December 2018 | Vol. 18 Iss. 12
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THE MURRAY MAN IN THE SANTA CLAUS SUIT By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com
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ll kids know that at this time of year Santa Claus is ramping up his operations at the North Pole, getting ready for Christmas. With so much to do, like training reindeer, helping elves make toys, and getting his sleigh in tip-top shape, Santa recruits helpers, such as Murray resident Mike Findlay, to find out who has been naughty or nice. “I was…raised in a…home where Christmas was king of the holidays. My mom would make her own Christmas tree by buying two or three live trees from the Allied tree lot and would drill holes and graft branches and build the perfect tree,” said Findlay. The 42-year-old blood-donor recruiter for ARUP Blood Services fell into the role of Santa by accident while in college. “One of my teachers approached me, asking if I would be interested in playing Santa for their family Christmas party. She had rented a suit and just needed a fat kid who was outgoing enough to fill it. I was scared to death. But I let my personality shine through and ended up having a blast.” In order to avoid ending up on the naughty list themselves, all good Santa’s helpers must prepare to take on the hefty role. Reading histories of Santa is useful, as well as understanding the big man’s adaptability to different cultures. Also, Santa must be an expert on toys. “I am that weirdo who can sometimes be found walking up and down the toy aisles at Walmart becoming familiar with some of the latest toys. It always excites the kids when they can ask for a certain toy and I can ask them more specific questions about characters and what not.
Santa must be prepared to deal with many different types of reactions. (Photo courtesy Mike Findlay)
“I have a huge list of one-liner jokes about Santa and Christmas that I start studying before Halloween. I also start listening to Christmas music as soon as my wife will allow it. As the appearances get closer and things heat up, I make sure to watch all the good Christmas movies with Santa in them as much as I can. The
day of an appearance, I tend to drop my voice more, laugh more, and just get into it,” Findlay remarked. Being Santa does have its own unique occupational hazards. Everything from having his beard pulled to crying babies to having a mysterious wet spot appear on his knee— Continued on page 5...
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Utah Jazz’s ultimate fan has quite a story to tell By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com The Murray City Journal is a monthly publication distributed directly to residents via the USPS as well as locations throughout Murray. For information about distribution please email circulation@mycityjournals. com or call our offices. Rack locations are also available on our website. For subscriptions please contact: circulation@mycityjournals.com The views and opinions expressed in display advertisements do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions held by Loyal Perch Media or the City Journals. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the owner.
The Murray Team CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Bryan Scott bryan@mycityjournals.com EDITOR: Travis Barton travis@mycityjournals.com ADVERTISING: 801-254-5974 DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING: Ryan Casper ryan.casper@mycityjournals.com 801-671-2034 ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Melissa Worthen melissa@mycityjournals.com 801-897-5231 Tracy Langer Tracy.l@mycityjournals.com 385-557-1021 CIRCULATION COORDINATOR: Brad Casper circulation@mycityjournals.com EDITORIAL & AD DESIGN: Ty Gorton Sierra Daggett Amanda Luker
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n her 94 years, Yeiko Homma has seen a lot, but it is what she hopes to see that keeps her going. The Murray resident, best known as one of the Utah Jazz’s super fans, the Pink Grandmas, hopes this is the year that she will see them bring home a championship. Homma has also seen some things she might rather forget, such as the atomic bomb blast that ended World War II. Homma lived on the most southern Japanese island of Kyushu, in the town of Kumamoto. While she lived on a farm, her prefecture was only 50 miles away from Nagasaki and 140 miles away from Hiroshima. “I saw the atomic cloud rising high in the sky,” Homma said. “They excused us from school so that we could go home.” In fact, the B-29 bomber Bockscar turned just north of her city as it was about to deliver its deadly payload. Homma claims to remember seeing one of the planes. What makes this all the more unique was that Homma was an American in Japan watching this historic moment. Homma was born in Ely, Nevada. Her mother wanted her children to be educated in Japan in order to learn the language and the culture, so Homma and her three siblings were sent to live with their grandparents. “I don’t understand why my parents wanted me to do that,” she said. Tragedy followed them; her younger sister and brother both died there. As Japan ramped up to go to war, her older brother, Wataru, saw what was coming and left the country, so he could enlist in the U.S. Army. Had he stayed in Japan, “he would have certainly died,” said Homma. Living with her grandparents, and with war under way against her home country, Homma was trapped, unable to return to Ely. “I didn’t believe in what Japan was doing then,” said Homma. Still, the government pushed her into serving the Empire of Japan. She worked as a secretary at the nearby airbase where many kamikaze pilots were trained. Before setting off on their suicide missions, some of them gave Homma their picture, “so at least someone would remember them.” After the war, Homma was able to come home to the USA and meet her four other sib-
Thank You
Yeiko Homma holds a picture of her and her sister Keiko, who were renowned as the Utah Jazz super fans Pink Grandmas. (Shaun Delliskave/City Journals)
lings, some of whom she had met only briefly in Japan. At age 24, her English needed improving, so her mother sent her to school with a sister who was in the third grade; that didn’t last long. Homma enrolled in technical school and got a degree as a seamstress. Her younger sister, Keiko Mori, who was living in Utah and pregnant, needed help, so Homma moved to Murray in the 1950s to give her a hand. While attending the Japanese Church of Christ in Salt Lake, a fellow parishioner met Homma and decided she was a perfect match for her son and arranged to have them married. After raising her family on the north side of Murray, and after her husband died, Homma moved in with her daughter, Donna, who just happened to live a few doors down from Keiko. The two sisters found many interests in common to bide their time, but one soon became their passion: the Utah Jazz. After being gifted a few Utah Jazz tickets, the sisters were hooked, and nothing could stop them from attending a game. A friend gave them pink Jazz sweatshirts, and with their silver
hair and infectious smiles, their faces became regulars featured on the JumboTron. Nicknamed the Pink Grandmas, they gained fans of their own, just for being fans. A Twitter page was set up for them, the Jazz Bear always paid homage to them, and eventually they were featured in a commercial for the Jazz. Unfortunately, Keiko passed away soon after the end of basketball season last year, and the question soon became whether Yeiko would go to the games without her faithful cheering companion. Being the die-hard Jazz Fan, and not wanting to disappoint the Pink Grandma fan base, Homma went back. The nonagenarian has even learned a few basketball moves including dribbling a basketball between her legs. Donna and her brother Victor now take Homma to the games, with Victor donning a white wig and pink Jazz shirt to try to fill the void that Keiko left. Homma has her eye on Donovan Mitchell and Joe Ingles as her favorite players this season. “They are just fun to watch,” she said. “I hope they win the championship this year.” l
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Page 4 | December 2018
Murray City Journal
Holiday celebrations abound in Murray By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com
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ooking to get into the holiday spirit this December? You need not look too far to indeed have a Murray holiday celebration. Tree lighting and festivals What better way to start December right than to attend the annual tree-lighting ceremony at Murray City Hall. Come kick off the holiday season with Santa and Mrs. Claus as they arrive by “Fire Engine Express” to magically light Murray’s newly planted live Christmas tree on Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. Afterward, Santa and Mrs. Claus will hand out special treats to children indoors, and holiday music will be presented by the Hillcrest Junior High School choir. Parking will be available on the east side of City Hall (5025 S. State St.). Murray Library (166 E. 5300 South) will host Holiday Palooza, Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The holiday extravaganza will feature a photo booth, crafts, story time, a scavenger hunt, songs, and Santa. This program is free. Everyone is invited to the Holiday Boutique at the Murray Senior Recreation Center (10 E. 6150 South), Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thirteen community artists will be selling handmade crafts in addition to the offerings on the Center’s craft table. Handmade items are currently being requested for the Center’s boutique table (new items only, please donate any time). All proceeds from this table will benefit the Center’s fundraising efforts. Murray seniors (55+) are invited to the Senior Recreation Center’s Holiday Buffet, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7. The cost is $8 and includes lunch and entertainment by the Murray High School Madrigal Choir. Up to seven tickets (per table) may be purchased by an individual. Cancellation deadline is Wed., Nov. 21. Please call the Center to register for this buffet at (801) 284-4237. Wheeler Farm (6351 S. 900 East) Holiday Market will happen 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 9. The activity barn will have Santa Claus inside posing for pictures with kids along with unique gifts for sale. Theater The kings of parody at Desert Star Playhouse will present their annual holiday offering, this time taking on Dr. Seuss’s classic character The Grinch, in “How the Grouch Stole Christmas: Green Eggs & HiContinued from front page... Santa must be prepared for these situations. Perhaps the most ever-present difficulty is the suit, as the North Pole requires super warm attire; but when Santa’s inside a warm home, the suit gets extra hot. “The other thing that gets hard about being Santa is when kids ask for things that even Santa can’t bring them. And your heart just breaks for these kids putting all their hopes (on him) that he can do anything in their minds. Unfortunately, Santa can’t heal diseases, bring parents back to-
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Grand Opening Specials Santa will be making many stops throughout Murray in December. (Photo courtesy Mike Findlay)
larious Hams.” Lampooning the classic children’s book “How The Grinch Stole Christmas,” and just in time for Hollywood’s third offering of “The Grinch” (now in theatres) Desert Star’s main-stage production will be showing until Jan. 5. Tickets and info can be found online at www.desertstar.biz. Michael McLean brings his 2018 regional tour of “The Forgotten Carols” to Murray, Dec. 19-22 at Cottonwood High School (5715 S. 1300 East). “The Forgotten Carols” tells the story of Connie Lou, a nurse whose empty life is changed when Uncle John, a new patient she is attending, recounts the story of Jesus’s birth as told by little-known characters in the nativity story. The accounts from the innkeeper, the shepherd, and others help the nurse discover what the world has forgotten about Christmas, ultimately encouraging her to open her heart to the joy of this special season. Tickets and information can be found online at www.forgottencarols.com. Dance Dreaming of sugar plum fairies dancing through your head? Then head to the Ballet Centre’s production of “A Christmas Dream,” 7 p.m., Dec. 18-20 at the Ballet Centre (4907 S. Poplar St.). The annual production will present Centre faculty and students performing their annual holiday ballet and dance routines. More information can be found online at theballetcentreinmurray.
