REDWOOD DRIVE IN SITE TO BE SOLD TO DEVELOPER
By Tom Haraldsen | t.haraldsen@mycityjournals.com
It didn’t come as much of a surprise, but still, for many residents of West Valley City, the news was a disappointment. The city council, acting on a recommendation from its Planning Commission, voted to rezone the 26-acre site of the Redwood Drive In Theatre from general commercial to medium density residential at its Sept. 17 meeting.
The decision, along with two other approvals from the council including a development agreement, paves the way for demolition of the theaters and termination of the city’s swap meet at that site. Edge Homes, which is purchasing the property from DeAnza Land and Leisure Corp out of Los Angeles, can now build 300 for-sale housing units on the site. That plan calls for three-story condos (40 units), two-story townhouses (244 units) and 15 single-family homes.
The rezone application was recommended for approval in June by planning commissioners. DeAnza informed the city it has operated eight drive-in theaters and three indoor theaters in Utah in the past, with only the Redwood still in operation. The company wants to get out of the business completely and has been working to sell the property, which it can now do to Edge Homes.
Opponents of the rezone, centered almost entirely around vendors and supporters of the swap meet, began taking action immediately. A new nonprofit called the Redwood Road Chamber of Commerce was formed to gather ideas for an alternative way to save the swap meet (see separate story in this edition).
remembrances of the swap meet and its history, pleas for denial of the rezoning request, and personal stories on the importance of the swap meet culture to the community.
Doris Marquez spoke of her father who as a vendor supported a family of seven, allowing his children to pursue higher education. Humberto Sanchez, vice president of the Redwood Road Chamber of Commerce, presented a counterproposal to the current rezoning plan and said the current Redwood site is vital to the community’s history and culture. State Rep. Brett Garner from West Valley City said some residents have concerns about higher-value homes and said there’s a need for better density in the Edge proposal. And Christian Gutierrez Carbajal, who spoke on behalf of the vendors, shared their sentiment that rezoning would mean not just a loss of the swap meet, but possible displacement of many of the vendors who might leave the city because of their loss of jobs and income.
It was then council’s turn to discuss the issue.
An online petition on change.org received over 22,000 signatures in opposition to the rezoning. And before the Sept. 17 council meeting, hundreds of people held a peaceful protest in front of city hall to draw attention to their pleas for keeping the swap meet alive. Many of them later sat in at the meeting, holding signs for their cause, and over three dozen spoke during a public hearing on
the issue.
Only one spoke in favor of the request— Steve Maddox, the owner of Edge Homes. He said his company has been working to understand the community’s needs and pledged to remain committed to the city’s objectives.
Then it was the public’s turn, and the next 39 speakers (the council limited comments to 40 people total) were a combination of
Councilmember Tom Huynh spoke first, saying he was concerned about the Edge Homes proposal and how it would displace the swap meet site, and asked if the city could work with vendors to find a new location where the meet could continue. He asked if City Manager Ifo Pili could help those business owners. He also suggested an underutilized parking lot near the Maverik Center
The West Valley City Council heard from residents angered and concerned over plans to demolish the Redwood Drive In Theatre and eliminate the weekend swap meets. (Tom Haraldsen/City Journals)
Weight Loss Options: What You Need To Know About Diet, Prescription Medications & Surgery
By Catherine Beck, MD
verywhere you turn lately, it seems the topic of weight loss is front and centerfrom billboards to TV to social media and more. And everyone seems to have an opinion on how to lose weight, with some offering weight loss services at a hefty price. So what is the best way to lose weight? How do you start? Is it worth the cost?
At CommonSpirit Holy Cross HospitalJordan Valley, the Comprehensive Medical and Surgical Weight loss program can answer your questions from a reliable, accredited, board certified provider.
Let’s tackle the first question - why you may want to lose weight or why it may be important for you to lose weight. Ultimately, it’s not just about appearances. There are multiple medical problems that improve or resolve with weight loss, including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis and sleep apnea, amongst others.
Weight loss also decreases your risk of multiple types of cancer, specifically breast and colon cancer. In addition, most patients just want to feel better, have more energy, and be able to spend quality time with their family, without the limitations their weight may place on them.
In general, there are typically three ways people lose weight: diet and exercise, medically supervised weight loss, and surgical weight loss.
1. Diet and exercise include any program someone does on their own, including Keto, Weight Watchers, Mediterranean diets, Jenny Craig or meal plans and programs. No specific diet has ever been proven to be more effective than another. In general, any diet and exercise plan will lead to about 5% excess body weight loss on average.
2. Medically supervised weight loss includes using prescription medications to lose weight. Most people immediately think of Wegovy and Zepbound, but there are a lot of medications that help people lose weight and work in different ways. It is incredibly important to know that only a well-trained provider can help patients use the optimal combination of medications to see maximum results with minimal side effects. Medically supervised weight loss should include not only a provider trained in weight loss, but also a dietitian, along with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise. These medications can help people lose up to 20% of their excess body weight if used correctly. Unfortunately, stopping the medication usually leads to weight regain and some patients have side effects that force them to stop the medication.
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could be used as a temporary location.
Councilman Lars Nordfelt said the city can’t dictate how property owners use their land, and Councilman Jake Fitisemanu said Huynh’s suggestions were good but fell outside the scope of the published agenda items for this meeting—those being approval of the rezone and of a development agreement between Edge Homes and the city. Mayor Karen Lang said any discussion about supporting the swap meet should be addressed in future study sessions, and the votes were conducted.
The general plan rezone from commercial to residential passed by a vote of 5-2, with Huynh and Fitisemanu voting no. A second motion to amend the zoning map with the changes was also approved by a 5-2 vote, with Huynh and Fitisemanu dissenting. A third motion entering into the development agreement was approved 6-1, with Huynh voting no.
There is not a specific timetable for what comes next, also a statement circulating a few days later said vendors should be able to continue operating the swap meet at least through October. l
WithParkway Boulevard undergoes widening project
By Darrell Kirby | d.kirby@mycityjournals.com
growth in the surrounding area and the resulting increase in traffic, a section of Parkway Boulevard on West Valley City’s far west side is undergoing a widening project.
Nearly 1 mile of the two-lane roadway between Mountain View Corridor and 6400 West is being widened to two lanes in each direction with a center turn lane and bike lanes.
Commercial and residential development and the extension of Mountain View Corridor across Parkway Boulevard in 2021 has brought more traffic to that stretch of road in recent years. West Valley City engineer Coby Wilson says it is particularly busy during the morning as traffic on northbound 6400 South turns right and heads east on Parkway Boulevard toward Mountain View Corridor and 5600 West. That pattern reverses course later in the afternoon. “That segment does see quite a bit of traffic, so we needed to add some lanes for capacity issues there,” Wilson said.
As part of the widening project, power lines will be moved and curbs, gutters, sidewalks, streetlights, trees and improved drainage will be added to what has long been a narrow thoroughfare with dirt shoulders.
Crews will get as much work done as they can before inclement fall and winter weather sets in and will pick up speed again in the spring with completion targeted for July 2025.
