May 2018 | Vol. 5 Iss. 05
FREE TWO SOUTH JORDAN TEACHERS NAMED OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS IN DISTRICT
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outh Jordan Elementary teachers quickly escorted their students outside the school building when the fire alarm sounded. The faculty and staff, except for second-grade teacher Lois Mortensen, knew it was a drill. For Mortensen, she thought it was the real thing.
“I kept worrying and even told our librarian, ‘This is all my fault,’” she said. “I said, ‘The fire marshal probably found the heating lamp on that was keeping the chicks warm and I’m in trouble.’” Instead of receiving an all clear to re-enter the building, the school children encircled Mortensen, who saw her family approach. “I thought, ‘oh, no, there was a problem’ and was just shocked when the superintendent (Patrice Johnson), Jordan Education Foundation and everyone came out and brought me balloons and said I won,” she said. “It’s a feeling I wish all the excellent teachers could experience.” Mortensen and Elk Ridge Middle School teacher Kristie Wallace represent South Jordan’s Outstanding Educators amongst the 18 teachers and outstanding principal selected this year. At a Wednesday, April 25 banquet, the 18 honorees will be presented with $1,000 each as well as a crystal award. This is the 25th year Jordan Education Foundation has recognized outstanding educators. Mortensen said her principal, Ken Westwood, also presented her with a packet of letters written by teachers, students and parents who submitted them as part of her recommendation, of which she is most thankful. “If I ever get discouraged, it will be uplift-
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ON ANY COMFORTER OR LARGE BLANKET Expires 5/31/18 South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey and others surprised South Jordan second-grade teacher Lois Mortensen during a fire drill to let her know she was chosen as one of this year’s 18 outstanding educators in the Jordan School District. (Jordan Education Foundation)
ing to know I’ve done some good in the world. This is priceless. It just brings tears to my eyes. Everyone needs a packet,” she said. That thought got her to thinking about an upcoming project she wants her students to do. Among putting on the second-grade annual opera, having hands-on activities with their upcoming rock unit and taking part in Monster Math district competition, she wants her students to give words of praise to those around them as well as to each other. “Everyone deserves a standing ovation
and a smile on their face. Kids are much more brilliant, but sometimes in the world of selfies, they need to get out of themselves and thank those around them eye to eye,” she said. “For me, it’s the simple things that mean so much.” That matches much of the pages of nomination letters that her principal compiled for Mortensen. In the nomination, Westwood wrote, “While she plans and implements powerful lessons and projects in the classroom, she’s prepared to drop everything at a moment’s notice
mrlecleaners.com to take advantage of life’s teachable moments. Perhaps best of all, she’s pathologically positive and grateful. It rubs off on her students who learn to be thankful and positive as well.” The surprise of Outstanding Educator for Wallace didn’t quite go as organizers planned. With her administration leading the way into her classroom, they found her alone, grading papers. “The principal asked where my class was,” Wallace said. “I was having my student teacher learn how to work along with the students in the Continuedto Page 13
Page 2 | May 2018
South Jordan City Journal
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May 2018 | Page 3
Hamming it up in South Jordan: local resident teaches new amateur ham radio operators The SJ Journal is a monthly publication distributed directly to residents via the USPS as well as locations throughout South Jordan. For information about distribution please email circulation@mycityjournals.com or call our offices. Rack locations are also available on our website. For subscriptions please contact: circulation@mycityjournals.com The views and opinions expressed in display advertisements do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions held by Loyal Perch Media or the City Journals. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the owner.
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By Keyra Kristoffersen | Keyrak@mycityjournals.com Ed Sim, have included people from Idaho, Nevada and Wyoming thanks to social media advertising, reaching out to local ham clubs and word of mouth from past students. This year Chuck Newton, a former South Jordan City Councilman and class member from two years ago, helped co-host the event. Of a class of 87, 81 were able to pass their amateur radio exam with a 75 percent or higher on the multiple choice test of 35 questions. “It’s been a good way to get the word out and grow the popularity of a technology that easily could be lost because of cell phones but it still has a purpose in today’s world,” said Homer. Those interested in the free class don’t even have to own a radio to participate or Students learn the ins and outs of amateur ham radio use while preparing for a technicians license. (Lance Homer) pass the test, which requires a $15 fee by the outh Jordan resident Lance Homer has excited and felt really accomplished this time.” Federal Communications Commission to take, While her friends haven’t quite caught but Homer hopes that they’ll become interested opened the Salt Lake Valley to a new hobby and raised awareness for emergency prepared- the fever, Sonora said she plans to continue enough to purchase either a handheld, car or ness by offering annual classes in amateur ham to attend the classes to support her father and desktop radio which start at $35 on Amazon. eventually try for higher level technician com, but a 50-foot tower in the backyard is not radio. necessary for the majority of people. “When I moved to Daybreak, I wanted to licenses eventually. “I’ll still be on the air and talking to other “Amateur radio has become more accessible get involved I decided that the best way to help emergency communications was to help get hams around the world and experiment with to people because the radios have become less expensive with Chinese manufacturers making more amateur radio operators, so l decided to other radios,” said Sonora. One of the older attendees was attracted to them,” said Homer, though he added you will hold a class in emergency communications,” the class because of her interest in emergency get what you pay for. said Homer. Homer and many of the other 200 Homer got his amateur radio license preparedness and the belief that it’s becoming amateur radio technicians spend Sunday nights in 1992 while a student at Brigham Young more important and necessary. “It was kind of a foreign language to me connecting with each other and holding small University. Five years ago he was called as emergency communications director for his in the beginning,” said the resident who spent informational classes on air as well as volunteer Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints a week studying before the class and test. “I’ve at many public events such as parades and been around people that are ham operators but marathons to help with communications. congregation in South Jordan. They have also assisted first responders when “At the time, there were just 13 amateur learning all the lingo was interesting.” Initially, she attended with two of her emergencies have come up and cell towers have radio operators in the neighborhood and over the years we’ve been able to grow the number friends because one of them had challenged her gone down. to go and see what she could do and was happy Homer said that in an emergency, amateur from 13 to 70,” said Homer. One of those is his 12-year-old daughter, with the way the class was taught even if it was radios do not rely on a grid infrastructure for both power or communications, so if the cell Sonora, who has been attending the classes a little out of her depth at first. “It was just kind of a challenge to see if I towers go out, the internet goes down or power since they began. Sonora passed the Amateur Radio License exam in 2017 after two failed could pass the test and maybe learn something goes out, you have a device that is battery along the way,” she said. operated and can talk from one radio to another attempts the previous year. Homer said that the class is not just for radio over the same frequency. l “My dad was the one who got me interested in Ham Radio,” said Sonora, who was thrilled locals or electrical engineers. The class, taught to get her own radio and call sign. “I was super by Gary Davis with the help of volunteers like
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Page 4 | May 2018
South Jordan City Journal
Performance and literary arts among the programs expanding through South Jordan By Keyra Kristoffersen | Keyrak@mycityjournals.com
South Jordan Improv group, the Sock Puppets teach workshops in comedy along with their shows at the Gale Center. (Sock Puppets)
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his spring, the South Jordan Arts Council is looking to expand its sights into new venues and media to go along with the Quilt Show and Chalk Art Contest. “We’re just trying to expand the arts here in South Jordan and touch a little bit of all aspects of art, performing art, literary art and visual arts,” said South Jordan Arts Council Chairman Heather Smith, who believes that it’s time to move further into all available aspects of art. For the first time, South Jordan will put together a writing conference featuring local writers, editors and publishers to help connect aspiring writers with those who have proven successful in the business. “I wanted it to be something that even the very beginning author could feel comfortable going to,” said Smith.
