West Valley January 2016 by The City Journals

January 2016 | Vol. 2 Iss. 01

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Thursday Food Truck League Comes to West Valley By Jessica Thompson

page 4 Clarks Island Donuts, The Matterhorn French Toast and the Satisfactory are just some of the food trucks that are a part of the Thursday Food Truck League. Photo Credit: Jessica Thompson

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page 5 Scan Here: Interactive online edition with more photos.

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Page 2 | January 2016

LOCAL LIFE

WEST VALLEY JOURNAL

Meet the City Journals Team

he team at City Journals is excited to keep residents in Salt Lake County informed about the great things that are happening in local communities with each of our 12 publications. Our hyperlocal focus is designed to highlight news, city government, education, sports and businesses where it matters most – close to home. We encourage residents to reach out to us and let us know the great things they see happening in their neighborhoods. At the start of this new year, we extend our greetings and well-wishes to all of our readers.

Bryan Scott is the creative director of the City Journals. He is the decision maker that oversees all departments, including editorial, design, distribution, operations and sales. Bryan has made Salt Lake City home for the last two years. Rachel Hall joined the team in 2015 as the assistant editor. She has experience as an ESL teacher, GED instructor and librarian, as well as a local news reporter in Houston. She is a native Texan, but has enjoyed her time in Utah since relocating here in 2014. Brad Casper is the director of operations who also oversees distribution of all of the Journals. He was born and raised in Utah and graduated from BYU-I with a degree in business management and finance. He is married to Lauren and together they have one daughter. Ryan Casper is the director of advertising. He has a sales and marketing back-

From left to right: (Back row) Steve Hession, Ryan Casper, Brad Casper and Bryan Scott. (Middle row) Elissa Wall, Melissa Worthen, Rachel Hall and Trevor Roosa. (Seated) Stacy Nielsen and Melody Bunker.

ground. He enjoys networking and building strong business partnerships. He is a diehard BYU fan and avid golfer. He graduated from BYU-I with a degree in communications. Ryan is a family man, married eight

years to his wife Rebecca, and together they have three sons. Melissa Worthen is an account executive and also directs community outreach. She is actively involved in her communi-

ty, and enjoys supporting non-profit organizations and fundraises to benefit others. Her focus with marketing and advertising is making connections with companies for long term growth that benefits local business and community. People are her primary focus. She is married with two children, two dogs and a rabbit. Elissa Wall is an account executive who joined the sales team in 2015. She actively participates in community outreach programs throughout the state. She is eager to help her Journals’ customers find the right fit for advertising that will help their companies grow. Steve Hession is an account executive who has worked for the Journals since 2009. He has many years in advertising sales and sales management Steve and his wife Julie live in Sugar House. Stacy Nielsen is the advertising coordinator. She has a background in sales and management and is a writer. Utah has been her home for seven years. Melody Bunker is a designer at the City Journals. She is originally from the Philippines, where she spent 13 years designing newspapers. She currently attends classes at ITT and is married to her husband Jordan. Trevor Roosa is a designer for the Journals. He attends The Art Institute of Salt Lake City and is studying graphic design. He is originally from Wyoming. l

West Valley City Has a New Mobile Emergency Coordination Center By Rachel Hall

THE WEST VALLEY TEAM

he time to prepare is before disaster strikes. That is why West Valley City has a new mobile emergency coordination center. “This can replace the entire operation of the city out of this trailer,” West Valley City Fire Department chief John Evans said. “It’s a back up – not as big – of the emergency operations center in city hall.” The 50-foot trailer is a self-contained workspace, which includes eight work stations, a small conference room, a restroom facility and storage. “Sometimes in emergency incidents, it’s easier to be close to the incident with the management of it,” Evans said. “We can make sure we are providing the emergency services in a disaster [with this mobile unit].” It runs on a generator and carries its own water and waste. The computer system is hooked up through aircards to WiFi. Two touch screen panels display the information from the computer screen, or decision

makers can watch local and national news to stay updated on an emergency situation. Evans saw a need for something similar to the mobile unit a few years ago. He started pricing units and found that they typically cost between $150 to $260 thousand. Instead, a trailer was purchased out of Indiana, and the mobile unit was crafted with the help of the fleet department for a total of $62 thousand. “We never could have done it without the fleet department,” Evans said. “We were able to do it cost effectively.” What we need to stress is that we have some resiliency and backup in case of a disaster or large incident, according to Evans. “That’s one of the first things when planning for a disaster. If something happens, then what do you do? Nobody can predict what is going to happen in a disaster or emergency,” he said. “This is a city resource.” l

m i ss i o n s tate m e n t

Creative Director: Bryan Scott: bryan@mycityjournals.com Assistant Editor: Rachel Hall: r.hall@mycityjournals.com Staff Writers: Greg James, Jessica Thompson and Aimee L. Cook Ad Sales: 801-254-5974 Sales Associates: Ryan Casper: 801-671-2034 Melissa Worthen: 801-897-5231 Circulation Coordinator: Brad Casper: brad@mycityjournals.com Editorial & Ad Design: Trevor R, Ty G, Tina F, Melody B

The mobile emergency coordination center costs $62 thousand to build. Photo courtesy of West Valley City Fire Department Facebook Page

The West Valley City Journal is distributed by the first of the month directly to residents via the USPS as well as locations throughout West Valley City. For information about distribution please email delivery@myutahjournals. com or call our offices. Rack locations are also available on our website. For subscriptions please contact: brad@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.

Our mission is to inform and entertain our community while promoting a strong local economy via relevant content presented across a synergetic network of print and digital media. free . community. papers .

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January 2016 | Page 3

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ON THE COVER

WEST VALLEY JOURNAL

Thursday Food Truck League Comes to West Valley By Jessica Thompson

orean BBQ, gourmet French toast and piled high hot dogs were just some of the delicious food at the West Valley Thursday Food Truck League. Last spring, Taylor Harris and Todd Christensen started a company where food trucks come together in a round up to give people in communities a chance to try their unique and tasty foods. Now, they have more than 120 trucks that come together at different locations all along the Wasatch Front. In recent years, food trucks have become very popular. “Owners are very passionate about their craft and want to bring what they create to the community, but the high fixed costs of the restaurants and being stuck in one location makes it hard for owners to get to the people. Food trucks give owners the chance to share their food with more people in the community,” Harris said. Daniel, owner of Papa Doug’s Dogs, had always dreamed of opening a food truck. When he found himself laid off from his sales job, he knew it was the perfect time to start working on his dream. Their signature dish is the Sonora Dog, which includes bacon, pinto beans, tomatoes, onions jalapenos and cilantro mayo all over a giant hot dog. Papa Doug’s Dogs is just one of the many food trucks parked at Fairbourne Station in West Valley City. “We make our food affordable so families can come out and enjoy our food,” Daniel said. The Matterhorn food truck, which specializes in gourmet French toast, is anoth-

Every Thursday night at Fairbourne Station in West Valley, food trucks, with food ranging from French toast to hot dogs, give families the chance to experience different kinds of foods outside of the typical restaurant atmosphere. Photo Credit: Jessica Thompson

er company to become part of this league. Chad, who lives in West Valley, came to the Thursday event specifically for the Matterhorn French Toast. “This food truck has delicious coconut syrup. I just bought four bottles of the syrup for Christmas presents,” Chad said. Another fun aspect of the Thursday night event is that around seven trucks park in one location so families can walk up and down the line of trucks and try different types of food. “These food truck round ups are fun because you get to be out and see your neighbors and try new things. There is something for everybody,” Harris said.

