BUILDING CONFIDENCE IN CAREGIVING: PROMISE SSL LAUNCHES ‘BABY AND YOU’ PROGRAM
By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com
Promise South Salt Lake is launching a new community program intent on creating a sense of community and belonging where caregivers can work and learn with each other as they gain knowledge about child development and build the confidence to support the social, academic, emotional and developmental needs of their children.
The Baby and You program is a nine-session program with content area experts to help parents or caregivers with the needs of their children who are between 0 and 3 years old. The program is being offered four times throughout the year with the first nine-week stint having started Jan. 11.
For families that complete all nine weeks of the program, they will have a College Savings Account opened through my529 for their child with $500.
The “Baby and You” program offers a comprehensive nine-week curriculum covering a range of essential topics for caregivers of young children. Sessions include insights into brain development from Envision Utah; an overview of developmental milestones by Help Me Grow Utah; strategies for Social Emotional Learning presented by the Utah State University Pyramid Model; guidance on Positive Discipline and Behavior Management from The Children’s Center Utah; information on Health, Nutrition and Safety from the Salt Lake County Health Department; tips on Parental Self-Care & Stress Management from Utah Community Action Head Start; and a focus on Learning Through Play and Community by United Way of Northern Utah -
Welcome Baby.
The program concludes with a Graduation and Planning for the Future session. Optional sessions delve deeper into Prenatal Care and Birth presented by South Main Clinic and support for children with disabilities offered by the Utah Parent Center.
There are also volunteer opportunities within the program. For anyone looking to volunteer with the program, they are required to complete a background check along with a simple orientation that provides them information to feel confident and be successful in their time there.
“The Baby and You program will offer child supervision and enrichment activities supported by a staff member and volunteers,” said Edward Lopez, deputy director for Promise South Salt Lake. “We know lack of childcare may prevent individuals and families from attending community classes, events and workshops. Families, and especially women, may not feel comfortable attending an event that could benefit them or their family if they can’t have their children with them or don’t have a safe place for them.”
Lopez said it’s for that reason they are offering childcare as a resource for participants in the program. Child enrichment activities may include reading, music, dramatic play, arts and crafts, circle time and more.
The program will be held on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon at the South Salt Lake Community Center. They will provide breakfast and lunch for the participants.
To learn more about the program or enroll in a program, contact Lucia Miramontes as lmiramontes@sslc.gov or call at 385-799-1360. l
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The “Baby and You” program is intent on giving caregivers the confidence to enrich their children’s young lives, including expecting parents, grandparents, foster parents and more. (Phot o courtesy of Edward Lopez)
“A”chieving excellence: CommonSpirit hospitals recognized for steadfast commitment to patient safety
At CommonSpirit Health, the safety of our patients is our most important priority. We are honored to share that three of our hospitals along the Wasatch Front received an “A” grade for our commitment to patient safety in Fall 2024.
This recognition comes from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. Leapfrog assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to hospitals across the country based on over 30 performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.
CommonSpirit hospitals receiving an “A” for Fall 2024 include:
• CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley
• CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital – Mountain Point
• CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital – West Valley
We are proud of our physicians, nurses and all our caregivers for living our values of excellence, collaboration and compassion to ensure the safety of the patients in our care.
But our work isn’t done. Our vision of a healthier future for all calls us to continue to improve our delivery of compassionate, safe care to every patient, every time, in every care site across our CommonSpirit Health Mountain Region. Achieving that vision is our commitment to you.
Christine
McSweeney President
CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley
CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital – West Valley
At CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
Learn more about the services, care providers and missiondriven work of the Holy Cross hospitals and CommonSpirit Health at www.holycrossutah.org.
The right ER.
Right around the corner.
When you need emergency care fast, the closest emergency room is a smart thing to know. You never know the level of care you’ll need when an emergency happens and choosing the right ER can make all the difference. And a hospital ER comes with the confidence of additional services right on-site. Find emergency care close to you at mountain.commonspirit.org.
(TTY: 711).
Chris Stines President
CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital Mountain Point
For Cottonwood High sports, the shape of Region 10 will change significantly in fall 2025
For Gregg Southwick, Cottonwood High School’s longtime athletic director, the new realigned Region 10 comes with a few nice changes.
“Everybody is kind of in the valley so travel will be reduced significantly,” said Southwick about the new Region 10.
For Cottonwood, not having to travel to Tooele County – or to Vernal or Payson, which is where the Colts first had to go to participate in the first reimagined league –is a positive.
There is a catch, one that makes life a lot harder for the Colts in Class 4A Region 10, and that’s on the gridiron, starting in fall 2025.
“For football, we’re going to struggle because it’s a better league from top to bottom,” Southwick said.
For the Colts in all sports, the additions of East and Highland, as well as Juan Diego and Judge Memorial to a Region 10 that already includes Jordan, Murray, Park City and, of course, Cottonwood should make life a bit easier for the Colts in every sport other than football, added Southwick.
“It’s a good region for our athletic programs to at least compete in,” he said.
The Tooele County schools that were in Region 10 will still be in Class 4A, but have been moved to Region 11 where they will join new school Deseret Peak and five Box Elder and Cache County schools.
The new Class 4A Region 10 will go into effect starting in fall 2025, according to the ruling set forth in early January by the Utah High School Athletics and Activities Association, also known as the UHSAA.
Cottonwood welcomes a new baseball coach
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By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com
Southwick also added that the Colts will be welcoming a new baseball coach to the diamond.
Travis Steed will be taking over as Cottonwood’s new head coach. Steed is a longtime teacher at the school who was asked by former coach Jason Crawford to be an assistant several years ago, said Southwick.
“He’s a great guy and a great teacher who loves baseball,” Southwick said. “We’re excited to finally get him on board after a lot of years.”
According to Southwick, the timing was such that Steed turned down Crawford’s offer several years ago because he had a young family and wanted to spend time with them.
Now that the kids are older, said Southwick, Steed has time to coach and see what he can do with this veteran bunch of Colts that finished 14-13 under former coach Gavin Duckworth, who departed his position after one year.
Last year, Cottonwood baseball won its 4A Regional and reached the 4A Super Regional in a highly competitive classification that stretches from St. George all the way up to Logan.
Several key players from last year’s team will be returning according to Southwick, which should also help the Colts under the new head coach.
“He’s very familiar with the program and how Jason [Crawford] managed it, leading us to success,” Southwick said. “He also loves baseball and played it in school.”
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Cottonwood’s Region 10 will look a little different come fall facing teams like East and Highland. (File photo City Journals)
Cottonwood baseball will have a new coach this fall in former assistant Travis Steed. (File photo City Journals)
From Breakfast with Santa to business pitches: GTI students take entrepreneurial leaps
By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
Granite Technical Institute senior Eden Rychert is in the process of launching her own business. Over the winter break, she prepared to pitch her idea at the school’s “Shark Tank” event, alongside her classmates.
Judges will assess the student businesses and award seed money from funds raised through the class’s Breakfast with Santa event.
“We were interested in bringing joy to families and creating a lasting event where people could make memories, and, little kids could come and have fun,” she said, adding a silent auction was held in conjunction with the breakfast.
