute halves. Supported by Special Olympics and the Utah High School Activities Association, unified sports has both a competitive and a player development level, the latter which provides more of a cooperative environment with partners being teammates and mentors.

In the weeks leading up to the state championships, many of the unified basketball players took to the court, practicing skills they learned growing up and playing in regional tournaments.

Murray High started practicing once per week starting a couple months before the state contest. They also did a skills assessment to determine the ability of the players and then divide themselves into two teams.

“We practice shooting and making baskets,” said Murray High junior Parker May, who has a brother who taught him to “dribble, shoot and have my arms up on defense.”

Cottonwood High junior Alizia Sherard said, “We have a lot of practices where we dribble, we try to get the ball from the other team, and we make the shots.”

She learned to play from her dad and continues to play him in the family driveway.

Copper Hills High junior Corbin Roesbery also grew up playing basketball in his driveway. He started at age 12.

Alta High freshman James Miles learned how to play from his dad when he was 4 years old.

“We still play, but now, I’m practicing

and playing with my friends and peer tutors in class,” he said.

Hillcrest’s Bowen also learned to play from his dad in a church gym.

“We would shoot around. On this team, we all count on each other,” he said.

Brighton High sophomore Tru Fiessinger said during their practices, they work on dribbling, defense and shooting.

“It comes easy, but to be good, I have to work hard,” Fiessinger said.

For others, basketball was a new sport they learned with their classmates to be able to exercise and be part of their high school unified team.

Jordan High junior Kaitlyn Uzcaga, who learned to play as a freshman, said her team practiced defense.

“We have practiced our blocking; we’re wanting to move a lot more on the floor,” she said.

Mountain Ridge sophomore Ash Perez said his team also has been practicing.

“Coach (Brock) Whitney, our PE teacher, taught me how to play; I love it,” Perez said.

This year’s unified high school basketball championship was the state’s largest as 80 teams from across the state converged on the University of Utah’s Huntsman Center and HPER courts to not just determine the winners in the divisions, but to have a chance to display skills learned and to forge friendships on the court.

It was kicked off by the Special Olympics’ athlete oath and a welcome from Gov. Spencer Cox and First Lady Abby Cox, who then helped with a dunk team doing a trick.

Much like other athletes, these Special Olympians wanted to do their best—and win.

Sophomore Saiah Lono said Herriman High’s team has a routine as they prepare for

Herriman’s Lono said they “hang out and have lunch together. We have dance parties.”

West Jordan’s West likes being with friends, seeing movies, playing basketball and listening to music, “mostly Taylor Swift.”

Similarly, Olympus High senior Bailee O’Conner says her favorite friends are on her team.

“We go to birthday parties, see movies at a movie theater and go to school dances together,” she said. “It makes me happy.”

Corner Canyon’s Medina knows he’s part of the Chargers’ student body.

“I like being a part of a team where I belong. I’m a part of it and a part of my school,” he said.

Skyline’s Bouck adds, “It’s fun to play here with my friends and have my family and friends cheering.”

Hunter’s Velasquez says she gives her teammates high-fives and cheers for other players when she isn’t on the court.

“We cheer for the other team, especially when they make a basket; it’s fun that everyone can be a winner that way,” she said.

a game.

“I’m the hype man,” the point guard said. “We do a little dance to warm up and we dance to celebrate.”

Cottonwood’s Sherard said she’s always wanted to play at the U.

“I want to be No. 1 here. I like winning,” she said.

West Jordan sophomore Robert West said they practiced to play their best, “but I’m excited to win.”

Alta’s Miles is self-proclaimed “overly competitive. I like to win.”

Teams prepared their strategies.

Bingham’s McDonald loves to play defense.

“We need to stop the other team from scoring. I have to make sure they don’t steal the ball from me, but I love to steal the ball myself,” he said.

Skyline High freshman Andrew Bouck said quick decisions are key.

“Whenever someone passes to me, I will get rid of the ball by shooting it,” he said. “If I don’t have a good look, I’ll pass it.”

