March 2019 | Vol. 6 Iss. 03
FREE TEACHER, COMMUNITY RALLY TO FIND TOOLS TO SUPPORT BLIND KINDERGARTNER’S LEARNING By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com
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hen Welby kindergarten teacher Janie Lauritzen was approached by her principal asking if she would be willing to teach a legally blind boy this school year, she wasn’t so sure she was the right teacher. The 19-year veteran teacher hadn’t taught a student like him. Andrew Godrey was born with coloboma, which caused a hole to form in his retina. In his good eye, he can see 20/200, but in his other eye, he sees 20/500. “He can see colors, but shapes and letters are blurry, and he lacks depth perception,” said his father, Benjamin. “He wears glasses mostly to protect his eyes.” Luckily, Andrew doesn’t have any mental disabilities or heart defects that are common with the disease, according to his father, who said the disease affects less than one in every 10,000 births. But it wasn’t Andrew’s disability Lauritzen saw, it was his ability. “He would put his head right down on the table to try to see the letters, the words,” she said. “Here’s this incredibly bright boy who can change lives, but we weren’t giving him the tools to learn. How could I not help him?” Lauritzen said she was given a magnifying ruler to help Andrew, which “did almost nothing” so she started researching what else she could provide the kindergartner. After talking to his mother, Tara, she learned about CCTV — closed-circuit television, which has a video magnifier that projects an enlarged image onto a 27-inch screen so Andrew can see the same material as his classmates. Armed with that information she found the right tool for Andrew, and knowing the cost could reach upward of $4,000, Lauritzen said she approached Jordan Education Foundation Director Steven Hall. “She first approached me, and I told her I wished we could help, but we seldom, if ever, allot that much money for an individual student,” Hall said. “But that teacher was persistent; she didn’t take no for an answer. Janie Lauritzen is an amazing teacher that saw the potential of that student and said, ‘We can do better than what we’re doing; we should do everything we can to help him.’ She said that he wanted to learn so badly, and with the use of a CCTV, it would allow him to read and help him learn. It touched our hearts.” Hall observed Andrew in the classroom and on the playground, where after just one day, he had memorized the schoolyard and felt comfortable to play without using his cane. “Andrew is determined to be as good as everyone else,” he said. “He was a friend to everyone, and I could see exactly what the teacher described. He could accomplish great things if given the tools to help him.” Hall then spoke to Merit Medical officials, who were interested in supporting this little boy. It resulted in their donation of a CCTV for Andrew to use for schooling.
Welby kindergarten teacher Janie Lauritzen helps student Andrew Godrey read the book she gave him with the help of a closed circuit TV that enlarges words so he can see. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
“The CCTV will change his life and that of his parents forever more,” Lauritzen said. After receiving the CCTV in late December, Andrew is showing the promise his teacher predicted. “He’s reading above grade level, and his writing is greatly improving,” she said, adding that he continues to spend an hour four times per week learning Braille. Andrew, using his CCTV to read the book, “Sneezy the Snowman,” his teacher gave him for the winter break, understands the donation has been a life-changing difference. “I’m able to see what my classmates see now,” he said. “I wasn’t able to before.” At the recent Jordan Education Foundation donor appreciation luncheon, Andrew spoke to hundreds of business and education leaders to show his appreciation. “I have a hard time seeing the same things my friends do,” Andrew said. “This is why I love my CCTV. It helps me see things a lot better. It even makes it easier to do my homework. I used to have to put books really close to my eyes, but now I can read books just like my friends. I love to read now, and I can even see the pictures. I also
like to write and color pictures with my CCTV. I even wrote a letter to Santa with it.” The luncheon showcased a variety of ways Jordan Education Foundation has partnered with businesses and schools to provide for students to support Jordan School District’s motto, “every child, every day.” For five years, Jordan Education Foundation has partnered with Gordmans and South Jordan Chamber of Commerce to provide gifts for middle and high school students with its Christmas for Kids program. The program began with providing for 40 kids but now reaches 300 students, and local community and business leaders volunteer to shop with a student, said Gordmans general manager Brian Synan, who also serves on the Jordan Education Foundation Board and the Chamber. “It’s not only providing them with gifts, but there’s a mentoring piece to it,” he said. “These students are getting to be influenced by the police chief or the mayor, and at the same time, they are so excited to get their own pillow or lamp. It’s an amazing opportunity.” Another Jordan Education Foundation booth showcased how it helps students who need eye exams and glasses or can help with basic health expenses for qualified students who have other health concerns. Other booths showed how people have donated, including Bingham High students through their True Blue fundraiser, food items, personal hygiene items and weekend packs for principal’s pantries, which are located in every school. Oquirrh Hills Middle School demonstrated how it put the Foundation’s STEM funding to use in its FIRST LEGO league robotics program. Other schools may use it toward after-school programs as well as classroom projects. The Foundation also provides classroom grants for teachers to purchase books, materials and equipment to better teach students. Jordan District Superintendent Patrice Johnson said it is through the generosity of donors and the Foundation that students can better reach their potential. “Jordan Education Foundation makes it possible to elevate a trajectory of students’ future,” she said. “They’re able to fill in the gaps with resources to lift them to give them optimal success in life.” Hall said the event was a way to honor and thank donors and show how they can make a difference in students’ lives. “We appreciate the groups, individuals, businesses, community and education leaders and everyone who steps up, understands what the Foundation does and how it can impact our students,” he said. For Lauritzen, she fully understands that impact. “This boy captured my heart and now, he’s captured those of the community,” she said. “He changed how I taught and who I am.” l
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SOUTH JORDAN
C ITY OURNAL
Daybreak residents enjoy rootin’, tootin’ Daddy Daughter Dance By Jordan Hafford | j.hafford@mycityjournals.com
monds” theme for attendees to enjoy. The Daddy Daughter Dance event has been going on for 10 consecutive years and has continually been one of their most well-attended regular programs. Each year, the dance is themed differently for novelty purposes. “We switch up the theme every year to keep things exciting,” said Melanie Gauci, recreation manager for LiveDAYBREAK. “In the past, we have had a Hollywood Premier, Mad Hatter Tea Party and Sock Hop.” There were a few families who have attended all 10 years, in particular that were in attendance for the 10th year in a row, Thad Weiland and his daughter Tabitha being among them. They talked about their experience at the event and how important it is to them. “Our favorite part of this year is probably the horses,” Thad Weiland said. “In years past, they have also had photo booths. It’s al-
ways a great time for us.” LiveDAYBREAK is a community organization aimed at creating memorable and wholesome family activities for its residents. It coordinates and hosts around 180 programs and events throughout the year, ranging in size from 20 attendees up to 5,000. LiveDAYBREAK’s role in the community is to create a place where people feel connected to their neighbors, residents live more fulfilling lives and families can make lifelong memories. The main events of the program are the dinner and dancing aspects. Smokin’ Star catered a barbecue meal to go along with the Western theme, and for dessert cake pops were provided by Swirly Girls (a local bakery in Daybreak). The dance itself was a mixture of top dance and classic country music hits to which all the attendees danced the night away in country Western garb. There were two ponies outside the Daybreak Community Center for petting and photo opportunities before entering. Upon departure, each girl was given a small gift box with a diamond bracelet. Throughout the venue, there were several photo backdrops and cutouts for personal photos, as well as hay bale steer roping for children. Melanie Gauci and LiveDAYBREAK members believe one of the best ways for residents to be engaged with one another is through sharing a meal and uniting through dance. “Overall, it’s a great opportunity for girls to have a night away with a male figure in their life whether it be a father, brother, uncle, grandfather, etc.,” said Gauci. To learn about more activities and events, visit the LiveDAYBREAK website livedaybreak.com/happenings, as well as the group’s social media pages. l
Daybreak residents Jeff Olson and daughters Grace, Elaina and Sara hit the dance floor at the Western themed Daddy Daughter dance. (Jordan Hafford/City Journals)
Daybreak residents Rob Watlock and daughter Brynn Watlock pose with a live pony outside the Daybreak Community Center. (Jordan Hafford/City Journals)
The South Jordan City Journal is a monthly publication distributed directly to residents via the USPS as well as locations throughout South Jordan. For information about distribution please email circulation@mycityjournals. com or call our offices. Rack locations are also available on our website. For subscriptions please contact: circulation@mycityjournals.com The views and opinions expressed in display advertisements do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions held by Loyal Perch Media or the City Journals. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the owner.
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Daybreak Daddy’s and Daughters dance the “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” at LiveDAYBREAK’s annual Daddy Daughter Dance. (Jordan Hafford/City Journals)
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outh Jordan and Daybreak residents are no strangers to family-oriented celebrations right in the neighborhood, as made evident by the 275-person turnout at the annual Daddy Daughter dance put on by LiveDAYBREAK on Feb. 9 at the Daybreak Community Center. The cold weather didn’t deter residents and likely never does, as attendance continues to climb year after year. This year, the dance party was given a Western “Denim and Dia-
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South Jordan Choir’s hard work pays off, performs at Carnegie Hall By Jennifer Gardiner | j.gardiner@mycityjournals.com
Carnegie autograph photo w Mark Hayes (Photo Courtesy: McKell Scanlan)
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n what was an experience and opportunity of a lifetime, the South Jordan Chorale travelled to New York to perform at Carnegie Hall with world-renowned composer Mark Hayes. Under the baton of Assistant Conductor Deborah Veater, the group set off just days before its annual Sounds of the Season concert. Once in New York, the group spent two days and several hours working with Hayes before the final performance in Pearlman Hall at Carnegie. McKell Scanlan, SoJo Choral Arts executive director, said working with a conductor who is also a composer provided unique insights for the singers. “The choir performed ‘A Winter Rose,’ including ‘Gloria’ (a world premiere of his new piece) and ‘Hodie Christus Natus Est,’” said Scanlan. “The choir was also joined by a professional soloists, a top-notch orchestra and other seasoned vocalists from around the country.” New York Concert Review Inc. says Hayes is skilled in all aspects of composition. “It is his undeniable gift for melodic writing that is his calling card,” read the review. “The audience gave him, the orchestra, chorus and soloists a standing ovation at the end.” Hayes is most known for having written several choral arrangements and has more than 1,000 publications. He has published several books that included arrangements for anyone from soloists to choirs all over the world. Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan, 2 blocks from Central Park. Built in 1891 by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, it is known as one of the most prestigious venues in the world for both classical music and popular music. South Jordan City Mayor Dawn Ramsey, who sings as a soprano with the choir, joined the rest of the group in New York. As luck would have it, Ramsey turned out to be a really good guide to the city, Scanlan said. The group found time to enjoy New York, including seeing Broadway shows, visiting several tourist attractions and eating at some incredibly great restaurants. The choir has been invited to return to perform with Hayes again over Memorial Week-
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end in 2020 at the Lincoln Center. The Choir plans on spending time working hard to get ready for yet another amazing opportunity. The members are also planning on finding ways to raising money for their next big adventure. South Jordan Chorale is a part of the nonprofit organization SoJo Choral Arts, founded by McKell Berrett Scanlan. It is composed of a board directed by President Stan Page, overseeing musical groups comprising approximately 300 volunteers. Scanlan said the choir prides itself on being a music community that gives back. The members have raised money for Make-AWish, local family shelters, food banks, Charity Water and other worthy causes. “What this group has in common is a desire to create and share music, but it goes beyond that,” said Scanlan. “Over the past 14 plus years, they have been steadily building an organization, primarily made up of musicians, whose interest is in lifting people in our community, through music and service.” Sponsors of SoJo Choral Arts include Merit Medical, Sorenson Legacy Foundation, Miller Family Foundation, Eccles, ZAP and South Jordan Arts Council. The choir also performs a Christmas Spectacular yearly called “Sounds of the Season” the first Saturday of every December. The choir is accompanied by professional pianists Lori Hicks, Jamee Talbot and Debbie Robbins and a 30-member volunteer orchestra with conductor Barbara Peterson and concertmaster Jeremy Starr. “The choir was started 14 years ago by Director Marlene Stanley, who was in her 60s at the time,” said Scanlan. “Now in her 80s, there has been a need to train an assistant director, Deborah Veater, a local musician who shares the same love for music as Marlene.” Sounds of the Season rehearsals begin at the end of August on Thursday evenings, and it will be adding Saturday mornings in October. Scanlan said there are currently some openings for singers, especially men, noting the group work on advanced pieces, but there is no audition required. For more information, you can visit www. SoJoChoralArts.org. l
