CENTRAL JORDAN RIVER RECONNECT PROJECT TO COORDINATE IMPROVEMENTS ALONG THE ‘SPLIT PERSONALITY’ WATERWAY
By Carl Fauver | c.fauver@mycityjournals.com
Early Utah pioneer Heber C. Kimball is credited with naming the Jordan River soon after arriving in the Salt Lake Valley. According to the historical website onlineutah.com, “(Kimball) noted the resemblance to the Middle Eastern River of the same name: a river flowing from a fresh water lake through fertile valleys to a dead sea.”
The website goes on to explain how the Jordan River was critical to the valley’s early development, as granite blocks were floated on it for constructing the Salt Lake Temple. Later, logs and ties were also floated in the river for use on the Central Utah Railroad.
The river we’re all familiar with – but relatively few ever visit to picnic or recreate – has a noble, historical past. Unfortunately, the waterway’s less-noble past has left the Jordan River with a lingering, negative impression for many.
“Almost from the beginning of settlement, the communities of Utah and Salt Lake valleys used the Jordan to carry waste and sewage away to the Great Salt Lake,” the website continues. “Throughout the 1960s and into the 1970s the Jordan continued to be used as a waste disposal canal for area slaughterhouses, packing plants, mineral reduction mills and laundries.”
That’s quite the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde reputation for one modest, 40-mile river. Now, Salt Lake County is spearheading an effort to make improvements along a midvalley section of the waterway, as it touches Taylorsville and four other cities.
Continued page 4
Thick foliage along the Jordan River has long enticed homeless encampments near its banks. Salt Lake County is spearheading a project designed to help combat that trend by drawing more people to the river to recreate. (Carl Fauver/City Journals)
Leading the county effort is Central Jordan River Reconnect Project Manager Dustin Wiberg.
“We are focusing this project on the 7-mile Jordan River section from 2100 South to 5400 South,” Wiberg explains. “In that area, the Jordan touches Taylorsville, Murray, West Valley City, Millcreek and South Salt Lake. That’s also where three key tributaries run into the river: Millcreek, Big Cottonwood Creek and Little Cottonwood Creek.”
Little Cottonwood Creek enters the Jordan River in Taylorsville, near 700 W. 4800 South. A 9-acre area there, called Little Confluence Open Space, features hundreds of cottonwoods and willows planted in recent years. As snowmelt from Alta and Snowbird Ski Resorts enter the Jordan, the confluence area features a nature trail, boat ramp and picnic pavilion.
Wiberg and his group hope their Central Jordan River Reconnect project can lead to more areas like this.
“We’re still at the information gathering stage of the project; so, I’m not sure what river improvement ideas may come from it,” he said. “As a byproduct of this effort, one thing we hope to do is help with the homeless issue along the river. When we began taking public comments, one of the first things we heard from people is that they won’t take their kids to recreate along the Jordan River because homeless encampments make them feel unsafe.”
Reconnect project volunteers say the equation is pretty simple: if more and more people start to find reasons to recreate at the Jordan River, it will make the area a less secluded and isolated area for people to create homeless encampments.
Kristie Overson has been a member of the Jordan River Commission since becoming Taylorsville mayor seven years ago. She’s not yet heard a lot about the goals related to the Reconnect project. But she is
aware Jordan River homeless encampments remain an ongoing challenge for city police.
“Dealing with the homeless situation along our section of the Jordan River this year has been about the same as in years past,” Overson said. “I’m all for raising awareness about the river. That kind of positive foot traffic will help encourage people in homeless encampments to go elsewhere. I am a bike enthusiast and love to ride on the Jordan River trail.”
Overson reports city police officers also ride bikes on the trail to patrol it.
“I also hope this Reconnect project focuses on better connecting neighborhoods to the river,” she added. “I want them to identify places where trails can be developed or improved, connecting to the Jordan River trail. The river needs to be accessible for more people than just those living right next to it. I support any effort to open it up
to more visitors.”
Some of the first public steps taken to gather information for the Central Jordan River Reconnect project came earlier this fall through a series of five community workshops. From Oct. 28 through Nov. 14, open house meetings were held in each of the five cities touched by the river in the area. The Taylorsville County Library branch meeting was held Nov. 13.
Jordan River Commission Executive Director Soren Simonsen was also actively involved in those meetings.
“The county is just at the beginning of this process, so we aren’t yet sure what recommendations for the river will come out of it yet,” Simonsen said. “We are pleased with the leadership from the Salt Lake County Council to move this project forward. This planning is coming at a critical time and on a very important stretch of the Jordan River.”
The Jordan River Commission was formed in 2010 and Simonsen has been its executive director since 2017. All totaled, from Saratoga Springs to North Salt Lake, the Jordan River touches 16 cities in three counties. Representatives from all those cities (including Overson) serve on the commission, along with others from the state, county, public utilities, conservation groups and other key stakeholders.
Wiberg reports another thing being considered now is whether, and to what extent, some of the historic Jordan River “meanders” could potentially be restored through this effort.
“When you compare aerial photos of the Jordan River through this area from the 1930s to the 1970s, you can easily see several areas where the river was straightened,” Wiberg said. “It used to meander a ton – which is what rivers want to do. But over time, as development came, there was more of an effort to control it. We’ve since learned the meanders create more wetlands and provide more flood protection during destructive storm events.”
Wiberg admits, rerouting any portions of the Jordan River will create challenges because roughly half of all the acreage touching the river in this area is privately owned. There are no plans to try to acquire private acreage bordering the Jordan as a part of this project. But, to whatever extent river meanders might be reintroduced on city, county or state land, the possibility is being investigated.
Work on this 14-month Central Jordan River Reconnect project began last summer. Officials hope to have a final written improvements proposal, complete with cost estimates, available by August.
If you missed the community workshop meetings several weeks ago, public comments can still be made through the project website, centraljordanreconnect.com. You can also learn more at jordanrivercommission.gov or myjordanriver.org. l
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Canoeing and kayaking the Jordan River has grown in popularity in recent years. (Photo courtesy Jordan River Commission)
Taylorsville girls wrestling getting big boost from Meyer
By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
Coming off a fourth-place showing last season in the Class 5A state tournament, Taylorsville wrestler Malia Meyer is aiming for even more this time around.
Meyer, a senior in the 190-pound class is the top returning competitor for the Warriors, which placed 14th as a team last season. She is in her fourth year of wrestling and is eager to improve upon what has already been a successful career. Meyer also wants to help her teammates be at their best and see the team move up the standings at state.
“I want to help get the girls to state and place and go teach them how to push themselves to be the best,” Meyer said.
Meyer loves wrestling for the way it inspires her to work hard and test her limits. She has seen the results of hard work and understands what it takes to achieve goals. Though wrestling is a difficult sport, she continues to do it because she likes showing that girls can excel at the sport.
“I love the mentality push that it gives me and how I’m able to push myself to be the best,” she said. “What motivates me is to prove to everyone that doubts me and to spread the word that girls can wrestle too.”
Taylorsville has a tight-knit group of wrestlers who support one another and
urge one another. She also appreciates her coach, Maria Garcia, and the rest of the staff for their support and encouragement.
“The best things about wrestling for Taylorsville are the closeness of the team and how we help each other,” Meyer said. “What I like most about the team is how helpful the coaches are and how motivated they are to get us to be the best that we can be.”
Meyer has a positive attitude and never gives up. She is constantly striving to get better. Her relentless mindset and grit are infectious and push her teammates, even when their backs are up against the wall and things aren’t going their way.
Though she has achieved success and accomplished many of her goals, Meyer isn’t satisfied. She is trying to refine her skills even more and develop more variety in her moves and technique.
It hasn’t always been easy for Meyer, either.
During her sophomore season, Meyer fractured her hip, which caused her to miss half the season. Still, she placed sixth at the state tournament after working tirelessly to rehabilitate and heal.
This season’s state tournament will take place at Utah Valley University Feb.
14 and 15. Meyer plans on standing atop the podium and capping her Taylorsville career with a state title. She and her teammates are also vying to compete among the top teams in 5A.
Once the school year is over, Meyer doesn’t plan on stepping away from the sport anytime soon. She’s excited to meet the challenges that lie ahead and wrestle at the next level at college. She’s also eager to continue her education. She wants to study to become a radiologist. l
Most Common Winter Ailments & How to Prevent Them
With the winter season in full swing, so too are those pesky illnesses and ailments we all seem to catch this time of year. We’re sitting down with Dr. Jared Lambert, MD, at CommonSpirit Health West Jordan Family Medicine Clinic, to discuss what illnesses he treats during the colder months and how you can prevent them!
What are the most common winter ailments you treat year after year?
1. By far the most common illness seen this type of year are viral respiratory tract infections. This could be one of the many types of viruses that cause the common cold, RSV, influenza or COVID-19. Typical viral symptoms include sinus congestion, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, fever, and cough. These illnesses are best treated with over-the-counter medications to ease symptoms as our bodies fight off the viral infection. Typically, symptoms last 1-2 weeks and some common medications include over-the-counter decongestants, cough suppressants, ibuprofen and Tylenol. In the case of a COVID-19 infection however, higher risk patients (i.e. having a history of diabetes, asthma, age >50, or having COPD) are recommended to be seen by their provider to strongly consider utilizing the antiviral medication “Paxlovid”. This medication can decrease their risk of progression to a severe form of COVID-19 that could potentially warrant hospitalization. This is also the time of year to obtain your influenza vaccination, which helps reduce the risk of complications from the flu, including post-influenza bacterial pneumonia.
Viral infections do increase the risk of developing bacterial infections including bacterial sinusitis and otitis
media (ear infection and bacterial pneumonia). These forms of infections do require treatment with antibiotics. Risks of untreated bacterial pneumonia can be severe and prompt treatment with oral antibiotics is warranted. If symptoms include a persistent cough, fever or prolonged chest pain, then an in-person visit for evaluation and consideration for a chest Xray would be considered.
