South Salt Lake December 2017 by The City Journals

December 2017 | Vol. 3 Iss. 12

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SOUTH SALT LAKE ELECTIONS, WHO WON? By Holly Vasic | h.vasic@mycityjournals.com

City Recorder Craig Burton announces the winners. (Holly Vasic/City Journals)

he 2017 South Salt Lake City local election results won’t make for many new faces this time around. Two council members decided not to run again, one council member ran

‘The Power of One’ beneﬁt concert

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against the incumbent mayor, and another council member, who ran for re-election, is the winner of another term. City Recorder Craig Burton announced the winners to the city council, mayor, and other attendees at the Board of Canvassers meeting on Nov. 21. Cherie Wood was re-elected for mayor, Ray deWolfe was elected to the council at-large seat, Corey Thomas was elected for district 2 and Sharla Beverly was re-elected for district 3. The city council meeting the day after the election, Nov. 8, was filled with congratulations and figurative pats on the back. Beverly said she was “excited to represent district 3 for another four years” and district 4’s representative Portia Mila phoned in to congratulate the candidates on their hard work. Many of the races were neck and neck when it came down to counting the ballots. Beverly’s district 3 race was the only victory by a wide margin. She received 66 percent of the votes. Councilman Mark Kindred ran against Wood with the incumbent winning by 43 votes. Kindred will stay the rest of his term, another two years, in his at-large council seat. If Kindred had become the new mayor, his position would have had a special hiring process to fill it. Council member Johnny McConnell, the second at-large post, decided not to run for another term. DeWolfe defeated Aaron A. Frost for that council seat by a 53-46 margin. District 2’s representative Kevin Rapp also decided not

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Education is his top priority

to run again. When Rapp was asked why he decided not to run he replied, “lots of reasons,” with a shrug. Thomas and Eric Balken were candidates for that spot with Thomas winning by a mere 25 votes. At the Board of Canvassers meeting official numbers were verified. The canvassers attending that evening were Beverly, Mila, district 1 representative Ben Pender, Rapp, and Wood. For local elections, the canvassers are comprised of the city council and the mayor who must agree on the final numbers, which they did. Beverly voiced her excitement again on Nov. 21 and mentioned future plans for her district at 2700 S. 500 East. “What they’re going to do, and it should be happening soon, instead of having two lanes each way it’ll be one lane. Then it won’t be that stop light like it has been, it’ll be a normal stop light.” Forty-four percent of South Salt Lake residents voted this election and Burton believes the mail-in option helped. “We had 40 percent (voter turnout) last time for a mayor race and that was 10 percent higher than we’ve been having for years.” The majority of votes, 78 percent, came in prior to election day due to mail-in votes and early voting at places such as the Salt Lake County Election Division. If you are registered to vote but did not receive a ballot in the mail that could be because, according to the South Salt Lake City website, you had to vote sometime in the last four years to be considered active and only active voters received the ballots by mail. Two years from now four council seats will be up for grabs, but for now residents can get to know two fresh faces in the city council. As the quick Board of Canvassers meeting came to a close Pender said, “Congratulations to everyone.” 

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Olympus and East High School choirs joined together for ‘The Power of One’ beneﬁt concert By Carol Hendrycks | c.hendrycks@mycityjournals.com

The South Salt Lake City Journal is a monthly publication distributed directly to residents via the USPS as well as locations throughout South Salt Lake. 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.

The South Salt Lake Team CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Bryan Scott bryan@mycityjournals.com EDITOR: Travis Barton travis@mycityjournals.com ADVERTISING: 801-254-5974 DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING: Ryan Casper ryan.casper@mycityjournals.com 801-671-2034 SALES ASSOCIATES: Melissa Worthen melissa@mycityjournals.com 801-897-5231 Tracy Langer Tracy.l@mycityjournals.com 385-557-1021 CIRCULATION COORDINATOR: Brad Casper circulation@mycityjournals.com EDITORIAL & AD DESIGN: Ty Gorton and John Guertler

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Jambo Africa Burundi Drummers. (Carol Hendrycks/City Journals)

he performance began with 8-year-old Adyline Vilchinsky, standing alone in the spotlight singing. Just one voice, singing in the darkness. Then, one by one, students started singing with Adyline, the 100+ students from both sides of the auditorium began to come down to join other students on the stage, and the blending of all the voices melted into one. It was a message of love and hope with proceeds beneﬁtting refugees in our community and bringing awareness. Adyline was one of over 300 students who performed at The Power of One, a Utah refugee beneﬁt concert under the direction of Vicki Belnap, Jenny Corbett, Robin Edwards, and parent and staff support on Oct. 30 at Olympus High School. The concert was performed by students from Olympus High School, East High School, Howard R. Driggs Elementary, Crestview Elementary, Bonneville Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Olympus Junior High, Glendale Middle School, Evergreen Junior High and Carden Academy. They have been practicing for months with youth of all nationalities and interests but with one united factor — to join together in one voice.

Thank You

When Belnap began to work on this third annual concert she said, “I hope by sharing the message of the power of one will alter the students and community awareness in helping to make life better for refugees, for all people in our community and beyond.” Song selections incuded “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by Randy Newman, “Lean On Me” by Bill Withers, “Thankful” by Josh Groban and “God Help the Outcasts” by Alan Menken from Disney’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” All of the musicals numbers were choreographed with dance, staging, audio and lighting that made it that much more inviting and united. A professional performance by both talented, musically inclined students and some students singing for the very ﬁrst time. They performed along with the Jambo Africa Burundi Drummers and the Titan Singers. Between musical numbers, students expressed that by contributing even one dollar could change the life of one person. Donations were accepted by Catholic Community Services, LDS Charities and Utah Refugee Connection to help refugees seek safety and happiness here in Utah. The beneﬁt included a refugee spotlight

in which local students were given the opportunity to tell a bit of their journey and how they have come to call Salt Lake home. Their message of hope and goodwill in people everywhere brought tears of sadness but overall messages of happiness. These youth were grateful and humble delivering words that uniﬁed all who attended the two performances that evening. Belnap noted that teaching honesty, kindness and humility are the most important things to her and of course her music. Belnap enthusiastically conducted students that perhaps had never had an opportunity to sing before with some students still learning to speak English. All of the performers, stafﬁng, community supporters, sponsors, guests of honor and attendees came together to demonstrate how one act of kindness and a donation of one dollar can make a difference in the life of a refugee and make the world a better place. The audience also enjoyed a sneak preview of the upcoming Olympus High School performances — “White Christmas” and “The Secret Garden.” Show dates begin Dec. 1. Check the Olympus High School website for show times. 