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Get your Irish on: The St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Siamsi celebration and beyond By Jennifer J. Johnson | j.johnson@mycityjournals.com
For one year’s parade with the theme “Green Energy,” the Clark Family envisioned a car powered by three types of power: shamrock power, love, and Guinness beer. (Sean Clark/Clark Family Floats, Utah Hibernian Society)
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or many of us across the valley, St. Patrick’s Day is our chance to get our Irish on. Or, at least some green. City Journals wanted to take a deeper dive. What are the possibilities for St. Patrick’s Day in Salt Lake Valley, arguably not a major Irish town along the lines of Boston or Chicago? What does it mean to be Irish in Salt Lake on St. Patrick’s Day? Consider this our guide to living it up with one of the best holiday celebrations in the state to figuring out how to celebrate around home, and even explore spirituality with an iconic St. Patrick’s Day symbol. I say ‘Irish,’ you say ‘Hibernian?’ For the past 41 years, St. Patrick’s Day in the valley has been pretty much synonymous with Salt Lake City’s storied St. Patrick’s Day parade. This sense of history definitely imbues this year’s parade: The Utah Hibernian Society, hosts of the parade, have chosen a rich aspect of Utah history for its theme, the 150th anniversary of the Golden Spike. By way of definition, “Hibernian” means an Irish native or anything having to do with Ireland or the Irish. And the Golden Spike? That is also known as “The Last Spike” or the spike that joined the rails of the First Transcontinental Railroad across the United States connecting the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads in 1869. Irish immigrants made a significant contribution to building the railroad, hence this year’s sub-theme – “Joining of the Rails; 1,776 Miles to Home.” Parade and Siamsa: family traditions, philanthropy as well as fun The Salt Lake City St. Patrick’s Day Parade and its after-parade Siamsa (pronounced “Shinsa” meaning celebration) at the Gateway is close to home for this year’s Hibernian President and Parade Chair Meghan
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40 years, the Clark family and friends dedicate anywhere from 60-200 hours, spanning several months, preparing for the parade. Float-making has become second nature, and takes place at their second home — a friend’s junkyard. There they build each year’s float, and then take part in the St. Patrick’s Day practice event, and then finally gear up for actual show time – parade day along the route. Sean Clark, an Avenues resident living in the house he grew up in, is Vice President of Special Projects at Vista Staffing during his day job. And for his role on the parade committee for the Hibernian Society? He has a 134-slide chronicle of his family’s engagement in the parade over the past 40 years. His grandfather was grand marshal of the parade in 1984. Sean was carried along the parade route as a two year old. To Sean Clark and family, the parade is a way of life, a tradition and happens to be his favorite topic to talk about. Clark even has a FaceBook page, “Clark’s St. Patty’s Float.” Through rain, snow and even Darth Vader: epic floats of the Clark clan Over the years, Clark has been part of epic floats. There were the 1984 and 2017 floats, which made their way down the parade route in tumultuous rain and snow, respectively. Then there have been first-place entries, floats featuring Gaelic superheroes (Fionn mac Cumhaill, pronounced Finn McCool), religious saints (St. Patrick driving snakes from Ireland), and Irish green-energy cars (powered by kegs of Guinness). There was even the one year Clark was not able to physically be in Salt Lake City for
the parade. That did not stop him. In 2016, he and a friend used Apple iPhones and Facetime technology so that he was able to live-stream his singing of the Irish national anthem (in Gaelic) along the parade route, watching the reactions of delighted spectators as he cooed the lyrics into a mic from sunny San Diego. The blizzard float of 2018 epitomized the parade theme, “When Irish Eyes are Smiling.” Clark built a faux wooden piano, powered by an electric keyboard. “My 8-year-old played his first piano recital, in a moving vehicle, in a blizzard, in front of a few thousand people,” he recalled. Episode 3:17: the good side of the dark side All Clark’s creations are epic. However, 2017 forces its way to the top. It was then Clark realized a lifelong dream: uniting St. Patrick’s Day with “Star Wars.” The Clark family won the best family float for the float depicting “Episode 3:17, The Irish Immigrate to a Galaxy, Far, Far Away.” Clark himself portrayed Han Solo, to his friend’s Darth Vader, who had been cracking down on illegal immigration. Han Solo convinced Vader that Irish were good, worthy people and converted Vader to the dark side – the dark beer side, that is. As the parade advanced along the parade route, Darth Vader emerged from behind a curtain, “The Zion Curtain,” and the group presented their skit, right in front of the judge’s stand, securing the best family float honors. ‘Our Holiest Day’ Irishwoman Connie Smith lives in Sugar House with a Scottish spouse and three dogs.
Welsh-Gibson. Welsh-Gibson is a second-generation president of the Utah Hibernian Society, following in her father’s footsteps. Last year she introduced a new route for the parade and also instilled a new tradition, where proceeds of the parade go to benefit a charitable organization. Last year, longtime parade supporters the Shriners Children’s Hospital were the beneficiaries. This year, the Fisher House Foundation at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital, “much like the Ronald McDonald House, but for veterans and military families,” is the recipient. Welsh-Gibson indicates that a member of the Fisher House will serve as the grand marshal for this year’s parade. While the parade was early in collecting applications at press time, Welsh-Gibson did indicate that Irish reporter Brónagh Tumulty from Channel 2 will be carrying the Irish flag along the parade route, and dedicated parade fans can expect enduring favorite entries and new participants embodying the sesquicentennial Golden Spike theme. The parade starts at 10 a.m. at 500 South and 200 East. The Siamsa after-party takes place at the Gateway. The festival features Irish dancers, musicians, food, drink, and “lots of vendors selling Irish things,” said Welsh-Gibson. “Such a fun, fun afternoon.” The parade route and float-prep site: one family’s second home Some people elect to “summer” in a location other than their primary home. Salt Lake City’s Clark family doesn’t summer. They “spring.” And their destination location is not a fancy vacation resort, but rather, a junkyard. It is very much a working spring. Prepping the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade float Utah Hibernian Society President Meghan Welsh Gibson with husband Jaret Gibson and children get their almost becomes a time-share, during the green on at the 40th annual Salt Lake City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. (Meghan Welsh Gibson/Utah Hibernian months leading up to the event. For the past Society)
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Episode 3:17 was the realization of Salt Lake City resident Sean Clark’s lifelong dream to blend “Star Wars” with St. Patrick’s Day. (Sean Clark/Clark Family Floats, Utah Hibernian Society)
To her and her household, St. Patrick’s Day is “our holiest day.” Smith’s day job is being an associate broker and realtor at Constance Smith Realtor, but she is also a chaplain. Smith explained the spiritual side of St. Patrick’s Day. St. Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland. One of the main emblems of the day, the shamrock, is an elegant symbol of the Christian Trinity. The three-leafed shamrock, then, represents, to Irish, God the Father, Jesus Christ the son, and the Holy Ghost. Being Irish in Utah, according to Smith, means to “usually be Catholic” and to be part of “a tight community.” It also, perhaps stereotypically, means being lucky, very lucky. “To be Irish in Utah is to be very lucky! Irish can laugh and cry at the same time. We wear hearts on our sleeve. All of us, whether fourth-generation or second-generation like me, we long for our Irish roots.” “All of us consider ourselves Irish American, not American Irish, and we all have a very deep tie to the Old Country,” she explained. The parade and beyond For Smith, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day is all about family and friends. For Smith and husband Alan Cunningham they attend the parade, go to the after-party and then go for a pint. “We always go to one of the bars – Sugar House’s Fiddler’s Elbow, Central City’s Piper’s Down, or downtown’s Green Pig.” “I always go to the parade,” said Smith, who is a proud product of the Catholic school system. Smith, who grew up in Holladay, attended St. Ann’s for K-8th, and then Judge Memorial for high school. “I run into all my friends from high school, even from grade school in the parade. If we don’t see each other any other time, we will see each other at the parade.” Like the “master float-building” Clark family, Smith views St. Patrick’s Day as a family day. “We always toast my father and my grandmother, who are no longer with us.” How to celebrate at home: DIY St. Patrick’s Day from Utah pros Love the parade but are not able to make
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“The Quiet Man,” a 1952 film with John Wayne as an Irishman returning to his native country. “In the Name of the Father” is a drama-thriller with political overtones starring Daniel-Day Lewis. Welsh-Gibson recommends “Michael Collins,” another politically-themed film with Liam Neeson in the title role. For chaplain-realtor Smith, watching the film “Waking Ned Devine” on St. Patrick’s Day is akin to the tradition many have of watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” at Christmas. “We watch it every St. Patrick’s Day,” she said of the 1998 Indie film which looks at twisted luck. But, if you can, get out and enjoy the parade — in person or virtually. Parade-professional Clark encourages those not able to go to the parade to try to “be there” virtually by having a family member or friend broadcast it live to them via “Facetime,” the way he joined the parade from San Diego. However, he is convinced once you feel the contagious energy of the parade’s “wild atmosphere,” you are going to insist on heading downtown. “You are going to look at that, and say, ‘Oh my gosh! Why aren’t I down there?’” Clark says Irish music is “a great way to feel connected to Irish culture.” His favorite way to celebrate? “Smile at people, say hello, and wish them a happy St. Patrick’s Day,” he said. “Irish people like to live up to the stereotype of being a friendly, family people. It’s the biggest day for bars, but… it is so fun for families!”l
it to downtown? Or to one of the other venues? The Hibernians interviewed here have some DIY tips. For most (except Irish Protestants or “Orange Men” who wear orange), celebrating St. Patrick’s Day starts with the color green. The look Utah’s family-owned Zurchers, with six stores in the Salt Lake Valley and online shopping, offer relatively inexpensive and zany St. Patrick’s Day attire and decorations. Millcreek’s venerable Costume Closet takes elegance up a notch and also has zany aplenty. The nine Deseret Industries thrift stores across the valley already organize clothing items by color, making St. Patrick’s Day scouting a snap. Nail salons all across the valley do custom-nail creations, or bottled polish and face paint from a grocery store can even one-up the pro stylists for the creative DIY’er. The goodies Food is always a big element for any St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Smith always makes traditional Irish dishes, including Irish soda bread, paired with corned beef and cabbage. Locally, downtown’s longstanding Mrs. Backer’s Pastry Shop prides itself in its Irish soda bread, which it offers only during the “green” season. On the infinitely less authentic, but easy side? Salt Lake’s Banbury Cross offers green doughnuts, and even McDonald’s offers shamrock shakes. Irish eyes are watching Film is also a celebratory that helps commemorate the day. “There are 1,001 amazing Irish movies,” exclaimed Hibernian President Welsh-Gibson. And all the ones recommended are available through the Salt Lake City Library The Color Guard ensemble traditionally leads the and Salt Lake County Library systems, for 100-plus entries for Salt Lake City’s St. Patrick’s Day checkout. Reserve your St. Patty CDs early. Parade. (Grace McDonough) Some of the recommends include:
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Community bristles against proposed Rocky Mountain Power 114000 South utility upgrade By Jennifer J. Johnson | j.johnson@mycityjournals.com
Resident Cami Hodlmair expressed concerns about declining property values, as a result of the proposed power upgrades. (Jennifer J. Johnson/City Journals)
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he Feb. 6 South Jordan City Council meeting was SRO. SRO as in “Standing-Room Only.” The topic? Continuing public comment on significantly taller, significantly higher voltage and overall “footprint” upgrades to power lines and poles that were in place prior to the neighborhoods vigorously challenging their being upgraded. Midway through the meeting, the night before the February snow that shut much of the county down, a handful of South Jordan residents provided public comments to the South Jordan City Council with their concerns. Following the public comment and a meeting break, approximately 95 percent of the audience departed the council chambers. A few dozen neighborhood constituents lingered in the lobby, holding discussions among themselves and with South Jordan City Attorney Ryan Loose. All of it part of a months-old campaign to influence, delay, significantly modify, if not entirely thwart the “South Jordan-to-Draper Transmission Upgrade” plan by Rocky Mountain Power to increase power for south valley residents by upgrading existing power poles and lines currently on South Jordan properties. The plan is what RMP considers “most preferable” to meet energy demands of
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not just South Jordan, but of the whole south valley power grid. “Everyone feels they do what is best for the city of South Jordan," said Mayor Dawn Ramsey at the initiation of the council meeting, in anticipation of community concerns and the council’s jurisdictional limitations in what at this point is a planning commission matter. Multiple sides of the issue Residents expressed concern, attempting to elevate public opinion to a level to quash Rocky Mountain Power’s near-term application for a conditional use permit to replace existing wooden poles and their power lines with an above-ground, significantly taller, higher-voltage upgrade. The conditional use permit request is slotted for review by the South Jordan Planning Commission. No date had yet been set at press deadline. South Jordan residents see the upgrade as compromising their neighborhood in terms of enjoyment, desirability and ultimate value. It seemed a slightly different strategy than initial health-related concerns, along with aesthetics and property values, raised to RMP during summer and throughout the fall of 2018. RMP sees the matter as a totally trans-