Hunter High senior Angelly Velasquez sized up the competition.

“They’re lots of tall teams here,” she said. “We’re hoping we’re fast enough to go around them.”

Jordan’s Uzcaga said they started off playing well.

“We’re doing good and having fun. We’re being brave and trying our hardest,” she said.

Copper Hills’ Corbin said his team works together and helps one another to learn.

“We tell each other to never give up, to listen to our team, to listen to our coach and to have fun,” he said.

The last part, having fun together on and off the court is key, the athletes say.

She and other teammates have been part of other unified sports teams; many of the athletes compete in unified soccer. At Hunter, they also perform in their school’s unified musicals. Murray’s May swims on his school’s unified swim team.

“I like to go fast and win races and be cheered on. I cheer on others too,” he said.

Copper Hills’ Roesbery placed in the top 10 in the 60 meters at the state track meet last year.

“The best thing on any team is teamwork. It’s good to listen and work together,” he said.

Riverton High seniors Travis Willis and Jason Johnson are the boys’ basketball team managers.

“We hand out towels and we go on the court to wipe the wet spots. If they’re sweaty, we pass the towels,” Johnson said. “We’ve made friends where we hang out, play basketball, listen to music.”

Willis said at unified sporting events, he gets to see middle school friends who go to other high schools.

Hillcrest’s Bowen said his team has gone through a coaching change and several of his teammates graduated last year.

“I’ve made more friends and since I’ve played on the team for a while, I know I need to help them and be one of the leaders on the team,” he said. “State is really big. It’s the main event. But our team is what’s most important.”

Mountain Ridge’s Perez agrees.

“I like helping my team and we love each other,” Perez said. “Unified basketball gives me friends and a good work out so getting a good sweat is worth it.” l

Hillcrest High scores a lay-up against Riverton High at the regional coed unified basketball tournament to secure a position to play at the state tournament. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Yard & home section

A publication covering local yard and home stories and events in the Salt Lake Valley City Journals presents:

Real estate commission settlement to have minimal impact in Utah

By Jolene Croasmun

Spring is a busy time for buying and selling homes in Utah and sales were up by 9% in April and with the recent National Association of Realtors (NAR) lawsuit settlement, Utah realtors do not expect to see many changes in the way homes are bought and sold.

In March, a $418-million settlement was reached with the National Association of Realtors. The deal came after a jury ruled against the NAR in a class-action antitrust lawsuit. The suit was filed alleging that the association had colluded with some large real estate brokerages to keep real estate commissions inflated, benefiting real estate agents and costing sellers more in the commissions they pay to those agents.

Those rates nationally are about 6%. Approval of the settlement by a federal court would do away with set rates and let buyers and sellers negotiate those commissions with real estate brokers and agents.

The Utah Association of Realtors say the ruling won’t have much impact on buyers and sellers in Utah due to decades of proactive, consumer-friendly efforts by Utah realtors.

“We don’t feel that the lawsuit is going to have a big impact here in Utah,” said Adam Kirkham, president of the Utah Association of Realtors (UAR). “Anyone that sold a home could expect to receive a postcard about the class action suit. The lawsuit did not originate here because in Utah we have been using buyer-agent agreements for 20 years. Consumers in Utah have been more informed about what the commissions were.”

The lawsuit’s resulting rules aren’t expected to impact the inventory of available homes or values, which are based more on the supply and demand in the market, according to Kirkham.

“Millcreek has an affordability issue and between 2012-22 the average homes listed were 500 and post COVID the inventory

dropped and we have been hovering around 160 to 177 available homes for the last two years. Prices went up and the median price of a home in Millcreek is around $688,000 and in Salt Lake City the median price is $535,000,” Kirkham said.

Utah realtors have been using written, transparent agency forms with their buyer clients for decades and providing seller disclosures. This will be new for the rest of the country due to the settlement but was already being covered in Utah.

