September 2015 | Vol. 15 Iss. 9
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New Mt. Jordan Middle School Ready for Grand Opening By Julie Slama
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“This kind of attention will not happen to me again, it’s a once-in-alifetime thing. I can’t dance or sing. This was all very unexpected; I just wanted to help that kid.”
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Sandy City Journal
Salt Lake County Moving Forward to Attract, Retain Conventions
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ecently, I joined leaders from Visit Salt Lake and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development for an exciting announcement: organizers for Outdoor Retailer are extending their contracts with the Salt Palace Convention Center through 2018. This is the largest summer and winter outdoor gear, apparel, accessories and technology tradeshow in the country. Outdoor Retailer has been here since 1996—except for 2002—when we hosted the Winter Olympics. Over time the winter and summer markets have grown to be the largest event hosted by the Salt Palace, with more than 6,000 specialty retailer attendees and exhibitors, drawing 15,000 additional visitors. They fill our hotels and restaurants, rent cars and go shopping during their stay. The total economic impact to us is approximately $45 million annually.
That boost to our budgets represents money that does not have to come from local residents and taxpayers, but rather represents a “bonus” for our bottom line. Outdoor Retailer has become so successful that it has outgrown the exhibit and meeting space available. We have been able to get creative by putting up large tents next to the Salt Palace, and to encourage hotels to move other proposed events around on the calendar to free up lodging. I was encouraged that when Outdoor Retailer surveyed its members about whether to stay in Salt Lake or look elsewhere, over two-thirds said they preferred to keep the show here. Ultimately, the solution is to have more public meeting space and more hotel rooms. That’s why I’ve been pushing hard to find a private company to build a convention
headquarters hotel adjacent to the Salt Palace, and include 100,000 square feet of additional meeting space. In mid-August, I was forced to discontinue negotiations with Omni, which had responded to our hotel bid request last year, because the company asked for too much by way of public participation. Salt Lake County needs and wants a private hotel, but not at any cost. My job is to negotiate a fair deal with a private sector partner—fair to the company and fair to taxpayers. Now that Outdoor Retailer has announced dates in 2016, 2017 and 2018 for both the
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winter and summer markets, I’ll redouble my efforts to secure a private sector partner. Soon, the county will have another request for bids out on the street. I believe we’ll have a private partner selected and a plan in the works within months. We know that having additional public meeting space as well as hundreds of rooms adjacent to the Salt Palace will be important not only to Outdoor Retailer but to other prospective conventions who have told us that’s the only thing Salt Lake is missing to get their business. For a lot of us here in Utah, getting outdoors isn’t just a pastime, it’s a way of life. It’s how we spend time with our friends and families and –increasingly—it’s how we make a living, as employees and business owners of outdoor equipment and supplies, and as a tourist destination. It’s a unique package as we promote Utah to convention planners and to visitors, as well as becoming an important sector of our economic growth and prosperity.
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Sandy City Journal
New Mt. Jordan Middle School Ready for Grand Opening By Julie Slama
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elcome home, Mountaineers. After two years of being temporarily housed in the former Crescent View Middle School, Mt. Jordan Middle School students were welcomed Aug. 11 to their new school building. “I can’t tell you how excited I am to see the Mountaineers back on Mt. Jordan soil,” Principal Molly Hart said. “It’s back where we belong.” The celebratory ribbon-cutting event attracted hundreds of current and former students, parents, teachers, staff, current and former Canyons School Board of Education members and community leaders. “This is a very exciting time,” Superintendent Jim Briscoe said. “This building will meet the needs of all students and engage them in instruction.” The new school, which opened Aug. 19 to sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students, was built with money from a $250 million bond approved by Canyons voters in 2010. After a ceremonial ribbon cutting, guests were encouraged to walk through the facility that showcases an elevated running track, fitness rooms, a commons area and cafeteria,
an 180-seat lecture hall, natural light in the hallways and classrooms, and a performing arts suite and a state-of-the-art, 600-seat theater and auditorium made possible by an investment from Sandy City. The school also will be wired for the high-tech demands of a 21st century education. “When you look down the hallways or into a classroom, there is education in every step of the way,” Canyons Board of Education member Clareen Arnold said. “Above the lockers, there will be a timeline from the beginning of time to what could be the future. On the floor tiles, there is our solar system so students can learn about our planets. There’s an opportunity for students to become chess or checker pieces as they play and can learn about math at the same time. So students are learning not only from the teachers and principal, but also this structure. This is just an educational phenomenon.” Arnold said what she also appreciates is the abundances of natural light. “The old Mt. Jordan was really dark and almost cave-like. My daughter attended it and asked to go outside between building doors
Canyons School District Superintendent Jim Briscoe speaks during the Mt. Jordan ribbon-cutting ceremony. Photo courtesy of Julie Slama
Mt. Jordan Middle School Principal Molly Hart and Canyons Board of Education member Clareen Arnold cut the ribbon to officially open the school. Photo courtesy of Julie Slama just to get some natural lighting. This is the opposite. It’s almost like being outside while you’re inside,” she said. Mt. Jordan student Shaelee Topham said that she had good impressions of her new school building. “It looks really nice and I’m sure I’ll have a good time learning here,” said the seventh grader, who is part of the concert choir and wants to be a middle school teacher when she’s older. “I’m most excited about the gym. I like volleyball and doing all the exercises.” Also thanked at the ceremony were “honorary Mountaineers” Hogan Construction and MHTN Architects, whom Principal Hart said “made the vision real,” and taxpayers,
whom Superintendent Briscoe congratulated on helping see the vision of building an amazing school. In turn, MHTN gave Hart a $500 gift to help with needed items for the opening of the new school. Former Canyons Board of Education member Paul McCarty, who helped with the initial groundwork of the new school, said that Mt. Jordan Middle School will bring more social-economic interest to Sandy. “There will be more businesses, families and vibration in the community, and more people will take pride in this school,” McCarty said. “Mt. Jordan will once again become the beacon to the Sandy community.”
