Tville Detective Jensen honored for his work helping stem the rampant tide of retail theft
By Carl Fauver | c.fauver@mycityjournals.com
A member of the “new” Taylorsville Police Department since day one, TVPD Detective Steve Jensen now coordinates his law enforcement efforts with agencies throughout Utah.
Rememberthat time, decades ago, when Mom took you shopping and you just had to have that candy bar? She said “no,” (as usual) – but when she and the storekeep were busy elsewhere, the chocolate somehow made it into your pocket. Later, Mom found out (again, as usual)… dragged you back to the store… you apologized to the store clerk and likely went to bed early.
Law enforcement authorities from Maine to California to Taylorsville only wish retail theft was that quaint now.
The most recent numbers from the National Retail Federation show shoplifting (retail theft) losses to their industry top $110 billion annually. Oh, and those are only the reported losses –which average more than $500 per. Those lone, wayward candy bars aren’t even on their ledger
Closer to home, in 2024 one single Taylorsville store, Target, reported $1 million in retail theft losses.
Taylorsville Police Detective Steve Jensen lives and breathes these numbers – and does it better than nearly anyone wearing a badge in Utah. In fact, Jensen is such a critical member of Utah Attorney General’s (Crimes Against Statewide Economics) Unit, he has now been honored twice by one of our state’s leading retailers, in as many years.
In spring 2023, the CASE Unit closed a lengthy investigation with the arrest of seven suspects involved in a major theft ring and fencing operation. For that effort, the team was honored by TJX, the parent company of TJ Maxx.
Then, just a few weeks ago, TJX named Jensen their Law Enforcement Partner of the Year for the entire State of Utah.
“He has been a game-changer in igniting passion for organized retail crime resolution for the whole state,” company representatives said.
“I don’t do what I do to receive honors,”
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TVPD Detective Steve Jensen was joined by Police Chief Brady Cottam (L) and Deputy Chief Scott Lloyd (R), as he received a recent honor before the Taylorsville City Council. (Photo courtesy TVPD)
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Jensen said. “But, to the extent these kinds of honors draw attention to the problem of retail theft and fencing operations, I’m very grateful to be recognized. Our CASE Unit has gotten better at what we do. We are expanding and involving more retailers. It’s very rewarding arresting suspects who had no idea they were being tracked.”
A graduate of West Jordan High School (1997) and Weber State University (2003, Criminal Justice), Jensen, 46, began his law enforcement career in Utah’s second largest city in 2004.
“After two years as a West Valley City patrol officer, I shifted to their Community Service Division and then on to their Special Investigations Unit in 2008,” he said. “That’s when I first became more involved investigating organized crime, gangs and residential and business burglaries.”
Following the October 2018 on-campus murder of University of Utah track athlete Lauren McCluskey, Jensen was one of a few law enforcement professionals recruited to strengthen the school’s police presence and investigatory skills. But, after two years with that agency, he was ready for another career change.
“I was excited the moment I first heard Taylorsville City was (bringing back) its own city police department,” Jensen said. “I was familiar with the area and was confident it would be a good organization.”
Jensen has had his current rank and “detective” title since TVPD began operations on July 1, 2021. So has Police Chief Brady Cottam.
“Steve is a true cop in every sense of the word,” Cottam said of Jensen. “He understands the big picture. He’s here for all the right reasons. Detective Jensen is the guy you want investigating your crime.”
After he was honored before the Taylorsville City Council, Mayor Kristie Overson also shared words of praise about Jensen.
“This (TJX Law Enforcement Partner of the Year) award is so well deserved by Detec-
tive Jensen,” Overson said. “Steve has developed a sting program that is so effective getting shoplifters. I know TJ Maxx has been very impressed. We are lucky to have a remarkable Taylorsville Police team. I just love having officers who want to work hard serving the public.”
TVPD Office Manager Brandy Stephens also added: “He’ll kill me for saying this…but a lot of us consider Detective Jensen to be our Superman.”
It didn’t come with a red cape, but Jensen was also named TVPD Employee of the Month last November.
Jensen is now assigned to the CASE Unit full time and works out of an Attorney General’s satellite office off 5400 South, just west of I-15. Taylorsville taxpayers pick up the tab for Jensen’s work throughout many Utah jurisdictions. And Cottam says that’s just the way he wants it.
“The amount of resources our city gets back in exchange for Steve’s work on the CASE Unit makes it well worth his time to serve the AG,” Cottam said. “The unit has done so much to help educate our retailers about how to combat retail loss. Plus, Detective Jensen is learning so much from the other members of the unit and other police agencies across Utah. All of that experience will be very valuable to Taylorsville, when the day comes, he returns to us full time.”
Even after 20 years in law enforcement, Jensen is the first to admit there is so much to learn in the world of retail theft.
“This is just such a complex field,” the detective explained. “Most people just think of shoplifting as someone slipping something into their pocket. But this is organized crime. These people will hit two, three, four stores a night –stealing a couple of hundred dollars’ worth of merchandise from each store. They know how to move from one jurisdiction to another. They understand those jurisdictions often don’t communicate well with one another.”
Jensen reports, these sophisticated offenders normally fall into two categories: “travelers” and “repeat offenders.”
“Travelers are often immigrants, both ille-
gal and legal immigrants,” he said. “They enter Utah, steal things from St. George to Logan, and then leave the state as fast as they came in. The repeat offenders are more local. When they steal goods, they will pawn them… trade them for drugs… or often just list the items for sale themselves. We get leads all the time from Facebook Marketplace.”
Due to liability issues, Jensen says store security personnel normally don’t even confront shoplifters anymore. They will try to get a license plate number and, of course, report it to police. But, by the time a patrol officer responds, those suspects are long out of Taylorsville, or whatever jurisdiction they were in.
“Our task force is working hard to improve communication between police agencies and even between retailers,” Jensen said. “We have been able to move more quickly and to anticipate the bad guys’ next move. One time, we had a vehicle description and a good guess on what store they might hit next. I was sitting in my parked truck outside the store when the
suspects literally pulled in and parked next to me. We watched them go in and walk out with merchandise, then we arrested them.”
About the same time TJX was honoring Jensen several weeks ago for his police work, the Taylorsville detective was also named chairman of the Utah Organized Retail Crime Association, a “coalition of volunteers from various sectors of the retail industry, including multi-store leaders and loss prevention professionals… bringing together insights from different areas of retail operations… (and) law enforcement agencies.”
“I’m fortunate to have leadership in place from both our city and TVPD, who have a good vision of what my role entails,” Jensen concluded. “You simply won’t find another agency around that offers the empowerment and support that Taylorsville does. We hope that through our many partnerships (with other police agencies throughout Utah), this vision will become contagious.” l
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TVPD Detective Steve Jensen was one of the original members of the Taylorsville law enforcement agency when it reformed nearly four years ago. (Photo courtesy TVPD)
Veteran subsidized child meals provider retiring from her Taylorsville job after 30+ years
Helping Hands, Inc. Executive Director Susan Ison will celebrate her 65th birthday April 13… and ride off into the retirement sunset 17 days later.
