




L E A R N T H R O U G H P L A Y

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L E A R N T H R O U G H P L A Y

Dear Neighbors,
Long days of summer are so rewarding. Warm nights are spoiling us with all the goodness life has to offer. Connection overflow, outdoor abundance, friendships and ice cream flavors make us come alive in a new way that feels exciting. I am feeling the same over here, especially with this month’s theme. We're celebrating the little souls in our lives that keep us going all year long. This issue is dedicated to the ambitious, lively, loving and surprising souls that get us out of bed or jump in with us, to cuddle longer!

Our children and fur babies give us so much purpose, joy and love… they give us more than we ever thought we could feel. The gift of nurturing these little beings is one of the most pure expressions of love imaginable. How could we not dedicate an entire issue to them?
We agree, so here we go! We are starting off with three incredible kiddos, making big waves, slaying dragons and charting a future forward with vigor. I can’t wait to introduce you to Adelayde Scott, Molly McBride and Henry Muranaka. They will make you reimagine your youthful ambitions. We found some incredible pet friendly patios - from fine dining to brunch.. make a date with your fur baby and find some yummy food!
I also wanted to bring some light to an unimaginable trend with our kiddos. And that is the rise of mental health struggles. Our kids need more of us. They need our attention. They need our time. They need new ways of love. Our precious babies have lived through a pandemic, social isolation, increased screen time and changes that we have never thought to imagine. This IS affecting them. Talk to your kids, walk around the block, make a meal together. We’ve included some fresh ideas for connecting and creativity. If you feel like they might be needing support, we’ve called a few experts. Millcreek Meadows is a special space for healing. Along with The Sammy Center, a trauma informed preschool, eager to love on your young one.
Love hard, love with compassion.... kiddos, pets and life. Until next month... much love,

August 2024
PUBLISHER
Julie Janke | julie.janke@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Roy Stephenson | roy.stephenson@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Sheena Steedman, Sonya Droguett, Ryan Walton, Melisa Orlandi, Exploring Not Boring
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Erika Wiggins, Ryan Walton, Melisa Orlandi
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe
LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh


JULIE JANKE, PUBLISHER @MILLCREEKCITYLIFESTYLE


























W elcome to the Grandview at Millcreek Common. Millcreek’s unique venue boasts spectacular views with a warm, modern interior perfect for your corporate, private, or wedding event. Floor to ceiling windows, an outdoor balcony, and design elements offer a picturesque setting for any occasion. State of the art AV, ambient lighting, and modern tables and chairs alongside our bridal room and professional kitchen provide everything you need for a seamless event.
To make your event even more remarkable reserve the adjacent skating rink or climbing wall. Both acclaimed for their design quality, trained staff, and safety.

Waste Less Solutions is committed to making a significant reduction in food waste by educating consumers and food entities on the issue and solutions as well as by offering a food diversion program that engages our community to help rescue edible food and get it to the food insecure in our community.

Check out the coolest new place in Millcreek to live! Located at 3816 S. Highland Drive, the Highland is an impressive 50 luxury unit, for lease, apartment community features the latest in design, architecture and technology. Studio, 1 & 2 bedroom units with controlled access and in-unit laundry are available. Full amenities such as a pickleball & basketball court, clubroom, and gym, provide residents with opportunities for gathering and entertaining. www.thehighlandmillcreek.com

Through the use of various mindfulness techniques and psychotherapy methods, my clients develop a new sense of knowledge. Where they are able to learn life-changing habits to help them cope with any of life’s various obstacles. My therapy sessions are designed to dissect personal issues, identify past trauma(s) and provide clients with effective tools to help them see the glass half full instead of half empty.


Jump-start your journey to optimal health with an exclusive deal for new customers—get your first 10 gallons free! Trust in our family-owned business, with over 25 years of expertise, to deliver water that’s not just pure, but perfected. Our seven-stage filtration process ensures unparalleled purity, and we go even further by enriching your water with essential minerals, oxygen, electrolytes, or hydrogen. Choose us for water that does more than quench thirst—it revitalizes your body. Join us today and taste the difference dedication makes.

