January 2018 | Vol. 18 Iss. 01
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LOOKING BACK AT MURRAY 2017: THE YEAR OF CHANGE By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com
C
hange, transformation, transition…whatever one may choose to name it, it could be seen all around Murray in 2017. Murray has had big changes before, but probably not since the implosion of Murray’s iconic smokestacks has there been a transformative year like this one. In some cases, the change was unavoidable. With the numerous endings and beginnings taking place, the city may well be on the verge of a new era. Mayor Change is hard, and the mayor’s office was certainly hit the hardest. Well-liked Mayor Ted Eyre’s battle against cancer progressed to where he needed the assistance of a cane or wheelchair to get around. Eyre determined early in the year that he would not run for re-election, but it became tragically apparent that he would not finish out his term. With the mayor’s seat up for grabs, four candidates filed to run for election. Going into the primary were three seasoned office holders: Murray City Councilman Blair Camp, Former four-term Murray Mayor Dan Snarr, and Salt Lake County Councilman Richard Snelgrove. New-comer Verl Greenhalgh completed the quartet. Mayor Eyre and the entire city council endorsed Camp, causing Greenhalgh to rebuke the council endorsement as being divisive. Murray citizens took a keen interest in the election, packing meet-the-candidates nights held by the Murray Chamber of Commerce. Murray mayoral elections are held on off-election years, opposite state and national election years; typically, few Murray voters cast their ballots in off-years. However, 2017 experienced a change in that pattern, as Murray saw a 13.6 percent voting increase—up
A police escort attends Mayor Ted Eyre’s funeral (Photo/Rae Delliskave)
to 36.6 percent in 2017 compared with 22.9 percent in 2013. In addition to active local races, the county clerk’s office attributes the improved voting numbers to the convenience of mail-in balloting. The primary narrowed the race between Snarr (who received 40.98 percent or 3,668 total votes) and Camp (who took second with 33.51 percent or 2,999 votes). Both candidates campaigned on their qualifications. However, it was clear that many Murrayites were uncertain as to what each would accomplish as mayor, as evidenced by the numerous questions at the meet-and-greet nights. If the race wasn’t dramatic enough, the pass-
ing of Mayor Eyre two weeks after the primary set in motion changes to the mayor’s office the city has never seen. Upon a vacancy in the mayor’s office, the law specifies that the chair of the city council be appointed as acting mayor until an interim mayor is selected. In a first for Murray, Diane Turner became the first female mayor of Murray, being that she was the chair of the city council. The law requires an interim mayor to be appointed by the city council within 30 days of a vacancy in the mayor’s office. Turner, who was running for re-election for city council, declined to be considered, as she would have had to give up her
council seat. Three citizens applied to be interim mayor, including Camp. The city council ended up selecting one of their own, and Camp was sworn in as interim mayor, and Turner became the shortest serving mayor in Murray history. According to Camp, “It was his (Eyre’s) desire for me to finish his term. He told me that he wanted me to do it.” Compared to other mayoral races in Utah, the Snarr and Camp campaigns were relatively cordial. The election attracted 46 percent of all registered Murray voters. Interim Mayor Blair Camp captured 52 percent to former Mayor Dan Snarr’s 48 percent share of ballots. Election observers feel that most of the electorate who had supported Snelgrove and Greenhalgh in the primary more closely identified with Camp than Snarr when it came to the general election and gave Camp the edge in the final results. City Council Isaac Newton’s first law of motion states that “Every object persists in its state of rest…unless it is compelled to change by forces impressed on it.” Certainly, Newton’s first law could be applied to the Murray City Council as the forces of change in the Mayor’s Office required changes to the city council. With Camp running for mayor, a vacancy was guaranteed for district two in 2018. Turner was running unopposed for re-election for her seat. Seeking Camp’s council seat were Dale Cox, the retiring president of Utah’s AFL-CIO, and businessman Darrell Pehrson. For the first time, the council had to address filling the mayor’s office vacancy. As chair of the city council, Turner had to fill the roles of acting mayor and still represent her district on the city council. As Camp was compelled by Mayor Eyre Continued on Page 5...
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Page 2 | January 2018
Murray City Journal
No more nits! New treatment aims for safer, easier removal By Alisha Soeken | alisha.s@mycityjournals.com
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hat has curved claws, needle-like mouthparts and consumes human blood? A louse. Lice are sesame-seed sized insects that can’t jump, fly or kill yet they terrify. “Lice is a nightmare,” Eliza Struthers said. Struthers is a mother of five girls and worries about how to protect them. “Whenever school first starts I braid their hair, put it up and spray their whole head with Melaleuca. For some reason the first two weeks back to school are the worst for getting lice so I do everything I can to keep it away. Lice is frustrating because if you get it you feel dirty, your house feels dirty, everything feels dirty, it’s just disgusting,” Struthers said. Claire Roberts, CEO of Lice Clinics of America, is trying to change that. “There is such a stigma about getting head lice. That you’re either dirty or that something shameful is happening but I am just determined to change that. To make it something we can talk about and treat openly without the nasty stigma,” Roberts said. Part of that change will come from reaching out to the community. On Saturday, April 8 Lice Clinics of America held their second annual Nationwide Lice Egg Hunt. Clinics around the country, including the Lice Clinics of America branch at 154 E. Myrtle Ave. in Murray, opened their doors and provided screening and treatment free of charge. “We’ve treated 32 people so far this morning. We had a group from the Road Home come in. We were able to treat people and children who have been dealing with lice for a long time but were unable to afford treatment,” Roberts said. One of the treatments given at Lice Clinics of America is called
AirAllé. It came on the market in 2010 and uses technology born from the ingenuity of a young Utah father. “Our technology was developed at the University of Utah by Dr. Dale Clayton. He was a professor of biology and when his twins were young and had head lice his wife said to him, ‘Can’t you figure this out? You’re a scientist.’ It took a while but Clayton developed, got FDA approval and patented the medical device we now use today,” Roberts said. The device is a far cry from lice treatments of the past. “Lice gets into every bit of fabric, onto pillows and bedding and couches, everything. And they are so hard to get rid of. You have to wash carpets and floors and sheets, it’s a huge, huge, process,” Struthers said. “It takes hours to get the lice out of your kids hair, it hurts their heads and you have to use those tiny combs and all those nasty shampoos and after all that if you don’t get all the eggs out the first time your doomed and have to start over again. It’s a nightmare.” The device developed by Clayton doesn’t use combs or shampoo or chemicals. Instead it uses heated-air to dehydrate and kill not only the crawling lice, but the eggs as well. Meaning you can make an appointment, enter a clinic and leave 30 minutes later completely lice free. “What we are doing is so cool, it’s non-toxic, it’s green and we make moms and kids very happy,” Roberts said. Struthers agrees. “It’s incredible. The fact that if my kids get lice I don’t have to get those combs and try and pick out each of those tiny bugs. I don’t have to shampoo and shampoo and shampoo again, with five girls that’s a lot of work,” Struthers said. It’s work that Lice Clinics of America is happy to do.
“I love my job. If I’m ever having a bad day, I just come down to the clinic. We are glad to be here today serving our community and
giving back. After all, anyone can hunt for Easter eggs, but we are the only ones who hunt for lice eggs,” Roberts said. l
Brandy Jenkins, Morgen Merrill, Michelle Lee, Leah Santorinerys, Claire Roberts and Adam Ward participate in the nationwide hunt for lice eggs. (Alisha Soeken)
Update:
By Shaun Delliskave s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com
The “egg hunt” was a success for Murray’s Lice Clinic of America. Their busiest time of the year is back-to-school time because people notice the lice. The holidays are another active time for the clinic since family gatherings come with a lot of hugging, making it easy for lice to move from head to head. The lice clinic is seeing more instances of “super lice,” which are highly resistant to the pesticide-based lice products available in drug stores. According to Jennifer Jackenthal of Lice Clinics of America, “Many Utah moms are do-it-yourself moms and it is common that our clients have been struggling with the problem for a long time, because they do not know the products they are using are ineffective. Also, the latest misinformation is that mouthwash and vinegar work. They don’t.”
In addition to the egg hunt, the clinic has done several outreach initiatives in the community and at local elementary schools. They also offer educational resources for school nurses and families. For those with financial considerations, they offer free treatments during their new clinic owner training sessions; since March they have done about 70 free treatments. The clinic also works with homeless shelters to help eradicate lice infestations. “We try to help everyone understand that lice are not gross. They are simply a highly adaptable species with a particular fondness for humans,” said Jackenthal. “Their purpose on this planet? To keep us humble, of course, and to remind us to slow down and take a good look at our kids.” Due to demand, Lice Clinics of America just opened a new clinic in Clearfield, Utah. l
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Page 4 | January 2018
Murray City Journal
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January 2018 | Page 5
MurrayJournal .com to finish his term, and in what some saw as a strategic election move, Camp applied for interim mayor and was selected by his fellow council mates. Law forbids the interim mayor from holding both the mayor and council positions concurrently, so Camp vacated his district two seat. The council then had to fill Camp’s empty council seat within 30 days. The city had four applicants, neither of which were Cox or Pehrson, from which the council chose educator Pamela Cotter. Cotter’s interim role lasted just over three months. While the election campaigns of Cox and Pehrson were relatively civil, Cox raised nearly $33,000 to Pehrson’s $2,000. In fact, Cox out-fundraised more than all six candidates who filed for Murray elections combined, and his donors ranged diversely from Democrats to Republicans. In the end, 47 percent of district two voters cast their ballots with Cox securing 57 percent of the vote to Pehrson’s 43 percent. City Hall The year 2017 also marked big transitions within city hall. In May, the city saw Finance Director Justin Zollinger recruited to become the chief financial officer of the Central Valley Water Reclamation Facility. Former Draper Finance Director and Utah Transit Authority Controller Danyce Steck took his place. The city also said goodbye to retiring chief City Attorney Frank Nakamura. Much of Nakamura’s last year has been spent cleaning obsolete language and provisions from Murray ordinances. Some outdated ordinances go back to Murray’s incorporation, dealing with such issues as where you can hitch your horse. For retiring Cultural Arts Director Mary Ann Kirk, her last year has been a big one. Through her leadership, the Murray City Amphitheater was completely overhauled; future performances will
benefit greatly from those improvements. For her work in providing art programs to 35,000 patrons annually in Murray since 1992, Kirk was awarded the Governor’s Leadership in the Arts award this past summer. As with all administration changes, a new mayor generally brings in new staff. Deputy Mayor Janet Towers, who shouldered an increased workload as Mayor Eyre grew sicker, will transition out of her position at the beginning of 2018. Replacing her will be long-time Public Services Director Doug Hill, who will assume the title of Chief Administrative Officer. Hill’s replacement for Public Services has yet to be named. Also gone is longtime Mayor’s Administrative Assistant Rhondi Knowlton-Jeffries, who for 20 years has answered the Mayor’s office phone, no matter how irate the caller. On a sad note, Murray lost former Mayor Lynn Pett after a nearly two-decade battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Pett was mayor from 1990–1998, but his service to the city went back farther than that— for decades he led the Murray Parks and Recreation Department. His influence can be seen along the Jordan River; he developed the parkway and a golf course that now bears his name. He was 76. Murray City Center District Transformation is a keyword for Murray’s historic downtown. Long the focus of discussion, Murray has finally taken steps toward redevelopment of the brownfields between the historic mansion, church and houses. The project has been christened the “Murray City Center District” (MCCD). This downtown development proposal includes building a new city hall, new fire station, new roads, open space for a park, and possibly a new library. The project could also include office complexes, parking structures, neighborhood grocery markets, a high-end hotel, retail spaces, and
upper-level residential living areas. The downtown redevelopment district is bordered by State Street, Vine Street, 4800 South, and the railway line. The city acquired four historic buildings: the Townsend home, the Cahoon Mansion, the Murray Baptist Church, and the Murray Theater, with the hope to renovate, preserve, and adapt them for reuse. Other non-historic properties the city has purchased, or is in the process of purchasing, include the Day Attorney’s Office property, which will be acquired in exchange for city-owned street property; the Verizon Wireless cell tower property, with plans to relocate the tower; some property on 5th Avenue; and finally, the Fraternal Order of Eagles property. A new fire station and fire department command center are planned for the long-vacant lot on the corner of Box Elder and 4800 South. They will replace the current station that sits just east of the site. Perhaps the biggest move will be city hall. City hall moved into the former Arlington School Building in the 1980s but requires huge seismic upgrades. Additionally, the city requires an updated command center for its police department. Architectural renderings for the new municipal building have been drafted. Once the location has been determined, and public input attained, construction cost estimates will be finalized; then bonding will take place. Once final construction drawings are completed and rough cost estimates are determined, the city hopes to break ground possibly mid to late summer of 2018. Historic Building Fight To be or not to be, that was the historic Murray First Ward building’s question. The fate of the century-old church, Carnegie library, and historic duplexes on the corner of Vine Street and Jones Court (50 East) created a showdown between his-
Your Smile is the First Thing People Notice. Is it Everything You Want it to be?
