September 2026 | Vol. 22 Iss. 9
FREE
Sp e ci Pet al Edit ion
Cottonwood Heights
See Inside...
Pets!
Special section looks at animals and their care Page 13
Celebrated coach steps down
Brighton girls lacrosse will have a new coach next season Page 16
City council approves property tax increase By Cassie Goff | c.goff@mycityjournals.com “The community wants a level of service that cannot be purchased at yesterday’s prices,” Councilmember Suzanne Hyland said.
C
ottonwood Heights residents can expect to pay more on their property taxes next year. The city council passed a previously-proposed 42.87% property tax increase by a 4-to-1 vote, following their Truth in Taxation hearing on Aug. 11. An amended agenda for their Aug. 18 council meeting included consideration of an ordinance to adopt a decreased property tax increase of 25% instead. It did not pass 3-to-2. “One of my biggest concerns is cutting services. I want to make sure our firefighters are available and can respond quickly,” said Councilmember Shawn Newell. “I would hate to see our city to become dilapidated.” For an average home (valued at $819,000 in the city), the 42.87% increase would amount to an estimated $251.03 annual increase (or $20.92 monthly increase). “We are your neighbors. Whatever tax
JOIN US!
SALT LAKE SALT LAKE
PRESENTED BY
HOME EXPO SEP 4-7 4-7 FREE ADMISSION! SEP
MOUNTAIN AMERICA EXPO CENTER 9575 State St, Sandy, UT 84070 Friday 12:00pm - 7:00pm Saturday 10:00am - 5:00pm Sunday 11:00am - 4:00pm Monday 10:00am - 5:00pm FOR MORE INFO + FREE TICKETS :
SaltLakeHomeExpo.com
increase we bring on, we bring onto ourselves,” said Mayor Gay Lynn Bennion. “If we do not make a tax increase, we are talking about a $1.7-million decrease in our police department, and I will not stand for that.” During the Truth in Taxation hearing, the Cottonwood Heights Council chamber was full of resident opposition. While there were only a few public comments during the hour-long hearing in full opposition of any/ all property tax increase, the majority of residents supported a tax increase, just not such a big number. “The tax increase is too much. In my mind, it’s egregious. It’s absurd,” said District 2 resident Pam Gurell. “At the core of (this process) is trust,” said District 4 resident and Citizen’s Budget Committee Member Eric Kraan. “We trust our representatives to be accountable and protect our well-being. If you know you need the money, we will give it.” One of the frequent concerns throughout the night involved affordable housing “We need commercial and retail redevelopment so your taxes go down. If we don’t own up to that, my fear is that taxes will keep going up,” said Hyland in regards to the Hillside Plaza
Continued on page 10 Town Center redevelopment. (Photo courtesy of Cottonwood Heights)
RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL
CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE A
FREE ESTIMATE &
ROOF ASSESSMENT 385-316-7980 prideroofing.net
ROOF INSTALLATION, REPAIR & REPLACEMENT FLEXIBLE MONTHLY PAYMENT OPTIONS See our 5 Star reviews on our website!
30+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE 50 YEAR WARRANTY LICENSED AND INSURED
• 0% APR options for up to 21 months* • Check your options without affecting your credit score • Fast online pre qualification in about 3 minutes • Payments as low as $131/mo
Call Pride Roofing today to learn which payment options may work for your project
Scan the QR code for a FREE Instant Estimate
*0% APR promotional credit-card offers are available to qualified applicants. Rates, terms, credit limits, and available offers vary based on creditworthiness. On approved credit.
LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED
Tax troubles coming for IRAs and 401(k)s over $300,000 comparison of how much you’re projected to pay in taxes if you do nothing, versus how much you could save by implementing some simple retirement tax planning strategies. So, you can see the math and understand exactly how much you’re projected to save. While tax experts and other financial advisors charge thousands of dollars for a customized tax analysis like this, B.O.S.S. Retirement Solutions offers this service for free, even if you’re not a client yet. This offering could be especially beneficial for families who have saved more than $300,000 up to a few million for retirement. To schedule your free Retirement Tax-Savings Analysis, simply call (801) 405-1311.
If you’ve saved more than $300,000 for retirement you could face significant taxes in retirement unless you take action now, warn Utah financial advisors Ryan Thacker and Tyson Thacker. “IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN $300,000 in a traditional IRA or 401K, you could have a big problem coming in retirement,” warns financial advisor Ryan Thacker. “The problem is taxes – and it’s going to get bigger and bigger unless you take action,” adds Tyson Thacker. Ryan Thacker and Tyson Thacker are the Founders of B.O.S.S. Retirement Solutions, a Utah financial advisory firm that’s helped over 55,000 area families plan for a better retirement. For most traditional IRAs and 401Ks, the Thackers explain, it’s important to remember that you haven’t paid taxes on the money in these accounts. That’s by design. One of the biggest benefits of having an IRA or 401K is you don’t pay taxes on your contributions to these accounts – or on their investment growth – until you start withdrawing this money in retirement. “But that’s when this big problem could rear its ugly head,” explains Ryan Thacker. “You’ll likely face surprisingly large tax bills when you begin to with-
“The problem is taxes – and it’s going to get bigger and bigger unless you take action.” — TYSON THACKER, B.O.S.S. RETIREMENT SOLUTIONS
draw this money in retirement.” If you were to add up the total amount of taxes you’ll pay on these accounts in retirement, it’s not uncommon for it to add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. But a skilled tax strategist could help you significantly reduce these taxes in retirement. “Most families want to think of the money in their IRA or 401K as ‘their money,’” says Tyson Thacker. “But withdrawals from your IRA and 401K are all treated like ordinary income. And you have to pay taxes on every dime of that income.” “It becomes even more complex when you include Social Security and other investment income,” adds Ryan Thacker. “Because typically all of this money gets thrown into one big taxable bucket.” The good news is you have more control over how much you pay in taxes when you retire, than any other time in your life. The key is understanding the new strategies available to you – strategies B.O.S.S. often helps their clients implement. The Thackers emphasize that B.O.S.S. Retirement Solutions client families
“Tax planning is personalized – there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.” — TYSON THACKER, B.O.S.S. RETIREMENT SOLUTIONS
achieve these savings through tax planning, not tax preparation. By the time your CPA is filing your taxes for the April 15th deadline, what’s done is done. You’re just reporting history. However, if you take advantage of some specific tax planning strategies, you could significantly reduce the total amount of taxes you’ll owe in retirement – especially if you take these steps before you retire, or within the first few years of retirement. “The biggest thing,” stresses Ryan Thacker, “is to understand which strategies will work best for your family. Because there’s no one-size-fits-all approach for everyone.” B.O.S.S. Retirement Solutions offers a free, customized Retirement Tax-Savings Analysis that shows you a side-by-side
ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Tyson Thacker and Ryan Thacker are the CEO and President of B.O.S.S. Retirement Solutions. They are published authors of the Amazon best-selling book, “The B.O.S.S. Retirement Blueprint, Your Guide to a Secure and Independent Retirement.” Their award-winning firm has seven offices located throughout the Wasatch Front, and a new office in St. George. This is for illustrative purposes only, results may vary. Advisory services offered through B.O.S.S. Retirement Advisors, an SEC Registered Investment Advisory firm. Insurance products and services offered through B.O.S.S. Retirement Solutions. The information contained in this material is given for informational purposes only, and no statement contained herein shall constitute tax, legal or investment advice. The information is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions, nor should it be construed as advice designed to meet the particular needs of an individual’s situation. You should seek advice on legal and tax questions from an independent attorney or tax advisor. SPONSORED CONTENT
FREE Retirement Tax Savings Analysis from B.O.S.S. Retirement Solutions
Many retirees will needlessly overpay their taxes in retirement. Discover exactly how much money you could save with this free, customized Retirement Tax Savings Analysis.
801-405-1311 Page 2 | September 2026
Cottonwood Heights City Journal
OVER 40 YEARS OF QUILTING EXCELLENCE
You’re Invited! Join us in store for Grace Company’s 40th anniversary! There will be fun activities, door prizes, and tasty food. We can’t wait to celebrate this milestone with you. Saturday, September 12th 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM 6748 S Redwood Rd West Jordan, UT
SCAN TO RSVP
(801) 485-6688 | graceframe.com
ogether We Thrive Together We Thrive
Alta View Hospital Alta View Hospital
ehavioral Health Services Behavioral Health Services
Now Open Now Open
9660 S. 1300 E. Sandy, UT 84094
CottonwoodHeightsJournal .com
September 2026 | Page 3
COMMON GROUND
Property Rights Confuse Me
Common Ground will be a column of rotating viewpoints that highlight specific feelings across the political spectrum, and it will always end with possible ways to come together. Where do I stand on property rights? Simple: if I own it, then I should have absolute control over it. And If I bought it and it is next to your property, I should also have some control over yours. For those who have followed Common Ground, I have left no doubt I lean fairly strong to the right end of the political spectrum. So when writing an opinion piece representing that end of the spectrum with the topic of property rights, I was certain what I’d say. Then last night as I prepared to write this I got confused. I stopped and prayed: Dear God, am I becoming a Democrat? A quick trip to my gun safe confirmed that I am good. But I am still conflicted. I know where I stand on my property rights, not sure where I stand on your property rights. Well, let me be clear, unless your property is near mine, I actually just don’t care about yours. To not look evil I will pretend that I care and that you should have the same property rights as me. To unconfuse myself, I broke down property rights into three categories: the ability to own property, the ability to control property, and property taxes. I see each category, but am conflicted where these fall on the typical right-left spectrum. Is everyone a Republican when it comes to property rights? Or maybe
COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS TEAM
The Cottonwood Heights Journal is a monthly publication distributed directly to residents via the USPS as well as locations throughout Cottonwood Heights. 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. © 2026 Loyal Perch Media, Inc.
