November 2016 | Vol. 2 Iss. 11
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West Valley home to Utah’s largest skate park By Travis Barton | travis@mycityjournals.com
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More than 40 people participated in the ceremonial ribbon cutting including city officials and skaters. (Kevin Conde/West Valley City)
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LOCAL LIFE
Page 2 | November 2016
WEST VALLEY JOURNAL
Henry’s hope lives on By Huy Tran | h.tran@mycityjournals.com
The West Valley City Journal is a monthly publication distributed directly to residents via the USPS as well as locations throughout West Valley City. For information about distribution please email circulation@mycityjournals. com or call our offices. Rack locations are also available on our website. For subscriptions please contact: circulation@mycityjournals.com The views and opinions expressed in display advertisements do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions held by Loyal Perch Media or the City Journals. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the owner.
The West Valley Team CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Bryan Scott bryan@mycityjournals.com EDITOR: Travis Barton travis@mycityjournals.com ADVERTISING: 801-254-5974 DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING: Ryan Casper ryan.casper@mycityjournals.com 801-671-2034 SALES ASSOCIATES: Melissa Worthen melissa@mycityjournals.com 801-897-5231 Steve Hession steve@mycityjournals.com CIRCULATION COORDINATOR: Brad Casper circulation@mycityjournals.com EDITORIAL & AD DESIGN: Melody Bunker Tina Falk Ty Gorton
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n the 75 days he was alive, William Henry Bishop Metcalf, born with a syndrome called Trisomy 18, fought innumerable odds and touched countless lives around him. His story moved hundreds and brought about a message of strength and hope in the community. Trisomy 18, also known as Edwards syndrome, is a condition where a developing baby has an extra chromosome 18. This creates several developmental issues that can prove to be life threatening in the early months of life. Studies show only 50 percent of these children will be born alive, with boys in particular having a lower rate of survival. Henry indeed had many challenges stacked against him. “It’s hard to lose your baby,” said Henry’s mother Jeanine Metcalf. “It was a new diagnosis every single day, it seemed like.” Baby Henry was born six weeks prematurely with holes in his heart and weak lungs. He endured pneumonia, an intestinal infection and a broken arm due to his rushed delivery. Chest compressions were performed to start Henry’s heart. As soon as his respiration stabilized, he was evacuated on Life Flight to Primary Children’s Hospital. However, the Metcalf family received a massive outpour of love and support from the community. Many people locally and out of state helped organize funding services for Henry and “#HopeforHenry” became a movement that inspired all to stand up and make a difference. From donation jars at the local Beans & Brews Coffee Houses to car washes, friends and family came together to help. A crowdfunding page was set up for Henry and GoFundMe alone raised more than $4,000 for his cause, most of which came from people the family did not know. Henry’s funeral service took place on Sept. 22, which was broadcasted as far as Germany. Christian Stevens, a family friend, sang with BYU’s a cappella group Vocal Point and presented a special number for the event. He performed Disney’s “Go the Distance” from the film “Hercules”, and moved the entire audience. “He was my favorite,” Metcalf said. “Because of how young he is, the innocence of his voice captured Henry’s essence really well.” The day of the funeral featured a variety of events. The skies filled with balloons as 150 locals gathered for a Hope for Henry balloon launch. “It was funny, because so many of them got stuck together while others flew off separately,” said Metcalf, laughing. “But I found that to be true of Henry’s story. We all stuck together and it completely changed the dynamics of our family.” Indeed, his story taught the importance of family and how love can always bring people together. Henry was a beacon of light to everyone around him, and stood as a reminder to the community that hope exists in the world. He taught all the lessons of forgiveness and compassion.
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Ryan and Jeanine Metcalf with their son Henry at Primary Children’s Hospital (Gusty Darling)
“Henry has taught me to see the sunshine through the trees, to thrive and not just survive,” Metcalf said. “To enjoy each and every moment, to see the beauty even in the darkest moments and to trust in God and His eternal plan.” Henry is survived by his mother and father, brothers Taylor and Collin, and sisters Alyssa, Piper and Darci. The annual Festival of Trees will be displaying a tree this year in remembrance of Henry. The event will be from Nov. 30 to Dec. 3 at the South Towne Exposition Center located at 9575 S. State Street in Sandy. All proceeds will give “A Gift of Love” to children at Primary Children’s Hospital this holiday season. To learn more about this event, visit www.intermountainhealthcare.org. l
November 2016 | Page 3
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LOCAL LIFE
Page 4 | November 2016
WEST VALLEY JOURNAL
Molina recognizes local heroes at awards ceremony By Huy Tran | h.tran@mycityjournals.com
The 2016 Molina Healthcare Community Champions (left to right) Gilberto Juan Rejón Magaña, winner; Sela Fakatoumafi, winner; Gary Bell, winner; Siuea (Pete) Kupu, winner; Dr. Jordan Schaeffer, winner; Lisa Riley Roche, winner; Rep. Paul Ray, winner; Dr. Brent Wallace on behalf of Dr. Charles Sorenson, special recognition. (Kristen Jacobsen/Kristen Jacobsen Photography)
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even community champions were honored by Molina Healthcare on Thursday, Oct. 6 at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center. The ninth annual awards program follows the vision of founder Dr. C. David Molina and his goal to provide services to those who need it the most. “Molina Healthcare really values the partners that work with us to serve the needs of our members, so this is a way to give back to them. A lot of times these are unsung heroes, so we wanted to make sure that they are recognized for the great work they do,” said RyLee Curtis, the manager of community engagement. Molina Healthcare of Utah has been providing government-funded care for lowincome individuals since 1997. It aims to bring high-quality and cost-effective health care to children, seniors, families and people with disabilities. Molina has 12 locally operated health plans across the nation and serves some 4.3 million members. As part of the award, each winner received a $1,000 grant to give to a nonprofit organization of his or her choosing. Gilberto Juan Rejón Magaña, a recipient and local soccer coach, has dedicated more than a decade of his life to help low-income families. He started the nonprofit organization Harland Community 4 Youth Families, which highlights the importance of leadership, community involvement and education. “The vision and mission are what drive me to do the things I do. [Harland Community] is promoting health and education through sports, using soccer as a tool to keep the children in school,” Magaña said. He states that connecting to his community is central to the work he does. Magaña said many families he comes across are underserved and believes there is still much more work to be done. Many of the community champions hold service close to their hearts and encourage people to actively serve their community in whatever way they can. For former veteran
Gary Bell, this belief stands strong and is reflected in his work. Bell is a retired Air Force sergeant who has helped develop the Community Nursing Services’ Honor Salute Program, which supports veterans receiving hospice care. It organizes a special honor ceremony with local military personnel, celebrating each veteran’s service and dedication to the country. “For veterans to be recognized, particularly in the last part of their life, is incredibly important to me. It gives so much peace [to them],” said Bell. “Our Korean War and particularly in Vietnam did not have such a nice homecoming, and helping the public understand what they sacrificed is what’s gratifying to me.” The evening of the ceremony welcomed the winners with a dinner and special performance from the UCCC itself. Friends and family gathered to praise the work of the seven community champions. Many were touched by the stories presented that evening with some even moved to tears. Each winner invited a representative from their nonprofit organization of choice to come on stage and accept the $1,000 grant. These officials shared the goals of their organization and inspired many to take action in order to make a positive difference in the world. For those wondering how they can participate in serving their community, the winners had a few remarks of advice. “I think that if people want to make a difference, they need to find what is important to them. There are thousands of organizations out there,” said Bell. “Just be involved.” Magaña, on the other hand, places his priority in working with the youth. “Knowing that the children of today are the leaders of tomorrow, I want to prepare them,” said Magaña. “Let us take care of our children now, so that they can take care of us tomorrow.” To learn more about the services Molina Healthcare provides, visit www. molinahealthcare.com. l
LOCAL LIFE
M yWestV alleyJournal .Com
November 2016 | Page 5
Writer provides “Insight” at local library events By Chris Larson | chris.larson@mycityjournals.com
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riting is Terron James’ passion, but his true love is teaching. “One of the main reasons I wrote my book series is, as a teacher, I totally understand we are cramming academic material down our students throats like crazy,” James said. “They need an excuse to find that love for reading again.” James is the author of the Beholder Series. He is also a middle school English teacher at Excelsior Academy in Erda, Utah. “That’s a tough age, they really need someone who cares about them teaching them,” James said of his students. James hosted two events in September with the Salt Lake County Libraries, one at Hunter Library on Sept. 17 and another at the Sandy Library Sept. 21. He held a meet and greet at the Hunter Library with the 15 people who attended. There, he also held a drawing and signed books. At Sandy, James held a slightly more formal question and answer session with several youth who attended as part of a youth group activity. Many questions focused on his inspiration for the books, the writing process and his thoughts on other popular fiction works. James originally self-published his first
book, called “Insight,” in 2011. As he went on a local book tour promoting his own book, he signed a deal with Provo-based Jolly Fish Publishing. After a jacket redesign, the book was re-released in 2012. He then released the sequel “True Sight” two years later. The third and final book, “Foresight,” is slated for release in April 2017, James said. James and literature experts call the series fast-paced high fantasy. James believes that the story is clear enough for youth to enjoy the book as a pleasure read while adult readers will appreciate the motifs and themes — like the question of right and wrong and the danger of preconceptions — that connect well to modern issues. James connected with the Salt Lake County Library author visit program after an employee at the Hunter Library realized that they had attended the same high school. Liesl Seborg, senior librarian for adult programing and outreach for the Salt Lake County libraries, said that the library system holds many author events ranging from local artist festivals to local writer panels or small or individual writers hosting a writing workshop. “We find that our patrons really enjoy
being able to connect with authors, the creators of the stories they enjoy,” Seborg said. Seborg also said that most events held in the Salt Lake County libraries are free to the public. She said that the mission of the author visitor programs is to connect authors to library patrons and provide unique and educational experiences to the public. If there is a message in his book and in the author visit programs, James hopes it is that people learn the importance of questioning preconceptions, rumor and snap judgments. “The more you investigate something, the clearer things get,” James said. “If people would learn about people and understand them more they would realize that there is really nothing good worth really fighting over.” But for James, what is most important for him is teaching. “If it ruins my writing career, so be it,” James said. “This is definitely more important.” October and November are full of scheduled individual and group author events at several Salt Lake County library locations, Seborg said. Details for those author events can be found at slcolibrary.org. l
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LOCAL LIFE
Page 6 | November 2016
WEST VALLEY JOURNAL
CPR for the mind: SLCo offers mental health first aid By Travis Barton | travis@mycityjournals.com
T
he Speedy Foundation teamed up with Optum on Sept. 24 to offer a free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course at the Salt Lake County offices in West Valley City. MHFA is an eight-hour course training participants how to identify the common signs of mental illness including depression, anxiety disorders and substance use.