Cost of the project is around $10 million to be paid for through a combination of federal and city funds. “About 80% of this project is federally funded,” Wilson said. A portion of city money comes from the stormwater utility fund, since new storm drains are being installed for the first time along the road.
A similar widening is possible for Parkway Boulevard west of 6400 West, but there are no near-term plans or funding for it. l
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WEST VALLEY TEAM
Signs against the rezone were posted in many locations around West Valley City. (Tom Haraldsen/City Journals)
Residents showed up with signs to voice their opposition to the proposed plan to build 300 housing units on the site. (Tom Haraldsen/City Journals)
Parkway Boulevard between Mountain View Corridor and 6400 West in West Valley City is being widened to accommodate increased traffic. (Darrell Kirby/City Journals)
Longtime staff member now leading Granite School District
There are 86,400 seconds in one day. But somehow, Ben Horsley can fit more into a single day than most people.
That was before he was appointed Granite School District superintendent on July 9. He replaced former Supt. Rich Nye who was named senior education adviser in Gov. Spencer Cox’s administration.
Horsley has worked 15 years with Granite District, including becoming the first chief of staff, serving to Nye the past three years. Previously, he worked under two other superintendents as the District’s director of communications and community outreach; he was responsible for media relations, marketing and community engagement.
Horsley was one of the top candidates in the nationwide superintendent search three years ago. The school board decided to forego a new search to name him to the position.
“In all sincerity, I wasn’t expecting this,” he said shortly after the appointment. “I expected Dr. Nye would be around several years more. I was honored to serve as his chief of staff and learn; he is an amazing educator. The (school) board came to me and expressed they felt that one person who could carry forth the vision Dr. Nye outlined and build on the foundation he had laid was me. They (school board members) asked if I would be willing to do that. After some consideration and conversations back and forth, I agreed. This wasn’t what I was looking for when I came to Granite School District, but I’m happy to be here. I love kids and what we do here.”
He plans to carry forth Granite’s strategic plan.
“Until he (Nye) came in, we had no formal plan or direction. We had initiatives and we had state accountability. We had several things we were trying to jump through, but there was no overarching vision that had been outlined since 2012 when the previous strategic plan was put into place. It was overdue,” Horsley said. “Dr. Nye and I built it and now we need feedback from our teachers and our administrators who are implementing this plan to ensure we’re moving in the right direction in providing quality instruction and improving student outcomes. Every child deserves an opportunity to have a quality education. We have a great foundation, and I’d like to keep that going.”
Granger High Principal Tyler Howe is excited about the direction Granite is heading.
“It’s been student-centered, trying to meet the individual needs of students and Ben is able to carry that shared vision forward,” he said. “He knows Granite. A comment he made in the meeting last week was, ‘I was here for that discussion 15 years ago; I remember how that started.’ There’s some power in having a superintendent who knows the district.”
Howe remembers when he was a new principal and Horsley, then communications director, helped him set up a Twitter account for the school when the platform was launched.
By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
his extensive knowledge of the District, will position him to be influential on capitol hill.
“I am the one who has to understand all the intricacies of their responsibilities and the impacts of the decisions we make at the District and at the state level on them so I can go appropriately advocate for them,” he said. “The relationships I have in place up there (in the Utah legislature) and the understanding of the process puts me in a distinct advantage in being able to advocate for our students.”
He said “most legislators are working toward the same goal most educators are and that is improving outcomes for kids.”
His recent conversations focus on student attendance as some skip school and parents can excuse students from school for any reason.
“Chronic absenteeism has grown since the (COVID-19) pandemic. So, how do we honor and respect parental rights, but at the same time, also address parental responsibilities? Part of that has to do with how we address this huge gap in attendance,” he said, saying lawmakers are working with educators to find an answer.
“Ben has been a support to principals all these years. I’ve been in meetings with him and he’s able to prioritize everything to be in a lot of places at once. He has a lot on his plate yet he’s able to manage everything,” he said.
Howe said not only can Horsley manage to do a 48-hour job in 24 hours, but he’s someone he can trust and feels he’s on his level at the same time.
“Ben comes to this position not just as a communications director or someone in the superintendent’s cabinet, but also as a parent who is present for his five kids and cares for all kids,” Howe said.
In true Horsley fashion, he didn’t wait until his term began to work on his goals. Three days before he officially became superintendent, he had met with most of the District’s 120 administrators and principals, getting to know each of them personally, not just talking “shop.”
“I’ve worked with many of them, but I haven’t always talked about them, their families, their vacations, their dogs’ names,” he said. “I’m about relationships. I love to get to know people and understand how they work. This develops our relationships and bonds us in our common goal in providing quality education for our students.”
The Viewmont High graduate who performed in some school plays and ran cross country also shares about himself.
Horsley is willing to take a pie in the face or do whatever to motivate students’ learning, but he draws the line at jumping out of a plane as he’s “tremendously afraid of heights.”
He loves barbecue and peaches; Abraham Lincoln is one of his favorite historical figures;
and he would love to go see U2 in concert.
“When I was in high school, ‘Joshua Tree’ was my very first cassette tape” that Horsley paid for from mowing lawns. “It’s one of my all-time favorite albums,” and said if there was a superintendent playlist, U2 would be included. He also regularly walks his terrier-pug mix, Pablo.
During Horsley’s first 100 days as superintendent, his aim is to improve the culture Districtwide.
“We’ve been working on a few initiatives in how we support our schools,” he said. “Oftentimes, there’s a top-down mentality and we need to collaborate better with our schools.”
Horsley also is seeking a chief of staff who will serve as a key instructional leader for the District.
“The position will change from what I was doing to fill the needs I have,” he said. “At that point, we will have a strong foundation so the next 90 days are about what kind of house do we want to build and what color is it going to be? A lot of that has to do with improving our professional learning communities, giving adequate supports to our administrators and other small things that can make a world of difference. That’s why I’m going to go out and be in our schools for much of my time each day. I’m going to listen to what people have to say.”
Besides, he said, “As chief of staff, a lot of my time entailed spending it in the classroom and oftentimes reading to kids or doing other activities; that’s the reward of the job so I would not want to miss out on that.”
He believes having those relationships and knowing what is needed in schools, along with
When retired principal Terri Roylance learned about Horsley’s appointment, she knew, “The District is in good hands. As superintendent, he has the opportunity to influence on an even bigger stage. Ben has been right there alongside several superintendents. He knows people. He knows education. He knows the legislature. He knows the District. He can relate to all levels of employees and all levels of kids.”
She remembers Horsley helping make plans from when her school’s baseball team won the state championship on graduation day to tweaking something she’s wrote since “he’s an amazing wordsmith.”
Through her years being an elementary, junior high and high school principal, Horsley, in his calm demeanor, was “right there, answering questions. I’ve called him late at night when I’ve been concerned about something, and he answers his phone or texts an answer immediately. He must live with his phone under his pillow. He’s always been very responsive.”
Horsley intends to communicate with patrons and taxpayers alike.
“I hope those who pay the bill feel they can reach out and know we’re listening,” he said. “People know I’m good at listening, and they can share questions, concerns and suggestions. That skill set will serve me well advocating for our board’s vision, but at the same time, building collaboration, not just within our District, but within the entire community.”
