Murray Journal | June 2024

MURRAY PARK CELEBRATES 100 YEARS WITH PARTY AND A NEW BOOK

By Ella Joy Olsen | e.olsen@mycityjournals.com

Murray Park will be turning 100 years old this summer, and the city is throwing a birthday bash! All are invited to the park on Saturday, June 15 from 4 to 10 p.m., and if you attend, you can even get yourself a party favor.

A commemorative book titled “Murray Park Centennial - A Hundred Years of Fun” will be available for sale at the event, and later available at the Murray Museum and the Parks and Rec office.

The 150 page (and counting) soft cover book is meant to, “show how the park has always drawn people from around the city together to enjoy a natural environment,” Rebecca Santa Cruz, former chairman of the Murray Historical Board, and who is now a part of the publication committee, said.

“The park is such an asset to the community and the book will be a stroll down memory lane,” she continued. “It’s not a scholarly treatise, but a representation of and from the community itself.”

There will be recounted memories from longtime residents, images from the old Murray Eagle, and likewise, from the photo albums of residents and their grandparents.

The book is the continuation of a tradition starting with the publication of “Murray City, 1976” for the country’s bicentennial. It was followed by “A Murray City Centennial Album” and “Faces of Murray,” both published in 2003, for the 100-year anniversary of incorporation for Murray City.

A teaser: historic photos of Murray Park

This book promises more in-depth photo archives than prior commemorative books, because the old Murray Eagle is now fully digitized and available and searchable through the University of Utah. Here’s a teaser:

Pool: “There have been four pools over the years,” Santa Cruz said. “But the original was filled with water piped directly from the Little Cottonwood Creek. The pool would be filled on Sunday, so cold you could barely swim on Monday, warm and nice by Saturday, then drained and refilled again on Sunday.” Murrayites didn’t get a pool with heated water until 1960.

The photo of the shivering children in the first Murray Park pool was taken some time in the 1920s. In 1945, the Board of

The famous long slide of Murray Park, which was eventually removed. (Photo courtesy of the Murray Museum)

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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Health closed the pool, due to water contamination. At that point, park officials started drawing water from three artesian wells, located near the existing park offices.

County Fair and Circus: The Salt Lake County Fair debuted at the park in 1939, kicking off a more than 60-year tradition. Until 1999, the park had permanent exhibit halls and stables, and for many years a threering circus and lively midway, complete with rides, were a part of the annual celebration.

In 1940, two elephants, Bunny and Willy, escaped from the traveling circus and were found on the park grounds munching on the lawn and plantings. They are the mascots for this centennial book, because elephants never forget their history.

Easter: Each year the Home Economics classes at Murray High School would dye over 2,500 eggs for the annual hunt, and children would chase a real bunny around the park as part of the celebration. “That poor put-upon bunny,” laughed Santa Cruz while recounting the story.

Adults were scolded in the Murray Eagle for trying to outrace the children to the eggs, even calling one woman an “old bag” for her poor sportsmanship. Some eggs could be redeemed for five cents at local stores, but it was also reported that some egg hunters were writing on the eggs themselves, changing the redemption value for more money. Egg hunts were a serious business opportunity, apparently.

WWII: The park did much during the war years to keep spirits up. Many families had a father overseas and a mother in the workplace. “Murray Park had all sorts of activities for kids,” Santa Cruz said. “During the war years activities became very patriotic. On May Day, they played taps and remembered locals who’d died that year. Even the swimming instruction changed, with a new emphasis on lifesaving.”

Fish Days: In 1943, the park started

stocking the creek with fish for Fish Days. This was a popular activity during the war, as fish were not rationed, and little fisherman could take home fish to feed the family. This activity doesn’t happen anymore, as the creek is shallower than it used to be, and warmer, so it cannot be stocked successfully.

A teaser: memories of Murray Park

Murray Parks and Rec hires a lot of kids, full-time and seasonally. It’s the place where many Murrayites got their first job.

“When we started researching the park, we realized that there has long been a great camaraderie between employees. Some, once hired, never leave,” Santa Cruz laughed. “Along with tales from longtime Murray residents, we also used employee stories to piece together memories from the last 50 years.”

Kim Sorenson, the current Parks and Recreation Director, is one of those kids who didn’t leave.

“I started working at the park in July 1977,” Sorenson recounted. “During the job interview Lynn Pett (former Park Supervisor and later Murray City Mayor) asked me if I was 16. I wasn’t.”

Sorenson went on to explain that the guilt of the falsehood weighed heavily, so he sheepishly entered Pett’s office and confessed.

“He [Pett] was quiet for a while, then said, ‘When do you turn?’ I told him two weeks. And he said, ‘You’re fine. Get back to work,’” Sorenson recounted. “He passed away a couple of years ago, but he teased me about the lie for decades.”

Sorenson started at $2.05 per hour. Each morning he’d show up and do whatever was asked: collect garbage, mow lawns, pull weeds. Pulling weeds was the worst assignment.

“I wasn’t always a follow-the-rules teenager. My boss (Bill Crocker) was a sergeant in the army, and he supervised like a sergeant. As punishment we’d be sent to weed the rose garden or a problem hillside

by Ken Price ballfield,” Sorensen said. “It was the worst job because there were more weeds back then. Now we have chemicals that help.”

“Interestingly, the most coveted job was garbage.” Sorenson continued. “You’d think garbage would be the worst job, but driving the truck was novel. It was fun to drive around the city and to the dump.”

Unlike most park systems, Murray has their own garbage truck which allows for garbage to be collected on demand, and in the case of especially busy days like Murray Fun Days, all day long.

“We need to remember that the park has touched so many people through the years,” Sorensen said. “My generation didn’t have the funding that people have now for extra-

curricular activities, so they spent a lot of family time in the park. But I think Covid reminded people that there is so much to do at the park, playgrounds and walking paths. It’s great just being outside and being together.”

Come to the party

Again, the party starts at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 15. There will be a car show, old-fashioned games, walking tours, a Lego model of the park, live entertainment, food trucks and ice cream and pie.

It will be 100 years of fun packed into just one night. And the book “A Hundred Years of Fun” will be available for your reading pleasure. l

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Bunny and Willy were two elephants who once grazed at Murray Park. (Courtesy Murray City Museum)

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 midJune 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)

From retro rewinds to classical musicals, Murray City sets the stage for summer

AsMurray Park prepares to celebrate its centennial on June 15, Murray City ushers in a season of cultural festivity and community spirit with its annual Summer Arts in the Park series. This year, the lineup is especially poignant, marking a century of recreation, community, and cultural enrichment facilitated by the cherished park. According to Murray City Cultural Arts Director Lori Edmunds, the Centennial Celebration is a monumental event for Murray City, and the city has woven this celebration into the summer series to honor the legacy and the future of Murray Park.

Edmunds indicated the park’s centenary is not just a reflection on its past but a forward-looking celebration, embodying the park’s role in fostering community connections and hosting countless cultural events. It sets the stage for a summer series that promises to blend traditional charm with contemporary performances, aiming to cater to the diverse tastes of Murray City’s residents and visitors. Music and Musicals at the Murray City Amphitheater

This summer’s cultural offerings are diverse, featuring a mix of musicals, concerts and dance performances. “We are producing three musicals for our summer series. In June, it will be the ‘South Pacific’ concert version. This will be part of our Murray Park Centennial Celebration,” Edmunds said.

“South Pacific” was one of the first musicals performed in the park’s amphitheater.

The series continues with performances of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” in July and “Peter and the Starcatcher” in August, showcasing the talents of local and regional artists. The addition of two nights dedicated to Celtic dancing, the melodious voices of the Rise Up children’s choir, and performances by the Murray Concert Band and Murray Symphony, further enriches the summer palette.

Retro enthusiasts will be delighted by the Retro Rewind segment, featuring tribute bands like DSB (Don’t Stop Believin’), Toast, Adbacadabbra, and Fleetwood Visions, which pay homage to the timeless music of Journey, Bread, ABBA and Fleetwood Mac. As explained by Edmunds, these tribute bands bring a touch of nostalgia to the concert series, offering something for music lovers of all ages. Curatorial Insights

The selection of the summer’s programming is a process that begins with potential directors proposing musicals they are passionate about directing. “Typically, our selection for the musicals starts with choosing a director and asking them for some musicals they would love to direct. Then these titles go before the Arts Advisory Board for their selections and input,” Edmunds said. This year, a feasibility study highlighted the community’s desire for a concert series extending into September, indicating a strong community interest in enjoying outdoor performances late into the summer.