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SPOTLIGHT

Rocky Mountain Care

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n a healthcare environment that can carry so many unknowns and challenges, Rocky Mountain Home Care and Hospice is here to serve your needs. Just as it has since it was founded in 1990. By emphasizing communication, trust and care; Rocky Mountain Home Care’s goal is to make their patients feel at ease and provided for at every moment. It’s why their vision is simply, the best care. Decisions are made based on what is best for the patient first, and the company second, something made all the more difficult in a constantly changing landscape like healthcare. Rocky Mountain Home Care evolves and adapts with that landscape. The mission is to deliver trusted service for hospice and home care. Being able to provide healthcare in a person’s home allows for significant improvements. Patients are comfortable and in an environment that gives them stability and peace of mind. Rocky Mountain Home Care is the bridge for that gap. It allows hospitals flexibility to send

patients home sooner (which is what patients want). As home care providers, Rocky Mountain Home Care serves as the eyes and ears for the doctors and the hospitals letting them know how patients are doing in their homes. Hospice is also designed to bridge the gap. It serves a very speciﬁc process for all involved. If a loved one has reached their

tipping point, hospice is there to cover the gap providing the necessary support for a peaceful passing. Hospice’s nursing, certiﬁed nursing assistants, occasionally therapy, spiritual care, respite care and grief and family support; Rocky Mountain Hospice does all of this. Those who have been around hospice can conﬁrm the peaceful time spent with

family, friends and loved ones during the end of their life. Hospice one of the least understood and therefore least utilized healthcare options available. Rocky Mountain Hospice is here to fill in the blanks. Nurses are hospice certified to better understand the process and are better able to care for the patient’s needs. Their certification means they’ve put in the extra time to better serve their patients during this special time in their lives. Healthcare in the home is unique and all Rocky Mountain Hospice clinicians are properly certified with the degrees for this special field. Two full-time medical doctors oversee all hospice care making home visits and conducting weekly reviews with clinicians. This is unique in the industry and ensures the best possible care is being delivered. Visit our website at rmcare.com. Or call (801) 397-4950 for Home Care and (801) 397-4900 for Hospice Care.

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A glimpse of life at Fire Station 43

he smell of sweet potatoes and seasoning fill the room as the A shift at Station 43 enjoyed their evening meal. Firefighter Sterling Wright manned the asparagus as Collin Ward’s shark tattoo got called a dolphin—again. Tony Pappas is the artist behind the beautiful mural in the gym and joined in on the ribbing with Eddie Godrick. Captain Jared Christensen cooked the pork wrapped in bacon. It’s like a big family of brothers in the kitchen, teasing each other. But behind the jesting are devoted South Salt Lake public employees who love their work as firefighters. Christensen has been with the City of South Salt Lake Fire department for 12 years and has been a firefighter for 16. His grandpa was a firefighter for Salt Lake City and influenced Christensen’s decision to follow in his footsteps. “I wanted to do it my whole life,” he said. Christensen remembered one of his busiest days being 48 calls in 24 hours but that is not the norm, though that is what he lives for. With a schedule of two days on and four days off he comes to work five times a month. “You can go 48 hours with no sleep,” Christensen said. Even though the schedule seems relaxing, it is not the case. Christensen admitted most people have another job they do on their four days off. Ward, who has the shark tattoo, drives in from Far West every four days and travels throughout Utah teaching classes for aspiring firefighters with Utah Fire and Rescue when he is not at the station. Ward’s father was a firefighter in Arizona and he also knew he would be one as well. “My whole life I hung around the fire house,” said Ward. Pappas also teaches on his days off, an EMT class “mostly because I can’t say no.” The rest of the crew erupts in laughter when

December 2017 | Page 5

By Holly Vasic | h.vasic@mycityjournals.com

Fireﬁghters Eddie Godrick, Collin Ward, Sterling Wright and Fire Captain Jared Christensen, Fireﬁghter Tony Pappas and Battalion Chief Shane Conrad. (Holly Vasic/City Journals)

he says this. Wright has always had, what he called, a “desire to serve the public.” They all love the job despite the risks, including increased risks of some cancers and back injuries. With the new ambulances coming soon they hope lifting patients in and out will be easier on their backs. Not only do the firefighters take on the ebb and flow of the job but so do their families. Christensen remembered the year he had to work on Thanksgiving. “My whole family of 32 people came here,” he said. It can be hard on families, Christensen said, noting that “you miss base-

ball games and birthdays.” If you love someone enough you take on what they love and for these firefighters their families have chosen to take on the difficulties that come with the calling. Christensen said everyone wants to be on the fire engine but they rotate positions, three on the truck and two in the ambulance. Godrick, Pappas, and Wright are paramedics and Ward is an EMT. Having some medical training is important for getting hired and all of them have at least an advanced EMT certification. During the day, at the station, crew members have a more regular work day, unless they get a call. Trainings to keep up

on their medical and ﬁre skills takes place during this time. When you eat, sleep, exercise, grocery shop, and work with the same group of people for a continuous amount of time relationships are formed and it really helps if you like the people you work with. “I didn’t really feel like I ﬁt in like I do here,” Pappas said recalling other shifts and places he has worked. Wright agreed and appreciates the camaraderie they’ve formed. Note: There are women in South Salt Lake Fire Department, but none happened to be on the A shift at Station 43 at the time of reporting this story. 

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Education top priority for Lincoln Elementary principal By Doree Anderson | d.anderson@mycityjournals

Principal Milton Collins discusses future assemblies to recognize outstanding students with secretary Milena Pehar (sitting) and Cynthia Witt. (Doree Anderson/City Journals)

ilton Collins radiates enthusiasm. You can feel the excitement in his voice as he begins his morning announcements as principal at Lincoln Elementary with “Good morning bobcats grrrrrrowl,” and laughs when the students growl back. Collins was born and raised in Charleston, Mississippi, a small northern town about an hour south of Memphis that’s also the hometown of Morgan Freeman. As a child from a poor family, he’s always been a student in Title 1 schools. “I’d only met my father twice. The ﬁrst time, I was six. When I was seven, my mom said, ‘Hey, your dad passed, and you’ve got to

go to the funeral.’ I remember like it was yesterday, I sat on the front row staring at his casket,” Collins recalled. His mother and three aunts raised him and his brother with love, guidance and respect. “And education. She always hammered that in. You’ve got to get an education. You’ve got to do good in school. Son, you’ve got to do better than me,” Collins said. His mother, to this day, still has not obtained her GED. She came from a large family and dropped out of school in the eighth grade to work. Collins played basketball in high school but never thought it would lead to anything. Until a coach from Rust College (Holly Springs, Mississippi) happened to be refereeing for a game his high school was playing. A few days later, the coach stopped by the house to speak with his mother. Milton explained to his mother that the coach had offered him a full scholarship to play basketball at Rust College’s expense. His mother was elated. When Collins mentioned that he wanted to wait and see what other schools had to offer, his mother would not hear of it. “She said, ‘No, you’re not! That man said he’d be paying for everything. You’d best be signing your name on that dotted line.’ So, I did,” Collins said. After his freshman year, the coach called him in for a chat. He asked what plans Collins had for after graduation. Surprised at the question, he said he planned to join the league—NBA all the way. The coach said something that changed Collins’ direction. He said that Collins wasn’t good enough, tall enough or fast enough. But Collins was good at something, because his coach then asked him to help teach during a summer program. The National Youth Sports Program allows Title 1 kids to spend time on the college campus and learn about and play all types of sports.