John J Walker Common Ground
everyone is a Democrat? I don’t know but I can’t imagine a world where we agree on something. I agree with my dear friends from the left (yes I have a couple) that everyone should have the opportunity to buy and own their home. Home ownership is an important part of the American economy and society. I think we can all agree people should be able to own property (our own homes) and enjoy all the benefits from it, and we can all recognize that property rights are protected by the Constitution. So once you own it, what control do you have? Enter Jekyll or Hyde, I am not sure. On one hand, I want full control of my property. On the other hand, I want control of my neighbor’s property. Not full control but enough control to protect my property, property value and property rights. If I want to build a second story to my house and add a man cave garage in the backyard, hand me a hammer and shut your mouth; it’s my property. But if my neighbor wants to build an apartment on his lot, whoa whoa whoa. If my neighbor wants to
PUBLISHER
Bryan Scott | bryan.s@thecityjournals.com
EDITOR
Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com
ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES
Mieka Sawatzki | mieka.s@thecityjournals.com Marc Davis | marc.d@thecityjournals.com Steve Hession | steve.h@mycityjournals.com
CLIENT SERVICES
Lydia Rice | lydia.r@thecityjournals.com 385-557-1022
have 14 people live in his 3-bedroom house and each of them park a car on the front lawn, no way, not in my backyard and not in your front yard. Enter local zoning. WWII veterans should be the most respected people in America. Just behind them should be planning and zoning staff and volunteers. For now, my stance is that I should control my property and I should be able to do whatever I want to do with it. And I should also control your property so that it does not impact me and my property. Until you come up with a better plan, this is my plan. My first consideration concerning property taxes is back to property ownership. I question – do we really own property if we are required to pay forever to retain that ownership? When I go to the grocery store and buy a peach, I don’t have to pay for that peach the rest of my life. But when I buy a home, all of a sudden I have to pay property taxes for the rest of my life. Technically, I “own” my home in Bountiful, but I often say I “lease” it from Davis School District and Davis County. Our governor and state legislators in recent years have stated they want homes more affordable, but they have sat mostly idle while school districts, counties, and special districts have increased property taxes – making homes even more unaffordable.
CIRCULATION COORDINATOR
Lindsay Andreasen | lindsay.a@thecityjournals.com Rack locations are also available on our website.
EDITORIAL & AD DESIGN Stacey LaMont Lynne Burns Ty Gorton
MISSION STATEMENT
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. Designed, Published, & Distributed by
COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS CITY JOURNAL 9500 S Sandy Parkway, Suite 205 Sandy, UT 84070
PHONE: 801-254-5974
EDUCATING, ENTERTAINING, INFORMING: 35 YEARS SUPPORTING COMMUNITY
Page 4 | September 2026
Our Republican-led legislature and governor have provided taxpayer money to help subsidize the purchase of homes. I am sure this feels good for them. I guess on some baseline it should feel good; they are helping people live the American dream. But they are taking money from all taxpayers to give to a select few. It is clear to me that we must allow the housing market to operate in a fair and open market. As per taxes – property taxes make sense; there is a need for the government to provide amenities (roads, sidewalks, water, utilities, etc.) to homeowners that are associated with homeownership. These are expenses that I require and the value of my property is dependent on. A home that doesn’t have water or access is ultimately worthless. But remind me why we cover schools with property taxes. Don’t get me wrong, we should fund schools so our children get the best education possible. In Utah, that should come from income tax. Our legislation has lowered income tax every year but they did not change the spending with school districts so where does that “savings” come from? It comes from property taxes – your income tax goes down and your property taxes go up. A game of political whack-a-mole: slash-a-tax.
FREE | COMMUNITY | PAPERS
Cottonwood Heights City Journal
SPONSORED CONTENT
CottonwoodHeightsJournal .com
September 2026 | Page 5
Everyday Utahns step up to help save the Great Salt Lake A retired teacher uses photography to inspire conservation while a recent Corner Canyon graduate proposes a way residents can save water, showing protecting the Great Salt Lake starts with everyday actions. By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com
T
he Great Salt Lake’s shrinking shoreline has become one of Utah’s most pressing environmental concerns, but for some residents, waiting for someone else to solve the problem isn’t an option. Retired Canyons School District teacher Linda Dalton Walker grew up swimming in the lake and has spent years documenting it through photography and painting. What began as a landscape painting trip in the 1980s became a lifelong mission after an encounter with a bird. “A great blue heron took off in front of me, and I was just enamored,” she said. “That was the beginning of my journey with Great Salt Lake.” Since retiring 11 years ago, Dalton Walker spends several days each week exploring and photographing the lake’s birdlife and changing shoreline. Her work has appeared in exhibitions highlighting the
Linda Dalton Walker will have a solo photography exhibit, “Great Salt Lake: America’s Inland Sea and Her Birds,” this September at Red Butte Garden. (Photo courtesy Linda Dalton Walker)
lake, including an upcoming solo photography exhibit, “Great Salt Lake: America’s Inland Sea and Her Birds,” opening Sept. 4 at Red Butte Garden. Dalton Walker said many Utahns know
THE WAY. DELIVERING RESULTS. ★ LEADING ★ PUTTING PUBLIC SAFETY FIRST. AS SHERIFF, I HAVE DELIVERED RESULTS: • Ended jail overcrowding releases and increased capacity • Rebuilt staffing after years of shortages • Increased mental health and substance use treatment in the jail • Strengthened youth gang prevention and intervention • Improved support for Search and Rescue volunteers
VOTE TO RE-ELECT
SHERIFF ROSIE RIVERA ★ ON NOVEMBER 3RD! ★
There’s more work to do. In my next term, I’ll continue addressing jail capacity, investing in prevention and treatment, expanding accountable alternatives to incarceration, and supporting the deputies and staff who keep our communities safe.
SCAN TO LEARN MORE
www.rosieforsheriff.com • Paid for by the Committee to Elect Rosie Rivera
Page 6 | September 2026
Linda Dalton Walker, who regularly photographs the birds of the Great Salt Lake, has noticed the declining level of the lake. (Photo courtesy Linda Dalton Walker)
the lake is shrinking, but they have never experienced it firsthand. “So many people don’t go out to Great Salt Lake; they just see what’s on the news,” she said. “If they go, they’d know the water used to come up to the causeway and now, it’s all dirt.” Dalton Walker’s photographs focus on migratory birds that depend on the lake, including snowy plovers, eared grebes and phalaropes. With the declining water levels, she has watched habitat and feeding areas disappear. “One time in 2019, I spent all day long photographing this one area. There were American white pelicans, great blue herons, bald eagles, kestrels, some dabbling ducks, all of them in one area. I have never experienced that since,” she said. “The birds don’t have a voice. People need to understand how many animals need the Great Salt Lake to survive.” Dalton Walker encourages residents to conserve water and support conservation efforts protecting the lake. Corner Canyon High School 2026 graduate Eric Larson advocates for changes with residential yards. He suggests replacing traditional Kentucky bluegrass with buffalo grass, a drought-tolerant alternative that requires less irrigation and maintenance. Larson said outdoor watering is a major use of municipal water, making residential landscapes important to water conservation. “The biggest thing is most people don’t know that they can help with the Great Salt Lake; they think there’s nothing the individual person can do,” he said. Larson estimates widespread adoption of water-efficient turf could save hundreds of thousands of acre-feet of water annually
while lowering maintenance costs for homeowners over time. He added businesses, schools, churches and government buildings also could replace their Kentucky bluegrass with buffalo grass or xeriscaping. “This won’t be a full solution, but it gets us very close and it will help us stall for more time,” he said. Larson believes education is one of the most important tools for protecting the Great Salt Lake. “I think studying the Great Salt Lake belongs in schools,” he said. “People would be a lot more interested to learn about something they can not only affect, but also, effects them.” Larson, an avid snowboarder who was concerned about the lake’s decline and its effects on Utah’s winters, first researched the impact as a concurrent environmental science project. Now he plans to share his findings with legislators. Both Dalton Walker and Larson share the same message: individual actions matter. Dalton Walker plans to return to the lake nearly every week, camera in hand. “I can’t sit back and watch this happen without informing people,” Dalton Walker said. Larson adds: “People can be a lot more involved, especially when they learn if they change what’s going on with their own home, it will impact the Great Salt Lake. That’s powerful.” l Linda Dalton Walker’s 40-photograph exhibit, “Great Salt Lake: America’s Inland Sea and Her Birds,” will run Sept. 4-29 at Red Butte Garden, 300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City. She will give a free presentation at 1 p.m., Sept. 12, with a reception following.
Cottonwood Heights City Journal
Police urge removal of bitcoin kiosks after increase in fraud
Two million dollars was lost by Cottonwood Heights residents in cryptocurrency scams. By Cassie Goff c.goff@mycityjournals.com
T
he Cottonwood Heights Police Department (CHPD) is urging the city council to pass an outright ban on bitcoin teller machines (BTMs) throughout the entire city. The reason? “...we’ve had 37 incidents involving bitcoin fraud. Of those, residents here have lost just under $2 million,” said Sgt. Kyler Burroughs. “Those are the ones that are reported and that’s a fraction of what’s actually occurring,” said CHPD Chief Robby Russo. Burroughs pulled data from Jan. 1, 2021 through Aug. 3, 2026 after noticing an increasing trend in reports concerning bitcoin frauds. The youngest victim of a cryptocurrency scam was 22 years old and the oldest was in their early 80s. The average victim in Cottonwood Heights, within the aforementioned fiveand-a-half year duration, was 59 years old and lost over $53,000. “Our biggest case was just a couple days ago actually and it was for close to $500,000,” Burroughs said. “I’m grateful for you noticing a trend and bringing it to us,” said Mayor Gay Lynn Bennion. Cryptocurrency and bitcoin scams run off of digital money. Instead of a centralized bank, cryptocurrency operates from a shared online record system (blockchain) so people can send unverified payments directly on one another. BTMs are the physical kiosks which allow cryptocurrency to be bought and sold. “I can send it to anyone in this room…and it’s nearly impossible to recover,” Burroughs said. “It’s not maintained like a bank. It’s all electronic over the internet.”