parent growth issue fully vetted through the planning process, including significant, early, and ongoing communications with South Jordan residents themselves. The southwest portion of the Salt Lake Valley has grown 70 percent since RMP sponsored a countywide power-planning project in 2010. South Jordan was represented in that planning session, along with constituents across the county and state. “The South Jordan-to-Draper Transmission Upgrade,” while not meeting all possible desirable criteria, is what RMP considers “most preferable” and meets RMP’s priority of upgrading existing facilities before building new facilities. According to RMP, any other alignment between the two power substations would impact residents and businesses who did not purchase properties within an existing line and existing utility easement. RMP further notes it does not own land South Jordan residents have proposed accessing, and that, unlike communities such as downtown Salt Lake City, community funding to the tune of multiple millions is not available to bury the lines. Nor is there a developer to cover the burden of the cost, which is how new communities usually offset the cost of what many consider to be more aesthetically pleasing buried power lines, versus above-ground pole-and-wire schemes. South Jordan: Between a rock and a hard place Ramsey, later, in an interview with South Jordan Journal, indicated, “We understand that our residents are concerned. The city is between a rock and a hard place. There isn’t anything more that the city council can do. We do not have oversight.” The RMP upgrade plan is said to directly impact 16 homes with 21 existing power poles and lines, as well as an additional 450 homes located within 325 feet of the wire easement. There will be no additional poles added, and not every pole will be the same, but all will be replaced as will the wires, resulting in a voltage upgrade from the current 46kV (kilovolt) to 138kV. Pole heights will increase between two to 40 feet, with 30 feet being the mean change. The homes lie north and south of 11400 South and along 11400 South itself. Neighborhood members speak up Some residents sought to engage South Jordan as an advocate in halting the upgrade. Others seemed to cast blame at the city for what they surmised was providing incorrect plat information to appropriately inform home owners of ultimate plans for their homes. “[We are] a family-oriented community with an unwillingness to compromise,” said Cami Hodlmair. Hodlmair expressed concern
about what she deemed would be “statistically significant declines in property value from power lines.” Hodlmair’s research indicated a loss of nearly $500,000 in value for homes “directly under,” or within 150 feet of the power lines. South Jordan resident Paula Gordon indicated that the power-line upgrade would have sweeping impact, with property owners’ ability to refinance or be able to secure buyer financing being compromised, with properties losing stature with lending institutions such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and VA financing. Hodlmair’s and Gordon’s comments seem to contrast RMP-cited research from hired-gun estimation experts, whose Salt Lake County studies did not show significant property value loss due to above-ground power lines in communities. However, residents cast doubt on that study. Lyman Moulton indicated that experts quoted in a peer-reviewed academic article and other documents by RMP did not correctly address considerations of right-of-way easements in their valuations. Moulton further expressed frustration with homeowners having relied on plat maps he says were “signed and endorsed by South Jordan” yet neglected to show easements pre-existing the plat maps.“Either this body has not done due diligence on plat mats signed and endorsed by the city, or Rocky Mountain Power has overstated,” he said. The final resident providing comment, Jana Fullmer, seemed to hold out for the possibility of further negotiation or compromise. Fullmer has been steadfast in protesting the plan, previously speaking to the South Jordan Planning Commission in October, indicating the power-line easement on the plat map showing a 10-foot easement versus a much larger 60-foot easement to support the power upgrade. Rocky Mountain Power responds While not officially on the agenda for the meeting, RMP Marketing and Communication Manager Spencer Hall indicated the locales have been designated as a powerline corridor for decades, even before the development of the residential neighborhood and certainly earlier than the 2010 countywide planning session which Rocky Mountain Power proactively sponsored, where the city of South Jordan was represented. “Every resident opposing this line purchased a home with a pole in the yard or lines overhead,” states an email sent to South Jourdan Journal by RMP. “The goal is to integrate local long-term development plans with electrical network plans to ensure adequate capacity for Salt Lake County communities to grow,” is verbiage from the plan, describing the intent of
S outh Jordan City Journal
the utility. RMP is attempting to fulfill its charter for the state as a low-cost, safe source of power. RMP points out its power to the state is priced the 12th lowest nationally, according to the U.S. Energy Information Admiration, and develops projects that meet or exceed the National Electric Safety Code, as well as adhering to all state and local requirements. As to the matter of higher-voltage power-line safety, RMP shared information with the South Jordan Journal that may intuitively not sound right: RMP indicates findings from 1,000-plus scientific and public health experts that show exposure to electromagnetic fields are not a hazard to human health. RMP cites data that show magnetic fields from household appliances and home wiring are stronger than magnetic fields associated with power lines and substations. Ramsey and Loose repeatedly advised meeting attendees that the city council is not the governing body influencing the utility’s project. The council represents more of a sounding board for residents to express their concerns and be heard. The governing body reviewing RMP’s Conditional Use Permit to be able to initiate the power line upgrades is the responsibility of the South Jordan Planning Commission. City officials needed to take care not to bias information being presented to the commission, said Loose. A tale of two — and more — cities’ power needs vs. neighborhood values It is a tale of residents’ desires to protect
their property values, aesthetics and health factors squaring off against Rocky Mountain Power’s commitment to provide “safe, reliable and efficient energy” to meet growth not just in South Jordan, but in south valley, and the entire, interconnected power grid of at least Salt Lake County, if not beyond. By the time residents flooded the Feb. 6 South Jordan City Council meeting, however, the tale seemed to already be on its way to the printer. Ramsey and council members walked the line of responding to community pressures and addressing concerns while also honoring jurisdictional responsibility and ultimately securing the necessary infrastructure to support South Jordan’s metamorphosis from an agrarian town to a booming bedroom community and even technology hub. “Uncharted territory” is how Loose described any options the city may have to intervene on behalf of the neighborhood. Loose explained to Ramsey, the council at large, and all in attendance that RMP is now in the queue to be reviewed by the planning commission. If the planning commission were to attempt to delay the project, RMP has state-granted statutory rights to invoke a “Rip Cord” option to force construction. RMP indicated to the South Jordan Journal that they do not want to see the situation devolve to that, and cited the utility’s overthe-top commitment to working with the city at large, the even larger county, and the individual home owners impacted most by the planned project.
‘Classic problem in planning’ “This is a classic problem in planning,” said Ted Knowlton, deputy director for the Wasatch Regional Council and president of the Utah Chapter of the American Planning Association. “There are things that a community must have, and power is one of them. It was a big step forward for Rocky Mountain Power to be transparent and involve counties in the planning process.” Knowlton’s firm, the Planning Center, was contracted by RMP in 2010 to conduct the statewide planning process which included the city of South Jordan. The plan clearly designated the line for upgrade. In a follow-up interview with South Jordan Journal, Loose indicated it is rare for a planning commission to veto such a conditional use permit. Loose said he had not experienced such a veto in 13 years of municipal service. That said, "From an evidentiary standpoint, people can bring information to planning commission.” He elaborated, “Let them do their job. It is the Planning Commission’s purview.” If the project advances through the South Jordan Planning Commission and is not litigated or mediated, the transmission upgrade is set to begin this spring, and aims to be in place by summer 2020 to satisfy what RMP states as “peak summer usage.” For more Context: “Powering our Future: Salt Lake County Electrical Plan Local Planning Handbook September 2010”. l
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March 2019 | Page 9
Utah Housing Gap Coalition raises awareness about housing affordability
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The Utah Housing Gap Coalition is trying to find solutions for the state’s “housing crisis,” but it goes beyond just high-density developments like Daybreak, seen here. (Justin Adams/City Journals)
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ne of the hottest topics in Utah and this year’s legislative session is that of growth. Utah is expected to double its population by 2050 and the question is: where are all those people going to live? That’s the question that the Housing Gap Coalition is trying to answer. The coalition, which was formed last year by the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, wants residents, government leaders and developers to start thinking now about how to handle Utah’s population growth. “We’re trying to get ahead of it,” said Abby Osborne, the vice president of public policy and government relations for the chamber of commerce. If Utah kicks the can down the road, she said, the state may be forced to take more radical approaches to accommodating rapid growth — something she sees happening across the country. Just last year, Minneapolis voted to abolish its single-family residential zone, which would “allow residential structures with up to three dwelling units — like duplexes and triplexes — in every neighborhood,” according to the New York Times. Or consider the case of California, where the state government is suing a city government for “failing to allow enough new homebuilding to accommodate a growing population,” according to the LA Times. Instead, the coalition is advocating for a more balanced approach to improving housing affordability. Local housing policies In Utah, municipal governments control what types of buildings are built and where. While some cities may be open to increasing the overall supply of homes by allowing “high-density” projects within their boundaries, many other cities are not. Last year, the coalition leadership visited the city council meetings of cities along the Wasatch Front, both educating and getting feedback about the issue. “It was fairly successful. We got pretty good reception from most of the cities,” said Osborne. Now with the Utah state legislative session under way, the coalition has moved its focus to Capitol Hill. On Feb. 8, a group of about 70 coalition members gathered at the capitol to lobby their senators to support a series of bills aimed at improving housing affordability. One such bill is SB 34, sponsored by Sen. Jacob Anderegg, R-Lehi. The bill (whose fate wasn’t known at the time of deadline for this article) would require municipal governments to adopt certain policies designed to increase housing affordability in order to be eligible to receive mon-
ey from the state’s Transportation Investment Fund. The bill would also appropriate $20 million to the Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund. One of the coalition members that participated in the lobbying effort was Chris Sloan, a past-president of the Utah Association of Realtors and a former chairman of the Tooele County Chamber of Commerce. He said housing affordability is a “sizable problem that affects all of us.” Education campaign While getting elected officials on board with combatting the housing gap is important for the coalition, getting the public on board is perhaps even more important. Draper Mayor Troy Walker called high density development a “four-letter word” when the coalition visited the Draper City Council. There are cases up and down the Wasatch Front of mayors and city councilors facing the wrath of their constituents for having approved a “high-density” development. From the Olympia Hills development in the south-west portion of the valley that was halted by then-Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams because of fierce community backlash, to the Holladay Quarter project that fell apart after the Utah Supreme Court ruled in favor of community organizers that opposed it, the biggest obstacle to increasing the housing supply is most often residents themselves. To change public perception about the issue, the coalition has launched a public education campaign consisting of billboards, radio ads, social media posts and appearances on local network morning shows. Osborne said she’s already seen changes in certain communities’ perception of high-density development. “We’re getting people thinking a little differently than they were before. And that’s all we can really do,” she said. Construction labor force Another impediment to increasing the housing supply is that construction companies simply can’t keep up with the demand because of a lack of skilled workers in the construction industry. Sen. Daniel Thatcher, who represents parts of Salt Lake and Tooele County, said that encouraging more young people to enter trade professions out of high school is the most important thing that can be done to improve housing affordability. “The AFL-CIO is the answer to the construction and trades labor shortage,” he said. “Republicans are traditionally against unions, but they really have some great apprenticeship programs. You get pay and benefits from day one, and four years later you’ll have the skills you need to be a freelance electrician, make $80,000 a year and have no college debt.” The Utah AFL-CIO website lists a number of apprenticeship programs in trades such as roofing, plumbing, masonry and cement and electrical work. Part of the coalition’s education campaign includes letting soon-to-be high school graduates know that they can enroll in such apprenticeship programs as an alternative to college. After a recent event in the Ogden School District, Osborne said that about 500 students expressed interest in the idea. Through these efforts, the Housing Gap Coalition is hopeful that Utah can avoid the big drastic moves taken by the likes of California and Minneapolis. “There’s many things causing the problem, so there’s a lot of different approaches to it,” said Osborne. l
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S outh Jordan City Journal
Bingham unified sports teams ready for competition By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com