At the end of the program, Collins’ coach approached him and told him that he noticed Collins had a gift for teaching and that students loved the way he taught them. He graduated with a degree in education and his teaching journey began. Collin’s first job led him to Lorenzo Smith School in rural Hopkins Park, Illinois while living in Kankakee. He taught 3rd grade and coached basketball and track and married his college sweetheart. From Illinois, he continued teaching and went back to school to earn a master’s in administration. He then progressed from teacher to assistant principal to principal. The death of his father-in-law moved the family to Coolidge, Arizona “In Coolidge, the town shuts down for the football games. I started out as the assistant principal to the principal of the high school and still remember the mayor. We moved to Coolidge, then Chandler. When my ex-wife left Arizona, my daughters finished college at Rust, my son and I moved to Chandler and I began working at Dos Rios Elementary,” Collins said. He moved to Salt Lake City following a mentor from Dos Rios Elementary and found his new home at Lincoln Elementary. He’s making Utah his last stop and plans to retire in Mississippi, where he may do some motivational speaking. “These kinder kids are wonderful. They’re so full of hugs and smiles,” Collins said. “Working with me you must love kids. Before getting into a student’s head, you’ve got to get into their heart. Listen. I’m still in touch with a student, Chester Perry, third grade. I’ll never forget him. He’d come to school wearing his little sweater, and telling me he wants to be like me and I’d say, nope, you’ve got to be better than me. He’s an electrical engineer now, making six figures. I ask if he still wants to be like me and he laughs.” 

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CITY NEWSLETTER SEASON’S GREETINGS

December 2017 Cherie Wood, Mayor 801-464-6757 mayor@sslc.com

South Salt Lake City Council Members Ben B. Pender, District 1 801- 580-0339 bpender@sslc.com Kevin Rapp, District 2 801-485-5817 kdrapp@sslc.com Sharla Beverly, District 3 801-803-4127 sbeverly@sslc.com Portia Mila, District 4 801-792-0912 pmila@sslc.com L. Shane Siwik, District 5 801-548-7953 ssiwik@sslc.com Mark C. Kindred, At-Large 801-214-8415 mkindred@sslc.com Johnny McConnell, At-Large 801-712-4837 jmcconnell@sslc.com

A Community That Cares Neighbors and Friends, I want to begin by telling you how honored I am to be your Mayor! Thank you for giving me the privilege of serving you for another term. Thanks to everyone who participated in the South Salt Lake election – the candidates, the residents, the businesses and the boosters. We proved that democracy is alive and well in our proud city. I worked very hard to reach each of you and to understand what’s most important to you. As I listened on your doorsteps and in your living rooms, I heard your concerns, your ideas and your desire to make a difference. I met with people who want to be more involved and need to be invited to the table. And I saw again how passionate our neighbors are about our city and how much they care about our future. These discussions deepened my love for South Salt Lake and inspired me to elevate my service to you. Whether you voted for me or not, you showed that you cared about our future. I thank you for this. Now is the time to turn these conversations into action. My ﬁrst commitment to you is to keep

South Salt Lake Angel Tree

City Ofﬁces Mon-Fri 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. 801-483-6000 220 East Morris Ave SSL, UT 84115 Animal Service 801-483-6024 Building Permits 801-483-6005 Business Licensing 801-483-6063 Code Enforcement 801-464-6712 Fire Administration 801-483-6043 Justice Court 801-483-6072 Police Administration 801-412-3606 Promise 801-483-6057 Public Works 801-483-6045 Recreation 801-412-3217 Utility Billing 801-483-6074 Emergencies 911 Police/Fire Dispatch 801-840-4000

these conversations going. I am looking for new and innovative ways to bring varied and disparate voices together. These will include community conversations, town halls and neighborhood open houses. I will also continue my Mondays with the Mayor – a 4-hour block of time when any one is invited share their concerns. To schedule a time call 801-464-6757. But I am also asking you to do your part. Please get more involved Mayor Cherie Wood where you can. Come to City Council meetings. Sign up for our weekly email updates. Make your voice heard. These last few months have been some of the most thrilling and rewarding of my life. I am excited for what lies ahead and hope you will be a part of it. Thank you!

YOUTH CITY COUNCIL Stop by City Hall and visit our Angel Tree from now until mid-December. The tree is located on the 2nd ﬂoor of South Salt Lake City Hall (220 East Morris Ave). It is ornamented with tags that have a description of wants or needs of a local resident. Youth City Council will be accepting and distributing for families in need. Gifts may be dropped off at City Hall. Please don’t forget to attach the tag to your wrapped gift so we know who it belongs to. Monetary donations can also be made at the Finance Department on the 2nd Floor. The South Salt Lake Youth City Council would like to thank everyone in advance for participating. Questions contact Edward Lopez: elopez@sslc.com or 801-455-1729

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On The Move SSL City Council Meetings 220 E. Morris Ave., 2nd Floor Wednesday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m.

December Holidays and Traditions Celebrated in South Salt Lake

SSL City Planning Commission Meetings 220 E. Morris Ave., 2nd Floor Thursday, Dec. 7, 7 p.m.

Advent : December 3rd-24th For many of our Catholic residents, Advent is the celebration of and preparation for Christ’s birth at Christmas. During this time, biblical stories are shared, special pink and purple candles are lit at mass each week, and the days are marked off by many families on special advent calendars that sometimes have chocolate or other treats inside.

Hanukkah: December 12th-20th www.sslchamber.com

Coffee with a Cop is part of a national initiative to create a place for community members and police officers to come together. There are no agendas or speeches; just the opportunity to ask questions, voice concerns, and the chance to get to know the officers in their local neighborhoods. The South Salt Lake Chamber supports the program to help businesses increase their involvement in the community’s safety. The event takes place on the first Wednesday of each month from 9-10 a.m. at Village Inn, 2929 S. State St. The next session is Wednesday, December 6.

Hanukkah, the festival of lights, is an eight day celebration that remembers the trials and tribulations of the Maccabees (ancient Israelites). Jewish families often say prayers and light candles together each night of Hanukkah, which are kept burning in ornamental menorahs. Children play games with dreidals (spinning tops made of wood or clay) and families exchange gifts each evening.

Festival of Our Lady of Guadalupe: December 12th This day commemorates the appearance of the Virgin Mary to St. Juan Diego near Mexico City in 1531. Many Mexican and Mexican American families celebrate this holiday by sharing large family or community meals, by creating shrines to la Virgen, or by praying or attending mass.

Winter Solstice or Yule: December 21st Winter Solstice marks the beginning of winter and is the shortest day/longest night of the year. Many people celebrate nature with festivals, decorations, and ceremonies. For Pagans and Wiccans, the Solstice represents rebirth, renewal, and new beginnings.