What the Classes Do For four years Robyn Emery has been teaching MHFA, but her involvement with mental health has spanned much longer. Emery’s daughter was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 14 and it’s what led Emery into her work field. “[My daughter] got me involved just trying to keep her alive and good and well…now I advocate for families with kids who have mental health issues,” Emery said. Emery is a certified MHFA facilitator and a family support specialist at Optum. She said the class is essential in teaching people how to be first responders in a mental health crisis. “People are often trained in CPR or the Heimlich maneuver or first aid, but you’re just as likely to come in contact with someone who is suffering from a mental or emotional crisis,” Emery said. Julie Stewart and her husband have taken the course twice and work with homeless people experiencing mental health issues. “With the skills I learned, I feel confident I can step up to support someone in my community and help them get the care they need,” Stewart, a Sandy resident, said. Emery said the most important skills participants learn is how to recognize an issue, having the tools to assess the risk and directing the person to a place they can seek professional help. “You’re not going to be able to handle it forever, you’re not supposed to be,” Emery said. “We want [class participants] to see what it looks like and what it’s not.” Katie Flood, director and treasurer of The Speedy Foundation, said recognizing the issue promptly rather than ignoring the signs can help stop issues before they become serious. “A lot of times we overlook [the signs] and just assume they’ll be OK and get themselves out of this funk,” Flood said. Stewart said she used to be afraid talking to people suffering from depression or suicidal thoughts. She learned strategies they could use to council with those who feel like “they’ve hit rock bottom.” “Instead of saying, ‘well you’ll be OK,’ and walk off, maybe realizing instead that it does help to assess the situation and say, ‘let’s talk about it.’ Those words are big words,” Stewart said. “[Emery’s] class really does help you feel more comfortable in talking through things.” It’s part of the skill set attendees are meant to acquire along with knowing where to send people for professional help. “We could give reassurance that there is help and learning from Robyn about all the resources in the valley was huge for us,” Stewart said. It could also prove a lifesaver for the homeless Stewart works with. One in five adults experience mental illness according to the National Institute on Mental Health. With everyone capable of receiving aid from the course, Flood has experienced firsthand the results of the training. “I’ve used it for myself, not knowing I was depressed. Then seeing it really progress, I was able to use those tools and take a
MHFA training teaches participants how to identify the most common signs of mental illness and an action plan to help someone in crisis. (Courtesy of Optum)
By training more people to assist someone facing a behavioral health crisis, Optum and The Speedy Foundation hope to increase the chances that the person in need gets help. (Courtesy of Optum)
For immediate assistance with a behavioral health crisis, call the Salt Lake County Crisis Line 24 hours/7 days a week at (801) 587-3000. step back and really reflect on what I was going through,” Flood said. For a year and a half, Flood has worked with The Speedy Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to preventing suicide and supporting mental health. It was formed in 2011 in memory of Jeret “Speedy” Peterson, an Olympic freestyle aerials silver medalist. Peterson battled depression before taking his life at age 29. Flood’s brother was an Olympian with Peterson and felt the need to jump in and help. “I, too, had suffered from depression. I feel like its therapeutic in a way. I can reach out and show there’s recovery and hope and good health,” Flood said. Breaking down stigmas Classes are comprised of 20 to 30 people and one of the first things it does is dispel stigmas surrounding mental health. Flood said it’s the interactive classes that help shatter perceptions. “You see people engaged, really asking the questions they’ve seen people go through. The engagement is wonderful for people to get rid of the stigmas of depression, drug abuse and suicide,” Flood said. Emery said the class facilitates understanding of a person with mental illness. “The whole basis with a stigma is a lack of knowledge. When you learn about these things, that they’re normal and not a flaw in their character, it makes a difference in how you interact with them,” Emery said. Emery explained that oftentimes people with mental illness are perceived as scary and violent when in reality, they’re more likely to be the victim. She said she would love to see everyone in the valley take the course because you never know when a situation will arise. “I think of it personally with my daughter, I’m not with her every night. What if something goes wrong and I’m not around, who’s going to take care of her? Neighbors? And if they don’t know what to do, they can’t be a lot of help,” Emery said. “In
fact, they probably walk away because they’re frightened by what they don’t understand.” Emery took the MHFA course. It improved her family relationships, more than just with her daughter. Emery’s nephew committed suicide 30 years ago, the night before his 31st birthday. He had three little kids at the time. Emery was angry at him. She would go to the cemetery leaving flowers at the graves of all her family members, except his. She would wonder how he could do such a selfish thing. For 20 years, she continued to wonder until the class changed her perception. “Now I know the pain he was feeling was so intense, that it was the only way he knew how to stop it,” Emery said. “It’s helped me to be a lot more compassionate and feel things that I didn’t for 20 years.” Youth Mental Health “Mental health is not restricted to a particular age group,” Stewart said about traumatic experiences affecting all ages. Youth mental health classes are also offered for people who regularly interact with adolescents who may be experiencing mental health or addiction challenges. These classes have become increasingly important in light of a July report from the Utah Department of Health (UDH) stating that suicide is the leading cause of death in Utah for 10to 17-year-olds. “We’re in a major youth suicide crisis right now…we need to really hit home in our schools and anywhere we can,” Flood said, adding that the class is great for parents, counselors and educators. Often times mental health issues can be misjudged as anxiety, stress or being overdramatic, especially in teens Emery said. “It took me two years to realize that it wasn’t typical teenage rebellion,” Emery said of the experience with her daughter. Flood said the class shows participants the signs between typical and atypical teenage behavior. “You can see where a typical teenager will always go on continued on next page…
LOCAL LIFE
M yWestV alleyJournal .Com their roller coaster ride to really seeing the signs of isolating and if they’re getting involved with alcohol and drugs,” Flood said. Severity and time are two of the most important things to look for according to Emery. “That lets you know it’s not a situational issue,” Emery said. Utah’s Issues Challenges of maintaining an emotional balance is an issue affecting the entire state of Utah. In a survey conducted by UDH, it showed that one in 15 Utah adults have had serious thoughts of suicide and according to statistics compiled by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Utah ranks fifth in the nation in suicide rates at 21 people per 100,000 people. “We live in what they call suicide alley,” Emery said referring to the region that includes Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota to go along with Utah. The region has the highest average rate of almost 20 suicides per 100,000 people. “Suicide is the one cause of death that is 100 percent preventable, if you know what to do,” Emery said. Stewart said having awareness of the issue can assist in both the healing and prevention process. “We can all help each other, I might not be in a crisis today but I might be next month,” Stewart said. With the MHFA classes and a suicide hotline in Idaho, Flood said The Speedy Foundation is reaching its mission in promoting conversation on the topic. In turn, this helps the individuals who need assistance. “It’s OK to let people know you’ve gone through hard times because chances are that everyone has, just different degrees of it,” Flood said. “People feel shame with it so no one wants to
talk about it.” Optum and Speedy Foundation Partnership The partnership between The Speedy Foundation and Optum started two years ago in Idaho before branching to the Utah division. Optum manages Salt Lake County Mental Health and Substance Use services through a contract with the Division of Behavioral Health Services. Flood said MHFA courses fit the need for education and fit the mission of the foundation by combining to provide free books for the courses. Cost of the class is typically $20 to cover the cost of the book provided, but with the partnership, the classes are available for free for limited period of time. “We are committed to working with Optum to increase awareness about suicide prevention and assist people throughout the Salt Lake area who are affected by mental illness,” Flood said. Provided by the partnership for the eight-hour courses are leadership, logistical support, printed course materials and awareness campaigns. Emery said it’s been great working with The Speedy Foundation. “They’re incredible, it’s a great foundation…a lot of people have been able to benefit from the classes who otherwise couldn’t,” Emery said. It’s more likely to find someone having an emotional crisis than a heart attack. Which, Emery said, makes it all the more important to take the class. “It really is [important]. I have a family full of mental health problems and I don’t know what I would’ve done if I didn’t have this kind of stuff,” Emery said. For more information on upcoming courses available in the Salt Lake City area from Optum and The Speedy Foundation,
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November 2016 | Page 7 contact Julie Hardle at julie.hardle@optum.com or call (801) 982-3217. For immediate assistance with a behavioral health crisis, call the Salt Lake County Crisis Line 24 hours/7 days a week at (801) 587-3000. You can also visit thespeedyfoundation.org to learn more about other mental health classes. l
Robyn Emery, a family support specialist for Optum Salt Lake County, regularly facilitates training such as Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid in order to help members of the community better understand and support child and adolescent mental health needs. (Courtesy of Optum)
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GOVERNMENT
Page 8 | November 2016
WEST VALLEY JOURNAL
Buffer Zone compromise reached as mining company acquires facility
“To Strengthen and Promote the Shared Interests of the Business Community”
By Travis Barton | travis@mycityjournals.com
Representing Businesses in West Valley City, Taylorsville, Kearns and Millcreek Contact Information: Barbara S. Riddle, CMP
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November 10 – Legislative Affairs November 16 – Chamber Member Luncheon November 17 – Board of Governors Family Sports Night For more information or to register for an event call 801-977-8755 or visit www.ChamberWest.com
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The buffer zone of 70 feet between neighborhood houses and the warehouse that was established in 1985. That zone will decrease to 50 feet after a compromise was found between Boart Longyear, the incoming company to the property and the neighborhood. (Travis Barton/City Journals)
C
