South Salt Lake Journal | June 2024

LINCOLN ELEMENTARY TEACHER, EXCEL WINNER PREMA CHRUTHOTI CULTIVATES LOVE OF LEARNING

By Sarah Brown | s.brown@mycityjournals.com

Lincoln Elementary third-grade teacher Prema Chruthoti has a passion for education. It flows from her and forms the foundation of her classroom culture.

Her mother taught her, “whatever you’re doing, give 100%, no matter what it is.” These words shaped her and have fostered a lifetime love of learning.

“Prema has an ability to bring the very best out of kids,” said Milton Collins, Lincoln Elementary School principal. He wasn’t surprised she was nominated for the Granite School District annual Excel award, which he called “the highest honor.”

Chruthoti said, “I’m not a teacher, I’m a coach, and sometimes I have to be a mom.”

She works hard to make learning fun. She plays a lot of games and sings songs with her students. “I have a song for everything,” she said.

To advance her multilingual class, she uses language as a thread to connect concepts for her students. She consults a reliable companion, an old language book that served her in her own learning journey studying for the GRE, to teach students root words in Greek and Latin to build their vocabulary.

She’ll count in those languages as students line up. Later in math or science lesson, she’ll recall “tetra,” “quad” or “kilo.” When the kids see quadrilateral or kilogram, they get it.

In her classroom, individual and team goals are always in focus. They are written everywhere — in her notebook, on the white board, and even in student pencil boxes. She

engages her students in the goal-setting process, frequently discussing them and collaborating on how to achieve them.

“It instills responsibility,” she said. “Students start taking on the challenges themselves. They really care about their goals, and they encourage each other.”

Chruthoti said that receiving the award gave her a boost of energy, likening it to a trampoline effect, particularly needed in the last stretch of the school year.

She said, “I’m really, really thankful,” and then humbly emphasized, what she really wants is for her students “to be at benchmark at the end of the year.”

She was one of 2,200 names submitted (by parents, teachers, administrators and students) as part of this year’s nomination process, which begins in fall and culminates in late spring when winners are recognized. Nine teachers and one administrator are selected for the award following a rigorous evaluation process. Winners receive a $1,000 check, gifts from community sponsors and a celebratory dinner.

The recognition can be very meaningful for teachers, rejuvenating them and encouraging them forward in their professional development.

Jadee Talbot, executive director of Granite Education Foundation and director of Family and Community Engagement for Granite School District, oversees the Excel awards. He said, “as a former teacher, awards like this—anything

What to know about visiting the E.R.

By Dr. Alex Drake

At CommonSpirit Health, our vision is a healthier future for all – inspired by faith, driven by innovation, and powered by our humanity. This extends to all the care we provide our patients, whether it be in our doctor’s offices, our clinics, or our hospitals.

We want your visit to our care sites to be as comfortable as possible, and we know that visiting the Emergency Department (ER) is difficult for any patient and their loved ones. I would like to share some information about what to expect in the ER, so that you can be as prepared as possible.

Our emergency caregivers are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to serve our community. We accept all patients – regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. A typical visit to the ER can take two-to-three hours, but please know that in the ER we must evaluate and treat our patients based on severity of their condition. This might mean longer wait times in the lobby or even after being placed in an exam room. However, this also means that if you’re having a life-threatening emergency, you will have the undivided attention of our doctors and nurses.

If you have mild-to-moderate symptoms – such as fever below 103 degrees without a rash, flu-like symptoms without shortness of breath, or sprains and strains – you may wish to consider calling your primary care provider or visiting an urgent care center, as these options may be faster and are often less expensive. Symptoms or health issues that require immediate medical attention may include the following:

• Chest pain

• Sudden weakness or trouble talking

• Difficulty breathing

• Spinal injuries

• Severe head injury

• Major broken bones

• Major burns

• Sudden change in vision

• Heavy bleeding

• Large open wounds

You should never drive yourself to an ER if you are having severe chest pain, severe bleeding, if you feel like you might faint, or if your vision is impaired. When in doubt, please call 911 — what matters most is that you get to the emergency room quickly and safely. If you arrive by

ambulance, you will be triaged and we will determine the level of care required.

All emergency physicians at CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospitals are board certified in Emergency Medicine and have trained for many years to help you in your emergency. The doctors also have specially trained midlevel providers who can also help. Your provider may order tests like X-rays, CT Scans, Ultrasounds, bloodwork, urinalysis, an electrocardiogram (EKG), or others, depending on your health problem.

After receiving test results, the doctor will discuss the findings and diagnosis with you. If needed, they will advise admission to the hospital. If your condition does not need admission, they will give you written instructions about treatment to be followed at home. This may include prescriptions, tips for home care, and any referrals needed for following up with either a primary care or specialized doctor.

While we hope for the health and safety of those in our community, know that we are here if you need us. Our excellent doctors and nurses at CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospitals are ready to provide high-quality, compassionate, and timely care.

Orthopedic care with compassion at its core.

Our physicians provide the most advanced care and treatment options in orthopedics, including hip and knee replacement, total joint replacement, and sports medicine. We are committed to creating personalized treatment plans and providing extraordinary care to every patient.

As 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.

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Jordan Valley West

Tracy Aviary Jordan River Nature Center set to expand

By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com

While migrating birds make their way north from their winter homes, Tracy Aviary’s Jordan River Nature Center (also called The Nature Center at Pia Okwai) is in the midst of an estimated $18-million expansion.

Their goal is to better connect the Salt Lake Valley’s more diverse and international west side with nature, wildlife and the river.

It’s not just birds migrating to the center and river. Staff have reported seeing beavers and deer near the center.

“During the last couple of years I have seen all kinds of kwi’naa or huittsuu (birds) such as puyu (duck), kinii (hawk) and saipakantsukkih (red-winged blackbird),” said Daniel Hernandez, director of culture. “This location is next to the parkway and within short walking distance from the center I have seen evidence of ha’nii or a’nii (beaver) and even seen a few teheya (deer).” The center’s staff strives to use Indigenous peoples’ names of the animals.

The Tracy Aviary created the center in 2020 to connect west side residents with its programming that was then based at its Liberty Park campus in Salt Lake City. Since then, the center has hosted a number of community events from nature walks to Earth Day celebrations. And it has now opened a host of new amenities on the 12-acre property, even as construction and planning for more additions continue.

The most prominent addition is a three-story observation tower in the center of the property. From the top deck, visitors can see from the canyons of the Wasatch Mountains to the Jordan River. The top of

the tower will help scientists track migrating birds and bugs with the addition of a Motus Tower, part of a global network of radio telemetry devices that track animals as they fly by on their seasonal journeys.

The first floor holds a bird blind that isn’t just a space to watch birds flying outside. The center also uses the space to hold writing workshops in partnership with the Community Writing Center and hosted a read-a-thon.

“The Nature Center at Pia Okwai has already facilitated, hosted, and begun to co-create community based programming and events that we want to continue,” Hernandez said. “The great thing is that

there is this growing space that is used for gatherings and education in an increasingly more and more colorful place demonstrated by the range of plants and flowers that are growing there and the diversity of birds who visit.”

New construction will include a pavilion and amphitheater. A new conservation garden loop will be constructed behind a berm to separate it from the loud traffic on 3300 South. The short pathway will boast drought-resistant plants that residents can seed themselves.

“Local and regional residents have been helping with painting or attending programs and events already and there’s

heaps of opportunities to visit the campus, attend an event or program, participate or volunteer on planting or other projects as well,” Hernandez said. “I’d encourage folks to follow our social media and check out our webpage to learn more.”

Planting efforts are ongoing. For now, there aren’t many plants as they take time to put roots down. Over the next couple of years, visitors will be able to see the property become more lush with vibrant plants as they grow.

The center is building specific areas for children to play in nature, as well. The wetland habitat under construction will have a pond and stream. They also hired Lost Eden Gallery to paint a mural on one of its perimeter walls.

There’s still much more to come to the property. Aviary officials are also designing a learning lab and visitor center. l

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Residents help plant flowers for Tracy Aviary’s expansion. (Photo courtesy of Daniel Hernandez)

Tracy Aviary’s Jordan River Nature Center is undergoing an expansion to better connect residents with nature. (Photo courtesy of Daniel Hernandez)

Ten artists from Utah and across the country gathered in South Salt Lake to work on murals in the city’s Creative Industries Zone.

According to the South Salt Lake Art Council, the Creative Industries Zone is one of the United States fastest growing business sectors. The Zone holds several breweries, distilleries, creative businesses and displays of public art.

The seventh annual Mural Fest began May 4 where residents and visitors could come see the new additions to building walls. Guests were welcome to take a self-guided walk or bike tour of the art.

Mural Fest started in 2018 as part of an arts district study in downtown South Salt Lake. It was created as a creative placemaking tool to revitalize the neighborhood and bring more color and people into the town.

The original goal was to create 10 murals every year for 10 years. Now coming up on the seventh year, there are just under 70 murals adorning the business walls. This year will bring an additional 14 murals to the creative zone.

Mural Fest celebrates urban beautification and artistic talent using the tool of public art. The South Salt Lake Art Council’s mission is to unite the community through art. Mural Fest strives to support local artists, provide opportunities for residents to engage in the arts, and foster creative approaches to

14 new murals added to SSL’s creative zone

By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com

innovative growth in South Salt Lake.

Lesly Allen, the executive director of the Arts Council, said they expect to see between 2,000 and 3,000 people come to Mural Fest each year.

“The community comes out to watch the artists work and see the process and see the progress every day,” Allen said. “They'll come down one day and then they come down the next day or a few days later and they see the progress that the artist has made. There's a lot of connections that are made between the artists and the public when they're out.”

Artists are chosen from around the world.

“It's quite a daunting task to choose from all these talented artists all over the world, but we try to select a combination of local, national and international artists so that we have, you know, we look for diversity in the art and the artists,” Allen said.

Artists do have certain guidelines they have to follow. While they have freedom over most of what they get to create, it cannot be an advertisement for the business the mural is on and it has to be appropriate to the public.

While the May 4 main event of Mural Fest is over, anyone can see the murals and the artists’ progress anytime. l

2024 mural addition being painted by DAAS on South Salt Lake’s City Hall building. (Photo courtesy of Lesly Allen)

2024 mural addition being painted by Key Detail on Freeway Plaza in South Salt Lake. (Photo courtesy of Lesly Allen)

Inside look into unified basketball: What athletes say about the experience

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

They want to be like Mike—dishing, swishing, jamming.