By Carl Fauver c.fauver@mycityjournals.com
KearnsHigh School 1978 graduate Susan Ison has visited many countries and has lived in a few different states. But, for nearly all of her soon-to-be 65 years, she’s lived and worked in Taylorsville.
Back in 1992, Helping Hands, Inc. opened its doors in Taylorsville. The 501(c) 3 nonprofit assists professional day care centers and family child caregivers in receiving federal funding through the United States Department of Agriculture to provide nutritious snacks and meals to the kids they care for.
Barely a year after opening their doors, Helping Hands (5522 South 3200 West, Suite 110 helpinghandsutah.org) hired Ison.
“I started as co-director in May 1993 and was named executive director in the summer of 2000, when the nonprofit founder decided to step away,” Ison said. “I’m excited to have more time for travel and other things after I retire; but I’m not stepping completely away. I’ve been invited to join the volunteer board that operates Helping Hands.”
Uncle Sam provides the meal funding Helping Hands assists its clients to tap into. According to the United States Department of Agriculture website, “USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program plays a vital role in improving the quality of day care and making it more affordable for many low-income families. Each day, 3.3 million children receive nutritious meals and snacks through CACFP. The program also provides meals and snacks to 120,000 adults who receive care in nonresidential adult day care centers. CACFP reaches
even further to provide meals to children residing in emergency shelters, and snacks and suppers to youths participating in eligible afterschool care programs.”
Ison explains, even an aunt or a grandmother who regularly cares for one or two preschoolers can be eligible for CACFP meal assistance, provided they undergo certain trainings (CPR, for example) and pass background checks.
“We only work with about 10 professional, for-profit day care centers,” Ison explained. “But we have about 200 other clients who operate family day care homes. The state Health Department oversees them. With the proper licenses and certificates, people can care for up to eight kids by themselves and up to 16 children if they hire an assistant.”
Recent slash-and-burn federal funding cuts are stirring some concern among businesses like Helping Hands. But Ison is confident they remain pretty safe.
“CACFP funding is tied in with school lunch funding and with WIC (special nutrition funding for women, infants and children),” she explained. “I suppose cuts are possible; but there would be a huge, nationwide uproar. I believe our programs are just about as highly thought of as Medicaid and Social Security benefits.”
Ironically, although there are only a few nonprofits like Helping Hands across all of Utah, a second one is also located in Taylorsville. Paula Barton is the executive director at Alliance for Children (5667 South Redwood Road #5A allianceforchildrenutah.org). She’s been with them a bit longer than Ison has been at Helping Hands.
“I have worked with Susan for many years,” Barton said. “We are ‘competitors;’ but we actually work together on many things. We’ve attended lots of national conferences with each other. The most recent was last year in Orlando. Susan will be missed. She has
worked so hard to protect the integrity of the (CACFP food) program here in Utah. She’s also worked at the national level on policy changes. I will miss her friendship and expertise a lot.”
The leadership change at Helping Hands is expected to be pretty seamless, as Ison’s assistant director is poised to take the reins. Evelyn Lopez started with the nonprofit as a receptionist in 2009, working her way up to being Ison’s assistant a couple of years ago.
Married, with four children (ages 9 to 26), Lopez was born in El Salvador. She and her family immigrated to the United States in the early 1980s, when she was 4.
“Susan brought the idea to me to apply for the director position when she first began thinking about retiring,” Lopez said. “I am very passionate about what Helping Hands does to assist families. We do so much to ensure kids eat more nutritious meals. Susan’s confidence in me inspired me to complete my bachelor’s degree with BYU. I’ve got a lot more to learn; but I think I am ready for the challenge.”
In addition to receiving their USDA federal funding, Helping Hands, Inc. also accepts public donations. One of their most consistent and valuable donors operates yet another 501(c) 3 nonprofit, Blue Skies Forever (blueskiesforever.org). Under founder Boyd Bellows, Blue Skies is all about socks.
“We lost our daughter in a skydiving accident years ago and wanted to start a charity in her memory,” the grandfather of six, Bellows said. “By 2018 we had settled into gathering new, donated socks – primarily in men’s adult sizes. We donate these socks at home-
less shelters, because 80% of people suffering homelessness are adult men.”
However, Bellows further explained, Blue Skies Forever receives many, many donated pairs of socks in children’s sizes. Hmmm… what to do with those, since homeless shelters just don’t need many of them.
“I just started searching online for a good place to donate children size socks here in the valley, and that’s where I found Helping Hands,” Bellows continued. “We made our first donation to them in about 2019. Nowadays, Blue Skies Forever drops off probably 500 to 600 pairs of children’s socks at Helping Hands, three or four times a year. That’s not nearly as many as the adult socks we give to homeless shelters. But it’s a great place for our smaller sizes.”
As she continues to learn the Helping Hands executive director duties, Lopez is grateful the sock donations are one thing she can count on amidst the changes.
Meantime, Ison will mark her 65th birthday April 13… and her final workday, April 30.
“I don’t have any immediate plans for retirement, but I love to travel,” Ison said. “I just returned from a three-week trip to India and Thailand. I’ve visited much of Europe, South America, Canada, Central America. But there are more places I would like to see.”
And when she’s home in Taylorsville?
“I am excited to serve on the Helping Hands Board,” Ison concluded. “I also plan to volunteer in the community. I’d like to be a student tutor or maybe a school librarian. I know I won’t have any problem filling my time.” l
The Taylorsville-based nonprofit Helping Hands, Inc. has been helping preschoolers to enjoy nutritious, economical meals – while saving their parents and caregivers money – for more than three decades. (Photo courtesy helpinghandsutah.org)
This is a big month for Taylorsville resident and Helping Hands Executive Director Susan Ison: she’ll celebrate her birthday April 13… and her retirement April 30. (Photo courtesy helpinghandsutah.org)
Going strong for a generation, Taylorsville Symphony Orchestra to perform at PAC April 18
Volunteer violinists, percussionists, flutists and others have been entertaining the community since 2003.
By Carl Fauver c.fauver@mycityjournals.com
Performers of all ages have been gracing stages across Taylorsville for more than a generation, entertaining old and young alike with their very accessible, family-friendly “long hair” music. They’ll next be at it April 18, performing on the main stage in the MidValley Performing Arts Center next to city hall.
“I think I attend every performance; it’s such a great community event,” Mayor Kristie Overson said. “For people who can’t afford a high-priced ticket to the Utah Symphony… I think they’ll love this. It’s free or very inexpensive. The musicians are so talented.”
For the record, the all-volunteer Taylorsville-SLCC Symphony Orchestra performs five times each year. Their two annual shows held at Bennion Junior High are free. The first of those this year was a “Wizard of Oz”themed performance, Feb. 28. Their annual performance on Thursday night of Taylorsville Dayzz is also free. But when the sym-
phony plays the PAC – they do have to charge. Start working overtime and searching your couch cushions for change now. The PAC performance tickets are $5.