One of the new rules that came out of the lawsuit is that the buyer’s agent commission can no longer be listed on the multiple listing service (MLS) and this will create a lack of knowledge of what will be paid to the buyer’s realtor.

“Buyers will have to determine for each house what the sellers offering for the buyer’s agent’s commission,” Kirkham said. “This is a conversation you want to have before looking at the house and before you make an offer. The seller’s agent can still advertise the commission on social media or

on the realtor’s website but not on the MLS.”

“Commissions can fluctuate due to inventory and competitiveness of the market,” he continued. “It is worth it for the seller to offer a buyer’s agent commission due to it will bring a better educated consumer who still wants to hire a realtor.”

There will be additional training for realtors who are now required to enter into an agreement with a homebuyer before they look at homes. “So that they can agree upon a commission rate which has always been negotiable,” Kirkham said.

He warned buyers who forego representation to save the commission might regret it.

“Not having an agent can come back to hurt you in negotiation or hiring the wrong inspectors plus you want to be informed of the other offers or you could lose the bid,” Kirkham said. “Agents want to bring value to the process of buying and selling a home.”

Jason Eldredge, local realtor of The Eldredge Group with Equity Real EstateSolid said they always had a buyer-broker

agreement and have their customers sign one.

“The commissions have always been negotiable, and the standard was 6% but now we are seeing commission compression that is nationwide. With all of the iBuyers coming in, it compressed commissions and the new standard is about 5%, but it has always been negotiable,” Eldredge said.

“We meet with our clients and find out what is their situation, why you are selling. A good agent will have some flexibility,” Eldredge said.

The national settlement requires listing agents to disclose to sellers any portion of their compensation that will be shared with a cooperating broker. Sellers must also approve in writing the sharing of the listing agent's compensation. Which Eldredge said is the “bummer” part of the lawsuit.

“You cannot post the commission on the MLS anymore,” he said. “It is an additional negotiating step and could make it really tough for a new buyer. The buyer might have to come up with the commission.”

Deanna Devey, director of operations and communications at UAR, said the changes will be more procedural in Utah.

“The buyer has three options to pay the agent,” Devey explained. “The listing agent will offer to share compensation with the buyer’s agent or the buyer might negotiate directly with the seller to have the seller pay the compensation. The third option is the buyer might pay their agent outright.”

Eldredge added, “I think for the next few years sadly we might have more lawsuits due to buyers not having representation when purchasing a home.”

The new rules go into effect after Aug. 17. More information about the NAR lawsuit can be found at realestatecommissionlitigation.com and Utah FAQs can be found on the website Utahrealtors.com.

Additional reporting by Darrell Kirby.

Home for sale in West Valley City. (File photo Darrell Kirby/City Journals)

Salt Lake County breaks ground on ‘Flip the Strip’ project

By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com

In a significant move toward sustainability, Salt Lake County celebrated the groundbreaking of the "Flip the Strip" project, May 16, at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy. The event, marked by the presence of Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson and other local officials, signaled the commencement of a $2.1-million initiative aimed at retrofitting park strips with waterwise landscapes across the county.

“Salt Lake County is committed to water conservation and smart water management. As such, landscape standards for waterwise park strips at county facilities have been identified,” the Salt Lake County Mayor’s Office said in a “Flip the Strip” guidebook.

“Water conservation is a critical issue to the well-being of our community as we grow and adapt to the changes our landscape faces,” Wilson said. “‘Flip the Strip’ aims to reduce water use and promote drought-tolerant landscapes.”

According to the guidebook, the project is a testament to the county's commitment to addressing the pressing issue of water conservation amid frequent droughts and changing environmental conditions.

The "Flip the Strip" project targets the

often-overlooked park strips—those narrow stretches of land between sidewalks and roads. These areas will be transformed into drought-tolerant landscapes, a move expected to save the county approximately 4 million gallons of water annually. The pilot program will be implemented at five key locations: the Mountain America Expo Center, the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office in South Salt Lake, Meadow Brook Golf Course in Taylorsville, Central City Recreation Center in Salt Lake City and Animal Services in Millcreek.