Canyons School District Superintendent Jim Briscoe speaks during the Mt. Jordan ribbon-cutting ceremony. Photo courtesy of Julie Slama
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SandyJournal.com
September 2015 | Page 5
Sandy City Residents Will Pay More in Property Tax By Stacy Nielsen
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andy City passed a 4 percent property tax increase with this year’s final budget for the 2015-2016 fiscal year at the Truth and Taxation Hearing on Aug. 4, 2015. “We haven’t raised taxes in 20 plus years. We have raised fees and we have been creative in how we’ve been able to pay the bills,” Councilman Chris McCandless said when addressing citizen concerns over the proposed tax increase, later indicating that it’s ongoing funding that is the issue. The reasons for the property tax increase are said to be due to the costs of the Affordable Care Act, inflation, the erosion of sales tax and to maintain the current levels of service in the city. The Affordable Care Act alone costs a total of $335,088.28 over a four-year period. The percentage of sales distribution has dropped from 1.08 percent since 1995 to .83 percent in 2015, due to the decreased population and the relocation of retailers outside of Sandy City – resulting in approximately a $950,000 annual loss. Taking into account the costs of inflation over a five-year period, with the Consumer Price Index at 7 percent and the Employment Cost Index at 9 percent and increasing over
the next 25 years, as well as what it costs the city to maintain items such as roads and parks, means it costs more to maintain the same level of service the city currently experiences. The 4 percent tax increase will result in a revenue amount of $318,000 to the general fund. Sandy City has the lowest property taxes compared to surrounding cities and will remain the lowest even with an increase. Residents were able to get up and voice their concerns over the proposal, questioning whether or not this is the best time for property taxes to increase for the city. Some of the concerns included residents who live on a fixed income, the lighting fee that has been added to residential water bills, the sales tax increase on fuel and state property tax increase to take effect this November. The potential increase in sales tax in Salt Lake County to over 7 percent is on the ballot for the upcoming elections, as well as if funds are being allocated to critical needs of the city, such as public safety, infrastructure and public utilities over the premier life aspects of the city. One resident in attendance at the hearing suggested a plan for economic development, in
order to help recover the sales tax as opposed to the property tax increase. However, not every resident who addressed the council opposed the tax increase. “We all got our property tax bills and we rejoiced,” Cindy Sharkey, a new resident of Sandy City as a result of the annexation of the Willowcreek neighborhood into the city, said. She indicated her property taxes dropped significantly from that of Salt Lake County when the annexation took place and later stated, “The services are at least twice as good.” “No one takes the importance of public safety more seriously,” District 2 Councilman Dennis Tenney said when he addressed the residents’ concerns as to this year’s budget. Tenney expressed that public safety is the concern of each of the council members and the elected officials. “That includes protecting, preserving and promoting the health, safety, and welfare of our neighborhoods,” he said, later indicating that the quality of life is what attracts corporations and people to Sandy City. With this in mind, he maintained that the “increase is reasonable.” The city council listened and addressed each of the concerns that were raised by residents before voting to adopt the final
budget, which passed six to one. Each member of the council voted in favor of the property tax increase on the budget, with the exception of Steve Cowdell from District 1. “I do believe we ought to raise taxes, but I don’t believe that we ought to raise them this year,” Cowdell said. Sandy City residents will see an impact as a result of the council’s decision. A home valued at $275,000 can expect to see about an additional $8 on a tax bill. A business that is valued at $300,000 will see approximately a $16.50 increase on a tax bill. For more information about the tax increase, residents may call Sandy City at 801-568-7120 or visit http://sandy.utah.gov.
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Sandy City Journal
Flags Offer Healing and Hope
Harvesting Rainwater Made Simple
By Aimee L. Cook
By Aimee L. Cook
o matter how much time has passed, Americans may always feel the need to commemorate the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Many of us can remember where we were when the Twin Towers were hit and so many people lost their lives. Fourteen years ago, Paul Swenson, the owner of Colonial Flag, felt the need to pay tribute to those who lost their lives, so he created the Healing Field. Today, to commemorate that anniversary, 3,000 flags stand at attention at Sandy City Hall Promenade. The impressive display of red, white and blue blowing in the breeze leaves you full of emotion. “This will be the 14th year of the Utah Healing Field, another opportunity to walk the field of flags with our children and grandchildren to educate them on the cost of freedom and the right of having liberty,” Shauna Jorgensen, chairman of the Utah Healing Field 2015, said. “This emotional event is the perfect setting to feel and understand what it truly means to have the privilege of claiming our birthright of being an American. The field of flags crosses the bridge of all political parties.
It connects an infant to a 90-year-old, male and female, for each and every one of us to feel patriotism. To feel tender in heart, meek, humble. To fall in love with our country, young and old.” While victims of the 9/11 attacks are memorialized and remembered at the Healing Field each year, the event has also become a way to raise awareness for different causes, such as child abuse prevention, as well as a fundraiser by selling the flags for places like the Salt Lake Veterans Affairs Fisher House, a place where family members of hospitalized veterans can stay. “People from all over the country now create these fields,” Sawn Swenson, director of the Colonial Flag Foundation, said. “We created this foundation as a way to maintain the integrity of the original idea; it’s a tribute.” Utah Healing Field 2015 Sandy City Hall Promenade September 11-14, 2015 Open Free to the Public 24/7
Little boy plants a flag in the Healing Field.
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ou may not be aware of the fact that in a difference by using natural water.” Utah, we lead the nation in the most According to Save Something Utah, these municipal water usage per person. To help are the top five reasons to harvest rainwater: reduce our numbers, both nationally and on • Protect our rivers, streams, and ponds our water bills, Sandy City has teamed up from runoff pollution with the Utah Rivers Council and now offers • Divert water from the municipal storm a rain barrel program, which collects re-usable drain system rainwater. • Conserve this vital natural resource and “For a one-time investment, I think it’s a reduce your water bills great idea,” Erick Cook, Sandy resident, said. • Use rainwater to grow healthy and lush “Even if I was only able to use the water I plants collect in my rain barrel to water my planted • Control moisture levels around the pots, I would think it would be worth it.” foundation of your home The 50-gallon, 100 percent recycled Ivy rain barrels are placed directly under a You can purchase the barrels at www. downspout. The top has a small hole, covered savesomethingutah.org. by a fine mesh screen to keep out bugs and debris, which lets the water pass. There is also a spout at the bottom to release the water, and each barrel comes with a connectable hose so that you can water your plants directly from the barrel if desired. The barrel works with a gravity feed: no pump is required. They are child proof, and two can be linked together using the overflow hose. Rain harvesting seemed to be an opportunity the residents were waiting for. As part of the conservation budget for the city, Sandy City was offering two sizes at a discounted rate to offset the cost to residents. They sold out of more than 300 of the barrels in a very short time. “Residents like the idea of collecting their own water and using it to water plants,” Kimberly Bell, from the Sandy City public works department, said. “Plants also prefer natural water, and people understand they are making The Ivy rain barrel, placed under a downspout and ready to collect rainwater.