Bingham High students can participate in unified basketball, track and soccer teams. (Photo courtesy of Alexus Brecht-Waite)
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his month, 12 Bingham High student athletes will be participating in tournament play at the University of Utah. These players will take part in unified basketball, a chance for students or athletes with disabilities to play with their peers or mentors who don’t have disabilities. These mentors may not be the school’s top athletes, but they are those who are dedicated and realize the difference the opportunity to play
makes for the athletes, said Bingham’s new head coach of unified sports Alexus BrechtWaite, who is a special education teacher. “Basketball is a community sport, not a USHAA-sanctioned sport, but it still gives them a chance to play, and it allows mentors to help athletes, to play alongside one another,” she said, adding that she plays three athletes with two mentors on the court. In addition to the March 15-16 tourna-
ment, the team already was slated to compete in games on Feb. 23, Brecht-Waite said. In practices between games, the team works on dribbling, shooting, passing as well as scrimmages under the direction of BrechtWaite, along with the assistance of counselor Emily Williams and South Jordan Police Officer Wayne Henderson. “We have a wide range of talent, as some students have great skill, but others needing individual help in areas,” she said. “They all just love it.” While overseeing the basketball team, Brecht-Waite also moved into the role of both the unified track and unified soccer head coach, with practices starting in the spring. “Last year, our track and field athletes competed at Copper Hills, where they needed to meet qualifying times to compete at the state meet,” she said. Athletes could race in the 50 meters, 100, 200, or 400 as well as the 4x100 and 4x400 relays with their mentors. They also could participate in long jump and shot put. In soccer, both athletes and partners take the field together, again with the partners helping the athletes be successful in their own play, she said. “In the past, we’ve brought home trophies in soccer,” she said, adding that the most current trophies are showcased in her
classroom. Already, Brecht-Waite has 12 athletes wanting to compete in unified soccer. “We play at least four games, then compete in a championship bracket,” she said. “Our point is to have inclusion with our students. We want them to work together and bond. We don’t want anyone left out, but instead making friends, learning and being with their peers. It’s crucial that they are interacting with their classmates. These mentors are their peer role models and with their help, these students are able to have some of the same experiences in high school.” Many of the team members also belong to the 40-member, Bingham Buddies club, which meets monthly and holds activities from bowling and snow-shoeing to kickball and playing holiday games. “It’s a chance for them to extend their relationships and do activities together. It also gives students a leadership opportunity to advocate for their peers with disabilities,” Brecht-Waite said. “Our athletes are as much as students as others who attend Bingham. Our unified teams are just as much as the Bingham sports teams as football or tennis. They’re competing and can earn an athletic letter or get a pin and certificate. They’re happy and proud to be Miners.” l
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March 2019 | Page 13
Ancient Greece becomes not so ancient at Early Light Academy
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Page 14 | March 2019
t was a school day like no other. School children dressed in togas filling in the hallway under paper grapes strung in bunches from the ceiling. In the younger grades’ classrooms, first-graders were creating ancient Greek architecture, learning about the capital, shaft and base. Second-graders were recalling the myth about the Minotaur, and third-graders were sampling Greek pita bread, figs and olives after learning about Roman aqueducts and the Olympics in Athens. The students held a mini-Olympics after watching third-grade teacher Megan Morris’ husband, Taylor, compete in last year’s Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, Korea. Their competition wasn’t quite on the same level, but students took part in events such as running the hallways and competing in the long jump. In the older grades, students created and performed their own one-act plays based on Greek gods. It was all part of Early Light Academy’s Day in History studying ancient Greece, Director of Curriculum Shannon Berry said. “Our Day in History allows students to experience life in a different time period,” she said, adding that it is the charter school’s sixth Day in History, with previous years exploring the 1400s, 1776, 1863, 1920s and 1968. Berry said the traditions and cultural committee, comprised of teachers, looks at time periods in history each year for students to explore. “Teachers choose a topic to teach and students within the grade level rotate to learn a number of subjects on the time period,” she said. “Learning about these days in history is
a fun way to get out of the normal classroom route but still learn about the time period and how it helps make us who we are.” While second-grade teacher Michelle Lalor was teaching the basic structure of columns, she also gave students a chance to construct one out of paper. “This gives them a chance to think outside the box, build confidence to create and use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to construct a column,” she said. Third-grader Charley Ott said many of her classmates liked dressing up. “We got to learn what they did back then and how they lived,” she said. “I learned how they brought their water into cities using aqueducts.” Sixth-grade teacher Rob Abney asked
his students to not only write scripts but to direct the plays, complete with props and costumes. Students learned skills from writing and oral speaking to teamwork and leadership. He hoped students made the connection that today’s entertainment has roots in ancient Greece. “Through their research, they learned that Greek plays and drama impacted us today in our TV shows, movies and video games,” Abney said. Fifth-grader Anna Elggren said she learned the Parthenon was a place where Greek people worshipped Athena. “I learned she’s the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration and strategy,” Anna said. Classmate Ava Montague made the connection to today. “Even the Statue of Liberty is based on a goddess,” Ava said, adding that she likes Day in History so she can “understand history and see how our ancestors lived.” In their math class, the two girls and their classmates had a chance to create the Parthenon out of blocks, LEGOS, math manipulatives or paper in small groups. While Ava wants the next year’s Day in History to be in the Renaissance and Anna wants the 1980s, Berry said the committee already has decided on the 1820s. “We try to alternate between ancient and more modern times,” she said. South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey took in the students’ activities and learning. “I love Day in History at Early Light,” she said. “It’s a fantastic hands-on way to not just learn but to experience history. The faculty and staff have done an amazing job incorporating not only history in the day, but subjects from theater to architecture.” l
Third-graders sample food as part of Early Light Academy’s Day in History studying Ancient Greece. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
S outh Jordan City Journal
Bump, set, spike – the winning match goes to… By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com he said. “We all know it’s in fun, and we’re respectful as we joke around, but I can be competitive. Last year, the students beat us, and I had to eat my words.” This year, it was time for revenge for Youtz and the teachers. For the students, it was a chance to keep the streak alive. “I said I was confident we’d regain our title last year,” Youtz said. “Today was the day I had to ensure we did just that.” Even with a warning from the referee, who was a teacher, that any arguing with the ref would be a point deduction from the team — “I just lovingly pointed out the line to the ref,” Youtz said, the teacher team became
victorious, winning both matches. Sixth-grader Abbie Nielson, who has played recreational volleyball, was disappointed. “We worked together to play as a team,” she said. “We didn’t want teachers to win. We tried our hardest. Every year, but last year, the teachers have slaughtered the students.” While her teacher, Frankie Walton, said the height advantage of the teachers helps them to win games, Abbie is hoping next year’s sixth-graders can beat them. “It was so fun, but I’m cheering for the students next year,” she said. l
Students and teachers face off in the 13th annual student-teacher volleyball match. (Melissa Beck/Jordan Ridge)
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he idea was to make it a fun way to conclude several weeks of teaching sixth-graders volleyball. After a tournament play, the top sixth-grade team as well as the top players from each of the teams then got to play a faculty team for the bragging rights of being the best at Jordan Ridge Elementary. This year, the faculty wanted to reclaim
S outh JordanJ ournal.com
the title. After 11 straight years of victory, the students won last year. Students and faculty all pointed to teacher Bryan Youtz’s error — when the ball went out of bounds — that gave last year’s sixth-graders the win. “I talk a little bit of smack, just in fun, saying how the teachers will show them up,”
March 2019 | Page 15
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S outh Jordan City Journal
Jordan Board appoints first principal to new South Jordan middle school By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com
In late January, the new unnamed middle school in the Daybreak community was undergoing paint, carpet and millwork, and was ahead of schedule. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
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he unnamed middle school in the Daybreak community still needs some cabinetry, paint and carpet. Mike Glenn can’t even sit in his office, but the first principal of the new South Jordan middle school already is working — looking at furniture amongst other duties. On Jan. 15, one week after Jordan Board of Education made its announcement, Glenn, the Oquirrh Hills Middle principal, became principal of the new South Jordan middle school. Glenn, who had been principal of Oquirrh Hills the past six years, has experience in opening new schools. After teaching at Mt. Jordan Middle School in Sandy for four years, he moved to South Hills Middle in Riverton when it opened. After three years there and five years at Hillcrest High in Midvale, he spent four years in the Jordan School District office before moving to Herriman High when that school opened in 2010. “My experiences thus far have shown me that there will be a great need for flexibility and patience,” he said. “Though the building is currently ahead of schedule, we are looking at a projected June first occupancy date.” Even so, Glenn knows there will be unresolved issues that will require some time after school begins. However, he is upbeat. “Perhaps the best thing about opening a new school is all the positive energy and excitement that comes with bringing all the students together and creating new traditions,” he said. “Additionally, over the past two decades, I have seen the important role technology can play in the classroom. The new school will open with a strong technology presence. Our goal is to leverage technology to increase student engagement and success.” Part of the excitement will be to involve the community through a survey expected to be posted on a Facebook page as well as mailed for feedback with school name suggestions, school colors and a mascot, Glenn said. Traditionally, the school board selects the name from the recommendations, and students help to decide the school colors and mascot. While the architectural firm already has incorporated colors in the pod design of the building, Glenn hopes the school colors could be
S outh JordanJ ournal.com
painted on pillars or the logo could be included in the floor. He also said the school name, colors and mascot will be part of school shirts. The school will be a Chinese dual-immersion middle school, Glenn said. “I picked up a few words (in Mandarin) like hello, thank you and a few phrases while at Oquirrh, but this will give our students who are studying the language the opportunity to continue,” said the native Idahoan who earned his bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in French from Brigham Young University. He’s also done graduate work in education at the University of Utah. Glenn wants to create a student council to open the school year. He said the middle school will have a PTSA student board, intramurals, two levels of band, orchestra and dance as well as social dance and three levels of choir. Already on board to open the school with Glenn is head secretary Kristine Burge and custodian Brent Gabbitas. Glenn currently is interviewing other personnel and expects 1,000 students when the doors open. District Director of Facility Services David Rostrom said the 177,903-square-foot school that sits on 20 acres adjacent to Golden Fields Elementary is on budget at about $29,430,000. The design, created by VCBO architectural firm, is the same as Sunset Ridge Middle in West Jordan, with modifications, such as installing a secure vestibule at the main entrance and adjustments in the stairways and learning communities, he said. The school, under construction by DWA general contractor, will have a maker room, pottery room with a kiln, a career and technical education room where a 3D printer could be used amongst six science rooms, four art rooms, a family and consumer science room for cooking, a dance room, a fitness room, a band room and a choir room. The cafeteria, which seats about 630 students, will have four serving lines and a commons area for students to eat meals. Seating in the auditorium will be for 850 students. The gym will have multiple basketball courts and a track, and to the south of the school, there will be a multi-use sports field. However, the school won’t be the same
traditional building of yesterday. It will feature 70-inch flat panel televisions in classrooms to project a “brighter picture, not a fuzzy” one of projectors, Rostrom said. The lights and sound in classrooms also will take on a new look. “We’re installing daylight harvesting systems that use daylight to offset the amount of electric lighting is needed, so the lights will dim or go off as an energy savings,” he said. “We will use voice enhancement in all 54 classrooms.” Rostrom said the school building will last students for quite a while. “We anticipate the life span of the building to be 60 to 70 years, with a mid-life renovation to update the school,” he said. “By then, there could be different lighting, AV, technology, a different or upgraded HVAC. But we expect the core building materials to last to serve our students.” South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey is looking forward to the new middle school. “Schools are the heart of our community,” she said. “They affect everyone. This school is much needed in our growing community. We have a fantastic team putting it together and outstanding parent and student support. I’m excited for it to open.”