The students organized the event as a business, with each of the 22 classmates taking on a specific role. Rychert was responsible for marketing the breakfast, and on the day of the event, she became known as the “sprinkle lady.”
“I went around with a big tray of sprinkles and whipping cream and ask all the kids if they wanted extra whipped cream or sprinkles on their hot chocolate; they really liked that,” she said, saying the class sold 170 tickets for each of the two sessions.
This experience is part of GTI’s Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities, or CEO, program, which was introduced three years ago by program facilitator Erin Paulsen. The national initiative offers students a chance to become entrepreneurs through partnerships with local businesses and are paired with mentors. Students take part in company tours, listen to guest speakers, plan events, and earn six college credit hours.
The students, all of whom applied from area high schools last spring, began planning the breakfast in September.
“We run it as a business so it’s an opportunity to organize an event and get that business experience,” she said. “We’re able to apply what we’re learning.”
One piece of advice Rychert learned from a program mentor is to “bless, not impress.”
“What it means is when you’re talking to customers or for us, breakfast patrons, make sure you’re turning the conversation back to them, ask engaging questions and provide that customer service. We know the parents, grandparents or whoever brought the kids for them to have a good time, so we went out of our way to provide that for them,” she said.
Rychert, who attends Skyline High, is interested in a career in business and as an entrepreneur.
“I wanted to learn if being an entrepreneur was something I want to do in my
life. I figured this was the best place to start. We’re given so many opportunities in this class, like having a mentor and going on site tours and having guest speakers on top of starting your own personal business and the class business,” she said.
For her pitch at the class’s “Shark Tank” event, Rychert decided to present her idea for a bracelet kit business, although she initially worried about competing with established companies in the market.
“My mentor gave me good advice. He said, ‘the riches are in the niches,’ meaning if you try and cater to every person, you’re not going to be successful. If you find a specific niche, that will make the difference,” she said.
Rychert’s inspiration came from a
time when her aunt was in the hospital and there wasn’t much for her to do.
“I decided to target the bracelet kits for kids and teens in the hospital (which they can purchase in the hospital gift shop) so while they’re sitting in their hospital beds likely bored, they can have a bracelet kit with string and beads they can be making,” she said. “I’d include a QR code which will lead to a YouTube channel to see samples and directions. I’m working on a business plan for it.”
The students will showcase their businesses at a trade show. In the past, it has been in early May at Trolley Square.
Over the past two years, GTI students have competed in the national CEO pitch contest. Last year, five students made it to the national finals. In the program’s inau-
gural year, GTI students took first place, third and honorable mention.
Rychert, who serves as a GTI ambassador, competes in DECA business competitions and takes Advanced Placement and concurrent enrollment courses, plans to continue her business after graduation to help fund her college education.
“The class has given me a lot of opportunities which I would have never gotten in high school,” she said. “It has taught me how to take accountability, like if you do something and maybe you mess up, it doesn’t only affect you. It affects the whole class, especially our class business. There are lessons I’ve learned that aren’t necessarily part of the curriculum, but will be ones I can use my whole life.” l
GTI students help St. Nick with the CEO program’s Breakfast with Santa. (Photo courtesy of Granite School District’s CEO program)
With the triumvirate of Ali Tripp, Ciel Budge and Alivia Hutton graduated, there were questions about what the Cottonwood Colts girls’ basketball team would do this preseason without that power trio.
Those questions were partially answered by a 14-3 start.
“We are having a really good season. We lost a tough one at Tooele the other night but bounced back really well against Hillcrest,” said coach Tes Soracco.
Cottonwood’s game at Tooele Jan. 7 had the Colts staging a second half rally after trailing by 11 to end the second quarter. By the conclusion of the third, Cottonwood outscored the Buffs 14-9 to trim the lead to six points. Were it not for a shot clanking off the iron handing the Colts their first league loss, they’d still be unbeaten in Region 10. Seniors Ashlyn Tripp led Cottonwood with 11 points and Avea Van der Beek had 10, while Taylor Workman and Carley Caton each had eight.
On Jan. 10, the Colts hosted crosstown rivals Hillcrest. In that game, Cottonwood made no mistake about who the better team was on this night, taking a commanding
By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com
13-point lead into the locker room that the Colts stretched for a 60-38 victory. Caton led all scorers with 16, while Workman drilled three triples for a total of 13 points.
To give an example of how dominant Cottonwood [14-3, 7-1 Region 10] has been before it finally suffered its first loss of the regular season back in mid-December, the Colts outscored five of their first seven opponents by a 24 point-per-game average.
Part of that reason is that senior Van der Beek and junior Caton have rounded into form and are both averaging 12 points per game. In addition, senior Workman transferred to CHS from Brighton High School this past summer and had two years on the Bengals varsity before arriving at Cottonwood and is also averaging 12 points per contest.
That’s given the Colts the power trio they had last year—albeit a different one.
For a team that lost its leading scorer Ali Tripp and two of its floor generals in Hutton and Budge to graduation, the balance this new group has been displaying this season has not just come from the Colts’ three leading scorers though.
Seniors Bella Morris and Ashlyn Tripp
–Ali’s younger sister – are each averaging eight points per game. From a three-point shooting standpoint, the two are knocking down one or more triples in every contest and Workman herself is averaging a teamhigh two three-point shots made.
In addition to the Colts’ shooting prowess, Morris and Ashlyn Tripp highlight five players averaging two or more rebounds per game. And, it’s an unselfish group, as three players also make one or more assists during every contest, led by Workman’s four assists per outing.
By the time this article goes to press, the Colts will have completed region play and will be getting ready for the 4A state tournament that begins in mid-February.
With nine players back from last year’s 17-7 team, this team has the potential to surpass that win total with seven games left in the regular season. It’s a group Soracco said is one she looks forward to molding into a cohesive unit as her team enters the home stretch.
“The girls come every day willing to work hard, learn and grow,” Soracco said. “They are an incredibly close-knit group and watching them grow together has been really fun. I feel lucky to coach them.” l
Senior Bella Morris puts up a three during the Colts victory over Park City. (City Journals)
Needing to build from the ground up, Cottonwood football retools its Little League program
By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com
To achieve desired results down the road, tough choices must be made sometimes.
That’s the decision Cottonwood boys head football coach Tui Satuala and his staff arrived at after an assessment of areas in which they needed to improve as a program.
“The decision to combine the Murray and Cottonwood Little Leagues a few years ago was driven by declining enrollment, and it’s been a fantastic way to keep football alive and thriving in our community,” said Satuala.
However, Satuala and his staff realized that a painful move needed to be made and so they began separating the two programs by creating a separate Cottonwood Little League program in a Utah County league.
It was a move that caused a lot of public outcry and criticism, but according to Satuala, it was the right one that paid dividends in year one.
“This past year, we fielded a fourthgrade team, and they performed exceptionally well, making it to the second round of the playoffs before falling to a strong Skyridge team,” Satuala told the City Journals about a Colts’ Little League team that was helmed by two of Cottonwood High’s assistant coaches.
Satuala pointed out that the decision to retool Cottonwood’s Little League pro-
Aftergram was primarily driven by a decline in enrollment at Cottonwood High, within its football program.