2. Strep Pharyngitis (strep throat)
Strep throat can occur at any time of the year but is most prevalent in the winter and spring months, likely due to our increased time indoors – overall, it is more common in children. Symptoms including a sudden sore throat, tender neck, red swollen tonsils and fever are typical. This bacterial infection of the throat can lead to several complications and it is recommended that it is treated promptly with a course of antibiotics.
3. Arthritis-related pain
The cold weather is known to certainly exacerbate aches and pains related to arthritis (wear and tear of joints). The most common joints affected by arthritis are the knees, hands, hips and spine. First line management is staying active or considering structured physical therapy with a physical therapist, in addition to, as needed, over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (i.e. ibuprofen). In addition, taking a 3000-4000 mg total daily dose of a turmeric supplement, divided into two doses, has also shown particular promise in being a potent anti-inflammatory in reducing arthritis pain; however this supplement (along with others) can interact with prescribed medications. It is recommended that you review this option with your primary care provider before taking it.
When is it time to see a physician?
Those common colds are best managed at home. However, if there are any concerns with prolonged or severe symptoms, evaluation would be recommended.
If a patient suspects they have strep throat, they should be seen by a healthcare provider. At our clinic, we have on-site testing to confirm strep throat to aid with appropriate management.
Should patients have concerns for severe pain secondary to arthritis, more advanced interventions can certainly be considered for management. Those can be best assessed and discussed in-person at our clinic.
What are some tips to stay healthy throughout the winter months?
Hand washing, staying home when ill, staying active and ensuring a balanced diet throughout the winter season.
We are here for you – should you suffer from any of the symptoms outlined above, Dr. Lambert encourages you to seek care! “I love being a Family Medicine Physician, treating all ages, and greatly enjoy getting to know and caring for my patients,” said Dr. Lambert. “Our office has some of the most caring providers and amazing staff I have had the privilege to work with.” You may reach Dr. Lambert’s office at 801-569-9133.
Learn more about the services, care providers and missiondriven work of the Holy Cross hospitals and CommonSpirit Health at www.holycrossutah.org.
At CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
Dr.
Taylorsville’s girls wrestling program is in good hands, especially with athletes like Malia Meyer leading the way. Meyer is off to a big year.
Jared Lambert, MD West Jordan Family Medicine
Taylorsville High School graduate Stella Standingbear is a rising music star
By Carl Fauver | c.fauver@mycityjournals.com
Remember back in the “good old days” when the only way we were introduced to a new song was over the radio? When we liked one enough, we rummaged through the couch cushions for enough lost change to buy a 45 (born after 1980? Google it). From there, over the years, we moved to LPs… 8-tracks… cassettes… CDs… Honestly, how many different ways have we paid for “Rumours” over the decades?
Point is, we met music over the radio; and we had to listen to song after song –and commercial after commercial – waiting to hear our favorite tune.
Thankfully, just like boiling hot dogs, those days are over. Now you can sample something with just a few words. Say “Hey Google (or Alexa or Siri), play…” and you hold the entire musical world in your next three or four words. In the modest confines of our own home, aren’t smart speakers the most life-changing invention we’ve enjoyed since microwaves and DVRs?
But no, we’re not selling smart speakers. This is simply the easiest way to encourage you to sample the music of a rising music sensation who, less than a decade ago, graduated from Taylorsville High School.
Turn to your smart speaker now and finish that sentence: “Hey Alexa (or Google or Siri), play Stella Standingbear Home Runs.” Or, if seven words are too many, try six: “Hey Siri (or Alexa or Google), play Stella Standingbear Paradise.”
Go ahead – do it now, before reading any further.
Why? Because Standingbear’s music is described in a lot of places as “rap” or “alt-rap” (whatever that is). She’s also won some very prestigious “hip-hop” awards. But for a lot of us who still remember Casey Kasem and the first 45 we ever bought, those kinds of words scare us off. Slam that door shut; “That music is for my grandkids.”
But again, before you slam it, sample it.
Born in the Salt Lake Valley in March 1999, Standingbear attended eighth grade at Eisenhower Jr. High… ninth at Granger High School… and tenth and eleventh at Taylorsville High. She graduated a full year early, in spring 2016, already knowing exactly what she wanted to do.
“I caught the music bug at a very young age,” Standingbear begins her life story, with the old fogey on the flip phone interviewing her. “My mom says I was dancing and trying to sing as a baby. By first and second grade, I was switching through radio stations, searching for music I liked. In fourth grade I began writing poetry. Making music has been a lifelong
dream.”
Somewhere along the way, Standingbear took guitar lessons for a single semester in school. “But I am mostly selftaught,” she said.
During her last year at THS, Stella wrote music reviews for her school newspaper. Before that, at age 14, she recorded her first song, in a home studio at a friend’s house.
But unlike another young, female musical artist – the one who’s now a billionaire and dating a three-time Super Bowl champion – Standingbear has faced a built-in challenge: her native American heritage.
“When I was growing up, the other kids were always asking me questions about my name: Esparanda Stella Standingbear,” she said. “When I first tried to start my music career, I used a different name. But I did some soul searching. I began asking myself, ‘Who am I? Why am I going by the wrong name?’ So, in November 2022, I released ‘Home Run’ under my real name – and my career has taken off since then.”
That was just one year after Standingbear made another big change.
“My mom was a single mom, raising four kids (Stella is the oldest), while my dad was living on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota,” she explained. “I decided to move onto the reservation in late 2021 in order to learn more and connect with my culture and traditions. My grandmother gifted me three acres of land. I also participated in my first sweat lodge
ceremony. And I’ve connected with my great grandmother who is fluent in the native language and knows all about native medicines.”
Standingbear does return here to the Salt Lake Valley to visit her mother and siblings as often as her always-getting-busier music schedule allows.
“(Last year was) the first year I supported myself completely through my music career,” she said. “It was a great year. I have performed before audiences with several thousand people a few times. Many of my shows have been in Canada; in fact, I am looking into getting dual citizenship for both countries.”
Perhaps Standingbear’s biggest career milestone came at the 2023 Indigenous Hip-Hop Awards, when she became the first Lakota artist to earn a pair of historic wins. Standingbear was named Best Female Hip-Hop Artist and also won Music Video of the Year.
About the same time she was winning those awards, the Utah native was also profiled in “Teen Vogue” magazine, in an article entitled “Hip-Hop Artist Stella Standingbear is Shattering Stereotypes about Native American Sound.”
“It’s easy to understand why Stella Standingbear’s ‘Home Runs’ is earning accolades galore and making her a TikTok sensation,” author Kat Nelson begins her article. “The catchy, relatable song serves as an affirmation anthem for anyone who
has proved the haters wrong by achieving their dreams – a common them for Native Americans, who face outsized obstacles like ongoing discrimination, education gaps and high rates of poverty, disease, addiction and suicide.”
Back in August, Standingbear was the first-night featured entertainer at the second annual “Westside Culturefest,” hosted by the Utah Arts Alliance and Salt Lake County Arts & Culture division. A standing-room-only audience enjoyed her concert inside the Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center next to Taylorsville City Hall.
“That show was my first time to perform with a live band,” she said. “I normally perform with a DJ. But it was so much fun. I will definitely perform with a band again. The crowd was great; very welcoming.”
Standingbear is proud to have 60,000 Instagram followers and 140,000 TikTok followers. But, again, those numbers may throw up your “she’s-for-my-grandkids” red flag one more time.
Don’t let it; not until you ask your smart speaker for a sample of this Taylorsville High School graduate’s work – her life’s dream.
You can also learn more at stellastandingbear.com or on her Facebook page. l
Stella Standingbear graduated from Taylorsville High in 2016 before moving into a music career. (stellastandingbear.com)
Rising music artist Stella Standingbear grew up in the Taylorsville area, but now calls the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota home. (stellastandingbear.com)
Back in the day, a few Utah Jazz players – Joe Ingles, from Australia, comes to mind – were known as much for “talking smack” on the court as they were for shooting and rebounding. But it’s expected, after all – it’s professional sports.
Where you might not expect it is down at the Taylorsville-Bennion Improvement District offices.
“We don’t enter the best tasting water competition every year; we want to give other districts a chance to win once in a while.”
BOOM – mic drop – courtesy of TBID Senior Engineer Tammy North. But hey –just like Ingles dropping 3-pointers – if you can back it up…
North and four of her colleagues recently attended an American Water Works Association regional water conference in Kanab, where TBID dropped its most recent 3-pointer on all of the best water contest entries. For the fourth time since 2011, the Taylorsville water supplier won the “Best Groundwater” award. Moreover, after earning that honor, there was a “taste off” between the “Best Groundwater” (from wells) and “Best Surface Water” winners –and Taylorsville-Bennion won that also.
“I was very excited and proud when we won the awards,” TBID General Manager and CEO Mark Chalk said. “It’s nice to have everyone realize we have the best water in Utah. We get feedback from our customers all the time, they are happy with it.”
However, you may be questioning the “mic drop” status of the win. After all, only four “Best Groundwater” wins since 2011 means other districts have also been winning. So, let’s check the record – “review the tape,” if you will.
The Taylorsville-Bennion Improvement District entered its water in 2011 – and won. TBID entered again in 2012 –won. In 2013 – uh, don’t some people call that a “threepeat?”
Then, as Tammy North pointed out, TBID chose not to enter its water in the AWWA contest to “give other districts a chance to win.”
Now, granted, somewhere along the way, the local district did not win (we’ll call it an “off night”), before returning to the winner’s circle this year. That’s four wins in five tries in the “Best Groundwater” category. And half those times – in 2012 and 2024 – TBID also earned the “Best Overall Water” competition, defeating the “Best Surface Water” winner.
“Well water, or groundwater, is typically not as good as surface water; that’s just how it is; groundwater is rarely judged to be tastier than surface water,” Chalk said.
By Carl Fauver | c.fauver@mycityjournals.com
Clean, tasty water has been provided by TBID since 1957. (Carl
“For us to win best overall water twice in four tries is pretty impressive.”
