First plans were released to the pub lic for Utah’s future National Hockey League training facility at Sandy’s Shops at South Town on Aug. 12, following the building’s official groundbreaking. Smith Entertainment Group’s owner Ryan Smith, hockey players, Sandy Mayor Monica Zoltanski and local officials were present.
“We plan on not stopping with the ice center here, but actually making this a destination for people to come and interact with the NHL brand, maybe even the top destination,” Smith said. “[Sandy] is the perfect intersection of east, south, north and west in the state.”
The once vacant facility at the south end of the Shops at South Town was ac quired by SEG in early August and will be the new home of the facility.
“It really wasn’t that long ago when conversations started about what this site could be and what the potential is of bring ing hockey to Sandy,” Zoltanski said at the groundbreaking. “This happened really fast, but Sandy’s ready.”
City Council votes down citywide participation in Utah ‘Community Renewable Energy Program’
Several doctors, teachers and energy professionals were in the crowd for the Sandy City Council meeting on Aug. 13, all there to speak their views about a proposed agenda item that would determine whether or not the city of nearly 100,000 residents would have the option to opt into the Community Renewable Energy Program for cleaner air.
The Utah program passed into legislation in 2019 called the Utah Community Renewable Energy Act to transition all Rocky Mountain Power customers who opted into the program to 100% renewable energy by 2030.
In 2019, Councilmember Zach Robinson (now chair) brought the option to join the program to the council and Councilmember Aaron Dekeyzer (at the time a resident) advocated for the council to vote for it from the public comment dias. At the time, the majority “narrowly” voted against it.
In 2024, the recommendation for Sandy to join the program came from Dekeyzer, who is still a strong proponent of the program and referred to it as “one of the largest decarbonization efforts in the country.”
“Since [2019], the urgency of this issue has only intensified,” Dekeyzer said at the Aug. 13 city council meeting. “Today, we have a second chance to do something truly transformative for Sandy.”
“It is a step for a better, healthier future for our children,” Dekeyzer said.
After voting on the issue a second time on Aug. 13, the city opted out of the program again with a 5-2 vote.
In Utah, 18 cities, towns and counties have opted into the program, accounting for more than a quarter of Rocky Mountain Power customers in the state, per the Salt Lake Tribune.
“It’ll be interesting to see how many
By Rebecca Olds | rebecca.o@thecityjournals.com
more sign on,” Dekeyzer said, adding more cities, including West Jordan and Midvale, are considering joining the program.
“A lot of the big ones signed on: Ogden, Salt Lake, [and] Park City,” he said. “It’s a quarter of all energy users, so it’s a fairly significant number.”
If the council had voted in favor of the program, it would’ve received voting power to change policies within the program including fees.
Main concerns about joining the program from councilmembers included costs associated with the program for both residents and the city as well as skepticism about whether the program would have a significant enough impact in the next five years.
In addition to a $2 to $7 more on their Rocky Mountain Power bill each month, residents would have been auto-enrolled in the program and required to opt out in the first 90 days. After three months, a required $20 to $30 termination fee would’ve been mandated to opt out.
The additional monthly charge for participating in the program is planned to go toward funding a solar farm and wind farm, each generating 200 megawatts of power, Dekeyzer said.
“Now if it’s producing a quantifiable result, then maybe I could get behind an argument that it’s worth it. But so far in five years, nothing has happened,” Councilmember Cyndi Sharkey said. “There’s too many
She criticized the program which hasn’t purchased one watt and half of the money raised has been spent on consultants.
“I have a lot of heartburn over the way this program is set up and the amount of money that could be paid into this by unknowing Sandy customers who just don’t get the word in 90 days and are able to opt out of it,” Sharkey said.
Sharkey said it sounds similar to the Blue Sky Fund with the goal for Rocky Mountain Power to shut down coal-based plants by 2030, which she paid into for 24 years. She said she canceled in May when the company pushed the goal back to 2042.
Additionally, the program fee for the city would’ve cost about $35,737 in the first and second years, equaling more than $71,000.
“We all want clean air, there isn’t any question about it,” Sharkey said, “But, I don’t think this is something that I could get behind.”
Although this program was voted down by the council, the conversation is still open about how the city can continue to lessen its carbon footprint.
Councilmember Brooke D’Sousa called it a “worthy goal.”
“I think renewable energy is something that needs to be more seriously considered,” D’Sousa said.
“All of us have expressed, to some degree, our desire to reduce our environmental impacts,” Robinson said. “I am growing increasingly concerned—as a human, as a parent, as a member of this community, as a taxpayer of this city—that things are going in the wrong direction. This is a big problem in our community and big problems need big solutions.” l
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Wind turbines are a part of the plan to get communities that participate in the Community Renewable Energy Program to 100% renewable energy by 2030. (Fuji Nakama/Unsplash)
Utah STEM Fest celebrates 10 years of student engagement
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
With its interactive exhibits and fun learning environment, the Utah STEM Fest invites students in grades five-12 to explore how science, technology, engineering and math help shape their world.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the event aims to foster curiosity in STEM careers by providing the next generation of problem solvers the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities and collaborative challenges with more than 10,000 students from around the state.
“We’re building a curiosity in STEM that helps to build a comfort level and helps kids gravitate towards being problem solvers,” said Tami Goetz, STEM Action Center Utah executive director. “Also, to be something like failure positive. It’s important for our kids to understand that failure is a learning process, too. So often in STEM, you get the chance to do things and some things work. Some things don’t.”
Hosted by the STEM Action Center Utah, the event will be held Sept. 17-18 at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy (9575 S. State Street). Teachers across Utah bring their classes to attend the Utah STEM Fest and the STEM Action Center Utah provides transportation for students from places like San Juan, Sevier, North Summit, Nebo, Emery and Duchesne school districts.
Since the event started in 2013, Utah STEM Fest has grown to include a variety of businesses and organizations that showcase STEM-related activities. The Utah State Highway Patrol brings a vehicle filled with state-of-the-art mobile technology. Utah Valley University’s science department provides dynamic experiential
Students from all over the state will attend the Utah STEM Fest Sept. 17-18 at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy (9575 S. State Street). (Photo courtesy of Utah STEM Fest)
learning. KSL News sets up a green screen for students to practice being on camera. There’s even a mobile planetarium where students can watch a star show.
“One of our biggest supporters is US Synthetic,” said Shelby Averett, communications manager at STEM Action Center Utah. “They make synthetic diamonds. They have a miniaturized display showing how they do that process in real life.”
A push to get more girls and young women interested in STEM courses and careers is paying off. All-girl robotics teams are more popular than ever and there’s a greater demand for opportunities like SheTech clubs in
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high schools. College-level engineering programs are also seeing an increase in female students.
“I do think we’re taking the fear out of STEM for a lot of our girls which is good because whether you’re a girl or you’re a boy, the demand for talent in STEM-related careers requires for us to at least provide the opportunity to have the choice to go into a STEM career,” Goetz said. “There’s such a demand for STEM talent and that’s not going away.”
On Tuesday, Sept. 17, from 4-8 p.m., Family Night at STEM Fest invites students and their families to explore exhibits and enjoy demonstrations from STEM professionals. Admission is free.
The Utah STEM Action Center, a division of the Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement, is tasked with advancing STEM education. By providing a two-day event filled with fun experiments and an inspirational focus, Goetz hopes students will leave STEM Fest with a better understanding and appreciation for STEM careers and advancements.