David, Manager of Cup Bob Korean BBQ, feels food trucks are popular because, “it’s new and people can’t go to a restaurant to see this type of unique food.” Cup Bob is an Americanized Korean BBQ where customers can get two kinds of meats with rice lettuces and noodles. Cup Bob is a good option for people who haven’t had Korean food before, but want to try something new. The Food Truck League has helped people in the community see the value of all those colorful food trucks parked in various locations. “A lot of the popularity has come from the artsy feel. It’s something you can grab and walk and talk with your friends. The at-

mosphere is more laid back. You don’t have to sit at a restaurant. Especially at these round ups you can go and get something different,” Daniel said. The Food Truck League has trucks parked at 3590 South 2810 West every Thursday night from 5 to 8 p.m. for families to come and try the eclectic meals of food trucks. “We love West Valley. The city has been so great to work with, and all the council men have been perfect to work with,” Harris said. Visit thefoodtruckleague.com for more information on how you can schedule a food truck for private catering, or how your food truck can become part of the league. l

Jordan Valley Medical Center Physician Removes Record-breaking Tonsils from Utah Patient WEST JORDAN — Dr. Ryan Gilbert, ENT, physician from Jordan Valley Medical Center, presents the Guinness Book of World Records title for Largest Tonsils to 28-year-old Patrick Kelleher of West Jordan. Gilbert surgically removed Kelleher’s tonsils on May 9, 2014 after recurrent episodes of tonsillitis and a trip to the emergency department. Kelleher’s condition was not improving, pushing Gilbert to remove both tonsils at Jordan Valley Medical Center. “My condition made it difficult for me to swallow and breathe, and I knew there was something wrong,” Kelleher said. “After the surgical procedure, I had no idea my tonsils were considered the largest removed at Jordan Valley Medical Center. It wasn’t until Dr. Gilbert approached me with the idea to apply for the Guinness Book of World Records that I fully understood how unique my situation is.” Kelleher’s left tonsil measured 6.0 cm (2.4 in) long, 3.5 cm (1.4 in) wide, and 3.0 cm (1.2 in) thick, and the right tonsil measured 5.0 cm (2.0 in) long, 3.6 cm (1.4 in) wide, and 2.6 cm (1.0 in) thick. His left tonsil weighed 28 grams and the right weighted 25 grams. “Patrick was referred to me after his trip to the ER. The inflammation inside his throat reached critical levels, which affected his breathing and ability to properly swallow,” Gilbert said. “The inflammation probably wasn’t going down on its

of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, American Academy of Facial Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery, and the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy. He has been affiliated with Jordan Valley Medical Center for six years.

About Jordan Valley Medical Center

Dr. Ryan Gilbert surgically removed Patrick Kelleher’s record-breaking tonsils on May 9, 2014.

own, so I knew surgery was a good treatment option for Patrick. Once the tonsils were removed and our team measured and weighed them, I knew they had to be record breaking. With Patrick’s permission, I sent in his Guinness Book of World Records application form and received an official letter awarding him the title. It was an exciting and happy moment for Patrick and our team. We were able to turn a scary situation into a positive outcome.” Gilbert is a board-certified otolaryngologist and a fellow

Jordan Valley Medical Center is a 183-bed, state-of-the-art hospital located in West Jordan. Jordan Valley Medical Center is equipped with the most advanced medical technology and offers comprehensive health care services, including emergency care, cardiac care, orthopedic care, advanced surgical procedures, diagnostic imaging, maternity care, sports medicine, and help for a broad range of medical conditions. With an experienced medical staff of more than 600 and a dedicated health care team, Jordan Valley Medical Center is committed to providing high-quality care in a friendly hospital environment. Jordan Valley Medical Center is directly or indirectly owned by an entity that proudly includes physician owners, including certain members of the hospital’s medical staff. For more information, visit jordanvalleymc.com or call 1-866-431-WELL (9355). Follow Jordan Valley Medical Center on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jordanvalleymedicalcenter. l

LOCAL LIFE

M yWestV alleyJournal .Com

January 2016 | Page 5

Christmas Lights with Santa, a Fun Holiday Event for Families By Jessica Thompson

ights and candy canes and Santa, oh my! On Dec. 7, West Valley’s Family Fitness Center hosted their 12th annual Christmas lighting and Walk with Santa. The event had 300 people walk through the lights and enjoy the other holiday festivities, such as carolers and crafts. Although it was raining, families were able to walk through a wonderful display of Christmas blow-up lights. Set up along a path were lights ranging from Santa and his elves, to a giant snow globe with the beloved characters Elsa and Olaf from the movie “Frozen.” To combat the cold, families were also given hot chocolate and cookies. “I came today to see all the beautiful decorations,” Kyle, who visited this event with his family, said. Inside the Family Fitness Center, there were more free activities for families to enjoy. Santa arrived at the event in a fire truck and spent the night in his holiday village visiting and taking pictures with children. “The kids are always so excited to see Santa, and their huge big smiles just make the whole season for me. I love that this event makes the kids so happy,” event planner Valerie said. The center made sure to include activities

West Valley’s Family Fitness Center hosted its 12th annual Christmas lighting and Walk with Santa event, where families were able to walk through a display of amazing blow-up light scenes. Photo Credit: Jessica Thompson

families could do while waiting in line for Santa. One activity was set up so children could receive a specialized balloon art. Favorites included a flower with noise beads inside the

balloon, and guns with a flashing light inside. “Sometimes West Valley gets a bad rap, but I feel the city does great things for all the families within it. I love West Valley,” Crystal,

who came with her three children, said. For the smaller children, this event also had a candy cane hunt, much like the hunts families participate in during Easter. For this hunt, candy canes were hidden in the children’s play house area. There were three special candy canes hidden, and when a child found the special candy cane they received a prize. “I love watching all the kids’ faces light up when they find a candy cane. When they find one they just glow and that is awesome,” Candice, an employee over the candy cane hunt, said. The Christmas lighting and Walk with Santa helps families within the West Valley community be involved in doing something different during the holiday season. This event helps community members know there are family-friendly events in their neighborhood. “Events like the Christmas lighting is to help foster a sense of community. One of the things today that we lose in big cities is individuals feel like they become just a part of an overall metropolis, and they feel like they don’t belong to a specific city. Events like this help to restore that feeling and bring that sense of community that we want people to feel a part of,” West Valley City mayor Ron Bigelow said. l

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everal West Valley City Girl Scouts recently earned the top awards at their level and were honored at the Girl Scouts of Utah awards recognition on Oct. 24. Girl Scouting’s highest award is the Gold Award and can be earned by a girl in ninth through 12th grade. Nineteen girls across the state earned their Gold Awards. The Silver Award is earned by middle school-aged girls, and 114 Scouts earned that distinction. The Bronze Award is designed for fourth- and fifth-grade students, and 374 girls earned that honor. Each award is based upon leadership, volunteer hours and a project that is sustainable that will improve the girls’

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“Girls have hopes, ideas and dreams that when put into action can make an impact on society…” community. “Girls have hopes, ideas and dreams that when put into action can make an impact on society,” Girl Scouts of Utah chief executive officer Janet Frasier said. “Girl Scouting’s highest awards provide a platform for girls to make a difference.” Nine West Valley City Girl Scouts earned their Silver Award. They include Kindi Flake, who helped with literacy centers for youth by collecting and repairing books; Kenzlee Robinson, Shambray Perkins, Melissa Peterson and Rachel Dayton, who, along with their troop, helped seniors perform tasks they needed help doing; Alexis Oligario, who educated youth about bullying issues; Ellie DeGroote, who promoted literacy through writing a book review column in the Deseret News and Connect 123 newspapers; Olivia Culley, who helped at animal shelters, made toys, assisted with donation drives and volunteered at stables; and Allison Jensen, who helped set up a website educating people about licensing pets. Three local Girl Scouts earned their Bronze Award. They are Mikayli Cannon, Elissa Darrington and Kaylee Flake.