com. Music It’s not a Murray celebration without the Murray Symphony putting on their annual pops concert. Join the symphony in celebrating the holiday season with classic songs including “Sleigh Ride,” selections from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and Russian Christmas music. The concert will be Dec. 8, 7 p.m., at Hillcrest Jr. High School (178 E. 5300 South). Information can be found online at www.murraysymphony.org. This year’s KUTV Holiday Pops Concert with music director Sterling Poulson will feature the 100-voice Choral Arts Society of Utah and the West Valley Symphony of Utah, featuring guest artist Jason Lyle Black, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 8 at Cottonwood High School (5715 S. 1300 East). Black, “The Backwards Piano Man,” is an award-winning pianist, composer, and entertainer, known for his performance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and for his 30 million music-video views worldwide. In 2015, Black created a music video of Disney’s “Frozen” that went on to be featured by “Huffington Post,” “Good Morning America,” and other national news outlets. Benefits from the KUTV concert will support the KUTV 2News Salvation Army Angel Tree Program. More information can be found online at casu.org. l
gether, end wars, or help out with family hardships,” noted Findlay. With the sleigh back at the North Pole, Santa’s helpers use more modern modes of transportation. “When I pull up to a stoplight and look over at the car next to me, the kids are usually the more reserved of the occupants in the car. The adults go nuts, waving and smiling. Seeing Santa just makes a majority of people smile. I love driving around or hitting convenience stores after a gig. Even the crankiest of people seem to get a little twinkle in their eye,
break a smile, and sometimes ask to take a picture with me.” It’s the kids, however, that matter most to Santa. Findlay makes it a point to go the extra mile with them, such as making sure to know their names. “This helped one autistic boy overcome his fear of Santa because he felt like he knew Santa. There was a familiarity that drew him in and eased his fears and hesitations.” And what keeps Findlay representing Saint Nick? He replied, “It is all about that magic!” l
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December 2018 | Page 5
Pizza bender turns 50 By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com
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wo special words can send longtime Murrayites salivating: pizza bender! Believe it or not, Murray’s most popular food icon has turned 50. When you reach a half century with no signs of stopping, you throw a party, which Murray’s longest-running restaurant, Italian Village, did on November 11. Originally there were four Italian Village restaurants, the first created and opened by the Boyer brothers on 3300 South and State Street. Frank and Nick Boyer, while in the army and stationed in New York, worked side jobs in the restaurants of New York City. Having learned some of their favorite Italian recipes, they decided to partner with their younger brothers, Louis and Dick, to open an Italian restaurant back home in Utah. “The recipes are all top-secret,” states Louis, the last surviving Boyer brother. “I still personally count out all the ingredients that go into the spaghetti and pizza sauce and salad dressing.” After experimenting with calzones, Frank came up with idea of the pizza bender — a pizza bent in half. The brothers liked what they were tasting and decided to purvey their creation to the long-gone Bongo Club on Highland Drive. Demand grew, and the brothers decided to try marketing the Boyer Brother’s Pizza Bender to grocery stores. That idea was a failure, as stores were not interested in the product, and the brothers ended up in debt, losing $15,000 in the venture. Still, they decided to expand on their original restaurant. In 1968, with store number three, the
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brothers found a partner in Dusty Duffield, who knew a location in Murray where he thought they would do well. Murray’s Italian Village had no pizza bender on the first menu, recalls Dwight Crews, then a 16 year old and one of the first dishwashers. He also recalled the interesting clientele that came to the restaurant when it first opened. “We would close at 10 on Sundays, but all the square dancers would come in, so Dusty would have us stoke up the pizza oven.” According to Crews, the pizza bender was served just to the staff by head chef Jim Loboto, who perfected it. Eventually, the owners decided that the pizza bender deserved a shot at the menu, and that’s how culinary history, at least for Murray, happened. Crews was just one of the many well-wishers that returned to Italian Village to visit with Louis and Dusty. Italian Village has been a family affair—many in the Boyer and Duffield families still work there. Scott Duffield, Dusty’s son, recalled, “So many people got their first job at Italian Village. It is great to see where people ended up. Even longtime customers became family.” While Louis, in his 80s, still helps manage the restaurant, Dusty has retired, and now his daughter Shay Bloomquist is his partner. After retirement, Dusty turned his focus to bowling and was inducted into the Bowling Hall of Fame in the Great Salt Lake Bowling Association this year. According to Bloomquist, the restaurant cranks out, on average, 300 pizza benders a
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Founding partners of Murray’s Italian Village, Louis Boyers (L) and Dusty Duffield (R), celebrate their restaurant’s 50th anniversary. (Shaun Delliskave/City Journals)
day—400 on Fridays and Saturdays. “The menu is relatively the same as it was when we opened. Our last change happened 25 years ago when we added tortellini, manicotti, and fettuccine,” stated Bloomquist. The combination pizza is the most popular, but since the menu has been reliably stable for years, most people just tell the server the number on the menu to indicate which pizza they want. “Seventeen with green peppers,” exclaimed Louis, regarding his favorite pizza (pizza with
sausage, onions, and pepperoni). During the anniversary party, past patrons, cooks, servers, and dishwashers all reminisced about their memories, including about when the restaurant employed a number of University of Utah cheerleaders—the line to get in stretched out the door. In the kitchen, Louis and Dusty waxed nostalgic about the early days. “I wish I could go back to those days,” said Louis. l
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Murray Central Station to become a grand central station By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com
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one will be the kiosks, open-air platforms, and lack of parking. Incoming will be a covered station with retail space, offices and a parking garage. Landmark Design held a draft plan open house on Oct. 25 at Murray City Hall to present the Murray Central Station Small Area Draft Plan to city staff and members of the public, who were all given a chance to see concept designs and ask the planner questions about the project. “From what I saw at the presentation, we have a way to go before it fits in with what we envision for the whole downtown area,” remarked Murray City Councilman Jim Brass, whose district includes the transportation node. Landmark Design is a Salt Lake City-based landscape architecture and community planning firm that was awarded the concept plan contract. Landmark offered the open house to gather feedback for the final plan. To hire Landmark, Murray City tapped into a grant awarded by the Transportation and Land Use Connection program (TLC). The grant was given to the city in April 2017, specifically for the purpose of continuing development of the Murray Central TRAX and FrontRunner station. The purpose of the TLC program is to help cities facilitate their desired growth in coordination with transportation—like TRAX— across the Wasatch Front. The TLC grant program is led by the Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC) and funded by a partnership of Salt Lake County, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), and the Utah Transit Authority (UTA). One prime concern for the city is the environmental impact of the station. Built on the site of the ASARCO smelters, any major construction will need approval from the EPA in order to redevelop the site for any land use other than commercial and light industrial. Landmark Design’s study noted that retail real estate market is in flux as a result of online shopping and changes in shopper behavior. Any development would need to emphasize restaurants, entertainment, and experiential retail as the key attractors for retail formats. The Central Station area currently represents 16 percent of Murray’s retail jobs and is projected to grow by 72 percent by 2040. Utah Transit Authority (UTA) is currently incorporating Murray Central into the Taylorsville–Murray Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. The BRT is in preliminary design for phase 1, from Murray Central Station to Salt Lake Community College. Phase 2, from the community college to West Valley City center, is being planned. The Murray Central Station is important to the bike network at multiple levels—both regionally and locally. About seven percent of people accessing the station do so by bike, that’s more than double the transit system av-
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erage. The study noted the station provides a nearly unparalleled opportunity to connect local cyclists with distant regional destinations. Also, a number of existing and potential regional bike corridors run through and around the station area, such as the Jordan River Parkway. Landmark presented two visions of the station, each incorporating a total buildings footprint of approximately 150,000 square feet. A third of that space will be devoted to parking, while other buildings will mainly be office space with a mix of retail and services. “I am concerned with increasing density in that area. The residents of west Vine already feel that there is enough density. Also, I don’t believe that Vine Street can handle all the additional traffic that the plan would bring,” expressed Brass. The next step for the project is to develop the final Murray Central Station Small Area Plan, possibly due by the end of December. Approval and adoption of the plan will come in 2019. “Again, this is very early in the process, and all these issues would need to be addressed before I could support moving forward,” Brass reiterated. The draft plan can be found online at www. ldi-ut.com/murrayw. l
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December 2018 | Page 7
Murray Fire Department deploys team to fight California wildfire By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com
Captain Jonathon Jastram, Engineer Zac Hansen, Paramedics James Oyler, and J. Finlinson were deployed to the Woolsey fire near Malibu, California. (Photo courtesy Murray Fire Department)
For the second time in a year, Murray Fire Department has deployed a team to Southern California to help battle the wildland fires. Murray Fire has sent an engine (2005 Pierce) and four firefighters: Captain Jonathon Jastram, Engineer Zac Hansen, Paramedics James Oyler, and J. Finlinson. The teams left Sunday, Nov. 11 as part of a convoy and redeployed from Los Angeles. The team was scheduled for an 11-day deployment to battle the Woolsey fire near Malibu, California. l
For the second time in a year, Murray Fire Department has deployed a team to Southern California to help battle the wildland fires. (Photo courtesy Murray Fire Department)
Page 8 | December 2018
Murray City Journal
Murray’s senate and house seats solidly Democrat as voters turn out in droves
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By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com
n what was likely the largest voter turnout in Murray’s mid-term history, Murray residents chose new faces to represent them at the State Capitol. Murray City Hall was packed on Election Day, as voters waited up to 30 minutes to cast their ballots. Much of the interest in this election was generated by national political waves spawned from polarizing opinions of President Donald Trump, the #MeToo Movement, and issues like healthcare, immigration, and the economy. The large turnout may explain why Murray sent several of its incumbent state senators and representatives packing. (Note: at press time, the election results had not been officially certified.) State Senate Senate District 8 Democrat Kathleen Riebe could be called “The Little Engine That Could”, as she successfully defeated, in both the primary and general election, candidates who were more well-funded and more well-known. Riebe, an educational technology specialist for Granite School District, shocked many when she won the nomination over Kathie Allen (a past candidate for Utah’s 3rd Congressional District) at the State Democratic Convention. Her general election opponent was Brian Zehnder, who was appointed by Governor Gary Herbert to fill the vacancy created by Brian Shiozawa’s resignation. Riebe defeated the Republican incumbent with 56 percent of the vote. Before Election Day, Riebe posted, “Regardless of the outcome, I am taking surfing lessons Nov. 9 with my kids.” Senate District 3 Democratic incumbent Gene Davis had no problem in dispensing with Republican challenger Jeremy Egan. Davis, who was first elected in 1999, defeated Egan by 70 percent. Egan noted in his campaign that his voter base was in the millennial age group; however, national statistics show that the majority of millennials identify with Democrats. Senate District 4 The northeast notch of Murray saw incumbent Democrat Jani Iwamoto solidly win against Republican Alan Monsen, taking 68 percent of the vote. Monsen posted online after the Election Day, “It’s a tough day to be a Republican in Salt Lake County. What a great journey. I’ve learned so much along the way. I enjoyed meeting so many of my neighbors in Senate District 4.” State House of Representatives House District 37 Murray’s largest House District, encompassing the east-central part of the city, will return Democratic incumbent Carol Spackman Moss to the State House. Moss ran against Republican and former Executive Director of the Utah Department of Health David Sundwall, winning with 63 percent of the vote. Sundwall conceded online by saying, “I had fun campaigning, met a lot of nice folks, and have a deeper appreciation of our democratic process. Now, back to part-time clinical care of patients, participation on a number of boards and advisory committees, and more time with grandkids.” District 35 Democratic incumbent Mark Wheatley, in Murray’s northern district, soundly retained his
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Parking was scarce at Murray City Hall on Election Day. (Photo courtesy of Murray City)
seat with 64 percent of the vote against Republican Robert Edgel and Libertarian Chelsea Travis. Edgel had tried to urge Libertarians to vote for him by saying a vote for Travis was a wasted vote, but in the end Edgel and Travis’s votes together only totaled 36 percent of the vote. District 44 In southwest Murray, in what was perhaps Murray’s closest Utah State House race, Democrat Andrew Stoddard defeated Republican incumbent Bruce Cutler. Murray City Prosecutor Stoddard won with 55 percent of the vote. Cutler posted online, “It’s been a rewarding opportunity to serve in the Utah State Legislature. Now on to more relaxing activities.” District 46 Democratic incumbent Marie Poulsen will once again represent the southeast quadrant of the city, having defeated Republican Greg Johnson by 62 percent. District 34
The far west sliver of Murray will again have Democratic incumbent Karen Kwan. She defeated Republican David Young by 60 percent. Local School Board Races In Murray School District 2, which covers the southwest area of Murray, incumbent Kami Anderson will see another term, after defeating challenger Daniel Martinez by 77 percent. In central Murray, the incumbent, Cristin Longhurst, lost to challenger Elizabeth Payne, who received 57 percent of the vote. Belinda Johnson, board member from northeast Murray District 3, ran unopposed. County Council Murray will see no new faces on the Salt Lake County Council, since Democratic incumbent Jim Bradley and Republican incumbent Aimee Winder Newton each retained their seats. Final vote tallies can be seen online at vote. utah.gov. l
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December 2018 | Page 9
Ground broken for new fire station By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com
I
n what is to be the first of many new developments in downtown Murray, the city broke ground for a new fire station on Oct. 16. Station 81 will move to the corner of 4800 South and Box Elder Street, literally a stone’s throw away from the current station. The move comes as part of the city’s plan to extend Hanauer Street though downtown, thus putting the current fire station’s property in the middle of the planned roadway. Also, the Murray Fire Department is experiencing growing pains that require its oldest station to be significantly updated. According to Jon Harris, chief of Murray Fire Department, “Currently, we have a population of almost 50,000 and approximately 7,000 emergency response calls (per year).” As Murray’s population balloons during the day with workers showing up for jobs and thousands of commuters traversing I-15 and I-215, Murray Fire Department must be able to respond to emergencies with this massive daily influx of people. “Utah, right now, is one of the fastest growing states, with a growth rate of over two percent. At that rate, our population could double within the next 50 years. Therefore, the new facility should serve the needs of this community for that same time frame,” Harris said. A significant improvement with the new facility is the ability to run several different companies out of the same building. Murray Fire
Department will be able to run a fire engine, two ambulances, and a battalion chief all out of this station. The station will also be set up to send alert tones to wake up only the personnel who need to respond. “By having several companies respond out of the same station, it will reduce the length of time the station is unoccupied. For example, currently, if there is one medical call, the crew responds and the station is left vacant. If a second call comes in while they are gone, the call is automatically directed to a station farther away, which ultimately results in a delayed response time. By having two or more crews respond out of the same station, we can ensure an improved response time,” Harris noted. Additionally, this station will have an onsite training ground that will keep Murray Fire crews in their response area during training. “Finding the time and an area to train has always been an issue. The key is to have a location in Murray where our crews can train while still being able to respond on calls,” remarked Harris. The fire station will be built with a higher price tag than originally planned, as steel and labor costs have skyrocketed since the original estimate. City planners had estimated the station would cost $5.5 million, but bids came in approximately $833,000 over the budgeted amount—just for construction. The contract was ultimately awarded to Paulsen Construction. At the groundbreaking ceremony, many
Left to right, city council members Dave Nicponski, Dale Cox, Jim Brass, Diane Turner, Brett Hales, Mayor Blair Camp, Fire Chief Jon Harris, and Paulsen Construction’s project manager John Paulsen ceremoniously break ground for the new fire station. (Photo/Rae Delliskave)
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Architect rendering of what the new Station 81 fire house will look like. (Photo courtesy of Murray Fire Department)
noted in the architect renderings that the fire engines depicted were traditionally red, instead of Murray’s yellow painted trucks. The history of the yellow fire engines goes back to Chief Art Caldwell. In 1970, officials from the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) traveled around the United Sates with a yellow fire engine. They parked their yellow fire engine next to the then-red Murray fire engine on State Street. When viewed from a distance, the yellow engine was substantially more visible. Chief Caldwell made the decision to go with
yellow, and in 1971 he ordered the first yellow vehicle. After the groundbreaking, Harris noted, “We are very fortunate to have the support of our Mayor and City Council with the construction of this fire station. They have worked diligently to ensure this station is well equipped and functional. The personal safety of the firefighters is of paramount importance.” l
Murray City Journal
Murray wrestling coach has secret weapon this season: his ninth-grade daughter By Carl Fauver | carlf@mycityjournals.com
F
resh off one of their more successful football seasons in years, 10 of the Murray High School grid players have turned their attention to wrestling this winter, under the guidance of one of their football assistant coaches. In the wrestling room Theros Johnson is the head coach, entering his third season at the helm of the Spartan wrestling program. “My first year as head wrestling coach here at Murray we had three athletes qualify for the state tournament, but none of them placed in the top six,” Johnson said. “Then last year we had four qualify for state, and one of them placed (top six). So, we made a nice jump in improvement a year ago and are hoping to do the same thing this season.” Those three returning qualifiers from last year’s team — all seniors and team captains this time around — are Christian Alvarez, Mason Holman and Cannon Taylor. Cannon, in fact, has qualified for the state tournament for the past two years. “I began wrestling, on and off, back in elementary school,” Cannon said. “I am much stronger and more coordinated going into this season. My goal is to place in the top six at state this season.” Mason had two wins and two losses in last year’s state wrestling tournament and was
eliminated just one round short of placing. He believes, with a couple of breaks he could get all the way to the 5A state championship match next February. But he takes as much or more pride in his academic accomplishments as he does in his on-the-mat efforts. “I was just named our (Murray High School) 2019 Sterling Scholar in Skilled and Technical Sciences Education so I am very proud of that,” Mason said. “We have a pretty unique homebuilding class that I have been in for two years, which helped prepare me to apply for the Sterling Scholar. By next spring we will have completely built a 4,400-square-foot home.” Christian is a three-sport Murray athlete, having just completed the Spartans’ football season a couple of weeks before the start of wrestling. In spring he will join the MHS track team. “I ran into a couple of tough opponents at state last year and did not win a match,” Christian said. “My goal is to place this year and I think, if we work hard, our whole team can be better.” Johnson brings a lot of coaching experience back to the sideline this winter. In addition to this third season as the Murray head wrestling coach, Johnson was the head coach at
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Freshman Elleni Johnson has set a goal to become only the second Murray High School female wrestler to finish an entire season. Her father, Theros Johnson is the Spartans’ head coach. (Carl Fauver/City Journals)
Olympus High School for nine seasons, where his Titan teams earned three region titles. And this season he brought a secret weapon along with him. Elleni Johnson, 14, is the coach’s freshman daughter who attends Hillcrest Junior High School across State Street from Murray High. She hopes to become only the second female wrestler to ever complete a Spartan season, following in the footsteps of Bailey Robinson who graduated nearly a decade ago. “I have been around wrestling my whole life and enjoyed competing with my younger brother,” she said. “This winter I plan to compete for both the wrestling and swim teams.” After being on a competitive dance team for seven years, Elleni told her dad she wanted to switch to wrestling. At first Johnson wasn’t overly excited. But as his daughter got into it, she became good enough to place sixth in a national all-girls wrestling tournament last summer in Texas.