“We’re not in the business of saying STEM is for everyone,” she said. “But we certainly are in the business of saying if it’s something you haven’t thought about, let us help provide some opportunity to explore it. So that if you walk away from it, you’re walking away from it because you know you’ve had a chance to try it, regardless of your gender.”
For volunteering or event information, visit utahstemfest.com. l
A lesson in perseverance: Sandy teacher’s novel to become feature film
By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com
Ateacherin the Canyons School District will soon see his work come to life on the big screen.
Marc J. Gregson is the published author of “Sky’s End,” the first novel in a trilogy that hit The New York Times Best Sellers list soon after it was released earlier this year.
Now, the book is being developed into a feature film.
“I've always felt like ‘Sky's End’ and the Above the Black series is very cinematic, so it would translate well to cinema,” Gregson said. “That being said, getting a motion picture is a pie-in-the-sky dream, and I never thought it was realistic, so I didn't think about it much. I've only now started to imagine what it's going to be like.”
Gregson first dreamed up “Sky’s End” in 2015, so he started writing the first chapter or two, but was busy with other projects. So, “Sky’s End” was put to the side. He returned to the idea later in 2016, finished writing and was able to get it sent out to literary agents by 2017. Getting an agent isn’t an easy feat, and Gregson went through multiple revisions, and hopeful moments ending in disappointment before he landed his agent in 2020. With the help
of his agent, Gregson finished revising his book and sent it out to publishers in 2021. In early 2022, he was finally signed.
“That was a good day. I told my seventh-period students, and they lost their minds while I cried in front of the class,” Gregson said.
Gregson said he felt he was onto something special when he was writing “Sky’s End,” and was hopeful for the journey the trilogy would take in the hands of readers.
“I will never forget the evening when my editor called to tell me ‘Sky’s End’ made it onto The New York Times Best Sellers list,” he said. “I pretty much called everyone and their dog after that.”
Gregson teaches at Eastmont Middle School and loves sharing his journey with his students and colleagues.
“The whole school has been very excited about it, especially those who understand how big of a deal it is,” he said.
His journey of trying to get an agent and publisher has helped him teach his students an important lesson; the power of perseverance. He was always open and honest with his students, telling them when he was trying to get an agent and the multiple rejections he faced.
“A student asked me why I was still trying to get published even though the pain of rejection was so powerful,” Greg -
son said. “I told my student that I think it's a good idea to pursue the things that make you happy. I wanted to be published, but I would write for my whole life even if I never got published because I enjoy creating stories so much.”
Production for the film version of “Sky’s End” could take years to come to fruition, but Gregson is excited to be along for the ride. He’s made it a point to share his love of writing, not just being published, but getting to write the stories he loves.
“If you're a writer aiming to get published, I suggest writing the stories that give you that excited twist in your gut,” he said. “The kind of story that makes you want to jot down ideas when you're waiting at the bus stop or at the doctor's office. Write the stories that make you happy, because at the end of the day, even if the book you write doesn't get published, you had fun writing it. When you write another book, take the lessons you learned from the last book, do your best to identify your weak points, and tackle those issues with vigor in your next project.” l
Cover of Marc J. Gregson’s “Sky’s End.” (Photo courtesy of Sara DiSalvo)
Expectations high as usual for Alta girls soccer
By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
Regardless of the makeup of the girls soccer team, aspirations are always lofty for the Alta Hawks.
Alta is coming off a 9-9 campaign in which they were 6-6 in Region 6, finishing fifth in the seven-team region. Alta blanked West Jordan 6-0 in a first-round playoff game and then fell to Clearfield in round 2 by the count of 6-1.
The Hawks entered 2024 with a youthful roster, having lost some players from last season’s squad. Head coach Mackenzie Hyer has worked inexperienced players into the varsity lineup. The season started off slowly for Alta to the tune of a 1-5 start (0-2 in region). Still, Hyer’s hopes remain high.
“We are a young team with lots of new players getting varsity minutes, but we are scoring goals and working the issues out,” Hyer said. “I expect us to be competing for a championship run.”
To achieve this Hyer said the players need to put forth the necessary effort and be good teammates.
“Players need to be willing to work hard and support their teammates throughout the entire season,” she said. “We start quick, but it goes fast.”
Despite the lack of wins to start the year, Hyer isn’t panicking. She said the
Theplayers are progressing and working hard to overcome their setbacks. She is encouraged about the improvements she has seen and points out that the Hawks have been competitive even in defeat.
“We were in every game [in our nonregion games],” she said. “I am super impressed with the team’s willingness to learn from their mistakes. They have an amazing growth mindset. We have gotten better every game, and I feel great about
the path we are on.”
Three of Alta’s losses were by a single goal, with the other two coming by two goals. Alta’s win during its first six games was a 3-0 shutout of Logan on Aug. 15.
Through six contests, junior midfielder India Pahnke led the team in scoring with three goals. Senior midfielder Lilly Brimley paced the Hawks in assists at this point with three. Three other players had three goals.
One of the factors in Alta’s early season losses has been the injury bug. This has required Hyer to shuffle the lineup and plug players in different spots on the field. However, the Hawks’ players have been flexible and willing to do whatever the coaches are asking.
“We have a bunch of early season injuries, but we are willing to adjust, play the position needed and work together to have the team get better,” Hyer said.
Hyer appreciates how well the girls play together and how well they get along. Her job is also much easier knowing that the girls listen well and work hard to implement the things Hyer and her staff teach them.
“The girls love each other,” she said. “Our team goal is to have unity—to be a family on and off the field. They are also so coachable and willing to take feedback and work on growing and improving.”
Alta will face every region foe twice. The regular season concludes with a home game against Highland on Oct. 1. The Class 5A state tournament follows, with first-round games set for Oct. 10. l
Opportunities abound for Alta boys golf team
Alta Hawks have a large boys golf team, with 18 total players contributing. However, only two of those players are seniors, making Alta a young, inexperienced group.
But that isn’t intimidating the team.
Alta head coach Cody Nesbit sees the youthfulness and lack of competition experience as a chance for the players to learn and grow. He also believes this team can build a foundation for a strong program in the coming years.
“Young players mean lots of room for growth and an opportunity to gain experience, which can really add depth to future Alta teams,” Nesbit said. “The players have really bought in to practicing with purpose and are trying to learn from golf rounds on how to improve their game and get better.”
When the Hawks played in their opening tournament of the 2024 campaign at the beginning of August, five of the eight players were competing for the first time at the varsity level. From that point onward, Nesbit has set a goal for his players, including the newcomers, to improve each practice and match. Despite the inexperience of the team, Nesbit is hopeful that every player can qualify for the Class 5A state tournament Oct. 14, 15 at Glen Eagle Golf Course in Syracuse.
By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
“Our goals are to always to get better at golf every day and to learn from tournament play so we know what to work on at practice,” he said. “The team goal is to make state.”
One player who isn’t new to this level of play is senior Gage Lowe. The senior leader is in his third year on the squad. Another key player is junior Cooper DowDell, one of the top returning scorers for Alta. He adds some experience, having been with the varsity team for two years. Junior Coby
Goodfellow has some varsity experience as well. Junior Zak Kelly has improved his golf skills, Nesbit said. Kelly spent much of the summer playing in Junior PGA events and “has been a great surprise to a team that needs varsity starters,” Nesbit said. Zach Wagstaff and Jake England, both sophomores are back after getting some time on the course as freshmen.
“I’m excited to see them get valuable experience this year,” Nesbit said of the sophomore duo.