toric-preservation activists and developers and brought high drama to city council meetings. The Mount Vernon Academy private school called the property home for four decades until relocating to the Christ Lutheran Church in Murray. Owners of the vacant property found a potential buyer, Dakota Pacific, which wanted to demolish and construct an assisted living center on the site. Once word of the potential demolition became public, Murray’s Historic Advisory Board took issue against the Murray Planning Commission and city council, decrying that the development ran counter to the city’s general plan of preserving historic structures. As the property is privately owned, not publicly owned, the city’s response was that there wasn’t much that could be done. Preserve Murray, a grassroots organization formed to save the historic complex, filed an appeal to halt progress on the demolition. In their appeal, Preserve Murray asked to deny a certificate of appropriateness in order to consider preserving the 100-year-old iconic structures on Vine Street. In a packed council chamber, the appeals officer ruled in favor of the developers. Organizers of Preserve Murray regularly attended city council meetings throughout the year, commenting on the need to preserve the buildings. They enlisted help from historic preservationists and developed alternatives. In the fall, a member of Preserve Murray filed suit against the city to bring an action against further development of the site. In November, Dakota Pacific backed out of the purchase, and the owners have again put the property up for sale. Janice Strobell of Preserve Murray says that they are pressing forward with their alternative ideas. “We are developing a Murray Cultural Center concept that involves the Murray Theater, the library, and the church, and already has some very strong interest.” l
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Page 6 | January 2018
Murray City Journal
A Race for more time
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By Peri Kinder | perik @mycityjournals.com | Story originally printed October 2016
our years might not seem very long, but to Kelci Stanfield it would mean four more Christmases, four more summer vacations and four more years of birthdays to celebrate with her family. Time is precious to Stanfield, 26, because while expecting her third child, she was diagnosed with a grade 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM): a cancerous tumor in her brain. Her pregnancy started off fine. With two other children, Leopold, 4, and Vesper, 21 months, Stanfield and her husband, Ben, were excited to add another little girl to their growing family, and were eager to move to Virginia where Ben had been accepted to medical school. But not long into her pregnancy, she began to develop severe headaches, nausea and vomiting. Although Stanfield’s midwife and husband were very concerned, the emergency room doctors didn’t feel the symptoms were worrisome, attributing the illness to hormones and pregnancy. However, the problems got worse and soon her vision became blurred. By May she was almost blind. In her blog, Stanfield wrote, “In my heart, I knew there was something seriously wrong, but couldn’t find the words pressing enough to convince the physicians seeing me… Unwilling to go back to the ER to face another embarrassing incident of ‘You’re a hormonal, crazy pregnant lady. Go home,’ I resorted to an eye patch.” It took a visit to her optometrist to get to the heart of the matter. One look at Stanfield’s eyes and her doctor knew she was a seriously ill young woman. She told Stanfield to get to the ER immediately and tell the doctors she had a brain tumor. Test results confirmed an aggressive cancerous tumor and Stanfield underwent brain surgery when she was 30 weeks
pregnant. Plans were made to induce her pregnancy early (at 34 weeks) to get started on chemotherapy and radiation treatments as soon as possible. Baby Margot was born at the end of August, is doing well and is considered a miracle. Stanfield knows she doesn’t have long, but she is willing to do whatever needs to happen to spend as much time as she can with her family. “Most [people with GBM] can expect to live about a year, whereas I am looking at something along the lines of two to four years,” she wrote. “Believe me when I say that I weep hot tears of gratitude for the time extension. I want as many days with my babies and family as I can get. I will fight and do everything in my power to beat the odds, but am trying to find peace within the time that I have.” Family and friends have rallied around Stanfield and have organized the 5K For Kelci run/ walk fundraiser, which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 8 at Germania Park in Murray (5243 Murray Parkway Ave.) The race starts at 9 a.m. and will include a silent auction, a raffle and a bake sale with all the profits going to help cover the extensive medical treatments that will give her a little more time with her family. Ben’s mother, Liz Stanfield, lives in Murray and
has been overwhelmed at the love and support being directed to her daughter-in-law, her son and her grandchildren. “There’s nothing that I wouldn’t do for them,” Liz said. “They are baby-lovers and had hoped for a great big family, but with everything that has happened in the last few months, they realize that having baby Margot arrive safe and sound is a miraculous and indescribable blessing. I think it puts into perspective how our plans and lives can completely change in the blink of an eye.” To follow Kelci’s journey, visit her blog at kelcistanfield. wordpress.com. For more information about the fundraiser, visit 5K For Kelci on Facebook. Donations can also be made at the YouCaring compassionate crowdfunding site at www. youcaring.com/kelci-stanfield-family-619934. l
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Although she’s now living in Virginia, Kelsi Stanfield, who lost her insurance for three months, was able to use the funds from the Murray 5K race to pay for her chemotherapy, MRIs, and office visits’ out-of-pocket (about $6,000 each time). She and her husband, Benjamin, managed to stay out of debt, but have since chosen to send Benjamin to medical school, amassing student debt. Since moving to Virginia, Kelsi stopped the chemo treatments in July 2017 after successfully completing six rounds of Temodar (a chemo drug) in addition to the nearly seven weeks of radiation and chemo combined. She had the choice to end treatment and face an earlier tumor recurrence or finish 12 treatment rounds and have the tumor come back later. Kelsi is currently not on any cancer treatments and won’t be until there is another recurrence. When she first received the
glioblastoma diagnosis, she was given 2-4 years to live, depending on how her body handled treatment and how the tumor responded. She was fortunate enough to keep her blood cell counts high, and her tumor responded appropriately. Her most recent MRI, done in early November, showed that there was still residual scarring from the radiation treatments and an empty cavity where they removed the golf ballsized tumor—all to be expected. “Other than that, the scans were ‘cold,’” said Kelsi. Margot is doing well, according to Kelsi. “She is such a sass, and reaching developmental milestones like a champ. She’s just about average-sized for her age, so no one really notices that she was a preemie anymore. Our big kids are also great and have all about forgotten ‘mama’s yucky spot.’” With glioblastoma treatments, childcare, and med school, Kelsi asserts that they are doing everything they can to be a normal family. l
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January 2018 | Page 7
MurrayJournal .com
Murray woman runs to raise money for cancer research By Alisha Soeken | alisha.s@mycityjournals.com
Wendy Weixler poses with firemen as they raise money for cancer. (Wendy Weixler)
B
orn in Hayward, Calif., Wendy Weixler was an energetic girl. She danced and sang, played and dreamed. Her childhood was happy, yet she learned early on that life is fragile. “My father died of cancer when I was three. I have very few memories of him but I do have memories of loss. I remember that empty feeling of when someone so important in your life is suddenly gone,” Weixler said. Those feelings of loss would shape Weixler’s life and cement her desire to take care of her body as she got older. “In his 30s, my stepfather began having heart attacks. My mom also dealt with emphysema, lung and kidney problems and strokes. I didn’t want that to be me and so I was motivated to get off my butt.” In her mid 40s, Weixler began running. “At first I did as much walking as I did running. Doing one mile was very hard and it took me a long time to reach 3 miles,” she said. But like any skill one works hard at, running soon became her talent. Today, Weixler has completed five 5Ks, two Ragnar Relays, nine half marathons and at age 50, she ran her first full marathon across the Great Wall of China. “I got very emotional climbing the Great Wall, it made me feel so little in the big scheme of life. To be some place that is so iconic and recognizable with such history is overwhelming,” she said. It wasn’t just the wall, but her purpose for being there that made Weixler’s experience emotional. Weixler ran on the Great Wall for cancer, to raise money for the disease and honor people who have dealt with it. “My father, best friend, niece and so many of my friends have been affected or taken by cancer,” she said. “I carried their names with me in my pocket as I ran.” One friend who ran the Great Wall with Weixler in spirit was Tom Rugh, a cancer-fighter whose picture was pinned to her hat. “While running I kept thinking, ‘If Tom can get up and go for a jog or bike ride with cancer, I can certainly get up and do it without,’” she said. Though Rugh later lost his battle, his fighting spirit continues to inspire Weixler. In February 2017, with Rugh’s memory in mind, Weixler entered the OutClimb Cancer Challenge to raise money for the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. Weixler ran up 24 flights of stairs 30 times. “When I did the cancer climb I had a name for each time I went up those 24 flights of stairs. I
focused on that name to help me get to the top. The last climb was emotional for me. I had found my motivation in so many wonderful and brave people who have touched my life and I couldn’t stop the tears,” she said. One of the names Weixler ran for that day was Kim Jenkins who dealt with ovarian cancer at age 28. “Wendy is amazing. I felt so very grateful she had so thoughtfully included me in several of her money- raising efforts. I know people like Wendy made me stronger and in so many ways got me healthy,” Jenkins said. Weixler continues to run and is currently training for the Salt Lake City Marathon. In the summer, she plans to run a 10K followed by a half marathon the following day. “Cancer has always been very scary to me. Running and raising money is one way to pay back all of those who have touched my life,” she said. “It also makes me feel as though I have some power to hit cancer where it hurts.” To contribute to Weixler’s next fundraiser visit http://outclimbcancer.kintera.org/wendyweixler l
Update: Wendy Weixler started out with a goal of raising $500 during this year’s running season, but she ended up raising over $1,200. She has reached and surpassed that $500 goal for the past two years as a member of the Huntsman Heroes—a Huntsman Cancer Foundation initiative with individuals running, biking, and hiking together towards a common philanthropic and physical goal. She is setting this year’s goal at $1,000 and hopes to set a new personal record. Her first event will be the Outclimb Cancer Challenge on March 3. Since last year’s Outclimb race, she has also participated in the Salt Lake Marathon, Ogden Half Marathon, Disneyland Double Dare, Revel Big Cottonwood Half Marathon, and Red Bull 400 (a race where they had to run up a Nordic ski jump). “I am happy to report that I finished every race I started. It’s not about time, for me. It’s about being healthy and raising money for cancer research,” states Weixler. Although she hasn’t carried any specific names with her since the Outclimb Cancer Challenge last February, she is always mindful of those she has known who faced cancer and battled it head on, especially when she is running wearing with a Huntsman Heroes jersey. “Our team is absolutely amazing; a group of happy, supportive, selfless individuals who are doing something they love for people they love. I plan on carrying a name for every stair climb I complete in March, as I did last year.” Her family has been supportive through all of her running and fundraising. Her oldest son has run a half marathon with her, and they are planning on doing at least one race together this year. Weixler laughs, “My daughter says I am the coolest person she knows.” l