“I want to slam dunk like Michael Jordan,” said Bingham High sophomore Josh McDonald as he was playing in a regional basketball tournament.

Hillcrest High senior Dax Bowen also likes Jordan’s moves as does Corner Canyon High senior Jadon Medina.

The student-athletes all play for their unified high school basketball teams.

In unified co-ed basketball, there are five players on the court—three athletes and two partners. Teams play against other squads of the same ability in two eight-minute halves. Supported by Special Olympics and the Utah High School Activities Association, unified sports has both a competitive and a player development level, the latter which provides more of a cooperative environment with partners being teammates and mentors.

In the weeks leading up to the state championships, many of the unified basketball players took to the court, practicing skills they learned growing up and playing in regional tournaments.

Murray High started practicing once per week starting a couple months before the state contest. They also did a skills assessment to determine the ability of the players and then divide themselves into two teams.

“We practice shooting and making baskets,” said Murray High junior Parker May, who has a brother who taught him to “dribble, shoot and have my arms up on defense.”

Cottonwood High junior Alizia Sherard said, “We have a lot of practices where we dribble, we try to get the ball from the other team, and we make the shots.”

She learned to play from her dad and continues to play him in the family driveway.

Copper Hills High junior Corbin Roesbery also grew up playing basketball in his driveway. He started at age 12.

Alta High freshman James Miles learned how to play from his dad when he was four years old.

“We still play, but now, I’m practicing and playing with my friends and peer tutors in class,” he said.

Hillcrest’s Bowen also learned to play from his dad in a church gym.

“We would shoot around. On this team, we all count on each other,” he said.

Brighton High sophomore Tru Fiessinger said during their practices, they work on dribbling, defense and shooting.

“It comes easy, but to be good, I have to work hard,” Fiessinger said.

For others, basketball was a new sport they learned with their classmates to be able to exercise and be part of their high school

unified team.

Jordan High junior Kaitlyn Uzcaga, who learned to play as a freshman, said her team practiced defense.

“We have practiced our blocking; we’re wanting to move a lot more on the floor,” she said.

Mountain Ridge sophomore Ash Perez said his team also has been practicing.

“Coch (Brock) Whitney, our PE teacher, taught me how to play; I love it,” Perez said.

This year’s unified high school basketball championship was the state’s largest as 80 teams from across the state converged on the University of Utah’s Huntsman Center and HPER courts to not just determine the winners in the divisions, but to have a chance to display skills learned and to forge friendships on the court.

It was kicked off by the Special Olympics’ athlete oath and a welcome from Gov. Spencer Cox and First Lady Abby Cox, who then helped with a dunk team doing a trick.

myself,” he said.

Skyline High freshman Andrew Bouck said quick decisions are key.

“Whenever someone passes to me, I will get rid of the ball by shooting it,” he said. “If I don’t have a good look, I’ll pass it.”

Hunter High senior Angelly Velasquez sized up the competition.

“They’re lots of tall teams here,” she said. “We’re hoping we’re fast enough to go around them.”

Jordan’s Uzcaga said they started off playing well.

“We’re doing good and having fun. We’re being brave and trying our hardest,” she said.

Copper Hills’ Corbin said his team works together and helps one another to learn.

“We tell each other to never give up, to listen to our team, to listen to our coach and to have fun,” he said.

The last part, having fun together on and off the court is key, the athletes say.

Herriman’s Lono said they “hang out and have lunch together. We have dance parties.”

West Jordan’s West likes being with friends, seeing movies, playing basketball and listening to music, “mostly Taylor Swift.”

Similarly, Olympus High senior Bailee O’Conner says her favorite friends are on her team.

“We go to birthday parties, see movies at a movie theater and go to school dances together,” she said. “It makes me happy.”

Corner Canyon’s Medina knows he’s part of the Chargers’ student body.

Much like other athletes, these Special Olympians wanted to do their best — and win.

Sophomore Saiah Lono said Herriman High’s team has a routine as they prepare for a game.

“I’m the hype man,” the point guard said. “We do a little dance to warm up and we dance to celebrate.”

Cottonwood’s Sherard said she’s always wanted to play at the U.

“I want to be No. 1 here. I like winning,” she said.

West Jordan sophomore Robert West said they practiced to play their best, “but I’m excited to win.”

Alta’s Miles is self-proclaimed “overly competitive. I like to win.”

Teams prepared their strategies.

Bingham’s McDonald loves to play defense.

“We need to stop the other team from scoring. I have to make sure they don’t steal the ball from me, but I love to steal the ball

“I like being a part of a team where I belong. I’m a part of it and a part of my school,” he said.

Skyline’s Bouck adds, “It’s fun to play here with my friends and have my family and friends cheering.”

Hunter’s Velasquez says she gives her teammates high 5s and cheers for other players when she isn’t on the court.

“We cheer for the other team, especially when they make a basket; it’s fun that everyone can be a winner that way,” she said.

She and other teammates have been part of other unified sports teams; many of the athletes compete in unified soccer. At Hunter, they also perform in their school’s unified musicals.

Murray’s May swims on his school’s unified swim team.

“I like to go fast and win races and be cheered on. I cheer on others too,” he said.

Copper Hills’ Roesbery placed in the top 10 in the 60 meters at the state track meet last year.

“The best thing on any team is teamwork. It’s good to listen and work togeth-

Cottonwood High’s co-ed unified basketball team, which played at the state tournament, forges friendships through learning teamwork and demonstrating sportsmanship. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Salt Lake County Animal Services rolls out mobile clinic for free spay/neuter surgeries

Salt Lake County Animal Services is dedicated to providing pet services to every person in the county, so they created a new program to help them do just that.

Pet assistance on wheels (P.A.W.S) gives SLCO Animal Services the opportunity to perform vehicle-based spay and neuter surgeries. The mobile clinic will travel to every city in the county and provide free spay and neuter surgeries for owned pets to help control the pet overpopulation.

P.A.W.S will be ready and on the road in June or July, where they will be available at least once a week and up to four times a week for residents. While it hasn’t been launched yet, animal services staff see the high demand for the service.

“Once we get it up and running, we believe it will significantly benefit our community residents who have pets in need of this service,” said Jami Johanson, communications and public relations manager for Salt Lake County Animal Services.

Residents can expect a spay or neuter procedure to take anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour depending on the size, weight, age and health of the animal. Following the surgery, technicians will stay for a few hours and make sure your pet is doing well from the surgery.

The program has received funding for a full year of services, and once they’ve seen the initial reaction from the cities, they hope to be able to continue the program and service pets and residents of Salt Lake County.

With the amount of homeless pets, this program will help keep them safe and healthy, as well as stop the homeless pet population from growing.

“With shelters and rescues overflowing with wonderful

er,” he said.

Riverton High seniors Travis Willis and Jason Johnson are the boys’ basketball team managers.

“We hand out towels and we go on the court to wipe the wet spots. If they’re sweaty, we pass the towels,” Johnson said. “We’ve made friends where we hang out, play basketball, listen to music.”

Willis said at unified sporting events, he gets to see middle school friends who go to other high schools.

Hillcrest’s Bowen said his team has gone through a coaching change and several of his teammates graduated last year.

“I’ve made more friends and since I’ve played on the team for a while, I know I need to help them and be one of the leaders on the team,” he said. “State is really big. It’s the main event. But our team is what’s most important.”

Mountain Ridge’s Perez agrees.

“I lke helping my team and we love each other,” Perez said. “Unified basketball gives me friends and a good work out so getting a good sweat is worth it.”

At the same time as coaching the 25 basketball players, Murray High School special education teacher Jessie Agiriga was supporting her students who were competing on the unified swim team and on the unified e-sports team.

“Everyone improved their times in the

By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com

pets, assisting in population control within our community would also [be] beneficial to our homeless pet population,” Johanson said.

The primary focus of the program is to sterilize pets in the communities, but they do remain open to the idea of offering additional services if they can secure the time, budget and resources. l

pool at region,” she said. “We had two students and two partners on our e-sports team who took first at a competition at SLCC (Salt Lake Community College). This is our second year for unified track. Our Best Buddies friendship walk is big in April. Some of our kiddos have something almost every day after school so it’s awesome that they make up part of our school culture.”

So awesome, in fact, that earlier this school year, Murray High was recognized with the national banner for inclusion as a unified champion school for meeting Special Olympics’ 10 standards of excellence for creating an inclusive environment, said Courtnie Worthen, manager of Special Olympics Utah’s Unified Champion Schools.

The banner presented represents each student, she said.

“Not a single banner here is more important than the banner representing inclusion,” she said.

Murray High’s dedication and commitment to inclusion was multiplied as it was announced being an ESPN Honor Roll school.

Agiriga said the recognition is critical.

“It’s important because it shows our school is accepting and welcoming of all students. It’s pretty fun to celebrate that we have lots of opportunities for the students and that they are included,” she said.

Murray High Athletic Director Brady Smith said it has been rewarding to see the unified program expand.

“It’s really been a positive thing,” he said. “We have a number of unified sports opportunities. We’ve had multiple assembles that involve our whole school. We have

Best Buddies where students can do monthly activities and often times, we just see the students hang out together. Being a banner school means we’ve created an environment where all students can be successful, and everyone can contribute to a positive space. Everyone at Murray is valued.” l

MacFarland, a dog available for adoption at the Salt Lake County Animal Shelter. (Photo courtesy of Jami Johanson)

Casanova, a cat available for adoption at the Salt Lake County Animal Shelter. (Photo courtesy of Jami Johanson)

Murray High brings up the ball against Skyline High during the state unified basketball championships, which included 80 teams this year. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

FCottonwood baseball went through the best, worst of times this season

ielding arguably a brand-new team compared to the one outgoing head coach Chris Shelton had the year before, the Cottonwood Colts baseball team welcomed roughly a dozen new players including Robbie Jensen, a 6-foot-3-inch senior you might have seen in the fall as a football QB.

Along with Gavin Duckworth, who was handed the C hat as the Colts’ new head coach after previous coach Shelton resigned and accepted a job alongside former head coach Jason Crawford at SLCC where several Colts still play, Cottonwood was starting fresh in many areas.

And that wasn’t the only change to Cottonwood’s routine, according to Athletic Director Greg Southwick.