“We will see if the weather will hold up

By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com

for these concerts,” Edmunds said.

According to Edmunds, Murray City’s Cultural Arts Department aims to mirror the community’s multifaceted interests in crafting the summer series. “Our goal is to offer a broad range of events that cater to different tastes, ages, and cultural backgrounds, ensuring there’s something for everyone,” Edmunds said.

Accessibility and sustainability are pillars of this year’s event planning, with efforts to make venues like the amphitheater and Pavilion #5 welcoming to all attendees. “We are looking to our feasibility study for guidance as well as our advisory boards,” Edmunds said.

Starting on the first Thursday in June, the free Children’s Matinees will be held at Murray Park Pavilion #5 (adjacent to the Murray Parks and Recreation Offices). Performances run 2-2:45 p.m. The Lunch Concert Series is also in Murray Park Pavilion #5, with performances from 12 to 12:45 p.m. Each week, a different band performs. Despite the name, actual lunch is not provided at the concerts, though Murray City encourages you to bring your own lunch while enjoying the live entertainment. Community Impact

Reflecting on the impact of past summer events, Edmunds shares heartwarming anecdotes of community engagement and joy. “For several years, we have been successful at making the amphitheater as well as pavilion #5 accessible to our patrons. Our Tuesday Lunch Concerts and Thursday Children’s Matinees are free, and they run through June and July. Our pricing at the amphitheater is very affordable, and our performances are high quality,” Edmunds said.

The Family Night Concert Series are free concerts held the second Monday of every month, June through October, at the Murray City Senior Recreation Center. Concerts run 7-7:50 p.m. and are typically held in the outdoor plaza. Concerts may be moved indoors if weather is not permitting. Even though concerts are held at the Senior Center, they are open to the public and for all ages; you do not need to be a member of the Center.

“We have found that each performance has its own ‘audience,’ so we try to include things for all ages and socioeconomic abilities. One of our most endearing successes is our free Tuesday and Thursday concerts in pavilion five as we have found our seasoned citizens, along with some special needs groups, regularly attend and will sing and dance with the performers. As staff, we enjoy watching them enjoy the music,” Edmunds said.

Staying Informed and Engaged

For those eager to partake in the summer festivities, Edmunds recommends visiting the official Murray City website for the most upto-date information on events, ticketing and schedules. “Our website is the best resource for residents and visitors to plan their summer around our cultural offerings,” she advises.

Patrons can find Murray City’s offerings and ticketing information online at www.murray.utah.gov.

Looking Forward

Murray City patrons will soon have more venues to choose from. Murray City Museum

will be opening soon, and the Murray Theater renovation is approaching its conclusion. The new Murray Park events center, Creekside Cottage, will near completion around mid2024. l

Kenshin Taiko, a Salt Lake City-based group of Japanese Taiko drummers, will perform at Murray Park in July. (Photo courtesy of Kenshin Taiko)

Journey tribute band, DSB (Don’t Stop Believin’) will perform at the Murray Amphitheater in September. (Photo courtesy of DSB)

The Murray Symphony will play on the Murray Amphitheater stage in June. (Photo courtesy of the Murray Symphony)

Murray City's naming saga: A clash of cultures, convictions and controversies

By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com

No, Murray City isn't undergoing a name change. Yet, it's intriguing that many lifelong residents are unaware of the story behind their city's namesake and the contentious history that led to its christening. The name of Murray doesn't honor a founder or notable local figure but stems from internal tensions within the community and a political statement made during its naming process.

Comedian Scott Bennett humorously highlighted Murray's unique name in his routine: "I love Utah; I love all the neat Mormon names you guys have for all of your cities: Nephi, Manti, Lehi, Moroni. And then of Salt Lake City, you have this little town called Murray. And I'm just like, 'Hey! Who invited the Jew?'”

In the 19th century, Latter-day Saint pioneers established the Murray area in groups organized into wards, such as Mississippi Ward, Cottonwood and South Cottonwood. South Cottonwood became particularly revered for its agricultural resources. This was due to the fertile soil and ample water supply from Big and Little Cottonwood creeks, which were essential for the community’s farming needs. Interestingly, the initial settlement at 5600 South and Vine Street was north of both creeks.

The discovery of ore in nearby mountains and the advent of the railroad heralded a new era for South Cottonwood. It wasn’t long before the area’s strategic position and access to transportation networks caught the eye of industrialists, leading to the establishment of Francklyn Smelter (4800 S. 200 West). This industrial development departed from the purely agrarian lifestyle, introducing a new economic dynamic that promised prosperity through diversification. The smelter, alongside the railroad, catalyzed the growth of a burgeoning community poised for change.

Harry Haynes stepped onto the scene as both a local business owner and the area’s postmaster. During the late 1800s, Murray’s State Street thrived as an industrial hub, bustling with smelters and railroads strategically positioned between the Park City and Bingham mines. Amidst this industrial surge, Haynes recognized a unique opportunity to serve the smelter workers.

Having arrived in the Utah Territory during a time of significant growth and change, Haynes was not just another entrepreneur. His venture into the liquor business not only established him as a key player in the local economy but also granted him a deep understanding of the

community’s social and economic dynamics. It was his appointment as postmaster, however, that truly elevated his influence within Murray, allowing him to shape the town’s future in profound and enduring ways.

Murray historian Korral Broschinsky said, “Harry Haynes, a Union veteran of the Civil War who came to Utah in 1870. He built a row of commercial buildings on the west side of State Street. Haynes was appointed postmaster in October 1882 and tasked with choosing candidates for the postal designation name. Haynes was faced with competing interests for the identity of the emerging community.”

At the time, Eli Houston Murray was the territorial Governor of Utah. Born in Kentucky, Murray was a man of considerable accomplishments and controversies. His journey from a Union Army enlistee

during the Civil War to the 12th Governor of the Territory of Utah is a story of ambition, legal acumen and steadfastness. Murray’s post-war life saw him achieving the rank of brigadier general, completing a law degree, and engaging in various professional pursuits, including serving as a U.S. Marshal and newspaper editor before his appointment as governor in 1880 by President Rutherford B. Hayes.

Like most Utah territorial governors, Murray’s term in office was marked by fighting with the local LDS leaders, who exuded more influence than he did. Murray’s tenure as governor was tainted by his involvement in a contentious election certification that significantly impacted the political landscape regarding Mormon practices, particularly polygamy. His decision to certify non-LDS Allen G. Campbell as a delegate to congress over LDS Apostle George Q. Cannon, despite the latter receiving a vastly greater number of votes due to Cannon’s practice of polygamy and questions over his naturalization, reflected Murray’s stance against the LDS establishment in Utah.

He would serve as governor until 1886 and headed to California. Regardless, Haynes liked the man, and as postmaster, he was required to submit names for the new post office.

“The farmers preferred the name South Cottonwood, which had religious connotations as the name of the local ward of the LDS Church. Business leaders wanted to use the name of a local smelter, Francklyn, which was also the name of the train station on the Utah Central and Denver and Rio Grande lines, but not used by the general public,” Broschinsky said.

Haynes proposed two names: George Armstrong Custer, the well-known general who died at the Battle of Little Bighorn, and Eli Houston Murray. Choosing Eli Houston Murray, a figure recognized for his opposition to polygamy and tense

relationship with the Mormon community, went beyond merely selecting a name. It served as a political declaration by Haynes, revealing his ideological leanings and making a statement that resonated with the area's social dynamics, alluding to Murray’s contentious tenure as territorial governor.

With the names submitted, Haynes received word from the Postmaster General—Murray. However, similar to how they regarded the territorial governors, local LDS residents viewed this naming as merely a bureaucratic formality and continued to call the area South Cottonwood.

“Harry Haynes made the right choice in avoiding South Cottonwood and Francklyn. Although Eli H. Murray was a controversial territorial governor, I am very glad my hometown was not named Custer,” Broschinsky said.

As the number of saloons swelled to 40 around Haynes’ business on State Street, the editor of the American Eagle newspaper advocated for Murray’s official incorporation to address the increasing lawlessness in the city. Haynes resisted the idea of incorporation, worried about its potential adverse effects on his businesses. Nonetheless, the community overwhelmingly supported the move, and Murray was officially recognized as a city. Haynes realized that the city he had played a role in naming was changing. In 1914, Murray declared itself a dry town, banning the lawful sale of liquor until the prohibition was lifted.