At the AWWA regional conference, the water taste contest was open to every water district in Utah as well as those in southeastern Idaho. With the win, the TBID water is now eligible to be judged at next summer’s AWWA National Conference.
TBID’s top brass attend the AWWA Intermountain Section conference every year – not just to run victory laps.
“Our five-member executive team attend the conference because it’s specific to drinking water and offers lots of valuable education,” North said. “They have great classes and good opportunities to network with other water districts. Several vendors are also there to show off the best new equipment and water distribution technology. It’s a great chance to talk with other water professionals about successes and challenges.”
One of those recent challenges all water districts have been addressing lately, nationwide, came courtesy of Uncle Sam.
“A recent federal rule change from the Environmental Protection Agency has required us to conduct a service pipe inventory to make sure we have no lead pipes being used in our water distribution system,” Chalk said. “This was not really a ‘front-burner’ issue until Flint, Michigan water was making all the news.”
In case you’ve forgotten, a decade ago a financial crisis in Michigan prompted the decision to switch Flint’s culinary water from a safer, cleaner source to Flint River water. In that change, crews failed to apply corrosion inhibitors to the water, which
resulted in lead from aging pipes leaching into the water supply.
As a result of that health disaster, many federal regulations have been tightened. This most recent change requires local water districts to survey their pipes to make certain none of them are lead.
“We were extremely confident we did not have any lead pipes in our system,” Chalk explained. “But keeping our water customers safe is our top priority – so we complied with the EPA regulations. We inventoried about 400 of our 17,300 customer connections.”
These checks involved asking homeowners to take and submit some photographs of their pipes. It also required TBID crews to dig some holes with their vactor truck.
“We have two vactor trucks which use a strong vacuum along with a water jet to excavate,” Chalk said. “Our crews excavated and observed about 100 pipes. It was labor intensive. But the bottom line is, we confirmed there are no lead pipes distributing water to Taylorsville homes and businesses.”
TBID officials admit it’s a challenge
when the EPA adds in these kinds of requirements when they are already certain they don’t have a lead water pipe issue.
“Honestly, my crews are already so busy; I believe we have the least number of employees per water connection of any system in the state,” Chalk concluded. “These kinds of unfunded federal mandates can be difficult and frustrating. But, again, public safety is our top priority. So, we got it done and there were no surprises. We do not have lead pipes in our system.”
Chalk admits TBID cannot be “absolutely 100% certain” there are no lead pipes, because they have not actually laid eyes on every last pipe. But the district is as certain as it can be – and certain enough to satisfy the requirements of the EPA regulation changes. Officials say if there are any lead pipe issues in Utah water systems, they are most likely in Salt Lake or Park City, where even older pipes are still in use.
At the Taylorsville-Bennion Improvement District, the pipes are not a health hazard – and the water is almost always judged to be the best in Utah… mic drop. l
Your Mental Health Deserves Care, No Matter the Season
As the days grow shorter and the cold settles in, many of us start to feel the weight of seasonal depression. If your struggle with depression includes low energy, lack of ambition, or a sense of isolation, you’re not alone—and we can help.
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Fauver/City Journals)
The power of giving—how giving helps the giver
By Rebecca Olds | rebecca.o@thecityjournals.com
It’snot really a surprise that December is National Giving Month in the United States. With the holidays, part of the merriment and cheer is inherent in the season, or so it feels. But what if the actual giving creates the season and makes us smile?
Research shows that the giver of a gift experiences just as many benefits as the receiver, creating a satisfying experience for both. Here are four ways that giving positively impacts the giver:
1. Boosts happiness and optimism
Spending money on someone else doesn’t seem like it would do much inside the brain, but the simple act has been proven with several studies that buying a gift for someone (without stressing too much about it) promotes happiness by stimulating the pleasure part of the brain, per the American Psychological Association.
Moreover, generosity is contagious; by giving, you inspire others to follow suit, spreading kindness and reinforcing a positive community spirit.
2. Builds relationships
When the pleasure part of the brain is stimulated, it releases oxytocin also known as the “cuddle hormone,” which “signals trust, safety and connection,” per APA.
“Part of the uniqueness of the reward
activation around gift-giving compared to something like receiving an award or winning money is that because it is social it also activates pathways in the brain that release oxytocin,” said Dr. Emiliana Simon-Thomas, who is the science director at the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley.
People you build strong relationships with also create a good support system during difficult times.
3. Reduces stress and depression while fostering gratitude
Feeling stressed out and maybe experiencing some depression can make it hard to want to give back or serve another but Dr. Charles Brown at Akron Children’s in Ohio, a child and adolescent psychiatrist said it can make all the difference.
“The stress and anxiety of everyday life can affect us all differently,” Brown said. “It’s the way we cope with that stress that dictates its impact on us. One healthy way of coping is through service because it allows us to step outside of our own challenging experience and enrich the experience of others.”
Being able to step outside of yourself and recognize the things you have creates a sense of deeper gratitude and appreciation
for life to combat future stress and depression.
4. Creates a sense of purpose and improves self-esteem
Charitable giving can especially make you part of a bigger community and purpose.
Every charity has a good cause donors can contribute to which brings fulfillment and satisfaction, per Donor’s Trust. Having purpose contributes to an improved self-outlook because it empowers the individual to change the lives of others. l
Science has looked at how the giver of a gift gets just as many benefits as the receiver, making it a doubly satisfying experience for both the giver and the receiver. (Adobe Stock)
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In
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Location: Larkin Sunset Gardens (1950 E 10600 S, Sandy, UT 84092)
In Person Location: Larkin Sunset Gardens (1950 E 10600 S, Sandy, UT 84092)
In Person Location: Larkin Sunset Gardens (1950 E 10600 S, Sandy, UT 84092)
also be held online via Zoom 9:00 am - 2:30 pm
5 CEUs (1 Ethics)
am - 2:30 pm 5 CEUs (1 Ethics)
Event will also be held online via Zoom 9:00 am - 2:30 pm
5 CEUs (1 Ethics)
Continental breakfast and lunch to be provided. is training is free but registration is required.
https://utahnursing.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4TJzEqlevFHx58G
https://utahnursing.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4TJzEqlevFHx58G
Or
Or
UPCOMING EVENT:
LOCATION: Le Jardin, 1910 Dimple Dell Rd, Sandy, UT 84092
DATE: Tuesday, 1/28/25
TIME: 12:00 PM OR 6:00 PM
RSVP: (801) 829-1772
2600 West Taylorsville Boulevard • 801-963-5400 January
MAYOR'S MESSAGE
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I have to say the year 2025 has a nice ring to it. As we turn the page on another calendar year, there is always a bit of excitement and anticipation for the months ahead.
In this new year, I’m especially looking forward to the opening of the rst phase of the brand-new Summit Park at 6200 S. 3200 West, and I absolutely cannot wait for you to see the first stage, as well, of our newly renovated Taylorsville Park and the new skatepark there. I’m told there are a few skateboarders who haven’t been able to wait for its o cial opening this spring either and have already banked the ledges and dropped into the bowl. I share their unbridled enthusiasm!
We also joyfully await the coming Midvalley Express Bus Rapid Transit line (MVX), and we’re soliciting artists to design the bus stations along the route. I’m eager to see what they come up with, too.
And, speaking of art, our Plaza +ART program has already scheduled three Evenings of Art this new year, with the rst one set for Feb. 13. Additionally, the program has brought 19 stunning sculptures to Centennial Plaza, and both the Art Walk and Evenings of Art are free to attend and do.
As I look forward to the next year and re ect on the one just past, I’m always in awe of all that is happening here. Over just 12 months in 2024, we welcomed dozens of new businesses with Ribbon Cuttings, including brand-new constructions at Legacy Plaza; we celebrated our schools and their wins like the amazing championship by the Taylorsville High Cross Country team; we added the name Constitution Boulevard to 2700 West and applauded the fantastic shows put on by the Taylorsville Arts Council such as the recent Snoopy! The Musical and the 2024 Art Show.
We opened for the rst time the Taylorsville Farmers Market at Centennial Plaza and danced as the bands played at our free Starry Nights music series; we completed the joint, yearlong renovation project at Carriage Square; we celebrated TVPD’s two major K-9 competition wins and cheered as they stopped crime at every turn; we tagged along with our incredible Youth Council as they led out in so many ways; we recycled tons of items at our ever-popular annual Cleanup Day, happening again this year on May 17, and we did so much more.
De nitely, it was a year that will be hard to top. But with our Team Taylorsville, I am con dent this new year will bring even more opportunity and success. I'm looking forward to 2025!
—Mayor
Kristie S. Overson
WHAT’S INSIDE – JANUARY 2025
Frequently Called Numbers, Page 2
Council Corner, Page 3
TVPD News, Page 4
Heritage Remembrances, Page 7
Environment, Page 8
Taylorsville Rings in the Holidays, New Year with Tree Lighting
For the third year in a row, the City of Taylorsville rang in the holidays and the new year 2025 with a Tree Lighting Ceremony in front of City Hall. Dozens of people turned out for the annual Tree Lighting event on Dec. 2 at Centennial Plaza, which was also decked out in holiday lights and decorations. In fact, city o cials estimated it was the largest turnout yet for the event that featured music and entertainment, as well as cookies and hot chocolate served by the Youth Council.
Of course, the highlight of the night was the countdown to the tree lighting, which Mayor Kristie Overson led before ipping the switch to set the tree aglow. The live tree was decorated in gold lights through the season and will soon be transplanted to a city park.
“I loved seeing all the families and the children running around with ashlights,” Mayor Overson said at December’s City Council meeting. “The Taylorsville High Madrigals were remarkable as they always are, and the plaza looked so beautiful.”
Along with Centennial Plaza, City Hall was decorated too, both inside and out. As is tradition, the Youth Council set up the large tree in the foyer and placed the ornaments. Outside, city crews strung thousands of red and white lights, in addition to the permanent LED lights that were installed two years ago.