“This year we had 58 varsity players on our roster. Fifty-eight percent started in high school (34 players, 18 of those are first year players), 20% played in Murray Little League (12 players: two seniors, seven sophomores, three freshmen) and 20% played in other little leagues (12 players),” Satuala said. “So we recognized the need to establish a Little League that could directly feed into Cottonwood High School’s football program.”
That said, Cottonwood High’s football program continued its commitment to the Murray-Cottonwood Little League this past summer, said Satuala.
“I am so grateful for the combined Murray-Cottonwood Little League in the Ute Conference. Over the past summer, we worked hard to support them through youth camps, participating in the Murray Parade, and staying connected through meetings,” Satuala said. “I have tremendous respect for the Little League presidents and coaches, they dedicate so much to the kids and have a lasting impact on countless young lives.”
In an era where youth tackle football participation is down ages 5-8, the good news is that as children reach age 14 they are participating 5% more often in the sport,
according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.
For Satuala, the aim is to reestablish Little League football participation levels to pre-COVID numbers inside the Murray-Cottonwood fingerprint—a goal that was targeted for a period of five or more years.
“This step was aimed at fostering growth and sustainability for our program in the long term,” Satuala said. “Looking ahead, this new Little League is planning to expand and [we] are currently working to add more Cottonwood teams next season. It’s a great opportunity to continue building pride and providing kids in our area with meaningful opportunities to develop both on and off the field. That said, I understand that this decision has ruffled some feathers.”
To that end, Cottonwood’s new head football coach—who has a significant background as not only a history teacher but also as an assistant football coach at four different high schools—realizes that he may have made a series of missteps in setting up Cottonwood’s program this past year.
“I also acknowledge that I could have done a better job communicating our plans to the Ute Conference. I told them at the beginning of our season; I take full responsibility for that,” he said. “We still support
Murray-Cottonwood in the Ute Conference and players from Cottonwood boundaries that are participating in it. I don’t know what the future holds but I strongly believe in the direction we’re heading and am looking forward to the future of Cottonwood football.” l
After enduring a tough preseason, Cottonwood boys basketball rebounds
a Tournament of Champions at Corner Canyon in which the Cottonwood Colts boys basketball team went unbeaten, they have picked up the pace in Region 10 play.
Cottonwood [11-6, 6-0 Region 10] has already had as many wins in league play as the games that were lost during the preseason.
This is thanks in part to a balanced scoring effort from three players: seniors John Rosevear and Luke Park and junior Luka Cecez.
Cecez was primarily a role player last season for the Colts. But, with the graduation of Chris Cox, there is a need for more length and so Cecez has been called on to get buckets down low.
But Rosevear has been a monster. The senior sharpshooter dropped 40 points Dec. 10 on Stansbury on 10 three-point shots, Cecez had 11 points, five rebounds and three blocks and Park had another double-double in points and assists [12-10] as Cottonwood took an early 22-9 lead after one quarter and breezed to an 88-62 win.
At Park City Dec. 13, Cottonwood delivered the goods early but let the Miners
By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com
back in the game, needing a 22-point third quarter to take a 73-60 victory. Rosevear poured in 26 points and Park had 14 and six in points and assists but got helped by big efforts on the glass and above the rim from a double-double from an unlikely person: senior Bo Smith who scored 12 and had 12 boards.
Cecez added 11 points, nine rebounds and three blocks in the win that pushed the Colts record to 2-0 in Region 10 play. After a 60-58 nonleague squeaker of a win over 5A Sky View at home Dec. 16 in which junior Tengis Bayasgalan drilled 17 points on five three-pointers, Cottonwood would need his services again at Jordan in the Colts’ third region game.
Bayasgalan buried another five threes at Jordan Dec. 17 and Park and Rosevear each chipped in 15 points as the Colts held the lead from the opening quarter at Jordan and would need to hang on for a 69-60 victory.
It was the next game, however, that tested the Colts’ mettle.
At home against rival Murray Dec. 19 and in a rivalry that had already been testy, Cottonwood tried pulling away from the Spartans through three quarters and couldn’t.
It took a gritty effort from Rosevear, who knocked down three of the Colts five threepoint jumpers for a team-high 16 points, to eke out a 56-55 win. Cecez dropped 15 and Smith 12.
To close out December, the Colts played in the Utah Autism Holiday Classic and didn’t fare as well as they had at the Tournament of Champions earlier in the season. Cottonwood won one game out of four at the tourney, giving plenty of guys some playing time.
After taking a one-week break, the Colts were back at it in Region 10 play, taking a trip to Tooele Jan. 7. Cottonwood took a wire-to-wire 65-50 win, getting 22 points from Rosevear and 15 points, four rebounds and four blocks from Cecez.
What was more important about the Colts final few games on the schedule is that they were playing 13 guys off of their roster in a region game and that all 13 guys would make it on the scoresheet.
That trend would continue at home against rivals Hillcrest, as the Colts opened a double-digit lead in the second half after a cold-shooting first half on Jan. 9 and cruised to a 68-49 win. Park led the way with
15 points, Rosevear and Cecez added 11, Bayasgalan chipped in nine on three triples and sophomore Malei Atem, who made his first significant appearances at the Autism Holiday Classic, had six points, six rebounds and four blocks as the Colts figure out who’s getting more playing time as the state tournament approaches.
So far, Rosevear is Cottonwood’s leading scorer, averaging 20 points per game. Park, Cecez and Bayasgalan are each scoring 10 per contest, and both Rosevear and Bayasgalan are knocking down three triples per outing. Smith is the team’s leading rebounder at six per game, Cecez is getting four blocks per contest, and Park is averaging a whopping nine assists per outing. By the time this article goes to print, the Colts will have completed their regular season schedule in Region 10. A nonleague game against nationally ranked Wasatch Academy Feb. 7 will wrap up a congested 14 game-schedule in just 45 days.
After that, it’ll be time for the 4A state tournament. l
Cottonwood head football coach Tui Satuala [left] poses with several assistants at a youth summer camp. (Courtesy Cottonwood Football)
Testing and prevention are key to reducing lead poisoning in children
By Jolene Croasmun | j.croasmun@mycityjournals.com
High risk areas for lead are in many zip codes around the Salt Lake Valley that have homes built before 1978. That includes two zip codes in South Salt Lake, 84106 and 84115, where more than 26% of housing was built before 1950 per the 2000 census. These homes more than likely have been painted with lead paints. The soils around these older homes could contain lead. The Salt Lake County Health Department offers help with testing and ways of preventing lead poisoning in families.
Lead particles can be found in older homes and buildings. “Prevention is the educational portion and how to live within your environment,” said Candice Briese, health educator with the Salt Lake County Health Department.
“Our focus is children under 6 since they have a faster breathing rate and they are exposed to lead dust. They put everything into their mouths and touch the ground more often,” Briese said. This makes children more at risk for lead poisoning.
No level of lead is safe for a child. If a child has 3.5 µg/dL then this needs to be addressed right away. Lead poisoning can cause learning and behavioral problems, lowered intelligence, digestive issues, hearing and speech concerns and has been linked to incarceration later in life.
Have your child tested. “Testing can be done at the doctor’s office,” Briese said.
“We will do a home visit if a child test results are at 3.5 µg/ dL. We will bring the XRF analyzer to the home so we can test and discuss the dietary needs of the kiddos and we really encourage reading. Reading is a good way to build those neurons and compensate for that loss from lead poisoning,” Briese said.