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March 2019 | Page 17
South Jordan’s ‘The Break’ claims Lunch Madness Championship By Justin Adams | justin.a@thecityjournals.com
Gourmet Macaroni and Cheese is a specialty at The Break. This version is loaded with grilled chicken, bacon and jalapenos. (Justin Adams/City Journals)
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ast month, The City Journals conducted a tournament to determine the “best” locally owned and operated restaurant in the valley. We called it Lunch Madness. Sixteen restaurants were nominated to represent their city by each of the newspapers that comprise the City Journals network. Then they competed in four rounds of head-to-head votes on Facebook. Thousands of people voted as they cheered on their favorite local diners, barbecue
Page 18 | March 2019
establishments and burger joints. Many of the matchups went down to the wire, but at the end of the day, only one restaurant remained standing: The Break Sports Grill in South Jordan. After thousands of votes, The Break edged out Spudtoddos from West Jordan with 53 percent of the vote. The Break has been a fixture in the Daybreak community since it opened in 2011. “I think there was a need for a good mom and pop lunch joint here,” said restaurant man-
ager James Brandon, who goes by Bam. “When we opened the doors the floodgates opened.” The Break is packed not only at night when it hosts activities like karaoke, poker and BINGO (last week a woman won $1,300), but also in the afternoons when employees who work in the SoDa Row district of Daybreak go out for lunch. While The Break has all the things you’d normally expect from a sports grill—hamburgers, beer, nachos, etc.—its specialty is its homemade macaroni and cheese. The mac and cheese, which Brandon calls “crazy and off-the-wall” is made from scratch and to-order every day. There are 10 varieties to suit a wide range of personal tastes—everything from the Southwest mac that’s loaded with black beans, green peppers and steak strips to a coconut curry mac with chicken and mango salsa. “We call it grown-up mac and cheese. We have people drive from Park City for it,” said Brandon. The South Jordan and Daybreak community has been a perfect home for The Break, said Brandon, who said he especially loves the fun outdoor atmosphere during the summer months. “We’ve got concerts going on, we’ve got people on their skateboards and bikes, they’re eating ice cream, they’re sitting on the patio lis-
tening to live music,” he said. He’s also noticed a unique relationship between the residents and businesses of Daybreak. “Daybreak is so unique, where it’s a community. We all know each other, from neighbors to businesses. We support each other. Us businesses we support residents that are in need and they support us tenfold. It’s a neat neighborhood.” l
Since opening in 2011, The Break has expanded an additional 1,800 square feet to welcome more people. (Justin Adams/City Journals)
S outh Jordan City Journal
You were just in a car accident, now what?
U
nless you’re one of the few anomalies in the world, we’ve all been in an accident. We’ve experienced that sickening feeling when your car makes unwanted contact with another vehicle. We’re frustrated and disheartened. While we may want to crawl into a hole, we can’t. There are things to do and we’ve given you 10 to be aware of (in no particular order). 1. Have an emergency kit in your car. While this step comes before the accident occurs, it’s essential to be prepared. Whatever you kit entails, make sure it has a first-aid kit, flashlight, reflective triangles and a small (and simple) camera in case there’s been damage to your phone. We’re typically frustrated or frazzled after an accident and not inclined to rational thinking. Being prepared limits the possibility of forgetfulness. 2. Take a deep breath. Accidents are traumatic experiences. Taking a breath will shift focus from what just happened to what needs to be done next. 3. Get a status check on everyone in the car. Check with each passenger to see if they are OK. Have someone call 911 immediately if someone is injured or unresponsive. 4. Move to a safe location. Most insurance companies recommend relocating the vehicle to the sidewalk or shoulder of the road as soon as possible after the accident. If the damage to the car is minor, this should be relatively easy. But if there are major injuries or questions about the safety of the car, leave it where it is, even if its blocking traffic. 5. Increase your visibility. Turn on your hazard lights and set out your attention items from the emergency kit—flares, orange cones, reflective triangles, etc. One accident should not lead to another. Take precaution to ensure other drivers on the road remain safe. 6. Stay calm. It is very easy to lose your temper in this situation, it’s human nature. Keeping your cool will keep the situation from getting worse. If it wasn’t your fault, it’s easy to want to let your emotions
loose on the other driver. This will cloud your judgment and may lead to something that does not help the situation. You still need to exchange information. 7. Exchange insurance information. This is imperative. If you are to file a claim on your car, you will need the other driver’s information. Most likely, after an accident you are feeling jumpy or stressed. It means when you try to write down their information your handwriting will look like ancient hieroglyphics and, unless you are a cryptographer, will be unable to read it later. We live in the 21st century, take a photo of their information and take photos of the damage done to both cars. 8. Don’t admit guilt. Every insurance company will tell you to do this. Even if you are at fault and it was you to blame. This could drive your premium up or even lead to you being sued. Let the police and insurance companies determine this. 9. Call the police. While some minor accidents don’t require a report to be filed, it’s up to the discretion of the drivers in the accident to call the police. Law enforcement can take statements, get information on injuries and property damage. Be sure to ask for a copy of the accident report. If there is a dispute, the officer will be an important testimony. 10. See a doctor. Depending on the injuries suffered or not, it is easy to skip this. A large financial situation has just happened with the car accident, you don’t want another one by seeing the doctor and jacking up your health costs. It’s important to consider it, or possibly speak with one. Adrenaline can be pumping after the accident and one might not notice the amount of whiplash to your neck. Symptoms can take 24 hours to appear. The warning signs include neck pain, stiffness, loss of motion in the neck, headaches, fatigue, dizziness and pain in the shoulders or upper back. It can be better to be safe than sorry. l
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March 2019 | Page 19
Elevating women in the workplace By Aspen Perry | a.perry@mycityjournals.com
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A packed auditorium during the May 2018 ElevateHER panel. (Nicole Carpenter/WLI)
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t a time when Utah’s business industry has a poor showing for gender pay equality, in addition to record low numbers of women in executive roles, many wonder: Can Utah elevate its business practices? Five years ago, the Women’s Leadership Institute (WLI) created the ElevateHER challenge, in an effort to encourage Utah companies to do better, while fostering a collaborative environment, in lieu of blame. “It’s not a blame or shame game,” said
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Pat Jones, CEO of WLI. “Men [are] important in addressing this and finding solutions to maximizing our talent pool,” she continued. When a Utah company accepts the ElevateHER challenge, they agree to evaluate the role women hold within their organization. This serves as a means to both increase the number of women in leadership, as well as retain existing talent. Companies are also encouraged to both monitor and identify gender pay inequity within their organization—a practice Jones said has resulted in salary bumps for men, as well as women. Jones explained the idea is to provide companies with a toolbox, which will increase their ability to attract and retain talent. Thus far, almost 200 companies have taken part in the ElevateHER challenge, according to the list of companies on WLI’s website, with the number increasing every year. Of those companies, The Salt Lake Chamber, went from participating in the ElevateHER challenge to inviting WLI to collaborate on an awareness campaign. The gender wage gap campaign was launched in December of 2018, and is designed to offer both education and solutions on ways companies can close the gender wage gap.
According to the information from the campaign, Utah ranks 50th in the nation for gender pay inequity, which the Salt Lake Chamber and WLI argue are not just bad for local business, but can also deter quality companies from moving their businesses to Utah. Materials made available by Salt Lake Chamber and WLI provide real-time examples and current practices of companies who are succeeding in this realm, in addition to highlighting various ways women are often viewed differently in the workplace. In spite of the disparity in treatment for males and females, Jones feels it’s important both parties understand the complimentary differences they both bring to the table. “Men are absolutely advocates and allies of women and working with us,” Jones said. In addition to the ElevateHER challenge, WLI runs other programs including a Career Development Series (CDS), designed to help women maximize their career potential. CDS meets once a month, over an eight-month period, and includes workshops and conferences for $995, which are geared toward women in mid- to upper-level careers. “We try to keep cost down, but quality very high,” Jones said, of the various programs offered. WLI is also in the process of wrapping up its fourth year running a Political Development Series. For political development training, participants are required to only buy lunch, since WLI did not want any women to not participate due to financial reasons. “I didn’t want women to not take [the class], and not run for office, because they couldn’t afford it,” Jones said. Jones attributes WLI’s ability to keep costs down to the support of the local business community and their sponsorship of the multitude of programs offered. “Frankly, they’re wanting to increase the number of the women they hire,” Jones said, as she explained why companies take such an active role with WLI. While Utah is far from holding a great spot on the national scale of equality in the office, the number of programs in place to help Utah businesses mend their ways suggests prospects may be looking up. l
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Recipients of the ElevateHER medal challenge. (Nicole Carpenter/WLI)
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Healthy U, Tricare, University of Utah Healthcare, Three Rivers Provider Network, Wise Provider Network and Railroad Medicare to name a few. Primary Care Medicine includes annual physical exams, long-term medical care for diabetes, hypertension and asthma, health maintenance, physicals for Scouts, school, sports, missionaries and pre-employment. Acute illnesses like cough, sore throat, fever, sinus infection, bronchitis, pneumonia, allergy treatment, kidney and bladder infection, skin infection, cellulitis, and abscesses. Acute injuries such as sprains, lacerations, broken bones, auto accidents, work injuries and sports injuries. Other problems include any non-life-threatening medical issues, work injuries and urine drug screening. Additional procedures, test and treatments they provide are rapid strep tests, mono tests, influenza tests, X-rays, EKG, breathing treatments (nebulizer therapy), IM and IV medications, IV fluid therapy, laceration repair (suturing), draining abscess, skin procedures, Ortho Glass splinting, and casting broken bones. The only services they don’t provide are chronic pain management, long-term treatment with controlled medications, substance addiction, withdrawal and advanced psychiatric problems. Those who would benefit the most from Medallus Medical are people with no insurance. Roughly 90 percent of medical needs are urgent and primary care. Many people can’t afford the high cost of medical insurance. For this reason,
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March 2019 | Page 21
Bingham boys basketball sees long playoff streak end By Josh McFadden | josh@mycityjournals.com
Senior David Langston goes to the basketb in a game earlier this season for Bingham. (Photo by Pat McDonald)
B
ingham boys basketball and the state tournament have gone hand in hand for several years. The program is accustomed to qualifying for the postseason and making deep runs at state. But it won’t happen this season. The Miners will do something the school hasn’t seen from its boys basketball team do in the 2000s: stay home from the state tournament. Leading up to this season, the Miners had qualified for state every year this century. This season proved to be a tough one for Bingham, which competes in arguably the
most talent-rich region in the state, Region 4. The Miners have had to take on Pleasant Grove and American Fork, which were each flirting with 20 wins late in the regular season. Other league foes include Westlake and Lone Peak, which are hardly slouches. Another illustration of how tough Region 4 is: Lone Peak, perhaps the most successful Utah high school program over the past 15 years, finished with a non-winning record in region play. Bingham lost its first region contests, eliminating its chances of competing at the Class 6A state tournament. Only four of the league’s five teams gain a berth to the playoffs. At our press time, the Miners were two games behind Lone Peak for the final spot with just two games to play. However, Lone Peak beat Bingham twice to win any tiebreaker with the Miners. It’s not as though Region 4 teams have bullied Bingham. The Miners have had some close calls and have competed in each contest. The Miners kept all six of those defeats to 11 points or fewer, with one coming by six points and the other one point (a 48-47 loss to Westlake on Feb. 1). The Miners have found points hard to come by in many games. In five of those six defeats, Bingham didn’t reach 60 points. Opponents held the
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Miners to fewer than 50 points on three occasions during the first six region games. In games where the Miners did explode offensively, the defense struggled—in a 85-74 loss to American Fork on Jan. 22. Of course, the Miners have had their moments on the defensive end themselves. In the rematch against American Fork on Feb. 8, they held the Cavemen to just 50 points in a nine-point loss. They also limited Pleasant Grove to 51 points on Jan. 29. It’s difficult to judge Bingham’s season on its record alone, considering the level of play in Region 4. The Miners entered league play with a 10-5 mark, with one of those losses coming at the hands of a team from California. Another was a loss in an unusual non-region game against region foe American Fork during the Utah Elite 8 on Dec. 8. But the Miners also toppled defending Class 5A champion (and current Region 6 leader) Olympus 61-57 on Dec. 7. There’s plenty of hope for next season. Though the Miners lose leading scorer Luke Tueller to graduation, they bring back contributors Jordan Toscano, who averaged more than nine points per game as a sophomore this season. Junior Ethan Langston scored nearly six points an outing, and fellow junior Tyler West will also be back next year. l
Unsung Heroes In Our Community Feeding Hungry Students