He said those strong relationships and partnerships will be key in collaborating to support District families.
“Schools have traditionally been community centers, but with school choice, that has become more disparate and challenging. We need to make sure people know their schools are still the center of their communities and they’re a welcome place to come together and
Granite School District’s new superintendent, Ben Horsley, standing near a painting of his hero, Abraham Lincoln, is ready to take on the challenge of providing a quality education for 58,000 students.
(Julie Slama/City Journals)
support each other,” he said. “At the same time, schools can’t do it alone. We have the highest amount of diversity and many of our students live in poverty. We need to continue engaging with community partners to provide necessary supports to our students and families. We have strong relationships with our city partners, who are supporting and providing resources to those families who are experiencing change, maybe they’re refugees, in poverty, multi-language learners right here within our communities.”
Granite has about 58,000 students. A report five years ago predicted the school district would level out at 55,000 students largely in part to declining birth rates, so Horsley anticipates another dip of 3,000 students even though about “2,000 new multi-language learners come through our doors every year, with about 200 every year who need intensive support to learn the language.”
Horsley said not everyone is aware of the career and technical programs Granite offers, such as its successful CEO program, now in its third year. Through a partnership between the school and the local business community,
about 20 students each year gain real-world experience each week by meeting with business owners, tour local companies, and are paired with industry leaders as mentors to learn entrepreneurial skills.
“High school looks different today than it did when I graduated in 1995,” he said. “We have 55-plus career pathways available to students. That includes certifications, undergrad work in a variety of diverse fields from robotics to biomanufacturing. We need to continue to expand those opportunities for our kids.”
GTI program facilitator Erin Paulsen said Horsley was helpful with the creation of the CEO program.
“Ben is a real go-getter,” she said. “He ensures the best results for students and gives them access to opportunities. He gives the time to help students become successful even with his other administrative duties. He truly cares about the students and their education.”
Horsley said it’s important to identify students’ passions.
“Some students don’t engage in the same way in a traditional experience. So, we say, ‘Let’s help you meet the state requirements for
Igraduation and at the same time, get you a skill and find you something you are interested in,’” he said.
Horsley knows an ongoing challenge with shrinking population means closing schools within the District. Recently, three elementary schools were closed on the east side and realizes when a study along the 31st South corridor on the west side concludes in December, more school closures likely will be recommended.
“We have lost a lot of students because of a variety of factors including loss to charter schools. It’s time to bring those families back into our schools where they’ll be provided and supported with a myriad of individualized educational options and supports for their families,” he said.
That doesn’t include the agreement between Cottonwood High and AMES, Horsley added.
“That’s a great partnership,” he said. “AMES students use a portion of the facility at Cottonwood and that gives our students access to some of their coursework and their students benefit from Cottonwood’s elective offerings. It’s a unique hybrid. In the same
vein, we created (Neil) Armstrong Academy, and we would look at more opportunities like this that provide students with individualized experiences.”
Parent Bruce Walton first met Horsley who was communicating school activities when his oldest son attended Neil Armstrong Academy.
“Ben is a knowledgeable man, who is a great resource for the entire District,” Walton said. “I was at a District-level meeting about the book selection process required by the state legislature. He was clear and concise and provided an understanding of how the District was implementing the process. He was fully versed about the issue. He knows the law, the issues, the people and our District.”
Cottonwood High teacher Adam Wilkins agrees.
“I don’t know anyone in the District who knows the nuts and bolts of the District better than Ben Horsley,” Wilkins said. “He lives and breathes Granite District and always has its best intention in mind. I’m optimistic about the future of our District with him leading the way.” l
An alternative plan to save the WVC Swap Meet
f Juan Bastidas had his way, the site of the Redwood Drive In Theatre would become the permanent home of one the largest swap meets in the country. He has a great plan to convert the current swap meet site into something much more grand. And he thinks those who display their goods and services each week would go along with the idea.
Bastidas was at the Sept. 17 West Valley City council meeting when a rezoning request was approved, paving the way for demolition of the drive-in and redevelopment by Edge Homes into a new neighborhood for 300 housing units, mostly condos and townhomes. (See separate story in this edition.)
“It’s important to me to keep this swap meet, because it’s extra income to support my family,” he said. “I’ve been coming here for 26 years. I’ve seen as many as 600 vendors here on certain weekends. The swap meet has helped keep my kids busy. At one time or another, they’ve all worked here.”
He also says the meet is a bonus for buyers “because they can find economic prices here, much cheaper than in the mall because of lower overhead and the cost to stores for hiring employees. They can buy new things or used things—find just what they need. We have many tourists who come here, from Colorado or Wyoming, spending their money here in West Valley. That should be important to the city leaders.”
He feels lucky because he has another job during the week to help with his expenses, but he says many others depend solely on the weekend swap meet for their
By Tom Haraldsen | t.haraldsen@mycityjournals.com
income.
“I fear that many vendors will go into bankruptcy,” he said. “They have mortgages, and if they don’t have that extra income, I don’t know what they’ll do. I understand that West Valley is growing and we need more houses, but we also need more businesses. Why do they want to take this big place—26 acres—and make it all housing? It might be nice for them to make 300 families happy, but they’re going to cause hundreds more to be out of work and bankrupt. It doesn’t make sense, and it’s not fair.”
Bastidas says the property could be
reworked into an even larger swap meet space, with vendors renting or leasing small spaces on a permanent basis. He points out that the north section of the theater property, which is not used for the meet, could provide space for hundreds of vendors who would not only provide the city with rental money but also with tax revenue.
Humberto Sanchez agrees. He has formed a nonprofit called the Redwood Road Chamber of Commerce, and he spoke at the Sept. 17 council meeting.
“We created this chamber due to the influx of hundreds of vendors that didn’t feel
represented as people through the process here in West Valley City,” he said. “We’ve been working since June 4 when the application by Edge Homes was made to the Planning Commission.”
He said vendors have expressed the desire to purchase the property and indicated he has investors interested in helping do so.
“Visitors pay $1 to come to the meet,” Bastidas said. “We’ve had as many as 12,000 on a weekend. The city needs to see that and be aware of that. Redevelop this site, split it into spaces about two to three cars wide. Bring in food trucks for customers. I feel many vendors would join into a coop agreement to buy or lease their spaces. So much easier than tearing everything down and building houses, and it would mean more money for the city.” l
Juan Bastidas has been a vendor at the Redwood Drive In swap meet for 26 years, and he wants the city to consider expanding it. (Tom Haraldsen/City Journals)
Hundreds of vendors sell their goods at the swap meet each weekend, which has become a tradition in West Valley City since 1949. (Tom Haraldsen/City Journals)
JENNY WILSON, NATALIE PINKNEY, AND KATIE OLSON
ARE
WORKING FOR WEST VALLEY FAMILIES
NOT WAGING PARTISAN CULTURE WARS.