ompromises don’t guarantee satisfaction on both sides, but it can be the best available option. A 50-foot buffer compromise was found between neighbors and the adjacent property where Boart Longyear, a mining and drilling company based out of Salt Lake City, will be moving into a drilling, manufacturing and storage facility. Boart Longyear was approved of a conditional use permit by the West Valley City Planning Commission to utilize the property at 2455 South 3600 West in September drawing anger from nearby residents. Neighbors contend that a 70-foot buffer agreement was made in 1985 with Mervyns, who previously owned the property. City code states that only a 20-foot set back is required from the fence. Currently the buffer area, located on the south side of the property, is covered with trees and grass. The permit that was initially approved by the planning commission would have seen Boart Longyear establishing a 30-foot buffer replacing trees along the fence line with an evergreen tree every 15 feet. With the help of Mayor Ron Bigelow, Councilwoman Karen Lang and Councilman Tom Huynh; the compromise of a 50-foot buffer was negotiated leaving the green space and trees in their current state. “It’s tough, [Boart Longyear] went above and beyond what we asked them to do but at the same time we try to protect our citizens and we try to fight our best to protect the environment in that area,” Huynh said. A large portion of the building is currently vacant and unused. Boart Longyear is looking at a $14 million investment into the property, which will make use of the building and also provide revenue for the city. Neighbors were unhappy with the type of company set to occupy the property in addition to what they felt was a reneging on the original agreement made in 1985. Larry Thorpe is the executor of his parents’ home that borders the buffer zone. He said the condition for Mervyns to move into that space was to create that buffer. Thorpe questioned how after that agreement was stamped and approved, it could
change almost three decades later. “Now some 28 years later a different company can move in and change it, what makes that right?” Larry said during a city council meeting. Landscaping exists on the north and south of the property where portions of the areas will be used for outside storage. Longyear intends to use gravel on the north next to the warehouse area with overhead doors, a wash bay and racking while recycled asphalt will be used on the south on limited basis for storage. The recycled asphalt is expected to minimize dust by compacting itself down over time. Larry said the rubber mulch used in recycled asphalt will still cause problems for nearby residents. He said tests have been done in Canada and Spain on the effects of rubber mulch and those countries recommend it should be “eliminate[ed] or at even reduced in your area.” Residents were pleased that the green space will be preserved and that the trees will remain as they are, which is what concerned them the most. “From the perspective of the main concern on whether we were preserving the green space in that area, I’m happy about that,” David Thorpe, Larry’s brother, said. David, whose backyard borders the property, said he was still unhappy the company is moving in. David’s son has asthma and he said the dust buildup will affect his son’s breathing. “They say it’ll compact down and be less dust, but still there’s dust. And what a lot of people don’t understand is in that area—I don’t care when it is— there’s always wind,” said David and Larry’s father, Larry Thorpe. Bigelow and Huynh said they felt the compromise was fair even though the situation isn’t always ideal for all involved. Bigelow said it’s important to remember that Boart Longyear carries no requirement to compromise, but were willing to work on the matter. “[Boart Longyear] are within their right to do 20 feet,” Bigelow said. “It’s not exactly what both sides wanted, but we think it’s reasonable.” “I hope the citizens are happy with [the compromise] and the investors, too. I think we did our best,” Huynh said. l
ON THE COVER
M yWestV alleyJournal .Com
November 2016 | Page 9
West Valley home to Utah’s largest skate park By Travis Barton | travis@mycityjournals.com
T
he second largest city in Utah has its first skate park. On Saturday, Oct. 8 at Centennial Park, city officials, community advocates and skate park participants cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the West Valley Skatepark. Skateboarders, bikers, in-line skaters and those with scooters were on hand to christen the new park. City officials said it’s the largest skate park in Utah. “It’s another jewel to add to what we have here in West Valley City,” said Mayor Ron Bigelow to more than 100 people in attendance. Located on the western portion of Centennial Park, the skate park started as an idea 15 years ago. At various times it was forgotten about, pushed to the back burner or funding would be pulled. But in March, the city passed a resolution to fund the $1.2 million project. “Over the years we’ve tried to figure out ways to fund the project…it was kind of this ebb and flow, but over these last five years it really gained traction,” said Councilman Steve Vincent. Kevin Astill, parks and recreation director, said for a long time there’s been a community demand for a skate park. “People would ask us every year for a skate park, boy scouts would write letters to their elected officials and say we need a skate park,” Astill said. Possibly the most important figure in bringing the skate park to fruition was community advocate Josh Scheuerman. He grew up in West Valley City two miles from where the skate park
Adults and children of all ages came to commemorate the grand opening of the West Valley Skatepark on Oct. 8 at Centennial Park. People brought skateboards, bikes, scooters and roller blades to participate in the park’s offerings. (Kevin Conde/West Valley City)
After more than 15 years of community advocacy, West Valley City unveiled its new skate park on Oct. 8 at on the west side of Centennial Park. (Kevin Conde/West Valley City)
is now located. Scheuerman, 38, started coming to city council meetings when he was 23 to promote building a skate park in the city. “I was scared to death. I didn’t know how to talk to city council or government officials. I just knew there was a skate park need,” Scheuerman said. City officials said having a citizen advocate continuously fight for the skate park, bringing kids who would use the skate park before the council, was very important. “He kept it in front and it was important for the elected officials to see faces,” Vincent said. “For someone who didn’t know how [to talk to city officials], it’s pretty amazing to see what he accomplished,” Bigelow added. Scheuerman said he feels every sport needs funding and generally skateboarding is regarded as a fringe sport that doesn’t need city support. Skateboarding builds confidence, he said, and it’s great for kids who don’t want to do team sports. “Every park—every tax dollar—is the citizens and I think people forget that, so my philosophy was this is my money,” Scheuerman said. “Tax dollars are our money as well as anyone else’s—just as it is for baseball diamonds or swimming pools. So putting it here means it’s just as legitimate as any other sport.” Scheuerman, who assisted in the park’s design, said it was an unusual experience for him, after all the problems and hangups, to be standing there on the park while Bigelow and Astill introduced the park. “To actually have it physically here forever, it’s surreal,” Scheuerman said. Astill has worked for the city for 31 years, 21 as parks and rec director, overseeing the construction of parks and the
fitness center. He said days like the park’s grand opening are his paydays. “It’s a milestone in my career, for sure,” Astill said. The skate park sits on 2.85 acres and is 31,150 square feet; it took 864 yards of concrete to make. It features a snake run, a doorway, five fun boxes (swimming pool-style holes) with coping on the edges for gliding and stalling and various rails, ledges and jumps. Jim Noble, 59, has been skating off and on since 1974 before the advent of skate parks when they would skate in ditches and empty pools. He’s seen the highs, lows and transitions of the sport, skating in towns from Herriman to Layton. He said it’s a great addition to the city. “It’s great for the community because it’s good for the beginners, for the intermediates and advanced skaters,” Noble said. “You can see it’s been a great turnout.” Before the skate park, skaters had to skate wherever they could. “We got kicked out of every place we skated,” Scheuerman said. “They’re doing it somewhere so give them somewhere to go.” Wendy Trujillo and her daughter, Brea, live near the newly opened skate park. Trujillo said before the park opened, Brea could only skate on nearby neighborhood sidewalks. Vincent entered office in 2002 witnessing the park’s evolution. Vincent had a son growing up who was an in-line skater. He said the park provides a place where skating is promoted and encouraged diverting skaters away from areas they aren’t allowed. “This is a segment of the population that’s been underserved and it’s going to be long lasting,” Vincent said. l
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WEST VALLEY JOURNAL
WVCPD seeks gold standard in law enforcement assessment By Travis Barton | travis@mycityjournals.com
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our years ago the West Valley City Police Department (WVCPD) was facing criticism and ridicule. Now it’s aiming to achieve something only a few police departments in the country have. A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) arrived in West Valley City on Oct. 3 to spend three days examining all aspects of WVCPD from policies and procedures to operations and support services. Earning the accreditation, considered the gold standard in public safety, is a voluntary process and something less than five percent of police departments in the country attain. “We’re doing something that 90 percent of police departments will never achieve,” said Lee Russo, WVC chief of police. CALEA assessors looked at 159 applicable standards, of which WVCPD must demonstrate their policies reflect the best practices in law enforcement professional excellence. The standards cover all facets of operations including pursuit policies, use of force and deadly force as well as transparency and accountability. “It’s not enough to say they do it, they have to prove it to us they’re doing it,” said Rob Sofie. Sofie, along with Darrin Abbink, are CALEA assessors. It was a three-year process for the department to reach this point. WVCPD first did a self-assessment before holding a mock assessment with independent evaluators. Russo started this process when he was hired three years ago. He said departments have to demonstrate consistently that they have operationalized those upgraded policies and standards. “It’s a tough process…the ones that do this want to continue to drive forward, continue to get better all the time. It’s easy to sit back and not be self-critical,” said Abbink, a law enforcement officer from Colorado Springs. The assessors will then write a report for the commission to review. Russo will then have to appear before the commission for an oral defense where the commission dives deep into procedures like the citizen complaint process or matching the department’s demographics with the community. After which the commission determines whether accreditation is awarded. Sofie likened it to a hospital. “If you’re going to have surgery, you go to an accredited hospital where someone is checking on them to confirm their techniques, that their equipment is sterile. It’s the same kind of thing, makes the police department more responsive to the community,” Sofie said. At present there are no other Utah law enforcement agencies that are accredited. Weber and Cache County were accredited for a time but are no longer.