S outh JordanJ ournal.com
Workshops and classes will be held at the South Jordan Community Center on May 26 in fiction and non-fiction with such writers as Meg Kinghorn, Greg Luke and Charlie Holmberg on topics like suspense, writing about kissing, fleshing out characters, writing personal stories, publishing, polishing and maintaining health and well-being as authors. The Keynote speaker will be Lisa Mangum, author of The Hourglass Door and managing editor at Shadow Mountain Publishing. She has been a part of the publishing industry since 1997. “We have all genres covered from romance to horror mystery,” said Smith. She feels the Salt Lake Valley is largely underserved in terms of writing conferences that aren’t huge projects just to attend. “I wanted another opportunity for writers to attend a quality workshop.” With the success and interest of this conference, Smith hopes to springboard into future writing workshops and classes for anyone interested in building their literary skills. “This was a program that we thought was an opportunity to bring in something new, something that was bigger and exciting for a group of residents that we really haven’t represented up to this point,” said Smith. Several of the authors will be presenting at the Storytellers Conference later in May and are members of the League of Utah Writers who are helping to promote and help make the South Jordan event a reality. To register for the SoJo Writer’s Conference, visit the writers conference event on the South Jordan City website. After rolling the idea around among the arts council board the last few years, they’ve opened up the Resident on Display project in March to children ages 5 to 18 for display at the South Jordan Library (10673 South Redwood Road). The pieces, which must be 2D art and already framed, are being hung as the Young Artist in Residence thanks to the space the library has available
in their youth and teen section. While it won’t be a regular display like the adult exhibits, artist’s work will be rotated three to five times throughout the year as the space becomes available. Artists may submit six to eight pieces in media such as charcoal, painting, watercolor and photography. The annual Chalk Art Contest will be taking place June 2 as part of the first weekend of the SoJo Summerfest taking place at Heritage Park from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is $25 and currently available through http://www.sjc.utah.gov/event/2018chalk-art-contest/. For the end of summer, Smith said they’re hoping to organize a Plein Air Festival on the Jordan River, an activity that has a long history of popularity in Utah. “We’re hoping to bring in some big artists for that and have a day of Plein Air painting,” said Smith. The arts council is now sponsoring an Improv Comedy group at the Gale Center called the Sock Puppets. While the group began in Herriman, most of the players are South Jordan residents and will be teaching comedy workshops once a month, in addition to their evening shows. For information about Sock Puppet performances and Improv Workshops, visit the South Jordan website. In keeping with the expansion of the performing arts opportunities, South Jordan has partnered with the Missoula Children’s Theatre, an acting group that began in 1998, to perform a show the first weekend in May. The company arrives with full sets, lighting and costuming and will audition elementary-age children on Monday, April 30. There will be 50 to 60 children cast, they’ll spend the week rehearsing and on Saturday, May 5, perform two shows at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Other communities in Utah have invited them to come and set up performances as well. “Murray was doing it and contacted me to come,” said Smith, “It was just delightful.” l
May 2018 | Page 5
Dental students, families walk to help cure oral cancer By Keyra Kristoffersen | Keyrak@mycityjournals.com
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oseman University of Health Sciences is partnering with the National Oral Cancer Foundation to hold a walk in South Jordan in order to raise funds and awareness for oral cancer research. “The walk is basically to help raise awareness of oral cancer so we always invite survivors of oral cancer and families of those that have passed away to come with us,” said Brady Robbins, a third-year dental student in charge of the fundraiser this year. “It’s just a way to show our support for them and also get the word out to communities so they know that it is a thing.” Robbins has heard stories about head and throat cancers from his older brother, an oncologist, and the treatments that patients go through. It affected him deeply so when his turn came around to choose a community project to volunteer to run, it was an easy choice to chair the OCF Walk. “He’s expressed to me how important it is for dentists to be a part of the treatment because the earlier the cancer is detected the better chance they have of survival,” said Robbins, “That weighed on me and I thought about it a lot, how important it is for us to find cancer before it becomes life threatening.” Currently, Utah has the lowest death rate for oral cancer in the United States at 1.6 deaths per 100,000, tied with Connecticut, according to the World Life Expectancy website. The highest death rate in the U.S. is Mississippi at
Page 6 | May 2018
3.8 deaths per 100,000 people. Historically, of the approximately 49,700 Americans who are diagnosed each year with this largely preventable type of cancer that affects the mouth and/or pharynx, it has been caused by tobacco and alcohol use. This might help explain why Utah has such lower rates of death per capita as substance use is not as prevalent as in other places around the country. It has also affected mostly older generations as inflammation from use has had time to grow, however, in recent years as HPV infections have grown in the younger generation, so too have cases of oral cancer according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Because of this rise, along with the walk to raise funds, the National Oral Cancer Foundation and the students from the Roseman University will be providing free oral cancer screenings at the event. They will be checking for any lumps or bumps in the head and neck, then perform an intraoral exam and check visually for anything that looks abnormal on all sides of tongue, gums, roof of mouth. “Oral cancer can happen to anybody and the best way to know if you have it or not is to get checked, to go to your dentist and ask them to screen for free,” said Robbins. “The earlier you find out about it, the better your chances of survival.” Robbins anticipates more than 150 participants and has a team from the school as well as from around the community
Supporters of oral cancer research and treatment take off for the annual Oral Cancer Foundation walk/run in South Jordan, hosted by Roseman University of Health Sciences. (Brady Robbins)
volunteering to help with the event and hopes to raise $10,000 for awareness, research and treatment. This is the fifth year the walk has happened and will take place at East Riverfront Park, 10900 South Riverfront Parkway, South Jordan on May 5 with same-day registration starting at 8 a.m. The cost to participate in the walk is $30
to pre-register, $35 the day of the event and is free for oral cancer survivors and children under 5 years-old. Everyone registered will receive a free event t-shirt and there are prizes for those who raise more than $1,000. To register for the event, donate or find out more information, visit donate.oralcancer. org. l
South Jordan City Journal
Elk Meadows turns equations into donations for Utah Food Bank By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com
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lk Meadows students recently turned their math equations into a monetary donation for the Utah Food Bank. Through Imagine Learning, 20,000 students across the state had the opportunity to take part in a month-long math contest. Of the 240 schools, kindergarten through high school seniors, Elk Meadows completed the most math lessons. Across the state, 887 classrooms of school children completed 3.7 million complex (story) math problems or 86,000 lessons, said Randy Tingey, Imagine Learning Customer Success Manager. “It’s an impressive 31,500 hours of math,” he said, adding that each lesson varied in length, but typically could be completed within 30 minutes. Through the program, students are able to supplement math curriculum to meet their individual needs. It is designed to help students develop their math foundations and conceptional understanding so they are receiving the challenge they need, Tingey said. As incentives, when students complete the lesson, they receive “think points,” which they can “spend” on their avatars or fun math games. During the contest in November, Imagine Learning also added another option — they could donate their points toward the Utah Food Bank. At Elk Meadows, students donated 125,000 points to give $25 of Jordan School District’s
$112 toward the Utah Food Bank. Sixth-grade students Isaac Allen, Hayden Song, Banks Love, Aspen Lindorf were recognized at a school assembly in late March for contributing 10,000 points each; Rhett Dawson for 15,000; David Spallino for 20,000 and Brody Bell for 25,000 points. They, in turn, were asked to present the Utah Food Bank with a check for $2,500, which represents the amount of points converted to dollars from school children across the state. Utah Food Bank Chief Development Officer Ginette Bott said this contribution helps with their mission to feed those in need across the state. “Utah Food Bank is incredibly grateful for the support of Imagine Learning Do Math! and we are inspired by the hard work these children put in to this accomplishment,” Bott said. “This donation will provide over 9,000 meals to Utahns facing hunger and will truly impact the 1 in 6 Utah children facing hunger.” Tingey said that Imagine Learning selected the recipient. “The Utah Food Bank was selected so the students could make an impact on their community,” he said. Principal Aaron Ichimura said that he was glad the students got recognized. “I think it sends a positive message to our students that these kids opted to do something
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Elk Meadows top students who donated points to the Utah Food Bank during their Imagine Learning math lessons had the opportunity to present the food bank with a check from the 240 schools statewide. (Aaron Ichimura/Elk Meadows Elementary)
kind for their community by paying it forward with their points to get food donations for those who need it,” he said. “The students were very
enthusiastic to work toward their goals and by presenting this check, it is rewarding them for what achieved.” l
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May 2018 | Page 7
Dates set for local high school commencement exercises By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com
Local students will graduate from high school this spring. (Pixabay)
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housands of local high school seniors have their eyes set to graduate this spring. Below is a schedule of information available about area graduations. Alta About 420 seniors are scheduled to graduate at 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 5 at the Huntsman Center at the University of Utah. There is wheelchair parking and ADA accommodations. There is no limit for commencement tickets. The theme is “Ad Astra Per Aspera,” or “Through Difficulties to the Stars.” The scheduled board speaker is Canyons Board of Education President Sherrill Taylor and cabinet speaker is Canyons School District Superintendent Jim Briscoe. Speakers and musical numbers will be selected by early May. Preceding the commencement, Principal Brian McGill will hold an invitation-only awards banquet and program. Alta PTSA will hold its post-graduation party, which is not a school-sponsored activity, on June 5 at Pepperwood Park. APA About 25 seniors will march in the campus’ third commencement exercises at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 2 at the Draper 3 campus. Tickets are required and if space allows, additional guests will be allowed for the ceremony. The first floor of the school is ADA accessible. Speakers will include Principal Daniel Baker and Executive Director Carolyn Sharette. Student speakers were to be determined by early May. Joining them on stage will be Vice Principal Carole Hollinger. The program will include musical numbers performed by the school concert choir. A reception will follow the graduation ceremony at the same location. A postgraduation party, not under the school’s domain, is being organized by the parents. Bingham Graduation for the Miners will be at 3 p.m., Thursday, May 31 at the Huntsman Center on the University of Utah campus. There is wheelchair parking and ADA accommodations. No tickets are required. Among the invited guests on stage will be Principal Christen Richards-Khong, Jordan School District officials and Jordan Board of Education member Marilyn Richards. Anticipated to perform are the school’s orchestra and Madrigals. Majors for Minors, Utah Scholars program and other honors will be recognized. The theme for the school year is “Ignite.”