There are currently nine bitcoin teller machines within the city boundaries of Cottonwood Heights. (Kyler Burroughs/Cottonwood Heights Police Department)
The most prevalent types of fraud and cryptocurrency scams include email compromise, investment, warrant, romance, extortion and tech help. “We have been hit by every single one of these,” Burroughs said. “Law enforcement will not contact you to let you know you have a warrant or you’ve missed jury duty. It’s not what we do.” So far, Layton has been the only other city in Utah to successfully ban bitcoin machines. When they passed their ordinance in 2023, they gave hosting companies a 60-day grace period to get the BTMs removed. “Layton is a bigger city than us but they lost just as much as we did in the same time period,” Burroughs said.
“It’s very prevalent.” Currently, there are nine BTMs, owned by four different companies, within Cottonwood Heights. Burroughs said the incentive for hosting companies is a 10% to 20% kickback, averaging around $200 per month. Seven of these BTMs are hosted by libertyX and Allpoint; two are located within Target (7025 S. Park Centre Drive), two are within Walgreens (2330 Fort Union Blvd.), two are within the Fort Union and Union Park 7-11 gas stations, and one is within Sinclair (2995 Fort Union Blvd.). Additional BTMs are hosted by CoinFlip (Highland Drive) and Bitstop (Fort Union Boulevard). l
The Pause Project helps women learn about menopause
Two Utah event planners are turning their own perimenopause struggles into The Pause Project, a oneday conference Oct. 10 to replace “suffering in silence” with expert advice and community. By Rebecca Olds rebecca.o@thecityjournals.com
S
arah Kyle and Brooke Tolman have been friends and business partners in the events industry for a long time, so it was natural for them to talk about anything and everything — even the topics the larger community still regards as “taboo.” “I hate to say it, but especially in Utah … we are supposed to have the perfect home … our children are perfect … there’s just this sense of like you can’t show any of your flaws,” Kyle said. Tolman started noticing strange symptoms: brain fog that made it impossible to remember details that once came easily, restless nights where her eyes snapped open around 3 a.m. and refused to shut again — what she and Kyle now jokingly call the “3 a.m. club.” Then came the hot flashes. Worst of all was a growing sense that she simply didn’t feel like herself anymore, and her confidence began to crack. Talking it through with Kyle, Tolman was
CottonwoodHeightsJournal .com
stunned to learn she wasn’t crazy — and she wasn’t alone. Perimenopause and menopause affect most women, often starting in their 30s and lasting up to 10-12 years. Yet many say they were never told what to expect. Very little information is passed down within families, and most OB-GYN and primary care training includes only minimal menopause education — lining up with what Tolman and Kyle heard about doctors getting “15-20 minutes of training” on hormones. “For a long time… women were supposed to hold it all together, right?” Tolman said. “The ‘suffering in silence’ is, I think, passed down from generations … you’re a woman, you just have to deal with it.” But Kyle and Tolman decided they weren’t going to “just deal with it.” “You’re just trying to feel normal,” Tolman said. “I think that is the one sign most doctors agree with: you don’t really know what is happening to you, you just know you don’t feel like yourself, and you may not know that any of this other stuff is all related.” On Oct. 10 at The Grand America Hotel, Tolman and Kyle are hosting The Pause Project, a one-day conference designed to give women both information and community around perimenopause and menopause. The event will feature local women physicians and specialists from major health systems, along with Utahbased companies focused on women’s health,
supplements and wellness. “We’re not the experts, so we are leaning on experts,” Kyle said. “We do events, we’re suffering from this and we know a lot of women are. So we want to bring this to the public space.” They hope women will come with friends, adult daughters or sisters, take advantage of group pricing and, most importantly, bring their questions. Instead of 15 rushed minutes in an exam room, attendees will have a full day to hear from specialists, compare experiences
Brooke Tolman (left) and Sarah Kyle (right) created The Pause Project to help give hope and build a community of support for women experiencing perimenopause and menopause. (Photo courtesy Frederick W. Hayes/ Still Photographer)
with other women and leave knowing they’re not the only ones awake at 3 a.m. wondering what’s happening to their bodies.l
September 2026 | Page 7
Residents make history with the biggest recycling event yet
Utah Recycling Alliance hopes to bring more recycling events to Wasatch Front cities. By Cassie Goff c.goff@mycityjournals.com
A
whopping 13,824 pounds of hard-to-recycle material was diverted from the landfill in under three hours thanks to Cottonwood Heights residents who dropped off their discarded objects at the Utah Recycling Alliance’s CHaRM event (Collection of Hard-to-Recycle Materials) on June 6. “In our experience, people have a lot of material in their garage…that they are just holding onto because they’re not sure how to get rid of it,” said Utah Recycling Alliance Vice President Robi Overson. “Recycling in the blue bin is really narrowed down to metal, paper and certain types of plastics. That’s not a very big list of items.” CHaRM events are aimed to help residents properly dispose of items such as batteries, bicycles, computers, lightbulbs, printers, tires, socks, Styrofoam, and tires and tubes. “Our landfills are filling up. (Trans-)Jordan Landfill will be done in the next five to six years,” Overson said during his Impact Report presentation on July 21. “We need to stop putting unnecessary things in our landfills.” In 2025, the Cottonwood Heights CHaRM event collected 5,649 pounds of hard-to-recycle material from 112 vehicles. This year, 304 vehicles lined up to drop off their hard-to-recycle material. That resulted in a 171% increase in vehicle participation and a 144.7% increase for collected materials. “I’m telling you right now that’s the largest event we’ve ever had…by 21 vehicles. Everything we got, broke records,”
Thirteen volunteers came together to help collect and sort hard-to-recycle materials from Cottonwood Heights residents on June 6. (Robi Overson/Utah Recycling Alliance)
Overson reported. In another record, Cottonwood Heights residents brought 51 tires to be recycled. The previous record was only 35. Cottonwood Heights residents dispensed of 900 pounds of tires and tubes, 700 pounds of metal, 500 pounds of mattresses, 420 pounds of skis and snowboards, 215 pounds of batteries, 136 pounds of bicycles, 86 pounds of light bulbs, 79 pounds of plastics, 42 pounds of ink and toner cartridges, 30 pounds of Styrofoam, 22 pounds of socks and 4 pounds of oral care. Two thousand three hundred and four pounds of e-waste and cords was collected from Cottonwood Heights residents
during the three-hour CHaRM event. “Globally, (e-waste) is the largest waste that is growing,” Overson said. Utah Recycling Alliance coordinates with local recyclers for the disposal and repurposing of discarded materials. E-waste is directed to Assetworx (Springville), who has a Certificate of Data Destruction, so all data from old electronic devices is completely removed and demolished. “This does not occur without the recycler partners,” he said. Additional recycling partners of URA include Atlas, Bicycle Collective, Terracycle, Ski Trucks, Recyclops, RecycleIt, Red’s Metal Recycling and Liberty Tire Recycling. “There is too much going to the landfill,” said Cottonwood Heights Mayor Gay Lynn Bennion, “That is dangerous.” Utah Recycling Alliance’s goal is to have at least one CHaRM event in each city along the Wasatch Front during the summer months. “It will be a challenge, logistically, to pull that off,” Overson said. “It takes a lot of volunteers to help separate out the material.” Thirteen volunteers helped to collect materials from Cottonwood Heights residents at 2330 Fort Union Blvd. “You had enough volunteers there that going through the line was very positive and pleasant,” said Cottonwood Heights Councilmember Suzanne Hyland. “Thank you for giving us this opportunity to prove that this is needed,” Overson said. “We want to be part of the solution.” To learn more about Utah Recycling Alliance and view upcoming CHaRM events, visit their website at www.utah recyclingalliance.org. l
GRIEF HAS NO TIMELINE As Utah’s official educational savings plan for the past 30 years, we help you invest for education so you can help your children and grandchildren follow their dreams. Contributing even a small amount now to a 529 education savings account can help make college or vocational school more affordable later.
Grief is an individual journey with a path as unique as each one of us. To offer support and hope, we provide various Grief Support Services for those who are mourning a recent or past loss.
And now, 529 savings can be used for qualified education expenses that occur before, during and after college. my529 can help make the process of saving for higher education easy!
Learn more at my529.org Investing is an important decision. The investments in your account may vary with market conditions and could lose value. Carefully read the Program Description in its entirety for more information and consider all investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing. For a copy of the Program Description, call 800.418.2551 or visit my529.org.
Page 8 | September 2026
Call or go to: Jenkins-Soffe.com and click on Resources then Grief & Healing.