There are nearly 1,700 students in Jordan School District who go hungry on the weekends. With the help of the Jordan Education Foundation Principal’s Pantries, these students are able to take food with them to get through the weekend. The Foundation is a non-profit 501c3 that raises funds each year to stock and supply food in schools within the Jordan District. It’s aim is to help the homeless student population or those in need of emergency assistance. An administrator from one of the participating schools said, “The food in our Pantry makes it possible for our faculty and staff to be able to share food and snacks with students and families that would otherwise go without. Teachers and the office staff have always tried to keep food and snacks on hand to help out children who are hungry at school. This food most often came from our own budgets. With the Principal’s Pantry, we now have plenty of food on hand to share with our students.” To get involved go to jordaneducationfoundation.org. Sponsored by:
www.westerngynob.com 801-266-0222 - w w w.jenkins-soffe.com
Page 22 | March 2019
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Bingham girls claim another region basketball title By Josh McFadden | josh@mycityjournals.com vtime lead. American Fork did strike back to make things tense for Bingham. In the third quarter, American Fork outscored Bingham 19-10 to cut the margin to 46-38. The Miners closed the door on the Cavemen, and on the Region 4 championship, finishing off the game with 20 points in the fourth quarter and preserving the victory. Maggie McCord had 22 points in the clinching win. Jaycee Lichtie added 12, while Ameleya Angilau had 10. The Miners hit seven of eight free throws and were clutch down the stretch. Players and coaches know things won’t
be easy at state, when the competition is intense and the stakes are high. The Miners will ride McCord through the postseason. The senior standout has been a team leader on and off the court all year. She averages a team-high 17.5 points per game. Lichtie’s efforts help form a potent duo, as she scores more than 10 points an outing. Samantha Holman and Angilau both average more than seven points a contest. Postseason success is nothing unusual to the Miners. The girls team has advanced past the first round the past three seasons and six of the past seven. l
Bingham girls basketball finished almost undefeated in the vaunted Region 4 to take the region title. (Photo by Pat McDonald
T
he Bingham girls basketball team is in familiar territory once again: at the top of the standings. Thanks to a big 66-57 win in the regular season finale over American Fork on Feb. 7, the Miners clinched an outright Region 4 championship. It was the second consecutive Region 4 title and the third in a row overall for Bingham, which shared the Region 3 crown in 2016–17. The Miners entered the Class 6A state tournament as the region’s No. 1 seed and will take on the No. 4 seed from Region 1 on Feb. 18. The tournament runs through Feb. 23 at the Taylorsville campus of Salt Lake Community College. Last season, Bingham took its No. 1 seed all the way to the state finals where it lost to Fremont. The Miners controlled Region 4 from the start by reeling off wins in their first
six league games. Bingham proved it could persevere in close games, as four of those victories were by eight points or fewer. A strong defense has been a significant factor in Bingham’s success this season. The Miners allowed no more than 60 points in any region contest and held four league opponent to under 50 points. Every victory was important for Bingham this season, but perhaps none were more critical than the final nine-point triumph over American Fork to wrap up the regular season. Not only were the Miners coming off their first loss in region play, a 59-50 setback to Lone Peak three days earlier, but a loss would have left the door open for Westlake to share the crown with the Miners. Bingham made sure it would be stingy with the title. Against American Fork, Bingham shook off its recent loss and rode a dominant 20-9
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March 2019 | Page 23
Bingham girls place 10th at 6A swim meet By Josh McFadden | josh@mycityjournals.com
The Bingham High swim team right before region during their pinning ceremony. (Photo courtesy Bingham swim team)
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ineteen different schools invaded the campus of Brigham Young University Feb. 8 and 9, bringing with them their top swimmers for the Class 6A state meet. By the end of the two-day event, the Bingham girls team finished in 10th place, garnering 90 points. Competing against some of the most talented, accomplished swimmers in Utah, the Miners didn’t have the depth to keep up with the top teams. Still, that didn’t keep some of the girls from producing some of their best times of the season and earning points for their squad. The girls’ 200-yard medley relay team of Jessica Gilchrist, Lexi Middleton, Aubrey Reidhead and Sara Wimmer finished the race in 2:01.67, good enough for ninth place among 16 competitors in the final round, earning 18 points. The Miners were also ninth in the 200 freestyle relay, finishing with a time of 1:49.40. Jaydee Guy, Kamree Kelley, Cayla Callus and Wimmer combined to earn 18 more points in this event. In the final event of the day, the 400 free relay, the Bingham girls were once again ninth. Gilchrist, Middleton, Kelley and Natalie Aguilar teamed up to swim the race in 4:00.62, half a second in back of the ninth-place team. Individually, Reidhead placed 13th in
the 100 butterfly. The sophomore finished the challenging race in 1:07.59, just .07 seconds behind the swimmer ahead of her. Gilchrist also earned some points for the Miners by advancing to the final round of the 100 free. She also placed ninth in the 100 backstroke, going for a time of 1:05.67 and getting nine points for the Miners. Meanwhile, Middleton, took part in the longest race of the meet, the 500 free. She placed 11th in the event with a time of 5:42.72, improving by .47 seconds from her swim in the preliminary round. Her teammate Callus also picked up four points for the Miners by advancing to the 500 free finals and finishing 13th. In the last individual event of the meet, the 100 breaststroke, Wimmer advanced past the preliminaries and got three points for Bingham by finishing in 14th place. The Bingham boys didn’t climb as high in the standings, placing 16th among 18 squads. The boys had 35 points, getting 12 of those by finishing 11th in the 200 medley relay. Logan Johnson, Hunter Browning, Nate Rock and Sean Yraguen joined forces to swim the relay in 1:48.68. Fourteen more points came from the 400 free relay where Yraguen, Rock, Browning and Johnson came in 10th with a time of 3:31.43. l
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Growing youth track club back for spring season By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com fortable circumstances. These kids are learning grit, sportsmanship and teamwork at a young age, and I am so proud of them. I am so grateful for all the coaches and parents who help make this possible. We all had a blast this past season and grew as at team.” Caisa Brown and Heidi Summers co-direct the 11-week Race Cats program that will practice at Herriman High as sanctioned by USA Track and Field. The spring season, the team will hold practices twice a week for young kids who will compete at meets through the season running from April 8 through June 22. The state meet will be held
June 6–8 with those qualifying for regionals traveling to Montana to compete June 20–22. More information on registration for the spring league is available at www.racecats. org. The number of athletes will be capped at 160. The Instagram page for the Race Cats spring program at Herriman High is @racecatssouthjordan. “I love how well thought-out and inclusive this program is,” Brown said. “Plus, Nan [Kennard] incorporates goals and learning principles beyond running techniques with this program’s philosophy, which helps these kids with some real-life skills.” l
Race Cats Herriman has grown from around 30 runners to more than 200 in just a few short seasons. (Photo courtesy Caisa Brown)
T
he Race Cats track program for kids ages 8 to 15 has simply kept on growing since it was formed by Draper’s Nanette Evans Kennard, a two-time All-American runner at Brigham Young University. After just a few years, the program boasted 40 teams and 1,100 athletes last fall and was the third-largest team in the country at last year’s national championships. “My vision for Race Cats is to facilitate opportunities for youth to discover running at a younger age than I did,” Kennard said. “I’ve designed the Race Cats program to be fun and positive so we can ignite a love of exercise in young children. I want them to experience the positive physical and mental benefits, confidence, joy and lifelong friendships that running provides.” This past December, 24 Race Cat athletes from the Jordan School District competed in Reno, Nevada,. at the Junior Olympic National Championships. Kennard said the experience of 13-yearold Grayson Milne during the 13- to 14-yearold boys race at nationals exemplifies what this program is all about. “Early on in his race, his shoe was yanked off by the mud on the course,” she
said. “He didn’t even stop to think about it. He just kept going and ran more than half of the race with only one shoe on (which was later retrieved by Grayson and his teammates)! I was inspired by his courage and willingness to press onward despite uncom-
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March 2019 | Page 25
Miners take seventh at 6A wrestling meet By Josh McFadden | josh@mycityjournals.com
By Shelley Potts, Business Manager southjordanchamber.org / 801-253-5200
the south Jordan Chamber of Commerce welcomed the following new and returning members in the last month: Cooking with Sharon Meridian Title 10380 S Redwood Road, Ste 200 South Jordan, UT
One Trust Home Loans 10713 South Jordan Gateway, Ste 120 South Jordan, UT Top Golf 920 Jordan River Blvd, Midvale, UT
McDermott Company & Associates 883 Baxter Drive South Jordan, UT
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Bingham’s Marco Herrera (dark uniform), shown here in action earlier this season, won the 6A state title in the 113-pound class. (Photo by Pat McDonald)
U UPCOMING EVENTS Legislative Roundup, march 2, 2019, 8:00 am - 9:30 am University of Utah Health Care, 5126 W Daybreak Pkwy, South Jordan
Let’s Do Lunch, march 5, 2019, 11:30 to 1:00 pm The Break Sports Grill, 11274 Kestrel Rise Rd, South Jordan
Legislative Roundup, march 9, 2019, 8:00 am - 9:30 am Jordan Valley Hospital, 3580 9000 S, West Jordan,
Eminence, march 15, 2019, 7:30 am
Embassy Suites, 10333 S. Jordan Gateway, South Jordan
southwest Valley Women in Business, February 26, 2019, 11:30 am Bout Time Pub & Grill, 5502 W 13400 S, Herriman, 11:30 am
multi Chamber Luncheon series, march 28, 2019, 11:30 am Jordan Water Conservancy District, 8275 S 1300 W, West Jordan
annual Vision Dinner, march 20, 2019, 6 pm Embassy Suites, 10333 S. Jordan Gateway, South Jordan
For more information about these events visit our website at www.southjordanchamberorg Page 26 | March 2019
tah Valley University was a busy campus Feb. 13 and 14. And if you enjoy wrestling, this was the place to be. The Class 6A and 5A state championships took place during these two days, brining numerous teams throughout the northern part of the state all to one location. In the 6A ranks, Bingham held its own, placing seventh with 107 points. Fellow Region 4 team Pleasant Grove won the championship, its eighth in a nine-year span. Bingham did just enough to finish in the top half of the standings. It had 12 more points than eighth-place American Fork and trailed sixth-place Fremont by 28 points. Though the Miners were distantly behind Pleasant Grove at the top, one Bingham wrestler brought home top individual honors. In the 113-pound weight class, Marco Herrera brought home a trophy for the Miners by defeating Layton’s Aidan Harris 9-1 in the finals. Herrera was dominant throughout the tournament. After going 38-2 during the regular season, he won his first three matches by fall, two of them in less than three minutes. Another Miner, Brevan Butterfield had a stellar outing in the tournament. He couldn’t quite reach the final but got all the way to the third-place match, coming up victorious over Josef Mecham of Cyprus 11-4 to claim third place in the 195-pound division. Butterfield lost his second match but then won four in a
row to claim third place. Bingham’s Chris Patterson also got to the third-place matchup. The 285-pound competitor lost in his final match to finish in fourth place. At 145 pounds, the Miners’ Jaxon Wardle battled hard and finished fifth among all wrestlers in that division. Patterson easily won his first match, pinning his opponent in just 39 seconds. After losing in the next round, he reeled off three more victories—all by fall in less than two minutes— before losing in the third-place match. Two more Bingham wrestlers earned points for the Miners by finishing in sixth place. Kam Moss, at 152 pounds, and Isaac Ngatuvai, at 220 pounds contributed to the Miners’ total and seventh-place efforts. Moss got off to a great start by winning his first two matches. He then dropped two in a row to fall to sixth. Meanwhile, Ngatuvai dropped his opener but then had three wins in a row before bowing out in his final matchup, losing by fall in 1:36. Bingham made a slight improvement from last season when it finished eighth at the 6A tournament. On Feb. 2, at the divisional meets, Bingham placed fifth in Division B with 228.5 points. Herrera, Moss and Butterfield each won their respective weight classes. The Miners were just 14 points behind fourthplace Davis. l
S outh Jordan City Journal
Women’s Leadership Institute encourages Utah women to ‘Step Up and Run’ By Jennifer J. Johnson | j.johnson@mycityjournals.com
The Women’s Leadership Institute honored the efforts of 43 Utah women who completed its 2018 six-month Political Development Series Feb. 7 at the State Capitol. (Jennifer J. Johnson/City Journals)
“
Make a difference in your community by stepping up and running for office.” That is the straightforward pitch of Utah’s Women’s Leadership Institute (WLI), an innovative organization whose class of more than 40 women politicians and public servants graduated last month. This year’s class was honored Feb. 7 at the Capitol on the floor of the Utah Senate and House of Representatives. This new cohort of women becomes a leadership force of more than 160 women who have completed the six-month, bipartisan training, covering everything from campaign finance to canvassing. Five of Utah’s mayors, (including Provo City’s first female mayor), two county commissioners, and multiple city council members are among the graduates. ‘Cultural Urgency’ for governing differently The WLI Political Development Series, which has been running since 2015, now, more than ever has “cultural urgency,” said Patricia Jones, WLI chief executive officer. This cultural urgency can be seen on topics such as education funding, an issue of particular concern to women. The 2016 New York Times article “Women Actually Do Govern Differently” articulates this point. “Women govern differently than men do in some important ways. They tend to be more collaborative and bipartisan [and] push for far more policies meant to support women, children, [and] social welfare.” But these bills are also more likely to die, largely because of gender bias, research shows. Women in Congress sponsor and co-sponsor more bills than men do, and bring nine percent more federal money to their districts, according to a study in the “American Journal of Political Science.” A 2018 “Political Science Research and Methods” study of more than 150,000 public bills introduced to the national legislature between 1973 and 2014 found that women were significantly more likely than men to sponsor bills in areas like civil rights, health and education. Men were more likely to sponsor bills in agriculture, energy and macroeconomics. “I think that we were actually ahead of our time with encouraging women to run for office,” observed Jones.