September 2015 | Page 7
SandyJournal.com
Annual Heritage Festival Brings Community Together By Aimee L. Cook
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he eighth annual Heritage Festival in historic Sandy will take place on September 13, 2015 at the old historic Main Street Park, 90 East. 8720 South, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This free block party is a fun way to celebrate historical Sandy and bring the older and younger members of the community together in celebration of the area. “We wanted a way for the community to get
Vintage cars draw folks in to the annual Heritage Festival.
to know their neighbors, while also preserving the feeling in historical Sandy and the way the residents feel and take pride in their homes,” Kristy Pace, Sandy City events coordinator, said. Bus tours of historical homes in the area will be running throughout the festival. It’s a great way to see several of the historical homes that were built in the 1800s that are still occupied today. The Sandy Historical Society and the community development department are responsible for certifying whether a home qualifies as historical. In order for a home to qualify, only necessary repairs and updates to the interior home can be completed. Much of the exterior has to be preserved as it was. One of the other main attractions of the Heritage Festival is the vintage car show. Last year, 10 vintage cars lined the street, along with an old-time Sandy City fire engine. Guests can feast on free hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, beans and cookies, but try and save room for the pie-eating contest. Kids will have fun on inflatables and old-fashioned pioneer games like stilt walking, while parents enjoy the live 1950s Stilt walking and other pioneer games are a hit at the Heritage Festival. music.
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Page 8 | September 2015
Sandy City Journal
The Sandy Arts Guild Presents: ‘Shrek the Musical’ By Megan Mahajan
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t was belly laughs all around at this year’s production of “Shrek the Musical,” presented by the Sandy Arts Guild. The Sandy Amphitheater was filled with eager Shrek lovers of all ages, from babies to grandparents and everyone in between. This twisted fairy tale teaches viewers to love themselves, write their own story and “let your freak flag fly!” The fairytale creatures brought the latter to life with their quirky songs, spunky one-liners, and of course, a cross-dressing wolf. Those who have ever had the pleasure of seeing “Shrek the Musical” before know that Lord Farquad is the hysterical villain that you love to hate, and at times can inadvertently steal the show. Chad McBride brought this character, in all his yellow-legged glory, to life in a way that had the audience laughing until they cried. Each movement Farquad made was hilarious, from his first appearance all the way until his attempt to get down on one knee for Princess Fiona. The laughs were momentarily paused and heartstrings were sufficiently tugged as
Shrek, Fiona and Donkey sang “Who I’d Be” and presented their own personal ideas of the perfect fairytale. This number was the first glimpse of the feelings and dreams that lie within Shrek’s ogre heart, and the first indication that there’s more to him than meets the eye. Shrek’s character, brilliantly played by Shelby Maughan, is of course what makes this musical so spectacular. Maughan was flawless as Shrek, perfectly capturing every aspect of the character from the humor to the complex emotions of the ogre with onionlike layers. Maughan’s movements and facial expressions alone were enough to keep the audience laughing out loud, but his perfectly executed Shrek voice was what kept the younger audience members giggling as well. Maughan and Danny Eggers, who played the role of Donkey, were the perfect pair: each built off of the other, creating the absolute perfect love-hate relationship between the two unlikely friends. Ashley Stonebraker shone bright as Fiona, bringing the perfect mix of humor
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noble steed of sorts. Donkey taught Shrek a lesson about friendship before leading him back to Duloc to profess his love for Fiona. He interrupted her wedding, her curse was broken, they discovered true ogre love and the rest is history. Not enough can be said about the caliber of the actors in this production, the quality of the music or the incredible imagery created by the scenery and costumes. The Sandy Arts Guild truly outdid themselves with this production, and those who attended will have memories to cherish for years to come.
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and grace and capturing her character in the best way possible. The audience laughed at her inflated expectations for rescue and felt for her as her fairytale turned out to be far less than what she had spent all those years in the tower waiting for. Stonebraker has a personality that literally leaps from the stage even when she’s not saying a word. The audience was filled with hope as Shrek came to the realization that, “When words fail, she’ll understand.” But all hopes were crushed once again, and hearts went out to Shrek as his heart was broken when Fiona left with Farquad on Rainbow Sprinkles, his
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September 2015 | Page 9
SandyJournal.com
Safe Exchange Zone: Offers Peace of Mind
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By Stacy Nielsen
ouncilman Steve Fairbanks recommended the establishment of a Sandy City Safe Exchange Zone at the city council meeting on July 28. “The motivation was after reading reports of those who were doing transactions on Craigslist, primarily, and they ended up being robbed,” Fairbanks said. “After watching a news story with my son, we started talking about a Safe Exchange Zone and how to do it.” Fairbanks then called the Sandy City chief of police, Kevin Thacker, who talked to his command staff and, “they all thought it was an excellent idea.” “It’s a place to feel more comfortable to make exchanges. There will be a couple of parking spaces designated for that at the police department,” Fairbanks said. “The parking lot at city hall is already monitored by cameras. We don’t assume any responsibility or police presence.”
Individuals who use the Safe Exchange Zone have the added benefit of video monitoring for making a deal that could potentially go wrong. “Let’s say if someone is suspicious they are receiving stolen property, they can then go straight to the police station and report it. And we already have the video of the transaction,” Fairbanks said. The exchange area will not cost additional money, but is valuable peace of mind for members of the community. “Our biggest challenge right now is a lot of the area where we park is under construction, but it’s easy to designate a couple of parking spaces; look for it within the next month,” Fairbanks said. Police departments nationwide have started implementing more “safe zones” for buyers and sellers to make transactions in a safer environment. Here in Utah, that could be deals made from websites such as Craigslist or KSL. Sandy City is one of the first to implement a Safe Exchange Zone in Salt Lake County.
Page 10 | September 2015
Sandy City Journal
Join VA Accredited Attorney Kent M. Brown
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Thursday, September 17 – 3:30pm Saturday, September 19 – 10:30am Thursday, September 24 – 3:30pm Saturday, September 26 – 10:30am How To Protect Yourself And Your Loved Ones From Long-Term Care and Nursing Home Costs And What To Do If You Can't One of the biggest fears that many people have today is having their life savings wiped out if they end up in a nursing home. What a shame to see someone’s life savings evaporate in a matter of months. It is important that you understand what you can do to protect your hardearned assets! IN THIS WORKSHOP YOU WILL LEARN: • How to avoid having your life’s savings wiped out by Long-Term Care. • How new laws restrict protection of assets and the steps you should take now to protect your loved ones. • The asset protection language that most people don’t have in their power of attorney documents, which can help protect their life’s savings. • How Medicaid works and the steps you need to take now to protect your family under the new rules. • How to find the right Home Care Assistance, Independent Living, Assisted Living or Senior Care Facility and what to expect in the process. Kent M. Brown • How to get good care at a Senior Care Facility. • Veteran’s benefits that most people know nothing about. • Senior Care options for independence; planning for today and the future. • How a Life Care Plan can change your life for the better.