Page 8 | May 2018
There are 773 seniors. Preceding the commencement will be a senior awards assembly on Thursday, May 24 at the school. A post-graduating party is being planned by the PTSA. Brighton At 2 p.m., Tuesday, June 5, 450 Bengals will turn their tassels as they graduate at the Maverik Center. There is wheelchair parking and ADA accommodations. The theme is “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” a quote attributed to activist and leader of India’s independence movement Mahatma Ghandi. The Canyons Board speaker is Nancy Tingey and the cabinet speaker is Assistant Superintendent Robert Dowdle. Canyons Transitional Academy About 8 students will graduate at noon, Wednesday, June 6 in the Professional Development Center at the Canyons Administrative Building—East, 9361 South 300 East, Sandy. The speakers are Canyons Board member Amber Shill and Assistant Superintendent Kathryn McCarrie. Corner Canyon Graduation is scheduled for 2 p.m., Tuesday, June 5 at the Huntsman Center at the University of Utah. No tickets are required. There is wheelchair parking and ADA accommodations and details will be sent to homes of the 496 graduating seniors. The theme is new beginnings: “A time when you believe everything is finished, that will be the beginning.” Speaking will be Canyons Board member Chad Iverson, cabinet speaker Superintendent Jim Briscoe and Principal Darrell Jensen. Joining them on stage will be Board President Sherril Taylor and distinguished guest Draper Mayor Troy Walker. Student speaker tryouts and musical number auditions were scheduled for late April. The program will include performances by the school jazz band, under the direction of Randal Clark, and concert choir and Chamber Singers, under the direction by Melissa Thorne. There will be a senior awards night on Wednesday, May 23. The PTSA-coordinated graduation night party will be held at the school on June 5. The doors will open at 9 p.m., with most attractions starting at 10 p.m. Activities include virtual reality, bungee run, henna tattoos, pedestal jousting, video gaming, sumo suit wrestling, laser tag, bubble balls, DJ and dancing, student musical artists and Battle of the Bands performances, karaoke and more. Tickets will
be sold at the school during lunch periods on various days throughout the month of May and online at https://cchsptsa.weebly.com. Cottonwood At 1 p.m., Friday, May 25, about 400 Colts will graduate in their high school auditorium. Tickets are required. There is a limit of seven tickets per senior and if additional tickets become available, they will be available once released on a first come, first-served basis. ADA assistance is available, but those needing help are asked to contact administration prior to commencement to make certain everything is set up for them. The commencement speakers will include the valedictorian, salutatorian, three students and Granite School District Superintendent Martin Bates. Also in attendance will be Granite Board of Education members Connie Anderson and Connie Burgess. The school’s band, orchestra and Madrigals will be performing. A reception will be held immediately following the graduation in the commons. There is a safe Grad Night Party sponsored by parents scheduled for 10 p.m.–3 a.m. at the school. Tickets are $20. Diamond Ridge About 40 graduates are expected to graduate at 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 6 at Mt. Jordan Middle School. The speakers include Canyons Board member Clareen Arnold and Superintendent Jim Briscoe. Joining them will be Board member Steve Wrigley and Assistant Superintendent Kathryn McCarrie. Entrada About 100 students are expected to graduate at 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 26 at Jordan High School. Speakers include Canyons Board member Clareen Arnold and Assistant Superintendent Kathryn McCarrie. Hillcrest About 480 Huskies will walk through commencement exercises at 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 5 at the Maverik Center. There is wheelchair parking and ADA accommodations. The theme is “Live as if you were to die tomorrow; learn as if you were to live forever.” The Canyons Board speaker is Mont Millerberg with member Steve Wrigley in attendance. Assistant Superintendent Kathryn McCarrie also is scheduled to speak. Music will be provided by the school wind symphony. Jordan About 480 seniors are expected to graduate at 6 p.m., Tuesday, June 5 at the Maverik Center. There are no tickets required for guests to attend. There is wheelchair parking and ADA accommodations, including a lower entrance for guests needing wheelchair assistance. The theme is a quote from American philosopher and writer Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail.” Graduates are asked to arrive one hour prior to processional and encouraged to not
bring noisemakers or confetti. Guests are not allowed on the main floor and are asked to be respectful and not bring posters or balloons. Family photos may be taken outside the arena following the ceremony. Jordan Valley Eleven students are expected to graduate at 11 a.m., Friday, June 1 at the school. A reception will follow. Tickets are not required and there are ADA accommodations. This year’s speaker is Canyons Board member Mont Millerberg. Joining him with presenting diplomas are fellow Board member Steve Wrigley and Assistant Superintendent Kathryn McCarrie. JDCHS An anticipated 178 seniors will march in Juan Diego Catholic High’s commencement, which will be 10 a.m., Saturday, May 26 at the school. Tickets are required. Seniors will receive four tickets for guests for the auditorium seating and overflow tickets for the gymnasium will be available in the main office. There is wheelchair parking and ADA accommodations. Four top awards — Saint Thomas Aquinas Award, to the boy with an excellent academic record; Saint Teresa of Avila Award, to the girl with an excellent academic record; Saint Sebastian Award, to an exemplary Christian athlete; and the Saint Cecilia Award, to an exemplary Christian performing or visual artist — will be presented to graduates at the ceremony. Beforehand, there will be a senior farewell mass and presentation of honors at 10 a.m., Friday, May 18 in the school auditorium and a baccalaureate mass at 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 22 at the Cathedral of the Madeleine. A post-graduation party that will be held from 9 p.m., Saturday, May 26 until 2 a.m., Sunday, May 27 at the school is being planned. South Park “Providing Hope Through Education” will be the theme of the South Park commencement exercises at 8 a.m., Thursday, May 31 at the Utah State Prison. The speakers are Canyons Board member Clareen Arnold and Assistant Superintendent Robert Dowdle. Joining them will be board member Amber Shill and Assistant Superintendent Kathryn McCarrie. Waterford Sixty-two seniors will walk through commencement exercises at 11 a.m., Thursday, May 31 at Abravanel Hall. They will be welcomed by Chairman of the Board Ronald P. Mika. During the ceremony, cum laude students will be honored, department prizes announced and individual remarks made about each graduate. The student giving the senior address has not yet been selected. Musical selections from a strings and choral number will be performed as well as the tradition for lower school students to sing “Blessing” by Katie Moran-Bart. A reception for graduates and their families will follow at the school. l
South Jordan City Journal
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Season Tickets: $49 Adult, $45 Senior, $29 Child Murray Amphitheater Parking: 495 E 5300 S Ticket Info: 801-264-2614 or murrary.utah.gov June 2 ................................... Hairspray, Sing-A-Long June 9 ................................. One Voice Children Choir June 21-23, 25-27 .............Thoroughly Modern Millie June 30 .................................... Murray Concert Band July 7.................................... Murray Symphony Pops July 13-14 ............................... Ballet Under the Stars July 26-28, 30, 31, Aug 1....................Into the Woods August 10-11, 13, 16-18 ......................Secret Garden August 25...................................... SLC Jazz Orchestra September 3 ..............Murray Acoustic Music Festival
FAMiLY nigHT SEriES
Bring the Whole Family Young and Old! The 2nd Monday of every month at 7 p.m., FREE Murray Heritage Senior Center (#10 E 6150 S – 1/2 block west of State) June 11 – In Cahoots.......................Cowboy Music July 9 – Skyedance..............................Celtic Music Aug 13 – Company B....................................Oldies Sept 10 – Mixed Nuts .......................... Jazz, Swing
LUnCH COnCErT SEriES
Every Tuesday at Noon in Murray Park Pavilion #5 FREE June 5 – Michael Robinson ............Cowboy Poetry June 12 – Eastern Arts ...................... Ethnic Dance June 19 –CHASKIS......Music & Dance of the Andes June 26 – Chris Proctor .. Guitar for the New World July 10 – Wasatch Jazz Titans .................Jazz Band July 17 – Red Desert Ramblers............... Bluegrass July 31 – Time Cruisers.................................Oldies
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Every Thursday at 2 p.m. in Murray Park Pavilion #5 FREE June 7 – Stephanie Raff ......................Storytelling June 14 – Nino Reyos .........Native American Drum June 21 – Miss Margene ..............Children’s Dance June 28 – Coralie Leue .............The Puppet Players July 12 – Jonathan the Magician ....... Magic Show July 19 – Rebeca Wallin ........Shakespeare for Kids July 26 – Popcorn Media .....................Family Rock Aug 2 – Honey Buns........................... Song/Dance This program has received funding support from residents of Salt Lake County, SL County Zoo, Arts, and Parks (ZAP), Utah Division of Arts and Museums, and Museums & National Endowment for the Arts.
S outh JordanJ ournal.com
May 2018 | Page 9
District employees become active participants in school shooting simulation By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
Jordan District provided local assistant principals with eye-opening training in an active shooter simulation. (Photo courtesy Caleb Olson/Sunset Ridge Middle)
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ocal school administrators were armed and dangerous as they took the role of police officers in virtual reality active shooter scenarios. Forty Jordan School District employees, the majority assistant principals, were invited to the Utah Attorney General’s office for the simulation. The training provided a realistic experience as participants were immersed in 300 degrees of video display. “I knew it was a projection; I knew it was on a screen, but it felt super life-like,” said Caleb Olson, Sunset Ridge Middle School assistant principal. “It was about two and a half minutes, but I wouldn’t have been surprised if they’d said it was 25.” Normally used to train police officers, the simulation placed participants into the action of a school shooting, a disturbance in a parking lot, a gunman loose in a movie theater and a shooting range. The filmed scenarios adapted to participants’ reactions and to their interactive weapons, creating hundreds of different twists and turns in the action. “It was like a choose-your-own-adventure novel,” said Buddy Alger, Silver Crest Elementary School assistant principal.