There is a real concern with nutritional aspects for children with lead exposure. “Lead can mimic calcium and iron in our bodies. What it does is cause things like anemia because it replaces the iron in their bodies. What we like to do is encourage the dietary approach in that the kids have the required amount of iron and vitamin C, which can help with the absorption of iron,” Briese said.
“Lead can store in the bones for 10 to 20 years. We encourage women that want to get pregnant to get tested,” Briese added. Lead poisoning can cause miscarriages and developmental effects on the growing fetus like low birth weight or hurt the baby’s nervous system, kidneys and brain.
“We do testing events in the community and we have an XRF analyzer that we have when we are out and about,” Briese said. People can bring Ziplock bags full of paint chips from their homes or bags of soil along with spices to be tested at the events to see if there is lead there. “We are always happy to test the products if people want to check for lead.”
“With older homes painted with lead paint, you can encapsulate it, but if you get a ding on the wall, you want to cover it up,” Briese said. “It is important to find ways to make your old home safe. There is a program in the county that is called Lead Safe Housing that can come to your home and test for lead. There are requirements for this service like if you have a child in your home or a pregnant woman is visiting.”
Homeowners may want to get connected to lead safe certified contractors by visiting www.saltlakecounty.gov/ and search for the Lead Safe Housing program.
“Our primary objective is to find it and get it out of the environment. We see it with mugs and the paint on the product,” Briese said. “We want to get it out of there and get the nutrients into the child’s body and then let’s read.”
“We encourage wet cleaning to dust since lead does not break down quickly. It has a very long life. We need to be aware if it is there and wash our hands more often.”
Growing a garden in the yard of an older home could be concerning since lead could be present in the soil. “Certain vegetables will be better than others for growing in the yard of an
old house. We might encourage a raised bed in those areas,” Briese said.
Spices can be a concern. “If buying them online or if from other countries those are the ones we worry about having lead in them. We see it in turmeric, lead is heavy and it is added to a spice they get more bang for the buck. It makes the color more vibrant and lead is sweet. This is why kids eat paint chips. It has a sweet taste and that is why they add it to the spice,” Briese added.
Some makeup from certain communities might use kohl liner or surma around their eyes, which has lead in it. This makeup is typically bought online or from other countries. Check the ingredients in the products you purchase to be sure
no lead is in it.
A person can be exposed to lead when visiting a gun range. “Every time you fire the gun you get lead dust back splashed onto you. So it is important to wash your hands, face and your clothes afterwards,” Briese said.
Fishing exposes a person to lead. If you use lead fishing sinkers you will want to wash your hands along with any children who are fishing with you before eating food due to the lead exposure.
There is the Safe Kids Fare on Feb. 22 at the Mountain America Expo that residents can get things tested at and if more information is needed, email leadprovention@saltlakecounty.gov. l
Water pipes in homes built before 1978 are places where you might find lead. (Wikimedia)
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South Salt Lake seeking to prohibit public camping
By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com
South Salt Lake officials were looking to change city code that would give law enforcement more leverage to preventing homeless camps within the city.
While the city already prohibited public camping at its parks, the code change would expand to all public property.
City Attorney Josh Collins told the council in early January one of the city’s goals is to provide a safe, clean home and neighborhood and that this ordinance would be better for everyone.
“This proposed ordinance would help not only individuals that live in the city, but those that are suffering from homelessness and looking for a place to reside by connecting them with services,” he said. “The work our (homeless resource officers) do in the city is second to none and they go out and don’t just seek to punish people but to find and help connect with services.”
The new language defines both camping and public places which includes “any park, playground, street, right-of-way, sidewalk, park strip, alley, or publicly owned building or real property.”
Collins said the officers previously would have to rely on a “hodge-podge” of codes, county ordinances and regulations to enforce the camping violations.
Councilmember Clarissa Williams noted the police have already done this for years, and the camps are encroaching onto kids baseball fields.
“This is not harming anybody,” she said. “We’re just trying to make sure we protect our own children who are in these communities as well. This is just giving our officers a little more leverage to what they can do, but again, our officers have been doing this for many years and they continue to do it.”
The code change is also crucial to show state legislature leaders, Collins said, as part of a larger push to curb camping and panhandling. There is no state law that prevents camping in municipalities so, he said, it relies on local communities to do that themselves.
Without this ordinance, Collins explained, the mitigation funding for homeless services South Salt Lake receives could be reduced or lost.
Mayor Cherie Wood, who now serves on the Utah Homeless Services Board representing the shelter cities advisory council, added the funding risk “has been communicated frequently at UHSB meetings.”
She also added they cannot enforce during a code blue which is when temperatures in specific areas are expected to drop to 18 degrees for two hours or more during a 24-hour period. The alert allows shelters flexibility to find places to shield people from the cold such as during the Jan. 19 weekend.
Councilmember Corey Thomas said it was unfortunate to tie the funding to this ordi-
nance, but noted the importance of that funding.
“I can’t not support this and risk losing that funding because that helps our police department greatly,” she said. “It funds the homeless resource officers department of the city.”
She added every legislative session it’s a battle to keep that funding.
As for how pervasive it is the city, Collins said it “can be a pretty consistent problem along the river and in other places.”
But Collins and Councilmember Sharla Bynum stressed the quality of the HROs and how they specialize in connecting those experiencing homeless to the resources that can help them. She’s done a ride along with those officers, she said, and felt they were so in tune with the people’s needs.
“It was eye-opening,” she said.
Collins said he’s seen them help pack up a person’s gear and drive them to where they needed to go.
“It’s not just a heavy handed approach that may happen in other places,” he said. “It’s also not a non-approach which may happen in other places. This is a delicate balance the police and the city have to strike because we have dueling interests on multiple sides that we’re trying to manage.”
The ordinance was expected to pass at the Jan. 22 council meeting (after press deadline).
“We ultimately want people to have safe housing and so striking that balance is a difficult thing to do,” said Councilmember LeAnne Huff. l
Public camping was already restricted at city parks, or county-owned Harmony Park pictured here in 2018, but the ordinance proposed would prevent camping on all public places. (File photo City Journals)
The code change is aimed to prevent homeless encampments forming not only in the parks but around the city. (File photo City Journals)
Public camping was already restricted at city parks, or county-owned Harmony Park pictured here in 2018, but the ordinance proposed would prevent camping on all public places. (File photo City Journals)
2024 Impact
New
Cherie Wood, Mayor
801-464-6757 mayor@sslc.gov
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City Offices and Community Centers will be closed on Monday, February 17 in observance of Presidents Day.
City Offices
Monday - Friday • 8 am to 5 pm
801-483-6000
220 East Morris Ave SSL, UT 84115
Public Meetings
For more info: www.sslc.gov Planning Commission
Thu, February 6, 7 p.m. Thu, February 20, 7 p.m.
City Council
Wed, February 12, 7 p.m.
Wed, February 26, 7 p.m.
Cherie Wood
Safeguarding Community Values: Short-term Rental Ordinance
Where we live profoundly shapes our quality of life. Our homes are more than just structures; they are where we begin our days, share time with our families and pets, and find rest, relax, indulge in our hobbies, and renew our spirits. My hope is for every resident of South Salt Lake to experience this sense of home.