“We had a feeling it was coming,” said Southwick this past summer, as Cottonwood was moved into a more manageable classification and region as far as travel was concerned: 4A’s Region 10. In baseball though, this meant the Colts were now going headto-head with more heavyweights not only inside their league but against teams in Southern Utah who have the luxury of playing year-round come state tournament time.

To combat this advantage, new coach Duckworth implemented a fall skill-building program that included several scrimmages against Highland and Cyprus to try and keep up with those Southern Utah schools.

And since Cottonwood brought in at least 80 new students this past summer to the school to shore up an athletics program struggling to maintain numbers across all sports and not just in football, said Southwick, the Colts were not just able to field a deeper baseball team—it’s that they needed better competition.

Once the Colts played a handful of nonregion games, won three of their first four and split two Region 10 series with Stansbury [a win] and Tooele [a loss], they were

you can do to uplift teachers—are needed. We don’t do that enough…show off the good that’s going on around us.”

Talbot said some Excel winning teachers go on to leadership roles, becoming administrators or academic coaches.

Chruthoti will follow this path. Next year, she will serve as an intern assistant principal to Collins, who is thrilled to retain her as part of his staff.

This is the second year in a row Lincoln Elementary School has had an Excel winner. Last year, fifth-grade teacher McKinzey Jackson won the award.

Discussing the back-to-back winners, Collins said, “it has everything to do with culture. You should be in a place where you love, laugh and educate.”

By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com

headed to Las Vegas for the Bishop Gorman Tournament.

A 1-3 record in Vegas led to a bad stretch for the Colts, who lost five of their next six games against Park City and Juan Diego in region play.

But, the Cottonwood [14-13] bats warmed up against rival Hillcrest to wrap up the regular season. They’d defeat Hillcrest 17-7 on April 23, exploding with 18 hits. And then they’d grab a 20-3 victory April 24, and complete the series sweep April 25 with a 13-3 win. In that series alone, Jensen would hit two home runs and belt six RBI.

Back at home after the UHSAA handed Cottonwood a No. 16 seed at the 4A state tournament, the Colts hosted Hurricane, a school out of Southern Utah at the Regional.

Both teams would be stingy through 2 1/2 scoreless innings of Game 1. In the bottom of the third, Cottonwood senior Oliver

Wayman hit a triple, putting a runner on base that sophomore Porter Stonebreaker would drive in to give the Colts a 1-0 lead.

Through six innings, Jensen would pitch a masterpiece on the mound, as he struck out nine Hurricane batters and allowed just three hits in seven shutout innings of ball in Cottonwood’s 2-0 Game 1 win.

In Game 2 of this 6A Regional though, No. 17 Hurricane would score early: seven runs in the first two innings while Cottonwood could not score a single run.

The Colts finally quieted Hurricane’s bats in the top of the third, thanks to senior Austin Carver’s work on the mound and would answer with a grand slam home run from junior Ladanian Gutierrez in the bottom half of the inning to narrow the gap to 4-7.

Carver would fan more Hurricane batters in the top of the fourth, which led to

more momentum and two more runs for Cottonwood in the bottom of the fourth.

Trailing by one at 6-7 going into the top of the fifth, Carver would give up a run for Cottonwood but settle in for the rest of the inning, keeping the Colts in range by the score of 6-8.

Cottonwood wouldn’t score in the bottom of the fifth but neither would Hurricane in the top of the sixth, setting the scene for a wild finish.

In front of a pretty raucous crowd at Cate Field, the Colts would blast a run in to narrow their deficit to 7-8 going into the top of the seventh.

Carver would exit Game 2 of this 4A Regional having thrown several innings and 10 strikeouts. He gave way to sophomore Zane Wayman, who managed the inning well without giving up a run.

As a team, Cottonwood put on their rally caps in the dugout in the bottom of the seventh, needing one run to take this to extra innings and two to win the series.

Despite having close to two dozen new players on the roster, these Colts would get those two runs to take a wild 9-8 win over Hurricane and move on to the 4A Super Regional at Dixie.

Drawing the No. 1 team in all of 4A was simply a stroke of bad luck for Cottonwood, who would be swept down in St. George by the Dixie High School Flyers, 0-12 and 1-8.

Carver would step onto the mound one final time for Cottonwood at Dixie and would acquit himself well in Game 2: five hits and one strikeout. John Pipe, another senior, had an RBI and Landon Wells and Sam Clements had their moments this season as well.

To be sure, these Colts have come a long way in one season. With only those six seniors graduating though, you’d have to think there will be more in store. l

Chruthoti applies 100% of herself to developing her students, ensuring her classroom is a laboratory of questions, discovery, mistakes and laughter. She wants students

to remember not just the concepts, but the learning experience, carrying it with them into the future.

As she transitions to a leadership role,

she said she will miss the direct classroom instruction, but she is “looking forward to taking the culture to all the classrooms.” l

Junior Brighton Young throws a pitch for the Colts. (City Journals)

Continued from front page

Prema Chruthoti’s classroom values are in focus. (Sarah Brown/City Journals)

Granite School District celebrates student art with annual exhibit

Photos by Sarah Brown

Students and their families explore the exhibit and view their artwork on display

Dozens of students and families attended the annual Granite Art Exhibit reception and award ceremony held April 25 at the Granite Education Center.

“Best in Show 2D” award winning piece “Mama Cerda” by Gimena Estrella Benito.

Gimena Estrella Benito from Granger High School won “Best in Show 2D” for her entry “Mama Cerda.”

Nora Santos from Olympus High School won “Best in Show 3D” for her entry “Fluffy.”

Art supplies were gifted to student award winners to encourage and advance their craft. First place winners won $250.

“Geode” by Jonathan Burkholder from Hunter High School was chosen for the “Pottery Wizard” award.

“Best in Show 3D” award winning piece “Fluffy” by Nora Santos.

For the Cottonwood Colts boys tennis team, the increase in numbers across all the school’s athletics programs enabled the team to not only be competitive in region play but also to earn a few victories along the way.

Cottonwood finished the Region 10 regular season with a 1-5 record overall, but entered region championships play with a strategy.

It paid off in several surprising ways as a number of Cottonwood’s student-athletes reached some milestones during the tournament that ran April 24 and April 25.

In second singles, senior Ethan Luker didn’t win his first match, to be sure. But, Luker’s performance in that first match based on having won one set [3-6, 7-6, and 3-6] still advanced him to the third round where he lost 2-6 and 3-6. Still and all, it was a great showing from Luker in his last region championships appearance.

In third singles, however, senior Benjamin Birich did win his first round match over Park City’s Nate Hadar, 6-0 and 6-1. Birich was defeated by Hillcrest’s Aarav Parikh 1-6 and 4-6, but again the overall performance launched the Cottonwood senior into the third round where Birich won, 6-1 and 6-1 over Tooele’s Josh Malmgren and wrapped up his championships run with a fourth-round victory against Hadar, 6-2 and 6-0 for a third-place finish overall.

It was rough going for senior Jacek Budge who lost to Park City phenom and freshman Chad Johnson in first singles, 0-6 and 1-6. All things considered, it had to have

By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com

been a rough first-round draw for Budge, who has been one of Cottonwood’s most consistent performers all season.

In first doubles, youth went wild as sophomore Rishi Patcha and junior Jacob Edwards had a tough go against a duo from Stansbury in the first round of competition at Hillcrest High in Midvale, losing 0-6 and 1-6.

But, in the second round, Patcha and Edwards started slow but ended with a flourish, winning the match 1-6, 6-1 and 6-2. That carried the Cottonwood top pair to the third round where they lost to a twosome from Hillcrest, 4-6 and 2-6.

In second doubles, juniors Spencer Thompson and Alex Covili lost 2-6 and 1-6 to a pair from Murray, but bounced back in the next round to take a duo from Tooele to three sets before falling by the final score of 6-2, 2-6 and 3-6.

At the 6A state tournament May 9 at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City in first singles, the Colts top senior and No. 24-ranked player in all of 4A, Budge would fall in straight sets to Timpanogos’ Carter Lee, 0-6 and 0-6.

In second singles at the state tournament, 17-seed Luker would provide a stiff test to No. 16 Carson Lund of Timpanogos but would ultimately fall as well, 1-6 and 4-6.

Birich would again prove to be a very tough out even with the stakes as high as they are at state in third singles; he lost but only just by the score of 5-7 and 3-6 to Mathison Beatty of Hurricane. Birich was the Colts’ highest seed in the state tourney in singles at No. 14.

In first doubles, the Colts’ duo of Patcha and Edwards again proved they were no fluke at state, but fell to Noah Hoff and Josh Haller of Crimson Cliffs, 0-6 and 3-6.

Finally, in second doubles, the Colts did not have anyone represented at the 4A state tournament.

That said, there were plenty of milestones for the Colts to be proud of this season. l

ON THE MOVE

Earn Money for Saving Water: Beautiful Yard Awards p. 2

SSL’s Innovative Approach to Homelessness and Justice p.3

Join a Free Intro to Investments Course ....................................... p. 4

A Promising Future: South Salt Lake Scholarship Awarded ..... p. 5

Summer Recreation Sport Camps and Hiking Group p. 6

Explore, Enjoy, Engage: SSL’s Art & Ale Trail p. 7

Cherie Wood, Mayor 801-464-6757 mayor@sslc.gov

City Offices

Monday - Friday

8 am to 5 pm

801-483-6000

220 East Morris Ave SSL, UT 84115

Animal Service 801-483-6024

Building Permits 801-483-6063

Business Licensing 801-483-6063

Code Enforcement 801-464-6757

Fire Administration 801-483-6043

Justice Court 801-483-6072

Police Admin 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

South Salt Lake’s Vision for Greener Tomorrows: Planning for Parks Together

South Salt Lake’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life through accessible, engaging public spaces is more than a policy, it’s our passion! Over the last year, the City has embarked on a journey to assess, revitalize, and expand our parks and outdoor recreation spaces. This effort is not just aimed at beautifying our neighborhoods, but is also focused on strengthening the bonds within our community.

After a year of outreach to the public and stakeholder committee input, two things have become clear: our parks are for all and everyone should be connected to them.

The updated Parks Plan will serve as a strategic blueprint for the future—directing what we build and how we build it. Our community has changed quite a bit in the last decade and the plan reflects this. People want parks for all interests, ages and abilities, and they value the health, wellness, social and identity aspects of parks just as much as recreation and nature. They want to see a park in every neighborhood, and fill in the gaps where our city is rapidly growing, including Downtown SSL. Is it possible? I believe so! We achieved so much this past decade, most of our to do list was checked off. I am ready to see what the future holds—check it out on our Parks Plan page on sslc.gov and share your thoughts, too.