Jeanetta Williams, NAACP Salt Lake City branch president, speaks to Darrin Abbink (left) and Rob Sofie, CALEA assessors, during a public forum on Oct. 3. The assessors from CALEA spent three days examining all aspects of the West Valley City Police Department as part of a process to determine whether they receive the highly prized accreditation. (West Valley City Police Department)
“They’d be the only ones in the state of Utah, which is quite the distinction really,” Sofie said. Key to this potential policing achievement is Russo. Russo spent 22 years working for the Baltimore County Police Department, an originator in developing CALEA and community policing, where these thorough inspections were commonplace. “At the middle point of my career, I’m going ‘why are we putting ourselves through these inspections, this is common sense,’” Russo said. It wasn’t until he became chief in an organization that wasn’t accredited he realized the necessity of constant reevaluation. Reaccreditation occurs every four years and Russo said he wants to reach a point where the operational norm for the organization is maintaining this gold standard of excellence. “The hope and goal is we get two or three cycles down the road and people will be like I was, ‘this is common sense,’ and that’s when everybody realizes we’ve changed the culture,” Russo said. Sofie said only police chiefs, who are secure in who they are, volunteer for CALEA inspections. “We’re all one Ferguson (Missouri) away from having the public scrutiny on you, so I respect [Russo] for wanting to do this because it’s a lot of work,” Sofie said. And it’s not just Russo’s background, he also brought in Mark Abbott, who did the mock assessment, as an accrediting manager to assist with the process. Part of the inspection includes a public forum where members of the community are invited to offer public comments. Besides Russo, the forum only saw three members speak but those that spoke carried weight for the assessors just by showing up. Jeanetta Williams, president of the NAACP’s Salt Lake City branch, spoke during the forum and said she has an excellent working relationship with the WVCPD. She
said they’ve invited Russo and his department to attend different forums and meetings “to make sure people see their presence in the community.” “I am in strong support of West Valley City, the accreditation process and whatever we can do as NAACP,” said Williams, a West Valley resident since 1988. Russo said Williams coming to speak made an “unbelievable statement” to the assessors. “In today’s law enforcement environment and the criticisms we see truly speaks of the partnership we’re trying to forge,” Russo said. Williams also served on the city’s professional review board for 20 years, which consists of seven citizen volunteers who review all citizen complaints, use of force and vehicle pursuits. Just by having the board impressed the assessors. “That’s unheard of, there’s a way smaller percentage [of citizen review boards] than any CALEA accredited agencies that do that,” Sofie said. It’s all part of an effort to turn around an agency that was riddled with challenges four years ago. “To go from an agency that’s been ridiculed and questioned to an agency that’s really taken a lead,” Russo said. “[Accreditation] is something that’s going to benefit us far into the future.” While police procedures and actions have taken the national focus in recent months, WVCPD has taken steps to ensure those situations don’t arise in West Valley. “Despite those challenges that we were enduring, despite the national tenor going on right now about law enforcement, these men and women put all of that aside when the 911 call comes in,” Russo said. “They show up and give everything to serve that victim or that citizen to make a change in the individual’s life or the community, and I couldn’t be more proud of what they’re doing.” l
M yWestV alleyJournal .Com
November 2016 | Page 11
GOVERNMENT
Page 12 | November 2016
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WEST VALLEY JOURNAL
Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation holds bond election By Kelly Cannon | kelly@mycityjournals.com
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alt Lake County Parks and Recreation will have a bond election on the Nov. 8 ballot across the entire county. Called Salt Lake County Proposition A, the bond will issue $90 million to build new parks, trails, recreational amenities and a recreation center, as well as renovate and improve existing facilities. According to Callie Birdsall, the communications and public relations manager of Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation, the county currently has a bond for parks and recreation projects out that will expire this year. The bond that is on the ballot is a continuation of that bond. “This bond that is coming out is to build these facilities, build some more parks, update the Jordan River with the water trail,” Birdsall said. “It’s not really a new tax. It’s a continuation.” The proposition builds upon the reauthorized Zoo, Arts and Parks tax, which passed in November 2014 with 77 percent of the vote. The proposed $90 million in bonds is divided into $59 million in proposed projects and $31 million in proposed maintenance and improvement for parks and recreation locations that already exist. The first listed project is $2.7 million for Knudsen Nature Park in Holladay. The park will include a playground, open lawn, pavilions, picnic tables, fishing pond, wildlife education center, amphitheater, water mill education center, trails, covered bridges and restoring 475 feet of Big Cottonwood Creek. West Valley City will receive a $3 million Pioneer Crossing Park with open space, boardwalks, historical education areas, natural amphitheater, urban camping areas and a canoe launch. The Magna Township will get a $11.2 million for the Magna Regional Park. The park will include a multi-use sports fields, a playground with water play, outdoor basketball courts, tennis courts, a paved perimeter trail, skate sports and neighborhood access points. The Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center will receive nearly $2.5 million in upgrades and additions. This includes replacing pool mechanical systems to save on energy costs and replacing the existing filtration system with a more efficient and environmentally friendly system. The existing outdoor diving pool will be reconfigured to include 500 additional square feet of water surface area and will be fully ADA accessible. Wheeler Farm will receive a $2.75 million outdoor education center, which will include a 150-person classroom, a greenhouse, demonstration kitchens, offices and storage. Hands-on experiences will include horticulture, agriculture, livestock, watershed science, urban forestry and volunteer opportunities. South Jordan can expect a $12 million Welby Regional Park if the bond passes. Phase one of park development will be located primarily on 10200 South and will encompass approximately 47 acres. The park will include lighted multipurpose sports fields, a playground picnic shelters and a walking path. A $2.2 million Jordan River Water Trail is also proposed and will include a series of formal boat access points at strategic locations throughout the Salt Lake County’s section of the Jordan River. A new Jordan River Water Trail will be implemented and other improvements will strive to improve the current condition along the river. White City Township can expect a nearly $1.7 million White City/Sandy Trail. The paved pedestrian and bike trail will follow along the abandoned canal in White City beginning at 9400 South and will run along south to the Dimple Dell Regional Park, where it will connect with the Sandy Canal Trail. The largest project proposed bond is the nearly $20 million recreation center in Draper. The 35,910-square-foot center will feature a competitive lap pool, a leisure pool with a water slide and amenities, child care, two dance/multi-use rooms, fitness area, trails,
Eleven new projects and several improvement projects are part of the proposed parks and recreation bond. (Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation)
open space and space for a future gymnasium. New $25,000 multi-use sports courts are slated for Salt Lake City that will include lights and a storage facility. Each court will be made out of asphalt or concrete. The last project listed with the bond is a $1.75 million Oak Hills Tennis Center in Salt Lake City. Located along the fifth hole of Salt Lake City’s Bonneville Golf Course, improvements include renovations to the existing tennis facility clubhouse. The $31 million in maintenance and improvement projects will include the Dimple Dell Regional Park, the Equestrian Park, Mick Riley Golf Course, mountain trails, Oquirrh Park, Salt Lake County parks, Southridge Park, Sugar House Park and universally accessible playgrounds. According to Birdsall, the proposed projects were submitted to the ZAP board for consideration. The approved projects were then sent on to the county council for their approval. The county has held several public meetings in various cities to educate the public on proposed bond. “We have posters and brochures in recreation centers, city halls, event centers (and) libraries,” Birdsall said. Birdsall believes the public is responding well to the proposed projects. “The support of parks and trails and open space is incredible every single year because of the increase in population and the urban sprawl that is happening. The need for open space is exponentially growing,” Birdsall said. “When you talk about parks and recreation, most people are pretty excited about it.” To learn more about the proposed bond and the projects it includes, visit slco.org/parks-recreation-bond. l
GOVERNMENT
M yWestV alleyJournal .Com
November 2016 | Page 13
Firefighters compete at charity chili cookoff By Tori La Rue | tori@mycityjournals.com
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epresentatives from nearly 15 fire departments brought hundreds of quarts of chili to the South Towne Mall parking lot in Sandy on Sept. 24 to compete in the Fourth Annual Utah Firefighter Chili Cookoff, a fundraiser for the University of Utah Health Care’s Burn Camp. “As far as I’m concerned, we’re all winning as soon as people buy tickets for chili,” said Jack Gray, a West Jordan resident representing the Ogden Fire Department. “We’re really here for the kids who will benefit from camp.” At the camp, children, teen and adult burn injury survivors socialize with people in similar circumstances and learn about healing from professional nurses, physical therapists and firefighters. About 5,000 people attended the cookoff, and together the departments raised $12,528 for the Burn Camp, with South Davis Fire Department raising the most at $2,677, West Jordan coming in second at $1,711 and Unified Fire Authority third at $1,304. South Davis also claimed the people’s choice chili with West Jordan coming in second place and West Valley Fire Department in third. American Fork took the plaque for the booth decorating competition with their Old West, saloon-style booth. West Jordan came in second