S outh JordanJ ournal.com
Jones, who served 14 years in the Utah Senate and House of Representatives, was herself ahead of her time and now has helped mentor some of the women comprising Utah’s legislature, which has more women than ever before. While serving in the legislature, Jones’s sponsorship of funding to teach Utah high school students about personal finance is an example of what WLI does well – help women learn how to advance their unique, passionate perspectives through politics. (Thanks to Jones’ successful program, Utah is the only state in the United States credited by Yahoo Finance in 2018 as receiving an “A+” for preparing students with financial literacy.) The Women’s Legislative Network of the National Conference of State Legislatures reports that in 2019 women comprise 28.5 percent of all state legislators nationwide, an increase of 25.3 percent, and the most women elected at one time. Utah’s current legislature is 24 percent female – with 25 of 104 lawmakers being women. According to 2017 research by the Utah Women & Leadership Project, 24.1 percent of all council members in Utah municipalities are female. Stepping up to run and to encourage “These women are committed to run for office. Or at the very least make a difference in their communities,” Jones explained. Jones went on to describe this year’s class as an extremely diverse group comprised of single moms, women of color, and women with disabilities. “These are women who represent our state and are willing to step up and run.” “Stepping up” is not just for women, Jones is quick to point out. Men mentoring women is part of WLI’s ElevateHER Challenge. “We encourage men and women to mentor each other and also to encourage women they know to run for office,” said Jones. Jones makes the pitch personal, actionable. “If you have a co-worker, neighbor, or family member who would be great — reach out and encourage them. Just like every other piece of advancement, supportive men are a critical component of women who run and end up winning in political office.
“Helping women and men understand the value of gender diversity in business and politics has really become a critical piece of what we do. Not because it’s the ‘nice’ thing to do, but because it’s what can bring a return on investment rapidly. We need women’s voices and we need them at every level.” Women leaders: A gubernatorial mandate Utah Lieutenant Governor Spencer J. Cox has served on the board of directors for WLI the past five years. He joined WLI CEO Jones in presenting this year’s class with certificates of accomplishment at the Capitol. The City Journals asked the lieutenant governor how he sees his role – and that of the Governor – in helping Utah women engage and be enabled to make a difference in Utah politics. “Women need to know that they are needed at the highest levels. The Governor and I are committed to speaking up on this as often as we can,” he said. Cox says he is familiar with dozens of women who have completed the training series. “I’m proud that many have gone on to run for office and earn leadership roles in business. This training provides them with skills and resources to make those leaps forward, and the opportunity to meet other strong women with the same drive and passion to make a
difference.” Cox observed that, historically, Utah’s legislature “has not very many women.” “I am happy to see that changing — even though it is perhaps still changing too slowly,” he said. The new WLI graduates, he says, “represent what Utah has to offer by way of outstanding public leaders in years to come. I am encouraged by their desire to serve. They are prepared, and committed, to improving their world and our great state, and we are proud of their efforts.” How to step up There is already a waiting list for WLI’s 2019 training, which is scheduled to start September 2019. Interested women can join the list at www.wliut.com/pds. The 2018 cost was $179 for the six, three-hour sessions, which all included lunch. Sessions were alternatingly held at the Salt Lake Chamber and at Silicon Slopes, with live streaming available for those not able to attend in person. In addition to the Women’s Leadership Institute, Salt Lake Valley women might consider the national She Should Run organization (www.sheshouldrun.org/). Real Women Run (www.ywcautah.org/real-women-run/) is a local YWCA program tailored for women more in the beginnings of political interests and often collaborates with WLI. l
March 2019 | Page 27
City council reviews developer’s vision for 40-Acre, ‘Premier’ senior community By Jennifer J. Johnson | j.johnson@mycityjournals.com
An image of the “look-and-feel” of one of the villas to grace a potential South Jordan development. (Courtesy Leisure Villas)
“
The Silver Tsunami.” According to the U.S. Census Bureau, people age 65 and older, today’s “Baby Boomers,” will make up 20 percent of our national population in 2030. And Utah is one of 10 states in the country seeing the fastest growth of this “Silver Tsunami” aging population. What does this mean to us in Salt Lake County? Many things, including the need for housing products tailored to suit the unique needs of seniors. Leisure Villas seeking 17th ‘boomer’ community in So Jo In early February, the South Jordan City Council heard from Leisure Villas, an 18-year veteran developer of 16 housing communities tailored to the needs of seniors. Leisure Villas has its eye on developing a 40-acre South Jordan land parcel directly South of Salt Lake Community College and running along Bangerter Highway at 9400 South. The South Jordan Leisure Villas, developers say, would be its most premier community, to date, with a four-residenceper-acre density, yet would also be a very low-impact Planned Development (PD). Being “low-impact” translates to not being a burden on the larger community, mainly in terms of traffic. South Jordan City planning is being careful to assess these types of considerations with planning proposals. "The last project caused me to rethink how we do things,” South Jordan Director of Planning Steven Schaefermeyer told members of the Council and community members attending. “We are going to try to screen projects better,” he added, “[to]
Page 28 | March 2019
keep things moving forward and [preserve] a balance between predictability and flexibility." ‘Dialed in’ and delivering ‘The Largest Small House Possible’ Dave Erickson, director of development for Leisure Villas, promoted the company as a worthy partner for the city, and one able to uniquely tend to the needs of the senior population. "We've dialed into what people want,” he said. “They don't really want to downsize. [They want] the largest small house possible." This largest small house possible would look like senior homes as large as 2,700 square feet, with up to three bathrooms. South Jordan City Council comments ranged from recommending what they consider quality materials such as “hardie board” (fiber cement siding) and brick, to even upping the number of pickleball courts within the community. Shallenberger reminded the council that the city does not dictate the exterior façade materials used, but declined comment on the pickleball recommendation. One comment was a recommendation for the city to acquire property in-between Salt Lake Community College and the proposed development. “I like the way you're thinking,” Utah Sen. Dan McKay, one of the developers, responded. The density quotient – raised by the councilman from Daybreak South Jordan City Councilman Jason T. McGuire, who represents residents of Daybreak, was the council member most concerned about what he depicted as the development’s “extreme” high-density.
In preparation for the council meeting, McGuire indicated having toured multiple South Valley Leisure Villas senior communities, including West Jordan’s Country Park Villas and Herriman’s Midas Creek Villas 55+ Community. “I was struck with the feeling of high density,” he shared with the council. "I can go through Daybreak right now, and feel like it's a good project.” However, McGuire indicated not having that same feeling about other Leisure Villas senior-living projects. “Going through your other communities? I feel the density." Daybreak hosts multiple senior communities and has done so for several years. Developer Erickson, who later noted to his colleagues that the critique was “rich,” coming from a councilman representing Daybreak, attempted to assuage the concern. The South Jordan project, he said, will have “a feeling of a normal, larger-lot subdivision.” Describing it in a way that all could relate to, Erickson added: “You cannot hand the soap to your neighbor through the bathroom window.” He further noted, “The streets will only be used on Christmas and Mother’s Day.” Utah Congressman and vice president of the LDS Church’s Suburban Land Reserve Dan McKay is a partner in the project. McKay suggested that McGuire’s negative impression of the other senior communities was due to his viewing incomplete projects, or viewing them in winter time, when plant foliage is not at its spring and summertime max. The density quotient - countered by the mayor of Lehi Perhaps the most convincing response to McGuire’s concern was from Lehi Mayor Mark Johnson. Johnson, who was elected mayor in 2016, hosts three Leisure Villas senior communities in his city. Johnson views the Leisure Villas projects as “an asset to the community,” and one with “little impact on your streets during peak times.” However, it should be stated that Johnson’s company, Mustang Design, was contracted by Leisure Villas, for planning services, for all three communities in Lehi and other planned developments. In addressing the impact of density emanating from a Leisure Villas community, Johnson shared findings from a traffic study, commissioned by Provo-based transportation-engineering firm Hales Engineering. Hales principal Ryan Hales reported literal zero peak-traffic travel from older, wiser seniors able to run errands and visit friends and family during off hours. “These [findings] broke the typical traffic report,” he surmised. "Our folks don't need to be anywhere
at eight in the morning, typically," reasoned Erickson. "They want their grandkids to visit, but not stay.” What the neighborhood wants “Our project is in a few people’s backyards, but not many,” Leisure Villas President Brent Lindstrom told the South Jordan Journal in a phone interview. Lindstrom, who indicated Leisure Villas seeks to benefit its surrounding community, said the developer is heads-down trying to figure out how to best resolve community concerns with a detention basin to prevent flooding and erosion adjacent to the southeast corner of property. “Get the whole thing beautified” is Leisure Villa’s overall goal, he told the South Jordan Journal. “We’re trying to figure out the best way to do this. UDOT (Utah Department of Transportation) often puts restrictions on access from outsiders. “When it comes to playing ball with UDOT, that’s really in their court, how much they will allow us to do." He concluded, “I would hope we’re a value to the community.” What SoJo seniors want The South Jordan Leisure Villas would include swimming pool, barbeque, clubhouse, and yes, pickleball facilities. Crediting the popular paddle sport combining badminton, tennis, and table tennis, Erickson quipped, “Now it’s mandatory that pickleball be added to communities.” Councilwoman Tamara Zander, representing District 4, indicated that there should be ample walking trails in the community, which, curiously, “does not connect to anything,” yet has no in-community resources such as coffee shops, mini-marts, or other services. Leisure Villas, however, indicated they tailor to the needs of seniors, making sure to adhere to all federal guidelines to be able to market its communities as “55+.” "We try to build our projects so that there is not a step in the community,” Erickson added. Developers anticipate South Jordan’s Leisure Villas would cost $400,000$500,000 and have a $200 monthly HOA fee. Additional perspective Leisure Villas indicate that the project could be “years-away,” depending on zoning, planning and other gating items in the development process. There is currently no available product for potential residents or their advisors to assess or consider purchasing. Request for comment, development timeline and procedural requirements, and meeting documents by Steve Schaefermeyer of South Jordan Planning and of Dave Erickson of Leisure Villas went unreturned.
S outh Jordan City Journal
SPOTLIGHT
Embassy Suites South Jordan
Business Spotlights are a service offered to our advertisers to help them inform our readers about their businesses. For information on scheduling a Spotlight, please call us at 801-254-5974 or email us at ryan.casper@mycityjournals.com
E
mbassy Suites South Jordan, a beautiful new hotel built in 2018 and located at 10333 S. Jordan Gateway, is proud to be the first full-service hotel in the south end of the Salt Lake Valley. Melissa Deveraux, director of sales and marketing, loves sharing what’s special about Embassy Suites. “We offer all our guests the three pillars of service: First is that every room in the hotel is a two-room suite. Second is complimentary drinks and snacks reception along with complimentary wireless internet,” Deveraux said. And third is the most delicious: “Every guest at Embassy Suites enjoys a free madeto-order breakfast. This is a bonus whether we’re feeding a solo traveler or a team of professional athletes,” said Deveraux. Professional athletes often find themselves staying at Embassy Suites. “We are proud to be the official host of the Salt Lake Stallions Football team and the Utah Warriors Rugby team. We hosted the Stallions during training camp and had 60 athletes here for almost a month. They loved our two-room king and queen suites,” said Deveraux. In addition to athletes, visitors to Sandy or Silicon Slopes in Lehi are happy they
don’t need to drive all the way from downtown Salt Lake City. “We have a great meeting space and ballroom that’s 11,000 square feet. It seats 350 people. We’re hosting upcoming conferences for Avanti Corp and Lehi-based Domo Software,” Deveraux said. Embassy’s four-star chef Hector Armendariz oversees breakfast, where you can get a made-to-order omelet, lunch and dinner. “You have to try his famous fish tacos and homemade salsa. They are amazing,” Deveraux said. In addition to meals at their Brickstone restaurant, catering for groups is available. There is a complimentary reception service with free beer and wine and light snacks each evening. The on-site lobby bar is open all afternoon and evening, and room service is available. At its heart, Embassy Suites is a place where any guest can feel welcome and at home. “Our focus is on personal touch, and we go above and beyond to provide service to all of our guests. A great example of this happened when a family stayed with us over the holiday season,” Deveraux said.
