FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND UNIFIED AMBASSADORS PROGRAM ALL ABOUT INCLUSION AND BELONGING
By Becky Ginos | becky.g@thecityjournals.com
Something special happened on the Farmington High School stage Oct. 24 and it was pure joy. The Davis School District’s first-of-its-kind Unified Ambassador event was the culmination of a two-day process to select students in specialized education programs to serve as district ambassadors for the Unified Sports programs that promote belonging and inclusion in schools.
A group dance by the 12 participants to “Friend Like Me” kicked off the program followed by individual talent performances. Radio and TV personality Casey Scott was MCEE. The students had rehearsed the dance the night before and also participated in leadership interviews with district leaders, including Assistant Superintendent, Logan Toone.
Judges were:
• Dr. Timothy Best, Healthy Lifestyles Director for DSD.
• Dr. Logan Toone, Assistant Su-
perintendent.
• Lisa Wall, one of the directors of Special Education.
• Belinda Kuck, who worked in DSD for 33 years before retiring recently.
• Lisa Frost, Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity.
“Unified pairs kids with special needs with peer supporters,” said Heidi Murdock of the Murdock Foundation that supports the program. “These kids will be spokespeople and have leadership training with the Special Olympics and school board to spread awareness. It’s a game changer to the environment at the schools.”
Murdock said the Ambassador
County submits four possible Code Blue locations
DAVIS COUNTY—The Davis County Commission has submitted four potential locations for a Code Blue facility to the Office of Homeless Services (OHS), one primary location and three alternative sites. There are three county owned buildings, Clearfield Senior Center, Valley View Golf Course and the Inspection Maintenance Center in Kaysville and one private entity.
“The state is good with all of them,” said Ryan Steinbeigle, Grant Administrator for Davis County. “Davis County and the Office of Homeless Services worked together to develop the plan, now it will go to the Utah Homeless Services Board for voting on funding for Code Blue.”
The legislature passed a bill in 2023 requiring counties the size of Davis County to provide shelter beds for Code Blue and Winter Response. Code Blue and Winter Response mean beds for unhoused people for extremely cold days and also 60+ beds from Oct. 15-April 30.
After the law was passed, Davis County created a task force made up of voting city mayors from Bountiful, Farmington, Kaysville, Layton, Clearfield, Syracuse and Sunset and one voting county commissioner, Bob Stevenson. The task force worked to submit the required plan that was due Aug. 1, 2024 for this coming winter. The plan was a Dignity Bus with 20 spots.
“The bus would have pickup spots at a designated time and they would be taken to a (Code Blue) location,” said Steinbeigle. “They would spend the night and then get back on the bus the next day and be taken back to where they were picked up. We’d have volunteers doing intake and giving them resources. The state denied the plan due to insufficient funding. That puts it back to the state to make a decision.”
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There has been a great deal of controversy over where to have a Code Blue facility and more recently to find a suitable location for a year round homeless shelter.
Last month, Switchpoint, a private company that provides resources for those who are experiencing homelessness, was considering purchasing the Lifeline building at 1130 West Center Street in North Salt Lake that would have met the county’s re-
quirement for a year round shelter.
Residents were in an uproar and fought hard to stop the purchase. Ultimately, Switchpoint pulled the offer killing the deal, leading the county to go back to searching for another building that could be repurposed or finding property to purchase.
The (Homeless Services) board won’t meet until Nov. 14, said Steinbeigle. “It’s from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Capitol, Room
445. The board is a public body that approves funding requests from the Office of Homeless Services. They function together but OHS can’t approve funding. That has to be done by the board.”
In the meantime, the timeline of Oct. 15 has passed. “If it gets 18 or below the state will have to decide what to do but the first one last year was around Thanksgiving.”l
Mieka Sawatzki | mieka.s@thecityjournals.com
Ryan Casper | ryan.c@thecityjournals.com Marc Davis | marc.d@thecityjournals.com CIRCULATION COORDINATOR
Rice | lydia.r@thecityjournals.com 385-557-1022
program aligns with Murdock’s mission. “We try to help youth with mental and physical health. Unified gives the peers a different perspective on life. Their lives are changed. They see that they have more in common than they have differences.”
“For the past two years I’ve envisioned starting a program in the district,” said Fairfield Junior High Assistant Principal Maria King. “In the spring I met with people in the special education department and I talked to others who wanted to be a part of it.”
It gives the kids leadership opportunities and a voice in the district, she said. “We want students with disabilities to have something for them. We want it to be a unified program where ambassador students with disabilities are paired with a peer ambassador that helps along the way.”
The ambassadors will meet with the Office of Equal Opportunity to share what they’ve seen in schools and give ideas on ways to help with any issues, said King. “They’ll also help with inclusion events and present awards to the Best of Davis recipients in the district at a reception in their honor. It’s a special thing to be involved with.
All 12 participants shared a talent at the Ambassador event then judges deliberate to select the five Ambassadors that will represent the district. From dancing and singing to video making, each student gave it their all to impress the crowd.
Woods Cross High School senior Caleb Trader was one of the five selected to be an Ambassador. Trader has participated in Unified Soccer, Flag Football, Basketball and Track and loves being a Wildcat. Trader sang “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from Toy Story.
Taiden Palmer is also a student at Woods Cross and got the audience on their feet with his drums beat boxing.
Ambassadors selected were:
• McCoy Barlow
• Michael Abraham
• Carter McCrary
• Caleb Trader
• Skyler Karl
“All of the participants did so much planning,” said King. “Students have a moment to show what they can do. We hope in the future the program will grow even more.” l
tunity, said Murdock. “These kids will change
Caleb Trader
Carter McCrary
McCoy Barlow
Michael Abraham Skyler Karl
New city councilmember appointed in Woods Cross
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Woods Cross resident Eric Jones has been appointed to replace Jessica Kelemen on the Woods Cross City Council. When Kelemen announced she was moving out of state, the city posted the position and received several applications. Jones was selected and sworn into the city council on Oct. 1.
“I like the way Woods Cross has been run and I’ve been very encouraged by the leadership within the city, so I’m looking to continue on the path that’s been set,” Jones said. “Something that’s very important to me is being open and honest with citizens, and making sure people understand why certain decisions are made.”
Jones grew up in Bountiful and has lived in Woods Cross for 14 years with his wife and three children. He served two years on the Odyssey Elementary Community Council and three years on the city’s board of adjustments before it was eliminated.
As a partner at JZW Architects, Jones brought his knowledge to the Woods Cross planning commission for the last five years, recently serving as vice-chair. His time on the commission allowed him to see the inner
workings of the city, learning more about its processes and procedures.
“As a member of the planning commission, I was involved with the rework of the city’s master plan and the new master plan that was most recently passed,” he said. “The city council is really where the rubber meets the road and I thought it would be nice to be involved that way.”
The council seat Jones occupies is up for reelection in 2025 and he plans to run again. He’s impressed by the city’s “financial responsibility” and the transparency with residents as decisions are made.
Jones is looking forward to participating in discussions around the redevelopment of city hall and Hogan Park, and feels that part of the city has an impact on the perception of Woods Cross as a whole. He said people are looking for that nostalgic home-town feeling that the city has been careful to preserve.
“People reminisce about the small-town feel and that’s something that a lot of people yearn for,” he said. “Woods Cross really is a small town, with about 11,000 citizens. There are a lot of people who look out for their
Ineighbors. There are people who want to see the community thrive and retain that neighborly feel within the community itself.”
Jones is a private pilot who loves the outdoors. He enjoys the hiking trails, bike lanes and parks available in the city which he believes heightens the quality of life. He hopes to encourage more of that development moving forward.
Woods Cross City Administrator Bryce Haderlie said the city received a talented group of applicants for the city council position, each bringing a background of knowledge and experience. He believes Jones will be a good addition to the council.
“Eric has a wealth of experience serving on the Woods Cross Planning Commission and being involved in community service,” said Woods Cross City Administrator Bryce Haderlie. “We are excited to have Eric's perspective and knowledge and believe that he will complement the leadership and cooperative nature of the other members of the council.” l
Applied Medical Engineering Lab pushing the limits to life-saving care
magine living in a rural area, hiking in a remote place or taking a family trip away from a city where there are life-saving medical services and needing that help to survive. The University of Utah has just launched a new laboratory called the Applied Medical Engineering (AME) Lab to create cutting-edge medical technology designed to deliver that life-saving care at any location and for any patient with any injury.
“Just being 10 miles from a facility where you don’t have access can make the difference to slow down a heart attack or if you need blood,” said Dr. Jake Jensen, Associate Vice President for Research at the University of Utah. “For example, there are some freezer system treatments that maintain medication that an EMT or field medic doesn’t have access to.”