with their booth that included a 10-foot-tall fake fire-hydrant and the Unified Fire Authority came in third place with the booth that they named the “Sultry Poultry” that was decorated with a banner, stuffed animal chicken and hay. “Well, it would be great to win again, but from last year to this year, you have departments who have stepped up their booth and other departments who have made changes to their chili,” Chief Marc McElreath of the West Jordan Fire Department said about the competition, adding that his department will make changes next year. West Jordan won the booth decorating and people’s choice chili awards in 2015 using the recipe of Kent Warner, a firefighter and paramedic on West Jordan’s C platoon. Warner said he was “volun-told” to make the chili for the competition after he made a chili for his co-workers that they liked. Warner switched up his recipe for this year’s competition by substituting smoked, pulled pork for steak and reducing the spiciness of the chili. Judges commented that they missed the spiciness, so Warner said he plans to add some heat to the West Jordan chili for the 2017 event. Many departments bring the same chili each year. Unified Fire West Valley brings a red chili
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Representatives from the Sandy City Fire Department pose for a picture at the Fourth Annual Utah Firefighter Chili Cookoff. (Keri Jones/UDK)
and a chili verde and Unified Fire offers a cashew chicken chili and vegetarian cashew quinoa chili each year. Shelby Williams, event participant who came to support her brother who works for the West Valley Fire Department, said, setting all bias aside, the West Valley’s chili verde chili was her favorite. She thought they should have won. Overall, it was an activity that members of her family, no matter what age, could enjoy, she said. Williams ran around the event with her niece and nephew in the parking lot and lawn area of the South Towne Mall, which organizers had set up with activities for kids including inflatable slides. Rob Marriot, of Unified Fire, said he thought
the event was a success because it allowed the firefighters to raise money toward the burn camp. Marriot said he and other firefighters from his department have participated in the burn camp and have seen the children learn how to cope with their injuries. This year the state’s firefighters will give more than $12,000 to the burn camp, but the burn camp participants will give the firefighters much more than that in terms of strength, he said. “Let’s promote the cookoff for next year and make it bigger and better,” Marriot said. “Let’s beat what we raised this year during next year’s event.” l
EDUCATION
Page 14 | November 2016
Latino Family Night helps engage families in education
WEST VALLEY JOURNAL
Public/private partnership creates pathway for students
By Travis Barton | travis@mycityjournals.com
By Kelly Cannon | kelly@mycityjournals.com
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Granite School District hosted its third annual Latino Family Night on Oct. 6 at Hunter High School. Multiple booths were set up to go along with guest speakers as a way to provide informational resources for families. (Granite School District)
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ranite School District hosted its third annual Latino Family Night on Wednesday, Oct. 6 at Hunter High School. The evening saw various cultural performances from Latinos in Action, guest speakers and multiple booths to provide an entertaining and informational night for families. “The intent is to increase parental engagement,” said Ben Horsley, communications director of Granite School District. “We’re not going to be successful in helping these kids academically without getting parents more engaged.” Latino Family Night brought different resources under one roof for a night where families could learn about what services are offered in their community as well as to better understand the American education system. Booths came from Salt Lake Community College, South Valley Services, National Alliance on Mental Illness and Salt Lake County Youth Services along with many others. Horsley said they strive to let everyone know that schools can’t do all the education alone. “We do need these partners to come together to get engaged in that education system and know what they can do to have an impact on a child’s life,” Horsley said. It’s a system that can be unfamiliar to immigrants who may feel they don’t have a place in schools. Nearly a third of all Granite School District students identify as Hispanic and that percentage is expected to rise in the coming years. Isabel Rojas is the director of systems and operation for Latinos in Action (LIA) and was the emcee for the night’s events. She said events like Latino Family Night are important for the Latino community as it helps breaks down language and cultural barriers. “The fact that the district hosts a night in their language, with materials in their language, with their music and their dances says to them [they] can be involved. This is a safe place not just for my students but for me,” Rojas said. Granite School District Superintendent Dr. Martin Bates gave his speech in Spanish, which Rojas said made an impact. “It meant a lot [that] the top of the school
district will speak to them in Spanish, so it’s awesome,” Rojas said. The keynote address came from Eduardo Alba who was born in Mexico as the fourth child of 12. Alba moved to the United States when he was eight and went on to earn a masters degree in education administration. He said kids can follow that same pattern, especially when they have familial support. “Everything here is geared towards letting parents know what resources are available, and then how they utilize those to the benefit of their kids,” Horsley said. Having a night specifically for the Latino community with speakers like them, Rojas said, creates a place of safety and feeling that America is their home. It proves particularly useful for kids. Rojas’ parents are from Bogota, Columbia immigrating to New York shortly before she was born. She understands growing up with your feet in two different cultures. “It’s hard to marry the two because we feel like we have to keep our culture at home and our U.S-ness out there and you separate the two,” Rojas said. LIA aims to bridge the gap by helping students to find confidence in the qualities they have like being bilingual. “Maybe one of the biggest challenges is just perceptions that aren’t true, that are deficit based as opposed to the assets that our culture brings,” Rojas said. “[Students] are bilingual, professionals look for bilingual people.” Lacey Aparicio, an LIA student from Kearns High School, spoke during the program about how LIA helped her find cultural family in LIA coming from a house where her mother is Caucasian and her father is Mexican. She gave her speech half in English and half in Spanish, respectively. Another student spoke about how she was able to overcome her shyness with LIA. A sophomore from Cottonwood High School approached Rojas while being interviewed about joining LIA. “It gives us the opportunity at LIA to help [students] see that every part of who they are is an asset,” Rojas said. l
overnor Gary Herbert announced the launch of a new medical innovations pathway on Sept. 27 that will allow high school students the chance to graduate with a certificate in medical manufacturing innovations. From there, students can either continue their education at the post-secondary level or begin their career in life sciences. The new pathway was brought about through a partnership of USA Funds, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Department of Workforce Services. “We set a goal to become the best performing economy and a premier business destination,” Herbert said during a special presentation at Edward Life Sciences in Draper. “It’s encouraging to see the fruits of our labors, to see that happening in front of our eyes.” The Medical Innovations Pathway is being funding through a $1 million grant from USA Funds. This is the third pathway the state provides to high school students, the other two being aerospace and diesel technology. According to Ben Hart, the managing director for urban and rural business services at the Governor’s Office for Economic Development, the pathway works by partnering high school students with both a post-secondary institution and an industry. “They get some experience, some curriculum while they’re in high school and then they get further, more rigorous training at one of the secondary institutions and then they get a chance to go onsite in the industry,” Hart said. “Whether that’s a 48-hour internship or job shadow, they get a chance to see what they’re actually going to be doing.” Hart said the purpose of the pathways program is to empower students to make better career decisions so they can understand what jobs are actually like before deciding if it’s the right career for them. Herbert praised these programs because of the partnership between public and private interests. “Education is the key to long-term success economically,” Herbert said. “One of the reasons we’re having success is what I call the spirit of collaboration, this partnership and the one we see in this pathways program, exemplifies this idea of public and private partnership working together for the good of the whole economy.” Herbert also praised the program for its potential to help people. “The advancements in science and technology we’re seeing and exhibiting here today is making people’s lives better,” Herbert said. “And at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about.” Ken Eliason, vice-president of plant operations at Edward Life Sciences, thanked Herbert for pursuing these opportunities to
Vanessa Olsen, Edwin Carcano and Kiera Terrlink are seniors enrolled in the Medical Innovations Pathway. (Kelly Cannon/City Journals)
improve their workforce and provide students with workforce opportunities. “This program is a step forward for us addressing workforce challenges in our state,” Eliason said. “We hope this program will not only provide stable and rewarding jobs but also create an interest in life sciences and STEM classes.” The Granite School District has been working on a life sciences program for the past nine years, developing training programs in both biotechnology and biomanufacturing. “This medical innovations pathway will take that work to the next level by providing direct linkage to companies who are seeking employees and the real work that is going on in these industries,” said Martin Bates, the superintendent of the Granite School District. The program will start in the Granite School District and will expand to the Davis and Canyons School Districts next year. The first semester of the program will take place in the high schools and the second semester will include curriculum from Salt Lake Community College. Students will also do internships and job shadowing. Upon completion of the Medical Innovations Pathway program and passing pre-employment requirements, students will be certified to begin work with one of the life science partners in Utah, receiving a familysustaining wage. Kiera Terrlink, a senior at Skyline High School, will be starting the pathways program next semester. “People seemed so involved in their careers and it sounded like a good opportunity to start and figure out if that’s what I wanted to do,” Terrlink said. l
“This program is a step forward for us addressing workforce challenges in our state.”