At the event, Wilson emphasized the critical importance of this initiative. “Salt Lake County is committed to long-term water conservation and smart management strategies in response to frequent emergency droughts and changing environmental landscapes. ‘Flip the Strip’ is just one way we are achieving this,” she stated.

The program, which allocates $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding, is set to convert four acres (177,860 square feet) of county-owned landscapes. This transformation not only aims to conserve water but also to enhance the aesthetic, environmental and economic value of these areas.

Involved in these efforts, the Salt Lake

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“Our whole executive team and our management team have the same paradigm; we would rather do it right,” Fisher said. “It’s so much easier to work with people when you know you’re providing a great product. We also give the reassurance that if we do something wrong, we absolutely, unequivocally will take care of it. That’s just our guarantee.”

Mayors from Salt Lake County, Taylorsville City and Sandy City broke ground on the start of a “Flip the Strip” program to make county-owned landscapes more sustainable for the future. (Photo courtesy of Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation)

County Office of Regional Development, released on their website that waterwise landscaping offers numerous advantages, including functional and attractive designs that are easy to maintain. These landscapes are not only visually appealing but also significantly reduce water waste, a crucial benefit in a region often plagued by drought.

Additionally, improved environmental health and economic savings are notable benefits. Less water usage translates to lower bills and simpler irrigation systems, which in turn reduce maintenance costs and enhance curb appeal, making neighborhoods and public spaces more attractive.

Salt Lake County is not stopping at retrofitting public spaces. The county challenges its 1.16 million residents to join the water conservation effort by reducing their own water use by 5%. If 25% of residents take up this challenge, the county could save approximately 2 million gallons of water daily. To help residents achieve this goal, the county offers practical tips. Reducing sprinkler use by 10% can make a significant difference. Watering during the cooler nighttime hours reduces evaporation and conserves water. Using a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks saves water and time. Adjusting sprinklers to ensure they water only plants and grass, not sidewalks or driveways, can help conserve water. Opting for drought-resistant plants, such as those native to Utah, can keep gardens beautiful

while conserving water.

The "Flip the Strip" project is just the beginning of a broader effort to promote sustainable landscaping and water conservation in Salt Lake County. By leading through example, the county aims to inspire its residents and neighboring regions to adopt similar practices.

Mayor Wilson said, “We anticipate that Salt Lake County will save around 4 million gallons of water with the conclusion of the five pilot locations. This initiative not only addresses immediate water conservation needs but also sets a precedent for future sustainability efforts.”

The project’s success will serve as a model for other communities facing similar challenges. Salt Lake County departments have planned to audit outdoor water systems to develop specialized water plans for current and future use. The county parks are relying on current technology to determine minimum watering schedules while continuing to maintain high-quality outdoor facilities.

For information on “Flip the Strip,” including details on rebates and resources from local government agencies, residents can visit the county's website at slcoh20. org.

Sandy Mayor Monica Zoltanski, Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson and Taylorsville Mayor Kristie Overson broke ground on Salt Lake County’s “Flip the Strip” program. (Photo courtesy of Salt Lake County Mayor’s Office)

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Conservation fair highlights waterwise improvements

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

Small changes make a big difference. Last year the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District sent more than 1.6 billion gallons of water to the Great Salt Lake as a result of residents implementing waterwise conservation.

JVWCD held a water conservation fair at its Conservation Garden Park (8275 S.1300 West) in West Jordan in May, educating gardeners on how to create the healthiest environment for lawns, flowers, trees and shrubs in the Salt Lake Valley.