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson, and County Council candidates Natalie Pinkney and Katie Olson are common-sense public servants. They don’t get distracted by political extremism and culture wars. They are focused on the issues that matter most to Salt Lake County residents:
LOWERING OUR COST OF LIVING MAKING OUR COMMUNITIES SAFER PRESERVING OUR WATER SUPPLY PROTECTING YOUR TAX DOLLARS
PINKNEY
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One of the ways David made sure McDougal Funeral Home stood out was in the color of his coaches (funeral cars). Instead of the usual choices of black or white or gray, David chose baby blue. And that color stuck! Our
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TNew U.S. citizens celebrate a milestone moment
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
hey are business owners, college students and graduates, grandparents and community leaders, and now they’re citizens of the United States. On Sept. 13, more than 70 individuals, representing 32 countries, took the Naturalization Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America and declared loyalty to their new country.
“It’s a great honor to be here, to look forward to being a citizen of this beautiful nation,” said Ukrainian-American Vadym Storozhenko. “For every country that was represented here today, it’s a great honor to be here today to share this achievement.”
Held at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center in West Valley City (1355 W. 3100 South), the event gathered new citizens and their families, Salt Lake County and Salt Lake City officials, and representatives from organizations that serve immigrants across the state.
Abdi Iftin, from the United Way of Salt Lake, came to Utah from Somalia in 2005 at 10 years old. He has since become a U.S. citizen and encouraged those in attendance to get involved in their communities.
“The journey to citizenship is not easy and each of us here today has our own stories to how we got here; stories filled with struggles, perseverance, resilience, and ultimately, stories filled with achievements,” Iftin said. “Citizenship is more than just a legal status. It is a call to participate, to contribute and to give back to the communities that have welcomed you with open arms...citizenship is not just about what we receive, but it’s also about what we give back.”
The naturalization ceremony was part of the Salt Lake Welcoming Week which included a proclamation signing and a resource fair for new citizens that provided voter registration, library information and other services provided by the county. The week also included a community history event and international celebrations. The week’s theme of “We’re All In” was meant to encourage equitable conversations and inclusive opportunities for immigrant communities throughout the state.
Salt Lake County Clerk Lannie Chapman said more than 18 mayors across Salt Lake County signed the welcoming proclamation. While not all county mayors attended the event, mayors from Taylorsville, West Jordan and West Valley were on hand to welcome the new citizens.
Damian Choi represented the Salt Lake City Mayor’s Office. As a naturalized citizen, Choi said he understood the emotions being experienced by those taking the oath of allegiance.
“Belonging provides us with an identity, a sense of meaning, connection and
purpose. It happens when we join groups to solve tough problems in our cities, towns and movements that improve the conditions of our society,” Choi said. “My hope, as well as Mayor Mendenhall’s, is that you find the courage to continue towards kinship and belonging so that we build a culture of makers, thinkers and organizers to build a stronger community that is steeped in love and justice.”
Many new citizens and their families were visibly moved by the ceremony and eager to take their place as voters and community leaders. Several people spoke
to express gratitude for the people who helped get them to this point in their lives. Lava Satini came to America from Tonga in 2019 and was among those taking part in the naturalization ceremony.
“I dreamed of this day ever since I was young,” Satini said. “My mom always taught me that America is the land of opportunities, but this day is so very special. This is a very monumental day for me, and I’m grateful to be a part of this country and have the freedoms I have.” l
More than 70 new U.S. citizens recite the Pledge of Allegiance following a citizenship ceremony at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center. (Peri Kinder/City Journals)
People from more than 30 countries took the oath of allegiance to become U.S. citizens at a naturalization ceremony during Salt Lake Welcoming Week. (Peri Kinder/City Journals)
Valley volunteers come together to beautify West Valley City church
By Darrell Kirby | d.kirby@mycityjournals.com
Their tenets and practices may differ, but that did not keep people of various religious faiths from coming together in service to another in West Valley City.
Volunteers organized by the Interfaith Council of the My Hometown Initiative of West Valley City gathered on a Saturday in September to paint the exterior of Mount Calvary Family Worship Center at 3050 S. 3200 West.
The paint job covered up persistent graffiti which has stained the church building for several years now. “We’re excited to come together as a community and help fix that,” said Mark Rupp, a member of the Interfaith Council which has representation from up to 15 different religions in the area.
The project at Mount Calvary was part of My Hometown’s “Days of Service” in which volunteers repair and clean up homes and other properties in various neighborhoods from April through October.
“There are designated service projects and people from all over the valley come…and take care of fixing up a fence, cleaning up a yard, painting a structure, and so on,” Rich Irion, associate director of My Hometown in West Valley City, told the West Valley City Journal in August.
My Hometown Initiative is a consortium of government, faith and civic organizations that contribute financial and material resources to bring a better quality of life on a neighborhood and community level. With meeting space provided in local meetinghouses of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, My Hometown also holds classes to teach people life skills like English as a Second Language, Spanish, sewing, art, piano, choir, dance, yoga, children’s literacy and also sessions on parenting and self-confidence.
Some 50 volunteers donning orange or yellow vests took paint brushes and other tools in hand to freshen up the nearly 25-year-old building housing Mountain Calvary. “It’s thrilling. It fulfills the dream of people all across the valley coming together for a common cause to help improve and make something better,” Rupp said.
Mount Calvary pastor Jaime Moreno felt the blessing of watching so many people with no connection to his church take time to beautify it. “We started praying and this is one of our answers to prayers seeing all these people volunteering and working here in our local church,” he said. Moreno added that it will also energize his 200 parishioners. “We love to serve our community. Seeing all these people here working means a lot for us as a church. We don’t want to be just another church in the city. We want to be the church for the city.”
One of the volunteer painters was Zach Burningham of the Draper Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “Different congregation, but that’s OK. We’re all brothers and sisters here to help,” he said. “I think it’ll look a lot better when we’re done.”
And indeed it did.
The paint was donated by Sherwin-Williams and some current and retired painters offered assistance. l
Volunteers, including from different religious faiths, paint the exterior of Mount Calvary Family Worship Center in West Valley City. (Darrell Kirby/City Journals)
Chiefs’ victory means Mayor Lang will do a service project in Salt Lake County
It was all for fun, and a good cause. West Valley City Mayor Karen Lang, an Atlanta Falcons fan, and Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson, a longtime fan of the Kansas City Chiefs, decided to put a little wager on the game between the two teams on Sept. 22.
The mayors and their spouses flew to Atlanta to watch the battle, and both expressed optimism pregame.
“I am a Chiefs fan, all the way,” exclaimed Wilson. “When Mayor Lang and I realized we were both die-hard football fans, going to a game together, where both of our favorite teams were playing, just made sense. I love a good sporting rivalry! Go, Chiefs!”
Loyal to the Falcons, Lang looked forward to them having the home team advantage.
“I am a Falcons fan through and through,” Lang declared. “We joke that Atlanta is my second city because, as a season ticket holder, I’m there a lot. This is going to be an exciting game, and I look forward to the win.”
It proved to be a good game, with the Chiefs, two-time reigning Super Bowl champions, escaping with a 22-17 victory. It was the K.C. defense sealing the deal with two fourth down stops inside the 25-yard line in the final minutes to seal the deal.