Like Eli Murray, Haynes left Utah. It is uncertain if Eli Murray ever visited the town named after him. Eventually, Murray returned to Kentucky, where he chose to live in Bowling Green, where he died in 1896. Murray and his wife are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. l

Murray City's namesake Eli Houston Murray. (Photo courtesy of the Murray Museum)

Murray Postmaster Harry Haynes was responsible for selecting Murray as the city's name. (Photo courtesy of the Murray Museum)

Harry Haynes' businesses dominated State Street in the 1880s, and he influenced the name Murray City.

Murray City Power helps light up the Navajo Nation

By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com

It’s2024, and some homes still don’t have electricity. For thousands of people in the Navajo Nation, living off-grid is still a reality for them. So Murray Power stepped in and helped bring light into their homes.

Murray Power is sending a crew, as part of the “Light Up Navajo” initiative, to help connect residents there to the electrical grid.

Groups from all over the country are part of the project, dedicated to ensuring homes in the Navajo Nation have the power they need. Murray is sending a group of three journeyman lineman and one apprentice lineman with one 60foot bucket truck and one crew truck.

“Murray [employees] also get some much-needed training hours for our lineman. Our guys line up every year hoping to be a part of such a wonderful project,” said Eric Bracewell, operations manager for Murray City Power.

The cost of connecting isolated rural households to the grid is high, in part due to high utility costs and limited government loans. These setbacks have made the progress toward greater electrification slow. To help, the American Public Power Association (APPA), in partnership with the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA), launched the Light Up Navajo initiative.

“To bring power to our citizens who have been living without is probably the most gratifying thing that we can do as lineman,” Bracewell said.

The initiative officially launched in April with 42 electric companies from 16 states going to participate through July. This year’s goal is to connect at least 200 houses to the electric grid. Last year, 26 electric companies took part in the

initiative and connected 159 homes to the power grid.

In a statement on the initiative’s website, the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority general manager said, “We are grateful for the outside utilities who want to help bring positive change for families waiting for electricity. The communities these utilities represent learned about our challenges and were prompted to be a part of this dramatically meaningful project.”

The Navajo Nation is the largest Native American territory in the United States, with an estimated population of around 300,000. The Nation occupies portions of northeastern Arizona, southeastern Utah and northwestern New Mexico.

Electrifying just one house on the reservation is expensive. Each household, on average, requires one transformer, 0.6 miles of wire, nine poles, 16 insulators, and two arrestors to connect to the electric grid. That averages out to around $5,500 per house.

“We are grateful to have the support of our mayor, city council members, and our department leaders to continue to help with this,” Bracewell said. “We hope that we will be able to support the Light Up Navajo project until the mission is complete.” l

Murray City Power crews worked 14 hour days while helping the Light Up Navajo initiative. (Photo from Murray City Power Facebook)

NeighborWorks helps paint houses, take care of yards

By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com

NeighborWorks

works in partnership with Murray residents, government and businesses to create neighborhoods by providing opportunities for housing, resident and youth leadership, financial education and economic development.

The company was founded in 1977 in response to neighborhoods being blighted as a result of disinvestment and red lining. Residents, lending institutions, and the Salt Lake City government came together to raise funds to establish the first community development corporation in the Salt Lake area to focus on neighborhood revitalization.

Murray City partnered with NeighborWorks in 2009 when they addressed housing needs in their Housing Market Analysis.

“We help revitalize neighborhoods and help residents by offering home improvement grants to help make health and safety repairs in homes that need a new roof, water heater, [and] electrical,” said CEO Maria Garciaz.

NeighborWorks holds two community events to bring in volunteers and help those in the community. Every August, about 250 volunteers from businesses, community organizations, and corporations come together to paint the homes of individuals with disabilities, veterans and limited-income homeowners in the annual Paint Your Heart Out event.

Since it began in 1985, NeighborWorks has painted over 823 homes in the community. Their goal of helping homeowners who cannot physically

or financially paint their homes has a positive impact on more than just the home. By revitalizing one home, the owners will feel like a cherished part of the community, neighbors will be inspired to spruce up their homes, and volunteers can know they truly made a difference for someone.

Aside from their August event, NeighborWorks also holds a community event every November, where volunteers clean up the yards of those who cannot do it themselves. The Rake Your Heart Out garners about 100 volunteers.

“Volunteers have a fulfilling experience helping these individuals,” Garciaz said.

NeighborWorks Murray also has funds available to Murray City residents to access home improvement loans with flexible rates and guidance. Their loans and grants range from five to 25 years and residents can secure up to 20% of their homes appraised value or a maximum amount of $45,000.

NeighborWorks is kicking off a new program this summer, a community land trust. Garciaz said a community land trust is a shared equity program where the land will be in a trust and the home (structure of the house) will be what the buyer will need to qualify for. This will reduce the amount of mortgage they need to qualify for. When the home is sold, they share the equity with the land trust, but still build some equity that they might use to purchase a new home. l

Volunteers gather for the Paint Your Heart Out event 2023. (Photo from NeighborWorks Murray Facebook)

DakotaKing, a lifelong resident of Murray, is preparing to pass the crown onto the next Miss Murray.

The Miss Murray title recognized individuals for their dedications and contributions to the community. As Miss Murray 2023, King was expected to represent the community in various ways throughout the year. Her background in dance and education played a big role in her time as Miss Murray.

King was inspired to compete for Miss Murray by her high school dance teacher and then director of Miss Murray, Leesa Lloyd.

“Through the Miss Murray Organization, she taught me how to be unapologetically myself, grow from my mistakes, and see potential in others,” King said.

King first competed for the title of Miss Murray in 2020, and though she didn’t win, she was inspired by the growth that she experienced throughout the process. Before Lloyd passed away in May 2022, King promised her she would compete again, and in 2023, she was crowned Miss Murray.

“I now wear this title and crown in honor of her legacy,” she said.

King had two goals when she was crowned Miss Murray: to share her community service initiative and become visible as Miss Murray. Her initiative, the Kindness Chain, was meant

Looking back on Miss Murray’s 2023 reign

By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com

to increase joy and generosity through simple acts of kindness.

“I successfully shared this initiative through social media posts and school kindness chains,” King said.

King spent five weeks with Woodstock Elementary School in September, working on a kindness chain with 25 classes. Each week, students wrote a kindness they completed on a strip of paper and connected their chain links. At the end of the month, King collected the chains each class had created and hung them around the school as a “physical representation that kindness holds us together as a community.”

Her second goal was to make Miss Murray visible.

“There is a misconception that Miss Murray is just a pretty face with a sparkly crown but it is more than that,” she said.

She said it’s a professional development program for women to enact service and receive scholarships that go toward their education. King educated Murray City on the role of Miss Murray through attending events and speaking with Murray residents.

King said she learned a lot about herself through her time as Miss Murray. It changed how she did things and how she let others help instead of tackling things on her own.

“For most of my life, I tried to complete tasks and responsibilities independently without the help of others,” she said. “I thought it was more impressive and efficient that way. Miss Murray taught me the opposite. Efficiency and success effectively happen when you work together. I learned to utilize networking, inclusion, and collaboration and it not only made my year successful but fulfilling.”

At the end of her reign, she hopes that Murray residents get to know the next Miss Murray and what her community service initiative offers the community.

“These community service initiatives can truly make a positive impact,” she said. “She cannot make a difference alone though. Making a positive difference will require your open mind and participation.”

To the next Miss Murray, King says to “take the title and run with it.” She took advantage of any opportunity that came her way and through that, she got to know and love so many people in Murray.

“I don’t regret one second of it,” King said. “It is a very challenging and demanding role but I promise you, if you give it your very best, you won’t regret it.”

As she moves on from Miss Murray, King said she’s looking forward to utilizing the skills she gained from the program.

“My experiences have improved my skills in networking, collaboration, public speaking, and project building,” King said. “These skills will benefit me in becoming a well-spoken, professional, and creative secondary dance educator which is my ultimate career goal.” l

Dakota King spreads her Kindness Chain to Woodstock Elementary School students. (Photo courtesy of Dakota King)

Inside look into unified basketball: Athletes say it’s more than a game

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.

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

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

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 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.

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

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.”

At the same time as coaching the 25 basketball players, Murray High School special education teacher Jessie Agiriga was supporting her students who were competing on the unified swim team and on the unified e-sports team.

being brave and trying our hardest,” she said.

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.”

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.