There is some promising research going on at the U for more portable freezers, he said. “It’s smaller than a mini fridge. It’s more the size of a Rubik’s Cube that is ultra frozen that medics can carry in their pack that can stop hemorrhaging more quickly. Or it can be sidestepped completely with freeze drying to maintain efficiency.”
That is one of the first things being researched through the AME platform is to work on these problems, said Jensen. “Another huge one is lightweight robotics. There are so many applications.”
If an EMT or field medic is triaging patients in the field, there’s usually only
By Becky Ginos | becky.g@thecityjournals.com
one field medic or just one or two EMTs, he said. “If they’re treating multiple patients they have to spread out life saving measures that require more than one medic. The EMT has to make the choice whether to continue applying pressure to stop blood flow or get bandages from his pack. A lightweight robotic arm with controlled voice (AI) command could apply pressure, etc. A single provider then becomes more than one.”
The U of U has been a leader in robotics for a long time, Jensen said. “We have already developed robotic legs, arms, etc. that are high functioning mostly for pros-
thetics. It’s amazing technology but we decided to branch out and ask ‘where else could this be useful? What problems can we solve?’”
Who hasn’t been in a situation where they couldn't use three hands? he said. “Take movers. A lightweight robotic arm would allow them to move safer and faster. The functionality for multiple people is incredibly exciting.”
Another area of AME application is mental health. “It’s an issue from many people,” said Jensen. “But there are noticeable disparities in rural counties. Rural
communities have more signs of mental health issues such as suicide than urban areas. This is designed to help mental health. That is huge. People can receive counseling wherever they are and there is a Telehealth component.”
Jensen said the area he’s most excited about is women’s health. “The AME lab is developing technology to assist in maternal and infant survival. There’s been work in this for over 100 years, but there’s been little progress in infant and maternal mortality. You’d think we’d be further along.”
Think about a baby and mom that don’t have access to medical facilities, he said. “They live too far away from treatment that could have saved their life. Ten miles could be the difference between if a mother or infant dies. If treatment is available we need to use it.”
The AME lab showcased its groundbreaking work at the 47G Zero Gravity Summit held on Thursday.
47G promotes and advocates for companies in Utah that are developing the next generation of aerospace, defense and cyber technologies, said Aaron Starks, 47G president and CEO. “Our partnership with the University of Utah’s AME Lab reflects our commitment to collaborate on applied research that will directly benefit Americans serving around the world and right here at home.” l
Eric Jones was selected to fill a vacant spot on the Woods Cross City Council. He was sworn into office on Oct. 1. Photo courtesy of Jones
A concept photo shows how the robotic arm can be used by medics in the field. The arm is just one of many cutting-edge medical technologies being developed by the AME Lab. Courtesy AI image
Touchless crosswalk buttons provide safety, accessibility
By Becky Ginos | becky.g@thecityjournals.com
Crossing an intersection has now become easier and safer for pedestrians with Utah Department of Transportation’s (UDOT) new radar-enabled crosswalk buttons. The accessible pedestrian signal (APS) technology can be activated by nodding or waving without the need for pushing a button. It also triggers an audible function that says “wait” or “walk sign is on.” UDOT is one of the first in the nation to implement widespread use of this technology.
“We call them ‘talkable buttons,’” said Mike Blanchette, UDOT traffic engineer. “There is a speaker built in that gives real time feedback on the status of the walk signal.”
Pedestrians can also activate the button with the PedApp. According to UDOT, the app provides live supplemental information at crosswalks such as the amount of walking time remaining or the street name.
APS also gives cues on pedestrian direction, eastbound, etc., said Blanchette. “It has a pulsing, ticking sound to help them to orient themselves to begin crossing and points them straight toward the sounds.”
It started out to help pedestrians who are blind or visually impaired or have hearing loss or other disabilities, he said. “It could help them know when to cross.
It would take the visual information and transfer that to help them navigate more safely and comfortably and tell them when to walk or not to walk and when the countdown is active.”
Downtown Salt Lake currently has signals that beep when it is time to cross. “That’s older technology,” he said. “It’s essentially the same but it’s been improved upon. The audible signal might say ‘wait to cross.’ It’s got more features.”
The APS has doppler radar which gives the ability to set the distance from the signal, Blanchette said. “There was someone in a Provo rehabilitation center who contacted us in 2023. He doesn’t have movement of his limbs so he couldn’t push the button. We put the doppler out front and extended the range to 20 inches so he could just create motion like nodding his head. We can also dial it back so that it’s not quite as sensitive, it's more intentional.”
“I’m glad UDOT added the touchless crosswalk buttons,” said Kris Johnson, the wheelchair-bound man in Provo. “It’s made crossing the street much safer for me and several other residents at the care center.”
It also has a lock out feature for weather, he said. “It helps disable it if there’s rain or snow so it doesn’t trigger it.”
During COVID people didn’t want to
touch the button, said Blanchette. “This benefits both worlds, pedestrians can activate it without touching the button. It gives the option to touch the button or wave with the radar.”
It’s another way to improve safety, he said. “It’s not just for the disabled. Research done at Portland State University shows that the audible cue helps able-body pedestrians start walking four seconds earlier from the curb when it’s time to walk. It wakes up a pedestrian that might not be paying attention.”
UDOT has installed over 1,000 buttons at nearly 250 intersections with plans to install APS technology at every signalized intersection on state routes by 2023, said Blanchette. “A lot of our funding comes from the legislature but we get some federal dollars for the new technology. We have about $800,000 to use a year.”
Blanchette said when UDOT redoes an intersection they will install the new signal. “Currently we aren’t using a targeted approach unless someone has a special request. We’d like the public with an intersection near them that they want to get the APS in to contact us. We want it to start benefiting those who need it.”
For more information on how to get the PedApp go to https://polara.com/ pedapp. To make an online request for an APS visit udot.utah.gov. l
Local gym donates $10K and volunteers to support fight against childhood hunger
By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com
Alocal gym in Woods Cross donated
$10,000 to nonprofit charity For The Kids and spent a day preparing meal kits for the children.
In 2012, For The Kids was founded by Minda Zoloth after she learned kids that are on the Federal Free Lunch program often go hungry throughout the weekend. What began as a goal to collect 50 bags of food for students expanded rapidly once Zoloft understood the extent of the need. She scaled the project for 250 children, many of them refugees or homeless, living with extended family with the help of local businesses. It has since grown into not only the weekly food bags but into thousands of Thanksgiving and holiday meal packages so kids are covered over school breaks.
Tanner Stahl, co-owner of Crossfit 801 in Woods Cross and his employees wanted to help the cause.
“Our gym is dedicated to giving back to our community,” Stahl said. “We are always looking for opportunities to either raise money or donate our time to help organizations like For The Kids.”
Stahl and the employees of Crossfit 801 spent a Friday putting together meal kits for the children and volunteering at the For The Kids Salt Lake City location.
“We have been building a relationship with the company BlenderBottle and once we saw they were interested in front-
ing $10,000 to a charity of a local gym’s choosing, we knew we had to jump on it,” Stahl said. “We worked with BlenderBottle and For The Kids to facilitate the donation and volunteer work at the For The Kids downtown Salt Lake City location.” They made 75 meal kits that day. For
perspective, a single meal kit feeds one child for an entire weekend.
For The Kids believes in being an advocate for children, who are often the most vulnerable in our communities.
Any modest donation – a box of cereal, a box of mac and cheese, a granola bar – may be the key to making a huge difference in the life of any given child. For The Kids believes it truly takes a village to create lasting change. Companies, churches, neighborhoods and individuals have all rallied to support its mission, and the charity is always looking for more help.
According to the For The Kids website, 5,000 food items leave the shelves each week, so donations of food, funds or time are critical.
“They need volunteers to help fill and organize all of their bags of food,” Stahl said. “Even an hour of work goes a long way.”
If you want to help the organization, you can choose to donate at their website forthekids.org or volunteer with the group putting meal kits together. l
Crossfit 801 donated $10K to For The Kids and makes 75 meal kits for children. Photo courtesy of Tanner Stahl.
Kris Johnson, a man who lives in a Provo rehabilitation center, is unable to push the cross walk button so the new APS system will makes crossing the street much safer for him and several other residents at the care center. Photo courtesy of UDOT
Don’t let winter stop you from getting into the mountains
The nights are getting crips, and the shadows are growing longer, but the “off-season” can be the best time to get out and explore the local trails. Late fall through early spring can be an excellent time to enjoy some of the many trails that Farmington has to offer. With easy access to Farmington Canyon just minutes from the valley floor, these trails can offer an excellent opportunity to stay active throughout the off-season. As the end of Daylight Saving Time approaches, the crowds on the trails will also fall back just like the pending hour on our clocks. With fewer people hitting the trails during this timeframe, you get a little deeper sense of solitude and more opportunities to see wildlife that you may not encounter during the peak season. As with all outdoor activities, be sure to dress appropriately for the current conditions and take the same necessary precautions as you normally would. When snow is present, it can be a good idea to carry Yak tracks, or micro spikes for additional traction on some of the steeper portions of the trails.