EDUCATION
M yWestV alleyJournal .Com
STEMfest showcases important partnership By Travis Barton | travis@mycityjournals.com
Left: Justin Clawson demonstrates his meteorology skills as he shows how the weather station works on Oct. 11 at Neil Armstrong Academy. (Travis Barton/City Journals) Above: Neil Armstrong Academy students ask questions of Andy Haaland from Orbital ATK on Oct. 11. (Travis Barton/City Journals)
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eil Armstrong Academy celebrated its first STEMfest on Oct. 11 that included both the school carnival and a community partnership celebration. The day originated out of a desire to connect with the community, creating an activity that brings community members, industry and businesses together to learn about STEM. “A lot of parents have kids going to a STEM school and have no idea what that means,” said Mysti Hedquist, fifth grade teacher and the person instrumental in organizing the events. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) schools are known for making learning a collaborative and project-based process. Students work together to problem solve. STEMfest was an opportunity to thank their business partnerships while celebrating their fall festival. A community involvement event was held in the afternoon where community partners such as Orbital ATK, Comcast and John Horel, a professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Utah, came to speak with the students. “Things are always made better by those who understand science, technology, engineering and math…make sure you study those things and do everything you can to be good at them,” Andy Haaland said to the students. Haaland is the director of business development at Orbital ATK, a company focused on the development and application of space technologies on earth. Students used the opportunity to ask Haaland questions from how chemicals are made to how a payload is released from a rocket. “You see how much [the kids] love that—they crave the real—and having those opportunities for them to interact with somebody in the industry, it’s just beautiful,” Principal Matt Goebel said. Community involvement will soon be reaching cell phones through a mobile app. Brent Peterson from Comcast explained to students and teachers about the STEM Mentor Exchange, an app that connects Utah educators with industry mentors and resources. Developed by a volunteer team of engineers from Dell, it’s a joint effort with Utah technology groups to help prepare kids for new jobs being created in Utah. Robert Goodick is a member of the Neil Armstrong Academy Community Council and has a child that attends the school. “(This) lets the kids know that we’re trying to develop their brains on how to think critically for jobs and careers in industries that don’t even exist yet,” Goodick said. “Creating those conversations with industry
professionals, for me as a parent, that’s the most exciting part.” Goodick was instrumental in working with Professor Horel of the University of Utah to bring a weather station to Neil Armstrong that is viewed as a legitimate data point for meteorologists throughout the state. Students use the station to learn and work with the data provided as part of the school’s inquiry based education. Goebel said it’s hugely important for schools to have these partnerships, especially at a STEM school. “By saying we are a STEM school we are saying you will have connections to the industries and broader community,” Goebel said. Horel said researchers look for schools like Neil Armstrong to partner with because of the way they engage their students. Goebel said it takes time to change curriculums and mindsets about school, but believes everybody will be teaching this way soon. Hedquist said it can be intimidating as a teacher, but by teaching this way it requires creativity to access those resources. “Being able to be at a STEM school that’s focused on those resources and have that connection to the community already, it makes it so much easier,” Hedquist said. Utah State House Representative Sophia Dicaro has a child who attends Neil Armstrong and said it’s one of the schools leading by example. “This is a good incubator for what’s happening in the STEM world… If this can demonstrate to the state that this can be successful, I think it will speak volumes to the industry because it keeps higher paying jobs here,” Dicaro said. STEMfest capped off the evening with the school carnival. The festival included activities both inside and out. While food trucks, bounce houses, a rock climbing wall and a dunk tank were outside; the inside held activities of a different variety. Granite School District, Clark Planetarium and University of Utah had booths where people could engineer chicken noises and make toy rockets, boats and Morse code with everyday items such as duct tape, rubber bands, round foam and popsicle sticks. l
“(This) lets the kids know that we’re trying to develop their brains on how to think critically for jobs and careers in industries that don’t even exist yet,”
November 2016 | Page 15
SPORTS
Page 16 | November 2016
WEST VALLEY JOURNAL
Fit To Recover: How one man’s dream changed people’s lives By Sarah Almond | almondsh@gmail.com
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hat would it take to start the business of your dreams? Would you need a hefty bank loan or patented product? Would you need community involvement or the help of stakeholders? Perhaps you’d need an empty space or a few volunteers. For Ian Acker, a baseFTR founder Ian Acker (right), heavy boombox and a Women’s Group Leader Lacey motivational Facebook post Garcia (middle) and FTR financial advisor Doug McNeil pose for a was all he needed to bring to photo after accepting the SCORE life his dream of creating a award for Outstanding Communi- fitness program that catered to ty Impact in Washington, D.C. For those struggling with addiction. two years in a row, FTR has been “I wanted purpose,” Acker chosen from businesses across the said. “I never felt like I had any nation as one of the most influential type of purpose. I wanted to companies in the community. (Ian create a place that was friendly Acker/Founder of FTR) and a place where people in recovery felt welcome.” In August 2012, Acker, a recovering addict himself, took a risk: he purchased a Beats by Dr. Dre Beatbox and posted a Facebook message encouraging his friends in recovery to join him in Sugar House Park for a Saturday morning workout. “Four people showed up,” Acker said. “But during that day I saw the connection that these people had — they were smiling and they were happy. Just that little breath of fresh air propelled me to continue to keep going. So the next week there were seven people; then 10 showed up, 15 showed up, 20 showed up.” As word of this high-energy fitness hour spread, more and more people working through addiction started joining Acker in the park. Eventually Cold Creek Wellness Center, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center based out of Kaysville, caught wind of Acker’s growing program and began bringing treatment patients to his workouts. “When Cold Creek signed on, that showed me that we could really do something,” Acker said. The notable, steady growth of the Saturday morning park program signaled to Acker that there was an unmet need in the sober community: a need for physical activity, community gatherings, nutritional insights, and creative endeavors. “After we got some play in the park, we started a run group at USARA,” Acker said. “They were nice enough to let us process and then run every Monday. So we had two things going on and then we implemented a women’s group at USARA as well, which made three things.” Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness, or USARA, is located in downtown Salt Lake City and has played a monumental role in getting Acker’s ideas off the ground. After launching several different programs and garnering a large following at his Saturday morning Sugar House workouts, Acker decided it was time to establish a place for these programs to call home. In January 2015, Acker opened the Fit To Recover gym at 789 W. 1390 S. in Salt Lake City. “We started working with quite a few treatment centers and at that point we needed a building because it was getting cold and it just wasn’t working outside,” Acker said. “So we finally closed on a building, but it took a long time because
people didn’t want to rent to people in recovery. But we found someone who was nice enough to rent to us, and we opened up, and we hit the ground running.” What started as a 5,500-square-foot empty warehouse soon became a remarkable gym and community center thanks to the help of volunteers and sponsors across the valley. Today the nonprofit Fit To Recover (FTR) gym has a 20-foot-high climbing wall, more than a dozen weight racks, and ample space for group workout sessions. “It’s been amazing to see this place grow,” said Lacey Garcia, leader of the FTR Women’s Group. “Just seeing people in recovery come and say ‘I want to build a climbing wall,’ and a climbing wall is built; or ‘I want to start a writing group’, and a writing group starts; or ‘I want to plant a garden,’ and a garden is planted. People come with ideas and we see them all the way through.” FTR hosts more than 35 classes a week out of the gym. From strength and conditioning, to restorative yoga and nutrition workshops, to music and creative expression, and much more, each class is designed to facilitate the physical activity, nutrition, and creativity that’s invaluable when achieving long-term sobriety. “I love it here,” said Robert Godwin, a treatment patient at the Odyssey House Rehabilitation Center and attendee of Saturday morning bootcamp. “If it wasn’t for places like this I don’t know what I would be doing. It actually ties me down and keeps me motivated to want to stay sober, to be clean, and to have a new life outside of getting high on the streets. I’m excited. I’m happy. I feel like I’ve actually found a home.” With 100 individual members and seven different treatment centers signed up, FTR serves more than 300
people each week. Art studios, meeting rooms, a community garden, and a play room make FTR much more than the average fitness gym. Instead, it is a place where people in recovery can feel welcome, supported, encouraged, and motivated; it’s a place where community and service go hand in hand. “Ian really believes in people and lets them express themselves how they want,” Garcia said. “And it’s cool to see us get a community impact award for all we’ve done.” In September 2015, Acker and Garcia flew to Washington, D.C. to accept the Utah Community Impact Award from SCORE, the Service Corps of Retired Executives. FTR was selected from 1,500 businesses across Utah for their exceptional efforts in the community. Again, in September 2016, SCORE named FTR the nation’s most Outstanding Community Impact Business. “We were recognized for our outstanding community impact — that’s a pretty big deal,” Acker said. “I’m pretty proud of that.” With a growing member base and additional treatment centers signing on, the future for FTR is very bright. Over the next five years, Acker hopes his business will become self-sustaining, host more programs for physical and creative outlets, and serve more than 500 people per week. Ultimately, Acker intends to franchise the gym in order to meet the needs of those in recovery in every state. “We’re thinking long term, not just here in Utah,” Acker said. “Because the joy is in helping people: the more people we can help, the better we feel.” To learn more about FTR visit Fit2recover.org. l
Every Saturday morning bootcamp is closed out with a traditional group breakdown and inspirational words from founder Ian Acker. “What makes FTR so unique is the amazing group of people we have here,” Acker said. “They give others hope.” (City Journals)
SPORTS
M yWestV alleyJournal .Com
November 2016 | Page 17
Wolverines soccer players get needed experience By Greg James | gregj@mycityjournals.com
Your Career Begins
with Us!