Christmas Eve/Day: December 24th/25th

Locate Utility Shut-Off Valves Some emergencies may require you to turn off your utilities. To prepare for this event, you will need to be able to locate and effectively turn off the gas, electricity and water being supplied to your house. Keep necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves. All adult members of the family should know how to turn off the utilities. However, if the gas is shut off to the house, a professional must turn it back on. Do not attempt to do this yourself.

For Christian, Christmas is a holiday honoring the birth of Jesus Christ. Also known as, Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of Christianity. This celebratory period is typically used as a time for family and friends to gather, dine and exchange gifts. Additionally, many decorate trees and attend religious gatherings.

Kwanzaa : December 26th-January 1st Kwanzaa is a seven day celebration of African American history, heritage, and culture. Each day is associated with a principle, which together are called the Nguzo Saba (seven principles). Families celebrate each day by lighting special black, red, and green candles, by creating artwork, and by sharing a Unity Cup, or Umoja, together.

New Year’s Eve/Day: December 31st/January 1st New Years marks the end of the calendar year in the United States. Many people celebrate New Year’s Eve by staying up late (until midnight) and use pots and pans, ﬁreworks, and other noise makers to announce the start of a new year. New Year’s is also a time when many residents may make resolutions to plan for a great year.

December 2017 K9 Retirements

K9 Buck began his service for the City of South Salt Lake in 2010. He and his handler Fire Fighter Mike Jones have served the citizens of the city and state until his retirement last month. K9 Buck was certiﬁed in Search and Rescue, tracking, rubble pile, evidence search and explosive detection. He served on Utah Task Force 5, Utah Bomb Dog Task Force and Utah State’s Child Abduction Response Team while also being regularly deployed for emergencies in the City.

Featured Artist: Torben Bernhard Torben Bernhard is an award-winning director, editor, and cinematographer who lives and works in South Salt Lake. He has made ﬁlms on subjects ranging from the disappearance of a town in Southern Utah, to the life of a trash picker in Thailand, to “Transmormon,” the story of a Mormon family’s gradual acceptance of their transgender daughter. He has directed and produced several criticallyacclaimed short and feature documentaries that have been featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Upworthy, People Magazine, The Hufﬁngton Post, and more. Read and see more at www.sslarts.org/featured-artist

Veterans’ Memorial Dedication K9 Buck was deployed many times throughout the course of his career at a local, state and federal level. K9 Buck was also awarded top dog in building search and search and rescue at the Utah Police Officer Association K9 Trials in 2013. K9 Buck has had many accomplishments including finding firearms in secure areas during two separate searches for visiting political dignitaries. K9 Buck has transitioned into retirement and is enjoying spending time with his family. Officer Alan Hunsaker and his K-9 partner, Police Service Dog Max, have served the City of South Salt Lake for nearly a decade. Max, a Bloodhound utilized for tracking, has led to the apprehension of numerous fugitives and the recovery of lost children. Together they also served on the Child Abduction Response Team (CART); where Max successfully located a child who had been kidnapped and subsequently, safely recovered. Their partnership will be greatly missed, as PSD Max recently retired from service as a police dog. PSD Max will spend his retirement with Officer Hunsaker. South Salt Lake extends a thank you to PSD Max, Officer Hunsaker, K9 Buck and Fire Fighter Jones for their dedicated service to the residents of our city, county and state.

Granite Park Jr. High held a Veterans’ Memorial dedication and veterans appreciation program on Nov. 10. The program included GPJH principal, Aaron Wilson, highlighting the 22 former Granite Park Junior students that had fallen in battle in American service throughout the years, and assured the students in attendance that the fallen soldiers’ spirit, dedication, commitment, and love of country still remains through our memory of them at Granite Park Junior. Principal Wilson then called rollcall for each of the soldiers, having students scattered throughout the audience rise and say “here” or “present” to represent their presence. Many veterans were present in the audience and were called upon to stand, if able and receive applause for their service.

Columbus Senior Center Highlights 2531 South 400 East South Salt Lake, Utah 84115 • 385-468-3340 ••••• Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays - 9:30 a.m. Enhanced Fitness Tuesdays & Thursdays 10:00 a.m. U of U Strength Training Tuesdays & Thursdays 10:30 a.m. - Pickleball Daily Lunch - Noon $3 suggested donation Monday, December 4 Blood Pressure Check with Harmony - 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 4 Time Steppers Christmas Program Thursday, December 7 Fortis Dental Hygiene Screenings Tuesday, December 12 Holiday Christmas Dinner Thursday, December 14 Vital Aging Project 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 18 Decibels Entertainment 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 20 Wendover Bus - 7:15 a.m. Thursday, December 21 Pancake Breakfast 8:45 a.m. Closed December 25 for Christmas Come check out what the Senior Center has to offer!

On The Move Woodrow Wilson Roadrunners Are Global Humanitarians South Salt Lake has 14 neighborhood centers serving our community: Hser Ner Moo Community and Welcome Center 479 East 2250 South South Salt Lake, UT 84115 801-828-7245 Roosevelt Community School 3225 South 800 East Salt Lake City, UT 84106 801-828-8219 Historic Scott School and Arts & Community Center 3238 South 540 East South Salt Lake, UT 84106 801-803-3632 Lincoln Community School 450 East 3700 South South Salt Lake, UT 84115 801-657-0416 Utah International Charter School 350 East Baird Circle South Salt Lake, UT 84115 801-520-7175 Central Park Community Center and PAL Boxing Program 2797 South 200 East South Salt Lake, UT 84115 801-466-3143 Columbus Center 2531 South 400 East South Salt Lake, UT 84115 801-412-3217 Woodrow Wilson Community School 2567 South Main Street South Salt Lake, UT 84115 801-386-0589 Granite Park Jr. High 3031 South 200 East South Salt Lake, UT 84115 801-440-4499 Meadowbrook STEM & Community Center (SLCC Campus) 250 West 3900 South South Salt Lake, UT 84107 801-518-5502

Kid Power is a program through the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund that provides students with a Kid Power band that tracks their steps and enables them to use their steps to purchase humanitarian aid abroad. This program was designed to engage students in additional daily physical activity at school and to promote physical activity when at home by allowing them to set goals for themselves and earn extra steps when completing goals. Furthermore, the Kid Power program also teaches students about global humanitarianism and has a lesson plan that trains students to become global citizens. The Kid Power program is a new club in Woodrow Wilson elementary school’s afterschool program and is run by three students from Westminster College. During the No Hunger Action month of September and leading into October, students in Kid Power earned 1440 RUTF (ready-to-use therapeutic foods) do be dispensed to combat food insecurity and child malnutrition in places in the world that are experiencing severe acute malnutrition such as the South Sudan, Somalia, and Haiti. The World Bank estimates that 50 million children suffer from malnutrition each year, 16 million of which suffer from severe malnutrition. UNICEF aims to reduce child stunting by 40% by 2025 and will save 3.7 million children through RUTF. Each day that Woodrow Wilson’s Kid Power club participates, they are saving the lives of children in the developing world while being physically active in South Salt Lake. Edward, a ﬁfth grade student who participates in the Kid Power club stated, “I like Kid Power because I feel like I get to make a difference in another child’s life who doesn’t have food to eat and needs it. I remind myself to not be lazy when I think about earning food for them.” Woodrow Wilson’s Kid Power program is one of the most popular clubs in the afterschool program and is teaching global responsibilities by inspiring youth to be humanitarians.