Seating is Limited: Please RSVP by Calling (801) 323-2035 or (801) 410-2755 Workshop is Located at Home Care Assistance: 7833 South Highland Dr., Salt Lake City, UT 84121
Waterford Students Win Cash, Prize in International Video Contest
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By Julie Slama
aterford School ninth grader Matthew Buxton and his classmates recently received $250 with the honorable mention award for their film submission in the “World of 7 Billion” international student video contest. Thirteen students from four countries and seven U.S. states earned top spots in the video contest. High school students from around the world were encouraged to create videos on population growth relating to one of three topics: universal education, diminishing farmland and the sixth mass extinction. Teamed up with classmates Ford Christensen, who provided music, Katie Beck, the team’s scriptwriter, and classmates Ellie Steiner and Tyler Cramer, the animated video —“Universal Education and How It Gives Everyone a Fair Chance”— was an assignment for their human geography class. “We were given a choice of topics and I thought education was a bigger problem than the others,” he said. “Education is important to me because I go to such a great school and everyone deserves that.” Through learning about filmmaking, he hoped to spark interest in the topic. “We learned to connect with the audience and make them aware of the issue within 60 seconds. We focused on everyone getting a better education and decided to make it fun through animation,” Matthew said. The contest was promoted by Population Education, which reviewed film entries with a panel of 28 judges representing educators, filmmakers and professionals working on agriculture and sustainability. Population Education, a program of Population Connection, provides curriculum materials that address population issues for kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers. “Each year we are blown away by the quality of videos and their incredible ability to relay a meaningful message in such a short amount of time,” Population Connection president John Seager said. The Waterford students researched their topic to find issues and problems around education and how to find solutions. Throughout the process, the teacher, Julie Ransom, reviewed the script and the group’s resources. “We couldn’t get teacher help, but we could consider her suggestions,” he said. Matthew, who is new to filmmaking, also learned about animation through researching websites. “It found Moovly website, which helped a lot with learning and creating animation,” he said. The team, which was the only one in the
class to select education as a topic, completed the assignment in a couple of weeks last February and then submitted the entry. Since the competition only had space to enter one name, Matthew was selected since he was the lead producer. Matthew’s team was included among more than 1,600 students who participated and submitted a total of 865 videos. Submissions were received from 39 U.S. states and 23 countries. About a month later, Matthew learned through an email that the group was in the top 20 percent of entries. On April 2, he learned from a phone call that they were one of the top 10 and had an interview with the judges in early May. “I was really nervous and excited each time we learned we were moving up. It was amazing, considering how many entries they had,” he said. In late May at a school assembly, it was announced that Matthew’s team was named as the honorable mention winners and their submission was played in front of the student body. A certificate and check was given to Matthew, who plans to share it with the team. “It was a fun activity and if we had the opportunity, I’d do it again,” he said.
Waterford School ninth grader Matthew Buxton led a team of student filmmakers to a $250 prize in the World of 7 Billion international student video contest. Photo courtesy of Elspeth Dehnert
September 2015 | Page 11
SandyJournal.com
Rio Tinto Stadium Nears Completion on Solar Panels By Ron Bevan
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he largest privately-owned array of solar panels is nearing completion at Real Salt Lake’s Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy. On schedule to be completed in midOctober, the solar panels will help offset approximately 73 percent of Real Salt Lake’s total annual stadium power needs. “We are actually ahead of schedule and may be completed by the end of September,” Craig Martin, general manager of Rio Tinto Stadium operations, said. “The crew is contractually obligated to be done by October 15, but things are looking good to be done earlier.” Work on the solar panels began in April. Crews from Utah’s Auric Solar have been installing the 2,020-kilowatt system of solar panels on the existing stadium structure, as well as on new covered parking areas south of the stadium. “The new solar covered parking structures will improve the quality of parking options for our 15,000-plus season ticket holders and provide our state and the surrounding environment with the largest solar energy offset for any U.S. professional sports venue,” RSL owner Dell Loy Hansen said.
About 95 percent of the 6,414 solar panels are housed on the parking structure. When completed, it will be the largest solar panel array of any major league soccer stadium and the fourth largest of any sports venue, behind two race tracks and one football field. “This idea came from our owner, Dell Loy Hansen,” Martin said. “He is a very forward thinker. He cares about the environment as well as our costs. This is one of the things he wanted us to explore and now it is almost here.” The panels sit on top of the covered parking in such a way that they don’t distract from the visual impact of Rio Tinto Stadium. When completed, the environmental impact of the solar array carries the equivalent of removing 450 cars from the road, or planting 47,218 trees annually. Although Martin didn’t have exact figures, he estimated the savings costs will run into several hundred thousand dollars annually. “We are proud here at the stadium to have such an impact on the environment,” Martin said. “It is a feather in our cap, and it certainly is a feather in Sandy City’s cap.”
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Solar panels have been installed on the recently-built covered parking terrace south of Rio Tinto Stadium. When completed in the next two months, the solar panels will offset about 73 percent of Rio Tinto Stadium’s energy needs.
Page 12 | September 2015
Sandy City Journal
Sandy Postman Delivers the Gift of Reading to Young Resident
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By Aimee L. Cook
hat began as just a small, simple plea on Facebook has not only gone viral, but has taken the world by storm. From Utah to Germany to Greece and beyond, the story of Ron Lynch, a Sandy City postal carrier, and 12-year-old Matthew Flores has taken on a life of its own. Lynch, a city carrier assistant for the post office, does not have a dedicated route yet; he has only been with the post office for about six months. While delivering mail to an apartment complex on July 26, he was approached by Matthew Flores. Matthew asked Lynch if he had any extra ads he could have. When asked by Lynch why he wanted such mail, Matthew replied, “So I can read them.” Thinking that it was an interesting request made by a young boy, Lynch questioned him a bit further. “I asked him why he doesn’t get on the bus and go to the library,” Lynch said. “Matthew told me his family couldn’t afford the bus pass. As I was standing thinking of other options for Matthew, my first thought was my children are grown now. I have a few of their books laying around, and I thought I could ask some personal friends and we could get something put together. I put the request on Facebook, thinking maybe I could get a few friends to mail Matthew some books,” he said. Before he left the complex, Lynch had Matthew get his mother so he could get her permission to give out Matthew’s address, in
hopes that some of his friends would see the request and respond by mailing a few books. The post was shared, and shared and shared. Within two days, the books began to arrive at Matthew’s doorstep: about 150 books a day. Both Lynch and Matthew became celebrities overnight. Lynch began getting friend requests on Facebook from all over the world, and the duo was interviewed on national news and for newspapers. Matthew is still receiving books. Currently, he says he has over 2,000 and is out of room to store them all. “I am so happy to have all these books, but at the same time I need to get rid of some. I want to pass them on to other kids who may not have any, either,” Matthew said. “I heard about a library in West Valley that does not have a lot of kids’ books, so I plan on giving them some.” In less than a month, Matthew has already read seven of his books; his favorite so far is the Captain Underpants series. As for Lynch, he says he is just a regular guy who was just paying attention to a young boy’s need. “I didn’t do anything amazing,” Lynch said. “This kind of attention will not happen to me again, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing. I can’t dance or sing. This was all very unexpected; I just wanted to help that kid.”