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Page 8 | January 2018
Murray City Journal
With year of celebrations, Murray School District keeps focus on student learning
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By Julie Slama | Julie@mycityjournals.com
t was a year of celebrations — Murray High turning 100 years old; 25 years of both “The Nutcracker” at McMillan Elementary and of bell choir at Horizon Elementary; 20 years of Longview Elementary’s Shakespeare productions; and the return of the Spartan marching band after a 25-year absence. This is part of what makes up the slogan, “We are Murray,” said Superintendent Jennifer Covington. “We are celebrating Murray City, Murray students, Murray parents and those who are supporting the city school district,” she said. Yet through all the celebrations, the focus of Murray School District has remained constant, Covington said. “We are focused on student learning and outcomes,” she said. Part of this has meant hiring full-time elementary and secondary directors, Missy Hamilton and Robin Williams, respectively, this past summer to focus on Utah Core Standards and focus on improving student learning, said Covington, a former Hillcrest Junior High principal who became superintendent in July. “We want to have ‘experts’ to take ownership of our curriculum and serve as a mentor for our principals and to develop a consistent model and structure that is researchbased. They’ll work with professional learning communities to keep moving student learning forward,” she said. They also will work with others to move forward on the Murray Board of Education’s standards — to provide learning opportunities for students to excel personally, professionally and academically; to foster a culture of mutual respect, leadership development, transparency, and
collaboration; to integrate technology to impact student achievement; and to ensure responsible stewardship over financial resources. “This provides us a focus as a district to have a good vision and implement it into schools,” Covington said. “We are developing leadership at all levels and supporting professional learning opportunities to enhance teacher training.” Already, the District has been moving forward toward that vision. This past year, more than 30 teachers received the Digital Teaching and Learning Grant to incorporate more technology into the classroom. They received Chromebooks for their classrooms, training on how to implement the devices, and ongoing technology support throughout the year. “As digital natives, our students need to come prepared digitally ready and literate and that’s just not literacy anymore,” Hamilton said. “We need to harness that knowledge they have for more student growth and income. Our teachers are more willing than ever to teach with technology so we need to provide them with the software, the hardware and whatever is needed with technology to impact student learning,” she said. The District was able to provide this through a threeyear grant received this spring from the State Office of Education for more than $500,000, Hamilton said. The District also is wiring all schools with wireless access in every classroom. “If we want kids to use technology, we need to get connected,” Covington said, adding that funding comes
from not just District money, but also E-Rate federal funds. Benchmark testing to evaluate student learning will continue to be a focus in the upcoming year, she said. “We want students to know and understand standards and through benchmark testing, teachers can determine student mastery of the subjects,” Covington said. Teachers, who will receive a raise for the 2018 school year, create those benchmark tests. Former Superintendent Steve Hirase, who retired June 30, 2017, said that with the raise, it makes the District the second highest paying District in the Salt Lake Valley. “We had a couple things that happened that allowed us to do this,” Hirase said. “First, we had a 10 percent decrease in our insurance costs — which never happens these days — and second, the county school district equalization ended and the District was able to ‘capture’ those dollars to use for employee raises.” As Murray Rotary president, Hirase has kept involved with students through Rotary-sponsored high school Interact Club. “The Rotary Club has been doing service in the community and would like to involve as many people as possible,” he said. “It gives our students an opportunity to serve.” Already this year, the Interact Club has helped Rotary Club with the Cottonwood River cleanup, bringing 100 Murray High students on a Saturday in November to remove garbage, clear leaves and branches and paint over graffiti along the river, said Lynley Hogan, Murray High history teacher and Interact Club adviser. Continued on Page 10...
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2017-18 MCSD Calendar Highlights WINTER/SPRING 2018 CLASSES MURRAY CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT • Beginning Guitar – Hillcrest JH Band Room Thurs 5:00 – 6:00 PM; Feb 1 – April 26 (10 classes) $50.00 • Intermediate Guitar – Hillcrest JH Band Room Thurs 6:15 – 7:15 PM; Feb 1 – April 26 (10 classes) $50.00 • Zumba – Horizon Elementary Mon & Wed 4:00 – 5:00 PM; Beginning Jan 8 $5/class • Jump Rope Club – Horizon Elementary Thurs 4:30 – 5:30 PM; Beginning Jan 25 $50.00 per student • Tai Chi – Hillcrest JH Dance Room Thurs 7:15 – 8:15 PM; Feb 1 – April 19 (10 classes) $50.00 The following classes are Free of Charge, but you must pre-register at healthyrelationshipsutah.org • Parenting with Love and Logic – Hillcrest JH Room C109 – Feb 5, 12, 19, 26; 6:30 – 8:45 PM • How to avoid a Jerk/Jerkette – Hillcrest JH Room C109 – March 8, 15, 22, 29; 6:30 – 8:30 PM • Parenting with Love and Logic – Hillcrest JH Room C109 – April 9, 16, 23, 30; 6:30 – 8:45 PM • Couple Links – Hillcrest JH Room C109 May 10, 17, 24, 31; 6:30 – 8:30 PM The following classes are Free of Charge; to register, email Kristen Davis kdavis@murrayschools.org • Social Security Planning – Murray High School Spartan Cove – Feb 21; 7:00 – 8:30 PM • Tax Planning for Retirement – Murray High School Spartan Cove – Feb 7; 7:00 – 8:30 PM • Estate Planning – Murray High School Spartan Cove – March 15; 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Jan. 15 (Mon) Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday Schools and buildings closed Feb. 16 (Fri) Professional Development Day ½ day class; early dismissal for students Feb. 19 (Mon) President’s Day holiday Schools and buildings closed Feb. 20-21 (Tues, Wed) High School Parent-Teacher SEOP Conferences Feb. 21-22 (Wed., Thurs.) Jr. High Parent-Teacher SEOP Conferences Feb. 23 (Fri) Secondary SEOP Compensatory Day All secondary schools will be closed Feb. 28, Mar. 1 (Wed, Thurs) Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences March 2 (Fri) Elementary Teacher Compensatory Day All elementary schools will be closed March 23 (Fri) Teacher Work Day No school for students March 26-30 (Mon - Fri) Spring Break Schools and buildings closed May 28 (Mon) Memorial Day holiday Schools and buildings closed June 1, 2018 (Fri) Last Day of School
MORE CLASSES will be posted online soon, with times and locations TBD • Spanish • Rock Collecting • Microsoft Excel • CPR • Concealed Weapons Permit
WATCH THE WEB
Please be sure to check out our Community Education webpage for more information on these and other great upcoming classes: murrayschools.org/community-education-classes
Superintendent Covington visits 3rd grade class at Grant Elementary.
The entire school year calendar is available on the District website, along with other event listings. The Murray Board of Education reserves the right to alter or amend this calendar as may be necessitated by unforeseen events.
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January 2018 | Page 9
your murray schools
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Murray City School District newsletter
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Jennifer Covington
Superintendent of Schools
MURRAY CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 5102 S. Commerce Drive 5102 South Commerce Drive • Murray, UT 84107 Murray, Utah 84107 801-264-7400 Phone 801-264-7400 | Fax 801-264-7456 801-264-7456
january 2018
fax
A Message from Superintendent Jennifer Covington I hope that each of you had a restful and relaxing time over the winter holiday break. It is hard to believe that we are half-way through the academic year, a good time to take stock of things we have accomplished so far this year in the district. I see every day, no matter what building I am in, that your children are in the midst of very caring educators pulling together and totally committed to their learning. Thank you for sharing your children with us and allowing MCSD to provide them with an education. Moving forward into 2018, we have a great deal of important work to do in support of our students and school community. Our focus will continue to be on what our students need, what our families expect, and our obligation to deliver a first-rate education to all students. As we begin preparing budgets for the upcoming school year, our funding decisions will be made with a long-term perspective to ensure that the district has adequate resources to meet both current and future needs. This will keep us in line with one of our four Board Jennifer Covington Standards: Ensuring responsible stewardship over financial resources. We look forward to continuing to make our schools places that are alive with learning; where students experience challenging and engaging academics, learn how to creatively problem solve, and develop innovative habits that will be with them for life. I hope your New Year is filled with joy as we work together to serve your students. Murray City School District will continue to direct all of our actions to our motto, We Are Murray!
MCSD School Community Council Members Murray High Scott Wihongi, Principal LeAuna Brown, Secretary Stephanie Pollei, Chair Parent Daren Rasmussen, Vice-Chair Parent Natalie Dansie, Parent Jennica Murray, Parent Quan Ngo-Thai, Parent Stacy Otto, Parent R. Paul Pickett, Parent Nita Tuitupou, Parent Cindy Wilkey, Parent Stacey Murdoch, School Employee Amber Rydalch, School Employee Hillcrest Junior High Andrew “Buck” Corser, Principal Debra D’Ambrosio, Chair Parent Angela Elwell, Vice-Chair Parent Soni Hirasuna, Parent Ken Williams, Parent Nicole Shannon, School Employee Riverview Junior High Jim Bouwman, Principal Natalie Dansie, Chair Parent Julie Hebertson, Vice-Chair Employee Bryon Anderson, Parent Christen Bezoski, Parent Amie Gallo, Parent Steve Roberson, Parent Delight Page, School Employee Grant Elementary Mindy Ball, Principal Angela Kenner, Secretary Jocelyn Rees, Chair Parent Casey Jacketta, Vice-Chair Parent Natalie Dansie, Parent
Danny Edwards, Parent Cynthia Rees, Parent Jamie Rowbery, Parent Bret Stanger, Parent Emily Horne, School Employee Tami Lundberg, School Employee Jeanne Simpson, School Employee
Elyse Gile, School Employee Teri Singleton, School Employee McMillan Elementary Joy Sanford, Principal Nita Tuitupou, Chair Parent Nathan Auwerda, Vice-Chair Parent Natalie Day, Parent Michelle Matsuura, Parent Tanya Buckwalter, Parent Linda Auwerda, School Employee Amy Mautz, School Employee
Horizon Elementary Heather Nicholas, Principal Lindsey Armstrong, Vice-Chair School Emp. Zachary Watne, Chair Parent Paige Bench, Parent Parkside Elementary Allison Clark, Parent Lindsey Romero, Principal Beth Cottam, Parent Keith Larson, Chair Parent Cody Giles, Parent KymBerlyn Farrugia, Vice-Chair Licensed Wendy Rippa, Parent Collin Barrett, Secretary Blair Peterson, School Employee Michelle Cross, Parent Matt Pugsley, School Employee Clint Freeman. Parent Jennifer Gerrard, Parent Liberty Elementary Sarah England, School Employee Jill Burnside, Principal Alex Torr, School Employee Jamie Hunter, Chair Parent Missy Rose, Vice-Chair Licensed Viewmont Elementary Haley Binggeli, Secretary Licensed Matt Nelson, Principal Roxanne Nelson, Parent Kimberly Crandall, Chair Parent Elizabeth Payne, Parent Julie Dansie, Vice-Chair Parent Ken Williams, Parent Mary Jo Ballou, Parent Ellie Ferrero, School Employee Jamie Cheney, Parent Keri Hohnholt, School Employee Teresa Koontz, Parent Longview Elementary Chad Sanders, Principal Gabe Ulibarri. Chair Parent Jeannette Bowen, Vice-Chair Parent Amy Hadley, Parent Adam Hock. Parent Amy Tinajero, Parent Merrilee Wallace, Parent
Ashley Nelson, Parent Kevin Obrien, Parent Jessica Felt, School Employee Anne Renz. School Employee Sunshine Szedeli, School Employee
That you for your time and dedication to the Murray City School District.