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

“Everyone improved their times in the pool at region,” she said. “We had two students and two partners on our e-sports team who took first at a competition at SLCC (Salt Lake Community College). This is our second year for unified track. Our Best Buddies friendship walk is big in April. Some of our kiddos have something almost every day after school so it’s awesome that they make up part of our school culture.”

So awesome, in fact, that earlier this school year, Murray High was recognized with the national banner for inclusion as a unified champion school for meeting Special Olympics’ 10 standards of excellence for creating an inclusive environment, said Courtnie Worthen, manager of Special Olympics Utah’s Unified Champion Schools.

The banner presented represents each student, she said.

“Not a single banner here is more important than the banner representing inclusion,” she said.

Murray High’s dedication and commitment to inclusion was multiplied as it was announced being an ESPN Honor Roll school.

Agiriga said the recognition is critical.

“It’s important because it shows our school is accepting and welcoming of all students. It’s pretty fun to celebrate that we have lots of opportunities for the students and that they are included,” she said.

Murray High Athletic Director Brady Smith said it has been rewarding to see the unified program expand.

“It’s really been a positive thing,” he said. “We have a number of unified sports opportunities. We’ve had multiple assembles that involve our whole school. We have Best Buddies where students can do monthly activities and often times, we just see the students hang out together. Being a banner school means we’ve created an environment where all students can be successful, and everyone can contribute to a positive space. Everyone at Murray is valued.” l

Murray High brings up the ball against Skyline High during the state unified basketball championships, which included 80 teams this year. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Thousands of local girls engage in SheTech Explorer Day activities

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Riverton High senior Gabi Fenn was one of 3,000 girls from 130 of high schools across the state who was immersed for a day of STEM education at the 10th annual SheTech Explorer Day.

“You’re going to have an opportunity today to see so many different technologies and to be able to apply to things that you love,” Cydni Tetro, president and one of the founders of Women Tech Council who oversaw SheTech Explorer Day, told the girls. “Think about if you learn technology, how you can apply that and help us change the world.”

Girls had the opportunity to attend workshops in programming, engineering, aerospace, robotics, biomedicine, esports, web design and more as well as talk to 1,000 professionals in the industry in the hands-on TechZone. There, many of them discovered that science and technology will be part of whatever career they would choose, Tetro said.

There also were opportunities to learn about college and career pathways and programs, which Fenn checked out.

“I want to learn more about the colleges’ engineering programs,” she said. “I’m thinking of studying biological engineering because I like biology and chemistry.”

Her classmate, senior Shreya Goyal, already has been accepted into Vanderbilt Uni-

versity’s engineering program.

“I’m figuring out what kind of engineering I’m interested in and what I want to do in the future by talking to these different companies here,” she said. “We just talked to one company’s biological engineering person, and that was pretty cool.”

Both girls have served the past year on SheTech’s student board, where they helped plan this event.

“This has been a great opportunity to meet other girls who are interested in the same things as us and make connections for the future,” Goyal said.

Applications for the one-year SheTech student board positions and summer internships are now open.

Around the corner from them, a large group was huddled around the one of the dozens and dozens of industry and college booths. They were talking with one of the Utah Royals’ owners, Jessica Gelman, who pointed out that they use tech from the heart monitors to taking care of the field.

“We’ve come back with a new ownership group and everything other than the name was recreated; so much of what we’re doing on the team side is analytics because there has been a lack of it in women’s sport,” she said. “A huge focus is leveraging STEM to drive both the player side, the performance side on field, as well as the business side. We believe strongly how analytics is a differentiator and we want to empower and help young women understand these opportunities that they’re passionate about.”

The interactive SheTech Explorer Day concluded with the opportunity for students to innovate and create in teams. In the TechChallenge, they brainstormed ideas to solve an issue and pitched their solution to industry mentors. l

At the 10th annual SheTech Explorer Day TechZone, students tried out 3D pens as well as explored tech booths and talked to industry professionals. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Four AMES students to represent Utah at national education conference

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

In late June into early July, four AMES students will represent AMES at the Educators Rising 2024 National Conference.

“We had several of our Educators Rising students finish first and second in the state competition and we’ll be sending three of them to be competing in Washington, D.C.,” said Principal Brett Wilson.

The fourth student, junior Eddie Memmott, was selected as a regional officer for the state chapter and will represent Utah at the conference.

According to the website, Educators Rising encourages students to learn techniques and get clinical experience before they enter college. Many students get recognized as student leaders and are advocates for education.

That is how Memmott feels.

“Honestly, I decided to run because I realized this would look very good on my resume,” she said. “But then, this club became very important to me. It started very small at AMES. I think only 10 people were in it last year and this year exploded to 30. I want to kind of spread it and help it grow. Education is very important.”

Memmott said last year, her first year in the chapter, she had so much fun with other students and competing in something she cared about.

“I’ve learned a lot of leadership planning and working with people. I have an internship where I’m a peer mentor and I help teach the class with the teacher. It’s helped me understand how to work with students so they’re learning in a positive way,” she said.

Last year, she competed in two categories—impromptu speech and children’s storybook kindergarten through third grade.

“I’m an artist. So, I really enjoyed making the storybook, and I had the idea of making something I could use, and it could be part of a portfolio. I picked impromptu speech because I thought I wouldn’t have to do too much preparation for it. I was wrong,” she said.

However, her hard work last year preparing for that contest paid off and she competed nationally in impromptu and placed third. The topic was book banning.

“I found out my topic and had 10 minutes to prepare. Then, the speech is between two and six minutes. I could use my phone for research, but really, a lot of it was studying a variety of education topics and getting very good at practicing how to make points with things I already knew,” she said.

By competing in impromptu, “it’s

made me a better public speaker. I was so afraid. I’m a very nervous person, but this has changed me. By forcing myself to do it, I knew I’d get better and become more comfortable,” she said.

This year’s state impromptu topic was should mental health screening be required at school and if they should be required to report those findings for the parents, Memmott said.

“It was a big topic and Zoe Dubiner won. She’s going to be competing at nationals,” she said.

Joining Dubiner competing will be Liv Nelson, who won the state interactive bulletin board contest.

“It’s a big cork board and in the competition, you need to create an interactive lesson with it. What Liv did is she made felt pieces of a pig dissection for ninthgrade students in biology. Some people are very squeamish about dissecting so with her felt version, you can learn about the anatomy without having to touch a real pig. It’s very well made and honestly, it would save schools a lot of money to have a reusable bulletin board instead of using pigs,” Memmott said.

That contest, as well as Roxana Gloria’s in Spanish Children’s Literature, is a presentation.

Gloria’s book is written for children in Spanish.

“She came up with the idea and she wrote and illustrated it,” Memmott said.

Thirty AMES students competed in February at the state contest in Ogden. Eleven of those students placed in the top three in their event.

“There is a big variety of competitions. You can compete in teacher-created materials where you make something used in the classroom setting, you can do a TED talk, you can do improvised speech, write a children’s storybook,” she said. “But it’s more than just competing. There are breakout sessions where we can connect and learn from each other and have a lot of fun interaction with other schools.”

While Memmott’s plan is to go into neuropsychology after high school, she eventually wants to teach.

“My teacher and adviser, Carrie Strecker, talked me into joining and it was a great decision. It’s a great way to learn a variety of skills in teaching and speaking or learning how to create materials,” she said. “I’ll be learning a lot of communication and leadership skills in the year ahead—and having a lot of fun.” l

AMES students will represent Utah this June at the Educators Rising 2024 National Conference. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

AMES students seek national student title in system control technology

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Weeksbefore the end of the school year, typical high school seniors may be ensuring they’ve completed high school requirements, looking for college acceptance letters and hoping credits transfer to college, taking final exams, finding jobs and looking forward to commencement exercises.

However, the AMES team of seniors Ethan Thai, Andy Grzybowski and Khang Tran, had some added pressure those last few weeks. As the state Technology Student Association’s champions in system control technology, they were putting extra time into programming and pre-building mechanisms that they could possibly use in the national contest.

“We’re using Python because that allows our programming to be straightforward,” Grzybowski said. “We also want to pre-build a couple of mechanisms. I made a mechanism to connect the motor (during the state competition) that was very time consuming. It took me an hour to figure it out. So, by having that sort of thing built and having some extra framed pieces, we won’t have to improvise as much and will be able to use our time wisely.”

The national 2024 convention, “Evolution of Excellence,” that host 40 different events for high school students, will be June

26-30 in Orlando. According to TSA, there are about 300,000 middle and high school student members who attend 2,300 schools in 48 states. Of those, 100% are likely to graduate from high school and 75% are college bound.