As part of my commitment to improving life in our neighborhoods, we’re tackling important issues like the rise of short-term rentals (STRs). A short-term rental is a unit that is rented out for less than 30 consecutive days. In South Salt Lake, we’ve seen a shift towards investment properties, with some STRs operating without the necessary licenses. Currently, we have 45 licensed STRs, 916 long-term rentals, and 169 suspected unlicensed STRs. Of the 45 licensed STR owners, 22 or 49% of the owners reside in South Salt Lake, 78% live in Salt Lake County, and 22% live elsewhere.
To keep our community strong and welcoming, we’re working on introducing a Short-term Rental Ordinance. This is all about finding the right balance between the economic perks of STRs and the safety and well-being of our community. Since 2023, we’ve been discussing this plan at City Council, and we have also been researching what other neighboring municipalities like Millcreek and Murray are doing to address this. Our focus is on requiring STRs to be owner-occupied and necessitating a business license to operate. The ordinance aims to promote homeownership and long-term rentals, helping our neighborhoods stay cohesive and sustainable. The full proposed ordinance will be posted on the website closer to the February meetings. There is also a public hearing set for Thursday, February 20 at 7pm at the Planning Commission (info at sslc.gov), and it’s a great chance for residents to be heard.
Improving the lives of those who call South Salt Lake home is at the heart of this endeavor. By addressing the multifaceted impacts of issues like short-term rentals, we are taking actionable steps to enhance neighborhood stability and preserve the character and affordability of our community.
The city welcomes your feedback to ensure the safety and accessibility for all in our neighborhoods. Join us at our City Council or Planning Commission meetings to learn more and share your thoughts. You can also connect with me, your City Council representatives or SSL Neighborhood Connect to make your voice heard.
After 40 years of service to South Salt Lake, Senior Engineering Inspector Ed Rufener has hung up his orange vest and hard hat for the last time and set out for a new adventure: retirement. As the longest serving employee in our city’s history, Ed is known among staff as the “Human GIS System”. His encyclopedic knowledge aside, Ed will be missed for his humor and steadfast dedication to our city. Enjoy your retirement Ed, you have earned it.
New and Improved City eNewsletters
The City of South Salt Lake is switching to a new platform to send our monthly email news. If you are already subscribed to a city e-news, please expect a new and improved look starting in March. If you would like to sign up to receive the City on the Move, Mayor on the Move, Arts Council, or Recreation newsletters in your inbox, please visit sslc.gov or scan the QR code.
South Salt Lake Receives JustServe City Designation
The City of South Salt Lake has been recognized by the organization JustServe as a designated JustServe City. This designation highlights our commitment to making a difference through service and collaboration with incredible volunteers and partners. Together, we can achieve even more to strengthen our community and support those in need. The “City on the Move” is dedicated to continuing to foster connection through service and progress. If you would like to learn more about volunteer opportunities in our city, please visit the “Volunteer With SSL” page at sslc.gov.
Get Involved
South Salt Lake Public Safety Meetings Civilian Review Board
Monday, February 3 at 6:30 pm
Monday, March 3 at 6:30 pm
Visit sslc.gov to learn more about the Civilian Review Board, or apply to be a member.
Neighborhood Watch
Thursday, March 6 at 7:00 pm
Neighborhood Watch meets virtually on the first Thursday of every month. Visit sslc.gov for the zoom link or more information. Please call 801-412-3600 with questions.
Community Connect
Wednesday, February 19 at 10:00 am
SSLPD Launches New Community Connect Program in Partnership with the SSL Chamber
Message from SSLPD Chief Danielle Croyle
This year, I’m excited to announce a new community outreach program called Community Connect! The SSLPD has renewed its partnership with the South Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, and we are both excited to strengthen the bonds with our community members in 2025!
and address any concerns brought to us.
Our first Community Connect event is just around the corner, and we would love for you to join us! It will be held at Delice Bakery on February 19th from 10 to 11 a.m. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet your neighbors, share ideas with our officers, and contribute to a safer South Salt Lake.
Join us at Delice Bakery (2747 S State Street) to have a treat and connect with members of the SSLPD and South Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce.
Community Connect events will be held at various coffee shops around our city in addition to events at the South Salt Lake Senior Center, Co-Op, and Granite Library. These new social events aim to bring together community members, local businesses, and members of law enforcement.
Community Connect aims to create a platform for residents to engage with and learn from local law enforcement. We want to build relationships with our city’s amazing residents
Make sure to follow the South Salt Lake Police’s social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated about events! You can also find all Community Connect events on the city’s website.
We are beyond excited to launch this new program and learn how we can better serve the people of our city. We hope to see you at Community Connect in 2025!
Don’t Wait Until Disaster Strikes: Create an Emergency Kit Today
In light of the terrible fires that have recently occurred in California, we encourage South Salt Lake residents to take a moment to evaluate their own preparedness in case of emergency. A great place to start is to create, or refresh, an emergency kit. Emergency kits are highly personal, as each household and individual will require specific items for you and your family to stay safe and healthy in the face of disaster. Consider including everything you need to survive for several days if you are forced to evacuate your home without access to food or water. Please visit sslc.gov > Emergency Management for a complete list of items that we recommend including in an emergency kit, as well as other disaster preparedness tips.
Senior ball
Kevin the Piano Animal | Fri, 2/14 at 10:30 am Heat & Soul | Wed, 2/26 at 10:30 am Monthly
2/19 at 10:30 am
Walk with Ease | Every Mon, Wed, & Fri at 10:30 am (starting April 7) Line Dance | Fridays at 10:30 am
Craft with Vickie | Thur, 2/13 at 10:30 am
Senior Ball - Western Theme | Fri, 3/7 at 3:00 pm
Mon - Fri | 8:30 am - 4 pm
2531 South 400 East (385) 468-3340
slco.org/aging
Community & Economic Development
New Year, New Businesses in South Salt Lake
2025 is on track to be a landmark year in our South Salt Lake business community. With so many great businesses recently opened and on the horizon, we want to take a moment to highlight a few of the many that we are happy to welcome into our city.
CHAMPS GYM
If your New Year’s Resolution involves getting strong, Champs Gym is the place to do it. This new South Salt Lake boxing gym opened up in October and trains boxers of all ages and skill levels. They offer a free trial to newcomers before deciding if you want to be the next Champ. Visit their website at champsgymslc.com for information.
IN-N-OUT BURGER
In-N-Out Burger, the legendary drive through burger joint synonymous with Southern California sun and good simple food, is coming to South Salt Lake. Their newest Utah location is located on the corner of 2100 S and Main Street, serving up those patties, fries, and shakes they’re well known for.
BONSAI BAI ME
Bonsai Bai Me is an experience-based bonsai store. They offer private instruction for individuals and groups who would like to learn more about the ancient art of bonsai and try their hand at potting and cultivating their own bonsai tree. They opened their first location in Pleasant Grove two years ago, and expanded to South Salt Lake on September 27 of last year!
PLUNJ
Coming soon to the Bowers Residences at 55 W. Utopia Ave, Plunj is a nordic-style bath house that specializes in contrast therapy–a wellness routine that involves alternating between hot and cold temperatures to promote a range of mental and physical benefits. Plunj recommends a specific regiment of 8-15 minutes in the sauna, 2-5 minutes in an ice bath, 5-10 minutes of rest, and repeating the cycle 2-3 times. Follow along on instagram at @plunj_saltlake to track their opening date.