For this season to be a success, Nesbit said his younger players need to develop quickly and learn how to compete at the varsity level. It won’t be easy for the Hawks to move up the region standings. Region 6 presents some big challenges, which can be daunting for newer players. Still, Nesbit believes being on the course with highly skilled players will only help the Hawks get better.
“Region 6 is absolutely loaded with golf talent,” he said. “Our region is probably the best golf region at any level. Sometimes it can be intimidating to see the talented golfers in other teams and have to play side by side with them, but it will only make these younger players better as they learn from this talented region of golfers.”
Nesbit said Alta’s more seasoned players have taken their younger teammates under their wings and have been great mentors. The Hawks enjoy a strong bond and support one another regardless of what struggles or victories they are having.
“They are a fun group who love to golf, love to practice and have the desire to get better,” Nesbit said. “I love that they all get along and try to help each other improve their golf game.”l
Alta's Lizzy Cowdell (No. 7 in red) dribbles the ball down the field in action earlier this season against Herriman. (Photo courtesy of Angie Ferguson.)
The Alta boys golf team didn’t bring back too many players from last year’s varsity squad. The Hawks are working hard to improve and gain the experience they need. (Photo courtesy of Cody Nesbit)
Once again, Alta girls volleyball expects big things on court
By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
The Alta girls volleyball team wants to build on the momentum is generated late last season.
Last season, the Hawks had an upand-down regular season, going 15-14. However, the team caught fire in the Class 5A state tournament by advancing to the state semifinals. The Hawks eventually claimed fourth place at state and finished the year with a 19-15 mark.
Head coach Sara Kane is confident her team can replicate—if not exceed—what it did a year ago.
“I expect that we'll have a pretty successful season,” she said. “We're hoping to have a deep run in the state tournament like we did last year.”
Alta began the 2024 season with a 5-2 record, beginning with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Box Elder on Aug. 15. The other six matches took place at the Las Vegas Invitational, Aug. 23-24. At the tournament, Alta defeated Del Sol, Nevada, 2-0; Boise, Idaho, 2-1; Immanuel, California, 2-0; and Elko, Nevada, 2-0. The Hawks fell to El Dorado, California, 2-1, and to Arbor View, Nevada, 2-0.
Kane is encouraged by what she has seen in the first handful of matches. She believes the girls’ efforts and resilience are good indications that good things are in store for the team this season.
“We are a team that strives to have grit, and when the going gets tough just dig in and work hard,” Kane said. “As far as first impressions go, I believe if we are able to continue building on what we accomplished [in the early part of the season], we will have a successful season.”
Though the Hawks finished fourth in state last season, they were just third in Region 6 with a 7-5 mark. Kane hopes her team will move up the standings this year, which could give Alta more favorable postseason matchups. Kane also wants to see improvement on the court in specific areas.
“We have a goal to place third or higher in our region and go into the state tournament with a high seeding,” she said. “We also have a few skill-specific goals regarding our passing and serving.”
While it’s also nice to have a senior-laden team, Kane’s Hawks have some younger players at the forefront. These talented underclassmen have already contributed to the team in previous seasons and still have more time left to play for Alta beyond this year. Junior Brook Ridge, an outside hitter, has stood out this season as a player and leader. Another junior outside hitter, Catherine Brinkman, stepped up her game in the state tournament last season and has been outstanding so far in 2024. Libero Madison White, another junior, was a defensive specialist last season and
has been a consistent player for Alta.
“[Ridge] matured a lot as a player last year, and we look forward to what success she can lead our team to this year,” Kane said. “[Brinkman] was a key part of our success in the state tournament last year, and we are excited to see what she will contribute this year. [White] is ready to step into the role of a libero this year. She is rock steady and a calming presence to our team on the court.”
Kane also loves the play of senior Gracie Johnson, a setter who started at that position last season. Kane said she works as the “quarterback of the team.”
Though the Hawks brought back some key players from last season, there are some new faces, too. The team is learning how to build team cohesion and play well as a group. Kane is impressed with the teamwork the Hawks have displayed. She said that will need to continue if the team is to reach its goals this season.
“While we have a lot of kids returning, we definitely have a new group with new dynamics,” Kane said. “In order for us to be successful this year, we are going to need to learn how to gel together as a group again. Our chemistry as a team will be the most integral part of our success.”
There is no substitute for experience at the varsity level in high school sports. Kane believes her team will have some advantages in matches this season. Another attribute she believes the Hawks have is the players’ relentlessness, as well as their commitment to working hard.
“We have some athletes who have played at a really high level already. We are also a really scrappy team who work really hard to wear out the teams we face. One of our goals is to be the hardest working team in the gym.”
Region 6 features some excellent teams, including some new foes that Alta hasn’t seen much of in past years. Kane said these teams run a fast-paced offense that can be difficult to defend. The Hawks will go up against Skyline, West, East, Brighton, Highland and Olympus in Region 6 play. The first region match is Sept. 5 at home against Highland. Alta will go up against each region opponent two times, concluding with an Oct. 29 matchup with Olympus at home. The state tournament will be Nov. 7-8 at Utah Valley University.
Kane is now in her second year as Alta coach. She and her players have become acclimated with one another, and Kane couldn’t be happier with her job.
“This group is so much fun to work with,” Kane said. “Last year was all about getting to know the athletes and them getting to know me as their new coach and how I do things. This year, we all know each other pretty well, and it's just fun
all the time. They know when it's time to work hard versus when they can goof around. This group is full of good students and good humans, and they are just kind and welcoming to our new kids.” l
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The Alta girls volleyball team is building off its fourth-place finish at state a year ago. (Photo courtesy of Sarah Kane)
Last season, the Jordan girls soccer team had some ups and down, finishing the year with a 7-10 mark.
The Beetdiggers almost equaled those wins in just seven tries to begin the 2024 campaign.
Jordan began the season 5-2 and won two of its first three games in Region 10. Not only have the Beetdiggers been winning more than they did a year ago, but they have been dominant at time. Jordan outscored its foes through seven games by a collective score of 14-4. In four of the team’s five wins during this span, the victories were by shutout. Win No. 5 was a 3-1 victory over Hillcrest on Aug. 21. Jordan’s only losses through seven matches were 2-0 against Highland on Aug. 13 and 1-0 at Park City on Aug. 26.
Head coach Justin Jahnke isn’t surprised by the Beetdiggers’ early success. He is confident that the girls will continue to improve and win.
“I expect us to be competitive in every match, hopefully beating some teams that are ‘supposed to beat us,’” Jahnke said. “That’s a team expectation. I have my own also, but I often keep those to myself so not to project that onto the team. They put enough pressure on themselves; they don’t need more from me. Often, our expectations match.”
During the early part of the season, Jahnke noticed how well his seniors and juniors were setting good examples for the younger players. These more experienced team members have led with their play on the field and by the way they have treated teammates. Plus, newcomers arrived on the team with positive attitudes and a willingness to put forth effort. Jahnke said the freshmen have “brought a breath of fresh air to the program” and that “they are fun to be around and also very skilled.” Jahnke also appreciates how the junior varsity squad pushes the varsity team in practices.
“Our biggest strength is our leadership from the seniors and juniors with the competitiveness from our freshmen and sophomores,” Jahnke said. “Our JV team is full of players that want varsity time. That drive to compete in training will make our varsity girls be locked in at all times.”
Jordan earned a good enough seed last season to get a first-round home game in the Class 4A state tournament. However, the Beetdiggers lost in a heartbreaker to Provo in a shootout. This season, Jordan wants to advance in the playoffs and compete for the Region 10 championship.
“Per usual, the girls want to challenge for a region title,” Jahnke said. “We also want to host another playoff game and get out of the first round this time.”