In the contest, the team will have three hours to develop a solution to an industrial problem, which will be presented to them at the conference. They will analyze the problem, build a computer-controlled mechanical model, program the model, demonstrate the programming and mechanical features of the model-solution in an interview, and provide instructions for evaluators to operate the model. The judges are professionals from the industry.

The AMES team, advised by technology teacher Vaughn Webster, has learned some tricks from their first contest, which they forgot a pencil.

Thai, who has been on the team for three years, said that year, “our documentation was done in crayon. Last year, we managed to return to the podium. This year, we put it all together. Our goal is to win.”

This is the third year that AMES has had a team compete nationally, Webster said.

“Our team has been twice before,” he said. “First time was at Memphis; we took

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seventh overall. The last time we went to Atlanta and finished fourth overall.”

At state this year, the team was given an objective when they reached the competition. They developed a prototype of a conveyor belt system to sort and classify objects using the LEGO MINDSTORMS they brought with them.

“It’s very realistic,” Grzybowski said. “I work part time as an automation engineer at a small company and this bears some similarities to our automating systems which can run with no human input after the system has been set up. It’s a robot to machine. We designed it, prototyped it and programed and tested it. It’s an absolute blast.”

He also works as a machinist for the University of Utah and wants to become a physicist.

While Grzybowski was responsible for the mechanical system, Thai was over programming the device. He found it challenging because MINDSTORMS’ system didn’t allow commenting.

“That’s what the judges want the teams to clearly demonstrate; we have to document how to go about solving the problem with blueprints and a prototype,” he said. “Block coding is like sequential steps, it’s really hard to have it come together to create a system. So, we worked around that and created pseudocode, which is where I just wrote down in English step by step what the code does.”

Thai, who is the school’s TSA vice president, plans to attend the U of U’s College of Engineering majoring in computer science in the fall.

Tran was mostly responsible for most of the team’s documentation, Grzybowski said.

“As we were working through it, he was writing down what we’re doing. He also just pointed out obvious flaws with what we were doing. He compiled our information and thought process so when we were done, we handed that paper to judges for our documentation. It was organized, so it was easy for them to understand,” he said.

Their documentation also included annotated sketches and diagrams and instructions for operating the machine.

Several other teams placed in the top 10 in other events, Webster said.

“What I like about TSA is the diversity of events and the leadership,” he said. “There are events that span a variety of digital art, engineering, construction, manufacturing, aeronautics. There are many different STEM opportunities. Then, it teaches leadership. Within our chapter, we have six different officers and then, there are state officers as well. They learn responsibilities and how to best lead their peers. It’s a great opportunity for our students.”l

AMES students Andy Grzybowski and Ethan Thai demonstrate their state-winning prototype in the Technology Student Association’s system control technology category. Not pictured is team member Khang Tran. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

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MAYOR’S MESSAGE

Water conservation is being good stewards of a life and community sustaining resource. It takes education, incentives, and policy to e ectively manage a conservation program. You can nd incentive programs here murray.utah.gov/255/Water-Conservation

Flip your Strip, Turf Trade, Toilet, Showerhead and Smart Sprinkler Controller rebates. We have partnered with likeminded entities to assist with our conservation program. The National Energy Foundation, Utah Rivers Council, EPA WaterSense, to name a few. Murray city residents have used 19.4% less water since 2020 because of their actions to water conservation communication and education. The State of Utah requires water providers like Murray City to prepare and adopt a water conservation plan every 5 years. This conservation plan gives us a road map to meet the 2019 Utah Regional Conservation Goals. The State has set goals to reduce overall water use but largely focuses on reductions in outdoor use. Outdoor use contributes to our water system peak demand. Lessening this

Murray City Metered Water Usage

Date: Tuesday through Friday Time: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Date: Tuesday and Thursday

Time: 9:00 a.m. – noon

Cost: $1.50 each class + cost of supplies

MEDICARE CAN BE FUN!

Date: Thursday, Jun. 13

Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Billing Questions 801-264-2626

murray.utah.gov

Cost: Free

801-264-2600

10 East 4800 South Murray, Utah 84107

will extend the lifespan of existing infrastructure and water sources. Indoor use will continue to decline naturally as old, ine cient devices and xtures wear out and are replaced with new, more e cient models that we promote as a WaterSense partner. The regional goals are designed to reduce Gallons per Capita per Day (GPCD). The Salt Lake Region started in 2019 at 222 GPCD and water providers are expected to attain GPCD deadlines that eventually achieve 169 GPCD in 2065. The graph attached shows Murray City’s GPCD for the past ve years. GPCD with irrigation is what we submit to the state with our Water User report yearly. The total with irrigation water doesn’t necessarily re ect how our residents have performed because this water solely lls the Willow Pond, irrigation for the Jordan River Parkway and Murray City Golf Course. That is why we are presenting both methods.

We thank all Murray City Water users for their e orts in conservation and being mindful of how we use our most precious resource.

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Message from the Council CITY COUNCIL

The Value of an Educated Council

We have had two of the best years for water in nearly twenty years. The Great Salt Lake will reach its highest level in years, while our reservoirs are lled. The increased snow and rain might lead some to overlook the importance of water conservation. Utah is still one of the driest states in the country meaning the quality water years only gives us a respite before our next drought. We need to continue to improve water conservation throughout the city and state to prepare for the dry years. A few resources will help and guide our conservation e orts in the city.

Murray City Public Works has begun o ering water-e cient grass seed to residents. This turf has been formulated for our Utah climate, so it will stay green while requiring less water. Normal turfs require watering two or three times a week, while this water-e cient turf reduces the required water by 30%-40% or one or two waterings a week. Residents can buy ve pounds of seed for $15. Planting and

growing the seed is simple with Public Works providing instructions on how to do it. This turf is a great way to keep lawns that many of us care about while conserving water.

Flipping park strips is another great way to conserve water. Some estimate ipping a park strip can conserve between 5,0008,000 gallons of water each year. Murray o ers incentives to qualifying individuals. Incentives and quali cations are found at https:// murray.utah.gov/1853/Flip-Your-Strip-Information.

Another resource is the water guide from the Utah Division of Water Resources. The weekly guide can be found on their social media pages as well as conservewater.utah.gov/weekly-lawn-watering-guide. This guide provides direction about how many times a week individuals should water their lawns based on the forecast and temperatures. Conserving water is as important now as it was two and three years ago when we were at peak drought conditions. Preparing now for the next dry winter will bene t all of us for a long time.

—Adam

Hock, District #5

News From the Murray Community and Economic Development Department

The Murray City Council adopted the Downtown Strategic Plan at the May 7 council meeting. The plan presents a vision for the revitalization of the area known as Block One. This area encompasses the block from 4800 South State St. to 5th Avenue on the west side of State St.

City planners are currently using this information to work with VODA Landscape and Design to create a new zoning code for downtown Murray. The form-based code will guide new development and establish acceptable building heights, sizes, and orientation as well as specifying building materials,

open space requirements and emphasizing a pedestrian friendly, walkable downtown design. The new code will be completed in 6 months and will hopefully be adopted by the end of this year.

Finally, a conceptual plan has beennalized for the creation of a historic public plaza on Poplar St., running from 5th Avenue, north to the Townsend House. The plan and a cost estimate should be made public in June. This exciting project will showcase three historic homes and provide a relaxing and beautiful place to experience some old fashion charm in the middle of downtown Murray.

City Council District #1

Paul Pickett

801-743-0911

ppickett@murray.utah.gov

Council District 2

Pam Cotter

801-541-8364

pcotter@murray.utah.gov

Council District 3

Rosalba Dominguez

801-382-9674

rosalba.dominguez@murray.utah.gov

Council District 4

Diane Turner

801-635-6382

diane.turner@murray.utah.gov

City Council District #5

Adam Hock

801-557-1346

ahock@murray.utah.gov

Executive Director

Jennifer Kennedy Office: 801-264-2622

jkennedy@murray.utah.gov

Telephone Agenda Information 801-264-2525

ROOTED IN THE DISTRICT. COMMITTED TO OUR COMMUNITY.

Murray is my home. It’s the community that built me and shaped me into the person I am today. I am honored by the opportunity to represent the district I love.

I wanted to take this time to introduce our family. My wife Kim and I have been married for 15 years and together we have four amazing “Bird Boys”, who are proud to be 5th generation “Murrayites”. Kim is an elementary school teacher for Murray City School District and continually serves and gives back wherever she can. I attended the University of Utah where I obtained a Bachelors in Business and a Masters in Finance. Currently, I work for the University of Utah as a Healthcare Administrator.