Telehealth Kiosk Opening

South Salt Lake is home to a new telehealth kiosk at the Columbus Center, 2531 South 400 East. Intermountain Healthcare and United Way of Salt Lake, in partnership with Promise South Salt Lake, held a ribbon cutting for the opening of the kiosk on Nov. 14. Provided by American Well, the kiosk provides low-cost care to residents for low-level urgent care conditions through Intermountain Connect Care. This video system connects you to a live doctor who can diagnose and write basic prescriptions. The kiosk is open to everyone and accepts a wide variety of insurance payments for its low cost services. The kiosk is equipped with a wide range of diagnostic tools and provides integrated translation services through Globo Interpretation. “We are excited to have a low-level urgent care resource, which provides healthcare at our ﬁngertips. This will ensure that we keep our Promise to all of our residents so they may have the opportunity to be healthy and prosper,” Mayor Wood said at the ribbon cutting. For more information contact Lauren Levorsen at 385-630-9753.

Cottonwood High Promise 5715 South 1300 East Murray, UT 84121 385-630-9748 Kearns Saint Ann Promise 430 East 2100 South Salt Lake City, UT 84115 385-630-9754 Commonwealth Performing Arts & Youth Entrepreneurial Center

2530 So. 500 East (@ Columbus Center) South Salt Lake, UT 84115 385-630-9753

Moss Elementary 4399 South 500 East Salt Lake City, UT 84107 385-258-6360

PAL Thanksgiving Dinner Kits South Salt Lake PAL youth, board members, police officers, fire fighters, community members and business partners prepared Thanksgiving dinner kits and cooked meals for over 50 South Salt Lake families in need. A special thank you to our business partners: Salt Lake Valley Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Ram, Rocky Mountain Pies, Village Inn and Salt Lake Culinary Center!

December 2017 SSL Capital Improvement Highlights 400 East and the S-Line Streetcar:

A contractor has been selected for this project. Engineering is reviewing documents submitted by the contractor so a contract can be approved and signed.

Sunset Avenue Waterline – State Street to 200 East: All work on

December Crime Prevention Tips The holiday season is great time of year. It is also a time when busy people become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crimes. We can never be too careful, too prepared or too aware. • Keep all car doors locked while in or out of your car.

the waterline replacement has been completed. In the spring a contractor will be selected to reconstruct the pavement and install new curb, gutter and sidewalk. Drainage improvements will also be constructed.

• Do not leave packages on the seat of your car. This creates a temptation for thieves.

Central Park: The restrooms and playground are complete. Trees and

• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.

• Even though you are rushed and thinking about a thousand things, stay alert of your surroundings.

landscaping will be installed in the spring. There is also a new walkway leading into the park along the sports ﬁeld that creates a walking loop around the park.

• Notify the credit card issuer immediately if your credit card is lost, stolen or misused.

State Street Lighting – 3300 South to 3900 South: All lighting and

• Teach children to stay close to you at all times while shopping.

wiring has been installed. Rocky Mountain Power must install power to the lighting so ﬁnal connections can be made and the lights will be put into service.

• Large displays of holiday gifts should not be visible through the windows and doors of your home.

The City of South Salt Lake IS HIRING View available positions at sslc. com and click on ‘Employment’ in the ‘My Quick Links’ box.

2017 Community Connection – by the Numbers Volunteers – 1,441

Lead Poisoning is 100% Preventable

• If you use lights on your Christmas tree ensure the wiring is not damaged or frayed.

Volunteer Hours – 6,176

Lead is still a problem in Salt Lake County. Many low-income families live in homes that were built before 1978 that contain lead based paint. Even if the surface has been re-painted with non-leadbased paint, if it is chipping or peeling, that surface is exposing lead to the home and those who live in it. Lead is dangerous for everyone but especially to those under age six. This age range is when the brain and nervous system are still developing. Lead poisoning can lead to slowed growth and development, learning and behavior problems, and hearing and speech difﬁculties. In order to be eligible for a FREE program, families must be a Salt Lake County resident, live in a home built before 1978, be pregnant or have children under the age of 6 living in or visiting the home, and meet income qualiﬁcations. If you think you qualify for Salt Lake County’s free services, please contact: 385-468-4892.

• Be aware that Criminals often take advantage of the generosity of people during the holiday season by soliciting donations door-to-door for charitable causes although no charity is involved.

SSL Homes Improved – 92

Volunteer Value – $149,100

Snow Removal Please remember when removing snow or ice from sidewalks, driveways and parking lots, snow cannot be placed in the roadway, sidewalk or gutter. We appreciate you help keeping our sidewalks and roadways clear.

Columbus Community Center Gym 2531 S. 400 E.

Open Play 16 years and older Saturdays Dec. 2 - March 24 9:00–11:00 a.m. We are happy to offer this fun new sport. There is no fee to play but, fun and good times are a must.

Consideration Definition: the act of considering; careful thought; meditation; deliberation Every human being is entitled to courtesy and consideration. Constructive criticism is not only to be expected but sought.

Adult Open Play Basketball 18 years and older Dec. 6 – March 29 Wed & Thurs nights from 7:00–9:00 p.m. Fee: $20 Season Pass or $1 Night Pass

- Margaret Chase Smith Abram

For more information call 801-412-3217

On The Move SSL Chess Tournament Highlights Ninety-seven very active and talented chess players took it to the board in November at the South Salt Lake annual chess tournament. Students from up north of Box Elder to south of Pleasant Grove participated in the non-rating tournament. Thank you to parents and coaches who willingly gave of their time to support the students at the all-day event.

Join us for

Breakfast with Santa Sat�rday, December 2, 2017, 8-11 a.m. Columbus Center, 2531 S 400 E, SSL

2017 MUNICIPAL GENERAL ELECTON RESULTS

l $4/person

or $15/family up to 6 people l Live enter�ainment l Yummy food l Presents for kids 12 and younger l Craﬅs for all l Photos with Mr. & Mrs Claus $7 and up Special thanks to the Lions Club and SSL Rotar� Club

CITY MAYOR Cherie Wood

1,524

Mark C. Kindred

1,481

Bill Hogan

Write-in

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT AT-LARGE Ray DeWolfe

1,568

Aaron A. Frost

1,224

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 Corey Thomas

218

Eric Balken

193

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 Sharla Beverly

388

Adam Thompson

196

Olivia Jiang came to the tournament as a 3rd grader hoping to up her game. She attends elementary school just outside the SSL boundaries. She requested to enter the upper grade for competition. She ﬁnished the tournament with 4 wins before taking a 0 on the last round due to a bye request. We congratulate her and award her the 11th grade ﬁrst place for her commitment and competitiveness in chess. Ryan Suarez was among many of the new comers to the chess tournament. During the rounds Ryan was learning all about the game, how the tournament goes and rules. He gave up a win for a draw in one of the rounds to help an opponent out earn points at the tournaments. Ryan was awarded the Good Sportsmanship trophy for being willing to see the difference in being competitive and compassionate.