Now that the mayors are back in Salt Lake County, the mayor of the losing team (Lang) has agreed to participate in a service project of Wilson’s choice. That project is yet to be named, but the winner of this friendly “battle” will be a project in the county. l
By Tom Haraldsen | t.haraldsen@mycityjournals.com
West Valley City Mayor Karen Lang and Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson met in Atlanta to watch the NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons. (Photo West Valley City Facebook page)
CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR WEST VALLEY CITY
By Tom Haraldsen | t.haraldsen@mycityjournals.com
Oct. 3–West Valley City Farmers Market, 5-9 p.m., Centennial Park
Oct. 5–NHL Preseason, Utah Hockey Club vs. LA Kings, 7 p.m., Maverik Center
Oct. 5–Breaking Benjamin & Staid, 5:30 p.m., Utah First Amphitheatre
Oct. 10–Movie in the Park, “The Little Mermaid,” 7 p.m., Centennial Park
Oct. 11-Nov. 2– “Jekyll and Hyde,” West Valley Arts, 3333 Decker Lake Drive
Oct. 11, 12 and 15–Imagine Dragons, 7 p.m., Utah First Amphitheatre
Oct. 12–MyHometown Central Granger Day of Service, 8 a.m.-noon
Oct. 16–West Valley Wednesday, Watch Wednesday, 6 p.m., Zoom webinar
Oct. 17–Zach Williams feat. Cain, Matt Maher and Ben Fuller, 7 p.m., Maverik Center
Oct. 18–Gabriel Iglesias, 8 p.m., Maverik Center
Oct. 18–Porter Robinson, 8 p.m., Utah First Amphitheatre
Oct. 19–MyHometown West Granger Day of Service, 8 a.m.-noon
Oct. 19–MyHometown North East Granger Day of Service, 8 a.m.-noon
Oct. 19–FallFest, Roots Charter High School Garden, 12-2 p.m.
Oct. 19–Wicked Wolverine Halloween Bar Crawl, 5-11 p.m., Valley Fair Mall
Oct. 23–Monster Mash Dance Party, 6 to 8 p.m., West Valley Family Fitness Center l
OnSept. 5, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced over $5 million in funding for road improvements across Utah. This funding is part of the Safe Streets and Roads for All initiative led by DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
“The SS4A program gives local and tribal governments the resources to plan and implement the safety improvements that will make the most difference in their communities,” said U.S. Transportation Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg in a statement. “They know what is best, and this program leverages that local expertise to save lives.”
A significant portion—$2.94 million—will go toward enhancing safety along a 6.4-mile stretch of Redwood Road in Salt Lake City, between 2300 North and State Route 201. According to a statement from the USDOT, the lack of safe crossing points has resulted in more people making unmarked crossings, posing risks to both pedestrians and cyclists.
“We should be energized by the fact that together we’ve reduced traffic fatalities for more than two years
“I
Fred
Utah receives $5M for road safety
By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com
in a row now—but so much work remains to fully address the crisis on our roads,” said Buttigieg.
The city's plan to address these issues includes several cost-effective measures such as adjusting traffic signals, installing high-intensity crosswalk beacons, and expanding sidewalks along Redwood Road.
This $5.03-million allocation to Utah is part of a larger $1 billion in grants distributed nationwide. Salt Lake City is set to receive nearly 60% of the state's funding, with the remainder spread across various other locations. The Jordan River Commission will receive $1.08 million, while $400,000 each will go to the Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District and Cottonwood Heights. Additionally, Heber City will get $120,000, and Alpine City will receive $87,744.
In Southern Utah, the Navajo Nation Division of Transportation has been awarded more than $1 million as part of the initiative. l
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HALLOWEEN SECTION
A publication covering local Halloween legends and activities for everyone around the Salt Lake Valley
6 terrifying haunted locations in Salt Lake County to visit this Halloween
By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com
When the air grows chilly and the veil between worlds thins during Halloween, Salt Lake County becomes a playground for the paranormal. This region, steeped in history and folklore, is home to some of Utah’s most spine-chilling locations where ghost sightings and eerie encounters are the norm. Whether you’re a thrill seeker or a believer in the supernatural, these terrifying places will give you goosebumps long after you’ve left. If you're looking for a truly terrifying Halloween experience, here are the scariest haunted spots in Salt Lake County.
Fear Factory
Located just outside downtown Salt Lake City, Fear Factory isn’t just a haunted attraction for thrill seekers—it’s a real-life haunted site. Once the Portland Cement Factory, this massive industrial facility was the scene of numerous gruesome deaths, including factory accidents where workers were crushed by machinery or fell into vats of cement. Today, the factory stands abandoned, except for the reported spirits of the workers who died there.
Visitors and staff at Fear Factory have reported hearing eerie whispers, seeing shadowy figures dart across the dilapidated buildings, and feeling an oppressive energy that seems to follow them. One of the most harrowing sightings is that of a disembodied hand, believed to belong to a worker who lost his life in a terrible accident. On Halloween, the site transforms into a commercial haunted house, but many say the real terror is the spirits that never left.
The Old Mill
Arguably the most infamous haunted location in Salt Lake County, the Old Mill sits abandoned in Cottonwood Heights, shrouded in mystery and fear. Built in the late 1800s, the mill was used to process
grain before a fire destroyed much of the building. While the mill has stood vacant for decades, it has gained a reputation as one of Utah’s most terrifying places.
Local legends claim that the Old Mill is haunted by the ghosts of workers who died in the fire, as well as by more sinister forces. Paranormal investigators have reported intense cold spots, phantom footsteps, and feelings of dread upon entering the property. The most terrifying accounts tell of shadowy figures watching from the upper floors, and some visitors claim to have been physically touched or shoved by unseen hands. Trespassing is illegal, but that hasn’t stopped urban explorers from visiting—many of whom leave in a hurry, spooked by the unsettling atmosphere.
The Shilo Inn
The Shilo Inn, now a Holiday Inn Express, is one of Salt Lake City's most tragic and haunted locations. In 1978, the hotel became the site of a horrific mass murder-suicide when a mother, who had become obsessed with religious doomsday beliefs, threw her seven children from the hotel’s balcony before leaping to her death. The tragedy shocked the community, and ever since, the hotel has been plagued by paranormal activity.
Guests have reported hearing the sound of children crying or laughing in the hallways, even when no children are staying there. Some have woken up to see ghostly children standing at the foot of their bed, only for the figures to disappear moments later. The hotel's staff also report eerie occurrences, such as flickering lights, doors opening and closing on their own, and sudden cold drafts. This real-life horror makes the former Shilo Inn one of the most unsettling locations in Salt Lake County and a place few would dare stay on Halloween night.
The Old Deseret Hospital
Located near the historic Avenues District in Salt Lake City, the Old Deseret Hospital opened its doors in 1882, catering mainly to women and children. While the hospital is long gone, many locals believe that the spirits of patients who died there still linger. Those who visit the area report hearing phantom cries, especially at night, and some have even seen the apparition of a nurse walking down where the hospital once stood.
Today, the location is a hotspot for ghost hunters who claim that the residual energy from the building still haunts the area. As the sun sets, the once-bustling neighborhood can take on a much more somber and eerie tone, making it the perfect place for a Halloween exploration.