“We have to charge $5 when we play the PAC because the county charges us rent,” Taylorsville Arts Council member John Gidney said. “Our orchestra always offers an excellent performance. They run just an hour, or a little less, so they are very family friendly. Lots of people bring their children to the show to expose them to a different kind of music.”
The group is called the Taylorsville-SLCC Symphony Orchestra because the school provides the group with its paid conductor – the only person associated with the group who’s earning any money. In exchange, the Taylorsville-SLCC Symphony Orchestra welcomes SLCC music students into their group. They rehearse and perform with them, while also earning college credit.
Two current members of the orchestra have been with the group since day one, including Taylorsville Arts Council member and symphony Vice President Debbie Barton.
“I grew up in southern Utah and played violin at Cedar City High and SUSC (Southern Utah State College, now Southern Utah University),” Barton said. “But then I stopped playing for 23 years. Life gets busy. I started
raising kids. We moved for a decade to North Carolina. I didn’t pick up my violin again until we moved back to Utah in 2000.”
Barton says a violin performance at church earned her an invitation to join the community orchestra in Riverton in 2001. Two years later, the Taylorsville-SLCC Symphony Orchestra was formed.
“Our debut performance was at Taylorsville High School in October 2003,” Barton said. “We had about 70 members in those first years. But we’re down a few since then. We are always looking for new members, particularly more violinists.”
At one time or another, Barton has performed with all five of her children on the Taylorsville-SLCC Symphony Orchestra stage. Now at least a couple of her eight grandkids are showing an interest in music – so a 3-generation performance could be in the offing.
Meantime, Taylorsville-SLCC Symphony Orchestra President Molly Upshaw has also taken the stage with her 11-year-old son, Nathan.
“He’s a percussionist and plays in the Eisenhower Junior High Band,” Molly said of her son. “He performed in Taylorsville Symphony shows last October and December and plans to be back on stage with us in April.”
“I was a little nervous to perform with
them last fall; but I thought it would be fun,” Nathan Upshaw said. “(Older members of the symphony) accepted me in just fine (despite my youth). I’m looking forward to the (April 18) show.”
Molly Upshaw moved here from Colora-
Sara Chatelain is the Taylorsville-SLCC Symphony Orchestra Librarian and lead flutist. (Carl Fauver/City Journals)
do in 2007 to attend the University of Utah.
“I minored in music at the U and performed in the campus symphony,” she explained. “After graduating, I missed playing. So, I just Googled ‘community orchestras’ and found our Taylorsville Symphony. I’ve been playing violin since age 8 and joined the Taylorsville group in 2012.”
About 40 to 50 Taylorsville-SLCC Symphony Orchestra members rehearse two hours each Thursday night at Bennion Junior High. Over the years, members have come from as far away as Evanston. A current member teaches school in Ogden.
Taylorsville Symphony Librarian (yes, they have one) Sara Chatelain, 71, is the orchestra’s lead flutist. She learned to play in her native Canada as a child. Chatelain has lived in Utah nearly 30 years.
“After moving here, I learned about the Murray Symphony and began performing with them in March 1996,” Chatelain said. “That was years before the Taylorsville group was formed. I auditioned for the Taylorsville-SLCC Symphony Orchestra shortly after it was created. I performed in both community orchestras for more than a decade.”
If you’d like to audition to join the Taylorsville-SLCC Symphony Orchestra, contact any current member for more details. And circle April 18 on your calendar to not miss their next performance – if you can handle that exorbitant $5 a seat charge. l
Utah military veterans to gather at SLCC this spring to learn entrepreneurial skills
A couple hundred current and wouldbe business owners expected to attend the May 9 event in Taylorsville.
By Carl Fauver c.fauver@mycityjournals.com
For many of us, choosing a little easier path to make our way through life, at least when we can, is pretty appealing. So much so, we can probably even call that kind of thinking “human nature.”
But then there’s Thomas Coates – a Jordan High School graduate who chose instead, to enter a career that is arguably the most physically demanding – and dangerous, for only modest pay – of any job out there.
“Growing up, I just always kind of wanted to enlist in the Marines,” Coates said. “I served for eight years, with one deployment in 2007 and 08 to Iraq. I decided to get out after suffering a non-combat back injury. To this day, all of my closest friends are Marines.”
Still avoiding the easy path, Coates next earned a double major in finance and accounting at the University of Utah, followed by an Accounting MBA through Illinois University. Oh, and he just passed the rigorous certified public accountant exam.
Ah, finally, the easy life – a quiet, bean-counting gig. And, yes, Coates is working that kind of job full time now. But, with his wife and brother- and sister-in-law as partners, Coates is back on yet another challenging path, part time. They’re working to introduce dessert-loving Utahns to sweet treats most of us have never heard of or tasted.
“Our business, Shiro Kuma Snow Cream (shirokumasnowcream.com), sells Asian frozen desserts,” Coate’s wife, Lissette Coates, explains. “Snow cream is lighter than ice cream, with more flavor than snow cones. We also sell Hong Kong bubble waffles.”
Uh…OK?
“Most people don’t know what our desserts are until they try them,” Lissette Coates continued. “But our customers love them. We had a store in West Valley City before COVID hit. Now we are bouncing back, serving out of our food trailer. Last summer we sold desserts at lots of Salt Lake Valley festivals and food markets, including the Taylorsville Food Market. That one fit our schedule perfectly on Tuesday nights. We hope and plan to be there again this summer.”
As they were working to bounce back into business, post COVID, the Coates crossed paths with Becky Guertler, Manager of the Utah Veteran Business Resource Center.
And VBRC is just the beginning of the alphabet soup. There’s UDVMA, USSBA and SLCC to go with it.
“The VBRC was established in 2017 through the Utah Department of Veteran and
Military Affairs,” Guertler explained. “We are also supported through the United States Small Business Administration. Salt Lake Community College provides us with office space and amazing support – marketing and public relations assistance, many things.”
With an annual operating budget of $450,000, Guertler and two other employees work out of SLCC’s Mill Entrepreneurship Center on the school’s Sandy campus. That’s also where the eight previous Utah Veteran-Owned Business Conferences were held. But this May 9, the event – which normally draws a couple of hundred Veterans and/or their spouses – will be in Taylorsville.
“Our conference will be held at the SLCC Student Center on the Taylorsville campus, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” Guertler said. “Every other service we provide to Utah military veterans is free. But we do have to charge a nominal $35 fee for the conference to help cover costs. The fee includes plenty of coffee, a meal and dessert.”
Which brings us back to Shiro Kuma Snow Cream.
“We provided dessert at last year’s veteran’s conference and we’re excited Becky invited us back to do it again this year,” Lissette Coates said. “We’re expecting another busy spring and summer season at festivals and farmers markets this year. Eventually, we may look at adding a second food trailer. We may also get back into a brick-and-mortar store, like we had for four years before COVID hit.”