Embassy Suites of South Jordan by Hilton is proud to offer a double queen two-room suite.
The family had planned to rent a house in town to spend their holiday vacation together, but when they got here they found out the house had been double booked. “They had nowhere to go and called us in desperation. We took them in and gave them rooms next to each other. We let them use one of our eighth floor meeting rooms to get together as a family. They had a Christmas tree and a place to relax and open presents,” said Deveraux of the last-minute accommodation. “On Christmas Eve, Chef Armendariz prepared a prime rib dinner in our Brickstone restaurant. The family enjoyed a wonderful
meal as part of their celebration. It was special for everyone involved,” Deveraux said. Unsurprisingly, the South Jordan location has customer satisfaction scores that rank in the top five percent of all Embassy Suites worldwide. To contact Embassy Suites by Hilton South Jordan for information on booking a stay or hosting an event, call (801) 617-4040. Online, search Embassy Suites South Jordan, or visit their social media pages on Facebook (facebook.com/ESSouthJordan) or Instagram (instagram.com/ESSouthJordan). l
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March 2019 | Page 29
Delicious Deals
A
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CASSIE GOFF
re you looking for deals on Utah restaurants? Or maybe you’re trying to find a new favorite restaurant? We’ve got you covered! If you check out our website, we update our restaurant deals weekly to keep you up to date on the best local food deals. Here are some of the frequent highlights. For breakfast deals, you could always visit the regulars like IHOP and Village Inn. Or, you could try Pig & A Jelly Jar in Salt Lake, or the famous Belgian Waffle and Omelet Inn in Midvale. Are you needing that raw energy to get you through the day? Check out Chopfuku Sushi Bar in Taylorsville, Blue Marlin in Sandy, or Itto Sushi in downtown Salt Lake. If you’re invoking your inner carnivore this weekend there’s Tokyo Steakhouse & Asian Fusion in Lehi, Tony Burgers or Ruby River Steak House in Salt Lake City. Eating at home all the time can get boring, just like American food. If your taste buds are craving a vacation, try any of the following restaurants to trick your taste buds into believing they are out of town. Instead of taking a 13+ hour flight to Asia, visit Chow Time Buffet in West Valley or Lanikai Grill in South Jordan. If the ideal vacation destination is Europe, visit The Gallery Grill in Sugarhouse for Russian and European Cuisine. Or take a lavish trip to the Mediterranean, by visiting Bountiful Greek Café
(in Bountiful, of course) or The Olympian Restaurant in Salt Lake City. Don’t plan a quick trip down to Mexico for authentic Mexican food, instead visit: Taco Burrito in Orem, La Puente in Centerville, Mi Ranchito Grill in Salt Lake, or Moe’s Southwest Grill in Layton. Personally, my taste buds have been craving Thai food, so I’ll be visiting District Thai Lao in Orem, and Sala Thai Kitchen in Salt Lake. However, my family’s favorite place to take their taste buds is Italy. For fantastic Italian food, our thrifty options are Oregano Italian Kitchen in Provo, Macaroni Grill in
Murray, or Johnny Carino’s in West Jordan. But, if you’re taste buds want to stay close to home, there’s always pizza! Papa Johns, Domino’s, Papa Murphy’s, Little Caesars and Pizza Hut always have great rotating deals. I promote supporting local businesses through, so for pizza we’d recommend trying Este Pizzeria in Sugarhouse, MidiCi Neapolitan Pizza in Salt Lake City, The Junction Pizzeria in Midvale, Big Daddy’s Pizza in South Salt Lake, David’s Pizza in Kaysville, Francesco’s in Taylorsville, Wild Mushroom Pizza in Salt Lake, Big Apple Pizza in Salt Lake, The Pizza Runner in Ogden, or Pizza Factory in Lindon, Spanish Fork, Syracuse and Provo. Lastly, don’t forget that International Women’s Day is this month (March 8). So, ladies, if you need a place to eat, preferably without the munchkins, Bout Time Pub and Grub in Layton, Scoffy’s Social Pub in Midvale, Tailgaters Grill in Ogden, Christopher’s Prime Tavern or Grill in Salt Lake City should be your destination! These deals, and more (including The Pie Pizzeria and Leatherby’s) can always be found on the Entertainment app. For more information about the Entertainment Happenings book and app, please visit our website: coupons4utah.com, or follow us on social media: @coupons4utah, on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. l
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S outh Jordan City Journal
Life and Laughter—Humor Writing for Dummies
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’m sometimes asked how I consistently come up with funny column ideas. I laugh breezily, toss my hair and say, “It’s so easy. I sit down to write and it just pours out of me like warm chocolate syrup.” Of course, that’s a blatant lie. Writing’s like pulling out my own molars. I don’t consistently write funny. I often write pure garbage; you just don’t get to see it. And sometimes what I think is hilarious, isn’t received well at all. (Offending topics include gluten, dentists, graffiti and child labor.) I look at the funny side of life. It’s much happier there. But sitting down to write can be excruciating. Sometimes an idea just works. Other times (most of the time), the path from brain to published column is fraught with mind traps and self-doubt. My writing process goes like this: Deadline: I’ve just submitted my hilarious column to the editor. I vow to work on my next one right away! Three weeks later: I’ve written no column. I have no ideas. All is darkness. I’ve used all my funny lines. I’ll never write again. Four days before deadline: I need to write something! Two days before deadline (at 2 a.m.): I just thought of something funny! Day of deadline: Complete column. Send it to editor. Vow to work on the next column immediately. Repeat for 15 years. There are lots of ways to get funny inspiration. Get out of bed. Humans are insane, and
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by observing them you’ll get tons of humor writing ideas. Watch people at the mall. Watch people at church. Watch people in stressful situations. Eavesdrop. Read the headlines. Comic gold! Exaggerate. Hyperbole is a humor writer’s greatest tool in the known (and unknown) universe. You didn’t just fall down the stairs, you slipped on a sock and bounced down the stairs, hitting each step with your elbow, head and hip twice before falling to the next step. It took 15 minutes to reach the bottom of the stairs. Read humor. David Sedaris, Mark Twain, Nora Ephron and Tina Fey, are some of my favorites. The idea is not to plagiarize their writing (illegal) but to study the flow of humor (totally legal). What words make you laugh? (Shenanigans, bloviate, canoodle.) What phrases make you burn with jealousy that you didn’t think of them first? (Most of them.) Find the serious. Somber people almost write comedy for you. When you run into someone who’s all “Harrumph, harrumph. I’m an important grown up” you’ve struck a comedic motherlode. Look back on all the stuffy authority figures in your life; could be your parents, could be your algebra teacher or your precocious cousin who graduated from high school at 8 years old. People who take themselves seriously are super easy to satirize and/or lampoon. (Thank you, Prez Trump.) Do things that make you laugh. It’s hard to write comedy when you’re crying into your big pillow every afternoon. Go to funny
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March 2019 | Page 31
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March 2019 | Vol. 6 Iss. 03
FREE TEACHER, COMMUNITY RALLY TO FIND TOOLS TO SUPPORT BLIND KINDERGARTNER’S LEARNING By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com
W
hen Welby kindergarten teacher Janie Lauritzen was approached by her principal asking if she would be willing to teach a legally blind boy this school year, she wasn’t so sure she was the right teacher. The 19-year veteran teacher hadn’t taught a student like him. Andrew Godrey was born with coloboma, which caused a hole to form in his retina. In his good eye, he can see 20/200, but in his other eye, he sees 20/500. “He can see colors, but shapes and letters are blurry, and he lacks depth perception,” said his father, Benjamin. “He wears glasses mostly to protect his eyes.” Luckily, Andrew doesn’t have any mental disabilities or heart defects that are common with the disease, according to his father, who said the disease affects less than one in every 10,000 births. But it wasn’t Andrew’s disability Lauritzen saw, it was his ability. “He would put his head right down on the table to try to see the letters, the words,” she said. “Here’s this incredibly bright boy who can change lives, but we weren’t giving him the tools to learn. How could I not help him?” Lauritzen said she was given a magnifying ruler to help Andrew, which “did almost nothing” so she started researching what else she could provide the kindergartner. After talking to his mother, Tara, she learned about CCTV — closed-circuit television, which has a video magnifier that projects an enlarged image onto a 27-inch screen so Andrew can see the same material as his classmates. Armed with that information she found the right tool for Andrew, and knowing the cost could reach upward of $4,000, Lauritzen said she approached Jordan Education Foundation Director Steven Hall. “She first approached me, and I told her I wished we could help, but we seldom, if ever, allot that much money for an individual student,” Hall said. “But that teacher was persistent; she didn’t take no for an answer. Janie Lauritzen is an amazing teacher that saw the potential of that student and said, ‘We can do better than what we’re doing; we should do everything we can to help him.’ She said that he wanted to learn so badly, and with the use of a CCTV, it would allow him to read and help him learn. It touched our hearts.” Hall observed Andrew in the classroom and on the playground, where after just one day, he had memorized the schoolyard and felt comfortable to play without using his cane. “Andrew is determined to be as good as everyone else,” he said. “He was a friend to everyone, and I could see exactly what the teacher described. He could accomplish great things if given the tools to help him.” Hall then spoke to Merit Medical officials, who were interested in supporting this little boy. It resulted in their donation of a CCTV for Andrew to use for schooling.
Welby kindergarten teacher Janie Lauritzen helps student Andrew Godrey read the book she gave him with the help of a closed circuit TV that enlarges words so he can see. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
“The CCTV will change his life and that of his parents forever more,” Lauritzen said. After receiving the CCTV in late December, Andrew is showing the promise his teacher predicted. “He’s reading above grade level, and his writing is greatly improving,” she said, adding that he continues to spend an hour four times per week learning Braille. Andrew, using his CCTV to read the book, “Sneezy the Snowman,” his teacher gave him for the winter break, understands the donation has been a life-changing difference. “I’m able to see what my classmates see now,” he said. “I wasn’t able to before.” At the recent Jordan Education Foundation donor appreciation luncheon, Andrew spoke to hundreds of business and education leaders to show his appreciation. “I have a hard time seeing the same things my friends do,” Andrew said. “This is why I love my CCTV. It helps me see things a lot better. It even makes it easier to do my homework. I used to have to put books really close to my eyes, but now I can read books just like my friends. I love to read now, and I can even see the pictures. I also
like to write and color pictures with my CCTV. I even wrote a letter to Santa with it.” The luncheon showcased a variety of ways Jordan Education Foundation has partnered with businesses and schools to provide for students to support Jordan School District’s motto, “every child, every day.” For five years, Jordan Education Foundation has partnered with Gordmans and South Jordan Chamber of Commerce to provide gifts for middle and high school students with its Christmas for Kids program. The program began with providing for 40 kids but now reaches 300 students, and local community and business leaders volunteer to shop with a student, said Gordmans general manager Brian Synan, who also serves on the Jordan Education Foundation Board and the Chamber. “It’s not only providing them with gifts, but there’s a mentoring piece to it,” he said. “These students are getting to be influenced by the police chief or the mayor, and at the same time, they are so excited to get their own pillow or lamp. It’s an amazing opportunity.” Another Jordan Education Foundation booth showcased how it helps students who need eye exams and glasses or can help with basic health expenses for qualified students who have other health concerns. Other booths showed how people have donated, including Bingham High students through their True Blue fundraiser, food items, personal hygiene items and weekend packs for principal’s pantries, which are located in every school. Oquirrh Hills Middle School demonstrated how it put the Foundation’s STEM funding to use in its FIRST LEGO league robotics program. Other schools may use it toward after-school programs as well as classroom projects. The Foundation also provides classroom grants for teachers to purchase books, materials and equipment to better teach students. Jordan District Superintendent Patrice Johnson said it is through the generosity of donors and the Foundation that students can better reach their potential. “Jordan Education Foundation makes it possible to elevate a trajectory of students’ future,” she said. “They’re able to fill in the gaps with resources to lift them to give them optimal success in life.” Hall said the event was a way to honor and thank donors and show how they can make a difference in students’ lives. “We appreciate the groups, individuals, businesses, community and education leaders and everyone who steps up, understands what the Foundation does and how it can impact our students,” he said. For Lauritzen, she fully understands that impact. “This boy captured my heart and now, he’s captured those of the community,” she said. “He changed how I taught and who I am.” l
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