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY RYAN WALTON
“Horses offer a unique healing presence, fostering trust and emotional growth in children through powerful, non-judgmental companionship.”

Nestled beside the paths of Big Cottonwood Park lies Millcreek Meadows, a hidden sanctuary.

While many in our community have strolled past Millcreek Meadows, few realize the incredible work happening within. Spanning nearly 10 acres, this retreat is more than just a picturesque landscape; it’s a sanctuary for healing and connection: nature-based and equine-assisted therapies.
At Millcreek Meadows, we specialize in therapeutic intensives and individual therapy, harnessing the power of nature and animals. Our programs cater from pre-teens to young adults, offering tailored sessions in a serene environment that promotes mindfulness and emotional well-being.
Equine therapy is a cornerstone of services, utilizing the gentle presence of horses to foster trust, improve communication, and boost confidence. The bond formed between participants and these animals provides unique insights and emotional growth.
Millcreek Meadows is committed to the Millcreek community through partnerships with Utah Foster Care and local schools. We offer specialized services helping to navigate experiences and build resilience.

Our collaboration with schools allows students to engage with our animals, enhancing their educational journey.
Interacting with our donkeys, goats, horses, and even a den of wild foxes can be transformative. These interactions teach responsibility, empathy, and the importance of caring for living beings, promoting emotional well-being and social skills.
The benefits of connecting with animals are well-documented. Animals provide non-judgmental companionship, which is beneficial for children and teens facing emotional challenges. We see the positive interventions from reducing anxiety to boosting self-esteem. The power of nature and animal therapy creates a nurturing environment where individuals can thrive. Either through structured therapy sessions or casual visits, experiences at Millcreek Meadows leave a lasting, positive impact.
We invite you here. For more information or plan your visit. Please explore our website at www.millcreekmeadows.org Experience the tranquility and transformative power of Millcreek Meadows, and share in our vision of a connected, compassionate community.


The days are long, but the years go fast. So they say with raising children. I have to agree with that sentiment. Each year as summer ends I find myself looking at my kids and reminding myself to “Watch them grow!” Both as a reminder to not miss the growth (with all the distractions and responsibilities that adult life brings) but also as reflection on how far they’ve come since the last time we turned the calendar page to August. Whether there are children in your life or not, I’m sure we can all agree that childhood is fleeting. Instead of stopping to smell the roses, I need to remind myself to “stop and watch them grow”—you can’t see it if you stare, but you’ll surely miss it if you blink! It helps me to set aside intentional time to be present with these fast little growers.
For us that looks like setting a special table to spend time sharing (or drawing) how we’ve seen them grow over the summer before jumping back into school routines. Making DIY game boards together and then having a family game night. Making snow cones for an after-dinner treat or, for a bigger wow factor, for breakfast! They will never forget that one, I promise. (Psst! my snow cones are made with fruit juice so it’s Mommy approved too!)
As August rolls in and the calendar tells us that it’s time for back-to-school shopping, the weather does not usually agree that the times are changing. I find that it’s such
a weird dance between what looks like the change of seasons when I open my calendar but not when I walk out my back door (heat wave!). On one hand, we’re still in full throttle of blazing temperatures in the Midwest and with no end in sight. At the same time, being thrown into back-to-school shopping, Meet-the-Teacher nights, resuming the regiment of packing school lunches, and if you’re a homeschool parent, all the to-do lists and lesson plans in order to launch into another school year. As we find ourselves
with one foot in summer and the other in a classroom, how do we embrace and (dare I say) celebrate this month? Instead of feeling ungrounded in the juxtaposition of August, I am inviting myself, and anyone who would join me, to embrace the opportunity to celebrate the in-between seasons that this month brings. My hope is that these ideas help spark your imagination on how to keep you cool in the heat, launch your kiddos into a new school year, and to set aside time to watch them grow.