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LOCAL LIFE

WEST VALLEY JOURNAL

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hen Robbie Gowers was growing up, he always dreamed of having the type of decorated Christmas house that everyone would want to come and see. Ironically, several years later when he and his wife, Bree, first moved into their home, his wife wanted him to hang lights for Christmas. He said that he “fought her tooth and nail.” The next year he didn’t put up any house lights at all. It wasn’t until a friendly neighborhood competition the following year that got him interested in putting up lights again. “It got very out of control. That year we had 10,000 lights. The next year I began the animated part of it (computer controlled) and to keep positive actions, we added in a charity into the mix. It was a big success and a very big learning year,” he said. The Gowers began to have a huge following of people that would come out to the display every year, as well as on social media. These factors helped to gain the interest of a world-renowned decorator who got in contact with him to help him on a few projects. Gowers explained how the light display hobby snowballed into a full-time endeavor during the winter season. He has been putting lights up now for nine years, four of them with the computer programming. “That season I traveled as far as South Korea to build a display. I gained a much bigger knowledge for the next Christmas, adding more [work] to mine. I also got involved with several other displays in the state, including Valley Fair Mall, Christensen and Hymas Law Firm and Fiber Net located in Orem. I then found myself in Argentina building another display there,” he said. That year the Gowers started taking donations at their house display for a young girl that was battling brain cancer. Gowers said that it was a joy to be able to help that family with Christmas gifts, medical bills and more. He indicated that last year was their biggest and best display, as it grew to have over 50,000 lights. They are now using their donations for two different local charities, Children and the Earth, and The Mascot Miracles foundation. Both help children battle cancer and other serious medical conditions. In addition to his personal home light display, he collaborated with another commercial light display company, which will have his name on it. They built a drive-thru Christmas display on land leased from Kearns Oquirrh Park Recreation Center, which featured just under a million lights. “It is a passion, a serious addiction. Some are addicted to pills; I’m addicted to lights. Christmas lights are a very big love for me, and using them to help oth-

ers is such a joy for my family. It’s a nonstop hobby that never stops through the year, and I depend on a very patient wife,” Gowers said. During the fall, he spends his days professionally decorating houses and businesses, and then after dinner in his free time, he works on decorating his own house until early in the morning. He started building his house display early in October and finished in time for lights-on the day after Thanksgiving. It takes 200 man-hours to complete the projects. He said that his neighbors have been great helping him with the light display and cooperating with the heavy traffic flow during the month of December. The display had its last day on New Years Eve. He hasn’t had too many problems with the display, with two exceptions. The first year someone slashed the new inflatable snowman, and last year he fell from his man-made tree, but miraculously escaped injury. The house featured 52,000 lights that are completely computer controlled, and it took over a mile and a half of extension cords to power the display. Nine different songs ran continuously that are broadcast over a car’s radio at 87.9 FM. He added professional voiceovers in between each song so the music sounded like it was coming from an actual radio station. He usesd Light-O-Rama computer software, which allowed him to program each of the 176,000 elements that were part of the display. For each minute of music played, it represents 10 hours of work that it took to program the lights of the display. The computer program controlled when each individual light turned on and off, and also its brightness. He explained how he had to wire every single part of his display not just with one strand, but one strand with each of the three primary colors. To add to his display, he has also

Gower’s home light display.

Robbie Gowers wires each branch of a large tree.

built a “mega tree,” which stood 23-feet tall. That feature alone had 15,000 lights on it. His display also featured a 20foot inflatable, fondly named “Betty The Snow Woman,” that took one year for a company to fabricate. The power supply was maxed out for Gowers’ house. He hasn’t had to add any extra electrical control panels yet, but the family must be careful not to run large appliances during the display or else risk blowing the house power circuits and ruining the expensive equipment that run the lights. His power bill quadrupled for the month of December. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus visited on most weekends at the house display, along with several local team mascots. Together with the Gowers, they handed out several thousand candy canes each Christmas season to people visiting the display. The home is located at 6388 South Wakefield Way (5885 West). The display ran from Nov. 28 through Dec. 31. l

M yWestV alleyJournal .Com

LOCAL LIFE

January 2016 | Page 7

In Memory of Biscuit By Rachel Hall

t is often said that a dog is a man’s best friend. For Zack Hatch, a senior firefighter, his dog Biscuit was also a partner at work. Together, Zack and Biscuit, West Valley City’s first search and rescue K9, worked to assist residents in need. “Biscuit served the community for five years, deployed 21 times for missing children [and] missing persons,” Hatch said. “He was never used in an actual disaster here locally, but that is a good thing.” Biscuit came to West Valley from Duckhill Kennels in Somerville, Tenn. Duckhill Kennels donated four British Labradors to help start a K9 program with the Metro Fire Zack Hatch and Biscuit served the community of West Valley City together until Agency USAR Taskforce, according to Hatch. “We spent hundreds of hours training and working Biscuit’s unexpected passing in November. Photo courtesy of West Valley City Fire together,” he said. Department Facebook Page Unfortunately, Biscuit passed away unexpectedly in November of 2015. “His passing was not expected at all. He had retired from his search and rescue services just 2 ½ months prior,” Hatch said. “He was just getting adjusted to not going to work at the fire station and living on a small farm in Davis County.” Biscuit has been greatly missed since his passing, especially by Hatch’s children who grew attached to Biscuit, just like many other people had done. According to Hatch, Biscuit was a friendly dog who loved attention and would even pose for pictures. “He will be missed, but he brought the community and those who worked with him great joy,” he said. Chasing tennis balls was one of Biscuit’s favorite things to do, and he would often chase them for hours. Hatch’s memories of Biscuit also include having trouble with getting the wellbehaved dog into a crate. “He and I had a real battle to get him into a kennel if he wasn’t doing work,” Hatch said. “When we were training he would hop right in, but if I needed to put him in the kennel we would have a fight.” Hatch is appreciative of the support from the community in regards to the passing of Biscuit. “[Biscuit] will be missed by many, but missed the most by me and my family. Thanks for all those who helped and supported him,” he said. l

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EDUCATION

Page 8 | January 2016

WEST VALLEY JOURNAL

Granite School District Hosts Winter Cultural Celebration By Aimee L. Cook

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“Lil Feathers” group, some of the American Indian students who celebrated a special evening of culture and resources at Granger High School on Dec. 9, 2015. Photo courtesy of Granite School District

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Tis the seasons for all types of celebrations. The Granite School District seized the moment to celebrate the four percent increase in high school graduates from 2014 to 2015 of American Indian students. Currently there are 954 American Indian students in the Granite District who are registered with their tribes. “We have been hosting this event for several years as part of our Title VII Indian Education Program funds that we receive from the federal government,” Charlene Lui, director of education equality for Granite School District, said. “It is a way for our government to improve education outcome.” The Title VII Indian Education Program is legislation created in 1972 as a result of the migration of American Indian students moving from on-site reservation schools to urban area public schools in the 1950s. In addition, the federal government took the call to action to educate American Indian students and Alaska Native American students in an effort to best serve their needs by giving the direction to the Indian people themselves, thus creating the Office of Indian Education. There is also a very involved parent committee associated with the Title VII Indian Education Program, and they assist in coordinating the events and provide a partnership with the educators. “Several of the districts have access to this funding,” Lui said. “The funding can be

used for educational opportunies, like mentoring or setting up tutoring, or paying for afterschool programs.” The Winter Cultural/Literacy night is one of the big events provided throughout the year. Food and entertainment are provided for the families that attend. This year, 380 people attended. This event is also a way to inform families as to what resources are available in the Granite School District. Tables were filled with resources for parents to pick-up, from preschool information to college. The college and career readiness staff was on hand to answer questions about graduation requirements and offer guidance on applying to colleges or secondary opportunities, as well as the preschool staff. According to Lui, there are few American Indian preschool students; they wanted to make sure the families knew of this resource. In January, the committee will host the “Parent in Power” conference, which is an opportunity for all families to come and learn about resources that parents might not know about. “We try and work with the different ethnic groups, but also want to make sure we get the word out to everybody about what resources are available and how we, in Granite School District, can partner with parents and families and making sure that everyone has opportunities to succeed,” Lui said. l