“You really felt like you were there; you felt like you had to make decisions and talk to people.” The assistant principals observed each other’s performance. Elk Ridge Middle Assistant Principal Spencer Campbell was surprised by some of the reactions of his colleagues. “You saw a side of them that you wouldn’t normally see,” he said. “Caleb [Olson] was more serious than I’d ever seen— usually Caleb is very funny and mellow.” Amy Adams, Riverside Elementary School assistant principal, experienced a virtual hostage situation in which she hesitated to fire her weapon. “Until I saw him shoot, I thought he was still innocent— except that meant that somebody got hurt because of my hesitation,” she said. “I have a greater appreciation for police and the types of decisions they are required to make.”Actual police officers were on-site to provide feedback about the choices administrators made and factors they had missed. “That coaching aspect, after what really did feel like a real incident, would be invaluable to law enforcement and was really
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helpful for me,” said Alger. “It really helped me to slow down and evaluate how and why I make the decisions I do in all of my interactions.” Olson was inspired to consider modifying how safety drills are run at his school. “I’m not naive enough to say I’m prepared after having done two and a half minutes of training,” he said. “I realize it’s not always going to go smoothly. If something were to happen, it would not be a textbook scenario. We need to be flexible to respond.” He realized his school would be better prepared by varying some of the factors of the drills, like availability of exits, time of day and weather conditions. The experience also reinforced the importance of sticking to assigned roles during emergencies. “It was humbling to realize, in a crisis situation, what you think you might do, you don’t,” said Elk Ridge Middle Assistant Principal Michelle Kilcrease. In one virtual scenario, a teacher approached the responding officers for help. “While some people might be trying to be helpful in a crisis situation like that, it’s actually a big distraction,” said Kilcrease. “We’ve been trained on what to do, and it’s important to follow through with the training we’ve had so the officers can do their job.” Kilcrease said she is grateful for these unified emergency plans the district has implemented. All schools conduct practice drills regularly with students and local first responders. There are established protocols to address a variety of emergencies such as fire, weather, violence, earthquake, bomb threat, power outage and reunification. Jordan School District also provides in-depth emergency simulations for faculty members. Copper Canyon Elementary recently held a medical evacuation reenactment to practice working with medical first responders. Last year, an emergency simulation was staged at Alta High School, complete with actors and gory makeup. Elk Ridge Middle faculty has practiced drills with SWAT teams and has shown students a staged first-person account video reinforcing the importance of following procedure during a lockdown. “It is an unfortunate reality that school shootings happen,” said Kilcrease. “We just want to keep the kids safe.” Student safety is the ultimate goal of all the trainings, drills and simulations. Norma Villar of the Jordan District Safety Committee said they have established multiple community action board partnerships to address a variety of safety issues. “We constantly explore areas where safety can be improved,” she said. l
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South Jordan City Journal
School safety starts with students: ‘know something, say something’ By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com
A panel of city, school district and community leaders address issues of concern about keeping students safe at school. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
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oleen Walton admittedly is worried about the safety of her four children attending Jordan School District schools. “With the world we live in, I’m worried and want to know what’s going on with how they’re keeping them safe,” she said about the reason she attended the April 12 school safety panel where Jordan School District administrators as well as city and community leaders addressed issues of concern about keeping the district’s 53,000 students safe at their schools. Through a plethora of information and background of how district officials are trying to ensure student safety, Walton realizes it’s her turn to get involved. “I’m overwhelmed with the amount of information they presented and impressed at the range of it,” she said, adding that she feels reassured that everything is being done to keep her kids safe. “My daughter talked about the recent drill (at Riverton High School), but we don’t talk about shootings and what they should do if there is one. I need to talk to my kids.” The lockdown drill rang during a passing period instead of while students were in a class. Riverton High Assistant Principal Curtis Hagen said 2,200 students were in closed-door classrooms within 11 seconds. “We have drills every two months,” he said. “This one we did with the Unified Police
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so they get to know our building, the turns, hiding spots and become familiar with it.” Elementary students drill monthly, so in emergencies, they’re familiar with the procedures, said Amanda Edwards, Silver Crest principal in Herriman. Officials advised those who may pick up school children to become familiar with the various drills conducted at the schools and to know the difference of a lockout – when there is a threat outside of the school so exterior doors are locked – versus a lockdown — an intruder is inside the school — versus a shelter in place — threatening conditions outside the school, but inside, students are able to move around the building. Jordan School District spokeswoman Sandy Riesgraf said parents should keep their contact and emergency contact information updated through Skyward (a school management software) so once students can be safely released, they will receive them and know about the situation. Information also will be available through social media, she said. South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey, who has children in the district, said she recently observed an active shooter training at Bingham High conducted by South Jordan Police. “It was a privilege — and terrifying — to see it,” she said, adding that police go through
intense training to prepare for emergency situations. “As parents, we should talk to our children about ‘what would I do in that situation’ as our community response team already is addressing those issues.” Students need to practice as if it is a real situation, South Jordan Police Chief Jeff Carr said. “What are they going to do and how are they going to avoid it?” he said. “How can they deny an attacker to get where they are at and if they can’t, how do you defend yourself? These are issues that need to be talked about.” Communication, including student messaging inside a school, is key, Riesgraf said. “We know parents need a lifeline to their students,” she said. “We used to tell students to put devices down, but it doesn’t work. What we say now is that this would be a good time to let your parents know you are OK. We do ask that they don’t send video or live-stream as we’ve learned it reveals tactical positions and their approach which could jeopardize the safety of first-responders.” Carr said parents can be assured there will be a “tremendous amount” of law enforcement once a problem starts, but beforehand, is when police need help. “We will help you and be there in mass numbers, but we need to communicate to our children if they ‘know something, say something.’ It’s OK for them to talk,” he said. Ben Jameson, who was Riverton’s South Hills Middle School principal and now is the district’s evaluation, research and accountability department director, said that students are worried they would get in trouble by saying if they see signs of emotional distress — bullying, suicide, drugs and others — among their classmates, and they’re afraid their friend would retaliate or be angry. “We assure them they are being a good friend, and in time, their friend may realize the best friend is the one looking out for them,” he said. He said that cyber-bullying is more visible with smartphones and social media, so students are a key to alerting adults about the first signs.
When he was principal, Jameson put in place an early warning system to identify students who may have attendance, discipline and grade concerns so they could help them before it becomes a greater issue. West Jordan’s Joel P. Jensen Middle School Principal Bryan Leggat said that his staff, as others across the district, gets to know students by name so the students know they are cared for or missed if they aren’t in school. Ramsey also encouraged parents to watch for warning signs and for them and students to become familiar with the statewide SafeUT electronic device app, which provides real-time crisis intervention with counselors to youth through texting as well as a confidential tip message to school administrators on bullying, threats, violence and depression. Superintendent Patrice Johnson said the community focus is “to keep our children safe. We need to talk to our children and make sure they’re aware of what is going on to keep them safe.” District facility operations manager Lance Everill ran through the district’s safety and security timeline from first installing analog cameras to the increased measures in response to the Columbine High shootings in 1999 and Sandy Hook in December 2012. He also said that all schools have Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and that security doors have been completed in every elementary school, and the district is in the process of installing them in every middle school. There also is a districtwide consistency, so as students or teachers move from building to building, they will be familiar with the same procedures at each school. “Our children have been born into a world of emergency response,” Everill said. “It’s not just violence. What our students are learning everyday in drills (can be applied to) real life.” Ramsey said the process is evolving, and training is ongoing. “We can’t predict everything, but everything that can be done is being done,” she said. “As a parent, I’m grateful.” l
May 2018 | Page 11
Boy Scouts annual food drive helps feed Utah’s hungry By Jennifer Gardiner | j.gardiner@mycityjournals.com
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n March 15, Governor Gary R. Herbert kicked off the 32nd annual Scouting for Food event by being the first to donate to this year’s food drive benefiting the Utah Food Bank, several regional food banks, and many emergency pantries across the state of Utah. Governor Herbert was joined by Brigadier General Dallen S. Atack, Assistant Adjutant General of the Utah National Guard and representatives from Boy Scouts of America. He hoped to encourage others to donate to the food drive. Two days later, the Utah Food Bank and agencies from across the state worked with the Boy Scouts of America during the annual Scouting For Food. About a week prior to the food drive, scouts went door-to-door to hand out flyers and encourage residents to leave perishable food items on their doorstep to be picked up and delivered to the food banks on the morning of the official drive. Scouting for Food has impacted an estimated 392,000 Utahns struggling with hunger by providing over 22 million pounds of food and close to $32,000, the equivalent of almost 19 million meals since 1997 alone. This year they anticipated to go well over the 20 million meal goal. With 1 in 6 Utah children facing hunger, providing youth the chance to give back to those who could be classmates, neighbors, or friends makes Scouting for Food even more significant on the lives of those who participate “It is so rewarding to see the Boy Scouts of America, the Utah National Parks Council, the Trapper Trails Council, the Great Salt Lake Council, and the Utah National Guard all working together to help fight hunger within their own communities,” Ginette Bott, Utah Food Bank Chief Development Officer said. A lot of cities from around the state participated in the drive including those who gathered in South Jordan and American Fork including Community Action, Tabitha’s Way and the Utah Food Bank. Their ultimate goal is to fight hunger statewide. “It is so rewarding to see these youth and their leaders all working together to help fight hunger within their own communities,” said Al Switzler of Tabitha’s Way. “You can’t tell if someone is hungry just by looking at them. They look a lot like you and me, and they need our help.”
Page 12 | May 2018
Canned foods were among the items that could be donated during the Boy Scouts annual food drive. (Pixabay)
The food banks are always taking donations. The most needed food items include rice, pasta, cereal, chili, peanut butter, boxed meals, canned meats and canned fruits, and even non-food items including diapers, toilet paper and hygiene items. Donated food should be commercially packaged (non-glass), nonperishable and nutritious items (low-sodium and low-sugar items). Community Action Services and Food Bank has been serving Utah, Wasatch and Summit counties since 1967. Its mission is to foster self-reliance in individuals, families and the community. Last year, Community Action helped thousands of families with food, housing, utility and other assistance, and provided community gardens, a commercial kitchen, financial literacy and homebuyer education. For more information about Scouting for Food, or to find a local food pantry, you can visit www.utahfoodbank.org/scouting or www. communityaction.org. The Utah Food Bank was founded in 1904 and has operated under various names, but remains true to its mission of fighting hunger statewide by providing food to a network of 149 emergency food pantries and agencies. Last year, Utah Food Bank distributed 39.2 million pounds of food and goods, the equivalent of approximately 32.7 million meals, to families and individuals in need. l
South Jordan City Journal
Bingham High to present Jazz Dinner Dance & Silent Auction
Continued from Cover...