MURRAY 4760 S State Street
801.266.0222
SOUTH JORDAN 1007 W South Jordan Pkwy
801.254.1928
Cottonwood Heights City Journal
Prostate/ Breast Cancer
Fall Into Action: Tackle Cancer Screenings This Season
FALL IS MORE THAN football and pump-
kin spice – it’s time for men and women to prioritize their health. As September spotlights Prostate Cancer Awareness and October approaches with Breast Cancer Awareness, our local medical experts are issuing a direct call to our community. This is your cue: men, actively engage with your prostate health; women, prioritize your breast health. Early detection is the most powerful tool you have to protect your life and your loved ones. The statistics are sobering. For men, prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer, and tragically, it stands as the second leading cause of cancer death, surpassed only by lung cancer. Similarly, for women, breast cancer is a significant threat, also ranking as the second leading cause of cancer death, second only to lung cancer. These aren’t just abstract figures; they represent real individuals whose lives can be profoundly impacted by timely action. “Too often, men delay necessary screenings,” explains Dr. Pursifull, a urologist at Holy Cross Hospital – Mountain Point in Lehi. “But waiting for symptoms to appear
significantly reduces treatment options. Regular PSA blood tests and digital rectal exams are straightforward procedures that detect cancer early. Talk to your primary care physician about your risk factors, especially if you have a family history or are of African American descent. CommonSpirit hospitals offer comprehensive prostate cancer screenings and advanced treatment options.” For women, prioritizing breast health is equally critical. “Early detection is truly a game-changer when it comes to breast cancer,” states Dr. Raylene Natwick, a breast surgeon practicing at a Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley. “When breast cancer is identified early, the chances of successful treatment and a full recovery are remarkably higher. This is precisely why regular mammograms are so vital. They can detect subtle changes years before they would ever be palpable.” Dr. Natwick advises women to discuss screening guidelines starting around age 40, or earlier if risk factors warrant it. Monthly self-examinations and annual clinical breast exams are also crucial. “CommonSpirit hospitals are equipped with state-of-the-art mam-
mography technology and a dedicated team ready to support women.” “As primary care providers, we are frequently the entry portal to the health care system.” said Dr. Grant Hawkins, an internal medicine physician with CommonSpirit in West Jordan. We encourage our patients to have their yearly wellness checkups. At that time we have the opportunity to review medical issues, make medication adjustments, discuss new concerns and arrange for screening tests that are so important in preventing serious problems in the future.” This Fall, make the decision to prioritize your health. Both prostate and breast cancer often have excellent prognoses when caught early. CommonSpirit hospitals are committed to providing accessible screenings, expert diagnostics, and leading-edge treatments. Schedule your screenings and engage in crucial conversations with your doctor. Your life, your future, and your well-being depend on it. For more information or to find a provider visit mountain.commonspirit.org SPONSORED CONTENT
Learn more about the services, care providers and mission-driven work of the Holy Cross hospitals and CommonSpirit Health at www. holycrossutah.org.
At CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
When minutes count, count on our emergency care. Get to know us before you need us. When you need emergency care fast, the closest emergency room is a smart thing to know. You never know the level of care you’ll need when an emergency happens and choosing the right ER can make all the difference. And a hospital ER comes with the confidence of additional services right on-site. CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital – Salt Lake has been awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation from the American College of Cardiology (ACC). Facilities that achieve accreditation meet or exceed an array of stringent criteria for evaluating, diagnosing and treating patients who may be experiencing a heart attack. Find emergency care close to you at mountain.commonspirit.org.
CommonSpirit Health Mountain Region does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, religion, creed, ancestry, sexual orientation, and marital status in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. For further information about this policy contact CommonSpirit Health Mountain Region Office of the General Counsel at 1-303-643-1000 (TTY: 711). Copyright © CommonSpirit Health Mountain Region, 2026. ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-303-643-1000 (TTY: 711). CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn. Gọi số 1-303-643-1000 (TTY: 711).
CottonwoodHeightsJournal .com
September 2026 | Page 9
continued from front page for future generations. Resident Robert Smith reminded Bennion of something she said when she was knocking door-to-door during her campaigning season. “You want young families to be able to move here and (the property tax increase) is not going to help that.” “How much more do people have to pull out of their pocket?” asked resident Felix Salazar. “I don’t want to have to move because I can’t afford to live here.” Bennion offered specific residents (seniors, veterans, surviving spouses, residents with disabilities, households
experiencing financial hardship) can go to the Utah Treasurer’s website to request property tax relief. “I don’t want developers running us over. We can maintain this mountain suburban lifestyle that we love,” Councilmember Suzanne Hyland said. “Change can manage us or we can manage change.” One of the other common sticking points brought up by residents was the $30-million General Obligation Bond from 2024 for Hillside Plaza. “I owe you an apology,” said Councilmember Ellen Birrell. “I’ve been on this council for four and a half years. The GO bond, and the information that went out…
was insufficient. It was wrong. That was unethical.” “We need a place our community feels united…where we are able to make the income the city desperately needs. We cannot increase taxes and not have anything to show for it,” said Eagle Scout Zachary Ashby. “In hindsight, (Hillside Plaza) probably should’ve never been purchased,” said Hyland. “We are at this point where we have to…bring the town center online… If that generates a lot of revenue, I’ll do a tax decrease. One hundred percent.” On Aug. 11, Ordinance 2026-471: Adopting the Final Tax Levy and Rate…on
“I’d like to see more with what happened to the Hillside Plaza. It’s sitting vacant,” said District 1 resident Karen Roylance. (Photo courtesy of Cottonwood Heights)
Real and Personal Property within the city… was motioned by Birrell and seconded by Newell. Ordinance 2026-472: Adopting the Final Budget for the city….(including additional budgeted property tax revenue of $3.5 million) was motioned by Hyland and seconded by Birrell. Both ordinances passed with Councilmember Matt Holton being the opposing vote. “I’m not super excited about even getting to 25%,” he said. l
The 2026 Cottonwood Heights City Council will be raising property taxes. The only remaining question is - by how much? (Photo courtesy of Cottonwood Heights)
TREE SERVICES
MEET THE
% 30 OFF
EXPERTS
EXPIRES 10/15/26
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE WORK
Your path to back pain relief begins at SWSP Specializing in minimally-invasive treatments for a wide range of pain conditions, including:
PATRICK
FOREMAN. LEADER. PROBLEM SOLVER.
• Arm & Leg Pain • Auto Accident Injuries • Back & Neck Pain • Cancer Pain • Post-Herpetic Neuralgia • Post-Surgical Pain
Patrick leads with experience and integrity. He’s the one in the bucket, on the ground, and in your corner. Making sure every job is done safely, cleanly, and right the first time.
• Sciatica • Shingles • Spinal Canal Stenosis • Spinal Compression Fractures • Workplace Injuries And more...
Braden Jex, DO
4624 S Holladay Blvd Suite 202
(in the Olympus Family Medicine Building)
TREE REMOVAL
STUMP GRINDING
EXPERT CARE. STRONGER COMMUNITIES. Page 10 | September 2026
PRUNING
PROUDLY SERVING SALT LAKE CITY, UT AND SURROUNDING AREAS
PLANT HEALTH CARE
801-938-4345
DIAMONDTREEEXPERTS.COM
385-347-0024
Helping patients live life again.
Craig Doxey, PA-C
Cottonwood Heights City Journal
CottonwoodHeightsJournal .com
September 2026 | Page 11
GET TO THE RIVER! ALL SEPTEMBER! Enjoy experiences and make wonderful memories at Utah’s Jordan River Parkway throughout the month of September.
The Get to the River Festival is a month of recreational, cultural, social, educational, and stewardship activities and events. Join us for something familiar, or explore and discover something new. Check the Festival schedule and learn more at:
G e tToT h e R i ve r. o r g Page 12 | September 2026
Dozens of Free Community Events & Activities Throughout the Month Recreation Arts Community Education Stewardship
your watershed
LOVE YOUR WATERSHED Litter, chemicals, and organic material like leaves and pet waste, on our streets, sidewalks, and parking areas, wash into storm drains and then into lakes, streams, and the Jordan River each time it rains and snows, polluting these waterways. Organize a group clean up of the litter and leaves around the streets and storm drains in your neighborhood for the 9/11 National Day of Service & Remembrance. Each month, make a habit to clean up the gutter and storm drains in front of your own home or business.
L o veYo u r Wa t e r s h e d . o r g Cottonwood Heights City Journal
City Journals presents:
A publication covering local pets, their
humans and their care around the Salt Lake Valley
Give an old dog a new beginning By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com Puppies are cute but senior dogs have wisdom, manners and lots of love to share. While an older dog might not have the energy of a puppy or long years of fun and adventure left in them, for people willing to look past the slower walks and gray hairs, a senior dog can offer a life-changing experience at both ends of the leash. Guinnevere Shuster works as the Humane Society of Utah’s communication director. She said there are several misconceptions about adopting an older dog that can hold people back from a loving relationship, including the idea that the dog will pass away too soon. “When people are worried about that, I often bring up the fact that the time that you do have is really special, and you’re really making a difference for this animal,” she said. “You’re getting them out of the animal shelter into a home where they’re loved. Getting them out of the shelter and into a home is really rewarding.” Dogs are considered senior when they turn 7 and cats when they turn 10 or 11. Although aging differs between the size and breed of the animals, many pets live several more years. Shuster said one cat was 12 when she was adopted, but lived another five years.
She said most senior pets offer calm companionship and are deeply grateful for another chance to live with a loving family. While some of the animals had an established bond with their previous families, others might have led a rough life, but they usually have an easy time adjusting to a new home. “They’re really resilient, and they’re also very social creatures. So they are looking to make that connection with people,” Shuster said. “They want to be around you. They want to have their person. It might take them a little time to learn the ropes and get adjusted to everyone, but dogs and cats typically bond pretty quickly to who’s caring for them, especially to who’s feeding them.” Adopting a senior dog from the Humane Society comes with several benefits. All adoption fees are waived and they are spayed or neutered and microchipped. They receive all necessary vaccinations and are given medical and dental exams, including blood work and X-rays, if needed. If the animal has medical issues, or needs teeth pulled, those problems are taken care of before they are put up for adoption. Potential adopters receive full transparency when it comes to the animal’s physical condition. “When adopting an older dog, they know what they’re getting,” Shuster said.