“I certainly did not push her into (wrestling),” Johnson said. “In fact, when she first said she wanted to quit her dance team, we wouldn’t allow it until she finished out that season. But she was determined to give this a try and she’s doing pretty well.” Ironically, coaching his child in wrestling is exactly what Theros Johnson’s father did a quarter of a century ago. M.J. Johnson was the Taylorsville High School head wresting coach during his son’s career there. When Theros was a senior in 1994, he and his Warrior teammates placed second in state. A year ago, the Spartan wrestlers placed second in Region 6. Their only dual meet loss was to Highland High School. “This team has the talent to make another step forward if they work hard for it,” Johnson concluded. “Wrestling is a combat sport and one of the oldest sports in recorded history. I enjoy working with these athletes to improve their skills.” l
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December 2018 | Page 11
Mount Vernon ready for another season of bus trips to towns playing 1A boys’ basketball By Carl Fauver | carlf@mycityjournals.com
T
he average Utahn probably doesn’t visit the tiny towns of Tabiona, Randolph and Manila, all in the same year, very often. But for high school athletes at the Class 1A level — including “city slickers” like those who attend Murray’s Mount Vernon Academy High School — those far-flung outposts are just part of the routine. “They (the Utah High School Activities Association) change up our region every couple of years, and we always end up going to some places a long way from home,” said Mount Vernon Principal and head boys’ basketball coach Mike Lambson. “But it’s just part of the deal. If we are going to provide our students with opportunities like competitive sports teams, we have to be willing to go.” A year ago, the City Journals told you about Mount Vernon’s move from its historic Vine Street location, to the school adjacent to — and previously operated by — Christ Lutheran Church (240 E. 5600 South). From an athletic standpoint, the most noteworthy thing about the move was that, for the first time since the family-owned school opened in 1975, their basketball team was going to be able to play true “home” games. Until last season, Mount Vernon did not have a regulation-size basketball court on its campus and had to rent space for home games. One of this year’s returning starters to the boys’ team believes the change was helpful, even though the young Patriots struggled. “It finally felt like real home games last season,” senior forward Jesse Montoya said. “We were able to get used to our own floor, (basketball) rims and backboards. Before we had all of our practices at our school but then had to play somewhere else. So last year was much nicer.”
Principal, coach and part owner Lambson said another reason for the school’s move to more spacious digs was to grow enrollment. “Our elementary grades enrollment has doubled this year, I believe primarily because of our improved facilities,” Lambson said. “We jumped from 25 to 50 kids. But our all-grades student population is still only about 100. That remains well below our high, years ago, of 178 students.” On the basketball court, joining Montoya as returning varsity starters are sophomores Daniel Lu and Orlando Martinez, along with junior Dennis Matadamas. Lu is in his second year at the Murray school after moving from China. “In China there are not as many opportunities to participate in athletics,” he said. “The concentration there is much more on school work. I enjoy living here and being on the basketball team.” Fellow sophomore Martinez, who is from the Salt Lake area, enjoys playing for Lambson. “He is a great coach for teaching us fundamentals,” Martinez said. “I think he is a great coach particularly for someone who doesn’t know the game that well. I have learned a lot from him.” Like Lu, junior Matadamas also arrived at Mt. Vernon from outside the United States, coming from Mexico. “I think we will be a much better team this year, compared to a season ago,” he said. “We have a lot more experience and should be able to win some more games.” The small private school never knows for certain which teams it will field from year to year. Officials say it depends on changing student interests. Last fall the school fielded a girls volleyball team — for the first time in several
Murray’s Mount Vernon Academy High School Principal and head boys basketball coach Mike Lambson (R) puts his Class 1A team through their first practice of the season. (Carl Fauver/City Journals)
years — along with cross country. Boys basketball is the only team competing this winter, with track and field the only definite Mt. Vernon team scheduled to participate this spring, so far. “Our boys basketball team had no seniors last year and won only one game,” Lambson said. “I don’t ever recall having no seniors on a team.” Martinez led the team in scoring at nearly 20 points per game. And his steals per game were an astounding 8.95. “His footwork is amazingly quick,” Lambson added. “He was even mentioned on a state-
wide high school basketball television program, something pretty much unheard of for a 1A player.” Montoya, a senior, led the Patriots in rebounding last year, with 6.3 per game. “If we pull all of the pieces together this season, I think we could qualify for the state tournament,” he said. “I think we are prepared to work hard to accomplish that goal.” If the Patriots are to be state tournament bound, the circuitous route will take them to some tiny Utah communities, where high school sports are the biggest athletic events around. l
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Don’t let holiday activities break the bank! There’s lots of fun free events in the SLC area By Christy Jepson | christy@mycityjournals.com
T
he holidays are right around the corner and there are plenty of things to do in the Salt Lake Valley. Many of them are free. Here’s a list of activities that won’t put a dent in your budget and will provide fun for all. Herriman’s Night of Lights: Monday, Dec. 3 from 5-9 p.m. at City Hall and Crane Park (5355 W. Herriman Main St.). There will be a gingerbread contest, a visit with Santa, the tree lighting, a candy cane hunt, holiday crafts, food trucks, performances by Herriman Harmonyx and Herriman Orchestra, photo ops, and ice skating. There is a fee for ice skating (weather permitting), but everything else is free. Draper’s Candy Cane Hunt: Monday, Dec. 10 from 4-5 p.m. at the Draper Historic Park (12625 S. 900 East). This is a free family event sponsored by the Draper Parks and Recreation Department. Children ages 3-6 will hunt for thousands of candy canes that are scattered around the park and hidden in bushes and trees. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also arrive on a fire truck and will be available for photos under the gazebo. While you are in Draper, don’t forget to check out Draper’s Tree of Light (or sometimes called The Tree of Life), which is a big willow tree in the middle of Draper City Park (12500 S. 1300 East). This tree is decorated with more than 65,000 lights. Draper City first lit the tree for the Christmas season in 2008 and each year more lights have been added. The lights turn on at dusk and stay on until midnight everyday until New Years. This has become a popular holiday destination for people statewide. Gingerbread House Contest in South Jordan: Gingerbread houses will be on display in the Gale Center Auditorium (10300 S. Beckstead Lane) from Nov. 27-Dec. 6 for People’s Choice Award voting. The hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Light the Night at the South Jordan City: On Friday, Dec. 7 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the South Jordan City Plaza at 1600 W. Towne Center Drive. There will be pictures with Santa, hot cocoa, gingerbread houses, the unveiling of the candy windows display featuring artists Jennifer Vesper and Krista Johansen. Visit Santa on Towne Center Drive in South Jordan: On Dec. 7 from 6:30-8 p.m., Dec. 8 from 3-5 p.m., Dec. 14 from 6-8 p.m., Dec. 15 from 3-5 p.m., Dec. 21 from 6-8 p.m., and Dec. 22 from 3-5 p.m. (1600 W. Towne Center Drive) Riverton’s Holly Days in the Park: On Nov. 26, 30 and Dec. 1 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Riverton City Park, large pavilion, 1452 W. 12600 South. This free family event includes: the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus on a fire engine, hot chocolate and warm buttery scones, and walking through the park reading from the giant-sized storybook pages of “T’was the Night
MurrayJournal .com
Two boys sit on the laps of Santa and Mrs. Claus during Holly Days at the Riverton City Park. (Photo credit Angie Meine)
Before Christmas.” There will also be vendor booths so visitors can get some holiday shopping done. Christmas Night of Music: This 3rd annual event will be on Dec. 15 from 6-8 p.m. at the Riverton High School auditorium and will be a night filled with a community choir of over 100 voices and a local orchestra. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Riverton High School is located at 12476 S. Silverwolf Way. This is a free event. Salt Lake City: If you are downtown celebrating the season be sure to drop by and look at Macy’s holiday candy window displays at City Creek Center. Also in Salt Lake City, on Dec. 17 is the 32nd Annual Christmas Carol Sing-Along at the Vivint Smart Home Arena. This free event will be filled with holiday music and fun. There will be musical numbers by the Bonner Family. This event starts at 7 p.m. Santa Is Coming to Town in West Jordan: On Thursday, Dec. 20 from 6-8 p.m. there will be a craft, a coloring station, story time with Mrs. Claus, hot cocoa and cookies, carolers, and a visit with Santa. Santa will be arriving at 6 p.m. sharp so don’t be late. This event will be located in the City Hall Community Room at 8000 S. Redwood Road. Saturday with Santa: Christmas Around the World: On Saturday, Dec. 8 from 2 to 4 p.m.