By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com
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t will be a big swing and jazz night under twinkling lights at Bingham High The school’s 12th annual Jazz Dinner Dance & Silent Auction will begin with dinner at 6 p.m., followed by two hours of dancing at 7 p.m., Saturday, May 12. Tickets, which need to be purchased for the dinner by May 4, are $35 for dinner and dance for a couple, or for one, $18. To just come for the dance and auction, tickets are $10 for individuals or $20 for couples and are available in the school office or online at showtix4u.com. Dance tickets also are available at the door. The event will be held in the school cafeteria, 2160 West 10400 South, South Jordan. The music features
Bingham High’s Miner Blues jazz ensemble as well as The Phoenix Jazz and Swing Band, which is donating its time and talent to the fundraiser. “It’s really popular dancing music,” dinner dance chair Shaeley Kuehn said. “The setting is very romantic with the lights in a traditional school. We have a lamp post, a chandelier and will transform the setting into something spe-cial.” Several local businesses also are donating items to be placed in the silent auction such as airline tickets, theatre tickets, gift cards, signed jewelry, crocheted blankets and more. There also will be smaller items that will be raffled. The fundraiser’s proceeds are earmarked for the music department,
which in the past has helped to replace or repair instruments and other necessities. “This event has grown year after year, which is great as it supports our music students and the opportunities they have,” she said, adding that they hope to raise $5,000 through the event. Last year, about 120 people attended the catered dinner. This year’s goal is for 220 as well as others who come just to dance. Bingham High’s band program, under the direction of Darin Graber, recently won back-toback state titles in 2016 and 2017. The South Jordan City Council honored the program by declaring April 17 as Bingham High School Marching Band Day. In
addition, the symphonic band recently competed at region, receiving excellent marks, and the wind symphony earned superior ratings. Although there is an 11-member parent committee for the dinner-dance, Kuehn said that music students play a significant part in the event. In addition to jazz band members performing, students worked together to seek donations, help at the auction table, sell tickets, serve and bus the dinner, clean up and other tasks. Each student will give at least two hours, with many more giving additional hours. “It’s for the students so they also are working to make this event successful,” she said. “It should be a lot of fun.” l
auditorium so he went to get them.” Once back in the classroom, the superintendent, accompanied by South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey and others, congratulated Wallace as the students cheered. “I knew I had been nominated, but I was totally in the dark. I remember saying I was grateful and humbled, but I had no idea that I actually won the district award until afterward when I was talking to a colleague,” she said. It was a nice send-off for Wallace, who will step down from teaching this year to pursue a master’s degree in fine arts at the University of Washington. “It’s kind of bittersweet as I will miss teaching and working with the kids,” she said. In her nomination, assistant principal Michelle Kilcrease wrote, “Mrs. Wallace not only cares about the content, she cares about each student as an individual. She engages students in exercises that lead them to self-discovery and understanding. But, her influence extends far beyond the classroom. Two of her greatest impacts are through our annual school musical and student government.” This past spring’s musical she directed a cast of 100 students performing “Crazy for You.” Last year, with “The Lion King,” she had student performers learn American Sign Language to shadow their lead and sign for them as it allowed an opportunity for those who are deaf or
hard-of-hearing to enjoy the show at the same time as teach cast members to have compassion. “I know what they can accomplish and hold them to it. It’s amazing what they can do,” she said. Part of her philosophy as a teacher is to create a safe culture for her students. “I care about them one on one and value what they are doing. I teach theatre skills as well as social and life skills. I want what they learn in the class to be a reflection of what they can do in life. I ask where can they use the skills and how can they continue to develop them,” she said. “I hope I’ve impacted students in a positive way and hope they start where I am and go even farther. Their potential is limitless.” In addition to these 17 outstanding educators and the outstanding principal, teachers in every school were being recognized in April, said the superintendent. “There is not just one, but several outstanding educators in our buildings so it is fitting that we honor them at each school,” she said, adding that several area businesses donate gift certificates and tickets to the teachers in addition to Market Street Grill servers donating their tips to pay for meals for the teachers. “We’re grateful for our business partners who appreciate the quality of education our teachers provide to children.” l
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May 2018 | Page 13
All-around effort leading to success for Bingham softball By Josh McFadden | josh@mycityjournals.com
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n softball, it’s not uncommon to find dominant defensive teams or prolific offensive teams. When a team put it all together it can be dangerous. The Bingham softball team has been terrific in both areas most of the season. Heading into its April 17 game at Westlake, the Miners were a perfect 6-0 in Region 4 and 7-2 overall. Mother Nature has made it difficult to get games in as scheduled, but it hasn’t stopped Bingham from trouncing opponents with a devastating combination of effective hitting, excellent fielding and efficient pitching. The Miners racked up double digits in runs in five of their first nine games, including a season-high (up to that point) 16 runs in a shutout victory over Lone Peak on March 20. Sophomore Aubree Hogan has had her way at the plate. During the team’s first nine games, she hit five home runs and five doubles. Her sister Sidnee, just a freshman, hit a triple and three doubles during that span. Most teams have had a difficult time getting on the board. Senior pitcher Nicole Wall won four of her first five games, and Nicole Wallace and Karly Wightman each won games on the mound. During the first nine games, the Miners blanked three opponents and held three
others to a single run. Only twice during this time frame did Bingham surrender more than two runs. On average, Bingham outscores opponents 10-2. Region 4 only has five teams, so all but one school will qualify for the Class 6A state tournament. The Miners got off to a great start in the league race. Bingham, which went 12-0 in Region 3 of Class 5A last season, is looking for its third consecutive region championship. The Miners also went undefeated in Region 3 in 2016. The Miners enjoyed a successful return to action following spring break. They shut out Westlake 14-0 on April 10 and routed American Fork 16-1 two days later. Bingham allowed just three runs in its first six region contests. Bingham plays each region foe three times. Unlike baseball however, high school softball teams don’t play triple-headers. The Miners finish the regular season May 8 at home against Lone Peak. The 6A state tournament will begin May 15 when higher-seeded teams will host opponents in the first and second rounds of the doubleelimination playoffs. From May 22–24, the tournament moves to the Valley complex in Taylorsville. The Miners last won a state title in 2010 win it defeated Roy to win the 5A crown. l
A Bingham softball player hits a double during a 2017 game. (City Journals file photo)
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Page 14 | May 2018
South Jordan City Journal
Bingham soccer looking for consistency By Josh McFadden | josh@mycityjournals.com
Bingham goalie Israel Davila directs his team before releasing the ball after a save. (Photo courtesy of Sydney Davis)
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hen you play in one of the state’s most competitive regions, you need to be at your best every game. The Bingham boys soccer team knows this as the players continue to make strides in league play. In mid-April, the Miners had a 2-2-1 record in the five-team Region 4. Four of the five teams will get playoff spots, but it’s no easy task going up against Westlake, Pleasant Grove, American Fork and Lone Peak game after game. “There are areas of the game where I feel pleased with the team’s progress,” said head coach Leo Gonzalez. “We’re coming together and better applying some of the changes we’ve instituted.” The Miners picked up a 2-0 win over Pleasant Grove on March 16 before losing games in shutout fashion to American Fork (March 21) and Westlake (March 28). The Miners also had a scoreless tie with Lone Peak on March 23, followed by another 2-0 victory over Pleasant Grove, this time on April 11 after Spring Break. Gonzalez sees bright spots in his team’s performance. He said the key to success will be putting together a complete effort
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Spencer Tate pushes the ball up the field in a game earlier this season. (Photo courtesy of Sydney Davis)
Nathan Devenberg (No. 16 in blue) tries to get past an opponent. (Photo courtesy of Sydney Davis)
every time on the field. “We’ve had some great games against some tough teams,” he said. “Our main goal for the second half of the season is to be consistent on being able to play full games, instead of half games. We also need to play at the highest level with back-toback games. One of the positive outcomes already is that this second half of the season is the first time that we’ve had all our players healthy, including both our varsity goalies. We’ve played a few games with our freshman JV goalie, and I’m proud of what a great job he did.” In fact, Gonzalez believes despite some early setbacks and the talented foes in Region 4 that his team is capable of defeating anyone. He wants his players to develop a winning mindset. “We are good enough to compete against anyone,” he said. “At this point of the season, our players know the coaches expectations, and they know what they need to do to secure a spot in the playoff. It’s all about playing with discipline and consistency. Let’s transfer what we do in practice to game situation. Every team has played each other now, so we just need to be better than our competition.”