“Centennial Plaza is simply a lovely place to be throughout the year, but especially so during the holidays,” Mayor Overson said.
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801-955-2013
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EVENTS
JANUARY 2025
Jan. 1 – All day
New Year’s Day. City o ces are closed for the holiday.
Jan. 8 & 22 – 6:30 p.m.
City Council Meeting @ City Hall. Watch a livestream of the meeting at www.taylorsvilleut.gov
Jan. 14 & 28 – 6:30 p.m.
Planning Commission Meeting @ City Hall.
Jan. 20 – All day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day. City Hall is closed in observance.
Jan. 21 – All day
Opening Day of the Legislature @ State Capitol. The 45-day session concludes March 7.
UPCOMING: Feb. 6 – 6 p.m.
CERT meeting @ City Hall. This public meeting is being held to gauge interest in the emergency preparedness program and explore options for the city.
UPCOMING: Feb. 13
An Evening of Art. The city’s Plaza +ART program organizes and hosts these events, where residents can meet artists and hear about their work.
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
The City of Taylorsville’s Plaza +ART program has been hosting Evenings of Art, bringing artists to the community to talk abou is a great chance for residents to learn more about art and mee contributing their time and talent. These evenings are free to Watch for time and location details. about their work. It meet the artists attend.
COUNCIL CORNER
By Council Member Anna Barbieri
Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Spirit of Cooperation & Support Defines Our City
This summer, I watched as a resident of Taylorsville mowed the lawn and pulled the weeds in one of his neighbor’s yard each week. It’s not a tiny yard, and I know the resident pushing the lawn mower suffers from a few physical ailments and di culties.
When I asked what prompted him to take on someone else’s yard work besides his own, he answered with a shrug and said, “It needs to be done. It makes the street look so much nicer and helps keep other’s from letting their yards go, as well.”
I could ll a book with the many acts of kindness I’ve seen and heard about in Taylorsville. I’m grateful to each of our residents who watch over their neighborhood and neighbors. We have a great city. A place where we can rely on each other in tough times and come together to celebrate in the good. We like to say that Taylorsville is the place where community connects, and that motto seems so apropos.
Here in Taylorsville, neighbors foster a spirit of cooperation and support, and is often the case, they refrain from blame when issues arise. We recognize that a community thrives when its residents work together to create a positive environment for everyone, and one
important way to contribute to a peaceful and thriving neighborhood is by keeping your property well maintained.
Clean, tidy yards not only enhance the appearance of individual homes but also improve the overall appeal of the neighborhood, which in turn helps maintain property values.
When residents take pride in their homes and gardens, it sets a positive example and encourages others to do the same. A neat, well-kept yard shows respect for the surrounding community and creates an atmosphere of pride that can prevent unnecessary con ict. When everyone is responsible for their property, it becomes easier to maintain a harmonious atmosphere where neighbors can support each other and work together.
Instead of pointing ngers or complaining, it's far more productive to have open conversations with neighbors. If there is an issue, discuss it constructively and o er to help solve the problem. By building mutual respect, neighbors can create a space where they feel comfortable living. They know that their e orts to maintain their homes and yards are appreciated by others. Thank you for all your efforts to be good neighbors to each other. These gestures may seem small in
the moment, but they do not go unnoticed. They are appreciated and often can make all the di erence in another’s life.
Rabbi, author and lecturer Harold S. Kushner put it so well, “The happiest people I know are people who don't even think about being happy. They just think about being good neighbors, good people. And then happiness sort of sneaks in the back window while they are busy doing good.”
Wreaths Across America Project Places 265 Wreaths at City Cemetery
In honoring veterans during the holidays, the City of Taylorsville and Taylorsville Youth Council took part in National Wreaths Across America Day this past month, for the third time in as many years. The nationwide initiative recognizes and remembers veterans across the country, coordinating wreathlaying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as more than 3,400 additional locations in all 50 states, at sea and abroad.
Those ceremonies are held each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, and the wreaths were delivered by semi-truck to the Taylorsville City Cemetery a few days beforehand. They were unloaded with the help of city and cemetery staff, Youth Council members and the Taylorsville Police Department.
“Truly, this event is the highlight of the holidays,” said Mayor Kristie Overson. “It is such a meaningful, touching way to honor and remember our veterans.”
In Taylorsville, there were two parts to the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Dec. 14. The rst part in the City Council Chambers started promptly at 10 a.m. to coincide with the ceremony at Arlington cemetery.
The second portion of the ceremony took place outdoors at the Taylorsville City Cemetery, where wreaths were laid on all 265 veterans' graves there. In addition to assistance from the Taylorsville Youth Council, the Taylorsville High School JROTC and the local nonpro t Honor365, community members helped lay the wreaths.
The remembrance wreaths are hand-crafted of all-American balsam and hand-tied with a red velvet bow in Columbia Falls, Maine, and then sent to participating locations. Watch for a picture page of the event on these pages in next month’s edition.
LEFT TO RIGHT:
Bob Knudsen, (District 5), Curt Cochran, Chair (District 2), Anna Barbieri, (District 3), Meredith Harker, Vice Chair (District 4) and Ernest Burgess (District 1)
Police Partnership Brings an End to ‘Traveling Theft Ring’
Check this space each month for news about the Taylorsville Police Department (TVPD) and their valuable service to our community.
TVPD, in partnership with the Orem Police Department, the Utah Attorney General’s Office and multiple other agencies, arrested several individuals involved in a fraudulent scam. The scam involved multiple suspects using counterfeit currency to purchase merchandise.
The suspects would then return the merchandise for a cash refund. The scam spread across 13 states in what is being coined as a “traveling theft ring." The total loss is currently pushing $32,000, and that number is likely to grow as the investigation continues.
In a recent news report, KUTV listed multiple stores that were impacted over three days in October, including:
Oct. 26 — Spanish Fork Target, Provo Towne Center Target, Provo State Street Target, Orem Kohl's, Orem Target, American Fork Target, American Fork Kohl's (twice)
Oct. 27 — South Jordan Target, Fort Union Target, West Jordan Target, West Valley City Target, American Fork Kohl's
Oct. 28 — Centerville Kohl's, Centerville Target, Layton Kohl's, Clinton Kohl's
In our social media posts, TVPD regularly uses the hashtag #TVPDStopsCrime, and we take great pride when we can help bring an end to crime like this!
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Det. Barrett, a detective within TVPD’s Violent Crimes Unit, brings 34 years of law enforcement and corrections experience to the community and is our latest TVPD Employee of the Month.
Det. Barrett’s educational experience includes a bachelor’s degree in history in addition to being a graduate of Utah’s Peace O cer Standards and Training Academy. In addition to his 34 years in law enforcement, Det. Barrett served ve years in the U.S. Army. During his law enforcement career, he served with Adult Probation and Parole, the Salt Lake County Sheri ’s O ce, Uni ed Police, Veterans A airs and West Valley Police departments. Det. Barrett joined Taylorsville Police Department in 2021. He has served in various specialty units including corrections, patrol, property crimes, K-9, gang investigations and violent crimes.
In October, Det. Barrett was assigned as the lead detective in a homicide investigation that occurred within Taylorsville. The investigation began on Oct. 13 at 4 a.m. when o cers were called to investigate a shooting. For the next 20 straight hours, Det. Barrett led our patrol o cers and assisted detectives toward the arrest of seven suspects, all who resided outside of Taylorsville. Numerous search warrants were drafted and multiple interviews conducted in compiling the necessary information for charges.
Det. Tan stated, “In my years of working with Det. Barrett, I have seen him perform his job in an exemplary manner at all times with his performance often appearing automatic and e ortless, a clear indication of his vast experience and training.”
In his downtime, Det. Barrett enjoys shing and quiet moments to recharge. Thank you, Det. Barrett, for your service!
Santa Claus Puts Everyone in Taylorsville on the Nice List
Santa rode into Taylorsville on a re truck with lights and sirens blaring. He was in town this past month for the annual Saturday with Santa event, which marked its 18th anniversary with plenty of fun for all.
Those attending enjoyed children's crafts and games, choir performances, tasty treats and hot chocolate, and a beautiful array of Christmas décor that could be purchased with a donation to the Taylorsville-Bennion Heritage Center, where the Saturday festivities took place.
“We had such a great time and want to especially thank the Taylorsville Historic Preservation Committee, Parks and Recreation Committee and Youth Council for putting on another fantastic event,” said Mayor Kristie Overson. “It is such a wonderful way to celebrate the holidays.”
Taylorsville Arts Council Closes Out Season with ‘Snoopy! The Musical’
The Arts Council’s production of “Snoopy! The Musical” was a resounding success, with a full house on opening night and sold-out crowds for its two subsequent performances.
The show played Nov. 21 to 23 at the Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center. Heather Childs smashed it as Snoopy, and rounding out the cast were Jason Dexter as Charlie Brown, Alex Grow as Linus, RyLee Smedshammer as Sally, Virginia Duran as Lucy, Krystal Funk as Peppermint Patty and Gideon Lemon as Woodstock.
“It was such a super-cute, feel-good show that warmed all the hearts in the audience,” said Mayor Kristie Overson in congratulating the cast and crew. “I absolutely loved it.”
The Arts Council’s next show coming up is a Musical Revue set for Feb. 21 and 22. Look for details coming soon on the city’s website, www.taylorsvilleut.gov, or social media channels.
Taylorsville Bennion Heritage REMEMBRANCES
Couple’s Lives Centered on Music, Jokes, Food and Family
This month’s article highlights the life history of David and Helen Jones.