families can come visit with Santa, enjoy food tasting from places around the world, crafts and games and entertainment. This event is free and is sponsored by Taylorsville Preservation Committee and will be held at the Taylorsville Bennion Heritage Center, 1488 W. 4800 South in Murray. Back for the second year at The Shops at South Town in Sandy is Chistmas in the Wizarding World. Step into the world of a wintry Hogsmeade village that features unique merchandise from the “Fantastic Beasts” and “Harry Potter” films. It is free to walk through and will be opened from now until Jan. 21. Even though it is not free, there is another activity in Sandy that is inexpensive when it comes to ticket prices. The Dickens’ Christmas Festival at the Mountain America Exposition Center (9575 S. State Street) is produced and organized by Olde World Historical Council and claims to be a “unique and unusual entertainment and shopping experience.” From fortune tellers, to old English shops, the “real” Father Christmas, period costumes, street theater, puppet shows, a mini-production of “Scrooge” and visits from the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Ticket prices are $3.50 for children and $5.50 for adults. l
December 2018 | Page 13
SPOTLIGHT
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esert Star’s latest parody takes on the Christmas villain that everybody loves to hate! No, not the Grinch... The Grouch! This zany parody opens November 8th and it’s a hilarious musical melodrama for the whole family you don’t want to miss! This show, written by Ben Millet, with an update for 2018 and directed by Scott Holman, follows the story of the Whoville Orphan Sisters as they attempt to save their Christmas future, and presents, from the notorious Grouch. Also hot on the Grouch’s trail is the handsome huntsman, Hunter Hyrum Y, who blames the green goon for the loss of his arm. The team pursues the Grouch into the snowy mountains surrounding their town, only to encounter an even greater threat... one so dangerous, they just might need to join forces with the Grouch himself in order survive! Comedy, romance, and adventure are all on the docket for this delightful send up of the classic children’s story, as well as topical humor torn from today’s headlines. “How The Grouch Stole Christmas” runs November 8th through January 5th, 2019. The evening also includes one of Desert Star’s
side-splitting musical olios, following the show. The “Swingin’ Christmas Olio” features hit holiday themed songs and merry, musical steps mixed with more of Desert Star’s signature comedy. Food is available from an á la carte menu and is served right at your table. The menu includes gourmet pizza, fresh wraps, appetizers, and scrumptious desserts. “How the Grouch Stole Christmas” Plays November 8th - January 5th, 2019 Check website for show times: www.DesertStarPlayhouse.com Tickets: Adults: $24.95-$28.95, Children: $14.95 (Children 11 and under) 4861 S. State Street, Murray, UT 84107 Call 801.266.2600 for reservations For additional information, visit our website at www.DesertStarPlayhouse.com l
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Murray City Journal
December 2018
FREQUENTLY REQUESTED NUMBERS Attorney ............................................. 801-264-2640 Business Licensing ............................. 801-270-2432 Cemetery ........................................... 801-264-2637 City Council ........................................ 801-264-2603 Finance Department .......................... 801-264-2513 FIRE DEPARTMENT Administrative Office ..................... 801-264-2781 Non-Emergency Calls .................... 801-840-4000 General Information........................... 801-264-2525 Heritage Center (Sr. Center)................ 801-264-2635 Human Resources............................... 801-264-2656 Library ............................................... 801-264-2580 Mayor’s Office..................................... 801-264-2600 Municipal Court.................................. 801-284-4280 Museum ............................................. 801-264-2589 Murray Park Outdoor Pool .................. 801-266-9321 Murray Parkway Golf Course............... 801-262-4653 PARKS AND RECREATION Administrative Office ..................... 801-264-2614 Rain-out Information .................... 801-264-2525 Park Center (indoor pool) ................... 801-284-4200 Passports............................................ 801-264-2660 POLICE DEPARTMENT Administrative Office ..................... 801-264-2673 Animal Control .............................. 801-264-2671 Code Enforcement ......................... 801-264-2673 Non-Emergency Calls .................... 801-840-4000 POWER DEPARTMENT Administrative Office ..................... 801-264-2730 After Hours Emergency.................. 801-264-9669 PUBLIC SERVICES Administrative Office ..................... 801-270-2440 Building Inspection ....................... 801-270-2431 Green Waste Trailers ...................... 801-270-2440 Planning and Zoning ..................... 801-270-2420 Solid Waste.................................... 801-270-2440 Water, Sewer, Streets..................... 801-270-2440 Zoning Enforcement ...................... 801-270-2426 UTILITIES After Hours Emergency.................. 801-264-9669 Billing Questions ........................... 801-264-2626
murray.utah.gov
MAYOR’S OFFICE D. Blair Camp Mayor
Mayor’s Message As we’re well into the holiday season, I’ve taken some time to reflect on those among us who are suffering rather than celebrating. Many of these friends, neighbors, and relatives may be suffering without anyone really knowing. The kind of suffering I am referring to is that of depression. According to psychologist Anita Sanz, depression tends to increase during the holidays due to an increase in demands (perceived as stressful), family issues, and being unable to manage expectations. Miss Murray 2018, Jessica Christensen, has spent much of this year raising awareness of suicide and depression prevention. Her platform was a message of HOPE, an acronym for Hold On, Pain Ends. Sharing her own story of her battle with depression, Jessica was interviewed by Nicea DeGering on a Good Things Utah segment in May and organized a successful “HOPE Walk” held at Murray Park on May 26, raising over $1000 for suicide prevention. On November 3 the Murray Area Chamber of Commerce partnered with Honor365 in sponsoring an event called Ten4 Responding, which is intended to raise suicide awareness and to support the mental health of veterans and first responders. Honorees at the event included Murray Assistant Police Chief Joe Tarver, Murray Battalion Chief Jordan Peterson, and our paramedic physician advisor Dr. Adam Balls, who is also a veteran of the United States Air Force. Deputy Chief Tarver is a 35-year veteran of law enforcement who has been a strong advocate of suicide awareness and prevention, as well as the victim advocate program in the Murray City Police Department. Battalion Chief Peterson has a master’s degree and a doctorate in psychology and has been using his education and experience to help promote mental health
Murray Library Happy Holidays from the Murray City Library! As we all know, the library is one of the best places to escape from the frosty weather. Come cozy up with a good book and take a look at all the fun things we have going on during December. If you have a little one eager to send their Christmas list off to Santa, you’re in luck! The wonderful library staff members have been designated as Official Santa’s Helpers. We will have a station out and prepared until December 8 for kids of all ages to write letters to Santa. Make sure you get your letter out quick, so it has time to get to the North Pole before Santa’s big day! It’s time again for our annual Holly Jolly musical series. We will have various musical groups from around the Murray area performing in the Reader’s Circle. Here is a list of our upcoming performances: • Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. Murray High Madrigals • Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. McMillan Children’s Choir • Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. Hillcrest Jr. High Orchestra • Dec. 13 at 11:15 a.m. Hillcrest Jr. High Band • Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. Beyond Baroque For more information on these performances feel free to check our calendar listed on the Murray Library website. Our Holiday Palooza will be taking place on Saturday, December 8
among the first responder community. These dedicated public servants were honored in a ceremony at the Ten4 Remayor@murray.utah.gov sponding banquet for their efforts and 801-264-2600 service. I am pleased to congratulate 5025 S. State Street them on their recognition and to thank them for their contributions. Murray, Utah 84107 Of course, the issue of depression goes far beyond the first responder community and is not limited to one season of the year. This matter has become a major concern among our school-age children. I applaud the efforts of parents, teachers, and school administrators to raise awareness and look for solutions to this epidemic among our children. I encourage all citizens to become aware of the signs and symptoms of depression and to become familiar with the resources available for help for ourselves, our friends, or loved ones. The National Suicide Prevention 24hour “Lifeline” number is 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Resources can be found at utahsuicideprevention.org and suicidepreventionlifeline.org. There is also a smartphone app available called SafeUT, found at healthcare.utah.edu/ uni/programs/safe-ut-smartphone-app/. I am optimistic that we, as a society, can make further progress in recognizing the signs and treatment of depression and the prevention of suicide. Everyone has their own unique struggle, and it is often a close friend or family members who can step in and make a difference in the life of an individual. I wish each of you a joyous Holiday Season, and many more!
166 East 5300 South • Murray, UT 84107 from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Join us for a holiday extravaganza for the whole family. We will have a photo booth, craft, story time, scavenger hunt, songs, and a special visit from Santa! For those who are eager to add an extra sense of craft and care to their holiday gift giving, we will be holding a special Adult Art Class where we will be creating our very home-made wrapping paper. Go at your own pace, create your own designs, and don’t worry, we’ll provide all the supplies. The class will take place on Monday, December 17 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Space is limited so be sure to come early! As always, if you have any questions about this or any other library-sponsored materials, please feel free to call us at 801-264-2580 or visit our events calendar on our website at murraylibrary.org Unless listed otherwise, all of these events are free and open to the public and do not require tickets or registration.
Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Friday & Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
murraylibrary.org 801-264-2580
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Murray Library Calendar
Message from the Council Undoubtedly, the most important role of the city council is to approve the annual budget, oversight of revenue and expenses throughout the year, and amendments during the budget cycle to consider unexpected expenses or revenue. We analyze the budget in three major categories: personnel, operations, and capital expenditures. As you may expect, to operate within a balanced budget, there are many challenges when considering the needs in the city. Our services to the citizens and businesses of Murray are our greatest priority with public safety at the top of the list. Following closely behind in priority is our responsibility to maintain roads, repair as necessary and rebuild when in failing condition. We always try to maintain with slurry seals and overlays to prevent the more expensive rebuild when roads begin to fail completely. This is a very costly endeavor. Our revenue for road projects comes from capital allocations of Murray ‘s General Fund revenue dollars and Class C Road Funds received through the state as a result of taxes paid at the fuel pump. Challenges in keeping up with these needs is a constant dilemma. The ongoing list of road repairs would cost in excess of $40 million to execute. Murray was able to budget nearly $3.2 million to roads in the fiscal year 2018-2019 budget, sidewalk repairs included. At this rate, you can expect road conditions to deteriorate much more rapidly than city leaders are able to allocate funding for repairs. Due to the very nature of our climate, which is extremely hard on our roads, this Spring we will add a few new road repairs to the bottom of our list as we continue to pick-off the worst cases. The legislature has tried to provide a means for cities to attain additional dollars for transportation through recent election issues. As we saw in November, voters rejected Opinion Question #1 for an increased tax at the pump for schools and transportation. In 2015, there was an opportunity for voters to approve new transportation dollars to be split between counties, cities and transit. This too was rejected. Nonetheless, the
city tries to prioritize the essential restorations and provide to the best of our abilities. Budget issues aside, I am pleased to report that over the last construction period Murray City was able to make some great strides forward and rebuilt the roadway at 6600 South from 900 East to 1300 East. A major overlay project was completed at 5300 South from Dave Nicponski State Street to Vine Street. These were especialDistrict 1 ly challenging due to the high traffic volume. Roadway seal coat projects were accomplished on neighborhood streets at Ayshire, Center, Elm, Evesham, Glen Oaks, Holstein, Lincoln, Maple, Oakmont, Silvershadow, Southwood, Silver Bell, Wasatch, and Willowood. There were pavement replacements completed on Butler Circle, Wood Circle, and Hansen Circle. Other road work included slurry seal projects at Allendale Drive, Bend Way, Glencoe Drive, Loch Hawkins, Mohican Circle, Noah Circle, Ortons, Parker View Place, Potomac Drive, Pugs Place, River Park Drive, Ropcke Drive, Sagewood Drive, Sanford Drive, Trent Meadows Cove, 5818 South, 157 West and 129 West. Asphalt patching took place in various locations. Sidewalk replacement and trip hazard repairs were completed in areas across the city using budgeted funds of $400,000. As winter is upon us, road funding also covers the expense for snow removal and salt. Murray has a reputation for taking care of that need better and faster than most cities surrounding us. Everyone agrees that on snowy days, you can always tell when you enter Murray City limits. Please know that these are your tax dollars at work and Murray City personnel who care deeply about providing the safest roads for our citizens. –Dave Nicponski District 1
Murray Public Works Department
Council District 1 Dave Nicponski 801-913-3283 dnicponski@murray.utah.gov Council District 2 Dale M. Cox 801-971-5568 dale.cox@murray.utah.gov Council District 3 Jim Brass 801-598-7290 jim.brass@murray.utah.gov Council District 4 Diane Turner 801-635-6382 diane.turner@murray.utah.gov Council District 5 Brett A. Hales 801-882-7171 brett.hales@murray.utah.gov Council Administrator Jan Lopez 801-264-2622 jlopez@murray.utah.gov
For additional information, contact Murray Public Works Department at 801-270-2440
DECEMBER 2018 ROAD CONSTRUCTION UPDATE Thank you for your patience through the 2018 construction season as Murray City crews and contractors worked to improve roadways and pedestrian accesses. The city undertook a variety of maintenance and safety projects. The projects detailed below highlight the efforts of our team to serve our community. Roadway mill and overlays, as well as road reconstruction, can add 10-20 years of life to the roads by providing a structural layer and preventing water seepage. Some of the major roadways that are now complete include mill and overlays on 6600 South from 900 East to 1300 East, and 5300 South, east of State Street. A dozen neighborhood streets were also reconstructed, including Riverpoint Circle, Auburn Drive, Emerald Isle Lane, Twin Willows Circle, Wood Circle, Hansen Circle, Butler Circle, Mar Jane Avenue, 5360 South, 1410 East, 5440 South, and Lakewood Circle. With the help of our contractors, the city completed maintenance overlays on about four dozen roadways in Murray, extending their surface life 5-10 years for a fraction of the cost of a full pavement reconstruction. Maintenance overlay projects help seal the
MURRAY CITY COUNCIL
existing surface preventing water and freeze/thaw from further deteriorating the roads and the base beneath them. Each of these projects had pedestrian improvements and trip hazards removed. Additionally, we improved pedestrian access on Murray Boulevard and 700 West for the school crossings and the neighborhood around Longview Elementary. The city also performed sidewalk rehabilitation in the Wasatch Village Subdivision, the Lakewood Subdivision, Indian Wells, Murray Dale and along State Street near the Fashion Place Mall. Bike lanes were added on 700 West as part of a two-phase plan to provide active transportation options, with connections to the existing bike routes on 5900 South and Winchester Street. On Bullion Street, between 1250 and 1300 West, curb and gutter improvements were completed along with an overlay to improve drainage and safety on the curved hill. Thank you again for your patience, and we look forward to providing more improvements in 2019.