We have some amazing events coming up, and I look forward to meeting many of you throughout this campaign. I hope to earn your suppprt come November.

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Riverview Junior High student wins PTA Reflections logo competition

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

PrestonMarshall, a ninth-grade Riverview Junior High student, was named the 202425 Utah PTA Reflections logo competition winner. His entry under the theme “Accepting Imperfection” features a broken glass, fragmented background representing the idea that people can release the idea of perfection.

“Not everything has to be perfect to be great,” Preston said. “You don’t need to be the best at whatever you do. You can just be good. You just need to do the right thing. You don’t need to be perfect.”

The contest was open to students in any PTA school in Utah and organizers received more than three dozen entries. The winning logo will be used for the UTA PTA 2024-25 Reflections program.

“When selecting a logo for our upcoming year, we look for artwork that is engaging, well-executed, colorful and does a good job of portraying the theme in a way that will inspire students to reflect on the theme for that year and create original art sharing their personal interpretations,” said Rebekah Pitts, Utah PTA Reflections specialist. “Preston’s image will be used to create promotional posters and other materials.”

As the winner, Preston received a $50 Amazon gift card and a poster of his artwork. He will attend Murray High School this fall,

studying woodshop, graphic design and advanced math.

“Art is important to bring out our creativity,” he said. “It takes a lot of practice to get where you need to be but it’s important to express yourself.”l

801-288-3000 | 888-GCU-TEAM | granite.org

Riverview Junior High student Preston Marshall’s entry in the Utah PTA Reflections logo competition was selected as the winner. (Photo courtesy of the Marshall family)

Preston Marshall’s logo entry in the Utah PTA Reflections logo competition represents the idea of embracing imperfection. (Photo courtesy of the Marshall family)

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

RGS Exteriors & Construction doesn’t skimp on quality

Since its original inception more than 70 years ago, RGS Exteriors & Construction has evolved from being a weatherstripping and caulking service to becoming a toptier installer of quality siding, rain gutters, windows and more.

As a fth-generation business, what sets RGS apart from its competitors is its dedication to quality products, its guaranteed installation and its high-quality workmanship. RGS COO Kurt Fisher said the company has intentionally become experts in the industry by methodically incorporating new products and services.

“Our general philosophy has been to nd the best version of a product or the best material and then gure out how to install it in the most superior way,” he said. “If we’re going to do quality work, we want it to last a long time. So we have a 10-year warranty on anything that we do.”

The products used by RGS must live up to that warranty so they partner with superior suppliers to o er true value for money. Because RGS doesn’t cut corners with inexpensive materials, homeowners can be assured the investment they make in their home will be backed up with exemplary workmanship.

As the state’s premium rain gutter installation company for more than 60 years, RGS has spent decades re ning its products and services to protect homes from roof rot, damaged siding or leaky foundations.

Fisher said they are uncompromising when it comes to quality and their clients are willing to pay the extra expense for materials that are long-lasting, durable and installed correctly.

“We’re asking customers to pay more money to do this job the right way and that’s the only way anybody can justify paying more money for anything. There has to be tangible value,” Fisher said. “Our ideal clients are people who are really invested in their home, people who care about quality and have a high sense of value in their home.”

For siding projects, RGS uses James Hardie ber cement siding for its durability, style and low-maintenance lifespan. As the only Elite Preferred installer for James Hardie in Utah, RGS trains its installation crews to be incredibly knowledgeable about the product before they ever get to work on a home.

RGS also features triple-pane windows, expertly installed for the price of a double-pane window. With the extreme

temperatures in Utah, high-quality windows o er less temperature bleed-through, better sound dampening and added security.

With a variety of window options, homeowners can choose a style that re ects their home’s personality. Whether it’s a bay window, a picture window or a garden window, RGS backs its window installation with a lifetime warranty.

Other services o ered by RGS include remodeled entryways, custom metalwork, stucco, doors and chimney covers. Stop by the RGS location at 4235 Farm Road in West Jordan to talk with an expert, or for more information, visit rgsexteriorsutah.com or call 801-997-6616.

“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)

Conservation fair highlights waterwise improvements

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

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)

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

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 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)

Tip 6: Surface Mulches. Mulching with bark, wood chips 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.

An hour glimpse into a lasting impact

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

It’sa few minutes after 9 a.m.

She opens the door, stating the conference room was reserved several minutes ago. As the high school administrators gather up their belongings and leave, she sets down her the three oversized headshots of notable high school alumni. Amongst them, is former Murray School District Supt. Richard Tranter, who hired her.

She never takes a drink from her Dr. Pepper nor glances at her cellphone, giving those in the room her full, undivided attention.

She looks at them, ready to begin. She’s confident. She should be. She’s been doing this for 25 years.

Jeanne Habel is Murray Education Foundation’s executive director.

Habel began soon after the Foundation’s first golf tournament in 1999, which raised money to fund teachers grants.

“It took all year to distribute the $7,000 raised,” she said. “The teachers couldn’t believe we were giving them the money for their classrooms.”

This year, the golf tournament’s 128 slots for 32 foursomes sold out; the tournament raised $30,000, “but because of being self-sustaining, we were able to fulfill grants for $60,000,” said Habel, who has appreciated Sheila Johnson’s contributions for years with the Foundation and chairing the golf tournament.

The 140 teacher grants were funded during a three-hour meeting.

“Through the years, we’ve funded microscopes, math manipulatives, chickens, field trips, assemblies, classroom sets of books, butterflies,” she said.

With many of the grants, there are stories. When fish, which were funded by the Foundation, were let go in Willow Pond, a girl watched a bird gulp up her release.

“She was in tears and said, ‘I had named it,’ but what a great educational lesson,” Habel said.

Pickleball sets, which are still used today, were purchased for Riverview before the sport became widely popular. Rubber boots were given to the Kennecott Nature Center so schoolchildren’s feet wouldn’t get soaked on the banks of the Jordan River.

While the Foundation has purchased calculators or headphones, they won’t give money to support items such as computers, iPads, food or furniture. Habel said there are other avenues to secure those items.

“She uses the money wisely and knows the resources to best help our teachers and District,” said associate director Doug Perry.

Through the 24 years of coordinating the tournament, Habel has never played one round on the day.

“I like to be around the people. If I played, I could only talk to three people,” she said.

That, not Habel’s previous work “in the financial world,” is where she contributes her success.

“I know Murray. My kids went to Murray schools. My grandkids are here. It’s my connection to Murray that makes the difference,” she said.

Habel’s work in schools first began as a mother helping in the classroom. When asked to help raise funds for Horizon, she sold Christmas ornaments to local businesses to put on the school tree.

That caught the attention of then school principal Jan Evans, who encouraged Habel to apply and interview for the Foundation’s part-time position.

“Those first few years were really fun,” she said, then smiled. “Then, it became more fun.”

Habel is the face of the Murray Education Foundation.

While it was created in 1981 under former Supt. Ron Stephens as a way for businesses and individuals to take an active

role in improving Murray District schools and help establish the nature center, Habel has built the Foundation, brick by brick— literally.

When Murray High was rebuilt in 2003, Habel was one of two who carefully laid out donor bricks to be built in the northwestern school entrance, where bricks continue to be contributed today.

“We wanted to make sure it was done right,” she said, adding that about $40,000 was raised through the brick sales.

As the executive director, Habel oversees getting funds for students. At first, it was obtaining backpacks and items in the classroom; now it has stretched to help with food and housing insecurities.

“We’ve had an influx of refugees and new families coming into our country and our District without basic needs,” Perry said.

Habel isn’t timid; she can’t afford to be.

“I’ve beat on many a door. I’ve heard people say, ‘No, not now’ and I’ve said, ‘I’ll be back next year.’ I don’t take no for an answer. Tenacity is a good quality. You can’t take ‘no’ personally,” she said.

For years, Habel has sought grants and donations to help students. She can name who made contributions, who helped, who gave of their time to support the Foundation’s initiatives.

However, upon learning from Perry that a business foundation gave $12,000 to cover outstanding costs on students’ lunches and breakfasts, Habel was surprised.

“I hadn’t heard that,” she said. “Our community is generous. The more we get the word out, the more people want to provide, to educate and to lift these students. A lot of people want to help. There are a lot of caring people in Murray. I haven’t done this alone. It takes a village. We have done this work together.”