The last time Jordan won in the postseason was 2013 when it reached the 5A
Jordan girls soccer off to a solid start
By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
quarterfinals.
Jordan’s leaders and top performers are senior forward Julia Willham, junior defender Kyrie Evans and sophomore goalkeeper June Joseph. Willham tied for the team lead—along with freshman Sydney Vessey—for the team lead goals through seven games with six. She was second in assists with three. Joseph has caused fits for opponents, having been credited with four shutouts in her first seven starts.
These three players do much more than put up big numbers on the field. They are tremendous leaders and excel in their pursuits outside the sport of soccer.
“[Willham] is an inclusive leader on and off the field,” Jahnke said. “She’s a great student, great athlete and leads by example. [Evans] brings a calm, yet competitive demeanor to our back line and has played varsity for us since her freshmen year. [Joseph] is a vocal leader at the back. Although just a sophomore, she plays a high level of club and was a varsity starter last year, recording six clean sheets (shutouts). She got All-Region and All-State awards.”
When the season began, Jahnke didn’t put a number of wins as a specific goal or expectation. However, he did say he would be able to measure success if the team exceeded last year’s win total and performance. He also hopes the Beetdiggers can make it to the second round of the playoffs.
“I believe any improvement from last year is success in our eyes. Success is also beating a team that beat us last year and making it out of the first round of playoffs. Those all could be viewed as success to us,” he said.
Moving from Class 5A to Class 4A last year offered some relief and allowed
termination.
“The biggest challenge are the teams we play in region,” Jahnke said. “I’m thankful for such a competitive region. We will face challenges head-on, learning from each match on how to fix things that need fixing and executing during matches. It’s going to take will and skill for us to overcome the challenges.”
Jordan faces all six Region 10 foes twice during the regular season. The final game is slated for Oct. 2 at Stansbury. If the Beetdiggers earn a high enough seed, they could secure a bye in the first round and a get a second-round home game. The 4A state playoffs begin Oct. 10.
Win or lose, Jahnke loves coaching this group of girls.
the Beetdiggers to be more competitive. Still, the region isn’t easy by any stretch. Quality opponents are in front of Jordan each game, which affords the girls a chance to rise up, play hard and develop their skills. Winning in Region 10 doesn’t come without commitment, effort and de-
“These girls are great kids,” he said. “They have fun at training, but they also lock in when we need to. The biggest thing is they are hopeful. We will shoot for the stars this season and from now on. They believe we can do anything. That’s great to coach.” l
Dance on Monday Nights!
The Jordan girls soccer team has seen big improvements from last season. (Photo courtesy of Jon Clifford, All-Star Photography)
Z
News
Hello Sandy Friends,
Sandy City has done it again! For another straight year, our city has been named one of the best places to live in the country. Yes, we’re making headlines again!
Sandy named among “Best Places to Live” Fortune magazine analyzed over 2,000 cities across the U.S. that best support the unique needs of families. Fortune’s “50 Best Places to Live” highlights one city in each state where multigenerational families are most likely to have access to these assets:
o Great schools
o Highly recommended hospitals
o A ordable housing
o Resources for older adults
o A strong sense of community
Only one city in each state was selected. We’re proud to be named the best in Utah!
Sandy Healing Field
Each year in September, people from round the valley pause at Sandy City's Healing Field to pay tribute to the men and women who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. e Healing Field, in the city’s promenade, was the rst such memorial in the country. Over recent years, it has expanded to also honor those who’ve lost their lives in the service of our country and community since 9/11, including Utah’s K9s killed in the line of duty. We are humbled to have more than 500 volunteers help our city create this beautiful display each
year. It’s a testament to Sandy City’s patriotism and respect for these very personal sacri ces.
Heritage Festival and Horse Parade
One of my favorite city events comes later this month with the Heritage Festival and Horse Parade in Historic Sandy. Join us at Main Street Park on Sept. 28 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm for a fun- lled celebration. e horse parade will travel the streets of Sandy’s beautiful historic neighborhoods to kick o the event. en, you’ll nd fabulous food, live music, bounce houses, face painting, vendor booths, and a car show. e festival continues at Main Street Park on 90 East 8760 South. You’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for our beautiful historic neighborhood and community.
New Fire Chief Appointed
from the crumbling Fire Station 31 to the new building with better access to the tall structures and large gathering spaces in Sandy’s Cairns District. One of my top priorities as mayor is public safety, and it’s exciting to see this project nally take shape.
Sandy Amphitheater to celebrate 25 years 2024 is a special year for our award-winning Sandy Amphitheater. We are about to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the amphitheater and cut the ribbon on the new concessions area and east plaza. is plaza o ers greater convenience, and you can enjoy food and beverages with easy online ordering and pickup options. ere is also a space in the plaza for smaller performances. We hope you join us for a lively celebration on September 12th, where you and your family can enjoy food trucks, face painting, and live music with e Salamanders, whose music rocked the crowds at our city’s 4th of July celebration. Mark your calendar for the evening of ursday, Sept. 12th.
Another notable event in our city is the naming of our new Sandy City Fire Chief. Ryan McConaghie has risen up the ranks in our re department over the last two decades. He takes on this top leadership role after serving as a re ghter, paramedic, engineer, captain, battalion chief, and deputy chief. He cares deeply about public safety in our city and continues a legacy of excellence, building on the department's great accomplishments.
Fire Station 31 Construction Underway
One of the fantastic improvements in our city’s public safety is beginning to emerge on Monroe Street as construction kicks into high gear on the new Fire Station 31 and Department Headquarters. anks to the support of more than two-thirds of Sandy voters last year, crews will soon move
As we move into fall, I look forward to seeing you at all the great events in one of the best cities in America. I love seeing the many projects underway as we work together to build a bright, healthy future for Sandy City.
Yours in Service, Mayor Monica Zoltanski
Photo contest winner: Marcus Xavier
9400 So Solutions Development Study
Sandy City and the Utah Department of Transportation are working together to conduct a Solutions Development Study along 9400 South from approximately 1300 East to Wasatch Boulevard. e purpose of this study is to identify potential transportation solutions on 9400 South that enhance mobility, accessibility, and safety for the various user groups who travel within this area of the corridor. e goals of the project are to develop short- and long-term solutions by:
• Evaluating year-round travel needs to develop viable solutions to address them
• Using past area studies as a starting point to work with agencies and stakeholders to identify actions that enhance how people move in the future
• Developing a variety of short- and long-term ski season solutions along 9400 South to minimize impacts to the local area.
Residents will have an opportunity to weigh in on these solutions with a short survey that will be announced in October's newsletter.
SEPTEMBER HR JOB CORNER
•
Sandy City Welcomes New Fire Chief Ryan McConaghie
In his 23 years with the Sandy City Fire Department, Ryan McConaghie has served in many roles. Fire ghter, Paramedic, Engineer, Captain, Battalion Chief, Deputy Chief, and Interim Fire Chief. Tuesday, July 30, with the unanimous approval of the Sandy City Council and upon the recommendation of Mayor Monica Zoltanski, he earned another— Chief.
“I have complete con dence in Chief McConaghie, said Mayor Zoltanski. “He has worked for our city for more than two decades in all capacities within the department. He is compassionate and kind, knowledgeable, and highly skilled. He will continue the strong legacy established by our previous chiefs in our city.”