BlackJack is a 10-year-old Norwegian elkhound/husky mix. He’s one of the senior dogs available for adoption at the Humane Society of Utah. (Photo courtesy of Humane Society of Utah) “They don’t have to worry about potty training or loose-leash walking or the dog chewing up any shoes. You know what you’re getting with a senior animal and that brings a great peace of mind and a lot less stress.” For those interested in adopting a senior dog or cat, the Humane Society of Utah has information about all its animals,
including photos, at utahhumane.org. “One of the benefits is that when you get them home, you get that reward of giving an animal a home, an animal that’s often overlooked in the shelter environment and maybe not favored by most people,” Shuster said. “It’s really rewarding to know that you’re giving this animal a place to rest for their golden years.”
801-266-2600
Jinkies! It’s Funny CottonwoodHeightsJournal .com
4861 S State Street, Murray, UT DesertStarPlayhouse.com September 2026 | Page 13
5 unique animal rescue organizations By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com It’s not just cats and dogs that need rescue and love. When you think of animal rescues, you probably picture shelters filled with cute kittens or adorable dogs. But animal rescue is much more than that. Several organizations in Utah are dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating everything from ducks to turtles and finding homes for these unique pets. Here are a few of these groups that help nearly every type of creature.
Wasatch Exotics Rescue
Founded by Angela Pollack, Marybeth Spencer and Mitchell Christiansen, Wasatch Exotics Rescue provides a foster-based model in which every rescue is placed in an approved foster home. The fosters set up a proper habitat for the animals and give the rescues love and attention until they find their forever home. The group accepts pets such as ball pythons, iguanas, geckos, bearded dragons, turtles and more. To adopt an exotic pet, surrender an animal, become a foster or volunteer, visit wasatchexoticsrescue.org for more information.
Clementine Ranch
Although they are not currently accepting new animals, Clementine Ranch is a sanctuary for livestock. Started by Lindsey Armstrong and Rob Fenn, the ranch is intended to be a place of compassion, embracing a vegan lifestyle. The couple took over an existing animal sanctuary in Herriman that needed a lot of renovation to make it safe for humans and animals. The rescued or retired livestock include cows, sheep, goats, horses, emus and chickens who can live out their lives in peace and comfort. At clementineranch.org, information is available on how to support the organization to keep the animals fed and housed. Follow their adventures on social media @ theclementineranch.
Wasatch Wanderers Animal Rescue
This animal rescue is focused on the care of abandoned, neglected or unwanted animals. Since it was founded in 2021, the organization has rescued 1,400 animals in need. Wasatch Wanderers is dedicated to educating owners about the care of domestic fowl, which are often dumped in rivers, lakes
Let’s Talk Menopause UTAH’S MENOPAUSE EVENT
Let’s Talk Menopause UTAH’S MENOPAUSE EVENT
and streams once they outgrow their “cute” chick stage. Rescuers hope that by teaching people that domesticated ducks, geese and chickens cannot survive in the wild, it will stop the illegal dumping of these animals. Learn more about the organization, or donate to the cause at wasatchwanderers.org.
Community Animal Welfare Society (CAWS)
CAWS is Utah’s oldest animal rescue group, providing foster care, adoption and education to save cats and dogs that are often overlooked or under-appreciated. This includes sick, elderly, injured or special needs animals looking for the perfect family. Most animals at CAWS are rescued from shelters across Utah and other states. Families looking to adopt are carefully screened to ensure they get the best pet for their home. For information about adoption, fostering, volunteering or donating, visit caws.org.
Canines With a Cause
This organization offers a double bonus: it pairs rescued shelter dogs with military veterans struggling with PTSD. Animals are evaluated at shelters to find potential candidates to become psychiatric service dogs, then partnered with a vet. The duo trains together, allowing the vets
When ducks are illegally dumped in ponds and streams, Wasatch Wanderers rescue and rehome them. It’s just one of the many organizations that help animals find loving homes. (Canva stock) to work with the dog to develop therapy skills and tasks. These can include interrupting distress, waking a vet up during nightmares, retrieving items and grounding. CWAC helps the pair develop a strong bond that supports both partners. Classes are offered to veterans at no cost. To learn more, visit canineswithacause.org.
The Care You
Deserve Call to schedule your tour today!
385-376-2389 Independent Living • Assisted Living • Memory Care Elevated Dining • Activities for Mind, Body, and Soul
500
Whether you’re experiencing hotbrain flashes, Whether you’re experiencing hot flashes, fog, brain fog,
$
sleepless nights, mood swings or simply sleepless nights, mood swings orwondering simply wondering no woman BecauseBecause no woman what’s happening to your body, The Pause Project is a what’s happening to your body, The Pause Project is a day created just for you. should have to navigate should have to navigate day created just for you. this journey alone. Join leading healthcare professionals, wellness experts, this journey alone. and women from across Utah for honest conversations, Join leading healthcare professionals, wellness experts,
What You’ll Experience • Expert speakers
• Honest conversations What You’ll Experience • Wellness resources
• Expert speakers • Community & connection • Honest conversations • Lunch included • Wellness resources • Community & connection • Lunch included
Page 14 | September 2026
trusted education, and a supportive community.
and women from across Utah for honest conversations, trusted education, and a supportive community. October 10, 2026 The Grand America Hotel Salt Lake City, UT
October 10, 2026
pauseprojectutah.com
Scan to get tickets!
The Grand America Hotel Salt Lake City, UT pauseprojectutah.com
Scan to get tickets!
7235 Union Park Ave. Cottonwood Heights, UT 84047 www.ValenciaCottonwood.com marketing@valenciacottonwood.com
OFF
your move-in deposit!
Move-in deposit is $2,000 and non-refundable Must mention this ad to receive offer. Expires 9/30/26.
Cottonwood Heights City Journal
Cottonwood Heights’ vet clinic saves Piper the Viper By Cassie Goff | c.goff@mycityjournals.com “They really did treat Piper like he was my child,” Ruben “Rusty” Lugo said of the staff at Wasatch Exotic Pet Care. Pets reside in over 66% of U.S. households, according to a Forbes report pulling research from the American Pet Products Association in 2024. Of those, the most common pets are dogs (56.3 million) and cats (43.1 million). Salt Lake County residents, however, like to keep things interesting with beekeeping and backyard chicken coop trends. Rabbits, ferrets, ducks, turkeys, goats, cows, pigs, sheep, horses, snakes and turtles are also allowed within most of the county’s cities (with varying ordinance and permitting requirements). One such nontraditional pet is a California king snake named Piper. Cottonwood Heights Planning Commissioner Ruben “Rusty” Lugo calls Piper the Viper a part of the family. “I’ve always loved exotic type pets,” Lugo said. “They are wonderful conversation starters.” Lugo adopted Piper in 2015 when he was 6 months old. At the time, he was about 3.5 inches long and, when coiled, could fit in the palm of Lugo’s hand. “People have this perception that
a few words. His favorite childhood pet was a tarantula which lived for 12 years. Lugo now passes on the tradition of nontraditional pet ownership to his son with Piper the Viper. Upon returning home from a recent summer trip, Lugo found Piper coiled up in his water dish (which is an abnormal behavior for snakes). Upon further inspection, Lugo noticed Piper’s heat lamp had gone out. He thought he might give Piper some
snakes are slimy. They’re actually soft, smooth and very clean animals,” Lugo said. Lugo’s been able to watch people’s perceptions of snakes change in real-time. It all starts by slowly bringing Piper out to introduce him with a single touch or pet. “He’s so tame,” Lugo said. “Now, my friends are coming back to hold Piper.” Lugo’s love for animals is genetic. He recalls how his mom converted one of the bedrooms in his childhood home into a space dedicated to raising animals. They had lizards, praying mantises, tree turtles, swimming turtles and frogs. She even let the large turtles roam around in the backyard. Once, his mom brought home and cared for a wounded Piper the Viper came home to an all new terrarium after a health magpie. She eventuscare. (Ruben “Rusty” Lugo/Cottonwood Heights) ally taught it to speak
time before he grew concerned. However, his girlfriend nudged him to not wait. Lugo called Wasatch Exotic Pet Care and they recommended bringing him in. “He was real lethargic and was barely alive,” Lugo said. “We got the good call around 4:30 p.m. that Piper was thriving in a heat incubator.” Lugo was prepared to pay whatever the cost to ensure a member of his family remained healthy. He was pleased when Wasatch Exotic Pet Care presented him with reasonable and fair pricing that didn’t break his bank. “They really did treat Piper like he was my child,” Lugo said. “It’s exceptional to have that service in our awesome city of Cottonwood Heights.” Piper was able to go home that day. Wasatch Exotic Pet Care even sent Lugo home with additional information about California king snakes. “It hit me I love Piper more than I thought,” Lugo said. “I’ve been holding him a lot more ever since.” Wasatch Exotic Pet Care is a drop-off only small business located at 1892 E. Fort Union Blvd. (Open from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday). To learn more, visit their website at: www.wasatchexotic.com. According to Lugo, Piper has a long life ahead of him, which may be about 25 more years as that’s how long California king snakes can live in captivity.
Meet the winners of our cutest pet social media contest First place is a three-way tie!