Here are seven suggested principles to create waterwise landscapes:

Tip 1: Planning and Design. Using the appropriate plants for sun, shade and wind can help sustain a beautiful garden. Visit Localscapes.com to find free, professional designs to make a Utah-friendly landscape. (City Journals)

Tip 2: Practical Turf Areas. Getting away from the idea of “big lawns,” JVWCD suggests spicing up your outdoor space with waterwise plants and trees, and a rea-

sonable amount of turf or ground cover. (City Journals)

Tip 3: Waterwise Plants. Drought-tolerant plants can add color, height and interest to your garden, without using a wasteful amount of water. Iris, daisies, catmint, ice plants and decorative grass are all examples of waterwise choices. (City Journals)

Tip 4: Efficient Irrigation. Learning where and how to plant trees is part of efficient irrigation that allows the trees to take root and bring long-lasting beauty to a landscape. Installing drip systems, maintaining irrigation and fixing leaks keep everything flowing. (City Journals)

Tip 5: Soil Improvements. Overused soil often needs more nutrients to maintain healthy plants. Keep soil healthy by using organic materials and protect topsoil with moisture-retaining mulch. Avoid putting chemicals in the soil, if possible. (City Journals)

6: Surface Mulches. Mulching with

and other plant materials

protects against erosion and retains water. Mulch can also help control weeds and add color to the garden. (City Journals)

Tip 7: Appropriate Maintenance. Even waterwise landscaping needs to be maintained. Weed control, fertilization, healthy pruning and non-chemical integrated pest management will keep the landscape looking good for years. (City Journals)

The Conservation Garden Park is free and open to the public on Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, visit conservationgardenpark.org.

Tip

bark, wood chips

Unified basketball is more than a sport for Canyons middle school students

Mt. Jordan seventh-grader Jillian Lundberg was excited for Canyons Middle School’s unified basketball tournament to start.

“I played last year and have been waiting to play again this year,” Jillian said. “I did Sports Day in elementary school until COVID came and stopped it. It’s just fun to be with friends and play together.”

She, and student-athletes from seven other schools, stood solemnly while Mt. Jordan sixth-grader Dash Johnson and eighth-grader Maggie Goodfellow said the Special Olympics athletes’ pledge before the games began.

In unified coed basketball, there are five players on the court, typically three athletes and two partners, and teams play against other squads of similar ability, said Boston Iacobazzi, Unified Champion School’s college-growth coordinator.

“It’s exciting we’re starting to see the younger age get involved in unified sports and Special Olympics,” he said. “We have students at 80 high schools doing it and now, we have two tournaments with 24 middle schools. Several schools brought more than one team.”

Many of the students learned and practiced skills in the eight weeks leading up to the tournament. At the tournament, players were awarded medals and had their names announced.

“Within Special Olympics, we recommend middle schools do a recreational model where they can show their skills and have fun. It’s a little competitive, and we encourage them practicing and building up their skills, but we just want to have fun,” Iacobazzi said.

At the Canyons tournament, Canyons School District’s Special Education Administrator Linda Hall said the play isn’t for first, second and third places.

“We want them to just play,” she said. “It’s not about winning. It’s about enjoying it and the joy of the sport and being part of a team. We want to award each of our players with a medal.”

Iacobazzi said that through unified sports, students are learning teamwork and sportsmanship, and it helps promote friendship within the schools.

“They’re learning that inclusivity is important at any age; everyone needs a friend and wants to be included,” he said.

Hall agrees: “This builds mentorship and friendship, leadership skills and long friendships. I’m hoping our peer students know that they can see the capability of that student who may have a disability. These students have a gift, a talent and so much that they can bring to them as a friend. And they can be the leader to them.”

Midvale Middle School athlete Isaac Tenario said he likes getting to have fun, eat lunch and hang out with his teammates when they’re not practicing.

“On the court, we get the most basketballs in the hoop so our team gets lots of points,” the eighth grader said. “We’ve become good friends.”

Eighth-grader Lily Barney’s favorite sport is basketball.

“I like to shoot, and I’ve made three baskets so far,” she said during the tournament. “I practiced a lot for this. Sometimes I practice with my dad in my driveway, but he’s too tall. I mostly practice at school with my friends on the team. We practice passing and rebounding. It’s fun.”