• Quartermaster
Sandy City retired Fire Chief Bruce Cline participated in the traditional Transfer of Command Ceremony, which is steeped in tradition and symbolism. “I’m so proud of Ryan tonight,” Cline said. He’s going to do a great job, and I look forward as a resident to watching the re department just grow and be the best. Congratulations to Ryan, and thank you for supporting him.”
e Transfer of Command Ceremony is a physical representation of the change of leadership and power to a new incoming re chief. e re helmet, designed to protect the head, also represents rank and assignment. e color white represents a chief o cer. e shield on the front of the helmet designates crew or assignment. Together, the helmet and shield make it clear that this is the re chief. With the transfer of the helmet, the weight of responsibilities and duties is also transferred.
“I am excited about this new opportunity and appreciate the con dence and trust that Mayor Zoltanski has o ered,” said Chief McConaghie. “I look forward to working with the city and department as we set the foundation for the future. ere is so much that is currently happening in Sandy, and I am excited for the change. Within a year, we will have a new Station 31. We also have several pieces of equipment that will be arriving by December. New opportunities will be created as we re-con gure our organizational structure. And to top it o , we have an outstanding and talented group of employees. I am continually impressed by the caliber of people that we have and consider it an honor to be working as Sandy City’s Fire Chief.”
e change of command is e ective immediately. A formal swearing-in will occur on August 26 at 6 p.m. in the Sandy City Hall multipurpose room. e public is invited to attend the celebration.
“I just want to thank the women and men of the Sandy Fire Department for the leadership that has laid the course for this outstanding department to grow and excel,” said Mayor Zoltanski. I am so proud to work with all of our frontline public servants, our law enforcement, and our re department. Since Chief Bassett’s retirement, Interim Chief McConaghie has demonstrated exceptional leadership and has ensured that the department continues to move in the right direction.”
Congratulations Chief McConaghie!
September is National Preparedness Month—a crucial time to boost awareness about preparing for disasters and emergencies that can strike at any moment. is year, the Ready Campaign’s 2024 observance will shine a spotlight on the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Paci c Islander communities. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell emphasizes the vital need for these diverse groups to prepare for disasters and build resilience ahead of time.
To help you get ready, start by assembling a disaster kit with these essential items:
• Water: One gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation.
• Food: A supply of non-perishable food for at least several days.
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio: Including a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert.
• Flashlight: Don’t forget extra batteries!
• First aid kit: For treating injuries.
• Whistle: To signal for help.
For more tips and resources on National Preparedness Month and disaster readiness, scan the QR code at the top of this page for a helpful video.
Sandy Business Highlight: Salt Cycles Bike Shop
Salt Cycles was one of the rst bike shops to o er a fully customizable bike experience. eir quality service and products draw customers in from all over the world and their knowledge and friendly atmosphere keeps people coming back. Whether you are a new rider or a pro, the sta at Salt Cycles prides themselves on being welcoming to all experience levels. Salt Cycles also o ers bike-tune ups starting at $75. You can browse their bike catalog and learn more about their tune-up packages on their website at saltcycles.com or by dropping by their store located at 2073 E. 9400 S. Sandy
Sandy Visual Art Show
9565 S. Highland Drive, Sandy, Utah 84092
THANK YOU SUMMER STAFF
We’d like to take this opportunity to send every one of them a heartfelt thank you for your hard work!
Our sta helps us make sure all our programs; events and classes run smoothly from start to nish, while having a wonderful attitude! We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without them! ank you for a great summer!
DIPPIN’ DOGS
September 7 & 14
Strut your mutt in our end of the summer Dippin Dogs event. Our furry friends of all shapes and sizes are invited to take a dip in our pool. Dogs must be under voice command and current on all vaccinations. Visit our website for more details.
BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL (K-5TH GRADE)
Children enjoy games, arts and crafts, eld trips and homework time, snacks and other activities throughout the school year. We provide transportation to and from school and provide care during school breaks. Visit our website for more information and pricing.
KARATE (ALL AGES)
September 6
We are proud to have the IMA Family at Alta Canyon. Dedicated to teaching Shotokan Karate, a traditional Japanese Martial Art, IMA is a family-oriented dojo o ering classes to children and adults of all abilities and levels. Friday nights at Alta Canyon Sports Center from 5-6 p.m.
River Oaks Golf Course
9300 S. Riverside Drive, Sandy, Utah (801) 568-4653
Sandy.utah.gov/golf
River Oaks Golf Course at Sandy City is centrally located in the heart of the Salt Lake Valley in Sandy, Utah. Its unique proximity to the Jordan River makes for an unforgettable eighteen holes of golf. With water or wetlands in play on almost every hole, a premium is placed on accuracy from tee shots to approach shots. With a par of 70 and a total length of just over 6500 yards from the championship tees, River Oaks o ers something for every golfer and every skill level. While top amateurs love to test their abilities rave about the playability of our course and the quality of our greens!
e front nine at River Oaks winds alongside the Jordan River and accompanying wetlands. With two par 5’s and some short par 4’s there are opportunities for scoring, but the front nine is considered the harder of two nines.
e back nine is by far the most popular stretch of the holes at River Oaks. With several elevation changes and a more secluded feel, our back nine demands focus and attention on every shot. With the addition of the popular Sandy City Urban Fishery adjacent to holes twelve and thirteen, the back nine is a scenic and pleasant way to spend your time. After a round of golf at River Oaks, enjoy a cold drink and a meal at our café’ and snack bar. Browse our full service and well stocked pro shop or utilize our state of the art practice facility which is one of the best in the state. Our friendly sta can give you a lesson or t you with the latest in golf equipment.
SEPT 24 - NOV 8
For youth from 2nd - 5th grade to build vocal skills and music knowledge. No music experience required! Explore your voice as we sing Broadway showtunes, Disney, pop and more!
PARKS & RECREATION
JUNIOR JAZZ BASKETBALL
Registration for the 2024-25 Junior Jazz Basketball begins September 1. More detailed information available sandy.utah.gov/registration.
Late Registration begins November 14 upon availability. Late Fee: $10.
MIDNIGHT MOON RUN 5K
Register now for our Annual Midnight Moon Run 5K on September 20.
Time: 11:59 p.m.
Location: Alta Canyon Sports Center – 9565 South 2000 East
Reg. Fee: $30/individual or $25/family or groups
Reg. Deadline: In person Friday, September 20 at 5 p.m.
Online Registration: Closes on Friday, September 20 at 3 p.m.
Packet pick-up: Friday, September 20 from 8 a.m. –5 p.m. - 440 East 8680 South
Late Reg.: Night of race at Alta Canyon Sports Center from 11-11:45 p.m. In person only!
Late Reg. Fee: $35/individual or $30/family or groups
TURKEY TROT 5K RUN
Register now for our Annual Turkey Trot 5K on November 9.
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Lone Peak Park (Gazebo) - 10140 South 700 East Reg. Fee: $30/individual or $25/family or groups
Reg. Deadline: In person Friday, November 8 at 5 p.m.
Online Reg.: Closes on Friday, November 8 at 3 p.m.
Packet pick-up: Friday, November 8 from 8 a.m. –5 p.m. - 440 East 8680 South
Late Reg.: Morning of race at Lone Peak Park from 9–9:45 a.m. In person only!
Late Reg. Fee: $35/individual or $30/family or groups
Volunteer Highlight: Troy Maxfield
A volunteer is someone who selflessly dedicates their time, skills, and effort to enhance their community. Sandy City Recreation owes much of its success to the dedication and hard work of its volunteers. One standout volunteer who has made a big difference in the youth sports community is Troy Maxfield. Troy has been a dedicated coach in Sandy for over fifteen years.