To connect with the SSL Chamber, email: tereza@sslchamber.com sslchamber.com
SOUTH SALT LAKE CHAMBER CORNER
SL County Mayor Jenny Wilson discusses goals for second term in office
By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com
It is not an easy task leading the nation's 37th most populous county with over one million residents. Yet Salt Lake County voters have decided to let County Mayor Jenny Wilson have a second term as mayor. Wilson reaffirmed her oath of office on Jan. 6 at the Midvalley Performing Arts Center in Taylorsville.
“I’ve had a great working relationship with the current council and am looking forward to working cohesively with new and existing members in the coming years,” Wilson said. “I’m confident we’ll work constructively moving forward.”
Planning for Growth
With Salt Lake County’s population projected to reach nearly two million by 2060, Wilson acknowledges the importance of regional planning. “Salt Lake County advocates for and leads regional planning efforts to maintain and improve quality of life for our growing population,” she explained. This includes initiatives like the newly announced Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Arts Center in South Jordan and the development of 13 miles of multiuse trails at Butterfield Trailhead Regional Park in partnership with Kennecott Rio Tinto and the Bureau of Land Management.
“Trail connectivity is important to us,” Wilson said. She highlighted the county’s commitment to recreation through its 10-year Recreational Facilities plan, which identifies countywide needs and opportunities. “Informed by national best practices and public input, the next plan will be published in 2025,” she added.
Homelessness
and Housing
Affordable housing remains a cornerstone of Wilson’s administration. Under her leadership, the county has implemented a comprehensive action plan addressing homelessness, behavioral health and criminal justice reform. “Our shared vision is that homelessness is brief, rare and non-recurring,” Wilson said.
The plan prioritizes affordable and supportive housing, along with new initiatives like the HOME Court program and the upcoming Kem & Carolyn Gardner Crisis Care Center. Scheduled to open in 2025, the center will provide critical mental health resources. “It is essential that systems—criminal justice, behavioral health treatment, workforce, housing and temporary shelter—are functional and intersect for efficiency and effectiveness,” Wilson said.
Salt Lake County’s Housing Trust Fund, which has invested over $25 million, is another example of her administration’s commitment. “We’ve set a goal to build 1,000 affordable and supportive housing units in five years,” she said. Recent changes to the accessory dwelling unit ordinance also aim to increase housing density and affordability.
Public Safety Challenges
Although a proposed $507-million public safety bond failed to pass, Wilson remains focused on addressing the county’s jail capacity issues. “The jail is at capacity, and there are a lot of residents who would benefit from the resources that the Justice and Accountability Center would have provided,” she said. With the county’s population having grown by 300,000 since 2001, she stressed the need for expanded facilities and services. “We are moving toward efficiently operating only one expanded county jail…ensuring it has the mental health and medical resources that many people with justice involvement so desperately need,” Wilson said.
Preparing for the 2034 Winter Olympics
Looking ahead to the 2034 Winter Olympics, Wilson’s administration is working closely with public and private agencies to ensure success. “Venues are definitely a priority, as is lodging, volunteers, and ensuring that everyone involved in the Olympics has an incredible and memorable time,” she said.
According to Wilson, the county’s efforts aim to capitalize on the opportunities the games will bring while enhancing infrastructure and community engagement.
Balancing Budgets and Fiscal Responsibility
“I am proud to tout that Salt Lake County is one of the best-run counties in the nation,” Wilson said.
Salt Lake County’s financial stewardship is a point of pride for Wilson. “Salt Lake County has a triple AAA bond rating, effectively placing us in the top 1% of all counties in terms of creditworthiness,” she said. Despite the fiscal pressures from inflation and reduced tax revenue, her administration has maintained balanced budgets. “Annually, we go through a months-long budget process
where each budget request is analyzed and weighed against competing needs and priorities,” she said.
Environmental Leadership
Water conservation is a key focus for Wilson as the county grapples with the ongoing drought and the plight of the Great Salt Lake. “We allocated $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to support efforts to flip park strips to waterwise landscaping and replace outdated irrigation systems with smart water management tools,” she said.
“At Salt Lake County, we are doing our part to conserve water. From monitoring our snowpack to implementing water-wise initiatives, we are committed to long-term water conservation amid frequent emergency droughts and changing environmental landscapes,” Wilson said.
Preserving Quality of Life
Programs like the My County Rec Pass, which offers free access to recreational amenities for youth, reflect Wilson’s dedication to enhancing residents’ quality of life. “Since the My County Rec Pass program launched, more than 66,000 youth have become pass holders,” she said.
Other priorities include conserving open spaces, improving air quality, and supporting
arts and culture through initiatives like the Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) tax. “The ZAP program enhances Salt Lake County resident and visitor experiences through arts, cultural, historical, zoological and recreational offerings,” Wilson said.
Collaborative Governance
Despite the county council’s partisan divisions, Wilson has fostered a spirit of cooperation. “Every budget I’ve proposed as mayor has been balanced and approved with bipartisan support,” she said, adding that the 2024 budget passed unanimously.
Wilson also notes that although there was one dissenting vote against the 2025 budget, the reason provided was related to a council proposal intended to actualize cost savings.
A Vision for the Future
As she begins her second term, Wilson identifies affordable housing, homelessness and economic stability as the county’s biggest challenges. “Working with my incredible team of employees, county partners, and other elected officials, I remain committed to finding common-sense solutions that are fiscally responsible and meet the most basic of all human needs for everyone,” she said. l
Jenny Wilson was sworn in for her second term as county mayor on Jan. 6. (Photo contributed)
Jane Austen comedy launches Parker Theatre’s 2025 season
By Tom Haraldsen | t.haraldsen@mycityjournals.com
Parker Theatre is opening its 2025 season with the production of “Persuasion,” a romantic comedy by Jane Austen. The production opens Feb. 1 and runs Friday and Saturday evenings, with Saturday matinees, through March 8.
“Persuasion” unfolds amidst the elegant society of early 19th-century England. Anne Elliot, a thoughtful and reserved young woman, finds herself at a crossroads when Captain Frederick Wentworth, a former suitor whom she was persuaded to reject years ago, reenters her life as a wealthy and successful naval officer. Set against the backdrop of societal expectations and personal regrets, “Persuasion” explores themes of love, regret, and second chances.
It is the first of six productions at Parker Theatre this year. The season schedule also includes “The Sting,” running March 29-May 5; “Noises Off!” playing May 24-June 28; “MacBeth,” running August 2-30; “Silent Sky,” playing September 13-October 11, and the favorite, “A Christmas Carol,” staging November 22-December 24.
Parker Theatre has a long history in the Salt Lake Valley. It was founded in 1985 by Thomas W. and Joanne M. Parker, originally known as City Rep. It performed at Abravanel Hall, Kingsbury Hall and the Capitol Theatre.
For a time, a 100-seat theater was set up at the old ZCMI Mall in downtown Salt Lake City, and the Parkers moved to several locations before they purchased the historic Avalon movie theater in June of 2011. After an extensive remodeling project, the Parker Theatre opened at its current location in April 2012.