First place. “Peaches smashed between our mastiff/ pitbull mix and the couch.” (Photo submitted by Kelsee Tia Kinder)
CottonwoodHeightsJournal .com
First place. “Rosie is a 9-week-old shih tzu who alternates between nibbling at your toes and taking naps under the couch. Her emotional support human’s name is Liz.” (Photo submitted by Liz Ang)
First place. “Charlie puppy is a 4-year-old yorkipoo who does not like going to Lowe’s but when he does, he planks on a bucket of drywall mud to strengthen his front paws. His motto is ‘why only lift a leg when you can lift your entire body?’ His support humans are Liz and Stephane.” (Photo submitted by Liz Ang)
September 2026 | Page 15
Coach Melissa Nash built Brighton girls lacrosse into one of Utah’s most decorated 5A programs, compiling a 96-41 record over nine seasons as head coach. (Photo courtesy Brighton High)
Coach Melissa Nash directs the Bengals from the sideline at Freestone Field, where she says she can’t stay away even after stepping down. (Photo courtesy Brighton High)
Celebrated Brighton girls lacrosse coach steps down A year after BYU tapped her to lead its new women’s lacrosse program, Melissa Nash has decided the balancing act of coaching three teams has run its course — but she’s not going far. By Jerry S. Christensen | j.christensen@mycityjournals.com
S
ince Melissa Nash took over the Brighton girls lacrosse program in 2018, Freestone Field has become one of the sport’s proving grounds in Utah. That run came to a close this month when Nash informed the Brighton community she is stepping away as head coach, closing the book on a tenure that turned a fledgling club team into a fixture near the top of the 5A standings. The decision comes a year after BYU hired Nash away last August to build the university’s first women’s lacrosse program in the Rocky Mountain Women’s Lacrosse League. At the time, Nash said she planned to juggle both jobs — BYU practices in the morning, Brighton in the evening — with help from assistant coaches on both sides. But after a season spent splitting her attention among BYU, Brighton and Utah Elevate, the club program she also directs, Nash decided something had to give. “Over the past year, balancing coaching at BYU, Brighton and Elevate was challenging,” Nash wrote in a letter to the Brighton lacrosse community. “Each of these things are high priorities to me, and I want to make
Page 16 | September 2026
sure they all got the time, energy and commitment they deserve.” Nash also served as the USA Lacrosse Utah representative. Nash called it one of the hardest decisions of her career. “Brighton lacrosse has been such a giant part of my life since 2014!” she wrote, a reference that predates her time as head coach, when she first came on staff as an assistant. “I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to coach this program for so long and am so proud of the program we’ve built with the help of so many players, parents, coaches and incredible admin support.” The numbers back up that pride. Over nine seasons as head coach, Nash guided Brighton to a 96-41 overall record, three third-place finishes at the 5A state tournament (2022, 2023, 2024). Her rosters produced 32 All-State selections, 44 All-Region honorees, nine USA Lacrosse All-Americans and 14 USA Lacrosse Academic All-Americans. Five of her players won the USA Lacrosse Jackie Pitts Award, given to just one player per state each year — Baylee Bruce (2020), Mary Stubben (2023), Ayla Cole (2024), Emma Henderson (2025) and Cameron Gomez (2026). Zoe Heffernan (2022) and Sophie Nielsen (2026) were each named Utah’s lacrosse Player of the Year under Nash. Players who spent years under Nash’s direction described a coach whose influence outlasted their time at Brighton. Morgan Harris, who played for Nash before going on to captain the University of Utah lacrosse team, said Nash’s imprint on the
program is inseparable from its identity. “Nash truly defines Brighton girls lacrosse for me and hundreds of other girls and women who had the privilege to play under her guidance and leadership,” Harris said. Addi England, who played for Nash before continuing her career at Southern Virginia University and is now the head coach at Highland High, said Nash is the reason she pursued the sport at all — and later, coaching. “Her passion made me fall in love with lacrosse, and her support made me believe in myself more than I thought possible,” England said. “Because of her, I went on to play throughout college, and she inspired me to become a coach myself and continue sharing that love and knowledge of lacrosse. I consider Nash a close friend now and she has been there for me through so much. Truly a one of a kind human!” Heffernan, the 2022 Player of the Year, credited Nash’s influence beyond the field. “Nash is someone that everyone looks up to, because of the positive impact she has on everyone around her,” Heffernan said. “To be coached by Nash was such a privilege and I know she’ll continue to inspire wherever she is in life.” Nielsen, this year’s Player of the Year and one of the seniors who closed out Nash’s tenure, put it more simply. “Nash is hands down one of the best coaches that I have ever had the privilege playing for,” Nielsen said. “She doesn’t just know the game insanely well, but she is such a kind and caring person. The four years that I played with her were the best four years
ever, she is the best!” For Nash, though, the record book was never the point. “I am incredibly proud of those accomplishments, but the relationships are what matter most to me,” she wrote. “The best part of coaching has been getting to know the players and watching them grow.” She pointed to the college graduations, mission farewells and homecomings, and weddings she’s attended since 2018 — and to Heffernan, who has since gone on to compete internationally as a lacrosse Olympian. “The lives and accomplishments of our players, families and coaches are the true legacy of this program, and I am so thankful for every person who has been part of the Brighton lacrosse family.” Nash told Brighton administrators she intends to stay involved through the transition to a new head coach. She has already been working with the team’s seniors to organize a fall Super Sevens tournament and has kept preseason planning on schedule. “I’ve been doing everything to set up the season as I normally would — nothing is out of the ordinary,” she wrote. Stepping away from the sideline doesn’t mean stepping away from the program, Nash made clear. Her husband, Matt, and daughter, Parker, have long been fixtures at Freestone Field on game days, and she doesn’t expect that to change. “You can’t keep me away from Freestone Field at sunset,” she wrote. “We hope that one day we’ll be there cheering for Parker too. Once a Bengal, always a Bengal. Go Bengals — with love and gratitude!” l
Cottonwood Heights City Journal
Prom is possible for all An inclusive dance ensures every student can experience excitement and traditions. By Julie Slama j.slama@mycityjournals.com
F
or many high school students, prom is a night to remember. In Canyons School District, the unified prom ensures that memory belongs to everyone. The third annual event brings together students of all abilities for an evening centered on friendship, inclusion and fun. Leading up to the dance, many students will ask their dates to attend with posters and participate in a predance activity. “For the unified prom, we make sure all the kids who want to go have dates, and before the dance, our school goes to the arcade together,” Hillcrest High senior Abbi Clark said. “We take a lot of pictures, dance, have dinner together — it’s a fun night.” Unlike traditional school dances, the unified prom, which was held at The Ballard in Draper, is designed with all students’ needs in mind.
“The music is a lot quieter; we can step outside to play cornhole or see the amazing view from the deck. It helps make the unified prom a great event for everyone,” she said, adding there are quieter rooms with activities for students who may become overstimulated. Corner Canyon High students take on the planning and organization of the event, but they extend the dance to all district high schools. After high school, many students will attend Life Skills Academy together. “Our students get really excited about it,” Hillcrest High teacher Rebecca Remy said. “They see familiar faces from other schools’ unified sports teams so it’s fun for them to dance and socialize together.” Hillcrest junior Yadiel Rodriguez Jr. likes the evening’s dancing and playing at the arcade. “It’s all fun,” he said. “I’m with my friends.” l
Students of all abilities danced together at Canyons School District’s third annual unified prom. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
INTRODUCING APRÈS CONDOS IN COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS
Your next
A dventure Begins Here Après redefines mountain living with a collection of boutique luxury residences designed for the rhythm of modern life. Expansive rooftop amenities, wellnessfocused spaces, refined interiors, and immediate access to the Wasatch mountains creates a living experience unlike anything else on the east bench.
APRESCONDOS.COM/CCJ KERI HOLLAND 801.410.1637 TOUR THE SALES GALLERY MON - FRI: 12PM - 5PM SAT: 11AM - 4PM | SUN: BY APPT
ELEVATOR ENTRY
SINGLE STORY FLOOR PLANS
CottonwoodHeightsJournal .com
LOCK AND LEAVE LIFESTYLE
ZERO MAINTENANCE
September 2026 | Page 17
Brighton football begins new season with coach Montzingo at the helm A new era begins at Freestone Field as former Park City Miners coach Josh Montzingo takes the reins of the Bengals, staring down one of the toughest slates in 5A.