Flag Rock via Firebreak Road: Choose your own adventure
Flag Rock, via Firebreak Road, has something to offer for everyone looking to explore the many trails that Farmington has to offer. This dog-friendly, action-packed trail offers fantastic views of the Davis County area, including Antelope Island, Farmington Bay WMA, and the Great Salt Lake. Of course, you are also treated to a majestic view featuring the American Flag atop a rocky outcropping, mounted at the same height that the World Trade Center stood in New York City, prior to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. This is an outstanding hike or trail run that can be completed as an out-and-back or looped trail. There are several access points for this hike, giving you plenty of options to choose from. The most popular route starts south of the trail from the Davis Creek Trailhead parking lot. The first mile of the trail is relatively flat and follows along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail (BST). The trail crosses over Steed Creek before hitting the fork that leads to the main Flag Rock Trail, noted by a trail marker featuring an American Flag. The trail becomes adventurous from this point and becomes challenging as it begins to gain elevation quickly. During the ascent, there is an off shoot of the trail that leads over to Patsy’s Mine. This was an old mine that was built by Patsy Morely in the early 1900s in hopes of finding silver. A once explorable mine, the entrance has recently been closed off and is no longer accessible. After you return to the main trail, you will continue up several more switchbacks before finally reaching the top of the hike, where the flag stands. At this point you can choose to return the same way you came up or take the trail to the north that loops back down to Firebreak Road. This is a great trail for anyone looking to add a little challenge to their winter hiking and gives you the ability to choose how you want to explore it.
Firebreak Road (BST): Always reliable and rewarding Firebreak Road and the Bonneville Shoreline Trail are great resources for access to dirt trails when we begin to get some heavy snowfall. The road intertwines with the BST in several places and can be accessed from several points in the community. This trail offers a bit of a more mellow experience while staying lower in elevation and avoiding hefty climbs. A popular access point to Firebreak Road as a hike or trail run can be found via the mouth of Farmington Canyon. There is Bonneville Shoreline Trail access via the Farm Mountain Bike Park, or you can start from the Skyline Drive parking lot. You can head south along the BST from this point and as it intersects Firebreak Road, there are dirt options all the way to Bountiful via this trail. It is relative-
By Tommy Rivas | t.rivas@mycityjournals.com
ly flat in most places, with some sections containing some descent ascents depending on how long or what portion of the trail you are on. This is a great route during peak winter season when higher elevation trails are snow packed, or conditions don’t permit safe access on foot.
Davis Creek Trail: Farmington’s waterfall
The Davis Creek Trail is a classic Farmington area hike that leads to a beautiful large waterfall. This is considered a strenuous and challenging route, especially in the off months when trail conditions are not the greatest. Due to some portions of this trail, it is best accessed in early winter or spring, depending on the snow conditions. Dogs may accompany you on this trail and may be off leash in some areas. The trail is approximately 2.7 miles out-and-back with several smaller waterfalls along the way. The north side of the trail can be hazardous, so it is recommended to stick to the south side of the trail which is marked well and typically traveled year-round. This is a beautiful trail that rolls through thick wooded areas with beautiful views the entire way. This trail can get hot during peak season, so it is nice to enjoy during the cooler months and helps to cut down on the crowds. Sometimes overlooked in the winter, this is always a beautiful trail worth exploring. l
The off-season can be the best time to get out and explore local trails. Davis Creek Waterfall
Flag Rock Overlook. Courtesy photos
Firebreak Road
A new spin on cycling: Bountiful’s e-bike boom
By Gail Newbold | g.newbold@mycityjournals.com
When Bountiful resident Bill Ernest was 68, his longtime cyclist wife Ronda bought him an e-bike as a retirement present, thinking it would be a good way for him to keep up with her. She was used to grueling rides like the 50-mile Little Red and 100-milers in Hawaii riding her non-motorized bike, and had no intention of buying an e-bike.
That is until Bill started passing her up on hills. “He would ring his bell as he passed,” she said. “It felt like he was rubbing it in my face,” she said smiling.
Two years ago, she broke down and bought herself an e-bike. Now at age 70, she wonders how she ever used to ride up Emigration Canyon on her own power. She purchased a bike with low handlebars like she was accustomed to, and because she “didn’t want to look old.” She was surprised to discover she burned almost the same amount of calories on the new bike as long as she used the e-power sparingly.
Brady Edwards, owner of Bountiful Bicycle, is quick to agree that e-bikes can be great exercise and are definitely not for wimps. “I can still ride hard and get a workout by keeping the power low on my e-bike,” he said. “When I started riding my first e-bike in 2016, I lost 40 pounds.”
That was the same year Bountiful Bicycle began selling e-bikes. Sales were fairly slow at first, according to Edwards, but their popularity has skyrocketed at the same time prices have dropped. Now e-bikes account for over 50% of sales in his three Davis County shops. National stats are much lower with reports that e-bike sales account for anywhere from 5% to 20% of total bike sales with predictions the market will continue to climb.
Edwards’ prices range from about $2,000 to $15,000 per e-bike with recreational e-bikes on the lower end and mountain and road-bikes on the higher.
E-bikes now account for more than half of all bike sales at Jason Edwards’ three Davis County Bountiful Bicycle shops. (Jason Edwards pictured)
The 45 to 65-plus age range of his buyers mirrors national figures.
He isn’t surprised at the rising popularity of motorized bikes. In fact, once he started riding his e-bike, he never returned to what he calls his analog bike. “I can ride further on my e-bike in the same amount of time as on my analog,” he explained, “and I can hang with the younger crowd we employ here. My e-bike bridges the age gap.”
It helps that Bountiful City has been carving new biking trails for the past few years that are drawing increasing numbers of mountain e-bikes. “Places like Moab and Park City have significant regulations on e-bikes but our local trails do not,” Edwards said.
But there are plenty of nearby paved trails and bike lanes for those who prefer a smoother ride, such as Bountiful Boulevard, Legacy Parkway, Murdock Canal, Parley’s Trail and Jordan River Parkway.
There are e-bikes to fit every type of rider from recreational to commuter to touring and more – bikes designed for comfort and others for style.
Bill happily rides a cruiser e-bike with higher handlebars and doesn’t worry about looking old. He likes being able to sit up and look at the scenery. He and Ronda enjoy riding locally as well as through small Southern Utah towns.
“If you keep your e-bike on low-power mode you get the same amount of exercise as with a regular bike,” Bill said, “but it’s more fun. You feel like you’re 10 again.” l
Bountiful residents Ronda and Bill Ernest set off for a ride on their e-bikes. Courtesy photos
Thanksgiving Turkey Drive set for Nov. 12 from 6 to 8 p.m.
By Tom Haraldsen | t.haraldsen@mycityjournals.com
Each year, the need for donations to help fight hunger is increasing in Davis County. It’s a particularly poignant feeling during the holiday season. This year, the Bountiful Food Pantry has once again teamed up with other organizations for its annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive for Hungry Families.
“Last year saw tremendous generosity from the community,” said Rebekah Anderson, executive director of the Pantry. “We had over 1,500 turkeys donated and also received more than $21,000 in cash to help with our efforts. In all, more than 15,000 pounds of food was donated.”
This year, the Pantry will collect turkeys at three locations on the night of the drive, Tuesday, Nov. 12. Locations for the donations are the Open Doors Food Pantry at 578 East. Highway 93 in Layton, the LDS Church located at 500 S. Main Street in Kaysville, and at the Pantry located at 480 East 150 North in Bountiful. Volunteers will be receiving the turkeys and other donations that night between 6 and 8 p.m.
“We decided to offer three donation sites since the need is widespread in Davis County,” Anderson said. “Our volunteers always do such a great job receiving the
turkeys and the other items we collect for Thanksgiving dinners.”
Those items include frozen turkey breast (frozen or bone-in), boxed stuffing, boxed mashed potatoes, canned yams, canned veggies, canned cranberries and gravy packets. Any and all of those items will be put to good use for needy families.
Anderson said the public can also donate monetarily online at https://givebutter.com/filiTo, or by scanning the code shown with this story.
More than a dozen community organizations received turkeys from the drive last year, and Anderson said that might be expanded this year.