For more info call 801-483-6076 or email mclark@sslc.com

South Salt Lake City Council Action Report Summary Full agendas, minutes, handouts and video recorded meetings available at sslc.com/city-government/council-meeting Date Agenda Item Subject Action Next Step 11/8/2017 Work Meeting Alcohol Ordinance Discussed issues with current Council suggested the discussion continue at Discussion ordinance. Nov 15 Council meeting. 11/8/2017

Work Meeting Discussion

Bidding Professional Service Contracts

Discussed how professional services are bid and contracted.

New ordinance needs to be written and proposed to Council.

11/8/2017

Unfinished Business

Ordinance Amending the Crossing Master Plan for Cowboy Partners project.

Ordinance passed unanimously.

Action completed.

11/15/2017

Work Meeting Discussion

Green Bike

Presentation of the Green Bike program.

None required.

11/15/2017

Work Meeting Discussion

Alcohol Ordinance

Discussed ideas to change ordinances.

New ordinance needs to be written and proposed to Council. Anticipated at Dec 6 Council meeting.

11/15/2017

New Business

Annual 2018 Council meeting schedule.

Discussion of 2018 dates.

Anticipated as Unfinished Business to approve at Dec 6 Council meeting.

December 2017 | Page 13

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South Salt Lake downtown will be different with townhomes

fter weeks of back and forth, rescheduling and other delays, the South Salt Lake City Council voted yes to an ordinance that makes changes to the original plan for residential rental properties in the new South Salt Lake downtown area. The council voted unanimously at a Nov. 8 regular meeting. A section of the downtown location from 2100 South to the S-Line and State Street to Main Street was set to have apartments built there, but the developers, Cowboy Partners, changed the plan to townhome-style rental properties instead. Keith Smith, of Form Development who works with Cowboy Partners, let out a sigh of relief when the meeting ended. Smith said he knew that if the they did not “get a shovel in the ground” that by year’s end they may have to abandon the project all together. As weeks passed, Smith attended numerous council meetings. With no decision being made, he said Cowboy Partners began to lose money. During the meeting that ﬁnally decided the project’s fate, conceptual renderings of what the townhomes would look like were shown. The images ranged from outside views to ﬂoor plans. Originally, it was agreed that more urban, higher-stacked apartments would be built in the area with a parking garage for the tenants. The plan was adjusted to two- to three-story townhomes with single-attached garages. One of the

By Holly Vasic | h.vasic@mycityjournals.com

The property for development is between WinCo Foods and TRAX. (Holly Vasic/City Journals)

reasons the council was dismayed was because they hoped the original plan’s parking garage could be hidden by small commercial activities, such as a barber shop or a cafe. Being next door to the brand new WinCo Foods this brought more retail shops to the area. Councilmember Shane Siwik noted the ﬁrst plan had 129 units that would be under 700-square-feet, due to studio and one-bedroom layouts, and the new plan had only 28 units un-

der that square footage because there are no studios. Siwik said, “Overall, I don’t see anything wrong with this” and in fact saw the small spaces as a positive. So, why the change? Smith explained that a soil report was a big factor. Some expensive overhaul would have had to be done to the ground to be sturdy enough to hold a large concrete parking garage. When analyzing the

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cost versus benefit Cowboy Partners decided to change the structure. South Salt Lake City Economic Development Consultant Randy Sant explained that “Geo technical work” was not part of the purchase agreement, hence the developer discovered the soil issue later on. Another compelling reason for the developer was the type of renters townhomes bring compared to apartments, which Siwik also considered. The townhome-style units bring a “more homey feel” Smith described. Smith believes the change from 157 apartments to 95 townhomes will also make the project standout, different from other rental properties in the valley. “We feel like a townhome, a for-rent townhome product, is a big differentiator from, you know, your typical large apartment complexes,” Smith said. As the South Salt Lake City downtown area project progresses the original vision may change but overall the intention still remains. Providing a space in the city near public transit to shop, eat, and live is still happening. “It is going to be a sprint to the finish line to get this project under construction before the end of the year,” Smith wrote in an email, “but now that we have approval from planning commission and city council, we have renewed confidence. We are thrilled to deliver this development to the community.” 

Page 14 | December 2017

South Salt lake cItY Journal

Cottonwood High to host tree festival to help raise funds for Make-a-Wish child

By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com

ast year, Cottonwood High students, staff, faculty and the community raised $6,000 — $1,000 more than their goal — to send Marcus and his family, who live in Salt Lake City, on a cruise through the Make-a-Wish Foundation. This year, student government leaders again are hoping to help another child receive their wish. New this year will be the introduction of Cottonwood High Tree Festival to help raise funds. “We’re inviting students, clubs, sports teams and anyone in the Cottonwood community to come donate a tree — big or small — for a silent auction that we will hold during a boys’ basketball game,” said Amy Thomas, Cottonwood High student government adviser. “We’re hoping for at least 10 trees to help raise funds for our Make-aWish child.” Thomas said that already several clubs and teams have shown interest in decorating a tree to auction, as had the counseling ofﬁce. Decorations could match the club, such as recycling materials from the Student Conservation Alliance or baseball decorations from the baseball team, but they aren’t required to do so. “It’s a fun way to get everyone involved in the effort,” she said about the idea she borrowed from a school in Utah County. From the silent auction on Dec. 5 alone, Thomas hopes students will raise $1,500. Other ways students have identiﬁed to fund-

raise include a talent show, a date night auction and a ﬁrst class period competition where students try to raise the most for the child. She said students also will walk around at lunch or in the parking lots and ask for donations. Donations also come in at the holiday school concerts. “It’s amazing how just some spare change starts to add up,” she said. Through the effort, Thomas said students are learning responsibility as well as leadership, organizational and budget skills. “They’re learning how to advertise and talk to people about why they should donate and how they can raise more money,” she said. “They also see the joy of service and how everyone can do a little, whether it’s giving of their time or their money, and can make a huge difference.” Thomas said the student leaders selected the Make-a-Wish Foundation because they realized their money goes directly to a person in the Salt Lake area. “They get to know the person and are making a direct, life-changing impact. They themselves develop a sense of pride and realize that this is a lot bigger than themselves,” she said. The child has yet to be assigned to Cottonwood High, but Thomas said most of the students have serious or terminal illnesses or have “horriﬁc treatments they’re going through and need a boost.”