We recognize the diverse needs and desires of our residents, and have worked to connect with the community to get as much

input as possible. The feedback collected from the Winter 2023 Parks Plan Survey and various community engagement events like Mural Fest and Craftoberfest has been invaluable. These insights directly influence the scope and direction of the plan, ensuring it truly reflects the community’s interests.

This year, we also created an advisory committee, conducted community workshops, and integrated Promise SSL Youth Workshops to engage our younger residents.

Themes developed by the advisory committee include accessibility, arts, health, and social connection.

South Salt Lake’s continuous improvement of our parks and outdoor spaces is crucial for nurturing the well-being of our community. As you enjoy and spend time in our parks, open spaces, and trails, I hope you’ll be a part of the conversation. Together, this new Parks Plan will reflect the best of who we are as a community and bring about an even more livable, lovable South Salt Lake for now and generations to come.

JUNE 2024

Mayor Cherie Wood

Public Meetings

For more info: www.sslc.gov

Planning Commission

Wed, June 6, 7 p.m.

Wed, June 20, 7 p.m.

City Council

Thu, June 5, 7 p.m.

Thu, June 12, 7 p.m.

FY25 Budget

Public Hearing

Weds, June 5, 2024, 7 PM: City Council Regular Meeting

City Council Members

Find out more about who your City Council representative is by visiting sslc.gov.

LeAnne Huff, District 1 lhuff@sslc.gov

Corey Thomas, District 2 cthomas@sslc.gov

Sharla Bynum, District 3 sbynum@sslc.gov

Nick Mitchell, District 4 nmitchell@sslc.gov

Paul Sanchez, District 5 psanchez@sslc.gov

Natalie Pinkney, At-Large npinkney@sslc.gov

Clarissa Williams, At-Large cwilliams@sslc.gov

Keeping Our Sidewalks Clear

City code prohibits sidewalks from being obstructed. Please help keep sidewalks clear for the safety of your neighbors. When sidewalks are obstructed with electric scooters, parked cars, trash cans, or other items/ debris, it pushes people into the roadway to get around. Or worse, it creates accessibility issues for individuals who use wheelchairs or parents pushing baby strollers. Simple acts of consideration make our community a safer place to live and navigate. If you need to report a violation to SSL Code Enforcement, you can submit it online at SSLC.gov, email connect@sslc.gov, or call 801464-6757.

Earn Money for Saving Water: Beautiful Yard Awards

This year for the SSL Beautiful Yard Awards, we are focusing on water conservation and rewarding water efficiency efforts. Three yards will be recognized over the summer months for their aesthetics and waterwise landscaping. Each winner will receive a $500 Home Depot gift card to help maintain their water conservation practices. Residents can nominate themselves or someone else living within South Salt Lake. To make a submission, visit sslc.gov and look for the Beautiful Yard Award notice on the homepage. Questions? Contact us at connect@sslc.gov or call 801-464-6757.

Utah Water Saves offers a Landscape Incentive Program for residential and commercial properties. South Salt Lake residents are eligible for the full rebate amount, up to $3/sq ft for removing grass and replacing it with waterwise landscaping. Before you tear out any grass from your yard, visit utahwatersavers.com to view all eligibility requirements and start your account for project approval.

Over the past five months, SSL Water has been asking residents to test their water service line inside of their homes and participate in an online survey. This is an EPA mandate as part of the Lead and Copper Rule. We still need residents to test their water service line. Starting in July, SSL Water will begin “potholing” certain properties we have identified as priority test sites due to the year the home was built.

The process involves digging a hole near the water main and testing the water service line from the connection point on the city main. Potholing is the last resort and will only be used on those residents on our priority test site list who have not yet participated in the survey. To learn more and find a step- by-step guide on testing your water service line, visit sslc.gov and look for the Lead Free SSLC notice on the homepage. Questions? Contact SSL Water at water@sslc.gov or call 801-483-6030.

South Salt Lake City Council Action Report Summary

Full agendas, minutes, handouts, and video recorded meetings available at: www.sslc.gov/160/City-Council

Public Safety

Don’t Get Played: Recognizing and Preventing Impersonation Scams

It’s easy to find ourselves cheering for characters like Harold Hill from The Music Man, Danny Ocean from Ocean’s Eleven, or Frank Abagnale Jr. from Catch Me If You Can. These fictional con artists charm us with their wit and cunning plans, becoming the unlikely heroes of their stories. However, in the real world, con artists are far from charming, exploiting the trust and vulnerability of their victims to steal hard-earned money.

A common scheme happening in our community is impersonation fraud. Impersonation fraud is usually a caller (or texter) PRETENDING to be a sheriff’s deputy, a government official, a bank, or part of a cartel. Their request is always the same: MONEY. As members of society, we tend to believe others.

However, watch out for these red flags:

• An unexpected call or message from an unknown number/sender.

• A request for money (especially a gift card or cryptocurrency).

• Overpayment, personal checks, or a request for money back.

• Threats of legal or physical consequences.

Don’t ignore the warnings - disengage from the conversation and call the police. Schemes will change with advancing technology such as artificial intelligence so please verify before sending money. And enjoy a good con on the silver screen but please don’t fall for these trickster’s traps.

Message from SSLPD

Chief Danielle Croyle

SSL’s Innovative Approach to Homelessness and Justice

Thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, the South Salt Lake Justice Court is pioneering a more compassionate approach for individuals experiencing homelessness as they work through their cases. This initiative is not just about navigating the court system; it’s about changing lives.

In the past few months, we’ve made strides to bridge the gap between the court and vital community resources to ensure that those facing homelessness receive the comprehensive support they need. In our collaborative efforts, we have brought together members from the SSL Justice Court, SSL Homeless Strategies, and SSLPD Homeless Resource Officers, as well as key community partners including The Road Home, United Way/211, and Salt Lake County.

In March 2024, this group participated in a training on Trauma-informed Courtroom Practices & Procedural Justice, conducted by the Center for Justice Innovation, aimed at reforming criminal legal systems through innovative, community-serving strategies. As we learned, taking a different approach is crucial as traditional court settings can unintentionally trigger PTSD symptoms, leading to non- compliance and decreased chances of success. Additionally, this month, the group gained valuable insights from a Housing Survival training, which illuminated not only the obstacles to securing housing but also highlighted that providing housing alone does not address underlying issues such as loneliness, isolation, and a lack of purpose.

By taking on the concept of ‘Individual Justice’, our courts are committed to more than just meeting the legal requirements; but to strive to personalize the experience for each person who enters the court system. Its mission extends beyond guiding individuals through their sentencing; it’s about supporting them on their path to stability and self-sufficiency. This approach not only upholds the law but also fosters a deeper commitment to the wellbeing of our community members.

2530 S 500 East 801-412-3217

2797 S 200 East 801-386-4949

3280 S 540 East

801-803-3632

Invest in Success: Join a Free Intro to Investments Course

Promise South Salt Lake has partnered with Westminster’s Finance Department to offer their Business Certificate Program to our residents and neighbors for free. Building on the success of our recent Intro to Finance course, we are now offering a free eight-week Intro to Investments course. This new module is crafted to demystify the complexities of investments, providing practical knowledge to help you identify growth opportunities and make informed decisions to enhance your business’s potential.

The next installment of the Business Certificate Program will cover investments. This course will help you to understand the landscape of market strategies and investment risks through real-world applications, preparing you to navigate the challenges of business expansion confidently. Don’t miss this chance to empower yourself with the tools needed for financial success. Register now by scanning the QR code or visiting sslc.gov.

Salt Lake County Senior Center EVENTS FOR JUNE 2024

Picnic in the Park

Wednesday, June 5, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Fitts Park, 3050 S 500 East, South Salt Lake Registration required for lunch! Please sign-up at the front desk in advance!

Live Entertainment

BD Howes—Wednesday, June 5, 10:30 am Heart & Soul—Friday, June 14, 10:30 am Rich Dixon— Wednesday, June 19, 11:30 am

Special Meal

Birthday Special: Tuesday, June 4 Father’s Day Special: Friday, June 14 Juneteenth Special: Wednesday, June 19

Vital Aging: Monthly Wellness Discussion Wednesday, June 19, 10:30 am

Presentation By Jill Smith: Navajo Nation Friday, June 21 at 10:30 am

Pancake Breakfast

Thursday, June 27, 9 am - 10 am

Sign up at front desk.

Choir Practice

Mondays, at 12:30 pm Starts on June 10

Mat Yoga

Wednesdays at 2:30 pm

Chair Yoga on Fridays at 1:15 pm

Stronger Memory

Starting July 10, Weds at 12:30 pm

Join our 10-week Brain Health Program designed for those with mild cognitive impairment or earlystage dementia. Sign up at the front desk or call 385-468-3340.

SSL Community Center • 2531 S 400 East

385-468-3340 • Hours: 8:30 am – 4 pm

SSL Scholarship Awarded: A Promising Future for Sediqa

South Salt Lake is excited to award their first ever Mayor and City Council Scholarship Award to Sediqa Ahmadi at Cottonwood High School. Sediqa was selected because of how has impressed school staff with her hard work and dedication for her future. Sediqa has also been an active participant at the Promise South Salt Lake Teen Tech Center. She goes the extra mile to reach her goals and makes full use of the resources around her to better herself and expand her opportunities. Counselors, teachers, afterschool staff, and others who have had a chance to get to know Sadiqa speak highly of her. When access to education was blocked for women and girls in her home country, Sediqa continued her studies on her own with the support of her family so she could find opportunities elsewhere. She says, “I consider myself lucky because I can go to school and study freely.” In the short time she has been in the US, she has exhibited remarkable resilience and character. She is very deserving of this scholarship and the City is excited to present this award to Sediqa to continue her dreams of pursuing a career in medicine.

Mayor Cherie Wood presenting the 1st ever South Salt Lake Scholarship to Sediqa during the Senior Awards Night at Cottonwood High School.

Community Happenings

To learn more and register for Community Art Classes, visit SSLArts.org or call 801-483-6018. Create an account at sslc.gov and opt-in to receive our monthly SSL Arts Council E-Newsletter.

ART55+ Creative Arts for Seniors

Instructor Laura Sharp Wilson

Every Wednesday

10:00-11:30 AM

SSL Community Center

2531 S 400 East

FREE!