DECEMBER 2018 Murray Arts Beat Resident on Display Original artwork by Murray resident artists are displayed in the central display case at City Hall. Our featured artists will be Lauren Gibbs (pictured) in December and Kathy Adair in January.
For additional information, please contact Lori Edmunds at 801-264-2620
Murray Senior Recreation Center Holiday Boutique and Buffet Please invite family and friends to visit and shop at our annual HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE on Friday, December 7 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. This year we have 13 artists selling handmade crafts in addition to our craft table. Come purchase a unique holiday or birthday gift from one of our vendors. This boutique is only held once a year and is open to the public. If you are interested in hosting a table at the Boutique, contact Maureen for availability. The HOLIDAY BUFFET is from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday, December 7. The buffet is for individuals 55+. Registration for this event begins on Wednesday, November 7. The cost is $8 and includes lunch and entertainment by the Murray High School Madrigal Choir. Up to seven tickets (a table) may be purchased by an individual. Cancellation deadline is Wednesday, November 21. Handmade items are currently being requested for the Center’s boutique table (new items only, please donate anytime). All proceeds from this table will benefit the Center’s fundraising efforts.
GinGerBread House Contest The 4th Annual Memorial GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST theme is “O Christmas Tree.” You will be judged on the creativity of the house and yard, so start the snowflakes swirling in your imagination to bring to life your design. Register now if you would like to receive a Gingerbread House Kit. Kits will be available Friday, November 2 and return your decorated Gingerbread House to the Center by Friday, November 30. The Gingerbread Houses will be judged by popular vote at Murray Memorial Mortuary’s Annual Remembrance event on Monday, December 3. The awards and houses will be returned to the Center on Wednesday, December 5. Winners will receive: $50 cash card for first place, $25 cash card for second place, and $10 cash card for third place.
#10 East 6150 South (one block west of State Street) For information on these and other great programs call 801-264-2635
Murray Public Works Department StreetS during the winter monthS Many of us love a snowy holiday season! We look forward to skiing the slopes, sledding the hills, and many other winter adventures. As we move into the winter months, the streets department would like to remind everyone of the importance of keeping vehicles off the street in order to allow room for our plows. City ordinances state that it is unlawful to park, leave or abandon a motor vehicle on any street after one hour from the commencement of snowfall until the completion of snow removal operations on the street. Please help us keep the roads clear and safe this winter by parking in your driveway, a parking lot, or other spot off the roadway. The second reminder relates to where snow should be piled. City ordinances state that it is unlawful to place snow removed from private property, sidewalks, drive approaches or other public places in a street or any other public way. Please be conscientious of the safety and well-being of others as you clear your drive and walkways this winter.
For additional information, contact Murray Public Works Department at 801-270-2440
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Salt Lake County’s 2019 Budget Makes Wise Investments with No Tax Increase
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he most important function of the Salt Lake County Council is passing an annual budget to fund the myriad of important functions for our residents. Each fall, the Mayor presents his proposed budget to the council. Council members and staff take the subsequent weeks to look through the budget and make any important changes before adopting a final county budget. The final budget vote is scheduled for December 4th. My priority for every budget process is the same, and I ask the following questions of each expenditure or proposal we review: 1) Is this the proper role of county government? 2) Does this
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invest in an area that will save taxpayer money in the long run? 3) Does this needlessly duplicate efforts already under way by another entity? 4) Is this the highest and best use of these dollars? This year, just as in 2018, I again made it clear during budget deliberations that I would not support a final budget that exceeded the total dollar amount proposed by the Mayor. The reason is that growth in spending, even if marginal on a year over year basis, contributes to the growth of government and eats into our fund balance (savings account). We must have a top threshold over which we won’t go in order to do our best to limit government growth while still
investing in important areas. It’s also important that we make wise investments in our county to preserve the quality of life our residents expect and deserve. That’s why I’m pleased this budget makes additional investments in our criminal justice system (through more prosecutors as well as resources for indigent defense) to keep our community safe. We’ve also set aside additional funding to fully open the Oxbow Jail to we have a place to house people who shouldn’t be on the streets. This year we also invested in additional trails and open space, and in our cultural amenities with things like the Midvalley Performing Arts Center. We know that our library system is
one of our county’s greatest treasures, and this year we are greenlighting a new library in the southwest part of the valley, a rebuild of the Kearns library, and a remodel of the Holladay library. I’m also very glad to say that we’ve done all this without a tax increase this year. Being wise stewards of public dollars and making smart investments in the future of Salt Lake County is vital. My goal is to always ensure that every taxpayer dollar we spend is used wisely, efficiently, and allocated through a transparent process. I’m excited for what 2019 has in store for Salt Lake County! l
December 2018 | Page 19
Technical, vocational training becomes high-tech “These aren’t the grease monkey positions we used to know.” By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com
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urray High sophomore Conner Harris was looking toward sports medicine as a possible career — until he attended the recent Pathways to Professions’ Career & Technical Education Showcase. “I learned that maybe physical therapy may be a better option for me,” he said after talking to experts. Learning about career opportunities is one reason Career and Technical Education leaders in Murray, Granite, Jordan, Canyons, Salt Lake and Tooele school districts as well as area charter schools wanted to hold a showcase where high school students could explore and ask questions to college and industry leaders. “We wanted to give students exposure to career pathways they may never knew existed,” said Laura deShazo, Murray High assistant principal who formerly was active with the Wasatch Front Consortium before joining the school. “It may help students make connections. For example, students who are active in the arts, such as dance, could learn how to program lights and music, and that can give them more career opportunities with more skills.” Janet Goble, Canyons School District CTE director said it also gives students a chance to interact with people in these fields. “Many industries are offering part-time jobs, internships, education reimbursement, and one-on-one conversations about opportunities,” she said. Goble said it’s an effort to support “One, two, four or more,” meaning post-high school education and training such as earning a certificate to a doctorate program. “It used to be pushed that job opportunities came with a four-year degree and that’s not true anymore. There’s a severe shortage in all the skilled, technical areas as the current workforce is retiring. Some starting careers can reach six figures and tuition reimbursement,” she said. Such is the case with Komatsu Equipment, said Matthew Pruss, Komatsu Equipment director of human resources. Komatsu, which supports the Utah Diesel Technician Pathways through educational opportunities at Jordan and Canyon technical education centers, was just one of more than 100
businesses and college and university departments at the Oct. 16-17 Pathways to Professions’ Career & Technical Education Showcase. Pruss said that workers earning “six figures” rings true in the diesel tech careers, where they also offer apprenticeships and help pay for education. “Careers are becoming much more hightech,” he said. “These careers aren’t the grease monkey positions that we used to know. Now, our technicians are on the laptop, understanding electronics, coding and programming.” For example, a drone’s photography may be used to measure elevation, which then can be used in developing models of roads or where to place piles of dirt when building a future school site. From there, technicians build and create models with 3D printers, which may be used when excavating with computer-programmed autonomous hauling machinery and trucks. “There are prototypes where there are no drivers in the cab; they’re already being tested,” Pruss said. “We’re needing technicians right now and students can work right into the program where we’re experiencing shortages.” Stephen Hemmersmeier, marketing department data coordinator at Jerry Seiner Dealerships, said they too are experiencing a technician shortage in the automobile industry, and incentives such as tuition reimbursement for two-year technician certification programs are possible with Jerry Seiner Dealerships. “Many students think it’s working with your hands, and tinkering with engines, but now it’s being able to upload and run diagnostic equipment on the computer,” he said. Hemmersmeier, and other company representatives, interested students through hands-on activities at the Pathways expo. At Jerry Seiner, students were given a “Minute to Win It” scavenger hunt to identify 25 parts of a Kia Stinger. “It’s a fun, interactive way to get students involved and then, they feel more at ease to ask questions,” he said. Drayke Gray, a cadet with Salt Lake City Fire, answered students’ questions about what he does and why he chose to enter a program for students from age 14 to 18 to learn about the fire service.
Meet Gidget. This little one has been at the shelter a very long time, 3 months in fact. Gidget is a shy little rabbit who just wants a place to lay in the sun and eat lots of yummy food. Gidget loves to hop around the cage and will greet you at the door. This little bunny just wants somebody to love. If interested in adopting, please visit the Murray City Animal Shelter during normal business hours.
MURRAY ANIMAL
s h e lt e r Page 20 | December 2018
MURRAY
POLICE DEPARTMENT
5624 South 300 West • 801.264.2671 Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm
Jordan High students Rhiannon Adderley and Jordan Barrus check out Utah Valley University’s airplane at the Pathways to Professions showcase. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
“Even if they end up not wanting this career, it helps them learn leadership, accountability, knowledge, working with people and opportunities that will help them in their careers or with scholarships with colleges,” he said. Asking questions and exploring careers was part of what several students, like Murray High sophomore Devin Jessop, were doing. Devin said he talked to health sciences educators to culinary leaders. Jordan School District CTE Director Jason Skidmore said booths featured agriculture, business and marketing, family consumer science, skilled and technical areas, technology and engineering, information technology and health sciences. “We invited education and industry from all those sectors with a goal to provide students variety and have them look and learn what options are there,” he said about the 8,000 students in attendance. “Harmons has been here all three years we’ve held the Pathways Showcase. They tie into agriculture, culinary, business and marketing — so many more opportunities than stu-
dents realize.” Skidmore said he also hopes students are intrigued to pursue their own passion to make it their career. As part of the expo, Salt Lake Community College hosted Jamie Hyneman, cohost of the television show, “MythBusters”, who shared how he did that. Jordan High’s Work-Based Learning Facilitator Lisa Willis said it started with “solid advice about following through with what you start” in terms of jobs and education. “He learned through survival, starting to make his own way when he was 14 and did a variety of jobs to survive,” she said, adding that he also earned a master’s degree. “He wanted students to know they could be more than the students who took a test. They could be the students who could find the new method, not just answer a question right, but to think outside the box — to do hard things and make things better. He said they needed to learn things and see things through to the end, not just be passive or give up.” l
Murray City Journal
Stellar fall seasons include football, volleyball state tournament berths By Carl Fauver | carlf@mycityjournals.com