Welcome more play into your life with this little DIY project. At our house we like to keep outdoor game boards around for short moments together as well as full blown game nights. These game boards are meant to be kept outside but could also be brought indoors as well.
Materials
• Pebbles for Checkers, 24 similar sized
• Small stones for Tic-Tac-Toe, 8 similar sized
• Acrylic paints (black, red, yellow and white)
• Paint brush
• Raw wooden boards + black paint marker
• Reclaimed wood + black acrylic paint
• Polycrylic spray
Instructions
1. Game Pieces: Paint your rocks with acrylic paint. For Tic-TacToe you’ll need a total of 8 rocks, 4 of each type (here I’ve painted 4 lady bugs and 4 bumble bees). For Checkers you’ll need a total of 24 rocks, 12 of each color (here I’ve used black stones, painting half of them red).
2. Game Board: For raw wood (such as our Tic-Tac-Toe board), use a ruler and black paint marker to create board lines. For reclaimed or treated wood, use paint. Let game pieces and game boards fully dry. Seal with a polycrylic spray for protection from heat and moisture.
We adore snow cones at our house! If you’ve been to our house then we’ve probably served them to you. A shaved ice machine makes it oh-so-easy! You can purchase premade snow cone syrup flavors or make your own healthier version by using fruit juice concentrates. Simply thaw the frozen fruit juice concentrate and put the liquid into squeezy bottles for an easy way to pour over shaved ice.
Assemble
• Ice, lots of ice!
• Snow Cone Machine
• Snow Cone Cups
• Snow Cone Straws
• Snow Cone Syrups (or frozen juice concentrates, thawed)
Use a snow cone machine to shave ice into snow cone cups. Top with your favorite flavor—either store bought snow cone syrups, homemade syrups, or our favorite—fruit concentrates. Stay cool and celebrate the last days of summer heat!






One thing is for certain: children are our future. We have much to learn from them even now—their love for life, playful nature, care for all people, adoration of the outdoors, and passion with which they reach for dreams. Perhaps the most important lesson they teach us is that the world would be a better place if we all connected with our inner child just a little more.
MEET THREE OUTSTANDING KIDS WHO ARE NOT ONLY FOLLOWING THEIR HEARTS BUT IMPACTING THE COMMUNITY AND INSPIRING US ALL
ARTICLE BY SHEENA STEEDMAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY VARIOUS

The small but mighty decorated gymnast, Molly McBride, 11, will never forget watching Simon Biles win her first Olympic gold medal when she was only four.
Already tumbling at Mindi Tumbling and Cheer, Molly was well on her way. She later advanced to the Gymnastics Training Center and has been there since. Molly is fueled by her desire for growth. She loves the physical and mental challenges gymnastics presents her and appreciates that it’s both an individual and a team sport.
Her role model is, as expected, Simone Biles.
"I am amazed at who Simone Biles has become considering her life story as a young girl, being adopted by her grandparents and overcoming challenges while becoming an incredible athlete," Molly explains.
In the future, she hopes to have earned a national ranking on any of the gymnastic events and be in contact with a few colleges, including the University of Utah, Brigham Young University, and Louisiana State University to join their gymnastics team.
As for advice to kids who’d like to try gymnastics, Molly has one answer: “Do it!” But be prepared to work hard.
Because, as Molly says, “I don’t dream of success, I WORK towards success.”
Meet the award-winning climber and environmentalist, 15-year-old Adalayde Scott.
Adalayde started climbing around five when the Momentum Climbing Gym was built beside her house. Once she saw the climbing arch built, she took one look at her mom and said, “I want to try that!”
What she loves most about climbing is the friendships she’s made all over the United States and the beautiful and unsuspecting places she gets to visit.
Her devotion to the environment goes handin-hand. Adalayde is part of UYES (Utah Youth Environmental Solutions), where she advocates for environmental justice. Stemming from her “obsession” with birds, once she learned their survival depended on the Great Salt Lake, she wanted to preserve it—which led to a passion for protecting ecosystems and people.
In five years, Adalayde sees herself in college and hopes to be a sponsored climber. She would also love to someday work in conservation biology.
Her philosophy in life so far, she says, is based on Paul Farmer’s book, To Repair the World:
“Staying with people and the things we love through the good and the bad even if it means sacrificing parts of ourselves for a bit.”
I’d say Adalayde is on to a great start.