In 2016, the Parkers added an old fashion style soda fountain for concessions. The space was completely remodeled in an authentic 1930s style with fixtures and finishes to delight patrons. An on-site chef creates show themed treats along with house made brownies, cookies and handmade sodas. Detail and quality ingredients are a top priority at the Parker Theatre Soda Fountain, the owners said.
“The Studio” was added in 2018 when Parker Theatre purchased the building to the north of the main theatre and remodeled it with a lobby, classroom and a 99-seat theatre. The Studio hosts afterschool theatre school programs, summer camps and smaller performances such as the company’s Magic Shows.
Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday, with a 3:30 p.m. matinee each Saturday afternoon. Tickets are $31 for adults and $22 for youth 17 and under. Season tickets for all six shows are also available. No outside food or drink is permitted, and the age recommendation is for patrons 8 and older. Ba-
bies and toddlers are not permitted. For tickets, go online to boxoffice@park-
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South Salt Lake’s Parker Theatre will open its new season on Feb. 1 with a production of Jane Austen’s romantic comedy “Persuasion.” (Photo courtesy of Parker Theatre)
Arts council recaps year of growth, new leadership coming
By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com
The South Salt Lake Arts Council recapped its 2024 fiscal year in December. Here are some of the highlights.
• Their three major ongoing activities are: creating a 10-year strategic plan, redesigning the Historic Scott School as an arts center and assessing its organizational structure. Former director Lesly Allen retired, and the position was being held on an interim basis by Sharen Hauri, neighborhoods director. It also has two vacancies on its board of trustees.
• Mural Fest featured 14 new murals and 8,000 attendees.
• Craftoberfest introducing a busking tent and kids garden.
• Other events included Art and Ale Trail, Grid City Music Festival and three Get to the River events.
• Its Celebrate South Salt Lake program saw eight mini grants awarded to seed cultural events for other organizations. The grants, funded by Rocky Mountain Power, dispersed $4,000.
• Creative Arts for Life doubled its classes from the previous year to 45. Jody Engar, arts council coordinator, told the SSL City Council they added music and literature classes.
• Creative Arts for Life also doubled its participants to 378 and tripled its class revenue to $13,354.
• Creative Aging class at the co-op became so popular the class was capped at 25 participants due to capacity. A grant funded an eight-week guitar program for the 12 seniors who attended the class. It even featured a culminating performance, “which was fun,” Engar said.
• The next Creative Aging eight-week course, funded by the Utah Division of Arts & Museums, is a painting course that runs from March 4 to April 22. Supplies provided, cost is $25 and will be capped at 12. Must be over 55.
• It’s newsletter reached 1,100 subscribers.
• Across its various forms of media, Engar said Mural Fest reached 18 million views and generated over $300,000 in publicity value.
• Engar said fundraising and development area was
the “biggest opportunity to be better” highlighting sponsorship engagement, soliciting private donations and grant writing. Revenue for fundraising and development did increase from $59,016 last year to $67,181 this year.
“Not every city has this kind of support that we do from the mayor and council and rest of the community,” Engar told the council. “We are grateful for the opportunity to do what we do. It’s been instrumental in helping us bring a mission of bringing arts to all members of our community.” l
Where do YOU read the Journal?
Is your reading nook by the market, in the yard, or on a hike? Share it! Snap a photo of you with your Journal in your favorite reading spot and send it our way! Each month, we’ll feature our top pick for all to see—and every entry gets a chance to win a $50 gift card! So, where will your Journal take you? Show us! photos@thecityjournals.com
Josh Scheuerman poses for a photo with one of the gnomes in his mural as part of the Mural Fest in 2019. The 2024 version saw 14 new murals created. (File photo City Journals)
Unveiling reality: The challenges and joys of raising special needs athletes
By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
Kim Domiguez used to watch other mothers taxi their kids from one practice to another.
Then, while her oldest, Braedon, was in high school, Special Olympics introduced unified sports and Murray High was one of the first Utah schools to jump on board.
Coed soccer and basketball were the first sports, now track and field, swimming and e-sports are options at the high school. The athletes with differing abilities are joined with partners, often peer tutors, to play alongside each other on the same team.
“It used to be that we came up with stuff to do on our own, but now with unified sports, we’re busy,” she said. “I can tell you from a special needs parent’s standpoint, I now understand what soccer moms go through. Unified sports definitely keeps kids involved.”
While Braedon has graduated, he is a constant face on the sidelines of four unified sports, cheering on his brother, Reilly, or more commonly called, Turbo. The high school junior nicknamed himself after the Dreamworks movie, “Turbo,” when he first saw the movie at age 6.
“The only person who he allows to call him Reilly is his brother,” his mother said.
While Domiguez may have an idea of what typical parents do to shuffle their kids and prepare them for competition, not many understand preparing a unified athlete to play.
Unified soccer and basketball athletes practice 90 minutes once per week.
“As parents, we get their bags ready and then, some of us help the teachers get their gear on, make sure their shoes are tied and are ready for practice. Most of the kids complain about it, asking ‘why do we have to do it?’ It’s outside of their comfort zone. But once they get there, they love it,” she said.
Domiguez said few unified athletes grew up playing the sport, so they’ve had to learn the skills. Her family also had her sons watch the Utah Royals on TV and YouTube to understand fundamentals.
“It’s been a work in progress. When we first started the program, most of our kids would just stand out on the field. They’ve learned how to kick the ball and where to kick it. Now they play defense. Lots of our kids love to be the goalkeeper because they realize they don’t have to run up and down the field, but then they had to learn how to stop the ball, how to pick it up and throw it. We had to start all over with basketball. At first, they’d stand on the court, put their hands up and somebody would dribble around them. It’s been with the help of the peers, with other teams, the coaches and all these reps, that our kids come to play,” she said.
Turbo doesn’t have hours of homework, but he does have a life skills class so his mother has him practice the skills at home.
“Sometimes he does well, sometimes I will need to redo it. He loves the vacuum, and he loves to shred. I know if I need something shredded or something vacuumed, it will get done very well. If I need a table wiped off, and I’ve explained it to him 1,000 times, I know I’m still going to have to redo that,” she said.
The night before a game or a meet, it’s not early to bed for Turbo.
“He’s not a go-to-bed early kid. He’s a ‘I’ll go to bed when I am darn-well-ready kid.’ We say nine o’clock, take your melatonin and pajamas and he’s still up at midnight walking around. We try to keep the boys’ schedule the same without disruption. Each kid is different, but most special needs kids love their schedules, and they like it being always the same. I don’t tell him we have a soccer match the night before so he won’t get upset that he will be missing class and will have to make it up. From a special needs standpoint, getting ready and to the event
can almost be as difficult as being in the event,” she said. Turbo gets up at 5:30 a.m. before being at school two hours later “because he’s not in a hurry to do anything in his life. He could shower and then lay down a little, take his time at breakfast.”
On a game day morning, he used to be “on edge.”
“Turbo is a creature of habit. He likes things to be the same, but now he knows what to expect so it’s easier. He knows there’s going to be people there he knows. He’s going to have a chance to ride on the bus. It’s going to be a fun adventure,” his mother said.