Art Classes for June

Scenes of Summer - A Painting Series

Instructor: Kat McDaniel -Bad Dog

Arts Wednesdays:

Time: 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

South Salt Lake Community Center

Co-Op Art Room

2531 South 500 E

Plein Air Sketching with Ink and Watercolor

Instructor: Sue Martin

Tuesdays: June 4, 11, 18, and 25

Time: 1 PM to 3 PM

Fitts Park - Lion’s Pride Pavilion 3050 S 500 East

Bad Poets Society

Instructor: Cadence Summers

Mondays: June 3, 10, 17, and 24

Time: 6:30 PM TO 8:30 PM Historic Scott School 3280 S 540 E

Beginning Classical Guitar

- Part II

Instructor: Gabino Flores

Wednesdays: 5, 12, 19, and 26

Time: 1 PM to 2:30 PM

South Salt Lake Community Center

Co-op Art Room 2530 S 500 E

Mindful Photo

Instructor: Danielle Waters Monday

July 1 • 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

South Salt Lake Community Center

Co-op Art Room 2530 S 500 E

Atta Boy! SSL Dog Park Rules

Having a safe space to let our pups play is important, especially as the weather warms and we are spending more time outside. This means it’s important for everyone to have good dog park etiquette. Following these guidelines will help you and your dog have a great time together!

• Do make sure your pup is vaccinated, supervised, and clean up after him or her!

• Leash your dog outside of the off leash area, make sure your dog is socialized with other dogs and people, and if applicable, be sure to use the appropriately sized dog park for your pet.

• Don’t leave your dog unsupervised in the dog park, and don’t bring them to a dog park if they are showing signs of illness, or are not up to date on their vaccines.

SSL DOG PARK LOCATIONS

Lions Park: 361 E Robert Ave | SSL City Hall: 150 Oakland Ave

Community & Economic Development

Kristen Frailey @kristen.and.color, one of our live artists in front of her 4 hour art piece at SaltFire Brewing. From the owner of SaltFire, Ryan Miller, “Mural Fest and the Art & Ale Trail live art event was a big boost to our business. We probably served three times the number of patrons for a typical Saturday. Let’s do more!”

How Blaser Ventures Plans to Transform South Salt Lake Explore, Enjoy, Engage: South Salt Lake’s Art & Ale Trail

Our annual Mural Fest in May not only adds beauty to Downtown South Salt Lake with its 66 stunning murals, it also adds a significant boost to local commerce. These public artworks have become a cornerstone of our Creative Industries Zone (CIZ), adding vibrancy and attracting visitors and residents alike to explore the heart of our community. To help Mural Fest participants explore our downtown dining and drinking establishments, this year five businesses hosted the Art & Ale Trail featuring a unique blend of live art demonstrations and local business engagement.

Artists showcased their skills on portable plywood canvases, creating pieces that will soon be displayed at the 2280 S State St lot where the forthcoming Blazer Ventures development is planned. The goal is to line the empty lot with dozens of mural panels, which will be created during some upcoming summer events hosted by local CIZ businesses. These events are in collaboration with the South Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, Arts Council, and Community Development, and will also keep our Mural Fest vibe alive with suggested mini mural tour routes for exploration. Stay tuned and follow us on social media: @sslchamber @southsaltlakearts @themuralfest and @southsaltlake

Introducing a visionary project proposed by Blaser Ventures, poised to transform an empty lot at 2280 S State Street into a vibrant, mixed-use space that will help revitalize Downtown South Salt Lake. This central location includes frontage on State and Main Street and connects to UTA’s S-Line.

Blaser Ventures is a Salt Lake City-based real estate developer and investor predicated on impact, sustainability, and placemaking. Some of their projects include Granary Square and the Post District in Salt Lake City.

Watch this space for updates as development plans progress and keep an eye on the property because in the next few months you’ll start to see artwork lining the property to add more color and public art to our Creative Industries Zone.

IndieGo Coffee, nestled at 3310 South 500 East, stands out as one of our local coffee spots. Recently, they unveiled an enticing summer mocktail menu, showcasing a delightful array of refreshing beverages. Step into IndieGo Coffee’s inviting ambiance and savor not only your beloved cup of coffee but also innovative creations like the Mountain Fizz Mojito, Mango Pineapple, Orange Sunset, and much more. Visit them online at indiegocoffee.com, and visit them in person for some sips and bites.

Local artist Almost @almost_slc completed his painting in 4 hours at Pat’s BBQ during Mural Fest. You can see his artwork and many more on the lot at 2280 S State St.

TheWesleyBellRingers.com

Contact email: TWBR@christumcutah.org

Instagram: @the_wesley_bell_ringers

Facebook: The Wesley Bell Ringers

YouTube: @thewesleybellringers

Since 1963, The Wesley Bell Ringers has provided a unique opportunity for youth in the community to learn and perfect the art of handbell ringing. As the oldest and longest-running handbell program in the state of Utah, more than 500 teens have performed with the group over the years. Hosted by Christ United Methodist Church in Salt Lake City, the handbell musicians play 6 octaves of bells, 6 octaves of hand chimes, two octaves of cup bells, two octaves of silver melody bells, a 25-note set of Belleplates, a carillon and a boom-a-gong.. They’ve performed with The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Kurt Bestor, and have joined The Piano Guys on one of their Christmas albums.

Director Katie Lay said The Wesley Bell Ringers perform concerts throughout northern Utah, at both public and private events. In the summer, they go on a two-week concert tour to a di erent area of the United States, putting on free performances. Youth in the choir raise the money to a ord these tours and purchase equipment, teaching them the direct link between their hard work and a reward.

Tell us more about you, Katie.

I have been the director of The Wesley Bell Ringers for the last 10 years, and have been employed in the music department at Christ United Methodist Church for almost 20 years. I hold a bachelor’s degree in arts administration from Westminster College.

School-age youth can get a UTA Rider’s License to travel the Wasatch Front

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

UTA’s popular summer youth pass is back, providing unlimited rides on FrontRunner, TRAX, streetcar, UTA On Demand and buses for kids ages 6 to 18. For $49, the UTA Rider’s License can take youth to places from Weber to Utah County.

“UTA is excited to once again be offering kids the chance to get out and explore their community this summer,” said UTA spokesperson Carl Arky. “Our hope is once they start using public transportation, they’ll become more comfortable and familiar with the UTA system and continue using transit as they get older. That will help reduce congestion and air pollution

What sets your organization apart?

We are a non-audition group, meaning we will teach any youth how to read music and play handbells. We are the only youth choir in the nation who performs and travels so extensively. Our concerts provide audiences with the opportunity to hear beautiful music, and to see youth from di erent backgrounds working together to reach a common goal. We spend time learning music, having fun, and becoming lifelong friends. We create a place for all youth to feel accepted.

all while enhancing the quality of life for everyone along the Wasatch Front.”

The pass is valid through Aug. 31 and can be purchased as a mobile ticket on the Ride UTA mobile app. For youth without a smartphone, Tap passes can be purchased online at RideUta.com or UTA customer service locations.

UTA transit goes to Hogle Zoo, Tracy Aviary, Living Planet Aquarium, Thanksgiving Point, BYU Museum of Art, Scera Theater and Outdoor Amphitheater, Lagoon, Cherry Hill, Kenley Amphitheater, Station Park and more. For information, visit rideuta.com/Rider-Info/Riders-License. l

What is your best advice for someone considering joining your group or hosting a performance?

Simply to reach out. If we can perform for you or encourage a youth to join, we will! The opportunities provided to youth in The Wesley Bell Ringers are unlike anything they can nd elsewhere. Not the right age? Christ United Methodist Church has handbell opportunities for kids as young as 4th grade, and adults of all ages! Come join us!

Who is your ideal performer?

Ideal ringers are youth from ninth grade through freshmen in college. We want people who bring good attitudes and are willing to learn and work hard. All denominations are welcome. Ideal concert hosts and audiences are anyone who appreciates good music.

Are you currently hosting any upcoming events?

Our summer tour runs from June 8-23. We will perform in Nevada, California, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Washington and Utah. All concerts are free and open to the public. Concert information can be found on our website TheWesleyBellRingers.com.

We are also hosting a social for potential new ringers on August 25. Details on this opportunity will be posted on our website and in the City Journals.

Granite Technical Institute aviation student simulates Lindbergh’s transatlantic journey

By Sarah Brown | s.brown@mycityjournals.com

Just before 10 a.m. on May 10, Taylorsville High School and Granite Technical Institute student Owen Anderson landed his plane, via simulator, on a runway in Paris, experiencing the same transatlantic journey Charles Lindbergh completed in 1927.

Lindbergh became the first person to fly across the Atlantic Ocean—from Long Island to Paris—alone, without stopping.

The Lindbergh challenge is an annual endeavor that is part of GTI’s private pilot ground school course offered through their aviation program. Instructor Ted Roos issues a test, and those who score the highest get the opportunity to attempt the journey.

“Charles Lindbergh was a land-based navigator,” Roos said. “He flew the plane using basically only a compass.”

Lindbergh’s plane, known as Spirit of St. Louis, was custom built to carry extra fuel needed for the journey, the placement of which severely restricted his view.

For Owen’s flight, Roos programmed the simulator to model the limitations Lindbergh encountered. He covered windows and technological instruments that would give Owen any modern advantage.

“Simulators are not exact, but they can do anything planes can do,” Roos said. “The simulator will go around the world,” and “you can put anything into it that you would experience in the outside world—weather, storms, rain.”

Like Lindbergh, Owen traveled with five sandwiches (handmade by Roos) and four bottles of water. He had two of each and paused for three restroom breaks.

Roos plugged a fan into the floor to keep Owen cool with the lack of ventilation in the simulator. Lindbergh had side windows opened to keep him cool and also awake.

Sleep deprivation was a primary challenge for Lindbergh, who apparently hallucinated during his 33 ½ hour flight.

Owen certainly empathized. “I didn’t realize how easy it would be to handle the boredom; it was the sleep that was the hard part to fight,” he said.

It is also not easy for Roos, who stays awake with his

students to program the simulator and monitor their progress. Owen’s mom, Amanda Gunderson, did not stay awake. She went home and waited for the call her son would soon be landing.

She enjoys observing his passion and expressed gratitude for GTI for helping kids, like Owen, develop their interest.

Owen would like to be a commercial pilot and is trying to accumulate hours toward his private license, which the aviation program at GTI facilitates.