The Rio Grande Depot
A hub of history, The Rio Grande Depot in Salt Lake City was once a bustling train station. Now home to offices and a museum, it’s better known for the ghostly “Purple Lady,” a spectral figure seen wan-
dering the building. According to legend, the Purple Lady died on the train platform in the 1920s after a lover’s quarrel. Distraught, she either fell or was pushed in front of a train, her body mangled in the accident.
Since then, her ghost has been spotted by countless people, often appearing in her elegant purple dress, wandering the halls or standing at the end of the platform. Lights flicker mysteriously, and security guards working after hours have reported objects moving on their own and the feeling of being watched. The depot’s cavernous halls amplify every sound, making even the slightest noise unsettling. On Halloween night, the energy in the depot becomes even more intense, and many believe it’s the best time to catch a glimpse of the Purple Lady herself.
Asylum 49
Technically located just outside Salt Lake County in Tooele, Asylum 49 deContinued on page 21
Which haunted house is the best in Utah?
By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com
When does “spooky season” really start? For most of the haunted attractions in Utah, the answer appears to be September.
But when the attractions open, how do you know where to go? Well, reviews have a lot to say when it comes to that. Here are the most highly rated haunted attractions in Utah.
Some attractions may not be included on this list if certain information—such as Google reviews, websites, or a 2024 schedule—was not available.
Castle of Chaos Haunted House and Escape Rooms, Midvale
Castle of Chaos Haunted House and Escape Rooms is a year-round attraction that has earned a 4.6-star rating from more than 2,600 Google reviews. The attraction has a 3.7-star rating from 110 reviews on Yelp.
The haunted house attraction is open Sept. 6 and will run most weekends for the remainder of September. In October, the haunted house will be open for most days except for the first three Wednesdays.
The haunted escape rooms have many different themes: Paranormal, “Nightmare Realm,” serial killer, asylum
By Bailey Chism
As the days grow shorter and the air crisper, a curious transformation takes place. Porches are adorned with jack-o'-lanterns, cobwebs, and eerie decorations, and people willingly seek out haunted houses, scary movies and tales of the macabre. The question arises: why do we love to be scared, especially around Halloween?
At the heart of this fascination is the adrenaline rush that accompanies fear. When faced with a frightening situation— whether it’s the jump-scare in a horror film or the ominous creak of a floorboard in a haunted house—our bodies react instinctively. The "fight or flight" response kicks in, releasing adrenaline and other stress hormones that heighten our senses and quicken our pulse. This surge of energy can be thrilling, especially when we know we are in no real danger. It’s the same reason people enjoy extreme sports or roller coasters; the controlled risk makes the experience exhilarating rather than terrifying.
Beyond the physical thrill, there’s a deeper psychological process at play: catharsis. Halloween, with its focus on the eerie and the supernatural, provides a socially acceptable outlet for exploring our
and lockdown. Tickets for the escape rooms range from $27 to $30.
The haunted house starts at $20 for groups of one to six people.
Nightmare on 13th, Salt Lake City
Nightmare on 13th is a haunted house located in Salt Lake City and its website declares its “Utah’s No. 1 scariest haunted house,” and the attraction boasts a 4.5star rating from more than 2,000 Google reviews. On Yelp, the haunted house has a 4-star average from about 80 reviews.
Nightmare on 13th is scheduled to open Friday, Sept. 13 and will run on Fridays and Saturdays for the remainder of September. In October, the haunted house will be open most days except Sunday. The haunted house will also run the first two days of November.
Tickets can range from $25 to $76 depending on the days and times you choose to attend.
Fear Factory, Salt Lake City
Fear Factory in Salt Lake City is located at 666 W. 800 South, and says on its website that it's “one of the top Halloween attractions in the world.”
Based on more than 2,600 Google
reviews, it averages a 4.4-star rating from visitors. On Yelp, it averages a 3.3-star rating from just over 110 reviews.
Fear Factory is set to open Friday, Sept. 6 and will be open on weekends in September before opening Wednesday through Sunday for most of October. The haunted house will be open for “Lights Out Night” on the first two days of November.
Tickets for Fear Factory can range from about $30 to about $250 depending on which experiences and souvenirs you’re interested in.
Haunted Forest, American Fork
The Haunted Forest in American Fork averages about 4.2 stars from almost 1,300 Google reviews, and 2.8 stars from 33 Yelp reviews.
The attraction doesn’t have a set schedule available online for 2024, but has advertised its featured attractions for 2024: Leech Lagoon at Bone Creek and Alien Attack.
Strangling Brothers Haunted Circus, American Fork
The Strangling Bros. Haunted Circus in American Fork has earned a 4-star rating from more than 660 reviews on Google. On Yelp, it’s garnered a 2.8-star rating
from about 40 reviewers.
The haunted circus’s website said it was “voted the No. 1 scariest haunted house in Utah” but it also offers visitors the chance to walk through the forest without the scare actors.
The circus is expected to begin Friday, Sept. 13 and will continue on Fridays and Saturdays for the rest of the month. Starting Oct. 1, the attraction will be open most days except Sunday.
Tickets for the haunted attraction can range from $30 to $80 depending on whether you purchase general admission, fast pass or VIP tickets.
Other Haunted Options
While there are far more haunted attractions than those listed, the attractions listed about are what the public deems to be the best of the best. A few other attractions in Utah are listed below:
• Asylum 49, Tooele
• Field of Fear, West Haven
• Frightmares, (Lagoon Theme Park) Farmington
• Hidden Lake Haunts, Bountiful
• Night Stalkers Haunted Trail, West Jordan
fears. In everyday life, we often suppress feelings of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. Engaging with scary stories or participating in Halloween rituals allows us to confront these emotions head-on, in a safe and controlled environment. This confrontation can lead to a sense of release or relief, a psychological cleansing that leaves us feeling lighter and more at ease.
Another key aspect of why we enjoy being scared around Halloween is the social element. Fear, much like laughter, can be contagious. When we experience something frightening with others— whether it’s huddling together during a horror movie or navigating a haunted maze as a group—we create shared memories and bond over the mutual experience. The laughter and camaraderie that often follow a good scare are part of what makes these experiences enjoyable. They bring people closer, fostering a sense of connection and community.
The tradition of celebrating fear during Halloween has deep cultural roots. Originating from ancient Celtic festivals like Samhain, where people believed the veil between the living and the dead was at its thinnest, Halloween has long been asso-
ciated with the supernatural. Over time, these traditions evolved, blending with other cultural practices to create the Halloween we know today—a holiday where the scary, the strange, and the spooky are celebrated. Participating in these rituals, whether by donning a scary costume or telling ghost stories, is a way of connecting with these ancient traditions and honoring the past.
There’s also an element of curiosity
and exploration in our love of Halloween scares. The unknown, the mysterious, and the macabre have always fascinated humanity. Halloween provides a socially acceptable opportunity to delve into these darker aspects of life, to question what lies beyond the veil of our everyday existence. It’s a time to explore themes that are often taboo, such as death, the supernatural, and the afterlife, in a way that is both playful and profound.