Lissette Coates recently attended a free entrepreneur training course, presented by VBRC. And that means it’s time for a second helping of alphabet soup.
“VBRC presents six STRIVE (Startup Training Resources to Inspire Veteran Entrepreneurship) courses each year,” Guertler said. “The curriculum was created through the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University, in New York. Our courses meet two hours a night, once a week, for eight weeks. We keep the classes small – and students work on their own particular business ideas.”
Lissette Coates already has a marketing degree from a prestigious New York fashion and business school. But despite that background, she found her free STRIVE course to be very valuable.
“They provided such a wonderful space where there were no dumb questions,” Coates said. “We really got into great details. It was like having a private tutor. The speakers were so knowledgeable.”
Lissette Coates was eligible to attend, despite not being a military veteran herself, because all VBRC programs are open to vets and their spouses.
“Our VBRC slogan, ‘Your Service Paid for Our Service,’ is something we truly believe,” Guertler said. “Our military veterans have given so much to this country. As far as VBRC is concerned, they have already paid
for any assistance we can provide. We’re proud to extend that to their spouses, as well.”
According to the most recent numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 118,000 military veterans live in Utah, and close to 19,000 of them own businesses. However, since opening shop in 2017, the Utah Veteran Business Resource Center has only worked with about 2,300 of those vets.
Perhaps that means all the others are doing just fine without VBRC assistance. But Guertler says those veteran business owners don’t know what they don’t know.
“Whether they are just starting out, or they have a well-established business, I believe VBRC has something to offer veteran business owners,” Guertler concluded. “We assist vets at all levels. For those who are already very successful, VBRC provides networking opportunities that might help them
grow their businesses even more.”
As for eight-year Marine service veteran Thomas Coates, even though his wife has the closer connection to Guertler and VBRC, he too appreciates what it provides.
“I believe the two things veterans appreciate most are being recognized for their service to our country and being provided opportunities to tell their stories,” Coates said. “Not just our military stories – but stories about what we are doing now. I enjoy talking about our Shiro Kuma Snow Cream dessert business. VBRC provides opportunities to do that – along with their professional training.”
To learn more about the Utah Veteran Business Resource Center – and to sign up for the May 9 Utah Veteran-Owned Business Conference, this year on the SLCC Taylorsville campus – visit utahvbrc.org. l
A couple of hundred entrepreneurs attended last year’s Utah Veteran-Owned Business Conference. In May, the ninth annual conference will be held on the SLCC Taylorsville Campus for the first time.
(Photo courtesy Becky Guertler)
Thomas Coates spent eight years serving as a United States Marine. Now he and his wife Lissette are introducing dessert customers to their unique, Asian treats at festivals and farmers markets across Utah. (Photo courtesy Lissette Coates)
Utah’s unified basketball program has grown to more than 200 teams who compete for a state title
By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com
Dribbling and passing is the favorite part of the game for Taylorsville High junior Brighton Banz. “I like basketball; I like to dribble and pass,” he said. As a member of the school’s unified basketball team, Banz plays alongside students with and without intellectual disabilities. “We like to have fun and celebrate with high-fives when we make a good shot and when we win.” Banz and his team recently participated in a multi-team tournament at Murray High, one of several held throughout the Salt Lake Valley, providing more opportunities for teams to compete. Supported by Special Olympics Utah and the Utah High School Activities Association, the program has experienced impressive growth and now features over 200 co-ed unified basketball teams in high schools across Utah. The state unified championship is set to take place in late March. l Taylorsville’s unified basketball team provides
Taylorsville High brings up the ball against Tooele in a unified basketball tournament at Murray High. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
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4/3/25
4/10/25
MAYOR'S MESSAGE
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The stars are once again shining brightly in Taylorsville this summer, especially with our Starry Nights @the Plaza events that are lled with fun every Friday night.
Starry Nights is our free summer concert series, now in its fourth year, and it’s been a resounding success. Each Friday night at Centennial Plaza, 2600 W. Taylorsville Blvd., you can enjoy live music, grab a yummy bite at the food trucks and participate in other activities such as our free outdoor movie nights, Taylorsville Arts Council shows or the Public Safety Committee’s Night Out Against Crime.
This year’s Starry Nights @the Plaza series begins May 16 and runs through Sept. 26. At the plaza, we can gather, connect and celebrate all things Taylorsville with food, culture and fun. Look for the full Starry Nights lineup this next month on these Newsletter pages and on our website at www.taylorsvilleut.gov. The online listing will even include an interactive schedule with more about the speci c activity or band set for that night, including music samples that you can listen to before seeing them live on the plaza.
These bands that will be playing this year are truly impressive. In fact, our Call for Bands drew a whopping 58 entries that we had to pare down to the timeframe we’ve allotted for Starry Nights. So, we had a party as a selection committee and listened to all 58 before making our decisions. Some are bands that are returning; some are new bands that we think you’ll really enjoy. From rock to country to jazz, there’s something for everyone.
Of course, the Food Truck League food trucks will be there again, too, making it the perfect night out. Grab a delicious bite, bring your camp chair or blanket for the lawn, and enjoy an evening of free music.
Starry Nights @the Plaza has been gaining momentum every year, and it’s really fun to see. When we were rst thinking about the launch of this summer concert series four years ago, we were thinking about ways we could engage and further strengthen our community. Our beautiful Centennial Plaza in front of City Hall had just opened, as well.
So, we thought what better way to utilize this wonderful space than to plan a series also focused on community-gathering. With food, music and fun, it’s turned out better than I could have ever imagined. If you haven’t been before, be sure to check out one of our Starry Nights this summer, and if you’ve joined in the fun previously, we’ll see you again soon!
—Mayor Kristie S. Overson
WHAT’S INSIDE – APRIL 2025
Frequently Called Numbers, Page 2
Council Corner, Page 3
TVPD News, Page 4
Heritage Remembrances, Page 7
Environment, Page 8
Annual Cleanup Day is Set for May 17, Incorporates Some Changes
The Taylorsville Green Committee is holding its Annual Cleanup Day this next month. However, this year, committee members are hoping residents will take their household hazardous waste and e-waste to Salt Lake County’s new Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center instead of the cleanup event.
“In past years, most Taylorsville residents who take advantage of our Annual Cleanup Day would save up their household hazardous waste and electronics all year long and then dispose of them at the Cleanup Day event,” said City Council Member and Green Committee liaison Ernest Burgess. “But you don’t have to do that any longer.”
Salt Lake County’s new Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center is located at 8805 S. 700 West, and it accepts household hazardous waste and e-waste six days a week, all year long. It’s also free for Salt Lake County residents to use anytime during their business hours, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
At the Cleanup Day, scheduled for Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to noon at Taylorsville High, the Green Committee will still be accepting documents for shredding, bulk waste, green waste, glass and recycling — including boxes, paper, magazines and recyclable plastic, as well as prescription medicine and gently used household items and clothing.