Roos has been a clinical instructor at GTI running the ground instructor and flight simulator course for 12 years. Prior to teaching, he trained Navy pilots and ran simulators at Hill Air Force Base.

“It’s one of our highly coveted classes,” said Mandy Chapple, GTI’s principal.

About 5% of students in the program go on to study aviation at a university.

Roos suggested expense as a limiting factor in student ability to pursue a license, estimating the total cost of private pilot licensing with required certifications to be $80,000 to $100,000.

He tries to get students in the simulator as much as possible. He said he “hopes to save students some money sitting in pilot lessons.”

After 27 hours of flying, Owen approached his landing. GTI students, staff and administration, along with Owen’s mom, tracked the monitor and cheered him on as his plane touched down.

The black curtain on the simulator was lifted, and Owen stepped out beaming with joy and exhaustion.

Owen’s peer group was energetic with support, and inquisitive about his journey.

Roos congratulated him with a certificate, plaque and a replica of the medal Congress awarded to Lindbergh in 1928.

Then, to have some fun, he showed photos of Owen doing doughnuts in the early morning hours, indicating the plane was temporarily on autopilot.

“He did really well until about four o’clock,” Roos said. “Most people fall asleep at about one o’clock.”

Roos had to wake him. “At over 22 hours in, you don’t let a kid crash,” he said.

As for handling that boredom, Owen said, “I didn’t; I just flew the plane.” l

Art night brings Woodrow Wilson Elementary families together

By Sarah Brown | s.brown@mycityjournals.com

Teachers, families and students gathered May 15 for Woodrow Wilson Elementary’s annual art night. It’s an event children look forward to each year. Students do art projects, participate in activities and enjoy an evening of fun with friends and teachers.

Art night serves “to bring families together—to connect and build community,” said Stephanie Taylor, who teaches ESL at Woodrow Wilson Elementary.

Third-grade teacher Sally Ossana is on the social committee that puts together events for teachers and family engagement, including art night. The committee selected a spring theme for this year.

The halls were lined with artwork of flowers, plants and bugs, which families perused, allowing students to show off their creations.

For activities, students made caterpillars and butterflies using Popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, pom poms, goggley eyes and glue, and birdfeeders using pinecones, peanut butter and seed.

Classrooms were designated for various other activi-

ties. Students could practice musical rhythms, make puppet shows using a shadow box and enjoy a Polynesian-themed performance. As is true at most events, the face painting line was the longest.

WorkshopSLC, a for profit art school, attended the event, providing a project for students to design a square piece to contribute to an art quilt. They were awarded a government grant that enables them to bring free art to the community in various forums.

Owner and general manager Lucia Murdock said, “I want to make art accessible to all. It’s my mission in life.”

Between 100 and 200 people attended the event. Teachers facilitated the stations, while students engaged their parents in the different classrooms and experiences.

“Our goal is to get community involved and associate positivity with being at school after hours,” Ossana said.

Several families lingered through the evening, eventually having to disperse when someone announced over the intercom system it was closing time. l

Owen Anderson poses with his mom Amanda Gunderson after completing the Lindbergh challenge. (Sarah Brown/City Journals)

Student artwork is displayed in the school hallways. (Sarah Brown/ City Journals)

11 local farmers markets to visit this summer

By Rebecca Olds | rebecca.o@thecityjournals.com

Summer and fall bring the season of the farmers markets where vendors sell fresh produce, homemade products and more.

Several farmers markets in Utah, including those hosted by the Utah Farm Bureau on this list, are strict about each product being made or grown by local farmers to support farmers in the state— which ensures quality, fresh produce and goods for shoppers at the markets.

This list is in no way comprehensive or in any particular order, but are just some ideas on where to find some local farmers markets.

1. Sandy City farmers market

Starting June 15, Sandy City partnered with Empowered Community Markets will host a weekly farmers market every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sandy Amphitheater, 1245 E. 9400 South. With fresh food, shopping, live music, and a splash pad, Sandy’s farmers market will be on the fun to do list all summer long. The farmers market will go on until fall with the last day of the season on Oct. 19.

2. Draper City farmers market

Sunset Farmers Markets, which specializes in evening and weekday markets, runs the show for Draper City’s farmers market. This market is at Smithfields Park every Tuesday from 5 to 9 p.m. from July to September, and then 5 to 8 p.m. in October. More than 80 small local businesses will attend each week, featuring fresh flowers, produce, eggs, honey, milk, meat, baked goods, and art. Food trucks will also be there to offer even more choices for dinner and treats.

3. Suncrest farmers market in Draper

The neighborhood Suncrest Hills, located at 2016 East Village Green Circle in Draper hosts a farmers market on the second Wednesday of the summer months starting in June and ending in October from 5 to 9 p.m. In 2023, they had activities like petting zoos, live music and a s'mores station. Goodies such as fresh bread, homegrown vegetables and salsa, jewelry, soap and much more were also sold.

4. “9th West Farmers Market” in Salt Lake City

This is a market that’s been around since 2005 when The People’s Market was first started by Kyle LaMalfa. It’s hosted near the International Peace Gardens at 542 N. 900 West in Salt Lake City. From midJune to mid-October, the market is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Sunday.

5. Downtown Salt Lake City farmers market

The farmers market in Salt Lake City runs nearly year round. The Saturday summer market runs in the summer and fall from June 1 until Oct. 21 at Pioneer Park (350 W. 300 South) from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. An art and craft market is also held during the same time, in the same place by Urban Food Connections of Utah.

6. Daybreak Farmers Market

Rain or shine, the Daybreak Farmers Market offers 60 booth spaces every week and is run by Empowered Community Markets. In the heart of the Daybreak neighborhood, the market offers local musical talent, locally-grown produce, homemade jewelry and artisanal crafts, and artwork. The market runs every Saturday and starts on June

8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and runs until Oct. 12, when hours change from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Four times during the summer youth entrepreneurs are invited to open their own store front and sell goods at the farmers market, on June 22, July 20, Aug. 17 and Sept. 28.

7. South Jordan City farmers market

Every Saturday from Aug. 3 to Oct. 15 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., South Jordan will host a farmers market at 1600 W. Towne Center Drive. Each week is focused around a different community activity, including a variety of crafts, a balloon animal artist and more.

8. Utah Farm Bureau’s South Jordan farmers market

This market is also owned and operated by the Utah Farm Bureau and features Utah farmers selling anything from produce, to salsa, fresh bread, jams and tamales. Unlike the Murray Park market, select Utah artisans who use “Utah-grown and raised agricultural products” will be permitted to sell items other than food.

The market is every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. beginning Aug. 3 and running until Oct. 12.

9. West Jordan food trucks, community market and “First Fridays”

Starting in May, food trucks come to usher in the warmer weather in West Jordan. On every second Tuesday of the month from 5 to 8 p.m. at Ron Wood Park (5900 New Bingham Hwy.) near the splash pad, a variety of food trucks come to the west side of the city.

In June through September, a commu-

nity market with vendors will accompany the city’s food truck event.

West Jordan “First Fridays” at the Viridian Events Center, 8030 S. 1825 West, are sponsored by Salt Lake County and West Jordan City, each first Friday of the month until the end of summer and will feature live, local music. Food trucks and a free craft also add to the fun. As the weather gets warmer, summer yard games will also be available to use on the lawn.

10. Utah Farm Bureau’s Murray Park farmers market

The Utah Farm Bureau owns and manages the farmers market every year at Murray Park, located at 296 E. Murray Park Way.

“This makes for a unique shopping experience focused entirely on Utah farmers and the great fresh produce that is available during our growing season,” stated the organization on the event page.

This is a food-only market that begins on July 26. The market will be open every Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m., with the last day on Oct. 28. Food vendor applications are due April 30. 11. Bountiful farmers market

Starting on June 20 and ending on Oct. 17, the Bountiful farmers market will be at the Bountiful Town Square (75 E. 200 South) every Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m., excluding July 4. No animals or skateboards are allowed in the square. See which vendors and local musicians will be there on Bountiful City’s website, www.bountifulutah.gov. l

Fresh produce at Daybreak Farmers Market in years past. (Courtesy of Empowered Community Markets)

The Daybreak Farmers Market in years past has been a popular market with a variety of local produce and lots of visitors. (Courtesy of Empowered Community Markets)

Yard & home section

A publication covering local yard and home stories and events in the Salt Lake Valley City Journals presents:

Real estate commission settlement to have minimal impact in Utah

By Jolene Croasmun

Spring is a busy time for buying and selling homes in Utah and sales were up by 9% in April and with the recent National Association of Realtors (NAR) lawsuit settlement, Utah realtors do not expect to see many changes in the way homes are bought and sold.

In March, a $418-million settlement was reached with the National Association of Realtors. The deal came after a jury ruled against the NAR in a class-action antitrust lawsuit. The suit was filed alleging that the association had colluded with some large real estate brokerages to keep real estate commissions inflated, benefiting real estate agents and costing sellers more in the commissions they pay to those agents.

Those rates nationally are about 6%. Approval of the settlement by a federal court would do away with set rates and let buyers and sellers negotiate those commissions with real estate brokers and agents.

The Utah Association of Realtors say the ruling won’t have much impact on buyers and sellers in Utah due to decades of proactive, consumer-friendly efforts by Utah realtors.

“We don’t feel that the lawsuit is going to have a big impact here in Utah,” said Adam Kirkham, president of the Utah Association of Realtors (UAR). “Anyone that sold a home could expect to receive a postcard about the class action suit. The lawsuit did not originate here because in Utah we have been using buyer-agent agreements for 20 years. Consumers in Utah have been more informed about what the commissions were.”

The lawsuit’s resulting rules aren’t expected to impact the inventory of available homes or values, which are based more on the supply and demand in the market, according to Kirkham.

“Millcreek has an affordability issue and between 2012-22 the average homes listed were 500 and post COVID the inventory

dropped and we have been hovering around 160 to 177 available homes for the last two years. Prices went up and the median price of a home in Millcreek is around $688,000 and in Salt Lake City the median price is $535,000,” Kirkham said.

Utah realtors have been using written, transparent agency forms with their buyer clients for decades and providing seller disclosures. This will be new for the rest of the country due to the settlement but was already being covered in Utah.

One of the new rules that came out of the lawsuit is that the buyer’s agent commission can no longer be listed on the multiple listing service (MLS) and this will create a lack of knowledge of what will be paid to the buyer’s realtor.