David Parkes Jones was born on May 10, 1904, and he died Sept. 25, 1977. His wife, Helen Mar Bennion Jones, was born April 27, 1909, and she passed on Oct. 31, 1979. Their life history is one of many you can nd at the Taylorsville-Bennion Heritage Center. The following is an excerpt of that history, as told by their daughters:
“David Jones loved helping people and families, especially those who may be down on their luck or in need of just a little extra help. One way he helped and that he enjoyed, in particular, was taking the widows in the neighborhood for a ride in his car to go out for ice cream, sometimes calling them just before he wanted to go. He would tell them to be ready in a half hour, that they were going here or there. He usually wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“He loved to play April Fool’s and practical jokes on people, and he really told some good ones. He reveled in seeing people have fun. He also enjoyed farming and the animals on the farm. Every year, on May 10, he would throw a big party and all the Jones family would come. He always xed the dinner, with a little help from his daughters, and it usually took the whole day. He liked to make chili, hot dogs and sauerkraut.
“Our dad was a guy with a big heart, one might say; he died unexpectedly of a heart attack at home when he was 73 years old.
“Helen, his loving wife and our dear mother, was born in Taylorsville to Parley and Belle R. Bennion. She was the fth of nine children. Helen started her music lens at a very early age. The family had an old Story and Clark upright piano, and she would often pick away at notes by ear until she had many tunes figured out. When she was in the first grade at Plymouth Elementary, she delighted the school by playing ‘It’s a Long Way to Tipperary.’
“Helen graduated from the LDS Business College and attended the University of Utah for three years, studying vocal music. She could compose and arrange any piece of music in beautiful harmony for any voice. Helen’s older sisters, Mini and Maureen, and brother, Glen, also loved to sing, and it was through Helen’s musical talents that the famous ‘Bennion Sisters’ trio was born. They spent a year or so singing on KSL Radio.”
You can learn more about the Joneses and their family, as well as the histories of other families in Taylorsville, at the Taylorsville-Bennion Heritage Center, 1488 W. 4800 South. Drop on by!
Don’t Miss These Library Events
The Taylorsville Library has planned several programs during the month of January. You’ll want to mark your calendar for these events:
MUSIC AND MOVEMENT — Tuesdays in January, 10:30 a.m., starting Tuesday, Jan. 7. Can you "head, shoulders, knees and toes" with the best? Music, movement and fun for little ones and their grownups.
PRESCHOOL STORYTIME — Wednesdays in January, 10:30 a.m., starting Wednesday, Jan. 8. Interactive early learning story-time for preschoolers and their caring adult(s) with talking, singing, reading, writing and play.
TODDLER PLAYTIME — Fridays in January, 10:30 a.m., starting Friday, Jan. 10. Open playtime and social interaction for toddlers and their caring adult(s). Toys, tunnels and more!
SENIOR BOOK CLUB AT THE TAYLORSVILLE SENIOR CENTER — Monday, Jan. 13, 11 a.m. Join in a lively discussion of a variety of ction and non ction books. Newcomers welcome! The book club will be led by a librarian from the Taylorsville Library. Help select books for 2025, and discuss books we loved in 2024, at the Taylorsville Senior Center, 4743 Plymouth View Dr.
HOME SCHOOL “WHO WAS” BOOK CLUB — Monday, Jan. 13, 1 p.m. Learn about people and places with books from the ‘Who Was’ series. The group will talk about the book, learn cool facts and do other fun activities. January: “Who Was Chuck Jones?”
VIRTUAL LECTURE | THE MONKEY KING'S EPIC JOURNEY — Tuesday, Jan. 14, 7 p.m. Register at: thecountylibrary.org/LectureSeries. The Monkey King is the beloved protagonist of the 16th-century Chinese novel “Journey to the West.” Dr. Ji Hao will explore this iconic character’s development and role in the quest for enlightenment.
DISCOVERY FRIDAY | PROPRIOCEPTION — Friday, Jan. 24, 4 p.m. Learn about proprioception. Each month, the library will feature a unique combination of STEAM activities, crafts, games, movement and more!
VIRTUAL LECTURE | Leadership Lessons from the Shackleton Expedition — Monday, Jan. 27, 7 p.m. Register at: thecountylibrary.org/LectureSeries. Delve into Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Trans-Antarctic Expedition, learn about his bold adventures, relentless adaptability and remarkable courage.
MEDITATION: CENTERING FOR ADULTS AND TEENS — Thursday, Jan. 30, 6 p.m. Centering enables you to hear your own information and what is essentially important and true for you. An opportunity to learn a tool to practice in your life. Practicing mindfulness in your daily life allows for more ease and presence. Presented by September McKinnon.
LIBRARY CLOSURES — Wednesday, Jan. 1 – New Year's Day; Monday, Jan. 20 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
TAYLORSVILLE SENIOR CENTER
January Activities
The Taylorsville Senior Center has planned a variety of classes every month. Classes are free for those over age 60. Among the activities scheduled this month:
DRUMS ALIVE!
Free class for seniors over age 65. Wednesdays at 2 p.m.
GOOD GRIEF
Social Group. Second and fourth Thursday of every month at 1 p.m.
ANNUAL COLLECTION DAY
JANUARY UPDATES
New Year, New Goals
The new year is the perfect time for new beginnings and new goals. As we step into 2025, why not consider setting some sustainability goals for you and your family? By setting small, achievable goals to reduce waste and embrace a more sustainable lifestyle, you’ll build strong, positive habits throughout the year.
If you received upgraded or new items that replaced older ones, consider donating functional and reusable items to Goodwill or passing them along to someone who could use them. Reusing items for another purpose is always better than recycling. If reuse isn't possible, be sure to recycle what you can. By taking small steps to reduce our environmental footprint, we can create lasting change and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Winter Weather and Waste Collection
We face many challenges on Utah's winter roads including snowy and icy conditions, and WFWRD drivers encounter these same obstacles, along with other di culties that may not be immediately obvious to those unfamiliar with their equipment's operation.
When snow accumulates near the curb, it's important to place your containers in front of the snowbanks to ensure they can be serviced. Truck arms are unable to reach containers if they are placed on top of or behind snowbanks.
To ensure that your containers are emptied for the week, please place them in a clear, accessible location for drivers. Your cooperation helps WFWRD maintain smooth and efficient services during winter weather.
Christmas Tree Collections
Wasatch Front Waste & Recycling District offers Christmas tree removal for your post-holiday convenience. During the month of January, they will begin picking up trees from residents who complete a request form at www. wasatchfrontwaste.org, or call the WFWRD o ce at 1-385-468-6325.
Only real trees are accepted; no artificial trees. Trees must be free of decorations, ornaments, lights and snow. Please place trees curbside, not in bins. Trees will be collected the day after your regularly scheduled pickup day. Due to high demand, it may take more than one week to complete all requests.
Ready for Spring? Take a Free Class at Conservation Garden Park
Discover the myriad bene ts of water conservation with free classes o ered by the Conservation Garden Park! The garden offers inspiring, educating and empowering information to help communities cultivate and relish waterwise landscapes. Conveniently located on 10 acres in West Jordan, the Garden Park welcomes residents from across the Wasatch Front.
Originally featuring six waterwise landscaping examples in a simulated residential setting, the Garden Park has blossomed into a hub of knowledge. Explore interactive exhibits designed to educate the public on waterwise design, planting and irrigation. It has evolved into an impressive water conservation teaching and demonstration garden, showcasing sustainable practices for a greener future. Visit their website, conservationgardenpark.org, to learn more.
As a proud member agency of Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District, Taylorsville-Bennion Improvement District urges customers to tap into this invaluable resource. Embrace the opportunity to enhance your understanding of water conservation by signing up for classes online via their website. Let's collectively contribute to a more water-e cient community.
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.
Pickleball Drop-In Hours
h ealth & W ellness
County
By Rebecca Olds
Moving and getting in shape doesn’t have to be a chore.
Finding something that you enjoy doing makes exercising and being active feel more like play rather than work, while still giving you the same or better benefits as visiting a normal gym.
Unique fitness experiences exist around Salt Lake County which offers unique excursions and experiences like a new underwater yoga flow, an educational and adventurous late-night snowshoe tour, and so much more.
Here are six fitness adventures including indoor and outdoor fun for all skill levels:
Yoga with the Sharks at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium (Draper)
There’s a certain type of Zen to obtain surrounded by shark-infested waters. Loveland Living Planet Aquarium offers an hourlong instructor-led class in front of a tank teeming with sea creatures on select Monday nights.
Allison Barker, director of development and chair of the Conservation Committee at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium said many participants have said the unique atmosphere creates a peaceful environment with many health benefits including “the gentle rhythm of the water and the mesmerizing movements of the sharks, fish and sea turtles” helping to reduce stress and anxiety.
“Ultimately, Yoga with the Sharks offers a transformative experience combining physical and mental benefits,” she said. “By practicing yoga in such an unusual and beautiful setting, participants gain a deeper appreciation for themselves and the natural world.”
The 2025 dates will be released near the end of December.
Included with the event is admission to check out the rest of the aquarium, but you’ll probably want to go earlier than
the class time from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. because the aquarium closes at 8 p.m. The class is open to 8-year-olds and older.
Registration is online and costs $25. The aquarium recommends bringing your own equipment but has some for new yogis.
Momentum Indoor Climbing (Millcreek, Sandy)
If you’ve never gone rock climbing, no biggie. It’s a new year to try new things and Momentum is a great place to learn. The Sandy location offers a variety of classes including belay instruction, rope climbing and even bouldering for any skill level.
“Our class structure is designed with progression in mind so that there’s always something for you to learn and work toward no matter your current ability,” is the Momentum mission.
If learning to climb isn’t your thing, the gym also offers yoga and group fitness classes.
Sign-up is online.
Intro to aerial class at Aerial Arts of Utah (Salt Lake City)
Think Zendaya in “The Greatest Showman”—that could be you this year. Granted, it’s a beginners class for more than just trapeze, Aerial Arts of Utah is offering quite the deal at $90 for three one-hour classes every Wednesday night.
The class is an introduction to several different types of aerial fitness, including fabric and static trapeze for those aged 13 years or older. Sign-up is online. Onyx Pole and Aerial Fitness Studio, hoop, pole, silks and hammock classes (Sandy)
In one studio, there are at least five different aerial fitness classes to choose from. Onyx offers everything from pole workouts to silks and hoops for differing levels of ability. The hammock beginner
class (1.0) is referred to as the “perfect class to not only begin your journey but to keep coming back to build those forever essential movements.”