Schools To Install Security Vestibules
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By Julie Slama
hen East Sandy Elementary Principal Kenna Sorensen worked at Draper Elementary, parents needed to check in to the school office to receive a visitor’s pass before being buzzed past a security door into the rest of the building to volunteer. This school year, Canyons School District will be installing security-door vestibules in 14 of its 29 elementary schools. Work will begin this October on the first nine projects, including Sandy’s Bell View, Crescent, East Sandy, Edgemont, Peruvian Park, Quail Hollow and Willow Canyon Elementaries. “I’m excited that not only will it make the teachers and staff be secure, but also the students will feel safer in the school,” Sorensen said, who added that it is part of the school district’s priority in making schools safe. “I’ve had a concern at East Sandy with how to secure two main hallways at once, and this will be a help. At Draper, once parents realized that the slight
inconvenience was for students’ safety, there was very little concern about it.” In spring 2016, construction of the security vestibules will begin at more schools, including Sandy’s Altara, Lone Peak and Sprucewood Elementaries. These security entrances, scheduled for a December 2016 completion, were fasttracked by the Board of Education last March. The $1.5 million project, paid for with the district’s capital facilities budget, ensures the placement of security vestibules in all 29 elementary schools, Canyons School District spokesman Jeff Haney said. Security vestibules are already installed in 13 elementary schools, and the remaining two elementaries, including Alta View, will have security vestibules when those buildings are rebuilt. The new Alta View Elementary, which will be the last school to install a security vestibule, is scheduled to open in fall 2017.
SandyJournal.com
mayor’s message
sandynow.com
Where Mountain Meets Urban Mount Jordan Middle: Partnering for Success
S
ince its demolition two years ago, Historic Sandy has missed its iconic Mount Jordan Middle School. But, on August 11, with the snip of a red ribbon twisting in the summer afternoon wind, The Mountaineers were officially welcomed home. What makes this school opening different is that it also marks an impressive collaboration with the Canyons School District, Sandy City and Salt Lake County to pool resources for a 601-seat community indoor theater. More than 500 students, parents, teachers, staff, former students and members of the community attended the celebratory ribboncutting event. While crowds cheered for the opening of the school, the arts community is cheering for the successful partnership that will give the Sandy Arts Guild its first dedicated indoor theater in its 30 year history. The sheer expense of building a
standalone indoor theater had made it somewhat of an impossible dream. The city simply couldn’t justify building a community theater that would cost, by some estimates,
at least 18 million. By working together with the school district and the county, we were able to build what will be a valuable community amenity for a fraction of the cost, a 1.5 million investment, finally making the dream of a community indoor theater a reality. This partnering is truly an example of fiscal responsibility! The new Mount Jordan officially opened on August 18 and includes such additional amenities as an elevated running track, fitness rooms, a spacious commons area and cafeteria, a 180-seat lecture hall and an abundance of natural light in the hallways and classrooms. The school also will be wired for the high-tech demands of a 21st century education. Arts add such a vibrancy and life to a community. The Mount Jordan Theater, along with the Sandy Amphitheater, ensure year-round, inexpensive family-friendly entertainment. Don’t miss the first performance, Into the Woods, starting October 9.
September 2015 | Page 13
sandy utah
Page 14 | September 2015
sandy chamber corner
Sandy City Journal
SANDY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RESOLUTION
Quality Furniture
at the lowest prices
A
s a Chamber of Commerce and business leaders in our community, we feel it is important to invest in our future. In our businesses, we have to invest in new equipment, upgrade old equipment and set aside funds for any needed repairs. Cities and municipalities are not any different than our businesses. When investing money in capital expenditures, we have to make sure we are getting the best return on our dollars for the money invested. We also have to make sure the expenditures are absolutely necessary. This year, Sandy City is proposing a modest property tax increase. Sandy City has not had a property tax increase since 1987 and has one of the lowest property tax rates in the state. During this 28-year period, the city has been able to maintain a high level of service and increased the number of recreational amenities available for the citizens. During this period, we have experienced inflation, additional salary and benefit cost increases for city employees, and wear and tear
on our infrastructure, which requires funding for upkeep. Therefore, as the Chamber of Commerce, and as business leaders in our community, we support the mayor and city council in their proposed tax increase and encourage them to continue to be responsible, fiscal stewards over our taxes. Our expectation is that we can continue to build the infrastructure needed for the necessary growth of our city and continue to enhance the quality of life for our citizens.
Jay Francis, Chairman of the Board Stan Parrish, President and CEO and the entirety of the Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Upcoming Events: Arthur C Brooks Event Wednesday, September 9, 2015 7:30 AM 9400 S. State Street, Sandy, UT 84070
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Ambassador Golf Tournament September 10, 2015 3 PM - 7 PM River Oaks Golf Course 9300 Riverside Drive Sandy, UT 84070 Member Orientation Friday, September 11, 2015 8:30AM - 9:30PM Salt Lake Community College Miller Campus Miller Free Enterprise Building Room 203 9750 S. 300 W. Sandy, UT 84070 Breakfast of Champions September 15, 2015 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM 9350 S. 150 E., 9th Floor Sandy, UT 84070
FOR MORE EVENT INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: www.SandyChamber.com
September 2015 | Page 15
SandyJournal.com
Sandy Elementary Schools Receive USDA Healthy Lunch Awards By Julie Slama
T
he United States Department of Agriculture recently awarded nine Sandy elementary schools with the Bronze Award in the Healthier U.S. Schools Challenge.