However, it will no longer be accepting paint, fuels, pesticides, yard-care chemicals, cleaning supplies, batteries, cooking oil, automotive uids, aerosols, uorescent light bulbs, televisions/ monitors, computers and cell phones. These items should be dropped o at the new Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center.
“Recently, I visited the facility with another Green Committee member, and we were very impressed at the cleanliness, ease and friendliness,” Burgess said. “We dropped o our items and were in and out of there in minutes at. Truly, it was a breeze.”
Emergency ...................................................................................................911
Police Department ............................................................... 801-840-4000
Utah 211 resource network 211
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 988
Poison Control Center
1-800-222-1222
Animal Control Shelter ....................................................... 801-965-5800
Animal Control After House Dispatch ........................... 801-840-4000
Building Inspection
801-955-2030
Chamber West (Chamber of Commerce) 801-977-8755
Fire Department
Gang Tip Line
April 1
World’s Largest Real Estate Bus Tour
MID-VALLEY
801-743-7200
385-468-9768
Garbage/Recycle/GreenWaste Pick-up ........................ 385-468-6325
(Wasatch Front Waste & Recycling)
Granite School District
Health Department
385-646-5000
385-468-4100
Highway Conditions (from cell phone) 511
Park Reservations ................................................................. 385-468-7275
Public Works (Salt Lake County) ....................................... 385-468-6101
Dominion Energy
800-323-5517
Rocky Mountain Power 888-221-7070
Salt Lake County Recycling/Land ll 801-974-6920
Taylorsville Bennion Improvement District................. 801-968-9081
Taylorsville Food Pantry ..................................................... 801-815-0003
Taylorsville Senior Center 385-468-3370
Taylorsville Code Enforcement
801-955-2013
Taylorsville Justice Court 801-963-0268
Taylorsville Library ............................................................... 801-943-4636
Taylorsville Recreation Center ......................................... 385-468-1732
Swimming Pool (Memorial Day to Labor Day) 801-967-5006
Taylorsville-Bennion Heritage Center 801-281-0631
UDOT Region 2 801-975-4900
Utah Transit Authority (UTA) 801-743-3882
EVENTS
APRIL 2025
April 2 – 6:30 p.m.
City Council Meeting @ City Hall. Watch a livestream of the meeting at www.taylorsvilleut.gov.
April 8 & 22 – 6:30 p.m.
Planning Commission Meeting @ City Hall.
April 17 & 18 – 6:30 p.m.
Annie Auditions @ City Hall. Please come prepared with 16-32 bars of a song. Piano accompaniment and MP3 adapters will be available. Callbacks will be April 19 by invitation. The show runs July 14-19.
April 24 – 7 p.m.
Free Localscapes Class @ City Hall. Get some tips on landscaping your yard in ways to save water and money. Register for the class at www.taylorsvilleut.gov/services/localscapes
UPCOMING: May 16
Starry Nights Kicko @ Centennial Plaza. Enjoy live music and food from the food trucks every Friday night through Sept. 26.
UPCOMING: May 17 – 9 a.m.
Cleanup Day @ Taylorsville High School. The Green Committee will be collecting items in the northwest parking lot of the high school, 5400 S. Redwood Road (enter on 5400 South by the football eld).
Find our calendar of events every month on the city’s website, where you can also submit your own events for possible publication. Go to www.taylorsvilleut.gov
April 4
World Dance Company presents Explorations
April 16-17
Lifehouse Performing Arts Company presents The Little Mermaid
UPCOMING EVENTS GET TICKETS AT SaltLakeCountyArts.org
PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
April 17
American Academy of Innovation presents AAI Performing Arts Spring Showcase
April 19
April 18
Taylorsville Arts Council presents Taylorsville-SLCC Symphony
Shift Dance Company presents The Shift Show
April 24-26
Central Utah Ballet presents Midsummer Night’s Dream
April 29 Anchor Dance Studio Recital
RIDE, ROLL & STROLL
SATURDAY, MAY 3 @ 10 AM MILLRACE PARK PICKLEBALL COURTS 1150 W 5400 S, TAYLORSVILLE
Join friends from Taylorsville for a fun, kid-friendly ride, roll, and stroll along the Jordan River Parkway! The round trip is about a mile and a half, starting at the Millrace Park Pickleball Courts. Snacks will be provided, and all ages are welcome! WITH YOUR TAYLORSVILLE FRIENDS!
COUNCIL CORNER
By Council Member Anna Barbieri
In 2024, Wasatch Front Waste & Recyling District picked up nearly 3,000 tons of recycling in the blue cans from residents in Taylorsville City. Cardboard and paper made up 1,800 tons; 415 tons were plastic, tin and aluminum cans.
By diverting waste from land lls, recycling waste reduces pollution, conserves natural resources and
RESOURCES SAVED
Taylorsville's Recycling Program Pays Big Dividends
lowers greenhouse gas emissions. The program also promotes sustainability by encouraging residents to reduce and reuse items while fostering a cleaner and greener city.
But we can do more! Of the total 3,000 tons of waste collected, 629 tons were considered contaminated or non-recyclable. Let's keep it clean; do NOT place any plastic bags, glass or electronic waste in your blue can. Through education and accessibility, Taylors-
13.4 Million Gallons of Water
Enough water to provide daily usage to 449 people for an entire year.
32,623
Mature Trees It
2,522
Metric Tons of Greenhouse Gases
Equivalent to the amount produced by 549 individual cars for an entire year.
CLEANUP DAY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
10,363 Megawatt- Hours of Electricity
Enough energy to supply 960 homes power for an entire year
24,965 Cubic feet of landfill space
Salt Lake Landfill Lifespan
Estimate: ~ 50+ Years Trans Jordan Landfill Lifespan Estimate ~ 8-10 Years
The facility also has a “store area” where residents can select from a variety of previously dropped-o solvents, cleaners, stains, sealers, paints, etc. at no charge. Also, of note, special arrangements need to be made if disposing of large quantities of business waste; call 1-385-468-4380.
With a similar goal as the yearly cleanup event, the center aims to keep chemicals and electronics out of the land ll to help the environment. Plus, it’s much better for the environment and health of a home to safely dispose of these items at any time rather than saving them up for the Cleanup Day, Burgess said.
Household hazardous waste can also still be taken to the Salt Lake County Land ll, located at 6030 W. California Avenue (1300 South). Salt Lake County household collection centers cannot accept radioactive materials or explosives (such as ammunition and reworks). Contact your local re department to dispose of such items.
At the Cleanup Day, the Taylorsville High football team is once again graciously donating their time to help gather items and make drop-o easier. The Taylorsville Police Department will also be on hand to accept unused prescription medications. Community partners Wasatch Front Waste & Recycling District, Certi ed Shred and the Other Side Academy will be participating, as well. The accepted items should be dropped o to volunteers in the high school’s northwest parking lot.