The Bountiful Food Pantry has served more families this year than ever in its history. The Thanksgiving Turkey Drive is just one of the projects the Pantry takes on each year to help address hunger in the community. l
Turkeys are being collected for local food pantries on Nov. 12. Image from Canva
CareNow Urgent Care clinic opens in new location
By Becky Ginos becky.g@thecityjournals.com
Patients who are in need of quality medical care without the long wait can find it at CareNow Urgent Care in Bountiful. The clinic recently moved from its old location in the Renaissance Town Center to its new location at 175 W. 500 South. The facility is part of HCA Healthcare’s Mountain Division, locally known as MountainStar Healthcare.
“This combines a community hospital with urgent care,” said Troy Wood, Lakeview Hospital CEO at a ribbon cutting for the clinic on Wednesday. “It allows us to do what we do well and allows them to do what they do well.”
There are fewer primary care doctors, he said. “Sometimes it takes a long time to get an appointment. The clinic is open in the evenings and Saturdays and Sundays. Patients can get things like labs or X-rays here. It’s a lower cost option with quicker care.”
Woods said he appreciates the partnership. “It’s in an ideal location and I’m excited for the future of the facility. We all need to work together. It takes a village to take care of communities.”
“We went from four rooms to seven patient rooms,” said Center Manager, Mykol Castillo. “We have updated X-ray
equipment, a triage room for stitches, etc. and a nicer waiting area.”
It’s for more urgent needs that aren’t necessarily an emergency, she said. “We see patients in the clinic and if it calls for more speciality care we send them to Lakeview.”
Castillo said their goal is to keep wait times to 15 minutes or less. “There is always one provider on staff with a rotating medical doctor, physician’s assistant and nurse practitioner. They’re amazing.”
Dr. Zimmerman has been with CareNow for two years. “I do occupational medicine,” she said. “That deals with worker’s compensation on injury cases. I love the system of being in one place so that workers get the continuity of care. I work with them until the case is closed.”
“We strive for patient satisfaction,” said Castillo. “I feel our staff actually cares about the patient.”
CareNow Urgent Care is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. and on Sunday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and all holidays excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas. No appointment is necessary. l
Lakeview CEO Troy Wood and CareNow Center Manager Mykol Castillo are cheered on as they cut the ribbon on the new clinic. Photo by Becky Ginos
Breast cancer survivor retreats offer support, resilience and hope
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Breast cancer survivors often struggle with challenges beyond the physical aspect of the condition and treatment. Anxiety, depression, body-image issues and cognitive changes can cause emotional and psychological challenges.
Image Reborn offers breast cancer survivors the opportunity to gather with other women going through similar issues by holding free renewal retreats. The program is a chance for survivors to talk about their experiences and offer support to other women.
“We’re actually in our 26th year,” said Bobbi Lord, Image Reborn executive director. “We have weekend retreats that are a place for women to focus on their feelings. The best part is to see that connection as these women come together. They instantly know what the other one’s going through without having to vocalize it, which I think is very powerful.”
Retreats are held in private homes with a small number of attendees (usually less than 10 women) who are pampered and nurtured during a two-night stay. A chef provides healthy meals while women can take part in yoga, massage therapy, group counseling sessions and a grief circle. A medical provider attends part of the retreat to talk with women and answer questions.
Several health aspects are included in each retreat including mindfulness, physical activity and tools for handling emotional distress. Because medical bills quickly add up during a cancer diagnosis and treatment, women can attend the renewal retreat at no cost.
“The only requirement to attend is that
they have breast cancer,” Lord said. “The retreats themselves are completely free. We do ask for a small $100 deposit to save their space, and then it’s returned after the retreat.”
Cinthya was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022. She attended a retreat earlier this year after her radiologist gave her a pamphlet about the program.
“It was a way for us to have a break from everything and celebrate the end of
Wtreatment,” she said. “It was a great experience. I met a lot of ladies and I learned a lot about their experiences. After that, I started volunteering for them because I felt I wanted to give back to the organization.”
Each retreat is facilitated by professionals experienced in addressing the concerns of women with breast cancer. Renewal retreats are held several times a year and have expanded to include events in Florida, Texas and Colorado. Women are invited to attend
at any time during their cancer experience but most sign up two or three years post-diagnosis.
Image Reborn also holds events for women with specific needs including young survivors, women with stage 4 cancer and Spanish-speaking women.
The organization provides ongoing wellness activities for survivors including virtual grief-tending, restorative yoga, virtual hypnotherapy and a sex conference. Additionally, adventure retreats during the year focus on mental and emotional health but include a challenging component.
“Last year we partnered with the National Ability Center, and we did canoeing at Flaming Gorge,” Lord said. “We also did one down in Southern Utah that was canyoneering.”
Volunteers are always needed at Image Reborn. They might help at an event, pick up women from the airport or donate their home as a retreat location. Financial support can be provided through monetary donations, fundraising or by linking the Image Reborn Foundation to a Smith’s Rewards Card.
Image Reborn held its annual gala at the beginning of November and was expecting to bring in more than $300,000 in donations. The money is used to provide free retreats, offer travel scholarships for those coming from out-of-town and fund ongoing wellness programs. For more information, visit ImageRebornFoundation.org.
“We are trying to grow across the nation,” Lord said. “We have wait lists and our goal is to make this available for everyone.” l
Wildcats see girls soccer season end with close playoff loss
By Josh McFadden | joshdmcfadden@hotmail.com
hat began in the heat of early August ended the second week of October for the Woods Cross girls soccer team. The 2024 season is now in the books for the Wildcats, closing the chapter on a season that saw its share of highs and lows.
Woods Cross ended the year with a 6-12 record. The team placed sixth in the eightteam Region 5 with a 6-8 mark. Despite having a below-.500 league record, the Wildcats outscored their foes collectively by a 27-25 margin. Woods Cross suffered two losses by a single goal and four more by two goals in region action.
The season included some impressive victories for Woods Cross.
Most notably, Woods Cross shut out eventual region champion Bountiful 3-0 on Aug. 15. The Wildcats also won convincingly over rival Viewmont on Sept. 19 by the score of 4-1.
In the Class 5A state tournament,
Woods Cross secured the No. 17 seed. It faced No. 16 Timpview on the road in firstround action Oct. 10. The Wildcats fell into an early hole and battled back, nearly making a furious rally to force overtime. Woods Cross was down 3-0 at halftime before getting goals from Nixon Milliron and Bailey Brown in the second half. Unfortunately for
the Wildcats, time ran out in the contest and in the season.
It was a season of streaks for Woods Cross.
The Wildcats lost all three non-region games to start the year, giving up three goals in each outing. After a pair of wins to start the Region 5 slate, the Wildcats then dropped four more games to fall to 2-7. However, the team regrouped to win five of its next seven matchups, including an exciting shootout victory over Bonneville on Sept. 26 on the road. In the regular-season finale, Woods Cross fell at home to Northridge 3-1 on Oct. 3.
Woods Cross will miss Brown next season. The senior will graduate this school year after pacing the team with nine goals this past season. She also added a pair of assists. However, two big contributors will be back in 2025 to bolster the team’s chances of improving. Sophomore Clara Howes was
second on the team with six goals, adding two assists as well. Fellow sophomore Sydney Oakes will be a focal point of the team next year after piling up 10 assists this past season. She added five goals too. Oakes had perhaps her biggest game of the year Sept. 10 at Bountiful when she had three assists.
Also back in 2025 will be Milliron, who had three goals and two assists this season. Juniors Lucy Thompson and Halle Tucker will also look to have bigger roles next year. Sophomore goalie Kacey Durtschi had two shutouts this season.
Next year, the Wildcats are aiming to bounce back after suffering their first sub.500 season since 2020. Woods Cross was 9-8 in each of the two previous seasons and 11-6 in 2021. Head coach David Newman just finished his 13th season with the team. He has a record of 199-95. l
At Image Reborn renewal retreats, breast cancer survivors can access mental and emotional support while creating new friendships. Photo courtesy of Image Reborn
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UWLP Releases New Research on Gender-Specific Barriers to Educational Attainment
By Melinda Colton, Julene Reese, Julene.Reese@usu.edu
In 2023, Envision Utah collected responses from nearly 2,000 students regarding their perceptions of higher education. The students, who were at least 13 years old, in high school, or recently graduated, shared their perspectives on their plans for and perceptions of barriers to attaining an education.
The Utah State University Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) recently published a research brief analyzing the data. The report aims to provide insight into students’ perspectives so that potential solutions are data-driven.