Habel relies upon some of those generous businesses to help support the Pinnacle gala, the annual awards given to the District’s top teachers, classified employees and volunteers.

“Our teachers do so much for Murray children, and we felt that they needed to be recognized, honored with our accolades,” she said, adding that she worked alongside Tranter and Pinnacle chair Sharon Westover to start the recognition program.

It’s an acknowledgement that started before the first gala in 2003, which had limousines drive the awardees on an icy Janu-

ary night to the ceremony that lasted until nearly midnight. That and every year, students introduce their teachers for the awards while Murray High School students provide entertainment, the flower arrangements and cook and serve the food.

Before that first event, Habel worked with designer Doug Clawson and sculptor and bronzer Jim Rennert to create a sculpture of a teacher guiding a student upon a pile of books. Since its inception, about 150 people have been awarded that statuette.

Much of the recognition looks the same, although there were some lessons were learned along the way.

“We moved away from the limousines after about four years; we couldn’t control the (transportation) delays. We moved the gala to March, when the weather is usually a little better, but it’s always been a student-involved night, and it’s gone smoothly,” she said.

Except for 2020.

“The meat was in the oven when we got a call saying that we’re closing the District because of COVID, there wouldn’t be the Pinnacle gala that night. I emailed everyone and we put signs on the door. I thought, ‘that’s OK, we’ll just honor them in May,’” Habel said.

The recipients from 2020 were honored in March 2021. The 2021 recipients were honored two months later.

This year, the program’s 21st, started without a hitch.

After the Pinnacle gala committee decided on which five teachers, a classified employee and a volunteer to honor, a group of about 15 high school and District administrators, Foundation members, friends and three small children in red and white heart pajamas gathered in the high school office waiting to recognize the first awardee. Some held onto flowers and gift cards.

Habel asked the principal to guide the group to the special education teacher’s classroom, allowing others to lead before she took her turn to congratulate the well-deserved recipient.

“This is always so much fun to surprise them. One year, we had to put a husband in the closet so his wife (who was the recipient) didn’t see him beforehand,” she said.

Tranter said Habel was amongst the best employees he had hired.

“She is an extremely dedicated person with vision and a lot of drive,” he said. “She always thought of students and teachers above everything else.”

The meeting in the conference room was wrapping up when a knock was heard on the door.

“Are you almost done? We have this room at 10.”

Habel replied, “Yes, we have two minutes.”

She is stepping down June 30.

“She will leave a big void in the Murray School District,” Tranter said.

Perry, who also serves as the District spokesman and has had more than 15 years of planning events for the Utah Association of Counties in his background, will head the Murray Education Foundation.

“I hope to continue to build on what Jeanne has done to support our students,” he said.

Habel, who will join her husband into retirement to travel, garden and enjoy her grandchildren, said when she was hired the goal was to make Murray Education Foundation self-sustaining.

“It was awesome when we got there. We’ve been self-sustaining for probably the last five years, but I wasn’t done,” Habel said. “I was having too much fun. I still am. I’ll still be around.”

She picks up the photographs that are going to be reframed to leave a lasting mark on the alumni wall. She promptly walks out.

It’s 10 a.m. l

Murray Education Foundation Executive Director Jeanne Habel congratulates Murray High special education teacher Jessie Agiriga as a 2024 Pinnacle Award recipient. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Rattlesnake aversion training can protect dogs from bites

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

Asthe weather warms up, outdoor adventures with your dog become more appealing. However, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential dangers posed by rattlesnakes. These venomous snakes are common in many areas of the state and pose a serious threat to dogs.

Rattlesnake sightings increase in the summer and Utah is home to more than 30 species and subspecies of snakes, including venomous rattlers. Top Dog Snake Finders recently announced a partnership with the Asclepius Snakebite Foundation to promote rattlesnake safety awareness and save human and animal lives. ASF is committed to tackling issues associated with snakebites.

“Through our partnership with ASF, we aim to not only promote rattlesnake safety but also contribute to the broader mission of reversing the tragic cycle of snakebites and saving lives and limbs,” said Kim Beck, founder of Top Dog Snake Finders.

K9 rattlesnake aversion training, offered by places like Top Dog Snake Finders, help dogs learn to keep away from the snakes, allowing them to avoid a potentially deadly bite. Even if treated quickly, dog can easily die and treatment costs run into thousands of dollars.

Beck said teaching a dog to “leave it” is not sufficient when it comes to snake encounters. Dogs are trained using contained, live rattlesnakes with the venom sacs intact, so the dog can learn how a venomous snake smells. In the interest of humane treatment, the snake’s fangs are not removed. Teaching

a dog to be safe around a rattler includes detecting danger using sight, sound and smell.

ASF provides affordable antivenoms, ensuring families can access care. It also offers medical training to protect high-risk regions and engages in community outreach to prevent snakebites.

“Our mission aligns closely with ASF’s goal of preventing unnecessary suffering and death from snakebites,” Beck said. “Together, we can make a meaningful impact in safeguarding both humans and animals from rattlesnake encounters.”

Other ways to protect your dog and family members from snakebites include staying on designated trails and avoiding tall grass and rocky areas where rattlesnakes may hide. Additionally, clean out woodpiles and debris around the home, stay vigilant of surroundings, listen for the distinctive rattle sound and steer clear if a snake is nearby.

It’s also crucial to recognize the signs of a rattlesnake bite that includes swelling and two small puncture wounds. A dog might also show signs of pain, whining, limping and becoming weak or unresponsive. If owners believe their dog has been bitten, do not apply ice to the wound, try to keep the bitten area lower than the heart and seek immediate veterinary care.

Learn more at topdogsnakefinders.com.

“Snakebites are a serious concern,” Beck said, “not only for humans but also for our beloved canine companions.” l

During the warmer months, rattlesnake sightings increase. Dogs are susceptible to rattlesnake bites, which can be deadly, but furry friends can be trained to sense and steer clear before a potentially fatal accident. (Stock photo)

Cottonwood boys tennis improves on the court, shows well at the Region 10 Championships

F or the Cottonwood Colts boys tennis team, the increase in numbers across all the school’s athletics programs enabled the team to not only be competitive in region play but also to earn a few victories along the way.

Cottonwood finished the Region 10 regular season with a 1-5 record overall, but entered region championships play with a strategy.

It paid off in several surprising ways as a number of Cottonwood’s student-athletes reached some milestones during the tournament that ran April 24 and April 25.

In second singles, senior Ethan Luker didn’t win his first match, to be sure. But, Luker’s performance in that first match based on having won one set [3-6, 7-6, and 3-6] still advanced him to the third round where he lost 2-6 and 3-6. Still and all, it was a great showing from Luker in his last region championships appearance.

In third singles, however, senior Benjamin Birich did win his first round match over Park City’s Nate Hadar, 6-0 and 6-1. Birich was defeated by Hillcrest’s Aarav Parikh 1-6 and 4-6, but again the overall performance launched the Cottonwood senior into the third round where Birich won, 6-1 and 6-1 over Tooele’s Josh Malmgren and wrapped up his championships run with a fourth-round victory against Hadar, 6-2 and 6-0 for a third-place finish overall.

It was rough going for senior Jacek Budge who lost to Park City phenom and freshman Chad Johnson in first singles, 0-6 and 1-6. All things considered, it had to have

By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com

been a rough first-round draw for Budge, who has been one of Cottonwood’s most consistent performers all season.

In first doubles, youth went wild as sophomore Rishi Patcha and junior Jacob Edwards had a tough go against a duo from Stansbury in the first round of competition at Hillcrest High in Midvale, losing 0-6 and 1-6.

But, in the second round, Patcha and Edwards started slow but ended with a flourish, winning the match 1-6, 6-1 and 6-2. That carried the Cottonwood top pair to the third round where they lost to a twosome from Hillcrest, 4-6 and 2-6.

In second doubles, juniors Spencer Thompson and Alex Covili lost 2-6 and 1-6 to a pair from Murray, but bounced back in the next round to take a duo from Tooele to three sets before falling by the final score of 6-2, 2-6 and 3-6.

At the 6A state tournament May 9 at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City in first singles, the Colts top senior and No. 24-ranked player in all of 4A, Budge would fall in straight sets to Timpanogos’ Carter Lee, 0-6 and 0-6.

In second singles at the state tournament, 17-seed Luker would provide a stiff test to No. 16 Carson Lund of Timpanogos but would ultimately fall as well, 1-6 and 4-6.