GOVERNMENT

M yWestV alleyJournal .Com

January 2016 | Page 9

West Valley City Council Update

Mayor Ron Bigelow

Tom Huynh

ith the start of a new year comes an opportunity for residents to stay informed about what’s happening in West Valley City and to be engaged with local city officials who spend countless hours making decisions for the growth, development and improvements around the city. The West Valley Journal asked each city council member and the mayor to provide a brief biography, and to provide an update on two issues: What are major highlights from 2015? What is anticipated in the districts and the city for 2016? We received the following responses:

Mayor Ron Bigelow Ron Bigelow has served as mayor of West Valley City for two years, being elected in the fall of 2013. He was state budget director for Utah in the governor’s office during 2011 and 2012. He represented West Valley City in the Utah House of Representatives for 16 years from 1995 to 2010. He served in House leadership for ten years, with eight years as the house chair of the budget committee, where he prepared budgets for all of state government. Ron has extensive experience in accounting, budgeting, and auditing. He was a certified public accountant and worked for 28 years as a manager of finance for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has also worked in both Mexico and Chile in their administration offices. He has also worked for several land development, construction and management companies, the University of Utah and been an adjunct professor at Salt Lake Community College. He has owned and operated a retail store and multiple apartment units. He has worked as a tax and management consultant for small businesses. For thirteen years, he served as president of The Bigelow Society, a national genealogy organization of over 700 members, and currently serves on their board of directors. Ron is a graduate of Salt Lake Community College and University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He is a U.S. Air Force veteran. Councilmember District 1 Tom Huynh At age 19, I escaped Vietnam by boat. We were lost and ran out water and food, but finally arrived in Palawan Refugee Camp in the Philippines. I immediately volunteered to work as a deputy commissioner to assist other refugees in the camp for two years. I am truly grateful for this country that took me in and gave me the opportunity to grow and learn. Serving on the West Valley City Council is one of the ways I can contribute to the community that I love. West Valley City is continuing to grow and prosper. Valley Fair Mall and the development along 5600 West are examples of the growth that has brought revenue and jobs to our city in 2015.

Steve Buhler

Karen Lang

I frequently visit with my constituents who share their concerns with me regarding public safety, taxes, the city’s image, and other pressing issues. As 2016 approaches, a majority of my constituents are concerned about public safety. In 2013 I began a long-term commitment to get to know the local crime issues and our city’s response. I have been riding along with our police officers for two hours each week since that time. This effort has been very rewarding. I have come to know the dedicated men and women of our police force and the criminal problems that they face each day. I have met with our city manager to find effective ways to improve the safety of our citizens. I believe I am making a difference. I sincerely want to thank to the citizens in my district who re-elected me this year. I pledge to do my very best to represent them and to maintain their trust. I am married and have two sons and a daughter. We are proud citizens of West Valley City. Councilmember District 2 Steve Buhler I decided to run for city council because I live and work in West Valley City and want to preserve the good that we have and make it a better place to run my business and raise my children. As an attorney, I have met with thousands of WVC residents in my office and have discussed not only their personal needs, but the needs of the community as well. I enjoy being busy and working to make things better. Serving on the city council gives me the opportunity to do both of those things. I am excited for 2016. Our economic development department is always busy bringing jobs and businesses to our city. I am excited to see what develops and what new opportunities for shopping and dining arrive in the coming year. I am also excited to see how our concerted efforts to diversify and improve our housing stock in the city develop over the next year. We have worked hard at making WVC a place where people of all socio-economic backgrounds can comfortably live together. I am proud of the continuing work the city has done in 2015 in being the first city to fully equip its police officers with body cams. We have also partnered in building another idea house in District 2 that helps inspire improvement of the neighborhood. We have continued recognizing the good immigrant residents of our city who want to integrate into our society through the English Language Initiative. Great things are happening here, and better things are on the horizon. Councilmember District 3 Karen Lang West Valley City is my home. I have spent the past four years on the city council and before that I was on the planning commission for a decade. I wanted to be on the council, not only because I live here, but because my business is here as well. I want to be involved.

Steve Vincent

I enjoy talking with my neighbors and those in my district about how they envision our city. I want this city to thrive and I am glad that I have the chance to be a council member and develop policies that strengthen our city. I am excited about the growth in my district and the many changes we have seen in the past year. Freeport West continues to grow, attracting many new businesses. We have a new Intermountain InstaCare under construction in the Highbury area, and 5600 West is flourishing. Existing businesses continue to invest in our community through major upgrades and expansion. With so many businesses, restaurants and entertainment options, is there ever a reason to leave West Valley City?!? This is a terrific city and I am proud, not only to be a council member, but a West Valley City resident and business owner. Councilmember District 4 Steve Vincent My wife and I built our “starter home” in West Valley in 1980 just one year after we were married, and we have been in the same home ever since. We raised our four children here in the city, and we now have 4 grandchildren that we love to have around. I became involved with the city in 1999 and was appointed to the city’s Board of Adjustment and served for two years, one year as chair. In 2001, I decided to run for city council and was elected and began representing council district 4. West Valley is seeing great growth in both the retail and business sectors. Ground breakings of new businesses that are locating here in the city are becoming common events. Granger Medical will be building a new 4-story regional medical building in the heart of our City Center Project; Intermountain Heath Care is also building a new facility near the new movie theaters on 5600 West. New hotels and restaurants also are coming on line as our economic development moves along. Salt Lake Community College opened its door with a satellite campus on 5600 West and 3500 South. This just adds another great piece to our growing community. There will be a new development near the Maverik Center as Real Salt Lake builds a soccer stadium for their minor league team, the Monarchs. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to serve the community. I love the place I live. Councilmember At-large Lars Nordfelt My wife and I grew up in West Valley and we chose to make this the home for our children. I decided to be on the council because I am proud to be from West Valley City and I want my children to say the same thing 30 or more years from now. I take my stewardship very seriously and make every decision with a long-term vision of our city forefront in my mind.

Lars Nordfelt

Corey Rushton

The past year was great for our city: Many businesses, small and large, moved to or expanded in our city, increasing jobs, services, and tax dollars. Our police department continues to improve and build stronger relationships with our residents. The fire department added equipment that will help us in a catastrophic emergency. We added a new city park and continue to maintain the parks and recreation facilities for the enjoyment of our residents. We upgraded the home construction minimum requirements in order to improve the quality and variety of homes. Our animal shelter maintained “no-kill” status. I am most proud of the work we did in clean energy. We were the first in the state to help a commercial business utilize the state’s C-PACE program that helps companies acquire loans to make clean energy improvements to their facilities. We also replaced electrical fixtures on city properties that will reduce energy and costs for many years to come. This year I am hopeful we will continue on the path to a better city just as we have done this past year. We live in a wonderful city, but there is always room for improvement. If you have suggestions, please feel free to contact me. Councilmember At-large Corey Rushton Corey Rushton was first elected to the West Valley City Council in November 2007. He was selected from a field of seven candidates during an election that recorded the highest voter turnout in the history of West Valley City Municipal Elections. In addition to serving as Councilmember at-large, Corey Rushton has been elected to serve as mayor pro tem of West Valley City. “I serve because I love my WVC community and like the five generations of Rushtons that have lived in this area I want to see this great area continue to be a meaningful area, and interesting place to be,” he said. “Major highlights for the city in 2015 has been the constant investment and reinvestment into the community to make it a better place. We have better housing and neighborhoods, new businesses, buildings, and jobs, and the soon-tobe home of the REAL Monarchs soccer stadium near the Maverik Center. Overall West Valley City is a great place and well known as used by people from all over the region. Some just come for great entertainment and recreation, others might come daily to work at one of our great companies or business parks, and others have lived here for a long time. There is something for everyone in West Valley City.” “2016 will be a great year for WVC as we will see continued quality growth and jobs in our Fairbourne Station development and other corners of the city. Also looking forward to the addition of WVC first skate park, soon to be located near the WVC Family Fitness Center.” l