Gonzalez highlighted several of his players who have stepped up this season with their on-the-field play and their leadership. He’s especially pleased with some of his younger players, including Taylor Davis, Brayden Davis, Kolin Nelson, Ronaldo Roesner, Spencer Tate and Merrill Davis. Even though the team has had some ups and downs in the early going, Gonzalez said the players have responded well to adversity and aren’t hanging their heads. The Bingham coaching staff is also new, but the players are learning what’s expected of them. Ultimately, Gonzalez is confident the Miners will continue to get better. “The players’ attitudes have been great,” he said. “Having a new coaching staff isn’t easy, but I believe they understand and trust the changes we’ve made so far. The best games we’ve had so far were those where we’ve applied all the changes we’ve brought to program. I expect our team to perform better for the rest of the season, and this should transfer into more wins.” Bingham plays each region opponent three times this season. The Miners conclude their regular season May 9 at Westlake. The Class 6A state tournament begins the following week. l
May 2018 | Page 15
Long non-region slate prepares Miners for league baseball battles
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egion realignments and the addition of Class 6A led to significant changes in all sports this school year. The Bingham baseball team has felt that in its non-region schedule too. While the Miners competed in the seven-team Region 3 a year ago as part of Class 5A, Bingham moved to Region 4 of 6A this season, where just five schools reside. Bingham plays each region foe three times (all in back-toback-to-back triple-headers) this season, meaning the Miners will play only 12 league games this season. Meanwhile, the Miners filled up their schedule with plenty of non-region contests. The team had up-and-down results as it prepared for Region 4 competition. Bingham entered region play on April 10 against Lone Peak with a 6-7 record. The Miners won their first three and six of their first eight contests, but ran into some stiff competition at the National Classic tournament in Placentia, California, over Spring Break April 2–April 5. There, Bingham went 0-4 against two teams from
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By Josh McFadden | josh@mycityjournals.com California, one from Florida and one from Arizona. Three of the losses were by three runs or fewer. Bingham was happy to finally get into region action at home against Lone Peak. The threegame series against the alwaystough Knights went in favor of the Miners, which took two of the three games from Lone Peak to start off 2-1 in Region 4. The Miners won the first game against the Knights by the count of 7-3, thanks largely to an offensive barrage of 15 hits. Carter Sofonia and Nick Burdette each hit doubles, and pitcher Derek Soffe got the win on the mound. Bingham broke things open in the fifth inning with four runs. The only negative stat on the day was the Miners’ six errors. Following a 13-7 loss to Lone Peak the following day, Bingham bounced back with a 3-0 shutout on April 14. Pitcher Peyton Jones allowed just two hits the entire game. Offensively, the Miners got all three of their runs in the first inning. Bingham has had its moments at the plate and in the field. The team pitched three shutouts
through April 14. During that span, it also held opponents to three runs or less seven times. Meanwhile, Bingham had six games of at least seven runs from the start of the season through April 14. Individually, pitcher Joey Dixon won four of his first five games on the mound, while Soffe was 3-1 during that time frame. Burdette hit a home run and a triple, while Nick Stevens added two triples and three doubles of his own. Four of the top five teams in Region 4 will qualify for the double-elimination 6A state tournament. Bingham wraps up the regular season with a threegame series with American Fork May 7, 8 and 9. State begins May 15 with first- and second-round games at the sites of higher-seeded teams. On May 19, the rest of the tournament heads to Utah Valley University. Last season, Bingham won Region 3 with a 15-3 record. The Miners won three games at state before falling in back-to-back contest to Cottonwood and Lone The Miner baseball team entered region play on April 10 with a 6-7 record. (Stock photo) Peak, respectively. l
South Jordan City Journal
Young Bingham boys tennis team making mark on the court By Josh McFadden | josh@mycityjournals.com
The 2018 Bingham boys tennis team: Back row: coach Steve Peterson, Caleb Youlton, Ryder Bess, Austin Burton, Jeremy Christensen, Ben Crane, Bryant Martin, Ethan Snow, Austin Cox, Jake Stutz, Mason Driscoll, coach Dave Fonda. Front row: Jacob Rosner, Cody White, Sam McCoy, Josh Peterson, Tate Pedersen, Jaxon Galli, Daniel Meluenda, Jake McCoy.
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ast season the Bingham boys tennis team narrowly missed out on a Class 5A state championship. This year, the team has its hands full in its bid to contend for the title once again. Still, with a blend of youth and experience, Bingham is hoping for continued success. Despite losing most of its varsity squad to graduation, Bingham has plenty of talent on this year’s team. Head coach Steve Peterson has just two seniors on the varsity team, but he is excited about his new players, who have quickly stepped up to support varsity returners Cody White and Austin Cox. Peterson is particularly happy about his doubles teams.
At first doubles, freshman Josh Peterson is teaming with White, a sophomore who played at third singles a year ago. The second doubles tandem is senior Austin Cox and junior Ben Crane. Cox was a state champion last season. “We have very strong doubles teams,” Steve Peterson said. “We have a young team, but it’s a good opportunity for our younger players to get tremendous experience.” Junior Ethan Snow is the team’s first singles competitor. At second singles is senior Bryant Martin. There has been a battle for the starting spot at third singles. Caleb Youlton has emerged as the starter.
Steve Peterson said ideally he’d have a few more seniors leading the way, but he also said it’s beneficial to have underclassmen getting some game action. “It’s preferable to have at least half of the team made up of seniors,” he said. “But it’s nice to have some young players getting varsity experience. Our young players have a lot of [United States Tennis Association] experience and have played in a lot of tournaments.” The future looks bright for the Miners as well. Not only will Steve Peterson welcome back five players to the varsity team next season, but there are other underclassmen in the program looking to make their mark in the coming years. “We have some freshmen and sophomores in junior varsity I expect to be playing varsity next season,” Steve Peterson said. The Miners had state champions in two of the five positions last year at state and lost to Lone Peak by just two points for the race for state champion. Steve Peterson said Lone Peak is once again the team to beat. He said the Knights have a handful of college-level players. The Miners aren’t backing down from any foes, however. “I anticipate being competitive in region,” Steve Peterson said. “I look forward to competing.” In addition to facing Lone Peak in Region 4, the Miners also contend with Westlake, Pleasant Grove and American Fork. The regular season ends May 3 with a home match with Lone Peak. The Region 4 tournament is on May 8 and 9. The Class 6A state tournament will be held May 17 and 19 at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City. l
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High schools see decline in number of referees By Greg James | gregj@mycityjournals.com
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The need for more officials of high school sports is increasing. More games, retirement and poor sportsmanship is making it hard to find enough replacements. (Photo dsandersonpics.com)
I
f players line up on the field and there is no official to enforce the rules, does it count in the standings? Overall, Utah high school sports have seen a 2 percent decline in the number of officials for its sporting events. Nearly 2,700 men and women officiate high school athletics in the state. “We are no different than the national trends,” said Jeff Cluff, Utah High School Activities Association assistant director in charge of officials. “Officiating is a difficult trade. It takes a lot of time just to be adequate let alone very good at it, and our newer officials are not sticking around long enough to get to that point.” Many of the state’s experienced officials are retiring, and there are not the number of younger replacements. Cluff also pointed out that we have more schools and more athletic participants than ever before. “It used to be that there would be one game a night at the school,” he said. “Nowadays, there could be a baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse game all at the same time. Not to mention all the club sports that use our officials too.” Utah’s current unemployment rate of 3.1 percent leads to a strong economy. Therefore,
many residents are not compelled to spend extra time at a side job. The UHSAA has partnered with youth sports programs such as Ute Conference football in the Salt Lake Valley. The youth football program referees are also registered as UHSAA officials. The purpose is to train younger referees on Saturday to become high school officials also. “There used to be college courses as elective credit,” Cluff said. “It was used to get students to referee intramurals. Those classes are no longer available for college credit. I think [Southern Utah University] still has this course, and Weber State recently started one. Young kids do not have as many places to be introduced to officiating.” The scrutiny involved in the game has also discouraged many eligible participants. “I can be at a high school game, and within five minutes of an error on the field or court I can get a text, tweet or an email at the UHSAA showing the error that the official made,” Cluff said. “People are less patient, and they expect perfection until they actually try it and see how hard it really is.” Professional sports fans have become accustomed to instant replay and slow-motion video—something that is not available at the local high school level. “I had friends that were intentionally thrown at and have heard of parents and players that were malicious and disrespectful,” former high school softball umpire Gerri Ewing said. “It is hard to put a young 16- or 17-year-old into that environment and expect them to be eager to come back. I umpired because I love softball. The money was not important to me. It was so I could give back to the community.” Utah has two NFL officials both of whom are former high school officials (Bart Longson, Ryan Dixon). Two years ago, two Utahbased officials worked the NCAA national championship football game. DG Nelson (SLCC baseball coach) recently refereed in the NCAA basketball tournament, and six PAC 12 umpires reside in Utah. “I think our top 15 percent of officials are as good as any in the country,” Cluff said. “I have seen and associate with officials at a high level. We have a deep pedigree of officials in this state. Some of our experienced officials are very well respected.” Officials and coaches have seen an increase in unsportsmanlike conduct from both players and fans. “Parents can be so harsh toward officials. It is a toxic age,” Herriman swim coach Michael Goldhardt said. “Kids and parents want game time; they have no loyalty to the school, and it is always someone else’s fault.” Schools and state associations are finding ways to recruit. Their plans include training and seminars at local leagues and recreation sports, but the need is growing faster than they can find replacements. l
South Jordan City Journal
LIUNA Local 295
Building Bridges Through Travel guatemalanhumanitariantours.org
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Hardworking men and women across Utah not only need representation, they need opportunities. That’s where LIUNA Local 295 steps up. The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) is a local labor union that utilizes resources and programs that are designed to increase member’s job skills and career opportunities. All this while improving the quality of life for members and their families. If you are skilled craft laborer, they have prospects for you. If you are searching for an apprenticeship, they have prospects for you. LIUNA Local 295 wasn’t a recent creation. It’s not a pop shop opened in the last year. It was a teenager during the Great Depression. It’s been in Utah for 110 years. Let’s repeat that, 110 years. Construction sites are familiar to LIUNA, whose efforts in the construction area are geared toward helping provide a quality workforce to employers who know the value of skilled and qualified employees. LIUNA primarily deals with the construction of commercial buildings, heavy (structures such as bridges or tunnels), highways, industrial, refractory, refinery and pipe lines. Those are some places to work, but if you’re concerned about being underqualified, have no fear, that’s another reason LIUNA is here. One of the best continuing education systems in the world is offered by LIUNA and the best part: it’s free. With more than 50 different courses where training is offered, doors to new opportunities are opened by providing members the skills that employers are looking for. Training is available to all members in good standing. LIUNA believes that training is crucial to their mission. Training provides the skills people need to find a quality job and it gives contractors the skilled employees they need to finish the job. Certifications and trainings are available in many areas. Some of the training offered includes: • Traffic control maintainer • Flagger • Mine Safety HA
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• Occupational Safety HA • OSCA RSO Refinery Safety • Concrete • Pipe laying Not only is there a place to work and the training available to be a constant contributor, LIUNA members live better lives. From pay to training to retirement. Numbers from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics supports this: • The average wage for union workers is $28.08 compared to $18.10 for non-union workers. • It neutralizes pay discrimination. Women in a union receive a weekly pay advantage of 32 percent over non-union women in the workforce. • For Hispanic union workers, it’s 42 percent. • For African-American union workers, it’s 33 percent. • Advantages come in healthcare and retirement as well, 85 percent of union workers have health care insurance which includes medical, dental, vision and prescription drugs compared to 54 percent of non-union workers. • For guaranteed defined benefit pension plans, 76 percent of union workers have them while 16 percent of non-union workers don’t. The Local Union’s excellent relationship with workers is due to the relentless drive of business manager and secretary treasurer Diane Lewis. She is responsible for all affairs and business of the Local Union being properly conducted. Lewis negotiates with employers for wages and benefits by ensuring provisions of all agreements are enforced and respected by all parties. As the secretary treasurer, she keeps meticulous records of all monies received, deposited and disbursed under the Local Union’s accounts. She also presents written financial reports on a monthly basis to the executive board of the Local Union and its membership. While there is only one office, located at 2261 S. Redwood Road in West Valley City, its jurisdiction covers all of Utah. To find out more, visit utahlaborers.com or call 801-9725380. l
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July 21 - Spend the day at an orphanage
Aug 4 - Spend the day at an orphanage
July 22 - Visit a nutritional center, hospital, visit the Mayan ruins of Iximche.