The Healthier U.S. Schools Challenge, introduced by United States first lady Michelle Obama, is a voluntary certification that recognizes schools that have created healthier school environments through the promotion of nutrition and physical activity. The Sandy elementaries are among 14 schools in Canyons School District that received the award. The schools honored include: Alta View, Bell View, East Sandy, Edgemont, Quail Hollow, Sandy, Silver Mesa, Sunrise and Willow Canyon. These schools also meet the requirements of the School Breakfast Program and the National School Lunch Program, as well as serve a variety of healthy foods emphasizing fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Canyons School District nutrition services director Sebasthian Varas presented each principal and school nutrition manager with a plaque and a
banner to display at their school. “This award is given by the United States Department of Agriculture and what they’re looking for is criteria that we meet at several schools regarding nutrition and physical activity,” he said at a Canyons Board of Education meeting.
“The funny thing is a lot of you who are receiving this award asked me what did you do to obtain this [honor]. Truly we can say, nothing out of the already excellent job that you do everyday. But behind the scenes, there is a lot of planning [and] a lot of nutrition education
STEVE FAIRBANKS
that goes through, making sure that we have a nutrition analysis as well as an appealing meal.” Principal Christine Webb has Bell View’s plaque displayed in the main office. “I learned about the award and applied for it,” Webb said. “Our school didn’t do anything different or special for it. We already serve fresh fruit and vegetables in our cafeteria. We participate in Jump for Heart and hold a school jog-a-thon in the spring, so our students are active. A lot of credit goes to the leadership in developing healthier school nutrition programs.” As part of the award, the District’s nutrition services received $500 per school to continue to improve the nutrition quality of school meals. The Healthier U.S. School Challenge is divided into different award levels: bronze, silver, gold and gold award of distinction. As of June, awards have been given to 7,022 schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Page 16 | September 2015
Sandy City Journal
Banquet for Life 2015 Fundraising Gala Friday, Oct. 2, 2015 · 5:30 – 9:00 p.m. Grand America · Downtown Salt Lake City
Hope Can Change Everything Featuring Sarah Palin, 2008 Republican Vice Presidential Candidate; Governor of Alaska (2006-2009) She captured the hearts and minds of millions of Americans as the 2008 Vice Presidential Candidate and is a devoted wife, military mom, public servant and champion for children with special needs. To benefit the Pregnancy Resource Center of Salt Lake City, Governor Sarah Palin will visit Utah and use her voice to inspire our guests with a message of resilience and hope.
To buy tickets or sponsorships, please visit: www.lccut.net/upcoming-events
BENEFITTING THE
To positively impact the lives of youth, women, men and families in the Salt Lake Valley by educating and caring for our community in the areas of sexual health, pregnancy and abortion recovery.
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September 2015 | Page 17
SandyJournal.com
www.SandyJournal.com
City CounCil district #2
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EXPERIENCE COUNTS! 1- Improve the safety and tranquility of our neighborhoods through increased police patrols, speed alert devices and code enforcement. 2- Enhanced quality of life – strong supporter of the Splash Pad, Amphitheater, Sports Programs, Dog Park, Senior Citizen Center and July 4th activities. 3- Keep our taxes low and under control! A few years ago, as the City Council, with support from Mayor Dolan, we reduced property taxes by 10%. Recently, for the first time in 27 years we needed to increase property taxes by 4% (average 75 cents/month for a home valued at $275,000). Sandy still has the lowest property tax rate of any city of its size in the State of Utah! I’m determined to do my part to keep our property taxes as low as is reasonably possible.
COMMUNITY LEADER - VOLUNTEER • Sandy Pride Day volunteer • Sandy Club for Boys and Girls Board • Junior Achievement volunteer • Chamber of Commerce Board • South Valley Services (shelter for victims of domestic violence) Board-volunteer • Father of four children; fourteen grandchildren
Page 18 | September 2015
UTAH’S
Sandy City Journal
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NEW DATE: Rescheduled from Sept. 12 Draper Amphitheater will play host to the best and most unique dance show in the State! With dance performers from most every college and university in the state along with some top dance companies and high schools, this is the dance spectacular not to be missed. It will be fast paced with lots of performances with a wide variety from contemporary to hip-hop, modern-jazz, ballet-clogging and everything in between. A jam packed show of group after group. Just look at a few scheduled to perform!
Darren Utley (with trophy), age 8, has been voted Sandy Club “Member of the Month” for August 2015. Darren has been a member of the Sandy Club since 2014, and is attending Mountain Jordan Elementary School where his favorite subject is Mathematics. When Darren grows up, he would like to be an Army Soldier. If he had one wish, he would wish to become a professional collector of Pokemon; he already owns about 200 items. Darren’s favorite thing to do at the club is to spend time
with friends, play soccer, basketball and Fifa. His favorite thing about himself is that he is a pretty cool kid and a BMX racer. Since he has joined the club, he has learned to be nice, respectful, and not be a bully. Darren says that he has been voted “Member of the Month” because he has been nice to others, respectful and never argues with the staff. Congratulation Darren Utley for being “Member of the Month!”
If you would like to volunteer or make a donation, please call (801) 561-4854
University of Utah Hip-Hop (Rhythm) SUU Hip-Hop/Belly Dance Snow College BYU Dixie State Drill Team Jesse Sykes-Popper High Definition Cloggers Underground - Contemporary Brotherson Elite Juan Diego High School Corner Canyon High School Utah Artist Ballet ...And More Performance groups subject to change. See webpage for full line-up.
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September 2015 | Page 19
SandyJournal.com
D
esert Star Playhouse, the theater that’s built a reputation for producing laugh out loud, family-friendly musical comedies, continues its 2015 season with a comedic take on all things nerdy in the pursuit of fulfilling a Home Teaching assignment in “Star Wards These Are Not the Elders You’re Looking For!”
Elder Kirtland and Elder Young are just trying to get their home teaching done for the month. While visiting with Doc, the duo discovers he’s created a time machine to make genealogy easier. But when the elders start messing around with the family history helper, they get swept back to a time long ago and to a galaxy, far, far away! In trying to return to their own time, the elders intercept a distress call from Princess Alibama, who has been captured by the evil Dark Knight and Empress Saltine. Eager to be of service, the elders enlist the help of the beautiful but tough space farmer, Raygun, and Juan Cholo, a cool shootfirst-ask-questions-later smuggler. Will the eccentric group of heroes rescue the princess before she reveals the location of the rebel base? Will the
Desert Star Playhouse elders make it back to their own time? Come find out with this crazy cast of iconic characters and their sidesplitting, galactic high jinx as Desert Star takes you through this spoof of the nerd-overse. Written by Bryan Dayley and directed by Scott Holman, Star Wards runs from Aug. 27 to Nov. 7, 2015. The evening also includes Desert Star’s signature musical olios following the show. The highly anticipated Awesome 80’s Olio, Part 2 will feature audience requested songs from radical days past with a unique and always hilarious, Desert Star twist! Desert Star audiences can enjoy gourmet pizza, fresh wraps, burgers, scrumptious desserts, and other finger foods as well as a full selection of soft drinks, smoothies and a large array of iced and hot steamers and coffees while they watch the show. Food is available from an á la carte menu and is served right at your table.