Website: www.murrayschools.org | Facebook: Murray School District UT The Your Murray Schools section is a Murray City School District publication, under the direction of D. Wright, MCSD communications & public information.
Not Just News... Your Community News...
Page 10 | January 2018 “It made a night and day difference,” she said. “With that many volunteers, we were really effective.” The group, along with Murray High theatre students, also was slated to help the Rotary with Operation Santa — a chance to welcome students from Horizon and Parkside elementaries to an opportunity to shop with members of the fire and police departments for the holidays. “The high school kids will be dressed up as princesses to superheroes to greet and welcome the students and their families to make them feel comfortable,” Hirase said. The 40-member Interact Club also raised $500 for hurricane relief and will continue to do monthly service projects this school year, possibly with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and refugees. “The students learned that every little bit counts and together we can make a difference,” Hogan said. “These kids are looking for opportunities to serve, but through service, they also have a chance to lead, plan and follow-up.” Murray High students also have looked at ways to serve within their walls as seniors Kate Spackman and Emily Bowen created a Cinderella’s Closet — a place at the school where girls can rent, for as low as $20, one of 100 semi-formal or formal dresses from Cinderella’s Closet for school dances. “It’s an opportunity for girls to wear an affordable dress to go to a dance,” said Emily Bowen, Murray High senior class vice president and Cinderella Closet coordinator. “More and more girls are using dresses, which is great.” Emily said they now have some sophomores and juniors who are helping with the Cinderella Closet and will take it over next year. “We plan to continue the program as long as people continue to use it,” she said. “We still receive donations from both people and dress shops.” Many of the girls who attended Murray High’s Centennial Ball May 26 at the capitol had the opportunity to wear a dress from Cinderella’s Closet. The event was open to current and former students and families. “Whole families came, from grandparents to aunts and uncles to current students,” said Cherie Clawson, who coordinated the gala with Jodi Mismash. “It was a blast to see all the families growing up in Murray and staying in Murray — and celebrating this historic event.” That wasn’t the only way Murray High celebrated. There was a centennial reception for former students, teachers and administrators that brought back several teachers and students who reminisced about days when they were the Smelterites and recalling the shortage of paper during World War II which caused the 1943 yearbook not to be fully printed — as they looked through yearbooks of other years. At nearby Murray City Hall, five
Murray City Journal display cases showed highlights of Murray High memorabilia, including the 1939 yearbook called Yarrum (Murray spelled backwards, the only year it was called that). There were dresses sewn in home economics classes, wooden ducks and bowls made in shop classes, student body officer sweaters, report cards and a business handwriting certificate, articles about the posture parade, a Murray High pennant and a championship basketball. “The display shows the real culture of Murray and Murray High through the years and the stories of real people come to life through this exhibit,” Mary Ann Kirk, Murray City’s cultural arts director, said. The theme of “We are Murray” continued in the hallways of Murray High with banners of the first graduating class as well as others. Some of the earliest students were honored at a pep assembly that included five former 90-year-old-plus students. “They all had stories to tell about what their experiences were,” said John Goldhardt, former Murray High principal. “It was really special. We wanted to honor the people and let them know we appreciated what they’ve done for Murray. The first principal and faculty set the tone for Murray High. The school was to close after that first year of five graduates, but they stood up and said education is important to this community. Now, 100 years later, we’ve had thousands of graduates.” The plan to honor these students at halftime of the homecoming football game, was canceled because of inclement weather, however the community had a chance to celebrate “We are Murray” at other halftimes with the return of the Spartan marching band after a 25-year absence. After participating in three summertime parades in Murray, Taylorsville and Pleasant Grove with about 50 students from Murray High and Hillcrest and Riverview junior highs, the 32 high-schoolers continued to march in the fall with polo shirts and black pants, as they are continuing to fundraise for uniforms, in a show that directors Zach Giddings and color guard coach Kylee Schramm created entitled, “Generic.” “It was a show within a show,” Giddings said. “We had signs that showed ‘opener,’ ‘ballad,’ ‘drum break,’ ‘solo,’ and all the components of a standard marching formula. It is what everyone does and it gave the judges a good laugh. It was a hit with everyone.” The marching band also took part at three competitions — Mt. Nebo, Wasatch Front and Mt. Timpanogos Invitational, typically earning second-, third- and fourthplace finishes both overall as well as in visual and color guard divisions. “For our first year, I’ll gladly take how well we did — and how much better we got during the season. We are planning to go on tour to St. George this coming year and hope to grow to at least 50 kids on
Alpacas were a part of Viewmont Elementary’s monthly YES! Day last year. (Jamie Cheney/Viewmont Elementary)
the field next year. Marching band is a fun entity that brings pride to the school and the community,” he said. The pride in the Murray community also was apparent as students from all schools participated in the “Murray is My Home” dance festival, coordinated by Kirk. “It was amazing,” she said at the May 18 event, “It showcased a lot of history with dances from many of the ethnic groups of students who attended Murray High through the years. The students have been practicing at their schools and so now, just seeing it
all come together is memorable. It’s an experience many of them never have had — to perform in such a large group at the same time.” Other opportunities at elementaries have become — or are becoming — traditions. For 25 years, bell choir has been a part of Horizon students’ lives. Traditionally, thirdgrade students eagerly participate and are excited to play their signature piece, “Carol of the Bells” during their holiday concert, which this past year was Dec. 13. At McMillan, it was 25 years ago Continued on Page 15...
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January 2018 FREQUENTLY REQUESTED NUMBERS Grant Elementary . . . . . . 801-264-7416 Heritage Center (Senior Programming) . . 801-264-2635 Hillcrest Jr. High . . . . . . . 801-264-7442 Horizon Elementary . . . . 801-264-7420 Liberty Elementary . . . . . 801-264-7424
C ULTURAL A RTS Resident on Display The central display case at City Hall features original artwork from a different Murray artist each month! Our featured artists will be Jennifer Broschinsky (acrylics on canvas) in January, and Jordan Brun in February.
Murray Winter Series
Longview Elementary. . . 801-264-7428
January 10-12 – Broadway Review, Murray High School; 7 pm. $4
Ken Price Ball Park . . . . . 801-262-8282
January 15 – Martin Luther King Concert; MHS, 7 pm. Free
Miss Murray Pageant (Leesa Lloyd) . . . . . . . . . . 801-446-9233
January 24-29 – Broadway Review & Melodrama, Cottonwood High; 7 pm. $7 advance, $8 door
McMillan Elementary . . 801-264-7430
January 27 – Murray Concert Band; HJH, 7 pm. Free
Murray Area Chamber of Commerce.. . . . . . . . . . 801-263-2632 Murray Arts Advisory Board (Mary Ann Kirk) . . . . . . . . 801-264-2614 Murray Boys & Girls Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . 801-268-1335 Murray City Cemetery . . . 801-264-2637 Murray Community Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . 801-264-7414 Murray High School . . . . 801-264-7460 Murray Museum . . . . . . . 801-264-2589 Murray Parks and Recreation Office . . . . . . . 801-264-2614 Murray Parkway Golf Course . . . . . . . . . . . . 801-262-4653 Murray Park Aquatics Pool . . . . . . . . . .801 290-4190 Mick Riley Golf Course (SL County) . . . . . . . . . . . 801-266-8185 Parkside Elementary . . . . 801-264-7434 Riverview Jr. High . . . . . . 801-264-7446 Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation . . . . . . . . 801-468-2560 Salt Lake County Ice Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . 801-270-7280 The Park Center . . . . . . . . 801-284-4200 Viewmont Elementary . . 801-264-7438
February 15 – Choral Fest, MHS/CHS choirs with guest artists; MHS, 7 pm. Free
Mary Ann Kirk’s Retirement Concert
After-school Musicals
Parents, watch for information to come home from your children’s elementary schools with details about after-school musical auditions and performances! Schedules are as follows:
JANUARY 5, 7PM, MHS Informal reception at 6pm Enjoy a variety of community and MHS performing groups as Mary Ann narrates her story of how the arts and history have impacted her life.
Storytelling Residencies Murray holds storytelling residencies every winter, ending in a citywide storytelling festival in the early Spring. In-school residencies will be held at Grant, Longview, Parkside, Viewmont, Twin Peaks, AISU, and all secondary schools. Residencies for the general public will be held at Liberty Elementary for kids grades 2-6, at the Murray Library for kids grades 2-12, and at the Murray Heritage Center for adults. Fill out a registration form, available at http://www. murray.utah.gov/1519/Murray-Storytelling-Residencies, and bring it to the first day of the residency you wish to attend. LIBERTY ELEMENTARY Grades 2-6 Feb 5 – March 1, Tuesdays/Thursdays, 3:15-5 pm MURRAY LIBRARY Grades 2-12 Saturdays, Jan 20-March 3 (excluding Feb 17), 1-3 pm MURRAY HERITAGE CENTER Adults & Seniors Feb 26 – March 30, Mondays/Fridays, 10-11:30 am
PARKSIDE Lion King Kids Auditions: Nov 21, 3:30 Shows: Feb 22-23, 7 pm
LONGVIEW Big Bad Musical Auditions: Jan 8, 3:15 pm Shows: March 9, 7pm
GRANT Annie Kids Auditions: Dec 13, 3:20 pm Shows: April 5-6, 7pm
TWIN PEAKS Kicked Out of the Woods Auditions: Jan 9, 3:45 Shows: Feb 27-28, 7pm
HORIZON Annie Kids Auditions: Dec 13, 1:15 pm Shows: March 8-9, 7pm
LIBERTY Back to the Bandstand Auditions: March 9, 3:30 pm Shows: Apr 30, 6 pm & 7:30 pm
MCMILLAN Back to the Bandstand Auditions: Jan 5, 1:20 pm Shows: March 12, 6:30 pm
AISU That’s What Friends are For Auditions: Jan 9-10, 3:15-5pm Shows: March 8, 7pm (tentative)
CALL for ENTRIES: Murray 2018 Literary Competition!