Aug 5 - Visit a nutritional center, hospital, visit the Mayan ruins of Iximche.
July 23 - Sagrada Esperanza School - attend classes, volunteer in the classrooms, deliver backpacks & school supplies. After school we will visit the ruins of Antigua, hike to the overlook, shop in the markets.
Aug 6 - Sagrada Esperanza School - attend classes, volunteer in the classrooms, deliver backpacks & school supplies. After school we will visit the ruins of Antigua, hike to the overlook, shop in the markets.
July 24 - July 25 - Meso School - attend Spanish lessons, teach an English class, read to the children, attend classes, deliver backpacks & school supplies.
Aug 7 - Aug 8 - Meso School - attend Spanish lessons, teach an English class, read to the children, attend classes, deliver backpacks & school supplies.
July 26 - July 27 Install stoves or build garden boxes, visit Lake Atitlan, Zip-line through the trees, see monkeys and butterflies.
Aug 9 - Aug 10 Install stoves or build garden boxes, visit Lake Atitlan, Zip-line through the trees, see monkeys and butterflies.
July 28- Hike an active volcano and roast marshmallows, travel to the beach!
Aug 11- Hike an active volcano and roast marshmallows, travel to the beach!
July 29 - Enjoy the black sand beach!
Aug 12 - Relax and enjoy the black sand beach!
July 30 - Sunrise Mangrove tour - Leave Guatemala City
Aug 13 - Sunrise Mangrove tour - Leave Guatemala City
May 2018 | Page 19
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Page 20 | May 2018
South Jordan City Journal
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May 2018 | Page 21
Hold on Tight
Life
Laughter AND
by
PERI KINDER
SOUTH JORDAN
Toddlers are draining. They’re exhausting, demanding, messy and literally shaking with energy. When my kids were little, I was tired all the time. I’d fall asleep at stoplights and dream of the day I could sleep without someone’s little foot stuck in my ear. The next decade passed by in a blur of softball games, dance recitals, science fairs, birthday parties and happy family activities. It’s a montage of smiling faces and sunshine. Little did I know, our happy family time was waning. I didn’t realize I was stuck on a roller-coaster, slowly clicking my way to the first steep drop. A gentle “Clickity-clack, clickity-clack” starts to get louder as the coaster moves closer to the top of the hill until suddenly I’m up so high and afraid to look down. Once a daughter turns 13, the coaster’s brakes release and you freefall into a death spiral, an upsidedown loop, a backwards spin over the rails, and a straight-down drop that moves your stomach into your ribcage. You get whiplash from changing directions. There’s lots of screaming. There might be some brief, quiet moments but only because you’re steadily climbing back to that first steep drop. Clickity-clack, clickity-clack. You recognize the parent of a teenage daughter because their teeth are clenched and their fists so tightly clasped they’ve lost all blood flow to their fingers. They’re currently experiencing a 7 G-force thrill ride, Teenage Terror Tornado, and they can’t get off for at least six years. Other than being an alligator midwife or snake milker, there’s no job more dangerous or thankless than being the mother of a teenage daughter. Moms
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and 14-year-old girls get embroiled in death-to-the-enemy exchanges on a daily basis. Everything becomes a battle and exclamation points abound. Teenage Mutant Ninja Daughter: I was late for school again!!! Harried Mother: You slept in. TMND: Why didn’t you wake me up???!!!! HM: I tried to wake you up for 30 minutes. TMND: I was tired!!!!! HM: You should go to bed earlier. TMND: I’m not an old lady like you!!! At this point, the mom stops talking because she’s ready to punch a hole in the refrigerator. She’s endured slammed doors, rolled eyes, super-black eyeliner, sulkiness, unexpected anger, crop tops and shrill yelling. I speak from experience, both as a former teenager and the mother of four teenage daughters. As a teen, I wrote my mom a few letters explaining how much I hated her. She wrote me one right back. I lied, snuck out of the house, refused to attend church, yelled at my siblings and changed into sexy tops after I left the house for school. Somehow, my mom didn’t kill me, for which I am endlessly grateful. My own daughters had their share of teenage drama. I’d often go to bed at night wishing for a lightning both to hit me in the head. I’d have been
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perfectly fine with that. Sudden death often felt easier than years of teenage moodiness. Now, each of my daughters have a daughter of their own. I watch as they deal with the everyday calamities that must be dealt with when you have a daughter including mood swings, swearing and bathroom bawling, and the daughters have their issues, too. But occasionally, a daughter would snuggle up to me, tell me she loved me and ask how my day was. She’d hold my hand and look interested for about 10 seconds before asking, “Can I have $50?” Clickity-clack. Clickity-clack. l
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South Jordan City Journal
SPOTLIGHT
Oakwood Homes introduces OakwoodLife coming to Daybreak Resort-style living for today’s active adult buyer
Business Spotlights are a service offered to our advertisers to help them inform our readers about their businesses. For information on scheduling a Spotlight, please call us at 801-254-5974 or email us at ryan.casper@mycityjournals.com
O
akwoodLife is bringing to life a new development—and a new lifestyle concept—for those 55+. Located in the award-winning community of Daybreak, the new OakwoodLife neighborhood will include more than 450 homes with low-maintenance, main-level living and beautifully landscaped grounds; access to Daybreak Lake, its trails, shops and restaurants; plus, most importantly, built-in connections to an ongoing active lifestyle. “This is a ‘community within a community’ for those who want to scale down but not slow down,” said Jennifer Cooper, VP of Marketing for Oakwood Homes. “Reflecting a resort-style feel, homeowners can enjoy staying fit, being healthy, learning new skills and even volunteering, while living in a beautiful low-maintenance home, making new friendships and taking advantage of their next ‘best’ chapter in life.” Known as SpringHouse Village at Daybreak, this is the inaugural 55+ active adult community for OakwoodLife, with two additional developments planned later this year in Colorado. OakwoodLife is a division of Oakwood Homes, an award-winning private homebuilder in business for more than 26 years. Sales for SpringHouse Village begin in June but prospective homeowners can receive advance information about floorplans, homesites and pricing, as well as invitations to events and promotions by signing up on OakwoodLife’s VIP Interest List. To do so, visit www.MyOakwoodLife.com. The first VIP events for prospective homeowners are in ear-
ly May so people are encouraged to sign up soon. The central lifeblood of SpringHouse Village will be The Spring House, an amenity-rich center complete with its own Lifestyle Director, who will curate a variety of activities and classes for residents, including fitness, nutrition, finances, travel, volunteerism, DIY experiences and more. Once complete, the 10,000-square-foot Spring House will offer a state-of-the-art fitness center, movement studio, pickle ball and bocce ball courts, an outdoor pool and spa, entertaining spaces indoors and out, a fire pit and more. OakwoodLife homes are thoughtfully designed for open-concept living with spacious kitchens, large welcoming windows, main level master suites, indoor and outdoor entertaining areas, and “flex” spaces that can become guest rooms, a home office, a media room, or whatever fits a homeowner’s lifestyle. Floorplans range from 1,200 to 3,500 total square feet and all homes include energy-efficient features and smarthome technology. Landscaping and grounds maintenance is handled by an HOA. “This new resort-style community is a game changer,” noted Cooper. “With affordable low-maintenance homes, a central location along the Wasatch Front to still gather with loved ones, and planned activities and socializ-
ing, residents can choose to do as much or as little as they want. It is peace-of-mind, freedom-filled living at its best.” Studies suggest that the 55+ population struggles with three key concerns: the fear of outliving their finances, struggling with poor health and being isolated. OakwoodLife strives to ease each of these issues through its carefully designed homes and community amenities. SpringHouse Village offers an entirely new rendition of the affordable, carefree, active, lock-and-leave lifestyle many homeowners seek. For more information, and to be included on the VIP Interest list, visit www.MyOakwoodLife.com. l
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Page 24 | May 2018
South Jordan City Journal
Sports facility offers variety of camps and programs By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com
130 Years OF TRUST Taking Care of YOUR FAMILY’S NEEDS
EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.