Cottonwood High students have goal to bring in $5,000 this holiday season to support a child in the Make-a-Wish Foundation through a tree festival and other activities. (Cottonwood High)

Marcus had brain tumors, but was willing to come with his family to Cottonwood High during an assembly and explain his treatments. During that same assembly, the students gave Marcus a stick horse, representing their school mascot, the Colts. Marcus trotted around the stage on his

horse and has been asking about his Colt friends and stayed in touch with several of them, Thomas said. “It means so much to these high school students when it’s personable and relatable,” she said. 

SSL chess tournament returns with a vengeance, draws almost 100 participants By Brian Shaw | brian.shaw@mycityjournals.com

A student participant mulls his move at the tournament. (Photo/Chris Brooks)

he annual South Salt Lake chess tournament returned to the Columbus Center Nov. 4 after a one-year hiatus, according to Myrna Clark, deputy recreation director and the person in charge of the event. “Last year, we canceled the tournament due to conﬂict of schedule with another tournament in the valley,” said Clark, who added that she was “skeptical about this year” and so she kept an eye out on the early registration online. The Friday before the tournament, however, Clark said she saw that only 25 players had registered online. After Clark made a few phone calls to area schools though, the numbers increased exponentially. “However, by the night before we were at 75 [participants], and by closing of registration the day of we paired 97 students for the tournament.” With 97 students ready to go at the Columbus Center, the chess tournament was just as good as it was before—if not better. From South Jordan to Brigham City, participants came out in droves. Most age groups had more than ﬁve kids participating in each—some even more. Rowland Hall captured the K-6 grade team title overall, while Pleasant Grove narrowly nipped Box Elder out of Brigham City for the grades 7-12

team crown. Other notables, according to Clark, were Olivia Jian, a third grader who was “hoping to up her game at the tournament.” Clark added that Jian had requested to enter the upper grades for better competition. Jian ﬁnished the tournament with four wins before taking a zero on the last round due to a bye request. Clark said the tournament committee awarded Jian with the 11th-grade ﬁrst place trophy “for her commitment and competitiveness in chess.” Also notable, according to Clark, was Ryan Suarez, who, unlike Jian, was a newcomer to the tournament. “During the rounds [of action] Ryan was learning all about the game, how the tournament goes and rules. He gave up a win for a draw in one of the rounds to help an opponent earn points at the tournaments,” added Clark. Suarez was awarded the tournament’s Good Sportsmanship trophy for what Clark said was a “willingness to see the difference in being competitive and having some compassion.” Clark also said she was pleased to welcome several volunteers to this year’s event. “Kaylie, a student from Westminster College, volunteered at the chess tournament which was very helpful for us to run the tournament,” she said. 

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December 2017 | Page 15

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Not Just News... Your Community News...

Page 16 | December 2017

South Salt lake cItY Journal

GET CONNECTED,

STAY CONNECTED

Cottonwood boys hoops comes off summer success with loaded roster and an eye on state By Brian Shaw | brian.shaw@mycityjournals.com

A Special Thank You... To our new and renewing members! Anchor 3PL South Salt Lake Police Athletics League ServiceMaster of Salt Lake The basketball falls into the net. (Brian Shaw/City Journals)

he Cottonwood Colts boys basketball team comes into the 2017-18 season having to deal with playing in a new region. And against several new opponents as well.

But, one thing the Colts aren’t is new. In fact, Cottonwood returns nine players from last year’s team—six of which will be seniors. After a summer league that saw the Colts bring home hardware from a summer league tournament for the ﬁrst time in many years, Cottonwood may be paired with schools like Alta and Brighton and a rapidly improving Corner Canyon. Nevertheless, the Colts have high hopes to not only compete in this new region but make it all the way to state for the ﬁrst time in eight years. Hopes are as high as they’ve been in years at the school—largely because the Colts won’t be playing teams like Copper Hills and Bingham, teams that beat Cottonwood by between 40 and 50 points depending on the night. The Colts will be loaded from top to bottom, starting with senior guard Spence McDonald who brings back his over seven points per game scoring average. At 5-feet-8-inches, McDonald may be a little short in stature. But, McDonald can light it up from behind

the three-point line, having led the Colts with 27 treys in 2016. Senior shooting guard Zach Nelson also returns for Cottonwood. Nelson is another threat from behind the arc and was second in three-point shooting for the Colts last season. Another player, junior guard Preston Davis, was the team’s second leading assist man in 2016 and so much is expected of him in 2017. He’ll bring nearly a four point per game average to the court. In the paint, the player to keep an eye on is junior center/power forward Britton Jensen, who at 6-feet-6-inches is not only the tallest player on Cottonwood’s roster, he’s also the team’s leading rebounder. Jensen netted about seven points per game last year to go with four rebounds. Fellow seniors Christian Tevis, Hunter Andrews, Kobe Rosales and football speedster Dwain Worrell will also contribute minutes and size and skill for the Colts, who open with a preseason game at Granger on Nov. 29. Cottonwood will then play three straight home games, starting with Skyridge on Dec. 5, continuing its home stand against West Jordan Dec. 8 and wrapping up its three-game stretch on its home ﬂoor Dec. 13 versus nearby Hillcrest. 

NOTE: To receive regular information for all events please contact info@sslchamber.com. Please visit www.sslchamber.com for more event details.

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Plant a tree, give to the community By Joshua Tesch | j.tesch@mycityjournals.com

December 2017 | Page 17

Carpe Di End

Gain peace of mind knowing everything is taken care of your way.

Helping Families Heal for Over 130 years Volunteers prepare to place a tree into its new, long-term home. (Joshua Tesch/City Journals)

his past Veterans Day, some two dozen people gathered on a resident’s lawn for the Hope For Heroes tree planting event. “I was interested in the event on Facebook and received a notification this morning, so I decided to jet on over here,” said Jonathan Tietz, a volunteer who believes that trees make communities beautiful. The post that Tietz followed was from ReLEAF UTAH about the Hope for Heroes project. The project’s goal is to plant trees in South Salt Lake City to help improve quality of life in the community as well as help the mental well-being of veterans. Rocky Mountain Power donated $5,000 to South Salt Lake City Community Connection to bring more trees to the area. Sharen Hauri, Urban Design Director for the City of South Salt Lake City, stated “trees have so many benefits for a community. They help cool homes and buildings and, from a city design perspective, increase home values. People drive slowly and enjoy their streets.” “Trees have proven benefits for neighborhoods and people...we are focusing on planting in people’s front yards because trees in front yards tend to have healthier lives,” she said. Jason Barto, a veteran and founder of ReLEAF UTAH, provided instruction for the volunteers. “Part of what we’re going to try and do,” Barto explained, “is to improve the conditions that we can to make the trees more vigorous so that they can handle the curveballs thrown at them.” The trees were placed in holes 10 feet in diameter and 3 feet