Birich would again prove to be a very tough out even with the stakes as high as they are at state in third singles; he lost but only just by the score of 5-7 and 3-6 to Mathison Beatty of Hurricane. Birich was the Colts’ highest seed in the state tourney in singles at No. 14.

In first doubles, the Colts’ duo of Patcha and Edwards again proved they were no fluke at state, but fell to Noah Hoff and Josh Haller of Crimson Cliffs, 0-6 and 3-6.

Finally, in second doubles, the Colts did not have anyone represented at the 4A state tournament.

That said, there were plenty of milestones for the Colts to be proud of this season. l

Cottonwood baseball went through the best, worst of times this season

By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com

Fielding arguably a brand-new team compared to the one outgoing head coach Chris Shelton had the year before, the Cottonwood Colts baseball team welcomed roughly a dozen new players including Robbie Jensen, a 6-foot-3-inch senior you might have seen in the fall as a football QB.

Along with Gavin Duckworth, who was handed the C hat as the Colts’ new head coach after previous coach Shelton resigned and accepted a job alongside former head coach Jason Crawford at SLCC where several Colts still play, Cottonwood was starting fresh in many areas.

And that wasn’t the only change to Cottonwood’s routine, according to Athletic Director Greg Southwick.

“We had a feeling it was coming,” said Southwick this past summer, as Cottonwood was moved into a more manageable classification and region as far as travel was concerned: 4A’s Region 10. In baseball though, this meant the Colts were now going head-to-head with more heavyweights not only inside their league but against teams in Southern Utah who have the luxury of playing year-round come state tournament time.

To combat this advantage, new coach Duckworth implemented a fall skill-building program that included several scrimmages against Highland and Cyprus to try and keep up with those Southern Utah schools.

And since Cottonwood brought in at least 80 new students this past summer to the school to shore up an athletics program struggling to maintain numbers across all sports and not just in football, said Southwick, the Colts were not just able to field a deeper baseball team—it’s that they needed better competition.

Once the Colts played a handful of nonregion games, won three of their first four and split two Region 10 series with Stansbury [a win] and Tooele [a loss], they were headed to Las Vegas for the Bishop Gorman Tournament.

A 1-3 record in Vegas led to a bad stretch for the Colts, who lost five of their next six games against Park City and Juan Diego in region play.

But, the Cottonwood [14-13] bats warmed up against rival Hillcrest to wrap up the regular season. They’d defeat Hillcrest 17-7 on April 23, exploding with 18 hits. And then they’d grab a 20-3 victory April 24, and complete the series sweep April 25 with a 13-3 win. In that series alone, Jensen would hit two home runs and belt six RBI.

Back at home after the UHSAA handed Cottonwood a No. 16 seed at the 4A state tournament, the Colts hosted Hurricane, a school out of Southern Utah at the

Regional.

Both teams would be stingy through 2 1/2 scoreless innings of Game 1. In the bottom of the third, Cottonwood senior Oliver Wayman hit a triple, putting a runner on base that sophomore Porter Stonebreaker would drive in to give the Colts a 1-0 lead.

Through six innings, Jensen would pitch a masterpiece on the mound, as he struck out nine Hurricane batters and allowed just three hits in seven shutout innings of ball in Cottonwood’s 2-0 Game 1 win.

In Game 2 of this 6A Regional though, No. 17 Hurricane would score early: seven runs in the first two innings while Cottonwood could not score a single run.

The Colts finally quieted Hurricane’s bats in the top of the third, thanks to senior Austin Carver’s work on the mound and would answer with a grand slam home run from junior Ladanian Gutierrez in the bottom half of the inning to narrow the gap to 4-7.

Carver would fan more Hurricane batters in the top of the fourth, which led to more momentum and two more runs for Cottonwood in the bottom of the fourth.

Trailing by one at 6-7 going into the top of the fifth, Carver would give up a run for Cottonwood but settle in for the rest of the inning, keeping the Colts in range by the score of 6-8.

Cottonwood wouldn’t score in the bottom of the fifth but neither would Hurricane in the top of the sixth, setting the scene for a wild finish.

In front of a pretty raucous crowd at Cate Field, the Colts would blast a run in

and 10 strikeouts. He gave way to sophomore Zane Wayman, who managed the inning well without giving up a run.

As a team, Cottonwood put on their rally caps in the dugout in the bottom of the seventh, needing one run to take this to extra innings and two to win the series.

Despite having close to two dozen new players on the roster, these Colts would get those two runs to take a wild 9-8 win over Hurricane and move on to the 4A Super Regional at Dixie.

Drawing the No. 1 team in all of 4A was simply a stroke of bad luck for Cottonwood, who would be swept down in St. George by the Dixie High School Flyers, 0-12 and 1-8.

Carver would step onto the mound one final time for Cottonwood at Dixie and would acquit himself well in Game 2: five hits and one strikeout. John Pipe, another senior, had an RBI and Landon Wells and Sam Clements had their moments this season as well.

to narrow their deficit to 7-8 going into the top of the seventh.

Carver would exit Game 2 of this 4A Regional having thrown several innings

To be sure, these Colts have come a long way in one season. With only those six seniors graduating though, you’d have to think there will be more in store. l

Junior Brighton Young throws a pitch for the Colts. (City Journals)

Comcast launches epic short film that honors the nation’s fearless airmen

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

For more than 60 years, Comcast has supported the military community through programs, services and resources. Through its Project UP initiative, Comcast will commit $1 million this year to organizations that support veterans in digital skills-building programs, entrepreneurship opportunities and access to technology.

To highlight this commitment, Comcast NBCUniversal and Xfinity launched the short film “The Aviators,” directed by Oscar winner Kathryn Bigelow. The film celebrates the pioneering generation of military aviators and showcases the power of technology that connects people of all ages.

Inspired by the bonds forged among military servicemen, “The Aviators” features true-life Vietnam veterans Cmdr. (Ret.) Jack “Razor” Gillett, Maj. (Ret.) Elester “Hollywood” Latham, Lt. (Ret.) Jim “Zeke” Lloyd, and Lt. (Ret.) Bill “Offender” Moir. Gillet, Lloyd and Moir served with the Gunslingers squadron in the USS Saratoga. The film brought them together for the first time in 16 years.

“It’s a real honor to work with our nation’s veterans,” Bigelow said in a documentary about the short film. “They’re special people who’ve devoted their lives to our security. I feel like it’s my opportunity to give back.”

With the launch of the film in May, Xfinity announced new military benefits that include a $180 virtual prepaid card for military customers to apply to their choice of Xfinity services, one free Xfinity mobile line for one year, and an automatic upgrade to become an Xfinity Diamond Rewards member.

Additionally, the military community can continue to

enjoy specially-priced park tickets and discounted vacation packages at Universal Destinations & Experiences.

Throughout 2024, Comcast will support several military-serving nonprofits advancing digital equity. Key organizations include NPower which provides free training for active-duty members transitioning out of the military; Our Community Salutes which offers high school graduate enlistees connectivity offers and digital equity resources; the Wounded Warrior Project which ensures veterans can access health benefits and career resources online, and Hesperus which donates laptops to Native American veterans participating in the Entrepreneurship Veteran Bootcamp.

“Through our partnership with Comcast, together we are helping address the critical technical training needs of service men and women who are making the transition to

civilian life,” said NPower CEO Bertina Ceccarelli. “By being intentional about the needs of the military community, we can help make that shift more seamless and impactful for individuals and the companies that seek to hire them.”

New Xfinity military offer and NBCUniversal discounts equal more than $700 in savings

Comcast has introduced a portfolio of new Xfinity Military discounts and dedicated offerings to ensure veterans, service members, military spouses and their dependents stay connected to the Xfinity network’s unmatched speed and reliability. For more information on this initiative visit corporate.comcast.com .

Founded by World War II Navy veteran Ralph Roberts, Comcast has hired more than 21,000 veterans, National Guard and reserve service members, and military spouses since 2015.

Deneiva Knight is a former military spouse and U.S. Army Reservist, serving from 1996-2001. Now the external affairs director for the Comcast Mountain West Region, Knight is proud to work for a company that invests in active-duty, transitioning and retired military service members.

“I am proud to work for Comcast,” Knight said, “a company that not only honors its veterans and military-serving employees but creates opportunities to support us at every angle through its benefits structure, career pathways, and community impact initiatives.”

Xfinity presents “The Aviators” on YouTube. l

Suffering from Depression, Anxiety, or OCD?

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

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 National 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 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.