Most classes range from beginner (1.0) to pro (4.0).
Paddleboard yoga in a natural hot spring (Midway)
The name of the Midway Crater is becoming more well-known as a unique spot to visit in Midway, but did you know that you could not only swim in it but it’s large enough to do paddleboard yoga in?
Midway Crater offers a paddleboard yoga execution that offers a unique opportunity to find your Zen in one of nature’s beautiful (and oldest) yoga studios. Blue 95-degree Fahrenheit mineral water offers an inviting cushion if you fall in.
Booking can include just the paddleboard experience or be bundled with hiking, snowshoeing and more. Park City Yoga Adventures also offers yoga in a backcountry yurt, mountaintop yoga and winter forest meditation. Book online.
Cottonwood Canyons Foundation offers four types of snowshoe guided tours, with three open to the public. For the first time, the foundation is offering tours free of charge to celebrate their 25th anniversary, including a special treat with their moonlit tours.
“It's a wonderful night when you get to hear the great horned owls calling, and you get to see some good dark skies up there,” said Liz Anderson, Cottonwood Canyons Foundation education director.
Anderson said that tours start up again on Jan. 24 and are offered every Friday and Saturday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. in January and February, and 7 to 9 p.m. in March. All you need to do is bring some snow shoes and preferably a red flashlight, poles optional. Come ready to learn more about the native wildlife.
Registration opens one month before the event date on cottonwoodcanyons.org/events.
Guided full moon snowshoe tour by Cottonwood Canyons Foundation (Alta)
(Courtesy Loveland Living Planet Aquarium)
Creating healthy financial habits in the new year
By Holly Curby | hello@hollycurby.com
As we begin a new year many people set goals of unlocking their financial freedom as they strive to live a purposeful life. Sarah Fernandez, personal financial expert, claims, “The journey to financial freedom begins with acknowledging the importance of having a financial plan.” She emphasizes that a well-structured financial plan not only clarifies your current economic status, but also empowers you to make informed decisions. “Financial success is not just about numbers,” Fernandez said, “it's about mindset and discipline.” She highlights the importance of living within your means while still enjoying life's pleasures and encourages you to take control of your financial future in the new year through the following four ways.
1. A key indicator that money might be dictating your life is often referred to as “the vanishing paycheck phenomenon.” This is where you live paycheck to paycheck which can often produce a feeling of being overwhelmed by expenses. Fernandez suggests in situations such as this to focus on the concept of “having versus experiencing” and how it affects spending habits.
2. Cultivating a mindset for financial success. Fernandez encourages people to adopt an abundant mindset and likens this
to a growth mindset, where the belief that improvement is always possible fuels your financial journey. This mindset shift not only focuses on progress and improvement, but is essential for overcoming financial stress and achieving long-term goals. Fernandez reiterates that this perspective shift allows individuals to live their best life at the moment while working toward a brighter financial future.
3. Understanding how family upbringing can shape financial habits is vital, especially in relationships where partners may have different spending and saving tendencies. By recognizing these differences, couples can work together to align their financial goals, foster a sense of unity and understanding while building a prosperous future. “By having open and honest conversations about spending habits and priorities, couples can create a financial plan that supports their shared dreams and aspirations,” Fernandez said.
4. Credit card usage is a double-edged sword that requires careful management. While the perks of earning miles or cash back are enticing, it's important to use credit responsibly to avoid potential pitfalls. From personal experience Fernandez stresses the necessity of self-awareness in financial decisions. “Setting boundaries and knowing when to steer clear of credit misuse are crucial steps in maintaining financial discipline” Fernandez said. Fernandez dives deeper
into practical advice on how to navigate these challenges effectively in her interview on Holly’s Highlights podcast (season 3 episode 13).
“Financial freedom is attainable for anyone willing to put in the effort and make informed decisions” Fernandez said. “By cultivating a mindset of abundance, setting clear goals, and managing finances responsibly, individuals can transform their financial habits and pave the way for a successful future.”
Tune in to the complete interview with Fernandez on Holly’s Highlights podcast Season 3 Episode 13 for expert tips, personal anecdotes, and actionable strategies that will equip you with the tools needed to master your financial journey. Whether you're single or in a relationship, young or old, Fernandez's insights will inspire you to take charge of your financial destiny and live a life full of purpose. Holly’s Highlights podcast is available wherever you listen to podcasts including Apple podcasts, Pandora, Spotify, Tune-in and on www.HollyCurby.com.
Children learn healthy financial habits at a young age. (Photo courtesy of Holly Curby)
Full interview with Sarah Fernandez available on Holly’s Highlights podcast. (Photo courtesy of Sarah Fernandez)
How assisted stretching helps relieve pain and improve mobility
By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com
As we get into the cold months and lose the desire to go outside, we can become stagnant, sitting inside all the time. While some people may have more upbeat jobs, moving around throughout the day, some people are stuck inside, sitting at a desk all day.
We’ve all heard the benefits of regular exercise and the importance of stretching afterward, Dec. 11 was even National Stretching Day. But what about assisted stretching?
It’s not something widely known, but it may have more benefits than regular athome stretching. Stretch Zone is hoping to make it more well-known.
“We want to not be the best kept secret anymore,” said Jennifer Gibbs, general manager at the Draper Stretch Zone.
The company, founded in 2004 by Jorden Gold, started with an experience close to his heart. After watching his grandfather’s growing limitations due to diabetes, he decided to start helping his grandfather through assisted stretches. Within a year, his grandfather went from not being able to walk, to walking with a walker, to a cane, to dancing at his cousin’s wedding all through that stretching.
At this point, Gold knew he had to do something more, to help others that may be going through what his grandfather went through or to prevent them from getting to that point.
“The whole reason that I started Stretch Zone was sparked from watching my grandfather becoming immobile because of his diabetes,” Gold said in a statement. “It motivated me to develop a proprietary stretching method that I hoped would prevent others from having to see themselves and the people in their lives suffer in the same way.”
There are now four locations in Utah, one of them being in Draper, another in Cottonwood Heights. The practitioners at Stretch Zone offer a new approach to improving range of motion and flexibility. While traditional stretching methods can make you more flexible, it may take some time. Assisted stretching can get you there faster because you don’t have to think about the stretches you’re doing, or worry about other muscles aside from the one you’re stretching.
“So instead of walking around at 80% or 90%, super tight and stretched all the time, they can just live in a more manageable, normal, relaxed way and these changes become more lasting,” Gibbs said.
Assisted stretching can benefit everyone, even if you don’t feel like you have problem muscles. For those sitting at an office all the time, they are stuck in the same position, cramping muscles that should be able to stretch and move throughout the
day. Stress can also play a large part in muscle tension.
Assisted stretching can help reduce everyday pain and help people move more fluidly for longer periods of time. Gibbs said she’s seen a number of different types of people walk through the Stretch Zone doors. Office workers that need to get away from cramped muscles, gymgoers and marathon runners preparing for races, older adults, even CEOs that may be more stressed than others.
Gibbs said assisted stretching can also help when there’s been trauma involved, like a car accident or surgery.
“The body is so wise,” she said. “It develops all these mechanisms that get all tangled up. And then you have another thing and another thing, then it’s hard to unwind yourself.”
She said developing that range of motion back, assisting and breaking down scar tissue that develops prevents movement. She’s seen people in recovery and also people anticipating a surgery. She said assisted stretching can help loosen muscles before they’re put through surgery to stop it from yanking something around that shouldn’t move.
“The body is so amazing,” Gibbs said. “How it can heal itself with something so holistic, like a stretch.”
Usually, clients at a Stretch Zone start going multiple times a week, maybe two or three times, then as time goes on and they begin to heal, they’ll only need to come twice a month for routine maintenance.
One of Gibbs’ favorite stories to share is a marathoner that started coming in 12
ed up helping the client cut down on their race time.
“It’s keeping them healthy, too,” Gibbs said.
Many of their clients say they’ll stick with assisted stretching their entire lives. Heather Hemingway-Hales shares this point of view. Hemingway-Hales is still as active as ever, doing regular exercise, yoga, cycling, mountain biking and participating in 50-plus races. She comes in regularly to Stretch Zone.
“Just coming in here and getting this deep stress really helps,” Hemingway-Hales said.
Stretch Zones are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and open for half-days on Saturday.
Gibbs said if you’re curious about assisted stretching, to try it out for a complimentary first visit.
weeks before a race to stretch their muscles, mainly the hamstrings and hip flexors. Doing this routinely for those 12 weeks end-
“I just encourage open invitation to anybody to just give the studio a call,” she said. “So I just invite anybody to come in and try it out, because it is such a new concept.” If you want to learn more about Stretch Zone and what they offer, you can visit stretchzone.com to find the location closest to you.
Stretch Zone patented their table with their “championship belt” to stop clients from falling off the table.
(Bailey Chism/City Journals)
Turn New Year’s fitness goal into lasting habits
By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
Nearly half of the people worldwide set a New Year’s resolution to improve their health.
A 2024 Forbes survey reveals 23% of U.S. participants fail in the first week and 43% drop out by February.
This trend is something Steve Espinosa, a nationally certified personal trainer at VASA's Draper gym, sees firsthand when the gym sees a spike in attendance during January and February, only to taper by March.
“It's their New Year's resolution to start working out and they have a long-term goal, but usually, it’s not specific enough for them to stick with it,” said Espinosa, who serves as the gym’s lead trainer. “Often people’s resolutions are too general, like, ‘I want to lose weight,’ ‘I want to get into the gym to build muscle or do a pull up.”
One of the first things he asks new clients is “Why do you want to come to the gym?”
Many respond with a desire to lose weight, but Espinosa digs deeper.