“We greatly appreciate the e orts of all our friends and neighbors in Taylorsville to recycle and reduce waste,” Burgess said. “And, we’re very much looking forward to another successful event.”
ville’s commitment to recycling will ensure a healthier future for generations to come and reinforce the city’s dedication to responsible environmental stewardship and community well-being.
The accompanying numbers tell the story. By recycling, 32,623 mature trees and 13.4 million gallons of water are saved, greenhouse gases are lessened by 2,522 metric tons, electricity use declines by 10,363 megawatt hours and 24,965 less cubic feet of land ll space is used. Now, that’s savings. Please join us in this crucial recycling e ort and make our community, country and even world a better place!
LEFT TO RIGHT:
Bob Knudsen, Vice Chair (District 5), Curt Cochran, (District 2), Anna Barbieri, (District 3), Meredith Harker, Chair (District 4) and Ernest Burgess (District 1)
TVPD Responds to Domestic Violence Calls with Safety & De-escalation in Mind
Check this space each month for news about the Taylorsville Police Department (TVPD) and their valuable service to our community.
Domestic violence-related calls are among the most dangerous situations o cers face. At TVPD, our o cers undergo regular training in de-escalation and negotiation tactics to resolve these incidents as safely as possible for everyone involved.
Some of those e orts have included the recent response by o cers to a call where a suspect had threatened the victim with a handgun. They located the suspect and took him into custody without further incident.
In another case, o cers responded to a domestic violence situation where the victim had been repeatedly assaulted. The suspect initially barricaded himself but ultimately surrendered without incident. O cers also responded to a suspect destroying property inside a residence. With an extensive criminal history, the suspect barricaded himself but o cers successfully negotiated his peaceful surrender.
If you or a loved one are in a domestic violence situation, please reach out. Taking the rst step can be di cult, but it is crucial. There are numerous resources available to help, including some listed below. While it may not be easy, seeking help is an important step toward safety. Please let us help; you are not alone.
You can get help online at the following organization and agency sites:
• Utah Domestic Violence Coalition
• Utah DCFS Domestic Violence Services
• University of Utah Domestic Violence Resources
• South Valley Services
• DomesticShelters.org
ANNUAL CLEANUP DAY
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to Det. Cameron who is TVPD’s latest Employee of the Month. Det. Cameron has been a law enforcement professional for nearly 12 years. He started his career at the Utah Department of Corrections, where he spent two years gaining valuable experience before transitioning to the Sandy City Police Department.
Det. Cameron’s diverse background in law enforcement includes patrol duties, tra c investigations and general investigations. One of the highlights of his career was serving as a K-9 handler, where he worked alongside his dual-purpose dog, K-9 Chase.
Det. Cameron joined TVPD in June 2021 and is assigned to the Directed Enforcement Unit, where he investigates a range of property-related crimes such as retail theft, fraud, forgery, burglary and general theft cases. One notable case involved multiple burglaries in Taylorsville, including a burglary at the Holiday gas station. There, the suspect used a stolen front-end loader to crash through the front doors and steal an ATM machine. Det. Cameron identi ed the suspect while also linking him to several other business burglaries in West Jordan, Kearns and Millcreek.
A warrant was served at the suspect’s residence where he was found hiding behind a washer and dryer. The search of the residence yielded illegal narcotics and a key for the front-end loader used in the burglaries. Additionally, Det. Cameron obtained a confession regarding the ATM burglary and other burglaries throughout Salt Lake County.
When Det. Cameron is o duty, he enjoys spending time with his family, coaching his children’s sports teams and hunting and shing whenever he can. Det. Cameron’s extensive experience, combined with his strong community ties, makes him an invaluable asset to TVPD and the residents we serve.
Taylorsville High Student is a National Merit Scholarship Finalist
Natasha Barlow, a student at Taylorsville High School, is one in a million. Her outstanding academics have qualified her as a finalist for the National Merit Scholarship, out of 1.3 million students entered into the program nationwide.
Beginning in 1955, the National Merit scholarship program recognizes academically talented students across the United States. The program is conducted by the not-for-profit National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). Each year, high school students enter the program by taking the Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) and by meeting published program entry and participation requirements.
Natasha took the PSAT/NMSQT during the fall of her junior year to qualify for the NMSC program. Of the hundreds of thousands of students entered nationwide, she was one of 16,000 students selected to be a semi- nalist due to her high test score. She was then given scholarship application materials, explaining requirements to advance in the competition for National Merit Scholarships to be o ered this year.
Natasha's teachers said the honor is greatly deserved.
“Natasha Barlow is one of the most intelligent and creative students I have had the chance to work with during my career,” said Rob Eberly, Natasha’s AP Art History/Ceramics teacher at Taylorsville High. “She is so well rounded; she performs so well in both academic and artistic
settings. She is also very kind, taking time to help other students succeed.”
Sherri Horton, Natasha’s AP European History teacher, agreed. “Natasha Barlow is a self-driven student who excels at nearly everything she does,” she said. “She is the kind of student that all teachers dream of — organized, motivated, smart, kind and responsible.”
To qualify, Natasha had to write several essays and submit transcripts showing she had taken challenging courses throughout her high school years. All National Merit Scholarship winners will be chosen from the group of nalists based on their abilities, skills and accomplishments. Scholarship recipients will be noti ed this month on their nal standing.
Mayor Kristie Overson and the City Council also plan to formally recognize Natasha for her incredible achievement at an upcoming council meeting at Taylorsville City Hall. “We are so proud of Natasha and all of her accomplishments at Taylorsville High,” said Mayor Overson. “There’s no doubt about it, the students in our community are top-notch.”
Natasha, pictured with Taylorsville High Principal Mark Ellermeier, will attend Utah State in the fall. She is this year's Math Sterling Scholar at Taylorsville High; she is an AP Ambassador and a peer mentor at the school, and she is uent in Spanish.
HEY RUNNERS (and all you fabulous walkers too!)
Get ready to lace up because registration is now OPEN for the 2025 Taylorsville Dayzz 5K and Kids Run!
Race Day: Saturday, June 28, 2025
Join the fun and snag a snazzy t-shirt or tank top (if registered by June 13th), a shiny finisher medal, a swag bag bursting with goodies, and chip timing—all for the steal of a deal: 5K - $30
Kids Run - $15
So, what are you waiting for?
Scan the QR Code and let the race magic begin!
‘Menken Musical Revue’ Showcases Remarkable Taylorsville Talent
More than 35 singers, dancers and musicians performed in the Taylorsville Arts Council’s recent production, “A Menken Musical Revue,” which paid tribute to legendary composer Alan Menken.
The show, which took place on Feb. 20 and 21 at the Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center, featured local talent performing a variety of songs by Menken, best known for his lm scores like “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Aladdin.”
“That was an incredible evening,” Mayor Overson said at a recent City Council meeting. “Twenty-three songs were performed in various ways, one of which involved dental oss and toothbrushes! We have such remarkable talent in our community.”