The Elite Level Sports Academy has been teaching athletic skills since it opened last January. (Photo courtesy Denise Swope)
T
he phrase “If you build it, they will come,” from the movie “Field of Dreams” is familiar to many baseballs fans and Cottonwood Heights resident Denise Johnson Swope has found that concept to be true since she opened her doors last year to the Elite Level Sports Academy, located at 2100 W. Alexander St. Ste. A in West Valley City. The facility boasts 13,000 square feet of turf, eight batting cages, six mounds, workout facilities and meeting rooms. “The response has been tremendous,” Swope said. “Parents and players really love our year-round skills and drills program and we provide quality instruction from top-notch instructors.” The facility has been a dream of Swope’s for a few years so she worked on the “right business model,” to ensure that everyone can walk away from each time “feeling like they got real value from their time in our place.” “I have always wanted to give back to kids, hoping they would experience the game and all it has to offer,” Swope said. “It is important to me that players get the skill development that is so badly needed in this area. I also wanted it to be a place where you can come regardless of your ability.” A weekly hitting camp in May and a summer baseball camp are the upcoming events at the facility, which also offers private baseball and softball lessons and space for team practices. They currently have an Elite 13u team – which has GPA and community service requirements – and are planning to add more teams in the fall. Swope said she recently brought on a strength and conditioning and speed and agility coach to help expand Elite Level’s services to other athletes including football players. Several football camps are also planned for this summer. The hitting camp for players ages 10 to 14 is scheduled for May 2, 9, 16 and 23 or May 3, 10, 17 and 31 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. each night. Instructors will teach the fundamentals of hitting and work through drills with individualized instruction. The cost is $100.
S outh JordanJ ournal.com
For the summer baseball camp, professional instruction will focus on skills, proper mechanics, speed and agility, personal growth and fun. Two different weeks will be offered from June 4 through 8 and June 11 through 15 with a morning session from 8 a.m. to noon for players ages 7 to 10 and afternoon session from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for ages 11 to 14. “Our focus at camp is to advance each individual’s skill and knowledge of baseball,” Swope said. “Each camper will receive specific instruction on how to play the game and how to improve on and off the field. We will cover all aspects of baseball.” The cost is $150 per week and a T-shirt is included. Those interested can register at the facility or online at www. elitelevelsportsacademy.com or by calling (801) 972-2829. Swope got her start on the field as one of the original Bonnett Ball girls and started playing softball when she was young. She later played for Olympus High and accelerated teams and then watched a son and daughter play for a few years. She has been a softball and baseball coach, but has been part of the baseball community for more than 20 years—as a coach, Crown Colony Baseball board member and president and District Commissioner for Cal Ripken Baseball. “I was very fortunate, being able to travel all over the country, meeting people and experiencing so many things,” she said. The life lessons Swope has learned from sports—working hard, discipline, competing, teamwork, failure and success— are also part of what her goals are in the services she offers the sports community at Elite Level Sports Academy. “I have seen sports give a lot of kids the structure and discipline they need to be successful in life,” she said. “To me, baseball and sports are really about a bunch of great life lessons. I love to see a young player find success when they have been struggling and having their hard work pay off.” l
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Birthday Shopping by
CASSIE GOFF
May is a month of celebration for my family. There’s my birthday, my dad’s birthday, my friend’s birthday, my parent’s anniversary, and, of course, Mother’s day. I love celebrating other people’s birthdays and take time to find the best gift to surprise them. You know who doesn’t like celebrating birthdays? My wallet. During the past few years of extravagantly celebrating birthdays, I’ve picked up a few tricks to make my wallet happier. Let’s start with online shopping. I always shop online: it’s easier to find that perfect personalized gift in cyberspace than it is at the local shopping mart. I’ll usually start (I’ll admit it) with some social media stalking. I’ll go through the birthday person’s feed and see if there’s anything they have been really into recently, or there might even be a post explicitly telling friends what to get them for their birthday. Once I have a good idea of what to get the birthday person, or at least what theme to go with, I’ll start searching. If the birthday person made it easy on me and posted a wish list, I’ll start comparing prices online. Usually, the same item can be bought for cheaper on specific websites, or provide free shipping. I use Google Chrome as my browser so I use an extension that will compare prices for me. If I’m looking at an item on a website, the extension might automatically find the same item cheaper somewhere else. If it does, a small pop up will appear in the corner of my
screen telling me it found a better deal. There are all kinds of coupon and price comparison extensions to download on Chrome. They’re amazing. I never check-out online without a coupon. I subscribe to a handful of list serves that will send me sales and coupons. I’m always thinking ahead when I receive those emails. If I see a crazy discount on an item I think one of my friends will love, I purchase it then and wait until their birthday, or Christmas, whichever one comes first. Additionally, I always search for coupon codes. If you Google “store name” coupon codes, you’ll get hit with a bunch of websites providing coupon codes. I use Retail Me Not and Deals Cove, just to name a few. My last tip for online shopping is to leave items
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sitting in the cart. If you have an email linked to the site you are shopping on, you’ll usually get an email reminding you that an item is in your cart (as if you had forgotten). The site will usually send a 10-20 percent coupon code to inspire you finish the transaction. This requires patience though, since these emails usually won’t show up in an inbox for a day or two. If you don’t want to go online shopping, personalized gifts are always great options. I love making personalized cakes for my birthday people. They’re fun, tasty, and generally inexpensive. You can buy baking supplies in large quantities and use them for many different occasions. I use the same tactic for party supplies as well. I love to surprise my birthday people by decorating their car or home or workplace. I have bags full of streamers and balloons that I buy in quantity. Lastly, if you’re not like me but like many of my friends, you can opt out of receiving gifts on your birthday altogether. Instead, request the money that would be spent on your gift to go towards a donation. Facebook has a specific invite for this: you can invite your friends to donate your birthday gift money to a charitable cause. I have been invited to donate to The Humane Society, the Alzheimer’s Association, Cancer Societies, the World Wildlife Fund, etc. There are hundreds of nonprofits to choose from which this social media platform has listed. l
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South Jordan City Journal
SPOTLIGHT
Comcast Cares
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t was 6:20am on Saturday, April 21 and I was steaming my Kelly green Comcast Cares Day t-shirt. It was my first “Cares Day” (as it’s known to Comcasters), and I wanted to feel ready. I had been the External Affairs Director in Utah for just over a month. My shirt was not the only thing that was green. I may have been the newbie, but Comcast Cares Day isn’t new; it’s 17 years old, and this year we reached a significant milestone: one million volunteers. In my short time here, I’ve come to understand that Cares Day isn’t just something that Comcast does; Comcast Cares Day is a huge part of who we are. As a global media and technology company, Comcast is known for providing best-in-class cable and internet—just ask anyone with X1 who speaks to their remote. But in reality, we do something far more significant. Comcast is in the business of connecting people—to one another, to the larger world,
and to their community. My family and I moved to Salt Lake from Brooklyn six years ago. We love it here—the outdoors, the ever-increasing slate of arts and culture offerings, and the ingrained sense of service. Even so, I can honestly say that I’ve never felt more connected to my community than I did Last Saturday on Cares Day. I sprayed windows and pulled weeds at The Road Home’s Palmer Court with a group of students from the U. I saw STEM workshop student’s wide smiles as they watched their ideas take shape in the 3D printer at Northwest Middle School. I sorted through cardboard boxes of clothes and toys in the basement loading dock of the YWCA with a group of nurses from Huntsman Cancer Institute. We were all moved when Sally Hannon, Development Coordinator at the Y, thanked us, saying, “I can’t believe all you’ve
done. I’ve never seen this part of the floor before.” I am proud to work at Comcast. In my new role, I will be focused on external relations strategies, including community impact work—like Cares Day—as well as communications and local government affairs. But the way I see it, I’m just the newest member of a super high-performing team, who have put an unbelievable amount of effort into the planning and execution of Comcast Cares Day. For them, this day is about people. It’s about supporting our project leads and partners; it is about delivering volunteers, students, and our nonprofit and school partners a seamless and meaningful experience; it is about making visible and lasting change to organizations and lives. And it is a little bit about hoping for good weather. Lucky for us, both sun and spirits shined brightly in Utah this Comcast Cares Day. l
The need for more officials of high school sports is increasing. More games, retirement and poor sportsmanship is making it hard to find enough replacements. (Photo dsandersonpics.com)
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May 2018 | Page 27
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Pain killers, Injections, even Spinal Surgery, and Still Have Pain? A SAlt lAke Doctor confeSSeS tHe trutH About HeAlIng
Dear friend – Over the past decade, I’ve been somewhat known as “the guy that sends out those flyers with his kids on them”. Whenever I do, my friends love to joke about it. I don’t mind, but my past flyers don’t “tell all “or as they say “that’s only a part of the story”. You see, new information has come out and new technology has been developed that has helped so many people eliminate pain without taking pills or shots. Before I explain, let me tell you about something that changed my life forever ...19 years ago, my beautiful wife Suzy was pregnant with our first child. As time passed, Suzy started looking like a cute little pregnant mom. The problem however, was so did I. At first, we just laughed about my weight gain. I didn’t feel bad as long as I just avoided mirrors. After Suzy had baby Stockton, she started running to get in shape. She quickly lost her original weight and more. Not me though!!! I was still up 35 lbs and FEELING IT. Run!?!? “I should run.” I gave it a try, but my knees and my low back were hurting so much that I quit... After popping ibuprofen, my friend told me to see his doctor. I was skeptical, but... Here’s what happened… The doctor did an exam, took some X-rays, and “adjusted” my spine. The adjustment didn’t hurt. I got some serious relief, but would pain just come right back? The doctor recommended a couple more treatments and sure enough, when I tried to run again, I felt great… I HAD NO PAIN. I was so impressed, that I decided to go chiropractic school myself. I lost the extra 35 lbs. I became a Personal Trainer, a Strength & Conditioning specialist... and I just finished my 50th marathon.
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