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ast month we reported on the record-shattering Murray High School girls’ soccer team that earned the program’s first-ever state tournament victories — three of them in a week — to advance to the Class 5A state championship game, where they lost a heartbreaker to Corner Canyon. The soccer girls wrapped up their fall campaign just before our press deadline, while the Murray football and volleyball teams ended their year just after that deadline. Neither of those teams played in state championship games and their efforts were overshadowed by the soccer success. But each of those Spartan teams did show vast improvement — both earning their first post-season wins in three years. Murray High School football – Class 5A state tournament qualifier (6-7 record) In only his second season at the helm of the MHS gridiron program, coach Todd Thompson guided the Spartans to triple the number of wins they earned just a year ago. Two of those victories were actually each “half games,” as Murray finished in a three-way tie for the fourth and final state tournament seed, from Region 6. “We never should have been forced into that playoff because our boys know they could have beaten Skyline during the regular season,” Thompson said. “We let that one slip away and were anxious to get our revenge in the playoff.” To do that however, Murray first had to win a half-game against West High School. By coin flip, it was decided the playoff — on the neutral Cottonwood High School field — would pit Murray against West in the first half, with the winner advancing to face Skyline for the tournament berth. The two half-games were quite similar, with Murray winning the coins each time, electing to receive each opening kickoff and then scoring very quickly. The Spartans scored their first touchdown against West just 56 seconds into the contest. Against Skyline it took Murray eight seconds longer, scoring 1 minute, 4 seconds into the do-or-die game. Likewise, the dramatic endings of each half game were nearly identical, with sophomore place kicker Riley Murray drilling 28-yard field goals (yes, the identical distance for each) to claim the wins. The only difference? The game winning kick against West came with :03 seconds remaining, while the Skyline boot came in overtime. Murray defeated the West Panthers 24-21 and the Skyline Eagles 17-14, to secure the fourth and final Region 6 berth into the Class 5A state tournament. “At first I was nervous before the kick against West because each team took a timeout, which gave me a lot of time to think about it,” Murray said. “But eventually I was able to clear my mind and put it in. That made the second kick against Skyline much easier, because I had already made the first one. I was so proud of the way our team played and was happy to help us advance to state.” The two kicks weren’t nearly as long at the 55yard field goal Riley hit earlier in the season against Farmington High School. But given the pressure of the moment, they may have been more difficult. Prior to Murray’s heroics, sophomore quarterback Payson Hadley also had to play well enough to put the Spartans into a position to win. Thomp-
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son said that is exactly what he did. “Payson played very well — very calm and collected in a pressure situation,” Thompson said. “He did well and is likely our number one quarterback going into next season. I just need him to hit the weight room in the off-season and gain weight himself.” “I started the final three games of the season and became more comfortable in each one,” Hadley said. “By the time we got to the playoff games, I feel like I had found my groove and it was coming a little easier. I was less nervous and that made it more fun. The end of that Skyline game was exciting. We were running all over the field. It was nice to get the win.” That emotional ending came immediately after the Spartans’ final heroic play of the day. After Murray had kicked the go ahead field goal on their overtime possession, the Eagles took their turn. A Skyline field goal would have forced a second overtime, while an Eagles touchdown would have won the game for them. But Murray’s junior free safety Owen Madsen gave his coaches, teammates and the large contingent of Spartan fans their moment to celebrate when he got his only interception of the season to seal the victory. “It was crazy; I read the play and went right in front of the receiver to pick it off,” Madsen said. “By the time I got up the entire team was running out. Coach Thompson gave me the biggest hug. He has done such a wonderful job this season, to take us from two wins last year to six wins this year.” The Murray football celebration was shortlived, as the Spartans earned the right to visit undefeated Corner Canyon in the first round of the state tournament and were soundly beaten. But Thompson said, just getting to the post season was a great stepping stone as the players look ahead to next fall. “We are losing about half of our starters — five on offense and five on defense — due to graduation,” Thompson said. “But we have a great group coming back and the coaching staff should remain intact. Our goal next season will be to finish in the top two in our region so we can host a playoff game. If the players work hard, I think they can do it.” Murray High School volleyball – Class 5A state tournament qualifier and seventh place finisher Like their football counterparts, the MHS girls’ volleyball team earned its first post season wins since 2015 this fall. After placing sixth in state in 2015, the Spartans went two-losses-and-out of both the 2016 and 2017 state tournaments. This year the third place finishers in Region 6 (behind West and Skyline) earned a 3-2 win over Alta and a 3-0 sweep of Skyline in the state tournament, to place seventh. The Murray girls two losses at state were to region champions Skyridge (Region 8) and West (Region 6). “The (volleyball) girls really caught fire at the end of the season and played well at state,” said Murray High School Co-Athletic Director Keeko Georgelas. “Their successful finish at state ended our fall sports season for all the teams, which turned out to be one of the best we have had in a long time. Now we are looking ahead to see how the winter teams do.” l
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3750 S. Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, 84106 801-272-8226 • HighlandCoveRetirement.com December 2018 | Page 21
Tests? Fitting in? It’s more than that as student anxiety increases By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com It may be that an elementary student is fearful to come to school and once there, he is afraid to enter the school. If that student makes it to the classroom, often he is unable to cope or focus. In secondary schools, feelings can be internalized, leading to disengagement and depression. “There is likely an equal distribution of anxiety and stress K (kindergarten) through 12 (12th grade), however associated behaviors will manifest in different ways,” said Judy Petersen, Granite School District’s college and career readiness director. “Younger students are more likely to act out and struggle to regulate their behavior. Older students tend to internalize their struggles until they manifest as self-harm and/or suicide ideation.” Veteran teacher Karen Larson, who instructs English at Canyons District’s Brighton High, learned that firsthand. “The anxiety level is off the charts,” she said. “Students worry about paying for college, competing in the global marketplace for a job to support themselves, failing, being on their own and having that responsibility, what’s going on in the world.” Larson, who has students keep a journal that she tells them she reviews, has read those entries and more, including a student trying to harm himself. “I immediately let people know. By looking through his phone, they learned there were more pressures coming at him. What is happening in the world — shootings, climate change, cyberbullying — just adds to anxiety,” she said, adding that before reading the journal entry, she had no idea that the student attempted suicide. Sometimes, teachers and counselors recognize anxiety, such as being nervous before a test, but other times, it can be disguised as anger, illness, apathy or other behaviors that look entirely different, said Torilyn Gillett, Canyons School District school counseling program specialist. “Everyone will feel a level of stress in their lives,” she said. “Anxiety is when that stress becomes a point at which the person can no longer accomplish their everyday tasks. Therefore, it is often that a student may not be able to concentrate and participate in academic learning nor complete assignments.” Anxiety in the classroom isn’t just hitting students locally, said Jordan School District Health and Wellness Specialist McKinley Withers. “Nationwide, the suicide rates have increased,” he said. “Hopelessness, depression, anxiety all contribute. This is a generation needing different support than we’ve seen in the past. Much of their social world is fragile,
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contained to a device. There is a definite biological need to be face to face, to have that human interaction and touch, that is being reduced by technology. Now some peers are lacking self-confidence and anxiety grows as they text their peers next to them and sit isolated with their earbuds.” The Child Mind Institute reported in 2015 that more than 17 million U.S. children and adolescents have or have had a diagnosable mental illness — and 80 percent of the kids with anxiety don’t get treatment. According to the National Education Association, nearly two-thirds of college students reported in 2016 “overwhelming anxiety,” up from 50 percent just five years earlier. For seven straight years, anxiety has been the top complaint among college students seeking mental health services, with nearly one quarter saying it affects their academic performance. Petersen said that social workers report a higher number of students with behavior issues related to anxiety. “Students seem to be more anxious about safety at school, away from their parents, especially in K (kindergarten) through 6 (sixth grade), by negative influence of social media, and issues related to their status — and their family’s status — related to immigration,” she said. Gillett said that anxiety at a young age often centers around separation, being worried about their parents when they’re at school, or being anxious in school, speaking to teachers or in front of a classroom. Sometimes, children worry about a variety of everyday things and are filled with stressful thoughts, Gillett said. “Some worry is excessive and not normally warranted,” she said. Testing and academics also may play a factor, said Granite School District parent Robyn Ivins, who has taught in a classroom. “Teens today are really pressured from a young age to succeed so by the time they’re in high school, there’s real pressure to get a 36 on the ACT (college standardized test) and have a 4.0 (grade-point average),” she said. “It’s really taken a toll. Students are struggling to get the best classes, the best teachers, the best of everything. Sometimes they feel the pressure from parents or their peers. Sometimes it’s pressure they put on themselves.” The National Education Association said that these teens grew up in classrooms governed by No Child Left Behind, the federal law that introduced high-stakes standardized testing to every public school in America. Starting in elementary school, instead of making art and new friends, the NEA said they learned to write
The Zitting family attends Park Lane Elementary’s STEM Night. Counselors recommend families spend time together to help build bonds to make students feel safe and valued. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
full-on sentences in timed tests. These are the same students who instead of having hours of art and recess, attend pep rallies to pump them up for state testing. Even the stress of teachers needing to meet certain standards may be adding to the picture, wrote University of Michigan professor Daniel P. Keating in “Dealing with Stress at School in an Age of Anxiety.” Ivins said certain anxiety issues, such as families struggling, may impact a number of Cottonwood High students, with some of the 1,700 students coming from refuge families. She and others try to take away that anxiety by providing food and needed items through the school pantry, which is open to all students. “In high school, there are all sorts of pressures from sleeping with a boyfriend or getting asked to a dance and wearing the cutest clothes to where their next meal will come from and how their family will cope with pressures,” she said. Ivins, who said she’s not an expert, has seen the effects of social anxiety maximized through technology, such as social media. “There is a false look of the world when something is posted on Snapchat,” she said. “Whether it’s students posting or the parents, what’s there is not the whole story. They’re only posting the best. They see that their friends are succeeding, but what isn’t posted is a child having a tantrum or getting a C on a test. It becomes a struggle to lead the perfect life they see their peers have.” Gillett said sometimes, youth can’t fully understand messages and posts on social media. “A friend may say something, and your child takes it as a harsh rejection, when it’s not meant that way at all. Or they see all the great things that people do, but that’s only one per-
cent of their life that is posted. We tend not to post our whole stories, just great accomplishments, not our normal days. Often that results in feelings of not measuring up when they compare themselves on what they see posted,” she said. Withers agrees. “Social media sucks kids in and creates anxiety in who sees what or how they measure up. Kids bullied at school feel less anxious nowadays than those who have been cyberbullied. Online, you don’t know who has seen what and you feel your whole life has been broadcast. You have no idea how far it went or who talked about it,” he said. The accessibility of having a smartphone also has led to more concerns beyond social media. “The increased screen time affects students,” Gillett said. “Constant access to the world can be a good thing, but it also means that the young are no longer sheltered from troubles, the next school shooting, bombing or even bullying, as we were when we young. Sometimes, they can’t process it at a young age. We need to build in escape time daily.” She said that even adding meditation, relaxation, deep breathing or taking a few minutes each day for a mindfulness app will help take away panic and anxiety feelings. “Even a walk without technology gives good exercise for both the body and the brain,” Gillett said. She also recommends that having family time as well as putting away devices at dinner will help build bonds to make students feel safe and valued. Sleep, about eight or nine hours nightly, is one the best things for students as well, Gillett said.
Murray City Journal
“Just as your phone needs to be plugged in to recharge, your brain is the same way. It needs to recuperate,” she said. Gillett isn’t anti-technology. “It’s a factor of the world we live in and we need to find a healthy way to navigate through it. Technology developed super quickly and now we’re seeing the adverse effects and are understanding them. We need to help students make healthy choices that will support and protect them in the world they live in,” she said. Teachers are becoming more aware of how students cope with anxiety and how their relationships are critical, Gillett said. “Some anxiety, such as their ACT scores or fitting in the crowd, is normal, but it’s when there is hysterical crying or depression, those are warning signs and having a positive, strong relationship where a student can talk to and trust an adult is important,” she said, adding that secondary schools have become more pro-active in sharing the SafeUT app or suicide hotlines with students. “We’re taking away the barriers in talking about mental illness. Any mental illness is a risk factor for suicide.” Suicide prevention education begins in seventh and eighth grades in Canyons District from warning signs to recognizing where to get help to good coping skills. Hope squads, students who are “the eyes and ears” of secondary schools who help identify warning signs and seek help from adults, are in place in a number of secondary schools across the state.