“Often, it’s not just about losing weight; it’s about feeling more comfortable in their bodies and gaining confidence — and that’s the why,” he said, adding often the answer is tied to emotional reasons or
to prevent health problems they’ve seen in others.
One of Espinosa’s clients, a 60-yearold woman started training three years ago, fearing she was following the same sedentary path as her mother.
“Her daily life has become easier with improved fitness. She’s stronger, more confident and skiing — and doing activities she never thought she could do, without being worried about being sore or getting hurt,” he said.
Unlike the vague New Year’s resolutions which often lead to early burnout, Espinosa works with clients to set specific, achievable goals. He recommends writing down goals to make them tangible and breaking them into smaller, incremental steps.
“You need to have a specific goal. Ask yourself, ‘What am I trying to achieve every month?’ A goal of going to the gym three times a week is a more realistic and attainable goal,” he said. “Set mini-goals, whether it’s five minutes, or an hour to hit your weekly goal. Then, build toward monthly, six-month, and yearly goals.”
Espinosa emphasizes the importance of regularly reassessing goals.
“Check in with yourself: ‘Am I am I do-
ing enough?’ If you’re not seeing results, ‘what am I not doing? Is my gym time efficient? Am I pushing myself as hard as I should be?’” he said. “Sometimes your goals may change, and you need to evolve
with them.”
Espinosa talks from experience. He spent years strength training before running his first half-marathon.
“After I did one, it changed everything. I'm still working out, but my workouts changed with my goal to run more half-marathons,” he said. “Your training and your resolutions are going to evolve. The result is where you want to get to, but the journey is going to get you there.”
After being a high school athlete, Espinosa fell into unhealthy habits, including fast food and lack of exercise. Eventually he redefined his goals, embraced healthy eating, and became certified in endurance training, weight loss, muscle management and training for older adults.
“Pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone, being comfortable in the uncomfortableness of working out, makes you mentally stronger,” he said. “When I see that, it makes me happy. I want to help people.”
Other advice Espinosa offers:
• Use the gym as an escape: Espinosa said people join the gym because they need a break from the stresses of work and home. “Being in the gym helps you focus on what you're here for — yourself and your goals.”
• Be accountable: While personal trainers can provide motivation and customized workout plans, Espinosa emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility. “You need to be accountable to yourself.”
• Prioritize your fitness: “Make time for it. Don’t say, ‘When I have time, I'll do it,’” Espinosa said. “Schedule an hour twice a week to work out and build from there.”
Steve Espinosa, a nationally certified personal trainer at VASA Draper’s gym, said fitness goals should be manageable so they can be eased into routines and naturally, become habits. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
Winter is the perfect season to create lasting family memories. Whether you bundle the kids up for an ice skating party, sled down powdery hills or enjoy a cup of warm cocoa, this season reminds us to embrace togetherness and make the most of these cold months. Here are some thrilling winter activities your family and friends will love.
Snowshoeing in Millcreek Canyon
Visit your favorite trails in the winter for a snowshoeing adventure. Millcreek Canyon has lots of fun trails that take you past waterfalls and rivers as you snowshoe through the area. The Church Fork Trail in Millcreek is highly recommended for winter adventures. Snowshoes can be purchased or rented for the entire family and dogs can join you on these trails. The Church Fork trailhead is located about 3 miles up the canyon at the north end of the picnic area. Dress appropriately and bring water and snacks. There is a $5 fee to enter canyon.
Herriman Ice Ribbon, 13082 S. Fort Herriman Pkwy.
Celebrate winter with a trip to the Herriman Ice Ribbon for outside skating at J. Lynn Crane Plaza. Take a lap, or two, around the ice ribbon, then warm your hands by the fire pits. Opened in 2017, the skating location has
5 winter activities for the family
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
grown in popularity and reservations are required. Skaters of all levels are encouraged to participate and there are walkers to help beginning ice skaters. The cost for an adult (14+) with skate rental is $10, children (3-14) cost $8 with skate rental and children 2 and under are free. Visit Herriman.gov/ice-ribbon for daily schedules and to reserve skating time for your group.
Sledding at Sugar House Park, 1330 E. 2100 South
Sugar House Park is the perfect location for a family sledding experience. The park spans more than 100 acres and popular hills provide a variety of steepness offering the perfect mix of thrill and safety for sledders of all ages. With the Wasatch Mountains towering in the background, the park becomes a winter wonderland. Convenient parking makes it easy to enjoy the fun. Finish the day with a cup of hot chocolate from local vendors in the area.
Fat tire biking in the canyons
Don’t let the snowy roads put your cycling on ice. Jump on your fat tire bike (rentals are available) and head to the hills. Millcreek Canyon (fee), Corner Canyon and Butterfield Canyon offer numerous cycling trails for cyclists of any level, with the bigger, less-inflated
Utah’s vision for
air
Imagine being able to order an air taxi on your phone, just like an Uber, and picking it up at a “vertiport” – an air taxi hub not far from your home.
It may sound like something from “The Jetsons,” but Utah is seriously aiming to make this a reality by the 2034 Winter Olympics.
“ Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) will be an alternative mode of transportation for Utah residents,” said Paul Damron, UDOT’s Advanced Air Mobility manager. “I see that some residents could adopt this mode as its primary option. While I see others use it as a complement to all the other modes Utah and UDOT offers.”
Damron said UDOT is working with its internal legislative liaison group to help Utah legislators understand the work they’ve been doing, and pave the way for additional regulatory items. He said AAM (advanced air mobility) is a new area of aviation, and with all new things, regulatory frameworks need to be established.
“We have facilitated several studies that help us understand the next steps,” Damron said. “Community engagement and education, and public acceptance is one of our next crucial steps.”
When asked about piloting these air
tires providing better grip to keep you riding safely in the snow. The best time to ride is after the trails are tramped down, so powder days are not a good option. Be sure to dress in layers, carry water and snacks and watch the weather forecast!
Visit the Homestead Crater
If you’re done with snowy, cold activi-
ties, take a trip to Midway and warm up in the Homestead Crater at the Homestead Resort. This geothermal spring is hidden within a beehive-shaped rock and stays at around 95 degrees all year. While in the crater, you can soak in the therapeutic waters, swim, scuba dive or take a paddleboard yoga class. Reservations are required so visit HomesteadResort.com to schedule your adventure. l
mobility: hail an air taxi like Uber
By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com
taxis, Damron said there will be a number of early adopter companies that will be operating the aircraft. He said Utah is in the process of understanding who the initial operators are and what type of operations could benefit from using these aircrafts.
As Utah navigates the early steps in air mobility, these aircrafts will likely operate from Salt Lake City Airport before new infrastructure is built.
Last month, the FAA approved a new “powered lift” category to set standards for air taxi pilots, which is a significant milestone.
“UDOT’s job is to move people around the state safely and efficiently,” Damron said. “We will continue to build safe and viable modes of transportation, including air. Regional Air Mobility (RAM) is also a subject we talk about. Imagine using environmentally friendly, clean energy aircraft to move you from one end of the state to the other, or to neighboring states efficiently.”
Damron said the pricing structure will be set by operators.
“As this mode of transportation becomes more used and adopted, they are telling us that prices will come down,”
Damron said. “OEMs and operators know that prices need to be cheap enough for all residents to travel this way. Their goal is to have prices be the same prices as an Uber Black price.”
Damron said we are just at the be -
ginning stages of understanding AAM in Utah, and they are excited to see what we can do with it and where it goes. l
In January, Utah becomes a winter playground with activities the whole family can enjoy. (Stock photo)
Imagine being able to order an air taxi like Uber, it may be possible by 2034. (Adobe Stock Photo)
Harrison, Nayic leading Taylorsville girls basketball team
By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com
Taylorsville High School is home to many cultures and ethnic backgrounds. The girls basketball team is made up of players with a variety of backgrounds. This includes team leaders Destiny Harrison, a junior who is a member of the Navajo tribe, and junior Kwagee Nayic.
Harrison is not only proud of her Indigenous ethnicity, but she loves being a part of the Taylorsville family. She said the girls basketball team, in particular, is a tight-knit group on and off the court.
Harrison started playing basketball in the third grade. She said her family has always enjoyed the sport, so it was easy for her to continue the legacy started by relatives. She credits her coaches for helping her develop a love for the game and hone her skills.
“Basketball has become a huge part of the Navajo culture,” she said. “For my family, basketball runs deep, with many of my family sharing the same passion for basketball as I do. I started playing AAU under the guidance of my coaches Tyler and Kehana Burgess with the Salt Lake Retro team. They taught me a lot about the game of basketball.”
For Harrison, playing the game gives her “a sense of calm and happiness.” In ad-
dition, Harrison’s sister Alyssa has been a major influence in her life and as a player.
“She began her journey the same way I did, and now she is playing at the next level,” Harrison said. “She has inspired me to work hard, because with hard work comes progress.”
The Warriors had some ups and downs early on, but Harrison has been a steady player. Through four games, Taylorsville was 1-3, with a 51-46 victory over Murray on Dec. 3. Up to this point, she was pacing the team in scoring with 14.3 points an outing. She had 21 points against both Murray and at Stansbury (Dec. 6). She is also second on the team with three assists a game.
For the Warriors, Harrison provides a spark at both ends of the court. She is also mentally tough and maintains a good mindset, regardless of how the game is going.
“One of my main strengths as a player is my ability to move quickly around the court and effectively communicate with my teammates,” she said. “I contribute a lot of energy to the team and always aim to maintain a positive attitude during games. I’m currently focusing on controlling the pace and flow of the game. I try to view
40 Years of Helping People...
each match as a challenge rather than just seeing the opponent as a team we can easily beat.”
Harrison is also an avid golfer and is looking forward to the season this spring. As for now, she’s doing her best to improve her play and the team as a whole.
“My personal and team goals focus on improving our communication and ensuring that our plays are executed smoothly,” she said.
Meanwhile, Nayic is second behind Harrison in scoring, averaging 6.8 points a contest. She also averages 3.3 rebounds an outing. She, too, started playing competitively as a third grader.