Page 10 | January 2016

Education

WEST VALLEY JOURNAL

Guidance Counselors are Champions for Their Students By Aimee L. Cook

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uidance counselors are charged with advocating for students and their needs. Whether it is an educational issue or a medical need that needs to be addressed during a school day, these dedicated folks help guide the young towards their futures. Sound like a daunting task? It is. Laney Long is a counselor at Granger High School. Currently there are 3,044 students attending Granger. Nine counselors are on staff, and the students are divided up by last name. Typically, each counselor has a caseload of almost 400 students. In addition to a large student body, the diversity of students is also challenging. There are 577 English language learners, 347 special education students and 150 medical unit students, which is a student who needs a 504 plan for medical reasons. “We try and do what is right for the student,” Long said. “For instance, if they have a conflict with a teacher, we intervene and advocate for the student with the teacher, but we still have to support the teacher, so it is a fine line.” Laural Takashima is also a guidance counselor at Granger. She has dealt with many students who need 504 plans to assist with medical needs, in addition to the student’s educational needs. “We have to see that the needs of the student is met, and what we need to do to accommodate them in class so they are successful,” Takashima said. “For example, if they need to use the restroom frequently, we need to communicate to the teacher and let them know. This can also require us to be on a 504 team if their condition effects their learning or their school work, so that we can help come up with additional accommodations.” In addition to the ethnic diversity, cultural diversity and language barriers, poverty is also an issue at Granger, adding yet another challenge and having a big impact on the counselors’ jobs. Granger is a Title 1 school, which means that a percentage of the population is low income, and many students qualify for reduced or free lunch. If students are hungry, they have a difficult time focusing, so Long spearheaded opening a food pantry at the school a year ago that typically supplies food to over 250 people every month. “We get donations from the community, food drives and from the Utah Food Bank,” Long said. “Everyone in our community can get food from our pantry, not just our stuPOPULATION STATS dents.” The counselors are also African Americn . . . . . . . 3.55% required to be on two committees as a faculty member American Indian . . . . . . . 2.46% in a school, in addition to Asian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.4% handling their caseloads. There seems to be a misconCaucasian . . . . . . . . . . . 27.73% ception that guidance counHispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . 53.55% selors can and should take on even more. Pacific Islander . . . . . . . . 6.24% “For example, the

GRANGER

WVCPD “Elves” Wrap Thousands of Gifts for Low Income Kids

Uote Havea, Laural Takashima and Laney Long are all guidance counselors at Granger High School, a Title 1 school with a very diverse population of students.

legislature will suggest that there be suicide trainings for all the teachers, and offer to have the guidance counselors do it,” Long said. “None of those jobs are difficult jobs and we don’t mind doing them, but everything piles up and we get spread really thin. I would prefer to focus on my students.” Some students do fall through the cracks. It’s inevitable with such a large population. However, the success stories far outweigh those. There are numerous success stories about students who beat the odds and graduated from Granger and even went on to college. Many of the students at Granger are first generation high school graduates. These students have a difficult time navigating the American school system. The counselors step in and help them understand what they need to do to get through high school and to be successful. “We had a refugee student who moved here from Africa that graduated last year,” Uote Havea, a guidance counselor at Granger, said. “He stayed with a foster family, tried to adjust to the whole American life and he only spoke a few English words. But one of the first things he said was he wanted to graduate from high school and get a diploma. It meant so much to him and his family. We had to put him back a grade to be a junior, because he was short on credits and was barely speaking any English. We, as a team, came up with this plan after realizing that would be best for him. After the move back, we saw him excel. The drive in him to be successful and get his diploma was amazing. I had a completely different type of conversation with him, explaining credits to him in terms of apples, and quarters, because he did not understand what credits meant. During his senior year he became a wrestler and even a dancer. He became a completely different student than the student I met at first. Last we heard he was attending Salt Lake Community College.” l

housands of gifts, hundreds of rolls of wrapping paper and wishes came true for dozens of West Valley City children. It all came together at the annual Giving Tree gift wrapping day on Dec. 15. This year, the Giving Tree program provided gifts for 170 children from 61 low income verified West Valley City families. Each child started with a list of needed items and holiday wishes. Santa’s helpers from the West Valley City Police Department, local businesses and the community worked hard to fill those lists. The Giving Tree program was started by the West Valley City Police Department’s Community Services section, now known as Community Response Unit. The program started approximately 13 years ago with officers recognizing need in the community they serve and acting to help individual families. Over the years, the program has expanded to include as many as 70 families in a single year. The department now coordinates with a local organization that works with low-income families in the city to choose names for the tree.

M yWestV alleyJournal .Com

Education

January 2016 | Page 11

Granite School District The Granite School District Board announced several administration changes and/or appointments taking place throughout the district at the December 2015 meeting. All photos by Granite School District

Tyler Howe, principal at Armstrong Academy, will be reassigned as principal of West Lake STEM Jr. High effective 12/7/2015

Connie McCann, assistant principal at Granger Elementary, will be reassigned as principal of Rolling Meadows Elementary effective 12/7/2015

Monica Thayer, assistant principal at Armstrong Academy & West Kearns, will be reassigned as principal at Diamond Ridge Elementary, effective 1/19/2016

Eric Bailey, intern assistant principal at Matheson Jr. High, will be reassigned as assistant principal at Hunter High School, effective 12/7/2015.

Kent Nixon, intern assistant principal at Lincoln & Roosevelt, will be reassigned as assistant principal at Armstrong Academy & West Kearns, effective 1/19/2016

Megan Madsen, intern assistant principal at Granite Park Jr. High, will be reassigned as assistant principal at Granger Elementary, effective 12/7/2015.

NOT PICTURED: Debbie Koji, principal at Diamond Ridge Elementary, will be reassigned as principal at South Kearns Elementary, effective 1/19/2016. Matthew Goebel, principal at Rolling Meadows Elementary, will be reassigned as principal at Armstrong Academy, effective 12/7/2015 John Workman, assistant principal at Hunter High School, will be reassigned as assistant principal at Olympus High School, effective 12/7/2016

Page 12 | January 2016

January 2016 City Council Members: • Ron Bigelow, Mayor • Don Christensen, At-Large • Lars Nordfelt, At-Large • Tom Huynh, District 1 • Steve Buhler, District 2 • Karen Lang, District 3 • Steve Vincent, District 4 Public Meetings: City Council meetings are held the first four Tuesdays of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Study meetings are held at 4:30 p.m. prior to the regular meeting. Planning Commission meetings are held the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. City Phone Numbers: Main Number.................801-966-3600 Police Dispatch..............801-840-4000 Fire Department............801-963-3336 Emergency.....................................911 Fitness Center.................801-955-4000 Garbage.........................801-963-3334 Storm Water Utility...........801-963-3334 Code Enforcement.........801-963-3289 City Hall Address: West Valley City Hall 3600 S. Constitution Blvd. WVC, UT 84119 City Hall Hours: Monday – Thursday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. www.wvc-ut.gov

WEST VALLEY JOURNAL

Christmas Tree Disposal From December 28, 2015, through January 16, 2016, dumpsters will be placed at City Park (4500 West 3500 South) and at West View Park (6100 West 4100 South). Residents may bring trees (no lights, stands, nails, screws, bags or decorations) to place in the dumpsters. No artificial trees will be accepted and no other trash is allowed in the dumpsters. Trees will be recycled and used as mulch throughout the city. Residents may also use the City’s Bulky Waste service to dispose of trees. For information on how to prepare bulky waste, along with pickup dates, visit www.wvc-ut.gov/sanitation.