Troy’s love for sports began when he was young, playing youth football at Brighton High School. He continued to excel in football, wrestling, and baseball at Skyline High School. His extensive involvement in sports provided him with a deep understanding of managing sports and the critical role of coaching.
Troy started coaching nearly fifteen years ago, initially for his nephew’s team. His involvement expanded as he began coaching his own kids, leading several t-ball, coach pitch baseball, and soccer teams for Sandy City.
Troy has found great joy in watching both his own children and those he coaches progress and enhance their skills each season. He is admired for his positive and calm attitude and his ability to recognize and address each players need’s. This talent has allowed countless young athletes to reach their full potential and set the stage for a bright future in their sport.
According to Troy’s spouse Heather, “Through sports, Troy emphasizes 1) learning the rules of the game, 2) being a team member, and 3) the importance of team integrity. He wants to raise today’s youth to become tomorrow’s leaders.”
Sandy City extends its heartfelt appreciation to Troy Maxfield and all the volunteers who work hard to provide youth with excellent recreational sports opportunities.
sandy.utah.gov/registration.
Fall 2024 Bulk Waste Program
Begins
Items Sandy City WILL NOT pick up
• Rocks, concrete, gravel, dirt, soil, or sod.
• Construction debris, such as drywall, tiles, glass, roofing materials, or bricks.
• Vehicle parts, tires, or propane tanks.
• Oil, gas, batteries, paint, flammable, toxic or hazardous chemicals. For disposal of household or hazardous waste, call Salt Lake County Health Department at (385)468-3862.
• Items containing refrigerant, such as Freon (refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners) must have the chemical removed by a professional, and a copy of the receipt must be attached to the unit.
Place your bulk waste ONLY in front of your own home.
Hauling bulk waste to another location is considered illegal dumping. If you see this, please get the license plate number and contact the Police Dept at (801) 799-3000.
Place all Bulk Waste at least 2 feet away from the gutter’s edge.
Use this card to measure—your pile should be three card lengths from the gutter.
SANDY CITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER 2024
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Canyons School District to purchase, retrofit eBay campus for innovation center
By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
WhenLynnae Jensen heard the news, she thought it was “fabulous.”
On Aug. 20, Canyons Board of Education voted 5-1 to purchase eBay’s regional headquarters, a 36-acre educational campus in Draper to serve as a new technical education high school. The school board and Canyons administrators target fall 2026 for the opening of the new school.
Jensen is a mother of children who attended Canyons schools and has worked at eBay.
“As a school for high schoolers wanting to do trade work and get training, it would be great for that. It’s a big campus, there is public transportation right there and the facilities would lend itself very nicely to a school,” she said. “CTEC (Canyons Technical Education Center) right now has a few small buildings, so this will open it up with more space, better facilities with a nicer campus. By putting in more resources and getting the right programs and partnerships, there’s going to be more demand and more students.”
Jensen added, “With the numerous computers and programs we ran, eBay invested millions of dollars in the servers to handle all the data that was going through so it should work nicely for hundreds of students. It’s a good fit.”
Canyons District plans to pay $50 million for the two eBay buildings, with 16 acres of developable land which could serve as a site for an additional future school to accommodate the projected student growth in the area.
The purchase will be made with money from capital funds, proceeds from the sale of CSD properties and from lease revenue bonds, said Leon Wilcox, Canyons School District business administrator.
No property was immediately named to liquidate, but Canyons owns properties such as the current aging CTEC in Sandy; the former Crescent View Middle in Sandy which currently is being used for Life Skills Academy for adult students with disabilities; a property in west Draper that has been discussed as
a future elementary school site; former school locations now being used as city parks in Midvale and Cottonwood Heights.
Canyons spokesman Jeff Haney said, “Right now, we’re in negotiations on several pieces of property that we own which we can liquidate. These properties at one time were either purchased for future schools, or we had schools on them and they’re not there anymore. The Board of Education has no current plans to shut down a school and then sell that property for this particular contract.”
Wilcox added, “A couple of those we could move fast; a couple others will take a few years. We could look at moving $2-4 million range to help cover this from our capital fund balance. The majority of this will be through lease revenue bonds. We can look at issuing around $38 million, give or take, in lease revenue bonds to do this.”
While general obligation bonds frequently are used for the construction of public schools, lease revenue bonds can be used and usually are issued at a higher interest rate, he said.
“They cost the District more; the yield the buyer of the bonds gets is up to the market at the time,” Wilcox said.
He said lease revenue bonds were issued before with the building of Glacier Hills and Peruvian Park elementaries three years ago as well as this past spring, with improvements at Eastmont Middle and Jordan, Hillcrest and Corner Canyon high schools.
“Lease revenue bonds save us the time we would have to wait until a (general obligation) bond would pass to get in a contract with eBay,” Wilcox said, adding it is a common practice for single buildings or renovations such as this.
The lease revenue bond could increase taxes an estimated $20-30 on the cost of a $703,000 average home in Canyons District, he said.
Wilcox said the process of issuing the bonds will begin in September and public hearing will be held in October. The bonds will be issued in November with the expec-
tation to close on the purchase in December. eBay still operates in part of the campus and has the option to lease the property from the school district for up to one year, so CTEC will operate in its existing site at 825 E. 9095 South for this and next school years.
The decision to purchase comes with one school board member, Holly Neibaur, voting against it. She wasn’t opposed to the purchase, just the procedure in which the district is obtaining it.
“My vote is not a statement for lack of support for our awesome CTEC programs,” she said before the vote. “A general obligation bond would have provided for much more public engagement.”
The main 215,000-square-foot building at 583 eBay Way comes fully furnished, has a 400-seat auditorium and commercial kitchen, a workout area and the campus includes outdoor courts for basketball and pickleball and half of a soccer field.
The campus sits north of the former state prison site, an area now under development as The Point, 600 acres of state-owned land that will be developed to create thousands of high-quality jobs with cutting-edge innovation and be environmentally friendly.
The area falls into Canyons School District’s boundaries to educate youth living in that area.
Canyons Career and Technical Education Director Janet Goble said the new innovation center isn’t just going to be a move from CTEC, but programs are being reviewed and input from industry is being sought.
“We’re wanting to learn what the workforce needs are so we can educate students for those jobs and align our curriculum to fit the training needed for the workplace now and the future,” she said, adding they, along with other administrators and board members visited six other technical centers nationwide to better understand their business partnerships and programming curriculum.
CTEC Principal Doug Hallenbeck said the 17 existing programs serve about 850 students and will be reviewed as well as those
career and technical programs offered in Canyons five comprehensive high schools. Some may make the move to the new center while others may be adapted in the comprehensive high schools. They may expand existing offerings to reduce the wait list of students in programs such as cosmetology and barbering, welding, construction management, heavy-duty diesel mechanics, medical assistant and pharmacy technician.
District officials say career and technical educational programming could include robotics, engineering, business and medicine and others.
Haney said Canyons wants to target high skill, high demand, high wage jobs that the companies in Silicon Slopes need.
“For example, if a company in Silicon Slopes says, ‘We really need beginning coders, please send us beginning coders,’ then we’ll create a program that allows students to gain the certification in coding so they can immediately find work in Silicon Slopes doing coding,” he said. “This building will allow us to grow our popular programs because our existing space at CTEC is limited and we couldn’t expand those programs for more students to be accommodated.”
Once it’s decided what the curriculum will offer and how it will be offered, retrofitting the interior for specific program use may begin. Currently, some of the main building has walls while other sections are cubicles.