Her dad, Scott, was there to cheer on his daughter and her team.

“She likes to have friends, and this is a good way for her to get to make friends and learn how to play with others,” he said. “It gives her a feel of accomplishment. That makes

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

her happy.”

Her principal, Stacy Kutrzhals, was cheering on the students as well.

“It makes my heart happy that they get to be included in something that they should be included,” she said, adding that special education students are included in morning announcements, clubs and every aspect of the school. “This is the way it should be.”

At a break, Draper Park Middle student-athletes were discussing their games.

Sixth-grader Jocie Richards had made nearly every shot.

“I made 15 shots to help our team,” she said. “I like playing with the team. It’s cool.”

Teammate Jacob Molina is an eighth-grade peer tutor.

“As a peer tutor in science, I help by writing stuff down; I make sure they’re paying attention to the lecture,” he said. “On the court, we’re working together and that’s fun.”

Draper Park special education teacher Morgann Collins also was a peer tutor and unified basketball partner at her high school.

“I loved that experience so when they wanted to start unified basketball in middle school last year, I jumped to get us involved,” she said. “It’s fun to give the athletes an opportunity to play on a team that they may not normally have the chance to. This gives them the opportunity to be part of a team and represent our school.”

Collins said it helps her peer tutors to support their partners outside of academics.

“It’s fun for the peer tutors to see the athletes participate in basketball where they may not know that they have these skills. They’re seeing each other in a different light,” she said. “Sometimes, in school, we have some down time to interact with their partners. We have blocks and magnet tiles

and they’ll build something. Or they will pull books from our classroom library and read together, or they will dance; my students love to dance to this YouTube video called ‘Twenty Trucks.’”

Union eighth-grader Henry Montague enjoys having lunch with his teammates.

“Today, I like to dribble and make baskets; I’ve made four,” he said. “My teacher, coach (Jeremy) Wright, taught me how to play basketball. He’s weird and old, but he’s funny. I like him.”

Wright, who coaches along with Zachary Schlesinger, said coaching allows him to engage with the students more personally.

“I enjoy their different characters and personalities on that informal level and we smile and laugh together,” he said. “I like seeing the efforts and determination of these players and then seeing when they succeed, to say how much fun they’re having. Our partners are very amazing. They have so much patience and a desire to help, which allows these students this amazing experience.”

A Draper Park Middle School peer tutor mother, who wished to remain anonymous, echoes that sentiment.

“This brings out the best of these kids,” she said. “I’m so thankful for the chance that these peer tutors have given their peers to play.”

Midvale Middle School Assistant Principal Courtney Long ran the tournament.

“I love seeing them smile,” he said. “Sometimes when they’re in class, they may not be outgoing. But here, they’re running up and down as they’re playing. They’re having a great time. It’s just fun to see them coming out of their shell and playing together with their peers.” l

A Midvale Middle player bring up the ball in their game versus Eastmont Middle during Canyons School District’s unified coed basketball. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Upcoming Mural Festival to feature beer garden after recent council vote

By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

The annual Mural Festival on Main Street (July 8) will include a new feature this year, and it didn’t come easy.

By a tight 3-2 vote in April, the Midvale City Council approved an ordinance that would allow alcohol be publicly consumed in a controlled environment. Meaning beer gardens are now allowed at certain city events.

Kate Andrus, the city’s RDA program manager, explained to the council in April this would provide an added experience to those attending city events, such as the upcoming festival. She said it would “activate” Main Street creating a controlled environment when appropriate for an event.

Andrus gave examples such as the Ogden Twilight concert series, the Park City Arts Festival and the Moab Music Festival. In Midvale, staff mentioned possible opportunities for events on Main Street, the upcoming food truck plaza and certain events at Midvale City Park. The ordinance could also prove a draw for increased participation in city events.

City Manager Matt Dahl said staff has pushed to bring in a variety of new events aiming to “engage with the diverse community that we have” attracting people who didn’t participate previously. “We want to make sure we have offerings for everyone in our community.”