Member Care Representative Software Sales Specialist Customer Service Gaming Guru The Wolverines soccer team celebrated its seniors during their final home game of the season. (Brett Solberg/Hunter soccer)
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he Hunter High School girls soccer team did not have the season they had hoped for, but the team’s goals included more than just winning. “We have had a great group of girls our record does not give us credit for how good they really are. We play in a tough region and for them to battle the way they have it teaches us it is more than just winning. It is about sticking with it and persevering,” said Wolverines girls head coach Brett Solberg. The Wolverines completed their season with a senior night tribute on Oct.6 with a 5-0 loss to Syracuse. They closed out their season with one victory and four ties. Sophomore Rylee Whetsel was the team’s leading scorer. She had four of the team’s 14 goals this season. “As a sophomore and being our leading scorer is pretty cool. Goals did not come easy for us this season. She has made a lot of improvement,” Solberg said. The Wolverines only victory came in a nonregion game Aug. 20 against Ben Lomond 4-2. They scored three goals in the second half to pull away for the victory. “We had some younger first-year players that have made an impact. We also had some four-year players that have been great. I think we had a good combination of rookies and veteran players,” Solberg said. Senior Melany Tello became an important midfielder for the Wolverines. “She has done an excellent job of being physical with people. She has shut down our opponents. Our captains (Gabby Sainsbury, Jenny Ibarra, and Alexus Lovato) have been
stellar. They are solid players and just continued this year being very good. They also improved at being leaders and encouraged the other players to improve,” Solberg said. Solberg would like to see his team play more together in the offseason. Many players separate onto club teams and others do not play at all. “We need to find more opportunities for the girls to play. The more touches we can get the more we can improve. Playing together in the offseason can be important. The teams that are better play together all year round,” Solberg said. Whetsel scored the school’s first goals against Layton and Viewmont this season. “I felt like we really improved a lot from last year. It has been a really good experience. Coach has really tried to keep us improving all season,” said Whetsel. “ I hope I can be a good player on this team. I do not feel any pressure. I am happy that other people see the work I have put in. I really want to be positive for my team.” The Wolverines tied Granger, their rivals, twice this season, 2-2 and 0-0. The Wolverines managed three wins in both 2015 and 2014. “I thought we had a couple of games we really went beast mode on the turf. We are really trying to bond together and be more positive throughout the game,” Whetsel said. Hunter finished in seventh place in Region 2, Granger was just ahead of them in sixth and West finished fifth. The top four teams qualified (Davis, Viewmont, Layton and Syracuse) for the state tournament. The tournament championship is scheduled for Oct. 21 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy. l
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SPORTS
Page 18 | November 2016
Football tradition runs wild at Hunter
WEST VALLEY JOURNAL
Pirate football, I am we are
By Greg James | gregj@mycityjournals.com
By Greg James | gregj@mycityjournals.com
Hunter senior Ty Carlson (#42) is surrounded by his teammates after scoring a touchdown. (Mei Sorenson/Hunter yearbook staff)
Cyprus High School’s football team increased in numbers this season to over 100 kids at fall camp. (Jed Smith/Cyprus football)
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D
he tradition established on the football field at Hunter High School has deep roots set in a running game and winning against its region opponents. “This team is special. They are starting to believe in themselves and in each other and are coming together. They are doing great things,” said Wolverines head football coach Scott Henderson. “Hunter tradition is smash mouth football and that is what we do. We run the ball just like Hunter always has.” A counter running game has been the trademark offense for the Wolverines since the school opened in 1990. The Wolverines have also never missed the playoffs since their inaugural season. This season the playoff appearance hinges on the team’s final regular season game at home against Syracuse Oct. 19 (after press deadline). The running game of the Wolverines accounts for 79 percent of the team’s total offense this season. Entering the final week the Wolverines have amassed 2,124 yards on the ground. The bulk of those yards have come from its two star running backs, senior Ty Carlson and junior Pailate Makakona. In a must-win contest Oct. 13 at home against Davis; Hunter took over after a shanked Davis punt near midfield. Carlson had exited the game with an injured shoulder, but Makakona carried the team down into scoring territory. He took the ball on the 11-yard line, cut through the left side of his offensive line and stretched the ball towards the end zone. His touchdown secured a 31-7 victory for the Wolverines and put them one step closer to a state playoff appearance. “The kids responded. We had good practices this week and did what we always do to prepare. We were just able to overcome our mistakes,” Henderson said. Carlson has 892 yards on 158 carries with 10 touchdowns. He injured his shoulder in the 31-7 win over Davis Oct. 13. Makakona has 117 carries 845 yards and 8 touchdowns.
“It is all about smash mouth football. We know we need to come out as a team and not make mistakes,” Makakona said. When the Wolverines have more than 275 yards rushing in a game they have a record of 4-1. Henderson is not shy about their game plan. “We have done what we need to do. We just really need to finish games. We have shot ourselves in the foot several times,” Henderson said. The Wolverines started the season 1-3. The team’s arch nemesis was turnovers. In the first four games they threw eight interceptions and had four fumbles. Since that time they are 3-2 and only committed three turnovers (two interceptions and a fumble). The offensive line of Lorenzo Fauatea, Omen Moea’i, Lisiate Tauteoli, Tusi Saafi and Dylon Hill has learned to work together and Henderson said they are very important to the running game success. “I love the brotherhood we have. I know my teammates have my back. Our season has been pretty good. I know we can improve on our mistakes and get better,” Carlson said. “We live the tradition and play for all of the kids that came before us. They put a lot of hard work in practice and in the games before we came along. We need to play for them. We talk about the 2003 state championship team. The tradition motivates us to want to be the next Hunter state championship team.” At press time six teams in Region 2 stand tied with 3-2 records; Layton, Syracuse, Davis, Hunter, Granger and Viewmont. In the final week (Oct. 19) the six face off in three games. The three winners will be tied for the first seed and the three losing teams will be tied for fourth. Only four of the six will advance to the state playoffs. The 5A state playoffs are scheduled to begin Oct. 28-29 and the finals are to be held Nov. 18 at Rice Eccles Field at the University of Utah. l
espite the lack of wins for the Cyprus High School football team the coaching staff feels the program is headed in the right direction. Its academic program and the growth of the underclasses have the team excited for the future. “The increase in number of kids in the program is certainly a moral victory. Keeping our kids here has made our younger groups better. This season has been disappointing; we had some big expectations going in. I feel we have improved the talent level of the team, but it has not translated to Friday night yet,” said Pirates head coach Jed Smith. The Pirates only victory this season came Sept. 2 at Copper Hills 29-18. In the win they had 232 total yards on offense, a season high. Senior Brooks Marshall and freshman Albert Taufui ran for a touchdown each. When Smith took over the program 15 months ago the Pirates had finished the season with only 37 kids on the roster. When fall team camp opened this fall 106 students showed up. The Student Ethics Squad (SES) has also helped the student athletes maintain eligibility. “The after school program has made a drastic impact to help us keep kids eligible to participate. We have seen growth in these kids’ lives. We just hope that this success will start to carry over to Friday nights,” Smith said. The SES program has helped student athletes with tutoring and homework. Several students have maintained eligibility because of the program. The school has also been able to earn county grant money to help feed students an after school meal, something some students would not have. These extra programs have helped the Pirates on and off the playing field. The Pirates started 13 underclassman on the varsity team. Smith said some of the younger kids have gotten some valuable experience. The varsity and junior varsity programs are seeing increase in the number of players and some success.
“Clayton Johnson is a sophomore we are really excited about. He is part of our group of younger players that are seeing that success. He is strong and plays like an ox,” Smith said. Johnson is a 6’ 3”, 270-lb. offensive tackle and defensive lineman. “The biggest thing for our program would be for us to win. Winning solves a lot of problems. I think the parents and younger groups are seeing the changes we are making and what we are building,” Smith said. The team adopted the theme is ‘winning isn’t normal.’ “We want to do things that we normally do not do. The normal things were not giving us the results we wanted. Whether it is in the classroom or on the field we want to step out of normal,” Smith said. “Our team motto is I am we are, I am because of everyone else. The team has started to gain the confidence and become better.” The Pirates have seen their hard work begin to change the program. “The seniors have been willing and I could not have asked for a better attitude with them to help us with our purpose and change. Our younger kids will see themselves put a stamp on this change and in a couple of years this will seem like an entirely different program,” Smith said. l
“I feel we have improved the talent level of the team, but it has not translated to Friday night yet.”
November 2016 | Page 19
M yWestV alleyJournal .Com
Summit Senior Living
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t’s time to bust a myth about assisted living facilities — they are not the same as nursing homes. “Assisted living is unique in that it is a home-like setting with daily staff and community engagement and meals with the freedom to come and go as (residents) please,” Nicole Cook, Summit Senior Living community relations director, said. “People are pleased when they realize that there is a difference.” Summit Senior Living in Salt Lake City is part of Milestone Retirement Communities. Founded in 2008, Milestone owns communities in 10 states primarily in the western United States. Local communities operate their day-to-day operations in coordination with the corporate support, infrastructure and policies of Milestone. So, locals call the shots and work in direct tandem with residents and families to develop care plans specific to the individuals living at that community. The Salt Lake community opened in May 2016, offering one of the newest, largest and most up-to-date communities west of I-15. In total, the community has 111 apartments: 75 assisted living and 36 in a memory care neighborhood called Peak Neighborhood. “We try to preserve as much freedom and independence as possible to help maintain people’s dignity,” Cook said.