“I can see with the full kitchen, we may look at offering culinary arts here or their workout facility, I see it being used for a physical therapy program as it’s kind of already set up that way so that could work out great,” Hallenbeck said. “We’re needing to learn what our business and industry partners need. I’m excited about the auditorium. It’s one of the things I’m looking forward to the most because we’ve never really been able to pull groups of kids and industry partners together to do presentations. It will be awesome.”
Hallenbeck anticipates the new innovation center would replace the 42-year-old CTEC, which recently received a C- grade
The eBay campus which includes a 400-seat auditorium, commercial kitchen, workout facilities as well as outdoor basketball and pickleball courts and a half-size soccer field, will be purchased by Canyons School District to create an innovation center near the new residential and business development, The Point. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
in its existing facility and was determined it would cost more to renovate than rebuild. The current CTEC campus covers 65,000 square feet in its five separate buildings on just seven acres.
It’s cost-cutting to purchase the 12-yearold eBay campus instead of building a new school, District officials say.
“The timing of the availability of the property coincides seamlessly with the region’s economic trends and the District’s longrange and strategic plans,” Canyons Board of Education President Amber Shill said. “Furthermore, our innovative plan to retrofit eBay’s former offices into a school instead of paying for new construction will save millions in taxpayer money.”
The negotiated deal translates to $230 per square foot for the eBay building. By comparison, the cost of new construction and design in Utah is about $500 per square foot, Wilcox said.
“Roughly, it’s about half the cost,” he said, adding the cost doesn’t include refurbishments and upgrades. “We think they’d be fairly minimal at this point as the building is fairly new and is built to house educational programs—that’s why we were so attracted to it.”
With the eBay campus being across the street from Draper’s FrontRunner station and close to the I-15 freeway, the site may become a new permanent home for Life Skills Academy, Canyons’ vocational program for adults with disabilities. There is discussion about providing an employee health and wellness clinic and employee childcare center at the location.
Canyons Superintendent Rick Robins says the proposed innovation center’s educational vision will link students with teachers and professional mentors to solve real-world problems using the tools of the industry. An advisory panel of industry experts also will provide guidance on the center’s partnerships with businesses.
“The vision is to elevate all the programs that are preparing students for the workforce pipeline,” he said. “We see this center as the ultimate experience for students and to lift
Continued from front page
build community in the Salt Lake Valley. Several families from the area joined in the event when they saw the banner while traveling on nearby I-15 and 10600 South.
After speaking with families in the community, Zoltanski noted there are many families looking forward to the opportunity to skate and use the public rink when it’s not used by the hockey team. Smith agreed the community is another driving force for building the facility.
“When our guys are off the ice, the community is going to be on the ice,” Smith said. “I don’t think there’s another sport like that.”
Plans unveiled at the groundbreaking show the previous retail space, about
our mission of ensuring our students are truly ready for the demands of college and careers when they walk across the graduation stage.”
eBay issued a statement saying the company plans to stay in the Salt Lake Valley.
“eBay is happy to learn that the Canyons School District has approved the contract for the purchase of our Draper, Utah campus. As a global commerce leader, who continues to innovate for our community of buyers and sellers, we’re excited that the Draper site could become a hub of learning, designed to cultivate the tech leaders of the future. As to eBay’s intentions, we are committed to Salt Lake City and will continue to evaluate all available local options to ensure the best outcome for our people and eBay.”
With the $45-million lease revenue last spring, Canyons is in the process of updating one middle school and three high schools.
The $13-14 million updates to Eastmont Middle include installation of a new roof, which is almost complete, Wilcox said. Updating the elevator will be next and a new gym floor and additional classrooms are on the schedule.
At Jordan High, plans are to build a fieldhouse, a black box theatre and a softball concession stand. Wilcox said bids should go out in October. Meanwhile crews are working on restroom upgrades and extending parking to the former Johanna’s restaurant site on State Street. Work at the school should come in between $21 to $23 million, he said.
Hillcrest High will get an expansion of the track lanes, which means tearing out the bleachers on the visitor (east) side of the field. The football field also will receive new turf. The construction date has yet to be determined, but it should take about five months at an estimated $5 million, Wilcox said.
By the end of September, Corner Canyon High should have a secure vestibule entrance and new baseball field turf. The softball field turf is expected to be complete by mid-October and the new soccer field and a field house are expected to break ground in November. Wilcox said cost for the projects is $13 million. l
200,000 square feet in size, with an additional section expanding into the current parking lot for the two planned ice-rinks, said Jim Olson, the project lead for the facility and executive for SEG.
“Today is a crucial step forward in expanding SEG’s real estate footprint and public benefit offerings for our fans and residents of Utah,” Olson said in a press release. “We are thankful for our collaboration with the City of Sandy on this project, and we look forward to sharing more details throughout the development process.”
Anticipated completion of the facility is for fall 2025, just in time for the next hockey season. l
With bright and open amenity spaces and warm and spacious residences, Crescent offers customized, compassionate care for you or a loved one. Whether it’s helping with life’s daily activities, improving mobility, coordinating care with your physicians, or making sure you look your best for one of our exciting events, you can count on us to be there.
Park Lane students’ talent showcased at Night of the Arts
By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
Park
Lane Elementary students likely are anticipating the mural they’ll be painting at this school year’s Night of the Arts.
The past two springs, each student, along with faculty and staff, has been invited to paint a section of a mural that hangs in the school cafeteria.
At the most recent Night of the Arts, a mural of the nearby Wasatch Mountains was painted with the line, “We can move mountains!” It was a projected dedicated to the talent of the school’s teachers and staff.
“We provide an art project students can take home with them, but also one that stays here at the school,” said Amber McRae, who is Park Lane’s PTA president and stepped in during the school year as the school’s art teacher. “This one teaches them about using warm colors, such as orange and yellow, for city buildings and cool colors like blue and purple for the mountains.”
Fourth-grader Desi Larson added a touch of color into the mural.
“There’s something fun to do here every year,” she said.
The previous year’s mural was dedicated to 32-year veteran teacher Susan Homer, who died of bacterial meningitis in 2022.
The night also features samples of the students’ work from sculpture to collages and paintings of hot air balloons to fall trees. There were even some student-artists’ renditions of their principal, Justin Jeffery.
“We display a piece of artwork for every kid, if possible,” McRae said, adding seeing kids share their artwork with others is her favorite part of the event. “It’s neat for kids to see that they can all come together, especially with art, and they feel like they’ve accomplished something. We also have performances by our orchestra and choir. This night is important to our kids. It’s
After learning about warm colors, Park Lane students add some orange to the school mural which will permanently hang in the school cafeteria while Principal Justin Jeffery looks on. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
an important part of our society; our kids should have exposure to it. I know in my art class, a lot of kids have never picked up a paintbrush and it’s important for them to have that opportunity.”
Desi showed her dad, Mike, a monster sculpture she made and named after him. She credits him and her grandmother for her talent in art.
“I came up with the idea for this monster on my own,” she said. “I like how art can calm you down and you can show your emotions through what you make.”
Her father says coming to Night of the Arts is an annual
tradition.
“We come every year so it’s always fun to see how inspired the kids are,” he said. “It’s good for her creative side and it kind of helps with anxiety to allow her to express herself in different ways and not be judged upon.”
Jeffery, who also painted a section on the mural, is a supporter of Night of the Arts.