City staff presented two options to the council, option one allowed consumption on public property like parks and option two limited public consumption to Main Street. Both options required approved site plans for the event and compliance with state and local regulations.

Generally, residents seemed to agree on the ordinance being allowed for Main Street. There was pushback on allowing alcohol consumption at public parks, even under restricted circumstances.

Brent Burgon shares a property line with City Park. He told the council during the meeting to do a phased approach: start with Main Street and if it goes well, broaden the scope to other locations.

“Gain some experience before we open up the parks to alcohol consumption,” he said, asking the council to “consider a more disciplined approach to the proposed changes. Thing big, start small.”

Councilmember Bryant Brown said he received more comments on this than anything before. He agreed with the phased approach to show this new option can work while understanding the community concern.

“Show them it works rather than tell them it will,” said Brown, who grew up back east where beer gardens are lot more common, but understood this would be a “big change” for those long-term residents.

Concerns such as increased public intoxication and garbage increases causing additional strain on city resources were reassured by staff. Responsible alcohol consumption creates

little issue for police while public intoxication will remain illegal and enforced just as it would be regularly. Public works officials assured the council that whoever is in charge of the event would be responsible for cleanup.

Councilmember Heidi Robinson said the city has pushed connectivity and walkability,

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“I would hate to see us limit ourselves based on possibilities that are honestly highly regulated events. These businesses are putting their business on the line, licenses on the line. This isn’t somebody having a keg at the park…I don’t want us to limit ourselves based on things that won’t be an issue.”

Mayor Marcus Stevenson noted the city receives requests for more events all the time. This is a way, he said, to increase the capacity for other interested parties besides the city to hold events rather than stretch city resources.

“I see it as an opportunity to expand some of the things we’re doing, to create what is that Midvale identity,” he said.

Robinson and Councilmember Bonnie Billings voted in favor of the option to include parks while Brown and Councilmember Paul Glover preferred the phased approach. Councilmember Dustin Gettel was the swing vote in favor of option one.

questioning the legitimacy of the concerns.

“We talk a lot about it, the vibrancy of the city,” she said. “This is a great way for us to connect Main Street with the park, with the possibility of some events that are very unique and offer some amazing community experiences.

Dahl said new ideas will regularly come before the council. “We will continue to bring things to you that are going to look at how do we engage with populations that we haven’t before, those events might not be for everyone.” l

• All human beings desire and have a right to pure water and fresh clean air. I will always work to ensure these basic needs.

• We must secure our borders against illegal intrusion. Fentanyl, human trafficking and violent crime have increased exponentially with open border policies.

• Publicly funded multi-billion dollar sports and entertainment districts only benefit the few, most of all, the wealthy. We need to be putting money back in the people’s pockets

• Stop Federal Intrusion into states and individuals rights

• Utilize our state and federal energy resources

• Stop the social indoctrination of our children such as Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) policies.

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Beer gardens can now be allowed under certain conditions after the city council approved a code change to diversify the city’s events. This is an example of a separated beer garden. (Stock photo)

Wars-themed fun run reflects Special Olympics support

It didn’t happen long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away. It happened this spring when 200 community members supported Special Olympics’ unified sports by participating in Canyons Education Foundation’s “May the 4th Be with You” 5K run and 1-mile walk. In addition, several local high schools’ sports teams, administrators and Canyons Board of Education members took part in the event that was supported by Darth Vader, R2D2 and other Star Wars characters. “This has been great having our community supporting unified sports in our schools,” said Canyons school board president Amber Shill, who also serves on a Special Olympics committee. “We started by offering unified soccer, then unified basketball. Now, we’re expanding to offer more opportunities in unified sports and activities in all our schools.” (Photo by Julie Slama)

Free breakfast, lunch available for youth this summer

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Four Canyons School District elementary schools in Sandy and Midvale will serve free breakfast and lunch from June 3 to July 31 to children 18 years and younger as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program.