There’s Gordon Ramsey, Jamie Oliver, and then there’s Henry Muranaka, 13.
This kid baker first debuted as a celebrity chef while competing on the Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship.
“Going into the [Food Network] kitchen for the first time was amazing—it was huge, and they had every baking ingredient and tool you could imagine.”
Inspired by his mom, Henry helped her in the kitchen at an early age (3 or 4 years old) stirring and cracking eggs, but it wouldn’t be until several years later that he found his passion for the craft.
While baking during Covid, he took an online cake decorating class, prompting his mom to enroll him at SLICE (Salt Lake Institute for Culinary Education). He’s been unstoppable since.
At his business, Henry's Bake Sale, he makes treats to order a few times a year, regularly donating them to nonprofits.
When Henry isn’t baking (or in school), he’s playing tennis, video games (Minecraft is his fav), or sleeping.
Whether he wants to be a baker when he grows up, that’s to be decided. And well, he’s got plenty of time.
Go see him at Craft Lake City on their Kid Row this summer!
Pet Friendly Restaurants, Breweries,
Brunch
Spots and Patios.
ARTICLE BY ROY STEPHENSON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY VARIOUS
Hang out in a relaxed, dog friendly atmosphere where your best buddy can lounge under the table while you savor a meal or your favorite beverage. These are some of our favorite dog-friendly patios around Millcreek that are sure to make for a tail wagging good time.

The Cotton Bottom
2820 E 6200 S, Holladay
Opening its doors in 1955, the Cotton Bottom Inn arguably has the best Garlic Burgers in the State. Four dog friendly patios are covered in shade and offer a comfortable place to eat and cool off with your best friend.

Log Haven
4 Miles up Millcreek Canyon, Millcreek Hike & Dine with your dog on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Log Haven’s Hillside Amphitheater from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. The magical experience that is Log Haven, does not happen by accident, it is created by amazing people that have worked together for many years.

The Brickyard Bar
3000 Highland Drive, Millcreek
The Brickyard Bar is a Millcreek favorite and the unofficial home of the Utah Utes! Bring your dog to hang out on the patio and enjoy a fall football game on one of 30 HD Tv’s.

Taqueria27
4670 S Holladay Village Plaza, Holladay
Bring your pup out for a taco at the beautiful patio at Taqueria 27 in Holladay. The guacamole is always good, the service is excellent, and the shrimp enchiladas are a hit.

Fisher Brewing Company
320 W 800 S, SLC
Fisher Brewing was founded in 1884 as one of Utah’s first breweries. With a dog friendly patio that offers shade in the summer and heat in the winter, come down and enjoy excellent food and craft brews.

Uinta Brewing Co
1722 Fremont Dr, SLC
As the largest brewer in Utah, it’s only right that Uinta Brewing loves dogs. They’ve long been supporters of many dog initiatives and the Humane Society of Utah. Uinta offers a full menu of delicious food and beverages.



ARTICLE BY MELLISA ORLANDI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEN GARFF UNIVERSITY CLUB

JUST MINUTES FROM MILLCREEK, THE KEN GARFF UNIVERSITY CLUB AT RICE-ECCLES
STADIUM OFFERS EXCLUSIVE DINING, EVENTS, AND STUNNING VIEWS, ALL YEAR LONG.

Have you been craving a social scene that’s a little elevated, family friendly and extremely unique?
Something that gets you excited and you can’t wait for Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday night? Look no further than the Ken Garff Social Club at Rice Eccles Stadium. More than just a game day venue—it’s a year-round hub for community and celebration.
Nestled in the South End Zone, our club offers a patio dining area with stunning 360-degree views, making every visit special. Indulge in our expertly crafted menu, which offers a range of affordable and delicious dining options, plus a comprehensive selection of cocktails and mocktails.
Members enjoy waived rental fees for events of all sizes, from intimate gatherings to grand celebrations. Our monthly calendar features exclusive member events, ensuring continuous opportunities for fun and connection. The Club also provides co-working spaces, making it the ideal place for both leisure and business.
The club supports education by donating initiation fees to the Champion League scholarship fund, a gesture of gratitude for the contributions of the Garff family. This fund provides essential financial assistance to University of Utah students, underscoring the club’s commitment to education.
Come check out what the club has to offer at our 'Last Call before Football,' event on 8/23/2024. This is our biggest open house of the season with discounted initiation fees, waived months of dues, live music, gourmet bites and signature cocktails.
Follow our link for details https://www.instagram. com/kengarffuniversityclub/#