“Buyers will have to determine for each house what the sellers offering for the buyer’s agent’s commission,” Kirkham said. “This is a conversation you want to have before looking at the house and before you make an offer. The seller’s agent can still advertise the commission on social media or

on the realtor’s website but not on the MLS.”

“Commissions can fluctuate due to inventory and competitiveness of the market,” he continued. “It is worth it for the seller to offer a buyer’s agent commission due to it will bring a better educated consumer who still wants to hire a realtor.”

There will be additional training for realtors who are now required to enter into an agreement with a homebuyer before they look at homes. “So that they can agree upon a commission rate which has always been negotiable,” Kirkham said.

He warned buyers who forego representation to save the commission might regret it.

“Not having an agent can come back to hurt you in negotiation or hiring the wrong inspectors plus you want to be informed of the other offers or you could lose the bid,” Kirkham said. “Agents want to bring value to the process of buying and selling a home.”

Jason Eldredge, local realtor of The Eldredge Group with Equity Real EstateSolid said they always had a buyer-broker

agreement and have their customers sign one.

“The commissions have always been negotiable, and the standard was 6% but now we are seeing commission compression that is nationwide. With all of the iBuyers coming in, it compressed commissions and the new standard is about 5%, but it has always been negotiable,” Eldredge said.

“We meet with our clients and find out what is their situation, why you are selling. A good agent will have some flexibility,” Eldredge said.

The national settlement requires listing agents to disclose to sellers any portion of their compensation that will be shared with a cooperating broker. Sellers must also approve in writing the sharing of the listing agent's compensation. Which Eldredge said is the “bummer” part of the lawsuit.

“You cannot post the commission on the MLS anymore,” he said. “It is an additional negotiating step and could make it really tough for a new buyer. The buyer might have to come up with the commission.”

Deanna Devey, director of operations and communications at UAR, said the changes will be more procedural in Utah.

“The buyer has three options to pay the agent,” Devey explained. “The listing agent will offer to share compensation with the buyer’s agent or the buyer might negotiate directly with the seller to have the seller pay the compensation. The third option is the buyer might pay their agent outright.”

Eldredge added, “I think for the next few years sadly we might have more lawsuits due to buyers not having representation when purchasing a home.”

The new rules go into effect after Aug. 17. More information about the NAR lawsuit can be found at realestatecommissionlitigation.com and Utah FAQs can be found on the website Utahrealtors.com.

Additional reporting by Darrell Kirby.

Home for sale in West Valley City. (File photo Darrell Kirby/City Journals)

Salt Lake County breaks ground on ‘Flip the Strip’ project

By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com

In a significant move toward sustainability, Salt Lake County celebrated the groundbreaking of the "Flip the Strip" project, May 16, at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy. The event, marked by the presence of Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson and other local officials, signaled the commencement of a $2.1-million initiative aimed at retrofitting park strips with waterwise landscapes across the county.

“Salt Lake County is committed to water conservation and smart water management. As such, landscape standards for waterwise park strips at county facilities have been identified,” the Salt Lake County Mayor’s Office said in a “Flip the Strip” guidebook.

“Water conservation is a critical issue to the well-being of our community as we grow and adapt to the changes our landscape faces,” Wilson said. “‘Flip the Strip’ aims to reduce water use and promote drought-tolerant landscapes.”

According to the guidebook, the project is a testament to the county's commitment to addressing the pressing issue of water conservation amid frequent droughts and changing environmental conditions.

The "Flip the Strip" project targets the

often-overlooked park strips—those narrow stretches of land between sidewalks and roads. These areas will be transformed into drought-tolerant landscapes, a move expected to save the county approximately 4 million gallons of water annually. The pilot program will be implemented at five key locations: the Mountain America Expo Center, the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office in South Salt Lake, Meadow Brook Golf Course in Taylorsville, Central City Recreation Center in Salt Lake City and Animal Services in Millcreek.

At the event, Wilson emphasized the critical importance of this initiative. “Salt Lake County is committed to long-term water conservation and smart management strategies in response to frequent emergency droughts and changing environmental landscapes. ‘Flip the Strip’ is just one way we are achieving this,” she stated.

The program, which allocates $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding, is set to convert four acres (177,860 square feet) of county-owned landscapes. This transformation not only aims to conserve water but also to enhance the aesthetic, environmental and economic value of these areas.

Involved in these efforts, the Salt Lake

RGS Exteriors & Construction doesn’t skimp on quality

Since its original inception more than 70 years ago, RGS Exteriors & Construction has evolved from being a weatherstripping and caulking service to becoming a toptier installer of quality siding, rain gutters, windows and more.

As a fth-generation business, what sets RGS apart from its competitors is its dedication to quality products, its guaranteed installation and its high-quality workmanship. RGS COO Kurt Fisher said the company has intentionally become experts in the industry by methodically incorporating new products and services.

“Our general philosophy has been to nd the best version of a product or the best material and then gure out how to install it in the most superior way,” he said. “If we’re going to do quality work, we want it to last a long time. So we have a 10-year warranty on anything that we do.”

The products used by RGS must live up to that warranty so they partner with superior suppliers to o er true value for money. Because RGS doesn’t cut corners with inexpensive materials, homeowners can be assured the investment they make in their home will be backed up with exemplary workmanship.

As the state’s premium rain gutter installation company for more than 60 years, RGS has spent decades re ning its products and services to protect homes from roof rot, damaged siding or leaky foundations.

Fisher said they are uncompromising when it comes to quality and their clients are willing to pay the extra expense for materials that are long-lasting, durable and installed correctly.

“We’re asking customers to pay more money to do this job the right way and that’s the only way anybody can justify paying more money for anything. There has to be tangible value,” Fisher said. “Our ideal clients are people who are really invested in their home, people who care about quality and have a high sense of value in their home.”

For siding projects, RGS uses James Hardie ber cement siding for its durability, style and low-maintenance lifespan. As the only Elite Preferred installer for James Hardie in Utah, RGS trains its installation crews to be incredibly knowledgeable about the product before they ever get to work on a home.

RGS also features triple-pane windows, expertly installed for the price of a double-pane window. With the extreme

temperatures in Utah, high-quality windows o er less temperature bleed-through, better sound dampening and added security.

With a variety of window options, homeowners can choose a style that re ects their home’s personality. Whether it’s a bay window, a picture window or a garden window, RGS backs its window installation with a lifetime warranty.

Other services o ered by RGS include remodeled entryways, custom metalwork, stucco, doors and chimney covers. Stop by the RGS location at 4235 Farm Road in West Jordan to talk with an expert, or for more information, visit rgsexteriorsutah.com or call 801-997-6616.

“Our whole executive team and our management team have the same paradigm; we would rather do it right,” Fisher said. “It’s so much easier to work with people when you know you’re providing a great product. We also give the reassurance that if we do something wrong, we absolutely, unequivocally will take care of it. That’s just our guarantee.”

Mayors from Salt Lake County, Taylorsville City and Sandy City broke ground on the start of a “Flip the Strip” program to make county-owned landscapes more sustainable for the future. (Photo courtesy of Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation)

County Office of Regional Development, released on their website that waterwise landscaping offers numerous advantages, including functional and attractive designs that are easy to maintain. These landscapes are not only visually appealing but also significantly reduce water waste, a crucial benefit in a region often plagued by drought.

Additionally, improved environmental health and economic savings are notable benefits. Less water usage translates to lower bills and simpler irrigation systems, which in turn reduce maintenance costs and enhance curb appeal, making neighborhoods and public spaces more attractive.

Salt Lake County is not stopping at retrofitting public spaces. The county challenges its 1.16 million residents to join the water conservation effort by reducing their own water use by 5%. If 25% of residents take up this challenge, the county could save approximately 2 million gallons of water daily. To help residents achieve this goal, the county offers practical tips. Reducing sprinkler use by 10% can make a significant difference. Watering during the cooler nighttime hours reduces evaporation and conserves water. Using a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks saves water and time. Adjusting sprinklers to ensure they water only plants and grass, not sidewalks or driveways, can help conserve water. Opting for drought-resistant plants, such as those native to Utah, can keep gardens beautiful

while conserving water.

The "Flip the Strip" project is just the beginning of a broader effort to promote sustainable landscaping and water conservation in Salt Lake County. By leading through example, the county aims to inspire its residents and neighboring regions to adopt similar practices.

Mayor Wilson said, “We anticipate that Salt Lake County will save around 4 million gallons of water with the conclusion of the five pilot locations. This initiative not only addresses immediate water conservation needs but also sets a precedent for future sustainability efforts.”

The project’s success will serve as a model for other communities facing similar challenges. Salt Lake County departments have planned to audit outdoor water systems to develop specialized water plans for current and future use. The county parks are relying on current technology to determine minimum watering schedules while continuing to maintain high-quality outdoor facilities.

For information on “Flip the Strip,” including details on rebates and resources from local government agencies, residents can visit the county's website at slcoh20. org.

Sandy Mayor Monica Zoltanski, Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson and Taylorsville Mayor Kristie Overson broke ground on Salt Lake County’s “Flip the Strip” program. (Photo courtesy of Salt Lake County Mayor’s Office)

Conservation fair highlights waterwise improvements

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

Tip 1: Planning and Design. Using the appropriate plants for sun, shade and wind can help sustain a beautiful garden. Visit Localscapes.com to find free, professional designs to make a Utah-friendly landscape. (City Journals)

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Tip 2: Practical Turf Areas. Getting away from the idea of “big lawns,” JVWCD suggests spicing up your outdoor space with waterwise plants and trees, and a reasonable amount of turf or ground cover. (City Journals)

Tip 3: Waterwise Plants. Drought-tolerant plants can add color, height and interest to your garden, without using a wasteful amount of water. Iris, daisies, catmint, ice plants and decorative grass are all examples of waterwise choices. (City Journals)

Small changes make a big difference. Last year the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District sent more than 1.6 billion gallons of water to the Great Salt Lake as a result of residents implementing waterwise conservation.

JVWCD held a water conservation fair at its Conservation Garden Park (8275 S.1300 West) in West Jordan in May, educating gardeners on how to create the healthiest environment for lawns, flowers, trees and shrubs in the Salt Lake Valley.