The deadline for our biennial literary competition is February 13, 2018. Entries must be received at the Parks and Recreation Office, 296 East Murray Park Avenue, Murray, UT 84107. Murray writers may submit one entry per individual category. The submission form is available at the Murray Parks Office or online at www.murray. utah.gov/279/Literary-Competition
CULTURAL ARTS CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
R ECREATION
CULTURAL ARTS
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SPORTS PREP 101
Arts in the Park
Murray Parks and Recreation is announcing a new program designed to teach future young athletes the basic skills necessary to participate in sports. Activities will be centered eye/hand coordination, bilateral coordination, body awareness, balance, gross motor skills, agility, strength and flexibility. During the course children will learn to catch, throw, kick, jump and run. Sportsmanship will be taught and emphasized. Parent involvement. All participants receive a t-shirt. DATES: February 17 to March 24 PLACE: Hillcrest Jr. High Aux. Gym DAYS: Saturdays AGES: 3, 4, 5, COST: $35, Resident, $45 Non residents TIMES: 9:00 am, 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm **Class size is limited to 16 participants per class REGISTER: Murray Parks and Recreation, The Park Center or online at www.mcreg.com
Performing groups/artists interested in performing in the Murray Arts in the Park summer 2018 Free Lunch, Children’s Matinee, and family night concert series should send a bio and demo recording to Murray Arts, 296 East Murray Park Avenue, Murray, UT 84107, or contact Lori Edmunds at 801-264-2620. Due no later than January 15, 2018. Murray Arts in the Park auditions for the summer Arts in the Park musical productions will be scheduled in March-May. This summer’s shows will be Thoroughly Modern Millie (June), Into the Woods (July), and August show TBD. More information coming soon. Specific audition dates will be coming in late February and will be posted on the Murray City website under Cultural Arts. “Like” our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MurrayCityCulturalArts/ to get weekly postings with the latest updates.
ADULT KICKBALL SPRING LEAGUE Murray Parks and Recreation is taking registrations for Spring Adult Coed Kickball League. We are offering 3 fun leagues. Great for improving your fitness, meeting new people and interacting socially with others. Teams consist of 11 players (can carry up to 22 people on a roster) with at least 4 women on the field. All members present must kick in the batting order provided. A total of 9 games will be played followed by a post season tournament, The league will use a 8.5 rubber ball. Form a team and join the hottest league in town. DATES: Tuesday League - April 3 to June 12 Wednesday League April 4 to June 13 PLACE: Murray Park Softball Field COST: $350 per team TIME: 6-11 pm REGISTER: Murray Parks & Rec. office, Murray Park or online at www.mcreg.com DEADLINE: Wednesday, March 14, 2018 Space limited to the first 10 teams in each league to register! Teams must provide their own jerseys!!! Teams must fill out a roster the first night of the league.
ADULT SOFTBALL SPRING/SUMMER LEAGUES
Murray City is taking registrations for its Monday Night Coed League, Tuesday Night Coed League and Thursday Night Men’s League. Play 14 games. Murray City provides the softballs. These are considered USSSA “D” Leagues. We use different size softballs for women and men. We will accept the first 8 teams that registers for teach these leagues. This is a well groomed field with lights. No Composite or double wall bats allowed. DATES: Monday Night Coed - Starts April 9 Thursday Night Men’s Starts April 12 FIELD: Murray Park Softball Diamond 330 East Vine Street COST: $500 DEADLINE: Wednesday, March 14, 2018 Or until leagues are full REGISTER: Murray Parks and Recreation Office or online at www.mcreg.com
MURRAY HIGH ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
Murray Parks and Recreation is taking registrations for the 44th Annual Murray High Alumni Basketball Tournament. Grads from Murray gather together to play in this prestigious Basketball Tournament. Get your classmates together and form your Alumni Team. It is the oldest tournament of its kind in the entire United States. Teams can merge together if they cannot find enough schoolmates to play together. Each team is guaranteed three games. The tournament starts with Pool Play, and the winners will advance to the Championship Round of the Tournament. You must be a Murray High Grad to participate! DATES: April 2-7 COST: $200 per team PLACE: Murray High School DEADLINE: Friday, March 25, 2017 REGISTER: Murray Parks & Rec., 296 E. Murray Park Ave., Murray, UT 84107 or online at www.mcreg.com For more information, call 801-264-2614!
SPRING SOCCER Soccer is the #1 sport in the world and one in which everyone can participate. Pre K and K-6th grades are recreational, 7-12th grades play competitive (Teams may be coed if not enough participants). Teams will play 10 games. All games are played on short side fields to increase individual playing skills. Games will be played on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. All participants will receive a game ticket to a Salt Lake Monarchs soccer game, a jersey and an award at the end of the season. DATES: April 19 to May 19 COST: $40 Residents, $50 Non Residents $5 Late Fee after Deadline PLACE: Schools and Parks located in Murray DAYS: Thursday Nights & Saturday Mornings GRADES: Pre K, Kindergarten, 1-2 grade, 3-4 grade, 5-6 grade, 7-9 Grade, 10-12 Grade DEADLINE: Wednesday, March 14, 2018 REGISTER: Murray Parks and Recreation, The Park Center or online at www.mcreg.com
JANUARY 2018 T HE P ARK C ENTER The Park Center will be open on Sundays beginning November 4, 2017. Spinning rides held at 9:15am as well as a studio class that rotates at 10:30am. FITNESS TRAINER AND INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATIONS Spinning Instructor Training January 6, 2018 9am-6pm register at spinning.com
Reasons To Take Group Fitness Classes SAVE TIME: No need to watch the clock. The pace of group fitness classes makes the time fun and the energy level of the instructor makes you forget you’re working hard. Looking at the clock or the time on your exercise or cardio machine is a thing of the past. SAVE $$$: Personal training can be roughly three times the cost of a group fitness class. The benefits you gain with a workout also save you money on health care, as people who workout are far less likely to get sick and also recover from illness and injury quicker than non-exercisers. SOCIAL: Group fitness is a great way to meet like-minded and like-motivated individuals. You’ll find you share common goals and interest which can be a great motivator to work hard in class and create accountability for coming back week after week. MOTIVATION: Having someone setting the expectations and encouraging you to take your fitness to the next level might be the motivation you need. The instructor sets the tone, while having others in class offers another level of motivation through a tiny bit of competition and camaraderie. CHALLENGE: Challenge yourself to work harder. You want to keep pace and studies have proven that working out with a group results in a bigger calorie burn. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: We offer Core, Yoga, LIFT, Total Body Bootcamp, HIGH, Barre, Spinning, TRX, Power training. Whatever your interest or need, chances are you can find a class at the Park Center. We have many class options that you can combine like a Spinning/TRX, or LIFT/Yoga ... the options are available!
GREAT For The BRAIN: A good class and great instructor will show you how to use safe bio-mechanics as well as challenge your mind and body, both proven to ward off the effects of aging. SAFE: When beginning a new or different fitness routine, feeling safe and being safe are key. We are especially mindful of alignment and safety, no matter what you’re doing. Instructors will be able to help explain and model what you’re doing, how to do it, and what you should be feeling. Never hesitate to ask questions or as for alternative exercises if you need additional assistance. Our instructors are happy to provide modifications and alternative moves if needed. Join the Group or Go Your Own Way: An experienced group fitness instructor will offer modifications that allow for different fitness levels among the participants. Most classes will offer beginner, intermediate, and advanced exercise options. Make sure to come at least 5 minutes early when you’re taking a new class and introduce yourself to the instructor. Developing a relationship with your instructor is key to finding the workout that will challenge you in a safe manner.
T HE H ERITAGE S ENIOR C ENTER The Heritage Center is a 55+ recreation center for people who like to stay active, learn, get services, go places, stay healthy, play, volunteer, meet people, enjoy life and more. The Heritage Center’s current newsletter is available on our website at www.murray.utah.gov/140/Heritage-Center and will have the most up-to-date information on our activities and services. Please call the Heritage Center at 801-264-2635 or visit us to register for any of our classes or services. Lunch is served Tuesday–Friday anytime between 11:30–12:30 and you pay for your meal after you pick up your food. No reservations are needed—except for special events. Options include the regular menu item, salad, soup, Panini, and sandwiches. The cost ranges from $2–$4 for people 55+.
Special Events: Mardi Gras – Join us on Tuesday, February 13 at 11:00 as we transform the Heritage Center into downtown New Orleans and celebrate the final day of the Carnival season—MARDI GRAS, French for “Fat Tuesday.” A special Cajun meal will be served including King Cake while listening to the jazzy sounds of the Riverton Jazz Band.
Masks will be available for purchase before the celebration or you can bring your own. We’ll toss beads and a few lucky participants who find the “baby” in their King Cake will win a prize! The cost for this fun event will be $8 for reserved seats. Purchase one seat or an entire table. Registration begins Wednesday, January 10. A special thank you to Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary for helping to sponsor this event.
Services: Attorney – An attorney will be available for free 20 minute legal consultations from 1:30-3:30 on Tuesday, January 9, and February 13. Appointments are needed. Haircuts – Wednesday from 9:00-11:30. Appointments are needed, cost $9. Massage – Every Thursday from 11:45-3:45. One hour is $36 and half hour is $18. Appointments are required. Payment required at time of scheduling. Medicare Help – On Tuesday, January 16 and February
THE HERITAGE SENIOR CENTER
20 from 12:00-2:00, a volunteer from the SHIP Program is available to help with any questions or problems you may be having with your Medicare accounts. Sign up now for individualized help. AARP Free Tax Assistance – Volunteers from AARP Assistance will provide free tax consultations and preparation for tax payers with middle and low income, with special attention to those ages 60 and over. This free and confidential service will be available each Wednesday, from February 7 until April 11 from 12:30-4:00. Appointments are required and can be made starting January 31. Toenail Clippings – Dr. Shelton, local Podiatrist, will be at the Center on Thursday, February 22 from 9:30-12:00 to provide toenail clippings and routine foot screenings. The cost is $11 and advance payment is required. Dr. Shelton is unable to provide services for people who are diabetic or on anti-clotting agents such as Coumadin. Appointments will be taken starting Thursday, January 25.
SENIOR CENTER CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE
10 East 6150 South (West of State Street) • 801-264-2635
Senior Center Continued from previouS page Transportation – Ask at the front desk about our transportation service from your home to our Center on Wednesdays for Murray City residents. Cost is $2 roundtrip.