Halloween offers a form of escapism. In a world filled with daily routines and responsibilities, the chance to immerse ourselves in a night of fantasy and fear is a welcome diversion. It allows us to step out of our ordinary lives and into a world where anything can happen—a world of ghosts, goblins and ghouls.
So, as you carve your pumpkin, don your costume, or settle in for a scary movie this Halloween, remember that the thrill of fear is not just a seasonal pastime. It’s a complex, multifaceted experience that taps into deep-seated psychological needs and cultural traditions, making it a beloved part of the Halloween season.
10 family-friendly Halloween activities this month
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Halloween is a spooky time for families to create lasting memories. From eerie displays to costume contests, many activities in Salt Lake County cater to all ages, ensuring everyone gets in on the festive spirit. These family-friendly, spine-tingling adventures will bring excitement to your Halloween celebrations while keeping the scares at a comfortable level.
BooLights, Hogle Zoo (2600 Sunnyside Ave., SLC)
Specific nights from Oct. 2-30, 6:309:30 p.m., $12.95-$18.95
This after-hours light display transforms Hogle Zoo into a bewitching destination. With entertainment and attractions like Dr. Frankenstein's Lab Show at the Wildlife Theatre, the event is the perfect way to celebrate the season. Costumes are allowed, but face-covering masks and any resemblance of weapons are prohibited. Check HogleZoo.org for dates. Little Haunts, This is the Place Heritage Park (2601 Sunnyside Ave., SLC)
October 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $14.95-$18.95
Don your costumes and visit This is the Place for storytelling, trick-or-treating and take-home crafts. Learn about creepy bugs at the Creature Encounters and enjoy the petting corral, pony and train rides and more. Bring your own trick-or-treat bag. Tickets at ThisIsThePlace.org.
Riverton Halloween Bash, Riverton City Park (12600 S. 1452 West)
Monday, Oct. 14, 6-8 p.m., FREE
This annual Halloween tradition features age-appropriate games and activities for every family member. Snap holiday
pictures at the photo booth and enjoy the Scare Rodeo spook alley. Families are encouraged to wear costumes.
BOOtanical, Red Butte Garden (300 Wakara Way, SLC)
Oct. 17-30, Members $13, Public $16
BOOtanical Nights, 6-9 p.m. and BOOtanical Days, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Visit the magical world of Wonderland, where you can find hidden seeds and stop the Jabberwocky from transforming Wonderland forever. Join the adventure at RedButteGarden.org.
The Haunted Woods, Murray City Park (296 E. Murray Park Ave.)
Oct. 21-25, 5:30-9 p.m., $5
A family-friendly haunted attraction, the Haunted Woods offers a “Silly Trail” and a scarier “Spooky Trail” so everyone can have fun. All proceeds fund child abuse prevention programs. Tickets at MurrayHauntedWoods.com.
Monster Mash dance party, West Valley City Family Fitness Center (5415 W. 3100 South)
Friday, Oct. 25, 6-8 p.m., $5 per person, 50% off for members
The West Valley Halloween Dance Party is a fun time for the family with dancing, balloons and a costume contest. Pre-register by Wednesday, Oct. 23 at WVC-Ut.gov.
Halloween Fun Fest & Disability Resource Fair, Miller Conference Center (9750 S. 300 West, Sandy)
Saturday, Oct. 26, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., FREE
This event features trick-or-treating, sensory activities and DJ Rebecca to
keep the music hopping. Caregivers can chat with experts and find resources. Costumes welcome!
Samhain Festival, Gallivan Center (239 S. Main Street, SLC)
Sunday, Oct. 27, Noon-7 p.m., $13$15
Experience Samhain, the festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Learn pagan traditions, enjoy live entertainment and food trucks, and activities for all ages.
Halloween Spooktacular, Abravanel Hall (123 W. South Temple, SLC)
Tuesday, Oct. 29, $8-$45 Wear a costume to this night of
hair-raising melodies featuring music from Halloween favorites. Watch and listen as members of the Utah Symphony bring monsters to life. Find tickets at UtahSymphony.org.
Día de los Muertos celebration (Millcreek Common, 1354 E. Chambers Ave., Millcreek) Oct. 27-Nov. 2, FREE
Celebrate Día de los Muertos at Millcreek Common. Bring photos of loved ones for the community Ofrenda and enjoy the Halloween Party on Oct. 31 from 7-10 p.m. The big celebration is on Nov. 2, from 6-9 p.m., with the La Catrina parade, mariachi music, face painting, traditional treats and the movie “Coco.”
Continued from page 19
serves a mention for its terrifying proximity and haunted history. Once a hospital, this site is now a full-fledged haunted attraction. But while actors and special effects create a terrifying show, the real horror lies in the ghosts that are said to haunt the building.
Former patients of the hospital are believed to roam the halls, and many visitors have claimed to see shadow figures, hear ghostly voices, and feel sudden cold spots. Paranormal investigators have documented disembodied voices and even poltergeist activity in certain rooms. Unlike most haunted houses, Asylum 49 encourages interaction with both the living and
the dead, making it one of the most immersive and frightening haunted locations in Utah. If you're looking for an experience that blurs the line between entertainment and real paranormal encounters, this is the place to go.
Salt Lake County is filled with ghostly tales and terrifying haunted sites, each with its own dark history and eerie energy. From the real-life tragedy at the Shilo Inn to the haunted corridors of the Old Mill, these locations offer a chilling experience that will make for a Halloween night you won’t forget. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, these haunted places are sure to give you a scare, leaving you wondering what might be lurking just out of sight.
Families have a variety of choices when choosing fun holiday activities in October. (Stock photo)
The Old Mill in Cottonwood Heights. (File photo City Journals)
Draper’s Kuwahara’s Pumpkin Patch and Thriller Park open for the season
By Rebecca Olds | rebecca.o@thecityjournals.com
Kuwahara’s Pumpkin Patch and Thriller Park opened for the season on Sept. 20, giving thrill seekers more than a month to enjoy the park. Alex Kuwahara, the park’s owner, started the pumpkin patch when he was 12 years old at the original location now called Kuwahara Wholesale. It’s since grown into a pumpkin patch paradise with 25 to 30 different varieties of locally-grown pumpkins and pumpkin archways. He now runs the park along with his wife Sarah Kuwahara.
“That was a big expansion when we started to decorate our tunnels and do it all,” she said. “I mean, we always decorated them but when we made the switch to making it a real wow factor, that's definitely what puts us on the map in pumpkin patches.”
In 2016, the thriller part of the park was added and has been growing ever since.
“I would like the community to know just how much goes into this,” Sarah Kuwahara said. “We have lots of immersive attractions…[and] lots of employees here to make it awesome, so it really is a bang for your buck when you think about what
you're getting.”
Overall, the park employs about 120 people to make the experience as smooth and as fun for the crowds as possible.
More than 30 attractions draw crowds yearly, including the pumpkin patch, haunted house, Halloween Main Street, Once Upon a Time land, corn maze, Grand Bizarre, a magician and more. A crowning feature of the park is the shows and dance parties on the center stage, keeping the Halloween atmosphere alive with live entertainment ranging from fire dancers to musical performances.
Kuwahara said that park visitors can expect a reimagined pirate show to make a reappearance and the popular fire show to be back this season.