In September, Canyons showed, “Angst,” a movie about students dealing with anxiety and had a panel discussion afterward. More than 500 families attended, Gillett said. “Anxiety has become a hot topic for parents and we have seen an increase in discussion and in seeing students who previously didn’t know where to get help,” she said. Olympus High in Granite School District also showed the movie in October and Skyline High held a suicide night Oct. 16. Several parent outreach meetings on mental health and suicide prevention are held throughout Granite School District. In Jordan District, where Herriman High community experienced seven student suicide deaths last year, 36 psychologists were added this year so every elementary has a full-time health and mental professional to match those already in place at the secondary schools. Petersen said there also has been an increase in the number of students — and their parents — reporting that they feel anxious and stressed. “We do not track this specifically, but we have seen an increase in ‘anxiety and stress’ used as reasons for not attending school and an increase in the number of students — and their parents — requesting a home instruction placement for the same rather than a traditional school schedule,” she said, adding that all Granite District staff are trained on what to look for and how to talk with struggling students. Murray School District Director of Per-
High school students’ anxiety may increase as they fill out college applications. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
sonnel and Student Services Darren Dean said school personnel do not diagnose anxiety, but help with resources. “We train administrators and teachers to work with the parent on accommodations in the school setting that will help the student to be successful,” he said, adding that services include meeting with school counselors or extending referrals to an outside agency for counseling services. Withers said while school districts aren’t designed to treat mental health, Jordan District supports students and provides families with
resources, including Jordan’s Family Education Center where students can receive eight weeks of free counseling services. Withers said there is even an anxiety group that meets regularly. Gillett said that some immediate changes such as healthy eating and sleeping can help. “By setting goals and exercising daily habits of living a healthy life, students are building protective factors against anxiety,” she said. “If those are already in place, then that routine will help when anxiety or depression comes. Balance is something we need to learn for ourselves and for our children.” l
Winter driving safety: Snow falls and you slow down
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he long line at the local auto body shop isn’t just for oil changes, it’s for winter tires too. With temperatures dropping and leaves soon to follow, it’s time for a refresher course on safe winter driving. 1) Know the conditions Technology affords us the privilege of knowing road conditions before ever leaving the house. Utah Department of Transportation has more than 2,200 traffic cameras or sensors which gives visuals and data on all major UDOT roads. Drivers can then adjust their routes or schedules according to the heaviness of traffic making for less congestion and less risk for accidents. The UDOT app means you can see all those cameras from your phone. Twitter feeds also provide alerts about traffic situations throughout the state, including roads up the canyon. Unified Police have a canyon alerts Twitter page for to update traffic in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons as well as tire requirements and road closures. 2) Prepare the car Make sure the car is prepared for the road conditions, first with good tires. Snow tires give greater tread for better traction. If only two new tires are placed on the car, make sure to put them in the rear. With the falling snow, it’s necessary to have quality wiper blades that ensures clear views rather than leaving water streaks across windshield impairing your ability to drive. The wiper
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fluid reservoir also needs to be replenished before the first snows hit. Snow and ice should be completely removed from the windows, headlights and taillights prior to driving to ensure visibility. If your car is parked outside overnight, place towels over the windows. This keeps the windows from icing over. A system should be in place to check everything in your car such as the battery power and your cooling system. Antifreeze helps the vehicle withstand the freezing temperatures. The vehicle should also be stocked with safety items in the case of an emergency. The Utah Department of Public Safety suggests on its website to have jumper cables, a tow rope and small shovel in case the car gets stuck, reflectors or flares to make sure your car is visible to others driving, flashlight and batteries, extra winter clothes, first-aid kit, battery or solar powered radio, sleeping bag, fresh water and non-perishable food, paper towels and hand warmers. 3) Control the vehicle Keeping the car under control requires some safe driving tips. The most obvious: drive slow. Despite our impatience or urgency to get to the desired location, slow driving is the safest driving. Staying under the speed limit, which is meant for ideal conditions, becomes even more important when traveling over snow, ice, standing water or slush. In drivers education courses, prospective
drivers learn about the rule for distance between your car and the one in front of you. Driving 60 mph? Stay six car lengths back. 70 mph? Seven car lengths back. This distance should be increased even more during wet conditions to allow the car time and space to stop without rear ending the vehicle in front. All movements should be gradual rather than sudden. This means avoiding sharp turns, accelerating slowly and braking softly. Though you may have four-wheel drive or even all-wheel drive, this does not give license to drive recklessly in winter conditions. This means staying off cruise control as well. The need for seat belts increases tenfold during the winter. With car seats, place coats or blankets around the children after strapping them in. Coats can limit the effectiveness of a car seat. Stay alert. Deer become more active after storms. Black ice causes many crashes and that ice typically looks like wet spots. If skidding does take place, steer in the direction the back of the car is going and ease off the gas. Remember to keep the gas tank at least halfway full, it will keep the gas tank from freezing and if you get stuck in a traffic jam, you may need as much gas as possible. 4) Time For those of you who struggle with punctuality, this becomes paramount. Giving yourself plenty of time to reach your destination means you won’t rush, decreasing the chances of a crash. l
December 2018 | Page 23
Are letter grades failing students? Parents give the grade to report cards By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com
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t may be a positive experience when little Gabriella or Alex brings home a report card from elementary school informing parents they’ve mastered or are progressing to meet a standard in the core curriculum — all without the traditional letter grade. But parents say that may not be the answer for high school students. “So far, my kids have been spared the drama of the standard-based report cards,” Bingham High PTA vice president Jodee Packer said. “With my kids applying to colleges, random proficiencies compared to letter grades don’t make sense. Everyone knows that a 4.0 GPA (gradepoint average) means all As.” Packer, who lives in Jordan School District, also points out to compete in high school athletics, GPAs are checked to allow students to compete, and to change it “complicates the system unnecessarily.” “It’s a system we all know. How do we check grades if we’re all doing proficiency-based report cards?” she said. Nationally, the trend is exploring standard-based report cards as educators say letter grade report cards diminish students’ interest in learning and result in them thinking about how well they’re doing rather than be engaged in what they’re doing, said education expert Alfie Kohn, author of “Punished by Rewards” and “Schooling Beyond Measure.” “The research quite clearly shows that kids who are graded — and have been encouraged to try to improve their grades — tend to lose interest in the learning itself, avoid challenging tasks whenever possible (in order to maximize the chance of getting an A), and think less deeply than kids who aren’t graded,” Kohn told the National Education Association in 2015. “The problem isn’t with how we grade, nor is it limited to students who do especially well or poorly in school; it’s inherent to grading. That’s why the best teachers and schools replace grades (and grade-like reports) with narrative reports — qualitative accounts of student performance — or, better yet, conferences with students and parents.” Locally, school districts are taking a closer look at transitioning to or have already made the change to standard-based report cards to complement their parent-teacher conferences. Granite School District, Salt Lake City-area’s largest district, began reviewing the standard-based grading more than eight years ago and has been making the transition, tweaking it along the way, said Assistant Superintendent Linda Mariotti. Four years ago, 18 teachers tested the new system. Last spring, 400 Granite District teachers used proficiency-based grading. This fall, 1,200 of the 4,000 teachers in the district were on board, mostly in the elementaries, she said. “Any time something is new, it can be overwhelming because change is hard,” Mariotti said. “But proficiency-based grading empowers our students. It supports student learning and we
Page 24 | December 2018
want to do what’s right for our students.” She, along with other educators, inform parents in town meetings about what the district calls proficiency-based grading, which she said is a synonym for standard-based grading. “I may be one of the oldest in the room and grading hasn’t changed since I was in grade school, but we need to let you know how well your student is learning at that moment in time and we can do that with proficiency-based grading where a letter grade can’t do that,” Mariotti told parents recently at town meeting held at Cottonwood High. “The PBG report card will show where students are struggling and how you can help them and with what. It allows teachers to evaluate the assessments and know where to reteach. It eliminates grade inflation and extra credit not based on course work. Our report cards now will have value where the traditional letter grade report cards haven’t been making the grade when it comes to measuring student progress and achievement.” In traditional grading, Mariotti said letter grades report the number of points earned on assignments in a subject but it doesn’t reveal what the student has learned. Proficiency-based grading, she said, offers better feedback by evaluating how well the student has met measurable standards. Through the PBG or standards-based grading, students will receive a score based on assessments put into an algorithm. The latest assessment will carry the most weight as students are expected to know the subject better, she said. “This will ensure that we are being consistent and that the students will be learning the standards,” Mariotti said about the assessments that can be retaken during that school year. “With PBG, students are given multiple opportunities to demonstrate proficiency in multiple ways — they can write it, build it, dance it, say it, paint it, say it in another language — any way they can articulate they know it.” That one to four score will be what is shown on report cards for elementary-grade children, but Granite secondary students currently will have that converted into letter grades as well. “Nationwide, colleges are placing less emphasis on GPAs and more on ACT (college standardized tests) and the courses students are enrolled in, but we realize it is a bigger system out there so right now, we’re continuing to provide both the score and letter grade. USHAA (Utah High School Activities Association) also has student-athletes eligibility on GPA so that’s another reason to provide both. But we know letter grades can be subjective and may not really be reflective of what students are learning and PBL eliminates that,” she said. However, the transition frustrates some parents. Sheri Wade’s children have some classes that are graded on a PBG system and some that are not — she thinks. “My daughter’s math class is straight forward,” she said about the eighth-grade honors
Granite School District Assistant Superintendent Linda Mariotti discusses the transition to proficiency-based report cards at Cottonwood High School. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
class at Bennion Junior High. “If the student gets a one, then we know the student needs improvement and in what area. If there’s a four, then we know the student has exceeded the expectations.” What confuses Wade is a science class. “I’ve been told that if a student receives 40 percent on a quiz, that it can’t be retaken and that assignments and labs are part of the grade where I’ve been told that with PBG it’s not graded so it’s hard to understand what is going on,” she said after the parent meeting at Cottonwood High. Earlier, Mariotti said that homework is not scored. “Homework is independent practice. Teachers demonstrate and talk about a skill, then they do it together with students and then ask students to do it on their own either in class or at home. Teachers provide students feedback, but not in terms of grades or scores, but rather to see them do well and improve,” she said. “There also is no extra credit. The scores are based on proficiencies’ assessments. It’s a new mindset that we’re needing to shift.” Cottonwood School Community Council member and parent Robyn Ivins then questions the motivation for homework. “I really like the proficiency-based grading and I’m grateful for them trying to make a difference, but it’s confusing to students and parents with how assessments really work and if homework and extra credit are really not part of the grade,” she said. “I feel like all the teachers who have switched to PBG are on the same program, but they aren’t.” For example, Ivins said her daughter, who she thought was in a PBG math class, just had her homework graded and was told that the teacher informed her that homework needed to
be completed if any student wanted to retake tests that term. Even the change of mindset may prove difficult, Ivins said. “If teachers tell them they’re not grading homework, the majority of high school students won’t do it. It’s hard for them to be motivated to do it just for the sake of learning. It’s hard for students to suddenly be told they don’t have to get a certain grade. It goes against everything they’ve been told from first grade that they need to have certain grades so they can be ready for college and receive scholarships,” she said. Ivins also expressed concerns with the new grading system for refugee students and those with disabilities. Mariotti gave the example if a parent has a sixth-grader and she is reading on a third-grade level, the teacher is still to teach the sixth-grade standards. “The IEP (the student’s individualized learning plan) will be able to show and help her with different ways she may be able to demonstrate her learning and trying to meet the proficiencies, which she may or may not get to, but she may get to a concept or objective level,” she said. “The same is true with an English learner, where a state test helps identify her understanding level and from there, she can demonstrate the learning.” Many parents wanted a concrete date the district will completely transition to PBG. Mariotti said there isn’t “a drop dead date,” but encourages teachers to shift when they’re comfortable. “Already this is rolling over on its own, just snowballing. I know it’s frustrating to parents we don’t have a specific date, but we want teachers to embrace it, not resist it,” she said, but added that in two years, she expects most teachers and
Murray City Journal