Here are seven suggested principles to create waterwise landscapes:

Tip 4: Efficient Irrigation. Learning where and how to plant trees is part of efficient irrigation that allows the trees to take root and bring long-lasting beauty to a landscape. Installing drip systems, maintaining irrigation and fixing leaks keep everything flowing. (City Journals)

Tip 5: Soil Improvements. Overused soil often needs more nutrients to maintain healthy plants. Keep soil healthy by using organic materials and protect topsoil with moisture-retaining mulch. Avoid putting chemicals in the soil, if possible. (City Journals)

Tip 6: Surface Mulches. Mulching with bark, wood chips and other plant materials protects against erosion and retains water. Mulch can also help control weeds and add color to the garden. (City Journals)

Tip 7: Appropriate Maintenance. Even waterwise landscaping needs to be maintained. Weed control, fertilization, healthy pruning and non-chemical integrated pest management will keep the landscape looking good for years. (City Journals)

The Conservation Garden Park is free and open to the public on Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, visit conservationgardenpark.org.

We are change: SLCC combines sustainability with fashion in celebration of Earth Day

By Jesse M. Gonzalez | j.gonzalez@mycityjournals.com

On April 22, Earth Day, Salt Lake City Community College’s Fashion Institute and Gender and Sexuality Student Resource Center at the South City Campus presented their first ever Trashion Show. The environmentally friendly fashion show was dedicated to bringing attention to the need for sustainable clothing in an industry that is one of the world’s largest polluters.

Textiles and Sustainability professor Amy Royer facilitated the event, which is not her first time doing similar fashion shows. “Usually it is a smaller event with the Fashion Club or just my sustainability class. This was our first Earth Day at our new, beautiful location at South City Campus,” Royer said. “I thought it would be fun to utilize our new space and invite more people to see our talented students.”

In celebration of Earth Day, students recycled, upcycled, and repurposed clothing to display a unique, environmentally sound style.

“The whole point of the event is to bring awareness to the issues in the fashion industry. We talked about people, planet and politics. First and foremost, as consumers, we need to buy less. If we have to buy something, buy it secondhand,” Royer said.

“As for our students, the future designers and producers in the fashion industry, they are learning the value of upcycling and slow fashion. When it comes to real systemic change, we need to focus on policies that protect people and the planet. The FABRIC Act and the fashion act are two such bills that have been read into legislation,” Royer said.

One of the acts Royer is referring to is the Fashion-

Amy Royer teaches textiles and sustainability at Salt Lake Community College, making her an integral part in organizing the school’s first ever Trashion Show on April 22. (Photo courtesy of Salt Lake Community College)

ing Accountability and Building Real Institutional Change (FABRIC) Act, a proposal aimed at revitalizing the garment industry and improving working conditions by combating factory violations and increasing transparency of brand practices.

“Sustainability in not merely a trend but a fundamental principle that guides my approach to fashion. As consumers, we wield considerable power in shaping the industry’s practices,” said student designer Grant Woodland. “By consciously evaluating the impact of our purchases, we can ad-

vocate for ethical production, longevity and environmental responsibility.”

“For me, sustainability is about asking essential questions before making a purchase. Will this garment endure years of wear, or will it quickly become obsolete? Is the company behind this garment committed to ethical and ecofriendly practices, or do they prioritize fast fashion and its detrimental consequences?

“By fostering a culture of sustainability, we pave the way for a fashion landscape that values craftsmanship, durability and environmental stewardship,” Woodland said.

By asking these important questions and promoting a sustainable fashion show, the students and staff who conducted the Earth Day event hope to inspire others to rethink their choices before buying more and to get creative with the choices they already have.

“As I mentioned, I’ve been doing these shows for a while, but I brought in our Program Director, Mojdeh Sakaki, and Peter Moosman from the SLCC Gender and Sexuality Student Resource Center to help with marketing and organizing. They were a great help,” Royer said.

“I will continue doing them every semester with my students. I am hoping it will become an annual Earth Day event and grow in popularity each year.” l

Comcast launches epic short film that honors the nation’s fearless airmen

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

For more than 60 years, Comcast has supported the military community through programs, services and resources. Through its Project UP initiative, Comcast will commit $1 million this year to organizations that support veterans in digital skills-building programs, entrepreneurship opportunities and access to technology.

To highlight this commitment, Comcast NBCUniversal and Xfinity launched the short film “The Aviators,” directed by Oscar winner Kathryn Bigelow. The film celebrates the pioneering generation of military aviators and showcases the power of technology that connects people of all ages.

Inspired by the bonds forged among military servicemen, “The Aviators” features true-life Vietnam veterans Cmdr. (Ret.) Jack “Razor” Gillett, Maj. (Ret.) Elester “Hollywood” Latham, Lt. (Ret.) Jim “Zeke” Lloyd, and Lt. (Ret.) Bill “Offender” Moir. Gillet, Lloyd and Moir served with the Gunslingers squadron in the USS Saratoga. The film brought them together for the first time in 16 years.

“It’s a real honor to work with our nation’s veterans,” Bigelow said in a documentary about the short film. “They’re special people who’ve devoted their lives to our security. I feel like it’s my opportunity to give back.”

With the launch of the film in May, Xfinity announced new military benefits that include a $180 virtual prepaid card for military customers to apply to their choice of Xfinity services, one free Xfinity mobile line for one year, and an automatic upgrade to become an Xfinity Diamond Rewards member.

Additionally, the military community can continue to

enjoy specially-priced park tickets and discounted vacation packages at Universal Destinations & Experiences.

Throughout 2024, Comcast will support several military-serving nonprofits advancing digital equity. Key organizations include NPower which provides free training for active-duty members transitioning out of the military; Our Community Salutes which offers high school graduate enlistees connectivity offers and digital equity resources; the Wounded Warrior Project which ensures veterans can access health benefits and career resources online, and Hesperus which donates laptops to Native American veterans participating in the Entrepreneurship Veteran Bootcamp.

“Through our partnership with Comcast, together we are helping address the critical technical training needs of service men and women who are making the transition to

civilian life,” said NPower CEO Bertina Ceccarelli. “By being intentional about the needs of the military community, we can help make that shift more seamless and impactful for individuals and the companies that seek to hire them.”

New Xfinity military offer and NBCUniversal discounts equal more than $700 in savings

Comcast has introduced a portfolio of new Xfinity Military discounts and dedicated offerings to ensure veterans, service members, military spouses and their dependents stay connected to the Xfinity network’s unmatched speed and reliability. For more information on this initiative visit corporate.comcast.com .

Founded by World War II Navy veteran Ralph Roberts, Comcast has hired more than 21,000 veterans, National Guard and reserve service members, and military spouses since 2015.

Deneiva Knight is a former military spouse and U.S. Army Reservist, serving from 1996-2001. Now the external affairs director for the Comcast Mountain West Region, Knight is proud to work for a company that invests in active-duty, transitioning and retired military service members.

“I am proud to work for Comcast,” Knight said, “a company that not only honors its veterans and military-serving employees but creates opportunities to support us at every angle through its benefits structure, career pathways, and community impact initiatives.”

Xfinity presents “The Aviators” on YouTube. l

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Comcast NBCUniversal and Xfinity launch the short film “The Aviators,” celebrating the pioneering generation of military aviators and showcasing the power of connective technology. (Photo still from “The Aviators”)

Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for men beating each other with sticks but the ice-palooza circus we’ve experienced as the National Hockey League moved a team to Utah has been a bit much.

My sports-crazed husband is in hockey high-heaven, and he’s not alone. The former Arizona Coyotes (but currently unnamed Utah team) was welcomed by a multitude of rabid hockey fans as the team arrived in Salt Lake. The Utah Snow Angels (?) will now undergo a terrifying assimilation into the state’s culture.

Ryan Smith, new owner of the Utah Iceholes (?), spent $1.2 billion to bring the NHL team here and he has Big Plans! Plans that include restructuring a mall to create a hockey training center, reconfiguring the Delta Center so fans can see all the bloody hockey fights and gaining extreme control over three city blocks in downtown Salt Lake, although he promised not to blast the beloved Abravanel Hall to rubble. Yet.

In the ultimate power play, Smith asked lawmakers to contribute another $1 billion to the project, which includes a sales tax increase, so everyone can help finance the Utah Snowplows’ (?) salvation of the state’s pro sports scene.

(Sidenote: Sales tax? Really? Have our lawmakers seen the lines outside of

Peri Kinder Life and Laughter

Utah’s Miracle on Ice

food banks? People can’t afford Cheerios, let alone tickets to a hockey game.)

But it’s not just hockey. Government and business groups are willing to toss billions (BILLIONS) of dollars around to fund baseball stadiums in Daybreak and, potentially, Salt Lake’s west side.

This is a slap-shot to the face for women’s sports in Utah. If we’re going to invest billions, can legislators squeak the wallet open a bit more to give a portion to female teams? A survey showed overwhelming support for a redesign of the current Salt Lake Bees stadium to become a female-focused sports center. Where are the billions of dollars for that project?

Did you know our state has a championship female/non-binary Pro Ultimate Frisbee team, the Utah Wild? We also host the Utah Falconz, part of the Women’s National Football Conference. Where do they

play? On high school football fields. The only reason the Utah Royal’s soccer team has a beautiful venue is because it was built for Real, a men’s team.

Don’t whine and say, “But nobody cares about women’s sports.” For its opening game this year, the Royals set a record for the highest-attended women’s sporting event in Utah history.

Millions of fans watched the women’s college final as Caitlin Clark played her last game before being drafted into the WNBA with a four-year, $338,000 contract. I’m sure she was offered the same amount as her male counterpart, the first overall draft pick in last year’s NBA.

Record scratch! Hold up! Last year, top draft pick Victor Wembanyama signed a four-year contract with the Spurs worth $55.2 million. Sigh.

Acquiring the Utah Frostbite (?) was a great accomplishment, but the state has a chance to pull off a phenomenal hat trick: develop a hockey fan base, build a baseball utopia and create a haven for women’s sports.

How cool would it be, for a state that ranks last in women’s pay equality, to invest in women’s athletics? What message would that send to our daughters and granddaughters?

Agree or Disagree: Take our Poll and we want to hear from you. Follow this QR Code and share your beliefs, opinions or facts. We look forward to hearing from you.

I don’t know much about hockey but its success shouldn’t come with a sales tax increase, carte blanche control over a key center of downtown or at the expense of women’s sports.

With its shiny new logo and sparkly Zambonis, the Utah Windchill (?) could have a great first season as fans get behind them. But don’t be fooled. Hockey isn’t the only game in town.

or dennisg144@gmail.com