Recreation:
Billiards and Ping Pong – Provided during the Center’s hours of operation. Monday Movies – Be in your seat at 1:00 to enjoy our free Monday movie and popcorn. Pickleball – On Mondays from 10:15-12:00 and Thursdays from 9:00-11:00 play at the Center for free. Instructional play is on Thursdays from 8:00-9:00. We also have two outdoor Pickleball court available during working hours (weather permitting) with equipment that can be checked out at the front desk. Pinochle – Wednesdays at 9:15. Players must check in no later than 9:00. The cost is $2 and is paid tournament day. Bridge – Mondays from 11:00-2:00 is a teaching class taught by Carol Meyers. Wednesdays and Fridays from 1:00-4:00, free informal Bridge play (Chicago/Party). Canasta – Tuesdays from 11:00-2:30. Everyone is welcome (including beginners), all games are free and anyone can join in on the fun. Birthday Wednesday – First Wednesday of each month. Celebrate your birthday and you could win a free lunch. The lunch is on us if you’re turning 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 this month. Tell us if you have reached a new decade. Bingo – Wednesdays and Fridays at 12:45. Game Day - Come join in on GAME DAY on Tuesday, January 16 , Thursday, January 25, Thursday February 8 and February 22 at 1:00. We will have fun playing games like Mexican Train, Rummikub, Dominos, and other board games. We also have Wii games available. Happy Hatters – Red Hat Society chapter meetings are held on the first Thursday at 12:45 of every month to play BUNCO and Mexican Train and on the third Thursday at 12:45 to play Hand & Foot. Happy Hatters is an independent organization not operated by the Heritage Center. Social Dance – Thursday evenings from 7:00-9:30. Cost $5. Dance to the musical genius of Tony Summerhays. Light refresh-
ments will be served during the break and door prizes will be given. Line Dancing – Tuesdays at 9:30 for all dancers and Tuesday afternoons at 2:00 for beginners. Cost is $2.00 and is paid the day of class. Shirlene Lundskog is our instructor.
4:00. The cost is $10 per class. Class size is limited to five so the same information will be provided on both days. Take dinner and the recipe home! Register now.
Classes:
Diabetes: January 23 and January 25
AARP Smart Driving Class – On Tuesday, January 23 or February 26 from 9:30-2:30. The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for everyone else. The instructor will collect the fee at the start of class. He is unable to accept credit/debit cards. Advance registration needed, register now. Art Appreciation – John and Joan Fackrell’s ART APPRECIATION class will begin a new six-week series on Monday, January 8 through Monday, February 26 at 1:00-3:30. Cost is $33. Registration begins on Wednesday, December 27. Watercolor Class – John Fackrell will begin a new six week watercolor class from 9:0012:00 on Monday, January 8 through Monday, February 26. Cost is $33. Register starting February 21. Prior watercolor experience necessary. Registration begins on Wednesday, December 27. Wednesday Painting – The new eightweek session begins Wednesday, January 24 through Wednesday, March 14. Register starting January 2. The cost is $40 and payment is needed in advance. Sandi Olson is the instructor, and she will help you in either oil or watercolor. Ceramics Class – Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30-12:00 and contains all the supplies and equipment you will need to produce knickknacks, works of art, and functional pieces. The instructor, Cindy Mangone, has information for the beginner to advanced student. The cost is $1.50 each time you attend plus supplies. Chakra Meditation – Starting Monday, January 8 from 10:30-12:00 thru March 12. Barbara Battison will present in-depth information about how Chakras and Meditation work and includes a meditation session. The cost of this eight week class is $20 or $3 per class. It is a great way to start off the New Year. Cooking Classes – Join our chef, Scott, and learn the fun facts and history of ingredients as we cook our meals. COOKING CLASSES will be held Tuesday and Thursday at 3:00-
Heart Healthy: January 9 and January 11 Healthy for 2: January 16 and January 18 On a Budget: January 30 and February 1 Computer – Sign up and pay in advance ($3) for a private hour lesson on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Bring computer questions or gadget question (phone, camera, iPad) concerns to the private lessons. Sign up now. Craft Day – On Tuesdays at 12:45 to 4:00, a small group of seniors meet to share their skills and knowledge of crafts. Newcomers are welcome. Crafts with Susan – Please join us on Tuesday, January 9 at 2:00 to make a cute snowman door hanger. The cost is $5 and all supplies are included. You will be able to finish the project and take it home the day of the class. Register now. Dance Lessons: American Smooth Ballroom – The Heritage Center is offering a five-session DANCE LESSON WORKSHOP beginning Monday, February 5 at 1:00-2:00. Dates: February 5 and 12, March 5, 12, and 19. Kyle and Jackie Kidd will be teaching beginning and intermediate level waltz, foxtrot, and single-step swing. Classes are for beginning level dancers; no prior experience required. Register now for this free workshop. Genealogy Class – Glen Siam’s GENEALOGY class will begin a new five-week series on Wednesday, January 24 through Wednesday, February 21 at 12:30-1:30. This is a FREE class. Space is limited to five participants. Register now. Reader’s Theater – The READERS THEATER troupe meets Thursday at 3:00-4:00. The troupe is not meeting in January. If you are interested, their first meeting for 2018 will be on Thursday, February 1 at 3:00. If you would like to participate, please come and join the fun. Senior Oral Health – On Wednesday, January 10 at 10:30, Dr. Tyler Williams will discuss six simple solutions to better your ORAL HEALTH (and your wallet’s health) in this wonderful presentation. From brushing ba-
sics to financial tips, Dr. Williams has helpful hints and tips for you. This is a free class. Register now. 6th Annual Storytelling Workshop – The Center is pleased to bring back the STORYTELLING WORKSHOP in February. The Murray City Cultural Arts Department sponsors this workshop. It will be starting on Friday, February 23 at 10:00-12:00. This eightweek workshop will run every Monday and Friday until Friday, March 30. It is a fun way to get back in touch with stories you remember from earlier days. The first workshop will be an introduction to storytelling and what you may expect from this workshop. This is a free workshop. Register now. Social Security 101 – On Tuesday, January 30 at 10:30, Darren Hotton, Program Director from Utah Division of Aging and Adult Services, will present SOCIAL SECURITY 101. You may be turning 65 this year and have a lot of questions about Social Security. This class will discuss how you become eligible, the different types of benefits, how to use the online services, and time for questions and answers. This is a free class. Register now. Vital Aging – Tuesday, January 23, at 10:30, the topic is “Reminiscing My Life Story.” at 10:30. Rhonda is available at 10:00 to meet with anyone needing one-on-one help. This is a free class, register now.
Trips:
Wendover – On Thursday, January 11 the bus will leave from the Center at 8:30 and return around 7:00 PM. Cost is $20. Register now. Next trip to Wendover is March 8. LDS Church History Museum – Joseph Paul Horst Art Exhibit – The Center bus will depart at 10:00 on Thursday, January 25 for the LDS Church History Museum to view the artwork of Joseph Paul Vorst. On our way back to the Heritage Center, we will stop at Crown Burgers for lunch (on your own). Cost for the trip is $5. Registration begins Friday, January 5. Hardware Ranch – Enjoy lunch and sleigh ride among the elk that winter at the Hardware Ranch (15 miles east of Hyrum). The Center bus will depart at 9:30 Monday, January 29 and again on Monday, February 5 and return about 4:00. Cost for the day is $15 which includes transportation, sleigh ride, and lunch. Registration begins January 12.
January 2018 | Page 15
MurrayJournal .com when McMillan first-grade teacher Kathy Reynolds and former McMillan teacher Joyce Standley took a children’s play of “The Nutcracker” that was printed in a December 1976 Woman’s Day magazine to the school stage. “We did it that year,” Reynolds said, after agreeing to try the play in the magazine. “We stuck our necks out and used the magazine’s idea of cardboard boxes as trees and thrones and thought, ‘There’s magic in this program.’ The principal said that it’s a production the students will never forget and it will be a highlight. I’ve run into the kids 20 years later and they say, ‘I was a Russian’ or ‘I was a soldier.’ They remember. This has been the most incredible thing.” The magic has continued for 20 years at Longview Elementary as sixth-grade teachers have not just taught Shakespeare, but turned their students into thespians after learning about the time period from making family crests and a coat of arms to learning more than 100 things about The Renaissance. It began when now fifth-grade teacher Tina Nilsson was inspired by both a college “Intro to Shakespeare” class she took. “I got the bug…to share Shakespeare with students,” she said. “I gathered scripts from, what was then, an outdated – no longer being published – theatre book called, ‘Shake Hands with Shakespeare’ and I brought that to my first job, here at Longview Elementary, hoping to begin a program wherein children could perform and value great literature like Shakespeare.” Since then, the school has created their own mini-Renaissance festival, with students presenting vignettes of several plays each February. Through the years, students have been invited to perform at the Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City. “When students return to Longview or meet up with one of us in the community, there is always a hug and a thank you and guess what they always remember? Shakespeare,” Nilsson said. Traditions all have a beginning and several are in the early stages at Viewmont Elementary, including their YES! Day. When Viewmont Elementary students follow their school’s code of conduct, called the Eagle Code, they get to celebrate with YES! Day, said Hamilton, who was Viewmont’s principal before taking the District position this past summer. “Each month, we’re recognizing our students who are exemplifying our Eagle Code and celebrating the fact our students are doing great things,” she had said. “We’re seeing much more positive behavior. There’s been a huge decline in bullying and classroom disruptions. Last year, we had 211 infractions. This year, we’ve only had four. It’s about us coming together to recognize a good thing. We’re building our community and at the same time, saying these things matter. Plus, it’s just been a lot of fun for the students to earn tickets and then celebrate