“This is a program for all children,” said Sebasthian Varas, Canyons School District’s nutrition services director. “You don’t need to be enrolled in Canyons District, or even live within our boundaries, to take advantage of these summer meals.”

The meals will be served Monday through

Friday. Breakfast will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The locations are Sandy Elementary, 8725 S. 280 East; Copperview Elementary, 8449 Monroe St., Midvale; East Midvale Elementary, 6990 S. 300 East, Midvale; and Midvale Elementary, 7830 S. Chapel Street, Midvale.

There will be no meal service on June 17, July 4 and July 24.

The USDA estimates 21 million kids will benefit from summer meals in 2024. l

Free school breakfasts and lunches will be available at four Canyons School District schools this summer. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

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Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for men beating each other with sticks but the ice-palooza circus we’ve experienced as the National Hockey League moved a team to Utah has been a bit much.

My sports-crazed husband is in hockey high-heaven, and he’s not alone. The former Arizona Coyotes (but currently unnamed Utah team) was welcomed by a multitude of rabid hockey fans as the team arrived in Salt Lake. The Utah Snow Angels (?) will now undergo a terrifying assimilation into the state’s culture.

Ryan Smith, new owner of the Utah Iceholes (?), spent $1.2 billion to bring the NHL team here and he has Big Plans! Plans that include restructuring a mall to create a hockey training center, reconfiguring the Delta Center so fans can see all the bloody hockey fights and gaining extreme control over three city blocks in downtown Salt Lake, although he promised not to blast the beloved Abravanel Hall to rubble. Yet.

In the ultimate power play, Smith asked lawmakers to contribute another $1 billion to the project, which includes a sales tax increase, so everyone can help finance the Utah Snowplows’ (?) salvation of the state’s pro sports scene.

(Sidenote: Sales tax? Really? Have

Peri Kinder Life and Laughter

Utah’s Miracle on Ice

our lawmakers seen the lines outside of food banks? People can’t afford Cheerios, let alone tickets to a hockey game.)

But it’s not just hockey. Government and business groups are willing to toss billions (BILLIONS) of dollars around to fund baseball stadiums in Daybreak and, potentially, Salt Lake’s west side.

This is a slap-shot to the face for women’s sports in Utah. If we’re going to invest billions, can legislators squeak the wallet open a bit more to give a portion to female teams? A survey showed overwhelming support for a redesign of the current Salt Lake Bees stadium to become a female-focused sports center. Where are the billions of dollars for that project?

Did you know our state has a championship female/non-binary Pro Ultimate Frisbee team, the Utah Wild? We also host the Utah Falconz, part of the Women’s Na-

tional Football Conference. Where do they play? On high school football fields. The only reason the Utah Royal’s soccer team has a beautiful venue is because it was built for Real, a men’s team.

Don’t whine and say, “But nobody cares about women’s sports.” For its opening game this year, the Royals set a record for the highest-attended women’s sporting event in Utah history.

Millions of fans watched the women’s college final as Caitlin Clark played her last game before being drafted into the WNBA with a four-year, $338,000 contract. I’m sure she was offered the same amount as her male counterpart, the first overall draft pick in last year’s NBA.

Record scratch! Hold up! Last year, top draft pick Victor Wembanyama signed a four-year contract with the Spurs worth $55.2 million. Sigh.

Acquiring the Utah Frostbite (?) was a great accomplishment, but the state has a chance to pull off a phenomenal hat trick: develop a hockey fan base, build a baseball utopia and create a haven for women’s sports.

How cool would it be, for a state that ranks last in women’s pay equality, to invest in women’s athletics? What message

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would that send to our daughters and granddaughters?

I don’t know much about hockey but its success shouldn’t come with a sales tax increase, carte blanche control over a key center of downtown or at the expense of women’s sports.

With its shiny new logo and sparkly Zambonis, the Utah Windchill (?) could have a great first season as fans get behind them. But don’t be fooled. Hockey isn’t the only game in town.

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