“It’s important that our kids are exposed to art, and they get a chance to show their art,” he said before the students’ performances. “It makes our whole curriculum come together and it’s all part of a rounded well-being of a child. You need to take different views. If you take reading, writing and arithmetic, the three R’s we talk about, you don’t get all the pieces. When you think back to elementary school, do you remember that great math lesson? No, but you can remember things that anchor you and show you, ‘hey, I can be good in this thing,’ whether it’s a sport, music, art or whatever. It allows us to develop to our full potential.”
Jeffery said he loves the Night of the Arts as well as its patronage.
“I love how many people come out to see the art, to hear the music, to grab food from the food trucks and talk with their neighbors and friends. I’ve seen people that I haven’t seen in years, but they live in the community and want to be part of it. This is a community event for everybody,” he said.
Canyons Board of Education member Nancy Tingey supported the event.
“This night is a fun night and a celebration of the skills they learned and the sense of accomplishment they have gotten,” she said. “It’s fun to attend and see how they are excited to share what they have learned with their families.” l
Local Catholic parish hosts conversation to spread awareness about the death penalty in Utah
Four days before Utah executed Taberon Honie on Aug. 8, the public was invited to take part in a discussion about the state's death penalty at the Blessed Sacrament Parish Center in Sandy City.
Michelle Beasley and Randy Gardner, parishioners of the Catholic Blessed Sacrament Parish, organized the event and invited national leaders from "Death Penalty Action," an organization fighting to end the death penalty in the United States, to provide information and lead the discussion.
“I had passion, but no credibility or understanding of what to do next,” Beasley said. “As a Catholic, I believe life is sacred from conception to natural death. I was outraged, embarrassed and disappointed that my state would kill someone by law.”
Beasley said the goal of the event was geared toward having “a conversation, not an argument,” and to “find like-minded people to join us in the short time we had prior to Mr. Honie's death,” which is why she reached out to Death Penalty Action leadership.
The event came together in less than a week with about 30 people attending the Sandy event.
Founder of Death Penalty Action, Abraham Bonowitz, said the goal of conversations like the one in Sandy and others he’s hosted in the past is to bring the public together, discuss and inform,
By Rebecca Olds | rebecca.o@mycityjournals.com
regardless of viewpoints or faith.
“We were in a church because that's who invited us,” Bonowitz said. “We would easily have done that in a hotel ballroom or a restaurant or whatever space.”
Bonowitz has been actively advocating against the death penalty since the 1990s and has been hosting conversations around the United States since the group was formed in 2019. Bonowitz said the group has 1.5 million email subscribers globally and nearly 2,500 in Utah.
“We invited the public to come and ask their questions and bring their challenges,” Bonowitz said.
Some who attended the event vocally expressed they weren’t sure where they stood with the death penalty policy. Time was given to ask questions and voice concerns.
No one at the event directly spoke of an opposing viewpoint in favor of the death penalty. However, in a 2021 Pew Research Center poll, a majority of Americans (60%) were “somewhat in favor” or “strongly in favor” of the death penalty.
Arguments for capital punishment include better public safety from any future harm from the convicted, protecting and giving closure to victims’ families, and taking a life in exchange for the lost life, per the Death Penalty Information Center.
Several speakers, including Gardner (whose brother was the last person to be executed in Utah in 2010), SueZann Bosler and Charles Keith, shared their intimate experiences with the death penalty and why they advocate for its abolishment.
“What we try to do is provide voices of experience on the issue, people who have a deep connection to it,” Bonowitz said.
In Keith’s case, his brother was wrongly convicted and on death row for more than a decade.
“As we sat and watched my brother become a victim, we also became victims because we knew he was innocent,” Keith said during the event.
The conversation focused on questions like “How can you save a life after they’ve taken the life of someone else in such a heinous way?” and “If we want to oppose the death penalty in Utah, how do we go about it?”
Bonowitz said the money spent on executions could do more good helping victims like those who spoke and work with people to prevent capital crimes before they happen at all. In the case of Honie, the state spent $280,000 per the Salt Lake Tribune.
Jeanetta Williams, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s Salt Lake Chapter, was also at the event
and urged attendees to call the state government and be “voiceful.”
On Aug. 8, Honie was Utah’s first prisoner to be executed in the state since 2010 when Ronnie Lee Gardner was killed by firing squad, per the DPIC. A total of eight people have been executed in the state since 1976.
“The event on Aug. 4 began an emotional week,” Beasley said. “I was shocked when people I expected to join voices with ours fell silent and looked away. Conversely, I was surprised when others thanked me for speaking out. I know in my heart capital punishment is wrong.”
“It is important to keep the conversation going,” she said. l
Parishioner Michelle Beasley leads a discussion on the death penalty and Taberon Honie’s impending execution on Aug. 4 at Blessed Sacrament.
(Courtesy of Abraham Bonowitz)
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Budgeting
should be considered an art form. It’s part theater (acting like you can afford groceries), part digital interpretation (online shopping for best prices), part graffiti (throwing mustard at the wall when you receive a surprise doctor’s bill) and all illusion (where did the money go?).
My paycheck stretches like it’s on a taffy-pulling machine, folding over and over itself, almost to the point of transparency. When did the basic costs of living become a luxury?
While grocery shopping, my husband can’t stop comparing prices from 60 years ago. “When I was a young boy,” he said. “I could buy a loaf of bread for a nickel.”
“Were you Oliver Twist?” I asked. He ignored me and walked down the dairy aisle, ranting about the cost of eggs.
At the check stand, several items rang up for more than what was labeled on the shelf. I asked the unenthused cashier, “Did you raise prices while I was in line?”
He shrugged and continued packaging my groceries, smashing bananas, eggs and bread with my magnum of wine. Just kidding. You can’t buy wine at grocery stores in Utah.
Driving to work becomes a nail-biting thriller as I gauge how much gas is left and if it will last until the end of the month. I was filling up my car the other day and the
Peri Kinder
Life and Laughter
Show me the money
gas pump showed the person before me had purchased $5 worth of gas. I hope that 1.6 gallons is enough to get him to the bank he needs to rob.
Even my chai tea latte from Starbucks has incrementally increased from $4 to nearly $6. That’s bonkers. I don’t mind paying a bit more so employees make a livable wage, but last year, Starbucks’ net revenue was $30 billion.
Then I learned the new Starbucks CEO was given a $75 million stock award, a $1.6 million salary and a $10 million signing bonus. The only signing bonus I ever received was when I got a free pen for starting a savings account when I was 8.
Corporate profits have hit all-time highs. And those rising prices are never going to drop because then how can the Starbucks CEO afford $1,500 sneakers for his Pomeranian without squeezing the life out of consumers?
My husband said, “Then don’t go to
Starbucks.”
“Shut up,” I replied. Housing costs are outrageous. Going to dinner and a movie requires a home equity line of credit. Tax increases nickel-and-dime us to death. Did you know Utah is one of only a few states that tax social security benefits? Thanks, Utah Legislators! It’s not like I want to purchase Prada paper clips or Balenciaga bookmarks. I don’t need a Rolls-Royce or a personal library, complete with a rolling ladder and a fireplace. (Okay. I actually need that). I just want to afford a night out, maybe a weekend getaway or an annual massage without sell-
ing blood plasma.
My grandparents grew up during the Depression. Decades later, they still saved drawers full of tin foil and rubber bands in case we ever needed a defense against mind control or had to make emergency bouncy balls. Maybe I can learn from their frugal behaviors.
So, we tighten our belts, pinch pennies, clip coupons and say, “We’re right on budget this month.” The moment those words leave our lips, the garbage disposal explodes, the fence blows over or the basement floods. Budgeting might not be an art form, but it’s definitely a comedy.