“We have an opportunity to provide targeted support depending on student perceptions,” said Susan Madsen, Karen Haight Huntsman Endowed Professor of Leadership in the USU Jon M. Huntsman School of Business and founder/director of the UWLP. “There is so much that is actionable from this research brief, and the reality is that parents, community members, religious leaders, teachers, and school personnel can start today by expressing support to young women. They can share information about opportunities for educational attainment – including how to pay for it – and chip away at the barriers that create doubt in their minds.”
Utah’s female secondary school students are ambitious about their plans for educational attainment. In fact, 67.1% of young women responded they would attend a four-year college (compared to 63.2% of young men). Of those who planned to pursue more education or training, 69% of young women planned to start right away. In contrast, 42.2% of young men were more likely to delay educational pursuits until after completion of a religious mission (compared to 12.2% of young women).
Students identified tuition, cost of living, cost of books, mental health, the need to work, and what to study as chal -
lenges. As the 2022 report noted, females continue to have more significant concerns about these topics than their male counterparts.
Financial barriers remain the top concern among young women and men in Utah, with young women being significantly more concerned about paying for tuition, living expenses, and course materials. This concern is not unfounded. In Utah, the gender wage gap remains the worst in the U.S., with women earning 73 cents for every dollar made by men.
“This disparity reinforces concerns among women that the cost of college may not yield sufficient financial returns,” said Matthew D. Meng, an associate professor of marketing in the USU Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, and author of the research brief. “Generally, as educational attainment increases, unemployment rates decrease, and incomes increase; the fact that women do not experience this at the same rate as men is lamentable.”
Among the identified barriers, mental health showed the greatest difference between males and females. Female students expressed greater concern about feeling a sense of belonging in higher education communities. And, because female students report greater numbers of safety-related issues – such as bullying, sexual harassment/assault, or a combination – their concern about feeling they belong in new environments is understandable.
The research also found that Utah female students have different expectations than male students. Females expect to become a well-rounded person, understand the world better, and learn about topics that interest them. Male students report more career-related expectations and, surprisingly, were more likely to report that they would expect to find a spouse/partner as part of their higher educational experience.
“Lack of educational attainment can have lifelong detrimental effects,” Meng said. “To have the greatest influence, it is important to take proactive steps to empower Utah’s students early, and we must understand the issues they face if we are going to implement effective solutions.”
The report offers the following recommendations to decrease barriers for Utah female students:
• Enhancing financial support: Additional financial support is crucial, and efforts to develop and expand scholarship programs and partnerships should continue. Addressing the gender pay gap may help more women justify an investment in education.
• Improving information accessibility: Students need better information about applications, financial aid, and career planning. Promoting higher education opportunities and career fields is critical.
• Supporting mental health: In addition to expanding resources to support
Patsy’s Mine
By Braden Nelsen | braden.n@mycityjournals.com
students’ mental health, measures to address underlying causes of mental health issues – including promoting supportive environments – should be a high priority.
• Increasing representativeness: Efforts to recruit, hire, and retain faculty and staff that reflect the broader population will benefit each of Utah’s higher education institutions.
“A cultural shift led by community and religious leaders at the highest levels in Utah is likely required,” Meng said, and he is optimistic. “By promoting a more forward-thinking narrative around gender equality, influential figures can encourage families to increase education prioritization for their daughters, help close the educational attainment gap in the long term, and inspire broader societal change.” l
Abraham Lincoln once called Utah the “Treasure House” of the nation, in regard to the many plentiful ore deposits found around the area. It should come as no surprise therefore that Davis County was not immune to prospectors of all kinds during the late 1800s and early 1900s. There is, perhaps, no more famous or more controversial prospect in the region, however than Patsy’s Mine in Farmington.
A popular hiking spot for decades, Patsy’s Mine is located just off the Bonneville Shoreline Trail in Farmington, and since its abandonment, has offered a fascinating view below ground here in Davis County. Pho-
tographs from hikers in years past showed wide open tunnels, and even a terraced floor from the years when mine carts and tracks ran through the mineshaft.
According to a historical newspaper article from Davis County, the plat was purchased by an Irish immigrant and prizefighter, Patsy Morley. Morley was convinced that if he persevered, and just dug deep enough, he would eventually find a return on his investments. He was stubborn enough that he spent 20 years in the mine looking for ore, but, eventually, his money and determination ran out, and the mine was abandoned. Like many abandoned mines around
Utah, it became a popular spot for those willing to find it. The hike isn’t a cakewalk, but it’s no Everest either. It had also been reported that Patsy’s mine had been left relatively untouched, with no evidence of drug or alcohol use, or other illicit activity. Perhaps, it’s for this reason that there was such community uproar when the mine itself was closed off.
The U.S. Forestry Service’s Willard Peak Project has been busily seeking out abandoned mines in the region and closing them off permanently. The official documents for the project cite many reasons for the closures, all to do with safety, including
cave-ins, dangerous material, and so forth. Patsy’s mine fell prey to the Willard Peak Project in 2020 and is currently sealed off with cinderblock and cement.
This has not deterred outdoor enthusiasts from visiting the site, which is still a popular trail. Residents have visited the sealed-off entryway, and, in their own way, paid their respects to Patsy Morley, who may not have found the bonanza he was hoping for, but gave generations of people from Farmington the adventure they sought in finding his mine. l
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Bison – Antelope Island’s role in conservation
By Bridger Park | b.park@mycityjournals.com
The turn of the 19th century marks a cornerstone in American conservation. This is when the first men began to recognize the trends of North American Wildlife, and the necessity of conservation. Through fur booms, settlers, and company trappers the West had begun to change. The American Bison, an animal described as infinite since the arrival of Louis and Clark, had all but disappeared, yet even at this time few men seemed to understand the importance of what was happening. This is when the first true and great conservationist of our time began to emerge. Men such as Teddy Roosevelt, Aldo Leupold, and John Muir.
“Mixed with the eager excitement of the hunter was a certain half melancholy feeling as I gazed on these bison, themselves part of the last remnant of a doomed and nearly vanished race.” Teddy Roosevelt, states in his text “Hunting the Grisly and Other Sketches.” “Few, indeed, are the men who now have, or evermore shall have, the chance
of seeing the mightiest of American beasts, in all his wild vigor, surrounded by the tremendous desolation of his far-off mountain home.”
Killing the bison from the plains was seen as more than just a market for the tongues and coats, it was a means to an end of the conflict with Native Americans. This reasoning led even those who predicted what would happen, to have a sort of resigned acceptance. This is what makes the first conservationists so respectable, they not only recognized what the American Society was doing, but fought back.
John Dooly, was a pioneer to Salt Lake, and worked as a banker. Around 1884, Dooley took ownership of Antelope Island. In 1893, a time when an estimated 800 bison remained on the American Landscape, John Dooly, performed the monumental task of purchasing 12 bison for the island. Even if conservation wasn’t the forefront of Dooly’s reasoning, it was a defining moment for An-
telope Island. Dooly bought the herd with the intention of supplementing his income by using them as an attraction, intending to charge people to hunt them, and to visit to see the animals. The hunts opened in 1898, and the $200 charge attracted the types such as heavyweight champion Jack Dempsy.
In later years, Dooly realized that in order to retain the profits he wanted, he needed to switch gears to cattle ranching. To clear space to run cattle, and despite protests to the governor, Dooly organized a hunt that took the near 400 head, the largest at the time, down to just 50. Years and failed attempts to sell the herds passed, including an attempt to sell them to zoos, the department of interior, and various others. Over time the herd numbers exploded once more.
By 1981 the state of Utah had acquired the island, and the herd. By 1986, the officers decided the numbers needed to be managed, and thus started the annual Great Buffalo Roundup. During the event the ani-
mals are all herded to a pen in the interior of the island, where the health and weights are evaluated, before they cull necessary numbers. Steven Bates, the current biologist out on the island, switched gears to a cow and calf operation. The herd now sees a 150-250 calf bump, and is able to feed conservation across the entire country.
It is speculated by some experts now, that every bison currently has cattle in their gene pool to some degree. Cattle were mixed with bison to help in conservation efforts, to make them bigger, and to make them eat better. Around 12 years ago, the biologist on the island ran genetic testing on the herd-they found only three animals with cattle genes. This is a testament to the success the island has seen since its birth.
It seems one thing is certain, if it was not for operations like Antelope Island, bison would no longer have any presence on the landscape. l
A bison feeding across the western shore of Antelope Island, with a view of the Stansbury Range across the Great Salt Lake. Courtesy of Utah State Parks
An adult bison feeds along the roadway. Courtesy of Utah State Parks
More than a memory – Josie’s Angels provides hope and healing
By Shania Emmett | s.emmett@mycityjournals.com
When parents experience the still birth of their child it can be one of the most heartbreaking things they can go through. The devastating loss can be overwhelming. An organization called Josie’s Angels was created to make the grieving process a bit easier.