schools to be on board with PBG for Granite’s Both Granite and Jordan districts have on67,900 students. line report cards so students and parents can The transition also is occurring in nearby review students’ learning — as does Murray Jordan School District, School District. that educates students in Murray School the southwest part of the District students reur report Salt Lake Valley. ceive the common cards now will Jordan School Disletter grades. trict Administrator of “All Murray have value where the Middle Schools Michael City School District Anderson said that he’s schools use a traditraditional letter grade “excited to give more letter grade report cards haven’t been tional meaning to our grading report card that measystem. It’s part of the making the grade when sures completion,” trend to get to the heart said Scott Bushnell, it comes to measuring of school and learning Murray District assisand education.” tant superintendent. student progress and While he said that “The MCSD report achievement.” middle school and high card is issued quarterschool levels haven’t ly and gives a snap— Granite School District Assistant changed their letter shot of a student’s Superintendent Linda Mariotti grades, with SBG, they academic, citizenship are able to provide an and attendance status “accurate reflection of what students know and at that time.” are able to do.” However, Murray District educators have “With standard-based grading, extra credit, looked into the pros and cons of standard-based effort or not getting work down isn’t the focus; grading. it’s assessments,” he said. “We’re changing re“We are focusing by grade levels and subport cards from a grading game to a learning ject areas, across schools, working on agreement game.” of standards and levels of proficiency. We are He said that the assessments will reveal currently working within the traditional grading what standards students miss and will help teach- format and communicating with students and ers determine if the question was poor or if it’s parents on how a student is performing. In Enan area that needs to be retaught. He said that glish/language arts, math and science, we have homework is used for students to practice what is begun to monitor the progress of students with taught to be ready to take the assessments. respect to grade-level standards. This progress “Kids can retake assessments, but only af- monitoring has been beneficial in helping stuter homework is done, so they have a chance to dents and parents understand standards mastery. learn the material,” he said. “The four, three, This process began in elementary schools and is two, one score with proficiencies will show if now being used in secondary schools as well,” students know or can show proficiency and can he said. demonstrate and apply it. This will give more Canyons School District made the transition meaning to the A to F letter grade on current to SBG with elementary schools in 2013-14 and report cards and allow the student to know why tweaking it with parent and teacher input for the they may have a B in a class and know he or she following school year. needs to show proficiencies in certain standards “We feel parents have a better understandto improve. Standard-based grading empowers ing of their child’s progress with our report the students to know where they are learning and card reflecting ‘mastered’ or ‘not yet mastered’ what gaps they have.” a standard rather than passing or failing,” CanAnderson said that since letter grades are yons spokeswoman Kirsten Stewart said. “The “universal” with colleges worldwide, Jordan has idea is not to penalize the student, but to learn remained with letters, but “has put more mean- the material and retake the tests to demonstrate ing into those letters” at the high school level. the mastery of the standard. One of the benefits Elementary students are on the numeral system. of standards-based grading is it helps to convey “Our teachers and administrators have that mistakes can be made and not getting 100 worked their guts out for better education and percent is part of the learning process.” standards of learning for our kids,” he said. While the standard-based grading system “Standard-based grading takes the guess work is in place in elementary schools, Stewart said out of report cards.” there is discussion about placing it in the secOquirrh Elementary PTA President Beth ondary schools although “there is no established LeFevre appreciates that. deadline.” “The report cards are trying to explain it “It doesn’t have to be a score, but the letmore and there’s no guessing that one assign- ter grade can be based on those standards,” she ment can bring down a grade,” she said. “It gives said, adding teachers have more than 90 hours parents a better idea of what a child needs to annually of instructional training to help assess work on, but I’d still like to see more explanation student learning and achievement. “We feel stanwith the scores and see the percentage of where dard-based grading is a nice balance to commuthey’re at. If I don’t understand something, or nicate to parents that their child is learning and want more detail, I don’t wait for the school to learning skills that they will use through their contact me. I just go to the teacher.” lives.” l
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Education innovator deShazo boosts student’s success with technology
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Murray High School’s Assistant Principal Laura deShazo recently was named the Women Tech Council’s education innovator and honored as a recipient of the Women Tech Awards. (Photo courtesy of Murray School District)
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ast year, two South Jordan Middle School ninth-graders were state champions of the recent Microsoft Office Specialist certification exams. Three years ago, a Hillcrest High freshman brought home certifications in Word, Excel and PowerPoint. What these — and about 75,000 students across the state since 2012 — don’t realize is that the effort to bring certifications into the classroom stemmed from Murray High School’s assistant principal, Laura deShazo, when she previously had worked for the Utah State Board of Education as a career and technical education coordinator. Thanks to deShazo’s efforts, Utah has the highest ratio nationally of Microsoft certifications in the past five years. Recently, deShazo was named the Women Tech Council’s education innovator and honored as a recipient of the Women Tech Awards. Several other technology leaders were recognized as well. “It’s humbling to receive this award, but I’m doing it to recognize all the teachers who are raising the bar in Utah,” she said. “By offering students the chance to achieve these certifications, our students are able to walk out of the doors with more than a diploma.” The certifications, deShazo said, cost more than $100 a piece and are possible with a $500,000 grant from the state legislature. That isn’t the only technology focus deShazo has had a part of recently. She helped with the Murray School District’s effort to bring a 1:1 technology to student ratio. At Murray High, students have checked out a Chromebook for the school year for their online curriculum, instruction and homework. “It enables equity and access for all our students,” she said. “It was amazingly easy to implement, and we’ve received positive feedback from both our students and teachers. Our
school has Wi-Fi, but now we’re looking into ensuring the entire Murray community has WiFi.” Even though her office is in administration, deShazo keeps tabs on students. “I’m in the classroom every day and it’s truly amazing what the teachers are doing and how technology is allowing students to do astonishing things,” she said. She also is working with administration and office staffs to transition into full technology and eliminate papers and file drawers. “We can access information at our fingers and be able to provide it more effectively and efficiently,” deShazo said. While deShazo has her trophy — a pressure gauge welded to a wrench, bolts and nuts to represent a figure holding a disc acknowledging the Women Tech award — she knows the heart of the award belongs to those she has motivated to use technology to further education. In her impromptu thank-you for the award, she said she wanted to illustrate how technology makes a difference in education. “It’s amazing how technology and teachers can help students make gains in the classroom and after they graduate, how they are more prepared in our world for college, technical training or work,” she said. Cydni Tetro, Women Tech Council president and co-founder, said the awards bring the technology community together to honor and discuss how to increase the number of women in technology. “By highlighting and promoting top talent in technology, these awards amplify the impact of women across the technology industry and accelerate the growth of the entire sector,” she said. Since the launch of the awards 11 years ago, the national Women Tech Council has recognized more than 200 women. l
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Murray City Journal
Promise program provides opportunities for Cottonwood High students By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com
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his December, the after-school program at Cottonwood High may host a holiday party that brings in many of the students’ cultures. As part of the Promise program, which supports students academically as well as offers enriching activities, the holiday event will be a fun, unifying event, said Kayla Mayers, Promise after school coordinator at Cottonwood High School. “We will want to include the history of their cultural holidays and get to know what they do for the holidays,” she said. “We want to get to know them and celebrate them.” According to its website, the Promise program is in 13 South Salt Lake and Millcreek schools and community sites as well as at Cottonwood High. The program aims to serve South Salt Lake’s youth in academic, arts-based, physical fitness and recreation, social and cultural programs at little or no cost through community involvement and volunteerism. “In 2008, (South Salt Lake) Mayor Cherie Wood made three promises to the South Salt Lake residents that every child has the opportunity to attend and to graduate from college; every resident has a safe, clean home and neighborhood; and everyone has the opportunity to be healthy and to prosper. This program is helping to support those promises,” Mayers said. With a partnership with Cottonwood High, where about 600 South Salt Lake high school students are bused to, Mayers said a specific goal is to provide those students with a traditional high school experience. “Many of these students rely on provided transportation. There is an after-school bus as well as one at 5:30 p.m., so students can participate in the after-school program or in other clubs or sports. But with our partnership with United Way, they also provide buses to dances, some of the big football games and parent-teacher conferences. We’re trying to get rid of barriers that may make things more difficult so they can be part of the community school,” she said, adding that other times, they have made arrangements for students to have UTA bus tokens when needed. Cottonwood High Principal Terri Roylance supports the Promise program at the school. “We started hosting it two years ago,” she said. “We are the South Salt Lake high school so we wanted the program here. It’s flexible and open to help anyone with academics and offers activities that are fun with very little or no homework involved.
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The Promise after-school program at Cottonwood High brings students together through academics and activities. (Photo courtesy of the Promise program)
They’ve had field trips to colleges and invited speakers in. It’s a great opportunity for students.” The program, which is open to anyone, begins after school with snacks that are provided by Cottonwood High’s PTA and its food pantry. From there, the program holds an academic hour, where National Honor Society members, college students, volunteers and three paid teachers provide assistance with homework. Afterward, students take part in activities ranging from soccer to filmmaking. These clubs within the program are designed to enrich students’ knowledge and interests, Mayers said. “Last year, we reached out to students and the interest in the clubs helped to determine which ones to offer and it helped boost participants in our program,” she said. “We offer cooking, last week they made an apple crisp; chess, there is a tournament coming up in South Salt Lake; filmmaking, which is popular; and soccer, we hope to set up games.” The program also may rotate clubs
and offer basketball, literacy, leadership and prevention, which will help students make positive choices, Mayers said. Students are provided dinner from the Granite School District before boarding the bus to the South Salt Lake area. “It’s free; you don’t need to qualify,” Mayers said. “We do need a parent signature and most students have a regular schedule when they attend. We started the first year with 15 to 30 students, had about 30 last year and have about 50 to 70 students involved in Promise this year.” As partnerships expand, Mayers said there will be more opportunity for students. Already, Cottonwood’s Latinos in Action has offered to assist Promise staff in translating during parent-teacher conferences and she is hoping to expand enrichment activities with different areas at the high school. “Part of the promise to graduate from the college is to attend and graduate high school,” she said. “We’re wanting to support students and give them a positive high school experience.” l
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by
CASSIE GOFF
Tempting The Grinch
he animated film by Illumination “The Grinch” starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Cameron Seely recently premiered on Nov. 9. During opening weekend, it made $66 million dollars. The popularly known version of “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss was published on Oct. 12, 1957. It began as a 32-line illustrated poem titled “The Hoobub and The Grinch” and was originally published in May of 1955 in Redbook magazine. The book version was released in December of 1957 by Random House. Since then, the book has held the attention of young readers for decades. If you’re unfamiliar with the story, here’s a quick rundown. In the little town of Who¬ville, all of the Whos who live there love Christmas. The Grinch lives north of Whoville and, not being a Who, hates Christmas. As the holiday approaches, the Whos get antsier, creating all sorts of smells and noises, including a song they all sing together on Christmas Eve. As The Grinch radiates of hatred on that night, he comes up with an idea. He will steal Christmas. He disguises himself as Santy Claus and sleds into Whoville where he steals all the Christmas things. As he is stealing Christmas in the middle of the night, a Who child, Little Cindy-Lou Who questions him about
stealing the family’s Christmas tree. He feeds her a lie and moves on with his night. On Christmas morning, well…I won’t spoil it for you. In the story, The Grinch steals everything relating to Christmas, even though Dr. Seuss mentions a few very specific things on The Grinch’s list: pop guns, bicycles, roller skates, drums, checkerboards, tricycles, popcorn, plums, pudding, roast beef, ribbons, packages, boxes, bags, and even the tree. If you don’t want to tempt The Grinch this holiday season, maybe it’s worth not having all of the above-mentioned items easily accessible. We’re in good shape with the first item on this list. Pop guns will probably be unavailable for purchase in many stores. Instead of buying an entirely new bicycle, tricycle, or roller skates, maybe it would be worthwhile to provide a gift card for the app related to the dockless electric rental scooters littering the streets of downtown Salt Lake. I haven’t used one myself, but from what I understand, you pay through an app on your phone and the scooter will run for as long as you pay for. Instead of buying a drum kit, which can run anywhere from $200 to upwards of $600 or more, maybe gift some drumsticks and lessons; or the Rock Band video game provided a gaming console has
been previously purchased. Checkers isn’t the popular game it used to be. Instead of spending $15 to $300 (I’m surprised too) on checkerboards, pick up a few packs of cards for less than $10. Not only are cards less expensive, there are unlimited variations of games that can be played. I’m not so sure checkers can say the same. For popcorn, just don’t. Who wants kernels in their teeth? Or to string popped popcorn? Unless that’s crucial to family tradition, please don’t partake. Also, plums and pudding. I’ve never incorporated those into festivities myself, so I don’t personally understand the appeal. However, I do know that my home is flooded with cookies and other homemade treats gifted from neighbors and family members. If you’re like me and have a swarm of goodies anyway, don’t buy plums and puddings either. Along the same thread (no, not the popcorn one), is roast beef. Does anyone still do roast beef for Christmas? It must be a Who thing. For ribbons, packages, boxes, and bags: keep it simple. Let’s start with boxes and bags. I’m sure a good portion of us will be doing online shopping this year. Keep the boxes from those orders. Personally, I keep boxes from online orders all year long so I can re-purpose them for gift giving. If I need to use
bags, I’ll buy a wholesale pack, because spending $2 to $10 per bag is madness. For ribbons and packages, I recommend buying wholesale as well. Hit up your local craft or party store and buy a few spools of ribbon which you can use multiple times. Balloon ribbon makes for surprisingly fancy present wrapping ribbon. Finally, the tree. I’m exceptionally biased. There’s nothing better than the smell of fresh pine from a live tree throughout the season. I would have saved a few hundred dollars by now if I had invested in a fake tree, but some things are just worth it. l
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Life and Laughter—Dance of the Sugar Plum Peri
Life
Laughter AND
by
PERI KINDER
MURRAY
I
never remember having visions of sugarplums dancing in my head, mostly because I didn’t know what a sugarplum was (but it sounds like something I’d eat). What I do remember is having visions of Christmas cookies piled on every possible surface in our kitchen as mom baked herself into a holiday frenzy. Around the middle of December, mom would cart home bags and bags of ingredients for her annual Christmas cookie bake-a-rama, preparing to make the treats she only made once a year. My siblings and I would “help” her unload bags of chocolate, sugar, cream and spices until she yelled at us to go watch TV. When mom donned her apron, adopted a determined expression and started grabbing bowls, that’s when I knew Christmas was really coming. We also knew to stay out of her way, which meant we had to be creative when it came to sneaking bits of cookie dough, scoops of frosting and pieces of pecans. During the ‘70s, sugar consumption wasn’t regulated, it was even encouraged! We ate so much sugar on a daily basis, our teeth were in a constant state of vibration. But at Christmas?! Our sugar levels reached critical mass to the point we peed sugar cubes. I’d eat cookies for
dinner, have a stomachache all night, and only be able to eat four bowls of Cap’n Crunch for breakfast. Each of us had our sugary Christmas cookie favorites, and mom made every single one. Mine were the cherry cookies; buttery sugar cookie dough baked around a maraschino cherry. My sisters loved the pineapple tarts cooked to a golden brown, and gingerbread men, decorated with frosting and Red Hot candies. We all loved the delicate spritz cookies, made with mom’s electric press, and the chocolate mousse balls (which we never got tired of saying). Once the baking was done, and the powdered sugar settled underfoot, mom would pile the cookies on sturdy paper plates and send us out in the snow to deliver the goodies to our neighbors. We roamed the neighborhood, passing other children delivering treats to nearby homes, and wave to each other because this was one chore we didn’t mind. More holiday treats came in the form of grandma’s raisin pudding with rum sauce that she’d warm up in an aluminum can on the stove, and pies she kept hidden in the back bedroom under dishtowels because she couldn’t trust us not to stick our finger in them. We’d decorate sugar cookies at
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sprinkles, the best shape and the least burnt in the hope our cookie selection would earn us amazing presents from the big man himself. Christmas morning meant chocolate-covered peanuts, pancakes with syrup and stockings full of orange sticks, nuts and ribbon candy. That night, we’d nestle, all snug in our beds, gently twitching as sugar ran through our veins, not dreaming of sugarplums, but already counting the days until next Christmas in all its sugary glory. l
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