One of the performers, Stephanie Urie, played the song “Beauty and the Beast” on her violin at the City Council meeting, as she did in the show.
The Arts Council’s next production is “Once on This Island Jr.,” showing June 4, 5 and 6. Details to come.
Get ready to experience the perfect blend of music and culinary delights at our upcoming summer concert series and food truck nights! These exciting events promise to transform your Friday evenings with free live performances from a diverse range of artists and a mouth-watering selection of food truck cuisines. Whether you're a fan of rock, pop, jazz, or something in between, our concert series has something for everyone. Pair this with the delicious offerings from local food trucks, and you've got an unforgettable night out. Stay tuned for the complete lineup, which will be revealed in the May journal. Don't miss the chance to enjoy great music, delicious food, and a vibrant community atmosphere all summer long!
Kick off event - Friday, May 16
Food Trucks 5:30 pm-8:30 pm Free Live Music 6:30 pm
Centennial Plaza 2600 W Taylorsville Blvd Taylorsville, UT 84129
Don’t Miss These Library Events Taylorsville Bennion Heritage REMEMBRANCES
This Taylorsville Resident Married on his Birthday
Our April article
the life and histories of William John Shanks Parker Jr. and Mary Peter.
William Parker was born on Nov. 24,1835, in Lancashire, England. He was the rst child of John and Alice Whitaker Parker. Also on Nov. 24, he married Mary Peter in his home in the presence of most of his family.
We are unsure where their family lived until 1863, but records indicate their rst two children, Alice and William, were born in Salt Lake City. The rest of their children were born after William Parker acquired their family farm in Taylorsville. The farm was 200 acres at the time.
William Parker and Mary Peter had 12 children, including Alice Brown, William Edward, May Elizabeth, John Dimond, Martha, Samuel Henry, Ellen (who died at birth), Nettie Brown, James Herbert, Joseph Albert, Franklin Shank and Cilage Jensen.
This history was written by Josephine Mauchley Parker, wife of the youngest son of William Parker. You can learn more about William John Shanks Parker Jr. and Mary Peter, as well as the histories of other families in Taylorsville, at the Taylorsville-Bennion Heritage Center, 1488 W. 4800 South. Drop on by!
The Taylorsville Library has planned several programs during the month of April. You’ll want to mark your calendar for these events:
POETRY MONTH | BLACKOUT POETRY — Tuesday, April 1, to Saturday, April 12. Drop in to create your own blackout poem! Supplies available at the Information Desk.
POETRY MONTH | POETRY INTERACTIVE ADVENTURE — Monday, April 7, to Saturday, April 12. Drop in and immerse yourself in poetry. Interact with poems through touch, sound and play.
VIRTUAL ADULT LECTURE | Frida Kahlo: Art, Life, and Death — Tuesday, April 8, 7 p.m. Frida Kahlo's paintings vividly express the passion, struggle and pain of her life. Learn about Kahlo's fascinating art and explore how her personal experiences shaped her unique expression. Register at: thecountylibrary.org/LectureSeries
POETRY MONTH | POETRY PHARMACY — Monday, April 21, to Wednesday, April 30. Let us solve your woes with a poem! Drop in to pick up a poetry prescription for your heart, mind and soul.
DISCOVERY FRIDAY | Codes and Ciphers — Friday, April 25, 4 p.m. Each month, the library will have a unique combination of STEAM activities, crafts, games, movement and more.
VIRTUAL ADULT LECTURE | Lewis and Clark: Visualizing the Expedition — Monday, April 28, 7 p.m. Dr. Jay H. Buckley explores the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806) through art, highlighting key people, places and events that bring this historic journey to life. Register at: thecountylibrary.org/LectureSeries
AN EVENING OF ART
TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2025 AT 7PM MID-VALLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 2525 W TAYLORSVILLE BLVD, TAYLORSVILLE, UT 84129
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
The City of Taylorsville is thrilled to announce our next Plaza + ART Event: An Evening of Art with Photographer Bry Cox! Please email plazaart@taylorsvilleut.gov to RSVP for the event.
Light refreshments will be provided!
A good photographic portrait can captivate and draw you in, but many things need to come together to make that happen. The secret is light. Lighting sculpts a person, creating highlights and shadows in just the right places to bring out the best in someone. And to truly capture emotion, that person’s inner light needs to shine too.
highlights
ANNUAL COLLECTION DAY
APRIL UPDATES
Earth Day Starts with You: Simple Ways Recycling and Green Waste Help the Planet
Earth Day is Tuesday, April 22, and it's a great time to re ect on the small actions that can make a big di erence for our planet. The theme this year is “Our Power, Our Planet” and encourages people to work together to transition to renewable energy source and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. One simple yet impactful way to help is through recycling and proper green waste disposal.
Recycling reduces the waste of natural resources by turning materials like paper, plastic, and metal cans into new products. This reduces the need for raw materials, saves energy, and reduces pollution. Regular recycling helps decrease land ll waste and lowers our carbon footprint.
Proper green waste disposal such as lawn clippings, leaves, and other organic materials is equally important. Composting or correctly disposing of these materials helps reduce methane emissions from land lls and provides nutrient-rich products that can bene t your garden.
As we celebrate Earth Day, remember that our daily choices matter. By recycling more and disposing of green waste responsibly, we’re contributing to a greener world for future generations.
Let’s make every day Earth Day!
Source: https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2025/
Strengthening Sustainability, One Leg at a Time - Continued
Waiting to Water: The Benefits of Patience in Lawn Care
Patience is key, especially when it comes to springtime landscape care. Waiting to water your lawn until after Mother's Day can yield signi cant bene ts. By holding o on watering, you give your lawn's roots the opportunity to grow deeper, resulting in a healthier, more resilient turf.
This strategic delay in watering pays o during the hotter months, as deeper roots can access moisture stored in the soil, even when the surface appears dry. Ultimately, this practice promotes the long-term health and vitality of your lawn.
If you have any questions, please contact Taylorsville-Bennion Improvement District by calling 801-968-9081 or visiting www.tbid.org. Follow TBID on Facebook and X.
The "Three-Legged Stool" model highlights three pillars of community sustainability. If one leg is missing, stability is lost. This month, WFWRD will focus on the economic impact leg of the stool. Recycling provides significant economic benefits. For example, recycling 10,000 tons creates 36 jobs, while land lling the same amount creates only six. On a national scale, recycling supports 681,000 jobs and generates $37.8 billion in wages (EPA’s REI report). By recycling, you're helping create jobs, reduce costs and drive positive changes in our community.
Optimism running high with Taylorsville track team
The Taylorsville track and field team is excited for the 2025 season and has set a high bar for success.
By Josh McFadden
Big news came out of Taylorsville high school last fall when the boys cross country team won the Class 5A state championship. Building off that successful campaign, the track team has lofty goals and plenty of enthusiasm.
Taylorsville enters the 2025 campaign with talented, experienced athletes who are ready to compete against some of the state’s top squads. The 2024 Taylorsville track team had a strong showing, and the team members and coaching staff believe this season could be even better.