This year’s out-of-region opponents will stretch the young Bengals in the early season. The Bengals will face Ridgeline, the two-time reigning 2025 4A state champion, along with Crimson Cliffs, last year’s 4A runner-up. Rounding out the marquee matchups are dates with old rival West and By Jerry S. Christensen 6A Weber that will test Brighton against j.christensen@mycityjournals.com athletes a classification above its own. It’s a schedule built not to pad a win total, but fter a decade building the Park City to prepare the Bengals for the postseaMiners into a program to be reckoned son gauntlet that awaits every serious 5A with, Josh Montzingo is bringing that expe- contender. rience to the valley. In his first extended A Coach Focused on the Long Game remarks since taking over the Brighton For Montzingo, wins and losses are Bengals in May, Montzingo laid out a clear picture of what his inaugural season will look only part of the equation. Keeping his players healthy is a top priority, but he was like — and it isn’t for the faint of heart. quick to point to something he considers The Gauntlet that is Region 6 just as important. If there’s one word to describe the “Personal player development is road ahead, it’s “competitive.” Brighton paramount,” Montzingo said. “I want to finds itself in a 5A Region 6 loaded with see these boys become the best they can proven winners. Alta, Olympus and Brigh- become.” ton represent the Salt Lake Valley continThat philosophy — one part physical gent, while Woods Cross, Bountiful and safety, one part long-term growth — is the Viewmont carry the flag for Davis County. same approach that helped Montzingo susAll six programs have built reputations as tain success in Park City over the last 10 consistent contenders, meaning there will years. Now he’s looking to translate it to be no easy Friday nights on the region a Brighton program eager to prove itself. schedule this fall. Building the Staff Notably absent from that region groupA new head coach means a new coaching is Skyline. Though Skyline is a 5A school, it swims at a 6A level and the Eagles ing staff, and Montzingo has spent the offseason assembling a group he believes can play football at the 4A level this year. execute his vision on both sides of the ball. Scheduling Up Among the new additions are staff from If the region slate wasn’t demand- Park City, veteran coaches from Brighton ing enough, Brighton’s nonregion sched- and new coaches drawn to Brighton’s proule follows a philosophy the program has gram: Kayleb Kirby, Kirt Larsen, Brayden leaned into for years: seek out the best Stevens, Josh Huber, Rick Morgan, Alec competition available, wherever it’s found. Febo, Jim Larson, James Dodson, Jake
A
Brighton football takes the field for the 2025 campaign. (Photo Brighton High School)
Bricker, Paul Tanner, Teddy Spooner, Kai Fuertes, Mark Jensen and Brandon Larsen. As fall camp gets underway, all eyes will be on how quickly Montzingo’s staff can install its systems and how the Bengal student-athletes respond to a schedule that offers no shortage of measuring sticks. The Cottonwood Heights community, always supportive of its hometown football
team, won’t have to wait long to find out what kind of team it has. The roar of home games at Freestone Field — known to Bengals faithful as “The Jungle” — can be heard from virtually every corner of the community as Friday night lights kicks off at 7 p.m. on Sept. 4 (Crimson Cliffs), Thursday, Sept. 10 (West), Sept. 18 (Viewmont), Oct. 2 (Woods Cross) and Wednesday, Oct. 14 (Alta). l
Soliciting without a license? Citations await Residents can legally request any salesperson to leave their property immediately. By Cassie Goff c.goff@mycityjournals.com
R
esidents can ask any solicitor if they’ve been licensed with the city (at least, within Cottonwood Heights) and to see their credentials. As of press deadline, the city has not approved any solicitor licenses. “Anyone engaging in door-to-door solicitation is required to register with the city and obtain the required certificate before soliciting,” said Cottonwood Heights Police (CHPD) Chief Robby Russo. Salespeople should not ignore “No Soliciting” signs because someone is home or because they think the resident will be personally interested. Soliciting can only occur between the approved hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. “Our goal is not to discourage legitimate commerce. It is to make sure those conducting business door-to-door in
Page 18 | September 2026
NO SOLICITING “The Cottonwood Heights Police Department will be taking a zero-tolerance approach toward violations of the city’s solicitation ordinance,” said Chief Russo. (Adobe Stock)
Cottonwood Heights follow the law and, equally important, respect the wishes and privacy of our residents,” said Russo. There are a few exceptions within the city’s regulating ordinance (Chapter 5.86 Residential Solicitation) for solicitation: those with a state-issued license or permit, religious and political advocacy, deliveries, and charities.
“Boy Scouts and fundraising is specifically carved out,” Councilmember Matthew Holton said. “No one is complaining about that,” Russo responded in jest. Soliciting without a city-approved license, or any other related failure to comply with the city’s soliciting ordinance, is a Class B misdemeanor violation (which means six months jail time and/or an $1,000 fine). “I imagine citing a few of them would make this problem go away pretty quickly,” Russo said. “We can start citing people and get the bail schedule set.” Russo encourages residents to contact CHPD if they believe there is an occurring violation. No one is required to speak with a salesperson or open their doors. Any resident can request a solicitor leave their property. When a request has been made, solicitors are required to leave immediately and “peacefully depart,” as per the city code. CHPD’s nonemergency dispatch is available 24 hours per day and can be reached by calling 801-840-4000. l
Cottonwood Heights City Journal
Art at The Park helps Utah artists flourish
Bryce Samuleson is a landscape artist whose work was displayed at a previous Art at The Park Show. (Photo courtesy of Rob Chipman) SPONSORED CONTENT
UTAH ARTISTS RETURN to The Garden Place at This Is The Place Heritage Park (2601 Sunnyside Ave.) as part of the fifth annual Art at The Park event. The community is invited to attend the free art show Sept. 18-19, where they can meet the artists behind the works, watch live art demonstrations and explore a diverse selection of original pieces priced from $100 to $10,000. “We are so excited to be back for our fifth year at beautiful This Is The Place Heritage Park, where art lovers can see the amazing work of over 75 of Utah’s top fine artists,” said Rob Chipman, founder of Art at The Park and ArtThrive. “It is so satisfying to have enabled our artists to have sold well over $1 million worth of art since our founding. Now, as part of a new nonprofit organization, all of the net proceeds of the event will go towards helping local artists to flourish to an even greater degree.” The show is presented as part of ArtThrive, a new nonprofit organization that assists Utah artists and promotes art appreciation in the state. More than 75 local artists will showcase their work at Art at The Park on Friday, Sept. 18, from noon to 9 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 19, from 11:00 am until 7 p.m. Artists are expected from Cottonwood Heights, Bountiful, Kaysville, Draper, Holladay, Midvale, Millcreek, Murray, Riverton, Sandy, South Salt Lake, South Jordan, Taylorsville and West Jordan.
Cremation Services AT LARKIN MORTUARY, we understand how challenging planning end-of-life services can be. For over 140 years, our caring team has been dedicated to serving families and helping them create a meaningful and personalized experience.
A common misconception is that choosing cremation limits your options for a service. In reality, it opens the door to immense flexibility. We specialize in cremation services and can help you design a ceremony that perfectly reflects your loved one’s unique life and story. Whether you prefer the structure of a traditional funeral before the cremation or a contemporary life celebration afterward, we are here to make it happen.
Choosing a final resting place for ashes is a deeply personal decision. Larkin provides several beautiful and permanent placement options to give your family a place to visit and reflect: • Mausoleum Niche Walls: Elegant and secure above-ground resting spaces within our mausoleums. • Stand-Alone Niches: Dedicated, beautiful spaces designed specifically for ashes. • Custom Boulder Rocks: Our custom boulder memorials provide a beautiful resting place for ashes, complete with a personalized placard that naturally complements the surrounding environment.
Please Join Us for Our Upcoming Advance Planning Events! Discover the peace of mind that comes with planning ahead. Learn about the benefits of advance funeral and cemetery planning, and why it makes sense for you and your family.
• Sept 9th & Sept 10th both at 12 PM @ The Chateau • Sept 16th at 1 PM @ Larkin Riverton • Sept 22nd at 12 PM @ Larkin Sunset Lawn
RSVP: (801) 829-1772
Space is limited, so please RSVP now!
4 Locations Across the Wasatch Front Larkin Mortuary • 260 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 • (801) 363-5781 Larkin Sunset Gardens • 1950 East Dimple Dell Rd (10600 S), Sandy, UT 84092 • (801) 571-2771 Larkin Sunset Lawn • 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84108 • (801) 582-1582 Larkin Mortuary Riverton • 3688 West 12600 South, Riverton, UT 84065 • (801) 254-4850
www.LarkinMortuary.com CottonwoodHeightsJournal .com
September 2026 | Page 19
Therapy animals shine bright: Moonshine’s story “He had a knack for knowing who needed him first — the patient or the family,” said Heather Dillon, Moonshine’s mom. By Cassie Goff c.goff@thecityjournals.com
“T
ime seems to drag on when you’re going through treatment. A furry friend is such a nice reprise,” said Heather Dillon, registered Utah Pet Partners volunteer. Utah Pet Partners (formerly Therapy Animals of Utah) focuses on linking therapy animals and human interactions to improve physical, emotional and psychological well-being. Their goal-directed intervention foundation is based in medical and veterinarian researched animal-assisted therapy (AAT). They provide support across a wide range of environments including mental health clinics, shelters, rehabilitation centers, assisted living homes, disability service centers, correctional facilities, court programs, airports, libraries, universities, schools and hospitals. Therapy animals registered with Utah Pet Partners include a wide range of dogs, cats, potbellied and miniature pigs, guinea pigs, rabbits, rats, donkeys, mini-horses, birds, llamas and alpacas. But for many patients and families visiting Intermountain Health Primary Children’s Hospital Salt Lake City and Miller Family Campus
Page 20 | September 2026
(in Lehi), their respite came as a calming and quiet presence shaped as a medium black-andwhite speckled great Pyrenees/border collie/ retriever mix named Moonshine. “He had a knack for knowing who needed him first — the patient or the family,” said Dillon, Moonshine’s mom. Therapy animals are required to have an even temperament, which means they’re predictable and dependable even in stressful situations. They must be neutral around other dogs and they cannot bite, bark or lick. “It takes the right kind of dog,” Dillon said. “A dog who has the demeanor where nothing bothers them.” Moonshine was quickly adored by all of the patients, families and nurses he visited. Sometimes, families would come in from out of state for treatment and would specifically request a therapy dog like Moonshine. “It helps the kiddo feel a little more relaxed from the anxiety,” Dillon said. “It brings them so much comfort through their pain and treatment.” Dillon was drawn to volunteer with therapy animals after she attended graduate school and worked in hospice care. She adopted Moonshine from Rescue Rovers when her own son was 3 years old. “When we rescued him, we wanted a dog to do therapy work with,” Dillon said. “He was so chill and sweet. He won me over.” After Moonshine was adopted into his new home, Heather began working with him
to get certified. Therapy animals must prove they’re able to do the work through at least two to three evaluations, go to the veterinarian often to ensure they’re up-to-date with full vaccinations, and retest yearly. “Therapy animals don’t have rights like service animals,” Dillon explained how therapy animals must be invited into the environments they visit. “We can’t go where we’re not wanted.” In addition, therapy animals are required to be insured as well as clean and bathed at least 24-hours in advance before any scheduled visit. “Your heart really has to be in it. It’s a lot of time and your own money,” Dillon said. Dillon and Moonshine became a registered Pet Partners team in 2019. Moonshine began his career as a bookworm where he would visit five local county libraries as part of the “Read With Me (Read to a Dog)” programs. Moonshine’s favorite books were “Find Momo Everywhere” by Andrew Knapp and “The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, The Horse, and the Storm” by Charlie Mackery. “He locked in with you,” Dillon said. “He would just know to put his paw on the book or snuggle up. It always amazed me he knew what to do.” From local libraries, Moonshine transitioned to spending time with students at Midvale Elementary. “He would give them his undivided attention with so many distractions,” Dillon said. Therapy animals have a strict two-hour
“Our son was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition. By his second hospitalization, Moonshine and I were able to visit his boy. That is our son’s favorite memory of him. Moonshine being so excited to see him where he ‘worked’,” said Dillon. (Heather Dillon/ Utah Pet Partners)
visitation limit per day. For Moonshine, the rest of his 22 hours were spent decompressing and enjoying his favorite treats — broccoli and blueberries. “He didn’t like to work at home. He was so amazing with others and their big feelings but if we got emotional, he was a fair-weathered friend,” Dillon laughed. “He had a good work life balance.” Dillon recalls how Moonshine sought out interactions with everyone and would always choose people over other dogs. “He loved everyone.” Moonshine said goodbye on May 7 after a lung cancer diagnosis. “He worked all the way up until he started showing symptoms. He told us he was ready to go and we listened,” Dillon said. Moonshine is remembered by his surrounding community with a memorial at South Jordan County Library (10673 Redwood Road). “It brought everyone together in their grief,” Dillon said. “It will carry on and drive his memory.” To share a memory of Moonshine virtually, visit his Companion Chronicles tribute page through www.mycompanionchronicles.com. For anyone experiencing grief after losing a pet, Dillon recommends the book “Until We Meet Again” by Melissa Lyons. To learn more about Moonshine and his brother Rico, visit their Instagram page at: @ moonshinegosayhi To learn more about therapy animals and/ or to donate, visit Utah Pet Partners’ website at: www.therapyanimalsutah.org. l
Cottonwood Heights City Journal
CottonwoodHeightsJournal .com
September 2026 | Page 21
Does your doggo love a Pup Cup?