“We are in the business of caring.” Cook noted that one of the most attractive amenities is their open dining program, which is restaurant style and called “All Day Your Way,” open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a full menu and chef specials at each meal. Residents that are moving in now are shaping the culture and vibe of daily operations of the community, Cook said. “That is fun to see,” Cook said. “Residents feel very empowered because their opinions are taken seriously.” While the community has not reached capacity, new residents are moving in every week. Potential residents who sign on to live at Summit Senior Living can be guaranteed an introductory special rate. The staff can also assist with establishing VA benefits as well. The community provides 44 different floor plans between studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. Each unit varies in square footage to help cater to the style and needs of residents. Executive Director Jim Scadlock joked that the greatest pro and con of the community is that Summit Senior Living is the furthest west of any assisted living facility in the valley. But the reality of massive expansion on the west side of the valley makes Summit one of, if not the best option, for those seeking assisted living or a memory care community
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Page 20 | November 2016
WEST VALLEY JOURNAL
Moto United
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oto United opened its newest location at 98 E. 13800 South in Draper on Aug. 20, providing the good people of Salt Lake County access to a stellar showroom and pre-owned inventory for everything powersports. The grand opening featured pro UTV racer Tanner Godfrey taking customers and their family’s around the custom-designed dirt track at the dealership. The grand opening also featured the inaugural “RZR Show-n-Shine.” Powersports enthusiasts show off their customized RZRs. The best win get prizes at an event that already was a big hit and will likely be a new annual tradition for powersport enthusiasts and pros alike. Moto United – Draper carries some of the best brands in the business: Polaris, Can-Am, Timberselds, and Yeti MX Sleds. Moto United is also the newest and most accessible Polaris dealership in both Utah and Salt Lake Counties. The Moto United – Draper showroom is twice as large—if not larger—than any other deanship in Utah. More space means more machines; and, that means
they can give customers more options. The dealership features have amazing rebates and incentives on Polaris and Can-Am to get the best deals out there. Polaris released some of the best prices they have ever given. They also have a full service department for all powersport vehicles including new and used boats. Moto United mechanics provide more than 30 years of repair experience to customers. Moto United cnn test boats on-location, rather than wasting time and driving to the lake to test it. This service is a year-round service. The test area is basically a pool. “Come into our dealership and see what we have for you,” Chandler Higgins said. “We promise, once you meet us and experience our service, you’ll never go anywhere else.” l
Moto United 98 E. 13800 South in Draper
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Ab’s Drive-In
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fter 65 years of providing “old-fashioned goodness,” Ab’s Drive-In knows better than to compromise on quality. “We don’t have a dollar menu,” owner Elizabeth Beutler said. “We’re better than that.” Being in business for six decades teaches valuable lessons about how to stay in business. Among them, a drive for excellent customer service. “We hope that everyone who comes through the door feels loved and wanted,” Beutler said. “We live in this community, so our customers are our neighbors.” All these lessons started back in 1951 when Albert (Ab) and Dot Beutler opened up the only restaurant west of Redwood Road in a rented tin shack in what was then Hunter, Utah. Ab worked for Kennecott. But he wanted additional income to support his seven children, of which Elizabeth’s husband, Bart, is the youngest. The little eatery provided great food to customers and jobs for the Beutler children, who all learned about the restaurant business.
“We’ve stuck to our guns for 65 years,” Beutler said. Elizabeth and Bart took over in 1990 and eventually opened a second location on 4700 South and 4100 West. They ran both locations for about 11 years. The original location operated until 2003 when they built their newest and only location at 4591 S. 5600 West in West Valley City. “We’ve kept it simple since day one,” Beutler said. “We’ve always cooked-to-order, used fresh meat, cut and cook our fries daily, and we’ve never deviated from that and we don’t use cheap products.” Beutler said many businesses begin their own downfall by changing what made them successful or cheapening the product for greater profits. “Plenty of people tell us ‘you should do this’ or ‘you should do that’ and we just say ‘sorry, this is how things are going to be,’” Beutler said. Ab’s Drive-in operates and will continue to operate under the moniker “old-fashioned goodness.” Come by to taste just that. Order their famous Fat Boy burger, a menu item since the beginning, and one of their handmade shakes. l
Ab‘s Drive-In 4591 S. 5600 West in West Valley City
Page 22 | November 2016
WEST VALLEY JOURNAL
Nine Easy Ways to Instant Gratification
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n this world of instant gratification it’s become harder than ever to keep overspending at bay. Sometimes we neglect to see just how much those little things can add up. I ask you though, if you saw a $20 bill lying on the sidewalk wouldn’t you bend over to pick it up? Improving your bank balance can be as easy as stopping to pick up that cash. Here are a few ideas: Hit the Library for Family or Date Night – Not only is the Library a great place to browse books, pick up videos and borrow music, they also host a variety of events throughout the year. A quick browse of the events section at my local Salt Lake County Library reveled, Teen Laser Tag, Yoga, Adult Coloring, Toddler Playtime, book reading, as well as various holiday events. Use Ibotta – There is a plethora of money saving apps out there. My recommendation for getting started is with the Ibotta app. Ibotta allows you to submit a picture of your receipt and get cash back on purchases from everything from groceries to department stores. They’ll even pay you cash back when you shop online. Plus, for a limited time, new users get a FREE $10 bonus just for cashing in their first rebate. More info at www. coupons4utah.com/ibotta Brew Your Own Coffee – On your way to work and stopping in the convenience store for that quick fix? An average cup of Joe can cost as much as $1.85 vs. the $0.25 fresh home brewed, more if it’s from a specialty shop. You may think it’s worth it, but calculate that for the entire year and that could be as
much as $300 or more in your pocket. That makes me bounce off the walls just thinking about it. Learn to Craft – Ever hear the saying you can’t buy love? Truth is little kids don’t care as much about toys as they do about time. Instead of buying that expensive toy break out empty toilet paper rolls, cereal boxes, left over party supplies and create some memories instead. Visit Coupons4Utah’s Pinterest page for a ton of ideas. Use Your Crock Pot – Crock Pot cooking not only is easier on the electric bill than the oven, it’s also a great way to over cook. Use the leftovers for a second dinner and lunches. Check out Utah food writer www.365daysofcrockpot.com for some amazing recipe ideas. Ditch Brand Loyalty – Instead of sticking with the same old brand name. Shop for sales instead. Or go generic; often the same company makes these products. Blind taste tests have shown that some people can’t tell the difference or prefer them. Nothing ventured, no money gained. Skip The Shopping Cart – Running to the Grocery Store to pick up a few items. By forcing yourself to carry your purchases, you are less likely to buy things you didn’t go for. Or, skip going in the store all together and order your groceries online and pick them up at the curb instead. Many stores now provide this service, including Macey’s, Walmart and Smith’s. I tried out Smith’s Clicklist recently and found this method of shopping easy to
use and the service didn’t cost me a dime. They even let you use coupons. See how it works at www.coupons4utah.com/clicklist Buy Discounted Gift Cards – Remember, there’s no rule saying you have to give the gift card away. If you’re planning on making a large scale purchase, or find yourself shopping often at the same store, pre-buying the gift card at a discount is the way to go. There are many online companies where you can score these treasures; some that I have personally used include the eBay gift card store, Cardpool.com, and Raise.com. Remember, these gift cards spend just like cash, which means you can use them right along with in-store sales, coupons and online coupon codes. Check for Cash Back on New Appliances – Did you know that Rocky Mountain Power has a bunch of cash back incentives. If you find yourself needing a new appliance, water heater, insulation and even light bulbs, make sure to visit the Watt Smart section of their website. If you’re going to purchase a new appliance you might as well be armed with the knowledge of which ones qualify. Also, consider buying these items online using a cash back app. Doing so will add another 3-7% savings. Challenge yourself to start with just a few money saving ideas and the next thing you know you’ll be hooked and on the road to making saving money, instead of spending it, your instant gratification. l
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M yWestV alleyJournal .Com
Home Makeover: Uninspired Edition
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f researchers study my genetic make-up, they’ll find a preponderance of genes that create a longing for candy and silence, and a disturbing lack of genes related to interior design and holiday decorating. When my kids were little, my decorating style was what I called Sticky Chic or Bohemian Toddler. As they grew into teenagers, my design concepts alternated between Early Landfill and Festive Asylum. Now, my style is what I lovingly call Dust. Before Pinterest was a thing, I’d scour magazines for ways to make my home look pleasant that didn’t involve renting a bulldozer or spending $5,000. Now I’ll spend hours on Pinterest, scrolling through images of beautiful kitchens and bathrooms; then I’ll purchase a new garbage can and call it good. I’m amazed by people who can look at a room and visualize décor that belongs in Good Housekeeping because people who visit my home usually ask if I get my decorating ideas from Mad magazine. I just don’t have an eye for that kind of stuff. My genes have no idea
what to do with throw pillows. How can you sit on a couch with 27 throw pillows? Someone once said, “Design is thinking made visual.” If my thinking could be made visual I’m afraid it would include a lot of blank and/or confused stares, accompanied by slow blinking. I know a woman who used a handful of matchsticks and a pound of year-old taffy to sculpt a quaint Halloween yard display.
For Christmas, she twisted three green pipecleaners into a full-size holiday tree, and then adorned it with a dozen hand-knitted baby quail. She leaves a trail of glitter wherever she goes. I hate her. To me, decorating means finding kitchen tile that camouflages spaghetti stains or changing out the family photo that is 10 years old. I have no idea how to arrange lovely accent pieces. If I’m feeling a little wild, I might invest in a scented candle. I was recently asked to help create fun table decorations using crinkly paper strips and plastic flowers. I dumped what I thought was an appropriate amount of paperage and flowers on the table, but my centerpiece looked like a crinkly green nest that had been attacked by crows. The woman in charge of the event walked up to my “decorated” tables and let out a gasp. She quickly rearranged four strands of the crinkly paper and suddenly the whole table transformed into a fairy wonderland with twinkly lights and butterflies. A real decorator
defies the laws of physics. Halloween decorating is easy. I already have the cobwebs and spiders. I just sprinkle some blood on the floor and call it good. Christmas decorating is a little more difficult. Last year, using my sparse skills, I spent the entire afternoon creating a festive holiday atmosphere in our home. My husband walked in, sipping his Diet Coke, and glanced around the room. “I thought you were going to decorate.” I looked at my hours of work and tersely replied, “I did.” “What’s that pile of crinkly paper strips doing in the middle of the room?” There was a long pause while I considered the ramifications of manslaughter. “Don’t you have something to do?” Now that scientists can genetically modify our DNA, perhaps I can get an infusion of the interior design gene. I don’t need to be Martha Stewart level, but at least something a little better than Mad magazine.l
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