PLAYHOUSE CALENDAR “Star Wards - These Are Not the Elders You’re Looking For!” Plays Aug. 27 – Nov. 7, 2015 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. Saturday at 2:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Selected Saturday lunch matinées at 11:30 a.m. and Friday late shows at 9:30 p.m. Tickets: Adults: $22.95, Children: $12.95 (Children 11 and under) 4861 S. State Street, Murray, UT 84107 Call 801.266.2600 for reservations For additional information, visit www.DesertStarPlayhouse.com
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Page 20 | September 2015
Sandy City Journal
Top Sandy Athletes Change Schools After Coaches Leave
T
heir high schools were as different as were their sports and their genders. But, two Sandy athletes have one thing in common: they both changed college commitments following coaching changes at their oncefavored colleges. Alta’s Rachael McDonald and Jordan’s Austin Kafentzis were committed to play for Nebraska-Kearney and Wisconsin, respectively. Now, both have returned closer to home with
By Ron Bevan
McDonald landing at Snow College and Kafentzis enrolling at Nevada-Reno. McDonald, a 6’2” standout for the Alta girls basketball team, committed to the University of Nebraska/Kearney after she was seen in a basketball tournament in Las Vegas by Bearcats’ coach Jason Boyd. “He was the one who told me I was his number-one recruit,” McDonald said. “He got me excited to play because he was so interested in me. He was willing to go out of his way to make me feel comfortable.” But a difference of opinion between Boyd and UNK’s athletic director forced Boyd to resign. In stepped new coach Carrie Hofstetter with an entirely new game plan. “I found out she had some recruits of her own she was bringing in,” McDonald said. “She told me I probably wouldn’t get a lot of playing time because of the depth at my position, but she would still honor my scholarship.” But the news didn’t sit that well with McDonald. “I didn’t want to go there and not play,” she said. So she called her club coach, Dave Hammer, and asked what other options she had. “He told me Snow College was looking for a player like me, that can play inside but
also go outside and play forward,” McDonald said. “They really wanted me, so that was a deciding factor for me.” Hofstetter was willing to release McDonald from her scholarship, so she didn’t lose any eligibility. Nearly the same story happened with Kafentzis. A four-year starter for the Beetdiggers, Kafentzis set several state football records and was twice named Gatorade Player of the Year for Utah. He was highly recruited from several Division 1 schools and settled on the vaunted football history at Wisconsin. But, coach Gary Anderson left Wisconsin to coach at Oregon State. Wisconson tabbed Paul Chryst to come in, and Kafentzis’ style of play was vastly different than Chryst had planned for the Badgers. He was even asked to switch positions to get playing time. Instead, Kafentzis found a better fit with the Wolfpack at Nevada-Reno, a school that produced another dual-threat quarterback in San Francisco 49er Colin Kaepernick. Kafentzis graduated from Jordan early and enrolled at Wisconsin for the spring
semester. He played spring football as well as threw the javelin for the track team, throwing the fourth furthest javelin throw in Badger history. The enrollment has landed Kafentzis in limbo for now. He will keep his four years of eligibility but might have to sit out the 2015 campaign unless he is granted a waiver. The waiver hadn’t been determined at press time.
FOOTHILL FAMILY CLINIC IN DRAPER
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Foothill Family Clinic has been serving the healthcare needs of the Salt Lake community for almost 40 years. This busy, full-service group offers a wide range of medical services supported by a dedicated and caring staff, with more than 95,000 patients treated every year. Foothill Family Clinic is expanding to meet the needs of the growing community. The North Clinic in Salt Lake City, the South Clinic in Cottonwood Heights and the newly opened Draper Clinic offer convenient, coordinated service.
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September 2015 | Page 21
SandyJournal.com
We Don’t Need No Dreaducation By Peri Kinder
E
very summer vacation I ever had ended with the terrifying fear of going back to school. There’s even a name for that fear: didaskaleinophobia-because nothing describes the fear of school so aptly as a word you will never be able to pronounce or spell. My fears in elementary school included being in a class without my best friend, finding out I wasn’t smart, having a mean teacher and being forced to eat everything on my lunch tray. (The fear of school lunch is a whole different topic.) Boys were also a great fear. They were unpredictable, incomprehensible, disgusting show-offs—and that was on a good day. I continue to be afraid of earthworms after a stupid boy in first grade threw a handful down my shirt. I screamed for 23 minutes straight. As I got older, my fears increased exponentially. Entering junior high was akin to walking into the Roman Colosseum to face a hungry lion. A lion who had better hair than I did. And no pimples. Seventh grade was the year of deodorant, showering at school, Clearasil and the ever mysterious feminine hygiene products no one talked about. The anxiety of reeking with body odor sent me into a Love’s Baby Soft addiction.
Fear Even now, that scent reminds me of junior high locker rooms. Getting lost at school was a huge worry, as was finding and opening my locker. I would often scamper from class to class with my head down, clutching six textbooks across my chest because I couldn’t find my locker. Increasing my fear of lockers, one afternoon my boyfriend was standing next to me with his arm casually draped over my open locker (it looked so cool). Then I slammed the door, accidentally cutting off the top of
his finger. If you think it’s hard remembering a locker combination, try opening your locker when the boy you’re trying to impress is screaming and crying with his finger stuck in the door. He broke up with me soon after that. Then there’s the primordial fear of not being cool. I’d be in the hall when a group of older, popular kids walked by (for some reason, in slow motion). The girls laughed and casually tossed their spiral-permed tresses over their shoulders. To a seventh grader, the mature
age of 15 was the epitome of awesomeness. I stared dumbstruck, my mouth agape, displaying my un-cool braces and wearing my first pair of Levi’s 501 button-fly jeans that my mom bought only after I convinced her I would NOT wear homemade clothes to junior high. In one of the most misguided rebranding campaigns of all time, I decided junior high would be a great time to change my image. I tried swearing for the first time. It was cool. I was determined to reinvent myself as a rebel who drank Coke and said “damn.” For a 12-year-old Utah girl, that’s akin to being a homeless wino who juggles bunnies on a street corner. But what scared me more than anything were the people who kept telling me that my school years would be the best time of my life. It was paralyzing to think that avoiding bullies, flunking geometry, dealing with no self-esteem and eating Funyuns and Coke for lunch everyday would be the highlight of my time on this earth. They were so wrong. There’s not enough money in the world to convince me to relive that hellish experience. For all you students facing these fears this year, trust me, it gets so much better.