deep to provide space for the roots to grow outward, providing a larger foundation and space for the trees to collect more water. Hope for Heroes is designed “to encourage returned veterans and public safety workers who have PTSD to come out and help and enjoy the emotional benefits of planting and nurturing life,” Barto said. Trees have so many health benefits, he said. “They increase property value, they clean air,” Barto stated. “They become deposition surfaces for PM1, 2.5s and 10s that have been linked to certain cancers, they produce oxygen, they clean up our water…” Barto emphasized the calming effect trees have on people, stating that the trees “provide mental benefits including stress reduction through the touching of trees and that this can benefit those who have gone out in service.” Billy Lee Johnson, a veteran who joined the military in 1961 and attended the planting believes that “we enjoy [nature] and take advantage of it not realizing its importance” and appreciated the education given on trees at the event. After several hours of work the volunteers planted new trees in hopes they will be enjoyed for years to come. South Salt Lake Community Connection is offering donated trees and volunteers ready to plant a tree in your front yard or park strip. Contact Urban Livability at (801) 464-6712 or vlelo@southsaltlakecity.com 

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JOANI TAYLOR

The Great Toy Hunt For as long as there has been Christmas Hype there have been hard to get toys. And, with those toys come parents and grandparents willing to go to crazy lengths to get one for their child. Last year it was Hatchimals and this year new toys like Fingerlings and a Nintendo that looks like something from then ‘80’s have already gone missing and pop up with over inﬂated prices from toy scalpers on eBay and Amazon. It’s become an American tradition. Ninja Turtle Super Shredder toy was my most memorable toy hunt. Some of you probably remember getting one or wanting one. It was sometime around 1985. I remember spending hours hunting, calling and searching for this silly $6 dollar toy. And I was ﬁnally able to snag one after stalking ToysRUs employees, showing up at the store before the doors opened, racing to dig through a box of newly arrived Turtles to get one of the 4 that came in a case. Keep in mind; the Internet did not exist for common folk at this time. Yep, I got caught up in the hype and thought, my kid must prevail, determined for him to have bragging rights of being the owner of this prestigious toy. I got that little rush when I brought my treasure home and carefully hide the sack on the top shelf of the closet. To this day, Super Shredder still has a home among the dust in my attic.

Now let me remind you, we raised our family in a very financially insecure time. In my short 30 something years of marriage, we have been through job loss, near bankruptcy and the heartache of having to give up our dream home due to financial struggles. These are the times I learned creative ways to save, avoid spending and the priceless value of having a partner to lean on. We sacrificed marital time as I went to work nights not my best idea. Dented cans and refrozen food from the Rainbow Market and out of date bakery items at the Hostess Bake Shop

South Salt lake cItY Journal

were common dinner table items. I learned to clip those .10¢ coupons out of necessity, not because it was the popular thing to do. Looking back on my Super Shredder hunt, I wonder if it wouldn’t have been better to give the gift of one of life’s most valuable lessons instead. After all, what better gift than to teach a child that we don’t always get what we want. Have you gone to crazy lengths to ﬁnd a Christmas toy or do you have a memory of toy you got or didn’t get as a child? Enjoy the hunt, but know that if you don’t prevail you are still giving a treasured gift to the child you love.

LOOKING FOR PART-TIME WORK? WANT FLEXIBLE HOURS WITH HOLIDAYS AND WEEKENDS OFF?

Granite School District is hiring Kitchen Managers, Nutrition Service Workers, and Nutrition Worker Substitutes! Applicants must have: High school diploma or equivalent, background check, and be willing to obtain a food handler’s permit.

Now Hiring

BEAT WRITERS

• • • •

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner positions available! 15 to 40 Hours per week with Flexible scheduling! Hiring at over 100 schools within the district. Pay starts at $11.60 per hour.

Earn extra cash. Be involved in the community. Write for the City Journals. Send a resume and writing sample to

writers@mycityjournals.com

Call Us: (385) 646-4321

www.graniteschools.org/ foodservices/jobs

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Laughter AND

PERI KINDER

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very year on November 30, while my girls slept, I’d spend the evening putting up Christmas decorations. I’d place every Santa just so and every angel just right. My daughters would wake up to a magical Christmas wonderland with twinkling lights, cinnamon-scented pinecones and beautifully wrapped packages. That was my dream. Reality was much different. Oh, the house was decorated, and the girls were excited, but within ﬁve minutes the entire holiday-scape was destroyed. My daughters would walk into the idyllic wonderland I’d created, squeal with glee and run to their favorite Christmas decoration. One daughter immediately turned on the display that had Disney characters barking your favorite carols. If you haven’t heard “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” sung in “Woofs” by Pluto for 25 days in a row, you don’t know the real meaning of Christmas. Another daughter ran to the Nativity scene where she helped Mother Mary run off with Frosty the Snowman, leaving Baby Jesus in the care of a 6-foot polar bear wearing a holiday scarf. Yet another daughter took the ornamental French horn off the wall and marched through the house trumpeting Jingle Bells. Not to be outdone, her little sister used the tree skirt as a cloak and pretended to be the Queen of Christmas,

which caused several fistfights in front of the holy manger. When the girls went off to school each day, I’d put all the decorations back in their traditionally ordained locations. I found Ken and Barbie naked in a Christmas stocking. I discovered one of the Wise Men snuggled with an angel behind an advent calendar. I glued the shepherds’ crooks back on because the girls would have them fight ninja-style and kept breaking them off. I found the singing Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer shoved into a pile of laundry. Oh, wait. I’d put that there. Because it never shut up. The girls would come home from school and spend the rest of the evening rearranging the decorations while I radiated anger. “Leave the damn tree alone!” I’d repeat 40 times a day. “But someone moved my ornament from its special place.” (Insert the sound of Christmas decorations falling off the tree.) When I found the Christmas pillow I had painstakingly cross-stitched had been used to wipe up a Kool-Aid spill, I finally lost it. I was exhausted from trying to redecorate the house every day to keep everything looking perfect. I screeched, in a very unholiday voice, “Put the Baby Jesus back in the manger

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was given back to Mother Mary. (She had returned from her illicit rendezvous with Frosty in time to change the baby’s diaper and put him back in the manger.) My house was messy and emotional, but delightful and creative, too. This was my Christmas wonderland. 

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before I tell Santa to burn all your presents!” Everyone froze. The daughter who had wrapped Baby Jesus in layers of toilet paper to keep him warm looked at me, eyes brimming with tears. “I just wanted to hold him,” she said, as her lip quivered. That’s when it hit me. I was the Grinch. Why the hell was I ruining Christmas? Why was I trying to keep everything perfect? To my daughters, it was already perfect. They loved the decorations and wanted to play with them for the short time they were displayed. I took a few deep breaths. I apologized. I even agreed to sit through a Christmas play where the Wise Men kidnapped Jesus and held him for ransom, but a stuffed Santa Claus karate-kicked the Wise Men to rescue the holy babe who

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