Winter Parking Reminder

January Events 1

Family Fitness Center Holiday Hours Closing at 12 Noon

Meet with Mayor Bigelow City Hall, 4:30 - 6 PM

#ThursdayLeague Food Trucks Fairbourne Station, 5 - 8 PM

13 WVC Watch Wednesday City Hall, 6 - 7 PM 13 Community Meeting with Chief Russo City Hall, 7 - 8 PM 14 #ThursdayLeague Food Trucks Fairbourne Station, 5 - 8 PM 20 Harman Heritage Series, Utah Stories in Song with Cherie Call Harman Senior Recreation Center, 1 - 3 PM 21 #ThursdayLeague Food Trucks Fairbourne Station, 5 - 8 PM

Snow season is here! West Valley City Public Works employees work hard to keep our streets clear of snow and ice, and with a little help from our residents, we can make winter driving safer for everyone. Please remember, that when it is snowing or when snow is forecasted, vehicles, boats, trailers or any other personal property must not be parked on the street. This makes it difficult and dangerous for our plow operators, and may lead to a citation. For more information about snow removal visit www.wvc-ut.gov/snow; call our snow removal hotline at 801-9656575 for current snow removal status.

28 #ThursdayLeague Food Trucks Fairbourne Station, 5 - 8 PM New events are added daily. For a complete list, visit www.wvc-ut.gov/events

Expanding Efforts to Build a Safe, Healthy Community in the Salt Lake Valley

his year, Salt Lake County government led the way on economic growth and jobs, low taxes, public safety and responsiveness to residents. As Utah continues to rebound from the Great Recession, we have an opportunity to take charge of our future and work together to show how we can make a bright future. We’ve launched the Global Cities Initiative, which helps business and civic leaders in the metro region grow their business through exports and international connections. Evidence shows that it was the metro areas who led this country out of the recession, and that when businesses receive support in learning how to reach new customers and global markets, their employees benefit, earning 17 percent more in salaries. We opened new treatment options for individuals who end up in jail due to crimes related to mental illness or substance abuse. With funding help from the Utah legislature, we opened a new community facility for adult women leaving incarceration. The 16bed residential home allows these women to transition away from jail, get treatment, reunite with children and families and start establishing a more stable and productive path for their lives.

Salt Lake County brought more than 31 homeless service providers together around an exciting plan to minimize homelessness. For the first time, everyone is on the same page about what we want to accomplish, beginning with recognizing and meeting the distinct needs of at-risk and homeless populations. As a coalition, we’re asking the Utah legislature to support our plan by providing money to build several new, smaller shelters that serve the needs of families with children, homeless individuals who are working and other specific groups. A one-size-fits-all approach to this problem hasn’t worked in the past, and we need to channel all the care, compassion, effort and money in a new direction. With a sizeable grant from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, we’ve launched a community partnership in Kearns to improve child well-being throughout the township. Our framework—Evidence2Success—was developed by the foundation to collect data on the needs and the strengths of local youth. Granite School District will receive additional support to boost their educational programs, and it will all be guided by the parents and community leaders who know their schools and neighborhoods best.

Salt Lake County works every day to serve the entire community, through programs such as Meals on Wheels for senior citizens in need, education for coaches and parents on how to recognize and prevent head injuries, expanding senior centers, such as the one in Midvale, to support healthy lifestyles for “baby-boomers” and building three new regional parks, so that every family has a place to get outdoors and enjoy recreational activities together. In 2016, we’ll rededicate our efforts to reform the criminal justice system, and by achieving that, improve public safety. My 2016 budget, adopted by a bipartisan County Council vote, provides funding to meet the immediate needs of the sheriff, the jail, the district attorney and the Behavioral Health Division in the short term, as well as money for innovative projects to prevent crime in the long term. I’m proud of the bipartisan collaboration that is uniting county leaders, state leaders, our Human Services Department and the Criminal Justice Advisory Council – with the single goal of spending criminal justice and social justice dollars more effectively. How will we measure success? We’ll know we’ve succeeded when 1) we’ve put

the criminals behind bars, 2) the homeless in housing, 3) substance abusers in treatment, and 4) children in school, through high school graduation. When we’ve done that, we’ll have made a measurable and lasting difference in peoples’ lives. l

Sports

Page 14 | January 2016

WEST VALLEY JOURNAL

New All-time Leading Scorer at Granger By Greg James

hen Granger basketball head coach Aaron Cousins arrived at the school in 2006, he made a list of all-time school records. He now has a new name on top of the school’s points list. Senior Melisa Kadic took her place at the top of the school’s list of all-time leading scorers Dec. 3 in the team’s loss to Kearns. Kadic has scored 833 points in her four years at Granger. “She is one of the hardest workers,” Cousins said as he watched Kadic shoot. “The boys are here starting their practice, and she wants to take extra shots. She always stays after practice 20-25 minutes just to work on her shot. That is why she is one of the best.” Kadic began playing basketball competitively in eighth grade. Her junior high coach had to explain to Cousins when she tried out for the Lancers that she had a hearing impairment. “You need to talk loud to her,” is what everyone said. Her family had emigrated from Bosnia in 1997.When she was two or three years old, her parents realized she could not hear. She has not let that her disability deter her. She attended a school for the deaf until junior high and then entered the public school system. “I think she has the potential to play at the next level. She definitely has the drive

to do it. I think her effort is the best part of her game. You can never fault her for working hard. Whether it is on defense or offense, she is giving it her all. I think she is also beginning to understand what it means to be a leader,” Cousins said. Kadic surpassed Amanda Orgill and Jessica Matheson on the school’s list of alltime scorers this season. Kadic is a threeyear starter and played significant time as a freshman in 2012. “It doesn’t feel any different to be the all-time scorer. I just keep working,” Kadic said. In 2006 when Cousins took over as the Lancers’ head coach, the team won four games and averaged 34.9 points per game. The team’s scoring average has steadily increased. Last season, the Lancers averaged 51.2 points per game and finished the year with a 14-8 record. The Lancers have only had a winning record five times in the school’s 57-year history. “I sure hope we will be in the mix. We have a long way to go. We need to focus on our effort and consistency. This region is tough. Every team is a good team with good qualities. It is going to be tough,” Cousins said. Lizzy Peterson is shooting 40 percent from the field. She is averaging 9.6 points per game. Cousins also said the Maleni

Lancer senior Melisa Kadic works on her shot after practice. Photo credit Greg James

Granger High senior Melisa Kadic was presented the game ball after she established herself as the all-time leading scorer in school history. Photo courtesy of Granger High School

Tanaki, a student body officer, has become a strong post player for the team. Tanaki has averaged 6.2 rebounds per game this season. Granger won their first two games of the season over Ogden and Cyprus, but then dropped four straight. Cousins said he likes

the direction the team has taken over the last two weeks and expects them to bounce back. “This team is fun to be around. They are teenage girls and they like each other and there is good team chemistry,” Cousins said. l