being good.” School counselor Sharon Zullo (SP) said that it has shifted attitudes and behaviors. “The kids are really excited to earn Eagle tickets so they focus on doing what is right,” she said. “We’ve had them stop, slow down and think first about their behavior. Now, it’s become second nature. It’s been a big motivator in school behavior and they’re learning how to save their tickets as they know what’s coming up and want to participate in a big ticket item.” This past year, some of the activities students could use their Eagle tickets for included attending a magic show, petting alpacas that visited from Gardner Village, dipping strawberries and marshmallows in a chocolate fountain, trying out a manual wheelchair and going on a spooky tour of the school. Viewmont Parent-Teacher Association President Kelly Taeoalii said that it’s been a hit. “It’s working well and it hasn’t lost its appeal,” she said. “YES! Day has created an absolutely positive environment and has improved behavior. It’s something the kids look forward to and with so many ideas to reward kids, there isn’t an end to the life cycle — the sky is the limit.” Another opportunity Viewmont secondgraders in Susan Routledge’s classroom have is to listen to a mystery reader share a favorite childhood book with students. “I give parents a date to arrange a mystery reader,” Routledge said. “The students don’t know when they’ll have a mystery reader come and when a mystery reader comes, it allows the child to feel so special.” Many times it may be a parent or grandparent who is visiting, but already this year, Murray Police Chief Craig Burnett and Superintendent Covington have visited students. “It’s great to get out and read in the schools with the students,” Covington said. “It’s fantastic way for students to get excited about reading and have fun at the same time.” Getting involved in school and community — both academically and in extra-curricular activities — is a goal current Murray High Principal Scott Wihongi has with the introduction of the new Murray Medallion, which will be worn by the first students who have earned enough points at the 2018 graduation ceremony. “The hope is to get students more involved in the many opportunities at school,” he said. “Many students involve themselves in only a few ways. This program encourages getting involved in many ways, whether that is a team, a club, taking rigorous classes, improving attendance, improving academics. It helps to make their education more well-rounded and take pride in their school and community.” l
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Page 16 | January 2018
Murray City Journal
Murray girls learn about their heritage while playing soccer on the U-16 Samoan national team By Carl Fauver | carlf@mycityjournals.com
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t’s tempting to call the trip Faith Taeoalii, 13, and Lani Lautaimi, 16, took this summer a once in a lifetime adventure. But that’s not really true, because both hope and plan to make the same trek again in two years. Still, you only get to visit Samoa for the first time, once. So, from that standpoint, what the Murray soccer players did was unique. About halfway between Hawaii and Australia lie the two primary islands that make up Samoa. American Samoa is in the area too, but that’s something completely different. Because Faith and Lani are each one-quarter Samoan, they were eligible to play on the U-16 Samoan national team. And they both say it’s something they’ll never forget. “It was so wonderful to learn about my culture while playing the sport I love,” Lani said. “I don’t think the level of play was quite as high as we have with my team here. But (the Samoan U-16 national team) is working hard to improve.” Because she was at the top of the age group, at 16, Lani was a key player on the team. She next hopes to play for the Samoan U-19 team when they convene in two years. Meantime, Faith was the youngest and smallest on the team and played in only one of their three games. But she hopes to play for the same U-16 Samoan team in two years. “I’ve been playing soccer steadily since kindergarten,” Faith said. “This trip was the most fun I’ve ever had with my sport. It was so exciting to represent my family and my heritage. Having my mom and sisters come to see the final game made it that much better.” Kelly Taeoalii and her younger daughters (Sariah, 11 and Grace, 9) arrived in Samoa about three weeks after Faith, attending her final game on August 12. They also had the chance to visit with relatives, sightsee, snorkel and swim with turtles, among other things. “It was so fun to see my daughter do something she loves in such a different setting,” Kelly said. “She also did a lot of growing up on the trip. She lived in a dorm at the soccer complex with her teammates and did her own laundry. It was a great experience for her.” Besides never visiting Samoa before, Lani and Faith had also never flown in a plane without a parent before this trip. “We were very hesitant about sending Lani when we first heard about the opportunity,” her mother, Corinne Talaeai said. “We re-
searched it and called the (Samoan national soccer) facility just to make sure everything was legit. Once we were comfortable (sending Lani), it turned out to be so good for her.” Talaeai said all of the girls learned about the Samoan culture, memorized their national anthem and even became mini celebrities. “Lani said she was asked for her autograph a couple of times,” Corinne added. “That’s pretty cool for a 16-year-old girl.” Faith and Lani were joined on the team by a third girl from the United States. Andreya Tuigaoliula Hall lives in Washington State and quickly became friends with the Murray girls. The U-16 Samoan national team was put out of the tournament with a record of 1-2, with a win over Tahiti and losses to New Caledonia and New Zealand. Both girls say their Samoan coach was a little “louder and more intense” than they were accustomed to. But, like living in a dorm and washing their own clothes, the girls adjusted. “The coaches told us ahead of time ‘we’re going to yell at you on the field, but that’s just because we want you to get better’ —and then they did,” Faith said. “Overall, the practices were more intense than I am used to here.” “The team also visited a nursing home and a school,” Kelly Taeoalii added. “Their adventures generated plenty of interest on the island, including a number of newspaper articles.” Kelly said her family heard about the playing opportunity simply through word of mouth. Because Faith and Lani are distant relatives, Kelly told them about it as well. “The team and their sponsors paid for everything…airfare, meals and lodging at the dorm,” Kelly said. “All the girls really needed was a little spending money.” But Lani’s mom didn’t agree completely. “We did have to pay her $800 data bill for the cell phone,” Corinne Talaeai added. “You know, 16-year-olds will be 16-yearolds no matter where they go.” Now back in the states, Faith is an 8th grader at Riverview Junior High while Lani is a junior at Murray High School. And they are each eyeing a possible return to Samoa in 2019. l
Update: After returning from their summer trek to Samoa, Lani Lautaimi, 16, and Faith Taeoalii, 13, each quickly got back to their favorite sport here in Utah. But they both say their participation on the Samoan U-16 national team changed them significantly. “I grew up a ton while I was in Samoa,” Lautaimi said. “One of the big things I learned is that I no longer always have to be on my phone or connected to social media. (The trip) helped me better appreciate personal relationships. I had no negatives (going to Samoa). Everything was positive.” Lautaimi did not arrive back in Utah in time to try out for the Murray High School girls soccer team as she had hoped. So instead, she ended up playing with some older girls. “A friend put me in contact with the Utah Surf soccer club, and I played with them this fall,” the high school junior said. “Most of the players were
college age, and I didn’t know any of them. I was the youngest on the team; but still ended up playing and scoring a lot.” Lautaimi said her Samoan experience helped give her the self-confidence to not be intimidated by playing with older athletes. And the same has proven true for the other Murray girl who made the trip. “I’ve noticed since she got back, Faith is much more confident, at school, with her friends and while playing soccer,” her mother, Kelly Taeoalii said. “At first I was scared to death (to send Faith to Samoa, alone). But the experience has proven to be completely positive.” Faith’s U-15 Murray soccer club team was undefeated last fall. This winter she is playing basketball while continuing to practice soccer. Both Lani and Faith still hope to qualify to return to Samoa for more soccer in the summer of 2019. l
January 2018 | Page 17
MurrayJournal .com
Happy New Year Muray!
Mayor’s
MESSAGE
As we begin a new year, and as I begin my term as your new mayor, I am excited and energized about the future of Murray City! Albert Einstein once said, “Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow.” I believe that learning from the lessons of the past, both the good and the bad, will help us shape our future in a very positive way. We will have a number of challenges to face moving forward. The pressures resulting from the explosive growth of the entire region will require careful planning and a delicate balance between the competing interests of high density vs. low density development. We are fortunate that, due to appropriate master planning, we currently have several low density single-family residential developments in planning or construction phase. I am pleased that we will have these new homes available for those looking to live in Murray, but desiring a new single-family home. In addition, the
Murray Mayor Blair Camp
planned expansion of Winchester Estates will provide approximately forty additional housing opportunities in the pre-manufactured home market for seniors. We also are seeing some high-density residential development going up in our TOD’s (Transit Oriented Development) areas near the TRAX/Frontrunner stations on Vine Street as well as the Murray North TRAX Station near 4500 South. There are also a number of commercial developments taking place around the city, and 2018 looks to be another good year for quality projects in Murray. In looking forward, we are on the verge of construction of a new city hall in our downtown redevelopment area, and you can expect to see an invitation in the very near future to a public open house for public comment and input on this exciting project and the surrounding area. We will also be working on some local and regional issues, including the homelessness crisis, illegal drug
activities with its associated petty crime, and rising costs of providing services, just to name a few. I am looking forward to working with other local elected officials, state representatives, and community leaders. The planned expansion of the Murray Boys and Girls Club will add capacity to the overcrowded youth programs that are provided to the boys and girls in our community. The club can always use donations and volunteers to keep their vital services viable. I firmly believe that the investment in our young people pays dividends well into the future as their individual lives are impacted for the better. Whether you are a person who makes New Year’s resolutions or not, I invite each and every citizen of our city to join with me in resolving to help keep Murray a unique and great place to live, work, and play! I am looking forward to a very good year! l
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Page 18 | January 2018
Murray City Journal
Murray High School’s hockey club team claims state title
MISSION STATEMENT The Murray Chamber creates synergy among professionals. We facilitate the creation of long lasting business relationships between members that are based on trust, value, and cooperation. We provide tools to connect education, service opportunities and interaction between members.
PLEASE HELP US WELCOME THE FOLLOWING MURRAY CHAMBER BOARD MEMBERS FOR 2018/2019 We look forward to a wonderful and exciting year together! Elisa Salazar – Inwest Title Craig Wallace – Stevens Henager College Dave Hansen – Farmers Insurance Ninzel Rasmuson – Operation Veteran Support Lee Weech – Executech Susan Bond – Plan Your Results
UPCOMING EVENTS EVERY FRIDAY: Eggs & Issues Friday Breakfast Meeting open to the public! Chamber membership not required to attend. Mimi’s Café 5223 South State Street 7:30 – 8:30am If you are wishing to help serve the Murray community, create lasting relationships and learn what other organizations are doing, then join us each Friday! The public is welcome and there is no cost to attend, unless you order from the menu.
EGGS
&ISSUES
For event schedules or meetings, go to our website at www.murraychamber.org or MeetUp. WE INVITE YOU TO BECOME INVOLVED!