“We are going into this season with a strong positive mindset,” head coach Chad Farnes said. “Our distance team just finished with a state title and finished ranked in the top 10 nationally. Our sprint team brings back an incredible group of juniors and seniors that have been extremely dedicated to track. And our throwers are enthusiastic about the prospects of this year. Last year was the best finish we had in at least 10 years, and we are bringing back the majority of that team. The team, both boys and girls, is excited to be one of the most competitive in the region and in the state.”
Farnes wants to win as much as the next person. But for him, winning isn’t just about excelling in the sport of track and field. He wants his athletes to succeed in other aspects of life too. He also wants the team members to enjoy competing as they work hard to improve and develop their skills and talents.
“Our main goal is to ignite success,” he said. “We want athletes, whatever their ability level, to be successful, both on the track and in school. To do that we emphasize three things: work-
ing hard, dreaming big and having fun. As long as athletes are doing those three things…it is going to be a successful season.”
Taylorsville has several standout athletes on the track team this season.
Leading the for the boys are distance runners Cole Jameson (senior), Kai Makowski (senior) and Edward Stout (junior), each of whom helped lead the boys to the top spot in 5A cross country in the fall. Sprinters Chatlin Mills, a senior, and Daniel Campbell, a junior, are eager to prove themselves and lead the team by example. Senior hurdler Lincoln Robinson and senior thrower Jacob Lee are two athletes to watch for the Warriors.
Farnes also highlighted a pair of standouts on the girls team: senior sprinter and hurdler Sariah Johnson and sophomore sprinter Kaitlyn Sterzer.
In addition, Farnes likes his team’s depth and thinks the Warrior will be ready to challenge for region and state supremacy this season.
“We are really strong across the board, both boys and girls,” he said. “We’ve got athletes that are going to compete for the region title in nearly every event. We will also have some athletes that are going to be competing for the state title.”
Farnes has work to do in some areas with the team. He pointed to throwing events for the girls. Still, he’s pleased with the progress and efforts the athletes have made and with the diligent efforts the coaching staff is putting into this group.
“If there is one place where we can improve, it is probably on the girls’ throw side,” Farnes said. “That is the smallest part of our team. However, we are working hard with some new coaches and hoping that that will turn out some additional athletes. Something else that we are looking to improve is consistency. We want to have every athlete attend practice every day. This year, we have the largest team we’ve ever had (around 150 athletes), which is
A “Warriormon” card is an idea that Taylorsville track coach Chad Farnes came up with to create more team unity. The Warriors are one of the top teams in 5A. (Photo courtesy of Chad Farnes.)
the largest team in the school. We want to make sure that all athletes know we expect them to be there every day, ready to work and have fun.”
Coaching this group of athletes is a pleasure for Farnes. He appreciates their zeal for the sport and how committed they are to achieving their goals and doing their best. He’s particularly pleased with the senior class and everything it has given to the program.
“This group of seniors has been consistent and shown a level of dedication to track that I would argue is unparalleled,” he said. “For example, two years ago Sariah Johnson worked with the coaches at Taylorsville to create a sprint club so that sprint athletes from Taylorsville could continue to run in the off season. It has been wildly successful (we just took 25 athletes to the Simplot Indoor Meet as part of the club). They have shown a love for track and it has been contagious. It has just made for a really fun team.”
Team unity is strong for Taylorsville, and Farnes has come up with some creative ways to foster this camaraderie.
“One other thing that I am really enjoying about this year is that I had the idea of making Pokemon cards (we call it Warriormon) for every athlete on the team for every year they’ve been on the team,” he said. “We randomly packaged the cards and then hand them out as kids do things well (for example, attend practice every day during the week). Athletes then have to trade with each other to get the cards that they want. It has been really fun to see them excited about the Warriormon cards.”l
Russiais our ally. Canadians are the enemy. Tariffs will make us richer but we’re cutting staff at national parks. Measles is back. Gaza is the new Riviera. The economy is crashing and it’s tax season when I pay thousands of dollars to the government so it can purchase Tesla Cybertrucks to send to Jupiter.
The newspeak and doublethink we endure each day can be a bit overwhelming, but I’ve found a way to get through the endless cycle of breaking news: denial.
Denial is a beautiful, hazy way to spend your day. Instead of crying through a CNBC report, denial allows you to drift on a cloud of puff pastry surrounded by cherry trifle and savory scones.
This specific form of denial is “The Great British Bake Off” and it saved me during March when I was knee-deep in tissues, cough syrup and tariff wars. There’s only so much idiocy one can endure while healing from pneumonia.
Unlike American reality shows that foster cruelty and conflict, GBBO features a dozen creative bakers who just want to make
Let them eat cake
the best Victoria sponge cake or sticky toffee pudding. The contestants are kind, positive and willing to offer a helping hand.
I love British television because everyone looks real. There are no plastic surgery junkies or steroid-addicted chefs, just regular people doing something they love. When the judges, Paul Hollywood and Dame Prue Leith, make a criticism, it’s done with a British accent so it doesn’t sound so awful.
When Prue tuts and says, “This bake is a disaster,” she could easily be tucking a blanket around your shoulders and handing you a steaming cup of Earl Grey.
Instead of watching Elon Musk wield a chainsaw, I tune into GBBO which is filmed on the grounds of an English manor. Bunnies and squirrels scamper through grassy meadows like a Disney movie. There’s even a fanbase dedicated to identifying the different bird songs heard during the show.
The pastel-colored set, with its matching counters, ovens and fridges, distracts me from personnel cuts at federal agencies including
the CDC and FAA. GBBO hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding wander through the competition, amusing bakers with their British humor and offering pep talks to stressed cooks.
Each episode has a specific theme. There’s bread week or pastry week or biscuit week, and each chef creates a signature bake, completes a technical challenge and makes a jaw-dropping showstopper. It’s a heartwarming alternative to the 24/7 chaos of the Trump administration.
Who knew there were so many British bakery items? But I have to admit, there are things they make I would never eat, including black pudding and chorizo buns topped with mustard custard. Nope.
Instead of worrying about the breakdown of our country’s system of checks and balances, I worry about whether my favorite
baker can create a pie crust that doesn’t have a soggy bottom. The judges hate soggy bottoms. I’ve also learned to worry about fallen focaccia, overcooked tarts and croissant dough that’s not properly laminated. Even the mistakes feel cozy.
I’m impressed at how quickly chefs can whip up a batch of pistachio macarons, ginger tarts or spanakopita (a spinach and feta pie my husband would NEVER eat) with minimal tears or tantrums. It’s a reminder things can get done without fits of temper, vengeance or manipulation.
Denial is not a permanent solution but it’s a tool when messages from Big Brother and the Ministry of Truth get to be a bit much. Just turn on the TV and float away in a delicate orange buttercream or raspberry whipped cream. It’s some sweet positivity in a decidedly bitter time.