Try these simple and healthy homemade treats for your furry friends. Not only are they easy to make, they are nutritious and seemingly delicious.

ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
Ingredients:
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup milk or half and half
• 3 cups oatmeal
Directions:
In a bowl, mix pumpkin puree, peanut butter and milk on medium for 1 minute. Gradually add 2 1/2 cups oatmeal and stir. Use a small scoop or spoon to create 1/4 inch balls. Roll balls into remaining 1/2 cup oats to lightly top. Place into a closed container and refrigerate.
Ingredients:
• 2/3 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups flour (whole wheat preferred)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl, mix all ingredients except flour and blend well. Gradually add the flour until the dough isn’t sticky. Roll dough into a ball. Lightly flour your surface and lightly knead. Use a rolling pin to roll dough to ¼-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters and place dough on baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Drizzle with peanut butter (optional).



Where every child is celebrated and lifted to reach
For over the past 25 years, The Sammy Center founder, Maria Soter (RBT/CCW/ SSW), has gone to bed and woken up with your kids on her mind.
Because the first five years of development are prime for raising well-rounded and healthy adults, our dedicated community member is on a mission:
“I really believe with all my heart that every child is amazing and should reach their fullest potential,” she exclaims.
Which is why she created The Sammy Center—to ensure your child’s developmental needs are met. She and her team teach young children (between ages two and five) how to manage their emotions, self-regulate, and harmoniously interact with others.
After the pandemic, she saw numerous kids struggle with basic social skills, and she’s determined to get them up to speed in these prime years.
“The first five years of a child's life are the most important time of their lives, when 92% of their brain is developed.
And it's vital that we become educated as a society and recognize that this is a very, very important time in a child's life,” she explains.
It doesn’t matter how “different” they are, whether they have ADHD, depression, anxiety, struggle with big feelings, or are considered normal. In Maria’s experience, when a child is met in their uniqueness, their potential is limitless.
“Everybody’s different, and it’s okay. We can’t put children in a box,” she says. “Celebrate differences and then meet them where they're at.”
This is the very philosophy and practice that has brought the children and families who come through her doors such peace.
The kids may arrive kicking and screaming, but they leave engaged, interacting confidently with peers, and ready to reach for the stars.
As the proverb goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Maria Soter and The Sammy Center are that village.
If you feel inspired to donate or want to learn more, visit thesammycenter.com

“I believe with all my heart, every child is amazing and should reach their potential.” “





I ASKED MY EXPAT AND TRAVEL-SAVVY FRIENDS TO RECOMMEND BOOKS TO TAKE ME FAR AWAY. HERE YOU GO!
ARTICLE BY SUE G. COLLINS
BY TONY HORWITZ
Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before. The Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist travels to various parts of the world, following in the footsteps of explorer James Cook.
BY ELIF SHAFAIT
It is 1974 on the island of Cyprus. Two teenagers, from opposite sides of a divided land, meet at a tavern in the city they both call home. The tavern is the only place that Kostas, who is Greek and Christian, and Defne, who is Turkish and Muslim, can meet, in secret, hidden beneath the blackened beams from which hang garlands of garlic, chili peppers and wild herbs. This is where one can find the best food in town, the best music, the best wine. But there is something else to the place: it makes one forget, even if for just a few hours, the world outside and its immoderate sorrows.
BY GERALD DURRELL
Three classic tales of childhood on an island paradise - My Family and Other Animals, Birds, Beasts and Relatives and The
Garden of the Gods by Gerald Durrell - are available in a single edition for the first time in The Corfu Trilogy
Just before the Second World War the Durrell family decamped to the glorious, sun-soaked island of Corfu, where the youngest of the four children, ten-year-old Gerald, discovered his passion for animals: toads and tortoises, bats and butterflies, scorpions and octopuses. Through glorious silver-green olive groves and across brilliant-white beaches Gerry pursued his obsession . . . causing hilarity and mayhem in his ever-tolerant family.
BY ABRAHAM VERGHESE
Cutting for Stone is a novel written by Ethiopian-born, Indian-American medical doctor and author Abraham Verghese. It is a saga of twin brothers, orphaned by their mother’s death at their births and forsaken by their father.
BY ORHAN PAMUK
The author is a Nobel-laureate Turkish novelist. The book, set in Istanbul between 1975 and 1984, is an account of the love story between the wealthy businessman Kemal and a poorer distant relative of his, Füsun.