Domiguez’ husband, Dean, offered his help to coach the team alongside special education teacher Jessie Agiriga and other educators who have guided the program from its inception.
“Turbo listens to Dean. He didn’t want to come today and we had to put in effort to get him here,” she said about an early fall tournament at Highland High. “Now, he’s all in.”
Still, when the regional tournament rolled around, and Turbo got frustrated, his dad explained, “Turbo’s ideal soccer game is not to play it, but to watch it on TV.”
The frustration came about from Turbo playing on a higher skill level team than he previously competed on as an underclassman. At the beginning of the season, every school tests students’ abilities and from there, it’s determined what unified division level of teams the school will have and where athletes will be placed.
“It’s not always sunshine and roses and he will let us know that. When he’s reaches the end of what he can handle, he needs some downtime,” his mother said. “What’s different about playing unified is everybody is so wonderful and gracious; they want everybody to score and do well. It’s fun to see the competitive nature of a lot of these kids come out, but then also their humanity side comes out even more. If there’s a kid who has shot at a basket six times in a row, you’ll find everybody rooting for the seventh, eighth and ninth attempts until he finally scores. Then we all cheer.”
As an increasing number of Utah high schools now have unified programs, competition has stepped up. At the metro regional tournament, there were 55 area teams. Several schools, have added additional teams.
Her husband, a former Murray High swimmer and water polo player, also coaches unified swim. He’s able to spend time with the team as he has macular degeneration, so he retired from his desk job, and now, with Braedon and Braedon’s grandfather, does construction work for the family business.
Domiguez said both her sons, who were born premature, were diagnosed with autism before age 2 after doctors were monitoring their progress. They attended a preschool for students with autism before entering elementary school. Braedon integrated into a kindergarten class while it wasn’t until second grade that Turbo fully integrated.
“His peers didn’t know he spoke until second grade. He was very quiet, and he was a runner. The kids were so helpful, if Turbo got up and ran out, a nice girl would go after him,” she said. “Every year, I’d go to their classes and talk to the kids about what autism is, or answer their questions, ‘why is Turbo acting the way he does? Or should I be afraid of him?’ We thought the best way to combat bullying was let the kids get to know us.”
Now some of those classmates are the ones who fill the bleachers at games or are the cheerleaders rallying for Turbo and the rest of the unified team.
“What’s been fun for the team is when we people are there to cheer for them; they love the support,” she said.
That gift of acceptance and being part of the school is not lost as the Domiguez family returns their support, often going to soccer, softball, volleyball and basketball games to cheer on those players who have helped the unified teams. They even support their classmates in the school musicals and attended University of Utah women’s basketball games.
Domiguez, as the sole driver for the family, says it isn’t easy, as she herself often attends unified games in a wheelchair as she has “really bad arthritis. We’re a lot better than we look on paper, but we do live in a very different world than I think a lot of people. I used to be a type A personality. Now it’s ‘Let’s just see where the day takes us.’”
She knows she can’t leave her younger son without a “Turbo-sitter” as he has a track record of dumping out all the kitchen spices or emptying the fire extinguisher, but she is pleased he likes his classes such as video editing, ceramics, cooking and zoology. He also participates in Best Buddies program and has attended school dances.
“Turbo got himself a rainbow sequined suit for a Halloween dance. He asked one of his peer helpers to go with him, and she had the same suit. They wore matching rainbow suits and had a lot of fun with it,” Domiguez said.
And those special moments, such as when Braedon scored a last-second shot to win a basketball game, are often relived.
“Everybody went nuts, running onto the court, screaming and dancing. And an hour or two later, we’re driving home, and the kids were still excited. Braedon still brings it up and they talk about how great it was,” Domiguez said. “Those are some of the moments that make us smile and make it so worthwhile.”
This year, Turbo had a memorable goal.
During the season, his team ate dinner with the Utah Royals’ unified team and the Spartans met their mascot and the Utah Royals players. Then the two unified teams scrimmaged on the America First field.
“We got our butt handed to us, but Turbo scored a goal, and that’s all that mattered,” his mother said. “When they score, that’s when they’re the happiest and the whole team jumped around, they high-fived each other, and even the Royals unified girls gave them high-fives. We got one goal. Oh, by golly, we celebrated the heck out of that goal.”l
Alongside partners, a Cottonwood unified athlete brings up the ball against Brighton High in the regional soccer game. (Julie Slama/ City Journals)
With visions of Jack White, Prince and Sophie Lloyd strumming in my head, I started taking guitar lessons last year to prove that old dogs can still be tricky. After months of lessons, I confidently state Jack White can rest easy. I won’t be coming for his job.
Guitar lessons have challenged my patience but expanded my capacity for playing incorrect chords on a slightly outof-tune instrument. I pluck through terrible-sounding riffs and know practice time is over when I drop the guitar pick in the sound hole for the hundredth time.
Each week, I meet with the ever-patient Emily at Guitar Center so I can go over my lesson. I spend most of the time trying to convince her I really did practice while ignoring the eye twitch she develops whenever I play an F chord.
She’ll give me advice like, “Press the strings harder” or “Change the position of your thumb” or “Maybe take up baking.” I go home and practice chords and strums and fingerpicking until even the dog leaves the room. But after practicing “Blowin’ in the Wind” for six weeks, my husband finally recognized the chorus.
I’ve gained an appreciation for guitar players, and I get enraged by people who say they taught themselves to play the guitar because that can’t possibly be a thing. Like every child in Utah, I took piano lessons, and that background has helped with counting and timing but that’s the extent of its helpfulness when it comes to the guitar.
The hubby and I visited Nashville in October, where even toddlers can play the intro to “Stairway to Heaven,” and it highlighted how much I still have to learn. Every dive bar had an exceptional guitarist strumming chords while holding a beer bottle. I ate chicken wings and sipped margaritas, mesmerized by their talent.
Time to face the music
Peri Kinder Life and Laughter
Not only were they exceptional, but they could play any song by heart. My brain has no storage capacity. My hard drive is full. I can’t memorize songs, and I can barely remember chord progressions. I’m still looking at chord charts like they’re hieroglyphics.
Learning guitar is mostly about finding new ways to use your nondominant hand. In theory, a plucked string should create a musical vibration. In reality, a plucked string provides a muffled thud because I’m not on my fingertips or I’m too far from the fret or I can’t stretch my hand into a barre chord or I’m just inept. All of those things can be true.
After I played “If I Had a Hammer” for several weeks, my husband said if he had a hammer he’d smash my guitar. Not nice. But fair.
I grew up listening to singers like Joan Baez, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash. Mom and my aunt would visit assisted living centers (they were called rest homes in the ’70s) to sing and play the guitar, entertaining the captive audience. Sometimes I’d sing along and screw up their “Leaving on a Jet Plane” harmonies with my squeaky 8-year-old voice.
Learning to play the guitar is a connection to my late mom. I can’t say my guitar music honors my mom because no one deserves that kind of honor, but I can imagine her
smiling (and probably grimacing) whenever I pick up the guitar. Maybe there are earplugs in heaven.
Watching Prince perform at the Super Bowl, seeing Jack White in concert and hearing Sophie Lloyd shred has become an act of reverence. I stand in awe at their talent as I slowly pick through “Five Hundred Miles” for what feels like the 500th time.