Page 22 | September 2015
Sandy City Journal
Three Ways to Save Money on Dinner and a Movie By Joani Taylor
I
t’s Friday: the office is restless, and your friend in the cubicle next to you has been talking endlessly about their plans for the weekend. You can’t help but feel a little envy. It’s been ages since the two of you have had a real date; maybe you could go this weekend. Alas, you are snapped back into reality. Your wallet is thin, the water heater went out last month and you need to come up with the cash for the kids’ soccer uniforms. It looks like it’s another weekend of cleaning toilets and catching up on laundry and yard work. Spending quality time as a couple can become difficult and seem like an unnecessary expense as life becomes hectic with kids. However, couples that spend time focusing on one another can improve their relationship, resolve communication issues and increase intimacy. It also provides the kids with a good blueprint by showing them the importance of investing time in a relationship. There are hundreds of creative date night ideas on Utah-based website DatingDivas.com that can inspire a fun idea for a night out. But, what if
you just want a good ole’ fashioned dinner and movie? Here are three money saving ideas you might not have thought of: #1 - Shopkick: Shopkick is a mobile app that awards users points for walking into stores and performing various other actions. There are many stores that participate, like JC Penney, Best Buy, Macy’s and even home improvement stores and warehouse clubs. Often the stores are all in a single mall or shopping center, making it easy to walk from store to store. Simply download the app and walk in the door of the participating stores. After doing so, you’ll be awarded points called “kicks”. The kicks add up and convert to free gift cards for places such as Target, Lowes and even Fandango and The Cheesecake Factory. Did someone say free Cheesecake Factory and a movie?
Users typically get $5 for every 1250 kicks, and they add up fast. Plus, as a sweet little bonus, Friday happens to be “bonus kicks day,” where you get 100 kicks for walk-ins, as opposed to 35-50 on other days of the week. Some stores give even more points for scanning specific items in the store. Hubby and I can often be found on Shopkick dates and routinely bump into others doing the same. Make sure you both have the app to double your bonus. More info at Shopkick.com. #2 - Tuesday Date Night: Plan your date on Tuesday. Okay, it may seem a little out of the ordinary, but there’s a reason. On Tuesdays, Megaplex Theatres offers $5 movies. Plus, many restaurants with email clubs run special bargains for their subscribers during the week. Mimi’s, for example, is well
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known for sending out” buy 1 meal get 1 free” coupons to email subscribers during the week. As a bonus, many of these also send out additional freebie meals for your birthday. Visit Coupons4Utah.com/emailrestaurant for a huge list of restaurants with email rewards. #3 - Dinner and Movie at Home: Who said dinner and a movie has to be on the go? How about getting your little monkeys to bed first and having dinner and a movie at home. Make it fun by cooking together. Later, put out a picnic blanket or snuggle on the couch with your dollar store, theater-style popcorn cups. While you’re there, pick up theater candy for $1, too. You’ll also want to make sure you have joined Redbox’s text club. They often send text club members codes for free movies. You can subscribe by texting MOVIENIGHT to 727272 and then replying with “Y” to confirm. Now the only obstacle is agreeing on what to watch!
September 2015 | Page 23
SandyJournal.com
Spotlight on: Larkin Mortuaries
Rituals, Rites of Passage and the Funeral Service
F
irst, there’s the checklist, the one we have refined over the past 130 years. It’s long and detailed, but let us worry about that. Next, and most importantly, the job of the funeral director is to really know the family. In times of grief, a family closes in, becomes tighter; old wounds are healed and emotions are on the surface. At Larkin Mortuary, we have gotten to love a lot of families. We’ve seen a few generations of the same families. Our first job is to make the checklist of things to be done as easy as possible so that most of a family’s energy can be focused on the ritual and rite of passage that is the service. Each service should be personal and represent the family relationship. It’s a time to celebrate. It’s a time to say goodbye in ways unique to the loved ones. It’s a time to bond. Understanding the family dynamic takes time: it can’t be done quickly, and it’s not done by filling out forms. You have to spend the time. One misconception today is that if you
are cremated, you don’t really need a service. But the service is separate from the interment. It is the time to relive joyful emotions and a place to be safe where the sadness can be let out. Every life is worth celebrating. What makes a funeral service meaningful is the journey it represents. Think of it as a procession marking the milestones of a
life well-lived. Music sets the tone as an introduction. Visiting and reuniting with old friends reminds us of the community of love we are a part of. The eulogy and remembrance is the celebration of those connections we have with the person we are honoring. There are symbols to remind us of deep emotions we have felt---memories recounted so that we might
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801.973.1676
$500 Off
keep them fresh and accessible in the days to come. And the procession and gathering represents the journey each of us take through life, surrounded by friends and loved ones. A meaningful service is life affirming, yet reminds us all of our mortality and prods us to forgive old grudges, love deeply and live with no regrets. We encourage families to make sure the service matches the spirit, personality and beliefs they embrace: to make it personal so that it becomes a safe place to share deep emotions. As we get to know families in their time of grief, we are often struck by the strength they gain through the process of letting go. A meaningful service is a cathartic experience: it is part of the healing process. It is one of a handful of rare events in life that connect souls in a way that transcends our human experience.
Call mike: 801-696-7735
ADvERTISE!
YARD CLEAN UP
— Affordable rates —
Flower beds, Hedges, Tree Trimming, Power Raking, Railroad Ties, Mowing & Hauling.
promote your business
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35 Yrs Quality Experience Water Damage • Patchs • Textures fRee estimates — References
Senior Discounts!
HOmE INSPECTIONS JC HOmE INSPECTIONS
• From roof to foundation & all systems in between. • New and existing Homes. Know before you buy
to reserve this space.
Call Dan: 801-518-7365
CALL JOHN 801-860-0268
THIS IS YOUR SPACE
YARD CARE
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Michael Deagle lanDscaping
ROOFING OlyMpus ROOfing
10 WinDOWs Of MORe
Call 801.264.6649 to reserve this space.
Utah’s Finest in Lawn Care Spring / Fall Clean-ups, Aeration, Weekly Cuts All your lAndscApe needs
call Mike: 801-597-0143
Roof Repair
801.887.7663
Serving Wastach Front Since 1973
Promote your business HERE! Call 801.264.6649 to place an ad.