Wolverines Wrestling Team has High Hopes By Greg James

he Hunter High School wrestling team has increased in numbers over the last four years. Head coach Terry Allen hopes that growth continues. “We are a young team and becoming very deep. A few years ago we only had 15 kids on the entire team. This season we have 45. Every year it has been a process to get those numbers to continue to go up,” Allen said. The Wolverines have three returning seniors that were state qualifiers last season: Bryan Gomez, Jonathan Saafi and Antonio Ruiz. At a dual meet against Olympus on Dec. 8, Ruiz defeated the Titan’s Zachary Degraw 10-5. He placed fourth in last year’s state championships and he took first place at the Granite District Tournament on Nov. 24. The website wrestleutah.com currently has him ranked first in the state in his weight class of 126 lbs. Saafi started the season with a first-place finish at the Granite District tournament. He defeated his teammate Taylor Schaefemayer 6-5 in the finals. Saafi is currently ranked third by wrestle Utah in his weight class, 170 lbs. “Wrestling is so intense; this time of year we only get about three practices a week, so it is hard to correct mistakes. We have had two dual meets and a tournament on the weekends almost every week. Once the kids get settled

down in their weights, they will get better. I think it all comes down to mat time. The kids that get the most mat time win 90 percent of the time,” Allen said. Freshman Chase Walker is a wrestler Allen said he expects big things from. Walker has wrestled in the Hunter youth program since he was six years old. “I like the way wrestling makes me work hard and pushes me to my max. I try not to think about my opponent too much. I just wrestle like I can. In this sport you need to have heart. If they get you on your back and you do not have the heart, you are done,” Walker said. Walker has started the season with several intense matches. He lost in the Granite District Tournament finals 12-10 to a wrestler from Skyline. Against Olympus’ Ray Cao on Dec. 8, he came out on top of a back-and-forth contest 15-10. Walker jumped out front quickly in the match and almost had a pin in the second period, but Cao closed the gap before the final whistle. Walker wrestles in the 145 lbs. weight class. “I really like Chase. He has plenty of potential. He makes some freshman mistakes, but never gives up,” assistant coach Derek Jensen said. The state wrestling tournament is scheduled for Feb. 10-11 at Utah Valley University. The Wolverines are scheduled to wrestle their

rival Granger High School Jan. 21. “I think our team is great. We could be a

record-breaking team. I really feel a bond with them,” Walker said. l

Freshman Chase Walker from Hunter has a grip hold on his opponent, and his coaches hope he can continue to improve. Photo credit Greg James

need a before or after school program? Before School Kamp - Kids Ages 5-12 years Monday-Friday Before School 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. at West Valley City Family Fitness Center Fees: $20.00 per week per child OR $4.00 per day per child *We provide transportation to Valley Crest, Neil Armstrong & Monticello Academy ONLY

After School Kamp - Kids Ages 5-12 years

Monday-Friday After School (3:30pm) until 6:00 p.m. at West Valley City Family Fitness Center After School Kamp Fees: $35.00 per week per child OR $8.00 per day per child *After School Kamp Includes transportation from: Entheos Academy – Magna, Monticello Academy, Valley Crest, Neil Armstrong, West Valley & Wright Elementary Schools to the West Valley City Family Fitness Center. Activities Include: Yummy Snacks, Super Sports, Rock Climbing, Arts, Super Science, Swimming, Kidz ZUMBA, & much more.

*We provide transportation to & from Entheos Academy – Magna, Neil Armstrong, Valley Crest & Monticello Academy ONLY. Children from any other school may attend, however transportation will not be provided.

Adaptive Recreation

Registration Deadline: All registrations are due Tuesdays by the WVC Family Fitness Center Close of Business the week prior to the beginning of camp.

Veteran & Family Climb Nights • For current and former service members and their immediate families. Come join us every Thursday from 7-9pm Wellness Activities 1. LINKS Class (Jan 27-Feb 10) • Free 3-day healthy relationships course with DINNER INCLUDED 2. Love & Logic Class (Feb 17-March 2) • Free 3-day parenting techniques course with snacks included

YOUTH BASKETBALL WINTER ITTY BITTY BALL Instructional Basketball League for Boys and Girls ages 4-6 On Saturdays from February 13 to March 19, 2016 Games begin at 10:00 AM

We offer land, water, and sport based fitness classes and activities with more exciting programs on the way!

Swimming Lessons:

WINTER BIG KIDS BALL Basketball League for Boys and Girls 7 to 10. From February 9 to March 17, 2016 Practices on Tuesdays and Games on Thursdays Beginning at 6:00 p.m.

3 week sessions start Jan 4th and 5th - Choices of: Mon/Wed/Fri Morning or Evening, Tue/Thurs Morning or Evening - Prices vary depending on class, see the website for more details.

Pre-competitive Swim Team:

3 week Sessions start Jan 4th - Mon/Wed/Fri 6:00-7:00pm Fees: $29 for Members — $34 for Non-members

Children from any other school may attend, however transportation will not be provided.

Registration: includes photo, t-shirt and award. Register by January 18th and get $10 OFF Registration Price After January 18th is: Members: $50.00 Non-Members: $52.00 Registration ends January 25, 2016

No late registrations or date changes accepted.

TINY TOT TIME

Boy Scout Merit Badge Classes:

Registration Deadline: All registrations are due Tuesdays by the WVC Family Fitness Center Close of Business the week prior to the beginning of camp.

Kinder Kamp

Kids Ages 5-6 years Afternoon Kindergarteners: Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Morning Kindergarteners: Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Activities Include: Awesome Lunches & Snacks, Kidz ZUMBA, Kidz Yoga, Swimming Lessons, Rock Climbing, Field Trips, Silly Games and much more. Fees: $55.00 per week per child OR $13.00 per day per child

Seawolves Swim-Team:

Competitive Swim Team, Meets weekdays. See www.WestValleyAquatics.com for more details.

Mondays & Wednesdays 9:30 – 10:30 AM Fees: (per calendar month) Members: 2 days per week = $25 • 1 day per week = $15 Non-members: 2 days per week = $35 • 1 day per week = $20

Swimming Merit Badge - Jan 5, Feb 2, March 1 - 7-9pm Lifesaving Merit Badge - Jan 12-14, Feb 9-11, March 8-10 7-9pm

Multiple water fitness classes for all ages and abilities.

Tiny Tot Time is a 60 minute program that meets twice a week for 3 & 4 year olds that allows them to explore music, games, dance, and other fun activities without Mom or Dad. This program provides a great opportunity for children to develop fine and gross motor skills, listening and social skills.

See the Website for details: www.WestValleyAquatics.com

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January 2016 | Page 17

M yWestV alleyJournal .Com

Mac Warehouse

ave you ever wanted something very much, but knew you couldn’t have it because of the price? Sometimes we don’t even have enough cash to spare. Other times, we have the money, but can’t justify spending so much on a single item. All of us have experienced that feeling at one time or another. Apple products come immediately to mind, when presented with this scenario. They are definitely worth the money they cost, but sometimes we just don’t have it. Mac Warehouse is a new store that is an answer to our budget-conscious, Apple-loving minds. Mac Warehouse is an Apple products re-furbisher and re-certifier. They bring in high quality, pre-owned Apple products into their facility in Sandy from all over the world. A highly-experienced team of Apple-certified technicians then puts each product through a meticulous recertification process to make sure they perform and function as intended. Once the products have passed this careful recertification, and are updated with the latest operating software from Apple, they go through a cosmetic restoration process to restore it to a condition that is as like-new as possible. Mac Warehouse calls the finished products Certified Preloved ®. “There are not many companies that do what we do, and I don’t believe anyone does it as well,” says Brett Kitson, CEO and president of Mac Warehouse. “We are constantly refining our processes to give our customers the Apple product experience that they deserve at price they can afford.” For years, Mac Warehouse has only sold this product to Apple resellers and other retailers all over the nation. Now, with