“Nov. 25, 2021 my second daughter, Josie Lea Ann, passed away during labor, three hours before she was born (on Thanksgiving Day),” said Jennifer Rader, the creator of Josie’s Angels. “A few months passed by in complete grief, but quickly turned into a desire for action and to help others who were experiencing our same type of loss. It came from wanting to ‘pay forward’ the love and compassion and support we were shown during our darkest time.”
In February 2022 the final design for Josie’s Angels was created, she said. “I started making Angels in my home to send to other ‘loss parents’ that we learned of through friends and family. I started making these angels with my mother-in-law, Jina, as a way to clear my head and be able to sit in silence while dealing with my grief. We expanded to making and selling bracelets, and entered craft shows to raise additional funds to be able to make even more angels to donate.”
Rader said they knew that their daughter had a genetic condition and would likely not survive long after birth. “When we shared this news with family and friends, and publicly, we received so much support and love from people that we knew, and even people that we didn’t know. It was so important to us that we repay all those people in a way that ‘paid forward’ their support to us. In the hospital, on the day we lost Josie, the hospital
gave us a bag of items to commemorate our daughter’s life. I knew immediately that we wanted to contribute something to a bag like that. We donate our Josie’s Angels to organizations that work directly with the hospitals including Utah Share and Share Parents of Utah, in addition to sending Josie’s Angels directly to individuals who are experiencing a loss.”
Already Josie’s Angels has helped many parents get through the grieving process or at least it has helped bring a bit of peace and solace to them knowing they can honor the child they lost, Rader said. “We offer things like rings that can have your child’s birthstone, memory bracelets and even charms in the shape of angels that can have your child’s name on it.”
Rader said receiving that bag of items from other families who had dealt with a loss like theirs gave them hope. “It told us that we were not alone. It told us that there will be ways to honor our daughter in the future. I hope that when someone opens a Josie’s Angel from us that they have those feelings as well. I hope that they understand that there is life after the immense amount of grief they are feeling at the moment. The grief never fully goes away, but as much as you feel like you will not be able to go on, it is proof that you can.”
This year they will be hosting their second Angel Making Day Event on Josie’s Third Angel Day. “Last year we invited about 50 friends and family to our house and everyone made Angels and celebrated our girl (we made 337 Angels in a few hours),” she said. “This year we hope to make it even bigger and make even more Angels! We also offer Angel Making Events for youth groups,
churches, teams, and company days of giving. We bring out the supplies and people can spend time making Angels and donating their time to an amazing cause. I know how important the support from others felt for me throughout our journey, and I wanted to be
vocal about it and loudly support others to help them understand that they are not alone, their feelings are valid, and their baby existed and matters. I hope that our mission helps people to feel supported.” l
Jennifer Rader mourns at the funeral of her baby Josie Lea Ann. Rader created Josie’s Angels to help other parents who have lost a child.
One of the charms made by Josie’s Angels. Photos courtesy of Jennifer Rader
The State Board of Higher Education rolled out a new program Oct. 4 called Admit Utah, that guarantees high school graduates admission to at least one of the 16 public universities, colleges or technical colleges in the state. The concept is to help remove any barriers to students receiving a college education.
“Admit Utah marks a significant milestone in our efforts to ensure that every Utah student has access to a quality college education,” Utah Board of Higher Education member Cydni Tetro said in a statement. “This platform will provide students with even more clarity and simplicity in the college application process, empowering them to pursue their educational aspirations with confidence.”
Utah follows several other states that have instituted similar direct or guaranteed admissions to public colleges with Idaho being the first in 2015. The hope is to reach students who might not have been considering higher education.
In Davis, Morgan and Weber Counties three institutions are taking the state’s initiative even further by creating the Northern Wasatch Collegiate Coalition, comprising Weber State University, Davis Technical College and Ogden-Weber Technical College to launch a direct admissions program for 10,000 high school seniors.
“We’re working with our four school district partners and charter schools and private schools in our region,” said Weber State University president, Brad Mortensen at a kickoff celebration last week. “So what that means is in the next few weeks, 10,000 high school seniors in Weber, Davis and Morgan counties will be receiving letters of admittance to our three institutions without ever filling out an admissions application or paying an application fee.”
This means a great deal to students who
State implements direct admissions program
By Becky Ginos | becky.g@thecityjournals.com
may wonder if they’re college material or who are scared about filling out high school or college admissions applications, he said. “That’s no longer a barrier to them. We think this will provide great promise to the students in our region to take advantage of that guarantee that college is really available to everyone.”
“Our community is stronger with accessible, quality higher education,” said Darin Brush, Davis Technical College president.
“Fortunately our region enjoys three nationally recognized higher education institutions and we’ve harnessed this advantage for collective impact in Northern Utah.”
In Utah, nearly 40% of our high school students don’t enroll in higher education within three years after graduation, he said. “We want to change that. After three years the likelihood that they ever will drops dramatically. We also want our kids who don’t think they are cut out for college to understand that we want them at our institutions and that we are committed to their success.”
“We’re also launching two additional programs to streamline the transition for students who might choose to go to one of our technical college partners first and then hope to pursue an associates or a bachelor’s degree at Weber State,” said Mortensen. “The first of those programs is called jumpstart. What that means is for students who are taking their certificate program at a technical college, they can take core general education courses through Weber State University for the same tuition that they pay at the technical college which is $95 per credit hour.”
That’s a lot less than what they would pay once they came to the university, he said. “So jumpstart will really help students who are in the technical college who know they want to go on to get an associates or bachelor's degree.”
The second program is called tech
transfer, Mortensen said. “That is for students who have completed their certificate at one of our technical colleges to transfer up to 21 general education elective credits toward their associates or bachelor’s degree at Weber State.”
Again that is a huge cost savings for those students, he said. “They don’t have to pay to take those credits and elective courses over again. It also is a huge time savings as far as them being able to be quicker at progressing through their degree.”
Mortensen said between the direct admissions program, jumpstart and tech transfer, this will do tremendous things in the region. “We are being a model for the state and
Kcountry that’s streamlining and improving higher education access.”
Data shows that over the next five to 10 years, there will be a big increase in the number of jobs in the workforce that require some type of post secondary certificate or degree, he said. “We know that we have to entice more of our population to come to college and get a degree in order to meet the workforce needs that we have in the state. We also know that there is no better pathway for people to improve their economic ability than through education.” l
Local K-Pop enthusiast launches magazine and convention in Utah
-Pop, or Korean Pop Music has become quite popular in recent years in Utah, especially in Davis County. It’s been so popular that local woman Megan Gleason organized a convention for it. It was called The K-Pop Fan Faire and it was held last month.
Gleason has also started her own magazine which is completely centered around K-Pop. From the bands to the music and even the fans of K-Pop itself.
“The K-Pop Fan Faire was in celebration of Fanfare’s first year anniversary,” she said. “I knew I wanted to hold an event to celebrate since the beginning of 2024 but I hadn’t really hashed out any details. Then in May, I met Janika at 4 the Love of Studios and she was interested in collaborating on a
By Shania Emmett | s.emmett@mycityjournals.com
K-Pop-themed event. It made sense to put the two ideas together.”
The event brought a variety of people together all around one singular thing: the love for K-Pop. It had a variety of K-Pop-esque vendors. There were panels talking about the bands and even a chance to participate in trivia games. There was also a dance workshop where con-goers could learn the moves they see their favorite bands perform on their music videos along with their concerts.
“The RPDs definitely were the most popular event of the night,” Gleason said. “It wasn’t until we started those that people really started showing up.”
Many might wonder what an RPD is exactly. It stands for Random Play Dance. It’s a
dance challenge game where con-goers can come and dance to random K-Pop songs that are selected. It is a very popular event among con-goers who enjoy getting to dance to their favorite songs along with other fellow fans.
Overall, Gleason believes the event went very well especially since it was the very first year that it has ever been held.
“I honestly just love talking to people,” she said. “My favorite part of any event is meeting people and getting the opportunity to talk to people I otherwise only know online! Events like this bring people together so I always love seeing fellow fans that live in different cities.”
Gleason said they had way more ticket purchases than she thought they would and
people seemed to have fun. “There were definitely some hiccups but we managed to do all the things we planned. Something I will do when I try and run the event again next year though is buy extra batteries. Also, I will definitely start planning way sooner. The last two weeks leading up to the event felt like a mad dash for me. So, I will definitely start getting everything ready much sooner.”