During the 2023 season, Kuwahara said more than 40,000 people visited the park and she expects even more this year.
Her advice for those experiencing the park for the first time or the 100th time is to come at night.
“At night, you really get to experience the lights and all the fun,” she said, with a big smile.
More information on park hours, pricing and events can be found online at www.kuwaharawholesale.com.
A mom takes a picture of her kids in Kuwahara’s Pumpkin Patch on opening night of the park, Sept. 20.
Known as a go-to fall picture destination, these teens came dressed for the occasion with crocheted pumpkin hats.
In the Grand Bizarre, vendors like Angie Broadbent (left) from Gemini Twins Art Studio and Photography, dress in their best ghoulish costumes to sell their wares.
Dracula was the first performance to don the stage during opening night of the park on Sept. 20. (Photos by Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
Face painting artist, Terri Williams, shows her customer the first glimpse at her handiwork in the Grand Bizarre. (Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
The Once Upon a Time addition to the park gives kids (and parents) a chance to immerse themselves in the magic of the season. (Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
Kuwahara’s is full of magical decorations to set the scene in each part of the park. (Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
Parkgoers enter the park’s corn maze. (Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
To the left of the park entrance is an archway that leads to the big stage. (Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
This is a local family’s second year going to the park where carts allow for easy pumpkin towing when you’ve found the best pumpkin in the patch.
A brave little girl is held up by her mom while she rings the bell to the cheers of a park employee before she enters the haunted house. The entrance to the pumpkin patch where more than 25 varieties of pumpkins await.
by Elect Jake Fitisemanu
Expanding the My County Rec Pass program
InJune, the Salt Lake County Council launched the My County Rec Pass, a program offering school-age children free entry to participating Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation amenities, including pools, public skate sessions at four skate centers, supervised climbing walls, open gym time, and fitness area access for older teens. The program has been an enormous success. As of mid-August, over 60,000 people had registered.
The council recently expanded the program to include children ages 3-4 and has offered to reimburse families that might have purchased an annual pass after June 1, 2024, for their 3-4-year-old children. Children under 3 are already able to enter these facilities at no cost.
The My County Rec Pass program is funded by TRCC (Tourism, Recreation, Culture & Convention), a tourist tax from the county's tourism, recreation, culture and convention tax revenue from restaurants and rental cars. A little more than $2 million went toward the program, and we hope it will end up paying for itself as more and more parents purchase rec center passes so they can play with their kids.
I believe we must also look to expand the program to include all non-participating rec centers, including Murray, Alta Canyon Sports Center, Kearns Oquirrh Park Fitness Center, West Valley Recreation Center and
Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center. These facilities are not county-owned. Some are city owned or in a special service district, but it would be great to allocate TRCC funds for them to participate.
Given the popularity and positive impact of the My County Rec Pass program, I plan to advocate for TRCC funding for the city-owned rec centers to adopt this same program. My goal is to help expand accessibility to these
facilities and ensure all of our county's schoolage children can enjoy the benefits of recreation and community engagement.
The county wants to be an excellent partner to cities and towns. Helping our cities and towns access funding and expanding the My County Rec Pass program will benefit all county residents.
We are proud of the My County Rec Pass program. It not only encourages physical activity and social interaction among children, but also improves mental health by getting kids off devices and connecting with others. By promoting healthy, active lifestyles and fostering
a sense of community, this program is making a significant difference in the lives of our children and families.
Have you taken advantage of this amazing program? Just go to your local Salt Lake County Parks and Rec location with proof of ID and an adult (who must show proof of residency), get a photo, and begin enjoying this free resource for Salt Lake County youth. We also encourage parents to purchase an annual pass so they can enjoy these activities with their kids.
As a sugar fiend, Halloween was a High Holy day in my childhood. Like a squirrel, I used the holiday to gather and hoard candy that would last me through the autumn months until Santa could fill my stocking with tooth-breaking peppermint discs.
On Halloween, my siblings and I would take pillowcases and trick-or-treat through the neighborhood. When the bags were full, we’d bring home our haul so Mom could scrutinize each piece. She’d look for razor blades poking out of apples, unwrapped candy laced with angel dust and Butterfinger bars that she confiscated as Halloween tax.
In sixth grade, I went trick-or-treating with a boy and we dressed as square dancers because Mr. Madson had taught us how to dance and it was an easy costume. The boy was more interested in trying to kiss me than in securing candy. So I told him we had no future and do-si-doed to the next house to see if they were handing out full-size candy bars.
The gathering of candy was just the beginning. After mom crime-proofed my loot, I’d sort it into categories: chocolate bars, Charms Blow-Pops, fruity Wacky Wafers, Pixy Stix, flavorless Smarties, wax bottles filled with questionable liquid, hard-as-rock orange taffy, Bazooka bubble gum and boring Tootsie Rolls. Then, I’d count each piece so I’d know if one of my bratty siblings took anything.
Once my bag-o-cavities was categorized and counted, I’d hide it under my pillow and sleep on it like Smaug protecting his treasure from the grubby hands of mortals. I sometimes woke up with a lollipop stuck to my face.
The real benefit of Halloween candy was having access to sweet treats at school. Sneaking candy to school was the tricky part. On Nov. 1, teachers knew we’d all have pockets full of candy and we wouldn’t be able to pay attention un-
Give Me Some Sugar
Peri Kinder
Life and Laughter
til after Thanksgiving. But they attempted to confiscate any sugary substance, so I had to be strategic.
I’d pretend to look for something in my desk and shove a handful of Milk Duds in my mouth. Invariably, the teacher would call on me as soon as I had the candy stuffed in my cheeks like a chipmunk. Do you know how hard it is to talk with a mouthful of Milk Duds?
After school, I’d dash home to my pile of candy to recategorize and recount, and to punish anyone within screeching distance if one piece of Laffy Taffy was missing. Yes, I was a bit obsessive. I understand that now.
Halloween candy was also perfect for smuggling into Sunday school. If I could get it past my mom, I could snack all through the long Sunday services. At the time, dresses didn’t have pockets (those were hard times) so I had to resort to creative options.
My socks became repositories for candy contraband. I was too young to realize mothers notice when their child’s legs are suddenly shaped like Baby Ruth bars. Plus, the plastic candy wrappers strapped around my ankles made a crinkling and crackling noise as subtle as a bull in a china shop.
A week after Halloween, my candy stash had dwindled
significantly. I needed to cut back if it was going to last until Christmas but the Bottle Caps, the Sugar Babies, the Bit-oHoney and the Boston Baked Beans called to me like a siren on a rock.
Whether I battled the world’s loudest candy wrappers or faced the principal for participating in black market candy sales, Halloween remained my favorite holiday. I still squirrel away my favorite candies and I warn everyone to touch my cache at their peril.
KeyBank is happy to celebrate one year of serving the West Valley City community. Since opening, we’ve been privileged to form relationships with many of our neighbors, offering products, service, and advice that help bring them closer to their financial goals.
We invite you to come and discover what KeyBank can do for you.
KeyBank West Valley City
2807 South 5600 West
West Valley City, UT 84120
Branch Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.