a new retail store in Sandy, they are offering these products directly to consumers, at a huge savings—as much as 50% off normal Apple retail prices. Small businesses, schools, and other organizations can benefit greatly, being able to update their office equipment or computer labs a couple of computers at a time, or even all at once, without breaking the bank. Other related products, from Apple accessories to Beats Audio products, are also available at amazing prices. This allows everyone, no matter their needs, to spread their budget farther, getting more Apple for their money. “Apple is one of the most innovative, high quality, and popular computer and consumer electronics products companies in history,” explains Brett. “Our goal at Mac Warehouse is for everyone to be able to afford the Apple technology they want.” There are many reasons Mac Warehouse was recently ranked as the 55th Fastest Growing Company in the US, and the 4th Fastest Growing Company in Utah by Inc. Magazine. Obviously, a superior product is one reason. Another is their customer service. All products at Mac Warehouse come with a 90-day warranty, with extended warranties available. The store also has an Apple-certified technician on duty at most times, offering upgrade and repair services on all Apple computer products. If you are in the market for a new, high-quality Apple product, check out Mac Warehouse’s new retail location at 9235 S. Village Shop Drive in Sandy, in front of Lowes and Walmart in the Quarry Bend Shopping Center, but leave your guilty conscience at home. This is something to get excited about. l

I am Grateful for the Poor Man’s Casserole

t slapped me in the face, like an old Three Stooges movie. Last month my husband came home from work holding a large envelope. Handing it over, he simply stated, “Read this.” My heart sank. You see, every year in December, his company does their annual, “Merry Christmas layoff,” and I was certain it was his turn. I began to hyperventilate, sweat trickled down my forehead as my trembling hands opened the letter. How could they, after 26 years of company loyalty? They can’t! We are only four years from retirement! As I read and re-read the words on the letter, my mind began to compute: not a layoff letter, but a retirement letter. In two weeks, TWO weeks, my husband would be retired! Could we do it a full four years before we had planned? Yikes! Now, I have a confession to make. We have not always enjoyed a frugal lifestyle; in fact, in the early years of our marriage it was quite the opposite. We lived to the point of an extravagance that almost sent us bust. We lived right at the edge of our means,

throwing caution to the wind, buying now and vowing to save later. Then it happened, our turning point: my husband lost his job. It was the 80s. Remember those days? With 14 percent home interest rates, no jobs and two kids, we quickly discovered our skinny bank account and high debt had put us at the brink of disaster. What could we do? We had officially hit what we call our “Poor Man’s Casserole” days. One only needs to Google “Getting out of debt” to find a plethora of advice from financial savvy experts: refinance the house, make budgeting lists and spreadsheets to track payoffs, start by paying off the highest interest loan rate, etc. All good practices, but what if you don’t qualify for said refinance, or your budget doesn’t cover your bills, let alone allow you to make extra payments? How will making a list help when what you really need is money today? The fact is, finding immediate money in a set budget takes sacrifice, creativity, work

and commitment. Here are some practical tips for increasing your finances that I’ve learned and used along the way. #1 – Ditch the luxuries. Cutting cable TV, gym memberships, and eating out top my list of quick ways to save some serious cash. Brown bag it for lunch, discover Hulu for TV entertainment and take a walk instead of utilizing an expensive gym treadmill. #2 – Sell your stuff. Cleaning out the clutter not only can bring in some extra cash, but it clears the mind of clutter and helps you get organized. Utilize your local consignment store (check Yelp.com for a list of several), make use of online classifieds or give Ebay a try. #3 – Find alternative ways to travel. If you have two cars, sell one. Try taking TRAX or carpooling to work. #4 – Cut your grocery costs. Groceries can be a huge part of the family expenses. Instead of planning your shopping for the meals you want, plan your meals to what’s on sale. Clip or print coupons. You can check

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Coupons4Utah.com’s “grocery” section for a list of resources. Cut your meat portions in half. For years our mainstays were casseroles and Mexican and Italian dishes like lasagna and pizza. It’s easy to decrease the meat in those kinds of dishes. One of our favorites was called Poor Man’s Casserole, a mixture of ground beef, green beans and mashed potatoes. #5 – Find contentment with what you have. This was a turning point for me, and one of the best pieces of financial advice I have. In my own personal experience, it took me years to feel contentment with what I have. Once I did, I found that the longing for things grew smaller, and I was able to learn to experience what life had to give. I am grateful for the Poor Man’s Casserole days and the contentment it brought me.

Poor Man’s Casserole: Brown 2/3 lb. of ground beef or turkey with ½ an onion. Salt and pepper to taste and place in the bottom of a three qt. round casserole dish. Drain two cans of green beans and layer on top of the beef. Layer one can cream of mushroom soup on top of beans and top with about three cups of smashed potatoes (about five potatoes boiled in salty water and smashed with a little milk and butter). Microwave on high until hot (about 10 to 15 minutes). Enjoy.

Making a Clean Sweep

s long as everything stays the same, I’m super cool with change. So when January rolls around with all its high-pressure resolutions and soul-destroying goals, I choose to decline. After years of making unobtainable promises, I know I won’t learn a new language, acquire the ability to run marathons or stop eating candy by the pound. But this year I decided it was time to get rid of the clutter that had infiltrated my home when I wasn’t looking. On January 1, my house seemed as organized as the shelves at Dollar Tree the day after Christmas, so I thought maybe it was time to clean things up. (FYI: Because Americans have so much junk, there’s a store that sells only containers to store our stuff. There are even boxes to store our boxes. Crazy, I know.) I’ve heard when you’re organized, you can be lazy. That was incentive enough to get started. Once my mess was stashed away in designer bins, I’d have more time for napping, Pinteresting or sitting on the porch with a cold drink. (Well, not in January, but at some point this year.) My kitchen was the first place I tackled. I thought it would go quickly until I started

throwing out cans of soup that had expired in 2009, quinoa I bought during my whole-grain phase and bags of organic kelp that were never opened. That’s when I realized this project could take longer than I anticipated. The freezer was next. I tossed out Ziplocs filled with frozen flesh from indeterminate sources (could be salmon, could be sausage) and Fudgsicles coated with ice crystals. Healthy Habit Tofu Extravaganza meals I couldn’t choke down were sent to the trash bin. After taking a breather to eat a bag of Almond Roca (Christmas clearance!), I headed to the bedroom to sort through my clothes. Cleaning the closet is difficult, because I’m pretty sure I wear all my clothes every day. But I found the dress I wore to my mom’s second wedding, ballet shoes from dance class 35 years ago, the sequined skirt I swore I’d wear once I lost 25 pounds and a ketchup-stained T-shirt from my first major league ballgame. Gone. Then I attacked the bathroom. I thought it might be easier to throw a grenade into the bathtub, shut the door and walk away actionhero style, in slow motion. I’m truly not a hoarder. I just figure at

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cleanse, and I was pleased with my Zen-like non-attachment to material possessions. That’s when I realized I had room for new stuff! And there were New Year’s sales! Maybe next year I’ll add, “Don’t buy more junk” to my list of soul-crushing resolutions. l

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some point I will use the dozens of hotel shampoos and travel-sized body washes I’ve saved for emergencies. I dug into my drawers (so to speak) and purged almost-empty hair spray bottles, driedup face masks, greasy lotions and anti-aging creams that did not work. I tossed cold tablets from the 1980s, stretched-out hair elastics and a tube of... something unidentifiable. Then I turned to my desk where office products go to die. I found a roll of two-cent stamps, dried up pens that were too far from the garbage can to throw out, tons of cable connectors (although I’m not sure what they connect), enough Post-it notes to write a novel and several used gift cards with a total balance of $1.57. I finally collapsed on the couch, reveling in the afterglow of a job well done. My house felt lighter, like it had gone on a green juice

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