By Carl Fauver | carlf@mycityjournals.com
A
group of ice skating, stick swinging, puck chasing Murray High School athletes is in Cleveland, Ohio this weekend, competing for a national championship. The school’s hockey squad—a “club” team not officially sanctioned by Murray High or the Utah High School Activities Association—claimed its first state title in 17 years in February. Now they are big underdogs, competing against the best programs in the nation, from places that live and breathe hockey such as Minnesota. The Utahn natives were guaranteed at least three games in the tournament (March 30, 31 and April 1), with more to follow if they advance. The games were completed after press deadline. “Honestly, I’d be thrilled if we can win one game against that talent level,” Murray Head Coach Tim Hale said. “But we’ve already accomplished our season goal by taking the state title.” The Spartan skaters upended Park City in a back and forth championship game, 6-4, at the Steiner Ice Rink near the University of Utah. The win capped a 152-2 season, with Murray’s first title since winning backto-back championships in 1999 and 2000. “Our kids played great,” Hale added. “We trailed twice in the game (1-0 and 2-1), and we also blew a
two-goal lead, before finally bouncing back to win. The kids were thrilled and I was very proud of them.” A couple of weeks later, Hale was named his league’s Coach of the Year, an honor at least one of his player’s parents believes is very well deserved. “He’s only been the boys’ head coach for two seasons,” said Jeff Elwell, who has two sons playing in the Murray program. Younger son Sam is age 13—on the middle school team—while Jake, 17, has now completed two seasons for Hale. “The amount of time he volunteers for these kids is incredible,” Elwell added. “On Mondays, for example, the players have dinner together, review video of upcoming opponents and then practice on the ice, JV and varsity both. It’s pretty common to be at the practice rink from 7 p.m. to past midnight.” Spartan star goalie Mike Richins agrees. “He’s a great coach,” the junior goalkeeper said. “He saw the potential in us before anyone else, and then pushed us hard to reach the top.” A year ago Murray also advanced to the state title game, but came up just short, losing the championship to Viewmont. This season the Spartans knocked the Vikings off in a playoff semifinal game, decided in an overtime shootout. In the title game, Murray trailed 1-0 after one period,
but scored three goals in the second—and three more in the third—for the victory. Four was an unusual number of goals for goalie Richins to give up. “He is probably the best goalkeeper in the state,” Hale said. “I call him ‘Superman.’ He averages giving up only one to maybe one-and-a-half goals per game.” Offensively in the championship game, senior Jake Elwell and sophomore Daxton Nielson each scored two goals. Juniors Dillon Hale and Stewart McKenna added one goal each. The Murray hockey team this year is made up of six seniors, nine juniors, three sophomores and three freshmen. Two of them are girls. “We’re always looking for new talent and encourage parents to look into the sport if their kids enjoy skating,” Hale added. “As long as they can skate, we welcome absolute beginners to join us to check out the sport.” Hale admits getting kids into hockey can be a little more expensive than many sports. But he says there are ways to save on used equipment. Jeff Elwell was a member of the very first Murray Spartan hockey team, created in 1984. “I believe ours is the longest running, uninterrupted Utah high school hockey team there is,” he said. “But as far as I know, this year’s team is the first to go to nationals.” l
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January 2018 | Page 19
MurrayJournal .com Update:
The juggernaut that is the Murray High School hockey club team just keeps churning along, clearly one of the heavy favorites to repeat as state champions. But there’s at least one other team in the state that isn’t the least bit afraid. “We began this new season with a record of 11-1,” said Spartan head hockey coach Tim Hale. “But that one loss was to Viewmont, and they are still undefeated.” Murray lost to the Vikings 5-3 in a game the coach called “back and forth, very close.” The team’s 11 wins (as of press time) featured just one game that was within two goals. The rest were mostly blowouts. “I suspect the state final four this year will be us, Viewmont, Park City and Brighton,” Hale added. “Hopefully, we can get it done again.” If the Spartans do defend their title they will be repeating history. Murray’s last two hockey titles—prior to last season— came back-to-back in 1999 and 2000. Like last season, two of this year’s team members are girls. Meantime, one of last year’s female players—Courtney Morgan —graduated from Murray High last spring and is now a member of the Grand Canyon University hockey club team in Phoenix. “Winning the state title last year has also given our program a boost,” Hale concluded. “Since becoming champions, four brand new boys have come out for our middle school team. And one of the two new girls on the high school team is also brand new to the sport.” If the Murray hockey club does successfully defend its title, they will again advance to the national championship. Last year that was in Cleveland while this spring the tournament will be in Minneapolis. l
The Murray High School hockey club team claimed the 2017 state championship, with a 6-4 win over Park City in the title game. (Shutterspeed)
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Page 20 | January 2018
Murray City Journal
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January 2018 | Page 21
MurrayJournal .com
Murray’s Winchester Park hosts weekly visits from Wasatch Adaptive Sports
T
By Carl Fauver | carlf@mycityjournals.com
he non-profit Wasatch Adaptive Sports program has been going strong every winter, since BYU and San Francisco 49er legend Steve Young was in high school. Since 1977, Wasatch Adaptive Sports (WAS) has provided ski lessons, lift passes and specialized equipment, designed to help get wheelchair-bound Utahns back into the great outdoors. And a decade after leaving high school — and becoming the household name we know today — Young began providing his support, through the Steve Young Ski Classic, in 1987. “We get 75 to 80 percent of our annual revenues through the ski classic,” said WAS Founding Director Peter Mandler. “Last year we raised about $360,000 from the classic…and in its 31 years the event has raised right around $4 million.” Raised in California, Mandler moved here to earn a sociology degree at Utah State University “and to be close to skiing.” He soon began teaching ski lessons at Snowbird. Out of that, Wasatch Adaptive Sports was born. “I believe my sociology degree helps me understand and appreciate how much those with disabilities get out of remaining active,” Mandler added. “I helped them do that through the Snowbird Ski School for a few years. But by 1983-84 we had become so busy, I had to create a new organization.” WAS now provides about 3,600 ski lessons each winter, at almost no cost to the participants. Snowbird remains the organization’s biggest corporate donor by providing office space and ski lift tickets. “A good 95 percent of our participants pay nothing,” Mandler said. “And although we have served people from all over the country and world, 90 to 95 percent of our participants live here in Utah.” Through the years, many participants asked WAS if they could also come up with some activities for those months when snow shovels are packed away. “This is our third year offering summer activities,” said WAS lead instructor and mechanic Alex Mansir. “After dozens of years offering ski lessons, we’ve now expanded to include bike riding, fishing, kayaking, camping, paddle boarding and other activities.” Jim, 59, is one of those who joins in, summer and winter. He suffered a stroke several years ago and Danny Heaps with Chrysalis (an organization that provides support and opportunities for individuals with disabilities) is the residential manager of his West Jordan group home. “Jim (who prefers not to use his last name) is always happiest during the summer and winter, because that’s when he’s active,” Heaps said. “In the spring and fall he gets a little frustrated since there’s not as much to do.” Jim — and several other WAS participants — gather Wednesday mornings in the summer at Murray’s Winchester Park, along
Update:
Update to Murray Journal August 2017 story: Murray’s Winchester Park hosts weekly visits from Wasatch Adaptive Sports Wasatch Adaptive Sports (WAS) employees have stowed away their summer recreation gear and are now back to doing what they started 40 years ago—helping people with disabilities enjoy Utah winters. And they’re doing it with a new person at the helm. Peter Mandler was among the WAS founders who began offering ski lessons back in
1977. But after four decades as the non-profit’s executive director, he passed that baton to Elizabeth Jahp in July. “Peter’s heart lies in the teaching he does and as the demands on his time grew, he wasn’t able to do that as much as he likes,” Jahp said. “Athletics and outdoor recreation have long been a part of my personal identity. I think Peter and I complement each other.” Jahp began working for WAS five years ago, soon after moving to Utah having lived
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Jim rides trails in the summer and skis in the winter thanks to Wasatch Adaptive Sports (Carl Fauver).
the Jordan River near 6400 South. Another pair of regulars are siblings Heather, 19, and Aaron, 16, who both have spina bifida. Older sister Michelle and mom, Colleen Martindale also often join them at the park. “This (trail riding) makes them more mobile, which also makes them feel more confident and independent,” Colleen said. “We learned about Wasatch Adaptive Sports three years ago while we were visiting Snowbird. It’s a wonderful program.” In addition to weekly stops in Murray through the summer, WAS also trailers its recumbent bicycles — both hand and foot-powered — to Salt Lake’s Liberty Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and down to Utah County (normally along the Provo River Trail) on Fridays. WAS has six full-time and 14 part-time employees. Various corporate donors round out the necessary revenues not raised through the annual Steve Young Ski Classic. Veteran Snowbird Ski Patrol member and ski instructor Ed Chauner is one of those part-time WAS employees. “I think what makes this most rewarding is, these people have been dealt a tough hand…and, for many of them, it has put them in a dark place,” Chauner said. “I love to see the light come back into their eyes after they have had a positive experience skiing or bike riding. They become addicted to these activities and you can’t keep them away.” Learn more about WAS at wasatchadaptivesports.org. l
and worked in Argentina and Ecuador. “In the time I’ve been here—from 2014 to 2017— we’ve seen a 55 percent growth in our summer and winter recreation programs,” she said. Snowbird Ski Resort remains their primary corporate sponsor. Phil Yorgason, 54, of Midvale, began skiing through WAS 25 years ago. Just last summer he also began riding a recumbent bicycle through the program.
“It’s such a wonderful way to get exercise and build confidence,” Yorgason said. “I would never be able to do these kinds of activities without them, and they have never charged me anything.” Currently, WAS personnel are working to put together their annual Steve Young Ski Classic, the organization’s primary fundraiser. The event earned $350,000 for WAS last year and will be held March 24 at Snowbird. l
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Page 22 | January 2018
Murray City Journal
How to beat the January Blues Christmas is over, money is tight and our waistbands are even tighter. We can’t help but feel a little let down. After eating too much, spending too much and maybe a few too many parties for many people January means buckling up the spending and the prospect of hitting the gym. I can’t help but feel a little bleak however, this year I’m determined to have the best January yet without breaking the bank. Here are some things I’ve got planned for the month that build up the cheer and won’t demolish the budget. Check out the Wildlife - Hogle Zoo is free the last Wednesday of the month from November through February (January 31 and February 28 2018). Plus, Tracy Aviary offers $1 admission the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month through March. Go to a Hockey Game – The Grizzlies play at the Maverick Center in WVC through April. If you’ve never been to a hockey games, they are fast paced and exciting! You can
by
JOANI TAYLOR
get discounted tickets for $6.50 a person at UtahCoupons.com. Get Outside - There is nothing quite like a brisk walk in our beautiful surroundings to blow away the cobwebs and beat the winter city air. Visit one of our National Parks. They are much less busy than during the summer months and just as beautiful. For more information about Utah’s National Parks in winter go to www.visitutah.com/ places-to-go/most-visited-parks/national-parks-in-winter Volunteer – When the holiday’s end the giving shouldn’t. In fact the need is higher for volunteers in January then any other time of year. There are plenty of opportunities all around us like the food bank, animal shelters, elementary schools or just take a minute to shovel someone’s driveway after a storm. Plan a Vacation - Part of the joy of Christmas is all the planning, preparation, and excitement leading up to it. Now is a great time to start to plan a summer family vacation. A vacation to look forward to can
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January 2018 | Page 23
MurrayJournal .com
Life
Laughter AND
by
PERI KINDER
MURRAY
Virtual Competition
W
e all have that one friend whose life could be a Hallmark movie. She spends her days organizing family sing-a-longs, has slow-motion snowball fights, and she snuggles with her family by the fireplace, drinking cocoa and wearing matching pajamas. The Golden Retriever has a matching neckerchief. And the toddler doesn’t spill hot chocolate on the white, plush velvet couch. This woman is too amazing to hate. I imagine she cries one beautiful tear that rolls slowly down her cheek as she ponders her incredible existence. The soundtrack to her life would be all violins and cellos. My life’s soundtrack is basically a record scratch. So how do I know this perfect woman with her perfect hair and her perfect family and her perfect life? I follow her on social media. (Stalking is such a harsh word.) She posts pictures of her family cheerfully eating dinner that didn’t come from a freezer box, or shares a video as she dances out the door in a slinky red dress that she’s wearing to a charity event where she’ll donate her time to help orphaned goats in Uzbekistan. I’ve never owned a slinky red dress.
I’ve never saved orphaned goats. This woman has a circle of friends that travel to spa retreats and spiritual workshops. I imagine them talking on the phone, laughing at the extraordinary circumstances that allowed them to live on this planet with such good fortune. My friends need to ramp up their game. Her Instagram feed is an advertisement for excellence. Her children willingly pose for family photos, her redecorated bathroom (that she did for less than $50) is chic and stylish. My family photoshoots turn into a fistfight, and my effort at redecorating my bathroom consisted of a sloppy repaint in a color that was supposed to be “seafoam green,” but looks more like “hospital lunchroom.” Her LinkedIn profile. . . (Okay, I admit it. This sounds suspiciously like stalking.) Her LinkedIn profile is a list of accomplishments that makes me wonder if she has a body double. She sits on charity boards (hence, the Uzbek goats), founded her own company and has won several awards. It took me three weeks to write a LinkedIn profile because I had nothing to say. Good thing I have experience in cre-
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ative writing. One day, by sheer coincidence, I met this woman. Well, I didn’t meet her. I eavesdropped on a conversation she was having. (Stop judging me. Everyone eavesdrops. Right?) I heard her say her divorce was almost final. I heard her express concern about her teenage son. I heard her say she was struggling. What I really heard was that her life was messy. Finally. Something I could relate to. My life is messy, too! I was instantly ashamed. I realized I’d made up a completely inaccurate story about this woman based on snapshots of happy moments; single instances in time that she shared with the world. How much do we not share with the world? Social media has destroyed the self-esteem and confidence of more women than the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit
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