Of course they do. By Cassie Goff c.goff@mycityjournals.com
I
n our ongoing efforts to celebrate Salt Lake communities, we here at the City Journals would like to present you with some local (free or low-cost) alternatives for spoiling your furry family members. Athena VII offers free pup cups. Coffee house and bistro, their themed specialty drink menu includes Hades (dark mocha, ice cream, and whipped cream), Medusa (matcha latte with pistachio), and Cerberus (black tea, lemonade and peach), among others. Athena VII is located in Sandy at 111 W. 9000 South. www.athenavii.com Crown Burgers gives bacon to dogs riding through their drive-thru. Locally owned, Crown Burgers famous signature burger is their namesake. Their other menu options include salads, fish, chicken, gyros, lemon rice, and homemade onion rings. Crown Burgers is located in South Salt Lake at 3270 S. State St. www.crown-burgers.com Bjorn’s Brew welcomes dogs with real dog bones. The dog-friendly family-owned coffee shop features drinks like the Sinner’s Latte (caramel,
hazelnut, vanilla, and an extra shot of espresso) and the Buzzin’ Bean (cold brew with cold foam). Bjorn’s Brew is located in South Salt Lake at 2165 S. State Street and Holladay at 4679 Highland Dr. www.bjornsbrew.com Tres Gatos Coffee provides free pup cups. Coffee shop featuring Best Non-Dairy Latte 2024, Tres Gatos’s signature menu items include the Nutcase Latte (nutty latte with nutty cold foam) and Dark Side of the Moon (dark mocha, pistachio, and coconut). Tres Gatos Coffee is located in Midvale at 7567 S. Main St. Swig has free pup cups that often include a Milk-Bone. The dirty soda chain’s menu includes mixes of classic soda with flavored syrups. They now have energy drinks, refreshers, pretzel bites, cookies, and hot chocolate as well. Swig’s locations are scatted throughout South Jordan, Sandy, Taylorsville, Midvale, Cottonwood Heights, West Jordan, and South Jordan. www.swig.com How about one more? Pro-tip from Salt Lake Metropolitan Magazine’s Executive Editor - visit Arctic Circle and order their kid cone as an alternative to a pup cup’s whipped cream. Most locations will offer kid cones for free but Adobe Stock may ask for a $1 donation. l
REGISTER NOW!
Because Pets are Family Too! Cremation & Memorial Services by
385-243-7563
Salt Lake City Walk IT’S MORE THAN A FREE MEAL! School meal applications provide funding for schools and reduce costs for your family. Free lunch is free for all students, up to 185% of poverty.
September 5, 2026 Veterans Memorial Park West Jordan, UT Check In: 9:00 AM Event Start: 9:30 AM
Utah
afspwalks.donordrive.com/SLC
Page 22 | September 2026
CALL FOR INFORMATION
uah.org | 801-328-2561 Cottonwood Heights City Journal
I
’ve always wanted a beautiful front porch where I could drink tea, read a book and listen to the neighbor’s fight. A porch was one of the first social media platforms. It just took a while to get the gossip; you had to sit patiently and wait for it to walk by. Now, our inability to be still keeps us from the simple joy of lounging on the porch to watch the flowers bloom, see the boy down the street learn to ride a bike, notice where the stray cat hides so you can leave it a treat, or watch your neighbor back into a light pole. At my childhood home, we didn’t have a fancy porch with swings and flowers; we had a concrete slab in front of our door, with two cement steps leading to the walkway. That was our porch and we sat on it all the time. If we were seated on the stoop, our friends knew we could play. There was no texting to see if we were home. There were no parents on a group chat arranging a play date. Kids just rode by on their bikes and invited us to go to the park. We’d gather friends along the way who were sitting on various porch steps until we had an entire gang. When I had a stomachache, Mom gave me a can of Coca-Cola. Apparently the medical treatment for an upset stomach in those days was carbonated, caffeinated sugar. Because drinking Coke in Utah at the time was borderline scandalous, I took my demon
CottonwoodHeightsJournal .com
Leave the porch light on Peri Kinder Life and Laughter
beverage to the porch and sipped it while my friends watched, concerned about the state of my soul. Porches were the center of neighborhood communication. We’d leave treats on people’s welcome mats and Valentine’s cards on doorsteps. It’s where the paperboy threw the newspaper every morning and where the neighbor stood to accuse us of doorbell ditching, which also happened on a porch. How many first kisses happen on the front porch? People came to our porch every day. When the doorbell rang, we’d run to the front door, racing to open it first. We didn’t have Ring cameras. We had curiosity. It might be the Fuller Brush Man, a neighbor returning a casserole dish or Mom’s friend stopping by to gossip. The porch was where you sat in the rain, enjoyed the sunset, ate homemade cookies and watched a moth throw itself against the porch light. It was the place where nothing
happened, but also everything happened. A porch held no expectations but promoted childhood observations like: Is that mysterious car a kidnapper and does he have candy? Maybe we got rid of our front-porch communities because a porch required us to do something we’re increasingly uncomfortable with: nothing. We humble-brag about our busy schedules, eliminate downtime and use our phones to entertain us during the three minutes it takes to microwave a frozen dinner. Ironically, there’s an app called Front Porch Forum that’s supposed to connect people to their neighbors and communities. But you don’t have to download an app to build
connection. In fact, I challenge you to disengage from tech and go outside. If you have a porch or a stoop, sit down. Wait for the world to come to you. Talk to the woman walking her dog. Visit with the teenager slouching past your house. Watch the neighbor washing his car or the kid selling lemonade. If you’re lucky, listen to the neighbor’s fight. It’s really the perfect location. Peri Kinder is an award-winning columnist and journalist who has written for The City Journals since 2004. She also hosts the Life & Laughter podcast. Peri can be reached at peri.k@thecityjournals.com.
September 2026 | Page 23
Sinus Problems? Allergies? Headaches? Asthma? Excessive Dust? High Energy Bills? Bad Odors?
WE CAN HELP!
Cleaner Ducts. Cleaner Air. Reduce dust, improve airflow, and help your heating and cooling system perform at its best.
BACTERIA
DUST MITES
POLLEN
PET DANDER
• VENT CLEANING SPECIAL •
49
$
10 SUPPLY VENTS + 1 RETURN VENT + 1 MAIN LINE
INCLUDES FREE SYSTEM ANALYSIS/INSPECTION Additional vents priced separately. With coupon. Call by 10/15/26.
FREE 50 OFF DRYER VENT %
CLEANING
ALLERGY/ASTHMA DISINFECTANT
Not valid with any other roffer. Call by 10/15/26.
Not valid with any other roffer. Call by 10/15/26.
with complete duct cleaning
The best pricing with superior quality
100% GUARANTEED AIR DUCT CLEANING DRYER VENT CLEANING ASTHMA & ALLERGY TREATMENT
with complete duct cleaning
APEX CLEAN AIR
Heating & Air Conditioning www.apexcleanair.com
801-618-4649