One thing is for sure, when there is something that many people love, events like Gleason’s will almost always end up bringing people together. l
Ogden High School senior Grace Malan shakes hands with Waldo the Wildcat, Weber State University’s mascot at a kickoff celebration for the direct admissions program. Malan has already been accepted to WSU and has also received a scholarship to the school. Photo by Becky Ginos
Six local nonprofits to support this holiday season
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Davis
County residents have long demonstrated a commitment to service, upholding the belief that collective action leads to meaningful change and stronger communities.
With hundreds of nonprofit organizations in the area, there are many options to donate time, money or expertise to a cause close to your heart. Take time this month to show gratitude for all you have by supporting one of these charities doing big things along the Wasatch Front.
Bountiful Food Pantry, 480 E. 150 North, Bountiful
Providing food to any Davis County family in need, the Bountiful Food Pantry offers assistance with no questions asked. In 2023, the pantry distributed more than 1.7 million meals and is on track to exceed that number in 2024. Residents can visit the pantry twice each month for a box of groceries. The nonprofit also provides pantry packs to 80 schools in the county, allowing thousands of children to have food for the weekend. Support this organization through monetary or food donations, host a food drive or volunteer to work at the pantry. More information is available at BountifulFoodPantry.org.
Wasatch Wanderers Animal Rescue
It’s not just cats and dogs being abandoned along the Wasatch Front. Rabbits, domestic ducks, turtles, lizards, chickens, guinea pigs and other animals are often dumped by their owners in the wild, where they don’t survive long. Wasatch Wanderers rescues
these rejected pets and finds new homes where they can be part of a loving family. Get involved with this organization by adopting or fostering an animal, transporting rescued animals to rescue farms or donating money to their care. Visit WasatchWanderers.org for more information.
Warrior Rising Through strategic partnerships, Warrior Rising helps veterans become thriving business owners. Using a network of professionals from a wide range of backgrounds, the nonprofit created a remote learning platform that uses mentors, coaches, experts and
Tgrant money to provide vets the opportunity to build a successful life after they’ve served the country. Entrepreneurial volunteers are needed to teach skills and help vets through the business start-up process. Find more info at WarriorRising.org.
The Christmas Box International, 3660 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City Open all year, The Christmas Box International is a short-term, emergency shelter helping children suffering from abuse, neglect, trafficking and homelessness. More than 14,000 children were served at the home last year and organizers are always looking
for donations to help support the programs offered including resource rooms and international projects. To honor the children they serve, The Christmas Box International only accepts new donations of clothing, books, toys and toiletries. Monetary donations are also accepted. Learn more at Thechristmasbox.org.
Davis County Library
With seven branches throughout the county, volunteers are always needed at the Davis County Library. Working with library staff, volunteers perform a range of vital services including shelving materials, clerical support, leading story times and helping with library programs. Volunteers 14 and older are invited to work at the library (minors must be accompanied by an adult). Visit daviscountyutah.gov/library/volunteer to sign up.
Fourth Street Clinic, 409 W. 400 South, Salt Lake City
With cold temperatures on the way, people experiencing homelessness will need extra support to stay safe. Fourth Street Clinic provides health care to a population that often doesn’t receive continual medical attention. The clinic accepts donations including travel-size hygiene items, tents, sleeping bags, tarps, gloves and hats, new underwear and warm socks. Monetary donations to Fourth Street Clinic are leveraged to create an additional in-kind donation dollar for every $1 raised. Learn more at FourthStreetClinic.org. l
Bright economic numbers signal a strong holiday shopping season
his fall’s better-than-expected economic showing is good news for the upcoming holiday shopping season.
Retail sales rose 0.4% in September, beating analysts’ expectations. Meanwhile, the economy added a remarkable 254,000 jobs in the month – 100,000 more than most forecasters predicted. The national unemployment rate dropped from 4.2% in August to 4.1% in September, while wages accelerated to 4% in September compared to 3.8% the previous month.
Bolstered by a strong job market, winter holiday spending is expected to grow between 2.5% and 3.5% this year, according to the National Retail Federation. That’s in line with historical averages and similar to Deloitte’s 2024 projection of 2.3% to 3.3% sales growth. Most of the growth will be driven by online purchases, which are expected to jump 7% to 9% over 2023.
Holiday shoppers’ dollars will stretch further this year than in 2023 and 2022, thanks to slowing inflation and rising wages.
By Robert Spendlove, Zions Bank Senior Economist
The Consumer Price Index slowed to 2.4% in September, down from 2.5% the previous month. And inflation in the mountain region of the U.S. slowed even more, to 1.4% in September.
While wage growth has been outpacing inflation since May 2023, household income has yet to fully recover the purchasing power lost to inflation in recent years. Many people are starting off their holiday shopping season already in debt. Credit card debt hit a record $1.14 trillion in the second quarter of 2024, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. And half of credit card holders are carrying a balance from month to month – the highest level in four years, according to Bankrate’s 2024 Credit Card Debt Survey.
Nearly half – 48% – of Utahns say they are worse off financially compared to a year ago, according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment. The way people feel about the economy often influences their spending decisions. However, easing inflation and lower
interest rates could improve Utahns’ feelings about the economy.
This holiday season may bring price relief in certain categories. Toy prices, for example, dropped 2.9% over the last year. Some electronics, including televisions and computers, are also cheaper overall. Motor fuel prices are down 15.5% nationally and 18.6% regionally. These are all great trends.
Other factors impacting holiday spending include an abbreviated shopping season. With Thanksgiving falling on Nov. 28 this year, there are 26 days from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Additionally, the economic uncertainty surrounding the U.S. presidential election could play a role in how consumers do their holiday shopping.
Robert Spendlove is senior economist for Zions Bank, a division of Zions Bancorporation, N.A l
Volunteers and monetary donations are always needed during the holidays. With dozens of nonprofit organizations in the county, there are ample opportunities to provide service. Stock photo
When you think of birds that can’t y, you probably think about ME. But penguins aren’t the only birds that can’t y. Let me introduce you to some of my ne feathered cousins who, like me, are grounded!
Underwater “Flight”
Sure, we are unable to fly up in the sky. But underwater, penguins zoom and zip like jet pilots as we chase a seafood lunch! Add up the numbers along the correct path through this maze to see how fast some penguins can swim.
hey’re the two tallest birds on the planet, and both are fast runners. Emus can reach a top speed of 31 miles per hour, while ostriches can sprint at bursts of up to 43 miles per hour!
When it comes to being tough, these big birds are not chickens. When threatened, both ostriches and emus can deliver a mighty kick. Their kick can hurt or even kill a predator!
How many di erences can you nd between the emu and ostrich? How many similarities do you see?
he kakapo (kay-kay-po), or owl parrot, is the world’s heaviest parrot. They can live to be 100 years old. They are excellent climbers. And while they cannot fly, their wings help them make soft landings when jumping from trees.
Sadly, they are endangered. Circle every other letter to reveal how few are still in the wild.
Find the words by looking up, down, backwards, forwards, sideways and diagonally.
The steamer duck is native to the rocky shores of the Falkland Islands. The way these ducks splash water behind them when swimming reminded explorers of old steamer ships.
Meet the Kiwi
Kiwis have soft fluffy feathers that feel almost like _______. The feathers around their long beaks act like a cat’s whiskers, keeping them from getting ________ in tight spaces.
Replace the missing words to learn about my cousin the kiwi, an unusual bird from New Zealand.
The Cassowary
Some species of cassowaries have a hard, fin-shaped helmet on their heads, called a casque. The casque is made of keratin, the substance found in its beak and claws. Scientists aren’t really sure of the casque’s purpose.
A kiwi uses its legs and feet for digging. Kiwis have a great sense of smell thanks to the ____________ at the end of their beaks. A kiwi uses its great sense of hearing to avoid ____________ and find food.
Kiwis are omnivores, eating worms, insects, snails, frogs, berries, seeds and __________.
Native to Australia and New Guinea, these birds are fast runners even in the rainforest.
Color this cassowary by the numbers.
The Sky Is the Limit
Look through the newspaper to see how many words you can find related to the sky or flying, such as clouds, soaring, flight, wings,
Flights of Fancy
Imagine you are going to fly to an island vacation. Look through the newspaper for 10 things you’d need on your trip. Decide which are WANTS and which are NEEDS.
Standards Link: Distinguish wants vs. needs.
Up and Away!
Imagine you had wings and could fly. Where would you go? What would
You can say that Tampa Bay looks battle tested as Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers head into Arrowhead Stadium to take on Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs for Monday Night Football. The Chiefs last beat the Bucs 41-31 in 2022 in Tampa, Fla. What We Do in the Shadows FX 11 p.m.
The zany misadventures continue in this latest episode as Laszlo (Matt Berry), Nadja (Natasia Demetriou) and Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch) head out to retrieve Nandor (Kayvan Novak) before his crazed mental state leads to more trouble.