3 4 5

people, Real Experiences, and a Whole Lotta Local Flavor
1: MEET A REAL-LIFE SHARK SCIENTIST:
Dive into the watery world of sharks and environmental optimism.
2: SOURDOUGH WORKSHOP BY A SUNCREST LOCAL:
Unlock greater health, taste, and tradition with 3 simple ingredients.
3: MEET AND DRAW A LLAMA : Take a virtual trip to Australia to meet/draw Cadbury.
4: MONTANA BIKEPACKING WELLNESS RETREAT : Experience a healthy, enlivening leadership retreat bike trip in nature.
5: WORKOUT Free workout community Wednesdays at SugarHouse Park.












AUGUST 1ST
Public Market at Millcreek Common - 1354 E Chambers Ave, Millcreek, Utah 84106 | 10:00 AM
From August 1 – September 2 in the Public Market at Millcreek Common. New year, vintage stuff. Set yourself up for the next school year with bespoke clothing and accessories from Utah artisans. Each of the local designers offers one-of-a-kind collections that upcycle resources into high-fashion statements. Special workshops, giveaways, and fashion experiences every week. Check the schedule at MillcreekCommon.org.
AUGUST 6TH
Big Cottonwood Regional Park | 5:00 PM
Come support your community on Tuesday August 6th. Vote for your favorite car – from classics to modern favorites. Bounce houses and slides, music, games, and food trucks. Meet local police and emergency response teams and their response vehicles. Check to see if you are on the rolling car parade route at VentureOut.org.
AUGUST 17TH
Historic Baldwin Radio Factory - 3774 South 2300 East | 11:00 AM
Over 60 local artists will feature their work including painting, photography, woodwork, pottery, jewelry, and textiles. Music on two stages, buskers, dance classes, and demonstrations will be part of the festival. Food trucks and vendors will be on site to make this year’s festival better than ever. Cycling, walking, and carpooling to the festival is encouraged. More information at MillcreekArtsCouncil.org.
AUGUST 21ST
1354 E Chambers Ave, Millcreek, Utah 84106 | 6:30 PM
Feeling lucky? On August 21 from 6:30 – 8:30 PM, venture to The Grandview on the 6th floor of Millcreek City Hall for a new fundraiser to benefit Millcreek’s Promise Program. Millcreek’s Promise Program works to improve the safety, health, education, and economic well-being of Millcreek’s youth and families. Everyone is eligible to play and win prizes! $5 suggested donation.
AUGUST 23RD
Ken Garff University Club - South Endzone at Rice Eccles Stadium | 6:00 PM
This is our biggest open house and membership drive of the season with discounted initiation fees, waived months of dues, live music, gourmet bites, and signature cocktails. Members enjoy waived rental fees, exclusive member events and co-working spaces, making it the ideal place for both leisure and business.
AUGUST 26TH
The Grandview at Millcreek Commons | 6:00 PM
This years Second Chance Dance will be in the Grandview at Millcreek Common. We'll have small bites from six local chefs for you to enjoy along with wine, beer, wellness shots and juices from our partner Vive Juicery. We'll have a DJ to pump up the music and a silent auction. Attire is vintage, thrifted or well worn!