She loves the family-like atmosphere at Taylorsville and how much everyone in the school roots for one another.
“The best thing about playing for Taylorsville is the support system from the students and staff,” she said. “One thing I love about this team is even though we might get frustrated at each other on the court, we always have each other’s back at the end of the day.”
Whether things are going well or poorly, Nayic always puts forth her best effort. She said her attitude and drive are two of her biggest attributes. She also works hard to lift up teammates when they’re down or struggling.
everyone, because your kindness can make other players who are in a bad mood get motivated.”
“My strength as a player is determination,” she said. “Even though I might not get everything right, I know I will eventually. Something I bring to the team is kindness. I’m very strong on being kind to
This season, Nayic wants to become a better ball handler. She is also open to playing other positions and helping the team in any way her coach, Justin Hadlock, needs. She also wants to continue to shake off losses and disappointments and look forward to the next opportunity.
It can be difficult to play at a high level throughout the year. The season is long and will inevitably have peaks and valleys. Still, consistency is something Nayic wants as a player.
“Goals I have for myself is being consistent and playing to the fullest,” she said. “The goal for my team is weathering the storm to enter the season with an understanding of what is to come.”
With still a year of high school to go, Nayic is already starting to think about her plans after she graduates from Taylorsville. She hopes to get a chance to play at the next level, though her goal is to go out of state.
“My plans after high school are to play college—preferably not in Utah—and study sports medicine,” she said.
Together, Harrison and Nayic are imposing forces for the Warriors as they continue through the non-region slate. Region 4 action for the two girls and their teammates will tip off Jan. 10 at home against Hunter. The final regular-season game will be Feb. 13 at West Jordan. The Class 5A state tournament follows. l
Kwagee Nayic, a junior for the Taylorsville girls basketball team, is one of the leaders and top players for the Warriors. (Photo courtesy Justin Hadlock)
Destiny Harrison takes a jump shot in a game from earlier this season. The junior is the leading scorer for Taylorsville’s girls basketball team. (Photo courtesy Justin Hadlock)
Behind the scenes at Utah’s medical examiner’s office
By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com
Whenpeople picture a medical examiner’s office, they often imagine scenes straight out of a CSI show—investigations, crime and death. Dr. Dierdre Amaro understands how her office might be perceived by those unfamiliar with death investigations.
Her workplace features the expected fluorescent lighting, long hallways that connect coolers with the capacity to hold up to 12 to 70 bodies, and a noticeably strong odor. But beyond the clinical atmosphere, there are also some quirky touches: a full-scale X-ray machine affectionately named Larry, adorned with large googly eyes; a model skeleton with its own employee ID; and a spreadsheet to divide the responsibility of watering the office’s many plants placed on high window sills.
As the leader of the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner (OME), a position she’s held since this summer, Amaro oversees the investigation of all sudden, unexpected, violent, suspicious or unattended deaths in the state. The office conducts postmortem exams and autopsies to determine the causes and injuries behind these deaths. Recently, the OME opened its doors to news organizations to help the public understand the important role it plays in Utah.
“In some places, working as a medical examiner means you deal with death investigations, and everything else is secondary,” Amaro said. “In Utah, however, the work we do is for the benefit of the living. We still face death every single day, which some people think desensitizes us to it. In reality, the exact opposite is true; because death is a part of our jobs, we find meaning and purpose in the unique opportunities we get to serve, protect and support the living.”
More than 90% of the office’s work involves collecting data that’s then reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This data helps improve the health and safety of living Utahns.
“Death certificate data becomes a reflection of the health of a community,” Amaro said. “We are literally seeing the terminal results of public health problems here. Drugs? That’s a problem that’s killing people. We see that here. And if we can understand what is killing people in our community and why, then maybe we can figure out how to prevent that. And that is what we are about, not just little goblins under the bridge.”
While TV shows like CSI may glamorize the field, Amaro points out they often miss the mark. Most people assume the office’s work is focused mainly on homicides, but in reality, the majority of cases handled by the OME involve natural deaths and accidents.
Natural deaths might include older individuals who haven’t seen a physician in a long time and suddenly pass away, or young athletes who unexpectedly collapse on the field due to undiagnosed heart conditions. Accidents, such as car crashes and drug overdoses, are also frequent.
So how do investigations work? Utah’s system is distinct in comparison to states with
elected coroners, who may not be required to have medical or forensic pathology training. In contrast, Utah’s centralized OME is staffed by highly-trained, licensed physicians.
According to the CDC, the leading causes of death in Utah are heart disease, cancer, accidents, Alzheimer’s disease, COVID-19, stroke, chronic lower respiratory diseases, diabetes, suicide and nutritional deficiencies. Amaro said the office’s cases generally follow a similar pattern to national statistics, with natural causes of death being the most common, followed by accidents, suicides and then homicides.
Life at the Office
A job at the OME is heavy, both physically and emotionally. Staff are alerted about 15 to 20 times a day via a doorbell that signals the arrival of a new decedent. Despite the regularity, the staff never takes their responsibilities lightly.
“Going to someone’s house on the worst day of their lives, being able to really handle their emotions with care and really have empathy for those people on that worst moment, is really important to me,” said Chief Medical Examiner Investigator Cory Russo. “And then to be able to come back and do the follow-up work, whether that’s positive identification after someone has been missing for years, that is so rewarding, to be able to bring closure to families.”
In addition to 12 forensic pathologists, some with specialties in pediatrics and neuropathology, the OME team includes forensic epidemiologists who focus on suicide, drug overdose and prevention efforts.
Suicide is a particularly prevalent cause of death the office encounters. In 2022, Utah ranked seventh in the country for suicide mortality rates. The team of epidemiologists helps make sense of this data.
“We can tell you this person died by suicide with a gun, but (epidemiologists) can tell you what were the circumstances around that death,” Amaro said. “So if we figure out the why, why are so many people in Utah killing themselves, then maybe we can fix that, and that’s what motivates me, and that’s what motivates most of us in this office.”
The facility also houses a space dedicated to DonorConnect, a nonprofit that connects tissue donors with recipients—such as those needing veins, long bones, skin, or corneas— through family authorization. According to Morgue Operations Manager Brandon Callor, this system ensures that viable tissue is recovered efficiently, without the need for lengthy travel that could diminish donation potential.
“There’s a window of time in which they can still recover those tissues,” Callor explained. “Whereas in other states, those tissues may have to travel hours, losing a lot of potential donors.”
Though the work can be emotionally taxing, Callor finds purpose in his role. In addition to his duties as a morgue manager, he’s also a social worker. He interviews families who’ve lost loved ones to suicide or drug overdose, looking for ways to help beyond the autopsy suite, including advocating for policies that ad-
dress public health risks and supporting grieving families.
“I think I can’t feel sorry for myself for very long when I realize there’s so much suffering out there,” Callor said. “And so, being
able to be involved in the aid of someone else’s suffering just helps me to gain that perspective and think outwardly.” l
Brandon Callor, morgue operations manager, shows autopsy suite’s equipment at the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner. (Bailey Chism/City Journals)
Full-scale X-ray machine at the Office of the Medical Examiner. (Bailey Chism/City Journals)
Remember in the Looney Tunes cartoons when Wile E. Coyote runs off the edge of a cliff and hangs suspended in midair before he realizes there’s no ground beneath his feet? That’s how I feel going into 2025.
The holidays offered a jolly buffer between the U.S. presidential election and the official transfer of power this month, but now I’m looking down at the canyon floor, holding up a sign that reads “Help!” and preparing myself for the plunge where I hit rock bottom. Then, as I’m lying in a coyote-shaped hole, an anvil will land on my head.
Historically, January in Utah is not for the faint-hearted with its frigid temperatures, smoggy inversions and lack of holidays that involve celebrating with pie. Nothing screams January like buying a pound of peppermint chocolate bark on clearance and scarfing it down while binge-watching “Bridgerton” in sweatpants.
But for those of us still reeling from the election, every batty presidential cabinet pick, each mention of mass deportations and every promise to roll back environmental regulations is another anvil to the head.
I’m not a person who gets amped
Peri Kinder Life and Laughter
“BEEP BEEP!”
about “A new year!” and “A better me!” but my goal this month is to change my mindset. I need to put down the leftover Christmas candy, change out of my sweatpants and do what I can to bring about positive change.
Maybe I’ll make a vision board or start repeating daily affirmations. Perhaps I’ll exercise more, although the gym will be as crowded as Times Square for the next six weeks. I will definitely not observe Dry January.
I could learn how to use the tech I got for Christmas or take up a new language. Like Russian. I could try to enjoy winter activities and make an effort not to groan when someone suggests a winter hike or a sledding trip at the local park.
One way to change my mindset is to volunteer with organizations that support causes dear to my heart. Getting out of my head and into the idea we can all make a
difference could make this dreary month (or year) bearable.
I should also take a social media break because the algorithm on my feeds stokes the flames of my angst and frustration. Haha! Just kidding. I’m not giving up TikTok until the government rips the phone from my grasping fingers. That platform brings me instances of joy with its mischievous pets, hilarious cooking vids and comic relief.
Maybe taking up a new hobby could put me in an optimistic state of mind, but not crocheting because that’s ridiculously hard. Perhaps I could start ballroom dancing or interpretive cake decorating. It’s conceivable I have a hidden talent for base jumping or parkour. I guess we’ll never know.
Some readers have suggested I take a writing class. I guess I could look into that.
Chasing that elusive Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote faced catastrophes every day. His ACME explosives blew up in his face, he was smashed by boulders over and over, he fell off cliffs and spent thousands of dollars for Road Runner traps that inevitably went wrong. His rocket-powered unicycle experiment didn’t end well.
But every day, he showed up to try
again, creating ingenious ways to catch the Road Runner. He never stopped believing one day he would succeed, that one day he wouldn’t be crushed. That’s where I am. I’m peeling myself off the boulder and starting over, never giving up hope that one person can change this world for the better.