Tuesday
Election Night 2024: Your Voice/ Your Vote
(4) KTVX 5 p.m.
ABC News anchor David Muir and the ABC News team get the latest information from various election locations to provide results in the 2024 presidential election. As results continue to stream in, experts will piece together the Electoral College.
American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez FX 11 p.m.
During this new episode, Terri (Tammy Blanchard), Shayanna (Jaylen Barron) and Tanya (Lindsay Mendez) process Aaron’s (Josh Andrés Rivera) conviction. As they come to terms with their new reality, they are forced to make a difficult decision.
Wednesday
Treasure SHOW 3 p.m.
Ruth (Lena Dunham), an American journalist, brings her father (Stephen Fry) to Poland to visit his childhood homeland and help understand her family’s past. But as a Holocaust survivor, he prefers to forget, creating unintentionally funny moments.
Chicago Fire (5) KSL 8 p.m.
Nature is a challenge and Mouch (Christian Stolte) runs afoul of a bird on the apparatus floor. Then, Severide (Taylor Kinney) finds illegal guns on a call and gets pulled into a police investigation. Carver’s (Jake Lockett) attitude worsens.
Thursday
After the First 48 A&E 6 p.m.
Season 10 premieres tonight, beginning with a gruesome tale. When a violent melee leaves two men dead, Mobile, Ala., detectives work to track down multiple suspects, using all available evidence to piece together what really happened that fateful night.
Doctor Odyssey (4) KTVX 8 p.m.
Making waves might be par for the course on the open ocean, but aboard The Odyssey, it’s sometimes best to keep your head down. Dr. Max Bankman (Joshua Jackson) is still getting his sea legs, but Capt. Massey (Don Johnson) is not offering Dramamine.
Friday
Cold Case Files: The Grim Sleeper A&E 7 p.m.
This special episode of “Cold Case Files” explores the crimes of infamous serial killer Lonnie Franklin Jr., who preyed on the women of South Central Los Angeles for over 25 years. Various victims share their stories, and hope not to be forgotten.
Joan (30) KUCW 9 p.m.
From a penniless mother struggling to make ends meet to a skilled thief capable of becoming anyone at any time thanks to her talent for disguise, Joan (Sophie Turner) must pull off the heist of a lifetime in this season finale. However, doubts remain.
Saturday
Big RV Remix
Searching for a Serial Killer: The
Regina Smith Story
LIFE 6 p.m.
Hoping to make the world safer for her young daughter, Regina (Karrueche Tran) joins the Dallas Police Department. She and her partner Eddie (Blair Penner) find crucial evidence of a serial killer targeting female sex workers known as the Eyeball Killer.
48 Hours
(2) KUTV 8 p.m.
No matter the story — be it a shocking criminal case or salacious real-life scandal — viewers turn to the investigative reporting of Erin Moriarty, Peter Van Sant and the rest of the CBS News crew to give them the answers in this latest episode.
Sunday
The Penguin
HBO 7 p.m.
Gotham is reshaped and Oz (Colin Farrell) has orchestrated as much of it as possible with the tools he’s been given — or taken — in this season finale. With Sofia (Cristin Milioti) working her angles and Oz mastering brutality, many hope for a Season 2.
Yellowstone (2) KUTV 8:30 p.m.
John (Kevin Costner) thinks he has finally shaken out the chaff, revealing his true alliances. After his run-in with the justice system, Rip (Cole Hauser) is left with more questions than answers. Jamie (Wes Bentley) worries about his political future.
The Penguin
HBO 9:50 p.m.
Wednesday
PBS Nature
An all-new episode of “Nature” airs Wednesday, Nov. 6, on PBS, It might be known for its zoo, coastline and stunning weather, but San Diego is also wild. Nowhere in the United States has as many species as this city. From blistering deserts to snow-capped mountains and tidal estuaries, biodiversity calls San Diego home.
Celebrity Profile
By Jay Bobbin TV Media
Kelli
Williams spent several years focusing on work behind the cameras as a director, but she’s back to being a full-time actress again. Best known previously as attorney Lindsay Dole in ABC’s “The Practice,” Williams is co-starring in the drama series “Found,” now airing its second season Thursdays on NBC and streaming on Peacock. Her character, Margaret Reed, is one of the recovery specialists on a team led by crisis management expert Gabi Mosely (played by Shanola Hampton, “Shameless”). Margaret sadly has personal experience in missing person cases, since her own son disappeared more than a dozen years ago, and she has never given up her search for him. After directing a number of other shows in recent years, Williams also fills that job on a “Found” episode later this season. “I think [producers] like the fact that I am an actor and I know actors,” she reasons of her behindthe-scenes work, “so I can use some of the shortcuts that actors have. In talking about character and story, I can ask them, ‘Are you a person of many words, or do you prefer just a few words?’ I find that’s something a lot of directors don’t ask, so I think that maybe that’s an advantage I have.”
Williams adds about acting, “Sometimes you can be prepared, then you suddenly get in front of the camera and you don’t quite have it in the same way, or your nerves get hold of you. [As a director,] I feel I also can be a mom and a therapist in that moment, as well as a fellow actor.”
In the often-repeated 2004 cable movie “A Boyfriend for Christmas,” Williams worked with her late mother, fellow actress Shannon Wilcox. “That was so much fun to do with her,” Williams recalls. “I had just had my second child, so I was there with my mom and my new baby.”
Hacking Thanksgiving
Preparing Thanksgiving dinner never gets easier. I always start with lofty culinary goals based on recipes from “The Pioneer Woman” that include truffles and capers but end up scraping scorched gravy into a dish and hoping the turkey won’t give anyone food poisoning.
Because of my poor cooking skills, I’m always looking for Thanksgiving hacks to make meal preparation more sunshine and less hurricane. I thought I’d share some tips I found to survive the food frenzy that is Thanksgiving.
Ask for help. Stop being a martyr. Don’t complain about having to do everything and then refuse any help. Give out assignments and not like “Can you bring one can of olives?” or “I need someone to pick up some napkins.” No. Ask someone to bring mashed potatoes or all the desserts or even the turkey. You don’t get a blue ribbon for Thanksgiving suffering.
Don’t make foods no one eats. Stop wasting time preparing “traditional” foods, even if it’s a recipe handed down from your quadruple-great grandmother. Especially if it’s handed down from your quadruple-great grandmother because there weren’t a lot of food options in the 1800s besides lima beans and fried hominy.
Use a mandoline to slice vegetables.
Peri Kinder Life and Laughter
Not to be confused with a stringed instrument from the 19th century, the mandoline slices onions, celery and carrots quickly and easily. The guest who finds the tip of my index finger in the stuffing wins a prize!
Make only one batch of dinner rolls. Homemade rolls are always a hit but now you can use them as leverage. Your grandson wants a second, hot-buttered roll? He’d better start washing dishes. Bonus hack: Purchase pre-made bakery rolls. You won’t get docked Thanksgiving points. I promise.
Thaw the turkey in water. Not only will this leave you with a bucket full of disgusting waste water but then you can spill it all over the kitchen floor on Thanksgiving morning. Maybe don’t even cook a turkey. There are no Thanksgiving laws. Have chicken wings or spaghetti bolognese.
Spatchcock the turkey. If you insist
on roasted turkey, watch a three-hour video explaining how to spatchcock the bird, which involves removing the turkey’s backbone so it lies flat and cooks quickly. (Sidenote: Who spatchcocked Utah’s governor and legislators?)
One tip said, “Use tongs to stem kale” and none of those words make sense together.
Use a Thermos to keep gravy warm. Gravy is notoriously dreadful when served cold. Trust me, I know. Grab your sisterin-law’s gallon-sized Stanley cup to ensure there’s hot gravy for the mashed potatoes.
Use pre-made pie shells. People think pies need to be made from scratch to get that flakey, buttery crust. Baloney. Unless you’re a professional pie baker, do yourself a favor and buy frozen pie crusts. Right now. Even better, get delicious pies from the grocery store.
Celebrate Thanksgiving dinner on Friday. There’s nothing worse than working three days and trying to fit in Thanksgiving preparation. On Friday, it can be a celebratory meal after everyone’s done shopping online.
Create a fun playlist. Before Uncle Jim can cue up the Jan. 6 prisoners’ chorus singing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” have a variety of tunes ready to go. Include ev-
erything from Bach to ZZ Top, to equally irritate every family member.
Give yourself a break. I’ve overcooked turkey, burned gravy, made inedible broccoli-cornbread stuffing, forgot the cranberry sauce, dropped a pumpkin pie and used Tupperware lids when I ran out of dinner plates. No one cares. If you’re being judged for the way Thanksgiving dinner turns out, it’s time to find a new family.